HOT GISTS ON: Celebrities, Events, Sports, Breaking News, Exam Expos, Gossips and More....
Thursday, 31 October 2013
Dennis Okike is the 10th Ultimate champion!
The most anticipated answer to who will be
the ultimate Champion has been provided
for fans of the Gulder Ultimate Search
(GUS) reality TV show as Dennis Okike
emerge the winner of GUS season 10.
Dennis Okike has emerged the 10th
Ultimate Champion. He outsmarted
Dr.Edmund Umeabuani and Ifunanya Onike
in the waters of Usaka River, Akwa-Ibom
State where the final battle among the
warriors fervently seeking for the 10th
symbol took place. On the final day of the
search, the warriors got a message from
the Council of Elders ordering them to pack
their bags and make their ways to where
they draw water. Chidi awaited them and
gave them the next set of instructions.
*GUS Winner
The final task was to search for the 10th
Symbol. To do that, each of them would
make use of a clue which would take them
to two different locations to retrieve two
pieces of the map that would lead to where
the 10th Symbol was buried. Another clue
at their first locations would direct them to
the next location.
It was a race against time and the last man
to the next location was evicted. Edmund
and Ifunanya’s first clue led them to the
Place of the Talking Drum to retrieve the
first map piece; while Bobby and Dennis
went to the Mud Field. Subsequently, Bobby
and Dennis headed to the Place of the
Talking Drum for their second piece while
Edmund and Ifunanya raced to the Mud
Field. Edmund returned first, followed by
Ifunanya. Dennis edged Bobby out of the
quest when he beat him to the finish line.
Bobby was instantly evicted.
With their maps pieced together, the
remaining warriors had all they needed to
proceed to find the Sceptre. On their maps
three spots were marked ‘X’ as possible
places the 10th Symbol was buried.
Ifunanya was in the lead, having figured
out the direction first. However her first
attempt at crossing the river with the aid of
a rope saw her falling into the water while
Edmund and Dennis moved on.
Edmund arrived first and headed straight
to one of the spots marked on the map and
began his search. Dennis joined shortly.
Ifunanya had barely stepped in the river
when Dennis raised what turned out to be
a false alarm. All he had was a piece of
debris laying under the river. The
protracted search had the warriors glancing
at their maps intermittently as Dennis kept
digging up dirt after dirt from the river.
After many futile efforts Dennis eventually
dug up the Sceptre from under a slant
palm tree in the river and thereby ended
the long search for the 10th symbol. He
was instantly inducted into the order of
Heroes as the 10th Ultimate Man by Chidi
Mokeme, the Anchor-man.
For his feat, Dennis will win N10 million
and a brand new Mitsubishi Pajero 3.0L GLS
AT( full Option) courtesy of CFAO Motors
Nigeria, the official automotive partners of
Gulder Ultimate Search 10. For emerging
the last female contestant standing,
Ifunanya is already guaranteed N1 million
in addition to her prize money.
In the same vein, Kalu Kalu, a final year
student of Industrial Mathematics in the
Federal University of Technology, Owerri,
has emerged as the first winner of the first
ever fans edition of Gulder Ultimate Search.
The fans edition of Gulder Ultimate Search
was hosted by Bob Manuel Udokwu. Gulder
gave fans and viewers of the show a chance
to compete in Nigeria’s first 100 per cent
local content reality TV show from the
comfort of their homes.
Welcome Gulder Ultimate Search 10
Gulder Ultimate Search
This year’s edition of Gulder Ultimate
Search has since kicked off with the
theme The 10th Symbol. The reality TV
programme will be aired on Africa
Magic (DSTV), Ebonylife TV, Realstar,
WapTV, ESBS, AKBC from 10pm. AIT and
Galaxy TV will also broadcast the
highlights of the show from 10:30pm .
The 28-day programme will chronicle the
journey of this year’s contestants from
the regional audition phase, through their
jungle travails.
When the final episode is beamed to TV
audiences on Thursday, October 31, a
new Gulder Ultimate Search champion
would have emerged after finding the
10th Symbol.
Speaking on this year’s edition, Mr.
Emmanuel Agu, Marketing Manager –
Gulder, Legend and Life, Nigerian
Breweries Plc. said: “The 10th edition of
Gulder Ultimate Search will be unlike what
viewers are used to. It promises to be 10
times the fun and excitement. I only urge
viewers to stay glued to their TV screens
for the intrigues and best of jungle
adventure.”
According to Mr. Agu, a lucky viewer will
drive home a brand new jeep by
participating in the first ever Gulder
Ultimate Search Fans Edition.
He stated: “Gulder is giving fans and
viewers a chance to compete in Nigeria’s
first 100 per cent local content reality TV
show from the comfort of their homes.
