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Mikel has been ignoring my calls- Stephen Keshi

Super Eagles head coach, Stephen Keshi has complained of being snubbed by the team’s midfielder, Mikel Obi.
Speaking recently with NationSport, the national team handler said he heard about the Chelsea player’s  injury and had put a call across to him to know his state of health. He was however shocked that his calls were not picked and returned and he didn’t reply his text messages either. 

“When I heard that Mikel was injured I tried severally to get him on phone to ask after his health but surprisingly he did not pick the calls. I sent text messages too but up till now that I speak with you he hasn’t called back or sent me text.

“This is unlike him anyway and it doesn’t mean that I won’t try to call him again. Since he is a member of the team, my duty is to call every member of the team to know their well-being and condition.  I also believe that he will call me since we have the national business to do together.” 

He added that the case is not with Stoke City player, Osaze Odemwingie who had a surgery September last year and just resumed to his club.
“I have been in constant touch with Osaze since he had his surgery and I am happy he is back on the pitch playing again. I spoke with him again three days ago. I have been calling all the members of this team and I can assure you that they are all ready for the task ahead.” He affirmed.
Credit: NationSport.‎

Etcetera writes on how to please a Nigerian man.

Is something wrong with the Nigerian woman? Has she lost her beauty and power of seduction? How come Nigerian billionaires and politicians are all of a sudden having preference for foreign women? Or has the money syndrome finally caught up with them?
…… Oops! Did you say it’s about time? Hmmm maybe Nigerian men are difficult to satisfy like some of our ladies have claimed. But is that the appropriate excuse? Well, for any woman who truly knows her onions, pleasing a man (whether a Nigerian or not) is never a difficult feat. So ladies, here are some insights to a Nigerian man’s heart that will guide you to becoming the right woman in his eyes.
Submission has got a bad rap in recent years. The feminist movement has even made matters worse. Women are forgetting that submission wasn’t your man’s idea, it was God’s. “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:22) Again the Word says, “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fitting in the Lord.” (Colossians 3:18). Men should also know that submission does not mean subjection to abuse. Submission simply implies respect for another’s authority.
Ok sweerie, the premiership ends this weekend. You can now have the remote control from Monday morning. Watch as much telemundo and your Nollywood movies as you can from now till August. Nigerian ladies should understand that the key to a harmonious family life is finding that balance. Your man may not be a professional footballer and probably may not go to the field and play every Saturday, but if you don’t disturb him whenever he is watching his favourite team play on TV, he will love you more.
Remember that by learning to love and support his team, you are creating a deeper bond between the two of you. Be on his side, root for his team, celebrate his victories, mourn his defeats. Even the Bible commands us to “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.” (Romans 12:15) lol…
Every Nigerian man loves food. I mean the actual food. There’s no such thing as a modern or old fashion way. A way is a way and the only way to a typical African man’s heart has always been through his stomach. Coming home from a long day’s work, we enjoy nothing better than a well cooked meal. Remember the story of Esau in the Bible? He was so hungry and was practically shaking after working in the fields that he was willing to sell his birthright to his brother Jacob for a hot bowl of soup! (Genesis 25:29-34). Ladies, when a Nigerian man is not properly fed, he becomes irrational, irritable and vulnerable to temptation. Feed us well not just for anything else, but so you may have peace in the house…. lol
Now ladies, ask any Nigerian man to choose between a delicious plate of soup and no sex or a tasteless meal and a mind-blowing sex, he will prefer to drink garri without sugar and have that mind-blowing encounter with you in bed. Does that tell you something? Babes, you may be everything from smart, charming with long pretty legs and even God-fearing but if your husband doesn’t find you sexually attractive, SHIKENA. A Nigerian man always wants that thing. So, stop holding back whenever he wants it. Adopt the Boy Scout motto that says “always be prepared.” Stop using your sexuality to manipulate or punish him.
Our greatest vulnerability is our sexuality, so don’t just go there – No games with that please. Give yourself to him freely every time, every way and everywhere. The Bible commands you, “Deprive not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your lack of self-control.” (1 Corinthians 7:5). Did you hear that? It says even after fasting, you should still give it to him…. Hmmmmm! I love the Bible. No wonder they call it the “perfect book.”
All men want to be successful. But it is so unfortunate that most Nigerian women measure success by what a man has accomplished aman has accomplished and not by who he is as a person. It is the role of the woman to help her man see the big picture in life, not through the eyes of someone who wants to purchase every latest trend in fashion, mobile phones and cars.
 
