Kidnappers of Okonjo-Iweala’s mother demand $1 billion ransom

The Kidnappers that abducted 82-years-old mother Of Finance Minister Prof. Kanene Okonjo at their family home in Ogwashi uku, Delta state, are demanding for a whopping $1 billion ransom.
Majesty, Professor Chukwuka Aninshi Okonjo Agbogidi, the reigning Obi of Ogwashi-Uku kingdom was kidnapped Sunday at about 1:30 pm from the husband’s palace at Ogbe-Ofu quarters in Ogwahi-Uku by eight gunmen who stormed the palace in two Audi cars.
The demand for a $1billion ransom according to source was relayed to the family of the woman this morning.
Its yet to be seen how the family will react to this development, but in a statement made available to elombah.com yesterday, the minister’s spokesman Paul Nwabuikwu said; “at this point, it is difficult to say whether those behind this action are the same people who have made threats against the Coordinating Minister in the recent past or other elements with hostile motives. No possibility can be ruled out at this point.”
Meanwhile Umu Anioma Foundation Worldwide has demanded the immediate release Of Dr. Okonjo Iweala’s Mother. In a statement made available to elombah.com and signed by Prince Charles Anyasi, the National Coordinator / Spokesman, the group said:
“Once again, the image smear on Delta State has been brought to the fore with the unfortunate kidnapping of the aged mother of Nigeria’s energetic Finance Minister, Dr. (Mrs.) Ngozi Okonjo Iweala from her home in Ogwashi-Uku a few hours ago. A few months ago, it was the turn of another prominent Anioma family to sweat in search of their mother who was abducted in her farm.
“Nothing can be hurting as the current worldview of Delta State encapsulated in BBC’s report of the unwholesome development, stating inter alia: Nigeria is one of the worst countries in the world for kidnapping, where it is a lucrative criminal enterprise worth millions of dollars a year.
“The crime is particularly prevalent in the oil-rich Delta State, although high-profile victims are uncommon.
“The question is; how did we get here? Whether this latest heinous act was orchestrated as a payback for the Finance Minister’s principled stand on the current Oil Subsidy imbroglio or as a message to scare innocent indigenes making preparations to be with their kit and kin in this festive season, the perpetrators had better get it clear that, as Daniel Defoe would say, Justice is always violent to the party offending. Yes, the offenders may not feel the violence now, but, before long, they certainly will.
“Umu Anioma Foundation Worldwide wishes to state categorically that a situation where citizens toiling diligently for the society’s positive turnaround are being punished by satanic elements can no longer be condoned. We demand the immediate and unconditional release of this old woman.
“As thousands of people get into celebration mood, many travelling to their respective home lands, we call on the security agents to beef up action and assure the public of safety.
“The time to act is now!”
 DailyPost

Meet the ‘water babies’: 9-months, can’t walk or talk, but can swim the length of 25-meter pool (PHOTOS)

They are too young to walk and talk but tiny twins William and Ellenita Trykush can swim a length of a 25-metre pool at just nine months old.
The water babies love gliding up and down on their backs, kicking their legs to propel themselves along.
And as this delightful underwater picture shows, they even smile while they’re swimming.

Like ducks to water: William, left, and Ellenita, right, in their local pool

Splashing around: William, right, copies his sister Ellenita in the water
Their achievements are even more astonishing given that they were born by emergency caesarean six weeks early.
The twins’ extraordinary talent emerged during a family holiday to Cyprus in October when they began to swim underwater, unaided and without armbands.

 On their return to Cirencester, Gloucestershire, their mother Charlotte, 35, took them to local baby pool at the Cotsworld Leisure Centre where they both suddenly set off on their backs.

‘It was astonishing. First they did five metres, then a width at seven metres, and then a length of 12 metres,’ said French-born Mrs Trykush, a former swimming coach.
‘There was hardly anyone in the adult pool, so I suggested to their teacher that we try the big pool.
‘They were loving it so much, they set off and did an entire length with me swimming underneath them on my back to make sure they were alright and to steer if they went off in the wrong direction.
‘Ellie was first – she always is – and William seemed to be copying his big sister.

Under water fun: The pair first swam five metres before progressing to the full length of the pool

Natural: The twins now visit their local pool twice a week because they enjoy splashing around so much

Encouragement: Former swimming coach Charlotte swims underneath her babies to check they are alright

Tired out: The babies take a well earned nap after their swimming exploits

‘We were so excited – all the receptionists and swimming coaches came to watch and were amazed.
‘One of the coaches has been teaching for 20 years and she said she’d never seen anything like it.
‘I think it comes naturally to them, as they are too young to actually learn the strokes.’
Mr and Mrs Trykush, who are both youth workers, married in September 2008 and discovered they were expecting in July last year.
It was only at their 12 week scan that they discovered they were having not one, but two.
Mr Trykush, 49, said: ‘When I saw the two little dots on the screen it was just amazing.
‘I sank to my knees and shouted “Yes!” as if Chelsea had won the cup.
‘Twins do run in both families, but it was still a bit of a shock.’
There were more surprises in store for the family.
While visiting her mother in Normandy, France, Mrs Trykush was rushed to hospital with a placental abruption – each twin had their own placenta but William’s had ruptured.

In the family: The confidence in the water of mother Charlotte, a former swimming coach, and father Victor, helps William, centre left, and Ellenita, centre right

They were born by emergency Caesarean on 7 February, Ellenita first at five pounds (2.24kg) and then William at four-and-half pounds (2.07kg).
William had swallowed a large amount of blood, which had to be sucked out his stomach, and was severely jaundiced.
‘It was a very traumatic birth and William nearly died,’ said Mrs Trykush. ‘They were in incubators for three weeks but I was just so relieved they were going to be OK.
‘They were so premature and small that although I’d intended to take them swimming as soon as possible, I was worried they would get too cold in the water.
‘So we waited until they’d had their inoculations and until they were big enough to regulate their temperature better.’
Now aged ten months, the twins go swimming twice a week – to their Duckling lesson with teacher Amy Stanley, and a practice session on the weekend.
Miss Stanley, 27, said: ‘They are the youngest children I’ve ever seen swim.
‘Normally children can swim at age three or four at the earliest.
‘A lot of babies can hang in the water, but Ellie and William can swim on top of the water and breathe independently.
‘It’s remarkable how they can do it, but they haven’t learnt, it just comes naturally.
‘They are so relaxed because Vic and Charly are so relaxed in the water and love swimming. It rubs off on them.’
Mr Trykush now has half an eye on the Olympics, having taken the twins to London this summer.
‘We won’t push them but it would be amazing to see them at the 2028 Games.
‘If they continue like this, who knows.’
On dry land: Father Victor hopes Ellenita, left, and William, right, compete at the Olympics in 2028
YNaija

Banned Lagos Motorcycle Operators Protest Despite Warnings, Saying Governor Fashola, After All, Ignores Tobacco Warnings And Still Smokes

An encounter between aggrieved motorcycle operators who converged at the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) headquarters in Lagos on Monday to embark on a protest, and armed policemen who closed road junctions resulted in a ‘no-retreat-no-surrender’ situation which grounded traffic on the Yaba-Ojuelegba road link.
Policemen formed a preventive wall in their armed and hefty presence at the take-off venue of the protest at NLC building, but the determined leadership of the Joint Action Front [JAF] ignored the advice of the police to abort the procession. The police also stationed men at other strategic locations and arrested any person perceived to be headed towards the protest warm-up venue.
In an attempt to stop the protest, they had earlier whisked away four men for sharing leaflets among the gathering crowd. The number of protesters however continued to swell, and the organized movement of JAF began the rally from the NLC building. The police, conscious that the rally would turn huge, as other motorbike operators were reportedly waiting at other road junctions to join in, inched towards leaders of the procession to negotiate peace.
JAF Secretary, Comrade Abiodun Aremu, engaged the police team and suggested among other things that "if Fashola still smokes despite warnings that tobacco smokers are liable to die young; motorbike operators also have a right to continue their operations with provided warnings that bike passengers are liable to be injured in an accident".
As it became apparent that the police team might not be able to handle the growing crowd, the police barricaded the road with one of their vans. Protesters however seized the road and sat on it until several pleas got JAF leadership to lead the protesters back to the NLC building for an invitation to discussion the matter of the ban on motorcycles with State officials.
JAF leadership has insisted that motorbikes must be permitted to return to commercial operations, arguing that if a BRT lane could be dedicated for Lagbus, the same option would work for bikes to operate safely, in opposition to creating mega unemployment in the guise of creating a mega city.
  Saharareporters.com

Yobe attacks: Gunmen kill DPO, 13 others

Gunmen suspected to be members of Islamic Militants, Boko Haram attacked Potiskum town in Yobe, killing a DPO and 13 others.
Daily Post gathered that the gunmen razed down Unity Bank, telecom masts, Police station.
A resident of angur Bolewa in Potiskum, Mallam Kawu Fika told newsmen that, “Gunmen suspected to be terrorists laid ambush at Potiskum town in the early hours of today, Monday, where they succeeded in killing the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Mr. Mohammed Garba, including thirteen others”
He also said, the Unity Bank branch office in the area, telecom masts belonging Etsalat, MTN and Airtel as well as a police station were bombed and razed down by the terrorists who used Improvised Explosive Devices (IED’s) during the attack.
Kawu said he is not aware that the terrorists tried to attack the emir’s palace, but an unconfirmed report has it that the terrorists made attempt to attack the palace of the Emir of Fika within the town, Alhaji Mohammed Idrissa Ibn Abale, but that, it was a failed attempt as they were repelled by men of the Joint Task Force (JTF) who were stationed in the palace.

It would be recalled that this is the second time the emir of Fike is being targeted by the terrorists group.
The first time was a couple of months ago where the emir was attacked by a suicide bomber during a Friday congregation prayers infront of the palace, but he survived unhurt.

Kawu said yesterday’s attack and killings took place at about 2am, when some terrorists laid ambush at some military check points, Unity Bank office/branch, police station and telecom masts which resulted in an exchange of gun fire from the JTF, where a DPO, three other terrorists were killed.
Confirming the incident to Journalists in Damaturu, the state Capital, the JTF Spokesman, Lieutenant Eli Lazarus said, there was an attack by some Boko Haram terrorists in Potiskum town where a DPO was killed.
He said, “we repelled the attack and succeeded in killing thirteen of the suspects, three dead bodies of the suspects were recovered on the streets of Potiskum by the JTF, while some of the terrorists succeeded in carrying away 10 of the other dead bodies of their colleagues and escaped with it through the bush”.
He added that the JTF has already swung into action in order to arrest the fleeing suspects with the dead bodies, even as he stressed that the whole town has been cordoned off with a view to prevent further attacks and killings.
DailyPost

Godfrey Chitalu scored more than Messi in a calender year

Godfrey “UCAR” Chitalu was a Zambian footballer who holds a record Lionel Messi will never have. Chitalu scored and outrageous 107 goals in all competitions in a single season- a record that is still uninterrupted. Why is Godfrey Chitalu’s record never recognised? One million dollar question.
Godfrey “UCAR” Chitalu (October 22, 1947 – April 27, 1993) was a Zambian footballer who is regarded as the greatest Zambian player ever and holds the national team goal-scoring record. Nicknamed ‘Ucar’, Chitalu was a forceful and often temperamental target man who was Zambian footballer of the year a record five times and in 1972 rewrote the record books by scoring 107 goals in all competitions in a single season.
Upon retirement, Chitalu took to coaching and was in charge of the Zambia national team when the entire squad perished in a plane crash off the coast of Gabon on April 27, 1993.
 DailyPost

“I’ve tried to get Lionel Messi arrested” – Cordoba president, Gonzalez

Ahead of their Copa del Rey match on Wednesday, Cordoba president Carlos Gonzalez, has joked that he has tried to get Lionel Messi arrested.
The Argentine forward, has been in great form all season and on Sunday, broke Gerd Muller’s record of goals scored. He will also be looking forward to extend the new record of 86.
“I’ve tried to talk to the civil guard to get [Messi] arrested,” he told reporters.
Gonzalez admitted that his side face a difficult challenge against Tito Vilanova’s men, but insisted they will fight to get a result.
“We will compete by all means to get a good result to take into the second leg.
“In sport anything can happen, but it will be very complicated, because even their second string would be good enough to finish runners up in La Liga.”
 DailyPost

12 Christmas scams you should watch out for

Online Christmas shopping is expected to grow 22.4 percent alone this year to as much as $146 billion.
ICTCatalogue.com compiled together, Top 12 christmas scams to watch out for during this holiday.
Social Media Scams — Scammers use Twitter and Facebook. Friend’s accounts can get hacked so watch for fake alerts that install “holiday deal” apps that steal private data. Twitter ads can lead to fake websites that look authentic but then ask for your credit card information.
Malicious Mobile Apps — An estimated 33 percent of apps ask for more information than they need such as access to your contacts or location. Be careful to check reviews on the smartphone’s store because a malicious app may be designed to steal your information or even send out premium-rate text messages without your knowledge.
Travel Scams — Phony travel webpages with beautiful pictures and rock-bottom prices are used to get you to hand over your financial details. The FBI recently warned travelers of a hotel Wi-Fi scam in which a malicious pop-up ad prompts computer users to install a popular software product before connecting to their hotel Wi-Fi.
Holiday Spam/Phishing — Spam emails will take on holiday themes advertising cheap Rolex watches and pharmaceuticals. Never click on the included links.
The New iPad, iPhone 5, And Other Hot Holiday Gift Scams — Phony ads and contests for the latest products will install malware or attempt to steal information.
Skype Message Scare — There is a new Skype message scam that attempts to infect computers and even hold your files for ransom. The threat appears as a Skype instant message with the scam line “Lol is this your new profile pic?”. If you click on the included link, a Trojan downloads onto your hard drive, blasts the dangerous link to all of your contacts, and can even try to extort money from some PC users to regain access to their files.
Bogus Gift Cards — Scammers will get you to “purchase” fraudulent gift cards that will not work.
Holiday SMiShing — “SMiSishing” is phishing via text message. The scammer tries to lure you into revealing information or performing an action you normally wouldn’t do by pretending to be a legitimate organization. Be wary of text messages that supposedly come from your bank and want you to verify personal information or visit a website.
Phony E-tailers – Phony e-commerce sites, that appear real, try to lure you into typing in your credit card number and other personal details, often by promoting great deals. For example, electronics repair store harborelectronics.net had a copycat store at harborelectronics.com that stole their credit cards.
Fake Charities — Scammers will copycat real charities such as the Red Cross. One man ran a bogus charity for the “U.S. Navy Veterans Association” and gathered $2 million from donors over five years!
Dangerous e-Cards — Most e-cards are safe, but there are some that will install trojan viruses. Make sure your family members are actually sending you e-cards and that the e-card comes from a well known legitimate source.
Phony Classifieds — Phony offers ask for too much personal information or ask you to wire funds via Western Union. If you’re going to purchase an item or apply for a job, try to do it in person in a public place. Pay in cash and never agree to pay for an item before receiving it.
Remember to have some sort of antivirus or anti-malware installed not only on your computer but also on your tablet or smartphone. These tips for discovering common internet scams should help you during the holiday shopping season. Merry Christmas!
 DailyPost