New Year's Eve countdown

Photo / Sarah Ivey

Holidaymakers are spoiled for choice when it comes to this year's New Year's Eve.
In Auckland, revellers can watch the Sky City fireworks show that will include a light display atop the Sky Tower's stem. At midnight, after the digital countdown, a five-minute pyrotechnic display will light up the city sky.
For the Britomart Beach Party four tonnes of sand will be dumped in the Britomart precinct for a 14-hour party at more than 10 popular venues.
Waiheke Island's Highlife NYE festival open-air event at Stonyridge Vineyard is sold out.
Further afield, there are still tickets for the last night of the three-day Rhythm & Vines festival in Gisborne. The event's sister festival, Rhythm & Alps, at Wanaka's Cardrona Valley, will attract a 10,000-strong crowd.
La De Da festival in Martinborough is another popular destination for New Year's Eve revellers, many of whom have been camping on site for the two-day event featuring international acts A$AP Rocky and Flume.

Popular Kiwi acts Katchafire and Kora pulled out of the event earlier this month, and are now playing at Butlers Reef in New Plymouth from 7pm.
New Zealand music sensation Stan Walker is hosting the G2 Resolution party in Tauranga from midday, and the Black Seeds are the headline act at Mount Vibes New Year's Eve Music Festival at ASB Baypark Stadium, Mt Maunganui, which kicks off at 3pm.

Beyonce angers families of dead astronauts

Beyonce performs onstage at her "Mrs. Carter Show World Tour 2013". Photo / AP

Current and former NASA astronauts are furious over a new Beyonce video that samples audio from the failed 1986 Challenger mission which resulted in the death of all on board.

Her new video for XO features audio taken just after the Challenger broke apart.
"Flight controllers here looking very carefully at the situation. Obviously a major malfunction," a NASA public affairs official said as wreckage fell toward earth on live TV.
The Challenger exploded 73 seconds after taking off from the Kennedy Space Center January 28, 1986. All seven crew members aboard were killed.
ABC News reported "former and current NASA astronauts, employees and Challenger family members argue that using it in a pop song mocks the crew's sacrifice and opens fresh wounds."
June Scobee Rodgers, the widow of Challenger Space Shuttle Commander Dick Scobee and a founder of the Challenger Center for Space Science Education, told ABC News she was not happy.

'We were disappointed to learn that an audio clip from the day we lost our heroic Challenger crew was used in the song XO,' she said.
"The moment included in this song is an emotionally difficult one for the Challenger families, colleagues and friends," she added.
"We have always chosen to focus not on how our loved ones were lost, but rather on how they lived and how their legacy lives on today."
Keith Cowing, a former NASA employee who now runs the NASAWatch.com website, said, "This choice of historic and solemn audio is inappropriate in the extreme."
He is asking that the Texan remove the clip and apologize to families of the Challenger crew.
But on Monday the 32-year-old defended her use of the clip in a statement to ABC News: "The song XO was recorded with the sincerest intention to help heal those who have lost loved ones."
The Halo singer added the reference should 'remind us that unexpected things happen,' so people should "love and appreciate every minute that you have with those who mean the most to you."
She also said, "My heart goes out to the families of those lost in the Challenger disaster.'
Her statement ended with: 'The songwriters included the audio in tribute to the unselfish work of the Challenger crew with hope that they will never be forgotten."
The song XO - written and produced by Ryean Tedder and Terius Nash, also known as The Dream - is about loving while you can.
The video features the entertainer running through an amusement park with two friends.
They laugh as they ride roller coasters together and meet strangers.
The lyrics include: "Your love is bright as ever/ Even in the shadows/ Baby kiss me/ Before they turn the lights out/ Your heart is glowing/ And I'm crashing into you."
The star also sings: "We don't have forever/ Baby daylight's wasting."
Oddly, Beyonce has worked with NASA in the past: She recorded a wake-up announcement for the orbiting crew of the STS-135 shuttle flight.

Happy 2014 from all of us at uniuyo heat

 

56 Boko Haram terrorists killed in Borno

In continuation of its fight against Boko Haram terrorists, the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army with the support of the Nigerian Air force recorded a successful operation when they killed about 56 Boko Haram terrorists in the latest attack launched on the Boko Haram camp in Alafa general area of Baba local government, Borno state.

Two soldiers were however reportedly wounded during the attack.

In a release signed by the acting Deputy Director, Army public relations, Capt. Aliyu Ibrahim Danja, the army said the operations which took place on Saturday, 28 December led to the destruction of the terrorist’s weapons, equipment and vehicles.

The statement said “ the troops of the 7 Division, Nigerian Army, supported by the Nigerian Air force launched an intense attack on Boko Haram elements in Alfa general area of Bama local government, killing 56 insurgents while 2 soldier were wounded in the operations”.

The Army stated that the attack was part of the ongoing operations conducted by the military to ensure a peaceful Christmas and New Year celebrations in Borno state.

The General officer Commanding 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Obidah Ethan, praised the good people of Borno state, urging them to assist the military with useful information.
He said security is everybody’s business and useful information will in no small measure assist the military in its operations in the quest to secure lives and property in the state.

1,000 PDP members defect to APC in Lagos

No fewer than 1000 members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ikosi-Ejinrin Local Council Development Area, Lagos State, during the weekend defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC.
The party in a statement on Monday said the latest defectors were received by the former State Commissioner of Health in the state, Mr. Leke Pitan; former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Joko Pelumi; and APC Chairman in the LCDA, Mr. Lateef Sangosanya.

Segun Ogunsanya, one of the defectors who was the PDP flag bearer in the Council during the 2011 election, described their decision to leave the PDP as “the best thing to do following the developmental strides” embarked upon by the incumbent chairman.
He added that the defectors were led by the former chairman of the PDP in the LCDA.
Addressing the new members, Vice Chairman of APC in Lagos State, Alhaji Akanni Bamu, called on them to ensure that the expected dividend of democracy is enjoyed by the people.
The statement said, “It would be recalled that the latest movement is the third time politicians from other parties will be decamping to the All Progressives Congress in Ikosi-Ejinrin Local Council Development Area and identifying with the progressive moves of the incumbent Executive Chairman of Ikosi-Ejinrin LCDA, Mr. Olusegun Adetola.”

Colleges Of Education lecturers begin nationwide strike today

Barely two weeks after the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, called off its five-months-old strike, lecturers in the Colleges of Education are set to begin a nationwide strike today.
This was made known in a letter to the Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike in Abuja.
The letter, which was delivered by the General Secretary of the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union, Mr. Nuhu Ogirima, lamented that the Federal Government had failed to address issues raised by the Union.
The union’s complaints are infrastructural decay, poor funding, non-implementation of the 2010 FG-COEASU agreement, poor conditions of service, brain drain and illegal imposition of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System.

In the letter signed by the COEASU National President, Asagha Nkoro and Ogirima, the union accused the government of directing the National Commission for Colleges of Education to impose the IPPIS on colleges without recourse to earlier meetings by the parties.
In compliance with the resolution of its Expanded National Executive Council Meeting, COEASU said its members had been directed to resume a full scale strike action suspended earlier this year, “unless and until government meets the demands”.

