Nigerian artistes win big at Channel O Awards

The Channel O Music Video Awards, held on November 17, 2012.
Out of an impressive 13 nominations, Nigeria artistes secured six awards; Pop duo Psquare won the ‘Most Gifted Group/Duo’ award for their collaboration with May D on the hit single ‘Chop my money,’ while another collaboration from Highlife singer

Flavour and Tiwa Savage on ‘Oyi’ remix won the ‘Most Gifted R&B Music Video of the year’ award.

D’banj walked away with the ‘Most Gifted Male Video of the Year’ award. Last year, the G.O.O.D Music act who was to be honoured with a ‘Special Recognition’ award missed the show.

Other Nigerian winners include Chocolate City ambassadors BrymO, who won the ‘Most Gifted Pop’ for his hit song ‘Ara‘ and the award show’s co-host Ice Prince, who won the award for ‘Most Gifted Hip Hop Video of the Year.’

Meanwhile, Davido walked away with the ‘Most Gifted New Comer of the Year’ award, beating Kenya’sCamp Mulla and Ghana’s E.L, among others.
The show, hosted by rapper Ice Prince and South African model Bonang Matheba, took place at theWalter Sisulu Square in Kliptown, Soweto.

Check out the full winners;

NEW VIDEO!!! P-square ALINGO

LOVE LETTER TO MY GIRL Lmao!!!

My Dear Love, Yesterday, I was passing by your rectangular house in trigonometric lane. There I saw you with your cute circular face, conical nose and spherical eyes, standing in your triangular garden. Before seeing you, my heart was a null set, but when a vector of magnitude (likeness) from your eyes at a deviation of theta radians made a tangent to my heart, it differentiated.

My love for you is a quadratic equation with real roots, which only you can solve by making good binary relation with me. The cosine of my love for you by making good binary relation with me. The cosine of my love for you extends to infinity. I promise that I should not resolve you into partial functions but if I do so, you can integrate me by applying the limits from zero to infinity.

You are as essential to me as an element to a set. The geometry of an element to a set. The geometry of my life revolves around your acute personality. My love, if you do not meet me at parabola restaurant on date 10 at sunset, when the sun is making an angle of 160 degrees, my heart would be like a solved polynomial of degree 10. With love from your higher order derivatives of maxima and minima.

World’s ‘poorest’ president: Donates 90% salary to poor, shuns presidential mansion and drives 1987 Volkswagen

Meet Jose Mujica, a man who lives on a ramshackle farm in Uruguay and drives a 1987 Volkswagen

The name sounds familiar? That’s because Mujica is the President of Uruguay.

Now referred to as the poorest president in the world, President Mujica has shunned the luxurious house that the Uruguayan state provides for its leaders and opted to stay at his wife’s farmhouse, off a dirt road outside the capital, Montevideo.

Laundry is strung outside the house. The water comes from a well in a yard, overgrown with weeds. Only two police officers and Manuela, a three-legged dog, keep watch outside. The president and his wife work the land themselves, growing flowers.

President Mujica also donates about 90% of his monthly salary, which is equivalent to $12,000 (£7,500), to charity. “I may appear to be an eccentric old man … But this is a free choice.”

“I’ve lived like this most of my life,” he says, sitting on an old chair in his garden, using a cushion favoured by Manuela the dog.

“I can live well with what I have.”

On a night when England was ‘Zlaughtered’ by Ibrahimovic

Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic on wednesday night scored probably the ‘greatest goal ever’ to round off a crushing victory over England in the first match at his national stadium.

The talented footballer’s remarkable overhead kick came when he was 30 yards from goal. He sprang six feet into the air to arch the ball over the helpless goalkeeper and into the net.

The world’s biggest football names are already queuing up to praise the goal, with even England’s gobsmacked stars hailing his achievement as ‘extraordinary’ and ‘world class’ as Sweden beat England 4-2 in the first match at their national stadium.

Ibrahimovic’s four-goal haul against England has given Swedes a timely reminder of the benefits of their multi-cultural society at a time of increasing support for anti-immigration parties.

