BellaNaija Celebrates Academic Excellence – Class of 2013: Ifeanyi Ukwuoma

BellaNaija presents “Celebrating You! Class of 2013.” A few months ago we called for submissions of graduating students who had excelled in their course of study. We acknowledge the fact that everyone who has graduated this year is a winner. We, therefore, want to celebrate people who have gone over and above the norm. People who have gotten meritorious distinctions and awards from their institution of study. We hope that you are inspired and we look forward to receiving more entries.

Ifeanyi Ukwuoma‘s story is extraordinary. His father worked in public service and his mother supported through her food trading business. While Ifeanyi was in primary school he was always flunking his classes. He even had to repeat primary 4 because he did quite poorly. That was the turning point for him because he determined to excel going forward and that’s exactly what he did. We hope you are truly inspired by his story.

Academic Journey
For every exam I wrote back in school, I always came out at the bottom of the class. This made me to repeat primary four and I tore my report sheet before I got home. Of course, you can be sure I got the beating of my life. Everything changed after I read James 1:5 in the Bible, ‘if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally, and upbraided; and it shall be given to him‘.

To the surprise of my teachers and classmates, I made a fascinating transition to coming first at every examination. I got into Lagos State Model College, Kankon, Badagry and I continued with this positive trend. While in SS2, I participated at the Bournvita Brain Match Schools’ Competition as well as represent Lagos State at the 2nd NNPC National Quiz Competition. For my SSCE, I came out with seven distinctions and was admitted into the Federal University of Technology, Owerri to study Geology. I graduated among the top students of my class with a CGPA of 4.13 out of 5. During my final year semester, I participated at the 2008 SHELL Geosciences Summer School at the University of Port-Harcourt in Rivers State.

European Commission Scholarship
After my bachelor degree, I decided I wanted to study for my Masters degree in either the US, Canada or anywhere in Europe. Funding was a major obstacle as I did not know where to get the money. I stumbled on a scholarship initiative administered by the European Commission for students coming from developing countries (including Nigeria) to study for a postgraduate program in several European universities. The selection criteria was very stringent and competitive. It was solely based on exceptional academic grades during your bachelor program and you must clearly show with your research proposal an ability to carry-out a scientific/technical research. Luckily, I was selected from Africa for this scholarship which covers tuition fees, living expenses, travelling, housing and insurance costs.

For the first year of my program, I had to study in about five European Universities for nine months, spending about two to three months in each of them. I studied in Poland, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Hungary and Germany. After the first year, I got a certificate signed by all participating universities. For the second year of the program, I had to choose two of the universities to study for a period of six months each which would eventually award me the double masters’ degree certificates. So, I studied at the Delft University of Technology, Netherlands (Msc Applied Earth Science) and the University of Exeter (Camborne School of Mines), United Kingdom (Msc Mineral Resource Management).

The entire program was really stressful as it has to do with a lot of travelling and studying several technical subjects that I had no prior knowledge about.

Going Forward
For the future, I want to do mining. Nigeria is blessed with vast mineral resources that could be used to lift communities out of poverty if managed properly. With my master’s degree in mineral resource management, I hope to be part of the few championing the change in the mining industry in Nigeria. I am opened for further collaboration in this respect. So far, one thing I do know now beyond any reasonable doubt is that regardless of where you are coming from, if you work hard enough and you are passionate about it, sooner or later the effort would bring forth the reward.

Fun facts:
I am a die-hard fan of M.I. and I love the T.V series ‘Everybody Hates Chris’.

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If you want to be part of this inspiring and amazing feature or if you know someone who is part of the Class of 2013 who should be featured here, please send an email to features(at)bellanaija(dot)com. We look forward to reading from you and sharing your academic excellence.- BELLANAIJA.

