President Goodluck Jonathan turns Footballer As FG Appoints Electricity Generating Football Inventor As ‘Entrepreneurship Ambassador’

(NAN) – The Federal Government has appointed Jessica Mathews, a U.S.-based Nigerian, who invented energy generating football and skipping rope as an `Entrepreneurship Ambassador'.

The Minister of Trade and Investments, Dr Olusegun Aganga, announced this on Friday after the presentation and demonstration of the invented products to President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa.

Aganga said, "Mathews is an inspiration to every Nigerian, especially children, and the product is portrayed as made by a Nigerian for the world.

"The product is actually versatile, it is not just about the electricity you see, you can use it to charge your mobile phones and fans so there are so many things for which it can be used.

"We are also looking at the possibilities of manufacturing it in Nigeria and see how we can make it cheaper in this country.

"I am glad that Matthew has also agreed to be our ambassador in terms of promoting entrepreneurship in our universities.

"What we want to do is to bring successful entrepreneurs like Matthew to inspire the students and make them more creative so that they can also be employers of labour,'' the minister said.

Matthew, an Edo-born inventor, who demonstrated the soccer ball, said it could generate three hours of electricity after 30 minutes of play and could store power for 72 hours.

The electricity generated by the ball, according to her, can be used as electricity source to power lighting points and household equipments.

Mathews, 25, and Co-founder of Uncharted play, said the airless football used as electricity power source when not in use, could span for 18-months before replacement.

The inventor, who studied Psychology and Economics in Havard University, U.S., said she taught herself Electrical and Mechanical Engineering because of her interest in the field

She said her motivation to invent the ball and skipping rope came when she attended a wedding in Nigeria and there was a sudden power outage.

"I am a Nigerian and was in Nigeria, it was my Aunt's wedding and we lost power. How many times, is there anyone who has not been affected?

"For me, I was raised to seek a solution when there is a problem. To be as creative as you can and be opened to different ways so you can address the situation,'' she said.

Mathews, who spoke on why she chose to use football, explained: "to me, we all know that football is the most popular thing in the world.

"To most people, football form is the most convenient; any man on the street will be attracted to kicking football.

"So, the idea is to put something that people really love and get more out of it.

"These are the things we can use to see if we can amplify existing behaviour to bridge the gap between what is working and what is not working in this country that we love so much.

"We take our passion for sports that is so beautiful and we say okay, let's give people renewable clean power that they can control.''

She said the innovation, which had been accepted and already in use in the U.S., would be affordable when mass-produced and introduced into the Nigerian market.

"Right now, if we are going to sell it here in Nigeria, it will be equivalent to what you will pay for a solar inverter.

"Right now, we have not started making them here, we are selling them in New York and in New York, we charge people a lot because it is New York,'' she said.

Dr Reuben Abati, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, said Jonathan congratulated Mathews on her creativity and innovativeness.

"The president is particularly impressed that Matthew is multi-talented, and that she developed herself in science despite that she is a psychologist and economist.

"It is a proof of the quality of human resource we have in Nigeria and the president is proud of her,'' Abati said.

Abati said the president assured that the invention would be used as a major tool to mobilise young children and encourage them to think more deeply.

Colleague, Hoodlums Bath Man With Acid

The Victim, Mr Monday Obinna

(Vanguard) – For Monday Obinnah, the 15th of June, 2013 was a day he would always remember for the rest of his life because it was a day he had a close shave with death. Today, he is still battling with the pains of an acid bath allegedly inflicted on him by a professional colleague and some hoodlums.
Obinnah who is now in pains narrated his ordeal to us, amid sympathizers who thronged daily to console him.

The middle aged man said he is an employee of an advertising firm that is based in Lagos with special attention on outdoor advertising.

According to him, "I am a marketing officer and North Central supervisor of 'Ahaa Media' and we specialize in outdoor advertising which include the mounting of billboards across the country.

"On that fateful day, I travelled to Makurdi to supervise and monitor our billboards in the town, but to my chagrin, I saw that one of our authorised billboards located on Otukpo road, close to Sev-Av Foundation Headquaters had Hero larger beer illegally advertised on it without due authorization.

