See some of the 'reasons' Indian people get married...(photos)
Indians, like some other countries are totally obsessed with marriage and some of the time, for all the wrong reasons. A group of people came up with these tongue-in-cheek photos to trivialize some of what they term 'ridiculous' reasons why they get married. Check them out! Sound familiar? Let's see how long it takes Nigerians to come up with their own. Continue...
Photo Credit: Filmygyan
Read Ben Murray-Bruce's reaction to CBN's ban of ATM use abroad
Senator Ben Murray Bruce has reacted to the Central Bank of Nigeria's decision to ban Nigerians from using their debit and credit cards abroad. Reports about the planned ban came to light few days ago when BBC quoted a source as saying that the CBN will from January 1st 2016 stop foreign purchase via the use of credit or debit card. The decision is reportedly part of the government's effort to try to stem the flow of foreign exchange out of the country.
The CBN has also reportedly written to various commercial banks about this decision while some banks have also notified their customers, saying it is a temporary measure. Sen. Ben Murray-Bruce however thinks this decision is not a wise one. His reaction after the cut...
Photo: Lagos doctor dies after attending to patient
A Lagos-based medical doctor identified as Dr Akingbade of Veritas Clinics Limited, College Road, Ifako-Ijaiye Lagos died inside his office shortly after attending to a patient recently. According to a report by Vanguard, family sources say he might have died from exhaustion and stress but also had a history of hypertension. One of the nurses on duty, Toyin Ifesan, while narrating what happened said
“Our boss died at about 10.30pm shortly after he had closed for consultation. He went to see a patient on admission. Thereafter, he retired to his office and sat down. A nurse later went in there to ask him to go upstairs, where we have sleeping facilities, to sleep, having been working since morning.
On getting to the office, the nurse spoke to him but she got no response. She then pushed him, only to find that Dr Akingbade had passed on. The situation attracted everybody in the clinic. He was not sick before death. The only thing we noticed was that, on that day, he was not jovial as he used to be. Unlike him, he talked to the staff without looking at their faces. He looked at the floor while talking to the staff. Our late boss was a very jovial person. He joked a lot with the staff as well as with patients before attending to them. He would ask the patient where he came from, and when he told the place the patient came from, always had one or two things to say about the patients place and people. He was a problem solver when it came to illnesses. If you cry to his office, you will smile coming out. He hardly attended social functions because of the fear that a critically ill patient that may be bought to his clinic may die before returning. So, he was always in the clinic most of the time. Even anytime he hired a doctor to help attend to patients, most of patients still preferred his consultation because of his wide experience. Some would wait, no matter how long, to see him. Others would go and come back.”she saidHe will be buried early next year.
Photos from Train a child Charity Christmas party
The Julieana Temitope Foundation, mother home to the Train a Nigerian Child foundation decided to give back to the society as been done before in the past. Recently they went to Abuja to give relief materials to the internally Displaced Campers with affiliate super star Tekno of Made Men Music Group [MMMG].
On the 19th of December they had a Christmas party for over 350 kids at Dustbin Estate in Ajegunle Lagos state, with special appearances from front-liners in the entertainment industry from Selebobo, Juwonlo [seyi laws business manager), Capital F.E.M.I , Emmanuel Ikubese [Mr Nigeria 2014, Social Media influences [Kingpexxie , Pamilerin ] and other notable dignitaries.
The kids had fun and it wasn't only fun but inspiring as Juwonlo paid the Tution fee of 3 students for the 2016 First term, Capital F.E.M.I issued a tuition fee Cheque in the name of a child for her full session> Fees, not only Did it end there, the philanthropists act inspired the 2014 Mr Nigeria to pay the Tution fee of a girl also through 2016 to 2017 and also pay her upkeep allowances and also generously dished out> high denomination notes to lot of the kids...
The atmosphere was filled with love and appreciation and to sum it all up, the founder Julieana temitope paid the tuition fee of 5 WAEC candidates and also 5 Common entrance Candidates. Selebobo and Mr Nigeria gave amazing inspirational "you all can do it because I came out of the ghetto also" speech which inspired a lot of the cheering students ! Selebobo with the help of others dished out souvenirs to the kids.
EFCC files charges against former PDP Chairman and his son over N600m diversion
Former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Minister of defense, Dr. Haliru Mohammed Bello, and his son,Abbah Mohammed, have both been formally charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for collecting N600 million from the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki.
