Android phone users protest cost of Internet subscription

| credits: Chukky Nwakky

Some Nigerians who make use of Android phones and  Java operating devices have taken to social media to protest against what they call ‘exorbitant’ cost of Internet subscription being charged by telecoms firms.

 Also part of the protest are those who use smart devices such as i-Phone and Windows phone.

They alleged that they are not getting value on their subscription plans,  compared to users of BlackBerry phones in terms of data allowance and prices.

The users who besieged various social networking sites urged the Nigerian Communications Commission to prevail on telecoms firms to address the issue, so that they can begin to enjoy same benefits BlackBerry users enjoy on their platforms.

Royal baby: William, Kate name son George

The couple and Baby Cambridge

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have named their son George Alexander Louis, Kensington Palace has said.

The third in line to the throne, who was born on Monday at 16:24 BST, will be known as His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge.

It is thought the Queen was told of Prince George’s name when she met him for the first time on Wednesday.

The family are at the Middleton home in Bucklebury, Berkshire, after spending a night at Kensington Palace.

George was the bookmakers’ favourite for the first name of the prince.

The duke and duchess had been expected to pick a traditional royal name for their son, who was born at St Mary’s Hospital in London, weighing 8lbs 6oz.

Royal infants usually have historical names which are passed down through the generations.

There have been six King Georges up to now, most recently the Queen’s father, although he was known to his family as Bertie.

The name Louis is Prince William’s fourth name and is likely to be a tribute to Lord Louis Mountbatten, the Duke of Edinburgh’s uncle and the last British Viceroy of India before independence in 1947.

Lord Mountbatten and William’s father the Prince of Wales were very close. Known by the Royal Family as Uncle Dickie, he was assassinated by the IRA in August 1979.

BBC royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell said Alexander was said to be a favourite of Catherine’s.

This is a relatively quick announcement of a name compared with previous royal babies.

It was seven days before the name of a newborn Prince William was announced in 1982, and there was a wait of a month following Prince Charles’s birth in 1948.

All births in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, regardless of parentage, must be registered within 42 days at the hospital before leaving or a register office.

source: http://www.punchng.com/news/world/royal-baby-william-kate-name-son-george/

Tricks vulcanisers use to defraud motorists

An air pressure equipment and a vulcaniser at work
| credits: John Ameh

A tyre is a vital component of any functional vehicle. It is also the point of contact between the vehicle and the ground.

 Experts say that a car with a healthy engine is worthless if it lacks good tyres.

Tyres glide on the surface of roads and their condition can either cause accidents or prevent them. This underscores the importance of tyres as sensitive parts of a vehicle.

Apart from being exposed to wear and tear, the pressure of the tyre is a major issue in road safety.

According to a report posted on tyresafe.org, a correct tyre pressure is vital to the safety of human lives on the road.

Child marriage and the Constitution

It is common knowledge that the National Assembly has commenced the process of reviewing the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended. Last week, the Senate resolved to amend Section 29 of the Constitution pertaining to Renunciation of Citizenship. The said section provides as follows:
“29(1) Any citizen of full age who wishes to renounce his Nigerian citizenship shall make a declaration in the prescribed manner for the renunciation.
(2)The President shall cause the declaration made under subsection (1) of this section to be registered and upon such registration, the person who made the declaration shall cease to be a citizen of Nigeria.
(3)The President may withhold the registration of any declaration made under subsection (1) of this section if-
The declaration is made during any way in which Nigeria is physically involved; or-
In his opinion, it is otherwise contrary to public policy.
(4)For the purposes of subsection (1) of this section. ‘Full age’ means the age of eighteen years and above. Any woman who is married shall be deemed to be of full age”
It is pertinent to note that section 29(4)(a) of the Constitution defines “full age” to mean the age of eighteen years and above. However, in recognition of child marriage section 29(4)(b) of the Constitution states that “any woman who is married shall be deemed to be of full age”.

pictures of the day!

William and Kate welcome a baby boy

With the U.S. agreeing to arm the Syrian rebels, a look at the weaponry available to them, from makeshift mortars to heavy guns.

Top-earning celebs under 30

Pictures of the day!

Our best photos from the past 24 hours.

