NUBDISH blogspot: 2015-02-22

Saturday 28 February 2015

I did not get an invite to D’banj's anniversary – D’Prince

The much talked about D’banj’s 10th year anniversary on stage has come and gone but the memory still lingers.

It was reported that so many Nigerian artistes including his label mates were not invited to the concert. And confirming that, his former label mate, D’Prince, revealed in a recent chat with Saturday Beats, that he was not invited.

Leaders of Ndigbo resident in Lagos State, southwest Nigeria, have confirmed that they were given money by President Goodluck Jonathan during his recent visit to the state to solicit for their support and votes.

Making this known is the former President of Ohaneze, Lagos State, and coordinator of Goodluck Jonathan Support Group, Dr Oliver Akabueze.

He said that the president solicited for their support and asked the leaders to mobilise Igbos in the state to vote for him.

The Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen Chris Olukolade, has said that troops have recaptured more towns from the members of the Boko Haram sect.

Olukolade said in a statement on Friday that the troops handed out a crushing defeat to the insurgents and recovered the headquarters of Gulani Local Government Area of Yobe State, Bara, and the headquarters of Madagali Local Government area, Gulag, from them in the early hours of Friday.

He said that the troops also flushed out terrorists from other locations such as Shikah, Fikayel, Tetebah, Buza, Kamla and Bumsa, during the two-day operation.

BORNO State government has equipped some private primary schools with scanning devices in order to beef up security in schools across Maiduguri metropolis.

Chairman, Committee on the Resuscitation of Primary School Education System, Dr. El-Nur Dongel, while presenting the scanners to some primary schools, on Friday, said the presentation was to ensure security within the schools.

FORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo has denied reports that he deliberately arrived late at the birthday celebration of former President Shehu Shagari, after the departure of President Goodluck Jonathan and other past leaders.

President Shagari’s 90th birthday was marked on Wednesday with President Jonathan and all former Nigerian leaders, except Major-General Muhammadu Buhari, who was in the United Kingdom in attendance.

Obasanjo arrived only after Jonathan and the former leaders had left after the cutting of the birthday cake.

The councillor representing Dunkun-Agala ward of Baure Local government area of Katsina State, Ahmadu Narayya, was on Thursday arrested for allegedly purchasing Permanent Voters’ Cards, PVCs.

Upon the arrest of Narayya, who is serving under the PDP platform, about twenty one PVCs were recovered from him.

It was gathered that most of the PVCs recovered were owned by women in the area, who were paid between fifteen to twenty thousand naira for each card.

Kurdish fighters, backed by U.S.-led coalition airstrikes, fought their way Friday into a northeastern Syrian town that was a key stronghold of Islamic State militants, only days after the group abducted dozens of Christians in the volatile region, Syrian activists and Kurdish officials said.

The victory marks a second blow to the extremist IS group in a month, highlighting the growing role of Syria's Kurds as the most effective fighting force against the Islamic State. In January, Kurdish forces drove IS militants from the town of Kobani near the Turkish border after a months-long fight, dealing a very public defeat to the extremists.

Novak Djokovic made to work for semi-final win over Tomas Berdych in Dubai

Novak Djokovic overcame a spirited fightback from Tomas Berdych as he reached the Dubai Championships final with a 6-0 5-7 6-4 win.

Maria Sharapova survived a second-set wobble against Magdalena Rybarikova to reach the semi-finals of the Mexican Open in Acapulco.

Sharapova, who will go to the top of the Road to Singapore standings if she wins the title, won 6-1 4-6 6-2.

PHOTO CREDIT: DAILYMIRROR

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho declined to comment on Nemanja Matic’s suspension for fear it would get him in ‘big trouble’.

The Serbian midfielder has seen his ban cut to two games from an initial three and will miss Sunday’s Capital One Cup final against Tottenham at Wembley.

Studded with 6,000 natural white Akoya pearls hand-sewn by 25 people over 10 weeks, it was lifted from the London Hotel in West Hollywood while the actress was out of the room.

The hotel has since issued a statement saying management were “working with law enforcement” to locate the missing item.

Arsenal have announced a pre-tax profit of £11.1m for the six months to November 30 last year.

This represents a loss of £2.2m from the same period in 2013, with Arsenal also posting an increase of £12.6m in turnover to £148.5m.

Leonard Nimoy, the actor best known for playing the emotionless, pointy-eared Spock on the "Star Trek" television series, died on Friday, according to published reports. He was 83.

The Associated Press, citing Nimoy's son, and the Los Angeles Times, citing his wife, reported the death.

