Ogun, Chinese Developer To Develop 2,000 Houses

 There are reports of Ogun State Government entry into a partnership agreement with a Chinese developer and construction company, Citic Construction, to develop over 2,000 housing units in the state.

READ MORE:  http://news.naij.com/48486.htmlAccording to a statement, the project, which has the International Finance Corporation and the Sovereign Wealth Fund Investment Authority as major players, will further expand the scope of the government’s affordable housing and urban renewal programme.
The Country Manager, IFC, Mr. Solomon Adegbie-Quaynor, was quoted as saying that the partnership was to “develop houses for the masses from social housing, middle income housing and slightly higher than middle income housing,” adding, “Ogun is our first port of call where the feasibility will be done.”
He noted that the construction company in charge of the project had the ability to build large units of houses, which could be purchased through mortgages “after assessing the demand and the ability of the buyer to pay”.
The Investment Manager, Citic Construction, Mr. Robert Xu, gave an assurance that the houses would be cost effective, saying, “We are leveraging on the infrastructure available in this state in terms of roads, water and power.”
READ MORE:  http://news.naij.com/48486.html

Electricity Workers Threaten To Shut Plants

 The Federal Government's plan for a smooth transition in the power sector may be farfetched as workers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) have threatened to withdraw their services from Wednesday.

The shutdown threat comes into effect if President Goodluck Jonathan carries on with the scheduled handover of the privatised power firms to its new management, Monday.
The National Union of Electricity Employees, in a statement on Sunday, protested the planned handover, saying several labour issues had not been settled.
The union said if the government continued with its action, the PHCN workers would not be able to guarantee electricity supply after Wednesday, October 2, 2013.
The union said in a statement signed by its General Secretary, Mr. Joe Ajaero, “Because of the Independence Day ceremonies, we will be patient to allow for full celebrations. However, we hereby urge Nigerians to bear with us if after October 2, 2013 the government goes ahead with her illicit handover to the investors in a forceful takeover; the implication will be that the workers would have technically been asked to withdraw their services and we may not be able to guarantee smooth operations.
“Consequently, if after October 2, 2013, the office of the Vice-President fails to correct this misleading information, we shall not guarantee supply of electricity in the country. This is not a threat as our earlier ultimatum has expired.”
The union listed issues that were not resolved to include the non-conclusion of payment of terminal benefits to the workers; non-payment of retirement savings to the workers’ Pension Fund Administrators; and non-remittance of two per cent of the union deductions as agreed.
Others are non-payment of retirees who disengaged from the PHCN since 2011, non-regularisation of the casual workers already identified, failure to give the workers 10 per cent equity shareholding and shortfall of terminal benefits from June 2012 till date.
READ MORE:  http://news.naij.com/48479.html

Seven People Brutally Beheaded On Maiduguri/Damaturu Road

 

Seven people have been reportedly killed Makintamari village in Kaga Local Government in Borno state along the Damaturu/Maiduguri road.

According to eyewitnesses account, the travellers were beheaded with their heads placed on their lifeless bodies on the main road.
In a related incident, gunmen also brutally attacked and slit the throats of 4 people on Saturday in the same village. The victims were reportedly returning to Maiduguri in the evening.
Makintamari is a few kilometers from Benishek where over 100 travelers were murdered a week ago by suspected Boko Haram sect members.
Yobe State Governor Ibrahim Gaidam appealed to Goodluck Jonathan, saying:

“We call on Mr. President and all the security chiefs, to intensify security operations through aerial surveillance, to contain the situation before it consumes the region and country.
“On our way from Maiduguri to Damaturu this afternoon (Sunday), we saw a trailer and bus that were burnt, with the occupants slaughtered and their corpses littering the highway.
“Government should rise up to its responsibilities to save the lives and properties of its citizens.”

The governor also added that anyone travelling on the Damaturu to Maiduguri highway, was taking a huge risk.

WOMAN ACCUSSED OF TURNING INTO A CAT NARROWLY ESCAPES DEATH IN ABIA STATE

A businesswoman in Aba, Abia State, Mrs. Ngozi Okoye narrowly escaped being lynched over the disappearance of a mysterious cat, suspected to be a product of witchcraft.

Ironically, she was the victim of the cat that was initially found in her home and it took the intervention of journalists and policemen to save her from a mob action.
Narrating her ordeal, Mrs. Okoye said for long, she had observed that money she kept in a firmly locked cardboard in her room at No.1 Obu Street/Obohia Road in Aba was always  missing mysteriously.

The woman, who sells fruits near the Aba Shopping Centre, said at a point, she suspected her children and kept a watch on them.

But when she realized that her children were innocent, she reasoned that what was happening to her had spiritual undertone and reported the matter to a man of God.

Mrs. Okoye said after observing some prayer points as directed by the pastor and the problem persisted, she contacted another man of God in her desperate bid to get the problem solved.

This time around, she was told to fast and pray for a given number of days along with the clergy man who would also pray for her over the issue.

The woman said after the fasting session, the problem stopped and on that day of the incident, she was taken aback when she wanted to collect some cash from inside the cardboard and touched a strange object.

When she opened the cardboard properly and pointed a torchlight towards the direction she kept the money, she saw a half dead pussy cat with some naira notes stuffed in its mouth.

Shocked at the strange creature, she raised the alarm and alerted the man of God whom she had met initially over the issue, just as people in the neighborhood trooped to her house to catch a glimpse of the 'witch' pussy cat.

She said the man of God advised her to bring the now dead cat to him before it could be buried.

Confusion crept in as the now restive crowd wanted the cat to be burnt, but the woman insisted that she must take it to the man of God and put the cat in a bag and headed for the man of God's house while the crowd, which caused traffic gridlock on the ever busy Asa/Ehi Road followed her, insisting that she must give them the cat to be burnt.

In the melee that followed, the cat was said to have disappeared and the crowd turned against the woman, accusing her of being the witch cat and was about lynching her when she ran into a shop close to a commercial bank at the shopping centre.

Despite the pleadings of policemen providing security at the bank, the crowd surged forward and the situation was saved when a group of journalists who came to the scene alerted the police.

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) for Ndiegoro Division, Mr. Crescent Mama, sent his men to the scene, but the crowd which had blocked the entire road, could not let go. It took police re-enforcement for the woman who had been smuggled into the bank premises to be taken away after the crowd had been reasonably dispersed.

