A bomb explosion at the First bank in Azare, Bauchi state has killed several workers waiting to collect their monthly salaries.

Eyewitnesses said the device planted within the bank premises exploded as workers lined up at the bank to pick up the salaries.

Source: sahara

05:41

Football enthusiast, Mansur Abubakar has expressed his opinion on Mikel Obi’s football career.

He explains that a thoughtless act, carried out by Obi in 2006 is most likely the cause of his downfall.
He says,
“Mikel’s problems started in 2006 when he was faced with the option of either joining Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United (which he already had an agreement with) or joining Mourinho’s emerging Chelsea team when the Roman Abramovich revolution was massively taking shape with stars like Frank Lampard, Michael Essien, and Claude Makelele forming the core of the blues midfield at the time.”
“Like most African players who go to Europe in search of greener pastures, the Plateau State-born player signed for Chelsea, which offered more money but altered his position to a defensive midfield role instead of going to Manchester United which would have played him in his natural position and allowed his career to flourish.

“That single signature confirming his contract with the London club in the year 2006 killed and buried Mikel’s career as far as most people are concerned because it meant he was no longer the stand out he had always been throughout his career, instead becoming someone only introduced to the game to stop others from playing and “killing” the game.

00:09

Schools in Lagos State are prepared for the resumption on September 22, following the governmental decision.

Many of the schools visited by Vanguard said they were ready to resume on Monday.

The Principal of King’s College in Lagos, Mr Oladele Olapeju, said that all was set for the resumption of academic activities in the college. The college management had organised a sensitisation exercise for the teachers on how to check the spread of Ebola disease, in line with the government’s directive.

According to the principal, before people would enter this college, they must have been screened for your temperature level.

“This is part of the things we have done to ensure that our children remain safe and I know with God on our side, none of our students shall be struck with this terrible disease,” he said.

The Head Teacher of Santa Maria Montessori School, Alaka Estate, Surulere, Mrs Uche Agbazue, also said the school was well prepared for the resumption. All necessary measures had been put in place to ensure the students and teachers were health conscious toward Ebola.

“We have the infrared temperature thermometer, sanitisers and wash hand basins by the playground and the halls. Our teachers are also well prepared, having taken some training exercises from Red Cross personnel and flyers have been made and would be distributed on resumption,” she said.

The Front Desk Secretary at Pampers Private School, Surulere, Mrs Seun Seun, as well as the Proprietor of May Day College, Surulere, Mr Adebayo Badmos, confirmed that they are prepared to resume this Monday

01:12

The 2-storey building later transformed into a 6-storey construction fell down on September 12 leaving at least 80 people dead, many injured and trapped under the rubble.

Week after the tragedy the question regarding the reason of collapse remains unanswered.

The church founder Pastor T.B. Joshua claims it was an attack and provides the video showing some aircraft hovering above the building before the collapse. Meanwhile the Lagos State Government (LASG) say they did not give the approval for reconstruction.

YNaija reports with the reference to the recent statement by the LASG that the authorities insist on their position that the erection of extra structures  was illegal.

01:05

Chelsea defender and Super Eagles’ star Kenneth Omeruo has gone back to English Championship side Middlesbrough for another one year loan.

The former Ado Den Haag player had just come back from a successful World Cup campaign were the Super Eagles crashed out from the round of 16 stage.

Keneth had played for Middlesbrough last year and featured in 14 games. BBC are reporting that he has also rejected the deals that were sent him outside England.

Omeruo, who had played in each of Eagles’ games at the World Cup, made the following comment: “I like the atmosphere at Middlesbrough, the players and fans too are very supportive.

"I am not in a hurry [to break into the Chelsea team] because everything in life is step by step.

"I decided to return to Boro because I really enjoyed my last loan there and working with the manager Aitor Karanka.

"I like the atmosphere at Middlesbrough, the players and fans too are very supportive. It’s such an easy choice to make and a key factor in going there is the chance to play first-team football."

Omeruo had come from Standard Liege to Chelsea where he was later sent to ADO Den Haag on loan and he played 26 games for them and also made the Eagles team that year.

He praised the Blues and said he was aiming to come back better: "I was rewarded with a new contract because the club [Chelsea] knows what I am capable of," he said. "I just need to focus on my career, give my best all the time and let my football speak for me.

"At the right time, I’ll get my chance. For now, I believe in the Middlesbrough project and want to help the club compete for promotion."

Omeruo was a key player for Nigeria’s defence that won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013 and also played in last summer’s Confederations Cup in Brazil.

