FG sets up inter-ministerial committee on NEITI reports

The Federal Government on Friday in Abuja inaugurated an Inter-Ministerial task team to ensure the implementation of reports from the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative to recover all unremitted revenues discovered from audit findings.

The decision was sequel to allegations of inconsistencies in the management of resources in the oil and gas sector.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, while performing the inauguration, said Nigeria consciously signed up to NEITI based on a clear conviction” that once transparency was implanted in the management of the nation’s abundant extractive resources, it will boost the government’s efforts towards poverty reduction, sustainable development, social harmony as well as better investment climate”.

Madalla bombing: Kabiru Sokoto bags life sentence

 

Kabiru Sokoto

Boko Haram suspect, Kabiru Umar, alias Kabiru Sokoto, was on Friday sentenced to life imprisonment by an Abuja Federal High Court for his role in terrorist activities, including the December 25, 2011 bombing of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Madalla, Niger State.

Evidence that emerged in Sokoto’s six months trial indicated that he was the governor of Sokoto State in the hierarchy of the Boko Haram group.

Justice Adeniyi Ademola found Kabiru Sokoto guilty of facilitating terrorist activities in Sokoto State, and having prior knowledge of the bomb attack at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church.

Kabiru Sokoto, who was finally apprehended by operatives of the State Security Service in the Borno State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja after escaping from the custody of police officers who initially arrested him, was arraigned by the Federal Government on April 19, 2013 on a two- count charge bordering on terrorism.

In count one of the charges; the Federal Government alleged that between 2007 and 2012, Sokoto facilitated bomb attacks on the police headquarters in Sokoto State and some other government organisations in the state, an offence contrary to section 15(2) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act 2004.

Pacquiao fight will never happen –Mayweather

Floyd Mayweather  has hinted the long-awaited encounter against Manny Pacquiao will never go ahead while the Fillipino star remains with promoter Bob Arum, according to FightHype,com.

The fight is predicted to gross around $300m  if it goes ahead,  which would be the highest total in history, and has been talked about by boxing fans and pundits for years.

But it seems that a long-running feud with Arum could be the roadblock for any potential fight for Mayweather, stemming from the days the promoter used to work with the undefeated American.

Mayweather split with Arum in 2006 amid accusations of underpaying and undermarketing him and has vowed to never work with anyone associated with his fellow countryman.

We are scarred for life – Children raped by own fathers (1)

It is no ordinary crime. Incest, a distant word to many, claims its victims body and soul  and shatters every sense of normalcy a child who grows up to experience such act is supposed to have. Such is the life of Bola and Tolu, who endured a sexual abuse by their father for two years. But for Susan, who had two children for her father, it is a different kettle of fish as a result of the identity problem her children will have to contend with. KUNLE FALAYI reports

Sexual abuse is one of the greatest crimes that could be committed against a child. The United Nations Convention on Rights of Child and Nigeria’s Child Rights Act give prominence to the protection of a child in the society as a result of this and specifically make case for the importance of the “primary care giver” which is the child’s immediate family.

 But for many children, they are captives in their own family as they are constantly sexually assaulted by their own fathers. For such children, the scar the act leaves in their lives will not likely be erased anytime soon.

World’s fastest man, Usain Bolt, races against a bus

 

Usain Bolt

In Buenos Aires, the world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt, raced against a bus – and won.

The bus had no chance against the Jamaican sprinter in the 80m exhibition race. Bolt appeared to take it seriously going in, then began to jog, only to pick up his pace again before crossing the finish line.

After beating the bus, Bolt then posed with the driver afterwards and also raced a 120m sprint against fellow Jamaicans.

Bolt, who won gold medals in two consecutive Olympic Games, in Beijing and London, said he had his eyes set on winning a third time in the Rio De Janeiro Olympics in 2016.

He said, “One of my main goals is to go to the Rio Olympics, as I was saying, to do it again. To defend my titles and it’s never been done three times so, for me, that’s me trying to set the bar as high as possible, just to push the barrier.”

