Access Point Network Blog: 01/07/14

Tuesday, 7 January 2014

Singer Ciara writes an open letter to bloggers

It's a season of open letters and singer Ciara has
written one to bloggers. Lol. She's sick to death of
negative bloggers and comments and pens an open
letter urging people to stop...
Ciara writes on her personal blog,
I used to sometimes like visiting some of the blog
sites to see what new things are happening in the
world! Things like cool photos, current events,
etc. But nowadays it seems like there's a
competition with sites on "Who Can Tear
Someone Down the Most." The stories are going
from cool and creative to pure drama. Even the
comment sections are beginning to get out of
control and people are using the platforms to
exercise a false sense of power.
People sure do have a lot of courage when they
are anonymous. It's like a "Who Can Say the
Nastiest Comment Game." I click onto some of
the comments from something as fun as an
Instagram post that you're sharing with your fans,
and a person finds a way to turn a positive post
into a negative. I think to myself, "I could pick this
person apart so bad but what for? Why act ugly
like them?" It honestly takes the fun out of it
when people seem so miserable.
Or at least that's how I view someone wasting
their energy to tear someone down, just plain
miserable. They could be using that to do
something much more productive. If only they
could channel their energy towards positivity, it
could make a difference in their own life as well
as influence others. It's kind of scary for the kids
coming up, because even if a parent doesn't
allow their kids to have blog site access at home,
they may still have access at school or other
places. It's now almost impossible to protect your
kids from the vile things people say on blog sites
today, and it's even worse when kids hear hurtful
things about themselves, their parents or other
family members. In some cases kids have even
resorted to suicide due to "cyber-bullying."
My questions to people creating slander about
people are:
What stops you from thinking twice about trying
to defame someone? What are you trying to gain?
Words are powerful. You could say the wrong
thing about someone, famous or not, on the
wrong day and that could cost them their life
because they're at a weak point. Believe it or not,
you could also be encouraging them to give up on
their life or whatever the situation is, when they
shouldn't. Or what about a story that causes
unnecessary drama stemming from completely
false information? It's just flat out wrong and sad.
I say to myself, I thank God for making me
strong, because I've always been able to use the
negativity as motivation, and it makes me
stronger.
But I don't just think about myself in this, I think
about others that I see getting thrashed and think
it's just so wrong. It's very sad that people just
want to tear people down so bad just to see them
unhappy. It's unbelievable how far people are
willing to go to get people to come to their site.
I say this to say....
Dear Blogger,
It's never worth it in the end when you sell
your soul for a quick dollar, by creating bad
stories about people. At some point, it will
all reverse on you and you'll end up
regretting all the trash you wrote or said
about people.
The universal friend "Karma" has
demonstrated this over and over again. I
strongly encourage you to project more
positivity into the universe. If Social Media
is a world that's growing more massive by
the day, why not use it to shed light??
Otherwise, you are merely contaminating
our universe.
What about your family and kids?? Do you
think about them?? You're definitely creating
a harmful and volatile environment where
they must learn to live. It's almost like you
are cursing future generations with your
bad energy.
Not to mention...Your "Personal Karma"??...
Forget about it!
You better start doing some serious praying
and rebuking, cause only The Lord
knows!...:)
I sure do miss the good ol days when the focus
was about the pure creativity of being an artist.
Back then there was still some mystery. Social
Media Is Beginning To Take Away The
Specialness of What That Was, and Is.
Now, Off Blogs. Peaceful Mind. Living In My
Happiness. Creativity Only.
Love, C

My parents kicked against my becoming an actress- Blessing Patrick

Blessing Patrick is one of the fast-rising actresses
in Nollywood. She talks about her life as an actress,
model and fashion designer.
My name is Blessingn
Patrick. I’m an actress from
Cross River State. I studied
Sociology and Anthropology
at the Enugu State University
of Science and Technology. I
joined Nollywood through a
friend who was also
passionate about acting. I
used to accompany her to
locations as well as movie
auditions. Then people were trying to discourage
me. Particularly, my parents were objecting to it,
saying “You can’t go into acting because you need
to go to school”. But despite their objection, I was
still going to locations with my friend. There and
then, I made my contacts and later, returned to
school. Professionally, I started acting in 2011. The
first person that gave me my first role was Solomon
Akpete, popularly known as Solo Amaco. And the
movie was called “Daughters of Eve” featuring
Mercy Johnson and Majid Michel. I have also done
other movies including “Sexy Vampires”,
“Masquerade Dancers”, “Midwifes”, “Tears of a
Holy” “Heart, Kings’ Bed”, “My World”, “Enter the
Place” and so on.
So far, it has been a worthwhile experience. It is
said that nothing good comes easily.But I give God
all the glory. Things have been working out
according to God’s plan. There was this moment in
my career when I did the movie titled, ‘King’s Bed’. I
had a lot of experiences on that set. I had to do
what is not really me. Though I’m still looking
forward to taking up a very challenging role in a
movie. I’ve done a couple of movies, but I’m yet to
do any movie that has really challenged me to the
extreme. I don’t have any regrets doing what I’m
doing today.
In the course of pursuing my career in acting, I
have won a couple of awards. Among them were
the City People Best New Actress of the Year Award
2013( English), Best New Actress of the Year at the
Nigeria Media Nite Out Award 2013 and Gbedu
Recognition Award. I feel so blessed that God is
really with me , watching over me and supporting
my efforts. Winning these awards and getting all
these recognitions meant a lot of things to me.
My parents were initially not in support of my
becoming an actress. But they don’t have a choice
because this is what I love to do. I can’t do anything
that has nothing to do with entertainment. They
realised that I have also given them what they
wanted. My movies are quite inspiring. When they
watch them, they are happy for me. As an actress, I
look up to God in the first place. I also look up to so
many stars like Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Rita
Dominic and Joke Silva. I want to act alongside
Ramsey Noah, Rita Dominic and Omotola Jalade
Ekeinde.
Besides acting, I also write. I’m the Editor of Infinity
Fashion and Style Magazine as well as a model. I
hope to go into movie production soon. If I wasn’t
acting,I’d be a fashion designer. Combining acting,
modelling and fashion designing is not a problem for
me. This is because they are things I love doing, I
just try to strike a balance. When I was a little girl, I
used to watch movies a lot. I knew I was going to
end up becoming an actress. I can fit into any role
because that is what makes me an actress,
provided I will not be required to go nude.I am
passionate about my job as an actress. Acting is
my hobby.
My childhood was memorable because l started
doing what my mates were not doing at the time. I
was always with my mother who was a great
fashion designer and I practically learnt all that l
needed to know about fashion designing from her.
in fact, my mother made it compulsory for me to
learn how to handle a sewing machine when l was
growing up. Perhaps, she knew that she won’t be
with me for too long. She left me with a legacy and
today, I am who I am because of her.
When it comes to style, I dress the way I want to be
addressed. My style is me. I have a sweet and
lovely shape. At least, that is what people say. But I
believe what sells me is the finger of God in my life.
It is by God’s grace and hard work that I have been
able to attain the height that I have reached today
and I hope to be a shining example to the young
ones.

