Adichie focuses on Nigeria's present for new novel

Chimamanda Adichie

By JON GAMBRELL

The traffic is there, grinding life to a halt as the middle class pound out messages on BlackBerry mobile phones and worry about Facebook. The heat, the sweat and the daily tragedy of unclaimed bodies lying alongside roadways, passers-by hurrying past for fear of someone else's misfortune becoming entangled in their own.

This is modern life in Nigeria's largest city, Lagos, which becomes almost a character of its own in novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's new book, "Americanah." And within its pages, one catches self-acknowledged glimpses of the writer herself, who shot to fame with her previous love story set during Nigeria's civil war called "Half of a Yellow Sun."

Chief Fidelis Etim is dead

Late Chief Fidelis Etim

Chief Fidelis Etim, a PDP chieftain and close ally of former governor Victor Attah of Akwa Ibom State is dead.

Late Etim, a recipient of the national honour, Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR), was from Uruk Uso in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

A funeral arrangement published by Fidelis James George Etim (jnr) on behalf of the late Etim’s family, says the late clergyman and politician died on 30 March, 2013 at Abuja, Nigeria.

He will be buried on Saturday 18 May, 2013 in Uruk Uso, Ikot Ekpene.

2015: Akwa Ibom, Let's Go for the Best Wherever They Are Found Within the state!

2015 Akwa Ibom Governorship Contest: Uyo Senatorial District Unites to Battle Eket

Mr. Umana Okon Umana 

By Henry Nkom

It was the gathering of who is who as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uyo Senatorial District met yesterday, Sunday, 28 April, 2013 and agreed that they have to close ranks and fight as one family to clinch the governorship position being hotly contested by Eket Senatorial District in 2015.

SA man's mass wedding 'saved money'

By Pumza Fihlani
BBC News, Durban 

South African businessman Milton Mbele broke all the traditional rules of a polygamous wedding when he recently married four women on the same day.
The four brides dressed in flowing white gowns walked down the aisle together, before saying "We do" to the 44-year-old groom.
Mr Mbele says he didn't marry them purely for the spectacle but also because it made financial sense.

Model accidentally falls down while walking the runway in Lagos

Amal Contran ...... and down she goes!

Amal Contran, a half-Sudanese, half-Egyptian model who lives in Lagos took her dramatic tumble while walking the runway in Lagos, Nigeria, Thursday for Kinabuti, a Nigerian fashion house run by Italian designer Caterina Bortolussi.

Enyeama targets more glory, after winning 10th career title

 
by Colin Udoh

Days after helping Maccabi Tel Aviv to their first Israeli League title in 10 years, goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama wants more glory

Akpabio: A’Ibom lawmakers tackle Senator Aloysius Etok

Senator Aloysius Etok

by Etim Ekpimah

Lawmakers from Akwa Ibom North-West senatorial district in the State House of Assembly have said they will not support Senator Aloysius Etok’s bid to return to the National Assembly in 2015.

The lawmakers, under the aegis of Custodian of the Mandate of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, who made this known on Thursday, said they would rather support Governor Godswill Akpabio’s aspiration to the Senate.

Saraki mediates in Amaechi, Akpabio dispute

Gov. Godswill Akpabio

by John Alechenu, Abuja

There were strong indications that temporary reprieve might be coming the way of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party on Wednesday.

This followed a truce brokered between the Nigerian Governors’ Forum Chairman, Rotimi Ameachi and his PDP Governors’ Forum counterpart, Godswill Akpabio by the former NGF Chairman, Senator Bukola Saraki.

Daily Independent correspondent in Uyo attacks Frank Okon’s ex-lawyer, accuses him of ‘claiming N50 million for a case he never won’

Mr. Aniefiok Macaulay, Daily Independent correspondent in Uyo

By Nse Peter

Daily Independent correspondent in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, Mr. Aniefiok Macaulay is among the latest personalities to join the heated argument over the strained relationship between Mr. Frank Okon and his former lawyer, Mr. Andem Ndem, and he has some harsh words for Ndem who has filed a lawsuit against Okon in an Abuja high court.

2015: Eket group rejects zoning of governorship in Akwa Ibom

Mr. Samuel David, National President, Eket Senatorial District Consultative Assembly

“Politicians parading as governorship aspirants for 2015 who are advocating vigourously for zoning are self-seeking individuals with no known record of community service and positive political history and may eventually become a distraction and a nuisance for the (Eket) Senatorial District if not checked immediately.”

