Nigeria Makes Headway In Securing China’s Funding Of Projects

Budget and National Planning Minister, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, at the weekend, in Beijing, made a strong case why the Chinese government should assist Nigeria financially in funding critical major infrastructure projects in the country.

Senator Udoma who was in China for the Coordinator’s meeting on the implementation of the follow-up actions of the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) also used the opportunity to discuss issues of vital economic interest with that country’s Vice Minister for Commerce, Mr. Qian Keming; and officials of China EXIM bank, where he stressed the mutually beneficial relationship the two countries will eventually enjoy if Nigeria’s economy is assisted to grow rapidly.

At the Johannesburg Summit in South Africa in December 2015, China had agreed to Assist African countries in ten strategic areas that will help their economy. It pledged $60 billion in aid, grants and concessional loans.

Nigeria is trying to get as much of the Chinese funding for projects in the form of grants, aids, investments and loans. The loan component will however be within the country’s debt sustainability limits. Projects proposed for the facility by Nigeria is in the region of about $20 billion, and the Minister said Nigeria will be in a better stead if the Chinese government will assist with a substantial part of the funds required.

During the various meetings, Senator Udoma stressed the need for special consideration for Nigeria given its strategic relationship with China, its economic potentials, and its capacity to redeem its part of the transaction obligations.

The Minister said following the meetings, both countries expressed satisfaction with the proposals and are very anxious to take proceedings to the next level.

During the Cooperation meeting attended by ministers from various countries in Africa, China’s President Xi Jinping said the meeting was an important step taken by China and Africa to implement the consensus of Chinese and Africa leaders and the outcomes of the FOCAC.

“It is a significant measure to boost China-African cooperative development. The meeting demonstrates to the world once again that no matter how the international landscape may change, the resolve of China and Africa to pursue unity and win-win cooperation will never change”, Jinping said.

The President noted that the weak performance of the world economy brings both opportunities and challenges to the economic development of China and Africa. “We must stand shoulder to shoulder and march forward hand in hand,” he admonished.
In his keynote speech, China’s State Councilor, Yang Jiech, explained that his country initiated the meeting at this time “to take stock of the delivery of summit outcomes, to align our thinking, built consensus, overcome challenges and difficulties, share experience and promote cooperation, so that we can pool the wisdom and strength of both sides and give a leg up to the implementation work”.

At the plenary session, China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, was pleased that both China and the African countries have attained a high level of implementation of the outcomes of the summit, have acted promptly to take forward the five pillars and ten plans of cooperation and have made substantial progress in enhancing friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation across board.

He added that China has delivered on its commitments and made every effort to advance follow-up actions.

Akpandem James
Media Adviser to the Hon Minister

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Teenagers Could Lose Their Virginity to S3x Robots in the Near Future

In the future teenagers may lose their virginity to s*x robots, according to an expert. Professor Noel Sharkey from Sheffield University, while speaking at the Cheltenham Science Festival, warned that android s*x dolls may have damaging consequences for society.
 He said: "S*x robots are accessible now and certainly [will be common] within the next 10 years. I think there will be an age limit. Certainly there should be, but if your dad or mum had one, you could sneak in and use it."
 He added: "It’s not a problem having s*x with a machine. But what if it’s your first time, your first relationship? What do you think of the opposite sex then? What do you think a man or a woman is? "It will get in the way of real life, stopping people forming relationships with normal people."
 Recently there has also been a warning that the rise of s*x robots could cause performance anxiety in men and women who fear they can’t match the lovemaking skills of amorous androids. Technological advances means s*x with human-looking androids - previously the stuff of science fiction films like Ex Machina - is becoming a reality.
 Artificial intelligence expert David Levy predicts that as people get more comfortable with robotics, sexual relations - and even love and marriage - with androids will become more and more popular. But because these male and female s*x robots will be built to the user’s specific ideals of perfection, those with less-than-perfect human bodies could become anxious about whether their partner is pleased by them.
 Levy, the author of ‘Love And S*x With Robots’, told the Toronto Star robots that are "wonderful lovers" could cause "performance anxiety” among men and women.
 Meanwhile, new research has found that one in four young people in the UK would happily date a robot. The only caveats, according to the survey of 18- to 34-year-olds, is that their android beau must by a "perfect match", and must look like a real-life human being.
 The proportion of young people who are willing to go on a date with a robot is significantly higher than the overall proportion of British adults - only 17% of whom were willing.
"Our bodies, our identities and our senses are enhancing thanks to technology and societal shifts," said Ghislaine Boddington, co-founder and creative director of East London design unit body

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Nathi Mankayi Crowned King In The 22nd Annual South African Music Awards

Sama Award Night was a massive night for Afro-soul sensation Nathi Mankayi, who was crowned King of the 22nd Annual South African Music Awards at the Durban ICC, beating out stiff challenges from established superstars and fellow newcomers alike.