EXPOSED: How Caleb University Guy Rapes Two Lagos Babes Through Blackberry

Here is how the bad guy operates:Ugochukwu Agudosi's mode of operation is to chat up his victims on the
BlackBerry as a big boy. Along the line, he would invite them for a date, an offer the girls always fall for
because of his posh car and false lifestyle.
But rather than take them to an eatery as anticipated, he would take them to an uncompleted building in Ikeja
Government Reserved Area, Lagos, where he used them mercilessly.
Nemesis caught up with Ugochukwu after one of the girls he molested in that manner, who found out she used
to be his senior in secondary school, decided to take action.
She reported the 22-year-old undergraduate of Caleb University to the Police, leading to his arrest and he has
been arraigned for allegedly molesting the lady in an uncompleted building.
He was granted bail and Oguchukwu went ahead to rape another Lagos babe. He is now facing a four-count
charge preferred against him by the Police before Magistrate Sule Hamsat. Surprisingly, when the charge was
read to him, Ugochukwu pleaded not guilty. Magistrate Hamsat granted him bail in the sum of N100,000, with
two sureties in like sum. But despite the expensive car he drives, he could not meet the N100,000 bail bond,
hence he was remanded in prison custody.
According to the Police, “Immediately he molested any of his victims, he would delete their contacts from his
BB chat." The first lady he molested has decided to withdraw from to case to protect her identity, but the
latest lady he did it to on August 27, 2013, is said to be ready to pursue the case to conclusion.

2face to perform at ARS championship closing, as Arsenal legend, Robert Pires confirms attendance

Nigerian music heavy-weight, 2face Idibia is expected to set the Agege
Township Stadium alight this Sunday, September 22 nd, 2013, for the Closing
Ceremony of the Airtel Rising Stars Africa Championship.
Also the youngest Nigerian non-inheritor millionaire and winner of the inaugural
edition of the Nigeria’s Got Talent (NGT) Television show, Amarachi Uyanne,
and the first runner up of the NGT competition, violinist, Godwin Strings are
slated to perform at this event.

Big Brother Africa – The Chase Housemates, Melvin Oduah and Beverly Osu will
also add colour to the occasion as they storm the venue of the championship
to support talented kids drawn from 16 African countries. Meanwhile, Arsenal
legend, Robert Pires, has also confirmed his attendance of the closing event. He
will arrive Nigeria on Saturday, September 21 for the Grand finale. Continue...
Nigeria’s topnotch songster, 2face will light up the stage and take excitement
to a higher level as he performs hits from his rich repertoire of songs while
Amarachi Uyanne and Godwin Strings will also relive moments of the maiden
edition of the NGT show as they perform to thrill guests with what some
enthusiasts have dubbed avant-garde entertainment.
This year’s edition of the ARS kicked off Monday at the Agege Township
Stadium with host Nigeria recording respective victories in the opening group
matches against Kenya female and DRC male teams.
The Airtel Rising Stars Africa Championship, which kicked off on Monday, is part
of the Airtel Rising Stars programme, a soccer talent initiative that has focused
on identifying and nurturing soccer talent.
Broadcast by SuperSport and Canal Plus, the Airtel football competition provides
the perfect platform to spot top soccer talents from the continent.
Over 600 aspiring footballers travelled to Lagos to participate in the Airtel Rising
Stars Africa Championship. The countries that are participating are - Kenya,
Tanzania, Madagascar, Malawi, Ghana, Zambia, Gabon, DRC, Burkina Faso,
Chad, Congo Brazzaville, Uganda, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda and Sierra Leone.
Segun Ogunsanya, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Airtel
Nigeria, said: "Airtel has signed broadcasting pact with SuperSport and Canal
Plus to ensure that young aspiring footballers get the Pan African media
exposure they deserve. Fans across the continent have the opportunity to view
the dazzling skills of these extremely talented players."
Mr. Ogunsanya confirmed that as part of its partnership with DSTV’s sports
channel, SuperSport, the Boys and Girls final matches will be broadcast live on
Sunday September 22nd.
The best players of the tournament will participate in football clinics under the
supervision of the best coaches of the Arsenal FC and Manchester United soccer
schools. The clinics will be held in April 2014 in Lagos (Nigeria) and
Lubumbashi (Democratic Republic of Congo).
The Airtel Rising Stars Africa U-17 soccer tournament is a unique pan-African
initiative of Airtel Africa designed to create a pool of talents to feed the national
football teams of African countries.

