Iran offers to help fight Boko Haram

Iran's Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, Amir Hossein Abdollohian

Iran on Saturday announced plans to assist in the fight against the Islamist group, Boko Haram, as part of its contribution for global peace.

The country’s Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, Amir Hossein Abdollohian, made the announcement while addressing the press on Saturday on the sideline of the ongoing 24th Assembly of the African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa.

Mr. Abdollohian said the activities of the Boko Haram militants and that of Al-Shabaab in the Somalia were similar to that of Al-Qaeda and the ISIS and other terrorist groups in the Middle East.

Man City's Silva cancels out Remy opener as Chelsea maintain five-point gap at the top

Chelsea maintained their five-point advantage over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table after a disappointing stalemate at Stamford Bridge. 

Loic Remy, in for suspended leading goalscorer Diego Costa, gave Chelsea the lead just before the interval but David Silva replied almost instantly for City after a rare error from goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. 

YBNL boss, Olamide welcomes baby boy

YBNL boss, Olamide and his boo, Adebukunmi Aisha Suleiman, have welcomed his first son. 

The new baby was born to the rapper on Friday, January 30, 2015 at St Ives Hospital in Ikeja, Lagos. 

Manchester United climb back to third, breezing past Leicester with a 3-1 win

Manchester United climbed back into third place in the Premier League with a 3-1 win over Leicester City at Old Trafford.

Robin van Persie opened the scoring midway through the first half, latching on to Daley Blind's chipped pass to fire past Mark Schwarzer.

There was a suspicion of offside as the striker darted beyond the defence, but referee Martin Atkinson denied Leicester's appeals.

Kris Jenner 'freaked out' as ex, Bruce announced he was transitioning into a woman

Bruce Jenner's shock announcement that he was transitioning into a woman was well received by his family with one exception, being his ex wife Kris.

According to TMZ, the controlling Kardashian matriarch 'freaked out' when the former Olympian broke the news.

Bruce made the formal announcement to his large family last month which was filmed for a docu-series recording his journey from man to woman. Bruce's evolving look has been the source of much speculation.

Frank Lampard says Jose Mourinho wants him back at Chelsea

Frank Lampard has revealed Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho would "love" him to return to the club once his playing career is over.

Lampard spent 13 years at Chelsea and is the club’s record goalscorer with 211 goals, but he left Stamford Bridge in the summer and subsequently joined Manchester City.

Mourinho has said he does not regret allowing Lampard to leave even though the midfielder scored a crucial equaliser in the Premier League fixture between the two sides earlier this season. 

However, speaking exclusively to Soccer AM, Lampard admitted that the door for a return to Chelsea in the future does remain open.

PHOTOS: Lady Gaga strips down to her underwear for a sizzling hot yoga session

Lady Gaga and Taylor Kinney

No matter the location, she keeps her figure in tip-top shape with hot yoga.

On Friday, Lady Gaga chronicled her fitness routine on her Instagram account as she is visiting her boyfriend of over three years Taylor Kinney in Chicago.

The 28-year-old singer showed off her curvaceous assets in a black sport bra and matching pants writing: 'Sweat it out then back home to my man.'

Daniel Sturridge scores on return as Liverpool wins

Daniel Sturridge scored on his return as Liverpool registered a 2-0 win over West Ham to leapfrog their opponents in the table.

Raheem Sterling fired low past Hammers goalkeeper Adrian to put the hosts in front shortly after the break, before Sturridge’s powerful finish doubled the lead 10 minutes into his return from the bench.

Williams wins Australian Open

Serena Williams won her sixth Australian Open title and 19th Grand Slam after defeating Maria Sharapova in straight sets in Melbourne.

Williams now moves above Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova in the all-time Grand Slam Open-era winners' list, now just three behind leader Steffi Graf on 22.

Williams shrugged off a coughing fit and lengthy rain delay in the opening set and fired down 15 aces in the second to battle to a 6-3 7-6 (7-5) victory in an hour and 51 minutes on Rod Laver Arena.

"Growing up I wasn't the richest but I had a rich family in spirit and support," Williams said at the presentation. "Standing here with 19 championships is something I never thought would happen."

PHOTOS: Bikini-clad Irina Shayk shows ex-beau Cristiano Ronaldo what he's missing

 

She was left heartbroken following her recent split from football star Cristiano Ronaldo. And Irina Shayk showed her ex-beau exactly what he was missing as she hit the beach in Cancun, Mexico on Friday.

