He won Abramovich the Champions League but was repeatedly told to play Torres

When Roberto Di Matteo named his team at Turin’s luxurious Golden Palace Hotel on Tuesday lunchtime, it was a final act of defiance.

How Sportsmail's Neil Ashton led the way on Di Matteo's Chelsea sacking
Monday morning... Abramovich prepared to wield axe if results don't improve
Tuesday night... Guardiola and Benitez in frame to replace Di Matteo

Fernando Torres paid for his pitiful performance at West Bromwich on Saturday and Di Matteo knew the evening would end in yet another change in personnel. On this occasion, in the office of the Chelsea manager.

But Di Matteo sensed the end was coming long before his 42nd and last game in charge. As early as last summer, when he dared question the strength of Torres’ ambition at Chelsea, the European Cup-winning coach was left in no doubt about who is actually in charge at Stamford Bridge.

The beginning of a remarkable journey: Roberto Di Matteo clutches Branislav Ivanovic and Fernando Torres after seeing off the challenge of Napoli in last year's Champions League

He told you so: How Neil Ashton broke the story in Wednesday's Sportsmail
When he was finally appointed ‘manager and first-team coach’, 25 days after landing club football’s greatest prize in Munich’s Allianz Arena, Di Matteo presented Roman Abramovich with a list of summer transfer targets.

Radamel Falcao, the free-scoring striker with 36 goals in 50 appearances for Atletico Madrid in his first season in Spain, was at the top of it.

But before Chelsea’s manager could even make a case for the Colombian striker he was cut short. Abramovich told him he already had a world-class finisher and the message was clear: Torres was to play. It was a message that was repeated on an almost daily basis.

That was life at Chelsea for Di Matteo, operating under almost intolerable conditions long before he axed Torres ahead of the shocking 3-0 defeat against Juventus. He knew he had to select Torres. It was the owner’s wish. But he also knew there were problems using Torres when the players Abramovich had brought in did not suit the Spaniard’s style of play.

A round peg in a square hole: Torres is said to be unhappy and Chelsea and his attributes do not suit the club's style of play Di Matteo had run the analysis on Torres, asking the club’s technical team for a breakdown of the 81 goals he scored for Liverpool before his move south to London.
When Di Matteo went through the detail, a worrying pattern emerged that convinced him Chelsea did not have the personnel to accommodate his game.
 
 At Anfield, 56 of his goals (69 per cent) were engineered by defence-splitting passes, usually from  Steven Gerrard or Xabi Alonso. At Chelsea, players like Juan Mata, Frank Lampard, Ramires and John Mikel Obi — together with new arrivals Oscar and Eden Hazard – preferred to pass their way through the opposition. They did not spring opposition defences and Di Matteo was already beginning to doubt whether Torres was committed to the Chelsea project.

Di Matteo’s relationship with technical director Michael Emenalo was already strained, but it was stretched to the limit by the pressure to get Torres among the goalscorers.
Some sympathised, but others were openly questioning the motivation of a striker who was once regarded as the best finisher in world football.

Over bar the shouting: Di Matteo patrols the touchline at the Juventus Stadium, aware that his time at Chelsea is up, upstairs in his office at the club’s Cobham training centre and puffing on cigarettes out on the balcony, Di Matteo frequently discussed Torres’ form with assistants Eddie Newton and Steve Holland.
 It hardly helped that the £50million striker had confided in team-mates that he was unhappy at the club, even saying as much to a Spanish journalist on the night Chelsea lifted the European Cup.

But a new season amounted to a new start for Di Matteo and Abramovich was quick to apply the same approval index rating he uses to judge every manager — Champions League progress.
The day after Chelsea drew 2-2 with Juventus in the opening fixture in Group E, when goals from Arturo Vidal and Fabio Quagliarella secured a point for the Italians, Abramovich arrived unannounced at the training ground.

He asked Di Matteo, his coaching staff and some of the players if they still had the desire for another crack at the competition after last season’s incredible triumph.

By 3am on Wednesday, Di Matteo was clearing the decks of his spacious office after being sacked at the training ground by chairman Bruce Buck and chief executive Ron Gourlay, just over an hour after they arrived back from defeat in Turin.

The man of the moment: Six months ago, Di Matteo steered Chelsea to their first European Cup
He knew it was coming, saying farewell and shaking hands with the players in the dressing room at the Juventus Stadium.

The incredible stats
£86m: Chelsea have spent approximately £86million since 2004 in compensation for managers — more than Everton’s entire net spend since the Premier League began.
8 months: The average life span for a manager under Abramovich. Only Mourinho and Ancelotti lasted more than a year.
9: Abramovich has now had as many managers in his nine-year reign as United have had since 1937.
7: Chelsea have sacked seven managers since 2005 and won seven trophies.
These were private moments and a significant number of the team apologised to Di Matteo for failing to recreate the spirit that led to FA Cup and European glory last season. Three days earlier, in the dressing room at The Hawthorns, the fingers had been pointed by the players in a post-match inquest following the 2-1 defeat. It sounded explosive.

Holland, the assistant manager, had arrived at the ground with a black eye and a cut underneath his left cheek. After the fireworks that followed the final whistle, it is a wonder there were no further casualties.
Chelsea’s season was beginning to fall apart and the situation was irretrievable even then.
Abramovich had to be talked out of firing Di Matteo on Saturday by his close circle of advisors, but the Champions League clash with Juve was the tipping point.

On Sunday the players came in for a warm-down at Cobham and flew on a delayed flight to Turin on Monday after Di Matteo held a short meeting with coaching staff.

The impossible job: Di Matteo takes charge of his final Chelsea training session in Turin
In Turin, Chelsea’s players picked up on Di Matteo’s distress and it transmitted to the squad in a subdued and sometimes directionless training session at Juve’s stadium on Monday evening.
 
   
 
HAVE YOUR SAY...

   
Did Roberto Di Matteo deserve more time as Chelsea boss?

Roman Abramovich has wielded the axe for the eighth time as owner of Chelsea following the team's 3-0 defeat against Juventus.  .TELL US WHAT YOU THINK .They knew he was about to make a tactical switch, but the message was muddled and there was uncertainty among the players as they chatted in hushed tones over dinner in the team hotel.

In the team meeting at lunchtime on Tuesday, when Di Matteo announced that Hazard would play up front instead of Torres, this was met with the tacit approval of many of the players.

On the field they failed spectacularly, however, and Di Matteo, who spent 45 minutes talking to his Italian advisor in the tunnel after the defeat, knew the game was up.

As they all got on the airport bus which delivered them to their Titan Airways flight — which finally took off at 1.45am from northern Italy — the atmosphere was tense.

By that point Di Matteo and Newton, both in sharp, grey suits, were hanging on for grim life as the bus, with Buck and Gourlay in attendance, made the short trip to the aircraft steps.

Ruthless: Roman Abramovich wielded the axe for the seventh time since 2005
Ashley Cole giggled a couple of times. Petr Cech, a decent guy, made small talk with the kit men. Torres, who was reading a book entitled Leyenda (Legend) on the trip out to Turin, fiddled with his phone.
Di Matteo knew that his number was up, unable to motivate a striker who has scored just four goals in the Barclays Premier League this season.

Even Torres’ solitary Champions League strike was a fluke, a ricochet that somehow rebounded into the net of Andriy Pyatov in the 3-2 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk on November 7.

Undoubtedly Di Matteo under-estimated the owner’s obsession with winning silverware. Abramovich has not forgotten Jose Mourinho gesturing to him at Wembley, counting the trophies with his fingers when Chelsea won the FA Cup in 2007.

Chelsea started this season with a chance to win seven trophies, but the champions of Europe had already surrendered the Community Shield against Manchester City and were soundly beaten by Atletico Madrid in the Super Cup in Monaco.

Abramovich, who rarely travels to away games because he does not like to conform to stuffy boardroom etiquette by wearing a suit, became increasingly agitated as Di Matteo’s summer target  finished them off with a hat-trick. Falcao was fantastic that night.

Golden boot: Radamel Falcao was in sensational form as the Atletico Madrid striker hit a hat-trick in Monaco Di Matteo’s team were also adjusting to a refined playing system as they encouraged Cech to throw the ball out to his back four instead of launching it forward from his penalty area.

Off the field Di Matteo skilfully and diplomatically handled delicate situations, especially after John Terry was banned by the FA for four games and fined £220,000 for racially insulting Anton Ferdinand.
The incident did not even happen on Di Matteo’s watch — Andre Villas-Boas was manager at the time — but the Italian attempted to protect the reputation of the club.

