Gwarzo Replaces Oteh As SEC Director General

The Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday announced that the
immediate past Executive Commissioner, Operations in SEC, Mr Mounir
Gwarzo, has been named as the Acting Director General of the
commission.

Gwarzo takes over the leadership of the commission from Arunma Oteh,
whose tenure as SEC DG expired on January 7.

Oteh, according to a statement in Abuja, was said to have handed over
to Gwarzo at a ceremony held at the commission' headquarters.

The ex-SEC boss, while handing over to Gwarzo, described her five-year
tenure at the Commission as absolutely outstanding, attributing it to
the co-operation she received from every member of staff.

She said, "When I joined SEC in January, 2010, I was absolutely
certain about why the SEC was important and what its role and what the
agenda was. I was able to articulate it in one phrase: building a
world-class market."

"To have a vision and have everyone being able to connect and align
with it, for me, whether it is capital market operators, shareholders
and other stakeholders, was very rewarding.

"But I don't think it would have been possible without each and every
one of you accepting the challenge to try something in a different way
or to do something in a way that you are not quite sure of."
--PUNCH

CCTV Footage Shows Paris Attack Suspect In Turkey

French police have gotten hold of CCTV footage, purportedly showing
the partner of the supermarket attacker in Paris, Amedy Coulibaly, in
Turkey.

Hayat Boumeddiene was seen passing through passport control at the airport.

Turkey's Foreign Minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, said she had arrived on
January 2, before continuing to Syria six days later.

Boumeddiene's partner, Coulibaly, had killed four people at a Kosher
supermarket in eastern Paris on Friday before police stormed the
building.

He is also believed to have shot dead a policewoman the day before.

Turkey said it had not been asked to deny her access, as they need to
receive intelligence first before tracking people.

Turkish Prime Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, said; "Is it Turkey's fault
that it has borders with Syria?"

This comes as France announced on Monday that it would be deploying
10,000 policemen to protect synagogues and mosques, and other
sensitive areas, to boost security following last week's attacks.
--

Merkel To Join Muslim Rally For 'Tolerance'

German Chancellor Angela Merkel will join a rally for an "open and
tolerant Germany" on Tuesday in the wake of last week's attacks in
Paris, a spokesman of the German government announced Monday.

The rally, organized by Germany's Muslim organisations and Turkish
community groups, is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. local time (1700
GMT) Tuesday at the Brandenburg Gate in the heart of Berlin.

German President Joachim Gauck will address the gathering, which Vice
Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel, Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier
and other top officials are also expected to attend.

Speaking Monday at a joint press conference with visiting Turkish
Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Merkel said Tuesday's rally would send
a strong signal for the peaceful coexistence between different
religions in her country.

The chancellor stressed that "Islam is part of Germany," adding "I am
the chancellor of all Germans."

She also expressed her gratitude to Germany's Muslims for having drawn
a clear line and delivered a clear 'No' to the use of violence
following the bloody attacks in Paris.
--Aljazeera

INEC Presents Voter Register Of 68.8million Electorates To Political Parties

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially
presented the voter register for the 2015 general elections to the
publicas mandated by the Electoral Act.

The lists of nominated candidates contesting for the Presidency and
National Assembly was also presented.

Presenting the voter register to political parties in Abuja on
Tuesday, the Director of Information Communication Technology at INEC,
Chidi Nwafor, said that about 68,833,476 Nigerians would be expected
to vote in the February general election.

The figure, according to Mr Nwafor, was arrived at after the
commission removed more than 4million people who did double
registration from the initial list of 73.5 million Nigerians who had
registered to vote.

The commission noted that ordinarily people who deliberately register
twice should have been prosecuted but this would be impossible with
over 4million people having committed the offence.

The Chairman of INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega, stated that the
commission had put a lot of efforts into ensuring that they capture
the actual figure of eligible voters in the country.

He then presented the list of nominated candidates contesting for the
Presidency and National Assembly.

