Rugby Sevens in Las Vegas this weekend... Watch video clips of highlights!

England, which won last weekend's Wellington Sevens in New Zealand, lost both its opening matches to Fiji and Portugal. Kenya, which lost the Wellington final to England, lost to Canada and narrowly beat Uruguay....

Wellington Cup champions England lost both their matches - to Fiji and Portugal - on the opening day at the USA Sevens in Las Vegas.

Four teams - defending champions Samoa, Fiji, South Africa and New Zealand - have won both of their matches to lead the way, but the Cup quarters remain wide open with the final pool games still to be played on Saturday.

On another competitive day results at the Sam Boyd Stadium have left all 16 teams still capable of qualifying for the Cup quarter-finals on day two.

If three teams are level on competition points at the end of the pool stages, the team with the highest points difference will go through to the Cup quarters.

 Kenya - who were edged out by England in the Cup final in Wellington - lost to Canada and only narrowly beat Uruguay.

Spain bounced back from an opening defeat to defending champions Samoa to produce a remarkable performance and beat Australia, ending their impressive run which had yielded nine wins in their last 10 matches.

Day Two Pool fixtures:
Fiji v Portugal
Canada v Uruguay
France v Wales
Samoa v Australia
England v Scotland
Kenya v South Africa
New Zealand v Argentina
Spain v United States
Click below to watch video:

 

Pool A (England, Scotland, Fiji, Portugal)

Fiji, who will be without both their suspended captain Setefano Cakau and Manueli Lagai for the remainder of the tournament, won both of their opening matches on day one of the USA Sevens at the Sam Boyd Stadium, narrowly holding on to a 14-12 victory against Scotland, with Russell Weir narrowly missing a last-minute penalty drop goal.

England, last week's champions, lost both of their opening matches, against Fiji 26-17 with two tries from Samisoni Viriviri and Portugal, 21-5.

Scotland beat Portugal in their first match, with Mark Robertson and Michael Fedo scoring the tries and Colin Gregor's touchline conversion proving decisive.

All three teams, however, are still in with a chance of reaching the Cup competition depending on results on day two.


Pool B (Kenya, South Africa, Canada, Uruguay)

South Africa became the second side to end day one with a 100% record, adding a 17-5 victory against Canada to an impressive 45-0 victory against the only non-core side competing in Las Vegas, Uruguay.

Canada defeated Kenya early on, which meant both of the Hertz Sevens finalists lost their opening matches. Sean Duke crossed for his 22nd try of the Series with Nanyak Dala and Jeffery Hassler scoring Canada's other tries.

Mike Friday's Kenyans bounced back from their opening defeat, riding their luck to come from 7-5 down and inflict a second defeat on Uruguay, Biko Adema benefiting from smart work by Oscar Ayodi.


Pool C (New Zealand, Argentina, France, Wales)

New Zealand also won both of their two matches on day one, conceding just five points in the process.

Belgium Tuatagaloa helped the reigning Series champions beat France 21-0 with two of their three tries before they beat Wales 40-5 with Ben Lam crossing for a hat-trick.

Reigning Rugby World Cup Sevens champions Wales beat Argentina in a rematch of that 2009 final in Dubai 17-7 in their first match of the USA Sevens.

Javier Rojas secured a 14-12 victory for Argentina against France, Los Pumas' first win of the day, and Les Bleus' second defeat. Both sides can still reach the Cup quarters.

Pool D (Samoa, Australia, Spain, USA)

Defending champions Samoa maintained a 100% record on day one, beating hosts USA and Spain.

They came from 12-0 behind to beat Spain 19-12, with captain Afa Aiono scoring the winning try under the posts to the delight of the crowd at the Sam Boyd Stadium, before Levi Asifa'amatala and Reupena Levasa scored the tries against USA.

Spain bounced back to defeat Australia 24-14 to bring an end to an impressive run from Michael O'Connor's side, who had won nine of their previous 10 matches.

The hosts USA lost their opening match to Australia 26-7, although they too can still make it to the Cup tomorrow if they beat Spain and points difference goes their way.


Results:

Samoa 12 - 7 United States
Australia 14 - 24 Spain
Argentina 14 - 12 France
New Zealand 40 - 5 Wales
South Africa 17 - 5 Canada
Kenya 12 - 7 Uruguay
Scotland 12 - 14 Fiji
England 5 - 21 Portugal
Australia 26 - 7 United States
Samoa 19 - 12 Spain
Argentina 7 - 17 Wales
New Zealand 21 - 0 France
South Africa 45 - 0 Uruguay
Kenya 12 - 19 Canada
Scotland 12 - 10 Portugal
England 17 - 26 Fiji

With thanks to the IRB

On The Newly "Revived" Nigerian Railway.... A Train Ride Of Hell

caption: Passenger laying and sleeping on the ground

 

 

By Abdulrazaq O Hamzat via Sahara Reporters 

When the railway first begun its operation some years ago, I was in Kwara state and noticed the train attracted so much attention due to the kind of publicity given to it by the then governor, Dr. Bukola Saraki. The governor at the time ensures there is so much awareness about the functioning of the railway, which attracted so many citizens including my humble self.

