Ibrahimovic dares Messi, Ajax threaten APOEL

Cypriot champions APOEL earned plenty of plaudits for their performance in losing 1-0 to Barcelona at the Camp Nou in their Group F opener, but if they are to stand any prospect of progressing they will need to beat Ajax in Nicosia.

Ajax held Paris Saint-Germain to a 1-1 draw last time out and Frank de Boer’s side head to the Mediterranean island fresh from a 5-2 victory at NAC Breda at the weekend, a game in which Kolbeinn Sigthórsson scored a hat-trick. The four-time European champions have performed poorly away from home in the competition recently but surely only a win would keep them in with a chance of finishing any higher than third in the section.

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN V BARCELONA

The Parc des Princes will be the scene for the heavyweight showdown of the French champions and Luis Enrique’s Barcelona. The clubs clashed in the quarter-finals 18 months ago, when Paris held their more illustrious opponents in both legs but lost on away goals. PSG are desperate to win the most prestigious trophy in European football, but they have had a cumbersome start to the season and have drawn four of their last five matches.

“We are aware that last season we dominated the league and this year, with the same team and the same coach, we are not winning matches so easily,” says coach Laurent Blanc, a former team-mate of Luis Enrique at the Camp Nou. In contrast, Barcelona have enjoyed an excellent start to the campaign and are still to concede a goal never mind lose a game. With Lionel Messi and Neymar in fine form, and Gerard Pique back in the squad, they look like marginal favourites against a PSG side missing Thiago Silva and Ezequiel Lavezzi and with a doubt over Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

source: vanguardng

Jason Derulo says he & Jordin split because he felt pressured to marry

In an interview with Ryan Seacrest today, Jason Derulo said he and longtime girlfriend Jordin Sparks broke up because he felt so much pressure to settle down...

"What happened...in a nutshell, there was a lot of tension in the relationship for a lot of different reasons... There was a lot of pressures of marriage. There was a lot of arguing and stuff like that that just weighed on our relationship over time. When you stop having more good times than bad bad times, it’s time to call it quits. It becomes something that is unhealthy. I'm not one to throw my business out on the street, but I thought it was important because things are getting a little out of hand.

To be fair, it was not just from her either. It was kind of from everybody. That’s not the sole reason, but it definitely played a part. I'll be lying if I said that we parted in good terms. But it's not a bad situation. There’s no bad blood. We didn’t end off on a weird way or a negative way.'  Jason said...

Kim K continues her invasion of PFW in studded skirt & sheer top

Doesn't she have regular clothes anymore? Her clothes these days are nice but a little over the top. She wore this leather fringed skirt and see-through black top as she arrived at the Balmain showroom today. See more photos after the cut...

Photo: US singer Ashanti on her way to Nigeria

Singer Ashanti pictured aboard Arik Air on her way to Nigeria for the Bovi Man on Fire show which will hold this Friday October 3rd at Eko Hotel.

source: lindaikeji

Joke Silva elated as she receives National Award on her birthday

Legengary actress Joke Silva flanked by her legendary husband Olu Jacobs and their son after she received her National Award today in Abuja. It was  her birthday yesteday, so double celebrations and double congrats to her

Another church building collapses in Edo state

Barely a week after a building belonging to Christ Chosen Church of God collapsed in Edo state killing three people, another church building has collapsed in the state.

A building belonging to Liberty Power Bible Church a.k.a Power Palace at Asoro Slope, off Ekenwan Road in Benin city, Edo state, collapsed yesterday September 28th. 

According to reports, the incident happened shortly after members of the church left the building after the close of service. No life was lost.

The owner of the land where the church was being constructed, Ajor Sylvanus, told reporters that the building collapsed because it was not properly built...

“The storm that followed the rain was much but I have been complaining about the building structure. The pastor built the church like a fence, no pillar. The block is just ordinary sand. I have been telling him that no pillar would cause the building to collapse. The building fell on my building and damaged many things. I thanked God that nobody died. When the pastor came, he was concerned about the musical instrument in his church and thanked God that his church members were not around when the building fell. I had to call the police. The building has already cracked and I have been warning the pastor that the building will collapse.” he said

Why we’ve not defeated Boko Haram – Jonathan

ABUJA—President Goodluck Jonathan said, yesterday, that the fight against Boko Haram terrorists has taken so long because Nigerians were not yet fully united to fight the menace.

Speaking at an interdenominational Church service to mark the country’s 54th Independence celebration, President Jonathan said when Nigerians are fully united, there is no problem that they cannot overcome.

Citing the case of Ebola Virus Disease which Nigeria has effectively contained, President Jonathan said despite political differences, Nigerians were able to unite across political, ethnic and religious divide to fight it.

While thanking religious leaders and other Nigerians for their continued prayers for the country, the President said their prayers have continued to sustain the country.“God knows that we have challenges and before they came up, God knew. Because of the prayers of Nigerians, we will overcome our challenges. God is with Nigerians and we will overcome our challenges. If we are united there is no problem we cannot conquer.

We were able to defeat Ebola because Nigerians were united and agreed that we should fight it. We have not defeated Boko Haram because Nigerians are not all united yet”, he said.

