Stronger-than-expected Chinese growth data spurred concern on Thursday about tighter monetary policy, prompting a sell-off in equities led by emerging markets. The euro dipped on profit-taking after reaching two-month highs in the previous session but then trimmed losses as speculation grew that the euro zone's rescue mechanism for fiscally troubled peripheral states might be strengthened. Chinese growth soared past forecasts…
Plans for a delayed 300 MW wind farm in Kenya can now proceed after lenders agreed to rely on the government's assurance that it backed the plan, instead of proper guarantees, the chairman of the project said. "Guarantees, we are not being given. What we are getting is a letter of comfort, or support, from the ministry of finance. This…
21 January 2011 We continue our series in the search to find the greatest African XI ever and this week we focus on the defenders. You have sent in your nominations and together with our panel of experts, we have come up with the following 12 players who will compete for four places in our African XI. So have a…
As part of efforts aimed at completing the Abuja Light Rail project as scheduled, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) administration yesterday said arrangement has been concluded to commence the laying of railway tracks. Bala Mohammed, minister of the FCT, said on Wednesday in Abuja, while speaking on the activities of the FCT Transportation Secretariat, that rail tracks have already started…
The health condition of former warlord, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu is improving at the London hospital where he is receiving treatment, Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, has said. Mr Ojukwu was recently flown abroad, amidst apprehension by his people, following a stroke he suffered last month. He had stayed briefly at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu where he was…
Ostensibly to ensure that all eligible voters register in the ongoing registration exercise, the Abia State government has declared today as work-free day for all its civil servants. In the same vein, all markets in the state would also not open for business next Tuesday to allow traders to register. The state commissioner of information and strategy, A.C.B. Agbazuere, who…
MTV launches ‘Choose or Lose' campaign in Africa MTV has launched its first ever pro-democracy campaign in Africa ahead of the upcoming Nigerian elections. Starting January 2011, the network's global ‘Choose or Lose' voter mobilisation campaign will be encouraging and empowering young Nigerians to exercise their right to vote. To maximise youth voter registration for the April 2011 elections, MTV…
Gideon Okeke made his debut in 2006 with the television series ‘Big Brother Nigeria'. Shortly after, the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Biochemistry graduate recorded his first single titled, ‘Ogidigada' featuring singer Darey Art-Alade, rapper Ikechukwu and Uchie. The onetime presenter of the Storm Media produced lifestyle magazine show ‘The Scoop',he plays Philip Ade-Williams on the MNET Television series, ‘Tinsel' and is…
Beyond anything else,‘Domitilla' will always be remembered for the media buzz it enjoyed and how fast it became a household name. With a star-studded cast including Ann Njemanze, Enebeli Elebuwa, Kate Henshaw-Nuttal, Basorge Tariah Jnr and Sandra Achums all lighting up the screen, the movie was a box office hit. Directed by award winning producer Zeb Ejiro, this was one…
South Africa's rand gained slightly against the dollar on Thursday, coming off six week lows ahead of the central bank's interest rate decision later in the session. A Reuters poll forecast the Reserve Bank will keep its key repo rate at 5.5 per cent, taking the view that 650 basis points of cuts since December 2008 is sufficient stimulus to…
Some years ago, I read about the pathetic story of a young man in the South Eastern part of the country. He had participated in the promotion of a drinks company. He had a winning number and he approached the company representatives. However to his chagrin, he was told the winning number was a fake. Through this, he suffered several…
Some of the rescued banks are silent on how far they have gone with their recapitalisation effort and the fate of their subsidiaries, especially those outside the country. Oceanic Bank, one of the banks closed down its outlet in The Gambia last week, citing inability to meet the capital requirements of 150 million dalasi (about US$ 5.6 million) demanded by…
21 January 2011 Cristiano Ronaldo fired in a first-half goal as Real Madrid edged bitter city rivals Atletico 1-0 to reach the Spanish Cup semi-finals 4-1 on aggregate. Real will tackle holders Sevilla in the last four while Barcelona, who saw off Real Betis 6-3 on aggregate, despite losing the second leg of their quarter-final 3-1 on Wednesday, will meet…
21 January 2011 With just one point covering the top three positions in South Africas Absa Premiership, Round 16 of the league, which takes place this weekend, promises to produce more thrills and spills in one of the most intriguing title races in years. All of the top four have potentially difficult games to negotiate this weekend, so we well…
14 January 2010 Towards the end of 2010 we asked MTNFootball.com readers to give us their nominations for the greatest African XI, position-by-position, so that we could come up with the definitive greatest side from the continent. The nominations poured in from all over the continent and beyond, and over the next few weeks we will be entering phase two…