Nigerians create records at Rio 2016 Olympics

Rio de Janeiro – At least three of the many Nigerian athletes in the ongoing Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games created records of sorts that will be cherished in a longtime to come.

The trio with records are two table tennis stars, Segun Toriola and Aruna Quadri as well as Rower, Chierika Ukogu .

Segun  Toriola

Aruna Quadiri

The 41 year-old Toriola had his 7th appearance in the current Games, equaling the table tennis record. This has made him the most capped African Olympian. Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri set another continental record after the 2014 ITTF star became the first African to reach the quarterfinals of men’s singles event at Rio 2016 Olympic Games.


Ukogu on the other hand, qualified for top classification in the rowing event in Rio.

Chierika Ukogu

She is Nigeria’s first ever rower in the Olympics to have got that far, placing fifth in the third quarter final of the Women’s single sculls after clocking a time of 7:54.44 secs. She will now participate in the semi finals C/D 1 event on Wednesday. This is the 23-year-old’s first ever appearance in the Olympics.

NEW VIDEO: Simi X Praiz – Outta My Head

X3M Music artists Simi and Praiz release first musical collaboration. 

The song is titled 'Outta My Head', and its about a love-struck couple that tries to keep their love alive in the midst of their relationship rainstorm.

The summer just got lit once more with this outstanding effort-of-a-song by Simi and Praiz, so enjoy, download below and don’t forget to leave your comments behind.

The House genre single is a perfect canvas for Simi as she pours out her feelings. Praiz follows suit making it even more magical.

The video directed by Josh Clarke paints a story of a broken relationship infuses with beautiful scenery of the Southern Safari.

Watch video after cut.....

Flash Back Friday!! Dream Team Triumph over Brazil in Atlanta '96

As Nigerians wish their U-23 football team "Dream Team" luck at the Rio 2016 Olympics in Brazil, we flashback to that historic outing 20 years ago when Nigeria triumphed over Brazil in a semifinal encounter in Atlanta Olympics.

Oghenakaro Etebo scored four goals last night for the West African country as they kicked off their Rio campaign, but will he emulate the heroics of Kanu Nwankwo and lead the Nigerian team to glory in Brazil?

Watch the highlights of the Brazil vs Nigeria game in Atlanta below:

Simi Blasts Fan for Art Work

People(fans) make drawings and paintings of their favourite celebrities and role models which in turn the celebrity acknowledges this gift with warm heart and gratitude.

Today someone made an interesting drawing of Simi that didn't get the heartfelt gratitude from the Love Don't Care singer.

Do you think there’s anything wrong with the drawing? Or is Simi just refusing to appreciate a dedicated fan’s effort?

Iyanya can't take a joke as he threatens Hit FM OAP in leaked phone call

It was reported yesterday that Nigerian singer superstar, Iyanya threatened an On air personality of Hit FM, Calabar.

The OAP known as Last Prophet had his radio show Otwetwe, on August 2, 2016 where he talked about Iyanya parting ways with his former partner and manager Ubi Franklin.

The OAP during his show said ‘he wondered if Iyanya was planning to return back to Calabar where he started from’.

Not long after the show, Iyanya put a call through to the OAP threatening him.

In Iyanya’s words:

‘I don’t depend on my strive (sic), but i depend on God to take me further, this is Iyanya speaking, brother let this be the first and the last time that you will make that kind of statement that you made about me on your show. I have never had any issue with you, don’t ever in your whole life mention my issue with Ubi on your show. I’ve had different people call me to make that report, the next time you do I’ll show you another side of me’.

Reaching out to the OAP, Last Prophet said:

‘I was shocked at Iyanya’s phone call. I’m a comedian and OAP, my show is a comedy show in pidgin English. All I did was make jokes from the situation, which is what anyone else would have done. I only feel bad because I’m sure he would not do that to any OAP in Lagos; he did it to me because he feels I’m in Calabar and he can just threaten me like that.

Listen to the audio below.....

Toke Makinwa Comments on Pastor Adeboye's Advice

Since the famous advice from Pastor Enoch Adeboye to both men and women, which he said for men not to marry a woman who can't pray for more than an hour and for women not to marry a man who doesn't have a job.

Some Nigerians didn’t take it kindly and reacted on twitter, while many others believe it is worth it.

