All Posts (7175)

Sort by
The squabble between the Ghanaian movie industry and that of Nigeria is getting nastier by the day. The latest casualty to fall victim to the rift between Ghallywood and Nollywood is Ghanaian Actor John Dumelo who was allegedly arrested in Nigeria a few days ago...

Information available to peacefmonline.com indicates that John was apprehended on set in Nigeria whiles shooting a new movie for a female Nigerian producer. The sources disclosed that the actor was arrested for refusing to pay an amount Ghanaian actors and producer are supposed to pay before they are permitted to act in any movie. John Dumelo confirmed the incident in and exclusive interview with peacefmonline and explained that there was an attempt to arrest him but he was not really arrested.
“Yes they nearly arrested me, it wasn’t an arrest as a matter of fact but I was nearly arrested.” Asked what the reason for his attempted arrest was, John said “It is because of this Ghana-Nigeria thing that we are supposed to pay something before we are allowed to shoot in Ghana or in Nigeria”. He further explained that he went to Nigeria to shoot a movie a few days ago and while he was on set, some members of the producers association in Nigeria came with the police to arrest him for shooting in Nigeria illegally.

According to John, they claim that the producer who brought him to Nigeria did not pay some association for bringing a Ghanaian there. “It was one of the associations which brought in the police. The police didn’t come there on their own, but eventually I wasn’t arrested. I was nearly taken to the police station for whatever reason I don’t know”.

Asked how he was able to prevent the police from arresting him he said “Obviously I have a Nigerian working permit and everything so I showed them my working permit and told them to sort thing out with the producer because it is the producer who has to pay them.

“For me I don’t have to pay anybody any money, because it was the producer who brought me there. So if there is any problem it is the producer they should talk to”. On how he was able to leave the country without been harmed or manhandled John said “Oh! I managed to finish filming the next day and then I left”.

However the president of the Actor Guild of Nigeria Segun Arinze has also confirmed the incident saying John was not arrested but he was stopped from working in Nigeria without permit. Speaking on Peace FM’s “Entertainment Review” program he said even though he was not in town when the incident occurred he was told on his return that John was not arrested. “Nobody arrested John Dumelo to the best of my knowledge I know he was stopped from working but he wasn’t arrested. That will be a bit of an exaggeration”.

Segun said there is no problem at all and that everything is under control. He also added that three days after the incident, The Actor Guild of Nigeria and producers had a meeting with the Ghana Actors Guild and the Ghanaian producers to solve the problem. “We are brothers and we will forever remain brothers. I don’t see anybody been arrested. It is a free enterprise; we just need to sort a few things out”. According to Mr. Arinze plans are far advanced for both parties to have a final decisive meeting either in Lagos or in Accra.
Segun used the opportunity to apologize to Ghallywood actor John Dumelo. “To John Dumelo I will say we are deeply sorry for what happened. He was embarrassed we are sorry about it, and believe me, we will work it out there is nothing to worry about”.

When “Entertainment Review” host Kwasi Aboagye asked Segun why Ghanaians and Nigerians are demanding some payment before they are allowed to act or shoot in their respective countries, he answered “Nobody has asked anybody to pay anything. I think there has been confusion in the system, some people are doing this to profit and be mischievous about it, and we will defiantly get them and flush them out. We are all one; I go to Ghana to do movies and Ghanaians come to Nigeria to work. I don’t see why we should be losing sleep over this I think it is something we can definitely sort out”.

This whole Ghana-Nigeria rift started when Ghanaians reportedly demanded $1,000 from Nigerians and Nigerians also threatened to demand $2,000 from Ghanaians. This has resulted in some gruesome exchanges between Ghana and their Nigerian counterparts. Earlier on in the year, actors Van Vicker, Majid Michel and others also faced similar situation in Nigeria and they had to return to Ghana for their own safety.

John Dumelo’s incident seems to be a retaliation to the Film Producers Association of Ghana (FIPAG) who seized the camera of a Nigerian crew who were allegedly shooting in Ghana with the express permission few months ago. The crew, who were shooting on the Spintex Road in Accra, refused to identify who the producer was, when the FIPAG members confronted them with the police. They then decided to confiscate their camera until the producer owned up.
Read more…
Customs seize 13 containers of arms, ammunition in Lagos
| Print | E-mail

Written by Dele Aderibigbe and Okey Muogbo Wednesday, 27 October 2010
MEN of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), on Tuesday, seized 13 container loads of arms and ammunition, at the Lagos Ports Complex. They were brought into the country allegedly to prosecute the 2011 general election.

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Marvel Akpoyibo, heads of the State Security Service (SSS), Directorate of Military Intelligence, Naval Intelligence and other security chiefs were still at the port when Nigerian Tribune reporter left there at 7.46 p.m.

Impeccable sources told the Nigerian Tribune that the containers, which were off-loaded at the AP Moller Terminal, drew attention when the clearing agent reportedly pledged to pay any amount to have them transferred from the port to an off-dock terminal, preferring to have the containers screened outside the ports.

The containers, which the sources disclosed were shipped in from Iran, allegedly contained various sizes of grenades, rocket launchers, different types of bombs, assault rifles and heavy machine guns.

Nigerian Tribune further learnt that once the agent’s entreaties had failed, the report was communicated to relevant people, who decided to perform an on-the-spot evaluation, even as the importers reportedly went underground.

“We cannot quantify the contents yet. All we know for now is that they are concealed in tiles,” a source, pleading anonymity said, adding that nobody was going home from the port till today (Wednesday).

“When the Customs Public Relations Officer was contacted, he confirmed it, highlighting that the first container which was opened at about 6.00 p.m. was still being examined.

“As I am speaking right now with you, the first container is still being examined. We understand they are 13 in number. And the content of the first showed it had mortals, bullets and such related items,”Customs Public Relations Officer, Mr. Wale Adeniyi, said at 8.07 p.m.

Commenting on the development, spokesperson of the SSS, Marilyn Ogar, an Assistant Director, confirmed that the bill of lading accompanying the containers listed their contents as building materials.

