E-payment: Access Bank launches self-service banking

 As part of efforts towards inclusive banking and cashless policy, Access Bank has opened a self-service electronic branch in Ikota, Lagos State.

The bank said the self-service banking service (e-branch) is its innovative response to smart-banking revolution craved by customers in this technology age. The smart-banking solution is expected to bridge the existing service gap and improve overall customers’ service experience.

Political tension rises in Abia as Nweke resigns

 The political tension in Abia State has risen, following a recent meeting of politicians across the state hosted by former governor,  Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu.

The meeting that held at the Igbere home of Dr. Kalu had in attendance, political bigwigs from wards in all the 17 local government areas of the state .

The former governor had told the politicians not to fold their hands and watch things go wrong in Abia State.

He urged well-meaning Nigerians to support President Goodluck Jonathan in his transformation programme. One of those who attended the meeting and Chairman, Abia State Housing and Property Development Corporation, Chief Ahamdi Nweke, had resigned his appointment.

Nweke,  a lawyer who was appointed in 2011, was governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2007 elections.

The British-trained legal luminary and development economist resigned without granting a press interview and has declined an interview with the media.

Court orders government to pay Sanusi N50m

 Lagos - Reprieve came the way of suspended Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, as a Federal High Court in Lagos has restrained the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services from arresting or harassing him,  reports Premium Times.

The court also ordered the federal government to pay Sanusi N50 million as damages for breach of his fundamental rights as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution.

Alongside the payment of the compensation, the DSS is to release Sanusi’s passport to him immediately.

Bank workers worried over long working hours

 Lagos - The Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSIBIFI) is worried about the increasing working hours of bank workers in the country, reports The Nation.

Olusoji Salako, President of the union, said the association is not happy with the work schedules of bank workers considering the fact that Nigeria is a signatory to International Labour Convention on decent work.

 He noted that the association will no longer tolerate the poor worklife situation of its members in pursuit of profits by the banks.

He said the union intends to take its concerns to the National Assembly through the Senate Committee on Banking in order to fashion out laws that specifies the number of hours bank workers must put in daily on their jobs.

Chinese investments in Nigeria worth $1.7bn

 Lagos - Chinese investments in Nigeria currently stand at about $1.79 billion.
 Liu Kan, the Consul-General of the Peoples Republic of China in Nigeria, disclosed this at a Chinese-Nigeria business networking event and seminar organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) in Lagos.
According to him, bilateral business relations between the two countries have resulted in foreign direct investments in various sectors of the economy.
"Both countries have entered into mutually beneficial trade agreements which have created rapid development of the Nigerian economy.
"There are currently more than 40 Chinese companies that have been playing positive roles in the satisfaction of demand and creation of jobs in Nigeria.
"We have been actively involved in the manufacturing, retail and agricultural sectors of the economy," he said.
Kan commended the Federal Government for creating enabling environment for foreign businesses to thrive, while calling for the protection of Chinese entrepreneurs' safety in the country.
Perry Fung, the Regional Director, Middle East and Africa, HKTDC, said that China had been able to satisfy world's growing demands for consumer goods.
“China's Gross Domestic Product has grown rapidly in recent years, increasing to 7.1 percent in 2013 and projected to increase to 7.3 per cent in 2014.
Sola Oworu, Lagos State Commissioner of Commerce, had earlier reiterated the state government's commitment toward attracting foreign investments for the economic development.
Oworu said that Lagos State Government had invested in rail and water ways projects to ease the problems of goods transportation.
She said that the establishment of Lekki Free Trade Zone had created business growths and employment opportunities.
Muda Yusuf, Director General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also pledged his chamber's support towards facilitating business partnerships between the two countries.

Innoson to manufacture made-in-Nigeria cars by December 2014

 Enugu - The Innoson Group of Companies says it will start manufacturing cars in Nigeria before the end of the year.
The Marketing Manager of the company, Jonah Nnamani, disclosed this at the ongoing 25th Enugu International Trade Fair.
Nnamani said that the cars to be produced before December would come in different brands of IVM Z100, IVM B200 and IVM 200T.
The manager also said that the price range of these cars with low petrol consumption would be between N1.62 million and N2.1 million.
He said the cars would be part of the various products that would include 14, 33 and 48-seater buses as well as jeep and double cabin pickups.
According to him, the cars will compete favourably with imported cars.
Nnamani said the company was at the trade fair to showcase its various products as well as make some sales at the fair.

NNPC to restore fuel supply back to normalcy 2014-04-02 17

 Abuja - The The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its downstream subsidiary, Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) have assured Nigerians of restoring normalcy to fuel supplies across the country , reports Leadership.

Haruna Momoh, Managing Director of PPMC, said there was no cause for alarm as the NNPC/PPMC and other marketers are jointly supplying fuel to the market.

He noted that the PPMC has stepped up fuel supply to marketers and distributors, saying  the move was part of measures to end the current fuel scarcity being witnessed in some parts of the country.

Fathia Balogun wins best actress award

 Ibadan -The Yoruba movie genre celebrated their own at the Yoruba Movie Academy Awards (YMAA), with Fathia Balogun and Odunlade Adekola winning best actress and actor respectively, reports Vanguard

It was also revealed that Fathia’s former husband Saidi Balogun, left the venue after he lost in the best director category.

See the full list of winner:

SPECIAL RECOGNITION
-Kola Ogunmola
-Akinwunmi Ishola
-Duro Ladipo
-Mama Awero

BEST ACTOR IN A LEAD ROLE
Odunade Adekola in Mufu Olosa Oko

BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Fathia Balogun in Opo

BEST ACTOR IN SUPPORTING ROLE
Dele Odule in Feranmi

BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Joke Muyiwa in Ayitale

BEST CROSS OVER ACTOR
Kelvin Ikeduba in Adanikanrin

BEST MUSICIAN IN ACTING ROLE
Alabi Pasuma in Irawo Meji

BEST COMEDY FILM
Olojojo

MOST PROMISING ACTOR
Tunde Owokoniran in Penkelemesi

MOST PROMISING ACTRESS
Memunat Yinusa in Mimiano

BEST CULTURAL MOVIE
Aramotu

BEST MARKETER
Olasco Films

ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTING
Niji Akanni in Aramotu

BEST PICTURE
Arinzo Aramotu

ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMA
Riche Riche

ACHIEVEMENT IN EDITING
Eja Tutu

Say what?! Kim and Kanye to spend £75 000 on each wedding guest

 Los Angeles - Kim Kardashian and Kanye West will spend £75 000 on each of their wedding guests.

The couple are expected to tie the knot in Paris next month in front of 200 of their loved ones, and last week those lucky enough to be asked to attend were given hand-delivered invites which each cost £600 to produce.

A source told Grazia magazine: "Kim and Kanye wanted the invites to be as lavish as possible and commissioned a couture designer to create gold silk boxes containing a photo album of their fairytale romance and a silk invite etched in real gold leaf with a clasp of natural pearls.

"It's the first glimpse their friends and family have had into their Paris wedding so they wanted them to be special."

The couple - who have nine-month-old daughter North together - are said to have hired the 199-room Trianon Palace Hotel for their guests, who will be flown by private jet to France, to stay in, and no expense will be spared for their comfort.

