Gowon Slams Obasanjo Over Jonathan Attack

President Goodluck Jonathan got a big backer yesterday in his row with former President Olusegun Obasanjo over the government’s approach to the Boko Haram insurgency.
To former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Obasanjo’s criticism of the Jonathan administration’s handling of Boko Haram is “highly irresponsible”.

The doyen of accounting, Mr. Akintola Williams, also lashed out at Obasanjo.
Both spoke in Lagos on the sideline at the launch of a book, “Stay at the top”, authored by a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria (ICAN), Mr. Omoniyi Komolafe.
Other eminent Nigerians at the book launch included the Head of the Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan, the former Chief Medical Director, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Prof. Samuel Olowe, the Vice Chancellor of Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU), Prof. Sola Fajana and representatives of Lagos, Osun and Ogun governors.

Speaking to The Nation, Gen. Gowon said: “Obasanjo is highly irresponsible to have made such comments about the present government.
“Many people have condemned what he (Obasanjo) did in Odi and Zaki Biam.
So, it was irresponsible for him to defend it or accuse the present administration.”

Gen. Gowon urged Nigerians to support the government so that the current challenges can be tackled collectively.
He said: “I know people are concerned about the security situation in the country, but I can assure you that the government is doing everything possible to tackle the situation.
“I remember during my time as Head of State, when we also had grave challenges. Some people said it was impossible to unite Nigeria and that we could not achieve it. Some also said we could not move the state capital from Lagos to another city.

“But, eventually, we were able to subdue the security challenges. I can tell you, we would not have been able to do it, if we did not enjoy the support of Nigerians.
“I urge our people to love and defend the unity of this country at all times. The government should be given the needed support so that it will be able to function.

“I am not saying government should not be criticised when it is doing wrong, but we should not say or do things that will cause more tension and confusion in our land.”
In Williams’ view, Obasanjo should be more circumspect.

“I am sure if he considers his statements, he would not say such things.
“When I was in practice, I had confrontations with him, but we grew to respect each other.
“I would have expected him to observe complete silence, especially commenting on offices now held by somebody else other than himself.”
Obasanjo, speaking in Warri last Thursday at one of the events, marking the 40th anniversary of Rev. Ayo Oritsejafor, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), said President Jonathan’s response to Boko Haram’s insurgency is tepid.

Obasanjo said when faced with such a situation, he nipped it in the bud, saying Dr. Jonathan should have tackled the insurgency at the outset.
“My fear is that when you have a sore and you don’t attend to it early enough, it festers and becomes very bad. Don’t leave a problem that can be bad unattended,” Obasanjo said.
But President Jonathan chose the occasion of his Media Chat on Sunday to respond to Obasanjo’s criticism, saying Obasanjo’s administration’s military attack on Odi in 1999 after some policemen were killed, was a disaster, which failed to achieve its objective.
Jonathan alleged that contrary to Obasanjo’s claim, no militant was killed in the invasion.

He said as the Bayelsa State Deputy Governor at the time, he and (then) Governor Dipreye Alamieyeseigha visited Odi. They saw “some dead people, mainly old men and women and also children. None of those militants was killed. So, the bombardment of Odi was to solve the problem but it never solved it.”
Obasanjo’s former Adviser, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, On Tuesday replied Jonathan on behalf of his principal.
He said: “The truth is that the killing of security agents and soldiers with impunity by Niger Delta militants virtually stopped after the operation in Odi.”
Gen. Gowon, in his address as chairman of the book launch, said he was fascinated by the title of the book, adding that trust and transparency are qualities a good leader must possess.
“As Head of State, I religiously ensured that I reached out to people across all strata through contacts and visits in order to determine how government was perceived or to see how government fared.

Shonekan, who was the guest of honour, said the book was devoted to value reorientation.
He said the author had also brought to the fore the fact that it is never easy for anybody to get to the top in any field of endeavour. It requires a lot of humility, sagacity, commitment to duty and diligence to realise such lofty dreams.
“From experience, I can say that staying at the top is more difficult because for a number of factors, those at the top often lose their staying power. Their successes often get into their heads, their values become warped and sometimes, they cannot move with the dynamics of the time and in the process, they are overtaken by other contenders for the top position.”

Prof. Fajana reviewed the book.
http://thenationonlineng.net/new/news/gowon-slams-obasanjo-over-attack-on-jonathan/

Mikel Obi Charged With Misconduct

Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has been charged by the FA over the Mark Clattenburg race row after the referee was found to have no case to answer.

