‘We were treated as failures despite winning silver at Abidjan ’84’

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US-based ex-Green Eagles midfielder, Paul Okoku, won a silver medal at the 1984 AFCON. Okoku, who was in South Africa to cheer the Eagles to a third title, tells ’TANA AIYEJINA about his experiences at Africa’s top football showpiece 29 years ago

How did you make the team considering the array of superstars in the Eagles then?

I knew I had to do more substantially considering the extraordinary skill level and experience possessed by my midfield contenders. I also saw the need to raise my game and create a lasting impression on the coaches.  I did it quietly but proficiently.

Politicians forming alliance out of desperation – Fasoranti

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Leader of the Yoruba Socio-political group, Afenifere, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, in this interview with SUNDAY ABORISADE, speaks about merger of political parties among other issues

What is your opinion on the state of politics in the country?

Politicians are forming alliances but they are doing this out of sheer desperation because they feel that the Peoples Democratic Party is becoming intimidating in all ramifications. They are afraid that the trend could force Nigeria to become a one-party state with the PDP dominating the scene. This is why people are looking for alliances. I hope it will work but such strategy hardly works because people have different reasons, different opinions for forming a political party, forgetting certain fundamentals.

Oteh: Senate Sings New Tune Over SEC budget

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The Senate sang a new tune on Friday when it reacted to the decision of the Board of the Securities and Exchange Commission to approve the 2013 budget of the commission without recourse to the National Assembly.

The board approved the budget, ignoring the joint resolution of the Senate and the House of Representatives demanding the sacking of the Director-General of the commission, Ms. Arunmah Oteh, on the grounds that she was not qualified to be appointed as the DG.

The resolution was later incorporated in the 2013 Appropriation Bill passed by both chambers on December 20, 2012.

Clause 10 of the bill  disallowed SEC from making any expenditure this year without the prior authorisation of the National Assembly.

N2.92bn fraud rocks police training schools

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Culled From Punch Nigeria

Thousands of police recruits who were trained in Lagos, Kaduna and Orji River police colleges might have been shortchanged to the tune of N2.92bn, aSUNDAY PUNCH investigation has shown.

A total of 2,900 recruits were trained at the Police College, Ikeja and 1,900 at the Orji River Police College, Enugu State.

A figure of 3,000 was reported as being the number of trainees in Kaduna.

These last set of recruits were trained for 15 months at the three police colleges and they graduated in December 2012. The recruits were at the training schools from between October 2011 to December 2012.

PDP crisis: Obasanjo’s men may back opposition in 2015

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Culled From Punch Nigeria

The crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party is set to take a turn for the worse as party stalwarts loyal to former President Olusegun Obasanjo have decided to have a showdown with the supporters of President Goodluck Jonathan.

The latest development follows the party’s decision to sack senior party officials known to be loyal to the former President from its National Working Committee.

 Investigations showed that the removal, announced on Friday, shocked the former President and his group.

The leadership of the PDP had on Friday sacked loyalists of Obasanjo in the National Working Committee. The Bamangar Tukur-led leadership is known to be loyal to President Jonathan.

I asked Goldie to be controversial — Hubby

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Andrew Harvey, the British husband of the late singer and ex-Big Brother Africa housemate, Goldie, has said he had no problems with his late wife’s lifestyle, adding that he even encouraged her to be controversial because it is “marketable.”

Andrew told SUNDAY PUNCH during an online interview that his marriage to the singer was a happy one and they had only recently decided to have children together.

Asked if he agreed with Goldie’s controversial behaviour at the BBA house, he  said, “We (Goldie and I) knew the pitfalls of the show and understood the game strategy. I think she did very well, I said ‘make controversy because people love it.’”

Andrew, who is an engineer and has been married to the deceased since 2005, said he decided to stay in the shadows because of the nature of his job.

Facebook Finally Launches A Search Engine

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Click Here To Visit the Search Engine 

Jonathan signed single-term pact with PDP govs — Aliyu • He did nothing like that — Presidency

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The intense power play preceding the 2015 presidential election intensified on Saturday when Governor of Niger State, Babangida claimed that President Goodluck Jonathan entered into an agreement with governors on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party to serve for a term.

Aliyu, made the claim during an interview with a Kaduna-based radio station, Liberty FM on Saturday morning.

The audio interview was later in the evening uploaded on an online news portal,Saharareporters.

Aliyu in the interview said PDP governors had a single-term pact with Jonathon.

