Okonjo-Iweala , Alison-Madueke, 38 Others Make Ministerial List

Okonjo-Iweala , Alison-Madueke, 38 Others Make Ministerial List Former Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, is the South-east zonal nominee in the new cabinet to be constituted by President Goodluck Jonathan. In what can be described as a “semi-final” list awaiting final journey to the Senate on Monday, the final list drafted by the president’s selection committee contains 40 names. The list the president will forward to the senate for screening when you continue... North-west:Ambassador Bashir Yuguda (Zamfara),Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman (Sokoto),Prof. Ruqqayatu Rufa’i (Jigawa),Alhaji Yusuf Abubakar (Kaduna),Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman (Kano),Alhaji Mohammed Musa Sa’ada (Katsina),Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed (Kebbi),Hajia Abiba Isah Dutse (North-west) South-south:Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke (Bayelsa),Mr. Tonye Cole (Rivers),Mrs. Martina Odom (Cross River),Elder Godsday Orubebe (Delta),Mr. Mike Onolememen (Edo),Prof. Ita Okon Bassey-Ewa (Akwa Ibom) South-east:Mrs Biola Viola Onwuliri (Imo),Prof. Barth Nnaji (Enugu),Mrs. Stella Odua-Ogiemwonyi (Anambra),Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu (Ebonyi),Mr. Emeka Wogu (Abia),Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (South-east) North-central:Mr. Mohammed Adoke (Kogi),Malam Bolaji Abdullahi (Kwara),Mr. Labaran Maku (Nasarawa),Hajia Zainab Ibrahim Kuchi (Niger),Dr. Samuel Loraer Ortom (Benue),Dr. Jonah Madugu (Plateau),Comrade Abba Moro (North-central) South-west:Dr. Olusegun Aganga (Lagos),Ms. Olajumoke Akinjide (Oyo),Mr. Akinwunmi Ayo Adesina (Ogun),Erelu Olusola Obada (Osun),Mrs. Omobola Johnson Olubusola (Ondo),Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade (Ekiti),Amb. Olugbenga Ashiru (South-west) North-east: Alhaji Bukar Tijjani (Borno),Mr. Obadiah Ando (Taraba),Senator Idris Umar (Gombe),Dr. Yerima Lawan Ngama (Yobe),Hajia Zainab Maina (Adamawa),Senator Bala Mohammed (Bauchi),Dr. Mohammed Pateh (North-east) Source: Thisday

ANDRE VILLAS BOAS: The Special One Mark II

Through the Portugese Securities Market Commision Porto FC announced that Andre Villas-Boas has tendered his resignation as Porto coach and his contract will be terminated when the release clause is paid.

With this development pleasing quite alot of Chelsea lovers, i want to tell you how this 33 year old man kept coming to my attention and so i thought to do a bit of reading up on this young Portuguese manager and was suitably impressed and intrigued by the similarities in Boas's path into football was to the 'Special One'.

