Happy New Year 2015!!!

Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Island have welcomed year 2015 with spectacular fireworks display to celebrate the new year.

Depending on the time-zone you are, I wish you Happy New Year as your time zone moves into year 2015.

Today's Wise Saying

"A child carried on the back will not appreciate the length of a journey."-Nigerian Proverb.

Minister's fingerprint cloned from photograph

The reliability of fingerprint for biometric purposes is now questionable following the recent claim of a hacker group. The Chaos Computer Club claim to have cloned from a photograph the fingerprint of German's Defence Minister, Ursula von der Leyer from a picture taken of her using "standard photo camera" and commercial software. The minister was photographed at a news conference. A member of the hacker network Jan Krissler made the cloning disclosure where he revealed how he duplicated the minister's biometric feature without having physical contact with her.

I wonder how much more the hackers have in their arsenal to breach security.

Missing AirAsia plane wreckage found, bodies recovery ongoing

The search of the missing AirAsia plane since on Sunday has finally dashed the hope of finding them alive as the wreckage, debris and bodies have been discovered in the sea off the coast of Borneo.The Indonesia AirAsia's Flight QZ8501, carrying 155 passengers including 7 crew members, lost contact with air traffic control as a result of bad weather, forty-two minutes into the two hours flight from Suraybaya, Indonesia to Singapore. The nationalities of the passengers in total included 149 Indonesians, three Koreans, one Singaporean, a Briton and a Malaysian.

Indonesian officials have been able to recover bodies from around the wreckage and definitive pieces of the airline debris including an exit door from the flight has been found during the search. The Nation's Search and Rescue Agency Chief Bambang Soelistyo in a news conference in Jakarta told newsmen that an Air-force plane saw a 'shadow' of a plane on the sea bed believing to be the missing plane.

UK's Ebola case confirmed in Glasgow

A healthcare worker who arrived from Sierra Leone on Sunday has been admitted and taken into isolation after being diagnosed with Ebola. The woman who was immediately taken to Gartnavel Hospital in Glasgow is being prepared for a move to the Royal Free Hospital in North London overnight by an air ambulance. UK's Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said the health worker would be taken to a special unit in London for further treatment.

The Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "Apart from other passengers on the flights and obviously the hospital staff since this patient's admittance to hospital, she, the patient is thought to have had contact with only one other person in Scotland since returning to Scotland last night and that person will also be contacted and given appropriate reassurance."

I hope everyone is safe from this dreadful disease.

A BBC Commentator and his skillful notes

                                                                                                               (Pic:babb.telegraph.co.uk)

A BBC Newcastle's radio football commentator Nick Barnes displayed his notes on his twitter handle earlier in the month. The images which looked like work of arts added details to how the commentator is able to make teaming football fans, come alive with accuracy, unbiased and melodious tunes of reporting live matches.

Barnes made his signature notes when preparing for matches with hand-written notes scripted in coloured pens, using note pad. With computer gadgets and all other hi-tech soft wares in availability, the commentator puts finesse in his work by using his arty hands to put coloured pens to paper.

Today's Wise Words

"If you act like a ripe plum, bats will eat you." by Lamar Gaye.

Today's Wise Words

"If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality." -Dalai Lama

Merry Xmas!

With love from me to everyone. Have a peaceful one and remember to eat wisely. ;)

Indian girls turns to martial arts for self-defense

In the spate of reports on rape, harassment, abduction, kidnapping and abuse of girls in India, a group of students in an Indian school has found a way to fortify themselves with defense skills by choosing the Chinese martial arts as a way to combat the ordeal.
In the pictures, are students from a local high school in South India's Hyderabad. They appear to be skilled in the art of fighting with sticks and swords and also moves to engage an enemy in a battle.

Maryam Augie marries her beau Abdulmumin Jibrin

Maryam Augie, the CEO of AYAHAY Foundation celebrated her marriage to her beau Abdulmumin Jibrin (Chairman,Committee on Finance, Nigeria's Federal House of Representatives) with a dinner on Saturday December 20th 2014. The marriage which has been officially consummated at the Emir's Palace Argungu, Kebbi State Nigeria took place in November 2014.
Augie, a daughter to an Appeal Court Judge Justice Amina Augie and late Senator Adamu Augie, warmed her way into people's heart with her advocacy work on girl child education and empowerment, scholarships and providing sustainable schemes for rural women in poverty. Maryam, recently named a ‘Woman of Vision’ by Tiffany Amber, bagged her Bachelors Degree in International Business from the American University Sharjah, Dubai and an MBA from European University College Brussels (EHSAL).

