Children’s Day: Give us electricity, kids tell Jonathan

-Iroko Ayomide, 13, S.S.1, Queensway College, Ilupeju

I can’t find words to describe the Power Holding Company of Nigeria. I’m just so disappointed with them. I wonder what service they are rendering. In my area (Palmgrove, Lagos), we hardly have electricity. If I get the opportunity to go to their office, I will go straight to their manager’s office. I will kindly ask him to explain why we hardly have electricity. It’s really affecting us (children). You find babies with serious skin rashes because of heat. I can never forget what happened to my sister last year. There was no electricity that day and the kerosene in the lantern we were using to read had almost finished. She decided to add more kerosene and by mistake the kerosene poured on her body. Beside the lantern, there was a candle. Her skirt got burnt; the fire also burnt her laps. That day was a very sad day.

President Goodluck Jonathan should please help out and make electricity stable. If he needs to increase salaries of PHCN officials, let him do so. However, I feel there are people within PHCN stealing our money.

Hellen Paul: I Don’t Know About Fashion

Helen Paul is a comedienne, singer, actress, dancer, compere, playwright, and journalist hail from Nigeria. She is best known as a stand-up comedienne and popularly known as Tatafo. Her style is quirky and spontaneous, and her petite stature and voice range make her childlike. She is a graduate of Theater Arts of the University of Lagos.

What is happening to Helen Paul?

A lot of things are happening now because my first show is coming up on Sunday, 27 May, this year. It is tagged Helen Paul & Tatafo Live and will be held at the MUSON Centre, Lagos. It is also going to be a star studded affair because the likes of Ali Baba, Gbenga Adeyinka, AY, Teju Babyface, Princess Mandy, Koffi, Owen Gee, Bovi and Sound Sultan will be performing among others.
During the show, I will also launch my debut album to fans. All guests at the show will get one copy of the album each for free. So basically, there are many good things happening to me now.

Are you going into music as part of what some comedians are doing now?

If you have any gift, its better for you to use it; showcase it and see what God can also do through that. There is nothing bad trying to bring out different talents inside of you.

The fact that you are a playful person, did it ever cross your mind to toe that line?

Well, not as a comedian. I never saw myself as a comedian because aside that I play a lot, I have this sanguine attitude, though inside I am more of a choleric.

But people enjoy the sanguine side of me more. I was basically always having it in mind that I was going to be an actress or someone who was going to sing or lecture children someday; that was my dream but when this happened I said fine; that’s good. I thank God comedy is still part of acting and all that.

Your fame has been rising. Have you had difficulties handling it?

Well, I have not started seeing myself as a big star yet because I still walk freely on the streets and I know of stars who can’t walk freely on the streets. The challenge basically is that some people expect more. May be they expect so much from you but they don’t get it. And they forget that you are human and that the fact that you perform on stage doesn’t mean you don’t have attitude. They expect you to always have that perfect, prim and proper attitude and I am still praying to God to help me strike a balance. I am not Jesus Christ.

How were you able to combine your art and studies while you were in Unilag?

Most of the time I would say to myself that God should just let me do the right things at the right time, at the right place and with the right set of people. So, when it was time for lectures, I went for them. Though it was not easy, I tried to make sure I didn’t miss lectures. However, it is not every time that you have events or engagements to honour. So at such times I sat down and read or went for Arts rehearsals, we do more of practical so you need to be around. And I was always enjoying my practical. So things were just working together for the better.

How did you carry yourself among your colleagues as a popular face?

Me I don’t know o. I was just myself playing with everybody and cracking jokes and yabbing everybody. Some liked it and some did not like it and I know in life, everybody can’t like you, so I was just enjoying myself. I am free-spirit-minded-happy-go-lucky girl.

How do you now cope with the trend since you didn’t plan to be a comedian?

Sincerely, I will not say this or that is the particular thing I do. I will just say it’s God at work. When they invite me for shows I just see the crowd and flow with it. I think I just like to play on stage. And before I know it, things would have started happening. What I just know is that it’s not by power but the grace of God. There are no 10 secrets or 20 ways to become a comedian that I read. I am a spontaneous person; right there and then I just look at you and crack jokes.

So how did you become an on-air-personality?

That also I did not know I was going to do. I went to visit a friend, Matthew, in the studio and he said ‘Helen this your voice that we use to play and do Amebo with, why don’t we use it to do something I was actually dreaming of. Everything was just coming one by one and I believed more was still coming.

