UCLA Insists P. Diddy's Son Deserves College Scholarship

UCLA defended its decision to give a full scholarship to P. Diddy's son Justin Combs. Some argued that the teen should not receive the fund since he has had enough money from his rap mogul father to pay the tuition, but the university through its spokesperson Ricardo Vazquez insisted Justin deserved the scholarship due to his talent in sports.

"There is a big separation between financial aid based on need and how that's funded and how athletic scholarships are funded and awarded to students," the rep explained. "Unlike need-based scholarships, athletic scholarships are awarded to students strictly on the basis of their athletic and academic ability - not their financial need."

The representative elaborated further, "Athletic scholarships, such as those awarded to football or basketball players, do not rely on state funds. Instead, these scholarships are entirely funded through UCLA Athletics ticket sales, corporate partnerships, media contracts and private donations from supporters."

Justin graduated from New Rochelle Iona Prep in New York with a 3.75 GPA, and got a free ride to UCLA on a $54,000 football scholarship. He also got scholarship offers from Illinois, Virginia and Wyoming, but chose the prestigious University of California. "Playing Division I football was a lifelong dream of mine, and through hard work I was able to achieve it," he said.

P. Diddy said he couldn't be more proud of his son. "That's probably the proudest moment of my life," the rapper gushed. "You have a proud moment when you have kids, but when they grow up and they're able to grow up into men or grow up into women, it takes your pride to another level. For him to do that on his own and get a full-ride scholarship!"


© AceShowbiz.com

Report: Rihanna Clubbing With Her New Man J.R. Smith in Miami

Rihanna added fuel to reports that she's dating New York Knicks' star J.R. Smith. The couple were first spotted getting cozy at a New York nightclub in early May, and they sent the romance rumors into overdrive when they were, once again, caught partying in Miami on Sunday, May 28.

According to New York Daily News, the "Where Have You Been" singer was joined by the basketball player at LIV nightclub in the Fontainebleau Hotel. A source said they were "definitely hanging out" and stayed until the early hours. Her former fling Drake was spotted at the club as well.

After breaking up with Chris Brown, Riri has been romantically linked to a handful of guys. Aside from having a brief relationship with the Young Money rapper, she's linked to baseballer Matt Kemp, British boxer Dudley O'Shaughnessy and actor Ashton Kutcher.

"I think she still has a thing for Chris in a big way," said a so-called source close to Riri. "It's weird, but I believe she may be dating J.R. to make Chris jealous in some kind of twisted way. When it comes to her love life, it's always complicated."

Her outing over the Memorial Day weekend with Smith came hot on heels of his run-in with the law. He was arrested on Thursday, May 24, in Miami Beach on an outstanding bench warrant for driving without a valid license, and was released on Friday.

Back in 2007, Smith served a month in jail for his reckless driving that claimed the life of his passenger and good friend, Andre Bell. More recently, he was requested to pay $25,000 in fine by NBA for posting on Twitter a picture of a woman's naked derriere.


© AceShowbiz.com

Sylvester Stallone to Fight Robert De Niro in 'Grudge Match'

Six years after reprising his boxer role in "Rocky Balboa", Sylvester Stallone might be back to the fighting ring in his new movie. This time around, the 65-year-old actor is expected to face off Robert De Niro in a big-screen project titled "Grudge Match".

According to The Wrap, the two are in negotiations to portray two retired boxers who return to the ring for a final showdown. "Anger Management" helmer Peter Segal will serve as a director, while Mark Steven Johnson, Bill Gerber and Carrie Gillogly share duty as producers.

The movie is developed by Warner Bros. and reportedly is a "go" project at the studio with filming expected to begin in early 2013. Its latest script is currently being completed by "Entourage" creator Doug Ellin.

Aside from "Grudge Match", Stallone has three other new films, "The Expendables 2", "Bullet to the Head" and "The Tomb", under his belt. As for De Niro, he will next be seen in upcoming movies such as "Freelancers" and "The Silver Linings Playbook".


© AceShowbiz.com

Family Puts Amy Winehouse's Beloved House for Sale

Anyone can buy Amy Winehouse's home in north London for 2.7 million pounds. A spokesman for the late singer's family said on Thursday, May 31 that they are selling the three-bedroom house because it would be inappropriate if they live there.

"The Winehouses have decided to put the house on the market, with great regret," the spokesman said. "Amy loved that house but none of the family felt it appropriate that they should live in it and it was not practical to keep it empty while paying the costs of its upkeep."

When the "Back to Black" singer died last July, fans of her turned the property in Camden into a shrine. Her body was discovered in bed at the house. The 27-year-old was later declared dead of alcohol poisoning.

Interests have been mounting on the house's sale. Graham Lock, spokesman for Housenetwork.co.uk, told the AP, "There's a lot of fans getting in touch about it so we're trying to weed out the genuine interest from people who are just being nosy."
© AceShowbiz.com

Beyonce, Colin Farrell, Steven Tyler Attached to Animated 'Epic'

  A new 3D CG animated film will have a star-studded voice cast ranging from Beyonce Knowles to Colin Farrell. "Epic" is a 20th Century Fox Animation and Blue Sky Studios project directed by Chris Wedge of "Ice Age".

Per Deadline, the stars and the characters they voice are Beyonce as Queen Tara, Farrell as Ronin, Josh Hutcherson as Nod, Amanda Seyfried as Mary Katherine, Johnny Knoxville as Mandrake, Aziz Ansari as Mub, rapper Pitbull as Bufo, Jason Sudeikis as Bomba, and Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler as Nim Galuu. Also in the cast are Blake Anderson and Judah Friedlander.

Although the character names are revealed, the synopsis provided does not explain who will play what role. It is described as "a battle deep in the forest between the forces of good and evil. When a teenaged girl finds herself magically transported into this secret universe, she must band together with a rag-tag team of fun and whimsical characters to save that world, which in turn saves the real world."

"Epic", which was developed under the working title "Leafmen", will be released May 24, 2013 in the U.S.

PHOTOS: Rihanna makes it rain the strip club

Rihanna in New York, May, 2012

RiRi made her way to a  NYC strip club Tuesday night where she partied up and ‘made it rain’ – before hitting Twitter to post a few pictures along with the remarks ‘#rolemodelsh*t. Best stress reliever= $tripper$. Kill it Tip it #Cake. #ROCstarshit my daddy would be proud’.

The singer recently released the video to ‘Where have you been’, the fifth single off her sixth studio album ‘Talk That Talk’.

 Rihanna makes it rain….

Nollywood’s Top 5 Sexiest!