Bemoaning her fate, the woman vehemently denied the allegation and rained curses on whoever that turned into the cat that had been stealing her money mysteriously.

The police at Ndiegoro later released her after being kept in protective custody as investigations were ongoing into the matter.
READ MORE:  http://news.naij.com/48475.html

COURT HEARING OFALLEGED BOKO HARAM BOMBER

The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court will today Monday, 30^th September, 2013, resume the trial of the alleged kingpin of Boko Haram sect, Mustapher Umar, who allegedly bombed office of the Thisday office in Kaduna State with 12 camp gas cylinders.

The High Court, presided over by Justice Ademola Adeniyi, had heard how the accused person wept bitterly when he was rescued from a badly burnt Honda car that was allegedly used for the operation, saying he had been denied the opportunity of inheriting 72 virgins in heaven.

In a bid to prove the complicity of the accused person, the Federal Government, brought a senior police officer in charge of exhibits recovered from terror suspects, to testify as the ‘PW-8′ in the trial.

The masked witness who narrated how the accused person had intended to carry out a suicide attack, produced the burnt Honda Car, discharged Cylinders, half charred 25 litter jerry-can that allegedly contained fuel, which he said were used for the terrorist attack on three media houses based in Kaduna.

Other media outlets affected by that attack on the premises of SOJ Plaza in Kaduna State on April 26, 2012, which allegedly led to the death of 10 persons, included the Moment and the Sun Newspapers.

The court had earlier watched a video clip where the accused person confessed that he was sent to bomb Thisday Newspaper owing to a report he said did not only put Islam in false light, but greatly insulted Prophet Mohammed.

The accused person, in the video which was admitted into evidence by the trial court, said his action was to avenge the insult he said was meted to “Allah” through the media house.

However, the suspect has since challenged the credibility of the video evidence, insisting that he was forced under duress to confess to the crime.

The accused person told the high court that he was badly manhandled and tortured by security operatives, even as he alleged that the video was doctored.

Consequently, counsel to the accused person, Mr. Nureni Suleiman, has urged the court to discountenance the proof of evidence tendered before it by the government and order that the prosecution failed to establish a prima-facie case against his client.

According to a one-count criminal charge that was preferred against the accused person,  his act of terrorism ran contrary to section 1(2) (c) (r) of Terrorism Prevention Act, 2011, punishable under section 33 (1) (a) of the same Act.

It will be recalled that the court had ab-initio barred members of the public from attending the trial, except lawyers involved in the case and journalists. 
READ MORE:  http://news.naij.com/48480.html

SSS ARRESTS GANG LEADER RESPONSIBLE FOR OZEKHOME'S KIDNAP

 

There were indications on Wednesday that a major financier of a  kidnapping ring in Edo and other surrounding states, Kelvin Oburuvbe might have been arrested by men of the Department of State Security.

It was reliably gathered that the kidnap kingpin was picked up in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, by operatives of DSS and is currently being interrogated.

There were however conflicting reports that the arrested kidnapper might be the one who recently issued a 60-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to declare amnesty for him and his gang, otherwise his group would blow up oil installations in Urobo speaking areas of the country.

It was further gathered that Oburuvbe was instrumental to the recent abduction of human rights lawyer, Mike Ozekhome, his driver and a leader of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Athansius Ugbome on Saturday, August 24, 2013. Ozekhome and Ugbome were released about one week apart after over two weeks in the kidnappers’s den and payment of ransom.

Although the Edo State SSS Director,  Bello Bakori, could not be reached, a source close to his office confirmed that Oburuvbe was trailed from his hideout after a tip-off, before his arrest by the operatives of the Department of State Security.

The source said the operatives had been on Oburuvbe trail for more than two years, adding that the kidnap kingpin lives abroad and only comes back to the state whenever he has any abduction operation to carry out.

“We have been on his trail for more than two years. He is responsible for most of the high profile kidnap in the state. The latest is the kidnap of Chief Mike Ozekhome in August this year,” the source said.

The kidnapping czar, according to investigation, operates several abduction camps in Edo State, where victims are kept before their families are contacted to pay ransom.

CULLED FROM  http://www.punchng.com

Al-Shabab Strikes Again in Kenya

 

Two Kenyan police officers have been killed in an attack on a security post near the Somali border, with the suspicion falling on the same armed group behind the deadly siege at a Nairobi mall which left over 62 shoppers, including at least 18 foreigners, dead.

The attack took place in the town of Mandera in the early hours of September 26, 2013, Thursday. Charlton Mureithi, the Regional police chief, revealed that in addition to the two police officers killed, three others were injured and 11 vehicles destroyed.

The attack came hours after the Somalia-based AL-Shabab group threatened that violence would continue until Kenyan troops were withdrawn from Somalia.

The warning came from the group's leader, Ahmed Godane Shaykh Mukhtar Abu Zubayr, who said there was no way Kenyan society could "withstand a war of attrition inside your own country" in a statement on September 25, Wednesday.

“Make your choice today and withdraw all your forces, otherwise be prepared for an abundance of blood that will be spill in your country, economic downfall and displacement,” Godane said.
READ MORE:  http://news.naij.com/48205.html

"ASUU Strike Will Soon Be Called Off"

Prof. Julius Okojie, Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) says he is confident that the protracted strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) will soon be called off.
Okojie, who spoke on Wednesday in Abuja at a media parley with journalists, said the commission was doing everything within its powers to ensure a speedy resolution of the issues raised by ASUU so that students could return school.
“We are part of the system and we understand the issues, we are meeting with members of the union all the time and the issues are being tackled.
“So, we are optimistic the strike will soon be called off and our children can go back to school in the shortest possible time.’’
He also reacted to the call by ASUU for NUC to be scrapped, saying “the call is not in good faith as the commission has not gone to sleep over its duties”.
Also speaking on the recurrent disagreements between the commission and some professional bodies over accreditation and running of certain courses by some universities,
Okojie acknowledged that there were issues that needed to be resolved between both parties.
“There is no country in the world where regulatory bodies and professional bodies go to regulate at the same time.
“So, it is true we are having problems with professional bodies in carrying out our mandate, but the issues too will soon be resolved and we can move on.
The executive secretary, who said that the commission had closed many faculties not fit to run courses in certain universities, admitted that; “it is not easy to be a regulator’’.
According to him, the commission was “silently regulating the system’’ having to also pay professional fees and encourage professors to do accreditation.
CULLED FROM NAJJ.COM
cull
READ MORE:  http://news.naij.com/48127.html

174 Robbers Arrested In Abuja

The FCT security agencies arrested 174 armed robbers in the territory between April and September 2013.