Do you have plans to go into movies seriously?

Yes, I really want to be an actress. It is not an easy thing because sometimes you go to a location for a period of time as planned, but you end up staying so much longer and all that. So I am still trying to get prepared. But I have done one movie with someone I admire so much in the Yoruba movie industry. That is Funke Akindele. She cast me for a role and I passed and I was very glad.

What differences were there while you were a spinster and now that you’re married with a son?

There is a difference. That time when bros would come and check me in school, he would bring cornflakes, milo and all sorts of things. Sometimes it would be raining and I would tell him to hold on while I quickly apply my powder and rush to see him downstairs. But now, I will be the one to cook in the house. And when he’s coming home, though he still buys apple, orange and what have you, the beauty that your boyfriend bought you ice cream and all that and your room mates are screaming he loves you is no longer there. So I miss that (laughs). But I am enjoying myself in the house because every woman wants to be married. Being a mother is also one of the best things that have happened to me. Though it is quite challenging, God has given me the strength to continue, so I’m happy.

Who are your favourites in the comedy world?

They all have their qualities. For Koffi, I admire his maturity at handling issues. For Julius Agwu, I admire the fact that he doesn’t want to believe he’s old so he’s still keeping on with the young ones. For Alibaba the daddy, I admire him for bringing people together as one. Omobaba, fine boy, I admire him so much, especially the way he plays with himself. Lepacious Bose and Princess I also admire, they all have their uniqueness.

Where do you hope to see yourself years to come?

I really don’t want to boast, but I don’t see myself as an ordinary being. I see myself as a great blessing to my generation and five, 10 years from now I will be standing strong, making things happen because God is going to use me that is all I know. You don’t need to be a pastor before God uses you. I want people to see me and say ‘God, I thank you for this girl.’ That is what I want.

How fashionable would you say you are?

I don’t know about fashion o. I just wear my clothes and go my way. Some will say I am fashionable and some will say I am not. All I know is that I just wear my clothes and remain happy with myself. Some people are not happy with what they wear, but I do.

Source: Nigerialfilms

Australian Is World’s Richest Woman

According to AFP, a preview of the respected BRW Rich 200 list, published Wednesday, put the mining tycoon’s personal fortune at Aus$29.17 billion (US$28.48 billion), a figure that sees her outstrip Walton for the first time.

In March, Forbes placed Walton and her family’s net worth at US$25.3 billion, while Rinehart’s fortune stood at US$18 billion.

BRW rich list editor Andrew Heathcote said mining magnate Rinehart had almost tripled her wealth in 12 months as commodity prices rose and she pulled off two deals in iron ore and coal.

“The Aus$18.87 billion increase in her wealth is unparalleled. It is a product of foreign investment in new projects, increased production and a recovery in the iron ore price over the past six months,” said Heathcote.

Rinehart, 58, heiress to an iron ore prospecting empire built in Australia’s resources-rich west, is a controversial figure who stridently campaigned against new mining taxes and recently bought up big in the media sector.

She is also locked in a series of lawsuits, including an acrimonious row with her own children over a family trust where she has been accused of threatening to financially ruin them.

Heathcote said Rinehart was on track to overtake Mexican telecommunications tycoon Carlos Slim — worth US$69 billion — as the world’s richest person as demand ramps up for Australia’s natural resources.

“A $100 billion fortune is not out of the question for Rinehart if the resources boom continues unabated,” said Heathcote.

“There is a real possibility that Rinehart will become not just the richest woman in the world but the richest person in the world.”

The full BRW list of Australia’s richest people, the upper rungs of which are usually dominated by mining tycoons, will be unveiled on Thursday.

Truck driver sent to jail for obstructing Gov Fashola's convoy

A truck driver, David Abiodun, 31, has been remanded in prison custody for allegedly obstructing the motorcade of Governor Babatunde Fashola on the Lekki-Epe Expressway.

While being arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court on a five-count charge of dangerous and reckless driving, the police alleged that Abiodun used his Mack truck to block an entire lane on the expressway for unjustifiable reasons and in the process prevented Fashola and his convoy from having easy passage to their destination.



According to the police prosecutor, Clifford Ogu, the accused also could not produce his driver’s licence and the vehicle’s particulars when they were demanded. He added that the offences contravened Sections 28(i), 39(3) of the Traffic Act 548, 36 (P), 44 (1) Cap. 172, Vol. 7 of the Road Traffic Law of Lagos State of Nigeria and Section 126 (1) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Abiodun pleaded not guilty to the charge and Presiding Magistrate Famobiwo granted him bail in the sum of N20,000 with two sureties in like sum who must produce evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government and must also be resident in the state.

