Photos: Messi fulfils his promise to Gabon President .

During his trip to Barcelona years ago the President of Gabon, Ali Bongo Ondimba met phenomenal soccer player, ‎Lionel Messi and  the latter promised to pay him a visit in his country.
The Barcelona star has made good his promise. He was in the African country yesterday (for the first time) to lay the first stone of the the Port-Gentil stadium, which will host the 2017 African Cup Venue.
The President even drove him in town for the stadium trip. The Argentine playmaker signed
autographs on team jerseys worn by his fans before laying the first stone.

“When I was in Barcelona a few years ago, I met Messi who had told me that he would come to visit me in Libreville. It was a promise which he made to me. He is a man of honour, one who has kept his word. The calendar worked out well and it has corresponded with the laying of the first stone,” the Gabonese leader stated.‎

The new stadium will have a capacity of 20,000 and is expected to host matches from November 2016.

Fan returns Davido's lost gold custom necklace

Yesterday was a memorable day for music act, David ‘Davido’ Adeleke having taken home the best male artiste of the year gong at the 2015 MAMA Awards. Caught up in the excitement of clinching the prize, Omo Baba Olowo as he’s fondly called lost his gold custom necklace which he made for thousands of dollars.
A fan of the HKN head honcho  found the chain and told him to come pick it up on Instagram. Kind of him!

My Journey to the Land of the Dead: How I Survived Six-Hour Surgery


(Written by Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, a writer and a Port-Harcourt-based media consultant. I usually feature his writeups on my blog. I had to share this too when he sent it in. Not every time political stories. LVB is wishing him quick and complete recovery.)

In daily hustle and bustle to make a living, we often tend to forget how delicate life  is and what a wonderful gift from God it is. Although I have always appreciated life and expressed gratitude to God for His blessings, I have every reason to do more of that after He mercifully delivered me from the jaws of death on 16th of July, 2015.


For about a year now I have contended with a problem with my voice. Since the problem did not appear to be life-threatening, I chose to live with it and to give my full attention to the 2015 political battles, which, I thank God, ended in victory for us the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Federal level.  I had to finally surrender myself to the  doctors days ago when I was warned that I would totally lose my voice if I further delayed throat surgery. Thus I found myself admitted in one of the best medical centres of excellence Nigeria can boast of.



After day-long series of tests that pinpointed the exact cause of my problem, I was wheeled into the theatre for surgery. Having a premonition that the unexpected could happen, I sent text messages to close and trusted friends, church members, asking for prayers and pleaded that they should not abandon my family if I happened not to survive the surgery. One after another, they rebuked me, telling me never to doubt that the surgery would go well. They assured me that they were fervently praying for me. Further emboldened by their encouragement, I submitted myself for anaesthesia and passed out.


When I woke up many hours later, I was informed of how God and the committed medical staff comprising five doctors, five nurses and their aides rescued me from the jaws of death against all odds. According to an eyewitness, even thought the surgery that lasted for six hours was a success, it was a monumental task getting me back to life. I was informed that the doctors had to administer oxygen and employ other devices to resuscitate me after twenty minutes of concerted efforts. It would have been a disaster if not for the prayers of the Saints and expertise of the doctors. The photos showing me in the resuscitation room tell the story better.


I have been on drip since then and only allowed to drink water though I was given a little Custard this morning. I am not expected to talk until after seven days. My specimen has been sent for histology analysis that will be ready within the next two weeks time for the final treatment.


All my Muslim brothers and sisters wondering why I did not call or send text messages as usual wishing them Barka da Sallah now know what happened! Was at the borderline between life and death and couldn’t possibly have done any such. Therefore, kindly accept my belated Barka da Sallah!


