A Nigerian newspaper and Online version of the Vanguard, a daily publication in Nigeria covering Niger delta, general national news, politics, business, energy, sports, entertainment, fashion,lifestyle human interest stories, etc
A dying civil servant instructed his wife to bury him with $55,000, which he intended to appease God to forgive his earthly sins.
The civil servant, a Ugandan was 52-year-old, when he died. His metallic coffin cost $5,500. Identified as Charles Obong, he was a senior personnel officer at the Ministry of Public Service for a decade (2006 – 2016).
His son-in-law confirmed that his will stated that his wife should deposit a huge amount of money in his coffin, which in Ugandan money was 200 million shillings.
The money was to be given to God on the Day of Judgment as an offertory so that his sins could be forgiven. Even though the exact sin was not stated, he asked his brother and sister to ensure that his wife does as he instructed.
Uganda's Daily Monitor said that Obong died on December 17, 2016 after a protracted illness and was buried in his ancestral home in the northern Lira district of the country.
His will was however 'violated' even before his burial.
Part of the money he saved for the bribery to God, was stolen from the safe where he kept it and only $5,700 was found in his coffin when it was exhumed.
The Monitor quoting a source close to Margaret, Obong's wife said the huge sum of money disappeared from the safe.
The deceased's brother Justin Ngole said the theft was reported to police.
Meanwhile, $5,700 recovered from the coffin after the exhumation of Obong's body, has been handed to the deceased's family.
Burial is a lavish ceremony in Uganda and it has an official seal.
In September, Uganda parliament announced $20,000 funeral package for each lawmaker as a way of ensuring deceased members of the National Assembly are given 'befitting burials'.
The parliament planned to spend 67.7 million shillings on burial for each member who died.
The Lagos State Government on Saturday reiterated the need for all road users particularly drivers to drive carefully on the road by observing the speed limit and other road/traffic signs on highways in order to reduce accidents to the barest minimum, especially during this harmattan haze which definitely limits the broad view of drivers to see far distance on the road.
The advice is coming against the backdrop of an accident which occurred on the Third Mainland Bridge on Thursday, January 12, which left some people injured and several cars destroyed.
The State Government also clarified that the repair works currently ongoing on the Third Mainland Bridge was being carried out by the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA).
A statement signed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Caster Bade-Adebowale, said the clarification became necessary following reports on social media that an oversight by the construction company working on the Bridge led to the accident.
But the Permanent Secretary explained that in order to ensure smooth flow of traffic in and out of the Third Mainland Bridge, the State Government recently carried out expansion and rehabilitation of the road at Berger Bus Stop to keep vehicles dropping passengers off the main carriageway and presently the Federal Government through FERMA was working on Bridge to further give comfort to the motoring public.
Bade-Adebowale, however, assured residents that the State Government would continue to work with FERMA and other agencies of the Federal Government to ensure that appropriate safety signs are placed in areas where construction and repair works are ongoing to prevent a reoccurrence of such avoidable accident.
The State Government also solicited the cooperation and support of the motorists especially during the construction period.
Abuja – The Federal Government has invited members of the Bring Our Girls Back (BBOG) to a short trip in a military operational flight into Sambisa forest in search of the missing Chibok girls.
The invitation extended to members of the BBOG, an advocacy group for the release of the missing school girls from Chibok, Borno, was contained in a letter dated Jan. 11.
The letter signed by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and addressed to Mrs Oby Ezekwesili, the convener of the group was made available to the media on Saturday.
In the letter, the government asked the BBOG to nominate three of its members to join on the guided trip on Jan. 16 in recognition of the unwavering commitment of the group to the release of the girls
"The trip being planned by the military will see the ministers of defence and information, the Chief of Air Staff and Chief of Army Staff joining the invited BBOG members and a select group of journalists.
"They will first go to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Command Centre in Yola to witness firsthand the efforts being made to search for the girls by NAF and then join the day and night sorties with the BAF to the Sambisa Forest.
"Please note that due to limited seats on the search plane, only two of the invited BBOG members will join the NAF sorties.
"After the sorties, the team will return to Yola for bidding by the NAF on their daily search for the girls as well as all those who have been abducted by Boko Haram.
"Departure is scheduled for 8.30a.m. at the Air Force wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Monday the Jan. 17, 2017, " the letter reads in part.
The government stated that the trip would avail the BBOG the opportunity to witness and better understand the efforts being made to secure the freedom of the girls and other victims of Book Haram terrorists. ROT/GY
By FESTUS AHON THE Odiologbo of Oleh kingdom, Delta State, HRM Ovrawah Omogha l, has conferred traditional chieftaincy titles on 45 persons, including Delta State Commissioner for Urban Renewal, Dr.Karo Ilolo; Chairman of Isoko South Local Government council, Sir Ithiako Ikpokpo, Chief Umueruno Edo and Chief Isaac Igbudu in recognition of their contributions to the development of the kingdom.
Speaking while conferring the chieftaincy titles on the recipients, the monarch warned indigenes of the kingdom against acts capable of impeding the development of the community.
Lamenting the attitude of some individuals who had allegedly constituted themselves as enemies of progress of the community, he lauded the recipients of the titles for their various contributions towards the growth of the kingdom.
Speaking separately with newsmen during the ceremony, Chief Umueruno Edo and Chief Isaac Igbudu thanked the monarch for the gesture and pledged to make the judicious use of the title given to him.
By Funmi Komolafe Brethren, the year 2017 is unfolding. As individuals, we have our aspirations and expectations but, as Christians, we should always remember that these dreams would not become a reality when we exclude the divine touch. What do I mean? With you on the side of God and God on your side, your little efforts will produce amazing testimonies. You will definitely have pleasant surprises.
In 2016, you prayed, fasted, evangelized , worshipped yet you didn't receive your desired miracle. Are you beginning to think God has forgotten you? God has not forgotten you and your prayers are not in vain. Just keep praying.
Let's hear the Lord Jesus as recorded in the Gospel according to St. Luke 18 vs.1: "And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray and not to faint".
Resolve to dwell more on the Word this year. You must find time to study the Word and draw up prayer points peculiar to your situation.
Why is the Word so important?
Our authority is in the Gospel according to St. John 1 vs.1 King James Version:
" In the beginning was the Word , and the Word was with God, and the Word was God".
New Living Translation Version puts it this way : " In the beginning, the Word already existed. The Word was with God and the Word was God".
Let's also consider the Word in Genesis 1 vs. 1-3: " In the beginning God created the heaven and earth . And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.".
Verse 3: " And God said , Let there be light and there was light". God spoke. He made a pronouncement. Now, set yourself free from that bondage. Say something to yourself and your story will change .
Do you still have any doubt about the Word? Let's consider the conversation of our Lord Jesus with disciple Peter as recorded in Matthew 16 vs. 19. Jesus said: "And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven".