SEE Nigeria's Best Performing Higher Institution in 2013

The Centre for Democratic Governance in Africa has proclaimed Covenant University as Nigeria’s Best Performing Higher Institution for the year 2013.
The Chairman of the Centre, Dafe Okpocha, who spoke at the award ceremony, said the university’s emulation of good governance has made it outstanding:
“This centre believes in the practice of good governance and sees to the development of the country. Our aim as an organisation is to preach good governance to Africa and Nigeria in particular. The education environment is not left out of these. If it is not practised in this sector the country is going nowhere.”
Professor Charles Ayo, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, was delighted to receive the award on behalf of the institution.
“Covenant is the leading university both in academic standard and in Godly standard.
“Our drive is to be among the leading Christian mission universities in Africa in the next 10 years. We will consider the university as a failure, if our graduates join the bandwagon of the unemployed looking for job,” Professor Charles Ayo said.
He further added that the University was founded to breed a unique class of people who will make Nigeria a better place. 

2face Opens Another Night Club In Festac

He has a Rumors Night Club in Ikeja and now a new one in Festac. Kudos to him! 

Checkout How Nigerian Police Officers Are Living Like Refugees

“DPOs’ confessions: We run police stations on bribes and charity” and “No computers, no uniforms: Sorry state of Nigeria Police,” Punch's Temitayo Famutimi captures the sorry state of police barracks in Lagos.

It was on a sunny Friday afternoon. Inspector Joy (not real name) stopped by at the stall of a pepper seller on the premises of the Obalende Police Barracks, Lagos. After buying some spices she dashed into a beer parlour adjacent the pepper sellers’ spot.

“I really need to step down. It’s been a long and tiring day. You can join me if you wish,” she advises this correspondent who had requested to have an audience with her as she walked into the beer parlour.

This exposé captures the true state of the rot in Nigeria today. Please read on...
The traffic policewoman who later requested a bottle of stout resides in the Women Police Barracks, situated behind the Obalende Barracks.

In a chat with this correspondent in the drinks joint, she laments that her experience over the years in service has made her desist from raising her hopes too high over improvement in welfare of policemen and women.

“Do I need to explain how I feel about the state of the barracks where we (policemen and women) live in? You have seen it all yourself here. It is the same situation in many places. Please, let’s talk about other things because it appears that we have long been forgotten,” she laments as she sips a glass of beer.

After finishing the bottle of beer, Inspector Joy, who notes that she is delighted to make the acquaintance of this correspondent, asks him to join her as she heads for home.

On getting to her room-and-parlour apartment in the Police Women’s Barracks meant for spinsters, the first item which strikes the attention of the journalist is a photo frame hung on the wall of the sitting room showing Joy and a well-built man.

Asked if she is married, Inspector Joy explains that she is “somehow married”, adding that she cohabits with her man who also happens to be a policeman.

“Don’t mind the inscription you see at the entrance of this barracks as it does not apply here. In this barracks, everyone is for himself or herself. My man stays here with me and goes to work from here just as it is the practice among other couples irrespective of if they are married or not.

“Nobody conducts checks on how we are faring and that also explains why the barracks is not being maintained and has become a total eyesore,” she explains.

No rehabilitation
The policewoman who occupies an apartment on one of the two-storey buildings in the barracks laments that since she moved in, no rehabilitation works have ever been undertaken in the barracks. But she said in the course of this year, she has, through the resident association, paid for sundry petty rehabilitation.

“The soak away recently got filled up and we had to contribute N4,000 each to get it fixed. Even the toilet we are talking about, there is nothing to write home about it. About 10 of us from three apartments make use of that dilapidated toilet and only one bathroom is usable on this floor and tens of people make use of it.

“This barracks can at best be described as a refugee camp as it is simply an eyesore and yet rent is being deducted in my salaries monthly.”

From meagre allocations that put police stations across the country at the mercy of charity from communities and criminals, the appalling dwelling places of policemen adds up to the several factors which make the Nigeria Police Force one of the most uninspiring institutions to work for many people.

From Obalende, Surulere, Iponri, Bar Beach to Women’s Police barracks, all in Lagos the story is that of a sad tale of utter neglect. But the picture is similar in other states of the federation. While the sewage pipes in many of the barracks visited are damaged, their rooftops bristling with satellite dishes were adorned with largely broken, sagging roofing sheets – many of which have indeed fallen off.

At the Obalende Barracks, many wives of policemen have simply turned their respective kitchenettes into shops of some sorts where they sell their wares. At some other sections of the barracks, wives of policemen have resorted to cooking in the open due to the dilapidated conditions of their kitchens.

A visitor to the Surulere Police Barracks could think that it has been turned into a motor park as seven commuter buses were parked on the premises during this correspondent’s visit. Besides, two drinking joints sited on the premises of the barracks have also eaten up available breeding space, thus confirming the lack of close monitoring from the authorities.

At the Bar Beach Barracks, only four of the over 20 blocks occupied by inspectors show signs of renovation. All others were in dilapidated conditions.

During our correspondent’s tour of the dwelling places of the policemen, the Alausa Barracks, however, stands out amongst its peers as it is generally in a good condition. It was gathered that the police authorities recently carried out renovation works on it.

Home to rodents and reptiles
On the whole, apart from lacking in basic aesthetics, the barracks are largely in dilapidating conditions with many structures fallen off or on the verge of giving way. For instance, at the Surulere Barracks, it was observed that rodents and reptiles moved in freely into the kitchens, toilets and bathrooms as the windows and doors have been broken off and have yet to be fixed. Also, the cement castings covering the decking on some of the storey buildings are already giving way.

Besides, the open drainages and broken sewage pipes oozed out a repugnant smell while houseflies and other insects capable of transmitting diseases had a field day.

Sadly the budget of the Federal Government makes provision for the rehabilitation of police barracks on a yearly basis. For instance, in the just concluded year, the National Assembly allocated the sum of N425,060,826 for the rehabilitation and repairs of police stations and barracks across the country. Yet the state of many of these structures remain abysmal across the country.

No alternative to broken barracks

Findings reveal that in spite of the sorry state of the barracks, policemen and women still jostle to get accommodated in them. It was gathered that police officers and men usually ‘water the ground’ often by giving bribes to some officials attached to the provost offices in the various state police commands.

A police corporal at the Bar Beach Barracks, Lagos explains that before he got his apartment, a colleague of his who was moving out influenced the allocation to him.

“After meeting with the colleague of mine parking out of the barracks, I tipped him and he took me to the office of the provost where we also watered the ground. Afterwards, I got the apartment allocated to me,” the police corporal says.

Asked why he chose what looks like a life of squalor with his family in the barracks, the corporal explains that he opted for the barracks due to the exorbitant rents that many landlords place on their properties.

He says, “This barracks is not too good for human habitation. But I think I have got no other choice than to move out of the civilian residential apartment as my landlord was not fair with the rent as he put it up at will.

“Although I can’t put a specific figure to the amount I pay monthly due to the newly introduced e-payment regime, the rent in the barracks can’t be more than N5,000, which is far less than how much I paid in my former place of residence.”

At the Surulere Barracks, a police sergeant attached to the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters Annexe in Obalende, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, notes that he hardly makes use of the toilet he shares with other residents of his block. He explains that due to the dilapidated state of the toilet, he always makes use of rest rooms of one of the banks opposite the barracks whenever he is pressed.

