Brighton 2-3 Arsenal: Ozil, Walcott & Rosicky strike as Gunners clinch tense win

FA Cup

• January 25, 2015
• • 17:00
• • The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, East Sussex

• Referee: M. Oliver
• • Attendance: 30278

Brighton & Hove Albion

• C. O'Grady 50',
• S. Baldock 75'

2

 

FT

 

3

Arsenal

• T. Walcott 2',
• M. Özil 24',
• T. Rosický 59'

The FA Cup holders edged one step closer to etching their name onto the trophy once as Arsene Wenger's side battled against the resilient Championship outfit to progress

Arsenal battled their way to a 3-2 win over Brighton to move one step closer to retaining the FA Cup. England winger Walcott set the tone for a dominant first-half display from the holders with the opener in just the second minute, while Ozil - making his first start since October - added the second before half-time.
Having offered precious little in terms of an attacking threat prior to the break, Brighton reduced the arrears early in a much-improved second-half showing when Chris O'Grady capitalised on some poor Arsenal defending to score.

VIEW FROM AMEX STADIUM

By Oliver Platt No neutral will be complaining but that should not have been that exciting. It’s impossible to escape the conclusion that Arsenal simply got carried away after a superb first half, and completely abandoned all the new defensive resilience they found against Manchester City last weekend. It feels disrespectful to say it and there will be a lot of talk of Brighton’s character but they did not really get back into that game - they were gifted a way into it, and took their chances very well. Arsenal are into the fourth round and many of their rivals are out but that performance, despite the highs, will probably generate an equal amount of frustration as  encouragement among the Gunners’ supporters.

Hopes of a stirring comeback on a weekend of upsets appeared to be dashed when Tomas Rosicky volleyed in Olivier Giroud's chipped pass from the edge of the box.
There was still time for Sam Baldock to set up a nervy finish with a measured 75th-minute finish, but Arsene Wenger's men held firm.
Arsenal started with the confidence of a side enjoying a three-match winning run without conceding a goal, their most recent triumph having come against Premier League champions Manchester City.
Walcott and Ozil were unused substitutes in that game but came to the fore at the Amex Stadium, the former opening the scoring inside 90 seconds with his first goal in more than a year.
When the sides last met at the same stage in 2013, Walcott broke Brighton hearts with an 85th-minute winner in a game that also ended 3-2, but he was much quicker off the mark this time around, collecting Calum Chambers' right-wing cross with his first touch and steering home with his second.
Brighton struggled to stem the flow of attacks and fell two behind midway through the half as Ozil turned neatly in the box and swept a precise finish beyond David Stockdale following Rosicky's neat pass into feet.
A rare foray forward from Chris Hughton's side saw Baldock fire high and wide from 12 yards just before the half-hour mark, but when Brighton finally did manage a shot on target it changed the complexion of the match.
It came five minutes into the second half when Rosicky's poor clearance allowed O'Grady to seize possession in the box and he showed excellent composure to fire a low shot past the flat-footed Wojciech Szczesny.
The goal energised the home fans and suddenly Brighton seemed to harbour hopes of matching Bradford City's stunning FA Cup turnaround against Chelsea on Saturday, with Phil Parkinson's side having come from 2-0 down to win 4-2.
That notion was soon dispelled, though, as Rosicky scored the pick of the bunch in the 59th minute. The Czech looked one way and played a pass the other before volleying the return ball from Giroud beyond Stockdale.
Baldock's chipped finish gave Brighton a glimmer of hope, but a record home crowd were denied the equaliser that would have forced an unlikely replay as Arsenal - who saw Alexis Sanchez clip the crossbar with a late free-kick - marched on to round five.

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Disgraced & ashamed: Mourinho crestfallen after Chelsea humiliation

 

The Blues threw away a two-goal lead to exit the FA Cup at the fourth round stage and the Portuguese coach has urged the media to be harsh in their assessment of his side

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has admitted he is "ashamed" after his side were knocked out of the FA Cup by League One side Bradford.

Goals from Gary Cahill and Ramires had put the Blues two ahead in the first half before an unbelievable comeback by Phil Parkinson's side saw them score four times to claim a memorable 4-2 win.

Mourinho had commented prior to the match that a defeat at Stamford Bridge would be a "disgrace" and he pulled no punches in his assessment of the humbling after the game.

He told reporters: "In this moment, I feel happy for them [Bradford]. But I feel ashamed. And I think the players should feel the same.

"I repeat the words that I used yesterday. 'In case we lose, it is a disgrace.' It is a disgrace.

"It is unacceptable to lose to a team from a lower league. If I was you I would be very critical with the Chelsea manager and players.

"In an ideal world this will affect us in a positive way. We have to win the next match."

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Liverpool Ladies sign Asisat Oshoala from Rivers Angels

 

The reigning Caf Women Player of the Year becomes the first African to secure a move to any English Women's Super League outfit

English FA Women's Super League champions, Liverpool Ladies have secured the services of Super Falcons star Asisat Oshoala from Nigeria Women’s Premier League side, Rivers Angels.

The 2014 African Women Player of the Year inspired the Super Falcons to win the 2014 Africa Women Championship in Namibia as well as help Rivers Angel lift the Nigeria Women Premier League and Federations Cup titles.

Matt Beard's Liverpool are currently preparing for forthcoming WSL and Champions League campaigns, having retained their league title on the final day in 2014.

"Since I began my football career I have always dreamt of being a professional footballer, so to be able to join the reigning Women's Super League champions is absolutely fantastic,” Oshoala said of her move to Merseyside.

"Liverpool Ladies are a massive club, who have some fantastic players who I believe can help to develop my game to the next level.

"It was also a big incentive to be able to play in the UEFA Women's Champions League, which is a huge competition and one I'm confident we can do well in,” she concluded.

Ladies boss, Matt Beard also expressed her delight following the capture of the Nigeria youth prodigy.

"I'm absolutely thrilled to have signed Asisat as she is one of the world's top young footballers,” said Beard.

"Asisat proved in the U20 World Cup what a top-class talent she is and this signing is a big coup for us.

"The Women's Super League continues to improve year after year, so it is vital that we strengthen our squad following last season's successful title defence. This signing is definitely one that the supporters can be extremely excited about.”

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Cameroon 1-1 Guinea: Group D remains all square after stalemate

  Africa Cup of Nations

• January 24, 2015
• • 20:00
• • Nuevo Estadio de Malabo, Malabo

• Referee: T. Bamlak

Cameroon

• B. Moukandjo 13'

1

 

FT

 

1

Guinea

• I. Traoré 42'

 

 

Benjamin Moukandjo opened the scoring early on but an Ibrahima Traore goal just before half time ensured the points were shared in the fourth 1-1 draw in Group D

 

Cameroon and Guinea both failed to grab the initiative in Africa Cup of Nations Group D as they played out an entertaining 1-1 draw in Malabo.

