Curator

http://ift.tt/2sasRYh Victor Lindelof Manchester United have reached an agreement to sign Swedish international centre-back Victor Lindelof from Benfica for 35 million euros, the Europa League champions announced on Saturday. “Manchester United is pleased to announce that it has reached agreement with Benfica for the transfer of Victor Lindelof, subject to a medical examination, international clearance and personal terms,” United said in a statement. “A further announcement will be made once the transfer is complete.” The Portuguese club later confirmed that the deal was worth 35 million euros (£31m, $39.5m) and also included a 10 million euro bonus. Lindelof, 22, joined Benfica from home-town club Vasteras SK in 2012 and has won three Portuguese league titles and two Portuguese Cups during his time in Lisbon. Lindelof is in line to become the second centre-back signed by United manager Jose Mourinho following last year’s £30 million capture of Ivory Coast international E...

http://ift.tt/2t84abX T.B. Joshua • ‘It Is Because Of T. B. Joshua’s Presence We Are Enjoying Constant Electricity Here’ News that The Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) in Ikotun–Egbe, Lagos, is relocating to Israel is everywhere. Since it broke, not only followers of the church have expressed concern, but also those who do business around the church, as well as those benefitting in one way or another from Prophet Joshua Temitope Balogun, the General Overseer of the church. It has also stirred controversy as to why the man, popularly known as T. B. Joshua would want to relocate to far away Israel. The Guardian wanted a confirmation from the man of God himself, but at the time of this publication, he was yet to be reached because of the water-tight bureaucracy/security around him.However, The Guardian decided to feel the pulse of Nigerians, especially those living in Ikotun-Egbe axis, where the church is located. CHIEF Felix Ergwemen is a retired police officer, and the owne...

http://ift.tt/2oyxGd2 Bolanle Ambode When sheer ignorance degenerates into pure political mischief, couched in sleazy slogans, guttersnipe language and derogating doggerels, all with the mandate of the pull-him-down syndrome, especially from so-called social commentators, there is cause for serious societal concern. Also, when an issue that is strictly within the purview of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has seen those same mischief-makers climbing the rooftop to literally cry more than the bereaved, Nigerians cannot but begin to ask the pertinent questions. The first, of course, is to find out if indeed Pastor Femi Taiwo, whose sack has triggered his sympathisers’ sentimental angst, was under the employment of Lagos State government? The answer is “yes.” He was, until recently, the chaplain of the Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa, Ikeja, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, as part of the office of the First Lady and owned by the state government. And if so, has that...

http://ift.tt/2re071g Some Nigerians and foreign participants at Cannes International Film Festival… in Nice, France • Lean Outing from African Filmmakers, Nollywood Call it a jaw-dropping finish. Indeed, that was how things panned out for the 70th edition of Cannes International Film Festival, which closed last weekend in Cannes, Nice, South of France. Jaws literarily dropped when the Swedish comedy drama by Ruben Ostlund, The Square, which, in the estimation of critics, was the least favoured to win the festival top prize Palme D’or was announced winner by the Pedro Almodovar-led jury. The 10-day festival had only tracked a week when filmgoers started tipping films like Okja, produced by Netflix, but directed by South Korea’s Bong Joon-ho, and 120 Beats Per Second, directed by Frenchman, Robin Campilo, as ‘sure contenders’ for the Palm d’Or. Okja, which almost upset festival rules, as it did not secure theatrical distribution in France, a requirement for all films that are sele...

http://ift.tt/2rbolJG This undated handout picture provided on May 27, 2017 by the Contemporary Art Foundation shows 41-year-old tech billionaire Yusaku Maezawa at an undisclosed location. The tech billionaire, who recently stunned the world by paying 110.5 million USD for a Basquiat masterpiece, is the latest wave of Japan's art collection ardor, which once swept the global auction markets. Handout / THE CONTEMPORARY ART FOUNDATION / AFP With a single post on Instagram, Yusaku Maezawa announced not only his purchase of an $110.5 million Basquiat masterpiece, and his place in auction history, but arguably signalled a new era for art in Japan. The price, a record for the artist, is reminiscent of 1980s Japan when corporate big-spenders splashed out on Impressionist art — along with foreign property and businesses — in an asset-buying spree. But billionaire Maezawa insists he is just an “ordinary collector” — despite his extraordinary bank balance. His purchases are born out of...

