President Buhari will return to London for his medical check-ups – Garba Shehu

Posted on March 31, 2017 by Staff Reporter

Garba Shehu, senior special assistant to the president on media and publicity, says President Muhammadu Buhari will return to London for his medical check-ups.

Reacting to reports that Buhari had plans to fly his doctors into the country, Shehu told reporters in Abuja that the president will return to the country he spent his 49 days medical vacation.

“The last time the president spoke about this (medical trip), he said he would return to his doctors after some time,” Shehu said.

“We are not aware that this has changed. We are not aware of the reported advance movements.”

However, Shehu did not specify when Buhari will continue his medical vacation.

Speaking with members of his cabinet shortly after returning to the country on March 10, Buhari had revealed that he would be returning to Britain for follow-ups.

“There may be need to have further follow-ups within some weeks,” he had said.

Source: The Cable

Super Eagles could shun London after visa hassle – Gernot Rohr

Posted on March 28, 2017 by Staff Reporter

Nigeria could avoid playing friendlies in London from now on because of problems obtaining visas for staff and players, coach Gernot Rohr has said.

The Super Eagles played Senegal at non-league Barnet’s ground in north London last Friday, drawing 1-1, but a second scheduled match against Burkina Faso on Monday had to be called off.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said seven Burkinabe players failed to secure British entry visas.

The German coach said he will now suggest that friendlies and training camps be arranged on mainland Europe to avoid further difficulties as it was “too complicated to get visas” in Britain.

“I think it’s better to stay in Schengen, in Europe, than go to London where the people have problems. Even some players in our team couldn’t come, you know. They didn’t get the visa in time.”

Britain is not part of the Schengen zone, where there are no border controls between signatory countries and where international travellers require only a single visa for travel.

Currently, 26 European countries are part of the area.

Rohr told reporters in London on Monday night that Nigeria tried to find a last-minute replacement when it became clear the match would not go ahead against Burkina Faso.

Officials from Burkina Faso were reportedly told the application would be completed in Morocco, where the team was playing on Friday, as there was no British mission in Ouagadougou.

But the applications were still pending when the mission closed for the weekend.

Rohr, who has previously managed national sides Gabon, Niger and Burkina Faso, has worked mainly with players based in mainland Europe since he took charge of Nigeria last year.

The former Bordeaux player and coach, who has also managed several European domestic sides, including Ajaccio, has said it costs less to do so and the facilities are better than in Nigeria.

Nigeria plan to set up a training camp in France in May and play a friendly against Corsica as part of preparations for a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Africa in June.

Source: AFP

“We are not afraid”, defiant Theresa May says, a day after the London attack.

Posted on March 23, 2017 by Staff Reporter

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A British-born man who was once investigated for connections to violent extremism carried out the deadly attack outside Parliament in London on Wednesday, according to Prime Minister Theresa May.

Addressing lawmakers in Parliament who only a day earlier had been under lockdown, Mrs. May said on Thursday morning that the attacker was “a peripheral figure” who had been examined by MI5, Britain’s domestic counterintelligence agency, but who had not been “part of the current intelligence picture.”

Mrs. May said that officials were not ready to release the man’s name, but she added that “there was no prior evidence of his intent or of the plot” and that “our working assumption is that the attacker was inspired by Islamist ideology.”

The authorities raided six properties across the country on Thursday, detaining eight people in London and in Birmingham, in central England, as they pressed ahead with a fast-moving investigation.

The authorities emphasized that they believed the assailant had acted alone and that they did not expect any further attacks; Mrs. May said that the nation’s threat level would remain “severe,” meaning that an attack was likely, and not raised to “critical,” signaling an imminent attack.

Nigeria, Senegal friendly to go on despite terrorist attack in London

Posted on March 23, 2017 by Staff Reporter

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) says the friendly match between the Super Eagles and Teranga Lions of Senegal slated for today at the Hive Stadium in London will hold despite a terrorist attack in the city yesterday.

A woman was killed on Westminster Bridge in central London in what police said was a terrorist incident yesterday afternoon. A police officer was also stabbed in the nearby Houses of Parliament by an attacker, who was shot dead by police, while a number of other people were hurt – some with “catastrophic” injuries.

The attacker struck several pedestrians as he drove a car across the bridge, before crashing it into railings.

However, the Secretary General of the NFF, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi told The Guardian on phone that there was nothing to worry about, adding that the attack took place far away from the Crowne Plaza Hotel camp of the Super Eagles.

“I have spoken to NFF officials, who are already with the team in London and they said the attack took place far away from the camp and the stadium where the match will take place. So, there is nothing to worry about,” Sanusi, who is on his way to London, stated.

Meanwhile, Sanusi has urged Nigerians not to judge the team with the outcome of the match, saying the federation’s major concern was to ensure the coach assembled a formidable squad that would compete successfully against any team in future engagements.

“The result of the friendlies against Senegal and Burkina Faso would not be used to judge the coach,’’ he said.

The Super Eagles and Senegal, according to FIFA’s statistics, have met in 15 times, with Nigeria winning eight, while Senegal picked four victories with three matches ending in a draw.

Source: The Guardian

President Buhari receives Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, in London.

Posted on March 9, 2017 by Staff Reporter

The Archbishop of Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, on Thursday visited Nigeria’s president Muhammadu Buhari at the Abuja House in London.

Welby is the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury and the most senior bishop in the Church of England.

“Very pleased to welcome the Most Revd and Rt Hon @JustinWelby, Archbishop of Canterbury, to Abuja House this afternoon,” he said on Twitter.

Buhari left Nigeria in January for London to “undergo routine medical check-ups” during a short holiday. But there has been no definite answer from the presidency regarding the exact date of his expected return to the country after the expiration of the initial 10 days he sought to stay away.

But the president said in a statement on February 21 that there was no cause for worry and thanked Nigerians for the prayers.

Source: The Guardian

Chelsea given go-ahead to build £500m stadium

Posted on March 7, 2017 by Staff Reporter

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, on Monday approved Chelsea’s plans to build a new £500m 60,000-seat stadium.

The Premier League leaders are planning to build the new area on the site where Stamford Bridge currently seats 41,361 fans.

“London is one of the world’s greatest sporting cities and I’m delighted that we will soon add Chelsea’s new stadium to the already fantastic array of sporting arenas in the capital,” Khan said in a statement.

The new ground could be completed in time for the 2021/2022 season.

“Having taken a balanced view of the application, I’m satisfied this is a high-quality and spectacular design which will significantly increase capacity within the existing site, as well as ensuring fans can have easy access from nearby transport connections,” Khan added.

“I’m confident this new stadium will be a jewel in London’s sporting crown and will attract visitors and football fans from around the world.”

The new stadium was designed by Herzog and de Meuron, the architects behind the “Bird’s Nest” stadium used at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena.

“This is the latest significant step toward redevelopment of the stadium and the delivery of the extensive local community programme.

“Further steps lie ahead, both during and after the planning process, before construction work can commence,” Chelsea said in a statement.

I want to go to London to see Buhari – By Reuben Abati

Posted on February 21, 2017 by Staff Reporter

When 15 million plus Nigerians voted for President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2015 General elections, their expectation was that he would be available to serve them 24/7/365, and that those who fielded him as their candidate had done their home work to avoid what is curiously becoming the Katsina problem in Nigerian politics. Katsina! But we have now found ourselves in a situation whereby our President is now in London, for more than one month sir, ma, and we are here, and we have an acting President, who according to everybody, including the extremists and the mischievous, and the politically partisan, is beginning to try his best, with his admirers, now praying for the worst.

For that reason alone, we have an emotionally, politically and spiritually divided country on our hands. Don’t mind what they tell you, and don’t deceive yourself, the Nigerian Presidency is in turmoil. It is not our wish. It is not what the voters asked for. But that is how democracy works. You cannot predict the results that democracy produces. Not even in America. Or Russia.

Now that we have found ourselves in this situation, anyway – an absentee President trying to remain relevant and an acting President struggling to put up appearances, and struggling harder not to be seen to be ambitious (sorry, Prof. I was your student but I have something to say sir, I don’t mean any harm – truth be told), where should the Nigerian people stand? For the past one month, we have all been trapped in a post-truth situation, pretending as if all is normal. We should stop pretending.

Those who supported and are supporting the APC that brought President Muhammadu Buhari to power and office cannot talk. They cannot talk due to embarrassment and shame. They are busy putting up a face. But for how long can they do this? The Nigerian media is also on its knees, looking so pitiable, with the exception of a few blogs, newspapers that we can’t even trust, professional media consultants who are in disarray, a few bloggers and then some gentlemen: Pa Ikhide, Farooq Kperogi, Sonala Olumhense, Omoyele Sowore, Pius Adesanmi and Okey Ndibe who have since been specially illuminated as they journeyed to Damascus.

I will return to this subject some other day. But I think right now, we should begin to take the subject of the absence of President Muhammadu Buhari more seriously. Bukola Saraki, our Senate President has visited him in London, twice, within two weeks. I don’t think we should leave this business of visiting the President to party chieftains, the executive and the Federal Legislature. If care is not taken, Senator Saraki may be tempted to visit the President again next week. And the week after and he may even be tempted to travel with all the members of the National Assembly. There must be equity in this matter.

