Captain of the Zambian national team, Christopher Katongo, has stated that although he is disappointed with the draw against Ethiopia on Monday, he is looking forward to the next two games against Nigerian and Burkina Faso.

Adana Gebreyes cancelled out Collins Mbesuma’s first half opener, despite the Ethiopians having one man less, after their goalkeeper Jemal Tassew was sent off.

“[Ethiopia game] was tough but we will qualify to the quarterfinals,” Katongo said. “We have two games so we will make sure we collect maximum points. We will wear a different jacket in the next game.

“We are ready against Nigeria, people should not judge us based on one game; this is not the result we wanted but what we are asking is for the nation’s support.”

Nigeria has won their last two meetings against Zambia at the AFCON. In the 1994 final, two goals from Emmanuel Amuneke clinched the title for the West Africans, while the Super Eagles triumphed on penalties at Angola 2010, at the quarter-final stage.

The Embassies of the United States, United Kingdom, Germany and Canada on Wednesday advised their citizens not to travel to Nigeria for fear of insecurity.

The fresh warnings came on the heels of the deployment of troops in northern Mali.

The countries fear attacks on Nigeria by Islamic terrorists, who are supporting the course of for the Malian rebels.

The Canadian embassy on its website described the country’s situation unpredictable, saying there was a high risk of terrorism, crime, inter- communal clashes, armed attacks and kidnappings.

“Increased threat of attacks and kidnappings Military clashes are occurring in Mali between armed rebels and government forces. Since January 11, 2013, the French military has been assisting the Malian government in efforts to repel these rebels.

“Terrorist groups in the region have declared their intention to increase attacks and kidnappings, targeting Westerners. Citizens of countries supporting the military intervention are at particular risk, but all travellers should exercise increased vigilance in the region.

“There is a high threat of domestic terrorism in the northern states of Gombe, Yobe, Borno, Kano and Kaduna, where the extremist group, Boko Haram, which often claims responsibility for terrorist attacks, is based.

“Boko Haram-related attacks have resulted in thousands of deaths and injuries. A state of emergency is in effect in some areas of Borno and Yobe states.

“There is a risk of foreign nationals being kidnapped in some northern states of Nigeria.”

The UK, on its website which was updated on January 13, 2013, and marked, “Still current” on 23 January, 2013, said, “We advise against all travel to: Borno State, Yobe State, Riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states. Warri city, Kano city.

“We advise against ALL BUT ESSENTIAL travel to: Bauchi State, Jos city, Riyom and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas in Plateau State, Gombe State, Mubi Town in Adamawa State and the area north of Mubi Town that borders Borno State.

“Non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom states; Abia State, Kaduna City and Zaria City.

“There is a high threat from terrorism in Nigeria. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including government, security and educational institutions, international organisations as well as public venues and areas such as restaurants, bars, markets, hotels, shopping centres, places of worship and other areas frequented by expatriates, foreign tourists and business travellers.

“A number of attacks have taken place around religious and public holidays. There have been regular attacks on churches in northern Nigeria at times of worship. We cannot therefore rule out further attacks taking place. You should be particularly vigilant at these times and in these locations. You should avoid affected areas in the immediate aftermath of an attack.”

“Following French military intervention in Mali, there is a possibility of retaliatory attacks targeting Western interests in the region. We advise vigilance.”

The US Mission on its website, “The U.S. Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria encourages US citizens in Nigeria to remain vigilant in light of recent events in Mali and the potential for retaliatory actions towards westerners in the region.”

“There is currently no specific information on threats against US citizens in Nigeria. It is prudent to be aware of events occurring in other countries of the region.

“As a precaution, US citizens in Nigeria should exercise caution when in public areas, particularly areas frequented by westerners such as: hotels, nightclubs, and various forms of public transportation including ferries.”

It asked citizens to “stay tuned to media reports, be aware of your surroundings, and report suspicious activity or unattended packages to the police. As always, avoid demonstrations should you come upon them.”

Germany said, “Due to the military operation in Mali, also Germans in Nigeria have to act on the assumption of an increasing endangerment. Please take note of the updated travel advice of the German Foreign Office.”

 

As Nigeria joins the rest of the word to celebrate this year’s Eid-el- Malud, President Jonathan has called on Muslims in the country to pray for peace as well as the quick recovery of the Emir of Kano who was shot by unidentified gunmen last week.

Jonathan in a goodwill message to Muslim faithful as they celebrate Eid-el-Maulud which commemorates the birth of Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) said they should not forget the nation in prayers.

A statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity matters, Reuben Abati quoted the President saying that as Muslims celebrate the birth of Prophet Mohammed, all true believers of Islam should continue to pray for peace in all parts of the country and resolve to do more to support the ongoing efforts by the Federal Government and its security agencies towards ensuring greater safety of lives and property in Nigeria.

“The President urges them to offer special prayers for the officers and men of Nigeria’s security agencies at home and abroad who are working very hard, day and night, and sometimes making the supreme sacrifice for the security of the country and all who live in it.

“The President also urges the Islamic faithful to remember the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero and members of his family in their prayers and pray for their speedy recovery from the trauma of last weekend’s heinous attack, and the peaceful repose of the souls of those who sadly lost their lives in the despicable assault on an icon of the revered institution of traditional rulership in the country.”

Amarachi Uyanne, winner of the just concluded Nigeria’s Got Talent reality TV show has been honored with an Excellence Awarded by the Oba of Benin, Omo No’ba N’edo Uku Akpolokpolo Erediauwa. The 8-year-old girl was awarded alongside ten other outstanding persons at this year’s edition of the annual Benin Achievers Recognition Awards, which held recently at the Royal Palace, Benin, Edo State capital.

The other awardees include: Justice Efe Ikponmwosa, Former Chairman of Nigerian Premier League and the Ohe of Benin kingdom Chief Oyuki Obaseki, media icon Soni Irabor and the late Nollywood veteran, Sam Loco Efe for his immense contribution to the entertainment industry.

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Professor Osayuki Godwin Oshodin and Professor Osato Frank Giwa-Osagie of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, were also awarded for their academic excellence.

Also honoured were the duo of Sir David Osunde and Pa Joseph Alufa Igbinovia of the Idia Mask sculpture fame which was a master piece at FESTAC 1977.

 



Controversial Nollywood actress, Cossy Orjiakor, has reacted angrily to an open letter published by a blogger, Ngozi Kanwiro, calling her “jobless” and “a low life”.

Kanwiro had written about the reckless and notorious lifestyle both Cossy and Tonto Dikeh live and the former didn’t take it likely on Twitter last night.

She tweeted: “What impact ve u made in ur community or nigeria as a country. Tonto and I have been able 2 draw attention to Nigeria internationally.

“We are simply not on d same social strata. Go and cook for ur husband and let those making an impact in d world be. Ur simply a nonentity.

“Stupidity at its heights..how can a low life igbo woman write a letter to me and tonto abt our supposed dirty lifestyle. SMH ur so jobless.”

Here is the open letter written by the blogger:

An Open Letter To Cossy Orjiakor and Tonto Dikeh & Appeal To Ohanaeze Ndigbo – By Ngozi Kanwiro
The unscrupulous lifestyles of Igbo NOLLYWOOD Actresses, Cossy Orjiakor and Tonto Dikeh are just becoming too unbearable.

This duo has ignorantly and intentionally refused to stop their no-longer interesting/entertaining lifestyles that are now tarnishing the image of the Igbo female group as a whole.

It is so disheartening how Cossy has continued to tarnish the image of our Igbo sisters through her dirty lifestyles that now give all Nigerians the impression that Igbo ladies are all prostitutes using their bodies to climb to the ladder of fame in all works of life, whereas in reality, it is not true, rather it is being practiced by few unscrupulous Igbo girls who have nothing else to offer to the Nigerian society aside exposing their God-given feminine physique in sexual-appealing manner to gain popularity, and by giving out their supposed holy-bodies to men (married and single) so long as he can pay the price.

Please Cossy and Tonto, Nigerians and most importantly, Ndigbo are no longer finding your ugly, dirty lifestyles funny, please you girls should turn a new leaf this new year and embrace God in your lives for your own good. You two maybe thinking that you are on top of the game, but you are only causing yourselves more harm than good, and if you ladies refuse to change for better, you will surely reap a negative fruit in future to come.

Finally, I am using this medium with other mediums to follow, to call on the Ohanaeze Ndigbo society to please write personally to Cossy Orjiakor and Tonto Dikeh to change their lifestyles as soon as possible, and if they fail or pay deaf ear, then the Ohanaeze Ndigbo should write to NOLLYWOOD, PMAN, Nigeria Censorship Agency, and every other entertainment industry in Nigeria through the major national dailies in Nigeria, to ban them from participating in Nigerian entertainment industries of any kind.

This is so sad because they are no longer entertaining Nigerians but rather teaching the upcoming Nigeria youths bad moral conducts.

Just see the unimaginable picture an African woman of Igbo origin posted publicly online in the name of entertaining her so-called fans. Yes, such rubbish can be done in the west, this is Africa, Nigeria and this also goes beyond to tarnishing the name of Igbo tribe. Spread this message as fast as you can.