Friday, 11 October 2013
Mercy Johnson shows off famous curves
Between BBA host Ik Osakioduwa and his wife, awwww see love...
Veteran actor Pa Kasumu in dire need of N12million for treatment
"Ever since this started, none of my colleagues have shown up. Only myself, my son, my sister...just my family.Sad! Please if you'd like to make a donation to him, find the account details below...
Olukayode Olugbenga Odumosu. Diamond Bank. 0036059543.
And if you need to talk to someone about his condition, call - 08033535159.
Missing episodes of Doctor Who from 1960s found gathering dust in a cupboard in Nigeria
Aba boys in action? Lol. Nine long-lost episodes of Doctor Who, which have not been seen since the 1960s, have been recovered after they were tracked down gathering dust in a store room in Nigeria, Daily Mail UK reports:
The discovery of the episodes in Nigeria will cause much excitement for devotees of the long-running series, for which there are dozens of missing episodes dating back to its early years. The previously lost nine shows were among 11 traced to a television relay station and the find brings back to life an entire six-episode story, while another is almost complete.
Phillip Morris, the director of Television International Enterprises Archive, unearthed the programmes by looking up the records of overseas shipments of tapes made by the BBC
The stories, The Enemy Of The World (1967) and The Web Of Fear (1968) and both starring Patrick Troughton as the second Doctor, have now been remastered by BBC Worldwide, the corporation's commercial arm.
Mr Morris said: 'I remember wiping the dust off the masking tape on the canisters and my heart missed a beat as I saw the words Doctor Who. When I read the story code, I realised I'd found something pretty special.'
Only one episode of The Enemy Of The World - which featured Deborah Watling as companion Victoria, and Frazer Hines, later to find fame in Emmerdale as Jamie - had remained in the archives, so the addition of programmes one, two, four, five and six have completed the story.
Fiona Eastwood, director of consumer products, BBC Worldwide, said: 'We are thrilled with the recent discovery of The Web Of Fear and The Enemy Of The World and we're very happy to be launching re-mastered versions of these treasured episodes to fans as we celebrate the 50th year of Doctor Who.'
The BBC still had the first edition in the Web Of Fear story, and the new finds mean only number three is missing. The tale introduced Nicholas Courtney as Lethbridge-Stewart, who began with the rank of Colonel but later became Brigadier.
The missing episode has been recreated using 37 still images which were available and the original audio which survived.
Many programmes from the era, along with many classic shows, disappeared as a result of efforts to save space. There are still 27 Doctor Who stories which have not been recovered or for which episodes are missing.
In total, 97 episodes are still unaccounted for.
One episode from both The Enemy of the World and The Web of Fear were shown at a special BBC event in London yesterday.
Episode one of The Enemy of the World is said to be akin to an early James Bond film, with armed villains, a foreign villain and a scene featuring an exploding helicopter.
The Web of fear meanwhile sees the Doctor locked in battle with the Great Intelligence in the tunnels of the London Underground.
The BBC was even accused of secretly filming at an Underground station at the time as its sets were deemed so realistic.
'I'd love to have Genevieve as my wife' - D'banj says in new interview
He granted an interview to reporters on Wednesday which was published in Punch today where he talked about his career and his relationship with Genevieve. And guys, please stop all this 'it's just a publicity stunt' It wasn't. They didn't just date, they were madly in love. Read the interview below.
Singer, Dapo Oyebanji, aka D’banj, finally opened up on his love life in a rare meeting with journalists in Lagos on Wednesday.
The self-styled Kokomaster was clearly in his elements as he talked at length, amid occasional bouts of laughter, about his career and other issues that were important to him. One of the subjects was about his rumoured relationship with Nollywood actress, Genevieve Nnaji.
Judging by the manner in which the actress’ name kept popping off his lips, it was obvious that D’banj had a very soft spot for her.
Aware that the grapevine had bristled
with the rumour that he was romantically involved with Genevieve, ever
since she appeared in the 2010 video of his hit song, ‘Fall in Love’, the singer said the actress had played a role in his success.
