David Moyes to Christiano Ronaldo- I want you back

Informations made available online says the manager of Man United has not given up on his desire to bring back Christiano Ronaldo to old trafford. The manager who has been under so much pressure to perform following the the high standing record left behind by Sir Alex ferguson who retired after his last game last season  to give more time to his wife and life. The boys at old Trafford have not been impressive this season with many claiming they feel the boys Fergusson left behind don't want to play for Moyes. This is an unfounded speculation. However, Moyes who is looking forward to maintaining a credible standard will be looking forward to signing players in January and bringing the goal banging Ronaldo to old Trafford will come in handy. The issue is not about Moyes wanting Ronaldo, the issue is if Real will want to allow the Portuguese captain leave. Ronaldo has not disappointed for club and country so far as he single handedly buried  Sweden's dream to pick a place for his country in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. No doubt any club will want to get Ronaldo, the question is if Man United will be willing to pay even the same amount they sold him for to get him, but Madrid being a very good business club and trusting Florntino Perez, they must be willing to pay more if at all they want to. After all when they wanted Bale, they paid more.

Top story-Nigerian killed in U.S. !

A Nigerian has been found dead in an apartment in Colombus, Indiana, United States.

Columbus police in Ohio, the United States, have obtained an arrest warrant for a man wanted for murder.

They’re looking for 36-year-old Ryan Allen Klug, who they say is now the prime suspect in the murder of 26-year-old Adaobi M. Obih, who was found dead Tuesday in an apartment. Police initially said Klug was a “person of interest” in the case.

The police did not think Klug is still in the area and said multiple law enforcement agencies were looking for him.

The police were alerted to Obih’s death after she missed work Monday and Tuesday without notifying anyone. Concerned co-workers contacted her apartment complex to ask about her. The police also contacted the property manager to request a welfare check, according to the arrest affidavit.

A maintenance worker went to check on the woman and said, “It’s not good, there is blood everywhere” after going to Obih’s apartment.

A neighbour said he noticed that the door to Obih’s garage spot was open and had been open for at least 24 hours. Klug, who police described as Obih’s roommate, parked his vehicle there.

The maintenance worker told the police there were no signs of forced entry at the apartment and that only two people would’ve had keys: Obih and Klug. The maintenance worker told the police he found Obih with a “large amount of blood around her head” and said it appeared clear that she was dead.

The police talked to Obih’s boyfriend, who revealed that he’d texted and called her multiple times but never heard back. The last message he received from her was at 12:17 p.m. on Sunday, November 17. When she failed to respond, he went to her apartment, saw her car in the parking lot and knocked on the door. Obih didn’t answer.

A neighbour who lives in the apartment below Obih’s said it sounded like someone was moving furniture during Sunday afternoon. “It went on for more than three minutes,” the neighbour said, adding that it happened shortly before tornado warnings went off for Sunday’s storms.

The police said Klug had texted a pastor asking him to call. When the pastor did so, Klug answered and said he couldn’t talk at the time.

Further investigation found that Obih had been stabbed multiple times and her throat cut. A blood trail went from the woman’s bedroom to Klug’s, and police said it appeared “the assailant attempted to clean up in the bathroom area belonging to Mr. Klug.” They also found a bloody towel in Klug’s sink. Police located a plastic bag containing a bloody sock and other clothes stained with blood, including blue jeans, boxers and a shirt. The police said the “amount of blood on these items was significant.”

They found a trail of small blood drops leading from the apartment to the garage where Klug parked his vehicle. His 2008 silver Subaru Legacy was not parked in the garage.

Klug works for the Indiana Department of Transportation, and the police contacted his supervisor, who told them Klug’s behaviour had been “off” lately. He sent a text message Sunday saying, “sick tomorrow, then vacation next two weeks.” His supervisor said the message was out of character and also violated the department’s vacation time policy. Klug did not return texts or phone calls, his supervisor said. He didn’t show up at work Monday or Tuesday.

Klug’s stepmother and father said they hadn’t heard from him for several days.

His brother told the police he’d spoken with Klug about two weeks ago. Klug wanted to get back with a girl he’d dated. The relationship ended about a year ago. His brother told Klug to call her; he said Klug discovered she was dating someone else and told him, “I’m losing control.”

Top story-UNBELIEVABLE ! World’s FATTEST Woman Loses 272kg !

The world’s heaviest woman who was also accused of murder has reportedly lost 600 pounds (about 272kg) in five years.

32-year-old Mayra Rosales was nicknamed the Half-Ton Killer after she made headlines in 2008 of murdering her nephew with her own 1,000-pound body. She has now decided to save her own life by losing the wight.

According to a press release, she has indeed managed to shed ‘an astounding amount of weight’ thanks to surgeries, physical therapy, rehabilitation and huge changes to her diet.

But with her new 400-pound body, she must learn to carry out normal activities she has never been exposed to, like grocery shopping and job hunting.

Even though she confessed in 2008, Mayra was acquitted of her nephew’s murder in 2011 after evidence concluded that the boy had multiple injuries to his skull that were not indicative of being smothered.

At the time, her lawyer Sergio Valdez told the court: ’It would have required her to have to swing her arm to strike the child on the head but she could never move her arm in that manner.’

Mayra then testified that she witnessed her sister Jaime using a brush to hit her son Eliseo repeatedly on his arms, legs and head.

‘We were all trying to cover for my sister,’ she testified from her bed, to which she was confined because of her weight.

‘There was abuse from her towards her son. She yelled at him. She kicked him. On that night Junior didn’t want to eat and she got frustrated and she hit him on the head with a hairbrush.

‘I thought I was dying anyway so I decided to admit that I’d done it to protect my sister because I love her,’ she concluded.

Jaime was found guilty of causing injury to a child, and is currently serving a 15-year sentence.

Today, Mayra has been given a second chance at life, and one of her goals is to become physically fit enough to be able to adopt and take care of her nieces and nephew.