“I try as much as possible to empty my bowels at the office but whenever I am pressed at home, I rush down to the bank opposite the barracks and act as if I’m one of their customers with a view to passing out waste.

“This is the third barracks I have resided in. I once stayed in Sunrise Barracks in Olodi-Apapa area of Lagos as well as in Obalende Barracks and I can tell you that the barracks are also in very worrisome states,” he laments.

The police sergeant says he has refused to allow his family to stay with him in the barracks due to the level of deterioration adding that the environment is not good enough to raise his kids.

In spite of the cooperation among the policemen occupying the barracks, which led to the formation of a development association on block basis, the police sergeant notes that only little has been done to salvage the situation.

“During the rainy season, this whole place leading up to my apartment is always waterlogged and to add salt to injury, the human faeces in the broken sewage adds to the stagnant water around and pollutes the whole environment. This has been the trend for the three years I have been leaving here as no renovation has taken place. My children and wife stay in Ibadan where I got them a decent accommodation. To be realistic, it is not easy staying away from one’s family but this environment is not good enough. My children are still young and any of these structures around are hanging precariously and could fall on them,” he adds.

source: talkofnaija.com

Justin Bieber's Team's Strange 911 Calls About Woman In Distressed Released

Pop star Justin Bieber announced he was retiring late Tuesday, and just two days later, TMZ released audio of 911 calls made by his security team earlier this month when a young woman had a medical emergency at one of the star’s famed parties.
During the call, a member of Bieber’s team asks for paramedics to come to help a young woman in her 20s who is hyperventilating. The person on the call then flip-flops and changes his story several times about what is wrong with the woman.
“I think she may have had like a seizure,” the caller tells 911 at about 3 a.m.  
He then says, “No, no, she’s fine. She didn’t have a seizure. She passed out.”
Shortly after paramedics were dispatched to go check on the woman at Bieber’s home, the same member of his team called back and requested to cancel the paramedics. During that call, he said the woman was never unconscious, she just had too much to drink and a member of the security team was taking her to the hospital.  
TMZ reports that she was never actually taken to the hospital.
Bieber has remained mum on the subject on his social media account.

Security measures that burglars loathe

If you think you're not at risk of being a victim of burglary, think again. If there's an opportunity to invade your home, no matter who you are or where you live, burglars will take the chance.

"Burglaries are considered 'crimes of opportunity' because the criminal is looking for the easy way to get into your home - the unlocked door, open garage door or open window," says Charlene Miller, Crime Prevention Neighborhood Watch director at the Boise Police Department.

Fortunately, "There are practical security measures you can take to make it so difficult for burglars that they'll go somewhere else," Miller adds.

Want to learn what these measures are? Here are nine things you can do to make burglars think twice before trying to enter your home.

#1 - Secured Doors and Windows

In approximately one-third of home burglaries the burglar comes in through an unlocked door or window, according to the "Burglary of Single Family Houses"guide, published by the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS).

"The first line of defense in your home's security is having solid core exterior doors with high quality grade 1 or 2 deadbolt locks," Miller states. "French doors can be secured with a quality deadbolt lock and a slide bolt penetrating the upper or lower doorframe."

Miller notes that sliding glass doors are especially vulnerable if they do not have proper locks, so check with the manufacturer for the right ones.

"A snug-fitting dowel (a piece of cylindrical wood - similar to a broom handle) in the lower track of the door will also prevent it from being opened." Miller also recommends installing eyebolts in the frames of sliding windows to allow for ventilation without leaving enough room for an intruder.

#2 - A Loud Dog

Dogs are not only "man's best friend." They can also be a burglar's worst enemy.

In fact, COPS reports that most burglars avoid houses with dogs. "Burglars don't want to be seen or caught; they also want to avoid pain," agrees Miller, who adds that dogs that bark - even small, noisy dogs - can be an effective deterrent.

And while you might feel safer with a large dog that could do bodily harm, like a German Shepherd, Miller says the most important aspect is having a dog that sounds an alarm with its bark.

#3 - A Home Security System

If you want something that not only makes noise when there's an intruder, but also calls for help, consider installing a home security system. Home security systems detect when someone enters your house uninvited, sets off an alarm, and also notifies authorities of an invasion.

"If you have valuables that need protection, rampant burglaries in your area, and are away from home for long stretches, a home security system could be a good option for you," says Miller.

She recommends doing some online research and checking with local alarm system companies to find the best system for your needs.

#4 - Motion Sensor Lights

Installing sensor lights (which turn on when they detect motion) is a great way to illuminate portions of your property only when needed - like when someone enters the area.

Sensor lights will come on as soon as someone enters under cover of darkness - as a burglar would.
"Outside lighting is one of the cheapest and most effective deterrents to crime," states Miller, who adds that "motion sensor lights give you the ease of having lights come on automatically."

#5 - Surveillance Cameras

A video surveillance system can be a bit costly, but it could help you sleep better at night.

"Installing a video security system can give you peace of mind and act as a deterrent to burglars, especially when you're on vacation," Millers states.

However, if you don't want to go the full route of installing a system, think about putting up a "dummy" camera or two to give the illusion of protection. And while Miller agrees installing a "dummy" camera could intimidate a burglar, she says the downside is it can't provide evidence if a burglary occurs.

#6 - Protection Warning Signs

Got a dog or a home security system? Share that information with signage on your fence, door, or window. Much like putting up security cameras, letting a burglar know you are well protected makes you less of a target.

"It's important to look at your home from a burglar's point of view," shares Miller. "Burglars who think they might be seen or caught will think twice before targeting your house."

Miller cautions that while having this kind of signage can be to your advantage, it could also make burglars wonder what you have that's worth protecting.

#7 - A Trimmed and Tidy Yard

Untrimmed trees and shrubs provide good hiding places for burglars and can obscure their entry into your home.
To get a better sense of what she means, Miller suggests the following: "Stand out on your front sidewalk and take an objective look at your house. Do you have trees or shrubs providing hiding places for someone?" If so, Miller recommends trimming tree branches up to six feet from the ground and shrubs down to below window sills.
A shaggy lawn - especially one that's usually trimmed - can also indicate to a burglar that you're likely on vacation, or simply away on business for a prolonged period of time. Consider hiring someone to mow your lawn if you're going to be out of town for more than a week.

#8 - The Appearance That Someone Is Home

Burglars know your routine, and when there's a break in that routine - like when you're on vacation - it's a signal that your home is clear for a break-in.

With that in mind, Miller says that "the goal when you're gone is for your home to appear lived in."

To accomplish this, Miller suggests using motion-sensor lights and timers on your radio and TV to simulate occupancy and create the illusion that you're home.

Corvallis, Oregon home insurance professional, Bonnie Lundy, agrees: "Anything you can do to make your home look occupied while you're away is a good thing - and timed electronics are great for that."

She does caution, however, that burglars are aware people use timers, and recommends some variation in the pattern.

#9 - Helpful Neighbors

We just talked about making your home look lived in while you're away. And while simulating occupancy can get tricky, the good news is you can enlist help. The best recruits? Your neighbors.

Whenever you're away, Lundy highly recommends asking your neighbors to get your mail and newspapers, and check for any deliveries. Miller also recommends asking them to put garbage bags in your garbage can.

And that's not all. You should also "ask a trusted neighbor to park their vehicle in your driveway occasionally while you're out of town," suggests Miller.