Nigeria’s chances at CHAN 2014

Segun Agbede

The Super Eagles will be making their debut at the third edition of the 16-nation Championship of African Nations (CHAN)  between January the  11 and  February 1,  2014. It is a tournament designed specifically for players plying their trade in their domestic leagues. Tunisia beat Angola  3-0 in the final of the  last edition of the tournament in Sudan  in February 2011. Unfortunately,  the reigning champions failed to qualify for next year’s edition in South Africa  and will be unable to defend their title.

Nigeria  coach Stephen Keshi has done his best to lower  the nation’s  expectations on winning  CHAN, as well he should. The Eagles are in the tough Group A comprising hosts South Africa, Mozambique and Mali.

Group B features  Zimbabawe, Uganda, Burkina Faso and Morocco. Group C has Ghana, Congo, Libya and Ethiopia. To compete in  Group D are DR  Congo, Gabon, Burundi and Mauritania. This  is probably the most open group in the tournament. Groups A and B are based in Cape Town, while Groups C and D are based in Manguang and Polokwane, respectively.

Managing my bald head is often a challenge –Ik Ogbonna

 

Ik Ogbonna

Model and Nollywood actor, IK Ogbonna, talks about his style with Ademola Olonilua

From your perspective, what is the difference between style and fashion?

The manner in which a design is brought to light, the art of creating, what makes one thing different from the other; at the end, fashion is a statement made out of a process. While style and fashion go hand-in-hand, style to me is the way in which fashion is carried; your ability to define yourself through a particular fashion. You can look expensive but what style do you carry your look with? Charisma, personality; the way you talk, walk, your ability to define yourself through fashion, that is style.

Mikel key to Eagles success in Brazil – Etim

Mikel

Ex-international Etim Esin says Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi can play a key role in Nigeria’s title pursuit at next year’s World Cup in Brazil.

Mikel has won the Premier League (2010), UEFA Champions League (2012), Europa League (2013), and boasts four FA Cup gold medals in his seven years at Stamford Bridge.

And Etim hopes the Super Eagles will benefit from the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner’s big-game experience at the World Cup.

“Mikel  has played against some of the players we are going to play against  at the World Cup and his experience will be crucial in our matches,” the former Nigeria attacking midfielder told our correspondent on the telephone during the week.

Eaglets and their Super Eagles positions

Pius Ayinor

Since the Golden Eaglets won the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup, I have followed arguments on how best to handle this group of players. While a majority of those who have spoken want a fast integration into the senior teams, some others think it should be a gradual process as the players are still “very young.”

It is those who desire a slower integration that I am challenging today. What they are saying indirectly is that if Neymar were to be a Nigerian he would still have been with at most the U-20 team if not lower. And I know that that there are still many other players who made it to their national teams in quick sprint like the Wilsheres, Rooneys and Samel Eto’o.

Christmas or not, the show must go on for celebrities

 

Along with the yuletide comes fun, probably the most amazing fun a person did not have the luxury of having during the year. The season is so synonymous with with fun that most institutions close shop till the New Year. Apart from it being a season to kick back and relax, most people also make it a season to catch up on old times with friends and families. Most times, people use the opportunity to travel to their villages to see their aged loved ones. The period is probably the only time of the year some people have the luxury to embark on such journeys.

However, while most Nigerians are enjoying the festive season, it is work as usual for their favourite celebrities. As the saying goes in the showbiz world, ‘the show must go on’.

While speaking with Saturday Beats, some celebrities shared their plans for the season, with most of them scheduled to work on Christmas Day.

In a telephone conversation, controversial television presenter with Channel O, Denrele Edun, surprisingly asked Saturday Beats about Christmas as if it was a strange word. Edun said he would be working on that day.

D’banj, Genevieve an item again

 

D’banj and Genevieve

Barely a month ago, in an interview with E-Punch, D’banj said he would love to marry Nollywood actress, Genevieve. His declaration became the major topic of that week especially online as their fans began wondering if they would get back together as few years ago, when the two superstars were an item.

So many people might not have reckoned with the story but  last weekend, the multiple award winning actress was seen in the arms of the Kokomaster, at the Gulder Club Ultimate party.

Looking dapper in a white shirt, straight cut black jeans and a black waist coat, D’banj drove into the event in a Black Bentley seconds after Genevieve came in her G-Wagon.