She adjourned the matter till 6 June, 2012 for mention. The defendant was moved to Ikoyi Prison when he could not perfect his bail conditions.

 

Source: Daily Times

Patience Ozokwor’s son weds today

Mama G’s son – Nduka and fiancee Mary

Nollywood actress Patience Ozokwor popularly known as Mama G is excited her son Nduka Morrison Ozokwo is settling down. 

The young man will get married today Friday, May 25, 2012 at a traditional marriage holding in Enugu.

Nduka’s fiancée is Mary Ozoanni.

According to the groom’s mother, a white wedding will follow tomorrow at the Dominion City Church in New Haven, Enugu, the same church her daughter Chioma Ani (nee Ozokwo) wedded two years ago.

‘The family is getting bigger. It’s God blessing and the achievement is of and for the couple. Everyone else is just family and friends‘, Mama G said.

Mama G's daughter Chioma and hubby Chielozona at their wedding two years ago

NIGERIAN ENTERTAINMENT TODAY

FIFA backs Muamba to play again

Fabrice Muamba could make a return to playing professional football, according to FIFA’s medical chief.

Muamba’s recovery from a cardiac arrest that saw his heart stop beating for 78 minutes has stunned doctors, but it is still uncertain whether he could play again. Jiri Dvorak, FIFA’s medical chief, said the likely underlying cause of Muamba’s heart attack – a condition called arrhythmia – could be controlled and possibly allow him to return to professional football.

He said, “I think this is something which the cardiologist has to decide but if the underlying reason is arrhythmia – which it probably is – then theoretically it’s possible. He has received the internal automatic defibrillator so yes he could return.”

Dvorak highlighted the example of Craig Hulse, an American player who has played more than 100 games since suffering a cardiac arrest three years ago and who came to FIFA’s medical conference in Budapest to speak of his experience.

FG admits gross deficit in electricity supply

The Federal Government on Thursday admitted that there was gross deficit in electricity supply throughout the country but appealed to the citizens to give it a chance to correct the anomalies in the industry through the proposed reforms.
The Minister of Power, Prof. Bart Nnaji, said this in Abuja during a meeting initiated by the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, with the Trade Union Congress, Nigeria Labour Congress and the National Electricity Regulatory Commission over the reforms in the sector, especially the new electricity tariff scheduled to take off on June 1, 2012.
However, NLC officials did not attend the meeting with its Acting General Secretary, Mr. Owei Lakemfa, explaining that the leadership was holding a crucial meeting and could not appear at the meeting.
Nnaji promised that the country would witness remarkable improvement in electricity generation and distribution from June.
He said the expected improvement in the power sector would not be different from what took place in the telecommunications sector of the economy.
The minister said, “Give us a chance. In fact, I will make you a promise; starting from next month, you will begin to see power grow in this country and it will not be reversible.
“The kind of change we enjoyed after the liberalisation of the telecommunications sector is the same we will have with these reforms in the power sector.”
Nnaji, who also spoke on some breakthroughs recorded through the reforms, said the United States Exim Bank had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Government to provide $1.5bn of the $10bn deal with General Electric for the provision of 10,000 megawatts of electricity by 2020.
Source 

Nigeria losing 180,000 barrels to oil thieves daily – NNPC

The country is losing about 180,000 barrels of crude oil daily to thieves, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation has said.
The Group Managing Director, NNPC, Mr. Austen Oniwon, who said this on Thursday when members of the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) paid an oversight visit to the corporation in Abuja, also solicited the assistance of the National Assembly to combat the menace of illegal oil bunkering and crude oil theft.
The NNPC boss said, “The first challenge, which I will like the House to help us with is the high level of insecurity of oil and gas facilities. As at today, our operations have been severely handicapped by the activities of these criminals.
“We are losing almost 180,000 barrels of oil per day to criminals. If you reflect back that the total amount of crude being produced per day in Ghana and which sustains the whole country is about 120,000 barrels, yet, as a nation, we lose more than that to criminals.”
Beyond the financial damage to the national treasury, illegal refineries built by oil thieves, according to him, are causing near permanent environmental damage to the Niger Delta region where they are located.

