Saturday, 30 November 2013

Edo Govt is not owing N200billion, Orbih is confused – Shuaibu

Recently, the Edo State House of Assembly suspended the Chairman of Orhiomnwon Local Government Council, Chief Roland Ibierutowhen and the entire councillors for allegedly travelling to Italy without permission from the state government.

In this interview with the Majority Leader of the state House of Assembly, Philip Shuaibu gave reasons for their suspension just as he responded to the recent allegation by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the state is indebted to N200billion and other national issues. Excerpts:

Suspension of Orhionmwon chairman and Councillors
We are a party that believes in the rule of law and the wishes of the people. The Orhiomnwon people rose against their leadership for locking up their Local Government secretariat to travel to Italy to go and learn legislative duties. You cannot imagine a chairman, the Vice chairman, secretary of the council and all the councillors going to learn legislative duties in a country that do not speak English. That is crazy, for us may be they want to introduce Italian language to the parliament in their area.

That does not show responsibility and we are not ashamed to fish out any one of us who do not want to follow the trend of development in our area. We are not PDP that covers up corruption in the name of their own, like the Oduah case where they are trying to use a civil servant as a scape goat to save Oduah. I think for us the people matters not individuals.

The chairman of the PDP in Edo state, Chief Dan Orbih recently said the state is indebted to N200billion and that Governor Oshiomhole has received over N19billion as security votes, what is your take on that?

I think that for an opposition to be a strong one it has to be able to work with fact not speaking blindly.

Everybody today knows that Edo state is much much better than PDP left it. There is development everywhere but because Orbih is not used to good roads, good hospitals, during their tenure so he sees the good things now as under development.

Now he said Oshiomhole has received N19.5billion security votes. We have never heard of N5billion security votes in this state because we just concluded our Ministerial briefing. The present security vote is N4billion and even the N4billion during the Ministerial briefing, it is about 45 per cent of that N4billion that was expended. I expected that he should have met our colleagues in PDP who has the document before speaking.

The state government today is paying debts incurred by PDP government. The only debt this administration is owing was the N25billion it borrowed from the capital market and as we speak over N14billion has been paid. So from the N25billion the state is owing about N11billion.

So how can about N11billion constitute to N200billion debt? When government took that loan they took it with a repayment plan and that repayment plan has a time lag when the money will be defrayed. About N700.N800million is being deducted from our allocation to service that loan. And when the PDP always raise that alarm that Oshiomhole is owing debt and he will leave it for future government, I want to assure them that before Oshiomhole leaves office, there won’t be any debt to hand over to his successor unlike Oshiomhole who inherited so much debt left behind by Orbih’s PDP.

He also inherited a dilapidated state, the PDP confiscated properties belonging to Edo people including their lands. Before Oshiomhole came the state was run by the PDP like a family business. So Edo state is not owing N200 billion.

They should speak with facts, when we were in the opposition in this state we speak with facts. We have the documents, if they want them we will give it to them. I expected Orbih to speak about the inability of the PDP led government to pay allocations to states. I expect him to speak about the oil theft, to speak about Oduahgate.PDP is out of this state and they are out for good because we have seen they still have some charlatans as leaders.

You discover that the PDP in Edo state especially their chairman, they are confused. When a party chairman does not have statistics to criticise a ruling government then there is a problem. When somebody who calls himself a chairman of a party in a state does not know what development is and under development then there is a problem.

When a PDP chairman can stand up to say Edo state is under developed then that means what constitutes development to him is under development because he has never witnessed development in his life as a party chairman of PDP now development has come to Edo state, he is not seeing it as development he is seeing it as under development.

He is used to untidy classrooms, he is used to bad roads, he is used to all the negative vices of the society. For us we are of the new order and the new order is construction of roads, expanding rural areas, providing the basic amenities that is what governance is. And APC stands for that change, that change is a clear departure of the PDP slogan of under development.

APC belongs to that new generation that believes that those ailing industries that are leaving Nigeria, the UACs, it is time for them to return to Nigeria when APC is in government. Because the PDP has shown that they do not have the capacity to develop our country and they have failed woefully. It is a clear signal from the departure of those governors that the PDP has no medicine to cure the problem of Nigerians and that is why APC is coming at the right time to cure the headache of this country.

Friday, 29 November 2013

EDO: PDP to Donate N250,000 to Widow Gov. Oshiomole Told To Go And Die -

The PDP in Edo State have express their outrage at the way Governor Adams Oshiomole, former Labour leader, disgraced a widow in Benin recently. The widow who sells something on the street knelt down and pleaded with the governor, begging him to forgive her as she has just arrived and haven’t started selling and the governor rudely told her “to go and die”, as he ordered her goods seized. The video has gone viral with Nigerians condemning such arrogance. The PDP in Edo State have added their voice to the matter. This is the letter from the PDP office:

PDP ENDOWMENT FUND FOR OPPRESSED WIDOW

Edo PDP watched with consternation Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s brutal, inhuman and merciless treatment of a widow street-trader whose wares he ordered seized and who he unfeelingly told to ‘…go and die’ even as she knelt down in fervent protestations and appeals to his pity on a helpless widow.

The governor’s actions are appalling, insensate, disgraceful, indecent, cruel and below board. It is clear that he does not care much about the well being of the people as he pretentiously avowed. Our hearts go to that hapless widow in this her time of travails and through her, to other widows who have been oppressed by the unfriendly policies of the administration in Edo State.

The PDP, Edo State will not let any Edo person ‘to go and die’ if it can help it, especially not hardworking people like that widow who are engaged in lawful enterprises that are, in themselves, not easy to carry on. To this end, our party has instituted an endowment fund for all widows and oppressed people in the state and by this release, we invite the widow captured in the video of the encounter with Governor Oshiomhole to come to the PDP Secretariat on No. 70, Sapele Road, at 11am on Tuesday December 3, 2013 to receive a first-installment sum of N250,000.00 to cushion the pain, trauma and loss occasioned by her mistreatment and the seizure of the items she sells.

Governance is about the people and as a responsible National Institution, Edo PDP cannot be unconcerned about the wrong treatment of indigenes of the state to whom the present administration promised heaven just to win their votes. We will continue to stand in the gap to ensure that Edo people are deservedly fairly treatment

If Governor Oshiomhole believes that Edo People sinned by voting him into office, let him remember that he will account for his actions, if not to the people because he apparently does not think much of them, but to God Almighty in the short or long run.

We thank all those who have been humanely concerned about the plight of the widow and have stood out vehemently against the crying shame that was the insensitive action of a governor who seems bent on repaying electoral favor with ingratitude.