Mikel accused Clattenburg of using racist language towards him during Chelsea's defeat to Manchester United last month.

Mikel was charged for alleged use of threatening and/or abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour in or around the officials changing room.


The Nigerian stormed into the ref's room after the match after being told by team-mate Ramires that Clattenburg had called him a 'monkey'. Mikel did not hear anything at the time.

He does not deny the charge but will request a personal hearing to explain the mitigating circumstances. There has been no apology from the club.

Clattenburg hasn’t refereed a game since and is now clear to return to official duty. He will be named on Friday for one of the fixtures next midweek.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2236958/Mark-Clattenburg-cleared-John-Obi-Mikel-charged-FA-race-row.html

Ten Personal Ordeals That Women Face In Life

1. Not spending enough time with your children

A startling majority of working moms feel like they haven’t struck the right balance between their work and children. If you’re at work worrying about the children, work isn’t getting the best out of you and the kids aren’t getting anything. You should give your full dedication depending on where you are, whether at work or with the kids. That way everyone, including yourself, benefits.

2. Not losing extra weight

More than 70 per cent women report being on a diet at any one given time, regardless of whether they are actually overweight or not. If you want to look gorgeous and slim, choose to change your situation and make time to go to the gym or a slimming group. Recognise it is your choice and no one else is to blame.

3. Spending money on yourself

Going on a shopping spree may be fun, but the after effects can send some into a spiral of self-loathing and guilt. However, if you rationalise your reasons for spending money on a spa break because you need the downtime, or a new business suit because it will help you in your work, then you have no reason to feel guilty.

4. Your partner is unhappy

If you do feel guilty that you’re not doing enough to make your partner happy, then it is suggested that you both sit down and look at your timetables and agree on how you can make more time for each other. Discuss it and come up with a change in your behaviours that will make you both happier as a couple.

5. Always being late

Sometimes, situations arise which will make us late, no matter how well prepared we are, prompting feelings of guilt and panic. Sitting on a train and getting aggravated about what you could be doing if you were there already is a waste of energy. Ask yourself how you can use the moment? You could write out a full shopping list, rehearse what you want to say in the meeting or call your mother. Sitting there winding yourself up hurts only yourself and no one else.

6. Not being able to play the perfect hostess

Many women say they would like to put on the perfect dinner party or a drinks bash but they often set themselves high standards that they then fail to meet. The desire for social excellence derives from our need to be perfect all the time. Go on, host your party and be a bad party hostess. The moment you accept you can do it, but do it badly, it takes the pressure off. We give ourselves a lot of ‘I should be the perfect dinner party host’. Everyone has a different perception of everything so you can try to host a dinner party but you have to do it your way.

7. Forgetting birthdays

It’s not deliberate. Some of us are running about for 18 hours a day and have a million things to do. If you do feel guilty then simply tell yourself you know you’re doing your best, apologise and make clear that it wasn’t something done deliberately. If the person chooses to take umbrage, then that’s up to them.

8. Taking out some me-time

Living up to the ‘superwoman’ image that many women wish to maintain, can lead to terrible feelings of guilt over giving themselves time off to get their hair done or read a book. But doing nothing is very important in allowing us to physically and mentally recharge. But it is very difficult for other people to see you doing nothing and allow yourself to do it. Tell people the truth. That you need a break because you are at your limit – then accept that the world is not going to fall apart without you.

9. Letting your parents down

Women can inherit guilty feelings through the generations of not doing enough for their elders and in some way failing their parents. Learn to accept that your parents will love and judge you no matter what. Obviously do try and be sensitive but if you go your own way and you are successful and happy, then if they are decent human beings, they’ll be happy for you in any way.

10. Saying ‘No’

Saying ‘no’ is hard because we don’t want to be seen as the baddie and because women are taught from a young age to put others first. The first thing to do is to give yourself time to think about each request and it is suggested that you say something noncommittal like, ‘That sounds interesting, give me half an hour and I’ll get back to you on it’.
If you really don’t want to do what they ask, then give the person other options to help solve their problem.

70-yr-old Farmer Makes N2m Annually From Maize Farming

http://www.osundefender.org/?p=71089

A 70 years old mechanised farmer in the country has called on Nigerians to take farming seriously, saying he makes N2 million annually from maize farming alone.

