₦airaland Forum

The just concluded 25th African Summit which took place in South Africa, like every other scenario, has some lessons. Though subtle, the African Summit have been able to tell us three major things which are laid bare before our very eyes.

Here, are some of the things we learnt from the African Summit:

Nigeria remains the powerhouse of Africa: The ascension of President Muhammadu Buhari has indeed reminded Nigerians, Africans and the international community that Nigeria is still the main focus in Africa.

Although President Buhari’s predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan may not have painted Nigeria in good light before world leaders and the international community, the emergence of Muhammadu Buhari has shown that Nigeria is highly respected despite the several images Jonathan projected to the world in his six year reign as the President.

Nigeria enjoyed ‘special’ attention at the G-7 summit in Germany despite not being a member. While the G-7 nations include Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, and the United States, Nigeria was duly heard and represented. Germany Chancellor, Angela Merkel Admitted she had invited Buhari in order to find a lasting solution to the Boko Haram crises.

"We’ll also have a chance to talk about hot spots like Libya and Nigeria where obviously terrorism has gotten a foothold. And more affirmatively, we’re going to have the opportunity to continue the discussion bilaterally that we’ve been having with the other G7 members around issues like trade and climate change and the importance of US and British leadership on those issues." —Barack Obama.

Africa is under siege: There is no denying that Africa as a whole is riddled with one siege or another. The Chairperson of the African Summit, President Muhammadu Buhari, admitted that the continent is under siege.

“Our continent is currently bedevilled by the evils of terrorism and insecurity; poverty, youth unemployment, and underdevelopment,” he said. “The destructive effects of the inhuman and criminal campaigns of the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria and neighbouring countries; the Al-Shabab attacks in East Africa, and the activities of the Al-Qaida in the Maghreb, all bear testimony to a continent under siege.” –Muhammadu Buhari

US Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African Affairs, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield also admitted that Africa has faced “some really horrendous terrorist attacks” in the past two years while announcing that the United States would contribute $5bn towards fighting Boko Haram.

While terrorism runs through Africa with different ideologies, names and modus operandi, one cannot but agree that Africa itself is fast becoming a battlefield for ‘unseen’ forces. The recent xenophobic attacks on non-South Africans in lower suburbs of the country is terrorism itself. Quite frankly no country on the black continent is spared and except African leaders join forces, a lasting solution may not be reached.

The place of women in Africa is minimally low: One of the reasons the 25th African Summit was birthed in the first place. The summit, themed: “Year of Women Empowerment and Development towards Africa’s Agenda 2063” exposed a common notion among African leaders and countries represented at the Summit in South Africa – the place of women in the society is low.

While there seems to be a subtle feministic movement among female folks in several parts of Africa, men and fellow women alike are not ready to entrust women with sensitive tasks and responsibilities in the society.

The immediate past Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan is described by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, in his book titled “My Watch”, as the ‘fifth and weakest of the five presidents ruling Nigeria’. According to the book, the other four presidents ruling the country at the time were females.

Women are generally perceived as ‘weak’ and easily governed by emotions. In an African setting, a woman could lose a political position to a man who is neither capable or ‘worthy’ of the position.

Hollywood actress and U.N. special envoy on refuge issues, Angelina Jolie who was also in attendance at the just concluded African Union Summit spoke on the injustice meted out against women.

“There is a global epidemic of violence against women – both within conflict zones and within societies at peace – and it is still treated as a lesser crime and lower priority.” –Angelina Jolie

Africa as a whole remains a gender-sensitive continent and women are seen as striving to break into the “boys club” of the African Presidency.

Source: http://www.fctpost.com/2015/06/17/the-three-things-we-learnt-from-the-african-union-summit/

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Lalasticlala

Chanchit:
@Sanchez01 now has the link. Cyprus000, Afromano you can check now, someone has the link on the thread, he confirmed its working. I would be back to modify it tomorrow evening, when my ban must have expired.

You have a mail, I guess. Chanchit, sent you another...

Chanchit has been banned by spambot . He mailed me this link and asked me to share on the thread. It's working https://www.hulkshare.com/bosunofficial/01-dont-you-dare

European clubs are already giving their fans something to purr at. With the 2014/2015 season already ended, fans now look up to their respective clubs with glee as prototypes of the 2015/2016 kits are being dished out .

Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Paris Saint Germain among other clubs have released their kits ahead of the coming season.

A host of Premier League clubs have also turned in their new kits. While some have made changes to their designs, others have chosen to make slight or no modification.

Here’s what Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Neymar, James Rodriguez, Arjen Robben and a host of other stars will be wearing in the 2015/2016 season.

REAL MADRID
https://www.fctpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Real-Madrid.jpg

Spanish giants, Real Madrid will be sticking to their iconic white as their home jersey in the 2015/2016 season. After a disappointing season, ‘The Whites’ would seek to restore their dominance and confidence with a ‘Perfect White’. Inside the neck there is the inscription ‘hala madrid y nada mas’ – which stands for ‘Come on Madrid and nothing else’ – Madrid’s club anthem.

New coach, Rafa Benitez will see his players wear three white stripes on their shoulders as opposed to the just concluded season where they wore silver stripes. Real Madrid have also removed the buttoned collar they donned in the just concluded season, under former coach, Carlo Ancelotti.

https://www.fctpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Madrid-Away.jpg

The new away kit, as opposed to the former which received a lot of backlash for being pink has been graciously received by fans of the club. The ash colour kit wears green stripes on the shoulder.



BARCELONA
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The Current La liga and European Champion have made a huge change to their kits. The former kit which had traditional stripes has been traded for horizontal hoops. Nike claims the reason for the new hoops is inspired by the stripes of the club’s flag the fans wave on match days.

The inside of the kit bears the club’s motto, ‘Mes Que Un Club’, meaning ‘more than a club’.

https://www.fctpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Barcelona.jpg

AS ROMA
https://www.fctpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Roma1.jpg

For the second consecutive season, the Italian club are without a sponsor in the 2015/2016 football season.

The club’s new kits, particularly the home looks fitted, with a golden yellow stripe running from the armpit to the sides. The club’s white shorts also bear the stripes of the kits. Both stripes on the kits and shorts fall directly on one another in a commanding pattern.
https://www.fctpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Roma.jpg
The chest colour of the home kit is somewhat lighter than what is on the arms. A deeper form of brown projects the masculinity of the arm of the kit, and according to Nike, the kit symbolizes the ‘club’s growing confidence’, seemingly taking a cue from the armour worn by Roman soldiers.


More on...

Source: http://www.fctpost.com/2015/06/16/a-view-at-the-20152016-soccer-kits-across-europe/

Thanks for the front seat . The link seems not to be working. Chanchit, kindly come and give us a working link.

By the way, I love your poster and the turtle neck. I just hope it's not mind

A working link, please ooo

omoharry:
Abi? thesame thing happened in Nigeria.I think our African leaders are getting wiser.They just realized that ICC is out to target only African leaders.

Not true, Nigeria of all countries is one of the most terrible as far as the international community is concerned. True, al-Bashir may not be apprehended in Nigeria as well for diplomatic reasons. Don't forget that our politicians wrote letters to the ICC, reporting themselves during the elections.

Caseless:
[url]



Zuma was behind the escape.

True, I agree. I'm sure it was solely on diplomatic reasons though. There would have been a standoff between Sudan and South Africa if al-Bashir was captured in South Africa.

Caseless:
Those at ICC can go and die for all we care. I support SA govt on this.

SA is not just any country. One would even think that the Hague itself is situated in SA. They must have allowed al-Bashir go voluntarily.


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Lalasticlala

The South Africa government has been given a week to explain why it resisted a court order that had prohibited Sudan President, Omar al-Bashir from leaving its soil.

al-Bashir, who had been in South Africa for the 25th African Summit flew out of the country before the African Summit ended.

A court on Monday ordered that the South African government explain why al-Bashir was allowed to leave the country’s soil despite initial warning that the Sudanese President should be barred from leaving the country. The court ruling faulted the government, describing it as ‘not consistent with the constitution’.

Omar al-Bashir had been declared wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for genocide and crime against humanity in Dafur before joining other African leaders at the Summit on Saturday.

The South African government has however claimed that it would investigate the circumstances surrounding the Sudanese President’s departure through one of its military base.

