National Secretary of the ACN, Sen.
Lawal Shuaibu, has declined his appointment as a member of the task force on
the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). Shuaibu made the decline in a
statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja.
Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani
Alison-Madueke, on Monday set up an eight-member special committee to ensure
speedy passage of the PIB. Shuaibu said that the appointment was well
appreciated.
Press Release on Special Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) Task Force
He, however, begged to be excused
due to party responsibilities and pressing national issues. “I wish to humbly
decline by reason of principle. I am currently the national secretary of the
ACN faced with the enormous responsibility of running the national secretariat
as well as arranging meetings of the party, which are very frequent these days,
especially owing to current pressing national issues which occupy a greater
part of my daily schedule.
“I thank the Hon. Minister for the
kind gesture extended to me and wish other members of the Task Force, my former
colleagues in the National Assembly, success in the assignment.” (NAN)
A US federal grand jury issued a
17-count indictment Tuesday against accused White House shooter Manuel Ramiro
Ortega-Hernandez, charging him with attempted assassination of the president
and an array of other crimes.
Ortega-Hernandez, 21, who has
described himself as the second-coming of Jesus, allegedly fired about a dozen
shots at the White House on the night of Nov. 11 after driving to Washington
from his home in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
He had told acquaintances that he
considered President Obama to be “the devil,” the FBI said.
The shots were fired at the
executive mansion with a semiautomatic rifle from about 750 yards away, and at
least two rounds hit the exterior of the residential floors on the building’s
south side, the FBI said.
Even though Obama and his wife were
in San Diego at the time of the incident, the grand jury indicted
Ortega-Hernandez on a charge of attempted assassination, punishable by up to
life in prison upon conviction.
Ortega-Hernandez has been locked up
without bail since being arrested five days after the shooting.
The grand jury, in U.S. District
Court in Washington, also charged him with three counts each of assaulting a
federal officer, assault with a dangerous weapon and possessing a gun during a
violent crime. Those counts relate to three Secret Service agents who were in
the line of fire on the White House grounds on the night of Nov. 11,
authorities said.
Ortega-Hernandez also was indicted
on five counts of using a firearm during a violent crime, one count of
illegally transporting a gun across state lines and one count of damaging
federal property.
I have one request to make and Allah
is my helper. Any attack on Nasir el Rufai or on Nuhu Ribadu is an attack on
me. Nasir is to my mind is one of the greatest and most patriotic Nigerians to
have served in public office and he is by far the best FCT minister we have
ever had. Like all of us he is not perfect.
In my AIT interview I said I agreed with 90% of what he said a
day before our interview and the two bits I didn't agree with I stated: I don't
agree that there is no subsidy and I believe Nasir was quoting contributions
from trusted experts which have been flying around recently including Prof Tam
David West.
And we have debated this issue of
accounting and economic concepts in this forum. I also do not agree that it is
easy in the short-term to have massive fiscal retrenchment without a huge
political backlash-indeed the fuel subsidy is one such case and retrenchment
for instance would also bring people out.
But Nasir is one person for whom I
have always had the highest level of personal respect. His integrity is beyond
reproach-of course, people will say anything but after years of trying no one
is yet able to show any evidence backing up allegations. Intellectually, I am
yet to know anyone who can match him and this has been the case since the
1970s. Femi Fani-Kayode
has written in Nasir's defence but these are not Nasir's words and if you knew
Femi well you would not be surprised or bothered by his peculiar choice of
language. I have seen Femi transit from a rabid ethnic chauvinist and christian
fanatic who thought Obasanjo was a stooge of the backward Muslim north, to a
minister in Obasanjo's cabinet preaching national unity, and now to some
freelance activist and public commentator.
This is just a stage he is going
through but I like to think he means well. When AIT requested me to speak they never said it was to respond to Nasir
and when we started and they played their clip we told them we didn't want to
personalise this. Nasir and I were friends and brothers as teenagers. We have
remained friends and brothers and will
remain friends after office.
We don't have to agree 100%. He also
understands that so long as I am in government I have 100% loyalty to the
president. If I feel I cannot be loyal I should step down. This does not mean
supporting every policy but it means standing up to play my part in doing what
is good for the economy.
I, therefore, request
please that no one defending me should attack his person. And
only those who don't know Nasir will even think I am his intellectual match- he
is just exceptional in his brilliance.
Diezani
Allison-Madueke, Honourable Minister of Petroleum Resources has appointed TUC
President, Peter Esele as a Member Of Special Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) Task Force to
further facilitate the quick passage of the bill.