With the Ivory Coast and Mali drawing by the same scoreline earlier on Saturday, the opportunity to take the outright lead in the pool was on offer.

Volker Finke's Cameroon - who drew 1-1 with Mali in their opening match - struck first when Benjamin Moukandjo scored direct from a corner.

However, Guinea restored parity shortly before half-time courtesy of Ibrahima Traore's accurate drive.

Cameroon created the better openings in the second half with Vincent Aboubakar wasting the best chance when he put a free header wide inside the penalty area.

Each of Group D's four matches have now ended 1-1 despite stoppage-time drama that saw Stephane Mbia head wide when in a great position for Cameroon and Ibrahima Conte have strong penalty claims dismissed for Guinea.

Cameroon will now meet the Ivory Coast, while Guinea face off with Mali in order to determine who will reach the quarter-finals in the final round of pool matches.

Cameroon dominated the opening exchanges and only a fine save low to his right from Guinea goalkeeper Naby-Moussa Yattara kept out Aboubakar's side-footed volley.

Yattara endured a heart-in-mouth moment in the 11th minute when his attempted clearance struck Florentin Pogba and skewed just wide of the left-hand post.

Cameroon's pressure told from the resulting corner, though, as Yattara spilled Moukandjo's whipped near-post delivery into the roof of the net with the goalkeeper seemingly put off by a missed flick from Aurelien Chedjou.

After a slow start Guinea started to build momentum and only a fine defensive header from Raoul Loe prevented Fode Camara from pouncing at back post.

Joseph Ondoa then stood up well to deny Traore, who went one-on-one with the Cameroon goalkeeper.

But Traore would not be denied three minutes before the break as he turned sharply on the left-edge of the box and struck a sweet first-time shot low into the far corner.

Guinea's half ended on a sour note when Pogba was taken from the pitch on a stretcher with an apparent knee injury.

Traore almost scored a second in fortuitous circumstances shortly after the restart with a cross-shot that eluded Ondoa, but went wide of the far post.

Cameroon upped the tempo in search of a winner as Aboubakar tried an audacious 25-yard lob that went just over the crossbar.

The Porto striker was then guilty of missing a great chance when he glanced a header wide from Henri Bedimo's expert centre with Yattara in no man's land.

Cameroon continued to turn the screw and Aboubakar had a great chance to tee-up Moukandjo with 20 minutes remaining, but he could not adjust his feet and when the ball fell to Edgar Salli his shot was deflected for a corner.

There was then late drama as first Cameroon captain Mbia managed to head wide when unmarked in the box from point-blank distance, before Conte had legimate penalty claims waved away for Guinea when he appeared to be tugged to ground by Jerome Guihoata.

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Gabon 0-2 Equatorial Guinea: Tournament hosts reach knockout round

 

 

Javier Balboa penalty gave his side the lead from the spot before Iban Salvador killed the game off late in the game

Javier Balboa's controversial second-half penalty put hosts Equatorial Guinea on course for a 2-0 victory that put them through to the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations at the expense of Gabon.

Esteban Becker's men knew only a win at Estadio de Bata on Sunday would be enough to secure their progression from Group A, and Balboa's spot-kick put them in front before a late second goal from Iban Salvador ensured they advanced to the last eight of the tournament for only the second time.

Gabon will feel hard done by with the opening goal, as referee Noumandiez Doue harshly adjudged Lloyd Palun to have upended Balboa.

Equatorial Guinea will not care about that, though, after securing their first win of the competition to qualify as runners-up behind Congo.

Jorge Costa's Gabon only needed a point from the final group game to go through, but bow out after following their opening win over Burkina Faso with successive defeats.

Raul Fabiani was preferred to Iban in attack for the hosts, who had the first chance to open the scoring in a scrappy start.

That opportunity came the way of Balboa after only eight minutes, but he fired a free-kick over the crossbar after goalkeeper Didier Ovono was harshly adjudged to have handled outside the penalty area when launching the ball upfield.

Equatorial Guinea threatened again 18 minutes in, yet Bruno Ecuele Manga was alert to the danger as he turned Balboa's dangerous cross away for a corner with Fabiani behind him at the back post.

Gabon captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang came close to opening the scoring soon after, racing into the area to meet a Frederic Bulot cross with a downward header that forced a fine reaction save from Felipe Ovono.

Bulot then had a chance of his own as Gabon raised the tempo, but the midfielder shot too close to Felipe Ovono after playing a neat one-two with Malick Evouna.

The Equatorial Guinea keeper was called into action once more just two minutes into the second half, palming over a dipping free-kick from Borussia Dortmund striker Aubameyang.

Felipe Ovono thwarted Gabon yet again when he showed great agility to repel a left-footed free-kick from Bulot that looked destined for the top corner, and it was Equatorial Guinea who then took the lead against the run of play in the 55th minute.

Balboa went down belatedly after Palun had stuck out a leg, but referee Doue pointed to the spot and the Estoril forward picked himself up to slot home the resulting spot-kick and send the crowd into raptures.

Fabiani could have doubled the hosts' lead, only to be denied by Didier Ovono after racing away down the right, and Bulot spurned a glorious chance to equalise when he blazed wildly over the bar as the tension mounted.

Didier Ovono also denied Balboa a second, but Iban sealed the hosts' progress and sparked wild celebrations with a close-range finish four minutes from time, after Emilio Nsue's initial shot had been kept out by the Gabon keeper.

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Egwuekwe denies Hapoel Tel Aviv move

The towering Super Eagles defender has rubbished claims that he is now a player with the Israeli Premier League outfit

Nigeria international Azubuike Egwuekwe has denied reports in the media that he had sealed a move to Hapoel Tel Aviv from Nigeria Premier League side, Warri Wolves.

"Nigerian Egwuekwe Azubuike landed in Israel in the morning and signed after passing medical tests earlier this week,” the Israeli side announced on their website on Friday with the defender putting on the club’s number three jersey, but Egwuekwe has come out openly to describe the report as false saying he was shocked with congratulatory messages that filled his social media networks.

He also stated that he had intended to meet with Israeli club  representatives for talks but desisted because of their insincerity.

"I've not signed any contract with any club in Israel. I arrived Israel yesterday and we were going to
 have talks with them (club) after our training today (Saturday), “ Egwuekwe told Radio Nigeria.

"If they are not saying something good that is going to benefit. Then, I will decide to return to Nigeria. What I did yesterday was that I trained for 20 minutes with the team and after they took me to the hotel and I called my national teammate to come and take me out.

