“Nigerians Spend N1.8 Billion Daily on Sports Betting” – Analyst

About 60 million Nigerians between 18 and 40 years of age may be spending up to N1.8 billion on sports betting daily, investigation by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reveals.

The investigation showed that they commit on the average N3,000 on sports betting daily.

Dotun Ajekigbe, a sport betting analyst, said that sport betting though risky was also rewarding.

Ajekigbe said that about 60 million Nigerians placed bets on different matches daily across the country.

He said that most unemployed youths have taken to online and other forms of sports betting to make a living.

According to him, from findings this group of people stake an average of N3,000 daily.

“Sport betting is gambling, not investing in bank shares.

“But almost everything in life is a gamble, more so with money matters. With gambling comes risks because it not 100 per cent guaranteed.

“However, you can dramatically reduce your risks by taking calculated risks only.

“When you take calculated risks, you base your decisions on sound research and evidence, not intuition.

“Sport betting is by chance. The better informed the player is, the better the chance he/she has of making money,” he said.

Ambrose Obialor, who runs Yobo Viewing Centre, Lagos, says that some people bet between N2, 000, N10, 000 and above, depending on the individual.

He said that some people denied themselves of food after spending all they had on a bet.

Afeez Adigun, an agent for 1960 Bet Company, Lagos, said that between 200 and 300 people visit his office to place bets on match days during football seasons. while about 150 people bet at off-seasons.

According to him, a betting company can generate up to N20 million monthly and use between N5 million and N7 million to meet winners obligations in terms of payment.

He also described sports betting as very risky but highly rewarding business.

A representative of another betting company, Betting World, who did not want his name mentioned, said that sport betting companies have employed about 50 youths in Lagos.

He also said that betting outlets were always filled with countless young people between ages 18 and 40 who come to place their bets.

The representative said that most people borrow as much as 10,000 for their daily stakes, stressing that some of them win, while others lose but returned for the next day’s betting.

He said that most people did not like to place bets on Nigerian matches because they were highly predictable.

Lanre Gbajabiamila, Chief Executive Officer, Lagos State Lottery Board, said the lottery industry was very risky but also lucrative.

Gbajabiamila said that the board generated about N1 million in 2013 from about 11 sport betting companies in the state.

He added that more revenue could be generated with more investment to develop the industry.

“The state government has been making efforts to provide an enabling environment for the lottery industry but only 40 per cent of the industry had been tapped into.

“We urge the Federal Government to create a more enabling environment for operators in the industry to increase revenue and create jobs for youths.

“The major needs of the operators are improved electricity and internet provision to boost the business,” he said.

He restated the commitment of the board to rid the state of illegal lottery operators.

NAN

Former NFL player sends out iPads as wedding invitations!

Former NFL player Keyshawn Johnson (pictured above with fiancee) sent out the best wedding invitations ever - iPad 4 - each pre-programmed with all of the 411 for his big day, TMZ reports.

"It's pretty badass. Here's what we know. The iPads were sent to several guests a few weeks ago -- and once they're powered on, a program opens informing the recipients about Key's wedding events. 

Also included -- a photo gallery, guestbook, and countdown to the big day. The couple also made it easy for guests to buy wedding gifts -- by including the registry right on the iPad. 

Of course, the woman Keyshawn is set to marry is Jennifer Conrad -- his longtime GF and the mother of 2 of his children."

Meet Terry G's Mum and Daddy Showkey

The beautiful woman in the middle is the mother of Street singer, Terry G. Can you spot the resemblance?

Nigeria : Airport Authorities Start Temperature Screening For Ebola

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced that it has started temperature screening passengers arriving from places at risk from Ebola and has suspended Asky Airline because it brought the first case to Lagos.

“Screening and monitoring is being done at all major international airports. It entails checking passengers’ temperatures with a hand-held machine,” NCAA spokesman Sam Adurogboye, then added that a compulsory blood test would follow if the passenger’s temperature gave cause for concern.

The International Airlines Association (IATA) said that WHO has not yet recommended any travel restrictions or border closures due to the outbreak, and added that there will be a low risk
to other passengers if an Ebola patient flew.

Ebola has been blamed for 729 deaths in Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Nigeria, according to the World Health Organization.

One died in Lagos, a crowded city of 21 million people with some of Africa’s worst sanitation and health care.

Patrick Sawyer, a consultant for Liberia’s Finance Ministry in his 40s, collapsed on arrival at Lagos airport on July 20 on an Asky flight.

