Diego Costa has continued his long-standing feud with Chelsea manager Antonio Conte, by reiterating his anger at the text message the Italian sent him, asking him to leave the club.

Costa was informed by Conte he was no longer part of his plans at Stamford Bridge via SMS earlier this summer.

 

And now the Spain striker has said the former Juventus boss sent the message in “a moment of madness”.

He told MC News: “Conte’s text? It was a moment of madness. It can happen, but I thought it was disrespectful.

“I always asked to speak face to face with the Coach and the board. I never sent [them] text messages, so it shows what kind of person he is.

“If something makes me sad about this situation, it’s [the fans’] affection as they’d always supported me, even during the delicate moments.

 

“If I’d been in the team for three years, it was for them and the dressing room, which was very much united. It was a great experience.”

Sickle cell children can live long — Doctor 😷

Sickle cell children can live long unlike widespread but wrong belief that children with sickle cell disorder cannot live beyond  21 years.

A medical doctor, Mrs.Anuzie Odia, made the clarification while spreaking at a counselling programme organised by CrimsonBow Sickle Cell Initiative at Alimosho Local Government.She also advised parents of children with sickle cell disorder (SCD) not to lose hope on the survival of their children.

Dr Odia said, “I want you parents whose children have SCD to keep hope alive. Do not allow the challenge to discourage you. Do not form the wrong impression which is common in the society by thinking that children with sickle cell cannot live longer than 21 years”.

She said a lot of people have been spreading the wrong information and urged the parents to drop that idea. “There are many people born with SCD and many of them have lived long and attained greater heights in life. It all depends on giving children with SCD quality medical attention, balanced diet, adequate and prompt medical care,” Odia said.

The medical doctor mentioned important things which parents of children with SCD must do. These include consciously boosting immunity of children with SCD, giving the children adequate nutrition, adequate rest, giving them clean and safe drinking water regularly and constant medical check-up at least twice in a year.

She said parents who do these things constantly can be rest assured that their children will survive and live long despite Sickle Cell Disorder.

Dr Odia said sickle cell disorder is not a contagious disease unlike widespread but erroneous belief in the society. She also said that children should feel free to play with children with SCD as they cannot contact the disease by playing with children with SCD.

The Chief Executive officer of the NGO, Miss Timilehin Edwin told newsmen that more enlightenment programmes will be organised in other Local government areas in Lagos state.she expressed satisfaction with the turnout of parents and children with SCD.

The event afforded the parents an opportunity to get personal and free medical check-up and attention by DrOdia. Honourable Mrs Shade Shinkaye a former commissioner for women affairs in Kogi state and one of the promoters of the NGO said the programme which is meant to support the children deserves the support of government and prominent citizens.

FG, ASUU Meeting Deadlocked, As Govt Begs Striking Lecturers

The federal government has urged the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to suspend its on-going strike in the universities in the interest of the nation.

This is coming just as a meeting between the Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, and the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU ) as part of move to end the strike action embarked by the Union ended in a deadlock.

A statement by the director of press at the ministry of Labour, Samuel Olowokere however said negotiations are expected to continue on Thursday.

The meeting held at the minister’s Conference Room at the ministry of Labour and Employment however took significant steps towards the resolution of the issues raised by ASUU.

Particularly, the meeting agreed on the forensic audit of the sum of N30 billion earlier given to ASUU in 2010 and further agreed  on monthly remittances to ASUU, while  the audit lasts.

Earlier, Ngige had appealed to the Union to end the industrial action.

In a statement signed by the deputy director of Press in the ministry, Olowookere, the minister said there was an on-going renegotiation of the 2009 agreement between the federal government and ASUU by the Babalakin Committee which the federal government set up on Monday 13th February 2017.

According to the statement, though the federal government did not wish to apportion blame, “it is important to note that ASUU did not follow due process in the declaration of the industrial action as it did not give the Federal Government, the mandatory 15 days’ notice as contained in the Section 41 of Trade Disputes Act, Cap T8, 2004.

“In fact, it was on Monday 14th August, 2017 that the Office of the Minister received a letter dated 13th August, 2017 from ASUU, that is, one full day after it commenced the strike”, the minister added.

It further noted that the letter was to inform the federal government that ASUU has started strike and not a declaration of intention to go on strike as contained in the Trade Dispute Act, 2004.

The minister further said that since the case was being conciliated, it was against the spirit of Social Dialogue and Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for ASUU to embark on strike as enunciated in the ILO Convention.

Ngige said, “The Federal Government therefore wishes to appeal to ASUU to consider students who are currently writing degree and promotion examinations, call off the strike and return to the negotiation table, adding that “the Ministry of Labour and Employment will ensure that a time frame will be tied to negotiation this time around.

“Babalakin Committee was ever ready to continue the negotiation, indeed, has all the necessary ingredients for fruitful social dialogue as well as adequate powers to negotiate and make recommendations to the Federal Government”.

What Buhari told Nigerians (FULL TEXT)

President Muhammadu Buhari addressed Nigerians on Monday morning, two days after he returned from London.

The president had been away for medical treatment for 103 days.

Read the text of the president’s full speech below.

My dear citizens, I am very grateful to God and to all Nigerians for their prayers. I am pleased to be back on home soil among my brothers and sisters.

2. In the course of my stay in the United Kingdom, I have been kept in daily touch with events at home. Nigerians are robust and lively in discussing their affairs, but I was distressed to notice that some of the comments, especially in the social media have crossed our national red lines by daring to question our collective existence as a nation. This is a step too far.

