Welcome to Deraa Blossom's blog

Malnutrition and misery is seen in the faces of a generation of Syrian infants who have known nothing but war and hardship. As more harrowing images emerge from the war-torn nation , the scale of their plight is finally becoming vivid. A viral picture of Omran Daqneesh of the besieged city has shacken the world issuing it a big wake-up call. Sitting dazed in an ambulance, the five-year-old was caked in blood and dust after an air strike that killed brother Ali, 10. British aid worker Tauqir Sharif, who earlier this month travelled to Aleppo in an old ambulance packed with food and medicine, said: “There is nowhere that’s safe. You’re literally waiting for death. “They become used to living under bombs. It’s part of their life now. Children playing in rubble, children playing with shrapnel – that’s their daily life.” Half of the country’s pre-war population has died or fled and 3.7million Syrian children – one in three – were born after the conflict began five years ago. And on...

Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts 1 Chelsea 3 3 0 0 7 2 5 9 2 Man Utd 3 3 0 0 6 1 5 9 3 Everton 3 2 1 0 4 2 2 7 4 Man City 2 2 0 0 6 2 4 6 5 Hull City 3 2 0 1 4 2 2 6 6 Tottenham 3 1 2 0 3 2 1 5 7 Arsenal 3 1 1 1 6 5 1 4 8 Middlesbrough 2 1 1 0 3 2 1 4 9 Leicester 3 1 1 1 3 3 0 4 10 Liverpool 3 1 1 1 5 6 -1 4 11 West Brom 2 1 0 1 2 2 0 3 12 West Ham 2 1 0 1 2 2 0 3 13 Burnley 3 1 0 2 2 4 -2 3 14 Swansea 3 1 0 2 2 4 -2 3 15 Southampton 3 0 2 1 2 4 -2 2 16 Sunderland 3 0 1 2 3 5 -2 1 17 Crystal Palace 3 0 0 3 1 3 -2 1 18 Watford 3 0 1 2 3 6 -3 1 19 Bournemouth 3 0 0 3 2 5 -3 1 20 Stoke City 3 0 1 2 2 6 -4 1 Keys: - Pos: Position, P: Games Played, W: Wins, D: Ties, L: Losses, F: Goals Scored, A: Goals Against, GD: Goal Differential, Pts: Points.

The Ijaw Youth Council has vehemently debunked the alleged military attack on Alhaji Asari Dokubo, founding founder of the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force (NDPVF). There's been rumours of Asari being killed in an alleged confrontation with soldiers on Saturday morning. However, a statement issued  on Saturday by  Eric Omare, the spokesman for IYC, affirmed that the former militant warlord was in good shape and there was never any such confrontation between him and military men. IYC also demanded for the immediate withdrawal of troops from the region particularly the creeks of the Niger Delta following the recent ceasefire deal reached with militant youths and stakeholders in the region.  The group stated that there was no reason for military deployment in the region, adding that such was already causing tension and fear among people in the region.

Jamie Vardy on Saturday netted his first goal of the season as Leicester vitalize their Premier League title defence with a 2-1 win against Swansea in a relentless thunderstorm . Vardy’s 32nd-minute goal gave Claudio Ranieri’s side a deserved half-time lead and captain Wes Morgan added the Foxes’ second goal on 52 minutes at the King Power Stadium. Leroy Fer scored for Swansea with nine minutes remaining but Leicester stood firm for their first win of the season despite Foxes winger Riyad Mahrez having a penalty saved at 2-0. It was the Algerian’s third failure in his last four Premier League penalties but it did not cost his side. After defeat at Hull on the opening day of the season and a draw with Arsenal last week, this was the perfect way for Leicester to head into the international break. Leicester built up a head of steam in the early exchanges and they won a free-kick just outside the Swansea area when Federico Fernandez chopped down Jamie Vardy on his way to goal. ...

Cool FM  OAP, Ifedayo Olarinde, Daddy Freeze as is fondly called by fans is currently irate as he unhesitantly took to his Instagram to register his firm denial of the news making rounds that he was dismissed from working with the renowned Cool FM / AIM Group Of Companies. His post read in part: “If this defamatory and slanderous post is not It taken down immediately, and an unreserved apology offered, via the same medium within 24 hrs, I will be forced to take legal action against both blogs”, the OAP said. “Yes, there are issues stemming from a meeting over presenters fees yesterday, details of which I choose not to discuss, because of the respect I have for Mr Moussalli and his family, but trust me, it has absolutely nothing to do with Basket mouth or social media”, he added. See post : Freeze’s ordeal and sack rumours is sequel to his provocative post on Instagram  when he posted a picture cuddling wife of veteran comedian Bright Okpocha (Basket mouth) tagg...

