Former World Fattest Man Who Weighed Almost 600 Kg Dies

A Mexican man, who once weighed 88 stones (appr. 558 kg) has reportedly died at Hospital Universitario in Monterrey at the age of 48.

 Photo: Manuel Uribe used to be the fattest man in the world. Photo credit: Reuters

Manuel Uribe was rushed to the hospital on May 2 over the abnormal heartbeat. Doctors had struggled for his life for more than 3 weeks, however their attempts were unsuccessful.

Manuel Uribe used to be the fattest man in the world

Photo: Manuel Uribe used to be the fattest man in the world. Photo credit: Reuters

Suffering from serious health conditions and being bedridden for 9 years, Uribe had managed to lose weight up to 360 kg in 2008. That year Meme, as he was tenderly called by his friends and relatives, married his girlfriend of 4 years Claudia Solis.

Hospital staff confirmed the fact of death without specifying the cause.

Condolences to Manuel's family.

The Only Nigerian Journalist With Access To Boko Haram Flown Home To Negotiate With Group

Nigerian journalist, Ahmad Salkida, who previously worked for Daily Trust and Premium Times and reported extensively on Boko Haram, fled Nigeria to Dubai 2 years ago after being accused of being a Boko Haram sympathizer. He said he fled after 'his life and that of his family became endangered' after security agencies began to mistake his in-depth reporting on the terrorist group as evidence of his closeness to them. He went underground for several weeks before finally fleeing Nigeria. Salkida was perhaps the only Nigerian journalist/civilian to have access to Boko Haram, and he said at the time that he'd turned down Boko Haram's many requests for him to publish exclusive interviews and materials for them.

Anyway according to new reports, the Nigerian government flew him back home a few weeks ago to negotiate with Boko Haram on their behalf, since he's the only civilian who has allegedly seen Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau and come out alive. He reportedly came back home after the Nigerian government assured him that he will not be arrested. (See his tweets).

One hundred non-combatant, low-level sympathisers were to be freed and the two groups brought together in a convoy of buses accompanied by a hand-picked go-between, respected Nigerian journalist Ahmad Salkida.
The plan had been agreed in tortuous negotiations in response to worldwide outrage over a night-time raid on a school in the town of Chibok on April 14 when the girls were abducted from their dormitories.
Mr Salkida was born in Borno State, where Boko Haram originated. He has known its leaders all his life and has unprecedented access.
He has been arrested on several occasions accused of being a Boko Haram sympathiser, and he fled with his family to Dubai two years ago.

But two weeks ago, he was summoned out of exile by President Jonathan’s aides. He initially feared he might face arrest, but was then given a letter of indemnity signed by the President when he flew to Nigeria.
Sources said Mr Salkida was able to travel by taxi to the group’s forest camp to talk to Shekau two weeks ago. ‘His mission was secretive and dangerous,’ they said.
He is probably the only civilian with access to Shekau. There is trust between them and Salkida had only one aim – to get the schoolgirls out.

He reported afterwards that the group of girls he saw were alive and well, and being adequately fed and sheltered. They told him all they wanted was to go home.
Salkida’s mission was complicated by the chaos surrounding government’s pronouncements about negotiations with the terrorist group.
Shekau has released two shocking videos showing the girls dressed in hijabs and reciting verses from the Koran.

Nigerian journalist, Ahmad Salkida, who previously worked for Daily Trust and Premium Times and reported extensively on Boko Haram, fled Nigeria to Dubai 2 years ago after being accused of being a Boko Haram sympathizer. He said he fled after 'his life and that of his family became endangered' after security agencies began to mistake his in-depth reporting on the terrorist group as evidence of his closeness to them. He went underground for several weeks before finally fleeing Nigeria. Salkida was perhaps the only Nigerian journalist/civilian to have access to Boko Haram, and he said at the time that he'd turned down Boko Haram's many requests for him to publish exclusive interviews and materials for them.

Anyway according to new reports, the Nigerian government flew him back home a few weeks ago to negotiate with Boko Haram on their behalf, since he's the only civilian who has allegedly seen Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau and come out alive. He reportedly came back home after the Nigerian government assured him that he will not be arrested. (See his tweets).

One hundred non-combatant, low-level sympathisers were to be freed and the two groups brought together in a convoy of buses accompanied by a hand-picked go-between, respected Nigerian journalist Ahmad Salkida.
The plan had been agreed in tortuous negotiations in response to worldwide outrage over a night-time raid on a school in the town of Chibok on April 14 when the girls were abducted from their dormitories.
Mr Salkida was born in Borno State, where Boko Haram originated. He has known its leaders all his life and has unprecedented access.
He has been arrested on several occasions accused of being a Boko Haram sympathiser, and he fled with his family to Dubai two years ago.