“Just call it the Zlatan Arena,” wrote newspaper Expressen, after the Swedish captain scored four times – including an incredible angled bicycle kick – that gave Sweden a 4-2 win over England in an international friendly at the new Friends Arena.

BlackBerry 10 Smartphones to Be Launched at End of January

RIM is finally ready to show the world its future — the software and hardware it hopes will save it.

This morning the company announced that it will be holding a launch event for its BlackBerry 10 operating system on Jan. 30, 2013. RIM has been previewing the software since the spring, and while it had hoped for a launch before the end of the year, it pushed the date to early 2013 so it could work a bit longer on the features.

“Our team has been working tirelessly to bring our customers innovative features combined with a best in class browser, a rich application ecosystem, and cutting-edge multimedia capabilities,” RIM CEO Thorsten Heins said in a statement today.  ”All of this will be integrated into a user experience — the BlackBerry Flow — that is unlike any smartphone on the market today.”

The new software is a complete overhaul of the current BlackBerry operating system. It has new features like Peek, which lets you see all the apps you have open, and Balance, which lets you create distinct areas for work and play on your device.

UAE Tightens Laws on Political Activism on Web

The United Arab Emirates set stricter Internet monitoring and enforcement codes Tuesday that include giving authorities wider leeway to crack down on Web activists for offenses such as mocking the country's rulers or calling for demonstrations.

The measures are another sign of tougher cyber-policing efforts by Western-backed leaders across the Gulf amid growing concerns over perceived political or security threats since the Arab Spring uprisings.

New Video: Olamide - First Of All

Photo of the day!!!

lmaoooo

New Video!! Bachelor - D'banj

Seun Kuti Campaign To Legalise Marijuana

Cannabis Plantation

Son of Afro-beat king, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, who died 15 years ago, Seun, has condemned the ban of marijuana and cigarette, adding that the position of the law on the two products was illogical.

According to Seun, the favoured cigarette has lethal consequences, while the legally opposed marijuana was medicinal and good for human consumption. But, Seun said, the lethal cigarette was favored simply because it was to the white man’s profit, stressing that marijuana would make black countries richer than the white if legalized.

Seun damned black politicians for taking the white’s advice against its own natural produce of ‘weed’ which he said was good after all and accepting the white’s product which truncates lives.

“Marijuana is medical, and I feel Cigarette is selling legally because it is white man’s business. It is killing millions of people every day. ‘Igbo’ is not killing anybody… Marijuana is not only for smoking. It’s used for a lot of things; you can make clothes, you can drink tea, it is good, it is medicinal, it helps your appetite, they give it to cancer patients.. a lot of benefits”, he said in a tone of finality.

Featured Artist - Camp Mulla

CAMP MULLA

Camp Mulla, in keeping with their youth and their youthful fan base, started out distributing their music through digital download. There radio debut came when radio presenter Eve D'Souza of Capital FM played their track Low.

Their breakout came with their second single, Party Don't Stop, which was featured on many Kenyan radio stations, including 98.4 Capital FM, Kiss 100, and Homeboyz Radio.

Camp Mulla were double winners at this weekend's Kisima Awards, taking home the prizes for Urban Artiste/ Group of the Year and Upcoming Artiste/ Group of the Year. Camp Mulla have also been been nominated in this year’s Kora awards.

The hip hop group have attracted strong responses from fans and critics alike, but with numerous awards and nominations under their belt it's clear they are here to stay. Their fans are legion as reflected by their following on social media - the group has over 46 000 Facebook likes and more than 34 000 Twitter followers.

Kenya's hottest new act Camp Mulla is made up of rappers Taio Tripper, Miss Karun, K'Cous, Shappa Man and manager Mykie Toni. Their musical style is a combination of hip hop and R&B with elements of local Kenyan music. Critics have described their musical style as bubblegum pop.

Tragedy As Accra Mall Collapses

Rescue efforts are continuing following the collapse of a four storey department store in Ghana's capital Accra yesterday, an event which killed at least seven people and injured dozens more. The latest reports put the number of those rescued from the collapsed building at 61, although how many people are still trapped in the rubble is unknown. Israeli experts were set to arrive in Accra to help rescue efforts this afternoon.