The source added: "Guests will be greeted with goodie bags containing £300 bottles of Bollinger champagne, £120 Creme de la Mer products, handmade souvenir trinkets with Kim and Kanye's initials etched in Swarovski crystals, bottles of scent from local perfumeries and £150 vouchers for treatments at the hotel spa.

"This is going to be the wedding to end all weddings and Kim wants to ensure that she and Kanye, as well as all their guests, have an experience they will never forget."

As for the bride herself, she is planning to don three wedding gowns on the big day, and is said to be having a spray tan containing real diamonds and 14-carat gold so that she "sparkles".

Odemwingie to make Super Eagles return

 Lagos - Peter Odemwingie is expected to be named in Nigeria's provisional World Cup squad after mending fences with coach Stephen Keshi, KickOff Nigeria reports.
Last week, Stephen Keshi disclosed that the Stoke forward had apologized, not only to him, but to the federation and everyone else he had lashed out at during his now infamous Twitter tirade.
The former West Brom striker is currently on top form in club duties, and a blended relationship with Keshi may now see him come back to the fold.

Powerful 7.8 quake rocks northern Chile

 Santiago - A powerful earthquake measuring 7.8 rocked northern Chile late on Wednesday, just a day after a deadly 8.2 jolt in the same region, authorities said.

Sirens rang as a tsunami warning was issued and thousands of people in the north who had just endured the latest quake were again ordered to evacuate inland from coastal areas, according to authorities.

Peru to the north also declared another tsunami warning, according to its Navy.

The new temblor struck at 23:43 (0143 GMT Thursday), 20km south of the city of Iquique, the navy's alert service said.

"Based on its strength a tsunami warning has been issued," the Chilean national oceanographic agency, known as SHOA, added.

There were no immediate reports of fatalities or major damage from the new quake.

Waves have started lashing the coast, said Ricardo Toro of the national disaster relief agency Onemi.

Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, who was assessing damage in the northern city of Arica far north of the capital Santiago, was among those evacuated to higher ground, said state run TVN.

Thousands of Chileans had just returned home after spending the night on hills following Tuesday's 8.2-magnitude earthquake that killed six people and sparked tsunami fears as far as Japan.

The tremors on Tuesday were felt as far inland as landlocked Bolivia and sparked evacuation warnings up the Pacific coast of South America and into Central America.

Dangote to float block making academy in Enugu

 said it would soon establish an academy to train block-making artisans in the South East Zone.

The company’s South East Regional Sales Manager, Mr Tunde Mabogunje, made the disclosure in Enugu during training of block makers at the ongoing 25th Enugu International Trade Fair.

The manager said that the training had become necessary in order to expose artisans to new block-making skills and in line with new technology, as well as create jobs for the unemployed youths in the zone.

Mabogunje said the training was the company’s contributions toward youth empowerment and job creation.

According to him, participants will be provided with machines to start their own businesses after the training.

The regional manager added that the academy would be established in Enugu.

In his presentation, the company’s Head of Training, Mr Johnson Olaniyi, urged block makers to embark on training to enable them to save incidences of collapsed buildings in Nigeria.

According to him, if the mixing of cement and other components like water and sand is wrong, it will affect the block and leads to cases of collapsed building.

"It is also important to use the right tools, including good moulding machines for making of blocks,’’ he said.

Olaniyi said the new brand of Dangote Cement called 42.5Rapid was the best for any kind of building, adding that it was strong, long lasting and easy to mould.

One of the builders, Mr Emeka Nwaka, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that block making business was a good venture.

Nwaka thanked Dangote company for the training and stressed the need for regular training and awareness due to change in technology and for job creation. 

Sambo gives thermal power plant contractors ultimatum on a

 Vice President Namadi Sambo, yesterday, asked the contractors handling the Kaduna 215mw Thermal Power Plant to ensure that the project was ready for completion by the end of this year.
Sambo gave the directive at a meeting with project consortium,  consultants and representatives of the ministries of Power, Transport, among others in Kaduna,
This was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Umar Sani.
According to Sani, ‘’Sambo, who requested for a detailed programme of work for the project, it was to ensure that the project was commissioned on schedule.
’’He frowned at requests made by the consortium for variation of optional items outside the scope of work and urged the Ministry of Power to conclude the arrangement for the fuel storage tank and directed Rockson Engineering, one of the companies in the consortium, to provide their records of procurements for the Balance of Plant, BoP, and schedule of deliveries and commence without delay, the civil works and construction for the storage tank.
He also called for a schedule of completion of alignment of the turbines from General Electric.
’’Sambo was satisfied with the report presented by the Minister of Transport on the construction of railway tracks that would connect the rail with the power plant to enable for easy transportation of the fuel from source.
He also noted the challenges faced by the consortium at the site and directed them to sort out all issues and report back within two weeks.
Those issues were on the eight turbines alignment, storage tank, electrical control system which was one of the major engineering issues for project delivery and additional works.

How Jonathan ended Niger Delta militancy — Kuku o

 ABUJA—Special  Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, said on Wednesday that it was actually President Goodluck Jonathan that paved the way for the cessation of the militancy that drastically reduced the nation’s oil production between 2006 and 2009.
Kuku, who spoke when he received the new leadership of the Ijaw Youth Council in Abuja, made it clear that it was actually Jonathan who while serving as Nigeria’s Vice President wrote the amnesty brief, persuaded the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua to accept and implement the deal for the militants in exchange for peace.
Kuku said that beyond the persuasion of Yar’Adua to grant amnesty to the militants, Jonathan was actually the most senior Federal Government officials who risked his life and frequently went to militant camps and begged the militants to lay down their arms and accept peace.
“So, the truth must be told that it was actually Goodluck Ebele Jonathan that paved the way for the amnesty that has made it possible for peace to return to the Niger Delta and for oil to begin to flow in significant quantity, thereby making more money for the country and its people,” the presidential aide explained.
“The records are there: Jonathan went to the notorious Camp 5, begged Tompolo and other fighters to lay down their arms and accept the terms of the amnesty programme, which he drew up and showed to them.
“Without President Jonathan’s strong voice for amnesty and his personal involvement to get it off the ground, there would have been no oil for the country today. Nigeria is lucky to have him as a President and we should put the record straight,” he said.
Kuku, who frowned at what he called a deliberate attempt by some Nigerians to distort the history of the Presidential Amnesty in Nigeria, said that they IYC, which was at the heart of the Niger Delta struggle, would not allow the change of the story of the region for political reasons.

2015 Presidential Election: Jonathan Steps Down For David Mark

 Few months before the 2015 Presidential election hold next year, it has been revealed that President Goodluck Jonathan has decided to hand over the mantle of leadership to Senate President, David Mark.



* Senate President David Mark tipped to take over from President Jonathan

According to a report, Jonathan's decision to back out of the race is unconnected to the ongoing activities in some parts of the country.

A dependable source within the PDP caucus informed that the president was forced to accept the decision because some persons had vowed to make his government ungovernable if he returns in 2015.

"I can assure you that the president has accepted to step down for the senate president, David Mark. He has accepted to support him during and after the election," the source said.
The source also said, "this decision came after several meetings and consultations with party leaders. It is obvious some people don't want Jonathan. The ongoing activities in some parts of the country tell it all and the only option left is for him to pull out of the race."

Asked if the incumbent president would be given any federal appointment, the source said the president has agreed to return to his Otueke home, from where he will go back to classroom.

A media aide to the President, while debunking the news, said there was no element of truth in it.