But two weeks ago, he was summoned out of exile by President Jonathan’s aides. He initially feared he might face arrest, but was then given a letter of indemnity signed by the President when he flew to Nigeria.
Sources said Mr Salkida was able to travel by taxi to the group’s forest camp to talk to Shekau two weeks ago. ‘His mission was secretive and dangerous,’ they said.
He is probably the only civilian with access to Shekau. There is trust between them and Salkida had only one aim – to get the schoolgirls out.

He reported afterwards that the group of girls he saw were alive and well, and being adequately fed and sheltered. They told him all they wanted was to go home.
Salkida’s mission was complicated by the chaos surrounding government’s pronouncements about negotiations with the terrorist group.
Shekau has released two shocking videos showing the girls dressed in hijabs and reciting verses from the Koran. - See more at: http://gistpage.com/p/2108/the-only-nigerian-journalist-with-access-to-boko-haram-flown#sthash.LezwPv3b.dpuf

Nigerian journalist, Ahmad Salkida, who previously worked for Daily Trust and Premium Times and reported extensively on Boko Haram, fled Nigeria to Dubai 2 years ago after being accused of being a Boko Haram sympathizer. He said he fled after 'his life and that of his family became endangered' after security agencies began to mistake his in-depth reporting on the terrorist group as evidence of his closeness to them. He went underground for several weeks before finally fleeing Nigeria. Salkida was perhaps the only Nigerian journalist/civilian to have access to Boko Haram, and he said at the time that he'd turned down Boko Haram's many requests for him to publish exclusive interviews and materials for them.

Anyway according to new reports, the Nigerian government flew him back home a few weeks ago to negotiate with Boko Haram on their behalf, since he's the only civilian who has allegedly seen Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau and come out alive. He reportedly came back home after the Nigerian government assured him that he will not be arrested. (See his tweets).

One hundred non-combatant, low-level sympathisers were to be freed and the two groups brought together in a convoy of buses accompanied by a hand-picked go-between, respected Nigerian journalist Ahmad Salkida.
The plan had been agreed in tortuous negotiations in response to worldwide outrage over a night-time raid on a school in the town of Chibok on April 14 when the girls were abducted from their dormitories.
Mr Salkida was born in Borno State, where Boko Haram originated. He has known its leaders all his life and has unprecedented access.
He has been arrested on several occasions accused of being a Boko Haram sympathiser, and he fled with his family to Dubai two years ago.

But two weeks ago, he was summoned out of exile by President Jonathan’s aides. He initially feared he might face arrest, but was then given a letter of indemnity signed by the President when he flew to Nigeria.
Sources said Mr Salkida was able to travel by taxi to the group’s forest camp to talk to Shekau two weeks ago. ‘His mission was secretive and dangerous,’ they said.
He is probably the only civilian with access to Shekau. There is trust between them and Salkida had only one aim – to get the schoolgirls out.

He reported afterwards that the group of girls he saw were alive and well, and being adequately fed and sheltered. They told him all they wanted was to go home.
Salkida’s mission was complicated by the chaos surrounding government’s pronouncements about negotiations with the terrorist group.
Shekau has released two shocking videos showing the girls dressed in hijabs and reciting verses from the Koran. - See more at: http://gistpage.com/p/2108/the-only-nigerian-journalist-with-access-to-boko-haram-flown#sthash.LezwPv3b.dpuf

Breaking News: Boko Haram Attacks Village In Adamawa State

Members of the Islamist militant group, Boko Haram, launched an attack in Kubla, Madagali local government area of Adamawa State, according to a military source report to SaharaReporters.

Information from the security operative stated that the attack began Saturday's night and lasted till Sunday morning.

Kubla, the scene of the attacks, borders Borno State, another of the three northeast Nigerian states where the insurgent group remains most active.

 *File photo of a recent Boko Haram attack

It was gathered that the heavily armed militants arrived in Kubla and started burning houses and stealing foodstuff, until a contingent of the military was mobilized and deployed to confront them.

The soldiers were said to be engage the militants in a fierce exchange of gunfire overnight.

However, the source could not provide details about the level of casualty on the part of the soldiers as well as the militants as he claimed he was not in a position to do so.

