2014 World Cup: Stephen Keshi releases 30-man squad list

The wait is finally over! National team head coach, Stephen Keshi has finally released his 30-man squad list for the forthcoming World Cup. Surprisingly, Osaze Odemwingie made the list (well, a source hinted few weeks ago that he would be considered), while Ike Uche was dropped.
Meanwhile, all invited players are expected to report in camp on May 26. Nigeria will face Scotland in a friendly on 28 May at Houston, Texas; Greece and the United States in June 3 and June 7 respectively. The final 23-man players list for Brazil 2014 will be compiled on 2nd June, 2014.

LIST OF PLAYERS

Forwards:  Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United, England); Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce, Turkey); Obinna Nsofor (Chievo Verona, Italy); Peter Odemwingie (Stoke City, England), Michael Uchebo (Cercle Brugge, Belgium); Victor Moses (Liverpool, England), Uche Nwofor (Heerenveen, Holland).

Defenders:  Elderson Echiejile (AS Monaco, France); Efe Ambrose (Celtic, Scotland); Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor, Turkey); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves); Kenneth Omeruo (Middlesbrough, England); Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod FC, Israel); Joseph Yobo (Norwich City, England); Kunle Odunlami (Sunshine Stars).

Midfielders:  John Mikel Obi (Chelsea, England); Ramon Azeez (Almeria FC, Spain); Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Joel Obi (Parma, Italy); Nnamdi Oduamadi (Varese, Italy); Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers), Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis, Spain), Sunday Mba (CA Bastia, France), Reuben Gabriel (Waasland-Beveren, Belgium), Michael Babatunde (Volyn Lutsk, Ukraine).

Goalkeepers:  Enyeama (Lille FC, France); Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel), Daniel Akpeyi (Heartland), Chigozie Agbim (Gombe United)

Photos: JayJay Okocha named Bullet Energy Drink ambassador

Less than 3 months after he sealed an endorsement deal with tech company, New Age chargers, Nigerian football legend is smiling to the bank again. He has been announced as ambassador of international beverage brand, Bullet Energy Drink produced by multi-national company, Sun Mark. Recall that Nollywood actress, Chika Ike was unveiled few months back.
According to one of the management officials, choosing Jayjay was an easy decision. “His commitment to excellence, his work ethic even after retiring from active football and his liveliness are all qualities we identify with. It’s a just great match.” He added.
JayJay’s numerous career laurels include winning the Africa Nations Cup in 1994, Olympic Gold winner in Atlanta 1996, being the most expensive African player when PSG splashed $24 million on him in 1998, BBC African footballer of the year in 2004, and very few Nigerians forget that goal where he virtually dribbled half the Karlsruhe defense to score past a flailing Oliver Kahn!

Business mogul, Aliko Dangote steps out with his 'little lady'.

Billionaire business man, Aliko Dangote and his daughter, Halima were spotted at the Times 100 event in New York which was held recently to honour the 100 most influential people in the world. Recall that the industrialist, and Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala are the only two Nigerians who made this year’s list.

5 Tips To Make Her Respect You

Respect is one of the basic human values. As it applies to people, is defined as an attitude of admiration or esteem for a person. This feeling is generally a result of a person’s achievements. While all people deserve respect, not many of they receive this. Everyone wants to be respected by others but not all of them get it.
It’s important to first define who a respectable person is before giving respect to him. First of all you have to keep in mind that in order to demand respect, you will have to treat others with equal amount of respect. ‘Respect’ is just a word, but what it means and what it distinguishes for us can make all the difference in how we observe ourselves and others — as well as how we relate to future possibilities and choices.
Many successful relationships have been built around different political or religious believes, but it all boils down to respect. They are based on the belief that both partners are equal, that the power and control in the relationship are equally share. In a relationship, respect means listening to each other, valuing each other’s opinions, and also understanding the other’s emotions.
If you want to be respected by your girlfriend, here are some helpful tips which may use.
(1). First of all it is very important to have self-respect. Treat yourself with respect. If she sees that you don’t have any respect for yourself she might consider that she doesn’t have to show you either, because it is not important to you at all.
(2). What you give is what you take. Show respect if you want to be respectable. Everyone wants to be admired and appreciated. If you show your girlfriend that she is important to you, you’ll be easily in her good graces. Be attentive, give compliments, and make her feel comfortable with you and content. Simply admire the person you are with and listen carefully when she talks. So, she’ll love to spend time with you.
(3). Relax. Women think men are mediocre because they have a boring personality. So, when you have a date with her relax and have fun so she will feel great with you, because if she finds you’re boring, you may get dumped. If you make her feel good she will respect you for the funny guy you are, being the person who can make her smile even when she is very sad.
(4). Don’t lie. We all know that women don’t like to be lied to. If she had caught you with a lie she will definitely not have any more respect for you. But, if she sees that you are sincere to her all the time, she will be proud of you and will show more and more respect for you.
(5). Be confident and polite. Look into her eyes when she talks to you and make her feel that you are a person who can be trusted. Show her that she can talk with you about any subject or problem she has and can count on your help. Don’t forget to be polite, this will bring a reciprocal respect.
When you are in a relationship you must be treated with respect, which means your girlfriend must act like this:
– lets you feel comfortable being yourself
– is able to admit when she is wrong
– is willing to compromise
– respects your opinions, feelings and friends
– tries to resolve conflicts by talking honesty
– accepts when you’re saying no at things you don’t want to do
So, take a deep look at your relationship and watch out if your girlfriend is making all this things for you and if not you should try these tips to make her respect you.
To learn more, register for the Single Ladies Conference here and be part of this great event. www.goo.gl/KWi6BP