WORLD CUP: NFF And Keshi Clash Over Eagles List

 The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi are said to have arguments regarding the release of provisional list for the pre-World Cup camp.



While the NFF technical committee, which had a meeting in Abuja last week, demands the immediate release of the squad composition ahead of the camp opening on May 26, Keshi is not in a hurry with the provisional list.

The national coach criticized the technical committee over putting pressure on him, adding:

"First, the report was that I was to submit 40 names. Now I am hearing it is 35 players. I will only submit a list of 30 players when I am ready."

Controversies between the federation and Keshi started last week when Super Eagles coach was queried for attending a sponsor's event in Lagos the very day he had a scheduled meeting with the technical committee.

It was revealed by the sources within the NFF that Keshi also failed to reply to the issues raised in the query by the Chris Green-led committee.

Before the World Cup games to be held in Brazil starting from June 11, Super Eagles are facing 3 friendly matches: against Scotland, USA and Greece in America.

4 Suicide Bombers Killed, Many Feared Dead As Multiple Explosions Shake Maiduguri

 According to the statement signed by Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, three of the four explosives-laden vehicles were demobilized by soldiers' gunfire at a major checkpoint in Mulai, a community along the Damboa-Biu road. Five soldiers have been reported injured.

Speaking to Agence France-Presse, Borno State police spokesman Gideon Jibrin reported that one car exploded at 7:50 a.m., killing 3 civilians. Ten minutes later, a bomb hit a police vehicle, killing 5 officers and 3 another persons who are yet to be determined either as civilians or Boko Haram insurgents.

Sources at the scene say that the suicide bombers, driving four Volkswagen golf cars laden with improvised explosive devices rammed into two military patrol vehicles. Others indicate the attackers were trying to speed past the checkpoint to set off the blasts at the petrol station, which was backed up with vehicles because of fuel shortages across Nigeria.

Immediately after the blast, 7 Division men of Nigerian Army, mobile policemen and vigilante youths mobilized to the scene and cordoned off the area to prevent any further attacks. Residents of Molai and Damboa road are fleeing their homes.

It would be recalled that an emergency rule has been imposed onto the Northern states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe in May, 2013. Recently, the Nigerian military reclaimed the Maiduguri Giwa Barracks, capturing and killing several members of the Boko Haram sect insurgents.

Energy sector welcomes new Calabar conference centre

 Abuja - The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has lauded Cross River State government for initiating a world-class conference facility which the union said would serve as an iconic venue in the sub-Sahara Africa.
Frank Esanubi, leader of the delegation and Chairman of PENGASSAN, Chevron Nigeria Ltd Branch, made the commendation during an inspection tour of some of the legacy projects embarked by the State Governor, Liyel Imoke.
“The project is a novel idea and one project that I will advise government to ensure its completion before the expiration of this administration because it will add value to their tourism drive. I commend Governor Liyel Imoke for what is currently developing, I learnt the conference facility has 5 000 seating capacity, and currently so many organizations which have large members will always prefer Abuja for their events because there is an International Conference Centre there, but with this facility now, coupled with peace and serenity of Calabar, I am sure the traffic will gradually move to Calabar,” he said.

Esanubi said Calabar was the best choice place of having meetings or conferences in Nigeria.
“While planning for this conference, we agreed that our choice of a venue must be a place where the people are receptive, a place that we can feel at home, safe and it was the unanimous decision of the executive to settle for Calabar. So, for any institution or organization, Calabar is the best choice whenever you think of having meetings or conferences in Nigeria.”

He said Cross River State had been blessed with good leadership compared to other states in the federation since the return to democracy.

“It is something that is worthy of emulation and commendable too,” concluded Esanubi.

12 Sure Games For Your Match Predictions Today

Leads united vs Chalton- over 1.5
Wigan vs Leiceter city- 2
Sheffield united vs Brentford - 12
Stevanage fc vs Wolves- x2
Dartford vs Luton town 2
Sutton united vs Borehamwood- 1
Portvale v Crawley Town - 12
Wrexham vs Grimsby - x2
Manchester United vs Fc Bayern Munich- 1x
Bishop stortford vs Eistleigh- x2
Rushall Olypmic vs Afc Fylde- x2
Altrincham vs Boston United- 1x

N:B  This games are 80 percent sure under standard and suitable conditions

Photos: Launching Of Patience Ozokwor's Plaza

 Nollywood star actress, Patience Ozokwor a.k.a Mama G opened her multi-million Naira plaza in Coal City Garden Enugu on Saturday March 29th and some Nollywood stars graced the occasion, the likes of John Okafor a.k.a Mr Ibu, Angela Okorie, Aneke Twins, Charlse Awurum and others alongside the Hon Commissioner for Tourism, Enugu State.

Madrid's Marcelo Ruled Out Of Dortmund Tie

 (AFP) - Real Madrid left-back Marcelo will miss both legs of his side's Champions League quarter-final against Borussia Dortmund due to a hamstring injury. "After tests were carried out on Marcelo, a first grade tear has been detected in his left hamstring," the club said in a statement. The Brazilian international is expected to be sidelined for a minimum of two weeks meaning he will also miss crucial La Liga games against Real Sociedad and Almeria and faces a race against time to be fit for the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona on April 16.

Fuel scarcity: Marketers threaten nationwide strike

  Lagos - Oil marketers on Monday threatened to embark on industrial strike following the shutdown of Nigerian Independent Petroleum Company (NIPCO) by National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).

NUPENG shutdown the NIPCO facilities on March 24.

Abidemi Agunbiade, chairman, a concerned group of IPMAN, expressed worries over  the looming fuel scarcity in Lagos.

Agunbiade said that the shutdown of the NIPCO had affected over 1 000 marketers who had paid money to load petrol.

According to him, over 450 million litres of fuel imported to discharge into NIPCO depot are still on the high seas due to the shutdown of the company.

“About four vessels are on the high seas including those of the NNPC.

“The stranded vessels are paying demurrage of 15 000 dollars to  20 000 dollars on daily basis due to the  shutdown of NIPCO by the leadership of NUPENG," he said.

The concerned marketers said that the shut down had congested Apapa jetty with vessels that were ready to discharge products to NIPCO tank farms.

Agunbiade said that about 80 million litres of petrol had been shut at the depot.

He said that the depot dispensed over 20 per cent of total fuel demand of the nation.

Agunbiade said that all the retail outlets of IPMA would be shut down if NIPCO was not reopened  by March 31.

"We are just being careful not to shut down our retail outlets nationwide because we control over 87 per cent retail outlets.

The marketers and workers of NIPCO were still protesting the closure of the company and said that they were ready to commence operations.

Some tanker drivers said that they had exhausted all the money on them after staying in the depot for over eight days.

NUPENG Deputy Chairman, Oladejo Ambali, who addressed the workers, said that the situation was fast assuming a dangerous dimension.

He promised to take the workers’ grievances to the national leadership of the union.