According to her, of the 13 containers, 12 were still to be examined as operatives were busy searching the first container which carried 24 different crates containing what were suspected to be explosives, including grenades, rocket launchers and ammunition of different capacities.

Mrs Ogar, however, said that investigations were still ongoing to establish more issues about the imports, adding that the country of origin could not be disclosed at press time because of bilateral concerns.



Read more…
At 7, this girl is in secondary school

She is, without a doubt, a genius. At seven, when many of her peers are still in primary three, little Atiyatullahi Arike Lawal has already gained admission into the Junior Secondary School (JSS).

Many people agree that the brilliant girl has performed a rare feat.

When schools in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital resumed for the 2010/2011 academic session recently, Atiyatullahi was the cynosure of all eyes as she joined other students at the Ikija High School, Abeokuta, where she had been admitted for her junior secondary education.

The first of her parents’ three children, Atiyatullahi isn’t just an academic whiz kid; she’s also a devoted Muslim. By the time she turned five, she had actually completed the reading of the Holy Quoran. Right now, she’s studying Arabic literature books.

When Daily Sun ran into the brilliant girl, she was so confident of what she wants to be in life. “With God on my side and with prayers, which I believe in, I hope to make a career in law. I want to be a lawyer so that I can be of great help to my immediate community in particular as well as serve mankind in general,” she said...

The girl’s dad, Mr. Lawal, said Atiyatullahi began manifesting uncommon brilliance when she took interest in reciting many books offhand. At the time, he recalled, she was just four.

“We discovered her at four because she used to recite so many things offhand, including many of the things she learnt in school. Initially, we were worried about her academic development, but later we discovered that she could read and understand English very well.

“Ordinarily, it is difficult to believe that at her age, she is already in JSS I, but that is the reality. During her primary education, particularly when she was between classes 2 and 4, she had double promotion. At that time she was at the Baptist Day School. That was between 2008 and 2009. That was where she also completed her education.”

Atiyatullahi’s parents are both teachers, and she started her education at a very young age. According to her dad, she started kindergarten when she was just two. She attended Ayodele Akode Memorial Nursery/Primary School as well as Almubarak Nursery and Primary School.

And when she was asked what her favourite subjects were, the girl retorted innocently: “My favourite subjects? I like English Language and Mathematics, but I prefer English Language.”

The girl never attended an Islamic school, but on March 15, 2008, she celebrated her Wolimat Al Quoran (completion of reading of the Holy Quoran). Her father actually took her through the study of the Islamic holy book himself. He had mastered the holy book at 25.

“I introduced her to the reading of the holy book precisely on January 6, 2007, and miraculously, she completed the introductory reading within two days. We are surprised that about a week to her fifth birthday, on November 25, 2007, she completed the recitation. She then started another aspect, which is Jurisprudence.

Lawal’s extraordinary intellectual abilities and mastery of the Quoran as well as her admission into the JSS I at such a tender age is already causing ripples, with many wondering whether such is actually possible.

An educationist, Mr. Olayiwola Oyenekan, while reacting to Atiyatullahi’s feat, noted: “It is a rare achievement, but the great challenge is for her to sustain it. A genius like that has the tendency to rubbish her records if she is not well guided, especially by her parents.

“An adage in Yoruba says it is not the beginning that matters, but the ability to sustain the rare feat. Her parents must ensure that she does not derail along the way. I recommend that they monitor her studies and ensure that she gets to the Promise Land, I mean the university, between the ages of 13 and 14.’’

An Islamic cleric, Alhaji Mohammed Tajudeen who commented on the ingenuity of the girl advised that her parents should guide her in the ways of God.

“She should be guided and shown the way of God,” he said. “She must be taught the principles of God and they should allow her move closer to God. She needs fervent prayers to actualize her dreams in life,” he said.

Read more…
He was said to have stabbed his friend after which he ran over him with the deceased’s Mercedes Benz car.

Abatcha, who claimed to be a sociology student of the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), was arraigned on a two-count charge of culpable homicide and robbery punishable by death under section 221 and 298 of the Penal Code. He was said to have committed the offence on September 10, 2007.

The deceased father, who reported the matter at the G.R.A Police Station in Maiduguri, said his son, Busami travelled with his friend, Abatcha on the fateful day he met his untimely death in a very suspicious manner, adding that the family was troubled following Busami’s disappearance for six days. Subsequently, Abatcha was picked up by the police for questioning; an effort which the police claimed led into further investigation on the fate of Busami.

“But the police maintained that Abatcha could not give satisfactory explanation on the whereabouts of his friend when he was questioned. They said it was later discovered that he hit his friend, Busami on the head with spanner and cutlass after he had sedated him.” Wife of the deceased, Hadiza Bashir, also told the court during the trial that her late husband and his friend ate together. She said the two friends went out thereafter, noting that it was the last time she saw her husband. She added that Abatcha later came to their house without any satisfactory explanation on the where abouts of her husband.

Police also told the court that the wrist watch and shoes of the deceased were found with Abatcha at the time of his arrest. Also testifying, a witness, from Yobe State where the crime was reportedly committed, said he reported to the police when he saw a corpse in a farmland. The witness, a vice principal of a junior secondary school at DogonKuka village in Damagun Local Government Area of Yobe State, disclosed that he saw the corpse of the deceased on his way to his farm.

In his statement to the police, Abatcha admitted to have killed his friend. “I was heading towards Kano via Yobe and on my way to Potiskum town at a place called Damagun, Bashir woke up from the side effect of influence of the drug and I gave him water to drink but he could not. I then became guilty and in the state of confusion, I stopped.

“When Bashir opened the door of the vehicle and fell on the ground, he got up and started running into the bush, I followed him and stabbed him with a sharp knife I was holding in my hand and he removed the knife and wanted to attack me. He fell down and I quickly snatched the knife from him because he was weak. I then brought the car and ran over him.” He also confessed to be a member of a cult based in Lagos.

Delivering his judgment, Justice Pindar Haruna Ngadda said the prosecution had proved beyond reasonable doubt that Abatcha actually killed his friend Busami. She, therefore, sentenced him to death by hanging on the first count charge and life imprisonment on the second count charge..