Scared by what the contestants go
through on the show? Terrified of being
mired in mud, beaten by rain, bitten by
insects, burnt by the scorching sun and
smitten by the haze and winds? Viewers
need not be frightened as the Gulder
Ultimate Search Fans edition will involve
none of these experiences.”
To qualify, contestants have to buy bottles
of Gulder beer and look under the crown
corks for unique codes. This code will
then be sent to 20388, along with the
consumer’s name, age and state.
The consumer will then receive SMSs with
questions from clues related to the GUS
10 transmitted on TV.
They can also participate via mobile web:
which involves logging on
www.gulderultimatesearch.tv, registering
their details and entering the crown cork
codes to provide answers to the
questions.
Consumers that correctly answer six
questions will get the opportunity to
answer the Anchor man’s challenge which
will be released on the seventh day by
11pm.
Mouth-watering prizes such as Gulder
Gift Packs, units of DSTV Walkas, 300
Dual-Sim Android Phones, 50 Tablets and
N5 million worth of recharge cards will be
won by viewers that successfully answer
the Anchor man’s challenge.
By the fourth week, the first 12 to
correctly answer the Anchor man’s
Challenge will qualify for a chance to
participate in a one day Final Search. The
Fan’s Edition Ultimate Winner will get the
chance to win a brand new Mitsubishi
Pajero 3.0L GLX MT.
The GUS 10 Fans Edition ends on
Wednesday, October 23, 2013; while
Gulder Ultimate Search proper ends on
Thursday, October 31, 2013. Gulder
Ultimate Search is Nigeria’s first and
longest running reality TV 100 per cent
local content reality TV.
Gulder Ultimate Search Season 10: Meet The Contestants
The 12 contestants who will be
participating at the Gulder Ultimate
Search season 10 edition tagged The 10th
Symbol. Photo: gulderultimatesearch.
12 contestants from different parts of
Nigeria have made it to the top 12
participating in Gulder Ultimate Search
season 10 edition tagged The 10th
Symbol.
This year’s edition of the GUS, hosted by
Nollywood actor, Chidi Mokeme, takes
place in the Utaka forest, Obot Akara
local government area of Akwa Ibom
state.
Below are the profiles of the twelve
contestants.
Anthony Brosu
Anthony is a 29-year old graduate of
Animal Production Technology from
Federal University of Technology, Niger
state who hails from Delta state. His
dream is to establish a farm big enough
to feed the entire Nigerian, and also
create job employment opportunities.
Okike Dennis
Okike is a 29-year old graduate of
Electronics Engineering from the
University of Nigeria Nsukka. He is from
Abia state, harbors a passion for cars,
and intends to establish a successful
international import and export business
Edmond Chukwubuike
Although he tried last year but couldn’t
make the selections, this year however,
Edmond got his wish as one of the
contestants of the GUS. A 27-year old
medical doctor from Enugu state, he has
a tall dream of becoming the first Director
General of the World Health Organization
(WHO), and is the current Mr. Tourism of
Edo state.
Etido Ema Ebong
She is a 21-year old 300 level student of
History and International studies,
University of Uyo who hails from Ikot
Ekpene local government area of Akwa
Ibom state. Ema loves children and would
love to establish a platform that would
help children actualize their dream in
future. According to her, her strategy for
winning the contest is to stay unnoticed.
Ijeh Peter O.
Peter is a 27 year old graduate of
Microbiology from Igbinedion University,
Okada. He hails from delta state and his
goal in life is to become Africa’s biggest
movie director, telling interesting stories
about Africa through movies.
Halima Sheidu O
Halima is a Masters Degree holder of
History and International Relations from
Kogi state. The second only contender
from kogi since the GUS began, her dream
is to become a world renowned
researcher.
Onike Ifunanya
A graduate of Economics from the
University of Nsukka, 21-year old Onike is
an indigene of Anambra state, but resides
in Kaduna. She says her personality can
be likened to that of an eagle and has a
dream of becoming the biggest business
mogul in Africa owning the biggest fast
food chain in the world which would start
from Nigeria.
Adeboye Martha
The other half of the twin, she’s Mary’s
sister, and a 21-year old 300-level
student of Theatre Arts at the University
of Abuja. She loves children and would
love to establish an NGO to cater for
abandon children in future.
Adeboye Mary
One half of a twin, Mary and her sister
Martha go down in history as the first set
of twins in the GUS. Mary is a 21 year old
graduate of Public Administration,
university of Abuja, currently awaiting
NYSC call-up. She hails from Edo state
and claims to poses an unmatchable
endurance and fitness abilities.
Ezidi Nzube Bobby
He says his motto for the GUS contest is
‘Win first, make friends later’. This 23-
year old law graduate from the University
of Abuja hails from Anambra state and
also plans to become a senator in
Nigeria.