The beautiful Russian model put her heavenly body on full display in a brightly coloured floral bandeau and tight black pants.

And while she may have been basking in the sunshine, the 29-year-old later covered up in a breezy black blouse for added comfort. ...DailyMail

PHOTOS: Lagos agog for Buhari as he takes campaign train to the city

Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari, took his campaigns to Lagos on Friday amid pomp.

Buhari, as part of his campaigns, paid a courtesy call on the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, and also addressed a mammoth crowd of supporters at a rally held at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.

APC is shielding Buhari’s intellectual laziness by avoiding Presidential Debate – PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has accused the All Progressives Congress, APC, of ‘unnecessarily’ shielding its Presidential Candidate, Muhammadu Buhari from an open debate. 

APC announced the withdrawal of its candidate from the debate usually organised at election year by Nigeria Election Debate Group (NEDG) on account of lack of fairness. 

Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, Director of Media and Publicity, PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, stated this in a statement in Abuja on Friday. He said the withdrawal of APC is to shield “Buhari`s intellectual laziness and inability to constructively engage contemporary national issues on live television and radio.” 

Nigeria: FIRS generates N4.69tn revenue in 2014

 

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) said on Thursday that it generated N4.69 trillion from taxes for the federal government in 2014.

FIRS said in its Quarterly Revenue Report issued in Abuja that the figure surpassed its target for the year by about N400 billion. The report showed that the 2014 revenue was about N106 billion less than that of 2013, which stood at N4.80 trillion.

Hip hop boss, Suge Knight pictured handing himself in after hit and run tragedy

Suge Knight has been pictured handing himself in to police after a horrific hit and run incident which left friend Terry Carter dead.

The rap mogul was identified as a person of interest by detectives investigating a hit-and-run in Compton, Los Angeles, on Thursday.

He is being held in West Hollywood on a bail of £1.3million.

Hoodlums snatch over 14,000 PVCs in Rivers

Ahead of the 2015 general elections in Rivers State, more than 14,000 Permanent Voter Cards have been snatched from officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission in the state.

The items, which were meant for the forthcoming elections, were forcefully taken away by hoodlums while they were being distributed during the collection exercise in the state.

Disclosing the development to journalists in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital on Friday, the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs. Gesila Khan, said some of the items were snatched at local government collection centres.

African Union Confirms Mugabe As Chairman

The African Union's rotating post of chairman has gone to Robert Mugabe. Zimbabwe's veteran president enjoys respect across the continent but faces travel bans from both the US and EU for harassing opponents.

Mugabe assumed the largely ceremonial role on Friday at an African Union (AU) summit in Addis Ababa as it leaders and UN chief Ban Ki-moon called for global action against Boko Haram in Nigeria.

AU leaders plan to deploy a 7,500-strong multinational force to fight the radical Islamist militia blamed for mass killings in Nigeria's northeast in recent years.

I sacrificed my presidential ambition for Buhari –Tinubu

A former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on Friday said he sacrificed his presidential ambition for the All Progressives Congress candidate, Gen Muhammadu Buhari.

Tinubu stated this while addressing a crowd of APC supporters at the party’s presidential rally in Lagos.

He said Nigeria was facing an economic crisis and an internal war and needed a person with Buhari’s experience because of the General’s reputation of anti-corruption and military warfare.

Woman who was genetically a man gives birth to TWINS

Hayley with husband Sam and twin girls Avery, left, and Darcey

A woman told she was genetically a man with no reproductive organs when she was 19 has given birth to twin girls.

Hayley Haynes, 28, had miracle babies Avery and Darcey after she grew a womb thanks to hormone therapy. Gazing lovingly at the baby in her arms, Hayley can’t believe that all her dreams have come true.

On the day of that devastating diagnosis she recalls staring at herself in the mirror and struggling to understand. She looked like a woman but was told she would never have children as she had no womb, ovaries or fallopian tubes.

But now, nine years on, she has given birth to her twins after IVF treatment using an egg donor. She and husband Sam, both 28, are overjoyed to become parents, but it has been a long hard road.