It could be recalled that three persons were on Thursday night shot in Kimba community, in Gur ward of Biu Local Government Area of Borno state, during an attack believed to be carried out by members of the radical Islamist sect.

Also, no fewer than 30 people were reportedly killed by suspected Boko Haram insurgents on May 22 in 3 villages situated in Marte LGA, Borno State.

The Boko Haram sects have allegedly killed thousands of people since 2009.

Fear Grips Kaduna Residents Over Alleged Text Message From Boko Haram (READ)

A text message widely- circulated yesterday in the Kaduna metropolis suggesting a possible Boko Haram attack is causing fear and tension  among residents in the city.

But the state police command has dismissed the text message, describing it as the hand work of mischief makers who were out to instill fear and cause confusion among the residents.

The text message, which warned residents to be careful about going through or passing through some places and locations in the city, urged that the message be circulated and warned against taking chances.

The message read: ” If you are  within Kaduna, please  kindly pass this  news across to your family members  to pray and to be very careful about the following places: 10 Storey building, Kawo park, between Leventis buildings to Taiwo buildings.  This  letter was send to the mosque and  confirmed  by the security  agencies. Let’s not take chance.”

However, while reacting to the text message, the spokesman of the Kaduna State police command, Aminu Lawan, a Superintendent of Police (SP), said the command heard about the text message, stressing that those who want to cause fear among the people were behind it.

According to him, “The text message was the hand work of mischief makers who were  out to instill fear and create confusion among the people.

“They are used to circulating this kind of wicked rumour to scare people. We have had such text messages in the past threatening  to burn places or do this or that. But we are asking people to be extra vigilant and report any suspicious thing to the police.”

Lawan who said security had been beefed up within the metropolis, urged residents to disregard the text message and stop further spreading of rumours.

Kaduna is one of the cities that had suffered several bomb attacks by members of the outlawed Boko Haram.

How man who challenged Jos Suicide Bomber died in blast meant to kill 400 football fans (Photo)

*Relations of victims of blast on Saturday

Contrary to reports that only the bomber died in a failed attempt in Jos on Saturday,4 people actually lost their lives .That night, Over 400 football fans fans gathered to watch the EUFA Championship League match between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.Three people were confirmed dead on the spot in the blast while the fourth died on Sunday morning thus raising the death toll to four
According to Punch, One of the football lovers at the centre, Muhammed Ibrahim, said over 400 youths were watching the match when the incident happened.

“The viewing centre is large. Television sets were placed at various points and it was crowded and in fact, over 400 of us would have been killed had the bomber succeeded,”

Another witness, Alhaji Garba Ahmad, who said he lost his senior brother, Bello, in the blast, said the bomber had first attempted to enter the viewing centre but was prevented by a barricade erected along the road....He continued..

“He then turned back and tried to enter through a garage, but also encountered a wall between the centre and the garage,”

He added that in frustration, the bomber packed the car, a Honda Odyssey, in front of a house.

“When we saw the car, unusually packed in front of our house, my brother challenged him. He told my brother that his car had a fault and wanted to repair it. My brother then asked him to take the car away. Sensing something unusual I went inside and asked all the members of our family to leave the house. Just as my brother was persuading the man to leave our premises, he (the bomber) entered the car and immediately he started it. It exploded and killed my brother, his son and his friend.”

It was also gathered that the bomber had gone to the viewing centre earlier in the day.
An official of the National Emergency Management Agency, Mr. Mohammed Suleiman, told our correspondent that the agency received a distress call at about 9 pm on Saturday and immediately rushed to the scene to carry out a search and rescue operation. He said that three people died on the spot, while the body of the fourth person was discovered on Sunday morning.

Jude Okoye shows off his new ride

He shared the pic on his instagram page this evening. Is that a Hummer? Nice ride!!!

Caleb University students asked to pay for damages caused during riot

On Wednesday May 14th, students of Caleb University, Imota Lagos, went on a rampage destroying school property after a school security personnel disrupted a Muslim student's prayers. The student had other grievances. (Read here)

Well, it seems the school wants to make every student, whether involved in the riot or not to pay for damages caused that day. In a text message sent to students yesterday, Caleb University asked male students to pay N100k and female students to pay N50k. Part of the text sent out below...

CUL Parents and Students are hereby notified that school resumes Mon, June 2. Exams start Mon, June 9. Male students are to pay N100,000.00 while the female would pay N50,000.00 by Bank Draft to offset damage to school property. Balance of Sch. fees should be paid into (account details). No student would be allowed into the University premises without evidence of payment of school accompany each student with a letter of undertaking to be of good behavior.