Figure it out as follows: we all know that President Buhari is now in London and he is the man Nigerians chose as their President in 2015. We cannot forsake him. He is in London on working leave, for more than one month now, and we don’t know when that leave will end. We have been told it will end soon. Later. One day. Whenever. We are not God. Let the leave end when it will. But we, the people, have a duty to stand by our President. This is the point of this article. We are Africans. We have traditions. We respect elders. We don’t joke with old age. The time has come, right now, for Nigerians to behave like Africans.

We should therefore, not leave this business of visiting to Senator Busola Saraki alone. Party chieftains have visited Mr. President. The leadership of the National Assembly has also gone to London to be part of President Buhari’s working leave. I think Vice-President-Acting-President Yemi Osinbajo should also visit his boss, this week, next week, or ASAP. Henceforth, he should be in London at least once a week. Let us stop pretending that the President is not in charge. He is. If Aso Villa is now in London, let us make it work. The Acting President and the real President need quality face time. If the acting President must go to London everyday, let him do so, but don’t let us run Nigeria by telephone or DHL Am I making sense? I am not talking about common sense. I mean real sense. So, do I make any sense at all?

After the Acting President’s visit, all former Presidents should also start going to London to see the President. Those former Presidents are not as harmless as they pretend to be. They are projected to the public as advisers but they are more than that: they all left something in Aso Villa that makes them eternally powerful. It is like leaving your DNA in a woman’s body. They should be allowed or perhaps encouraged to visit President Buhari while he is on working leave. I think our Baba in Abeokuta, Ota and Ibogun should be the first to visit. That may negate the order of seniority, but trust the Ebora Owu to return from London with front-page news! After him, the others can start visiting and probably advise on the possibility of holding a Council of State meeting in London. As it were, the Nigerian Constitution does not insist that the Council of State Meeting must be held inside Nigeria. The main subject of that first historic, diaspora, Council of State Meeting should be phrased by OBJ in his own unique way: “Momodu: are you well or sick?”

There is something called the separation of powers. I don’t want to disrespect mi’lords but I think they too should go to London. The National Judicial Council (NJC) should put together a high-powered delegation of judges from every part of the country, from all divisions, and level, to proceed post-haste to London to visit, no, to confer with President Buhari on matters of judicial interest to the nation. But Sirs, don’t go there and talk about the welfare of judges, or the non-payment of your entitlements – if you try that, well, I won’t be in a position to tell you what awaits you on your return. You know mi’lords, as well as I do, that the law in Nigeria is now being made to look truly like an ass!

After the judges, okay may be the Nigerian Bar Association should also send a delegation, but I don’t trust many of our lawyers. They think they know the law, and they could go to London and say things that will disrupt the President’s working leave. To make that impossible, members of the NBA should be booked on an Arik flight to London, please. But if they get there, fine. The next delegation should be that of Permanent Secretaries. These ones should spend more than a week in London with the President. In fact, they can stay with him till he returns. If they also have medical issues, they should use the opportunity to ask for tests, with the condition that they must return immediately the President leaves London, notwithstanding the status of their own medical tests!

Once the Permanent Secretaries have been fully accommodated in London, the Ministers, those who were once dismissed by their own employer as “noise-makers”, and who have proven to be no better, should also visit London. They can go ahead and make as much noise as they wish in London and even enjoy the benefit of a full Federal Executive Council Meeting. I suspect that this will be a particularly productive FEC meeting. If the people in the Foreign Affairs Ministry know what they are doing, however, they would arrange ahead of that meeting in London, a special meeting with Theresa May, Prime Minister of Great Britain, followed by a dinner with Her Majesty the Queen of England, with a proviso, please, please, please, that nobody should bring up the issue of Biafra or Southern Kaduna after shaking the Queen’s hand, and there should be a strict guarantee that President Buhari will be accompanied by his extremely beautiful wife, Aisha, and he will not, meeting the Queen, no matter how excited, make the mistake of referring to “za oza room”.

Stop laughing, my friend; this is how you people cause problems for innocent writers. What I am now trying to add having made all these points above, is that the Governors’ Forum should also visit President Buhari in London. The Governors have already signified their intention to do so and that seems to be fine with the Nigerian public. The Governors should therefore appoint representatives who should proceed to London. When they meet with the President, they should hold a special prayer session with three prayer points: one, that President Buhari will not work for another person to come and eat; two: that the demons of Aso Rock will spare and forgive him and his family; three: that President Buhari will return to Nigeria with his two feet. The Governor to lead the prayer should be Peter Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State.

If he starts sounding as he has been sounding in recent times, Nasir el-Rufai should be asked to take the microphone from him. And if Nasir sounds like he is playing politics, as he has been doing, Adams Oshiomhole who will like to be there anyway, as a Governor ex-officio, should be given the microphone and asked to pray for the President as best as he can or as best as Trotsky could.

I have left out some people. In the past month, some Imams and ulamas and concerned relatives have been reported in the media, holding prayer sessions for a hale and hearty President who is just in London to enjoy the weather and do some quality check-ups, private and public. These prayer warriors have prayed and prayed in Abuja, Daura, Borno and everywhere else. The matter is so serious that nobody should be surprised if Rochas Okorocha or James Ibori organizes a prayer session for Muhammadu Buhari. This is the biggest business in Nigeria at this moment.

I think, therefore, that we should also encourage the ulamas and the imams to visit. Let them go to London and pray for their President. We have been told they have been sending prayers through skype, whatsapp and the air, the same channels that GSM service providers in Nigeria now want to block. Let the imams go to London then and let the verses of the Holy Quoran rain down. It will be unfair not to allow Christian leaders to go to London too. They are also anxious to go to London. Pastor Tunde Bakare, my beloved, secondary school senior should lead that team. His job should be to screen out any Pastor with Biafra, or Southern Kaduna or pro-PDP blood in him or her. I mean Pastors like Reno Omokri, Ebun Adegboruwa…. you get what I am saying? The prayer should be commissioned!

Traditional rulers, bloggers, public intellectuals, trolls, and journalists! Oh, I almost forgot. I think we should also be invited to London to have tea with the President. I volunteer to lead that team but if I am considered unpopular, since they say I am not one of them, let @ikhide, @akaebube, or @dejiadeyanju, @realFFK, or @YeleSowore, be the team leader. But please, make sure we have on that list, @lindaikeji, @SDimokoKORKUS, @emepretty1, @bellanaija, @omojuwa, @ChiomaChuka, @AbangMercy, @toyeenb, @MrStanleyNwabia and… and… My friend, STFU! I am not planning a special episode of #bbnaija. I just want to go to London and see …my President.

Guardian’s reporter threatened with arrest over proposed interview with Buhari

Posted on February 20, 2017 by Staff Reporter

Security staff at the Abuja House in London yesterday called in policemen to arrest a correspondent of The Guardian who was on the premises to see President Muhammadu Buhari and possibly interview him.

When the correspondent told a member of staff at the Abuja House, the official residence of the Nigerian High commissioner to the United Kingdom, yesterday afternoon that he had come to see the president, he replied: “As far as I’m concerned, he’s not here.”

At 2:50 p.m., when a black Mercedes jeep arrived, the occupant sitting by the driver rolled down the glass and asked the The Guardian correspondent, “why are you here?” “When I told him that l was a reporter with The Guardian and l had come to see if the president was there and to interview him, he looked quite irritated and replied angrily: ‘he’s not here, you can’t see anybody here.’ “

Prior to that, the security staff threatened the reporter with the police when he called at the Kensington residence to interview President Buhari about his continued stay in the UK.

A few minutes after The Guardian arrived at the Abuja House, just after 1:00 p.m., wanting to speak to the high commissioner, the reporter was directed to go to the Embassy- Nigerian House at Northumberland Avenue. “Somebody should be there,” he was told.

Around 1:20 p.m., when a man and a teenage-looking girl wearing glasses pressed the buzzer, a security officer appeared to open the gate for the duo. When asked:”Is that the daughter of the president?” – judging by her resemblance of the First Lady- the security officer replied: “I don’t know.” He then reiterated that the reporter should go to the office at Northumberland Avenue.

When The Guardian pressed the buzzer about five minutes later, the security man sounded angry and threatened to call the police even when the reporter disclosed his identity and said he had come to speak to the president or any member of staff of the residence. “You should realise this is a private place and I will call the police,” he said. When he was immediately corrected and told that the reporter was standing outside in a public place, he then said:” l won’t speak to you again.”

But around 1:40 p.m., when two guests arrived, the reporter shook hand with one of them and asked, “have you come to see Mr. President?” He replied cheerfully, saying “yes”, but he didn’t enter the compound. He left about 15 minutes later.

Another security officer came out shortly after and told the reporter to move away from the main gate. “Excuse me, you can’t just stand here,” he said.

Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, was also at Abuja House, a strong indication that Buhari may actually be there. At 5:13p.m., Saraki emerged from the house in a black suit, accompanied by a male aide.

Meanwhile, Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has accused the leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of politicising the health status of President Buhari by their visitation to London which he described as “make-belief and too much of eye-service.”

