Nigeria and Ghana name squad

Nigeria are plotting Ghana’s downfall with a strong 20-man squad for their friendly in London on 6 February. Coach Austin Eguavoen’s team includes in-form English Premiership strikers Nwankwo Kanu of Portsmouth, Middlesbrough’s Yabuku Aiyegbeni as well as Newscastle darling boy Obafemi Martins. Greece-based defender Ifeanyi Udeze, who missed last year’s Nations Cup in Egypt, returns to the squad while Dinamo Moscow midfielder Patrick Ovie, who has been on the fringes, is also in included for the game at Brentford’s Griffin Park. Chelsea’s rising star Jon Mikel Obi as well as Wilson Oruma of Marseille and Lazio Stephen Makinwa were also named in the team.

The Black Stars have not beaten Nigeria since 1992 when Abedi Pele’s diving header helped his country to a 2-1 victory in the semi-finals of the Nations Cup in Senegal. Such is the determination of the Nigerians to extend their 14-year dominance of over Ghana that other top players like Italy-based youngster Obinna Nsofor, Watford trialist Chinedu Ogbuke and Rabiu Afolabi of French side Sochaux could not make the team. The latest chapter in the rivalry produced a 1-0 victory for the Super Eagles in Group D of the African Nations Cup finals in Egypt last year. But since then the Black Stars squad has been augmented and the team reached the second round of the World Cup and have not lost in four matches since the tournament in Germany in June. Yet according to an aide to the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) chairman Sali Lulu, the Super Eagles players are keen to defeat the Stars."I can tell you that Obafemi Martins is looking forward to playing the match just like Kanu and Aiyegbeni," he said. "They want to prove that all the hype about Ghana’s football being on the high side is nothing but a ruse. "Obafemi in particular, wants to score against the Black Stars just as Taiye Taiwo is also warming up to score again, as he did in the Nations Cup in Egypt last year, when his solitary goal separated the two sides."

Ghana, hosts of the MTN African Cup of Nations in 2008, hope to use the match to prepare for the biennial event while the match will afford the Eagles the opportunity to test their might as Nigeria host Uganda in a top of the table clash in March. Meanwhile, numerous fans of the Black Stars, who are confident of breaking the Nigerian jinx, are expected in London in their numbers thanks to an affordable offer put together by Ghana International Airlines. The offer includes a return ticket, hotel accommodation and match tickets for only US$757.

Nigeria Squad
Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv, Israel), Austin Ejide (Bastia, France)
Defenders: Joseph Enakarhire (Bordeaux, France), Chidi Odiah (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Taye Taiwoo (Marseille, France), Joseph Yobo (Everton, England), Ifeanyi Udeze (AEK Athens, Greece), Obinna Nwaneri (Esperance,Tunisia)

Midfielders: Yusuf Ayila (Dinamo Kyiv, Ukraine), John Mikel Obi (Chelsea, England), Christian Obodo (Udinese, Italy), Wilson Oruma (Marseille, France) Peter Odemwingie (Lille, France), Patrick Ovie (Dinamo Moscow, Russia)

Strikers: Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth, England), Stephen Makinwa (Lazio, Italy), Obafemi Martins (Newcastle, England),Yakubu Aiyegbeni (Middlesbrough, England) John Utaka (Stade Rennes, France), Seyi George Olofinjana (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England)

Ghana squad:
Goalkeepers: Sammy Adjei (Mohadon Sports Ashdod, Israel), Richard Kingtson (BB Ankaraspor, Turkey)Defenders: Hans Adu Sarpie (VFL Wolfsburg, Germany), John Paintsil (West Ham, England), Francis Dickoh (FC Utrecht, Holland), Habib Mohammed (Molde FK, Norway), Shilla Illiasu (Saturn FC, Russia) and John Mensah (Rennes, France)

Midfielders: Stephen Appiah (Fenerbache, Turkey), Michael Essien (Chelsea, England), Laryea Kingson (Hearts, Scotland) Sulley Ali Muntari (Udinese, Italy), Haminu Dramani (Genclerbirligi, Turkey), Eric Addo (PSV Eindhoven, Holland)

Forwards: Junior Agogo (Nottingham Forest, England), Joe Tex Frimpong (CS Sfaxien, Tunisia) Asamoah Gyan (Locomitiv Moscow, Russia) Ibrahim Salou (Club Brugge, Holland) Quincy Owusu Abeyie (Spartak Moscow, Russia) and Isaac Boakye (VFL Wolfsburg, Germany).