A million World Cup armadillos emerge in China

BEIJING (AFP) – In the wild the Brazilian three-
banded armadillo is classed as “vulnerable”, but a
million furry versions of the creature picked as the
2014 World Cup mascot are taking shape in a
Chinese factory.
Fuleco may for now still be a largely unknown
yellow armadillo with a blue shell and tail, but the
mascot of the world’s biggest single sports event
represents 80 percent of sales for Tongchuang
Toys in the eastern province of Anhui.
The company won a contract with the tournament
organisers to produce a million furry toy versions of
Fuleco, whose name, according to FIFA, is a fusion
of the words “futebol” and “ecologia”.
The toys will be used for merchandising and gifts
for sponsors, according to a report on Anhuiwang
news portal.
The company shipped 500,000 armadillos to Brazil
last month, and is now producing its second batch.
“This big order accounts for four fifths of our total
sales volume, and we will be working on it right
through to April,” factory manager Yu Renjun told
the website. It did not give a value for the deal.
The species, Latin name Tolypeutes tricinctus, was
believed to be extinct until its rediscovery in the
early 1990s and is now considered “vulnerable” on
the International Union for the Conservation of
Nature’s Red List.
“When threatened, it has the habit of rolling into an
easily portable ball,” it says on its website.
The World Cup kicks off in Sao Paulo on June 12
with a match between Brazil and Croatia, and will
run until July 13.
The mascot for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa
was a leopard called Zakumi, while in Germany
2006 it was a lion named Goleo.

34 jihadists killed after clashes with Syria rebel rivals

At least 34 foreign jihadists from the Islamic State
of Iraq and the Levant and an ally were killed after
clashes with rival Syrian rebels, a watchdog said on
Tuesday.
The jihadists had apparently been executed after
the fighting in the Jabal Zawiya district of the
northwestern province of Idlib, the Syrian
Observatory for Human Rights said.
The fighters, from ISIL and a group called Jund al-
Aqsa, were killed by non-jihadist rebels over the
past few days, the Observatory said.
The deaths came amid fighting on several fronts
pitting several coalitions of rebel fighters against
jihadists from ISIL.
There was renewed fighting on Tuesday in the city
of Raqa, the only provincial capital outside
government control and previously an ISIL
stronghold, the Observatory said.
The fighting centred on the provincial governor’s
office, taken over by ISIL for a headquarters, and
“heavy weaponry was being used.”
Both Islamists and moderate rebels have joined the
fight against ISIL, which has been accused of
kidnapping, torturing and killing rival rebels and
civilians.
The rebels, many of them civilians who took up
arms against the regime, initially welcomed the
arrival of battle-hardened jihadists.
But tensions have mounted, with activists accusing
ISIL of imposing a reign of terror, and rebels saying
the group has focused on accumulating territory and
fighting other rebels rather than battling the regime.
Elsewhere in the country, the Observatory said the
death toll from a government air campaign launched
in Aleppo province in mid-December now topped
600, among them 172 children.
The relentless campaign has included the use of
explosive-packed barrels dropped from aircraft on
residential areas.