King Sunny Ade Expecting Another Baby At 65

King Sunny Ade, legendary Juju musician is expecting another baby soonest, as his last wife is said to be heavily pregnant.

Funke Akindele's Nikah Ceremony (Blessing of Marriage) With Alhaji Kehinde Oloyede Al-Maroof (PHOTOS).

SURPRISE ... SURPRISE ... Nollywood award-winning actress, Funke Akindele  held a secret Nikai  ceremony (Blessing of Marriage) with her fiance Alhaji Kehinde Oloyede Almaroof with few close friends and family in attendance . The Nikah was previously fixed for May 26,2012 but was done earlier today to avoid unwanted guests...

A Very Big Congratulations To Olufunke Ayotunde Akindele On Her Successful Nikah Ceremony.

Austin Liato, Former Zambia Minister, Gets 2 Years Jail Term For Burying Money In His Farm

A Zambian court on Wednesday sentenced former labour minister Austin Liato to two years in jail with hard labour, after he was found guilty of concealing $400 000 found buried on his farm last year.

Magistrate Arida Chulu said the court had a duty to ensure that the economy was not distorted by politicians by virtue of their positions.

"The court has a duty to mete out punishment on citizens that distort the economy," Chulu said in a courtroom packed with Liato's sympathisers.

Delta State Commissioner threatens to sue Sahara Reporters for N1b

Misan Kubeyinje

The Delta State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr Misan Kubeyinje, has threatened to sue online news website Sahara Reporters, for N1billion for an alleged false story.

The story titled - Delta Commissioner in Open Confrontation With His SA Over N1Billion Agriculture Loan - was published on May 12th 2012 and the commissioner's lawyer has asked Sahara Reporters to retract the publication and apologize within 7 days, or he face a N1 billion lawsuit.

You can read the Sahara Reporters publication HERE

Photo of the day

In the photo that has hung in the West Wing for three years, President Obama looks to be bowing to 5-year-old Jacob Philadelphia, his arm raised to touch the president’s hair - to see if it feels like his.

Cute!

Sacked doctors: Court dismisses Lagos objection

Justice Benedict Kanyip of the National industrial Court on Thursday struck out an application by the Lagos State Government asking the court to dismiss a suit by 788 doctors sacked by the state government.
The doctors had in the suit filed by the Chairman and the General Secretary of Medical Guild, Dr. Olumuyiwa Odusote and Dr. Idris Durojaiye, respectively, for themselves and on behalf of other members of the guild, prayed the court to void the identical dismissal letters purportedly issued to them by the state government.
However, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Lagos State, Mr. Ade Ipaye, in a preliminary objection said the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the matter.
He, therefore, asked the NIC to strike out the suit in its entirety.
The AG also contended that the first and second plaintiffs filed the matter on behalf of the guild, which he described as an unregistered group.
But the judge affirmed that the court has the jurisdiction and that the suit is competent.
The judge held that the matter would proceed to trial andvadjourned till June 19, 2012.

Criminal lawmakers: Senators, angry Reps reply Obasanjo

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal, on Wednesday stopped a move by lawmakers to protest former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s verbal attacks on members of the national and state houses of assembly.

The Senate also challenged Obasanjo to name the rogues and criminals among the lawmakers, saying   a lot of people had called for clarification on the former President’s comments.

Before Tambuwal’s intervention, fuming Reps had taken exception to the former President’s chastisement with the Deputy Minority Leader, Mr. Suleiman Kawu, already submitting that “Obasanjo lacked the moral authority to call lawmakers rogues and armed robbers.” 

The ex-President on Tuesday at the fourth Academy for Entrepreneurial Studies, Nigeria, annual national conference in Lagos, said most members of the legislature in the country are rogues and criminals.

Kawu had raised an order under matters of urgent public importance to table the ex-President’s attack on lawmakers on the floor.

Although Tambuwal initially obliged him, the Speaker quickly stopped Kawu when he started raining abuses on Obasanjo.

He accused Obasanjo of being without a good reputation and that such a man had no “moral authority to call lawmakers armed robbers, Mr. Speaker.”

But Tambuwal cut him short amid murmurs from members and promptly referred the issue to the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges for investigation.

The speaker reasoned that it would be hasty to respond to the allegations in anger as none of the lawmakers was present at the forum where the former President reportedly made the allegations.

Tambuwal noted that the House should avoid a situation where Obasanjo would deny having made the allegations or that he was quoted out of context.

