Brazil 2014: Kenya Rattles African Champions, Nigeria

Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi

Nigeria, the Champions of Africa, kicked off their post-Afcon campaign in Calabar with a disappointing World Cup qualifying draw at home to Kenya, Saturday. Despite early confidence on the pitch and in the stands, the home side failed to spark—they were left stunned as Francis Kahata gave the Harambee Stars the lead with a sweetly struck freekick towards the end of the first half.

However, to the immense relief of the home supporters, Nnamdi Oduamadi sealed a late, stoppage time equaliser, getting Naija out of jail, and breaking Kenyan hearts, reports Goal.com. Stephen Keshi’s forewarning that the occasion for partying was done, and his insistence that the side were totally focused on seizing a place in Brazil for the 2014 World Cup were bore out early on, as Naija looked urgent and progressive. This was tempered this with the composure and maturity that is increasingly becoming a trademark of this young side.

Obafemi Martins will have been acutely aware of the significance of his latest opportunity with the national side. The experienced frontman, realising that future opportunities may well be limited, was keen to impress. He had little to work with in the early stages, a number of long balls forward from the full-backs drifting aimlessly past him.

Francis meets Benedict: first recorded meeting of two popes in history

Pope Francis meets Pope Benedict

 Pope Francis succeeded Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, on 
March 13. In yet another first, Pope Francis had a lunch meeting 
with his predecessor,  Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI. There is no 
public record of two popes ever meeting in history. At least, it is 
the first time in 600 years that Saturday afternoon’s meeting has 
taken place.

Pope Francis was flown by helicopter to Castel Gandolfo, the 
residence of the Pope Emeritus for a private lunch. Pope Francis succeeded 
Benedict on March 13 after the latter resigned due to failing health.
 They have spoken by telephone since Francis was elected but this is 
their first face-to-face meeting.

Ghana Army Buries 27 Illegal Miners Alive

It was gathered that at least 27 illegal miners were buried alive in their pits at Obuasi in the Ashanti region on Wednesday March 20, 2013 during a joint operation by the National Security outfit and the Ghana Armed Forces, aimed at destroying and sealing off illegal mining pits in the area.

The trapped miners were however rescued in the dawn of Friday March 22, 2013 with the help of their colleagues who first suspected the entrapment after the military c*m national security operation.

Daily Post Claims Senator David Mark Gifts 2Face with N47m Corvette

While the wedding buzz continues to peal, daily post claimed the Senate President, David Mark, who also hails from Benue like 2baba, gave the couple a Ferrari reportedly worth 47m. I might not know my cars but methinks that's a little too much if the rumor proves to be true. All the same, 

DELE MOMODU:As the World Mourns Chinua Achebe

dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com

Fellow Nigerians, let me join you and countless others across the universe in celebrating the life of one of our few global Ambassadors, Professor Albert Chinualumogu Achebe, who took a final bow two days ago as the curtain was closed on his spectacular performance on the world stage. It was a total blackout as the lights dimmed for a man who had sparkled under the klieg-lights for half a century of his 82 years on earth.

The rumour of his death had earlier crept in last week but that was soon dismissed as arrant joke. But this time around, the news came back with a renewed vigour and slammed at us like a ferocious thunderstorm.

EXCLUSIVE: RECOVERED VEHICLES IN LAGOS STATE

Vehicles                 Reg . No                  Location

Toyota Yaris          RM 17 AAA               Akinpelu

Toyota Camry.       RK 841 KJA               Akinpelu

Isuzu Rodeo          JM 42 AAA                Shagamu

Nissan Sunny        XR 120 KJA                Okokomaiko

Subaru S/Car.         GB 03 KJA                 Gowon Estate

Honda Accord        IK 865 KJA                 V/Island

Audi 80 S/Car        XW 499 LSR               Surulere

Grand Chirokee       BU 134 FST                Shasha

Toyota Highlander     GG 403 AHH       Satellite

Mazda Torteye           SK 776 AAA     Lion Building

Honda CRV Jeep     CY 328 RBC        Akinpelu

V/Wagon Golf 2       XM 922 FKJ      Onikan

Mit. Galant              GA 946 AAA       Tolu

Toyota Yaris              BJ 344 BDG           Isoko

V/W Touareg Jeep       APP 472 AC        Adeniji Adele

Toyota Camry             RJ 14 AAA                Meiran

Toyota Camry                DR 482 AAP            Ketu

Toyota Hiace Bus              ES 130 BEN              Ebute-Ero

V/Wagen Lt. 28 Bus      UNREGISTERED            Ago-Okota

Toyota Sienna                   Unregistered            Area ‘N’hqtr

EXCLUSIVE: Promotion Exam Scandal: 60 Army Officers Arrested

The Nigerian Army has commenced investigation of over 60 of its officers in connection with leakage of the lieutenant to captain promotion examination. The officers, who were among the 300 that took the examination, have been placed on close surveillance and are to face a Military Board of Inquiry after the probe being handled by a detachment of the military police at the 1 Division in Kaduna.