3. In 2003 after I joined partisan politics, the late Chief Emeka Ojukwu came and stayed as my guest in my hometown Daura. Over two days we discussed in great depth till late into the night and analysed the problems of Nigeria. We both came to the conclusion that the country must remain one and united.

4. Nigeria’s unity is settled and not negotiable. We shall not allow irresponsible elements to start trouble and when things get bad they run away and saddle others with the responsibility of bringing back order, if necessary with their blood.

5. Every Nigerian has the right to live and pursue his business anywhere in Nigeria without let or hindrance.

6. I believe the very vast majority of Nigerians share this view.

7. This is not to deny that there are legitimate concerns. Every group has a grievance. But the beauty and attraction of a federation is that it allows different groups to air their grievances and work out a mode of co-existence.

8. The National Assembly and the National Council of State are the legitimate and appropriate bodies for national discourse.

9. The national consensus is that, it is better to live together than to live apart.

10. Furthermore, I am charging the Security Agencies not to let the successes achieved in the last 18 months be a sign to relax.

11. Terrorists and criminals must be fought and destroyed relentlessly so that the majority of us can live in peace and safety.

12. Therefore we are going to reinforce and reinvigorate the fight not only against; elements of Boko Haram which are attempting a new series of attacks on soft targets · kidnappings, farmers versus herdsmen clashes, in addition to ethnic violence fuelled by political mischief makers. We shall tackle them all.

13. Finally, dear Nigerians, our collective interest now is to eschew petty differences and come together to face common challenges of; economic security, political evolution and Integration, as well as lasting peace among all Nigerians.

14. I remain resolutely committed to ensuring that these goals are achieved and maintained. I am so glad to be home.

15. Thank you and may God bless our dear Nation.

President Buhari’s daughter, Zahra has celebrated his return asking Nigerians to pray for those who ”want to eliminate him”.

She wrote on Instagram:-

Welcome back Home Daddy❤️ Cheers. He’s the strongest man I know.. Alhamdulillah.

Say a prayer for those that want to eliminate him to get their way.. God is watching. I pray that He guides us all onto the straight path. #stillstandingtall #alhamdulillah #pmb #nigeria

General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God, (RCCG) Enoch Adeboye, has revealed a short wooden staff that was blessed and handed over to him for miracles by founder of the church, the late Rev Joseph Akindayomi.

Adeboye showed the short wooden staff to RCCG congregants during the 65th annual convention of the church at the Redemption Camp, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ogun State.

He said that God had instructed the late Rev. Akindayomi to make the short wooden staff to be blessed and to be handed over to him (Adeboye) for prayers and miracles.

Adeboye explained that the staff had been given to him years ago but God ordered that it should be used sparingly.

He used it at the Convention for three special prayers, including a prayer for God to make a way where there is no way. The cleric raised it raise up, mentioned a prayer point and the congregation prayed.

The prayers done, he raised it up again to bless handkerchiefs which the congregation waved with shouts of “Halleluyah, halleluyah!”

Speaking on the theme of the convention ‘Halleluyah’, Adeboye said that Nigerians must stop complaining but praise God in the face of daunting life challenges.

Adeboye said as long as Jesus lives, Nigerians should remain confident of a better tomorrow.

He noted that praising God guarantees victory, success, dominion and abundant supply from heaven.

He said:-

Among every set of people, there are three subsets, comprising those who have lost battles in life, those still engaged in battles, and those who have won battles recently.

“For all three groups, there is need to praise God continuously – the first set for hope and restoration; the second for God to fight their battles; and the third, who should not forget God and go partying because life is full of unending round of battles.

Also speaking, Bishop David Oyedepo, founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, also known as Winners’ Chapel, stressed the importance of praise.

He listed the power of praise as including the invitation of God’s presence and glory, which provides His favour, healing, access to revelation, breakthrough, and fresh oil.

“Even if you have lost something precious, there is need to praise God because you didn’t lose everything,” he advised.

Man Caught Sucking and Fingering His 13-year-old Daughter

A randy man has found himself in serious trouble after he was caught sexually molesting his daughter.

A 38-year old taxi driver has been sentenced to two years imprisonment by an Accra Circuit Court after he was caught sucking the breast of his 13-year-old daughter and inserting his fingers into her v*gina.

According to Adom News, Alfred Boakye was found guilty on the charge of indecent assault at the end of the trial. Prosecuting Chief Inspector Kofi Atimbire told the Court presided over by Mrs Abena Oppong Adjin-Doku that the complainant was a social worker at Adenta Social Welfare.

The Victim is a class six pupil who resides with her father at Ritz in Adenta. Prosecution said the victim had reported that she was brought from Nnoboam in the Ashanti Akyem in the Ashanti Region by her mother to live with her father, the convict.

According to prosecution, for some time now, during weekends, Boakye would order her to undress, lie down, open her legs for him to examine her.

Prosecution said the victim said before Boakye commenced the examination, he sucked her breast and inserted his fingers into her private part. The Prosecutor said the convict sometimes repeated the act as soon as the victim finished bathing and at one time he applied some yellowish ointment into her v*gina.

On June 28, 2015, around 2:00pm, when the victim returned from church service, the accused ordered her to undress so he would examine her. The prosecutor said as soon as the convict attempted to suck her breast she mastered courage and pushed Boakye away and run away from their room.

She later narrated her ordeal to her class teacher and a report was made to the Adenta Social Welfare and later to the Police. At the Police station a medical form was issued to the victim for her to be examined at a hospital, the prosecution said.

Boakye was later on arrested by the Police, prosecution added.

​A former Minister of Education, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, on Sunday said that the demands by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) were unrealistic in light of the current economic situation in Nigeria. Ezekwesili said this while speaking with Sources in Ibadan while reacting to the ongoing strike embarked upon by the union.