Even last Sunday, his preparations for the trip to Turin were disrupted when Ashley Cole was unexpectedly called to an interview with the FA over the allegations against referee Mark Clattenburg.
Suddenly the FA’s compliance team were swarming all over the training ground again, taking Mikel, Ramires and Juan Mata into neutralised zones for hours of taped interviews.

Casting a shadow: Di Matteo felt the race row, involving referee Mark Clattenburg (centre) and John Mikel Obi (right) had an impact on recent results Di Matteo has deep reservations about Chelsea’s complaint, and, naturally, believes that it has affected their recent results.

They made the allegation two hours after they were beaten 3-2 at Stamford Bridge by Manchester United, finishing the game with nine men after the dismissals of Torres and Branislav Ivanovic. Since then they have picked up two points from the last 12 in the Premier League and require something of a miracle to avoid the humiliation of exiting the group stage of the Champions League.

That brutal reality dawned on Di Matteo when Chelsea arrived back at the training ground in the dead of night after the Turin trip.  Torres was one of the first off the bus, jumping straight into his car and slipping on his tracksuit top to beat the near-freezing temperatures. By then, Di Matteo knew it was time to get his coat.

Rashidi Yekini, Nigerian Football Legend Reported Dead

Sad news reaching us is that Nigeria’s football legend Rashidi Yekini has died.

He was reportedly sick for a while before passing on this evening. One of Africa’s greatest footballers, he was said to have suffered mental illness for the past two years. The two-time African footballer of the year was said to have been walking the streets of Ibadan barefooted, and suffered delusions.

As a footballer, he brought victory to Nigeria by scoring Nigeria’s Ever FIFA World Cup goal, clutching the goal net thereafter behind the Bulgarian goalkeeper in a scream that reverberated around the world. He scored a total of 34 goals in 58 Appearances for the Super Eagles.

Additionally, Yekini also helped the Super Eagles win the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations, where he also topped the goal charts, and participated at Olympic level, in Seoul 1988. He was part of the team that participated in the 1994 FIFA World Cup and the 1998 World Cup.

Yekini was born in Kaduna. After starting his professional career in the Nigerian league, he moved to Cote d’Ivoire to play for Africa Sports National. From there he went to Portugal and Vitoria de Setubal, where he experienced his most memorable years, eventually becoming the Portuguese first division’s top scorer, in 1993-1994, as his performances (32 matches, 34 goals) earned him the title of African Footballer of the Year in 1993, the first ever from the nation.

In the 1994 summer, Yekini was bought by Olympiacos FC, but did not get along with teammates and left. His career never really got back on track, not even upon a return to Setubal, which happened after another unassuming spell, in La Liga with Sporting de Gijon. He successively played with FC Zurich, Club Athletique Bizertin and Al-Shabab Riyadh, before rejoining Africa Sports. In 2003, at 39, he returned to the Nigerian championship with Julius Berger FC.

In 2005, 41-year old Yekini made a short comeback, moving alongside former national teammate Mobi Oparaku to Gateway FC.

Rashidi Yekini’s name would forever be remembered in the history of Nigerian football for his great achievements. He was aged 49.

May his soul Rest In Peace.

Star-Packed “Lagos Party” for Banky W! Akon, M.I, Lami, Ini Edo, Tiwa Savage, Noble Igwe, Paul Okoye, Toolz & More Celebrate with Mr Capable – View the Exclusive Photos

On Tuesday 27th March 2012, “Strong Thing” crooner –  Banky W a.k.a Mr Capable turned 31. The clean clut R & B/ Pop music act celebrated his much anticipated birthday at Nu Grotto Night Club, Victoria Island, Lagos with some of biggest names in the Entertainment industry such as Akon, M.I., Toolz, Praise Adejo (Praiz), Noble Igwe, Paul of P-Square, Tiwa Savage, Lami Phillips, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Ini Edo, Kel, Sound Sultan and a host of others.
The party was a sure sign that the Ebute Metta star is truly loved by all. We at BellaNaija.com will like to appreciate Modebe ‘anuel for these exclusive Photos from the party.
Enjoy!

Top 10 Notable Breakups in the Naija Music Industry

Nothing seems to last for too long in this fast paced world where change has been said to be the only constant thing. Sadly though, changes of certain kinds are upsetting on the people involved and even observers of the ensuing drama. This brings us to the issue of popular music groups/collaborations “breaking up”. We bring to you today a countdown of the top ten notable breakups in the Nigerian Music Industry climaxing with the most recent- that of everyone’s beloved Mo’hits crew.

10
Remedies- Comprising of the talented trio of rapper cum singer Eedris Abdulkareem, Tony Tetuila and Eddy Remedy, this was one of the groups that defined the style now known as “Naija Hip Hop”. The Remedies was formed in 1997 and hit songs like “shakamo” and “omoge” endeared them to millions of people all over West Africa. The group split up in 1999 when the henchman of the crew, Eedris Abdulkareem decided to launch a solo career.
Eedris Abdulkareem’s solo career started off to a glistening start with the release of 3 successful albums with the Kennis Music label imprint between 2002 and 2004. His fortunes however took a downturn in 2004 after a fracas with the American rapper 50 cent. His subsequent album “King is Back” was released on his La Crème record label and he is still has a visible presence on the naija music scene.
Tony Tetuila also did very well on his own with smash hit songs like “omode meta”, I’m in love with 2 women”  and “my car” which became a street sensation. He has 5 albums to date.
The third member of the group Eddy Remedy was unfortunately not able to kick-start a successful solo career. He has an album “Leave Eddy Alone” to his credit.
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9
Plantashun Boyz- This defunct group of 3 comprising of 2face, Faze and BlackFace needs no introduction, especially as one of them- 2face- has gone on to become a legend of African contemporary music. They released two albums, Body and Soul(2000) and Sold Out(2003) before going their separate  ways in 2004.
2face has since gone on to release 4 multiple award winning albums (Face 2 Face (2004), Grass 2 Grace (2006), The Unstoppable (2008) and The Unstoppable International Edition in 2010, bag numerous prestigious awards and nominations and become an Icon of Nigerian and African Music all over the world.
Faze has released three albums since- Faze Alone (2004), “Independent” which spawned several hit singles in 2006 and Originality (2008).
BlackFace has only one album to his credit. He also co-wrote 2face’s breakthrough single- African queen.
The Plantashun Boyz collaborated on a reunion album titled “Plan B” in 2007.
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8
Maintain- The trio of Olu, Tolu and Bamo came to national prominence on the back of hit songs like “I catch cold” and “Nibo la wa gbe lo”. After six albums between 1998 and 2004, the group split up after the exit of Olu in 2005.
Olu Maintain went on to release two albums- “Yahooze/Maintain Reloaded” a successful effort which spawned the mega hit single, “Yahooze” and Kentro World(2009).
Big Bamo released a well-received album “popotiti” but since seems to have taken a leave from recording music.
Except from occasionally featuring in a few songs Tolu has not had a significant solo career since the breakup of Maintain.
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7
Eedris Abdulkareem and Kennis Music- The then number one Naija artiste parted ways with the premier record label after the 2004 scuffle between Eedris and 50 cent and it marked a significant change in the artiste’s career.  The artiste released his fourth album on his own La Crème imprint but has subsequently signed back with Kennis Music.
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6
2face and Kennis Music- After a mutually beneficial relationship that gave birth to 2 award winning albums, 2face left Kennis Music without much ado in 2008. He has his own record label- Hypertek Entertainment.
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5
Kelly Handsome and…. You Know Already J- Kelly Handsome came to national prominence with the release of his chart topping hit single Maga in 2007. “Mr. Maga” left Kennis Music amidst a lot of controversy in 2010 and he has even been said to swear that he will never forgive Kenny Ogungbe and Dayo Adeneye, the Kennis Music top men although he later tendered an apology. He released only one album (Too much money in 2008) on the Kennis records imprint.
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4
9ice and Id Cabasa- Not too long after the release of platinum selling album “Gongo Aso” in 2007,  9ice and longtime friend and producer Id Cabasa fell out due to settlement and payment issues. “Basorun Gaa” does not seems to have been slowed down by this as he has within a short while built up his own record label, released 3 successful albums and has even signed a few upcoming acts as well.
The singer and ace producer seems to be back on good terms of recent and it will be interesting to see if they will still work together in the studio.
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3
KC Presh- The flashy duo of KC and Presh won the first edition of Star’s yearly musical contest, Star Quest in 2002. They went on to release 5 albums before going their separate ways in 2011.
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2
Mo’Cheddah and Knighthouse- It caught us all by surprise when we heard a few weeks ago that Mo”Cheddah was leaving the record label which had brought her to limelight after just 1 album which had given her recognition all over the continent. Mo’Cheddah is yet to announce her new plans as regards a management deal or recording contract.
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1
Mo’Hits Records- Perhaps this should be titled D’Banj and Don Jazzy as the long term friends and associates have apparently made yet to be clearly announced changes in the structure of their record label. D’banj has 3 solo albums(No Long Thing(2005), Rundown/Funk U up(2006) and Entertainer in 2008). He also has 1 collaboration album with the other Mo’Hits artistes.