As the half-human, half-alien chief science officer for the Starship Enterprise, Spock gave the world the indelible blessing "Live long and prosper" and his familiar split-fingered Vulcan salute. He was second in command to William Shatner's Captain James T. Kirk, his stoicism the perfect counter to Kirk's fiery personality.

Roger Federer cruised to a comfortable 6-2 6-1 victory over Borna Coric in Dubai to reach his 126th Tour final.

Teenager Coric, world ranked 84, never reached the heights of his 6-1 6-3 shock win over Andy Murray in the previous round.

Federer, 33, will play world number one Novak Djokovic, who beat the Czech Republic's Tomas Berdych 6-0 5-7 6-4, in Saturday's final.

Manny Pacquiao is leaving no detail unattended as he prepares for his showdown with Floyd Mayweather Jr in Las Vegas.

On Thursday, the Filipino puncher recorded a song that will be played while he walks to the ring on 2 May at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, GMA News reported.

Lalaban Ako Para sa Pilipino (I Am Going to Fight for Filipinos) was written by composer and frequent collaborator Lito Camo.

Mercedes finally topped a testing timesheet for the first time in 2015 as the world champions displayed an ominous turn of speed to shatter the fastest time seen at Barcelona this winter.

While the pace of the sleek W06 had not been in doubt up until Day Two of the final test, the fact the team had exclusively run on the slower medium and hard compounds meant that neither Nico Rosberg nor Lewis Hamilton had truly light up a timesheet in the opening nine days of action.

Police had to break up a crowd gathered to see a cheating wife and her lover locked together during sex.

Scores of people flocked after a rumour spread that her husband had asked a witch doctor to put a curse on her private parts.

And although experts say the embarrassing experience was more likely to be a common medical phenomenon that causes the vagina to contract too much, there was no dissuading the mob.

Local media claimed unfaithful Sasha Ngema, 34, had been romping with toy boy Sol Qoboza, 22, at a rented apartment in Johannesburg, South Africa while her husband was away. But they apparently could not separate after their romp with the tale going that suspicious hubby Neill, 42, had gone to a witch doctor who put a sex curse on his wife.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter says the 2022 World Cup final cannot be played any later than December 18.

Earlier this week UEFA said it wanted the tournament, which will be staged in Qatar, to run from November 26 to December 23, hindering most nations' competitions - including the Premier League.

However, Blatter says he is against the tournament finishing so close to Christmas.

Blatter is in Northern Ireland for this weekend’s International Football Association Board (IFAB) meeting and told reporters: "The World Cup will not go on until the 23rd, definitely not, we have to stop at the 18th. I am against going to the 23rd."

The Nigerian military took delivery of two Boeing 747 jets fully loaded with ammunition that arrived the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Wednesday evening.

The first and second jets, which arrived around 4pm and 6pm respectively, had various forms of sophisticated weapons meant for military operations in the North-East, according to reliable sources at the airport.

It was learnt that the Federal Government’s intensive campaign against insurgents in the North-East would be boosted with the arrival of the ammunition.

A security official at the airport, who pleaded not to be named as he was not authorised to speak on the matter, stated that “the ammunition in these massive cargo jets show how determined the government is to considerably halt the activities of Boko Haram within the six weeks which it requested from INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission).”

President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday made a surprise visit to some territories recently recovered from members of the Boko Haram sect by the Nigerian troops in Adamawa and Borno states.

The Presidency in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, described the visit, that took Jonathan to Mubi in Adamawa State and Baga in Borno State among others, as an on-the-spot assessment of efforts of the military and morale booster for the troops.

Chelsea have announced their "largest ever commercial deal" with Yokohama Rubber, reportedly worth £40m-a-year.

Yokohama Rubber, one of the world's leading tyre manufacturers, has signed a five-year deal beginning from the 2015-16 season and their logo will appear on all the Blues' shirts from the first team to their youth teams.

The All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari(retd.), on Thursday, ruled out amnesty for Boko Haram insurgents if elected President on March 28. He said the activities of the sect which has so far killed over 13, 000 people since 2009, had become a source of worry to many people within and outside the country.

Buhari was at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House, London, where he addressed the world on various issues concerning the rescheduled general elections.

He said, “I think I will not go to that office with that promise. I have said in my address how, at least 13,000 Nigerians have been killed by Boko Haram, how millions of them have been displaced and are now kept in different camps called Internally Displaced Persons camps.”

Venus Williams claimed her second win of the season over Agnieszka Radwanska when she defeated the Pole 6-4 1-6 6-3 to reach the semi-finals of the Qatar Open.

Williams will now play dual former champion Victoria Azarenka, who romped past Caroline Wozniacki 6-3 6-1.