"I made enquiries as to who posted the advertorial to no avail. I had no option but to climb the board in an attempt to remove the advertised image.

"While I was doing that, one Chidiebere Okugo who claimed he is the sales representative of the firm whose product was advertised on the board, mobilized hoodlums who assisted him to attack me while I was still hanging on the billboard.

"They used dangerous weapons including sticks, stones and what I later realised was a chemical to force me down, but I refused because the way they confronted me, I was afraid for my life.

"And in their desperation to get me down from the billboard, they struck and cut down one of the electric power lines that was close to the billboard which fell on me and almost electrocuted me.

"At that point, I fell down and they descended on me, but I was lucky to have been rescued by a team of Police men from the command headquaters. It was at the police station that I noticed that parts of my body were peeling off."

He said after making his statement at the station, he was granted bail and rushed to a hospital in Makurdi for first aid treatment and afterwards transferred to the National Hospital Abuja and later to the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital where he underwent plastic surgery and is currently battling with pains and life threatening burns on parts of his body.

Meantime, we gathered from the First Information Report, FIR, filed at the Police station by the lead accused, Chidiebere Okugo, a sales representative of the firm whose product was advertised on the billboard, where he claimed that the advert billboard belonged to his company.

He also claimed that he noticed the burns on the victims body when he was taken to the Police station. "It was at the Police station that I noticed injury on the man's body.

"I noticed that his leg and other parts of his body were peeling off and I do not know how to describe it.

"As a sales representative of my company covering Makurdi only, my work does not cover billboards but to my knowledge, the billboard in question is our company's billboard.

"The branding department of our company told me that they are the people who mounted the billboard. I will be surprised to know that my company does not own the billboard in question.

"I am not aware that the billboard is being claimed by another company. Though I was aware that the victim was rushed to the National Hospital Abuja, I did not order anybody to beat him up", Okugo said.

Meanwhile, a Makurdi based legal practitioner, Terfa Akosu has taken up the matter in pursuit of justice for the victim.

Akosu told us in Makurdi that he opted to take up the matter againt the accused and his firm because "the treatment meted out to the victim was dastardly, brutal and beyond comprehension.

"That the young man is still alive today is just by the share grace of God and we strongly believe that justice would be done in the matter to serve as deterrent to others ," Akosu said.

CAN'T WATCH : Wizkid's boo, Tania Omotayo looks away as Eniola Badmus poses with Wizkid (Photo)

So, at Sharon Adeleke's wedding which held yesterday,  movie star Eniola Badmus with her cheerful charisma was able to strike a pose with Wizkid - er, but she left out Wizkid's boo.
Tania had to look away...or so it seems!
See photo below:

 

HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

Goodluck comes with Patience! Patience Jonathan & Supporters Shut Down Abuja With President Jonathan's Re-Election Rally (photos)

The Nigerian women under the auspices of Nigerian Council of Women Society (NCWS), organized a mass rally in support of the President Goodluck Jonathan towards  the 2015 general election, yesterday.

The city of Abuja was shut down as business activities were grounded to a halt due the blockage of routes by security agencies.
All roads from Berger Junction, Central Business Area, and Secretariat were blocked for the rally, which led to the traffic snarl in the city.
Reports say the rally was funded by the first lady and several ministers as well as some state governors loyal to the president.

 To cap the activities of the day an elaborate dinner party held at the International Conference Centre lastbight.
The event featured performances by popular musical artistes including Onyeka Onwenu, Yinka Ayefele, Iyanya, Sani Danja and several Nigerian comedians.
See photos of the rally below:

Man United join race for £30m Willian... and are being offered Madrid star Ozil for £40m

David Moyes has entered the race to bring £30million Brazil attacking midfielder Willian to the Barclays Premier League.
The Anzhi Makhachkala player has already attracted the interest of Liverpool and Tottenham, but Manchester United could hijack those deals.
Liverpool are in advanced discussions with Anzhi regarding a move for the  25-year-old and remain confident of landing him. But United have now made their own enquiry and Old Trafford is believed to be Willian’s preferred destination.