-  NAN

How Rodgers has revitalized Liverpool

01-04-2014
London - Liverpool's 4-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend took them to the top of the Premier League table, raising hopes of a first English title since 1990.
Their title tilt has been masterminded by manager Brendan Rodgers, who oversaw a seventh-place finish last season in his first campaign since succeeding Kenny Dalglish in July 2012.
Here, AFP Sports looks at some of the methods that the 41-year-old has used to turn Anfield into a fortress once again.
1. A new identity
Liverpool have long been associated with pass-and-move football, but the club lost their way during Dalglish's second stint as manager, typified by the club-record 35 million ($58.3 million, 42.4 million euros) acquisition of target man Andy Carroll in January 2011. Rodgers has taken Liverpool back to their roots, instituting a patient, possession-based game and urging his players to play the ball out from the back even when they are put under pressure. "Under some of the previous managers, when things haven't been going well, we'd tend to go more direct and get the ball forward more quickly," captain Steven Gerrard told FourFourTwo magazine last year. "But Brendan wants us to play from the back and improve our angles so we pass with more incision and pace. He wants us to stick to Plan A."
2. Shrewd signings
Four consecutive seasons without Champions League football have hit the club in the pocket, but Rodgers has helped get around the problem by showing an eye for a bargain in the transfer market. Daniel Sturridge cost only 12 million when he signed from Chelsea in January last year, but he has emerged as one of the deadliest strikers in the country, scoring 34 goals in his first 43 games for the club. Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho, signed from Inter Milan for 8.5 million, has also proved a shrewd acquisition, although of the six players who arrived last year, only goalkeeper Simon Mignolet has been able to hold down a first-team place.
3. Getting the best out of Suarez
There was a time during the close season when the prospect of seeing Luis Suarez in a Liverpool shirt again seemed a distinctly remote possibility. Having been banned for 10 matches after biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic, the Uruguayan complained about his treatment by the British press and then accused Liverpool of breaking their word by denying him a move to Arsenal. Rodgers stood firm, however, and Suarez has rewarded the Northern Irishman by producing the best season of his career, scoring 29 league goals and developing a superb understanding with Sturridge. He signed a new contract in December and is the overwhelming favourite to be voted the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year.
4. Squad rotation and man management
Raheem Sterling disappeared from view mid-way through last season after bursting onto the scene, with Rodgers explaining that he was worried about him getting burnt out, and the 19-year-old winger's electric displays this term have vindicated the manager's cautious approach. After a rocky start to his Anfield career, former Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson has blossomed under Rodgers's guidance, while 21-year-old full-back Jon Flanagan has grasped the opportunity to claim a starting berth with both hands.
5. Tactical flexibility and bravery
Rodgers learnt at the knee of Jose Mourinho during his time as a youth coach at Chelsea and he is forging a reputation as a similarly resourceful tactician. Liverpool have used a variety of different playing systems this season, deploying a 3-4-1-2 formation during the autumn and alternating between a 4-3-3 and a 4-3-1-2 in recent weeks. Speaking after the victory over Spurs on Sunday, Rodgers said: "The last four games we played a diamond (4-3-1-2); today it was 4-3-3. We have got flexibility and that is what we are trying to develop, and the players are comfortable with that." His commitment to fielding two strikers has enabled Liverpool to plunder 88 league goals in 32 matches, while 33-year-old Gerrard has been a revelation in a new midfield holding role.

Russian troop numbers on Ukraine border decrease 2

1-04-2014

 Kiev - The number of Russian troops deployed on the border with Ukraine is decreasing, a Ukrainian Defence Ministry official said on Monday, but he cautioned that this might not represent a pull-back of forces.
Major General Oleksandr Rozmaznin told journalists the drop in numbers might reflect a scheduled rotation of conscripts rather than a withdrawal, and he would not confirm the numbers involved.
"The number of soldiers has fallen, but the exact figure is pretty approximate. I can not confirm the number," said Rozmaznin when asked if as many as 10 000 soldiers might have left the border area.
"The number has definitely dropped and it [the situation] has calmed down. We won't rejoice and shout 'Hurray'. It doesn't matter how many of them there are, we just need to make sure our defences are strong," he said.
Conscripts made up a large part of the Russian army and "a certain number of conscripts could be stood down and swapped for others", Rozmaznin said.
The Russian military build-up on Ukraine's eastern and southern borders, as Russian forces moved into Crimea and Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that Moscow reserved the right to defend Russian-speakers in Ukraine, caused alarm in Kiev at the prospect of a broader military invasion.
Russia says the build-up represents military exercises and Russian officials say there are no plans for moving forces across the border into Ukraine's eastern and southern areas where the heaviest concentration of Russian-speakers live.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry was cautious at reports of a pull-back.
"We have information that the Russian Federation is carrying out unfathomable manoeuvres on the borders with Ukraine - in some border places they are taking away troops, in others they are coming closer," ministry spokesperson Evhen Perebiynis said.
"Such action can not fail to cause concern especially since we today do not have a clear explanation from the Russian Federation about the aims of these movements," Perebiynis told journalists.
US officials last Friday said Russia's reinforcement of troops near Ukraine had brought the total forces there to as many as 40 000, though European sources have been estimating lower numbers at around 30 000.
US Secretary of State John Kerry said, after talks with Russian Foreign Ministry Sergei Lavrov on Sunday in Paris, that progress on resolving the crisis over the Russian annexation of Crimea depended on a Russian troop pull-back from Ukraine's borders.
Although Moscow says the buildup is part of military exercises, it has also been pressing diplomatically for Russian-speaking regions of Ukraine to be given greater autonomy and for the Russian language to be upgraded to the status of a state language in Ukraine.

Danny Young survives car crash

 Lagos - Musician, Danny Young survived a car accident along Lagos-Ibadan expressway on Saturday night, reports NewswireNigeria

 Danny Young’s car collided with another vehicle on his way to the  Ogun State, NYSC orientation camp  in Shagamu.

Danny Young was taken to the hospital

D’banj plans to start bakery

 Lagos –  International singer and entrepreneur,Dbanj plans to launch Koko Bread, according to Pulse.ng.

The koko master who recently launched Koko Garri, spoke on the topic, “Do Africa, It Pays”, at the 'One Africa' campaign in Abuja said that his company, Koko Holdings will stary to production of Koko Bread to get youths interested in Agriculture.

The award winning singer acquired a cocoa farm in Ghana last year.

Barcelona in best form of season for Atletico clash - Alves 46 minutes ago

Barcelona - Barcelona head into the Champions League quarter-final showdown with La Liga title rivals Atletico Madrid in their "best form of the season", defender Dani Alves said.
The Catalan side host the first leg on Tuesday on the back of five straight wins, a run started by eliminating Manchester City from the competition and featuring a 4-3 victory at Real Madrid to boost their domestic championship hopes.
Barca trail leaders Atletico by one point with seven games to play.
"We are now in a better state than at this time last year. We have been up and down a bit in some competitions but the team is in good spirits," Alves told a news conference on Monday.
"We are in our best form of the season and in a month everything will be decided."
Ahead of their second-leg clash with City this month there was talk of a crisis at Barcelona. They went into the game having lost two of their previous three league matches and Alves said he was angry at the way the situation was taken out of context.
"If I look back five years ago this team was in a chaos and then 15 days ago we lost a game and it was as though it was a disaster," he said.
"People were saying Barca had lost the league and it was now between Atletico Madrid and (Real) Madrid. Then a week later Madrid are out and it is between Atletico and Barca. It is necessary to be more objective.
"Our style is always to attack. We don't try to be like normal teams but a side which influences kids and looks to play and win matches.
"To do that you have to take risks. We have been at the top of football now for the past five or six years but we know that if we win it is fantastic and if we lose it is a disaster."
The three meetings between Barca and Atletico so far this season have ended in draws, two of which came in the domestic Super Cup which the Catalans won on away goals.
"There is no point looking back at the other games now (against Atletico) as they were in other competitions and at other times," Alves said.
"We are rivals with different ways of playing, both valid and we are trying to get a good result to go into the next leg."
Atletico striker Diego Costa, Alves said, was one player he would gladly play alongside at Barcelona.
"If I could pick one player from Atletico to have in my team it would be Diego Costa for his goals and his work," the Brazilian said of the player with 25 La Liga goals to his name this season.
"It is going to be a difficult game and Atletico are a lot more than just Diego Costa. He is a great player and makes a difference for Atletico at the moment but they have other strong players.
"They have a strong structure and a difficult style to play against. It would be a mistake to just look at him."