After hearing so much of the train’s activities, yours truly decided to catch the train from Ilorin to Lagos to assess its operations. When I did, the trip took us between 12 to 13 hours to reach Lagos from Ilorin. Though, the experience was not that disappointing, except for the delay and the state of the railway coaches, which were not in good shapes.

From experience, every newly introduced system needs time to develop, but in all, I gave the railway a 25% pass mark at that time which I believe can be improved upon with time and commitment from the government and management of the railway cooperation.

Fast track to 2012, The Minister of information, Mr. Labaran Maku during his good governance tour made a lot of fascinating remarks about the railway, boasting about its improved state, efficiency and confortability which gave the majority of Nigerians the impression that the railway is another paradise of achievement in the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan. But in order to evaluate the government rightly in its transformation, I decided to take another trip via the train to have a first-hand information on what has improved since my last trip to verify the authenticity of the claims of the honourable minister.

I decided to travel via the train, although I have my worries because In recent times, I have read so many false claims by the government and based on this some misinformation without any corresponding reality when investigated, I ensured the trip was not for any business purpose, but just fun.

River Thames Afican Torso Case Boy 'identified'

The boy's torso was found near Tower Bridge in 2001

 

A murdered African boy whose torso was found in the River Thames in 2001 and whose identity has remained a mystery has been named by a key witness.

Former Glasgow resident Joyce Osagiede, who now lives in Nigeria, told BBC News the boy's name was Patrick Erhabor.

She claims she looked after him when she lived in Germany before he was trafficked into the UK.

Detectives - who named the boy "Adam" - believe he was murdered as part of a ritual sacrifice.

Adam's torso was found on 21 September 2001 near Tower Bridge in central London.

His arms, legs and head had been expertly cut off.

No-one has been charged with the murder.

Forensic tests showed he was from the Benin City area of Nigeria.

'Rituals' video:

 

A tip-off led to Joyce Osagiede who, in 2002, was living in Glasgow.

Officers thought she was involved in some way, but due to a lack of evidence and doubts about her mental state she was deported to Nigeria.

 

Joyce Osagiede (pictured above) says that, in Germany, she handed the boy over to a man who took him to the UK

But last year Ms Osagiede contacted BBC News and said she was now prepared to reveal everything she knew about the case.

A BBC team travelled to her home in Benin City in southern Nigeria, together with Nick Chalmers, a former detective who worked on the Adam investigation.

Ms Osagiede told the BBC she looked after the boy in the weeks before he was trafficked to London and then murdered.

For the first time she revealed what she claimed was his real name.

She said he was called Patrick Erhabor - and that his mother's surname was Oghogho - and she claimed the child was brought to her when she lived in Germany.

In the past, she has told officers she then handed the boy over to a man she called "Bawa" who took him to the UK.

Now, for the first time, she has identified "Bawa" as Kingsley Ojo - a bogus asylum seeker who first came to London in 1997.

 

Kingsley Ojo (pictured above) has always insisted he had nothing to do with the killing
"Bawa is called Kingsley," she says.

There is no evidence Kingsley Ojo was involved in the murder or that he knew what would happen to the boy.

Ms Osagiede says he took Adam from her and took him to the UK.

Ojo, who used three different identities, was arrested in London in 2002 by officers investigating the Adam case.

In his flat they found in a plastic bag, a mixture of bone, sand and flecks of gold very similar to a concoction found in the dead boy's stomach.

There was also a video marked "rituals" which showed a B-movie in which an actor cuts off the head of a man.

Ojo said the video and mixture belonged to other people in the house and detectives could not establish a link between him and the Adam case.

In 2004, he was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison for people smuggling. While in prison he contacted officers and offered to help with the inquiry.

But investigators concluded he was wasting police time and he was deported to Nigeria.

 

Ms Osagiede previously wrongly said the boy in this picture was the dead child

Retired detective Nick Chalmers, who worked on the inquiry for seven years, said Ojo was "someone I've been interested in for a long while - I've always suspected his involvement and now, for the very first time, we have a witness who is saying categorically Kingsley was involved".

Kingsley Ojo refused requests from BBC News for an interview, but he has always insisted he had nothing to do with the killing.

Mr Chalmers said the development with the name given by Ms Osagiede was "really interesting".

But he also recognises she has been unreliable in the past and has psychiatric problems. She is currently taking medication.

In 2011 she identified a photograph discovered by the police - and shown to her by a journalist - as the dead boy and said his name was "Ikpomwosa".

Ms Osagiede now says that was all a misunderstanding and reveals the picture is "Danny, my friend Tina's son, he lives in Germany".