Actress Amanda Bynes placed under psychiatric care in California

(Reuters) - Troubled actress Amanda Bynes has been taken to a hospital for involuntary psychiatric care after the former teen star was involved in a disturbance in Southern California, authorities said on Tuesday.

Don Aguilar, a spokesman for the Ventura County Sheriff's Department, declined to describe the incident that prompted deputies to take Bynes into custody and commit her for psychiatric evaluation.
But local media reported that the 27-year-old actress had started a fire in the driveway of a home in the Los Angeles suburb of Thousand Oaks. Bynes was born in Thousand Oaks and grew up there.
The Ventura County Fire Department confirmed that it responded on Monday night to an incident involving a gas can that was set on fire in a driveway and that Bynes was at the scene, but it would not say if she was accused of starting the fire.

Actress Penelope Cruz gives birth to baby girl

(Reuters) - Oscar-winning Spanish actress Penelope Cruz gave birth to her second child with husband Javier Bardem, a girl, on Monday in a Madrid hospital, a source familiar with the situation said.

Spanish media reported the birth earlier on Tuesday, citing a hospital representative, though Madrid's Clinica Ruber declined to confirm the news and representatives for Cruz and Bardem could not be reached for comment.
Cruz, 39, was still in hospital on Tuesday, the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
She married fellow Oscar winner Bardem in 2010 and the couple had their first child, a boy named Leo, in Los Angeles two and half years ago.
Cruz and Bardem are the only Spanish actors to have won academy awards, both for supporting roles. They first met on the set of a Spanish film in 1992 but got together after starring in Woody Allen's 2008 comedy "Vicky Cristina Barcelona".
They are due to appear together in supporting roles in "The Counselor", a film directed by Ridley Scott, scheduled for release later this year.
(Reporting by Teresa Medrano; Writing by Sarah White; Editing by Julien Toyer and Robin Pomeroy)

Banned South African film on sexual abuse creates buzz

(Reuters) - A low-budget movie no one in South Africa is allowed to
see has become the most talked-about film of the year.

For the first time since apartheid ended in 1994, regulators banned a local feature film, saying the movie "Of Good Report" contained child pornography. This halted its screening this month at the Durban International Film Festival.
The film's director and movie critics have likened the ban to apartheid-era censorship, saying the film, which examines the abuse of girls by older men, hit a nerve in a country where patriarchal rule dominates wide sections of society.

Al-Mustapha’s release: It reflects the inadequacy of our justice system to protect the just and vulnerable

 It reflects the inadequacy of our justice system to protect the just and vulnerable

The Nigerian criminal justice system was again ridiculed with the acquittal of Major Hamza al-Mustapha and Lateef Sofolahan, over the murder of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, wife of the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, after a 14-year trial. The mockery of the judicial system is even more pronounced as the late Kudirat was clearly murdered in cold blood; yet, with al-Mustapha’s acquittal, it is as if that fact is a farce. Again, before this acquittal, some prominent Nigerians were openly campaigning for al-Mustapha’s release, and attempting to define crime in parochial terms; even as al-Mustapha’s lawyers filibustered throughout the trial.

It is perhaps even more cynical, that the court of appeal discharged and acquitted al-Mustapha because the prosecution could not prove its case beyond reasonable doubt, as required by law. Yet, the same prosecution made a deal with the self-confessed murderer of Kudirat, Sergeant Rogers, in order to get at al-Mustapha who he claimed gave the instructions and the ammunition for the murder. Now, with a deal in the bag for Rogers, and the prosecution of his alleged master declared insufficient by the court, the result is that nobody would suffer for the culpable murder of Alhaja Abiola.

Abacha’s daughter under fire for attacking Soyinka

Gumsu, one of the daughters of the late maximum ruler, Gen. Sani Abacha, has taken to Twitter to snarl abuse at Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka.

She described the iconic writer as an “empty professor”, accusing him of assuming the role of a critic in the Nigerian polity because of financial gains.

Though the reason behind the Twitter rant could not be ascertained as at the time of filing this report, her earlier message in a tweet had stated, “Do the thing you fear the most. If there’s one thing that will change your thoughts quicker than anything else, it’s facing your fears.”

