UBA Commits $1 Million to Ebola Fight

UBA Commits $1 Million to Ebola Fight

 Tony Elumelu,

• Elumelu urges corporate Africa to take up the challenge
Paul Obi in Abuja

The United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc board Chairman, Tony Elumelu, has announced the donation of $1 million to assist the fight against Ebola currently ravaging three West African countries where UBA does business: Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea.

The gift will be distributed through the UBA Foundation, UBA’s corporate social responsibility arm, and shared equally among the three affected West African countries.

The remaining $100,000 is to be contributed to the African Union Support Mission to the Ebola Outbreak in West Africa (ASEOWA), initiated by the African Union Chair, Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma.

“Africa is our home and our destiny - and Africans need to place themselves at the forefront of the campaign to overcome this tragedy.  This donation is an affirmation of our unshakeable commitment to the continent - and a message that Africa can triumph over this terrible affliction.

“I would also take this opportunity to commend our courageous UBA Africa staff, in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone who have kept every branch and ATM open throughout this testing time.
“They have demonstrated our corporate value of resilience and commitment that the business and progress of Africa must and should go on,” said Elumelu.

“Our money will be directed immediately to strengthening capacity in the fight against the further spread of the disease,” he further stated. “Our hope is that this donation will act as a catalyst for other African corporates to play their part.”

In August, The Tony Elumelu Foundation donated $600,000 to the same cause, making unrestricted grants to the Ebola response institutions designated by the Presidents of Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Liberia.

Acknowledging the donation by the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Liberian President, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf said: “While we have mobilised our national resources as best as we can, they are still inadequate to respond to an epidemic of this scale; we appreciate friends of Liberia, like you, who have come to our assistance in our national moment of need.”

This important precedent of African-funded support comes as West African and global development leaders have recently appealed for an increased effort to contain the epidemic. The United Nations estimates that at least 5,000 international medical, training and support personnel are needed in the three countries over the coming months.

“I want to commend the chairperson of the African Union, Dr. Dlamini Zuma and Strive Masiyiwa, for presiding over a very successful AU meeting with the private sector to mobilise financial contributions and business solutions, to facilitate a robust African response to Ebola.

“I am also very proud of my colleagues in the African private sector for demonstrating that we can rise to the occasion and help fund and support the AU deployment of healthcare workers to care for our fellow Africans, and I urge more African businesses to step up to the plate with more pledges,” added Elumelu.

With operations in 19 African countries, including the three countries currently battling Ebola, UBA provides financial services to Africans and Africa-related businesses globally and across Africa.
UBA branches have remained open to attend to customers’ banking needs, with not a single UBA business office or ATM closing in Sierra Leone, Guinea or Liberia.

Military: Boko Haram Using Child Soldiers, Women as Human Shields

Military: Boko Haram Using Child Soldiers, Women as Human Shields

Nigerian military

• UN, US, others condemn Yobe school bombing
•Soldiers flee as sect overruns Maiha in Adamawa
Senator Iroegbu in Abuja and Daji Sani in Yola with agency report

The Nigerian military has expressed concern over the use of women as human shields as well as children as child soldiers by Boko Haram militants in their quest to weaken military operations.

A top security source in the North-east disclosed that the terrorists recruit, rape and kill some of the young captives who are reluctant to join them in their dastardly acts.

In most cases, children and teenagers are forced to be in the frontline in the battle against Nigerian troops through ambushes and suicide bombing.

There are established cases of women and children getting involved in terrorists’ acts like the recent bombing in schools, said the source.
“On several occasions, the Nigerian military has captured small children who were forced to take up arms against the state with some of them behaving abnormally due to indoctrination and inducement through the use of hard drugs.

“We are being cautious in abiding by the rules of engagement even when we are aware that the militants recruit children for spying on us and pushing them to engage in hostilities against innocent citizens and the troops.

“Most of the children, especially teenagers were recruited through abduction, kidnapping and enticement with money after which they undergo brainwashing and combat training. Those that are unwilling to cooperate are punished or summarily executed,” the security source revealed.

Other reliable sources suggested that insurgents have relied on the knowledge that Nigerian troops have a responsibility to observe strict rules of engagement and also avoid a situation whereby patriotic citizens caught in the middle of conflict will lose their lives.