Opinion: What Tiwa Savage and TeeBillz should really be concerned about | By: Uduak Oduok

In recent times, we have seen highly controversial weddings among female celebrities. The issue to my knowledge, in the public domain, is not whether these husbands were “second hand” husbands but rather whether they fulfilled their responsibilities to their children or ex-spouses (where a prior marriage was concerned) before attempting to remarry, okay perhaps actress Funke Akindele’s marriage might have been the exception to the rule; but that was justified under Islamic religion where a man can have more than one wife.
However, more direct non-religious examples of controversial weddings follow:
Take for example: 
1) Mercy Johnson who married a man who was allegedly still married in Italy, his Italian Nigerian wife even produced valid marriage documents yet Mercy Johnson married him. To resolve that issue, the man at the time of the wedding, and within 24hours, sought for a traditional divorce of his Italian wife in Nigeria.
The jurisdictional issue whether he was still married in Italy remained. To date, we are unsure whether his wife in Italy filed for a divorce. For the life of me, I can’t understand why anyone will say ‘yes’ to a man that has not broken ties  from a previous marriage i.e. he is still married with two kids. Divorce and marry, the law permits you to do so. Don’t take someone to the altar while you are legally married to another, especially where your soon to be wife allegedly has no clue.
2) The second example is the Tiwa Savage case. Tiwa Savage’s marriage to T-Billz was controversial regardless of the luxurious weddings and fan fare. Initially, most were very happy for her. She is the darling of the industry. However, when a Nigerian-American Los Angeles based woman emerged on the internet, complete with pictures of T-Billz with two children he fathered by this woman, and accused T-Billz of not providing for his children and not having contact with them for some years now, it became quite embarrassing to watch and imagine that this was who Savage wanted to spend the rest of her life with. To my knowledge, there was no explicit denial by T-Billz of the accusations, rather, he made  a statement on how he tries to be the best father.
Meanwhile, you had Tiwa Savage singing praises on how T-Billz was the best and believed and invested in her when others wouldn’t. If you all recall, I responded here on AML that, there was mixing of business and pleasure. Your manager is supposed to believe in you and invest in you the way that he does, even if you are a female artiste, it is no different than his investment in a male artiste. Anyway, fast forward, these two are now married and a colleague writes an article that refers to her choice for a husband as a second hand husband. While he does not name Tiwa and T-Billz, the clear inference given the facts he cites is that he refers to them.
T-Billz and Tiwa in response are clearly hurt and have taken to (instagram) to air their opinions. I am not sure Etcetera’s article warranted a response. There will be many that will hold the opinion that T-Billz is  a”second hand” husband. That is their issue and prerogative. On the flip side, there will be many who do not hold such opinion and can appreciate the role a manager has in the career of an artist and that, but for his business sense and vision, the deals brokered and the strategic placement of the Tiwa Savage brand,to become successful would not have occurred. Arguably, that they happen to fall in love does not make him 2nd hand.
I think the only thing T-Billz should be concerned about is taking care of his existing children with the woman in L.A. so we don’t see such spills on the internet making his private affairs with Tiwa one for dissecting. He does have a duty to protect her, doesn’t he?

10 Best sports stadia in the world.

From Wembley Stadium, United Kingdom to Bell Centre, America. These are 10 best stadia in the world. 7 of them are located in America while the rest in England, Spain and Argentina. Wembley is still the best in the world. It opened in 2007 and was built on the site of the earlier Wembley Stadium which was demolished in 2003. It hosts major football matches such as the FA Cup Final and home matches of the England national football team.