In a recent interview, she admits she had undergone two surgeries, one on each side of her legs, and she is awaiting a gastric bypass surgery in the coming months.

She has also been following a high-protein, low-carb diet, with plenty of steamed vegetables, sugar-free desserts and soups.

In the interview, Mayra says optimistically: ‘I’m turning, sitting up, if I feel like going out I transfer to the wheelchair. I’m still in movement’.

‘I was alive before, but I didn’t have a life,’ she says. ’And now, I do.’

 

Top story-Meet The Nigerian Man That Had A s*x Change To Become A Woman !

A Nigeria transgender had decided to share his story and appeal to people to stop stigmatizing people like him.

The man, now simply identified as Miss Sahhara has claimed that he was abused and jailed in Nigeria for being a transgender.

In an article she shared yesterday to mark the Transgender Day of Remembrance, she talked about how depressed she felt and how she even attempted suicide.

Hear her:

“I am standing in front of the mirror looking at my reflection. Tears of joy trickle down my rouged cheek before going on stage.

I am in tears because I just can’t believe how realistic my dreams have become. I am a woman! Living my life freely. Accepted and respected for my achievements as a model and a performer.

My fellow transgendered sisters and brothers paved this way for me. They fought for acceptance, understanding and respect. Some died while fighting for what they believed in and others fell before their time due to hate, rejection and society’s unfairness. Every single story gave me strength to fight on and never to give up.

I wish I could tell the younger me who tried to commit suicide twice that life gets better and dreams come true.

I did not imagine life could be this amazing many years ago after being released from a horrid Nigerian prison for being different. Then all I could think was I could die in this prison and no one will know or care.

Being imprisoned felt justifiable, considering I was being punished for being ‘gay’ – something they assumed due to my feminine features and mannerisms.

I wasn’t gay, I am a woman born differently due to natural defects. What I felt did not match my outward appearance, Being assigned male at birth doesn’t make me a man or a woman, nobody was born a man or a women, you develop into your preferred gender as you grow up. For me that gender was female. I was born male but my brain, gestures, features and carriage functioned as female.

Growing up and not knowing what was happening to my body made me confused and lost. I couldn’t discuss it with my family because my femininity was frowned on due to religion and I could not talk to my friends because they would not understand what I was going through. I found solace in music and dreams.

I dreamt of being free to be myself, free of insults, free of judgment and free from harassment.

That freedom came when I moved to the United Kingdom, finding girls like me gave me hope of not being alone in my journey of self-discovery.

I found out what I went through growing up in Nigeria was quite common with transgendered people. Having freedom, acceptance and knowledge are the key most important elements to a successful transition.

Knowing I am not alone in my struggles helped me to reevaluate my views on life and how I should go about my transition wisely. I researched my transition and reconciled the conflicting emotions involved in the process of accepting myself as the woman I am.

It is a lonely world during transition, as your body changes so do your emotions, which leads the mind into the darkest path in life. If the chemicals are not professionally controlled, you can feel suicidal due to rejection from loved ones and society.

In life perfection doesn’t existent, but for me having the freedom to be my true self feels almost perfect. As a black transgendered woman I am faced with many daily challenges such as transphobia, a complicated love life, poor career prospects and racism. But when I remember my life history, these challenges become water under the bridge.

That is why I will always remember those who built this foundation for freedom and knowledge. Also those who never got the chance to enjoy the acceptance we have achieved so far.

Transgender Day of Remembrance today (20 November) is particularly import to me because I have lost close friends to suicide and have seen many more wishing to commit suicide as a final fix to their gender dilemma and rejection by society.

The media is silent on the subject of transphobia and the effects it has on young transgendered people of today, because they don’t see transgendered people as ‘normal’ members of our community.

Remembering my fallen friends helps me to keep their memories alive. It also encourages me to carry on the fight to be respected, understood and accepted for whom I am.

I dream of a world where we are given some sort of understanding and tolerance to live peacefully as able, intelligent fellow human beings who make positive contributions to society.

Transgendered people are human too. We are your brothers, your sisters, your children, your friends and your lovers. Stop the hate! ”

 

 

 

Top story-Ghanaian Popular Actor, John Dumelo Opens A 5-Star Hotel !

Still maintaining his accolade as one of the most business-minded movie stars in Africa, Ghanaian talented and handsome actor, John Dumelo, has managed to raise millions of dollars through hard work, and has invested in a huge hotel.

Even before the establishment of the hotel, the award-winning Ghanaian actor is best known for establishing other businesses of social benefits. Aside acting, his John Dumelo Foundation which is very operational, presented an amount of GH¢3,000 to the Students Financial Aid Office of the University of Ghana, Legon.

He donated the money as a scholarship package for two students who were brilliant but lacked the financial backing to complete their courses at the University. 

John Dumelo has also visited several deprived schools and homes across Africa to donate some school items to them.

In a phone chat with E-gist correspondent in Ghana , confirmed  that he has finished building the hotel but because he was planning to do a massive opening of the place on 1st December, 2013, he has decided to keep things on low ebb.

John Dumelo, who has unquenching love for people in deprived areas and the destitute, is doing his best to contribute his quota in helping them. He added that the name of the hotel shall be officially called Maselo Court Apartments. 

Why the name Maselo Apartment Hotel, he said “I coined the name from my full name John Mathew Kofi Setor Dumelo.”

Top story-Banky W Reveals How He Sold Cds In The Us To Survive .

Behind every glory is a story! In a recent interview with Vanguard, R n’ B singer and chairman of EME Records shared his success story. One thing was clear: he didn’t just become the famous Banky W overnight, he worked hard for it. “Everybody knows me to be the Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of EME; but what people do not know is that EME started when I was in my third year in university in New York.  You see, we all dream, but it is important to think very big and start where you are because God never gives you everything. You only get enough to start.

