Another church collapse again

A church building has collapsed at Asoro Slope, off Ekenwan Road in Benin, Edo State. The incident happened barely two weeks after a church building collapsed in Uzama Street, Off Oliha Quartres, in the Egor Local Government Area, leaving one person dead and injuring no fewer than three others. In the latest incident, the church auditorium, which belongs to the Liberty Power Bible Church Incorporated, was said to have collapsed around 1.30pm after a rainstorm on Sunday. Although no life was reported lost, a residential building was, however, said to have been affected by the disaster. The owner of the church, identified as Apostle Moses Erue, was said to have returned a few hours after the collapse to salvage some of the church property. PUNCH Metro, however, gathered that the church auditorium may have collapsed due to the use of sub-standard building materials. The owner of the residential building, Mr. Ajoh Silvanus, told our correspondent that he had warned the owner of the building many times about the quality of the materials being used for the construction of the church auditorium. He lamented that the church owner was only concerned about the safety of the church speakers, rather than the damage done to his own building. He also revealed that the owner of the church had been apprehended by the police. Ajor said, “I have been complaining to the pastor of this church that the contractors were erecting the church like a fence without pillars. “I complained to him several times, but he refused to listen until yesterday when the building collapsed and damaged many things. “I thank God that it did not kill anyone because one of my younger ones narrowly escaped death. “But when the pastor came around, he only concentrated on the speakers in the church. “I waited for almost two hours, thinking that he would show concern for the damage done to my house. But he didn’t. So, I reported the matter to the police to intervene.” When our correspondent contacted the church for comments, through a mobile phone number found on one of the banners on the church building, a man who picked up the call said, “Who are you? Don’t call this line again. I am busy.” The Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Noble Uwoh, could, however, not be reached to confirm the incident, at the time of filing the report.

Revealed: Okagbare almost quit athletics

Executive Chairman of the Delta State Sports Commission, Pinnick Amaju has said that Nigerians should celebrate Delta State Governor Dr. Emmanuel Udughan for the gold medals won by Blessing Okagbare and Ese Brume at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, which ended last night in Glasgow. This comes as Sports Vanguard has learnt that the Nigerian track queen almost quit running for Nigeria after finishing last in the women’s 100m final at the London Olympics Games in 2012. Speaking against the background of Okagbare double gold medals in the women’s 100m and 200m and Brume’s long jump gold in Glasgow, Amaju said that Gov. Uduaghan was the one who laid the foundation and platform for Nigerian athletes to  soar to golden heights at the Ga Recalling how Okagbare came back broken-hearted and dejected after she finished last in the 100m final of the London Olympic Games in 2012, Amaju told Sports Vanguard at the weekend that it was only Gov. Uduaghan, who comforted the Beijing Olympics long jump  bronze medalist, with soothing words and gave her the necessary support to bounce back in a big way last year at the World Championships in Moscow and this year at the Commonwealth Games in Scotland. “I recall vividly that Okagbare came back to Nigeria after the London Olympics  Games unheralded. She was abused by some and nobody welcomed her. But Governor Uduaghan called me in the middle of the night  and told me to bring Okagbare to him, which I did the next morning. “On seeing her, the Governor told her to forget about what happened in London and that finishing eight did not mean that she was last but that she was the eight best sprinter in the world. The Governor told her to think of the future, which he emphasized held so much promise for her. He told her to use the London performance to make a resurgence in the future. It was not only words of mouth. He backed her training financially and even provided some logistics.  All these inspired Okagbare, who before then  was thinking of quitting athletics because of the barrage of criticisms from Nigerians over her performance in London. Sadly, the sports ministry also abandoned her. But all that changed with Uduaghan’s action. “Okagbare’s spirit was lifted after the meeting with the Governor. She drove my car to her house and the next day, the Governor bought her a brand new SUV so that she could move around in comfort and style. On receiving the key to the SUV, Okagbare said ‘what can I do without this man’ and that was when she swore to win everything in the future. “As a way of motivating her, the Governor directed that a monthly training grant of $10, 000 be given to Okagbare while the other Delta State athletes like Ese Brume and Oghene Egwero were also paid monthly training grants. “The monthly training grant was a priority payment in Delta and we have even paid her up till December 2014. All the other athletes also have their own special grants. Even after approving these training grants, the Governor also mandated me to go and visit these athletes in their respective bases to know how they were faring, which I did because in Delta State, we are like a family and that is why the Governor was leaping and cheering after Okagbare won the 100m gold medal in Glasgow.”, added Amaju, who thanked President Goodluck Jonathan for organizing the National Sports Retreat, shortly after the London Olympic  Games. “That retreat has redefined the way funding is done in Nigerian sports and we at the Delta State Sports Commission are always in the forefront of ensuring that our athletes  get the best in terms of funding and that was why they did well  in Glasgow”, said Amaju.

Why I disappeared from music scene — Awilo Longomba

He ruled the airwaves in the late 80s with his songs which cut across cultural boundaries. But suddenly, he disappeared into thin air, leaving millions of his fans  yearning for more of his stimulating music. Awilo Longomba, the Congolese superstar who won the hearts of millions of music lovers across the world, especially in Nigeria with his monotonous but infectious songs and sexy dance steps has resurfaced again. He disappeared from the music scene after releasing his hit album, and since then, nothing much has been heard of him. Interestingly, the Congelese superstar reappeared in Lagos, last week where he graced the hosting of 2Face’s new album, “Ascension”, by MTV and the organisers of Industry Nite.” Indeed, it was a homecoming affair for the “Moto Pamba” crooner who performed alongside 2Face at the event. Elated  Awilo told Pot-Pourri  that he was in Nigeria where he performed at the opening gala of MTN Project West Africa, as well as to promote his latest single, “Bundele.” He described 2Face as “a legend of our time”, adding that “After listening to all of his songs, it has been very difficult for me to separate one single from the other because they are all good. It was indeed a difficult choice to make. Tuface is good.” “I was actually invited to come and perform at the gala night of the popular reality TV show, MTN Project Fame. I was due to return to London where I’m currently residing, but I decided to stay back and  honour Tuface as they host him tonight. 2Face is a legend of our time. I  love Nigeria and all the English-speaking countries. I relocated to London because I needed to improve on my English speaking art,” Awilo said. Also, on why he disappeared from the music scene, the Congolese superstar said, it was based on global demand for his  music. “My disappearance has to do with promotional issues. After releasing my hit album, I was wanted all over the world. I didn’t disappear, rather, I was busy touring the whole world and entertaining my fans. Honestly, I  think you should inquire from the DJs about me. Yes, I went underground  for some years now. But now, I’m back with a new song which is currently making waves in Brazil and other parts of the world. Let me add that I am also in Nigeria to promote my single titled “Bundele.” It is currently rated as one of the best songs in the world.” Awilo’s popularity during his reign spread to USA/ Canada while on tour then with Nabtry International Cultural Dancers, an African dance group founded in 2007 by Grace Haukwa. The Super-Man tour was successful throughout 2008 and 2009. By popular votes and a historic win at the International Reggae and World Music Awards with over 120 countries voting in, Awilo’s Super-Man won the Best Soukous Entertainer Award 2009. According to him, Afro-beat king, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti inspired him into music. “ The Afro-beat legend, Fela Kuti inspired my going into music. He  was the biggest musician Nigeria ever produced and he popularised the Nigerian music all over  the world.  As a kid, I enjoyed one of his songs, ‘Shakara’. That song inspired one of my hit songs which you all know and sing till date. Afro-beat is the best music genre in the world,”Awilo said. His songs appealed not only to English-speaking countries but also, European countries and other parts of the world. His songs particularly inspired most Nigerian musicians such as Funmi Adams’  ‘Yaro,’ which she sang in Hausa in the late 80’s. Also Julius Agwu’s songs, “Okombo, Chop Bisikit, Bendown Sellect and I Buy Kwilikwili” were all inspired by Awilo’s creativity. It would be recalled that after Awilo’s hit songs in his Coupe Bilamba album, a lot of other French singing   Africans began to outwit each other in releasing songs which then had a large market in Nigeria. Its influence grew to the extent that comic actor, Julius Agwu, made a comic remix of Awilo’s songs and made a massive impact. Decribed as “a huge success”, most musicians  including gospel artistes made their own versions and also began to play that brand of music though it has waned at the moment. It was another  unforgettable experience when Awilo stormed Nigeria for a concert. Millions of music lovers in Nigeria described that experience as “ unprecedented in the history of shows in the country.” What probably could equate the crowd that attended the epoch-making music show is the Paul Adefarasin’s Experience, where Christians of all denominations gathered at the Tafawa Balewa Square for a once in a year live concert featuring both foreign and local acts. Awilo was in his best element, setting the venue on fire, with his captivating dance steps. Unfortunately, the Congolese superstar disappeared into thin air, leaving no traces until last week when he reappeared in Lagos. Recently, his fans were shocked when they saw him in a music video of a wavemaking Nigerian artiste, Praize. Indeed, Awilo is back to reclaim his place in the music scene. But can he pull the same weight as he did during his reign?

Woman strips naked to hug Mandela statue in S.Africa.

A woman stripped naked in Nelson Mandela Square in Johannesburg and caressed a huge statue of the liberation hero as astonished bystanders looked on, local media reported Wednesday. The young African woman first saluted the statue of the former president, who is revered for his role in defeating the racist apartheid system, before disrobing, witnesses said. A picture posted on Twitter showed her naked and leaning her head against the knee of the statue in an upmarket area of South Africa’s commercial capital. A waitress at a nearby restaurant told The Star newspaper that the woman’s actions, at around 4.00pm on a busy Monday, had caused a frenzy. Male waiters got their orders wrong and a male customer was hit on the head by his wife for getting up to take a closer look, she said. Nelson Mandela Square marketing manager Megan Meas said a security guard had asked the woman to put on her clothes, which she did before leaving the square without answering any questions. “This was an unauthorised incident conducted by a private citizen in her personal capacity on our property,” Meas said.

24 killed in rap concert stampede

A stampede during a rap concert on a Conakry beach Tuesday left at least 24 people dead, Guinean hospital officials said. The government declared a week of national mourning after what it called a “tragic drama” on the beach in the capital city’s northern Ratoma suburb where the popular Guinean rap group Instinct Killers was playing.