Luís André de Pina Cabral e Villas-Boas was born on the 17th October 1977. Andre Villa-Boas's childhood was just like any other Portuguese child. He played sports but did not excel certainly not at Football anyway, and anybody predicting that this young Portuguese boy would make a ('Potentially' anyway) Top Manager would have been questioned by even the most imaginative person. In fact, Andre's path into Football was as complicated if not more so than Jose Mourinho's path ! It all started when Sir Bobby Robson, who was Manager of Porto, moved into the same Apartment block that Andre and his family lived. Andre Villa-Boas was a 16 year old Porto fan, so for the Manager of his team to be living in the same Apartment block was a big deal to him. Robson, was just beginning his career at Porto but had achieved success at Ipswich, England and PSV Eindhoven and had even had a short stay at Sporting Lisbon where he had surprisingly been sacked despite having Sporting at the top of the league. Andre despite having admiration for Sir Bobby, questioned his decision to leave striker Domingos Paciencia on the bench too often for Andre's liking. Andre, had even asked Sir Bobby for a position at Porto, which Bobby had kindly declined, but young Villas-Boas was persistent. When he sent Sir Bobby a letter again questioning his wisdom in only using Paciencia as a substitute, Sir Bobby asked him to back up his argument with facts which Villas-Boas did in emphatic fashion ! Robson, was so impressed with the quality of Villa-Boas's data and in depth analysis to back up his argument that he gave him the role of trainee youth team coach. Villas-Boas's love of the game was evident to Robson who ensured that he nutured the youngster in order to help him flourish. Robson sent Andre Villas-Boas to Lilleshall in England to undertake his coaching badges. Being only 17 years old, Andre was the youngest student, by some margin, undertaking his Coaching Badges. Andre Villas-Boas gained his UEFA C license agaed just 17. Sir Bobby then used his contacts in the game to give Boas some experience and arranged for him to spend some time at Robson's former club Ipswich Town working with George Burley. Andre's grandmother who was English also aided Andre by teaching him the English Language which ensured he became fluent in English, which also aided his progression as he was able to communicate on a wider level. When Andre returned back to Porto after his 'Work Experience' he was offered a job in the British Virgin Islands working for their Football Association. This step was made easier as a direct result of his excellent communication skills and his command of the English Language. Once settled into his new surroundings Andre undertook a coaching position with the British Virgin Islands Football Association. Andre spent 18-months over there before he returned to FC Porto, where he was offered a coaching role with Porto's under-19 side. The job offer incidentally was made by the new man in charge, his name ; Jose Mourinho ! Not long into Villas-Boas's new employment, Jose identified a different role for him and remembered Villas-Boas's attention to detail that had impressed Sir Bobby Robson so much. Jose promoted Andre to the role of opposition scout. Andre thrived in the role of 'Opposition Scout' or the more creatively entitled 'director of opposition intelligence'. His attention to detail meant he left no stone unturned and allowed Mourinho to tailor his plans for the opposition perfectly as a result of the data that Andre provided. Part of Villas-Boas's role would be to scout Porto’s upcoming opponents and provide dossiers for Jose and his players. Jose Mourinho and Andre Villas-Boas enjoyed a successful partnership at Porto, the highlight of which was winning the UEFA Champions League in 2002. When Jose left Porto for Chelsea he took Andre Villas-Boas with him. He has performed the same role at Chelsea and Inter. Like Jose though, Andre Villas-Boas was supremely ambitious and wanted more than just to be a scout. In October 2009, Andre left Inter Milan to become manager of Academica in Portugal’s top flight. His only season at Academica saw them finish in 11th place in the division. To the surprise of a number of people, Porto’s president Jorge Pinto da Costa made an approach for Villas-Boas as he wanted Andre to become Porto’s latest manager. Villas-Boas agreed to join Porto and left his role as Academica boss and replaced Jesualdo Ferreira as Manager of Porto. As I did mention earlier, Andre like Jose Mourinho has become a manager without any playing career of his own. This fact is almost unheard of in the World of Football. Both pay great attention to detail and their analysis of upcoming opponents probably sets them apart from a lot of managers around the World.

Andre really has walked a similar path to Jose that path has led him into Football Management. Both have been assistant managers at top clubs and both managed to secure managerial jobs in the Portugese Top Division with little previous experience which in itself is no mean feat ! Mourinho managed Lieira and done well securing their highest ever league finish, whilst Villas-Boas's first attempt saw him avoid Relegation with Academia. Which was certainly one of the reasons why people raised eyebrows when Porto came calling. The similarities between Villas-Boas and Mourinho are almost uncanny. Whilst Jose is a master of psychology and playing mind-games, possibly his greatest strength comes in motivating his teams. Jose always seems to be loved by his players who carry out his gameplan to a tee. Jose has also shown demonstrated that he is a great tactician and this is evidenced in the organisation of his teams. Villas-Boas has certainly displayed some of the above qualities that Mourinho possesses but he states very clearly that he is his own person. Certainly Andre demonstrated his own tactical ability last season as Porto swept all the teams aside. Whether or not Andre possesses the same charisma and whether he manipulates the media in the same way Mourinho does remains to be seen. However, he does possess the same supreme confidence in his own ability as well as the same will to win that Jose has in abundance. Andre required those attributes when he took over at Porto from Jesualdo Ferreira. Ferreira's record at Porto had been excellent and this only increased the pressure on Villas-Boas. Ferreira after all had won 3 successive titles in his 4 year stint at Porto. Despite that tremendous record, Ferreira paid for his job when his Porto side could only manage a 3rd Place finish. That supreme confidence was required and was demonstrated in abundance by Villas-Boas when he was with Porto. Last season saw guide Porto to a title treble, winning both the league and league cup as well as the Europa League. Porto ended last season unbeaten with 27 wins in 30matches, becoming only the second Portugese club to finish a league season unbeaten, after Benfica 1972/73. A quirky fact from the Europa League Final was that Braga where managed by Domingos Paciencia, the former Porto Striker who Villas-Boas had written to Sir Bobby Robson about all those years previous ! At the end of the match Villas-Boas displayed the classy side of his nature by thanking both Jose Mourinho and in particular Sir Bobby Robson for guiding him in his career. That for me was a really nice touch and demonstrated some humility that is sometimes found wanting in the Professional Game nowadays. People are making noises that Andre will become the new Jose Mourinho and the similarities are there for all to see. I think that Villas-Boas will want to be judged in his own right and as a mini Mourinho! He has certainly made a very good start to his Managerial career and I am sure there are worse managers to be compared to these days. I wait to see him do more exploits in Chelsea though i can only hope the fans would be patient with Villa-Boas.