The Top Five Charming Dudes:
Hot. Spicy. Ready-to-be-chewed. Princely. Suave. Charming. Drop-dead delicious. Here’s NET’S pick of top 5 sexiest actors…
Ramsey Noah:

Ramsey intoxicates, like sweet wine. His sweet-sounding voice, his screen presence, self-confidence, and exceptional acting ability deserve applause. Probably the sexiest guy in Nollywood, Ramsey manages to keep his private life – private, which is a very smart, mature and sexy thing! There’s a mystery about him; after many years on our screen yet not one social flaw. Can someone please shout halleluyah! Sensuously striking with heavenly good looks, Ramsey, like (yes) wine, gets better with age. In his movies, his eyes speak – all of the kindness, joy, ecstasy, thrill, and pain come through, and you just want to grab a pillow and weep for the sheer joy of watching someone so sexy and talented. Ramsey captivates, excites, engages and enchants. Can we please get pin-ups, T-shirts and baseball caps of this beautiful man? Amen!
Jim Iyke:

It’s all in his rugged good looks. The man we all love to hate, Jim oozes raw sex – it either offends or pleases. Right here, we are loving every bit of him! Tehehehehe! Jim is like the rock star with a lot of talent and sexiness. He pairs up nicely with the ladies, and always brings his own to the table in any film he features in. He’s the bad boy, the one who is going to steal your girl (at least, in movies!). He also plays the lover-boy, the I’ll-love-you-till-death-comes-calling, and the notorious playboy characters very well. Jim has ventured into music; rap as a matter of fact. So tell me, what’s more notoriously sexier than that?!
Van Vicker:

Van Vicker

He’ll probably be on every woman’s list as a ‘must-have’, after all he’s got all the physical attributes right on check! Oh yes, Van is gifted with good looks. He has been quite prolific, starring in many Nollywood movies, and we see his talent soar. He looks totally cool on screen; and with looks like that anything works!
Yemi Blaq:

Yemi Blaq (pic courtesy Naijarules)

There’s something cuddly about Yemi Blaq. He’s got really sexy eyes, a nice accent and this utterly cool presence that just wants to make you sigh in joy. His acting is truly impressive, and interestingly has managed to stay away from shoddy movies. The works he features in are a must-watch, and we see him sizzle in all of them. He looks like the guy who’d jump the Atlantic Ocean all for the sake of love; the one who’d climb mountain Gibraltar to save a love, and that is such a sexy, cool thing!
Chidi Mokeme:

Chidi Mokeme

Now basking in success out of screen, we remember Chidi as one of the sexy hunks who used to thrill us in not too far a time. Chidi is good-looking, smart and socially correct! He is a ‘divo’ on the red-carpet and sheer joy to watch whilst he anchored the Ultimate Search Reality show some years back. Do you recall the all-so sexy muscles?
And…. The Ladies To Die For!
Top 5 Sexiest Actresses in Nollywood

It could be a hard deal to establish, but a sleek ride, high heels, a silly accent, with a rush of makeup could be an act a tad too trite and nothing close to being ‘sexy’ at all.

So in the search for the sexiest actresses in Nollywood, we applaud a number of ladies, pleasing to the eyes and so much delight to watch.
So here it is, our top 5 sexy girls on screen…
 Mercy Johnson:

Mercy Johnson

When it comes to sexy, Mercy is the closest we have got to Selma Hayek! Voraciously sexy with great curves, often accentuated on the red carpet in notorious dresses, Mercy is brave and exciting to watch. Her skin could do with a little treat, but with what she has going – a feminine twist like a coke bottle, it is easy to look over any flaws. She balances her great body with equally great acting. Men love Mercy; women envy her. She reminds us of the scantily-dressed girl on a pole in a club with a thousand naira stuck to her strap – the guys ogle, and the girls find a reason to hate her. She remains a bombshell and always manages to ooze sex even when playing a role as harmless as a village bride.
 Rita Dominic:

Rita Dominic

Rita has got amazing skin – clean and flawless. Her lips are on every boy’s dream list to be kissed. Rita’s sex appeal stretches beyond the screen, she’s also a red-carpet star. Her enviable style could compete quite well with the Jennifer Anistons’ of this world. Her bubbly personality combined with a punch of cuteness makes Rita a must-watch.
 Genevieve Nnaji:

She’s got the cutest smile, the rosiest cheeks, a face that lights up your heart, Genevieve rules! She is applauded for being one of the best and still manages to keep her body perfect, skinny and heavenly gorgeous. On screen, she can do no wrong; even her entrepreneurial gusto is such a sexy thing! She may not fit into the African voluptuousness, but Genny remains one of the prettiest faces in Nollywood – and to think that’s she’s already brought a baby into the world!.
 Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde:

Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde

After four kids, Omotola is still a sweetheart, making jaws drop in anticipation. She is beautiful and talented with a classic look that is soft around the edges. Omotola’s appeal balances with her go-getting spirit. She is a determined, sexy, successful actress who is just as versatile as Demi Moore, moving from utterly sexy, to simple, to hard-hitting roles.

 Dakore Egbuson:

Dakore Egbuson (pic courtesy Jamati)

What makes Dakore tick? It’s her confidence, her poise, her buoyancy. Dakore is comfortable in her skin. She demystifies all beauty riddles with her exceptionally chic dreads. She has a beautiful voice, a suave persona that just electrifies. She is like the girl-next-door, only with a charm so rare to find in most women.

Rihanna poses nude again

 Rihanna put up the pictures on her Instagram

American R&B singer Rihanna has launched her new perfume ‘Nude‘ with pictures of her naked body.

The pictures, which recently found their way online, showed the star, with a new blonde hairdo, in different poses and seductive  expressions.

The day before the photos leaked, the Def Jam singer uploaded a message on her Instagram saying ‘I got a big shoot tomorrow for a surprise fragrance for my ladies called…NUDE! Bye bye dreadz, for NOW!‘

The perfume is to hit the shelves very soon and was inspired by the success of her previous perfume, Reb’l Fleur, which she launched in 2011.

This isn’t the first time Rihanna has taken risqué photos. She recently posed for a topless shoot handled by Melissa Forde for the June edition of Esquire UK magazine. Who’s complaining?

Goldie’s Revelation: ‘My Favourite Sex Position’

Goldie is in the building. The controversial ‘Touch my Body’ singer, who is signed to Kennis Music recently spoke to online radio Zoodrums regarding her image, her relationships with other artistes in the industry, and even answered some naughty questions. You’ll enjoy it…

Let me start by asking what is your least favourite sexual position?

I wouldn’t know because I haven’t tried one that I didn’t like yet, so if I did try one that I didn’t like, I would…

So what’s your favourite sex position?

 I think I’m very old school…hmmm. The missionary style…

No. That’s wrong. Goldie is not allowed to do it the Missionary style.

 I’m not?

You are not. You are Goldie, you are crazy. You wear all these outlandish out fits and people are supposed to go like ‘What the hell’ when they look at you. 

We are really the timid ones in the end.

Really?

(Laughs) Don’t get the wrong impression…(laughs) Everybody thinks I’m this monster, let people know that I am boring.

You’ve been on the scene for a few years and then someone, for example, Tiwa Savage, just swoops in. How does it feel when you go for events and people are all over an artiste like Tiwa Savage? Do they react more because of the raunchy sexual image or the pretentious one?

I wouldn’t say Tiwa Savage just swooped in. She’s been someone who has been doing music for a long time …

I mean in the Nigerian system.

You have to understand that music comes from a long while back. This repertoire is on her profile. If you see someone that has been signed on Sony Music as a song writer for five years. Someone who has done competitions, she tried to compete in X factor and you saw the pain when she was turned down. She just deserves a break, and besides, she’s a hard worker. She’s talented and a fantastic person. She was around for my birthday and she was like I’m going to come and eat jollof rice and she tweeted it ‘Goldie, your rice rocks’. Tiwa is like the sweetest female artiste. You cannot hate on her. You have to love her. For all, I think she deserves all she gets.

Are you going to be doing collaborations with her?

We have spoken about it severally, we’re just looking for a subject matter.

What do you think it’s going to sound like?

I don’t know, but we are just looking for a proper subject matter that would be true to me and true to her.

We hear you have a lot of money and that’s why you have gone so far in the industry. You have got all these fantastic fashion people…

I don’t think it’s about money. I think it’s about talent and about people loving your work. There are people who are rich and have tried singing, but nobody knows who they are, so it’s not about money.

What would you say about your relationship with people in the industry? Do you think that has helped make you a bigger and more successful artiste or a less successful artiste?

