Madonna Sells Abstract Painting for $7 Million

Madonna arrives at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute

Kiyo: Madonna sold an abstract painting by French artist Fernand Leger for $7.16 million on Tuesday to raise funds for girls' education projects in Afghanistan, Pakistan and other countries.

The 1921 painting, "Trois Femmes a la Table Rouge," which carried a pre-sale estimate of up to $7 million, was purchased by an unidentified buyer at Sotheby's Impressionist and Modern Art sale in New York, according to the auction house's website.

The singer, who bought the artwork in 1990, said "I cannot accept a world where women or girls are wounded, shot or killed for either going to school or teaching in girls' schools. We don't have time to be complacent. I want to trade something valuable for something invaluable - educating girls!"

Filo: That was very commendable; thumbs up to the Material Girl.

University of Maiduguri Professor Murdered

Kiyo: A popular Mass Communication professor of the University of Maiduguri, Murtala Mohammed, has been killed by yet-to-be identified gunmen in Maiduguri today.

Mr Mohammed who was 56yrs once served as the chief of staff to late Nigerian first lady, Stella Obasanjo was killed in front of his house in the troubled city of Maiduguri.

The motive for his killing remains unknown.

Filo: RIP

Bayelsa Govt Releases N302 Million for WAEC/NECO Fees

Kiyo: Bayelsa State Government has released N302 million for the payment of examination fees for students from the state for the 2012/2013 Senior Secondary School examinations conducted by WAEC and NECO. The cheque was presented by the Gov. Seriake Dikson to the Commissioner for Education, Chief Salo Adikumo in Yenagoa today.Gov. Dickson said the money was also meant for the purchase of science materials in schools for the conduct of the May/June  examinations.

Filo: The part I loved most was when the Governor sounded a note of warning to the   education authorities. He said they should resist the temptation of extortion and racketeering, and called on the students to justify government’s investment in their education.

Kiyo: He has to, if not, why not. In fact, something tells me that the money would be more than enough, so we expect the Commissioner to return some change after the exercise; and for the students, if you no pass this exam, walahi, just quietly refund the money and note that there is no second chance for you.