“At that time, I knew I wanted to do music, but I understood that nobody starts by selling a million CDs or the big screen. I worked in fast foods outlets, clothing stores and as a knife salesman, selling knives from door to door. That way, I gathered money to pay for studio recording time. I was recording with a close friend at that time. After making that music, we printed a thousand CDs, though we didn’t have any fan. I had one battered car that broke down virtually everywhere, so we would print black and white posters, stick them on the sides of the car, sell from the car’s trunk and drive to salons to do marketing. We would walk to the owners of the salons, greet politely, and ask them to let us entertain their customers.

Sometimes, some would kick us out and sometimes others would say yes. If they agreed, after singing for a minute or two, we would sell our CDs to the customers. That was the beginning! The graveyard, they say, is the richest place in the world, because therein lies so many who died with their dreams. My advice is, do not give up! If Banky can be where he is today, you can be where you want to be if you put your mind to it.”

Top story-Manslaughter Saga: My Story —Pasuma

Fuji music star, Wasiu Alabi Pasuma has disassociated himself from the recent killing of a fan at one of his private gigs in Lagos.

In a statement made available through his manager, Afolabi Oyekoya, the Fuji star said the boy was killed by some policemen who chased him for “settlement” after he was leaving the venue of the party where he was engaged to perform.

According to him, he wasn’t aware of the incident until hours later when someone hinted him that a fan died after his show.

Pasuma’ statement reads: “On 24 October I had a show somewhere around idimu, Lagos and as usual there were quite a lot of people there. After my performance I made for my car after settling the area boys with a large sum of money. Definitely, I had to zoom off because I didn’t want them to mob me. I left the venue and drove straight to my house.

“Later that night, I heard that someone was killed at the show. I was surprised because people don’t fight at my shows. It was later that I got to know that the young man was killed by the policemen.

“I tried to get details of the incident and that was when I learnt one of the boys hung on to my car before I drove off. He was said to haven fallen off and started running after my car for reasons I don’t know. I didn’t even notice anyone was running after my car.

At the same time, the policemen were driving fast behind me to get more money from me and in the process the boy was knocked down by their vehicle. When the policemen caught up with me, I gave them money and they turned back. As at that time I was not even aware anything untoward had happened and I drove off.

“Later that night, I was informed that a boy was killed by the policemen and my manager Afolabi Oyekoya has been trying to get in touch with the deceased family. If those that reported the incident, did actually visit the police station or hospital the boy was taken to, they would have found out the truth.

“The question is: Did my car hit the boy? Did my car have any contact with the boy? Was I even aware of anything? The policemen were said to have taken the boy to the hospital or their station and had communicated with the family.”

The music star denied the reports that the policemen were part of his convoy.

“The truth is, they were never part of my convoy. I didn’t go to the show with any security except my bodyguards. I feel comfortable around area boys or whatsoever you choose to call them. I have no reason to move around with policemen. I didn’t hit anyone with my car, neither did any of my convoy,” Pasuma said.

He said he initially kept quiet when the story hit social media but was forced to issue the press statement so as to clear the air and stop some bloggers who are trying to make a mess of his name.

“Do we now live in a country where people believe they can just write something about you and get away with it? If I was truly involved in a murder case I would have been invited to the police station for questioning. Have I been asked to write a report at the police station? Have I been arrested? We are talking about someone’s life here?” the musician queried.

Meanwhile, Pasuma told E-Gist  that his management, AO21 Media, have been making efforts to reach the family of the deceased not because he was involved in the boy’s death but because the deceased was his fan.

Top story-Unhealthy foods that shouldn’t be in your diet .

You have been exercising and going to the gym regularly since January. It is November; you are yet to see the results in your health. You have also been taking the daily recommended intake of water, fruits and vegetable, but your blood sugar and cholesterol is still high.

In fact, your family members and colleagues know that you have decided to leave the old ways and adopt a healthy lifestyle.

You begin to wonder what you are doing wrong that is not making you reap the reward of your hard work in the past months, since you have been following what you think the doctor recommended or what you have been reading about on the Internet  on the  wonders of  healthy living.

Don’t get frustrated, it may just be that you are not doing the right thing. Though you have been engaging in a lot of exercises lately, little enemies  -like unhealthy foods, may be the culprit.

Nutritionists say that we are what we eat and it will determine the outcome of any lifestyle we adopt.

Head of Nutrition Department, Montana University,  United States, Dr.  James Morrison, says the fundamental key to success with any lifestyle modification is removal, elimination, and avoidance of the agents of opposition to your desired lifestyle and a healthy balanced diet.

You may now ask: What is a balanced diet? Though its definitions is pretty simple – Eating foods rich in protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, fats and oil in addition to daily fruit intake – experts at Harvard Medical School in  Boston, US say science has now revealed that some foods in these categories may be the setback to your desired results.

They note that healthy eating doesn’t mean eliminating certain foods altogether. However, there are some things that are best eaten only rarely.

“Are there foods you should not eat? Not really. If you crave an ice cream occasionally, have a small one. But don’t make it a daily event. Offset the plantain chips you ate at office with healthier foods at home,” Morrison notes.

Now, the next question that comes to mind is: How do we do it? And what are the foods we are eliminating and why are we getting rid of them?

Harvard nutrition scientists compiled the following list of foods you should keep to a minimum for a better health.

Research, they say, suggests that eating these foods regularly even  in addition to healthier ones    can set the stage for life-threatening illnesses such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and even some cancers.

Added sugar: Whether it’s white granulated sugar, brown sugar, high- fructose corn syrup, corn sugar, or honey, sugar contains almost no nutrients and is pure carbohydrate. When you eat a lot of sugar, you are filling up on empty calories, causing your blood sugar to rise and fall like a roller coaster, and it keeps one  from eating foods that have important nutrients and fibre.

Research cites soft drinks and other sugar-sweetened beverages as the primary source of added sugar in the diet and a major contributor to weight gain and obesity. In fact, just one extra 12-ounce can of a typical sweetened beverage a day can add on 15 pounds in a year.