Any sign of activity at your home is enough to deter most burglars - who count on an empty house.

B’Haram: FG bars airlines from Maiduguri airport

Minister of Aviation, Ms. Stella Oduah

The Federal Government has barred airlines from flying into the Maiduguri airport until March 2014; documents obtained by our correspondent have shown.

According to a Notice to Airmen sent by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency to airline operators, a copy of which was obtained by our correspondent, the carriers were told that the airport would no longer be available for flights until March 2014.

In the NOTAM, which was filed through NAMA’s Aeronautical Information Services, and sent to some Control Towers across the country, pilots were informed that the Maiduguri airport was shut during the first week of December and would not be available until early March next year.

Further investigations by our correspondent revealed that the Federal Government decided to shut the airport after Boko Haram insurgents destroyed some equipment belonging to NAMA.

A NAMA source at one of the airports in the North, who confirmed the development, said it was the agency’s generators that were destroyed by the Boko Haram sect during the recent attack on the Maiduguri Air Force base.

He said the generators might not be fixed until next year, expressing the hope that the government would have fixed the situation before the March date when the airport was expected to be re-opened.

Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, was  on December 2 attacked by Boko Haram insurgents, leading to the death of two military personnel and members of the sect, and the destruction of three decommissioned military aircraft, two helicopters and property worth millions of naira.

Owing to the siege, military authorities and the Borno State Government slammed a 24-hour curfew on the city and its environs.

The attack forced the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria to shut the Maiduguri airport and airlines hurriedly cancelled their flights to the city.

Arik Air had to cancel its Abuja to Maiduguri morning flight on Monday following the attack, just as roads leading into the city were closed.

However, the FAAN spokesman, Mr. Yakubu Dati, said on Monday that the airport had been opened.

He said the Maiduguri airport was just closed for a day following the Boko Haram attack on the nearby Air Force base and had since been re-opened.

But findings revealed that the airport had yet to be reopened. Arik Air said it had yet to resume operations to the Maiduguri airport because the airport was still closed.

Early this year, domestic airlines operating flights into Kano, Maiduguri, Yola and other volatile cities the North had announced plans to stop flights into the cities due to security concerns.

The development came a few months after some of the domestic carriers cancelled night-stops for their crew and aircraft in extremely volatile northern cities, especially Maiduguri.

The security situation had forced the foreign airlines to stop night stops at the Abuja airport.

  Source PUNCH.

Biting fish injure more than 70 bathers in Argentina

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - A swarm of biting fish injured more than 70 people who were bathing at a popular beach in Argentina on Christmas, a medical official said on Thursday.

A seven-year-old girl had her finger partially amputated and dozens more suffered bite wounds on their extremities from the fish, a relative of the piranha called "palometas," said Federico Cornier, the director of emergency services in the city of Rosario.

"This is not normal," Cornier said on television. "It's normal for there to be an isolated bite or injury, but the magnitude in this case was great ... this is an exceptional event."

The attack happened off the popular beaches of the Parana River near Rosario, 300 kilometers (186 miles) north of Buenos Aires, where many Argentines were seeking relief from a heat wave over the holiday.

(Reporting By Alejandro Lifschitz, Writing by Mitra Taj; Editing by Kenneth Barry)

FG Receives Repatriated Nigerians From Saudi Arabia

 

Nigerians living illegally in the Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia have been advised to regularize their stay or return to the country to avoid being arrested by the Saudi authorities.

The Director, Consular and Immigration Services, Mister Abdulazeez Dankano who gave the advice in Abuja while receiving 80 out of the 508 Nigerians who voluntarily submitted themselves for repatriation to Nigeria, said that the Federal Government will continue to assist Nigerians who are stranded in other parts of the world.



“These are the ones that volunteered to leave before they are arrested, and they requested government to come to their assistance for they don’t have the means to return home, so government has answered their request by providing aircraft to bring them back to Nigeria.

“Some of them are coming for the first time because they have been there (all their lives), they were born there by first generation Nigerians; some are the ones that went for Hajj and Umrah and overstayed…Some we have to go into the details of tracing their relation and integrate them with their families”, Dankano said.

Officials of the Nigeria Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, were on hand to receive the 80 Nigerians who were later handed over to State Emergency Management Agencies from Kano, Borno, Bauchi, Jigawa, Katsina, Yobe, Plateau and Nasarawa states.

Kaduna SURE-P Committee Renders Account, Denies Allegation of Missing N560 Million

 

The committee for the implementation of the Subsidy Re-Investment Programme, SURE-P in  Kaduna State has said that  over 2 billion Naira intervention fund has been released and  spent to improve education, healthcare and Infrastructure.

Following various controversies surrounding the release and implementation of funds under the programme, the committee said that it has discharged its duties in line with the objective of establishing the programme by the Federal Government.

At a media conference on the implementation of the 2012 SURE-P funds accrued to the state, the Deputy Governor, Nuhu Bajoga, who is also Chairman of the SURE-P Implementation Committee, said that six sectors for intervention; education, health, agriculture, youth empowerment and security were identified by the committee, and were given attention under the programme.

The breakdown of the budget showed that infrastructure was allocated the highest amount of 833 million Naira, followed by youth and women empowerment which received 487 million Naira. Education and health were allocated 216 million and 93 million Naira respectively.

The Deputy Governor also denied allegations by the State Assembly in June that over N560 million 2012 SURE-P fund was missing, explaining that no single kobo was misappropriated by the committee.

While the committee prides itself of having successfully committed the SURE-P funds into judicious use, indigenes of the state are hoping that the interventions made by the committee in various sectors of the economy in the state would soon start yielding positive result.

African leaders seek peace talks in South Sudan

JUBA, South Sudan (AP) -- African leaders tried Thursday to advance peace talks between South Sudan's president and political rivals he accuses of attempting a coup to topple the government of the world's newest country.

As fighting persisted in parts of South Sudan's oil-producing region, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn had "a constructive dialogue" with South Sudanese President Salva Kiir, according to Kiir's foreign minister. But the fugitive former deputy president who now leads renegade troops was not represented, and no political breakthrough emerged.

The next round of meetings will be held in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, where regional leaders under a bloc known as IGAD are to meet Friday to discuss a report from Thursday's meeting, South Sudanese Foreign Minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin said.

Kiir agreed "in principle" to stop hostilities and to negotiate with former Vice President Riek Machar, who is expected to be formally invited by IGAD to attend upcoming peace talks, said Benjamin, who offered no details.

It was not possible to reach Machar, as his known phone numbers were switched off.

Government troops are trying to retake control of Bentiu, the capital of Unity state, from forces loyal to Machar. Fighting was also reported in Malakal, capital of Upper Nile state. Upper Nile and Unity comprise the country's key oil-producing region, raising concerns that unrest there could cut off the economic lifeblood of the young nation, which gets nearly its entire government budget from oil.