Spain king’s daughter summoned over financial crimes

MADRID – A Spanish court summoned King Juan
Carlos’ youngest daughter Cristina as a suspect
over tax and money-laundering crimes Tuesday, a
first for a direct relative of the monarch.
Cristina, 48, has been linked to the business affairs
of her husband, former Olympic handball player
Inaki Urdangarin, who is under investigation for
alleged embezzlement of public funds.
The decision by a court in Majorca is a major blow
against the prestige of the 76-year-old Spanish
king, who became head of state after the death in
1975 of General Francisco Franco and helped guide
the country’s transition to democracy.
His popularity sliding because of royal scandals,
Juan Carlos appeared tired Monday as he presided
over a military parade while supported on crutches,
his first public appearance since undergoing an
operation to replace his left hip on November 21.
The judge in Majorca, Jose Castro, has been
investigating the corruption allegations against
Cristina’s husband since 2010. In summoning
Cristina, he overruled opposition by the public
prosecutor.
In his written ruling, the judge said he had decided
to hear Cristina’s testimony “about alleged tax and
money laundering crimes”, summoning her to
appear on March 8 as part of an investigation that
could lead to formal charges.
Manos Limpias, a litigious far-right pressure group,
lodged the suit against Cristina alleging tax evasion
and money laundering, although tax authorities have
not brought any charges and public prosecutors
have said there is no case to answer.
The judge in the Majorca court is investigating
allegations that Urdangarin and a former business
partner embezzled six million euros ($8 million) in
public funds via the Noos Institute, a charitable
foundation that he chaired.
Cristina was a member of the board of Noos and
with her husband jointly owned another company,
Aizoon, which investigators suspect served as a
front for laundering the embezzled funds.
The Majorca judge had summoned Cristina on
suspicion of corruption once before, in spring 2012,
but that decision was overruled following an appeal
by the prosecutor.
Juan Carlos is widely respected for his role in
Spain’s transition to democracy after the death of
Franco.
But his standing among Spaniards has been
damaged by the corruption scandal, and outrage
over a luxury African elephant-hunting safari he
took in 2012.
His health problems together with the scandals
have raised speculation about the future of his
reign.
The number of people with a high or very high
opinion of the king fell nine points over 2013 to 41
percent, according to a poll published on Sunday in
daily newspaper El Mundo.
The number of people wanting him to abdicate in
favour of Prince Felipe, 45, surged by 17 percent to
62 percent, according to the study by pollster Sigma
Dos carried out in late December.
Sixty-six percent had a positive view of the prince
and 56 percent thought he could improve the royals’
image if he took over.
General support for the monarchy as an institution,
however, fell below half to 49.9 percent, according
to the poll.
The royal palace and the king have firmly denied
any thoughts of an abdication.
“I want to express to you, as king of Spain, my
determination to continue the faithful fulfilment of
the mandate and the powers attributed to me,” the
king said in his annual televised Christmas Eve
address last month. (AFP)

Naija's hottest couple? Check out Mr and Mrs Balogun's sexy pic

Tiwa Savage and her husband, Tunji Balogun loved
up on a boat in Dubai...

Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of police, Zone 5
commandMr Hashimu Argungu,, said on Tuesday
that 150 armed robbers were arrested in a total of
124 armed robbery cases reported in 2013. The
zone comprises the three states of Edo, Delta and
Bayelsa.
Argungu, who was briefing reporters in Benin, said
the figure was against 163 reported cases and 181
arrests made in 2012.
The AIG said 2013 witnessed a drastic reduction in
crime and criminality, owing to the crime preventive
strategies put in place in the zone.
Giving a breakdown of major crimes in the zone,
Argungu said 70 kidnappers were arrested in 43
cases reported.
He said the figure was against the 43 reported
cases of kidnapping and 101 arrests in 2012.
Argungu said 70 kidnap victims were rescued in
2013, as against 52 rescued the previous year.
Similarly, he gave the number of ammunitions
recovered to be 10,150 as against 9,480 recovered
in 2012.
Argungu said while firearms recovered in 2013
were 205, 198 were recovered in 2012.
He said the number of murder cases also went
down from 17 in 2012 to 12 in 2013.
The AIG, however, said the number of cases
charged to court increased to 67 from 50 in 2012.
Argungu attributed the successes recorded in 2013
to effective supervision by the zonal headquarters,
of the three states under it.
“Worthy of mention is also the robust partnership
the zone enjoyed with members of the public who
were always willing to give useful information in the
area of crime fighting and prevention.
“Inter-agency partnerships and cooperation with
sister agencies also played a key role in adding
value to our efforts at making the zone peaceful and
safe,” he said.
Argungu said men of the zone were always ready to
ensure safety of lives and properties and he urged
members of the public to continue to cooperate by
providing the police with useful information. (NAN)

Lagos State Fire Service says it has recorded 193
fire outbreaks from December, 2013 to till date.
The Director of the service, Mr Rasak Fadipe, made
this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on
Tuesday in Lagos.
Fadipe said the last incident occurred on Jan. 7 at
about 3.08 a.m at Sawmill Market, Ipaja, Lagos.
He said that 11 lock-up shops out of about 150
shops in the market were destroyed by fire.
Fadipe said that the shops destroyed contained
planks, paints, chemicals, wood-cutting machines
and other building materials.
According to him, it took men of the service about
four hours to put out the fire.
“The fire spread faster due to the harmattan
season.
“I advise members of the public to be careful with
anything that can cause fire fast.
“The fire took us longer time to put out due to
sawdust and chemicals in the market,’’ Fadipe said.
The director said that no death was recorded in all
the fire incidents. (NAN)