Crowded House regroups and plans world tour

Crowded House, the Australian-New Zealand pop band that topped international music charts in the late 1980s, has confirmed plans to reunite and embark on a world tour. Frontman Neil Finn said in a statement released by music label EMI that he has also been working on a new album with fellow founding bandmember Nick Seymour. "It feels right to us that the band should re-emerge at this time," Finn said. "We aim to make the upcoming shows and the new music every bit as vital and spirited as what has come before." A new album, entitled "Time On Earth", would be released later this year. Finn also confirmed the band was seeking a replacement for drummer Paul Hester, who committed suicide in 2005.

Crowded House, which split up in 1996, was formed after the 1984 break-up of Split Enz, a New Zealand pop-rock band that included Hester, Neil Finn and his older brother Tim. Crowded House's best-known hits include "Weather with You" and "Don't Dream It's Over", which was re-recorded by several other artists and used by the New Zealand Tourism Board in its advertisements.

For those of us in Medilag together, room 228, Crowded House was our companion in those down days.... the album "Together Alone" with hits like "Nails in my feet", "Distant sun", "In my command" played loudly over Master P's (Yemi Palmer) Pioneer Hifi System became a sing along back then. Sad when Paul died but like the saying goes..."life goes on". I definitely can't wait for the reunion. I might even go for the concert if it comes near me....

Grey's' doctor in treatment

Isaiah Washington(near left in pic), who does the healing as a doctor on "Grey's Anatomy," is the patient now. He's in therapy for his use of an anti-gay slur against a castmate."With the support of my family and friends, I have begun counseling. I regard this as a necessary step toward understanding why I did what I did and making sure it never happens again," Washington said in a statement Wednesday. "I appreciate the fact that I have been given this opportunity and I remain committed to transforming my negative actions into positive results, personally and professionally."Washington took a break from filming Tuesday to meet with gay rights activists and offer help in educating the public about the cruelty of such words, an offer the activists called sincere.

Whether Washington was receiving outpatient counseling or had entered a facility was not specified, and the statement did not indicate whether he would miss work on the show.
Washington's publicist, Kelly Mullens, declined to comment further. A call to ABC about the effect on production of the hit TV show was not immediately returned Wednesday.
Series creator and executive producer Shonda Rhimes issued her own statement, at once criticizing Washington for his use of the word "faggot" about co-star T.R. Knight(far right in pic) and lauding Washington's decision to seek help."I speak for all the executive producers here at `Grey's Anatomy' when I say that Isaiah Washington's use of such a disturbing word was a shocking and dismaying event that insulted not only gays and lesbians everywhere, but anyone who has ever struggled for respect in a world that is not always accepting of difference," Rhimes said. She said she's been working within "the `Grey's family" and with ABC and the Touchstone Television studio to address the issue "in a way that underscores the gravity of the situation while giving us all a foundation for healing." "We applaud and encourage Isaiah's realization that he needs help and his subsequent choice to seek immediate treatment for his behavioral issues," Rhimes said.
She expressed appreciation to fans during this "stressful time" and said those involved with the show would continue to "make the best television we can."

It was during an on-set quarrel last October with co-star Patrick Dempsey that Washington reportedly used the slur about Knight, who was not present. Although Washington apologized publicly at the time, the issue boiled up again at the Jan. 15 Golden Globes when he denied using the epithet.After being criticized last week by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation and ABC, Washington issued an apology.He met Tuesday with the heads of GLAAD and Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, who said Washington agreed to efforts to fight bias but that no specifics were reached.ABC and Touchstone Television are owned by Walt Disney Co.

