Vital Mikel Gets Redknapp Praise

Jamie Redknapp has praised John Obi Mikel for the midfielder’s performance during Chelsea’s Premier League match against Liverpool.

The Blues claimed a 2-0 victory at Anfield to revive their title hopes and Redknapp was impressed by Mikel’s strong defensive display.

“He rarely plays under Jose Mourinho, but John Obi Mikel has been involved in some crucial matches for Chelsea,” he wrote in his column for the Daily Mail.

“He was vital in the 2012 Champions League final, he performed so well against Atletico Madrid last week and he was at it again at Anfield.

“It was not pleasing on the eye, but Chelsea’s performance was effective and Mikel was key to that. He dropped into the back line to help deal with crosses and he and Nemanja Matic never left any space between the midfield and the back line.”

Cech, Hazard and Terry Return to Training Ahead of Atletico Clash

The goalkeeper and captain were not expected to play again this season after both picking up knocks in the Champions League semi-final first leg, but all three could now feature

Chelsea captain John Terry, goalkeeper Petr Cech and attackers Eden Hazard and Samuel Eto'o all took part in training ahead of Wednesday's Champions League semi-final second-leg clash with Atletico Madrid.

Terry and Cech both picked up knocks in the first leg at Vicente Calderon and neither player were expected to play again this season, with the Czech international diagnosed with a dislocated shoulder.

Hazard, meanwhile, picked up a a hamstring injury in the quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain, a match the Blues would go on to win despite the Belgian's early withdrawal, while Eto'o has featured sporadically due to an ongoing knee problem.

But all four players were on the training field at Chelsea's Cobham base on Tuesday morning and took part in fitness drills, though it remains to be seen whether they are in contention for a place in the squad to face Atleti on Wednesday.

Though he joined in with the fitness exercises, Cech did not accompany Hilario and Mark Schwarzer as the two goalkeepers were put though their paces.

The Australian shot-stopper, fresh from a clean sheet at Anfield, is still expected to start against the Liga leaders.

Don’t Deny Southwest Its Right, Agbakoba Tells NBA

Former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) has urged the association not to jettison the zoning of its next president to the Southwest.
The lawyer said there could be dire consequences, if the Yoruba do not produce the next NBA President.
He said the previous one was elected on the basis of zoning.
The Midwest fielded a candidate for the July election and he is said to enjoy the support of some NBA bigwigs.
In a letter yesterday to NBA President Okey Wali (SAN), Agbakoba said: “I recognise and empathise with the exclusion of the Midwest, but it is in our overall interest to maintain the zoning arrangement.
“I suggest we do not depart from the zoning arrangement but immediately take steps to address the grievances of the Midwest.”
He said NBA election should not be a “do-or-die affair,” adding that lawyers are not politicians.
Agbakoba said: “Based on current arrangements, it is the turn of the Southwest and we must all support candidates from the zone.
“Although not a binding convention, all past presidents have been elected based on zoning.
“I regret that the 2014 NBA presidential election is getting out of hand and I fear there will be dire consequences.
“We must not allow the election to become a do-or-die matter. We are not politicians.”
The Southwest has three major candidates after the regional forum, Egbe Amofin, could not agree on a consensus candidate.

Credit: The Nation

Dr. Sid Announces July for His Wedding

 It is like this year is penned down as the yearc most of the eligible single or partially married celebrities in Nigeria must leave the market for the 'most' younger ones, lol!
The Nigerian entertainment industry was abuzz at the weekend with the star-studded wedding of Nigerian music diva, Tiwa Savage and her husband, Tunji ‘Tee Billz’ Balogun.
For most artistes, it was a time to felicitate with the bride and groom. As the ceremony got underway, guests were given room to make speeches. But interestingly, Tiwa’s co-Mavin artiste, Dr Sid, dropped a bombshell.
In a few words, the Surulere crooner announced that his wedding would come up in July. Though he didn’t disclose the details, the artiste set the entertainment world in an anticipatory mood. This is even more so as the introduction ceremony of the Mavin artiste and his fashion consultant fiancée, Simi Osomo, had taken place in Lagos on Sunday, December 8, 2013.

