Ex-billionaire Kola Aluko looks gaunt and covered in tattoos, now Living low-key in Mexico by Ukpono Etuk

Above is what former billionaire oil and gas mogul Kola Aluko looks like now. He’s covered in tattoos like a rock star and seems to have lost a lot of weight.

This is what the once talk-of-the-town billionaire business man and owner of Atlantic energy used to look like. He was declared wanted by the Nigerian government alongside Jide Omokore in 2016 for allegedly cheating the Nigerian government by using Shell Company to buy luxury yacht, 132 houses, 58 cars and three airplanes.

This was until the Nigerian government declared him wanted leading to the US government seizing a lot of his properties worth a whooping $144million. Some of his assets in the UK were also seized. He has also since gone into hiding and no longer mixes with the rich.

Also gone are Kola Aluko’s throng of hangers-on and hero-worshippers who used to benefit from his largesse.

Kola, who turns 49 next week, looks different these days and has covered his body in tattoos.

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NIGERIA VS LIBYA: GOV UDOM EMMANUEL SLASHES TICKET PRICES by Mfon Patrick

Football fans in Nigeria will have the rare opportunity of watching the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and Libya National team live in Uyo following the decision of Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State to slash the ticket prices for the match.

Tickets prices have been slashed by 50%, and fans will have to pay as low as Five Hundred Naira only (N=500.00) to watch the crucial game from the popular stands which was initially priced at One thousand naira (N=1,000.00) while those wishing to see the game from the VIP stands will have to pay a token of One Thousand Naira only (N=1,000.00) as against the initial Two Thousand naira (N=2,000.00) price tag. The tickets will be available for sale later in the week.

The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Udom Emmanuel on Sports Elder Paul Bassey disclosed this while interacting with sports journalists in Uyo.

Elder Bassey explained that the Governor's gesture is aimed at encouraging many fans to watch the match live at the Nest of Champions while cheering the Super Eagles to victory.

"Football fans around the world usually pay huge amounts of money as gate fees to watch international games of this standard,but here in Akwa Ibom,  His Excellency Governor Udom Emmanuel has graciously subsidized the ticket price to five hundred naira for popular stands tickets and one thousand naira for VIP tickets.

"Governor Emmanuel is a passionate sports lover and he has demonstrated it in the huge investments he has made in sports development in the state. His gesture of subsidizing the prices of tickets for the match is to ensure more fans turn up to watch the game live while supporting the senior national team to victory on Saturday" said Elder Bassey.

Libya are top of the group with four points, same as South Africa but with superior goal difference. The Super Eagles are third on the log with three points from two games and they need to win on Saturday to have any real chance of making it to AFCON 2019 in Cameroon.

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US: We Don't Have Criminal Case Against Atiku by Ukpono Etuk

The United States Department of Justice has denied having any record that indicates that Nigeria’s former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has a pending lawsuit in the US.

In an email to our correspondent on Friday, a spokesperson for the US DOJ, Peter Carr said, “Thank you for reaching out to us. I have checked the public court records, and they do not show cases filed against a defendant named Atiku Abubakar.”

This was stated as a response to
SUNDAY PUNCH’s request for information on whether Abubakar is wanted in the US in connection with any issue of money laundering.

The mail also asked the department to confirm whether Abubakar has been banned from entering the US and if there is any court case against him concerning the Halliburton scandal which resulted in the conviction of a US lawmaker, William Jefferson.

Asked if it is true that the ex-vice president (now a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress) was banned from entering the US, the American official said the issue was confidential.

He said, “Visa issues are confidential under section 222(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. If your question is specifically about entry – not about visas per se – I would refer you to the US Customs and Border Protection.”

Last week, Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, had implied that Abubakar was avoiding a visit to the US because he might be charged with a case of money laundering.

He reacted to Abubakar’s interview which he granted to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s quarterly publication, Zero Tolerance, where he had accused the Kaduna governor of corruption by offering him Transcorp’s shares.

