Beat Fm OAP, the curvaceous Tolu ‘Toolz’ Oniru released a new stunning photo of herself and her fiance Capt. Tunde Demuren all loved up on social media.

Beat Fm OAP, the curvaceous Tolu ‘Toolz’ Oniru released a new stunning photo of herself and her fiance Capt. Tunde Demuren all loved up on social media. - See more at: http://www.lailasblog.com/#sthash.CpjpNEsV.dpuf

Staten Island mom who claimed self-defense in stabbing death of longtime boyfriend sent to jail

 

The 31-year-old woman who allegedly stabbed her longtime boyfriend to death after years of abuse was sent to jail until a grand jury convenes to review the case, a judge ruled Sunday. Christina Quinones sobbed loudly as she was escorted out of the courtroom packed with more than a dozen supporters following the arraignment.

Police say Quinones slammed a knife into the chest of Ruben Jimenez, 31, her on-again, off-again boyfriend, during an argument in her apartment at the Todt Hill Houses on Westwood Ave. in Castleton Corners, Staten Island.

On Sunday, her defense lawyer, Andrea Ibrahim, argued she should be released on her own recognizance.

“She has three children she has to fight to get back because of this incident,” she told State Supreme Court Justice William Garnett.

The three children — a 14-year-old girl, a 10-year-old boy and a 4-year-old boy — were in the apartment during the stabbing, police said. Jimenez was the father of two of the children, officials said.

Quinones’ family said Jimenez had abused the young mother for years.

“She was a single mother ... a very good mother, but she was in an abusive relationship,” relative Sylvia Quinones, 27, said Saturday.

Approximately 14 family members and friends attended her arraignment Sunday morning.

“We’re all shocked,” an elderly uncle said after the emotional proceeding.

Quinones’ lawyer argued her client’s serious heart condition required medical care outside of jail. The Staten Island Legal Aid lawyer also cited the long history of abuse and Quinones clean record, to no avail.

Jimenez had been collared 14 times before — twice for violent attacks against Quinones, court records show.

In February 2013, he challenged Quinones in front of their children’s school, cops said. After cursing and spitting at her, he picked up a bottle and threatened to hit her with it. He was charged with menacing. A year and a half later — on Oct. 24, 2014 — he strangled Quinones during a fight inside her Staten Island home, police said.

Jimenez’s family acknowledged the couple had a turbulent relationship but blamed Quinones for the problems.

“I love Christina like she’s my sister, but this fake self-defense thing is a lie,” said Jimenez’s sister, Melissa Jimenez. “I’m just waiting for the autopsy to confirm that…once they give us that report…if she did it in self-defense, OK, we can accept that, that’s not a problem, but don’t lie about something like that.”

The two families have known each other from the neighborhood for decades and the couple began dating 14 years ago.

The problems began after their second son was born in 2012, according to Jimenez’s relatives.

“I don’t know where their relationship went sour, but it did,” said Jimenez’s cousin, Christina Jimenez. “They both had their own things, they both was going through whatever it is they was going through, but they were still working things out.”



Source: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/s-mom-accused-boyfriend-stabbing-death-jailed-article-1.2499727?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+NydnRss+%28Top+Stories+-+NY+Daily+News%29

Buhari Appoints Muhammad Abdallah As NDLEA Boss

 

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Muhammad Abdallah as the new the new Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.

The Secretary to Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, made the announcement on Monday through a statement signed by Bolaji Adebiyi, Director of Press, SGF Office.

According to the statement, the appointment which takes effect from January 11 will be for a first tenure of five years.

Mr. Abdallah, a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the Nigeria Army, has a Certificate of Education from Nigeria Defence Academy in 1977, a Bachelor’s Degree in American Politics and Government from Sam Houston State University, Huntville, Texas, USA in 1989, an M. A. Public Administration, LLB and LLM Degrees from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria 2005 and 2011 respectively and Bachelor of Law from the Nigeria Law School in 2006.

The statement noted that Mr. Abdallah is a Professional Security Officer whose public service career spanned over 30 years during which he served in various capacities and strategic positions in the military.

Born on November 13, 1954, the new NDLEA boss is from Hong, Adamawa State.



Source: http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/196973-buhari-appoints-new-ndlea-boss.html

Excitement as Ooni visits Alaafin

History was made on Sunday as the new Ooni of Ife‎, Oba Ogunwusi became the first Ooni to visit Oyo town since 1937.

The Methodist Church, Apaara, venue of the 45th coronation anniversary thanksgiving of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, became electrified immediately news filtered in that Oba Ogunwusi’s convoy has reached Owode, followed by many other Obas.

The late Ooni Sijuwade and Oba Adeyemi were embroiled in supremacy battle.

Decked in the normal Ooni trademark attire, Oba Ogunwusi shook hands with the Alaafin and they sat on the same chair, both beaming with smiles.

An elated Oba Adeyemi, who had earlier read from the Bible, said the last time an Ooni visited the Alaafin was in 1937, adding that he was ver‎y close to many Obas in Yorubaland and beyond

Revealing how close he was to Ooni Adesoji Aderemi, the monarch said he never disrespected him but prayed for his longevity on the throne. “The misunderstanding started during the reign of the last Ooni. May your reign be long, Ooni.‎ I am happy with Ooni Ogunwusi’s moves to unite all Yoruba Obas,” Oba Adeyemi stated.