That’s not only because the drinks themselves add calories, but also because those liquid calories are not as satisfying as solid food.

Milk and other dairy fats: Ice cream, whole milk, and cheese are full of saturated fat and some naturally occurring trans fat and therefore can increase the risk of the health problems, notably heart disease.

The healthiest milk and milk products are low-fat versions, such as skim milk, milk with one per cent fat, and reduced-fat cheeses.

Sweets: Cookies, snack cakes, doughnuts, pastries, and many other treats are hard to pass up, but these commercially prepared versions are packed with processed carbohydrates, added sugar, unhealthy fats, and often salt.

Sweets which are basically sugar can impair insulin sensitivity and worsen blood lipids which can lead to diabetes.

White-flour carbohydrates: Bread, pasta, potatoes, rice, cookies or cake – if you enjoy these foods, opt for whole-grain versions. Whole-wheat contains good fibre and nutrients while white flour in bread and rice is full of refined sugar which have heavy calories that is not easy for the body to digest.

Processed and high-fat meats: Processed meats and meat products are sweetened with preservatives such as nitrates and salts which are not nearly as beneficial as fresh animal flesh, bones, and offal.

Nitrates can form potentially unhealthy, carcinogenic compounds called nitrosamines when subjected to heat.

Fresh meats should comprise the bulk of your meat intake. Factory farmed meat intake should also be limited, as access and finances allow, while grass-fed/pastured animal products should be strongly favoured for their beneficial nutrient content.

Salt: Most condiments contain salts and sugars which is  simply another way to make bad food taste good by heaping sugar and/or bad fat all over it. If you get a low-fat dressing or condiment, it’s undoubtedly loaded with sugar to make up for the missing fat. You can’t win, so it’s best to just get rid of the stuff altogether.

Current dietary guidelines and the American Heart Association recommend reducing salt intake to 1,500 mg per day but most of us get 1 ½ teaspoons (or 8,500 mg) of salt daily. That translates to about 3,400 excess. Your body needs a certain amount of sodium or salt but too much can increase blood pressure and the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Top Story-Nigeria’s Highest Paid CEOs

Being a successful and influential chief executive officer takes hard work, guts, sacrifice and a more-than-average knowledge of how the business environment works. Many who wish to be successful and influential wonder how others have achieved great things, thinking such feats are impossible in their bid to toe same path.

Nigeria boasts a slew of successful CEOs in almost every sector – banking, oil and gas, sports, health and manufacturing. LEADERSHIP Friday unveils some of Nigeria’s highest paid CEOs and the stories behind their rise to the top, based on authoritative reports, between 2009 and 2012.

CEO, Stanbic IBTC, Sola David-Borha 

As the managing director/CEO of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, David-Borha is one of the country’s highly-rated bankers. She is the highest paid director in Nigeria’s banking sector, with an annual remuneration of N177m. When broken down, this becomes N484, 931 daily, including weekends when may have no reason to go to work.

David-Borha has patiently risen through the ranks to get to where she is today. She was, at different times, responsible for overseeing the corporate finance and corporate banking, projects and structure finance, as well as asset management and private banking departments. At a time, she bore the burden of supervising treasury and finance services department.

David-Borha also headed the correspondent banking relationships’ department at Stanbic IBTC and served as a member of the executive committee. She was appointed to the bank’s board in 1994 and has held other positions, including a spell as director of Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Stanbic Nominees Nigeria Limited and Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers Limited. She was also appointed a member of the board of Financial Institutions Training Centre (FITC).  She did not miss serving as a member of the bank’s board credit, board nominations and risk management committees.

 Having passed through these stages before rising to the pinnacle, David- Borha can be said to have, indeed, paid her dues and can be said to have exhibited a great degree of competence, experience, long career plan and hard work to get to her present position.

CEO, Mobil Oil Nigeria Limited, Tunji Oyebanji

Mobil Oil Nigeria (MON) is one of Nigeria’s major petroleum products marketing companies. As its chief executive officer, Oyebanji is on an annual remuneration of N85m. When broken down, this amounts to a daily pay of about N231, 956.

As chairman/CEO/managing director of MON, there is no doubt that Oyebanji’s hard-work, commitment and dedication has been largely responsible for the turn-around which the company’s fortune has experienced, making it stand tall among other competing oil corporates.

The company now operates more than 200 retail outlets spread across the 36 states of Nigeria and the Fedeeral Capital Territory; it owns three plants (in Apapa, Lagos State) where lubricants, petroleum jelly and insecticides are manufactured.

As at 2011, MON had an annual turn-over of N63.1bn, from N58.34bn in 2010. With a combined dividend per share of N5 and bonus issue of one for five shares, MON has, arguably, the industry’s highest priced stock.

CEO, GTBank, Olusegun Agbaje

The managing director/CEO of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), Olusegun J.K. Agbaje, is rated as one of the country’s highest paid CEOs. His GTB prides itself as “the biggest and most profitable bank in Nigeria” and one of the biggest companies on the shores of West Africa. Agbaje co-founded the GTB in 1990 with Tayo Aderinokun who died in 2011.His annual take-home is a whopping N77m.

Before assuming the current position, Agbaje was the deputy managing director of the bank between August 2002 and April 20, 2011. He has also served as the divisional head of the bank’s institutional banking division and also as acting MD of GTB (Ghana) Limited, from April 20, 2011.

Interestingly, Agbaje has served in a number of capacities before becoming the man at the helm of the bank’s affairs. He was, at different points in his career; member, Assets and Liability Management Committee; member, Criticised Assets Committee; member, Board, Information Technology Strategy Committee and member, Board, Risk Management Committee.

On his way to the top, Agbaje also served as member, board, Human Resources and Nomination Committee; member, Management Risk Committee and member, Management Credit Committee.  Experience garnered from serving in these committees helped, in no small measure, in preparing him for the current position of CEO.