The good book of the lord says, “Better is the poor (man) who walks in his integrity than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich.” (Proverbs 28:6). So, ladies, always let your man know when he is doing a good job. Praise him for his patience with words like, “I really appreciate that you helped me with the dishes today.” “Thanks so much for emptying the dustbin; I appreciate you honey, even in the small things.” Note that a little compliment to a Nigerian man every now and again works like magic.
Nigerian men are driven by the need for significance. We often ask ourselves this question, “Do I really matter to her?” A man’s thirst for significance can only be quenched in knowing how important he is. That is why we will chase after every vain pursuit only to hear the words, “You matter. You are important. You are appreciated. You are significant.” If a man never heard these words or sensed this approval from his woman, he can spend his whole life chasing someone else who will value his identity.
Support your man at every turn. Be there for him to guide him. This is God’s command for you as the woman. God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.” (Genesis 2:18). A man needs help in the small things like finding our car keys or in bigger things like building a business. It has become one of the most popular sayings that “behind every great man is a far greater woman.”
With men, two plus two is always four. We are a straight-jacket mind species. Maybe it is so because we have always found solace in being logical. And it has proved to be a sure way one can maintain stability in the home, especially in times of uncertainty or danger. But it is clear that men most times lack that natural intuitiveness found in women. Which makes it important, that whenever your man is about to strike a business deal, he needs your input because he might not understand that deep gut feeling you have that something is not right.
For a man, if it looks good “on paper,” it is good even when in your heart of hearts, you can smell something foul brewing. Your man needs your intuitive, instinctive, perceptive and discerning insights when making decisions. But as his woman, you should be careful so as not to bruise his ego.
A man is not molded to understand the emotional and dynamics behind the problems that women face. So it is important that the woman doesn’t go running and pouring all her cares, worries, fears, insecurities and troubles on him all at once, it can be very overwhelming. If it is your car that is making that funny noise or something in the house is broken, YESSSSS! he knows exactly what to do instantly. Every man requires that extra training to be a good listener and you will have to working at it until he is there.
You can simply start by asking him to listen to you for one minute without interruption and gradually build up his tolerance level. If you throw a fifteen-minute monologue at him, he will freeze up, walk away or get annoyed. Make things simple for him. Spell out exactly what you need, even if it is just a simple hug (and you may want to also explain to him that a hug does not mean you want to have sex!)… because e nor dey hard us to conclude.lol
Every man wants to come home to a peaceful house after a long day at work. But our women don’t always permit such a luxury. We want tranquility and control in every aspect of our lives; that is why we sometimes do everything possible to create an atmosphere of peace and serenity. It is also why every man dreads a nagging woman. A nagging woman drains us of body vitamins and morale.
If you nag your man, he will distance himself emotionally and possibly even physically. The Bible says, “It isbetter to dwell in a corner of a housetop, than in a house shared with a contentious woman.” (Proverbs 25:24).

Yakubu Aiyegbeni has been dumped by Reading FC.

‎Out-of-favour Super Eagles striker, Yakubu Aiyegbeni is set to leave Reading FC at the end of the season. The club announced on its website that the contract of his and three others, Zat Knight, Danny Guthrie and Mikkel Andersen ‎will not be extended because the club would be signing more quality players to strengthen it’s squad.
The Nigerian international who joined the club in February  scored only one goal‎ in 7 matches. He’s  netted a total of 95 goals in the English Premier League during spells at Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, Everton and Blackburn Rovers.
“As we enter our third year out of the Premier League, the club’s owners recognise the need for Steve Clarke to freshen his squad ahead of the new campaign, and this is the beginning of that process,” an official club statement read.
“After a period of financial instability and with the Financial Fair Play regulations in place, the owners are also making a concerted effort to get back to the sensible wage principles that have long been the club’s trademark.

“Striking the right balance will be key to a sustainable model for success.”