Popular OAP, Toke Makinwa has some words for people on the matter. She shared her thoughts on twitter and said:

Team USA Thrash D'Tigers of Nigeria 110-66 in Rio16 Olympics Warm Up Game

The U.S. men’s national basketball team finished off its pre-Olympics warm up games with a 110-66 win over D'Tigers of Nigeria on Monday night. The Americans had no trouble sweeping through their four-game exhibition schedule and enter Rio looking like the heavy favorites to take the gold.

The game at Toyota Center started out close but quickly turned into a blowout. Team USA went on a 30-6 run in the first half to blow things wide open then steadily built on its lead with good defense and shooting.

Even though the U.S. wasn’t playing its best, its talent advantage is almost always present. The team’s ability to spread size and length across all five positions makes mismatches a near constant. A shorter three-point line compared to the NBA means elite shooters like Kevin Durant and Klay

Thompson can start gunning from even closer than usual. Nobody has figured out how to score regularly on these guys, either.

Nigeria was able to get some penetration at times but found itself stuck from there. DeAndre Jordan, Durant and the other rim protectors were always ready to make things difficult. Nigeria doesn’t have the three-point shooting to drive, kick it out and regularly make defenses pay, especially given the length that the U.S. has in closing out. Nigeria shot 4-of-29 from three in this game (including 0-of-23 to start), which was the biggest reason they fell behind so quickly. You can’t shoot 14 percent from three against anyone, but especially not against Team USA.

The Americans shot 54 percent from the floor, including 13-of-33 from three. Carmelo Anthony led the team with 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting. Klay Thompson wasn’t far behind with 17 points, while Durant scored 14. Kyle Lowry almost had a triple-double with 11 assists, eight points and eight rebounds in 27 minutes.

DeMar DeRozan, who scored 13 points in 22 minutes, is clearly on a mission to dunk all over the world this summer. He tried to do a 360 while dunking on someone against China, and now this:

Look at Durant’s reaction. Even DeRozan’s own teammates think these dunks are just absurd (in a good way, of course).

For Nigeria, the leading scorer was Chamberlain Oguchi, who scored 21 points on 8-of-17 shooting. Oguchi hit all four of Nigeria’s three-pointers. Alade Aminu, the brother of Blazers forward Al-Farouq Aminu, added 13 points on 6-of-10 shooting. The other Aminu is no longer participating with the national team this year, reportedly due to complications over insuring his NBA contract. Former NBA players Ike Diogu and Ben Uzoh added 10 points apiece.

It was another strong defensive effort for Team USA, which will enter Rio looking very strong on that end of the floor. The team’s shooting came and went during the showcase, but defense ensured that the final results were never all that close. Coach K’s team allowed just 56.3 points per game during the four exhibitions.

The competition will be much tougher in Rio, where the stakes are higher and the talent is more plentiful, but the past few games have made it clear the U.S. is yet again the team to beat. They’re going to be brutally tough on defense and spread the floor with shooting galore. As we saw again against Nigeria, most teams won’t really be able to match up against that.

Credit: SB Nation

Rio 2016: Nigerian 4x400m women’s relay team banned from Olympic Games

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has disqualified  Nigeria’s 4x400m women’s relay team and will not participate in next month’s Olympic Games in Brazil, according to reports from Complete Sports.

Nigeria’s disqualification is due to the positive drugs test of Tosin Adeloye at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Super Grand Prix/Warri Relays in Warri, Delta State on July 24, 2015.

Adeloye was a member of the Nigerian quartet that finished fourth at the IAAF World Championships last year in August. She actually ran the third leg in the semi-finals where the team ran 3:23.27 seconds, the second fastest time in Nigeria’s all-time record, Adeloye also ran the third leg in the final.

Other members of the quartet were Regina Goerge who ran the first leg, Funke Oladoye who ran the second leg and Patience Okon-George who anchored the team to finish fourth.

Adeloye’s positive drugs test has earned her a ban for eight years which implies that all results she achieved from the period she tested positive, whether  individually or jointly will be annulled.

NFF settles with Paul le Guen as New Coach

The Nigerian Football Federation appoints French man Paul le Guen as the new Super Eagles coach,on the recommendation of the Nigerian Football Federation technical committee.

The 52-year-old  former Paris Saint Germain coach succeeds Sunday Oliseh, who left the post after his failed expedition at the 2016 African Nations Championship.

