PDP govs absent at Tukur’s son’s wedding

GOVERNORS of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were  absent at the wedding fatiha (ceremony) of Muhammad Bamanga Tukur, the son of the national chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, in Katsina on Friday.
Only the host state governor,  Ibrahim Shema, of Katsina State attended the ceremony out of all the 23 PDP governors.
Muhammad, an engineer, wedded Dr Badiyya Isah Katsina, the daughter of former Secretary to the Government of Katsina State during late President Umaru Yar’adua tenure as the State Governor, Alhaji Isah Katsina, after paying a dowry of N50,000.
Vice President Namadi Sambo, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed; former Minister of Defence, Dr Bello Halliru; business mogul, Dr Hassan Adamawa, and several leaders of PDP were among the dignitaries across the country that graced the occasion.
The wedding ceremony held at the GRA residence of Isa Katsina drew thousands of friends and well wishers of the two families to Katsina.

My first pregnancy story —Clarion Chukwura

I lost my father when I was 11 years and one week old; it was only my mother that I can say reacted when I started acting. But she was never against my acting.

I actually began acting in the university community. My mother spoke with Bayo Oduleye (then a lecturer at the University of Ibadan.) She also spoke with Yomi Shohunde. My mother, being an educated woman, did not have problem when I began acting, though she thought I would study law.

The fact that I became a star early did not let me have the problem my pals were having. I became a star at 15. When I got pregnant, there was a crack between me and my mother – which any mother would react to. At that time, I was 17, and an undergraduate. She felt it was her fault, having lost her husband, she had the responsibility to look after us so that she would not lose any of us.

I started acting (stage and television) in 1979, when I was 15 years, and I joined the Nigerian film industry in 1982 with Ola Balogun’s Money Power. But if you want to talk about home video, I joined the home video industry in 1994. I was the lead female character in the first attempt at home video production in Nigeria by Jimi Odumosu, Fiery Force (1986).
@Tribune



Culled: Nigeriafilms

Emergency rule has enhanced stability in Yobe – Speaker

The 23rd Brigade  of the Nigerian Army, Yola has announced the review of the curfew imposed on Adamawa state at the wake on the declaration of the state of Emergency.
A statement issued in Yola  and signed by the Brigade Commander, Brigadier  General Fatai Oladipo  Alli and made  available to Saturday Vanguard, indicated that the timing of the curfew will now be from 8pm to 5am daily with effect from Thursday, the 14th of June.
The earlier timing  of the curfew had been from 7pm to 6am daily.
In the statement, the Army extends its appreciation to the people for the level of co-operation received so far and advised all law abiding citizens to go about their lawful businesses within the  new stipulated timing of the curfew.
It equally solicited the co-operation and assistance of the people in reporting any suspicious movement or persons to the nearest security post.
At the commencement of the declaration of state of emergency last month, the curfew was imposed from 6pm to 6am daily.

Culled: Vanguard

Single term: We stand by 2015 date –Senate

President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid may be hanging in the balance, following the insistence of the Senate Committee on the Amendment of the 1999 Constitution that the single term proposal must begin in 2015.
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, told Saturday PUNCH in an exclusive interview that the date would not be changed because there was no indication that Jonathan was intent on seeking a second term.
He was reacting to comments by the Political Adviser to the President, Ahmed Gulak, who was quoted as saying that the single tenure proposal was targeted at the President and first term governors.
Gulak had in an interview with Sunday PUNCH published on June 9, said, “You can’t short-change some people in the name of amending the constitution. I’m sure there will be some considerations and the proposal will fail.

Obadare to be buried in gold-plated casket

The late Apostle Timothy Obadare would be buried in a gold-plated casket as a mark of honour for his contributions to Christendom.
This was disclosed by his first son, Pastor Paul Obadare, during a press briefing organised by the family and his protégés in Lagos on the burial arrangement.
Obadare said, “The coffin to be used for the burial of our father, Apostle Timothy Obadare, is taken after the type used for the burial of the late Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston.”
However, Saturday PUNCH’s check showed that these celebrities were buried in Batesville-branded golden caskets, which cost between $25,000 and $30,000.
He said the late founder of World Soul Winning Evangelical Ministry deserved to be so honoured.

