Whitney Houston's voice soars at hometown funeral

   

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  A coffin holding the remains of singer Whitney Houston is carried into the New Hope …
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  The hearse carrying the body of Whitney Houston leaves Whigham Funeral Home in Newark, …

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — After all the testimonials from relatives and friends, the songs from legends and pop stars, the preaching and even laughter, the raw emotion of Whitney Houston's funeral came down to just one moment: The sound of her own voice.

As the strains of her biggest record, "I Will Always Love You," filled the New Hope Baptist Church at the end of the nearly four-hour service Saturday and her silver-and-gold casket was lifted in the air, the weight of the moment was too much for mother, gospel singer Cissy Houston, to bear.

 As she was held up by two women, she wailed, "My baby! My baby!" as she was led out the church behind her daughter's body.

A few steps behind her was the pop icon's daughter, Bobbi Kristina, also crying uncontrollably as she was comforted by Houston's close friend, singer Ray J.

It was the most searing scene on a day with mixed moods as family, friends and a list celebrities — sometimes one in the same — came to the humble New Hope Baptist Church where she first wowed a congregation to remember one of music's legends, but also a New Jersey hometown girl.

 Houston died last Saturday in Beverly Hills, Calif., on the eve of the Grammys at the age of 48. Her death marked the end of a life that was marked by stunning achievements: Blessed with a voice of great power and beauty, Houston became one of pop music's most successful artists over a career that spanned nearly three decades and segued into film with hits like "The Bodyguard."

 But her struggles with drugs and very public fall from grace during tumultuous times, including a union with ex-husband Bobby Brown, were among the many valleys in her life.

Both sides of Houston were recalled at the service at New Hope, which was filled with about 300 mourners, including Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Forest Whitaker, Jennifer Hudson, Diane Sawyer and Houston's cousin, Dionne Warwick.

 "She was someone with a charmed and a beautiful life, sometimes misunderstood, even by herself," said her sister-in-law and manager, Patricia Houston. "But a life nevertheless that gave joy, happiness, enthusiasm, peace and beautiful music to millions of people around the world."

 Kevin Costner, her co-star in "The Bodyguard," said for all of Houston's beauty and success, she was still yearning for approval from the public — and still somewhat insecure, a superstar who "still wondered, 'Am I good enough? Am I pretty enough? Will they like me?'"

"It's a tree we could all hang from — the unexplainable burden that comes with fame," he said. "Call it doubt. call it fear. I've had mine. And I know the famous in the room have had theirs."

Many who spoke talked about Houston's unshakable faith in Jesus Christ, which got her through some of her most difficult times. Perry recalled a conversation where Houston would look sad when reflecting on her troubles, but then would hasten to add that God was taking care of her.

 "The other thing I know for sure — and this is more important than anything that she's done in her life — Whitney Houston loved the Lord," he said.

Fittingly, music played a major role in the send-off to one of music's greatest voices.

 Stevie Wonder rewrote lyrics to "Ribbon in the Sky" for Houston — "you will always be a ribbon in the sky," he sang.

 So did gospel's the Rev. Kim Burrell for "A Change is Gonna Come," which Warwick said was Houston's favorite song of all time. R. Kelly brought the New Hope Baptist Church to its feet with a stirring version of "I Look to You," the title of Houston's final studio album.

 And Keys, her voice breaking at times, dedicated her song "Send Me An Angel," to Houston

Brown briefly appeared at her funeral, walking to the casket, touching it and walking out. He later said in a statement that he and his children were asked repeatedly to move and he left rather than risk creating a scene.

Close family friend Aretha Franklin, whom Houston lovingly called "Aunt Ree," had been expected to sing at the service, but said early Saturday she was too ill to attend. Franklin said in an email to The Associated Press that she had been up most of the night with leg spasms and sent best wishes to the family.