Fayose said he had “temporarily suspended” his criticism of the president because of his health challenges. The governor spoke on a live programme tagged, ‘Meet Your Governor’ aired on the state-owned Ekiti Television and Radio Stations on Saturday.

Fayose who prayed for sound health for the president said his desire for a better Nigeria accounted for why he had been criticising the Federal Government when things were not done the right way.

“I don’t have any problem with the president; the only problem I have is with his handlers. They will say something today and say another ?tomorrow. Anybody can fall sick,” he said.?

Besides, the Anglican Bishop, Diocese of Lagos West, Rt. Revd. James Olusola Odedeji yesterday cautioned Nigerians against wishing the president dead but rather pray for his health and wellbeing so that he could succeed in delivering his electoral promises to the nation.

Odedeji spoke at the induction and installation of Venerable Adegoke Oludare Agara as the Dean of Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral held at the church in Ikeja, Lagos.

He said: “It is unfortunate in this country that Nigerians do hate their leaders. The rate at which people are willing to wish the president of the country dead is alarming. What are we going to gain if he dies?’’

Source: Guardian

Saraki, Dogara Travel To Meet Buhari In London.

Posted on February 15, 2017 by Staff Reporter

The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara have travelled to London to meet President Muhammadu Buhari.

A source at the National Assembly confirmed this to Channels Television.

The Senate President and the Speaker left for London on Wednesday morning, to meet with President Buhari who has extended his vacation indefinitely to attend to his health.

Buhari Extends Return

The President had on February 5,2017 written to the National Assembly informing of his desire to extend his leave in order to complete and receive the results of a series of tests recommended by his doctors.

This was according to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina.

“The President had planned to return to Abuja this (Sunday) evening, but was advised to complete the test cycle before returning.

“The notice has since been dispatched to the Senate President, and Speaker, House of Representatives.

“Mr. President expresses his sincere gratitude to Nigerians for their concern, prayers and kind wishes,” Adesina stated.

President Muhammadu Buhari embarked on a 10-day vacation on Monday January 23 and was billed to return to work on Monday February 6, 2017.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has since been performing his duties as Acting President.

To say I didn’t visit Buhari is simply crazy – Tinubu

Posted on February 14, 2017 by Staff Reporter

Bola Tinubu, national leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC), says it is crazy for anyone to insinuate that he did not visit President Muhammadu Buhari in London, United Kingdom.

The former Lagos state governor had last week visited the President in the company of Bisi Akande, chairman, APC board of trustees.

Reacting to reports that he didn’t travel to London, Tinubu said no one in their right senses would peddle such falseness when there were pictures to prove that he visited Buhari.

A statement was released to this effect by his media aide, Tunde Rahman.

Tinubu was quoted as saying that, “The report about the so-called denial of the visit is the handiwork of mischief- makers. I felt we should not dignify that with a response.

“That report beggars belief. Asiwaju Tinubu and Baba Akande were in London. The reason they travelled to the United Kingdom was to see President Buhari.

“And they visited him last Thursday and held discussions with him at the Abuja House in London. After the visit, the President, as a mark of respect, saw off his guests to the door.

“Pictures were taken during and after the visit and released to the media by the Presidency. These pictures were international headlines. How can anybody in his or her right senses be saying there was no such visit? It’s simply crazy! I can’t just get it.”

Source: pulse.ng

Buhari may speak to Nigerians by phone soon – Presidency

Posted on February 14, 2017 by Staff Reporter

Buhari’s media adviser, Femi Adesina disclosed on Monday night during a live political programme on Channels TV that Mr president may speak to Nigerians soon by phone.

Adesina said: “Yes, he (Buhari) said maybe, he will speak to Nigerians by phone, and I also say maybe.

“That issue of his coming back is already in the public domain in the letter that was transmitted to the National Assembly. He said as soon as he has an ‘all-clear’ on his health, he’ll be back. I think that issue has been settled

“I communicate what has been told to me. Unless I receive a definite communication that says the president will be back on this date. Then, I can say. Otherwise, I’ll just be making a guess, if I say anything that has not been said to me. Don’t forget that I’m a spokesman. I speak for somebody. I communicate what has been transmitted to me.

“Remember Trump said America will be number one, America will be number two, and America will be number three. So anything that is in the interest of American that the previous government did. I’m sure this Trump administration will continue. We know that governance is a continuum. I don’t think one government will come in and obliterate all the positive things that have been done by the previous administration as long as it is positive; and, in the interest of the country.”

President Buhari not hospitalised but will talk if he wishes to – Aide

Posted on January 27, 2017 by Staff Reporter

President Muhammadu Buhari is not ill and admitted in any hospital in London as being speculated. But he cannot be forced to speak to Nigerians, the presidency declared yesterday.

The clarification came amid rumours that Buhari is critically down with an undisclosed sickness that may lead to his death. But according to the presidency, Buhari is in London on vacation.

This clarification may not stop the rumour mill being stoked by those who expect the president to speak out or appear in the public to dispel the speculation about his health .

Buhari transmitted a letter to the National Assembly to the effect that he would begin a 10-day vacation from January 23, 2017, but he actually began the vacation two days earlier, January 21. If the date to reckon with is January 23, he will be due to resume work on February 3. But if January 21 is the date to take, Buhari will be expected back at work on February 1.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, made the clarification yesterday in a live interview programme on CNBC Africa, which was monitored in Abuja. He said that the rumoured hospitalisation of the president was a figment of people’s imagination.
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“The president is in London on vacation. He is not in any hospital and he is not ill. When he was travelling last week, the statement we put out was that he was going on vacation, and during the vacation he would do routine medical check-up and nothing has changed from what we pushed out last week. If anybody has fed something else into the rumour mill, that is just what it is – rumour,” Adesina said.

He said the president would decide if he wished to talk to Nigerians from the UK or not. “Despite the fact that he is a president, he still has his rights. Compelling him to come out and talk will be infringing on his rights. The president will talk if he wishes to, if he doesn’t wish to, nobody will compel him to talk. The truth is that the president is on vacation and he has given a date on which he will return to work.”

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed also refuted a media report alleging that governors were planning to send a delegation to confirm the health status of Buhari in London. He says there is no need for such an emissary since the president is in good health.

Receiving members of the Presidential Committee on the Northeast Initiative’s Sub-Committee on Economic Development yesterday, the minister stated that governors were not meeting in Abuja because there was no need for it and there was no plan to send any emissary to London to see the president.

Meanwhile, security agents are planning to arrest and prosecute those peddling speculative news about Buhari’s health. A recent report that Buhari died in a foreign hospital nearly swept the nation into mourning again, after the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in circumstances shrouded in secrecy. The report was later confirmed to be false.

The Guardian learnt that the government, in a bid to curb the trend, has tasked top security agencies in the country to fish out the troublemakers, especially unregistered online media organisations which, in seeking recognition and ‘hits’, publicise fake news.

When The Guardian contacted the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Don Awunah, an Acting Commissioner of Police (Ag.CP), to confirm the report, he said those behind it were “just mischief makers out to deceive the public.’’

“You know the online thing especially, it is gradually becoming a menace to the Nigerian society. People stay in the comfort of
their rooms and claim they are publishing online, whereas they peddle a bunch of lies,” he remarked.

He said the visit of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, to the United Kingdom to strengthen technical partnership with the London Metropolitan Police was also misrepresented by an online publication that he led a delegation of government officials to visit Buhari.

Asked if the police were tracing those behind the rumour with a view to bringing them to justice, Awunah said though they were not known, it would be proper to ask them to stop.

But a competent source told The Guardian on the condition of anonymity that those publishing and circulating the stories could be fished out within one week.

“But for now, there are some modalities being worked out, legislative frameworks and otherwise. The other way is that they would be charged with tax evasion, we all know it is a serious offence against the government for one not to pay tax, especially on a profitable venture,” he said.

A legal practitioner in Abuja, Cosmas Akighir, reacted thus: “The publishers of these alleged false stories have their freedom to circulate information, but it has to be credible in a manner that it is neither libelous nor seditious. If it is to inform, based on credible background, such a person is not liable.

“On the threat to democracy, it is two-folds: one is that, by circulating false information, like the one on the death of the president, you are fuelling the embers of insecurity and endangering democracy in the process.

“Where there is hunger for power in the military, like we had during the Gen. Sani Abacha days, some soldiers would have started playing martial music on national radio, announcing their takeover. So publishers or rather practitioners must be circumspect in what they publish.

“On another front, arresting these carriers of fake information would not go down well with the government. It is already unpopular among Nigerians. But if there are arrests, it would stem the tide of publication of false news.”

Dr. Anthony Igyuve of the Department of Mass Communication, Nasarawa State University, remarked: “Where a practitioner fails to send in credible and verifiable stories for publication, the whole essence of information dissemination is defeated. What is happening in the social media now is irresponsible and highly condemnable. Unfortunately, some of these so-called publishers were not adequately trained to practise, but the Nigeria Union of Journalists and the National Press Council (NPC) have failed in their role to standardise practice and ensure that quacks are weeded out.”

Paris/London Loan Refunds: We’ve Complied With Buhari’s Directive – KWSG

Posted on December 23, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Kwara State government says it has already complied with President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive that states should use at least 25 per cent of their London and Paris Club refund to offset salary arrears.