He was put in isolation at the First Consultants Hospital in Obalende, but died early on July 25.

“We have suspended Asky until they are able to show us what measures they have put in place for passengers to ensure they do not bring Ebola,” Adurogboye said.

He said the largest Airline Arik Air was being told to maintain its self-imposed suspension of all flights to Liberia and Sierra Leone for the time being.

Authorities were monitoring 59 people who were in contact with Sawyer, including airport contacts, and are seeking to make contact with all passengers that were on his flight.

The latest outbreak of the hemorrhagic fever began in the forests of remote eastern Guinea in February. It starts with headaches and fever, and final stage symptoms include external and
internal bleeding, vomiting and diarrhoea.

Sierra Leone declared a state of emergency and called in troops to quarantine epicentres of Ebola on Thursday.

Ynaija

New Month of Joy!

Learn from the people you know are better than you to be perfect. God gives understanding. Thanks for always being there. Happy new month!

Family announces burial arrangement for late Prof. Dora Akunyili

The burial arrangement for late NAFDAC boss Prof. Dora Akunyili has been announced by her family. The burial arrangement is contained in a statement signed by her husband Dr Chike Akunyili which was posted on her Facebook wall this evening. Find it below...

The family of former Minister of Information and Communications, late Prof. (Mrs.) Dora Nkem Akunyili, has released a week-long programme of activities for her funeral, culminating in her burial on Thursday, August 28, 2014.

The programme, released today in Enugu by Prof. Akunyili’s husband, Dr. Chike Akunyili, starts with a Christian Wake-Keep at No. 2A Bishop Onyeabor St., G.R.A. Enugu, to hold from 4:00 p.m. on Friday, August 22. Continue...

A Night of Tributes is to hold at International Conference Centre Abuja from 5:00 p.m. on Monday, August 25, while a Mass would be held for her at Pro-Cathedral Catholic Church, Abuja, by 10:00 a.m. the next day, August 26.

After the Church Service, Dora’s body would leave for Enugu, where there would be a Mass at KSJ Temple at 4:00 p.m. After a High Requiem Mass at Holy Ghost Cathedral Enugu at 9:00 a.m. the next day (Wednesday, August 27), Dora’s body would be taken to UNCOMA Hall, College of Medicine, Ituku Ozalla, Enugu, for Final College Assembly to start from 11:30 a.m. From there, the body would be taken to Awka for Anambra State Government activities, then to Dora’s father’s house in Nanka, before being returned to her husband’s house at Agulu for a Vigil Mass/Wake-Keep.

On Thursday, August 28, Dora’s body would lie in state at John Chike Akunyili’s Compound before leaving for Agulu Town Hall, then Madonna Catholic Church Agulu for a Requiem Mass to hold by 10:00 a.m. Interment at John Chike Akunyili’s Compound follows at 1:30 p.m.

Dr. Akunyili in a statement expressed gratitude to Nigerians for their outpouring of love and support for his family at this moment of grief. “This has gone a great way in helping us to cope with the monumental loss of our precious gem, my beloved wife, Dora,” he said.

It would be recalled that Prof. (Mrs.) Akunyili, a former Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), died last Saturday, June 7, after a two-year battle with cancer.

Prof. (Mrs.) Akunyili, who was a delegate to the on-going National Conference in Abuja, would have turned 60 on July 14, 2014.

Signed:
Dr. Chike Akunyili (Husband)
Enugu, Wednesday, July 31, 2014.

Ebola made in Ninja; See foto

Ebola made in Ninja. This time to another level. Well na the tin wey the gems cause inside ninja. We no dey carry last. Proudly Ninja! Remember, prevention beta pass cure. #PreventSpreadOfEbolaVirus

Meet Vincent Enyeama's wife, Ekaete....lol

Vincent Enyeama, super eagles goalkeeper took his page on instagram posted pics of himself and his wife... He expresses how it feels having a good woman to call a wife. Really touching romantic messages to his wife and the mother of his three children. Read the message below:

He wrote

"I am blessed to be loved by God, so much to let this diamond in my possession."...in another he wrote "What more could I have asked God for. She is just so adorable and gorgeous. She shines like a diamond." Hmm, love in Akwa Ibom!

Meet Rihanna's Dad, most passionate she claims...

RiRi babe took to her instagram page and stated the three things she is passionate about and the #1 is her Dad...to learn more, see the rest below:

AIG Suleiman Abba's appointment as IGP is in acting capacity -Reuben Abati

Find the State House press release below...