Oba Ogunwusi described Alaafin as a great monarch‎, noting that “it is a new dawn for all Yoruba sons and daughters around the globe,” He ended his speech with the song ‘Ore l’ao mase…Awa o ba ti ja wa ooo, Ore l’ao ma sem” (We will continue to be friends).”

Oba Ogunwusi and other Obas were later hosted inside the Palace of the Alaafin.

Present at the historic event were more than 30 Obas which included the Timi of Ede, Owa Ajero of Ijero, Ore of Otun Ekiti‎, Orangun of Ila, Akinrun of Ikirun, Aragbiji of Iragbiji and Elerin of Erin Osun 

Source: http://thenationonlineng.net/475503-2/

50 Cent to Meek Mill Get Nicki Pregnant 'Cause Your Career's Over!

 

50 Cent unleashed his fury on Meek Mill... lashing out after Meek dropped a diss track calling Fifty out for filing bankruptcy.

Fifty posted a photo of Meek's face in a poop emoji with the caption, "LMAO Hey s*** head, your career is already over. you better focus on geting Nicki pregnant so you can at least get child support girl."

But Fifty wasn't done... he posted a video of him slapping Meek and another of Meek crying. Fifty said, "Hip Hop's first retarded MC. This nut make Philly look bad." And there's more ... "But your honor I'm not a gangsta, I'm just retarded. Look I went at DRAKE, FUTURE and 50Cent. Smh s****".

Meek did not back down, responding ... "U pop s*** on social media 24/7...U never in the places everybody b at...The whole queens say you a rat...Ross baby mom hit you for that check you sick...Ross finished you "career over?"

And Meek went on ... "All you artist that came under you broke" ya son hate you smfh! Ya swag on below "0" lol hold up......U always hating on putt and Hov other go getters from ya city......U going broke and you miserable....U really miserable bro.... Mayweather ain't got tickets for you nomore....Ya liquor is piss."

So fun.

Source: http://www.tmz.com/2016/01/17/50-cent-and-meek-mill-instagram-fight/

Stephen Baldwin Says Daughter Hailey and Justin Bieber Are ‘Just Friends’

Not so fast! Stephen Baldwin says his daughter, Hailey, and Justin Bieber are “just friends.” 
In a new interview with TMZ on Sunday, January 17, the actor insisted that “there’s no label” on the pair’s relationship.
However, the Celebrity Apprentice alum, 49, had nothing but nice things to say about the “Sorry” singer.

Source: http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/stephen-baldwin-says-daughter-hailey-and-justin-bieber-are-just-friends-w161876

NNPC to build new fuel stations in all senatorial districts

In a deft move designed to ensure efficient distribution and country-wide penetration of petroleum products, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has commenced nationwide consultation with stakeholders aimed at drumming support for the planned expansion of its retail outlets across the country.

Under the expansion plan, NNPC is seeking to expand the market share of its retail business to an appreciable level from the current 12 percent by building a mega station in every Senatorial district in the country in the months ahead.

Speaking during the flag-off of consultation during the week with a visit to the Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, the Group Executive Director, Commercial and Investment, Dr. Babatunde Victor Adeniran who led the NNPC delegation said the purpose of the visit was to solicit for the support of Kaduna State Government to provide lands for building new NNPC petrol stations in the state.

“Our mission is to build three mega stations, one each in the three senatorial districts of the state. We need about five thousand square meters for each of the station. Each station will have six pumps including that of Liquefied Petroleum Gas which is cooking gas,” the GED said.

Governor El-Rufai who was visibly elated expressed gratitude to NNPC management for deciding to flag-off the outlets expansion programme in Kaduna Sate, adding: “Any time NNPC comes visiting, it comes with good news”.

The governor who gave express approval for lands to be made available NNPC for the mega stations said: “I want to assure you that we will give you all the support that you need. The State Director of Lands will take the NNPC project team round the state to look at alternative sites. I don’t know how many you are building, we can give you as many as ten sites if you want”.

He stated that the supply of petroleum products was a key requirement for the prosperity of the country, adding that he was happy that NNPC was ready to invest heavily in the retail business to ensure that Nigerians are not exploited by private sector marketers.

He pledged the support of the state government to the success of the NNPC in general and the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC) in particular.

Speaking in similar vein during the consultative visit to Kano State, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje described NNPC as an indispensable business ally for socio-economic growth of Kano State and the country at large.

“Indeed, collaborating with the NNPC is indispensable if we are to achieve socio-economic development of the State. Kano State being the largest in terms of population and also the commercial nerve center of the North, there is no better organization to have an alliance with than the NNPC,” Ganduje said.

He said he has already directed the Commissioner of Lands to work with the NNPC project team in selecting sites that meet the commercial requirement of the new filling stations in all the senatorial districts of the state.

“We know the philosophy behind establishing such retail stations. Considering that you are the custodians of crude oil and petroleum products in the country, one may wonder why you are into retail business. But those of us in governance understand the situation because if you leave everything to the marketers, then the problem of control especially of the price and availability will become difficult”, Ganduje enthused, adding that NNPC mega stations have integrity and do not require any enforcement for compliance on approved prices of petroleum products.

