Popular Sierra Leonean traditional artist Ahmed Janka Nabay has died in his home in northern Sierra Leonean district of Kambia, according to his band colleague Pa Fullah.

Janka moved to the US in 2003 and returned home last year.

Nabay, known as the King of Bubu Music, played the traditional music of the Temne people of Sierra Leone, who dominate the northern part of the country.

The music, which has its roots in the Sierra Leonean Muslim tradition, is played with the traditional bamboo flutes.

Nabayy, 54, who died on Monday, was credited for being the first musician to record this version of music by reworking the bamboo flutes and metal pipes with electronic instrumentation, hence the tag, King of Bubu Music.

According to , The dreadlocked artist was best known internationally, especially in the United States, where he relocated in 2003 and returned only in 2017.

Nabay and his Bubu Gang band made the Bubu music popular in Brooklyn and Manhattan in the US.

Fans have taken to twitter to mourn the musician.

According to Karen Alonzo, janka nabay was so passionate about bringing the bubu sound of sierra leone to the world. it was such an honor to work with him i was new to the music industry as a whole (like 2010) and he was the nicest human being ever. my heart is so sad

Ruby B. Johnson @Ruby_B_Johnson said: Sierra Leone has lost a legend but his legacy lives on. RIP Ahmed Janka Nabay, King of Bubu music. Such an amazing man to have met and be around.

Source: NAN

Nelson Mandela ducked out of an arranged marriage when he was a student, then went on to wed three times.

His first two marriages collapsed under the strain of politics, but the third time around he found enduring happiness with the widow of Mozambican president Samora Machel.

In sharp contrast to Graca Machel and his feisty second wife Winnie, Mandelas first wife was a demure country girl who kept well away from politics.

Like him, Evelyn Wase hailed from the rural Transkei and had come to Johannesburg in the early 1940s to carve out a living in the big city.

She was the cousin of African National Congress (ANC) stalwart Walter Sisulu and met Mandela in Sisulus home in Soweto, southwest of Johannesburg, in 1944.

They married months later, in the same year that Mandela, Sisulu and Oliver Tambo formed the ANCs Youth League and politics of struggle against white minority rule came to consume Mandelas life.

Descriptions of their first years tell of Evelyn as the happy housewife with Mandela bathing their three babies and helping with the cooking when his work at his law practice and political meetings were done.

But by 1954, Evelyn had buried herself in religion, like her husband had in politics, and resented his absences.

When Mandela was arrested for treason the first time, he came home on bail to find Evelyn had gone, leaving behind their two youngest children.

She returned to the Transkei, ran a shop and remarried in her 70s.

Winnie who died aged 81 on Monday came into Mandelas life at the start of a second treason trial, which would see him jailed for 27 years, and they married in June 1958.

She too came from the country, but took to the city, and once she met Mandela, also dove into politics.

Soon after their wedding, she was arrested for an incendiary speech, leading Mandela to remark proudly and prophetically I think I married trouble.

The couple had two daughters before the prison doors slammed behind Mandela in 1964. In the coming years, Winnie would be in and out of jail as the police hounded her in a bid to demoralise him.

In 1969, she was held in solitary confinement for 13 months on terrorism charges and in 1973 endured another six months in jail, but when the 1976 student riot revolt broke out in Soweto, Winnie was unbowed, urging crowds to fight to the bitter end.

The police saw her as a mastermind of the uprising. She was locked up for five months, then banished to the desolate town of Brandfort for seven years.

When she returned to Soweto, the firebrand militant-martyr became a liability for Mandela and the anti-apartheid movement.

In 1986, at a time when suspected traitors were being burned alive in the volatile townships, Winnie declared that South African blacks would be freed with our matchboxes.

She surrounded herself with a band of thugs christened the Mandela United Football Club who murdered a young activist called Stompie Sepei.

Her bond with Mandela had endured through letters and visits to prison and when he was released in 1990 Winnie was there holding his hand, but in private she had a young lover.

Mandela stood by her when she was convicted for kidnapping Sepei and only in 1992 announced their separation.

Winnies six-year sentence was suspended on appeal and in 1994 she was appointed a deputy minister in his government, but was later sacked for insubordination.

By the mid-90s, Mandela was courting Graca Machel a woman 27 years younger than him who studied in Lisbon before she became a freedom fighter for Samora Machels Frelimo movement, and eventually Machels education minister and wife.

Gracas first contact with Mandela came in 1986 when her husband died in an air crash that many believe was orchestrated by the apartheid regime, and he wrote to her from prison.

When they met in Mozambique in 1990, Machel was still in mourning. But two years later Mandela became the godfather of her stepchildren and in 1996 they were spotted at President Robert Mugabes wedding.

Mandela was smitten and let the press in on their love story, telling reporters: Late in life, I am blooming like a flower because of the love and support she has given me.