2face changes name to ‘Tu-baba’

Pop singer, Innocent Idibia  has finally dropped his stage name, 2face, saying that after ascending with the release of his sixth album, he has decided to change his name to Tu-baba. The legendary singer officially made this known,  while performing songs from his new album,The Ascension at ‘The industry Nite’,on Thursday, at Spice Route Club, Victoria Island, Lagos. According to the former Plantashun Boiz singer, he would no longer be known as 2face Idibia on his next album, but simply as Tubaba. ”2face has been in the industry for 17 years, and still is growing stronger. I am holding a send forth party for 2face, and after tonight’s event, I will now be known as Tubaba, the African Queen crooner said. The industry Nite, sponsored by MTV had a lot of celebrities who thronged the event venue to support one of their own. Among them were, Olisa Adibua, Dr Sid, Timaya,  Dammy Krane, Ill Bliss,  Chidinma, Bizzle, Mode Nine, Bassey, Orezi, Oriste Femi, Solid Star and others.

2face changes name to ‘Tu-baba’

Pop singer, Innocent Idibia  has finally dropped his stage name, 2face, saying that after ascending with the release of his sixth album, he has decided to change his name to Tu-baba. The legendary singer officially made this known,  while performing songs from his new album,The Ascension at ‘The industry Nite’,on Thursday, at Spice Route Club, Victoria Island, Lagos. According to the former Plantashun Boiz singer, he would no longer be known as 2face Idibia on his next album, but simply as Tubaba. ”2face has been in the industry for 17 years, and still is growing stronger. I am holding a send forth party for 2face, and after tonight’s event, I will now be known as Tubaba, the African Queen crooner said. The industry Nite, sponsored by MTV had a lot of celebrities who thronged the event venue to support one of their own. Among them were, Olisa Adibua, Dr Sid, Timaya,  Dammy Krane, Ill Bliss,  Chidinma, Bizzle, Mode Nine, Bassey, Orezi, Oriste Femi, Solid Star and others.

Vigil disaster One dies, 15 in coma

PREGNANT   woman and three others   were crushed to death in Aba, Abia State, while fifteen others sustained   serious injuries   when   an articulated vehicle lost control last Friday   smashing over 10 vehicles, including tricycles, in the process. In another tragic development, 15 persons collapsed   as a result   of suffocation caused by fumes from a generator during an inter-denominational fellowship at the Young Peoples Christian Fellowship located along Eziukwu, by Milverton road Aba, Abia State. The  victims of the fellowship are said to be   all indigenes of Arochukwu Local Government Area in the state. It was gathered that the vehicle with registration number Rivers: BER 27 XA, with the inscription, Kirby Farms, was coming from the Akwa Ibom State end of the ever busy Ikot Ekpene Road when the accident happened around 7pm. The accident occurred when it was descending the Ogbor Hill slope, developed faulty brake system and as the driver lost control, the vehicle which was loaded with stone chippings, smashed over 10 vehicles and tricycles before veering off the other side of the road where it used two commuter buses as wedge. An eye witness who narrated the incident blamed the accident on the presence of police checkpoint on the Aba River Bridge popularly known as waterside. One of the accident victims, the pregnant woman whose husband cried uncontrollably at the scene of the incident, was said to have gone to a nearby market to buy some food items for the weekend when on her way back, she was hit by the trailer and died instantly. It was gathered that immediately the accident occurred, policemen at the checkpoint vamoosed into thin air, leaving only the personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and passersby to battle for over four hours to bring out bodies trapped under the trailer. Emenike Kalu, an Aba-based legal practitioner, had God to thank as eight members of his family including four kids who were involved in the accident, all came out unhurt. When contacted, the Aba unit commander of FRSC, Akachukwu Chika, who led his men to rescue the accident victims, blamed it on the rickety nature of the truck. A report has it that out of the 16 persons inside the hall of the fellowship, 15 who were in various hospitals receiving medical attention as at the time of this report are responding positively to medical attention, while a boy of 6 years, a child to one of the victims, was already dead before police could gain entrance into the scene of the incident. 11 persons were currently receiving medical attention at Austine Grace Hospitals while 4 were also admitted at Goodness and Mercies hospital at Faulks Road, Aba. Dr. Mark Iwuagwu, a medical doctor at one of the hospitals were the victims were rushed to for immediate medical attention (Austine – Grace Hospitals located at Okigwe road) speaking to reporters at the end of the Abia State Deputy Governor’s visit to his hospital, attributed the cause of the incident to suffocation as a result of carbon mono-oxide poison they inhaled from a generator set outside the hall where the tarry night was hosted. According to him, “When I was invited to the place by the police, the generator they used as their source of power supply was still on, but the glasses to the hall were all locked. It was police that came and opened the place with metal equipment. It was one of the victim’s brothers that alerted the police after efforts to reach his sister he said he escorted to the fellowship failed to yield any result.” No member of the fellowship could speak to the press as at the time of the report, but the General- Secretary of pastors from Arochukwu, Dr. Phillip Richard and Senior Pastor Word Alive Assembly, Aba confirmed that the victims were all from Ututu, Arochukwu.

Body of Ebola victim cremated in Lagos

The body of the first victim of Ebola Virus Disease in Nigeria,   who died in Lagos on Friday, has been cremated. Details of the cremation were not available at press time but Sunday Vanguard gathered that the event was witnessed by officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Health and the  Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, led by its Project Director, Professor Abdulsalam Nasidi, among others. The decision to cremate the body of the victim, it was further gathered,   may not be unconnected with the deadly nature of the Ebola Virus which is known to be easily transmissible from human to human during handling of corpses of victims. The World Health Organisation recommends that in communities where there is an outbreak of Ebola, appropriate containment measures including burial of the dead should be properly handled. While stating that people who die from Ebola should be promptly and safely buried, WHO notes that cremation,  which is the application of high temperature to reduce bodies to basic chemical components (ashes), is ideal for safe disposal of bodies of persons who die during outbreaks of highly infectious diseases such as Ebola Virus in order to minimise further transmission. In 2013 the Lagos State Government introduced its Voluntary Cremation Law under which  a person may signify interest to be cremated at death or a deceased’s family members who must attain the age of 18 years, can decide to have the corpse cremated. Under the law  the state government can also cremate unclaimed corpses in its mortuaries after a period of time and the ashes disposed  after a 14-day notice with  approval of the Commissioner for Health.

Don’t run in 2015, APC tells Jonathan

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to drop his ambition to return to Aso Rock in 2015 for the sake of Nigeria’s democracy. The Publicity Secretary of the state chapter of the APC, Joe Igbokwe, said this during an interview with journalists, on Monday. Igbokwe said it had been established that it was the zoning arrangement of the Peoples Democratic Party that led to the insurgency in the North-East. He said the plan was for former President Umaru Yar’adua, a Northerner to rule till 2015 while an indigene of the South-East would be the next in line but Yar’adua’s sudden demise had upset the political equation causing many Northern elements to be disgruntled He therefore, advised the President to step down so that a Northerner could emerge President next year. He said, “Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, from the South, ruled Nigeria for eight years. It was also expected that the late President Yar’adua from the North would rule for eight years, all things being equal. But he died after two years in office. President Jonathan, who was the then Vice President, from the South, took over the mantle of leadership. “It was expected that he would complete the first term of Yar’adua’s tenure and step aside for the North to complete their eight years. Against protests from the North, Jonathan sought another term and got elected. By 2015, he would have ruled for six years. Seeking another term of four years will endanger our politics and create ethnic and religious tension as we are witnessing now. “We are in a democracy and if we are still in one country, there is need for equity and justice. Jonathan’s ambition to rule Nigeria for 10 years may break Nigeria.” Igbokwe said it was unfortunate that the PDP had labelled the APC as a pro-terrorism party and warned the party to stop pointing fingers and tackle terrorism. He said the revelation by the late National Security Adviser, Gen. Andrew Azazi (retd), that the PDP’s zoning debacle was fuelling insecurity and his later death showed that the PDP could not be absolved of blame in the insurgency.

Army begins offensive against Boko Haram, raids Sambisa camp

Nigeria has begun an offensive against Boko Haram Islamists, raiding camps in a remote northeastern park, while more than 2,000 troops have been deployed to retake territory seized by the insurgents, a military source told AFP Thursday. “Our men raided some terrorist camps in the Sambisa Game Reserve,” in Borno state, said the senior officer who requested anonymity. “So far 2,000 troops have been deployed to Borno,” he added, declining to comment on the forces sent to the other affected states of Yobe and Adamawa.

Fans read meaning to Davido’s message to Wizkid on birthday

Davido and Wizkid are fast becoming the hot rivals in the music industry, what Genevieve and Omotola have become in the movie industry. Just as Genevieve and Omotola have said they have no beef for each other, Davido too, has shown that he has no ill feelings towards Wizkid by sending him a birthday message through the Instagram on Wednesday, which was Wizkid’s birthday. But what seemed like a harmless birthday message, the fans of both crooners have begun to attach different diverse meanings. Davido wrote “Happy birthday Oga”, to start series of interpretations with many asking the question whether Davido has finally conceded that Wizkid is his boss in the music industry. Both have fought for many different awards in the past but Davido seems to be winning all there is this year.

Are they the Top ten wealthiest African musicians?

