Billionaire Aliko Dangote denies interest in Arsenal investment

Nigeria's richest man, billionaire Aliko Dangote, has denied media reports that he is  considering buying a 16 per cent stake in Arsenal.  

Dangote had been reported to have registered his interest in buying the stake being sold by Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith, the club's fourth biggest investor. 

Bracewell-Smith has appointed U.S. private equity firm Blackstone Group to find a buyer. And while between eight and 12 parties are said to be taking a detailed look at the potential for investment, Dangote issued a statement denying he was one.

'I am a longstanding supporter of Arsenal Football Club and have been involved in conversations around investment in the past,' Dangote said.

'However, I can say categorically at this time that I have no intention of investing in the club and will not be acquiring a stake. I wish Arsenal Football Club the best for the future and will continue to follow the team as a fan.'

Daily Mail

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Nelson's Ship in a Bottle by Yinka Shonibare

Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare MBE, today became the first African artist to display artwork in any public space in Great Britain, when he today unveiled his work "Nelson's Ship in a Bottle" in London's Trafalgar Square. The artwork is sponsored by Guaranty Trust Bank of Nigeria who earlier in 2010 registered another first when it sponsored Chris Ofilis collection at Tate Britain, making it the first African corporation to sponsor a major artwork in Great Britain.

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Super Eagles set off for the 2010 FIFA World Cup tomorrow

The Super Eagles will be sent off to the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals in grand style tomorrow night in Abuja with President Goodluck Jonathan expected to deliver an address to the football Ambassadors.

Nigeria's political and corporate leaders as well as football administrators and fans will gather at the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja to bid farewell to the team and to reassure the players and officials of the nation's unwavering support, as it departs for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

The Eagles, back in the FIFA World Cup after missing the finals in Germany four years ago, head to London the following morning for a 10 -day pre-World Cup camp and are expected to play two games in Europe against Saudi Arabia and Colombia.

The high profile dinner event tagged 'Super Eagles Celebration Night', which is expected to be graced by His Excellency President Goodluck Jonathan, is aimed at inspiring and motivating the two-time African champions, one of the world's most favourite national football teams, and will be attended by the full contingent of the teams' 2010 FIFA World Cup squad.

NFF President Sani Lulu Abdullahi said the big night is an occasion for the nation's leaders to appreciate the team and also gear the players and officials up for the 19th FIFA World Cup finals, which is for the first time ever being staged on African soil.

"As official sponsors of the Super Eagles, Coca-Cola is proud to host this event as a platform for the entire nation to appreciate these heroes and to pledge the confidence and support of over 140 million compatriots, as the team gears up for the great battle ahead", said Austin Ufomba, Coca-Cola Nigeria's Marketing Director.

"We at Coca-Cola are optimistic that the Super Eagles, imbued with the 'Naija' spirit, will be the team to beat in South Africa", he added.

Highpoints of the night will include address by President Goodluck Jonathan, live performance of the Super Eagles' 2010 World Cup song, video/audio documentary on the Eagles' march to the World Cup finals and live performance of the Nigerian remix of the Waving' Flag, Coca-Cola's 2010 FIFA World Cup theme song originally done by Somali-born K'NAAN. The remix rendered by the duo of Nigeria's leading hip-hop stars, Banky W and MI, is dedicated to the Super Eagles and is a celebration of the 'Naija Spirit' - that unfazed sense of optimism, confidence and perseverance that drives the average Nigerian to thrive in spite of adversity.

The Super Eagles' send forth dinner marks another milestone in the growing scope and strength of Coca-Cola's partnership with the NFF for the promotion and development of football in Nigeria. Other areas of recent collaboration between the two organizations include the launch in 2009 of the Copa Coca-Cola U-17 grassroots football programme and Coca-Cola's N550million five-year contract with the NFF for sponsorship of Nigeria's men's national football teams.

It would be recalled that Coca-Cola kicked off its 2010 FIFA World Cup campaign in October 2009, with the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour which gave thousands of Nigerians in Lagos and Abuja the rare opportunity to see the world's most coveted football icon live. It also became a platform for the Late President Umar Musa Yar'Adua to make history as the first Nigerian ever to touch and lift the World Cup trophy.

Daily Trust

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Nigerian politician arrested with cocaine

A Nigerian politician has been arrested for trying to smuggle almost five pounds of cocaine in his stomach in a scheme to finance his election campaign, authorities said Monday.

Eme Zuru Ayortor, a 52-year-old pharmacist and a hopeful for Nigeria's Edo State House of Assembly, was arrested at the international airport in Lagos, drug officials said.

Officials became suspicious of the politician when a scanning machine in the airport revealed that he was carrying 2.120 kilograms (4.7 pounds) of cocaine in his stomach, according to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

Ayortor was trying to fly to Frankfurt, Germany, the agency said.

"After undergoing observation, the pharmacist turned politician excreted 100 pieces of powdery substance that tested positive to cocaine," the agency said in a statement.

"Preliminary check on him revealed that he was preparing himself financially for the forthcoming election into the Edo State House of Assembly."

The suspect told authorities that he was hoping his status as a politician would help him avoid being arrested.

"We do not look at faces in conducting drug screening and we are not moved by credentials. Whoever is dealing in narcotics shall be exposed and prosecuted," said Ahmadu Giade, chairman of the Nigerian drug agency.

CNN

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