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.