New Electricity Regulation in Nigeria: Seriously, Better Power Supply or What? » power generation

After much debate on the deregulation of electricity in Nigeria, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has issued regulations enabling investors, communities and local governments to generate and distribute electricity within their areas. The laws enable state governments with investments in infrastructure for power generation and distribution to now begin distributing electricity. Also, local governments with enough financial capability can now take advantage of the regulation to provide adequate power for their constituents.

Two regulations were issued by the NERC on Wednesday March 7, 2012. One of them titled “NERC Regulation on Embedded Generation 2012” permits investors, communities, states and local governments to generate and distribute electricity for their exclusive consumption using facilities of existing electricity distribution companies or independent electricity distribution network operators. The second one titled “NERC Regulation for Independent Electricity Distribution” permits communities, local and state governments to invest in electricity distribution networks in areas without access to the grid or distribution network or areas poorly serviced.

For most Nigerians, including myself, these regulations are taken with mixed feelings.

Electricity supply and distribution in Nigeria has been fraught with many challenges. The erratic power supply experienced has been a source of concern for individuals, businesses and investors and has hampered the economic growth of the nation in diverse ways. In most urban areas, power supply is a privilege that should be enjoyed when available but should not be expected to last for long. While in some rural areas and new communities, power supply is completely non-existent and cannot be hoped for even with more than a pinch of salt.

These regulations present some challenges to the state and local governments. It is not news that most local and state governments don’t have the necessary infrastructure or financial ability to generate electricity supply for their communities. Lagos state made a bold step last year with the launch of the first truly independent 10 Megawatts bi-fuel power generating plant to cater for some consumers on the Lagos Island. Though commendable, it is hardly enough to cater for the hundreds of industries and thousands of homes the state boasts of. Street lights in Lagos are still being powered by generating sets which consume an enormous quantity of fuel daily.

If it was left to foreign private investors, the question of affordability now arises. Most Nigerians are still groaning under the current electricity tariff that is being charged by the Power Holding Company of Nigeria. With the estimated billing system used by most homes and businesses especially under the post-paid method, people are still being faced with exorbitant bills for electricity that they did not consume. If electric supply is now left in the hands of private investors, how affordable would it be? Would residents have the opportunity to choose which source of electric supply they would want based on where they live or will they be forced to get their electricity from sources they are not comfortable with?

The NERC had recently warned electricity distribution companies not to charge their customers increased rates outside what is approved by it. However, with the huge investments private and government bodies would have to make to generate power for residents, it is wondered whether this part of the law would be upheld.

It might take some years before any private investor, state or local government starts generating electricity for its residents, but in preparation for that, Nigerians are skeptical on how it would be integrated.

So, what do you think about the new regulation? Would electricity supply be better with the power invested in the hands of private investors, state and local governments? Would this bring the much needed expansion in the generation of electricity in the country? Is Nigeria prepared for private electricity generation? Please share your thoughts.

End of an Era…Don Jazzy “Confirms” D’banj Split

After all the speculation and feverish commentary, the rumours appear to be true.
Earlier today, Don Jazzy tweeted the above comments (See Photo)

“Good day friends. So sorry i have been away for long as i have been going through some changes in my life. It is with a heavy heart that i announce the end of a long Era and the beginning of a new One. Some of the Rumours U have all heard recently re sad but true. The way forward now is to make sure i keep bringing you guys more of the beautiful music y’all love to dance to. And to end d old era i will b donating d proceeds of my production catalogue from day 1 till date to 5 charity organizations. Thanks. IDJA“

Though Don Jazzy did not specifically mention D’banj and Mo’Hits, this can be inferred from his tweets.

D’banj at Kanye West’s Paris Fashion Week Runway Show

Nigerian star D’banj was spotted alongside the plethora of celebrities at Kanye West‘s Paris Fashion Week runway presentation.Sean “Diddy” Combs, Cassie, Kim Kardashian, Common, Shala Monroque, Alicia Keys, Swizz Beatz and It was triumphant return to Paris for Kanye as his first collection was slated by the fashion press last year. The luxurious new collection which relied heavily on furs and leather as a palette has received favourable reviews so far. BN also spotted POLO Nigeria Exec, Jennifer Obayuwana in the front row as well.

D’banj’s front row look was by Roberto Cavalli paired by trainers by Adidas.

The Forbes 2012 Billionaires List – Find Out Which African Moguls Are on the List

Forbes Magazine has released its annual “Forbes  Billionaires List”. The 2012 list of billionaires from all around the world is a record setting one! 1,226 people made the list, this is the all-time highest number of billionaires ever. This time around, 18 Africans made it to the list with Saudi billionaire, Sheikh Mohammed Al-Amoudi, moving Aliko Dangote off the number one position as the richest black person in the world.

The Ethiopian-born Mohammed Al-Amoudi who is worth an estimated $12.5 billion is now the richest black man. He is $1.3 billion richer than Dangote who takes the second position with $11.2 billion.

Carlos Slim of Mexico retained his position as the world’s richest man for the third consecutive year with a net worth of $69billion. Microsoft Corp cofounder Bill Gates ranked second place at $61 billion and Warren Buffett third at $44 billion.

Bernard Arnault made it to the fourth position on the list with a net worth of $41 billion while Amancio Ortega, the man behind the fashion chain Zara followed at the fifth position with $37.5 billion.

27 year-old Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook founder and CEO made it to the 35th position on the list with a net worth of $17.5 billion. He climbed up 17 spots from last year adding $4 billion to his previous figure.

The youngest self-made female billionaire, Sara Blakely made it to the list at number 1,153 with a net worth of $1 billion. From her business, Spanx, which makes slimming undergarments, she affirmed that there was profit in vanity.

Oprah Winfrey, American TV mogul still stands alone as the only black female billionaire in the world.

Out of the 1,226 people who made it to the 2012 FORBES list of the world billionaires, only 6 are black. They are:

Mohammed Al-Amoudi
Net Worth: $12.5 billion
Country: Saudi Arabia
Source: Oil

Aliko Dangote
Net Worth: $11.2 billion
Country:Nigeria
Source: Sugar, Cement, Flour

Mike Adenuga
Net Worth: $4.3 billion
Country: Nigeria
Source: Telecom, banking, oil

Patrice Motsepe
Net Worth: $2.7billion
Country: South Africa
Source: Mining

Oprah Winfrey
Net Worth: $2.7 billion
Country: USA
Source: Television

Mo Ibrahim
Net Worth: $1.1 billion
Country: United Kingdom
Source: Telecoms

Other Africans on the list are:

Nicky Oppenheimer & family
Net Worth: $6.8 billion
Country: South Africa
Source: Diamonds

Nassef Sawiris
Net Worth: $5.1 billion
Country: Egypt
Source: Construction

Johann Rupert & family
Net Worth: $5.1 billion
Country: South Africa
Source: Luxury Goods

Naguib Sawiris
Net Worth: $3.1 billion
Country: Egypt
Source: Telecom

Christoffel Wiese
Net Worth: $3.1 billion
Country: South Africa
Source: Retailing

Onsi Sawiris
Net Worth: $2.9 billion
Country: Egypt
Source: Construction, telecom

Miloud Chaabi
Net Worth: $2.9 billion
Country: Morocco
Source: Real estate

Othman Benjelloun
Net Worth: $2.3 billion
Country: Morocco
Source: Banking, Insurance

Mohamed Mansour
Net Worth: $1.7 billion
Country: Egypt
Source: Diversified

Anas Sefrioui
Net Worth: $1.6 billion
Country: Morocco
Source: Real estate

Yasseen Mansour
Net Worth: $1.6 billion
Country: Egypt
Source: Diversified

Youssef Mansour
Net Worth: $1.5 billion
Country: Egypt
Source: Diversified

Mohamed Al Fayed
Net Worth: $1.3 billion
Country: Egypt
Source: Retailing

The United States of America dominated the list with 425 billionaires among the 58 countries that made the list.
Source: Forbes, Washington Post.