"I started hearing news all over Nigeria that I've signed for Hapoel Tel Aviv.I was even surprised when people were sending me congratulatory messages to me on Facebook.

"I have not signed for any club and for now I'm still a Warri Wolves player. Maybe after today or tomorrow
 with whatever discussion have, then I can announce to the press that I've signed for the club,” he continued.

"The way things are going, I'm not sure I'm going to continue with them because they are not serious and sincere about what they are doing.

"My club even are even angry with me that why will I go  and sign without informing them. I told them that I did not sign anything. But nobody is going to believe me," he concluded.

The 2014 Fifa World Cup Brazil star has also been linked with a move to two English teams, Watford and West Ham United.

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Super Four Reviews: Pillars, Flying Eagles show class

 

   

Flying Eagles, Dream Team VI, the NPFL kings began their Super Four campaign on an impressive note on Saturday at the National Stadium, Abuja

FLYING EAGLES 2-0 ENYIMBA FC

Despite playing with 10 men for over 30 minutes in the second half, the national U-20 team showed they were really prepared as dispatched tournament’s reigning champions Enyimba 2-0 with goals coming off the boots captain Musa Mohammed and substitute Musa Yahaya in the 62th and 90th minutes.

Coach Manu Garba tutored lads were the better side and even dictated the pace of the game. Enyimba’s undoing was having their players not willing to resume to camp on time due to last season’s unpaid wages.

Enyimba will face Warri Wolves on Monday as the two teams will be out to record their first win of the tournament while Flying Eagles will be hoping to extend their lead with a tough tie against Kano Pillars also on Monday.

KANO PILLARS 2-0 DOLPHINS

Sai Masugida kicked off the Super Four with a mission statement to prove critics wrong as they overpowered Dolphins 2-0 in the first game of the competition.

The Port Harcourt based side had issues with assembling their players on time for the tournament with their old players too insisting on getting their pay for last season but they had a rethink and travelled with the team for a brief camping in the outskirt of Port Harcourt.

Pillars scored two quick fire goals inside the opening ten minutes through two of their newly acquired players, Samuel Tswanya who Christian Obiozor and the tie ended that way despite the attacking forays of Dolphins in the second half.

Pillars will have their hands full on Monday when they face the rampaging Flying Eagles while Dolphins will hope to seek a facelift against the U23s on the same day.

DREAM TEAM VI 2-1 WARRI WOLVES

Decimated national U-23 side still managed to record their first win of the Super 6 after they piped Warri Wolves 2-1 in the third match of the day at the Abuja National Stadium.

The Seasiders tried all the tricks in their armory but they were unable to match the flair of the national U-23 team. Augustine Amutu went ahead to hurt the club that pays his wages when he netted the opener for the Dream Team in the third minute but Gift Atulewa evened the tie in the 49th minute before the back breaker from Baker Ebiabowei in the 52nd minute restored the lead of the U-23 national team.

Wolves will however seek redemption on Monday when they clash against Enyimba while Dream Team V1 will tackle Dolphins hoping to extend their impressive start.

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Don’t boo Lampard, Mikel begs Chelsea fans

 

The midfielder has urged the Blues’ fans to cheer the club legend when he makes a return to the Stamford Bridge on Saturday for Manchester City

Nigeria international John Mikel Obi has pleaded with Chelsea fans not to hoot at former player Frank Lampard when he leads Manchester City to the Stamford Bridge in Saturday’s English Premier League game.

Lampard scored 147 goals in 429 appearances in his 13 years stay with the Blues, he also got the equalizer in the first leg against his former club at the Etihad.

In their nine years together at Stamford Bridge, Mikel and Lampard won the Premier League title in 2010, the Champions League two years later, four FA Cups and the League Cup.

"The fans should definitely cheer Frank on," Mikel told Dailystar.co.uk.

"He is a club legend and I think that the fans will welcome him.

"It will be strange to play against him. During the game there is no friendship - but there will be after."

But before that comes Liverpool in the return leg of the Capital One Cup and the Nigerian hopes he is picked to play in what could be two of the toughest contests of the season.

"It was a really tough game against Liverpool," continued

"We did well with the way we competed and showed the character that we have in the team.

"We were disappointed conceding the goal but now we have to take the game back home and finish the tie," he concluded.

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sunday Jokes

Dear people in a relationship, please remember this

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We'll Rescue The Chibok Girls - President Jonathan Vows

We'll Rescue The Chibok Girls - President Jonathan Vows

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday, January 24, 2015, took his campaign train to the city of Maiduguri, the capital of Borno, in his quest for victory in the upcoming 2015 election.
Speaking at the rally held at Ramat Square, Jonathan assured the people of the state that his government would wipe out insurgency.
He said he shared the pain of the residents of the state which is the worst hit by insurgency. He led a minute’s silence in honour of victims of the insecurity in that part of the country. Jonathan said the abducted Chibok school girls would be rescued and that his government would do its best to make life worth living for the people.
Also speaking at the PDP rally in Borno, the minister of state for power, Alhaji Mohammed Wakil, said he believed that President Jonathan has demonstrated true love for Borno with his numerous initiatives aimed at developing the state.

President Jonathan and PDP rally in Borno

President Jonathan’s visit to the Shehu of Maiduguri

President Jonathan’s visit to the Shehu of Maiduguri

He said; “The opposition has been making noise that the president will not visit Borno. But he visited twice this month to show is love for the people. The president visited first to condole the victims of the insurgency attack in Baga where he personally met with the Internally Displaced Persons in their camp. Today, he is here again to showcase his achievements toward seeking re-election in next month’s elections.”
“Mr President, we want to thank you for your show of concern to the people of the state over the insurgency problem. I want to inform you that work had reached 98 per cent completion on the new power line that you approved for the state,” he said.
Wakil also thanked the president for approving a new 138 KVA transformer for the state. 
He said:“We want to thank you for the marching orders given for the restoration of power in Borno after about seven months of blackout. “We also commend you for implementing developmental projects in the state in spite of the current security challenges.”

READ MORE: http://www.naij.com/371827-well-rescue-the-chibok-girls-president-jonathan-vows.html

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Breaking News: UPDATED: Maiduguri Stands, Monguno Falls

UPDATED: Maiduguri Stands, Monguno Falls

Boko Haram militants and soldiers of the Nigerian army have been engaged in a fierce battle for the city of Maiduguri since last night. 
Premium Times reports that the nearby town of Monguno has already been seized by Boko Haram insurgents.