According to reports, father and son are likely to be docked on Tuesday and Wednesday next week.
Mohammed Bello's son, Abbah Mohammed, allegedly received N600m from the Office of the NSA (ONSA) in the name of Bam Properties, however, the reason for the transfer of the money to the company was not disclosed.
Vanguard
Narrow escape! See how this lady nearly died in her bed (photos)
Twitter user Serina Mina shared these photos on twitter. She narrowly escaped with her life when the ceiling of her bedroom partially collapsed and a large slab of brick landed on her bed. "If I hadnt got out of bed 5 minutes ago I would not be here right now clearly got a guardian angel" she wrote.Lucky girl!
Man fatally shot by Police was helping distressed son, Family says
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is reviewing the death of a man who was shot by a sheriff’s deputy Monday while struggling with his son over a gun, authorities said.
It happened after a security guard called a 911 call around 8:20 p.m., saying he had been held at gunpoint in a Douglasville mobile home park, the GBI said in a news release. When Douglas County sheriff’s deputies responded to the call, a witness told them a man with a gun was on the next street.
The deputies found a man nearby, later identified as 25-year-old Bias Daniels, armed with a handgun, and he obeyed their order to put the gun down, according to the news release. They said his father, Bobby Daniels, was standing nearby and grabbed the gun when his son placed it down, and then the two struggled for the weapon.
Bobby Daniels, 48, died at the scene. An autopsy is planned.
Authorities said Bias Daniels picked up the gun and ran. He was later arrested on charges of aggravated assault, kidnapping and obstruction. Douglas County jail records do not indicate whether he has an attorney to comment on the charges.
Names of the deputies present weren’t released.
GBI officials said they will independently review Bobby Daniels’ death and report to the Douglas County district attorney.
Officials said deputies shouted for the men to put the gun down and unsuccessfully tried to use a Taser. They said one officer fired and hit Bobby Daniels when the gun was pointed in the deputies’ direction.
The Epoch Times
Policeman kills 4 people including twin brothers and himself (Graphic)
According to reports, a drunk policeman, Stephen James, on Saturday shot and killed three men at a hotel in the Ketu area of Lagos State.
He shot and killed twin brothers identified as Taiwo and Kehinde Oyesunle (who were the only children of their mother) and their friend known simply as Jeje.
The tragic incident took place outside the premises of Paulson Hotel on Anibaba Street around 4:20pm.
According to eyewitnesses, trouble started when the police sergeant Stephen James threatened to shoot customers if they failed to buy him an alcoholic drink. The policeman, who was said to be a habitual smoker of marijuana, became upset when the twins- Taiwo and Kehinde and their friend, Jeje – cautioned him about his excessive drinking and advised him to act like a responsible policeman.
According to eyewitness account, as the trio stepped outside the hotel premises where they had gone to celebrate Jeje’s birthday, the Policeman shot and killed them. When he realized what he had done,the policeman reportedly shot himself in the chest.
A guest at the hotel, who witnessed the killings, told SUNDAY PUNCH that the policeman had boasted about wanting to kill people hours before the incident happened.
The customer, who identified himself only as Femi, said all efforts to pacify the policeman proved abortive as he kept fomenting trouble and harassing visitors with his gun all afternoon.
He said:
“I was in the bar when the policeman first came in and threatened to shoot customers if they failed to buy him drinks. He boasted that he felt like killing someone today, but other customers and I pleaded with him.
“When the three guys walked in and sat, he went to them and threatened them too. But the guys told him to calm down that they would take care of him but he should comport himself as a responsible police officer.
“Nobody knew he took offence with their statement. The police officer shot the three guys one after the other as they stepped outside the hotel before killing himself. The whole thing happened like a movie,” he said.
Another resident Ladipo Idowu said that the policeman was known to cause trouble in the area.
He said James usually fired his gun indiscriminately and the residents had warned the hotel authorities to caution him.
Another eyewitness, Dada Salawu, said, he was passing by when he saw the policeman and the three friends exchanging words. He said hardly had he left the area when the policeman opened fire on the victims.
A former girlfriend to one of the slain twins told SUNDAY PUNCH that they were the only children of their parents.