U.S. woman becomes world's oldest person at 114

A Connecticut woman born to former slaves in the decades following the U.S. Civil War has become the world's oldest person, at 114, according to Guinness World Records.Emma Faust Tillman, born near Greensboro, North Carolina, on November 22, 1892, became the world's oldest person on Wednesday, following the death of Emiliano Mercado del Toro, of Puerto Rico, Guinness said on its Web site.Longevity is common in Tillman's family. Though none of her 23 siblings have matched her 114 years, three sisters and a brother lived past 100, her great-nephew John Stewart Jr., said on Thursday."At 114, she's lived a good, honorable, straight life," said Stewart, who is 76. "Her comment is always, 'If you want to know about longevity and why I lived so long, ask the man upstairs."'

Tillman lives in the Hartford, Connecticut, nursing home she moved to at the age of 110."Sometimes, she doesn't feel like talking," Stewart said. "But when you're 114, you can call your own shots."Tillman never smoked, drank or wore eyeglasses, Stewart said. Karen Chadderton, administrator of the Riverside Health and Rehabilitation Center, where Tillman lives, said until a few months ago Tillman spent much of her time caring for an ailing roommate more than 20 years her junior, who has since died."About a month ago, she started feeling less energetic," said Chadderton. "During the morning she has energy, she's up and about, in a wheelchair, but in the afternoon, once she goes to sleep, she doesn't want to be bothered.

According to the International Committee on Supercentenarians, there are currently 86 people aged 110 or older alive in the world today. Eighty of them are women.The world's next-oldest resident is Japan's Yone Minagawa, born in 1893, according to the ICS. Guinness World Records said it is still investigating that claim.

Okonjo-Iweala’s Hubby in Sex Scandal

The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has cited Dr. Ikemba Iweala, husband of former Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, in the payment of $185,000 hush money to a woman who was threatening to go public with details of their sexual affair.Queen Nwoye, a 28-year-old nurse resident in Maryland in the US, was accused in an indictment filed on Friday in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. of extorting money from Ikemba Iweala, a 59-year-old neurosurgeon. An FBI affidavit filed in court details the alleged extortion plot, which began early last year when Dr. Iweala, who works at Washington's Providence Hospital, received a call from Nwoye. According to FBI Agent William Ronacher, Iweala, acknowledged having a year-long affair with Nwoye in 2002-2003, adding that they remained "social friends" after their "intimate relationship" ended.

In a February 2006 phone conversation, Nwoye asked Iweala to speak with her cousin, whom she identified as "Ernest Ufondu." In a series of subsequent phone calls spanning two months, "Ufondu" repeatedly demanded money from Iweala in return for his and Nwoye's silence. In fact, "Ufondu" was actually Nwoye's boyfriend, Adriane Osuagwu. Iweala initially agreed to make two $20,000 payments. A week after delivering the second installment (which he turned over to Nwoye in cash in the Providence Hospital parking lot), Iweala received a call from his ex-lover. She "told him that she had not had sex in a while and that she wanted to see him," according to the FBI affidavit. Amazingly, Dr. Iweala agreed to a rendezvous with his extorter later that evening. The pair, in Nwoye's car, drove to a secluded area of the hospital parking lot and disrobed. As they "were engaged in sex, or about to engage in sex," an unknown man approached the auto and began taking photos of the naked duo. Not surprisingly, the brain surgeon immediately began receiving new demands from Osuagwu, who told him, "What happened tonight? That was a terrible mistake. Now I have the photos. You have to pay money to stop all these things." Iweala paid an additional $145,000 before contacting authorities about the scheme.

In subsequent phone conversations monitored by the FBI, Nwoye told Iweala the explicit photos "would not go anywhere without her support" and claimed that all the money she received was forwarded to "Ufondu." Nwoye is charged with a felony count of conspiracy to commit extortion. She was granted bail on a personal recognizance bond and scheduled for a February 15 federal court appearance.

Maltreatment: Nigerian Federal Government Warns Virgin Atlantic, British Airways

The Federal Government has warned Virgin Atlantic and British Airways for treating Nigerians on board their flights with contempt. A statement from the office of the Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, states that the two airlines have been treating Nigerians with the “utmost contempt” when they are checking in and airborne. It further explained that the minister had formally warned one of the airlines in the past over disgraceful treatment they meted out to some Nigerian passengers when the airlines were petitioned.

