₦airaland Forum

Representatives of the Swiss government are expected in Nigeria on Tuesday to discuss with their Nigerian counterparts the repatriation of another tranche of huge public funds stolen by late Head of State, Sani Abacha.

The delegation will be led by the Swiss Minister for Foreign Affairs, Didier Burkhalter, who is expected to meet with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, over the repatriation of the $321million confiscated from the family of late former head of state, Sani Abacha.

An official of the Swiss Embassy in Nigeria, Pascal Holliger, confirmed the visit exclusively to PREMIUM TIMES on Monday.
“Yes, our foreign Minister is on his way to Nigeria on Tuesday,” Mr Holliger said. “He is coming on a working visit to Nigeria. During the visit, he would open the Consular General’s office in Lagos and meet with the Vice President of Nigeria and the Minister of Foreign Affairs to discuss the issue of the repatriation of the second tranche of the Abacha loot,” he said.

But some Swiss and Nigerian civil society groups, who got wind of the impending visit, dispatched a petition to President Muhammadu Buhari, demanding that his government give assurance that the $321million that would be returned to Nigeria by the Swiss government would be put to good use.

Nigerian comedian, Bovi has declared himself the best dressed man at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards held on Saturday, March 5 in Lagos.

The humour merchant shared a photo collage of himself, Bryan Okwara, Van Vicker and John Dumelo on Monday while teasing that none of the others could best his appearance.

Bovi said former Mr Nigeria, Okwara comes in at a distant second while Ghanaian actors; Vicker and Dumelo didn’t even stand a chance.

Detailing his ensemble from head to toe, Bovi revealed he was dressed in a Papaomisore suit, a Hawes and Curtis shirt, Mcmeka bow tie, Jimmy Choo shoes, Polo singlet and Hugo Boss boxers.

Bryan, on the other hand, was dressed in a check trousers accompanied with a form fitting blue jacket, bow tie and black shoes. John Dumelo was at the awards show in a traditional black suit while Van Vicker brought colour in his purple and black collar suit with bow tie.

Who do you think was the best dressed at the event?

http://www.qed.ng/?p=22616#.Vt221H0rKt9

Personal branding is a term that’s important not just in your career but other aspects of your life. Before anyone hires you in today’s business climate they Google you, Twitter you, even Facebook you.

Start with a Question:

Do you want to differentiate yourself in the market? So that you can attain your objectives, land your dream job, become a successful entrepreneur, famous musician or actress?

If you are like me the answer will be yes.

We all know that companies like to brand themselves, the good news is that branding can also be applied to you and your career.

You might be thinking to yourself, why do I really have to care about this?

Here’s why: Whether you are a student, on the job hunt or employed, you must think, act and plan like a business leader. With tools like social media and others, you have not only the ability, but you now have the need to manage your reputation both online and offline.

Take at a look at brands like Coca-cola, Indomie, MTN, Airtel, Etisalat recharge card you are about loading, the jeans you are wearing, the phone you are browsing with, the laptop you are downloading with.

You are branded, branded, branded…

It’s time for me— and you— to take lessons from the big brands and build our brands to success.

Regardless of age, regardless of profession, regardless of our position, all of us need to understand the importance of branding. We are all CEOs of our brands. To succeed in today’s business environment, our most important job is to be the Chief Marketing Officer of the brand named You.
Here are points to consider when building your personal brand:

What makes You different?

Start right now: The first question you should ask yourself is, “What do I have to offer that no one else can? What makes me different? Take the time to write down your answer. And then take the time to read it. Several times. If your answer doesn’t inspire you or command a vote of confidence from a prospective client or employer, then there’s problem. It’s time to do some work on yourself and give some serious effort to imagining and developing yourself as a brand.

Start by identifying the qualities or characteristics that make you different from the rest of the pack. What have you studied, learnt and done lately to make yourself stand out? What would your customers or employers say is your greatest strength? If you really want to be a successful brand, you’ve got to be extremely focused on what you do that adds value to yourself and others.

Visibility

Most brands like MTN, Globacom promote campaigns to enhance visibility. They spend a lot on TV, print and web ads to get the consuming public to be aware of their brands. If you’re brand You, you’ve got need for visibility but a low budget to buy it.

So how do you market brand You?

There are basically two ways you can market your brand, online and offline.

When it comes to the online means, we got so many social media platforms we can take advantage of. A Facebook profile is of great help, a twitter profile, a LinkedIn profile that has your work experience and a profile picture. Also having your personal blog and website where you write on the issues facing a particular industry is an added advantage.