Pic of Naomi Oni's attacker following her moments before dousing her with acid

The eerie pic above was shown in court today to
jurors in the Naomi Oni acid bath case. It's a CCTV
image allegedly showing her friend Mary Konye
dressed in Muslim veil and walking closely behind
Naomi, just moments before she doused her with
acid and destroyed her looks forever!
That same night, the jealous and obsessed student
posted a pic of Nightmare on Elm Street horror
character Freddie Krueger on her WhatsApp profile
pic & wrote 'Who looks like Wrong Turn now?'
A friend of Mary Konye told the police that Mary
planned to attack Naomi and ruin her looks "so she
would know 'how it feels' to feel bad about her
appearance', after Naomi told her she looked like
something out of a horror movie. Continue...
Naomi's lawyer said in court today
'Kamilah (Mary's friend) states that the defendant
was insecure about her looks and that Naomi had
insulted her. And there was a particular insult that
was used, and a reference to a particular horror
film and a reference to a particular disfigured
character in the horror film - "Wrong Turn". It
involves cannibal characters and disfigured
characters, one in particular called a Wrong Turn.
'And Naomi had been rude to the defendant and
said she looked like a Wrong Turn, that particular
insult stung Mary Konye. Kamilah states that the
defendant would complain that the victim would
never compliment her about her looks.
'Kamilah Andrews states that this greatly affected
the defendant, because she admired Naomi,
almost to the point of obsession.'
'Kamilah states that the defendant would
repeatedly say what she would like to do to
Naomi. She states that the defendant would say
'What if I bought acid and threw it in her face, so
she would know how she makes me feel?'
'Kamilah also states that the defendant told her
she had joked to others about throwing acid on
someone and that someone had suggested to the
defendant that she should wear a 'nijab' [sic] so
the police could not identify her.
'Following the attack on the victim Kamilah saw
that the defendant had updated her profile on
'WhatsApp'.
'It appears that the photograph on the defendant's
profile was changed and it then displayed a
photograph of Freddie Krueger, the scarred-face
character from the horror film 'Nightmare on Elm
Street'.
'Kamilah states that the photograph was
accompanied by a message stating 'Who looks
like Wrong Turn now?''
School friend Safiye Laviniere said Konye
changed her status on Blackberry Messenger so
a message read 'She better not mess with me or
I will make her face look like this' next to a photo
of Freddy Krueger.

Lionel Messi could make his return from injury for
Barcelona in the Copa del Rey match against Getafe
on Wednesday.
The 26-year-old has been out with a hamstring
injury since 10 November but is in the Nou Camp
outfit's squad for the first leg of the last-16 tie.
Messi's return comes ahead of his side's crucial
league game at Atletico Madrid on Saturday.
Barcelona are top of La Liga but only lead Atletico
on goal difference, with both on 49 points from 18
matches.
Messi was troubled by injuries in 2013 and the
latest of those came when he limped out of a 4-1
win at Real Betis.
He was initially treated in Barcelona before being
allowed to return to Argentina before Christmas to
continue his rehabilitation.
He returned to Spain at the start of January but was
not fit enough to figure in the win over Elche on
Sunday.

Championship Middlesbrough have signed Nigeria
centre-back Kenneth Omeruo on loan from Chelsea
until the end of May.
The 20-year-old started all the Super Eagles'
matches as they won the 2013 Africa Cup of
Nations, but has played just twice since injuring his
shoulder at the 2013 Confederations Cup.
“
Joining Middlesbrough provides me with an
opportunity to be sharp for the World Cup
”
Kenneth Omeruo
Last season, he played 36 games on loan at Dutch
top-flight side ADO Den Haag.
"With the World Cup in June, it is important to have
the chance of playing regularly," Omeruo told BBC
Sport.
"Hopefully I can help Middlesbrough fight for
promotion - nothing is impossible in football."
After signing for the Blues from Standard Liege in
January 2012, Omeruo was immediately sent on
loan to Den Haag.
He is yet to make his Chelsea debut, and with his
sights firmly set on the World Cup in Brazil, Chelsea
manager Jose Mourinho has allowed him to move
to the Riverside.
Omeruro's career appearances
Standard Liege, 2010-12: no games
Chelsea, 2012-present: no games
ADO Den Haag (loan), 2012-13: 36 games
Nigeria, 2013-present: 14 caps
Omeruo will be working under Boro's Spanish boss
Aitor Karanka, formerly Mourinho's assistant
manager at Real Madrid.
"Training with the first-team at Chelsea is just not
good enough for my progress and development,"
Omeruo explained.
"More significantly, I was highly recommended [to
Karanka] by Jose Mourinho and that feels good.
"They [Karanka and Mourinho] speak to each other
on a daily basis so I believe I'll be in good hands.
"Apart from playing regularly and helping the team,
this provides me with an opportunity to be sharp for
the World Cup."

Fifa president Sepp Blatter has accused Brazil of
being badly prepared with five months to go before
it hosts this year's World Cup.
Six of the host nation's 12 stadiums have failed to
meet Fifa's 31 December completion deadline.
Three workers have been killed in recent accidents
at stadiums in Sao Paulo and Manaus.
"No country has been so far behind in preparations
since I have been at Fifa," Blatter told a Swiss
newspaper.
“
It is the only host nation which has had so
much time - seven years - in which to
prepare. Brazil has started work much too late
”
Sepp Blatter
Fifa president
The 77-year-old has worked for Fifa since 1975,
becoming president in 1998.
He added: "It is the only host nation which has had
so much time - seven years - in which to prepare."
The tournament opens on 12 June when the host
nation face Croatia in Sao Paulo's Arena
Corinthians, where two workers died when a crane
collapsed on to part of the roof on 27 November.
That accident delayed the stadium's completion
date by several months, and it is not expected to be
ready until mid-April.
Construction problems and public protests about
the financial costs of hosting the World Cup have
beset Brazil's preparations for the tournament.
Brazil - which lasted hosted the World Cup in 1950 -
was awarded this year's finals in 2007.
But when asked if the country had understood the
scale of the work required, Blatter replied: "No.
Brazil has just found out what it means and has
started work much too late."