Signed.

Chief Dan Osi Orbih

Chairman, PDP

Edo State.

RELATED POST: Governor Oshiomhole Apologises Over Comments To A Widow

Governor Oshiomhole Apologises Over Comments To A Widow

Gov. Adams Oshiomhole of Edo on Friday apologised for the comments he made to a widow in Benin during an inspection tour on Mission Road, in the state capital, a fortnight ago.

Oshiomhole said that he now regretted the comments which had become the subject of discourse in the social media.

The Governor, however, noted that he made the comments in anger.

Oshiomhole’s apology was made when the leadership of the Federation of Muslim Women’s Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), paid him a courtesy visit in Benin.

He noted that though the challenge of modern times had bestowed on the shoulders of some women and single mothers the status of bread winners of their homes, such should not be used as an accuse to flout the laws.

The Governor urged the Muslim women leaders to use their offices to propagate the essence of healthy living among children and women in the nation and the need to maintain proper sanitary conditions in their neighbourhoods.

Oshiomhole lamented that the challenge of widowhood had also exposed children to different temptations, adding that there was the need for society to be careful, to avoid unwittingly creating more problems for the nation.

He noted that money was not the best thing that guaranteed ones happiness, “but honesty and selfless service.

The Governor added that if Muslims and Christians were adequately committed to their religious doctrines, the world would be a better place.

He urged the women to propagate the message of Islam through the nooks and crannies of the nation, and to also inculcate the values of honesty in their followers.

Oshiomhole, however, assured the association of government’s support in ensuring that its present leadership made remarkable progress and also consolidated on the successes of their predecessors.

Earlier, the FOMWAN National President, Hajia Amina Omoti, urged the state government to look into the issue of the teaching of Islamic Religious Studies in public schools in the state.

Omoti also solicited for government’s moral and financial support for the effective running of the association.

RELATED POST: VIDEO: Watch Grammatically Inclined Patrick Obahiagbon 'Perform' At Ice Prince's ‘Fire of Zamani’ Concert

RELATED POST: Bad days ahead for kidnappers: 100 face death penalty in Edo

RELATED POST: Read Patrick Obahiagbon's Response To The Death Of Former ASUU President, Iyayi

Thursday, 28 November 2013

National Identity card to become ATM, travel card


The new national identity card can be used as Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card anywhere there is MasterCard logo in the world, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has said.

NIMC’s Director of Technical Services, Mr Emmanuel Ogungbe, told Journalists  on Thursday in Abuja that the commission had already signed an agreement with MasterCard.

“As opposed to just being an ID card, the card is also a cash card. What that means is you can also use it the way you currently use your ATM card.

“So if you put money on the card, you can withdraw this money anywhere in the world.

“Two, it’s also a travel card. What that means is that very soon, especially within the West African sub-region, you can travel passport-free as long as you have this card with you.

“So this card has multi-purpose use and that is why we are calling it a general-multi-purpose card, it’s not just an ID card.”

According to him, all that a holder of the card needs to do is to present it at the point of entry of any country where it will be swiped.

He said the information about the person, similar to the ones on passport, would come out and the country would allow entry.

Ogungbe said that the new card was error-proof and would enhance the security of the country.

“We have a system called automated biometrics identification system in our data centre that checks information of newly registered people coming into the database against what we already have in the database.

“If there is a hit, that means that person was registered before and of course this means we will deny new registration.

“So, there is no way of beating that system for now; I’m very confident of that. That will ensure that you can only register once.

“What the bad elements do is to hide in a way that you won’t be able to capture them. But we are saying with this (ID) we know who they are and we will be able to very easily locate them,’’ he said.

According to him, if there is a crime and the police are able to lift finger prints from the crime scene and send to NIMC, the commission will be able to give the full details of the criminals.

He also said that the card would reduce incidences of bank frauds as fraudsters would be easily detected and apprehended.

“Talk about even fraud in the banks, where someone will obtain a loan in a particular bank, move on to the next bank without servicing the previous loan to obtain another loan; that will become a thing of the past.

“Because once the bank takes your national identification number, it can see all your various transactions, all various businesses that you have with all the other banks.”

He said that government had asked the commission to “register every single Nigerian and legal residents” but warned the aliens against any attempt to use the card to commit crimes.

“If you are an alien and you think you can continue doing that and go scot-free, then the person’s time is numbered because very soon, we will get to him or her,” he said. (NAN)

FG gives ASUU one week ultimatum to call off strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has been given one week ultimatum to call off the ongoing strike.

The directive was given today, in Abuja by the acting Minister of Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike while speaking with journalists.

The union has been on strike since July 1 over the non Implementation of a 2009 agreement with the federal government.

According to reports, the lecturers at their NEC meeting last week in Kano, demanded that government should pay the four-month salary arrears being owed varsity lecturers while there should be immediate implementation of the N1.2tn offerred by the goverment to public varsities, starting with the release of N100bn this year, before the strike can be called off.

A demand the acting Minister Wike had described as ,”outrageous.”

Meantime, ASUU had said it would meet with President Jonathan on the decisions reached at its NEC meeting before any announcement will be made concerning the 5months old strike.


RELATED POST: Stop begging us to call off strike’ – ASUU replies Senate

Sack threat will fail – ASUU

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has said the threat by the Federal Government to sack university lecturers would not only fail but also worsen the situation and “another long path to make the strike linger more than necessary.”

With the threat, ASUU said it was evident now that the Federal government was not ready  to implement any resolutions it reached with the union.

“It is a pity if the federal government is not willing to perfect the resolutions reached with union. This is why we find it difficult to trust our leaders by their words. How can someone be threatening to sack lecturers when universities are already short-staffed by almost 60,000. We are not in Military era. The Military tried it and failed. This one will fail again.” ASUU said.

More details later…


RELATED POST: FG gives ASUU one week ultimatum to call off strike

RELATED POST: Stop begging us to call off strike’ – ASUU replies Senate

Tuesday, 26 November 2013

VIDEO: Watch Grammatically Inclined Patrick Obahiagbon 'Perform' At Ice Prince's ‘Fire of Zamani’ Concert

Chocolate City kept true to their words as lawmaker and chief of staff to the Edo State Governor, Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon hosted the Fire of Zamani concert which held on November 23, 2013.

The grammatically inclined Obahiagbon introduced man of the moment Ice Prince on stage after sharing a few ‘words’ with the rapper’s fans.

Watch video below


Shocking!! Angola 'Bans' Islam, Sets To Demolish Mosques

Several newspapers report that the African country of Angola has become the first country in the world to ban Islam and Muslims.