Freed Russian tycoon Khodorkovsky reunites with son

 Russian former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky has been reunited with his son after being freed from jail.
A spokesman for Khodorkovsky confirmed the reunion as he spent his first night of freedom in a decade, at a hotel in the German capital Berlin.
Olga Pispanen said the 50-year-old’s parents are about to fly from Moscow to Berlin to see him.
President Vladimir Putin surprised Russians this week by announcing a pardon for Khodorkovsky.
Khodorkovsky, the former head of the now defunct oil giant Yukos and once Russia’s richest man, had once been a vocal critic of Mr Putin and used his wealth to fund opposition parties.

Terrorists attack Borno barracks, Jonathan calls emergency meeting

President Goodluck Jonathan held an emergency meeting with security chiefs on Friday following yet another attack  by rampaging Boko Haram insurgents in Bama, the headquarters of Bama Local Government Council.

The Bama attack which occurred on Thursday night left many victims dead in its wake.

The emergency security meeting was held to assess the spate and magnitude of insurgents in the areas under emergency rule in the country.

Jonathan confirmed the meeting with security chiefs in the morning of Friday while speaking at the decoration ceremony for newly promoted generals of the Armed Forces.

He said, “I remember when I came in, I had had a meeting with the service chiefs and the Inspector General of Police because of what happened in Bama yesterday.”

The President did not give details of the attack which culminated in the meeting before he attended the decoration ceremony scheduled for 8 AM.

Don Jazzy thanks D’banj, Wande Coal for award

 

Don Jazzy

No matter the kind of ‘beef’ Don Jazzy may have had with his former colleagues, D’banJ and Wande Coal, the young man certainly surprised so many people when he more or less, dedicated an award he won over the weekend to them.

He received the Flytime Entertainment Legend Awards given to him during the just concluded Harp Rhythm Unplugged and while on the podium Don Jazzy expressed surprise that he was considered for the awards. “I did not even know that they give award to people at Rhythm Unplugged,” he said.

Ousted Egypt leader Morsi to face third criminal trial

 Ousted Egyptian president Mohammed Morsi will face a third criminal trial, over his jail breakout in 2011.  He is accused of the “premeditated murder of some prisoners, officers and soldiers” when he was freed from a Cairo prison in January 2011.

Offa robbery: Banks in hurried closure

 

Many commercial banks in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, on Friday, about 1pm hurriedly closed operations for the day as a precautionary measure against robbery attacks.

One of the security men of one of the banks who pleaded anonymity told our correspondent that they got information that armed robbers may strike anytime as they did in Offa on Thursday.

He added that they were asked to close to avoid the attacks and the resultant possible loss of personnel and depositors’ money.

One of the branch managers who was yet to close told our correspondent in confidence that he was aware of the robbery scare and was tidying up to getting clearance from the bank’s head office so as to close the bank’s operation for as Thursday.

Uganda passes anti-gay bill that includes life in prison

 

After years of controversy, the Ugandan parliament has passed a bill that punishes certain acts of homosexuality with life in prison.

A Ugandan lawmaker first introduced the bill in 2009, sparking worldwide condemnation for tough measures that included the death penalty.

Fan ban lifted for Milan derby

Football | Italy

Inter Milan will have their hardcore "ultra" supporters present for Sunday's Milan derby after the Italian Football Federation's (FIGC) Court of Justice suspended a partial stadium closure while it carries out further investigations.
AS Roma will also have their most vocal fans present when they host Catania on Sunday after a similar suspension was lifted for the same reason.
"The Inter and Roma curvas have been reopened with an interim ordinance suspending the penalty and asks for further investigations to be carried out by the Federal Prosecutor's Office," wrote the FIGC (www.figc.it) on its website on Friday.

Silver eye top spot

Football | Malawi

There is more than revenge at stake for Malawi TNM Super League defending champions Silver Strikers when they entertain stubborn rookies Evirom at Silver Stadium, Lilongwe on Sunday.
Evirom might be placed second from the bottom of the 15-member league on 20 points from 27 games, but they go down with an enviable record of having beaten the giants Silver 1-0 in the first round.
Captain Harold Zulu, who stepped forward to coolly score from the penalty spot, will be expected to lead the Blantyre minnows into this battle in Lilongwe.