“Apart from the fact that she is my friend, she has been a part of my success. There is no way you are going to tell my story that Genevieve’s name will not come up because she featured in my biggest song of all time, Fall in Love. So if E True Story comes to Nigeria to interview me, she will definitely be called upon to tell my story,” he said.
As if to confirm that there was more to
his relationship with the actress than he had always admitted, D’banj
added,
“I would love to have Genevieve as my wife. We never can tell what God plans for us in the future. I have studied her and I realised that anyone that has her as his woman has found himself a treasure. Just like the Bible says, any man who finds a wife, finds a good thing.”
On remaining relevant, he said:
“So much has happened in the last 18 months and I am very thankful to God. By the Grace of God, I have remained relevant for nearly a decade in the music industry and I have released hit songs every year. Also, I am glad that I have been chosen to headline the Hennessy Artistry this year. This is one brand that understands the importance of aligning with the entertainment industry.
“My career is barely 10 years old. But with the success I have achieved so far, it feels like three decades already. Within my first 10 years as a musician, I have recorded the biggest song and shot the most viewed music video of all time, ‘Oliver Twist’. I must say I am humbled and getting ready to take over,” he said.
Without mincing words, D’banj noted that
the history of his career and the resulting accomplishments will be
incomplete without mentioning his humble beginning with the defunct Mo’Hits Records. The mere mention of his erstwhile colleagues, including Don Jazzy, seemed to awaken nostalgic feelings in him.
“If I say I don’t miss Don Jazzy, I am lying. I have spent the better part of my career with him. I was married to him in a way (laughs). So I miss everything about Mo’Hits: the family, the movement, and the vibe of being in the studio with him. I miss the jokes and the arguments, but I have since keyed into the notion that nothing can stop a moving train.
“Nevertheless we can always do music together. The track, ‘Top of the World’ was produced by a Grammy Award Winner. The songs ‘Finally’ and ‘Don’t Tell Me Nonsense’ was produced by my producer while ‘Oliver Twist’ was produced by Don Jazzy. So, why won’t I have him on my 10 years anniversary album?
“I have never said I am a musician; I am an entertainer. Some people say I can pick up a microphone and become a comedian. Therefore nobody should come and ask if I want to go into acting because they should know I am already an actor. It depends on when the right script and concept lands in my hands.
Source: Punchng.com“For now, I am concerned about achieving new things and breaking new grounds. By the time I enter Hollywood, I believe that I’ll become as successful as I have been as a singer. The movie titled ‘I am Banga Lee’, starring Genevieve, to be released in 2014, won’t be a bad idea,” He said.
Pastor abducts daughter, assaults lover
A man, who claimed to be the pastor of
Prayer Mountain Ministries, Lagos, Olusola Adewunmi, has been accused of
aggravated assault against his lover, Queen Ujiatolor, in the Onipanu
area of Lagos State.
Although not legally married, the couple
are said to have two children together. Their five-year relationship is
said to have been fraught with domestic violence.
When PUNCH Metro visited the victim in a hospital, her legs and hands were bandaged while she was also placed on drip.
She said, “I met Adewunmi in 2009; he
had just returned from Pakistan where he was said to have served a
prison term. He told me he was a changed man and a pastor; I believed
him.
“Soon after, we had a marriage introduction and our two families met and subsequently, we started living together.
“However, months into the relationship,
he started beating me. Sometimes, he would use a belt or any object he
found. After the beating, I would report to his parents and they would
come begging me to forgive him.”
The victim alleged that even during pregnancy, Adewunmi did not stop the beating.
Ujiatolor said she was driven out of
their home six months after she had put to bed. A member of Adewunmi’s
church allegedly took her place as the pastor’s new lover.
She said a year later, in 2012, the
pastor came back to her for reconciliation and promised to wed her
legally. However, this was not to be as the physical violence allegedly
continued.
Ujiatolor claimed to have sustained a fracture in the process and was rushed to Regina Mundi Hospital, Mushin in Lagos.
The victim said their relationship got
worse when the pastor told her that she must change her last name but
she refused because they had not done a proper wedding. She was forced
to move out of the home after the birth of the second child in May 2013.
Things allegedly took a turn for the
worse on September 22, when Adewunmi forcefully abducted one of their
children in her absence.