Bayern Munich suffer shock defeat as Wolfsburg thrash champions 4-1

Wolfsburg boosted their hopes of catching Bayern Munich at the top of the Bundesliga by inflicting a shock 4-1 defeat on the defending champions on Friday night.

Bas Dost and Kevin De Bruyne grabbed a brace each as Wolfsburg romped to a fully deserved win over Pep Guardiola's side, who suffered their first league defeat of the season.

Military arrests General, senior officers over Baga attack

The authorities of the Nigerian military have arrested senior Army personnel on attachment to the Multi National Joint Task Force.

Those arrested and placed under movement restriction are a Brig. Gen, a Lt. Col. and five other officers of the Nigerian Army deployed to the Baga headquarters of Multinational Joint Task Force, which was attacked and taken over by members of the Boko Haram sect on January 5, 2015

KIDNEY STOLEN from a woman after being tricked into having fake cancer operation

A woman who had her kidney stolen after allegedly being conned into having operations for colon cancer, is still fighting for compensation seven years on.

Xu Xiuying, 48, only discovered she had just one kidney during a routine X-ray when she complained of backache.

But when a neighbour alerted Xu, from the city of Xiangcheng in central China’s Henan province, to a scandal involving a trade in stolen kidneys she looked at the matter again.

Jonathan is not Ijaw President – PDP warns Tompolo, Asari

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has warned some ex-militants to note that President Goodluck Jonathan is not for the Ijaw nation alone but for the entire country.

The militants have been threatening rain and fire if President Goodluck Jonathan loses the February 14 presidential election.

Jonathan nominates Obanikoro, six others as Ministers

 

President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday forwarded the names of seven new ministers to the Senate for confirmation. 

According to AIT, former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, Kenneth Kobani, a former National Treasurer of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria [ACN], who recently defected to the People’s Democratic Party, and a former Senator, Patrick Akwashiki were among the nominess forwarded by President Jonathan.

Military sacks Boko Haram from Michika, to query commanders at battlefront

 

An extensive mopping up operation to search for arms or stranded terrorists and other casualties is ongoing in Michika after troops sacked the terrorists who have been operating in the town and it’s environ.

The main assault on terrorists main positions was concluded yesterday as many of them died in the combat.

Troops who sustained injuries in the operation are receiving necessary medical attention.

Buhari’s wife campaign for peaceful elections

The wife of the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress [APC] Aishatu Buhari, has urged women to work for peaceful general election.

Mrs. Buhari, who was represented by Zainab Nyako, made the call on Friday in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, while addressing an APC Women Presidential Campaign Initiative town hall meeting.

Mrs. Nyako, said women have a critical role to play towards a peaceful election and victory of APC at all levels.

Juan Cuadrado finally signs for Chelsea

Chelsea have secured the services of Juan Cuadrado, according to Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Montella.

Sky Italia are reporting that the 26-year-old Colombian is still in Italy but due to fly to London on a private jet on Saturday morning at 7am for talks and a medical at Stamford Bridge.

Fiorentina are expected to receive £23.33m plus a bonus that amounts to Cuadrado's £26.34m release clause with Chelsea's out-of-favour forward Mohamed Salah moving on loan in the opposite direction.

Novak Djokovic beats Stan Wawrinka and will now meet Andy Murray

Top seed Novak Djokovic defeated defending champion Stan Wawrinka in five sets to set up a meeting with Andy Murray in Sunday's Australian Open final.

The pair clashed for the third year running, but it failed to live up to the five-set marathons at Melbourne Park in 2013 and 2014 with a tension-filled clash going the way of the Serb 7-6 (7-1) 3-6 6-4 4-6 6-0 in exactly three and a
half hours.

Lagos 2015 Polls: Jimi Agbaje says, 'I am contesting against a puppet and two puppeteers'

 

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Lagos State, Jimi Agbaje, on Thursday lashed out at the All Progressives Congress-led government in the state for trying to make him look bad before the people of the state.

Agbaje expressed his anger at a rally organised at Apapa and Amuwo–Odofin local government areas, adding that rather than resorting to mudslinging, the party, APC should focus on issue-based politics.

Agbaje, who vowed to remain focused in his quest to liberate Lagosian, decried the campaign of calumny against him by the APC.

Diego Costa loses appeal against FA charge and gets three-match ban

Diego Costa has lost his appeal against an FA violent conduct charge and has been given a three-match ban that will keep him out of Chelsea's clash with Manchester City.

