Nigerians see new-look Mikel with Keshi

           Mikel Obi

Pius Ayinor examines Mikel Obi’s change of attitude and the impact on the Super Eagles

After the game against Malawi last Saturday, Nigeria coach, Stephen Keshi heaped praises on Super Eagles and Chelsea midfielder, Mikel Obi. Keshi said that the midfielder had been at his best under him.

Mikel made distinct impression on the field against a boastful Malawi team and was deservedly voted the Most Valuable Player in the game. For the immediate reward, he got the TomTom $5,000 set aside for the MVP.

Biometric registration of vehicles ‘ll check terrorism, crimes – POLICE

Police authorities have explained that the new biometric registration processes of vehicles, tricycles and auto-bikes were part of new strategies to combat terrorism, prevent crimes, apprehend and prosecute offenders.The explanation was made even as the Force disclosed that the new policy was backed by law under Section 3, Sub-Section 2 to Sub-section 6 of the Road Traffic Act, Cap 548.

Canada’s red carpet for Nollywood

                                   DiFranco

The 2013 edition of the Toronto International Film Festival may be one of the most memorable Nigerian film practitioners have been part of. This is not just because Half of a Yellow Sun, a film adapted from Chimamanda Ngozi-Adichie’s novel that goes by the same title, was premiered there on Sunday.

Perhaps more important is the fact that the Canadian government and the Nigerian film practitioners are exploiting the festival to discuss ways they can work together to strengthen the sector otherwise called Nollywood.

The Deputy High Commissioner at the Canadian High Commission in Nigeria, Marcella DiFranco, says the Nollywood mission to his home country is a product of several months of discussion between the stakeholders and the High Commission. It is intended to explore concrete ways that relevant Canadian organisations can help in developing the film industry.

Play safe, avoid oral cancer

When it comes to being responsible — by that I mean using condoms during sex, many will take the gold. But, do you apply the same precaution during oral sex?

Did you know that you can contact sexually-transmitted diseases like HIV/AIDS, syphilis, gonorrhoea, Chlamydia, and even cancer of the throat from oral sex? I doubt it.

Before now, oral sex was usually considered a lower-risk sexual activity; but a recent study, published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, found that it’s actually becoming a popular, though unintended, way of spreading sexually transmitted infections.

Ministers shed tears as Jonathan sacks nine

President Goodluck Jonathan, in his first major cabinet shake-up since his inauguration on May 29, 2011, sacked nine ministers on Wednesday.

The sacking , announced by the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, shocked the Federal Executive Council members, most of whom had arrived the Council Chambers in the Presidential Villa in high spirits exchanging banter.

Before they left, deafening silence enveloped the Council Chambers as the President reeled out the names of the affected ministers. Some of the sacked and retained ministers betrayed their emotions as they shed tears.

The Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, announced the cabinet shake-up after the weekly FEC meeting in Abuja.

Sudden weight loss: ‘I am not sick,’ cries Ngozi Ezeonu

Former plus sized Nollywood actress Ngozi Ezeonu has reacted to rumours making the round that her weight loss is health related; insisting she only worked on her body.

For days now, the actress has been posting pictures of herself on Facebook clearly showing that she had lost

PDP: Yam, pepper, scatter, scatter

Just like every other political party in Nigeria, the Peoples Democratic Party is a patchwork of disparate tendencies. No wonder it is now bursting at the seams. An aspiring polemicist, and university student, who has now overstayed his welcome at home, courtesy of the Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities strike, says of the PDP crisis, ‘Things Fall Apart.’ Recent events in the PDP can be described as a saga of many twists and turns. Ex-Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, six northern Governors, Aliyu Wamakko, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Murtala Nyako, Babangida Aliyu, Abdulfatah Ahmed and Sule Lamido, with Rivers Governor Rotimi Amaechi in tow, stormed out of the Eagle Square venue of the PDP mini Convention, to converge on the Shehu Yar’Adua Centre. They alleged that some of their supporters were prevented from contesting vacant party offices, formed the New PDP and elected Kawu Baraje Acting Chairman, Dr. Sam Jaja Acting Vice Chairman, and Olagunsoye Oyinlola Acting Secretary.