Read more…

The EFCC List efccc

Those on the list


v Former Jigawa State governor, Senator Saminu Turaki;

v Former Abia State governor, Orji Kalu

v Ex-Ekiti State governor Ayo Fayose

v Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello.

v Former Oyo State governor, Rashidi Ladoja

v Former aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode

v ex-Delta State governor, James Ibori

v Jailed PDP chieftain Bode George

v Former Plateau State governor, Joshua Dariye

v Former Edo State governor, Lucky Igbinedion

v Former Adamawa State governor, Boni Haruna

v Former Enugu state governor, Chimaroke Nnamani

v Former Plateau State governor, Michael Botmang

v Former aviation minister, Babalola Borisade

v Nyeson Wike, Chief of Staff to Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

v Former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nazir el-Rufai;

v Former health minister, Adenike Grange

v Former Nasarawa State governor, Abdullahi Adamu

v Former Taraba State governor, Jolly Nyame

v Former Chairman of the Police Equipment Fund, Kenny Martins

v Democratic People’s Party (DPP) leader and ex-governor of Sokoto, Attahiru Bafaraw.

Read more…

MEN of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), on Tuesday,

seized 13 container loads of arms and ammunition, at the Lagos Ports Complex. They were brought into the country allegedly to prosecute the 2011 general election.

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Marvel Akpoyibo, heads of the State Security Service (SSS), Directorate of Military Intelligence, Naval Intelligence and other security chiefs were still at the port when Nigerian Tribune reporter left there at 7.46 p.m.

Impeccable sources told the Nigerian Tribune that the containers, which were off-loaded at the AP Moller Terminal, drew attention when the clearing agent reportedly pledged to pay any amount to have them transferred from the port to an off-dock terminal, preferring to have the containers screened outside the ports.

The containers, which the sources disclosed were shipped in from Iran, allegedly contained various sizes of grenades, rocket launchers, different types of bombs, assault rifles and heavy machine guns.

Nigerian Tribune further learnt that once the agent’s entreaties had failed, the report was communicated to relevant people, who decided to perform an on-the-spot evaluation, even as the importers reportedly went underground.

“We cannot quantify the contents yet. All we know for now is that they are concealed in tiles,” a source, pleading anonymity said, adding that nobody was going home from the port till today (Wednesday).

“When the Customs Public Relations Officer was contacted, he confirmed it, highlighting that the first container which was opened at about 6.00 p.m. was still being examined.

“As I am speaking right now with you, the first container is still being examined. We understand they are 13 in number. And the content of the first showed it had mortals, bullets and such related items,”Customs Public Relations Officer, Mr. Wale Adeniyi, said at 8.07 p.m.

Commenting on the development, spokesperson of the SSS, Marilyn Ogar, an Assistant Director, confirmed that the bill of lading accompanying the containers listed their contents as building materials.

According to her, of the 13 containers, 12 were still to be examined as operatives were busy searching the first container which carried 24 different crates containing what were suspected to be explosives, including grenades, rocket launchers and ammunition of different capacities.

Mrs Ogar, however, said that investigations were still ongoing to establish more issues about the imports, adding that the country of origin could not be disclosed at press time because of bilateral concerns.

Read more…

Chorus (in bold):

There is a balm in Gilead
To make the wounded whole;
There is a balm in Gilead
To heal the sin-sick soul.
Some times I feel discouraged,
And think my work’s in vain,
But then the Holy Spirit
Revives my soul again.

(Chorus)

If you can’t preach like Peter,
If you can’t pray like Paul,
Just tell the love of Jesus,
And say He died for all..

(Chorus)

[edit]Alternate Lyrics

Lyrics are as follows:

Chorus (in bold):

There is a balm in Gilead, To make the wounded whole;
There is a balm in Gilead, To heal the sin-sick soul.
Some times I feel discouraged,
And think my work’s in vain,
But then the Holy Spirit
Revives my hope again.

(Chorus)

If you cannot sing like angels,
If you can’t preach like Paul,
You can tell the love of Jesus,
And say He died for all.

(Chorus)


There is a redeemer,
Jesus, God's own Son,
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah,
Holy One,

Jesus my redeemer,
Name above all names,
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah,
Oh, for sinners slain.

Thank you oh my father,
For giving us Your Son,
And leaving Your Spirit,
'Til the work on Earth is done.

When I stand in Glory,
I will see His face,
And there I'll serve my King forever,
In that Holy Place..

Thank you oh my father,
For giving us Your Son,
And leaving Your Spirit,
'Til the work on Earth is done.

There is a redeemer,
Jesus, God's own Son,
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah,
Holy One,

Thank you oh my father,
For giving us Your Son,
And leaving Your Spirit,
'Til the work on Earth is done.

And leaving Your Spirit,
'Till the work on Earth is done...


Read more…
WHY DO I CRAVE SUGAR ?

Sugar cravings are a real problem for many of us. They can cause much frustration as well as feelings of low self-worth as we give in to those cravings. One of the reasons we crave sugar (or caffeine) is because of low adrenal function.

The adrenals are hormone glands that sit above the kidneys. Amongst other things, one of their jobs is to secrete epinephrine (better known to some as adrenaline) which provides us with energy. They also secrete cortisone when there is inflammation present in the body. Thirdly, they replace the function of the ovaries in the production of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone when women get close to their menopausal years. When everything is functioning well and everything is being nourished properly, there is no problem. This hormonal transition takes place smoothly.

What can interfere with this? Stress, first and foremost. Of any kind. When we're stressed the adrenals secrete adrenaline as if we were preparing to fight tigers in the jungle. They don't know the difference between the stress of facing a tiger and the stress of facing an irate boss, a bouncing checkbook or rush-hour traffic. They just jump into gear and adrenaline flows.

Inflammation can be caused by many well-known factors such as injury and diseases like arthritis etc. What is less known is that food allergies can also cause inflammation. If the allergen is something that is eaten frequently such as wheat, we can have consistent low-grade inflammation going on almost all the time. (Dairy is another common food allergen). The adrenals are consistently under pressure to produce cortisone to keep the inflammation under control as much as possible.