Bayern favourites but United aren't underdogs, says Giggs

Manchester - Holders Bayern Munich are the favourites but Manchester United do not consider themselves to be underdogs for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at Old Trafford on Tuesday, according to Ryan Giggs.
The clash of two of Europe's biggest clubs will forever revive memories of their epic 1999 Champions League final in Barcelona when United scored twice in stoppage time to beat the German side 2-1.
Bayern won on their last trip to Manchester when they beat City 3-1 in a group match in October and a repeat of that scoreline would almost certainly set up Pep Guardiola's team to reach the last four.
But Giggs, who played in the final 15 years ago, remains confident of a United success against opponents who wrapped up the Bundesliga title last week.
"Obviously Bayern are a fantastic team," said Giggs, who will move to within one of Raul's record total of 142 Champions League appearance if he plays on Tuesday.
Now player-coach at Old Trafford, the 40-year-old Welshman told reporters: "They're the holders and Pep Guardiola's taken over and added a few new players and they're a very strong team.
"They're obviously favourites in most people's eyes but we're Manchester United at Old Trafford and we've seen so many good nights there, in Europe especially.
"So as players we don't see ourselves as underdogs, we see ourselves as Manchester United playing at home in the Champions League.
"We can't wait. These are the games that you want to be involved in as a player. We'll go out there and, yes it's going to be tough, but we're confident."

Why Keshi ‘would be mad’ to turn to Odemwingie

Lagos - With aching inevitability, the question of Peter Odemwingie’s potential return to the Nigeria national side ahead of the World Cup has risen in the minds of fans and to the fingertips of journalists.
Admittedly, all of the pieces are in place for the issue of Odemwingie’s persistent exclusion from the Super Eagles set-up to be a relevant and engaging subject.
First of all, the Nigerian attack has struggled to convince, despite Stephen Keshi’s assessment of numerous different options.
The triumphant semi-final victory, back in early 2013, against Mali made it easy to forget the struggles Nigeria had had in the AFCON group stage. Against Burkina Faso and Zambia the Super Eagles looked toothless, while Ethiopia were only dispatched, late on, due to an inspired contribution from Victor Moses.
In subsequent World Cup Qualifying bouts with Kenya, Namibia and Malawi, it took goals from the likes of Ahmed Musa and (centre-back) Godfrey Oboabona to secure the narrowest of victories. While Egypt (16), Ghana (18) and even Guinea (12), for example, accrued convincing results, the Super Eagles struggled to find the killer touch against palpably inferior opposition.
Even goal-shy Cameroon found the net eight times in their opening group—which was markedly tougher than Nigeria’s.
The Confederations Cup could easily have been an exercise in frustration. The struggles of Mohammed Gambo, Joseph Akpala and Anthony Ujah left Keshi with no illusions as to the importance of Emmanuel Emenike and Moses, both of whom missed the tournament through injury.
I have written enough about the short-comings of Nigeria’s attack during that competition to go through it all again here, but when one considers, also, the likely-reduced impact of Moses, following his year on the side-lines at Anfield, it’s clear to see why Keshi has sought to reconfigure his attacking line-up.
Ideye Brown was the first victim although, at the time of writing, it remains to be seen how permanent his exclusion will prove to be. For all his endeavour, the Dynamo Kyiv man simply wasn’t delivering in front of goal.
Keshi, to his credit, hasn’t been hesitant to introduce new options into the fold.
Victor Obinna, who, at one time, had looked like he was ‘done’ with the national side, has been brought back in and applied himself well. Michael Uchebo and Imoh Ezekiel were also given their international debuts against Mexico. Had either man made a lasting impression—and Uchebo came close during the frenetic opening stages—then they could have felt quietly confident of making the plane to Brazil. Such is the paucity of Keshi’s chosen resources.
At this point, Odemwingie emerges into the narrative.
Ahead of the AFCON, the striker wasn’t perceived to be an option. However, following the end of his (partially self-imposed) isolation at West Bromwich Albion, and his fruitless toils at Cardiff City, the former Lokomotiv Moscow man has been as a man reborn at Stoke.
His recent form, five goals and one Man of the Match display since the beginning of February, have seemingly offered a ready-made solution to the Super Eagles’ deficiencies. I know that many of you who contribute here, as well as those who I correspond with by e-mail and on Twitter, certainly think so.
I sympathise, of course. Odemwingie is experienced and versatile; he may well be hungry as well (2014 represents, surely, his final chance to make a lasting impression on the world stage) and, as we saw with Moses in early 2013, an inform striker can be worth his weight in gold.
Trust me; however, a recall for Odemwingie would represent a negative move for Keshi.
To illustrate why, I turn to the example of the Netherlands at the last World Cup. Although the Dutch made the final, their first since 1978, the grand master of the nation’s football, and one of the greatest players and thinkers in the history of the sport, Johan Cruyff, lamented their progress.
Cruyff, speaking to El Periodico, lambasted his countrymen for their negative, brutal tactics and their resort to ‘anti-football’ in order to advance in the tournament and try to unsettle Spain in the final. Bert van Marwijk’s side didn’t use Holland’s traditional, fluid 4-3-3 formation, employed two ‘destroyers’ in Nigel de Jong and Mark van Bommel in the heart of the midfield, and also selected Dirk Kuyt as a hard-working defensive forward.
Holland had out-performed 30 other nations, but in doing so, they had sacrificed their style, their key qualities and, most-importantly in Cruyff’s eyes, their principles. They had forgotten everything that made them, everything that, at one time, transformed them into the darlings of European football and, following their showing against Spain, in which they picked up nine yellow and one red card, disgraced Dutch football.
Stephen Keshi’s success with Nigeria has been built upon his fidelity to the team and the group, rather than a preference for individuals. The 2013 Cup of Nations triumph was born from the Big Boss’s bravery in ignoring the big names and the big egos, and putting his faith in the young and the un-feted.
Things may not be easy at the moment, but solutions can be found without resorting to Odemwingie, a player who, as much as any other, fits the profile of the kind of figure that Keshi axed in his (successful) quest for a positive Nigeria.
In South Africa, Keshi proved that the Odemwingies of this world are not conducive to a team that strives to be, once again, the pride of a nation.
Here is a man who has clashed with the manager in the past, here is a man who once drove to another club (without permission) in order to seek a move away from his current employers, here is a man whose departure from Lokomotiv was celebrated wildly by fans (albeit with despicable racial undertones).
Maybe he will score a goal or two and—in the short term—that might be enough for some of you, but the idea of welcoming him back into the national side would, for me, be like the Trojans dismantling their city’s fortifications to let in the wooden horse.
A ‘gift’, with many caveats, could destroy everything that pushed Nigeria to the pinnacle of Africa.