However, no sooner had she posted the tweet than a barrage of criticisms started trailing her comment. The first set of criticisms came from some of her fans on the social network.

One Sal Adeleke, tweeting via @HAJMAJA, said, “Look, if you bring in Soyinka, people might get offended and start insulting your family. I wouldn’t like that to happen for a reason. Please, don’t get involved in this game. It seems you have transformed to something else since the release of Al-Mustapha. What’s going on?’’

Pastor, security guard arrested for raping underage girls

The Edo State Police Command on Thursday paraded 32 suspected criminals, including a man who claimed to be a pastor of a pentecostal church in Orhiomwon Local Government, Fidelis Eze, who confessed to defiling two underage girls.

Eze, who said he defiled the two 11- year-old girls the same day, claimed that he had been forgiven of the offence by one of his victim’s father.

Edo State Police Commissioner, Foluso Balogun, lamented the rising cases of defilement of minors in the state and called on members of the public to assist the command with useful information in its fight against “criminal elements.”

He said, “We have about 32 suspects that we are parading, including kidnappers and those involved in defilement of girl-child; this is something that is very disturbing.

“This (pointing at Eze) is a pastor. He defiled two young girls; it is very nauseating.”

According to Eze, the act was committed in 2012.

He said, “It was sometime last year which was when the two girls (Joy and Anthonia) came to my house. It was Joy that brought Anthonia to my house. It was the same day that I had sex with them and they agreed.

“The father of Joy got to know and he called me and I pleaded for forgiveness and since then I have not seen them again, they even packed out of our vicinity. It was this year (July14) that the father came with policemen to arrest me.”

Also paraded for defiling an underage, was a 42-year-old security guard, Segun Otaru, who confessed to having sex with the daughter of his employee. He added that the act was consensual.

He said, “The incident took place on June 6, 2013. The girl had told the mother that she wanted to go to the toilet. After few minutes, the mother came looking for her, that was how she met us. The girl consented, I didn’t force her.”

Also paraded by the police were some suspected kidnappers, and alleged criminals that specialised in using commercial buses to rob passengers.

source: http://www.punchng.com/metro/pastor-security-guard-arrested-for-raping-underage-girls/

Lagos-Ibadan Expressway: Contractors yet to move to site

Exactly two weeks after President Goodluck Jonathan inaugurated the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the two contractors appointed to do the job, Messrs Julius Berger Plc and Reynolds Construction Company Limited, have yet to commence work.

The indication came just as the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry called for further expansion of the 127-kilometre road to five lanes on both sides from Lagos to Ibadan in anticipation of future needs.

Julius Berger is to handle the section from Lagos to the Sagamu Interchange, while RCC will work on the stretch from the interchange to Ibadan.

The project, which is scheduled to be completed in four years, was awarded to the two contractors at N167bn.

Although the President had inaugurated the reconstruction work with a lot of fanfare, giving an impression that work was to start immediately, the contractors hinted on Thursday that they were still mobilising human and material resources for the project.

When our correspondent drove from the Lagos end of the road to the Sagamu Interchange on Thursday, there was nothing to suggest that work was in progress. Neither Julius Berger’s workers nor its equipment was found along the road.

Spokesman for Julius Berger, Mr. Clement Iluoba, however, said there was no cause for apprehension on the project, adding that the firm had given a firm commitment to complete the work on schedule and it would not fail.

According to him, the construction firm has moved into its work yard, formerly occupied by Bi-Courtney Highway Services, at the old toll gate, Lagos, in preparation for the project.

Bi-Courtney Highway was given the road modernisation project in 2009 under Build Operate and Transfer arrangement but the contract was terminated last year accusing by the Federal Government, which accussed the firm of non-performance.

Meanwhile, motorists and other users have continued to agonise as the state of the road worsens with heavy rains currently being witnessed.

There is constant heavy traffic at the section between Mowe and Mountain of Fire and Miracles Church, inward Berger Bus Stop.

Our correspondent observed that the road is riddled with potholes.

Heavy duty vehicles, which are parked along the two sides, have further narrowed the road.

Sometimes, people trapped in the traffic spend about two hours from the Sagamu end to Lagos as the traffic may stretch from MFM beyond Mowe, towards the interchange.

And once there is a breakdown of a truck on either of the sides, many people get stuck in the attendant long traffic.

source: http://www.punchng.com/business/business-economy/lagos-ibadan-expressway-contractors-yet-to-move-to-site/

10 celebrities we can’t get enough of….

From the red carpet to the after parties, there are some celebrities that are simply on track at all times when it comes to fashion. With the awards season approaching, you never know what they could come up with next.  These celebs always step up their fashion A-game. They are always a delight on the red carpet, they never disappoint when it comes to dressing all the way up, whether it’s one shoulder or strapless, these selected ten fashionistas wear them well.

 Tiwa Savage 

From all her classy red carpets dresses to her darling baby doll dresses and little clutches, she always looked refreshingly sweet. We can’t wait to see more of her pretty style in 2013.

Genevive Nnaji 

Nigeria’s Nollywood sweetheart’s fashion choices have become more and more glamorous with each even but we’re even more excited to see what she’ll wear on the red carpet this year.

Lisa Folawiyo

The fashion designer is one of the coolest around. Whether she’s wearing a funky short sleeved shirt, bold shoes, or an elegant Ankara dress, she always looks fashion forward and totally at ease in her clothes.

Nkiru Anumudu

She never fails to give us something interesting to look at, and to think about. She’s always one-upping herself too. We can’t wait to see what new looks she rolls out in 2013.

Alali Hart

 The Clarins boss always appears in outfits that are supremely well-fitted and classy.
She is not only prominent for her entrepreneurial success, her ladylike disposition is also admirable. In her 40s, her business concern, Montaigne Place, has several outlets in Lagos. This is in addition to making the range of cosmetic products she sells, more popular in this part of the world.

Omowumi Akinnifesi

Her style of gowns, I’m sure, has been taken to plenty of tailors to be duplicated simply for being the most eye catching. She never disappoints when it comes to dressing all the way up, whether its one shoulder or strapless, she wears them well.

   Agbani Darego

 We can’t get enough of her quirky, vintage-inspired red carpet choices. This former Miss World knows how to rock the red carpet.

 

Nike Oshinowo

Whether she’s rocking a funky print dress, bight printed scarves,, Nike  one to watch for all the newest and most wearable trends this year..

Munachi Abii 

 She was giggling for the paparazzi, wearing a wild poka-dotted dress, or strutting in hot pink pumps, former Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria Munachi is fun fun fun. Here is hoping for   more fun with Muna in 2013.

Omotola Jolade Ekehinde

With her often times dramatic dresses which emphasizes her curves, the Nollywood diva is always a delight to watch on the red carpet. We look forward to more drama this fashion year.

source: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/02/10-celebrities-we-cant-get-enough-of/#sthash.ngEbVt8j.dpuf

Women love me because i satisfy them in bed

Pedro Ken Ogbebor, alias New Yorker is a 46 year-old cripple, residing by the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium Benin City. He is one person that his disability had never hindered from embarking on any mission. Although he has not been to America before, his American accent gave him the name, New Yorker. Even as a cripple, he is popular and loved by many including women. Saturday Vanguard spoke with this father of three whose wife abandoned few months ago on why he is a fan of beautiful ladies despite his disability. This encounter was quite revealing. Excerpts:

Why do you bear the name New Yorker when you’re not from New York?
I started answering New Yorker when a friend of mine bought me a new bike. Then, a plane was flying above us at the same time, so we just said this is our plane flying to New York. So when I left there, I wrote New Yorker at the back of the bike and that was how the name became a house hold name in Benin City. Infact, people outside Nigeria know me as New Yorker and I act like a New Yorker now. That is why I always advise anybody who is  disabled not to feel ashamed, but mix up with people and make friends. Don’t allow people to intimidate you because you are disabled.

As I am now, a lot of people love me.I got married but my wife left me because I don’t have money. I have three children but since she left, I have been coping well with the beautiful children that God gave me:  two girls and a boy. I don’t feel disabled each time I see my children. They go to school and mix well with other children. If you are disabled, don’t lament too much. All you need to do is thank God for your life, give joy to people around you, tell them that your disability is not a problem to you. I always have fun with people particularly girls and I am a happy man.

Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to be handle by Julios Berger

President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday inaugurated the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, with a pledge that the N167bn project would be completed in 48 months.

He inaugurated the project as thousands of road users were grounded for about three hours on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and Abeokuta-Ore-Benin Expressway.

The road users were prevented from accessing the Sagamu interchange until the ceremony ended around 12.15pm and the President left in a helicopter.

L-R: Asphalt Supervisor, Julius Berger Plc, Mr. Hartlied Harald; President Goodluck Jonathan; and Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, during the inauguration of the reconstruction of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, at Sagamu, Ogun State... on Friday

The reconstruction of the 35-year-old road is being handled by Messrs Julius Berger Plc and Reynolds Construction Company Ltd.

While the former takes charge of work from the interchange at Sagamu to Lagos, the latter will take care of the portion from the interchange to Ibadan.

I begged for Food on Streets of London

Nigerian-born radio presenter at Sky UK and Ireland, Ms. Abike Ade, in this interview with ADEMOLA OLONILUA speaks on her acting career, broadcasting, her late husband and other issues

How has it been working as a broadcaster in the United Kingdom?

It’s been very very challenging.

How challenging? What kind of stress you go through?

The challenges vary. It starts from building one’s image, keeping it up and getting better and better on a daily basis.

So, have you been able to build your image to a level you are satisfied with?

The stress starts from meeting up with the required standard from fans, individuals and at the same time keeping with my duties as a mother. I continue to work on my image as one is never satisfied. I strive to continue climbing until I reach my best. My best is yet to come.

How did you come up with the idea of presenting a Yoruba programme in London? How has the acceptance level been?

Shoprite retail store now in Dugbe- Ibadan

A breath of fresh air seemed to have hit Ibadan city with the opening of Shoprite retail store on Thursday, June 27. Shoprite, located beside the famous Cocoa House, the city’s tallest structure, in Dugbe, attracted thousands of residents on its opening day on June 28.

The size of the crowd that thronged the mall made it the biggest attraction in the city. Various jokes also hit the social media about the crowd of people that greeted the store on its opening day. A famous joke says 102,000 people visited the store on that day, with only about N35,000 made from sales. Many, the inventors of the jokes claimed, were at the store to window shop and take pictures.

However, the situation had not changed much after one week. There was a large crowd of people milling in and out of the mall, filling up all the spaces within the store.

Your phone may soon land you in jail: Says FRSC Nigeria

If the recent pronouncement of the Corps Marshall of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Osita Chidoka, is anything to go by, Nigerian prisons will soon be playing host to a new set of ‘tenants’ – motorists who make or receive calls while driving.

Chidoka announced in Abuja last Saturday that the era of collecting fines from motorists who violate road safety laws of the country had gone.

The FRSC boss said the system was no longer a deterrent to errant motorists. He said the corps would now prosecute violators of its rules, especially the one prohibiting the use of telephones while driving, and ensure they are sent to jail.

The law may push many errant motorists to prison, even though on the list of offences and penalties posted on the FRSC website, the offence currently attracts a N4,000 fine.

But this does not seem to concern the FRSC as its spokesperson, Mr. Jonas Agwu, said the duty of the corps was to ensure the total eradication of deaths brought about by such prohibited practices.

Agwu shed light on the new strategy in a telephone interview with Saturday PUNCH on Wednesday. He explained that the decision to introduce the prison dimension came about when it became clear thatmany motorists would rather be caught and pay the prescribed fine than obey the law.

Serena exit leaves Wimbledon in twilight zone

Wimbledon entered the twilight zone on Monday as Serena Williams became the latest high-profile champion to fade into oblivion at a tournament where reputations and star status are counting for nothing.

 Just when it seemed that this year’s grasscourt major had exhausted its quota of shocks with grand slam champions Rafa Nadal, Roger Federer, Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka all blotted out of the draw by the second round, along came Sabine Lisicki.

 

 

 

The German, playing a brand of fearless tennis that many dream of but only the brave produce, jettisoned the American holder 6-2 1-6 6-4 to leave Wimbledon gasping in disbelief once again.

Lisicki also struggled to catch her breath.