This is EMMANUEL EGBI'S BLOG: 2015-12-27

Saturday, 2 January 2016

USA: PRAYER DISPUTE LEADS TO SACK OF 150 MUSLIMS FOR ABSENCE AT COLORADO BEEF PLANT

BEEF PLANT

About 150 Muslims were fired from their jobs at a beef processing plant in Colorado for failing to show up for work over a prayer dispute.

Last month, a group of 11 workers at Cargill Meat Solutions in Fort Morgan wanted to go pray at the same time in a room in the plant that is set aside for prayer and reflection. Their supervisor asked that the group break up into smaller numbers to not affect production, according to CNN affiliate KCNC.

JASON WINGREEN

It has been reported that actor Jason Wingreen has died. He passed away on December 25, 2015 in his Los Angeles home. He it was who voiced the villain Boba Fett in the popular movie "Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back" and played Harry the bartender on "All In The Family."

The statement on his death was released by his son Ned says that he died after a brief illness. He was 95-years-old.

SHEIKH NIMR AL-NIMR

The authorities of Iran have issued a stern warning to Saudi Arabia for its execution of a prominent Shia Muslim cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr today, Saturday, January 2nd.

The cleric, Nimr was one of the motivating figures in the 2011 protest that took place in Saudi Arabia which is led by the Sunni but has a Shia minority which alleges marginalization. Nimr was executed with 46 others that included dozens of al-Qaeda members in Saudi Arabia’s biggest mass execution in over thirty years.

BIRTHDAY BOY GEORGE AND PARTNER STELLA

Yes, you have got to meet Mr. George Higgs who celebrated his 109^th birthday yesterday, January 1^st having been born in 1907. He had his party at the George Hythe House care home in Leicester, where he now calls home.

George is lucky to have seen and survived 2 world wars in his lifetime, the first at age seven and the Second World War at 32.

At 109 I didn't expect to feel this good says the father of one who is also a great grandfather of two who are based in America. He, however, advises that the secret to a long life is not to get worked up about anything, just don’t worry yourself about anything, just get on with life.

DAVID BECKHAM

David Beckham, former footballer in the English premier league who later played in America before he left the game may have another role to play in the United Kingdom.

In the United Kingdom where there is a bet placed on about anything, from the results of premier league matches to the possible name of the unborn child of Prince Harry, there seems to be a new one as Beckham who won much attention for his documentary “For The Love Of The Game” which saw him playing football in 11 countries, is up for the betting game as the bookies have put him on the board for the chance to be made a knight by the Queen of England in 2016.

REV. FR. MBAKA IN RECENT VISIT TO PRES. BUHARI

Reverend Father Ejike Mbaka, Catholic Priest and Founder, Adoration Ministries Enugu Nigeria, AMEN, yesterday, during his 2016 predictions at the Adoration Ground warned President Muhammadu Buhari to watch out for attempts on his life, prophesying that those who benefited from the alleged massive corruption under former President Goodluck Jonathan want to eliminate him.

He told Nigerians to be prepared for trying times this year as the country tried to bear with the economic hardship. He however, called on the people to be patient, prayerful and hard-working, stating that in the end all would be well.

HEADIES 2015

There was a Kanye West kind of reaction from Olamide, CEO of YBNL when his protégé Lil Kesh failed to get the Next Rated Artiste award at yesterday's 2015 edition of the Headies Award held at the Landmark Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.

The reaction came as a result of the choice of Reekado Banks and his Katapot track as winner, Reekado is a member of the Mavin Records group owned by super producer Don Jazzy who has always made stars of his signed on musicians like Tiwa Savage, Koredo Bello, etc. The award attracts a brand new Hyundai car as one of its trappings.

SENATOR BEN MURRAY-BRUCE

The Senator representing Bayelsa East , Senator Ben Murray-Bruce who is ever active be it on social media or live activities and ofcourse on the floor of the hallowed chambers of the Nigerian Senate is always an interesting individual to watch out for, what with his flair to bring out solutions using commonsense (which by the way is in short supply this days)for the good of the country.

Well, he is never lacking in this field and again he recently proffered some to start the New Year in 2016, which he has proposed should be #TheYearofCommonsense. Follow his ideas below.

AFGANISTAN; SUICIDE BOMBING KILLS ONE AT A KABUL RESTAURANT TODAY

At least one person was killed and 11 people were wounded when a suicide bomber targeted a French restaurant in Kabul late Friday afternoon, according to Sediq Sediqqi, a spokesman for the Afghan Interior Ministry.