Somali militant group al Shabaab claims responsibility for Kenyan mall attack

Hours after gunmen stormed Westgate Mall in Nairobi, Kenya, killing over 50
people and injuring over 150, Somali militant group, al Shabaab claimed
responsibility for the attack via their twitter page, HSM Press Office
@HSM_Press. After quite a number of Tweets explaining their actions and
threatening to carry out more attacks, Twitter suspended the account.
Fortunately someone munched the entire tweet before the twitter account was
suspended yesterday. See their tweets after the cut...

DJ Switch wins Glo X Factor!! Takes home 24 million Naira

Globacom’s Group Executive Director, Mrs Bella Disu (right) handing over a
cheque for N24million to the winner of Glo X Factor singing reality show, DJ
Switch. Left is Sony Music Marketing Director, Spiro Damaskinos.
The 29-year-old geology graduate of the University of Port Harcourt and native
of Udi, Enugu State, was declared winner at the grand finale of the show held at
Dream Studios, Bamako Street, Omole, Lagos. She beat the two other finalists
Ethel Eshun and Vicky Gomoti in the last round of voting to win Globacom’s
N24 million cash prize and a recording contract with Sony Music. Continue...

Winner of the Glo X Factor singing reality show, DJ Switch (middle) flanked by
Globacom’s Group Executive Director, Mrs Bella Disu (2nd right), 2nd runner-up
in the show, Vicky (1st right), Glo ambassador, Chee the Voice (2nd left), and
Sony Music Marketing Director, Spiro Damaskinos.