“We will also comply with the court order relating to submission of an affidavit outlining these circumstances,” it said in a statement.

South Africa, a signatory of the International Criminal Court has come under stern criticism for failing to detain Omar al-Bashir who has been accused of war crimes since 1999.

Since his indictment, al-Bashir has largely traveled to countries that are yet to join the ICC.

Source: http://www.fctpost.com/2015/06/16/south-africa-government-in-trouble-over-al-bashirs-escape/

IF only PDP faithuls would just give Buhari a break. He means well for Nigerians and keeps charging African leaders on the need to stand for their country, their people and Africa as a whole. Good man

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President Muhammadu Buhari said on Sunday that the crises in Africa presented the continent as one under siege and called on its leaders to reverse the trend.

The president said this while addressing the African Union summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.

He noted that some of the greater challenges to peoples within the African Union still lay in the political, economic, as well as peace and security spheres.

“Our continent is currently bedevilled by the evils of terrorism and insecurity; poverty, youth unemployment, and underdevelopment,” he said. “The destructive effects of the inhuman and criminal campaigns of the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria and neighbouring countries; the Al-Shabab attacks in East Africa, and the activities of the Al-Qaida in the Maghreb, all bear testimony to a continent under siege.”

He also said the images in the international media of African youths getting drowned in the Mediterranean sea on their illegal attempts, and often times illusory hope of attaining better life in Europe “is not only an embarrassment to us as leaders, but dehumanises our persons”.

“Indeed, they combine to paint a very unfavourable picture of our peoples and countries,” Mr. Buhari said.

Mr. Buhari said African leaders owed it as a duty to reverse the ugly trend by pursuing relentlessly measures that engender peace and stability.

“We must put an end to the so-called push factors that compel our young men and women to throw caution to the winds and risk life, limbs and all, on this dangerous adventure,” he said.

“We must redouble our efforts to sustain the economic development of our countries, ensure empowerment of our youths, and create more jobs. We must improve and upgrade our infrastructure, and above all continue the enthronement of a regime of democracy, good governance and respect for human rights and rule of law.”

Mr. Buhari said leaders must persist in their collective endeavour to work together through the AU and the respective Regional Economic Communities, to uplift the continent and provide the African peoples the enabling environment for the realization of their legitimate dreams and aspirations.

He assured of the unflinching commitment of Nigeria to the ideals and aspirations of the AU as explained in the Agenda 2063, which is geared towards ensuring a peaceful, prosperous and integrated Africa in the next 50 years.

“It is for this reason that Nigeria is fully and irrevocably committed to the ECOWAS vision,” he said. “We do so because we believe that African integration is best attained through the instrumentality of our RECs as the building blocs of viable continental institutions.

“Nigeria will therefore continue to play its part in supporting the AU Commission and other continental and regional institutions in their efforts to prioritize African development in all sectors of human endeavour.”

The president said the journey might look arduous, but certainly not impossible. He said opportunities existed in every challenge.

“If and when we adopt this call for a change of attitude, approach, and disposition towards agreed protocols and commitments, we shall be bequeathing a politically stable, economically developed, and socially harmonious Africa, thereby justifying the confidence reposed in us by our electorate,” he said. “We will also demonstrate our qualities as statesmen and true daughters and sons of Africa.”

Mr. Buhari said it was gratifying to note that AU had made laudable progress over the past one and a half decades since its transformation from the Organisation of African Unity.

He said the AU had been able to redirect its priorities at the continental level from mainly political goals to more diverse aspirations that were equally fundamental to its survival and development in a global community.

Source: http://www.fctpost.com/2015/06/15/african-summit-africa-under-siege-buhari-laments/

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lalasticlala

The dance steps are not in any way related. Besides, the little boy's dance looks unreal. I find it very difficult to believe a little boy could be as energetic as that.

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The People’s Democratic Party, Lagos State Chapter, has charged the Governor of Lagos, Akinwunmi Ambode with a 14 days ultimatum, asking him to declare his assets before embarking on state projects.

The PDP which gave the governor till the 29th of June have also demanded that the Governor make public the details of the handover notes and assets of the outgone governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola.