Is that the bunny hop Michelle? The First Lady shows how it’s done, shaking her tail at an official visit

Her taste for restrained elegance once earned her the title of First Lady of Fashion.
But yesterday she showed off her wild side to help teach kids about how to keep fit while having fun.
Michelle Obama was in New Hampshire's capital as part of her ‘Let’s Move’ campaign against childhood obesity to find out what's on the menu at a visit to a neighborhood nonprofit group.

Wild side: Michelle Obama let her hair down during an official visit to New Hampshire to promote healthy eatingShe stopped by the Penacook Community Center in Concord, which encourages before and after school exercise and teaches children about healthy eating through use of a vegetable garden. During a quick visit with the center’s 4- and 5-year-old children, Mrs. Obama emphasized proper nutrition, using plastic food.

Right foot forward: The First Lady got her groove on doing the bunny-hop hokey-kokey with school children in New Hampshire

Mrs Obama did a ‘bunny pokey’, shaking her ‘bunny tail about’, before sharing a snack of yogurt, fruit and White House honey with the children. Afterward, she spoke to a crowd of about 100 on the importance of fighting childhood obesity.‘Regardless of where you live or what you do, we care about our kids, and we want them to be the healthiest that they can possibly be,’ she said.The first lady congratulated New Hampshire on its existing health programs as well as some efforts under way, singling out Mayor James Bouley and the Capital Area Wellness Coalition on its work to promote healthy lifestyles in Concord.

Ohhhh: Michelle Obama gives it all she's got in the bunny-hop hokey-kokey
She also welcomed the capital as the second New Hampshire city to join ‘Let’s Move Cities and Towns.’ Keene was the first. Plans are under way to bring the initiative to 10 more cities and towns in the state.
Mrs. Obama’s host, PCC, aims to be the newest ‘Let’s Move Child Care’ center by providing children with one to two hours of physical activity, limited screen time and healthy food and drink choices.New Hampshire’s first lady, Dr Susan Lynch, joined Mrs Obama during her visit. A pediatrician and fellow advocate against childhood obesity, Dr Lynch introduced Mrs Obama and championed her initiatives.

Rabbit food? Mrs Obama got enthusiastic about plastic fruit during the promotional trip for her 'Let's Move' campaignNow we can go out and teach children about healthy foods to eat and how to stay fit, but (if) we as adults aren’t responsible and don’t go out there and provide safe places where children can get affordable, nutritious food and find safe places to play, we’re not going to be successful,’ she said.
Mrs Obama’s visit is the third in as many weeks by White House officials, reflecting the coming presidential campaign season.

President Barack Obama visited Nashua last week to promote his American energy initiatives, and Vice President Joe Biden came to stump in Manchester the week before

Who broke Adele's heart and made her a star?

The songs encapsulate the wrenching experience of having lost a great love — starting with anger and denial, and moving on through feelings of hurt and acceptance.

They are also probably the most lucrative expression of heartbreak ever recorded. Adele’s album, 21, has sold more than 17 million copies worldwide, netting her a £25 million fortune since its release last year. It remains No 1 in the U.S. charts after 22 weeks in the top slot, and has sold more than 4 million copies in the UK.

And, following the singer’s recent performances at the Grammys and the Brits, her record sales  show no signs of slowing down — executives claim a copy of 21 is sold every two seconds.
But a tantalising mystery remains: just who was the man who broke Adele’s heart? She says she wrote the album over a three-month period at the start of 2010 after the relationship had ended. Yet while Adele, 23, has been happy to refer vaguely to the inspiration for the album, she has never actually named the person in question.

There are a few clues. She said last year: ‘We just fell out of love ... and I had to deal with the devastation of feeling like a failure because I couldn’t make things work.’

In another interview, she said: ‘He was a few years older than me. He made me feel alive ... and made me really passionate about food, wine, film, sociology, history and travelling. He opened my eyes to a lot of things.’
But was it really a great love? The affair must have happened between the release of her first album 19 in 2008, and the beginning of 2010 when she went into the studio to record 21 — both albums being named after her age at the time.
He was a few years older than me. He made me feel alive ... and made me really passionate about food, wine, film, sociology, history and travelling. He opened my eyes to a lot of things.

During that period, however, she has only been pictured with one possible suitor — a musician named Slinky Sunbeam — but she’s rubbished claims they dated. ‘Whoever this source is, they’re talking out of their ****. He ain’t my type,’ she wrote on her blog in 2008.

Given that Adele was fairly well-known by this point, had she been in a serious relationship, surely at least one photographer would have spotted the couple, say, going to the cinema?
And Adele has confused things further. In January 2008, she said she was single. A year later, she said she was still not with anyone and that she’d ‘had a relationship last summer that was rubbish, more of a fling’.
So was Someone Like You just an intense reworking of her feelings about a ‘rubbish’ fling from the summer of 2008? Or was there a Mr Right — who somehow went undetected — between early 2009 and early 2010?
Some Adele-watchers believe the truth may be that the album is her creation in more ways than one. One source who has spent several weeks attempting to find ‘the man’ told me this week: ‘My money is that she has either made it up or this was a case of unrequited love.’

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There is also a cynical theory among some in showbiz that there’s nothing like a mystery for keeping people interested. Could it be Adele’s PR machine is deliberately stoking the flame — thus the constant denials whenever a new name is suggested? For her part, Adele insists there was a real romance, with a real person. But who on Earth is it — and why can nobody find him? Is the man who inspired Adele's album 21 just a mystery? Could her PR team deliberately stoking the flame?

THE PHONE SALESMAN
Who? DJ Ned Biggs, 28. A former marketing assistant from South-East London who is now a part-time DJ.

Why might it be him? He’s the latest suspect, and it is claimed they dated for a few months in 2008. Last  week, his mother, Teresa Corr, fanned the flames, saying: ‘I was aware the album may have been written about him. Adele was a lovely girl. She was great to have around and I adored her. She  is a much missed girl.’

Why not: He fits the bill, but he’s previously worked as a teaching assistant, a mobile phone marketer and on a mag-azine before  turning to music. So could he really be the grounded older man? No sign of passions for travel or sociology, either.He says: Nothing, but a spokesman for Adele has denied it.

THE COMEDY STAR
Who? The comedian and actor James Corden, 33.
Why might it be him? They are best pals, and their friendship dates from exactly the right period — Corden split from girlfriend Sheridan Smith in mid-2009. At the time Corden, famous for his role in hit BBC series Gavin & Stacey, was living a life of excess in London. He got to know Adele after her first ever TV performance on television show T4, and they remain drinking buddies.

Why not: He has dressed up as her for Heat magazine — suggesting their relationship is more of a playful, jokey one. And there wasn’t much time for a grand romance either— he started dating his fiancée Julia Carey in November 2009.
He says: ‘It wasn’t me.’

Adele's friendship with James Corden, left, happened around the right time. Mark Ronson, right, was one of the first to champion the fledgling star

THE ROCK SINGER
Who? Jamie Reynolds, the lanky, rakish lead singer of rock group Klaxons and friend of model  Alexa Chung.

Why might it be him? Jamie, 30, has an eye for the ladies, and the pair did get to know each other in 2008 when both appeared on TV show Never Mind The Buzzcocks. He studied philosophy at the University of Greenwich and is several years her senior, so seems to fit her worldly description.

Why not: Despite them both being famous, they have never been pictured together, and his lifestyle — which has included 72-hour benders — seems worlds away from Adele’s preference for staying in to watch The X Factor with a cup of tea and a cigarette. At one point in 2008, he was also said to be simultaneously dating both Peaches and Pixie Geldof.
He says: ‘It wasn’t him,’ insists his publicist.

THE POP GURU
Who? 36-year-old DJ and uber-producer Mark Ronson, responsible for hits by Lily Allen and Amy Winehouse.

Why might it be him? He is older, well-educated and certainly the kind of man who could have taught her about sociology, wine and so on. They have been close friends for years — he was the first person to really champion her back in 2006 when she first appeared on the music scene, and they collaborated on a track on her first album.