Target: Manchester United could hijack Liverpool and Tottenham's moves for Willian

Under pressure: David Moyes wants to bring a big name to the club this summer

Tottenham retain a long-term interest in the former Shakhtar Donetsk forward and are ready to revive that interest, particularly if Gareth Bale completes his protracted move to the Bernabeu.
Willian has told ESPN he would be open to a move to Liverpool, saying: ‘There was the Manchester City bid that was turned down. Now I’m waiting for a new bid to arrive in the next days from a few clubs, like Liverpool. If it’s really Liverpool, then it is surely a great club. I’m hopeful and very calm, just waiting for the best.
‘England is my goal. I like the Premier League very much, I enjoy the English football and certainly, if that happens, it will be very good for me and for my image.’
United, who are anxious to make a big-name signing, are being offered Real Madrid playmaker Mesut Ozil for £40m.
The Germany star, 24, was a target for Sir Alex Ferguson after the 2010 World Cup but he joined Real instead for £12.5m. Now he is ready to quit the Spanish giants.

Offer: Real Madrid are willing to sell Mesut Ozil to Man United for £40million

 

Ozil’s representatives have made it clear he would welcome a move to United and that Madrid could accept £35m as they look to fund a world-record bid for Bale.
The former Werder Bremen player is under contract until 2016 but is said to have become unsettled by Real’s pursuit of Bale just a year after they beat United to sign Luka Modric from Spurs.
Moyes primarily wants a midfield general and Modric is also in his thinking if the champions admit defeat in their attempts to sign Cesc Fabregas from Barcelona.
The United manager insisted yesterday that he expects to sign players before the transfer window closes. ‘This was always going to be a difficult window for me because I joined United on July 1, so it has given me a short period to get to know the players and the market,’ he admitted. ‘But I’m confident we’ll get players in.’
Moyes has a back-up option in his old Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini but is mindful that the Belgian would not be the headline signing he wants as his first piece of transfer business at United.
Everton boss Roberto Martinez yesterday warned United to forget about trying to take Fellaini on the cheap. Moyes is expected to launch a bid to land Fellaini, for whom he broke Everton’s transfer record when buying him for £15m in 2008.
Everton have not received an offer for Fellaini since the £23m buy-out clause in his deal lapsed on July 31 and it is thought United will offer less than £23m.
But Martinez warned: ‘When you are in a strong position financially you will never sell a player for less than the buy-out clause. But we haven’t received an offer for Fellaini. Maybe clubs know he is happy at Everton.’
The Leighton Baines situation is simpler, after Everton rebuffed United’s £12m bid. ‘They said it was their final offer,’ said  Martinez. 

Going nowhere? Leighton Baines seems set to stay at Everton after United made a 'final' offer

Arsenal have let 17 players go, brought in one (free) and start the season with 11 fit men... so what's going on, Arsene?

If Arsene Wenger has not pushed the panic button yet, then surely his finger is poised over it. A summer that promised so much, has, as it stands, produced so very little.
Come September 2, Arsenal could very well have signed Luis Suarez — but with every passing day, that prospect is looking increasingly unlikely.
The stark reality is that with just 24 hours to go before the start of the season, the Gunners are staring at a full-blown squad crisis.

Failed: Arsene Wenger has brought in only one player and released 17 this summer

Misfit: Inactivity in the market will leave Arsenal relying on the likes of Nicklas Bendtner this weekend

This was supposed to be the summer Arsenal unleashed their financial muscle on the transfer market.
‘We are beginning to see  something we’ve been planning for, which is the escalation in our financial firepower,’ said chief executive Ivan Gazidis in June. 
‘It’s a progression over the next two seasons. It’s quite significant for the club. It means we can look at some options that weren’t really in our financial capability.
‘It really is time now for us to turn that into sporting success. I know Arsene is focused on that and we are together. This is not some veiled message.’
So, there it was. The promise of a significantly stronger squad for the new season, one good enough to finally end Arsenal’s trophy drought — which has now lasted eight  seasons. But in the cold light of day, the squad, going into tomorrow’s clash against Aston Villa, is significantly weaker.

