Abdul's Blog: 02/26/18

Monday, 26 February 2018

Zinedine Zidane hopes Neymar returns quickly from injury

Zinedine Zidane says he is disappointed by the injury sustained by Neymar despite the news coming as a boost to Real Madrid ahead of their Champions League meeting with Paris Saint-Germain.

Neymar was stretchered off in tears during their 3-0 Ligue 1 win against Marseille on Sunday with an ankle injury and is unlikely to return in time for the second-leg of their last 16 tie at the Parc des Princes on March 6.

Two stowaways fell to their death Monday from an airplane as it took off from an airport in Guayaquil, Ecuador on a flight to New York, authorities told local media.

Details of the incident were sketchy with authorities not saying whether a commercial airline was involved.

Bollywood superstar Sridevi Kapoor, who died in Dubai at the weekend aged 54, drowned in her hotel bathtub after passing out, Dubai police said Monday.

“The death of Indian actress Sridevi occurred due to drowning in her hotel apartment’s bathtub following loss of consciousness,” the Dubai police tweeted, citing a post-mortem.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday reassured Nigerians that all abducted persons by insurgent groups, including the schoolgirls from the Government Girls Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe, would be rescued safely.

Buhari gave the reassurance when he received three rescued lecturers of University of Maiduguri and 10 Police Officers’ wives at the presidential villa, Abuja.

An Ilorin-based Islamic cleric, Wasiu Jaguma, was on Monday arraigned in an Ilorin Magistrates’ Court on a two-count charge of defamation of character and inciting disturbance.

The 40-year-old accused, a resident of Ipata Oloje Area of Ilorin, was alleged to have committed the offences on Feb. 14.

Arsenal legend, Thierry Henry has indicated interest to replace manager Arsene Wenger at the club.

Wenger’s position with the Gunners has been called into question once again after his side’s lifeless performance in the 3-0 defeat to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on Sunday.

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, on Monday raised fresh concerns of possible herdsmen attacks in the state, Punch reports.

The governor dropped this hint when he led the senior pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Paul Enenche, and his wife, Becky, to the cemetery of the 73 victims of the New Year Fulani herdsmen attacks.

South African state prosecutors will announce in two weeks whether they will reinstate corruption charges against former president Jacob Zuma, eNCA television reported on Monday.

The 783 counts of corruption against Zuma relate to a 30 billion rand (2.6 billion dollars) government arms deal arranged in the late 1990s.

They were filed but then dropped by the National Prosecuting Authority shortly before Zuma ran for the presidency.

An Igando Customary Court in Lagos State on Monday terminated a 25-year-old marriage, following persistent pleas of an estranged woman that she would go no further in the relationship.

Petitioner Blessing Adeosun got her wish and ended the troubled union, having described her pastor husband as a deadbeat, who was not good in anything.

Saudi authorities are preparing to auction billions of dollars of real estate and cars belonging to billionaire Maan al-Sanea and his company as they look to hasten an end to one of the kingdom’s longest-running debt disputes.

Reuters reported that the planned sale is the latest signal that Saudi Arabia is serious about holding its elites to account.

The Osun Police Command on Monday announced the recovery of additional 20 vehicles from four members of a suspected car stealing syndicate already in its custody.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Olafimihan Adeoye, made the announcement in Osogbo while presenting the suspects before newsmen.

One of the few living civil war veterans and Biafran hero, Col. Joseph Achuzia (rtd), has died at the age of 90.

Achuzia, who was one of the soldiers who left the Nigerian Army to join the Biafran Army in May 1967, died on Monday at the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Delta State.

Ugandan policemen at Kira Road, have found Phillip Tumwebaze Wabwire, 27, who was feared kidnapped in Kyanja last week.

In a statement on Saturday, Police said they found the bio-informatics professional and Yellow fever researcher at his friend’s house, hiding at his friends place after he failed to raise funds for his much anticipated wedding.

The Deputy Minority Whip in the House of Representatives, Hajiya Fatima Binta Bello, has paid NECO registration fees for 600 less privileged students from Gombe South senatorial district.

The federal lawmaker, who represents Kaltungo/Shongum Federal Constituency, disclosed this while flagging-off the disbursement of registration fees in Talase, Balanga Local Government Area, on Monday.

Former Acting Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Calistus Obi, admitted on Monday before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun of the Federal High Court, Lagos, that part of the N331 million belonging to the Agency, which he was alleged to have diverted, was used to build a hotel.

Obi opened up during his cross-examination at his on-going trial on money laundering charges.

The Weinstein Co. announced Sunday that it will declare bankruptcy after a $500 million deal to sell the company collapsed.

The deal-breaker appears to have been the bid group’s refusal to put up cash imminently to keep the company afloat. The board of the company released a letter Sunday evening to investors Ron Burkle and Maria Contreras-Sweet — who led the bid group — breaking off negotiations.

The Senior Pastor of Daystar Church, Pastor Sam Adeyemi, has given his views on payment of tithe by Christians.

According to the cleric, curses attached to failure to pay tithe have expired and only worked in the Old Testament.