This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Muhammad Sule, Chief Press Secretary to the FCT Minister, on Tuesday in Abuja.
It said the FCT Commissionerof Police, Mr Femi Ogunbayode, disclosed during a high-point discussion at the FCT Security Committee meeting chaired by FCT Minister, Sen. Bala Mohammed.
It said that 604 rounds of live ammunition were recovered during the period.
“The number of arms recovered include 27 locally-made pistols, three AK-47 riffles, one Lar-Riffle, 11 Wooden/Toy Guns and one JoeJeff Pump Action Gun,” it said.
It said that Ogunbayode also disclosed that a total of 61 stolen vehicles were recovered in the FCT during the period under review.
The statement also said that 32 armed robbery cases had been charged to court, adding that only one case of abduction was reported during the period.
It added that through intelligence, about 10 criminal hideouts had been identified, while 940 suspects were arrested during a regular raid and 283 prosecuted.
However, it warned that owners of all uncompleted buildings in the territory would be held responsible if miscreants were traced to the locations.
“Members of the public are enjoined to be vigilant at all times particularly as we enter the ember months and report suspicious activities to the law enforcement agents,” it added.

HOW MOTHER SAVED HER TWO CHILDREN IN NAIROBI MALL SHOOTING

How a Kenyan mum saved her two kids from the Kenyan Mall massacre (Heartstopping Photos + video)

With gunmen running amok from all angles, this young family's decision to play dead instead of running for their lives was the only reason they were able to survive the Kenyan mall massacre.

A new video has emerged that shows they survived.
In the video, as terrorists stormed the mall, the mother of the kids grabbed her kids and made them lie completely still beside her.
She had her arm around her youngest child, her elder daughter lying motionless next to them.Fortunately, having been alerted to their location, a plain-clothed officer is sent to come save them.
But out of fear and probably because she didn't know who to trust, the mother refused to follow the
officer who was trying so hard to convince her.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

culled from kemifilani.com

JONATHAN'S 2ND TERM AMBITION WORSENS THE CRISIS FACING PDP

 The President is yet to announce his plan to run for another term, but his perceived ambition is overheating the polity.
Dr. Goodluck Jonathan said in New York on Monday that the constitution provides for “maximum of eight years for anyone who wants to become a president of a governor”.
To many, this is an indication that he plans to run – against the stand of some leading lights of his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who believe that such a step will weaken Nigeria’s unity.
The New PDP – a group of seven governors and some party chiefs who are against Jonathan’s yet unannounced bid – advised him yesterday to dump the idea.
But a forum of former governors said the President should be allowed to exercise his right to run.
The Abubakar Baraje-led PDP called on Jonathan not to seek re-election in 2015.
The faction said it decided to advise Jonathan not to run, after reviewing the state of the nation and the pulse of Nigerians on his ambition. Doing so would be against the interest of the country and its people, it said.
In a statement issued yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Chukwuemeka Eze, the party noted that the President has given enough clue of his intention to run, although he has not declared it openly.
“The latest of such clues came on Sunday in New York, USA. Speaking at a luncheon with Nigerian professionals in the United States, President Jonathan insisted that he is eligible to contest in 2015 as ‘we have a constitution that makes a provision for a maximum of eight years for anyone who wants to become a president or a governor’, the faction said.
Baraje observed that the President had made a similar statement in April 2012, in an affidavit in response to a suit instituted at an Abuja High Court by a PDP chieftain, Cyriacus Njoku, seeking to stop him from contesting the 2015 presidential election.
“We are worried that Mr. President is intent on running despite his earlier promise not to do so and in spite of the wise counsel of well-meaning Nigerians, including respected elder statesmen,” it said.
The faction reminded Jonathan of a statement he made in Ankara, Turkey in February 2011, during an interactive session with Nigerians and diplomats working in the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the African Union (AU).
The statement quoted Jonathan as saying: “I would have loved that the Nigerians in the Diaspora vote this year (2011) but to be frank with you, that is going to be difficult now. At present, the law does not allow the voting outside Nigeria and so this year Nigerians in Diaspora will not vote but I will the work towards it by 2015 even though I will not be running for election.”
It also quoted the President to have said: “Four years is enough for anyone in power to make significant improvement and if I can’t improve on power within this period, it then means I cannot do anything even if I am there for the next four years.”
The faction said there was no way the President could deny his own statements now, since he failed to deny them over the past two years.
“How does Mr. President want Nigerians and the entire world to see him for this volte face? Why can he not keep his word as a man of honour instead of allowing himself to be misled by selfish advisers to go back on his word, thereby overheating the polity,” the statement added.
The New PDP continued: “Mr. President should heed the advice of well-meaning distinguished personalities, such as constitutional law guru Prof. Ben Nwabueze (SAN) and Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, His Eminence, Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie, all of whom have advised him to correctly read the handwriting on the wall and stay away from the 2015 presidential race.
“By 2015, President Jonathan would have served our nation for six solid years. This, surely, is enough time for him to achieve whatever he is capable of doing for Nigeria.
“What else is he looking for that is making him desperate to participate in the 2015 presidential election despite warnings that doing so may spark a chain of events capable of culminating into the country’s disintegration’ thereby bringing to pass the predictions of Lord Lugard that Nigeria as a nation by 2014 may become history, which was later confirmed by the USA Think-Tank that Nigeria may disintegrate by 2015.
“Apart from all these, should President Jonathan contest and win by 2015, it means he would have spent ten years in office and will be sworn in three times as the President of Nigeria against the provisions of the country’s constitution.
“We wish to appeal to Mr. President to abandon this ill-advised move and save our nation from catastrophe. God has been merciful to you, Mr. President; lifting you from being a university teacher to President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in so short a time is something you should be grateful for and be contented with.
“We urge you Mr. President to listen to the voice of reason and avoid overstretching your good luck. A word is enough for the wise.”
But the President got the support of a group of former governors and governorship candidates on the platform of the PDP.
Former militant Mujahid Asari-Dokubo also supported Jonathan to run in 2015. To him, that Jonathan will run in 2015 is a “forgone conclusion”.
The former governors and candidates said yesterday that it would be unfair to deny the President the right to seek another term.
Speaking under the aegis of G13 Candidates/Former PDP Governors Forum, they said Nigeria’s problem should not be blamed on the Jonathan administration.
They were led by a former governorship candidate of the PDP in Edo State, Major-Gen. Charles Arhiavbere.
Also at yesterday’s meeting in Abuja were a former Minister of Sports, Damishi Sango; former military governor and one-time Chairman of Nigeria Football Association Col. Abdulmumuni Aminu; former governor of Adamawa State Boni Haruna; former deputy governor of Ogun State Alhaja Salimot Badru; former governorship candidate of PDP in Ondo State Mr. Olusola Oke; former Minister Dauda Birmah, former Military Governor John David Dung and retired Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Donald Iroha
After the meeting, they asked the group of seven governors to embrace peace and return to the mainstream of the party under the leadership of Bamanga Tukur.
Gen. Airhiavbere who read the decisions, said: “The constitution provides for eight years for every office and I believe that going by natural justice, if there is a tenant in a house and it is going for sale, the first opportunity of refusal should go to the occupant.
“And I believe that based on the midterm report of the President, we believe that he should be given a second term in office to finish his project.
“President Jonathan has the right. It has not been published anywhere that he signed an agreement to run for one term. He should be given support and peaceful environment to implement his projects to completion.”
Asari-Dokubo described the G-7 governors and leaders of the Baraje faction as political miscreants who cannot stop Jonathan’s re-election.
Asari-Dokubo, who spoke exclusively with our correspondents in Abuja, said five of the G-7 governors worked against Jonathan in 2011 in their states and the President still won the poll.
He said: “They (the G-7 governors and those in Baraje’s faction) are political miscreants because there is no faction in PDP. PDP is PDP and there is only one PDP recognised by the law. What they are doing is illegal and against the law.
“They cannot stop Jonathan in 2015. How? Did the President win in Kano, Sokoto, Niger and Jigawa states?
When reminded that Joanthan won in Kwara and Rivers states, Asari-Dokubo said: “Yes, and Jonathan is going to win in Kwara; he will win in Niger now clearly and he will win more votes in Kano. He will win.
“Did Kwankwaso people not print his poster with Buhari in 2011? Did Kwankwaso support Goodluck?
“If it is Lamido, yes we agree but did the support translate into victory? So all this their bragging is nothing. Did Amaechi bring any vote? I was a chieftain of ACN. All other parties scored zero. Goodluck scored 100% vote in my ward. There were agents for all the parties but in my ward, every party scored zero; they didn’t score one vote. Did Amaechi bring it or did he come near my ward?
Asked why Jonathan had been having peace talks with the governors, Asari-Dokubo said: “That is why we are angry with Jonathan. Why should the President hold meetings with them? The President should put them where they belong to.
“Where they belong is to be chased from PDP and those of them that do not have immunity, the full weight of the law should be brought against them and they should be dealt with decisively.”
READ MORE:  http://news.naij.com/48054.html