Christians not against cremation — CAN

The Christian Association of Nigeria has said that there is nothing biblically wrong with cremation.
A Special Adviser to the CAN President on Conflict Resolution, Rev. Ladi Thompson, said this in an interview with Saturday PUNCH.
Although some clerics had kicked against the recently passed Lagos Cremation law, Thompson said it did not negate any biblical principle, describing it as the choice of an individual.
He said, “In Christianity, we believe you are a spirit, we believe you have a soul and live in a body. Your body is terrestrial; it is dust-to-dust, ashes-to-ashes. With this understanding, some people may not mind cremation when they die for reasons known to them.
“The cremation issue is not controversial at all; it is just an option as long as it is not by compulsion.”
The Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, recently signed the state’s Cremation Bill into law. He explained that the cremation law was voluntary, adding that its enactment showed how the concept of globalisation had taken its roots in the state.

Photos: Wizkid involved in car accident, new Porsche car damaged

 

Lindaikeji: Wizkid was involved in an accident around 3: 30am this morning in front of GET Arena as he left the Nokia Lumia Beat party which held at the Oriental Hotel in Lekki. Fortunately, the only thing damaged in the accident was the Porsche Panamera S car worth about N10m which he recently bought. Wizkid and other passengers in the car were unhurt.

The accident was caused by a burst tyre. Wizkid, who wasn't the one driving, was quickly taken away in another car. His bodyguard stayed behind to get the vehicle towed. See more photos after the cut...

FG Mourns Death of NANS Leaders

The federal government Friday expressed shock over the death of the Senate President of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Donald Onukaogu and four others in a car crash on their way to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Also Friday, Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State called for a probe of the riot that led to the death of two students and the destruction of property worth millions of naira at the University of Uyo.
Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i said in a statement from the ministry Friday in Abuja “the passing of the NANS leaders in such manner was painful.”

Genevieve Nnaji runs 5miles for breast cancer awareness

Genevieve shared the photos on her instagram page today. She ran five miles for a breast cancer awareness charity project spearheaded by Mrs Onari Duke. P-Square's Peter Okoye was also present at the race this morning.

Oshiomhole Assures Banned Okada Riders Of Alternative Means Of Livelihood

Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has declared that genuine commercial motorcycle riders who were recently banned from operating in Benin metropolis would be employed by the state.
Oshiomhole, who made this known while addressing motor cycle operators union in the state who paid him a courtesy call, said his government will engage the motorcycle operators who have been operating in the state not those who found a safe haven in Edo State after they were displaced from other states.
The governor said his administration will procure vehicles for them with loans obtained from banks while those interested in going into commercial agriculture, will be assisted by the state.
He however warned that the state government will not permit the commercial use of tricycles popularly known as ‘keke NAPEP’ saying rather than ‘three tyres’, from two, the state will graduate to ‘four tyres’; in reference to cars instead of tricycles.
Oshiomhole said that though he cannot fully disclose the circumstances leading to the ban, he noted that it is done in good fate to ensure the security of the people of the state.
The Chairman of the Motorcycle Operators union commended the governor for the move acknowledging that under his leadership, the union had tried unsuccessfully to weed out the criminal elements in its fold and urged the government not to delay these palliatives so that its purpose will be achieved.
The ban comes into effect from next Monday and includes Oluku and Aduwawa which are not part of the three local governments mentioned but are part of Benin City Metropolis.

Northern govs hail Abdulsalami at 71

THE Northern States Governors Forum on Wednesday poured encomiums on former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, who turns 71 years old on Thursday.
They described the former Nigerian leader as the father of the nation’s democracy.
Chairman of the forum and Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu, expressed the body’s birthday wishes in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Danladi Ndayebo.
The forum said at 71, Abdulsalami had remained the reference point on good governance, diplomacy, and conflict resolution, not only in Nigeria but the world over.
The statement read, “The forum was proud of Abdulsalami’s landmark achievements and remarkable leadership qualities, which he has wonderfully exhibited in accelerating the growth and development of Nigeria and the African continent as a whole.”
It made reference to the former leader’s dogged commitment to the nation’s democracy, as symbolised by the handing over of power to democratically elected civilian government in 1999.
“We are equally proud of General Abdulsalami as our ambassador of peace beyond Niger State and Nigeria, especially his intervention as the head of the United Nations Missions to Congo Kinshasa in the year 2000, Sudan and Chad in 2004 and the restoration of peace in those countries,” the statement added.