6 feared dead after consuming local beverage at a wedding party

 - Six people, aged between 20 years and 22 years, were feared dead after allegedly consuming a local beverage, Zakami, at a wedding reception at Unguwa Uku, in the Kano metropolis.
The incident happened at about 10.30 p.m. on Sunday.
According to an eye witness, the deceased, all males, drank the substance at the party that was also attended by many youths including the bride and groom.
The deceased collapsed after consuming the intoxicating beverage and died on the way to the hospital.
The Kano State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Magaji Majiya, confirmed the incident.
He said the police had since commenced investigation into the matter with a view to finding out the cause of the tragedy.
“On receiving the report, we invited the groom; he is currently assisting us in our investigation.
“I cannot confirm the number of deaths until we finish our investigation,’’ he said.
- NAN

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Presidency to investigate attempted jailbreak

 An Ikeja High Court, on Monday denied the bail application filed by one-time Lagos socialite, Fred Ajudua, accused of defrauding two Dutch businessmen of 1.69 million dollars (about N252.8 million). Justice Kudirat Jose in a ruling on the bail application filed by Ajudua's counsel, Chief Charles Edosomwan (SAN), dismissed it for lack of merit. Jose said the medical reports issued by the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), showed that Ajudua was suffering from complicated ailments as a result of having a solitary kidney. The judge stated that Ajudua was admitted at LUTH on Aug. 3, 2013, and was treated for hypertension, traumatic haematuria and enlarged prostate gland. She said upon Ajudua's discharge on Jan. 12, this year, the doctors recommended further treatment and possible corrective surgery to ameliorate his condition. "These reports show that the applicant (Ajudua) is not a very healthy man and that he needs medical attention. "However, the reports have not shown that he cannot b treated while prison

Mikel Confirmed For Chelsea Exit

€Fresh reports from London have claimed John Obi Mikel wants to leave Chelsea at the end of the season. The report is coming only days after his agent denied the player is interested in moves away from Stamford Bridge. A report in the Daily Mail said that the Nigeria star, 26, wants to leave because he has found first-team opportunities restricted since manager Jose Mourinho's return last summer. The January arrival of Nemanja Matic, an important addition in a holding role, has further limited Mikel's chances. But he still has three years on his contract and the Blues would demand a hefty fee. Galatasaray have expressed firm interest but the Super Eagles midfielder wants to weigh up his options. Mikel joined Chelsea from Norwegian club Lyn Oslo in 2006, and has made more than 300 appearances, winning the Champions League, Europa League, Premier League and four FA Cups with the side. Fresh reports from London have claimed John Obi Mikel wants to leave Chelsea at the end of
 the season.

Full Scholarships in USA for African/Developing Countries Students

Organisation Scholarships in USA

Zawadi Africa Education Fund Undergraduate Scholarship for Women- in Partnership with Google

The Zawadi Africa Education Fund is a program designed to provide undergraduate scholarships to academically gifted girls/ women from disadvantaged backgrounds from Africa to pursue higher education in the US.

Eligible Field of Study: Computer Science, Computer Engineering and/or ICT

Application Deadline: Varies

Visit www.zawadiafrica.org/

Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program Japan

The World Bank and the Government of Japan, through the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program, offer scholarships for Masters Degree to postgraduate students from developing countries. Eligible applicants should propose a program of study related to development at the master’s level, in fields such as economics, health, education, agriculture, environment, natural resource management, or other development‑related subject.

Application Deadline: March 31

Visit go.worldbank.org/048IC50V60

MMMF Scholarship for Women from Developing Countries in US & Canada

The Margaret McNamara Memorial Fund (MMMF) provides grants to women from developing countries to help further their education and strengthen their leadership skills to improve the lives of women and children in developing countries. The MMMF awards grants are approximately $12,000 each.

Application starts from October 15th until January 9th.

Visit www.mmmf-grants.org/grants-us.html

AAUW International Fellowship for Women, Masters & Doctoral program in USA

American Association of University Women – AAUW International Fellowships are awarded for full-time study or research in the United States to women who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Applicants must have earned the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree by September 30, (previous year) and must have applied to their proposed institutions of study by the time of the application. The AAUW International Fellowship for Women is for Masters, Doctoral and Postdoctoral program in USA

Application Starts August 1 and Ends December 1 (based on previous duration)

Visit www.aauw.org/learn/fellowships_grants/international.cfm

Harambe Fletcher Scholarships for African Students USA

The Harambe Fletcher Scholarship is a full-tuition award for young African entrepreneurial leaders wishing to pursue a master program at The Fletcher School at Tufts University, starting in September 2013.

Eligible Field of Study

Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy (MALD)

A two-year, highly flexible, interdisciplinary, professional degree in international affairs

Master of International Business (MIB)

A two-year hybrid international business/international affairs degree program

Application Deadline

Candidates must complete online HEA Application by December 30

Candidates must complete online Fletcher School Application by January 10

For scholarship application: www.healliance.org/Harambe_Fletcher_Scholarship.pdf

For admission: www.fletcher.tufts.edu/Admissions

Microsoft Research Graduate Women’s Scholarships, USA

The Microsoft Research Graduate Women’s Scholarship is a one-year scholarship program for outstanding women graduate students and is designed to help increase the number of women pursuing a PhD.

Eligible Field of Study: PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or Mathematics departments

Application start August 14, and end October 16

Visit research.microsoft.com/en-us/collaboration/awards/fellows-women.aspx#Eligibility

7UP Harvard Business School Scholarship for Nigerian Students

The Seven UP Harvard Business School Scholarship was created by Seven Up Bottling Company Plc of Nigeria to commemorate its 50th anniversary and aligns with the Company’s overall vision of creating a greener future for promising Nigerians. Application opens for students admitted to the Harvard Business School MBA Class of following year.

Application Deadline: Varies between September and April for the 1^st to 3^rd round

Visit www.hbs.edu/mba/admissions/funding.html#international

Boustany Foundation – MBA Harvard Scholarship programs

The Boustany Foundation recognizes the importance of helping people evolve and leave a positive impact on the world.  In order to achieve the above, the Foundation grants various Scholarships to exceptional and meriting individuals.

Application Deadline: 31 May (Offered every two years)

Visit Website for details: boustany-foundation.org

Borlaug Fellowship Program for Developing Countries Students, USA

The Norman E. Borlaug International Agricultural Science and Technology Fellowship Program (Borlaug Fellowship Program) helps developing countries strengthen sustainable agricultural practices by providing scientific training and collaborative research opportunities to visiting researchers, policymakers, and university faculty.

Application Deadline: January 15 (varies)

Visit www.fas.usda.gov/icd/borlaug/Borlaug.asp

Campbell Fellowship for Women Scholar-Practitioners from Developing Nations

The Vera R. Campbell Foundation funded Fellowship is offered for female postdoctoral social scientist from a developing country whose work addresses women’s economic and social empowerment in that nation.

Application Deadline: 1 November

Visit sarweb.org/index.php?resident_scholar_campbell_fellowship

ExxonMobil Middle East and North Africa Scholars Program for Masters in Geosciences, Engineering, or Business in Texas

The program is funded by ExxonMobil and administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE). Through this unique scholarship opportunity, ExxonMobil aims to contribute to the Middle East and North Africa region by helping to develop highly skilled and culturally adept individuals.

