Germany returns over 100-year old Skulls of Namibian Genocide Victims

Germany on Wednesday, handed back the skulls of indigenous people killed during a genocide in colonial Namibia over 100 years ago, Reuters reports.

The skulls were received by a Namibian delegation at a church service in Berlin.

Between 1904 – 1908, soldiers of German Kaiser Wilhelm slaughtered about 65,000 persons from the Herero tribe and 10,000 from Nama tribe after they revolted against land seizures by the German colonists.

German Protestant bishop Petra Bosse-Huber said at the service: “Today, we want to do what should have been done many years ago – to give back to their descendants the remains of people who became victims of the first genocide of the 20th century.”

Germany has refused to apologise for the act, but has claimed “moral responsibility”.

The Herero and Nama people have also filed a lawsuit against Germany in New York, saying the act violated international law on the rights of indigenous peoples.

Germany is in negotiation with the Namibian government and has argued that is has also helped Namibia through millions of Dollars in aid.

Photo Credit: Adam Berry/Getty Images

CBN fines four banks N5.8bn asks MTN to refund $8bn

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has ordered four banks namely Citibank, Diamond Bank, Standard Chartered bank and Stanbic-IBTC, to pay a total sum of N5.87 billion for allegedly issuing irregular certificates of capital importation (CCIs) on behalf of some offshore investors of MTN Nigeria Communications Limited.

The apex bank has also written to MTN, asking it to refund $8 billion to the coffers of the central bank.

Standard Chartered Bank received the highest fine of N2.4 billion. Stanbic IBTC Nigeria was fined N1.8 billion. Citibank Nigeria got a fine of N1.2 billion and Diamond Bank was directed to pay the sum of N250 million for violating extant rules.

According to CBN’s director, corporate communications, Isaac Okoroafor, the fine was necessary after allegations of remittance of foreign exchange with irregular certificates of capital importation issued on behalf of some offshore investors of MTN Nigeria Communications Limited and subsequent investigations carried out by the apex bank in March 2018. Okoroafor said the investigations revealed that the sum of $3,448,119,321.72 was repatriated by Standard Chartered Bank on the basis of the illegally issued CCIs.

Similarly, he said the sums of $2,632,005,623.78, $1,766,263,212.75 and $348,914,501.30 were repatriated by Stanbic IBTC Nigeria, Citibank Nigeria and Diamond Bank Plc, between 2007 and 2015.

He said the CBN had directed the affected banks to immediately refund the respective sums to the CBN.

Cristiano Ronaldo's first son officially joins Juventus youth academy

Cristiano Ronaldo's son has officially joined the Juventus development side just days after Ronaldo claimed Cristiano Junior will follow in his footsteps.

Ronaldo, 33, joined Juve this month in a club-record deal and relocated from Madrid along with his whole family. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner recently told DAZN that he is '100 percent sure' his first-born will emulate him on the football pitch.

According to Football Italia, Giovani Bianconeri spotted Cristiano Jr in training today with the Pulcini 2010 squad reserved for Under-9s at the Vinovo ground. 

He's not the only son of a senior Juventus player, as Mattia Barzagli has been in the Juve side for a couple of years along with Davide Marchisio, the son of club legend Claudio.

NAFDAC warns against consumption of two brands of canned sardine

The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control ( NAFDAC ) has alerted general public against consumption of TL Tan Lung and TLC brands of canned sardine.

At a press briefing in Abuja today, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, explained that TL Tan Lung and TLC brands were produced by Chinese companies known as Fujian Yongfa Co. Ltd, and Dongshan Dongyi Food Co. Ltd., respectively.

She said that NAFDAC had been notified that the Malaysian Ministry of Health on April 20, 2018 in Kuala Lumpar Malaysia, recalled the two canned sardine products. The NAFDAC boss said that the products did not comply with the standards set by 1983 Food Act and was recalled due to presence of nematode parasitic worms in the products.

“Anybody in possession of the unwholesome canned sardines should submit them to the nearest NAFDAC Office. Consumers are encouraged to report all adverse events resulting from the use of these products to the nearest NAFDAC office,” she said.