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See Reasons Why Saraki, Melaye, Murray-Bruce Drag IG To Court by Ukpono Etuk

Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Senator Dino Melayeand Senator Ben Murray-Bruce have sued the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, and the FCT Commissioner of Police over “humiliation, intimidation, harassment”

The lawmakers said they suffered harassment in the hands of police officers during their Friday protest against the outcome of Osun governorship  election where the candidate of the APC Gboyega Oyetola emerged winner. According to Punch, they are demanding N500m as damages.

The senators are therefore praying the court to among others, direct the defendants to “jointly and severally pay the applicants the sum of N500m, being the pecuniary and exemplary damages arising from the humiliation, intimidation, harassment and unlawful attempt to arrest the applicants by the agents of the second respondent (Commissioner of Police).”

Court papers obtained by Daily Post’s correspondent on Monday showed that the suit, with Number FHC/ABJ/03/095/2018, was filed by Mahmud Abubakar Magaji, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, on behalf of the senators.

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Things You Didn't Know About Moses Olaiya Aka 'Baba Sala' by Ukpono Etuk

Yoruba Legendary movie actor,‘Baba Sala’ as popularly known by fans was born on May 18, 1936. He hailed from Ijesha, Osun State. As an actor, his stage name is ‘Baba Sala’.

The real name of Baba Sala is Mr. Moses Olaiya Adejumo. I know this veteran and ace actor as a musician, dramatist cum comedian. Baba Sala can also be regarded as one of the fathers if not even the grand-father of the modern Nigerian comedians.

He always sings in a spectacular way in all his movies. Hardly you will watch any of his movies without singing in it due to his passion for music.

There were other popular actors and actresses who used to showcase in his film. The likes of Iya Sala and late Adisa (as called in the movies) used to called him ‘Lamidi’. One could not actually say if this Adisa (stage name) was a friend or an apprentice of Baba Sala due to their good relationship.

Karounwi as popularly called in one of Baba Sala’s movie named ‘Orun-mooru’ was a big budget movie recorded on Celluloid which was later pirated into VHS home video then. The piracy of this film cost Baba Sala a lot of havoc which if not for God and his bravery, could have led to one’s death. Thank God Baba Sala is still alive today while the pirate of the movie – ‘Orun Mooru’ is no more alive. 

Moses Olaiya (Baba Sala) was a friend to Late Oyin Adejobi – the creator of “Ile Iwosan” a Yoruba home movies series aired on the then Television Station Of Oyo State (TSOS) later changed to Broadcasting Corporation Of Oyo State (because).

He was also an actor alongside a father of actors (especiall Yoruba genre) Hubert Ogunde, the producer and owner of the then ‘Aye’, ‘Jaiyesimi’. Hubert Ogunde, apart from the fact that he was an actor, he was also a musician. He composed and sang ‘Onimoto rora sare o, Onimoto rora gbesele….’. He also sang ‘Yoruba yo yo yo bi Ina ale, Yoruba ru ru ru bi omi okun, Yoruba baba ni baba nse’ and lots more.

Baba Sala was also a friend to Kola Ogunmola – the father of Peju Ogunmola also known as Peju Omobolanle (Pa Aluwe’s wife) and late Ayo Ogunmola (of blessed memory, a film producer and film director during his life time). Moses Olaiya (Baba Sala) was also a friend of late Duro Ladipo, the producer of ‘Sango’ (of that time), ‘Oruka ife’ and others.

Late Ishola Ogunsola (of blessed memory) popularly known as Isho-Peppe was also an actor alongside Baba Sala. Lere Paimo (still alive) and lots more.

A movie produced for TV station by Baba Sala is ‘Obe gbona’ out of many and the movies for cinema are ‘Aare Agbaye’, ‘Orun Mooru’, ‘Mosebolatan’. Mosebolatan was a film produced after the pirated ‘Orun Mooru’ where he showcased the late magician – Professor Peller.