One security source told journalists: “We had a sleepless night till this morning because this elements tried to enter Maiduguri from Dalwa and Limanti axis but our soldiers were able to repel them. They retreated and took another flank around Njimtilo this morning and our troops hav been engaging them there too.”
Njimtilo is just 20 kilometres away from Maiduguri, the Borno state capital.

Troops, accompanied by members of the Civilian-JTF, were seen moving towards Njimtilo.
Maiduguri residents who live not far from Njimtilo have already fled their homes.

Witnesses revealed that gunshots and shelling were heard from soldiers of the Nigerian Air Force Base and the 33 Artillery brigade.
The Nigerian air force are using fighter jets to battle the insurgents out of the city boudaries.
Nigeria’s defence headquarters has revealed that Maiduguri is now in lockdown mode as a curfew has been announced in the capital city.
The defence headquarters tweeted via its handle @DefenceInfoNG, “Troops are repelling a simultaneous attack on Monguno and Maiduguri by terrorists.

“Curfew is imposed on #MAIDUGURI with immediate effect till further notice as pursuit of retreating terrorists begin.”

It added, “Coordinated Air and Land OPs being conducted now.”

UPDATE: Maiduguri Stands But Monguno Falls

The Boko haram attack on Maidudguri has been foiled by Nigerian army soldiers according to Premium Times.

But sadly the neighbouring town of Monguno has been taken over by terrorists who have invaded and captured a military barrack there.

One senior soldier revealed that the insurgents have been attacking on different fronts, revealing that Konduga, a town 35km from Maiduguri is also under attack.

When contacted the soldier said: “we have decimated the idiots (from Maiduguri) but Monguno has fallen”.

Earlier military officials confirmed that they stopped Boko Haram insurgents from getting access to the heart of the city.

Dozens of people including Boko Haram insurgents, soldiers, vigilantes and residents passed away during the attack.

One military officer said: “Many of the terrorists have been killed by own troops and others are retreating, we are pursuing them with the aid of air strike”.

As of now the city of Maiduguri is in absolute silence following the declaration of curfew.

As of the injured, they are currently being treated at the University of Maiduguri.

Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, last week in a video boasted about having more than enough arms to execute a major war against Nigeria.

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Internet Love :Married man killed by jealous Badoo lover

Internet Love 

Married man killed by jealous Badoo lover

A love relationship started on a dating site has ended in death as the hurt lady who discovered her boyfriend was a married man, has murdered him.

An oil worker with Halliburton Nigeria Limited, Bankole Charles, must have thought he was playing with an ordinary woman when he met Loretta Odikagbo, on Badoo, a dating site on social media, and started a relationship with her.

Little did he know that the affair would end his life when the same lady led some men to his house to snuff life out of him when she found out that he was married with children.

The 28-year-old Okadigbo met the deceased who is from Ondo State on the site in 2013 and they kicked off a relationship without knowing he was a married man and had hopes of getting married to him till she found out that he was already taken and in a fit of jealousy, organized his murder.

The breakingpoint cane when she found out that Charles was married and when she confronted him, he owned up to it but promised to buy her a car as compensation but when he failed to fulfil his promise, Okadigbo enlisted the help of one Ime Francis Moses, an Akwa Ibom indigene and another man who is still at large and stormed his Woji, Port Harcourt, Rivers State residence, and ended his life.

Odikagbo, an Ordinary National Diploma holder in Marketing from the River State Polytechnic (RIVPOLY), and Moses, a university drop out, are now languishing in the cells of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), after they were arrested following the murder of Charles.

The SCID team traced Odikagbo to the residence of her other boyfriend whom she was putting up with at Rumukpokwu, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area on December 10, last year.

Odikagbo confessed to her crime:

"I was arrested over the death of my boyfriend, late Charles Bankole. I conspired with my friend and took my in-law to his house to harass him so I could get some money from him, which led to his death, but I was not there when he died.

I was at the Automated Teller Machine (ATM). There is a third person that can tell the story of how he died but unfortunately, he has not been arrested. So, he is not here now. This story can’t be complete if the third person is not arrested.

I am 28 years.  I met Bankole on the internet. I initially did not know that Bankole was married; overtime I discovered. He actually promised to settle things with me. He talked about buying a car. 

When I hinted this to my in-law (Ime), he said he had a way to help me get what I wanted from him and I conceded to the idea.

On the agreed day, I moved into Bankole’s house and waited for them there. He came with another of his friend. I opened the door for them. They came in.

His junior started tying Bankole up. Ime was holding a torch which they came with because this happened in the night and there was no electricity supply and it was raining heavily.

At a point, I decided to go to the ATM with his (Bankole’s) card to withdraw some money from his bank account. One of the two men decided to go with me. So, my in-law (Ime) was left behind with Bankole who was still alive when we left.

He (Ime) later met me at the ATM point to get some money from me. He informed me that he called a taxi driver to carry some things from Bankole’s house. I told him that I was going because it was already late at night.

I was arrested on December 10, brought here (at the SCID), and showed picture of lifeless body of Bankole. I don’t know who killed him. The relationship lasted for over a year. I am not so certain because we related a long time on the Internet before we met in real life."

On her reaction that the late man was married, she said:

"I was not actually angry, but he did not just tell me he was married. We never discussed marriage.

At a point, we were serious with the relationship but when I discovered his marital status, I was disappointed and decided to pull out to continue with my life but he insisted on buying me a car instead to calm me down. That was what happened.

I feel so terrible and primitive. I am guilty of the crime. Bankole was my first Internet boyfriend; I am not used to meeting people on the Internet or Facebook. I blame my action on hanging out with wrong friends."

But the Eket-born Ime gave a different account on how Charles died, making it clear that it was Loretta that actually killed him.

Hear his account:

"Loretta called and informed me that her boyfriend owed her some money, which he was supposed to use and settle her out of their broken relationship but he was turning her up and down.

I promised to help her get the money out from the man. On the day agreed, she called me and picked me up at my street junction, from where we proceeded to pick another boy she had earlier called for the job, but the boy came and declined going with us. 

On our way out from the boy’s junction, we met another boy who I know that loads taxi at the junction there. I called him and she explained to him what she wanted to do that night; he agreed to go with us.

When we got to the man’s house, she went in while we stood under the staircase of the one-storey building he shared with other occupants, waiting for her instructions. I was holding a torch light which she gave me money to buy and a holding a car window winder, which looked like a gun, while the boy was holding a rope and cellotape she brought.

After a while, she came and opened the door for us. We got in through the kitchen, where we stood before she called us to come to the bedroom where she was with the man.

When we stepped into the room, I pointed the torch light on the man and told him that he befriended our sister for such a period of time, and pushed her out empty and without shelter, no settlement.

The man pleaded that we should wait, that he was going to settle her. At that point, she started to slap the man all over his face and used the tape to tape his mouth, after which the other boy tied his legs and hands.