The lady, who was inconsolable as she spoke to one of our correspondents, said the twins were still mourning the death of their father who passed away in June 2014 when their lives were cut short.
She said:
“I called them very early on Saturday morning not to go outside their compound after I dreamt of seeing blood. I called them again at about 2:00pm to warn them. The twins, however, decided to drive a vehicle a relation had just bought at about 3:00pm. They drove to Paulson Hotel.”
The Sports Utility Vehicle which the victims drove was still parked in front of the hotel.
An angry mob, which later gathered at the scene of the tragedy, attempted to burn down the hotel and destroy properties within its premises.
As irate youths threw bottles and stones at the hotel, lodgers ran out of their rooms with their luggage and fled the scene. The hotel has been reportedly deserted by staff and guests.
The youths also wanted to burn the corpse of the policeman, but policemen, who later got to the scene pleaded with them.
Policemen led by the Divisional Police Officer of the Ketu Police Station arrived at the scene at about 5.30 pm to carry the corpses away.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Joe Offor, confirmed the killings but said he had not yet received the full details of the incident.
DSP Joe Offor said:
“The policeman was on duty at that hotel. He was attached to Mopol 22, Ikeja. He was drunk while on duty and he acted under the influence of alcohol.”
Sunday Punch
5 things women NEVER tell their men
Okay, we know the most common one: most women lie about the “O” word. But there are other things besides that the modern woman lies about. Very often!
THEIR first gig
For most adult women, the first sexual experience is unforgettable and probably the best ever. Even if they have not kept in touch with their first man, they remember him with fondness if he did not leave them pregnant and stranded with a baby.
But will they ever tell their man this? Never.
Studies show the average woman lies about the age at which she was disvirgined, adding anything between 2 and 10 years to the age. For instance, if a woman got disvirgined at 14, she is likely to put the figure at 20 to her current man. Men, on the other hand, openly boast about their earlier sexual conquests.
2# That they check out other men
A man might be so close to the girl in his life that he would point out other women’s body parts that he finds attractive and everybody would have a good laugh. On the other hand, a woman would never do that. If she thinks the guy next door has a cute ass, she never, ever mentions it to the man in her life. Not only would she not mention it, she would never ever even make the blunder of oogling the attractive derriere when their man is around. Studies show women make lewd jokes about other men when they are with girlfriends just as much as men do, and they even fantasie but are great about hiding it.
3# That she hates cooking
A few years down the line, many relationships run into crisis on this account- many many women just do not like to cook.
In our part of the world, girls are raised not only to learn how to cook but to happily cook for other people for the rest of their lives, three times a day. If they cannot live up to that ‘simple’ responsibility, they are complete failures, especially in relationships.
Women are therefore happy to pretend to be kitchen genies at the beginning of relationships and would never admit to not just absolutely loving cooking. Rather, they prefer to give their man the impression that they live just to feed him as many times as possible in a day. Unfortunately, that impression is bound to waste when she insists of going out for dinner every so often when the relationship is established.
4# She feels insulted when he gives her money
Of course nothing makes your man feel grander than knowing he has met his woman’s need and probably even exceeded her expectations, especially if he had to bend over backwards to do it. Studies show the average woman is actually disappointed almost every time their man gives them a gift, especially when it is money.
Truth is, today’s working women have developed very sophisticated tastes that their men can barely keep up with, and they are ready to work very hard when it’s necessary to do so. But would a woman ever complain her man has not even scratched the surface when he gives her cash? Never.
5# She does not trust him
For all her freedoms and liberation, a woman is far less likely than a man to voice her insecurities in a relationship that the other way round.
She has watched her mother look the other way more often than not. She has heard her aunt tell her uncountable times of how it’s a man’s world. She has been called names just for showing a flash of jealousy and she has been told by the census that there are more women than men.
Her girlfriends are telling her to be wise and hold on to her straying man and so while he snoops and snoops and finds nothing, she makes minimal efforts and finds everything but does she ever mention it? Never.
The reason that hot new househelp gets a shaven head and the girlfriend is told jokingly to do her top buttons up is not because she does not trust her girlfriend or the maid but because she certainly does not trust her man.
Her man might ask the question a dozen times- “honey, do you trust me?” and her answer would be a big fat lying “Yes”
Wenger laments as Southampton massacre Arsenal
December 27, 2015
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said that his title-chasing team had been punished for lacking sharpness after they crashed to a damaging 4-0 defeat at Southampton on Boxing Day.