The director-general cautioned all importers not to import the affected canned sardines into the country.

Everton defender Micheal Keane suffers small skull fracture

Everton have confirmed that defender, Michael Keane suffered a small hairline fracture of the skull during Saturday's 2-2 draw at Bournemouth but there are no other complications related to the injury.  

During the match, Keane clashed heads with team-mate Idrissa Gueye during the closing stages of the match at the Vitality Stadium, having earlier scored his first Premier League goal for Everton.  

The former Manchester United and Burnley player was admitted to Poole Hospital but the nature of his injury means he is expected to return to full training next month.  

"The 25-year-old defender will be unable to engage in head contact for between three and four weeks, from which point he will be able to resume full training," read a statement on Everton's official website.  

Keane has been capped four times by England and joined Everton from Burnley for £30million in July 2017.

'You can take the superhero out of her costume, but you can never take away her superpowers' - NIKE defends Serena Williams over her catsuit ban at French Open

Yesterday, Tennis champ, Serena Williams was banned from wearing her "Blank Panther" inspired catsuit at the French Open in future.

The president of the French Tennis Association's president Bernard Giudicelli told Tennis Magazine in an interview that the tournament will now have a dress code because he believes "sometimes we've gone too far." He singled out Williams' bodysuit, explaining that it "will no longer be accepted," according to the Associated Press. 

"One must respect the game and the place," Giudicelli said, adding that while the French Open will "impose certain limits," its rules won't be as strict as Wimbledon's where players must wear all white.

Reacting to the ban, American multinational corporation, NIKE shared a photo of the 23-time Grand Slam champion wearing the catsuit and wrote:  'You can take the superhero out of her costume, but you can never take away her superpowers. #justdoit'

Serena Williams banned from wearing catsuit at French Open

Tennis champ, Serena Williams has been banned from wearing her "Blank Panther" inspired catsuit at the French Open in future.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion turned heads when she made her return to Grand Slam tennis this year wearing the eye-catching outfit at Roland Garros, following the birth of her first child in 2017.

At that time she said she felt like a "superhero" after wearing the catsuit during her 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 win over Kristyna Pliskova in May.

But in a new interview, the president of the French Tennis Association's president Bernard Giudicelli told Tennis Magazine that the tournament will now have a dress code because he believes "sometimes we've gone too far." He singled out Williams' bodysuit, explaining that it "will no longer be accepted," according to the Associated Press. 

"One must respect the game and the place," Giudicelli said, adding that while the French Open will "impose certain limits," its rules won't be as strict as Wimbledon's  where players must wear all white.

George Weah decorates Arsène Wenger with Liberia’s Highest Honour

Former Arsenal coach Arsène Wenger has been decorated with Liberia’s highest honour at a ceremony in Monrovia, BBC Africa is reporting.

Wenger was decorated by football star-turned president George Weah.

Wenger who was Weah’s first European football coach, was inducted into Liberia’s Order of Distinction and has been given the title of Knight Grand Commander of the Humane Order of African Redemption.

Wenger brought Weah to Monaco in 1998 and Weah went on to become the only African to win the FIFA World Player of the Year (1995) award.

Some citizens have have criticised the move, saying one should not be honoured by a country for what he did for the president alone, according to BBC’s Jonathan Paye-Layleh.

Defending the move, Liberia’s Information Minister Eugene Nagbe told the BBC that Wenger was honoured because he had “contributed to sports in Africa and has given many Africans opportunities,” not because of his relationship with Weah.

Photo Credit: Jonathan Paye-Layleh/BBC

Inspiring Story of Zambia’s 19-Year Old Football Star Patson Daka

At 19, Patson Daka is one of Zambia’s biggest football stars. However, climbing the ladder of fame so early was by sheer hard work and persistence.

The Austrian Giants Red Bull Salzburg player recently shared his journey with BBC Africa where he reveals how his football career began and the long journey to stardom.