Application Deadline: October 31

Visit www.iie.org/en/Programs/ExxonMobil-Middle-East-and-North-Africa-Scholars-Program

Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowships for International Students -USA

The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program is a non-degree program for experienced professionals interested in strengthening their leadership skills through a mutual exchange of knowledge and understanding about issues of common concern in the U.S. and the Fellows’ home countries.

Application Deadline: Embassies and Commissions must submit their nominations to the Institute of International Education office in Washington, DC by October 1. The deadlines for applicants vary by country.

African countries: https://www.humphreyfellowship.org/sub-saharan-africa

Non-African countries visit https://www.humphreyfellowship.org/participating-countries-region

FHSSA Nursing Scholarships for African Nurses

As part of its mission to expand the availability of hospice and palliative care in sub-Saharan Africa, FHSSA, in partnership with the African Palliative Care Association, created the African Palliative Care Nursing Scholarship in 2010.

Application Deadline: Varies – contact sponsor for details

Visit www.fhssa.org/

PEO International Peace Scholarships for Women – USA and Canada

The PEO International Peace Scholarship Fund is a program of Women helping women reach for the stars. The fund provides scholarships for selected women from other countries for graduate study in the United States and Canada.

Application Deadline: between August 15 and December 15.

Visit www.peointernational.org/peo-projectsphilanthropies

Dorothy Marchus Senesh Fellowship For Women From Developing Countries in USA

The International Peace Research Association Foundation (IPRA), USA invites applications for the Dorothy Marchus Senesh Fellowship for Women from Developing Countries in Peace and Development Studies every two year.

Application Deadline: January 15 (Offered Biennially)

Visit iprafoundation.org/senesh_fellows.shtml

Frank Lanza Memorial Scholarship in Nursing & Emergency Medical Service

The Frank Lanza Memorial Scholarships recognize the outstanding academic and leadership accomplishments of students who are enrolled in regionally accredited community college programs in registered nursing, respiratory care or emergency medical services.

Application Period: Varies- February to 30 April

Visit www.ptk.org/?q=become-a-member/scholarships/lanza&destination=node/28729

ACI Foundation Scholarship in USA & Canada for Undergraduate and Graduate Students

The American Concrete Institute – ACI Foundation offers several Fellowship and Scholarship opportunities for ACI Student Members and E-Members. ACI Foundation Fellowships and Scholarships are awarded annually to help students with an interest in concrete achieve their educational and career goals.

Eligible Field of Study: Structural Design, Materials, Construction

Application Deadline: May 10 to October 18

Visit www.concrete.org/STUDENTS/st_scholarships.htm

AAHPM Scholarship in USA for Physicians from Developing Countries

The Developing Countries Scholarship Fund was established to provide access to quality education for physicians who reside in developing countries to attend the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) and HPNA Annual Assembly in Vancouver.

Application Period: August 1 to September 30

Visit www.aahpm.org/learn/default/physicians-in-developing-countries-scholarship.html

The Immigration Journalism Fellowship in USA for International Students

With the generous support of the Ford Foundation, the French-American Foundation in 2011 launched the Immigration Journalism Fellowship. The fellowship is open to experienced journalists of any nationality and with an interest in questions of immigration and integration.

Application Deadline: February

Visit www.frenchamerican.org/migration-media-and-equal-opportunity

EDSF Scholarship for  full-time students in Document Management and Graphic Communications

The Electronic Document Scholarship Foundation – EDSF scholarship program was initiated in 1999 to recognize and support the next generation of professionals for the Document Management and Graphic Communication industry. EDSF scholarships are awarded to full-time students who are committed to pursuing a career in the Document Management and Graphic Communications marketplace.

Application Deadline: May 1

Visit www.edsf.org/what_we_do/scholarships

Gus Archie Undergraduate Scholarships- Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Foundation

The Gus Archie Memorial Scholarship is supported by the Archie Fund of the Society of Petroleum Engineers – SPE – Foundation and each year, awards an outstanding student who plans to enter a university and pursue undergraduate degree in Petroleum Engineering.

Application Deadline: 30 April annually

Visit www.spe.org/scholarships/archie.php

See other SPE scholarships www.spe.org/scholarships/index.php

Google Lime Scholarship for Students with Disabilities to Study in USA or Canada

Google Lime Scholarship is offered for Students with Disabilities to study Computer Science, Computer Engineering or Software Engineering in USA or Canada at Undergraduate and Postgraduate Level

Application Deadline: February 18

Visit www.limeconnect.com/opportunities/page/google-lime-scholarship-program

ESA Foundation Scholarship for USA and International students

The Epsilon Sigma Alpha – ESA Foundation awards numerous scholarships annually to United States and international students. You don’t have to belong to ESA to receive an ESA Foundation scholarship, but the foundation extend you an invitation to join ESA, a premier service and leadership organization established in 1929.

Application Deadline: February 1

Visit www.epsilonsigmaalpha.org/scholarships-and-grants/scholarships

Internet Scholarship Program by U.S. Bank- USA

U.S. Bank offers high school and undergraduate students the opportunity to apply for one of it’s 40 $1,000 scholarship position annually. The U.S. Bank Internet Scholarship Program is available to high school seniors and college undergraduates.

Application Deadline: May 31

Visit www.usbank.com/community/financial-education/scholarship.html

Fellowships in International Human Rights in UK and US

Human Rights Watch, the international human rights monitoring and advocacy organization, invites applications for its fellowship program.

Application starts from June

Visit www.hrw.org/about/fellowships

The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program

The vision of the MasterCard Foundation Scholars program is to educate and develop bright yet economically marginalized young people in Africa who have a demonstrated “give-back” ethos and who will contribute to the transformation of the continent. It will transition promising young people from beneficiaries to benefactors, preparing them with the values, knowledge, skills, and leadership to fuel economic and social progress across Africa. The Scholars Program is anticipated to benefit 15,000 young people within 8 to 10 years. The following USA universities are partnering with MasterCard Foundation to offer scholarships in USA for African students

MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program at Wellesley College, USA

As part of the Scholars Program, Wellesley will provide nine (9) African women with comprehensive support that includes scholarships, mentoring, counseling, and internship opportunities. Scholars at Wellesley will build experiences, values, and competencies that are critical to success in the global economy, and that enable them to give back to their communities and home countries. The students will arrive in groups of three students each year beginning Fall 2013.

Application Deadline: Varies – application start around September/November and closes around January/February

Visit new.wellesley.edu/admission/apply/howto

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Stanford University – USA

The MasterCard Foundation education initiative at Stanford University USA will provide comprehensive support to 20 talented but economically disadvantaged students from Africa over the next eight years. The Scholars Program will support five (5) undergraduates from Sub-Saharan Africa each year.

Application Deadline: Varies – application start around September/November and closes around January/February

Visit www.stanford.edu/dept/uga/application/international/index.html

MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program at Arizona State University (ASU)

Arizona State University welcomed 10 undergraduate students from seven African nations in 2012, as the first class of MasterCard Foundation Scholars to begin studies at ASU. As part of this program, ASU will receive $27.5 million over the next seven years to provide academically talented, yet financially disadvantaged students from Africa, who are committed to giving back to their communities and countries, with access to high-quality education. The program will ultimately support 120 scholars at ASU.