Brothers and sisters, it is time to use the Word to set yourself free from the bondage of unemployment, loneliness, barrenness of any kind, financial stagnation, etc.
The Lord Jesus repeated the importance of the Word in Matthew 18 vs. 18:
" Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven".
For the Lord Jesus to repeat this, it means he places so much emphasis on it.
You must speak the Word to yourself and use it to set yourself free. For pleasant surprises to be your portion this year, you must wake up and use the Word to your benefit. Remember, " the Word was with God and God was the Word". Even now, God is still the Word.
Whatever is the challenge that still remains unresolved, the solution is not to worry and get depressed. Depression cannot work alongside faith. Faith must override depression.
Hebrew 11 vs. 1-3 states "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report.".
Verse 3 and this is my emphasis " Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear".
What other evidence do we need that the spiritual controls the physical? .
Therefore, you must say yourself, " In the name of Jesus, this year, I free myself from the bondage of barrenness. I set myself free from unemployment. God has promised me a life partner, I connect with the bone of my bone in the name of Jesus.
Say it to yourself with the words that the Holy Spirit gives you.
Are you worried about the business that recorded slow or no growth last year? Take it to the Lord in prayer. This year, in the name of Jesus, you will experience a turn around for the best .
Brethren, make up your mind to rise above the challenge. Take note of the word of God in Isaiah 60 vs.1 "Arise, shine; for the light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee".
When the light comes into your situation, every form of darkness must give way.
In the name of Jesus every challenge that has confronted you will give way sooner than you expect.
I'll share with you, this prayer point by Pastor Samson Ajetunmobi " Father, give me understanding of my situation and show me the way forward".
Regular prayers with a prayer point like this will definitely produce results that will change your life.
Testimony- Let me share with you this testimony titled " The Word Works", given by Mr. L. Olaide on his encounter with Pastor Banji Adesanmi .
The testifier wrote, "Word of prophesy released into my life is still very much working. Sometimes in 2001 I stopped by in your former office along Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja with my wife just to greet you like Elisha asked Gehazi, you asked us where we were coming from. I responded that I went to submit a letter of application in a school that pays about times two and a half of what I was currently earning then. You ( Pastor Banji Adesanmi) spoke straight to me that I should not leave my present teaching job yet as my glory is still there. Though physically speaking then, there was nothing glorious in my being there but I believed, stayed and didn't bother looking for a better work again. To the glory of God, four years later, God began to open strange but glorious doors. He gave me great wisdom in doing some projects and the school backed me up. My income was extremely multiplied that what I now have, and the several countries, I had been privileged to be invited and visited ( all expenses paid ) were all beyond my imaginations and qualifications.
All I can say is glory be to God.
Those employed in that school I was aiming had all been sacked .
God used you to mould and direct my life".
Brethren, how are you making use of the Word of Knowledge spoken into your life? Use the Word and it will manifest physically.
Before I end this column, let's share this cheering news of Janet Jackson; the American actress who is pregnant at 50. You may have heard about it but let's reflect on that entertainment story.
Ordinarily, women at 45 according to medical science have very slim chances of having babies but to the glory of God, a number of women are having babies at 50 and above.
Things are getting better. Brethren, what other evidence do you need that yours is possible? How long have your been waiting? Your age isn't a barrier. Be hopeful and expect the Lord's pleasant surprises this year.
VERA always thumbed her nose at women who she said make a fool of themselves by running after toyboys. If she were to have a relationship outside her marriage, it would be with men in the same age bracket as her. So now in her sixties and her husband of over 20 years resting in his grave, she was lucky to have landed a man in her age bracket for a date. "When the relationship started," she said, "I had really high hopes. We had been on a few dates, laughed and joked together and appeared to get on well. It was now time to take things to the next level.
"Ladi, my new catch, who had a marriage that was now for convenience sake, booked a room in a posh hotel for the night. I had spent the best part of the day preening, honing and styling my hair to look as good as I could hope for a woman who just turned 60. He was a few years older and attractive for his age. It had been years since I had last made love, but now, with any luck, the long drought would be over. I was excited as well as nervous as we checked into 'our' bedroom. That was after we'd had a meal and a few glasses of wine at the restaurant.
"Then Ladi started to get undress. Although slim and stylish enough in trendy clothes, he was hardly a stud to set young loins on fire when stripped down to his underwear. I tactfully ignored the gradual revelation of his sunken grey hairy chest, the ageing flesh and his stick-thing legs!
By now I was in bed, waiting for him as he started putting packets of pills by his bedside table. Was Viagra included? Hardly – just supplements – the standard nightly ritual of today's elderly male. Yet there was worse to come. He swallowed all his pills, plumped up his pillows and flicked around for news to watch on the telly. He reached for my boobs and wanted to twist off the nipples as he tried to absorb the news. Then things quietened a bit and I realised he was snoring! And that, I suspect, is the sad reality of most over 60s so-called sex lives."
Linda Kelsey, a former editor of Cosmopolitan, once enthused about how wonderful her sex life was now that she was over 60. It was as if she 'd discovered heady passion for the first time, she wrote. And her marvellous partners of five years is a 'young' 58, so hardly a toy boy. In her support, she cited a new large-scale survey from Saga magazines saying the over-50s are more rampant in the bedroom than ever before.
Believe that at your peril, dear readers. According to sexologists, there are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and sex surveys. You cannot believe a word you read in any survey simply because the respondent's capacity for self delusion is almost infinite.
Perhaps the most honest comment on older people and sex came from former countdown presenter, the late Richard Whitley, popularly known as 'twice nightly Whitley' – a reputation he enjoyed and played up for years – he said, ruefully, that towards the end of his life the reality was more like 'once yearly, nearly.' The fact is that older women look better and younger than previous generations did at that age, they now have the utmost difficulty in finding men to match them.
And that's why sex is often such a disaster in later years.
Vera confessed that "Most men in their 60s are, like my would-be-lover, on buckets of pills for their heart, their cholesterol, their blood pressure.
This noxious cocktail of prescription drugs means that they cannot perform in bed, however much they may want to. If you have an over-60 as a partner, you are much more likely to be accompanying them to their doctors than making mad passionate love at every opportunity. While these days we older women are healthy, slim and fit, most men of the same age have diabetes, dodgy hearts and high blood presure. And don't forget the prostate problems. Getting up to pee several times during the night is common for this age group, and hardly a libido-enhancer.
Then,when they come back to bed, their hands are cold from the effects of beta-blockers, which restrict blood circulation to the extremities – yes, all extremities.
"If I want to have a fabulous time in bed. I know that I would have to become a cougar and find myself a younger man. And that leads to another problem. Whatever would we have in common to talk about?
Besides, the only way an older person of either sex can hope to attract a vastly younger partner is if you are super-rich. Otherwise, forget it!