Watch

Why my Parents didn’t Teach My Siblings & I Yoruba – Tomi Adeyemi

Bestselling author Tomi Adeyemi in a recent chat with BBC What’s New? talked about growing up in a Nigerian home while living in the U.S.

The 25-Year-old writer of Children of Blood and Bone shared why her parents did not teach her and her siblings their native language – Yoruba.

She said they didn’t teach them because they wanted to use it as a ‘secret language’ so her and her siblings won’t know what they’re talking about.

Tomi shared that she always teases her parents for denying them the opportunity while commenting on adjusting to the life of being a child of first generation immigrants.

Watch:

Liberia’s President George Weah to Honour Arsene Wenger & Claude Le Roy

Liberian president George Weah is set to honour former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and French coach Claude Le Roy for their role in his footballing career, BBC reports.

The decoration ceremony is billed to hold in Liberia’s capital, Monrovia on Friday 24th August.

President Weah is the only African to have won both FIFA World Player of the Year and the Ballon D’Or.

Cristiano Ronaldo shares adorable family photo with all his children and partner in Juventus jerseys

Superstar footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo who joined Juventus from Real Madrid in July, shared this adorable family photo with all children, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr ,8, twins Mateo and Eva, 1, Alana, 9months, and his partner Georgina Rodriguez, showing off his club's home and away jerseys.

How Kobe Bryant’s $6m Investment in 2014 became $200m

Kobe Bryant

Former Basketball star Kobe Bryant is $200 million richer, thanks to a $6 million investment he made in 2014.

Bryant, in March 2014, announced he purchased a 10% stake in sports drink brand BodyArmor, the same day he announced the start of his new company, Kobe Inc.

On Tuesday, Coca-Cola announced it had purchased a minority stake in BodyArmor, and according to ESPN, sources say based on the valuation of the deal, Bryant’s stake is now worth approximately $200 million.

Bryant is the fourth largest investor in the brand, coming behind it’s co-founder Mike Repole, Coca-Cola and Keurig Dr Pepper.

Bryant who is reported to have made about $328 million on court during his 20-year NBA career (and about the same off the court during that time), had made several investments following his retirement.

He formed a $100 million joint venture investment firm with entrepreneur Jeff Stibel and started his own production company, Granity Studios.

In 2018, Granity Studios won an Oscar for best animated short with “Dear Basketball”.

22 people busted in a $450 Million luxury counterfeit ring in New York City and New Jersey

22 people have been arrested in connection to a $450 million counterfeit ring in what authorities are calling one of the largest counterfeit goods takedown in New York City's history.

Agents from Homeland Security Investigations and the NYPD shut down the alleged luxury counterfeit goods operation Thursday morning. The counterfeit luxury goods brought in by these smugglers include fake brands such as Louis Vuitton, Tory Burch, Michael Kors, Hermes, and Chanel.

Brian Benczkowski, Assistant Attorney General said: “The defendants allegedly smuggled millions of dollars of counterfeit luxury goods into our country, depriving companies of their valuable and hard-earned intellectual property.” 

He added: “The illegal smuggling of counterfeit goods poses a real threat to honest businesses, and I commend our federal prosecutors and partners at HSI and the NYPD for their outstanding work on this important investigation. The Department of Justice is committed to holding accountable those who seek to exploit our borders by smuggling counterfeit goods for sale on the black market."

All 22 suspects arrested are looking at charges that range between conspiracy to traffic and trafficking in counterfeit goods, conspiracy to smuggle and smuggling counterfeit goods, money laundering conspiracy, immigration fraud and unlawful procurement of naturalization.

Super Eagles defender William Troost-Ekong signs for Italy's Udinese in a €3.3m deal

Super Eagles defender William Troost-Ekong has joined Italian side,Udinese in a deal worth €3.3m from Turkish side, Bursaspor.

The 24-year-old centre-back who played three games for Nigeria at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia completed the move this afternoon.

After signing for the club, William took to Instagram to confirm the move. He wrote: 'Very happy to sign for @udinesecalcio in the @seriea!.'

Udinese’s technical director, Daniel Prade told the club’s official website : “Ekong is a player with an important physical structure. He is good in the air, can defend very well and support the attack as well.