The former minster said that lasting solution to the crisis bedevilling the education sector could only be found from strong analysis of the issues raised by ASUU and evidenced based policies.

“Money is not limitless and yet everyone must acknowledge that investment in education is crucial and it is key.

“There are, however, some fundamental reforms that the sector needs in order to ensure that it is not about the size of the funding but about the productivity of the funding.

“You cannot simply express a desire, it must be founded on reality and that means you must know what can be achieved within a given period,” she said.

According to her, a structural and policy change which allows public and private investments should be integrated into the university system.

“If you remember, the ASUU negotiation started in 2007 when I was the Minister of Education and we constituted a government negotiation team, led by the late Gamaliel Onosode,

“Even though that period was short, one of the major issues for me was for us to make sure that we were being evidenced based in the way we were solving the problem,

“We considered issues like the existing model in countries similar to us in emerging economies,’’ she said.

The former minister said the team also considered what could be done by the public and private sectors about university funding among others.

“Those are the kinds of evidence that we had and on the basis of which we hinged our negotiation at that time,

“It was a very short period and then we had to leave and the next government that took over had to continue.

“I do not know the basis of the final agreement they reached with ASUU, but if it was not anchored on analytical evidence, I am not surprised that there has been inability to implement it.”

Ezekwesili urged both the Federal Government and ASUU to return to the negotiating table and work on the basis of analysis and evidence to find lasting solution to the dispute.

Report has it that ASUU on Aug. 14, embarked on an indefinite strike to press home its demands for the implementation of an agreement signed between it and the Federal Government on condition of service.

ASUU is also asking for increased funding of university, autonomy of the institution and academic freedom.

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, on Sunday said the jubilation that followed the arrival of President Muhammadu Buhari was an indication that the country had no alternative to him now.

Tokunbo Korodo, the Chairman, South-West Chapter of the union told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos that Nigerians were in happy mood with the arrival of their President.

“We believe in our president and I can tell you, categorically, that there is no alternative to Buhari in moving the country forward,” he said.

According to the chairman, the people came out immensely to welcome him, because they believed in him to turn around the ailing economy.

“It is with happiness that Nigerians came to welcome their president, after 104 days in United Kingdom’s hospital.

“The gesture showed by Nigerians is a sign that they believe in him and they have been praying for him to recover from the illness.

“They have hope in him that he is back to turn the country’s ailing economy round.

“Everybody is happy to receive the president back in the country.”

Mr. Korodo urged Mr. Buhari to continue with his good work.

“Our president should not relent in his effort in getting rid of corrupt Nigerians and also ensure that money recovered from treasury looters is pump into the economy.’’

On August 19, many residents of Federal Capital Territory thronged the major roads from airport to catch a glimpse of the president who had spent 104 days outside Nigeria.

He was on medical vacation in London.

Some were seen singing, dancing with banners of the president’s portraits in their hands while others jostled to take photographs of his convoy with their cell phones.

The presidential aircraft that conveyed Mr. Buhari landed at the airport at about 4:35 p.m. to the excitement of all those present at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The aircraft then taxied to the tarmac amidst music played by the Guards Brigade along with a cultural troupe performing at the airport.

The president later mounted a rostrum and saluted the guard of honour before getting into his official car and driven to the presidential villa.

Guess you all remember that Fayose promised to Commit suicide if Buhari ever returns to Nigeria, Time don reach to get the Job done.

Be Strong and do the right thing..  

The governor of Ekiti state Ayodele Fayose is faced with barrage of criticisms with the return of President Muhammadu Buhari to Nigeria.

The south west PDP governor who is a strong critic of president Buhari was reported to have promised to commit suicide if President Buhari makes it back to Nigeria.

The assertion stemmed from the position of governor Fayose during the absence of President Buhari as he boasted that the president had been on life support for quite some time.

Now that the president is back, Nigerians are wasting no time to ask Fayose to honour his promise of committing suicide.

A Nigerian expatriate in Qatar became a millionaire for several hours after a bank mistakenly deposited more than QR1.5 million ($411,127.99) into his account recently.

 

The man, Michael Asemota, had opened an account with a cheque of QR150,200 with an undisclosed commercial bank, where he is the sole signatory of the account.

As he got back home, he received an alert showing that a QR1,502,000 had been credited into his account by mistake instead of QR150,200. Asemota went back to the bank and returned the money.

Speaking to Qatar Tribune, Asemota said,”After opening the account with the bank, I checked my balance to make withdrawals for a supply job and found the huge sum. I was amazed and decided to contact the bank.

I went to see the manager to report the error of QR1,502,000 deposited into my account. After checking for confirmation, the manager gave me a warm handshake in appreciation.”

Asked why he alerted the bank about the error, Asemota said,”I knew the money did not belong to me and shouldn’t be in my account in the first place, so there were no motives and temptations to keep it.”

Video: Tottenham Hotspur 1 – 2 Chelsea [Premier League] Highlights 2017/18

Download Video: Tottenham Hotspur 1 – 2 Chelsea [Premier League] Highlights 2017/18 – Marcos Alonso’s hit an 88th-minute winner having also stunned Wembley with a brilliant free-kick in Chelsea’s 2-1 win against Tottenham.

 

Chelsea got their Premier League title defence up and running amid late drama as Marcos Alonso proved to be an unlikely two-goal hero in the 2-1 win over Tottenham at Wembley.

Last weekend’s shock opening-day loss at home to Burnley – a match where captain Gary Cahill and Cesc Fabregas were sent off – and the ongoing saga over Diego Costa’s future has cast an unwelcome shadow over Stamford Bridge and sounded unwelcome echoes of the last campaign they entered as champions.