Benue/Ebonyi Communities’ Conflict: 15-year- old Boy Shot in the Head by Mercenaries

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The communal conflict between Ngwo people of Ebonyi State and the Agilas in Ado local government area of Benue state, yesterday, left a 15-year-old JSS student of Government Secondary School, GSS Agila, Edwin Aboh, battling for his life after he was shot in the head by unknown assailants.

Saturday we gathered from sources that Aboh was shot on his way to school by his attackers who were suspected to be mercenaries from Ngwo. Our source confirmed that the student who was badly wounded and said to be in critical condition is presently receiving treatment at the Igumale General Hospital, headquarters of Ado local government council.

Pastor Arrested with Fresh Human Parts in Lagos [SEE PHOTOS]

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Two persons, one of them said to be a prophet with a white garment church, have been arrested by the Police in Lagos, following the discovery of fresh human parts in their custody.

(See the fresh parts below)

Policemen attached to Ikotun division on patrol accosted two men at about 12: 30 p.m last Friday, with a Ghana-must-go bag. When they requested to know the content of the bag, one of the men bolted. When the bag was eventually opened, fresh human parts were found inside two containers....

We thought Boko Haram attackers were bringing people for vaccination –Injured polio worker

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A polio worker who narrowly missed death in the hands of gunmen in Kano narrates her experience, writes David Attah

 Although she was shot in the head and leg, she  never ceases praising  Allah. As she narrated her ordeal, each sentence was punctuated with the name of Allah.

“All I could remember was that we had just settled down for work on the fifth day of the exercise when suddenly we heard gunshot outside. That was all I could remember,” said the 29-year-old mother of four,  Zahara’u Ayuba.

She is one of the few lucky ones that survived the attack by yet-to-be apprehended assailants that unleashed terror on health workers on immunisation routine in Kano penultimate Friday. She was among the four people rushed to the Intensive Care Unit of the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital.

PDP sacks Obasanjo’s loyalists

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Loyalists of former President Olusegun Obasanjo were on Friday removed from office by the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party. Those sacked from office were the National Auditor, Chief Bode Mustapha, and the National Vice-Chairman (South-West) Mr. Segun Oni. In Ogun State, the national leadership also sacked the Obasanjo-backed executive led by Senator Dipo Odujinrin.

The decision to remove these officers were taken at the meeting held in Abuja on Thursday by members of the National Working Committee. The meeting was presided over by the National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.  Mustapha, an ally of Obasanjo, was replaced with Alhaji Fatai Adeyanju.

Goldie Was ‘Brought In Dead’ –Hospital

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Nigeria’s singing sensation Susan Oluwabimpe Harvey, popularly known as Goldie who died last Thursday was dead on arrival at Reddington hospital where she was rushed to. Management of the hospital disclosed this yesterday while confirming the sad incident.

The confirmation comes even as another Nollywood actor, Lugard Onoyemu was said to have slumped and died while playing football on the pitch of the national stadium, Surulere, Lagos yesterday. A statement by the hospital’s Corporate Affairs Manager, Franklyn Ovbigbahon, stated that around 7.30 pm on Thursday February 14, 2013, “a high profile media personality was brought to the Reddington Hospital.

2015: Buhari, Tinubu Drop Presidential Ambition

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Former Head of State and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) presidential candidate in the 2011 general elections, General Muhammadu Buhari and the national leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Senator Bola Tinubu, have dropped their ambition to contest for the nation's number one job on the platform of the newly formed opposition megaparty, All Progressive Congress (APC).

Singer Dencia Involved In Car Accident

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The singer was involved in a car accident yesterday February 15th. She said she was driving and 'was so lost in her thoughts and didn't know how she lost control of the car.' Her car was seriously damaged following the accident but she was not injured.

Rapper 2 Chainz arrested For Weed Possession

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Rapper 2 Chainz has been arrested on drug charges inMaryland where he was performing at a college homecoming event.

Maryland State Police spokesman Sgt. Marc Black said troopers stopped a van Thursday night about 9:15 p.m. for speeding near Easton, Md., and smelled a strong odor of burnt marijuana in the van. A backpack in the van had a marijuana grinder and trace amounts of marijuana, police said.

The rapper, whose real name is Tauheed Epps, claimed possession of the backpack and was arrested, police said. Epps was cited for having drug paraphernalia and marijuana and was released. The citation carries up to a year in jail and up to a $1,000 fine.