Bank Staff Steals N25m From ATM

A bank staff, Adesanya Stephen Adeyemi, shocked the management of a new generation bank, after he manipulated the bank’s Automated Teller Machine, ATM, and allegedly carted away N25 million without officials detecting it.

He has been charged to Lagos magistrate’s court at Igbosere for stealing.

The 34-year old Adeyemi, who is a staff of the bank, was alleged to have manipulated the system and withdrawn the money.

While the alleged fraud lasted, the ATM was working normally for several months without any indication that such money was missing.

P.M.NEWS gathered that the theft continued for several months until he was sacked before the bank’s management knew what he had done.

P.M.NEWS also gathered that the bank engaged the services of Adeyemi in the engineering department where he was in charge of loading money into the bank’s ATMs.

But what surprised the management was how he was able to manipulate the machine without anybody knowing that such a huge amount of money was being stolen,P.M.NEWS gathered.

When the bank later discovered the alleged theft, Adeyemi was arrested at his house at 15, Megba Japhet Crescent, Owode, Ikorodu, Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria.

He was charged to Igbosere Magistrate’s Court for stealing, a crime that is contrary to Section 390 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.

When the charge was read to him, he pleaded not guilty.

The presiding Magistrate, Mrs. F. O. Aigbokhaevbo granted him bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum. The court also ordered that sureties must have land property in Lagos state.

WHY LIMIT YOURSELF WITH YOUR OPINION ABOUT YOURSELF

A few weeks ago I found myself watching the Tyra Banks Show and for once I found the topic of discussion quite interesting. In part, it went a little something like this: some women who had issues with certain aspects of their physical features and bodies were concealed behind a screen and only those worrisome parts were displayed to the studio audience. Members of the audience were then asked to rate these parts on a scale of one to ten, with one being the highest. The women on display were also asked to rate their parts as well. The women who were on display invariably gave a poor rating to those parts while members of the audience invariably gave a high rating to those parts! Well the whole thing was hilarious but more importantly I came away with a confirmation of the feeling that most women have issues with certain aspects of their bodies and looks. More specifically, there was this very beautiful woman of African American heritage who said that she had issues with her breasts because she felt they were too big (from an African man’s point of view they were just right!) and as a result she felt that men were attracted to her only because of her boobs! While she rated them poorly, the audience made up of both men and women loved them! Of course men are going to be attracted to her physical endowments! What are they? Blind? Well, Tyra tried to give her the whole “wrapping and content” lecture which I hope she took to heart. Another woman had issues with her ears and was going to have corrective surgery…well, they did stick out a lot but…come on Will Smith’s got huge stick out ears and that hasn’t stopped him from becoming one of the most sought after actors in the world! OK maybe I should have used a female example but you get my point.