These two factors are enough to deplete the body's energy reserves. Add to them the requirement of now manufacturing estrogen and progesterone and you can see that this gland could very well get into trouble.

What happens?
-Lack of energy most definitely
-Fatigue
-Need to take afternoon naps
-Cravings for sugar or caffeine to force the adrenals to give the energy that is lacking
-Menopausal symptoms can also kick in if the adrenals are not up to par

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO STOP SUGAR CRAVINGS?

What I often do when someone comes to me with these symptoms is to put them on adrenal supplements. I recommend a higher dosage to start with, which we reduce as the energy returns. I often start them on one to two, or even three of the sugar craving formula as well. Apart from this, I make no dietary recommendations at this time. It is just too hard to ask a person to cut out the sugar when in reality it is like a drug for them. It gives them the energy to get through day and to feel like a human being. It helps the brain to work. I give them a formula for their adrenal glands for a week and when they come back in to see me their energy has improved, their mood is better, and they often have a different, more positive outlook. They now have more willpower in which to make some changes.

I tell people when they are reaching for the chocolate or the cookies, to eat a packet first. Wait 10 minutes and if you still want the chocolate, eat it. If you do this consistently, not only will you cut down on the number of "bad" snacks you eat, but after a while you will find that you are craving fruits or vegetables instead.


The next step is to begin replacing the high sugar drinks in the diet with low-carb drinks. And we start with the most detrimental, i.e. drinks with sugar substitutes and all their side effects as well as caffeinated drinks. Many people drink sodas or juices consistently throughout the day. For that I recommend a particular lemon tea formula which helps to give energy by flushing fat. Controlling the blood sugar levels can be very effective in stabilizing mood swings as well.

After 3 to 4 weeks, dietary changes should be happening quite naturally. For the purposes of sugar cravings the general rule is that the more refined carbohydrates you eat, the more you crave. And the easiest way not to crave is to not eat ANY sweets or refined carbohydrates (including white flour etc.) Increasing protein intake can be very helpful too. For some people simply adding more protein to their diets cuts down their sugar cravings tremendously. This is especially true for vegetarians.



Read more…

T.I.The drug case against T.I. that has sent him back to federal prison has been dropped by the L.A. County District Attorney...


The rap star was recently sentenced to 11 months in federal prison,after police stopped him for making an illegal U-turn on the SunsetStrip in Los Angeles on September 1st.

When police approached the car, they allegedly smelled marijuana. A search of the occupants of the car found the rapper and his wife,Tameka “Tiny” Cottle in possession of the drug ecstasy.

Police never booked any of the marijuana they allegedly smelled into evidence and LAPD officers allegedly pulled the rapper out of his$250,000 Maybach before they asked for any registration oridentification.

The D.A.’s office said that since the rapper was sentenced to federal prison for violating his probation, there was no need for thestate to pursue the charges.

Read more…

Reggae Star Gregory Isaacs Dies Of Cancer

Gregory Isaacs, the Jamaican reggae singer whose smooth style earned him the nickname “Cool Ruler,” has died at the age of 59.

The BBC reports that Isaacs died Monday at his London home. He had been diagnosed with lung cancer.

GregoryIsaacs2

His wife Linda said Isaacs was “well-loved by everyone, his fans and his family,” and would be greatly missed.

Born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1951, Isaacs began recording in his teens. With his sinuous baritone and romantic songs, he became a leadingproponent of the mellow “Lovers Rock” style of reggae.

Isaacs was best known for the title song from his 1982 album “Night Nurse.”/

His career was derailed for a spell by drug use, but he released a well-received final album, “Brand New Me,” in 2008.

Read more…

BERLIN — Sea Life Aquarium says that Paul the Octopus who gained worldwide fame with his perfect World Cup predictions has died. He was 2 1/2.

Aquarium spokeswoman Ariane Vieregge in Oberhausen said Tuesday that Paul seemed fine when checked on late Monday night but was found dead in his tank Tuesday morning.

She says that it was normal for an octopus of his type to die at that age and that he had died of natural causes.

Paul correctly predicted the outcome of all seven of Germany's games plus Spain's victory over the Netherlands in the final.s-PAUL-THE-OCTOPUS-DEAD-DIES-DEATH-large.jpg


FILE - In this July 9, 2010 file picture octopus oracle Paul chooses a mussel from a glass tank marked with a Spanish flag in the SeaLife Aquarium in Oberhausen, Germany. A German news agency reported the octopus that gained world fame by correctly predicting World Cup results has died. The German news agency dapd said Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2010 the death of Paul the Octopus was announced by the aquarium in Oberhausen. Paul correctly predicted all games involving Germany, and also picked Spain to win.

Read more…
Click to enlarge [The Schwarzen Vogel, as the Mercedes-Benz T80 was nicknamed by the Fuhrer.]
The Schwarzen Vogel, as the Mercedes-Benz T80 was nicknamed by the Fuhrer.
In the decade just before World War II broke out, two German car manufacturers were having their own private wars against each other. We're talking about Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union, which, in part thanks to a load of cash and a couple of direct orders coming from none other than Adolf Hitler himself, were set to become the most prodigious car manufacturers in the world.

At first, they battled in Grand Prix racing - the predecessor racing series of today's Formula One - with cars that were the most advanced and most powerful in the world for that era. From 1934 to 1939, no other car maker even came close to their compiled winning streak.


Cars like the Mercedes-Benz W25, W125 and W154 were either winning or losing against their arch enemies from Auto Union, in the form of the V12 and V16, Porsche-designed P-Wagens. Coincidentally, the teardrop shape of the mid-engine Auto Unions was somewhat based on the 1923 Benz Tropfenwagen, which was built whenFerdinand Porsche was working for Daimler a decade earlier.

The second battlefront for the 1930s war between Mercedes-Benz andAuto Union was something that spawned one of the greatest periods in automobile history from the point of view of land speed records.