What exactly are you asking?

I’m asking if you have a very good relationship with other artistes in the industry.

Oh yes! I do. I’m very polite with everybody. Everybody is always polite and we all understand and appreciate each other and that’s what counts. Unfortunately, I would love to have more time to spend with people, but I don’t have enough time. Throughout last year, I think I saw my dad just once. That’s how little time I have to spend with even my family.

What do you think about D’banj’s recent utterances about the ‘Occupy Nigeria’ protest that went down?

Its unfortunate. You know, what I have realised is that there are lots of things that are wrong in this country and lots that are right, but unfortunately, we dwell on the wrong ones. D’banj interviewed our President when he was campaigning. He had his view, so did so many. D’banj, in his own way, is trying to satisfy his conscience. Nobody knows what he is going through, and I feel as outsiders we shouldn’t judge based on what he says. I can’t judge him because I don’t know him or his mental state…

What would you have done differently?

Under what circumstances?

If you had to interview the President…

First of all, I am an artiste. I would not have interviewed the President, maybe if I was a presenter, I would, but I am an artiste and my job is to pass my message across to people through my music. My job is not to interview the president, so we cannot compare because it probably would not have happened.

Maigari: NFF is behind Keshi

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Alhaji Aminu Maigari has dismissed insinuations that the Federation is putting undue pressure on Super Eagles’ Head Coach, Stephen Keshi.

Some media (not Trustsports) have, in the past 24 hours, been awash with stories of purported interference in the work of Coach Keshi by some persons in the NFF, including Chairman of Technical Sub-Committee, Barrister Chris Green, particularly with regards to Big Boss’ selection of players for Jumbo June World Cup and Nations Cup qualifying matches.

But Maigari decried the insinuations yesterday, saying that the NFF can only support Keshi and the group at this very crucial period that the team is preparing for a rash of critical matches.

“The only thing NFF as a Federation can do at this period is to give Keshi and the entire team all the necessary support. That is what we are doing. I have not called for any inquisition into what he is doing or how he picked players for the upcoming matches, and I can assure you that nobody is doing anything like that.

“Of course, there is corporate desire and ambition for the Super Eagles to do well in the matches against Namibia, Malawi and Rwanda. But we are not coaches and there is a limit to the moves that we can make.

“There is someone we have signed a contract with to deliver the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2013 African Cup of Nations tickets, and we have a responsibility to allow him to do the job the way he knows best and simply give him all the support that is necessary and germane,” said Maigari.

Keshi, who captained the Eagles for 11 years, leading Nigeria to her first FIFA World Cup finals in 1994, signed a four-year agreement with the Nigeria Football Federation in November 2011, with the understanding that he would qualify the team for the 2013 African Cup of Nations and the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals.

The Eagles have, under Keshi, played a total of seven matches, winning two, drawing three and losing two, including last week’s international friendly away to Peru in Lima.

On Sunday, at the U. J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar, the Super Eagles host Brave Warriors of Namibia in a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign, African Series Day One, with the team flying out to Malawi on Thursday for a Day Two match against the Flames in Blantyre on June 9, and immediately returning home to play Rwanda’s Amavubi in a 2013 Cup of Nations qualifier also in Calabar on June 17.

‘Why I Fought Patience Ozokwor’ – Mercy Johnson

Actress Mercy Johnson who was reportedly in a showdown with her older colleague, Patience Ozokwor on location in Asaba few weeks back, has blamed her uncontrollable outburst on Ozokwor’s repeated utterances referring to her as an ‘ashawo’- a hoochie.
In a telephone interview, Mercy recounted her side of the story to NET. She noted that Patience Ozokwor was given a revealing clothe to wear on that location, apparently to depict a character in the movie that was in the making and Patience allegedly refused the outfit, stating that she is not Mercy Johnson, not an ‘ashawo’.
“I’m not a prostitute. I don’t like the name. I told her I didn’t like it”, Mercy told NET. According to her, the faceoff was escalated when Mama Gee refused to stop calling her by unpleasant name.
By last week, there were unconfirmed reports that the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) might take a disciplinary action against Mercy Johnson and Patience Ozokwor but when NET contacted the AGN president, Segun Arinze via SMS, he simply stated that the issue has been sorted out in-house.
The text message read “Hello sir, I just want to know if the AGN is taking any disciplinary action against Mercy Johnson and Patience Ozokwor”.
“No it’s sorted out. Thanks”, he replied. Arinze would not comment further.
Arinze, sources said, has instructed both parties not to make any further comments on the matter.

Mark hits back at Jonathan

Senate President David Mark yesterday took on President Goodluck Jonathan over his failure to assent to some bills passed by the National Assembly.

Mark also said the President “distorted facts” when he said on Monday that the lawmakers tore up the budget proposal sent to them thereby making it difficult for the executive to implement it.

“A number of bills that would have changed a lot of things for this country have not been signed,” Mark said at the opening of a public hearing by the Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology on a bill to set up an erosion control commission.

“So, my advice to the executive is to dialogue with the legislature in matters like these and find a common ground instead of shifting blames,” he added, speaking through his representative, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu.

At the Democracy Day symposium on Monday, Jonathan squared up with Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Waziri Tambuwal over the bills that have stayed for a long time in the President’s in-tray.

Tambuwal said Jonathan was shirking his constitutional responsibility by sitting on many bills passed by the National Assembly. In his response, Jonathan accused lawmakers of “tearing” the budget bill and of acting against the manifesto of the ruling PDP.

Yesterday, Mark joined the fray.

“We expressed our displeasure over some of the bills which we have sent to the Presidency for assent since last year that have not received presidential assent. And in response, the president said that it is because we are creating agencies. We will continue to create agencies if it is important, because that is why we are here,” he said.

“So, we have to do our job. Most of those bills have nothing to do with agencies. I remember we have the State of the Nation Address Bill, it has nothing to do with any agency and it has not been signed. We have the National Health Bill. It has nothing to do with an agency. It has not been signed. We have the Air Force Institute of Technology Bill and Tobacco Bills.”

He added: “If institutions are to be created, they will definitely be created. So any person who thinks that the creation of institutions should stop is wasting his time. It would not stop because the society itself is dynamic.”

On the budget bill, Mark said, “I also believe that the issue which he (Jonathan) also raised regarding the Appropriation Bill was also a distortion of facts. The president said that we tore the Appropriation Bill into pieces which made it impossible for implementation. Certainly, that is not so.

“I am aware that the 2012 Appropriation Bill was returned to the executive substantially the same way they brought it. So, we are challenging them to ensure that the 2012 Appropriation Act is fully implemented. They have been complaining that they could not implement the budget because of the inputs of the National Assembly.

“So, this year, we said we are not making any input, we are going to give you the bill the way you brought it as a challenge to ensure that it is implemented.  So we expect them to implement it 100 per cent because that is their own vision.

“Of course, he also made reference to a point where they wanted to go to court to challenge the role of the National Assembly in altering Appropriation Bills. Well, that will be a welcome development.

“So we want to suggest that the executive should please take that step of going to the Supreme Court or any court they wish to look at the constitutionality of our role in terms of appropriation for this country. We will be happy to see the outcome, and of course, we will obey whatever the court says.

“But we believe the National Assembly has the ultimate say when it comes to the appropriation of funds because that is what the constitution says. If the Supreme Court or any other court says otherwise, we would succumb to it and do exactly what the court says.

