President Jonathan's 2013 Easter Message to the Nation

Dear Compatriots,

I greet and felicitate with you all as we celebrate Easter which commemorates the resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ after his redemptive self-sacrifice for the eternal salvation of mankind.

Irrespective of our religion or faith, all holidays provide us with a fresh opportunity to establish stronger bonds with our family, friends and all those around us for more enduring, harmonious and beneficial relationships.

'Dead' prostitute wakes up & jumps out of coffin en route to morgue

Paramedics were forced to leave empty handed

A prostitute in Zimbabwe 'died' during a hotel romp with a client - only to come back to life as her body was being put in a coffin. The vice girl reportedly collapsed during a sex session last week at the Manor Hotel in Bulaweyo. Convinced she was dead, her shocked client called the police - who sent paramedics to collect the body. 

10 tips for a Healthier Skin

1. Drink tons of water. Water cleans out and cleanses your skin so the more water you drink the better you will look and feel, guaranteed.
   
   
   
2. Have a healthy diet. Eat fruits, vegetables, grains and proteins. Avoid or limit the greasy/sugary foods. If you have a diet rich in vitamin C and low in fats and carbohydrates, you will have a younger looking skin.
   
3. Wear sunscreen everyday. Don't spend too much time in the sun between 10 am & 2 pm, this is the time that the sun rays are the strongest. The longer you protect your skin from harmful sun rays the more your skin will be healthy. Even when you don't see the sun out, it is still good to apply some sunscreen. The rays can always sneak out from behind the clouds during the day!
   
   
   
4. If you have aberrations, such as acne or a rash, be sure to see a dermatologist. Skin issues should be treated and your physician can help you with tips to prevent them from recurring or becoming worse.
   
   
   
5. Use a natural lotion that is not made from an alcohol base each night before bed.This will made your skin more healthy.
   
   
   
6. Try not to touch your face. The natural oils are your fingers can clog the pores on your face with bacteria and produce zits.
   
   
   
7. Avoid Stress! You may suffer blemishes or skin conditions caused by stress. So, try to take time for yourself such as practicing a sport or any other activity that you enjoy.
   
8. Don't Smoke. Smoking will make your skin look older and more wrinkled. It gives you less oxygen and nutrients as well as collagen and elastin, which are important to your skin health.
   
   
   
   10Be confident and don't stress too much about your skin. Not only does stress cause pimples to arise, but smiling and showing confidence can be much more attractive than flawless skin.
9. 
   
   

Waje Opens Up On Picture Showing Her Unclad

A lot of comments followed singer Waje’s unclad picture which surfaced online recently, with many fans asking ‘why’. Waje has explained that the said picture was not only an abstract, but also part of her new video concept.

Waje says the picture is a scene in her new single titled I Wish, released during the week.
“After being on set of the movie, Tunnel, I realized that our music videos are like movies painting the right picture and acting it. The ‘I Wish’ video is a lifeless theme and the song is a vulnerable song, and I tried to interprete it in that abstract unclad picture with the broken mirrors. It’s me trying to interprete a woman’s vulnerability,” she said.
Ifeoma, Waje’s publicist, however dispelled the rumour making the rounds that the singer went totally unclad in the video, explaining that “It was all graphics.”
Ifeoma said Waje actually had clothes on in the video shot by Clarence Peters. “Waje didn’t go unclad in that video. She was putting on her clothes with some jewelries. The trick was all Clarence Peters’ work who made her look as if she was unclad. You would notice that the picture was dark and blur with just her face being the most visible,” she said.

2015: Presidency Is Jonathan’s Right And He Will Get It – Tompolo

As intrigues and political horse-trading continue to trail preparations for the 2015 elections, President Goodluck Jonathan’s second term bid has been described as unstoppable.
Former leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Government Ekpemupolo also known as Tompolo, made this declaration on Thursday at his country home, Oporoza, Delta State, at the grand finale of the 2013 Amasekumo annual festival.
Clad in white ritual apparel with a head gear, Tompolo, while fielding questions from journalists, averred that anybody attempt to stop Jonathan would amount to ‘something funny.
“What I want to say is that we are going to get 2015. Nobody will stop us; if anybody is trying to stop us, it means they are trying, maybe, to do something funny. This is our right and we are going to get it by the grace of God,” the former warlord affirmed.

Why bunkering, kidnappings are back in Niger Delta – Security agencies

Barely four years after Niger Delta militants denounced violence against the state and accepted an unconditional amnesty, the perpetrators of the twin evil of oil bunkering and kidnapping for ransom, are back to work even with greater steam and sophistication, Saturday Vanguard has learnt.
The late President Umaru YarÁdua declared amnesty for repentant militants on June 25, 2009, paving the way for the return of a large cache of weapons by militants and the relocation and reintegration of the former warlords from the vast creeks of the Niger Delta region to the society.
However, indications emerged yesterday that kidnapping and bunkering, which had significantly died down in the wake of the general pardon to militants, had resumed in earnest in most parts of the creeks.
Findings by Saturday Vanguard revealed that the attempt by the government to compensate major warlords in the region with mouth-watering contracts running into billions of Naira for the protection of pipelines was responsible for the renewed level of attacks and oil theft in the Niger Delta.