Warwick presided over the funeral, introducing speakers and singers and offering short insights about her cousin; she joked that Houston's Super Bowl performance of "The Star Spangled Banner" became almost as big as the telephone book.

Hudson, who sang "I Will Always Love You" a night after Houston's death in a Grammy tribute, mourned Houston along with Monica, Brandy, and Jordin Sparks — representing a generation of big-voiced young singers who grew up emulating the star of the '80s and '90s. Sparks stars with Houston in the remake of the 1970s film "Sparkle," due out in August.

As the funeral began, mourners fell quiet as three police officers escorted Houston's casket, draped with white roses and purple lilies. White-robed choir members began to fill the pews on the podium. As the band played softly, the choir sang in a hushed voice, "Whitney, Whitney, Whitney."

A program featuring a picture of Houston looking skyward read "Celebrating the life of Whitney Elizabeth Houston, a child of God." Pictures of Houston as a baby, with her mother and daughter filled the program.

"I never told you that when you were born, the Holy Spirit told me that you would not be with me long," Cissy Houston wrote her daughter in a letter published in the program. "And I thank God for the beautiful flower he allowed me to raise and cherish for 48 years."

"Rest, my baby girl in peace," the letter ends, signed "mommie."

To the world, Houston was the pop queen with the perfect voice, the dazzling diva with regal beauty, a troubled superstar suffering from addiction and, finally, another victim of the dark side of fame. To her family and friends, she was just "Nippy." A nickname given to Houston when she was a child, it stuck with her through adulthood and, later, would become the name of one of her companies.

A few fans gathered hours before the service as close as they could get to the church, some from as far away as Washington, D.C., and Miami. Bobby Brooks said he came from Washington "just to be among the rest of the fans."

"Just to celebrate her life, not just her death," said Brooks, "just to sing and dance with the people that love her."

Others were more entrepreneurial, setting up card tables to sell silk-screened T-shirts with Houston's image and her CDs. Fans were kept blocks from the church and the invitation-only funeral, but their presence was felt. A huge shrine of heart-shaped balloons and personal messages that covered the street corner around the church entrance.

Houston's death marked the final chapter for the superstar whose fall from grace was years in the making. Houston had her first No. 1 hit by the time she was 22, followed by a flurry of No. 1 songs and multi-platinum records.

Over her career, she sold more than 50 million records in the United States alone. Her voice, an ideal blend of power, grace and beauty, made classics out of songs like "Saving All My Love For You," ''I Will Always Love You," ''The Greatest Love of All" and "I'm Every Woman." Her six Grammys were only a fraction of her many awards.

Her last album, "I Look To You," debuted on the top of the charts when it was released in 2009 with strong sales, but didn't have the staying power of her previous records. A tour the next year was doomed by cancellations because of illness and sub-par performances.

Houston is to be buried Sunday next to her father, John Houston, in nearby Westfield, N.J.

Walking in their parents shadows

LIFE & BEAT beams its searchlight on the children of popular actors and actresses in Nigeria, who are following in the footsteps of their parents

Isosiya Dokubo

The first son of actress Hilda Dokubo – Isosiya – was a kid actor in the early days Nollywood. In those days, it was obvious that he was naturally gifted, being the son of an equally talented and much-admired actress.Then, many movie fans felt he stood a chance of hitting it big on screen.

Many years on, Isosiya has grown up and graduated from the Middlessex University in England. However, there is no telling what path he’d chose to follow.

The Afolayan Brothers

Kunle, Aremu and Gabriel, sons of legendary actor, Adeyemi Afolayan, popularly known as Ade Love, did not only inherit their father’s good looks, they also got a huge dose his acting skills.

The brothers, who clearly aspire to greater achievements than their father, have done remarkably well for themselves in the Nigerian film industry.

The elder Afolayan – Kunle – has won many awards with great movies such as Figurine and Irapada. Aremu is set to break records as well, while Gabriel became the toast of many with his performance in the Super Story TV drama series, which brought him to the fore.

