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Politicians like Barack Obama can look so boring, day in day out wearing the same suits, so for a change, have a look at these world leaders in traditional costumes!

The above photo of Barack Obama, taken before a gala dinner in Kuala Lumpur last week, got us thinking.
The US president somehow managed to pull off pairing a traditional songket shirt with a Fitbit Surge smartwatch, but many other western leaders lack Obama’s panache.

Especially when it comes to ponchos.

(Apec summit in Santiago, Chile, 2004)

The George W Bush era was a bit of a golden age for silly shirts.

(Apec summit in Hanoi, Vietnam, 2006)

Just to be clear, there’s nothing silly about traditional Vietnamese ao dai silk tunics. Only when people like this wear them:

We don’t really know how anyone gets any work done at Apec summits.

(Apec summit in Lima, Peru, 2008)

Maybe this is the real reason they get together in the first place.

(Apec summit in Shanghai, China, 2001)

To be fair to Bush (ha!), he wasn’t the first…

(Apec summit in Bogar, Indonesia, 1994)

… and nor was he the last.

(Apec summit in Beijing, China, 2014)

Even the British royal family can’t escape from unusual clothing. Look at the Queen Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince William and Prince Harry wearing traditional Maori garb in New Zealand.

But the Maori costumes don’t come anywhere close to this:

What a time to be alive.

How do these figures compare with the fashion sense of some Nigerian leaders?

Former president Goodluck Jonathan looks a little awkward in this navy suit…

But current President Muhammadu Buhari looks very dapper in a tux!

Governor Theodore Orji of Abaia state certainly has an interesting taste in hats…

The last month of the year is usually packed with activities and interesting happenings. Lagos is no exception as the city is always bubbling with interesting activities lined up for December. Some of these activities are planned events while others are just things that happen all the time in December and worth looking forward to.
Here are 10 things to expect from Lagos in December

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Wedding

It isn’t news that all the Saturdays in the month of December are ‘booked’ for weddings. It is probably because the couples plan to start the New Year together or due to the guarantee of less or no rain during the period. If you are the type that has a lot of friends, then get ready to have all your weekends fixed to a particular wedding ceremony or the other. The owambe culture is likely to explode in Lagos this December as usual so get your gele and fila ready. Don’t also forget your dancing shoes as you will need them this December.

Surprising Birthdays

December seems to be the month in which most Lagos ladies were born. Forget the fact that her Facebook says something different or you sent her a happy birthday message in July. Don’t be surprised if a lady in Lagos ‘reminds’ you that her birthday is in December so you shouldn’t forget her gift o. it’s a way to enjoy the December holiday so bear with her if you don’t mind.

December Break-ups

December is a period for people to get together for the holiday but in Lagos, it is also a time to get away from that extravagant girlfriend. Some Lagos guys choose December to pick a quarrel with a lady they know might cost a lot of money if the relationship is allowed to go smoothly till late December. They temporarily severe the relationship to avoid taking the lady out on expensive get together and magically mend the relationship in January.

Change Of Apartment

December is a common period for Lagosians to change their apartment and possible start the New Year in a new place. It’s an indication of leaving the old behind and starting the New Year and possibly new prospect in a new and possibly better apartment. If you need an apartment, December is the time to get it.

New Year Resolution

Lagosians plan their New Year resolutions in December by listing things they hope to achieve in the coming year. Frankly however these resolutions are soon forgotten in January and this is because the resolutions are made partly to flow with the general idea of making a resolution that is put on social media. Don’t be surprised if someone puts up the same sets of resolution every December.

Street Carnivals

What other month to organise street carnivals than December? Lagosians know the holiday and festivity in December makes it a perfect month to wear colourful dresses, paint their faces and dance to loud music in the street. These carnivals are usually organised at night and some run till dawn.

New Year Eve

New Year eve is a great time to be in Lagos as there are lots of happenings you don’t want to miss. It’s not even a time to sleep as you’re not likely to get one. It’s a time to spend with someone you love and in a place you desire. There are also places that offer great times and programme during New Year eve in Lagos.

church

Don’t be surprised if the number of people that attend your religious centre in Lagos increases. It’s December and somehow, Lagosians get a renewed sense of religiosity. People you haven’t seen in your church throughout the year are likely to appear in December solemnly. Don’t complain that you can’t find a place to seat as it’s only for a short period. As soon as it’s January, you’re likely not to see them again.

Traffic

Lagos is the unofficial capital of traffic in Nigeria and December is not going to be an exception. In fact, the traffic is likely to increase as lots of people want to go out and spend a great time with friends and family. The excitement somehow takes away the strain of the stress of traffic and it’s something Lagosians look forward to and want to do again and again.