She said, “On that day, I was at a
seminar in Ilupeju when he called me on the telephone, calling me a
prostitute. He told me he had taken our older daughter and that I would
never see her again. So, I went to his church and attempted to take her
away. He hit me from behind and pushed me into a glass door. After he
saw the extent of my injuries, he fled.”
The doctor, Gani Yahaya, said the victim sustained lacerations on her calf muscle and had splinters of glass in her wounds.
PUNCH Metro learnt that the incident was reported at the Alakara Police Division and later transferred to the Area D Command.
A non-governmental organisation, Project
Alert on Violence Against Women, which took over Ujiatolor’s case,
called on the police to take the case seriously.
The Director, Dr. Josephine
Effa-Chukwuma, said, “We are appalled at the situation and no one should
condone any form of domestic abuse. The police should also take the
matter seriously rather than regarding it as a family affair.”
When contacted on the phone, Adewunmi
said, “I cannot tell you if it is true or a lie. I have no comment and I
don’t want to get involved in press matter.”
The Deputy Police Public Relations
Officer, Damasus Ozoani, confirmed that the matter had been reported to
the police and investigations were ongoing.
Eagles: 263-man delegation to hit Addis Ababa
Super Eagles players
In a statement on Thursday, the Nigeria Football Federation General Secretary Musa Amadu said the chattered flight conveying the delegation would leave the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at 1.40am on Saturday and touch down at the Addis Ababa Airport at 8am, Ethiopian time.
Amadu said 263 persons, including 23 players, coaches, NFF and National Sports Commission officials as well as members of the National Assembly and Nigeria Football Supporters’ Club members would board the plane.
He said the federation’s two officials, who arrived in Addis Ababa on Tuesday, had been working with the Nigerian Embassy in Ethiopia to make l arrangements for the delegation.
Create jobs for yourselves, govs tell corps members
Some 2012 Batch C corps members after their passing-out
The
National Youth Service Corps on Thursday organised a passing out
ceremony for the 2012 Batch C NYSC members across the 36 states and the
Federal Capital Territory with some governors advising them to deploy
their energies towards nation building. They also advised them to create
jobs for themselves.
In Akwa Ibom State, the governor, Mr.
Godswill Akpabio, advised them to continue serving the nation in
whatever sector of the economy they find themselves.
Speaking through the Commissioner for
Culture and Tourism, Mr. Ita Umo, during the passing out ceremony in Uyo
on Thursday, the governor urged the youth corps members to develop
positive attitude towards the country.
He said, “Let me advise you that the
task of nation building does not end with your one year mandatory
service. As you step out of the scheme and Akwa Ibom State today, you
need to be reminded to always have positive attitude towards Nigeria, by
aspiring to lift our nation high as inscribed in the NYSC anthem.
The governor advised the outgoing 2,893 corps members in the state to embrace self-employment.
Also, Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun
State, urged the corps members to deploy their creative thinking into
how to create jobs for themselves rather than roaming the streets in
search of paid jobs.
Aregbesola said this at the NYSC
Orientation Camp in Ede, Osun State on Thursday at the passing out
ceremony of 2012 Batch C corps members deployed into the state.
He said, “ It is imperative to stress
that gone are the days to expect that immediately after service, one
would secure an automatic life-time job even among several alternatives.
The attitude and orientation of majority of our young graduates was
that creative thinking and individual initiative ended when they wrote
their final examination.
“This is absolutely wrong. You need to
apply creativity more now in the face of unemployment bedeviling the
nation. Focus more on self employment.”
Also, the Rivers State Governor, Mr.
Rotimi Amaechi, advised the outgoing corps members to train themselves
to become self-reliant in order to assist government to tackle the
problem of unemployment.
Amaechi, who gave this advice on
Thursday while addressing the 2012 Batch ‘C’ corps members at the
passing-out of 3,431 corps members in Port Harcourt, said that white
collar jobs were no longer available for employable Nigerians.
“As you are now faced with the task of
seeking gainful employment, I advise you to nurture and apply yourselves
to the practical lessons of self-employment, which you were exposed to
in the course of your service year, through the skills acquisition and
entrepreneurial development programme, as white collar jobs are no
longer available for all employable Nigerians as in the past.