A statement from the State Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Demola Banu, noted thatwith the release of N1billion to local governments and another release of N890million to some tertiary institutions to clear their salary backlog, the State government has exceeded Buhari’s directive.

The Commissioner stated that this reflects Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed’s commitment to the welfare of workers in the State.

He added that the government remains determined to help LGs clear their current salary arrears in the shortest possible time.

Alhaji Banu emphasized that even before the State got its share of the Paris Club refund, the government was not owing any State civil servant, except staff of some tertiary institutions.

He the approval of N890m for institutions is meant to clear arrears.

Banu also disclosed that the balance of the refund will go towards other staff-related payments, injection of funds into to the State Small and Medium Scale Enterprise (SME) scheme, Community Health Insurance Scheme, and completion of ongoing and new infrastructural projects across the State.

The Commissioner noted that these programs and projects will be of immense benefits to all residents and citizens of Kwara State.

UPDATE: James Ibori Released Into House Arrest In London

Posted on December 21, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Former Delta State Governor James Ibori was ordered released from Huntcombe Prison following the failure of a last-minute effort by the UK Homeland Office to keep in prison via a court application.

The former governor will, however, be confined to a flat on Abbey Road, St. John’s Wood area in London, and pending a confiscation hearing scheduled for January. In the meantime, he will visit a police station in Croydon regularly.

Earlier today, Mrs. Justice May of the Royal Court of Justice Court 1 in London ruled that Ibori is released after he completed his money laundering jail term.

His house arrest means he is far from being a free man, and will certainly not be spending the Christmas with his friends and relatives in Nigeria as has been peddled by some of his supporters for months.

Mr. Ibori, a former London store clerk who began a life of stealing and being convicted in that city, wants to return to Nigeria on his own terms but the Homeland Office wants him to be deported. Also, the UK government is pushing for confiscation proceedings on Ibori’s illegally acquired properties.

It would be recalled that in 2012, the former Delta State governor admitted 10 counts of conspiracy to defraud and money laundering, and was sent to prison for 13 years by the Southwark Crown Court for fraud totaling about $77m.

Fleeing from the police in Nigeria, he had been captured in Dubai in 2010 and extradited to the UK, where he was prosecuted by the Metropolitan Police.

Several possessions are involved in the confiscation hearings he faces. They include mansions in Dorset, north London, and Sandton, near Johannesburg, as well as luxury cars of all kinds.

Following Ibori’s sentencing, it would be recalled that Sue Patten, who headed the Crown Prosecution Service central fraud unit, said Ibori’s illegally-acquired wealth had been “at the expense of some of the poorest people in the world.”

The irony is that many of those people, in Delta State, are now being sensitized to welcome the thief and ex-convict back as a hero of some sort.

In Nigeria, lawyers to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission say Ibori faces further legal challenges if and when he is extradited to Nigeria.

Polluted water in hand, Nigerian king takes Shell to court in London.

Posted on November 22, 2016 by Staff Reporter

King Emere Godwin Bebe Okpabi holds up a plastic bottle containing contaminated water from his community in Nigeria, proof of oil pollution that he blames on Royal Dutch Shell — and on which he hopes a London court will deliver justice.

“My people are drinking this water,” said the tribal king of the Ogale community in the oil-rich Niger Delta.

Okpabi has flown to London for a High Court hearing on Tuesday in which lawyers for more than 40,000 Nigerians are demanding action from Shell to clean up oil spills that have devastated their communities for decades.

“There are strange diseases in my community — skin diseases, people are dying sudden deaths, some people are impotent, low sperm count,” he told AFP. “I can afford to buy water. But can I afford to buy for everybody? No.”

The Anglo-Dutch oil giant argues that the case should be heard in Nigeria, pointing out that it involves its Nigerian subsidiary SPDC, which runs a joint venture with the government, and Nigerian plaintiffs.

But Okpabi, wearing a traditional robe with a red necklace and black top hat, said the English justice system was his only hope to end the blight on his people’s lives.

“Shell is Nigeria and Nigeria is Shell. You can never, never defeat Shell in a Nigerian court. The truth is that the Nigerian legal system is corrupt,” he said.

He wants the High Court to compel Shell to implement a 2011 landmark report by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), which warned of dangerously high levels of hydrocarbons in the water, bitumen-coated mangroves and poor air quality.

It should order the company to “go and clean-up Ogale, go and provide water for them; go and do medical history for them, and where medical attention is needed provide for them,” he said.

The king said no money would be enough to address the damage, which UNEP warned could take 25 to 30 years to resolve, but wants compensation, adding: “We are dying.”

– Sabotage –

Shell will challenge the jurisdiction of the English courts in the case during three days of hearings this week, while it also disputes the claims made by lawyers Leigh Day, who represent Ogale and the smaller Bille community.

“Both Bille and Ogale are areas heavily impacted by crude oil theft, pipeline sabotage and illegal refining which remain the main sources of pollution across the Niger Delta,” a company spokeswoman said.

She noted SPDC has not produced any oil or gas in Ogoniland, the region surrounding Ogale, since 1993.

But Okpabi and his lawyers say the company’s ageing, leaky pipelines still run through the region and it must take responsibility.

SPDC says it has delivered water and healthcare to the community and is supporting the implementation of the UNEP process by the government, which in June launched a $1 billion (£800 million, 940 million euros) oil pollution clean-up programme in the Niger Delta.

Okpabi said he believed President Muhammadu Buhari is “sincere” in wanting to address the issue, but warned: “If we wait for the system to roll on its own, I hate to say this, but it may be too late for the people of Ogale.”

Attacks on Nigerian pipelines have increased this year, cutting output and helping tip the country into recession, but Okpabi insists “there is no vandalising” in Ogale.

The king condemned the saboteurs, warning that “you cannot bomb your house to get attention”.

However, he added: “I’m also appealing to Shell and the Nigerian government to listen to those communities that are non-violent and do something.”

In January 2015, Shell agreed to pay more than $80 million to the Nigerian fishing community of Bodo for two oil spills in 2008, following a case brought by Leigh Day in London.

In December, a Dutch court permitted four Nigerian farmers and fishermen to sue the company for environmental pollution, potentially opening the door to other cases to be brought in the Netherlands.

Nigerian Teenager Hacked To Death With A Machete In London

Posted on August 19, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Parents of Andre Aderemi, a Nigerian teenager who was brutally macheted 20 times after being pursued by three others carrying machetes, at Monks Hills estate, Selsdon, Croydon, have pleaded for an end to the cycle of violence on the capital’s streets.

The 19-year old boy later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital and died. The stabbings may be gang related because many of those he fraternised with have been killed in a similar fashion. Andre was friends with Myron Isaac Yarde, a 17-year-old rapper who was fatally stabbed in New Cross in April.

Aderemi was an ex-pupil at John Ruskin College in Croydon, and an amateur rapper said to be friends with two other young musicians stabbed to death in south London in the past three months. He is also said to have performed with 16-year-old Leoandro Osemeke, known as Showkey, stabbed to death outside a party in Peckham on August 5.

An eye witness, Rebecca Shaw, 18, said she heard “screams” after the terrifying attack in Selsdon, Croydon. She said: “Andre’s mother came running down the road. He was on the floor screaming out for her. I heard the screams and lots of people came running to him. They tried to give him CPR and put pressure on the wounds.”

And another onlooker added: “I saw Andre running for his life and three others were coming up behind him. They were just chasing him and not shouting. They chased him behind a row of shops. I called the police, as I knew if they got to him he’d be done. They were armed with machetes about a foot long. I was told Andre was stabbed 20 times.”

More than 100 friends and relatives of Andre Aderemi, 19, last night gathered for a memorial church service on the Croydon estate where he was murdered on Tuesday.

His mother Yemi Hughes told the congregation: “I’ve lost my baby. He’s my everything, my rock… my other two boys are broken.”

Tragic Andre is the eighth teenager to be stabbed to death in London this year.

London’s Mayor Calls For Calm After London Stabbing Attack

Posted on August 4, 2016 by Staff Reporter

London’s mayor appealed for vigilance and calm Thursday after a stabbing spree in the heart of the city that left one woman dead and five injured.

Police arrested a 19-year-old suspect and said that early indications suggested that “mental health was a factor in this horrific attack.”

However, in the context of a string of recent attacks in Europe, authorities said they were keeping an open mind and that “terrorism remains one line of inquiry being explored.”

London police’s counter-terror chief Mark Rowley said there would be “an increased presence on the streets” of the capital on Thursday, including armed officers — an unusual sight in Britain.

Police arrested the teenager after reports of a stabbing spree in Russell Square, a quiet area close to several popular tourist attractions including the British Museum.

Paramedics fought to save the life of a woman believed to be in her 60s but pronounced her dead at the scene. Two women and three men were also injured but no details have been released about their condition.

The suspect himself was taken to hospital after being immobilised with a Taser electroshock gun.

Xavery Richert, 22, a French tourist staying in a youth hostel on the square, told AFP: “I was buying a beer when I heard a woman shouting who was being chased by a man.