CEO, Oando Plc, Jubril Adewale Tinubu

According to recent financial reports, the second highest paid CEO in the oil sector is Wale Tinubu, with a total annual remuneration of N69m, an equivalent of N189, 041 per day.

Tinubu is the group chief executive of the company which has been hailed as Africa’s leading indigenous energy solutions provider listed on the stock exchange in Nigeria and Johannesburg. Tinubu also has a record of long-time service, having served on the board of various blue-chip companies as chairman and director.

His outstanding performance has won him several awards, among which are; Africa’s Business Leader of the Year awarded by the African Business Magazine and the Commonwealth Council on the basis of his contributions to the development of the African oil and gas sector in 2010. He won the same accolade in 2011, courtesy of the African Investor.

These accolades are proof that Tinubu’s ascension to the pinnacle of the administrative ladder in Oando was no fluke but a function of his doggedness and hard-work. Tinubu also holds key positions in a number of major financial institutions.

CEO, Forte Oil Plc, Akin Akinfemiwa

Forte Oil Plc. (formally African Petroleum Plc.) is a foremost indigenous major marketer of refined petroleum products with strong presence in the 36 states of the federation and Abuja. According to recent reports, as its group chief executive officer, Akinfemiwa’s annual salary is N64m (N175, 342 per day).

Prior to this appointment, Akinfemiwa had a successful career in the banking sector. He served as the CEO of Sky Bank Plc, until July 31, 2010. His expertise covers a range of areas, including; strategic planning and management, corporate banking, project financing, leadership and advisory services. He has also served as managing director/CEO of Prudent Bank.

Akinfemiwa has now brought his hard-work to bear on the fortunes of Forte Oil Plc. The public liability company which is quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has over 500 dealer-assisted and dealer-developed retail outlets spread across the country.

CEO, UBA, Phillips Oduoza

Phillips Oduoza is the chief executive officer, group managing director, and an executive director of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc. He is one of the highest paid CEOs in the banking sector, with an annual remuneration of N57m (as at 2010). It suffices to say that Oduoza is one of the few who can beat their chest in fulfilment of a banking career.

He became the CEO and managing director of the bank in August 2010 and has served as its deputy managing director (South) from the 2005. Besides having the honour of having gained monumental experience from working across different banks for more than 20 years, he has served also as the bank’s executive director of Retail Financial Services. UBA’s fortune, no doubt, has snow-balled, with results from his professional services and investment of talents as proof.

His services in the bank cut across membership of the board risk committee and financial and general purpose committee. Before assuming the position of CEO, he served as deputy managing director of the bank. Among many other designations, he was an executive director of the defunct Standard Trust Bank (STB) which was acquired by the UBA in the thick of the consolidation exercise introduced by the then-governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo.  

CEO, Ecobank Nigeria, Jubril Aku

According to a Banks’ Financial Transparency report, as at 2009, the bank ranked second on the list of highest paid bank CEOs in Nigeria, with N88m per annum as salary for its CEO. But the bank reportedly slashed the CEO’s emolument to N38m per annum, perhaps, as a measure against financial stress.

Jubril Aku is the chief executive officer (CEO) of Ecobank Nigeria Plc. He has been its managing director since March 2010. Aku served as acting treasurer, Citibank, Tanzania and as country treasurer, Citibank Nigeria Plc.

He began his banking career in 1979 with the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc., where he worked for three years from September, 1986 to December, 1989. He served at the Continental Merchant Bank Plc., where he worked as a credit and investment analyst.

Aku has served in various capacities with different financial institutions and is, by all standards, an accomplished banker.

Au’s academic brilliance has earned him several accolades, among which are the First Bank of Nigeria Plc Prize for the Best Graduating Student in Banking and Finance at the Ahmadu Bello University, from where he graduated with honours in 1986.

CEO, Zenith Bank, Godwin Emefiele

The CEO and group managing director of Zenith Bank Plc, Godwin Emefiele, is also one of the highest paid CEOs of Nigerian companies. Emefiele succeeded the pioneer CEO of the bank, Jim Ovia, in August 2010. By his current position in the bank’s hierarchy and the number of branches it can bboast of within the country and in West Africa, it is evident that Emefiele is fulfilled.

Prior to his choice of banking as a career in Zenith Bank, Emefiele was a lecturer in University of Nigeria and University of Port Harcourt where he taught Finance, Bank Management and Insurance. However, he later left the academia for banking. He joined Zenith as a pioneer staff over 22 years ago and has proved his worth in advancing the bank as well as increasing its fortunes and profitability. In 2001, he was appointed deputy managing director before succeeding Ovia three years ago. 

He has also served as member of Executive Committee, member of Board Credit Committee, member of Staff Matters, Finance and General Purpose Committee and member of Board Risk Management Committee.  Emefiele’s services and impact were also felt in Management Global Credit Committee, Risk Management committee, Assets and Liabilities Committee and Information Technology Steering Committee where he served as member.

The advancements made by the bank are not without the inputs of Emefiele who served as executive director in charge of corporate banking. He as well served in the treasury, financial control and strategic planning department. He has been in the management team of Zenith Bank from its inception.

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Top story-Family Members, Nigerians Enraged Over Kola Aluko’s $1.5Million Champagne !

Ok this is very interesting . Who has the headache and who is taking Panadol for the headache? Who owns the money, who should determine how it's spent?