“I therefore urge you to be self-reliant
so as to assist the government in fighting the rising rate of
unemployment in our society,” Amaechi said.
However Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu
State urged them to make the necessary sacrifice required to achieve
success in their chosen careers.
The governor said this on Thursday, at their passing-out ceremony in Enugu.
He said, “Some of you may be rightly
apprehensive of what tomorrow holds for you. I want to assure you that
it is bright. As educated young men and women with requisite skills, the
sky is your limit.
“However, you must recognise that the
road to success has never been easy. History has shown that no
individual or nation has ever achieved success without sacrifices.”
He said that through their education and
participation in the NYSC scheme, they had been equipped for survival
in a competitive world.
Also, Governor Mukhtar Yero of Kaduna
State commended the outgoing corps members for their contributions in
tackling developmental challenges in the country.
Yero gave the commendation on Thursday at the passing out parade of 2012 ‘’ batch C ‘’ Corps members in Kaduna.
Represented by his deputy, Nuhu Bajoga,
the governor noted that the scheme had impacted positively on the lives
of the people, especially in the rural areas.
However, in Gombe State, Governor
Ibrahim Dankwambo offered automatic employment to 13 NYSC members who
distinguished themselves in the service year.
The News Agency of Nigeria reported that the appointment included the 12 state merit awardees and the parade commander of the passing out parade ceremony.
The governor also announced N20,000
transport fares to each of the 720 youths, N500,000 to the overall best
corps member and N1m to the soldiers that conducted the passing out
parade ceremony.
Youth corper dies in fatal car accident on his way to his POP
See what happened at the Close Up Loves Naija Concerts
The anticipated Close Up Loves Naija concerts
held in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt at Silverbird Galleria in the respective
locations featuring top acts as MI, KCee, DJ Jimmy Jatt, Emma Nyra, Skales,
Dammy Krane, amongst others. Continue...
The Concerts were fun filled as music, comedy,
games, and dancing were on by performers and guests alike. Through raffle
tickets collected at the venues, different giveaways such as cash prizes,
cinema tickets, and a grand prize of Samsung Galaxy S4 were given away at the
venues.
During
the event, it was also revealed that customers stand a chance to win N1Million
each from now till the end of the year when they purchase the newly introduced
Close Up patriotic pack which carries parts of the Nigerian map, and match
the correct parts of the map to make up one complete map. This complete map
should be sent to a Unilever redemption centre for a raffle ticket. Winners
will be selected through a raffle draw on a monthly basis.
If you missed the concerts, see what went down
in the photos below:
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| Field Sales Manager, Abuja region, Oyedeji Muyiwa; Guest Artiste, KCee; Brand Manager, Close Up, Dexter Adeola, during the unveiling of the new Close Up patriotic pack, at the Close Up Loves Naija Concert held at the Silverbird Galleria, Abuja |
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| (L-R): The Grand price raffle draw winner, Adebola Adenuga, being congratulated by a Guest Artiste, Kcee; and Brand Manager, Close Up, Unilever Nigeria, Dexter Adeola, at the Close Up Loves Naija Concert, held at the Silverbird Galleria, Abuja. |
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| Brand Manager, Close Up, Unilever Nigeria, Dexter Adeola, presenting a movie ticket to one of the winners at the Close Up Loves Naija Concert, held at the Silverbird Galleria, Abuja. |
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| Executive, Unilever Nigeria Plc, Princess Nnaji; lucky winner of a Samsung Galaxy S4, John Chukwu and Guest Artiste, Skales of EME Records at the Close Up Loves Naija Concert held at the Silverbird Galleria, Port Harcourt. |
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| (L_R):Consumer Activation Manager,Unilever Nig Plc,Oluwafemi Atoyebi; Category Manager,Oral Care Unilever Nig.Plc, Oiza Gyang;Vice President Operation, Unilever Nig.Plc, Anil Gopalan and Asst. Category Manager,Oral Care Unilever Nig. Plc, Grace Onwubuemeli at the Close-Up Loves Naija Concert held yesterday at Silverbird Galleria,Lagos. |
Thursday, 10 October 2013
Seven-year-old leads police to smash Lagos kidnap syndicate
Suspects
A
university graduate and two other suspects were on Wednesday paraded by
the Lagos State Police Command, following their arrest, by a tip off
from a seven-year-old victim.