“Some of these things I think are things we should be able to discuss with the executive. There is need for closer collaboration between the parliament and the executive because if we are close to each other, we can always discuss, we can always dialogue. But if we are far in between, of course, we will be shouting at each other because for you to hear me if we are far between, I have to raise my voice. So I don’t think that is good for democracy.”

Big Brother Update: Prezzo calls Goldie a ‘true woman’

 

 Prezzo and Goldie

Kenyan rapper and Goldie‘s ‘boyfriend’ Prezzo has lauded her attributes, calling her a ‘true woman’.

He said this during his conversation with fellow house-mate DKB, in which he confessed his distaste for Zainab, who he describes as ‘dumb’. Criticizing her provocative dress sense and flirty manner, he said there was no way he would start a relationship with Zainab because he prefers a more conservative woman.

‘I can’t make this shorty my woman because her boobs are always displayed‘, he said.

As far as Goldie was concerned, the Kenyan rapper was full of praises, adding that even if he were to leave the Nigerian singer, he still wouldn’t hook up with Zainab.

‘I don’t mind Goldie not kissing or touching because she respects herself‘, said Prezzo. This was after he fought and told her ‘we are just friends,’ prompting Goldie to burst into uncontrollable tears and eventually throw-up.

Afterwards, Goldie, during a chat with fellow house mate, Barbz, said communication is the reason for the constant hiccups in her relationship with Prezzo.

Charly Boy upset by Gay and illuminati reports

y Tosin Olakotan

Charly boy

Veteran musician Charly Boy has threatened to sue two publications which reported that he is gay and a member of the Illuminati, a secret cult.

On Saturday, May 26, 2012, the National Mirror and Daily Independent newspapers published an article making the allegations, quoting from a Danfo Newspaper.

Charly boy took to his Twitter account on Monday, May 28, 2012 saying ‘yesterday, I was an illuminati member. Today, a gay, tomorrow, sleeping with a coffin and the list is endless. When will they stop these lies?‘

The eccentric entertainer says he usually keeps mum regarding media allegations, but it seems the 60-year-old musician is now ready to break his pattern, threatening to take legal action against National Mirror and Daily Independent.

‘I read with total dismay in Saturday Mirror newspaper that I am a gay and head of illuminati. I have never sued before…but this time…’ said Charlyboy

He continued, ‘I’m really very sorry, but this action is necessary just to avert future unverified story by my most learned journalists! My words!’

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Idol judge’s press secretary, Mr Adoyi Abah Ali, has sent a letter to the MD of  National Mirror, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, alerting him of Charlyboy’s plans to take the case farther, and demanding they remove the article within 72 hours.

The letter reads:

 Dear Steve,

 Re-I’m Gay “-Charlyboy”

I write to draw your attention to a story released on your paper on Sunday, 26th May, 2012 titled’ I’m Gay-Charlyboy’.

I’m well aware of how close you have been with the charlyboy brand since the past 25 years, and how grounded you have been in relation to the Charlyboy persona.  This invariably shows that you have been able to follow the Charlyboy Brand all through your career in the field of journalism.  Such display of interest and continuous curiosity to know more about the mission, vision and the character of the brand is worth commending. This is in exception of your positive contribution to the brand since the inception of your paper (National Mirror).

However, I’m a little disappointed that under your watch, such irresponsible and malicious story with such screaming headline could be published, maybe in the bid to draw traffic or encourage readership of your paper. I’m simply amazed!

What amazes me the most is your little understanding of the character of the Charlyboy brand and the reason with which it was established. You of all people should know that if truly he is gay, he would have been the first person to come out, screaming on top of his voice, even in market places defending gay rights. He wouldn’t have needed any newspaper to fight the authority over his right. Yes, you and I know that, yet you let the story out without much consideration on its effect on the brand that mentors young people.

I’m pained not because a rumour was just speculated that CB is gay and head of Illuminati in Nigeria, but I’m touched due to the fact that you called it a ‘confession’ through a fictitious interview that was never published in your paper or any other paper. If you could conclude that he is gay because of an interview culled from another paper, you should have balanced the story by insisting on hearing the other side. You are respected in the Charlyboy organisation as one of the few credible journalists.

We are aware of your fight in the past for integrity and respect, so it is obvious why I can’t hide my disappointment that this irresponsible journalism happened under your watch, in the most unprofessional manner

Anyway, I should hope that you have a copy of the original interview granted by the Areafada where he admitted being gay on tape.

On our own part, we cannot control people’s opinion in a matter such as this, but to have come out to state  categorically that Charlyboy granted an interview in relation to this issue is not only scandalous, but ‘human slaughter’. Your paper has gone beyond the boundaries, and would have to answer some basic questions as to how this story got to it. At the moment, one can only believe that Charlyboy’s interview is presently on tape and on your desk as claimed.

I would like to remind you again that the brand is a seasoned Journalist and understands the minutiae of Journalism and cannot be rubbished by any newspaper.

Having said this, I want to assure you that the Management of the brand will definitely ask questions in order to avert such libelous story in future, because this recklessness in journalism must stop!

Yours Faithfully,

Adoyi Abah Ali ( CB Press Secretary).

Okonkwo Onyebuchi 300-Level UNN Student Commits Suicide

The students of University of Nigeria, Nsuka, woke up to find one of their own hanging from a rope in an unfinished Franco building beside the hockey pitch in their school.

He's a 3rd year Physics and Astronomy student in his early 20's.

RIP!

http://www.gistplanet.com/2012/05/picture-of-300l-unn-student-who-commits.html

unn student commits suicide.jpg

Access Bank And First Bank Are Recruiting Now?

I learnt that Access Bank and First Bank are recruiting now through an agency but I have no information about the agency, Please if there is anyone here who knows the agency or any information about it should please post here. I am so interested in the Job

http://www.nairaland.com/951009/access-bank-first-bank-recruiting#10961504

PDP fails to stop suit against Jonathan’s 2015 bid

 

A suit seeking to stop President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the presidential election in 2015 will proceed after a bid by the Peoples Democratic Party to settle the matter out of court failed.

The suit, which was filed before an Abuja High Court by a PDP member in the Zuba Ward of Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Cyriacus Njoku, has Jonathan, the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission as the first, second and third defendants respectively.

Njoku is asking the court to stop Jonathan from seeking another term in 2015 on the grounds that he is already in his second term in office, having taken the Oath of Office as President twice.

When the matter initially came up on April 18, 2012, the court, presided by Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi, adjourned the matter to May 30, 2012, to receive the report of the out-of-court settlement proposed by the PDP.

The court was told that PDP leaders in the Zuba Ward had approached Njoku to stay action in the case to enable the party to settle the matter out of court.

The plaintiff agreed with the proposal and stepped down the suit.

However, the case will now go ahead, following the failure of the parties to settle out of court.

When the court resumed hearing on the matter on Wednesday, the plaintiff counsel, Mr. Ugochukwu Osuagwu, said, “The issue of settlement didn’t work out. The plaintiff wishes to proceed with his matter.”

Jonathan’s counsel, Mr. Ade Okeaya-Inneh, SAN, thereafter sought leave of the court to regularise applications filed by the defence in the suit.

Oniyangi adjourned the matter to June 21, 2012, to hear the preliminary objections and originating summons.

Investigations by our correspondent revealed that the planned out-of-court settlement failed because the national leadership of the PDP did not get involved in the talks.

The plaintiff, Njoku, said of the deal, “It didn’t work. The people had approached me earlier on. But when they came again, I told them that it is not something that could be settled at the local (Zuba) ward level.

“There is no settlement at all.”