Government Girls Science and Technology College in Dapchi, Yobe State, where 110 girls disappeared after a Boko Haram attack will remain closed, the state government said on Monday, calling for tighter security.

“The government girls school in Dapchi has not reopened. It’s not feasible to reopen the school in the current situation,” said Mohammed Lamin, the education commissioner.

Some students of Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, have appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities and the university authorities to resolve the lingering industrial crisis in the institution.

Some of the students told the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Ado Ekiti that they had become uncomfortable as the strike has entered the third month.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Kogi State, on Monday confirmed that the state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has transferred his voters card to the state from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The commission in a statement by the head of department, voters education and publicity, Ahmed Biambo, said the governor had satisfied the conditions needed for transfer of voters card.

Chelsea midfielder Danny Drinkwater says there is “no chance” Manchester United deserved their 2-1 win at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Antonio Conte’s men produced a strong performance in the first half and were deserving of the lead, which was given to them by the lively Willian.

Despite his impressive display in Manchester United’s 2-1 victory over Chelsea on Sunday, Paul Pogba is preparing to leave Old Trafford for the second time in his career following the breakdown of his relationship with Jose Mourinho, The Sun reports.

The situation is apparently so dire that Pogba’s agent, Mino Raiola, is already looking for his client’s next club, holding talks with Real Madrid over a potential transfer in the summer.

A middle-aged woman, Mrs. Funke Ojo, has been found dead inside a well on the premises of a Cherubim and Seraphim Church at Ayedun Quarter, Akure, Ondo State.

The incident, which happened on Sunday, was described as a mystery by residents, who could not explain how the victim got into the well.

Usain Bolt has announced he has 'signed for a football team' and will disclose who he has joined tomorrow, February 27.

The eight-time gold medal Olympian is a well known fan of Manchester United and has previously had a trial with German side Borussia Dortmund in a bid to kickstart his football career.

Balarabe Musa, former Kaduna State Governor, has observed that President Muhammadu Buhari remains the best option for Nigeria despite failing to live up to his campaign promises.

The former Kaduna State governor said there is currently no “qualitative and relevant alternative” to President Buhari and that this could lead to his victory, if he opts to seek re-election in 2019.

The Presidency has admitted that Boko Haram has not been defeated completely.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, said this during his appearance on Channels Tv.

Recall that the Nigerian military recently claimed that the sect had been completely defeated.

A Nigerian player who is aiming to play for the Super Eagles, Tosin Kehinde believes he is edging closer to a senior Manchester United debut. The 19-year-old footballer is a regular for the Under-23 side under Ricky Sbragia, and has trained with the first-team under the watchful eye of manager Jose Mourinho.

Kehinde was born in Lagos, Nigeria, and there is keen interest back in his homeland about when the midfielder will make the step up.

Two Hyena poachers arrested last week by vigilant rangers in Yankari Game Reserve in Bauchi state. The two men were reportedly caught tracking hyena footprints back to their den. According to reports, these poachers are specialized in capturing live hyenas which are then sold to local circuses. They are currently awaiting trial.

Six condom myths you should discard

When it comes to condoms, everyone I meet thinks they know everything there is to know on the matter.

As the conversation progresses, it is obvious that the knowledge is incomplete and in fact, I discover that there are more than a few condom myths floating around.

400-year old Nigerian language known as Nsibidi has been revealed as the inspiration for one of the two languages in ground breaking Marvel fiction, Black Panther.
The movie's production designer, Hannah Beachler recently made this known in a report by Indie Wire.

Nsibidi from Calabar area of Nigeria and isiXhosa, the South African language spoken throughout the movie are the two African languages employed in the movie.

Neymar Jr., the world’s most expensive footballer, was stretchered off 10 minutes from time at the Parc des Princes on Sunday night as Paris Saint-Germain defeated Marseille 3-0 and opened up a 14-point lead in Ligue 1.

Telecommunications, giant, MTN plans to raise $1 billion through its proposed listing on the Nigeria and Ghana stock exchanges later in the year.Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE), Kofi Yamoah, said MTN Ghana would officially introduce 35 per cent of its capital into the GSE by the end of first quarter (Q1) 2018.

He said MTN Ghana has submitted the necessary documents for review, adding: “We believe that at the end of the first quarter, we will see the public offering of this entity take off.”

Governor Akeredolu made the pledge when he spoke at a rally in Akure to celebrate his first year in office recently. He called on Ondo state residents to vote massively for president Buhari when he contests again for a second term in office.

A driver in the Kogi State governor’s convoy, Danladi Baba, who caused the death of a former President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Prof. Festus Iyayi, in November 2013, has been sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment for reckless driving and causing Iyayi’s death.

Alhassan Husaini of the Lokoja Chief Magistrates’ Court II handed down the judgment on the allegation of “causing death by dangerous and reckless driving” levelled against the driver.

China's plan for President Xi Jinping to remain in office indefinitely has sparked social media opposition, drawing comparisons to North Korea's ruling dynasty and charges of creating a dictator by a Hong Kong pro-democracy activist.