B efore the announcement of the results, the expectation of audience, judges and
contestants alike had built to a crescendo as everybody waited anxiously to find
out who the first X Factor winner in Africa
would be.
The suspense was to last even longer as Glo ambassador from Ghana, Efya,
came on stage for a wonderful performance that had the audience applauding
rapturously. After her performance, X Factor host, Toolz, turned to the judges
and sought to know how they felt about the night.
Reggie answered first, “I’m so excited that I brought my wife with me so we
can both be excited together. It’s been a beautiful journey; I can’t wait to see
who will walk away with the money.”
According to MI, “It’s been incredible. The crew, my fellow judges and the
contestants have all been wonderful.”
Toolz asked Onyeka, “Who do you think will be the winner tonight?”
Onyeka answered with a smile, “I was so excited, I brought my Bible along with
me. At this stage, I think the last three contestants have all won.”
Shortly afterwards, 2008 UK X Factor winner, delectable Alexandra Burke, got
the hall on its feet with a resounding applause for a great performance of her hit
track, Halleluyah. She was later joined on stage
by the three finalists, DJ Switch, Eshun and Vicky as they all spectacularly
chorused the song together.
“Shake” and “Ada Ada” crooner, Flavour, came onstage next to thrill guests with
a scintillating performance. He proved why he was a crowd favourite as the
audience rose to their feet to dance along with him. After Flavour’s
performance, the contestants came out to sing the songs they sang at the
audition stage.
Vicky led the performances, and she got a standing ovation from the three
judges. “How did your daughter perform?” Toolz inquired of Onyeka. “She has
grown from a pupa to a butterfly. She sang with confidence and inner joy. I had
goose pimples just listening to her. I have no doubt that she’ll make it. May
God bless you.”
Reggie added, “You just proved to us that our work has not been in vain,” while
MI said, “Wow, Vicky is just so amazing. You are absolutely stunning. The way
you’re radiating joy; don’t keep it to yourself, please, share it with the world.”
DJ Switch came up next, garbed in a tight black trouser with black top to
match. Her entry engendered a boisterous response from the crowd with her
performance of Jay Z’s “Forever Young,” which was heavily
spiced up with raps. In a mild drama, the contestant switched over backwards,
precariously clutching the mic as she raps. Her stagecraft even drew a wider
applause when she stepped down the stage to hug her mother, while still
singing without losing concentration.
Reacting to her performance, MI said, “Switch, people scream when you perform
because you inspire us all. When you came for the audition, I felt you tried. I
had already made up my mind that you wouldn’t make
it to my final three mentees, but you changed my mind. Everybody here needs
to know that no matter what people say about you, it doesn’t matter as long as
you fight.” he concluded. Reggie gushed, “DJ Switch, you are inspirational; you
excite me. My children love you; everybody loves you!” As for Onyeka, she
opined, “Unlike the other judges, the moment you stepped on stage, I knew you
had it.”
When asked why she should win the X Factor, Switch simply said: “I work hard;
I pray hard.”
Eshun was the next to perform, and she pulled out all the stops as she
shimmered in her green attire. “One of the best things on this program is that I
got to mentor Vicky and Eshun. She is exquisite, beautiful, gorgeous and
talented. She walks onto the stage and lights it up. You have something that is
very special. No matter what happens here, youhave me permanently in your
camp. You will take the world by storm!” Onyeka declared.
MI said, “You are a perfect example of what this show is all about. You
epitomises everything X Factor stands for. You’ve been one of my favourites.”
Her Ghanaian compatriot, Reggie, said, “My story with my sister is different. We
come from the same place and people expect me to give her a pass. It often
seems as if I’m tough on you, but look at where you stand now. You have done
well!”
On why she thinks she should win the competition, Eshun said, “The potter in
the Bible goes around looking for clay to mold them into the type of pots that
he wants. X Factor came looking for me; found me and I am glad. These past
weeks, I have gone through moulding, and now, I’m ready.”
Then the climax! The contestants held hands together as they anticipated the
results that would change the lives of one of them forever.
As Toolz invited the representative from Alexandra Forbes to the stage, she
lingered a bit, teasing the audience as she twirled the green envelope containing
the results in her hands.
“The first winner of the Glo X Factor West Africa is DJ Switch!” she announced
as the crowd erupted in jubilation.
“How do you feel?” Toolz asked Eshum. She answered, “Fortunately, the Lord
did what He wanted to do, and I’m happy for that.”
Vicky said, “I want to thank Glo for this platform, and I think DJ Switch
deserved to win.”
Thereafter, DJ Switch performed her single, “Safe Landing” which is billed for
release next week.
The first runner-up was Eshun and she got the sum of N1m for her efforts,
while Vicky, the second runner-up, also got N1m.

Winners emerge from ongoing Milo Back To School promo

Scholarship winners have been emerging from the ongoing MILO Back to School
promotion as it enters the 3 rd week. 9yr old Adefisayo Adedayo in Ibadan, 7yr
old Toluwalase Martins in Lagos and Adaji Celestine in Abuja are some of the
winners of the N100,000 Scholarship.
Several others have won bicycles, trolley school bags, computers and other
exciting gifts from the MILO back to school promo.
You can be a winner too; simply buy 2 packs of MILO 500g tin or refill, get a
scratch card, scratch and what you see is what you get, immediately. You can
also order and win online via www.deeski.com.

Mikel Obi Scores his first premier league goal

Nigerian midfielder John Mikel Obi scored his first Premier League goal today as
his club Chelsea beat Fulham 2-0 at Stamford Bridge. His first goal in 7 years
and 185 premier league games.

Gun men Kills 22 in Kenyan shopping mall

Gunmen stormed a shopping mall in Nairobi, Kenya this afternoon Saturday September 21 killing at least
22 people in what could possibly be a terrorist attack. An eyewitness claimed the gunmen told Muslims to
stand up and leave the mall and that only non-Muslims would be targeted. By the time they finished
shooting indiscriminately, at least 22 were dead and at least 50 people injured.
One survivor said and that the attackers started from the Westage mall ground floor and made their way
to the top. He said they had grenades and AK-47 rifles and he saw at least five of them. Local TV stations
reported that the gunmen took hostages as soldiers and local policemen surrounded the mall. Another
survivor said he was shot at by a man who looked like a Somali.
The Somali militant group al Shabaab had previously threatened to attack hotels, nightclubs and the
Westgate mall, which is one of the biggest malls in the city, popular with the city's expatriate and
foreigners...but there's no official confirmation for now that the group is behind this attack.
Security guards were seen wheeling out bloodstained bodies in shopping trolleys as soldiers continue to
comb the mall looking for the gunmen. Kenyan Red Cross said at least 20 have been killed and more
casualties were still inside the complex. More photos...