My father not responsible for CAC crisis – Obadare’s son

Eldest son of Prophet Timothy Obadare, the late founder of the World Soul Winning Evangelical Ministry, Dr. Paul Obadare, on Friday, stated that his father neither caused the crisis within the Christ Apostolic Church nor frustrated efforts to resolve it.
Obadare, who is also a pastor and president of the USA chapter of WOSEM, made the clarification during an interview with our correspondent against insinuations that his father allegedly frustrated all moves to reconcile the warring factions before his death last Thursday.
Obadare said he personally made a move to reconcile the factions when his father was alive.
He said, “We use this occasion to call for the unity of CAC worldwide in the tradition of our motto: one fold one shepherd.

NSCDC to conduct autopsy on slain officials

The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps will conduct a post-mortem examination on the bodies of its two men allegedly killed by policemen in a confrontation at Ikorodu, Lagos on Wednesday, Saturday PUNCH has learnt.
Spokesperson for the state command of the NSCDC, Kehinde Dada, told our correspondent simply that there would be a post-mortem on the bodies of Gabriel Ajaji and Innocent Akegbe.
But she said she could not reveal much since the case was being handled by her superiors at the headquarters in Abuja.
Ajaji and Akegbe, who were officers in the Anti-Vandalism Squad of the NSCDC, lost their lives after a successful raid and arrest of some suspects at a site of an NNPC installation in Ikorodu.

Imoke returns to US for check-up

Nearly one month after coming back to the country from a three-month accumulated leave, Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke, on Friday travelled back to the United States for a check-up.
Imoke was reported to have, during his three-month stay in the US, undergone treatment for an undisclosed ailment.
Before this latest trip, it was gathered from sources in the government that the governor, who had been out of the state for some days, left the country through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
It was also gathered that the new trip is to enable him to keep an appointment he has with his medical doctors in the US.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Christian Ita, said there was no cause for alarm, adding that Imoke was not in any emergency situation as allegedly reported by an online media.
A statement issued by Ita on the governor’s trip said, “Contrary to reports that the governor was rushed out this morning, we want to make it clear that there was no emergency around the governor’s travel. The governor only departed for his Easter holiday early this morning. He walked himself into the aircraft this morning.
“While on the Easter holiday, the governor will use the opportunity to see his doctors because he has an already scheduled appointment.”

"It's so so difficult to find a wife.."-Mikel Obi

"I know, normal people don't go through what I am going through now when it concerns finding a Wife to marry, and normal people don't at all. Believe me it's so so difficult, very difficult, it's so so difficult you just have to leave it to God. There might be someone who really loves me truly for who I am but I may not be aware and maybe you don't know... or you may think she's one of those who loves you for who you are or what you have, or because of your money, maybe she's there for you, you never know, you get so confused, now I have decided I will just leave it to God to decide who I get married to"

 Mikel Obi said in an interview with sports journalist,Kayode Tijani

VIDEO: “My Oga at the top” Stop the rubbish — Charlyboy

It’s unfortunate, this article is coming in late. This is because I almost ignored the racket “ My Oga at the top” generated. However, because of some salient lessons in the whole joke, I have decided to hit you with this.
Even though, my ways may be very different from yours, I still believe we must be objective in our analysis, judgment, and conclusion about others. The NSCDC Commandant, Mr. Shem’s experience in the hands of Nigerians and the Channel TV personalities cannot be too different from what many of us face on a daily bases.
Some of us have been arbitrarily judged, smashed, squeezed, criticized, and battered for several years because we have failed to be who they want us to be. Different darts and missiles have been thrown at us because they chose to judge us from the first impression they conceived about us. What insult haven’t we received? They will try to judge you by the few words they hear from your mouth.

Senator, Ex-Militant Leader Abscond With N2.2bn

Fresh tension has gripped the Niger Delta following the revelation that a former senator from Bayelsa State and ex-militant leader have absconded with N2.2bn meant for pipeline surveillance contract.
The money released by the Presidency was to pay some ex-fighters in Rivers State for oil pipeline security services.
Findings by National Mirror revealed that the ex-senator and the former militant leader (names withheld) fled the country shortly after the Presidency released the fund.
The duo allegedly took possession of the money in collaboration with some officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, and a second generation bank where the money was lodged.
The Presidency, which was said to be rattled by the development, had paid the money to the bank account of a company controlled by ex-militant fighters in the bank through the NNPC ostensibly to stem the escalating tempo of crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the region.

Ringim’s Misdeeds In Office, Not Boko Haram Reason He Is Seeking Asylum In The UK – Tsav

A Former Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Mr. Abubakar Tsav, has criticised the former Inspector General of Police, Mr. Hafiz Ringim, for taking up asylum in the United Kingdom because of current insecurity in Nigeria.
Tsav, on Wednesday in Makurdi said that Ringim’s claims that he had gone to the UK to escape acts of terrorism by the Islamic sect, Boko Haram in the northern parts of the country was faulty.
He said the former police boss was merely hiding under the cover of insecurity to stay abroad.
The former commissioner argued that other former police chiefs, including M.D. Yusuf, Ibrahim Coomassie and Gambo Jimeta were all residing safely in Nigeria and accused the former police boss of staying abroad “to hide from his numerous misdeeds while in office.”
“With every sense of humility, I want to sound it loud and clear that the former IGP Mr. Ringim might be running away for some unforeseen circumstances which he knows best.
“Let no one be deceived that it is the activities of these Islamic menace that has made him to run but rather, a subtle manner of escaping unpleasant consequence which is best known to him.”
Tsav urged the former police boss to return to Nigeria to join hands with other security experts to combat insecurity in the country.