It’s not the fact that you have got pimples, or are too lepa or too orobo, or you have a bad leg or tiny ankles or your hairline is making a hasty retreat that matters. What matters is how well you carry it! In relation to size, I know orobo babes that have a lot more confidence and pizzazz than their lepa counterparts! Likewise I have seen lepa babes that would give Agbani a run for her money with their swagger! I have a male friend who is rather short but forget, the guy was friends with more women than I could count. He carried his height (or the lack of it) rather well and had a great personality which attracted women. Dude is even married to a woman who is taller than he is.

It really breaks my heart to see perfectly beautiful women limit themselves because of the way they think they look. I had a friend tell me once that she didn’t think she was very pretty. I was like, “Are you joking?” because this girl is quite pretty and she’s doing great at the same time. She said that she didn’t think she was attractive enough. I told her that she was wrong and that all she needed to do was to change her perception about herself because really our self perception always shows in our carriage and reflects upon everything else that we do. Thankfully she took my advice and now has a series of toasters and boyfriends. And sometimes it could be all sorts of things hindering them: their hands, weight, lips, noses, teeth, arms, bow legs, k-legs etc. I just laugh because the truth is the guy that is going to fall for you isn’t going to fall for you based on your looks alone but on the total package i.e. the content as well as the wrapping.

Now I don’t mean to brush aside the feelings of “insecurity” that some of us have with respect to our looks and issues. It must be harder for some people but I implore them to carry it and carry it well! If your issue is a medical condition, you should take the pains to minimise the effects. Truth is sometimes it is in our power to control those things that bother us; and other times it is not in our power. If it is the former, don’t be lazy, if you have bad acne, try and find out what causes it – an oily face, certain hormones, certain foods etc; if you are really bothered about your weight, hit the gym and watch what you eat. In school there was a girl who was an albino but I can say without hesitating that she was definitely one of the hottest girls on campus, she had a lovely figure and her skin was always glowingly beautiful. She obviously took care of herself, by understanding her condition and took the pains to do the right things, like avoid unnecessary exposure to the sun e.t.c.

If the condition is not in our power to control, I say again carry it well! A friend who has a bad leg as a result of childhood polio has such a bubbly and effervescent personality that even those that would normally stare are forced to see her for who she is, a fun, witty, beautiful and loving person. She’s happily married today and is bringing joy to her husband’s life. She carries it well. I’m a guy so take it from me that if you carry it well, there will be guys who would be seriously interested in you. We had a saying in school that even if a girl had one eye, there would still be one or two guys who would be tripping for her. Don’t let your issues prevent you from enjoying what could be a great relationship. Believe me, showing a lack of confidence is highly unattractive; it’s not your skin condition but your refusal to carry it well and lack of confidence that puts people off. We don’t want to go on dates with you because you refuse to enjoy yourself.

So at the risk of sounding insensitive, whether it’s big tummies, big booties, skinny legs, a funny nose, a stammer, a lisp, baldness, cross eyes, funny teeth, acne, stretch marks, a bum leg, vitiligo, albinism, tiny ankles, big boobs, or small boobies, or if you are a man or woman just remember that you are beautiful! Don’t limit yourself, just carry it well!

INCREDIBLE! 7 Wacky Japanese Soda Drinks

7 Wacky Japanese Soda Drinks

Ah, the Japanese. Is there anything that they don’t create? We admire the Japanese people as a whole for being polite as well as creative, though there are some things in Japan that are just plain wacky. It’s not like the Japanese don’t know that we make fun of them online in more than one place — they seem to come up with wacky things just for us to be puzzled over.

Take soda drinks. Whether you call them pop or soda, one thing that they all have in common is the fizz and the sugar — though where that sugar comes from is often subject to debate as well as new creative outlets.

Here’s another fact — there are over 1,000 soft drinks that are introduced into Japan every year. As you might imagine, not all of them are tasty. In fact, most of them fail. Does that stop drink manufacturers from creating crazy things? Of course not!

We wanted to showcase this creative drive by showing you 7 wacky Japanese soda drinks that you had to check out!

1. Pepsi Ice Cucumber

Pepsi Ice Cucumber is the merging of two things that seem pretty innocent — Pepsi, and cucumber flavor? Now, we’re not against salad greens. Not at all. In fact, we’re making a salad right now, so we would appreciate that you tell our mothers that, okay? Mom doesn’t need to nag us about getting all of our greens anymore than she already does.