Dortmund beats Real Madrid 4-1 in Champs League

By CIARAN FAHEY

Borussia Dortmund followed Bayern Munich's lead in upending a Spanish power.

Robert Lewandowski scored four goals to lead Dortmund over Real Madrid 4-1 Wednesday night in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal.

Topless FEMEN Protesters Drench Belgian Archbishop André-Jozef Léonard, Protest Homophobia In Catholic Church (PHOTOS)

Topless activists of the protest movement FEMEN took aim at the Catholic Church on Tuesday, drenching Belgian archbishop André-Jozef Léonard during a debate in Brussels, Belgium.

Chief Okon Iyanam's Stand on Zoning of Governorship position in Akwa Ibom

Dwayne Johnson, The Rock, Has Emergency Hernia Surgery After WrestleMania Clash With John Cena

Dwayne Johnson, The Rock

WWE's fights may be fake, but the injuries? All too real. Case in point: Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson announced on Twitter recently that he would undergo surgery to repair damage sustained during his WrestleMania clash with John Cena earlier this month.

Governor Akpabio is laughing at you, lawyer tells Frank Okon

Mr. Frank Okon

By Nse Peter

Former PDP aspirant in the 2011 governorship election in Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Frank Okon’s dispute with his erstwhile lawyer, Mr. Andem Ndem has sparked off debates on the Internet, even as a Uyo-based legal practitioner, Mr. Anthony Ebuk has admonished Okon that the manner in which he has parted ways with Ndem will give Governor Godswill Akpabio cause to laugh at him.

Eket had Clement Isong, U.J. Esuene, it’s now the turn of Oro to produce the next governor in Akwa Ibom – Effiong Eyo Snr,

Mr. Effiong Eyo Snr , from Udung Uko Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, voluntarily retired from the Nigerian army after serving the Nigerian nation for 20 years.  Today, he is very much into business and politics. In this interview with THINK AKWA IBOM!, Eyo, a PDP member, gives reasons why the governor of Akwa Ibom State in 2015 must come from the Oro people within the Eket Senatorial District

Mr. Eyo Effiong Snr

 



 

 

By Nse Peter

In the world over, political debate has always been, and remains a part of democracy. How do you welcome the zoning debate in Akwa Ibom State?

Political debate should be embraced in Akwa Ibom State because in modern democracy, every citizen needs to know what a candidate can offer before casting his or her vote.

So, it can be assumed that you personally consider the zoning debate as being healthy for Akwa Ibom State?

Yes, I consider the zoning debate very healthy in a place like Akwa Ibom where we have other minority ethnic groups. If there is no zoning, some people will feel marginalised.

Football: Manchester United wins 20th Premier League title

Manchester United has won the Premier League title after securing a 3-0 victory over Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Monday.

PASTOR DENNIS INYANG AT 50: MY WIFE MARRIED ME WHEN EVERY OTHER WOMAN WOULD HAVE REJECTED ME

Pastors Dennis and Aity Inyang

By Tony Ogaga Erhariefe

I had been seated and waiting for over 30 minutes when his secretary, light complexioned Jenny lit my afternoon with another bright toothy smile.

“Pastor will see you now,” Jenny motioned to me as she led the way into a matchbox outer office that led to two inner large offices.

Football: Liverpool player, Suarez bites opponent's arm for 2nd time in 4 yrs

In the latest chapter of Luis Suarez's controversial career, the Uruguayan bit the arm of Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic during Sunday's 2-2 draw in the Premier League.

Nigeria seizes ship with 2,500 T of stolen fuel

Nigerian authorities have seized a ship carrying 2,500 tonnes of fuel refined from stolen oil in the creeks of the Niger Delta, home to Africa's biggest energy industry, they said on Sunday.

Obasanjo had a killer squad as president — Former associate

by Tunde Odesola, Segun Olatunji, Allwell Okpi and Leke Baiyewu

A former associate of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Mr. Richard Odusanya, on Saturday alleged that the former chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party’s Board of Trustees was in charge of a killer squad that was formed under the military regime of late Gen. Sani Abacha.

Police arrest A’Ibom lawmaker for murder

by Etim Ekpimah

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command on Friday confirmed the arrest of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly member representing Ikono State Constituency, Mr. Victor Udofia, over the alleged murder of one Mr. Nsikak Etefia.

Boston Marathon bomber manhunt: Police nab suspect alive

The suspect, Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev

By Jason Sickles and Liz Goodwin

BOSTON—Police have nabbed the 19-year-old suspected Boston Marathon bomber, after a day-long manhunt that completely shut down the city of Boston and several suburbs.