Jose Mourinho paid with his job before Christmas in 2015 as a squad in turmoil hovered improbably over the relegation zone but Antonio Conte’s side allayed doubts over a similar implosion as they turned in a performance of grit and togetherness at the national stadium.

Alonso produced the champagne moment in the 24th minute and a remodelled defence, featuring Andreas Christensen on his first Premier League start, repelled waves of Tottenham attacks with increasing ease until a striker undid their good work.

Michy Batshuayi scored decisively when Chelsea clinched the title at West Brom in May but the Belgium international headed into his own net in the 82nd minute – three minutes after coming on.

It left Alonso to step up thrillingly once more. The wing-back stormed into the Spurs box to catch out Hugo Lloris at the near post two minutes from time, leaving Conte to unfurl trademark touchline delirium.

DOWNLOAD VIDEO HERE!

Jay O returns to the music scene with this brilliant new single titled ‘Feeling You‘ produced by Cool Boy Beatz.

The young and talented singer from Warri, Delta was formerly known as ‘Lil Prinze’ and was responsible for the wavey tune ‘Burst My Brain’ featuring Yung6ix back in 2013.

Jay O has been working on his musical skills over the past few years and is fully back on the right track as witnessed on this new tune.

DOWNLOAD MP3

Why They Want EFCC Investigator Dead

Forty eight hours after a security breach was recorded at the Zone 7, Abuja, office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), indications have emerged that some high-profile suspects may have masterminded the dawn attack. It will be recalled that some gunmen had, about 5:00am on Wednesday, attacked the 30A, Harper Street, Zone 7, office of the anti-graft agency.

The target of the assailants, according to the EFCC, was one of its top investigators, Mr. Ishaku Sharu, who is the Head of Foreign Exchange Malpractices Fraud Section. Interestingly, Wednesday’s dawn attack came a few weeks after one of the commission’s top investigators, Austin Okwor, escaped death by the whiskers, after a vicious attack in Port-Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, left him severely wounded.

The attackers, who were repelled by security operatives guarding the building, according to a statement by the commission’s spokesman, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, had dropped a letter containing threat to kill Sharu. As the anti-graft agency begins investigation into the incident, Saturday Telegraph’s investigation has revealed that some high-profile suspects, who are either facing trial, or being investigated on alleged corruption and money laundering cases, may be behind the Wednesday’s attack.

A competent security source, who spoke in confidence with Saturday Telegraph, said Sharu’s “sin” is his refusal to compromise his job. The source further claimed, that the “overwhelming” evidence the top investigator may have gathered around politically- exposed persons (PEPs) undergoing investigation, may have unsettled the affected suspects, whose identity had yet to be ascertained due to ongoing probe. However, it was gathered that the anti-graft agency is narrowing down on some recent cases being investigated by Sharu.

“In this kind of situation, you can’t rule out anything. While we are taking a second look at all the high-profile cases that he had handled in the past; we are also paying special focus on recent ones,” the source said. Apart from PEPs, Sharu also coordinates the investigation of senior retired military officers.

The source said: “Obviously, Ishaku Sharu was their target, because of the sensitive unit he heads, which oversees investigation of some politically exposed individuals under investigation/trial, who have (allegedly) looted public treasury.

“Don’t also forget that he is in charge of investigation of some senior retired military officers, who have questions to answer on the (alleged) procurement fraud in the military. “We are also aware some senior military officers are not happy with the outcome of some investigations he carried out which indicted some retired senior military officers. You know that in military circles, there is esprit de corps. So, the feeling is that some serving senior officers are afraid that a fate similar to the one that befell their retired colleagues may await them.

“They are aware that Sharu cannot be compromised and so the only option is for him to be intimidated. Although he has those working with him, it was deliberate that the death threat note was addressed to him.” Asked if Sharu had received threat messages in the past, the source said: “That is not necessary now.”

Another source, who spoke in similar vein, said a directive had since been issued, for a watertight security around the Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, as well as top investigators at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, and zonal offices. It was further gathered that the police high command, might deploy more men to boost existing security arrangements at EFCC.

“I can assure you that security around Acting Chairman and top investigating officers, had been heightened. “I heard that the police high command has also given directive for additional armed personnel to be drafted within and around the commission’s headquarters and other locations, to forestall any eventuality,” he said.

This was as Saturday Telegraph learnt that the threat to life letter packaged in a white envelope, was being subjected to “forensic examination” by experts. Meanwhile, a visit to the zone 7 office that was attacked, showed that armed Mobile policemen, as well as operatives from the anti-bomb unit of the force, were still present, as visitors entering the building were thoroughly searched.

Part of the EFCC’s statement on the dawn attack, had read: “A major security breach was recorded at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in the early hours of Wednesday, August 16, 2017, as unknown gunmen attacked the office located at Wuse Zone 7, Abuja.

“The group of heavily armed bandits invaded the office about 05.00 hours and began shooting into the premises, damaging vehicles parked on the premises in the process. However, the attack was repelled by guards on duty.

“The hoodlums escaped in a getaway vehicle but not without leaving a message; a white envelope dropped by the fleeing attackers was found to contain a death threat addressed to Ishaku Sharu, a senior investigator with the Commission…”

In a telephone conversation with Saturday Telegraph yesterday, the commission’s spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, neither confirmed nor denied security beef-up around Magu and others. He said: “There is nothing like improving or not improving on security; we have always been conscious of security.”

[Music] Omoshalewa – Karma (Prod. E-Twinz)

Fresh Outta, We Present to you Omoshalewa who recently dropped “Sugar Mouth”, hits us with a brand new single titled “Karma“.