Today's Wise Words

"It is not wanting to win that makes you a winner; it is refusing to fail."- Unknown

America retaliates?

North Korea is at the moment going through internet outage days after President Obama promised a "proportional" response for the cyber attack on the country's Hollywood studio - Sony Pictures in the wake of impending release of 'The Interview' - a fictional movie on killing of North Korea leader, Kim Jong-un.

The United States authority has refused to be drawn into the present internet predicament in North Korea, but the spokesperson for the US State Department Marie Harf is reported to have commented that: "As we implement our responses, some will be seen, some may not be seen." The super-highway connectivity problem may in some opinion be as a result of infrastructural/system maintenance.

Let the powerful countries and their leaders exercise restrains in their responses and actions. All the world needs now is PEACE!

Even Santa cheats too?

I could not help but laugh when I saw this. Mrs Claus is definitely not finding it funny! C'mmon Ma'am...At least he came clean! hehehehe.

Six people dead and others injured as bin lorry run into shoppers in Glasgow city centre.

Pedestrians were left bewildered on Monday when an out of control refuse lorry rammed into people in George Square in the center of Glasgow, Scotland. Police say the lorry went around 300 metres along the pavement killing six people and injuring several others. The incident is coming as shoppers were making their rounds of Christmas buying and other amusement around the George square.
An eye witness account says the driver was seen to have slumped at the wheel before the impact as the lorry sped seemingly out of control. Out of those taken to the hospital is the driver of the refuse lorry.
According to the spokesperson of Police Scotland Superintendent Stewart Carle, said "It's a road traffic accident, nothing more sinister. For now it does not look to be a criminal or deliberate act that has taken place here this afternoon, but we need to have time to investigate it."

My heartfelt condolence to the families of the victims.

Janet Jackson on a peace mission in Middle East.

Pop star and music icon Janet Jackson on Sunday paid a visit to Occupied Jerusalem with her wealthy Qatari husband Wissam al-Mana. A sister to the legendary Micheal Jackson posted her pictures on Twitter posing with "Beautiful Palestinian students". 

Jackson, a UNICEF goodwill ambassador tweeted  “Peace. Yatta High School, West Bank with @UNICEF. Beautiful Palestinian students.” She also added a photo of her husband striking a pose with a peace sign in the midst of Palestinian boys in South Hebron Hills. Before they crossed into Palestine, Jackson also visited the Zaatari Camp in Jordan on Dec.17 where displaced Syrian refugees now live.

Ghana hopeful for electricity in Yuletide season

As its countdown to Christmas, power supply in Ghana will only improve if the country's power supply company Ghana Grid Company is able to secure supply from neighbouring country to augment the current capacity it generates. The System Control Manager Frank Otchere said Ivory Coast has agreed to supply power to Ghana once the gas supply challenges are resolved. Part of the problem Ghanaians are currently facing is the gas supply shortage from Nigeria and faulty equipment in the country's Electric Company. Even industrial factories too are experiencing shortage of electricity. They have resorted to rationing which leaves out two days of power outage in one week.

Sad I must day. I hope something is done soon and fast.

Fashion Divas

Doesn't look like a new photo shoot. Or rather its somewhat photoshopped if you ask me. But it sure tells a lot about black women, fashion, glamour and style. Any thoughts?

Mark Wright wins Lord Sugar's Apprentice

Mark Wright 25, has won the BBC show 'The Apprentice' on Sunday. The Australian will become Lord Alan Sugar's new business partner as he will be receiving a £250,000 investment in his digital marketing agency. Wright went head to head with Bianca Miller as the last pair standing in a number of 20 candidates in the beginning of the British game show, where a group of smart aspiring businessmen and women compete for an opportunity to work with the English business magnate.

Wright in his words said "its a bit of a rollercoaster" and added "but I'm in it for the long haul". During the finals stages, a lot viewers were rooting for Bianca Miller ,as she was able to make her mark in the show with her business initiatives.

After Wright emerged as winner Miller 25, said: "If you lose to someone who isn't very good, it's upsetting, but Mark is very credible. "I was happy to go up against him and if I was going to lose, to lose to him was the best I could hope for, really."