“I thought it was a bag snatching … she was not hurt. I came out for a cigarette, I went back, there were firefighters, police, and then I saw the body under a sheet. You could only see the feet sticking out.”

Russell Square resident Constantine Somerville said: “It’s such a safe area and very quiet especially at night — why would somebody commit an attack in such a quiet area?”

Credit: Guardian

Labour MP Dies After Being Shot And Stabbed In Birstall

Posted on June 17, 2016 by Staff Reporter

An MP has died after she was shot and stabbed in a “horrific” assault in her constituency, police have said. Jo Cox, Labour MP for Batley and Spen, was left bleeding on the ground after the attack in Birstall, West Yorkshire. A man was arrested nearby.

One eyewitness told the BBC they heard her attacker shout “put Britain first” at least twice beforehand.

Tributes have poured in from politicians including David Cameron, Jeremy Corbyn and US Secretary
of State John Kerry.

Buhari Extends Stay In London Till Sunday

Posted on June 16, 2016 by Staff Reporter

President Muhammadu Buhari will not return to Nigeria from London, where he is spending his 10-day medical vacation, until Sunday.

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo disclosed this to State House correspondents on Thursday shortly before the commencement of a meeting of the National Economic Council at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Buhari’s 10-day vacation expired on Wednesday.

By the time he would be arriving in Nigeria on Sunday, he would have spent 14 days.

He was earlier scheduled to arrive the country on Thursday.

Osinbajo however said it was just appropriate for Buhari to take the weekend off and rest very well in London before returning to the country.

He said he had spoken to the President on the telephone and he was in good health condition.

The Vice-President said Buhari would resume in his office on Monday morning.

Osinbajo said, “The President will be back on Sunday. I spoke with him yesterday evening and I think it is just the best that he takes the weekend off. He will certainly be back on Sunday.

“I think the most straightforward thing is when he will be back. He will be back on Sunday. There is no point rushing back on Friday or something like that.

“He will just take the weekend off and be back on Sunday. He is in perfect health and ready to resume work on Monday morning.

“Mr. President is in good condition, he is fine, he is very well. He should take a day or two off in London and rest a bit and come back hale and hearty on Sunday and be ready for work on Monday. So we expect him back on Sunday.”

Credit: Punch

Jonathan Delivers Speech In London (PHOTOS)

Posted on June 6, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Former president Goodluck Jonathan gives his first major policy speech since leaving office a year ago at Bloomberg Studios London. Jonathan said during the interview that his proudest achievement was conceding power.

See photos from the interview below:

ISIS Vows To Invade London In Chilling Threat

Posted on March 28, 2016 by Staff Reporter

ISIS threatened unleashing a rampage of terror “everywhere” in Britain that will leave the streets of London “filled with blood”.

The sick jihadis said the attack will come “from where you don’t expect” in a sinister propaganda video comes just days after the Brussels terror attacks.

ISIS claimed responsibility for the attacks on the Belgian capital which struck an airport and metro station – leaving 31 dead at 300 injured.

The latest chilling video, narrated in English, claims ISIS are plotting to “invade” the capitals of Europe – including London and Berlin – “like we did in Paris before”.

The group also threatens to “rip the crosses” off every Christian church.

The sinister propaganda video concludes by showing the Eiffel Tower exploding and crashing to the ground.

However, the seemingly low-budget clip was actually ripped from a US action video game.

The video begins with a river of blood pooling and dripping off a wooden table filled with stacks of American money, guns, knives and bullets.

But, the clip features the name of video game designer with a US company carved into the wood of the animated table.

The video also includes footage of air strikes on ISIS targets and news reels of attacks they have carried out.

The narrator warned: “To you western Kafir, you that meant to fight Islam, vengeance is coming against the ‘new crusaders’.

“It will be welcomed by Allah’s permission.”

The video goes on to show ISIS members tearing down church crosses in Christian communities in the Middle East after being taken over by the terror group.

Credit: ExpressUK

Shell Faces Fresh Nigeria Pollution Claims In London

Posted on March 2, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Oil giant Royal Dutch Shell came under renewed scrutiny on Wednesday over its environmental record in Nigeria after lawyers brought fresh claims of damage caused by spills to a London court.

British legal firm Leigh Day has filed two cases at the High Court in a bid to force the Anglo-Dutch energy major to clean up damage caused in the communities of Ogale and Bille in the Niger Delta, Nigeria’s main oil-producing region, and provide compensation. In Bille, the lawyers hope to prove that Shell is liable for failing to protect its pipelines from damage caused by third parties, which, they said, could mark a “significant expansion” in the firm’s liability.

A 2011 report by the United Nations Environment Programme found that decades of oil pollution in Ogoniland region, where Ogale is located, may require the world’s biggest ever clean-up. Leigh Day says that Shell, historically Nigeria’s largest producer, has failed to act on the report despite its promises — a claim that was also levelled last year by Amnesty International.

The lawyers argued in a press statement that the 40,000-strong Ogale community continues to live with “chronic levels” of land and water pollution, which has had a devastating impact on its farming and fishing. In hearings expected to take place later this year, Shell will argue that the two cases should be heard in Nigeria, not in Britain, according to a spokesman for the company’s Nigerian subsidiary, SPDC.

He added that both Bille and Ogale are areas “heavily impacted” by oil theft, sabotage and illegal refining, activities which Shell has long argued are the main causes of pollution in the Niger Delta. In Ogoniland, he said the company was acting on the UN report through an 18-month clean-up and remediation programme agreed last year with the Nigerian government and community members.

Chima Williams, of Environmental Rights Action (ERA)/Friends of the Environment, a Nigerian environmental rights lobby group, said the response to the UN report did not address the issue of compensation.

“This is why the London suit is very important at this point. It will bridge the gap in terms of helping the people of Ogoniland to get off the ground and have their lives back,” he told AFP. Shell agreed in January 2015 to pay more than $80 million to the Nigerian fishing community of Bodo for two serious oil spills in 2008, following a three-year legal battle brought by Leigh Day in London.

A Dutch court also ruled in December that four Nigerian farmers demanding compensation and a clean-up in four heavily-polluted Niger Delta villages can bring a case against the energy giant in the Netherlands.

Credit : Vanguard

Buhari Arrives Abuja From London (PHOTOS)

Posted on February 10, 2016 by Staff Reporter

President Mohammadu Buhari has returned from his brief vacation. The President landed Abuja this night from London. His official photographer, Bayo Omoboriowo, shared these photos on his Instagram page.

See photos below:

President Buhari arrives Abuja from London on 10th Feb 2016

Why Buhari Departed France For London

Posted on February 3, 2016 by Staff Reporter

President Buhari has departed France for London to attend the Syria Donor Conference to raise fund to cushion the humanitarian problems faced by over 12.2 million people in Syria.

Speaking on the President’s itinerary, the acting High Commissioner of Nigeria to the United Kingdom, Mr Adah Simon Ogah, said the President would also meet with Nigerian citizens living in the UK on developments at home.

Mr Ogah added that Nigeria had some lessons to learn from the Syria Donor Conference which would attract world leaders to London on Thursday.

The Syria Donor Conference is being co-hosted by UK, Germany, Kuwait, Norway and the United Nations.

Credit: ChannelsTv

Beggar Tells Court He Earns More From Street Begging Than Working A Real Job

Posted on January 18, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The court heard that begging was a major problem in Nottingham and a police operation was set up to combat it. Craig Atkinson, 36, was arrested and pleaded guilty to begging but said the cash went on his two children.
The beggar told a court his income would drop if he took “a regular job.”

He said:

“If I got a proper regular job, I would get less money than I am doing this. “People give me money. There are no victims. “Other people sustain a £200 drug habit but mine goes to my two teenage children.”

He told Nottingham Magistrates Court on Tuesday that he is homeless but went on:

“I have got a few roofs. The problem in my life is I will not be in one place.”

He was given a six-month conditional discharge with a £15 government surcharge.
He said: “I can pay that for you now.”
But when magistrates also ordered £85 prosecution costs he replied:

“Please send me to prison. I have no intention of paying it.”

Margaret Martin, prosecuting, said: “He said he makes more with this than with a job.”

London Mayor, Boris Johnson Launches New Cycle Superhighway But One Cyclist Is Clearly Not A Fan

Posted on November 20, 2015 by Staff Reporter

It is Boris Johnson’s big dream to make cycling safer in the capital – a cycle superhighway which means bikes do not have to share the road with cars and lorries.

But one cyclist made his views of the London Mayor very clear this morning, raising his middle finger at him as they passed over Vauxhall Bridge.

Mr Johnson appeared oblivious to the insult though, raising a hand to wave to the unidentified man in a red and black cycling top. See another photo below. Just love this British guy tho, no one should make you act quiet when you feel other wise, lol. Another photo below…

Today Mr Johnson was opening cycle superhighway number 5 which creates a continuous two-way separated cycle lane for 1.4 kilometres from Kennington Oval to Pimlico.

Ronaldo Premieres His Film In London

Posted on November 10, 2015 by Staff Reporter

From soccer pitch to red carpet, FIFA World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo, premiered his personal portrait film “Ronaldo” in London on Monday. Ronaldo reunited with his former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson on the red carpet, which also saw a late arrival from Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.