She says it was taken during a party in her old flat in Hamburg.

We travelled to Hamburg to find out if she was telling the truth about the photo and tracked down Danny.

Angus Crawford travelled to Germany and tracked down the boy in the photograph.

He immediately recognised the photo but was surprised to hear it had been used by newspapers and TV news around the world.

"You said that I was already on TV and I didn't know it," he said.

We located Ms Osagiede's old flat on the other side of the city where she looked after the boy she calls Patrick.

There we met a man who saw the child.

"The boy was running around, he was wearing shorts and a T-shirt and he was jumping all over this couch that they had and drawing on it," he said.

The BBC shared what it had learned with the Metropolitan Police.

A spokesman for the Met said "the investigation remains on-going and any new information provided to the team will be thoroughly investigated".

Anyone with any information should call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

BBC

Photos and Video: Tee Billz's Surprise Marriage Proposal To Tiwa Savage On Her Birthday!

Tiwa and Tee Billz seal the engagement with a passionate kiss

5th of February was supposed to be singer and song-writer, Tiwa Savage’s 33rd birthday, but it also turned out to be her engagement day as Tiwa was proposed to by her longtime manager and business partner, Tunji Balogun, AKA Tee Billz.

At an exclusive birthday bash at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, Tee Billz presented an engagement ring to Tiwa, thus confirming months of speculation and denial of romantic relationship between the two.

R&B singer, Praiz, serenaded the couple
immediately after the proposal, in the presence of other superstars like Don Jazzy, Banky W, Dr. SID among others.
Click Below To Watch Video:

It was Don Jazzy who first let out the information as he sent a tweet with photograph of the lovebirds: “Awwww, it’s official. Mavin First Lady @TiwaSavage and @teebillz323 are finally engaged. I’m excited I witnessed the proposal. Congrats,” Don Jazzy tweeted.

EME Boss, Banky W, was a bit poetic: “He liked it so much he put a ring on it.”

Early yesterday, the social media had been abuzz immediately Tee Billz reportedly updated his Blackberry Messenger status to read: ‘Happy Birthday Mrs Billz’. This was further amplified by Tiwa with munched photographs of two cakes on her Instagram page. One of the cakes came from her Mavin label mates and surprisingly, the other with inscription ‘Happy Birthday Mrs Billz’.

Tiwa flaunts her engagement ring with Don Jazzy

Despite their denials of romance, many had maintained that the two are more than business partners. Apart from escorting the singer to numerous shows and private parties, Tee has been caught on camera in many uncompromising position with the Kelele crooner.

On a number of occasions, the two were seen clubbing together at her label’ boss, Don Jazzy’s Club PoP in Victoria Island, Lagos.

In fact, a few weeks ago, they both traveled to Dubai, United Arab Emirates for a brief holiday.

Tiwa and Tee Billz co-owned 323 Entertainment.

pmnewsnigeria

Yahoo Yahoo Boys Granted Bail In Benin-EFCC

                          

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned nine of the twenty suspected internet fraudsters arrested and handed over to the Commission by the Joint Task Force of the 4 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Benin. They were arraigned before Justice A. M Liman of the Federal High Court 1, Benin on separate charges bordering on conspiracy to commit felony to wit: obtaining money under false pretence. They pleaded not guilty to the charges.

One of the charge reads in part; “that you Osaugwu Uchenna Kingsley (alias Sam Henric), Robinson Lucky (alias Justin Parker), Larry Edomwonyi (alias Mark Erixson), Amovie Mike (alias Jeffery Ares), Itua Samuel Robinson (alias Park Wetty, King Harry ), Iyen Oghodaro Destiny, Adesa Lucky Rute ( alias Peter Anderson, Eric Stern etc), Egbeifo John Endurance and Egbeniyi Oluwafemi ( alias Raymond Morrison, Mavis Mar) at No. 56 Siluko Road , Benin City within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire with one Dennis Osagie and others now at large to commit felony to wit: obtaining money under false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under section 1(3) of the same Act”.

Justice Liman granted the accused persons bail in the sum of N1million each and two sureties in like sum. One of the sureties must be a civil servant and the other must own a landed property within the jurisdiction of court. He ordered that the suspects be remanded in prison custody and adjourned to 4th, 13th and 19th of March respectively.

The fraudsters were arrested on January 18, 2013 when men of the Joint Task Force, 4 Brigade, Benin in a surprise raid, stormed their cyber office tucked in an old building located on Siluko Road, Benin City. They were subsequently handed over to the Commission for further investigation and prosecution.

At the point of arrest, the fraudsters had in their possession forty five (45) laptops of different make, twenty eight (28) telephone sets, eight (8) internet mobile modems and one Nissan car with registration number USL 375 AG.

Wilson Uwujaren
Ag. Head, Media & Publicity
5th February, 2013 -This is an EFCC press release