Nigerian banks can’t fund power’s $8bn/yr needs — FBN

FBN Capital Limited has declared that Nigerian banks cannot fund the $8 billion yearly power needs alone and thus called for the support of institutional and foreign investors to fund the huge resources needed to drive various ongoing infrastructure projects, for the next 10 years.

Patrick Mgbenwelu, Director and Head, Project and Structured Finance, FBN Capital Limited said this at the 1st FBN Capital Project and Infrastructure Finance Conference which held in Lagos. According to him, specifically considering the nation’s power projects alone, about $8- $12 billion would be needed yearly for the next 10 years, to meet up with the large deficit of power demand and supply in the nation, which the banks alone would not be able to fund.

“This funding cannot come from the banks alone” he said. “There is the need for institutional investors and foreign investment to bridge the funding gap” he noted, adding that Greenfield IPPs will emerge to bridge the energy gap, while Government’s Private Public Partnership, PPP commitment will fuel various infrastructure projects such as rails, roads, bridges, and airports among others. Participants at the event were unanimous in the position that although Nigeria’s vast natural resources and growing power and infrastructure demands has rightly garnered substantial interest from lenders and developers from across the globe, there remain challenges in ensuring the country’s huge potential is realised.


Mgbenwelu said multi-billion dollar government projects will require private sector involvement, therefore creating the need for Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) as obligator financial vehicles.

Highlighting the importance of infrastructure finance, he said investors can choose to approach finance institutions and seek funds either as a corporate entity or directly through the projects, (Corporate Finance route or Project Finance).

According to him, project finance as an option for accessing funds is an avenue for managing risk, instead of bearing them directly as a corporate organisation. “Additional expansion funding can be raised with ease, subject to the project achieving steady state.

Sanusi wins sub-Sahara Africa’s CBN governor award

The Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Lamido Sanusi, was on Saturday night in Washington DC, United States, named the Central Bank Governor of the Year for sub-Saharan Africa by the Emerging Markets Magazine.

Sanusi, who was part of the Nigerian delegation to the International Monetary Fund/World Bank annual meetings, won the award for the third time in four years.

The Managing Director, Emerging Markets Magazine, Mr. John Orchard, in a citation he read out before handing over the award to the CBN boss, acknowledged Sanusi’s efforts in driving down inflation from the double digit in 2009 to about eight per cent currently.

He said the governor had consistently pursued and successfully maintained macroeconomic stability despite the challenges confronting the Nigerian economy.

While responding, Sanusi said he could not have achieved much without the efforts and support of the Federal Government and the 6,000 workforce of the bank, noting that the award was a demonstration of their hard work and dedication to implementing his vision.


Sanusi commended the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who was also present, for her support in the fight to ensure macroeconomic stability in the country.

The Nigerian Ambassador to the United States, Prof. Adebowale Adefuye, and members of the Nigerian Mission in Washington DC later hosted the Nigerian delegates to a dinner in honour of the CBN governor.

He commended Sanusi for the feat of winning the award three times in four years.

Other dignitaries present at the occasion were the Deputy Governor, Operations, CBN, Mr. Tunde Lemo; and his counterparts for Economic Policy, Corporate Services and Financial System Stability, Dr. Sarah Alade, Alhaji Suleiman Barau and Dr. Kingsley Moghalu, respectively, as well as a former Minister of Finance, Dr. Mansur Muktar, among others.

Issue meters to all consumers – FG orders Discos

The Federal Government has directed new owners of power distribution firms to provide all electricity consumers with meters as soon as they take over the successor companies of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria.

It advised that the new power firms should accord priority to the metering of their customers nationwide.

The Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Dr. Sam Amadi, who stated this, added that crazy billing by power firms would not be tolerated.

He spoke on behalf of the government at a two-day workshop organised by the NERC for the successor companies and other stakeholders in Abuja.

He said, “The new PHCN successor companies should see metering of all their customers immediately they take over ownership of the PHCN companies as their major priority to avoid bills estimation.”

Amadi said power firms often cheat their customers whenever they estimated electricity consumption bills.

He emphasised that the Federal Government would not condone such practice henceforth.

The NERC boss explained that in the new power reform agenda, both the accounts of the distribution companies and their customers should be balanced and maintained.

He noted that one of the concerns of the commission was to ensure that the rights of the discos and their customers were not tampered with.


He stressed that one of the rights was to meter electricity consumers.

According to Amadi, metering all electricity consumers would assist the customers to effectively monitor their energy usage as well as enable the Discos to determine their revenue.

He stressed that the Discos would know the exact number of customers they had when all power consumers were metered.

Amadi observed that the Multi Year Tariff Order 2 of the Nigeria Electricity Power Sector Reform Act 2005 provided money for Discos for losses incurred by them in the metering of customers.

The NERC chairman said the commission would need to reach an agreement with the Discos on how long it would take the power firms to ensure that all their customers were metered.

Amadi said previously, a period of 18 months was given to the PHCN to meter all its customers, but it was unable to meet the target.

Earlier in his address, the representative of the Discos, Mr. Roberk Yates, said metering of customers would increase the expenses of the power firms.

He urged the government to give enough time to the Discos, stressing that it might be tough to meter all electricity consumers.

The new owners of the power firms are expected to take over their respective companies on November 1, 2013.

How suicide bombers who planned to disrupt Ethiopia vs Nigeria game blew up themselves

According to a Reuters report, two Somali suicide bombers, whose intention was to kill many football fans during Sunday’s 2014 World Cup play-off between Ethiopia and Nigeria in Addis Ababa, accidentally blew themselves up before they could carry out the attack.

The explosion took place in the Bole district of the country’s capital, which is about 5km from the Addis Ababa Stadium where thousands of fans gathered to watch the game.


“They were Somali nationals and plotted to carry out a suicide attack disguised as fans on either the stadium or areas where large crowds gathered to watch the game,” Ethiopian government spokesman Shimeles Kemal said.

The blast happened one hour before kick-off and explosives, arms, hand grenades and football shirts, were found at the scene. Three suspects have been detained.

Shimeles added: “Heavy police presence must have caused their nervousness and state of agitation which led to the detonation that caused their own death.”

No sect has claimed reponsibility for the incident yet.

WEALTH, SUCCESS AND LOVE

A woman came out of her house and saw 3 old men with long white beards sitting in her front yard. She did not recognize them. She said "I don't think I know you, but you must be hungry. Please come in and have something to eat."

"Is the man of the house home?", they asked.

"No", she replied. "He's out."

"Then we cannot come in", they replied.

In the evening when her husband came home, she told him what had happened.

"Go tell them I am home & invite them in!"

The woman went out & invited the men in"

"We do not go into a House together," they replied.

"Why is that?" she asked.

