₦airaland Forum

Yesterday in Onne,Rivers State, nine 40 feet containers of frozen chicken were buried by customs. This morning on my way to work the community had started excavating them, most probably to sell at give a way prices in the market. The crowd was a large one and there's no guarantee that this meat are still healthy and safe for consumption. A good chunk of the meat may have already found their way to the market, as I learnt that the digging started last night.

The relevant authorities should come and condor off the area and stop more of these meat from finding their way to the market. The responsibility of safe guarding our health is a collective one, as such I thought this is worth sharing. Digging is still ongoing. I could not take pictures as my bus drove quickly.

Men of God Or gods of men?

When renowned literary icon, Chinua Achebe said "The white man is very clever. He came quietly and peaceably with his religion. We were amused at his foolishness and allowed him to stay. Now he has won our brothers, and our clan can no longer act like one. He has put a knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart." He was only bemoaning the divisive influence and role, foreign religion has played in our midst. He was probably oblivious of the inestimable damage and immeasurable exploitation his fellow country men will make of it. It was former Kenyan president, Jomo Kenyatta that first identified religion as a veritable tool for exploiting and impoverishing others by saying "when the Missionaries arrived, the Africans had the land and the Missionaries had the Bible. They taught us how to pray with our eyes closed. When we opened them, they had the land and we had the Bible". Little did he know that fellow Africans would one day employ the same strategy, to rip their kinsmen and plunge them into poverty. Once again, this cowboy is constrained to write on a matter that will pit him against many. My closest companions have warned me saying it is written, "touch not my anointed and do my prophets no harm". They say "judge not that you be not judged". Is it not the same Holy Book that said in John 8:32 "and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free"? When we will embrace the bitter truth and throw off these shackles of self inflicted ignorance we have worn for too long? The instruction was unambiguously stated and standard clearly set, by no one else but our Lord and Master himself. So whose instruction are they following and whose standard and they conforming to now?

So here I stand alone like I've done in recent times, with plenty questions spinning in my mind in search of answers that probably either don't exist or are best left alone. As an African when an elder has to call your name three consecutive times or repeat himself three times you knew the world had stopped spinning. Once and only once, does the Holy Book record the Son of God repeating himself three times, yet we take with levity the words he uttered there and then. In John 21:15-17 it is written "So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep". Peter was perhaps right to take offence, and his anger was certainly not out of place. The emphasis that night was for a purpose, most likely not for Mr Peter himself, but subsequent Peters that would misconstrue the Lord and edit his instruction for selfish and canal reasons. Particularly the Peters from this side of the world, who are feeding fat on the sheep entrusted to them with reckless abandon. It is indeed a slim margin between "feed my sheep" and "feed on my sheep". How else do you explain what I'm seeing?

Perusing through the pages of this expensive magazine only to find my country men and preachers of my race dominating the list of the richest clergy men in the world. If they had given freely,what they received freely as they were so instructed, how would they have stacked up so much wealth worth millions in hard currency? Perhaps the mansions of gold he promised us across the bridge have tarried too long, that many now deem it best to take matters into their hands and build theirs here, where everything fades with the passage of time and treasures, vulnerable to theft. What saddens me most is not their decision to settle here and terminate their pilgrimage, but the poor souls that are spiritually starved and physically exploited by preaching exciting and enticing sermons every Sunday. Taking advantage of the poverty in the land to make themselves richer to the detriment of their followers. Successfully and with minimal effort they convinced their followers that sowing seeds is now the shortest route to breakthroughs, many now indulge in ungodly activities to make money and offer to "God". To today's Peters, it doesn't matter whether the money was fraudulently earned, just bring it to the "house of God" and it would be sanctified. The Peter of old would have told such men "thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money"

He was modest in all ways. His main means of transportation was by foot. Though there existed glamorous and expensive horses and chariots, he knew people like blind Bartimaeus needed access to him. In a fast moving chariot he would have missed Zacheaus the tax collector, and salvation would have passed the short man's family. The widow who lost her only son, would have lived a sorrowful and lonely life if a convoy had surrounded him. He truly came to serve and not be served and to give his life a ransome for many. The more I see, the more confused I get, there isn't so much in common between him and his so called servants today. Mahatma Gandi said " I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." Most of them have come to be served and not to serve, and to hold the lives of others to ransom- a radical departure and sharp contrast to the model instituted by the Master himself. They drive in the most expensive tinted glassed cars with a lengthy entourage of heavily armed men. A good number of them fly on private jets in a bid to "hasten" the spread of the gospel. Then I ask, which gospel? During the great commission he charged us to begin in our Jerusalems. As long as there remains an unsaved soul around you, you have no right flying to the other end of the world to save those that brought this religion to us in the first place. It just doesn't make any sense taking coal to Newcastle. Like the Ibos say "when a hyena wants to eat her offsprings, she will say they smell like goats". Many reasons have been put forward by them and those who support this extreme extravagant lifestyle of our clergy. The Lord was made poor so that they might be rich. The earth is the Lord and the fullness thereof. We could go on and on citing references that has turned them to multi millionaires without jobs.

Lest I get misconstrued, it is imperative I state unequivocally that I have nothing against seeing the preacher man prosper. My concern has always been and is-at what cost and is it really worth it? The spiritual and physical well being of their followers? Or to the detriment of their own souls? I would love to fly in a private jet if I could, or ride on the back of a strong black stallion. However, It is anti-cowboy to take more than you give or manipulate another for your selfish gains, so I must live within the confines of my legitimate income. When greed tries to dictate to me and the lust to gather springs up, I recall the words of Francis of Assisi, "remember that when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing that you have received-only what you have given."