20 Vehicles Damaged, 7 Persons Injured As Hoodlums Storm Motor Parks

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Hoodlums led by one Lateef Toriola yesterday invaded two motor parks in Kuto, and Ita-Oshin, in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, leaving seven people critically injured and 20 vehicles destroyed.

Security agencies including, Department of State Security, DSS; Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, and the Police in the state have arrested about 14 persons in connection with the attack.

The crisis it was gathered started as a result of the alleged plan by a faction of the Road Transport Employers’ Association, RTEAN, in the state led by Toriola, to take over the parks.

2015 Elections: INEC Removes Two More Parties

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As the race towards the upcoming 2015 elections continues, two more parties have been de-registered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This development brings to 38 the total number of de-registered parties.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the affected political parties were the Change Advocacy Party (CAP) and the Democratic Front for a Peoples Federation. (DFPF)

According to a reliable source at the INEC the decision to de-register the parties was arrived at during the commission’s meeting of February 5. The source also said that the political parties affected did not meet the requirements stipulated in the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.

Also, Mr Kayode Idowu, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC chairman, has confirmed the de-registration of the parties.

Lent: Your Prayers Will Help Us Make This Nation A Better Place – President Jonathan Tells Nigerians

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President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed his gratitude to Nigerians as they continue to pray for the nation.

President Jonathan was speaking at the Basilica of Grace, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Apo Abuja, at the beginning of Lent, the 40-day fasting and prayer by Christendom. According to the president, “I want to thank all Nigerians for praying steadfastly for the nation. Indeed, your prayers continue to help us in our efforts to make this nation a better place, and I urge you to continue.”

Instead Of Telling The EFCC To Do Their Job, Why Not Do Yours? Alao-Akala’s Aide To Ajimobi

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Mr Abraham Ojo, media aide to former governor of Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, has called the bluff of the Oyo state government, following the decision of the Governor Abiola Ajimobi-led government to remind the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the prosecution of erstwhile governors in the state.

N107 Million Fraud: You Have No Case Against Me – Former PDP Chairman Tells ICPC

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A former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, has indicated his intention to file a “no case submission” in his ongoing trial by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) before an Abuja High Court.

Ogbulafor, who was also a Minister of Special Duties is being prosecuted by the ICPC, along with Emeka Ebilah and Jude Nwokoro on a 17- count charge of conspiracy and award of fictitious contracts to the tune of N107 million. According to the prosecuting counsel the offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act 2000.

Fuel Subsidy Scam: Courts Temporarily Freezes Assets Belonging To Son Of Former PDP Chairman

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A Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja, on Thursday, temporarily froze assets belonging to two oil marketers, Seun Ogunbambo and Mamman Ali, the son of the former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ahmadu Ali.

The Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo-headed court granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), an order for an interim forfeiture of assets belonging to the two oil marketers, who are part of many others indicted in the fuel subsidy scam, Ali and Ogunbambo.

Jealous Wife Sets Husband Ablaze for Spending More Time with Rival

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A former reporter with the Federal Radio  Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Kaduna National Station and legislative aide to Senator Mohammed Sale, representing Kaduna Central senatorial zone, Mallam Mohammed Ibrahim Matazu has been killed  by his second wife.

 Matazu passed on Friday as a result of burns he suffered when his wife poured petrol on him and set him  ablaze, accusing the deceased of spending more time with the first wife who resides in Kaduna. The incident was said to have occurred on February 7, 2013 at the deceased Gwarimpa residence where he lives with the second wife.

Lagosians Troop Out In Large Numbers To Give Super Eagles Rousing Welcome

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Lagos residents on Friday gave the Super Eagles a rousing welcome as they arrived at the Domestic Terminal 1 of Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, popularly known as the General Aviation Terminal.

The Super Eagles on Feb. 10 at the South Africa National Stadium defeated the Stallions of Burkina Faso 1-0 at the finals of the 29th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The Eagles were in Lagos at the invitation of the Lagos State Government to be honoured for emerging victorious at the competition.

Pls Help… Don’t let me die in kidnappers’den - Kemisola Ogunyemi

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Less than two months after 29-year-old Kemisola Ogunyemi lost her mother, her family now has a fresh problem to contend with.

The tragedy of losing her mother on December 26, 2012 had brought Kemisola and her husband, Akin, back home from the United States where they had lived in for about a year. But the joy of seeing the family they left behind in Nigeria has become short-lived as Kemisola was kidnapped about 8.30pm in Ajah, Lagos on Sunday, February 10, 2013 by a gang of kidnappers.