Linc and Yul Edochie

Pete Edochie’s sons have not done badly in the movie industry since they came on board a few years ago.

Happily married Linc has evidently not had a very successful career. Unlike his younger sibling, Yul, whose profile appears to be on the rise, he has failed to make it to the A-List in Nollywood.

Yul is melting the hearts of the ladies with his good looks, but he is also gaining popularity and should by now be laughing all the way to the bank.

 Sola and Bidemi Kosoko

Newly-married Sola Kosoko, daughter of seasoned actor Jide Kosoko, inherited her father’s talent. Sola, who recently got married to her lover, Abiodun Abinna, is one of the most talented Yoruba actresses around. She has continued to experience a steady rise in her career and currently, seems on the verge of becoming a movie producer.

The same goes for Bidemi, who has acted in some Yoruba flicks, where she gave a hint of being of what she has inherited from dad.

Peter Bunor Jr

Peter Bunor Jr is the son of actor, Peter Bunor. The younger Bunor was a child actor during the time his father was making waves on the screen. But now, nothing is really heard about him in terms of acting.

The Ray Brothers

Muka, Murphy and Lasun Ray Eyiwunmi are the sons of the late actor, Pa Ray Eyiwunmi. Muka, 45, was introduced into acting by his father in the 1970s. Since then, the guy has not looked back. He has featured in many movies, could including Abore.

Murphy is certainly a chip off the old block and he has not disappointed his late father when it comes to acting. Known for his talented ways of playing a native doctor, Murphy has also made a name in the Yoruba movie industry.

Though not as popular as his siblings, Lasun is not doing badly as a film writer, producer and director.

Peju Ogunmola

Yoruba actress, Peju Ogunmola Omobolanle, daughter of veteran actor, the late Pa Ogunmola, is a popular face in the movie industry.

Married to actor, Aluwe (Sunday Omobolanle), who was her late father’s protégée, Peju has featured in many Yoruba movies. Her face has become a must watch.

Whitney’s ex-husband to visit Lagos

If the news making the rounds on the internet is anything to go by, it means that Bobby Brown, the ex-husband of the late music diva, Whitney Houston, will be in Lagos soon.

Incidentally, an audio recording of Ricky Bell, a member of New Edition surfaced on the internet. Bell was heard announcing plans to hold a concert in Nigeria soon.

The voice said, “Come join me and my boys Biv, Devoe and Bobby Brown as we perform our hitsPoison She’s dope, Ronnie, Every Little Step and a couple of NE (New Edition) joints. We will be rocking the stage live this March, don’t you dare miss it because it’s going to be a classic.”

Also, another New Edition star, Ronnie Devoe, was heard saying, “Whaddup Nigeria, it’s Bell, Biv, Devoe season and this is your man Big Ronnie Devoe aka what about Ronnie. (And) I’m coming along with my boys, Ricky Bell and Mike Bevins. We’re not coming alone; we’re coming with New Edition alumni, Bobby Brown.”

Beckham celebrates fashion week with wife, daughter Beckham celebrates fashion week with wife, daughter Beckham celebrates fashion week with wife, daughter

David Beckham epitomised the perfect husband as he took Victoria out for lunch to celebrate her successful New York Fashion Week show.

After cheering her on front row and centre next to US Vogue editor-in chief Anna Wintour, the 36-year-old treated his two favourite girls to a meal at Balthazar in the Big Apple.

The footballer was spotted cradling the couple’s seven-month-old daughter Harper as his designer wife exited the restaurant in her towering Christian Louboutins.

David looked dapper in a shiny black suit and tie, with his hair slicked back.

Their adorable daughter was dressed in a checked black and white dress with thick woolen tights.

There was no sign of the couple’s three sons, Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz. The footballer was spending as much time as he could with the girls before he jetted back to their home in Los Angeles.