Ebola: CAF lifts Liberia's ban

Life is edging back to normal in Liberia after the country was declared free of the Ebola Virus Disease by World Health Organization (‎WHO) few weeks back.
Another big news for football administration of the country is that the‎ Confederation of African Football has lifted the ‎suspension imposed on them which barred Ebola- hit countries from hosting continental matches at home.
CAF says on its website that it lifted the ban after it obtained a confirmation letter from the (WHO). Now, that Ebola has been wiped out, football matches can now be organised in any part of the West African country.
Meanwhile, ‎Guinea and Sierra Leone, two other African
countries still affected by the EVD are still suspended.
“However, WHO confirms that the situation of the Ebola epidemic in Guinea and Sierra Leone requires that CAF keeps its precautionary principle, and asks the concerned teams to organise their matches on a neutral ground,” a‎ CAF statement adds.‎

The Super Falcons are ready to soar in Canada.

African Champions, the Super Falcons of Nigeria were (and still are) in high spirits yesterday as they arrived Canada  ahead of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The team left Abuja on Wednesday night aboard an Air France airline and touched down Paris after a five and a half-hour trip.
The seven-time African title winners have resumed training  ahead of the seventh women international championship which holds from June 6 to July 5. Nigeria is drawn alongside USA, Sweden and Australia in Group D. 
SQUAD LIST
Goalkeepers: Precious Dede, Ibubeleye Whyte, Christy Ohiariaku, Sandra Chii Chii
Defenders: Onome Ebi, Osinachi Ohale, Josephine Chukwunonye, Ngozi Ebere, Blessing Edoho, Sarah Nnodim, Mariam Ibrahim, Ugo Njoku
Midfielders: Evelyn Nwabuoku, Onyinyechi Ohadugha, Halimat Ayinde, Perpetua Nkwocha, Cecilia Nku, Ngozi Okobi, Esther Sunday, Loveth Ayila
Strikers: Chinwendu Ihezuo, Desire Oparanozie, Asisat Oshoala, Francisca Ordega, Iniabasi Umotong, Courtney Dike‎

Grieving mother narrates how her son died in a Lagos-based creche

A grief-striken mother has narrated the story surrounding the death of her one year-old son in a Lagos-based creche. She wants the world, especially nursing mothers to be mindful of the kind of crèches/day-cares they enrol their babies in.

“Please share my story to the world. I would have sent this earlier but it took God’s Grace and courage because I am still in pain. My son’s name is Oluwatamilore Holloway. I enrolled him in Debiruss creche on the 16th of September as soon as he clocked 1 on the 13th of sept, 2014.


 He was loving and peaceful, but I wanted him to mingle with people. On the 26th of November, 2014, I was called by the school authority to meet them at Budo Hospital in Ajah around 2pm. I was in Ajah market so I rushed there, unfortunately I did not meet my Tamilore alive, he was dead, I asked them what happened and they couldn’t give me an answer.

I was told probably he was dehydrated and the hospital told me he was brought in dead. I asked the Nanny what happened, she said he woke up and she was feeding him, that she gave him the first spoon and that when she was about to give him the second spoon, he started closing his eyes, thank God for autopsy which revealed that my son died due to Aspiration of Food particles in the lungs, definitely, he was choked to death with food.

As soon as they heard the result was out, they started coming to my house to beg me, they even went to my priest in church. It had to take the intervention of my priest that I should just leave everything to God.

They came to me and they offered to close down the creche and get a Nurse for the school and that they would write my Family an Apology letter , that was in January which I haven’t gotten as I write this .

I also noticed that during Christmas they had the effontary to decorate their school, despite the fact that my son just died, they told me they had already contacted the decorator and that they couldn’t stop him, they even had Christmas party which I felt it wasn’t fair on my part.

I gave them 3 conditions that they should get a professional Nurse, get a CCTV for their school and they should get a Qualified child minder , but they only came back to tell me they were going to close the creche and that it will only be opened for the children of their staff.

On the 6th of May,I went to the school to find out what was happening, if they had truly closed the creche, I went in through the back gate and I went straight to the creche,I found out , they had no Nurse, one of the child minders who was working there,was still there, there was no CCTV and the crèche was not closed down, because I saw other children from outside who was also with my son in the crèche.  I was told they got a Nurse and I think the working conditions was not suitable for the Nurse so she had to leave.