Chelsea rose to the top of the Premier League with a 3-0 victory over Burnley, while Arsenal won 3-1 at Watford to ease the pressure on Arsene Wenger on Saturday. Chelsea seems revitalised under new manager Antonio Conte and the Italian was able to celebrate his third successive win after the most emphatic display of his brief reign. This feat is coming after a dismal title defence last season, So unpleasant last term, Eden Hazard has made a vibrant start to the new campaign and the Belgium midfielder put Chelsea ahead with a superb run and clinical finish from the edge of the penalty area in the ninth minute at Stamford Bridge. Willian was back for Chelsea after recovering from a calf injury and the Brazil winger doubled their lead in the 41st minute before Nigeria’s Victor Moses came off the bench to net the hosts’ third in the 89th minute.

Nollywood actress Mercy Johnson, who tied the nuptial knot with Prince Odianosen Okojie in 2011 today celebrate their 5th wedding anniversary. The union is blessed with three lovely children, two girls and one boy – Purity,Henry and Angel Onosetale Okojie. The heavily endowed actress who was launched into stardom after an exceptional role play in a movie ‘the Maid’, was unhesitant to go on Instagram to show appreciation and love for her husband as they mark their special day. See what she wrote her man: Fate and time have stood as a witness to our love You are in my heart like a prayer and the mention of ur name is my worship With you thorns feel like flowers in my hands The biggest risk in my life is spending a moment without u Love bows to no one and needs no permission hence ur name is in my heart like a prayer I love u babes,everyone is intoxicated by something but I am intoxicated by u, Ur my fantasy and my every imagination I love u so much,my quarreling partner,my gossip ...

Respresentative Abdulmumin Jibrin, the former Chairman House Committee on Appropriations, has once again accused 10 principal officers of the House of scaming the Nigerian taxpayers by alloting about N10 billion as “office running cost”, which is allegedly shared among the senior lawmakers at various times since they were first elected into the House. While listing the 10 principal officers and the funds they have allegedly received so far as running costs to include: Speaker, Yakubu Dogara,   N1.5 billion (who got lion share) Deputy Speaker, Yusuf Lasun, N800 million Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, N1.2 billion Deputy Majority Leader, Buba Jibril, N1.2 billion  House Whip, Alhassan Doguwa, N1.2 billion  Minority Whip, Yakubu Barde, N700 million  Deputy Minority Whip, Binta Bello, N700 million   Minority Whip, Chuma N700 million  Deputy House Whip, Pally Iriase, N700 million. Minority Leader, Leo Ogor, N1.2 billion Jibrin, made t...

Troops of the Special Forces Battalion on saturday killed five militants and recovered some arms and ammunition from their camp in Rivers State. In a statement released on Saturday by Col. Sani Usman, the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, disclosed that five militants were killed in an operation which was a prelude to ‘Exercise Crocodile Smile’ in the Niger Delta. While revealing that 23 suspects were arrested and several others were gravely wounded amid the operation. Usman said that ‘Operation Crocodile Smile’ is designed to flush out criminal elements in the Niger Delta region. He also made public that the troops recovered ‘two AK-47 rifles, 11 Pump Action guns, a locally made revolver pistol, 292 cartridges of live Ammunition, 199 rounds of AK-47 rifle ammunition, four electricity generating sets and a camp gas cooker’ from the militants. While adding that the troops also recovered an engine boat which was abandoned by the militants.

Tottenham secured a point from their encounter with Liverpool after Danny Rose netted an equaliser following a second half fight-back from the home side at White Hart Lane. It was Jurgen Klopp's side who controlled most of the match though, enjoying a particularly threatening first half of football. Stand-in goalkeeper Vorm made an excellent save to deny Philippe Coutinho from close range and was twice called out of his area to tackle the outstanding Sadio Mane as the visitors created chance after chance during the opening 45 minutes. The Reds eventually took the lead when James Milner beat Michel Vorm from the spot in the 43rd minute after Erik Lamela had tripped Roberto Firmino in the box. Spurs struggled to deal with Liverpool's attacking firepower but eventually burst into life with half an hour of the game remaining. A succession of thwarted chances preceded a well-taken goal from Rose, although it was some woeful defending that presented him with the chance to ...

One of the three factional leaders of the All Progressives Congress in Kano State, Hussaini Mairiga, has expressed regrets over Buhari led-administration. Says Jonathan's government is surpassing. He made those comments in an interview with a correspondent with Punch News. In his words: ''Yes, because all Nigerians felt that as soon as Buhari came to power, they would feel some relief after the hardship from the immediate-past administration of Goodluck Jonathan. But from all indications, Jonathan’s Government is better than our government. Meanwhile, the prices of all goods and services in Nigeria have gone up, particularly essential commodities. Each time one buys a product from the market and goes back the second day; one will notice that the price has drastically increased.  . It’s indeed failure to him and us, the APC members and followers of the party. The painful aspect is that we turn a blind eye when our own is doing something wrong. Each time the President go...