 According to Reuters, Kofi Portuphy, the head of Ghana's National Disaster Management Organisation, said: "It is now clear that more people were in the shop than initially estimated, and it is difficult to tell the actual numbers at this moment. "Certainly the conditions of any survivors down there will be deteriorating and it is our hope to get them out as quickly as we can."

Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama suspended his election campaign to return to Accra where he visited the site and some of those rescued from the site. Mahama has also promised there will be a thorough investigation into the cause of the building's collapse. Melcom, the company that owns the store and the biggest chain of retail stores in Ghana, closed all of their stores in Accra today out of respect for those who lost their lives in the collapse.

10 things men wish women knew about sex

1. We Respond to Praise
It’s believed that men are so consumed by our libido that we have no self-consciousness surrounding sex. But men are no different from women when it comes to compliments as catalysts for sexual confidence. This praise can be delivered before reaching the bedroom (give us the once-over and tell us how buff we look), and after (give us the once-over and tell us how buff we look naked). Along those lines, men worry about the size of their guts (and other measurable organs), their hair (or lack thereof) and other attributes. Try to be extra affirming about those sensitivities.

2. We Fear Intimacy…
…but not for the reason you think! Studies have shown that boys are more affectionate, even more expressive, than girls until they reach school age. At that time, social repression begins—of words, thoughts, feelings—and our desire for human connection goes underground. So taboo is this desire for intimacy that its possibility can terrify men—not because it’s smothering, but because we realize how desperate we are for it. What’s a woman to do? First, understand that your guy’s hasty retreat post-sex may be about his own shock at how much he craves a connection with you (and how much he’s denied it in life). Then, retreat a little yourself. This gives him time to see that his boyhood habits are, in fact, perfectly manly.

3. We Appreciate Sex for Sex’s Sake
Having said that about intimacy, sometimes a little “throw-me-down sex” is the right medicine. According to Joe Kort, PhD, a psychotherapist and sexologist, “Men want their wives to enjoy raw sex, not just endure it or take it personally. For men, it’s not about dominating a woman, but ravishing her.” On occasion, try letting him ravish you.

4. We Are Not Just Our…
The penis gets all the press, but men have “many erogenous zones,” says psychologist Melodie Schaefer, PsyD. “Men tend not to correct women because they’re afraid women will shut down and not touch them at all. But there are many places a woman should touch.” Like the chest, the inner thighs and face. Two other key areas: Gently gripping a man’s testicles can be a real turn-on, as it blends control with release. Also, stimulating the perineum, the area between the scrotum and anus, will heighten pleasure during oral sex.

5. We Encourage Fantasies
“Men want to share their fantasies but worry their wives will shame or judge them,” says Dr. Kort. Similarly, Dr. Schaefer reports that men wish women would reveal their imaginings. Want to open yourself to these possibilities? Try making a game of it. First, and most important, promise not to judge the other; then, privately write out scenarios that have tantalized you and place them in a box. When you are next intimate, pull one out. If you’re both comfortable, give it a shot. If not, Dr. Kort recommends asking the author a key question: What about this fantasy do you like? Sometimes, its themes can be addressed in different, more comfortable scenarios.

6. We Like It When You Talk
Talking during sex stimulates more than our ears. What kind of talk? Dirty, praising and instructive are great starts. As amusing as it may sound, a woman’s words can make a guy feel as potent and virile as a Roman gladiator, even if he’s a suburban banker.

7. We Need Your Honesty
Sex can solve the stresses of a relationship, but it’s often where the stresses show up. If we complain about a lack of sex (or your doing certain things only on our birthday), we may be overlooking serious issues that underpin such withholding. We need you to enlighten us. The male ego is often tied to sex, so it’s easy for us to dismiss bedroom problems as female disinterest rather than issues we have a part in. Avoiding these problems, however, only perpetuates your feeling unseen and our frustration.

8. We Enjoy the Dance
Men like a good quest; unfortunately, these days, there are so few. But romance earns that distinction. Allow us to court you; make us deserve your desire. Dr. Kort makes an additional point: “Emotional intimacy is about closeness, but sustaining sexual desire demands a certain amount of distance.” How do couples strike this tricky balance? By allowing each partner to have what he calls “separate sexuality”: a sexual life that doesn’t include, but doesn’t betray, the other. “For him, that might mean allowing his wife to use toys or letting other men look at her; for her, it might be permitting him to watch pornography in order to experience a fantasy.” Such indulgences help maintain the balance of desire and devotion for both parties.