My grievance is that they carried on in their normal Business as if nothing happened, and I expected them to do the needful, I did not even ask them for a dime, but I said for the sake of other children, they should get Qualified people who will take care of the children should in case first Aids has to be given but because they are money conscious, they would rather let the worst happen than prevent it, and what they do is to convert an ordinary cleaner to a Nanny or child minder to save cost. A Nanny who is not experienced and who can’t even feed a child. They have to do the needful before they kill other children, who can’t speak for themselves like my poor son.

Opinion: This Time Next Week | By: Femi Adesina

Perhaps my worst day ever was August 27, 1985, when the military coup that ousted Major General Muhammadu Buhari from power was announced.  Major General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, then the Chief of Army Staff, supplanted his boss in office, and held that position for eight years.
Buhari went into the valley of life, and stayed there for many years.  Even his marriage and home suffered terribly.  But in 1989, he picked up the pieces of marital life again, marrying pretty and winsome Aisha from Adamawa State.
Also in 2003, the man from Daura, in Katsina State, took the gauntlet by running for the county’s number one position, on platform of the then All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP).  He ran again in 2007, in 2011, and also in 2015.  He finally won, and this time next week, he would be inaugurated as President.
This Time Next Week.  That is the title of a 1964 book by Leslie Thomas, which I read well over 30 years ago.  The book deals with the escapades of some young boys growing up in an orphanage, and what a rib cracking volume it is.  I read it over and over again.
Yes, this time next week, our country would enter a new day, a new dawn, a new visitation in a special way.  The miasma of doom and desperation, which had hung like a curtain on Nigeria for long, would lift.  A magic wand?  No.  A miracle? 
Yes, I believe in miracles.  But this kind of miracle would come from sure-footedness, focus, doggedness, transparency, and leadership by example.  That, I believe, is what we will get from Muhammadu Buhari, this time next week and onwards.
Does Nigeria need robust, honest and focused leadership now more than at any point in her history?  You can say that again!  Just look around you.  What do you see?  Failed hopes, dreams and aspirations.  A decrepit, comatose economy!  Humongous local and international debts, less than 10 years after we had paid off everything we hitherto owed.  Insecurity, with blood flowing freely like water, and lives lost daily in scores. 
Tales of misappropriation of public funds in billions of dollars!  At a point recently, hatred almost became a national credo, with Nigerians hopelessly divided along ethnic and religious lines.  Again, energy crisis!  No electricity, no petrol, fuel queues everywhere.  Nigeria has been brought to her knees.  How art thou fallen from heaven, O Nigeria? How art thou cut down to the earth?
But Nigeria will rise again.  And it will start from this time next week.  We will be proud to be Nigerians once again.  We will stand in brotherhood, though our tribes and tongues may differ. The pride of our country will be restored.  We shall no longer be seen as a land where corruption walks on all fours, a rich country of poor people.  No.  A new song, a new story would be told about us.  Great things shall be spoken of thee again, oh Nigeria.
The expectations of Nigerians are very high, and at times, I get scared.  I pity the incoming president.  But I also trust him.  If anybody can bring change to bear on the country, Buhari can.  Yes, he can.  But there is also the burden of expectations.  And the burden can be very heavy.  Expectations from those who are sincere, and also from those who are not, and are even duplicitous, filled with ill will.  The sincere ones want change because they truly desire a better country, whose builder and maker is God. 
The insincere ones, scoffers, naysayer, are only hoping to see failure.  They can’t wait to turn up their noses in derision, hopping from one leg to the other, and declaring: “We said it!  The change they preached was just a mantra.  It is six months.  It is one year, two years, three years.  Where is the change?  Since the times our fathers slept, and until now, Nigeria has been the same way.  And it will remain the same way, world without end.”
But will those people succeed?  No, they won’t.  Change will come to this land.  And it will start by this time next week.  We are not building castles in the air.  Yes, out heads are in the clouds, but our feet are firmly planted on the ground.  If anybody can bring change to this country, Buhari can.  And with God helping him, he will.
Former Oil Minister, Prof Tam David-West, in an interview published by The News magazine this week says things are so bad with Nigeria that “Buhari is not starting from zero, but below zero.”  However, he also gives hope:  “Nigerians will find positive visible change in all aspects.  To make impact with our refineries will be few months.  We can build a refinery in a year…
“Buhari has promised to build four refineries and repair the old ones that are reparable.  With that, there will be no more fuel importation and price will come down.”
Oh what a happy day it shall be!  When Nigeria no longer needs to import refined petrol, and the pump price comes down.  No more larceny in the name of fuel subsidies.  Oh, what a day!
And all the other promises: provision of jobs for our teeming unemployed youths.  Effective control of the security situation!  A battle against corruption!  End to impunity in our public life!  A revitalized economy!  A cohesive country!  All these can happen.  Yes, I believe.  It can all start by this time next week.  And Muhammadu Buhari would leave his footprints firmly imprinted in the sands of time.  Who says we can’t have our own Lee Kuan Yew?  It all starts this time next week.