The PDP Publicity Secretary, Mr Taofik Gani, in a statement warned that the Governor would be labelled as a ‘Governor pretender’ all through his tenure if he fails to yield to the 14 days ultimatum.

“The deliberate neglect will however compel us and other well meaning Lagosians to explore the relevance of the Freedom of Information Act (FoI Act) on the matter.” said Mr. Gani.

According to the PDP, the necessity for the Governor to make public his assets his championed by the debt the state presently sits on.

Immediate past Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola, in May admitted he amassed N435bn debt in his eight years reign as the Governor of the state.

Source: http://www.fctpost.com/2015/06/15/declare-assets-make-public-fashola-handover-note-pdp-charges-ambode/


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Lalasticlala

lomprico:
The film never taya them?

Tire ke? I'm not praying that the movie ends sef.

Emenahagos02:
In English pls

On Monday morning

https://www.fctpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Walker-and-Brother.jpg
^{(L) Cody Walker and late Paul Walker (R)}

Late Paul Walker’s younger may likely be casted in the upcoming ‘Fast and Furious 8′ movie. Word has it that Cody Walker’s face will also be making an appearance in the new movie.

According to the latest gossip news updates, both Universal and Vin Diesel have been thinking about adding a new role just for Cody, now that they’ve sent his brother’s character, Brian O’Conner into semi-retirement on the show.

Franchise staple, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson recently explained that the entire cast and crew are looking forward to returning for the new, New York centric action flick, but a lot of other decisions have to be made before they are anywhere near ready to begin filming.

Although Cody Walker seemed more than happy to help cement his brother Paul’s legacy in Hollywood by helping Universal finish the now record breaking Fast and Furious 7 following his tragic death in a fiery car crash late 2013, it’s now being rumored that Cody may be getting his very own part in the New York City set Fast 8.

From on going sources, it seems highly likely that if Walker did return it would be far cheaper and easier to give him a role of his own in the long run than to continue on the way they were forced to on the last film:

“There is talk of Walker’s younger brother Cody being given the part of a new character in the film.

“Cody has expressed his interest in being associated with the franchise and would be up for a role if offered on in Fast and Furious 8.”

“Of course. It can’t go on without [my character] Hobbs…We all are interested in it.

“I just had a big conversation with the studio. So we’ll see.

“I still think for me personally we’ve created a little bit of space for him in 7 and the gauge is set for what the audience will want.

“That’s my take on it, you know, but a lot of other people have to have input.”

After making more than any other movie in the history of cinema save for Avatar and Titanic with Furious 7, Universal can definitely afford to wire all the actors they need going in Fast 8, so perhaps they will just hire everyone.

Source: http://www.fctpost.com/2015/06/13/fast-and-furious-8-paul-walkers-brother-to-cast-new-role/

Guestartiste:
Well deserved
K peace
Strong n classy
That Orlando Owoh & Majek Fashek performance of his was dope.

I disagree. His John Legend "All of me" fuji version did the magic.

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The Chairperson at the 25th African Union Summit, President Muhammadu Buhari joined other African leaders at the Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Below is the full speech of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Excellency President Robert Mugabe, Chairman of the Union,
Excellency President Jacob Zuma, our Host,
Excellencies fellow Presidents and Heads of Government
Excellency Mr. Jan Eliasson, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations,
Excellency Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the AU Commission,
Excellencies, Heads of Delegation,
Invited Guests, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

Please permit me to join previous speakers in conveying my delegation’s appreciation to our host, H.E. President Jacob Zuma, to his Government, and the brotherly people of South Africa for their warm hospitality, and for the excellent arrangements made for our comfort and for the success of our meetings. As this is my first address at this august assembly, may I also congratulate H.E. Dr. Robert Gabriel Mugabe, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, for his unanimous election as the Chairman of our Union.

I feel highly honoured and extremely pleased to be able to address you today, barely two weeks after my inauguration as the President of Nigeria, following the 2015 Presidential election in my country. That process, which was adjudged as the fairest and most credible in the history of elections in Nigeria, was midwifed by the dogged and sustained determination of the Nigerian people, and their desire to deepen our democracy. Their quest was amply supported, and even encouraged by the goodwill of our friends and partners in the international community. I therefore wish to seize this opportunity to convey my very deep appreciation to all those who contributed to the success of that election.

