Egypt's core annual inflation rose to 9.74 per cent in the year to January from 9.65 per cent in December, the Central Bank said on its website on Thursday. Core inflation affected subsidised goods and volatile items including fruit and vegetables. Urban consumer price inflation, the most closely watched indicator of prices, rose to 10.8 per cent year on year…
Growth in South Africa's manufacturing output slowed to just 0.2 per cent in December and was far below analysts forecasts, showing the vital sector still struggling to recover from a recession in 2009. The number is likely to affect economic growth estimates for the fourth quarter of 2010, but analysts said on its own it was unlikely to shift expectations…
The Enugu State government is to disburse N1 billion to farmer cooperative groups as part of efforts to ensure the success of the Enugu-Songhai Initiative. The chairman of the State Assembly committee on agriculture, Okey Nwoke, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Wednesday that the fund would be accessed from the CBN. He said that the…
10 February 2011 Real Madrid may be trailing their arch-rivals Barcelona in La Liga but financially they still have the edge on their old foes after topping the table of the world's 20 richest football clubs, compiled by accountants Deloitte. Real finished top for the sixth straight year with Deloitte's table for the 2009/10 season saying the Spanish giants had…
10 February 2011 Democratic Republic of Congo clawed back into contention for a second African Nations Championship title by coming from behind to defeat Ivory Coast 2-1 in Sudan on Thursday. All the goals came during the first half with midfielder Jean-Paul Kesse giving the Ivorians a ninth-minute lead, Matondo Salakiaku levelling and Dioko Kaluyituka bagging the 30th-minute winner. It…
Justice Muktar Abimbola of the Oyo State High Court, on Thursday, ordered the return of Kazeem Ayilara, one of the Anti-Akala lawmakers in the Oyo State House of Assembly, as the deputy speaker of the legislative arm. Mr Ayilara, a loyalist of Teslim Folarin, Senate majority leader, had been battling for the restoration of his status since he was unceremoniously…
Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State has set up a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate human rights abuses and public discontent in the state from June 1, 2003 till date. A statement signed by Semiu Okanlawon, the state's Director of Bureau of Communications and Strategy, explained that the Commission was set up under Section 2(1) of the Commission of…
Opposition parties in Cross River State will not participate in the forthcoming elections if the state Resident Electoral Commissioner [REC], Mr. Mike Igini, is redeployed, as demanded by the People’s Democratic Party [PDP] . Secondly, members of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties [CNPP], which constitute the opposition in the state, will boycott the April general election should the Independent…
Uti Nwachukwu first came to limelight as a housemate on the third edition of international TV reality show, Big Brother Africa. After getting evicted, in that edition, the 28 year old was called back by the show producers to be part of the 2010 edition which was tagged ‘All Stars' .Despite having to deal with news of his father's death…
Ejetareme Ajotubu Michael hails from Isoko-North in Delta State. A graduate of Mathematics from Delta State University, the petite statured Ejetareme is plying as a standup comedian. He speaks briefly to X2 on his trade. Why the nickname Big Mickey? When I was in school my friends preferred to call me Mickey-Do , it is coined from my name, Michael.…
Z Don returns ‘Nonsense’ crooner, Z Don Paporella, has released a new single, ‘Aye’n Soro (Rise Again)’, off his upcoming third studio album, ‘I Am Zdon’. The new track features acclaimed singer Faze, and is produced by erstwhile Infinity group member, Sunny Steve. The track, themed around the restoration of hope, boasts of a catchy dance beat blended with soothing…
By Charles Mgbolu The iPod swept briefly through the Nigeria market like wild fire holding sway for only a few years before succumbing to a more superior technology evolving in the iPhone. The iPod did come before the iPhone but since the latter served the basic and only function of the former- a music player, the iPod had not been…
Nigerian hip-hop act and ‘falling in Love’ crooner D’Banj, Banky W and a host of other music artistes would take centre stage as leading first home brewed non-alcoholic malt drink Maltina unveils its new look and new pay-off line. The new look and pay-off line “Sharing happiness” are both part of a brand proposition rejuvenation process designed to ensure Maltina…
Ngozi Nwosu Tri-lingual award winning actress, Ngozi Nwosu, has refused to confirm tales surrounding her failing health. Choosing rather to rain curses on the reporter and his source, a call placed through to Kunle Bamtefa’s Peaceful Peace of the Fuji House of Commotion fame, resulted in an aggravation of emotions. In the past months, the actor per excellence has continued…
President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday in Bauchi said the federal government would intensify oil and gas exploration in the north-east zone to harness the resources for economic development. The president, who announced this during the launch of his north-east presidential campaign, said government was of the belief that oil and gas deposit were in the Lake Chad basin. He also…