One of the old men explained: "His name is Wealth," he said pointing to one of his friends, & said pointing to another one, "He is Success, and I am Love." Then he added, "Now go in & discuss with your husband which one of us you want in your home."

The woman went in and told her husband what was said. Her husband was overjoyed. "How nice!!", he said. "Since that is the case, let us invite Wealth. Let him come & fill our home with wealth!"

His wife disagreed. "My dear, why don't we invite Success?"

Their daughter-in-law was listening from the other corner of the house. She jumped in with her own suggestion: "Would it not be better to invite Love? Our home will then be filled with love!"

"Let us heed our daughter-in-law's advice," said the husband to his wife.

"Go out and invite Love to be our guest."

The woman went out & asked the 3 old men, "Which one of you is Love? Please come in and be our guest."

Love got up & started walking toward the house. The other 2 also got up & followed him. Surprised, the lady asked Wealth & Success: "I only invited Love, Why are you coming in?"

The old men replied together: "If you had invited Wealth or Success, the other two of us would've stayed out, but since you invited Love, wherever He goes, we go with him. Wherever there is Love, there is also Wealth and Success!!"

MY WISH FOR YOU...
May God's love never cease from your homes.

ASUU: Petty traders, commercial drivers lament strike

Some petty traders and commercial drivers in Enugu say the indefinite strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) had adversely affected their businesses.

A cross section of the people who spoke in Enugu on Monday with our correspondent included food vendors, commercial cab and bus drivers, photographers as well as business centre operators.

A cab driver, Mr Felix Agu, who operates at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) said his business dropped drastically by almost 50 per cent since the beginning of the strike.

Agu, who is a retired civil servant, said he used to make nearly N15,000 a day when the students were in session, adding that he made less than N8,000 a day since the industrial action started.

“This is where I make my daily income since I retired from the civil service two years ago and since our pension comes once in a while.

“Before the strike, I was making between N10,000 and N15,000 daily but since ASUU started the strike I make less than N8,000 a day and spend a lot on fuel while looking for passengers,'' he said.

A food vendor, Mrs Beatrice Ejindu, said her business was about to collapse as a result of the strike, saying that only very few staff that operated skeletal services at the university patronised her.

It was a similar story for Joachim Uzo, a photographer and student as well as Miss Grace Eze who operates a business centre at Enugu Campus of the University of Nigeria (UNEC) as they complained of low patronage.

“I pay my school fees through this small business but since we resumed last September, I am finding it difficult to raise money to pay my school fees and that of my siblings,” he said.

Eze in her remarks, said she was planning to relocate to another place where people would make better use of her photocopier and computers.

They, however, appealed to ASUU and the federal government to urgently resolve the crisis and call off the strike in the interest of the students and the business community.

Wild gal-Rihanna frolics with wild animals in South Africa

Earning a reputation as a wild girl is more than just words, you have to act it. Rihanna showed she is still a wild queen as she played with wild animals in South Africa where she just had a sold out tour.

More photos below

 

 

 

As my kid bro would always say "I am fearing; so Riri, are you not fearing? lol

MEET Uche Jombo’s Younger Sister, Josephine Jombo

I see the resemblance; teeth, eyes and nose..

Tonto Dikeh Shows Off Her Customized 1 Kilogram Gold Bar Designed By Boo

She posted the pics on her instagram page where she showed it off. 

More pics below.

“Why I’m still single”-Sexy actor, Kalu Ikeagwu

Kalu Ikeagwu is undoubtedly one of Nollywood’s sexiest bachelors & actors..He opened up to Daily Sun on why he is not yet married..

“Do I want to get married? Yes. But that would be when I find the right person; I mean that person I love so much and want to spend the rest of my life with; that’s when I’ll settle down.

The reason why I am not married now is that marriage is very important to me. I have come to terms with the fact that marriage is the most important institution from God. And I take that very seriously. Ultimately I would like my relationship with my wife to be like that between God and the church; that’s why it is important to me. I wouldn’t say it’s been challenging though. I have gone through a lot of experiences that made me wise. When I get married, my experiences would make me a wise, good and a loving father.

I like a woman with a great sense of humor; that’s very important to me. And of course, she has to be very attractive and intelligent. Above everything else she should have a close relationship with God because that’s very important to me as well. That’s exactly why I am yet to get married. I want to be successful in my marriage just as I am in my career.”

 Please someone should tell Uncle Kalu to stop giving excuses to remain single.

Actress Mercy Aigbe talks On How Her Husband Feels Whenever She’s Being Kissed or Fondled In Movies

“I don’t think he cares, because he knows it’s a make-believe sort of thing.

There was even a film that I’m supposed to kiss somebody, and when he watched the film he told me that I did not do it well. He said it was not done professionally.

The only thing I cannot do is to act nude. I can’t act nude,’ Said, the mother-of-two speaking to Nigerian’s Tribune.

But mehn! it isn't an easy thing marrying an actor or actress oh. I just don't want to imagine...

Toyin Lawani & Boo Shop For Lil Trigga

Toyin Lawani and her 21-year old boo are still on vacation. They have left LA for Dubai. They went out shopping today for their unborn child. See more pics below.

                            Love surpasses all.. Age is just a number abi ki lo feel?

Jackie Appiah Grabs Her Crotch, Doing Michael Jackson Dance

Beautiful Canadian born Ghanaian actress, Jackie Appiah is feeling like Michael Jackson.
Jackie uploaded this picture on her Instagram page with the caption: ‘Tell me who’s bad…. feeling like MJ right now, The King of Pop?’ Am feeling like…. Tell me who you are feeling like?

The beautiful actress has received several awards and nominations, including the awards for Best Actress in a Leading Role at the 2010 African Movie Academy Awards and Best Actress in a Supporting Role at the African Movie Academy Awards in 2007.

What do you think, did she rock the Michael Jackson look?

I can’t understand why my father married 27 wives – Femi Kuti

The 2013 edition of Felabration,a week-long concert which celebrates the life and times of Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti commences from Monday, October 14 through 20 at the Afrikan Shrine, Ikeja, Lagos. In this interview,  Femi Kuti, the eldest son of Fela went down memory lane, recounting the story of his late father, his music  and ideologies. He also talks about what the fans of Afrobeat music will expect at this year’s Felabration among other issues.

Felabration

We learnt that Rita Marley will be headlining this year’s Felabration. Why is she not here today?

She sent a message few days ago that she was not feeling fine, and might not make it to the event. However, she will be represented at the festival by the head of  her foundation, Rita Marley Foundation.

What’s the financial implication of organising this festival?