Firework

December ushers in fireworks and while it has been banned in Lagos, firecrackers and bangers still find their way into the Lagos market. The deafening noise of the fireworks becomes an exciting sound in December and even when people go to bed, they don’t get disturbed by the sound of fire crackers. Colourful fireworks also light up the night in Lagos during this period.

The Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has expelled its national leader, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike.
On Monday, November 30, at a ceremony attended by national officers including the zonal and regional administrators of the group, they inaugurated a new leadership for the Biafra movement, The Nation reports.

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Uchenna Madu, the group’s former national director of information was made the new leader while Ugwuoke Ibem Ugwuoke, emerged as national secretary.
A resolution and communiqué signed by the national officers and administrators at Okwe, MASSOB’s Headquarters, was read by Madu.
The communiqué read: “A vote of no confidence and total rejection has been passed on Ralph Uwazuruike. His inability to sustain and maintain Ojukwu’s dream of Biafra actualization, his deviation into the mainstream of Nigerian politics and using the Biafra struggle to enhance his selfish political ambition in Nigeria are the reasons for our rejection of his association with Biafra struggle.”
Ojukwu’s Spirit Is Backing Pro-Biafra Protests
The group warned Uwazuruike to stop parading himself as MASSOB leader.
According to Madu, this action was to redeem and revive the lost spirit and confidence of the Biafra revolution in the minds of the people.
Recently, the group issued a warning to Igbo leaders, threatening to take measures if they fail to guide their utterances against the Biafra agitation.

Boko Haram militants reportedly stormed Gulak, the administrative headquarters of Madagali in northern part of Adamawa state, in order to take it over. The militants set ablaze a military base and artilleries.
Premium Times reports that the insurgents came around 7pm on Sunday, November 29, and engaged Nigerian troops in a fierce battle. They came in three vehicles brandishing guns, and burnt down a military base together with three artilleries.
Moreover, they carted away guns, security and local sources report.
“They came around 7 pm and started firing on the soldiers during which all the soldiers ran away. There was pandemonium, people scampered for their lives, many slept in bushes, they killed one soldier during the fierce battle.
“Our local vigilantes had tried by staying back, until another troops were deployed from Madagali town and Shuwa, they engaged them, if not they would have recaptured the town for the second time,” said James Ularamu, s former chairman of Madagali.
A former council chairman and a local vigilante, who requested anonymity, said there was a heavy gun battle. “After we chased them away they fled to the nearby Sambisa area,” a local vigilante added.

A group, Arigidi Leaders Of Thought has asked the Ondo state government and security operatives in the state to caution the senior pastor of the Synagogue Church Of All Nations (SCOAN), Pastor Temitope Joshua “and his agents to order and allow the prevailing peace in Arigidi Akoko to continue.”

T.B. Joshua

In a statement made available to our reporter by the group, the group accused T.B Joshua and his agents of unwholesome activities in the last five years in Arigidi Akoko, Ondo state.
“Shortly after transition of the former king into eternity, two prominent princes, among others, showed their interest to succeed the late king.
“The two are the incumbent, Oba Yisa Olanipekun and Prince Tunde Olanipekun, who is a member of Pastor Joshua’ church. After a thorough and profound selection process, the kingmakers settled for Oba Yisa Olanipekun with a vote of nine out of fourteen (9-14). 
“The latest was last week when a group of war mongers decided to celebrate their own traditional Ajagbo festival, long after the traditional festival, which is traditionally held in the month of September, has ended. 
“Expectedly, it led to trouble and a serious breach of peace, as those opposed to the desecration of the town’s age long tradition stood up to stop the abominable act.
“It took God’s grace and the wisdom of some leaders in the town to avert what may have been a bloodshed. We are particularly surprised with the actions and antics of Pastor Joshua and these people since the installation of Kabiyesi Oba Yisa Olanipekun,” the statement reads in part.

According to Yorubamoviegist.com, the cause of her death is still unknown. Badmus was reported to have been ill for a while before she died in the early hours of Monday, November 30.
The young Badmus was a makeup artist in the Yoruba genre of Nollywood.
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On November 17, another Nollywood actress died. Hajia Hafsat Sharada was from Kannywood and she died at the age of 70.