"For the presidential election, there are 14 candidates duly nominated
by political parties. For the senatorial election, there are 739
candidates, and for the House of Representatives election, there are
1,780 candidates," he said.

He also dismissed reports that the commission could consider the use
of temporary voter cards, insisting that only permanent voter cards
would be used in the general election.

He added that the decentralisation of the distribution of the PVCs
was aimed at ensuring all eligible registered voters were not
disenfranchised.

The INEC boss again reiterated the commission's readiness for the polls.

"The commission is happy to say that it has received from government
all the funds required to conduct the 2015 general election. We can
say in effect that funding is no longer a challenge to the forthcoming
elections.

"INEC has always said it is preparing to conduct elections in all the
36 states and the federal capital, including the three north-eastern
states experiencing the challenge of insurgency," he said.

He, however, added that close working arrangement with the security
agencies who have the "responsibility for securing the election
environment" was the way to achieve this.

Section 20 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) provides that the
voter register for an election be published at least thirty (30) days
before the elections.

While the list of candidates for the February 14 presidential and
National Assembly elections had been published on the commission's
website, January 27, 2015 has been fixed for the presentation of the
list of governorship and House of Assembly candidates.
--ChannelsTV

Man City Stops Iheanacho, Nwakali From Nigeria's AYC Squad

The duo of Kelechi Iheanacho and Chidiebere Nwakali might not be in
the Flying Eagles squad for the 2015 African Youth Championship
holding in Senegal in March.

The English Premier League champions, Manchester City made this known
on Tuesday.

The Scouting and Recruitment Operations Manager at Manchester City FC,
Fergal Harkin, in a mail to the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF,
stated that the club would not be willing to release the players for
different reasons.

Harkin stated that Iheanacho was injured while a loan move was being
processed for Nwakali.

Part of the mail read, "With regards Kelechi Iheanacho, he is
currently injured. We believe he will be fit around the middle of
March but can keep in contract regarding his recovery.

"For Chidiebere Nwakali, we are currently in the process of agreeing
his loan deal to Europe and he will not be available to meet up with
the national team until further notice.

"At this moment in time, we feel it is best for his development that
he cements his place in the club side."

Kelechi Iheanacho won the Golden Ball at the 2013 U-17 World Cup and
was one of the revelations of Manchester City's summer pre-season
after impressing and scoring against AC Milan.

The attacking midfielder has already been tipped as a future Super
Eagles star despite his young age.

All overseas based players invited for the AYC tournament had been
given till Thursday, January 15 to report at the U20s training camp in
Kaduna.
--ChannelsTV

Israel Buries Four Jews Slain In Paris Attack

Thousands of mourners gathered at a Jerusalem cemetery Tuesday for the
funeral of four Jews killed by an Islamist gunman in Paris, in a
ceremony attended by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President
Reuven Rivlin and other Israeli and French officials. While the
families delivered heartfelt eulogies for their loved ones, Israel's
leaders denounced Islamic extremism and the terrorists it is
producing, and urged the world to confront the violence and restore
security.

The bodies of the victims were flown to Israel for burial following
the terror attack Friday on a kosher supermarket in eastern Paris.

They were among 17 people gunned down in Paris during three days of
bloodshed that began with a grisly attack on the satirical weekly
Charlie Hebdo, in a wave of violence that convulsed France and sent
shockwaves through its Jewish community, the third-largest in the
world.

The four Jews were laid to rest after the joint funeral at the
sprawling Givat Shaul cemetery which began shortly after noon.

President Reuven Rivlin addresses the crowd at the funeral for four
French Jews killed in an attack at a kosher supermarket in Paris, on
Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Relatives of each of the four gave brief eulogies, before speeches by
Netanyahu, Rivlin and French Ecology Minister Segolene Royal. The
families also lit memorial torches in the victims' memory.