In the recent past, it has become something of a sport for various organisations to come up with list of richest entertainers, using various parameters most convenient to them. And more often than not, their publications are either greeted with disbelief, outrage and even scorn. If not from the persons concerned, it comes from the members of the public. There has never been a time a published list of the richest African musicians was welcomed with widespread acceptability. Even when Channel O and Forbes came up with a top ten list of richest African musicians, presumably using factors such as endorsement value, popularity, show rates, sales, awards, YouTube views, appearance in newspapers, investment, social media presense, influence and so many other factors, many people still did not believe they got it spot on. Now, an African online magazine known as Answers Africa has done its own findings, using pretty much the same parameters as Forbes and here is what they came up with. Compare it with Forbes list and see which one is nearer the mark: 1. Youssou N’dour: The legendary Senegalese singer born in 1959 tops the list. He is said to own biggest media houses in Senegal, including radio and TV stations. He has served as Senegalese cultural ambassador and culture minister . Note; not on Forbes list.   2. P-Square: The singing duo of Peter and Paul sit in the second position according to Answers Africa on account of their various endorsements and returns on shows and tours. They are said to make over 150 thousand dollars per show. Their Ikeja crib is valued at 3M dollars. Note: Rated third on Forbes’ list.   3. D’Banj: The Koko master who has now gone in deep into entrepreneurship is rated third richest in Africa. He charges over 100 thousand dollars per show and he is said to have a house in Atlanta, Georgia, USA worth more than 1.5M dollars. Note: Forbes rated him fourth in Africa   4. Kofi Olomide: Real names, Antoine Christophe Mumba, born 1956 is 4th. The DR Congplese Soukous star rakes in more than 100 thousand dollars per show. Has 7 albums to his credit. Note: Not on Forbes list.   5. Salif Keita: Malian Afro-pop singer, born 1949 is a direct descendant of Emperor Sundiata Keita, founder of Mali Empire. He is said to have private island and estates in France. Note: Not on Forbes list   6. Fally Ipupa: From Democratic Republic of Congo, Fally used to be part of Kofi Olomide’s band before branching out on his own. Immensely rich. Note: Not on Forbes list.   7. 2face Idibia: Has 5 albums to his name while working on the 6th. 2Face has won over 40 awards, probably more decorated than any of his contemporaries. He has vast investment in real estate. Earns around 50 t0 80 thousand dollars per show. Note: 6th on Forbes list   8. Hugh Masekela: Born 1939, Hugh is one of the most talented jazz artiste in Africa. The South African singer and trumpeter was once nominated for a Grammy award. Note; Not on Forbes list   9. Banky W: The widely acclaimed king of African Rn B has made so much money from endorsements. Brand ambassador for Etisalat in Nigeria, Samsung in the West African region, among others. Note: 10th on Forbes list.   10. Jose Chameleone: Joseph Mayanja, popular reggae musician from Uganda is the biggest money-maker in the Eastern Africa. He is said to have a spectacular fleet of customised exotic cars. Note: Not on Forbes list.

I gave you your first collabo, Sound Sultan tells Wizkid

Hey, before it begins to read like there  is a rift between the Naija Ninja, Sound Sultan and the Star Boy, Wizkid, what Sound Sultan told Wizkid on his birthday was actually to appreciate the music sensation. In a birthday wish to him, Sound Sultan writes:  “I always remember the first day you called me on the phone . I was like, ‘you ain’t a girl? Then you must be a kid’ , he said yes, ‘Wizkid !’ Correction that was essential ! ‘Wiz’ as a prefix makes sense 7 years later, wizard , Layon(lion),  fame didn’t give him the Lion heart, he had it from day one . Gave him his first collabo he gave me my latest ! Ayo S.Balogun, happy birthday”.j

N3B Nollywood Largesse:How President Jonathan’s cash gift is being shared

That historic Saturday, March 3, 2013, will surely remain imperishable in the life of Nollywood. It was a gaily evening inside the State House, Marina, Lagos. President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, sat in the midst of an expectant Nollywood crowd. It was a rendezvous of everybody that was somebody in Nollywood. Even the most elusive man, in Nollywood, Kenneth Nnebue, the inspiration to the very industry being celebrated was present. It was the first time a Nigerian President would be sitting with Nollywood practitioners for a dinner just to say, “hey guys, you have done well; I appreciate your contribution to job creation in this country”. President Jonathan was hosting Nollywood to celebrate with them 20 years of the home video industry. He had demonstrated an unshaking love and recognition for Nollywood. He had earlier in 2010 announced a $200 Million loan for the creative industry. But collateral clogs had made it practically impossible for practitioners to access the loan managed by the Nigeria Export Import Bank (NEXIM). But this evening in this finest hour for Nollywood, the President decided to demonstrate his love further. If the loan was interpreted to be political because election was drawing close, he was now a bonafide President, not canvassing for votes. And so, having treated Nollywood to some delicious meal plus a fabulous patriotic song performed by Timi Dakolo, the President of the world’s most populous black nation, Dr. Jonathan literarily sent even the roof of the State House flying as he announced a grant of N3 billion for Nollywood. Celebration! Jubilation! Wow! Wow! Wow! Nollywood went wild. This is no loan! This is ‘dash’. A gift! A grant! Right there and then, questions, apprehension, fear followed. Who will receive the money? How will it be shared? “Nna, how we go share this money? Is the cash here,” a producer teased. But the President soon provided the answer. “This grant will be managed by the Ministry of Finance under the supervision of Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy”. The mention of Okonjo-Iweala added to the joy of the practitioners. This was one minister that had spoken so eloquently of Nollywood. She had spoken unequivocally on many occasions about the capacity and capability of our motion picture industry to create jobs. She believes that if Nollywood is given support and properly managed, it could be a major contributor to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). She is therefore a loyal advocate of Nollywood. Above all, Nollywood sees her as an exemplary government official with an untrammeled integrity. And, so, Nollywood felt safe, sure that in a matter of weeks, the money would be in their pockets. It was not to be. It will turn out a long, tortuous journey through the wilderness, a grinding odyssey to a grant. GLIMPSES OF THE GRANT: HOPE RISING On Saturday, April 27, 2013, some Nollywood practitioners vowed they smelt their money. They could see it and almost touch it, they said. And the reason for this is simple. The Honourable Minister of Finance, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, and the Honourable Minister of Culture, Tourism and Strategy, High Chief, Edem Duke, who was the second Minister appointed by President Jonathan to join in the fund’s management, had gathered them once again. This time, it was at Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. Over 60 practitioners but essentially heads of guilds, associations, and generally stake holders gathered in this arena of hope. The much awaited money now seemed available. The ministers had come to consult the owners of the money to know how to ‘share’ it. “I swear, I can smell this money”, an old practitioner enthused; ecstatic that in a matter of days, he would have his share. “What we have come here to do is to continue the initiative of Mr. President in trying to support our creative arts industry, particularly Nollywood”, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala opened up. “The idea is to recognise the talent in this industry and the fact that it is a generator of jobs for our young people. As you know, the industry has generated over 200,000 direct jobs, one million indirect jobs, US$250 million, equivalent in value and we believe that we could double and triple all these, if government has some supportive measure to help the industry”, Dr Okonjo-Iweala said with candour to the delight of Nollywood. The minister finally revealed that she and her team had been brainstorming on how Nollywood would use its money. They came to the conclusion that the grant should be put into Distribution, Capacity Building and Film Production. Script writing was to be part of film production. They needed to seek Nollywood’s opinion in order to move forward. Apart from some little suggestions, the practitioners were in consensus that the two ministers and their team had done a good job. But the questions in the inner recesses of the practitioners’ minds remained, “where is the money? When are we getting it?” AND THE WAITING BEGINS By August, 2013, my office as President of the Association of Movie Producers (AMP) had come under permanent siege. “When is this money going to come? Or have they spent it like they do in Nigeria? Is this money real or a mirage? How long are we going to wait?”, So many questions rained as producers became impatient. Many actually accused me of ineffective representation. “You are not pushing enough. Go to Abuja and bring our money. Tell those people the money is for Nollywood and not for government officials”, they fired. This grant almost cost me my re-election as AMP President in January 2014. But with the inestimable wisdom of hindsight many of them are beginning to realise that the corrosive attack directed at my office was absolutely unnecessary as grants usually come with snail speed. Importantly this was despite the fact that application for capacity Building Fund had opened. But I understood their plight and aggressive quest for the grant. With their own meagre resources, they seem to have reached the limit of possibilities. Nollywood therefore needed this splendour of Aso Rock generosity and hospitality, even if a drop in the ocean, to re-oil the wheel of their checquered professional journey. Here was an industry they created with sheer grit and granite will, an industry that has changed Nigeria’s story and image abroad; yet an industry that past leaders have paid only scant attention and lip service. Only President Jonathan has turned his promise into possibilities and these practitioners do not want to hear stories about this grant. And, as long as they have not seen the money in the vaults of their banks, as long as this grant remains something of a mystery, they needed to keep the pressure, if nothing else, to crack the carapace of the fund managers’ conscience. That way, they believe, the grant managers would understand the crucible they have been through to create an industry that now seems to offer its viewers laughter and pleasure at the expense of these oracles of zest – the content creators. ON- LINE APPLICATION AND THE UPROAR THAT FOLLOWED The month of July 2013 heralded the arrival of ‘Jonathan’s money’, in Nollywood’s lingo. The N300 million earmarked for Capacity Building was ready. Nollywood could now apply online for the fund and it was open till the end of December 2013. By February, 2014, the N700 million fund for Film Production was also ready and open for application. This, ordinarily, should speak joy to Nollywood’s ears and minds. But this was not to be. The forms especially that for Film Production, was complex, complicated and intricate. Here was a people that their whole life is governed by caprice and their trade by whim. Now they had to cope with this acidic test of dealing meticulously with forms. It was a tedious examination for many a practitioner. Some had to hire consultants to overleap this intellectual and indeed highbrow hurdle. Not even a seminar held by the fund managers on the filling of the forms could bring any succour. But the worst crisis came with submission of the applications. Apart from the acknowledgement of successful submission of the first phase of the application, which is in fact an automatic response from a programmed computer, many did not receive the form for the second phase which is like the semi-final round to the fund acquisition. There was uproar. As the AMP president, my office was once again besieged by producers. They want to know why the Project Act Nollywood managers had failed to reach them. They wanted me to reach Dr. Supo Olusi, Special Adviser to the Honourable Minister of Finance and the man saddled with the responsibility of dealing with Nollywood on this much awaited fund and issues arising from it. Sadly, no one could reach Dr. Olusi. None had his phone number except one of the guilds’ heads. But he was hoarding this ‘all important’ number. In response to my request to get this number he seemed to have ‘colonised’, he told me he needed the man’s approval and later called to say Dr. Olusi would call me. He never did. Many started wondering whether Project Act Nollywood had become a mystique that only the initiates could access. I finally reached through phone a lady in Dr Olusi’s office who explained that some of the forms were not properly filled while some had clear errors. She still wouldn’t give me Olusi’s number. I couldn’t spare her a bit of my caustic tongue. But it had also become clear to me that equipment failures in their office must have complicated the problems. For instance, some forms duly filled and sent to their office online got there with some sections blank. Twice this writer had to correct his own form and that became a testament to the failures of equipment in some cases. But more problems kept springing up and it was becoming a horrendous challenge. Since we could not reach Olusi on phone, we decided to take our problem to his office. A kind member of my association was, however, able to finally, and to our infinite joy, obtain Olusi’s number from an Abuja based friend and gave it to us. We, at long last, reached the seemingly elusive Olusi on phone and most surprisingly he gave us an appointment without any qualms. THE ABUJA MEETING I arrived the Ministry of Finance with a strong lawyer, Barrister Sam Kargbo, who is also a member of my association. The Dr Olusi we met, again to our utmost surprise, came across a delightful character, hospitable, business-like, no fuss, no semantics, his language within the precincts of civility, devoid of unnecessary preambles. He gave us his call card with his phone numbers without any hesitation. In fact, he was only a surprise because there was nothing surprising about him. We then brought the uproar in Nollywood to his attention. The complicated film-fund form and the awaited fund for Capacity Building. Specifically, we told him of the many practitioners that have been given admissions in US Universities for three weeks intensive training but are yet to receive funds from Project Act Nollywood. We also stressed in crystal language Nollywood practitioners’ determination to get the N10 million Film production fund. Having told him about Nollywood practitioners’ rough and tough road to creating an industry, we made it known to him that this money, to some, “is not a matter of life and death. It is more than that”. Dr Olusi was precise though with some understanding. Having explained that they were working assiduously on the applications and trying to correct the errors and mistakes from Nollywood and perhaps his office, he shocked us with the news that the N300 million set aside for capacity building had been exhausted. We sat mouth agape. With all the guilds in Nollywood, only the Directors Guild, about 28 of them, had been sent to the US for training and each had a total of US$6000 for tuition, ticket, accommodation and welfare. So, where has all the money gone to? What happens to all the members of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, the largest guild in Nollywood? What will be the fate of over 60 producers who have been given admission for their training and many more still waiting? What about the editors, the cinematographers? Dr. Olusi was not about to answer the salient questions that cascaded our heat oppressed mind. His words were concise. “We are going to publish how your money was spent. The money is for Nollywood and we will spend it only on Nollywood practitioners and projects”. Zik Zulu His words spoken with granite cast conviction and confidence sounded to us more like sophistry and poetics of pseudo tradition, that made our ears tingle. He then told us that he had advised that since we are very passionate about the capacity building, we should apply for additional fund to be injected into that segment of the project from the budget for distribution. It was an advice that Nollywood easily bought. All the guilds’ heads have since jointly written to the Minister of Culture and Tourism on this development as directed. And so the waiting game, like their histrionics calling, is once again being acted out even as I write this piece. Phone calls continued to come and the same questions again and again – where is the money? Some asked if the directors’ trip to USA was a mere facade. What exactly is holding the money? AT LAST, THE FILM PRODUCTION FUND! On the cloudy evening of Friday, July 4, I received a call from our National Financial Secretary. “Presido, she said excitedly, the money don land o!”. What do you mean, I quarried amidst laughter. Chinasa Joy Onyechere, our ever buoyant and sprightly Fin Sec then told me that some of our members had just received mails inviting them to come physically for an interview on the Film Production Fund. This is the final stage. Once you appear and successfully defend the form you filled, then you are in business. The ‘Jonathan cash’, ‘GEJ’s largesse’, whatever you call it will be yours. The ball is now in everyone’s court. It has been one long dizzying walk to a place called hope. This grant does not hold a financial revolution for Nollywood, but it could rev the sound of change and begin the reconstruction of a promise, the journey of history that Nollywood encapsulates. And that is why President Jonathan will have a hallowed place when the story of Nollywood is told. It is that uncommon tale of silent mystery; a story of an industry, started by ordinary people for ordinary Nigerians; but an industry that is today not only an African pride but a stunning subject matter the world over. The President has made the very first audacious move, ever, by a Nigerian leader to give Nollywood a nudge up the ladder of hope. We urge our trusted ally, Dr Okonjo-Iweala therefore to assure the success and survival of this initiative even as we believe that she, with the President’s support, could do more for this authentic Nigerian brand- Nollywood! *Zik Zulu Okafor, award winning journalist, scholar and President of AMP, lives in Lagos.