It was then she asked the man for his ATM card and pin; she got them and went to the ATM point with the boy, while I was left with the man in case the pin failed. While they left for the ATM, they carried the man’s phone and laptop.

After a while, she came back to me at the man’s house. I asked her to come let us go, she said, ‘no’, that the man knows her very well, that if we should leave him at this junction, he will definitely come after her, and that when he gets her, she will mention my name. She asked if I will like to be arrested, I said ‘no’.

She now went to the man’s kitchen and brought polythene bag which she wore on the man’s head and sat on it. As the man was struggling, I held his head until the man was motionless.

She gave me N28, 000 only. I feel very guilty for the action."

 

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Lord Have Mercy

Container falls on commercial bus in Ketu, many feared dead

A container fell on a bus this morning in Ketu, Lagos, leaving many dead and injured.

   

Breaking reports reaching Pulse.ng has it that there has been a fatal accident this there was a fatal accident at Ketu, Lagos, when a truck carrying a container fell on a commercial 'Fanagon' bus, leaving many of the passengers dead while others sustained severe injuries.

Eyewitnesses say the accident happened along the Ikorodu Road around Ketu Bus Stop when the truck, in a bid to maneuver pass the pot-holes on the road, lost control and the container fell on the bus, trapping many of the passengers inside.

A witness said more than 20 people died on the spot while the injured were rushed to the hospital.

This is just so sad!

So so sad..RIP to those who lost their lives

See the graphic photos here. p

 

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Tiwa Savage:Singer's impostor scams Lagos politician of N500,000

Tiwa Savage 

Singer's impostor scams Lagos politician of N500,000

Segun Adewale who is the PDP senatorial candidate for Lagos West was duped after paying the sum of N500,000 to a Tiwa Savage impersonator.

 

Segun Adewale wanted Tiwa to perform as his party. (Mavin Records)

A person parading him or herself as Nigerian singer Tiwa Savage has duped a Lagos State politician of N500,000.

According to Daily Independent Segun Adewale, popularly known as Aeroland, who is the Managing Director of Lagos-based travel agency, Aeroland Travels, was duped of the sum after he paid a Tiwa Savage impersonator to perform at his event.

Segun Adewale according to the report is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial candidate for Lagos West in the forthcoming 2015 election, planned to invite Tiwa Savage to perform at his declaration party.

He was however duped after he paid the sum of N500,000 to the hoaxer.

After the singer failed to show up at his party, Segun Adewale later discovered that he had been duped.

According to the report, he is banking on the financial institution through which the money was paid to help get what is left of the amount as a withdrawal has already been made on the beneficiary account.

 

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Awards Don Jazzy, AY, others win

Creative Industry 

Awards Don Jazzy, AY, others win

The Creative Industry Awards reward initiative, talent, creativity and entrepreneurship across the Nigerian creative industries.

  

Ace music producer, Don Jazzy and Nigerian popular stand-up comedian Ayo Makun (AY) were among a slew of creative entrepreneurs that won at the 2015 Creative Industry Awards.

The award ceremony held yesterday, Saturday, January 24 at the British Council Gardens, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Don Jazzy won the awards in the music (record label, production houses, artiste management and marketers) category, beating the likes of 2face and Illbliss.

Ayo Makun was also honoured as his show “AY Show” came tops in the comedy category. His box-office hit, 30 Days in Atlanta also won him another award as he was named the winner of the film category.

Other winners on the night include, Shola Animashaun, DJ Exclusive, Adesua Oyenokwe (TW Magazine), Mo Abudu, Architect Olumide Ayodele, Bankole Cadoso, Adedoyin Balogun, Bella Naija, Bayo Haastrup and a host of others.

The Creative Industry Awards aims to reward initiative, talent, creativity and entrepreneurship across the Nigerian creative industries.

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Goodluck JonathanPresident meets with entertainers in Lagos

The President met entertainers yesterday in a private meeting. Omawumi, Bovi and Ramsey Nouah are among the entertainers that were present at the meeting. 

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday, Saturday, January 24 had a private meeting a slew of Nigerian entertainers.

 

Singer Omawumi, veteran actress, Patience Ozokwor, comedians, Bovi and Omobaba, Emem Isong, Mike Ezuronye, Ramsey Nouah, Fidelis Duker, Monalisa Chinda, Segun Arinze, Omoni Oboli and a host of other entertainment personalities were present at the meeting.

The President it could be recalled also sought the support of entertainers when he was first contesting for the presidency in 2011.

A host of Nollywood stars were also present during President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign rally in Lagos.

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Group's ex singer Mark Feehily now sells coffee from a catering van

 Westlife 

Group's ex singer Mark Feehily now sells coffee from a catering van

In an interview with Today FM, the singer admits fans remain shocked every time they see him doing his new business

   

Former Westlife singer Mark Feehily now sells coffees, hot food, drinks and crepes from the back of a truck as he travels round festivals with his new business.

Even though the singer admits fans are still shocked at his new career choice, he hasn't given up on music.

Mark told Today FM's Eoghan McDermott, via website goss.ie: "People were flabbergasted at the fact that I was in the van making crepes... People kind of have this thing 'Oh, he was in Westlife a few years ago and now he's making tea'.... It's my business and I love it, anything I get involved in I get involved 110%."

Mark however hinted that business is doing great, "It's going really well, we've got loads of interest and we've booked it in with a lot of the music festivals and we're talking about doing some Irish ones as well.... A couple of Irish people came up and were like 'Wait a minute, what are you doing in a van?'

He also said while he started on crepes, he will be focusing more on selling cocktails and tapas in the future.

He recognised it would be a shock to many, who imagined he would carry on singing - and now he's launching his solo career too.

"Just because people can't see you doesn't mean you're not doing anything. Not too long after Westlife finished I went back into the studio and made the decision to completely start from scratch. The music that I would come out with as an individual is quite different to Westlife."

Well, we applaud his courage.

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Microsoft Office 2016: New update for Windows 10 unveiled

 Microsoft Office 2016

 New update for Windows 10 unveiled

The company revealed that users of its Office suite of applications can expect the new Office 16 software that is currently being developed and on schedule to be launched "in the second half of 2015".

 

  

Microsoft Office 2016 has been announced by Microsoft after unveiling its new Project HoloLens at the Windows 10 media event that held earlier this week.

The company revealed that users of its Office suite of applications can expect the new Office 16 software that is currently being developed and on schedule to be launched "in the second half of 2015".

Microsoft has also explained that it will have more to share with the public and press regards features and pricing for Office 2016 in the coming months. But has revealed more information about its new upcoming Office for Windows 10 applications that includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook.