"The Saga sex survey suggested that many long-married couples were eagerly reviving the heady passion of their youth with each other now that the children had grown up and left home. Really? I wonder where they found these loving couples because I have never met any. Every long- married person I know has told me the same story: that they are longer having sex (at least with each other) and haven't done for years.
One man in his early 70s, married to the same woman for half a century, said he hadn't had sex with anybody for at least 20 years! I doubt that he is a lone statistic. There is an inherent implausibility in the idea that a couple married for 30 or 40 years would suddenly find each other irresistible just because they're now their own.
"So to all over-60s who boast of having their best sex ever, I would say (a) I don't believe you, and (be) even if you are, please keep it to yourself and think of the rest of us, tucked up in bed at 9pm, our only excitement coming from the latest paperback thriller."
…says it is dangerous to allow foreign software in government processes
By Emeka Aginam
Continued over dependency on the importation of software products by both public and private sectors in Nigeria, was again, condemned by the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria, ISPON.
The software group noted that it was dangerous to allow foreign software to be dominant in the country's businesses, government, education and the military.
Regretting that Nigerians have been largely enslaved to importation of foreign products even in the face of economy recession, the ISPON President, James Emadoye in his new year message at the weekend in Lagos said that although year 2016 had held a lot of hope for Nigeria with over N16 billion budgeted for Computer Software Acquisition, the IT profession had hoped that significant progress would be made in the uses/enthronement of Software Nigeria.
Digital colonization will occur It would be recalled that the former ISPON President, Chris Uwaje in his book e- knowledge book, ''Time is running', had predicted that within the digital context, development opportunities and possibilities of 21st Century, digital colonization will occur and digital colonies will spring up.
He warned that digital colonization of nations, through the interfacing global impact of Information Technology is most likely to hit Nigeria like a Tsunami, unless robust political will is brought to bear on the issue as a matter of topmost urgency.
"The profession and the industry are in agreement that software Nigeria must be developed and the capacity to meet the software needs of the country is readily available if the thirst for foreign software can be eliminated from our system. The country must patronize software Nigeria, he said that, "I am sure we all still remember what software was in the late 80's when it was all text based without pictures. Today, we have pictures, videos and full biometrics and so on. Maturity development comes with continuous uses", Emadoye said.
According ISPON President, Software Nigeria has the capacity to launch Nigeria into the new age where technology prevails in all human endeavours.
While lamenting that millions of foreign exchange are paid to foreign software solutions that would have created several employment opportunities for the teaming jobless Nigeria, he said that the general verdicts were that the industry did not have any impact of the huge budget nor did it feel the impact of the government differently from norms in Nigeria.
"This is the time that the Bank of Industry should come out fully to create software Business Deskwith N5B revolving loan to develop the sector as we cannot depend on other nations to do it for us and we cannot wait to experience collapse or serious hacking that can crumble the economy within seconds because we put out national information trust in the hands of foreigners."
No foreign products can fully meet local requirements In the opinion of ISPON, no foreign products can meet Nigerian requirements fully, adding that software are sensitive matters that affect the security of the country.
"It is therefore dangerous to allow foreign software to be dominant in our businesses, government, education and the military.
"Government through the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, must put in more effort to ensure that all Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs patronize Nigerian Software in the real terms of the word.
" Not 'software' that Nigerians are supplier representatives or software that Nigerians are service providers, more like mere agents for installation and implementation. Nigeria as a country is large enough and far more resourceful and should be able to meet her needs for all nature of software locally.
Depending on importation of foreign products, he warned would always put the country in danger of all sorts. "We may never be able to stand up in the comity of nations when discussing security issues.
Yola – Adamawa Government on Saturday announced the sacking of the Executive Chairman of the State Board of Internal Revenue, Alhaji Idris Tuta .
Briefing newsmen on the outcome of a special meeting of the State Executive Council, Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Mallam Ahmad Sajoh, said the removal of the chairman was sequel to the adoption of a White Paper on re-positioning the board.
Sajoh said that other measures to be taken included the review of the state revenue laws for it to be in line with current realities.
He said the meeting also discussed the 2017 budget, expected to be presented by the Governor to the State Assembly on Monday.
Also speaking, the state Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Mr Silas Sanga, who is the chairman of the State Committee on Revenue, said that the council had also mandated the his committee to look into other state revenue generating outfits.
"Tonight, once our three young children are in bed, my husband Fred and I will head upstairs together for an early night," says Anjola, a 36-year old cosmetologist. "We might have a glass of wine each and, afterwards, give each other a massage and, chances are, we'll make love before falling asleep in each other's arms.
Considering the chaos of family life, you might imagine this to be a special occasion but we have sex practically every night. Intimacy is a huge part of our 14-year relationship," the glue that bonds our marriage together. Having three children is no excuse for letting your love life dwindle".
Anjola is reacting to the view that the more children a couple has, the more they relegate sex to the back burner. "I feel desperately sorry for couples who find themselves boxed to this unfortunate corner," she continues. "It is a surprise they would let a crucial side of their relationship wane. Luckily for me, I am self-employed and work flexible hours.
But after a day spent looking after the children, I yearn for my husband's embrace. His desire for me makes me feel alive, confident and secure. It has boosted my self- esteem and I believe helped me through postnatal depression, as well as the devastation of two miscarriages. I could never imagine going for days – let alone months – without making love with him.
"I was 21 and doing my youth service when we met and he was one of the bosses in the logistics company I served at. When we started dating, we waited months before making love. When we did, the chemistry was palpable – and it has remained so over a decade together and three children. For some women – and their partners – the thought of sex during pregnancy is a huge turn off. But for me, that's when my libido goes through the roof. Fred used to joke: 'Leave me alone, I'm exhausted!'''
Surely, she and her husband couldn't be at it every day?! "Of course not! there are times when nature knows best. Like most new mums, sex was the last thing on my mind immediately after giving birth. But it never even occurred to me that things wouldn't pick up again in the bedroom as soon as I healed. After my six- week check-up, we became intimate again and it felt so natural.
It was gentler than before the birth, but a relief to be able to show each other physica1 affection again. Not that it was plain- sailing- I struggled with over-tiredness and began to suffer lethargy. I also had a bout of postnatal depression and was prescribed antidepressants.
"For some, libido vanishes with depression. But, if anything, sex became more important to me, as it helped me more than any medication. The endorphine release that sex produces boosted my feel-good hormones like no tablet ever could. Admittedly my body has changed after three children, but the fact that Fred found me attractive made me feel sexy and desirable. We are lucky that our children sleep well.
I can understand why some others feel too exhausted to want sex. But on my most bleary-eyed days, I can spare an hour to be intimate with my husband's physical attention as much as he needs me. I make an extra special effort for him too, and whatever drab clothes I have on, underneath them I always wear beautiful, matching, lacy lingerie. It is as much a treat for him as it is for me.
