That mystery fire at the Glass House

FOR many football lovers, the mystery fire that gutted the NFF Glass House in Abuja, almost destroying the Accounts Department, has already been tainted as an act of man, not of God, although proper investigations will tell us which is which. With news of missing or badly disbursed monies trailing the leadership of the Nigerian Football Federation, NFF, after the recent World Cup tournament, there is no way suspicious Nigerians would not call it sabotage or an attempt at cover-up. 

 Before they left for Brazil, the Aminu Maigari-led NFF Board was impeached and later sacked on various alleged charges of misdemeanor. But on the two occasions when Maigari had cried wolf, FIFA had intervened, like a parent who always stands by a bad child no matter what he or she does, to save members of the NFF, reinstated them and threatened the Federal Government for what it termed “regular interference with the running of football in the country”.

Shakira and Gerard Piqué expecting second child

Singer Shakira 37, and her footballer beau Gerard Piqué, 27, are expecting their second child. Shakira confirmed to Cosmopolitan Spain, today. Speaking in Spanish Shakira said; "Pues sí, la verdad es que sí, estoy embarazada." 
Shakira and Gerard welcomed a son Milan, in January 2013. They are yet to marry! Congrats to them.

'I never went to university' - billionaire Folorunsho Alakija admits

One of Africa's richest women and chairman of Famfa Oil, Mrs Folorunsho Alakija yesterday August 27th revealed that she never went to a university, saying one does not need a university education to make it in life. Mrs Alakija said this while speaking with students of the University of Lagos during the 2014 UN International Youths Day in Lagos.

"I come from Ikorodu, Lagos state. I am married to a dashing young lawyer of 70 years of age and we have four grown up gentlemen and grandchildren. It has not been a rag to riches fairytale. It has not been an overnight phenomenon like some cases which you find here and there all over the world. For as long as I can remember, I had always wanted my own business. Hard work...am trying to tell you how I got to where I am if you want those billions. Hard work, diligence, persistence...days where you nearly gave up but I chose not to give up."

Nine Kids Drown In Nasarawa

Tragedy struck in Nasarawa state, northern Nigeria on Wednesday, 27 August, 2014, when nine kids, between the ages of two and ten, allegedly drown in the Guyaka River of Ughah in Assakio area of Lafia local government council of the state.

According to residents’ reports, the drown kids were fleeing the renewed fighting that broke out between the Fulani and the Eggon tribes of Nasarawa state on Wednesday when they met their death.

Premium Times report quoted Abdullahi Akye Magaji, the paramount ruler of Ugah, as saying that the nine children were among 13 other kids attempting to escape the violence through the river.

Magaji explained that four of the children were rescued while the bodies of the nine others were yet to be recovered.

He said a decision was taken by the community to ferry the children across the river to save them from any eventuality as fighting raged.

Nasarawa State

“We decided to use the boat to ferry the children out of the community after trekking for over 21 kilometre into the night,” Magaji said.

Ronaldo: I’ve Worked Hard For UEFA Award

Real Madrid striker, Cristiano Ronaldo has spoken for the first time after he was announced on Thursday, 28 August, 2014, as the best footballer in Europe for 2014.

The Portuguese striker topped the poll conducted by European football governing body, UEFA, ahead of Germany’s World Cup winner Manuel Neuer and Dutchman Arjen Robben.

Ronaldo is the fourth recipient of the award, succeeding Franck Ribery, Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi.

France’s Ribery won the award last time around ahead of Messi and Ronaldo.

According to the results announced on Thursday, 28 August, 2014, Ronaldo prevailed in a vote by 54 European journalists which took place on the sidelines of the draw for the Champions League group stages in Monaco.

“I’ve worked hard for this award, I am very happy, I thank all my team, because without that kind of team individual awards couldn’t exist,” said the reigning Ballon d’Or titleholder, after receiving his award from UEFA chief Michel Platini.

Ronaldo failed to sparkle at the World Cup in Brazil where Portugal were eliminated in the first round, but inspired Real Madrid on the European stage.

Beyonce slays it in new photos for CR Fashion Book...

Queen Bey slays it in her first editorial for Carine Roitfeld's CR Fashion Book. Nobody does it like she does.

See more photos after the cut...

Photos from late Prof. Dora Akunyili's burial

I screen grabbed this from my TV so please pardon the quality. I'm sure official photos will be released tomorrow. Prof. Dora Akunyili was buried today August 28th at her husband's compound in Agulu, Anambra state. Dignitaries at the burial included Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Information Minister Labaran Maku, Deputy Speaker of House of Reps, Bauchi State governor Isa Yuguda, Onyeka Onwenu and many others.

See more photos after the cut...