Jonathan had asked the court to dismiss a suit seeking to stop him from contesting the 2015 presidential election because he had taken the Oath of Office of President twice. The suit claims that he is already in his second term in office.

In his counter motion to the suit, Jonathan insisted he was serving his first term of four years in office as the President in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.

Jonathan told the court that he had not announced any intention to run for another term in 2015.

In a 15-paragraph counter affidavit deposed to by Mr. Osahon Okeaya-Inneh, a lawyer in the chambers of Mr. Ade Okeaya-Inneh, SAN, Jonathan described the suit as frivolous, saying it failed to disclose reasonable cause of action.

http://www.punchng.com/news/pdp-fails-to-stop-suit-against-jonathans-2015-bid/

Assess Me After One Year - GEJ

http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/news/17334-president-assess-me-after-one-year.html

President: Assess Me After One Year - For The Sake Of Nigerians We Expect An A+

By Vincent Ikuomola 1 hour ago

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday asked those in a hurry to assess his administration to wait till next year.
He described three months as too short a period to assess an administration which only took off with the recent constitution of the cabinet.

He spoke during a visit of the Yoruba Council of Elders led by its President Gen Adeyinka Adebayo to the State House yesterday. The President said the issue of poor roads will be taken care of.
The elders had raised concern about the bad roads, within the region and called on the Federal Government to do something about it.

“We must take our priority projects, see how we can fund them and that is through alternative source of funding. We have set up an economic team and economic management team,” he said.
The president who also spoke on corruption said the administration is serious in the fight against corruption, saying “some corrupt practices we must stop it. There must be drastic changes.”

Stressing his determination to rid the country of corruption, the president who cited the crisis in Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) said the essence of the NDDC fact- finding committee was to be able to have first hand knowledge of what was happening there so as to punish the guilty while rewarding the hardworking ones.

“I remember what happened in the last dispensation  when my Minister of Works who is from Benin visited the Oba,who refused him entry because  of the Benin –Ore Raod and the Oba said no, the Minister of Works you cannot enter into my compound. Somebody from the South East asked are we not part of Nigeria? , All our roads are bad. Every year we budget significant sums of money, there is no year we don’t budget significant sums of money for road, yet, there seem to be no road anyway, so where is that money going? I know that probably the money, it is not that some people are embezzling the money per se, but we try to spread the little money into too many projects and at  the end of the day, we are not getting anything done. We spread the money and we don’t achieve what we want and people don’t see. Where we are supposed to use N3billion we put N500 million and the contractor just uses it to buy diesel and plays around. Nobody can say yes, the Federal Government has this kilometres of road at least completed at least from this end to this end, that is one of the places we are looking at .

“For the road infrastructure we are also looking at alternative means of funding and we have set up a committee.

We must take our priority projects, see how we can fund them and that is through alternative source of funding. We have set up and economic team and economic management team. I don’t want to tell them so that they will say  this is what the president wants and what the president said.

“For the road infrastructure we are also looking at alternative means of funding and we have set up a committee.”

Earlier, the Yoruba Council of Elders had decried what it termed apparent disregard for the principle of Federal Character and its negative effect on the Southwest the elders also complained about the dilapidated state of the Lagos Ibadan express way.

Rumor: Facebook To Buy Opera Software by JideTheBlogger

According to recent reports, Mr. Zuckerberg is expected to acquire Opera Software.

The reason Facebook might be interested in acquiring Opera is the increased mobile traffic to the social network, which the company is unable to fully take advantage of. Buying Opera might be a huge step in solving this problem, according to analysts, and if Zuckerbeg wants to make this happen, he might have to fork out north of a billion dollars.

Because of various rumors on the matter, Google and other competition have also claimed interest in the Oslo-based company. This led to a 26 percent jump in Opera’s shares today, making the company worth a bit over $1 billion.

The Opera desktop browser might not be the most popular, but Opera Mini and Opera Mobile both boast a huge user base of about 200 million users. Opera has officially declined to comment on the speculations.

What do you think?

Source: http://blog.gsmarena.com/opera-to-cost-facebook-north-of-a-billion-dollars-analysts-say/

Liverpool close in on Rodgers

May 31, 2012
Liverpool have agreed a compensation package with Swansea to take manager Brendan Rodgers to Anfield as Kenny Dalglish's successor and he will be paraded before the press at 10am on Friday.

PA PhotosBrendan Rodgers has headed out of the Swansea exit to take the Liverpool job

• Jolly: Rodgers dethrones The King
• Blog: Bye bye Brendan
Rodgers, along with three members of his backroom staff - believed to be Colin Pascoe, Chris Davies and Glenn Driscoll - will leave the Liberty Stadium to take control of Liverpool after a reported £5 million deal was struck.
Wigan have given Swansea permission to speak to their assistant manager Graeme Jones, who was part of Roberto Martinez's backroom staff when the Spaniard was in charge at the Liberty Stadium.
The former Reading and Watford boss, who managed in the Premier League for the first time this season after taking Swansea up from the Championship, has won many admirers for his team's style of football.
Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group are among those to have sat up and taken notice of Rodgers and he will now take on the biggest job of his career to date as he attempts to transform the league fortunes of a club that has not won the title since 1990.
Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins confirmed that a deal was close on Wednesday: "I was contacted by Liverpool [on Tuesday] night and they expressed their wish to speak to Brendan regarding their vacancy.
"I had a discussion with Brendan to talk about their interest and his views on whether he wanted to speak to Liverpool. He expressed his wish with me to do that and he has spoken with Liverpool today.
"Following discussions with Liverpool's owners Brendan has informed us that he would like to take up their offer to manage Liverpool. At the moment we are currently in talks with the owners to agree compensation. We are trying to finalise that within the next 24 hours.
"Although we are very disappointed to lose such a talented, young British manager we did not wish to stand in his way."
"As always at Swansea City, we want people working here who are fully committed to the task ahead. We wish Brendan every success in the future. We will always remain good friends and we thank him for all his hard work and passion at this football club over the past two years.
"We shall now refocus and quickly start the process of finding his replacement to continue the great work Brendan has carried out at this football club."
Liverpool won the Carling Cup in 2011-12 under Kenny Dalglish, their first trophy in six years, but it was not enough for the club's ambitious owners, who sacked the Anfield icon after they only finished 8th in the Premier League.
Rodgers arrives having guided Swansea, the first Welsh side to play in the Premier League, to an 11th-place finish after being promoted through the play-offs in 2011.
The Northern Irishman will now be consulted on the identity of a new sporting director, which might mean ditching plans to appoint Louis van Gaal in the role, designed to split the workload of former director of football Damien Comolli, who was sacked in April.

16yr Old Shouryya Ray Solves 350 Years Unsolved Maths Problem

A 16-year-old has managed to crack puzzles which have baffled the world of maths for more than 350 years.

Shouryya Ray has been hailed a genius after working out the problems set by Sir Isaac Newton.

The schoolboy, from Dresden, Germany, solved two fundamental particle dynamics theories which physicists have previously been able to calculate only by using powerful computers.
His solutions mean that scientists can now calculate the flight path of a thrown ball and then predict how it will hit and bounce off a wall.

Shouryya only came across the problems during a school trip to Dresden University where professors claimed they were uncrackable.

'I just asked myself, 'Why not?',' explained Shouryya.

'I think it was just schoolboy naivety. I didn't believe there couldn't be a solution,' he added.
Modest Shouryya began solving complicated equations as a six year old but says he's no genius.

'There are other things at school I wish I was better at - football for one,' he said.

For years Shouryya has enjoyed what he calls 'intrinsic beauty' of maths.