When it comes to offline visibility, your network of friends, clients, colleagues is the most important marketing vehicle you’ve got, what they tell the outside world about your brand also determines the value of your brand. You have to find ways to nurture your colleagues to build up the value of your brand. Also you also build on your offline visibility by appearing at events. When you have an area of expertise, you will find that there are plenty of opportunities to spread your brand’s message. Becoming involved in professional organizations and attending conferences offer valuable opportunities for networking and establishing useful contacts. Speaking at events will also help boost your brand.

What’s the real power of Your brand?

If you want to grow your brand, your brand has to have “power”. The kind of power I am talking about is called influence power.

It’s being known for making the most significant contribution in your particular area. If you are a consultant, you’d measure it by the number of CEOs and executives that have your business card, if you were a scholar, you’d measure it by the number of times your publications get cited by other people, if you were in the job market, by the number of companies who are fighting to employ you.

Getting and using power in a responsible and intelligent way are essential skills for growing your brand.

One Last Thing

In this age where most jobs don’t last, you have to reinvent yourself on a semi-regular basis. Start by writing your own mission statement as CEO of You brand to guide you. What turns you on? Learning something new? Travelling? Being an Expert? What’s your personal definition of success? Money? Fame? Power? Or doing what you love? Review your mission statement on a regular basis, that’s what any great brand would do.

To be a great brand you have to be an expert at something of value, a teacher and leader.

http://demipost.com/the-brand-named-you/

Nairaland thanks for changing the link i put, it shows how unethical you guys, I wrote this article with a link, only for you guys to change it, well done.

Federal Government Finally Launches Online Portal

Determined to enthrone transparency and make governance more effective, the Federal Government yesterday launched a government services portal www.services.gov.ng as part of the initiatives for ‘’getting government online.’’

Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson, who launched the portal in Abuja, said it was in line with the mandate to deploy ICT to drive transparency in governance and improve the quality of public service delivery.

In a statement, the Special Adviser on Media to the Minister, Mrs Efem Nkanga, quoted Mrs Johnson as saying the benefits of the portal are many, adding that the portal can be assessed in English, French and Spanish.

She added that it is one of the flagship projects of the Ministry aimed at enabling Nigerians to access government services.

She said the project is in line with the outcome of the survey which the United Nations carried out on Innovative E-Government Practices among nations, adding that the result of the survey showed that citizen service delivery is topmost on the government innovative technology adoption, all over the world.

Thus, governments’ use of the Internet to deliver government services has revolutionised the speed and effectiveness of government service delivery and public administration across the world, she said.

Mrs Johnson emphasised that governments recognise that e-government offers, not just a new technology, but also a mechanism of transforming the way the government operates.
She gave examples of nations that have taken this route of creating government service portal to include the United States, Britain, Canada, India, Singapore, South Africa and Kenya.

http://trends.com.ng/fed-govt-launches-online-portal/

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has recovered N8.6 billion for cheated bank customers as at the end of this year’s first quarter.

Speaking to journalists on the activities of the CBN’s Consumer Protection Department in Abuja yesterday, the Director of Consumer Protection, Hajia Umma Dutse, said: “The N6 billion figure that the governor gave was the figure that he had. I think the current figure that I am giving you, since we started — and we have been able to recover N8.6 billion. We have been able to recover more than N8.6 billion in favour of various consumers.”

She said: “So far, the department has received and treated over 2800 complaints from consumers against deposit money banks as at the end of first quarter of 2013.”

Some banks, she said, have been fined N2 million for these infractions.

This figure “excludes complaints that have to do with ATM and other electronic related complaints and also complaints from other financial institutions, like the micro finance institutions, the primary mortgage institutions; it is just complaints against the deposit money banks.”

The complaints, Mrs Dutse noted, “are mostly complaints that have to do with excess charges, conversion, fraud and such other complaints.”

For now the CBN has decided to exclude ATM and other electronic complaints “because those are treated by bank payment department for now but eventually, I know when the structure is approved, the process will come to consumer protection department”. She told The Nation that her department had “received complaints against all banks in the country but some banks had more complaints from their customers than others.”

Mrs. Dutse said “there are various categories of complaints and the length of time for resolution usually depends on the nature and complexity of the complaint”.

For example, a customer may complain of refusal of his bank to issue him a bank statement while another consumer may complain of excess charges over a long period of time, but our regulation is clear-that financial institutions must resolve all complaints within two weeks of receiving such.”

Any case that cannot be resolved within two weeks, she explained, “must be referred to the Central Bank – in line with the help desk circular that we issued out to banks, but with the benefit of experience that I mentioned, I can tell you that certain categories of complaints take a longer time to resolve.”