He was seen arriving at LAX alone Sunday night, trying to blend in with the crowd, but failing miserably.

Meanwhile, former Spice Girl Victoria looked downcast as she headed out without her husband in New York.

But she looked the uber-fashionista in a black fur wrap over black skinny jeans and a pair of towering boots. Her brunette locks were curled and fell loosely around her face.

Victoria spoke about her daughter and husband’s support as she debuted her autumn/winter 2012-13 collection.

“Oh, she is such a daddy’s girl,” she told Graziadaily.co.uk.

Victoria revealed that she was so exhausted after flying to Los Angeles during her pregnancy once that airport staff tried to put her in a wheelchair.

“I was so pregnant that when I landed at LAX they tried to put me in a wheelchair. Can you imagine? I was like, I don’t think so, thank you very much.”

Mourinho goes after the record, ready to break Barca

Real Madrid’s 10-point lead over Barcelona at the top of La Liga should be more than enough to secure a first title since 2008 and the focus has shifted to whether Jose Mourinho’s fearsome side can smash the records for points and goals.

On current form – they have won 17 of 18 games since the end of September – they will easily outstrip the 99 points Barca accumulated in 2010 and are comfortably on course to beat the top mark of 107 goals set by John Toshack’s Real team in 1990.

Real’s consistency owes much to the form of La Liga top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 27 goals in 22 matches ahead of Saturday’s game at home to struggling Racing Santander.

The creativity of Mesut Ozil and Angel Di Maria, who have 24 league assists between them, and solidity of central defenders Sergio Ramos and Pepe have been key, while strikers Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain have contributed regularly with vital goals.

Mourinho appears, too, to have imbued his players with greater self-belief, which has helped them to some impressive comeback wins both at home and on the road.

However, Barca’s struggles on their travels – they lost 3-2 at Osasuna last weekend and have taken just 17 of 33 available points – is the principle reason why the battle for the league title looks to be over with just over half the season played.

“I am sure that the players and the coach will not concede a centimetre of their advantage,” Real director of football Miguel Pardeza said on Wednesday.

“We are well positioned and the 10 points give us some room for error,” the former Real player added.

“But now it’s about avoiding carelessness because Barca are still great rivals and in sport you can’t assume something is over until the goal has been completely achieved.”

For all their dominance over the rest of the teams in La Liga, Real face the real prospect of winning the title without managing to beat their arch rivals.

Barca, who host third-placed Valencia on Sunday, came from a goal down to secure a 3-1 success at Real’s Bernabeu stadium in December, knocked Real out of the King’s Cup over two legs in January and also beat them to win the season-opening Spanish Super Cup in August.

However, Real may have already clinched the title by the time they play at the Nou Camp at the end of April and if the Barca players have to applaud their rivals on to the pitch, as is the tradition in Spain, Mourinho and his troops will probably not care as much about the result.

Chipolopolo lessons for African football as Zambia became first in history.

The 28th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations ended exactly a week ago with Zambia’s Chipolopolo emerging champions for the first time in the history of the competition.

The competition ended with memories that would last for many years to come: fanfare, high points and low points and more importantly, lessons for football in the African continent.

New champions Zambia displayed the true African spirit; determination to succeed against all odds, beating Cote d’Ivoire’s Elephants 7-6 on penalties in a pulsating encounter that held football followers worldwide spellbound in over two hours of the best football on display.

Many would agree that was the best final ever seen in the competition’s recent history.

But more importantly, the Zambians cruised to the final with just four members of the entire 23-man squad playing outside Africa. The rest play their football on the continent.

Out of the four, two play in Europe. Twenty-year old midfielder Chisamba Lungu plays for Russian first division side Ural Oblast while mercurial forward Emmanuel Mayuka, stars for Young Boys of Switzerland. The other two, captain Christopher Katongo (Henan Construction) and forward James Chamanga (Dalian Shide) play their football in China.