We have no major sponsors at the moment. Fortunately, most of the artistes are performing for free. We have been very lucky that the likes of King Sunny Ade, D’banj, Wizkid, Pasuma, and many others, have been performing for free. This year, they will grace the stage again. But we usually pay a token to the up and coming artistes as a way of supporting them. However, Nigerian Breweries Plc  has promised to come on board next year as a major sponsor of the event. We are hoping that as from next year, Felabration will not be talking about financial difficulties.

What’s new in this  year’s Felabration?

I think what will always be new is the enthusiasm of the crowd. The festival runs from Monday through Sunday. It kicked off last Monday with school debate. Wuri Modern College won the competition  last year. The Felabration usually kicks off with school debate because we are trying to introduce new  things other than music. There will be symposium where the likes of Femi Falana, SAN,  will be in attendance. The  festival will kick off properly next week Tuesday. It will run till Saturday and closes on Sunday.

Is  Bob Marley’s son still going to  make it to the festival?

I think he’s having problem with obtaining visa. He has agreed to come and the contract has been finalized. We are waiting for  him to obtain his visa. If he succeeds, fine. We  are expecting a lot of Afrobeat bands from America, Ghana and other African countries. Our local artistes such as Tuface, Kwam 1, Davido, Wizkid, Eedris and other superstars including myself will be on duty.

Apart from finance, what other challenges are you encountering?

I think the major challenges are finance and security. We would love a situation where we would pay the artistes handsomely and dictate the pace for them. But now, they dictate the pace for us. The artistes  decide when and when not to perform on stage. Felabration bends to everybody’s rules. The next thing is to get the museum working. Apparently, Lagos State government  has purchased the piece of land beside the museum  which we use as car park. But we are still looking for major sponsors that will drive the museum. We have big dreams that we want to put in place.

With this year’s Felabration coming up, would you  say  you have achieved the dream of setting up the festival?

Definitely. We are all Nigerians and we know what it means to run a festival at that level for 13 years. I think we have to be applauded. It’s a feat that hasn’t been achieved in Nigeria. All the great festivals we know in Nigeria are no longer functioning. We have never heard any security challenges in the past 13 years. With the crowd of over 10,000 people attending the festival, I think we have to be commended.  Now, Felabration is observed across the world, especially in major cities of the world. The event my sister, Yeni started has grown big and stronger.

One would have thought that the Fela broadway show would have boosted the festival?

I’m sure you know what it cost  them to  be in Nigeria  then. They are a cast of about 50 people. By the time you talk about their flight tickets, accommodation, and so on, you would know what I mean. I think it was the Lagos State government that sponsored their trip to the country. Eventually, what we are going to be focusing on is discovering new talents and more bands. I will like  a situation where we do not have only hip-hop artistes on stage.

Fela’s biopic

*Fela celebrated

Aside Felabration, what is the family’s stand on Fela’s biopic being produced by an American company recently?

I don’t know about it. There are many things I don’t know about. I know that they have been working on the biopic for the past five years.

Andrew Dosumu, a British Nigerian director was chosen to direct the biopic and Nigerian international actor, Chiwenta Ejiofor is being touted to act Fela in the biopic?

It is the same biopic that we are talking about. This is a biopic that has been in the making for about five years now. I’m sure you know it is not the kind of film that you can produce overnight. They have to capture the burning of the house, the soldiers…If they are going to do a movie of that magnitude, it’s going to be a great movie. It is going to take time. They have been talking about this movie for ages now.

Does the family have any plan to do that?

No. We are only going to give them  the license to do it. We have a legal team that deals with all of these things. My own duty as a member of the estate is to give the approval. I have signed the contract several years ago and I know, it will take another two to three years before this dream will materialize.  I know that the first contract we signed for five years ought to be renewed if they have not completed the production of the film within the time frame.

They started talking about the film when my father died but eventually the contract expired. So, they had to renew a new contract. This is because there is no money in the music business. That’s why the family has been very lenient when discussing with all these people because we all know about piracy. Everybody is downloading Fela’s music, so you have to be very understandable. We have a good legal team  that handles all these stuffs for the family. Of course, we have to protect the integrity of the family

Fela and his music

Looking at it holistically, do you feel comfortable that a Nigerian  who has practically lived abroad all his life is playing the role of Fela?

I’m sure if they do a movie, it will be great. Now, let us look at the broadway show. Critics say that it was too Americanised. They did not want to show Fela’s story from the Nigerian perspective. They wanted the American and the international market to understand the Fela story. See how Fela was misunderstood even when he went to the United States.  It was after his death that people started evaluating his music. What he was doing? He married 27 wives in his lifetime, how dare he? This man was against feminism.? They gave him different kind of names. He was completely misunderstood because he wore pants, he smoked marijuana. He had issues. He had serious issues whether  we liked it or not. At his death, people were celebrating him but in his lifetime, he was broke before he died.

What they did was to tell the Fela story for the average international market to watch and understand it. If  you did watch them, you would notice that the dancers could not dance the Afrobeat music. For you, the man was speaking American English. But you would have every reason to believe that the Fela you know was not being acted but if you look at it from the neutral perspective like you didn’t know Fela, you would understand the story and even weep for him.

The day I watched it, I cried. I cried because I knew where they were coming from and I saw the audience. Probably, they have not heard about Fela, the Americans were saying, it made them want to listen to his music to know more about Africa. It opened their minds to so many issues. Now, they are studying Afrobeat in many of the schools and universities in America, Germany, France, Sweden, Australia, everywhere. There are over 20 American bands playing Afrobeat at the moment.

Over the years and given what is happening in the country today, will you say your father has been vindicated or  misunderstood while he lived?

I will answer in the affirmative. He was grossly misunderstood for a purpose because he saw corruption and he knew what corruption was going to do to the country; those involved in corruption wanted to get away with dictatorship and corruption which was what he was against. And because he used his own unconventional way of protesting, it didn’t go down well with the authorities.

Then the authorities controlled the media up to a point until after Daily Times, when other media houses started springing up because we have to remember that it was only government newspapers and TVs  that we had then. So, the story was told from the government’s perspective until The Punch, Vanguard and other magazines were established. Fela’s story could be seen from another point of view.

We have to understand where Fela was coming from in the 60s. Where did the problem start? What was the cause of his problem? And maybe, because he was already a stubborn character, he was going to make matters worse and that was his character and that is the character that people now love.  What kind of man was he, that many people ran away from him, or even compromised him. But  he didn’t have to go through all those beatings? So, I think, he was purposely misunderstood but yes, he has been vindicated.

But you are a different specie?


Femi Kuti performing

I would say, I am probably more diplomatic because I have learnt from what I saw of him. First, you have to understand the political climate which we live in. Let us remember who voted for Obasanjo? Except if we want to be dishonest with ourselves, Obasanjo won the first election, clean and clear. What would Fela have done if he was alive and this same Nigerians still went to vote for this same Obasanjo? Didn’t they hear Fela sing about this man?