Citing more progress against rebels on the battlefield, South Sudan's minister of information told reporters that national forces on Thursday regained "full control" of Malakal. Michael Makuei Lueth said "criminal elements" had been looting the town, but the army now had it under control.
Military spokesman Col. Philip Aguer said government troops were "preparing to retake Bentiu as soon as possible."
The government said its forces retook Bor, the capital of Jonglei state, earlier this week, but Hilde Johnson, head of the U.N. mission in South Sudan, said there was still fighting in the city on Thursday.
The fighting has provoked fears of a civil war in the country that peacefully broke away from Sudan in 2011 following a 2005 peace deal.
"The nation painstakingly built over decades of conflict and strife is at stake," Johnson told reporters at U.N. headquarters in New York by videoconference from Juba. "I therefore call on the political leaders of South Sudan to order their forces to lay down their arms and to give peace a chance, and to do so urgently."
The United States, Norway and Ethiopia are leading efforts to open peace talks between Kiir and his political rivals. Kiir said in a Christmas address that he is willing to "dialogue" with all his opponents.
The United Nations is investigating reports of mass killings since violence began spreading after a Dec. 15 fight among the presidential guards that pitted soldiers from Kiir's Dinka ethnic group against those from the Nuer ethnic group of Machar.
"It's very important to underline this is a political struggle," Johnson said, stressing that there is "multi-ethnic representation on both sides."
The United Nations estimates "well over a thousand killed" in the 11 days of fighting, Johnson said.
Although the capital, Juba, is now calm, fighting appears to be expanding, stretching the limits of humanitarian workers and aid agencies. The U.N. humanitarian office said aid agencies need $166 million to save lives amid the continuing violence.
The money will be used to provide water, sanitation, shelter, food and health care, plus protection for vulnerable people, the office said in a statement.
Some 58,000 people have taken refuge in and around U.N. bases in South Sudan, and more than 92,000 have fled their homes as a result of fighting, according to the U.N.
The U.N. Security Council last week voted unanimously to beef up its peacekeeping force in South Sudan from about 8,000 troops and police to nearly 14,000 and send attack helicopters and other equipment.
Johnson said she expects some military reinforcements and equipment to start arriving in 48 hours to help protect civilians seeking refuge at U.N. bases.
Before the 2005 peace agreement, the region that is now South Sudan fought decades of war with Sudan. One of the world's least developed countries, it still has pockets of rebel resistance and sees cyclical, tribal clashes that result in hundreds of deaths.
___

Muhumuza reported from Kampala, Uganda. Associated Press writers Edith M. Lederer and Cara Ana contributed to the report from the United Nations.

Letter To President: Al-Mustapha Challenges Obasanjo To Public Debate

 

The former Chief Security Officer to late Head of State, Sani Abacha, Hamza Al-Mustapha, has challenged former president Olusegun Obasanjo to an open debate.


This is in reaction to Obasanjo’s letter to President Goodluck Jonathan in which he alleged that he (Al-Mustapha) was released from prison to help the president train snipers to assassinate political opponents.
Al-Mustapha bore his mind and challenged the ex-president to a public debate on the allegations, while speaking to the Hausa Service of the Voice of America, VOA, which was monitored in Abuja on Wednesday.
While admitting that Obasanjo did not mention his name in the controversial open letter, he said that he knew the former president’s assertions were about him.
He expressed disappointment at the former president’s approach: “If he has anything to say on me, he should mention me directly or even challenge me and not make allusions.”
Al-Mustapha vehemently denied the allegations supposedly made by Obasanjo, claiming that training assassins to hunt the president’s political opponents contradicts his known passion for supporting people from Northern Nigeria especially within the military.
He said: “I read Obasanjo’s letter and subsequent comments by Nigerians, I would have responded immediately, but I was away in India receiving treatment.
“Perhaps it is Obasanjo and his cronies that are planning what he was insinuating.”
Al-Mustapha also said: “From 1974 to the present, a lot of things are buried with all sorts of lies, but all would be revealed one day.
“I urge everyone to pray for Obasanjo to accept my challenge for a public debate so that the truth will come out,” he said.

7 Fast Food Items We're Sorry (and Not So Sorry) Disappeared in 2013

Ah, the circle of life. So beautiful. So sad. So deep-fried.

The fast food industry features an ever-revolving door of offerings designed to appeal to fickle tastebuds and capitalize on trends. But between limited-time offers that didn’t quite make the cut—and long-time dishes whose time had come—we lost quite a few offerings this year.
Some, we’ll miss. Others… not so much.

1. McDonald’s Angus Third-Pounder Burgers

photo: McDonalds

It was just your time, Angus Third-Pounders. Well, that and the fact that your “premium” price tag of $4.49 couldn’t compete with McDonald’s cheaper offerings. We hardly knew ye, Third-Pounders.

2. KFC’s Double Down

photo: KFC

If ever there was a sandwich that needed to be wiped from the face of the earth, it’s the Double Down. OK, that’s a little harsh. But when the limited-time offer—a bunless creation comprising bacon, two types of melted cheese, and a “secret” sauce sandwiched between two fried chicken patties—dropped off the radar and a KFC spokesman got evasive about whether it's still on menus in the United States stores, we can’t say we shed a tear.

3. McDonald’s Mighty Wings

photo: McDonalds

Call us crazy, but McDonald’s Mighty Wings were actually pretty good. They were crispy, spicy, and not nearly as gross as we’d feared. But—sadsies—most Americans didn’t agree, and the wings failed to take off. McDonald’s stopped offering them in November, except at a few locations. Rest in peace, you nuggets of deliciousness.

4. McDonald’s Chicken Selects

photo: McDonalds

Another fried chicken dish from McDonald’s hit the dust this year. Chicken Selects, a “premium” alternative to Chicken McNuggets, were reportedly axed to make room for spring and summer products. A shame, since they weren’t half bad.

5. Burger King’s Sweet Potato Fries

photo: Burger King

Burger King’s Sweet Potato Fries were a limited-time offer this summer billed as a "perfect BBQ sidekick." That tagline may have been its undoing, because once grilling season ended, the fries were nowhere to be found. In November, though, Burger King rolled out Seasoned Sweet Potato Curly Fries, also for a limited time. Maybe they’re just trying to find the right sweet potato fry recipe? Or toy with our hearts?

6. Pizza Hut’s Crazy Cheesy Crust Pizza

photo: Pizza Hut

Ugh, Crazy Cheesy Crust Pizza. You sucked. No, really. You were absolutely gross. We were not sad when you mysteriously disappeared from Pizza Hut’s online menu and stores stopped selling you. At all. May you never return. (A bunch of people on the internet feel differently, as their saddened Facebook posts attest.)

7. Heinz Ketchup at McDonald’s

photo: Heinz

Let us be straight with you: McDonald’s makes the best fries in the fast food game. Heinz makes the best ketchup. They’re practically made for each other. McDonald’s clearly felt differently when it announced plans to pull the condiment from its roughly 34,000 restaurants around the globe. Shock! Outrage! And it’s all because of Heinz’s recent hiring of former Burger King CEO Bernardo Hees. Talk about a grudge.
Rest in peace, you fast food dishes of yesteryear. You are gone, but you shan’t be forgotten.

Foreign private jet operators scramble for Nigerian market

A private jet
| credits: paaviation.com

Private jet operators are set to rake in billions of dollars from Nigerian politicians as the nation prepares for 2015 elections, OYETUNJI ABIOYE reports

Private jet and chartered aircraft companies from Europe and North America, especially the United States and Canada, are bracing for a boom in the Nigeria’s private jet market as the nation gets ready for general elections in 2015, findings have shown.