In a related development, the Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Badaru Abubakar, has pledged support for the NNPC retail outlet expansion project.

Gov. Abubakar who spoke when he received the NNPC delegation for a consultative meeting on the retail expansion project said he has directed the Ministry of Lands to provide alternative sites that meet the stipulated requirements for NNPC to choose from.

Dr. Adeniran expressed gratitude to the governors for their unwavering support for the aspirations and success of the Corporation.

Source: http://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2016/01/17/nnpc-to-build-new-fuel-stations-in-all-senatorial-districts/

Microsoft's 'last Lumia' could be launching soon

 

According to reports, Microsoft is planning to launch a mid-range Windows 10 Mobile smartphone on February 1, apparently the last device to ever be branded as a 'Lumia'. The company is thought to be planning to abandon the old Nokia name this year.

According to Windows Central, the Microsoft Lumia 650 will be a business-oriented mid-range phone with few standout specifications. It will be the spiritual successor to the Lumia 640, a well-received Windows phone from 2015.

The handset's specifications were leaked several months ago. The phone will have a 5-inch 1280x720 resolution display, 1GB of RAM, 8GB of expandable storage and an 8-megapixel rear camera with flash. The processor is thought to be the Qualcomm 210 or Qualcomm 212 but it remains unclear which chip has made it into the finished hardware.

Windows Central says the device will get a low-key launch in two weeks' time. It will be pitched as a mid-range device to sit between the budget-friendly Lumia 550 and flagship Lumia 950, completing Microsoft's limited range of Lumia smartphones for this year.

The device is thought to be the last Microsoft smartphone to use Lumia branding, at least for 2016. The name first debuted on Nokia's Windows Phone 7 devices and has persisted through the years and Microsoft's acquisition of Nokia to remain in use today. The company is expected to drop the brand later this year though and begin to launch new flagship phones under its existing Surface name, the premium brand used for its convertible tablets.

Switching to Surface could give Microsoft a new start in smartphones. Its Lumia range has failed to gain mainstream attention or widespread appeal but Surface has become a well-known and respected productivity brand.

By launching a phone with Surface design cues under the Surface name, Microsoft hopes that people who buy one will also buy the other. The company is relying on the reputation of Surface to get its smartphone sales moving.

Some details of the plan remain unclear. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has previously said he intends to build phones for three audiences, the different groups of people that already buy Windows-powered devices. These are budget-conscious buyers, business users and Microsoft fans.

The Surface brand can easily cater for the latter two but the positioning of future budget devices is uncertain. It seems unlikely Microsoft would want to start launching $100 phones under a brand name with products ranging upwards of $2,000 but if the reports of the Lumia brand vanishing after the 650 are true then Microsoft may be leaving itself without a budget brand.

Alternatively, the company could be intending to retain Lumia but only use it for its budget phones. Devices like the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL would be branded as Surface and the $100 Windows Phones that sell well could have their own brand name.

Lumia is a respected name in the low-range so using it exclusively for budget handsets could be a good move. Microsoft would be left with two brands, Surface for its fans and business users and Lumia for the budget-conscious buyer.

For now, this remains nothing more than speculation. Microsoft is understood to be undergoing a restructuring of its devices business and what that means for the brands remains unclear. Whether it be the last Lumia or not, the 650 looks set to launch on February 1, making it the fourth first-party Windows 10 Mobile device on the market. The update has yet to roll-out to older Lumias.

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-last-lumia-2016-1?utm_source=feedburner&amp%3Butm_medium=referral&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+businessinsider+%28Business+Insider%29

Sokoto Gov recovers N1.5bn from 100 dormant accounts

The Sokoto State Government says it has uncovered N1.5 billion belonging to it lying idle in 100 dormant accounts in various commercial banks in the country.

The state government attributed the discovery to the implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) system two weeks ago.

The state Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Saidu Umar, said this on Sunday in Sokoto while giving an update on the system's implementation.

In a statement signed by his spokesman, Mr Imam Imam, Gov. Aminu Tambuwal said ``government is determined to trace and close down all dormant and inactive accounts operated by it.

``Since the introduction of the TSA, there has been a massive improvement in the reconciliation of public finance figures between the government and commercial banks.

``This has reduced risk of errors in reconciliation processes and enhanced timeliness and quality of the fiscal figures from such accounts’’.

The governor was also quoted as saying that introduction of the TSA had enabled government to regularly monitor public cash balances.

It is ``at the same time, ensuring higher quality cash analysis from all accounts hitherto operated by the state government and its agencies.

``More analysis is being undertaken efficiently and at regular intervals.

``The full benefit of the new accounting system would be felt when the implementation of the 2016 budget starts.

``The document is currently undergoing legislative action with the state House of Assembly,’’ Tambuwal was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, the governor has approved the posting and redeployment of new Permanent Secretaries and Directors-General in the state’s civil service.

Imam said another statement that 23 permanent secretaries were redeployed, while 11 director-general were deployed to various Departments and Agencies in the state.