Watch Video Evidence of the fact that ‘Anti-Buhari’ Activists At Chatham House Were Rented

Two videos were obtained pointing to the validation of reports that the so-called anti-Buhari protesters who showed up in front of Chatham House in London yesterday were merely doing a job.

The footage was recorded by a citizen journalist who secretly filmed a conversation with one of the major organizers of the “protest” who said she was paid for the assignment by President Goodluck Jonathan's people. A second video(above) was filmed by Rose P. Graham who co Presents #PolitricksWithKO on BEN-TV in London.

Novak Djokovic demolishes Marsel Ilhan in Dubai Tennis quarter-finals

Novak Djokovic was barely troubled as he booked his place in the Dubai Championship semi-finals with a 6-1 6-1 win over Marsel Ilhan.

The Kardashian family have signed a $100 million deal with E!. Matriarch and manager Kris Jenner has reportedly agreed a four-year contract extension with the network for herself and daughters Kim Kardashian West , Khloé and Kourtney Kardashian and Kendall and Kylie Jenner, and the agreement is the highest in TV history for a reality brand.

The deal covers 'at least' four more seasons of Keeping Up with the Kardashians, spin-off shows and possible digital projects.

Shocking footage showing a couple appearing to have sex in the centre circle of Charlton Athletic's football pitch has gone viral.

A Vine video uploaded yesterday claims the randy duo 'broke into' The Valley football stadium in London in the early hours.

It is unclear who the couple are or when the video was taken, but user Showboat Vines posted the clip online.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers admitted he was disappointed with the manner in which his side exited the Europa League on penalties against Besiktas, but is happy to concentrate on the Premier League.

Dejan Lovren's miscued penalty meant the Turkish side progressed to the last 16 with a 5-4 shoot-out win after a 1-0 victory on the night.

Liverpool had held on at 1-0(on aggregate) in the tie until the 72nd minute, and were eventually outmuscled by a tireless Besiktas who scored their winning goal to keep the aggregate at 1-1.

A male suicide bomber on Thursday blew up himself at a crowded area in Biu local government area of Borno state, killing scores, with 7 others sustaining serious injuries.

The incident occurred at a crowded area of Tashan Gandu (meeting points of farmers on hired labour) in Mbulamyel ward of Biu town at 3pm.

West gave the trainers their global debut on stage during the Grammy Awards 2015 last month and then launched in America during New York Fashion Week alongside his wider capsule collection for Adidas.

This shoe collaboration is the rapper’s first after his fallout with rival sportswear brand Nike, which he’s publicised on stage and on his lyrics.

Arthur Hoeld, General Manager of Adidas Originals said: "No one transcends music and fashion like Kanye West, he is a cultural icon like no other and brings a completely new expression to designing shoes. The Yeezy Boost is the first sneaker that brings Kanye’s unique creativity and individuality to the forefront of its design.”

CREDITS: PREMIUMTIMES

Some supporters of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Muhammadu Buhari, and a group of Nigerians allegedly sponsored by the Nigerian government on Thursday clashed at the premises of Chatham House, London, where Mr. Buhari delivered a lecture.

Mr. Buhari, a retired major general and former military head of state, was invited to Chatham House to deliver a lecture entitled, “Prospects for Democratic Consolidation in Africa: Nigeria’s Transition”.

However, before he arrived for the event, some protesters gathered in front of the venue placards and chanting songs in protest against the the APC candidate.

The anti-Buhari demonstrators bore placards with the inscriptions such as “Buhari Belongs to the past: The past can’t belong to the future of our children”, “A dictator hiding behind another pastor cannot be a democrat”, and “Nigeria will not return to the past.” Others wore T-shirts with inscriptions such as “Diaspora says no to a tyrant.”

It's unlikely that even James Bond could get his hands on Aston Martin's latest racing supercar. The £1.8 million Aston Martin Vulcan isn't even road legal and the famed British manufacturer is only creating 24 of them.

“Taking the extensive learning from our various successful racing programmes and applying it to this exceptional track car for customers has been an exciting and sometimes challenging task for the team," said David King, Aston Martin's director of special programs and motorsport.

Roger Federer continued his red-hot form against Richard Gasquet before the Frenchman retired from their Dubai Championship quarter-final.

The defending champion claimed 20 unanswered points in Wednesday’s win over Fernando Verdasco and was leading 6-1 when Gasquet’s withdrawal handed him a spot in the semi-finals.

Fernando Alonso was rendered unconscious during his accident in testing at Barcelona last week, McLaren boss Ron Dennis has confirmed.

The Spaniard has been ruled out of the third and final test of the winter, which is being staged at the Circuit de Catalunya where the two-time champion crashed out and hit a trackside wall on Sunday.