No fewer than 17 players have leftthe Emirates this summer — and so far just one has arrived, little-known French striker Yaya Sanogo, signed from Auxerre on a free transfer.
OK, those who have left —  Gervinho, Andrey Arshavin, Marouane Chamakh and Andre Santos among them — were not first-team regulars.
Nevertheless, Wenger goes into Saturday’s visit of Paul Lambert’s men with just 11 fully-fit outfield senior players.
Thomas Vermaelen, Nacho  Monreal and Abou Diaby are all confirmed to miss the start of the season through injury.
Wenger’s problems have intensified over the last 48 hours with Bacary Sagna sustaining an ankle injury while on international duty and Mikel Arteta picking up a thigh injury in training.

New boy: Yaya Sanogo is Wenger's only signing of the summer - and even he is injured

Well travelled: Santi Cazorla did a 10,000-mile round trip to play with Spain in Ecuador

Sportsmail understands that Arsenal medical staff fear Arteta, who had a scan on Thursday, could miss up to six weeks, which would rule him out of the vital Champions League qualification clashes against Fenerbahce.
All that means Arsenal’s bench on Saturday is likely to include a string of academy players and outcasts such as Nicklas Bendtner. Arsenal fans are worried — and they have every right to be.
They were promised marquee signings which, for one reason or another, haven’t materialised.

Injury blow: Mikel Arteta will be out for around six weeks with a thigh injury

A deal was virtually completed to sign Gonzalo Higuain from Real Madrid, but Arsenal’s decision to prioritise Suarez’s capture meant the move fell through.
Wenger was also interested in  Stevan Jovetic, but he joined  Manchester City. A £14.5m deal for Bayern Munich’s Luis Gustavo also looked to be imminent, but he is on the brink of joining Wolfsburg.
The club had, and to an extent still have, an interest in Wayne Rooney — but their persistent attempts to land Suarez from  Liverpool have seen any move for the Manchester United striker sidelined.

Concern: Thomas Vermaelen is one of a number of players with long-term injury troubles

Wenger will this morning hold his first pre-match press briefing of the new season, with the Frenchman sure to be quizzed on the club’s lack of transfer business.
But, in fairness, it hasn’t been for the want of trying. Two bids for Suarez, one in excess of £40m which Arsenal believed would trigger an escape clause, have been turned down by Liverpool.
An improved bid, just short of the £50m asking price, will be  tabled in the next few days, despite Liverpool’s insistence that the  Uruguayan is not for sale.
Another alternative is Michu, but Swansea made it clear yesterday that they would not entertain bids. Manager Michael Laudrup said that even a ‘ridiculous’ offer will not be enough to land a Spanish striker who was one of the sensations of last season.
Wenger is known to have had Michu, 27, watched on numerous occasions but Laudrup said: ‘This club is economically very good. I know if they came in with a late bid the reaction from the board and chairman will be “No”, even if the money is ridiculous.
‘We would not have time to find a replacement near enough to the same standard. Why be the richest club in the Championship? What is that worth?’

Watched: Michu has been scouted by Arsenal but won't be leaving Swansea for them

Wenger insisted: ‘We are active (in the transfer market). We are in a situation like Manchester United, like Chelsea, where everybody expects signings and at the moment not a lot has happened.
‘There are 18 days to go, so that is a long time in the transfer market and we will be active. I cannot certify what the number (of new signings) will be but we will be active until the end, that is for sure.’
The Arsenal manager’s comments may provide a shred of comfort to the club’s frustrated supporters, who will make their opinions known at the Emirates tomorrow if things do not go their way.
But for some fans the promise of a summer spending spree is one  broken promise too far.
And to make matters worse, the other team in north London have spent close to £60m this summer.

Missing out: Arsenal have been linked with a number of leading names (Suarez left, Gustavo right)

Getting stronger: Arch rivals Spurs have invested more than £60m to close the gap

Source: Daily Mail

EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal midfielder Arteta to miss SIX weeks with thigh tear as Arsenal enter injury crisis

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta is set to miss the first six weeks of the season after sustaining a torn quadricep.
Gunners manager Arsene Wenger revealed on Thursday morning that the vice-captain would undergo a scan after picking up a thigh injury in training.
It was hoped the procedure would flag up a slight strain, ruling him out for a few days.