When he was young, his father, an engineer, began testing his brain by setting him arithmetic problems.

After arriving from Calcutta four years ago without knowing any German, Shouryya is now fluent in the language.

His intelligence was quickly noted in class and he was pushed up two years in school - he is currently sitting his exams early.

Modestly Shouryya has pointed out he has weak points as a mathematician, and says he is not as competent in sport.


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2150225/Shouryya-Ray-solves-puzzles-posed-Sir-Isaac-Newton-baffled-mathematicians-350-years.html

Italian Engineer Kidnapped In Kwara

Gunmen abducted an Italian engineer on Monday in Kwara State, central Nigeria, Italy’s foreign ministry told AFP on Thursday.

“We can confirm an Italian engineer has been kidnapped. We don’t yet know why or by whom,” said the ministry spokeswoman. Italian officials were in contact with Nigerian authorities and the man’s family, she added.

The ministry would not confirm the man’s identity. “As in all hostage cases, we cannot risk jeopardising the situation by releasing sensitive information,” said the spokeswoman.

Italian building and civil engineering firm Borini Prono confirmed that one of their employees had been abducted on Monday, but would not release further details.

“We’re waiting anxiously for a development,” a Borini Prono spokesman said. “We have a representative in Nigeria who is working closely with the government, local police and Italian embassy.

Borini Prono works mainly on road-building.

According to Nigerian police reports cited by the Corriere della Sera newspaper, unidentified armed men snatched the engineer as he inspected road-draining works in the city of Ilorin, the regional capital.

The kidnapping comes just two months after an Italian hostage was killed in Nigeria. Franco Lamolinara, who was also an engineer, was killed along with his British colleague Chris McManus during a failed rescue bid.

A faction of the Islamist Boko Haram sect was accused of being responsible for kidnapping the two engineers.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hi6HvMUDzJA7-L3WcydIOVyYByPA?docId=CNG.6c948443674a73ed3c7ca864fc21eea1.191

Euro 2012 KO for Frank Lampard

Frank Lampard has been ruled out of England’s European Championship campaign due to a thigh injury.
Lampard, 33, pulled up during a training session on Wednesday and was booked in for a scan. The results have confirmed a tear that has ruled him out of this summer’s tournament.
Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson has drafted in Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson as Lampard’s replacement.
The injury is a major blow for Hodgson who has also lost Gareth Barry, while Scott Parker has been nursing a niggle in recent weeks. It is also a real jolt for Lampard, who won his place back in the Chelsea side in the second half of the season and captained them to Champions League glory.
England Manager Roy Hodgson said: “It’s a huge blow for the team, especially coming after the loss of another senior player in Gareth Barry. The fact that the doctor cannot guarantee Frank could take part in any of the group matches means we have to replace him in the central midfield area.
"Apart from it being a huge blow to me and the team, I’m especially disappointed for Frank himself.  He has been in very good form and was looking forward to the tournament. He made a huge contribution towards us qualifying for the Euros so it is cruel to be forced out through injury just before the tournament.”


© ESPN

Psquare Signs With Universal Music Group In South Africa

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Halle Berry And Olivier Martinez Get Their MAC On!

The couple that shops for makeup together, stays together!
Looking dapper in jeans and a military jacket, Olivier Martinez accompanied fiance Halle Berry, who looked pretty in a summery skirt and tank top, on a shopping trip to the Mac store in Malibu, on Saturday afternoon.
Later, the beautiful couple enjoyed a low-key lunch date at Taverna Tony's Greek restaurant at the Malibu Country Mart. How sweet!

WHO CAN LIE BETTER THAN ME

This story took place few months ago when I visited planet Neptune.
One night when I was returning from the market, I suddenly came across two young men coming out from the dark, carrying a white casket. It worried me that a burial with such a beautiful casket can take place with only two men in attendance, so I asked out of curiosity "Hello, what's going on here?"
One of the men into answered, "My name is Siku and my friend here is Japu. We both died in a ghastly motor accident two months ago and got buried at Jango cemetery. They are having too many parties down there and its noisy, that's why me and my friend Japu decided to relocate to a more peaceful cemetery where we can have our privacy".
I was touched by there thoughtfulness, so I directed them to a cemetery where I hope they can find rest.
I left them wondering if the party life ever has any ending

Beyonce's back, revelling in her return to the stage in Atlantic City

ALMOST five months after becoming a mom, pop queen Beyonce has returned to the stage, telling 5,500 fans in Atlantic City, "It feels so good to be back".

Beyonce has returned to the stage five months after giving birth to daughter Blue Ivy Carter. AP

In the first of three Memorial Day weekend shows to launch the new Revel resort, Beyonce wowed a packed crowd that included her husband Jay-Z and former Destiny's Child bandmate Kelly Rowland, USA Today reported.
Baby Blue Ivy Carter wasn't in attendance to see her superstar mom in action, but she did feature in a post-show video montage.
Showing off an impressive post-baby body following the Jan. 7 birth, Beyonce performed hits Crazy in Love and Love on Top in the show's early stages, following them with the seductive Naughty Girl and dance floor hit Run The World.
She married her own If I Were a Boy with the Goo Goo Dolls' Iris and then paid tribute to the late Whitney Houston with the introduction of I Will Always Love You transitioning into the 2009 hit Halo.
Before the montage rolled and the show was done, there was time for one more crowd-pleaser, the show closing with Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It).

Lady Gaga's Indonesian Concert Cancelled

Muslim men shout slogans during a rally against US pop singer Lady Gaga's concert that is scheduled to be held on June 3, outside the US Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, May 25, 2012

VOA News

May 27, 2012

Promoters for American pop singer Lady Gaga said Sunday that her June 3 show in Indonesia has been cancelled after Islamic hard-liners threatened violence if she performs.

Concert promotion lawyer Minola Sebayang said that the cancellation was not only about Lady Gaga's security, but the safety of those who would be watching her.

Indonesian police had refused to issue the necessary permits unless she agreed to tone things down.  The Islamic Defender’s Front, or FPI, had threatened to deploy 30,000 members to physically prevent Lady Gaga from getting off the plane.

More than 52,000 tickets were purchased in advance, making the sold-out show her biggest in Asia.

Jagger to Model Madonna's Teen Line; McGraw Signs New Deal

British model Georgia May Jagger poses for photographers at her clothing range launch at a central London venue, March. 10, 2011.

Mary Morningstar

May 26, 2012

Madonna has signed Mick Jagger’s daughter, Georgia May, to appear in the latest marketing campaign for Material Girl.  Madonna launched the teen clothing line with her daughter Lourdes (a.k.a. Lola) in 2010.  “To be handpicked by Madonna and Lola as the new face of Material Girl is truly amazing,"  Georgia said, responding to the announcement. "I’ve always admired Madonna’s style and I’m thrilled to be working with them.”  Previous Material Girl advertising campaigns featured model/actress Taylor Momsen and singer/actress Kelly Osbourne.  The Material Girl line is sold exclusively at Macys department stores in the United States and at The Bay in Canada.

Photos From Osaze Odemwingie's Wedding

Why I Dumped Nigeria - David Alaba

Written by Dipo Ogunsola Saturday, 26 May 2012

ShareBAYERN Munich youngster, David Alaba, says he should have been playing representative football for Nigeria but was denied by stringent eligibility rule by football officials in the country.
Alaba, whose father is Nigerian and of  Filipino mother, plays for Austrian national team but only after he has been turned down by Nigeria.
The defender said he actually planned to join Nigeria's  cadet  team which won the 2007 FIFA World Youth Championship at South Korea but words reached him of his ineligibilty
''I wanted to play for Nigeria but I must confess that there was no formal approach for me. A scout actually discussed that with me. I was excited because of my dad, he was a fan of Sunday Oliseh when Oliseh played for FC Koln. As a kid, I loved to watch Victor Agali in the jersey of Hansa Rostock,'' he told an Austrian news medium.
However, Alaba was shocked when told by the scout that Nigeria had plans mainly for its home-grown talents.
'' I got the information that Nigeria will only consider those who were in the country perhaps because of travelling logistics and that is the end of that."