Office for Windows 10 is expected to launch later this year and Microsoft is planning to release a preview of the Office for Windows 10 software in the coming weeks. The new Office for Windows 10 app will be supplied pre-installed for free on smartphones and small tablets running Windows 10 says Microsoft.

In a video uploaded to YouTube, the Office Mechanics weekly YouTube show highlights the upcoming Office for Windows 10 on tablets, with Ben Walters joining Jeremy Chapman to demonstrate the new, touch-optimised Excel, Word and PowerPoint.

Together with offering new information on the unique features in Windows 10 such as inking support, Insights and Tell Me.

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Milan's Philippe Mexes apologises for red card at Lazio

 Milan's Philippe Mexes apologises for red card at Lazio

After seeing red in Milan's disappointing defeat at Lazio, Philippe Mexes has issued an apology to the club and his team-mates.

 

Philippe Mexes has apologised for his injury-time sending off in Milan's 3-1 Serie A defeat at Lazio.

Filippo Inzaghi's men let an early lead slip at Stadio Olimpico on Saturday as their winless league run stretched to five matches.

Milan's miserable evening was capped off when Mexes saw red for grabbing Lazio's Stefano Mauri by the throat in the closing stages as tempers flared in Rome.

"I have to apologise to the club, the coach and my family," said the defender.

"It was the wrong reaction and I am sorry because I left the team with 10 men and I will be suspended.

"Unfortunately I made a mistake, in my career I have had these reactions. These things should not happen out on a football pitch."

Milan have the perfect opportunity to exact immediate revenge when they welcome Lazio to San Siro for the Tuesday's Coppa Italia quarter-final.

And Mexes has called on the team to put in a performance to lift the pressure on under-fire coach Inzaghi.

"We have to bounce back," he added. "We're all close with the coach.

"We will try and resolve this situation which isn't nice and to do so we have to win and not have reactions like mine.

"Every match has to be like a final and the one on Tuesday even more so as we have to get back on track."

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Barcelona's Neymar uninterested in Real Madrid results

As the battle at the top of La Liga intensifies, Neymar insists Barcelona's focus is on themselves and not leaders Real Madrid.

  Neymar insists Barcelona are paying no attention to Real Madrid's results in their bid to overhaul the Liga leaders.

The Brazil international played a starring role with two goals in Barca's 6-0 demolition of Elche on Saturday.
However, a late Gareth Bale penalty ensured Real Madrid remained top of the table by one point with a game in hand as they defeated Cordoba 2-1.
Neymar, though, is unconcerned by how Carlo Ancelotti's side fare and is instead purely focused on Barca's own form.
"We have to just get on with our business and do it well," he said.
"After that, we'll see what the rest of the teams do. We always depend on ourselves, on what we do on the pitch.
"Playing as we are, it'll be hard for us to lose."
Neymar's brace against Elche took him to 14 La Liga goals in 17 appearances in what has been a fine campaign so far.
And the forward is revelling in his excellent form.
"I'm very happy with the season I'm putting in," he added. "I'm playing every game and I'm loving it."

 

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Cristiano Ronaldo apologises for red card against Cordoba

Cristiano Ronaldo has issued a public apology via Twitter following his dismissal in Real Madrid's victory over Cordoba.

  Cristiano Ronaldo has moved swiftly to apologise for his actions after he was sent off in Real Madrid's 2-1 win over Cordoba for kicking out at an opponent.

Seemingly frustrated by the close attentions of Edimar, Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo reacted petulantly by swinging his right boot at the Cordoba defender.
A straight red card followed, leaving Real to play the closing stages of Saturday's match with 10 men, although a late penalty from Gareth Bale - awarded following a foul that saw Cordoba's Federico Cartabia dismissed - ensured Carlo Ancelotti's men still claimed victory.
After the match, Ronaldo took to Twitter to express his remorse.
"I apologise to all and especially to Edimar for my reckless act in the game today," said the Portugal captain.
Ronaldo has scored 28 goals in 18 Liga appearances this term, but now faces a spell on the sidelines through suspension.
Should he receive a three-match ban, he will be unavailable for Real's derby meeting with Atletico Madrid on February 7.
Real coach Ancelotti underlined his frustration with his team's performance prior to the interval against Cordoba.
"I didn't like the first half, that's why I was unhappy," the Italian is quoted as saying by AS. "It wasn't easy to play the ball because the pitch was irregular.
"We got the three points to stay top of the league, [but] we got them with some difficulty.
"Cordoba were competing for every ball and playing well on the counter-attack. We suffered to win this match and I congratulate Cordoba, but we got the three points."
Real's latest acquisition Lucas Silva was not signed in time to be able to feature on Saturday, but Ancelotti is excited about the Brazilian midfielder's arrival.
"He's a very good, very young player," Ancelotti added. "He will help us because he has quality and intelligence in his game. He will be very useful."

 

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Toyin Aimakhu: Controversy surrounds marriage to Adeniyi Johnson

 Toyin Aimakhu 

Controversy surrounds marriage to Adeniyi Johnson

Another Nigerian celebrity marriage is on the rocks. Toyin Aimakhu removes her husbands name from her social media accounts.

 

 

   

    

There have unconfirmed reports that actress Toyin Aimakhu, 30,  has separated with her husband Adeniyi Joshnson, 33, just after 11 months of marriage.

Though not confirmed, a handful of Nigerian tabloids including a radar.ng is claiming that the Yoruba Nollywood actress and vice president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has parted way with her huband.

Toyin Aimakhu has not responded to any of the allegations, however the posted a cryptic message on her Instagram today January 24, 2015 condemning actions people who throw harsh words to celebrities and the likes saying "I just wonder why pple murder pple with words,don't u feel pple s pain and wen things happen u write we love we do rip painful word bla bla,pls don't murder me with words walk in my shoe..pls don't make it worse with ur words pls if u can't help pls don't make it worse".

Toyin who has been previously married ,has removed her husbands name from her social media accounts, it no longer reads Toyin Aimakhu - Johnson.

Pulse reached the actress on her telephone but couldn't get a response.Still not confirmed, Pulse will bring up an update to this report as soon as we get one.

Aimakhu wedded Johnson who is an actor on Nigerian soap opera Tinsel at the Ikoyi Registry in a low key ceremony on July 7, 2013.

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Who is Winning The 2015 Political Advertising Game? - Chris Ogunlowo

Who is Winning The 2015 Political Advertising Game? - Chris Ogunlowo

Ever since INEC permitted parties to launch advertising campaigns, I have been following the media behavior of the two major parties, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

   

Who is Winning The 2015 Political Advertising Game?
(Chris Ogunlowo)

I was not expecting Top Radio FM host Chris Ihidero’s request to appraise the advertising campaigns of Nigeria's two major political parties, in view of the coming elections, when I was on his show a few weeks ago. I had thought I was joining a panel to discuss varying issues but nothing as specific as evaluating political advertising.