What addiction to smart phone can do to you

Do you check your email every five minutes on your phone? Do you reach for it during a board meeting or church services when all phones should be put in silent mode? Then you may have caught the fever.

Experts say if you respond to emails, blackberry, facebook, twitter or whatsapp messages at night and you feel disconnected when you wake up with no message from the various networking sites on your mobile app, you are a smart phone addict.

Worse still, you might as well be suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder — an anxiety disorder that is characterised by recurrent obsessions and/or repetitive behaviours — such as checking your smart apps religiously!

Child marriage: Stella Damasus, Sani Yerima clash on Al Jazeera

Nollywood actress Stella Damasus and Senator Yerima were both guests on ‘The Stream’ a programme aired on International News Network Al Jazeera. They went head-to-head on the controversial issue of Child marriage.
Stella, YerimaSenator Yerima re-affirmed that he married his fourth wife when she was 14 years and they both now have a son together. He said he finds nothing wrong with his actions, claiming that his 14 year-old wife had reciprocated his feelings.

Fame has favoured me in so many way – Doris Simoen

*Doris

Beautiful Nollywood actress, Doris Simeon isn’t a scandal- prone person but the issue of separation between her and her former husband, actor and director, Daniel Ademinokan got her name dragged around in a mesh-work of gossips and rumours that hasn’t really panned out.

She was chatted up by Juliet Ebirim at a recent event and here is the conversation that ensued. Excerpts: Tell us about yourself? My name is Doris Simeon. I’m from Edo State, Igbila to be precise. I’m from a family of five, though I am an orphan now.

Scores escape death in LAGBUS crash

Some LAGBUS

Scores of people escaped death in Lagos State when a LAGBUS with number plate, XU 998 AAA, rammed into four stationary vehicles.

The incident was said to have occurred under the Carter Bridge at the Ebute-Ero area.

The LAGBUS was said to have been headed for Leventis, Lagos Island.

Eyewitnesses told our correspondent on Thursday that the bus, which was filled to capacity with some passengers standing, was on top speed before suddenly skidding off the road due to brake failure. A bystander, identified as Francis, was allegedly hit in the process.

Dozens injured as 130 vehicles crash in London

Dozens injured as 130 vehicles crash in London
 

Sixty people have been injured as more than 130 vehicles were involved in a series of crashes in thick fog on the Sheppey crossing in Kent.

The BBC reported that eight of those hurt in the collisions, which took place in thick fog, sustained serious injuries.

Ambulance crews said 35 casualties needed hospital treatment in what were described as “horrendous scenes”.

The A249 bridge was closed for more than nine hours and reopened to traffic at about 17:30.

Corporal shoots ASP dead during argument at station

When on April 6, 2013, Jane and Olusoji Elegbede got married in Lagos State, their joy knew no bounds.

Although Olusoji was a policeman serving in Yobe State, which is fraught with security challenges, Jane did not mind living there with him.

Their plan was to settle down, have children and grow old together.

Unfortunately, this was not to be as Olusoji, an Assistant Superintendent of Police,

Students threaten to shut private varsities over ASUU strike

Ado Ekiti — UNIVERSITY students under the umbrella of National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, yesterday, took to the streets in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, calling on the Federal Government to accede to the demands of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU.

They equally threatened to shut down activities in the private universities in the country should the crisis linger on.

The students who displayed several placards with various inscriptions, lambasted the Federal Government for its failure to honour the agreement it entered into with ASUU since 2009.

Fashola bars Molue from Lagos Island

The Lagos State Government has barred big commercial buses, popularly called Molue, from operating on Lagos Island.

The government explained that it also did not expect the buses to ply Third Mainland, Eko and Carter bridges, adding that operating in the Central Business District had become history for the buses.

A statement from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority on Thursday said the move was to ensure adequate monitoring of the operations of commercial vehicles and compliance with traffic rules and regulations.