He will be assisted by Salisu Yusuf , Imama Amapakabo and Alloy Aguwho will serve as goalkeeper trainer.

Paul Le Guen had a brief spell in Africa when he took charge of the Indomitable lions of Cameroon in 2009 and took them to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Most recently, he was in charge of the Oman National team where he took them to the 2015 AFC Asain Cup.

His first challenge will be  against Tanzania in the 2017 African Nations Cup qualifier in September. 

Actor Femi Jacobs: ''Not Everyone will be an Entrepreneur''

Nollywood actor Femi Jacobs shared this via Instagram. He addressed people who look down on hardworking employees and have the mindset that everyone must be an entrepreneur. Also on twitter According to him,

Let's not shame honest people who wake up daily to do honest work.
Let's not breed entitlement in the name of enlightenment.
Let's not negate character by raising a generation on HIGHMINDEDNESS.
I am in favor of RESIDUAL INCOME sources and the gospel of PERSONAL DREAMS.
But to say everyone MUST BE AN ENTREPRENEUR is to be practically insincere.
I am often sometimes tempted to tell some so called ENTREPRENEURS to go work for a while to even be able to understand what building a dream is like.
I know some incredible working class people who are inspiring and prosperous in the way they go about their jobs.
It's not a crime to help someone build their dreams and be rewarded handsomely for it.
To those wonderful entrepreneurs who are creating jobs and raising dreams, I say Welldone.
And to those wonderful workers who go out daily to give a good account of their stewardship I say God bless. NO SHAME IN YOUR GAME.
#BeBig
#BeWell

Madness: Hausa Man Rapes 10 yr old Girl in Port Harcourt

It was gathered that the little girl was sent by her mother at about 8pm to buy the item from Bashir who runs the provision shop in an estate in the area when he pounced on her and violently defiled her and she gave up the ghost few days later in a private hospital from internal injuries.

The state chapter of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), as well as the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), have come out to embark on a campaign for the suspect not to be granted bail until he is tried.

The chairperson of NAWOJ in the state, Lillian Okonkwo, alleged that friends and relatives of Bashir had been making efforts to get him out on bail, noting that before he was finally arrested, the police was initially reluctant to go after him until NAWOJ and FIDA mounted pressure on them.

“It is unfortunate that she died. But we are appealing that the bail being sought by the relatives of Bashir should not be granted,” Okonkwo said in a statement.

Ahmed Musa talks up Similarities with Vardy

JamieVardy was one of Leicester City’s best players last season, scoring 22 goals as the impressive Foxes went against all odds to win the Premier League title.

Musa who just signed from CSKA Moscow thinks he and his Leicester City teammate are similar in size and style of play.
“It doesn't matter what size you are, it's what you can do that matters. I think I am like Jamie Vardy. I have speed, I like to work hard, we are similar in lots of things,” the striker told Sky Sports.
"Am I faster? I can't say yet, I have never played with him. But I am looking forward to finding out. I'm looking forward to playing with Vardy. I like his style. I think we can fit well together."

Musa started his football career at a local side in Nigeria called GBS Football Academy, before playing for JUTH F.C and Kano Pillars.
Before his professional career, the forward revealed that he was a goalkeeper before switching positions.
"I was a goalie between 10 and 12, but changing was the best decision of my life because I would never have been good enough to become a professional goalkeeper,” he added.

Later in the interview, Musa who won the Russian Premier League last season with CSKA Moscow admitted that the Premier League is tougher.
"The intensity here is quite different to Russia. Here it is a little bit harder, in Russia they are more laid back. I think that is the most difficult thing,” he said

3 THINGS TO LEAVE BEHIND IN 2015

These are literally the final moments of what has been an interesting year. 2015 has come and it is about to go in a hurry. We all fought battles this year, won most of them, lost some – but in all we were never alone; these final moments should be the time to thank those who fought out battles with us last year – because we’ll need them on the new battlefield that is 2016. 

As the new year approaches too, we can identify so many things that happened last year, which to be quite frank, are not good enough. These things happen both personally and nationally (we’ll talk about the national aspect).
Listening to the President during the media chat yesterday sent me a whole lot of vibes, many good, many others not – so – good. Bottom line though is that as a country, we need to drop so many things in 2015.

