OJUKWU: Jonathan, Soyinka, Rawlings, Anyaoku, others pay final respect

LAST RESPECT—Vice President Namadi Sambo laying a Wreath as he pays last respect during the National Funeral Ceremony of Late Dim Chukwuemeka Odunmegwu Ojukwu, yesterday, in Enugu State. Photo: Hill Ezeugwu.

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, Thursday, acknowledged contributions of the late former Biafran warlord, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu towards the unity of the country, describing him as “a rare patriot and humanist.”
The president, who was represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo, at the national inter-denominational funeral rites and lying-in-state for Ojukwu at the Michael Okpara Square, Enugu, said he had no hesitation in describing the Ikemba Nnewi as a rare patriot because his life epitomized enduring love for his country.
Ojukwu was rare patriot  —Jonathan
“Ojukwu was indeed a rare patriot because his life epitomized enduring love for the country he belonged to and a special place of Nigeria, a relentless critical love. Critical, because he wanted to be the best he could be, a civil, just, prosperous and a united nation where no one is oppressed and a rare humanist because his love for humanity was particularly defined by self sacrifice,” President Jonathan said in a special tribute in honour of the late Igbo icon.
According to him, Ojukwu’s contribution in the nation’s political sphere cannot be overlooked, stressing that after his ordeal, he (Ojukwu) continued to play a major role in the advancement of the Igbo nation in a democracy.

“Ojukwu has played significant role in Nigeria’s return to democracy since  the Fourth Republic began in 1999. He has contested as the presidential candidate of his party, the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, for the last three elections and until his illness he remained the party leader, the party that was in control of two states and largely influential among the Igbo ethnic area of Nigeria.
The president said he was committed to ensuring that all the wounds of the past were healed completely and that “we do not ignore the lessons of the past as we strive to build a great nation that justifies the labour of our past heroes, Ojukwu inclusive.”
Jonathan said the achievements that set Ojukwu apart and which had made him subject of “edifying posthumous commentaries,” though undeniably solid, were far from personal.
He said: “They were solid altruistic achievements of a man whose life epitomized love and self sacrifice.  For only such love could explain  his preference for the great risk involved in the leadership role he assumed in his lifetime to the privileged background into which he was born.”
See more photos here

In his tribute, former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, said Dim Ojukwu would ever be remembered for “his courage, focus, boldness and unwavering desire to fight for justice, equity and fair play for his people"
Former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, said news of the death of Ojukwu struck him not just on account that his exit means a huge void  in the lives of many Nigerians he touched, but also because he was a personal friend.
Chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum and Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, thanked the Federal Government for according due respect to Ojukwu and likened the demise of Ojukwu to the “falling of a great iroko tree.”
 Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State said: “This great hero lying before us today, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, is one of those rare enigmas, the discussion of which can never be exhausted or caused to expire. The story of his life is actually a huge collection of stories. It is a massive montage and kaleidoscope of dramatic and historic events.

To the Ikemba of Nnewi, Eze gburugburu Ndigbo....RIP sir!

source: VANGUARD NEWSPAPER

Gunmen kill Lt. Col, six other security men

Four policemen and three military personnel among them a Lieutenant Colonel were yesterday, killed by unidentified gunmen along the waterways of Nembe and Brass local government council areas of Bayelsa State.
While four policemen were reportedly killed at the Marine Police Checkpoint in the Nembe Creek at about 7am, the attack on the lieutenant colonel and the two Naval ratings occurred at the Okpoama River junction at about 10am on their way to Ogbia waterside.

Militants in action

Eyewitnesses said the police and military personnel were ambushed by the yet to be identified gunmen suspected to be pirates in separate attacks.
The gunmen were said to have approached the marine police checkpoint and the two speedboats conveying the military personnel in two speed boats and opened fire on them.
Although the police authorities confirmed that four of their men were killed by unidentified gunmen around the Nembe creek, a source from the area told Vanguard that the death toll could be more as the policemen were caught off guard by the gunmen who shot them at close range.
Source

Nollywood Stars Stun At Ini Edo’s Movie Premiere

Ini Edo

Ini Edo’s co-produced movie ‘I ll Take My Chances‘ finally got a Lagos movie premiere following a  successful premiere in the City of Uyo.

The silverbird galleria on Friday, February 25, 2012 was filled with your favourite Nollywood stars including Mercy Johnson, Uche Jombo, Stephanie Okereke, Desmond Elliot, Rukky Sanda, Omoni Oboli and many more… Hundreds turned up to honour Ini who was a good hostess, as testified by many…

‘I’ll Take My Chances‘ was produced by Emem Isong and  Ini Edo, directed by Desmond Elliot and was written by Kehinde Joseph, Bola Aduwo & Uduak Oguamanam  and stars Ini Edo herself, Bryan Okwara, Sam Loco Efe, Biola Williams, Jide Kosoko among others.