Nollywood Actress In Fatal Accident, Crashes Car Beyond Recognition

Nollywood actress, Biola Bashorun who made her movie debut in  the popular movie Eyin Oka escaped death by whiskers when she crashed her Honda car on her way to Badagry in the early hours of today.

Confirming the story to best of Nollywood, Biola said “it was just GOD that just saved me and the other occupants of the car but we are fine and all is well".
See photo of crashed car below:READ MORE:  http://news.naij.com/48120.html

"I Am Alive & Will Only Die At The Appointed Time" - SUPPOSEDLY Dead Boko Haram Leader, Shekau Appears In New Video

Leader of the most dreaded and wanted Boko Haram Terrorists, Abubakar Shekau, today, Wednesday, said the Nigerian Military should bury itself in shame because he is alive.
Shekau also claimed responsibility of Tuesday, 17th September, 2013 attacks in Benisheik, Borno State where over 160 people were either shot dead or slaughtered and hundreds of houses burnt.
The then Joint Task Force (JTF) spokesman in Borno State, Lt Col Sagir Musa, had issued a statement on 19th August, 2013 to the effect that “Intelligence report available to the Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation Restore Order revealed that Abubakar Shekau, the most dreaded and wanted terrorists leader may have died.
He died of gunshots wounds received in an encounter with the JTF in one of their camps in Sambisa Forest on 30th June, 2013.
“Shekau was mortally wounded in the encounter and was sneaked into Amitchide-a border community in Cameroon for treatment from which he never recovered,” the JTF statement said.
But in the latest video, Shekau who appeared in military camouflage uniform, seated and surrounded by hooded insurgents said “Here I am, alive, hale and hearty.
Sagir Musa should bury himself in shame, President Jonathan (of Nigeria) should bury himself in shame, President Obama (of United States of America) should bury himself in shame, and President Francois Hollande (of France) should bury himself in shame, Queen Elizabeth (of England) should bury herself in shame,” he said.
According to Shekau, “They said I am dead, but here I am. The world should know that I am alive and will only die at the appointed time. Everybody should be judged according to the dictates of his conscience. What I am doing is written in the Holy Qur’an and the Hadith and I will not stop. I challenge all the clerics of the world to question my deeds. Those underrating my capacity should have a re-think. I will never allow democracy to thrive.
“The concept of Government of the people by the people for the people will never be possible and will never exist. Democracy shall be replaced only by the government of Allah, from Allah and for Allah,” he said.
He said the Nigerian military will never subdue his group. “Nigerian soldiers are late. After killing many of them in Monguno and Benisheik, we have snatched their armoured carriers and Hilux van and then hoisted Islamic flags on them. We now move freely with them,” he said.
READ MORE:  http://news.naij.com/48110.html
READ MORE:  http://news.naij.com/48110.html

Miss Nigeria 2013: Queen Ezinne Akudo Hosts Official House Warming Party (Photos)

Ezinne Akudo, 22, the reigning Miss Nigeria 2013 has officially began her reign with a new house, after she organized a house warming party in Lekki. Notable attendees include O.C Ukeje, Bryan Okwara, and a host of others, with the wine and laughter in full supply.
Check out pictures below.