He explained that an investigation by the committee would clarify any doubts on the matter, following which the House could debate it and take a position.

The committee was given up to next week to submit its report.

Source 

Reps reject Jonathan’s cassava bread bill

The House of Representatives on Wednesday rejected a bill seeking to make it mandatory for the inclusion of cassava in the production of all flour products in Nigeria.

Titled: ‘A bill for an act to provide for the mandatory inclusion of cassava in the production of all flour in Nigeria and for other matters connected therewith’, the bill failed to pass second reading.

The bill which is an executive bill had proposed that it was incumbent on the parliament to enact a law that would make its inclusion in all flours compulsory as it will not only be in line with President Goodluck Jonathan’s initiative on cassava.

A Peoples Democratic Party member from Edo State, Mr. Peter Edeh, who led the opposition against the bill argued that compelling manufacturers of flour to include cassava would amount to compelling Nigerians to eat products that might be injurious to their health.

He said, “Thirty to 40 per cent of Nigerians are diabetic and it will be unfair to compel them to eat cassava products since most diabetic patients are barred from consuming foods such as cassava,” he said.

“It will be impinging on people’s rights and endangering their lives to compulsorily include cassava in what they eat.”

At the end of the debate, the Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, conducted a voice vote and the lawmakers unanimously rejected the bill.

Majority of lawmakers, who kicked against the proposal, advised the government to find alternative ways of enhancing the exportation of cassava instead of forcing people to consume it.

Source 

Nigerian school teacher faces jail time in UK for rape of 14 year old pupil

47 year old Nigerian married father of three, Keith Ogunsola, (pictured above) a science teacher from Banstead in Surrey, has been told  by a court in the UK that he will go to jail for a long time for the rape of a 14 year old student in his school.

Mr Ogunsola is accused of repeatedly raping the unnamed pupil under the pretense of giving her "extra science tuition". He would book hotel rooms and lure the female victim there, where he would proceed to have sex with her. The court heard yesterday that Ogunsola started raping the girl in 2001 but she didn't tell anyone for a long time because she didn't think anyone would believe her story against a teacher.



This is the first time the paedophile teacher will be in court. In 2008, he grabbed a 14-year-old pupil and stuck his tongue in her mouth while they were in his school office. Ogunsola also asked girls in his chemistry class whether they had performed oral sex.


The court heard he had already been warned by the school's headteacher about his conduct with female students before the assaults took place. Ogunsola was cleared of two sexual assaults at that school in 2000 and another sexual assault at a different school in 2006.

Despite this, he was spared jail because of his "weak heart". But not this time. He was told in court yesterday by the presiding judge that he will be going to prison for a very long time.

Stephanie Okereke and husband return from honeymoon

And she's already right back to work. The actress is starring in the Hollywood/Nollywood movie, Dr Bello, where she plays the role of Bola Ayodeji, Mr. Oni's sister.

Wizkid & Ice Prince Nominated For The 2012 BET Awards

Our guys are making us proud ... Wizkid and Iceprince have been nominated for the 2012 edition of Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards holding in July 1, 2012 at the Shrine Auditorium, in far away Los Angeles. The award It will be hosted by top US actor, Samuel L. Jackson.

Both Nicki Minaj and Chris Brown would be performing at the awards. There would also be a tribute for late US singer, Whitney Houston.
And if you remember our very own D'banj and 2Face Idibia are past winners of BET award.

Wizkid and Iceprince reacted to their nominations via twitter ...

A joyous Wizkid stated, "big shoutout to my fans, my family, my team, EME/Konvict and my manager. We [are] making it happen. God bless you all!

But for Iceprince, he could not hide his over excitement on his recognition bt BET, which 2Face and D'Banj have won in the past editions.

The Jos bred Choc City/Loopy Records artiste marvelled, "Wow! Big shoutout and congratz to my whole management team and label!! Chocolate City, CBN, Loopy."

GOODLUCK JONATHAN FEATURES IN VOGUE ITALIA: MAY/JUNE 2012

Nigeria’s president, Goodluck Jonathan, has been featured in the Vogue L’uomo section of the May/June 2012 edition of Vogue Italia.

The feature details the interview which the magazine’s editor Franca Souzani had with the President, the Vice-President Namadi Sambo, as well as the Ministers of Petroleum and Culture and Tourism.
During their chat, Jonathan revealed plans to revive the textile industry, set up an African luxury shopping area similar to California’s Rodeo drive in Lagos or Abuja, along with fashion weeks of repute, such as Mercedes Fashion week in the U.K.
Less than a month ago, U.S based TIME magazine named Jonathan as one of the most influential people in the world.