The graduate of Economics of Olabisi
Onabanjo University, Gbenga Sholaja; Olalekan Benjamin and Samson
Shomorin, who specialise in kidnapping little boys, were arrested by men
of the Igando Police Division and the Special Anti-Robbery Squad,
Ikeja, Lagos.
The victim (name withheld) was said to have been held hostage at Benjamin’s father’s house at Ikotun, Lagos.
The child, who was later released after
ransom was paid by his parents, was said to have memorised the house
address where he was kept. It was the child who led police officers to
the same house where Benjamin was arrested.
Sholaja, who wept profusely during his interview, told PUNCH Metro that
he was pushed by unemployment into kidnapping. He said, “I have a
Second Class Upper (Division) in Accounting and have completed my
National Youth Service Corps programme.
“I went into kidnapping because since I finished my NYSC in 2011, I have been unable to get a job.”
An ex-convict, who was remanded in
prison for kidnapping three years ago, Benjamin, said he met Sholaja at
OOU while he was trying to gain admission into the school.
He said, “I was a casual worker at a
factory in 2007 before I was sacked; I earned N300 per day. After
staying idle for some months, I met a friend, Muyiwa, we were carriers
of frozen fish at Apapa. He introduced me to Taofeeq.
“One day, Taofeeq brought a small boy to
my house and asked me to take care of him. He claimed that the boy was
his younger brother; he was about seven years old. The boy stayed in my
house with my family and was well taken care of for four days. Taofeeq
even sent money for his upkeep.
“When Taofeeq went to collect N150, 000
ransom, he was arrested by SARS and he led them to my house. We were
charged and sent to prison in November 2009. In September 2010, we were
released because the complainant refused to show up in court.”
Benajmin and his wife, upon his release,
then moved to his father’s house at Ikotun area of the state. In 2010,
he was said to have met Sholaja in OOU, where he went to write the
post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
The 30-year-old claimed that Sholaja
invited him to take part in another kidnapping; he said Sholaja had read
about Benjamin’s arrest in the newspapers.
Benjamin said, “We would kidnap one boy and we would keep the boy in his (Sholaja’) mother’s house at Owode Ijako.
“After a week, the boy’s parents paid the money. We were given N100,000 and my share was just N40,000.”
Describing their modus operandi,
Benajmin said they usually kidnapped children while on their way to or
from school. All suspects were said to have collected a total of
N260,000 on two separate occasions, to secure the release of two boys.
Benjamin told PUNCH Metro that he befriended potential victims by buying them biscuits on their way to school, thereby earning their trust.
He said, “It was the last kidnap that
got us into trouble. I drove away not knowing that the boy memorised my
father’s house address, where he was kept.
“After he was released, he led policemen
to the house and I was arrested along with my dad but my dad was later
released on bail.”
Shomorin, on his part, confessed to
kidnapping three boys. He urged the government to pardon them, promising
not to go back to crime.
Lagos Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Damasus Ozoani, said the suspects were arrested on September 29, 2013.
Ozoani said, “They confessed to have
kidnapped three children -one from Omole Phase 1; one Kola at Alagbado
area and the last one in Owode Ijako, Ogun State, and various amounts of
money were collected as ransom.”
Funke Akindele & Mercy Johnson mess around on set
Lagos Jazz Series 2013 Artists Revealed...
Traditional Jazz, Smooth Jazz, Neo Soul,
R & B, Afrobeat, Hip Hop. We put them all in the Lagos Jazz Series blender
and came up with a music festival.
From the 27th of November to the 1st of
December the city of Lagos will be entertained by some of the world’s top music
acts as the 4th Edition of the Lagos Jazz Series kicks off. A 4th edition that
promises to sell out quickly. Continue...