For many people who do not know, Baba Sala started his career as show business as a musician of ‘High life’ as far back as 1964 under a brand name of a band known as ‘Federal Rhythm Dandies’. Through this band, he tutored and guided the master and the King of Juju music(ians) – Prince Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye popularly known as King Sunny Ade (KSA) who played the role of ‘Lead Guitar’ in Baba Sala’s music band.

Baba Sala is married and gave birth to children. He is also a grand father. Among his children are Emmanuel Adejumo, Adedamola Adejumo – the producer of evergreen song ‘Oluwa mi mohun ti o se, Jesu mi mo’hun ti yo se….’

The moral of this is that whatever your hands find to do, do it with your whole heart, with your whole mind and might for in that grave, you could do but nothing.

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Famous Dramatists Gloria And Mike Bamiloye Celebrate 30th Wedding Anniversary by Ukpono Etuk

Famous dramatist and evangelist couple and founders of Mount Zion ministries, Mike and Gloria Bamiloye, have just celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary at RCCG House on the Rock parish, Grand Prairie Texas.

The notable couple who are both actors, and evangelists met at Oyo State College of Education, Ilesha-Osun state.

Mike Bamiloye started the household name, Mount Zion on August 5, 1985; just after his wife, Mummy Gloria Bamiloye said ‘YES’ to his proposal. Gloria replied her husband’s proposal a month after intense prayer and soul searching by writing on a small paper –‘’I will marry you’’

The couple’s marriage, at the beginning, was not all rosy because of abject poverty. Gloria Bamiloye, once confessed during an interview, that poverty made them “eat corn three times a day.”

Their marriage is blessed with three children; Damilola, Joshua and Darasimi Mike-Bamiloye.

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Daniel K Daniel And Bertha Amuga Glow On The Cover Of VL Magazine by Ukpono Etuk

One of Nigeria’s most successful model,Bertha Amuga and multiple award-winning Nollywood actor Daniel K Daniel glow as they cover VL magazine’s October 2018 edition.

Daniel Kanayo Daniel is a Nigerian television and film actor, model, voice-over artiste and events compere. He has won multiple awards including; 2016 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) and the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) awards for Best Actor. He is happily married to his wife,Tina,a Makeup Artist/Beauty blogger whom he tied the knot with, in 2017.

Bertha Amuga is an award winning model, who is also very successful. The Pretty Nigerian super model, launched her NGO in 2017 and she is actively rendering help to the needy.

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Ugandan Lady marries herself out of Pressure and Frustration by Ukpono Etuk

32 years old Lulu Jemimah, an Oxford student, decided to marry herself after being pressurized by her family to settle down with a man. She married herself out of frustration and to make her parents stop harassing her to get married.

Jemimah said her wedding cost her just £2 for her taxi to the venue, and she got other things free of charge from friends.

‘I have a strong passion in life and I am committed to achieving my goals at becoming an academic.

‘But all my family wanted to ask me was when I planned to get married – which is very important back in Uganda – followed by when I would be having children and starting a family.

‘My father wrote my wedding speech when I turned 16. Every birthday my mother prayed for me and in recent years this has included a plea for a good husband.

‘But I just didn’t want to think about walking up the aisle. It’s not the thing which keeps me up at night.’

The new bride, through the help of some of her friends celebrated her birthday and her ‘self’ wedding at the same time.

‘One of my closest friends Karin reminded me that I had a lot to celebrate this year like getting into Oxford and I joked that I would show up in a wedding dress,’ she said.

‘We had been talking about this marriage pressure and she loved the idea so much that she offered to get me the wedding gown.

‘Then I decided, you know what weddings seem so important here – I will marry myself.’

A friend who works as a web designer made and printed her invites, and her friend paid to hire her dress, while her brother baked her cake.

‘It’s shocking the price of wedding gowns in Uganda but when I told them I was marrying myself they offered to find me their cheapest dress.