 More surprisingly, Chris charged that the advertising industry was responsible for the bland political adverts of recent years. He referred to the 1993 Social Democratic Party (SDP) jingle (remember “MKO is our man oooo”?) as a classic – in fact, many claim that that jingle might be impossible to top. I responded that while I could not speak for the advertising industry, I would certainly offer my own opinion, however subjective, about the advertising campaigns.

While I agree that the SDP jingle remains a classic, at least on the grounds that it has a catchy sing-along tune and evokes the memory of the 1993 elections, I, however, disagree that it trumps every other jingle, even if non-political, that came after it. I said that there is context to creative work, and like most things, media evolves according to the demands and dynamics of a society.

So the currency of the SDP jingle, given the political situation in 1993, must have prepared it to go “viral” and memorable in comparison to the realities of 2015. What the SDP jingle did in 1993 is probably rivaled in the form of memes or sponsored hashtags in today’s numberless media channels. But it is still a classic.

Ever since INEC permitted parties to launch advertising campaigns, I have been following the media behavior of the two major parties, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC). I mentioned some of the points on air but here is an elaborate delineation. I have made each point by comparing each party’s activities against some marketing communication highlights. This is based on my opinion and perception, as one who trades in marketing communication and as a creative director. (This review is limited to the presidential campaigns only.)

Proposition/MessageA premise that a party or its candidate uses to express its uniqueness, values and selling points. This is usually summed up into slogans.

·  PDP: There is no clear promise to the Nigerian people. As the current party in power, there is a “home advantage” that should allow it to reinforce its reasons to remain in power in a convincing and consistent manner. But what seems to be out there is a staccato of messages that lamely invoke “Vote Transformation,” “Vote Continuation,” "I Vow To Do More," etc. And it behaves like a vulnerable brand that depends on mudslinging to reinforce its own relevance. Its proposition might as well be “Vote PDP because The-Devil-You-Know-Is-Better-Than-The-Angel-You-Don’t-Know” or “Vote Goodluck Because He-Is-A-Lesser-Evil.”

·  APC: There is no better time than now for the party to embrace itself as a challenger and claim a compelling value proposition for the election, given the widespread perception of the incumbent’s shortcomings. In what seems like brilliant market intelligence, the APC has summed up its proposition into a word that has strong literal and metaphorical relevance in times of chaos – change. A cliché in political campaigns, one wonders if it can be used strongly to any effect. Obama’s campaign milked the word in such a way that it seemed like they invented it. Can any other party successfully appropriate the word “change”? That remains to be seen. But the APC has been clear and consistent with its value proposition.

SubstanceA fact to support a proposition. Otherwise termed as A-Reason-to-Buy. It’s a no-frills detail that backs up claims made in the proposition. It includes the essential and intrinsic truths about a party and its candidate.
·   PDP: A tough call for this party. The PDP is trying to convince its audience that infrastructural development was one of its greatest achievements, and they are not buying it. Even the infrastructural achievements are not well packaged. There are no clear channels to monitor or access these purported accomplishments. That they are mostly promoted on reactionary and political grounds makes it even tougher to see them as genuine reasons to “buy” into the party’s proposition. Other laudable efforts that might make their message an easier sell would include impressive records around corruption, human capacity development, the Chibok girls, and Boko Haram. Sloppy reactions to major events and presidential gaffes have further eroded the party’s substance value. Question: Why isn’t the PDP stressing its agricultural achievements through the minister of agriculture?

·  APC: The party parades its flag bearer’s record as an anti-corruption czar and supports that with its vice presidential candidate’s academic pedigree. Both are substantive and verifiable. While its presidential candidate has been beleaguered with records from his previous term as a military leader, his anti-corruption stance still resonates given the situation in the country.

ExecutionThe road-to-market plan, strategy, techniques, and how to exploit available opportunities.
·  PDP: The party could do more to assert itself with a strong narrative as a Heritage or Experienced or Workaholic, or on a risk, Trusted brand. Instead, it has allowed itself to play to the tune of a challenger brand, which is the opposition. It has invested energies in smear campaigns that, ironically, make the opposition look better than it might have been. A challenger brand wants you to dance to its tune. It does not want to respect your size or power. It goes for the jugular in a David-and-Goliath style. A bigger brand is supposed to tame this tendency by appearing bigger and more superior in any way. But a smear campaign, especially as aggressive as we have seen, rubs negatively than it helps.

·  APC: It is doing fairly well as a challenger brand. But it does not seem to be buttressing this narrative with as much muscle as necessary. One expects it to appeal to sentiment by asking the Reaganist question: “Are You Better Off Than You Were Four (or Six) Years Ago?” And the incumbent does have collateral that can be exploited to this end. So far the narrative is strong around the challenger’s anti-corruption stance, but not so much on capitalizing on other chinks in the incumbent’s armour. "Are You Better Off Than You Were Six Years Ago?" could be promoted for crowdsourcing purpose. Not merely mentioned. Then, watch the digital audience take it up through memes, wisecracks, daily conversations and through digital properties.

ConnectionA relationship or bond which a brand intends to create. It could be a rational or/and emotional connection. Politics whips up a lot of emotions.
·  PDP: The party uses rational benefits to portray its candidate as a preferred choice while investing emotional resources to de-market its opposition. Creating a bond with a rather detached brand is a tough one. The party's candidate is notoriously aloof at moments that afford the chance to connect with people at the emotional level. It might as well continue to invest in rational reasons. Emotions may be hard.

·  APC: Because it is capitalizing on widespread frustration in the country, it is gaining ground on the emotional front. It backs this up with rational benefits on what it intends to achieve when elected (but not so much on “how”). There's a strong emotional connection in its favour but it has to cleverly guard against aggressive smear campaigns.

Public RelationsActivities that ensure a positive and favourable disposition between a candidate and the public. 2015 election will be remembered as a public relations combat zone.
·  PDP: The party has been sponsoring stories to keep its candidate in a positive light and framing conversations to lessen his supposed shortcomings. It invests in taming accusations of incompetence and laxity. Curiously, it has not invested much in community visits, photo-ops, and has only had a few engagements with some social organizations. Its media influencers and spokespeople lack coordination and are too aggressive when it comes to pointing accusing fingers. Instead of leading conversations, the party spends a lot of its time responding to gaffes from the opposition.