Application Deadline: Varies – for admission application: 01 January; scholarship deadline: February 01

Visit asu.edu/ugapp.

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at University of California, Berkeley USA

At University of California Berkeley, the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program will provide holistic support to 113 students from Sub-Saharan Africa from 2012 to 2020. The scholars will pursue both undergraduate and professional master’s degrees.

Application Deadline: Varies – first apply for admission

Office of Undergraduate Admissions: admissions.berkeley.edu/internationalstudents

Graduate Division: www.grad.berkeley.edu/international/index.shtml

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Michigan State University (MSU), USA

The MasterCard Foundation has partnered with Michigan State University to provide full tuition scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students from Sub-Saharan Africa. The university will receive $45 million in funding from the foundation to support 185 scholars throughout the nine-year program, which includes 100 four-year undergraduates and 85 master’s degree students.

Application Deadline: 15 February

Visit: MCFScholars.msu.edu

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Duke University – USA

The inaugural class of The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program at Duke University represents the intellect and energy of the youth of Sub-Saharan Africa. With a financial commitment of $13.5 million from The MasterCard Foundation, Duke University will educate seven (7) classes of five (5) students from Sub-Saharan Africa — a total of 35 students — over the next 10 years.

Application Deadline: January

Visit admissions.duke.edu/application/instructions#application

MasterCard Foundation Scholarships at EARTH University for Africa, Latin America and Caribbean– Costa Rica

EARTH University, Costa Rica has a seven-year partner with the MasterCard Foundation to provide scholarships to young leaders from disadvantaged communities in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. The Foundation will provide 120 undergraduate scholarships amounting to $19.5 million to EARTH students for 7 years. Approximately one-third of the scholars will come from Sub-Saharan Africa and the rest from Latin America and the Caribbean.

Eligible Field of Study: Courses offered at the university which are mainly in Agricultural sciences and Natural resources management

Application Deadline: For African students: 25 May; For Latin America and the Caribbean: 1 June

Visit website: www.earth.ac.cr/?lang=en

University Scholarships in USA

American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship for International Students (AU EGLS)

The American University – AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarship promotes educational access and opportunity while enhancing international diversity. The AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarship (AU EGLS) is offered for International Undergraduate Students

Application Deadline: 15 January

Visit www.american.edu/admissions/international/egls.cfm

Visiting Scholarship for International Law Students, USA

The Center for the Study of Law and Society invites applications for visiting scholars for each year. The Center fosters empirical research and theoretical analysis concerning legal institutions, legal processes, legal change, and the social consequences of law. Closely linked to the School of Law, CSLS creates a multidisciplinary milieu with a faculty of distinguished socio-legal scholars in sociology of law, political science, criminal justice studies, law and economics, legal history, law and psychology, and legal and social philosophy, along with visiting socio-legal scholars from the United States and around the world.

Application Deadline: November 16

Visit www.law.berkeley.edu/1273.htm

International Student Ambassador Scholarships at Iowa State University USA

The Iowa State University, USA awards the International Student Ambassador Scholarships to undergraduate students with exceptional leadership qualities and a desire to positively represent both their home country and Iowa State University to prospective students.

Application Deadline: March 1 (fall & summer entry); October 1 (spring entry)

Visit www.admissions.iastate.edu/intl/ambassador_scholarships.php

ESTU International Students Academic Merit Scholarship

The International Students Academic Merit Scholarship is open to new international students seeking a graduate or undergraduate degree at East Tennessee State University –ETSU USA. The scholarship covers 50 percent of the total of in and out-of-state tuition and maintenance fees only. No additional fees or costs are covered.

Application Deadline

Completed applications, including letters of recommendation, need to be submitted by the following dates:

Fall semester deadline: no later than June 1st

Spring semester deadline: no later than October 1st

Visit www.etsu.edu/honors/international/internationalstudentscholarships/application.aspx

Colby-Sawyer College Scholarships for Undergraduate International Students USA

International Students who want to study for undergraduate degree at Colby-Sawyer College, USA are eligible for need-based and merit-based financial aid, and are encouraged to apply for a variety of scholarships and awards that acknowledge students who have reached a high level of academic achievement throughout their high school career.

Application Deadline: Varies –1 February

Visit www.colby-sawyer.edu/admissions/international/finaid.html

VCU International Student Scholarship Award

The VCU (Virginia Commonwealth University) International Student Scholarship is sponsored with proceeds generated by the sale of Officially Licensed VCU merchandise. Virginia Commonwealth University values the contributions international students make to the university community through scholarship, service, and leadership.

Application Deadline: February 21

View application www.bsv.vcu.edu/Scholarships/ISTS.pdf

VCU Undergraduate Scholarship for the Advancement of Women – USA

The VCU (Virginia Commonwealth University) Scholarship Award for the Advancement of Women is sponsored by the VCU Department of Business Services through proceeds generated by the sale of class rings and graduation-related items through the Jostens Company.

Application Deadline: February 21

Visit www.bsv.vcu.edu/Scholarships/SAW.pdf

IUPUI Scholarships for International Students USA

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) USA offers several undergraduate scholarship opportunities for international students. All scholarships require full-time enrollment (12 credit hours or more per semester) in the fall and spring semesters.

Application Deadline: Varies

Visit iapply.iupui.edu/scholarships/

African Presidential Fellowship Program at University of Michigan USA

The African Presidential Scholars Program offers early career faculty from Ghana, Liberia, South Africa and Uganda the opportunity to collaborate with faculty and students at the University of Michigan during residencies of two to six months.

Eligible Field of Study: Field of African Heritage, African Social Research, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, And Mathematics)

Application Period: August 15-October 15

Visit www.ii.umich.edu/asc/initiatives

Yossi Schiff Memorial Scholarship Fund for Graduate Students from Africa and Asia

The Yossi Schiff Memorial Scholarship Fund at University of Michigan, USA is designed to promote international understanding and offer an educational opportunity through scholarships to foreign graduate students (from developing countries) in need. Yossi Schiff Memorial Scholarship is offered for students from Africa and Asia to study Social Sciences, Humanities, Medicine, Public Health, Public Policy, Nursing and Environmental Sciences at University of Michigan, USA

Application Deadline: May 2

Visit www.rackham.umich.edu/funding/from_rackham/program_nomination_or_allocation/yossi_schiff_memorial_scholarship_fund/

George and Nancy Axinn International Scholarship Fund- Michigan State University USA

Professors George and Nancy Axinn endowed this scholarship to support graduate students who wish to pursue careers in international development. Preference is given to international students.

Application Deadline: December 1

www.carrs.msu.edu/programs/Axinn.php

International Guest Scholarships for Medical Student at American College os Surgeons

The American College of Surgeons offers International Guest Scholarships to competent young surgeons from countries other than the United States or Canada who have demonstrated strong interests in teaching and research.

Application Deadline: 1st July.

Visit www.facs.org/memberservices/igs.html

IIS Undergraduate Merit Scholarships

The Institute of International Studies (IIS) at UC Berkeley seek to award a series of merit scholarships of up to $2000 each to support undergraduate research in any area on international studies. The Institute of International Studies promotes interdisciplinary research in international, comparative, and policy studies on the Berkeley campus of the University of California.

Application Deadline: November 26

Visit iis.berkeley.edu/content/undergraduate-merit-scholarships

See full list of Scholarships in USA for international students