France are in the Euro 2016 final!

France beat Germany 2-0 to qualify for the final stage of the Euro 2016 tournament.  It’s German’s first tournament defeat since 2012. Meanwhile, Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger set new European record by becoming the most-capped player at major European international tournaments after starting against France in the Euro 2016 semi-finals. The host will meet Portugal on Sunday, 10th July 2016.

Yemi Alade named in Elles Magazine's BET Awards 2016 Best Dressed List

Yemi Alade’s overly stunning outfit at the recently concluded 2016 BET Awards has earned her a spot in the Elle UK magazine. The ‘Johnny’ crooner turned heads in a dress from the Zuhair Murad’s 2016 Resort Collection reportedly worth N2.5 million.
The singer who was nominated for the “Best International Act: Africa” for the second time in a row, made ELLE U.K’s best dressed list alongside Beyonce, Alicia Keys, Janelle Monae, Gabrielle Union and Tracee Ellis Ross in regards to the award ceremony.

READ THE BEST DRESSED FEATURE ON ELLE – http://www.elleuk.com/fashion

Jay Jay Okocha's memorabilia to go on auction from August

Nigerian football legend, Jay Jay Okocha has partnered with consumer sales promotion platform idashnaira as it official auctioning partner for Jay  -Jay Okocha Foundation. The foundation which was unveiled few days back at the I-Naira Digital Hub in Ikoyi, I-Naira.com would help in giving kids and his ex-teammates a new direction in life.

“I come from a very poor family, I’m not from a royal home but through football, my life changed and I have a voice. What is most important in every kid’s life is education but some of these kids are out of school and I think I can use football as a tool to help them get back to school,” Okocha said.

“I will be lying if I say I didn’t know some of my colleagues are suffering. Most of us didn’t have good advisers and were left with nothing after retirement. Another objective of this foundation is creating jobs through football. If I can set up training centres across the country, I will need my colleagues. I believe in empowering people.”
CEO, I-Naira.com, Hillary Nwaukor, said his firm would begin auctioning the superstar’s memorabilia from August 1.

“We’re happy to partner the Jay Jay Okocha Foundation because we have same vision of giving back to the society. We will use our platform to auction his memorabilia from his playing days from August 1.

“This is a step in the right direction and I urge others to follow Jay Jay in giving back to the society as well. That is what I-Naira.com stands for.” He revealed.

Euro 2016 : Portugal are through to the finals.


Portugal beat Wales 2-0 to proceed to the final stage of the Euro 2016 tournament. The goals in the game were scored by Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani at the 50th and 53th minutes of the game. Ronaldo becomes joint-highest scorer in European Championship history. He broke Michel Platini’s record by scoring his 10th European Championship goal for Portugal.

Actress, Bukky Ajayi laid to rest (Photos)

Bukky Ajayi's remains being taken to the Atan cemetery, Lagos

The remains of Nollywood actress, Zainab Bukky Ajayi was committed to mother earth at the Atan cemetery in Yaba Lagos at about 5:05 pm. The veteran thespian died of a heart-related ailment at about 11am today. She was aged 82.

His son, Olakunle Fawole told True Nollywood Stories (Tns.ng) “She died in my arms. My brother had just finished feeding her. Tade Ogidan’s daughter was here and we were all sitting in front of her.”  I just noticed she wasn’t breathing well and I went to her. I tried checking her pulse… Nothing. The doctor was at the hospital so I had to call him. When he came, he confirmed her death.”

May her soul find repose.

Photo Credit: thenet.ng
The coffin containing Bukky Ajayi's body being carried in a casket enroute its final resting place

Bukky Ajayi's remains on the way to burial
Her final resting place

Mama Bukky Ajayi's body is placed into the ground

Seen the 93 Days 'Ebola' movie trailer? Watch it here!

The trailer to 93 Days; a movie which centers on the heroes who worked diligently and sacrificed their lives ro save millions of Nigerians from contracting the deadly Ebola virus disease  has been released; a compelling human story of dedication, sacrifice, resilience and survival, the film which was  inspired by late Dr Stella Adadevoh of First Consultants Hospital in Lagos and her courageous team was filmed for 10 weeks. 
Directed by Steve Gukas, the movie stars  Hollywood actors  Danny Glover and Tim Reid, Bimbo Akintola, Tina Mba ,Gideon Okeke, Keppy Ekpeyong, Franca Brown, Seun Ajayi to mention a few.
Synopsis
When Patrick Sawyer a Liberian American collapses upon arrival at the Murtala Mohammed International airport, Lagos – Nigeria. He is taken to First Consultant Hospital, where he is admitted with fever like symptoms.
Against his denials of contact with any Ebola victim in Liberia, the team at first consultant led by Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh quickly deduce there is more to his case than malaria. Their vigilance leads to an early detection that Mr Sawyer indeed had the Ebola Virus disease. Now it’s a race against time to contain a deadly disease from breaking out and infecting an entire city population and beginning what could be the biggest deadly disease outbreak the world has ever known.
The scare is palpable across the country. The doomsday scenario imagined is here.
Over a 93-day period from when Sawyer comes in men and women from Nigeria, WHO and MSF do battle with this deadly disease.
Read more on the movie and the cast and crew here and here