Source

2Face Idibia – Having My Wedding In Dubai Was A Spiritual Decision

According to recently-wedded 2Face, the decision go take his wedding festivities to far-away Dubai was a spiritual one.

2Face said this in an interview after receiving a brand new Prado Jeep from Akwa-Ibom state governor, Goodswill Akpabio. Here are excerpts of the interview.
When Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State announced the donation of two brand new SUV Prado Jeeps, what was the first thing that came to your mind?

Honestly, I was not expecting it. I knew the governor is used to helping the downtrodden. I had also known before now that he has a noble mind but I was surprised when he made the announcement. At first, I didn’t know what to say, because the governor really surprised us. His appearance at the traditional wedding really boosts our morale. We were so honoured to have him grace the occasion that day. It was indeed an event that would remain indelible in my mind. We never expected it because we didn’t know the governor would come to the occasion that day. I guess everything worked together for good.

Redemption- Christ died for all

 
He prayed......"o father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless,not as I will but as thou will".............

 He prayed it three times saying the same words, but finally He said...... 

"the hour has come that the son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners"............ 

 Judas betrayed Jesus with a simple sign that will ordinarily mean care................ a kiss....... 

Jesus said to His disciples.."thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my father and He will give me more than 12 legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled."

 His disciples left Him....what a betrayal!!! HE was embarassed,totured,beaten and His life given in exchange for a common thief.... Barabbas........

 THE day dawned with the shout of crucify him! by thesame mouth of those who shouted Hossana! not quite long ago...,...

 HE WAS STRIPPED AND WHIPPED . HE WAS GIVEN A CROWN OF THORN. HE WAS MOCKED AND SPITTED UPON.HE WAS CRUCIFIED IN BETWEEN MERE THIEVES..HIS ROBE WAS TAKEN......... 

He shouted! "Eli Eli lama sabachthani? Meaning"my God my God,why has thou forsaken me? And then He said....IT IS FINISHED!!! ...... 

The veil of the temple tore into two from top to bottom...The work of our redemption is done.... We can now approach God's throne boldly...HE bled and died that we may live.....let us not crucify Him all over again with the works of our hands....think about it...shalom

Culled: GEM

Revealed: How ACN, ANPP, APGA, CPC May Share Positions In APC

With its victory in the acronym “war” almost certain, the All Progressives Congress is set to meet in Abuja on Thursday, April 4, to take a final decision on all the documents that will accompany its application for registration to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
The meeting will draw attendees from the national leaderships of the four merging parties and the Joint Inter-Party Merger Committee, JIMC, which is coordinating the merger deal. The parties are Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN; Congress for Progressive Change, CPC; All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, and; a faction of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA.
The JIMC had earlier in the month set up three subcommittees, comprising 20 members each, to design the association’s constitution, manifesto, logo and slogan as well as determine and examine all legal issues that will ensure full compliance with all legal issues relating to the process of merger.

Police/NSCDC clash: Jonathan directs DSS to take over investigation

LAGOS — President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, directed the Department of State Security, DSS, to investigate Wednesday’s clash between the Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in Ikorodu area of Lagos, which resulted in the death of two NSCDC personnel.
Jonathan also summoned authorities of the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, over the clash. It was  gathered that Jonathan asked an independent body to investigate the cause of the of clash between the Federal Government’s agencies, following accusation and counter accusation on which party actually pulled the trigger that killed the NSCDC staff.
It was learnt also that the president met behind closed doors for about an hour with a police delegation led by the DIG ‘A’ Division, Suleiman Fakai at the Presidential Villa.

Don’t push us out of PDP – Gov Aliyu

Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu of Niger state has assured that state governors under the Peoples Democratic Party will not dump the party in 2015 as was being insinuated in some quarters unless they are “pushed out.”

Speaking yesterday in Minna when he received a reconciliatory team of the party led by the Chairman of its Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Tony Anenih, he said: “Unless the party decides to push some members out, no PDP governor is planning to dump the party.”

In his remark, Anenih said the PDP was not in a haste to pick a presidential candidate for the 2015 elections, adding that the issue was strategic and above discussions on the pages of newspapers.

He assured that nobody would be pushed out of the party, adding that the essence of his tour was to reconcile all aggrieved members.

Pension Scam: Maina didn’t fly out of the country – Lawyer

ABUJA-Justice Adamu Bello of the Federal High Court in Abuja, yesterday, issued an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, from arresting the embattled Chairman of the disbanded Pension Reform Task Team, PRTT, Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina as his lawyer also declared that Maina did not fly out of the country.
The court made the order after it vacated the warrant of arrest that was issued against him by the Nigerian Senate.
Senate had declared the ex-pension boss wanted following his alleged refusal to appear before it to explain his alleged complicity in the illegal diversion of funds meant for pensioners across the federation.
Meantime, sequel to intensified bid by the Senate to apprehend him for questioning, Maina, approached the high court, alleging threat to his fundamental human right to life and liberty as enshrined in section 35 of the 1999 constitution.

