Edo State: Soldiers intercept electoral materials!Edo State: Soldiers intercept electoral materials!

Soldiers deployed in Edo State during the National Assembly elections on Saturday intercepted a truckload of electoral materials allegedly meant for three states at Igbegun junction in Igueben Local Government Area of the state.Click Here To Read More >>>

Breaking News: Explosion At INEC Kills 25 Youth Corpers!

A dirty bomb which exploded inside the Suleja, Niger State office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has killed 25 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and severely wounded about 48 others, according to multiple sources in Suleja.

THEWILL gathered that the explosion occurred at about 5.47. pm at the Kwamba area office of the commission just when corpers hired as adhoc staff by INEC for Saturday’s election were checking the notice board to know where they have been posted to.

Multiple sources told THEWILL correspondent in Niger State that the impact of the blast was so severe that it left many victims dismembered.

“The bomb must have been planted very close to the corpers because body parts were scattered all over the premises. The place was packed full when suddenly there was a loud bang,” one of our sources said.

THEWILL gathered that the remains of the dead and those wounded have been taken to the Suleja General Hospital.
The Niger State Police Commissioner Bala Hassan has relocated to Suleja while investigation into the incident has commenced, according to police spokesman for Niger State, Mr. Richard Oguche, who confirmed the blast.

He added that those who carried out the bombing would be apprehended.

No group has claimed responsibility for the blast.

Recall that last month, multiple blasts during a PDP campaign rally killed about 9 persons in the area.

Source...

Jide Kosoko attacked on the street!

(Hand raised) Jide Kosoko in midst of the crowd

The incident happened on Friday April 1st around 2pm around Ojota, Lagos. And according to an eyewitness (who sent in the photo), Prince Jide Kosoko mistakenly rammed into a passerby, although he didn't injure the man. Then the passerby picked up an object and hit Jide Kosoko's four wheel drive. Mr Kosoko came out of his car and held onto the man. But before it could become a fight, a small crowd gathered and separated the two men.

Jide Kosoko eventually had to part with some cash to appease the onlookers who recognised him and started hailing him.

Abuja Lover delivers baby girl for 9ice!!!

9ice

It’s a baby girl for singer 9ice and his Abuja-based partner Bukky!

Although the pair would prefer to keep it hush hush, we can reliably tell you that they are taking their relationship a step further with the arrival, early last week, of their first baby together.


Sources close to 9ice tell us the singer -who’s separated from his wife Toni Payne – has been a regular visitor to Abuja, since Bukky – a fair-complexioned older woman – took in last year.

The relationship has never been public, even though those close to the singer are well aware they’re seriously dating.

We cannot tell for now, if the pair is planning to get married; especially as 9ice and Payne are still legally married.

Multiple sources tell us this lady is the reason the singer has been a regular visitor to Abuja; and that his ex Toni Payne is – unhappily- aware of the relationship. ‘In fact almost all the ladies close to him know of her. She herself even went out of her way to contact them‘, our source offers.

Sources say Bukky’s baby, a girl, was delivered on Monday March 21. The baby is 9ice’s second. His first son named Zion was delivered on Thursday December 4, 2008, at Presbytarian Hospital, Southern California, United States of America.

I can tell you for sure that 9ice has gotten the girl pregnant, and she has put to bed. Toni knows. But even her is keeping quiet but it’ll be a source of embarrassment for her‘, one of 9ice’s close friends tells us. He does not want to be named.

I can’t tell if he’ll marry her or not. But she’s very close to him and I believe they’re serious‘. He disclosed.

9ice’s manager Dehinde Fajana through a telephone conversation, Fajana claimed that he is ignorant of the situation and questioned the existence of his boss’ Abuja partner.

‘Is there any partner there? Does 9ice have any partner in Abuja? I’m sorry, I don’t know’ Fajana responded.

9ice did not immediately respond to our enquiries.

PASTOR TUNDE BAKARE ACCEPTS TO BE BUHARI'S RUNNING MATE FOR THE 2011 PRESiDENTIAL ELECTION.