I involuntarily travelled to the land of the dead and I wholeheartedly thank Almighty God for bringing me back as – to quote the Great Zik of Africa – I am not in a hurry to leave this planet since there is still a lot of work left for me to do here on earth. I thank my darling wife, Evangelist Ada Henrietta Eze who have to take care of our son and daughter hospitalised at the same time of the operation. Thanks also go to my precious children, who have proved to be a pillar of
support at this time, as always. I also thank my General Overseer church members, Rivers State
Correspondents Chapel, all my friends and well wishes for their support and prayers.



Pele Undergoes Surgery in Sao Paulo

Brazilian legend, Pele has undergone back surgery for nerve root decompression in Albert Einstein hospital, Sao Paulo. The hospital made this known in a statement on Saturday. It was said that Pele was admitted on Monday and the surgery was performed on Tuesday with his recovery satisfactory.
Furthermore, Pele’s manager, Paul Kemsley said in an email to Associated Press that Pele “underwent elective surgery to fix discomfort in his back and hip. This is the first of two corrective procedures which will be done in Brazil over the next few months to ensure Pele is strong and healthy for the Rio Olympics and all of its related travel. Perhaps he’ll even play!”

Ahmed Musa gives CSKA Moscow victory in season opener

Super Eagles forward, Ahmed Musa gave CSKA Moscow victory over rivals, Rubin Kazan in the first game of new season in the Russia Premier League.
Musa’s 87th minute strike was the only goal of the game and handed CSKA Moscow their first three points of the season.
Ahmed Musa reviewed a clever back heel from Georgi Milanove in the area and he put it past goalkeeper, Sergei Ryzhikov to give his team victory.

Super Falcons held to a 1-1 draw by Equatorial Guinea

The Super falcons were held to a 1-1 draw by Equatorial Guinea in the qualifiers for 2016 Olympics women football played in Abuja on Saturday. The lead Halimat gave the Super falcons in the 28th minute was leveled by Nigeria-born Gloria Chinasa Okoro in the second half for Equatorial Guinea.
The Falcons face a huge task as they have to claim victory in the second leg scheduled to hold in Malabo to qualify.
Interim coach of the Falcons, Musa Danjuma attributed the draw to the absence of some key players and promised to get victory in Malabo.
“Like I said I am not making excuses here but sincerely speaking if Asisat Oshoala and Onome Ebi had been here we would have won the game. But since the Olympics qualifiers is not in FIFA’s calendar overseas countries are not forced to release their players unless such clubs are willing to do so. But we will work very hard before the return leg and I am very sure with God on our side we will beat Equatorial Guinea to pick the Olympics ticket.” he said.

Davido, Yemi Alade, Dbanj, others shine at MAMA Awards 2015+ Winners list.

The 2015 MTV MAMA Awards was a night of glitz, glamour and a gathering of some of the biggest music talents in Africa. Nigerian acts scooped most of the prizes of the night. The likes of Davido, Yemi Alade, Mavin Records, Dbanj,P-Square, Patoranking won big at the event which took place in South Africa. Olamide, Basketmouth, OC Ukeje lost to their competitors.
WINNERS LIST
BEST LIVE ACT
Flavour
Mi Casa
Big Nuz
Toofan
Diamond Platnumz – Winner
BEST GROUP
Beatenberg
B4
Black Motion
P-Square – Winner
Sauti Sol
BEST POP & Alternative
Fuse ODG
Jeremy Loops – Winner
Jimmy Levis
Nneka
Prime Circle
BEST LUSOPHONE
Ary – Winner
B4
Nelson Freitas
NGA
Yuri Da Cuna
BEST FRANCOPHONE
DJ Arafat – Winner
Jovi
Laurette
Toofan
Tor 2 Garde
BEST NEW ACT
Anna Joyce
Cassper Nyovest
Duncan
Patoranking – Winner
Stonebwoy
PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
Basket Mouth
Bonang M
OC Ukeje
Trevor Noah – Winner
Yaya Toure