Philippe Braham's widow Valery broke up in tears as she delivered a
short eulogy for her husband. "Philippe, my love, my dear, was a
perfect man. As I said before, a man who thinks first and foremost
about others and not about himself. A great husband and a father who
lives for his children... I cry but I know you all cry with me, I thank
you... Philippe, protect me, protect Shirel, Naor, Ella and Raphael."

Rabbi Benjamin Hattab, the father of Yoav Hattab, who was killed in
the Pairs kosher supermarket atack, rips his shirt in a Jewish sign of
mourning during the funeral for his son and three other men killed in
the attack, Tuesday, January 13, 2015 (screen capture: Channel 2)

Rabbi Beto Hattab, eulogizing his son Yoav, said simply, "I accept the
judgment of Heaven with love."

Rivlin and Netanyahu both stressed the imperative for Europe and the
free world to fight Islamic extremism. They also both encouraged
immigration, but Rivlin stressed that aliyah should be through choice
not desperation, and said the free world had an obligation to ensure
that Jews be able to live in security anywhere.

Valerie Braham, widow of Philippe.

Said Rivlin: "Dear families, Yoav, Yohan, Philippe, Francois-Michel,
this is not how we wanted to welcome you to Israel. This is not how we
wanted you to arrive in the Land of Israel, this is not how we wanted
to see you come home, to the State of Israel, and to Jerusalem, its
capital. We wanted you alive, we wanted for you, life. At moments such
as these, I stand before you, brokenhearted, shaken and in pain, and
with me stands an entire nation."

'The murderer made sure to be in a Jewish shop, and only then did he
carry out the massacre. This was pure, venomous evil, which stirs the
very worst of memories. This is sheer hatred of Jews'

He stressed that the four were killed because they were Jews: They
"were murdered on the eve of the Sabbath, in a kosher supermarket in
Paris, in cold blood, because they were Jewish. The murderer made sure
to be in a Jewish shop, and only then did he carry out the massacre.
This was pure, venomous evil, which stirs the very worst of memories.
This is sheer hatred of Jews; abhorrent, dark and premeditated, which
seeks to strike, wherever there is Jewish life. In Paris, in
Jerusalem, in Toulouse, and in Tel Aviv. In Brussels, and in Mumbai.
In the streets, and in the synagogues. In the schools, and in the
local market. In the train stations, and in the museums."

And he warned, "It would be dangerous to deny that we are talking
about anti-Semitism, whether old or new. Regardless of what may be the
sick motives of terrorists, it is beholden upon the leaders of Europe
to act, and commit to firm measures to return a sense of security and
safety to the Jews of Europe."
--TheTimeOfIsrael

150, Not 2,000 Died In Baga Attacks --Military

(PHOTO: Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade|
credits: www.ynaija.com)

The Defence authorities have faulted the claim that over 2,000 people
were killed in the Boko Haram attack on Baga, the headquarters of the
Multi-National Joint Task Force on January 3.

The Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, said
this during a press briefing in Abuja on Monday. He said that 150
people including a large number of members of the Boko Haram sect were
killed in the confrontation.

Olukolade explained that many of the residents of Baga and the nearby
communities had fled the area because of incessant attacks on their
towns by the Boko Haram sect.

He added that many of the residents of the community were able to flee
the area while the battle between the soldiers and the insurgents
lasted.

Olukolade said that the figures being reported and attributed to
eyewitnesses were exaggerated.

"...It is however necessary to inform Nigerians in the interim that the
exercise so far has not corroborated the report on the casualty rate
which was put at 2,000.

"From all available evidences, the number of people who lost their
lives during that attack has so far not exceeded about 150 in the
interim. This figure includes many of the terrorists who were bearing
arms and got killed in the course of their attack and battle with
troops.

"It should be noted that Baga and the neighbouring towns have been
under a series of attacks and harassment by the terrorists. In the
course of this, many residents have left, leaving the population in
the town almost seriously depleted. Many were also able to escape
while the terrorists' battle with troops lasted.