My election has been described as historic. I agree that it is indeed historic because for the first time in the practice of democracy in my country, an opposition Party has defeated the ruling Party in a keenly contested election. The election was also held against the backdrop of the fears and concerns expressed both in Nigeria and among our international friends abroad and partners that the outcome of the election could spell doom for Nigeria. I am glad that even though those fears and concerns were not without basis, the outcome was totally different, to the relief of all of us.

I cannot fail to acknowledge the very positive role played by my predecessor, H.E. President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, in averting the feared crisis, and in facilitating the peaceful transition of power between the two parties. I also wish to express my deep appreciation to all who honoured us with their presence at my inauguration, and even those, who for unavoidable reasons were unable to attend. I thank you all.

Mr. Chairman,
It is gratifying to note that our Union has made laudable progress over the past one and a half decades since its transformation from the Organization of African Unity (OAU) to the African Union (AU). Notably, we have been able to redirect our priorities at the continental level from mainly political goals to more diverse aspirations that are equally fundamental to our survival and development in a global community.

It is however clear, Mr. Chairman, that some of the greater challenges to our peoples within this Union still lie in the political, economic, as well as peace and security spheres. Our continent is currently bedevilled by the twin evils of terrorism and insecurity; poverty, youth unemployment, and underdevelopment. The destructive effects of the inhuman and criminal campaigns of the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria and neighbouring countries; the Al-Shabab attacks in East Africa, and the activities of the Al-Qaida in the Maghreb, all bear testimony to a continent under siege.

Mr Chairman,
Excellencies and Colleagues

On our part, I was convinced on my assumption of office that the best approach would be to work within the framework of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) to mobilse collective support to fight against Boko Haram. I have in this regard, directed the relocation of Nigeria’s Command Centre to place it closer to the theatre of action. Furthermore, I have vigorously engaged the members states of the LCBC to better coordinate the strategies and tactics in fighting the insurgency in the region. I believe that this approach can be enhanced through complimentary regional and continental efforts.

The images in the international mass media of African youths getting drowned in the Mediterranean sea on their illegal attempts, and often times illusory hope of attaining better life in Europe is not only an embarrassment to us as leaders, but dehumanises our persons. Indeed, they combine to paint a very unfavourable picture of our peoples and countries.

Those of us gathered here today owe it as a duty to reverse this ugly trend. We must put an end to the so-called push factors that compel our young men and women to throw caution to the winds and risk life, limbs and all, on this dangerous adventure. We must redouble our efforts to sustain the economic development of our countries, ensure empowerment of our youths, create more jobs, improve and upgrade our infrastructure, and above all continue the enthronement of a regime of democracy, good governance and respect for human rights and rule of law. These and other measures that engender peace and stability must be pursued relentlessly.

In this connection, we must persist in our collective endeavour to work together through the African Union and our respective Regional Economic Communities (RECs), to uplift our continent and provide the African peoples the enabling environment for the realization of their legitimate dreams and aspirations. At this juncture, let me assure you of the unflinching commitment of Nigeria to the ideals and aspirations of the African Union as explained in the Agenda 2063, which is geared towards ensuring a peaceful, prosperous and integrated Africa in the next 50 years. It is for this reason that Nigeria is fully and irrevocably committed to the ECOWAS vision.

We do so because we believe that African integration is best attained through the instrumentality of our Regional Economic Communities (RECs) as the building blocs of viable continental institutions. Nigeria will therefore continue to play her part in supporting the African Union Commission and other continental and regional institutions in their efforts to prioritize African development in all sectors of human endeavour.
The journey might look arduous, but certainly not impossible. There are opportunities in every challenge. If and when we adopt this call for a change of attitude, approach, and disposition towards agreed protocols and commitments, we shall be bequeathing a politically stable, economically developed, and socially harmonious Africa, thereby justifying the confidence reposed in us by our electorates. We will also demonstrate our qualities as statesmen and true daughters and sons of Africa.

I thank you for your kind attention.