 

Guest & OC Ukeje

OC Ukeje

Ezinne Akudo & OC Ukeje

 

 

GUESTS

Miss Nigeria – Ezinne Akudo

Ezinne & Bryan Okwara

Bryan Okwara

                                                                                                                                                          





 












 
 Culled from http://pulse.ng


 

Nigerian international Peter Odemwingie made his full debut for Cardiff City, which he also scored his first goal for the club but his team eventually lost the match in a five-goal thriller in the League Cup game against West Ham United at Upton Park on tuesday.

The Hammers moved ahead to a two-goal lead with Ravel Morrison and Matty Jarvis just seven minutes into the game, before the Bluebirds netted one back through Craig Noone’s amazing strike right before the half time.
Odemwingie then netted his first goal for his new club with just 15 minutes left to play, but the visitors were left reeling when Ricardo Vaz Te headed a late goal to help his side advance to the fourth round.
Cardiff coach Malky Mackay spoke about the Odemwingie's performance: Malky: "I thought Odemwingie was excellent tonight. He always looked a danger and a threat."
Odemwingie later tweeted: “Happy to score my first goal for Cardiff City. Hope many more to come in the league which is our main objective.”

READ MORE:  http://news.naij.com/48074.html

'Manchester United May Suffer More Blows' - Moyes

The Premier League champions have secured seven points from five games, which is the club's worst start to a campaign in nine years.

United will be looking to bounce back from their loss at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday with a victory in the Capital One Cup against Liverpool on Wednesday, but the 50-year-old admits his side's form may not improve straight away.

"Not for a minute did I think this Manchester United job was going to be an easy job," Moyes said.

"There will be days like we had on Sunday, and there might be more of them because we're in a period where there will be transition.

"There's a new manager for the players, and in turn there will be new players as well at different times, so obviously that will happen.

"It does mean I may have to take a few more blows, definitely. Maybe even more than that - maybe all season I'll have to take a few blows - but I knew this was going to be the case because I was taking over from a great manager and it was always going to take time for me to get my own ways and change things round a little bit.

"It doesn't mean big jobs but there will be some things. I think a lot of people thought Manchester United [won the title] last season but it was probably the form of other teams that was poor."

Following criticism over the club's lack of transfer activity in the summer, Moyes insists he has adequate squad depth for the season but admits United now need to sign players who will make an immediate impact at Old Trafford.

"I don't think it's actually the squad. I think we've got numbers," the United boss said.

"I think maybe where we've got work to do is bring players in, not for the squad, but to go right into the team, so that's the slightly different equation.

"It's not necessarily squad players we needed. We needed one or two who might have just gone straight into the team. But that will happen.

"Going back to that transfer window, we always said it was going to be a tough one and it was going to take a little bit more time."
READ MORE:  http://news.naij.com/48093.html

Kenya Terror Attack: GEJ’s Anti-terrorism Offer Sparks Anger

 

Remarks by Nigeria's President, Goodluck Jonathan assuring Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta, and the citizens that the Nigerian Government would help prevent a recurrence of Saturday's terrorist attack have sparked public outrage.Members of the Al-Shabaab militant group had, on Saturday, laid siege to Westgate Mall, an upscale shopping centre in Nairobi, popular with Kenyan elite and foreigners, killing 68 people, and injuring many others.

A standoff had ensued between the Kenyan security forces and the attackers, who were reported to be heavily armed and holding an unknown number of hostages in the mall.

 

While commiserating with the Kenyan government, Jonathan said in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, that “the Federal Government will give all possible support and assistance to Kenya in its efforts to contain the scourge of terrorism and avoid a recurrence of Saturday’s heinous attack in Nairobi.”

 

But many Nigerians are calling on him to “mind his business” and preoccupy his government with putting an end to the extremism and security challenges posed by Boko Haram in his backyard, before offering to help contain and defeat terrorism abroad.

 

A cross section of Nigerians who criticised the President quoted the popular saying that “charity begins at home.” They asked Jonathan not to contemplate sending soldiers abroad; with many arguing that it will amount to a misplacement of priority.

A Facebook user, Oludare Olufote, urged the Kenyan government to reject Jonathan’s offer of assistance, saying he was only trying to depict himself as a true African leader.

 

“Candid advice to Kenya: Combat terrorism with your efforts, combined with other strong nations, not Nigeria. Our President is only trying to make himself a true African leader, which he is. But the question is, what will become the story of a man whose house is in a shambles and looks into putting orderliness in a neighbour’s house?” Olufote argues.

 

Solomon Idoko describes Jonathan’s statement as an absurdity. “Absurdity or what? Anti-terrorism assistance to Kenya! Jonathan can see the speck in his brother’s eye, but he is unable to notice the log in his own eye. I think we should start praying for the leadership of this nation,” Idoko wrote on Facebook.

 
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'Withholding Our Salaries Will Not Deter Us' - ASUU TELLS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

The attempt by the Federal Government to withhold our salaries would not stop us from continuing with the strike action, teachers in the nation’s public universities vowed yesterday.
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They also described a section of the National Association of Nigerian Students distancing themselves from the strike as “politically motivated students.”
The Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities, University of Abuja chapter, Dr. Clement Chup, stated in an interview that the Federal Government, threatening to withhold their salaries, would not make them to abandon their cause.
He said, “Yes, the non-payment of our August salary is another attempt by the government to stampede us into breaking the strike, and as usual, it will not work.
“Our next line of action is to continue with the strike. We had, on July 2, commenced a total, comprehensive and indefinite strike action, and as long as the government does not meet our demand of implementing the FGN/ASUU 2009 agreement, the strike will continue.”
On comments by the leadership of NANS that the students were no longer supporting the strike, Chup said those making the call were “political and mercenary students.”
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UNBELIEVABLE: 27-Year-Old Man Breaks Into ATM, Steals N6.8 Million

The Police Command in the FCT have begun investigation into the alleged theft of N6.8 million from the ATM of a bank at Jabi District, Abuja, on Saturday.
DSP Altine Daniel, the command’s spokesperson, who disclosed this on Tuesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, said that a suspect had been arrested in connection with the theft.
He said that the 27-year-old suspect (name withheld), allegedly broke into the ATM belonging to one of the old generation banks and stole the money.
Daniel, however, said that the amount that was stolen was recovered “intact” from the suspect after he was arrested in the premises of the bank.
“On Sept. 21, at about 10 a.m., some staff of the bank came to report at our office at Utako that their ATM had problem.
“When our men moved to the scene and started looking for clues and anything that will assist them in their investigation, they noticed that the CCTV monitor room had been tampered with.
“After a thorough search, they also noticed that the door of the toilet in the room was locked from within and when they opened it, they found somebody seated.
“The suspect was picked up and taken to the station where he confessed to the crime,” she said.
Daniel said the suspect claimed to have learned the act of opening safe from the “youtube” (Internet) and thereafter, bought some tools, including screw driver and pliers, to carry out the act.
She alleged that the suspect removed N6.87 million from the ATM and packed them in bags before his arrest.
“Investigations into the case has started and we are trying to find out if he acted alone or he has some accomplices,” she said.
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INCREDIBLE: Meet the Woman and Her Unusual Pet... A White Lion! (PHOTOS)

Annel Snyman, a 31-year-old, from the Waterberg region of South Africa, has adopted a tiny cob of a white lion last spring. Now the lion, called Tima, is a year and six months old, weighs 120 kg and eats not less than 4 kg of fresh meat per day.