Dakore

Uche Jombo

Monalisa Chinda

Star Studded Line-up For 9ice’s Concert

9ice

As March 11, the D-day for Nigerian pop act 9ice’s Bashorun Gaa and Versus concert approaches, organizers have revealed the list of acts scheduled to perform alongside 9ice and his Alapomeji posse
Heavyweights 2face Idibia, Psquare, Wizkid, Banky W and Terry G will lead an impressive list of talents getting ready to show 9ice – and fans – love.
Other big names include R&B singer Tiwa Savage, rising pop star Davido, PH city giant Duncan Mighty and hip-hop pathfinder Modenine. More names such as YQ, Yemi Sax, DJ Zeez, Dammy Krane and Alapomeji affiliates Seriki, Snow and Ajayi Brothers also make the list.
We’re told 9ice will also be calling on old friends such as producer ID Cabasa, 2Phat and Lord of Ajasa as they reunite to perform some of the early hits that first shaped 9ice’s career.
Veteran Fuji star KWAM 1 has also been announced as a special guest performer.
The event will be hosted by Nollywood actress Funke Akindele and Wazobia FM On-air-personality YAW.

Source

Wiz Khalifa and Amber Rose are Engaged!

Rapper Wiz Khalifa has finally proposed to his model lover Amber Rose. The pair had been dating for about a year.

Khalifa posted a picture of the engagement ring on Twitter via social network Instragram a few minutes ago with the comment ‘She said yes!!!‘. Rose immediately followed up with her comment, ‘He has made me the Happiest Woman in the World!!!!’, @DaRealAmberRose tweeted.

News of the couple officially hooking came about in February 2011 when pictures of them cuddling and kissing popped up on the internet just a month after Rose had broken up with famed Chicago rapper Kanye West.

Amber Rose had received a lot of criticisms for ‘downgrading’ but the couple stayed together even through the most controversial of times. They are known for their public display of affection for each other at award shows and social gatherings, often kissing and cuddling.

Amber had granted several interviews in the past saying she was ready to give birth to the Pittsburgh-born rapper’s children. Wiz in return has been very supportive of Rose’s career and even guest featured on her first single ‘FAME’.

In October 2011, the couple celebrated the model’s 29th birthday at Hollywood’s Eden Nightclub a month after the rapper turned 24 years.

The ring Wiz gave Amber Rose

SOURCE: NIGERIA ENTERTAINMENT TODAY

Victoria Osoteku, 19-yr old Ngerian found guilty of murder in UK

                                                     Victoria Osoteku                                              Late  Sofyen Belamouadden

A Nigerian-British teenage girl who plotted the killing of a schoolboy on Facebook before kicking him in the head as he bled to death was facing jail yesterday.

Victoria Osoteku was 18 when she armed a 20-strong mob who 'hunted down' and hacked to death the 15-year-old boy at a railway and Underground station in front of horrified rush-hour commuters.
Other teens convicted of Sofyen's murder: Adonis Akra, 18, Samuel Roberts, 19, Femi Oderinwale, 18, Obi Nwokeh, 19, Christopher Omoregrie, 18, Samson Odegbune, 18.

Sofyen Belamouadden was punched, kicked and stabbed to death in a 'brutal and merciless murder' planned on Facebook after a feud between pupils from two rival schools erupted into violence.

Victoria Osoteku was seen on CCTV kicking Sofyen Belamouadden in the head as he lay dying on the ground.
A-level pupil Osoteku, who loved 'beef' – slang for a fight – had rushed out of school during the lunch hour that day to buy a set of knives for £3.99 from Argos which were later used to stab the defenceless boy at least nine times.

Woman Claims Holy Spirit Asked Her To Kill 5-yr-old Niece!

It is a strange but true life story of a 22-year lady, Chinyere Alegu, who dragged her cousin’s daughter, Chioma Edukwu, 5, to a nearby bush, inserted her fingers in her mouth and pulled out her tongue . The victim died as a result of the wicked act.

The incident took place at Ndi Duma Ekpaomaka village, in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
According to a source, the suspect allegedly committed the crime under the influence of some unseen forces.

He narrated how the suspect behaved strangely, each time the spirit came upon her. But despite that, Chinyere was said to have taken her Christian life seriously and even became a ‘prayer warrior.’