Messi didn’t deserve Golden Ball— Maradona

Argentine football legend Diego Maradona said compatriot Lionel Messi did not deserve to be named best player of the World Cup, arguing it should have gone to Colombia’s James Rodriguez. “I’d give Lio the sky, but when it’s not deserved and it’s just marketers who want to make him win something he didn’t win, it’s unfair,” Maradona said Sunday after Argentina lost the World Cup final to Germany 1-0. “Rodriguez was the best player of the World Cup,” said Maradona on his TV program “De Zurda,” which is broadcast by Venezuelan network Telesur and retransmitted in several Latin American countries. The 23-year-old Rodriguez was the revelation of the World Cup and the top scorer with six goals. Messi dazzled in the group stage with four goals, but failed to score in his last four games, including the final. Maradona said Messi himself did not seem to feel he deserved the trophy. “It looked like he didn’t want to take it,” he said. But Maradona praised Argentina and said the match could have gone either way. “I’m sad about Mario Goetze’s (game-winning) goal,” he said. “But we can’t forget that we took this World Cup step by step. If we had scored (Gonzalo) Higuain’s (disallowed) goal we would be partying. Germany were not dominant.” Maradona, 53, was Messi’s childhood idol and is his rival for the title of greatest-ever Argentine footballer. To many fans, the 27-year-old Barcelona striker still needs to add a World Cup win to his resume to match the greatness of Maradona, who led his team to the title in 1986.

NFF: Keshi can go

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will not stop Coach Stephen Keshi from vacating his post as Super Eagles coach, after the ‘Big Boss’, as Keshi is fondly called expressed his desire to step down following Nigeria’s ouster from the World Cup. Vice president of the NFF, Mike Umeh spoke about Keshi’s impending departure and confirmed that they will not be standing in Keshi’s way as he has decided to quit. “We cannot stop Keshi from moving if he wants to. He is a grown man and knows what is good for him. If he so desires a greener pasture, then we can’t stop him, it’s up to him to decide,” Umeh said. He however denied claims that the NFF have not been supportive of the former Togo coach, saying, “It’ll not be fair to say we haven’t supported Keshi. We have given him tremendous support, more than anyone could imagine. So the thought that he hasn’t been adequately supported isn’t true.” Umeh also spoke on the possibility of getting a new coach in time for the 2015 Africa cup of Nations qualifiers expected to start soon. “I’m sure a new coach will come in immediately Keshi’s departure is finalized, so that shouldn’t be a problem,” Umeh noted. Immediately after the loss to France, another NFF top gun, Deji Tinubu tweeted, ‘and off his goes to S.A’, which obviously confirms Keshi’s exit.

latieplanet.nlPrince, one other charged for stealing in Lagos

The Police, yesterday, arraigned a 24-year-old man, Ayinde Oniru and one other before a Lagos chief magistrate’s court, sitting at Ebute Metta, for allegedly stealing from two women under the pretence of importing and delivering some goods to a Lagos Oba, His Royal Majesty, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi. Oniru, who claimed to be from a royal family in Lagos, was charged alongside one Adekunle Usman. The defendants are facing an eight-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and impersonation preferred against them by the Police. The prosecutor, Feddy Asu, told the court that the self-acclaimed prince, his co-accused and his other accomplices, who are at large, had sometime in September 2013, in Surulere area of the state conspired to fraudulently obtain N470,000 from one Adeola Babatunde with the pretence that they would assist her to import some goods from abroad, which they failed to do. He said the defendants fraudulently obtained some goods worth N3.5 million between March and May from one Princess Adeleke with the pretext that the goods would be delivered to a Lagos monarch, His Royal Majesty, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi. Asu also stated that the items that were collected from the victims included some note books, one i-phone 5, one i-pad tablet, assorted wrist watc hes, gold jewellery and cash sum of N250,000. The duo were also said to have obtained N500,000 from one Jelli Elias with a promise that they would help him to buy a landed property at Lekki. The prosecutor further informed the court that Oniru, falsely represented himself to a Diamond Bank branch as one Adeniyi Elegushi. According to the prosecutor, the offences, committed, is contrary to sections 409, 311 (1) (a) and punishable under section 285 (1) and 378 (1) of the criminal laws of Lagos state of Nigeria 2011. Section 285, prescribes 14 years imprisonment for any offender. Earlier the defendants had pleaded not guilty to the charges against them. However Magistrate F.I Adefioye, admitted the defendants in bail, in the sum of N500,000, with two sureties in like sum.

Law To Make Nigerians Poorer

TODAY, the House of Representatives will hold a public hearing on the bill for an Act to “regulate the acceptance and utilisation of financial/material contribution of donor agencies for voluntary organisations”. Whereas the legislature is meant to make laws for the good governance of the people, this is one law that would make our people poorer and freeze their constitutionally awarded liberties. Should operations involving foreign financial and material donations to voluntary organisations be regulated? Yes, in fact various laws already do. They are probably not enforced. A new law does not guarantee improved enforcement. We praise the House of Representatives for not falling into the temptation of proposing a new body for the law. At least, it listened to the public outcry against mounting costs of maintaining multiple bureaucracies that duplicate functions. They are new wastes that ensure almost 70 per cent of annual national budgets is spent on re-current expenditure – salaries, furniture and a new favourite, maintenance of computers. Section 2 of the bill proposes that voluntary organisations would be restricted from accepting any foreign financial and material contribution except with the permission of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC. The Section would create a new centre of corruption in ICPC, which is groaning under constraints of staffing and funding. ICPC gives these as reasons for its lethargic results. The law would shackle flow of foreign remittances by families to groups like town unions, churches, mosques, non-governmental organisations, NGOs, foundations, charities, schools, and homes for the less privileged. Where branches or partners of these organisations abroad make the remittances, the funds cannot be accepted without the permission of ICPC. What are the implications? g for organisations like Red Cross, Red Crescent, or foundations that have led the fight against river blindness and guinea worm eradication. By the proposed law, ICPC would approve their operations. In case of emergencies like the 2012 flooding that ravaged parts of Nigeria, foreign organisations that intend to assist, would be hindered. The promoters of the bill hardly know Nigeria. For more than a decade, foreign medical intervention teams, involving massive movement of resources, have saved Nigerian lives. Yearly, Nigerians in diaspora, with their partners set up these teams to carry out surgeries and other interventions, mostly free. What alternatives would the House of Representatives provide for these? Disclosure of sources of the funds is important. The Terrorism Prevention Act, the Companies and Allied Matters Act and the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act cover this. The bill, if passed, would hamper remittances and contributions from Nigerians abroad to Nigeria. Nobody needs a law that would make Nigerians poorer.