I can only imagine how beautiful and pleasant it would be, if our clergy would give thought to the words of Mother Teresa, a lady that was a true reflection of what a life dedicated to service should be when she said "live simply so others may simply live."

N Udom

It is a shame the extent to which everything has been given a political undertone in this country. If something good had happened in Lagos during the President's stay there, would Fashola have credited it to the President?

The SMS from the service providers serve as enough nuisance alone. As annoying as they are, I've learnt to cope with them. Further disturbance from places of worship, business centres and the likes is what I can't put up with. How they managed to get my number is another mystery that baffles me. For the religious bodies, I understand I left my number on the form for first timers though, it still doesn't justify sending unsolicited messages frequently without recourse to how the recepient feels.

These SMS are sent in bulk, so there's no number to block the conventional way. Anybody knows how I can go about putting a stop to this?

Whoever said do not judge a book by its cover, has probably been to the edge of town or heard of what it looks like here. Tidy and unkempt, abandoned and forsaken, almost forgotten and dejected. A sacred place left unattended. With grass overgrown and mucus infested stone, they don't tell the story of what lays beneath, nor reflect the pedigree of he that sleeps underneath. The environment surely does not befits the status of the colossus he was and still is. He was just a mechanic by trade, until the white man came and told him he could achieve more with the round leather using his legs, than he could with the spanner in his hands. He dropped his spanner and followed him, and so began his reign of terror.


I reminisce of what things once were before technology revolutionised television screens. We couldn't wait to see him in our 14 inches black and white screen doing what he always did best. Those were the green, green days of glory. I shake my head when I hear people say these current crop are the best we've ever had, simply because satellite cable shows them week in, week out on crystal clear screens earning fat wages in hard currency. It’s only those who were not born when the king's father ruled, that would say this current king is the greatest. It is really disheartening to see the extent to which things have deteriorated and how we celebrate mediocrity. Whenever he took to the field, he shone like the sun and always played with passion.

According to Edmund Burke, "People will not look forward to posterity, who never look backward to their ancestors.” To know nothing of what happened before you took your place on earth, is to remain a child for ever and ever. Let the story be told by men who were privileged to have witnessed his reign. Let the chronicles of his exploits be opened and read for all to hear, lest we forget those days of glory. For in the not too distant past, when the skies were still blue and the grasses green, on this land we call our own, THERE WAS A STRIKER

The former Super Eagles captain was elected on Friday to
replace Amaju Pinnick in the saddle of the DSFA in Asaba
Former Nigeria captain Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha has
successfully transitioned from player to administrator as he
won election as chairman of the Delta State Football
Association on Friday.
Okocha, 41, polled 26 out of 27 votes to win the seat and
replace Amaju Pinnick who vacated the role after becoming
president of the Nigeria Football Federation September 2014.
The former PSG, Bolton Wanderers and Hull City player
becomes one of the few former footballers to enjoy such huge
transition from the field into the boardroom in Nigerian
football.
The three-time World Cup player is presently head of the NFF
Technical Study Group.

I'm not quite sure, but if I must guess, its probably because those ladies took advantage of men a few years ago. Not in all cases though because some never did.

The last set of Ghanian players that won AFCON for them about 3 decades ago placed a curse on the team for the unfulfilled promises the government made to them. Then they go and hire a coach who it seems is also under a spell and destined to always finish in second place whether in Europe or Africa. Wonders shall never end indeed.

The news reaching futaa.com on Tuesday is that Wilfred Agbonavbare, popularly known as Willy The Cat, has lost the battle he fought with cancer, and has passed on.

This website broke the news of the condition of the player, and has been canvassing for help from different quarters to make the final days of the 1994 Nations Cup and World Cup star, bearable.

Worse

Only on Monday, Henry Makinwa a former Nigeria junior international, who also turned out for Concord of Abeokuta and Penafiel of Portugal, had told futaa.com that he has taken a turn for worse.

Agbonsevbafe had lost his wife to cancer a few years back, and had sent his children home. His friends in Spain had arranged for the children to come see their father, but sadly, they will now not see him alive again.

We sweat for a reason. And yet, we spend $18 billion a year trying to stop or at least mask the smell of our sweat.

Yep, that's $18 billion a year spent on deodorant and antiperspirants. But even though you use it every day, we doubt you know all of these surprising facts about your swipe sticks.

1. Being anti-body odor is NOT a modern phenomenon.
According to the New York Times, ancient Egyptians "invented the art of scented bathing" and took to applying perfume to their pits.

The first trademarked deodorant -- in 1888! -- was called Mum, and the first antiperspirant, Everdry, followed 15 years later, the Times reported.

2. Deodorant kills bacteria.
Sweat isn't inherently stinky. In fact, it's nearly odorless. The stench comes from bacteria that break down one of two types of sweat on your skin. Deodorant contains some antibacterial power to stop the stink before it starts, while antiperspirants deal with sweat directly.

3. Antiperspirants don't actually stop the sweating process.
The aluminum compounds in antiperspirants effectively stop up the eccrine sweat glands.

But the FDA only requires that a brand cut back on sweat by 20 percent to boast "all day protection" on its label, the Wall Street Journal reported. An antiperspirant claiming "extra strength" only has to cut down on wetness by 30 percent.