Subsidy report: EFCC probes Yar’Adua administration

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is extending its investigation into the management of the fuel subsidy to the administration of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua.  

SATURDAY PUNCH investigations in Abuja showed that as part of its probe, the commission had concluded arrangements to invite former petroleum ministers, ex-special advisers on petroleum and former general managers of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.  

It was reliably gathered that the decision to interrogate the former special advisers, ministers and NNPC bosses was part of the efforts to block loopholes in the report of the House of Representatives ad hoc committee on the fuel subsidy management.  

The House report says N1.7tn was fraudulently paid.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke (SAN), had in an interview with journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, said the EFCC would investigate the subsidy issue properly to ensure that all loose ends were tightened.

  According to him, this will guard against a situation, where prosecution will not be done because of paucity of evidence.  

A source at the EFCC, who said that the commission was still conducting its probe, added that people, whose names came up during investigations, would be invited.  

Although he declined to mention names of people that would be quizzed, he insisted that there would be no sacred cows.  

According to him, operatives of the commission will invite anybody, whose name appears regularly in the process of investigation, irrespective of when such an individual served in the government.  

Investigations showed that operatives, including the Director of Operations of the commission, Mr. Olaolu Adegbite, had been dispatched to all oil installation and distribution facilities across the country.

It was learnt that the four teams working under the EFCC Director of Operations had interrogated many workers in sensitive distribution facilities nationwide in a bid to ensure that a thorough investigation was done on the subsidy scam.  

The EFCC source said, “I can tell you that the commission is not avoiding anybody and it is not working according to any timeline.  

“This is not about timeline; an investigation does not commence with a timeline in mind. These things are not done that way.  

“I can assure you that if in the process of investigation anybody’s name features repeatedly and prominently in the issue under investigation, such a person will be investigated.  

“We are not going to mention names but it would not be wrong to say that past ministers or GMDs, who served in the NNPC would be interrogated to clear themselves if their names come up in the process of investigation.  

“If you take a look at the way the EFCC did the investigation on the pension scam, they did not start off with a list of those to be investigated.

“It was during the investigations that the names were mentioned and those involved were summoned for interrogation  and  this  led  to other names. I think the same pattern would be repeated because this is how investigations are carried out.  

“You don’t start out by saying I am going to interrogate this person or that person. If former ministers and Group General Managers of the NNPC and other heads of parastatals in previous administrations are involved, surely they will be summoned.  

“I can tell you that the commission will do a thorough job on this issue of subsidy. Our operatives have been to all oil installations to carry out necessary investigations there. They have been talking to the people in those installations.”  

Besides Adoke, who said the Federal Government would ensure a thorough investigation into the fuel subsidy scam, two government functionaries had faulted the House report on the subsidy scam.

The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, had on Tuesday said the House committee, which probed the oil subsidy, was unfair to her.

According to her, the late President Yar’Adua refused to punish his Minister of Petroleum Resources, Dr. Rilwan Lukman, for allegedly failing to comply with his directive on the removal of kerosene subsidy in June 2009.   

Alison-Madueke said, “There was an issue on the directive of the late President in terms of the removal of kerosene subsidy, which happened apparently in June 2009 before I was appointed minister of petroleum.

“Now, under Section 6 of the Petroleum Act, the minister of petroleum may, by notice, publish in the official gazette, fix the price of petroleum products, which means that for it to actually become a law, the minister must publish that that petroleum product price has changed.    

“I do not recall and I don’t think anybody in the country recalls any such directive published in 2009. It is not something that has to be hidden because it has to, by law, be published.

“Therefore, if it is not published by law and it is not in the gazette, it is not a directive that can be legally complied with. Many months have passed and the former minister did not comply with the direct of the President.   

“The President also did not put in place any punitive measures, obviously for good reasons. He must have had very good reasons not to do that. So, it is very odd that a new administration and a new President and a new minister are being accused of flouting the law, which was given in the past to a minister and has nothing to do with us.”   

On the deduction of funds from source by the NNPC, the minister said the position of the House was subject to interpretation in line with the Appropriation Act.  

She said it was “unfair to conclude that the minister, I, did not take appropriate steps to stop the practice which, by the way, had been on before I came to office.”

 Also, the Political Adviser to the President, Alhaji Ali Gullack, had on May 2, said that the report lacked credibility, alleging that the probe was targeted at some individuals.

 He had asked, “Why did they not invite (Rilwanu) Lukman? He was the Minister of Petroleum Resources during the period of the probe. Where is Mohammed Barkindo, who was the Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation at the time?

“Where are the other key actors who were at the vanguard of the subsidy regime? The House of Representatives must probe these individuals before we can truly say they are doing the right thing, otherwise the report will lack credibility. What is worth doing at all is worth doing well.”

The source, who explained the commission’s investigation, said the essence of the EFCC invitation was not to indict anybody.

He explained that not all the people that would be invited be guilty, but the commission believed that those people could assist it in its investigation.

I’ll not tamper with press freedom—Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday promised that his administration would have nothing to do with anybody who dared to tamper with the freedom of the press as enshrined in the constitution.

He said that as a firm believer in the right of the media, he would stop at nothing to ensure that journalists continue to carry out their duties without let or hindrance.

Jonathan made the pledge while declaring open the fourth triennial national delegates’ conference of the Nigerian Union of Journalists in Abuja.

The President advised that since all rights come with corresponding responsibility, journalists should learn to put the country first in their reports.

He said, “I am a firm believer in the right and obligation of the media as enshrined in our constitution. I assure you all today that under my leadership, journalists in our country will continue to fully enjoy their constitutional rights and freedom of expression.

“I am also fully convinced that the imperative of sustaining and nurturing our democracy required the existence of the very professional and practitioners of the mass media.

“My administration is conscious of the vital role that the mass media have to play in supporting our transformation agenda and is therefore committed to properly enhance the practice.

“It was in this regard that led to our enactment of the Freedom of Information law to enhance the ability of our dear practitioners to discharge their duties.

“My administration will have nothing to do with those who try to curtail or abuse the right of the mass media.”

While urging media practitioners to ensure that their accounts of events should be fair, balanced and accurate, Jonathan warned against manipulations by politicians and selfish people with sectional motives to the detriment of collective national interest.

He said journalists should make extra efforts to cross check their facts and ensure that only the truth is published.

Jonathan advised media houses against offering platforms to people with questionable character.

He noted that journalists in Nigeria had continued to play an important role in nation building.

The President condemned the recent attacks on media houses by suspected terrorists and commended Nigerian journalists for remaining resolute in spite of the attacks.

He urged media practitioners to continue to foster peace, religious tolerance and harmony in the country.

Jonathan seized the opportunity provided by the programme to deny his reported plan to sack his ministers.

Zimbabwe's Vice Pres. Attacks T.B Joshua

HARARE- Vice President Joice Mujuru indirectly attacked Nigerian prophet TB Joshua, telling a National Day of Prayer gathering at the Zimbabwe Grounds in Harare that Zimbabweans should be wary of fake prophets who are turning churches into money-making ventures.