9. We Can Explain Pornography
Finding a spouse using pornography is a top reason couples seek counsel, says Dr. Kort, but it shouldn’t be overreacted to or pathologized. A few things to clear up: 1. Sex addicts represent only 4 percent of the population, so it’s unlikely your man is one. 2. Because childhood experiences influence sexuality as an adult, people are very idiosyncratic about what turns them on. In other words, says Dr. Kort, “no woman can, nor should she, be everything to a man.” Still, the question remains: How does a woman not take pornography personally? First, determine if your mate is compulsive, or can only have sex, with pornography. If so, you may want to seek counseling. If not, Dr. Kort recommends taking the secrecy out of pornography by discussing it. Use the lens of “what about it turns him on versus what turns you off.” That way, a dialogue is created that allows for honesty, dignity and closeness.

10. We Always Need It, But Not for the Reason You Think
Men are accused of being sexually insatiable, but women should rethink this. “Men see sex as a celebration,” says Dr. Schaefer. “They wish women would take more of a ‘carpe diem’ approach to it. We move through life at the speed of sound, with multiplying challenges and pressures. It’s easy to allow demands on our time and energy to rob us of the joy, pleasure and opportunity that sex affords us. On the long list of priorities, it should not be on the bottom rung.” If that doesn’t make you want to “seize the day” (or something else), consider the health benefits: Orgasms release oxytocin, which has been called the “bonding hormone,” bringing couples closer together while it alleviates anxiety and stress, reduces blood pressure and promotes healing.

Colorado is first state to legalize sale of marijuana

Colorado became the first state to legalize the possession and sale of marijuana for recreational use on Tuesday, setting up a possible showdown with the federal government as backers of a similar measure in Washington state declared victory.

A third measure to remove criminal penalties for personal possession and cultivation of recreational cannabis was defeated in Oregon, where significantly less money and campaign organization was devoted to the cause.

Supporters of a Colorado constitutional amendment legalizing marijuana declared victory and opponents conceded defeat after returns showed the measure garnering nearly 53 percent of the vote versus 47 percent against.

“Colorado will no longer have laws that steer people toward using alcohol, and adults will be free to use marijuana instead if that is what they prefer. And we will be better of as a society because of it,” said Mason Tvert, co-director of the Colorado pro-legalization campaign.

The legalization puts the state in direct conflict with the federal government, which classifies cannabis as an illegal narcotic.

The U.S. Department of Justice reacted to the measure’s passage in Colorado by saying its enforcement policies remain unchanged, adding: “We are reviewing the ballot initiative and have no additional comment at this time.”

In Washington, cannabis legalization was passing by a handy margin, according to state returns, and supporters gathered at a Seattle hotel declared victory after local media, including the Seattle Times, declared the measure had been approved.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA VICTORY

Separately, medical marijuana measures were on the ballot in three other states, including Massachusetts, where CNN reported that voters approved an initiative to allow cannabis for medicinal reasons.

Supporters there issued a statement declaring victory for what they described as “the safest medical marijuana law in the country.”

Seventeen other states, plus the District of Columbia, already have medical marijuana laws on their books.

Under the recreational marijuana measures in Colorado and Washington, personal possession of up to an ounce (28.5 grams) of marijuana would be legal for anyone at least 21 years of age. Oregon’s initiative would have legalized possession of unlimited amounts of pot for recreational use.

All three proposals also would permit cannabis to be legally sold, and taxed, at state-licensed stores in a system modeled after a regime many states have in place for alcohol sales.

The Colorado measure will allow personal cultivation of up to six marijuana plants, but “grow-your-own” pot would be banned in Washington state.

Tvert said provisions legalizing simple possession would take effect after 30 days, once the election results are officially certified. The newly passed amendment also mandates establishment of a regulatory framework for sales and excise tax collections once the state legislature reconvenes in January 2013.