This beautiful song was produced by E-Twinz. Enjoy!!

DOWNLOAD MP3

I Still Love 2face Idibia – Blackface Opens Up

Dancehall king and ex-member of the Plantashun Boyz, Austine Obiabo Amedu, otherwise known as Blakface has expressed undying love for his estranged band mates, Faze and his kinsman, 2face Idbia.

The trio fell apart many years ago following irreconcilable differences.

2face and Blackface have been on war path following the latter’s claim that the former stole his song, African Queen.

Despite their differences, Blakface, a native of Agatu took to his social media to celebrate his former band mates on Friday.

Blackface took to his Facebook page to share a picture of him, 2face and Faze during their days as members of the defunct group.

He wrote:-

I #still #gat #mad #love for dem#brothers. I #remember #when we #use to #sit#down #together at the #plantation #villa@official2baba @fazealone @blackfacenaijachaiiii time can run she……

A Portuguese witchdoctor, Fernando Nogueira, has claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo is under a spell, for missing the funeral of his father.

Nogueira, who is better known under his witchdoctoring name, Fafe, says the curse is behind the 32-year-old’s travails.

Ronaldo is currently serving a five-match ban and has troubles with the Spanish tax authorities.

Fafe said it was because he has been subjected to a “terrible curse, a tremendous case of evil eye.”

“Ronaldo has been weakened spiritually and psychologically,” Fafe revealed to Flash, when asked about the player’s recent travails.

“He missed the funeral of his father to play the same evening, and that unleashed a lot of energies.”

Mark Zuckerberg To Take 2-Month Paternity Leave After 2nd Child is Born

Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerberg has revealed that he will be taking a paternity leave of 2 months after the birth of his 2nd child.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg will take two months of paternity leave when his wife Priscilla Chan gives birth to their second daughter. Zuckerberg revealed this on Facebook to his numerous followers.

“When Max was born, I took two months of paternity leave. I will always be grateful I could spend so much time with her in the first months of her life.

Our new daughter is coming soon, and I’m planning to take two months of paternity leave again. This time, I’m going to take advantage of Facebook’s option to take leave in parts. I’ll take a month off to be with Priscilla and the girls at the beginning, and then we’ll spend the whole month of December together as well. I’m looking forward to bonding with our new little one and taking Max on adventures.

At Facebook, we offer four months of maternity and paternity leave because studies show that when working parents take time to be with their newborns, it’s good for the entire family. And I’m pretty sure the office will still be standing when I get back.” Zuckerberg wrote.

Zuckerberg did something similar back in 2015, when the couple welcomed their first daughter, Max.

Facebook offers its US employees up to four months of paid parental leave which they can take throughout the year. When Max was born, Zuckerberg took his time all at once; this time, Zuckerberg writes, he’ll take a month off to be with his family immediately following the birth, and then he’ll go on leave again for the entire month of December.

Read post below:

When Max was born, I took two months of paternity leave. I will always be grateful I could spend so much time with her in the first months of her life.

Our new daughter is coming soon, and I’m planning to take two months of paternity leave again. This time, I’m going to take advantage of Facebook’s option to take leave in parts. I’ll take a month off to be with Priscilla and the girls at the beginning, and then we’ll spend the whole month of December together as well. I’m looking forward to bonding with our new little one and taking Max on adventures.

At Facebook, we offer four months of maternity and paternity leave because studies show that when working parents take time to be with their newborns, it’s good for the entire family. And I’m pretty sure the office will still be standing when I get back.

I Don’t Have Any House Abroad, I Drive Myself Around – Aliko Dangote

Nigerian billionaire businessman and richest man in Africa, Aliko Dangote, says his refinery which is under construction will be completed in the last quarter of 2017.

 

In a new interview with Bloomberg, the chief executive officer of Dangote Group shared his business ideals and the next step for his business empire… with a little bit about his lifestyle.

The businessman touched on these 10 key topics.

 REFINERY IN 2017

Dangote says his refinery, which would refine 650,000 barrels a day, would be among the largest in the world.

“We didn’t really realize that we were going to need almost 70 million cubic meters of sand. But we are catching up, and I’m sure we’ll be able to deliver it by the last quarter of 2017.

“We have actually never failed in delivering any project. We always deliver our projects on time and at cost. If we hadn’t delivered our projects on time, that would be something. We will definitely deliver, by the grace of God.”

LIFETIME PROJECT

To Dangote, the refinery is his lifetime project and he is backing it up with his own life to make sure it is delivered.

“We are using our own money. This is my lifetime project. I have to back it up with my own life to make sure it is delivered. I know that, yes, it’s true, a lot of people have tried to deliver on refineries in the past, mostly governments. They couldn’t.”

HE DOESN’T DO SMALL THINGS

By 2025, Dangote says he would have investments worth $50 billion in the US and Europe.

“Beginning in 2020, 60% of our future investments will be outside Africa, so we can have a balance. We are looking at petrochemicals but can also invest in other companies.

“Let’s say that by 2025, I’m looking at between $20 billion and $50 billion. Mind you, we don’t do small things.”

LEARNT FROM THE MEN WHO BUILT AMERICA

“I never worry about being too bold. In business it’s good to be aggressive, but with a human face.

“I thought at first I was really aggressive until I watched this show, The Men Who Built America. I realized that actually they were much bolder than us. Someone like Vanderbilt, he built 50,000 miles of rail! That is a very bold move. That’s why anything we do, we don’t do it small. If there’s any human being who has done this equally, I am equal to the task to do the same. I actually have a sign on my desk that says, ‘Nothing is impossible’.”