See the baby born with traditional beads in Lagos.

 A 52-year-old traditional worshipper, Funke Adamson has given birth to a baby girl clutching white beads popularly called ‘Ileke’ in Yoruba language.
The “miracle baby” was welcomed on Monday, May 11, 2015 at a Trado-medical home in Apapa. She has been named Bukola.
Speaking to reporters, Mrs Adamson said  she was shocked to receive a prophesy from an Osun Custodian about the child.
“I received a message from an Osun Custodian who said that a child is on the way for me. I didn’t believe him. I didn’t realize until the baby was three and half month old when I began to experienced flow of membranous fluid.” 
Her husband too was equally surprised to see her holding beads in his hands. “But I realized that the beads are important and that was why we have decided not to throw it away.” He added.

Short Story : Betrayal | By: Sueddie Agema

“Bomboy!!”
The simple sound of my name jolted me back to the present. Whoever complained of issues? I was sweating like several troubled people that harmatan morning. I was in deep shit and knew it. The puzzle, to be or not to be, suddenly made sense. 
I looked at Nnezi, the tears in her eyes, and wept. How could she say I impregnated her? I remembered all the symptoms of pregnancy that I had seen in her before. Curse those sweet thighs that I thought were free!
“My friend, are you not the one whom I am talking to? She is six months pregnant. What do you know about it? Anything you want to tell us?” Aunty asked.
I had been accused of being an accomplice to this same girl before. I had not been able to defend myself then. Now, I didn’t know how to mention that I had already seen the symptoms of her pregnancy before. 
Yes, I had done it but therein lay my dilemma. How could I tell them that I had actually slept with her but had used a condom? Now, the evil Judas had betrayed me! I mentally took note of all the things I would miss in the city. 
I looked at Uncle Anmant, he was sweating, looking a bit worried. I felt bad that I had caused him so much pain. I had sure disappointed him. I looked at Nnezi. Her face was to the wall. 
There was no way she was going to look at me. Judas had kissed Jesus at least … I was going to be a man and confess.
“Uncle, I slept with her but…”
The shock on their faces never allowed me complete my statement. Nnezi’s voice went up in a wail. She put her head down in tears. What now? Aunty looked at me for a short while then turned to Nnezi.

“Nnezi, I thought you said that he never slept with you?”

I didn’t wait to hear any more. No one urged me to pack my things. My eyes couldn’t look up to any of the three, six. I wondered who was hurt more. With the back of my eyes, I noted Uncle Anmant’s head down too. As I left, I sheepishly added in a whisper: “I used a condom.”

I got downstairs with my things. Something pulled me back to the door. I decided to go and beg. I prayed all the prayers of my youth and quoted all the verses in the few steps to the door. I heard their voices as I climbed up. I reached the door as my heart pounded. 
There was some argument. Nnezi sounded defiant while my Uncle’s wife’s voice was laden with what sounded like tears of betrayal. She had expected much of her niece. I only wondered what my Uncle would think of me. 
He was silent all through. Perhaps, he was too disappointed and hadn’t, couldn’t… surely, wouldn’t find his voice. I imagined his face still to the floor.
Then I froze as I heard Nnezi’s defence of me:
“Aunty, I got pregnant a few months before I slept with Bomboy.” What?!!
“But you were grounded in the period leading to it. Do you want to say you conceived of the Holy Spirit? Hail Mary, full of gra…” sarcasm spat up to Nnezi’s interruption:
“During the whole period, I still had someone sleeping with me… It was Uncle Anmant – your husband.”
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Su’eddie Vershima Agema won the Association of Nigerian Authors’ Joint Prize for Poetry 2014. He blogs at http://sueddie.wordpress.com, @sueddieagema on Twitter. He can be reached at [email protected].
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