Mikel wants team-mates to adopt Mourinho’s style

London - Midfielder, Joel Obi has told his team-
mates at Chelsea to adopt to the winning mentality
of manager, Jose Mourinho if they want to remain
useful to the club, Metro reports.
Mikel was used as a substitute since the start of
the current season after Mourinho’s return, but now
enjoys first team action at the club.
The Nigeria international admitted that pressure is
pretty much on the team as they aim to win trophy
every year.

Liverpool, Everton battle for Onazi

London - Everton are trying to beat Liverpool to sign
Lazio midfielder Ogenyi Onazi according to reports
in Italy, KickOff Nigeria says.
According to Italian news outlet Il Tempo, the two
Merseyside clubs are set to battle it out to try and
sign the 20-year-old who has been in fine form for
his Italian club this season.
Onazi had a successful year for Nigeria in 2013
where he won the Africa Cup of Nations. He was
part of the Super Eagles squad to the FIFA
Confederations Cup in Brazil and helped his country
to book a ticket to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The ex-lovers are set to star in a movie being
produced by Yvonne Nelson,

Chika Ike no send una o. All that one wey una dey
talk no concern am...lol.

Love is a beautiful thing...

Part-time student of The Polytechnic, Ibadan,
Timilehin Ayobami Ogundare tried to kill himself on
Sat January 4th by jumping into River Ogun but
was stopped and saved by some security guards
who handed him over to men of the vigilante
service.

Stella Oduah, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation who is
embroiled in a scandal of towering proportions in
the ministry, faces new integrity questions as her

I don't think Whitenicious is a bleaching cream but

Chineze Anyaene; IJE Director/Producer Announces Auditions

This is a casting call from Chineze Anyaene, the
award winning Director and Producer of the multi
award winning movie ‘IJE: The Journey’.
Xandria Productions is now scouting for Male and
females actors for an upcoming drama - mystery
TV Series created and to be directed by Chineze
Anyaene. With over 200 characters, this is an
opportunity for individuals with interest, skill or
talent in acting to showcase themselves.
Continue..
This opportunity is not only limited to Cast but is
also open to production crew. For information on
character breakdown, crew positions,
submissions and audition locations, visit
www.hgsseries.com
You will be required to come along with a hard
copy 8x10 headshot not overly photoshopped with
basic information behind. Please NOTE that this is
a condition for auditions.
So if you have been looking to get into the movie
industry, here's a chance! Auditions will hold in
Lagos (Jan 24th &25 th), Abuja (Feb 6th) and Enugu
(Feb 8 th)
Twitter:@hgstv
Facebook: Twww.facebook.com/HGStv
www.hgsseries.com
Tel: 08093575546

Chineze Anyaene; IJE Director/Producer Announces Auditions

Actress Monalisa Chinda looking like a sexy vixen
in this new pic shot for her magazine, Monalisa.

Idris is such a tease! Yesterday the Mandela actor
sent his Twitter female

21 year old acid victim Naomi Oni was disfigured
for life after an unknown person wearing a Niqāb
threw acid in her face as she walked home from
work on Sunday December 30th 2012 in Lodge
Avenue Dagenham, east London, (If you missed
qit, read about it HERE)
Naomi only described her attacker as a woman
wearing an Islamic veil. Over a year later, police
has been able to identify the person behind the
veil. It was her jealous 21 year old friend, Mary
Konye.

Rihanna has her eyes on another hot dude. She
posted a pic of NFL player Mychal Kendricks on
her instagram page today and admitted that he's
her #MCM. #ManCrushMonday.
Mychal is 23 years old and looks like a healthy
version of Chris Brown. Someone should hook
them up fast fast!

Arsenal's Theo Walcott will miss the World Cup after
being ruled out for at least six months with a knee
injury.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 400th career goal as Real Madrid laboured to victory over Celta Vigo and reduced the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona.

Celta had wasted a number of chances before
Karim Benzema capitalised on shoddy defending by
prodding home.
Ronaldo, who had been largely anonymous, then
made sure of victory by converting Daniel
Carvajal's cross.
And in the dying seconds of the match, Ronaldo
added gloss to the scoreline after being put through
by Gareth Bale.
Bale, a 65th minute substitute, found the former
Manchester United man with a fine cross and Celta
were helpless to prevent Ronaldo thumping into the
roof of the net.
Ronaldo's brace, which saw him become the fourth
highest scorer in Real Madrid La Liga history,
masked what had been a pedestrian performance
by a Real side who are now five points adrift of
Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in third.
The Portugal captain has now scored 400 goals in
653 games for his club - taking his season's tally to
28 - and it could be a memorable seven days for
the Real forward as the Ballon d'Or award, for which
he is favourite to win, is announced on 13 January.
A minute's silence was held before kick-off in
memory of Portuguese great Eusebio. who died
aged 71 from a heart attack at the weekend.
Ronaldo seemed to pay his own tribute to his much-
loved compatriot by raising his arms to the sky
after his second landmark goal.
It was not Ronaldo's most polished performance,
but he still managed to help Real clinch a handsome
win.
Celta will look back and regret a number of missed
opportunities, with Brazilian Charles the main
culprit.
The striker hit the side netting early on and fluffed
another chance after the break, shooting wide with
just Diego Lopez to beat.
Moments later the visitors paid the price for their
profligacy when Benzema took advantage of a mix
up in the Celta defence to stab the ball home.
The goal lifted Real's spirits with Ronaldo dragging a
shot across goal before he found the target
moments later with a toe-poke at the far post.
Celta's threat diminished from there on and once
again they failed to contain Ronaldo as he struck for
the 400th time in a Real shirt.
Bale, who returned to training last week after
recovering from a calf injury, was the provider with
Welshman making another telling contribution for his
new club.