Okorocha Sustains Head Injury In Road Accident

The convoy of the Governor of Imo State; Mr Rochas Okorocha has been involved in a head-on collision in Orlu local government area of the state and the governor sustained minor head injuries.
The Governor was on a scheduled inspection tour to some state projects in the area when the accident occurred.

A statement signed by the media aide to the Governor; Ebere Ozoukwa, stated that the Governor’s convoy was involved in the accident in Orlu town in Orlu Local government area of the state.

According to Mr Ozoukwa, “the governor sustained a minor injury which is a minor cut on his head but he is presently in a good and stable condition and has been attended to by medical personnel.”

The Governor can be seen in the picture with a bandage rolled all over his head with some blood stains.
The statement advised the general public especially Imo citizens not to “panic and should go about with their normal duties since the Governor is in a good and stable condition and responding to necessary treatment.”

Source: www.channelstv.com

I am not unhappy at Real Madrid, says Mourinho

Jose Mourinho

The Blancos boss says there is no such thing as the perfect club but has put talks over his future on hold until the end of the season.

The stories of 2 brothers suspected in the Boston bombing

Photos of the suspects

By JEFF DONN and JOCELYN NOVECK

In May of 2011, Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev, then a senior at a prestigious high school, was awarded a $2,500 scholarship from the city of Cambridge, Mass., to pursue higher education. Now, Tsarnaev is on the run, described as "armed and dangerous" and suspected of the Boston Marathon bombing.

Constitution: Nigerians reject rotational presidency, immunity, state police

National Assembly, Abuja

by John Ameh, Abuja

Nigerians have rejected the inclusion of rotational presidency, immunity for the President and governors as well as state police in the ongoing amendments to the 1999 Constitution.

They also kicked against the clamour for resource control by oil producing communities and the call to raise the derivation principle from the current 13 per cent to 20 per cent.

Omotola makes Time’s world most influential list

Omotola

by Temitayo Famutimi

Nollywood actress, Omotola Jolaade-Ekeinde, has made the list of the 100 most influential people in the world.

The TIME Magazine, in its 2013 edition of TIME 100, released on Thursday, which encompasses world leaders, pioneers, artistes and other titanic figures, listed Omotola on its Icon List.

Frank Okon dragged to court by his former lawyer, Andem Ndem

Mr. Frank Okon

By Nse Peter

 It is confirmed that Barr. Andem Ndem has filed a lawsuit at Abuja high court against his former client, Mr. Frank Okon, a former PDP aspirant in Akwa Ibom State who is still in court challenging the 2011 election of Godswill Akpabio as the governor of the state.

Boston Marathon bomber manhunt: One in custody, second on the run, reports say

Photos of one of the suspects picked up from surveilance videos

By Jason Sickles and Dylan Stableford

BOSTON—A late-night police chase and shootout has ended with one marathon bombing suspect being captured here, the Boston Globe reported. Meanwhile, an intense manhunt is underway for a second suspect in the terror case.

Saudi Arabia Reportedly Deports Men for Being ‘Too Handsome’

Kingdom Tower illuminated at night on King Fahad Road in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

It’s a good problem to have, but it’s still a problem for three men who have reportedly been deported from Saudi Arabia for being “too  handsome.”
The  men were visiting Saudi Arabia from the United Arab Emirates to attend the annual Jenadrivah Heritage & Cultural Festival in Riyadh. They were apparently minding their own business when members of Saudi Arabia’s religion police entered the pavilion and forcibly removed them from the festival. Their offense? They were considered “too handsome” to stay for fear that women would find them irresistible, according to the Arabic-language newspaper Elaph.

"A festival official said the three Emiratis were taken out on the grounds they are too handsome and that the Commission [for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vices] members feared female visitors could fall for them,” Elaph reported this week, as quoted on the website Arabian Business. The Emirati men were subsequently deported to Abu Dhabi. In Saudi Arabia women are largely prohibited from interacting with unrelated males.

After the incident, the UAE released an official statement indicating that the religious police may have been on high alert due to the unplanned (and, we assume, unnerving) presence of an unnamed female artist, reported the Telegraph. It’s unclear whether the men were evicted in relation to that incident, however.

Source: http://newsfeed.time.com

ACN, Presidency clash over Jonathan’s Lagos visit today

President Goodluck Jonathan

by Niyi Odebode, Olalekan Adetayo and Damilola Owoyele

President Goodluck Jonathan’s scheduled visit to Lagos today has sparked a war of words between the Action Congress of Nigeria and the Presidency.