The Chelsea striker will miss his side's top-of-the-table Premier League clash against City at Stamford Bridge on Saturday after losing his appeal at a Football Association hearing on Friday.

Nigeria's top artiste, D'banj says he is under pressure to have a child

CEO of DB records, D’banj recently disclosed that he is ready to settle down with a woman and be a father, just like his younger brother, Kayswitch. 

The 35-year old entertainer/entrepreneur who is currently celebrating his 10th year in the Nigerian music industry said he is under pressure to give his mother a grandchild. 

Angry youths stone Jonathan’s convoy in Taraba, Nigeria

PHOTO CREDIT: OSUN DEFENDER

President Goodluck Jonathan’s convoy was again stoned on Thursday by some aggrieved youths in Jalingo, Taraba State.

Jonathan was in the city in continuation of the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential rally.

His convoy had before Thursday been stoned in Katsina and Bauchi states when he went to seek the votes for his re-election bid.

It was gathered that the windscreens and windows of some of the vehicles on the convoy were destroyed before security operatives used tear gas and horsewhips to disperse the youths.

Boy attacked by dogs in Lagos, Nigeria returns from India

Now and Before CREDITS: PUNCH

The four year old Omonigho Abraham, who was attacked by dogs in the Igando area of Lagos State, has returned into the country from an India medical trip.

Omonigho returned into Nigeria on Thursday in company with his father, Odia, and mother, Helen, who went with him on the trip.

It was last year reported in October that the victim was attacked by two dogs owned by the landlord of their house on Adegboyega Street, Akesan Estate, while Omonigho was playing with his two brothers, Osemudiamen and Bobby. As the others escaped because they were older, the dogs reportedly bite off the scalp of the victim and dragged him around.

Man jumps off Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos, Nigeria as he drowns

A man, identified as Okechukwu Ezeigbo, has drowned in the Lagoon after taking a dive from the top of the Third Mainland Bridge on Thursday.

The Imo State indigene was said to be among several passengers in a commercial bus heading towards Obalende, on the Lagos Island area of Lagos State, when the incident happened.

It was learnt that the victim suddenly asked the driver of the bus to stop and before anyone could realise what was going on, he hurriedly put off his shoes and took a dive into the Lagoon. (Grahic Image below)

Villarreal set up semi-final clash with Barcelona, while Athletic Bilbao and Espanyol also progress

Villarreal booked their place in the Copa del Rey semi-finals with a 2-0 aggregate win over Getafe.

Gerard Moreno scored the only goal of the game on Wednesday night as Marcelino’s side repeated the 1-0 scoreline from the first leg to set up a meeting with Barcelona in the last four, being the first time in the club’s history to reach the semi-finals of the competition.

Andre Schurrle nears Chelsea exit

Andre Schurrle(Middle)

Chelsea forward Andre Schurrle is inching closer to a move back to the Bundesliga after agreeing to personal terms with Wolfsburg, according to Sky sources.

A fee has yet to be agreed for the player but the two sides remain in negotiations and Chelsea are expected to receive in excess of £20m for the 24-year-old.

Dokubo, Tompolo’s war threat unacceptable –FG

 

The Federal Government officially reacted on Thursday to the war threat by ex- Niger Delta militants, saying it was reprehensible.

The condemnation came barely a day after a former Minister of Defence, Lt.Gen. Theophilus Danjuma, called for their arrest and seven days after the ex-militants made the threat at the Government House in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

Buhari Pulls Out of BON Organised Debate

 

The presidential campaign council of the All Progressives Congress [APC] has just issued the statement below indicating it would not participate in the series of debates being organised by the Broadcast Organisation of Nigeria [BON].

D'banj gives reason for bringing Amber Rose to Nigeria

To celebrate his 10th anniversary, D’banj is rolling out the drums and going all out to celebrate with his fans around the world with live concerts planned in major cities. 

The anniversary event starts off on Saturday, January 31, 2015 in Lagos with a star-studded celebrity party to be hosted by American diva, Amber Rose tagged ‘Feeling The Nigga Weekend’. 

Speaking on his choice of Amber Rose to host the kick-off party in Lagos, D’banj said: ‘It’s a party, it’s not a concert, we want to kick-off the 10th year anniversary so who best to come and host it than someone who really knows how to hold down a party and of course she’s hot (laughs).’ 

