My unapologetic opinions.
Residents of Akure, the Ondo State Capital today trooped to the palace of late Deji of Akure, Oba Adebiyi Adesida, the Afunbiowo (II) to see his corpse which was placed on the Monarch chair for all to see. According to reports, the late king was placed on his seat as part of the Akure kingdom tradition that must carried out in honour of the deceased Monarch. The late king died early hours on Sunday in his palace after a slight headache.
President Goodluck Jonathan today unveiled a a drone made by the Nigeria Airforce. However, the drone named “GULMA” was not tested in flight.
Nigeria unveiled its own drone on Tuesday, appropriately named “GULMA,” (Hausa word for gossip). The unveiling was done by President Goodluck Jonathan at Nigeria Air Force base in Kaduna, North central Nigeria. The unmanned aerial vessel was designed and constructed by the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) in collaboration with other local institutions. The President described the launch of the UAV as a ”landmark moment” in Nigeria’s history.
He also supervised the winging of 11 locally trained UAV pilots at the occasion.
”Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, with a deep sense of pride and accomplishment, I now unveil the Nigerian-made Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, also known as GULMA,” President Jonathan said at the occasion.
”Considering the potential impact of its benefit and versatility, I cannot but say, how proud I am of the men and women of our Armed Forces.
“Apart from their commitment to the protection of our sovereignty, they are helping to keep our nation ahead in military science and technology and to keep their civilian counterparts, on their toes,” the President said.
”In the year past, we have launched the first indigenous combat vessel, developed by our Navy, and various Armoured and operational vehicles developed by the Nigerian Army.
To all of you, I say thank you. Your collective efforts have opened a new vista of innovation and opportunity for our nation,” he added.
Analysts believe the UAV would be deployed to monitor the activities militant Islamic sect, Boko Haram, which has been operating in the rugged mountains and forests of Nigeria’s North east.
SAHARA REPORTERS
2013 according to Google’s ‘Zeitgeist’ top searches for Nigeria makes an interesting read. We all have come to depend on google for answers. We forget each of us have made Google a success of what it is today. You. Me. We. Made Google the no 1 search engine in the world.
Thank God, Google can’t be accused of corruption. I wouldn’t be surprised to read about disappointed celebrities who didn’t make the top ten in the following most searched categories listed below:
– PEOPLE
– EVENTS
– MUSICIANS
– SPORTS PERSONALITIES
– NOLLYWOOD PERSONALITIES
– SPORTS TEAMS
– GADGETS
– CARS
The late Goldie Harvey was the most searched personality in Nigeria in 2013. The songstress and ex-Big Brother African contestant tragically lost her life upon her return from a trip to America. She attracted a lot of negative headlines during her fun-incarceration in the Big Brother house and true to form, Nigerians made her a heroine when news got out of her sudden death. FaceBook, Twitter, BlackBerry, WhatsApp and other social media platforms couldn’t get enough of her. Many anonymous social media commentators who humiliated her with tongue lashing comments did a 360 degree turn. It was sad on all fronts.
The most searched musician was always going to raise eyebrows. A lot of ego would be at play. Tiwa Savage (7) turned out to be the only lady in the top ten headed by Wizkid who by all standards had a spectacular year. The chap came out with hits such as Jaiye Jaiye ft Femi Kuti amongst others. Other star names that made it onto the list included P-Square (5) and D’Banj (8).
The most searched Nollywood Celebs had Mercy Johnson, Tonto Dikeh, Ini Edo, Funke Akindele and Genevieve Nnaji in that order. Any surprise? I don’t think so. Mercy Johnson got married didn’t she and Tonto Dikeh refused to be intimidated by haters who never appreciated her singing skills. Didn’t she make news in 2013!
Victor Moses was the most searched Nigerian sports personality ahead of John Obi Mikel and Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi. Victor who does his talking on the pitch, which can’t be said for many who talked themselves out of reckoning, created enough positive news to yield his position as 2013’s most searched sports personality by Nigerians. He seems to have settled in at Liverpool after his loan move from Chelsea. Many thought that move would be the beginning of his downfall, but it did the exact opposite. He was also a major contributor in Super Eagles becoming African Champions.
Believe it or not, it was always going to be a contest between Arsenal and Chelsea for the most searched sports team in Nigeria. However, Google has it that Chelsea was searched more times ahead of Arsenal. Barcelona represented La Liga. Its wasn’t any surprise that Manchester United came a distance 5th .