An alleged suicide bomber was arrested along Damboa road by members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) while attempting to detonate an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at a crowded fuel station in Maiduguri.
The member of the Boko Haram Islamist sect was arrested on Tuesday, December 1, trying to blow up a gas station where hundreds of people were waiting to buy fuel.
Panic As Army Arrest Fleeing Boko Haram Sects In Lagos
Garba Hussaini, a pump attendant, said: “Today, we are very lucky because there are over 500 people with hundreds of cars waiting for fuel when the sect member approach the crowd with 5 litres gallon, pretending to have come to buy fuel.”
Hussaini narrated that when one of the boys controlling the crowd tried to the suspect from entering with the gallon, he got angry and remove a knife, attempting to stab the boy.
He said: “In the process, a member of the Civilian JTF noticed that, bomb was tied round him and he quickly grabbed him before he made any attempt to detonate it.”
Witnesses affirmed that they saw the CJTF apprehend somebody,however, some only found out much later that the person who was grabbed was a member of the vicious group.
Daily Post reports that immediately the man came, they started suspecting him, then he went back and brought a gallon.
A local, Mohammed Umar, said: “A lot of people were trying to bribe their way in to have the fuel and the crowd was concentrated around the pumps. This man just pushed one of the boys controlling the crowd from outside and was going in when the boy held his hand, trying to stop him, and the man drew a dagger. We suddenly saw one of the JTFs grabbed the man from behind.”
Boko Haram Set Military Base On Fire, Steal Weapons In Adamawa
Following the arrest, the manager of the station asked the pump attendants to stop selling, as the crowd gradually dispersed.The clamp down on terrorists activities have drastically increased as security operatives look to meet with the deadline stipulated by President Muhammdu Buhari.
While addressing the Senate committee on appropriation, Brigadier-General (rtd) Mansur Mohammed Dan-Ali, Nigeria’s defence minister, has said Boko Haram will be defeated before Buhari’s deadline in December.

US President Barack Obama leaves the 'Mission Innovation: Accelerating the Clean Energy Revolution' meeting at the COP2, United Nations Climate Change Conference, in Le Bourget, north of Paris, Monday, Nov. 30 2015. (Ian Langsdon, Pool photo via AP

Obama, in a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, vouched for the NATO ally's right to self-defense, pledging a solid U.S. commitment "to Turkey's security and its sovereignty." Yet he emphasized the need for Turkey and Russia to "de-escalate" their conflict and stay focused on the IS threat and the need to resolve Syria's long-running civil war.
"We all have a common enemy. That's ISIL," Obama said, using an acronym for the extremist group. Tensions between Turkey and Russia have been erupting into diplomatic crisis since Turkey shot down a Russian jet it accused of violating its airspace less than two weeks ago. Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed Turkey shot the plane down to protect oil he says Turkey is illegally importing from IS — a charge Turkey vehemently denies. Turkey has insisted it won't apologize for the shoot-down, which led Russia to slap a package of new sanctions against Russian products.
The spat between Turkey and Russia — two countries the U.S. sees as critical to resolving the Syria crisis — has threatened to undermine Obama's efforts to expand the U.S.-led coalition fighting IS. After IS claimed responsibility for the Paris attacks and shooting down a Russian passenger jet in Egypt, Obama had sought to turn the outrage across Europe into newfound resolve stepping up the fight.
Obama has been working to persuade Russia to focus its airstrikes in Syria against IS, instead of U.S.-backed rebels fighting Syrian President Bashar Assad. Further muddying the diplomatic picture, Moscow has steadfastly supported Assad while the U.S. and Turkey insist he must leave power as part of a political solution to Syria's civil war.
Sitting down with Erdogan in Paris on the sidelines of global climate talks, Obama said the U.S. was very interested in accelerating its military relationship with Turkey. He also praised Turkey for generously accepting refugees fleeing violence in Syria, and said that Turkey had strengthened security along its border.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrives at the opening ceremony of the COP21, United Nations Climate Change Conference, in Le Bourget, outside Paris, Monday, Nov. 30, 2015.

Officials announced Sunday that bid opponents won with 51.6 percent of the vote, with 48.4 percent in favor. Government spokeswoman Christiane Wirtz says Merkel "took note of the results of the vote in Hamburg, and the chancellor finds this decision regrettable but of course she respects the will of the people."
Wirtz told reporters in Berlin on Monday that "that's why referendums are held: to find out what the population wants, and obviously Hamburgers don't want the Olympics."

A Palestinian carries a photo of 16-year-old Mohammed Abu Khdeir during his funeral in Jerusalem. A Jerusalem court on Monday, Nov. 30, 2015, convicted two Israeli youths in the grisly killing last year of Abu Khdeir, while delaying a verdict for the third suspect in the case due to a last-minute insanity plea. In Monday’s ruling, Judge Jacob Zaban determined that the third suspect, 31-year-old Yosef Haim Ben David, and two Israeli minors had kidnapped Abu Khdeir from an east Jerusalem sidewalk in July 2014 and burned him alive in a forest outside the city.