The Angolan Minister of Culture, Rosa Cruz e Silva was quoted by news agencies and Angola newspapers as saying,

"The process of legalisation of Islam has not been approved by the Ministry of Justice and Human rights, their mosques would be closed until further notice."

As part of the ban, the Angolan government ordered the demolition of the mosques in the country.

According to the official, such a decision became the latest in a series of attempts to ban "illegal" sects in the country.

This statement by Silva was made during her appearance last week at the 6th Commission of the National Assembly.

The minister says that the move became necessary in order to fight the emergence of congregations whose worshipping is contradictory to the customs of Angola culture.

The measure concerns not only Islam - many other not legalized faiths will face closure of their houses of worship.

The list of the banned sects published by the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights in the Angolan newspaper 'Jornal de Angola' contains all the sects, which are not allowed to conduct worship.

"In addition, we also have a long list of more than a thousand legalization applications," the official stated.

Commenting on the issue, Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos said,
"This is the final end of Islamic influence in our country."

Saturday, 23 November 2013

Joblessness may age you

Men who are unemployed for an extended time may age more quickly, a new study suggests.

That aging is evident in their DNA, the British researchers reported. More specifically, it is found in the length of the gene tips or caps, referred to as "telomeres." The shortening of telomeres has long been seen as an indicator of aging.

"Shorter telomeres are linked to a higher risk of age-related conditions, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes," said study author Jessica Buxton, a research associate in the department of medicine at Imperial College London. "It seems that long-term unemployment is the latest example of a stressful life experience that may trigger permanent changes to the cell's DNA.

Too much work can also be harmful

"It's important to note that other studies have shown too much work can be as harmful as too little," she said. "Work-related exhaustion and the holding of multiple jobs have also been linked to shorter telomeres."

The report was published in the online journal PLoS One.

Constant stress over a long time changes the hormones in one's body, said Curtis Reisinger, a clinical psychologist at Zucker Hillside Hospital in Glen Oaks, N.Y. This may be what is causing these changes in telomere length.

"You see the same thing with depression and high stress levels," he said. "The consequence is that you wind up looking and feeling older."

Reisinger said seeing a mental-health professional can help relieve stress. But having a positive attitude also is important.

"This is not the end of the world," he said. "You have to stay focused and have faith that if you keep at it and have a positive outlook, chances are you will be more likely to get a job than if you're down in the dumps and pessimistic."

How the study was done

For the study, Buxton and her colleagues examined DNA from more than 5 600 men and women born in Finland in 1966.

Specifically, they looked at telomere length in DNA samples collected in 1997, when the participants were 31 years old.

The researchers found that men who were unemployed for more than two out of the previous three years were more than twice as likely to have short telomeres compared with men who were employed.

To be sure their findings resulted from unemployment alone, the researchers accounted for other social, biological and behavioural factors that could cause shortened telomeres.

"It's interesting that unemployment itself appears to have a negative effect on health, even after accounting for the potential effects of smoking, physical-activity levels, weight, illness, education and marital status," Buxton said.

Buxton's team found this effect among men and not women, which might be because there were fewer unemployed women in the study, she said.

Although the study found an association between unemployment and faster ageing, it did not prove a cause-and-effect link.

Sex addiction: Could you be addicted?

Is sex addiction real, or is it just a lame excuse for bad behaviour?

Every now and then a celebrity makes the news for raucous sexual behaviour and, ever so often, the scandals and broken relationships are blamed on sex addiction. The most recent and famous case is that of Tiger Woods, who was exposed as a serial womaniser and reportedly checked into a clinic for sex addiction treatment. Other famous cases include Charlie Sheen, David Duchovny and Russell Brand.

Sex addiction is best described as a pattern of out-of-control sexual behaviour. Sex addicts struggle to control their sexual urges and often lead a double life which may include an obsessive search for risky and irresponsible sexual encounters, compulsive masturbation and an addiction to pornography. The initial euphoria of sex is often followed by guilt, self-loathing or emptiness. With time, the ongoing obsession starts impacting negatively on people’s lives - destroying relationships, careers and families.

Now a new study claims that there is no such thing as an addiction to sex and that "addicts" may simply have a high sex drive.

A US research team analysed the brain responses of self-reported sex addicts to a set of different images, including explicit sexual photos. The thinking behind the experiment was that if a person were truly addicted to sex, the images of sexual activity would produce a spike in brain activity – in the same way that images of cocaine have been shown to alter the brain activity of people addicted to the drug. The study, however, found that the brain response was no different from that of sexual desire and concluded that highly sexed people may simply have strong libidos.

This is the first study of its kind and more research will need to follow. In the meantime, however, we do know that too much of anything can be very destructive – including sex.

Keshi to recall Odemwingie, Uche

Lagos - Nigeria head coach Stephen Keshi has revealed that players like Peter Odemwingie, Taye Taiwo and Ikechukwu Uche could be handed shock recalls to the national team ahead of the 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil.

Keshi stunned many by leaving out experienced talent from his 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and received a backlash from many who felt he was treading on thin ice.

Captain Joseph Yobo could also make a return after being left out since February.

Ballon d'Or U-turn puts Ronaldo in driving seat

(CNN) -- First he mocked him, then he praised him and now FIFA President Sepp Blatter has handed Cristiano Ronaldo his best chance of winning his second World Footballer of the Year award.

For in an unexpected move, the world governing body extended the deadline for national team coaches and captains, as well as participating journalists, to vote for their top three players of 2013.

The initial date had been last Friday, just hours after the first legs of the European play-offs had ended, but the closing date to vote for this year's Ballon d'Or winner is now November 29.

The reason given for the delay has been the 'low turnout of votes' so far.

With Lionel Messi, who has won the last four crowns, out injured, Ronaldo will never have a better chance to impress a panel for an award where form at voting time often counts as much as previous exploits in the year.

Fresh from his stunning hat-trick which fired Portugal to the World Cup when eliminating Sweden 4-2 on aggregate (with Ronaldo scoring all his nation's goals in the tie), the Real Madrid star may begin to feel that his recent row with FIFA is beginning to turn his way.

Last month, Blatter was involved in an extraordinary impersonation of the Portuguese star while addressing the famous Oxford Union in England, during which he claimed Ronaldo spent "a lot more at the hairdresser's" than his Barcelona rival Messi.

Ronaldo swiftly hit back, writing on his Facebook page how the video showed "the respect and consideration that FIFA has for me, my club and my country. Much is explained now."