Top aviation officials disclosed that a significant number of the companies from Europe, the US and Canada were already submitting applications through local representatives to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and the Ministry of Aviation to bring in aircraft into the country for charter operations.

It was also learnt that some foreign private jets had started coming into country in preparation for the boom, expected to begin as early as the first quarter of 2014. The source said, “I think 2014 is going to be a very booming year for private jet operators in the country. The local operators are warming up for this seriously. But the interesting and surprising thing about this is that a number of foreign companies, especially from Europe, the US and Canada, have submitted documents, seeking permission to bring in private jets into the country for charter operations.

“Well, government is still looking at those applications because you know the recent reform in the general aviation sector has changed the landscape of the charter business. We don’t know what the Ministry of Aviation will do about it.”

According to another top official of the Ministry of Aviation close to the matter, some of the applications by the foreign companies were actually submitted by their local representatives.

The official, however, pointed out that the recent aviation law, which barred foreign-registered jets from carrying out charter operation business in the country, had brought the application process into a ‘suspense’ and nobody could say what could be the next action on the matter.

The official said, “Some of the foreign companies applying for permission to bring airplanes into the country are actually doing so in partnership with some local representatives who are submitting these applications on their behalf.

“The challenge now is some of these foreign companies may not be ready to de-register their planes and make them Nigerian-registered. If government insists, they may look for a leeway because a number of them are desperate to come in to enjoy the boom.”

Politicians had spent N2.52bn on charter flights within 10 weeks preceding the April 2011 elections, according to investigation by the PUNCH.

The politicians, it was learnt, used the charter flights to move from one campaign venue to the other as the April elections closed in.

Investigation by our correspondent also revealed that each of the four major indigenous charter jet operators, who conveyed politicians to various parts of the country for electioneering, made about $420,000 (N63m) every week.

Industry sources said each of the operators worked for about 70 hours a week with the fee for each hour fixed at about $6,000 (N900,000).

As at 2011, the four major indigenous charter jet operators in the country then were Kings Airlines, Wings Aviation, Top Brazz Aviation and Overland Airways.

However, findings showed that other airlines, including Associated Airlines, also engaged in charter services occasionally, while some non-aviation companies, which own private jets, rented them out to their politician-friends for charter services.

Currently, the charter aircraft operators in the country include Hanger8, Kings Airlines, Top Brazz Aviation, Wings Aviation, Overland Airways, Arik Air, Vistajet and Aero Contractors.

Further findings showed that Nigerians, notably public office holders and businessmen, spent about N29.7bn on charter flights in 2012.

Statistics from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, showed that the nation’s airports handled an average of 50 charter flights per day in 2012.

Charter flight operators said politicians, state governors and other clients paid an average of $7,000 per hour for each flight.

Charter airline operators at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, said each of the charter flights took an average of one and a half hours; hence, the operators generated about $10,500 in revenue from each flight.

This means that eminent Nigerians who patronised the services of the operators spent about $525,000 (N81.38m) on charter flights each day in 2012.

Consequently, the Very Important Persons must have spent about $191.625m (N29.7bn) on charter flights in 2012 at $525,000 multiplied by 365 days.

The statistics for 2013 could not be obtained from the aviation authorities.

Lately, a number of private jet and charter aircraft terminals have sprung up across the country, aside the ones being built by the Federal Government through the remodelling project of the Minister of Aviation.

The growth in the purchase of private jet in Nigeria as well as the frequent use of charter aircraft have also led to the development of multi-million dollars private jet hangars, where repairs and maintenance could be done in the country.

Some of these are Execujets Nigeria Hangar, Caverton Hangar and EverGreen Hangar, all located at the Lagos airport.

The Managing Director of ED Aviation, Mr. Edward Young, however said about 70 per cent of the charter jet business in the country was still being done with foreign-registered planes.

Young, who noted that some aspects of the foreign operators’ business were questionable, however, said the recent crackdown by the government had reduced this considerably.

An industry expert and analyst, Captain Ken Wemambu, said a lot of foreign companies were applying to come into the nation’s charter jet sector because “it is very robust.”

He said the foreign companies seeking to come into the country would capitalise on certain clauses in the recent aviation reform law to enable them to get approval to operate in the country.

He said, “The private jet and charter jet sub-sector is booming. Already, we have close to 200 private aircraft in the country. Others will still come in. A lot of companies have also been applying to come into the country. If you compare this with the scheduled passenger sub-sector, there is a huge difference. Many private jets in Europe and North America have been parked because there is no business. Many people are no longer doing the charter flights in Europe and America. Since we are preparing for elections, most of them will want to come here to partake in the boom.”

Early this year, foreign private jet manufacturers had also taken interest in Nigeria’s private jet market.

Barely two months after Dassault Aviation, a French private jet manufacturer brought some of its latest business aircraft to Abuja and Lagos on a sales tour in January, Cessna Incorporation of United States arrived the country for a similar display.

The aircraft were brought into the country by a Cessna’s agent, Jetalliance, an Austria-based company, in conjunction with a Nigeria aviation company, Airfirst Limited.

Earlier, Bombardier Business Jets Incorporation of Canada also came to Lagos for a sales tour and static display of one of its latest jets, Global 6000.

The team was led by the Sales Director, Africa, Bombardier Business Aircraft, Mr. Robert Habjanic, who said Nigeria was the company’s largest market in Africa, with about 35 Bombardier-made private jets currently flying its airspace.

He noted the aircraft market had been growing tremendously in Nigeria in the last five years and attributed this to the fact that “Nigeria is an emerging market.”

Economic downturn in Europe and America has led to a sharp decline in the demand for private jets in the regions and luxury aircraft makers are looking at Africa, Asia and the Middle East, which are now the main markets for use of private jets.

According to industry analysts and players, Nigeria and China constitute two of the fastest growing private jet market in the world.

An industry expert, Mr. Olumide Ohunayo, said, “The economy is expanding, with increasing investments within the country and the region. This will invariably necessitate instantaneous travel that scheduled airlines cannot provide.

“Also, the privacy needed in a country filled with paparazzi can be an issue. Increasing political and religious issues are contributory.”

In May, the Federal Government introduced the National Civil Aviation Policy, 2013, which directed that all foreign-registered private jets should no longer be allowed to stay in the country beyond 15 days.

The policy, however, said foreign-registered private jets on special mission in Nigeria would be allowed to stay for only 60 days, following a special approval from the office of the minister.

Government has also hoped to cash in on the rise in the private jet market for more revenue. For instance, a few months ago, the government came up with a policy, asking foreign-registered planes to pay $4000 luxury tax, while Nigerian-registered were to pay $3000.

After serious of legal tussle between Airlines Operators of Nigeria and the NCAA, the Senate directed the government to suspend the fee.

Industry players believe the recent aviation law banning foreign-registered planes from carrying chartered business in Nigeria will affect the future of the business.

Currently, government has yet to say whether it will review the law or not.

But Wemambu said, “Whether the government reviews it or not, the foreign companies will still look for some clauses in the law and hide under it to come in.”

  Source PUNCH.

Jonathan orders probe into battering of pregnant woman

Ossai
| credits: File copy

 President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered a probe into the case of a 34-year-old woman, Mrs. Alexandra Ossai, who accused her Lebanese boss, Kaveh Noine, of causing her to lose her seven-month pregnancy after he kicked her in the stomach.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, disclosed this in his Twitter handle as well as his Facebook page on Thursday.