Nathi, whose album and single sent the nation into a collective swoon last year, scooped five awards.
The Awards include best R&B/soul/reggae album, best newcomer best male artiste, best-selling full-track music download and best-selling album of the year.
In the best female artiste category, Zonke took home the laurel, while two of her fellow nominees in that category, Judith Sephuma and Zahara also claimed one SAMA statuette apiece – for best adult contemporary album and best produced album, respectively.
Big Nuz beat out a tough field to claim best Kwaito Album Honours, as well as the trophy for best duo/group of the year.
Another firm local gospel favourite, joyous celebration, claimed success in the best-selling DVD category.

 

Nathi Mankayi with his New Mercedes-Benz

The South African Music Awards is a celebration of excellence, creativity, innovation and development. While the Awards do reward individual talent, they are also a celebration of the strength and robustness of the South African music industry as a whole, demonstrating their world class abilities.
Now in its 22nd year, the growth of the SAMAS is intertwined with the resolve to improve the situation of the youth in South Africa to create a clear, coherent and focused development agenda.

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Taliban overrun Afghan army base, kill at least 9 soldiers

Nine soldiers were killed when the Taliban attacked an army base in central Afghanistan, a politician said on Tuesday.

Obaidullah Barakzai, a parliamentarian for Urozgan province said that the base was surrounded by Taliban for five days and all roads leading to the camp were cut off.
“The insurgents broke into the base on Monday and took several soldiers hostage,’’ he told newsmen.
The Defence Ministry confirmed the attack on an Afghan National Army base in the Rigak area of Dehrawood district, Urozgan province, but gave no further details.
“A team has been sent to the area for further investigation,’’ spokesman Gen. Mohammad Radmanish said.
The Taliban has however claimed responsibility.
Meanwhile the insurgents have been showing increasing activity throughout the province.  NAN

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FBI Offers $100K Ransom For The Two Most Dangerous Hackers In The World

According to the charges, Agha, 22, known online as “The Pro,” and Dardar, 27, engaged in a multi-year conspiracy that began in 2011 to collect usernames and passwords that gave them the ability to deface websites, redirect domains to sites controlled by the conspirators, steal e-mail, and hijack social media accounts. To obtain the login information they used a technique called “spear-phishing,” where they tricked people who had privileged access to their organizations’ websites and social media channels into volunteering sensitive information by posing as a legitimate entity.

The FBI today added Agha and Dardar—both believed to be in Syria—to its Cyber’s Most Wanted. The Bureau is offering a reward of up to $100,000 each for information that leads to their arrest; anyone with information is asked to contact the FBI or the nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate. .

Dardar, known online as “The Shadow,” also worked with Peter “Pierre” Romar, 36, on a scheme beginning in 2013 to extort U.S. businesses for profit. According to the complaint, the pair would hack into the victims’ computers and then threaten to damage computers, and delete or sell the data unless they were paid ransom. 

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Grammy Awards 2016 Pharrell Williams goes blonde at 2016 Grammys

The 42-year-old singer and producer was complemented by his wife Helen Lasichanh who also looked quite the part for the event

Pharrell Williams looks fashion conscious as usual while arriving at the 2016 Grammy Awards held at the Staples Center on Monday today in Los Angeles with his blonde haircut.

The 42-year-old singer and producer was complemented by his wife Helen Lasichanh who also looked quite the part for the event.

Pharrell is nominated for Album of the Year for Butterfly, as well as Song of the Year and Best Rap Song for “Alright,” the latter of which he won

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Kylie Jenner "I still want to marry Tyga"

 Apparently, Jenner hasn't changed her mind about her future with rapper boyfriend, Tyga, despite the multiple alleged cheating scandals.

One minute, she wants to date herself and the next, she still wants to marry her boyfriend, Tyga. Is Kylie Jenner having a confused love life?

Apparently, Jenner hasn't changed her mind about her future with rapper boyfriend, Tyga, despite the alleged cheating scandal . The rapper was accused of cheating with Brazilian model, Annalu Cardosa yet his girl is still eyeing marriage.

Kylie was leaving some sort of studio in L.A. Monday night, when the photog asked the marriage question for the second time. You may recall, a few months back another photog asked the same question and Kylie said she would take a walk down the aisle with Tyga.

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Tyga Rapper shares photo of ex, Kylie Jenner rocking his gold grills

Tyga shared a photo of Kylie rocking his gold grills, commenting, "Augghhh"  perfectly describing the fierce look on her face.

American rapper, Tyga, is far from done with reality star ex,Kylie Jenner, as he shares photos of her via his instagram page.

Tyga shared a photo of Kylie rocking his gold grills, commenting,"Augghhh"  perfectly describing the fierce look on her face.

The father-of-one also shared another silhouette photo of kylie lying side ways on a bed, with the sunset in the background, making the perfect back drop.

Things seem to be heating up once again between the couple, as Kylie had shared photos of their valentine day celebrations, which they shared together.

We just might be surprised with a 2016 wedding.

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