Photos: Ooni of Ife pays courtesy visit to Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode

Today, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife, paid a courtesy visit to the Lagos State House, Ikeja where he was warmly recieved by the State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode who presented him with an Eyo plaque.

Photos: Tiwa Savage and Awilo Longomba working on a new song

Tiwa shared these photos of them in a studio yesterday, with the caption ''something is coming''.

Alex Iwobi, Victor Moses and the 4 other footballers who could win the 2017 African player of the year award (Editorial)

Last week, Riyad Mahrez of Algeria and Leicester City was crowned Africa's player of the year for 2016 due to his heroics and excellent season with Leicester City in the English Premier League. Well, based on his current form, it's certainly a no-brainer if he doesn't win the award in 2017 except he gets his mojo back which in the world of football sometimes never happens.

Some footballers (Nigerians inclusive) have been phenomenal this season and stand a huge chance of winning the prestigious 2017 accolade for Africa's player of the year if they continue with their good form till the season's climax.

LIB presents to you- Alex Iwobi, Victor Moses and the 4 other footballers who could win the 2017 African Player of the year award.

1.Victor Moses -



A very present thorn in the flesh of opposition wingers this season, Moses has redeveloped his playing game to suit the tactical demands of the acutely intelligent Chelsea coach Antonio Conte. He runs up and down the right wing of Chelsea's 3-5-2/3-4-3 formation like a man living on frog juice and gives his own share of defensive graft as such as attacking verve. He has also been a shining light for the Super Eagles of Nigeria and did well in the country's last outing against Algeria. With his turnover of 4 goals and 1 assist in 18 appearances for Chelsea who says Moses can't be crowned 2017 Africa's player of the year.

Probability of him winning it on current form: 3.5/5


2.Saido Mane


Dribbler, acute crosser, eye for goal, hustler and bustler- All this terms describe Saido Mane of Senegal and Liverpool. Some Liverpool fans will even say he has been their best player this season, with his pace and ability to stretch opposition defence down the right wing a major factor in Liverpool's fight for premier league glory under Jurgen Klopp this season.
He is set to star for Senegal in this month's African Cup of Nations, and a good performance at the nations cup coupled with continual week in- week out solid performances for Liverpool will get him the coveted 2017 crown as Africa's best player.

Probability of him winning it on current form:4/5


3.Eric Bailly


All it took was just an injury to halt Bailly's mind blowing defensive performances for Manchester United this season. Bought from Villareal for £30m by Manchester United, Jose Mourinho has shown enough confidence in the defender and he has duly rewarded his boss' faith. No African defenders have been given African player of the year awards even at their peak (ask Joseph Yobo, Taribo West and Rigobert Song), but Bailly might just be an exception this year especially if he does well for Ivory Coast at the Nations Cup this January.
Bailly is young, energetic, athletic and an intelligent defender, but would that be enough come the end of 2017?

Probability of him winning it on current form:2.5/5

4.Alex Iwobi -



The 20 year old in 2016 was a revelation for Arsene Wenger's Arsenal. Not only did he snub England to represent Nigeria, he has gone on from strength to strength in the last one year and has had two contract improvements. He was even nominated for Arsenal's player of the month award for December. For Nigeria, he has been a very good player too and has seamlessly bonded with his country men despite most of the players being by far older than he is. Whenever he plays he seems so confident with the ball and can play across all three positions in the attacking third. He has scored 2 goals this season, created 19 chances and provided 3 assists.

Arsene Wenger once said of Iwobi : “I started him last year because I’ve seen that there’s something in him that is quality of vision, quality of give and go, of movement,”
“He can break the lines with a pass and individually as well, so there’s a lot in the locker. Overall, he’s only 20 years old so you could see that he has gained in confidence now. He can take people on much more and he has gained power as well.

Who says he can't be Africa's next best player of the year?..At least a Nigerian should win it, it's been long....goddammit!!!