Unidentified
gunmen on Tuesday, 17 Jan 2012 killed a police officer, Corporal Jubril
Abdulkarim in Mubi, Adamawa. A resident, Malam Idi Baba, told the News Agency
of Nigeria (NAN) that the incident occurred at about 6 a.m. at Wuro-Gude area
of Mubi.
Baba
said the police officer was riding on a motorcycle when he was killed by the
gunmen several metres away from the town's abattoir. `I was on bed and heard
gunshots in the early morning hours. Later, some butchers at the slaughter
house told us that they saw the dead body of a motorcyclist near the river,''
the resident told NAN.
The
Adamawa State Police Public Relation Officer, ASP Altine Daniel, confirmed the
incident, saying that the policeman was killed on his way home after night duty
in one of the banks in the area.
`He
handed over to the officer on the morning shift at the bank around 5 a.m. It
was on his way home that gunmen killed him by the riverside,'' Daniel said,
adding that investigation into the case was in progress.
NAN
recalls that 14 persons were killed and three others wounded in a series of
attacks by gunmen in the last two weeks in Mubi.
Unconfirmed
reports say popular actor, Richard Mofe-Damijo and Commissioner for Culture and
Tourism in Delta State survived a terrible car crash in Warri, Delta State this morning.
RMD
was said to have been rescued and taken to the hospital where he's currently
receiving treatment.
Evaezi revealed this sad infomation on twitter some minutes ago...
More
details follow soon…
A Tweet From popular Comedian Ali Baba saying RMD is Doing Just Fine
Entertainers Mariah Carey and Nick
Cannon took stage with their 8-month-old son at the BET Honors 2012 held on
January 14, 2012 in Washington, DC.
“It is truly, truly a blessing to be
here tonight, and I am humbled and in awe of everyone’s presence, but mostly my
hero right there,” Nick said of his wife Carey as he presented her with BET’s
Entertainer OfThe Year award. “What most people don’t get the opportunity to
experience is the true woman; the virtuous person who is my angel.”
Mariah accepted the award and said,
“To my incredible husband who [has been] out of the hospital two days — look at
him all strong and healthy and big and too buff for the tux — it’s incredible.”
Moroccan’s twin, Monroe Cannon, was
backstage during the presentation because according to her mom, “We were both
sewn into our dresses, so she couldn’t make it out.”
According to Daily Trust, man arrested at the Borno State
Governor’s Lodge over the deadly Madalla Christmas Day bombing escaped from
police custody on Sunday while he was being conveyed to a location in Abaji
area of Abuja, Daily Trust learnt yesterday.
Boko Haram suspect Kabiru Sokoto was
arrested at the weekend during a police raid on the lodge, where he sneaked in
through a friend who was given accommodation to stay overnight. He was said to
be taken along with a Flight Lieutenant of the Nigerian Air Force to the Zone 7
Headquarters of the Police in Abuja. According to Daily Trust’s sources, Kabiru
was taken to Abaji on Sunday, where he is said to own a house, to allow police
conduct a search but he escaped at about 5.30pm at Abaji.
Police went on a pursuit, firing
shots and in the process a stray bullet hit and killed a 28-year-old man named
Awwal Inuwa Ashafa, according to residents of the area.
Pandemonium ensued as people ran for
cover. Ashafa, who had an HND in Building Engineering from Federal Polytechnic,
Nasarawa, was shot in the chest.
A witness said trouble started in
the area when policemen from Abuja city brought Kabiru Sokoto in a Toyota Hilux
van. A gang of youths flagged down the vehicle as it was heading for the Ona of
Abaji’s Palace, creating a chaos during which the suspect escaped.
The police had earlier taken the
suspect to a house he owned at Abaji to conduct search and were on their way to
the traditional head’s palace when the youths saw him in handcuffs and then
blocked the road, the witness said.
Kabiru seized the opportunity
created by the youths and escaped. Meanwhile, the police fired shots in the air
to disperse the youths.
Daily Trust reporter observed
soldiers, riot police and men of the FCT Special Anti-Robbery Squad positioned
at various junctions in Abaji, while a police armoured vehicle was also seen
stationed in the town.
Abaji DPO, Superintendent Mathew
Chukwkuma Okafor, was not available for comments. A senior police officer said
four persons have been arrested over the incident.
But spokesman for the FCT police
command Moshood Jimoh said no suspect escaped custody from either the Abaji
divisional police or from any other police unit there.
