Entertainment

Entertainment

Van Persie stripped of Holland's arm band, Robben appointed as new captain

Arjen Robben has been made captain of the Netherlands in Danny Blind’s first squad since taking over from Guus Hiddink as national coach, replacing striker Robin Van Persie. Blind said on Friday he needs a captain with more “on-field presence” as his team heads into two crucial European

Championship qualifiers against Group A leader Iceland and Turkey.

“I have not made this choice based on their soccer skills,” Blind told the Dutch federation’s website.
“In the guidance and coaching of teammates Van Persie and Robben are not inferior to each other — but they are two different personalities and right now I need a leader with [Robben’s] on-field presence.”

Robben said: “I consider it a great honour that the coach has asked me to be captain and will fulfil this role with great pride and responsibility. “But I also want to emphasise that we should do it right, all together. We have a common goal — to make the European Championships.”

Van Persie said he understood Blind’s decision.
“I have had a good talk with the coach, who indicated his understanding to choose his own captain in this new project,” the Fenerbahce striker said.

“I’ve always said Arjen, I and the other guys did it together. I will fill the role of vice-captain with pride. I will always give everything for my country.”
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Entertainment

NUC releases list of illegal tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

The National Universities Commission has released a list of illegal degree awarding Institutions operating in different parts of Nigeria. The NUC Executive secretary, Julius Okojie, has asked people to stop patronising them adding that those who do not heed enrol at their own risk.

Full list:

1. University of Accountancy and Management Studies, operating anywhere in Nigeria.
2. Christians of Charity American University of Science and Technology Nkpor, Anambra State or any of its campuses.
3. University of Industry, Yaba, Lagos or any of its other campuses.
4. University of applied Sciences and Management Port Novo, Republic of Benin or any of its other campuses in Nigeria.
5. Blacksmith University, Awka or any of its campuses.
6. Volta University College, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana or any of its other campuses in Nigeria.
7. Royal University Izhia, P.O. Box 800, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State or any of its other campuses.
8. Atlanta University, Anyigba, Kogi State or any of its other campuses.
9. Sunday Adokpela University, Otada Adoka, Otukpo, Benue State or any of its other campuses.
10. United Christian University, Macotis Campus, Imo State or any of its other campuses.
11. United Nigeria University College, Okija, Anambra State or any of its other campuses.
12. Samuel Ahmadu University, Makurdi, Benue State or any of its other campuses.
13. UNESCO University, Ndoni, Rivers State or any of its other campuses.
14. Saint Augustine’s University of Technology, Jos Plateau State or any of its other campuses.
15. The International University, Missouri, USA, Kano and Lagos Study Centres, or any of its campuses in Nigeria.
16. Columbus University, UK operating anywhere in Nigeria.
17. Tiu International University, UK operating anywhere in Nigeria.
18. Pebbles University, UK operating anywhere in Nigeria.
19. London External Studies UK operating anywhere in Nigeria.
20. Pilgrims University operating anywhere in Nigeria.
21. Lobi Business School Makurdi, Benue State or any of its campuses in Nigeria.
22. West African Christian University operating anywhere in Nigeria.
23. Bolta University College Aba or any of its campuses in Nigeria.
24. JBC Seminary Inc. (Wukari Jubilee University) Kaduna Illegal Campus.
25. Westlan University, Esie, Kwara State or any of its campuses in Nigeria.
26. St. Andrews University College, Abuja or any of its campuses in Nigeria.
27. EC- Council University, USA, Ikeja Lagos Study Centre.
28. Atlas University, Ikot Udoso Uko, Uyo Akwa Ibom State or any of its campuses in Nigeria.
29. Concept College/University (London) Ilorin or any of its campuses in Nigeria.
30. Halifax Gateway University, Ikeja or any of its campuses in Nigeria.
31. Kingdom of Christ University, Abuja or any of its campuses in Nigeria.
32. Acada University, Akinlalu, Oyo State or any of its campuses in Nigeria.
33. Fifom University, Mbaise, Imo State or any of its campuses in Nigeria.
34. Houdegbe North American University Campuses In Nigeria.
35. Atlantic International University, Okija, Anambra State.
36. Open International University, Akure.
37. Middle Belt University (North Central University), Otukpo.
38. Leadway University, Ugheli, Delta State.
39. Metro University, Dutse/Bwari, Abuja.
40. Southend University, Ngwuro Egeru (Afam) Ndoki, Rivers State.
41. Olympic University, Nsukka, Enugu State.
42. Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Abuja.
43. Temple University.
44. Irish University Business School London, operating anywhere in Nigeria.
45. National University of Technology, Lafia, Nasarawa State.
46. University of Accountability and Management Studies, Mowe, Lagos Ibadan Expressway and its Annex at 41, Ikorodu Road Lagos.
47. University of Education, Winneba Ghana, operating anywhere in Nigeria.
48. Cape Cost University, Ghana, operating anywhere inNigeria.
49. African University Cooperative Development (AUCD), Cotonou, Benin Republic, operating anywhere in Nigeria.
50. Pacific Western University, Denver, Colorado, Owerri Study Centre.
51. Evangel University of America and Chudick Management Academic, Lagos.
52. Enugu State University of Science and Technology (Gboko Campus).
53. Career Light Resources Centre, Jos.
54. University of West Africa, kwali-Abuja, FCT.
55. Coastal University, Iba-Oku, Akwa-Ibom State.
56. Kaduna Business School, Kaduna.
57. Royal University of Theology, Minna, Niger Delta.
The NUC listed another eight illegal institutions as currently undergoing investigations and court actions. The commission said the action will lead to the prosecution of the proprietors and recovery of illegal fees and charges on subscribers.
Below is a list of the illegal Universities
1. National University of Nigeria, Keffi, Nasarawa state.
2. North Central University, Otukpo, Benue State.
3. Christ Alive Christian Seminary and University, Enugu.
4. Richmond Open University, Arochukwu, Abia State.
5. West Coast University, Umuahia.
6. Saint Clements University, Iyin Ekiti, Ekiti State.
7. Volta University College, Aba, Abia State.
8. Illegal Satellite Campuses of Ambrose Ali University.
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Entertainment

