FROM EIGHT..TO EIGHT

Mrs Nkem and her mother at a press briefing in December 1998

The Houston's 'Octuplets' marking their tenth birthday recently

''Just Enjoy it.''

Those were the words of advise Mrs Nkem Chukwu sent out to the mother of the recently delivered octuplets at the Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical centre in Califonia.All eight babies-six boys and two girls are reported to be in good health.

Ten years ago,Nkem Chukwu,a Nigerian-American citizen,then 27-years-old,delivered eight babies-six girls and two boys, to become the mother of what was believed to be America's first live-born octoplets in St Luke's Episcopal Hospital,Houston,Texas.However,the smallest of the babies named Odera died some days later.All the kids were given traditional Igbo names.The seven surviving siblings recently celebrated their 10th birthday.

NO...MIKEL,NO!!

When gifted Nigerian midfield star player John Mikel Obi was missing from action as Chelsea FC took on Ipswich in the FA Cup match on Saturday,little did most of his fans knew that it was because the guy has 'committed'.

As early as 5:30am on that day,Police charged him for suspected drink-driving.The 21 year-old will appear in court on April 3rd at West London.If he is lucky he will be fined and banned for driving for a year.If not,he will be sentenced to a jail term.

This is not how to be a role model and a worthy ambassador out there.I hope he gets out of this.

MICHELLE OBAMA:WHAT NEXT AFTER THE SUNSHINE?

26-years-old Jason Wu..designed Michelle's inaugural ball gown

It took two just two outings and the whole world,especially the women and fashion magazines and blogs,have not stopped talking about her stunning and stylish outfits.She epitomized raw black beauty and confidence on the day her husband stole the world's attention.The collarless dress and coat and the one shouldered draped white chiffon gown won over many hearts.She was captivating in them.

Now,as the clouds over the inauguration settles and Michelle getting set to take up her dual role as America's mom-in-chief and community Activist-in-chief,are we still going to see more of those superb dresses?I hope so.

''Mrs Obama's look is not an avant-garde look.She is a professional woman.Natural and polished.''-Ingrid Grimes-Myles,Michelle Obama's make up artist.

What I cherish most about Michelle is her humility.This has seen her throwing up relatively unsung duo of youthful fashion designers into prominence.47 year-old Cuban American Isabel Toledo and 26 year old Taiwan born Jason Wu who designed the dresses Michelle wore to the inauguration and the ball respectively are now celebrities of sort and much sought after designers.

PROF. PAT UTOMI:OUR OWN BARACK OBAMA!!

The very moment I first sighted my idol, Prof. Patrick Okedikachi Utomi at the venue of the 2009 Ahiajoku Lecture in Owerri,I was overwhelmed with a mixed feeling of admiration and disappointment.Admiration of the noble achievements of this man and disapointment on how Nigeria has not benefitted from the enormous potentials and patriotic commitements of this man.

Right from when Prof Utomi indicated his interest in participating in the cenre-stage of Nigerian politics,I told all who cared to listen that if given the opportunity this is one man who has the sincere zeal and intellectual endowment to change the destiny of this country for good.

Even before Obama,Utomi was.But,like the biblical prophet, he is not honoured here.The corrupt political system here prefers to spring up crooks instead of patriots.The country and her citizens remain worse off for it.

It is our collective responsibility to confront and challenge this political rot that has bedevilled Nigeria and bring about the so much desired change. For this to happen,we must give the 'Obamas' in our midst a chance.

Prof. Pat Utomi..gird your loins,once again.Dust up My manifesto and Why we must restore Nigeria.

We must not fail!

ACHEBE SPEAKS FOR THE SISTERS!!

"Several studies have clearly indicated that when women are well educated, the entire society benefits positively in overall standard of living. The dehumanisation of our women through acts such as wife-beating, funeral rites that take away the dignity of our mothers, wives, sisters and daughters must be abolished,"

-Professor Chinua Achebe,speaking at the first World Confrence on Igbo civilization in a lecture titled ''A harvest of Ideas from Achebe to Ndi Igbo'',held in Owerri, yesterday.

WHEN BEAUTY DIED...

Just early this morning the sad news filtered out that 20 years old Brazilian model, Mariana Bridi de costa who had her dreams of becoming a world top model puntuated by a strange illness, has lost her agonising battle to live.She was cut short by a deadly but little known disease called septicemia which led to her hands and legs being amputated while parts of her stomach and kidneys were extracted.She has been in coma for over 10 days,only breathing through a respirator.

''She told me she was praying to stay alive,that she still had a lot to do on this earth,and that she wanted to go on with her plans.''-Thiago Simoes,Miriana's fiance

Last year,Miriana placed 6th in the Miss Bikini International competition in China.She took first place in the ''Best in swimsuit'' category.She had earlier emerged fourth in the contest to become Brazil's representative to the 2008 Miss World Pageant.She had already signed a modelling contract with Dilson Stein,who is reported to have brought some Brazilian models to international notice.

''All the agencies were very interested in knowing her.I know for a fact that they would have loved her because Mariana is beautiful.''-Dilson Stein,International Model scout.

Death,be not proud!

WIERD WIERD NIGERIA!!!

The Robbery or 'Goatery' suspect

Police parade goat as robbery suspect


*For attempting to ‘steal’ a Mazda car
It was a shocking sight yesterday as men of the Kwara State Police Command paraded a goat as an armed robbery suspect.

The goat "robbery suspect"The goat "suspect" is being detained over an alleged attempt to snatch a Mazda car. The mysterious goat, according to the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Tunde Mohammed, while briefing bewildered journalists at the Force headquarters, is an armed robber who attempted to snatch the said car, Wednesday night, and later transformed into the goat in a bid to escape arrest.
He explained that men of a vigilance group in Anifowose Ipata/Oloje areas of the state capital had chased two armed robbery suspects who wanted to demobilise the Mazda car with the intention of stealing it, and
"while one of them escaped, the other was about to be apprehended by the team when he turned his back on the wall and turned to this goat. They quickly grabbed the goat and here it is.’’ Mohammed said.
The police spokesman said the goat "armed robbery suspect" will not be left off the hook until investigations into the case are concluded.
He also said that no fewer than five stolen vehicles have been recovered by the state Police Command while some suspects were also arrested. Among those arrested, he said was one Idowu Oni of Araromi area of Akure who escaped from Akure Prison.
He added that the escaped convict was arrested in Ilorin after stealing a Mazda 323 car belonging to Mrs. Henrietta Ayijesu.
He also said another armed robbery and rape suspect was in their custody, assuring that the suspects will soon appear in court.

Story culled from Vanguard