Doctors begin nationwide strike today

The Nigerian Medical Association, on Monday in Abuja, declared an indefinite nationwide strike which has been scheduled to commence today (Tuesday). The President of the NMA, Dr. Kayode Obembe, during a press briefing on the failure of the Federal Government to address their demands and imperative of the strike, said there was no going back. The NMA had sent 24-point demands to the government, including the discontinuation of recognition of non-medical doctors as Directors and Consultant title to any other health worker other than medical doctors. The demands also include the appointment of a Surgeon-General of the Federation, payment of clinical duty and hazard allowances and withdrawal of the Central Bank of Nigeria circular on medical laboratory equipment. “The NMA is taking this painful route because our silence and gentle approach to these contending issues have been taken for granted. We have to take this action in order to save the health care delivery system from anarchy that is palpably imminent. We hereby appeal to all Nigerians for their understanding and to press on the government to meet with our demands”, he stated. Obembe stated that the failure of the government to address NMA’s demands has left the association with no other option than “to call all its members to down tool in order to press home their demands.” Obembe said there was no way non-doctors could be allowed to function as Consultants, given that they do not oversee patients in the hospital. He said, “A consultant is the owner of the patient; many health workers now go about acquiring Ph.D so that they can be called Doctors. The title should be restricted to only a medical doctor.” According to him, last week’s interim injunction by the National Industrial Court has no link with the NMA as it was merely an issue between Medical and Dental Consultants Association and the government. “Every doctor is a member of the NMA; other affiliates are allowed to operate also. We sought legal advice on the court injunction, our legal opinion is that the court order did not mention any reference to the NMA and since it did not mention NMA, we don’t want to dwell on it.”

Eagles get $3.8m ahead of France game

Super Eagles training boycott on Thursday has paid off for the players as the Federal Government immediately sent down $3,850, 000m (three million, eight hundred and fifty thousand dollars) to the players in Brazil. The Minister of Sports Dr. Tamuno Danagogo, is expected to arrive in Brasilia just in time before Nigeria face France in a second round game. Reporters confirmed from a sports ministry official that President Goodluck Jonathan approved the payment after speaking with Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi and team captain Joseph Yobo via the telephone late on Thursday. He said that Danagogo was already confirmed to arrive in Brazil aboard a Sunday flight from Lagos. He said, “I am aware that he already has received all the necessary papers to carry such amount of cash and the protocol team is set to receive him at the airport on Sunday. The players will receive the money on arrival or first thing on Monday before the match.” Our correspondent also learnt that the money is $250,000 above what the Nigeria Football Federation had calculated and agreed with the players. The NFF had said they would pay them as soon as FIFA paid them. The money is usually paid to countries four months after the World Cup. The Eagles had met with the NFF in their US camp, pressing for the money. It was learnt that goalkeepers Vincent Enyeama and Austin Ejide and Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi have been at the forefront of the fight for the cash the players called appearance fees. It was the same players that led the strike on Thursday which forced the entire team to miss the training session on Thursday and Friday morning at their base in Campinas. The Senate President David Mark had mediated when he visited Brazil and had assured the players he would raise the matter with President Jonathan. But team captain, Joseph Yobo, insisted the players got the money before the opening game against Iran. SUNDAY PUNCH confirmed that the Federal Government took the decision to bring the money to Brazil without the knowledge of the NFF. The scene iN Brazil is playing out like that of France ’98, where the Eagles held nearly an all night meeting with the Federation on advance payment before theIR second round match against Denmark, which they eventually lost by 4-1. j

Ekiti defeat: APC governors woo workers, students

The defeat of the incumbent Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, by the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, has caused fears and jitters in most states governed by the All Progressives Congress, SUNDAY PUNCH investigations have revealed. The governorship election, held in Ekiti State on Saturday, June 21, saw Fayose polling a total of 203,090 votes to emerge the winner of the contest while Fayemi of the APC and another major contestant, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele, of the Labour Party, polled a total of 120,433 and18,135 votes, respectively. Our correspondents sampled the mood in the APC states of Osun, Rivers, Borno, Lagos and Oyo. They also checked the pulse in Ogun, Kwara and Edo states.  OYO In Oyo State, the ruling party, the APC, our correspondent gathered, had stepped up its efforts to retain the state in 2015, following the victory of the PDP in Ekiti State penultimate Saturday. Investigations by SUNDAY PUNCH showed that the party leaders had met to discuss the modalities that would sustain their hold on power come 2015. A source said efforts were being made to reconcile aggrieved party members. “Fayose won because he was close to the people when he was in government. Oyo APC leaders are fashioning strategies that will bring Governor Abiola Ajimobi closer to the grass roots. “Ekiti election is a wake-up call to the party. Senator Femi Lanlehin has gone to the Accord Party and Senator Ade Adeseun is on his way to the PDP; it says a lot about the internal crisis in the party. And with the Ekiti results, those who are moving towards the exit door are moving fast now. They want to leave before the next election,” the source said. After the Ekiti election, a serving commissioner in the state (name withheld) expressed concern over the ability of the APC to hold on to power on his Facebook page. He wrote, “A responsible government must at all times connect with the people.” One of those who responded to the post said Ekiti election was a big lesson for Oyo State. Another respondent said it could be too late for the APC and that the masses would react in 2015. The Chairman of the APC in Oyo State, Akin Oke, told one of our correspondents that the party would investigate what happened in Ekiti before taking a decision on the immediate future. “There will be investigation into what happened in Ekiti. The party will not fold its hands and watch. It is unfortunate that Governor Kayode Fayemi did not reflect on the events leading to his loss before accepting defeat. Is he so bad that he could not even win in his ward? There are fundamental questions to be asked,” he said. Ajimobi’s Special Adviser on Media, Festus Adedayo, told our correspondent that the Ekiti election was an eye-opener. “What the Ekiti election has done for us is to open our eyes to the newest intrigues in electioneering and party politics. We have collated all the events leading to the election, studied them and we are wiser,” Adedayo said.  Osun Sources close to the APC in Osun State told one of our correspondents that shortly after the Ekiti election results were announced, the astounded leaders of the party in the state held a meeting and decided to pacify workers and other groups in the state. One of the measures, it was learnt, was the payment of the May salaries of workers, aimed at boosting their confidence in the administration. The governor confirmed this at a rally held in Ikirun on Tuesday, where he said workers had started receiving salary payment alerts.” Also, members of the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme, popularly known as O’YES, who had not be paid for some months, it was learnt, had started receiving their salary arrears. All these payments, a chieftain of the party said, were aimed at pacifying some categories of people who might have been aggrieved. The loss of the APC in Ekiti State has also forced the ruling party to commence aggressive campaigns in rural communities. It was also observed that public taps, which had been dry for months in some areas like Odi Olowo Street in Osogbo, the state capital, had started running. Reacting to the outcome of the Ekiti election, Aregbesola had said, “What they did in Ekiti is not possible here in Osun. Osun is different and they know it. In 2011, all Yoruba states voted for PDP presidential candidate, but Osun people voted for Mallam Nuhu Ribadu (the Action Congress of Nigeria candidate). We are different in Osun. Don’t let them scare you.”  Edo In Edo State, where the APC currently holds sway, sources close to some of the party officials told SUNDAY PUNCH that the loss of Ekiti State by the APC to the PDP shook the party. “What happened in Ekiti was amazing. We did not expect the PDP to have such a landslide in all the local governments because our candidate had a good scorecard, when it comes to good governance. “For instance, the provision of good roads, quality education and other amenities shows the readiness of a man to give the people of Ekiti the true dividends of democracy,” the source said. Another party faithful, who simply gave his name as Mike, said, “I think my party might have soft-pedalled at some point. But it is a big eye-opener for Edo State in 2016. We will tighten all loose ends. We will not take chances at all because there is no room for the PDP here,” he said. In a telephone interview with SUNDAY PUNCH, the state Publicity Secretary of the APC, Godwin Erhahon, however, described the Ekiti showdown as a display of Fayemi’s patriotic approach to governance which President Jonathan should emulate. He said, “I think Jonathan should learn from the patriotism and democratic spirit of the Ekiti Governor (Kayode Fayemi), who accepted defeat even when there were reasons for him to protest.” The Secretary to the State Government, Professor Julius Ihonvbere, in an interview with one of our correspondents, attributed the APC loss in Ekiti State to tactical error, stressing that the APC had gone to the drawing board to analyse the situation towards learning some lessons and preventing them from occurring again.  Ogun In Ogun State, the defeat has started to affect the governance style of the state Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun. One of our correspondents gathered that the governor has launched a ‘welfarist agenda,’ aimed at paying more attention to the people’s welfare. Amosun revealed this on Tuesday at the Arcade Ground of the Governor’s Office, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta while handing over severance cheques to former political appointees, who served between 2007 and 2011. It was observed that the civil servants were paid their monthly salaries on Tuesday, June 24, 2014, as against the practice of making such payments between 10th and 15th of the other month. The governor had also taken a step further by holding a stakeholders meeting with the civil servants at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta on Wednesday. Many of the civil servants were aggrieved because they felt they were not getting a fair treatment from the current administration. In addition, the governor has scheduled meetings with different groups, including the Nigeria Labour Congress. When contacted for official reaction on the defeat of Fayemi, the factional state Publicity Secretary of the APC loyal to Amosun, Mr. Sola Lawal, said the party had nothing to say. He said, “We have no comment.”  Kwara In Kwara State, investigations by SUNDAY PUNCH revealed that the APC, in an apparent move to guard against a recurrence of the party’s defeat in Ekiti, had taken strategic decisions on youth empowerment programmes, grassroots mobilisation and empowerment of artisans, traders, commercial drivers and commercial cyclists. It was also gathered that the party had evolved strategies to woo more students in the state, especially eligible voters into its fold. A source also informed our correspondent that elected public officials of the party had been asked to redouble their empowerment and mass mobilisation drives. The sources described the defeat of Fayemi was a big shock. It was gathered that the party had decided to field only popular candidates and that the party leaders had started having meetings with defected party members with a view to wooing them back to the APC. The APC in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Sulyman Buhari, said the Kwara State election results would not be “rigged, manipulated and announced in PDP’s favour from Abuja.” He also said the party would field only popular candidates in all its elections, adding that every member of the APC was sad that the party lost a state. He said, “We are making efforts to appease some of the APC members that defected to the PDP. Many of those that left are already coming back. I held meetings with two groups few hours ago.”  Lagos The outcome of the Ekiti State governorship election also caused panic among leaders of the APC in Lagos State as the party has held meetings where the implications of the election have been discussed. According to a leader of the party in Lagos, who pleaded anonymity, there have been meetings at different levels in the party where the party’s strategy towards retaining the state in 2015, in spite of threats by the PDP, were discussed. Apparently, one of such was the closed door meeting Governor Babatunde Fashola had with the vice-chairmen of the 20 local governments and 37 local council development areas at the State House, Marina, on Thursday. Fashola’s comment on the Ekiti election after the meeting was an indication that APC’s chance in Lagos governorship election in February, 2015, must have been a reasonable item of discussion at the meeting. While fielding questions from journalists, Fashola was quoted as saying, “The lessons that are supposedly coming out of Ekiti are frightening lessons for me. Lesson about whether the people of Ekiti are really saying that this is all about money and rice. It must be a very dangerous message to simply suggest that once you give people money, then this is the way it will happen.” A member of the APC, Mr. Gbenga Fakoya, confirmed that the outcome of the Ekiti election underscored the need to make adjustments to the party’s strategy for campaigns. “Before now, we could go to bed and take it for granted that the South-West belonged to the APC; but the Ekiti election has shown us that we can no longer take anything for granted. More work needs to be done. There is no more room for assumption, we need to face reality.” He said after the Ekiti loss, APC leaders had gone back to the drawing board and part of what had been decided was to establish proper internal democracy.  Rivers No doubt, the APC defeat in Ekiti has not only stunned the Rivers APC, it   has made the party to adopt quick measures against similar defeat. A source, who is a strong member of the state APC, told SUNDAY PUNCH that what happened in Ekiti was worrisome and that the outcome of the election meant more works would be done by the APC in the Rivers. The source, who preferred not to be mentioned, explained that despite Fayemi’s good performance, he lost the election because he was not on the ground. “What happened in Ekiti was worrisome to us. But we learnt that Fayemi was not on ground in terms of being close to the voters. Even with the good works he did in the area of people-oriented projects, they said he was not on ground,” the source said. He said the governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, would strategise to put measures in place to ensure APC’s victory in forthcoming elections in the state. Amaechi’s Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Chief Tony Okocha, attributed the failure of the APC to win in Ekiti State to overconfidence, saying that there was also the lack of relationship between Fayemi and the voting population. He said, “The circumstances in Ekiti and Rivers are not the same. There are very peculiar circumstances. What played out in Ekiti was an issue of overconfidence. “Overconfidence was at the fore, based on performance, and there was no relationship with the voting population. Of course, you know that Nigeria is not yet attuned to the politics of development. People are eager for what will go into their stomach; the issue of stomach infrastructure was not addressed.”