On Tuesday night, Blatter -- who has been watching his words carefully since -- was effusive in his praise for the former Manchester United player's match-winning display in Sweden.
"Fantastic performance by @Cristiano," the Swiss tweeted.

Hours later, it was announced that the voting had been extended, meaning Ronaldo's stunning Solna display can now be taken into account.

Quite what France international Franck Ribery makes of it all is anyone's guess, with the Bayern Munich star having been tipped to win the award when voting was thought to have ended last week.

He is now behind the Portuguese in the running according to widespread opinion, as is Messi -- with the Argentinian seemingly a victim of his own staggeringly high performances of recent years.

Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Brazilian Neymar are outsiders to win the award, with FIFA having named a 23-man list of players to be considered for the prize in October.

The three-man shortlist for the award will be announced next month, with the winner of the 2013 Ballon d'Or set to be unveiled at an awards ceremony in Zurich in January.

Stop begging us to call off strike’ – ASUU replies Senate

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) responded to Senate President, David Mark, calling on him to beg President Jonathan to implement the 2009 agreement.

National Treasurer, ASUU, Dr. Demola Aremu made the remarks, and noted that President Jonathan was part of the negotiation that lasted 7 years and culminated in the 2009 agreement.

David Mark had earlier said that the agreement was impossible to implement and said the government officials who negotiated the agreement with ASUU did not know what they were doing.

Aremu, in response to that, said ASUU began the negotiation with a 300 page charter which was reduced to a 60 page agreement after the negotiations with FG.

He said Jonathan, who was then the Vice President, asked the government to sign the agreement after thoroughly going through it for six months.

“He perused the draft agreement and asked the government team to sign every page of the document. Our President also signed it. The content of the agreement we have today is not what we took to the negotiation table. That shows Nigerians how greatly we’ve shifted ground. So, the team knew what they went into.”

Aremu also disclosed that the FG went into a MOU on the implementation of the agreement in 2012. He asked: “So, if anyone assumes that they didn’t know what they were doing in 2009, did they also not know what they were doing in 2012?”

“Begging will not bring any solution. Nigerians should rather beg government to face this agreement squarely and implement it. That is where our future lies,” Aremu said.

ASUU also called on the lawmakers to reduce their allowances and channel some of the monies to education in Nigeria, saying future generations will thank them for it.

A statement by the University of Ibadan (UI) chairman of the union, Dr Olusegun Ajiboye, said, “We are fighting a just cause. Can the senators wait for four years of their tenure before their allowances are paid? Can the Senate members sit in the chambers without air conditioners? What role has the Senate played to increase budgetary allocation to education? It is even funny for the Senate President to feign ignorance of the ASUU agreement as the sitting Senate President in 2009,” Ajiboye said.

Meet the New 100 Dollar Bill [Infographic]

There is in fact a new $100 bill in the United States. Even more uncrackable than the last, this new bill has tons of new watermarks and individual characteristics that ward against counterfeiting.

THE OLD $100 BILL

Wednesday, 20 November 2013

Get Your Dictionary Ready: Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon To Host Ice Prince’s FOZ Concert This Saturday

And this is breaking news to me. Lol, some readers will agree with me. This is one event we all shouldn’t miss.

Ice Prince has announced that former lawmaker and chief of staff to the Edo State Governor, Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon, popularly known for his jaw breaking words will be hosting the Fire Of Zamani Concert which will hold on Saturday, November 23, 2013 (the same day Tiwa will be wedding) at the Eko Hotel & Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Some of Nigerian music’s finest will join Ice Prince, Wale and Chip at the FOZ concert. They include Chocolate City’s VP, MI, Burna Boy, Olamide, Yung El, Loopy Music’s Ruby Gyang among other artistes featured on the Fire Of Zamani album.


RELATED POST: Read Patrick Obahiagbon's Response To The Death Of Former ASUU President, Iyayi

RELATED POST: Bad days ahead for kidnappers: 100 face death penalty in Edo

RELATED POST: Where are Africa's great leaders?

Tuesday, 19 November 2013

Recognizing the Signs of True Love

Love. Amour. Amore. In popular fiction, the signs of true love tend toward the melodramatic: heart palpitations, loss of sleep, loss of appetite, blowing curtains, fireworks. If you feel these things, however, you're not so much in love as in lust. So lust aside, here's a sampling of the undeniable signs of true love — and good (emotional) health.

You're willing to explain why you don't want to date others
With all the nasty little diseases around, the idea of sleeping around is a lot less attractive than it used to be. The issue isn't a willingness to be exclusive. It's a willingness to talk about and explain being exclusive.

A surprisingly large number of men and women are surreptitiously monogamous, feeling that their willingness to forgo all others gives power to the partner. But when you're willing to admit that you're willing to share the power and admit your vulnerability (I really like you and hope you like me as much), not only are you in love, but you sound like a rational, fairly adult soul in the bargain.

You're willing to ditch the little black book
"I've burned my little black book!" This is a statement of not only exclusivity but plans for exclusivity, essentially saying that no one of your acquaintance holds a candle to your beloved. Your willingness to get rid of the book gives proof of that reality. Getting rid of the black book also says that you're unwilling to revisit past loves and that, in this relationship, there is no going back; you can only go forward.

No fair throwing the book into the fire but keeping the database on your trusty laptop. A commitment is a commitment, and this is as much about self as other. If you pretend to throw away your black book, then you're also pretending that you're committed.

Grow up: If you're old enough to be taken seriously by someone you like, you're old enough to take yourself seriously. Committed adult relationships don't have room for manipulative games.

You're willing to go somewhere you hate
The willingness to go someplace you actually hate with someone you actually love — and not be a pain in the neck about it — is one of the hallmarks of love.

When you first start to date, you're tempted to do whatever it takes to get the date off the ground because you're blinded by the possibilities. During the next phase of dating, you stand up for yourself and don't do the activity you hate.

This is a necessary evolution because if there is to be true love, it has to be based on who you are, not who you think your beginning-to-be-significant other will like. But once you actually get to love, your need to constantly assert yourself is softened by your beloved's influence and the sense that you can give because your love will reciprocate your generosity.

You don't need to keep track on a day-to-day basis to make sure everything is 50-50. But the sense that there is fairness and equality and appreciation and respect means that your reluctance to do something you're not crazy about gets overwhelmed by your desire to do something with the person you love. In other words, the person becomes more important than the event.

You're willing to save if you're a spend-thrift and spend if you're frugal
The point isn't really about money at all, but a willingness to examine fundamental beliefs as a direct result of valuing another person and his or her perspective and opinion. (Yeah, the same phenomenon can happen with friends, but because friends generally tolerate and celebrate differences, there's less motive or incentive for change.)