Posing with a line of fans, Ronaldo sought to break a selfie record upon arrival and was also awarded certificates for other Guinness World Records he had, including “most ‘liked’ person on Facebook”. “The people who really know me, they are not going to be surprised about the movie,” Ronaldo told Reuters when asked about the film.
Asked if after his soccer playing career he might eye a position as head of FIFA or UEFA, the Real Madrid striker said that he would adjust accordingly to the dictates of his future endeavours. “I’m not that smart to be president. I do not worry about that, about what is going to happen in my future.”
“I think I’m still able to play a few more years of football, but in future I have other projects, that will be more interesting than being president,” he added. The film, made by the team behind documentaries on racing driver Ayrton Senna and singer Amy Winehouse, looks at his professional side as well as shows tender moments between Ronaldo and his young son.
“You have a chance to see the real Cristiano,” Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes said of the film. Ronaldo is also captain of Portugal’s national team, which last month secured its spot for Euro 2016 in France.
Asked if he thought he could bring the side to victory, Ronaldo said: “Well, I will try. “I will help the team and I will give my best like always and let’s see what happens.” “But I am looking forward to that.”

Credit : Reuters

Diezani Walks Out Of Jail On Bail

Posted on October 2, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Nigeria’s former petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, who was arrested earlier today by the London metropolitan police, has been released on bail.

She was picked up alongside four others.

However, she has been asked to report at Charing Cross Police Station on Monday for further grilling and her passport has been seized.

She’s answering for corruption and money laundering charges preferred against her. Her Abuja home was sealed by the EFCC on Friday as well.

News Alert: Gamaliel Onosode Is Dead

Posted on September 29, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Foremost technocrat and boardroom Czar, Mr. Gamaliel Onosode, 82, is dead.

Reporters learnt Mr. Onosode died Tuesday morning at Gold Cross Hospital, Ikoyi Lagos at about 8:15am after a protracted illness.

Onosode was flown home yesterday from London.

According to Wikipedia:

Gamaliel Offoritsenere Onosode (born 22 May 1933) (Died 29 September 2015) is a Nigerian technocrat, administrator and a former presidential candidate of the All Nigeria People’s Party of Nigeria. Educated at the Government College, Ughelli and the University of Ibadan, he emerged in the 1970s, as one of Nigeria’s leading educated chief executives, when he was at the helm of NAL merchant bank of Nigeria. Over the years, he has risen to become a leading boardroom player in Nigeria’s corporate environment. He was also a former presidential adviser to President Shagari and a former president of the Nigerian Institute of Management.

Life and career

An Urhobo man, born and raised in Sapele , a suburban city in the current Delta State by a disciplined father, he sometimes credited the strict family background and practice as being a complementary factor in his success as a disciplined civil servant and corporate administrator.

Throughout his career, Dr. Gamaniel Onosode has chaired several private and public sector businesses and initiatives. He was the Chairman of Dunlop Nigeria Plc (1984–2007), a former chairman of Cadbury Nigeria Plc (1977–93), the Presidential Commission on Parastatals (1981), Nigeria LNG Working Committee and Nigeria LNG Limited (1985–90) and the Niger Delta Environmental Survey (since 1995). He is also the Chairman of Zain Nigeria, a GSM telecommunications company, the oldestGSM operator in Nigeria.

Mr. Gamaniel Onosode was Presidential Adviser on Budget Affairs and Director of Budget (1983). He is a Fellow of the Economic Development Institute of the World Bank, the Nigerian Institute of Management, of which he was President (1979–82). He is also a Fellow of The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, having been elected to membership of its Board of Fellows in 1998.

In addition, Mr. Onosode is immediate past and inaugural President of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, immediate past Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the University of Uyo and immediate past and inaugural President & Chairman of Council of the Association of Pension Funds of Nigeria. He is an Honorary Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Letters and holds Honorary D.Sc. degrees of Obafemi Awolowo University (1990), the University of Benin (1995), and theRivers State University of Science and Technology (2003) as well as Honorary D.D. degree of The Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso (2002)

Arik Crew Member Arrested In London For Drugs Possession

Posted on August 26, 2015 by Staff Reporter

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Arik Air, has confirmed that a member of its cabin crew was on Monday night arrested at Heathrow Airport, London by the UK Border Force in connection with alleged possession of items suspected to be banned substances.

The airline, which did not give the name of its crew member, said it was presently carrying out its own investigation to determine how the cabin crew member came about the suspected banned substance.

“Arik Air will also be cooperating fully with the UK authorities and other appropriate agencies in their investigations. The airline again reaffirms its commitment to the fight against drug and illicit substance trafficking and will not tolerate the use of any of its aircraft or crew for the courier of banned items and substances,” the spokesman of the airline, Adebanji Ola, said in a statement.

Read More: thisdaylive

Meet Adebayo Ogunlesi The Nigerian Who Bought Gatwick Airport For £1.5 Billion

Posted on August 11, 2015 by Staff Reporter

A Nigerian is reported to have acquired and now runs London Gatwick Airport. Adebayo Ogunlesi, 56, is the chairman and managing partner, Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), an independent investment fund based in New York City with worldwide stake in infrastructure assets, is the new owner of the London Gatwick Airport.

Adebayo Ogunlesi attended the prestigious King’s College, Lagos. He is a member of the District of Columbia Bar Association. He was a lecturer at Harvard Law School and the Yale School. Ogunlesi has lived in New York for 20 years and is active in volunteer work. But he also cultivates his ties to Africa. He informally advises the Nigerian government on privatisation.

Prior to his current role, he was executive vice chairman and chief client officer of Credit Suisse, based in New York. He previously served as a member of Credit Suisse’s Executive Board and Management Council and chaired the Chairman’s Board. Previously, he was the Global Head of Investment Banking at Credit Suisse. Since joining Credit Suisse in 1983, Ogunlesi has advised clients on strategic transactions and financing in a broad range of industries and has worked on transactions in North and South America, the Caribbean, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

Listen to how Ogunlesi sounds so refreshing in his interview prior to taking over at Gatwick airport. Pay attention to how he proposes to solve the problem of delays. This is a classic >> Watch Here

Source – www.myafricanow.com

Tube Strike: London Commuters Deal With Queues And Delays

Posted on August 6, 2015 by Staff Reporter

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Commuters are dealing with long queues and delays as they try navigating London during a strike that has shut down the whole Tube network.

About 250 extra buses have been laid on but there are reports of 200 miles of tailbacks as commuters switch to cars.

The 24-hour strike by four unions began on Wednesday evening and there will be no Tube service until Friday.

Unions are unhappy at conditions offered to drivers on a new Night Tube service due to start next month.

A long-serving LU train driver, who wished to remain anonymous, told BBC News, “We get paid an amazing salary and the holidays are great too [43 days leave including eight bank holidays] but why should I be forced to work nights and more weekends when that is not what I signed up for? It’s about the principle of changing our working conditions without discussions.

“I hate striking but I will continue to do so until the company listens or they make it illegal to strike.

“I feel sorry for commuters but instead of complaining to staff, they should complain to TfL and stand up for their rights too.”

Commuters told the BBC they understood the reasons for the strike but they did not think “the impact on commuters was very fair”.

Traffic was heavier than usual on London’s roads at midday but extra buses have been laid on for the strike and there are hundreds of bicycles available for hire from £2 at a temporary cycle hub in Soho Square, BBC London Travel reports.

At 08:45 BST there were 428 separate traffic jams around the city causing a combined 197 miles (317km) of tailbacks, traffic analysts TomTom said.

That was double the congestion of the same time last week, but it was not as bad as during the previous Tube strike in July when there were 1,445 jams and 761 miles (1,224km) of delays.

The most congested roads were around Parliament Square, with delays of 48 minutes, and on the A40 from Wood Lane to Marylebone Road, with delays of about 30 minutes.

Green Routemaster — RayBanCat took this image of an old bus near Holborn Circus

Coffee shop — “May the odds be ever in your favour” as a coffee shop plays on the Hunger Games and sees the lighter side of the Tube strike

“With many Londoners away on holiday and no school runs, the roads were not as congested this morning as they were during the last strike four weeks ago,” a TomTom spokesman said.

Transport for London said it would have a total fleet of 8,200 buses operating at peak times during the strike with an extra 250 vehicles leased from companies around the country and old buses including Routemasters being brought back into service.

But even those aiming to beat the crowds and setting out on their journeys by 06:00 BST faced travel problems.

Alessandra Bonomolo tweeted: “6:20am. Couldn’t get on the first train – too crowded” while Roxy Baker said: “Not even 6:30 and you can barely get on the 205 at Bow Church… its first stop”.

Penny farthing commuter and travel ambassadors — One commuter on Battersea Bridge took to the penny farthing to get to work while TfL ‘travel ambassadors’ have helped others

Commuters cross the river Thames on the Millennium footbridge during rush hour

People are being encouraged to use alternative modes of transport to reach their destinations.

River bus service MBNA Thames Clippers tweeted: “Piers are very busy at present we’re doing everything we can to ensure passengers reach their destination, thank you for your patience

Source – www.bbc.co.uk

Suswam Denies Beating Wife In London, Says He’s In Germany

Posted on July 6, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Former Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswan, Sunday said he was not arrested in London for wife beating.