"Today, sex is just as important to us as it ever was, if not more so. As busy working-parents of three children, you might expect us to have to schedule it into the diary, but that would spoil the fun. Instead, we simply go to bed around 10.00pm and make love most nights. I'd have to re-evaluate my entire relationship if I hadn't had sex for more than a few days. It's not that I think that Fred would look elsewhere. Some women say they go off sex because their body has changed or their partners body has altered.
My husband and I are by no means perfect specimens. I was very slim when we met but I've put on some weight. Fred's weight has fluctuated too. But in all that time, we've never stopped fancying each other.
"Fred is my best friend. He was here before we had our children and he will be here when they've flown the nest. We see it happen so often – couples separating when their children have left home because they have nothing at all in common. 1 could never allow that to happen … ''
A Leopard and its Spots! (Humour)
A couple return from their honeymoon and it's obvious to everyone that they're not talking to each other. The groom's best man takes him aside and asks what's wrong. "Well" replies the man, "when we finished making love on the first night, I got up to go to the bathroom and placed three N1,000 notes on the pillow without thinking."
"Oh, I shouldn't worry about that too much," says his friend. "I'm sure your wife will get over it soon enough. She can't expect you to have been saving yourself all these years." The groom, nods his head gravely and continues: "I don't know I'll get over it though.
"Tonight, once our three young children are in bed, my husband Fred and I will head upstairs together for an early night," says Anjola, a 36-year old cosmetologist. "We might have a glass of wine each and, afterwards, give each other a massage and, chances are, we'll make love before falling asleep in each other's arms.
Considering the chaos of family life, you might imagine this to be a special occasion but we have sex practically every night. Intimacy is a huge part of our 14-year relationship," the glue that bonds our marriage together. Having three children is no excuse for letting your love life dwindle".
Anjola is reacting to the view that the more children a couple has, the more they relegate sex to the back burner. "I feel desperately sorry for couples who find themselves boxed to this unfortunate corner," she continues. "It is a surprise they would let a crucial side of their relationship wane. Luckily for me, I am self-employed and work flexible hours. But after a day spent looking after the children, I yearn for my husband's embrace. His desire for me makes me feel alive, confident and secure. It has boosted my self- esteem and I believe helped me through postnatal depression, as well as the devastation of two miscarriages. I could never imagine going for days – let alone months – without making love with him.
"I was 21 and doing my youth service when we met and he was one of the bosses in the logistics company I served at. When we started dating, we waited months before making love. When we did, the chemistry was palpable – and it has remained so over a decade together and three children. For some women – and their partners – the thought of sex during pregnancy is a huge turn off. But for me, that's when my libido goes through the roof. Fred used to joke: 'Leave me alone, I'm exhausted!'''
Surely, she and her husband couldn't be at it every day?! "Of course not! there are times when nature knows best. Like most new mums, sex was the last thing on my mind immediately after giving birth. But it never even occurred to me that things wouldn't pick up again in the bedroom as soon as I healed. After my six- week check-up, we became intimate again and it felt so natural.
It was gentler than before the birth, but a relief to be able to show each other physica1 affection again. Not that it was plain- sailing- I struggled with over-tiredness and began to suffer lethargy. I also had a bout of postnatal depression and was prescribed antidepressants.
"For some, libido vanishes with depression. But, if anything, sex became more important to me, as it helped me more than any medication. The endorphine release that sex produces boosted my feel-good hormones like no tablet ever could. Admittedly my body has changed after three children, but the fact that Fred found me attractive made me feel sexy and desirable. We are lucky that our children sleep well. I can understand why some others feel too exhausted to want sex. But on my most bleary-eyed days, I can spare an hour to be intimate with my husband's physical attention as much as he needs me. I make an extra special effort for him too, and whatever drab clothes I have on, underneath them I always wear beautiful, matching, lacy lingerie. It is as much a treat for him as it is for me.
"Today, sex is just as important to us as it ever was, if not more so. As busy working-parents of three children, you might expect
us to have to schedule it into the diary, but that would spoil the fun. Instead, we simply go to bed around 10.00pm and make love most nights. I'd have to re-evaluate my entire relationship if I hadn't had sex for more than a few days. It's not that I think that Fred would look elsewhere. Some women say they go off sex because their body has changed or their partners body has altered.
My husband and I are by no means perfect specimens. I was very slim when we met but I've put on some weight. Fred's weight has fluctuated too. But in all that time, we've never stopped fancying each other.
"Fred is my best friend. He was here before we had our children and he will be here when they've flown the nest. We see it happen so often – couples separating when their children have left home because they have nothing at all in common. 1 could never allow that to happen … ''
A Leopard and its Spots! (Humourl
A couple return from their honeymoon and it's obvious to
everyone that they're not talking to each other. The groom's best man takes him aside and asks what's wrong. "Well" replies the man, "when we finished making love on the first night, I got up to go to the bathroom and placed three N1,000 notes on the pillow without thinking."
"Oh, I shouldn't worry about that too much," says his friend. "I'm sure your wife will get over it soon enough. She can't expect you to have been saving yourself all these years." The groom, nods his head gravely and continues: "I don't know I'll get over it though.
She gave me N500 change."
Birds Of The Same Feather? (Humour}
A woman goes to a dating agency saying. She doesn't care about looks, money or background. All she wants is a decent, honourable man. Later that day, a man comes in and tells them the only thing he is seeking in a woman is intelligence.
The agency matches them together at once. They have one thing in common – they're both compulsive liars!