School proprietor caught having s*x with 11 year old pupil

Culled from Punch

Residents of Agric Olope area of Ado Ekiti have apprehended the proprietor of a private Nursery and Primary School, who was found in a bush allegedly having sex with a pupil of his school. The incident happened on Monday after school hours.

Our correspondent gathered on Wednesday that the proprietor, identified as Mr. Tunde Ibitoye, picked the girl and another pupil of the same school and was taking them home in his car when he stopped at a deserted place and went into the bush pretending to be defecating.

An eyewitness, who said he caught the suspect in the act, said some minutes after the man went inside the bush, he called the victim to bring him tissue to clean up.

The eyewitness, who identified himself as Kayode Ayeni, said he became curious when he saw the girl going inside the bush knowing full well that a man had first gone into the bush some minutes earlier.

He said he traced the girl’s movement and found the man half naked and the girl also undressed and was in a compromising position.

Eagles reject $2,500 bonus

The Super Eagles are rejecting the $2,500 match bonus for the 1-1 draw they played with the Brave Warriors of Namibia on Wednesday, insiting that the new bonus regime is inappropriate and unacceptable.
Each player was initially getting $5,000 for a draw and $10,000 for a win before the restructuring in the remuneration package due to the poor financial status of the Nigeria Football Federation.
The players had rejected the $5,000 win bonus for beating Kenya in Nairobi last week.
The team were scheduled to leave for Brazil for the FIFA Confederations Cup on Thursday monrning via South Africa but the players refused to leave their Namibia hotel for the airport. They even refused to come down from their rooms for breakfast.
As at 10am, a team source feared they were likely to miss their flight to Johannesburg.

Force HQ bombing almost claimed Ringim, others —Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday recalled how he shunned an advice to sack the then Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Hafiz Ringim, and other top police officers over the 2011 suicide bombing of the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
He said the thinking of the unnamed people who advised him on the incident was that if he came down hard on policemen from the rank of Assistant Commissioners of Police and above, who were serving in the Louis Edet House headquarters of the police over the bombing, subsequent occupants of the office would be alive to their responsibilities.
The Abuja police headquarters was bombed on June 16, 2011, in what was believed to be the first suicide bombing in Nigeria’s history.
The bomber was said to have followed Ringim’s convoy and drove a car bomb into the premises of the police headquarters.

Inside the New House on the Rock Cathedral

The House On The Rock Ministry, founded and pastored by Paul Adefarasin of ‘Experience’ fame, recently commissioned its new ultra-modern, multipurpose cathedral at the Lekki axis of Lagos.
The first of its kind in modern church ministry, the multi-billion naira Rock Multipurpose Cathedral now house the international headquarters of the House On The Rock, as well as the Rock Foundation.

The magnificent edifice, with a total floor area of 32,000 m2 (the largest footprint for a single building in the commercial city of Lagos) accommodates facilities for worship, education, healthcare, community development, reformation training, recreation and social rehabilitation, among others.

June 12 changed Nigeria’s history, Jonathan admits

President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday admitted that June 12, a day late Chief M.K.O Abiola won the nation’s freest and fairest election 20 years ago has changed the history of the country for good.

Speaking shortly after inaugurating the chairman and members of the re-constituted Police Service Commission, Jonathan said June 12 was a unique day in the nation.
The President said although the Federal Government has yet to recognise the day as public holiday, some state governments were already doing so.

FG to use space technology to enhance national development – Jonathan

Abuja- The Federal Government is rolling out plans to use space technology to enhance national security, communication, industrialisation and sustained socio-economic development.
President Goodluck Jonathan made this known on Tuesday when he inaugurated a 13-member National Space Council (NSC) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He said that given the critical place of space technology in national security, communication, industrialisation and sustained socio-economic development, the need to properly structure and drive the national space programme could not be over-emphasised.
“This informs why our administration has constituted this council with high calibre membership.
“We must evolve clear cut initiatives that will not only fast-track our industrialisation process, but one that will also see us, within the shortest possible period, to be able to build our own motor vehicles, our own boats and our own aircraft.

Nigeria’s Oldest Performing Musician, Pa Fatai Rolling Dollar Is Dead

Pa Fatai Olayiwola Olagunju

Reports coming in indicate that Nigeria’s oldest performing musician, Pa Fatai Olayiwola Olagunju, popularly known as Fatai Rolling Dollar has passed on. He died this morning at Marritol Hospital, Surulere after a brief illness. He is believed to be 85 years old.