“He was unconscious for a relatively short period of time,” Dennis told reporters. “We could hear him breathing but no other sounds.”

The capital of the United States has allowed the recreational use of weed since midnight after the states of Alaska, Colorado, Washington and Oregon have already amended their laws.

Residents and visitors can now have as much as two ounces (56 grams) of cannabis on their person and can even grow up to six plants at home – provided they are over the age of 21.

However, smoking spliffs on the streets of Capitol Hill would be prohibited as it is only allowed in private places. Buying and selling the substance remains illegal outside of licensed shops.

An unexploded Second World War bomb has been discovered close to Borussia Dortmund's Signal Iduna Park ground.

The 550lb device, reported by German broadcaster DW as being of British origin, was found on Thursday and plans are in place to try and defuse it.

The discovery came just hours before Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp was due to give a news conference ahead of Saturday's derby against Schalke.

Teenager Borna Coric produced a performance beyond his years to shock world No 3 Andy Murray 6-1 6-3 at the Dubai Tennis Championships on Thursday.

At 84 in the world, Coric, 18yrs, is the youngest player in the top 100, and after beating Rafael Nadal at the Swiss Open last October, he achieved arguably an even greater feat by defeating Murray with a composed, professional display to reach his second tour semi-final.

Afterwards Murray praised Coric's performance, admitting that his slow start to the match had ultimately cost him.

Sleeping for longer than eight hours a day can double your risk of a stroke, scientists have discovered.

Experts at the University of Cambridge suggested the findings from their 10-year study of 10,000 people could save lives and slash healthcare costs. Every year there are more than 150,000 strokes in the UK.

It is the equivalent of one every three and a half minutes and around one in every four people who suffer a stroke will die.

Saudi Arabia’s new monarch has handed out £21billion to his countrymen to celebrate his coronation. Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, one of the world’s wealthiest men, dished out the King’s Ransom to mark taking the throne in the oil-rich country.

In a message on Twitter, shared more than 350,000 times, one of the world’s wealthiest men said: “ Dear people: You deserve more and whatever I do will not be able to give you what you deserve."

Within hours his delighted subjects splashed out on new smart phones, luxury watches and exotic holidays to celebrate.

The Corps Marshall of the Federal Road Safety Commission, Nigeria, Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi, has said that the agency will no longer insist on any deadline for the enforcement of the new number plate.

Oyeyemi, who stated this on Wednesday in an interview with journalists when he paid a courtesy visit on Governor Theodore Orji at the Government House in Umuahia, said the agency would abide by the court ruling which restrained it from enforcing the proposal.

He explained that motorists who still had the old number plate would rather get the new ones when they go to renew their vehicle licences.

The Greek government has suspended professional football in the country indefinitely. The suspension follows violence at Sunday's Super League match between Olympiakos and Panathinaikos, as well as a brawl between club officials at a board meeting on Tuesday.

The league has already been suspended twice this season in September and November because of violence.

Newly-elected ruling party Syriza have pledged to stamp out the problem. The suspension affects the country's top three divisions.

Madonna proved she's a true professional in any situation last night as she managed to carry on with her performance despite falling down a flight of stairs and off the Brit Awards stage.

The singer, 56, proved the ultimate pro as she picked her self up and carried right on with the show, later saying: “I’m fine!”

It was the first time Madonna had performed at the Brit Awards ceremony in 20 years.

Twitter has exploded as Madonna, who was singing her new hit Living for Love, went absolutely flying after climbing the stage in a giant cape.

Hakan Calhanoglu gave Bayer Leverkusen victory in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against last year's finalists Atletico Madrid.

Calhanoglu scored the only goal on 57 minutes, firing into the top of the net after Karim Bellarabi's backheel. Atletico had midfielder Tiago sent off for a foul on Bellarabi, his second booking and had a goal ruled out.

Arsenal's hopes of reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time since 2010 suffered a stunning blow as they slumped to a shock 3-1 home defeat by Monaco.

The Gunners looked to have been handed a favourable draw but a display that plumbed the depths of incompetence and naivety leaves them facing a last-16 exit once more.

Monaco, resilient at the back and capable of punishing Arsenal's shoddy defence, took the lead in the first half through Geoffrey Kondogbia's deflected shot.

Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

The House of Representatives has for the second time on Wednesday asked the Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, to submit the full version of the forensic audit report on the alleged missing Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation $20bn to it.

The House gave the first directive on Thursday last week, following a motion moved by its Minority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila.

On Wednesday (yesterday), the House again asked the minister for the report after Gbajabiamila complained that almost one week following the first resolution, Okonjo-Iweala had not responded.

Saturday 28 February 2015

Friday 27 February 2015

Thursday 26 February 2015