Before the final match, the Ivoirians were overwhelming favourites. What with their big stars like current Africa Footballer of the Year, Yaya Toure, Chelsea duo Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou, Gervinho, Kolo Toure, Didier Zokora and others. In fact, the West Africans had only Kader Keita playing in Asia with the other squad members played week-in-week-out in the big leagues of Europe.

So who would have given the less-fancied Zambians any chance against the Ivoirians? Of course not Henry Makinwa, Spain-based former Super Eagles fringe striker.

“The level of Ivoirian footballers is very high; in fact, they are the best African football nation at the moment. I don’t foresee any upset. If Zambia try any upset, they may end up losing 5-1,” Makinwa said before the final.

But he would eat his words after the final game.

“Football is really unpredictable. Who would believe Cote d’Ivoire could crash out with their superstars? I was caught in fear when I saw them (Zambians) win. They did a great job.”

Just like Makinwa, the Ivoirians probably didn’t bargain for what they encountered on the day as young and relatively- unknown talented Chipolopolo players sent them to the cleaners.

Before the final, the Zambians had beaten the two other pre-tournament favourites Senegal 2-1 in the group stage and Ghana 1-0 in the semifinal. These countries too paraded Europe-based stars. So the Zambian triumph was not a fluke.

Sudan and Libya went to the tournament with squads picked from their domestic leagues but they made an impact. While Libya narrowly exited the tournament in the group stage and beating Senegal, Sudan reached the last eight, bowing out to the superior might of Zambia.

The last four editions of the biennial competition have been won by teams predominantly made up of players in Africa.

In 2006, six-time champions Egypt won the tournament with only two players- Abdelzaher El-Saqua and Ahmed Mido- plying their trade in Europe. The remaining 21 players were picked from the Egyptian league by coach Hassan Shehata.

Two years later, the Pharaohs again won the trophy with only six players outside the North African country. At the penultimate tournament held in Angola, Egypt again came tops using just four players outside their league.

In 2010, Congo’s TP Mazembe became the first African side to reach the final of the FIFA Club World Cup. Even though they were defeated 3-0 by Inter Milan in the final, they returned home with their heads held high.

The latest development according to followers of the continent’s game, is that African football has gradually come of age.

A member of CAF Media Committee, Aisha Falode, says it’s a good sign for football in Nigeria.

“It’s a positive trend for African football. Stephen Keshi, who is renowned for firsts in Nigerian football, has just started a rebuilding process as coach of the national team and we all can see the results,” Falode told our correspondent.

Former Shooting Stars of Ibadan forward, Gordon Osusu, however believes not all African countries can produce good players from their domestic leagues.

“It depends on where the players are playing in Africa. For instance, the Egyptian league is very competitive and the money is good too unlike most African countries. In Africa, most leagues are very poor; people don’t watch matches any longer unlike when we played,” he said.

Ex-Eagles defender, Abdul Sule, shares the same opinion with Osusu.

Sule, now a Denmark-based football agent said, “I agree that players in Africa can give the Europe-based players a fight, but I am not sure if our own home-based players can do that because there is hardly any support for them in the Nigerian league. There is poor organisation and players don’t get salaries for months.”

However, there was a major snag at the tournament. Of the 16 coaches on display in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, only six were Africans. Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, Sudan, Niger, Tunisia and Botswana were the only countries that paraded their indigenous coaches.

It is a big setback for the continent’s coaches but Osusu insists the reasons are not far-fetched.

He said, “Some African coaches don’t go for good players but are after money they will get from the players that they sign. Everything is wrong with African football

“Coaches here don’t go for refresher courses; no good management; clubs owe players salaries and signing-on fees and the FAs are not doing anything about it. If a player is not happy how can he give his best?

“Most African players in Europe started from here before moving there to play but we don’t give them good training and always depend on white coaches to teach us what to do.

“A good coach doesn’t look at what his players do but to get the result that he wants and also knows how to deal with his top players if they go wrong.”