4. You really can become "immune" to your antiperspirant.
antiperspirant
It seems that our bodies do adapt to the sweat-thwarting ways of antiperspirants, but no one really knows why, HuffPost Style reported. The body may adapt and find a way to unplug the glands, or simply produce more sweat in the body's other glands.

"It's a good idea to switch up your deodorant brand every six months to prevent resistance," Dr. Han Lee, assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Southern California, told Men's Health.

5. Your deodorant doesn't care if you're male or female.
Fun fact: While women have more sweat glands than men, men's sweat glands produce more sweat.

But deodorant for men or for women is most likely little more than a marketing ploy. In at least one brand, the same active ingredient is present in the same amounts in the sticks for men and women, Discovery Health reported. It's only packaging and fragrance that differs.

We're still falling for it, though: As of 2006, unisex deodorants make up just 10 percent of the sweat-fighting market, USA Today reported.

6. Not everyone needs deodorant -- and it's possible to tell if you do by your earwax.
Deodorant advertisers have done a pretty good job of convincing us that we're disgustingly smelly animals who need to be refined by their products.

But, most people don't smell as bad as they think they do, Esquire reported, and some, who come from a particularly lucky gene pool, don't even smell at all.

Short of forgoing all deodorant long enough to discover your true scent -- which this brave soul did for 10 days -- you can get an idea about your own personal smell factor by examining your earwax. (Hey, no one said this wouldn't be gross!) White, flaky ear gunk most likely means you could toss the deodorant stick. Dark and sticky wax... not so fast! Dry earwax producers are missing a chemical in their pits that the odor-causing bacteria feed on, according to LiveScience.

7. No one -- not even deodorant makers -- truly understands where those yellow stains come from.
stains
The dominant theory is that the aluminum-based ingredients in antiperspirants somehow react with sweat or skin or shirts or laundry detergent or all of the above to make that foul stain. Hanes is even "researching the 'yellowing phenomenon,'" according to the Wall Street Journal. The only way to truly prevent them is to say no to aluminum-based antiperspirants.

8. You can make your own.
A number of plant oils and extracts contain their very own antibacterial powers, so in theory you can make your own stench-fighting deodorant relatively easily. However, people seem to find all-natural, store-bought products to have varying degrees of efficacy -- not to mention you won't find an all-natural antiperspirant, just odor blockers.

source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/

The same way he promised not to contest beyond 2011, and sealed it with his tears?

barcanista:
Buhari is a man of integrity, he doesn't say something and do the opposite. I am sure you will be glad that he's is our PresideÑt-to-come

I just came across this and thought I should share it. A rooster fish? It is quite hard to comprehend, but like they say wonders shall never end.

[b][/b][b][/b]You only miss the sunshine when it starts to rain, with the August break gone; a day hardly passes by without heavy downpour. With the deplorable state of our roads you can only imagine the traffic jams that characterize the highways these days. If you wish to get home before 10:00pm, you'd have to alight from the bus and meander your way through the heavy traffic by foot. One man's misfortune is always another's fortune. Just as the Lion's demise means food for scavengers, there were always going to be some opportunists to capitalize on the situation, some for good and others for bad. The few available cyclists tripled their fares as people desperately scrambled for their services. A crowd will always comprise different persons, the good, the bad and the ugly, so you have to expect just anything. As we walked briskly through the locked vehicles, body contacts were inevitable. If you want to pick a fight each time you're touched, you may have to fight every step of the way. I had my own fair share of contacts, some were heavy, and some were mild. None was significant enough to trigger any form of suspicion. Perhaps I was just too carefree and lackadaisical, with my mind preoccupied with getting home.
With some kilometers under my belt, I was fortunate to get a taxi to my final bus stop. As I slumped in my seat enjoying the soothing breeze from the window of the rickety car, I just kept wondering if and when we will ever be free from the menace of bad roads and insanity of the drivers on our highways, particularly the commercial transporters. Little did I know that a much bigger showdown was in stock for me. Talk about a bad day getting worse, this surely was it. With the bus stop in sight, the driver requested for his money. Cold sweat came on me as I reached for my back pocket. I could not feel my wallet. Then and there, my mind flashed back to all the numerous contacts I had. How was I going to get through this? What would the driver's reaction be? I would rather not go into what ensued at the bus stop that day. I don't believe there's such thing as a bad day. Every day is a gift from God, so regardless of what happens, I try to be grateful. I lost my wallet, I trekked a good distance, my limbs ached me and I got an overdose of embarrassment that day. Surely it couldn't have been worse.
As I ate my cold dinner, recollecting all that transpired in the day, and mourning the unfortunate theft of my longest serving wallet, that had been my companion for the last four years or so, the candle light burned out while I fondled with my phone surfing the internet. Thank goodness I didn't lose this, I thought to myself. You may say I was too lazy to tidy up before dropping off, but for me it was more of tiredness than laziness. The last thing I remember that night was reading some old text messages and mails, before I succumbed to the heaviness of my eyes and weariness of my body. Three days later, six missed calls from a strange number. It is not in my character to call back, but this time I did. "I'm sorry to bother you, the voice said. I found a wallet in a taxi some days back. I got your number from the deposit slip I found in it, I guess it must be yours" said the cracked voice on the other end of the line. "I misplaced mine some days back, as a matter of fact, I actually thought it was stolen" I heartily replied. We made plans to meet and get my wallet back. My mood was a bit lightened, there wasn't much in it, but it meant much to me. It was a birthday gift in my second year in school and its quality, a little bit above average. So it would have been cruel losing it just like that.
What a strange old man he turned out to be the day we met. He handed me my wallet and declined the little token of appreciation I offered. His kind is rare, I said to myself, a species I thought we had lost to the cold hands of extinction. It was heartwarming to know one or two of them were still out there. As he walked me to my bus stop, there was hardly a topic in this world we didn't cover. No matter where I find myself or with whom I'm surrounded, as long as I'm in public, I've made it a rule not to lend my voice to debates that boarder on any three of the following topics-Politics, Religion and Her. So I politely and cunningly evaded topics that had anything to do with these. The old man was having none of it. For such a kind and gentle soul, I didn't mind breaking my own rules. I made him know just how much the wallet meant to me. He smiled and said the permanent voters card (PVC) in it should mean much to me at least for now. I quickly told him I couldn't wait to use it to bring about change. Change? He asked, interrupting me. Where have I heard that word before? He asked further. Saying something in French that I never really understood, he answered Cote d’Ivoire. He had lived there and was in his early fifties when Laurent Gbagbo, preached the same gospel-change and made his way to power. Only for them to realize it was a grave mistake they made. Then he took me down memory lane and told me how the people of Senegal, Burkina Faso and others took their turns, and equally fell for the same gimmick-change. Even in recent times the people in the northern part of the continent in pursuit of the so called change, have also fallen into the hands of these vampires that parade themselves as the agents of change. Now they wish they could turn back the hands of time and get back to how things were.
By this time we were at the bus stop, it was quite a distance but felt like just a five minutes’ walk. As I flagged down a cab, he reiterated he had nothing against change. I won't forget the last words he told me as I boarded the cab "son the grass is not always greener on the other side as it seems from a distance. Son you must deemphasize change, and emphasize positive change. If taking off 'agbada' to wear 'khaki' can’t make a civilian a soldier, then dropping an umbrella to wave a broom can't make a sinner a saint either. I've seen this movie before, it is the same script, different cast and another location, but with a well-known end. For me it is positive change or no change at all". I was speechless all day and couldn't get those words of my mind. How could I have forgotten to get his name and number?