Then, it is still these same Nigerians that were criticising this man and they know it. Let us look at our incumbent President. He was declared wanted by the EFCC when he was governor of Bayelsa State and you voted for him. That case was pending in court when Yar’ Adua  made him his Vice. Opposition parties should have objected to his selection. But they didn’t. Again, his former boss late Yar ‘ Adua whom he served under  had a seven point agenda. Where is it today? Jonathan promised that if anything happened to him that he would follow his footsteps. Has him followed his footsteps today?

There are many things you have to understand as Fela’s son. Did Nigerians not hear what Fela talked about? Are they not feeling the same pain that Fela felt when he was alive? Nigerians are still voting for the same corrupt politicians.

Are you worried that government has not been able to honour your father after his death?

Not at all. The people will always honour my father and he will always be celebrated worldwide. Even Lagos state has honoured him. Even if the family doesn’t celebrate him, Fela has gone beyond the shores of Nigeria. As we speak, New York, Paris, England, Japan, Australia, New Zealanmd, China, Malaysia, among others still celebrate him.

At over 50, some people say it seems you have become more sexually active?

That is not true, I am no more sexually active. When you see a beautiful woman, when you reach my age and you have responsibility like myself, you  will know what I am talking about. Before now, as a young man, you would want to go after her.   There are many nights I go and sleep alone not because I don’t have girlfriends or want a girlfriend, when I think of the responsibility I have  in my life, I will immediately have a rethink.

The women in my life also have responsibilities. I can tell you that the mothers of  my  children, we stay together, we are very serious. You could say we are husband and wife but I don’t believe in marriage. I just don’t understand why one man will say I pronounce you man and wife, in that case. I pronounce myself man and wife. I am very different from my father but in a lot of ways like him.

Like I couldn’t understand why he married 27 wives. When he married them, he divorced them. I didn’t have a problem with my father’s wives but my mother did.  When the problem started in Kalakuta, for us it was fun. Many things have changed. Of course I am very much sexually active but when I consider the problems my shoki has given me, it dies quickly.

Behind The Scene Photos of Iyanya’s “Le Kwa Ukwu” Video Shot

Check out behind the scene photos of Iyanya’s new song “Le Kwa Ukwu” video shot in London directed by Sesan..

 

HIV+ WOMAN ARRESTED FOR BREAST FEEDING NEIGHBOUR'S BABY

A Zimbabwean woman who breastfed a neighbour's baby without her consent faces a possible two year sentence for deliberately infecting another HIV after she tested positive.

The 39 year old suspect Annie Mpariwa appeared in court on Wednesday. The court was adjourned to October 24, 2013 to allow a second HIV test to be performed on the toddler because the child's initial result turned negative.

The mother of the 14 month old baby said watching her neighbour breastfeeding her baby is so traumatising. *o yea! it should be*

She alleged that her neighbour snatched the baby while she was playing outside and hid her in her room. After searching for the baby for many hours, she went to Mpariwa's rented apartment, knocked and got no response only for her to peep through the window and caught Mpariwa in the act of breastfeeding her little baby girl. #This is so disheartening; feeling for the mother right now#

"i was shocked and nearly fainted when i saw my baby leaking milk from Mpariwa's breast even when she wasn't nursing a baby neither was she pregnant" she said.

The charge was raised "Deliberately infecting another person with HIV".

Things happen i must say.. That baby's mother would never forget such incident in a hurry; it is so disheartening.

Peter Okoye And Lola Omotayo To Tie The Knot

Peter Okoye and his baby mama Lola Omotayo have picked their wedding date on Saturday, October 12, 2013 at 10:13. *don't give me that "how did you know stare".. lol*

Barely few months after he proposed to his baby mama Lola Omotayo, Peter Okoye, one of the singing sensational duo, Psquare has taken a step further by picking a date for their traditional marriage.

A source close to the couple disclosed that their traditional marriage is billed to hold on Sunday, November 17, at Arc Events Center on the Lagos island. The date for the white wedding is yet to be fixed.

Confirming the development, Psquare publicist, Bayo Adetu said, “It’s true, Peter Okoye and Lola Omotayo will be having their traditional marriage ceremony on the 17th of November, 2013.”

However, with this development, Peter has joined the long list of celebrities who wedded this year. Meanwhile, arrangements are on top gear as Peter is leaving no stone unturned to make the day a memorable one.

It would be recalled that Peter Okoye proposed to his girlfriend, Lola in a grand style, presenting her with a brand new Range Rover Evoque, bouquet of flowers, a hand written sign and a stunning diamond ring. He later got a deserving ‘Yes’ from Lola who already had two children for him, Cameron and Aliona.

Congrats to them.

Fashola To Pay Pa Kasumu's Medical Bill

Lagos state governor Babatunde Raji Fashola who is currently in the US has come to the aid of the ailing veteran actor's health condition (serious liver and heart related ailments which needs of N12 million naira)after watching Pa Kasumu's interview on Channels TV last Friday October 11th.

It was gathered that the benevolent governor who also took care of Ngosi Nwosu's medical bill months back has gotten in touch with the actor.


And as if that is not enough, Pa Kasunmu has also been transferred to an expensive private hospital in Ikoyi on the order of the Governor, so as to give the actor the best medical attention he needs.

Pa Kasunmi has been on admission at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital before now.

Someone say a silent prayer for BRF.. God bless BRF!

Pharrell Williams weds model Helen Lasichanh

           Pharell Williams and longtime girlfriend Helen Lasichanh have gotten married.

Reports have it that the Grammy award-winning record producer and baby mama tied the knot on Saturday, October 12, 2012 in Miami, Florida.

It was gathered that the wedding was attended by a few celebrities including Usher and Busta Rhymes who did a mini concert at the wedding.
Williams and Lasichanh have a 4-year-old-son Rocket.


The couple who tied the knot on Saturday decided to ditch traditional wedding attires and instead went for these unpredictable looks:



I say they are cute together though they look so official plus what sort of traditional attire does Helen have on? *nottalking*

Senate President, Speaker, others reject N3 billion official houses

Four presiding officers of the National Assembly have rejected official houses being built for them by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

Senate President David Mark, House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu and Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha have cited insecurity and delay in the provision of infrastructure as the reasons for their action.

FCT Minister Bala Mohammed, who gave the hint at the weekend, disclosed that the authorities had consequently discontinued the construction of the N3 billion official houses by the construction giant, Julius Berger, at the Maitama Extension (renamed Goodlock Jonathan District) located behind the Lungi Military Barracks in the city centre.

The FCTA last year proposed to spend N1.5 billion on construction of the new official houses for the National Assembly's presiding officers as well as another N1 billion for completion of the official residence of the vice president.