Walcott blow hurts Hodgson and Wenger

Theo Walcott hardly looked like a man being carried
towards one of the lowest points in his career - and
another chapter in his cursed World Cup history - as
he was taken off on a stretcher at Emirates Stadium
on Saturday.
Walcott collapsed in agony as he attempted to
tackle Danny Rose in the closing minutes of
Arsenal's 2-0 FA Cup third-round victory against
Tottenham.
As he departed, however, he was in high enough
spirits to remind Spurs fans of the score after being
pelted with objects from the away section - and
also to acknowledge the acclaim of Gunners
supporters who tossed scarves in his direction with
smiles and waves.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, perhaps burying
bad news or simply unaware of the seriousness of
the incident, only offered up the possibility of a
stretched ligament or ever the lesser problem of a
kick on the knee.
So there was widespread shock when it was
announced Walcott had sustained an injury any
player dreads, especially those with pace, by
rupturing an anterior cruciate knee ligament which
will keep him out for at least six months.
At a stroke, it ruled him out of the rest of Arsenal's
season and England's World Cup campaign in Brazil
this summer. And it counts as a devastating
setback for the 24-year-old.
The Football Association decided not to punish
Walcott for his gesture towards Spurs fans,
but what followed later meant this counted as no
form of consolation to this popular, likeable
individual.
Arsenal will feel the pain as they lead the Premier
League with their best opportunity to claim the title
in years while England manager Roy Hodgson has
lost a player who can serve him on the flanks or
through the middle.
Even before the ramifications for Arsenal and
England are explored, it is another tale of World Cup
woe for Walcott as he continues to endure an
unfulfilling relationship with the sport's biggest
showpiece.
Walcott was a shock inclusion in Sven-Goran
Eriksson's squad for the 2006 World Cup in
Germany as a 17-year-old even before he had
played a Premier League game. It was a farcical
selection. He was reduced to resembling a tourist
without ever coming near the team.
In 2010, he was the surprise omission from Fabio
Capello's squad for South Africa
- so he will be 29 before he gets the chance to have
a crack at a World Cup finals.
Over and above the desolation Walcott will have
been feeling on Monday evening, there are serious
consequences for Arsenal, arguably even more so
than for England.
The numbers and quality of Arsenal's attacking
resources were already under scrutiny even before
Walcott was removed from the equation.
Now Wenger, understandably very cautious about
investing in January anyway, will be considering his
transfer options with his usual rider - is there
anyone out there who can actually be bought who is
better than what he has got?
Arsenal's boss would want players of a standard to
make an instant impact in the Premier League and
also, preferably, when they face Bayern Munich in
the Champions League.
Individuals of that stature are usually found in the
Champions League already at this stage of the
season and cannot be moved.
There is no doubt, however, that Walcott's injury
hits Arsenal two-fold. He was able to use his pace
on the flanks for Arsenal but he showed his quality
through the centre as a constant threat against
Spurs on Saturday, his performance drawing great
praise from his manager.
Wenger has relied heavily on Olivier Giroud this
season, although he missed out against Spurs
through illness. Lukas Podolski has only just
returned from months on the sidelines with a
serious hamstring injury, while Nicklas Bendtner is
out for a month with ankle trouble.
The good news is that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is
close to a return to training after being out since the
opening day of the season with a knee injury. This
will receive an even warmer welcome from Wenger
and Hodgson after the severity of Walcott's injury
was revealed.
At the back of his mind, though, Wenger will be
weighing up whether to move into the market with
the possibility of winning the title such an enticing
prospect after their fine season to date.
Arsenal have been linked with Bayern Munich's
Mario Mandzukic but Wenger appears to have
accepted he will not be sold in January while the
prospect of putting together a deal for Atletico
Madrid's brilliant striker Diego Costa also looks out
of bounds as they challenge for La Liga and remain
in the Champions League - and that is even before
the cost of such a deal is considered.
Real Madrid's Alvaro Morata has also been
mentioned as a loan target but coach Carlo Ancelotti
insists the window remains firmly closed, in and
out, at the Bernabeu - so Wenger may have to throw
his scouting net even wider.
Wenger also appeared to close the door on
speculation linking him with Fulham's Dimitar
Berbatov. Will this change his mind?
As for Hodgson, this will be the sort of news he
feared ahead of a tough group stage in Brazil,
having been robbed of Frank Lampard, Gary Cahill
and Gareth Barry in the final days before Euro 2012,
where he also had to do without a suspended
Wayne Rooney for the first two games.
He will already be working potential contenders to
replace Walcott - although one who emerged with
such credit in England's final two World Cup
qualifiers against Montenegro and Poland,
Tottenham winger Andros Townsend, is also
currently sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Oxlade-Chamberlain's progress will be closely
examined by an England manager who holds him in
high regard, while Spurs winger Aaron Lennon may
see Walcott's absence as a chance to revive his
international career.
Southampton's Adam Lallana showed enough, even
as England lost their two Wembley friendlies against
Chile and Germany in November,
to place himself in Hodgson's thoughts. His
chances of travelling to Brazil will have improved
with Walcott now out of all calculations.
Liverpool's 19-year-old Raheem Sterling has
shown improved form recently after a poor spell but
he will surely have to improve further - and over a
longer period - to be seriously considered.
All this will now be deep in the thinking of Wenger
and Hodgson as Walcott contemplates another
England World Cup campaign as a spectator.