Chelsea moving away from John Stones to Zhang Linpeng

Chelsea Football Club are reportedly turning away from Everton’s John Stones as a result of his club’s reluctance to let him go and are now considering signing Guanzhou Evergrande’s defender, Zhang Linpeng.
Zhang is a 26year old right back nicknamed “Zhangmos” (The Chinese Ramos) due to his similarities with Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos. “I’ve worked hard and waited these five-six years for my dream of playing overseas, and finally have recognition from the English Premier League. I’m very happy and very excited to finally have this formal invitation” he said.
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Entertainment

Yaya Toure considering international retirement.

Yaya Toure is considering whether to retire from international football and has asked to be omitted from Ivory coast’s squad for September’s clash with Sierra Leone. Toure has won 100caps for Ivory Coast and captioned the country to victory in February’s African Nations Cup final for the first time in 23 years.
The 32 year-old midfielder has played in three world cups and six African Nations cup but is now debating whether to carry on representing his country.
Ivory Coast manager Michel Dussuyer has urged the former Barcelona and Monaco player to carry on representing his country.
He told reporters: “Yaya Toure is in a period of reflection about his international future. I hope he will continue”.

Toure has started every game for Premier League leaders City so far this season but manager Manuel Pellegrini has stated he believes his vice captain has had a heavy workload in recent seasons partly because of his commitments for his country.
His older brother Kolo, a former city player who joined Liverpool in 2013, announced his international retirement earlier this year. Yaya and Kolo Toure are two of the only five players who have won 100caps for Ivory Coast. 
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Arts, Entertainment