The weapon of mass destruction has decided to focus on his club career after scoring 18 goals in 39 appearances for the Super Eagles

Nigeria forward Obafemi Martins has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 30.
The Seattle Sounders player who has never hidden his passion to play for Nigeria decided to call it quit after been snubbed by national team selectors for the past two years.

"I am done with my national team, I will not go there anymore. I do not have good relationships with some companions. If they do not want me anymore, patience,” Martins told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"I love my country, I have given so much. But there are problems and although I am called up, I do not go.”

Obagoal made a scoring debut for Nigeria on May 29, 2004 against the Republic of Ireland.

On November 17, 2007, the attacker captained his country for the first time in a friendly against Australia that marked his 19th appearance.

His 83rd minute strike on November 12, 2009 in Nairobi ensured the Super Eagles qualified for the 2010 Fifa World Cup in South Africa.

Having since completed a transfer to MLS outfit, Sounders where he had a super season, Martins has now called time on his long and illustrious international career.
Source: www.goal.com

It is now official that Equatorial Guinea, who co-hosted AFCON 2012, will stage the 2015 tournament.

French newspaper L'Equipe, reported on Friday that Equatorial Guinea will host the 2015 AFCON from January 17 to February 8 in place of Morocco, who were disqualified.

Confirmation

The confirmation has been given by sources in Equatorial Guinea with the official announcement to come later on Friday.
CAF President Issa Hayatou reached Malabo early on Friday to handle talks with Equatorial Guinea Head of State Teodoro Obiang Nguema.

An Equatorial Guinea team lavishly garnished with foreigners, reached the last eight when they co-hosted the competition along with Gabon. They were trounced 3-0 by Cote d'Ivoire.

Challenges

High costs of living and shortage of hotel rooms were the major challenges when the oil-rich island first hosted the competition two years and it is left to be seen how they will now cope with 16 teams and not eight teams like in 2012.

Original AFCON 2015 hosts Morocco had insisted the competition be postponed after they expressed fears over the Ebola Virus Disease, which has killed over 5,000 people in West Africa thus far.

The North Africans have since been disqualified from next year's tourney and more sanctions are expected to be imposed on them.
Source: www.futaa.com

Dear nairalanders, an offer just popped up for me and I've been reliably informed that a good knowledge of how to use the Vlookup function in Excel would be crucial. I know the basics in excel. I'm finding all the results online a bit ambiguous. So I will appreciate if the tutorial is done in simple and concise English. Please I'm counting on you guys. Thanks so much.

Idrismusty97:
I don't do any of these, Does this means i am not a Nigerian? I think all these observation is for "Lagosians".

You have a point, but you will agree with me that the average Nigerian(perhaps 6 on 10), exhibits most of these traits.

Having the Nigerian green passport alone does not make you a Nigerian,there are other things that add up to it.We Nigerian have very peculiar stuffs in common irrespective of our diverse culture and differences in religion.

Here are 15 things that shows you’re a typical Nigerian:

1.You Shout Up NEPA.