Congratulations to all of them...They have all done well.They have definitely proven they can sell water to well.

Beauty of the day

This is one beautiful woman!...In D'banj's words "I like Omotola cos people like her!"

Bill Gates, Polio and Nigeria

 

Bill Gates wrote this on his twitter handle on Sunday, showing the demographic chart of polio cases drop from 50 to 6 in Nigeria. The American philanthropist has been a good catalyst helping to eradicate the disease in Africa.

A good development. Only if our African leaders can fold up their sleeves and join hands.

A Muslim Australian bride visits memorial on wedding day.

An Australian Muslim bride Manal Kassem on Saturday shocked onlookers when she paid a visit to the memorial Martin place during her wedding. The bride laid her wedding bouquet of flower in tribute to the dead Lindt cafe siege victims. According to her wedding planner Dina Kheir,"She was going to cancel [the photoshoot] because she didn't want to be judged ... celebrating her wedding in a scarf while people were terrorised, "But she made it her priority to visit the memorial site as the first pit stop. "She did it out of respect for her country, that will one day be the country of her children and grandchildren." 
As the 23-year-old Sydneysider bride approached the floral tribute with her groom, the city's onlooking crowd applauded the emotional gesture.

I think many more of this heartfelt gesture will improve a peaceful existence.

Gyan crowned Best Foreign Player in Asia 2014.

Ghanaian striker Asamoah Gyan was on Saturday awarded the Best Foreign Player in Asia for the year 2014. The award came before his training session with his UAE club Al Ain. The club coach Zlatko Dalic and the rest of the players made it memorable celebrating with the deadly striker.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced Gyan 29, as the Best Foreign Player last month, making the former Sunderland player's laudable performance in 2014 Champions League which he emerged as a top scorer with 12 goals, making it two more goals than closest rival Al Hilal's Nasser Al-Shamrani.

A man drives into a crowd of people shouting 'Allahu Akbar' in France

A driver exclaiming "Allahu Akbar" an Arabic phrase for "God is great" as he drove into a crowd of people in Dijon, France on Sunday has injured 11 people, leaving two in a serious condition.
According to a source close to the investigation "The man, born in 1974, is apparently imbalanced and had been in a psychiatric hospital," the source also added that "for now his motives are still unclear." 
The driver known to police for petty offences is the second person to carry out an attack after a French convert to Islam was shot dead when he attacked three police officers hollering the same chant in the central town of Joue-les-Tours.

Muhammad Ali admitted in hospital with Pneumonia

The former heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali has been admitted into an undisclosed hospital for Pneumonia. His spokesman Bob Gunnell told the media on Saturday that the boxer is in a stable condition saying 'prognosis is good'. He said the boxer's stay in the hospital would not be long and has asked that the 72 year-old's family would appreciate if their privacy is respected at this time.

Here's wishing Mr Ali a quick recovery.

Connect with this?

I can't imagine life without referring to Google for 'consultation'. I'm sure people of older generation feel the new generation have been spoon fed to get through school. hehehe!

Today's Wise Saying

'You can tell a ripe corn by its look.'- An African Proverb

This is said to state a glaring fact or an obvious situation. 

Today's Wise Saying

'The mouth a lion use to caress its cubs is the same mouth it will use to admonish it.' -Nigerian Proverb

Today's Wise Words

"Twenty children cannot play for a period of twenty years"- A colloquial saying commonly used in Lagos, Nigeria

This means that there would come a point where nature or circumstance would split the children to attend to their other spheres in life.

Happiness..

"Happiness comes more easily when you feel good about yourself without feeling the need for anyone else’s approval."

School replaces a blind boy's cane with a pool toy

A school has come under scrutiny when an 8 year-old boy, Dakota Nafzinger born without eyes, as a result of a medical condition called Bilateral Anopthalmia, had his walking cane taken from him after he was reported to have hit someone with it on the school bus.

After the incidence, his school Gracemore Elementary School in Kansas city ,US took his cane away but replaced it with a swimming pool noodle 'because he fidgets without his cane' reports Michelle Cronk, the school district spokes woman. This did not go down with the mother of the boy as she asks; ‘Why would you do that? Why would you take the one thing you’re suppose to use all the time – that’s his eyes. ‘He’s gone through so much in his life already – eight years – and I just don’t like someone else putting my son in that position. According to the boy's father, Donald Nafzinger, said his son sometimes lifts the cane, but the bus driver thought he was using it to be violent. The father believes his son is being humiliated.