10 best sports stadia in the world.
(1) Wembley Stadium- England
(2) Camp Nou- Spain
(3) Lambeau Field- America
(4) La Bombonera- Argentina
(5) Madison Square Garden- America
(6) PNC Park- America
(7) TD Bank Garden – America
(8) At&t Stadium- America
(9) Wrigley Field Home- America
(10) Bell Centre – America
Additional info: Wikipedia

#BringBackOurGirls: Photos from Lagos protest

The #BringBackOurGirls Ikeja, Lagos protest for the release of the over 200 girls abducted by Islamic sect, Boko Haram, took place today, May 5, 2014. Spotted at the peaceful rally include Omoni Oboli, Betty Irabor Mo Abudu, Banky W, Tiwa Savage, Sasha and other concerned citizens of Nigeria.

Get Empowered for the fantastic future ahead! Register and attend the second edition of The Single Ladies' Conference (SLC)

After a successful maiden edition, which was held on the 29th of May, 2013, the organizers of The Single Ladies’ Conference; a summit for young women, between the ages of 18 – 35 are set for another powerful outing. This year’s event which will hold on Thursday, May 29, 2014 at the Anchor Events Centre, Lateef Jakande road, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos is themed, ‘Greater Than’. Put together by Gem Publications ltd; publishers of Gem woman and Gem man magazines; the conference also seeks to expose the ills of several societal menaces such as rape, abuse, prostitution, etc., while proffering healing and counsel for victims. Highlights include: Powerful word ministrations, Counseling and emotional healing sessions, Sessions on marriage, career, relationships, ministry, and health, Uplifting worship sessions, amongst others.
Seasoned speakers for the 2014 event include Pastor Bola Olawale; Publisher/CEO, Gem woman/man magazines; Steve Harris, Nigeria’s leading Life Strategist, Motivational Speaker & Author and Rev. Mrs Funke Adetuberu is a dynamic, multifaceted woman of God and highly sought after conference speaker.
Here’s a statement from The SLC team, “We’ve all got questions! And sometimes, fear, worry, and anxiety about the past, present and future can be overwhelming… We wonder if we are good enough, strong enough, talented enough, or even beautiful enough… for the great life our heart desires. Don’t let fear or doubt hold you down! You are special, blessed and destined for greatness! Your life was created and pre-ordained by our God, who is GREATER THAN… everything and anything! He is the All-Powerful and He is interested in making your life a wonder!
Join us at The Single Ladies’ Conference 2014, as we answer vital questions, gain insights and get empowered for the fantastic future ahead of us, even as we are equipped to make the best use of the present. The Single Ladies’ Conference is established with the purpose of achieving the following aims:
(1)Engendering purposeful self-discovery for single ladies;
(2) Empowering spinsters to maximise their singleness;
(3) Equipping young women to fulfill purpose;
(4) Providing the needed enlightenment required for building strong homes.
Theme: GREATER THAN….
Date: Thursday May 29, 2014
Time: 10am
Venue: Anchor Events Centre, Lateef Jakande road, Agidingbi, Ikeja (Beside Union Bank)
Dress code: SLC Branded T-Shirt (available at selected outlets) and a pair of jeans or trousers.
Registration fee:  N2,500 (this covers the SLC Branded T-shirt)
 For more information contact: 08033021171, 08122189315, 07052788866, 08034083844, 07086561988.

CAF bans Gambia for two years from International Competitions

The Confederation of African Football, CAF after a thorough investigation has banned Gambia from all competitions (African’s Champions League and Confederation Cup competitions) for two years for fielding over-aged players.
Their five players paraded in the Liberia-Gambia qualifier were born in 1994 but the competition was only open to players born on 1 January 1995 or after.
The sanction was announced on Saturday, May 3, 2014. According to a statement by CAF, the decision to suspend the Gambia FA for two years from all CAF competitions is in line with ‘Article 37 Paragraph 1’ of the regulations of the African U-20 Championship, which states “for any deliberate intention to foul or cheat in any matter involving the falsification of documents, the defaulting association shall be suspended for two years from all CAF competitions”.

Second-hand husband: Tiwa Savage and hubby take a swipe at Etcetera

Nigerian singer, Etcetera’s article on female celebrities preferring second-hand husbands written in Punch newspaper two days ago has elicited reactions from newly-weds; Tiwa Savage and her husband/manager Tunji ‘Tee Billz’ Balogun. Incase you missed it, read it here Both of them took to their instagram accounts to lash out at the PUNCH columnist implying that he has no courage to mention their names or analyse their marriage.
TeeBillz, “I don’t owe You Shit so I won’t answer to your speculations ECETERA but I will plead to @lindaikeji @bellanaijaonline TMZ, Ladun To please Find Pictures of My First Marriage. Maybe ECETERA Can Help Locate It. #GetTheBallsToCallMyName.’
“You are not in a position to discuss how male artists are gigolos, most of them came after you and by His grace have achieved more.” Tiwa wrote
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