Networking/ Sponsorship •Monday, an Orphan from Jos Plateau state, needs a kind hearted person to sponsor his education in Plateau Polytechnic. 08036349765 •Mercy, 23, resides in Anambra state, needs a job within Anambra state. 07062690180 •Sandra,19, and a student in Osun state, needs someone to provide her with pocket money. 08150804426 •Bright, a theology student and a gospel artist, needs someone to help him pay his rent and also sponsor his music ministry. 08032510805 •Oluwaseyi resides in Lagos, needs someone to invest in histraining & consulting business. 08145020125, 08059566310 •Emmanuel 29, polite, kind, gentle and God fearing, needs someone to sponsor his music career.08186574795 •Joyce, 20, a student from Delta state, needs a God fearing person that can sponsore her education. 08154696476
Friends Searching Female •Sandra, female, tall, kind hearted, needs rich friends. 07014381237 •Abigail,a graduate and resides in Kaduna, needs both male and female friends, aged 28-40. 0703770592
Searching Male •Charles, 27, resides in Abuja, needs female friends, aged 21-27, who also resides in Abuja. 07037271959 •Ebube, 29, needs God fearing friends, aged 25-30. 08065993336,08091925874 •Emeka,29, needs an employed lady, who resides in Lagos for a relationship that leads to marriage.08088629951 Lovers Searching Female •Cherish, 28, resides in Warri, needs a caring, God fearing man that can take care of her, within, aged 50-65. 08095446197 •Angel, 25, busty and heavy backside, with a curvy figure, needs a man to treat her like a woman.0814859858 •Bukunmi, 33, dark in complexion, and tall, needs a God fearing and an employed man, for a relationship that can lead to a marriage. 0814005800,0816264745 •Precious, 35, needs a man that is tall, God fearing man, educated,employedand serious for marriage. 07056190697,07066715238 •Charity, 24,busty and charming, needs a man to satisfy her on bed. 0814469028 •Tosin, employed, a Christian and a single mother of one, responsible and good looking, needs a serious, responsible, good looking and Christian minded man, for a serious relationship, aged 40-60. 09034765600 •Tina, 25, busty and very sexy, needs a man that is sexy and romantic for a romantic relationship. 08138245552
Searching Male •Chris, 26, 6.9ft tall, dark in complexion, a graduate and a basketballer, needs a sweet, tall, lady, aged 20-26, with nice backside for a romantic relationship. 09057265852,08065129319 •Collins, 27, handsome and good looking, from Delta state, needs a tall, beautiful, caring and romantic, lady for marriage.07038678547,08182828871 •Kelvin, tall, slim, chocolate in complexion and resides in Benin City, needs a slim lady, aged 25-35, whoresides in Benin or Deltastate, for a romanticrelationship.07015562254 •Prudent, male, needs tall, pretty and busty lady, who resides in Delta state, for a serious relationship. 08064613433, 08084914709 •Henry, 33, good looking, a graduate, employed and from Bayelsa State, needs a busty and sexy lady for a relationship.09020060519 •Success,33,chocolate in complexion, neat,industrious, God fearing, graduate, and employed needs a caring, responsible and sincere lady for a serious relationship. 08032704268 •Boby,40,fair in complexion, average height and energetic, needs a genuine lady, who is Employed, for an intimate relationship,aged45and above.08084854429 •Phrank, 23, resides in Lagos, needs a loving and caring lady, aged 20-25. 08188334369,08125369569 •Adekunle, resides in PH, needs a lady, aged 20-23, for an intimate relationship. 09076907978 •Kellya, 47,a divorcee, needs a matured lady, aged 40-50, who is employed and resides in Abuja.08033113483 •Jason,30, a Christian, handsome, from Ondo State, and employed,needs a chubby and busty lady, aged 26-35,who is educated, employed and a good cook, for a serious relationship, that could lead to marriage. 08130700260,08026240324 •Macanthony, 30, needs a busty, sexy lady who is sexually starved and employed in Lagos.07037177183 •Jessab, 32, from Delta state, handsome and hot, needs a financial ok lady, aged 20-38, for a relationship. 08054921007
Sugar Cares Searching Female •Natasha, 20, from Delta State, needs a sugar daddy that can take good care of her. 09036935488
Searching Male •Lukeman, from Delta State, needs a sugar mummy that is single.07035967634 •Dapson, 30, tall, fair in complexion, employed and resides in Ogun state, needs a sugar mummy, aged 35-45, for a relationship. 09028897456,08181125260 •Enny, tall, dark in complexion, fun loving and romantic, needs a sugar mummy.08090973571, 08035574858 •Pan, 31, resides in Jos, needs a sugar mummy within Jos, for a relationship.09084605057 •Tony, 24, dark in complexion,tall,sexually active and resides in Lokoja, needs a cheerful, and comfortable sugar mummy, aged 30-40.08014822221, 08065661727 •Paul,45,handsome, romantic, sexy, employed and resides in Lagos, needs a caring sugar mummy for romantic affairs. 07052076733,08031841077 Amos, from Ebonyi state, needs a sugar mummy, who can take care of him, from Ebonyi,Enugu .09066783354, 07066961330
Disclaimer!
Dear readers, please note that we neither operate, nor are we an affiliate of any match–making agency in or outside the country. Any reader who transacts business with any one claiming to be our agent does so at his/her own risk. Our mission is only to provide a platform for social networking. Also note that neither Vanguard, nor Yetunde Arebi will be liable for any error in the publication of requests which may result in any form of embarrassment to any member of the public. We therefore request that text must be sent through at least one of the numbers for contact. This notice is necessary to enable us serve you better in our refreshingly different style. You can send your requests to 33055. For enquiries, text or call 08026651636
Juary Soares grabbed a dramatic late equaliser for debutants Guinea-Bissau as they recovered from a Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang strike to hold hosts Gabon to a 1-1 draw in the Africa Cup of Nations opening game.
Gabon appeared to be heading for the victory in Saturday’s Group A curtain-raiser after Borussia Dortmund striker Aubameyang turned the ball in from close range seven minutes into the second half at the Stade de l’Amitie in the capital Libreville.
However, Soares headed home in the 90th minute to earn Guinea-Bissau a memorable point in their first ever match at the continental finals.
Alexis Sanchez’s 14th goal of the season added the finishing touch to Arsenal’s convincing 4-0 Premier League victory over relegation battlers Swansea on Saturday elevating them to third.
The in-form France striker Olivier Giroud gave the visitors a first half lead before own goals from Jack Cork and Kyle Naughton and an opportunist strike from Chilean star Sanchez completed the job.
The Gunners rose to third from fifth and head Liverpool on goal difference although they can go above Arsenal again if they draw or beat Manchester United on Sunday.
The crushing defeat and Hull’s win over Bournemouth sees Swansea fall to the bottom of the table a point from safety.
It was a chastening home bow for Swansea manager Paul Clement. The Englishman — lured from being Carlo Ancelotti’s assistant at Bayern Munich to replace Bob Bradley — saw his side capitulate in a second half that was totally one-sided.
They put up more of a fight in the first-half and could have gone in front in the 10th minute when Petr Cech was called upon to push aside a firm strike from Naughton.
Three minutes later, Gylfi Sigurdsson was inches over with a shot from 20 yards after Wayne Routledge had opened up the Arsenal defence.
It took Arsenal 27 minutes to muster any kind of chance. Even then, it was a shot from distance from Sanchez that Lukasz Fabianski saved comfortably at the foot of his near post.
Swansea, who responded well to the continual prompting of Clement from the touchline, got numbers around the ball and made life increasingly difficult for the visitors.
– ‘Most sublime of moves’ –
But then, just as Arsenal appeared to be heading towards an interval dressing down, they struck through Giroud, in the 37th minute.
The most sublime of moves involving Mesut Ozil, Giroud and Aaron Ramsey created the platform and when Ozil was denied with a tame header, from a Sanchez cross, Giroud pounced to convert from four yards.
Two minutes before the break, Swansea thought they had earned themselves a penalty when Ki Sung-yueng appeared to be tripped by Laurent Koscielny after Fernando Llorente’s delightful touch had opened up the Arsenal defence.
Referee Mike Jones marched up to Ki, booked the South Korean for what he felt was a dive and duly awarded Arsenal a free kick.