President Jonathan enjoined politicians to be cautious in their struggle for political space, saying the interest of the country should be the driving factor.

“When I listen to some comments by some highly placed individuals, I feel sorry for this country. There are some of us who, while struggling to get what we desire, forget that we can not get it if we destroy our country. So, if we come together, while pursuing whatever achievement we want, since we don’t have any other country than Nigeria, I am sure we will overcome Boko Haram.

“We were able to defeat Ebola because Nigerians agreed together to wage war against the disease. That is the strength of unity. Some of the challenges we are having, whether kidnapping or the greatest problem which is terror, it is because all of us have not united to fight these challenges.”

He commended the Armed Forces for their efforts at containing terrorism and called for  encouragement from Nigerians to do better.

“Let us commend the security services because if some of you know what they pass through, and the sabotage, you will appreciate the little they have done.”

In his sermon, President  of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Pastor Ayo Oritsejefor prayed for God to use the occasion of the independence day celebration to bring back peace and unity to the country.

The CAN president explained that all the problems facing Nigeria as a nation were self inflicted, including corruption and terrorism, perpetrated by the Boko Haram sect.

He said corruption in Nigeria was caused by poverty mentality as a result of people not being satisfied with what they have. According to him, the country’s woes were also caused by those who are desperate to take power.

Pastor Orisejefor, who noted that Nigeria was being troubled by Nigerians, said: “Troublers of Nigeria, get ready for judgement. It doesn’t matter what level you are, the judgement of God will find those who are troubling Nigeria.”

He disagreed with insinuations that the level of terrorism in the country was as a result of poverty. “Terrorism  is not fuelled by poverty but poverty can create an environment where more people can be recruited.”

Quoting from the Bible in Acts chapter 5, the CAN president also warned Nigerian women to desist from shielding their husbands who perpetrate crimes against the country.

Pastor Orisejefor stressed the need for deliberate steps to “de-radicalise those who are radicalised because of extremist religious beliefs”, addin that Nigerians should support the military.

The first reading was taken from the book of 1 Sam 30: 1-19 by Justice Walter Onoghen while Senate President David Mark took the second reading from Mark 4:35-41.

A special prayer which was sent from the Catholic Pontiff, Pope Francis I was read at the service.

Other dignitaries who attended the event included deputy senate President Ike Ekweremadu; deputy speaker Emeka Ihedioha; former head of state, General Yakubu Gowon; former head of Interim National Government, Ernest Shonekan; Secretary to the Government of the Federation Ayim Pius Ayim; Head of Service of the Federation, Ambassadors of Israel and Greece, the service chiefs and Arch Bishop Nicholas Oko, Primate of the Anglican Communion, among others.

culled from vanguardng

$9.3m arms deal: You have no justification to criticise Oritsejafor, group tells Okogie

ABUJA – The Christians United Against Boko Haram (CUAB), yesterday, berated the former Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie for his comments on the President of Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor on the $9.3million arms deal in South Africa.

Okogie was quoted to have, while reacting to the $9.3 million arms deal in South Africa, criticized Oritsejafor for establishing a University and for allegedly romancing with President Goodluck Jonathan, saying it had totally derailed him (Oritsejafor) from the essence of Christian leadership.

But the Executive Secretary of CUABH, Deacon Olusola Oyedokun in a statement issued on Sunday, in Abuja, said Okogie’s attack on the integrity of the current CAN President was hypocritical and unbecoming of a man of his personality.

CUAB told Okogie to keep quiet, because under him Nigeria was taken to the Organization of the Islamic Conference.

While urging him “to be mindful of his words and avoid being used by enemies of the Body of Christ”, the statement warned that “those who live in glass houses should not throw doyens at the undeserving.”

Oyedokun expressed disappointment that Okogie could compare his tenure to that of Oritsejafor.

He said, “As CAN President under whom a secular Nigeria was taken to the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Okogie has very little moral grounds to stand on to attack the integrity of Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor whose name invokes apprehension in those who wish to entrench one religion over the other in Nigeria.

“We are surprise at Okogie for criticizing Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor for opening a University and wonder whether Cardinal Okogie considers education as Haram. To recall that if opening universities was wrong, then the Catholic Church has participated in the wrong doing by being behind Madonna University. It is double standards for Cardinal Okogie to close his eyes to Madonna University and attack Pastor Ayo’s University.”

Oyedokun urged Cardinal Okogie not to act on rumour and innuendo with regards the $9.3 million that was to be used by the Office of the National Security Adviser to buy arms.

He said that if people were to act on rumour and innuendo, certain people would not be able to explain exotic videos for which they were rumored to have appeared.

culled from vanguardng

Oh dear! Check out what Doris Simeon wore to Oct. 1st premiere

Celebs stormed Kunle Afolayan's October 1st movie premiere last night all dressed in old school outfits and hair. This is what actress Doris Simeon wore to the event. That hair though. Very creative!

source:lindaikeji

Pics from the 54th Independence Anniversary interdenominational service

President Jonathan, First Lady Patience Jonathan and other top government functionaries celebrated Nigeria's 54th independence at an interdenominational service at the National Christian Center Abuja yesterday Sunday Sept. 28th. See more photos after the cut...