Complaints that have to do with excess charges, fraud and some that may require legal interpretation take more than a few days to resolve.

The Consumer Protection amazon who the CBN governor described as “ruthless” in pursuing customer complaints against banks said the CBN was very worried at the incidence of banks cheating customers.

To check these, she said the CBN “is going to put a very strong monitoring clients team that is going to ensure that the banks do what they are supposed to do and I can assure you with time, the banks will stop all the excess charges.”
http://demipost.com/central-bank-of-nigeria-recovers-n8-6-billion-for-cheated-customers/

“It’s free and always will be,” reads Facebook’s signup page. But that may need an asterisk: It’s free as long as it doesn’t involve messaging someone really popular. That could cost you $15.

Today, several news organizations reported that the site is now rolling out paid messaging in the U.K. and thirty-six other countries. It appears, however, that it is has already been happening here in the United States, and with higher prices than anyone expected.

Facebook started a pilot program last December to charge users a dollar to send messages to strangers (this functionality used to be free). If users choose not to pay, their messages go to the somewhat hidden “other” mailbox.

Tinker they did. Without announcement, Facebook upped the price for some messages to $5 and even $15. “At the time of announcing the test we let people know we would be testing a variety of prices,” Facebook said. “The highest price we are currently testing in the US is $15, but this is still a test and these prices are not set in stone. We have tested a range of different prices so far.”
“The system of paying to message non-friends in their inbox is designed to prevent spam while acknowledging that sometimes you might want to hear from people outside your immediate social circle,” Facebook said in a statement to the Sunday Times, quoted also by The Telegraph.

“We are testing a number of price points in the UK and other countries to establish the optimal fee that signals importance.”

http://demipost.com/facebook-is-charging-15-to-message-popular-celebrities/

Here are some effective tips for job seekers:

1. Create your position. Don’t just sit around waiting for your “dream job” to open. Study the industry or field that you’re looking to move into, and determine a company or two that you’d like to work for, Hockett says. “Then figure out their challenges through relationships or public information. With this, you can craft a solution for them that you can share directly or publically through a blog, for instance. The concept here is to get noticed through offering a solution to help them with no expectation of anything in return.”

2. Learn how to listen. Job seekers are so caught up in conveying a certain message and image to the employer that they often fail to listen.

“Powerful listening is a coaching tool, as well as an amazing skill to have in your life,” Abella says. “The art of conversation lies in knowing how to listen– and the same applies to job interviews. Know when to talk, when to stop talking, and when to ask questions.”

When you practicing for interviews, don’t just rehearse your answers to questions like, “can you tell me about yourself?” “why do you want this job?” and “what are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?” Practice listening carefully and closely without interrupting.

3. Start at the top and move down. We learned from Chris Gardner (played by Will Smith) in The Pursuit of Happiness (the biographical film based on Gardner’s life) that you need to start from the top and move down. “Why approach human resources in hopes that your resume makes it to the hiring authority?” Go straight to the decision maker.
4. Build a relationship with the administrative assistant. While you want to start at the top (see No. 5), you’ll eventually want to build strategic relationships with personnel at all levels.

“A terribly underutilized resource is an employer’s administrative assistant,” Parnell says. “As the manager’s trusted counterpart, there is often only a slight social barrier between the two. They know the manager’s schedule, interests, responsibilities and preferences. Making friends or even engaging in some quasi-bartering relationship with them can make all the difference in the world.”

5. Don’t apply for a job as soon as you find it.The worst part about job hunting is the dreaded scrolling of an online job board, applying for job after job, and never hearing back, Adney says. “When you find a job online that you’re really interested in, applying is the last thing you should do. Instead, research that company and the professionals who work there, and reach out to someone at the company before you apply for the job, letting them know you admire what they do and would love their advice.” Then, ask questions via e-mail or phone about what they like and find challenging at their job, and ask if they have any tips for you. “Most likely they will personally tell you about the job opening (you should not mention it) and then you can ask them about getting your application and resume into the right hands,” she says. “It is a great way to keep your applications from getting lost in the black hole of the Internet.”

6. Focus on body language. You’ve probably heard this before—but job candidates don’t take it seriously enough. “Body language is incredibly important in job interviews,” Abella says. “Watching yours (posture, your hands, whether or not you’re relaxed, confidence) will help you exude confidence,” she explains. “Meanwhile paying attention to the interviewer’s body language can let you gauge whether or not you’re on the right track.”