Since the incident, Kemisola’s husband, Yinka, and father have been too distraught to attend to visitors, a family member who sought anonymity told our correspondent.

Violated at 10, gang-raped at 19: I tried to kill myself twice –Victim

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At 37, Blessing Anuoluwapo (not real name) has had enough tragic encounters to last more than a lifetime. At a point, she hated men and vowed never to get married. No one would blame her, having been raped four times! On two occasions, she was gang- raped by people she called friends.

At the age of ten, when children were only concerned with playing and eating, Anuoluwapo was being molested by their houseboy who was twice her age. He first began by touching her, before it later resulted in him having sèx with her on a number of occasion.

Pastor Wilson Akubo In Court For Alleged Dangerous Driving, Causing Death

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A 49-year-old Pastor, Wilson Akubo, of Family Worship Centre, Wuye, Abuja, was on Friday arraigned before a Wuse Zone 6 Chief Magistrates’ Court, Abuja, for alleged dangerous driving and causing death. Police prosecutor Jeremiah Elijah told the court that the crime was committed on Jan. 13 on Musa Yar’adua Way, Abuja, when the accused drove in a dangerous manner, resulting in an accident.

Elijah said the accused drove in such a dangerous manner that he lost control and veered off the road. “The car knocked down and instantly killed a 25-year-old man identified as Ogochukwu  Ndubuisi, who was standing by the road side,’’ the prosecutor said.

Naval Officer Shot By Police Still Hospitalized

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A naval rating, Mr Kehinde Ojo, who was allegedly shot by a police officer attached to Osun State Police Command on December 20, 2012, is still on admission at Military Hospital, Satellite Town, Lagos State. Ojo, who was on holiday in Oshogbo, was in company with two friends when he was shot. They had had gone to wash their vehicle when they were accosted by the policeman, who demanded to know their identities.

A disagreement allegedly ensued thereafter, which led to the shooting of Ojo.

EFCC Arraigns Fraudster For False Declaration Of Assets

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Friday arraigned one Michael Samuel before Justice J. Tsoho of a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, on a two (2) count charge bordering on false declaration of assets worth over N30 million( Thirty Million Naira  only)

 Part of the charge reads, “that you, Michael Samuel on or about the 12th day of January 2013 in Lagos Judicial Division of the Federal High Court knowingly made a false declaration when you failed, refused and neglected to declare your interest in the Range Rover Sport Jeep with registration NO: KJA 728 AW in the Declaration of Assets form of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 27 (3) (b) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission( Establishment) Act 2004”.

Bamanga Tukur Strikes: Sacks Obasanjo’s Men From Office

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PDP NATIONAL CHAIRMAN, ALHAJI BAMANGA TUKUR

… Caretaker Committee Appointed
 
… Moves To Control South West PDP
 
SAN FRANCISCO, February 15, (THEWILL) – National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur Friday moved to fully wrestle the control of the South West from former President Olusegun Obasanjo with the dissolution of the Exco of the South West and the removal of the National Auditor of the party, Chief Bode Mustapha, an Obasanjo loyalist, from office.

EFCC Arraigns Two For Land Scam

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The Economic and Financial crimes Commission, EFCC,  Thursday arraigned the duo of Lawal Jubrin Bomo and Ted Lawali before Justice Olasumbo Olarenwaju Goodluck of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Zuba, on a three count charge of criminal conspiracy and forgery.

When the charge was read, the accused persons pleaded not guilty, prompting their lawyers, Eniola Ayenuberu and Etukwu Onah, counsel for the 1st and 2nd accused persons respectively, to move the motions for their bail.

Two Suspected Boko Haram Members Killed By Own Bomb

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Nemesis caught up with two suspected Boko Haram members, Friday, in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, as they were consumed by their own bomb. The two suicide bombers, according to a statement issued by the spokesman of the  Joint Task Force (JTF) in Borno, Operation Restore Order,  Sagir Musa, exploded and died with their bomb before they could wreak havoc on their target.

Eagles Enjoyment Galore: Fashola splashes N59m on Eagles

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The Lagos State government yesterday hosted the victorious Super Eagles at the Lagos House, Alausa where the state governor, Babatunde Fashola doled out a total of 59 million Naira to the team in appreciate of their winning the African Cup of Nations in South Africa.