Power is still a big problem in Nigeria,if you’ve lived or still living in Nigeria you know what I am talking about.So you get excited and scream Up Nepa when the electricity comes on?My friend you’re a Nigeria.

2.You wear Special Outfit for Sundays or Fridays.
We Nigerians are very Religious people and very few of us are Godly,sad truth.We don’t joke with our Religious activities.Most Nigerians reserve the best of the best clothes for Sundays (for the Christians) and Fridays(for the Muslims).In fact offering time in churches are like fashion shows with everyone trying to cat walk and show off their beautiful dresses .

3.You don’t ask people their age and you don’t like to tell people your age.

Except it’s something official we don’t like to tell or ask people their age.We Nigerians see asking someone’s age, especially if the person is older than you very disrespectful.

4.You’re boisterous and always Speak loud in Public.

Nigerians are very noisy and energetic people,it’s not difficult to identify a Nigerian when you find yourself at International airports .We speak loud with confidence ,you hear phrases like “Do you know who I am?” “My friend I will get you locked up!”

5.You call people you are not familiar with names like:
Chairman,Oga,Uncle,Aunty,Bros,Sister etc.

6.You have two Phones to yourself alone.
Most Nigerians living in Nigeria own two phones ,not just to show off but because of the unstable poweer and mobile network services ,you can’t just rely on one network or phone.If mtn doesn’t have network you quickly pick up your etisalat sim card.

7.You’re materialistic and like to flaunt your wealth at the slightest opportunity given.


The Rich Nigerians are really really rich.We buy things we don’t need just solely to fit in with everyone else. Your Facebook updates are things like “lekkibeach chilling”,”Dubai things”,”Money on mind”then just know you’re a Typical Nigerian etc

8.You’re always extremely security conscious and watchful.


A Typical Nigerian person is always watching for safety.He doesn’t trust anyone around him,everyone is a suspect.He doesn’t keep his phone carelessly ‘cos he knows someone is waiting for such opportunity to steal it.I once traveled somewhere abroad, and the guy who came for me at the airport was telling me how unsafe the place was and why I should keep my belongings safe,I just looked at him and smiled ,wish he knew how security conscious we Nigerians are by default.


9.You have relatives that you can’t even explain in simple terms how they are related to you.
I hear things like,Hmm Mayo here is my relative Kemi ,she is my Fathers brother’s wife cousin’s friend’s Husband.I am like WTH!!

10.You always like to cook Jollof Rice when you have Big Occasions
.
11.You use very often phrases like :
Eh wo,Ehen, Chineke, Che, Ah-Ah, Yepa! God forbid , by God’s Grace,Nawa o!Wetin sef!No worry ,Go joor! etc

12.You know what chin chin, puff puff, or moin moin are

13.You’ve never or rarely visit the dentist because you don’t see any reason for that and consider it waste of money.
Nigerians only visit a dentist office when there is no other remedy. Visiting a dentist for normal check-up is not an everyday thing in Nigeria.

14.You like to add “O” to a lot of your talk.
e.g Na wa o,Leave me o,O boy!,Na Now o!

15.You read all the above 14 signs and smiled in between


Proudly a Nigerian,are you?
Source :pakurumo.com

The South Africa Police Service have announced the death of South Africa nationla team goalkeeper, and captain, Senzo Meyiwa.

The Orlando Pirates number one was shot and killed in Vosloorus on Sunday night, and the SAPS broke protocol on Twitter by providing details of the senseless act.

Incident

- We can confirm that Bucs keeper Senzo Meyiwa has been shot and sadly declared dead on arrival at hospital,
- The incident happened at around 20h00, Zamo Section in Vosloorus. Reward of up to R150 000 is on offer 4 any info that can lead to arrest.

- No one present in the house was hurt. We can assure all South Africans that we will do all can to bring Meyiwa's killers book.

Suspects

The police later said there were seven people inside the house. Two suspects went into the house, one remained outside. The 3 fled on foot after the shooting.

Orlando Pirates, the team Meyiwa last played for, are planning a Press Conference for Monday morning.
Source:futaa.com

With the pressure modern day life puts on us, we barely have time to say family prayers like we used to only a few years back. Now, it is common to see men, women and even children leave their houses as early as six in the morning to meet up with their daily schedules. When the day is finally over, everyone will be equally too tired for any lengthy prayer session. As a result many devotional guides have popped up over the years to guide family and individuals have some time with God. I've lost count of the number of times I've read mine in the bus on my way to work or hurriedly read it, while lying down before falling asleep. Personally, I use Open Heavens in the morning and Our Daily Manna at night. For me I still miss the almost church like session we use to have growing up, even though I frowned every time my father seemed to spend too much time.
So, folks which devotional guide(s) do you use, and are they as effective as the old school way you once knew?

Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has appointed
eight new permanent secretaries to fill existing vacancies.
While details of the appointment were still sketchy at the
time of filing this report, The Nation gathered that the
appointments took immediate effect.
Meanwhile, the state Governor-Elect, Mr Ayo Fayose, has
faulted the appointment, saying Fayemi was playing
politics with issues that have serious consequences on the
welfare of the state.
Fayose, in a statement issued in Ado-Ekiti by his Chief
Press Secretary, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, on Thursday, said
recent actions by Fayemi showed that he was desperate
and playing politics of vendetta and putting stumbling
blocks in the way of incoming administration.
The statement reads: “As much as we are not opposed to
people progressing in their chosen careers, one finds the
recent appointments questionable. The questions the people
of the state should help ask Fayemi include which ministries
the new permanent secretaries will be attached? Will two
permanent secretaries man a ministry? Are there
vacancies that the new permanent secretaries will fill?
“It is very ridiculous for Fayemi who has less than two
weeks to leave office to appoint permanent secretaries for
the incoming administration. It shows how evil the APC is.
“In the last four months, the outgoing government has
created 19 new LCDAs, employed 3,000 workers without
following due process and right now backlog of salaries of
workers are yet to be paid and workers are currently on
strike.
“It is evidence that Fayemi does not love Ekiti State. His
activities are not statesmanlike and honourable. Nigerians
should now know that his activities are to put stumbling
blocks on the path of the incoming government.”
Source: http://thenationonlineng.net/new/fayemi-appoints-eight-new-permanent-secretaries-fayose-kicks/

The Super Falcons coach has announced his final squad of 21 players for the African Women Championship slated to hold from October 11-25 in Namibia
Nigeria will take 21 players to the 2014 African Women Championship in Namibia which starts on October 11.

Six overseas-based and 15 home-based players made the final Super Falcons' list for the eight-country competition that will end on October 25.

The squad is composed of three goalkeepers, six defenders, six midfielders and six strikers.

As expected, France-based Desire Oparanozie topped the list of six foreign based stars that also include veteran Perpetua Nkwocha, Onome Ebi, Ohale Osinachi, Esther Sunday and Francesca Ordega.

Super Falcons' skipper Evelyn Nwabuoku and 2014 Fifa U20 Women World Cup best player Asisat Oshoala led the league of home-based players that scaled through.

Others who made the final cut are Ngozi Ebere, Ugo Njoku, Josephine Chukwunonye, Gloria Ofoegbu, Nku Cecilia, Halimat Ayinde, Onyinyechi Ohadugha and Christy Ohiariaku.

However, the nine dropped players include Sarah Nnodim, Uchechi Sunday, Ihezuo Chiwendu, Loveth Ayila, Rosemary Okezie, Blessing Edoho, Mariam Ibrahim, Charity John and Juliet Obi.

Nigeria is drawn in group A alongside Cote d'Ivoire, Zambia and hosts Namibia.

The Super Falcons begins their campaign at the competition against Ivory Coast at the Sam Nujoma Stadium, Windhoek on Saturday, October 11.

Coach Edwin Okon will hope to win the title for the seventh time.

Full list:
Goalkeepers - Precious Dede (Ibom Angels), Ibubeleye White (Rivers Angels), Christy Ohieriaku (Osun Babes)

Defenders - Osinachi Ohale (Houston Dash, United States), Josephine Chukwunonye (Rivers Angels), Gloria Ofoegbu (Rivers Angels), Onome Ebi ( FK Minsk, Belarus), Ngozi Ebere (Rivers Angels), Ugo Njoku (Rivers Angels)

Midfielders - Evelyn Nwabuoku (Rivers Angels), Onyinyechi Ohadugha (Rivers Angels), Gloria Iroka (Rivers Angels), Cecilia Nku (Rivers Angels), Ayinde Halimat (Delta Queens), Ngozi Okobi (Delta Queens)

Forwards- Desire Oparanozie (En-Avent Guingamp, France), Perpetua Nkwocha (Sunana SK, Sweden), Esther Sunday (FK Minsk, Belarus), Asisat Oshoala (Rivers Angels), Stella Mbachu (Rivers Angels), Francisca Ordega (Pitea IFF, Sweden)

I have always seen Mr Amaju as a seasoned football administrators. During the years I spent in Delta state he did so much to improve football in the state. I hope his tenure will offer so much positives to the game on the country. Congratulations Mr Amaju, although I look forward to the day educated ex-players like Odegbami and co will run the game in Nigeria.

Nigerian football highest decision-making body has adopted a new date and venue to stage the election of new executive committee after an extra-ordinary congress on Saturday
The Nigeria Football Federation has approved September 30 for the 2014 Elective Congress of a new executive committee and as well adopted Warri, Delta State as the venue for the Polls.

The decision was unanimously accepted at the Extra-Ordinary General Assembly of the NFF held in Warri, Delta State at the Brownhill Events Centre last weekend.

The extra-ordinary congress presided over by out-going NFF President Aminu Maigari had in attendance the representative of the Sports Minister, Bolaji Ojo-Oba; the Representative of the Director General, NSC, Alhassan Saleh Yakmut alongside all expected 44 delegates.

The Congress also constituted a new NFF Electoral Committee composed of Samson Ebomhe; M. T. Ahmed; Adamu Sani Usman; Sadiq Yusuf Zaria; Onyeaghala Obioma; Adeola Adelanwa, Sani Dahiru Yakassai, Sarah Jumoke Adebisi and Barrister Awwal Mohammed. While Secretary is Musa Amadu.

Similarly, a new NFF Electoral Appeals Committee was also set-up which includes: Okey Ajunwa; Dotun Coker, Sani Mohammed, Victor Nwangwu, and Bala Garba. Mohammed Sanusi will serve as the Secretary.

The Congress in its resolution demanded for a credible, transparent electoral process in the upcoming elections into the NFF Executive committee.

They further noted that in accordance with FIFA directive the 2014 Elective Congress shall be composed of only delegates that attended the November 2013 Annual General Assembly in Warri.