Short Story: On The Hot Seat | By: Sylva Nze Ifedigbo

The studio went dim, and then there was that sound that has
become the trademark of the game show. Then it was all silent. I felt my grip
on the arms of the black swivel chair popularly known as the hot seat, tighten.
“The
next question is for one million” the moderator said, his eyes on the screen in
front of him.
My
eyes too stared eagerly at the flat screen in front of me. I could make out a
million tiny particles dancing along the lines of white rays from the screen.
They seemed like the bubbles in a chilled glass of beer. A million golden
bubbles which I always took time to admire when I was at the bar. I was playing
for a million Naira. That was my mark. I could see the cheque with the six
zeros being handed over to me.  I wanted to reach out and grab it. An army
was marching in the area where my heart used to be.
“On what date was Murtala Mohammed killed…?” the moderators voice jolted me back to
reality. The question echoed in my head even as I read it again on the screen
before me. I wasn’t seeing a million tiny particles anymore. All I saw was a
question and a set of four options. After reading the question and the option
for the third time in a minute, I knew I did not know the answer. The boot
soles banging against the left part of my chest grew in threshold.
“Do you have any idea Mr. Ben Okafor?” There was a grin on the face of the
moderator. He alone could see the confusion written all over my face. I made a
sound in my throat which neither said ‘yes’ nor ‘no’. It was the best I could
mutter at the moment. My eyes were going from one option to the other,
searching for the slightest clue.
“First of all, do you know who Murtala
Mohammed is?” The moderator was a
very witty fellow. His question sounded more like asking a primary six pupil
what the name of his school was. I could hear the audience giggle. I didn’t
think I needed to answer that, so I just giggled too.
Of
course I knew who Murtala Mohammed was. He was that ominous head on the twenty
naira note. The airport in Lagos was named after him. The long bridge in Lokoja
also bore his name. I knew his middle name was Ramat. As a child, my school
once went on an excursion to the museum in Lagos and we had been shown the
Peugeot car he was being driven in on the day the bullet of a lone shooter took
life out of him. I knew that the name of this shooter was Dimka. I knew that
after his death, Obasanjo took over power. I knew he took the first step
towards moving the Federal Capital to Abuja. I knew he died in 1976. All the
options before me bore 1976. But I did not know the exact day he died.
“Any idea?”
I
ran my left hand through my hair, scratching at nothing in particular at the
base of my skull. That was my way of saying “No idea”
“Well, you still have a lifeline. Don’t you
think you should use it or would you prefer to simply walk away?”
I
looked from the screen to the moderator. He was young and handsome. For years I
had watched this show from the comfort of my uncle’s sitting room admiring not
just the wit with which he had transformed the show to the most popular in the
country, but also his well tailored designer suits which held on to him like a
spoon against another. They were those kinds of suits that had price tags that
ran like telephone numbers in city boutiques. I had always longed to wear those
kinds of suits. With one million, I could now afford them. I was going to take
all my chances.
“Phone a friend” I replied.
“Ok. Mr. Ben has chosen to use his last
lifeline” the moderator thundered. “Which of your friends do you want to call?”
“Ben” I replied
“O, your namesake. I see. So let’s call Ben
and see if he can save his fellow Ben who is on the hot seat.”
There was a brief lull, as the computer dialed the number. I
took the opportunity to say a Hail Mary. First, I
did the sign of the cross, before mumbling the lines of the prayer I had not
said in a long while. As a child, I always said it when I was in trouble and
about to be whipped. I would mumble the lines of the prayer, seeking a miracle.
I always got whipped anyway.
“…your friend Ben is on the hot seat and needs
you to help him answer a question to win a sum of one million naira.” There was
a note of excitement in the moderator’s voice. “The next voice you will hear
will be Ben’s voice. You have only twenty seconds to furnish him with the
answer. Your time starts now.”
I
read out the question trying to be as clear as possible. From the episodes I
had watched from home, I had noticed that the time was never enough for the
contestants to sufficiently repeat the options to their helper’s hearing. More
so, the options were in themselves a source of confusion. The trick I had
concluded was to read out just the question and if the helper really knew the
answer, he would just say it. That was what I did.
“13th March 1976” Came the smart reply
just as I finished reading out the question the first time. It was the option
“C” on the screen.
With
some time left on my hands, I took the liberty of asking how sure he was. He
affirmed that he was certain. There was a bold smile on my face by the time the
call ended. I could now see my one million Naira clearly.  The marching in
my chest reduced in wavelength.
“How…well…do…you…know this Ben?” The moderator crossed and uncrossed his leg,
dragging the words as he spoke. His hands were folded against his chest.
“I know him very well” I replied, nodding and smiling.
“How long have you known him?”
“For about seven years.”
“Seven years! Hmmm…”
“I met him in the University” I added.
“O, I see. You must trust him very much then?”
If there was anybody I trusted to get the answer to such a
question right, it was Ben.  We met at a football pitch one morning during
my freshman years. He had come around with leather boots in hand looking for a
game. As the pro tem captain of the day, he
approached me to ask if he could join us. After the game he came to say thanks
and to introduce himself. We had played on the same side and our combination
had gelled well in the defense for our side.
After
finding out that we were namesakes, he requested for my GSM number. I asked him
if he had a pen.
“I don’t need one” he replied. “I will remember it”.
Knowing
that had his name not been “Ben” too, I would have forgotten it shortly after
our handshake, I was certain he would forget the number before he got
home. 
To
my amazement, later that evening he called me. That was the first of his memory
feats that I would experience. I would get to know he was the best student in
the History Department and that there was hardly any date of any historically
relevant event he couldn’t give off with ease. He was yet to disappoint me and
even on this day, he had given an answer without asking what the options were.
I trusted him very much.
“So you are going with this your Ben friend?
Remember, if you fail this, you will be crashing back to two hundred and fifty
thousand naira. But you have the option of walking away with your five hundred
thousand Naira.” The Moderator sounded
so concerned. I could make out that trademark mischievous smile of his with
which he toyed with the sensibilities of contestants. Sometimes, it was a wise
caution.  Other times it led astray. I was certain it was not a wise caution
this time.
I
nodded. My eyes scanned the options again. The drumming in my chest was
resumed. To push any emerging doubt away, I nodded again.
“Alright, so your final answer is C then?” The Moderator asked sitting up.
A
million thoughts sped through my mind. I suddenly wished to use the toilet. I
wished we went on a commercial break. I wished I had paid more attention to my
Nigerian History class. I wished I had another lifeline to use. The million
particles from the screen blinded my view.
Just
as I stepped out of the studio and had the opportunity of switching my phone
back on, I immediately received an SMS from Ben. It was an apology. The date of
Murtala Mohammed’s assassination was actually 13th February 1976. It had
occurred to him just after the call ended. He hoped he had not cost so much
damage.
I
smiled as I returned the phone into my pocket. My cheque of five hundred
thousand Naira was safe in my wallet.  He really didn’t do any damage. I
had been wise enough to walk away at the last minute.