As a cub Timba could often be found snoozing in Annel's bed but having outgrown the bedroom the friendly feline still tries to cuddle up with Annel on the sofa.

Annel's love for animals started six years ago when, with help from her mother and father, she opened a guest house - called Loebies Guestfarm - on the land where she lives.

In a bid to make the resort more appealing she decided to adopt various farm animals and this eventually turned into hand-rearing African cats and other wild animals after being approached by someone in the game industry in 2009.

Since then Annel has hand-reared dozens of animals including six serval kittens, a cheetah cub, five lions, a white lion and a leopard.

Annel admits she spoilt the first lions she cared for even more than Timba and would regularly go swimming with them.

She said: 'Being the first lions reared on the farm, they ruled the house, the bed and the couches and would regularly join me for swims in the farm dam up until they were rather large.

'While most people are amazed, this has become my life and part of who I am.

'There are times when it is difficult to do day-to-day things but I do manage to live a normal life - well normal for me anyway,' the owner of an unconventional pet stated. 

Find out out how the lion grew up by seeing the photoset below:




 

 









                       

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ACT OF WICKEDNESS: Parents Batter Son, Burn Him With Hot Iron

 

A teenager  named , Chibuzor Kemkem has been burnt on the chest with a hot pressing iron by his parents for allegedly stealing their neighbours’ belongings.

The victim, Chibuzor Kemkem, 15, was also allegedly battered with pestle by his parents, Mr and Mrs Ikecchukwu Kemkem, who have been arrested by the police at the Area ‘M’ Police Command, Idimu, Lagos State, western Nigeria.
The incident occurred Monday at their residence, 12, Olayinka Street, Idimu.
An eye witness said that the parents descended on the teenager because he stole their neighbour’s laptop and clothes. It was also alleged that he stole a phone SIM card belonging to his father.
According to the eyewitness who pleaded for anonymity, “Mr and Mrs  Kemkem told me that the reason why they treated their son like that was that he stole a laptop from her co-tenant and he has been involved in stealing for a while which is a source of worry for them.”
Another eyewitness, Babatunde Jogunomi,  lambasted the parents for treating their son so badly. He said if Chibuzor is involved in stealing, his parents should not have beaten him to that extent.
Some of the sympathisers said that what  the Kemkems did to their son was condemnable and they should be charged to court for child abuse.
Investigations reveal that  Chibuzor’s elder brother is currently serving jail term at the Badagry Prison for armed robbery. It was gathered that the first son was chased out of home by the parents..
When journalist visited Area M Command, Idimu, to confirm the arrest of Chibuzor’s parents, a police officer confirmed it and said the case will be charged to court after investigation had been concluded.

Federal Government declares october 1st as public holiday

The Federal Government of Nigeria has  declared Tuesday 1st of October as a public holiday, to mark the nation's 53rd independence day anniversary.

The appropriate statement was read by Abba Moro, the Minister of Interior. On behalf of the Federal Government, the Minister congratulated all the Nigerians at home and abroad, and urged them to build a more united and virile nation that would be the pride of all.

The Minister enjoined all the Nigerians to use the period of the public holiday to reflect on “the giant strides made by the Government in the development of the country, especially under the leadership of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.”

Abba Moro further passed the wishes of a happy Independence Day celebration to all the Nigerians. 
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Students of the University of Lagos (UniLag) insist on holding protest against the lingering industrial action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), despite the fact that the place is swarmed with security men.
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It would be recalled that ASUU has been on strike since the beginning of summer-2013, as the Government failed to implement the agreement it signed with the union in 2009.
The UniLag students also urge to reinstate their Student Union Government (SUG), as well as the reversal on the hike in tuition at the Lagos State University (LASU).
Comrade Yaqub Eleto, coordinator of the Lagos State chapter, Joint Campus Committee of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), says the body has a responsibility to ensure welfare of all students.
Eleto assures students would not capitulate, lamenting that for many years, UniLag has been without a Students' Union, and LASU school fees are too high. He observed Nigeria is a developing country, and students should be encouraged to get education, instead of being scared away with high fees.
"ASUU strike is into its third month now, and we cannot keep watching things as they are," the student leader said further. "We are going ahead."
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Girl raped and her fiancé shot on her birthday

A young girl was raped and her fiancé shot in the head on her birthday in Enugu State and sought refuge at a nearby church, Daily Post reports.

The culprits blocked the couple on Orba Road, hijacked their car, and took them to Alor-Ano Community Secondary School, where they raped the girl and shot her fiance in the head, when they were complete with her, they left her N500 as a ‘birthday gift’.

They went after her when they realised she could recognise them but she escaped to at Adoanai Faith Assembly who were holding a vigil nearby. She recounted what happened to the congregation and the pastor called the police and rushed her fiance to the hospital.