1. Sensationalism 

The GCFR mentioned this in one of his answers yesterday. Nigerians are very quick to “sympathize” with just about anyone who claims to have a fight with the government – and this should not be so. Our country is going through hard times and as such, the government needs our support prayers now more than ever.
This Biafra brouhaha in itself is very bad for everyone, but it is made worse by the number of youths who are (permit me to say blindly) raising their arms in vandalism to prove a point they are not even sure of. This fight and others like it need to stop because in a country as big as Nigeria, different sets people will ALWAYS feel marginalized – we don’t need to make a war out of it.

2. Ungratefulness

Someone once said that even if Jesus were to personally come and fix Nigeria, some people would still accuse him of having sinister motives. That person is not far from the truth. Nigerians can be just about anyone but what do we choose to be, ungrateful. This country has a very uninteresting culture of not being able to appreciate good deeds, instead we will find one reason or another to justify out ungratefulness, please friends, let us drop this attitude in 2015. Every form of ungratefulness we show to friends, family and anyone else is wrong and should be dropped. Thank you.

3. Selfish, self – serving attitude

This annoying attitude of ours was brought to the fore more than ever during the Paris bombing last month. People, it is ok to sympathize with other people. No additions or conditions, anything else is selfishness. We live in a country where a Yoruba or Igbo man/woman can open their mouths to say” thank God they are killing their own people” when they get the news of another boko haram attack, yet we call ourselves a nation.
If we cannot show sympathy to our fellow countrymen what charity is there for us to leave home with. Enough is enough.
Let us please drop these attitudes and doings this year and watch our nation go higher in 2016. Have a blessed New Year and pray for Nigeria and the world.

STILL ON THE FUEL ISSUE AND A LESSON FROM MY CHILDHOOD

Still on this fuel thing. I have been sitting on this post for a while now. It has to do with some memories which I’m weirdly fond of.

OUR OWN SANTA ONLY SHARES MONEY - LOTS OF IT

Well, it seems the identity of Santa is not much of a secret this year. It also seems that Santa is not into gifting kids this year too, but older men and women - politicians mostly (although we cannot really understand the yardstick for his decision completely).

What's even more interesting is Santa's policy to forget the days of miniature gifts boxed beautifully and sometimes in such a way as to conceal its identity - this year Santa had decided to come out straight and unbox it all on the pages of our national dailies.

HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS MORNING

Good people, good morning. I bet you all had excellent nights. It is Monday again. The dreaded Monday (for some). Hope you offered prayers for peace in the world.

Needless to say, this was a very eventful weekend both nationally and throughout the world.

At home, Kogi state governorship elections held and the results, though inconclusive have been given the back seat as the candidate of the APC, Audu Abubakar died before an outright winner could be announced.

HERE'S A FEW OF WHAT MADE NEWS TODAY

Good morning beautiful people, by now I believe you have made it a habit to include Nigeria and the whole world in your prayers every morning. We will pray this country back to health. While we do that though, it is noteworthy to remind us that the answers to our prayers will not come in one day, but they will surely come.

President Buhari assures on privatisation as Peugeot returns to Nigeria

According to the Vanguard, President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated the commitment of his administration to privatisation and commercialisation policy.

This was even as Peugeot Automobiles Nigeria Limited announced that it would return next year for full commercial operations.

President Buhari spoke when he gave audience to Peugeot’s Executive Vice President for Africa and the Middle-East, Mr. Jean-Christophe Quemard at a courtesy visit at the presidential Villa in Abuja yesterday.

President Buhari however stated that greater consideration would be accorded to the technical and managerial competence of prospective buyers of government-owned companies.

A statement by the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu stated that in the privatisation policy ” higher premium will be placed on the technical competence and financial clout of bidders in future privatisation exercises to avoid the running aground of privatised companies by ill-equipped and incapable investors.”

The president noted that “privatization could only succeed and yield desired benefits if buyers of government-owned companies possess essential skills and resources.”

Speaking earlier, Mr. Quemard assured the President that Peugeot was ready to reinvest in vehicle assembly in Nigeria.

He said that the company had outlined a three-phased plan to resume vehicle assembly first with 4,000 cars, rising up to 10,000 cars by 2021.

PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI INSPECTING A PEUGEOT CAR BROUGHT TO THE STATE HOUSE BY PAN NIGERIA ON THURSDAY

He however asked for appropriate policies and actions from the federal government.