Why not: How on Earth would he have found the time? He dated someone else for three years until January 2008, and soon after started seeing model Daisy Lowe. They split in September 2008, and Ronson then had a fling with a female drummer before dating actress Josephine de la Baume. They are now married.
He says: ‘No comment.’

Could the album be about a lost love between Adele and her father Mark Evans, left? Jamie Reynolds, right, got to know the singer when they both appeared on TV show Never Mind The Buzzcocks

THE PARTY ANIMAL
Who? Slinky Sunbeam — the bassist with band The More Assured (real name Slinky Winfield). He’s a snake-hipped party-loving musician from Margate with a shock of curly hair and a reputation for being a man in search of a good time.
Why might it be him? They were pictured on a night out together in London’s Soho in Spring 2008. Shortly afterwards, however, she was said to have become jealous  of his friendships with other women and the romance ended.

Why not: She isn’t really his type — his track record suggests he likes skinny models. He’s previously dated social butterfly Lorna Bean, daughter of actor Sean, and is also friendly with Peaches Geldof.
He has been known to strip naked in the street, too — which suggests he isn’t ‘the older and wiser mentor’ Adele referred to in an interview.He says: ‘Half of what you read is made up.’

THE ABSENT FATHER
Who? Adele’s father, Mark Evans, who is a plumber and recovering alcoholic.
Why might it be him? Could it be that the album isn’t about a boyfriend, but a rather different kind of lost love? Mark, 47, abandoned Adele and her mother when she was a baby because the relationship wasn’t working out. Adele’s mother Penny was an art student who fell for Evans after a meeting in a pub, and according to Evans they were deeply in love before he left. It is possible to read many of the songs on 21 as addressed by Penny to him.

Why not: Adele says the songs are about a romance of hers, and apparently detests Evans — saying she would spit in his face if she ever saw him. So would she really write a whole album about him?
He says: ‘I definitely believe it is about an ex-boyfriend but I’m afraid I don’t know the name.’

Stoned to death for being an emo: NINETY Iraqi students killed for having 'strange hair and tight clothes'

Stoned to death for being an emo: NINETY Iraqi students killed for having 'strange hair and tight clothes'
Number of deaths could be even higher Cleric calls the stonings 'an act of terrorism'
Ministry of Interior 'complicit' in the killings

More than 90 Iraqi students have been stoned to death for their Emo haircuts by religious extremists in Baghdad in the past month after Iraq's  interior ministry dubbed it 'devil worshipping'.

Iraq's Moral Police released a statement on the interior ministry's website condemning the 'emo phenomenon' among Iraqi youth, declaring its intent to 'eliminate' the trend.

The move is part of a wider clampdown on young people taking on what government officials call 'Western appearances' in Iraq.

Iraqi activists said this unnamed teenager was brutally killed by religious police for having an 'emo' hairstyle
'The Emo phenomenon or devil worshipping is being followed by the Moral Police who have the approval to eliminate [the phenomenon] as soon as possible since it's detrimentally affecting the society and becoming a danger,' the statement read.

'They wear strange, tight clothes that have pictures on them such as skulls and use stationary that are shaped as skulls. They also wear rings on their noses and tongues, and do other strange activities,'.
Since the statement was published religious extremists have been harassing and killing teenagers with 'strange' or 'emo' appearances.

A group of armed men dressed in civilian clothing led dozens of teenagers to secluded areas a few days ago, stoned them to death, and then disposed their bodies in garbage dumpsters across the capital, according to activists, activists told the Cairo-based al-Akhbar website.


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The armed men are said to belong to 'one of the most extremist religious groups' in Iraq.
'First they throw concrete blocks at the boy's arms, then at his legs, then the final blow is to his head, and if he is not dead then, they start all over again,' one person who managed to escape told Al-Akhbar.
Iraq's moral police was granted approval by the Ministry of Education to enter Baghdad schools and pinpoint students with such appearances, according to the interior ministry's statement.
The exact death toll remains unclear, but Hana al-Bayaty of Brussels Tribunal, an NGO dealing with Iraqi issues, said the current figure ranges 'between 90 and 100.'
'What's most disturbing about this is that they're so young,' she said.

The youth was one of nearly 100 who were targeted for having a western hairstyle or wearing 'American jeans'
Al-Bayaty said the killings appear to have been carried out by extremist Shia militias in mostly poor Shia neighborhoods and said she suspected 'there's complicity of the Ministry of Interior in the killings.'
WHAT IS EMO?

Described as both a cult and sect, it’s name derives from the word ‘emotional’
Its teen followers dress in black, favouring tight jeans, T-shirts, studded belts and sneakers or skater shoes.
Hair is often dyed black and straightened, and worn in a long fringe brushed to one side of the face.
Music also plays a critical role, Emos like guitar-based rock with emotional lyrics – bands such as My Chemical Romance, Jimmy Eat World, and Dashboard Confessional are particular favourites.
They regard themselves as a cool, young sub-set of the Goths.
With the trend comes accusations of self-harming and suicide – something its followers strongly deny.
Photos of the victims were released on Facebook, causing panic and fear among Iraqi students.
A young man with long hair was among those fearful at the  government-ordained harassment of teenagers with Western appearances.

'I have long hair but that doesn't mean I'm an Emo. I'm not less of a man if I have long hair. Let's not say that if I have long hair, I'm a homosexual, but I have long hair because this is my style, this is me,' he told Iraq's Al-Sharqiya television network.

Safiyyah al-Suhail, an MP, said on Thursday that 'some students have been recently arrested because they were wearing American jeans or had Western haircuts.'
The interior ministry has not disclosed the number of teenage victims, but released a follow-up statement on Thursday warning extremists 'not to step on public freedom of Iraqis.'
News of the gruesome deaths drew a stern reaction from Iraq's prominent Shia cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, who criticised the stoning of the young men as 'an act of terrorism.'
He added: "The Ministry of Interior took this situation very seriously and received an approval from the Ministry of Education to set a plan under my full supervision and to allow us to enter schools in the capital."
'There are some cases of the spread of this phenomenon specifically among schools in Baghdad, but we are facing great difficulty in the lack of women on the force who would allow us to carry the investigation more accurately since the phenomenon is more popular among girls between the ages of 14 and 18.

Tottenham 1 Manchester United 3: Young and Rooney punish slack Spurs defending

Manchester United eased to a comfortable win over Tottenham at White Hart Lane to close the gap on Premier League leaders Manchester City to two points.

As an uneventful first half drew to a close, first Emmanuel Adebayor's strike was ruled out for handball before Wayne Rooney headed the visitors in front.

Tottenham responded well after the break but were undone by two fine finishes from Ashley Young.

The forward volleyed home from Nani's cross before curling in his second from the edge of the box.

Jermain Defoe scored a consolation for the home side with three minutes remaining, firing past David De Gea from 20 yards out.

RIP AVB! Villas-Boas sacked by Chelsea as Roman swings the axe after West Brom woe

Andre Villas-Boas has been sacked as Chelsea manager with ruthless owner Roman Abramovich wielding the axe after just eight months amid poor results and ongoing battles with senior players.
Villas-Boas cost Chelsea's billionaire owner £13.3million to land from Porto after Carlo Ancelotti was also despatched by the Russian, but the Portuguese's reign has been ended after a dismal 1-0 defeat at West Brom on Saturday proved the final straw.

Roberto Di Matteo has been appointed interim manager until the end of the season, but the Portuguese's exit clears the path for Rafa Benitez or Pep Guardiola to take over. Benitez wants at least an 18-month deal to take over the reins but owner Abramovich is thought to favour attempting to bring in Barcelona's coach in the summer.

Chelsea have already made contact with former Liverpool manager Benitez who wants at least an 18-month deal to take over the reins.
Chelsea, so far, have only discussed him doing the job until the end of the season, meaning there will have to be a compromise in the next 48 hours if Benitez is to be in place for the game against Birmingham.

Taking the reins: Di Matteo (right) has been put in charge of the team

Dead on his feet: AVB moved to west London from Porto in the summer
Owner Abramovich is thought to favour attempting to bring in Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola in the summer, hence the desire to offer Spaniard Benitez a short-term contract and the announcement that Di Matteo will take charge until the end of the season.
Chelsea said in a statement on their official website: 'Andre Villas-Boas has parted company with Chelsea Football Club today.

Nail in the coffin: Chelsea lost 3-1 at Napoli in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash after Villas-Boas made the bold decision to leave Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard on the bench (below)

Dropped: Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard on the bench at Napoli
'The board would like to record our gratitude for his work and express our disappointment that the relationship has ended so early.
'Unfortunately the results and performances of the team have not been good enough and were showing no signs of improving at a key time in the season.