Credit:  Sylva Nze Ifedigbo

*********************************************************************************
 Sylva Nze Ifedigbo is
a 2007 graduate of Veterinary Medicine, UNN. He won the Short Story prize in
the Abuja Writers’ Forum Literary contest (2009) and 2nd Prize in the ASUU
National Undergraduates Short Story Competition in 2006. Spectrum Books
published his novella, Whispering Aloud in 2007. He contributes to many online
forums and dailies.

*********************************************************************************
Are you a writer? Interested in sharing your short stories on this platform? Be our guest on our Short Story Fridays segment.
Email: loladevilleblog@gmail.com or [email protected]
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Entertainment

Buhari appoints Secretary to the Govt, Chief of Staff and 4 others

‎President Muhammadu Buhari today appointed the Secretary to the Government, Chief Of Staff and 4 others.‎
1) Engr. Babachir David Lawal – Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
2) Alhaji Abba Kyari – Chief of Staff to the President
3) Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (rtd.) – Comptroller-General, Nigerian Customs Service
4) Mr. Kure Martin Abeshi – Comptroller-General, Nigerian Immigration Service
5) Senator Ita S.J. Enang – SSA to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate)
6) Hon. Suleiman A. Kawu – SSA to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives)
The appointments are with effect from today, August 27, 2015.
Engr. Lawal, the new Secretary to the Government of the Federation hails from Hong Local Government Area, Adamawa State. He graduated from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1979 with a Bachelor of Engineering Degree and worked with the Delta Steel Company, Aladja, Nigerian External Telecommunications Limited and Data Sciences Limited before establishing his own ICT and Telecommunications consulting firm in 1990. He is also a member of the Nigeria Computer Society, the Nigeria Society of Engineers and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria.
Alhaji Abba Kyari, the new Chief of Staff to the President holds Bachelors and Masters Degrees from the University of Cambridge and the University of Warwick in Law and Sociology. He has worked with the New Nigeria Development Company, New Africa Holdings, African International Bank, United Bank for Africa, Unilever, and Mobil in various capacities over the years.
The new Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Ali holds Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Criminology. He was military administrator of Kaduna State from 1996 to 1998.
The new Comptroller- General of Immigration, Mr. Abeshi hails from Nasarawa State. He joined the Nigerian Immigration Service in 1989 as an Assistant Comptroller. His educational qualifications include a Masters Degree in Public Administration.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
August 27, 2015
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Entertainment

Which Companies Have The Best Customer Service In Nigeria? Nominate Them For The NCS Awards!