“The voters have spoken and we have to respect their will,” Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, a Democrat who opposed the measure, said in a statement. “This will be a complicated process, but we intend to follow through.”

He added: “Federal law still says marijuana is an illegal drug, so don’t break out the Cheetos or gold fish too quickly.”

President Obama election-night tweet retweeted more than Justin Bieber’s tweet

A photo of President Barack Obama hugging first lady Michelle Obama tweeted by the Obama campaign on election night has been retweeted nearly half a million times, likely making it the most shared tweet of all time. The tweet--issued shortly before Obama was projected by several networks to be the winner of Ohio--included the image under the caption, "Four more years."

According to AllTwitter.com, the most popular Twitter message before Tuesday was a tweet by Justin Bieber for Avalanna Routh, a six-year-old fan of the pop star who died of cancer.
"RIP Avalanna," Bieber wrote on Sept. 12."i love you."
While President Obama's Twitter feed technically now holds the most popular tweet of all-time, Obama himself does not. Personal tweets from the president are signed "-bo," like the tweet, published several minutes before the photo, thanking his supporters. It read: "We're all in this together. That's how we campaigned, and that's who we are. Thank you. -bo"

SHOCKING!!! 6 Ph.D, 704 Masters holders among applicants for drivers job in Dangote

LAGOS — The ugly unemployment statistics of Nigeria has been highlighted by the number of applications from higher degree and first degree holders who sought employment as drivers in Dangote group. The staggering figure stands at 13,000.

Of the 13,000 applications received by the Dangote Group for the Graduate Executive Truck Driver, there were six Ph.D, 704 Masters and over 8,460 Bachelor degree holders.


Alhaji Aliko
Speaking during the mentor-ship meeting of the World Bank Youth Forum, Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, said that the company only needed 100 drivers, but received the overwhelming applications.

According to Dangote, most of the applicants were from reputable universities and had the needed quality.

He said: “All these things are verifiable, and they all graduated from reputable institutions which is satisfactory; and our plan is to eventually make them self dependent.

“Despite the fact that the drivers get trip allowances on each trip along with their salaries, the arrangement is that they will own the trucks at no interests or repayments after they must have reached 300,000 kilometres, which is about 140 trips from Lagos to Kano and a hard working driver can complete in two years, while lazy ones can take maximum of four years.”

Analysts believe that the three tiers of government have not done enough to create employment or create enabling environment for the organised private sector to employ more Nigerians.

In a growing economy, it is rather shocking that Ph.D and Masters degree holders are seeking placement as drivers.

Martin Onyilokwu of Media Development Initiative believes that the revelation is a wake up call for government to go beyond rhetoric and start the implementation of credible programmes to improve the living condition of Nigerians.

He said:“It is no longer enough to claim that the economy is growing by this or that per cent. The truth of the matter is that Nigeria is not witnessing appreciable development. We have a situation where the living standard of the people is at an all time low as exemplified by insecurity, poverty, unemployment, massive corruption, executive and legislative recklessness. There is a need for government to wake up to its responsibility.”

It would be recalled that in the course of last week, thousands of young graduates staged protests at the Ministry of Interior in Abuja when officials denied them access to submit application forms. The ministry has since claimed that no employment was on-going.

Wherever rumour of employment is circulated, thousands of duly qualified candidates turn up to participate

Nigeria : Floods kill 363, displace 2.1 million

363 people died over months of flooding across the West African nation and 2.1 million others were displaced.

The agency made the announcement as Nigeria’s annual rainy season is coming to an end.

Adamawa and Kogi state suffered the worst casualties, with more than 18,000 people being injured.

Heavy seasonal rains typically cause flooding across Nigeria, as drainage can be poor in areas and people live in floodplains. However, the flooding this year was exacerbated by heavier than normal rains that cause officials in both Nigeria and neighboring Cameroon to open strained dams.

U.S. election: Obama wins re-election, defeating Romney's fierce challenge

President Barack Obama won re-election Tuesday night despite a fierce challenge from Republican Mitt Romney, prevailing in the face of a weak economy and high unemployment that encumbered his first term and crimped the middle class dreams of millions.
The president sealed his victory in Ohio, Iowa, New Hampshire and Colorado, four of the nine battleground states where the two rivals and their allies spent nearly $1 billion on dueling television commercials.