In contention for the NFF Presidential seat are Taiwo Ogunjobi, a former Secretary General of the NFF; Shehu Dikko; Dominic Iorfa; Mike Umeh; Segun Odegbami and Amaju Pinnick.
Source: goal.com

As the Ebola epidemic worsens in Liberia, some Church of Aladurah members have decided to pray to God about the situation.
See photos below:
Source: http://www..com/photos-cele-church-in-liberia-pray-against-ebola-on-the-beach/

I have nothing but respect, gratitude and high regards for all the teachers that in their own way imparted knowledge in me while I was a student. Particular reference must be made to my secondary and primary school teachers, who defied the odds and with little or no motivation and adequate compensation held nothing back and gave me and my colleagues their all. There were times I asked what really kept them going. I wondered how they went on teaching us for months with a back log of unpaid salaries and hungry families to feed, without a decline in their zeal and commitment to the job. I may have been young then, but I was never naive. I was aware of all they were going through and always prayed for better days for them. Teachers are special,Nigerian teachers are more special and my own teachers, very very special. I guess somewhere special is reserved for every teacher in heaven,particularly mine.
This is not a tribute to my great teachers, a time will come for that. I thought it wise to remind all of the special place they occupy in my heart so I do not get misconstrued along the way. A few days ago I traveled back in time, and found pieces of faded memory of my early junior secondary school days in Delta state in my head.I still recall that quite a number of topics that fascinated me and my friends were taught. I found topics like the characteristics of living things, reproduction and lessons on the physical changes associated with puberty in Biology classes very captivating. Many other topics in Biology and other subjects also took their turns to thrill us, but none astonished me in particular, more than Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. I recall the teacher saying we(the human race), evolved from apes, thousands or perhaps millions of years ago. She called us offspring of lower animals. We all laughed, shrugged our shoulders and pointed fingers at our seatmates and friends. It was humorous and as she explained further, things got clearer and with the prevailing innocence in our hearts and resolute confidence we had in our teacher, you could tell that many of us bought this theory hook,line and sinker. Yes I did, but with a little measure of curious pessimism every cowboy is expected to have. As my colleagues reveled in the fun the class had stirred, I sat in my corner looking out the window that had no louvers. I knew there was more to it, than Darwin said.
That was many years ago;between then and now, boys have turned to men and I have learned so much, but some questions still remain unanswered. As I watch the way we live our lives on a daily basis, sometimes I ask, did man really evolve from animals or did animals instead evolve from man? Is Darwin's theory a mere myth or just another western legend disguised as science to give it credence and acceptability? Most things that hold sway in our society today would not be condoned in the animal kingdom. Chinua Achebe said "until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter." Is it not high time we heard the animals version of the evolution theory? Is man really a higher animal as Darwin wants me to believe?
We claim we have consciences and love one another, yet statistics shows that no specie living or extinct has destroyed its own kind more than man. History of wars among mankind dates back to time immemorial and is just as old as man himself . He spends so much time and resources in research and development of more sophisticated weapons and means to destroy his own kind, while many around him live in want. Conflicts in the animal kingdom are usually short lived and rarely fatal, but among humans genocides,ethnic cleansing and massacres have been the norm. Animals find contentment and dwell in some measure of harmony in their natural habitats, but man in his lust and greed, wants to have a world big enough to house ten times its current population, to himself alone. With the spate at which man goes to war, it is a miracle the human race is not yet extinct.
Man's very high propensity to consume his kind is not all that raises questions about his true origin. His disregard for the law of nature and destruction of his habitat also cast a shadow of doubt in my mind and gets me thinking. In the animal kingdom,mating is done only by matured adults with the opposite gender of their own kind. The reverse has never been seen or heard amongst them before. The same cannot be said of man, the so called most advanced animal specie. Legalization of abominable deeds is now in vogue all in the name of respect for human rights. If this is their idea of human rights, what we need is "animal rights". The world we live in bears little semblance of the paradise history suggests it once was when the keys were handed to man. His activities have resulted in a great disorder in the ecosystem, such that concerns of the world future generations would inherit has never been deeper. In spite of the looming danger, only lip service is being paid to stop further destruction of the earth. Temperatures are rising, deserts encroaching, rivers drying up and the rain barely falls these days were they once fell endlessly . Every now and then we are greeted with news of earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, tsunamis and droughts. They call them natural disasters even though I know there is nothing natural about them. There are mere mother-earth's reactions to our actions. After-all Wendell Berry warned "whether we and our politicians know it or not, Nature is party to all our deals and decisions, and she has more votes, a longer memory, and a sterner sense of justice than we do." It was a perfect world man was given and as such, he must take full responsibility for any disorder in it.
As I searched for answers, I crossed path with clergy men who said man was created many years ago in the image of the Great and Perfect being. I have not come to dispute their claims. Who am I to do so? I only wonder how a blameless creator,an epitome of love, peace and order can be responsible for the existence of these wild,brutal and anarchical creatures. Their lifestyles sharply contrast everything I have heard about him. I know him and I know man as well, I can say they do not have much in common. He lays emphasis on giving sacrificially, man lays emphasis on taking, even forcefully. He loves chastity, man loves profanity. His ways are straightforward,man's are crooked. Surely there is something missing, man does not seem to possess his DNA.
I may need to come up with my own theory of evolution, pending when the animals will nominate their spokesperson and commune in a language I can understand. As I begin to run out of patience with myself,I look keenly at those around me, I feel tempted to walk up to one of them and say "Man who exactly are thou and from whence has thou come"? On a second thought I find reason to exercise restraint as common sense whispers that the question is best directed to me. So, who am I?