Still, there’s something chilling about Pepsi Ice Cucumber, and it’s not a refreshing flavor that we would love to drink. The Pepsi company introduced this little number to the Japanese market in 2007, and we’ve been spending the last four years figuring out why people find this drink so appealing. We’ll never understand it at all.

2. Hot Calpis, anyone?

This is a pretty terrifying drink. Let’s face it, when you hear about Hot Calpis, you think about that special toilet water in a cup — but no, it’s actually not that bad.

It’s actually a milk-based soft drink that is reported to have more of a yogurt taste. It even comes in fruity flavors, just in case you like your Calpis to be interesting.

However, this is not just a drink for the Japanese market: it’s also a hit in Latin countries. Imagine that, a multicultural soft drink!

3. Mother’s Milk

Now, around here, we’re pretty partial to boobs. Have you seen our article about 7 hot poker babes? Plenty of boobs there. However, we’re not really a fan of Mother’s Milk, if you get the idea.

We’re not really sure if Mother’s Milk is actually well, you know — mother’s milk (as in, right from the breast), but the naming similarities are really blowing our minds right now. Let’s just drink soda and get away from this mother’s milk fiasco completely, shall we?

4. Water Salad — Um…we’ll pass!

Isn’t this a crazy profit grab? Water Salad is salad-flavored water. As in, you are basically buying the mass produced version of making a salad and running it through the salad spinner a few times before draining the water out. The water that’s been tangling with your salad greens is what Cola-Cola is actually putting into aluminum cans and selling in Japan.

What’s even more interesting is that it comes in different flavors. So you don’t have to just settle for that generic salad taste — you can even get it in a nice citrus flavor too!

5. Diet Water

This is some trippy stuff — Diet Water is supposedly a drink that takes water to a higher standard, but we really have a hard time believing that. After all, there’s really no reason why you would drink special water to lose weight when water already doesn’t have calories. In other words, diet water…is still…wait for it…

Hold on…

IT’S STILL WATER, FOLKS!

Ahem. We’ll collect a cut of the money that you saved by not buying Diet Water, thanks.

6. Final Fantasy Potion

You know, the funny thing about the whole Final fantasy franchise is that the fantasy never really seems final. Even after all these years, Final Fantasy still has a pretty popular following. It’s better to go with a game that lets you escape reality for a while than just checking out of reality for good, but sometimes the fantasy world follows us around in ways that we least expect.

Take Final Fantasy Potion. It’s a wild drink that definitely is designed to appeal to the gaming culture in Japan — which is also pretty popular. It’s a great day to be a gamer in Japan, which is why so many gamers elsewhere dream about moving to Japan. It won’t give you god-like status, but hey — you’ll be able to at least try this crazy drink for yourself!

7. Kidsbeer

How strange can we get? Well, we can get pretty strange. The last drink on this list is known as Kidsbeer in Japan.

Now, it’s obviously going to be alcohol free, but this makes us think about candy cigarettes. If you’re too young to remember them, candy cigarettes truly looked like cigarettes — which gave kids a friendly association with cigarettes that had parents nervous — and even angry. Things changed for the better — you can’t produce things that would give kids a gateway into harmful substances. What’s next — candy cocaine for junior cheerleaders? Gotta keep that weight down early, girls! Yeah…right.

Overall, these are some wacky drinks. If you have recently been to Japan or heard about another wacky drink that we need to include, do not hesitate to sound off in the comments — we would love to hear from you!

Rasta Dog

Just saw this online and i fink it's really crazy.........but what's your take?

Pictures From the Wizkid Album Launch

Nigeria came out en-mass to support Wizkid on June 12th! One of the most anticipated album of the year 'SUPERSTAR' produced one of the biggest album launch party ever, everybody came down to show support for Wizkid! The Mohits Clan, The Choc Boiz, 9ice, Eldee, Sound Sultan! The love was insane!

Wizkid performed new songs from the album plus some classic collabos with other artists! Check more pictures below

GOV. FASHOLA CAPTAINED EAGLES IN KANU NWAKWO TESTIMONIAL MATCH

Every good thing they say must come to an end and as Kanu Nwankwo's international footballing career ends, friends, colleagues, fans and well wishers gathered to celebrate a deserving son and ambassador with a testimonial match and gala dinner evening.