The social media reaction late on Sunday quickly saw China swing into a concerted propaganda push by Monday, blocking some articles and publishing pieces praising the party.

National chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, yesterday got a lifeline in the ongoing crisis rocking the party, as 20 governors on the party’s platform passed a vote of confidence on him.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the governors at a meeting yesterday overtly endorsed the party chairman, even as they urged the party’s national leader, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to reconcile any difference he has with Odigie-Oyegun.

An expectant mother, who was rescued from suspected kidnappers by some road safety officials, died yesterday after giving birth to a baby boy.

The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) officials rushed her to hospital after rescuing her around a filling station in Badagry.

For most Justin Bieber's new modern crib would be a dream come true, but by Bieber's standards it's a shell of his last place.

The Biebs just secured a new rental, a $17.9 million crib in West Hollywood above the Sunset Strip. At 6,000 square feet and 3 bedrooms, it's almost half the size of his last pad in Bev Hills, which was a 8,600 square foot, 6 bedroom bachelor pad.

A bricklayer, Akinyemi Edgar Koja , who had been on the run after allegedly strangling his wife , Ajoke, to death in their apartment in Agemowo area of Badagry, last December, has been arrested by the Police in Lagos.

Vanguard learned that he was picked in an undisclosed area around Lagos Island , where he took refuge since the incident occurred.

A girl identified as Jayeola Olamide Victoria, a native of Arigidi Akoko. Akoko north West local government area of Ondo state – has been declared missing. According to her father, Jayeola Sunday, his daughter went to school in Ogun state on Thursday 15 /02/2018 . And since then she hasn’t returned back home.

Olamide Releases 7-Minute Music Video Of "Science Student" (Watch)

Olamide has finally released the music video for his latest single Science Student. The 7-minute long clip shows the rapper walking through a building filled with drug addicts before finally breaking out signifying a win in the war against drug abuse.

The creative direction of the video was the brainchild of Kaffy while the video was shot and directed by Unlimited L.A.

UK Man Spent Ten Years Tattooing His Body Black (PHOTOS)

" *Eli Ink, 27, has tattooed most of his body black including his eyeballs and mouth
*He wants to cover his whole body black before adding white over it
*'I want to look like an abstract character in one of Picasso’s paintings,' he says
*He says he will 'never be finished' and that's what makes the project 'beautiful'
*Eyeball tattooing can have disastrous results if it goes wrong

A bitter Robert Mugabe says new President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his allies should apologise for last year’s military operation that ousted him from power – and he doesn’t think Zanu-PF will win this year’s polls.

Mugabe made the comments at a private party held for him on Saturday at his Harare mansion to celebrate his 94th birthday.

A Kano based politician, Alhaji Ibrahim Al-Amin Little, has been attacked by gunmen at Kidan-Dan town, near Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State.

One of his aides, who narrated what happened to our correspondent, said the gunmen opened fire at Little and his driver while they were about entering the car after coming out from the farm.

The Tor Sankera 1, King Abu Shuluwa, a first-class Tiv traditional ruler in Benue State, reveals the reasons behind the Fulani herdsmen attacks on his people to JOHN CHARLES

What in your view is the cause of the killings by herdsmen in recent times?

First, let me say that the attacks and killings have nothing to do with the anti-open grazing law enacted by the Benue State Government. The job of the state House of Assembly is to make laws because the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria empowers it to do so.

So, if you are Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa or whatever tribe you may be and you want to live in Benue State,you must obey and abide by the laws of the state. You cannot just come from anywhere and say you don’t want that law. It is completely absurd for somebody outside Benue to say ‘no, we don’t want that law’ and for them to determine what kind of law we should have in our own state.

British TV and film actress Emma Chambers has died aged 53. The popular star is best known for playing loveable Alice Tinker in the long-running BBC sitcom The Vicar of Dibley.

The Doncaster-born actress also had roles in Notting Hill and the TV adaptation of Martin Chuzzlewit.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has suspended the head of Security at the Akure Airport, Ondo state.

The suspension follows a runway incursion by cows on Saturday which prevented an Air Peace aircraft from landing for some minutes.

The Nigeria Air Force (NAF) has deployed more assets in a day and night search for the 110 schoolgirls abducted last week by suspected Boko Haram men.

The Federal Government said yesterday that 110 pupils of the Government Girls’ Science Technical College (GGSTC), Dapchi are unaccounted for.

Dapchi is the headquarters of Bursari Local Government Area of Yobe State. It is about 100 kilometres from Damaturu, the state capital.

Defence authorities have debunked claims by Yobe Governor, Ibrahim Geidam that the military withdrew troops from Dapchi barely a week to an attack on Government Girls Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State, leading to the kidnap of 110 girls.

Popular lawyer, Festus Keyamo (SAN) has condemned the politicians using the Dapchi school kidnapping to score cheap political points.

Recall that a Monday night attack on Government Girls Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State by the dreaded Boko Haram Islamist terror group led to the kidnapping of some girls.

King of Hohoe, in Ghana, who rules his people through Skye from Southern Germany builts prison for women because female detainees are being sexually assaulted by males in the prison.

The King said;