Having beaten Premier League title rivals Manchester City 2-1 on their previous outing, Arsenal were looking for a victory that would have sent them to the top of the table.
But instead they slumped to their heaviest league defeat since March 2014 courtesy of a jaw-dropping Cuco Martina strike, a second-half Shane Long brace and a Jose Fonte header at St Mary’s.
“We lost too many challenges today. They were sharper than us,” Wenger told BT Sport.
“I think we were unlucky as well. Their first shot on goal went into the top corner from the right-back (Martina), the second goal came after a foul on (Laurent) Koscielny.
“It’s a disappointing result, but I have to say well done to Southampton. The referee let a lot go, but when you’re not dominant in challenges, that is the price you have to pay.”
The result kept Arsenal in second place in the table, two points below Leicester City and a point above Manchester City, ahead of Monday’s home game with Bournemouth.
“The title is down to consistency to fight in every single game and produce a performance,” Wenger said.
“Today was a very physical game and we didn’t play well enough.”
Southampton manager Ronald Koeman, whose side had not won in their five previous league games, said that his players had produced a “perfect performance”.
He added: “We showed fantastic belief in everybody and showed how good we are today if we play at our level.”
Looming subsidy removal: Oil workers warn Buhari!
•List measures to protect Nigerians
•NNPC assures: The people will not suffer
By Soni Daniel, Abuja
Amid indications that the government may have settled for the full deregulation of the petroleum sector in 2016, oil workers, under the aegis of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), have expressed support for the looming regime.
Meanwhile, the support came with a caveat to President Muhammadu Buhari: Utilities for the full deregulation must be in place and Nigerians must be adequately protected from Shylock oil sector players.
Sunday Vanguard learnt, at the weekend, that the Buhari administration had decided that full regulation of the oil sector had become inevitable, and, consequently, made no provision for petrol subsidy in the 2016 budget.
“The non-provision for subsidy for petrol in the 2016 budget stemmed from the huge drain it had become on government finances and the fact that only a few people are benefiting to the detriment of the vast majority of Nigerians,” a source close to Aso Rock Presidential Villa said.
The source said the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) had assured that everything was in place to implement the new regime, adding that petrol should not sell more than the current official price of N87 per litre under the full deregulation regime.
PENGASSAN National President, Francis Johnson, throwing his union’s weight behind the full deregulation of the oil sector, at the weekend, said: “Some say it is ‘the answer’ (to the complex problems in the oil sector), but we say it is only an answer.”
Johnson, who spoke in an interview withSunday Vanguard, however, warned: “Deregulation is not an end in itself, but a means to an end. If we understand to that level, then part of the problem is solved.
“Our stance has always been to put in place necessary structures that will enable and sustain the policy. When the sector has achieved full deregulation, there will even be a greater challenge than scarcity, namely consumer protection.
“Post-deregulation, the first aspect of the policy that will be most felt is price liberalisation. That is the greater concern for us as a pressure group. It is not enough to deregulate.
“What have we put in place to prevent collusion and predatory tendencies of operators? “We do not have strong protection or cover for consumers in Nigeria. See what we experience daily with service providers in aviation, telecommunications, etc. We seem to be engrossed with the quest to deregulate the sector, but no one is paying attention to the public utilities, like the pipelines, jetties, depots and even refineries.
“We seem to forget that the very reason for scarcity is the neglect and lack of maintenance culture with which public infrastructures were left unattended to for so long.
“So, deregulation yes, but it’s just an aspect of addressing the myriads of problems confronting the sector.
Set free our soldiers jailed for mutiny
December 27, 2015
By Tonnie Iredia
The Nigerian military is fast becoming a ready topic for this column. I have no apology for it because if I couldn’t early in life summon enough courage to enlist in any of its forces, as a journalist, i ought to be able to write about the institution when necessary.