Poor form: Chelsea suffered a number of chastening defeats this season: including the 5-3 reversal to Arsenal (above) and the Carling Cup defeat to Liverpool (below)


VILLAS-BOAS FACTFILE
1977: Born in Porto on October 17.
1993: Invited to work as a trainee with FC Porto's youth-team coaches by manager Sir Bobby Robson.
1994: Achieves UEFA C coaching licence in Scotland.
2000: Takes charge of the British Virgin Islands for two international matches. Both end in defeat.
2002: Becomes part of Jose Mourinho's backroom staff at Porto.
2004: Follows Mourinho to Chelsea, where he works as an opposition scout.
2008: Moves with Mourinho to Inter Milan.
2009: Appointed manager of Academica in October, with the club bottom of the table and without a win. Villas-Boas guides them to an 11th-place finish and a Portuguese League Cup semi-final.
2010: June 2 - Appointed manager of boyhood club Porto.
August 7 - Wins Portuguese Supercup with 2-0 victory over Benfica.
2011: April 3 - Leads Porto to their 25th league title, finishing with their biggest ever winning margin of 21 points.

May 18 - Porto win the Europa League with a 1-0 triumph over fellow Portuguese side Braga.
May 22 - Guides Porto to a trophy treble with a comprehensive 6-2 win over Vitoria de Guimaraes in Portuguese Cup final.

June 21 - Porto confirm Villas-Boas has tendered his resignation and his contract will be terminated once his 15million euros release clause has been paid. Porto later announce they have received the required compensation, with Chelsea releasing a short statement confirming their interest in Villas-Boas and their intention to agree personal terms in the near future.

June 22 - Appointed Chelsea manager on a three-year contract.
September 18 - Suffers first defeat of the season with a 3-1 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford.
December 12 - Chelsea become first team to in 2011/2012 season to defeat Manchester City coming from behind with goals from Raul Meireles and a late penalty by Frank Lampard.

2012: February 21 - Leaves Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard and Michael Essien out of the team as Chelsea fall to a 3-1 defeat in their first leg Champions League tie with Napoli. Chelsea now have a record of one win in the last 7 games and is under pressure at the club from fans and players alike with Ashley Cole in particular criticising his tactics.

March 4 - Sacked by Chelsea a day after a 1-0 defeat at West Brom.
'The club is still competing in the latter stages of the UEFA Champions League and the FA Cup, as well as challenging for a top-four spot in the Premier League, and we aim to remain as competitive as possible on all fronts.
'With that in mind, we felt our only option was to make a change at this time.
'With immediate effect, Roberto Di Matteo has been appointed first-team coach on an interim basis until the end of the season.'
Villas-Boas had been under mounting pressure after overseeing what was threatening to be Chelsea's worst season since Abramovich bought the club almost nine years ago.
A run of just five wins from the last 16 games saw the Blues slide out of the top four, while they remain in real danger of crashing out of both the Champions League and FA Cup in the next week and a half.
Brought in to revamp an ageing squad after winning an incredible quadruple at Porto last season, Villas-Boas' reign was dogged by reports of the kind of dressing-room unrest that previous Chelsea managers have said led to their own downfall.
Abramovich, who reportedly hand-picked Villas-Boas last summer when Guus Hiddink had been the bookmakers' favourite to succeed Carlo Ancelotti, appeared prepared to be more patient with the 34-year-old than previous bosses.
The Russian seemingly recognised the difficulties in overhauling the squad and the playing style at Stamford Bridge.

But, as when Luiz Felipe Scolari was sacked three years ago, it was fear of not qualifying for the Champions League that prompted Abramovich to act.
Having repeatedly insisted he had the owner's full backing during the recent run, Villas-Boas appeared to acknowledge the writing may be on the wall during the past week and a half.
An interview with a Portuguese radio station saw him admit for the first time he could lose his job, a possibility he refused to shy away from after yesterday's defeat at the Hawthorns.
He said: 'Will this result increase pressure on me? You have to agree with it. We are in the same position, fifth, but we are now three points behind Arsenal.

'It is a big, big disappointment. Every defeat Chelsea suffers piles more pressure on any manager.'
Villas-Boas insisted it would not help his position being given public backing from Abramovich.
He said: 'I don't think so. There is no need for the owner to back us after such a poor display.'
Villas-Boas, who on Friday insisted he would 'never' quit Chelsea, added: 'Am I the right man for the job? Yes. I wouldn't have taken it if I didn't think that.'
Di Matteo's first game in charge will be Tuesday night's FA Cup fifth-round replay at Birmingham.

Final straw: Chelsea's defeat at West Brom was the Portuguese's last game in charge of the Blues


ANDRE VILLAS-BOAS FACTFILE
CLAUDIO RANIERI (September 2000 to May 2004)
Life under Abramovich: The first manager to spend Abramovich's billions was under pressure from day one amid rumours Sven-Goran Eriksson was being lined up to replace him. 'Tinkerman' tag did not help the Italian and, despite finishing second in the Barclays Premier League and reaching the Champions League semi-finals, he was sacked.

Life after Abramovich: Returned to former club Valencia, immediately winning the European Super Cup. But was sacked six months later and has won nothing since, despite landing prestigious jobs at Parma, Juventus, Roma, and now Inter Milan, where rumours abound he is on the brink of the sack.
JOSE MOURINHO (June 2004 to September 2007)

Life under Abramovich: Declared himself a 'Special One' and completely lived up to the moniker, becoming the most successful Chelsea manager ever. Immediately ended their 50-year wait for a league title with back-to-back Barclays Premier League crowns and also won the FA Cup and two Carling Cups. Champions League glory remained elusive and a power struggle with Abramovich eventually saw him leave.
Life after Abramovich: Heavily linked with the England job before eventually resurfacing at Inter Milan. One of the most successful bosses in their history, he became only the third manager to win the European Cup with two different clubs. Now at Real Madrid and on course to become the first man to win league titles in England, Italy and Spain.

AVRAM GRANT (September 2007 to May 2008)
Life under Abramovich: Less than two months after arriving as director of football, Grant found himself parachuted into the manager's hotseat. Speculation was rife he did not have the backing of the dressing room but still managed to get the club to their only Champions League final. Also reached the Carling Cup final and finished second in the Premier League before sacking.
Life after Abramovich: History repeated itself as Grant joined Portsmouth as director of football in October 2009, once again becoming manager less than two months later. Boosted reputation by leading side to the FA Cup final despite administration saga that saw them relegated. Resigned and joined West Ham but was sacked after they were also relegated.

LUIZ FELIPE SCOLARI (July 2008 to February 2009)
Life under Abramovich: Billed as the man to inspire Chelsea to take final step in Champions League, World Cup-winner Scolari enjoyed a flying start but things soon began to go wrong amid rumours of dressing-room unrest. The timing of the Brazilian's sacking after just seven months still came as shock.

Life after Abramovich: Made surprise decision to join Uzbekistani champions FC Bunyodkor, although the salary reportedly made him the one of the highest paid managers around. Left after less than a year and returned to former club Palmeiras, where he has enjoyed mixed fortunes.
GUUS HIDDINK (February 2009 to May 2009)

Life under Abramovich: Still revered by players and fans for rescuing Chelsea's season while combining Russia job with a caretaker role at Stamford Bridge. Won the FA Cup and desperately unlucky not to reach the Champions League final, Hiddink lost only one game in charge.

Life after Abramovich: Continued as Russia boss until June 2010, leaving after failing to lead them to the World Cup. Became Turkey manager but left in November after losing another play-off, this time for the European Championships. Persistently linked with a return to Chelsea after Carlo Ancelotti was sacked before joining mega-rich Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala in February.
CARLO ANCELOTTI (June 2009 to May 2011)

Life under Abramovich: Recruited largely because of two Champions League successes at AC Milan, instead delivered Chelsea's first ever double in maiden season. Nevertheless damaged by losing in the Champions League last 16, a slump last term resulted in a trophyless campaign saw the Italian axed.
Life after Abramovich: Linked with several jobs in England and abroad, December saw him appointed manager of big-spending Ligue 1 leaders Paris St Germain.

I only agree that I am a thief, I did not agree that I am corrupt – James Ibori

The confirmed Thief-in-Chief of Delta State, Chief Onanefe Ibori has said what is akin to an acceptance that he is a thief (he conceded that he laundered money) but he has rejected the notion that he pleaded guilty to corrupt charges! Only in Africa!

