Tuesday 30 April 2013

Actress, Monalisa Lamented: “One Thing I Regret Most Is That I'm Divorced"



When it comes to beauty in Nollywood, one of the names that will quickly come to mind is that of Monalisa Chinda.


But the unfortunate thing about her is that she is presently living alone. Her marriage to Dejo Richards packed up few years ago due to some irreconcilable differences.
While she alleged that Dejo physically abused her in the marriage, those in the camp of her ex-husband denied that, alleging that she caused the separation.

Though Dejo has since married another woman, Monalisa has remained unmarried, though she was recently romantically linked with Lagos socialite, Lanre Nzeribe. The relationship is being kept under the carpet with none of the two denying or confirming the romance tale.

In a recent interview, Monalisa confessed her regrets having to raise the only product of her marriage with Dejo Richards. The union produced Tamar, a beautiful daughter.

According to the UNIPORT Theatre Arts graduate, “one thing I regret most is the fact that I am divorced. That's the only thing I regret, having to raise my child without the father.”

She further added that, “it is a bit painful. But I have to live with it. It's better that way than to expose my little daughter to all sorts of domestic violence. It will definitely affect her upbringing. She will be dis-functional. God knows the best. Maybe, I should have been more careful.”

Warning Strike Begins In Uniabuja




The University of Abuja chapter of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) started a two-week warning strike on Monday over the failure of government to implement a visitation panel report. 
 
The Chairman, Dr Clement Chup, University of Abuja branch of ASUU, who disclose this at a press conference, said Federal Government’s delay in implementing the white paper was not in the interest of the university.
He said the union’s resolution to embark on a two-week warning strike followed government’s failure to listen to the university’s longstanding complaints over governance crisis at institution.
According to him, the specific element of the crisis is the continuing delay in the implementation of the recommendations of the report of the 2012 Presidential Visitation Panel. And the implementation of the report would no doubt commence the needed cleansing and rebuilding that would bring lasting solution to the crisis in the university.
“In view of the deliberate delay of Government to commence implementation of the Dr T. C. Osanakpo Report, eight months after submission, ASUU, University of Abuja chapter, has no option but to embark on a two-week warning strike.
“The Special Visitation Panel has carefully and painfully after eight weeks of work come up with a report that left no one in doubt of the near collapse of the system.
“We understand that a staggering amount of almost N400million of tax payers’ money was expended on the panel and that the panel submitted its report to government on Sept. 21, 2012,” he said.
In reaction to this, Dr Mohammed Damagum, the Chairman, ASUU Integrity Group, University of Abuja, condemned the warning strike, saying members of his group should ignore the action.
He said the call for the strike was unscrupulous, unpatriotic, maliciously calculated and ill-conceived to destabilise the hard-earned peace in the university.
The group chairman called for support for the newly constituted university governing council, adding that the strike was not in the interest on the university.
The question now is, this warning strike, is it affecting the whole university (UNIABUJA) or just a segment of it.

FG Warning To All Polytechnics - Stop Running Post HND & PGD Programmes.





In Abuja – The Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufai, has warned all polytechnics undertaking the post-graduate diploma programmes to stop, saying it is not part of their mandate.

She gave this warning on Monday at the inauguration of the governing councils for the National Teachers Institute, National Educational Research Development Council, 15 federal polytechnics and 19 federal colleges of education.

She directed that henceforth, no polytechnic convocation would hold without issuance of certificates to graduating students.

The minister also ordered that the provosts and registrars of colleges of education must sign NCE certificates as obtained in polytechnics and universities.

“Issuance of certificates to graduating students is a prerequisite for approval for holding convocations; thus no certificate, no convocation,” she directed.

“Governing councils have a strategic role to play in facilitating the required transformation of the tertiary education sector in order to actualise the desire of government to provide easy access without compromising standards and quality.

Rufa’i said that effective strategies should also be developed for early detection and eradication of all forms of vices such as examination malpractice, sexual harassment, extortion, inducement, loss of examination scripts and results.

She advised the councils not to be lured into turning the prestigious fellowship awards to chieftaincy title affairs.

Responding on behalf of his colleagues, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, Chairman, Governing Council of College of Technology, Yaba, pledged to use their appointments to contribute to the development of the education sector.