"The figure given by sources who claim to be eyewitnesses must be an
extremely exaggerated estimate. Unfortunately, this figure is now
being bandied about in a section of the media as if it has been
authenticated. It cannot be true," he said

Olukolade said that the military had embarked on a lot of covert
operations including aerial surveillance activities designed to
prevent the terrorists from carrying out heinous acts against innocent
Nigerians.

The Defence spokesman showed video clips of movement within and around
Baga during the incidents.

Olukolade stressed that while it was important to report incidents
that would bring out the acts perpetrated by the Boko Haram sect, such
reports should be factual.

"In any case, this is no time to debate about casualty figures or
number of deaths as the life of any Nigerian is important. Much as the
intention which could be with the aim of drawing attention to the
atrocities being committed by terrorists group in Nigeria is most
welcome, the need for factual presentation of the situation is equally
vital," he added

The Defence spokesman said that the military had not given up on Baga
or any other part of the country and was indeed making preparations to
address the security challenge.

Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Power, Mohammed Wakil, on
Wednesday said the Federal Government was more resolute than ever to
tame the Boko Haram insurgency.

The minister also said President Goodluck Jonathan was saddened by the
continuous killing of innocent Nigerians by the Boko Haram insurgents,
adding that the Peoples Democratic Party was also pained by the
savagery unleashed on the North-East by the terrorist group.

The minister said this shortly after he was received by some party
chieftains, as thousands of supporters thronged to the Maiduguri
International Airport.

Wakil, who said he was in the state to convey the sympathy and
condolence of President Jonathan to the people, stated that the
Presidency was deeply worried by the killings, including the Baga
killings reported to have claimed about 150 lives.

He added that the PDP was most saddened by the Boko Haram insurgency
which claimed many lives in the North-East.
--PUNCH

CNN Wins Go-Ahead To Test Drones For News Coverage

CNN said Monday it has reached agreement with US aviation regulators
to test drones for news gathering in the US, the network said.

Conceived initially mainly for military purposes, private use of the
small unmanned aircraft allowing for image and information gathering
is practically banned in the United States, except at low altitudes
(below 122 meters, or 400 feet, and far from airports).

"Our aim is to get beyond hobby-grade equipment and to establish what
options are available and workable to produce high quality video
journalism using various types of UAVs and camera setups," said CNN
Senior Vice President David Vigilante. UAVs are unmanned aerial
vehicles.

Tests are being carried out at the Georgia Tech Research Institute,
based in Atlanta, Georgia where CNN, owned by Time Warner, is
headquartered.

FAA Administrator Michael Huerta expressed hope that the accord will
help "safely integrate unmanned news-gathering technology and
operating procedures into the National Airspace System."

Pope Francis Arrives In Sri Lanka For 'Mission Of Mercy'

Pope Francis has called for respect for human rights, inclusivity, and
the "pursuit of truth" as he arrived in Sri Lanka to begin a six-day
Asian tour.

The pontiff, who will later travel to the Philippines, plans to
celebrate open-air masses during his trip.

It is the first papal visit to Sri Lanka since the end of a 26-year
civil war in 2009.

The country's new president has promised an end to growing repression
of religious minorities.

Speaking on the tarmac of Colombo's international airport shortly
after he landed, the Pope said that peace could be found by
"cultivating those virtues which foster reconciliation, solidarity and
peace".

All along the 20km highway leading up to the airport crowds have
gathered on both sides of the road to catch a glimpse of Pope Francis.

Some have opened up umbrellas, a few elderly have brought portable
seats along as they wait under the hot Colombo sun.

Lalith and Therese Fernando, a couple from Chilau that is nearly 100
km (60 miles) from here, took a train at 05:00 this morning to be
here."It's a once in a lifetime opportunity," Lalith tells me.

Rebuilding Sri Lanka was more than just improving infrastructure, he
said, "but also, and even more importantly, promoting human dignity,
respect for human rights, and the full inclusion of each member of
society".

He also said that the "pursuit of truth" was important, "not for the
sake of opening old wounds, but rather as a necessary means of
promoting justice, healing and unity".

