There is no break in our job – 80-year-old head of cane-weaving family

In a country where the life expectancy of an average Nigerian man is put at 46, it is rare to find an agile 80-year old, still plying a particular trade.

But it is not only the age that makes the case of 80-year-old Phillip Ohwonije an interesting one. He is the head of a cane-weaving family that comprises his wife, Elizabeth, and his twin sons, Austin and Abadenego.

 L-R: Phillip, Elizabeth and Austin
Born in 1930 and hails from Ugheli North, Delta State, Phillip told PUNCH METRO at his workshop at Cane Village, Maryland, Lagos that he joined the business in 1989.

He said he did not learn cane-weaving but had to rely on his carpentry skill, which made it possible for him to divert to the business.

Asked how good the business is, the octogenarian said he used proceeds from the business to train three of his children in the university, one of whom had just graduated.

Despite his age, Phillip said there was “no break in this job (cane-weaving)” and would be willing to keep on going as long as his mental alertness could carry him.

The octogenarian said, “My first job was carpentry and joinery in (Gold Coast) Ghana. I had my workshop here (Cane Village) as a carpenter. I started marking frames and after a while I properly joined this trade. When I saw that the trade was booming, I decided to make it my permanent occupation. I did not learn the trade. I started with the carpentry skill I had acquired.

Read more: http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201011024242725
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Man with world's biggest mouth

Francisco Domingo Joaquim has the world's biggest mouth. His mouth is so big that he can fit in an entire soda can.

Source:  http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90782/7183264.html Read more...

Zidane named Qatar's World Cup bid ambassador

DUBAI - Former France midfielder Zinedine Zidane has been appointed ambassador for Qatar's attempt to host the 2022 World Cup, said the Gulf Arab state's bid committee.

CEO of the Qatar 2022 Bid Committee Hassan Al-Thawadi (R) presents new official ambassador Zinedine Zidane with a personalised shirt in Doha September 16, 2010.  [Photo/Agencies]

Qatar's bid is one of nine for the finals but their main opposition is likely to come from Australia, Japan, South Korea and United States.

"Football is for everyone," Zidane said in a statement. "When I think of all the youth of the Middle East, what they're missing is an event like the World Cup.

"We had [the 2010 World Cup] in Africa and now it is time for the Middle East."

It is almost certain one of the four European bids from England, Russia, Spain/Portugal and Belgium/Netherlands will win the right to stage the 2018 World Cup, meaning a country from outside Europe will stage the 2022 finals.

Qatar would be the smallest host country since Uruguay held the inaugural tournament in 1930.

The head of a FIFA inspection team hinted on Thursday the Gulf Arab state's size, rather than its fierce summer heat or the fact it is an Islamic country, could rule it out of contention though.

FIFA will announce the venues for 2018 and 2022 in Zurich on Dec. 2.

Source: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/sports/2010-09/17/content_11320041.htm

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Legless woman committed to orphan care

Xu Yuehua (R) takes care of an orphan at Xiangtan Social Welfare House, Xiangtan, Central China's Hunan province, in this photo taken on Sept 15, 2010. Xu, 55, was orphaned at an early age and lost her legs in a train accident when she was 13. It was the social welfare house that helped her through her difficulties. The legless woman spends her days on a pair of small stools, but nothing can stop her from extending her love to other orphans. Xu began taking care of young orphans at the house and has helped raise 130 orphans in the past 37 years. 

Source: http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90782/7147384.html Read more...