NO INTEREST IN TELECOMS

Aliko Dangote says he has no interest in the telecoms industry, his reason being that he is late to the party.

“When I look at telecom, for instance, I think that would be very tough for us. We are a little late. Some players have been in this market for 17 years already. There’s no way you can go and jump over somebody after 17 years of their hard work. So I think we would pass when it comes to telecom today.”

HE WISHES HE INVESTED IN TECHNOLOGY

Dangote says he’d have loved to invest in tech, especially because companies in that industry get bigger valuations than industries like agribusiness.

“Look at the US, the way the tech companies are getting massive. And it’s still nothing compared to the GEs, yet those don’t get that kind of valuation. I wish that we’d entered tech, but our concentration has always been in Africa.”

ARSENAL ON THE WISH-LIST

Another thing on the wish-list of the 60-year-old businessman is to buy Arsenal football club.

“I don’t want to go after Arsenal until I deliver the refinery. Once I deliver, I will go after Arsenal.

“I don’t change clubs. Even when Arsenal isn’t doing well I still stick by them. It’s a great team, well-run. It could be run better, so I will be there. I will wait. Even if things change I will take it and make the difference going forward.”

NOT INTERESTED IN POLITICS

Dangote says he has no desire to go into politics because he loves his freedom too much to lose it.

“I’m not interested. There’s quite a lot we can do from the business side. I enjoy a lot of what I am doing, and I also love my freedom—and I don’t have too much. The little I have, politics would take away. I am not ready to give that up. There are businessmen who are interested in politics. I’m not one of them.”

INTEGRITY IS HARD TO COME BY

When asked of the human flaw that frustrates him the most in business, Dangote says it’s integrity.

“In Africa, you normally need to know who you’re dealing with. You have to make sure you’re dealing with very honest people who have integrity—that’s why we have so few partnerships. Dangote itself has plenty of headaches to take care of.”

PREFERS MAKING MONEY TO SPENDING IT

In Dangote’s words, he doesn’t like to throw away money and has no home outside Nigeria. He likes a simple and quiet life.

“I’m not a person who just likes to throw away money. I spend more money on charitable things than myself. I actually don’t have any home outside Nigeria. I stay in hotels. Quiet. Simple. My life is not very lavish, and I actually get very embarrassed if I try to show that I have money.

“In Lagos, I drive myself around on weekends. I ask my driver to go rest, and then I drive myself around. I still visit my normal friends I grew up with. My house is open 24 hours a day for them. I mingle with everybody. That’s the only way to get to know what’s going on.”

‘It Is Impossible To Find A Woman Like My Wife’ – Pastor Adeboye Says

The RCCG General Overseer said this about his wife of 50 years at a book launch in his honor which held at the RCCG campground last week.

 

“I don’t call her Chocomilo because I don’t drink her. It is impossible to find a woman like this woman. I want to thank God for this lady. Without her, I cannot be doing what I am doing today. This is the greatest gift apart from the holy spirit that God has given to me” he said

HIV is one of the primer killer diseases in Africa and all over the world. If you know its early symptoms, you can get timely treatment and stop spreading the epidemic!

Gurusbest lists 10 early symptoms of HIV every person should be aware of:

1. Sore throat

Surely all on its own this sign does not tell you to have HIV. However, in combination with the below-listed ones it should set an alarm and move you to take the HIV test. Soreness in the throat may precede fever.

2. Fever

It’s a common symptom for all kinds of infections, both viral and bacterial. However, if you got HIV, the fever may last up to 4 weeks, then disappear and reemerge later on for the same period. 77 percent of all the patients who were diagnosed with early HIV symptoms had a lasting fever.

3. Rashes

As well as other skin problems they may indicate HIV infection. This virus affects the whole body and gets those reactions from all organs, including the skin. So, in a combination with ongoing fever and sore throat, it should alarm you and motivate to take the test.

4. Night sweats

These have nothing to do with just feeling hot. People with HIV sweats have extreme experiences. Their clothes drench and even the bed linens get all wet. Many a time person wakes up and has to change before they can go back to sleep.

5. Lymph nodes’ swelling

Since HIV affects the immune system of the body the most, it may evoke the enlargement of the immune system organs – the lymph nodes. Over half of the patients with early HIV symptoms had it.

6. Joint and muscle pain

This pain may last up to 24 hours. The fits go away and start all over.

7. Headaches

They may not be attached to any other disease. These primary headaches lead to the low quality of life of a person with HIV.

8. Diarrhea

The stomach also reacts to the infection by constant problems and diarrhea.

9. Tiredness

The sense of weakness and fatigue exhausts your energy and makes you feel unable to cope with life.

10. Vomiting

This is how your body reacts to the attack of the virus and lets you know of it.

Parents in the university town of Nsukka have appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to suspend its ongoing strike, considering the setback and suffering it would cause students and their parents.

Some parents, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Nsukka on Friday, said that if the strike was allowed to continue, it would alter university academic calendar and make it difficult for students to graduate when they ought to.

Mrs Njideka Ozioko, a secondary school Principal, decried the incessant strikes in Nigeria's tertiary education sector, describing them as unhealthy development.

"It is unfortunate that some students have spent over five years for a course that is supposed to last four years as result of frequent strikes.

"When two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers; ASUU should consider students and suspend the strike, while it continues negotiation with government."

She said that the union should explore other avenues of ventilating its grievances, saying that

strikes adversely affect the academic life of students.

Similarly, Mr Jude Urama, while appealing to the lecturers to suspend the strike, said the government should make education a priority in its programme by treating issues relating to the sector honestly and transparently.