Source - Linda Ikeji

13 YEARS OLD GIRL BEGINS MASTER DEGREE

Sushma Verma, an India girl is defying educational norms by pursuing a master degree in microbiology, after her father sold his land to pay for her tuition. Sushma Verma said she was able to finish high school at the age of 7 and undergraduate studies at the age of 13 only with the sacrifice of her uneducated parent. She has three younger siblings, they live in a cramped room in Locknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh state, and they live off their father daily wage of up to 200 rupees (less than $3.50) from a construction work. Her father 10,000 square feet ( 930 square meter) of land for 25,000 rupees. ( $400) to cover for her school fees. The rest will come from charity.

President Jonathan sacks two special advisers

About a week after President Jonathan sacked nine ministers, he has again sacked two more people. In a statement signed by his Special Adviser (Media & Publicity) Mr Reuben Abati, Pres. Jonathan announced the sack of two special advisers - Mrs. Joy Emordi, the Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters and Dr. Tunji Olagunju, the Special Adviser to the president on the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) The statement said the sack is with immediate effect. - LIB.

Sports: Ronaldinho pays $58,000 to get his teeth fixed

After years of refusing to fix his crooked teeth, saying his fans loved his trademark grin, 2-time FIFA World Player of the Year winner (2004/ 2005) Ronaldinho has changed his mind and finally gotten it fixed. The Brazilian football superstar paid $58,000 to have his teeth realigned, and gums altered. Rohaldinho had the procedure at an orthodontic clinic in Brazil last month but the photos and video of the surgery were only released to the public two days ago. See the before and after photos after the cut

ASUU strike: Sambo takes over from Suswam

ice President Namadi Sambo has taken over the negotiation with striking Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam had been in charge since the industrial action which began on July 2. This was the outcome of the deliberations between Sambo and ASUU’s delegation held behind closed doors in the State House for about two hours last night. At the end of the meeting, both sides refused to reveal details of the discussions. Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting, ASUU president, Nasir Isa Fagge noted that they took a message from the government and would meet their members and get back to government. Asked to assure Nigerians on early resolution of the crisis, Fagge insisted that as a good messenger, he would only report back to the larger ASUU body. The SUN.

Photos: May D buys N150m 6-bedroom duplex in Magodo, Lagos

According to a press release sent out by his PR people, Ekiti state born dancer turned music sensation May D recently moved into his new 6-bedroom duplex in Magodo Phase II GRA said to be worth N150million. They didn't say rented, they said bought, hence the headline. Big congrats to May D.