Besides, since 1997, when I served as a technical expert on elections to coordinate political broadcasts for the first post civil war elections in Liberia, I have come to greatly admire our gallant military which effectively led ECOMOG to make our nation, one for others to look up to, in our sub region. So, I was pleasantly delighted last week to learn from a statement by Army spokesman, Colonel Sani Usman that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt- Gen. Tukur Buratai, has now commuted to 10 years imprisonment, the death sentences earlier imposed on some 66 soldiers who had been convicted of mutiny. While thanking Buratai for his timely intervention, we believe, that bearing in mind the convoluted environment in which the soldiers were charged, he should have set them free
The 66 soldiers were among those arraigned by the army last year on charges of “criminal conspiracy, conspiracy to commit mutiny, mutiny; attempt to commit an offence (murder), disobedience to particular orders, insubordinate behaviour and false accusation, among others.” The men were convicted early this year by separate military tribunals. We disagree with the decision of the tribunals because the soldiers were only engaged in ‘constructive’ munity-a term which establishes that the so-called offenders were instigated by their supervisors to act as they did. The term is not new. In 2003, when the Court of Appeal had to review a similar case involving one Yussuf and 22 others, the Court according to the irrepressible Femi Falana, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, quashed the life imprisonment passed on the soldiers who had rioted at the Cairo Airport in Egypt. The court rightly ruled that the offence of mutiny for which the soldiers were tried was instigated by their officers who had diverted the medical allowances which ought to have been paid to the soldiers while receiving medical treatment in Egypt. In other words, rather than restricting itself to the charge of mutiny, the court appropriately found and dealt with ‘constructive mutiny’- an offence instigated by the complainants. Buratai should follow that persuasive judgment
Is it really rational to convict anyone of a professional misdemeanour under the immediate past leadership of the military which in every respect had the disposition of a trader? In our view, the accused soldiers couldn’t have done otherwise as they were not even equipped to fight the insurgents. They said so severally but in vain. One of the world’s oldest and largest newsgathering outfit, the Associated Press (AP) at a point reported that “several soldiers told its correspondents that they were sent into battle with just 30 bullets each and no food rations.” Opinion leaders in the industry corroborated such indicting reports. Indeed, in a testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the year before, the American Air Force Chief of staff, Gen. Mark Welsh III, stated that the Nigerian military was, “quite frankly, becoming afraid to even engage”. There was also the revelation by a former British military attaché to Nigeria, Col. James Hall that Nigerian peacekeepers in Mali at a time, had to buy pick-up trucks while their armor kept breaking down. If our soldiers themselves directly refrained from openly revolting, their spouses and immediate families did so by staging public demonstrations against what they described as the sending of their poorly kitted bread winners to go and die in the warfronts. When this is added to the story that our military leaders deployed only 30,000 men to fight Boko Haram while 75,000 according to the All Progressives Congress, were deployed to secure the Osun State Governorship election alone, people are left to appropriately situate the allegation that some military leaders were not interested in ending the Boko Haram insurgency.
However, the charges against the soldiers remain arguably spurious because at the time they reportedly took place, the then military high command in its self-denial character publicly dismissed the mutiny story as false rumour. Does it then mean that the soldiers were tried on false rumour charges? Denials notwithstanding, what we heard angered the now convicted soldiers was the directive that they should return to base one fateful night after a mission only for Boko Haram to have information on their movement leading to an ambush in which many of their colleagues were killed. Who gave the said directive? Was he put on trial for the resultant untimely deaths? What about the GOC whose life was allegedly attempted by the convicted soldiers? Where is he? Is the rumour that he was retired correct? In any case, if his leadership role was deemed to be in order why was he transferred after the incident? Whether or not all these were considered by the tribunal which convicted the soldiers is not as relevant as the revelation by the former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) that our soldiers were not equipped to fight and that the last time weapons were bought for the Nigerian Army was in 2006. The nation has also now learnt from the former CDS that she lost many soldiers who walked into Boko Haram’s ambush facilitated by collaborators from within.
Consequently, the convictions are patently unjust. That it was done by a military court is irrelevant because no law is expected to be bad. In addition, the Nigerian Army is a societal institution run with public funds which can therefore not be an island unto itself. The army was in actual fact set up not for itself but in the public interest. As a result, its activities must be a matter of concern to the entire society for whose sake it exists. We are therefore free to deprecate the conduct of the previous military leadership which sought to impose capital punishment on soldiers who refused to follow an irrational directive for them to commit suicide
President Vladimir Putin's 2016 calendar on sale in Russia
The Vladimir Putin 2016 calendar photos comes on sale one day after Christmas as most families are celebrating the holiday. Putin is seen shirtless with a big smile in one of the photos.