Probability of him winning it on current form:3.5/5

5.Kelechi Iheanacho



From a boy playing academy football in the streets of Owerri to an £85,000 per week earning footballer in the space of 4 years, Kelechi's story of grass to grace is the type every parent wishes for their child.
For Nigeria, he has been on fire and for Man City, some fans are even beginning to prefer his pacy impetus and attacking alacrity to that of Sergio Aguero.
With 4 goals in the premier league and 2 goals in the Champions league, Iheanacho is a leading African light at the age of 20 an crowned it up last week when he won CAF's Most Promising Talent of the Year award at the 2016 Glo-CAF Awards. If he keeps listening to Pep Guardiola's words of wisdom and applies himself to improvement daily sky is surely his starting point.

Probability of him winning it on current form:4/5

6.Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang



The Gabonese footballer with one of the hrdst names to produce in world football, Auba- as he is fondly called by his Borussia Dortmund teammates carries the weight of his nation at the Nations Cup tournament in January. He was the former African player of the year and his prolific form for Dortmund has made him to be constantly linked to Real Madrid.

He has scored 20 goals in 22 appearances for Dortmund this season and is literally on fire. At 27 years of age, he is actually at his peak and his tenacity, doggedness and poacher attitude in front of goal is what any defender dreads. Imagine Auba in the Epl? Damn! Hopes he does well for host country Gabon in the 2017 African Cup of Nations this January.

Probability of him winning it on current form:4.5/5

Senate confirms nomination of Ayine Anthony as new Auditor-General of Federation

The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Anthony Ayine as the new Auditor-General of the Federation. His confirmation was done during plenary today January 11th.

President Buhari last year nominated Ayine to assume office as the new Auditor-General of the Federation.


Just before his confirmation, Senator Binta Garba representing Yobe North, kicked against it, arguing that Ayine was formerly an auditor of a local government in Cross Rivers state and was on level 14 which is not level 17 needed for a public service Auditor to be considered for the position of an auditor.She also alleged that Ayine was related to Winifred Oyo-Ita, the Head of Service of the Federation, and that this negated the practice of Federal Character.

She was however opposed by her colleagues and the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the senate today. Ayine was afterwards confirmed.

DOWNLOAD MUSIC:Qriss – Toh Bad

Qriss – Toh Bad


It comes with no surprise, Qriss multi- talented guitarist plays his way into one of the most anticipated song of the year TOH -BAD With a strong emphasis on simplicity, the new track marks a shift and its topped off by an intense vocal delivery throughout.
QRISS is confident he has built upon the solid foundation provided by legends.
Mixed and mastered SLEEKAMO enjoy this piece.

Follow Qriss On Twitter And IG: @iamqriss

DOWNLOAD AUDIO

DOWNLOAD MUSIC:Geniuzz ft. Falz – Firewood (Remix)

Geniuzz ft. Falz – Firewood (Remix)


Effyzzie Music’s afro-pop act Geniuzz premieres the anticipated remix for his Echo produced track “Firewood” featuring Falz The Bahd Guy.

The sexually mid-tempo track was originally released in late 2016 along an high-octane B-side “Connect”, to critical praise and has been play-listed on stations across Africa. To revamp the already solid track, Geniuzz enlisted the services of hip-hop juggernaut Falz. The duo have already shot the music video for the collaboration with Paul Gambit, and the track premieres with a video teaser.

Geniuzz will be released an extended play titled “A Slice Of Geniuzz”, in the first quarter of 2017. The E.P will housed “Firewood” and other tracks. Listen, download, share and enjoy “Firewood (Remix)”.

DOWNLOAD AUDIO

VIDEO: Mayorkun & Dremo Freestyle – Westwood Crib Session

During their recent trip to the UK, DMW duo – Dremo and Mayorkun stopped over at Tim Westwood’s studio for their crib session and here is the outcome.

Enjoy

VIDEO: Brymo – Billion Naira Dream

Off his “Klitoris” album, Brymo shares a docu-style visuals for one of the standout tracks on the full length entitled “Billion Naira Dream”

Enjoy

Barack Obama's emotional farewell speech and why Sasha Obama missed it

US President Barack Obama wiped away tears as he gave an emotional thank you message to his wife, First Lady Michelle Obama during his emotional farewell speech on Tuesday night in his adopted hometown of Chicago. The speech was held at Chicago's McCormick Place.

He talked about the challenges and achievements of his two-term presidency. He remained optimistic and urged people to participate in the democratic process and fight racism. He concluded his speech by calling Michelle a 'role model' for the country, as well as his 'best friend'.