During the 2012 budget defence session before the House of Representatives Committee on FCT, Mohammed said the total cost of the project was N3.044 billion.

He said while N324 million was appropriated in 2011 for the new residences, only N146 million had been expended, leaving a balance of N178 million. He explained that for 2012, N1.5 billion would be required for the project.

Mohammed said that the National Assembly's presiding officers that would benefit from the new residences were the Senate President and his deputy as well as the Speaker of the House and his deputy.

For the vice president's residence, the minister said N2.452 billion was required to complete the project, which was already 66. 8 per cent completed last year.

Citing insecurity at their Apo Legislative Quarters in Abuja, the minister in February 2011 told the parliament during a budget defence that four principal officers of the National Assembly would benefit from a new set of residential accommodation being planned by the FCTA at the Maitama Extension Area in Abuja.

His word: 'The National Assembly is the highest democratic body we have apart from the Presidency. And the National Assembly complex at Apo has been sold out to the public. The place is being inhabited by all sorts of people. Leaving them there will expose them to the vagaries of the society. And anybody can be a principal officer; so whoever is there and you leave him there, you are not being fair to him.'

On why the government was embarking on the multi-billion naira project when the principal officers were already accommodated at the Apo Legislative Quarters in Abuja, the minister had told the Sixth Assembly FCT Committee that the decision was predicated on the insecurity in Abuja and some parts of the country.

'Our decision is taken out of a sheer sense of responsibility. But with responsibility comes the issue of security, the issue of the latitude and leverage which officers holding certain offices must have.

'The National Assembly is the highest democratic body we have apart from the Presidency. And the National Assembly complex has been sold out to the public. The place is being inhabited by all sorts of people.

'We were there on inspection and so we cannot guarantee the safety and security of principal officers of the National Assembly who take decisions on very serious and sometimes critical issues that may impinge on the sensibilities, perception and feelings of others. We must, as a government, protect the principal officers of the National Assembly.

'Leaving them there will expose them to the vagaries of the society. And anybody can be a principal officer; so whoever is there and you leave him there, you are not being fair to him. That is why government decided that as a second tier of government, we will go to an area which is secure and safe for our principal officers to live', the minister had said.

But fielding questions last weekend on the progress made so far on the project, the minister, represented by the FCDA Director of Public Building, Bernard Lot, said work had already begun on the project before the recent rejection of the area by the principal officers.

'You will recall that we had started that project, and there is a contractor carrying out the road work. You can actually access the place because the contractor has actually commenced work and has also done reasonably well on that.

'But that too was affected by budgetary provisions. You know government has dwindling resources, but there is an issue there because development is not taking place fast in that area. And so the principal officers of the National Assembly have said that they don't want that place because of the current security situation in the country.

'Though it is behind the army barracks, we cannot isolate them there, and government in its own wisdom has said that since they don't want it, the authorities have decided to convert the buildings to guest houses and scale down the initial cost of the project. That is what we are doing now. We are scaling down the cost of the project to serve as guest houses to the principal officers of the National Assembly.

'As for their new residences, you are all aware that we have already cleared a new site located in the Three Arms Zone in the Central Area. The President has already given his anticipatory approval and the contractor has been asked to commence work on the project,' he said.

On the vice president's residence, the minister explained that paucity of funds in the 2012 budget was responsible for the delay in the completion of the project.

'For a whole year (2012), there was no budget for that project but under 2013, we had an appropriation and the contractor is working. We had a cause to seek a variation on the contract to implement the second phase of the project. But it was stood down on the grounds that no project will have a variation above 15 per cent.

'So, we are having an implementation strategy to ensure that we complete that project on time, including the very essential aspects of the work, including the holding, gatehouse, bedroom, storage, among others.

'The contract is ongoing and we are going to complete the contract while we leave the issue of furnishing. The issue of furnishing is part of the phase two of the project such as the banquet hall, guest houses, and some security installations which are very vital for the vice president to live in because of the current security situation in the FCT,' he said. The Guardian

Elections can't be conducted same day -INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission has said legal constraints will not allow it to conduct all elections in the country same day.

The commission said it could only conduct elections according to the existing laws - 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act - and court rulings.

INEC was reacting to the calls by the apex body of northern Nigeria, Arewa Consultative Forum, that all elections should be held concurrently to reduce national expenditure on elections and electoral irregularities.

The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr. Kayode Idowu, however, told our correspondent there were also disadvantages in conducting all elections same time.

He said, 'The laws prescribe the sequential procedure. Of course, the proposal (same-day elections) has advantages and disadvantages. The point I'm making is that it is a legally constituted body and operates by the law, and the law provides a framework.

'Go to the Electoral Act, the constitution even says 'one election will be conducted, another one will be conducted and another one will be conducted. The INEC cannot do otherwise.'

When asked if the law was the only impediment, Idowu said, 'As it stands, it is the law.' He however declined to mention the merits and the demerits of conducting elections same day.

The ACF had in a communication issued after its general meeting on September 25, 2013, said after considering the factors militating against good conduct of free and fair elections 'over the years,' it insisted that the INEC should conduct all five elections - presidential, governorship, National Assembly, state assemblies and local government council - on the same day.

The document read, 'It is the considered opinion of ACF that such an arrangement will cut cost of elections and reduce problems of logistics and do away with bandwagon effects that are associated with staggered elections.

'If other African countries can do it, Nigeria can also do so.'

Sanusi vows to stop dollarisation of economy, says no plan to re-visit N5000 note

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, yesterday, said in Washington that Nigerians must accept Naira for dollar transfers.

Fielding questions from journalists on the sidelines of the 2013 World Bank/ International Monetary Fund , IMF, annual general meeeting in Washington DC, he explained that there was nowhere in the world where those sent money from abroad were being paid in foreign currencies, as was the case in Nigeria.

His words: 'The interesting thing about our country is that we try to be different from others in the world.  If you are in the UK and somebody transfers money to you from the United States, in what currency do you get paid in London?   Obviously you get paid in pounds.

'There is no where in the world where you go to a bank and because you got a transfer, you insist on being paid in that currency'.

According to him, the CBN earlier directed that customers be paid in the currencies sent to them by their relations resident abroad because the banks were short-changing them.

On the impact of the current budget imbroglio in the United States, the CBN governor said that it could affect the global economy, including Nigeria, especially given the fact that the nation's reserves have been invested in US Treasury Bills and bonds.

He expressed optimism that with several voices of concerns raised across the world for the House of Representatives to see reason, the matter would be resolved shortly, in the interest of the global economy.

His words: 'The last two, three World Bank/ IMF meetings have been focusing on the European Union- the crises and all that. This year there is a tremendous focus on what is happening in the United States- the budgetary impasse, the debt ceiling issues and the implications if the legislature and the executive don't reach some kind of conclusion.