FBC Honors Obasanjo

Fourah Bay College (FBC) University of Sierra Leone, has conferred an honorary Alumnus Degree on the former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, General Olusegun Obasanjo (in photo).
FBC awarded the former president during an impressive ceremony held past Saturday on the college campus, Mount Aureol, Freetown. The ceremony was graced by several dignitaries in the academic world among them the Deputy Chancellor of the University Sierra Leone Professor Kpamanja, the Principal of FBC Professor Redwood Sawyer, and others.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Deputy Chancellor of the University, Professor Kpamanja noted that the Ogun born statesman was awarded the title due to his tremendous contribution in ending the nation’s decade long civil war and his contribution in promoting peace in Africa.

‘Why my performances irritate me’ - Basketmouth

Basketmouth and his kids. Photo: Baron’s World

He is no doubt one of the most celebrated comedians in Nigeria. Bright Okpocha a.k.a. Basketmouth has become a household name all over Africa featuring in most of the biggest comedy shows both in Africa and in Europe.

The 35-year old Glo Ambassador and host of MTV Base’s Big Friday Show talks to NET about how comedy has paid off and what he has been up to lately.

As at the time you started did you think you were going to become this big?

Honestly no. I just wanted to make people laugh. I just wanted to show the world what I had. I never knew it was going to be this big, but with time, I now realised that I can actually do this thing and that was when I started projecting. What I projected then is something bigger than what I am right now. What I will become is still a dream and I’m working towards that dream right now but from the onset I never knew I was going to get this far.

You now have a fan base all across Africa and basically the entire world, how does that make you feel as a comedian?

It makes me feel like I’m doing something right. Like I said I never knew I was going to make it this far. The first time I did an international thing was in Ghana. It was my first gig then which was like eight years ago. I did that and I never knew they were going to buy into my art and I had to deliver in English more which was more or less like the first time then. When I pulled it off I was impressed with myself and that gave birth to a lot of other gigs. I did some gigs in the UK and that gave birth to a lot of other gigs internationally too. One of the first major international gigs that I did was the Choice FM comedy club in the UK, dominantly white people all through and I pulled it off too. I think whatever I get now is what they call the best of all. It’s a great thing for your brand to sell, not just in Nigeria or Africa but even beyond the continent.

A lot of people will like to know how you landed the Comedy Central gig.

What happened was that, the first show I did in South Africa was called ‘Blacks Only’, in front of a massive four thousand people hosted by David Carl. It was a massive show. I did that and he called me back again because of how I did and he wanted me to headline the show. When I did the two shows people started paying attention to the name and the brand. Eventually I got called for a comedy festival in Pretoria. Everybody had their own days and I did mine which was awesome as well and that was how Stand Up Africa called me. I did the first one last year and a second one in February this year. When I was doing this one, I never knew the President of Comedy Central was there in the crowd. When I was done, I saw a white guy walk backstage and walked up to me, apparently someone had introduced me to him but I didn’t really get the details and he was like, will you like to do Comedy Central? And I was like, hell yeah man. That was a month ago and eventually I got the email and then this. No string was pulled, it was based on merit. If I had not done well in Blacks Only festival and the Stand Up Africa, I won’t be where I am.

So what’s Basketmouth bringing to the table for Comedy Central?

The Nigerian flavour; my kind of comedy is different.  It’s different from other kinds of comedians because I have always wanted to be me, original and myself on stage. I have worked on my brand for years to get to where I am right now. What I’m going to be bringing on stage is going to be different from what I have even done before. I want to give it my best; I want to make Nigerians proud. I am not just doing this for myself or career; I’m doing it for ‘Naija’. The same way the Super Eagles went to the Nations Cup, that’s the same way I’m going to the Comedy Central because I have to keep the flag flying and trust me, it’s beyond me. This is the first time something this massive is happening to my career and on a platform like Comedy Central which I have been dying to be part of.  Like I have always said it, that when I start doing comedy Central, that’s when I know I have arrived. So, trust me, this is more or less like the beginning of Basketmouth. Honestly, all I have been doing before has been rehearsals and warming up for what’s about to happen now because I believe that doing this gig is going to give birth to more. This time, I need to do my best and make Nigerians proud. I need to just get it right, so I’m bringing everything that I have to that table.

There’s been a lot of media buzz around your new car, so how customized is it?

I went to visit my friend, Bayo Adegeye, who was my first manager ever. I went to see him and his family in Belgium. His wife is white and the mother is the General Manager of Insignia and all Opel products. When we went to say hi to her, she wasn’t in the office so I went to the shop and I saw this car laying there and I was like, which car is this, and they told me and I said I like it and asked how much it cost. They told me they don’t sell it that way, that you’d have to order it and I said Okay, I want to order it. They took me to the office, they brought out the computer and they asked what colour I wanted. I was like, are you guys serious, anything I want you will put in this car? That was how it started, I told them everything I wanted, so they loaded the car as much as they could to my own satisfaction.