Homosexuality has become rampant in Nollywood— Bishop, Nollywood actor

B ishop Odinaka Duruzor is a Nollywood actor, producer and businessman who has been in the industry long enough to know the pros and cons of the industry. As regards Nollywood, he has seen it all and believes there are things that stink and shouldn’t be, like homosexuality. In this interview with First Person, Bishop takes us through the industry, his own career and the little secrets of the make-believe world. For how long have you been acting? I joined the industry in the late 90s. Actually, I have a platform, Divine Touch Productions, where I work as a production manager. I also act for other productions and even produce my own films. You have produced your own movie? Yes, we are still working on it. What has been your experience in Nollywood? Acting is not something you do just for money, it has to be something you’re passionate about. My friends used to tell me to act, that I would be good at it. But when I started acting, after a while I started working behind the camera as a production manager and that has held me back from acting much. I’m actually a comedian, but most of the movies I’ve done so far are basically epic movies. Can you name some of them? I Go Chop Your Dollar, Dry My Tears, Eagle’s Bride, The Bride and many others. Which is fulfilling, being a cast or crew member? I enjoy both, but I like acting. Have you encountered any challenge in the movie industry? Not really. Though when I joined the industry, I thought I would have an easy ride. I’m not really making waves because I work behind the camera for my brother who is a producer. When you go for auditions, sometimes you make it and sometimes you don’t. I believe that any course you choose to take in life has it’s own challenges. How did you join the industry? One day, I ran into some people shooting a movie around the place I used to live and there was a particular part they needed someone to fill and I volunteered to do it. I was told what to do and they were impressed, so I was given a higher role instead. The director gave me his office address and that was how I started. Can you remember how much you were paid for that role? I wasn’t paid a dime for that particular one. But the first payment I ever received for a role was N15,000, ten years ago. Why did you choose acting? The truth is, whenever I’m with my friends, all they keep telling me is to go and act. And I kept looking for the opportunity to do so, till I got it. Those days, I used to think that actors and actresses have a particular place, a village where they all live, I didn’t know that they live on their own like every day people. The movie industry is a fun place to be, acting gives you joy. Which top actors have you worked with? Geneveive Nnaji, Chinedu Ikedieze, Osita Iheme, Late John Okafor, Ashley Nwosu, Ini Edo, and others. Are you now focusing more on working behind the camera? I’m focusing more on working on my own movie. We’ve shot the movie though the editor is still working on it. What has kept you going all these years? It’s the joy and fun that comes with it. It’s not even the money. I just enjoy acting. Is there anything you don’t really like about Nollywood? Homosexuality and lesbianism has become very rampant in Nollywood. It is not even hidden. They come to woo you without hiding it. Have you had an experience in that regard? Yes, a guy told me he liked me and all that. An actor? Yes, he’s now a producer. How did you handle it? He came to me, told me he liked me, my physique and all that. After a while, he said he wanted to see the size of my manhood. I said “For what!” (Laughs). I thought he was joking, but subsequently, when we hang out or go for shooting, he would try to touch me in a romantic way. I realised that he was serious. When I asked him what he wanted, he said he wanted to have sex with me. He promised me heaven and earth but I refused. That was how it ended. Most actresses complain about being sexually harassed, what’s your opinion on that? It’s not true. If I like you and talk to you, if you agree, fine; if you don’t, I let you be. If you want a favour from me and you give yourself to me, I won’t reject it. It’s a normal thing and it takes the consent of both parties. It’s just that in the past, some fraudulent guys who are not even in the industry used to take advantage of aspiring actresses. They’ll just get an ancient script, show it to them, and tell them to have sex with them for roles in non-existent films. About the movie you’re working on, when is it going to be released? It was shot last month and it will be released this year. It’s a comedy flick featuring Bishop Umoh and other top actors and it’s titled Julius and Caesar.