'Therefore being forced into what could become a massive austerity programme and the possibility of a default on its obligations- not necessarily a default in their treasury bills because I expect that there will some form of prioritization. I don't see the United states defaulting on its treasury bills as a first line of defence.

'But they will default in some of their obligations and no one knows exactly how the market is going to react to this. The real challenge for us in emerging and frontier markets is that we hold our reserves in the US dollars, we have invested it in US Treasury Bills and bonds and if there is a slide in those instruments we will suffer loss in the assets that we hold.

'The government shutdown is more of a domestic issue but the debt ceiling is the one that affects all of us- And so we expect the US to resolve this impasse in the interest of the global economy'.

On the failed attempt by the CBN to introduce the N5000 currency note into the Nigerian economy, the Mallam Sanusi said even though he was convinced that it made economic sense to print the higher denomination, he would not revisit the matter.

Said he, ' On 5000 Naira note I have said I would not revisit. I made all the arguments at the time I made them. You have had inflation in double digits for a very long time, this has weakened the purchasing power of the national currency and therefore means you are carrying much more currency than you need to carry to carry out your transaction.

'You go to an ATM, you want N100,000 you have to take 100 notes, those notes have a cost and printing those notes you are paying for the paper, paying for the security features, paying for transportation and paying for security while transporting them. And then the CBN is going to pay for destruction of those notes (when they become old and tattered'.

'People got up and made statements, professional institutions, accountants, saying 'this is inflationary.'  I don't know when accountants became economists, I don't know when changing denomination became the same as increasing money supply, but in a country in which the decisions are not taken based on the soundness of an argument but on sentiments, I can't help it. If Nigerians would rather carry Ghana- must- go bags on their backs, that is fine. If they would rather we continue pending money printing these notes, that is fine.

President Moves To Divide G-7 Governors

The secrecy surrounding the individual meetings between President Goodluck Jonathan and some G-7 governors in the last two weeks appears to have raised curiosity: it is suspected that the presidency has been working to break the ranks of the aggrieved governors and, by extension, the new PDP.

Before the last truce parley between President Jonathan and three of the G-7 governors, he held a separate meeting with the Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

The president had earlier played host to the Niger State governor, Muazu Babangida Aliyu, a week before his meeting with the Kano governor at the presidential villa.

An impeccable source disclosed that the meetings have been generating suspicion in the ranks of the new PDP.

But the national publicity secretary of the new PDP, Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has dismissed insinuations that President Jonathan's meetings with the governors were capable of infusing dissent among the new PDP leadership.

The factional deputy national chairman of the group, Sam Sam Jaja, affirmed that the new PDP was united.

The source said: 'The fight for internal democracy that we waged against Tukur and the president is not a personal one; we all have our personal relationships with either Tukur or the president; but a situation where some people, because they have access to the villa, will go in to meet with the president and table their personal matters will only whittle down our fight.

'Today, you have seen that our operational office has been sealed up by the same people who say they are pursuing peace; this is happening because most of the governors have been discussing different and personal matters with the president each time they have audience with him.

'This is not to say that some of the governors are not committed to the fight but, from all indications, a few of them have been singing new tunes and we don't find it pleasant at all. For now, only two or three of the governors can be said to have stood resolute in defence of the initial code we set for ourselves. '

He further disclosed that the initial agreement before the August 31 walkout at the PDP national convention was that the new PDP would join the APC.

'Our initial plan was to join the APC so that we could join forces with other like minds to remove these anti-democratic forces from the corridors of power.

'We agreed to team up with the APC but later events and developments showed that some persons were not comfortable with the leadership of the APC; this, to some of us, was not good enough because the only way to achieve the aim of the struggle is to re-create a new Nigeria by voting out PDP, and the only way to do this would have been to decamp to the APC'.

But Eze blamed the Tukur-led PDP. 'Those are the prayers of the Tukur PDP and they will fail; we are more united than before and the issue of the next platform option is not what could be rushed; we need to await the arrival of all our governors and other leaders who are currently on Hajj.

'As soon as they return, Nigerians will be given the opportunity to know our next line of thinking regarding what steps we would take,' he said.

Also, Jaja said: 'It is totally false that the G-7 governors and the new PDP are disunited; you should know that such mischievous speculations are not unexpected. But those who wish we had a crack shall be totally disappointed. '

Besides, the source within the Alhaji Kawu Baraje-led faction hinted that the position of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regarding the refusal of recognition to the faction had created a situation of 'indecision' in the group.

INEC had, last week, written to the new PDP that it was not inclined to withdrawing the recognition the commission had already given to the Alhaji Bamanga Tukur-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP.

The development, the source said, had placed three options before the new PDP: joining the APC, abandoning the struggle midway, and joining the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM). But he cited the last option as 'too dangerous to gamble with'.

Say "NO" to domestic violence; MFM Pastor Beats Up Lover, Abducts Daughter

A man, who claimed to be the pastor of Prayer Mountain Ministries, Lagos, Olusola Adewunmi, has been accused of aggravated assault against his lover, Queen Ujiatolor, in the Onipanu area of Lagos State.



Although not legally married, the couple are said to have two children together. Their five-year relationship is said to have been fraught with domestic violence.

When PUNCH Metro visited the victim in a hospital, her legs and hands were bandaged while she was also placed on drip.

She said, "I met Adewunmi in 2009; he had just returned from Pakistan where he was said to have served a prison term. He told me he was a changed man and a pastor; I believed him.

"Soon after, we had a marriage introduction and our two families met and subsequently, we started living together.

"However, months into the relationship, he started beating me. Sometimes, he would use a belt or any object he found. After the beating, I would report to his parents and they would come begging me to forgive him."

The victim alleged that even during pregnancy, Adewunmi did not stop the beating.

Ujiatolor said she was driven out of their home six months after she had put to bed. A member of Adewunmi's church allegedly took her place as the pastor's new lover.

She said a year later, in 2012, the pastor came back to her for reconciliation and promised to wed her legally. However, this was not to be as the physical violence allegedly continued.

Ujiatolor claimed to have sustained a fracture in the process and was rushed to Regina Mundi Hospital, Mushin in Lagos.

The victim said their relationship got worse when the pastor told her that she must change her last name but she refused because they had not done a proper wedding. She was forced to move out of the home after the birth of the second child in May 2013.

Things allegedly took a turn for the worse on September 22, when Adewunmi forcefully abducted one of their children in her absence.

She said, "On that day, I was at a seminar in Ilupeju when he called me on the telephone, calling me a prostitute. He told me he had taken our older daughter and that I would never see her again. So, I went to his church and attempted to take her away. He hit me from behind and pushed me into a glass door. After he saw the extent of my injuries, he fled."