“We have lost our men in the battlefield while we tried to avoid shooting children and teenagers who are forced to confront us. How do you expect us to arrest a child with a gun? Do we accord such an armed underage combatant with the status of a child deserving of protection under the rules of engagement?

“It may become inevitable that some collateral damages may be recorded if we get the order especially because Boko Haram elements are using civilians as human shields to continue to gain undue advantage in the current battle in the North-east.

“However, as much as troops are determined to avoid collateral damage, it has become inevitable to be decisive with armed underage combatants and female suicide bombers with the situation degenerating by the day.

“The military will no longer tolerate a situation where insurgents use human shields to gain undue advantage, especially now that majority of Nigerians have demanded that a full scale war be declared by government in response to Boko Haram,” the source declared.

International Community Condemns School Bombing

But as the military contends with the spectre of women and child soldiers in its war against the insurgents, more condemnations poured in yesterday over the suicide bombing of a government secondary school in Potiskum, Yobe State, resulting in the death of scores of students.
A statement issued by the US Embassy in Abuja condemned the incessant attacks on defenceless civilians in the North-east this past week.

The statement cited recent attacks on Potiskum in Yobe, Nafada in Gombe, Malam Fatori in Borno and Azare in Bauchi State.
The embassy said: “While the final numbers are not known, scores of persons have been killed or injured in these attacks.
“The US offers its sincere sympathy to the injured and to the families of the murdered.

“We urge the government of Nigeria to investigate these and other attacks to bring the perpetrators to justice.”
It reiterated US’ commitment to support the people of northern Nigeria in their struggle to stop the abhorrent actions of Boko Haram and associated terrorist groups.

In New York, the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, also condemned the bomb attack on Potiskum.
Ban extended his sincere condolences to the families of the bereaved and to the government and people of Nigeria.
A statement issued by the body said: “The UN secretary-general is outraged by the frequency and brutality of attacks against educational institutions in the north of the country.

“The UN scribe demands an immediate cessation to these abominable crimes.”
Ban stressed the need to bring the perpetrators to justice through a process respectful of Nigeria’s human rights obligations. He also appealed for adequate security measures for civilians.

“The UN secretary-general reiterates his firm conviction that no objective justifies wanton violence against civilians,” the statement added.
Also, a statement by UNICEF warned that repeated and relentless attacks on children and schools were attacks on the future of Nigeria.
It expressed concern that Nigeria already had the largest number of children out of school in the world and the attacks on schools would exacerbate the situation.

“We call on those with the responsibility and power to bring the perpetrators of this cruel act to justice, and to uphold their responsibilities to protect children,” UNICEF said in the statement.

Yobe Closes All Schools

Owing to the latest attack on the Potiskum school, the Yobe State Government said yesterday that it had closed down all public and private schools in the state. On Monday, the state government only ordered the closure of schools in Potiskum.
The attack had claimed 48 lives and injured 79 others.

The state Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Muhammad Lamin, said in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Damaturu yesterday that the closure was with immediate effect.

Lamin said government decided to close the schools to enable it adopt more security measures to guarantee the safety of students, teachers and the school environment across the state.

Boko Haram Overruns Maiha

However, despite the global condemnation and couter-terrorism efforts by the military, the marauding sect continued its attacks on communities in the North-east, the latest being the capture of Maiha town, the headquarters of Maiha Local Government Area in Adamawa State, on Monday night.

According to a security source, the insurgents were spotted hovering around the area at about 5 pm on Monday, adding that nobody anticipated any attack, as he alleged that the insurgents had been to Maiha to preach and persuade the people to support their struggle.
He said the insurgents used the Potiskum bombing that led to the death of at least 47 students to divert attention.
“When the authorities' attention was diverted, the insurgents struck in Mahia at night, leading to the killing of some residents who had remained in the community despite the Mubi attack,” the security source said.

According to him, even before Mahia was overrun by the Boko Haram insurgents, it had been rendered a ghost town, as commercial and social activities had been paralysed as a result of the mass exodus of people from the town. Maiha is 20 kilometres from Mubi which was captured by the sect two weeks ago.

A fleeing resident of Mahia, who spoke to THISDAY on the phone, said nobody anticipated that the insurgents would attack the town, adding that the insurgents had previously asked them not to run away, promising to provide them with security and a better life instead.
He said the killings and destruction orchestrated by the insurgents in Mahia violated the promise they made to the people.
“Why will you kill somebody you want to govern; their act violates the preaching that they would give the people a better government,” he said.