This year’s series will be a music festival like none before it. Grammy award winning artistes will be featured in fantastic outdoor locations in eight events for five consecutive days. Four of those five days will have two simultaneous events at different locations. Lagos Jazz Series will once again put the city of Lagos on the map as a destination city for Jazz, Music and Entertainment.
Headlining the festival is the following
list of stunning artistes:
Marcus Miller
Marcus is a two-time Grammy Award winner,
bassist, composer, producer of 10 critically acclaimed and genre defying
albums, multi-instrumentalist, and he was also the last primary collaborator
with the jazz legend Miles Davis. He is the genius behind the sound of many
popular Luther Vandross songs.
Pat Metheny
This prolific artiste is an American jazz
guitarist, composer and 20-time Grammy Award winner. His music is original and
stretches across the boundaries of jazz and other genres, making it possible
for him to perform any kind of music without losing his audience.
Jill Scott
A mature, 13 nominated and 3 Grammy award
winning, Jazz/R&B/Spoken Word/Soul/Neo Soul/Hip Hop vocalist who excelled
most with slower, sensual material (“A Long Walk,”) and was versatile enough to
pack plenty of punch with anthems of pride and self-empowerment
("Golden"). She is also a songwriter, actress and poet.
Branford Marsalis
Branford Marsalis is an American
saxophonist, composer and bandleader. He has received the National Endowment of
the Arts (NEA) Jazz Master award and won two Grammy awards. While primarily
known for his work in jazz as the leader of the Branford Marsalis Quartet, he
also performs frequently as a soloist with classical ensembles and has led the
group Buckshot LeFonque.
Seun Kuti
Oluseun Anikulapo Kuti, commonly known as
Seun Kuti, is a Nigerian musician, and the youngest son of legendary afrobeat
pioneer Fela Kuti. Seun leads his father's former band Egypt 80.
Robert Glasper
Robert Glasper is a jazz pianist with a
knack for mellow, harmonically complex compositions that also reveal a subtle
hip-hop influence. His 2012 album Black Radio won the Grammy Award for Best
R&B Album at the 2013 Grammy Awards.
M.I. Abaga
A
proficient producer, lyricist, songwriter and instrumentalist, M.I has been
described as the future of African Hip-Hop.
Antibalas
Influenced by Nigerian Afro-beat,
American soul, and Latin dance grooves, Antibalas performs their particular
style based on the combination of different cultures immersed in the band.
Antibalas is the group behind the Fela on Broadway show.
This year’s lineup of artistes is a
diversity and fusion of all music genres, each powerful and electrifying in
their performance. Lagos Jazz Series has gone 5 notches higher this year by
bringing to Lagosians the “Africa Stage” which will be at the Muri Okunola Park
where music in all its different genres is embraced and performed by these
distinct artistes yet similar to each other in their love for music, soul and
performance.
Lagos Jazz Series 2013 promises to be a
truly entertaining present to give yourself before Christmas, an experience you
will not soon forget. Get your tickets quickly before they are all gone.
Tickets on immediate offer are being sold at early bird prices.
For tickets – visit: www.buyamtickets.com
For more information, please visit
www.lagosjazzseries.com or contact info@lagosjazzseries.com.
I’m Honoured To Be Glo Ambassador
L-R: Glo Divisional Director Lagos/ West Territory, Kunle Akanmu, Chairman, Lagos State FA, Seyi Akinwunmi, Nigerian international, Victor Moses and Executive Director, Legal, Globacom, Mrs. Gladys Talabi, after Moses was signed as Glo Ambassador in Lagos on Tuesday.
Nigerian International and Liverpool Football Club winger, Victor Moses has described the ambassadorial deal Globacom signed with him as a honour which he was glad to accept.
Nigeria’s leading telecommunication company, yesterday in Lagos unveiled Moses as its brand ambassador during a ceremony held at the Mike Adenuga Towers, Headquarters of Globacom.
“I’m honoured to be here as an Ambassador of Glo. This is a rare privilege because this will be the first honour I will get in Africa since I started my football career. This is indeed a big honour for me and I’ll cherish it for sometime to come. I would work harder to justify the confidence reposed in me by management of the company,” said the former Crystal Palace star.