“After the Nigerian team of 1994, nobody was ready to build that same type of team until now. But I can see that Keshi is trying to build teams A and B from players playing outside Africa and players playing in Africa respectively.

“That is what we all should focus on now. It took the Zambians some years to build the team that won the Nations Cup. The same team was in the 2008 and 2010 editions of the competition.

“Ghana has the same problem with Nigeria and that is why they could not win the Nations Cup.”

An unforgettable Valentine!

Exactly a week to Valentine’s Day Biodun and Dupe were having the best of times in Biodun’s one-room apartment in Surulere when suddenly they heard a heavy knock at the door. “Who could that be at this odd time of the night?” they chorused almost simultaneously. They took a quick glance at the wall clock. It was exactly 11.30p.m. They disengaged immediately, “Who is that?” asked Biodun.

“Open up quickly! Open now or else!” came a guttural voice from the outside. Fear and panic gripped both of them. They were still wondering about the unfolding drama when they heard the heavy knock again, but now more threatening.

“Biodun! Open the door or we’ll break it down!” sounded another husky voice. Biodun knew he was in for big trouble! The manly voices he was hearing were very unfamiliar to him. They were outright strange voices. He staggered up tremblingly, wore his trousers and moved hesitantly towards the door. ‘How did they know my name?’ he thought questioningly. He was sweating profusely. And with trembling hands he opened the door. But alas, on opening the door what happened was better imagined. Rushing in with clubs and daggers were four hefty-looking men; the fifth man was Dupe’s father, an elderly man in his early 60s.

“You put my daughter in the family way!” he thundered, “I’ve always warned you to leave my daughter alone! You’ll pay for this! Now, beat him… beat him!”

“But dad…dad…oh why!” Dupe said amid tears. Biodun was grabbed by one of the four men, who looked exactly like a gorilla. He gave him a terrible slap on the cheek, which sent Biodun reeling on the floor. Then the beating started properly without wasting time. About two men held Biodun’s legs and hands while the other two did jungle justice on him. They tore his clothes and gave him the beating of his life. The clubs were used on him and they cut him with their daggers. Blood was all over him within five minutes of the merciless beating.

“Help…help…help!” cried Biodun in excruciating pains.

“Please…dad…please…don’t let them kill him…,” begged Dupe, but her dad was adamant. Then the next moment it seemed Biodun was about to die. The men left him thinking he was dead but he suddenly jerked and took to his heels. He escaped through the window. Two men followed after him instantly. Since this tragic drama started, most of the neighbours, who were fast asleep, had woken up and were banging the door and pleading on behalf of Biodun, but Dupe’s dad was so angry that he turned deaf ears to their pleas. About some few minutes later the two men came back, dragging Biodun along in a pool of blood. That same midnight, Biodun was taken to the police station by Dupe’s dad, and a false accusation of theft was levelled against him. He was remanded in prison custody after a bribe of N10,000 was given to the District Police Officer.

Biodun Ayoola and Dupe Famakin had been lovers for the past five years. Biodun was a graduate of Accountancy from Auchi Polytechnic, while Dupe was a final year student of Agricultural Science at the same institution. They fell in love while Biodun was still in the school. Biodun had been out of school now, but yet to get a job for the past two years. Dupe’s father, Chief Famakin, was a business mogul. He had chains of companies all over the country. He had invested a lot in Dupe’s education and social life. He had a lofty dream for his daughter whom he cherished so much. He wanted her to marry from the elite, the super-rich and powerful. He knew Biodun to be a very poor lover boy, who lost his parents while still very young. Dupe, actually, was the person financing Biodun throughout his studies. She was so deeply in love with Biodun that she wouldn’t mind to go hungry so far Biodun was okay. Biodun too was really in love with Dupe. He had no other girlfriend in the school except her. They were both known in school for their mutual romance.