Injury blow: Mikel Arteta will be out for around six weeks with a thigh injury

Out of action: Arteta will miss crucial Champions League and Premier League games

But the results have shown a tear, meaning the midfielder is likely to miss over a month of the new season.
Arteta will miss the vital Champions League qualification double header against Fenerbahce as well as the opening batch of Premier League games.
'Last year, this squad wasn't wasn't good enough to challenge for the league,' Arteta was quotes as saying in The Sun.
'We suffered a lot of injuries in the last few years and couldn't always put out a consistent team for 10 or 15 games in a row.
'I am convinced there will be signings this summer. We already have a very strong team - and if we get new faces they will be welcome. '
Arteta's thigh is just the latest injury problem for Wenger, who is already without Thomas Vermaelen, Nacho Monreal and Abou Diaby.
Furthermore, Bacary Sagna is facing a race against time to be fit for the season-opener against Aston Villa on Saturday after sustaining an ankle injury whilst on international duty for France.

Transformation: Mikel Arteta is brought to life the new gameplay modes of Splinter Cell Blacklist

 

Mikel Arteta brought to life the new gameplay modes of Splinter Cell Blacklist at a photoshoot to promote the new video game from Ubisoft, which is out to own on Friday 23rd August on Xbox, PS3, PC and Wii U. For more information go to www.splintercell.ubi.com

Family is everything! Peter Okoye spends time with his kids (photos)

 

Peter Okoye is not just a a romantic partner and husband-to-be, he is a great dad! 

The twin brothers - PSquare - will be embarking on a US/Canda tour soon but in the meantime Peter Okoye is having all the fun in the world with his precious kids, Cameron and Fiona. See photos below:

Photos from Davido's Sister "Sharon Adeleke" traditional wedding

Davido, Don Jazzy, Wizkid performed at the wedding which held today at The Ark in Oniru.

2015 Elections: INEC Takes Delivery Of 20 Million Voter’s Card

 (NAN) – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Thursday said it has taken delivery of 20 million permanent voter’s card for 2015 general elections in the country.

Mr Gabriel Ada, the Resident Electoral Commission (REC), in charge of Akwa Ibom, disclosed this in Uyo at a stakeholders meeting organised by the Commission.

He said the voters’ card would help to phase out the temporary voters card in the system.

The REC said the feature of the permanent voter’s card included a micro-chip with bio-data of every voter.

Other features, according to him, include a readable card which every registered voter would present at the polling unit before being allowed to vote.

Ada said the equipment was designed to record the total number of people that are accredited and the total votes cast at each polling unit during elections.

He said the initiative would help to fashion out irregularities in the system and also check unhealthy activities of desperate politicians during election.

The REC said that INEC had restructured the Commission to enhance its operations.

Ada said over 6,000 field officers have been employed to help institutionalise core values in the organisation.

The Head of Department, Electoral Operation INEC, Mr Michael Odey delivered a paper entitled,

“the concept of Constituency Delimitation, at the stakeholders meeting.
He said the commission has concluded arrangement to commence delimitation of constituencies in the country.

He called on the stakeholders to collaborate with the commission to enable it perform its obligations.

Naija Comedian I Go Dye releases new pics

 See more pics of the comedian 

Forced Marriage: Sharia Court Orders Arrest Of Girl’s Father

 (NAN) – A 25-year-old woman, Zainab Shitu of Rafin Guza, Kaduna has dragged her father, Shitu Mohammad, to Magajin-Gari Sharia Court for allegedly preventing her from marrying her “choice husband”.

She told to court on Thursday that her father, Shitu, had refused to give his consent to enable her marry the person she loved and instead was forcing her to marry someone she never knew.
“My father never wanted me to marry my choice but wanted to force me to marry one Abubakar Umar, just because he is his friend’s son, whom I rejected,” she said.

Zainab urged the court to approve her marriage to her heartthrob, Abdulmalik Umar, threatening to commit suicide if her wishes were not respected.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the court had on Aug. 6, when the case was mentioned, directed the father of the complainant to appear before it on Aug 15.
Shitu was however not in court when the case came up and the presiding officer, Khadi Ibrahim Mohammad, issued a warrant for his arrest, and adjourned the case to Aug. 22 for continuation of hearing.