7. Don’t focus on finding a job you love now.Don’t obsess about how much you’ll enjoy a particular job on day one, Newport says. Most entry-level positions are not glamorous. “The right question to ask when assessing an opportunity is what the job would look like in five years, assuming that you spent those years focusing like a laser on developing valuable skills. That’s the job you’re interviewing for.”

Adney agrees. “When choosing a job early in your career or early in a career change, focus less on how much you would love doing the functions of the job and focus more on where you will have the greatest opportunity to add value to the company, network with top people in your industry, and have the ability to get your foot in the door of a company that mostly hires internally.”

8. Become their greatest fan. Once you find a company you’d love to work for, become their biggest fan. “Becoming a brand loyalist may lead to becoming an employee,” Hockett says. “But of course, you have to establish or participate in a forum where you’re constantly communicating that message; one they will see.” Organizations ideally want employees to love their company and be enthusiastic about their job. Loyal fans are passionate as consumers, and often make great employees because of this, she concludes.

http://demipost.com/8-effective-tips-for-job-seekers/

If you don’t have questions at the end of your interview, you’re putting yourself at a serious disadvantage. Your questions are a great way for your potential boss to see that you’re thorough and thoughtful, and that you’ve done your research. One thing people forget is that closing interview questions also set the tone for a powerful closing statement that may stick with the hiring manager long after you’re gone.
Here are four questions you should ask, and tips for closing your interview memorably.

What have been the three biggest challenges you’ve faced in the last year?

This question is a great way to determine your potential boss’s pain points. If you can find these out, make note. You’ll be able to get in some final thoughts on how you can help solve them and make his or her life easier.

What do you believe is the most critical part of this job?

This may have been flushed out earlier in the interview; but if not, it’s a major opportunity to find out the real nature of the job. Titles don’t always tell you a position’s true responsibilities. (Sometimes job descriptions don’t either!) Aside from setting up a great closer, you don’t want to get the job and then realize it’s completely different than you expected. This happens more often than you might think.

Where does your team plug into the organizational goals?
For some gigs, this will be easy to determine. For others, it’ll take some probing to establish how you can have high-level impact at the company. It doesn’t matter what level you’re at in the organization. If you’re entry level, you could make a suggestion to your boss, who will take it to the higher ups. If that suggestion leads to savings, revenue or a few less grey hairs, you will be remembered when they’re discussing up and comers.

What are your team’s three biggest goals this year?

This sounds similar to the last question, but there’s a difference: team or functional goals are more granular. They relate more to your daily responsibilities. Your manager probably came up with them. Do you have a final story about helping your current (or a past) team hit a similar goal?
Can you tell me about your most memorable team member and what made them great?

Want to know your boss’s model for subordinate excellence? This question will give you the answer. More than likely, it’s not something he or she has been asked before; which means you’ll get a candid, and not canned, answer. Listen carefully to what’s described and figure out where you hit the mark.
Once you’ve gained ammo, you should state that you don’t have any more questions to ask, then quickly address the area where you think you can add the most value. The interviewer will remember your closing statement after you shake hands and walk out the door. And because you’ve made yourself memorable, you just increased the likelihood of moving to the next round—or bet yet, an offer.
http://demipost.com/5-questions-to-seal-your-job-interview/

The Imafidons are Britain’s smartest family and have become international models of academic acheivement.

Dr. Chris Imafidon and Ann Imafidon came from Edo State, Nigeria, to London over 30 years ago and made no excuses in educating their five children, who have broken national records in education. All of the children have made a list of achievements that continue to grow.

“If you really want a child to learn anything, find out the best way that child learns,” says Imafidon in a story on Black America Web. “Every human being has a unique way of learning.”

Anne-Marie, 23, the eldest child, is multi-lingual. She speaks six languages and graduated from college at age 10. At 13, she was the youngest person to pass the U.K.’s A-level computing exam. She went on to attend John Hopkins University in Baltimore and got her masters degree from Oxford University, all before she turned 20 years old.

Anne-Marie’s younger siblings Christina, 19, Samantha, 15, and twins Peter and Paula, 12, have followed in her footsteps.
BlackAmericaWeb reports:

Peter and Paula are Great Britain’s current highest achievers. At 9-years-old they made history as the youngest children in British history to attend high school. They are now in their third year. The children became the youngest to ever pass the University of Cambridge’s advanced mathematics exam after participating in the Excellence in Education program. They set world records when they passed the A/AS-level math papers. Peter Imafidon, who is also a 100m and 400m relay champ in London, has said that he would like to serve as Prime Minister one day and his sister Paula, a county champion in rugby, would like to teach math. Both students are musicians….