The official Twitter account of Kabul's Emergency Hospital reported a 12-year-old boy was dead on arrival following the attack.

FUEL PUMPING MACHINE

The directive of the Federal Government of Nigeria that petrol (pms) is sold at N86 per liter for NNPC retail stations and N86.50k for other marketers with effect from January 1, 2016 is reported to be taking effect.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) whose correspondent visited some fuel stations at the federal capital, Abuja reported that the product was available in sufficient quantity with standby trucks also bearing petrol. However, it was noticed most of the fuel stations in Abuja such as Conoil, Oando, Total and Mobil filling stations which are located within the city center experienced low turnout of motorists.

SINGER NATALIE MARIE COLE

Reports have it that that singer, Natalie Marie Cole, who in her music career won Grammy awards has died at the age of 65 years. Natalie was the daughter of the legendary jazz singer; Nat King Cole was also a music star of her own standing passed on yesterday, December 31, 2015 at a hospital in Los Angeles in her home country the United States of America. Her publicist Maureen O’Connor who made the announcement stated that she died of congestive heart failure resulting from underlying medical issues and complications from a kidney transplant and Hepatitis C.

PHOTOS FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE AS THE WORLD WELCOMES 2016! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Welcome to 2016. As we take in its freshness let's see how the new year was ushered in. Happy new year!

INDONESIA

CHINA

EGYPT

AUSTRALIA

JAPAN

TAIWAN

SUPERMODEL BAR REFAELI

CLEARBLUE STICK

Israeli model Bar Refaeli and her husband Adi Ezra must be very excited as they prepare for the arrival of their baby this year 2016.

The model who is also a television host, actress and businesswoman is reputed to have been the highest Israeli model in 2013 is used to photographs where she makes her mega pay and so what better medium to announce her pregnancy but by the same means as she did on Thursday night when she posted a photo of her positive pregnancy test.

GOVERNOR DARIUS DICKSON

Yesterday, December 31^st, just as the Court of Appeal in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria was nullifying the election of Okezie Ikpeazu as governor of Abia state, the Court of Appeal in Abuja, the nation’s capital also delivered its judgment on the governorship election in Taraba state.

The Court of Appeal panel led by Justice Abdul Aboki passed its ruling which must have brought back the bounce in the strides of Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku, the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, as it was held that the nomination of Ishaku by the PDP was not open to questions by anybody who was not a member of the party and as such his nomination fully complied with section 85 of the electoral act.

EDDIE GRIFFIN

BILL COSBY

In a move to stand up for a brother, American comedian Eddie Griffin has come out in support of fellow comedian, Bill Cosby stating that his present ordeal with various accusations of rape was part of a conspiracy in the United States to emasculate African American cultural icons.

JOURNALIST CONFIRMS THAT THE CHIBOK SCHOOL GIRLS ARE STILL ALIVE AND CAN BE RETURNED TO NIGERIA

JOURNALIST AHMAD SALKIDA

In what could be termed good news, Ahmad Salkida, a Nigerian journalist who has close contacts within the Boko Haram group and had worked for the Daily Trust and Premium Times publications in Nigeria before fleeing to Dubai about 2 years ago today stated that 219 school girls who were kidnapped from Chibok, Nigeria about 626 days are alive.

GOVERNOR OKEZIE VICTOR IKPEAZU

Today must be one of those bad days for the governor of Abia state. The Court of Appeal which held its sitting in the neighboring Imo state capital, Owerri today, December 31, gave him a bad end of the year gift as it nullified the election of Dr Okezie Ikpeazu as governor of Abia state. Abia is one of the states in the eastern region of the country.

MUSICIAN CLIFFORD DIMBA

In 2014 a Zambian court found Musician Clifford Dimba aka General Kanene guilty of raping a 14 year old girl and sentenced him to 18 years imprisonment. However, just one year into the prison term the newly sworn in President of Zambia, Edgar Lungu not only had him released from prison but also went on to appoint him as the country’s ambassador against violence towards women.

The United Nations human rights experts have not only expressed dismay with his appointment but also requested the musician be stripped of his appointment as it is known that the singer has yet to change his unacceptable ways towards the female gender. This is based on the fact that the singer has been reported to have committed two more acts of violence against women since he was released from prison on pardon.

KING BUYELEKHAYA DALINDYEBO

One of South Africa’s ethnic kings, King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo of AbaThembu has commenced a jail term of 12 years. The South African Justice Department spokesperson, Mthunzi Mhaga who confirmed this said the King handed in himself.