Another fleeing resident, who identified himself as Usman, said soldiers detailed to the area fled on seeing the large numbers of insurgents who stormed the town, adding that he assisted some of them out of Maiha.
“The fleeing soldiers asked us to help them to escape from the area to safer places", Usman said

He said after the attack, many of the insurgents returned to Mubi, while a few were left behind.
However, travellers who passed through Maiha yesterday said they did not encounter the insurgents.

Jonathan’s Declaration: Tit Bits and Drama at Eagle Square

Jonathan’s Declaration: Tit Bits and Drama at Eagle Square

Emmanuel Bello

The Eagle Square has seen many interesting times in its chequered history. Yesterday was one of such days. It was the formal declaration of President Goodluck Jonathan to seek re-election for a second term.
Trust the organisers, they ensured the event had all the trappings of a carnival: dancing, trumpets, regalia, faces and speeches. It was a spectable to behold.

The Traffic

The entire roads leading to the Eagle Square were cordoned off. Elsewhere in the town, the entire city was on lock down. Earlier on, the police had warned that it was going to be tough for commuters.
A resident, Musa Joshua, said the federal government should have declared a public holiday. “See how we are suffering. They should have declared a public holiday. Then everyone would have rested at home.”
The Jonathan declaration clearly created more traffic snarls than all the other traffic jams caused by the other declarations.

Brisk Businesses

But for John Yanus, the event was nothing but an opportunity to sell his beautiful paintings. He told THISDAY that he had been preparing for the declaration in his own way.

“I really don’t care about what is going on here. I want to sell my paintings and I hope I make money, plenty money today,” he said.
Yanus, a graduate of Fine Art, had churned out many drawings of notable figures. There were historical figures too and other politicians. “I know there would be many dignitaries here today. So I have drawn them. I would take this one to the senate president, David Mark. He may buy it.

“I’m selling for N5,000. But anything he gives me, I would take. It is not about the money. It is about the patronage,” he said.
Is he a supporter of the president? “Not really. But I wish him well,” he said as he ran off to meet a customer.
Another trader, Mrs Jummai Benjamin, said she was at the Eagle Square to do business and show her support for the president. Her food stall paraded all sorts of snacks and other cuisines.

According to her, she has been running her food stall since the various declarations by politicians started this year. “I have recruited more hands to help out and I have expanded the stall because we now have plenty of customers.
“If I don’t finish a bag of rice today, I would be shocked because as we speak now, my people are still cooking and it is already finished,” she said.

Apart from the food stall, the area around Eagle Square was turned into a mini-market with photographers, cobblers, vendors of drinks, suya sellers and all other artisans taking up space.
The boom was so attractive that even the banks knew the cash haul would be considerable. What did they do: they sent in their bullion vans.

Entertainers

There were entertainers too. A small circus entertained onlookers. They were not invited by the organisers but Tade, their leader, said it was his idea to form the group. He said: “I decided that we can showcase our talents and make good money. So each time there is a declaration here or any event, I bring my people here. And no one has stopped us.

“So people do watch us perform. If they are happy, they give us money. At the end of the day, we could make close to N20,000.”
The musicians also gave a good account of themselves. Bongos Ikwe’s belting his old tunes was enthralling. He re-awakened the echoes of years gone past. Lovers of old school music swayed to his “What’s Gonna be, Gonna be”.

Naeto C performed his “Ten over Ten” song which took the nation by storm years back. It was not lost on the audience that Naeto C is the son of Mrs. Kema Chikwe, the PDP women’s leader.
Onyeka Onwenu also thrilled with songs that have earned her the sobriquet “the elegant stallion”.

Politicians and Sycophancy

Inside the Eagle Square itself, politicians outdid themselves to show their solidarity with the president. In the special section, where the president and his men (and women) sat, it was also drama all the way. A state governor dozed off several times.

Jonathan kept a straight face most of the time and yawned disinterestedly inbetween. He however beamed each time someone stopped to exchange pleasantries with him. The female three musketeers – the First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan; wife of the Vice-President, Hajiya Amina Namadi Sambo; and the senate president’s wife, sat looking on with an impassive visage.