PUNCH Metro had on Tuesday published the story of Ossai, who until December 13, 2013, was a supervisor with a Lebanese owned firm, Toppan Printing Company. She had alleged that Noine assaulted her many times during her eight months stay at the company.

Currently at a private hospital in the Fagba area of Lagos State, Ossai was said to have undergone emergency surgery four days after the kick to save her life as her placenta was said to have been damaged.

Abati said Jonathan was shocked when he learnt of the development and had directed the Nigeria Police Force to investigate the matter.

He said the President had also directed four ministers – Mr. Aba Moro (Interior), Chief Emeka Wogu (Labour), Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu (Health) and Hajia Zaynab Maina (Women Affairs) – as well as the National Human Rights Commission, to probe the matter in order to recommend sanctions and remedial actions.

He said, “President Jonathan was shocked by reports of a pregnant Nigerian worker losing her baby after being beaten up by her Lebanese employer.

“The President has ordered the police, ministers of Interior, Labour, Women Affairs, Health and the NHRC to investigate for sanctions and remedial action.”

Source PUNCH.

Olamide, Phyno, Davido, Waje, Others Win Big At Headies

The 2013 edition of the Headies was held last night at the Oriental Hotel Victoria Island, which attracted A- list artistes hoping to win in their different categories.


Hosted by the suave hip-hop artiste, Dr Sid and delectable songstress, Tiwa Savage, this year’s nomination had the tightest competition with a selection of some of the hottest names in the Nigerian music scene.
Olamide emerged the biggest winner of the night with three awards. Fast rising Afro pop artiste, Sean Tizzle clinched the Next Rated awards and a Hyundai Tucson SUV. Davido bagged the Hip Hop World Revelation of the year award and Best R&B/Pop Album.
The Hall of Fame award went to legendary Fuji musician, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal who later closed the show with a stunning performance.
Other winners were 2Face, Banky W, Iyanya, Phyno, Olamide, Waje, Nikki Laoye, Praiz, Mode 9, Dr Sid, Black Magic, KCee among other acts.
Award presenters for the night were Mai Atafo, Stephanie Coker, Yvonne Ekwere, Koch Okoye, Darey Art Alade, Kemi Adetiba, Chin Okeke, Seyi Law, Lynxxx, Osas Ighodalo, Mercy Omo London, Toolz, Kelechi Amadi Obi, Funmi Iyanda, IllBliss, Jumoke Awolade-James, Freeze, Tewa Onasanya, Chris Ihidero among others.
The awards also featured stellar performances from Iyanya, Waje, Olamide, Phyno, Praiz, Seyi Shay, Niyola, Zaina, Yemi Alade,

Full list of winners

Best R&B Single
Good Good Loving – Banky W

Best Rap Single
Man of the Year – Phyno

Best Street-Hop Artiste
Durosoke – Olamide

Best Recording Of The Year
This Year – Jaywon

Best Collabo
Ghost Mode – Phyno FT Olamide

Best Rap Album
YBNL – Olamide

Hip Hop World Revelation
Omo Baba Olowo – Davido

Lyricist On The Roll
Let It Go – Mode 9

Producer Of The Year
Sho Lee – Dee Tunes

Best Alternative Song
Repete – BlackMagic

Best Pop Single
Ihe Ne Me – 2Face

Best Vocal Performance Female
Only You – Nikki Laoye

Best Vocal Performance Male
Rich And Famous – Praiz

Next Rated
Sean Tizzle

Best Reggae/DanceHall Single
I Wish – Waje

Song Of The Year
Limpopo – KCee

Album Of The Year
YBNL – Olamide

Artiste Of The Year
Iyanya

Best Music Video
Alingo – Jude Okoye & Clarence Peters

Best R&B/Pop Album
O.B.O – Davido

Hall Of Fame
Wasiu Ayinde The 1st

Most Downloaded Callertune
Mandela – Harrysong

Sean Tizzle

Black Magic

Davido

Jaywon

Kwam 1

Nikki Laoye

Olamide

Banker arrested for withdrawing N50m from customers’ accounts

Olokojobi
| credits: Comfort Oseghale

The Special Fraud Unit, Ikoyi, Lagos State, has arrested an account officer with Guaranty Trust Homes, Adeola Olokojobi, in connection with a N50m fraud at the financial institution.

Prior to his arrest, Olokojobi was said to be working at the GT Homes, Saka Tinubu branch, Victoria Island.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the SFU had received a petition in October 2013, from a customer of the branch where Olokojobi worked. The customer had alleged that Olokojobi, who was his account officer, had “not been forthcoming with his account balances.”

A statement by the SFU Commissioner of Police, Mr. Tunde Ogunsakin, said, “The petitioner also alleged that the balance given to him was at variance with his actual balance in the account.

“An internal investigation conducted by GT Homes into the account revealed that Olokojobi in April 2013, forged an instruction, transferring N15m from the petitioner’s account, to an unknown account.

“The bank also discovered other various fraudulent withdrawals made by the account officer from other customers’ accounts in his care through fake transfer instructions. It amounted to over N50m.

“He said the funds were used to finance his political campaign, a proposed pure water company and purchase of an uncompleted building at Sango-Ota, Ogun State.

 “Olokojobi in his confessional statement said he had fraudulently withdrawn monies amounting to N50,640,748 from the account of the customers by transferring funds into the accounts of fictitious customers and subsequently withdrawing same.”

A banking and finance graduate, Olokojobi told PUNCH Metro that he joined GT Homes in 2009.

He, however, denied that he had fraudulently transferred over N50m, insisting that instead, it was N27m.

He said, “I didn’t have to forge the instructions from GT homes customers. All I did was manipulate them. What happens is that they usually send instructions to the account officers by email, requesting that some money be transferred to an account of their choice. All I simply do is add another million or two to the sum the customer requested.

“It went unnoticed all this while because after using the money to do some business transactions, I always paid it back. I was into several businesses; I would buy land and resell for profit.

“I got into trouble with this one because I withdrew N15m at once from a customer’s account; I didn’t take it bit by bit, but I meant to pay it back. In fact, I had already started doing so before I was caught and arrested. But the police are not right in saying that the money I had withdrawn from  customers amounted to N50m; it is N27m.”

Ogunsakin, however, said the suspect would soon be charged to court, where he could defend himself.

  Source PUNCH.

Capello: Seedorf not ready for AC Milan role

The Russia boss believes the Dutchman should not be approached to replace Massimiliano Allegri and claims Serie A has suffered from a lack of talent arriving from overseas

Fabio Capello believes Clarence Seedorf is not yet ready to be given the responsibility of coaching AC Milan.

The former Rossoneri midfielder has been touted as a possible replacement for Massimiliano Allegri, whose future remains firmly in doubt following the team's dismal first half to the 2013-14 campaign.

Although he feels Seedorf - now playing for Botafogo - is benefitting from his stint in Brazil, Capello believes the Dutchman would be better off avoiding the San Siro hotseat for the time being.

"I advised him to go to Brazil over the Arab countries or Russia a year ago. Clearly, he is gaining from the experience, but to immediately take responsibility of Milan is something else," the Russia coach told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Capello believes Milan's current struggles are endemic to Serie A, with a lack of major foreign talent arriving within the league meaning young Italian players no longer have the same role models of past generations.