Messi :Barcelona release statement on tax fraud verdict

FC Barcelona in a statement issued today pledged to support Lionel Messi regarding the tax evasion verdict passed on the striker today. The Argentine and his father were found guilty and bagged 21-month jail terms each and were also asked to pay fine for defrauding Spanish authorities to the tune of  €4million. 
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“FC Barcelona gives all its support to Leo Messi and his father with relation to the sentence for tax evasion handed out by the Provincial Court in Barcelona today,” a club statement read.
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“The club, in agreement with the Government prosecution service, considers that the player, who has corrected his position with the Spanish Tax Office, is in no way criminally responsible with regards to the facts underlined in this case. “FC Barcelona continues to be at the disposal of Leo Messi and his family to support him in whatever action he decides to take in defence of his honesty and his legal interests.”

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Real Madrid officially activate buy-back clause for Alvaro Morata

Juventus has confirmed that Alvaro Morata will rejoin Real Madrid for €30m The Spain international who scored in both legs of the 2014/15 Champions League SF for Juventus, as well as the final netted 27 goals in 93 appearances for the Old Lady after leaving Madrid for Turin in 2014.
A statement on Juventus’ official website read: “All associated with Juventus Football Club would like to wish Alvaro the very best of luck wherever his future may take him and thank him for two truly excellent years of service to the team.”
The Arsenal target has scored two goals in the ongoing Euro 2016 tournament.

Veteran actress, Bukky Ajayi dies at 82

Respected thespian, Bukky Ajayi has passed on. The UK-trained actress died today at the age of 82. Her last function was at this year’s AMVCA awards where she gave a very moving acceptance speech after she was honoured with a lifetime award.

Wheelchair-bound, she broke down in tears and also expressed shock at the outpouring of love and standing ovation from the guests. “I wish I could stand up. But if I stand I will fall down. You all standing for me? Thank you, I am very grateful to you.” She said.

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Facts about the veteran actress

1. She was born a christian but converted to Islam in the early eighties and chose the name Zainab.

2. She left England and came back to Nigeria after her education in 1965 and started out working in Nigeria Television Authority(NTA) as a presentation assistant in 1966.

3. Afterwards, she became a presenter and then a news reader.

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4. She presented a couple of children’s programmes and ‘Nigerian’s Sketches,’ a programme which was all about Nigerian culture.

5. She was later transferred to Port Harcourt and later back to Lagos, and it was at that time she started her acting career.

6. She started with the ‘Village Headmaster’ in the 70s, and she later got a role in Amaka Igwe’s ‘Checkmate.’

7. She has featured in so many home videos and films some of which include Mother of George, Indecent Girl, Diamond Ring, Witches, Thunderbolt among others.

May her soul find repose. Amen.

Additional information from thenet.ng

Lionel Messi gets 21-month jail term

Barcelona stand by Messi after tax fraud ruling
Soccer star, Lionel Messi has been sentenced to 21 months in prison for tax evasion and also fined $2.3 million. For more than a year now the world best footballer and his father, Jorge Messi had been enmeshed in a €4.1 million tax fraud allegations levelled against him by Spanish authorities. 
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The 29 year-old was at the Eighth Court of Barcelona last month to testify in the case . He vehemently denied knowledge of fraudulent activities, maintaining that all he did was to sign and entrust documents of deals with his father and lawyers and focus on his career. 
 “I never asked my dad about these things. The truth is that, as I said before, I trusted him and the lawyers. I didn’t know anything about it, I just played football. I didn’t know I was a member and manager of this company, I signed it because he [Jorge Messi] said so and I trusted him and the lawyers. All I knew was that I was signing a deal with sponsors to do adverts, photo shoots and things like that.
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The State Attorney felt unconvinced with his defence in the tax evasion charges levelled against him and his father by Spanish authorities. He said he had zero credibility and was even compared to a ‘capo’  heading a criminal structure. 
At one point, Jorge Messi recognizes that he tells his son they will be needing (financial) advice. And then they speak no more about it? That has zero credibility. Messi knew more than he is making out. I don’t want to compare Messi to a Mafioso, but it’s as if he was the boss of a criminal structure.’
However, because he doesn’t have a criminal record and his sentence was less than two years, he won’t serve jail time as long as he doesn’t break the law again.

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His father also got a 21-month jail sentence and a $1.7 million for tax fraud, though like his son he won’t serve time as he also hasn’t committed an offence before. 
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