The Nigerian Army has declared
wanted one Yusuf Nuhu, the second son of an alleged gunrunner based in Kaduna.
Troops from the first Division of
the Nigerian Army Kaduna had arrested the alleged gunrunner, Comrade Mohammed
Nuhu last Saturday and also confirmed his links with an unnamed terrorist
group.
The Army alleged that Yusuf had
exchanged fire with the troops while they attempted to arrest his father and
brother at their Trikania residence before he escaped with the weapon.
The Assistant Director, Army Public
Relations at the 1st Division in Kaduna, Lieutenant Colonel Abubakar Edun
enjoined Nigerians to assist the security agencies in their efforts to
apprehend the fleeing son of the suspected gunrunner.
Items recovered from the home of the
former chairman of petroleum drivers association in Kaduna include Nine
quantity of 9mm ammunition, five quantity of 6mm ammunition, one 7.62mm special
ammunition, eleven 7.62mm NATO ammunition and 17 barrel gun cartridges
The 1st Division spokesman added
that investigations into the matter were still going on, adding that the
suspects would be handed over to the appropriate authorities at the end of the
whole process.
With
NLC&TUC calling off the strike action this afternoon, PENGASSAN which is an
affiliate of the body is duty bound to comply. To this extent, I will like to
inform you all that work resumes tomorrow. I salute the courage and tenacity
with which you and the entire Nigerian youths have expressed the need for
urgent reforms in the country. I will say the struggle still continues!!!
However
disappointed that we are about the FG not meeting all our demands, I am very
proud the voices of ordinary Nigerians especially the youths have been soundly
heard in the quarters of leadership. Let us not throwaway one fact, Nigeria by
this singular act made history and further strengthen the principles and tenets
of democracy.
As the National
President of PENGASSAN the last eight days have been the most challenging in my
life. My life and that of my entire family have practically been on the edge
but the courage of Nigerians who ‘Occupied’ the streets had led me and my team
on.
Nigerians will
remember that President Goodluck Jonathan, rising from the highest executive
decision making platform, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, made a
firm resolution that there was no going back on his unpopular decision to
suddenly remove fuel subsidy. The FG was not even ready to enter into serious
negotiation with the Labour Unions.
Twenty-four
hours after this stance, I and the leadership of PENGASSAN agreed to pressure
the President to listen to the voices and see reasons with the Nigerian citizenry.
We knew we had no other choice than to threaten a shutdown of the crude oil
production platforms if the President did not rescind is decision. As responsible
leaders we were fully aware of the consequences of the action we were set to
take. In fact, we understand the import of our announcement on the international
prices of crude oil which immediately rose by $2 within hours of the announcement.
Most critically
our announcement jolted the Presidency to come to the negotiating table. To us
that was the most satisfying result we had desired. Please note that only negotiation
can move the country and our hard-earned democracy forward.
Let me tell you
that the shutdown would have not only denied the country of earning revenues
and slow governance, we know that the entire energy sector including PHCN would
have shutdown and even our hospital and other social amenities would have
failed. Indeed, has the President refused to listen to Nigerians we would have
had no other choice than to shutdown. We are glad that the shutdown had to be
suspended to give room for peaceful negotiations.
We are aware of
the social-ethnic and religious tension that pervaded the land already, and we
were not ready for people with narrow interests to hijack our activities to
unleash mayhem on the country. Nigerians, these threats are very real! I
believe that I and the PENGASSAN leadership have taken a responsible decision to
reverse our pronouncement on the shutdown notice in the very interest of peace
and the unity of our nationhood. Most importantly, President Goodluck is beginning
to listen.
Once again I
salute your courage and steadfastness. Solidarity forever. God Bless
Jan
16 (Reuters) - Gunmen shot dead five people in their homes in two northern
Nigerian cities on Monday, security forces said, the latest in a string of
deadly attacks by suspected members of the Boko Haram Islamist sect.
"Two
people have been shot dead today by Boko Haram in Maiduguri," the
operations officer for the remote northeastern city, Victor Ebheleme, told
Reuters.
"The
area in which the attack took place has been cordoned off and the killers have
been trailed, but no arrests have been made yet."
Three
Chadians were also killed in the volatile city of Damaturu, police commissioner
for the city and its surrounding state of Yobe, Lawal Tanko, said.
Boko
Haram wants sharia law applied across Nigeria, which is roughly split equally
between Christians and Muslims. The group's low level insurgency has
intensified in the past year, becoming a major security headache for President
Goodluck Jonathan.