‘I then spent a few minutes talking to friends and awkwardly explaining that there was no groom – most of them knew by this point,’ she said.

‘I was extremely happy,’ she said. ‘So many friends showed up, as well as international and local journalists, film directors and feminist entrepreneurs.

‘Marriage is an expression of love and commitment, however for many people back home, it is still considered the only way to guarantee a woman’s financial security.’

Although, her parents were absent at her big day, as they were ‘a bit confused’ about her decision to get married to herself.

‘When we talked the next day she was a bit confused and slightly hurt, but explained that by even wearing a wedding dress it proved I was ready for marriage,’ she said.

‘My father still maintains that he doesn’t know what to say.’

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FG set to announce new minimum wage - NLC president by Ukpono Etuk

The federal government is set to announce the new minimum wage as the tripartite committee completes its assignment for onward submission to President Muhammadu Buhari. 

Ayuba Wabba, Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) president, made this known while speaking with newsmen on Monday, October 8, in Abuja, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. 

According to him, the committee reconvened and deliberated on a new minimum wage figure that was acceptable to all employers of labour in the country. “I want to assure workers that all has been concluded and will be passed for signing within the week. “I also want to appreciate the Organised Private Sector, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) for their resolve to pay the new minimum wage when it is signed into law,” he said. 

The NLC president, however, refused to disclose the figure arrived at by the tripartite committee on the new national minimum wage. Wabba said the presidency would make it public after deliberation by the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting. 

NAN reports that the organised labour, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the United Labour Congress (ULC), on Sunday, September 30, suspended its warning strike on a new minimum wage embarked upon on Wednesday, September 26. 

The organised labour had embarked on the strike after a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government for failing to reconvene meeting to come out with its own figure on the new minimum wage. The three unions had demanded N65,500 as new minimum wage for workers, while the private employers and some state governors were proposing N25,000. 


The disclosure was made by the secretary to the government of the federation, Boss Mustapha, on Sunday, October 7, at the 22nd choir anniversary of the Christ Apostolic Church, Living Water DCC Headquarters, Abuja. 

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MASSOM, BIM pass vote of no confidence on APGA over Bianca Ojukwu by Ukpono Etuk

Leaders of Biafra Independence Movement, BIM, and the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, have passed a vote of no confidence on All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA.

They also ordered all political office aspirants on APGA platform, to “remove within seven days, the pictures of Dim Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu, in their own interest”.

Explaining why they read the riot act, during an emergency meeting in Owerri, the protagonist of the groups, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, said: “How can APGA and its followers, continue to use the symbol of Igbo identity and struggle, to continuously win votes,without according due respect him and his family? APGA has sadly humiliated Iyom Bianca Ojukwu, by refusing to give her automatic senatorial ticket.

“Any affront to Ojukwu is an affront to Ndigbo. We can’t forget that Ojukwu’s son tried getting a ticket for the House of Representatives. APGA failed him. This time, two other senatorial aspirants were given automatic tickets, while that of Anambra South was up for contest.

“Beside this, APGA leadership surreptitiously asked the delegates to vote against Bianca Ojukwu. Following this development, MASSOB has passed vote of no confidence on APGA. We have also directed our members not to vote for APGA again.
“All politicians, who have Ojukwu’s photograph on their dresses, should stop wearing them in public. This decision is nothing personal. We have taken it purely on principle. Even if Bianca settles with APGA tomorrow, it won’t affect our current stand.

“APGA would not have in Anambra State, if not for the support of MASSOB. We stoutly identified with APGA because of Ojukwu. We have withdrawn that recognition. Those who are milking APGA and ridiculing Ojukwu today, were not part of the people that formed the party.

“Why would they keep riding on the back of Ojukwu, but have no iota of regard for our late icon and his family. If they don’t like Bianca, why not take any of the man’s children? Let’s see how it goes”, Uwazuruike said.

