The Wordsmith Blog™

Now the 23rd richest person on earth according to Forbes list of billionaires 2014 edition, Nigeria's Aliko Dangote is not stopping at ensuring a Nigerian remains on the top list of the world's wealthiest. Here's how Forbes puts it; The ranks of the world’s billionaires continue to scale new heights–and stretch to new corners of the world. Forbes global wealth team found 1,645 billionaires with an aggregate net worth of $6.4 trillion, up from $5.4 trillion a year ago. The magazine unearthed a record 268 new ten-figure fortunes, including 42 new women billionaires, another record. In total, there are 172 women on the list, more than ever before and up from 138 last year. Microsoft founder Bill Gates is back on top after a four-year hiatus, reclaiming the title of world’s richest person from telecom mogul Carlos Slim Helu of Mexico, who ranked No. 1 for the past four years. Also for the first time, an African, Aliko Dangote of Nigeria, breaks into the top 25. Worth $25 billio

Present reports reveals that South African athlete Oscar Pistorius has pleaded not guilty at the start of his trial for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. Pistorius shot Steenkamp, 29, a model and reality TV star, at his home in Pretoria on February 14, 2013. State prosecutors allege the killing was premeditated, but he claims he mistook her for an intruder. For the first time in South Africa, parts of the trial will be televised live. Media interest is high. The arrest of the national sporting hero astounded South Africa. The 27-year-old double amputee won gold at the London 2012 Paralympic Games and also competed at the Olympics. Pistorius pleaded not guilty to all charges, including the “wilful and intentional murder of Reeva Steenkamp” as the trial began. His lawyer is reading out a statement from the athlete, giving his version of events of how Steenkamp died, saying he believed his girlfriend was in bed when he shot at the toilet door in the early hours of Valen

The entry of mobile telecommunication services into the country as announced by the President Olusegun Obasanjo led administration on August 2001 was a grand one. Winning a rousing welcome from the people. Alas! It was the end of bias, the rich and the poor can now play on a level plain ground (Only telecommunication-wise, though). Keeping in touch with family and friends was now a phone call away. The advent of the mobile telecommunication services became a blessing to long distant relationships, business people, amongst many others. It brought communication comfort unequaled, relative peace of mind and mended broken bridges of relationships which have suffered lack of communication earlier. These comfort and gains did not come without a price, in fact, it came with a huge one. The cost of a mobile phone at the time was huge, ranging from #20,000-#50,000 on the average depending on what the user's taste and purse could afford. Buying the phones was not the end of the task, ther

Leader of the Jama’atu Ahlus Sunnati Lidda’awati Wal Jihad, otherwise known as Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, has vowed to launch more attacks on Nigeria and Nigerians. Kingpin of the dreaded sect in a new video made available to newsmen, has threatened to target Nigeria’s refineries and top northern leaders such as IBB, Buhari, Atiku and others. This is coming barely 73 hours after its members wasted several lives in renewed attacks in Adamawa and Borno States. He said the state of emergency currently imposed on Adamawa, Borno and Yobe State would not prevent them from carrying out their attacks. Shekau called on his members in other states, particularly Kano, to attack civilians and government institutions. The full text of his 28-minute video, delivered in Hausa, reads thus; “My brethren…you should hold on to your weapons and continue fighting. Let them understand that our work is not confined to Yobe, Borno and Adamawa (states). Make them understand that we are not restricted by emer

Perhaps you thought the S4 was the height of it, well I gave it a thought too. With its dauntingly novel features I felt there could be nothing more than create a new brand away from the Galaxy series. But alas the flagship is here, The Galaxy S5 is here! Samsung has officially announced its Galaxy S5 smartphone at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The tech giant’s new flagship device is powered by a quad-core Krait chip running at 2.5GHz, and features a 5.1-inch, Full HD Super AMOLED display (1920 x 1080). Samsung Galaxy S5 smartphone Samsung Galaxy S5 smartphone Measuring in at 142 x 72.5 x 8.1mm, the Galaxy S5 tips the scales at 145g and is water and dust-resistant to the IP67 standard. The handset also includes a 16-megapixel camera on the rear, a 2-megapixel snapper on the front, and runs off a 2800 mAh battery. Google’s latest operating system Android 4.4.2 KitKat comes pre-installed. Samsung has confirmed that the phone will be capable of 4K UHD video recording at 38

[Read Text of 1st Interview After Suspension] This is a transcribed version of the major parts of suspended Central Bank Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi's first interview after his suspension. He spoke to CNBC Africa. ****Read the text below****. On Whether He Was On Notice With Respect To His Suspension: Well, I have been told by my office that a letter was received. As you know, I flew in this morning to Niamey along with other Governors of West African Central Banks to meet with the President of Niger and President of Ghana…Fortunately, I came in with my VP Sarah Alade whom I have been asked to hand over to. I have left the meeting to hand over to her. I have just met the Nigerian Ambassador to Niger who confirmed to me that the President asked him to inform me of the decision. On Accusations Of "Various Acts of Financial Misconduct and Recklessness": I don't know what they are talking about. When I come back, I will see what those allegations are…I don't th

No one man is an island of knowledge, everyone who know today, probed at one point or the other. Questioning and fact finding are an inseparable duo. If any would make anything out of an endeavor, they must be ready and willing to ask questions. Observing a wearying trend, I found out that many now do not ask questions as it was obtainable in the past. Could it be that everyone now knows? Could it be a matter of shyness? Could it be a function of pride/self esteem? Or that we are not skilled or have not mastered the art of questioning? We'll set the ball of this discourse rolling from hence. To tackle correctly and convincingly the issue before us, there's a need to get personal, and factual, directing the afore questions to yourself. Putting simply; "Why Do I or Don't I Ask Questions?" General sampling revealed that people do not ask questions for the following reasons, and utmost amongst these reasons is; 1) Fear Of Revealing They Are Naïve: More o