Source: http://www.fctpost.com/2015/06/14/read-the-full-speech-of-president-buhari-at-the-african-union-summit/

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Lalasticlala

peeparty:
mhn daht next2 guy still my best.congrat

Voice wise, Nex2 is better than him but unfortunately for him, he chose wrong songs all through. If I was a judge and had the supreme power to evict and keep anyone, Nex2 would have been long gone. Each time he's introduced to sing, I get tired from within because the songs he does are those 'pangolo' songs that do not support using strong vocals.

ammyluv2002:


What's up? I don miss you for NL o! Hope, you're okay sha

Lolz... Been busy . Same here though; Yeah, I am ooo, thanks. Hope you're doing great?

jomoh:
A JW in the building

Not... She's right though

ammyluv2002:
11. White wedding

12. Naming

You and White wedding and this 'naming'

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Nigerian Idol has come to an end with K-Peace as the winner of the Nigerian Idol, Season 5 edition.

The last two standing, Dolu and K-Peace slugged it out after Nex2 was sent after failing to get enough votes to keep him in the competition.

With an initial number of 31 contestants, the judges and viewers who had the authority to remove and keep an idol of their choice trimmed the number to two, leaving the timid Dolu and fuji-riddled K-Peace.

With just a week to go in the Finale of the competition,the duo dazzled after singing three songs each.

The judges, Dede Mabiaku, Yinka Davies and Dare Art Alade were clearly dazed as they could not have enough of the duo.

Big boned Preye and Nex2 were also given one final chance to thrill the audience and viewers alike with Omawunmi’s “if you ask me” and Tu Face’s “Iheneme” respectively.

Afterwards, Dolu and K-Peace performed for the last time. While Dolu sang Yemi Alade’s “Tangerine”, K-Peace out-shined his fierce counterpart as he performed Kiss Daniel’s viral “Woju”.

African-international act and guest artiste for the night, Asa was not left out as she thrilled with one of her emotion appealing songs.

While the moment of truth followed, the host, Illrymz called the three finalists, Nex2, Dolu and K-Peace to the stage while K-Peace was finally announced the winner of the Nigerian Idol Season 5 edition.

Source: http://www.fctpost.com/2015/06/14/k-peace-wins-nigerian-idol-season-5/

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Lalasticlala

https://www.fctpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Dr2.jpg
An Italian neurosurgeon has unveiled plans to perform the first human head transplant by the end of 2017.

Patient will be 30-year-old Russian Valery Spiridonov, who suffers from Werdnig-Hoffmann, a muscle-wasting disease.

Dr Sergio Canavero announced his plan at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurological and Orthopaedic Surgeons in the US state of Maryland on Friday, saying he believes he has a 90 percent chance of success.

He said his patient will be a 30-year-old Russian man, Valery Spiridonov, who has the muscle-wasting disease, Werdnig-Hoffmann.
https://www.fctpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/o-VALERY-SPIRIDONOV-facebook-1024x512.jpg
^{Valery Spiridonov hopes to receive first ever controversial transplant}

“Of course there is a margin of risk, I cannot deny that,” Canavero said.

“I made the announcement only when I was pretty sure I could do it.”

Both men, who have been in regular contact through video chats, believe the controversial procedure is Spiridonov’s best hope, the Reuters news agency reported.

“If it goes good, I think I will get rid of the limits which I have today and I will be more independent and this will much improve my life,” Spiridonov said.

“We are making a huge step forward in science and I hope it will be OK.”

Canavero is quick to point out that few with Werdnig-Hoffmann disease reach adulthood.

“He is a brave man and he is in horrible condition. You have to understand – for him, Western medicine has nothing to offer. Western medicine has failed.”

Surgical team of 100

Canavero will need the support of his peers in order to move forward on the operation which could cost around $15m.

Cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr Raymond Dieter, a former president of the International College Of Surgeons, said one of the biggest concerns with the procedure was keeping the brain alive during the surgery.

“When you think you are doing a heart transplant, or a kidney transplant, or a liver transplant, you have to cool those organs to give you a longer period of … surgical time before you reconnect all the vessels and you start reperfusion,” Dieter said.

“We’ve seen several professors criticising Dr Canavero’s work but you know, there was criticism for the first heart transplant as well and now it’s commonplace.”

The operation, which would require a team of more than 100 medical workers and could take 36 hours to complete, could take place in the US or China.