I didn’t go out of my way to buy a car neither did I fly all the way to Belgium to buy a car, it was just a coincidence that I just bumped into the car. It was also coincidental that I was the only person that ordered it from this region. When they told me, I was scared and asked what’s up with the servicing of the car? They told me that with the kind of engine that I have ordered, I cannot service it for the next three years and I said okay then give it to me because by three years’ time, definitely I go don change motor. It was just a coincidence and please don’t ask me how much the car costs.

I was just about doing that.

Please don’t

How much?

Fashola might be reading this, I don’t want him to start asking me for my tax but it’s quite expensive, let’s leave it at that. Trust me, it’s quite expensive.

Why do some comedians steal other people’s jokes?

I don’t agree with any comedian that will steal another comedian’s joke or jokes. I won’t support that because writing a joke is not as easy as it seems. When someone puts in everything; mind, time and punch lines to create a joke, you should respect that person’s creativity because you do not know how many they come up with weekly. I always tell people, do not bite from other comedians because that’s the only way we can all grow. When you start biting, the people you’re selling these jokes to, that is, the audience or clients, start seeing that this person said this joke and they have heard it before, automatically it kills the value of comedy.

What happens is, if I crack a joke and you go to an event and crack the same joke, the next client will then come to me because I’m more expensive than you are and in a situation where they have to go to the other comedian since he’s always cracking the same joke Basketmouth cracks then you are killing the business.  So right now, for me even if you want to steal a material just take the idea and do something different with it because trust me, one joke can have ten different punch lines.

Coming up with the idea is universal because people think alike which is the excuse of most of the comedians right now. It’s one thing we can’t stop so it’s impossible to stop. Even in South Africa and America it is going on like that, they do their own materials but not as much as we do it. In South Africa there was a time I saw a comedian doing another guy’s routine, I won’t mention names but whoever is reading it probably knows the story so the comedian went on stage and did another guy’s routine and the comedian that owns the joke went onstage and beat the hell out of this guy, so it’s not just a Nigerian problem it’s universal.

The comedians in Nigeria are all talented, it’s just that they’ve not been able to identify their strength and potentials. They are extremely funny because in America people write for these comedians, Richard Prior, as famous and as big as he is, people write for him. Nigerians, nobody writes for us. That is to show that we are even more talented than these guys. So, when you start identifying your strength and working on yourself, you will find out that you don’t even have to bite from other comedians.

A year ago you tried to resurrect your music career and all of a sudden nothing has been heard about it, what’s really happening?

Funny enough, last month we were close to shooting the video with Sesan. What stopped us from shooting it, I’m going to be honest, was money (laughs). When he told me how much I was going to be paying, I was like, what am I going to do with the video? Let the video thing just go. After I made that choice, I realized, I could have just done this video because it wasn’t going to hurt me in anyway. I’m doing it for the fun of it, it’s not like I really want to make a career out of it. I just want to complete that journey.

If I have five children I will not train only one, I will train the five of them, which is what I’m trying to do right now with my talents. I have the flair and passion for events management and all that, I’ve a flare for rap music, it’s something I started with and my first love I like to do that too, comedy as far as I’m concerned, I think I’m doing well so I’m not saying I’m done with comedy but I’ve reached that point where I will not lose my followers which is the reason why I waited this long 14 to 15years to do it.

The truth is this, we have released some singles in the past that was lost. I did a single in the past with Faze, it came out but nothing happened. I didn’t push it because I didn’t like it. I did one with Darey, I pushed it and I did another one with Eldee The Don. Until I did with Wizkid I almost didn’t want to release it so it was like let’s just try and see how it goes and we did two singles and people liked it and definitely some people hated it but I’m going to release the album regardless so I have to complete that part of my journey and by the grace of God it’s going to come to pass this year.

You have done television, music and everything, do you think about going into movies like some American comedians have?

Honestly, I’m thinking of moving into movies but if I’m going in, I’m going in big time. I have been offered quick cash to come to movies, I didn’t like them and I tell myself, look, ‘Bright if you’re going to do this you should do it well because you have gotten beyond that point where you want to do something that won’t be good enough. I have been offered to come to a lot of TV shows in the past, but until MTV Base came, I didn’t want to do anyone. when they came and they showed me what they wanted to do, I loved it and I agreed to do it and now people are loving it and its unarguably one of the best shows right now.

If I’m going to do a movie, it has to be right and that’s the reason why I have been doing a lot of skits, not just because I want to use it to entertain people but to use it to exercise my acting skills. I have played almost all the characters in my skits. I’m working on something which I cannot disclose right now. I can only give you hints. There’s a foreign comedian coming to Nigeria soon and he asked if I was interested in doing a Hollywood short movie with him but in Nigeria, and we will shoot some of it in America. We are working on that, and so with God, before the ending of this year, you might be able to see it and I’m praying that it is good enough to hit the box office.

You are one of the most consistent comedians in Nigeria right now, what do you think are some of the key virtues or factors that have kept you going all these years?

The main thing is, changing with time because there are a lot of guys right now that are on fire so you have to redefine yourself. I redefine myself almost every week you know even every day because these guys they are coming out like every second so the only way I can stay fresh and relevant in the mind of people is by redefining myself, give myself a brand that the consumer will like to have. That’s the key. A lot of people don’t know that my kind of jokes are jokes that you listen to and not forget. Jokes I crack are mainly things that people do in their everyday life and I make sure every time I come out with my materials it has to be something that people do so that way, whenever they do it they will be like, oh Basketmouth said this thing.