Jay Z Responds To Drake’s Latest Diss With Harsh New Rap — Listen

It’s not over! Drake once again poked fun at his elder hip-hop rival on April 19, and nine days later, Jay Z once again fired back and put him in his place.

Hopping on DJ Khaled‘s new track, “They Don’t Love You No More,” for a verse on April 28, Jay Z got out all of his building frustrations on Drake, who has spent a good part of 2014 taking shots at the elder statesman of rap. And just as Jay Z did with his “We Made It” verse in March, the rapper took down Drizzy, and took control of this hip-hop feud, with one scathing line.

Jay Z Calls Out Drake For Being ‘Soft’

In his verse on “They Don’t Love You No More,” which also features Meek Mill, Rick Ross, and French Montana, Jay Z barks, “Haters wanna ball, let me tighten up my drawstring. Wrong sports boy, you know you soft as a lacrosse team.”

Without context, the line sounds like a classic diss to all of the haters in general (though a misguided one — Jay Z has clearly never watched lacrosse). But remember that less than two weeks ago, Drake was interviewed at a Toronto Raptors-Brooklyn Nets basketball game and said, “Jay Z’s somewhere eating a fondue plate.” The comment was just another instance of Drizzy disrespecting Jay, and Jay’s basketball-themed rap signals that it has a singular target.

Jay Z & Drake’s Growing Rivalry

This feud between Jay and Drake is becoming hip-hop’s biggest as they continue to go back and forth. It all started when Drake criticized Jay Z for rapping about high art in his February interview with Rolling Stone. Jay responded to that diss by rapping, “Sorry Mrs. Drizzy, for so much art talk. Silly me, rappin’ ’bout s**t that I really bought — while these rappers rap about guns that they ain’t shot — and a bunch of other silly s**t they ain’t got.”

Since being made a complete fool, Drake has gone on to slam Jay for being married, along with the aforementioned fondue comments.
Both guys appear ready and willing to keep letting the disses fly, so the question is: Who do you think will come out on top?

Khloe Kardashian Supports French Montana After PDA-Filled Date

If Khloe Kardashian and French Montana are trying to hide their relationship, it’s totally not working. On April 29, she posted a photo on Instagram to promote his new music!

Sounds like a girlfriend move to us! Khloe Kardashian isn’t hiding how much she likes French Montana‘s music, that’s for sure. In a new pic she posted the cover of a new song he’s featured on, titled “They Don’t Love You No More,” — just a few days after they were showing PDA on a dinner date!

Malaysia Plane: Devastating News For Families As Aerial Search Ends

Authorities revealed audio from the Flight 370 cockpit to families of the victims on April 28, but it didn’t do much to reverse their fear that this tragic mystery may never be solved. And news that the joint air search for the aircraft was being shut down only made that fear grow.

Aircrafts flew all over the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia for over seven weeks, but the aerial search that included 600 military personnel from seven countries is now over. With so much time passing since Malaysia Airlines Flight 370′s disappearance, authorities believe it would be impossible for the plane’s debris to still be on the ocean’s surface, according to CNN. And for the families of the flight’s passengers, this is just another development unfortunately leading them to believe they may never see their loved ones again, or even know what actually happened.

Peter Of PSquare Gets new 'baby' Afraid Lola Might be Jealous, Lol!

This is a real automobile machine, in fact, it can sweep any lady off her feet. Mr Peter, ride am jeje ooooo. Congrats from iiconsults!

Jay Z and Beyonce Announce Joint Summer Tour - On The Run

Jay Z and Beyonce are planning the joint summer tour to end all tours. The power couple announced today that the 16 date tour will kick off June 25 in Miami and will end August 5th in San Francisco.

According to the announcement, pre-sale tickets will be made available for Beyonce fan club members and Chase credit card holders on 4/29/14 at Ticketmaster.