27yr Old Pastor Arraigned In Court Over Alleged Homosexual Activities

A 27-year-old pastor, Emmanuel Onyiuke, Thursday, appeared before an Abuja Senior Magistrate Court, Karu, Abuja, charged with  homosexualism which he was said to have practiced on a 19-year-old.
Onyiuke, who is the General Overseer of Divine Power Healing Ministry in Jikwoyi, FCT, committed the alleged offence on August 2.

The accused was arraigned on a four-count charge of causing hurt by means of poison with intent to commit homosexual and unnatural offence.

Prosecutor Atteh Effiong told the court that the accused gave the 19-year-old some alcoholic drinks, which were laced with sleep inducing substance.

He said: “The victim woke up and saw himself lying on the bed of the accused person in his
bedroom.“The accused had sexual intercourse with him through his anus against his will which left him with serious injuries afterwards”.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.The counsel to the accused made an oral application for bail.

Ruling on the application for bail, Senior Magistrate Anna Akobi granted bail to the accused in the sum of N200,000 and a surety in like sum.

Akobi held that the surety must be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 10, who must reside within the jurisdiction of the court.
She adjourned the case to September 19.

I Kidnapped 2yr Old Girl To Raise Money For My Personal Upkeep – LAUTECH Student

 A 24-year-old student of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, reportedly told the police that he planned to use the ransom placed on a two-year-old girl he kidnapped for his personal upkeep.

Tosin Adegbite, an engineering student in the university, was paraded at the Oyo State command of the Nigeria Police, Eleiyele, Ibadan on Thursday, for allegedly kidnapping the girl from her mother at Ile-Alaroje area of Ogbomoso on August 9.

He called the parents to ask for N700, 000 to secure her release.

While parading the suspect, the state Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Indabawa, said he was arrested after a distress call was received in respect of the incident.

The police boss informed that one jack knife, two cellotape, one face cape, one cable wire, a pair of the victim’s sandals and one LAUTECH identity card were among the items recovered from the suspect.

5yr Old Girl Abducted At Redemption Camp

Oluwaseun Ogungbemile

The abduction of a five-year-old girl, Oluwaseun Ogungbemile, at the Redemption Camp of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, has thrown her parents into panic.
It was learnt that the girl, in company with her parents, had gone to the camp at Kilometre 46 on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ogun State, to attend the one-week annual convention of the church that ended on Sunday.

We learnt that the girl, who is the youngest child of her parents, was last seen playing with two of her cousins on Friday, August 9, 2013.

The victim’s aunt, Omotade Odunowo, told our correspondent that the matter had been reported to the police.

She said, “She (Oluwaseun) was staying at a rented chalet in the camp along with her parents. Around 10am on that day, she was seen with two of her younger cousins, who are between the ages of two and three.

“After sometime, we did not see her again. Due to the young ages of the little children who were with her at the time of her disappearance, we have not been able to know what happened exactly.”
Odunowo said all efforts to trace the victim’s whereabouts proved abortive and the family believed that she had been abducted.

She said the family had searched every nook and cranny of the camp and reported to the relevant authorities in RCCG, all to no avail.

She added that no one had called the family to demand a ransom.

Odunowo said, “We have been traumatised since then and cannot wait for the safe return of our daughter back home. We shall therefore be extremely grateful to receive any information that may lead to our reunion with Oluwaseun. She is adorable, smart and talks a lot.”

She said the girl’s parents had not been alright since the incident. She said the mother had refused to go back to work since her daughter went missing.

She said, “Oluwaseun’s mother has not left the Redemption Camp since the incident occurred. She is still hoping that the person that took her away would bring her back.”

When contacted on the telephone, the state police command’s Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the incident to our correspondent, adding that the matter was being investigated at the Redemption Camp Police Station.

“The parents of the victim said they came to the camp with eight children and one of them had gone missing. We have swung into action and we want to assure the family that the little girl will be found,” he said.

A security official at the church, who refused to identify himself, said the matter had been reported to
the police.

He however refused to disclose further information, adding that it was not the wish of the church that the news of the abduction be leaked to members of the public.