God is 100 percent behind everything because everything that I do especially comedy is not based on what you think you have, it’s what the crowd wants to have. So, your success and everything is actually in the hands of your consumers, if they don’t find you funny that’s it. I try as much as possible to be relevant, to be that person that they want to always listen to. Most importantly, I’m my own competition.

I do things at my own pace and trust me, I have done a lot of stuff which I’m still not impressed with so that means I have to automatically do more stuffs that has to impress me so I’m just constantly battling and fighting myself which is the reason why I don’t watch myself perform because I actually irritate myself when I watch my performances and anytime I watch it, I’m always like, Bright you could have done better than that because I’m my own critic so that’s one of the thing that I do that has been able to help me get where I am and I don’t think I’m even where I’m supposed to be so I’m fighting myself to that point where I think I can do better than this.

So what are some of the challenges of being a comedian in Nigeria.

Trust me it’s hard o! because everyone expects you to deliver. For music, the 2Face, Psquare or D banj can go on stage to play the same song you have heard over and over again like a million times. You pay them and they go there to sing the same song and people will be happy but with comedy you have to go with something fresh all the time. If you go and crack the same joke, they will just be looking at you which means you’re under more pressure than any other person. Actors may not come on stage and start acting, the best they can do is to present an award or MC an event but we have to be fresh and consistently redefined so as to give out more which is the challenge...
Source

Police intercept bomb-laden car in Kano

The police in Kano averted a planned bomb attack as the command intercepted a bomb-laden Golf car and other dangerous weapons.
Other items recovered from the car include an AK 47 Rifle, Assault Rifle, 238 live ammunition of different caliber, Rocket Launcher, AK 47 Magazines, seven Turkey oil—stuffed with remote-control bombs, two cylinder remote-control devices, 14 hand grenades, four rolls of wire connector and 12 power source.
Commissioner of Police, Musa Daura, told reporters on Wednesday that the command, acting on intelligence, engaged a group of terrorists in a gun battle on the outskirts of the city, injuring some of them and recovering abomb-laden Golf 3 vehicle, as well as arms and ammunition.

You too can pass JAMB / Passing JAMB made easy

 

Pass exam ventures yesterday announced the immediate availability of PASSJAMB.COM.NG, a website dedicated to helping students prepare for UTME/JAMB examination. This solution provides students with a friendly and easy to use online interface, where they can practice effectively for the examination. The exam which has over the years recorded abysmal performance of Nigerian students with high growing rate of failure is generally feared.

The CEO of the venture, Mr. Luther Lawoyin explained that PASSJAMB.COM.NG software was designed with the understanding of the nature of the exam in mind, he said that the UTME/JAMB is different from any other O level qualifying examination because it’s an aptitude test that measures the cognitive and spatial reasoning of student’s knowledge under pressure as against other examinations that tests students knowledge and understanding of subjects only. 

Women pray for ailing deputy gov

Ekiti State women converged on Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday and prayed for the ailing Deputy Governor of the state, Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka.
Wife of the Governor, Bisi Fayemi, convened the session, a statement by her media aide, Akin Oyedele, said.
Other female government officials and appointees, as well as wives of top government functionaries attended the prayer session.
Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ekiti, Most Rev. Felix Ajakaye, led other clerics to intercede on behalf of the deputy governor and the state.
Ajakaye, in his homily, urged the people to stop peddling rumours about the health status of the deputy governor, but to pray to God to restore her health soon.
He urged them not to despair, warning that negative utterances were capable of worsening the health condition of any sick person.
He said the deputy governor was indisposed and only required proper medical attention, as she was currently receiving.

Source

Family still searching for bricklayer after three-month disappearance

Kofi Aita

The family of a Togolese bricklayer, Kofi Aita, has expressed anxiety that three months after he attended a programme along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, he is yet to return to his home.

Aita, who lived at Oke-Ira, Lagos Island was said to have attended the programme at the Deeper Life ground along the expressway in December 21, 2012 in company with his wife, four children and sister.

But when the programme ended, Aita was nowhere to be found.

A pastor of their local church, who gave his name his name simply as Pastor Moses told PUNCH Metro that the family members went their separate ways immediately they got to camp because women and children were housed separately within the camp.

He said, “Aita’s sister said she saw him in the morning of the third day of the programme. He was in company with some men who seemed to be his (Aita) friends. That moment was the last time any family member saw him.

‘APC will eradicate Boko Haram in a month’

Action Congress Party stalwart Ayo Akande in Lagos State has said the All Progressive Congress will eradicate the Boko Haram menace within a month in power.

He said the inception of the presidency of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan set the stage for the escalation of terrorism by the shady group.

Akande, who  spoke in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos, believed in APC’s capability to dealing with myriad of problems bedeviling the country.

He also predicted the likelihood of victory as the newly formed party sets to take on the Peoples Democratic Party in 2015.

Akande said, “I am optimistic within one month of an APC government in Aso Rock, Boko Haram restiveness will disappear. This is because the grievances of injustice, corruption, insensitivity, hopelessness and unemployment adduced by the sect would have been resolved.”