Christina is now working as an intern with the Citigroup Corporation as well as conducting research on mathematics with Oxford University. Fifteen-year-old Samantha Imafidon had passed two high school-level mathematics and statistics exams at age 6. She became the youngest girl in the U.K. to attend secondary school at the age of 9…
http://demipost.com/nigerian-family-is-smartest-in-britain/

In d camp no worry enough gist dey

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Calm down na, one step at a time.

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u don go other camps before? i fear o

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ABEOKUTA—Former President of United States of America, Bill Clinton, said yesterday in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, that the inability to manage the nation’s natural resources well was one of the three major challenges Nigeria was facing as a nation.
The former US president, who was speaking at the 18th Annual Awards of Thisday newspaper, organised to celebrate Nigeria’s best teachers, further tasked Nigerian leaders to tackle unemployment, brain-drain and to maximise the potential of the citizens.

The 42nd American President, who spoke in the presence of former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun, his counterpart in Delta, Emmanuel Uduaghan and other notable Nigerians, said Nigerian leaders mismanaged the proceeds from oil, under-utilised technology and failed to retain its best brains.

Clinton said: “When I became President, my Secretary of Commerce did a lot of work in Africa before he was tragically killed in a plane crash in 1995.

“I said he should make a list of 10 most important countries in the world for the 21st century. Nigeria was in the list.

“Imagine the future of the entire continent if Nigeria fails or South Africa fails. So, you are a country of potential. I will say you have about three big challenges.

Oil money, economic distribution, brain-drain

“First of all, like 90 percent of the countries, which have one big resource, you haven’t done well with your oil money. You should have reinvested it in different ways. Now you are at least not wasting the natural gas. You are developing it in pipelines but you don’t do a better job of managing natural resources. “Secondly, you have to somehow bring economic opportunity to the people who don’t have. This is not a problem specific to Nigeria. Almost in every place in the world, prosperity is heavily concentrated in and around urban areas.

“So you have all these political problems: violence, religious differences, and all the rhetoric of Boko Haram.

“But the truth is the poverty rate in the north is three times greater than what it is in the Lagos area. To deal with that, you have to have both powerful stake in the local governments and a national policy that work together.

“As you keep trying to divide the power, you have to figure out a way to have a strategy that will help in sharing prosperity.

“The third thing is there has to be a way to take the staggering intellectual and organisational ability that Nigerians exhibit in every country in the world in which they are immigrant and bring it to bear here, so that the country as a whole can rise.

“One of the people on my trip with me today, who unfortunately could not come up here because he had to go and visit his family, is a young Nigerian-American named Nnamdi. He is an all pro-quarter back footballer for the Philadelphia Eagles.

“Both his parents have PhDs. His sister has a PhD. He often says ‘I’m the failure in my family and I only have a university degree and I play football.’ “My point is: there are Nigerians who are like this all over the world. What you have to figure out is how to keep those people in Nigeria and how to ensure their success encourages others in the country.

Solutions

“So, I think solving the economic divide that is in your country will help the political divide; making better use of your resources.

“Nigeria is trying to set up an investment fund where the Federal Government will set it up and the governors are being consulted so that they can concentrate the capital. That is the problem in India.

“They have unbelievable entrepreneurs but they are not very good at collecting capital and investing it in infrastructure so that they can unite the poor part of the country with the rich part. That’s what you have to do. And then, you have to empower people with education so they can succeed at home as well as around the world.”

Speaking on the essence of education, Clinton said: “I have to explain that education is more important in dealing with the challenges facing Nigeria. On the continent and the entire world, we are living a revolutionary time, full of positive and negative forces.

“The information technology is good for people who can take advantage of it. I see this all over the world. Cell phones give farmers the access to information about crop prices and fish prices in Africa and Asia.
http://demipost.com/bill-clinton-tells-goodluck-jonathan-to-step-up/

Gregory Lane Lanier, 35, told police in Sebring he thought the 9mm Beretta semi-automatic handgun on the floor of his pickup truck was unloaded when the black and tan English bulldog kicked it and caused it to fire.

Mr Lanier was hit in his left leg. The bullet wound, which doctors at a local hospital attended to, was not serious.

Police in Sebring said they were sceptical, adding there were “some indications” that Mr Lanier may have made his story up.

“It’s what he claims,” Commander Steve Carr, a police spokesman, said of Mr Lanier’s account.