The president is chosen in a state-by-state tally of electors, not according to the nationwide popular vote, making such “battleground” states — which vote neither Republican nor Democrat on a consistent basis — particularly important in such a tight race.

“This happened because of you. Thank you” Obama tweeted to supporters as he secured four more years in the White House.
Despite widespread voter dissatisfaction with government, Democrats won two more years of control of the Senate and Republicans were on track to do likewise in the House.

Romney was in Massachusetts, his long and gruelling bid for the presidency at an unsuccessful end.
The two rivals were close in the popular vote.
Romney had 45.2 million votes, or 49 per cent. Obama had 45 million, also 49 per cent, with 65 per cent of precincts tallied.

Rihanna unveils Chris Brown duet "Nobodies Business"

 R&B star Rihanna unveiled a duet entitled "Nobodies Business" with ex-boyfriend Chris Brown on Tuesday, three years after Brown was charged with assaulting her.

The song was part of an official track list that Barbadian singer Rihanna tweeted to her followers for her upcoming album "Unapologetic," and comes after weeks of speculation in the media that the couple have rekindled their romance being spotted together at numerous events.

While Rihanna, 24, has stayed mum on her relationship status with Brown, the "Turn Up The Music" singer attended Rihanna's Halloween party last week and tweeted a photograph of himself dressed in Arab robes and a rifle.

Brown, 23, is currently halfway through his five-year probation after pleading guilty to assaulting Rihanna on the eve of the Grammy awards in 2009. He was ordered to complete community service and a domestic violence program.

Telephone Conversation Between A Man In Hurricane Ravaged New York & A Lagosian

Here's a telephone conversation between a man in Hurricane ravaged New York and his friend in Lagos:

Lagos: I hope u guys are safe?

NY: Man all hell is breaking loose out here!

Lagos: What's going on?

NY: There is flooding everywhere

Lagos: Big deal we're used to that!

NY: People are dying man!

Lagos: We're used to that too!

NY: Look man the power's out we're in darkness!

Lagos: Welcome to our world!

NY: People can't get around no public transport

Lagos: We just banned Okada too

NY: The phone lines are out too, I'm having to use my mobile

Lagos: Me too!

NY: The police and Emergency services are overwhelmed we don't feel safe from criminals taking advantage of the situation!

Lagos: Neither do we!

NY: Hey man did Hurricane Sandy hit u guys too

Lagos: Since Independence oh

Would you take so much slaps??

     
                           Whatever they are saying i dont care but damn!!! the slaps are crazy

D’banj Wins ‘Best African Act’ At 2012 MOBO Awards

D’banj has been named ‘Best African Act’ at the 2012 edition of the MOBO Awards.

The hit maker clinched the title tonight, Saturday, November 3, 2012 at the Echo Arena, Liverpool, UK, where the awards is being held.

D’banj beat fellow Nigerian pop acst Psquare as well as his other African counterparts Fatoumata Diawara, The Very Best, Spoek Mathambo, Fally Ipupa, Sarkodie, Cabo Snoop, Camp Mulla and Amadou and Mariam to walk away with the coveted prize.

Last year, D’banj was also nominated but was beaten by Nigeria pop singer Wizkid.

This will be his first ever MOBO award which sees him join the list of past Nigerian winners 2face Idibia (2007) 9ice (2008) and Nneka (2009).
D’banj recently lost out of the MTV Europe Music Award ‘Best Worldwide Act’ category.

Innovation: The River And The Graveyard - Seun Onigbinde

Editor’s Note: This post is by Seun Onigbinde, Team Lead at BudgIT, a creative start-up driven to retell the Nigerian budget and public data  in a finer detail across every literacy span. You can follow him on twitter as well as see what he’s been up to with BudgIT.

Recently I had the honour of presenting at the Open Knowledge Festival in Helsinki and as I touched down on the majestic floor, I felt an aura of ease around me. I could accurately call it a leash of  freedom. Freedom from a pile of filth inching to the gutters, rattle of noisy generators or discovery of another open theft of oil funds.