His lawyer, P.H. Ogbole, who spoke in Abuja yesterday called on friends and family of the former governor to disregard the publications claiming that Suswam was arrested in the United Kingdom for beating up his wife, Yemisi.

While threatening to take legal action against those behind the falsehood, Suswam described publication alleging that he beat his wife as a calculated attempt to smear his image.

Reports circulated on the social media last week, alleging that the former governor was arrested in London by the Metropolitan Police for beating his wife over an argument about his mistress.

The report added that he was released on bail. But Suswam however denied all the allegations which he said were the handiwork of his enemies.

Read More: thisdaylive

Man Pictured Draped In Isis-Like Flag Near Big Ben And Houses Of Parliament In London

Posted on July 6, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Startling images of the incident shows the man walking past a group of scouts with a black flag around his shoulders as he carries a flag-waving young child dressed in pink.

The photos were taken by a tourist and posted on a Korean web forum, according to the Evening Standard.

Police officers spoke to the man, but he was not arrested as carrying a flag or emblem in itself is not an offence.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police told The Independent: “This man was spoken to by officers, with consideration given to relevant legislation, particularly the Public Order Act, and the decision was taken by officers at the time that the man was acting within the law. He was not arrested.”

Asked whether officers were thought the flag was that of the extremist group Isis, he said it “certainly” appeared so.

The incident comes just days before the UK will mark the 10th anniversary of the 7/7 bombings carried out by Islamic extremists, which killed 52 people on 7 July, 2005.

Shocked Twitter users reacted with disbelief.

One user called Gavin ?tweeted: “Why are we allowing this to happen on our streets a man walking past big ben with an ISIS flag.”

Another called the incident “absolutely shocking.”

ABSOLUTELY SHOCKING: #ISIS flag spotted near Big Ben days before 7/7 anniversary #London @metpoliceuk pic.twitter.com/cBHVqWw2cX

— Anthony Shaw (@AnthonyShaw_) July 5, 2015

Tiwa Savage Narrates How She And Her Mum Ran Into David Beckham

Posted on June 13, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Tiwa Savage shared a story Yesterday about her mum’s encounter with David Beckham in London…

“Flash back Friday to just a few days ago …. Mummy and I are in selfridges baby shopping (you never stop buying BTW) and all of a sudden she shouts BECKHAM. Low and behold David Beckham was on the same floor shopping with this daughter. I was beyond embarrassed. She then proceeds to ask for a pic even though it was obvious he was trying to stay low key but he was kind enough to agree to take a pic with my tiny embarrassing mama. Then all of a sudden she didn’t wanna leave the store after she has been complaining that we had bought enough LOL … Ok fine make I confess me sef wan
take pic but fear dey catch me besides my fat swollen face didn’t really encourage me…ssshhh pls don’t tell my mum. I told her I didn’t take a pic because I was feeling like a fellow celeb as well #InMyMind #benditlikebeckham #hewasthereason #ibecameamanUfan #lovemymama #sheisthecutest #lookatherhappyface #prayingtobeagreatmomlikeyou #SavageSoldiers #BBHMM”

Former First lady Patience Jonathan In London (PHOTO)

Posted on June 8, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Her husband, the former president of Nigeria was spotted in Heathrow today. Here’s a pic of Mama Peace also in London.

President-Elect Buhari To Return To Nigeria Tomorrow

Posted on May 27, 2015 by Staff Reporter

President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari who is currently in the UK on a private visit, will be returning to Nigeria tomorrow May 28th ahead of his inauguration as President on Friday May 29th.

According to Thisday, Buhari will arrive Nigeria on-board a British Airways flight scheduled to land at about 4am tomorrow in Nigeria. He’ll arrive in company of former President Shehu Shagari who is currently in the UK on a private visit as well.

Buhari overthrew Shagari who is Nigeria’s first Democratically elected President, in 1983. During his six day visit to the UK, Buhari met with UK Prime Minister David Cameron where both men felicitated with each other on their victories at the poll.

Buhari Rejects Rolls Royce in London

Posted on May 25, 2015 by Staff Reporter

President-elect Muhammadu Buhari, currently on a private visit to England, on Friday turned down the use of a Rolls Royce made available for him by the Nigerian High Commission in London.

Buhari shocked officials of the High Commission when, on landing at the Heathrow Airport, he declined to make use of the Rolls Royce and other facilities offered him.

The Nation gathered that after exchanging pleasantries with the embassy officials led by the High Commissioner, Dr Dalhatu Tafida, the president-elect politely told them that his visit was strictly private and he had made arrangement for all his needs while in the UK.

He reportedly thanked them for the warm reception and quickly hopped into a less flamboyant car he had arranged for and drove out of the airport.

A source said: “It appeared he was uncomfortable with the number of exotic cars in the convoy.

“Hard as the stunned diplomats present tried to convince him, he refused to bulge, insisting that since he did not inform the Commission of his visit because it was not an official trip, hence he was not entitled to such grandeur.”

Buhari, yesterday, held talks with British Prime Minister David Cameron at his 10, Downing Street official residence.

Top of their discussion was the continued threat to Nigeria’s security by the terror group, Boko Haram.

The official website of the UK government said after the talks that “both leaders congratulated each other on their recent election victories and discussed the challenges facing Nigeria.”

It added: “the Prime Minister stressed the UK’s wish to work for a stable, prosperous and secure Nigeria.

“The leaders discussed security in the region and the fight against terrorism, particularly the threat posed by Boko Haram.

“They discussed the need for a regional approach and agreed to continue working together to build the capacity of the Nigerian Army, with the UK continuing to provide military training and intelligence support.

“On tackling corruption, they agreed this was a priority to ensure Nigeria’s prosperity and success.”

Mr. Cameron was said to have agreed to look at what technical assistance and support the UK could provide to the Nigerian government as it looks to undertake its reforms.

“They also discussed the need to tackle organised crime and the links between the UK and Nigeria.

“Finally, they talked about the challenges posed by migration from Africa to Europe and the president-elect said he would do all he could to secure Nigeria’s borders,” the statement said.

Credit: TheNation

Meet the Nigerian Biker, Omo Alokwe, Preparing To Ride From England To Lagos

Posted on May 19, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Omo Alokwe, of Woodchurch Road, West Hampstead, will ride from Land’s End (England) to Lagos, in Nigeria, in November to raise funds for Medicine Sans Frontiers (MSF).

The business change analyst is taking on the challenge on his own and aims to raise £20,000 for MSF.

He will start from Land’s End and ride to Dover where he will travel on the Eurotunnel to France and then onto Morroco and through Senegal, Mali and Togo before reaching Nigeria.

In Nigeria, Mr Alokwe aims to break the world record for the longest motorcyle ride in a single
country. Over 16 weeks, he will aim to cover 30,000 miles through the country, where he grew up.

“I’ve always liked travelling and I wanted to do something different and really challenge myself,” said Mr Alokwe. “I’ve been riding motorbikes for 18 years.

As a child I used to muck around on my friends’ bikes and when I was older I got my licence. I love the camaraderie between bikers, the freedom and the wind in my hair.”

Mr Alokwe said he has chosen to support MSF as it is not “politically or religiously-affiliated” and “just deals with human crises”.

“I’ve always admired the work of MSF for their selflessness. Anywhere there’s any problems in the world, they are there. They are one of the best organisations working in Africa. I’ve always wanted to do something like this so I thought I should come out of my comfort zone.”

Hamhigh.co.uk/

Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi Chilling With Obasanjo In London #Photo

Posted on May 9, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Check out Obasanjo and Emir Sanusi Lamido chilling.
during a recent trip to London. I hear Sanusi is trying to use OBJ’s influence to start his own foundation in the UK. Their friendship bond is now stronger than ever.

PDP Silenced As Buhari Returns From London

Posted on March 6, 2015 by Staff Reporter

General Muhammadu Buhari on Friday returned to the country from London, after weeks of absence. Buhari’s return has finally put to rest the controversy generated by his absence.

General Buhari whose absence in the country two weeks ago sparked off controversy with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its supporters alleging that Buhari was hospitalised in London for cancer treatment. It would be recalled that the APC presidential candidate had on February 19, 2015 left the country to address the Royal institute Academy London otherwise known as Chatham House.

Fielding questions from journalists who kept vigil at the airport, Buhari who arrived the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at exactly 5.45 am amidst fanfare and jubilation by supporters, Buhari said he was alive and mentally alright describing his outing abroad as a normal human exercise. Buhari said “I went to rest that is all I did and I am here alive , hail and hearty.”

Credit: leadership.ng

Buhari Set To Return Friday

Posted on March 4, 2015 by Staff Reporter

After 10 days in London on a campaign break, the presidential candidate of the All progressives Congress (APC), Muhammadu Buhari will return to Nigeria on Friday.

Buhari travelled to UK to rest and consult with his supporters in that country after the Independent National Election Commission (INEC) postponed the elections, which were initially scheduled for February 14.

A high point of Buhari’s UK visit was the lecture he delivered at Chatham House. Buhari’s visit has generated a lot of controversy with many speculating that he travelled on health grounds. The APC is undecided on what form Buhari’s return might take on Friday.