Mujuru who was the acting President while Mugabe was away, said local religious groups should not allow foreign pastors and political leaders to dictate the way they should worship. Her audience consisted of thousands of indigenous Apostolic and Zion church members.

“Our churches have come of age and we are people who know what we want on national events. We should not allow foreigners to tell us what to do. I was happy to hear that you conducted today’s event without any interference. People should be on the lookout for fake prophets.

“In Zimbabwean churches, I have never heard people celebrating someone’s death or illness. True Christians assist people by praying for ailments not expressing happiness about it.” Mujuru was referring to TB Joshua’s February 2012 prophecy that an African leader would die within 60 days.

Although TB Joshua did not specify the location, Zimbabwe was abuzz with speculation given Mugabe’s ailing health and frequent trips to Singapore for treatment. It eventually came to pass that the Malawian president Bingu wa Mutharika died of a heart attack, not long after the prophecy.

But TB Joshua has since made another prophecy that another old African president will fall critically ill and be hospitalised. These prophecies are not going down well with ZANU PF given Mugabe’s health and surrounding speculation.

Over two weeks ago pro-ZANU PF church leaders were wheeled out by the state media to make claims that TB Joshua was not welcome in the country and that his teachings were allegedly “judgmental, partisan and unorthodox.”

A week after that a senior police officer labelled him a ‘false prophet’ that people needed to be aware of. Officers at the Police General Headquarters in Harare were shown a video that allegedly exposes TB Joshua as a womaniser and sorcerer.”

Next to attack TB Joshua was the excommunicated Anglican Bishop Nolbert Kunonga. The man who forcibly grabbed Anglican Church property and used police and ZANU PF militia to violently target parishioners not loyal to him claimed TB Joshua’s prophecies were driven by Satanism and were “diabolic.”

http://www.izimbabwe.co.zw/news/local/item/15796-zimbabwe-vice-president-attacks-tb-joshua.html
www.africagist.com

Reds set to renew Guardiola interest

Liverpool will make another effort to discover this weekend whether they can convince Pep Guardiola to take over the managerial reins at Anfield.

GettyImagesPep Guardiola left Barca on a high by winning the Copa del Rey on Friday

The Reds have previously made enquires through Pere Guardiola, Pep's brother and also agent to Luis Suarez, but have not received a response from the outgoing Barcelona boss.
Guardiola had initially claimed he wanted to take a sabbatical from football to recharge his batteries, but hinted earlier this week that he would be willing to take on a new job in the summer.
That has put Chelsea and Liverpool on red alert, and the Reds will again try to make contact with the Spaniard, who won the Copa del Rey on Friday night in his last act as Barca manager.
Roberto Martinez has already held initial talks with Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) but is thought to want more control over transfers than is being suggested at present.
Guardiola, on the other hand, is used to working in the sort of system FSG want to implement, with his focus on coaching the team while a sporting director identifies transfer targets.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1079225/liverpool-to-renew-interest-in-outgoing-barca-boss-pep-guardiola

Eagles’loss to Peru pardonable – Shofoluwe

Nigeria lost their second friendly match in a month after the 1-0 defeat to Peru in Lima on Thursday. But former Green Eagles defender Yisa Shofoluwe tells OLUFEMI ATOYEBI that the losses will soon be forgotten

Peru’s Jose Paolo Guerrero scored from a flamboyant move that involved Schalke 04 striker Jerferson Farfan in the 37th minute of a friendly encounter with Nigeria early on Thursday in Lima, the capital city of the hosts.

It was a sweet end to a flowing move that started from the hosts’ area as they ran away with victory in the first match involving the senior teams of both countries.

However, former Green Eagles defender, Yisa Shofoluwe, says Nigeria should forget about the 1-0 loss and embrace the positives from the encounter. He also warns that disaster may be around the corner if the balance of the current Eagles team being built by Stephen Keshi is upset by players agents’ influence and interest of a few Nigerians.

“I was unable to watch the match because it was played in the early morning of Thursday and I had training with my team in the morning. But I listened to comments and analysis of the match on my way this morning (Thursday),” says Shofoluwe. “In my view, I think we’re where we should be at this moment.

“South American football is the most entertaining in the world today and it has produced great stars that have put light in world football. If Nigeria could brave the four-day journey to Lima in Peru to play so well and lose with such a pardonable margin, then we should celebrate those home-based guys.”

There was enough excuse though for the 1-0 loss.

The Nigerian team had a travel hitch on their way to Lima, which stretched the journey to four days. They even slept on the floor of the Madrid Airport in Spain after missing a connecting flight.

What’s more, Keshi stood his ground to leave out big European stars like Osaze Odemwingie and Champions League winner, John Mikel Obi, sticking with the same home-based group and a sprinkle of up-and-coming players abroad, which included Gege Soriola of Free State Stars of South Africa as a late cover for injured skipper Joseph Yobo, and four others.

But despite travel difficulties, Keshi kept all the five foreign-based on the bench and fielded an all Nigerian league team. Shofoluwe says the beauty of the team now is that they are improving as a group and not as individual players.

Shofoluwe said after his return from Belgium, where he had played professional football, he had called for a national team with home touch, which would not make the country to rely solely on Europe-based players.

“What happened more than two decades ago has passed, but it has a place in our football history,” ‘Dean of Defence’ Shofoluwe says, recounting the glorious moment Nigeria had in the 1994 World Cup in the USA and the failure to build on the result. “I saw a lot of positive ways of building a team when I was in Belgium and I thought our people would listen if I said something.

“Belgium as a nation does not have the talents we have in Nigeria but they build on what they have. In those days, the Belgium national team was a force in world football. We had our time of breakthrough, but we were contented with the little achievement we had. We should have established a system that would replace ageing players, but we felt that a player could play for so long in the national team. Players do but not five out of 10 will give you such a result.

“I’m happy that Keshi is adamant on what he feels good for Nigeria. The home-based boys are the future of the nation’s football. If we think that the national team should be built around foreign-based players, how many of them are playing at the top level in Europe?”

Shofoluwe adds, “The truth is that the boys Keshi is using today will play better and in bigger clubs in a few years if their development and dreams are well-nurtured.

“I’m aware that some powerful Nigerian football agents, with connection to some of the so-called big players abroad will be looking for a way to get Keshi’s attention on behalf of their clients. They should leave the coach to decide what he wants. We’ve manipulated a lot of things in Nigeria and that is why we have had slow development.”

Statistics from the match on Thursday morning in Lima showed that Nigeria created 13 chances and did not score, hitting the post once. In their free-flow football style, Peru got more from the midfield and launched eight quick attacks, more from counter moves, scoring once.

Farfan would have had the curtain raiser with a free-kick stopped by goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim before Guerrero scored.

With the goals rare to find, Shofoluwe said Keshi, being a defender, would naturally give attention to the defence, putting hopes on assistant coach Daniel Amokachi to find solution to the scoring problems. He takes side with the inclusion of strikers from the foreign leagues that have recent proven records.

“We made good decision when we said Nigerian coaches should lead our teams,” he argues. “Keshi was once a defender and maybe that is why his team is improving defensively, but he has Amokachi, a deadly striker in his days, as assistant.

“Maybe he should look beyond and include two or three good strikers from abroad. They must come from a competitive background and feature for the clubs regularly. They must be regular scorer as well.

“If we had good strikers in the match against Peru, I’m sure we would have scored two or three goals. So it is essential that we get it right in the striking positions.”

http://www.punchng.com/sports/eaglesloss-to-peru-pardonable-shofoluwe/