The Speeches

Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State was almost hysterical as he gave his speech, which was like a declaration of war. Some of the governors standing with him on the podium appeared embarrassed with the theatrics of the chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum. Akpabio ended his speech with a song.
But above all others, it was the president’s speech that got everyone talking. Reading from two teleprompters that were positioned on his left and right, Jonathan appeared to have thoroughly rehearsed the speech.

An Abuja-based journalist, Haruna Isa, said the president appeared to be copying the United States President, Barack Obama, as he gesticulated and made emphasis on certain personal anecdotes to appeal to his audience.
His emphasis on how “ordinary Nigerians” contributed to pay his bills hit the right note. He also remembered to turn from one side to the other for the sake of the cameras, but it was still obvious to anyone who watched him on television that he was reading from teleprompters. Reading from teleprompters in a large arena is an art form that very few Nigerians have mastered.

Jonathan Declares, Promises to Tackle Insurgency, Eradicate Poverty

Jonathan Declares, Promises to Tackle Insurgency, Eradicate Poverty

Chuks Okocha and Jaiyeola Andrews in Abuja

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday formally declared his bid for a second term, pledging to do everything humanly possible to defeat Boko Haram. His pledge came a day after a suicide bomber killed scores of school children in Potiskum, Yobe State.

Before delivering his speech, he asked for a minute’s silence in memory of the 47 students who lost their lives on Monday.
Addressing a mammoth crowd at the Eagle Square in Abuja, the president also pledged to eliminate corruption and poverty if given a chance to govern Nigeria for another four years.

Jonathan said the killings in Potiskum had cast a dark cloud on Nigeria, adding that under his watch, Nigeria will overcome and defeat a bloody five-year-old insurgency by Boko Haram.

“Many Nigerians have lost their lives and property to these mindless killings,” Jonathan said. “A number of young men and women have been kidnapped by these criminal elements, including our daughters from Chibok. We will free our daughters and defeat terrorism.”

Jonathan, who acknowledged that his government had come under severe criticism over its handling of the crisis, was currently equipping the armed forces and deploying special forces to fight Boko Haram and end what he described as a “senseless war”.

“We must protect our country. We must save our people. I will do everything humanly possible to end this criminal violence in our nation,” he promised.

He said the presidential initiative tagged Victims Support Fund was initiated for the North-east, as well as the Safe Schools initiative which was set up to provide secure school environment for students in the country.
According to him, the presidential initiative for the North-east was focused on improving infrastructure and economy in the region.

"We must continue to hold the tempo all high in our country. I am proud to say that there are no political prisoners in Nigeria today.
“No Nigerian has been driven to exile, no one and I repeat no one will be driven to exile. It is in furtherance of a peaceful participatory and inclusive democracy that I signed the Freedom of Information Bill into law to expand the frontiers of our fundamental freedom.

"Let me reaffirm that under a Jonathan presidency, your views no matter how freely expressed will not send you to prison or to exile. I am convinced that I have served my part with Nigerians and it is now time to look into the future.
"With your tremendous support, you have collectively done so much in the last three-and-a-half years. But to take our country to the next level, there is still more work to be done.

"History has shown that the part of honour of a true leader is not to walk away from his people in the face of challenges.
"We must stand together in adversity and overcome the threat to our development. We must defend our future,” Jonathan said.
The president also pledged to eliminate poverty, noting that although his administration had since its inception impacted positively on all sectors of the nation’s economy, there was still much to be done to take the country to the next level of development.

Underscoring the achievements of this government in the last three-and-a-half years, the president informed his supporters and the party faithful that he had decided to contest the 2015 presidential election after seeking the face of God, in quiet reflection with his family.

“After seeking the face of God in quiet reflection with my family and having listened to the call of our people nationwide to run, I, Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan, have accepted to re-present myself, on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, for re-election as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the 2015 general election,” he said.

The president recalled how he declared an emergency when Nigeria was confronted with the Ebola virus in July and how Nigerians were united in the fight to contain and eliminate the virus.

“Just as we stopped Ebola, we are on our way to eradicating Polio in Nigeria, I promise that I will not hand over Polio to anyone,” he said.
In the area of education, the president said he had established 14 new universities, out of which two are specialised. “Under my watch, every Nigerian state has a federal university,” he said.

In addition, he said his government had established 150 Almajiri schools to provide education opportunities to thousands of children in the north.

On power, Jonathan said his government had pursued reforms to “an irreversible progress” and that additional hydro power stations were being built in Zungeru and Mambila.