“We talk about an aggressive central defender, strong in contrast and with an excellent game reading: a thoughtful, non-instinctive leader who always tries to play the ball, all characteristics that go very well with the game of our coach (Julio Velazquez).

EFCC seizes vessel with over 200,000 liters of illegally refined automotive gas oil

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission yesterday took over a vessel, MT Water Gate 1, in Rivers with eight (8) crew members for suspected illegal bunkering activities.

The vessel was allegedly laden with estimated 200,000 liters of illegal refined AGO and the product became questionable after the Captain refused to disclose the source of the product, hence the arrest and handing over to the EFCC.

Super Eagles winger Victor Moses announces retirement from international football

Victor Moses, 27, has announced his retirement from International football. Moses who plays as a winger for Chelsea and Nigeria's national team 'Super Eagles', made his Premier League debut in 2010. 

Read the full statement announcing his retirement below.

''Northern Nigeria is most backward region in the world'' - Nuhu Ribadu

Former EFCC chairman, Nuhu Ribadu, has described Northern Nigeria region as the most backward region in the world. Ribadu made the description while speaking at the launch of two books titled “Sect and social disorder” and “Quaranic Schools in Northern Nigeria” in Abuja yesterday, August 15th.

The former chairman of the antigraft agency said the Almajiri system of education being practiced in the North is the worst form of dehumanization.

“I am from Yola, we have similar culture with Kaduna, Kano but we don’t have Almajiri, what is happening? We are also Muslims. There are lots of areas where we have similar things. Which education are we talking about, these are some things that are incredible and you don’t know where to start. There is nothing worse, in the form of violation and abuse of rights, more than the Almajiri system, yet people are justifying it, comfortably calling themselves as products of it. I think we have to look at it crucially otherwise we will continue to go that direction that we will not be able to solve her problems.

“We are the most backward people in this world, the society of northern Nigeria. Look at all the indices in the world today, we are the worst. Why? How can we continue to deny ourselves our future? I worked on many of those crises and conflicts as a member of the investigation team and tribunal, I was in Zango Kataf, I was in Tafawa Balewa, I was in Kaduna religious crisis, I was among the prosecutors of El-Zakzaky in the 1990s.

“During the Kaduna religious disturbance of 2000, we visited where they buried the victims along Birnin Gwari road, they opened the graves for us, what I saw is still haunting me. There were bodies, all of them young boys, no girls that is talking about Almajiri – boys over 100 buried in mass graves and no identity, not a single one of them had a name and they were all buried, I got interested in this.

“I said let me see and get it touch with those who are responsible for it. They were victims of the crisis that took place in Kaduna because of the Sharia riots. They said they did not have their identity or Mallam responsible for them. Did anyone come to complain that they have lost a child? They said no. I was also in interpol, I had a duty to do outside Nigeria. I flew British Airways. Few days after that and the governor who introduced Sharia to Nigeria had his kids there and they all went to the first class. It was terrible for me. I could not say anything throughout the flight. The sight of those young boys, buried, unidentified – nobody is talking about it, the families never even complained, not even their so-called mallams.” Ribadu said

On his part, Matthew Kukah, archbishop of Sokoto diocese, said people in the north need to help themselves.

“If we were serious Christians or Muslims we will not be having this conversation. We in the northern Nigeria, we have to help ourselves.” Kukah said

FIFA gives Nigeria final deadline or face suspension from international competitions

The World football governing body, FIFA, has given Nigeria final deadline to avoid international suspensions due to the interference in the Nigeria Football Federation.

In a letter issued on Tuesday, FIFA said that the Nigerian soccer federation headquarters must be handed back to the elected leadership by Monday, August 20, 2018 or the country will be suspended from international competitions.

This comes after the Federal Government of Nigeria ordered the current board of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, to vacate their office in respect to a ruling by the Supreme Court.

This was contained in a statement from the office of the Minister for Youths and Spo‎rts, Solomon Dalung, which also ordered Chris Giwa who was voted as President of the NFF in a congress that wasn’t recognized by FIFA to take over the running of football in Nigeria.