Read how in Abuja, Boko Haram attacks and the elusive $470 million CCTV cameras

From the 2010 Independence Day car bombing at the Eagles Square to the daring attack on Police Headquarters in 2011, down to the strike on the United Nations building, not forgetting the deadly ThisDay Newspapers’ building attack in 2012, the Nyanya bomb explosion and, of course, Wednesday’s devastating  attacks on Emab Plaza in Abuja, acts of terrorism appear to have permeated  the polity, leaving everyone and every place completely vulnerable. Read the accounts of the blasts and the seemingly defeated efforts to install Close Circuit Television (CCTV), cameras in the major cities of the country. He was more concerned with reeling out the casualty figures. Deadline was fast beckoning in various media houses and a horde of  journalists at the scene had been placed on tenterhooks as they anxiously waited for official statement of the casualty rate from the authorities to authenticate their stories. Behind him were cars, vehicles and other items  which had been reduced to debris. The targeted plaza mainly escaped the attack but not before  having some part torched. Just then, he mounted the culvert in the middle of the road, backing the scene of the deadly bomb blast which smelt like hell to disclose the much awaited information. Accompanied by Mr. Bala Mohammed, the Minister of  the Federal Capital Territory( FCT), he read: “The casualty figure for now is 21 persons and 17 persons injured. If there is any change later on, we will gladly inform you. There are also 17 vehicles that were burnt in the incident. It is also heart warming to note that an arrest has been made and the security agencies will be following up with that arrest.” With the information, Mr. Frank Mba, the Nigeria Police public relations officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police, felt his job at that point had been done. But he was seemingly oblivious of one thing more: that Emab and Banex Plazas where the dastardly act occurred on Wednesday evening were just two out of the plethora of shopping malls that liter Abuja, meaning that other could be vulnerable if left insecure. It was not until a  journalist put the question of police preparedness to secure other shopping malls across the city that Mba  said that surveillance would be extended to all plazas and other public places in Abuja to forestall a similar misfortune. Well, that is precisely what the public was expecting to hear and Mba had done his job. Done, the FCT Minister, Mohammed, took the stage. ”Our  security protocol that is being established is to make sure that some minimal security infrastructures are provided in all our public areas. In fact, it is showing from here that they are being enforced but there are certain incidences that may not be avoided and they are so unfortunate,” he stated. To Nigerians who have been following the trend of events, the statement of the two government officials were palatable but not new. In any case, they remained cosmetic in the light of many promises that had trailed similar attacks in the past. Almost, always, government and, indeed, the entire security apparatus assure Nigerians of adequate protection of their lives and property especially in the event of any crisis. Yet, little or no effort is made to realize that. At least, this is the conviction the ordinary Nigerians have. In effect, the bombs keep going off every now and then and,, in most cases, there had been no narrowed traces of the perpetrators. Yet again, the principal responsibility of government is to ensure the welfare and security of life property of the citizenry. At each occurrence, attention would be shifted for a while. There would a cordon off marked with police crime tapes. Heavy police/military presence would be seen. There would be suspension of business activities and vehicular movements, some times, as if the attacker would stage a come back to the scene. In any case, they had done so before even with an increased surveillance: Remember the second Nyanya bomb explosion on May 1, 2014. Yes, when these attacks come fresh, debates of intensified security surveillance would gain acceleration, attempting to reach a crescendo. But that is the sermonisation. Only at the time. When calm eventually returns, life continues until another bomber strikes. That is Nigeria. But in any fairest sense, Mba and Mohammed were not alone in the reassurance sermon. Since last week’s bombing, an avalanche of glowing condemnations, tributes, reassurances and reiterations have been recorded. From Mba to Mohammed down to Marilyn Ogar, the spokesperson of the Department of State Security Service (DSS), the reassurances go on. The National Assembly, religious bodies, the EU, UN, foreign missions domiciled in Nigeria and in fact most known private and public institutions have condemned the attack. Of course, who would not. Life was involved. Meanwhile, the chief of all the reassurance at the time of filing this report emanated from Vice President Namadi Sambo who inspected the scene on Thursday. Leaving an impression of usual rhetorics, he:”This cowardly and unjust act will be defeated-evil can never be sustained, Insha Allah. This administration and Mr. President will not leave any stone unturned until we defeat these terrorists. Terrorism cannot survive in Nigeria or in any part of this world.” Retrospectively, the Wednesday attack on Emab Plaza at the high brow area of Wuse 11, Abuja jerks a push into a chronology of bomb explosions that had rocked Abuja in the last  four years and unfulfilled tales of promises by government to halt them. More annoying is the fact that the Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) camera project, billed for installation in Abuja and Lagos, which was started by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua’s regime and inherited by the present administration, is yet to see the light of day after a large chunk of $470m had been sunk into it. In fact, the completion time was supposed to be July, 2011 but, as at the last time Sunday Vanguard checked, nothing substantial was heard. *Chronology of Abuja bombings, deaths, non-fatal injuries, condemnations and unrealized promises of prevention. The 2010 Independence Day bomb attack Bomb attacks were apparently alien to the residents of Abuja until October 1, 2010 Nigeria’s Independence Day celebration. That year’s ceremony was very unique. It was the country’s golden Jubilee and so, the event was loud at the Eagles square, the venue of the event with most dignitaries of the world in attendance. More so, President Goodluck Jonathan had just taken over the mantle of governance a few months before. While the crowd milled at the venue, a car bomb exploded some meters away, killing 12 persons with the record of 17 non-fatal injuries. Later, it was heard that the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, MEND, led by Mr. Henry Okah was behind the attack. But even though President Jonathan was quick to controversially exonerate MEND whose leader was eventually found guilty and sentenced in South Africa, there were however promises to checkmate and nib the act in the bud. Force Headquarters bomb attack Nigerians were still waiting for government to fulfill its promise when another bomb attack was meted out to the Police Headquarters in Abuja on June 16, 2011. This time suicide bombing. The explosion claimed 6 lives. Sunni Islamist group of Boko Haram later claimed responsibility. Yet again, the government made more promises to stamp out terrorists. Abuja UN building bombing Perhaps, one dastardly bomb attack that got the government and, indeed, the world most rattled was the one  supposedly the most secure United Nations building in Abuja, on Friday, August 26, 2011. This came barely two months after the Police Headquarters was attacked. Twenty-one deaths were recorded in the UN building strike while 73 non-fatal injuries occurred. Hear the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Viola Onwuliri: “This is not an attack on Nigeria but on the global community. An attack on the world.” Similarly, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, described the attack as an ‘assault on those who devote themselves to helping others”. In a statement by presidential spokesman, Reuben Abati, President Jonathan sent his condolences to Mr. Ban Ki-moon and all those who lost loved ones in the bomb blast. “President Jonathan reaffirms the Federal Government’s total commitment to vigorously combat the incursion of all forms of terrorism into Nigeria, and wishes to reassure all Nigerians and the international community that his Administration will spare no effort to bring the perpetrators to justice,” the statement said. Suspected perpetrators were members of Boko Haram. Government said it was on top of the situation. ThisDay Newspapers attack Hardly had the year 2012 left its first quarter than a bomb ripped through ThisDay newspapers bureau in Abuja. Six persons died while several others were injured. According to ThisDay’s Editorial Board Chairman, Olusegun Adeniyi, “The suicide bomber came in a jeep and security guards opened the gate for him. The guy drove in through the gate and rammed into the building and exploded. Two of our security men died, and obviously the suicide bomber died too.” Boko Haram claimed responsibility just as government reiterated its promise to curb the situation. Nyanya 1 and 2 bomb blasts Indeed, it appeared that the Federal Government did something very unusual that in the whole of 2013, no known terror attacks were recorded in Abuja. But on April 14, 2014, bombers resurfaced at Nyanya, a suburb of the FCT. At the peak period on that Monday morning, they planted a bomb at the popular El-Rufai bus terminal. Over 90 persons were killed while non-fatal injuries figure was put at 200 persons. On the heels of the incident, Jonathan increased surveillance at the place. The president’s spokesman said: “The president was saddened by loss of lives in Nyanya bombing. President Jonathan has ordered heightened security in Abuja following Nyanya bombing. President Jonathan extends his heartfelt condolences to bereaved families. President Jonathan directs the medical services to do their very best to save the lives of those injured in Nyanya bombing,” But the defilement of the security surveillance came again on May 1, 2014, when another coordinated bomb explosion ripped through the same area, killing 12 and leaving 30 injured. Analysts said it was meant to stop the hosting of the World Economic Forum(WEFA) which eventually held between May 7 and 9. Emab Plaza hit Since the last Nyanya blasts, there has been, understandably, an increase in the security systems. It would be recalled that a security alert recently prompted the temporary closure of the major markets in Abuja. But the Wednesday, June 25, 2014 attack on Emab shopping malls where 21 lives were lost and 17 persons seriously wounded has once again put residents on their toes. Resumed talks on CCTV Apart from the attacks at Nyanya, on the outskirts of Abuja, others attacks occurred at various places within the heart of the FCT. This has resurrected concerns about the state of the CCTV cameras in the FCT. Being the seat of power and one of the fastest growing capital cities in the world, not a few Nigerians had expected some security sophistication that would resist terror attacks and also reduce criminalities. But in words and deed, such is between the Boko Haram sect and the Nigerian military. He told Sunday Vanguard that Nigeria must shun politics and tackle the insurgents head on. ”It is really very unfortuate and my heart goes out to all those who have lost their lives during the incident. Of course, this raises a lot of questions about the nature of our security system and apparatus not only in Abuja but in all urban areas and the reality that is dawning on us that the security threat we are facing is becoming real. People like us who are from the north east specifically from Borno State; my constituency is one of the worst hit, it has almost become business as usual. People are trying to live with it and then you can only imagine when you find yourself in a very helpless situation. But as some who has been fully involved in this, the reality is that a lot security infrastructure that need to be put in place is now real that we don’t have it. Let’s wake up to the truth. Forget about the politics. Let’s take ourselves the truth and do what is required now. And it is not now, I am sorry, it may be too late. So, the fact of the matter that today is that security in this time and age is all about intelligence gathering and of course the ability to prevent it. And when you look at these kinds of attacks, they are attacks that can only be avoided by prevention. Once, they have occurred, there is nothing you can do about it. ”I understand CCTV cameras were installed in all the nooks and crannies of Abuja at a point. We saw physical things but it now calls to question whether they were working or not. And I think at a point in time, the issue was raised on the floor of the house that they actually considered not to be working and there was the issue about whether it was not completed. So, I think there is a reason now. You see, this is the issue. When things happen where you are, Nigerians tend to only think about the environment they live and that is all. We should think about all Nigerians. If this thing is happening right in the heart of Abuja, what happens in other places. So, the fact of the matter is that we have to rise up to the realities on the ground. When you declare a state of emergency, it is expected that you abandon everything other thing and concentrate on that matter which you have declared emergency on. There is every need for that. Forget about everything and get the security right. In any case, that is the fundamental principle of government. I may not say here that the government has failed but the truth of the matter is that we have not done the needful.” Bottomline Investigations by Sunday Vanguard in the wake of  the Wednesday’s attack revealed a downward curve in the confidence Abuja residents, nay Nigerians have in the security systems of the country, at least at the moment. There is apprehension in the air with no one knowing when and where the next explosives would be detonated. Analysts agree that though government is not taking any rest in the fight against insurgency in the country, it may not have done enough to protect the citizenry. One of its failures is the non-completion of the CCTV, four years counting. May be, if it is completed, there would be less trips to bomb blast scenes, cemeteries and hospitals just the same way observation of one minute-silence in the honour of the departed, the condemnations, dirges and tributes will cease from pouring in.

INCREDIBLE: Woman gives birth after 14 years pregnancy!

