FBI probes Germany over 2006 World Cup payment

German daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung (SZ) reports that the FBI has opened a corruption investigation into the awarding of the 2006 World Cup to Germany.

SZ said it was told by "sources close to FIFA" that the FBI was concerned about a suspect payment made by the German football federation to FIFA before the tournament was awarded.

The DFB said the money was a loan of 10 million Swiss francs - the equivalent of $7.22m - from then-Adidas boss Robert Louis-Dreyfus to FIFA in 2002 to obtain a large grant for the World Cup organising committee.

It is unclear who exactly received the money, however.

The payment is also the target of a tax evasion investigation by German and Swiss authorities.

The re-branding project of PDP aimed at repositioning the party to regain power by 2019

A report released and signed by the National Secretary of People Democratic Party, Prof. Adewale Oladipo, stated that the National Working Committee (NWC), State Chairmen and Zonal Vice Chairmen of the party rose from a meeting at the party’ National Secretariat in Abuja, Thursday, January 21, 2016 and resolved;

"To charge all its members to remain committed to the stability, rebuilding and development of the party."

"That the PDP still remains the only true national political party, well-equipped to nurture and sustain national unity and cohesion, irrespective of religion, class or creed."

"That all organs of the party nation-wide should be galvanized towards the re-branding project of PDP aimed at repositioning the party to regain power by 2019."

The meeting urged all organs of the party to continue to sensitize party members across the country on the rebuilding efforts as well as laid-out programmes, which would culminate in the summoning of the party’s caucus next week, and thereafter the meetings of the Board of Trustees, (BoT) and the National Executive Committee (NEC) to approve the draft guideline for our Congresses and the National Convention.

Oscar controversy: Michael Caine says black actors should ‘be patient’

The British actor didn’t hold back when asked to weigh in on the ongoing debate about a call for diversity in Hollywood, after no people of color were nominated for Oscars in acting categories for the second year in a row.

"There's loads of black actors. You can't vote for an actor because he's black,” said Caine, 82, in a BBC Radio 4 interview when asked about the issue.

“You got to give a good performance, and I'm sure there were very good (performances)."

Caine, a two-time Oscar winner and four-time nominee, also advised that black actors simply “be patient” about getting Academy Award recognition, using himself as an example.

"Be patient ... of course, it will come. It took me years to get an Oscar," said Caine, who won his first Oscar in 1987 for his supporting role in “Hannah and Her Sisters.”

Caine’s comments come just as fellow British actor Charlotte Rampling, one of this year’s nominees in the best actress category, received backlash for dismissing the #OscarsSoWhite movement as “racists to whites.”

Caine’s comments come just as fellow British actor Charlotte Rampling, one of this year’s nominees in the best actress category, received backlash for dismissing the #OscarsSoWhite movement as “racists to whites.”

And in the wake of the mounting controversy, the Academy pledged “historic reforms" Friday, including promising to double its number of female and minority members by 2020.

You are an embarrassment to female comedians – Lolo1 blasts Princess

Nigerian Comedienne and Wazobia FM On-Air-Personality, Omotunde Adebowale, popularly known as Lolo1, has called out her fellow female comedienne, Princess, on Instagram over her attitude and behaviour on stage.

Lolo1 said Princess’ attitude on stage is downright rude and absolutely ridiculous.

On her Instagram page @officiallolo1, the OAP wrote, “Good morning guys! I have some things I’ve always wanted to get off my mind.

“I totally respect and have absolute faith in the growth of the “Stand Up” comedy industry in Nigeria but I think Females in this industry have a whole lot of work to do.

“We’re strong, we are beautiful and we are talented but unfortunately some have allowed “pettiness” “rudeness” and downright classlessness, override whatever form of talent they have.

“I’m usually not one to call people out, (especially my colleagues) but at this point; someone needs to talk to PRINCESS the ‘comedian’.

“Madam, what you do on stage is no longer comedy. You’re still acting after the audience has gone.

“Your attitude, downright rudeness and absolute ridiculousness on stage are an embarrassment to female comedians.

“As a so called veteran, you of all people should know that when the joke is no longer funny, it’s time to exit the stage.

“If you know her, please tell her. Madam, abeg clear road. It’s either you work on your craft and fix whatever psychological and emotional issues you have, or leave the stage.

“Either way, stop embarrassing us,” Lolo1 penned down.

With daily post

Vice President Osinbajo Explains FG’s Economic Plan

Prof. Osinbajo said that a special protection programme aimed at addressing unemployment will be implemented, according to Channel Television.

The government has emphasized the importance of mobilizing domestic revenue to enable significant spending on social investment to the extent that 10% of the budget is going to be used for social protection programmes.

These will include training for 500,000 teachers, micro-credit scheme for 300,000 market women and several other youth empowerment programmes.

“Our youth employment is very crucial. We think that for graduate employment, the direct creation of jobs – the 500,000 teachers – will address some of that concern but for those who are not graduates, we are looking at investing in that also substantially, told Channel.

“How we intend to do that is by this youth employment scheme,” he said.

Investment in infrastructural development has also been identified as a key component to economic growth and our correspondent sought to know what kind of attention the Federal Government was paying to this.

Prof Osinbajo said, “That’s why we are spending so much money on infrastructure and that’s power. We are going to spend a lot of money on power. If you look at our whole capital spend in this (2016) budget, it is directed at ensuring that we are able to improve the economy significantly.”

With the country’s revenue profile taking a hit because of the dependence on oil, the VP said that one of the critical sectors for Nigeria is the agro-allied value chain which the Buhari administration wants to also improve significantly.

“If you look at rice for example, we are looking at milling and how we can ensure that there is more investment in silos storage and also in milling.

“It is important to us that Agriculture is not a government business and what is crucial is that we create an environment and bring in private partnership.”

Prof. Osinbajo also stressed that the cash transfer promised during the campaign of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was meant for the poorest in the society and not for the unemployed people, as popularly believed.