·   APC: Expectedly, it takes a challenger brand’s path by investing in drawing attention. It manages conversations through clever photo-ops, and strategic alliances with social influencers and media pundits. The party responds to most accusations with tact, including issues surrounding its candidate’s certificate and age. And it has been lucky with “earned media”, like the hoopla that occurred when attractive photos of one of the daughters of the presidential candidate hit the web. Although it has not done much nationally with community visits, there have been reports of direct calls being made by its vice presidential candidate to voters. The party should watch against silly gaffes too, including mispronunciation of names.

MediaThe channels for passing information. It is usually divided into traditional (TV, Billboards, Print, Radio etc.) and non-traditional (Digital, Social Media, Earned media, Crowdsourcing etc.) forms.
·   PDP/APC: This point may not be overstressed as both parties have equal access to the forms of media, although there have been reports that party rivalries have caused one party to limit the other's promotion in some states, especially on billboards. The real issue about media is how it is being used. The two parties are using media to share clichéd messages, as opposed to more compelling narratives. The messages are not single-minded. It is confusing to decipher which of the messages in the media are sponsored by the parties or are sponsored by their supporters. The use of media has been typical with traditional media but not great – although one cannot ignore both parties’ massive activities on Social Media.
 

Social MediaDigital platforms and tools that allow people to create and share information through virtual communities, and for social networking. The 2015 election campaign might as well be remembered as a Social Media campaign. Both parties have teams behind their social media activities. The extent of professionalism is debatable.
·  PDP: If social media were only about smearing and “shading,” then the party leads with an astronomical margin. The candidate’s spokespeople have been forthright and unapologetic in using social media to defend their candidate. It has formidable, social media-savvy and vocal supporters. But engagements are recorded in forms of sharing the candidate’s achievements, attacking opposition and smearing. Activities are not integrated. One wonders if there is a central point of managing social media activities outside of official spokespeople.

·  APC: The party has managed to build a fan base of people that share interesting content on its behalf. Its team seems more coordinated and, by a far margin, does better with online reputation management. Its social media activities are quite well integrated across platforms. It could do more to amplify crowdsourcing to pass it messages across.
 

Conclusion

The two parties’ media activities have been particularly vibrant online. It is an acknowledgement of the relevance of social media in contemporary times. However, it is debatable if the boisterousness online is matched offline. Given that statistics place the Internet-savvy audience at a minor figure compared to the numbers at the grassroots, it may be important for both parties to invest in integrating offline activities with online vibrancy.

If regulations around political campaigning do not limit getting international attention, the parties may consider managing conversations in diaspora, alongside public relations efforts in influential foreign media, especially African platforms. After all, there will be foreign observers at the election.

Also, it is unknown how much the parties have done in gathering data for relevant insight. There are no reports of email marketing, phone number collection, community establishment, or data farms. These are necessary for post-election influencing and engagement.

Moreover, one does not know the extent to which these parties engage professionals in the creation and deployment of their campaigns.

Anyway, may the best political advertising win.

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Bride-To-Be

Simple tips for buying a wedding dress online

For those who do not have the time to visit a seamstress or go to a bridal shop browing through racks of wedding gowns, online shopping is the answer.

    

A wedding dress is one of the most important aspect of a bride's wedding day. Without it, nothing can happen on the big day, literally.

F play or those who do not have the time to visit a seamstress or go to a bridal shop browsing through racks of wedding gowns, online shopping is the answer.

If you want to follow this path in getting your bridal gown, you can find the perfect one online, or simply decide on which style of wedding dresses to start looking for as you narrow down your search.

First of all, you need to determine which types of wedding dresses are right for you.

Your wedding dress should tell the world exactly who you are. After all, this is your day, and your wedding gown is the key way that you share yourself with your wedding guests -- and, of course, your husband-to-be.

By now, you've likely given some thought as to what kind of wedding you would like to have: traditional, informal or a theme wedding, perhaps.

Here are some general guidelines to help you with your search:

• In formal weddings, brides generally wear long white/cream-coloured wedding dresses and a veil, perhaps a train and, of course, gloves.
• In semi-formal weddings, brides generally wear long white/cream-colored wedding dresses, a veil and gloves if desired.
• In informal weddings, brides have more flexibility. They can wear wedding gowns of any colour -- short or long -- or even a suit.
• What about theme weddings? Here you should decide first on the theme and then on the formality of the wedding you've always wanted to have. Only then is it time to shop for wedding dresses and wedding accessories to determine which ones match your theme!

As you can see, the most important aspect to consider when selecting wedding dresses is your own sense of style.

How can you purchase wedding dresses online?

The Internet can be a tremendous help when you're looking for wedding gowns and have a tight wedding budget. And let's face it -- most of us do have to keep the bottom line in mind when we plan the most important day of our romantic lives.

After you have given some thought to the type of wedding you want to have, you should:

• Look through bridal magazines and check out your options by flipping through the pages to see which wedding dresses are available in your area.
• Go to local bridal stores and try on wedding gowns.
• Look online to see what other wedding dresses are available to you. In case you're uncertain about buying wedding gowns from an online vendor, bear in mind that there really are online bridal shops that deliver the same level of service as regular stores.
• Compare the in-store price to the Internet dress stores to find out which is the better deal. Many online stores offer you discount wedding dresses because of their vastly reduced overhead costs!
• Narrow down your search to a handful of wedding dresses that make your final cut.

When you've gone through all these steps, you're certain to have accessed all the wedding dresses available to you -- and you will very likely save your hard-earned money if you end up finding discount wedding dresses available only from an Internet vendor

 

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'October 1': Kunle Afolayan's movie gets Netflix deal

 'October 1'

Kunle Afolayan's movie gets Netflix deal

Kunle Afolayan's AMVCAs multi-nominated movie 'October 1' bags deal with Netflix.

 

Kunle Afolayan's  award winning movie October 1, has bagged a distribution deal with one of the biggest provider of on-demand Internet streaming media, Netflix.

The AMVCAs multi-nominated movie 'October 1' has moved from DSTV Box Office Explora to Netflix.

According to Kunle, the new deal with Netflix means the movie will be subtitled in 10 different languages.

“I am happy and delighted to announce that October 1 has gotten a deal with Netflix. Netflix covers the whole of Europe and America. That means the film will be exposed to the word".

"It is a distribution deal. Netflix is an SVOD platform, an online platform that you can watch on your television. Their application is everywhere.

They are one of the most recognised SVOD platforms around the word.” - he said.

The award winning filmmaker also revealed that the 'October 1' movie has been selected for the 23rd Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles.

“It is going to the Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles which I should be attending in the first week of February. It has also been selected for the Luxor Film Festival in Egypt. I am also going to be attending that,” - he said.

Source: The Nation.

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