Moses thanked Globacom for considering him worthy of being the company’s ambassador, promising to make Globacom a bigger brand and “score more goals for the company”, adding that he will make everybody proud by working very hard to ensure that the Super Eagles qualifies for the next World Cup. He also advised young footballers to work extra hard on their talent to become outstanding.
Group Chief Operating Officer of Globacom, Mr. Mohamed Jameel stated that the footballer had within his short playing career distinguished himself at both the club and national team levels.
•
Jameel said that one of the ways in which the company has been promoting indigenous sports as well as arts and culture is through the appointment of enterprising Nigerians in various sectors as brand ambassadors.
According to him, “This is not only meant to promote the growth of the various industries but also to encourage our teeming youth population to aspire to realise their dreams by looking up to these crops of ambassadors as mentors.”
“It is in line with our commitment to delivering value and rewarding excellence that we have signed up one of our own, a Nigerian International, a dynamic winger and outstanding member of our victorious national team, the Super Eagles, Mr. Victor Moses to project the Globacom brand across the world,” Jameel stated further.
He described the unveiling ceremony of the footballer as a further demonstration of Globacom’s commitment to the development of Nigerian Football in Nigeria.
Jonathan goes for medical check up—in Aso Villa!
President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice President Namadi Sambo on Wednesday took some time off the weekly meeting of Federal Executive to undergo series of checks conducted on them from a mobile clinic by Consultants from the National Hospital, Abuja to flag off Nigeria National Stroke Prevention Programme.
Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, the Minister of Health told reporters that the President and his deputy’s Body Mass Index, height, weight, blood pressure etc were measured and checked during the exercise as a demonstration of the two leaders’ commitment to encourage Nigerians to undergo periodic checkups as way of reducing incidence of sudden deaths.
He added that the two veins that supply blood to the brain were also tested to ensure that there is no any form of disruption.
According to the Minister, President Jonathan is concerned by the rising incidents of sudden deaths resulting from ailments like diabetes, heart disease, stroke which can be prevented if discovered on time.
Under the National Stroke Prevention Programme, government will not only encourage regular medical checkups, but will also initiate series of activities aimed at creating awareness about healthy lifestyles among Nigerians.
Onyebuchi said the President has already directed that all members of the Federal Executive Council must also undergo medical checkup like he did today and must also be involved in sporting activities to keep fit. He added that the campaign will also be taken to the National Assembly, especially since lawmakers had once called upon government to do something to reduce sudden deaths following the death of some of their members in the past.
VP Sambo also does his own check up
Onyebuchi said though it will cost N50, 000.00 to undergo checks similar to one undertaken by the President today, the Federal Government has put a subsidy arrangement in place that will reduce the cost to N10, 000.00 for indigent Nigerians.The Minister who added that it is not necessary for an individual to undergo all the checks at once, said the subsidy will only be enjoyed by those recommended by Doctors to take all the tests.
Onyebuchi said the subsidy will take effect immediately. He also added that some of the basic tests can be performed at primary healthcare centers while the teaching hospitals can handle the complex ones.
Meanwhile, Onyebuchi has asked the National Association of Resident Doctors, NARD to ask its members to return to work. According to him, most of the demands of the Doctors who are presently on strike have been met by the government.
The Minister listed the demands of medical personnel to include lack of training for resident doctors, removal of the Medical Director of Owerri Federal Medical Centre and nonpayment of salaries of House Officers said the National Association of Medical Doctors is not in support of the strike.
He however said it is ironic that the Doctors were complaining about lack of training when President Jonathan was the one who reactivated foreign component of training for Resident Doctors after many years of lack of such opportunity. He said 50 Doctors benefitted from the foreign training in 2012 and the funds for the training for 2013 have been included in the budget of teaching hospitals to decentralize the process.
In the same vein, Onyebuchi said government has asked the doctors to formally write for the removal of the Owerri Medical Centre Medical Director through the Board of the hospital.
He also attributed the delay in the payment of salaries of House Officers to teething problems of the Integrated Payroll System being implemented across the civil service.
But he said the problem is already being tackled and some of the affected House Officers are already receiving their salaries. “We believe that being reasonable people, they should go back to work,” said the Minister.
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