Captained by football fanatic and Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola, the All stars line up of players was like something from football dreamland featuring players such as Jay Jay Okocha, Danny Shittu, Emmanuel Adebayor, Samuel Eto'o and others in a truly fantastic turnout for Kanu Nwankwo, who remains one of the best footballers Nigeria has ever produced...

The match itself saw the Super Eagles play against the rest of the World (Friends of Kanu) and of course the Super Eagles won..3-1(They always do right...LOL!). Kanu played for both sides, swapping shirts at half time but he scored a goal for the Eagles..

Kanu Nwankwo,who once suffered from a life threatening heart condition that could have ended his career too early, since dedicated his life to giving and raising funds for the cause of young heart condition victims through his charity, The Kanu Heart Foundation. Funds raised at the event will be donated to the foundation.

Kanye West features D'banj, Delays album release cos of D'banj, Don Jazzy contract

Mohits,Mohits,Mohits........Big Shouts outs to the Mohits crew for creating History . For the past few months now Mohits Records has been lets say Trending African Record label.

Thanks to them, They have successfully opened doors for African Artist to be recognized in its Biggest form.with Mr Enowed remix Video ,which Features Big Snoop Dog and now a Collabo with Hip hop Heavy Weight Champions Jay-z & Kanye west on there Forth coming collaborative Album titled - ''Watch the Throne''

Like you know Dbanj & Don Jazzy has been signed to G.O.O.D Music Management.

Now they doing it Big with a collaboration,which involves Africa's #1, Super Producer Don Jazzy Producing 1 or 2 Tracks on the Album. And a Track featuring Mr Endowed himself - Dbanj titled ''Anthem''.Which is actually the last track on the Album

OFFICIAL TRACKLISTING - ''WATCH THE THRONE''

Here’s the officially unofficial track listing for JayZ and Kanye West Watch The Throne Album, courtesy of One Thirty BPM

Release Date: July 4th 2011

1. Lift Off (Feat. Beyonce & Bruno Mars)

2. Murder To Excellence

3. Illest Motherfucker Alive

4. Why I Love You So (Guilt Trip)

5. That Shit Crazy

6. Living So Italian

7. Who Gonna Stop Me

8. Whole Lifetime

9. We Are Young

10. Anthem Feat. D'banj

Sources say the release date and track listings were not announced because jay and ye were waiting for the new members of GOOD Music who also feat. on the album to sign their record contract

Don Jazzy to produce 2 tracks off Kanye West ‘’Watch The Throne" album

Kanye And Jay-Z Reportedly Finish "Watch The Throne"

Jay-Z and Kanye Westis reportedly finished but still awaiting a release date, this according to Jay's longtime friend and producer Young Guru.

Guru, real name Gimel Keaton, spoke with VIBE Magazine at this year's SXSW music festival and revealed that the core of Ye and Jay's project was finished and awaiting just a few tweaks.

“Right now, I'm really trying to get Jay and Kanye to hurry up and finish this Watch The Throne album because the world needs to hear it," he said.

“It just needs little tweaks and things like that. But the core of the album is finished.”

He also hinted that Jay-Z had another solo album in the works.

"Jay's a consummate thinker, so sometimes he'll call and be like ‘yo what do you think about this.' And he said this idea to me that I wish I could tell the world about. Some ideas are so simple and in-your-face, that they're so incredibly smart," Guru continues.

“So this next idea— when you hear this title — the world is going to say ‘why didn't Jay think of that for the first album.' The title and concept just fits in perfectly. It's so simple, but yet so elegant at the same time. [Jay] can't stop, it's in his blood.”

‘’Guru’’ (Jay-Z’s Engineer) also confirms Don Jazzy would be producing 2 tracks from the 4th coming ‘’Jay & Kanye West’’ Collaboration Album , titled – ‘’Watch The Throne.

Guru also confirmed that the ''Mo Hits Boyz'' just bought themselves 2 Bentley continental (Flying Spur) 2010 - 1 Blue & 1 Silver And A Black Mercedes Benz S550

As previously reported, Watch The Throne was scheduled to drop in February.

A final release date is still unknown.