D’Banj, Eva, OC Ukeje and others – ALL PHOTOS from Road to MAMA concert in Lagos

With the MTV Africa Music Awards only two weeks away, MTV Base hosted nominees, guests, colleagues and music lovers to a night of fun at the Road to MAMA concert on Friday, July 3, 2015 at the Marquee, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Hosted by MTV VJs, Ehiz and Stephanie, celebrities including D’banj, Cobhams, Sound Sultan, Timi Dakolo, Jesse Jagz, Falz, BlackMagic, OC Ukeje, Tanzanian artiste, Vanessa MDee, Emmanuel Ikubese, Olisa Adibua, Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi, Jimmie, Shina Peller, Korede Bello, Lil Kesh, Eva, Phyno, Yemi Alade, Yvonne Vixen Ekwere, Diamond Platnumz, DJ Jimmy JATT, DJ Xclusive, and DJ Caise were among many others in attendance.

Check out photos below…

 

Oc Ukeje D bank and Eva 

Samsung Engineering Academy Lagos graduates!

Samsung Engineering Academy, a Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative between Samsung Electronics and the Lagos State government through the World Bank-supported Lagos Eko Secondary School Education Project, has graduated 53 technicians from the academy. The graduands are expected to deepen the pool of well trained technicians in the country.

Speaking at the ceremony, Head, Lagos State Eko Secondary School Project, Mrs Folasade Fasehun, applauded Samsung Electronics West Africa for investing in such a critical initiative that has the potential of empowering beneficiaries to become entrepreneurs. “These students have undergone a full year training programme, which comprises basic, intermediate and advanced engineering skills. Now, they are well equipped with sound technical skills to build a better future for themselves while contributing towards driving the economy growth and development,” said Fasehun.

Also speaking at the graduation ceremony, the Managing Director of Samsung West Africa Mr. Brovo Kim, said that the Samsung Engineering Academy in 2012 was established to empower indigent Nigerians and positively impact communities. Since its inception, over hundred students have been trained.

“Samsung is dedicated to creating a large pool of skilled engineers with a target of training 10,000 students across Africa. The Samsung Electronics Engineering Academy provides hands-on, vocational skills training, opening up well-paying job opportunities for its graduands to work in the electronics industry either as employees in repair centres, assembly lines or as independent entrepreneurs,” he said.

The graduating students who were drawn from Government Technical College, Agidingbi, Ikeja, have successfully completed one year intensive specialized training at the academy. The students were trained to repair and service modern, digital electronic and home appliances such as LCD TV’s, smartphones, refrigerators, air conditioners and laptops among other appliances.

According to Kim, the graduating students are eligible for an internship at Samsung’s channel partners; outstanding performers will have the opportunity to work as independent service technicians or employees in the company’s retail channel outlets.
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Nice One from SamSung..
Looking Forward to more!

Chile win their first ever Copa America title

Chile finally won their first major trophy to spark jubilant scenes in Santiago as Argentina were beaten 4-1 on penalties in the Copa America final on Saturday.

Gonzalo Higuain and Ever Banega missed from the spot in a shootout at Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos following a drab goalless encounter, as Argentina endured more heartbreak almost a year after losing the World Cup final against Germany.

Higuain blasted high over the crossbar and fellow substitute Banega's tame effort was saved by Claudio Bravo, so Alexis Sanchez had the chance to end Chile's long wait for a Copa title and the Arsenal forward did so in style with a cheeky effort.

Four-time runners-up Chile celebrated in style as Argentina were left to reflect on what might have been once again, as their 22-year wait for a major trophy goes on.

Argentina have now lost two of the last three Copa finals and Lionel Messi - the only Argentina player to score in the shootout - is still to lift a major trophy at international level.

A capacity crowd generated a tremendous atmosphere and Chile, coached by an Argentine in Jorge Sampaoli, appeared to be inspired as they made an encouraging start.

Eduardo Vargas' long-range strike flashed narrowly wide before Sergio Romero got down to his left to keep out Arturo Vidal's volley following a swift Chile break.

Chile goalkeeper Bravo was then called into action to keep out Sergio Aguero's close-range header after the striker had got on the end of Messi's dangerous free-kick.

The game was being played at a frantic pace and Vargas should have done better when he raced onto a ball over the top of the Argentina defence, but blasted high over the crossbar.