Chief Famakin had someone in mind to marry his daughter. He was Alhaji Abdulahi Dongo, his business partner. Though, Alhaji Abdulahi had about three wives, Chief Famakin was bent on giving out the hand of his only daughter to him as the fourth wife. Dupe herself had bluntly refused all entreaties and moves by her dad, but chief was a strict disciplinarian, who wanted his orders obeyed by his household. Dupe had vowed to die than marry Alhaji Dongo. Dupe’s mum was based in London, overseeing one of her husband’s business interests there. Before Dupe’s mum travelled to London a year ago, she showed sincere acceptance for Biodun regarding their relationship. She’d always phone and advice her daughter to marry the young, handsome Biodun and forget about Alhaji Dongo, who was in his 50s.

It was three days to Valentine’s Day, and Biodun was still in the cell. Dupe would visit him in the morning with food and water – the same in the afternoon and evening. The prison inmates, who had maltreated Biodun by beating him to a state of coma the first day he was put in the cell, were now lenient with him and pitied him when he narrated what actually brought him to the prison. They took pity on him. He was now lean and looked haggard. He had bruises on his body. Dupe would look at him with the deepest feeling of sympathy immediately she set eyes on him. Dupe was now two months pregnant for Biodun and her dad had vowed to kill him for putting his daughter in the family way.

Dupe had been contriving plans to elope with Biodun. She was getting impatient every day. The sordid condition of Biodun was making her lose sleep and she became very unhappy towards her dad and everybody at home. But her dad was still adamant in spite of her daughter’s condition. Dupe then phoned her mum and gave a detailed account of what happened. She demanded about £5,000 and her mum sent the money through a friend coming to Nigeria. She got the money on Valentine’s eve. She bailed her fiancé from prison and with the money they took the next available flight to Cross River State to continue their romance adventure there.

During the one-hour flight to Cross River State, inside the airplane, Dupe unzipped her bag and brought out a piece of letter, which Biodun had written her two months ago. The letter reads:

“Dearest Dupe,

“How’s your studies and everything? I think by now you should have finished your final papers and making preparations to come home. Thanks for all you did in my life. I had to write you ‘cos it’s you and only you that’s occupying my thoughts at the moment. Dupe darling, I must confess nobody can take your place in my heart.

“You’ve never let me for once be in doubt as to the sincerity and true love you have for me since all these years we’ve been together. You know something, the very first time I saw you I thought I was seeing an angel…and indeed you’re an angel! Your personal charm and charisma befuddled my sense of judgment…you’re such a seraph…a being from the celestial realm. How actually am I going to describe you…is it your spotless skin, your sparkling white teeth or your eyes…those charming white eyes, and your physique? Everything about you makes my heart go pounding hither and thither. I love you with every ounce of blood in my veins. Dupsy darling, I can climb the highest mountains because of you and I can swim the deepest ocean for your sake. I know you feel the same way as I do. Your seraphic beauty is something only true, loving eyes can see. I’m earnestly craving and praying for the day you’d bear me a child and I’ll become a fulfilled man. Dupsy darling, I promise you’ll never have cause to regret ever fallen in love with me…all I need from you is your usual sincere love, understanding and a caring heart and our dreams would come true through divine blessing. I’ll be expecting your reply as soon as possible.

Your Fiancé,

Biodun.

Gyan quits Ghana

                                                    

Ghana star Asamoah Gyan has quit international football “indefinitely”.

The move follows the Black Stars’ semi-final defeat by Zambia at the Africa Cup of Nations, in which Gyan had a penalty saved.

The player has come under sustained criticism following the Black Stars’ failure to win the continental crown.

Gyan’s decision was confirmed by his manager but the country’s football association (GFA) says it is in talks to try and get him to change his mind.

The GFA statement described his move as being a “temporary break” and said it came because the player was “frustrated over the verbal abuse he has received” since the end of the Nations Cup.