James Ibori
FORMER Delta State governor, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, yesterday described as false the report that he pleaded guilty to corruption on Monday in a London court.
Ibori, who ruled the state between 1999 and 2007, also fingered former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as the brains behind his ordeal.

He revealed that N3.5 billion (£14 million) has been spent so far to investigate him.

He also denied the ownership of some of the landed property and vehicles traced to him, insisting that he would be vindicated at the end of his ordeal.

A statement signed on his behalf by his spokesman, Tony Eluemunor, reads: “Chief James Onanefe Ibori has advised Nigerians not to be misled by the news reports of the last court session which were twisted to insane levels, direct disinformation and misinformation.

“The world was made to believe that Ibori’s guilty plea was a sudden turn around and not a well-deliberated act that was part of a plea bargain deal.

“But it is on record that several Nigerian newspapers of last Sunday published different versions of that self same story; that Ibori would plead guilty as part of a plea bargain arrangement.

“Of course, that plea bargain deal would only kick in with Ibori’s pleading guilty; which he did this week Monday. “After that plea, which had been successfully foretold by newspapers, both the Prosecution and the Defence counsel were to return on 16th and 17th April to make their needed statements.

“Unfortunately, while Ibori’s lead counsel stayed true to this time-tested legal procedure, the Prosecution Counsels went rogue and began to make wild and unfounded statements aimed at nothing but self-glorification and Ibori’s demonisation.

“What was not clear to Nigerians was that the Prosecution lawyers were labouring at damage control as the publication in several Nigerian newspapers of last Sunday had leaked out the secret that the seven-year investigation against Ibori had not only cost the British taxpayer £14 million but was funded by the DfID – the Department of Foreign Development.

“The Prosecution then laboured hard to justify the money spent and stave off another official inquiry into the much-investigated London Metropolitan Police, that have been accused often of grave misdeeds.

“Consequently, the London Metropolitan Police invited droves of media agencies and several statements to justify their jamborees in the sun, whereby agents visited the far-flung corners of the Earth with little to show for their efforts.

“They even visited Nigeria three times, and lowly policemen who had never shaken hands with their British superiors had dinner with former President Olusegun Obasanjo in the deep recesses of Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja.

“Some of the statements were contradictory; some totally wild and even insane. The circus was so much in session that some British Police officials were promising that the money Ibori allegedly used in purchasing a Challenger Private jet built by the Bombadier company of Canada would soon be returned to Nigerians. Yet, newspaper readers will easily remember that last Thursday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission said in various news reports that they had just questioned a businessman, through whom Ibori allegedly laundered money in the guise of buying a jet, that was never really bought. So, how on earth could the same aircraft be at the same time bought and un-bought?

“Even then, confiscation hearings will not begin till August, so, why were they announcing figures even in February? Massive deception was at work!

“Worst of all, several foreign media quoted the London Police list of landed properties they claimed belonged to Ibori, that they promised to confiscate. But, any who has followed the cases concerning Ibori’s sister and Udoamaka Okoronkwo would have noticed that some of the same buildings featured prominently there. The truth is that what is at stake in London for now is just about three average buildings.

“What matters to Ibori is that all corruption charges were dropped by the London Police for lack of evidence. Any claim that any corruption charge is facing him is pure propaganda. He did not plead guilty to any corruption charge. “With the corruption charges removed because they could not be proved beyond any reasonable doubt, the Police stayed with money laundering charges, to be proved by nothing but inference – the convincing of a jury of white persons.

“No proof, no evidence would be needed then, no documentary truths would be established. The British and the Nigerian establishments have been driving this case to a pre-determined end, and a battle weary Ibori was advised to plead guilty, end what had promised to be a long-drawn trial, and begin to rebuild his life which had been tossed about in an ocean of legal controversy and trials because of politics – since 2003, that is nine long years ago.

Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas Under fire

West Brom defender Gareth McAuley increased the pressure on Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas with a late winner in the Barclays Premier League clash at the Hawthorns.
McAuley struck eight minutes from time to earn Albion their first ever Premier League win over the Blues whom they had not beaten at any level since 1979.
It leaves Chelsea three points adrift of Arsenal, winners at Liverpool earlier in the day, in the battle for a Champions League spot.

No mistake: McAuley converts from close range to seal victory for the hosts
MATCH FACTS
West Brom: Foster, Reid (Tamas 57), McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell, Andrews, Mulumbu, Morrison, Odemwingie, Fortune (Long 84), Thomas (Brunt 64). Subs not used: Fulop, Dorrans, Shorey, Cox.
Booked: Ridgewell, Andrews, Brunt.
Scorer: McAuley 82.
Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic (Meireles 84), Luiz, Cahill, Cole, Ramires, Essien (Torres 76), Lampard, Sturridge (Malouda 63), Drogba, Mata. Subs not used: Turnbull, Romeu, Mikel, Hutchinson.
Referee: Phil Dowd.
Attendance: 24,838.
They were matched for long periods by Roy Hodgson's side who looked full of confidence after back-to-back wins before McAuley's crucial intervention.
Petr Cech was called into action more often than Albion counterpart Ben Foster as the home side looked full of creativity.
Marc-Antoine Fortune again impressed in the lone striker's role while Youssouf Mulumbu and James Morrison shone in midfield.
Chelsea had looked sharp in the opening 45 minutes but were poor after the interval and were made to pay for poor finishing by Daniel Sturridge.
Peter Odemwingie, presented with the Premier League player of the month award for February before the game, had a glancing header blocked from a James Morrison free-kick.

Dejected: Petr Cech, Dider Drogba and Fernando Torres feel the pain after defeat
Then Chelsea keeper Cech then had to be alert to finger-tip a fierce Morrison drive over the bar.
Chelsea threatened for the first time when Sturridge seized onto a casual pass from Jonas Olsson and squared the ball across the Baggies box.
But Juan Mata failed to make proper contact on his attempted volley. 
Mata did hit the target from a narrow angle after some neat one-touch football. But Foster was alert to the situation and blocked his shot at the expense of a corner.

On borrowed time: Andre Villas-Boas saw his side slump to another defeat
Ridgewell came to Albion's rescue when he blocked a goalbound attempt from Gary Cahill after a corner from Frank Lampard had dropped invitingly into his path 15 yards out.
Foster showed his class seven minutes before the interval when he leapt acrobatically to turn aside a fierce Michael Essien effort.
The former England keeper reacted quickly to snatch the loose ball before Didier Drogba could take advantage.
Sturridge should have broken the deadlock after 40 minutes after a superb pass from Drogba created the opening.

No breakthrough: Daniel Sturridge fails to score
But the striker screwed his attempt wide of the right hand post after having time to line up his shot.
Albion ended the first half with a flourish as Cahill deflected a Mulumbu shot just past the far post.
Sturridge missed another great chance to put the Blues in front after 55 minutes.
He ran onto a pass from Mata but then lacked the belief and confidence to take the ball around Foster who had raced out of his area.

There may be trouble ahead: Chelsea players look downbeat after falling behind
Albion were forced into a change after 55 minutes when Steven Reid limped out of the action to be replaced by Gabriel Tamas.
The home side came back into the game and David Luiz did well to dispossess Odemwingie after he had taken a pass from Fortune in his stride.
Cech then beat out a fierce rising shot from Fortune.
Ridgewell became the first player to be yellow carded after 65 minutes for a challenge on Ramires.

Delighted: Ben Foster can't hide his feeling's after McAuley's goal
Albion enjoyed a purple patch and came close on three occasions to scoring in the space of five minutes.
Cech turned over a fierce drive from the impressive Mulumbu and also reacted sharply to block a low shot on the turn from Fortune.
Then it needed a last ditch challenge from Ashley Cole to deny Chris Brunt as he closed in on a Ridgewell centre.

Whisper it quietly: Speculation will only mount as the Villas-Boas's future at Chelsea
Fernando Torres replaced Essien after 76 minutes and within three minutes Keith Andrews had been booked for chopping down the striker.
But after 82 minutes McAuley put Albion ahead.
Ridgewell drove Andrews' chip across the area and McAuley diverted the ball past Cech
Cole was booked for fouling Albion substitute Shane Long who had replaced Fortune.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2109671/West-Bromwich-1-Chelsea-0-McAuleys-late-strike-heaps-pressure-AVB.html#ixzz1o69jDDp4

Ice Prince’s “MaGyptian” – Magician Remix Video feat. Jamaican Star Gyptian is Coming Soon…Watch Behind the Scenes Footage from the Video Shoot

Since last year, word has been going around that Chocolate City‘s Ice Prince was working with Jamaican Superstar crooner Gyptian on his “Magician Remix”. And, things got turned up a notch when Gyptian came to Lagos between  January 1st and January 4th; and the two made it happen.