13:56

Wizkid

Nigerian singer Wizkid planned to have the most expensive birthday celebration, as he would be having six parties in different countries – one down, five more to go.

It was gathered that when the Nigerian Pop star is done celebrating, a total of N20m would have been spent! Last week Wizkid turned 24 and his first birthday party was planned by Hennessy Nigeria.

According to insiders, unlike any other night at Escape Nightclub, Victoria Island, Lagos, sales were pitched up for the special occasion. "Drinks sold a lot more on the night, there was henny everywhere but the bar cashed out nicely," insiders revealed.

There was also an almost overhaul of the vicinity; the entrance was beautified with a red carpet and a backdrop. An estimate of expenses incurred on the night total approximately N3m.

On July 27, Wizkid says he’ll be taking the party from Lagos to Miami, as he will be riding along the Atlantic Ocean, celebrating with friends on a yacht. The private party holds a day after his upcoming concert in NYC.

"A lucky Wizkid fan gets to attend my private yacht party on the 27th of July in Miami. i’ll be picking a fan at the NYC Concert on the 26th," Wizkid announced a week ago.

Wizkid will most probably be flying with his StarBoy crew – flight expenses and accommodation for at least three days total about $25,000 (N4,000,000).

According to Luxury motor yacht rental services in Miami, the average price for one-day bookings is approximately $72,500 (N11,600,000). The service comes with choice of drinks, food and security.

13:54

Super Eagles forward, Victor Anichebe has welcomed his compatriot Brown Ideye to West Ham telling the fans to give him a chance despite being the clubs record transfer.

The former Everton Fc player assured the Fans that he will be a big hit but need time to get used the pace of the Premier Leagur.

Victor praised Ideye’s game and and said that he and Ideye have been always in touch since the moment they met while on Eagles duties.

He told West Brom official site: “I know Brown through playing for Nigeria and we’ve kept in touch ever since, We’ve kept tabs on how we’ve been doing in our respective leagues.

“He’s done well in Ukraine after moving there for a lot of money. He’s also come here for a big fee and I’m sure he will do well. But I don’t think the fans should expect too much, too soon from him.

“They should forget about the price tag. The club pays what they want to pay for players. That’s not down to the player.

“I know Brown is a really good player but the fans need to give him time to adapt, just as it’s taken me time to adapt.”

Victor Anichebe had come up through the Everton youth team and into the first squad but due to lingering Injury problems he failed to make it his spot.

He was then transfered to West brom where he is still to establish himself.

Anichebe and Ideye were not called up to Super Eagles world cup campaign in Brazil despite Big Boss keshi’s lack of finishers in the team.

Ideye is coming from Ukrainian side Dynamo Kyiv, where he scored 33 times in 74 games. The transfer was allegedly worth a club record fee of 10 million pounds and will wear the number 9.

Ideye had played for Ocean Boys, then Fc Sochaux and then was sold to Dynamo Kyiv.

Ideye recently gave an interview to West Brom site and talked about how glad he is to get the number 9 and make it into the EPL

13:53

The just concluded FIFA World Cup saw the Super Eagles laboring to a mere victory at the Mundial, with a team that had so much promise. Of course many factors could be attributed as factors why the boys were woeful and in general Nigeria football is not finding the Right Touch for growth. Imagine after 20 years, the USA 94 World cup still being bandit as our best performance at the FIFA Mundial. What are the factors responsible?

 1.SQUARE PEGS IN ROUND HOLE

Nigerians must be tired of this cliché by now. We can’t emphasized it enough, until we get the right sets football technocrat to manage and rekindle the plunging state of our football, USA 94 would always remain the reference point. I know how many times Ex international mathematical Segun Odegbami tried to lead the NFA or NFF all to no avail. A young and vibrant Kojo Willians was booted out in 1998 for no other reason than offending the powers that be. Politicians should not be running sports nay football!

 

2. PERRENIAL SQUABBLES IN NFF

Check it out, in the last 16 tears, no NFA Chairman has ever run more than a term at the saddle. There is always this tussle for power after every world cup. Go ask Kojo Williams, Ibrahim Galadima, Sani Lulu and now Aminu Maigari. You just must go, performance or not. You don’t run 21st Century football in that manner. Football should be separated from football, otherwise every football tournament would be marred and hampered. 

 

3 .LACK OF CONTINUITY

In the last 15 years, we have been managed by over 12 coaches. Isn’t that a world record? How can anybody be planning to get rid of Steven keshi after winning the Nations Cup and taking us to our best finish at the world cup in 16 years? Here is a shocker! Steven Keshi is the only African coach to have qualified a team for the next round of the world cup. Shouldn’t such a personality be encouraged? It took Clemens Westerholf 5 years to win the Nations cup and it took Keshi barely 18months. 