The court delayed the verdict for the third and chief suspect in the case due to a last-minute insanity plea, sparking claims that Israel is too lenient with Jewish assailants. The court found the two Israeli minors guilty of killing Mohammed Abu Khdeir, who was kidnapped, beaten unconscious and then burned alive in July 2014. Their names were not released under Israeli law. The sentencing of the two is expected in mid-January.
The delay of the verdict for suspected ringleader Yosef Haim Ben David, 31, infuriated many Palestinians, who contend that Israel is too lenient on Jewish offenders while dealing harshly with Palestinians.
The developments could also further increase Israeli-Palestinian tensions amid a two-month wave of violence that has convulsed the region. Abu Khdeir's father Hussein denounced the proceedings. "This is a lie," he told Israeli Army Radio. "I am afraid that the court will release them in the end."
An aide to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said it was "unprecedented" for the court to accept the insanity plea the day of the verdict, rather than during the subsequent appeal. "This development shows that the first defendant in this case will be either acquitted or gets a mitigation excuse," Ahmad Rwaidi said.
In his ruling, Judge Jacob Zaban determined that Ben David and the two minors snatched Abu Khdeir off an east Jerusalem sidewalk in July 2014 and burned him alive in a forest west of the city. The judge found that Ben David drove the car while the two youths beat Abu Khdeir unconscious in the back seat. Once they reached the forest, one accomplice helped Ben David douse Abu Khdeir with gasoline. Then Ben David lit the match, according to Zaban.
The three suspects were arrested shortly after the July 2, 2014 abduction and confessed to the killing to investigators with Israel's Shin Bet, the security agency said. According to the agency, the three said that Abu Khdeir's slaying was in revenge for the abduction and killing of three Israeli teens — Eyal Yifrah, Gilad Shaar and Naftali Fraenkel — by Hamas operatives in the West Bank.
The deaths of the three Israelis triggered an Israeli crackdown on Hamas in the West Bank. Hamas responded with rocket fire on Israel from the Gaza Strip, which it controls. The confrontation escalated into a 50-day war in which more than 2,200 Palestinians, the majority of them civilians, were killed, according to U.N. figures. On the Israeli side, 73 people were killed, most of them soldiers.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, third right, speaks with the media as he arrives for an EU-Turkey summit at the EU Council building in Brussels on Sunday, Nov. 29, 2015. At a high-profile summit in Brussels on Sunday, European Union leaders will look to offer Turkey 3 billion euros ($3.2 billion), an easing of visa restrictions and the fast-tracking of its EU membership process in return for tightening border security and take back some migrants who don't qualify for asylum.

3.50 p.m. Turkey's Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu says the country's summit with European Union leaders marks a new beginning in relations between the two countries. Davutoglu says the summit Sunday would make for a sea change in relations, even if EU leaders are specifically looking for more help from Ankara to deal with the refugee crisis.
"Together, we will be sharing the destiny of our continent," he said on his arrival. "I am thankful to all European leaders for this new beginning, which is not just a beginning of a meeting but the beginning of a new process, which is very important for the future of our common bond in Europe," he said.
3:30 p.m.
Belgium's prime minister says Turkey cannot receive a "blank check" from the EU to help it handle roughly 2 million Syrian refugees in the country.
Charles Michel spoke to reporters Sunday ahead of a European Union summit with Turkey focusing on hundreds of thousands of Syrian, Afghan, Iraqi and other migrants streaming into the bloc.
Europe's leaders were expected to offer Turkey 3 billion euros ($3.2 billion), easing of visa restrictions and fast-tracking of its EU membership process.
Michel says he isn't ready to free up Belgian money and encouraged Ankara to give Syrians greater access to Turkey's labor market.

The second night of Abuja Fashion Week took place on Thursday, November 26. It was hosted by Pulse TV’s Blacky.

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Among the guests for the night were Chocolate City’s D.J Lambo and Loose Kaynon, Hausa rapper Morell and U.K fashion blogger Habiba DaSilva of Life Long Percussion.
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The night’s runway kicked off with B.U.G’s line of kaftans, followed by G Nation, Kulture Shock and Lurienobent, whose collection featured elegant dresses.
Before the final designer of the night, there was an impromptu freestyle performance by Chocolate City rapper Loose Kaynon. Kaynon was brought onto the stage by D.J Lambo who also made an impromptu performance at the turntables by Blacky. The crowd was certainly hyped when Kaynon finally got to rapping appeasing the crowd for having to wait briefly for a performance. See How Newly Wed Nollywood Actress Inks First Endorsement Deal In Style
The final designer of the night was Rima Courture who presented her loevely agbaya collection. The show was closed with a performance by Morell known for his ability to rap in both Hausa and English.