According to him, the action will dovetail into higher local content in the assembly of Peugeot cars in Nigeria and the exportation of locally assembled Peugeot cars from Nigeria to neighbouring African countries.

It will be recalled that Peugeot Automobiles Nigeria Limited was privatized some years ago.

It has technically reverted to government ownership with up to 85 per cent of its shares now held by the Federal Government and the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).

Jonathan, symbol of democracy in Africa – Ex-US President

Former United States President Jimmy Carter has poured encomiums on Nigeria’s former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The 39th US President described Jonathan as a symbol of democracy on the African continent.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan

He made the remark while receiving Jonathan at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum located at the Carter Center in Atlanta, reports Reports Afrique.

They were said to have held a fruitful meeting at the Carter Center where they held a wide-ranging discussion on global issues and shared views on how to promote peace, democracy and good governance in Africa and the world.

Speaking on Jonathan’s time in office, Carter said: “President Goodluck Jonathan is the symbol of democracy in action. You set an example that other African leaders should follow.”

The former American President also praised Jonathan for organizing a transparent election and easily conceding defeat and handing over to the opposition.

By so doing, he said that Jonathan showed his deep democratic commitment.

Responding, Jonathan said that his actions while in office were informed by his belief in a peaceful, transparent and people-oriented governance, adding that Africa can only move forward through democracy and good governance.

He commended President Carter for the exemplary manner he had in his post-presidential life, adding that he was inspired by Carter’s commitment to causes that advance the path of humanity.

Jonathan and Carter share a common experience as one term Presidents and have both retired involuntarily from politics while rededicating their lives towards making the world a better place.

They both agreed that peaceful and stable government increase foreign direct investment and sustainable development.

PRAYER ALONE WILL NOT FIX THE WORLD

I choose to pick the words of a great man, the Dalai Lama as my headline for today for many reasons, but most importantly because they are wise and true. It is a very Nigerian thing to pray rather than act when confronted with a problem, and it is a mentality we need to change.

When asked about the necessity of praying for Paris in the wake of last Friday’s attacks, he said, "People want to lead peaceful lives. The terrorists are short-sighted, and this is one of the causes of rampant suicide bombings.

We cannot solve this problem only through prayers. I am a Buddhist and I believe in praying. But humans have created this problem, and now we are asking God to solve it. It is illogical. God would say, solve it yourself because you created it in the first place.

We need a systematic approach to foster humanistic values, of oneness and harmony. If we start doing it now, there is hope that this century will be different from the previous one. It is in everybody's interest.

So let us work for peace within our families and society, and not expect help from God, Buddha or the governments".

Another set of people who need prayers this morning is MTN, as Governors of Nigerian states have commended the NCC on the record – breaking N1.04tn fine imposed on the telecommunications giant and insisted that the South African company must pay for their disregard for the laid out instructions.

International analysts think this will scare off investors, but I doubt if most Nigerians care. Sometimes you find yourself feeling bad for MTN, then you try to browse the internet and the network is as slow as an injured snail, you feel like killing MTN, but you realize that murder is bad but a fine is better.

Worse still for MTN, they have been fined $622,000 by the Ugandan Government.

Moving on to other issues, morning routines have now been altered; after your morning prayers (where I’m sure you prayed for your country), the next thing to do is to go look for fuel. The prices are rising; everybody at the station thinks they know who is to blame; you just keep quiet and wait for your turn, panic – buy as much as you can afford; go home, return to your routine.

More news, The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) said on Thursday that the population of Internally Displaced People (IDP) in the North East had risen to 2.2million due to the activities of you – know – who (Boko Haram).

Facebook is in the news today, the social networking giant has activated its famous “safety check” for Nigeria. This feature helps users to know if their friends are family members are safe in the event of an explosion.

Kogi state goes to the polls tomorrow to elect a new governor, and while we pray for hitch – free, peaceful and fair elections; Kogites however, must not pray for the result but go out and vote for candidates of their choice.

This big aunty from FRSC on TV just said ABS light on your car means your Airbag needs maintenance. I used to think this meant Antilock Braking System and SRS for airbags – but I’m not the expert, am I?

Robbers reportedly killed six people in Ibadan yesterday, among them a pregnant woman and two policemen. The police have however confirmed the death of only one officer.

It is another morning bearing plenty bad news; but it will get better and not just by praying, but by also making efforts – good efforts.