On July 18, 1998 Mandelas 80th birthday Machel broke her vow that she would not marry another president.

While clearly a proud husband, Mandela joked that sometimes he found it hard to keep pace with the younger woman.

She is busier than I am. We meet for lunch, go off and then only see each other again for supper. I wish I had married a wife who was less busy, he told students in 2007.

Source:

Source: NAN

Mark Zuckerberg the founder of Facebook should quit from the Facebook board said investor Scott Stringer.

Stringer oversees New York Citys pension fund investments with an almost 1 billion dollars stake in the social media platform.

The financial officer said an independent chairman for the board was needed to ensure privacy safeguards after revelations that data was harvested from more than 50 million Facebook accounts by Cambridge Analytica.

Earlier, the Facebook CEO following criticism from Apples Tim Cook.

Mark Zuckerberg said that Cooks suggestion that his company did not care about users was extremely glib.

Cook criticized Facebook last week in the aftermath of the, saying it was an invasion of privacy to traffic the personal data of users.

When asked what he would do if he were Zuckerberg, Cook said he wouldnt be in that situation.

Source: NAN

Bayern Munich fought back with a deflected own goal and a late header from Thiago to claim a 2-1 win at Sevilla in an exciting Champions League quarter-final, first leg clash on Tuesday.

Pablo Sarabia had put Sevilla ahead in the 32nd minute when he got the better of Juan Bernat to control Sergio Escuderos cross and fire home at the back post.

However, five minutes later Bayern levelled when Sevillas Jesus Navas deflected Franck Riberys cross past home goalkeeper David Soria at the near post.

With Sevilla tiring, five-time European champions Bayern took advantage and Thiago headed the winner with the help of a deflection off Escudero in the 68th minute.

Vincenzo Montellas Sevilla were unlucky to go in level at the break, having had the better of the first half and demonstrating the spirit that saw them knock out Manchester United in the last 16.

Despite the absence of suspended playmaker Ever Banega, the Andalusians defied their underdog label and might have been awarded a penalty when Joaquin Correa was felled by Jerome Boateng.

The referee however booked him for diving.

Sarabia should then have put the hosts ahead but fired just wide after the ball dropped perfectly for him in front of goal.

The Spanish attacking midfielder made amends with the opening goal before Navass own goal levelled the scores.

With Bayerns usual left-back David Alaba injured, Bernat was given a torrid time by Sarabia who he was booked for fouling shortly after the opener before being withdrawn at halftime.

The hosts nearly scored just after the break but Javi Martinez made a superb tackle on Franco Vazquez in the area.

After that Sevilla ran out of steam and Soria had to make a fine save to deny Martinez before Thiago grabbed the winner.

Having let the lead slip, Sevilla never looked like pulling level and Bayerns Robert Lewandowski fired narrowly wide as the visitors looked for a third.

The visitors were in control in what seemed like Sevillas undoing in the 2-2 draw with Barcelona in La Liga on Saturday.

Sevilla now need an unlikely triumph against the experienced Jupp Heynckes side in Munich in next Wednesdays second leg to reach the Champions League semi-finals for the first time

Source: NAN

By scoring twice against Juventus on Tuesday, Real Madrids Cristiano Ronaldo becomes the first to score in ten UEFA Champions League games in a row.

And he keeps extending his records for club and country, according to UEFA log book.

2 Ral Gonzlez 107
3 Lionel Messi 103 (next non-European is Sergio Agero on 53)
4 Klaas-Jan Huntelaar 91
5 Andriy Shevchenko 90
6 Zlatan Ibrahimovi 87
7 Filippo Inzaghi 86
8 Margrt Lra Vidarsdttir 84
9 Thierry Henry 81
10 Ricardinho (futsal) 79

Source: NAN

Cristiano Ronaldo has described his memorable bicycle-kick goal in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final tie between Juventus and Real Madrid, as probably the best of his career.

Ronaldo, who scored the first goal on the third minute was applauded by even the Juventus supporters after the spectacular s second goal. Madrid won 3-0.

The Portugal international spoke to Realmadrid TV: It was a very good team performance. Obviously people are talking about the second goal, it was amazing, probably the best of my career. The team looked great, I think we played very well and were one step closer to the semi-final.

Dream goal
I once scored one with the national team which hit the post and went in, but the referee didnt see it. This was a bit better, it was spectacular. I jumped very high and its a goal that will live long in the memory. Its probably my best goal. As many people have said, Ive been looking to do it for a while, but it depends on the circumstances of the game. It just came to me to give it a go, you always have to try it. I tried it today and it came off.

Applause
It was one of the most poignant moments of the night. To receive applause from a stadium like this, which has been graced by great players, is a unique experience. Im really happy. When I was a kid, I liked Juventus and the fact that their fans have clapped me will stay with me and is a great memory. To all of the Italians in the stadium I just want to say Grazie.