One of his wives, Funmilayo Olagunju, has reportedly confirmed his death. Some reports however indicate he was born on the 22nd of July, 1926 and that will put his age at 87, not the widely touted 85. The late Pa Rolling Dollar was a master of the guitar and he mesmerized his audience with both his skills as an artiste and his incredible bursts of energy, even at that old age. He reigned as one of Nigeria’s most prominent highlife singers in the late 1960s-early 70s until his career nosedived. But luckily for him, he was thrown into the limelight again when former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu gave him a new lease of life, and making him known once again.

Source

82-yr-old grand father, grand daughter die in mysterious fire

Residents of Baiey Street, Agbado crossing, Ogun State, were, Monday, thrown into mourning following the death of a grand father and his 12-year-old grand daughter in tragic circumstances.
The octogenarian Pa Samuel Adeola and his grand daughter, Mariam Adeola, died in their four-room apartment when the girl was preparing food at the corridor.
According to a neighbour who pleaded anonymity, the duo were occupants of number 18 of the street for years until they were burnt to death on that fateful day.
Pa Samuel was said to be recuperating from an undisclosed illness while his grand daughter was catering for him. He was said to be on his sick bed while Mariam was at the corridor making his meal.
Tragedy, however, struck when the stove she was using suddenly exploded.

Security tightens as Mandela’s illness enters day four

Nelson Mandela

As the former South Africa President, Nelson Mandela spends his fourth day in a Pretoria hospital, security has been beefed up at the entrance and within the hospital premises, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

More members of the South African Police Service  and Metro Police have been deployed tothe hospital where Mandela is believed to be on admission.

Police are searching and scanning all cars entering the hospital premises.

Mandela has been receiving treatment for a recurring lung infection in the hospital.

The presidency in a statement, by its spokesman Mac Maharaj, described his condition as serious, but stable, notingthat Madiba is breathing but with some difficulty..

Maharaj said Mandela was receiving intensive care for doctors and other members of the medical team at the hospital.

Five South African Police Beat Nigerian To Death

Wonder why Nigerian lawmakers have not deliberated on this. Still wonder what exactly why this country doesn’t care about life of her citizens. Report gathered from an online portal has it that five Limpopo Police officers beat a Nigerian man to death, the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court heard on Thursday.

“I put it to you that you beat him, he fainted and you resuscitated him. He woke up and…you beat him again,” prosecutor Jacky Mabasa told the officers during cross-examination. “You also sprinkled water on him.”

The five, Boitumelo Ramahlala, Mashiba Mathata, Collins Sekoati, Thabo Mabotja and Clement Tsotsane, face murder and assault charges. They were applying for bail.

“Allow Jonathan to Complete His 8 Years, Over 178,000 Jobs Have Been Created This Year” – Labaran Maku

Information Minister Mr. Labaran Maku says the Goodluck Jonathan administration is implementing deliberate policies aimed at expanding the economy to create employment for the teeming youth of this country.  He made the remark in Abuja when the PDP Youth Vanguard presented a letter of appointment to the Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro as the Patron of the organisation in the North-Central Zone.
Mr. Maku said the sustenance of the ongoing reforms in key sectors of the economy would open up opportunities for youth empowerment and job creation.
“PDP in the last 14 years in Nigeria has done so much to transform Nigeria particularly under the leadership of Mr. President, Goodluck Jonathan.  We are beginning to see a country that is growing once again; we are beginning to see economy that is growing faster than any other economy in Africa, even faster than India and Brazil.  We are growing at 6.7%, which is above average in emerging economies, which are about 5%.
“We are beginning to see jobs for the youths.  178,000 jobs going this year under the SURE-P alone and the target in 370, 000 annually”,  he said.

#BBATheChase: ‘I once had a 4 month abortion’, Beverly confesses

One of Nigeria’s representatives on Big Brother The Chase, Beverly Ada Osu has made several confessions in the name of gisting with housemates.
Beverly first caught viewers’ attention in the house when she was made the Head of house (HOH) and given a task memo to read to the housemates. She couldn’t read it out claiming the grammar in the memo was not comprehensive; even though she said it was a joke, she became a laughing stock on twitter for her inability to read well.