No less than 16 people have met their untimely death in a fire that broke out at a Moscow warehouse on Saturday morning, Russian authorities said. “When the fire was being put out, a room that had been cut off by the flames was discovered,” TASS news agency quoted the regional branch of the emergency ministry’s press service as saying. “Firefighters tore down the wall and found 16 dead.” Emergency workers arrived at the scene at 0500 GMT to quel a blaze that had engulfed 200 square metres of a warehouse in an industrial zone in the Russian capital’s north. The fire was extinguished at around 0700 GMT, authorities said. A police source revealed that the victims were apparently migrants from former Soviet republics and that the warehouse belonged to a local printing company. Sergei Sobyanin,the mayor of Moscow tweeted that the city would investigate the incident ASAP. The cause of the blaze remains untold. A criminal investigation was launched to determine whether it erupt...

The Executive Governor of Kogi State , Alhaji Yahaya Bello, was avowedly attacked with stones and similar pebbles on Friday at the Lokoja Central Mosque while he attended a special Jumat prayer session to mark the 25th anniversary of the creation of the state. A source revealed that the governor, who had arrived the mosque behind schedule, was met on arrival with mockery and boos by some fuming youths, at the entrance of the mosque. “The governor was booed and missiles were thrown in his direction as he alighted from his car,” the source disclosed. As a result the prayer session was hurriedly suspended on the advice of security personnels on site. The Special Adviser to the governor on Media and strategy, Abdumalik Abdukarim however debunked the story,said the report was unfounded. “I was at the mosque with the governor and I did not witness any incident like that,” he affirmed.

Natural hair is agreeably hair whose texture hasn't been altered by chemical straighteners, including relaxers and texturizers. An Afro hairstyle is sometimes referred to as "a natural," but natural black hair can be worn in many other styles besides a short 'fro. Virgin hair as its also called has been known to be onerous to maintain off and on is somewhat fashionable in Nigeria and our gorgeous screen divas  are surely not left out of the trend. Here are five Nollywood actresses that have defied all the odds to grow their hair natural, rocking it confidently anywhere and everywhere and also making people water at the mouth just at a glance: Omoni Oboli Omoni Oboli,38, Nigerian actress, scriptwriter, director and producer and a mother of three never runs out of designs to wear with her natural hair as she is regularly spotted rocking it in eye-popping styles.   Nse Ikpe Etim Nollywood actress Nse Ikpe Etim,41, shot into prominence in 2008 for her role in...

Nollywood actress and entrepreneur Ebube Nwagbo, took to her instagram to share a lovely photo shot. The exquisite piece which has been degreed by many to be above par has garnered numerous personable comments. Checkout the pic below:

Robert Lewandowski claimed a hat-trick as defending champions Bayern Munich brushed Werder Bremen aside with a 6-0 win in Friday’s opening match of the new German league season. Lewandowski, the Bundesliga’s top-scorer last season with 30 goals, could have finished with five as Bayern ran riot. “I’m just happy I scored and that we got the win,” Lewandowski told broadcaster ARD and revealed he finished the game with a hole in his goal-scoring right boot. After Xabi Alonso scored the first goal of the 2016/17 campaign at Munich’s Allianz Arena, Lewandowski netted either side of the break before captain Philipp Lahm added a fourth. It was no more than shooting practice for Bayern by the time Franck Ribery fired home, with Lewandowski then converting a penalty to claim his third and Munich’s sixth. Having also hammered Hamburg 5-0 in last season’s opening game, this was another emphatic win as Bayern look to win a fifth Bundesliga title in a row. It finished 2-0 at the break, ...

Stephen Bear has been announced the winner Of Celebrity Big Brother House (CBB). The Star is markedly overwelmed by the win and is yet baskng in the Euphoria of the moment. More photo below:

The world's oldest man has been recently identified as an Indonesian who is distinctly believed to be about 145-years-old. Mbah Gotho has emerged from obscurity with documentation recognised by Indonesian officials revealing he was born on December 31, 1870. He has outlived all 10 of his siblings as well as his four wives, the last of whom died in 1988. All of his children have also died, and now he is survived by his grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. This proven, clearly puts him above par with the verified oldest person in the world ever, i.e French woman Jeanne Calment, who lived to be 122. The super-senior citizen from Sragen, Central Java, was recently interviewed by regional reporters, and he said he has been through it all and would not mind passing on. "What I want is to die," he said. "My grandchildren are all independent." Suryanto, Mbah’s grandson, said his grandfather has been preparing for his death eve...

President Muhammadu Buhari has landed Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Nairobi, Kenya, to attend the Sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI), slated for August 27th – 28th. The president was received at the airport by the Kenyan Minister of Internal Affairs, Joseph Nkaissery. Others at the airport to receive him counted Nigeria’s acting High Commissioner to Kenya, Friday Okei, and other Nigerian embassy officials in Kenya. On Mr president’s entourage are the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geofffrey Onyeama; Minister of Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelemah; Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udu-Udoma and the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole. On the autharity of an earlier statement signed by the president’s Special Adviser on Media, Femi Adesina, related that the conference would focus on promoting structural economic transformation through diversification and industrialisation; promoting resilient health system for...