It would have been unbearable f or the parents.

14 year-old boy cleared of murder 70 years after

George Stinney 14, was convicted of beating two young white girls to death in 1944 in Alcolu South Carolina. A case which led to his execution via an electric chair after his white lawyer did not perform a cross examination nor get witnesses for him. Judge Carmen Mullen's ruling on Wednesday clears Stinney's name saying he was never given any kind of defense and that due process was breached.

In her words she said "Given the particularized circumstances of Stinney's case, I find by a preponderance of the evidence standard, that a violation of the Defendant's procedural due process rights tainted his prosecution," 

Stories you hear and you'd wish you can turn back the hands of time. This verdict might just be seen as unpleasant in reference to the racial profiling going on in America.

Lupita Nyong'o and David Oyelowo to star in 'Americanah'

Academy award winner,Lupita Nyong'o and David Oyelowo are set to co-star in Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's novel 'Americanah'. The story tells of young Nigerian immigrant couple Ifemelu and Obinze facing the hurdles of life whilst their relationship persists.
Nyong'o has been affiliated with the project since June while Oyelowo recently signed on just after he received a Golden Globe nomination.

Culled from; Variety

Diezani Alison-Madueke appointed President GECF

Three weeks after becoming the first female President of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), the Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke has again been appointed as the President of Gas Exporting Countries Forum(GECF), making her the first woman to occupy this position again.
The appointment was announced on Tuesday in Doha, Qatar at the ongoing 16th Ministerial Conference of the GECF.

Many Congratulations Ma'am.

Today's Wise Saying

"When spirits beat drums for human beings to dance, the human beings must dance like the spirits too" - Hauwa Garba Mankilik

Today's Wise Saying

"What the dog sees and barks at, the sheep has already seen and remained silent." A Yoruba proverb.

Australians Muslims and non-Muslims rally round each other in time of grief

Australians have shown the world how to come together in time of grief. This is coming after an extremist Iranian-born gunman, Man Haron Monis 50, unleashed terror in the city of Sydney on Monday morning when people were busy going about their day-to-day activities. He stormed Lindt Chocolate Cafe in central Sydney holding people hostage, causing terror and engaging the Police in a gun battle after a long tiring 16 hour that resulted in a siege. Two hostages(a woman and a man) and the gun man died and four others were injured as the siege ended in a violent way.

In the above picture are a number of people from the Muslim community praying after they laid flowers at a floral memorial, a scene where the whole siege took place. Australians are still struggling to come to terms with this unfortunate incidence which has put a test on what bonds them as Aussies.

Horror! Taliban gunmen invades a Pakistani school kills more than 100

                                           An injured student being taken away to hospital                      (Pic:AP)

Taliban militants have on Tuesday morning invaded a military-run school killing over a 100 people including children in Pesharwar, a north-west city in Pakistan. The attack started with random shootings by the gunmen when they stormed the school said police officer Javed Khan. The Army Public School has got up to 500 student starting from grade 1-10 including teachers. The school is located on the edge of the military garrison and consist more of civilian students. The premises of the school has been evacuated and military operatives have taken over the surrounding area and pushing people back. Students in blood soaked uniforms were taken away to hospital and parents are everywhere in search of their wards.

Lewis Hamilton Wins BBC Sport Personality of the Year 2014

Lewis Hamilton and his dog Roscoe

Lewis Hamilton, the Formula1's world titleholder yesterday clinched the BBC Sport Personality of the Year 2014. This award is another addition to the array of his accolades. The 29-year-old arrived the SSE Hydro, Glasgow event venue with his dog Roscoe to win 209,920 of the 620,932 votes cast. Rory McIlroy and and Jo Pavey polled 123,745 (20%) and 99,913 (16%) respectively.

In his words, "I want to say a huge thank you to all the people who called in, I really wasn't expecting it," He added: "I am so speechless. I'm so proud and honoured to be among such great sporting talent."

So happy for him... He has done well to deserve the award.

Malala Yousafzai's Uniform on display

During the last week's award of the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo Norway, Malala had this to say after her uniform was put on two months exhibition display "My uniform is very important to me" "The day I was attacked I was wearing this uniform. I was fighting for my right to go to school." She added "Wearing a uniform made me feel that yes, I am a student.It is an important part of my life" "Now I want to show it to the children, to people all around the world. This is my right, it is the right of every child to go to school"

The executive director of the Nobel Peace Centre Bente Erichsen, said; 'Malala’s blood-stained uniform is a strong and heartbreaking symbol of the forces many girls are fighting for the right to go to school. He added 'The uniform has been kept by the family since the attempted murder in October 2012, and we are grateful that Malala has chosen to show it to the public in our exhibition.