According to Google, Nigerians are no good at kissing There was a voracious desire to seek out ways to be better at kissing. The ‘How to’ top searches category by Nigerians had ‘how to kiss’ as no. 1. ‘How to pray’ came second. Not surprised at that. The country desperately need prayers at this time..
Finally and not surprisingly, ASUU strike which was called off today after a stupendously wasteful 5 months came tops in the Top Trending Event category. You can understand the concerns of Nigerians less those who thought they would be away for 9 months, as seen above.
Click Jide Salu’s Entertainment Blog for full list
A fellow blogger boasted she broke the guy pictured above. She has made him famous. He got his first celebrity interview. This is the stuff we are made up of in Nigeria. As a Nigerian, you have to be creative to stand out. To survive. Should I have written to make money. After all Michael Jackson did it, and that makes it right?
The guy known as Pela needs to be looked at with pity. he was once black, now he is cream. Can you spot his discoloured fingers? Should this be an act to be promoted? Definitely not on my blog. I can understand the struggles of some that have skin issues. Rather than patronise the likes of the funny guy above, who sells and has no clue the dangers and effects of mercury in lightening creams, I’ll suggest you book an appointment with a dermatologist. It is obvious Pela has, not such a unique mind set and self esteem. What becomes of his skin as he ages fascinates me ? Like many Nigerians, he lives for today only.
If you need further proof of the dangers of Bleaching, read the report below culled from the respected HUFFINGTON POST….and yea, yea,yea, I can just about hear some disgruntled readers yelling “who cares” with eyes rolling. I do.
……I was concerned with the reports because many of my of patients of African, Asian, Latino and Middle Eastern decent experience skin problems that are treated with skin lightening products. The problems that they experience range from dark spots, discolorations, uneven skin tone, sunspots, and freckles. Some of my patients simply want to lighten the overall color or their skin. These patients live in the very communities in which the dangerous creams have been sold.
Mercury is the very dangerous chemical that medical officials found in the skin lightening creams that sickened the women. It’s really shocking that in 2012, in the United States, that mercury containing creams have been found. The dangers of mercury are several. It can damage the kidneys and wreak havoc on the nervous system. To avoid unknowingly using harmful skin care products, never use unmarked products, including unmarked products that are given to you by friends, family or acquaintances or purchased at flea markets, swap meets or small unofficial beauty stores. If the product does not have an ingredient list, don’t use it. If you have used any products that fit this description, it is important to know the signs of mercury toxicity.
Symptoms of mercury toxicity include:
- Irritability
- Headaches
- Difficulty concentrating
- Forgetfulness
- Memory loss
- Numbness
- Tingling in the hands, feet or around the lips
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Weight loss
If you have experienced any of these symptoms after using an unmarked cream, see your doctor right away.
There are two other scary things that you should know about the mercury poisoning reports. Some adults and children who lived in the households of the individuals who used the cream were found to also have mercury toxicity. One was an eight month old child. The authorities think that the baby was exposed to the mercury when held in its mother’s arms (she had applied the cream to her arms earlier). Finally, mercury can be ingested, inhaled or absorbed through the skin then excreted in urine, sweat and breast milk. It can stay in the body for one to two months.
National President, ASUU, Nasir Issa-Fagge
The Academic Staff Union of Universities on Tuesday announced the suspension of the union strike that has crippled the nation’s public universities for close to six months.
Addressing a press conference in the Federal Universities of Technology, Minna, the Niger State capital, the National President of ASUU, Dr. Nasir Fagge, said the union had agreed to suspend the strike after a meeting of the National Executive Council which started on Monday.
Fagge also listed the components of the agreement which the union had with the Federal Government, which led to the resolution of the long-drawn crisis.
There is speculation that 17-year-old striker Kelechi Iheanacho is set to seal a deal with City
Nigeria wonderkid Kelechi Iheanacho is set to jet into England to seal a deal with Manchester City, according to reports.
The 17-year-old striker, who has also been linked with Manchester United and Arsenal, was preparing for next month’s African Nations Championship but has reportedly left the training camp to conclude a deal with City.
Coach Stephen Keshi told the Nigeria Guardian: “Initially a young man came declaring that he was the agent of Iheanacho, but I declined to deal with him until I hear from the family because the boy is still a minor.
“It was soon after my rejection that I got a call from his father who told me that they have got a travel visa to the United Kingdom and that I should oblige him with his son’s release. I did and told the young man to go and do the nation proud at whichever club he finally chooses to settle down with.”
Iheanacho was named player of the tournament at last summer’s Under-17 World Cup, scoring six goals, including one in the 3-0 win over Mexico in the final, as Nigeria lifted the trophy.
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