West Ham have signed Wolves defender Roger Johnson on loan until the end of the season.

The former Cardiff City and Birmingham City player
had a spell with Sheffield Wednesday earlier in
2013-14 campaign.
Johnson, 30, moved to Molineux from St Andrew's
in July 2011.
Hammers manager Sam Allardyce has been backed
by the club's owners despite seeing the side slip to
19th in the Premier League and losing 5-0 to
Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup.
Central defenders James Collins and James
Tomkins were injured in the Boxing Day defeat by
Arsenal and the draw with West Brom two days
later respectively.
Fellow centre-back Winston Reid is still recovering
from ankle surgery in November, while striker Andy
Carroll has yet to play this season because of a foot
injury.
Everton's Johnny Heitinga rejected a move to West
Ham despite the two clubs agreeing terms over the
Dutch defender earlier this month.
Wolves manager Kenny Jackett transfer-listed
Johnson and three other players in June following
the club's relegation to League One, 12 months after
they dropped into the Championship.
"It's a really good opportunity for him because he's
going to a Premier League club," Jackett(external)
told the Birmingham Express and Star.

Brazilian playmaker Kaka surpassed 100 goals for AC Milan with two goals in a victory against Atalanta.

The 31-year-old, who last summer returned to the
club for a second spell after joining Real Madrid in
2009, reached the landmark when he scored the
opener following a counter attack.
Kaka got his and Milan's second with a close-range
finish just after the hour, before teenager Bryan
Cristante added a third with a low shot.
It was Milan's fifth win of the season.
Kaka has scored six goals since returning to AC
Milan, who move up to 10th with 22 points following
the win.
It was a positive start to the year for manager
Massimiliano Allegri, who will leave the club when
his contract expires at the end of the season.

Moyes right boss for Man Utd - Poyet

Sunderland manager Gus Poyet believes David
Moyes is "still the right man" for Manchester United
- but says he needs time to get things right.
The Black Cats host United in Tuesday's Capital
One Cup semi-final first leg.
Moyes has had a difficult first season in charge
with his team seventh in the Premier League and
knocked out of the FA Cup in the third round by
Swansea.
Poyet said: "He needs time and I hope he gets it to
prove he was and is still the right man for
Manchester United."
Moyes, whose side are 11 points adrift of league
leaders Arsenal, has come in for criticism after the
Swans became the fifth visiting side to win at Old
Trafford this season, with West Brom, Everton,
Newcastle and Tottenham having previously done
so.
The Sunderland manager continued: "It's difficult to
feel it (the pressure Moyes is under), but you can
see it and I don't think it's nice, I don't.
"But I am sure that David first is strong enough and
good enough to do the job, and secondly, everybody
knew that after Alex Ferguson, it would be very
difficult, very difficult."
Yet Adam Johnson believes United's current
problems could work to the Black Cats' advantage.
Sunderland's former Manchester City winger said:
"Hopefully we can try to catch them when it is
probably the most difficult time they have had in 15
years.
"If there's any time to play them, it's probably now,
so we can try to make the most of that.
"But they are still a top-quality team with top quality
players and the key is to go to Old Trafford not
down."
Poyet, meanwhile, has urged his bottom-of-the-
table side to put a "nightmare" season to one side
and relish the opportunity to reach a final.
The 46-year-old, who will be able to call on fit-
again defender John O'Shea to face his former club,
said: "It's the nice part, the nicest. It's nice to come
here and talk about a semi-final and not talk about
points and relegation.
"I would like to say it's the nicest part of the season
because the rest has been a nightmare with the
position in the table, so let's try to enjoy this one
and go on and do something important for the club."

No FA action on Walcott '2-0' gesture

The Football Association will take no further action
against Arsenal's Theo Walcott over his gesture to
Tottenham fans during Saturday's FA Cup tie.
England forward Walcott, 24, signalled the Gunners'
2-0 lead to Spurs' fans as he was being taken off on
a stretcher with a knee injury that will rule him out
of the World Cup this summer.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said he was reacting
to having coins thrown at him.
The FA said(external) the player had been
"reminded of his responsibilities".
Both clubs have also been contacted by the FA
about objects thrown onto the pitch from fans in
both a home and an away section at Emirates
Stadium, at different times during the game.
"The FA condemns any such acts and will liaise
with both clubs and the Metropolitan Police to
identify those responsible and support the strongest
sanctions available, including life bans," said the
governing body in a statement.
Wenger insisted Walcott, who was pelted with
objects from supporters in the Spurs end after he
made the gesture, did not deserve to be punished.
Walcott was carried off the pitch in the 83rd minute,
and Arsenal announced on Monday he would be out
for at least six months after rupturing the anterior
cruciate ligament of his left knee.
The former Southampton player missed two months
of the season with a stomach injury and has scored
five Premier League goals since returning in
November.
Wenger is already expected to be without Denmark
striker Nicklas Bendtner for all of January with an
ankle injury, while France forward Olivier Giroud
has missed Arsenal's past two games through a
combination of illness and an ankle knock.