It is the second Asia tour for Pope Francis in less than six months

A brutal decades-long civil war ended in 2009 when the army defeated
separatist minority Tamil rebels. The United Nations said both sides
committed atrocities against civilians.

The government consistently denied allegations that it was responsible
for the deaths of many thousands of civilians in the final phase of
that war. Last year the UN approved an inquiry into alleged war
crimes.

Just over 7% of Sri Lanka's population are Christian, mostly Catholic
- but they include both Sinhalese and Tamils. Around 70% of Sri
Lankans are Buddhist, with 13% Hindus and 10% Muslims.

During the last papal visit 20 years ago, Pope John Paul II was
boycotted by Buddhist leaders. But on this visit, the Pope is expected
to hold a multi-faith prayer meeting which should include moderate
Buddhist representatives.

The BBC's religious affairs correspondent Caroline Wyatt says Buddhist
fundamentalism has grown as a force in Sri Lanka since the last papal
visit, with some waging a violent campaign against Muslims on the
island.

Pope Francis wants to encourage the local church to seek partners in
peace, so that all religions can stand united against any further
violence or intimidation by religious extremists, says our
correspondent.

It is a time of significant change in Sri Lanka, where Maithripala
Sirisena took office as president on Friday.

He ended the decade-long rule of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, a
period which critics said had been marred by increasing corruption and
authoritarianism.

Travelling with the Pope: Caroline Wyatt, BBC Religious Affairs Correspondent

Suddenly, Pope Francis is in front of me, looking at me, and I
introduce myself in faltering Italian.

He is a commanding presence, and utterly unfazed by being filmed by so
many cameras surrounding him. It must be something you get used to as
pontiff.

What does he expect from this trip, I ask him. He bends down closer to
offer an ear as he tries to decipher my appalling accent, and gives a
big smile - "we'll see", he says, raising an eyebrow, and then
"onwards!"

He gives my arm a warm pat as he goes on to the next row, never
hurrying, but spending just long enough to make as many people on the
plane feel they have had their time close-up with the Pope.

The Pope's trip, which comes five months after a tour of South Korea,
is being seen as an attempt to win new followers in Asia and to shore
up support for the region's millions of Catholics.

In the Philippines organisers are expecting one of the biggest crowds
ever for a papal visit when Pope Francis conducts an open-air mass in
the capital Manila.

Church officials say his visit to the archipelago nation will focus on
"mercy and compassion" following a deadly 2013 typhoon, reports the
AFP news agency.
--BBC

World Cup: Nigerian Clubs Get FIFA Windfall

Three Nigerian sides that had players in the Super Eagles team that
played at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil have been handed a
windfall by the World Football governing body.

Sunshine Stars, had the most players in the Super Eagles and they were
paid N24.1m ($127,000). Warri Wolves were handed N22.8m ($120,000),
while Gombe United earned N10.6m ($56,000). The monies were paid to
the Nigeria Football Federation who passed same on to the teams with
every team all over the world that had a player at the tournament
being handed cash by FIFA. 31 English clubs also received nearly
N1.9b ($10m) in total benefits from the same tournament.

Chelsea are the biggest beneficiary receiving more than N228m ($1.2m),
with Manchester United, Arsenal and Manchester City each receiving
over N190m ($1m)
--Vanguard

APC Owerri Rally: General Buhari Forgets Name of His own VP Candidate

Remember President Jonathan said that General Buhari could not even
remember his phone number. People thought the President got his facts
wrong.

Now see for yourself in this attached video from the APC rally in
Owerri (12th January, 2015), General Buhari could not remember the
name of his own Vice Presidential Candidate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. Also
notice his slurred speech. The man is weak!