A suspension means Nigerian national teams won’t be allowed to take part in any international competitions, although FIFA said the Nigerian women’s under-20 team currently competing at the World Cup in France would be able to continue in that tournament “on an exceptional basis” because it has already started.

The letter reads, “Two decisions of the Bureau of the FIFA Council in relation to undue influence in the affairs of the Nigeria Football Federation and the Ghana Football Association have been notified on 13 August 2018.

“In line with art. 16 par. 1 of the FIFA Statutes, the Bureau of the FIFA Council decided that if by Monday, 20 August 2018, at 12:00 (CET), the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) offices are not handed back to the legitimate NFF executive committee under President Amaju Melvin Pinnick, who was duly elected on 30 September 2014, the NFF will be suspended with immediate effect for contravening art. 14 par. 1 i) and art. 19, as well as art. 14 par. 1 a) of the FIFA Statutes.

“The suspension would be lifted only once the NFF, under President Amaju Melvin Pinnick and General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi, confirms that it has been given back effective control of the NFF and its offices.

“Furthermore, the Bureau decided that if the suspension of the NFF takes effect, the Nigerian team currently competing in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup France 2018 will still be allowed to continue to participate in the tournament on an exceptional basis given that the tournament is underway.”

Tragedy in Italy after Genoa freeway bridge collapses killing 'dozens'

A freeway bridge has collapsed in the northern port city in Genoa, Italy and dozens of people are reported to have been killed as a large section of motorway bridge collapsed onto houses.

The head of the local ambulance service said there were "dozens of dead", Italian news agency Adnkronos reported. However, Maria Luisa Catalano of the highway police in Genoa said work was ongoing, adding, "we don't know numbers of victims/injured yet."

Up to 100 yards of the motorway collapsed at around 11:30am (9.30am GMT) during torrential rainfall after Genoa was hit by a strong thunderstorm.

"The debris from the collapse came to within 20 metres of my car," said a witness, Davide Ricci, who saw the bridge go down while he was driving.

"First the central pylon crumbled, then the whole thing came down."

Another witness told Sky Italia television he saw "eight or nine" vehicles on the bridge when it collapsed in what he said was an "apocalyptic scene".

Interior Minister Matteo Salvini said some 200 firefighters were responding to the accident.

"We are following minute by minute the situation for the bridge collapse in Genoa," Salvini said on Twitter.

The fire service said it was feared that cars that were on the motorway had plummeted when it suddenly gave way.

Italian television showed images of the collapsed bridge, which was built on the A10 toll motorway in the 1960s, even though restructuring work on the bridge was carried out in 2016.

The disaster occurred on a highway that connects Italy to France and other vacation resorts on the eve of a major Italian holiday on Wednesday, Ferragosto.

Nigerian Girls Win Gold at a Global Tech Competition

The girls delivering their pitch

A team of Nigerian teenagers from Regina Pacies Secondary School, Onitsha, Anambra state, have been announced as winners of the junior division of Technovation Challenge at the 2018 Technovation World Pitch Summit which took place in San Jose, California.

The competition is organised by Iridescent, a nonprofit empowering underrepresented young people globally to become innovators and leaders. The summit is a tech entrepreneurship program for girls ages 10-18.

The girls, with team name “Save-A-Soul” developed an app called FD-Detectorthat tackles the challenges of fake pharmaceutical drugs in Nigeria.

The girls – Promise Nnalue, Jessica Osita, Nwabuaku Ossai, Adaeze Onuigbo,and Vivian Okoye – were mentored by Uchenna Onwuamaegbu-Ugwu of Edufun Technik, our #BellaNaijaWCW some weeks back.

Uchenna Onwuamaegbu-Ugwu and the girls

Here’s the girls’ pitch:

Junior division winners, Team Save-A-Soul, hopes to help consumers identify and avoid the intake of fake drugs in Nigeria using its app, FD-Detector (Fake Drug Detector). According to Team Save-A-Soul, Nigeria has one of the largest markets for fake drugs. The girls plan to partner with the agency responsible for drug regulation in Nigeria, the National Agency for Food & Drug Administration and Control.