Read More: Sahara Reporters

Buhari’s Interview Location, PDP Blasts APC For Deceit

Posted on February 24, 2015 by Staff Reporter

PDP has lambasted the All Progressives Congress for lying about about the location of General Buhari’s interview for the TV show ‘All Eyes on Africa”.

The party said the discovery that the interview was conducted in Abuja and not London has been peddled proves that the APC is a party founded and built on deceit.

Femi Fani-Kayode, the spokesperson of the PDP’s Presidential Campaign Organisation (PDPPCO), said If the APC can lie about the location of an ordinary interview, then it cannot be trusted with anything tangible.

Read More: Leadership

#PhotoNews: Did You Know the New Miss World is a Medical Student?

Posted on December 15, 2014 by Staff Reporter

Meet the new Miss World. Rolene Strauss of South Africa won the 2014 international pageant at the ExCel Centre in east London Sunday. Strauss, 22, a Nelspruit native, who counts women’s rights, health and education as her main causes, was among 122 contestants who competed for the coveted title. She was given the crown by her predecessor, Miss World 2013 Megan Young of the Philippines.

So just who is Rolen Strauss? People magazine says Strauss has both beauty and brains. The brunette pageant queen has four years of medical school under her belt with plans to become a doctor. Her parents also work in the medical field.

Credit: www.ibtimes.com

ISIS Threatens Use of Nuclear Bomb in London

Posted on December 3, 2014 by Staff Reporter

The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria militants have reportedly developed a nuclear weapon from the radioactive material they seized from the Mosul University in Iraq. ISIS bragged about the nuclear device on social media as a British extremist fighter claimed it would wreak havoc in London when it explodes.

According to media reports, ISIS militants have stolen 40 kilogrammes of uranium in July and used it to make a “dirty bomb.” The Mirror noted that British bomb expert Hamayun Tariq was identified as among the militants who issued threats to the West online. In 2012, he left his home in Dudley and went to the Middle East.

On his Twitter account under the Muslim name, Muslim al-Britani, he announced that ISIS has a dirty bomb and revealed they militants found radioactive material at the Iraqi university in Mosul. He went on to say ISIS will study what dirty bombs can do and talk about what happens when it is detonated in a public area.

In what may be viewed as a veiled threat, the British ISIS supporter added that it would be “terribly destructive” if it exploded in London. His account onTwitter has since been suspended after posting his comments. As a show of support, other ISIS fighters also posted on Twitter to confirm that militants have in their possession a bomb from radioactive material in Mosul.

Reports of ISIS having a nuclear device have alarmed the UN Ambassador to Iraq Mohamed Ali Alhakin. He wrote a letter to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and revealed that ISIS has been taking nuclear material from areas where the group has taken over. The ambassador informed the UN that such material can be used to manufacture “weapons of mass destruction.” Alhakin warned that nuclear materials, even in limited quantities, can enable terrorist groups like ISIS to use it in the militants’ terror campaign with the help a weapons expert.

The Mirror speculates that if ISIS has a nuclear bomb, the group would more likely use it in Iraq or Syria rather than risk being caught when smuggling it into a Western country. Previous reports indicate that if ISIS was confirmed to have weapons of mass destruction or a nuclear bomb, U.S. President Barack Obama would not hesitate to send ground troops to destroy ISIS.

Credit: ibtimes.com

The Moment the World’s Tallest Man Meets the World’s Smallest

Posted on November 14, 2014 by Staff Reporter

For the first time ever, the tallest living man met the shortest in London.

Sultan Kosey of Turkey, 31, measures 8-foot-3. At the 10th annual Guinness World Records Day, he met Chandra Bahadur Dangi, 74, from Nepal.

At 21.5 inches, Dangi is the shortest man in history. He weaves Nepalese garments for a living and has five brothers all of an average height. Sultan first became the world’s tallest living man in 2009.

Credit: Yahoo News

Zambia’s President, ‘King Cobra’ Sata, dies in London

Posted on October 29, 2014 by Staff Reporter

Zambian President Michael Sata, an abrasive figure nicknamed ‘King Cobra’ because of his venomous tongue, has died in London where he had been receiving medical treatment, the government in Africa’s second-largest copper producer said on Wednesday.

The cause of death was not immediately disclosed but Sata, who became president of the landlocked southern African nation in 2011, had been ill for some time.

“As you are aware the president was receiving medical attention in London,” cabinet secretary Roland Msiska announced on state television. “The head of state passed away on October 28. President Sata’s demise is deeply regretted.”

Kim K’S Nudes on British GQ (Viewer Discretion)

Posted on September 4, 2014 by Staff Reporter

Kim Kardashian received Woman of the Year honour by the British GQ Magazine. But that was not all. The Sexy Mrs. West took it all off for the British GQ. Yes!!! Every single cloth went off.

British GQ released the magazine few hours after the ceremony in London and the unclad projection of Mummy North was unbelievable, but true. Pretty much the fantasies of many on the pages of a magazine.

Post-Snow Photoshoot

Posted on January 27, 2013 by Staff Reporter

Hey guys!

Firstly, I’d like to apologise for not having a post over the last few weeks. I took a break from photography in December because I had exams in January. I finally finished exams last week so I was eager to get my camera out and take a few pictures.

I usually do not have enough time to take pictures, as I am still in school and when I’m not in school, I am in the library. But luckily I found a way to fit photography in. I finish school early on Fridays so I decided to take my camera to school every Friday.

Last Friday I did a shoot with my friend, Chisara. It was supposed to be a snow shoot, but the snow had almost disappeared when I was ready to shoot 🙁 I’m not sure if it will snow again, but if it does I will be running out with my camera immediately.

I had a great time taking these pictures with Chisara and I’m quite happy with the way they turned out.

I hope you like them as much as I do.

WordPress changed their photo settings so I am still trying to understand it.

I have posted today’s pictures on my website instead. Check them out here!

Out with the old, in with the new.

Posted on November 25, 2012 by Staff Reporter

Hey guys!

I finally finished editing pictures from my last photoshoot. I know it took a while, but I got there in the end. I figured some of you might be a bit used to seeing Comfort’s face, but don’t worry, I’ve got something different for you next week.

I had a great time editing these pictures and it brought back good memories. It also made me think of the future. I’ve been thinking of various photoshoot ideas. I noticed I have some sort of “natural hair” theme going on, so I’ve decided to do a photoshoot about different shades of black. I’m hoping to do this during the summer because it’s the only time the sun comes out in London.

I am excited about what the future holds for me regarding my photography. Not just because of my photoshoot ideas, but because people have been asking me for my business card (which I’m going to make as soon as possible). I have a friend who comes from a large family and they tend to throw big parties, so she has asked me to take pictures for them. I’ve also been asked to do a family photoshoot and I’ve agreed to take pictures of some custom made handbags for my friend’s mum.

Things are looking up for me right now, but unfortunately I have exams coming up, so this is a real test of my time-management skills. Right now, I’m just looking forward to finishing school and having the whole summer to work on my photography.

Anyway, enjoy the pictures below and keep looking out for better things to come!

I think pictures look more beautiful when the models laugh.

Camden and I, Reunited

Posted on September 23, 2012 by Staff Reporter

Hi everyone, I’m not sure if you remember the post I made when I first visited Camden. Well, I remember that day, especially because I got pretty awesome compliments. A lot of people seemed to love those pictures and I was glad because it was my first time in Camden and I initially didn’t feel as if I had done my best.

Anyone who knows me knows that I’m always with my camera or I’m somewhere reading something about photography. I’ve been reading a book about street photography, as I wish to specialise in this area of photography. I got some useful tips and I couldn’t wait to try out them out, so I visited Camden again in the hope that I would end up with better results.

I used a 70-300mm lens for most of the pictures and I absolutely loved it. I started street photography with my 50mm lens and I personally think it’s important to start with a prime lens, as you learn so much more about composition and framing because you can decide what things are necessary in the shot and you can also eliminate unnecessary things. It teaches you to get close to your subject in order to get a great shot. I think I’m at the stage where I understand composition and framing fairly well and I hope to invest in a zoom lens in the near future.

I absolutely enjoyed visiting Camden again. I might go there regularly, as there’s always something going on and they have awesome Chinese food. I think the pictures I got this time are quite interesting and I hope you think so too. Enjoy!

My history-obsessed sister thinks he looks like Hitler, without the moustache.

What an amazing job, right?

I absolutely adore her. She came up to me later and asked if she could take a picture. Then she said “Don’t worry, I’m not going to run away with your camera.” I agreed and I asked her if I could get a picture of her as well and she ran away laughing.
If only she knew I already got a shot of her.

He noticed me with my camera and I guess he wanted to show off his skills.

I’ve always wanted to get a picture like this. Using a 70-300mm lens made it possible.

He was flirting with every girl around. When I walked past he winked and said, “Wagwan baby girl?” I laughed and asked him for a picture. I think he really enjoyed posing.

I’ll end this post with pictures of my friend, Comfort. She was born and raised in Kenya and she will be representing her homeland next month in the competition, Miss Nubian UK. She is absolutely beautiful and her smile is amazing. She has a great face and I hope to do a photoshoot with her soon.