"It is unbelievable that government cannot implement agreement it reached with ASUU since 2009.

"If government knew it didn't have the financial muscle to fulfil that agreement, why did it sign the agreement?" Urama asked rhetorically.

He also appealed to the lecturers to consider the interest of students and parents who are on the receiving end, and suspend the strike, so that final year students could finish up with their examinations.

Also commenting, Mrs Joy Ezeugwu, a Civil Servant, urged the ASUU leadership to give Federal Government more time to meet its demands, in view of the present economic recession in the country.

"It is unfortunate that government has been unable to fulfil its own part of the agreement reached with ASUU since 2009.

"Education is the engine room that drives economic and technological development of any nation.

"Our leaders should learn how to give education its pride of place in order to move this country to the next level," she said. (NAN)

I’ll help Neymar become world’s best—Emery

Unai Emery hopes to help Neymar become the world’s best player at Paris Saint-Germain but insists he is treated like any other member of the squad.

The Brazil star enjoyed a promising debut following his world-record €222million move from Barcelona, bagging a goal and an assist as PSG made it two wins from two in Ligue 1 with a 3-0 victory at Guingamp.

Neymar is set for his first outing at Parc des Princes against Toulouse on Sunday, having watched PSG beat Amiens 2-0 on the opening day of the season after being presented to the crowd prior to kick-off.

Head coach Emery has no doubt the 25-year-old brings extra quality to the team but says their way of playing is not likely to change.

“His arrival is important. A lot of fans want to see him but he needs some peace and quiet, too,” he told a news conference.

“He is one more player in the squad. We make the most of his qualities but nothing changes in everyday life.

“He’s a young player who wants to get better here. We want to help him become the best player in the world.

“Neymar brings something more with his change of pace, he gives more quality in one-against-one situations. But we have the same idea as last year: to have control of the ball.

“We want to be stronger than last year. The team started well. I try to create a good mentality, to make sure we have good physical preparation. The title is our primary goal this season.”

Emery went on to wish good luck to midfielder Blaise Matuidi, who is set to join Serie A champions Juventus in a €20m deal.

“We were very happy with him,” said Emery. “He was looking for a good opportunity. He chose to take that with another team. There are young players, like Christopher Nkunku or Adrien Rabiot, who can replace him.”

Emery confirmed Lucas Moura will miss Sunday’s game with an ankle problem, while Grzegorz Krychowiak sat out training on Friday and is unlikely to be involved.

The former Sevilla boss hopes to have Marco Verratti back from a knock, though, and has encouraged the Italy star to improve his contribution to PSG’s attack.

Chelsea bid £63m to make 24-year-old striker fifth summer signing – report

Chelsea made an offer to sign Andrea Belotti but Torino rejected their £63m bid, according to reports in Italy

Italy striker Andrea Belotti Photo: Andrea Belotti / Instagram

 

Chelsea have failed with a £63m offer for Torino striker Andrea Belotti, according to reports in Italy.

Tuttosport, as quoted by Metro, is reporting that the Premier League champions made a substantial offer for the Italy international.

However, the same article states that Belotti’s employers Torino rejected the approach for one of Serie A’s most-prolific strikers.

According to the story in the Italian media outlet, Chelsea will have to activate Belotti’s £88m contract release clause if the Blues want to secure the centre-forward’s signature.

The 23-year-old striker enjoyed a breakthrough season at Torino last term after Belotti scored 26 times and made seven assists in 36 appearances in the Italian top flight last term.

Belotti was linked with a potential move to Chelsea’s title rivals Manchester United earlier this summer before Jose Mourinho signed Romelu Lukaku from Everton.

Chelsea have signed Manchester City goalkeeper Willy Caballero, AS Roma defender Antonio Rudiger, Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko and Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata in the summer transfer window so far.

The Blues suffered a surprise 3-2 loss to Burnley in their opening Premier League fixture of the 2017-18 campaign.

Cesc Fabregas and Gary Cahill were both sent off to leave the defending champions without the experienced pair for their trip to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

Everton Set to Sign Diego Costa as Sanchez Agrees Tottenham Move

Everton manager, Ronald Koeman has said that the club is open to signing Chelsea exiled striker, Diego Costa.

 

The Spanish international has declared that he will be heading to Spain from Brazil and will not return to Chelsea. Koeman has admitted his side would be open to signing Costa, either permanently or on loan.

 

Chelsea manager has told Costa he is not in his plans for this season and has signed Alvaro Morata from Real Madrid.

 

With Atletico Madrid banned from making any new signings until January and reportedly hesitating at signing Costa, the striker may be forced to look elsewhere for a new club.

 

Premier League side, Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a deal that could be worth over £40 million to sign Ajax centre-back Davinson Sanchez.

 

Although the club is not expecting to announce the deal until the weekend, an agreement is in place subject to the formalities of the defender obtaining a work permit and completing a medical.

 

Tottenham will pay Ajax £27m up front for the 21-year-old, with further £14m potentially due in add-ons depending on his appearances and success at the club.

 

Sanchez was named Ajax’s Player of the Year last season but told the club this week that he wanted to join Spurs. Former Tottenham and Ajax coach Martin Jol said Sanchez would need to “learn his trade” to be success in the Premier League and could find opportunities at Spurs.

 

Jol said, “If you play for Ajax, you can play for any club in the world — that is reality.

“He was arguably their best player. He is unbelievably quick. For a young player, he was mentally strong at Ajax.

“But to be mentally good for the Premier League, you have to learn your trade.

“Where can Sanchez play? If Pochettino plays three at the back, that’s different. Then maybe [Eric] Dier or [Mousa] Dembele doesn’t play. And I think Dembele is probably the best player at Spurs.