Jonathan is expected to arrive in Lagos on Thursday (today) en route to Ibafo in Ogun State where he will inaugurate WEMPCO’s Cold Roll Steel Plant.

But the ACN said on Wednesday that the visit was primarily aimed at scuttling its national convention today at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos. The Presidency however described the allegation as baseless and another in the series of “wolf crying” that has become the ACN trait.

Ekarika’s remark on zoning raises credibility issues for Udoedehe’s 2011 governorship aspiration

Senator Udoedehe

By Nse Peter

Dr. Udoma Bob Ekarika, the son-in-law to former governor Victor Attah joins the Akwa Ibom zoning debate with a paid one-page advertorial in this week edition of Weekly Insight newspaper where he made a case for the zoning of the 2015 governorship position in Akwa Ibom State, to Eket Senatorial District.

Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote to invest $8 billion in building refinery in Nigeria

Aliko Dangote

By Tim Cocks

Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote, plans to invest up to $8 billion to build a Nigerian oil refinery with a capacity of around 400,000 barrels a day by late 2016, the tycoon told Reuters on Tuesday, almost doubling Nigeria's refining capacity.

At least 2 dead, dozens hurt after two bombs explode at Boston Marathon

At least two people are dead and dozens injured – including up to 10 with amputated limbs – after two bombs tore through the finish line of the Boston Marathon, U.S, according to the Boston Police Department.

35-year old amateur Nigerian kick-boxer dies in U.S after a fight

Felix Pablo Elochukwu just before the fatal fight

Felix Nchikwo, a 35-year old Nigerian-Canadian fighting under the name Felix Pablo Elochukwu, passed away following an April 5 unregulated mixed martial arts bout in Port Huron, Michigan, U.S.

2015 Senatorial Election: Akpabio names Senator Aloysius Etuk campaign manager

Senator Aloysius Etuk

Akwa Ibom State governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, has named Senator Aloysius Etuk as his campaign manager for the 2015 senatorial election, The Punch newspaper reported.

Akwa Ibom: Gunmen shoot woman, abduct son

M D Abubakar, Inspector-General of Police

Culled from The Punch

by Etim Ekpimah

Two gunmen in Akwa Ibom State shot a middle-aged woman, Mrs. Elizabeth Obio, and abducted her two-year-old son.

Journalists in Uyo call for dissolution of Petroleum Monitoring Task Force, describe Akwa Ibom as ‘costliest place to buy petroleum products’

Mr. Joe Effiong, Chair, NUJ, Akwa Ibom State

The Akwa Ibom State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has passed a vote of no confidence on the State Task Force on Petroleum Monitoring, an agency set up by the state government to regulate sales and availability of petroleum products in the state.

Retired Perm Sec, Arit Okpo Regains Position

Gov. Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State

By Usiere Akpan

The Akwa Ibom government has reversed its earlier compulsory retirement order on one of its permanent secretaries to a suspension.

Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets Maul Ghana’s Starlets 6-1 at Africa U-17 Tourney

 Isaac Success - Eaglets striker wants to live up to his name in Morocco

By MTNFootball.com

Eaglets striker Success Isaac has said he hopes to live up to his name in Morocco after he scored five goals in six qualifying matches.

The burly striker was blooded at the famous Megap Soccer Academy in Benin City. Incidentally, it is the academy that produced Super Eagles defender at the 2013 African Cup of Nations in South Africa, Elderson Echejile, who now serves as a mentor for Success.

Success is indeed a real admirer of great strikers including the late 1993 African Footballer of the Year, Rashid Yekini .

Yet his burning desire is to score as many goals as possible to ensure that the high-flying Golden Eaglets are crowned champions on April 27 at Stade de Marrakech. He has the built and proficiency in front of goals similar to that of Yekini, who fired the Super Eagles to glory at the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations.

“Yes, I have heard so much about Rashid Yekini,” revealed Success with a wide grin. “In fact, he is one of my favourite Nigerian players because he was a great goal scorer.

“Of course, yes.  I would like to score goals for the Golden Eaglets to win the African Under-17 title since I was told Yekini did same for Nigeria at the Nations Cup in 1994 and that would be a dream come true for me.”

Success’ story with the Golden Eaglets is inspirational. He was actually not on the list of shortlisted players who were picked at the open screening conducted for budding players. But like a thief in the night, he sneaked his way into the team’s closed camping and was given  a look-in by the ever-patient  Golden Eaglets coach, Manu Garba.

“Success has the attributes of a good striker,” said Garba who seldom singles out players for praises. “He’s strong on the ball, very effective and always ready to learn.”