On the issue that most Nigerians deemed APC not strong enough to wrest power from the PDP, Akande said, “The success of the merger is 80 per cent. You don’t expect any arrangement especially politics to be absolute. The hope is high, Nigerian people are fed up with the Peoples Democratic Party government.”

Policemen allegedly kill two NSCDC officers in Lagos

LAGOS — Two officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps,NSCDC, were allegedly killed in the early hours of yesterday, in Ikorodu area of Lagos, during a shoot-out with a police team.
The deceased identified as Assistant Inspector Gabriel Adaji and Inspector Innocent Akegbe, reportedly went on a raid around Konu area of Ikorodu in the company of five other colleagues.
Their mission, Vanguard learnt, was to effect the arrest of some pipeline vandals said to be operating on a broken pipeline.


They were said to have made some arrests, recovered some exhibits and were on their way to their office when they were accosted by a team of policemen allegedly led by one Inspector Sunday Gabriel, attached to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC.

FRSC deploy 33,000 for Easter patrol

FRSC Corps Marshal, Osita Chidoka

The Federal Road Safety Commission has said it will deploy 33,000 personnel, comprising 18,000 regular and 15,000 special marshals, for special patrol during the Easter celebrations.

A statement by the FRSC’s Public Education Officer, Mr. Jonas Agwu, on Wednesday, in Abuja, cited the Corps Marshal,Mr. Osita Chidoka,  as announcing this in Makurdi, when he visited Governor Gabriel Suswam.

The statement said men and equipment would be deployed in some designated road corridors nationwide between March 28 and April 2, to remove obstructions, control traffic, undertake massive enlightenment and enforce traffic rules.

The statement quoted the FRSC boss as having listed Yangoji, Lokoja, Lagos, Benin, Ore, Jos, Potiskum, Bauchi, Lafia, Makurdi, 9th mile, Enugu and Kano highways as some of the designated corridors.

“This is to ensure the presence of FRSC operatives along all corridors of the nation’s highways for effective traffic management and prompt response to road crashes.

“The exercise has become necessary to reduce the spate of road traffic crashes usually associated with rise in violation of traffic rules and regulations, especially during festive seasons,” Chidoka said.

PUNCH

‘APC will eradicate Boko Haram in a month’

Action Congress Party stalwart Ayo Akande in Lagos State has said the All Progressive Congress will eradicate the Boko Haram menace within a month in power.

He said the inception of the presidency of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan set the stage for the escalation of terrorism by the shady group.

Akande, who  spoke in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos, believed in APC’s capability to dealing with myriad of problems bedeviling the country.

He also predicted the likelihood of victory as the newly formed party sets to take on the Peoples Democratic Party in 2015.

Akande said, “I am optimistic within one month of an APC government in Aso Rock, Boko Haram restiveness will disappear. This is because the grievances of injustice, corruption, insensitivity, hopelessness and unemployment adduced by the sect would have been resolved.”

On the issue that most Nigerians deemed APC not strong enough to wrest power from the PDP, Akande said, “The success of the merger is 80 per cent. You don’t expect any arrangement especially politics to be absolute. The hope is high, Nigerian people are fed up with the Peoples Democratic Party government.”

Naeto C shows off his new baby (PHOTO)

Nigerian rapper Nicole Chikwe, with stage name, Naeto C, and his wife are now proud parents as the couple on Monday welcomed their first child.
Nicole, who has been in the United States of America (USA) for some days now, was delivered of a baby boy.
Both the mother and the child are doing well. The couple married in July 2012 in Lagos, Nigeria.
In his words: “Thanks 2 every1 for all the messages…words arent honestly enuff to express this moment…its ironic especially for some1 like myself who is used 2 putting words 2gether…maybe later…but right now I’m just Thanking God w/my Family and enjoying my son’s company! I wish u all similar moments at some point(s) in your lives!”

"Get ready to give us a warm welcome"-Robbers letter to Residents in Ogun

Residents of Lambe area of Ogun state have received an audacious letter from some fearless robbers urging them to give them a welcoming hospitality when they attack their community in the coming days.

The daredevil men of the underworld who described themselves as friends of the community said in the letter written in Yoruba language and pasted conspicuously on many walls on Akin Akindele, Community Road and Jelili Popoola Streets, that they are coming ‘very soon’ and are not afraid of the police or other security agencies.



The letter reads, “You residents of this area be prepared to receive your friends very soon. If you like, inform the police or your security men or OPC, you will just lose your lives. What is important is to cooperate with us and to get ready to give us a warm welcome,” the robbers said in the short letter.

Oluwole, Awolowo’s Son, Dies In London @70

One of the children of the late Premier of the Old Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Oluwole, has passed on at an unknown hospital in the United Kingdom where he had gone for treatment few months ago.
Confirming the incidence to LEADERSHIP in a telephone interview, one of the children of the deceased, Mr. Babajide Awolowo, said, “My father died in London few hours ago.”
Family sources told our correspondent that the late Oluwole Awolowo had been bedridden for sometime now, owing to a ghastly motor accident he had sometime in 1992, which left him partially paralysed since then.