Jonathan
declared a state of emergency in several regions in Nigeria on Dec. 31, closing
Nigeria's borders with Niger, Cameroon and Chad, after a spate of Christmas Day
attacks on churches and other targets.
Gunmen
shot dead two Chadians on Sunday, as well, authorities said.
Maiduguri
is Boko Haram's heartland and Damaturu is increasingly a focal point for its
militant activity.
Damaturu
was the scene of fierce gunbattle between the military and Boko Haram on Dec.
24, when more than 50 people were killed, mostly sect members.
SNG And Allies Condemn Deployment Of
Troops, Reject N97 Pump Price
The Save
Nigeria Group (SNG) and its allies flay the deployment of troops and tanks to
the Gani Fawehimi Fredom Square at Ojota, Lagos, which has hosted our peaceful
and popular protests for five days running last week.
To the credit
of the organizers of the protests and the maturity of the millions of Nigeria
who have trooped to the rally ground, we have had violence free gatherings for
days with great comportment and no loss of life, damage to property or
violation of any law of the land.
It is therefore
curious that a democratic government would deploy military tanks and troops
against such a peaceful assembly of the people in clear violation of the
constitutionally guaranteed right of the citizens to freely assemble and
express their feelings.
This is a clear
case of intolerance and shutting of the democratic space against the people of
Nigeria which must be condemned by all democracy loving people around the
world.
We have equally
reviewed the broadcast of President Goodluck Jonathan where he unilaterally
offered to reduce the pump price of petrol to N97 per litre. This tokenism
shows that the display of people power in the last few days has not been in
vain but it is far too little to be acceptable.
We demand a
reversal to the pre-January 1 pump price of N65 per litre as a basis for a
conducive atmosphere for a national conversation on the oil sector and how to
deal with the corruption that has brought this needless crisis on the 7th
largest producer of crude in the world that has been made dependent on imports
for its refined product consumption.
In the
meantime, we ask our people who have
made tremendous sacrifices in the last few days to comply with the
stay-at-home directive as a continuation of this mass action and await further
directives.
We salute the
resilience of our people who have demonstrated that they have all it takes to
fight for their rights on a sustained basis in the most peaceful manner to the
chagrin of their adversaries.
The seed of
permanent change had been sown in our land and it will germinate and bear the
fruits of freedom.
Mallam Nasir
El-Rufai, former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, was brutalised by
soldiers in Abuja, his friend and former cabinet colleague, Femi Fani-Kayode,
has said.
In the ongoing
nationwide protest over the cut in gasoline subsidy, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has
become a rallying point for civil society and the opposition.
Mr. Fani-Kayode
said on his Facebook page Mr. El-Rufai was attacked by soldiers in the Wuse
District of Abuja at a point where Abuja protesters usually converge for their
rallies.
He said the
officers tried to seize the former minister's telephones as well as other
recording devices on him. Other protesters were also brutalised, he say.
Mr. Fani-Kayode
said, "My friend and brother Nasir El-Rufai has just been attacked and
brutalised by a group of soldiers led by a colonel of the Nigerian Army in Wuse
2, Abuja. They tried to get his phone from him and to grab other recording
devices of the Occupy Nigeria Group.
"This
happened at the spot that the group usually converges to meet and demonstrate.
Many other members of the group were attacked as well and I guess that we are
lucky that no-one was killed.
“Super
glue my mouth na. or stay off my TL RT”, that was Don Jazzy’s last tweet on Jan
3, 2012 after he was criticised for tweeting this, “I hardly regret decisions i
make. That my 1 vote added to put the current Govt in power is one decision i
regret with all my heart.” Since then Jan 3, 2012, Don Jazzy took break off
twitter.
Don Jazzy's last Tweets before today...
Don
Jazzy was absent throughout the Occupy Nigeria struggle for obvious reasons.
The moment NLC & TUC suspends the 7 Day nationwide strike this afternoon,
Jan 16, 2012 Don Jazzy resumed back on twitter blabbing “strike is over” as
captured below…
Don Jazzy claimed his tweets are strong enough to get Aso Rock's Attention...
Earlier this morning NAIJA
CYBER HACTIVISTS claimed it has hacked and defaced Nigeria Army website. The CYBER HACTIVISTS left
the message below on the website:
Hacked and Defaced
Greetings Nigerian Army
We are NaijaCyberHactivists.
We and the great people of Nigeria ask for nothing but your immediate
evacuation from our streets.