http://ift.tt/2snZvGk Super Eagles striker, Odion Ighalo (left), Media Strategist, Lanre Ijaola and Creative Director, Dubai Afrika, Tolulope Adesanmi at the official unveiling of Ighalo as Brand Ambassador and Celebrity Tour Guide for the upcoming Dubai Group Tour With Odion Ighalo. Dubai Afrika has launched a new project tagged Dubai Group Tour, with Super Eagles forward, Odion Ighalo as Brand Ambassador. According to the Creative Director of the company, Tolulope Adesanmi, the tour is of two parts, a six-day Dubai tour, and one in Nigeria. The Dubai leg will hold from December 4-9. The company also unveiled Ighalo as the Headliner and Celebrity tour guide for the event. Speaking at the occasion, Ighalo said the tour would not only benefit the country, it will also help charity homes in a big way. Ighalo promised to finalize plans for the launch of his orphanage home in December, just as he spoke of his passion for helping the sick and less privileged in the society. “I am happ...

http://ift.tt/2pftyw0 Some of the recent returnees Although no fewer than 1, 594 illegal migrants from Nigeria have so far returned from Libya from January through May this year, many more are still stranded outside the country, having been deceived of a better life by traffickers, so said a representative from International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Lagos, Dr. Nahashon Thuo. Also, speaking during a stakeholders round table on irregular migration and human trafficking, held in Lagos, consultant from IOM rtd, Mrs. Winnie Aideyan, said: “Nigerians need to know that the grass is not greener on the other side, there is nothing wrong with travelling, but people need to travel the correct way.” Aideyan called on Nigerian youth to stop illegal migration, stressing, “Women need to be empowered so they will not be tempted by these traffickers.” In his contributions, President Patriotic Citizens Initiative, Comrade Osita Osemene, noted that today, many youths have been lost an...

http://ift.tt/2poCH53 Nigeria's Vice President Yemi Osinbajo Did you listen to the Acting President on Democracy Day? I did. He was speaking English. How do you mean by ‘he was speaking English?’ Were you expecting him to speak Urhobo or what? Don’t you understand English or was there nobody around you to help out if understanding him was the problem? You are getting me wrong. The man spoke more to himself and less to Nigerians who are tired of listening to these ceaseless sermons on peace and unity of the country. Even in speaking English, there is a way it is spoken for everybody to understand. The Acting President spoke eloquently but completely outside the current street language that people wanted to hear. In the end, he was admired more than he was understood by his listeners. Stop speaking in tongues. What exactly are you driving at? Nigerians had expected the Acting President in the absence of the Executive President to discuss justice not peace. Discussing peace b...

http://ift.tt/2sCJqsX On his own part, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) KIFFCO Project, Kefas K. Mayaki, noted that the presence of Aflatoxins in maize has prevented maize grown in Nigeria from been exported to other parts of the globe. To stem the tide of diseases ravaging maize, which had made it difficult for maize produced in Nigeria to penetrate the international market, the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), in collaboration with KIFFCO Project, yesterday, sensitised farmers on how to produce toxic free maize. Speaking at the one-day sensitisation exercise held in Jalingo, Taraba State, the Project Assistant of IITA, Mary Ukam, said the institute is leaving no stone unturned towards ensuring farm produce from Nigeria get due recognition in the international market. She noted that the application of Aflasafe would increase production, as well as reduce contamination, if properly applied. Citing African countries such as Kenya, Uganda that had exp...

http://ift.tt/2rEFLxm The Tallinn Manual 2.0 is a unique collection of law on cyber-conflict, says Professor Michael Schmitt from the UK's University of Exeter, who led work on the tome. With ransomware like “WannaCry” sowing chaos worldwide and global powers accusing rivals of using cyberattacks to interfere in domestic politics, the latest edition of the world’s only book laying down the law in cyberspace could not be more timely. The Tallinn Manual 2.0 is a unique collection of law on cyber-conflict, says Professor Michael Schmitt from the UK’s University of Exeter, who led work on the tome. Published by Cambridge University Press and first compiled by a team of 19 experts in 2013, the latest updated edition aims to pin down the rules that governments should follow when doing battle in virtual reality. The manual was among the hot topics this week as over 500 IT security experts from across the globe gathered at NATO’s Cycon cyber security conference in Tallinn. Lau...

http://ift.tt/2qQGPdf A telecoms mast The Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo yesterday revealed that about 21 telecommunications operators have gone into extinction in the country in the last 10 years. He cautioned that that if care was not taken, more service operators might still close shops before the year ends. Adebayo, who was a panelist at yesterday’s Broadband Summit 2017 in Lagos with the theme: ‘Broadband as an Enabler of Economic Growth,’ organized by BusinessDay Media Limited said as at 2006 ALTON had 35 members, “but between 2007 and now, we have been reduced to 14.” Checks by The Guardian showed that many Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have either gone under or have been acquired by bigger operators. The likes of Multilinks, Starcomms, Reliance Telecoms; MTS First Communications; Disc Communications, WiTel, O’Net (Odua Telecom), Rainbownet, Monarch Communications, XS Broadband, Webcom, amo...