“I have seven children who are all graduates and I catered for them through farming. One of my sons has joined me in farming and we make an average of N2 million annually from maize farming alone,” said Pa. Isaiah Oladejo, whose farm is based in Osogbo, Osun State.

He enjoined the youths to stop considering themselves as unemployed and waiting endlessly for white collar jobs that may never come, stressing: “Through farming, you will feed yourself, family and Nigeria.”

Pa Oladejo explained that farming requires passion and good sense of planning as a profession and encouraged the youths to come into it as most of the present farmers are growing old and becoming weak to actively continue.
According to him, the notion that agriculture does not sustain your livelihood is untrue. “Do you know the impact on food production if 10,000 Nigerian graduates engage in agriculture?”

Oladejo, recalled that he first came to the Osun Farm Settlement in 1963, and said since then farming has become a way of life for him, and he now manages 50 acres of farmland, where he cultivates different food crops.

The farmer of over 50 years experience identified access to fertilizer and tractors as a major challenge facing the farmers in increasing their yield.
He praised the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo whose leadership as the Governor of the Old Western Region led to the creation of Farm Settlements across the region.

He also charged those in leadership position to initiate projects that would impact on the lives of their electorates. He called for issue-based and people-focused leadership which he said would position the country on the right directi

CAF Reveal Final Five For African Footballer Of The Year- Mikel Obi Missing!

Dede Ayew, Demba Ba, Didier Drogba, Alex Song and Yaya Toure are the final five nominees for the Confederation of African Football's Player of the Year award.

Ivory Coast and Manchester City's Toure won the accolade last year.

Caf initially named 34 players who they were considering for the award before cutting that down to 10 names.

The final nominees were decided by votes from the head coaches and technical directors of the football associations affiliated to Caf.

The 2012 Caf African Footballer of the Year will be crowned at an awards ceremony in the Ghana capital, Accra, on 20 December.


What happened to our own Chelsea Midfielder, John Mikel Obi

BBC Sports.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20463587

Omotola Is The Highest Earning Actress In Nollywood

Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde continues to prove that there is more to her than her curve-ridden figure as she emerges biggest box-office actress of the year.

The actress was recently honoured in the UK as the first-ever African BEFFTA (Black Entertainment, Film, Fashion, Television and Arts) Film Icon for her contribution to the film industry in Africa, Europe and globally.

The year 2012 will be one in which the duo of Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde and film maker Obi Emelonye won’t forget in a hurry as the duo grabbed the headlines in spectacular fashion judging by the quality of the kind of jobs they both did.

The movie, Last Flight to Abuja produced and directed by award winning Obi Emelonye first grabbed the headlines when it reportedly sold more than 8million in its first week at the cinema!

Omotola’s popularity and box-office credibility was put to test when the movie, opened at the cinema. The premiere till date remains the biggest premiere of any movie with six packed halls, a record no premiere has beaten. Last Flight to Abuja also starred Hakeem Kae Kazeem, Jim Iyke, Jide Kosoko and others.

Last Flight to Abuja is still showing at the cinema and it has already grossed 24 million, thereby making it the highest box office earner this year! No other movie has come close to this record so far.

It would be recalled that the same movie director produced Mirror Boy a movie that made 18 million at the cinema..

The year 2012 has been incredible for super star, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde; from being the highest paid actress to being the busiest on locations of big budget movies, now famously called “the new Nollywood” Omosexy has had a full calendar and bag as well.

It will be recalled that the sexy superstar starred in the acclaimed Ties That Bind alongside Hollywood’s Kimberley Elise, Kofi Adjorlolo, ama K, Khareemar Aguiar among others..

Still in 2012 Omosexy as she’s fondly called played the leading role in the High budget Tarila Thompson’s movie ,”Up Creek “still in post production. She was also on call for Teco Benson’s film “Blood on the Lagoon” also in post production.

The multiple award winner thereafter went on to star in the movie AMINA alongside British actor Wil Johnson and Vincent Regan , a movie written, produced and directed by Christian Ashaiku, where she plays the character of a woman suffering from mental disorder. The movie recently premiered at the prestigious Empire Leicester square London to great reviews.

As icing on the cake the actress was recently Honored As the First ever African BEFFTA Film Icon for her contribution to the film industry in Africa, Europe and globally. BEFFTA (Black Entertainment Film Fashion Television and Arts) award is Europe’s biggest award ceremony celebrating achievements of black and ethnic personalities in showbiz globally.