Arsenal began the second half at a decent pace and both Sanchez and Alex Iwobi had opportunities to score before Ramsey was denied by a desperate save, with his feet, by Fabianski.
The goal did come, however, when Iwobi’s shot looped off Cork and into the back of Fabianski’s net.
Without any genuine threat at the opposite end, Swansea were never likely to find a way back into the game.
Routledge did have a shot saved by Cech, on the hour, but there was precious little else over which to enthuse as Arsenal strolled to victory.
A third followed 13 minutes later — Naughton turning in Iwobi’s cross — and soon afterwards it was four.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain nipped in behind, in the 74th minute, and though Routledge got his foot on the winger’s cross, the ball popped up to Sanchez who scored from eight yards.
ABUJA-President Muhammadu Buhari has said that partnership between the African continent and France should extend to investments in the educational, power, agricultural and solid minerals of the sector.
He said that the development of such critical sectors would boost productivity, create employment and reduce gender inequality, radicalism and youth restiveness on the continent.
The president shared the concerns in a statement issued at the 27th Africa-France Summit for Partnership, Peace and Emergence taking place in Bamako, Mali on Saturday.
He said: “Efforts should also be geared towards the development and emergence of the continent through investments in critical sectors such as Education, Power, Solid Minerals, Agriculture and ICT. This will enable African economies to spur productivity and create employment, thereby addressing some of the socio-economic conditions that contribute to gender inequality, radicalism and youth restiveness, as well as the push factors that make our citizens embark on dangerous illegal migration to Europe in search of 'greener' pastures," the President said.
The president who noted the age long relationship between Africa and France even as he declared that African countries were taking their own destinies in their own hands by mobilizing resources also hoped that the Partnership would still do more for Africa
“As we continue to mobilize for our own sustainable, predictable and transparent sources of finance that would help the continent pursue its peace, security and development efforts, and address the infrastructural deficit impeding development on the continent, there is the need for this Partnership to continue to assist Africa on how to finance its development.
“Notably, France has been playing important roles in the areas of development as well as peace and security on the African continent.
“While so many gains have been made, challenges such as terrorism, maritime insecurity, trafficking in persons, trafficking in weapons, drugs, cyber insecurity, illicit financial flows, and infrastructural deficit continue to militate against Africa's comprehensive infrastructural and economic development which also hinder its emergence as an important player in global affairs”, he said.
He, therefore, called for a strengthening of African Defence mechanisms such that the continent will be able to transform decisions arising from the Partnership into concrete action plans that will help Africa confront and overcome its challenges.
"In particular, our cooperation should strengthen our Defence in the context of African Peace and Security Architecture as well as in the areas of intelligence sharing, capacity building and acquisition of military hardware needed to confront the security challenges of the African continent”, the statement sent by the presidential spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina stated
Scottish-Sierra Leonian novelist Aminatta Forna made the Queen's 2017 New Year Honors. She was appointed Officers of the Order of the British Empire award, which means she receives a medal of honor and gets to put the abbreviation "O.B.E." after her name.
She shared the news on Facebook, and as you can imagine her timeline has since been flooded with congratulatory messages.
The Queen's Honois an annual list that celebrates individuals who have "made achievement in public life" or "committed themselves to serving and helping Britain."
Forna's appointment is in recognition of her contributions to literature. In the past few years, she's written novels and essays that have shaped global conversations around questions of culture and identity but also of violence and trauma. She has published 4 books, three of which are critically acclaimed novels — The Devil that Danced on theWater, Ancestor Stones, The Memory of Love, and The Hired Man.
Congrats to Forna! What a great way to start off the year.
By Levinus Nwabughiogu ABUJA – President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Nigerian author and scholar, Wale Adebanwi, on his appointment as Rhodes Professor in Race Relations in the School of Interdisciplinary Area Studies at the University of Oxford, United Kingdom.
Buhari described Adebanwi as an African gem and role model who has brought honour and respect to the continent.
In a statement by Mallam Garba Shehu, the presidential spokesman, the president stated that “As the first black African scholar to be appointed to the endowed Chair since it was created more than 60 years ago, President Buhari affirms that Prof. Adebanwi's sharp intellect and distinguished learning is worthy of emulation by other young Nigerians.”
It added that “The President, who has maintained a keen interest in the soaring profile of the scholar right from his early years in journalism in Nigeria to a lecturer in the University of Ibadan, is delighted to see him achieve this much very early in his life.”
The President also noted that at just 47 years young Africans like Adebanwi are showing the wit, steadfastness, creative energy and astuteness of renowned African writers and intellectuals such as Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, John Pepper Clark and Abubakar Imam who put the continent on the world’s knowledge map.
“He is a source of pride and inspiration to Black Africa as a whole,” he said, wishing the “distinguished scholar more notable successes as he clinches laurel upon laurel on his steady rise as a scholar of international distinction.”
Senator Lee Meaba represented Rivers South-East in the 6th Senate. In this interview, Meaba attributes the crisis in Rivers State to political fanatism and an attempt by the All Progressives Congress (APC) – led Federal Government to take the state by force. He also concern and the implications of President Muhammadu Buhari keeping quiet while a component of the country that produces about half of its resources is in turmoil.
Rivers State has been known for violence, kidnapping and killing. Why is it so?
Where does the 60 percent of the national oil wealth come from? With all the negative perception, 60 percent of all the oil coming out of Nigeria comes from Rivers. Rivers is the only state in the Niger Delta that has not witnessed severe pipeline vandalism. Rivers houses the biggest oil terminal in Nigeria, the Bonny terminal, Rivers houses big oil installations like Bonga and so, when you say Rivers is a volatile state, how do you quantify it? A state that is producing more than 50 percent of national treasure is one you are painting as where people should not go?
You say a man is an armed robber but you take money from him to eat; you say the man is a killer, but you feed from the money you took from his pocket. I know the aggregate of what some people in the APC want to paint of Rivers but I tell you, Lagos was until recently in the hands of the opposition since 1999. Meanwhile, successive PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) administrations have left Lagos State alone.
Also, PDP has consistently won elections in Rivers since 1999, so, Rivers is a PDP state; it is not a swing state because the activities of Governor Nyesom Wike are apparent in development, tremendous in economic activities and in the emancipation of the people and so, the people in Rivers are happy.
What is causing problem in Rivers is because the APC government wants to turn Rivers to APC by force. The APC in Rivers, led by Rotimi Amaechi, is using the army to invade Rivers, causing a whole lot of disagreement on the ground, and painting a whole lot of wrong impression about the state. And this is a state where he was governor for eight years.
Governor Wike has been in office for just 18 months, how many Commissioners of Police has he had? Seven. As the man arranges with a Commissioner of Police to fight crime, they will change the Commissioner.
When he was governor, anytime Rotimi Amaechi said the Commissioner of Police was not working with him, they will change the Commissioner. So, why are you trying to destabilise a state that is crucial to the economy of Nigeria because of somebody's interest? Do the IG (Inspector-General of Police) and the DSS (Department of State Services) know the implication of Rivers going down? Do they know that their offices are run with the resources coming out of Rivers State?
So, if Rivers has a problem, it is supposed to be resolved with combined efforts of the police, the army, the DSS and everybody to keep it peaceful. Rivers is the goose that lays the golden egg.
But some people want to kill it because of political fanatism, Elections ended in 2015 and they said, 'oh, it was rigged because it was Jonathan's (former President Goodluck Jonathan) army'; they called for the re-run of parliamentary elections on the 19th of March, PDP won again. They said, 'oh, it was because Arase (former Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase) compromised. Now, there was another election. This time you brought 28,000 policemen, apart from soldiers. In fact, the total number of soldiers and other security men brought to Rivers was 38,000 men as if we were going to war and then they concentrated half of that in Bori to force the Ogoni people to write results.
The army seized all the result sheets of the election and wrote that Magnus Abe won the election. But there was no election in Ogoni land. The entire Ogoni land was militarised. In fact, the last time I saw the militarisation of Ogoni land the way it happened on the 10th of December was during the hanging of Ken Saro-Wiwa. So, what kind of democracy are we having that you try to force the people against their will? We did not vote in Ogoni land and we are praying that, one day, the tribunal will annul all that rubbish so that we can have the right to vote.
In Khana Local Government Area, there was no election in the whole local government area. In Tai, it was done against court order. In Gokana, they shared materials because Magnus Abe is from there. Everybody knew that there was no election in Rivers South- East Senatorial District; it was locked down by the military, forcing electoral officers, taking results from them and asking them to lie down and nobody is saying anything about this.
I am surprised that INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission) is saying that because of violence, their men were not safe; in a violence that was orchestrated by the military.
All the story about people carrying gun revolves around the APC, and because of the involvement, the story is dying. Even the police officer that was beheaded, Alkali, was organised by an APC chieftain, but because it was an APC chieftain, the story is dying.
Do you have evidence of these allegations, especially the one bordering on the beheading of police officer Alkali?
It was published by Sahara Reporters. So, what other evidence do you want? Ask Sahara Reporters where they got the names. We saw the names of APC people there, we saw the name of a Commissioner in Rotimi Amaechi's government being mentioned as the mastermind. I am quoting Sahara Reporters, is it not the same Sahara Reporters that said Wike was recorded, threatening electoral officers? They are setting-up a commission of inquiry because Wike is a PDP man. The IG should also set-up a commission of inquiry to investigate his men who were given a mandate to deliver Rivers to APC. Magnus Abe did not participate in any election, they just wrote the result and announced it for him. Imagine APC getting 125,000 votes and PDP getting 24,000 in a senatorial district where, in the previous election, he got the least votes. So, you can imagine the sham called election, the bloodletting called election. I am ashamed.
What is the way out of the violence taking place in Rivers?
The way out is for the President, who is the Commander-in-Chief, to call the security agencies to order. All these things are happening because a former governor of the state, who is now an APC chieftain, wants to put a successor in Rivers and he couldn't in 2015; so he is looking for every way to do it in 2016. In fact, they wanted a state of emergency in Rivers. At what point does a President watch one very important component of a nation going into crisis? And this was a crisis caused by human desperation, crisis caused by political fanatism.
Three elections have been held and they lost all, so what else are they looking for? What else is the President waiting for to say 'leave Rivers alone? So, what I am seeing is that when the governor of Rivers spends money to ensure that there is no pipeline vandalism in his state, when the man ensures that the national asset in Rivers is protected, what they pay him back with is to try to pull him down at all costs. He is the Chief Security Officer of the state who does not know about the movement of security agents. Meanwhile, Amaechi knows about the movement of the police more than the sitting governor. I am very sure you know that about 70 percent of the police attached to the governor was withdrawn, what do you call that?
The CSO (Chief Security Officer) to the governor was withdrawn. The governor said they wanted to assassinate him. If you withdraw 70 percent of the police protecting the governor including his CSO of course it is right to say that you want to kill the governor. Or if you cannot kill the governor you create a sense of insecurity in him. So, why is the press looking away from this, why is the President looking away from this? It will be so sad if the President sits down and watch Rivers degenerate into violence and disaster. Bonny terminal is the biggest oil terminal in the country. So, any government that means well for this country should try to protect Rivers State. Call the APC gladiators and say, 'Look, Rivers is a PDP state, let Rivers rest, next election you can come and participate and stop forcing Rivers people against their will.
The way forward is that they are placing Rivers State now on a keg of gun powder, if Rivers explodes, Nigeria will suffer economically because there will be no oil to sponsor anything in this country. Imagine 12 APC governors lining up in the stadium of Port Harcourt and abusing the governor of Rivers State one by one, three days to the election. Some called him a rogue, all sorts of names, one even spoke in Hausa asking all the Hausa people in Rivers to organise jihad against the governor. These are states that their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) is not up to N50 million a month, but they need two point something billion obtained from the oil wealth of Rivers to run their states.
Which South-South governor can go to Kano and abuse the governor and go scot-free, no matter the number of police protecting him? Which South-South state governor can go to Kaduna to abuse El Rufa'i and go free? And this is a state where governors from the North gathered to abuse the governor of Rivers State, putting a finger in our eyes and we did not revolt and you say we are violent. Enough is enough because very soon, we shall define our stay if the President does not define the peace we want in Rivers.
It was rumoured that governor Wike was sponsoring 'thugs' to cause mayhem in Abuja. How true is the allegation which came from the DSS?
You know before the DSS comes out to name the governor of a state, it is only the governor of Rivers State he can mention. If he had mentioned the name of the governor of Kano, possibly, Kano will be boiling now. If he had named the governor of Kaduna, Kaduna may also be boiling by now. So he feels that he can continue to insult, intimidate and blackmail the governor of Rivers State, it is unfair.
The DSS boss himself, his office is run with resources from Rivers State. If he does not like that, he can reject the budget, the budget is funded with oil money. At what point do you try to blackmail a governor? Even if you caught people who wanted to protest because of the governor, of course, we are in a democracy, people have the right to peaceful protest and the governor of Rivers State, with all due respect, also has right to ask people to protest peacefully on his behalf if he so wishes.
What is your assessment of Wike's administration in the 18 months he has been in the saddle as governor of Rivers State?
This is the first time I see a governor of Rivers State working. This man is a gift to Rivers people. This is a governor that has dwarfed every political calculation against him. Amaechi's eight year in office, ask anybody from Rivers, cannot be compared to Wike's 18 months in office. Anybody who wishes the state well should be happy that his successor is doing very well. Wike was the Chief of Staff to Amaechi, he (Amaechi) should be happy that somebody from the same political family is doing very well; forget about APC, forget about PDP. We are all from the same political family of Peter Odili. Wike is working.