“The GFA is in talks with Mr. Gyan to urge him to reconsider his decision,” it concluded.

      Britain’s fattest woman hasn’t been outside in four years

Meet Britain’s new fattest woman – who weighs 40 stone and is so big that she has not left her house in four years.

Brenda Flanagan-Davies, 43, has never once sat in her taxpayer-funded living room because it takes too much effort for her to walk there from bed.

Once as heavy as 45 stone, Brenda is now the heaviest women in the UK following the death of 45-stone Sharon Mevsimler in 2010.

The former shop assistant, from Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, eats more than 6,000 calories per day – including nine chocolate bars and three litres of fizzy drinks.

Brenda is virtually bed-bound by her extreme girth and is so addicted to food she even has a fridge next to her reinforced bed crammed full of chocolates and soda.

Now after years of being confined to her tiny bungalow, Brenda is begging for help after doctors warned her ‘lose weight or die.’

She said: ‘I spend my life in bed – that’s not a life. I have tried countless diets but I can’t stop eating. I can’t walk 20 feet to my shower without getting out of breath.

In fact she has not left the house since a doctor’s appointment four years ago.

She said: ‘I struggled to get in and out of the car to get to the doctors and when I was there I was terrified of sitting down in case I broke a chair. I had to stand up and it was totally humiliating with everyone staring.

‘People looked at me like I was a freak. They didn’t see a person, they saw a massive blob they didn’t think had any feelings.

Amazingly, Brenda insists that is healthier than what she used to eat before – causing her to be her heaviest weight of 45 stone in 2006.

Growing up with two average-sized parents and two slim brothers and a sister, Brenda always felt like the black sheep.

By the time she was eight Brenda weighed seven stone – the average for a 13-year-old.

Accident claims three lives, 39 vehicles

Lagos tanker explosion  | credits: File

Two members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers and another unidentified person died about midnight on Saturday when a petroleum truck exploded at Mile Two, near Festac Town, in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the fire, which followed the explosion, injured many people and burnt 39 vehicles, including commercial buses.

The spokesman for the Lagos State Police Command, Jaiyeoba Joseph, who confirmed the incident, said the driver of the truck with registration No. XB 370 ATN, was, however, at large.

The Mile Two branch Treasurer of the NURTW, Mr. Kazeem Orilowo, who witnessed the incident, told NAN that their office was destroyed in the inferno which lasted for about seven hours.

Lagos tanker explosion

 

He said that the incident occurred when the driver of the truck, which was petrol laden, lost control while descending on one of the loops of the Mile Two bridge and exploded by the motor park.

Orilowo said the vehicles destroyed were for inter-state and intra-city transportation.

Also the Vice-Chairman of the Amuwo-Odofin NURTW, Mr. Ajele Abayomi, told SUNDAY PUNCH that two of the deceased, Taworidi Alade, Sulmonu Azeez, were their members.

“We could not identify the third person. When we searched the truck that caused the inferno, we saw three number plates but the driver has absconded,” he said.

It was gathered that 10 transport companies in the areas lost vehicles to the inferno.

A driver with one of the transport companies, Jil Motors, Mr Austin Iziren, told NAN that they lost a bus, while the fire consumed all his personal belongings.

Also, a manager with Ufuoma Motors, Mr. Fred Obroh, said they lost two buses in the fire.

In a related development Yobe State Governor, Ibrahim Gaidam, has directed the immediate review of activities of the state’s mass transit company, ‘Yobe Line.’ following an accident involving two of its buses which claimed 32 lives.

In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the governor on media and information, Abdullahi Bego on Saturday, it said the “governor took that measure ‘with a view to ensuring that accidents such as the one that claimed several lives are prevented in future.”

The two buses belonging to Yobe line had on Thursday collided with each other near Azare, along the Kano-Maiduguri road, claiming 32 livess

Bego said the governor also called on commercial drivers to observe traffic regulations while plying major roads.