We shall not fold our arms and watch you harrass innocent
protesters.
Please tackle Boko Haram and leave innocent protesters ALONE
Your failure to do just placed you in our cross-hairs.
You are NOT untouchable as WE (NaijaCyberHactivists) aint the
government.
We coming after you!
THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING!
We Are From The Internet
EXPECT US!
"In source code we trust
We fighting for a cause
To make them account for all OUR money in their purse
The
Occupy Nigeria struggle against Nigerian government’s insensitivity towards its
people is fast gaining global sympathy.
As
the struggle continues, popular American rapper MC Hammer is very sympathetic
to the Occupy Nigeria struggle. MC Hammer admonished his over 2.4million
followers on twitter this morning to pray for Nigerians. He tweeted, “As we celebrate the Honorable Dr.
King Our Prayers go out to our Brothers and Sisters in Nigeria #occupyNigeria”.
Pastor
Tunde Bakare went on twitter yesterday to clear the air about the rumour of his
arrest which spread like harmattan cold yesterday. He tweeted, “Many thanks to
all concerned. I haven't been arrested. I'm a law-abiding citizen -- why would
anyone want to arrest me? :-)”.
UPDATE:
The blogger spoke with Yinka Odumakin this morning and he
confirmed to me, Pastor Tunda Bakare has not been arrested as at this morning.
Presidential
Address On TheImplementation Of The
Deregulation Policy In The Downstream Sector Of The Petroleum Industry, Monday,
January 16, 2012
Dear
Compatriots,
1. This is the second time in two weeks I will address you on
the deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector. In the last seven days,
the nation has witnessed a disruption of economic activities. Although,
the economic imperatives for the policy have been well articulated by
government, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress
(TUC) went ahead to declare a nationwide strike.
2. There was also near-breakdown of law and order in certain
parts of the country as a result of the activities of some persons or groups of
persons who took advantage of the situation to further their narrow interests
by engaging in acts of intimidation, harassment and outright subversion of the
Nigerian state. I express my sympathy to those who were adversely affected by
the protests.
3. At the inception of the deregulation policy, Government
had set up the Justice Alfa Belgore Committee to liaise with Labour and other
stakeholders to address likely grey areas in the policy, but despite all our
efforts, Labour refused the option of dialogue and also disobeyed a restraining
order of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria.
4. However, following the intervention of the Leadership of
the National Assembly, and other well-meaning Nigerians, Labour accepted to
meet with government, but this yielded no tangible result.
5. It has become clear to government and all well-meaning
Nigerians that other interests beyond the implementation of the deregulation
policy have hijacked the protest. This has prevented an objective assessment
and consideration of all the contending issues for which dialogue was initiated
by government. These same interests seek to promote discord, anarchy, and
insecurity to the detriment of public peace.
6. Government appreciates that the implementation of the
deregulation policy would cause initial hardships and commends Nigerians who
have put forth suggestions and credible alternatives in this regard. Government
also salutes Nigerians who by and large, conducted themselves peacefully while
expressing their grievances. Let me assure you that government will continue to
respect the people's right to express themselves within the confines of the law
and in accordance with the dictates of our democratic space.
7. Government will continue to pursue full deregulation of
the downstream petroleum sector. However, given the hardships being suffered by
Nigerians, and after due consideration and consultations with state governors
and the leadership of the National Assembly, government has approved the
reduction of the pump price of petrol to N97 per litre. The Petroleum Products
Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) has been directed to ensure compliance with
this new pump price.
8. Government is working hard to reduce recurrent expenditure
in line with current realities and to cut down on the cost of governance. In
the meantime, government has commenced the implementation of the Subsidy
Reinvestment and Empowerment projects: including the Federal Government-
assisted mass transit programme which is already in place, and job creation for
the youth.
9. Furthermore, the legal and regulatory regime for the
petroleum industry will be reviewed to address accountability issues and
current lapses in the Industry. In this regard, the Petroleum Industry Bill
will be given accelerated attention. The report of the forensic audit carried
out on the NNPC is being studied with a view to implementing the
recommendations and sanctioning proven acts of corruption in the industry.
10. Let me assure Nigerians that this administration is irrevocably committed to
tackling corruption in the petroleum industry as well as other sectors of the
economy. Consequently, all those found to have contributed one way or the other
to the economic adversity of the country will be dealt with in accordance with
the law.