The Albiceleste suffered a blow when Angel Di María pulled up with what appeared to be a hamstring injury just before the half-hour mark, with Ezequiel Lavezzi replacing the Manchester United winger - who missed the World Cup final due to a thigh problem.

Lavezzi had a great chance to make an impact when Aguero cut the ball back into his path just before half-time, but the Paris-Saint Germain forward shot straight at Bravo.

Both sides were lacking quality in the final third, but Sanchez almost conjured up a moment of magic to win it when he showed great technique to volley just wide of the far post seven minutes from time.

Argentina had one final chance to snatch victory in normal time when Lavezzi's cross had a little too much on it and Higuain could only fire into the side-netting at full stretch beyond the back post two minutes into time added on.

Sanchez had the only opportunity in the first half of extra time when he raced away following a mistake from Javier Mascherano, but shot just over the crossbar under pressure from the covering Pablo Zabaleta.

Lavezzi appealed for a penalty when he went down under a challenge from Francisco Silva with five minutes remaining, but referee Wilmar Roldan saw nothing untoward and it came as no surprise that the game would be settled by a shootout.

It was advantage Chile when Higuain fired Argentina's second spot-kick high over the bar, then Banega's poor effort was kept out by Bravo to allow Sanchez to win it.

Stephen Keshi fired as Super Eagles coach

Stephen Keshi’s contract as head coach of the Super Eagles has been terminated, the Nigeria Football Federation has announced.

The 53-year-old who was re-appointed as the country’s senior national team coach in April was kicked out on Saturday evening, with assistant Salisu Yusuf and the Technical Directorate of the NFF led by Amodu Shuaibu to take offer till a substantive handler is announced.

“Having thoroughly reviewed the reports/findings of the NFF disciplinary committee and NFF Technical and Development Committee, as well as having reviewed the actions and inactions of Mr. Stephen Keshi, in the performance of his duties as Super Eagles’ head coach, which we found to lack the required commitment to achieve the ederation’s objectives as set out in the coach’s employment contract,” a statement by the NFF Executive Committee read.

“To this end and pursuant to the provisions of clause 4.3 of the employment contract between Mr. Stephen Keshi and the NFF (the contract) and the various clauses therein, the Nigeria Football Federation has decided to exercise its option to summarily terminate the employment contract of Mr. Stephen Keshi with the Federation with immediate effect.”

“It added that the termination was “without prejudice to the settlement of any existing and due financial obligations between the NFF and Mr. Keshi.

“In the interim, the Super Eagles’ team affairs will be jointly managed by assistant Coach, Salisu Yusuf and the Technical Directorate of the NFF headed by Coach Shuaibu Amodu, until the Federation names in due course a new head coach, who, along with the NFF will chart a new direction for the Super Eagles to ensure credible participation in international competitions and assist in building a sustainable football culture for the country,” it concluded.

The former Mali and Togo handler job came under intense scrutiny since the 2-0 victory over Chad after he put a non-league player on the bench and his name also appeared on the FIF website as one of more than 50 coaches applying for Cote d’Ivoire national team job.

Copa América | Argentina crush Paraguay to set up Chile final

Argentina showed ruthlessness in the early hours of today when they pummeled semi-final opponents Paraguay by 6-1 to make a statement of intent as they reached the Copa América final. 

The torchbearer for the Argentine's was four-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi who racked up a 9.5 match rating despite not scoring in the game. 

He was blistering and everything good for football as fans got value for money watching him leave Paraguay defenders for dead on several occasions including an epic nutmeg that left two opposite players trolling on the floor and grasping for breath. 

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The Albaceleste raced to a two goal lead in the first half as Manchester United's Marcos Rojo scrambled in a Messi shot on 15mins before PSG man Javier Pastore scored the second from a clinical Messi pass to make it 2-0.

However, Lucas Barrios made it a contest when he fired pass Sergio Romero in the Argentine goal as the first half ended 2-1. 

In the second period the match ceased to be a contest as the Argentina added four more goals to their earlier two. British record signing Angel di Maria notched a brace within six minutes as he converted a pass from Pastore then netted a rebound again from the PSG's man saved shot after fine work from Messi played him in. 

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Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero headed in a di Maria cross for goal number five before Gonzalo Higuian added the sixth goal via another Messi pass. 

The final of this year's Copa América will be between Argentina and Chile on Saturday as Lionel Messi chase his first International medal....