King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo a nephew of the late President Nelson Mandela is serving the prison term for a conviction for kidnapping, arson and assault. He is reported to have given himself up to the head of the Mthatha Correctional Centre at 23:40 p.m. on Wednesday after his legal battle to evade imprisonment was not successful.

The heat on the Nigerian operations of the South African telecommunication congloromate, MTN Nigeria by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) seems not to be cooling off as the December 31, 2015 deadline for the payment of the $3.9 billion fine against MTN Nigeria is final as a spokesman for the Ministry of Communications, Mr. Victor Oluwadamilare has confirmed.

VIRGINIA HOMELESS MAN ARRESTED FOR UNDERGROUND HOME

UNDERGROUND HOME -CNN

A homeless man was arrested Sunday for constructing and living in a cave that was dug 15 feet underground in Fairfax, Virginia.

Yosue Joel Rios, 25, dug stairs that descended to two rooms, according to Fairfax Police Department's Public Information Officer Natalie Hinesley.

"To the left was a small alcove that was a little smaller where we thought he was sleeping. The room to the right was a bit larger from floor to ceiling that was about 5½ feet tall, so you could almost stand up."

Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari today, December 30, held his first media chat since he assumed office on May 29 this year.

WORLD SPRINT STAR USAIN BOLT OF JAMAICA HOSTS CHILDREN TO 2015 CHRISTMAS PARTY (PHOTOS INSIDE)

World sprint star, Jamaica's Usain Bolt who is a brand ambassador of Digicell Jamaica, one of the country's biggest communication provider (i.e. network provider) which operates not only in the Carribeans but also Central America and Asia Pacific and has as one of its visions to grow with the communities where it operates in, was the Santa Claus in a Christmas treat organized by the company in the star's community of Sherwood Content, Jamaica on December 27th.

The star was full of praises for the Christmas treat initiative of Digicell Jamaica and posted pictures of the event which appear below:

SENATOR BEN MURRAY-BRUCE

Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, the representative of the Bayelsa East (PDP) in the Nigerian Senate is at it again. This time he takes on the some economic policy decisions of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration just as he tries to explain the consequences of such decision as well proffer some solutions.

He goes on to advise that the government should the search for solutions rather than cast blames on the past administration as being responsible for problems presently plaguing the country. The Senator reminds the government that it was not elected to find faults but to solve them and warns that the government cannot sustain itself on propaganda which can only last for a while before the people know better.

RODRIGUEZ AND MACHADO

Reports have it that a transgender couple have fallen into the course of nature as Diane Rodriguez, a transsexual woman aged 33 years has impregnated her transsexual husband, Fernando Machado aged 22 years in a surprise alternation of roles of the partners.

The news which was broken on Facebook by Rodriguez, a leading figure in Ecuador’s LGBT community when she announced that she had impregnated Fernando caught many on social media unawares as many thought it a big surprise as it should have been the other way around.

NIGERIAN INTERNATIONAL ODION JUDE IGHALO

Nigerian international Odion Jude Ighalo has been speaking of his joy at being invited to play for his country’s Super Eagles. He recalls his desire to play for the team which eventually came to pass. He expressed his readiness to give his best to the team just as he is always available for call up.

Ighalo said his football journey had not always been easy but attributes his success to God, recalling his rise to fame from the streets whereas many others never made any progress. He said he remained grateful for the success he had achieved.

JOHN OBI MIKEL

Nigerian international, John Obi Mikel has reacted to the removal of the erstwhile Chelsea coach, Jose Mourinho. He is of the opinion that the departure of Mourinho has led to a change of atmosphere at the club. He actually believes that the team is the better for it.

The 1st lady of the Mavin Music group led by the legendary Don Jazzy and in her own right a music star, Tiwa Savage has finally released to the public pictures of her baby, Jamil Balogun which she has with husband, Tee Billz.

GIRL UNDERGOING CIRCUMCISION

The parliament of the Gambia has passed into law the banning of female circumcision in their country. The members in their numbers backed the bill which provides for a three year imprisonment for offenders.

The act of carrying out circumcision on females is very rampant in Gambia and recently the country’s president Yahya Jammeh came out against it calling it archaic and demanding that it be stopped forthwith. It is expected that the new law by the National Assembly would go a long way in providing for the constitutional rights of the female gender and ensure their good health and wellbeing.