In the area of agriculture, he spoke of how his administration had eliminated corruption in the distribution of fertiliser to farmers and how this had enhanced productivity and created thousands of jobs in the sector.

The president also pledged his commitment to working with all Nigerians, with a view to taking the country to its desired height, expressing strong optimism of seeing the country's future as bright, where all things works for its development.

He expressed gratitude to the people for the confidence reposed in him, by giving him the opportunity to lead the nation through uncommon challenges in a march to progress and united country.
Jonathan noted that over the years, he had been able to develop a bond with Nigerians, expressing gratitude for the support given his administration.

He admitted that his stewardship had not been without challenges, especially the insurgency that has swept through some parts of the country.
Representatives of the six geopolitical zones in the country took turns to mount the podium to throw their weight behind Jonathan's re-election bid.

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues at the event, Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors' Forum and Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio, said the road to 2015 may not be a smooth sail for Jonathan and PDP.
However, he expressed confidence that PDP would coast home to victory in the presidential race, as well as majority of the states.
“We were robbed of three states, but the entry of Ekiti and Ondo States have increased our numbers. We may end up with no less than 29 states.

“But Mr. President, we know that the route to 2015 is not going to be very smooth but we are assuring you that at the end of the tunnel, victory is yours as victory belongs to all of us and victory remains that of PDP.
“We will never be intimidated. You are like David in the Bible; you are fighting all the wars today so that future presidents in Nigeria will have peace.

“We recognise that. You have taken the right step by building the Almajiri schools particularly in Northern Nigeria, you are building other schools in the south.

“You have decided to take education as a major step to educate Nigerian children so that they will not be misled in the future again.
“Never again will people mislead our children into terrorism; never again will our children succumb to insurgency. We are witnessing something that is totally un-Nigerian and we are saying do not be intimidated, we are behind you.

“Those who are behind you are more than those who are against you. In 2015, all Nigerians are going to tell you that we are behind you,” Akpabio said.

The representative of the North-west, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, said the PDP would poll 80 per cent of the votes for the president in 2015, while former Governor Peter Odili of Rivers State, on behalf of the South-south zone, said the region had absolute trust and confidence in the capability of Jonathan to ensure better living standards for all Nigerians.

Prof. Jerry Gana, on behalf of the North-central zone, said Jonathan was a catalyst of development who had rejuvenated railway infrastructure, transformed the power sector, and ensured good governance in the country, while Senator Ken Nnamani pointed out that the successes recorded by Jonathan called for continuity.

Speaking for the North-east, Hassan Adamu said this was the time to pay back Jonathan for his good works to the beleaguered geopolitical zone.

He said the Jonathan administration had delivered by providing two federal universities in Potiskum and Wukari and making fuel available in the North-east as well as extending railway services in some states in the zone.

Bode George, who spoke for the South-west, said the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo once said that an Ijaw man would be president of Nigeria and this was the time for the fulfillment of that prophecy. He declared the support of the South-west for the president.

In his remarks, former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, said he supported Jonathan’s re-election bid like every other Nigerian, adding that the president’s commitment to fairness, the rule of law and the good of Nigeria, are some of the qualities that stand him out among others.

Calling on Nigerians to support him, Obi said the president’s Transformation Agenda was working in concrete and real terms and another four years would see Nigeria making a quantum leap in terms of development.
The Chairman of the National Assembly and Senate President, David Mark, accompanied by all PDP members of the National Assembly, also pledged their support for Jonathan.

He said Nigerians wanted a leader that could be trusted, adding: “Mr. President you have demonstrated that you are reliable. We support you because you started an agenda that has endeared you to all Nigerians.

“You have laid a solid foundation on all fronts and we believe that if you do not come back these projects will not see the light of the day.
“This clarion call is because there would be continuity and this brings progress. We followed all the old democracies of the world in giving you the right of first refusal, please accept our clarion call.

“PDP is the first to accept that we have security challenges. This epidemic called Boko Haram must be brought to an end.”
The declaration turned out to be a huge carnival and a kaleidoscope of colours, punctuated with the PDP umbrella, the symbol of the party.

All ministers were present at the event. They sat with their delegations in their various state pavilions.
Several dance groups and supporters came in colourful dresses and banners eulogising the administration.
As a result of the presence of the heavy security cordon within the vicinity of the Eagle Square, traffic in Abuja was chaotic.