Jega Under Pressure Not To Register APC

Pressure from “high quarters” is said to be mounting on the principal officers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to not register the All Progressive Congress (APC), a coalition of the main opposition political parties seeking to dethrone the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 general elections.
LEADERSHIP findings yesterday revealed that the INEC chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, is resisting the pressure from what a source described as “high quarters” to not register APC as a political party.
Professor Jega confided in one of his friends that “if the pressure continues I will be left with no option except to throw in the towel”.
It was learnt that the INEC chairman had lamented that the reputation he had built over the years as an intellectual and an activist of international repute had taken a huge bashing because he accepted the electoral umpire job.
Both the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and the Electoral Act 2011, as amended, vest the power to register or de-register political parties in INEC.

GDP: We’re doing well, Okonjo-Iweala replies critics

ABUJA — Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, yesterday, replied critics of Federal Government’s economic growth claims, saying that the nation needed Gross Domestic Product, GDP, growth for the economy to impact positively on the people.
Lagos lawyer, Femi Falana, had, last week in Abuja, told the House of Representatives that the impact of the economic growth claimed by Federal Government was not being felt by Nigerians.
Speaking at the Ministerial Platform in Abuja, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala explained that Nigeria’s economy was strong, stable and growing at 6.75 % GDP, which had been recognised by international rating agencies such as Fitch and Standard and Poor that upgraded Nigeria’s rating at a time many developed economies were being downgraded.
Importance of GDP growth
She said: “Nigeria’s macro-economy is strong and stable. Our GDP is growing at about 6.75 per cent and some people say that they don’t see the impact. We are doing well.
“That does not mean that you have solved all the problems, but without that growth you can’t start solving the problems of this economy.

Groups warn PDP on Amaechi, Wamakko’s suspension

WARRI — THREE groups in the Niger Delta, Monday, warned that the persistent crises in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, if not checked, could trigger a dangerous implosion against the party ahead 2015 general elections.
The Concerned PDP Stakeholders, led by the Arepumo-owei of Kabowei Kingdom in Delta State; Coalition of Ijaw Groups in the Niger Delta and Niger Delta Youths for Positive Attitude, gave the warning while speaking separately with reporters in Warri, Delta State; Yenagoa, Bayelsa State and Port-Harcourt, Rivers State.
Chief Mike Loyibo, who heads the Concerned PDP Stakeholders expressed concern over the suspension of the governor of Sokoto State, Dr. Aliyu Wamakko by PDP National Working Committee, and urged the party “to rescind the decision in the interest of party cohesion in Sokoto State.”
Agidee said:  “You do not suspend a performing government and bridge builder. Rather than suspension, the party should exhaust all existing alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to amicably resolve their differences.”
Mr. Emmanuel Enisuo of Niger Delta Youths for Positive Attitude, who spoke in Port-Harcourt, decried the machination against Governor Rotimi Amaechi.
He noted: “Governor Amaechi is somebody that has brought back our values; built schools instead of sharing guns; and given the Niger-Delta child what his parent could not give him.”

JAMB clears doubt on 2013 UTME results

 The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on Monday reacted to the 192 complaints received from candidates who sat for the 2013 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The Registrar, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, at a meeting in Abuja with some of the candidates who filed the complaints, said it was imperative to clear the doubt of the public about the UTME.
Ojerinde said that there was an open complaint from the media which amounted to a threat to the integrity of the organisation.
He said that out of the 192 candidates who filed their complaints, 132 candidates requested that their examination scripts be remarked, while 63 requested to see their examination scripts.

Ekiti: Looking forward to 2014 governorship contest

The ecstasy that greeted the Supreme Court victory of Ekiti State governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, last week, is gradually making way for the grim reality of another governorship contest in the coming months, reports Sam Nwaoko.

EKITI State is getting charged for the 2014 governorship election. The path towards the epoch is getting clearer by the day, just as many factors are beginning to germinate as the time ticks towards the raising of the curtain for the race to formally commence. But while that time is awaited, the curtain is gradually being drawn on the celebrations that greeted the striking out by the Supreme Court of a suit brought before it by erstwhile Governor Segun Oni, over his removal from office.

