Former Super Eagles captain, Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha has emerged the new Delta State Football Association Chairman following his victory in today’s polls.
The former Bolton Wanderers replaces Amaju Pinnick, who is the current president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Okocha thus joins the likes of Christopher Green, Abubakar Ladan and Ganiyu Majekodunmi, and many others who have emerged as winners in their respective State FA elections.
Fellow ex internationals Edema Fuludu and Victor Ikpeba are also on the Delta Football Association as chairman and member respectively.
Whenever there is drama, you can guarantee that Mario Balotelli is never too far away. He revels in it.
Liverpool captain, Steven Gerrard has accused Mario Balotelli of being disrespectful by taking the ball off skipper Jordan Henderson and fellow striker Daniel Sturridge to take the winning penalty in their first leg of their Europa League clash with Besiktas yesterday.
Gerrard who missed the match due to injurt added that the dressing room would have experienced another drama if the former AC milan forward had missed the penalty.
“Jordan is the captain and Mario would have seen that Jordan was on penalties and he has shown him a but of disrespect there, but he we have got away with it. If I was on the pitch, I’d have taken the penalty, that’s what would have happened. Basically Jordan Henderson should have taken that penalty and Mario has been a bit mischievous by standing in front of him and going against the manager’s plan.
“Fair play to him, he finished the penalty off, but it would have been very interesting in that dressing room if he had missed the penalty. It’s a fantastic penalty, it’s a big goal and fair play to him, but it’s more than that. Around six or seven people in the team would have wanted to take that penalty, so what happens if six or seven people are fighting over the ball around the penalty spot.
“It’s not nice to see players taking the ball off each other on a penalty. For me, rules are rules and codes are codes inside a dressing room. When a manager selects a penalty taker, that penalty taker should take it. It should have been Henderson.
“Mario was terrific when he came on and he helped to change the game in Liverpool’s favour. With the pressure on his shoulders, he slotted it away very well and it’s a big goal for us.
“Jordan handled the situation very well. He knows Mario wants the penalty really badly, Mario is desperate to get on the score sheet. He has stepped away at the right time because I don’t like to see it when players are fighting over the ball. It’s not right for the image of the game.
“At the end of the day, what’s important for myself and all the fans here is we got the win and it has put us in a very good position for next week.”
The 24 year-old prolific penalty taker couldn’t really be bothered about the reactions, slotting the ball home was the objective. He took to his instagram page to play down the situation:
“Thank you Hendo for let me take the penalty.. Stop drama now. We won that’s what it count. We are a team and expecially we are Liverpool. Come on guys.” He wrote
A social media awareness campaign against domestic violence has kicked off. Spearheaded by Mr Nigeria 2014, Emmanuel Ikubese and tagged R.A.W. – Respect A Woman for men, and Run A Way for women; the project is an effort to engage every individual, organization, to say NO/end all forms of domestic violence against women.
The photoshoot stars former Mr Nigeria, Bryan Okwara; OC Ukeje, Adesua Etomi, Blossom Chukwujekwu, Kiki Omeili, Shaydee, Korede Bello, Di’ja, , Lilian Afegbai, Chinyere Adogu (Mbgn Tourism 2014), Marie Miller (Miss Earth 2013).
Speaking on the commendable project, Ikubese believes “no man will ever hit his Mother because of Respect. If such Respect can be applied in Relationships/Marriages this will significantly reduce the rate of Domestic violence in our society.
He continued, “My vision is to see Men make this pledge to Respect A Woman and apply them in their Relationships. For Women in such violent Relationships its high time they Run Away from this deadly act.”
Adekunle Rufus Adeyeri; a columnist in The Punch Newspaper and an award-winning Forex Trader and Trainer based in Lagos is down with Multiple Myeloma – Cancer of the Bone Marrow and needs our help!
This has made him to be partially paraplegic (immobile and permanently on the wheelchair), as the cancer has affected his spinal cord. He has undergone treatments in both private and government hospitals in Nigeria, with several cycles of chemotherapy in LASUTH.
He had a spinal cord surgery at MIOT HOSPITAL, Chennai, India in October, 2014. He has now been recommended for Bone Marrow Transplant in India, which according to experts has a 99% success rate.
For a family man who has not been able to work since the occurrence of this medical condition, and have had to expend everything on medical bills, life and living have been harrowing, hard and difficult.
To undertake the Bone Marrow Transplant, it will cost N10 Million covering, Cost of Surgery 35,000 US Dollars, Flight Tickets for him and helpmate, Drugs, Accommodation and Post-operation expenses.
Kunle and his family memberd are appealing to you to please help and donate money to meet these expenses. No amount is too small as, every Naira that is given towards the surgery will move him nearer to restoration and good health!
His account details :
ACCOUNT NAME : ADEKUNLE RUFUS ADEYERI BANK:
GUARANTY TRUST BANK (GTB-) ACCOUNT NUMBER: 0007654719.
For questions, please call
Aare Ariyo 081 25 705 705,
Bosun 0802 427 3381
While there are some people who enjoy networking and get a lot of energy from interacting with a crowd, many find it intimidating and draining. Traditional networking is not for everyone.
However, networking is essential in today’s job market. Experts estimate that well over half of jobs are found through networking and word of mouth. The old job search method of comfortably sitting at your computer sending off résumés and cover letters will no longer get you very far.