Reports however indicate that the chief culprit in the crime simply identified as Lieutenant Taofik was arrested in Akwa Ibom State. Sources further said although the rules prohibit officers from bringing cell phones into the examination hall, the said lieutenant had allegedly smuggled one that had preserved answers to the leaked questions.

THISDAY NEWSPAPER PAYS TRIBUTE TO Albert Chinualumogu Achebe (1930 - 2013)

Late Professor Chinua Achebe

The death last Thursday in the United States of Professor Chinua Achebe, 82, has brought a tragic loss to Nigeria, Africa and indeed all humanity. Here was a man who blazed the trail in African literature. Here was a man who dedicated himself to the relentless task of re-educating the continent alongside the world about the burden of its history from the first contact with Western civilization; through the challenges of independence and the immediate post-colonial politics of democratic adaptation. Here, above all, was a man who, through his writings, brought respect to the black man and lightened the complexion of the so-called 'dark continent'.

Suntai Moved to US Hospital

Governor, Danbaba Danfulani Suntai

Taraba State Governor, Danbaba Danfulani Suntai, who has been receiving treatment in a German hospital after surviving a plane crash has been moved to the United States of America for further medical treatment.  Suntai, who has been on admission at the German hospital since October last year, two days after the plane he was piloting crashed near Yola, Adamawa State, was transferred to John Hopkins Hospital, U.S. last Wednesday where he is expected to receive better medical treatment.

Prof Zakare Yusufu Aliyu, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Specialist Hospital, Jalingo revealed this yesterday when he appeared before an ad-hoc committee set-up by the State House of Assembly to unravel the motive behind a press interview granted by the CMD on the governor’s state of health and published in a national daily on 7th of March, 2012 noted that Suntai and himself had visited the John Hopkins hospital for treatment severally before he was involved in the plane crash.

BreakingNews: Again, Multiple Explosions, Gunshots Rock Kano

IGP, MohammedAbubakar 

Peace was again shattered in Kano in the early hours of Saturday, when multiple explosions rocked the city. The explosions, which were accompanied by sporadic shooting, occurred at about 7am in the Hotoro area of the metropolis forcing residents to remains indoors. It was learnt that security agents are at the scene. Causality figures are unknown as neither the police nor the JTF responded when contacted by telephone.

Eddy Odivwri: Will Anything Change in Nigeria?

President Goodluck Jonathan

Many a times I would exercise some hope, believing that Nigeria will indeed get better. Not so much that I believe in the so-called Transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan, but i just hope things will improve someday, perhaps not in my life time.  But the more I see how things run, the more my hope level drops. The ethnic faults are deepening and even widening. And I wonder if anything will ever really change in Nigeria.

I have watched the verbiages that have attended the controversial state pardon granted former Bayelsa State governor, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, by President Jonathan, purportedly on the advice of the Council of States. While many have noted that the President has the right to grant such pardon to whomever he deems fit, the point remains that it is an odious and morally disabled case, that was treated with undue haste and inauspiciousness.

No doubt, President Jonathan may have been persuaded by the urge to do something significant for his former boss. But many Nigerians believe that there are many other ways by which he could have refurbished and “settled” his former boss without dragging both his office and the entire country into utter disrepute. The backlash has been befuddling.

At Last, Tuface's walks Down the Altar with Annie

I just wish I were a fly in the wall but in this 
case, Dubai as The couple (2Baba and Annie ) 
and their cute daughter who by the way looks 
beautific walked down the sandy shores for 
their wedding today. Here's wishing my 
favorite celebrity couple a happy and fulfilled 
married life. 

Omosexy's Showers Encomiums on Hubby on his Birthday

So Omosexy's husband celebrated his birthday today and the wife, 

our screen goddess showered encomiums on him. Honey boy 

she calls him..,aawwwww. 

Here are some of her tweets