Here’s the feature as contained in the magazine…

It’s Thursday, January 5 when we land in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital. The ultimatum expires today of Muslims to Christians. We have police and army escort us to have total security. We are going to the Palace of the President and does not have much time. At 6 pm, at best, we should take off. No real dangers, reassure us, but better to avoid risks. The streets everything is calm and there is no confusion, and Abuja is beautiful with lots of greenery and imposing houses hidden behind high walls.

It is a city rich-looking and with a totally clean everywhere. We’re late for our appointment because of the flight before ours, we must also pass an endless series of checks: first stop for cars, second for us to photograph and inspect the documents, then searched us and deposit all cameras and mobile phones. The situation is not simple at this time in Nigeria and all do their work carefully.
   
The real disappointment is not being able to get the camera equipment. They understand that it is a problem for us and offer us a book with many photos of the president. We can choose the ones you want, tell us. ‘No‘, explain politely, ‘the pictures we do, we have a style of Vogue and we want to keep‘. I stay with the book in hand and with all eyes on me, yet I could almost ask themselves what to say or do. ‘Calm down, let me speak with the president and then we’ll see.’ Among the disappointment of a photographer and cameraman, and the uncertainty about the arrival of the president I feel bad for everyone.
   
A guard and the chief of protocol we are going to welcome in the Oval Office where he should be held soon after our meeting. I turn and look at all my group a bit ‘down. ‘Smile please, and not a request’. Welcomed, therefore, our smiles and himself with a good-natured expression under a wide-brimmed hat, elegant in a blue tunic and trousers, and a gold chain that slips into the pocket, enters Goodluck Jonathan, President of Nigeria, elected April 16, 2011.
   

Ola Bakare - " I was never hypertensive"

Ola Bakare being interviewed during a media reception for him and his partner, Chris, in Lagos on Wednesday. He opted out of the 2012 Big Brother Africa house on health grounds.

It is no longer news that Nigeria's representatives in the downville section of the BigBrother Africa Stargame Season 7, Ola and Chris have opted out from the house because of illness but the nature of the illness might be news.

According to Ola, who requested to leave the house on health grounds, he told some journalists today, Wednesday, May 23 that he left the BigBrother house due to high blood pressure (BP).

He said he chose to leave the house because he felt health was wealth. Asked if he had any history of hypertension, Ola told journalists that he was never hypertensive.
Telling what could have triggered the rise in his blood pressure, Ola said it could have been activities he had to go through in the house. Representative of MNET, the organisers of the show, Femi Fayose, told journalist that housemates were medically checked before getting into the BigBrother house.

He said health complications sometimes just arise due to some activities, which could have been the case for Ola. According to his pair in the house, Chris, it was easy for him to agree with Ola to leave the house on health grounds.

Chris said, $300,000 is no match to my friend's (Ola) life. I don't feel like he killed my chances of winning the competition. It is what destiny has for us." Both Ola and Chris said they would venture into entertainment industry. They said the exposure and fan base they have gotten from the show would be judiciously used.

Goldie is the only Nigeria's representative left in the house. She is in the upville section, which houses celebrities from the chosen countries.

Drogba confirms Chelsea departure

Didier Drogba brought down the curtain on a trophy-laden career at Chelsea on Tuesday when he announced he would be leaving the club after eight years in West London.

The Cote d’Ivoire striker will leave when his contract expires at the end of June and is now odds-on to follow his former team-mate Nicolas Anelka to China.

He leaves the club on a high after a starring role in Saturday’s Champions League final when he scored an emphatic late headed equaliser before coolly slotting home the decisive penalty in the shootout.

It capped a glittering period at Stamford Bridge where he also won three Premier League titles, four FA Cups and two League Cups.

“I wanted to put an end to all the speculation and confirm that I am leaving Chelsea,” Drogba said on the club website.

“It has been a very difficult decision for me to make and I am very proud of what we have achieved but the time is right for a new challenge for me.”

Source 

Sovereign Wealth Fund divides Governors’ Forum

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum is divided over the setting up of the Sovereign Wealth Fund by the Federal Government, investigations have revealed.

Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, in an interview with The Wall Street Journal on May 11 in Ethiopia, said the fund would begin operation in the next few months.