Click to enlarge [Mercedes-Benz T80 – The Record Car That Never Was - pic 2]
This whole automotive lunacy started in 1933, when Adolf Hitlerbecame the chancellor of Germany and announced that his country would compete and win on the world’s racetracks in order to demonstrate their technological supremacy. For this to happen he also announced a hefty government subsidy for a racing program to be put in place by the best German manufacturer at the time.

At first, it was only Mercedes-Benz who had been selected to receive a government’s sponsorship of German marks. The then recently-formed Auto Union, along with Ferdinand Porsche and famed racing driver - and a friend of Hitler - Hans Stuck, managed to convince the future Fuhrer to divide the subsidy between Mercedes-Benz and themselves. This in turn spawned the era of the Silver Arrows, a period of racing wins and records that had never been duplicated since then.

Click to enlarge [Mercedes-Benz T80 – The Record Car That Never Was - pic 3]
Speaking of which, the subject of our story was the successor of a long line of record-breakingSilver Arrows, almost all of them being based on Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix cars. The first predecessor of the batmobile-like Mercedes-Benz T80 was the 1934 W25 streamliner, which was equipped with a supercharged inline-eight cylinder engine, capable of 430 horsepower and 318 km/h (197.6 mph).

The W25 rekordwagen's second iteration came in 1936, with the engine switching to a twin-supercharged V12, capable of 616 horsepower. This monster of an engine brought the car to a top speed of 372 km/h (231.2 mph), about the same as the Brabus E V12we tested a while back.

Click to enlarge [Mercedes-Benz T80 – The Record Car That Never Was - pic 4]
The third land speed record car was based on the W125 Grand Prix car but keeping the twin-supercharged engine. It was upgraded to offer no less than 736 horsepower, thus bringing the car's top speed to 433 km/h (269 mph), an attempt which it bested on a closed autobahn.

To further improve your trivia knowledge you should know that, as of 2010, Rudolf Caracciola's record of 432.7 km/h (269 mph) over the flying kilometer on 28 of January 1938, still remains the fastest ever officially timed speed on a public road. Not even the Veyron Super Sport has managed to beat it so far.

The forth and (almost) final record car was based on the Mercedes-Benz W154 Grand Prix car , which, because of newly-enforced racing regulations had to use a smaller twin-supercharged V12, capable of "just" 468 HP. Its top speed was a "modest" 400 km/h (248.5 mph).

Click to enlarge [Hans Stuck, former Auto Union and Mercedes-Benz driver.]
Hans Stuck, former Auto Union and Mercedes-Benz driver.
Following these rather small steps in creating the fastest car in history, Mercedes-Benz was left with few choices. So it happens that during their racing and record-breaking tenure, some little help came right from the enemy.

"For some years now, I have been planning the realization of my lifelong wish - the absolute land speed world record. I already spoke with Dr. Porsche quite some time ago in this matter, and he expressed his willingness to undertake the design of the vehicle, if it were to be built by you." These words were written by none other than Auto Union racing driver and Hitler protege,Hans Stuck, in a letter sent to none other than Wilhelm Kissel, who was chairman of the board at Daimler-Benz between 1930 to 1942.

The letter was dated August 1936, but it took another year or so until the two actually reached an agreement and the foundation of the absolute land speed record project began to be put into place. Unlike Mercedes-Benz's other record trials, this one was to completely obliterate any future attempts by others for decades to come. And it almost did.

Apart from having a close connection to the Fuhrer, Hans Stuck was counting on support for almost every part of the project. Ex-Daimler and Auto Union Ferdinand Porsche was going to be head engineer of the project, aircraft-builder Henkel was to build the exterior paneling for the car, while Ernst Udet - then head of Germany's Air Ministry Technical Office – was going to provide two Daimler DB 601 airplane engines. On top of that, two of Stuck's friends, SwissBaron de Blonay and Max Klinger were prepared to support much of the manufacturing costs, since this was technically a money-no-object project, and Mercedes-Benz was as cash-strapped as any other German company at the time.

During the record car's build-up, its specifications changed drastically and at one point even Hitler himself more or less became involved in the project. While the car was officially named the Mercedes-Benz T80, the Fuhrer nicknamed it the "Schwarzer Vogel" aka Black Bird, and was set to paint it in nationalistic colors, complete with German Adler (Eagle) and Hakenkreuz (Swastika) additions.

Click to enlarge [Mercedes-Benz T80 – The Record Car That Never Was - pic 6]
After a lot of international places were considered, Hitler dictated that the land speed record attempt would have to take place on German soil. He was of course envisioning theMercedes-Benz T80 as another propaganda triumph of German technological might and superiority over the rest of the world.

With the total project costing over 600,000 German marks, which was gigantic for those times, the "Schwarzer Vogel's" final technical specification was unholy, to say the least. The engine was derived straight from the DB 601 inverted V12 powering the Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter plane.

With a massive displacement of 44.5 liters, the supercharged and direct-injection engine was now in its third development faze and was capable of a gargantuan 3,000 horsepower. The monstrous V12 ran on a mixture of methyl alcohol (63%), benzene (16%), ethanol (12%), acetone (4.4%), nitrobenzene (2.2%), avgas (2%), and ether (0.4%) with methanol-water injection for charge cooling and boost pressure. Completed in 1939, the car's targeted top speed was 750 km/h (466 mph).

The land speed record attempt with Hans Stuck at the wheel was set for January 1940, but the outbreak of World War II prevented its run. The preserved car can now be seen at the Mercedes-Benz World museum in Suttgart.

(Extracted from www.autoevolution.com * Written by Alex Oagana )
Read more…

DON'T SAY I DID NOT KNOW!

DON'T SAY I DID NOT READ!!

DON'T SAY I DID NOT HEAR!!!

A tatto freak known as the Human Chequerboard has taken his obsession to an agonising new level by having ink injected into the whites of his eyes.


Matt Gone, from Portland, Oregon, boasts that 98 per cent of his body is now covered in tattoos.

The bizarre chequerboard pattern covers his head and face. Now his eyes are permanently coloured - one blue, the other green.


Socket set: Matt Gone's right eye is gree and his left is blue

Socket set: Matt Gone's right eye is gree and his left is blue

And he carried out the risky operation by himself at his home, according to the website Nine News.