 

 

Source: http://pulse.ng/local/tambuwal-sokoto-gov-recovers-n1-5bn-from-100-dormant-accounts-id4568118.html

Box Office: 'Ride Along 2' Dethrones 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens,' Tops Martin Luther King Weekend

This is the weekend box office post for the Ride Along 2. It (like the later 13 Hours post) will also include a brief summation of Norm of the North.

Ride Along 2 opened with a $34.036 million Friday-to-Sunday weekend along with a projected $39.5m Fri-Mon holiday debut over the MLK Day weekend. So yeah, it looks like Ride Along 2 gets to be the new Lost in Space/Dear John, as it is the new top film of the weekend displacing four-time champ Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Of course, said Walt Disney sequel will come in behind the second wide weekend of The Revenant, but that’s trivia for a later post.

For reference, the original Ride Along earned a then-breaking breaking $42.5 million Fri-Sun/$48.6m Fri-Mon MLK Day weekend haul. This Ice Cube/Kevin Hart action comedy sequel, which adds Olivia Munn, Ken Jeong, and Benjamin Bratt to the mix, opened at around 23% lower over the Fri-Sun frame and an estimated 21% below the Fri-Mon debut of the first Tim Story-directed entry. Yes, that’s lower, but these days it would have been an aberration for the comic sequel to open noticeably higher than its predecessor. In fact, most sequels tend to open lower than their predecessors these days, partially because movie-going is front-loaded enough that high-concept originals like Ride Along tend to play like anticipated sequels straight out of the gate.

In terms of “part 2 versus part 1″ opening weekend comparisons, we’re talking about a Horrible Bosses 2 (-45%) or Ted 2 (-41%) level plunge. And Ride Along 2 is no Hot Tub Time Machine 2. That 2014 Paramount/Viacom Inc. sequel opened with $5.9m and ended with $12m domestic, compared to the $14m opening of the original and $50m total for the first Hot Tub Time Machine. If anything, it’s closer to the 13% drop between opening weekends for Think Like A Man Too ($29m vs. $33m). I’m sure all parties would have liked bigger numbers, but this is still a $40m film that’s going to top $40m domestic on Tuesday.

In terms of long-term prospects, it will probably play somewhat close to the original, with obvious “because it’s a sequel” front loading. The first Ride Along earned $135 million off that $48.5m Fri-Mon debut, which was a not-bad 2.7x weekend-to-final multiplier. If Ride Along 2 does the same thing, and that’s not guarantee, it gets to around $105m domestic. If it plays like Think Like A Man Too (also helmed by Tim Story, natch), it gets 71% of Ride Along‘s business and does $96m domestic. Now that may seem like a comedown, but we’re still talking about a $40m budget.

And it’s still an uncommonly impressive four franchises directed and/or created by Tim Story, along with Fantastic Four (the ones that made money and didn’t destroy careers), Barbershop, and Think Like A Man. And I’d like to think that adding Olivia Munn, Benjamin Bratt, and Ken Jeong was merely smart casting, I can’t imagine said actors won’t help the film just a little bit outside of America, where the first Ride Along only earned $19 million back in 2014.

Anyway, Kevin Hart has a busy 2016, with a voice-over performance in Illumination’s The Secret Lives of Pets in July and a stand-up comedy feature in October, both for Universal/Comcast CMCSA -3.77% Corp. The fourth film is Central Intelligence, which teams the comic actor with Dwayne Johnson and will drop in June courtesy of Warner Bros./Time Warner TWX -1.45% Inc. If that seems like one of those can’t miss combos, well, it probably is. And it’s one of the only outright original high concept would-be blockbusters we’re going to get this year, so A) it better be good and B) it better make money.

Aside from 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi, the other major release of the weekend is Norm of the North. The $18 million animated feature comes courtesy of Splash Entertainment and Assemblage Entertainment and is a distribution deal for Lions Gate Entertainment. The film received terrible reviews and I couldn’t bear to force it upon my kids, especially since I took my middle son to Kung Fu Panda 3 on Friday night (review coming, but it’s pretty good). The Rob Schneider, Heather Graham, Ken Jeong, Colm Meaney, Loretta Devine, and Bill Nighy animated fable looks to earn around $6.675m for the Fri-Sun weekend and a $8.8m for the holiday frame. I neither want to pick on it nor spend too much time discussing it. And so I won’t.

Source: http://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2016/01/17/box-office-ride-along-2-dethrones-star-wars-the-force-awakens-tops-martin-luther-king-weekend/#2715e4857a0b75109317bb74

Burkina Faso Attack: Foreigners Killed At Luxury Hotel

Burkina Faso’s government says 28 people were killed and 56 injured after Islamist militants attacked a hotel in the capital, Ouagadougou.

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (Aqim) has said it carried out the attack, which began on Friday night. 

Canadian country’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, said six of those killed were from his country.

Burkina Faso is to observe 72 hours of national mourning for the victims.

The siege at the splendid hotel popular with foreigners, was declared after a joint operation by local and french security forces.

At least four attackers died in the assaults. There were claims that some of those involved were women.

As well as the luxury hotel, a cafe and another hotel nearby were targeted.

Burkinabe Security Minister, Simon Compoare, said that 176 hostages had been rescued. The bodies of three “very young” attackers had been found.