Video:
rtsp://r4---sn-cg07lued.googlevideo.com/Ck0LENy73wIaRAmliUO6n1r74hMYDSANFC3H2rRUMOCoAUIJbXYtZ29vZ2xlSARSBXdhdGNoYNf4zvySp4S7VIoBC0JxR2Nfejd2bFdFDA==/68168F35816557339C8B1BB5CEC5DC55551DBDF4.670DFFCACE0417ADEE174791038918F5225C30B9/yt5/1/video.3gp

Owerri Crowd Screams NO To "Will You Vote For Buhari?" Question At APC Presidential Rally

The Presidential Campaign Rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC)
held Monday in Owerri witnessed Mild Drama as a top chieftain and
member Board of Trustees of the APC Chief Ogbonnaya Onu addressed the
crowd on the podium to solicit support for General Muhammadu Buhari.

Chief Onu while addressing the crowd gathered at Inyanyanwu stadium on
the need for Ibos to support the Buhari candidacy, asked the audience:
"Will you vote for Buhari?" and the crowd chorused "NO". Embarrassed
by the response from the crowd, Chief Onu modified the question asking
the crowd if they will vote for Rochas Okorocha to which they
responded positively.

The Owerri rally was was monitored live by TheWhistle via Channels
Television and in attendance were top chieftains of the Party;
Buhari's running mate, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, former CPC national
chairman Tony Momoh, Senator Bukola Saraki, Southeast zonal
coordinator of the campaign, Senator Chris Ngige, other members of
the campaign council.
--FeelOwerri

Baga Attack: Defence Headquarters Debunks Casualty Figure

The Nigerian armed forces have debunked the casualty figure from the
onslaught by terrorists in Baga a community in Borno State, north-east
Nigeria.

This comes several days after the onslaught which led to the loss of
several liveswhich has been put at 2,000.

Defence Spokesperson, Major-General Chris Olukolade, said that the
casualty figure is around the borders of 150 people at the moment,
comprising mainly of members of the sect.

He added that the numbers bandied in the media cannot be substantiated
given that Baga has been attacked severally leading to a mass exodus
of people from the town.

Also speaking on the current state of affairs in Baga, General
Olukolade said that covert operations were ongoing to completely
dislodge the sect members and regain the town.

He assured Nigerians that the military would not rest on its oars in
fighting the common enemies of the country.
--ChannelsTV

Buhari Has No Devt Projects To Show As Former Head Of State --PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has challenged All Progressives
Congress' (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, to show
any project executed in any sector of the economy during his tenure as
head of state.

The party's National Publicity Secretary, Mr Olisa Metuh, who stated
this in a statement on Monday in Abuja, said that it was a known fact
that Buhari did not develop the country while in government.

According to Metuh, when juxtaposed with the performance of President
Goodluck Jonathan's democratically elected government, it becomes
clear that Buhari is not and cannot be a match for Jonathan.

He said that the APC flag-bearer lacked team spirit which was a
principal component of public-private-partnership and critical for
national development.

He said that while Buhari suspended the nation's Constitution and led
Nigerians by the nose, Jonathan exhibited excellent democratic
credentials by enhancing the rule of law.

''Nigerians, including Buhari'', he said, ''now relish all kinds of
personal freedoms which he denied the citizens during his rule''.

"While Buhari enacted Decree 4 of 1984 with which he abolished the
freedom of the Press, Jonathan not only signed into law the Freedom of
Information Act, but also consolidates the rule of law in the country.

"While the Buhari administration carried out extra-judicial killings
of innocent Nigerians using widely condemned retroactive law,
President Jonathan has never trampled on the rights of any Nigerian.

''Jonathan has instead, remained sincere, humble and calm despite all
unwarranted provocations,'' Metuh said.

On education, he said that the APC candidate did build a single school
during his regime as head of state and never cared for the educational
advancement of any part of the country, including the North.

But, he said that Jonathan revamped the education sector and
established 14 new universities across the country in two years,
adding that the president revitalised Unity Schools and established
the Almajiri system of education.

This, he said, was an innovation Buhari never thought of, adding that
''under him, no effort was made to revitalise the railway as an
instrument of mass transport in the country.