Fani-Kayode therefore warned the two airline operators that major sanctions would be meted to them should another complaint of maltreatment is reported to his office.“Let it be understood clearly by all and sundry that Nigerians are not second class citizens and the Minister would not sit by and allow our people to be treated like animals by anybody or for any reason “.He also advised that henceforth both carriers should offer better training and far more discipline to both their ground and air staff and encourage them to treat Nigerians with respect and decency just as they do to non-Nigerians.

This is a welcomed statement. It is really ridiculous considering the fact that a plane ticket from naija to london costs about £630 ( 6 hour journey), almost same amount if not more than a ticket from london to india or south africa ( 1 million hours) and to think that all flights from naija are always overbooked. I think we should drop these airlines and let them really feel our impact on their profits, but sha o, me Im going to naija next xmas and will probably be going by virgin atlantic( call me a hypocrite) cos no other airline apart from these 2 provide direct services and I dont think Im ready to spend 5 hours held up somewhere in freetown or cairo.

What we need is more competition from better airlines. God dey.

Vice President Atiku Abubakar's interview in the US

This link is to an interview Jonathan Elendu had with Vice President Atiku a few days ago.

http://elendureports.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=335&Itemid=29

Jaguar give a glimpse of the future

Happy New Year everyone. I hope you lot had a fulfilled 2006. I certainly did. With a wife and baby on the way, who wouldnt be as contented as I am.

Meanwhile, a STUNNING Big Cat with its own throbbing heart rhythm looks set to become a reality for Jaguar, as the iconic marque takes the wraps off its latest concept, the C-XF four-door saloon. The C-XF provides, says Jaguar, a very clear direction as to the design and intent of the car that will eventually replace the S-Type. In essence, C-XF is not just another concept car, it showcases a new design direction for Jaguar sports saloon cars - and the future of the brand. And that heartbeat? It is perhaps the most theatrical of a whole host of innovative features built into the C-XF and forms part of the concept's start-up sequence.

A jewel-like power button pulses on the centre console, with its rhythm designed to represent the "heartbeat" of the car. Press the button, and beneath the hand, concentric aluminium rings spiral downwards to allow the new circular JaguarDrive Selector to nestle directly in the palm.
Then, as the engine starts, a beam of blue light radiates from the centre of the instrument panel, chases its way around the cabin, and finally envelops the rear seats. Overhead, an electro-luminescent panel spanning the entire roof lining bathes the interior in a muted blue light to give a feeling of ambience. Outside, a burst of blue light from the front grille marks the moment the engine fires into life.

Jaguar's award-winning director of design Ian Callum, says the C-XF concept car signals the onset of a new era for Jaguar. The same Jaguar teams produced the much-heralded Jaguar XK sports GT range in 2005, and Callum points out that while the C-XF is wholly contemporary, it succeeds easily in paying homage to its renowned predecessors. Says Callum. "Throughout its history, Jaguar has created some of the most striking, modern, and beautiful sports saloons imaginable, and our objective with C-XF was to recognise those design disciplines. "Company founder Sir William Lyons demanded the same aesthetic correctness, and every one of his legendary designs proved his skill in creating some of the most beautiful cars of all time."
The C-XF design team took inspiration from some of Lyons' greatest cars, including the 1950 Mark VII and 1959 Mark 2 saloons.

The front of the C-XF features a bold and aggressive grille finished in black chrome. Recessed deeply into the body rather than sitting flush with the surface, the visual effect is similar to that of an air intake on a jet engine and serves as a reminder that directly behind is a sophisticated and powerful 4.2-litre supercharged V8 engine. At the rear of the C-XF a very sculptured shoulder flows from the C-pillar into an aggressively tapered tail, accentuated by the large rear diffuser.

The focal point of the interior is a sweeping, brushed aluminium fascia that wraps around the cabin, and leather and wood furnishing details mark the concept's place in the premium saloon market. Beneath the C-XF bonnet sits an enhanced version of Jaguar's renowned 4.2-litre V8 engine, tuned to produce in excess of 420bhp and with a six-speed automatic transmission.
It is capable of reaching an electronically limited top speed of 155mph, with the possibility of an unrestricted speed of over 180mph.