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has approved the appointment of AIG Suleiman Abba (picture above) as the new Inspector-General of Police.

AIG Abba, currently the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 7, comprising Abuja, Kaduna and Niger states, replaces the incumbent Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Abubakar who proceeds on statutory retirement today having completed 35 years in service.

The incoming Inspector-General, a lawyer, hails from Jigawa State and is an alumnus of the Nigerian Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies.

Positions previously held by him in the Police include Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department, FCT Command, Deputy Force Secretary and Commissioner of Police, Rivers State.

His appointment is with effect from Friday, August 1, 2014.

See tweets below:

Reuben Abati

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)
July 31, 2014

Again and again! Blessing Okagbare wins Gold in Women's 200m

Blessing Okagbare has done it again, this time Women's 200m after days back she won Gold in the Women's 100meters Finals at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Today she's won Gold again in the Women's 200m in a time of 22.25 seconds, completing the Glasgow2014 sprint double.

Proudly Nigeria, proudly Blessing! Her winning is our pride. Congrats!

Rihanna wears men's underwear for a night out [photos]

Rihanna posted that she was back and her fans should be expecting more pics after her surgery and that has not come as a surprise that the favorite fashion provocateur could wear men's skivvies for a night on the town and make them look amazing. And last night, she did just that—pairing white boxer shorts with a black bandeau, a denim jacket, and the chicest of dark burgundy lips. Tighty whities they are not—though it stands to reason that RiRi would gracefully meet that challenge. See more pics below....

Ebola Outbreak : Presidents Of Liberia And Sierra Leone Pull Out Of US-Africa Summit

President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has closed down all the schools in the West African country in an attempt to address the spread of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

She also declared tomorrow, Friday, a work-free day to enable health workers in the country to disinfect and chlorinate all public facilities.

Sirleaf, who announced the measures in a nationwide, broadcast late Wednesday, also presented a National Action Plan against Ebola that would try to contain the spread of the disease. Her office said she was not only worried about taking care of those afflicted, but would focus of the goal of preventing new cases.

As part of the plan, government officials will no longer be allowed to travel unless it is “absolutely necessary and critical” and all non-essential staff — to be determined by the minister or head of an agency — have been placed on 30-day compulsory leave.

Sirleaf revealed that the Liberian government had provided an initial contribution of $5 million for the commencement of immediate implementation of the plan.

She also suspended her participation at the US-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington DC next week, and thus sent the Vice President, Joseph Boakai and a handful of officials to attend the summit on her behalf.

Last week, Liberia closed it borders with neighbouring countries, only leaving a   border entry points open. The nation’s bureau of immigration and naturalisation will intensify supervision and control of the border areas in conjunction with health authorities, to ensure strict adherence to announced preventive measures, including preliminary testing for fever.

“Other measures, without exceptions are that all schools are ordered closed pending further directive from the ministry of education," she said.

“All markets at border areas, including Foya, Bo Waterside and Ganta, are hereby ordered closed until further notice.

“As previously directed, video clubs and entertainment centres must have improved sanitation, including facilities for the washing of hands prior to entering and exiting as well as to reducing opening hours, and the number of individuals permitted to enter those facilities. All citizens are seriously advised to avoid public amusement and entertainment centres.

“When these measures are instituted, only health care workers will be permitted to move in and out of those areas. Food and other medical support will be provided to those communities and affected individuals.

“The ministry of health and relevant agencies are also to consider the cremation of all victims of the deadly Ebola virus. This measure is intended to avoid tampering with the dead and contaminating water sources."

At about the same time of Sirleaf’s address, President of Sierra Leone, Ernest Bai Koroma, was declaring a state of emergency for Ebola and cancelled his participation at the US-Africa Leaders Summit.

“I hereby proclaim a State of Public Emergency to enable us take a more robust approach to deal with the Ebola outbreak," Reuters quoted him as saying in a speech late on Wednesday, adding that the measures would initially last between 60 and 90 days.

Saharareporters

Why is Jim lyke hiding?

After Jim announced yesterday that he was leaving Liberia for fear of contracting the deadly Ebola virus, a lot of Nigerians went online and asked that the actor be isolated and monitored for a while soon as he arrives Nigeria in order for him not to spread the virus..

Jim lyke chose to share another picture of himself while having his breakfast but refused to disclose where he is, so that the rumor going viral online about possible infection with Ebola virus will calm down and the government close surveillance on him. So, tell me why is Jim avoiding the public?