Elvis Presley couldn’t “help falling in love”. How low do we sometimes fall to prove how committed we are to someone?

Actually, some of the so-called nasty things do not look too nasty when we genuinely love someone. The things listed below might turn your stomach, but I am pretty sure you have also done something of the sort. Surprisingly enough, most people have and always will. Why? That’s simply because they love each other.
You love yourself and this explains why you do not feel disgusted with yourself when you are trying to squeeze that annoying acne. We are human beings and everyday routine teaches us to tolerate ourselves and others.
We have listed 7 most disgusting things that people are ready to do for their partners. Let’s see how far love can take us. And would you be ready and willing to do any of these for your spouse?

1. Rubbing feet.
Both genders find feet too gross to touch. And no, we are not now talking about foot fetishists who can spend hours touching someone’s feet. Yet we readily give our partner foot massage if we know this will help them relax and feel healthier.

2. Squeezing zits.
Have you ever been asked by your spouse to see what’s there on his back? If so, then, as a rule, it all ends up with you trying to squeeze that nasty thing out. Every lady is sensitive. And touching acne is not the most pleasant things for us to do. But nothing is impossible for a woman who is deeply in love with her man.

3. Empty the cat’s litter.
Do you hate cats? Who cares! If, let’s say, your wife is pregnant, you will do all possible to make your feel happier. Expecting a baby is always an exciting event for the couple. If taking care of a cat’s poo is a big deal and causes problems then how about your baby’s poo and vomit? You do want to be a good husband and dad, don’t you? Then practice on your cat for a while! Try and learn to tolerate or even like doing what you have hated so far. After all, your wife is going through hard times as well. Appreciate it because she is doing it for you, too.

4. Clean up vomit.
Cleaning up your baby’s vomit is one thing. But what if the “baby” is around your own age? Well, then that’s a different story. No doubt cleaning this nasty stuff up is no fun, but you realize that when your spouse is sick you are the only person around to help him or her out.

5. Picking teeth.
In comparison to the 4 previously mentioned things this one sounds quite ok. If you haven’t yet been asked to see if something is stuck in your hubby’s teeth, then, I can assure you, it will soon happen. Luckily, most couples do not find it appalling and gladly dig out whatever is stuck in-between their spouse’s teeth.

6. Using the bathroom together.
I am not talking about you and your hubby taking shower together. That is absolutely romantic and would be included in the list of thing we enjoy. I am talking about you taking a shower and your spouse using the toilet at the same time. Men might be less sensitive about this topic while ladies, especially those who consider themselves clean freaks, find this awfully nasty. Whether you like it or not, some couples do this.

7. “Bump” inspection.
This procedure involves examining your partner’s itchy and painful spots on his body. Usually it’s his back and there is no other way for him to see and figure out how to solve the problem. Playing a doctor for a few minutes is not an issue with me. I do this for my husband and I know that if something bothered me some day, he would do the same to help me.

Source:http://wmnlife.com/relationships
If you don't mind feel free to share some of the disgusting things you have done for your partner.

The Uche brothers have been given a late minute call-up by the Nigeria head coach ahead of Wednesday's Africa Nations Cup qualifier against South Africa

Coach Stephen Keshi has recalled Villarreal forward Ikechukwu Uche and Al Rayyan SC of Qatar star Kalu Uche for Super Eagles all important Africa Cup of Nations game against South Africa on Wednesday.

Nigeria lost 3-2 at home on Saturday to Claude Le Roy’s Congo in Calabar, and will be hoping to bounce back towards qualifying for Morocco 2015.

The duo were brought in to replace Uche Nwofor and El Kanemi Warriors goalkeeper David Obiazor who were part of the Eagles that played against the Red Devils.

Keshi last Wednesday revealed the pint-sized player was not invited to be part of the team to play Congo and South Africa in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers because he wanted to be begged.

"He was supposed to be part of the team that is presently in camp but he said we must beg him first to play for Nigeria because he was left out of some competitions but I can’t beg anyone to play for Nigeria, impossible. That’s why he is not here,” said Keshi in a press release by Super Eagles media officer Ben Alaiya.

Uche fell out with the ‘Big Boss’ during the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa and has been snubbed since, missing the Confederations Cup and 2014 Fifa World Cup despite being Nigeria's highest scoring striker in Europe in that period.
Source-goal.com

Officials from the anglophone West African nation have been picked for Saturday's first leg African Cup of Nations qualifier between Nigeria and Congo

Referees from Ghana have been picked by the Confederation of African Football to take charge of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Nigeria and Congo billed for Saturday at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar.

39-year-old Joseph Lamptey is a Fifa referee will be at the centre while he will be assisted by compatriots Abdul Malik Seidu and David Laryea.

Agbovi who was named the best referee in the Ghana Premier League last season serves as the fourth official while Abdoulkadri Boube from Niger will serve as match commissioner..

The quartets are expected in Nigeria on Thursday with the Congolese to land in the country on Wednesday.
Source-goal.com

Clashes between Nigeria and Congo at international level are few and far between, but the Devils famously held the Eagles to a 0-0 draw in Lagos in a group phase match at the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations, and last year, the Golden Eaglets mauled the Congo U-17 side 7-0 at the African U-17 Championship in Morocco.