South Africa ready to let go of Mandela

CAPE TOWN  (AFP) – Nelson Mandela’s lengthy absence from the spotlight has forced his adoring country to envisage what their hard-won and often fraught multi-racial democracy means without the man who forged it.
The beloved and frail 94-year-old, who is back in hospital with a lung infection, still embodies for most South Africans the “Rainbow Nation” he strived for despite endless persecution at the hands of white apartheid rulers.
However having stepped out of the public eye nearly a decade ago, during which South Africa has battled turbulent political crises and scandals, analysts say Mandela’s influence has waned.
“The bottom line is that Mr Mandela has not been at the moral and political centre of South Africa for a very long time,” political commentator Eusebius McKaiser said of the former president last seen in public in 2010.
“We have let go of him ages ago.”

You’re an ingrate, FG lambasts Ribadu

ABUJA — The Presidency, yesterday, reacted to the assertion by former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu that Nigeria under President Goodluck Jonathan is a ‘sinking ship’.
It said that Ribadu is an ingrate considering what the Jonathan administration did for him on his return from self-imposed exile.
Mallam Ribadu at a lecture in Kaduna on Saturday said Nigeria, under President Goodluck Jonathan, was a sinking ship in which the yearnings of the masses were being neglected by a tyrannical leadership.
Reacting to Ribadu’s claim, the Presidency, in a statement, yesterday, by the Special Adviser to the president on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati, said in his quest for relevance, Ribadu has resorted to disparaging leaders of the land to satisfy his new leaders.

Port Security: FG gives agencies 45-day ultimatum

FOLLOWING the ultimatum the United States Government gave to Nigeria to improve on the security situation at the nation’s seaports, the Presidency, yesterday, adduced reason why Nigeria cannot afford to take the threat lightly, saying that “If the issue is not treated with urgency and accuracy, it will lead to high freight rate and the economy will suffer.”
The Presidency has given the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, and other operators, 45 days ultimatum to put necessary measures in place with a view to securing the ports.

June 12: Oyo declares holiday, groups plan lecture

Oyo State Government has declared Wednesday June 12, 2013, as public holiday.
In a statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo, the government said it declared the day, earmarked as Democracy Day, to remember the anniversary of the June 12, 1993 elections, which was believed to be the freest and fairest election in the electoral history of Nigeria.
The election was generally believed to have been won by the late Chief MKO Abiola. But the then military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, annulled the result of the election.
The state government said the anniversary was also in recognition and honour of the martyrdom of Abiola, who laid down his life for Nigerians to enjoy the democratic dividends of today.

I have learnt from my mistakes — Jim Iyke

His name is James Ikechukwu but many  know him as Jim Iyke. He talks about his personality and career

With kidnap cases being a common trend, do you entertain fears that you could be a victim?
There is a certain way I live and I believe people only attract what they feel and what they love. So, if I have fears, what I would attract would be fears and misgivings. I am completely fearless about these things because it is a law of attraction. I have no fear of gunmen or kidnappers because I have not wronged anybody for them to want to harm me. I drive out at 2am and go back to my house at 4am. I just believe that every morning when I get on my knees and pray, God knows my intention. He knows that I am going for my daily bread and I am not in anybody’s way. Though, I have made my mistakes, I have  repented  from  them and go  about my business. There are basic laws of existence which people should not violate. If you have the fear of the unknown all the time, you will  attract negative things to yourself. I don’t live like that.   I am a typical Lagos boy and I have been around all kinds of crimes and none ever got to me.

I’m getting married soon —Benita Okojie

In the 90s, Benita Okojie, at the tender age of 12, was a sensation as a gospel music child artiste.  Now 24, the multiple award-winner relives the experience of stardom and adulthood
Child   stars face a lot of pressures while growing up, did you experience such?
I did but the winning factor for me was the close relationship I had with God and my family.  I did not shut my loved ones out of my life. They are the ones who can tell me the truth about anything, no matter how big it is. I have a good relationship with my parents and I talk to them about everything. My mother, especially, was a pillar of strength for me and I was able to tell her a lot of things and she helped me through all the changes. I am a very spiritual being and I pray a lot.

‘Mama G’ Causes Stir At The London Premier Of ‘Onochie’ [PICTURES]

Patience Ozokwor popularly called Mama G, the veteran Nollywood actress had a swell time recently in London where she went for the premier of one of the films she featured in, Onochie.

The versatile actress was almost swept away by an excited crowd of fans as she walked the red carpet at the exclusive London premiere for the Nollywood Twins’ movie, ‘Onochie’.