2015 EVOLUTION AWARDS
2Face Idibia
Anselmo Ralph
Asa
Black Coffe
Chameleon
D’Banj – Winner
Fally Ipupa
HHP
P-Square
Samini
BEST HIP HOP
Cassper Nyovest – Winner
K.O
Olamide
Phyno
Youssoupha
BEST FEMALE
Busiswa
Bucie
Seyi Shay
Vanessa Mdee
Yemi Alade – Winner

BEST VIDEO

The Sound
Love You Everyday
Doors
Nafukwa – Winner
Crazy

BEST MALE

AKA

Davido – Winner
Diamond platnumz
Sarkodie
Wizkid
BEST COLLABORATION
AKA, Burna Boy, Da LES & JR: “All Eyes On Me” – Winner
Davido featuring Uhuru & DJ Buckz: “The Sound”
Diamond & Iyanya: “Bum Bum”
Toofan & DJ Arafat
Stanley Enow & Sarkodie: “Njama Njama Cow Remix”
SONG OF THE YEAR
Cassper Nyovest: “Doc Shebeleza”
Euphonik featuring Mpumi: “Busa”
DJ Fisherman & NaakMusiQ featuring DJ Tira, Danger & Dream Team: “Call Out”
K.O featuring Kid X: “Caracara”
Lil Kesh Featuring Olamide & Davido: “Shoki Remix”
Mavins: “Dorobucci” – Winner Sauti Sol: “Sura Yako”
Toofan: “Gweta”
Wizkid: “Show You The Money”
Yemi Alade: “Johnny
HOUNOURARY AWARD FOR ARTISTE OF THE DECADE
P-Square

Photos: Arsenal celebrate Barclays Asia Trophy (BAT 2015) win

Arsenal FC kick started the season on a winning note as they beat Everton 3-1 in the final of the Asia Trophy tournament held in Singapore few hours ago.‎ Walcott, Cazorla and Mesut Ozil all registered their names in the score sheet. The Gunners all took to the social media to celebrate their first silverware of the season.


Lionel Messi wins 2015 ESPY Award

Barcelona talisman, Lionel Messi has added one more to his list of accolades. The Argentine forward beat Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic, British Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton, top Korean golfer Lydia Ko, and Real Madrid goal machine Cristiano Ronaldo to win the 2015 ESPY Award for the Best International Athlete. 
The 2015 edition of the award which is presented annually by the American sports media giant ESPN was held on Wednesday night at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Messi once scooped the prize in 2012. Other previous winners include the Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, the Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer, and the power-hitting Dominican Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Sunday Oliseh wades into the Enyeama/NFF matter.

Nigeria’s senior national team head coach, Sunday Oliseh has intervened in the uproar involving the ‎Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and captain Vincent Enyeama. The football governing body is bent on punishing the Lille skipper over his unguarded statement on the choice of Kaduna as the host of Nigeria’s Afcon qualifier against Chad (held last month) and his refusal to appear before the disciplinary committee.
Oliseh, who leapt to the goal keeper’s defence few weeks back has promised to resolve the matter ahead of Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations game against Tanzania in September.

The midfield ace told Super Sports, “This is a touchy issue and one has to be careful how he treads on this. The first thing to do is to hear both sides. I have already spoken to the federation and they provided some very tangible reasons for the steps they took.
“However, when Enyeama made that statement, he was and is still the captain of the Super Eagles of Nigeria. You cannot forbid the captain from speaking out; it becomes autocratic if you do that and I would not want to do that as a coach.
“But at the same time, we can also caution and say ‘we don’t want such kinds of utterances because it may bring about a negative effect or whatever. I however think that he may have spoken out because of what he had already discussed with his teammates.
“Maybe he spoke out on behalf of his team-mates and I don’t think we should stop someone from speaking out when he’s the captain. However we cannot have all the players speaking out because that would be tantamount to chaos.
“I will speak to the captain and we will look at the way forward because I still view him as one of the best goalkeepers we have,” he said.

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