http://ift.tt/2pYYwIu DSS The State Security Service (SSS) has denounced rumours in the media that it was recruiting, even as it urged Nigerians to be wary of fraudulent persons or groups. A statement by its spokesman, Tony Opuiyo in Abuja, yesterday said, “The attention of the State Security Service (SSS) has once again been drawn to the illegal activities of some fraudulent persons and groups who extort money from unsuspecting members of the public with a promise to employ them into the service. “The service wishes to state for the umpteenth time that it is not currently employing. The public may note that in the event that the service begins recruiting, it does not charge money for that purpose. “Members of the public are therefore, advised to be wary of these fraudulent persons and groups whose stock in trade has remained spreading falsehood and engaging in impersonation. “The service further warns that it will, in accordance with the law, not hesitate to deal deci...

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J •Wants all venues closed down The battle for the soul of  basketball in Nigeria got messier yesterday with an alleged move by the Youth and Sports ministry to scuttle the on-going Nigeria Basketball Federation organised leagues for men and women. Unconfirmed report which filtered in from the sports ministry’s offices in Abuja yesterday has it that a memo has been allegedly sent to the director in charge of the sports federations to grant powers to Chimezie Asiegbu, recently appointed the secretary general of the NBBF to stop  the various clubs in both the Kwese Premier League for men and the Zenith Bank Women’s League from using the sports facilities scattered around the country for their games. According to the information, the memo also suggested that all the basketball clubs, their players and coaches should be warned against dealing with officials of the NBBF in their own interest until the inauguration of a new board. The development if carried o...

http://ift.tt/2pA4Gm0 AXA Mansard Insurance Axa Mansard Insurance Plc has assured shareholders of the firm’s resolve to continually exceed stakeholders’ expectation through improved performance and good dividend payout. Besides, the company’s shareholders approved the firm’s 5 kobo dividend for the 2016 financial year. Reviewing its performance during its yearly general meeting in Lagos, the chairman of the firm, Olusola Adeyeye, noted that the company recorded 25 per cent growth in gross written premium from N16.6 billion in 2015 to N20.7 billion during the year under review. The growth, according to him, was due to customers’ renewals on large tickets transactions and new business acquisitions in the health business. He explained further than profit before tax also rose to N3.1 billion, which represents 53 per cent rise when compared to N2.12 billion achieved during the corresponding period in 2015. He added that profit after tax also increased from N1.7 billion to N2.7 billion...

http://ift.tt/2ruVvDy Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan Players and officials of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) sauntered out of the Adamasingba Stadium with heads bowed after their humiliating 3-0 home defeat by FC IfeanyiUbah on Sunday. The boys looked subdued, but not because they lost the game. Rather, as one of the players said, they were thinking of the hardship they have been facing for the past three months that they have not been paid any salary. “We are suffering,” the player, a defender volunteered. Sunday’s defeat means 3SC remain among the relegation candidates with 22 points from 20 matches. They are 19th out of 20 teams in the competition and unless something drastic happens, the darling club of Oyo State will play in the lower division next season. Lamenting the sorry state of the first Nigerian club to win a continental title, the defender, who pleaded anonymity, said: “We cannot be expected to rub shoulders with FC IfeanyiUbah players when we have so ...

http://ift.tt/2q5lUrq Minister of Works, Power and Housing Babatunde Fashola A Professor of Energy and Electricity Law, Yemi Oke has, faulted the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola’s decision to break the monopoly of power distribution being enjoyed by the electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos). Fashola had given power Generating Companies (GenCos), the freedom to sell generated power directly to four categories of end users effective from May 15th apparently to halt the problems associated with going through the DisCos. Oke said that even though it is right, it was ill-timed considering the fact that the minister had not been favourably disposed to what the DisCos are doing, most especially their umbrella association, Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED). In a statement, he said: “The Minister of Power got it wrong in declaring that certain categories of ‘Eligible Consumers’ may buy power directly from Gencos. “This would appea...

http://ift.tt/2qbMxXI Henry Nwosu Former Super Eagles Captain, Henry Nwosu has commended both the League Management Company (LMC) and referees for the new level of officiating recorded at the weekend as the second half of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) commenced. FC Ifeanyi Ubah, Lobi Stars and Enyimba all won their matches away from home, but the 3-0 humiliation of 3SC at the Adamasingba Stadium in Ibadan by Nnewi-based FC IfeanyiUbah came as a surprise to many Nigerian football fans. Speaking to The Guardian yesterday on the results, Nwosu said the league seems to have been revamped, as teams are getting ready to exploit some of the innovations introduced by the LMC. “Some shocking results at match venues at the weekend have shown that officiating at our local league is getting better. And it shows that some teams are also getting ready to exploit the stance of LMC on our league. “For a team like 3SC to lose 0-3 at home to FC Ifeanyi Ubah is something th...