“We didn’t spend a lot of time investigating it,” he said. “There doesn’t appear to be any criminal act involved. You don’t have to be licensed in Florida to carry a handgun.”
Man’s best friend? Or worst nightmare? You decide!

http://demipost.com/dog-shoots-man-with-gun/

February 25, Beijing, lesbian lovers Elsie and Mayu headed to the marriage registry in an attempt to register their marriage, but were politely turned down by the working staff.

The high wire politicking to oust Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State as chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) moved into another gear last night.

Election into the office has been scheduled for tomorrow in Abuja, barring a last minute change, contrary to the agreement reached at the forum’s last meeting on Thursday to adjourn indefinitely on the matter.

Forces bent on terminating the governor’s leadership of the all- powerful NGF are understood to have regrouped last night in Abuja to perfect the plot to deny him a second term in office.

Their grouse against him is that he is using his position to promote his joint presidential ambition with Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State ahead of the 2015 election thereby jeopading the chances of President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term.

The anti-Amaechi forces have also hatched a “Plan B” to split the Governors Forum should he be re-elected.

They are not ruling out a court action to stop the NGF from going ahead with the election if it is glaring that Amaechi will win.

On the card is a push for a caretaker committee or an interim chairman to run the affairs of the NGF until the planned litigation is over .

A smear campaign against Amaechi has already commenced as part of the plan to ‘put him in his place’ following his alleged interest in the presidential race. A highly-placed source, who spoke in confidence last night, said ”after consultations last night the governors elected to hold the election on Monday to get over this issue which is causing distraction.

“The election is assuming a dirty dimension because of the desperate bid of some individuals in government to stop Amaechi from being re-elected.

“The more we defer the poll, the dirtier the politics will be and the NGF might be worse for it.”

Asked about the politicking so far, the source said: “There is anxiety everywhere among the governors and even in the presidency. An otherwise harmless election is now being turned into a show of strength.”

The anti-Amaechi forces were meeting in Abuja at press time in what a source familiar with the development called ”strategic manoeuvring”.

Investigation confirmed that those coordinating the campaign against Amaechi include a governor from the North-Central, who has being posturing as non-aligned in the crisis.

Others are some Ministers, a topshot in the presidency, a former governor, two South-South governors, and two South-East governors. The source added: “When these strategists met, they became desperate to the extent of considering a likely split of the Governors Forum if Amaechi is re-elected.

“Alternatively, they are planning to use the legal process to stop Amaechi at all costs.

“The governors are aware of this Plan B, that is why they are being cautious in handling the election matter. The D-Day is certainly Monday.”

Amaechi and Lamido have dismissed speculations about their presidential ambtion.

The matter recently sparked a dirty war of words between Amaechi and the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe.
http://demipost.com/war-going-on-as-governors-elect-new-chairman-of-ngf-tomorrow/

Former Minister of External Affairs, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi says it is impossible for anyone to become a billionaire in the country without engaging in corruption.

He is also of the view that until government fights corruption with determination, it will be difficult for the poor masses to enjoy the dividends of democracy.

Professor Akinyemi spoke during a lecture entitled; “Leadership, Democracy, and Development” in Akure as part of the activities marking the inauguration of Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State for a second term.

Majority of Nigerian billionaires, according to him, are promoting corruption, adding that the result is that the present generation of Nigerians have lost hope in their leaders.

The former minister said: “No one can be a billionaire in Nigeria today without being corrupt. If you are a businessman, you would have evaded tax or other levies like import duties with the active connivance of those in charge.

“Your entire income as a political office holder, either elected or appointed, cannot make you a billionaire without indulging in corrupt practices.

“It is also not possible for you to work and retire as a civil servant in whatever capacity and become a billionaire without being corrupt.

“I know I am stepping on sensitive toes but I can handle that. Unless our leaders tackle the issue of corruption and offer selfless service to the people, our democracy may not produce the desired development we are all expecting.”

Akinyemi lamented that Nigerians had sacrificed their value system on the altar of greed, indiscipline, selfishness and insatiable craze for material wealth.

Continuing, he said: “There are no more values to hold on to. Parents not only encourage their children to cheat in order to beat the system, but also aid and abet them in their nefarious activities. No one believes anymore in the concept of society.

“Nigerians have created their own God in their own image. In my youth, to be accused of theft or any other criminal offence was tantamount to being banished from the society while to be convicted was tantamount to suicide.

“However, today, no one asks for the source of wealth. People in jail, accused of murder, run for and win election. “More than a score of members of the Nigerian Senate have EFCC court cases hanging against them. Only in Nigeria do you steal billions and escape with less than a million naira fine.”