Family members and Nigerians have expressed outrage at the scandalous spending of $1.5 Million, an equivalent of N200 Million by Billionaire Kola Aluko on a bottle of champagne.With Teni and Kemi, Kola Aluko’s two wives battling abject poverty in Nigeria, the Billionaire Oil Magnet went on a spending spree, squandering an equivalent of N200 Million on a bottle of champagne, with dozens of female companions.Investigations reveal that while Aluko’s children are left to roast in impoverishment and neglect, the Billionaire frolics about town with controversial former British runway queen, Naomi Campbell.British Dailymail had reported that wherever you see Campbell, you will see Kola hanging around her like a silhouette to her beauteous frame. Recently, the duo was sighted in Paris and it seems they had a good time together there.A family source that prefers to be anonymous because he is not authorized to speak said despite his amazing wealth, Aluko has refused to take care of his loved ones; particularly his two wives, Kemi and Teni, who are currently wasting away in misery and penury.“We read about the huge spending and it is embarrassing to the Aluko family especially seeing his wives and children living like paupers. We just do not understand the sense in his behavior,” the source said. Another family source said Aluko has had several quarrels with his wives over negligence and has refused to change or be responsible to his children.“Kemi, Teni and the children have been living from hand to mouth. You cannot see traces of their father’s Billions on them and several times he had quarreled publicly with his wives over negligence yet he prefers champagne. It is just a shame,” the family source said in a phone conversation with pointblanknews.A US based tabloid, New York Post, which had its reporter at the lavish party where Mr. Aluko engaged in the condemnable spending spree, had reported that within an hour, the businessman squandered the huge fortune on drinks.Two Nigerian Online media, Frontiersnews.com and Pointblanknews had published the story from New York Post which has elicited angry reactions from a cross-section of Nigerians and Mr. Aluko family members visited the two sites.Rude Boy, a commentator on Pointblanknews.com said, “An oil tycoon outside of the Niger Delta spending such stupendous and mind blowing amount on booze in one hour will never irk the Yoruba goat who commented here. These fools claim that it is his money and he can spend it as he pleased. He didn’t at least buy a couple of tangibles things like BMWs with the money.He just drank and pissed off such a hideous amount of money in one house, flushed the latrine just like that“.Rude Boy continued, “How can any reasonable Nigerian spends such stupendous easy money on nothing of value in so short a time. How can you justify such culture and mentality”. Good, Tawanda Incommunicado said “Owambe style. I am sure that there are many in his home town who can afford malaria tablet”.Other commentators also expressed outrage at the Billionaires lavish spending.On Frontiernews.com one of the commentators said, “Hmmmm! It is amazing to know that, why Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is in Nigeria, funding the cure and the eradication of malaria and poliomyelitis, Mr. Kola Aluko is playing heard for recognition with the celebrities. Why he is free to spend his money as he sees fit, I want to state that the money would better spent on ventures, which will benefit Nigerians”.According to the New York post, while the lavish fete lasted, the ratio of guys to the ladies at the party was put at one to 20.

Your Marriage Plan vs Parental rejection-My take, an opinion!

Love is a strong and very beautiful thing. When you see two hearts in love, you will love love. The truth about love some times is that you can never tell where it's leading you. Some times. it takes you to that person whom you thought in your wildest dream,you would never have married. This things happen. Most times,you have no choice because like many will argue, if the desire able is not available, the available becomes desirable. Funny right? But what can you do? Stay in your high heavens and reject love or come down from your high horse and embrace love. In most cases,this issue bother on class, personality, physical attribute, tribe or may be some times, extreme desire to seek materialism. Its one thing to say to your self ,he is not my type but I love him. Yet another thing for you to fight parental objections. It can be frustrating, tiring and tasking. I say so because when you have to take on your parent on rejection, it's one 'war' you don't want to fight.

There are several reasons why parents reject our choice of future partner, and they will always hide under that adage, what an adult see seating down, a child cannot see it even if he climbs the highest tree. They say this even when some times they are as blind as you. To add to that, they will remind you of that part of the bible they use as a weapon which says, children obey your parents so that thy days may be long. Indeed, the only commandment with a blessing. But the dilemma comes when you have to choose between obeying your parents and clinging to what makes you happy. It becomes a case of to be or not to be. so the question is asked, when your both parents or one of them reject your choice of a future partner, what will

Top stories-Nigeria Oil Oligarch “In Bed With Diezani” Buys N16 Billion Naira Yacht !

Kola Aluko, the oil magnate who shot to wealth and acclaim in the wake of his suggestive relationship with Diezani Allison-Maduekwe, Nigeria’s petroleum minister, is an energy and aviation tycoon.

He founded Fossil Resources in 2001 and turned it into a formidable force inside the Nigerian energy sector. A passionate car racing enthusiast, Aluko has competed in major European races with the Swiss team Kessel racing.

In June 2012, he reportedly purchased two ultra-modern luxury estates in Beverly Hills at $40 million. In December 2012, Aluko stepped on to the podium at Rome’s Vallelunga circuit to celebrate third place in the Endurance Champions Cup. It was a defining moment in his motor racing career as he stood next to one of his idols, former F1 driver Giancarlo Fisichella. The race at Vallelunga was the fourth and final race of the Cup, which was won by Fisichella and Italy’s AF Corse. Aluko’s Kessel Racing team, with co-pilots Thomas Kemenater and Maurizio Mediani, were consistent throughout the six-hour race which is as much a feat of endurance as of skill.

Aluko is one of a handful of black racing drivers driving change in the perceptions of a traditionally white and Asian sport. He is on the board of the Nigeria FIA and recently hosted FIA President Jean Todt as he made a two day visit to Nigeria to investigate the possibility of bringing motor racing to the country.

Aluko owns Kessel Racing’s Ferrari 458 GT2 and has previously competed in the Winter Series GTOpen in Montmelo Catalonia, Spain “It is a way to take my mind off everything else,” he considers.

He currently races out of his base in Lugano Switzerland, where Kessel Racing is also located. There he stores his collection of race cars and classic cars. They include classic cars from the 1960s like a California Spider and a 250 Luso, a Ferrari Dino and others like the Aston Martin DB5, thoroughbred Ferraris like the 2GO, the F40, the F50 and the Enzo.

“Obviously I can’t drive all the cars but the guys who look after them are professionals,” he says. “My cars are my passion and an investment, mostly they go up in value but I do drive them.

“The Maserati MC12 racing car was one of only nine built and has won championships in the past. I have the F1 car from 2008 driven by Kimi Raikonnen and tested by Michael Schumacher, a Goldwing SL from the 60s. They are better investments than a lot of other things.”