Sexiest in Nollywood Season Three is on

The nomination process continues for another week and if there is a need it could be extended to accommodate showcasing more faces in Nollywood.
We have showcased the new faces in Nollywood for the last two weeks, now is the time to open the doors for the established names to make their entry into the game. Some of these names have made it into the last top ten in previous editions of Sexiest in Nollywood.
Those who have won before have been exempted to create room for others to come in and stand the chance of going all the way. However, it is important to know that with the Vanguard coupon on this page, voters are likely to win more votes for their nominees

Jealous Church Members Disfigures A Lady’s Face With Blade Over Choirmaster

Two women,Temitope Abigeal and Temitope Remi have been arraigned before a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ebute Meta on a three count of conspiracy, assault and grievous harm.
Abigeal (26) and Remi (28), both choristers at a Cherubim and Seraphim church at Progressive Road, Ebute Meta, were said to have assaulted Hannah Okurabe (18) with razor blades at Abule Nla junction, a few metres away from the church.
The March 17, 2013 incident was said to be the result of an earlier fight over the church’s choirmaster, Joseph Unuigbe.
A father of two, Unuigbe is married to Folashade, who is also a member of the same church.
The charge read, “That you Temitope Abigeal and Temitope Remi at about 18.30 hours at Abule Nla junction, Apapa Road, Ebute Meta West, Lagos in the Lagos Magisterial District did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit assault and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 409 of the criminal law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2011.

Chris Brown's Candid confession on how he got Rihanna back

'It’s all about my responsibility,' he told Ryan Seacrest in an interview with KIIS-FM radio on Tuesday.
The singer says that he tried his best to reform himself over the years until the couple recently reconciled and that he was never sure that Rihanna would even speak to him again.
He added that he was 'eternally grateful' that in the end she found it within herself to forgive him, leading to their reconciliation.
'I just tried my best to be the best man I could be over the years and just show her how remorseful and sorry I was for the incident and that time was probably the worst part of my life and being that she has and she’s a wonderful person I’m eternally grateful and thankful,' he said

'People are entitled to their opinions. I can’t go around blaming. It’s all about my responsibility and me growing up as a man

'It’s still like we’re kids. I try not to be too grown and be like, "Lets have candlelight dinner every night." I try to make sure everything is fun. It has to be fun and it has to be genuine,

Culled from Dailymail

Nigeria is Like a Giant Standing on Spaghetti Legs - Patrick Obahiagbon

For some time now since he became the Chief of Staff to Adams Oshiomhole, governor of Edo State, Patrick Obahiagbon has not said much about the policy.

But he broke his silence recently. Reacting to moves by President Jonathan to remain in office after 2015, Obahiagbon said:

“I thought, during the last presidential election and still do think, that the Presidency of Nigeria is too serious a subject to be reduced to ‘parapoistic’ shenanigans.

“To answer the question if the Jonathan administration has met the goodwill with which it rode to power must lead to other epiphenomenal questions such as, what has improved today in the material conditions of the ragtag and bobtail since the president’s emergence and how has he deployed his powers in aid of the utilitarian matrix?

“It does appear to me that Nigeria is still a sleeping giant standing on spaghetti legs even today.”

Kano blast: Luxury bus operators demand N495m compensation

A week after suicide bombers attacked a motor park in Kano, killing over 20 people, luxury bus operators have demanded N495m from the Federal Government as compensation for the loss of nine buses during the attack.

The operators, under the aegis of the Association of Luxury Bus Owners of Nigeria, in a petition to President Goodluck Jonathan, also requested for 24-hour police protection at the Kano motor park and other parts of the country where they were operating.

Crisis: PDP suspends NEC meeting indefinitely

PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur

THERE were indications on Tuesday that the Peoples Democratic Party might have suspended indefinitely the holding of its National Executive Council meeting in the light of internal wrangling rocking the ruling party.

A member of the party’s hierarchy confided in our correspondent in Abuja that the PDP’s National Working Committee could not call for any NEC meeting now “until we realise how far (the Chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees, Chief Tony) Anenih can go in his tour of  the states to beg the governors to sheathe their swords.”

The PDP held its last NEC meeting in June 2012 whereas the party’s constitution stipulates that NEC meeting must hold every quarter.

Also, the PDP is said to be delaying the constitution of its disciplinary committee due to the lack of peace and cohesion in the party.

Happy 32nd birthday to Mr Capable

The singer and music label exec is a year older today Wednesday March 27th. He's celebrating with friends in Dubai. Happy birthday to him and many more successful years ahead.

Reptiles,weeds take over Abuja National Stadium – Mark

SENATE President David Mark Tuesday warned that if Nigeria as a country must get it right in the area of Sports and compete favourably with other nations of the world, there was the urgent need for the Federal government to stop what he termed lip service to the sector and show serious commitment.
Lamenting the deplorable condition of Sports and its facilities in the country, the Senate President who cited the Abuja National Stadium as a case study in this bad state of the sector, stressed that the edifice had been taken over by reptiles and weeds due largely to lack of attention by the government.
He equally decried the way the country’s Super Eagles was starting its 2014 World Cup qualifier, warning, “It will be a major embarrassment if Nigeria fails to qualifier for the World Cup.