“Leveraging technology to save lives is our utmost priority, that is why we have decided to maximize this opportunity to solve the incessant rate of death caused by fake drugs,” said Team Save-A-Soul.

Se more photos below:

The winners in the senior division are a team of girls from Delhi, India with name Cantavits. They developed an app called Eedo to track and dispose of electronic waste in an eco-friendly manner.

Here’s their pitch:

81% of people dispose of e-waste improperly, which results in toxic fumes and polluted water. Eedo is an Android app solution that provides an end-to-end connection between e-waste producers and authorized recyclers.

Congratulations to Team Save-A-Soul. We are very proud of you!!

Photo Credit: @uchenna_golden

'Our laws against sexual and gender-based violence must be reviewed' - Governor Ambode

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday urged everyone to take a common stand against sexual and gender-based violence by advocating for the review of our laws to provide stiffer punishments for offenders given the serious threat the evil act poses to safety and security of women and the girl-child.

The Governor, who spoke through the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Tunji Bello at the 18th Regular National Council Meeting on Women Affairs and Social Development held at the Academy Inn, Agidingbi, Ikeja, added that it constitutes a social menace that must be kicked out of the nation’s social system in order to protect and preserve the dignity of womanhood.

He posited that to achieve social inclusion and integration for socio-economic development, everyone must identify and address decisively issues of gender inequality, girl child education, domestic violence and sexual abuse that have limited the capacity of women to achieve their full potentials and contribute their quota to the development of the economy.

“In Lagos State, the issue of sexual abuse and gender-based violence is being addressed continuously through the Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT)”, he explained.

He disclosed that the State Government is committed to ensuring the growth of every facet of the economy in every facet and will continue to invest significantly on safety and security as no economy can thrive in an atmosphere of fear, chaos and general insecurity.

He said the theme for the 18th Regular National Council Meeting: “Peace, Security and Social Inclusion: Key Building Blocks for Achieving Economic Growth and Sustainable Development”, touches directly the critical issues that determine the level of prosperity that can be attained by any society.

While stressing that the choice of the theme is instructive and reveals the untold hardship usually suffered by women and children in a state of insecurity, the Governor expressed the need to increase the involvement of women in the social, political and economic activities of the society. He reaffirmed the State's commitment to a system of governance which does not discriminate on the basis of gender, ethnicity and physical disability, asserting that all citizens without bias to gender have the opportunity to express their opinions on issues especially those that directly affect them.

The Governor explained that his administration believes in empowering the informal sector, constituted by women in the majority, so as to facilitate the process of socio-economic inclusion. He said the mandate of Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) is to identify genuine and credible entrepreneurs and financially empower them to grow their businesses and establish new ones.

Barcelona sign Senegal star Moussa Wague for £4.5million and insert a staggering £90m release clause in his contract

Spanish giant, Barcelona have signed Senegal international Moussa Wague from Belgian side KAS Eupen for £4.5million, and to fend off interest in the future for the star they inserted a sensational £90m release clause in his contract.

The 19-year-old right back signed a five-year contract at the Nou Camp and will join up with the Barcelona Bside at the beginning of his spell in Spain.

Wague reportedly passed his medical tests on Friday, August 3 and met up with Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu for the first time. 

The youngster who represented Senegal at the World Cup in Russia, became the youngest African to score in World Cup history after netting a decent finish against Japan.

Comedian Kevin Hart surprises 18 students with $600,000 worth of College Scholarships

Superstar comedian and actor, Kevin Hart surprised 18 HBCU college students with $600,000 worth of College Scholarships at a dinner last night.

According to a press release, the surprise happened during a United Negro College Fund dinner. Kevin joined forces with UNCF and KIPP  Knowledge Is Power Program to present his $600,000 gift which went to deserving students based on their personal and academic accomplishments.

The scholarship recipients included KIPP students from 11 historically black colleges and universities, including Morehouse College, Spelman College, Fisk University, Dillard University and Xavier University.