Also, the federal secretariat housing most of the federal ministries was shut down and workers asked to stay at home. Even private organisations like banks and insurances companies with offices close to the venue were forced to close shop

PDP Senators End Hostilities, Endorse Jonathan for Second Term

PDP Senators End Hostilities, Endorse Jonathan for Second Term

Senate President, David Mark

Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja

Senators on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who had last week threatened to impeach President Goodluck Jonathan threw their weight behind the president’s re-election bid on Tuesday.

The change of stance followed the president’s truce meeting with the aggrieved senators last Thursday during which some of the senators said the president along with the National Working Committee (NWC) members of  the PDP offered to give return tickets to at least two of them from each state.

The senators, who boycotted plenary throughout last week, had alleged betrayal by the president following their losses at the November 1 ward congresses of the party in their various states and therefore threatened to shut down Jonathan’s government until he addressed their grievances.

Announcing the endorsement on behalf of federal lawmakers on Tuesday during the president’s declaration at Eagles Square, Abuja, Senate President, David Mark, said the president did not only have the support of PDP senators but also had the backing of the entire National Assembly caucus of the PDP.

According to Mark, who led the National Assembly caucus of the party to the declaration, Jonathan has demonstrated trust, dedication and steadfastness to the service of Nigeria, adding that the endorsement of “Mr. President was based on his people-centred transformation programme needed to be executed to its logical conclusion.”

He outlined revolution in agriculture, aviation, power, telecommunications and education, among others, as the areas that need to be consolidated by the administration of Jonathan for the good of all citizens.

According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, Mark said Jonathan’s endorsement was in conformity with advanced democracies of the world where performing incumbent office holders are given the right of first refusal to re-contest.

Mumeh said Mark was of the opinion that the laudable programmes initiated by President Jonathan might be truncated if he declines to continue in office.

The National Assembly, he promised, would continue to support and  provide the needed legislative framework for the executive under Jonathan to continue to deliver the dividends of democracy to the Nigerian people.

The media aide added that Mark acknowledged the unabating security challenges facing Nigeria and expressed optimism that  the problem was surmountable if every Nigerian drops the toga of ethnicity, religion or political affiliation and resolve to work together to end the menace.

The senate president therefore pleaded with all Nigerians to close ranks and fight on a common front to defeat the terrorists putting asunder our peace, progress and unity.

He stressed that there is no challenge we cannot overcome as a people if we work together for our common destiny and future.

Mark counselled security operatives not to be deterred by some shortcomings in their operations but should rather spur them for greater action to defeat terrorists as all right thinking Nigerians are behind them in prayer.

Kim Kardashian Makes $25m In 3 Months, Find Out How

Manuel Ndimele,

Kim Kardashian might be one of the most hated individuals in modern times, but no one can deny how savvy the  woman is in business.

The woman who made herself and her whole family rich through a viral tape has made over 25 million dollars in the last three months.
Kim released an app a couple of months back called the Kim Kardashian’s App and it is raking in all of the cash. According report from Glu Mobile, the company that developed the game, it made a whopping $43.4 million in Q3 of this year. That’s more than 10 other Glu Mobile app games combined, according to The Daily Dot.
The app has become hugely successful as over 22.8 million people have downloaded it.
The game is said to be addictive and Kim K acts as the fairy godmother.

PHOTOS: Most Beautiful African WAGs 2014

Adams Odunayo,

Popular site, Richestlifestyle.com that named President Goodluck Jonathan the 6th richest African President has released its Most Beautiful African WAGs ( wives and girlfriends of sportsmen) 2014.
The list paraded an array of women from different African countries who have ‘sportsmen’ as their lovers. Amazingly, according to the list, Joseph Yobo’s wife, Adaeze Yobo is the 4th Most Beautiful woman in Africa and the only Nigerian football stars’ wife worthy of making the Top 7 list.
Here is the list below:
1) Menaye Donkor

Sulley Ali-Muntari-and Menaye Donkor

The top of the list is Canadian-born Ghanaian model, entrepreneur and philanthropist won the Miss Universe Ghana in 2004. In 2007, she started dating Ghanaian footballer Sulley Muntari who plays for A.C. Milan. They were married on Christmas Day 2010. Most of Donkor’s business interests is real estate.
Also the most impressive WAG on the list who is definitely a self-made. Earning her degree in marketing from York University, Toronto, Canada, she currently holds Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Bachelor of Business Science (BBusSci), Master of Business Administration (MBA), and Master of Marketing Research (MMR).
2) Najah Wakil