Andy Murray gets to the Australian Open 2015 final, while Williams v Sharapova is set up

Andy Murray delivered one of his finest Grand Slam semi-final displays on Thursday to book a final berth.

The Scot will now challenge for his third Grand Slam prize, and his first in Australia, after a come-from-behind defeat of Tomas Berdych.

Murray triumphed over early adversity, losing the opening set and injuring his calf, before roaring back with three straight sets including a bagel to win 6-7, 6-0, 6-3, 7-5.

Serena Williams will play Maria Sharapova in the women’s final of the Australian Open after both came through Thursday’s semi-finals.

Chelsea may accept Andre Schurrle move to Wolfsburg to fund Juan Cuadrado's bid

Chelsea are in talks with Wolfsburg for the possible sale of Andre Schurrle in a move to sign Juan Cuadrado.

Borussia Dortmund have also expressed interest in bringing Schurrle back to the Bundesliga, the league where the midfielder made his top-flight debut with FSV Mainz before joining Bayer Leverkusen. 

AFCON 2015: Guinea through to the quarter-finals to face Ghana after drawing of lots

Guinea are into the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations after prevailing in the drawing of lots with Mali.

The 'lottery' meant Guinea finished second in Group D and will now face Ghana in the last eight on Sunday, despite not winning a single group game.

MUSIC: Mavin artiste, Korede Bello releases new single, "Godwin"

 

Mavin Records artiste Korede Bello aka Mega superstar, has released a brand new song titled Godwin.

It was produced by Don Dorobuchi himself, Don Jazzy and described as a victory song for any occasion or situation you find yourself.

Slowly but surely, Korede Bello is beginning to make his mark in this industry.

Enjoy the victory song by clicking on play...

Arsenal complete the signing of Villarreal defender Gabriel Paulista

Arsenal have completed the signing of Villarreal defender Gabriel on a long-term deal with striker Joel Campbell moving the other way on loan.

Arsenal completed the deal, which is believed to be worth 18m euros to the Spanish club, after a work permit was granted for the uncapped Brazilian. 

Diego Costa charged for alleged stamp on Can by FA

Diego Costa has been charged for violent conduct after an alleged stamp following the Capital One Cup semi-final with Liverpool on Tuesday. 

The Chelsea striker, 26, faces a three-match ban for his challenge on defender Emre Can during the 1-0 victory. The Spaniard could miss Saturday's league match with Manchester City at Stamford Bridge if he is found guilty. He has until 18:00 GMT on Thursday to respond to the Football Association's charge.

War threat: Danjuma calls for Dokubo, Tompolo, Boyloaf's arrest

Theophilus Danjuma(Right)

A former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (retd.), has called for the arrest of an ex-Niger Delta militants, including Mujahideen Dokubo-Asari, Government Ekpudomenowei(akaTompolo), Victor Ebikabowei (aka Boy Loaf) and other Niger Delta militants for threatening to declare war against the nation if President Goodluck loses the February 14 election.

Danjuma, who described the threat as “unguarded and reckless,” warned that “miscreants” must not be allowed to hold the country by the jugular.

Dokubo-Asari, had at a meeting on Friday at the Bayelsa State Government House, Yenagoa, urged an end to what he termed, the intimidation of the Ijaw by other Nigerians.

AFCON 2015: Mali and Guinea managers criticise drawing of lots after finishing joint SECONDS

Mali Boss, Henri Kasperczak

Lots will decide whether Guinea or Mali reach the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals after a draw in Mongomo. 

Guinea had taken the lead when Kevin Constant coolly dinked home a penalty given for handball by Salif Coulibaly of Mali.

Mali's Modibo Maiga's header from Abdoulay Diaby's cross in the second half left Mali and Guinea with identical records, having drawn each of their games 1-1.

The drawing of lots has been postponed until today, Thursday, having originally been pencilled in for Wednesday evening.

AFCON 2015: Ivory Coast beat Cameroon to earn a place in the quarter-finals as Group D winners

Max Gradel scored the goal that gave the Elephants the only victory in the six matches in the group, and saved them from having to draw lots.

He smashed in a drive from 20 yards to set up a last eight match with Group C runners-up Algeria on Sunday. ...BBCSport