He said:

'Michelle - for the past twenty-five years, you've been not only my wife and mother of my children, but my best friend.
'You took on a role you didn't ask for and made it your own with grace and grit and style and good humor.' Michelle smiled and appeared to hold back tears while Malia cried. The president paused to wiped away a tear before he continued:

'You made the White House a place that belongs to everybody. And a new generation sets its sights higher because it has you as a role model. 'You've made me proud, and you've made the country proud.'Then he went on to thank his two children:

'Malia and Sasha, under the strangest of circumstances, you have become two amazing young women, smart and beautiful, but more importantly, kind and thoughtful and full of passion. 'You wore the burden of years in the spotlight so easily. Of all that I've done in my life, I'm most proud to be your dad.'


Everyone in the audience had tears falling freely. Barack Obama, their daughter, Malia Obama, VP, Joe Biden and a lot of people in the audience. Their youngest daughter, 15 year old Sasha Obama, was notably missing during her dad's big moment.
A White House official then released a statement that Sasha had stayed at home in Washington DC because she had a test at school today.

Supporters stomped on the bleachers set up behind the president and shouted 'four more years' over a disruption.

But Obama said:

'My fellow Americans,' 'Michelle and I have been so touched by all the well-wishes we've received over the past few weeks.' Every day, I learned from you. You made me a better President, and you made me a better man.'
He added: 'You were the change' and thanked the country for keeping him hones

Ray J kicked off Celebrity Big Brother after being hospitalized amidst claims of neglect

Ray J is in the hospital and angry at UK "Celebrity Big Brother" for letting him suffer for days in extreme pain to the point he blacked out before getting any medical assistance. After his complaint of neglect, he got kicked out of the house just 1 week after the show started.
According to TMZ, 3 days ago, Ray J developed "extreme tooth pain" and complained to cast members and producers about his pain.

Sources connected to Ray J, say producers initially didn't believe him and ignored his complaints and ordered Ray to continue shooting the show.

The next day, cast members felt the situation was so bad they refused to continue shooting until Ray J got medical help.

A dentist came to the set, the next day and gave Ray 8 painkillers, 4 of which he was to take immediately and the remaining 4 the next morning. They say Ray woke up Tuesday in unbearable pain, took the remaining 4 pills and then pleaded for help.
Finally, producers agreed to take him to the hospital but on the way out of the house he blacked out. Ray is currently at the hospital with an abscessed tooth, a cracked filling in another tooth, and a severe gum issue.

Now that he has been kicked off the show, the $1 million that was promised to him may now been in jeopardy.

Michelle Obama's emotional message to Barack Obama as he gave his farewell speech

America will miss this family

Photos: Birth attendant and her father arrested for allegedly stealing a baby in Lagos

65 year old house painter, Jamiu Jimoh pictured above and his hairdresser/ traditional birth attendant daughter, Yetunde Osin, have been arrested by the Lagos state police command for allegedly stealing a baby...


Yetunde who practices local midwifery at her home in the Oyingbo area of the state, had assisted a 28 year old woman simply identified as Stella to give birth on November 9th last year. Yetunde after the delivery, told Stella that her baby had died and presented a dead baby corpse to Stella.



However she was seen with a baby girl within the same period. She eventually gave the baby to her father at Ikorodu after her neighbors began to suspect foul play. Following complains by her neighbors, she and her father were arrested and accused of running a baby trafficking syndicate. She however denied the claim, saying she found the new born baby abandoned at Apapa road, Oyingbo and took a liking to the child and decided to keep the baby.

"On November 9, I was walking along the road in Oyingbo and found a baby on the ground. It was a female child, so I took it. That was the mistake I made. I should have gone to report to the police, but because it was a female baby, I liked her. That was how I took the baby home to Oyingbo. But when I saw how everyone was behaving and gossiping, I had to take the baby to my father in Ikorodu. Even when I could not come to Ikorodu from Oyingbo, my father was there to take care of her. Not long after I left his place on Sunday, someone called me on phone at night, saying my father had been arrested. I am a hairdresser, but I am also a traditional birth attendant. The baby was not delivered at my place. I was not the one that helped the mother of the child deliver the baby. But when the police heard that I was a traditional birth attendant and asked me if I assisted the baby’s mother during delivery, I said yes. But I found the baby under the bridge at Apapa Road in Oyingbo and she has been with me since November"she saidHer father, Jimoh, when interrogated, said he had no idea where his daughter found the baby.

"Osin is not the baby’s mother. She was not pregnant. I do not know the baby’s mother. My daughter has never brought children to me before.”he said

Rock Band, U2 delays album release over Donald Trump's victory

Rock band, U2 has decided to delay the release of their upcoming album, "Songs of Experience," because of the election of Donald Trump.


In an interview with Rolling Stone, the band's guitarist, David Evans, commonly known as "The Edge," said the group had nearly completed their newest album when "the election (happened) and suddenly the world changed."

"We just went, 'Hold on a second, we've got to give ourselves a moment to think about this record and about how it relates to what's going on in the world. It's like a pendulum has suddenly just taken a huge swing in the other direction." the U2 member said.


The guitarist pointed out that the Irish rock group's fifth debut album, "The Joshua Tree," which is turning 30 years old this year, was released during the Reagan-Thatcher era of British and American politics, another politically tumultuous time.
"It feels like we're right back there in a way. I don't think any of our work has ever come full circle to that extent," he reflected. "It just felt like, 'Wow, these songs have a new meaning and a new resonance today that they didn't have three years ago, four years ago. We're happy to take this moment to regroup and think about an album that's so many years old, but still seems relevant," the Edge said.
This is not the first time a member of U2 has spoken out about the US presidential election. The band's lead singer, Bono called Trump potentially "the worst idea that ever happened to America" during an interview with Charlie Rose.

Photos: Body of fomer Niger state governor, Abdukadir Kure, who died in Germany, arrives Nigeria

The remains of former Niger state governor, Abdukadir Abdullahi Kure, arrived Nigeria yesterday January 10th. Kure died at a German hospital on Sunday January 8th. His remains was accompanied back to Nigeria by his wife Senator Zaynab Kure, Aisha Babangida and Hon. Umar Bago.


It was received at the Minna International Airport by former military head of state , General Abdulsalami Abubakar, the immediate past Governor of the state, Muazu Babangida Aliyu, former Deputy Governor, Shem Nuhu Zagbayi, former Deputy Governor, Ahmed Ibeto, Emirs of Minna (Alhaji Dr Umar Farouk Bahago), Lapai( Etsu, Engr Umar Bago Tafida) and Agaie (Etsu, Mallam Yusuf Nuhu) .

He will be interred according to Islamic rites today at the Minna Eid-Praying ground. He was aged 61. Left to mourn him are his wife, Senator Zainab Abdulkadir Kure and six children. May his soul rest in peace Amen.

More photos below...

Photos: 2face Idibia hosts Warri billionaire Ayiri Emami in his Lagos home

Nigerian singer Tuface Idibia hosted Warri billionaire, Chief Ayirimi Emami, at his Lagos home on Tuesday night. Also present at the dinner were comedian Bovi, friends and family members. More photos after the cut.

Queen Juliet Okoroafor donates 200 medicated eye glasses to Isiokpo community

Residents of Ogbodo community in Isiokpo, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, especially those who had eye problem, celebrated this year’s Christmas with joy and gratitude to God.

This followed the arrival to the community few days before New Year of Miss Health South-South, Queen Juliet Okoroafor (Miss Health South South) alongside her ‘ICare Project’ team, which included opticians. The August visitors were in the community to bring succor to those who had eye problems.

And before the team left the community, 500 people who had various eye defects were treated, while 200 eye patients went home with medicated glasses.

The visit to Ogbodo came barely five months after Queen Juliet’s coronation as Miss Health South-South. Since her coronation, she and her team, have visited various parts of the South-South region, to sensitize the people on how to live a healthy life, as well as treat those faced with various health challenges.

It was in the course of her tour of towns and communities in the South-South region that she first came to Ogbodo where she found out that so many people in that community, particularly the aged ones, were afflicted with various types of eye diseases.

Ogbodo Community is a community filled with several eye diseases, and not just that she rescued them with such laudable support, it happened in a time when the community is going through a very serious security challenge of looming kidnap incidents.

More photos below...