Salomon Kalou and Wife Najah

This Puerto Rican-Somalian model is reportedly (unconfirmed) married to former Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou who now plays for Bundesliga club Hertha BSC.
3) Olivia Song

This young African beauty is married to her childhood sweetheart Barcelona defensive midfielder, Alex Song. The couple have two sons. Like most WAGs she is always in the stadium watching her husband play.
4) Adaeze Yobo

Joseph and Adaeze Yobo

A former pageant winner, Adaeze is married to Nigerian footballer Joseph Yobo who plays for Turkish club Fenerbahçe (loan: Norwich FC). The Nigerian couple tied the knot in 2011 and welcomed a baby boy, Joey Yobo in April 2010. The super hot WAG was ranked 92th on Bleacher Report’s 101 Sexiest Soccer Wives and Girlfriends in 2011.
5) Georgette Eto’o

Samuel and Georgette Etoo

After a nine-year relationship and two children, this Ivorian beauty and Cameroonian footballer, Samuel Eto’o officially got engaged with a reported £500,000 diamond ring. Her husband is the most decorated African footballer and the richest football player in Africa.
6) Chimene Akassou

Kolo Toure and Wife Chimene Akassou

This true African beauty is the wife of Kolo Toure, after nine years and two children together, the couple officially got married in June 2012.
7) Diakité Lalla

Didier Drogba wife Diakité Lalla

The media-shy Mrs. Drogba is from Mali, she met her husband Chelsea striker, Didier Drogba in Paris, France. In 2011, after 12 years together Lalla tied the knot with the father of her three children at the Marie de Monaco in Monaco. The private ceremony included American singer Akon, J Martins, Michael Essien, Salomon Kalou, Russian billionaire and Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.

My Mum Stood By Me After I Was Born Blind - Chidinma

Adams Odunayo,

Nigerian singer-songwriter, 2010 MTN Project Fame West Africa winner, Chidinma Ekile has revealed a story about her mum that will blow your mind. 

Chidinma

The 24-year-old born singer popularly known by her stage name Chidinma, told a touching story of how she was born blind and how her mum was there to see her through.
This story was shared to promote her new song, Martha. The song is dedicated to her mum and caring for the blind.


The beautiful singer made known how she was blind at birth and could not see for a while. Read the story below:

”I was conceived and certified totally Blind at birth. For fifteen nights this woman held me in her hands and wept uncontrollably, with my father calling on God to bless newly born Chidinma with sight…. On the 16th day I opened my eyes…. And they been open ever since.. I was born a very fragile baby with some health conditions. Her prayers took it all away.
Today I dedicate my entire life selflessly and earnings to catering to visually impaired/blind people. Life is such a wonderful and colorful piece of art and it must feel like hell not to envision Gods creation. THE Mma Charity Foundation is my little giveback the world.
“The song MARTHA is dedicated to my mother Mrs Martha Ekile. I DECIDED To show my fans a different side to Chidinma, a side never revealed to so many, a side I will forever remain grateful and indebted to Father Lord for His miraculous interventions and guidance in my life.”

It would be recalled that just recently, the Popular music star came out to make her status with Nigerian Hip hop artist, Olanrewaju Ogunmefun popularly known as Vector tha Viper, known.

Lilian Afegbai Stuns In Hot Photos

Adams Odunayo,

The 22-year-old model, actor and presenter is a year older today and she released some real sexily hot photos that amazed many.

It would be recalled that while in the BBA house, the ‘twerkstar’, got her bum massaged by Namibian housemate Linus during their ‘Physical Therapy’ session just a few hours into this year’s  Big Brother Africa’s show.

APC Plots House Takeover Dec. 3, PDP Govs Unsettled

APC Plots House Takeover Dec. 3, PDP Govs Unsettled

House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal
  Ruling party moves to put self in order     

• Chime, Ekweremadu reach agreement

There is a grand plot by the All Progressives Congress to take over the majority in the House of Representatives when the House resumes on December 3, THISDAY has learnt. The takeover is predicated on an arrangement to give APC tickets to members of the lower chamber from the current majority party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who may not secure their party’s ticket.

Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal had on October 28 defected from PDP to APC and adjourned sitting till December 3, setting off a war of attrition between both parties.

Ahead of the House of Representatives’ resumption, Tambuwal and APC are said to be putting up a plan that would have the Speaker return to a rousing reception by members which they hope would include aggrieved PDP members who would have lost their bid to get their party’s nomination in the primaries earlier slated for November 22.

APC, which is working on this scenario, is also said to be planning to take over the Senate in 2015 using a similar method anchored on the fact that some members of PDP would not win their party’s nomination to seek re-election in next year’s general election.

However, THISDAY gathered that PDP had already gotten wind of the APC plan and moved swiftly yesterday to postpone all the party’s primaries and national convention. Though the postponement of the party’s primaries, particularly that of the National Assembly to December 6 for House of Representatives and December 7 for Senate may deny Tambuwal a rousing welcome he planned to receive from members if PDP had conducted its Assembly primaries on November 22,  analysts believe that the postponement may not completely alter the APC plan, as some of the PDP legislators will still lose their party’s nomination whenever the primary is held anyway - a development which would provide opportunity for APC to lure them into its fold.

The APC senatorial primaries holds on November 29 while those for the House of Representatives is scheduled for November 24.
Under the new PDP timetable,  which is in an obvious move to circumvent the alleged APC plan to take over the House and also for PDP to gain time to try to resolve some of its internal troubles, the national convention earlier slated for December 6 will now hold on December 10 and December 11, while the date for the president, who is the sole candidate of the party, to return his completed form to the national secretariat is now November 15 and the screening of the president and appeal against his candidacy is now slated for November 26.

The new date for the return of completed governorship forms is November 14 and the screening and appeals of the governorship aspirants is between November 22 and 25 and the governorship primary election is billed to hold on December 8 and appeal, if any, is slated for December 9.

The  new date for the return of completed nomination forms for the National Assembly aspirants of the party is November 14 and screening and appeal is November 19 to 21, while the House of Representatives primary election is December 6 and the primaries for the senatorial aspirants is now December 7 and appeals is slated for  December 8.

Metuh, who announced the changes, said the Independent National Electoral Commission had been notified.

THISDAY also gathered last night that a recent meeting between President Goodluck Jonathan, who is also the national leader of PDP, and the party’s senators meant  to resolve some of the issues bordering on re-election tickets ahead of the next general election has also unsettled the PDP governors. The senatorial ambitions of some of the governors have clashed with the re-election plans of senators from their states, causing disagreements that seem to put the party on edge.

The meeting between the president and the senators was purposed to settle the rifts, and media reports had stated that the meeting resolved to give automatic tickets to two senators from each state, a development which unsettled the PDP governors.

A source at the meeting however said that  the speculated outcome of the meeting was just the position of the senators and not the meeting’s resolution.

THISDAY gathered last night that President Jonathan has slated an expanded meeting, which would have the governors and senators, for Tuesday.

The meeting is expected to work out an arrangement whereby governors who are interested in choosing their successors would be asked to shelve their senatorial ambitions.

Already, the proposed arrangement has been embraced in Enugu State as Governor Sullivan Chime who was nursing the ambition to replace the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has shelved his senatorial ambition and opted to nominate his successor. Ekweremadu, on his part, is now supporting the governor’s nominee, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

To further assure the PDP senators, who are aggrieved by what they allege to be the handover of the party’s state structures to state governors, the party has barred its state chapters from releasing the results of congresses.

The PDP National Working Committee has disclaimed any results from the state chapters regarding ad-hoc delegates election held penultimate Saturday, saying only the national leadership can release the results of the election. It said only the office of the national organising secretary had the right to release the results of the elections held in more than 8,000 wards across the federation.

This decision came as the party yesterday held congress elections in the 774 local governments in the country to elect national delegates that will participate in the December 6 presidential primary of the party.

The outcome of the ad-hoc delegates elections held two Saturdays ago had raised series of complaints, especially in Lagos, Oyo, Ondo, Delta, Imo, Enugu, and Cross River states. Members alleged internal manipulation by officials of the party.

A statement on Saturday by the PDP national publicity secretary Olisa Metuh, said, “The national leadership states categorically that only the National Working Committee, through the office of the national organising secretary can release the result of the ward congresses for the election of three-man ad-hoc delegate or any primary election conducted by our great party for that matter.”