The BBC reported that the Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb grew from a remnant of a defunct rebel force, rooted in Algeria’s civil war in the 1990s, into a wealthy and feared militant group that made its money from kidnapping Westerners and trafficking arms and drugs.

In 2007, it announced it had joined the Al-Qaeda network to fight against Western interests. Later, some of its members left to form their own factions.

The most notable of these was Mokhtar Belmokhtar who was behind the 2013 siege of a gas plant in Algeria.

In November 2015 Belmokhtar’s faction said it had worked with its parent group to attack a hotel in Mali. That signaled the mending of relations between some of the factions to rebuild the original AQIM, which was being overshadowed by its rival, the so-called Islamic State.

Source: http://www.channelstv.com/2016/01/17/burkina-faso-attack-foreigners-killed-at-luxury-hotel/

Debuchy Reveals He Needs To Leave Arsenal In January

Out-of-favour Arsenal defender Mathieu Debuchy said he needs to leave the club during the current transfer window amid interest from Aston Villa and Bayer Leverkusen.

The France international has fallen down the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium, having lost his place in defence to Hector Bellerin after a long-term shoulder injury sustained last season.

Debuchy, formerly with Newcastle United, has made just seven appearances in all competitions this campaign for Arsenal and he said a move away, be it a loan or a permanent transfer, is needed ahead of the EURO Championship this year.

Asked about interest from rock-bottom English Premier League side Aston Villa, Debuchy said: “It’s true, they are among the teams seeking me. I’m currently studying everything but it’s not a possibility I have excluded.

“Whatever happens, even if it is to return [to Arsenal] this summer and then start again, I have to go this winter. I can not stay at Arsenal.

“[Villa’s position] makes you think. This is also why I take my time before deciding. On the other hand, it can also be a great challenge.

“While they are currently in difficulty, Aston Villa is one of the major English clubs. This is also why I do not rule out this possibility.

“[The interest from Leverkusen] is true and it may interest me too. The most important thing is to play in an attractive league.”

Debuchy faces competition from Bacary Sagna and Christophe Jallet at right-back in France’s squad for the EURO Championship in June and July, and the 30 year-old has also struggled to feature regularly during internationals since the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

“As the weeks go by, we get closer to the Euros. I have to play to try to return as soon as March for the Netherlands and Russia friendlies,” Debuchy said.

“I clearly lost six months. I would have preferred to leave last summer but the coach [Wenger] told me that I would have my chance. Ultimately, it was not the case.

“I do not know who is responsible. Last year I got injured, I’ve been away a long time and Bellerin had some good matches. This summer, I had a good preparation and I was able to resume the season as the regular but the coach decided otherwise.

“That’s competition, do not worry. This is football. But it was very hard, I went through difficult times. This is the first time I find myself in this situation. Playing a match every two months – that’s not possible.

“I do not know in what condition I am in. In my position, you must defend and attack. If you played me tomorrow, I do not know if I could last the whole game. That’s why I can not stay in this situation.”

Source: http://bisconworld.org/debuchy-reveals-he-needs-to-leave-arsenal-in-january/

2 Killed as Suspected Tornadoes Hit Florida

At least two people were killed as severe storms brought suspected tornadoes to Florida's Gulf Coast.

Both deaths were in Manatee County said sheriff's office spokesman Dave Bristow. At least three tornadoes were reported in the region Sunday.
In nearby Sarasota County, several homes were damaged but there were no reports of major injuries, according to a county spokesman.

One family in Sarasota whose home was destroyed had to be removed from the wreckage by firefighters but they only suffered minor injuries.

Source: http://abc7chicago.com/news/2-killed-as-suspected-tornadoes-hit-florida/1162117/

CHAN: DR Congo Thump Ethiopia In Group B Opener

 

Democratic Republic of Congo defeated Ethiopia 3-0 in Group B of match-day two of the African Nations Championship on Sunday.
Guy Lusadisu gave DRC the lead in the 44th minute.
 

Heritier Luvumvu made it 2-0 on 46 minutes before Meschack Elia scored the third goal 10 minutes later.

The wins sees DRC go top of Group B temporarily.
The group’s other game is between Angola and Cameroon.


Source: http://www.completesportsnigeria.com/37234-2/

Home Eagles Captain: We Must Win Our First CHAN Match

Home-based Super Eagles captain, Chima Akas, says the side is determined to start their campaign at the African Nations Championship on a positive note, reports Completesportsnigeria.com.

The Eagles will begin their quest to win a first African Nations Championship title when they take on fellow West Africans Niger at the Kigali Regional Stadium on Monday.
The Sharks defender told Completesportsnigeria.com here in Kigali that the Eagles are going for a win against the Mena.

“We are firmly focused on the first game against Niger,” the left-back told Completesportsnigeria.com.
“Our target here is to win the competition, but we want to take it one game at a time.
“In every competition, it’s always important to start on a good note. We not only want to win, but up a fine performance.”



Source: http://www.completesportsnigeria.com/home-eagles-captain-we-must-win-our-first-chan-match/

NUC ANNOUNCES OVERALL BEST UNIVERSITY IN NIGERIA [FULL LIST]

The Nigerian Universities Commission(NUC) has named University of Ibadan as the best among second generation Universities in the country in 2015.