Any good relationship changes us. If being around your beloved makes you examine or change some fundamental part of yourself, it may not be love in and of itself, but it does indicate respect, a willingness to learn from another, and a relationship in which you feel safe enough to try something foreign and scary.

Forget about flattery or hypocrisy. Rather, you have the courage, strength, and energy to examine and experiment with a fundamental belief system, be it religion, politics, gun control, abortion, Chinese food, travel, having children, gardening, money, or any other position you used to consider inviolate.

(Money? you say. Yep. It's hard to think of any one commodity that is more basic than money. If you think money is just green stuff that just sits there, you're wrong; it can represent power, lifestyle, control, options, freedom, interaction, and a whole lot more.)

The idea of doing nothing together sounds terrific
In the early stages of dating, there is a hunger to discover who the other person is, but this time also feels scary because he or she may not be what you thought or — even worse — you may not be what they're looking for.

Even though the stakes aren't very high at the beginning, you might feel that they are, so you play at dating, and one of the easiest ways to play is to do something at all times — either publicly or privately. The dating ritual is about finding places to go and things to do.

Once a couple is sexual, the thing to do is sexual, and everything else seems just a holding action until the couple can hit the sheets. Then when the initial flurry of sexual activity is over, there is a tendency to want to show each other off because you're feeling connected and proud.

When the idea of doing nothing together is the coolest thing either of you can come up with, you're very likely in love, because you've gone through the other stages of terror, sex, and showing off.

Now, the relationship is just about the two of you, not to the exclusion of everyone or anything else. In fact, your "normal" life has expanded to include each other, but the idea of simply being together is the most wonderful thing either of you can figure out to do — even out of bed.

You're willing to risk being yourself
Being yourself is really the big enchilada. Everything else on the How-You-Know-You're-in-Love list hints at being yourself, but when you truly love someone, you want them to know who you are and love you for all that you are, not just for who you pretend to be. When you're in a truly loving relationship, you can be honest and direct and take chances.

The tricky part of being in love is that it can encourage you to be yourself but ups the ante that you might make someone whom you really want to stay change their mind and leave if you show the real you. You want your beloved to be happy now and forever, and the only way to do that is to be who you really are.

It's almost impossible to sustain an illusion over time, and because you are now truly in love, you wouldn't want to hurt your beloved by living a lie. But you also need to be a bit careful of what you confess. Remember that between honesty and duplicity is silence. If you're old enough to be in love, you're old enough to understand the occasional use of silence.


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RELATED POST Rekindling Romance with Communication

Rekindling Romance with Communication

One of the most widespread forms of miscommunication between men and women stems from the fact that too many people, especially men, equate sex with romance. They believe that if their sex life is adequate, then there's no need for anything beyond this one arena. Tied to this is the notion that romantic activity outside the bedroom is automatically a lead-in to sexual activity.

And by the way, this is a double-edged sword. Many people think of kissing and hugging as preludes to sex. As a result, when they aren't in the mood, they don't want to snuggle because they assume that it will lead to sex.

This can be true of both partners in a relationship where a pattern has been established that kissing and hugging lead to sex. So the first batch of people may avoid physical contact if it's not attached to sex, and the second group may avoid physical contact because they fear that it will lead to sex at the wrong time.

Either way, the partner who is looking for some physical contact that is not sex-related gets left hugging her knees.

Communication is vital in this arena. The partner who wants romantic touching has to explain that she would like some more physical contact that is not linked to sex. She has to explain to her partner that just the way a car needs oil to keep the engine running smoothly, she needs some hugs, kisses, and hand-holding in order to keep her spirits going.

The onus isn't all on men, however. Some women crave romance but purposefully shut down their libidos once they get their fix because they're a bit busy or preoccupied. They are satisfied by the hugs and kisses, but they don't consider what will satisfy their partners.

Although romantic interludes don't have to lead to sex, if they're heading in that direction, veering off the path every time is not a fair way to treat a man. If women allow themselves to become more aroused, they usually do enjoy having sex and have orgasms.

But sometimes they stuff themselves on the appetizer and then don't feel they have room for the main meal. Their partners, who require more sustenance, are left feeling frustrated. If this scenario occurs too often, then clearly the relationship can suffer.

Decoding confusing signals 

Another cause of confusion occurs when couples try to communicate with each other about which signs of physical affection will lead to sex and which won't. Two key facts need to be remembered: Men get aroused easily, and women can change their minds.

Even though a man may get aroused by some hugging and kissing and even have an erection, this doesn't mean that he'll start writhing on the ground or baying at the moon if he doesn't have sex. Men, particularly young men, get erections all day long and all night long as well (usually every 90 minutes during REM sleep).

After a few moments, these erections grab a cab and head downtown of their own accord, providing that the man isn't getting further stimulation. If he is being constantly stimulated, then his arousal will reach a point where it is difficult for him to just say no.

But the stimulation from a one-minute hug, providing that he and his partner are not in the nude and she keeps her hands above the belt, doesn't mean that the next step has to be a sexual encounter.

And a woman who was just looking for a hug may suddenly find that she is interested in sex, even though that was not on her mind beforehand. Women always claim the right to change their minds, and sometimes they're just too busy to realize that they were somewhat aroused.

When they take a breather in the arms of their man, they relax a bit and suddenly realize that there was more to their desire for a hug than just romance.

You may think that two people who are part of a long-standing couple should know enough about each other to be able to judge when they are going to have sex and when they're not, yet they often act like a couple on their first date — he's on first base wondering if he'll get to second.

What's the answer? Improved communication. You have to be able to share your sensitivities with your partner without hurting his or her feelings.

If a woman notices that her partner has an erection, she has to be able to tell him that she's not in the mood without him getting upset. And if she decides that she is in the mood and they do have sex, the next time they hug, he can't assume that it's going to happen again.

It's very easy for there to be crossed wires in this back-and-forth exchange, particularly if both people change their minds faster than an operator can plug in the connection.

Avoid setting fixed patterns. Each party needs to show flexibility. That means if sometimes she asks for a hug without thinking about sex, she will let herself be brought over to the bed and try to enjoy it. At other times, even if a particular kiss drags on a bit longer than usual, she can go off to finish the paper without feeling guilty and without him donning his hangdog face.

It also means that she should initiate sex from time to time, and he should initiate hugs. Good communication means a back-and-forth interaction. It means surprise. It means that your minds are engaged and that you're not acting out the same script over and over.