"Juventus and Roma are at the top because they have invested more in recent years. This hasn't happened with the Rossoneri. I think Allegri has done his duty to the full and doesn't deserve much criticism.

"The real problem is the depletion of our league. In my day we had the best talent coming in from all over the world and our young players could grow alongside them, stealing their secrets. Now there is a lack of reference points."

Capello believes the Scudetto has become a three-horse race this season and believes champions Juventus could falter if they focus too heavily on reaching the Europa League final, which will be held at Juventus Stadium.

"I don't see any particular problems for the Bianconeri, although Roma are having an outstanding season and Napoli are deservedly in the hunt.

"The only question is their double efforts in the Europa League, with the final in Turin. Juve can look to this title and become distracted."

Sexercise: 7 Moves To Spice Up Your Sex Life

No one actually says it but everyone knows it's true -- most of us work hard in the gym to see results in the bedroom. Sure, looking good naked is great for self-confidence, and thus performance, but your routine should be targeting more than just aesthetics.
Personal trainer Mike Giliotti recently shared with us his top "sexercises" and why they work. There are several reasons why exercise gives you an edge in the bedroom, stamina and strength being at the top of the list. More specifically, cardiovascular fitness is crucial in stamina and improving muscle strength does wonders, as orgasms depend on multiple muscle activity.
It's not always what you see when you look in the mirror, though. "It's the smaller muscles you can't see or feel that make the difference," says Giliotti. Learn how to perform these seven exercises to help target those muscles, improving your sex life and getting a bed ready body in the process.

1 of 5 next

Crunches

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Giliotti says your abs are a critical sex-boosting body area to work on. "After all," he says, "you have to use your abdominal muscles during sex." Start your ab workout with good old-fashioned crunches.
How To: Lie on your back, hands supporting your neck, knees bent, and your feet on the floor. Then bring your body up just enough to get your shoulders off the ground. Do 3 to 5 sets of 15 to 20 repetitions.

Giants Rookie Rents Condo For Super Bowl Week

For fans attending the Super Bowl and looking for the ultimate experience, New York Giants rookie Cooper Taylor has an offer for you.
The reserve safety is renting his condo for Super Bowl XLVIII week, meaning a lucky fan in town for the big game can spend the week living like an NFL player. Taylor told the New York Post that he's disappointed the Giants won't be playing in the Super Bowl, but because he'll have that time off he and his girlfriend figured it'd be a good opportunity to take a vacation.
“We thought it would be the best time to get out of the city and go on vacation because that week will be a madhouse,” Taylor said. “I am definitely disappointed that we are not playing in it. It would make it a lot more fun.”
    The 1,000-square-foot apartment in Rutherford, N.J., includes two bedrooms, one and a half bathrooms and is just .6 miles from MetLife Stadium. Taylor and his girlfriend, Susan Carlson, rent the apartment month-to-month for $2,700 and are asking for $9,000 for Super Bowl week.
The pair put up an ad on Craigslist with photos from the apartment and a description that reads (in part): "We are big fans of a local team here and unfortunately will not be attending this year."
Taylor, a fifth-round pick out of Richmond who has tallied four tackles, is making $405,000 in salary this year. Luckily for him he didn't have to spend money hiring an agent to rent his condo -- his girlfriend is a real estate broker.
Here are some photos from Taylor's condo:

West Ham 1-3 Arsenal: Podolski scores on return to cap Walcott double

The England international struck twice in three second-half minutes to cancel out Carlton Cole's 46th-minute strike and Lukas Podolski made the game safe late on

 

Theo Walcott scored twice in three second-half minutes as Arsenal came from behind to beat struggling West Ham 3-1 at Upton Park.

The England winger's quickfire double got Arsenal's title hopes back on track after a run of three Premier League games without a win and ensured London rivals West Ham drop into the relegation zone.
Arsene Wenger's side had to respond to falling behind to Carlton Cole's 46th-minute tap in following a mistake from Wojciech Szczesny.

VIEW FROM UPTON PARK

By Greg Stobart This was a huge win for Arsenal’s title prospects and Arsene Wenger can now sit back on Thursday knowing that at least one rival will drop points. His side did it the hard way, but at this time of year it’s all about the results, especially when the Gunners had failed to win in their last four matches in all competitions. They fell behind to Carlton Cole’s strike early in the second half and there was a period when it looked like Arsenal could disintegrate as the Hammers missed opportunities to double their lead. But they showed the character of potential champions. Theo Walcott steered in the equaliser with a help from some poor goalkeeping before the England winger produced a thumping header to put the visitors ahead. Substitute Lukas Podolski made a real impact and rounded off the victory with a typically powerful strike, with the only real downside for Arsenal the injury sustained to Aaron Ramsey. For West Ham, other results mean they drop in to the relegation zone. They showed some heart but the naivety of some of their defending and the lack of heart once Arsenal came back into the game will worry both the supporters and Sam Allardyce.

Walcott levelled in the 68th minute with a shot that ought to have been kept out by Adrian, before sending a powerful header home after meeting a cross from the returning Lukas Podolski, who was introduced after Aaron Ramsey had hobbled off with a muscle strain.

Podolski himself sealed the win 11 minutes from time, marking his first appearance since August after a lay-off with a hamstring injury in style with a well-taken goal from Olivier Giroud's lay-off.

Kevin Nolan returned from suspension as Sam Allardyce made four changes, while Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla came in for Tomas Rosicky.

The hosts started strongly and Mark Noble tested Szczesny with a curling free-kick from the corner of the penalty area in the 10th minute.

Arsenal responded well and tested Adrian for the first time five minutes later, the goalkeeper leaping to his right to keep out Cazorla's powerful header from the edge of the box.

Mohamed Diame sent in a rasping drive from 30 yards which Szczesney gathered at the second attempt in the 25th minute. Walcott ought to have given the visitors the lead a minute later, when he volleyed wide from eight yards after being picked out by Ramsey's chipped pass.

Cazorla fizzed a 20-yard shot a foot over Adrian's crossbar before Giroud scuffed his shot wide 30 seconds later when through on goal.

The visitors continued to press for the opener, Mikel Arteta sending his volley a yard wide from the edge of the box a minute before the break.

But they were stunned when Cole put the hosts in front inside the first minute of the second period, turning home the rebound from seven yards after Szczesny had spilled Nolan's shot from the edge of the box.

West Ham had three clear chances to double the advantage in the next 10 minutes, Szczesny beating away Matt Jarvis' effort before Joey O'Brien and Cole were both guilty of missing the target from close range.

O'Brien headed wide when unmarked eight yards out, before Cole poked an effort of target from similar range.
Arsenal threatened an equaliser on the hour-mark, Adrian denying Cazorla before reacting smartly to keep out Mesut Ozil's follow-up with his legs.

The equaliser did arrive eight minutes later, Walcott cutting inside before scuffing a tame left-footed effort towards goal that Adrian somehow allowed to squirm through his grasp and into the net.

Three minutes later the turnaround was complete when Walcott headed home Podolski's left-wing cross to make it four goals in his last three matches.

Adrian rushed from his line to foil Podolski two minutes later, but the Germany international was not to be denied a goal as he lashed home a first-time effort to seal Arsenal's fifth win six visits to Upton Park.