University of Jos and University of Ilorin also made the list, The Nation reports.

A statement signed by Abdullahi Abdullahi, Principal Officer Assistant Registrar, Information and Publication of the university, noted that: “The second generation Universities are the 12 universities established between 1970 and 1985 to meet the increasing need for university education in Nigeria especially in the area of Science and Technology.”

Abduallhi said: “University of Jos was however ranked 7th in the overall ranking of all Federal, State and Private Universities in Nigeria.”

Covenant University was also named as the best private University in Nigeria.

UNIJOS Vice Chancellor, described the ranking as clear recognition of the enormous work being done in the university.

“It was encouraging that the university was being appreciated for the impact it is creating towards human capital development in the country, noting that the ranking was consistent with the University’s global rating.

“If not for some challenges, the University could have achieved greater success. I enjoin all stakeholders to rally round towards ensuring that the University achieves its full potential,” he said.

Check out the full list below: 

1. University of Ibadan, UI
2. University of Lagos, Unilag
3. University of Benin, Uniben
4. Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU
5. Ahmadu Bello University, Abu
6. University of Ilorin, Unilorin
7. University of Jos, Unijos
8. University of Port Harcourt, Uniport
9. University of Maiduguri, Unimaid
10. University of Agriculture, Abeokuta,
11. Lagos State University, Lasu
12. Federal University of Technology, Futo
13. Covenant University, CU
14. University of Nigeria, UNN
15. Federal University of Technology, Futa
16. Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Unizik
17. Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Esut
18. Pan African University
19. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, lautech
20. Modibbo Adama University of Technology
21. African University of Science and Technology
22. University of Uyo, Uniuyo
23. Bayero University Kano, Buk
24. Ambrose Alli University, AAU
25. Redeemer’s University,
26. Babcock University
27. Federal University of Technology,
28. University of Calabar, Unical
29. Michael Okpara University of Agriculture,
30. Ajayi Crowther University
31. Bowen University
32. Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Rsust
33. Lead City University
34. Crawford University
35. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, ATBU
36. Abia State University, Absu
37. Usmanu Danfodio University,
38. Igbinedion University
39. Imo State University, Imsu
40. Niger Delta University
41. Bells University of Technology
42. Kwara State University
43. Nasarawa State University
44. Caleb University
45. Obong University Obong
46. Adekunle Ajasin University
47. Ekiti State University,
48. American University of Nigeria
49. Joseph Ayo Babalola University
50. Veritas University Abuja
51. Afe Babalola University
52. Kaduna State University Kaduna
53. Osun State University Oshogbo …
54. Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University Katsina
55. Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ndufu-Alike
56. Salem University Lokoja
57. Novena University Ogume
58. Achievers University, Owo Owo
59. Benson Idahosa University Benin City
60. Ebonyi State University Abakaliki
61. University of Abuja Abuja
62. University of Mkar Mkar
63. Madonna University Okija
64. Bingham University Auta Balifi
65. Plateau State University Bokkos
66. Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun
67. Federal University, Dutse Dutse
68. Nigerian Turkish Nile University Abuja
69. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai
70. Landmark University Omu-Aran
71. Delta State University, Abraka Abraka
72. University of Agriculture, Makurdi Makurdi
73. Renaissance University Enugu
74. Federal University, Otuoke Otuoke
75. Tai Solarin University of Education Ijebu-Ode
76. Federal University, Oye-Ekiti Oye …
77. Kano State University of Technology Wudil
78. Tansian University Umunya …
79. Akwa Ibom State University Uyo
80. Baze University Abuja
81. Kebbi State University of Science and Technology Aliero
82. Benue State University Makurdi
83. Adeleke University Ede
84. Ondo State University of Science & Technology Okitipupa
85. Kogi State University Anyigba
86. Western Delta University Oghara
87. Federal University, Wukari Wukari
88. Paul University Awka
89. Caritas University Enugu
90. Federal University, Lafia Lafia
91. Cross River University of Science &
Technology Calabar
92. Fountain University Oshogbo
93. Al-Hikmah University Ilorin
94. Godfrey Okoye University Ugwuomu-Nike
95. Oduduwa University Ile Ife
96. Anambra State University Uli
97. Olabisi Onabanjo University Ago Iwoye
98. Federal University, Lokoja Lokoja
99. Federal University, Kashere Kashere
100. Rhema University Obeama-Asa

Source: http://lazyreporta.com/nuc-announces-overall-best-university-in-nigeria/

Traveller sends handwritten plea for help to flight attendant about a nearby passenger 'farting in rows 10 to 12'

Inconsiderate passengers can make even the smoothest of flights a stressful experience.

Just ask one disgruntled traveller who took issue with one particular neighbour - in the areas of rows 10 to 12 - who kept passing gas during the journey.

In fact, things got so bad at one point that the unhappy passenger even went so far as to pass a desperate note, written on a napkin, to a flight attendant

The plea for help was then posted to Reddit by user Garwee20, who wrote: 'My flight attendant mom got this napkin from an upset passenger.'

'I don't know if you can make an announcement,' the note reads. 'But if you can, you should say that whoever is farting in the areas of rows 10 to 12 should definitely see a doctor because they might have ass cancer'.