NIGERIA: DSTV'S 2015 CARNIVAL CALABAR HOSTS MOZEZ PRAIZ & IK OSAKIODUWA TAKE ON MASTA BLASTA BAND

IK OSAKIODUWA

PRAIZ MOZEZ

The Carnival Calabar 2015 show seems to have ended in a way not expected by the hosts of the DSTV team covering the event, Mozez Praiz and Ik Osakioduwa as they have not failed to take on the Masta Blasta band, winners of the 2012, 2013 and 2014 seasons, who came third in the 2015 season.

Right from their assessment during the finals of the bands which took place at the U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar on December 28th where they expressed their high expectation from the Masta Blasta band who had star Nigerian dancer, Kaffi as presenter were not met the duo have not let the matter out of their talk, making it a reference point in much of their talk.

FUEL SUBSIDY OR NOT?

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has taken a swipe on the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, alleging that he was plotting to deregulate the prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) through the propaganda.

NLC said, such move would be resisted by all means, as affiliate unions under it were already being mobilized against the planned deregulation.

NLC in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja, by its General Secretary, Dr Peter Ozo – Eson, said recent vacillations and flip flops about the prices of the commodity by the federal government were designed to confuse Nigerians and pave the way for proper deregulation of petrol prices.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu had recently announced that the product would sell for N85 as from January 1, 2016.

Ozo-Eson restated that the directive to all state councils and industrial unions to commence the process of mobilization prior to a meeting of the National Executive Committee to be convened in the New Year still stands.

PRESIDENT ROCH MARC CHRISTIAN KABORE OF BURKINA FASO

Roch Marc Christian Kabore who was sworn in today, December 29^th as the president of Burkina Faso in the nation’s capital, Quagadougou with a number of presidents from West Africa present. Nigeria’s president was represented by a delegation led by the Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. President Kabore in the course of his inauguration assured his countrymen that his administration viewed the inauguration as a victory for for “democracy and freedom” which it would uphold.

PRESIDENT KABORE (L) AT INAUGURATION

NIGERIA'S VP OSINBAJO WITH KABORE (sesco)

JERRY UDUIMOH IN POLICE CUSTODY

A party held on December 24th by Nigerian students in Cyprus, Europe turned out sour when instead of having fun, the boys got into a fight over a Zimbabwean girl. That was, however, not the end of the story as they would extend their confrontation to Boxing day, December 26th when Ebinabo Mendeinyo was stabbed to death and as a cover up it was alleged that he jumped from the sixth floor in the apartment where he resided and died in an apparent suicide.

ENRIQUE IGLESIAS DURING THE SRI LANKAN SHOW

The President of Sri Lanka, Maithripala Sirisena is annoyed with the promoters of the Enrique Iglesias show in Colombo on December 20^th where at the height of the excitement, female spectators removed their brassieres and flung at Iglesias and has advocated that the promoters be publicly flogged with stingray tail whips as obtained in ancient Sri Lanka.

NIGERIA: PHOTOS OF CARNIVAL CALABAR 2015 HELD ON DECEMBER 28, 2015 (AFRICA'S BIGGEST STREET PARTY)

Hello. Yesterday, December 28th, was the main Carnival Calabar 2015 show which had the Governor's Band initiated by the wife of the governor, Dr. Mrs. Linda Ayade, the 5 main bands; Masta Blasta, Freedom, Seagull, Passion 4, Bayside and international bands from Italy, Rwanda, Kenya, Brazil, etc. participating.

As usual the State Governor, Prof (Sen.) Ben Ayade cut the tape at about 2p.m. to declare the event open, the first in his regime. It was quite colorful as the bands went through the 12km carnival route all lined up with thousands of spectators some of whom had been waiting eagerly since morning for the event.

There were crowds all over the route, some patronizing commercial sit outs by the roadside, others just on their own while many others chose to follow the bands from the beginning to the final destination at the U. J. Esuene stadium where they had their final displays before the panel of judges and also a teeming crowd.

On the route, there were adjudication points where the bands also performed and were scored by judges at such places and this were all collated to arrive at a final winner.

For 2015, the winners were Passion 4 band who returned after 3 years of loosing the coveted position to the Masta Blasta band which came third this year. The Seagull band came 2nd, Freedom 4th and Bayside 5th.

See photos of the Carnival Calabar 2015 as they speak for them-self below:

Saturday, 2 January 2016

Friday, 1 January 2016

Thursday, 31 December 2015

Wednesday, 30 December 2015

Tuesday, 29 December 2015

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