He thanked the Federal Government for the privilege to serve the country.
But could this warning affect Nigeria students negatively or positively.
What is your own point of view toward this?

JTF Deploys 20 Gunboats To Bayelsa As Kidnappers Abduct Another Five Expatriates.



According to our source, gunmen in the Sagana waterways in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State today kidnapped another five expatriate crew aboard an oil services support vessel, MV City of Xiamen.


 The Niger Delta Operation Pulo Shield, Joint Task Force (JTF) said it has deployed gunboats to find the gunmen and their victims: three Sri Lankans, a Russian and a Myanmarian.

But the spokesperson of JTF, Lt.Colonel Oyenma Nwachukwu, said that the troops are on the trail of the armed kidnappers, noting that they had engaged the troops in a shoot at Adagbarasa/Itagbene in Warri North Local Government Area of the State. He said the troops managed to repel and subdue the firepower of the militants and were closing in on the gunmen.

The spokesperson said the JTF would be engaged in a clean-up operation of the identified hide-outs of kidnappers and pirates.

Last Thursday, nine employees of Octopus Clan Nigerian Limited and Deck Oil Services were seized by unidentified gunmen along the Ilebiri Creek in the Southern Ijaw Area of Bayelsa.

Monday 29 April 2013

Robbers Steal $5m In Asaba

An Onitsha-based bureau-de-change operator was allegedly robbed while exchanging five million dollars into its naira equivalent for a guest in an Asaba hotel.
Robbers Steal $5m In AsabaHis fellow bureau-de-change operator, whom the victim said invited him for the transaction has been arrested.
Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Lucky Uyabeme, confirmed the story.
He said detectives swung into action and arrested one, while investigation is in progress and efforts are on to arrest other suspects , said:
“On April 20, at about 1530 hours, one Chukwudi Ibenye, a bureau-de-change operator residing at Onitsha, reported at GRA Police Station, Asaba, that on the same date one Abdulaziz (surname withheld), a fellow operator residing in Asaba invited him to come to Asaba to exchange some dollars worth N5 million for an unknown customer.
“However, on his arrival at Asaba, the said Abdulaziz took him to meet the purported customer at Southgate hotel Asaba only for him to be robbed of the money by three armed men already hiding in the hotel room before his arrival”.


Source: Vanguard

Rafael Benitez Won't Be Drawn On Prospect of John Terry England Return

Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez is keeping quiet over the prospect of Chelsea captain John Terry making an England return.
photo Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez is keeping quiet over the prospect of Chelsea captain John Terry making an England return.
The 32-year-old defender made back-to-back appearances for the first time since February by featuring in Sunday's 2-0 defeat of Swansea which saw Chelsea consolidate their position in the Premier League top four.
Terry has hinted at a possible England return but Benitez declined to comment on the prospect of the skipper coming out of international retirement which was prompted by his Football Association charge and subsequent ban for racially abusing QPR's Anton Ferdinand.
"That is not my business," said Benitez. "My business is to keep him as fit as possible for every game.
"I only speak to him about Chelsea."
Another of Chelsea's old guard, Frank Lampard, attracted praise following the victory after netting his 201st Chelsea goal.
After setting up Oscar's opener, Lampard, who began the game as a substitute, converted a 45th-minute penalty to move within one of the club record held by the watching Bobby Tambling.
The midfielder is 35 in June, out of contract this summer and his future remains uncertain.
"Frank is a great player," added Benitez.
"I'm really pleased he's scored another goal and hopefully he can score five between now and the end of the season and he'll be much happier and we will be the same."