It seems that the host of fans surrounding the Odeon Cinema in North Greenwich was so happy to see their Nollywood star one-on-one that they welcomed her with shouts, cries and camera flashes as many struggled to touch her.

Njideka Odili Weds Her Sweetheart Uzoma Nwosu

Former governor of Rivers State, Peter Odili recently gave his daughter out in holy matrimony that shook the entire city to stand still.

The bride, Njideka Odili was tied in holy matrimony to her beau and lover of long standing, Uzoma Nwosu over the weekend.

President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience led other top dignitaries that graced the superlative wedding.

The groom in question Uzoma Nwosu is the son of a chief judge and has been in a long-term relationship with Njideka prior to them tying the knot.

Doctor mutilates baby’s corpse, removes eyes, tongue,private part

The hospital

The Ogun State Police Command, Sunday, said it has arrested one Dr. Babawale Joshua who owned Ajike Medical Centre at 11, Adeyemi Street, Saka, Sango Ota, for suspected ritual activities and disrespect to the corpse of a 13-month-old baby who died in his hospital, Saturday.
According the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, for the state, Mr Muyiwa Ogunjobi, the police discovered that the boy’s corpse was mutilated. He told Vanguard that  the eyes, tongue, two lips, two ears, private part, nails and the left hand and veins were cut off at the hospital.

Father’s account
In his account of what happened, the child’s father, identified as Obinna Oleh, a 35-year-old auto spare part dealer at Ladipo market, from Umunze village in AnambraState, said: “On Friday the 7th of June, my child took ill, my wife joined me to rush him to the hospital.
“The next day, being Saturday, I came to see them at the hospital in the morning before going to my shop while the child was actually getting better then.
“It was with this hope that I left for my shop thinking that at least before the end of the day, the child would have recovered fully.
“But in the afternoon, my wife called to inform me that the baby’s health had deteriorated, that I should rush home. When I got here, I met my child in a very critical condition.

“I Wasted Six Years Of My Life With Jim Iyke”- Keturah Hamilton

Jim Iyke’s sad and heartbroken Jamaican ex-fiancee Keturah Hamilton describes in details how the breakup affected her.
“These days, I ask God: Why has thou forsaken me? How can a man with whom we had gone through the highs and the lows – a man who had professed so much undying love for me over the past six years just walk away like that? I don’t know what happened and I wish I could put a finger on it. He took away six years of memories, of support of love and all that I did for him – just like that. How mean and callous can one get?
Jim was supposed to come to New York and stay for six months, during which time, he would go to an acting school here in New York and then we would move to Los Angeles and get married and pursue our acting dreams. I was looking forward to that with eagerness and then he just walked away” she began to sob according to Diasporan Star

Man arraigned for pouring garri on policeman

There was a mild drama at Sabo Magistrate’s Court when a 30-year-old man, Ayo Ogori, was arraigned for allegedly assaulting a police officer, Isadare Abiodun, by pouring garri ( Cassava flakes) on him.
Ogori, who was arraigned on two counts of assault, was said to have committed the offence at Ebute Ilaje, Bariga area of Lagos.
However, the magistrate, Mrs. Folarin Williams, interrupted the proceeding, saying there were some inconsistencies in the charge sheet drafted by the prosecutor, Mrs. Nike Abudu.
The charge sheet read in part, “That you, Ayo Ogori, on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district did unlawfully assault one Isadare Abiodun by pouring a substance suspected to be garri on his police uniform.”
The offence was said to have breached section 166 of the criminal law of Lagos State Nigeria, 2011.
The magistrate observed that the charge sheet stated that the offence was committed on July 15, 2013 which could not have been true.

Headmaster arraigned for defiling eight-year-old pupil

The Bayelsa State Police Command has arraigned a 55-year-old headmaster of a private nursery and primary school in Akaba community, Yenagoa Local Government, Bayelsa State, Mr. Akpolagha Agbugiye, for defiling an eight-year-old pupil.
The headmaster, who was dragged before the Chief Magistrate’s Court 1 in Yenagoa, was accused of inserting his finger into the private parts of the pupil.
The prosecuting lawyer, Roselyn Doctor, a police Inspector, told the court that the incident happened on May 3.
She said the headmaster committed the offence at the back of the school building.
She said the school boss asked the pupil to touch the ground with her finger and raise her leg after which he removed her pants and inserted his finger into her private part.