Why did you accept to run with Muhammadu Buhari?

If you understand my passion for this country, demonstrated over the years, I want to see a Nigeria that works in my lifetime and that was one of the motivations that started the Save Nigeria Group. In all my ministerial life, maybe three quarters of my messages are all on Nigeria and what is happening to the country at large.

In October last year, after meeting so many political gladiators, some of them are now party candidates. I came across so many of them, and I can say today that so far, one of them that I have found worthy in terms of credibility is Buhari. He needs to just build bridges with others so that we can win this election. All the time I was doing that, I never knew that I was going to take part in the political process other than just mobilizing people to vote in the 2011 elections, but all I know is that he wants me and when he made the call to ask me if I would consider running with him, I made consultations, and at the end of the day, I felt this is one way to contribute to the future of my country.

Before he called you, did you ever contemplate seeking an elective post or going into politics?

Not in 2010, not in 2011. I never considered running for any offices. As a matter of fact, in all that you have been reading or listening to, I said so that I am not going to take part in the political process other than mobilize the people.

So it was his call that led to your change of mind?

Well, I think so, and because of the situation in my country. Whether one person is running or the other person is running, I think that all Nigerians should be running. I am being modest. I think that all Nigerians should wake up and rise up now to do what is right.

Critics are saying that religious leaders should not go into politics. What do you say to them?

In Romans 13, the Bible says that every authority that exists is ordained by God and he calls those in government, ministers of God almighty. So ministry is not limited to the pulpit. Ministry is whatever you are doing to serve God and humanity.

President Goodluck Jonathan is enjoying an incumbent’s privilege. does that worry you?


Well, as a matter of fact, President Jonathan himself is a child of necessity. It is the death of President Umaru Yar’Adua that brought him into the office and I respect that office, and the truth is if Nigerians are not troubled and Nigerians are getting what they should get, nobody would even be thinking of contesting an election against him. I know there are professional politicians who seize every four years for them to rise up, but if someone is doing a good job, running against such a person is a vision stud. You will lose everything, including your resources and efforts. But right now, the cry of an average Nigerian is ‘anything but PDP’, but we are not just going to replace them with just anybody. We need to get credible people and we will move this nation forward and pull it from the brinks.

Do you mean that Nigerians deserve more than what the present government is giving?

Exactly. Even looking [at the past] 50 years, Nigerians deserve better.

Was the Save Nigeria group created for the purpose of Buhari’s presidency as it has been speculated?

Well, you can do some investigation yourself, because now you want me to be a judge in my own court. At the time Save Nigeria Group began, it was to address a major and vital issue — the issue of power hijack. Those who were not elected to serve in the office of the presidency of the country were exercising the authority to do what they liked. It was the health issue that took President Yar’Adua away that brought us into the streets. It was not PDP or CPC that took us to the streets. It was after that time that we now began to start thinking of 2011 to be the year of the voters and the year that our citizenship must be enlightened; social mobility must be restored and sovereignty must be the lot of our people. We must choose the best, the most competent and the country people must be free to express themselves at the polls. That was the purpose for the SNG; it has nothing to do with this party or that party and it has never teamed up with any political party.

Many believe that Buhari is a religious fanatic. How do you see him?

I have had the privilege of sitting with him, to see his environment, to see what he does. He relates with all kinds of people from different backgrounds, different walks of life and different religious persuasions. To be fair to him, yes, he is a good muslim. As you know, by God’s grace, I am also a practising Christian and if such a man can say today that he is appointing a pastor to be his running mate, does that not confirm he is not? So that is it.

Source.....

Mercy Johnson and others wıns 2011 Future Awards!!!!

Mercy Johnson

This year is already looking so bright for Mercy Jonson as she pıcked up the award for the Best Actress of the year at the Future Awards ahead of Inı Edo and uche Jombo and the other nomınees.

Mercy who is on her way back from Enugu could not make ıt to the awards but the award was pıcked up by someone she calls her role model,Genevieve Nnajı.