Canavero plans to carry out the procedure in December 2017.

“I prepared myself not only scientifically, but also psychologically which is equally important in order to tackle all of these attacks from several fronts, in order to justify what you want to do, why you want to do, you have to prepare yourself,” Canavero said.

“This is a frontier, the final frontier. It’s not space. This is it because it has implications that go well beyond religion, culture, the future, everything.”

Source: http://www.fctpost.com/2015/06/13/neurosurgeon-to-perform-first-ever-human-head-transplant/

Bugatie:
Simply elegant,

My crush, Wanted to marry this lady

Hahahahaha! So what happened?

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Hollywood Star, Angelina Jolie made a star appearance at the 25th African Summit in South Africa.

The actress who is also a U.N. special envoy on refuge issues bothered on rape as a weapon of warfare and charged African leaders cum representatives to support women rights.

Jolie stressed the need for women protection in Africa and beyond.

Jolie had been invited to speak on women and conflict at the Sandton Convention Centre, on Friday.

She shared a panel with the African Union Commission Chairwoman Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, former British Foreign Secretary William Hague and Senegalese activist Bineta Diop.

Zainab Bangura, who is the U.N.’s Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict was also in attendance.

Jolie said: ‘There is a global epidemic of violence against women – both within conflict zones and within societies at peace – and it is still treated as a lesser crime and lower priority.

https://www.fctpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Jolie3.jpg

Source : http://www.fctpost.com/2015/06/13/angelina-jolie-makes-star-appearance-at-the-au-summit/

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Lalasticlala

Kitsune:
Ignore dimwits like that. I've Never seen anyone 'complain' about Arab leaders dressing in their same attire just like no one complains about Western people using same color Suits all the time BUT ofcourse when a Nigerian (Hausa to be specific) wears the same style of clothing its suddenly a problem.

Problem is, they enjoy criticizing but have ended up using up the meaningful strength to do so.

Flets:
Same cloth again?

Would you say Jonathan wore the same bowler hat for six years everyday because it was black?

This is an eye opener.

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ojdollars

President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration has launched an investigation to determine whether the government has been short-changed by a state oil company scheme to swap crude for refined products.

The Nigerian government may be losing money through opaque contracts in which crude oil worth billions of dollars is given to traders in exchange for refined imports, mainly gasoline, international and domestic watchdogs have said.

According to sources, Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency EFCC and domestic intelligence service DSS began the investigation last month. A spokesman for the EFCC said he was unable to comment for the moment and the DSS did not respond to requests for comment. A security source with knowledge of the matter said the DSS wanted to find out how the value of the crude and products was computed.

“It appears that the value of the crude was more than the value of the refined imported,” the security source said.

The contracts, known as offshore processing agreements (OPAs) are between Pipelines and Product Marketing Co (PPMC), a subsidiary of state-run Nigerian National Petroleum Corp (NNPC) and three oil trading companies: Sahara Group, Aiteo and Duke Oil, the trading subsidiary of NNPC.

Expired contracts with Swiss trader Trafigura, Taleveras, Ontario Oil and Gas are also being examined, the sources said.

The PPMC head was among the NNPC and company officials called in the investigating agencies in the past two weeks to answer questions about the agreements, the NNPC sources said.

“It started about two weeks ago…he was called in to the DSS everyday since Thursday and before that by the EFCC,” one senior official at the company said.

A statement from the NNPC said some of its officials were invited by the agencies “to shed light” on the contracts and that none had been detained or arrested as part of this investigation.

The Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative has said there was a revenue loss of at least $600 million due to a discrepancy between the value of the crude and the products delivered. The figure was taken from its 2009-2011 and 2012 audits of the oil and gas industry, the latest was released this year.

Some contract-holders have said that the discrepancies in value were reconciled.

Sahara, which receives 90,000 barrels per day for processing through an agreement with the Societe Ivorienne de Raffinage (SIR), said it was invited to the EFCC and submitted information to show that its contract was justified.

Aiteo, which also has a 90,000 bpd contract, could not be reached for comment. There was no response to a Reuters email and no telephone details were given on its website.

Duke Oil, an NNPC subsidiary, which has a 30,000 bpd contract, could also not be reached for comment. The listed phone number led to NNPC and it did not respond to an email.