Message for the fans
To those whove travelled to Turin, thank you for your support and to those back in Madrid, Id ask them to continue to back the team and tell them that were going to keep going right until the end

Source: NAN

Americas WBC heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder says he is willing to face Anthony Joshua in Britain in a fight for the undisputed crown.

Briton Joshua (21-0) collected his fourth world heavyweight title belt on Saturday when he defeated Joseph Parker in Cardiff and then challenged Wilder (40-0) to a fight in Britain.

Anthony, I am so glad we finally heard from you on Saturday and that you want to fight me as your next opponent and you want the fight to happen in the UK, Wilder, 32, said in a statement.

I accept that challenge and I am ready to come to the UK for my next fight. There is nothing on Team Wilders side to prevent me from fighting you next.

Thanks Anthony, I cant wait to meet you in the ring.

The WBC title is the only one remaining on Joshuas radar after he added the WBO championship to his WBA, IBF and IBO titles by defeating New Zealands previously unbeaten Parker on Saturday by unanimous decision.

Source: NAN

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero did not make the trip to Liverpools Anfield and has been ruled out of todays Champions League quarter-final first leg tie after failing to recover in time from a thigh injury.

The Argentine is Citys all-time top scorer having notched 199 goals in all competitions for the club.

He has stayed in Manchester, he didnt come, City manager Pep Guardiola told a news conference ahead of training on Tuesday.

Hes been injured for the last two weeks and he still isnt fit, added the Spanish manager, who was unable to say if Aguero will be fit for Saturdays Premier League derby clash with Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium.

Agueros absence means a likely start for Brazilian Gabriel Jesus in attack.

There was some good news on the injury front for City with left back Fabian Delph, who has been out since February, fit again and in contention for a place in the starting lineup.

The Liverpool-City clash will be the fifth at this stage of the competition between two English clubs, and the third involving Liverpool.

Liverpool have played in six of the ten previous all-English encounters in the European Cup (including the only one in the pre-UEFA Champions League era), and seven of the 14 in UEFA club competition overall.

Only one has previously featured Manchester City beaten in both legs by Chelsea in the 1970/71 European Cup Winners Cup semi-finals with most involving Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United.

That quartet, as the Premier Leagues big four, helped England dominate the knockout rounds of the UEFA Champions League between 2004 and 2011.

*Reuters

Source: NAN

England have been listed as an African nation with capital in Banjul in the official programme for the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony, leaving the local organisers red-faced.

The A$10 (5.5) programme is being sold at newsagents and merchandise tents around the balmy Queensland resort.

It has Englands population listed at just over two million and their first Commonwealth Games appearance in 1970.

Banjul is the capital of west African nation, The Gambia, which was a late entry to the Gold Coast Games.

Organising committee boss Mark Peters said The Gambias participation, which was confirmed last month, had led to the printing gaffe.

He however said both England and The Gambia have taken it in good humour, while England has also declined the offer of a complete re-print.

We found out about it maybe 10 days ago, Peters told reporters at a media briefing ahead of the opening ceremony starting 7 p.m. local time (0900 GMT).

We went and spoke to England and said that, Congratulations, the Commonwealths changing and it has since Brexit. And part of you is now part of Africa.

Sometimes you make mistakes and we cop it and we spoke to England.

We are actually doing a special re-print of 500 to give to the English and to the CGF to make sure that in terms of the records thats done correctly.

We looked at putting stickers into the programmes and all that. But I guess in another minor ticketing issue, we say theyre going to be so valuable after the Games because of that mistake.

Ghana womens hockey captain Nafisatu Umaru humbly welcomed England as an African nation, prompting a laugh from reporters at the media briefing.

England has made a big impact for us and England is part of our success story, she said.

The programme error follows a printing mistake revealed in February that had the wrong day listed for the opening ceremony on some 14,000 tickets sold for the event.

The official ticket seller was also criticised in the same month after getting session times wrong on hundreds of tickets for a number of the Games sporting events.

England topped the medals table at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

The quadrennial Games feature mainly nations and territories from the former British empire.(Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN

Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi has appointed Dr Hygenius Nwokwu as the new Secretary to State Government (SSG).

The appointment came less than six hours after Prof Bernard Odoh, the former SSG, resigned his appointment.

The Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Umahi, Mr Emmanuel Uzo confirmed the appointment in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki on Tuesday.

He said: Yes, Dr Hygenius Nwokwu has been appointed the new SSG and his appointment is with immediate effect.

The Governor personally signed the appointment letter and the SSG has assumed duty immediately .

Nwokwu has previously held appointments as Commissioner for Education, Commissioner for Rural Development and Commissioner in the Ebonyi Civil Service Commission.

He was until his present appointment, the Permanent Member in Ebonyi Secondary Education Board (SEB).

Odo, appointed SSG in May 29, 2015 resigned his appointment in the late hours of Tuesday, April 2. (NAN)

Source: NAN