In Ogoni land, there is no way APC can get 20 percent votes. In fact, anywhere in Rivers State, not Ogoni land only, APC cannot get 20 percent anywhere in Rivets State. The old road from East/West road to Bori was done by the colonial administration in 1952, Wike is dualizing that road now. So, you have a triumphant entry to Ogoni land. So the man is working, he is turning around our physical infrastructure, he is turning around our health infrastructure. Right now more than 23 General Hospitals are at reconstruction stage.
The triumvirate of fashion, arts and music descended on Abuja penultimate Thursday when the city hosted the 2016 Glo-CAF awards. Colourfully attired patriots and soccer aficionados from all over Africa thronged the exquisite ICC, Abuja to celebrate the heroes and heroines of African football in the last twenty five years.
The highly choreographed event kicked off with the green carpet. The duo of curvy Jocelyn Dumas and resourceful comedian, Gordons received guests as they sauntered into the hall.
The appetizers for the evening were Olu Jazz, Sessime and Omawumi who entertained as guests tackled and dribbled the sumptuous menu. Dinner over, live broadcast of the event commenced with the appearance of Nollywood icon, Richard Mofe Damijo and smashing beautiful Mimi Fawaz on stage to welcome the world to the show.
A sonorous rendition of the Nigerian national anthem by Ego kicked off the event. Thereafter, RMD, introduced the irrepressible Yemi Alade and her agile dancers. Yemi Alade teed off the show with "Nowhere be like Africa, no where be like home". She also sang a French song to increase the tempo for the night.
The next act Muffinz, mounted the stage to dazzle the audience with acrobatic dance steps. The group from South Africa, thrilled attendees. At this juncture, the presentation of awards started with Uganda winning the National Team of the Year award while Nigeria won the second award of National Female Team of the Year for winning the Cup of Nations for a record ninth time. Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa won the Club of the Year Award.
Immediately following this set of awards was Omawumi who looked resplendent in an all black outfit. She mounted the stage to serenade guests with a rendition of "megbele" and two other delightful tunes. After this musical interlude, the awards continued with Nigeria's duo of Kelechi Iheanacho and Alex Iwobi winning the awards of "Most Promising Talent" and "Youth Player of the Year." Pitso Mosimane of Mamelodi Sundowns won the Coach of the Year Award.
The next musical interlude featured the Katapot exponent, Reekado Banks who garnished the evening with a fantastic rendition of "Oluwa ni" complemented by four beautiful female dancers. Next were performances by the Beninoise Sessime and Diamond Platinum from Tanzania who treated the audience to songs like "From Tanzania to Lagos" and other highlife music jazzed up with Michael Jackson dance steps.
After this, the awards continued and Nigeria's Asisat Oshoala won the "Woman Player of the Year", while Referee Bacary Gassama from Gambia won the "Referee of the Year" award for the second consecutive time. Next was the "Legend Award" won by Cameroun's Emile Mbou and Laurent Poku of Cote divoire.
At this juncture, one of the headline acts, Femi Kuti took the stage to thrill the audience with his ensemble of trumpeters, instrumentalists and three female dancers who twirled to the jazzy beats as he belted out tunes like "Do your best" and "One people, One world" from his yet to be released album. Femi rounded off his classy performance that evoked fond memories of the inimitable Fela Anikulapo Kuti with "Bang, bang, bang" during the after party.
The event spiralled to its acme when the Nabania crooner, Flavour landed on stage with a live Igbo masquerade to sing "Gbo gan gbom" and thereafter did a collabo with Yemi Alade. Flavour rolled out "Ada ada", "It's for money" and "Jeun soke" to prepare the continent for the final showdown between Pierre Aubameyang, Riyad Mahrez and Sadio Mane! At the end, Mahrez was crowned as African Football king amidst a confetti rain complemented by fireworks and flares.
It seems there are some singers who can't wait to hit the ground running in the new year. Barely two weeks into 2017 they are already rocking the scene with either new singles or videos. Here are just a handful of them.
DJ Jimmy Jatt Ft Davido (Video):
With the audio still rocking the airwaves, DJ Jimmy Jatt is starting off the year with the visual for his hit song featuring the DMW boss Davido "Orekelewa". The video was directed by HG2 and shot in Lagos.
Brymo- Billion Naira Dream (Video): Off his 'Klitoris" album, Brymo shares a docu-style visuals for one of his standout tracks on the full length entitled "Billion Naira Dream"
Falz- Wehdone Sir (Video):
Falz follows up his Ajebutter22 assisted "Regards To Your Mumsi", with a new Sess produced cut titled "Wehdone Sir". The track which is already gaining buzz on social media and arrive with a Clarence Peters orchestrated music video.
Sugarboy- Dada Omo (Video) :
Following up on the warm reception of Sugarboy's latest single "Dada Omo, the G-Worldwide Entertainment act drops a beautiful video for the track to cement the mid-tempo tune into the minds of his fans. "Dada Omo" was produced by Dj Coublon and features Sugarboy serenading his lady love with promises of undying love while appreciating her beauty. The video was directed by Ani James for Aje Filmworks.
Harrysong Ft Timaya- Samakwe (audio): Harrysong has released his first single of 2017, featuring Timaya. The song which was released couple of days ago is already having a nice tour of the leading music sites.
Motunrayo Oluwakemi is a budding Yoruba actress who made a big buzz when a story went viral that she's dating Fuji star, Pasuma, Wasiu Alabi. The actress has since debunked the story as false. She celebrated her birthday on Friday, January 13, 2017 with release of some sexy photos which had the actress scantily clad.
Mary Patrick-Udoh on her part is an upcoming English-speaking actress. She celebrated her birthday on Thursday with some really wild pictures that gave a serious peek into her bosom. People have since been talking about those pictures.
The face of modelling is fast changing all over the world as the terrain which used to belong to slim models has been invaded by plus-size women, most of whom are even on the very fat side. No one knows how the idea of 'plus-size' women evolved because what is considered as plus-size is basically what was considered as 'fat'. But no woman wants to hear she's fat because to them it sounds almost derogatory.
However, one plus-size model, Ayomide Awosika, who participated in the last Miss Curvy Nigeria beauty pageant last year is not buying the #Plus-sizeand proud campaign, saying it is just a ploy to cover their shame of being addressed as 'fat'. She said for you to really love your body you must accept yourself the way you are and come to terms with the reality that you are fat. In a social media post the model shares her thoughts on being fat and being plus size
"Many ladies use #PLUSANDPROUD but the question is, are you really proud of being a plus-size lady? What would you do if you are addressed as a 'fat lady' in the public,will you embrace it or revoke it? I'm not against the size race ladies, beauty comes in sizes and we have to embrace our size and skin and focus more on the other facets of life rather than fighting or competing among ourselves," she advises.