The same was attested to by Rwanda’s Under-17 French coach, Richard Tady when Success rose from the substitutes’ bench to destroy the Junior Wasps in a 3-0 win in a friendly last September by assisting teammate, Chidera Ezeh, in scoring two of his hat-trick.

“That boy (No 9) actually changed the course of the game,” a crest-fallen Tady said after the near collapse of his wards after Success was brought into the fray.

“You could see that we were coping well in the first half, but the game changed immediately that boy came in; he is strong and you can see that he created two of the goals against us.”

Success is not only a creative player; he has scored his own share of goals for the Golden Eaglets. He is one of the team’s top scorers with 18 goals from all the 27 matches (including qualifiers for CAN 2013 as well as international and local friendly matches)  under the belt of the Golden Eaglets.

“Whatever we did during the qualifiers is now in the past and our focus now is the championship,” he said. “I have already set a target of goals for myself at this competition and I’m ready to sacrifice for the team.

“I don’t care about who will emerge as the top scorer at this tournament, my main objective is to help Nigeria win the cup and we must show the stuff we are made off  with the game against Ghana on Sunday.”

Gov. Akpabio Graces 20th Remembrance service of late Brig. Gen. U. J. Esuene

Gov. Godswill Akapbio chatting with Senator Helen Esuene during the 20th Remembrance Thanksgiving service of Late Brig. U. J. Esuene over the weekend in Eket, Akwa Ibom State.

 

MEND Plans “Operation Barbarossa,” To Save Christian Population of Nigeria

MEND operatives in the Niger Delta 

By SaharaReporters

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) says that beginning on Friday, May 31, it will embark on a crusade to save the Christianity in Nigeria from annihilation.

To be called “Operation Barbarossa,” MEND said its campaign will comprise bombing of mosques, hajj camps, Islamic institutions, large congregations in Islamic events and assassinations of clerics.”

Lion Air jet crashes into sea in Indonesian resort island of Bali; 45 hurt

All 108 passengers and crew survived after a new Lion Air jet crashed into the ocean and snapped into two while attempting to land Saturday on the Indonesian resort island of Bali, injuring up to 45 people, the Associated Press has reported.

Gov. Akpabio dressed in army uniform….. Fit to be addressed as a ‘General’! What do you think?

Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio, flanked (from the left) by Mr. Umana Okon Umana, Secretary to the State Government; Lt. Col. Mohammed Abdullahi, Commander, 13 Brigade Nigerian Army, Calabar and Brigadier-Gen. Okwudili Azinta, Commander, 6 Battalion Ibagwa, during the 2013 Army Shooting Range Exercise at 6 Infantry Battalion Ibagwa, Abak on Friday, 12 April, 2013.

Bayern Munich to face Barcelona, Real Madrid draws Dortmund in Champions League semifinals

By Mark Doyle

Bayern Munich will face Barcelona in the semifinals of the Champions League, while Real Madrid has been paired with Borussia Dortmund, setting up the possibility for an all-German or all-Spanish final.

The Bavarians have claimed the continent’s top prize on five previous occasions and are desperate to atone for defeat in last year’s tournament decider against Chelsea.

Meanwhile, Barcelona, semifinalists for the sixth year in a row, is seeking its third Champions League title in five seasons. The pairing pits together former Barcelona player and manager Pep Guardiola's old side against the one he is set to take over at the end of the season, as Bayern manager Jupp Heynckes makes way for the Spanish boss.

Barca's Liga rivals Madrid is bidding for its 10th European Cup, while Blancos boss Jose Mourinho is hoping to become the first coach to lift the trophy with three clubs, having previously prevailed with Porto and Inter.

Dortmund has made just one previous appearance in the final, in 1997, when it upset Juventus in Munich. The pairing sets up a two rematches from the group stage, as both Madrid and Dortmund got through this season's Group of Death. Dortmund won the first meeting 2-1, and the two teams played to a 2-2 draw in their second encounter.

The first legs will be played on April 23 and 24, with the return fixtures to come on April 30 and May 1. The final, meanwhile, will take place at London's Wembley Stadium on May 25.

Culled from Goal.com

Man impregnates two daughters, attempts raping third

M.D Abubakar, IG of Police

by Mike Odiegwu Yenagoa

A 58-year-old man from Agbura community, Yenagoa Local Government, Bayelsa State was on Thursday arrested by the police for allegedly impregnating his two daughters.

The suspect, whose name was not disclosed, was also said to have attempted to rape his third daughter.

2015: Akpabio, Udodehe Share Common Stand On Zoning