11. My dear compatriots, I urge you to show understanding for the imperatives of
the adjustment in the pump price of petrol and give government your full
support to ensure its successful implementation. I further appeal to Nigerians
to go back to work and go about their normal duties as government has made
adequate arrangements for the protection of life and property throughout the
federation.
12. Government will not condone brazen acts of criminality and subversion. As
President, I have sworn to uphold the unity, peace and order of the Nigerian
State and by the grace of God, I intend to fully and effectively discharge that
responsibility. Let me add that we are desirous of further engagements
with Labour. I urge our Labour leaders to call off their strike, and go back to
work.
13. Nigeria belongs to all of us and we must collectively safeguard its unity.
14. Thank you. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN, GCFR
President,
Federal Republic of Nigeria
Legend: Muhammad Ali (left) welcomed guests at his 70th birthday celebrations
Muhammad
Ali showed he can still attract sell-out crowds as the former heavyweight
champion prepares to celebrate his 70th birthday on Tuesday. Hundreds of people
gathered in his hometown of Kentucky at the first of five parties to mark the
occasion.
Ali,
who made a brief appearance to the waiting crowd, was joined by more than 300
guests, including Lennox Lewis.
'I feel so proud and honored that we're able to show our feelings and show our
support for him,' Lewis said. VIDEO:
The self-proclaimed "Greatest of All Time" remains one of the world's
most recognisable figures, even though he's been largely absent from the public
eye recently as he fights Parkinson's disease. His wife Lonnie Ali said
recently that the boxing great has mixed feelings about the landmark birthday.
Partners: Ali with his trainer Angelo Dundee at the champion's birthday celebration in Kentucky
'He's
glad he's here to turn 70, but he wants to be reassured he doesn't look 70,'
she said.
Born
Cassius Marcellus Clay Jnr on January 17 1942, Ali took up boxing at age 12,
when his bike was stolen and he wanted to find and whip the culprit. The boy
was introduced to Joe Martin, a police officer who coached boxing at a local
gym.
Champ: Former heavyweight Lennox Lewis arrives for Ali's birthday
Ali flourished in the ring, becoming a top amateur and Olympic gold medalist.
He made his professional debut in Louisville and arranged for a local
children's hospital to receive proceeds from the fight. Lewis said Ali ranks as
the greatest of heavyweights, and he said he was inspired by Ali's fights. 'I
used to get mad if I didn't see the Ali shuffle,' Lewis said. 'So I was always
watching him, expecting some type of antic.'
Ali won the heavyweight title in 1964, defeating the heavily favoured Sonny
Liston. Soon after, Ali - who was raised in a Baptist family - announced his
conversion to Islam and changed his name.
Champ: Former heavyweight Lennox Lewis with Ali in 2001
While
in his prime, Ali was stripped of his heavyweight crown in 1967 for refusing to
be drafted for military service during the Vietnam War. He cited his religious
beliefs as the reason for his refusal. His decision alienated Ali from many
across the U.S. and resulted in a draft-evasion conviction. Ali found himself
embroiled in a long legal fight that ended in 1971, when the U.S. Supreme Court
ruled in his favour.
I am the greatest! Ali was never shy to proclaim that he was the best boxer in the world
Ali lost his first bid to regain the heavyweight crown when Frazier knocked him
down and took a decision in the "Fight of the Century" at Madison
Square Garden in 1971. Ali regained the heavyweight title in 1974, defeating
Foreman in the "Rumble in the Jungle." A year later, he outlasted
Frazier in the epic "Thrilla in Manila" bout.
Last
year, a frail Ali rose from his seat and clapped for his deceased rival at
Frazier's funeral.
Rumble in the Jungle: Ali famously beat George Foreman in Zaire after adopting 'rope-a-dope' tactics
Ali's
last title came in 1978 when he defeated Leon Spinks. Ali retired from boxing
in 1981 and devoted himself to social causes. He traveled the world on
humanitarian missions. In 2005, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of
Freedom.
Daughter
of famous Nollywood actor, Prince Jide Kosoko, Sola Kosoko recently got
married. The groom is her long time lover Abiodun Abinna. The private ceremony
took place at solitude Hotel, Jibowu, Lagos.
The
news of the wedding didn’t create a buzz unlike the other showbiz weddings that
have held in recent times but the reason isn’t farfetched. This is because the
talented thespian is one actress who loves to keep her private affairs close to
her chest.
The
wedding ceremony had a lot of Yoruba Artists in attendance; they all appeared
in beautiful regalia to celebrate with the couple.