The doctor, Gani Yahaya, said the victim sustained lacerations on her calf muscle and had splinters of glass in her wounds.

It was learnt that the incident was reported at the Alakara Police Division and later transferred to the Area D Command.

A non-governmental organisation, Project Alert on Violence Against Women, which took over Ujiatolor's case, called on the police to take the case seriously.

The Director, Dr. Josephine Effa-Chukwuma, said, "We are appalled at the situation and no one should condone any form of domestic abuse. The police should also take the matter seriously rather than regarding it as a family affair."

When contacted on the phone, Adewunmi said, "I cannot tell you if it is true or a lie. I have no comment and I don't want to get involved in press matter."

The Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Damasus Ozoani, confirmed that the matter had been reported to the police and investigations were ongoing.

Shocking Revelation of the Black Box of Associated Airline Plane

The black box of the Associated Airline aircraft which crashed on Oct. 3 in Lagos Nigeria has revealed that, there appeared to have been an argument between the Captain and the First Officer of the Airline.

The readout of the black box ,also known as Cockpit Voice Recorder, CVR, conducted by Nigeria's Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, in its Abuja's laboratory revealed that the computer onboard the plane sent a warning message to the Captain, Yakubu Abdulrahman, shortly before take-off but he ignored it.

The First Officer then suggested to the pilot to abort take-off but Yakubu Abdulrahman proceeded and took off"The First Officer asked if the take-off should be aborted approximately 12 seconds after the 'eight knots' callout," said Captain Mukhtar Usman, Commissioner Accident Investigation Bureau,AIB.

AIB said the pilot and the co-pilot discussed some concerns about the aircraft prior to departure.

"The crew discussed some concerns about the aircraft prior to departure but at this time we are not prepared to elaborate on those concerns as there remains a lot of work to do to complete on the CVR analysis in order to determine the specific nature of the crew's concerns," said AIB Commissioner, Muktar Usman.

Usman said approximately four seconds after engine power was advanced to commence the take-off roll, the crew received an automated warning from the onboard computer voice which consisted of three chimes followed by "take-off flaps…take-off flaps.

"This is a configuration warning that suggests that the flaps were not in correct position for take-off. And there is some evidence that the crew may have chosen not to use the flap for take-off," Usman said.

"This warning continued throughout the take-off roll," Usman added.

"Approximately three seconds after 'power is set' call, the First Officer noted that the aircraft was moving slowly.

"At this time we can state that the Right engine appeared to be producing considerably less thrust than the left engine. The left engine appeared to be working normally," Usman said.

2013 Lagos International Trade Fair (LITF)

The Lagos International Trade Fair is the largest and best organized Trade Fair in the West African sub-region. With over 100,000 business visitors over a 10 day period, the LITF is the gateway to Nigeria's and Africa's evolving market.

This Fair is organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

Vistors Profile: 
It is anticipated that the Fair will attract over 1,500,000 visitors from within and outside the Country including businessmen, investors, consumers, top government officials and representatives of Nigeria's important trading houses and those seeking joint-venture partnerships.

Exhibitor's Profile:
Profile for exhibit includes Business Organizations in Nigeria, Overseas Organizations and Governments, ECOWAS Member States, Diplomatic Missions and Trade Representatives, Federal and State Government owned Companies, Agencies and Parastatals, Research and Educational Institutions.

Venue Information
Date: Friday 1st – Sunday 10th November 2013
Time: 09:00am - 07:00pm daily
Venue: Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Onikan-Lagos.

Organised by:
Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry
House (1st Floor). 1, Idowu Taylor Street Victoria Island,P.O Box 109, Marina, Lagos
Lagos, Nigeria
Tel: +(234)-(1)-7732305

Contact Organizer

Contact Person:
Mr. Dele Alimi
Tel: +234-1-7732305
Mob: +234-8034954092


Note: Contact the organisers and book your stalls. It is one of its kind. Cheers..

Royal babies: Five things you didn't know

Amid all the excitement and wall-to-wall media coverage about the eagerly-awaited new addition to the royal family, you may think you know all you could ever want to about royal babies. But did you know...

A government minister used to be present at royal births, to make sure the baby was not switched

The practice is believed to have begun in 1688, when dozens of officials watched Mary of Modena, wife of James II, give birth to a son, to scotch rumors that Mary was not really pregnant and that the baby was to be smuggled into the room in a bedpan.

The tradition continued well into the 20th century. The last royal birth to be witnessed by a government minister was that of Queen Elizabeth II's cousin, Princess Alexandra in 1936, and the practice was only officially halted shortly before the birth of Prince Charles in 1948.

Royal husbands have not always attended the birth of their children

Queen Elizabeth II may not have had to contend with ministerial interference in her birth plan, but she also didn't have her husband there for support; while she gave birth to Prince Charles, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh was busy playing squash.

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Road to the royal baby's birth

Prince Charles was on hand when Diana had Prince William, but William himself may not be there for his own child's birth -- expected any day now -- if he's at work as a search-and-rescue pilot when the big moment arrives.

If for any reason William can't get to the hospital on time, the Duchess of Cambridge is reported to have asked her mother, Carole Middleton, to be there to support her.

Queen Victoria was the first royal to use anesthesia in childbirth

The long-reigning monarch and mother-of-nine was given chloroform for pain relief during the births of her eighth and ninth children, Prince Leopold (born in 1853) and Princess Beatrice (born in 1857).

Her decision to opt for an anesthetic is credited with popularizing the use of painkillers during childbirth among the well-to-do of the time.

John Snow, the doctor who administered the drug, is better known as one of the founding fathers of epidemiology, after he traced a deadly outbreak of cholera to a Soho water pump.

Prince William was the first heir to the throne to be born in hospital

William was born in the private Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital, Paddington, on June 21, 1982. His brother was born at the same hospital two years later, and William's new son or daughter is also expected to come into the world there.

While that might seem the normal way of things, in fact it was something of a break with tradition -- until then, all heirs to the throne had been born at home (or at one of the royal family's homes at least).

Prince Charles was born at Buckingham Palace; Elizabeth II herself was born in the Mayfair home of her grandfather in 1926 -- though at the time she was not expected to become queen as her uncle, and not her father, was next in line to the throne.

Titled royal babies do not have surnames

Members of the royal family are famously burdened with plenty of names -- Prince William was christened William Arthur Philip Louis, and his father is Charles Philip Arthur George -- but many (those titled His or Her Royal Highness) do not have a surname.

Prince William and Prince Harry have used "Wales" at school and during their military careers, but this comes from their father's official title as Prince of Wales. William and Kate may continue to use this for their new baby.