The chief coach of the team, Stephen Keshi got N2.5m; Daniel Amokachi N2m; the four assistant coaches got N1.5m while the captain of the team, Joseph Yobo was rewarded with N1.5m. The other 22 players got one million naira each. The 11 back room staff got the sum of N15m while the Nigerian Football and other Sports Supporters Club were given N4.5m naira.

N22m Fraud: EFCC Arraigns Ikechukwu Amaefula

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on February 13, 2013 arraigned one Ikechukwu Amaefula before Justice Olasumbo Olarenwaju Goodluck of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Zuba, on a four count charge bordering on issuance of Dud Cheque.

One of the charge reads, “ That you Ikechukwu Amefula, on or about the 10th August 2009 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this honorable court obtained credit for yourself by issuing a Zenith Bank cheque No.36879156,for the sum of Twenty Two Million Naira ( N22,100,000) which said cheque when presented for payment within three months of issuance was dishonored due to insufficient fund in your account thereby committed an offence contrary to section1[1][b]of the Dishonored cheques offences Act Cap 102Laws of the federation of Nigeria and punishable under section1[1][b][1] of the same Act.”

Police Officer Shoots And Kills His Son After Mistaking Him For An Intruder

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Don’t be quick to pull the trigger, it might beyour own son. State troopers say a police officer in New York shot and killed his son, mistaking him for an intruder. Police say Parry Police Department Officer, Michael Leach, called 911 to report the shooting early Saturday.  He was staying at the Clark Beach Motel and shot someone he thought was an intruder. The man turned out to be his 37-year-old son, Matthew Leach, according to the local news media reporting the incident.
troopers said Leach used his department-issued Glock 45-caliber pistol in the shooting. He was hospitalized after the shooting.
The investigation continues.

At least 21 people burned after motivational speaker urges them to walk on hot coals

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When someone tells you to dosomething stupid do not listen, you willget burned.

At least 21 people have been burned after walking over hot burning coals for the motivational speaker Tony Robbins.

The news media reported that at least three people went to a hospital and most suffered burns of second or third degree.

Touching Story Of Adam Dalton; Born Without Limbs

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Barry and Juliet had always dreamt of having a boy and a girl. They had Molly first and when the scans showed their next baby was going to be a boy, Juliette and Barry Dalton were filled with very happy.

Juliette had needed an emergency Caesarean under general anaesthesia with Molly after being induced, and she didn’t want to go through it again, and so she dreaded the birth. “That’s why I guessed I was being so closely monitored at the hospital near our home in Ballinasloe, County Galway, in Ireland,” she said.

The Reason Why Good Guys Get Their Hearts Broken

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Valentine’s Day has come and gone, but I just thought we could discuss some relationship truths to ensure you’re not alone next Valentine, and if you weren’t this year, to ensure you don’t lose your partner.

I’ve been seeing posts on Facebook and tweets on Twitter asking questions about why the good guys often get their hearts broken. I may have some of the answers here; answers which may ensure you are not alone next Valentine.

I’ve tried being a ‘bad boy’ in girl-issues, and as much as that was strange to me, it worked like magic.

Hundreds Injured As Meteor Strike Russia

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A meteor that scientists estimate weighed 10 tons streaked at supersonic speed over Russia’s Ural Mountains on Friday, setting off blasts that injured almost 1,000 people and frightened countless more.

The Russian Academy of Sciences said in a statement that the meteor over the Chelyabinsk region entered the Earth’s atmosphere at a speed of at least 54,000 kph and shattered about 30-50 kilometes above ground.

The fall caused explosions that broke glass over a wide area. The Emergency Ministry says more than 500 people sought treatment after the blasts and that 34 of them were hospitalized.

Goldie's husband, Andrew Harvey, Opens up To Thenetng.com about the late singer

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Goldie's husband opened up to Thenetng.com. Read the interview below... 

When did you wed her? And were you still married as at when she passed yesterday?

We wed in December 2005 and were very much married when she passed indeed I was talking to her on arrival in Lagos before the fateful event

I see you moved back to England. Do you have another family?
I work in Malaysia, we have a private home in UK, I do not have a second family

Also did you have kids together?
No kids, we were planning this year

There had been speculation for many years that she was married to an ‘oyinbo’ man. But no one could lay hands on anything. Why did you keep it a ‘secret’? 

Our private life is nothing to do with work life, there has to be a balance

See more after the Break...