The former minister explained that Nigeria’s problem which invariably led to its backwardness in all ramifications, started after the military coup which displaced the first civilian generation of leaders in the country.

His words: “Only three years after independence, whatever system existed was shattered by the thoughtless overthrow of the Western Regional Government and from then on, politics of development was replaced by politics of looting.”

Akiyemi did not spare the judiciary, saying criminals who should be in jail are moving about because the judiciary has failed to play its role effectively.
http://demipost.com/former-minister-you-cant-be-a-billionaire-in-nigeria-without-corruption/

A 23-year-old woman has been arrested after having sex with a pit bull.

Police were called after neighbours spotted Kara Vandereyk having intercourse with the dog in her back yard in Las Vegas.

According to the Las Vegas Review Journal, Vandereyk paused and said: “Hi” when she was approached by officers, then resumed touching the dog in a sexual manner.
Kara Vandereyk has been charged with open and gross lewdness
Vandereyk appeared to be under the influence of drugs or mentally ill, a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police report seen by Fox5 detailed.

She was quoted as telling officers she was bipolar but could not remember if she had taken her medication. Vandereyk was unable to tell officers her own name and did not know what year it is.

She has been charged with open and gross lewdness and the animal has been taken into the custody of Animal Control.
http://demipost.com/kara-vandereyk-a-female-las-vegas-woman-arrested-for-having-sex-with-pit-bull-dog/

Going blonde seems to be the new trend – or maybe not.

We’ve however spotted two popular actresses Juliet Ibrahim and Chika Ike making the switch lately. Juliet who late last year, cut her hair is rocking a low fro. Chika Ike has opted for the conventional weave.

Going blonde seems to be the new trend – or maybe not.

We’ve however spotted two popular actresses Juliet Ibrahim and Chika Ike making the switch lately. Juliet who late last year, cut her hair is rocking a low fro. Chika Ike has opted for the conventional weave.

Sebastian is the first child for the Taylor Gang captain and his fiancée.

Wiz Khalifa isn’t the only one in first class anymore. On Thursday (February 21), the Taylor Gang captain became a proud papa after his fiancée Amber Rose gave birth to their baby boy, Sebastian Thomaz.

“Happy Birthday Sebastian “The Bash” Taylor Thomaz!!!” Wiz tweeted on Thursday. “Everyone welcome this perfect young man into the world.

The countdown for baby Wizbud began Tuesday afternoon when Khalifa hit Instagram with a picture of a fetal monitor and the caption: “Coming soon…” Then earlier on Thursday, Wiz posted a picture of himself in scrubs to Instagram with the caption “Daddy Time.”

dominique: Argh!!! That's not ugly, more like scary
Which magazines or fashion shows do they book these 'models'?

the models are really making money and a name for themselves.

Modeling is typically reserved for the fairest of us all, those waif-like angels who just happen to luck out big time in the gene pool.

For a London modeling agency, however, that old-school convention that models should be good-looking and fit has been tossed off the catwalk and into the litter box.

Ugly Modeling Agency recruits everyone ranging from taxi drivers to little old ladies who want to flaunt their quirks in the spotlight.

Bored of the fashion industry and standard model look, two fashion photographers founded the alternative agency in 1969. They placed an ad in a daily London newspaper stating, “Have you got an interesting face? Contact ugly.”

Now, more than 40 years later, Ugly is one of the larger modeling agencies in the world.

So how do they know what kind of ‘ugly’ will fit the bill?

“It really varies,” owner Marc French said. “I sort of know when someone makes a good ugly model. If they’re comfortable in their own skin they make a good ugly model.” With such variations in looks, the agency categorizes its models into several groups — girls, men, specials and rage. The most unusual models can be found under “Specials,” with a roster ranging from Miriam, billed as “The Bearded Lady” to Elaine Davidson, the Guinness-recognized most pierced woman in the world.

“Our models have worked on everything from Calvin Klein to Italian Vogue,” he said. “Photoshopping is so overdone. So to use real people with character lines, bigger noses, bigger ears, for me is fantastic.”

While the agency’s success is undeniable, the models still face criticism from judgmental onlookers.

“Our models absolutely love the criticism. They would be the first to say that Ugly has given them so much more confidence in life. It’s fulfilling the dream they’ve always wanted to do,” French beamed.

Encapsulating his vision, French adds, “The word ugly now is the new beautiful.”

http://demipost.com/ugly-model-agency-recruits-bearded-ladies-tattoo-artists/[b][/b]

I don't think so, Bayern Munich is going to flog Arsenal silly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzezEk9bnD8

She kissed the two lions and they enjoyed it.
http://demipost.com/woman-kisses-lions-video/

http://demipost.com/ay-video-featuring-tonto-dike-very-crazy-video/

AY is crazy.