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See photos Of Cee-C, today, attended the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), Abuja by Ukpono Etuk

Former big brother Naija housemate, Cynthia Nwadiora, popularly known as Cee-C, today, attended the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), Abuja.

She shared photos with pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo and his wife and wrote;

"When God wants to speak and deal with us, he does not avail himself of an angel but of parents, or the pastor, or of our neighbor.
Thank you pastor @biodunfatoyinbo and Mummy D, I had a great time , I’m not a basket I’d retain all the wisdom you instilled upon me today.
Also @walejana and @golden_kiddies , you guys have been amazing.
Thank you!��

@ceec_live Hanty I went to church�"

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Fufeyin warns clerics over political prophecies by Ukpono Etuk

Ahead of the 2019 general elections, General Overseer and Founder of Christ Mercy Land Deliverance Ministry, Effurun, Delta State, Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin, has emphasized on the need for men of God to be mindful of the political prophecies they make.

Speaking with  Sunday Vanguard  in Delta State, the prophet said some men of God were fond of giving failed prophecies.

“This is a warning to all prophets and pastors who like to prophesy. Many have prophesied and many have failed. When making political prophecies, men of God have to be very careful so that they will not put their grace into shame or disgrace.

If you prophesy into the life of a woman or man who is contesting for a political office, you need to continue praying about it until it comes to reality”, Fufeyin stated.

According to him, when it comes to prophecies, God has the final say and it can favour anyone at any time. “God, in His mercy, decides whatever He gives to His children. A prophecy can raise a man in a second and a prophecy can bring a man down in the next second.

Since man doesn’t understand the ways of God, pastors or prophets must be very careful when making political prophecies. God can change His mind to favour anyone at any time; He has the final say,” he said.

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Liverpool, Manchester City played 0-0 in boring Premier League encounter at Anfield by Ukpono Etuk

Liverpool and Manchester City canceled each other out in their Premier League encounter at Anfield Stadium on Sunday. Both sides continued their unbeaten run in the EPL so far this season as the Citizens maintain the top spot while the Reds are third on the table behind Chelsea - but all on the same point. 

The match failed to live to its bidding as many had thought goals would rain in the game owing to the quality of attacks paraded by both sides. City had a chance to hand Pep Guardiola's men maximum victory towards the end of the game after Virgil Van Dijk fouled Leroy Sane. But the Algeria international failed to hit the target as the ball went out of the pitch and the score line remained the same. 

City had a chance to hand Pep Guardiola's men maximum victory towards the end of the game after Virgil Van Dijk fouled Leroy Sane. But the Algeria international failed to hit the target as the ball went out of the pitch and the score line remained the same. The two teams got started on a cautious note as there was no shot on target until the 62nd minute of the encounter. 

Man City will hope to return to winning ways when they host Burnley on Saturday, October 20, while Liverpool battle Huddersfield at the John Smith's Stadium on the same day. 

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World's Most Expensive Whiskey Sold At Auction by Ukpono Etuk

Everything you need to live well

A bottle of whisky has set a world record as the most expensive to be sold at am auction.

The bottle of single malt scotch was purchased at an auction for over $1.1 million [N399.85 million]in Edinburgh, Scotland.

The buyer at the auction or the 60-year old Macallan Valerio Adami 1926 is a private collector from Asia made the purchase over the phone, according to auctioneer Bonhams.

Another bottle of the same single-malt was sold in May for over $1 million [N363.5 million]in Hong Kong.

The whisky was bottled in 1986 after being in a cask for 6 decades. It has been described by experts as the “Holy Grail” of whiskies because of its quality, artwork and vintage.

Martin Greene, Bonhams whisky specialist in Ediburgh stated that, “The world’s most serious whisky collectors will wait patiently for many years for a bottle to come onto the market.”

The bottle sold is one of a limited edition of 24 bottles desines by two pop artists.