“If you look inwards and try to focus on the best you can do; if you are the sort of person who always challenges himself, then you are so far ahead of the others and the game. You can only do as best as you can. That is something I have got from racing.” His name is a door opener around the world. Imagine a ‘lifestyle institution’ like ‘Harrods’ speaking ones name with a smile on their lips, ever ready to acknowledge he shops at their store. We hear he is one of the ‘biggest spenders’ in Harrods. Imagine the top manager of a Ferrari franchise asking in curiosity how special is the name ‘Kola’ , because one of their special friends/customer is Kola Aluko. Another ‘Kola’ not him, had gone to buy a Ferrari, eliciting the curiosity. For one to better appreciate how legendary the guy’s car collection is, we heard a special coffee table book was published to celebrate those cars, just like it was done for Ralph Lauren’s cars collection.

Aluko’s love of cars transcends the trope of obsession or ordinary fleeting fascination. His vehicles garages in his palatial mansions across the world stocks the best of state of the art automobiles. He is also an avid Formula 1 enthusiast; some say he has over 20 plus racing cars for his own F1 Team. Besides cars, the Nigerian energy and aviation tycoon betrays a love for expensive timepieces. Sources close to him claim that his wrist watch collection is to die for; he has a particular one that cost him a whooping $1 million.

The highflying entrepreneur believes that the home depicts the quality of soul possessed by a man hence his acquisition of choice apartments and mansions in the most highbrow areas across the world. He owns expensive and tastefully furnished homes in the most exotic locations including Monaco, Spain, Los Angeles, New York in United States of America, London, United Kingdom to mention a few. His home in New York, USA is said to be located at one of the most luxurious and most expensive flats in the world with a super spectacular view. The one in at LA mansions in Beverly Hills, is said to be on a hill all by itself and it is padded by the best of designer home stuff one can imagine. The apartment cost him about $40 Million dollars.

He once flew in a renowned diamond jeweler from New York, USA and commissioned him to build a $2.5 million diamond collar for his second wife, Teni Edu. He had seen the same necklace on one of the Trumps and had asked for it, but since they didn’t have it for retail sale it had to be built for madam. So jeweler was flown in on Kola’s jet, madam’s neck was measured and then collar was later delivered made to measure.

At Kola’s birthday at one of his private homes in Los Angeles, California last year, the party was hosted by 2 of the best pop icons in the US, in the persons of Jay Z & P-Diddy. Both stars were the ones that sent out the invitations for the party.

Whenever Kola visits his favourite joint, 1 Oak, it’s like the late Michael Jackson has come to bless the joint with his distinguished presence. We hear that the owner waits to come to take him in, and remains at his beck and call all through, while the spotlight is focused on him and his guests till he leaves. He is probably one of there most valued customer. Like someone said and we quote ”he is the most interesting black character he has come across in a long while”. Kola supposedly single handedly sponsored Kanye West’s Paris Fashion sometime ago.

One other very interesting thing about Mr. Aluko is that he loves the Scandinavians a lot. Especially the Swedish.

Kola recently joined the rarefied league of owners of the most expensive yachts in the world. Atop this pile is a boat known as History Supreme or Baia Supreme, said to be around $4.5 to 4.8billion Dollars and owned by Malaysian businessman, Robert Kuok, there’s Roman Abramovich’s $1.5billion Eclipse and many more, but Kola Aluko’s Hessen built Galactica Star (See SuperYachtFan.com owners list) valued at $100million is most probably the most expensive boat owned by a black man. The humongous boat even very recently won at the Monaco Boat Show 2013.

The Galactica Star super yacht is 65 meter long of super luxury. The yacht in September of this year won 3 prestigious awards at the Monaco Yacht Show- Best Yacht design, La Belle Classic Crest & finally a Baccarat Crystal Sail Trophy presented by HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, for winning the Prix du Design which is giving for the Most Innovative, Elegant & Distinguished design at the Monaco Yacht Show. Kola frolics about town with controversial former American runway queen, Naomi Campbell. Since Campbell broke up with her billionaire boyfriend, she hasn’t been seen in suggestive poses with any man until her recent dalliances with Kola Aluko.

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Ronaldo! Ronaldo!! Ronaldo!!!

@Cristiano: All together we did it! Brazil is waiting for us! #ForçaPortugal http://t.co/NLaelDIVEg

The above tweet showed Ronalde acknowledging the team spirit of his colleague even though some may argue that he single handedly buried the Swedish side. Three goals against a Swedish side that really showed that they wanted to be at the World Cup.It was a box to box game and one thinks that it further confirms why this guy remains in his own right a worlds best and may be not the worlds best. Semantics right? But give or take, say it with me Ronaldo is good.

@Cristiano: Tonight we must be fearless. 1, 2, 3 PORTUGAL PORTUGAL PORTUGAL http://t.co/H13iTz0Lct

The tweet and picture above shared by Ronaldo himself showed how they as a team were determined from the dressing room and truly they fought like a team.

Jimoh Ibrahim arrested and detained.

Information made available online by top online news agency Sahara reporters shows that Business mogul Jimoh Ibrahim has been arrested by the special enforcement unit of the Federal inland revenue service over tax frauds that is said to run into N6.8 billion. Jimoh Ibrahim was said to have been arrested today and is currently being detained at the agency.

A reliable source allegedly told online news agency Sahara reporters “We are investigating a case where Chief Ibrahim, defrauded the federal government to the tune of N6.8 billion. He is in our custody the source said and we intend to take a statement from the suspect under caution” we are sure that as things unfold, more details on this will be made available.

Nicole Scherzinger She gets it right most times

She's got a beady eye for fashion! Nicole Scherzinger dazzles in elegant beaded dress and gets her X Factor look right again . One thing is clear about her and this edition of the X factor, she is set to make a fashion statement each time she gets into the arena....