The photos show the 63 year old Russian president in a variety of poses, from topless fishing to exercising, along with a thought to accompany each month. It’s called “All Year With the President of Russia,” and Russians are ordered to be happy with its photographic selections.
Many of the Vladimir Putin calendar photos in 2016 are similar to those featured in an October tabloid dedicated to the Russian president’s picturesque poses. Some people say he’s very photogenic.
Obviously, the Russian overlord’s shirtless, masculine chest is front and center throughout the calendar.
But i don't want to believe it , the Imo state government has broken a record by erecting the tallest Christmas tree in Nigeria.
Christmas tree, decor are worth over N 600 million.
Earlier this month, Governor Rochas Okorocha reportedly approved N600 million for this Christmas tree and New Year decorations.
The cost is really shocking considering the fact that the state workers have not been paid salaries for several months.
Undoubtedly, the tree and its price have triggered emotional reactions among Nigerians who started blaming Governor Okorocha, appealing to his conscience.
Below is the reaction from some angry Nigerians on Twitter
Meanwhile, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, a former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, also criticized the governor
for spending such huge sum of money on Christmas tree and decorations.
“It is ridiculous and indeed smacks of insensitivity for this government to spend over N600 million on decorations when families can no longer afford their meals and basic needs as a result of non-payment of salaries, pensions and other entitlements,” he noted.
Boko Haram attacks village, kills 14 people and burns entire village on Christmas day
At least 14 people were killed and several others injured by Boko Haram gunmen in a Christmas Day attack on a village in northeastern Nigeria, vigilantes said Saturday.
Attacking astride bicycles, the jihadists invaded Kimba village in flashpoint Borno state around 10 pm on Friday, opening fire on residents and torching their homes.
"The gunmen killed 14 people and burnt the whole village before they fled," Mustapha Karimbe, a civilian assisting the military in fighting Boko Haram, told AFP.
"Not a single house was spared in the arson," another vigilante, Musa Suleiman, said after visiting the razed village.
Hundreds of Kimba residents fled to Biu nearby, where they were put up in a refugee camp already brimming with people running from Boko Haram.
The attack comes just days before Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari's self-imposed deadline to stamp out the group expires on December 31, and in the same week that he said Nigeria has "technically" defeated the jihadists.
AFP
Photos: Abimbola Fashola hosts Christmas party for children living with disabilities
Wife of Minister of Power, Work and Housing, Dame Abimbola Fashola organized a Christmas party for children with disabilities from Little Saints orphanage, Heart of Gold Hospice, Down Syndrome Home, Red Cross, etc, at Eagle Club, Surulere, Lagos. See more photos after the cut...
Photo credit: Okuo Alex Emmanuel
Tonto Dikeh's loving birthday messages to her Husband
Actress Tonto Dikeh penned some loving messages to her husband who turns a year older today. She wrote:
BABY It's always like spring time with you,
You Making all things Beautiful.
Your love is sweeter than Wine
This is what you do,You make me come Alive!!You make me come Alive!!
I have tasted The world and had enough but with you there isn't no Enough,More of you I want••
I want nothing but to know you & Be with you till Our end••
I heard marriage was Bondage,You proved me wrong Cos with you it's been nothing but Blissfulness,Passion and UpLiftment•• I hear the sound of a Mighty Rain coming,There's a mighty Rain coming Upon your Beautiful Soul to make you a Greater Man my darling••Gods love is upon you,shining his light upon your path for you shall never hurt nor trip..
Happy Birthday to the man who Stole the heart of A warrior(Mine)••
Happy birthday to my Kingkong,My chill pill,My forever,My better half and My BABY BOY����
Governor Wike, Rivers First Lady host Children to a Christmas party
Wife of Rivers State Governor, Justice Suzzette Nyesom-Wike has declared that the state government will always promote the welfare of Rivers Children as a way of securing the state's future.
Justice Suzzette Wike and her husband, the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike on Boxing Day crowned a wonderful Christmas by celebrating with Rivers Children from all backgrounds.
The Rivers State Christmas Children Party held at the Fore-court of the Government House, Port Harcourt witnessed Governor Wike and his wife interacting with the children, playing games with them and riding on a train with the kids.