 

4. AGE GRADE CHEATING

Where are the likes of Chrisantus Maucualey, Victor Brown, Femi Opabunmi, Ganiyu Oseni and Okoro aka little Messi? Our age grade tournament that should be developmental has been bastardized due to perennial age cheating. A 30 or 35 year old claiming to be under 17 or 20. The Spanish squad that mesmerized the world was a product of proper grooming at the under 21 stage. Tony Cruz, Thomas Muller Manuel Noerer all of Germany were products of age grade tourneys. They are already World Champions while their counterparts in Nigeria are still struggling in Under 17 as 35year old.

 

5. THE MONEY PALAVER

Does an army of Soldiers bicker among themselves before going to the war front? Of course not! It has become a recurring decimal at major football events for the Super Eagles to quarrel over bonuses or allowances. At the World cup, the Eagles refused to train before the epic match against the French. Hence we were beaten though with a respectable showing. You can imagine what the Eagles would do barring any hitches. But in truth, it si high time sopped this school boys antics with our football.

 

6. THE BEST PLAYERS ARE ALWAYS MISSING

Believe it or not, sentiments, favoritisms are the other of the day when it comes to selecting the best 23 players for major championships. In the history of Nigeria football, no coach can be immune from this. Our best legs are always left at home due to one sentiment or the other. Taribo West and John Utaka famously claimed that money usually exchange hands before the final selection. I don’t know of the Keshi’s era, but I can’t find any football reason why Ikechukwu Uche was left out of the 2014 World cup squad. I think merit should be Key doing selections.

In conclusion, it is agreed globally that, if ever an African side gets to lift the world cup, that Nation would be Nigeria. But until these factors are tackled headlong, our football would remain in the doldrums .

Author: Folake Ibrahim

Source:Naij

13:50

Meet a Chinese six-year-old  who suffers from a rare skin disease.

Zhao Xinrui suffers from hypertrichosis, an abnormal amount of hair growth over the body. First time Zhao’s parents noticed a small spot of discoloured skin on her back a year ago. As the condition deteriorated, her terrified mother abandoned the daughter and husband.

Initially doctors treated an unusual spot as a birthmark but thereafter it started spreading and now soft black fur covers half the girl’s body, her entire back and is starting to grow on her arms and face. Now Zhao’s father and her great grandparents are raising money to pay for urgent treatment to replace the hairy skin with healthy grafts from other parts of her body.

The poor girl – it breaks our hearts to see her suffer like this. We were told that she couldn’t have any operation anyway until she got to about five. But now she’s old enough we don’t have the money. Despite the fact that we saved ever since we heard she would need it," said her father Zhao Lai.

As the girl’s story was widely covered by the local media, some of the inspired citizens agreed to donate money for the operation.

13:43

Innoson vehicle manufacturing company announced that a debut of the first made-in-Nigeria mass produced cars would be made on August 8, 2014.

During the opening ceremony of Empower Nigeria Roadshow for the South-East zone, chairman of Innoson Group, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, revealed this information yesterday at the Faculty of Law, University of Nigeria, Enugu campus.

According to the chairman, the company would crash the prices of new cars in the country with his commencement of mass produced cars. While the prices of the new cars would range from N1.5 million to N3 million, Innocent Chukwuma assured that the Innoson new cars would compete favourably with others in the market.

Made-in-Nigeria SUV presented by Segun Awolowo, the grandson of late sage, Obafemi Awolowo

Chukwuma started business in 1981 with meagre resources, but grew his business from loans from the Bank of Industry (BOI).

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, who also speak on the occasion, said:

"I use this opportunity to congratulate the organisers of Empower Nigeria Initiative, Prince Nicholas Okoye and his Anabel Group for putting this event together. This is a clear demonstration of the positive role of the private sector in our national development."

While the Founder of Empower Nigeria and President/CEO of Anabel Group, Nicholas Okoye, expressed his gratitude toward an opportunity to hear from successful entrepreneurs like Chief Chukwuma at this roadshow.

"We are excited that we are in a position to fulfill our promise to the Nigerian people that we will be taking our message of empowerment, entrepreneurship, leadership and support for micro, small and medium businesses to the heartland of Nigeria.

"We are encouraged that we have a solution for Nigeria, which, in our opinion, can reduce the unemployment in our society by considerable measures and set the stage for a new Nigeria that guarantees equal access to opportunities for all its citizens," Okoye said.

13:37