Prince George of Cambridge's new photos released

Prince William and his wife - the Duchess of Cambridge released their chubby little Prince's pictures on Saturday. The 17-month-old was said to have posed for the Christmas pictures in November at the London's Kensington Palace. The cheerful baby was dressed in white collared shirt and navy sweater vest embroidered with guardsmen, shorts, knee length socks and leather buckle shoes.
The baby who shares an uncanny resemblance with the father is seen to be making different funny faces for the camera.

Today's Wise Saying

"You cannot insult the whole village and exempt the village chief" - A Fula Proverb by Malick J Bah.

A dead large whale found in Eleko Beach

The large whale carcass

What seemed to be a dead large Whale was seen on the shore of  Eleko beach in Lagos, Nigeria. Rather than trying to ascertain what led to the death of the poor mammal, people within the vicinity sought their machete to cut the mammal for consumption in their abodes.

Ugandan Maid Jailed for Assaulting Toddler

Nanny Tumuhirrwe docked

A Ugandan maid who assaulted an 18 months old toddler has been jailed for four years. Jolly Tumuhirrwe 22, was exposed in a secret filming while beating, kicking and stamping on the baby left in her care.

Tumuhiirwe on Friday, told the court in Kampala that the attack was as a result of the ill treatment she got from the child's mother. The Chief Magistrate Lilian Buchan told Tumuhiirwe that she had perpetrated an "unjustifiable and inexcusable" crime and as such the sentence was the right measure for the "ruthlessness exhibited" on an "innocent, helpless child", reports the AFP news agency.

24th James Bond Movie is titled 'Spectre'

The movie world was on pulse recently awaiting the title of the 24th James Bond movie at an eleven-minute press conference where the film Director Sam Mendes revealed the title as 'Spectre'.

Ladies man, Daniel Craig would be the 007 for the fourth time in Spectre, others in it would include Ralph Fiennes and Christopher Waltz. The filming of the movie which would premier in the last quarter of 2015 commenced on Monday 8th of December 2014 at Pinewood Studios.

It should be recalled that Mendes was the director of Skyfall - 2012 James Bond movie which realised over £700 million takings across the world.

I wouldn't be missing out in being first in queue at box office once its out.

Its Independence Day in Kenya

We'd like to wish all Kenyans all over the world a Happy independence day celebrations..

Baby born aboard aircraft just after take off.

A pregnant woman has given birth aboard an aircraft minutes after take off. The Southwest Airlines flight from San Francisco to Phoenix had to be diverted to Los Angeles International Airport on Tuesday at 6.34am, when the woman started to have contractions a mid air at 10,000 feet. It turned out that there was a nurse and a doctor and some trained flight attendants who helped to deliver the baby and rescue the situation.
On the plane's landing, the new mother and baby were met by paramedics who took them to the hospital. According to a local news, mother and baby are said to be doing well.

Waoh...The baby didn't want to wait.What an incredible birth!

An Xmas Book-A-Tree

A good idea here. A perfect Christmas tree for book lovers out there..

The Man called 'Dan-Ibro'

Nigerian/Kannywood actor and comedian Rabilu Musa popularly known as Dan-Ibro has passed on. Dan-Ibro died early hours of Wednesday after a long battle with kidney disease and has been buried according to Islamic injunction.

Dan-Ibro was one of the foremost Hausa entertainers who stood the test of time, when the film industry was evolving in northern part of Nigeria. He registered his marks when he featured alongside some Nollywood actors in films, bridging gaps between actors from different parts of the country. Dan-Ibro 44 years-old, is believed to have acted in many movies than any Kannywood actor. He would be fondly remembered for his acts, which were mostly spot on with humour and pun intended.

May his soul rest in peace, I pray for his family to have the fortitude to bear this huge loss.  I pray the acting industry would be able to continue the good work from where he stopped.

He'll be greatly missed.

Men In Grey

Great men of Africa. From left President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya and President Paul Kagame of Rwanda at the 8th Northern Corridor Integration Projects Summit today in Nairobi.