After having a sauna, in the breezy cold watching over the tip of the old cathedral, I turned around.  I asked a Finnish guy what he thought about Nokia. He quickly retorted “ Nokia to us is dead, we just feel it’s too big to die so quick”. I would see his frustration at how Nokia was losing share in the smartphone business and how the Finnish Company whose sales were once 4% of Finnish economy has  seen its GDP share dwindle to less than 1% in three years. It’s corporate taxes  to government coffers shrunk by 75%  in the corresponding period.

Most Finnish youths (possibly out of the 3,700 laid out by Nokia) are fastened to iPhones and Samsung products either checking a Google map or running through a playlist. No emotions in a land where Nokia should be on the throne. Even the free wi-fi that greets one at the airport is paid for by Samsung and it announces the S3 product in passengers’  faces.

My Finnish friend told me Nokia previously a paper, electronics and retail company was moving on as it seeks the next big startup to redirect its course. There’s a Nokia Bridge incubator where it gives $25,000 to its former employees to unleash a new startup and it also invested over $1m in a university to fund new mobile startups.

It’s a reminder to the lifespan of the company. One sees the bright pupil of the yesterday class struggling to fill in the numbers. How does  a company lose touch with innovation. When a warhorse in limelight goes on a misstep and starts to hug a tombstone. However, the Finnish society wired to seek answers is excited with Angry Birds, homegrown global gaming leader. You move around Helsinki pubs and you peer at areas marked ‘Angry Birds Space’ which provides free wi-fi access.

Running round an innovation circus, it’s a tale of juggling many balls: to keep a steady hold to the consumer , not iterate fast and not fall prey to the Innovator’s dilemma, to lead in a sustainable way, keep a forefront in R&D and continually keep consumers on the cliff of surprise. No matter how little a space one tries  to innovate either as a startup or huge enterprise, the worry hangs there to deepen the reach to the attention or wallet of the consumer, to continually provide value and revel in a space of relevance.

For a company like IBM which moved on from personal computers to consulting or even Google spending fast to keep the user on hold to its search function, it’s the price of innovation.  As creatively defined by Joseph Schumpeter,  the profits that litter around from the tangible hold of today’s customers is the cost of innovation and being in  tomorrow’s business. In all as a person seeking to lead a frontier in public data access and visualisation, I keep a famous line in Michael Lewis  Liars’ Poker: ‘Wall Street (a hotbed of financial innovation) is a street with a river at one end and a graveyard at the other.’

The journey of a product/company between the river and the graveyard can be told in Schumpeter’s phrase – creative destruction.

BOKO HARAM ANNOUNCES CEASE FIRE!

Islamic sect Boko Haram yesterday opted for dialogue with the Federal Government, picking former military leader Gen. Muhammadu Buhari as mediator.
Buhari contested last year’s presidential election on the platform of Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) against President Goodluck Jonathan.

Boko Haram also proposed Saudi Arabia for the talks, which the government had for long suggested to ascertain the sect’s grievances.
Others, it suggested as mediators are Dr. Shettima Ali Monguno, Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim, Ambassador Gaji Galtimari, Mrs Aisha Alkali Wakil and her husband Alkali Wakil.

Boko Haram named Abu Mohammed Ibn Abdulaziz, said to be the next in command to its leader, Abubakar Shekau, as leader of its team to the talks. He will be joined by Abu Abbas, Sheik Ibrahim Yusuf, Sheik Sani, Kantagora and the detained Mamman Nur.
Ibn Abdulaziz, who spoke in a tele-conference with reporters in Maiduguri, Borno State, also called for the arrest of former Governor Ali Modu Sheriff, but gave no reason for the demand.

He also asked for compensation for families of killed Boko Haram members and the release of those in detention.
In a swift reaction, the Presidency welcomed Boko Haram’s change in position, reiterating its commitment to peace and Justice.

A statement last night by presidential spokesman Reuben Abati reads: “Yes, I have seen the story in which the Boko Haram is reportedly declaring a ceasefire and the opening of dialogue. I think it is important to restate the position of government in this matter.

“The Federal Government is committed to peace and security for the benefit of all Nigerians. If what the proposed ceasefire is intended to achieve are the objectives of peace and security, then it is a welcome development.
“Don’t forget that President Jonathan had made it clear that if the people behind Boko Haram are ready to come forward, and table their grievances, then government will be willing to listen to those grievances.

“There have been attempts before now, by concerned persons to reach out to the Boko Haram through back channels, in response to government’s call that all efforts should be made to resolve the problem. I suspect that this latest development may be related to that.
“Definitely, government is determined to ensure peace, peace, and peace, and protect the rule of law, and at the same time, see that justice is done where wrongs have been committed.”

Despite a shift in its hardline position, Boko Haram’s command and control structure remains a mystery.
Abdulaziz, who spoke on its behalf yesterday is unknown to the media.
Ibn Abdulaziz said: “We are not actually challenging the state, as people are saying, but the security (forces) who are killing our members, children and wives.”
“We are highly offended but if this government is sincere, everything (the attacks) will come to an end. We want to dialogue but government must show sincerity in its handling of the situation.”
The call came through the channels that Boko Haram usually communicates with reporters, but not from its spokesman who uses the nom de guerre Abul Qaqa in such calls. Ibn Abdulaziz, who claimed to speak on Shekau’s behalf, did not call for the implementation of Shariah law across Nigeria, a long-term demand of the sect.

Serena, Venus Williams Exhibition Match In Lagos Today

A titanic clash between Serena and Venus Williams to be broadcast live on SuperSport will light up the Williams sister’s first venture into the continent.

The sisters who have dominated women’s tennis in the last decade, amassing a combined total of 35 singles and doubles grand slam titles, are embarking on a two-country visits to the continent to raise awareness for women’s rights.

They have already touched down on the continent and are currently in Nigeria, the first stop of their two visits.

From Nigeria they will proceed to South Africa before returning home to the United States.

SuperSport is the Official Media Partner for the tour and will broadcast live the Nigerian exhibition match on Friday, November 2 (from 10.15am on SS5 and SS9).

Broadcast details: Friday, November 2;SS5A, SS5N, SS9 (11.15am CAT)

Lagos Assembly Considers Anti-smoking Bill

A bill towards prohibiting smoking in designated places for connected purposes yesterday scaled through the first reading at the Lagos State House of Assembly.

The bill, which is a private member bill sponsored by member representing Eti-Osa Constituency 2, Mr. Gbolahan Yishawu, was read on the floor by the Acting Clerk of the House, Segun Abiru.

The bill if passed into law, will prohibit people from smoking tobacco, or anything, which contains tobacco, or any other substance in any place designated as 'No Smoking Area'.

From the commencement of the law, it shall be an offence to smoke in the presence of a child under the age of 15 years in any vehicle or location listed or not listed.

Referee Mark Clattenburg, called Mikel Obi a monkey saying ‘Shut up you monkey’ – Chelsea

The race-row that has engulfed Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg intensified further on Wednesday as two Chelsea players claimed they heard him call teammate Mikel Obi a ‘monkey’.

It has emerged that the pair of unnamed stars say this is what happened during their match with Manchester United on Sunday — but the official categorically denies making any racist comments.

Clattenburg has been accused of saying to Mikel, ‘Shut up you monkey’ as he booked him for dissent as well as calling Juan Mata a ‘Spanish t***’ in their 3-2 defeat at Stamford Bridge.

Mystery had surrounded what Clattenburg actually said to Mikel – until these allegations were made Wednesday morning.

5 things a man should think of before having sex

Given that sex is one of the most natural forces in the universe, I thought I’d explain a few things to you. You don’t have to take my advice, and I don’t know everything.  But when it’s all said and done and you are lying in the bed you’ve made for yourself, you’ll realize that the most significant events in your life come down to whether or not you made good choices or bad ones.
Here are five things to consider before having sex:

1)      Why are you doing this anyway?

Sadly enough, commercialized hip hop on the radio makes its billions by teaching black men to have sex with any pretty thing with a working vagina.   The rule is that if she’s “fine” and she’s willing, then you’d be a fool not to take it.  The sad part of this story is that a lot of brothers soon find that a toxic woman, even one with a beautiful smile, can make you wish you were never born. Evelyn Lozada, the violent Sasquatch on Basketball Wives might be a perfect case-in-point.