Saturday June 7, 2014, will remain the happiest day in the life of Mercy James. Reason? That was the day she miraculously gave birth to a baby girl after 14 years of being pregnant. The baby was promptly and aptly christined Miracle. And why not? If the mother had delivered at the expected time the child would have been a teenager by now and possibly in secondary school at the JSS 3 level. Mercy, a single parent, said of her ordeal during the 14 years she was pregnant but could not give birth: “When I first took in, I knew that I was pregnant with signs and test that confirmed that I was. Four months later, I went to hospital for another test, the result showed that I wasn’t pregnant, but had fibroid. Subsequently, I began to experience bleeding, at least once a day. Sometimes, my tummy would protrude in the semblance of pregnancy. I went to different hospitals, and I kept on receiving the same result that nothing was wrong with me. But deep down inside , I knew that all was not well with me. Churches and native doctors “So I was taken aback when a midwife told me I was pregnant. But considering the test which showed I had fibroid, I was angry with the midwife for giving me what I felt was a false prophecy of hope. Thereafter, I started going from one church to another and from one native doctor to the other. The results that I got from them all remained the same. I became more feeble and confused that I prayed for death to come. “I went again to the midwife two years after and complained to her about the pains that I was going through, she told me again that it was not fibroid but pregnancy; she advised me to be more prayerful so that God will deliver me from the hands of the devil. I kept on praying and at the same time asking myself that if truly I’m pregnant, why is it that the baby was not kicking? “I bought many concoctions that they said could cure fibroid and drank them. I even drank 12 bottles of a local cleanser but to no avail. This went on for years. Then God took pity on me and decided to wipe my tears. On the day I gave birth to my baby girl, I initially thought that worms were trying to come out of my body not knowing that it was a baby. This was what I told the midwife when we came to her. But after examining me she told me to push. I ignored her. I became unconscious for about 15 minutes and when I regained consciousness, I heard the cry of a baby. I was surprised and confused seeing my baby. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Hmm,I thank God for my life and that of my baby Miracle. I named her Miracle because she is truly a miraculous child”. Miraculous child The midwife at the Celestial Church of Christ, Kadoso Parish, Ajegunle where Mercy gave birth confirmed the development, especially the role she played. The woman who simply gave her name as Mrs Ajetima informed thus: “She was pregnant for 14 years and was unable to give birth during this period. Then on Saturday around 6:30am I saw two persons carrying her to this place. When she came inside, I laid her down and asked one of my daughters to examine her, after the examination, I found out that it was a baby that was about coming out and not worms. I asked her to push and she refused. My daughter gave her a hard slap on her laps since she refused to push. Behold a baby with placenta came out! I started shouting, calling on people to come and see for themselves that Mercy was truly pregnant, because if not, people will start to say that that Celestial woman has given Mercy a baby. Within a twinkle of an eye, the whole place was filled with people. God is wonderful”. Also affirming the happy development, Mercy’s closest friend, Odunayo Odeyemi had this to say: “I have known mercy for over nine years now. I met her with the pregnancy . In fact, she did not know that she was pregnant. I followed her to many places but her problems kept on increasing. Merely looking at Mercy then before she gave birth, you will notice that she wasn’t okay. I kept advising her to have faith in God because I had experienced the same thing. I was pregnant for three years and three months and God delivered me. “Mercy came to me on that fateful day around 4am begging me to give her a pain reliever, that she was having pains all over her body. I dressed up and took her to a man that sells drugs. After taking the drug, on our way home, she started having serious pains. I called her brother and we both took her to the midwife. Hours later, she gave birth to a bouncing baby girl. We all were surprised because we never expected such a miracle to happen. She had a complete baby.” Robert Davidson, one of Mercy’s friends, said that he concluded after seeing Mercy with a protruded tummy for three years that she had fibroid. So, “it came to me as a shock to learn that she delivered a bouncing baby girl.” For Chidimma Ibe, a neighbour: “She always complained to me that she had stomach pains all these period. She told me that she had fibroid and sometime, she will complain of different things. She was totally confused as to what her condition was. I’m very much surprised and happy she gave birth to a complete baby girl. It was truly a miracle. God was on her side. God is wonderful because all the concoctions she took were enough to kill the baby.” On the father of Baby Miracle, Mercy informed that they got separated on account of the ordeal that attended her pregnancy. “Friday is the name of my baby’s father. Actually, we are not married. He just proposed to me and I became pregnant for him. He knew about the pregnancy. He always gave me money for tests and scans but he got tired and left me after waiting for me for over a year without seeing any sign of a baby. I have no option than to go my own way,” she informed.

more! - jesus.net/GodsLoveOsaze sparkles, crackles ribs in Obahiagbon style

Super Eagles rave of the moment, Osaze Odemwingie has returned to his tweeting best. This time, he is causing laughter and bringing joy to many instead of his initial arrows that were fired and caught him in the web of missing the World Cup. In tweeting yesterday, Osaze went the way of his Edo-born brother and politician Festus Obahiagbon. Commenting on events at the on-going World Cup where his goal against Bosnia has brightened the way for Eagles progression in the tournament, Osaze wrote; ‘’ “The draw against Iran was the foreset origo that caused some crinkum crankum to be directed at us that was caught in the Bermuda Triangle.” Another one reads: “The state of OGaM ogam was rejected by the eagles with a higi haga style to avoid a calamitous end that brings odoriferous Saga.” On the Eagles’ journey to Porto Alegre, he wrote: “We are about to fly to Porto Alegre to prepare 4 the game vs Argentina. Hope the flight time will not be longer than a period of Ayonai .” Many foreign Journalists were left wondering on which planet he was writing from. Only few of us from Nigeria know where he was coming from. Laughter!

How we ‘ll beat Argentina – Keshi

Stephen Keshi has one thing to tell Nigerians:“Always be patient. Don’t write off any team in a tournament until that tournament is over.” Keshi was referring to the super performance of the team on Saturday night here. He did not sound boastful but he was extremely excited that the boys lifted their game and earned a deserved victory against Bosnia-Herzegovina. The 1-0 victory has placed Nigeria’s one leg in the second round. Nigeria’s coach Stephen Keshi gives a press conference at the Baixada Arena in Curitiba on June 15, 2014, on the eve of their Group F 2014 FIFA World Cup football match against Iran. AFP PHOTO “It was tough against Iran but Nigerians didn’t know how difficult they were until they saw Argentina struggling with them. We knew what we did wrongly and worked on them before the match against Bosnia,” Keshi continued in an exclusive chat Saturday. “I’m proud of the boys. They did well. But we all need to do more. We play Argentina tomorrow and we will give it our all. Argentina are world class. They are good and they have many good players. We will rely on our team work. Team work will see us through.” The Super Eagles coach knows that individual game would not lead Nigeria anywhere going by the stars in most of the teams here. Many Nigerian players were not making the first team of their clubs before the World Cup. And to put them to shape, he needed time. But the camping period was less than two weeks and that worked against his plans. “The time for preparation was short. We couldn’t do all the things we wanted to do. But we are gradually getting it right and, hopefully, we will get better in our team work and get positive results”. The emphasis on team work probably led to the benching of Victor Moses whose individual play had become a minus to the team. Moses would likely learn from the performance against Bosnia and change his game. Keshi is not ruling any player out but strongly maintains that team tactics should prevail. Osaze Odewengie played well in the eyes of many against Iran. Keshi did not dispute that. But he did not quite position himself in a particular way that could see him latch on rebounds, especially the drop nodding from Shola Ameobi. Each time the ball dropped, there was nobody to follow up. And that angered Keshi. But Osaze quickly understood and made up against Bosnia and Keshi is very happy with him and the entire team. Osaze’s goal earned Nigeria the sweet victory against Bosnia. “Everything is about team work. I think that we will play well against Argentina. We hope to qualify and move on. I plead with Nigerians to always be patient. The way they wrote us off after the match against Iran was disturbing. Let’s hope we get it right again on Wednesday.

Fraudster withdraws N1.9m through ATM

In apparent reflection of the rising incidence of electronic payment fraud, a fraudster withdrew N1.9 million from  the bank account of a customer through ATM in one week. This was disclosed by  Tam Tamunokonbia, Head, Consumer Protection Council, Lagos Office.  Speaking at the maiden summit of Bank Customers Association of Nigeria (BCAN) in Lagos last week, he said that ATM fraud is one of the commonest complaints received by the Council  from bank customers. He said in addition to this are: Illegal bank charges as against the minimum re-discount rate; Non-disclosure of terms and conditions by Banks and financial service providers; Mobile Payment Systems – online trading and Improper cheque verification. Citing example of these complaints, he said, “A lady’s N1.9 million withdrawn in one week without alert – case in Enugu High Court. A Company was charged in excess of N1, 984,662.40, another in excess of N592, 681 .61, and  another in excess of N552,597.01.” He said the general responses of banks to complaints against ATM fraud are:  “Customer compromised PIN numbers. Camera footage could not be generated.We are investigating and will get back.” On complaints of excess bank charges,he said banks’ responses are: The customer signed an agreement; The customer was given the form;  It is an error etc.” Consequently,Tamunokonbia advised that: “Banks should respect the customer’s rights to disclosure; Banks should provide written terms and conditions in simple language and legible words; Charges and fees should be made known to customers before opening their accounts – no hidden charges;  change in terms and conditions should be adequately disclosed to customers – prior notice; Statement of Accounts to be provided to customers at regular intervals; applicable interest rates, how it is calculated and when to apply the rates should be made known to consumers; terms and conditions to be in line with prevailing laws; avoid Council’s summons and prosecution – Section 12, 18 and 21 of the CPC Act, CAP C25, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”

Ayo Fayose wins Ekiti elections

Mr Peter Ayodele Fayose of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been elected Governor of Ekiti state. The Returning Officer for the 2014 governorship elections and Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Oye- Ekiti, Professor Isaac Azuzu announced the results of the governorship elections in Ekiti State declaring the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Mr Ayodele Fayose, who was governor of Ekiti State from 29 May 2003 to 16 October 2006, winner of the contest. Mr Fayose scored a total of 203090 to defeat other candidates who participated in the exercise. The Returning Officer, before announcing the results, called on party agents of the various political parties that participated in the elections to sign for the results sheet which indicates that they agree to the process and the election result. Professor Azuzu said ” I wish to announce that Dr Tope Aluko of the PDP and Mr Dele of the National Conscience Party, NCP, have signed the result sheet”. In the breakdown of the final result, Professor Azuzu said “‎we have come to the grand finale of this exercise. Accord-268, AA–146, AA–146, APC-120433, AD–843, CPP-967, LP 18125‎, KOWA –222, CPP–967, PDP-20309‎0, MPPP- 137, NCP–322, PDC–921, PPA–1050, SDP–65, UDP-67 In the meantime, the APC leadership, last night, issued a statement, rejecting the outcome of the election.

How I predicted Keefe’s death — Ara

The Nigerian female talking drummer, Ara has many other gifts aside drumming with which she is known worldwide. But none of them includes the gift of clairvoyance or seeing into the future as the beautiful drummer revealed recently. Ara, who is a friend to Late Kefee has disclosed on a Best of Nollywood’s chat forum that she had a dream concerning Kefee’s  death and that she called the late singer to pray hard to avert it. In her words: “I want to use this forum to appeal to my colleagues in the music industry. Less than two years ago, I had a dream about Keffee and immediately called her and narrated it to her, I also appealed to her not to make a joke of it….the rest is history. Early this year, I had a dream and contacted Efe of NOW music as he’s the only one I could call and told him to please organise a forum for all musicians to assemble and pray against death amongst us (please confirm from Efe). It’s sad we had to lose my girlfriend, sister and colleague…so sad. When a revelation comes like that, it means there is a way out. Once again, we need to come together as a body under one roof to rebuke and pray about this revelation I had early this year. Yes, we all have different sources of prayer but this is a prayer we all must observe together. I beg you all. I didn’t want to speak out but I have no choice than to”.