$1 from each ticket sold and a portion of the proceeds from the Chase VIP Ticket Package will be donated to the Shawn Carter Foundation. Tickets for the general public will go on sale May 2 on LiveNation.

Bad Girl Gone Wild: Riri Poses Nude For A Brazilian Mag

Rihanna looks incredibly stunning in the May issue of Vogue Brazil. The singer stripped down for the mag a while back but pics from the photo shoot were recently released.

Immediate Past Barca Coach Tito Vilanova Dies

 Tito Vilanova
At times like this, football fades into insignificance. Tito Vilanova's tragic passing at the age of just 45 puts everything else into perspective at Barcelona and beyond. The Catalan club have had their problems in recent weeks and months, but all those troubles will eventually be forgotten. Tito, however, will not be.

Gone too soon, too sudden and far too young, Tito was and will remain a symbol of bravery and heroism at Camp Nou. A man who played a pivotal part in the success of the club's greatest ever side and who led Barca to La Liga with a record 100 points while simultaneously disputing the match of his life off the pitch as he battled cancer. Sadly, it was a game he could not win.

A talented midfielder who came through the youth ranks at La Masia, Tito spent two years at Barcelona B but carved out a career in the lower leagues with Figueres, Lleida, Badajoz, Elche and Gramanet, while also featuring in the Primera during spells at Celta Vigo and Mallorca in the mid-1990s.

By that time, a younger man was making his mark in Barcelona's midfield. Pep Guardiola looked up to Tito as a youngster at the Catalan club and the two developed a fantastic friendship which continued through their playing days and after that.

Vilanova returned to Barca after retirement and coached the youth teams at Camp Nou, which included the likes of Lionel Messi, Gerard Pique and Cesc Fabregas, winning two titles at national level with the Cadete B side. Despite that success, Tito was told he was surplus to requirements in 2003 by, of all people, Sandro Rosell, but he would be back.

Rest in Peace, Tito Vilanova.

US Accuses Russia of Destabilizing Ukraine

United States Secretary of State, John Kerry, has accused Russia of “distraction, deception and destabilisation” in eastern Ukraine.
In a strongly worded statement, he called on Moscow to help defuse the crisis there or face further sanctions.
Earlier, Russia called on the US to make Kiev stop raids on pro-Moscow separatists in the east.
The BBC reports that Russia ordered new military exercises on its border following the raids, drawing condemnation from Ukraine.
Mr. Kerry was speaking amid an increasing war of words between the US and Russia over events in eastern Ukraine.
Pro-Russian separatists are occupying key buildings in a dozen eastern Ukrainian towns, defying the central government.
On Thursday the Ukrainian government said that it had retaken control of the city hall in the south-eastern city of Mariupol, but BBC journalists at the scene found no evidence of Ukrainian security services having entered the building.
Mr. Kerry praised the interim authorities in Kiev, saying they had honoured the agreement struck in Geneva on April 17 to de-escalate the crisis.
But he said Russia had “put its faith in distraction, deception and destabilization.”
“Not a single Russian official has… called on the separatists to support the Geneva agreement, to support the stand-down, to give up their weapons and get out of the Ukrainian buildings,” he said.

Zuriel Named Most Powerful 11-Year Old Globally

Zuriel Oduwole

Barely ten days after convening her highly successful maiden edition of the First Lady’s Colloquy in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, New York & Singapore based Business Insider, has listed Nigerian-American child prodigy, Zuriel Oduwole as the most powerful 11 year old person worldwide today.
Business Insider, a leader in Technology, Money, Entertainment and Market News named Oduwole in its annual list of the World’s Most Powerful 100 Individuals – one at every age from 0 to 100 years old released this week.
Oduwole, founder of Dream Up, Speak Up, Stand Up, Girl-Child initiative,  according to the Magazine is the most powerful 11 year old based on being the  youngest person to be interviewed by Forbes, Magazine.
“ Oduwole started the “Dream Up, Speak Up, Stand Up” program to inspire girls in Africa to achieve their dreams of an education, has interviewed a dozen presidents and prime ministers from all over Africa and  was named in December as one of the most influential Africans by New Africa magazine.,” Business Insider noted.

Corruption, Impunity Bane of Electoral System, Says Salami

Most Nigerians believe that occupants of elective offices do not enjoy the mandate of the electorate, former Appeal Court President, Justice Isa Ayo Salami, has said.

He noted that corruption, disregard for due process, insensitivity and impunity on the part of government officials have weakened the country’s electoral processes.

The eminent jurist recommended an “activist Judiciary” to guarantee an enduring democracy.

Justice Salami spoke yesterday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, at the yearly Mohammed Mustapha Akanbi Lecture, organised by the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) Law Faculty.

He said: “In a word, their sHe said: “In a word, their so-called electoral mandate lacks legitimacy. On their part, public officials have scant regard for the common good. All these have far-reaching implications for good governance, accountability and sustainable development. In this context, the popular expectation is that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should brace up for the challenges the conduct of the 2015 elections will throw up. The inevitable question would be whether or not the Judiciary has any role to play in this regard.”

Justice Salami said: “The Judiciary must re-invent itself to give more bite to the raw content of our laws. In this regard, we advocate a judicial interpretation of electoral laws in such a way that in the end, justice would be served.

US Conservative Criticised for Racism Statement

Clive Bundy, a Nevada rancher is making headlines for his racist statement. Washington Post reports that Clive who was featured in the New York Times yesterday, was caught on camera saying “Blacks are better off as slaves”.

Not only is it a derogatory remark to blacks but also people of all colours.

Through movies like 12 Years a Slave and Django Unchained, the world has gotten to see what we assume is an inkling of brutal slavery.

Bundy says;

“I want to tell you one more thing I know about the Negro,” he said. Mr. Bundy recalled driving past a public-housing project in North Las Vegas, “and in front of that government house the door was usually open and the older people and the kids — and there is always at least a half a dozen people sitting on the porch — they didn’t have nothing to do. They didn’t have nothing for their kids to do. They didn’t have nothing for their young girls to do.
“And because they were basically on government subsidy, so now what do they do?” he asked. “They abort their young children, they put their young men in jail, because they never learned how to pick cotton. And I’ve often wondered, are they better off as slaves, picking cotton and having a family life and doing things, or are they better off under government subsidy? They didn’t get no more freedom. They got less freedom.”

It is being reported that a lot of lawmakers who had supported the conservative hero and patriot, immediately condemned his remarks.

Parents of Nigerian-raised Al Jazeera Journalist Urge Egypt to Release Son

Throughout history, certain courageous, altruistic individuals have sacrificed their freedom for the common good.

Nigerian-raised Egyptian Al Jazeera broadcast reporter, Abdullah El-Shamy, is one of such individuals. He was arrested while covering the Egyptian military’s bloody crackdown on Muslim Brotherhood protesters in August, 2013 in Cairo.

El-Shamy has since been imprisoned for 253 days, and has embarked on a hunger strike to protest his internment. He is currently on the 94th day of his strike.

El-shamy’s parents, Elshamy Nusehy Elshamy and Thuraya Elshamy, who are based in Lagos, have been campaigning non-stop for the release of their son and the three other journalists who were imprisoned.

Speaking to Al Jazeera two days ago, his parents expressed that their son is fighting not for himself, but for a free media. is mother, Thuraya, told Al Jazeera that despite concerns about Abdullah’s health, his family are right behind him in his hunger strike.

“I urge Abdullah to continue his hunger strike, because now it is not for himself, it is for freedom and for all his colleagues. My son is innocent and he loves his country of Egypt. He has always reported the truth; his motivation has always been humanitarian professional causes,” she said.

One expects Nigeria to lend her voice for the freedom of this journalist and his colleagues who have been detained since December 2013.

Whats Wrong With Tiwa Savage in Dubai?

Madam Teeblitz, the soon-to-be-married, Tiwa Savage threw decency into dogs as she shows off what should have been kept for Mr Balogun as a typical African woman. Though, we know she is very stunning and never doubt her beauty but the pictures she released from Dubai where she will have her wedding party tomorrow are disgusting and do not portray her as a trained African girl.

Beyonce's Half Brother Nixon and His Mum Move Into Trailer Park

 Alexandra Wright and Nixon

Alexandra Wright moved herself and her 4 year old son, Nixon, into a trailer park just outside Los Angeles recently and invited CNN Inside Edition cameras to film the occasion.

A woman's support group provided the new home for Alexandra and Nixon after she publicly begged for help, explaining how she was forced to leave her home because she could no longer afford to pay rent. A judge had made it impossible for Alexandra to collect anymore child support from her baby daddy Matthew Knowles, for the next two years after slashing payments from $12,000 to $2,500 a month, due to his dwindling income. iiconsults hope Queen Bey, who was name as one of the most influential women less than 48hours will show sympathy to a brother, either half or full.

P-Square Brothers Reconcile

Peter, Jude and Paul
There seems to be an end to the split drama in the Okoye's family, if their respective tweet below is to be taken serious. The twins  brother who have been at each other throat over Peter's marriage to Lola, who is alleged to be older than their eldest brother, Jude. The conflict has been portrayed in different dimensions but iiconsults crew is happy that the brothers have allowed peace to reign in their family. Psquare forever!

Davido Leads Nigerian Artistes To Dominate MAMA 2014 nominations

Africa’s number one music authority, MTV Base has announced the nominees for this year’s MTV Africa Music Awards.  The announcement was made tonight, Wednesday, 16 April 2014 at an impressive nominations party at The Sands in Johannesburg, South Africa.

This year’s nominations prove that Nigerian music has fast taken over Africa. Out of fifteen different categories, Nigeria has been nominated in eleven categories and includes some of the biggest names in the Nigerian entertainment industry including Omotola Jalade, Chimamanda Adichie, 2Face, PSquare, Wizkid, Burna Boy, Olamide, Flavour among many others.
Davido has the most nominations this year with four nods for Song of the Year, Best male, Artist of the Year and Best Collaboration.  Following closely behind with 3 nominations is dynamic duo, P Square with Best Group, Artist of the Year and Song of the Year while Wizkid receives two nods for Best Male and Best Collaboration.

Tennis Apart! Serena Williams Shows Off Mad Curves in Tiny Bikini

The tennis champ recently said she's learned to love her 'curves' muscular or not and proudly showed it off while at Miami beach with friends yesterday
 
Tennis sport has done a lot to her vein. Black power indeed, No wonder she always ooze pass her opponents.

Big Men Thingz... Drog Launches Men Underwear Line

 

 

Former Chelsea striker, Didier Drogba has launched his own men's underwear line. The 36 year old football star shared a pic of himself modeling shorts from the line. Hmmm...#betterthingz.

 

He  teamed up with Marseille-based designers HOM last year to create the exclusive range of men's underwear and beachwear which will start selling from May 1.

 

It is good to plan for life after retirement. Wise investment from the Chelsea legend.

 

According to Drogba, a percentage from every pair of pant sold would go to his charity foundation, Didier Drogba foundation.

Lol! Could This Be Chris Brown Mugshot?

Someone has leaked Chris Brown's mugshot from his arrest in Washington D.C back in October 2013 after he and his bodyguard assaulted a male fan who attempted to photo-bomb Chris while he was taking a picture with two women. The victim's nose was broken in the attack.

His bodyguard, Chris Hornsby, who was also arrested, is expected to take responsibility for punching the fan during his trial which is set to begin today April 17th.

I think someone is helping Drake to run this guy down. It's just a guess ooooooooooo

Ondo Youths Protest Against The Government

According to Sahara Reporters, youths in Akure, Ondo State today took to the street to protest the state governments decision barring them from using the Democracy Park in the state which they had planned to use for their annual festival which was to hold today.

 

According to the youths, they had already taken permission from the State government through a written letter and there was no objection from them prior to today. Fuji Star Saheed Osupa was already in town to play at the festival as well as other guests who had come into town to celebrate with them.

They were however surprised that as they gathered at the park today to celebrate, they were barred by fierce looking mobile policemen who said they were there at the instance of the state government.

 

According to government officials, they stopped the youths from holding the carnival for fear of the event being hijacked by hoodlums or exposing the state to other security challenges such as an attack from the dreaded Boko Haram.

"I Support The Super Eagles With My Hairstyles"

Olaboludele Simoyan, the 8^th Wonder as she’s more popularly called is wearing a series of hairstyles leading up to the commencement of the world cup in Brazil to inspire the Super Eagles to bring the cup home.Read what she tells Adetorera Idowu of The Nation Newspaper about her hairstyles:

"This hair is an 8th wonder world cup hairstyle. It can be called an extraordinary world cup hairstyle, the reason I did this hairstyle is to inspire the super eagles to do the extraordinary at the world cup and bring the world cup back home. It’s a campaign for the super eagles".

Why? APC Governors Shun Meeting With Jonathan

 
President Goodluck Jonathan

All governors under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were conspicuously absent when the meeting convened by President Goodluck Jonathan started by 2.00pm at the First Lady Conference Room in the State House, Abuja, on Thursday.
Jonathan had on Wednesday summoned all governors and National Security Council to a meeting over rising security challenges in the country.
After the President met the Service Chiefs and the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar in his office earlier, they all moved to the First Lady Conference room where governors were already seated.
Governors who attended the meeting are – Gabriel Suswam (Benue), Martin Elechi (Ebonyi) Ramalan Yero (Kaduna), Isa Yuguda(Bauchi), Theodore Orji (Abia) and Ibrahim Dankwanbo (Gombe).
Others are – Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Willie Obiano (Anambra), Idris Wada (Kogi), Ibrahim Shema (Katsina), Jonah Jang (Plateau), Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Sule Lamido (Jigawa) and Sullivan Chime (Enugu).
Also at the meeting are – Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo), Garba Umar (Acting Governor Taraba), Deputy Governor of Bayelsa, John Jonah and Deputy Governor of Kebbi State.
The meeting was also attended by the Defence Minister, Brigadier-General Aliyu Gusau (rtd); Director-General of State Security Service (SSS), Ita Ekpeyong; Minister of Interior, Abba Moro; National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki (rtd) and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim.

Taribo West Tells NFF Not to Distract Keshi Ahead of World Cup

 

The Super Eagles handler, Stephen Keshi received a boost from an ex-international, Taribo West on Monday over his perennial face-off with the nation’s football governing body, Nigeria Football Federation. Taribo who played prominent role in the nation’s under 23 Olympic team triumph in Atlanta ’96 and the Super Eagles silver-winning team of CAF African Cup of Nation (AFCON) tagged Ghana/Nigeria 2000. Taribo also played for European club sides such as Inter Milan, Ac Milan, Derby County, etc. He wants Keshi to guide the Super Eagles to the summer global football tournament in Brazil in a very conducive atmosphere.

Kim Kardashian Gives Ciara Parenting Advice

 

Ciara and Kim Kardashian have been friends for years, and now they get to talk to each other about their babies! In a new interview, Ciara reveals that North West’s mom is super supportive, and has even been offering up some really valuable parenting tips. What a great friend!

With the birth of her baby on the horizon, Ciara is receiving parenting advice from her longtime gal pal and fellow new mommy, Kim.

The soon-to-be first-time-mom is ready to pop, and Kim is right by her side letting her know that she can only parent in a way that properly suits her.
“One thing [Kim] said that I believe is so true is that you kind of create your own system [of parenting] that works for you,” Ciara told Madame Noire.com. “There are things I can’t talk about — like breastfeeding … But she showed me how [the stroller I love] moves and how it works. We’ve had really fun moments like that.”