The video tagged “MaGyptian” premiered last night at Industry Nite. Here’s the behind the scenes footage of the video shoot.

Nigerian teenager convicted of manslaughter in UK

Nigerian-born teenager, Victoria Osoteku, has been found guilty of manslaughter in
the March 2010 killing of a pupil in London.
Osoteku, 19, was born of Nigerian parents. She was said to be at the heart of the attack at Victoria station in London which resulted in Sofyen Belamouadden being knifed in front of horrified commuters, telegraph.co.uk reports.

She was seen on CCTV kicking him in the head as he lay dying on the ground after the 10-second attack by rival school pupils. Sofyen was stabbed nine times to the body and suffered wounds to his heart, a lung and major blood vessels.

Osoteku was found guilty of manslaughter at the Old Bailey in the latest of a series of trials of 20 defendants from south London.
She was the only female charged in connection with the incident in March 2010, and spent 19 days in the witness box.

Osoteku, of Deptford, south London, was remanded in custody to be sentenced at a later date with others convicted of the killing. The stabbing was the horrific end of a minor confrontation the day before in the fast food area of the station between pupils from two west London schools.
The court heard Osoteku bought a set of knives from Argos with a 17-year-old youth at lunchtime and gave them to the gang. She was also one of the teenagers responsible for setting up the fatal showdown.
The A-level student sent messages by phone and on Facebook arranging the clash between pupils from the rival schools. Sofyen died after being chased by around 20 pupils across the Terminus Way concourse and into the Underground station.

Osoteku was behind a youth who led the charge with a Samurai sword. Other youths were armed with a flick knife and a Swiss army knife, machetes and screwdrivers.
Mark Heywood QC, prosecuting, said, “They were so heavily armed that no smaller group, or even police officer or member of station staff, could withstand them or stop them.”
Sofyen fell down the stairs into the ticket hall and was attacked on the ground by a smaller group. Osoteku was also found guilty of conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm.
“She was one of those who set up and organised the confrontation that led to the death. Her responsibility for the death is very great indeed, even though it was others that delivered the final fatal blows that led to Sofyen Belamouadden’s death,” he added.

He said she and another pupil were “at the heart” of all the communication and “were in effect the focal point.”Osoteku denied the allegations during the five-month trial. She said she had not kicked Sofyen.
“I just went to see if he was OK and I nudged him with my foot to see if he was OK,” she wept.
“He didn’t move. I looked down and then I ran off. I panicked. I did not know what to do.”
She told the court that she had a terrible childhood, being taken into care with her sister when she was eight. Osoteku becomes the fourth person convicted of manslaughter.
Adonis Akra, 18, Samuel Roberts, 19, and Femi Oderinwale, 18, were found guilty of manslaughter during earlier hearings.

Last May, Obi Nwokeh, 19, and Christopher Omoregie, 18, were found guilty of murder, with Samson Odegbune, 18, convicted of murder in August.
A 17-year-old and 19-year-old have been convicted of conspiracy to cause grevious bodily harm.
Four youths have been sentenced for violent disorder. Three were cleared of all charges.
Four others are still to face trial on various charges.

Survive on Sunday and the title can be ours! Fergie demands full focus on Spurs

Sir Alex Ferguson believes that if Manchester United can 'survive' Sunday's trip to Tottenham, his side will have a huge chance of retaining their Barclays Premier League title.

Ferguson always felt a six-week run of fixtures from mid-January onwards would hold the key to United's hopes of a record 20th championship.

So far it couldn't have gone much better. Victories over Arsenal and Liverpool, plus a point collected from a trip to Chelsea when United found themselves three goals down in the second half, have left them two behind leaders Manchester City, who have, on paper, had a significantly easier time.

However, once this weekend - when City are at home to second-bottom Bolton, is out of the way, the roles are reversed. And that should mean United are still in the thick of it when they head to the Etihad Stadium on April 30.

'It's going to be a massive game [at Spurs],' he told Inside United. 'If we can survive that one, then we'll have a big chance of winning the league.

'I would take it [being two points behind City going into the game at the Etihad Stadium]. I would rather go there on level points. But if we could go there within striking distance of being top of the league, I'd take it.'

Although there have been a few fitness woes recently, with Antonio Valencia and Tom Cleverley sidelined after picking up minor knocks in the recent Europa League encounter with Ajax, the biggest part of United's massive injury list has now cleared up.

And that leaves Ferguson with an even greater sense of optimism.

'I should have more players available than I've had in the last few weeks because we've had a terrible spell of injuries,' he said. 'But we've done the right thing in the treatment of Chris Smalling and Phil Jones, we've given them a break.

'They are young players and they had been carrying little strains for weeks. Then all of a sudden it hits them, and we had to take stock, to get them back. We've given them a fair break and they're fresh now.'

Finally his resting, i have been looking for a quite time to seat and write out something today,there is so much in my head that i want to pure out but don't no were to start. i have been thinking a lot today at the office so had to leave early as i was also not feeling too good, only to get home and my little Boy was happy to see daddy and didn't give me the chance as well, but now his rested in my Mums arms so maybe just maybe i can try my Luck.

Well don't really know were to start but i just want to say it has been an eventful month which comes to and end today in a few hours, till another 4years time we will not see another 29th of February, but we still have 10 Months to make things happen, its a leap year and its Known for extra ordinary things..which i wont lie i have seen already call me old fashioned but God Never puts you in a position that he will not give His grace to assist and lead us through, he has done it for me time and time again because His so wonderful.

Patience is a virtue they say but we some times are so pushed that we careless about it, we always want things to happen all at once,well you cant blame us we are humans, what more can i say,but the truth of the matter is God has a time for each and every one of us this i believe, all we need to do is wait for the time. its not an easy road i must say, as i often set and wonder at times Lord why? why do you make me wait this long while others get it easy? but with time i learn and realize that everyone has a time and a place, what i then ask for is that Lord let me know when my time is right and give me the strength to see it through, i also ask for wisdom for we are humans with so much weakness that we may go astray. 

He has given us the power,it all rest within us the power to succeed and the will to fail has been shown to us and its left for us to choose and act..which will it be, yes there many be many factors that will try to limit you but trust in yourself and believe in God Almighty for him alone makes it all well.

It has been a wonderful month of February and i pray that the blessing which the Lord has Shown Us will continue..Welcome to a New Month of Favor.

Just My Thoughts.

James Akwari Iroha AKA Giringory Akabuogu Passes On

Once again another talent ends after giving part of himself to a society that easily forgets its own, would you believe that  James Akwari Iroha AKA Giringory Akabuogu actually created the original “The Masquerade” TV Show while he was a staff of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA); due to the fact that he was a employee at the time of the show’s creation; according to NTA policy, he had no claim on the copyright and did not receive royalties.

A recent editorial by Robert Obioha in the Sun Newspaper, eloquently outlined James’ plight.

The two interviews published one week apart showed the appalling story that has become the ugly lot of the septuagenarian consummate artiste who has literally turned blind due to carelessness of our doctors or lack of early care or both.

Whatever is the case, reading the sad story of the once bubbling and agile Giringory full of pranks and witticism, who kept all of us laughing and boisterously glued to our television sets in the 1970s, 1980s and even 1990s in his trademark rustic Calabar idiolect, is indeed not a laughing matter at all. More worrisome is the fact that at 70 years of age, Iroha has no roof of his own over his head. He still worries about rents. His car is in great state of disrepair. His pension is not regular. In fact, there is no laughter in the life of the man who ensured that we laugh away our sorrows after passing through the harrowing experiences of the 30 months fratricidal Nigeria-Biafra war of 1967-1970.

His near-blindness state is worse than any disease. He would rather prefer losing one leg than losing his sight. If it is that bad, it is tragic for the aging actor. How can a man who created such rave-making television drama by modeling a theater out of his parents’ funny mannerisms be left uncared for by those he brought joy into their lives and living rooms?
Sadly, James passed away today as confirmed by his son, Uche Iroha; he was 70 years old.
RIP.