Source: sky sports

Gareth Bale Plays Down Talk of Move Away From Tottenham

Tottenham winger Gareth Bale has played down talk of a summer move away from White Hart Lane.
photo Tottenham winger Gareth Bale has played down talk of a summer move away from White Hart Lane.
Bale was speaking after collecting the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year Award and Young Player of the Year awards.
The 23-year-old's consistent performances have propelled Spurs towards a top four finish this season.
But Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas has admitted he fears losing the Wales international if the club fail clinch a Champions League spot.
Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona are among the teams already linked with Bale, but the player insisted his focus is on Tottenham.
Bale said: "I just take no notice, it's all speculation, I can't do anything about it.
"I just concentrate on my football and play as well as I can and do my best for the team."
Spurs legends Ricky Villa and Ossie Ardiles joined those saluting Bale's excellence and then spoke of their hope that he remains at White Hart Lane this summer.
"He really is a great player, a top player," Villa said. "He is one of these players who can do different things.
"I expect that he will stay at the club - they have a chance to qualify for Europe and this is a good point for him. I expect him to play for the club for two or three more years.
"Everyone wants to play for these big, big clubs, but he has a lot of things to do for Tottenham.
"Maybe in the next few years he will need to move, but at the moment I believe he is expecting to win something important with this club. This is very important for him, I think."
Ardiles, who moved to Spurs 35 years ago with his compatriot Villa, is also confident that Bale will stay at the club.
He concedes the chances of the player being tempted to leave, though, will increase if Tottenham do not qualify for the Champions League.
"As Villas-Boas has said, we need to be in Europe to keep him and I think this is what is going to happen," said Ardiles, who played 311 times for the north London club.
"He is very happy playing at Spurs - he is a big idol there and a big hero. At the moment he is very happy indeed.
"From the point of view of a Tottenham supporter, I hope he stays for as long as possible at the club."


Source: sky sports

Luis Suarez's Name Booed Twice At PFA Player of The Year Awards

Liverpool forward Luis Suarez's name was booed twice at the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year awards on Sunday.
photo Liverpool forward Luis Suarez's name was booed twice at the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year awards on Sunday.
The PFA came under fire last week for their refusal withdraw Suarez from its Player of the Year shortlist after he bit Branislav Ivanovic during Liverpool's game against the Blues at Anfield.
In a room full of fellow professionals and other guests at the Grosvenor Hotel in Mayfair, Central London, where the awards were handed out, the controversial Uruguayan's name was booed on two separate occasions.
The first time came when he was named in the team of the year, and secondly when his name was read out on the short list for Player of the Year, in which he finished second behind Gareth Bale.
Suarez, who has scored 23 goals in the league this year, received an eight-match ban for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra last season.
Suarez was the only Liverpool player named in the team of the year.


Source: sky sports

Drivers, Police Clash In Ekiti

Commercial drivers operating under the umbrella of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, and men of Ekiti State Police Command engaged in a violent clash for several hours in Ado-Ekiti, weekend
Drivers, Police Clash In Ekiti
The face-off was allegedly caused by the refusal of a police officer to pay N300 transport fare from Akure to Ado Ekiti.
The driver of the 18-seater bus was said to have insisted that the cop must pay his fare like other passengers
The policeman, who was said to be armed, allegedly fired a shot at the bus shattering the rare windshield, which attracted other drivers from nearby, who joined their colleague to beat up the policeman.
After the telling-off by the other drivers and the co-passengers, the policeman, a Sergeant, was said to have reported the case to his colleagues at his police station.
According to the report, the policemen mobilised to the motor-park located in Ajilosun and started shooting sporadically.
The action of the policemen was said to have forced the drivers and commuters at the park to flee into the bush, as the policemen dealt with the drivers that were not fortunate to escape.
The source revealed that as the policemen were firing the shots, the commercial drivers were also replying with dangerous missiles like stones, broken bottles and iron rods, brandishing cutlasses and axes.
Several people were said to have sustained serious injuries in the ensuing melee.
Motorists going towards Ijigbo from the old garage had to make a detour at Irona to escape through the GRA side, while those coming from Ajilosun towards Ijigbo passed through Moferere to Agric at Odo Ado.
But later in the day, the Special Assistant on Internal Security to the Governor, Mr Deji Adesokan, was said to have visited the park and pleaded with the drivers to give peace a chance, Adesokan was said to have promised to take up the matter personally with the governor.
Efforts made to reach out to the NURTW Chairman of the state, Chief Julius Jegede, were unsuccessful as all his telephone lines were switched off.
Meanwhile, the Public Relations Officer of the Ekiti State Police Command, Mr Victor Babayemi, confirmed the incident , saying police was still investigating the cause of the matter.
“ The Command is aware of the incident, but the cause of the matter is still sketchy. We are going to give you the full detail as soon as we conclude our investigation,” he said.
 
 Source: Vanguard