“I think the ideal situation would be to take Sanchez on loan with an option [to buy]. See if he plays. But that’s impossible. Ajax gave him a contract until 2022, so they can ask whatever they want.”

NASS Members Are Bunch Of Unarmed Robbers, I Won’t Stop Attacking

Barely four days after describing the constituency projects embarked upon by members of the National Assembly as corruption, former president Olusegun Obasanjo has bemoaned the bogus allowances and salaries collected by the lawmakers, who he described as a bunch of unarmed robbers.

He made this disclosure on Thursday at a public presentation of a book written by Prof Mark Nwagwu, entitled “I am Kagara, I weave the sands of Sahara”, held at University of Ibadan, an event where he acted as the chief host.

Lamenting that overhead, allowances, salaries take 90 per cent of the nation’s revenue while not much is left for capital development, he said: “It is even worse for the National Assembly. They will abuse me again, but I will never stop talking about them. They are a bunch of unarmed robbers.

“They are one of the highest paid in the world where we have 75 percent of our people living in abject poverty. They will abuse me tomorrow and if they don’t, maybe they are sleeping. The behaviour and character of the National Assembly should be roundly condemned.”

The former president urged the Federal Government to respect the agreements it signed with the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, because the government allowed itself to be stampeded into signing the agreements without full consultation within government.

He regretted that government allows itself to be rushed into signing agreement, particularly, when one group or the other withdraws their service and goes on strike.

“But an agreement is an agreement; whoever the agent is that signed that agreement on your behalf, you are bound by it. You may now have to renegotiate to have a new agreement, but the agreement earlier signed remains an agreement,” Obasanjo declared.

Lagos ranked 2nd world’s least liveable city

Lagos State, Nigeria’s commercial capital, has been ranked as second world’s least liveable city.

It ranked second behind Damascus in an annual report by The Economist, which placed Melbrourne, Australia, as the world’s most liveable city for the seventh year running.

The Lagos rating was a fall from the third position from the bottom as contained in the 2016 report.

The 2017 ‘Global Liveability Report’, which was released on Wednesday by The Economist’s Intelligence Unit, stated that terrorism and diplomatic tensions were eroding living conditions worldwide.

The report was premised on the criteria of stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education and infrastructure.

The “overall rating” of Lagos State stood at 36 per cent with stability, pegged at 10 per cent; healthcare, 37.5 per cent; culture and environment, 53.5 per cent; education, 33.3 per cent and infrastructure, 46.4 per cent.

Agence France Presse reports that conflict and terrorism were the major factors responsible for those cities finishing on the bottom of the survey.

“Violent acts of terrorism have been reported in many countries, including Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, France, Pakistan, Sweden, Turkey, the UK and the US.

“While not a new phenomenon, the frequency and spread of terrorism have increased noticeably and become even more prominent,” the report added.

Melbrourne, the Australian city was ranked number one out of 140 cities, slightly ahead of the Austrian capital Vienna, with the Canadian trio of Vancouver, Toronto and Calgary completing the top five.

The survey revealed that medium-sized cities in wealthy countries fared best.

“These can foster a range of recreational activities without leading to high crime levels or overburdened infrastructure,” the report said.

Major hubs like New York, London, Paris and Tokyo which were hives of activity reportedly lost points due to high levels of crime and overcrowded public transport.

Bailly: United Will Show World Class Status

Eric Bailly has stated that Manchester United never stopped being world class and they will show that this season.

Manchester United started the new premier league season with a sound 4-0 win over West Ham and will play Swansea next.

Bailly is currently in his second year at the club and is eager to show how good Manchester United is.

“The team has always been at a world class level, they have just had some bad moments,” Ivory Coast international Bailly, who joined in a £30 million move from Villarreal, told reporters.

“But now it’s time to give Manchester United its value. That comes with our hard work and that’s what all the players do that come – like [Romelu] Lukaku and Paul [Pogba], and also [Victor] Lindelof.

“With all the hard work we put in we are going to demonstrate that we are again a world-class club.”

I’ll sack Wenger once I buy Arsenal — Dangote

AFRICA’S richest man wants to buy Arsenal and sack Arsene Wenger.

Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote plans to make an offer to owner Stan Kroenke.

Dangote – who is worth £8.6billion – has supported the Gunners since the mid-Eighties.

He aims to submit his bid once the construction of a new oil refinery in Lagos, Nigeria, is completed.

Alhaji Aliko Dangote

Dangote told Bloomberg: “The first thing I would change is the coach. He has done a good job, but someone else should also try his luck.”

Wenger has been boss at Arsenal for 21 years and is the longest-serving manager of any side in Europe.

Fan protests against his rule rumbled on throughout last season but the Frenchman agreed a two-year contract extension in May.

Kroenke’s fellow Arsenal shareholder Alisher Usmanov had a £1bn takeover offer for the club turned down earlier this year.

But Dangote, 60, believes his power of persuasion can work on the billionaire shareholders.

He said: “If they get the right offer, I’m sure they would walk away.

“Someone will give them an offer that will make them seriously consider walking away.

“And when we finish the refinery, I think we will be in a position to do that.

“It’s a great team, well-run. It could be run better, so I will be there.

“I will wait. Even if things change I will take it.”

Dangote, who counts former Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein as a good friend, has previously spoken of his desire to purchase the North London side.

He put a four-year time frame on his plan to complete the takeover when speaking last September.

Dangote said at the time: “Maybe three to four years. The issue is that we have more challenging headwinds.

“I need to get those out the way first and start having tailwinds. Then I’ll focus on this.”

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