OAP Matse Uwatse releases statement after sack from Nigerian Info

Some of you may have heard that popular Radio Personality Matse Uwatse Nnoli was fired from her job at radio station, Nigerian Info, two years after moving to the station from Wazobia FM where she worked for many years. There have been reports in the media that Matse was fired because 'she lacked discipline and couldn't be called to order'. Matse says this portrayal of her person is totally false and has released a statement exclusively to LIB. Find it below... Dear all, compliments of the day to you. I believe a lot of you must have heard of the recent termination of my job as an OAP (On Air Personality) on 99.3 Nigeria Info Fm. Well, it is true. I have read on several blogs that I was sacked for being arrogant, rude etc. Even recently that I lacked discipline. If I lacked discipline, I wouldn't be successful in my career. I believe discipline, integrity and honesty goes hand in hand with true success. Ask those who have met and known me and they will tell you that this is what I live for. I am not perfect, I have made mistakes but who is perfect? I prefer to be silent on matters like this but since silence is assumed to be consent, I will not consent to my hard earned reputation being dragged to the gutters. I worked too hard for it. On the 2nd of September 2013 while on admission at First Consultant Medical Centre, Lagos. I received an email while on my sick bed, announcing my termination. Honestly, I was not angry but a bit shocked. I had been too sick lately due to my pregnancy and was not at my best but I expected my company to be supportive of me. Yes, I wanted them to be supportive of me because I had worked hard over the years to bring them much glory. I know that I will see all sorts of articles and comments to discredit me but I simply ask this of you all. If you have ever met me and I was unpleasant to you, feel free to vent but If you don't know the real me and all you have heard are insinuations, hold your peace. I love people and always wish them well. My mentees and honest colleagues will testify to this.I love progress because I believe the sky is big enough for all the birds to fly. AIM Consultants. I am not mad at you. I believe when one door closes, another one opens. I have served you well over the years, brought you accolades. So please, let me go in peace and insiders in the Organisation who do not like guts should not use it as an opportunity to tear me down. I am a good person and YOU ALL KNOW THIS! God bless AIM Consultants, I learnt a lot from you and I am grateful. God bless us all! Matse Uwatse Nnoli

BBM now on Android smart phones, takes effect today 21st as confirmed by Samsung

Samsung today confirmed that when BBM™, the mobile social network, launches for Android smartphones on the 21st September 2013, it will be available as a free download for Samsung Galaxy smartphones across Africa from the Google Play store. “We are pleased to officially announce that BBM will be available for Samsung Galaxy smartphones across Africa,” said EmmanouilRevmatas, Director of Hand Held Products, Samsung Electronics West Africa. “We are focused on driving consumer experiences based on customisation to suit every lifestyle. By offering an additional messaging service through our Samsung Messaging Hub, it has never been easier to stay connected. This is another way that we are providing our customers with a more integrated lifestyle experience and a powerful new way of communicating and sharing. It’s really about giving the African market what they want – and what they want is choice.” Samsung users will join a vibrant community of 60 million BlackBerry® smartphones customers who rely on BBM to stay in touch with friends, family and colleagues every day. Samsung GALAXY smartphone users will have access to an extensive range of BBM features, including BBM chats and multi-person chats with BBM Groups, as well as the ability to share photos and voice notes. BBM will form part of Samsung’s Messaging Hub as a complementary addition to the current slate of propriety and third party messaging services that Samsung customers enjoy. "We are excited to welcome Samsung customers in Africa to the global BBM community,” said Andrew Bocking, Executive Vice President for BBM at BlackBerry. “Samsung customers will enjoy the conversational immediacy that BBM offers with the distinctive ‘R’ that lets you know your message has been read. They'll also be pleased with the control BBM gives them over their contact lists and how they share their information. Every BBM customer gets a unique PIN, so you don’t have to give out your phone number or email address to a new or casual contact." BBM for Android can be downloaded for free from the Google Play Store on 21st September 2013 and is compatible with GALAXY smartphone devices that run Android 4.0 (Ice-Cream Sandwich) and above. Data charges may apply, as determined by local operators and service providers. To download BBM or more information, please visit www.BBM.com For customer service or technical assistance http://www.bbm.com/support/ android

Kerry Washington named World's Best Dressed Woman by People

Actress Kerry Washington has been named the 2013 ‘World’s Best Dressed Woman’ by People Magazine. People said they picked her because of her great sense of style. "There has been a trend this year in lady-like fashion and I think she is almost single-handedly responsible for it.” People magazine Executive Editor, Elizabeth Sporkin said Actress Jennifer Lawrence was named the celebrity with the best high fashion style while actress Jessica Chastain was named best in red carpet style. Solange Knowles got top marks for style risk-taking and confidence , Zoe Saldana was named the best in denim style and actress Lily Collins was named the best for up-and-coming style . Emma Stone won praise for her classic style & timeless look, while Nicole Richie was named best in trend-setting style. Linda Ikeji