As it turns out, though, the situation may not have been the flatulent passenger's fault.

University of Copenhagen clinical professor Jacob Rosenburg tells Metro that the average amount of times a person breaks wind each day is exacerbated in the air due to a drop in air cabin pressure.

Still, being restricted to a confined space sure doesn't help matters.

Of course, many Reddit users were curious as to whether the flight attendant actually made the announcement. (She didn't.)

This isn't the first time flatulence has caused trouble in the air.

Just last November, 2,186 goats caused a 747-400 freighter plane to make an emergency landing in Bali Denpasar after their gas allegedly set off smoke alarms.

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-3403408/Traveller-sends-handwritten-plea-help-flight-attendant-nearby-passenger-farting-rows-10-12.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

Cash Crunch Hits APC as Buhari Advises Party to Look Inward for Funding

As an aftermath of the ongoing probe of the Federal Government’s arms purchase budget, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has hit a brick wall in its attempt to get funding assistance from the Presidency.

The leadership of the ruling party had held a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari last Monday to brief him on the state of affairs of the party.
Part of the discussion during the meeting centred on the critical state of the party finances and how the President and other elected members can assist in funding the operations of the party.

However, THISDAY gathered that the party did not succeed in persuading the President to play pivotal role in its fund-raising campaign as he declined to make any commitment, but rather advised the party’s leadership to go back and look inwards on how to mobilise funds internally through regular fees/donations from members.

Those who were at the meeting of the NWC with President Buhari included the National Chairman, Chief John Oyegun; National Secretary, Alhaji Mai-Mala Buni; Deputy National Chairman (North), Senator Lawan Shuaibu, and Deputy National Chairman, Chief Segun Oni.

A highly reliable source at the Presidency told THISDAY that Buhari politely declined any commitment to bear the financial burden of running the party.

“Buhari declined from making any financial commitment. He rather reminded the APC NWC members of how the leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) messed themselves up by dipping their hands into public funds to run the party campaigns. He said he would not want APC to be seen as behaving in the same manner, moreso now that it is running a corrective government,” the source said. Since its victory at the 2015 presidential polls in which it secured majority support based on its change mantra, the APC have been very careful to avoid the some of the pitfalls of the PDP.

Even at the risk of operating a very tight budget, the ruling party’s leadership has tried to avoid going to ask its members in government to allocate funds for its activities. The party had relied on voluntary donations from benevolent members until the internal struggles for power and relevance at the National Assembly smeared its relationship with some of these leaders.

For instance, it was learnt that one of the strong financiers of APC and former governor of Lagos state, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has decided to go underground following his displeasure at the actions of the Oyegun-led NWC. Also the APC governors who along with their colleagues in the Governors Forum had gone to seek for federal government’s bail-out fund to pay workers’ salaries found it inexplicable to divert such borrowed funds to party coffers.

It was learnt that at the heat of the financial crunch, one of the governors from the Southern part of the country came to the aid of the party by donating a sum of N50 million last October.

Following the consultative meeting at the presidency, Oyegun summoned an enlarged meeting of members of the NWC on Thursday at the party’s headquarters in Abuja where they were briefed on the outcome of discussions with President Buhari. 

The NWC resolved that as part of a fund-raising strategy the party should implement provisions of its constitution which allowed for fees to be charged on members holding elective and appointive positions. Similarly, an initiative was proposed for all card-carrying members of the ruling party to henceforth pay levies in support of the day-to-day operations of the party. As part of the strategy, the party said it would henceforth become binding on all members to fulfill their financial obligations to the party as condition for eligibility to contest elective positions or to seek endorsement of the party for any appointive positions in government.

Efforts by THISDAY to speak with the National Secretary of APC or the Deputy spokesman, Timi Frank on the new plan of the party proved abortive as their telephone lines did not go through. But a top party source who did not want his name mentioned confirmed the plan and said the NWC has agreed to set in motion modalities for bringing all the fund-raising strategies into fruition as soon as possible at its next meeting this week.

 

Source: http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/cash-crunch-hits-apc-as-buhari-advises-party-to-look-inward-for-funding/230555/#.Vps_4NMPTsI.facebook

Lassa Fever - What you should know

INTRODUCTION
 

It was first described in the 1950s, however the virus causing the disease was not identified until 1969, when it’s discovered in two missionary hospitals in the Lassa town of Borno State, the virus is a single-stranded RNA. Most of the people infected (about 80%) usually are not symptomatic. In severe cases, it can result in multi-organ damage.

Lassa fever is mainly found in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, and Nigeria and is spread by rats. Other neighbouring countries are also at risk because the type of rat that spreads the virus is also found throughout the West African region.

Because the clinical course of the disease is so variable, detection of the disease in affected patients has been difficult. However, when presence of the disease is confirmed in a community, prompt isolation of affected patients, good infection protection and control practices and rigorous contact tracing can stop outbreaks.