Omotola is a United Nation World Food Programme Ambassador and Amnesty International Activist. The talented actress is a role model who gives back to the youths through her own charity, Omotola Youth Empowerment Programme (OYEP)

http://gidileak.com/ent-omotola-jalade-is-the-highest-earn-actress-in-nollywood/

Exclusive Pictures of Pastor Oritsejafor’s Jet

http://www.lanreclassic.com/2012/11/exclusive-pictures-of-pastor.html

History of the aircraft
According to sahara reporters, Pastor Oritsejafor’s jet is a Canadian-made Bombardier jet with US registration number N431CB. The jet was manufactured in 1994 and previously belonged to two different owners in the US,records revealed. The private jet was last used in New Jersey by C R BARD IN of Murray Hill, New Jersey

The jet was flown out of the US from Morristown, New Jersey in September 2012 ostensibly to be retrofitted and serviced before delivery last week to Mr. Oritsejafor.

Records accessed on the Internet indicated that the jet’s owners in New Jersey listed it for sale in July 2012. The data also showed that the jet had once been upgraded to give it more engine power. The jet’s interior is furnished with gold accents in the toilet and bathroom area.

Lionel Messi Breaks Pele’s Goals Record

LIONEL Messi struck twice in Barcelona’s 4-2 win over Mallorca, taking him to 72 goals for the calendar year, one better than Pele’s mark.

Xavi Hernandez, Messi and Cristian Tello got first-half goals for the Catalans before Victor Casadesus and Michael Pereira reduced the lead after the interval.

Messi then hit his fifteenth in the league to wrap up the game and make it 76 goals now in 2012, beating Pele’s tally of 75 from 1958 and taking him to within nine of Gerd Muller’s all time record total of 85 set in 1972.

The win increases Barca’s lead to six points at the top, ahead of games for Atletico and Real Madrid, who sit 2nd and 3rd, later on Sunday.

Barca made five changes from the side that had lost 2-1 to Celtic in the Champions League on Wednesday, with Gerard Pique, Cesc Fabregas, Sergio Busquets, David Villa and Tello all starting.

The visitors began slowly and Mallorca enjoyed the better early chances.

Barca keeper Valdes was alert to tip wide a header from Israeli international Tomer Hemed on 22 minutes.
However, five minutes later Barca were ahead when Xavi curled a perfect free-kick over the defensive wall after Jose Luis Marti fouled Fabregas on the left edge of the area.

Mallorca centre-half Pedro Geromel saved an almost certain second on 34 minutes when a Tello cross was about to find Villa in front of an open goal.
Barca were now on top and looking to add to their lead and did so on 43 minutes when Messi went on a run and hit a well struck shot – though Dudu Aouate in the Mallorca goal should have done better than allow the ball to squirm out of his hands and into the net.

A minute later and Tello controlled a pass on the left-wing before cutting inside and unleashing a right-footed drive that went across Aouate and into the far corner.

continue at http://www.rosemarynkblog.com/lionel-messi-beats-peles-goals-record/

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Apple Ordered To Pay Samsung’s Legal Bills After A Misleading Apology

A UK court has ordered Tablet and Smartphone maker; Apple Inc. to pay the legal costs of fellow Smartphone and Tablet maker Samsung after it found out that a court-ordered apology on Apple’s UK website was ‘false and misleading’.

Previously, it was proven in the court case that Samsung did not infringe on Apple’s iPad tablet design and Apple was ordered by the court to publish an apology on its UK homepage and in newspapers stating that Samsung had not copied its products, but the Court of Appeal of England and Wales has decreed the apology was ‘calculated to produce confusion’.

Specifically, the passage the UK court took exception to is where, after explaining the court’s previous ruling, Apple outlined cases from other countries where Samsung had been found to infringe the iPad design:

‘However, in a case tried in Germany regarding the same patent, the court found that Samsung engaged in unfair competition by copying the iPad design.

‘A U.S. jury also found Samsung guilty of infringing on Apple’s design and utility patents, awarding over one billion U.S. dollars in damages to Apple Inc.’

‘So while the U.K. court did not find Samsung guilty of infringement, other courts have recognized that in the course of creating its Galaxy tablet, Samsung wilfully copied Apple’s far more popular iPad.’

Apple has issued another re-phrased apology, but apparently the court wasn’t impressed and has ordered Apple to pay all of Samsung’s legal fees for the case as reparations for any financial loss the Korean manufacturer might have taken from the allegedly ‘misleading’ original apology.