Mr Gone told the US television station Fox12: 'I patch-tested it and was successful. I had to take the risk. I've done that a lot of times before.


'I'm not crazy. I'm trained. I have a lot of experience. I picked different colours because I like mutations because I have birth defects.'


Eye pad: He injected the ink while alone at home

Eye pad: He injected the ink while alone at home

Tattoo much: Matt Gone reckons 98 per cent of his body is covered in designs

Tattoo much: Matt Gone reckons 98 per cent of his body is covered in designs

Mr Gone said he began tattooing his body 20 years ago to disguise physical deformities, but did not give any further details.


Doctors have warned that injecting ink into the eyes could lead to blindness or serious infection.



Read more…

What do you want?

Hello 9ija**.;)

What DO you want?

It's one of the most powerful questions I know.

And it's a tough one to answer.

Pretty much just as soon as you get old enough to think... you have people telling you what THEY want.

Parents, partners, spouses, children, friends, bosses, colleagues, customers and clients... they've all got opinions about what's best foryou.

And sometimes their requests and demands can feel like a swarm of mosquitoes buzzing around you demanding attention.

And if you're not clear on what you want, you have little protection against the blighters - what others want becomes very hard to resist.

So what can you do about it?

Here's an exercise to help get clear on what you want.

1. Find some time and space for yourself.
It doesn't need to be much - five minutes in a room, ten minutes in a coffee shop, a 15 minute walk around the neighborhood.

2. Connect with your core values, those ways of being that are at the heart of you being at your best.
If you're not quite sure what they are - and you'd be like most peopleif that's the case - then start to imagine what they might be now. Ifyou think back to "peak moments" in your life, times you felt you wereon top of the world, then you'll see some clues as to what they mightbe.

3. Get clear on the situation at hand.
You need context before you can decide on what you want. Is this aboutwork? A relationship? Your own self-care? Something else? What's thechallenge or situation or struggle you might be facing?

4. Imagine outrageous success.
Go on, amp it up. Or to put it another way: If you could not fail, whatwould total and fabulous success look like? Don't get caught up in the"how would I get there". Just let your imagination go on what outrageoussuccess looks like.

5. Clarify your minimum level of success.
This is the bottom line, the "if nothing else, then this at least."Don't sell yourself short. And equally, make sure the "bottom line"really is just that. This is where you draw the line in the sand.

6. Tap into your heart and find the sweet spot of what you want between those two end points.
Sit with it for just a moment and get as clear as possible as to what itis you want, what it looks like, feels like, tastes like. The cleareryou can make it, the easier it will be to start planning on how to getthere.

So... What do you want?

Read more…

Naija teenager Assasinated in London


A 16-year-old Nigerian boy has been shot dead in east London.

Samuel Adelagun






Samuel Adelagun died from a bullet wound to the chest, a post-mortem examination has revealed.

Reports say Samuel of Newham, was shot in the upper left chest early on Saturday and died at the scene in Chesterton Road, Plaistow. London police officers think two balaclava-clad gunmen opened fire on a group of four youths, aged 15 and 16, from behind.

Police also found a boy of 15 who was shot in the abdomen. He was in a stable condition in hospital, as at press time. Also, no-one has yet been arrested, as at press time. The Metropolitan Police said 16 teenagers had been killed in London this year. Five of them were shot.

Police said both the victims of the Plaistow shooting, which happened at about 0320 BST, were known to them. Detectives from the Met’s Trident unit, which tackles gun-related crime within the black community, are investigating the death. The shooting took place in parkland at the junction of Upper Road and Chesterton Road. It is not known if the suspects arrived or departed from the area in a vehicle, but the gunmen were dressed in black and wore balaclavas, police said.

Det Ch Insp John Mackenzie said: “A number of shots were discharged and the youths dispersed. “They then got together again outside Chesterton Road.” He said the teenagers had knocked on the door of a house whose owners “provided some shelter as Good Samaritans”.

“The mother [of the deceased] is very distraught as you would expect. It is a traumatic and violent way for a loved one to go.” Tributes have been left at the scene by several people. One read: “To Sammy, one of the realist young bucks. Gone but never forgotten. 100% love. Liam.” Another message read: “RIP Sammy. Realist soldier. GBNEF.”

Hunt for gun gang who killed Samuel


From the mirror
An armed gang who shot dead a teenage boy and injured another were still on the run from police last night.
The masked gunmen blasted 16-yearold Samuel Adelagun in the chest in the early hours of Saturday.
He died at the scene while a 15-yearold friend was blasted in the abdomen but survived the ruthless attack.
The mob - dressed in black and wearing balaclavas - ambushed the pair and two other friends in Plaistow, East London, less than a mile from West Ham United football stadium.
Samuel and his pal tried to escape by running to a nearby stranger's house and banging on the door for help.
Four shots were then fired in the attack, which has shocked locals.
Annie Smith, 77, whose home backs on to parkland where the shootings happened, said: "I heard two males shouting then I went back to sleep. Then I heard three or four bangs. I thought it could be fireworks but it may have been shots.
"I then heard somebody shouting and someone answer faintly. They are just kids. Why were they out so late?" Samuel is the 16th teenager to be killed in London this year and the fifth to be shot dead. His murder is being investigated by Scotland Yard's Trident unit, which tackles gun-related crime within the black community.


Detective Chief Inspector John Mackenzie said: "The mother is very distraught as you would expect.
"It is a traumatic and violent way for a loved one to go."
Both victims were known to the police and one line of inquiry was that the incident was gang-related.
Floral tributes, including seven bunches of white roses, were yesterday laid at the foot of the police cordon taping off the murder scene.
One read: "To Sammy, one of the realist young bucks. Gone but never forgotten. 100% love. Liam."
Another said: "RIP Sammy. Realist soldier. GBNEF."
The friend who was also shot was in a "stable" condition in hospital.


Read more…

LASU VC to face probe over embezzlement

The Vice Chancellor of the Lagos State, Lateef Hussein is currently battling between the devil and the deep blue sea, and if information reaching Huhuonline.com are anything to go by, he might be eased of his position any moment from now. Aggrieved lecturers of the institution who could no longer bear the daily torture they face as a result of his alleged high handedness spilled the bean this evening at the Lagos State House of Assembly to the amazement of the legislators present at the day's sitting.

Among allegations leveled against him are that he misappropriated several billions of naira given by the State as subvention to the institution between 2005 and now.
He was also accused of appointing his cronies most of whom have long retired from acting service and imposing contract staff as heads of departments and faculties.
Despite the efforts of the State government. Regarding the school, the institution does not have any dedicated library or laboratory. It has also not had any physical structure since the VC assumed office..

As a result of his dictatorial tendencies, LASU, once regarded as one of the best institutions in the country in terms of Law and other courses in the institution now has 10 courses denied accreditation by the National Universities Commission.

The affected courses include Law, Economics, Marketing, Chemical and Polymer Engineering, Accounting, Banking and Finance, Political Science, Sociology, Business Administration and Management Technology.
The NUC, the lecturers claimed would be visiting the school in November this year for another round of denial of accreditation of another 26 courses.
They accused Hussein of hounding several lecturers in the school making them run for their dear lives.

Chairman of the institution's branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Dr. Kabir Akinyemi, also accused the Vice Chancellor of sitting on the promotion of the lecturers since 2005.

As at when he became the VC,the institution was said to have about six professors in the faculty of Law, but this is no longer the case as the only one currently remaining, Prof. Olusegun Yerokun, is a retired lecturer who is also on contract and now heads the faculty as the dean.

The institution's Director of Academic Planning is manned by one Mr. Olanrewaju John, who was appointed and made a level 14 staff with just a Bachelor of Art(BA) and barely six years experience for a job that should be handled by a Professor.
Though, they did not mention the courses that may face accreditation problems next month, it was learnt that the College of Medicine might be affected as the institution also makes use of contract staff.

When asked to defend himself, the VC who was shaking and stuttering, blamed the entire situation on the school's senate, which he has allegedly pocketed and has continued to influence.

While accusing the Vice Chancellor of not been able to handle the institution, the lawmakers reminded him that apart from the N17 billion granted the institution by the state government, the government had not reneged in its commitment to the school.
They therefore resolved to hire the services of a competent accounting firm to probe the administration's spending so far, while the House decides on what action to take.
The Speaker, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, also stated that they would not be influenced by anybody in the course of investigating the issue as the House had severally warned the Vice Chancellor to desist from ruining the school aground.
Investigations revealed that Prof. Hussein would have been sacked before now, but for the constant intervention of the former Governor of State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who was said to have appointed him.
Read more…

Fire razes new Benin market

Goods and properties worth millions of naira were yesterday destroyed in a fire which gutted parts of the popular New Benin Market, Benin City. The cause was unknown as at the time of this report...

More than 50 shops stocked with household and food items, which stretched from Eki-Edo Street were affected by the inferno, with about 10 shops burnt beyond recognition by the time the fire service got to the scene.

At the scene, men of the Supply and Transport Unit of Nigerian Army were seen putting out the flames, which still emanated from some of the goods.

Traders whose shops were affected by the inferno wailed uncontrollably as they moved to salvage what was left of their means of livelihood, and youth from the community joined the soldiers to put out the fire in some of the shops not badly affected.

One of the traders, Ignatus Nnabuefe, who deals in baking materials, told journalists that he was at his shop in the morning to drop some goods he just bought, after which he decided to go home after the compulsory morning's sanitation exercise in the market, only to be called back minutes later that his shop was on fire.

"And by the time I came here, everything I owned was gone; I was not able to retrieve anything from the fire, not even the goods I bought new this very morning to sell and which is very painful because I just dropped them there," lamented Mr. Nnabuefe.

Another trader who spoke amidst tears, Tochukwu Abieke, said her family lost everything they had laboured for, as they lost all the goods in their three shops which belonged to her, her mother, Lois, and her father, Patrick.

Omoregieva Gbajumo, the Oredo local government chairman, who was at the scene of the fire incident, praised the efforts of the community youth and traders who used their combined efforts in putting out the fire, thereby preventing it from spreading to other parts of the market.

Mr. Gbajumo promised that government will investigate the cause of the fire and also assured the traders who lost their goods of possible compensation.

Read more…
The president is launching Africa’s most ambitious privatisation scheme shortly before facing a tight election

THE e-mail from Nigeria claimed to come from an aide to the president and touted a business opportunity with potentially vast returns. But unlike similar-sounding messages from Nigerian princes and finance ministers—known in Nigeria as “419” scams after a section of the penal code—this one seemed genuine.

President Goodluck Jonathan, who early next year will stand in an election that could split his party and spark violent protests, has asked investors to participate in a grandiose privatisation programme meant to raise $35 billion over ten years. He wants to flog state power-generation and distribution companies, and put the grid under private management.

The scheme may be his—and his country’s—best hope of salvation from chronic power cuts. At a prayer meeting on October 4th Mr Jonathan was reading a biblical passage in front of many of the country’s elite when the grid failed and his microphone cut out. He walked off in a huff.


The problem is not new. Nigeria’s power supply has been stagnant for 30 years. During the tumultuous 1990s there was no investment despite surging demand. Since then, generation capacity has risen by half but distribution is so dysfunctional that actual supply has remained flat. One result is a laughably small manufacturing sector, about 4% of GDP.Ordinary Nigerians are angry too. The power supply, they say, is “epileptic”. Nigeria is a big oil exporter, but its people get only a few hours of electricity a day. The entire population–around 150m–is said to use as much grid power as the area around Narita airport in Tokyo. South Africans consume 55 times more energy per head, and Americans 100 times more.

There have been reform attempts in the past. The Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), the monopoly supplier, is known to consumers as Please Have Candle Nearby. Five years ago it replaced the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA), nicknamed Never Expect Power Again. Mischarging and other sins continued. “I just got a bill for the last four months but had no lights for three,” says a doctor 20 miles (32km) outside the capital, Abuja.

To survive, many Nigerians have their own power plants, creating the world’s highest concentration of small-scale generators. Two-thirds of all electricity is produced in basements and backyards, at a cost of $13 billion a year. Generator merchants say the government is their best client. Some have set up steel plants to keep up with demand. One has 3,000 workers assembling the grunting machines.

All this could change if the privatisation scheme succeeds. It aims to raise $3.5 billion a year and boost the power supply 13-fold over a decade. The government is offering to guarantee some bank loans and may cap the interest at 7%. At a recent conference in Abuja Mr Jonathan wooed hundreds of investors, including executives from Goldman Sachs and General Electric.

Other African leaders are watching closely, sensing that this may prove to be a test bed for the continent. Some, though not all (see article), are asking what alternatives there are to growing dependence on Chinese investment. Like most of its neighbours, Nigeria is making big infrastructure deals with China. In May, it inked a $23 billion Chinese oil refinery project. But Mr Jonathan acknowledges that China’s interest in Africa is no panacea. The case for privatisation will get a boost if he can keep the lights on at home.

There are reasons to be optimistic. The programme has a sound legal basis. It follows a conventional privatisation model. Its pricing scheme seems transparent. That has reassured investors. They also welcome the easy access to local-currency loans in Nigeria, one of Africa’s most developed capital markets. And they like the country’s strong GDP growth, expected to top 7% this year.

Yet there is still plenty to worry about. Supplying new power stations with gas is a headache, as is recruiting competent staff. But it is the politics of privatisation that investors fear most. There will be plenty of losers, many with vocal lobbies. Trade unions are protesting against staff cuts, although the president has set aside money for compensation. Consumers fear steep price hikes. The fuel mafia that supplies generator owners is up in arms.

Even more worrying, the corrupt state bureaucracy is drooling in anticipation. The influx of billions of dollars will create long queues at the trough. Observers warn of the “rascality” of Nigerian officials.

The president says he will work hard to make his privatisation plan work. To convince investors, he has appointed himself electricity minister and scheduled weekly power summits (11am on Tuesdays). He has also surrounded himself with men familiar to potential investors. The central bank governor and the finance minister are career bankers with experience abroad. He calls them his “war cabinet”, although they have limited influence.

The strongest pitch the government could make would be its own re-election. Voting is due early next year and for the first time in recent history the outcome is uncertain. The president’s party—dominant since the end of military rule 11 years ago—cannot agree on a nominee. The losers in a forthcoming primary may break away. One-party rule could end..

As the election campaign picks up pace, the president’s focus is likely to drift and electricity may return to the back burner. Or perhaps it already has. At the two-day conference in Abuja, Mr Jonathan failed to show up for the second day. Apparently, he was lured away to another meeting by his wife, Dame Patience, who is one of his closest advisers.

For now, privatisation is wobbling along and some deals may be done. But consumers will have to wait until next year before they can even think about turning off their generators. Good luck and patience will both be needed.

Read more…
Sir Alan Sugar under fire over 'Nigeria insult' on The Apprentice


3nigeria415.jpg
He is used to handing out the criticism. But today Lord Sugar was on the receiving end as Nigeria's High Commissioner in London accused him of insulting millions of his countrymen.

In a statement, His Excellency Dr Dalhatu Sarki Tafida accused the Apprentice boss of making “demeaning” and “spurious” comments about the African country on his hit BBC show The Apprentice.

His Excellency accuses the peer of smearing Nigeria's reputation with an “unprovoked” and “damaging” attack based on his sordid dealings with one individual.

It comes after Lord Sugar suggested that Nigerians could not be trusted over financial promises.

During the opening episode of The Apprentice, the peer asked contestant Stuart Baggs why he should not be “fired” from the show.

Mr Baggs said: “If you give me one hundred grand a year, I will deliver to you 10 times that and if I don't — take it all back. A money back guarantee, I'm that confident”...

Lord Sugar replied: “I had an offer like that from Nigeria once and funnily enough it didn't transpire.”
3SUGARA415.jpg

The peer gave no explanation as to whether his comment was based on a real event or a stereotyped view about Nigerians.

The BBC, which is often sensitive to such pejorative remarks, allowed the pre-recorded clip to be broadcast.

Today a statement issued on Dr Tafida's behalf said: “Lord Sugar's remark on Nigeria is preposterous and spurious for a number of reasons.

"It was an unprovoked, damaging remark on a sovereign and independent state of over 150 million people, based on his alleged sordid and isolated deal with a Nigerian individual. It is indeed demeaning and unfortunate.”

Nigeria has developed a reputation, however, as a base for “mass marketing” rackets in which organised criminals seek to cheat victims of their money by offering prizes or other incentives, which subsequently fail to materialise, in return for cash payments.

A report this year by the International Mass Marketing Fraud Working Group warned that the country continued “to serve as a base of operations for a wide range of mass-marketing activity.”

The 2001 census said there were nearly 90,000 Nigerian-born people living in the UK — just under 69,000 in London — and both numbers are believed to have increased significantly since.

The Hackney businessman versus the High Commissioner..

Lord Sugar started in business selling electrical goods from a van after leaving school at 16, and is now worth about £730 million. He founded Amstrad, the electrical goods firm, which he sold in 2007, and was chairman of Tottenham Hotspur for several years. The Hackney-born entrepreneur was knighted for services to business in 2000 and was last year appointed Gordon Brown's Enterprise Champion and elevated to the Lords. He also supports charities including Great Ormond Street Hospital and Jewish Care.

His Excellency Dr Dalhutu Sarki Tafida was appointed Nigeria's High Commissioner in London in 2008 after a career in medicine which included studying in Newcastle, Liverpool and the US. He was appointed chief physician to the Nigerian president between 1980 and 1983 and later served as minister of health between 1993 and 1995. He was a member of the Nigerian senate between 2003 and 2007, including a period as the Senate majority leader. He is married with nine children and his interests include playing Scrabble and table tennis.
Read more…

Blog Topics by Tags

  • in (506)
  • to (479)
  • of (339)
  • ! (213)
  • as (166)
  • is (157)

Monthly Archives