TRANSMISSION

It is, ‘zoonotic,’ or animal-borne. Lassa fever is endemic in parts of west Africa which include the following areas:
Liberia
Guinea
Nigeria
Sierra Leone

Humans usually become infected with Lassa virus from exposure to urine or faeces of infected Mastomys rats. Lassa virus may also be spread between humans through direct contact with the blood, urine, faeces, or other bodily secretions of a person infected with Lassa fever. There is no epidemiological evidence supporting airborne spread between humans. Person-to-person transmission occurs in both community and health-care settings, where the virus may be spread by contaminated medical equipment, such as re-used needles. Sexual transmission of Lassa virus has been reported.

Lassa fever occurs in all age groups and both sexes. Persons at greatest risk are those living in rural areas where Mastomys are usually found, especially in communities with poor sanitation or crowded living conditions. Health workers are at risk if caring for Lassa fever patients in the absence of proper barrier nursing and infection control practices.

The number of people who experience Lassa fever each year in west Africa is estimated to be between 100,000 and 300,000, with around 5,000 people dying from the virus.
 

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

The signs and symptoms of Lassa fever commonly happen 1-3 weeks after a person has come into contact with the virus. For most of those with a Lassa fever virus infection; around 80%, symptoms are mild and under-diagnosed. Mild symptoms include:
Weakness
Headaches
Slight fever
General malaise

Around 20% of infected people; however, the disease might progress to more serious symptoms which include:
Bleeding from the infected person’s eyes, gums, or nose and other parts of the body.
Repeated vomiting.
Respiratory distress.
Pain in the back, chest and abdomen.
Facial swelling and shock.
Neurological issues such as tremors, hearing loss and encephalitis.An infected person may die within two weeks of their initial symptoms because of multi-organ failure.The most common complication of Lassa fever is deafness. Different degrees of deafness happen in around one-third of those who become infected.

Between 15-20% of people who are hospitalized for Lassa fever die from the illness. Only 1% of all Lassa virus infections; however, result in the person’s death. The death rates for women in the third trimester of pregnancy are exceptionally high.
 

DIAGNOSIS
 

The symptoms of Lassa fever are varied and non-specific, clinical diagnosis is often difficult, especially early in the course of the disease.

Definitive diagnosis requires testing that is available only in specialized laboratories. Laboratory specimens may be hazardous and must be handled with extreme care. Lassa virus infections can only be diagnosed definitively in the laboratory using the following tests:
antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
antigen detection tests
reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay
virus isolation by cell culture.
 

TREATMENT 

‘Ribavirin,’ is an antiviral drug that has been used with success in people affected by Lassa fever in its early stage.
Supportive care that consists of maintenance of: 1. Oxygenation. 2. Blood pressure. 3. Treatment of complicating infections.4. Appropriate fluid and electrolyte balance.
 

PREVENTION

Prevention of Lassa fever relies on promoting good “community hygiene” to discourage rodents from entering homes. Effective measures include storing grain and other foodstuffs in rodent-proof containers, disposing of garbage far from the home, maintaining clean households and keeping cats. Because Mastomys are so abundant in endemic areas, it is not possible to completely eliminate them from the environment. Family members should always be careful to avoid contact with blood and body fluids while caring for sick persons.

In health-care settings, staff should always apply standard infection prevention and control precautions when caring for patients, regardless of their presumed diagnosis. These include basic hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, use of personal protective equipment (to block splashes or other contact with infected materials), safe injection practices and safe burial practices.

Health workers caring for patients with suspected or confirmed Lassa fever should apply extra infection control measures to prevent contact with the patient’s blood and body fluids and contaminated surfaces or materials such as clothing and bedding. When in close contact (within 1 metre) of patients with Lassa fever, health-care workers should wear face protection (a face shield or a medical mask and goggles), a clean, non-sterile long-sleeved gown, and gloves (sterile gloves for some procedures).

Laboratory workers are also at risk. Samples taken from humans and animals for investigation of Lassa virus infection should be handled by trained staff and processed in suitably equipped laboratories.

On rare occasions, travellers from areas where Lassa fever is endemic export the disease to other countries. Although malaria, typhoid fever, and many other tropical infections are much more common, the diagnosis of Lassa fever should be considered in febrile patients returning from West Africa, especially if they have had exposures in rural areas or hospitals in countries where Lassa fever is known to be endemic. Health-care workers seeing a patient suspected to have Lassa fever should immediately contact local and national experts for advice and to arrange for laboratory testing.

Source: http://www.dosunmukazeem.com/lassa-fever-what-you-should-know/

Niger Coach Boasts: We Can Beat Home Eagles

Niger coach, François Zahoui, insists his side can beat Nigeria in Monday’s Group C African Nations Championship fixture at the Kigali Regional Stadium, reports Completesportsnigeria.com. com.
Nigeria who came third at the last edition of the competition two years ago in South Africa head into the game as the overwhelming favourites.
But the Ivorien coach has refused to accept the underdog tag and instead has tipped his side to beat the Eagles.
“We are not afraid of Nigeria. We know they have a strong team, but they are beatable,” he told Completesportsnigeria.com. com.
“We expect a very competitive game against going by the quality of players in their team.
“I also believe in my players and they are in great spirit ahead of the game.
“It will be good if we can start the competition on a positive note as it will improve the confidence of my players.”

Source: http://www.supersport.com/football/absa-premiership/news/160117/Maritzburg_Utd_player_dies_in_car_crash