Most of us must have had pleasant/terrible experiences with the Customer Service Executives of different companies, here’s an opportunity to nominate the companies with the best and incredible customer service in Nigeria.

 This can be done at www.nigeriacustomerserviceawards.com or send NCSA space Company name to 20822 .

The Nomination was open in January 2015 and it will end on September 15, 2015.

‎

The 3rd edition of Nigeria Customer Service Awards (NCSA) is slated for October 8, 2015 during the International Customer Service Week. The Awards will hold at Four Points by Sheraton Victoria Island, Lagos.

‎‎

NCSA celebrates service excellence yearly in Nigeria and also encourages companies to go beyond paying lip service to customers.‎ Companies are assessed by the following criteria: nominations, feedback from customers, professional evaluation of company management and staff as it relates to service delivery  and lastly, the visit of mystery shoppers to the most nominated companies for firsthand practical ‎observation.

‎

The Awards covers over 32 sectors among which are banking, telecommunications, transportation, media, courier service, E-commerce, insurance, pension funds administrators among others. Some of the 2014 winners are Access Bank, Channels TV, Etisalat, Kia Motors Nigeria, DHL, Konga and Phase3 Telecoms.‎ The coordinator Aliyu Ilias also said the application for the 2015/2016  Nigeria Customer Service Ambassador, a new initiative that has been introduced by the organisers, is open for Nigerian youths between the ages of 20 and 35 with passion for excellent customer service,

Six Nigeria Customer Service Ambassadors will emerge, one from each of the Nigeria’s geo-political  zones (South -West,south-East, South-South ,North-Central, North-West, North-East ), as well as one African Customer Service Ambassador. The shortlisted youth will be evaluated in both theory and practical examination to emerge the Ambassador.

The application closes on September 10, 2015.‎ The ambassadors will promote good customer service culture, identify and celebrate good customer service companies and also seek compensation for bad customer service to customers.‎

The winners will be unveiled on October 8th, 2015. 

‎

Nomination for the best customer service company in Nigeria and application for the Ambassador can be done at: www.nigeriacustomerserviceawards.com.

‎

For participation and sponsorship, call 08052205072, 07032150324, 09-2903442 or email [email protected].

‎

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Entertainment

Messi wins UEFA Best Player in Europe award!

Argentine/Barcelona star, Lionel Messi  edged Cristiano Ronaldo and Suarez to win the UEFA BestPlayer in Europe award for the year ‎2014/15.
The Champions League Gala took place at Monaco today August 27, 2015. Out of the total 54 votes cast by journalists representing each member country or region, Messi pulled 49, Luis Suarez, 3 and Cristiano Ronaldo 2. The Argentine is the first player ever to win the “Best player in Europe” two times.

Speaking shortly after clinching the prize, Messi said, “I’m very happy with this trophy. I want to thank everyone, especially my teammates who have a big part in this.”‎

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Entertainment

UEFA Champions League Draw Pot

The lineup and seedings are confirmed for the UEFA Champions League group stage draw at Monaco’s Grimaldi Forum, to be streamed live in the UEFA.com DrawCentre from 17.45CET on Thursday and hosted by Peter Schmeichel and Melanie Winiger.
Pot 1: Barcelona, Chelsea, Bayern München, Juventus, Benfica, Paris, Zenit, PSV Eindhoven

Pot 2: Real Madrid, Atlético, Porto, Arsenal, Man. United, Valencia, Bayer Leverkusen, Man. City
Pot 3: Shakhtar Donetsk, Sevilla, Lyon, Dynamo Kyiv, Olympiacos, CSKA Moskva, Galatasaray, Roma
Pot 4: BATE Borisov, Borussia Mönchengladbach, Wolfsburg, Dinamo Zagreb, Maccabi Tel-Aviv, Gent, Malmö, Astana.

Teams placed in Pots 2–4 according to coefficient .
Each group will contain one team from each seeding pot. No club can play a side from their association and no Russian team can play a club from Ukraine.
The draw also apples to the UEFA Champions League route of the UEFA Youth League .

The draw ceremony will include the vote for, and presentation of, the 2014/15 UEFA Best Player in Europe Award for which Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Suárez are nominated, as well as the women’s award.
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