West Ham owners back boss Allardyce

West Ham co-owners David Gold and David
Sullivan have issued an open letter to fans in
support of boss Sam Allardyce.
The struggling Hammers lost 5-0 to Championship
side Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup
on Sunday.
The Upton Park club are second from bottom of the
Premier League after just one win in 13 top-flight
games.
"We know Sam has not lost his ambition or desire
and is committed to making West Ham United a
great Premier League club," read the letter.
Gold and Sullivan also revealed the club are "close
to securing one of our key striking targets".
With record signing Andy Carroll yet to play this
season because of a foot injury, BBC Sport's Ben
Smith reports Monaco's 6ft 8in forward Lacina
Traore could join the club on loan if he gets a work
permit.
Wolves defender Roger Johnson has already signed
on loan after the Hammers failed to bring in
Everton's Johnny Heitinga.
"January is not an easy time to do business but we
are pleased to confirm we are close to securing one
of our key striking targets," continued the letter.
Allardyce, 59, fielded a youthful side at Forest as he
made nine changes from the team beaten 2-1 in the
Premier League at Fulham on New Year's Day.
The Hammers boss said he had informed Gold and
Sullivan of his plans to prioritise the club's top-flight
campaign and the Capital One Cup semi-final
against Manchester City.
"It is never enjoyable being knocked out of a cup
competition and losing by such a large scoreline to
a lower division side is hard to take for us all,"
added the letter.
"We thought the youngsters gave their all and did
not stop trying, but in the end Nottingham Forest's
experience proved too much for us.
"I know Sam would have loved to have put out a
more varied side, with our talented youngsters
accompanied by more senior players in the starting
XI.
"But many key players are out injured and Sam has
been handed a near impossible task of coming
through three crucial games in the space of six
days with a squad of only 14 fit and available senior
players.
"This is not an excuse, it is a fact."
Graeme Howlett, editor of West Ham online fanzine
Knees Up Mother Brown, feels the statement is
"essentially a vote of confidence" in Allardyce.
He said: "It ties in with a poll we ran last week
where a small majority of supporters voted to stick
with him.
"It's injuries and suspensions that are costing us
dearly at present. Any manager would have his
work cut out. Replacing him won't make the likes of
Andy Carroll, Winston Reid or Mark Noble fit again."
West Ham visit Manchester City on Wednesday for
the first leg of their Capital One Cup semi-final
before a league trip to fellow relegation battlers
Cardiff on Saturday.
They are currently without Carroll, Reid, Noble,
Ricardo Vaz Te, James Tomkins and James Collins
because of injury, while captain Kevin Nolan is
suspended.
"We are under no illusions as to the seriousness of
our current predicament in the Premier League,"
added the letter.
"But on the board we have a combined talent of
running football clubs and we will draw on all of our
nous to get West Ham United out of this situation.
"We are all working round the clock to do everything
in our powers to help arrest our slump in form."

The hospital treating Michael Schumacher for head
injuries says his condition remains stable but
critical.

Wizkid Reacts To Not Being Nominated For The Headies

Many were stunned to see Wizkid's name absent
from the 2013 Headies nomination list.But the
superstar doesn't care about that.NotjustOk
published a story on it and Wizkid retweeted the
post and said "My fans see and appreciate all the
work,,that's enough awards to last me a life time!"
See tweets below...

Vincent Enyeama Has Been Named Europe’s Best Goalkeeper

Super Eagles Vice captain and Lille of France safe
hands, Vincent Enyeama, has been picked as the
best goalkeeper in the major leagues across Europe
in the 2013/14 football season.
Research by supersport.com showed that the ratio
of saves made to goals conceded by the Nigerian is
by far and away the most impressive, compared to
any goalkeeper at any football club in any of
Europe’s top leagues this season.
The 31-year-old conceded eight goals in 19 league
appearances for Lille OSC this season and was
voted best player in Ligue 1 on two consecutive
occasions ahead of stellar individuals like Thiago
Silva, Edinson Cavani, Mathieu Valbuena, Radamel
Falcao and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Enyeama’s saves made to goals conceded ratio
stands at seven, well ahead those of established
goalkeepers like Victor Valdés (FC Barcelona),
Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Gianluigi Buffon
(Juventus) and Morgan de Sanctis (AS Roma).
Valdés’ saves made to goals conceded ratio in the
13 league games he played for FC Barcelona this
season stands at 4.4 while Neuer’s in his 16
Bundesliga games this season was pegged at 3.9.
Italy, the land famous for tight defences, catenaccio
and legendary goalkeepers produced the fourth and
fifth best stoppers using statistics in the first half of
the 2013/13 season as the yardstick.
Veteran Juventus man, Buffon’s figures as far as
the ratio of goals conceded to saves made stood at
2.3 while De Sanctis who has been in supreme
form for AS Roma managed 2.2.
Buffon has made 16 league appearances for La
Vecchia Signora this season while De Sanctis has
made 17 Serie A appearances for the Giallorossi
this term.
Enyeama’s recent accomplishments have attracted
words of adulation from Nigeria’s goalkeeper
trainer, Ike Shorunmu who believes the former
Enyimba star has had a barnstorming season. “I
work with (Enyeama) whenever he’s back on
international duty so this news brings a smile to my
face.
He is making us proud and more importantly the
fact that these things are happening during the
season leading to the World Cup is fantastic,”
Shorunmu said yesterday. Enyeama made his debut
for Nigeria in 2002 and has been capped 88 times
by the Super Eagles.