3 docked for stealing handsets in Osogbo

Three persons were on Tuesday arraigned before an Osogbo Chief Magistrates' Court for allegedly stealing handsets.
The suspects, Abdullahi Ahmed, 25, Arafat Mohammed, 22 and Ismaila Owolabi, 27 were charged with intent to commit felony and stealing.
The Police Prosecutor, Insp. Solomon Oladele, told the court that the accused persons committed the offence on Sept. 15 between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. at Oja-Oba area in Osogbo.
Oladele said that the accused persons conspired and entered the house of Babatunde Waheed, a mobile phones’ seller, with intent to commit felony and stealing.
He said that the accused persons subsequently stole four different handsets, valued at N34,700, from Waheed's apartment.
He said that their offence contravened Sections 516, 411 and 390 (9) of the Criminal Code, Cap. 34, Vol. 11, Laws of Osun 2003.
The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges, while their counsel, Mr Tunde Adewunmi, applied for their bail in liberal terms.
The Chief Magistrate, Olusola Aluko, granted the accused bail in the sum of N50 000 each, with two sureties each in like sum.
Aluko, however, ordered that the sureties must be resident within the court's jurisdiction, adding that they should also provide tax clearance certificates and two passport photographs to the court.
He later adjourned the case to Oct.18

Rooney demands more from teammates

Manchester united striker Wayne Rooney has emphasized to his the need to make defensive improvements after Sunday's derby defeat.
David Moyes' men were mauled 4-1 by their rivals Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium,with  Sergio Aguero scoring a brace, and strikes from Yaya Toure  and Samri Nasri, with Rooney scoring what proved to be a consolation goal .

The result marked United’s heaviest away defeat to City since 2004, and Rooney has acknowledged that his side’s performance was far from acceptable.

“It is not good enough,” Rooney told MUTV. “We know we have to improve and stop giving these sloppy goals away.

“It is not nice to lose to City. It was a bad result and we are all extremely disappointed.”

Rooney’s free-kick was his fourth goal in three games and made him the all-time leading scorer in Manchester derby matches with 11 goals.

But the England international was keen to focus solely on Wednesday’s League Cup clash with Liverpool, rather than personal milestones.

“It is nice to score but it means nothing,” he added. “The most important thing today was the points and we have come away with none.

“Thankfully we have another massive game against Liverpool. It is the ideal game for us. Any game against Liverpool, whether it is a friendly, Capital One Cup or Premier League, is massive.

“We have to try and get the victory so we can put this defeat to the back of our minds.”

World’s best-dressed nations -- and how to fit in

If Marc Jacobs wears it, we want it.
The global reach of its style innovations has matched the geopolitical importance of the United States.

From blue jeans and western wear such as checked shirts and cowboy hats to the preppy school and hip hop street threads, casual American looks have permeated cultures from Columbia to Cambodia. 

There have been missteps along the way -- leather shoestrings and Crocs to name two -- but at its best American fashion embodies a classic aesthetic that's hard to resist. 

Big labels such as Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein are among the most copied brands on the planet. Their ubiquity doesn't mean that the Americans don't have some cutting-edge aces up their sleeves. 

Marc Jacobs is rightfully regarded as a modern master while high-end labels such as Proenza Schouler, Zac Posen, Tuleh, Peter Som and Derek Lam are giving the European fashion powerhouses a run for their money.

Classic example

Steve McQueen. It takes guts to wear khakis and cable-knit sweaters. It takes Steve McQueen to pull it off.

Essential items 

Slalom sweater dress by Marc Jacobs (women; www.marcjacobs.com).

Where to buy

For an understated yet hip New York look a good choice is Steven Alan Annex (103 Franklin St. in New York ; +1 212 343 0692), where the eponymous curator/designer fills his stores with his own creations and judiciously selected items from the city's best new brands.

More: 6 exclusively New York shopping experiences

7. Brazil

Proving Brazil can dress just as well as it undresses.
The spiritual home of the body beautiful, Brazilians have traditionally been seen as one of the best-undressed nationalities.

Yet while the classic, barely-there swimsuit/tight trunks and Havianas combo still reigns supreme on the beaches of Rio de Janeiro, a more subtle fashion aesthetic has emerged in South America's largest country. 

The catalyst for this change was the advent of the São Paolo Fashion Week at the turn of the millennium. 

Now, with the newer Fashion Rio taking place in the same fortnight, Brazil is upping the ante when it comes to hosting extended ready-to-wear events. 

The approach is paying off with brands such as Pedro Lourenço, Osklen and Alexandre Herchcovitch making a mark internationally with their exuberant designs.

Classic example

Carmen Miranda. Her fruit-laden hats and turbans brought Rio's joyous Carnival culture to a wider audience.

Essential items 

Bikini from Osklen (women); classic V-neck T-shirt from Reserva (men)

Where to buy 

Alexandre Herchcovitch is arguably Brazil's foremost designer and the prêt-à-porter and tailor-made clothes at his store (Rua Melo Alves 561) are a highlight of shopping in São Paolo. 

More on CNN: Insider guide -- best of Rio de Janeiro

6. Australia

It takes hours of work to look this effortless.
Spinal Tap guitarist Nigel Tufnel may have once described a band mate’s girlfriend as "dressing like an Australian's nightmare," but the Aussie style sense is no longer derided.  

Well, not as much.

The Australian look, which is at once casual and individualistic, is now emulated everywhere. The friendly climate, surf culture and strong outdoor aesthetic have all influenced Australian design. 

Yet while a sense of informality rules, the refined lines at labels such as Minkpink and Camilla and Marc are a world away from the swimsuited and be-thonged image of popular renown. 

Brands such as Camilla and Marc go for a “tailored casual” aesthetic a world away from elasticized waistbands of board shorts.

Other names to drop include Josh Good and Scanlan & Theodore.  

Classic example

Isabel Lucas. The Transformers actress rocks a vintage, hippie-inspired look perfectly suited to the perpetual Australian summer. Her favored brands include homegrown jewelry label Spell Designs.

Essential items 

Dress by Alex Perry (women); paisley shirt by Arthur Galan (men). 

Where to buy

At 100 Squared at Westfield Sydney, emerging designers have been plucked from various market stalls and housed under one roof in a 100-meter-square cube. 

In Melbourne, Chapel Street in South Yarra still impresses with its blend of on trend street fashion retailers such as Fat and more upscale options like Gorman.

5. United Kingdom

Don't laugh -- the dipped-in-a-bowl-of-coconut-shavings look is coming.

There's a reason so many turn to the Brits for style pointers.

From the approximation of Edwardian fashions by the Teddy Boys in the 1950s through to the smart-casual looks favored by bands from The Who to the Arctic Monkeys, British youth movements have mined a rich sartorial seam. 

While it's possible to put other fashion hubs into defined boxes -- France (femininity), Sweden (minimalism) -- British fashion largely defies categorization. 

It can mean anything from a timeless James Bond look courtesy of famed tailor Gieves & Hawkes, classic British brands such as Burberry, Mulberry, Fred Perry and Lyle & Scott, or the steady stream of innovative design talent that emerges from famed fashion schools such as Central Saint Martins in London.