"On his own part, President Jonathan has revived the railways. Today,
our trains are back, ferrying passengers and goods along various
routes across the country.

"The case is the same in the road sector, which was also neglected by
Gen. Buhari as head of state, but now it is being transformed by
President Jonathan.''

Metuh added that while Buhari did nothing to enhance the power sector,
Jonathan successfully unbundled the power sector with polices that
encouraged massive private sector investment for greater productivity.

"Today, the neglected automobile sector has been revived and cars are
now being manufactured in our country as a result of the New
Automobile Policy initiated by President Jonathan,'' he stressed.

He challenged the APC candidate to show Nigerians the investment he
made in enhancing the military and security agencies which suffered
the worst type of deprivation under him.

"Nigerians are more prosperous under President Jonathan; the nation's
economy now ranks as the largest in Africa as against the situation
under Gen. Buhari.

"What the nation needs now is not a return to the dark days, but to
continue with President Jonathan and his transformation agenda for the
benefit of all,'' Metuh added.
--(NAN)

Five Facts On Cristiano Ronaldo's Brilliant 2014

Five feats achieved in 2014 by Real Madrid and Portugal forward
Cristiano Ronaldo who on Monday won the Ballon d'Or world player of
the year for the third time:

+ Champions League goals record

Ronaldo led Real Madrid to their 10th European crown -- La Decima -- in
sensational style by smashing Lionel Messi's record of 15 Champions
League goals in a single season with 17 in just 11 appearances.

+ King of the hat-trick

After the conquest of La Decima, there has been no letting up from the
29-year-old Ronald this season as he has already bagged four
hat-tricks in La Liga.

His latest treble against Celta Vigo in December was a record-breaking
23rd in the Spanish top flight to take him clear of Real legend
Alfredo di Stefano and Telmo Zarra, who both managed 22.

+ Portugal's all-time leading scorer

Ronaldo unseated Pauleta to become Portugal's all-time leading
marksman with 52 international goals.

He also became the first Portuguese player to score in three World Cup
finals, but his solitary strike against Ghana was not enough to
prevent the 2006 semi-finalists bowing out at the group stage.

+ Unstoppable at the Bernabeu

Ronaldo was impossible for opposition defence to tie down at Real
Madrid in 2014. He scored in every La Liga game in which he played at
the Santiago Bernabeu, striking 23 times in just 14 games.

+ Fastest start to a season yet

Despite the presence of Messi and a niggling knee injury which forced
him to miss a league game early in the season, Ronaldo has almost
certainly wrapped up a third Pichichi award for La Liga's top
goalscorer in 2014-15.

The former Manchester United man has smashed in 26 goals in just 16
games to also become the first man to in Spanish history to score more
than 25 times in six La Liga seasons.

List of award winners at 2014 Ballon d'Or ceremony held in Zurich on Monday:

Ballon d'Or: Cristiano Ronaldo (POR/Real Madrid)

Woman player of the year: Nadine Kessler (GER/Wolfsburg)

Men's team coach of the year: Joachim Loew (GER/Allemagne)

Women's team coach of the year: Ralf Kellermann (GER/Wolfsburg)

Puskas prize for best goal: James Rodriguez (COL/Real Madrid)

Fairplay: Brazil 2014 World Cup volunteers

Presidents prize: Hiroshi Kagawa (JPN), oldest journalist (89) at 2014
World Cup finals which was the 10th one he had covered.

Team of the year:

Manuel Neuer (GER/Bayern Munich); Sergio Ramos (ESP/Real Madrid),
Thiago Silva (BRA/Paris SG), David Luiz (BRA/Paris SG), Philipp Lahm
(GER/Bayern Munich); Andrés Iniesta (ESP/Barcelona), Toni Kroos
(GER/Real Madrid), Ángel Di Maria (ARG/Manchester United); Arjen
Robben (NED/Bayern Munich), Lionel Messi (ARG/Barcelona), Cristiano
Ronaldo (POR/Real Madrid)