Speaking at the event, Wife of Rivers State Governor, Justice Suzzette Wike said that the Christmas Party was organised to foster friendship amongst the future leaders of the state.
The governor’s wife noted that the Wike administration will always implement programmes and projects that will guarantee the future of Rivers Children.
She said Christmas is a season of sharing love and gifts premised on the ideals laid down by Jesus Christ.
According to her, the joy shared with the children and the happiness that flowed from all the interactions are the true essence of Christmas.
Present at the children party were leaders of Rivers State, top government functionaries and women groups. The children were also entertained by comedians and musicians.
Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutierrez Threatens To Sue Steve Harvey For $5Million For Miss Universe 2015 Mistake
Colombian model Ariadna Gutierrez is threatening to drag comedian Steve Harvey to court for his error at the recently concluded Miss Universe 2015 Gutierrez said Steve Harvey’s mistake has put her in a condition of distress that is likely to stay with her for the rest of her life.
There are speculations that the 26-year-old is planning to sue Steve Harvey for the emotional distress his blunder put her through. Miss Gutierrez is yet to confirm this on her official IG page.
A quick check on Ariadna and Mr Harvey IG pages revealed nothing of such.
Will update you on this shortly.
Meet the man who married Putin's daughter and then made a fortune
Katerina Putin, younger daughter of Russian President Vladimir Putin got married to Kirill Shamalov, son of an old friend of Putin. Their wedding celebrations took place in February 2013, at Igora, a small ski resort that combines beauty and discretion, five people who were there told Reuters.
Set amid woodland with a picturesque lake, the resort is co-owned by the family of Yuri Kovalchuk, another old friend of Putin, and a Cyprus company with undisclosed shareholders.
One person who attended the event said staff were told the bride and groom were named Kirill and Katerina, and that guests wore white scarves embroidered with the letters "K&K" in red thread. When shown a photograph of a woman known as Katerina Tikhonova, the source identified her as the bride. Tikhonova is Putin's younger daughter, as Reuters confirmed in November.
"Guards were behind every corner, (they) didn't let anyone close to the celebration," said a staff member at the resort, which has a luxurious spa complex. "But we knew it was Kirill and Katerina - Putin's daughter - celebrating marriage."
At the time of the wedding, Kirill - a tall, dark-haired man with rimless glasses - was a rising star of Russian business, but still only 31. His fortunes began to skyrocket soon after his wedding to the president's daughter, a competitive acrobatic dancer who is now helping to oversee a $1.7 billion expansion of Moscow State University.
Within 18 months, Kirill acquired a large chunk of shares in a major Russian oil and petrochemical processor called Sibur - a stake now worth an estimated $2.85 billion, based on the value of recent share deals. He also quit his job as a business manager and set up a company to run his personal investments.
How did such a young businessman go so far, so fast? A Reuters examination of Shamalov's career shows that in the summer of 2013, months after he married Putin's daughter, Kirill opened discussions about buying shares in Sibur from one of the president's wealthiest friends.
A year later, he was able to borrow more than $1 billion, judging by the published accounts of his investment company. The loan came from a bank headed by another longtime associate of Putin, and where Shamalov's brother holds a senior position. The money was used to make an investment in Sibur that within months proved highly profitable for Kirill.
Asked about his business deals and the wedding, Kirill Shamalov and Sibur declined to comment.
The trajectory of Kirill's fortunes sheds new light on how people close to Putin have taken commanding positions in key companies - and how such opportunities are now being extended to a new generation. Like the wedding, much of this transfer of riches has occurred away from public scrutiny.
Vladimir Milov, a former Russian deputy energy minister and now an opposition campaigner, said Putin's friends had acquired major assets with the help of lenders with links to the state, such as Gazprombank.
"It's extremely non-transparent, so it is hard to get to and judge the specifics of the loan agreements," Milov said. "They consider Gazprombank their pocket bank."
He added: "They are looking to pass on their power and privileges to a new generation."
Asked about the wedding celebrations and business deals, Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for the Russian president, said: "Putin's daughters are not involved in politics or business. The businessman, Shamalov, is well known. As far as we are aware, all his activities are in line with the laws of the Russian Federation. For many years he has been in the management of the company Sibur, and along with other senior managers is a shareholder. His career and business are not within the sphere of interest of the Kremlin. We do not give comments on the private lives of Putin's close relatives."