Other Nollywood personalıtıes at the awards ınclude RMD,Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde and Iretı Doyle.
Future Awards 2011 winners  include:

On Air Personality of the Year (TV) - Tana Egbo
On Air Personality (Radio) - Matse Uwatse
Musician Of the Year - Banky W
Actor of the Year - Mercy Johnson
Sports Person of the Year - Vincent Enyeamaa
Magazine of the Year - FAB
Comedian of the Year - Seyi Law
Team of the Year - The Falconets
Best Use of Science - Debo Olaosebikan
Business Owner of the Year - Bode Pedroa
Journalist of the Year - Tolu Ogunlesi
Corporate Professional of the Year - Tokini Peterside
Screen Producer of the Year - Clarence Peters
Creative Artist of the Year - Aisha Augie-Kuta
Best Use of Advocacy - Muyideen Salau
Young Person of the Year - Nnaemeka Ikegwuonu - Farmer

Iyeoka Ivie Okoawo among the 10 Nigerian writers to watch in 2011

Iyeoka Ivie Okoawo 

Iyeoka Ivie Okoawo – The poet
Like Tolu Ogunlesi, Boston-based Nigerian American Iyeoka Ivie Okoawo is living proof that Nigeria has the highest ratio of pharmacists-turned-poets in the world. A bard, singer, activist and educator with a degree in pharmacy, Okoawo was also appointed a 2010 TED Global Fellow, a move which underlines her commitment to let her message be her medicine. Okoawo released her first solo album of poetry and music (“Black and Blues”) in 2004 and at the beginning of this month she put out her third, an album titled “Say Yes” which made history as the first-ever ‘Evolving Album’ which gives purchasers added content for free as the album evolves. Her name means “I want to be respected” in her native Esan language, and with her extraordinary talent we don’t see how we could do anything but.

CLICK here for more information on 10 Nigerian writers to watch in 2011

2011 Oscar Nominations...

The Nominations for 83rd Academy awards was announced this morning. The event will be hosted by James Franco and Anne Hathaway on 27th February at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.

The list when you continue...
 

Best actress
Annette Bening, The Kids Are All Right
Nicole Kidman, Rabbit Hole
Jennifer Lawrence, Winter’s Bone
Natalie Portman, Black Swan
Michelle Williams, Blue Valentine

Best actor
Javier Bardem, Biutiful
Jeff Bridges, True Grit
Jesse Eisenberg, The Social Network
Colin Firth, The King’s Speech
James Franco, 127 Hours

Best supporting actor
Christian Bale, The Fighter
John Hawkes, Winter’s Bone
Jeremy Renner, The Town
Mark Ruffalo, The Kids Are All Right
Geoffrey Rush, The King’s Speech

Best supporting actress
Amy Adams, The Fighter
Helena Bonham Carter, The King’s Speech
Melissa Leo, The Fighter
Hailee Steinfeld, True Grit
Jacki Weaver, Animal Kingdom

Best director
Darren Aronofsky, Black Swan
Joel & Ethan Coen, True Grit
David Fincher, The Social Network
Tom Hooper, The King’s Speech
David O. Russell, The Fighter


Best picture
127 Hours
Black Swan
The Fighter
Inception
The Kids Are All Right
The King’s Speech
The Social Network
Toy Story 3
True Grit
Winter’s Bone

Best animated film
How to Train Your Dragon
The Illusionist
Toy Story 3

Best foreign language film
Hors la Loi (Outside the Law) (Algeria)
Incendies (Canada)
In a Better World (Denmark)
Dogtooth (Greece)
Biutiful (Mexico)

Best original screenplay
Lisa Cholodenko and Stuart Blumberg, The Kids Are All Right
Scott Silver, Paul Tamasy and Eric Johnson, The Fighter
Mike Leigh, Another Year
Christopher Nolan, Inception
David Seidler, The King’s Speech

Have You Registered to Vote? Find Out Where & How to Register today!