A spokesman for Taleveras, that held a crude swaps contract between 2011 and December 2014 via Duke Oil, said that the company did not owe any money and it would deliver gasoline until June this year to balance out what it received in crude.

A spokesman for Trafigura said that the EFCC had requested information about their swap contract and it was provided by the company in the past month. Trafigura held a Refined Products Exchange Agreement, or swap contract, between Oct. 2010 and Dec. 2014.

“Despite Trafigura facing extensive logistical challenges in delivering refined product into Nigeria…delivery would typically precede the corresponding swap of crude oil by an order of weeks – sometimes months,” the spokesman said.

“This reality led to ongoing supply imbalances…and ultimately reconciled, every two months over the duration of the term.”

Nigeria relies on imports for the bulk of its domestic gasoline demand, which is met by gasoline coming via the crude exchanges and through a subsidy scheme that was at the root of acute fuel shortages at the end of May.

The new administration of Muhammadu Buhari came into power on an anti-corruption platform and the EFCC is keen show it has teeth. Right after Buhari’s inauguration on May 29, six central bankers and 16 commercial bank staff were accused of currency fraud by the EFCC, the agency said.

The EFCC has investigated various oil scandals in the recent past, namely a fuel subsidy fraud costing the government $6.8 billion between 2009-2011. But due to a lack of political will from the top, only a handful were prosecuted with little result.

Source: http://www.fctpost.com/2015/06/13/corruption-buhari-probes-crude-oil-swap-contracts/

kossyablaze:
Our politicans don kill us!!!!

Politicians ke? They're not the ones buying it for people na. Nigerians are natural ballers

cc
Lalasticlala

Obviously the World’s biggest wine fair in the world, the Vinexpo Wine and Spirits Fair opens in Bordeaux, France Wine capital, this weekend, with wine merchants eyeing new tipplers in Africa as global consumption rises in and Asia other continents.

The United States of America and China are believed to be the world’s top wine lovers while Africa is considered the industry’s next “future destination”, according to the Vinexpo Wine and Spirits Fair, in a market expecting 3.5% growth over the next three years.

In Bordeaux, 45,000 buyers from 120 countries will hop from luxury chateaux to prestige vineyards partying and guzzling as France, the world’s leading wine producer, lays out its best bottles for a five-day get-together starting on Sunday. The Fair is expected to come to an end on Thursday next week.

President of France, Francois Hollande, will be the first head of state to open the Fair as Wine is seen as the country’s second biggest export after aeronautics.

Vinexpo Fair CEO, Guillaume Deglise has raised concerns over the “changing picture” and the “several uncertainties” facing the consumption of wine and spirits despite enjoying and buoyant momentum at the present.

“We’re at a moment of transition with well-developed markets on the wane, such as France, because of changes in consumption patterns and differences between generations,” Deglise stated.

“It’s important to identify markets that will drive our exports outside of China and the US,” he said.

Coming as the least expected, data surprisingly puts Nigeria, where over half of the people are Muslims, as the fastest growing country for Champagne consumption, with the ‘sparkling wine’ well known and accepted among the country’s middle class, hip-hop artistes and movie stars.

Despite the slow sales of cognac and other spirits in Asia, Nigerians spent $700 million (621 million euros) on spirits in 2012 and are expected to double that to $1.5 billion by 2017.

The Vinexpo fair will bring 2,350 exhibitors together from 42 countries, two-third of them from France, which last year produced 523 million 12-bottle crates.

Big Wine producing countries such as Italy and Spain will be duly represented alongside Portugal, Chile, the United States, Britain, Germany, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

In France, some of the talk is likely to focus on a controversial vote by French MPs last week to loosen the country’s tough 25-year-old laws on alcohol advertising.

The 1991 legislation, aimed at fighting youth drinking, banned TV advertising of drinks with alcohol content of more than 1.2% and showing brands in stadium hoardings.

The Vinexpo was created in 1981, the Vinexpo exhibition has established itself over the years as the key event for major international operators in the wine and spirits sector.

Source: http://www.fctpost.com/2015/06/13/nigeria-emerges-fastest-growing-champagne-consuming-country/