Salako Olukunle
From Ogbomoso, Oyo state, Salako is a
24-year old graduate of Geography with
Meteorology, Federal University of
Technology, Minna. His desire is to come
up with a solution for the environmental
degradation in Nigeria especially in the
oil producing areas.
Tracy Chapele
A graduate of English and literature,
University of Benin, Tracy is 25 years old
and is currently a broadcaster. She
describes herself as a ‘blend of infectious
spontaneity, and pragmatism’.
The Gulder Ultimate Search show would
commence airing on Friday, October 4,
and daily highlights of show would be
broadcasted on national, terrestrial and
satellite TV stations from October 4
through October 31, 2013.
Nwada igbo 2013!!!
Nwada igbo 2013!!!
Are you 18years and
above?
Do you know your
culture well enough?
Do you have the
qualities to become the
next Nwada Igbo in
Enugu State?
If yes, hurry now and
get your forms. Call
Chinazor on
08184846764 for the
forms and enquiries
212 Breaking News: BBA Dilish Strikes Killer Pose With Boyfriend Stephen
212 Breaking News: OJB Discharged From Hospital In India, Expected Back In Nigeria Soon
Photo: Boy, 14, Rapes Nine-year-old Girl To Death In Lagos
The police in Lagos State have
commenced investigation into how a
nine-year-old girl died, after sustaining
injuries caused by alleged consistent
rape.
According to police authorities, the
deceased was raped over five times, by a
14-year-old student, Onyi Adimabua, in
the Ikorodu area of the state.
The father of the deceased, Simeon Jigo,
told PUNCH Metro that Onyi is the son of
the proprietor of the school his daughter
attended.
He said his daughter opened up about
the rape when she started having medical
problems.
The 77-year-old man said his daughter
died on October 3, 2013. He said:
“Up until my daughter’s death, she was a
pupil of Fulfilled Greenland School,
Ikorodu, and she was in primary three.
One day, she came home and started
complaining of pains around her vagina,
stomach area.
We rushed her to Ikorodu General
Hospital. A doctor checked her and after
conducting some tests on her, told us
that my daughter had sustained medical
complications due to forced sexual
intercourse.
I was alarmed by this; so, I had a private
discussion with my daughter. She told me
that it was her school proprietor’s son,
Onyi, that had been raping her. The boy
had threatened to kill her if she ever told
anyone about it.”
The indigene of Ondo State told PUNCH
Metro that after initial treatments, he
took his daughter to Arogbo in Ondo
State to be taken care of but her
condition continued to deteriorate.
A few days after the troubled father
travelled to Ondo State, Onyi,
accompanied by his parents, also
travelled to Ondo State, to apologise to
Jigo’s family. The girl, however, was said
to have died that very day.
“On getting to the house where my
daughter was, we discovered that she was
dead. Onyi confessed that he had been
raping my daughter prior to her death,’
Jigo said.
PUNCH Metro learnt that after the girl’s
demise, irate youths in the area
attempted to lynch the 14-year-old boy.
The bereaved father was said to have
intervened and reported the matter to a
nearby police station, where the teenager
was held for safe keeping.
The next morning, Onyi and his parents
travelled back to Lagos.The alleged
rapist’s parents, in company with a chief
in Ikorodu, reportedly visited Jigo when
he returned to Lagos.
The group were said to have pleaded that
the bereaved father should not pursue
the case but he refused. Jigo said:
“I went to the Ikorodu Police station to
report the case but was surprised when
the policemen on duty said I should not
write any statement. They only told me to
write down my telephone number and
said they would call me later.
After waiting for many days without any
call, I wrote a petition and the matter was
transferred to the State Criminal
Investigation Department, Yaba.”
It was however learnt that Onyi had been
taken to his father’s hometown in Delta
State thereby stalling police investigation.
The teenager’s parents, however
described the incident as the handiwork
of the devil.
The 14-year-old boy’s father, Andrew
Adimabua, said:
“I trained that boy in the way of the Lord
and expected so much from him. He has
confessed to the act; there is nothing to
hide. He told me that he learnt about sex
by watching blue (pornographic) films.
We are not hiding him and we will
cooperate with the police. On the day the
little girl died, he was beaten up and
made to stay in the rain for hours. As a
result, he contracted pneumonia so we
sent him home for treatment. When he
recovers, he’ll be taken to the police for
questioning.”
Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi
Braide, who confirmed the incident to our
correspondent on the telephone,
expressed shock at the
development.Braide said Onyi would be
re-arrested in the course of investigation.
“It is appalling that a teenager could
indulge in such act. The matter is under
investigation and the culprit will be re-
arrested.”
Photo: Boy, 14, Rapes Nine-year-old Girl To Death In Lagos
The police in Lagos State have
commenced investigation into how a
nine-year-old girl died, after sustaining
injuries caused by alleged consistent
rape.
According to police authorities, the
deceased was raped over five times, by a
14-year-old student, