I am a Christian and a Muslim — Sobola Sotayo

Beautiful Yoruba actress, Sobola Sotayo must be smiling to the bank now, going by the success of her latest movie ‘Bella’ which was premiered on December 28th which was also her birthday. But her apparent joy hasn’t done anything to put the minds of her fans at rest, many of whom are confused on the status of her religious leaning. Sobola loves to dress as an Hajia and at the same time parades herself as a Christian. This has generated a bit of confusion among her fans. In a recent chat with Potpourri, the actress put the records straight, explaining where she stands, regarding her faith. “I’m a ‘Christlem’, I’m born by a Christian Catholic father and raised by a Muslim mother. My mom is an Alhaja and my late dad is a Christian” she began. “Talking about my kind of religion, I pray a lot when I’m alone. I don’t think praying has to be with you getting a microphone and coming out to say “Hey, I’m praying” or trying to disturb your neighbor. You don’t have to faint on the floor or say Fire! Fire! For everybody to know you’re praying but honestly speaking, I do pray a lot. I don’t know how to pray the Muslim prayer but trust me I’m very good when it comes to dressing up like an Alhaja. I just pray the normal way, that’s it” she confessed.

Mbaka utterances, embarrassment to the Catholic community — Omovusu

The utterances of a Catholic Priest, Rev Fr. Ejike Mbaka, founder of the Adoration Ministry, has been described as an embarrassment to the Catholic community, especially the recent verbal attack on President Goodluck Jonathan in his adoration sermon when he declared that the president should quit office. Speaking in Lagos recently, Mr Vincent Omovusu, the immediate past pastoral council chairman of St Monica Catholic Church, Igbogbo, Ikorodu, Lagos State and a recipient of Lagos provincial award comprising the Dioceses of Lagos, Ijebu-Ode and Abeokuta and other various societies awards, said the political stand point of the catholic priest suggests that his utterances are products of his perception which are being influenced by some extraneous forces outside his calling as a priest. He said that the founder of the Adoration Ministry in Enugu is a vibrant catholic priest who has been doing very well with his adoration ceremonies where he has carried out some healings and has converted many to the catholic faith, lamenting that, in recent times he has been enmeshed in controversies, the face—off with the past and present governors of Imo State and his latest declaration that the president should quit office which has dwarfed some of his achievements. Omovusu said as a staunch Catholic right from his tender days, and as a tutor of catholic doctrines, he has not seen where a reverend father ordained by Bishops with the approval from the Vatican City makes unguarded and controversial utterances capable of giving negative impression about the catholic faith. According to him, Rev Fr Mbaka should emulate the life of St Peter whom our Lord Jesus Christ handed over the church to and carry on with the gospel of evangelism instead of turning to a political preacher who double speaks on the pulpit. Omovusu contended that his recent attack on President Jonathan who he glowingly celebrated just about a month ago speaks volume about his state of mind, saying he should be called to order before the name of the church is dragged to the mud.

2015 Presidency: The dangerous choice to make

By Jide Ajani
33 days! That is what stands between Nigerians and the choice they would need to make.
The choice is about choosing between Godluck Ebele Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari.
But making a choice between the devil and the deep blue sea is nothing short of an attempt at suicide,
Yet, Nigerians must choose the leader they want – for good or for ill.
A leader: That is what Nigerians would have to choose on February 14.
The world acknowledges that democracy is good for a people.
But are Nigerians good for democracy?  Think about that for a while!
The presidential election of that day is not just one like other presidential elections.
This is because both political parties in this race, the All Progressive Congress, APC, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, are primed and poised to claim victory.
And that is where the choice to make becomes so fraught with danger.
Whatever result is declared after the election that day, Nigerians would scratch their heads.
Whereas the PDP remains the biggest political party in Africa, the ascendancy of the APC has gratuitously positioned the latter as a formidable force.
In fact, it has become so formidable that, for the first time in a very long while, the pundits cannot see clearly because events are in a state of flux.
So, how did matters get to this interesting head?
Well, Nigeria needed a strong, very strong opposition – if only that would send the right signal to the behemoth PDP.
In the instance of Jonathan’s rule, the electorate is expected to move on and re-elect him in the hope that things would be better; or, in the alternative, ignore all the seeming fundamentalist postulations of Buhari when making a choice?
But we might be moving on as a nation in the wrong direction.
Shall we begin to dwell on what happened in the past?
It might be helpful but not too important.
So, on the past we must dwell in some ways if only it would create an inner awareness to learn useful lessons.
Therefore, what is the past?  What constitutes the past?  Is the past just the mere sum total of all that happened yesterday or in yester-years, or decades?  Of course yes!
Mind you, the past could also be any semblance of yesterday’s failings or successes.
If we agree on that, then the past is already here with us.
The past pokes fun at us, reminding us of how we think we can escape it.
The past makes a mockery of Nigerians especially its leaders; and the electorate whose collective amnesia does no good when deciding on who to elect.
So, we ask: Why would a people feel comfortable in the very cold embrace of folly?
Why would a people accept a destiny, one concocted and that is at best unproductive and at worst short, poor, brutish, nasty and mean?
Why would a people cringe in utter helplessness in the face of deliberate injustice?
It is because we are Nigerians, a resilient people and our leaders take advantage of that.
That is why, close to 300days now after the abduction of Chibok girls, we are moving on.
Or, now over 30 years after Buhari as a military coupist made a law after an offence had been committed and went ahead to kill Batholomew Owoh and Bernard Ojuolape.
We must move on as if nothing had happened and we must vote for either Jonathan or Buhari.
While the PDP wants Nigerians not to think of some of the pains they are going through now, the APC is attempting to pull wool with its swatch of propaganda on the utopian nation it plans to deliver – if the bleeding of Lagos State by some politicians is anything to go by.
But we must move on.
The truth is that Jonathan and Buhari present to Nigeria very dangerous options.
If either of the candidates is declared the winner of the election today, all hell may break loose.
The reason is that both men have primed their supporters for victory.
Even the admonition by Professor Bolaji Akinyemi and the American ambassador that both men should not only commit one another to peaceful conduct but also commit their supporters to same have not toned down the rhetoric of violence.
Therefore, Nigerians must brace themselves for whatever would be the outcome.
The only solution is for both men to tone down and relate more to the issues than personal attacks.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/01/2015-presidency-the-dangerous-choice-to-make/#sthash.uYjNOviO.dpuf

Skin care: 5 tips for healthy skin Good skin care — including sun protection and gentle cleansing — can keep your skin healthy and glowing for years to come.

Don't have time for intensive skin care? You can still pamper yourself by acing the basics. Good skin care and healthy lifestyle choices can help delay the natural aging process and prevent various skin problems. Get started with these five no-nonsense tips.

1. Protect yourself from the sun

One of the most important ways to take care of your skin is to protect it from the sun. A lifetime of sun exposure can cause wrinkles, age spots and other skin problems — as well as increase the risk of skin cancer.
For the most complete sun protection:

• Use sunscreen. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Apply sunscreen generously, and reapply every two hours — or more often if you're swimming or perspiring.
• Seek shade. Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun's rays are strongest.
• Wear protective clothing. Cover your skin with tightly woven long-sleeved shirts, long pants and wide-brimmed hats. Also consider laundry additives, which give clothing an additional layer of ultraviolet protection for a certain number of washings, or special sun-protective clothing — which is specifically designed to block ultraviolet rays.

2. Don't smoke

Smoking makes your skin look older and contributes to wrinkles. Smoking narrows the tiny blood vessels in the outermost layers of skin, which decreases blood flow. This depletes the skin of oxygen and nutrients that are important to skin health.
Smoking also damages collagen and elastin — the fibers that give your skin strength and elasticity. In addition, the repetitive facial expressions you make when smoking — such as pursing your lips when inhaling and squinting your eyes to keep out smoke — can contribute to wrinkles.
If you smoke, the best way to protect your skin is to quit. Ask your doctor for tips or treatments to help you stop smoking.

3. Treat your skin gently

Daily cleansing and shaving can take a toll on your skin. To keep it gentle:

• Limit bath time. Hot water and long showers or baths remove oils from your skin. Limit your bath or shower time, and use warm — rather than hot — water.
• Avoid strong soaps. Strong soaps and detergents can strip oil from your skin. Instead, choose mild cleansers.
• Shave carefully. To protect and lubricate your skin, apply shaving cream, lotion or gel before shaving. For the closest shave, use a clean, sharp razor. Shave in the direction the hair grows, not against it.
• Pat dry. After washing or bathing, gently pat or blot your skin dry with a towel so that some moisture remains on your skin.
• Moisturize dry skin. If your skin is dry, use a moisturizer that fits your skin type. For daily use, consider a moisturizer that contains SPF.

4. Eat a healthy diet

A healthy diet can help you look and feel your best. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. The association between diet and acne isn't clear — but some research suggests that a diet rich in vitamin C and low in unhealthy fats and processed or refined carbohydrates might promote younger looking skin.

5. Manage stress

Uncontrolled stress can make your skin more sensitive and trigger acne breakouts and other skin problems. To encourage healthy skin — and a healthy state of mind — take steps to manage your stress. Set reasonable limits, scale back your to-do list and make time to do the things you enjoy. The results might be more dramatic than you expect.

Eight tips for healthy eating

Eating a healthy, balanced diet is an important part of maintaining good health, and can help you feel your best. It doesn't have to be difficult either. Just follow these eight tips to get started.

The key to a healthy diet is to do the following:

• Eat the right amount of calories for how active you are, so that you balance the energy you consume with the energy you use. If you eat or drink too much, you’ll put on weight. If you eat and drink too little, you’ll lose weight. It is recommended that men have around 2,500 calories a day (10,500 kilojoules). Women should have around 2,000 calories a day (8,400 kilojoules). Most adults are eating more calories than they need, and should eat fewer calories.
• Eat a wide range of foods to ensure that you’re getting a balanced diet and that your body is receiving all the nutrients it needs.

Get started

These practical tips cover the basics of healthy eating, and can help you make healthier choices:

Base your meals on starchy foods

Starchy foods should make up around one third of the foods you eat. Starchy foods include potatoes, cereals, pasta, rice and bread. Choose wholegrain varieties (or eat potatoes with their skins on) when you can: they contain more fibre, and can help you feel full.
Most of us should eat more starchy foods: try to include at least one starchy food with each main meal. Some people think starchy foods are fattening, but gram for gram the carbohydrate they contain provides fewer than half the calories of fat.

Eat lots of fruit and veg

It’s recommended that we eat at least five portions of different types of fruit and veg a day. It’s easier than it sounds. A glass of unsweetened 100% fruit juice (150ml) can count as one portion, and vegetables cooked into dishes also count. Why not chop a banana over your breakfast cereal, or swap your usual mid-morning snack for a piece of fresh fruit?

Eat more fish

Fish is a good source of protein and contains many vitamins and minerals. Aim to eat at least two portions of fish a week, including at least one portion of oily fish. Oily fish contains omega-3 fats, which may help to prevent heart disease. You can choose from fresh, frozen and canned: but remember that canned and smoked fish can be high in salt.
Oily fish include salmon, mackerel, trout, herring, fresh tuna, sardines and pilchards. Non-oily fish include haddock, plaice, coley, cod, tinned tuna, skate and hake. If you regularly eat a lot of fish, try to choose as wide a variety as possible.

Cut down on saturated fat and sugar

We all need some fat in our diet. But it’s important to pay attention to the amount and type of fat we’re eating. There are two main types of fat: saturated and unsaturated. Too much saturated fat can increase the amount of cholesterol in the blood, which increases your risk of developing heart disease.
Saturated fat is found in many foods, such as hard cheese, cakes, biscuits, sausages, cream, butter, lard and pies. Try to cut down on your saturated fat intake, and choose foods that contain unsaturated fats instead, such as vegetable oils, oily fish and avocados.
For a healthier choice, use just a small amount of vegetable oil or reduced-fat spread instead of butter, lard or ghee. When you're having meat, choose lean cuts and cut off any visible fat.
Most people in the UK eat and drink too much sugar. Sugary foods and drinks, including alcoholic drinks, are often high in energy (measured in kilojoules or calories), and if eaten too often, can contribute to weight gain. They can also cause tooth decay, especially if eaten between meals.
Cut down on sugary fizzy drinks, alcoholic drinks, sugary breakfast cereals, cakes, biscuits and pastries, which contain added sugars: this is the kind of sugar we should be cutting down on, rather than sugars that are found in things such as fruit and milk.
Food labels can help: use them to check how much sugar foods contain. More than 22.5g of total sugars per 100g means that the food is high in sugar, while 5g of total sugars or less per 100g means that the food is low in sugar.

Eat less salt

Even if you don’t add salt to your food, you may still be eating too much. About three-quarters of the salt we eat is already in the food we buy, such as breakfast cereals, soups, breads and sauces. Eating too much salt can raise your blood pressure. People with high blood pressure are more likely to develop heart disease or have a stroke.
Use food labels to help you cut down. More than 1.5g of salt per 100g means the food is high in salt. Adults and children over 11 should eat no more than 6g of salt a day. Younger children should have even less.

Get active and be a healthy weight

Eating a healthy, balanced diet plays an essential role in maintaining a healthy weight, which is an important part of overall good health. Being overweight or obese can lead to health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, heart disease and stroke. Being underweight could also affect your health. Check whether you’re a healthy weight by using our Healthy weight calculator.
Most adults need to lose weight, and need to eat fewer calories to do this. If you're trying to lose weight, aim to eat less and be more active. Eating a healthy, balanced diet will help: aim to cut down on foods that are high in fat and sugar, and eat plenty of fruit and vegetables.
Don't forget that alcohol is also high in calories, so cutting down can help you to control your weight.
Physical activity can help you to maintain weight loss or be a healthy weight. Being active doesn’t have to mean hours at the gym: you can find ways to fit more activity into your daily life. For example, try getting off the bus one stop early on the way home from work, and walking. Being physically active may help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. For more ideas, see Get active your way.
After getting active, remember not to reward yourself with a treat that is high in energy. If you feel hungry after activity, choose foods or drinks that are lower in calories, but still filling.
If you’re underweight, see our page on underweight adults. If you're worried about your weight, ask your GP or a dietitian for advice.

Don't get thirsty

We need to drink about 1.6-2.0 litres of fluid every day to stop us getting dehydrated. This is in addition to the fluid we get from the food we eat. All non-alcoholic drinks count, but water and milk are the most healthy.
Try to avoid sugary soft and fizzy drinks that are high in added sugars and calories, and are also bad for teeth. Even unsweetened fruit juice is sugary, so try to drink no more than one glass (about 150ml) of fruit juice each day.
When the weather is warm, or when we get active, we may need more fluids.

Don’t skip breakfast

Some people skip breakfast because they think it will help them lose weight. In fact, research shows that eating breakfast can help people control their weight. A healthy breakfast is an important part of a balanced diet, and provides some of the vitamins and minerals we need for good health. Wholemeal cereal with fruit sliced over the top is a tasty and nutritious breakfast.

More information

• To help you get the right balance of the four main food groups, take a look at the eatwell plate.
• To maintain a healthy diet, the eatwell plate shows you how much of what you eat should come from each food group. It's important to have only small amounts of foods high in fat and/or sugar.
• Learn how to have a balanced diet, and read about the energy contained in food in our page on understanding calories

konga.com

My generation has failed – Jonathan

LAGOS—President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, flagged off his campaign for re-election with a declaration that his generation has failed Nigeria.
While addressing youths at the campaign ground, the President told them to work for the future of Nigeria, through hard work and dedication, adding that the youths are the ones to take the country to the moon.
He vowed not to resort to crude tactics to combat the major challenges of corruption and insecurity that have plagued the country.
He also said that voting for the opposition APC was like returning Nigerians to prison. Speaking before an impressive crowd at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, the president directed his address mainly to the youths who he said were not privy to the rules of the jungle which his challengers were aiming to return the country to.

Liverpool nearing new deal for Sterling

Liverpool are close to securing Raheem Sterling on a new contract according to reports.
Sky Sports suggests that the 20-year old winger, who is contracted until 2017, is on the verge of agreeing a fresh five-year deal with the Reds which he is expected to sign in the next few days.
Sterling’s future at Anfield has been in question for some time now but it is believed that he will commit himself to the cause but penning an extension which will see him remain on Merseyside until at least 2020.
The England international was a target for Spanish giants Real Madrid recently but it appears as though he will give Liverpool some joy after it was confirmed captain Steven Gerrard would depart at the end of the season.

Buhari takes campaign to Jonathan’s home base

By Jimitota Onoyume, Sam Oyadanga & Simon Ebegbulem

PORT HARCOURT — All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), yesterday, took his campaign to the home base of President Goodluck Jonathan in Bayelsa and Rivers States with a promise to frontally address environmental concerns and degraded infrastructure, if elected.

Buhari’s promise to implement the United Nations Environmental Programme, UNEP, report on Ogoniland was elatedly received by Ogoni traditional rulers who through the president, Supreme Council of Ogoni Traditional Rulers, King Godwin Biniwa, handed him a sword to wipe out their tears when he emerges president.
General Buhari and his entourage, following the stop at Ogoniland, followed up with campaigns in Yenogoa, Bayelsa State the home base of the president and his main rival for the presidency.
Meanwhile, his running mate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, in Benin City, Edo State, said the country would be unrecognisable in one year of an APC government.
His position came as Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State regretted that President Goodluck Jonathan was blaming his predecessors in office when his six years in office has only brought agony and poverty to Nigerians.
At an interactive session with students, traditional rulers, market women and professionals in Benin City, yesterday, Osinbajo said an APC government would within one year solve the power problem, free health care and free food for school children.
He added that though the nation was rich, “we lack the leadership to harness our resources,” just as he noted that insurgency and corruption had thrived because President Jonathan lacks the political will to fight them.

Buhari urges Ogonis to vote APC

Speaking in Saakpenwa, headquarters of Tai Local Government Area during a meeting with Ogoni people, Buhari appealed to the people to vote for the APC and urged them to get their Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs.
Flaying the neglect of the region, Buhari put the blame squarely on President Jonathan saying: “The decision of the Federal Government to abandon the Bodo-Bonny road project is a clear case of incompetence and social injustice. It amounts to neglect at the highest level.
A lot is taken from Ogoniland and relatively little is brought back in return. I assure you that an APC-led Federal Government will fulfil all its promises in Ogoniland.”
Senator Magnus Abe, who hails from the area, was absent during the visit. In a statement read on his behalf, he lamented the pains the Ogoni had suffered in the nation.
Magnus, who represents the Rivers South-East senatorial district in the National Assembly, further appealed to the people to vote the APC.
He said: “Our position as a people concerning resumption of oil exploration in Ogoni is that, there should be adequate consultation with and participation of the Ogonis in the process leading to their eventual operation.
“As a deprived people, we have consistently placed in the domains of all governments, the Ogoni Bill of Rights (OBR) that seeks for equal representation of Ogonis in the affairs of the nation. These demands include appointment of Ogoni sons and daughters in government, provision of live sustainable infrastructures, such as good roads, water and development institutions.”
On his part, Director General, Buhari Presidential Campaign Organisation, Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State, urged the people to vote for the APC, saying the Ogoni had suffered neglect in the country.
President, Supreme Council of Ogoni Traditional Rulers, King Godwin Biniwa, later handed a copy of the UNEP report and a sword to Buhari, urging him to wipe out their tears when he emerges president.

Buhari identifies bane of nation’s march to greatness

Buhari repeated the same vow of dealing with environmental problems in Bayelsa where he was received by thousands of supporters who had defied the scorching sun and long delay to receive him at the Samson Siasia Stadium.
The stadium was filled to capacity as at 3 p.m. five hours after his scheduled arrival as party supporters busied themselves with entertainments provided by dance troupes and other entertainers.
Speaking at the event, Buhari identified corruption, insecurity and incompetent leadership as bane of the nation’s march to greatness even as he promised to tackle environmental pollution ravaging the Niger Delta region.
He also promised to revive agriculture and fishing in the region to boost food production and reduce the rate of unemployment in the country.
He lamented that the PDP neglected agriculture with the result that the nation is dependent on imports to feed her population.
He also noted with sadness that the people of the Niger Delta can no longer fish in their troubled water due to pollution and promised to work with the United Nations to remediate the environment if voted into office.
Also speaking, Governor Amaechi in his speech at the occasion assured that the party would create jobs, tackle poverty, unemployment and insecurity in the country of voted into power.

A bad brother is not as good as a good friend—Sylva

Earlier, the immediate past governor of the state, Chief Timipre Sylva, urged Bayelsans to vote out Jonathan, saying: “A bad brother is not as good as a good friend.”
He said: “Vote APC and welcome prosperity, good governance into your homes. I have gone to the West, East, North and South, I have one assurance that Buhari has won the 2015 poll.”
Highlight of the occasion was the presentation of flags to the party senatorial candidates in the forthcoming National Assembly polls. They include, Chief Timipre Sylva for Bayelsa East, Eddie Julius, Bayelsa West and Preye Aganaba, Bayelsa Central.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/01/buhari-takes-campaign-jonathans-home-base/#sthash.uE2nY3zI.dpuf

2015 Glo CAF Awards:Toure floors Enyeama

By Solomon Nwoke

Ivory Coast and  Manchester City of England play maker, Yaya Toure has claimed the 2014 Glo-CAF African Footballer of the Year award, thus winn-ing it for the fourth straight time, since 2011. The Ivorian midfielder who is 1.88 meters tall was born in Bouake in May, 1983.

He has over 85 caps for Ivory Coast with 16 goals while his appearance for Manchester City is above

140 with over 39 goals.

The Ivorian captain defeated his nearest rival, Nigeria captain and first choice goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama and Gabon international, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Toure was voted African Footballer of The Year for 2011, 2012 and 2013 respectively.
While in Bacelona, his club side won six trophies in 2009 alone. He was nominated for The Personality of The Year Award at the MTV Africa Music Awards in July 2014. He was also nominated for the Prize in Entertainment category at the 2014 edition of The Future Africa Awards.
With this towering profile, the Ivorian captain was clearly, the pundits’ favourite to cart home the prestigious award.

OTHER WINNERS

•National Team of the Year – Algeria
Women National Team of the Year – Nigeria
Club of the Year – ES Setif (Algeria)
Most Promising Talent – Yacine Braimih – Algeria
Best Youth Player of the Year – Asisat Oshoala – Nigeria
Woman Footballer of the Year – Asisat Oshoala
Coach of the Year – Kheeireddine Madoui (ES Setif) of Algeria

- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/01/2015-glo-caf-awardstoure-floors-enyeama/#sthash.MVuMO3HA.dpuf