Is the school right to ask students to pay for damages?

We are not ashamed to be called the church of the rich – Oyedepo

The Founder of Living Faith Church aka Winners Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo, in an interview with Saturday Punch said the reason there are so many rich people in 33 year old church is because they know better than others and understand the importance of tithe (Let's not start with this tithe talk abeg, if I start now, we will start fighting here...lol). Anyway below is excerpts from the interview...

Why are there so many rich people in Winners?

Because they know better than their contemporaries. If you don’t know what you have, you won’t know if you are deprived of it. The Bible is an open chequebook, it is by revelation we access what belongs to us; by faith we take delivery of it. Someone had access to our empowerment programme and she is a pepper seller, while others sell one basket a day, she sells six, seven. I learnt she had become the envy of all the pepper sellers in her area. Such person has an understanding that whatever she does, she prospers and she knows that when she pays her tithe, she experiences open heavens. But in case people don’t know, they perish for lack of knowledge, and in case they think when you are rich you miss heaven, then they perish for lack of knowledge.

Chelsea Look To Real Madrid's Raphaël Varane As David Luiz Is Set For PSG

Chelsea will explore the possibility of signing the young Real Madrid centre-half Raphaël Varane after agreeing to sell David Luiz to Paris Saint-Germain for an initial fee of around £40m, a world record sum for a defender.

David Luiz, a £23.5m signing from Benfica in January 2011, has played 143 games for Chelsea and claimed the Champions League and Europa League while at the club but found himself something of a stop-gap at both centre-half and in defensive midfield last season.

At 27, and with Barcelona and Bayern Munich also established as long-standing admirers, he represents a saleable asset as Chelsea seek to rejig their squad within Uefa’s financial fair play regulations. He has agreed a four-year deal with the French club, with an option for a further season.

The fee for the Brazilian could rise to as much as £50m with appearances and honours – an amount PSG, who are more bullish about maintaining their lavish spending of recent years, are prepared to pay – and that would grant José Mourinho leeway in the transfer market this summer to strengthen his own squad.

The Spain forward Diego Costa is expected to join from Atlético Madrid for £31.8m, triggering the buyout clause in his contract at Vicente Calderón, while there is interest in securing a second striker, with Bayern’s Mario Mandzukic admired.

Chelsea are also seeking a left-back to replace the departing Ashley Cole, with Sevilla’s Alberto Moreno and Filipe Luís at Atlético tracked. Mourinho has cover at centre-half, where John Terry has signed on for a further season, Gary Cahill has excelled and Branislav Ivanovic can perform.

The youngsters Tomas Kalas – who played in the wins at Liverpool and Cardiff towards the end of the season – and Kurt Zouma, signed mid-season from St-Etienne but retained by the French club for the rest of the campaign, will also seek first-team involvement, though Chelsea will still look into recruiting Varane.

The France international, 21, played regularly under Mourinho towards the end of his time at Real but, hampered by an injury to his right knee, has found his opportunities more limited at the Bernabéu this term.

Yet he remains a player of immense promise and Chelsea will find out their chances of securing his services in the days ahead.

Mourinho expects Nemanja Matic to be his first-choice holding midfielder next season, which would have limited David Luiz’s chances of playing that role.

In the end the fee offered by PSG has proved too enticing as the French club, conscious of Bayern and Barça’s interest in the player, met Chelsea’s valuation.

Officials from the Parisian club have travelled to South America and David Luiz is to undertake a medical at Brazil’s pre-World Cup training camp and the move is likely to be concluded over the weekend.

But he will not be joined in Paris by his current his club-mates Eden Hazard, a long-term target for PSG’s owners, Qatari Sports Investments, or Oscar as Chelsea are intent on retaining both attacking midfielders.

Another midfielder, Frank Lampard, is still expected to sign a new one-year contract at the club before England’s departure for the World Cup finals.

The five most expensive defenders before David Luiz

David Luiz’s impending move to PSG could be worth up to £50m and would make him the world’s most expensive defender. But a big price tag does not guarantee success, just ask Fábio Coentrão. Doug Revolta takes a look at the five most expensive defenders in history.

1) Thiago Silva: Milan to PSG, £35.5m, 2012 The centre-back enjoyed three successful seasons with Milan before a big-money move beckoned to the French giants who took Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the same move. Silva has since become captain for PSG and the Brazil national side, claiming two Ligue 1 titles and the French League Cup to become widely thought of as one of the world’s best defenders, not just the most expensive.