Registration for voters for Nigeria’s 2011 General Elections has started.
It is so important for all of us to register to vote!
Encourage your parents, colleagues, staff, friends and everyone who is qualified to vote to register immediately.
Unfortunately, Nigerians who are not based in Nigerian cannot vote from outside the country. However, you can still be involved in the electoral process by encouraging everyone you know in Nigeria to register and make their voices heard.

Click HERE to find the polling station closest to you.....

New Year Same Old Stories

Ahn Returns




It’s that time of the year again when it feels like half of the K-League is on the move. The close season in Korea is a frantic affair and at times hard to keep up with.

The fate of Ahn Jung-hwan has been the big story of the new year so far. Precisely a year ago, the “Lord of the Ring” was in the process of turning down a trial with Blackburn Rovers. Instead he headed to MSV Duisberg who were then in the Bundesliga.

After relegation, Ahn was released from his contract but since August has been without a club. On the wrong side of 30, his options are not likely to increase and he finally decided to return to the K-League on January 9 when he signed for Suwon Samsung Bluewings.

The three-time champions who already boast international stars such as Kim Nam-il, Cho Won-hee, Baek Ji-hoon and Song Chong-guk, took some time to close the deal with the ex-Perugia, Yokohama, Shimizu and Metz striker.

``We met with Ahn and his agent for the negotiation several times. There was huge difference at first over contract terms, but our talks has recently moved forward further,’’ Suwon club boss Ahn Ki-heon told Yonhap news agency.

``Ahn’s side has yielded a lot in the contract term including the annual salary. We are positive we could bring him unless there is significant disagreement during the rest of the talks.’’

A week later, Ahn signed and was given the number ten shirt. Now the challenge is to win back the red shirt of the national team.

Seoul Life

FC Seoul have released Portuguese midfielder Ricardo Nascimento -the 34 year-old playmaker spent two years in the capital, becoming a firm favourite with the fans. He returns to his homeland’s top flight to join struggling Desportivo das Aves.


Passing in the opposite direction was the club’s new manager. Senol Gunes arrived on January 6. The capital was sitting under a few inches of snow by the time the ex-Turkey coach returned to Korea for the first time since participating in the 3rd/4th play-off game at the 2002 World Cup.

“Thanks to those who came to meet me despite the bad weather,” he said. “My first impression of the fans is a good one.”

“Of course the most important thing is victory but I will try to give fans football that they can love.”

“I still have a good feeling from the 2002 World Cup. Turkey and Korea got good results. The two nations are brothers and that is one reason why I decided to come here.”

At a press conference in the bowels of Seoul World Cup Stadium 48 hours later, the 54 year-old made all the right noises and promised entertainment and results for fans.



The two Lees

A constant story since the summer has been that of Lee Young-pyo. The versatile Spurs star lost his place at the start of the new season and was a whisker away from joining AS Roma at the end of August. At the last minute however, the 29 year-old changed his mind and decided to stay in North London.

The reason for the change of heart has been kept close to the chest of “Chorongi” who had to deny in a press conference that his deep religious beliefs were behind the decision.



Stories in Italy also talked of financial reasons and pressure from Sky Sports on the player not to reduce Korean interest in the Premier League by leaving it. It sounds about as likely as reports of Chelsea interest in the defender.

Fortunately for the player, he has since won back his place in the team but the rumours still abound that he could soon swap England’s capital for its Italian counterpart. Supposedly in the first week of the New Year, Roma asked for a loan and then a full transfer.

Lee will stay put but the same can’t be said of 2002 and 2006 World Cup team-mate Lee Chun-soo. The 2005 K-League MVP said in December that he was ready to leave Ulsan Hyundai Horang-I and the K-League.

Yokohama Marinos and Urawa Reds in Japan fancy the winger who hit six goals in two and a half games in last August’s East Asian Champions Cup held on the archipelago.
As documented on here before, Lee is eyeing Europe – especially England. There has been little mention of possible moves for the winger since the transfer window opened.

It remains to be seen if that is good news or bad.

K-League News

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Copyright: John Duerden & Soccerphile

K-League soccer football Korea Ahn Jung-hwan John Duerden Korean Soccer