Nigerians to witness more female security officers carrying out stop-and-search operations over concern of female suicide bombers -Frank Mba

The Nigeria Police Force spokesperson Frank Mba has given an insight into the recent rise of female suicide bombers in Nigeria.

Addressing newsmen at the National Information Center yesterday, Mr Mba said Boko Haram men now use women because they raise fewer suspicions.

"If you have been following the trends of terrorism worldwide, you will understand that use of female suicide bombers is actually not totally new. It is actually a new trend in our own part of the world. The reasons why established international terrorist organizations go for female suicide bombers is clear. The major reason is that women raise fewer suspicions, particularly with security layers, and so they take advantage of the fact that women raise fewer suspicion to try to indoctrinate and recruit female suicide bombers. The suspicion even becomes much lesser if the woman in question is a minor and that explains why. In addition to that is the fact that by rules of engagement that we are cultured to, male security operatives are not allowed to frisk or search females but we are equally developing counter terrorism strategies to deal with that.” he said

He disclosed that more female police officers will now be stationed on roads and other places where stop-and-search exercises are being carried out.

"Nigerians should prepare to see more female police officers, more female bomb disposal experts, more female DSS operatives, more female soldiers actually in combat operations and carrying out stop-and-search,” he said

Three German students surprise a homeless guy...see video but share no tear

A German student was walking in the street and noticed a homeless man begging for money from pedestrians, without much luck..so the student asked him to borrow his bucket.

At first, the homeless man was hesitant but he later agreed and handed over his bucket to a stranger... what happened next will burst you into tears! Watch after the cut...

IrokoTV boss, Jason Njoku's son was a year old yesterday [photos]

IrokoTV boss, Jason Njoku posted pictures of his son while playing in the parlor. Obi Jason Njoku his son, was a year old yesterday. Congrats to him! Continue seeing more pics of little Obi belowe...

See Doro Thief..lol

''Ladies watch out, these guyz ain't loyal either'' Sounds funny but an advice to those ladies...Don Jazzy shared this on his page...

Don Jazzy advices Nigerians about Ebola, directs them to a page on Comeseesumting.com

Mavin boss and music producer, Don Jazzy  has gone on twitter to advice Nigerians about the deadly nature of the Ebola Virus. In a series of tweets just after the huge success of his Dorobucci video which premiered online on new daily videos website, comeseesumting.com, Don Jazzy directed all his fans and Nigerians to get information about the Ebola virus from a special page created by the Comeseesumting team pooling together videos and other content about the virus. Continue...



He says its time for everyone to take the Ebola Vrus seriously and get as much information as possible n how to avoid being a victim of the virus.

The special page is located here http://comeseesumti.ng/ebola/

The ComeSeeSumting Ebola page gives you a 60 second quick look along with a full documentary on Ebola and the history of this disease. The page also keeps you informed with all the latest stories on Ebola and you can also sign up to receive Ebola updates.

Rihanna is back from surgery

Rihanna is famous across the globe as a recording artist and as a fashion icon. Young girls and women alike look up to her and are inspired by her attitude and looks. She works long hard hours and the pressures of show business can sometimes take their toll. For Rihanna it seems to be her hair line that may be suffering. But now she is back as she shared on her instagram page to her followers '' Hey everyone! I'm back from my surgery gonna post more pics of Rih'' Hmm, RiRi again, I don't understand the nature or type of pics are fans should be expecting? Do you have an idea? 

Ebola epidemic ‘out of control’ says charity

Global medical charity Doctors Without Borders has given warning that the Ebola crisis in West Africa is “unprecedented, absolutely out of control”, as states across the world took steps to prevent its spread.

Bart Janssens, the charity’s director of operations, warned there was no overarching vision of how to tackle the outbreak, in an interview with Belgium’s  La Libre Belgique newspaper.

“This epidemic … can only get worse, because it is still spreading, above all in Liberia and Sierra Leone, in some very important hotspots,” Janssens said.

“We are extremely worried by the turn of events, particularly in these two countries where there is a lack of visibility on the epidemic. If the situation does not improve fairly quickly, there is a real risk of new countries being affected.

“That is certainly not ruled out, but it is difficult to predict, because we have never known such an epidemic.”

More than 670 people have died of Ebola in the outbreak, the largest on record since the disease was detected in the 1970s.

Meanwhile, the International Civil Aviation Organisation has met global health officials to discuss measures to stop the disease from crossing borders. The pan-African airline ASKY suspended all flights to and from the capitals of Liberia and Sierra Leone.

The EU allocated an extra $2.7m to fight the outbreak, bringing total funding to $5.2m.