Improving conversational content

This seems like the appropriate place to delve into the content of your communications. If all you do is talk about such superficial matters as the weather, the children's science fair project, and what to defrost for dinner, then your relationship is going to be rather superficial as well.

That's not to say that you shouldn't talk about mundane subjects. A life is a bit like a business, and you need to deal with managerial matters. But conversations you have with your coworkers aren't likely to lead to sex.

You can spend hours at the water cooler bantering about sports, politics, and office gossip without ever probing any depths. If your conversations with your significant other are equally superficial, then what does that say about the state of your relationship?

Admittedly, some people who have partners still pour their hearts out to their coworkers.

Sometimes they've found someone who is simpatico and doesn't mind being a good listener. Or they've found a busybody who likes peering into other people's private lives. And sometimes the other person is bored to tears. But if the talker is baring his or her soul at the office and clams up at home, that's not a good omen.

Meaningful communications don't have to only be about personal crises. Endless talk of problems will turn off a partner, no matter how sympathetic he or she is. Rather, what is "meaningful" is what stimulates the intellect. For example, say you watch the news and the Supreme Court has ruled for or against some case.

Talking about the pros and cons of that decision should be equally interesting to both parties. You shouldn't be so polarized that such a conversation creates an automatic fight. If that's the case, then put those topics off limits. But there should be areas of discussion that allow you to learn more about your partner as you exchange ideas.

Google, Microsoft move to block child porn

More than 200 employees at Google have spent the past three months working on preventing child sexual abuse content from appearing in the firm's search results.

"While society will never wholly eliminate such depravity, we should do everything in our power to protect children from harm," Google's executive chairman, Eric Schmidt, wrote in an article published by The Daily Mail.

Schmidt detailed how the two tech giants were using new technology to take down many images and videos of child porn from the web.

Using Microsoft (MSFT, Fortune 500) picture detection technology, a unique identification mark is applied to such content, and then all copies are immediately removed from the web.

Google has also cleaned up the search results for over 100,000 web queries that were known to lead to child porn-related results.

"We will soon roll out these changes in more than 150 languages, so the impact will be truly global," said Schmidt.

Another 13,000 search queries that are related to child porn will lead web users to online warnings saying that child sexual abuse is illegal, while offering advice on where to get help.

The move comes a week after the arrest of 348 people around the world who were connected to an international child sex abuse investigation. Of the people arrested, there were 40 teachers, six law enforcement personnel, nine pastors or priests and some doctors and nurses.

Microsoft said the companies were working with experts in the field to track the latest terms that pedophiles may be using online, and then cutting off access to any sort of child pornography.

The initiative was completed in cooperation with various industry and government organizations, including the Internet Watch Foundation and the U.K. government.

Last week, Microsoft also opened a new cybercrime center at its campus in Redmond, Washington.

Monday, 18 November 2013

International Friendly: Italy 2 Nigeria 2

Shola Ameobi scored one goal and set up another as Nigeria held Italy to a surprise 2-2 draw on Monday.

Stephen Keshi's men headed into the game having clinched their place at next year's FIFA World Cup with a play-off win over Ethiopia on Saturday.

And the African nation carried that momentum into the friendly clash at Craven Cottage, producing a determined performance against the four-time World Cup winners.

Italy were on top for much of the encounter and took the lead early on thanks to Giuseppe Rossi.

Nigeria launched a superb fightback, though, Ameobi setting up Bright Dike for the equaliser before giving his side the advantage with a fine improvised volley.

Cesare Prandelli's side did level through Emanuele Giaccherini, but there were to be no further goals despite numerous opportunities for both teams.

Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu replaced Gianluigi Buffon in goal for Italy, while Fiorentina striker Rossi was included up front as Prandelli made eight changes to the side that drew 1-1 with Germany on Friday.

Newcastle United forward Ameobi was among those recalled to Nigeria's line-up.

Nigeria had the better of the opening exchanges, but it was Italy who took the lead 12 minutes in, Rossi converting with a delicate finish following great hold-up play from Mario Balotelli.

Sirigu producing a strong save to prevent Ogenyi Onazi's long-range effort from finding the net as Nigeria sought an immediate reply.

Italy dominated for the majority of the half, though, and had opportunities to double their lead, Milan duo Ricardo Montolivo and Balotelli both spurning clear chances.

Despite Italy's dominance, Nigeria levelled things up 10 minutes before half-time when Dike rose highest to head home Ameobi's superb cross.

There was a further shock for Italy five minutes later as Ameobi cleverly converted Francis Benjamin's near-post delivery to give his side an unlikely lead.

Balotelli came close to a stunning equaliser as half-time approached, controlling a deflected high cross in audacious fashion before testing Augustine Ejide with a vicious volley.

Nigeria's lead lasted only two minutes into the second half, Giaccherini slotting under Ejide after Rossi had linked up with Antonio Candreva.

Substitute Marco Parolo twice had the chance to put Italy in front for a second time, blasting over from point-blank range after substitute goalkeeper Victor Enyeama had pulled off a fine stop from an Andrea Pirlo free-kick, and then seeing a deflected effort strike the post.

Balotelli and Nigeria substitute Emmanuel Emenike each squandered clear openings in the closing stages, but neither side could find a winner.

The closing stages provided particularly frantic fare as play switched from end to end, much to the delight of those in attendance.


RELATED POST: Italy vs Nigeria: Match Previews, Lineups

RELATED POST: What Next For Our World Conquering Golden Eaglets??

RELATED POST: Nigeria 2-0 Ethiopia (Agg 4-1): Moses & Obinna send Super Eagles to World Cup

Italy vs Nigeria: Match Previews, Lineups

Italy vs Nigeria, November 19, 2013 Craven Cottage, London

Nigeria will be looking to take over Italy and celebrate on being the first African team to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2014 on Monday.

The two sides will line up against each other in an international friendly in London and the Eagles side will look forward to deliver their best after sealing the spot for Brazil at Craven Cottage, home to the Premier League Fulham side.

Goals from Victor Moses and Victor Obinna helped the Nigerian side ensure their position in five out of their six attempts.

Godfrey Oboabona was injured on the second half and might be a doubt for the trip to London.

Impressive Italia side are one of the strongest side in the World Cup as they qualified with an unbeaten record in their 10 game run with six wins and four draws in the Group B.

Italy were help in a 1-1 draw against Germany in the San Siro stadium on Friday with goals from Mats Hummel for Germany in the first half which was equalized by Ignazio Abate to maintain their dominance over Germany since 1995.

Andrea Barzagli is set to be sidelined with a thigh injury and has made a return to his club back.