From newspaper report-Nelson Mandela Unable to Speak, Says Ex-wife

South Africa's former president, Nelson Mandela, remains “quite ill” and is unable to speak thus using facial expressions to communicate as he receives intensive medical care at home, AFP reported his former wife as stating Sunday.

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela said the 95-year-old former president was not on life support, but he was no longer talking “because of all the tubes that are in his mouth to clear (fluid from) the lungs” and prevent infection form returning.

“He can't actually articulate anything as a result,” she told The Sunday Independent. “He communicates with the face, you see. But the doctors have told us they hope to recover his voice.”

Mandela was discharged in a critical condition on September 1 to his home in Johannesburg’s upmarket Houghton suburb after nearly three months in hospital for a lung infection.

“I have heard this nonsense that he is on life support. He is not,” Madikizela-Mandela said.

The country's anti-apartheid hero is under the care of 22 doctors, and while his pneumonia has cleared, his lungs remain sensitive, she said, adding that it was “difficult for him”.

“He remains very sensitive to any germs, so he has to be kept literally sterile. The bedroom there (in Houghton) is like an ICU ward,” she explained.

“He remains quite ill, but thank God the doctors were able to pull him through from that (last) infection,” she said in the interview which was also carried in the Sunday Independent's sister papers.

Mandela, who spent 27 years in apartheid jail before becoming South Africa’s first black leader, has faced several health scares. His most recent 86-day hospital stay was his longest since he walked free from prison in 1990.

Mandela was in “an atmosphere he recognises,” Madikizela-Mandela said.

Earlier this month, fellow Robben Island prisoner Tokyo Sexwale also said Mandela was “fine”.

Mandela has been in and out of hospital since last year with lung-related complications. His Johannesburg home has been reconfigured for him to receive intensive care on his release from hospital in a critical and at times unstable condition.

Mandela’s health problems have been prompting global outpourings of well wishes around the world. These are particularly pronounced at home where he remains a symbol of unity, despite having been out of the public eye for several years.

Mandela served one term as president after he became the nation's first leader elected in all-race polls in 1994.

 

Fashion will make you do things...

See my body Hayley Atwell struggles to walk in very daring embellished gown at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards in which she clearly showed the world enough and gave every one present enough to talk about . The 31 year old enjoys doing this always...

From newspaper report-Bulletproof Cars: Reps Recommend 3-year Jail Term For Oduah

The minister of aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, compelled the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to purchase the two BMW bulletproof cars that cost N255m, lawmakers have stated.

They added that Oduah should face the consequence of spending public money on unbudgeted expenditure such as the purchase of the cars: a three-year jail term and a fine of N100, 000.

These are part of recommendations of the report of the House Committee on Aviation which investigated the allegation that the minister asked NCAA to purchase two armoured BMW cars for her at the rate of N255m.

The report reads: “That the contract for the purchase of the cars was not listed in the budget by NCAA, the agency compelled by the minister to make the purchase, and was not listed by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).

“That spending public funds on unbudgeted projects attracts three years in jail and a fine of N100, 000 as stipulated by the ICPC Act.”

As exclusively reported by LEADERSHIP, the lawmakers also disclosed that the NCAA did not comply with the Fiscal Responsibility Act on Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) as it has not been remitting its IGR to the federation account contrary to Section 177 of Nigeria’s Financial Regulations (2009).

The report, which was laid two weeks ago but is yet to be considered by the House, also states that Oduah committed contempt of the parliament by approving a sum in the 2014 budget when it has not been presented to the National Assembly, adding: “The minister’s poor supervisory role led NCAA into unilaterally appropriating funds against next year’s budget. The above is an indirect contempt of parliament, even so that the president and commander-in-chief has not submitted to the National Assembly the 2014 Appropriation Bill.”

Going further, the committee indicted Oduah for approving an overinflated contract by approving a sum for the cars which international auto dealers have described as a “rip-off”.

“The minister has not addressed why the NCAA paid a price tag that auto dealers in the US and UK described as ‘a rip-off’.  It is a fact that each of the BMW cars should cost no more than $167,000 which is approximately N36 million.

“Aviation minister approved NCAA’s request to procure 55 operational vehicles valued at N564.665 million; there is no evidence to show that the Hon. Minister presented NCAA’s request to FEC for its approval. Further, the attempt to procure now and pay later is against the extant laws of the federation.”

They therefore recommended that “the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should review the continued engagement of the Hon. Minister for Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, having contravened the 2013 appropriation and approved revised thresholds by exceeding her approval limit of N100m with the purchase of 54 vehicles valued at N643m”.

On the finding of the panel that the cars allegedly purchased were different from the ones they inspected, the legislators recommended that the “Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other relevant anti-corruption agencies further investigate the discrepancies and the chassis number DW68032 of the vehicles on the one reported to be delivered and the one inspected by the committee, and, if found wanting, prosecute all persons/institutions involved in the transaction”.

The report also asks the company from which the cars were purchased, Coscharis Nigeria Limited, to pay the value of the waiver for the two BMW armoured cars, having been found to have lied about the federal government giving it waiver on the cars.

It states: “Coscharis Nigeria Limited should be investigated on the issue of waiver, source and exact cost of the two (2) BMW vehicles supplied to NCAA.  It should be made to pay the waiver value into the treasury account.

“Coscharis Motors Limited claimed that the Federal Ministry of Finance granted it import duty, VAT, ETLS, CISS and port charges waiver to import two (2) bulletproof BMW armoured cars. This claim is false.”

The lawmakers also found that there were: “No copies of advertisements or solicitations for bids published in at least 2 national newspapers and the website of NCAA as well as any procurement journal. No copies of bids submissions registers and duplicate copies of receipts issued to bidders on submission bids. No minutes of public bidding for technical and financial proposals, including list of CSOs and professional observers. No copies of bids evaluation by the sub-technical committees of the Tenders Board, and copies of minutes of meetings of the Tenders Board approving the winning bidder.”