“The level of contamination on the ground is extremely worrying and we need to scale up our action before many more lives are lost,” said the EU’s humanitarian aid commissioner, Kristalina Georgieva.

The bloc has deployed experts on the ground to help victims and try to limit the contagion.

Source: Punch

Confusion in LASU as striking workers shut offices

The striking workers’ action also initially prevented the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. John Obafunwa, from holding a press briefing on the institution’s forthcoming 19th convocation and 30th anniversary ceremonies.

Journalists, who gathered for the briefing scheduled for 10am at the university’s Senate Building, waited for more than three hours without the VC addressing them.

Obafunwa, it was gathered, later addressed a few journalists who remained behind in his office.

But speaking to journalists, the LASU-SSANU Chairman, Mr. Saheed Oseni, alleged that the university authorities had failed to address the needs of the members of the union.

Oseni, who spoke on the sidelines of the union’s congress on Wednesday, noted that the shutdown was strategic, especially as “they had several unresolved issues with the authorities.”

He added, “The authorities have not been fair to us and this explains why we cannot suspend the strike. Of importance to us is that the university council has failed to resolve the promotion issue we raised with the management for over one year now.

Culled from Punch

''The use of Chibok girls by Boko Haram is actually not true'', Mike Omeri, Co-ordinator of National Information Center

Nigerian Government Wednesday [July 30] took steps to douse anxiety over the possibility that Boko Haram insurgents are using the abducted Chibok schoolgirls as female suicide bombers. Female bombers have carried out series of attacks on Kano city in the last five days, fueling fears that those involved could be some of the girls being held by the terrorists.

Members of the #BringBackOurGirls group, including one of its coordinators, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, raised the alarm that the continued incarceration of the abducted girls in Boko Haram’s custody could spell doom.

The former education minister stated that the Federal Government must not “move on,” as the Chibok girls may well be indoctrinated or coerced into being used as suicide bombers.

“It feels like eternity since April 14 when our girls lost their freedom. How can we move on like that? This new trend and serial pattern of female suicide bombers surely should particularly worry us.

“Female suicide bombers are again and again becoming the trend and our Chibok girls are still in the enemy’s den. It worries me stiff. Are we thinking? Our Chibok girlsreally need to be rescued from the clutches of evil.

“We must all not stop praying and demanding that the FG acts for results. We have no apology for being agitated. We have nothing to defend for crying out for their rescue,” she wrote on her Twitter page.

However, The Co-ordinator of National Information Center, Mike Omeri, during a routine security breifing alongside respresentatives of the security service forces in Abuja, vehemrntly denied the insinuation.

''The use of Chibok girls by Boko Haram is actually not true'', Omeri sharply responded to a question asked by a journalist at the briefing.

Another key member of the coalition, Bukky Shonibare, stated that the number of days the abducted girls had spent in Boko Haram’s custody was enough for them to have been indoctrinated.

According to Shonibare, it is now increasingly dangerous for the Federal Government that boasted of knowing the location of the girls to leave them with their captors.

“Seems abducted women that were undergoing indoctrination and brainwashing while in hostage for years are now being sent out as suicide bombers. However, 100 days is long enough for anyone’s ideologies or principles to be distorted, especially teenagers whose values are still being shaped.

“To know the possible impact of 100+ days on one’s ideologies, psychologists say it takes only 30 days! It is now increasingly dangerous to leave those girls there. Whatever is it they are doing may be counterproductive.

“They (Chibok girls) can be indoctrinated, brainwashed, or put under duress to do this. In the face of death, no sensible human will be a ‘willing participant.’ There’ll definitely be an element of coercion,” Shonibare tweeted.

Political blogger, Japheth Omojuwa, said the resort by the Boko Haram to the use of teenage female suicide bombers might be a technical way by the insurgents to save their men for combat.

He lamented that it was unthinkable that the terrorist group would make use of innocent girls as couriers of death.

Echoing the sentiments of the #BringBackOurGirls campaigners, he added....

“You don’t need 105 days to indoctrinate an innocent girl. Some of those Chibok girls may never be ‘innocent’ again. Chibok girls or not, these insurgents are destroying young girls. Again, the girl child suffers for what she knows not about.”

Stella Damasus Celebrates with others on Daniel Ademinokan's Birthday party

Actress Stella Damasus and a few friends join to celebrate movie director and script writer, Daniel Ademinokan yesterday on his birthday. God added one more year. Congrats to him! See more pics and Stella's birthday messages below...