Recent Form:

Italy: WWDDD

Nigeria: WWWLW

Probable lineups:

Italy: Sirigu – Maggio, Bonucci, Ogbonna, Pasqual – Candreva, De Rossi, Montolivo, Florenzi – Balotelli, Rossi

Nigeria: Enyeama – Omeruo, Ambrose, Oboabona, Elderson – Mikel, Onazi – Musa, Ideye, Moses – Emenike 

Sunday, 17 November 2013

PHOTOS: Psquare’s Peter Okoye Weds Lola Omotayo



Nigerian born Togolese international, Footballer Emmanuel Adebayor, was in Lagos for Peter Okoye’s wedding (pictured above with Emmanuel and prominent artistes in the entertainment industry.

Wow! They tied the knot finally. Congrats to the them.

What Next For Our World Conquering Golden Eaglets??

The world witnessed a playing style exhibited by our own U-17 boys team at the recently concluded FIFA event that has not been seen since the inception of the competition at that level.
They were compact, free flowing, attacking and defending as one unit. The team was flawless and a marvel to everyone that watched them including the FIFA officials.

How can such a beautiful product come from Nigeria? A country that has been known not to get anything right because of pervasive corruption, ethnicity and crass disdain for the national patrimony. How come the boys were so disciplined, organised and goal oriented. For once, the nation got it right: from the conception, planning and execution, everything was done properly.

Our understanding was that from the beginning, it was made clear that there will be no short cut route. Only those within the approved age bracket were allowed to pass through the screening. More noticeable was the fact that, no player that has featured in our professional league competition was allowed to take part. Majority of them were picked from academies and schools sport competitions.

Principally – and this we must note- the players were picked based on their individual performance: no quota system was involved in the selections. If you are good, you are in. So we find  a mixture of Christians, Muslims and traditionalists. Southerners and Northerners, all properly bonded in love towards the common goal.

There was an uncommon determination by every individual to make his own contribution to the whole. Where or when one makes a mistake, another puts himself on the way to salvage the situation. Such was the bonding that, they all looked like children of the same parents, it is indeed worthy of commendation.

We must appreciate everyone  responsible for bringing this to pass. The officials of all kinds: coaches, NFA and importantly, the government of Cross-River state which provided an enabling environment and facilities for their training and camping.

What is the over all implication of the Eaglets victory? It is basically that, there is no height we cannot attain as Nigerians if we are ready to allow merit to reign in our selection of representatives.

We must also note the calibre of coaches on the Eaglets bench, such ex-internationals like Manu Garba, Nduka Ugbade and Emmanuel Amuneke who have distinguished themselves in past age grade competitions. So let us allow professionalism to thrive in our national endeavours and it won’t take time for the world to take notice of this country.

Nigeria is a sleeping giant, it requires the right calibre of leadership and professionals to stir it from its sleeping position. Our roads can be made to be smooth and free flowing if our FERMA officials assigned to road supervision will do their job properly by using budgeted funds to fix road patches instead of conniving with contractors or diverting monies into private pockets.

Power will flow when the present owners chose to do the job professionally, by first, treating the consumers as their customers.

Modern marketing management requires that the consumer or customer is factored first in all the planning of the corporation, so if they choose to add correct value that will be in line with consumers demands, the people will respond by paying their bills promptly, even if the consumption cost goes up.

It is therefore imperative for the new owners of the defunct PHCN to first think of how they can provide efficient services to the consumers. They should not be in a hurry to jerk up prices, at least, in the next six months.

How wonderful will it be if our politicians will for once, allow true democracy to take place in line with the people’s wish, if all the political parties- I mean all – will allow true representations in all stages of their structure, the unnecessary bickering and heating of the polity will become a thing of the past. Let the people’s voice be heard through their legitimate representatives.

The lessons of our Eaglets victory are innumerable and can be extended to almost all aspects of our national life: discipline,co-operation, hard work, merit and goal attainment. If only the country can truly unite as one, with each region bringing in its own area of comparative advantage to the centre without any form of animosity.

If only we can appoint people – competent graduates employment without recourse to their state of origin, religion or tribe. It is possible – the Eaglets victory has proved that – It is now left for those in positions of authority to put proper structures in place.

And talking about structures, I mean structures of merit. The officials of the team have laid foundation for the next generation to build upon. It is a matter of replicating the paths used by their predecessors. Let merit determine selection in all aspect of our national life.

This brings us to the question of what happens to the all conquering Eaglets? Some have said that they should be kept intact and be made to graduate together to the senior levels. This will not be possible as some of them will soon be pursuing their individual interests.

Some will opt to further their education instead of a profession in soccer, others may lose form and not be able to keep pace up to the senior level. I tend to agree with the position of my brother and friend here, Richard Okotie, that no successful under-aged team has succeeded in taking all its members to the senior level wholesale all over the world- whether in Brazil, Germany, Spain, et al. Along the line, some of them do not measure up to standard at the senior level.

So what is to be done? When a method has been tried and tested with good result, it is important that we master and retain it.

The Spanish, German and Brazilians have done it consistently through the years. Let merit be our basic guideline for selection and also, the sports authorities must be ready to provide all the support for such endeavours to thrive at all times. Do this for all categories of our national teams, including the ladies and we shall be recording repeated successes.

Next is to identify those amongst them with the potentials to go further in their footballing pursuit. Give them the necessary follow-up support, like a thorough scrutiny of their contract papers with clubs and linkages to coaches and institutions that will properly supervise their blossoming.

In all, the growth of the players in the profession should be paramount and not the selfish interest or greed of agents who abound everywhere, always on the prowl  to take advantage. Identify such players in the group now and begin to groom them for future successes. That is how it is done in the advanced world.

Saturday, 16 November 2013

Video: Brazilian Family Lives With Pet Tigers!

A Brazilian family, the Borges, share their home with a pack of 7 tigers. The father, Aryas Borges, began his love affair with tigers when he found two of the big cats living in a bad state at a circus — and decided to bring them home. His daughters Nayara, 20, Uyara, 23, and Deusanira, 24, grew up sharing their meals, beds and playtime with the fully-grown predators and walking them on a leash.

Would you bring in wild tigers to live amongst you and your family?

In Indonesia, The Dead Are Removed From Their Tombs To Change Clothes

In Tana Toraja, Indonesia, the dead are removed from their tombs to replace their clothing each year. The Toraja people have fascinating rituals surrounding death and the afterlife.  When someone dies, their ritual states that the deceased are to be buried in the town they were born in (and not necessarily in the town in which they have died).