A meteor streaked across the sky and exploded over Russia’s Ural Mountains with the power of an atomic bomb Friday, its sonic blasts shattering countless windows and injuring nearly 1,000 people.

The spectacle deeply frightened many Russians, with some elderly women declaring that the world was coming to an end. Many of the injured were cut by flying glass as they flocked to windows to see what the reason was for such an intense flash of light.

The meteor — estimated to be about 10 tons — entered the Earth’s atmosphere at a hypersonic speed of at least 54,000 kph (33,000 mph) and shattered into pieces about 30-50 kilometers (18-32 miles) above the ground, the Russian Academy of Sciences said in a statement.

Amateur video showed an object speeding across the sky about 9:20 a.m. local time, just after sunrise, leaving a thick white contrail and an intense flash.
http://demipost.com/meteor-explodes-over-russia-nearly-1000-injured/

Damn. It’s not romantic. At all. Can you imagine the smell?!
And then they cried because kissing for 58 hours is completely unnatural.
http://demipost.com/what-it-looks-like-when-you-kiss-someone-for-58-hours/

Cristiano Ronaldo ‘was a young man when he left United but he has flourished and is a better player now’, says Sir Alex Ferguson. Photograph: Juan Medina/Reuters


Sir Alex Ferguson goes into Manchester United‘s Champions Leaguegame with Real Madrid insisting that his team are better than they have been widely portrayed and that it is only people’s “foggy memories” that have denied them the credit he believes they deserve.

Ferguson says their two-leg tie against José Mourinho’s team, starting in the Bernabéu on Wednesday, will be “the acid test” for the squad he has been putting together since Barcelona took them apart in the final two years ago.

He has won only three of his 14 encounters with Mourinho and will have to devise a plan to stop Cristiano Ronaldo, a player Ferguson believes has legitimate credentials to be recognised as the greatest footballer in Madrid’s history.

“Ronaldo is the one to worry about,” United’s manager said. “His speed, his goals, he plays every week, never asks for a rest. These qualities are exceptional. He was a young man when he left us, but he has flourished and is a better player now.”
However, Ferguson also praised his own team, arguing they were in danger of being underrated. He made it clear that he believes they deserve greater recognition bearing in mind their points total at the top of the Premier League.

“People say that this is not as good as the teams of the past but sometimes there are foggy recollections of teams of the past,” he said. “I do it myself. The fact is this team doesn’t know when it’s beaten, which is a good asset, and we have some quality players.

“The acid test is tomorrow, no doubt about that, and we have to get through to win this competition, no doubt. But there’s a great spirit about this team and they deserve recognition. It’s unfortunate we’re meeting this early. I wish it had been at Wembley.”

Asked whether United could win this competition, Ferguson laughed. “Our team? I think so, yes.”

Ferguson said he was encouraged by the form of Robin van Persie, who had been “nothing short of sensational since he came, a breath of fresh air, good with the youngsters and 23 goals tells you everything”. Yet the United manager also spoke at length about Wayne Rooney’s possible impact on the match and made it clear that he still gave David de Gea his full support despite the scrutiny on his goalkeeper.

“It’s like a kid taking his first steps forwards. He wobbles, gets up, wobbles, gets up again and eventually he walks. The boy is walking now.”

Ferguson is promising it will not be a United performance lacking adventure. “If you ask me about Real Madrid I’d have to say they are one of the best counterattacking teams there are. Their speed from penalty box to penalty box is very good and we are extremely aware of that. But the intention for Manchester United is always to win and always to score.”

Madrid’s attempts to disrupt United came on the front page of Marca, with Wayne Rooney described as ‘El Coco’, after one of the monsters from Sesame Street. Inside the newspaper described him as a “freckled demon” and a “football playerand a hooligan all rolled into one”.

Mourinho, whose press conference underlined his worsening relationship with the Spanish media, pointed out that “if I can support Rooney I have been called, week after week, worse than that”.

Ferguson brushed off the insults. “I’m not interested in what a Madrid paper says. Rooney can’t speak Spanish, can he? So he’s all right.”

Ferguson has left Paul Scholes in Manchester because the midfielder is suffering from a knee injury that is increasingly causing concern for United’s medical staff. Apart from Darren Fletcher, however, United have no other issues.

http://demipost.com/real-madrid-v-manchester-united-is-acid-test-says-ferguson/