The minister spoke in spite of a case at Supreme Court, where the state governments were challenging the legality of the Excess Crude Account and the central government’s transfer of $1bn from the account to the SWF.

Sources said the take-off of the SWF was being threatened by the hard stance of states governed by opposition parties.

A source said, “There is a serious problem now as regards the Sovereign Wealth Fund because the state governors have come out to reject it. So as it is now, we don’t know what the next step will be for the Federal Government.

“Already, the take -off of the fund has been politicised and some of the governors especially the ones from ACN (Action Congress of Nigeria) are vehemently kicking against it. I know for a fact that a recruitment process for the management of the fund has been concluded but I don’t know what the specific next step for the take-off of the fund is.

“The position of the governors is that the law setting up the SWF is inferior to the constitution and based on this, their argument is that all money accruing the to federation must be shared.”

Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, an ACN governor, who spoke through the Commissioner for Inforrnmation and Strategy, Mr. Sunday Akere, said the plan by the FG was executive lawlessness.

He said, “Osun and 28 others states went to the Supreme Court to challenge the FG for manipulating the excessive crude fund and non remission of money due to the account.

“The state demanded that the should pay to the local government councils and states all dues to them without any deduction.

“What the Finance Minister, Dr Ngozi Oknjo-Iweakla, is doing is inconsistent with the rule of law. Why must the FG act unilaterally on an issue before the highest court in the land?”

Another ACN governor, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State objected to the planned implementation of SWF.

Source 

Rogues, armed robbers in N’Assembly – Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Tuesday descended on the nation’s legislature, judiciary and the police, describing them as corrupt, and that they held no hope for the country.

Obasanjo described the majority of lawmakers at the national and state assemblies as “rogues and armed robbers,” and the judiciary as corrupt.

Obasanjo, however, rated the lawmakers as better than the police in crime and corruption.

He said, “Integrity is necessary for systems and institutions to be strong. Today, rogues, armed robbers are in the state Houses of Assembly and the National Assembly. What sort of laws will they make?

“The judiciary is also corrupt. During my tenure, many of the corrupt judges were removed, some are still there.

“If the Judiciary becomes corrupt, where is the hope for the nation? Justice, no doubt, will go to the highest bidder. The judiciary did not see anything wrong with a former governor but the same set of evidence was used to sentence him in the United Kingdom.

“The police are even worse. Well, I will not lament; I will only say, ‘let us understand our problems and emphasise the good ones.’”

The former President, who spoke at the fourth Academy for Entrepreneurial Studies, Nigeria, annual national conference in Lagos, also did not spare the citizenry, accusing them of lacking in diligence and integrity.

The conference had the theme, “Strong Systems: Necessity for Building a Virile Nation.”

“The problem is that the diligence that was being undertaken before people are appointed or elected is no more today,” Obasanjo said.

He said the country needed strong, stable, enduring and sustainable institutions for the country to remain virile, dynamic and successful.

“I believe we will get there, but all Nigerians must play their roles,” Obasanjo said.

Source 

Jonathan directs Adoke to arraign subsidy thieves

President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday formally handed over the House of Representatives report containing details of the looting of the N1.7trn subsidy fund to the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Muhammed Adoke, SAN. The President directed the minister to prosecute all those found culpable.

Jonathan said there would be no sacred cows but asked Adoke to ensure a thorough investigation of the House findings.

Adoke, who spoke to State House correspondents shortly after receiving the report from the President, said he would promptly carry out Jonathan’s directive by forwarding the report to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for proper investigation.

Brandishing a copy of the report, the minister recalled that at the beginning of the probe, the President had promised the nation that the Federal Government would investigate properly to ensure that only the guilty were punished.

Happy Birthday to Nollywood Star Rachel Oniga

Today (May 23) is the birthday of veteran actress, Rachel Oniga. She is from Delta State, Nigeria. She was born in Lagos, May 23, 1957, to Mr. and Mrs. Ubogun. She attended Primary Princess Girls School (Lagos). She also attended Our Lady of Lords Grammar School in Uromi, Delta State.
She started acting professionally in 1993. Fluent in English, Yoruba, and Urhobo, she is a crossover artiste with few . She has acted in well over 150 movies, some of which are Ghetto Dreamz, Passion of Mind, Power Of Sin, Restless Mind, Revelation, Broken Chord, Eberu Adigun, Farayola, and Tibi Tire Laye.