More: London's 10 most interesting shops

Classic example

Terence Stamp. British fashion was never more influential than at the height of the Swinging Sixties and nobody embodied the sharply dressed ethos more than he.

Essential items

Vivienne Westwood Anglomania Accident Slim Pencil Skirt (women; ); Barbour trench coat (men).

Where to shop

It's not exactly a British concept (it was the brainchild of Rei Kawakubo of Commes des Garçons), but Dover Street Market (17-18 Dover St.; +44 207 518 9689) has a distinctly London energy.

Its six floors feature lines by a host of top labels including home favorites Alexander McQueen and Phoebe English.  

Also on CNN: World's coolest nationalities -- where do you rank?

4. Japan

Unique glow. Hmm, that gives us an idea ...
Few nationalities take dressing up to such gleeful extremes as the Japanese. 

Previous generations may have wallowed in conformity, but youth fashion in big cities such as Tokyo is the antithesis of the graceful lady wrapped in a kimono or the business-suited salaryman. 

Often provocative, Japanese street fashion draws on a raft of influences -- both international and traditional -- to create looks that have transcended the boundaries of districts like Harajuku to take catwalks and high streets all over the world by storm. 

Styles include "lolita," an updated take on Victorian-era clothing and "oshare kei," a punkish style characterized by bright colors and different patterns. 

Elements of these have been exported as a result of the success of homegrown brands such as A Bathing Ape, Uniqlo and, most notably, Commes des Garçons.

Classic example

Rei Kawakubo. The creative force behind the Commes des Garçons label, Kawakubo -- with her black uniform and severe bob -- is an avant garde icon.

Essential items

Flannel long sleeve tunic from Uniqlo (women); Skull Face T-Shirt from A Bathing Ape (men). 

Where to buy

The flagship outlet of Japan's most famous label, Comme des Garçons (5-2-1 Minami-Aoyama; +81 3 3406 3951) is the first stop in Tokyo.

For more refined Japanese style, it's Xanadu (+81 3 6459 2826), a boutique that stocks some of Tokyo's coolest designers.

3. France

If you dressed like this, you'd have a perma-smug grin, too.
The French royal court became the arbiter of style for the rest of Europe in the 17th century.

It arguably still is, though today's fashion aristocracy aren't the powdered courtiers of Louis XIV, but the bright young things at houses such as Vuitton, Dior and Givenchy. 

It's not just the rest of the continent that takes many of its leads from Paris -- it's the entire world. 

Foreign stars such as Marc Jacobs (United States), Kenzo Takada (Japan) and Alexander McQueen (United Kingdom) all saw a move to France as the logical way to further their careers. 

The birthplace of haute couture, French fashion can be too precious for some tastes. 

New designers such as Yves Andrieux and Vincent Jalbert, however, who use recycled army fabrics and antique embroideries in their jackets and bags, are re-injecting some edge.

Classic example

Eva Green. The former Bond girl favors 1930s- and 1940s-inspired silhouettes like high waists and structured shoulders that evoke the classic designs of Coco Chanel.

Essential items

Cotton tweed culotte skirt from Chanel (women); Speedster leather jacket from Surface to Air (men).

Where to shop

The streets around Avenue Montaigne and Saint-Germain-des-Pres are peppered with designer labels, but the Rue Charlot area in the Third Arrondissement is the current hot spot in Paris. 

Picks include N60 for a mix of Parisian and International brands and Yves Andrieux & Vincent Jalbert for vintage-inspired clothes and accessories.

More on CNN: World's 10 best shopping cities

2. Sweden

Lykke Li lives the Swedish fashion code: less is more.
Un-demonstrative yet completely assured, the Swedish style sense has become the latest in the long line of successful exports from the Scandinavian nation. 

Whereas the country's '70s breakout phenomenon, pop group ABBA, complemented their melodic nous with outlandish satin loon pants and facial hair, the appeal of Swedish fashion rests in its stylistically clean, minimalist notes. 

This utilitarian approach to fashion has spread across the globe.

Sweden's most famous brand, Hennes & Mauritz (H&M), now has more than 2,300 stores in 41 countries and its tie-ins with designers such as Stella McCartney and Roberto Cavalli have set the standard for collaborations between high-street and high-fashion brands. 

Smaller labels such as Cheap Monday and Acne meanwhile are also rapidly attaining global reach and influence.

Classic example

Lykke Li. The breakthrough pop star epitomizes the Swedish "less is more" fashion ethos.

Essential items

Long knitted polo neck jumper from H&M (women); Royal Blue Johnny Sweater from Cheap Monday (men)

Where to buy

Stockholm's hippest store is the Acne flagship (Norrmalmstorg 2; +46 8611 6411). Bargains are found at the Acne Archive in Stockholm (Torsgatan 53; +46 830 2723), where past seasons and press samples go for up to 50% off. 

More on CNN: Insider guide -- best of Stockholm

1. Italy

Gianni Agnelli didn't need color to shine.
Italy's modern association with style began in the 1950s.

Gucci became the jet set's label of choice with icons such as Grace Kelly and Jackie Kennedy Onassis rarely seen without one of its handbags. 

Meanwhile, on the beaches of the English south coast, sharply dressed Mods in tailored Italian suits showed how to cut a dash during a scrap in their clashes with leather-clad Rockers. 

Europe's kinky boot continues to fly the flag.

Prada, Miu Miu and Armani are legendary, while fashion conscious shoppers across the world strive to inject trademark Italian "sprezzatura" (studied nonchalance) into their look. 

With two cities among fashion's big five -- Milan, Rome -- the world still looks to Italy for pointers, which is good news for emerging designers such as Carlo Contrada and Gabriele Colangelo.

Classic example

Gianni Agnelli. One of Italy's greatest industrialists, the impeccably dressed Fiat magnate was also a worthy standard bearer for his nation's fashion sensibility. 

Essential items

Miu Miu bag (women); tailored blazer from Zanetti with pocket square (men).

Where to buy

Italy's fashion capital, Milan remains the place to shop, with places like Gianni Campagna (via Palestro 24; +39 02 77 88 11), where Karl Lagerfeld and Valentino go for their handmade suits -- prices start at €3,745 ($4,884) -- or the historical Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, home to Prada's flagship store.

Culled from cnn.com