As descendants of Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, they could also use Windsor, or Mountbatten-Windsor -- both of which are relatively new inventions, adopted during World War I to disguise the family's German origins.

Alternatively, the royal parents-to-be could even opt to found their own dynasty, using "Cambridge" as a surname.

Blind student learns to read Braille with lips

Tsang Tsz-Kwan may look like an average student in Hong Kong with her standard-issue blue shift dress with a Chinese collar and sensible black shoes. But her ordinary appearance and shy manner mask a steely determination to triumph over tremendous odds.

She recently scored within the top 5% for nearly all her subjects in the city's college entrance examination -- despite being blind and severely hearing-impaired from a young age. She also lacks sensitivity in her fingertips, which denies her the ability to feel the raised dots of Braille characters.

Rather than admit defeat, the 20 year old found an alternative way to read Braille -- with her lips.

"In Primary 1 (the equivalent of Grade 1 in the United States), I noticed that she was always leaning forward," said Mee-Lin Chiu, a teacher at the Ebenezer School & Home for the Visually Impaired -- the only special needs school in Hong Kong dedicated to the blind.

"She told me it was because she could read more clearly with her lips than her hands."

This is the first I have heard of someone being successful using the lips.
Diane Wormsely, North Carolina Central University

Tsang herself admitted: "I know it's not a common approach and it sounds rather strange. Even I myself don't know how it came about," she added, calling it "miraculous."

In actual fact, the lips, tongue, and fingertips are particularly adept at spatial discrimination — they can perceive two points that are only 1-3 millimeters apart, according to the classic anatomy text, Field's Anatomy, Palpation and Surface Markings. In comparison, the legs or back of the hands can only detect two points with a separation of more than 50-100 millimeters.

While Tsang may not be the very first person to resort to lip-reading Braille, she appears to be a rare case. "This is the first I have heard of someone being successful using the lips," said Diane Wormsely, a professor at North Carolina Central University who specializes in education for the visually impaired. Chiu also said that Tsang was the only student at Ebenezer to have used their lips -- and is the sole case she is aware of in Hong Kong.

Lip-reading Braille is not without its challenges, however.

"Nobody could accept it in the beginning," Tsang said. "Even now, many people find it odd ... It's caused some embarrassment when I read in public places and in front of people that I don't have a close relationship with."

Nobody could accept it in the beginning...Even now, many people find it odd.
Tsang Tsz-Kwan

It also poses practical problems, as Braille books are typically large and heavy.

Nonetheless, Tsang said she is "grateful" to still have a way to learn about the world through the written word. Reading is one of her favorite past times -- a source of intellectual stimulation and psychological refuge.

She also believes she can transcend her disabilities through hard work, determination, and the willingness to push herself outside of her comfort zone.

"Without the courage to challenge myself, there is surely no possibility of success," she said.

At Ebenezer, her classes were comprised of only ten students, whose shared disability enabled them to easily build close friendships. All materials were prepared in Braille and teachers were specially trained to work with the blind.

But in Form 1 (the equivalent of Grade 7 in the United States), Tsang decided to leave the comfort of Ebenezer and move to a regular secondary school, wanting to immerse herself in a more authentic, mainstream environment. "I have to facilitate my adaptation to society when I finish my studies and have to enter the workplace," she said.

Her transition to the city's Ying Wa Girls' School was not always easy. Classes were much larger and teachers did not have specialized training to work with blind students. Tsang had to send all printed materials to Ebenezer or the Hong Kong Society for the Blind for transcription into Braille. Reading and writing took her twice the amount of time it did for her peers, she said.

She learned she had to be more independent and make a greater effort to express her feelings and needs with staff and students, who were welcoming but unaccustomed to dealing with a blind person.

Without the courage to challenge myself, there is surely no possibility of success.

Tsang Tsz-Kwan

One of her teachers, Kwong Ho-Ka, said that staff learned over time when to intervene to help her.

"If she needs something, she will let us know," Kwong said, adding that her fiercely independent student walked around the school campus unassisted, eschewing a walking stick and elevators and taking the stairs by herself.

Kwong, who clearly holds deep affection for her student, said that while Tsang was never bullied, social integration has been a gradual process.

"She has friends, but she's not part of some big group. For example, a gaggle of girls may be chatting about pop culture, but it can be difficult for her to enter the conversation. She may not recognize who is speaking in overlapping conversations and she lacks familiarity with pop culture."

Attending class with the same cohort of students over the past three years has helped a lot, Kwong said, and students have learned to make an effort to include Tsang in conversations.

Tsang said that she has made close friends. "I am grateful for their acceptance of me as a normal member of their social circle and throughout these years, they have given me a great deal of support and encouragement."

While her academic feats -- she scored 5**, the highest possible grade, for Chinese, English, and Liberal Studies, 5* for Chinese Literature and English Literature and 4 for Math — have won her much acclaim in Hong Kong, Tsang admits that she surprised herself.

"I was really astonished and excited when I heard that my results in some of the subjects were far from my expectations," she said. "I felt my hard work this year has finally paid off."

I'm going to treasure what I still have.

Tsang Tsz-Kwan

She hopes to study translation at university starting this fall to have a "balanced development in both Chinese and English."

"Whenever I come across some thought-provoking and touching books, I really wish I could translate them into different languages so as to share them with more readers," she added.

As she embarks on the new phase of her hard-won education, Tsang maintains matter-of-fact and philosophical. "The inconveniences and limitations (my impairments) bring will follow me my whole life ...and I must have the courage to face the facts...I'm going to treasure what I still have."

"I would like to encourage everyone to have the courage and perseverance to go through all the ups and downs in our lives because I know everyone has their own difficulties. But one thing is for sure: where there's a will, there's a way."

PayPal accidentally credits man $92 quadrillion

When Chris Reynolds opened his June PayPal e-mail statement, something was off.

The Pennsylvania PR executive's account balance had swelled to a whopping $92,233,720,368,547,800.

That's $92 QUADRILLION (and change).

Money that would make Reynolds -- who also sells auto parts on eBay in his spare time -- the richest man in the world by a long shot.

Rich, as in more than a million times richer than Mexican telecom mogul Carlos Slim. And he's worth $67 billion.

Oh, if only.

"It's a curious thing. I don't know, maybe someone was having fun," Reynolds said.

So he logged online, and reality bit back. His account balance read $0. The correct amount.

PayPal admitted the error and offered to donate an unspecified amount of money to a cause of Reynolds' choice.

"This is obviously an error and we appreciate that Mr. Reynolds understood this was the case," PayPal said in a statement.

Before this incident, the most Reynolds ever made on PayPal was "a little over $1,000" selling a set of vintage BMW tires on eBay.

So what would the would-be quadrillionaire have done with all that cash?

"I probably would have paid down the national debt," he said.