Footballer Obafemi Martins acquires Nmulti-million houses in VGC

These footballers are living the life! Obafemi Martins has a multimillion naira property in Kent, outside London and has acquired two more in Victoria Garden City, Lagos. The footballer is currently in town to move his things into one of the houses..

Osaze Odemwingie moves into VGC Mansion

Wizkid with Osaze in Lagos last weekend

The 31-year-old Super Eagles and West Brom forward owns a flashy mansion in Paris, France, another one on Fulham Road, London, a mini estate in Benin, a mansion in GRA Benin, which he's planning to sell because of the lack of security there, and last but not the least his newly renovated mansion in VGC, Lekki. which will be his base whenever he's in town. You see why some ladies want to die there? lol.

The handsome footballer, who is set to wed his British girlfriend on June 2nd in London, is currently in Nigeria to put to finishing touches to his wedding preparation.

NDLEA Arrests 24-Year-Old Woman With Drugs In Her Underwear

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have apprehended two women for alleged drug trafficking. The arrests were made at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

The suspects are a hair stylist, Faith Onuoha, 24, allegedly caught with one kilogramme of methamphetamine hidden in her brazier and inner wear and a London-based fashion designer, Sulikiatu Bisola Animasaun, 25, with 3 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed in packs of chocolates.

The Airport Commander, Mr. Hamza Umar,  said Onuoha was detected with the assistance of Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

Umar said: “I must commend the officials of FAAN for their support and cooperation. Onuoha wanted to take a local flight to Abuja where she will connect another flight to Malaysia but was caught at the local wing of the airport. She packed 750 grammes of methamphetamine in her brazier and inner wear while 250 grammes were also ingested by her.


Animasaun was arrested during screening of passengers on a British Airways flight to London. “Thirty sachets of cocaine weighing 3kg was found inside two chocolates containers in her bag,” Umar said.

Animasaun told investigators that she was lured into the drug deal.

She said: “This is a very big mistake on my part. I hope I will be given the opportunity to right my wrongs. They promised me 3,000 pounds to take the packs of chocolates. Apart from the financial inducement, I should have resisted the temptation. It is a mistake that will never happen again.”

Preliminary investigation revealed that the London-based fashion designer was seen as a good courier who may not attract suspicion. She has dual citizenship and had lived in London all her life. Her British international passport number is 306673168. Her Nigeria international passport number is A0243146.

Onuoha hails from Orlu in Imo State. According to her, she wanted to use the proceeds of the drug business to further her education.

She said: “I am a hair dresser because I have no money to pursue my education. I completed my primary school in 2003 and wanted to use the proceeds from the drug business to further my education.”

NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Ahmadu Giade said the agency would prevent drug trafficking.

Giade said: “The officials that made the seizures and arrests must sustain their efforts in prompt interception of drugs. Drug traffickers male or female must be stopped from tarnishing the image of our country. I urge members of the public to collaborate with the Agency in tracing drug barons. We must stop them from the criminal trade and promote peaceful coexistence in our country.”

The suspects, said Giade, will soon be charged to court.

Dioncounda Traore, Mali President, Beaten Up By Angry Protesters!

Mali's caretaker president Dioncounda Traore was beaten up and hospitalised after hundreds of protesters stormed his palace on Monday to demand his resignation, officials and protesters said.

A spokesman for the soldiers behind a March 22 coup said Traore's close-protection officers had killed three people in the attack, in which protesters entered parts of the palace compound unopposed and tore up pictures of Traore.

Mali is struggling to cope with the aftermath of the coup and a subsequent rebellion in its desert north. Sanogo agreed at the weekend to drop objections to Traore remaining in charge but crowds encouraged by pro-coup politicians took to the streets on Monday calling for him to quit.

Resolving the political crisis in the capital Bamako is a prerequisite for foreign help in efforts to retake control of the north, now in the hands of separatist and Islamist rebels, including some al Qaeda fighters.

"He (Traore) has just been rushed to hospital ... They beat him seriously and tore his clothes," Bakary Mariko, spokesman for the CNRDRE body of soldiers who last month formally agreed to allow a transition back to civilian rule, said by telephone.

"There were three dead and some injured by gunshot ... Dioncounda's security shot at people," he said, adding that protesters left the palace by mid-afternoon.

Sekou Sidibe, a witness, said Traore received injuries to the face and had been escorted to hospital by bodyguards. An aide to Traore said later he had left hospital and returned to his personal residence. It was not immediately clear when he would return to the palace compound.