It isunknown ow man of the ottles are left.
One is thought to have been destroyed in the 2011 earthquake in Japan and at least another has been “opened and drunk,” Bonhams wrote.

6 things Nigerian single ladies do when in need of boyfriends by Ukpono Etuk

Fellow ladies in the house, if you would be offended with anything of the things you would be reading here, please pardon us. We are only trying to call your attention to some of the things you do in the society in a bid to make you change your ways. 

Really, being single could become lonely at times; you may feel completely left out when you do not have a man to call your own. Your friends may not be helping you with their constant change of display pictures and boo bae. And the Saturday ‘owanbes’ may distract you for a while and put you in a desperate situation. 

Yes, we understand the pressure you may be going through when you do not have a boyfriend and everyone expects you to be in a serious relationship. Always remember that there is a time for everything and all these things that bother you would become a thing of the past in due season. Many single ladies have put themselves in terrible situations as a result of their desperation when it comes to being in a relationship. For ladies like these, it is always all over them that they need a boyfriend; they cannot get it off their mind and most times, they end up falling into the wrong hands. Find below some of the things ladies do that would make you know they are in dire needs of boyfriends: 

1. Wearing clothes that are not comfortable 

Okay, we get the part of ladies dressing to follow the fashion trend, we also understand that everyone wants to look good and classy at all times. However, wearing clothes that are too tight for comfort is not the best way to go at it. Some single ladies love to wear clothes that would choke them and not allow them eat, mere looking at them, you can sense their discomfort in those outfits. To recognize the single ladies that are in need of boyfriends, they would always crave attention wherever they go. The tight clothes would no doubt make heads turn but they also have to worry about eating in order not to make their stomach bulge out of their tight dresses. 

2. Bleaching

Thankfully, the society is starting to accept the fact that black is beautiful. Most ladies in the society want to be like ‘oyinbo’, it is pathetic seeing these ladies denature their skin cells all because they want to be fair skinned. A man who would like you will do irrespective of your color. The laughable thing is many of these girls do not buy the right cream so they end of bleaching one ear and leaving the other one. Although they may be hunting for boyfriends, the moment the men see the uneven patches on their skin, they already cast them. 

3. Exposure of vital body parts

If you are not trying to gain some man’s attention why would you walk around the street half naked? Many single ladies love to expose their curves and blame it on the style or cutting of the fabric they wear. Why would you wear a cloth with low bust cutting? There are ladies who are sassy and highly respected in the society; they know the trend and do not bare their bodies in order to look more beautiful. Another crazy thing to be noted is the way these ladies pull down their short dresses in a bid to cover their thighs. If there is nothing wrong with the outfit they need not pull it down.

 4. They are party lovers 

Now there is nothing wrong in being a party lover; however, most of these single ladies know they are most likely to run into men at places like that. Ladies who are desperate and in dire need of boyfriends do not miss out on any of those much talked about parties and awards. They do whatever would make men notice them. When men notice this, they would end up flowing with the tide and playing on them. 

5. When they propose to crash at a man’s place 

Now some single ladies are shameless; they have little or no integrity left when it comes to certain issues. Some of these desperate ladies in the society would blatantly tell men they want to sleep over at their places. Why would you be willing to sleep over in a man’s house when he is not your boyfriend or your family member? The society should stop putting the blame on men when it comes to sexual misconduct; some women actually put themselves in compromising positions. Anything could happen overnight! 

6. Using unclad pictures as DPs 

Single ladies who are desperately looking for boyfriends believe in flaunting what they have; they are the ladies that would post explicit pictures of themselves on Instagram and Twitter. As expected, they have lots of followers on their social pages because men love cheap things. When you put up unclad pictures of yourself,  you do not expect responsible men to walk up to you and propose. The likes of the men you would attract are those who practice ‘hit and run’. When these ladies finally hook up with some unlucky men when they want to settle down, they go on and delete those social media pages. Note that the internet is the last place you need to put your rubbish; it does not go even when you have cleaned up.