According to the Zombie Research Society website:

Further research into the term “Rolang” uncovered a Tibetan connection.  This one is even more freaky.  In this scenario, a holy man (a “ngagspa”) gets shut up in a dark room with the newly deceased and lies on top of the corpse, wrapping his arms around it and placing his mouth over the mouth of said dead person (EWWW!).  By breathing into the dead body’s mouth, the corpse is eventually revived, and leaps to it’s feet, attempting to escape the grasp of the ngagspa.  The holy man must hold onto the thrashing corpse, or he will be killed.  Oh, and he has to wait for it to stick out its tongue, so he can bite it off.  Apparently the tongue makes  a powerful magic weapon used in healing etc.

Most of the population is Christian, and others are Muslim or have local animist beliefs known as aluk (“the way”). The Indonesian government has recognized this animist belief as Aluk To Dolo (“Way of the Ancestors”).

Torajans, who lived in highland areas, identified with their villages and did not share a broad sense of identity. Although complexes of rituals created linkages between highland villages, there were variations in dialects, differences in social hierarchies, and an array of ritual practices in the Sulawesi highland region.

The picture below which was first placed on the indonesian blog mamasa-online.blogspot.com, talks about a personal story involving the walking corpses of Tojara, Indonesia. But only recently the picture is gaining attention.


Video evidence of the ritual in Indonesia.


Nigeria 2-0 Ethiopia (Agg 4-1): Moses & Obinna send Super Eagles to World Cup

Victor Moses and Victor Obinna seal Stephen Keshi's men's place at Brazil 2014

Nigeria will be playing in next summer's World Cup in Brazil after defeating Ethiopia 2-0 on Saturday to seal a 4-1 aggregate play-off triumph.

After winning the first leg 2-1 in Addis Ababa last month, Victor Moses' 20th-minute penalty and substitute Victor Obinna's late free-kick secured Stephen Keshi's side their place at the finals for a fifth time in six attempts.

The hosts were strong favourites coming into the game, with the added benefit of two away goals from the first leg, and when Aynalem Hailu was deemed to have handled the ball inside the area, Moses dispatched the penalty leaving the visitors needing two goals just to force extra time.

In truth, Sewnet Bishaw's side created little, and when Obinna thumped home a 25-yard free-kick with eight minutes remaining it sealed a comfortable passage for Nigeria.

The hosts made two changes from the first leg with Brown Ideye and Kenneth Omeruo returning to the starting XI, while coach Bishaw made four alterations for Ethiopia, with first-leg goalscorer Behailu Assefa among those to miss out.

Nigeria's Emmanuel Emenike, who netted a double in the first leg, was the first to threaten, the striker seeing his close-range volley acrobatically parried away by Sisay Bancha in the sixth minute.

But it was a controversial incident that saw the home side take the lead 14 minutes later when defender Hailu was harshly adjudged to have handled the ball in the area.

The defender attempted to block a cross from the left, with the ball striking his thigh and bouncing up onto his right arm.

The referee, Bakary Gassama from Gambia, pointed to the spot despite strong protests from the visiting players, before Moses stepped up to send Bancha the wrong way from 12 yards.

Ideye twice wasted opportunities to extend Nigeria's lead before the break, heading narrowly wide from Ogenyi Onazi's right-wing cross on the half-hour mark before blazing over after Bancha had parried Onazi's effort two minutes before the interval.

In a largely uneventful second half, Bancha rushed from his line to deny Emenike on the hour, before Obinna - on as a 79th-minute replacement for Moses - sent a vicious dipping free-kick beyond Bancha.

The goalkeeper really should have done better, wafting an arm at the ball as it flew past him, but it was of no concern to Nigeria, sparking scenes of celebration at the final whistle.

VIDEO: Nicki Minaj Admits Being Possessed by Demon Spirit (Roman) Illuminati

Nicki Minaj admits to being possessed by a demon spirit named Roman. Just when you thought the whole Illuminati demon possession by certain artists was a hoax. You may change your mind when you watch this confession from Nicki Minaj as she talks about the demon spirit that lives inside of her.

What is your whole take on Nicki Minaj admiting that she is possessed?

Friday, 15 November 2013

VIDEO: Very Funny Comedy Video By Bovi Watch!

Can't stop laughing!!!

Mikel, Yaya, Emenike in Caf African player of the year list

Africa football's governing body has announced the remaining candidates to win the prestigious individual trophy this year, with five Nigeria players making the cut.

The Confederation of African Football have released the 25-man nominees for the 2013 African Player of the Year with title-holder Yaya Toure, Galatasaray star, Didier Drogba and Borussia Dortmund attacker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang among the candidates to win the individual award.


John Obi Mikel is accompanied by four Super Eagles teammates following the African champions’ impressive 2013 campaign. They include Emmanuel Emenike, Sunday Mba, Vincent Enyeama and Ahmed Musa.

Liverpool star, Victor Moses is however the suprise exclusion from the list.

The winner will be announced at the Glo-CAF Awards Gala scheduled for Thursday, January 9, 2014 in Lagos, Nigeria. 
SHORTLIST IN FULL:  

NameCountryClub

Ahmed MusaNigeriaCSKA Moscow

Asamoah GyanGhanaAl Ain

Dame N’DoyeSenegalLocomotiv Moscow

Didier DrogbaCote d’Ivoire Galatasaray

Emmanuel EmenikeNigeriaFenerbahce

Islam SlimaniAlgeriaSporting Lisbon

John Mikel ObiNigeriaChelsea

Jonathan PitroipaBurkina FasoStade Rennais

Kévin ConstantGuineaAC Milan

Kwadwo AsamoahGhanaJuventus

Luís Carlos Almada Soares – (Platini)Cape VerdeAC Omonia

Mehdi Benattia Morocco AS Roma

Mohamed Aboutrika                          Egypt Al Ahly

Mohamed Salah                  EgyptBasel FC  

Nicolas NkoulouCameroonMarseille

Pierre-Emerick AubameyangGabonBorussia Dortmund,

Ryan Isaac Mendes da GraçaCape VerdeLille

Saladin SaidEthiopiaWadi Degla FC

Seydou KeitaMaliDalian Aerbin F.C

Sofiane FeghouliAlgeriaValencia

Sunday MbaNigeriaWarri Wolves

Victor Wanyama                     KenyaSouthampton FC 

Vincent EnyeamaNigeriaLille

Yao Kouassi Gervais ‘Gervinho’Cote d’IvoireAS Roma

Yaya ToureCote d’Ivoire Manchester City