Luckily for introverts, there are multiple ways to network. Some may bring you a bit outside of your comfort zone, but that’s not a bad thing. Think of these as skills you are developing that could benefit you in a future job.
(1.) Start from a position of strength. When you’re employed, it’s much easier to promote yourself and talk about what you do. When you network while employed, you will exude confidence. Start building your network from there. And if it’s possible and of interest to you to meet new contacts within your company, begin with them.
(2.) Refine your elevator speech. This is a tough thing for everyone to develop, so don’t think you’re alone if you’re not happy with yours yet. Your speech should evolve over time as you practice more or change your career focus areas.
Aim to compose one that tells your listener in 30 seconds or less why he or she should want to get to know you better. Keep it simple. Briefly explain what you do, where you want to go and why. If all goes well, you could end up with a referral.
(3.) Begin within your comfort zone. People tend to think immediately of large events as the sole networking opportunities. However, there is not only one type of networking.
It can happen in small or large groups or one on one, and it doesn’t even have to be in person – it can be on the phone, email, Skype or FaceTime. A good place to start is with a brief email introduction and a question. Figure out what you’d like to get from your interaction with this person.
(4.) Be explicit with your requests. Think about what information you can possibly glean from the person you’re networking with. Don’t ask him or her to forward your résumé to human resources or help you get a job. Briefly introduce yourself at the start of an email, call or in-person meeting, and tell him or her what kind of advice you are seeking. Asking questions will help take the focus off you and allow you to learn a lot about the other person.
(5.) Build new relationships by helping others achieve their goals. If you help colleagues at work, they’re likely to help you at some point. If you make yourself available to junior staff, students from your alma mater or others who reach out and ask for your guidance, perhaps they will be able to help you in an unknown way in the future. Pay it forward, and you’ll likely see returns, even when you don’t expect it.
Determining what type of networking is most comfortable for you will make you confident. If you’re uncomfortable, it’s unlikely you will make a good impression. Use opportunities where you feel relaxed as chances to engage people on the subject of your career. This could be one on one at work or social events. Or you might find it easiest to begin on the computer through social media or email.
Be available to others when they request help. Not only will this help you gain self-assurance in your abilities, but this also helps you build contacts and trust among folks who may return the favor in the future.
Whatever methods you choose, the most important thing is that you can clearly and concisely define what it is you are asking of the person. You may be asking questions to make you more at ease with him or her, or you may want a targeted request for guidance on your next career move.
Networking is not just for extroverts anymore. No matter your preferred style of engagement, you can make it work for you.
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Helen Ozor is an events blogger. She blogs at helenozor.com
I have been defiled many times by this person. I had to keep it to myself for fear of death. Mama would never even believe me and Papa is never around to listen.
My name is Obim and this is my story.
I am thirteen years old, the first child of my parents with three siblings all boys aged eleven, nine and six respectively. I’m in grade 2 in the Community Secondary School I attend. We hail from and live in Ogidi, Idemili North LGA of Anambra State. Papa is a farmer and Mama runs a local canteen.
My Tormentor
His is a regular face: dark, scary, intimidating and hateful face I see anytime I close my eyes to sleep. He goes around like a saint during the day, all smiles to the aged, the ‘dream-man’ of the village maidens, the able and congenial mate to the young men and finally ‘uncle-do-good’ to the little children, always bearing gifts of sweets and biscuits. But at night, he’s the horrible monster that I dread in the confines of my room.
Like every other girl in my peer group, I used to dream of a beautiful future; the day I’d finish from Secondary school, go to the University in the city (Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka), graduate, get a good job and marry the man of my dreams (or the other way round; not go to the University, learn a trade like sewing, still get married, have kids and take care of my parents and siblings with my earnings).
All these dreams came to an abrupt end that night….. Mama and Papa had left for the neighbouring village in preparation for the forthcoming festival and were not due back till the next day. I was about to sleep in my little room carved out from the kitchen because I was the only girl and needed some privacy when I heard the creak of the door.
It was Uncle Ejiofor, papa’s younger brother, a man I’d known and liked all my life. I wasn’t surprised to see him in my room at that time of the night because he lived with us. He came nearer, put his arms around me and started kissing me all over the face. I stood frozen not knowing what was happening or what to do. I tried to resist but he forcefully threw me on the hard burnt-mud bed I slept on. I tried screaming but he had a sharp, glistening knife which he threatened to slit my throat with if I made a sound. He forcefully had his way with me and swore me to secrecy else he’d kill me and throw my corpse in the bushes.
It went on like every other night for about six months, he’d come to my room to defile me with the same threat of killing me if I told anyone about it.
It’s been three months now and I’ve not seen ‘my visitor’. I’m so scared and can’t imagine what’s happening. I’ve been sent home from school since our teachers noticed pregnancy symptoms.
The proverbial cat is out of the bag. Uncle Ejiofor fled the village the night I told him about the pregnancy; Mama is on my neck on who is responsible, Papa has threatened to disown me. What do i tell them? How do I tell them? Will they believe me? All these questions burden me.
My heart is heavy, I cry myself to sleep every night, I look for vengeance for this man who has ruined my life.
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Ajoke is a mother of two. She enjoys writing, reading and interacting with people. She blogs at Ajokesogo.wordpress.com
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Are you a writer? Interested in sharing your short stories on this platform? Be our guest on our Short Story Fridays segment. Email: ololade.olatunji@yahoo/gmail.com