“I am living proof that if you put your mind to something you can not only achieve it, but you can go above and beyond the expectations of what you thought that you could do. After you open one door, the crazy thing is you find out that there are seven more doors that you could open,” Hart said. “Education is that first door. breeze through this!

“This is the opportunity of a lifetime breeze through it! When you get to that next door…breeze through that. Success is what you want it to be,” he added. “At the end of the day, we are what we want to be. Do not allow others to hold you back.”

Super Eagles’ Carl Ikeme discusses beating Cancer in new Interview

Retired Super Eagles and Wolverhampton goalkeeper Carl Ikeme‘s 1-year journey of beating cancer is an inspiring one.

The footballer has in an interview with Guardian discussed how he felt when he was diagnosed with acute leukaemia.

He’s always been a positive person, he shared, but the diagnosis left him devastated.

It was the doctor at Wolves. I remember him talking about Stiliyan Petrov and Geoff Thomas, and I knew what it was. I was devastated.

He shared that at first, he thought, “Why me?” But then he realized he’s had a blessed life, had lived his dream, so why not him.

The first day or two maybe, you do think: ‘Why me? I’m not a bad person.’ But then afterwards, I thought: ‘I’ve been overly blessed in so many ways that other people haven’t. I had a baby daughter, another one coming, I got to live my dream by playing football for a living, so why not me?’

His children, though, were all the motivation he needed. He wanted to see them grow up, and that was enough to push him.

I was 31 when I was diagnosed – it’s young. There’s a lot of life to live at that age. Obviously you want to be around to see your children grow up – and you don’t need any more motivation than that to pull through it.

He’s extremely grateful for all the support he received, he said, from all the fans who shared their love through social media to other footballers who visited in the hospital or sang in the tribute “One Carl Ikeme.”

[Gianluigi Buffon, Iker Casillas and Peter Schmeichel] are the three keepers that I really admire, so to hear them actually say your name and show their support, it was crazy.

[Stiliyan Petrov] came to the hospital. He had the same sort of leukaemia as me so he was letting me know what was in store. It was nice to have someone who had been through it, who could talk about it and give you guidance at certain points of the year. He could really relate.

And when I got to Manchester, Joe Thompson [the Rochdale midfielder] was getting treated there, so he came in to see me. They both offered their support and I knew I could call them if I needed to ask them anything, so it was good to have that.

Now that Carl Ikeme has beaten the dreaded disease, the future is all laid out in front of him, and he’s ready to savour it. He said:

It’s just enjoyable to wake up with your children every day. Little things, like eating food at home, enjoying being around Saba, taking a walk to the park and just watching the kids run about – that’s all I need.

Photo Credit: @tim_spiers_Star

'Stop this habit of asking people to get married because their age-mates are married some of your age mates have died but nobody has asked you to die' - Actress Juliet Ibrahim

Ghanaian actress, Juliet Ibrahim shared this photo of herself and wrote: 'Stop this habit of asking people to get married because their age-mates are married. Even you, some of your age mates have died but nobody has asked you to die.'

NUC suspends OAU’s Accreditation for Law Dentistry 2 Others

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has suspended accreditation on four courses in the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), TheCable is reporting.

The courses include law, dentistry, medical rehabilitation, and botany.

According to TheCable, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) sent a message to candidates who applied for any of the courses to change their course/institution.

The message read: “Your first choice course did not receive accreditation. Login to your profile and change course/institutions.”

Confirming the development to TheCable, the university’s PRO Abiodun Olarenwaju said: “We are going to sort it out, latest by September, and everything will come back to shape.”

Apple is officially a Trillion-Dollar Company

American multinational technology company Apple is officially a trillion-dollar company.
The landmark achievement was made on Thursday, August 2, after its shares hit $207.05.
Co-founded by Steve Jobs in 1976, the company has become one of the leading computer and mobile brands in the world.
According to reports from The Guardian, Apple hit the $1tn (£767bn) mark after reporting better-than-expected sales figures for the third quarter, pushing shares of the iPhone giant higher and easing the value of the company up from $935bn.
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Vincenzo Lombardo