The court’s report also points to Apple’s slow speed in publishing newspaper apologies as a cause for it paying the fees. The report describes Apple’s compliance with the newspaper advertisement order as ‘lackadaisical at best’, noting that the order was given on October 18 and Apple arranged to have apologies appear in newspapers from November 16.

However, the report also said that Apple’s publication of a misleading apology on its webpage was ‘much more serious’.

www.channelstv.com/home/2012/11/12/court-orders-apple-to-pick-samsungs-legal-bills-after-a-misleading-apology/

BankyW And Wizkid May Part Ways - Global News Magazine

According to Global News magazine, a Nigerian tabloid.

The magazine reports Banky W and WizKid might part ways soon except something is done to avert it.

The reason is clearly as a result of some financial dealings that is not going down well with both parties.

Sources hinted that there is serious entertainment politics going on within the four walls of EME as their record label is known.

As part of ways to secure more gains, WizKid has already sacked Osagie, his manager.


http://gidigist.com/2012/11/03/gist-banky-w-and-wizkid-may-part-ways/

Osaze Does Not Want To Play For Nigeria

Head coach of the Nigeria national team, Stephen Keshi has sensationally revealed to supersport.com that West Bromwich Albion star, Osaze Odemwingie wants out of the Super Eagles.

Odemwingie last played for Nigeria in a 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Rwanda on February 29 in Kigali.

Keshi has now revealed that he spoke to the WBA forward a week before Nigeria’s second leg final round 2013 Afcon qualifying game against Liberia on October 13 and that Odemwingie told him that he had decided not to play for Nigeria again.

“I spoke to Osaze before the Liberia game and he told me that he had decided not to play for Nigeria anymore,” Keshi told supersport.com.

The former Togo and Mali national team coach said Odemwingie took the time to explain the reasons for his decision not to play for the Super Eagles again.

“Osaze told me that he has no problems with me as a person and that he took his decision even before I assumed position as national team coach.

“He said he was unhappy at how he was treated in the past in the national team. He explained that prior to Nigeria’s participation at the 2010 Fifa World Cup, he played in all the qualifying games but was dropped at the finals.

“He said he was angry at the treatment meted out to him but did not discuss it with anyone. I told him that was not the best way to handle issues and that if he had already decided not to play for the national team, he should have opened up to me when I invited him to play,” Keshi said.

‘The Big Boss’ went on to reveal that he had an extensive discussion with the striker and tried to explain why things may have gone awry for him at the 2010 mundial.

“I told him that if the (Nigeria) coach (at the 2010 World Cup) benched him, he must have a reason for doing so and that things should have been handled differently.

“I told him that he should have spoken up and let me know. The coach has a reason and you can’t play in every game,” he said.

On Odemwingie’s future at the international stage, Keshi said he was still ready to accommodate the player in his squad while explaining that the final decision would still lie with the 31-year-old.

“I told him that he has to give me the room to work with him; for us to work together and if he does not like the way I work and the atmosphere in the camp, then he can decide to stop playing.

“Deciding that you don’t want to play for Nigeria because of what happened in the past is not the best.

“I understand his feelings. I think he might change his mind but I really don’t know. The ball is in his court,” Keshi concluded.

http://www.supersport.com/football/nigeria/news/121102/Osaze_doesnt_want_to_play_for_Nigeria_Keshi

Experts Call On Boko-Haram To Surrender Unconditionally

Expert calls on Boko Haram to surrender unconditionally
A strategic security consultant, Max Gbanite on Friday said the conditions for ceasefire offered by the fundamentalist sect, Boko Haram to the Federal Government are unrealistic insisting that the group should surrender unconditionally.

Speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s programme, Sunrise Daily, Mr Gbanite said like the civil war and the insurgency in the Niger Delta, the uprising by the Boko Haram is a domestic affair that should be treated in Nigeria and not in the Saudi Arabia as proposed by the sect.

“To say that the Federal Government must come to Saudi Arabia to negotiate is unacceptable,” he said.

He added that it is time to “for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to invite the ambassador of Saudi Arabia and ask him what particular area of influence Saudi Arabia has with Boko Haram?

“This is the time to bring in the Director General of the Nigeria Intelligence Agency and his operations department and ask questions: Who are the Nigerians who are Boko Haram in Saudi Arabia.”



http://www.channelstv.com/home/2012/11/02/expert-calls-on-boko-haram-to-surrender-unconditionally/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter