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Etcetera Says The Minister Of Petroleum Should Resign Immediately.

It is beginning to unfold how risky and dangerous it is for Nigeria that Buhari doubles as president and the petroleum minister. As the president, he already has too much on his plate with too many issues pulling the country towards collapse.
From the north, Boko Haram is threatening to drag the whole country down a cliff, and if nothing is done pretty soon, we are going to have a situation in our hands with the Biafra movement. It is already a keg of gunpowder waiting to explode in our faces. The business of armed robbery has never been as lucrative as it is today. The economy is another area that calls for the president’s urgent attention. But what do we have?
A president who has more-or-less assumed the role of a jack of all trade while doing nothing in particular. The president should resign as the minister of petroleum immediately if we are ever going to have sanity in the petroleum industry. What we need is a petroleum minister who is saddled with no other responsibility outside his ministry. Take for instance the negotiations with the petroleum marketers; it could have been better handled with more urgency knowing that the people are seriously suffering as a result of the slow pace of negotiations.
I don’t understand how the president wants to be personally involved in negotiations with oil marketers and at the same time travel all over the world from one summit to another. He should understand that the masses don’t care that much about the bottlenecks in these negotiations; all we want is to be able to drive into a filling station and buy fuel at any time of the day or year.
Secondly, is APC still the opposition party? Because responding to every jibe from PDP doesn’t speak of a party who has come to terms with being a ruling party. What I see here is that the APC never thought in its wildest dreams that Goodluck Jonathan would lose in the last election and as a result, they weren’t prepared for the responsibility of ruling.
The PDP left us in a total mess and would love nothing more than seeing APC fail. APC should put aside their lyrical battle with PDP and fix the issues facing this country or be seen as another party that failed us. APC should understand that elections shouldn’t be a win at all cost affairs. The choice of late Abubakar Audu as the party’s governorship candidate for Kogi State beats me. A man who had already been twice governor of the state from January 1992 until November 1993 and from 29th May 1999 to May 2003? 
Was it that Audu performed so well in his previous spells as governor of the state that APC chose to bring him back? I keep wondering what the party’s “change” philosophy is all about. As we speak, Bayelsa State is having another former governor as APC candidate for the coming governorship election in the state. May God save us all from desperate political parties.
INEC should explain to us why politicians are allowed to contest for elective positions in two different states. We have seen politicians lose primaries in one state and move to another state and get elected. Isn’t it confusing that Solomon Olamilekan alias YAYI contested for Lagos West senatorial seat after previously registering to contest for Ogun West senatorial district? And now, Faleke, who was a chairman of Ojodu local government and was also a member of Lagos State House of Representatives may emerge as the governor of Kogi State. INEC, please explain to us how this is possible ooo!!!.
Finally, the Federal government must insist that an autopsy is conducted on Audu’s corpse. We have to quell this rumour of foul play making the rounds or prove that he died of natural cause. Those who will argue that he was a Muslim and was buried in accordance with Muslim laws should understand that this is not a matter for religious sentiments. Audu was contesting an election and the speculation surrounding his death can be exploited to throw the state into chaos. INEC and the Federal Government must insist that an autopsy be carried out on his corpse to clear the air.

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Lionel Messi named 2015 Goal 50 winner

Argentine forward, Lionel Messi has won the Goal 50 award for the fourth time. The Barcelona hitman who snatched the gong in 2009, 2011 and 2013 fought off competition from his Nemesis Cristiano Ronaldo who won it last year and teammates, Luis Suarez and Neymar who came third and fourth respectively.

“I always say that, for me, the most important awards are collective ones, the ones that recognise us as the best at the end of the season. But I am also happy when I receive individual awards like this one. I am very grateful. Thank you.” The 28 year-old told Goal.

The Goal 50 is an annual award that both recognises and ranks the world’s 50 best footballers of the past 12 months.

Chief editors and correspondents from Goal’s 37 editions around the world all cast their votes, with candidates judged on their level of consistency over the previous year of action, their big-game performances, footballing legacy and the success of their teams at both club and international level.

Top Ten Goal 50 2015 winners.

1) Lionel Messi
2) Cristiano Ronaldo
3) Luis Suarez
4) Neymar
5) Eden Hazard
6) Thomas Muller
7) Arturo Vidal
8) Carlos Tevez
9) Paul Pogba,
10) Kevin De Bruyne

Credit: Goal.com 

Short Story: Wonderland. | By VictorMaria

Swirling between mirages and reality
Lost a glimpse of the truth
Seems like it happened outside my head or inside
Not sure which
Bones weak to the marrow
And I seem to enjoy every moment that passes
I feel soft from the inside 
Can’t clearly express this feeling
Seem to be losing it
I tend to have detailed reasoning on every wave of light I see
My mouth feels somehow – can’t explain that
My eyes wide open, sleepy but can’t sleep
Feeling a sudden urge for something sugary or fruity
I seem to hear my boom box beating louder than usual, even the flexible pumps I can feel and hear them breathing
Also seems like I can hear some impossible decibel of waves
Everywhere silent like a crypt….hold on
Who says a crypt is silent? At least some bad-arse ghosts could be chilling off-grave and making some noise. 
Anyway everywhere seems so silent….but all seems noisy…
The ticking of my wrist watch that seems inaudible deep in my wardrobe
Seems to be one of the factors of noise..
I think I can also hear my silent phone sounding like a gas leakage
I feel some ounce of courage…very unusual ‘dutch courage’
After a long battle with reality
My eyes take me to dreamland
In my dream I get confused with reality. Series of funny dreams pass across my skull like an EMP. After what I thought was 10 hours but just 3 hours of sleep. I hear the birds tweeting and a big bang on my door. The door swings open and I see my friend… I guess he too had a hell of a night. What scares me is not his swollen eyes nor his funny look but the glass of drink for two and a brand new bottle of vodka. This is the same drink responsible for all my little drama before my 3 hour night rest. Still can’t distinguish some of last night’s action from reality or dream.What else can I do than to accept my friend’s lovely gesture…..more vodka please
 ****************************************************************************************
VictorMaria is an aspiring author of fiction, fantasy and non-fiction. He also works as an artist with interests in landscape and nature drawings. He also has great passion for classical music, lego bricks, architecture, travel and wildlife. Visit his blog owlsandrobins.wordpress.com
Instagram Profile: @saintvictormaria

Pep Guardiola set to take over at Manchester City?

Reports emanating from Spain claim Bayern Munich boss, Pep Guardiola has signed a contract with Manchester City. The Spaniard who is yet to renew a contract with the German outfit mentioned few weeks back that he is still undecided about his future at the club.
 “I have not yet decided what is best for this club and I want to do the best for this club. I have not made a decision yet.” He was quoted months back.

Spanish radio station Cadena COPE says Guardiola will move to the Premier League, Manchester City to be specific next season.

“Pep Guardiola will leave Bayern Munich at the end of this season and will train Manchester City next season.

“Guardiola has decided on a change of scenery. He considers his time in Germany will end on 30 June after three seasons and he will, therefore, fulfil one of his wishes: to coach in England.” The report read.

48 luxury watches confiscated from FIFA officials to be donated to charity.

A total of 48 luxury watches confiscated from top FIFA officials after the Brazil World Cup will be donated to a charity in Brazil. Valued at $25,000 each, The Brazilian Soccer Federation revealed that a Parmigiani Fleurier SA watch was contained in each of the 65 gift bags distributed to representatives of each of the 32 competing nations and someone from each of member country of the regional governing body during the 2014 tournament.
This is one of the several plans outlined to rid the governing body of its culture of corruption. 
FIFA ethics committee have thus “decided that all watches returned to FIFA would now be donated to the international non-profit organization streetfootballworld, who will directly invest all resources generated through the sale of the watches into initiatives across Brazil that use football to drive social change,” the panel said in an e-mailed statement. “The investigatory chamber of the Ethics Committee considers the matter to be closed.”

Real Madrid have more players on the FIFA FIFPro World XI shortlist. See full list.

Spanish outfit, Real Madrid have more nominees on the FIFA FIFpro World XI 55-man shortlist released today. 12 players of the Blancos were featured, 10 from Barcelona, Bayern Munich have 11, while English Premier League has just 10.
The FIFA FIFPro World XI is decided by the players, for the players and It involves votes from more than 20,000 professional footballers from 70 different countries. They select one goalkeeper, four defenders, three midfielders and three forwards.
FIFA will announce the final nominees for the FIFA Ballon d’Or Awards on Monday, 30 November 2015.
The 55player shortlist
Goalkeepers (5): Gianluigi Buffon (Italy/Juventus), Iker Casillas (Spain/FC Porto), David De Gea (Spain/Manchester United), Keylor Navas (Costa Rica/Real Madrid) and Manuel Neuer (Germany/FC Bayern Munich).
Defenders (20): David Alaba (Austria/FC Bayern Munich), Jordi Alba (Spain/FC Barcelona), Jérôme Boateng (Germany/FC Bayern Munich), Daniel Carvajal (Spain/Real Madrid), Giorgio Chiellini (Italy/Juventus), Dani Alves (Brazil/FC Barcelona), David Luiz (Brazil/Paris Saint-Germain), Diego Godín (Uruguay/Atletico Madrid), Mats Hummels (Germany/Borussia Dortmund), Branislav Ivanović (Serbia/Chelsea), Vincent Kompany (Belgium/Manchester City), Philipp Lahm (Germany/FC Bayern Munich), Marcelo (Brazil/Real Madrid), Javier Mascherano (Argentina/FC Barcelona), Pepe (Portugal/Real Madrid), Gerard Piqué (Spain/FC Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Spain/Real Madrid), John Terry (England/Chelsea), Thiago Silva (Brazil/Paris Saint-Germain) and Raphaël Varane (France/Real Madrid).
Midfielders (15): Thiago Alcântara (Spain/FC Bayern Munich), Xabi Alonso (Spain/FC Bayern Munich), Sergio Busquets (Spain/FC Barcelona), Eden Hazard (Belgium/Chelsea), Andrés Iniesta (Spain/FC Barcelona), Toni Kroos (Germany/Real Madrid), Luka Modrić (Croatia/Real Madrid), Andrea Pirlo (Italy/New York City FC), Paul Pogba (France/Juventus), Ivan Rakitić (Croatia/FC Barcelona), James Rodríguez (Colombia/Real Madrid), David Silva (Spain/Manchester City),Yaya Touré (Côte d’Ivoire/Manchester City), Marco Verratti (Italy/Paris Saint-Germain) and Arturo Vidal (Chile/FC Bayern Munich).
Strikers (15): Sergio Agüero (Argentina/Manchester City), Gareth Bale (Wales/Real Madrid), Karim Benzema (France/Real Madrid), Douglas Costa (Brazil/FC Bayern Munich), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/Real Madrid), Zlatan Ibrahimović (Sweden/Paris Saint-Germain), Robert Lewandowski (Poland/FC Bayern Munich), Lionel Messi (Argentina/FC Barcelona), Thomas Müller (Germany/FC Bayern Munich), Neymar (Brazil/FC Barcelona), Arjen Robben (Netherlands/FC Bayern Munich), Wayne Rooney (England/Manchester United), Alexis Sánchez (Chile/Arsenal), Luis Suárez (Uruguay/FC Barcelona) and Carlos Tevez (Argentina/Boca Juniors).

Barcelona surpass Real Madrid as top all-time European scorers

Spanish giants, Barcelona have surpassed their fierce rivals on the goalscoring charts. The Catalan side who are having an impressive run this season netted in their 1,037th goal this season, just one goal more than Real Madrid who have recorded 1,036.

Top 20

Barcelona (1,037 goals)
Real Madrid (1,036)
Bayern Munich (856)
Juventus (746)
Anderlecht (640)
Benfica (639)
Liverpool (612)
Milan (612)
Ajax (606)
Inter Milan (606)
Manchester United (594)
Porto (542)
Valencia (529)
Red Star Belgrade (507)
PSV (503)
Celtic (500)
Atletico Madrid (488)
Sporting Lisbon (463)
Rangers (461)
Club Bruges (458)

(Photo) Didier Drogba unveils his autobiography in London.

Chelsea legend, Didier Drogba has unveiled his autobiography in London. The Ivorian forward signed copies of his autobiography ‘Commitment’ at Waterstones in Canary Wharf – London United Kingdom on Wednesday 25th November 2015.
The book traces the life and career of the sportsman. Drogba tells of his separation from his country at the age of five, bosses, colleagues and many more.
In other news, the Ivory Coast international has backed Arsenal to win the 2015/2016 EPL title. He told Sky Sports News during his book signing.
I think Manchester City will be as strong as they have been in the last few years. Unfortunately Chelsea are too far [behind in the title race], so I will go for my friend Petr Cech at Arsenal.’ 
Photo Credit: Wenn.com/getty images.com

More photos from Chief HID Awolowo's burial

Prominent Nigerians/political leaders thronged Ikenne, Ogun State, venue of the burial ceremony of the late Chief HID Awolowo. The long list of guests include Governor of Edo, Imo, Osun and Kaduna States; Adams Oshiomole, Owelle Rochas, Rauf Aregbesola and Mallam Nadir El Rufai. Others include, Audu Ogbeh – Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Transport – Chibuike Amaechi, Ogbonnaya Onu, ministers of Solid Minerals, Work, Power and Housing; Kayode Fayemi and Babatunde Fashola, Senate President Bukola Saraki etc.
Chief HID Awolowo’s granddaughter, Mrs Dolapo Osibanjo and her husband, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as well as President Muhammadu Buhari all paid their last respect to the former Tribune Chairman who breathed her last two months ago. She was aged 99.

Oh my! Ex-Chelsea defender takes Jose Mourinho to the cleaners

Ex Chelsea defender, Paul Parker has launched a scathing attack on Chelsea boss, Jose Mourinho for criticizing a former Chelsea player, Graeme Le Saux. Speaking before his team’s Champions League clash with Maccabi Tel-Aviv on Tuesday, the Portuguese manager had pointed out that, “I didn’t have a single problem within the squad. I didn’t have a Graeme Le Saux. I had everybody without fears, just wanting to come.”

Infuriated by the comments Park told The Sun: “Jose Mourinho just can’t help himself, can he? It’s horrible to see. Mourinho had actually gone out of the spotlight a little bit in the last few weeks, and there was a part of me that wondered if he’d finally realised that silence is golden, and that a manager can act with dignity and respect.

“Obviously, that was a pipe dream.”

He continued: “But what else would you expect of Mourinho?

“What else would you expect of a man who stayed safely behind one of his colleagues during a touchline row, but reached around and poked opposition coach Tito Vilanova in the eye… and later tried to justify it?

“That incident has always summed him up, to me; he’s like the kid at school who watches a playground fight from a safe distance, then sidles up quickly to kick one of the fighters in the stomach when he’s sprawled on the floor.”

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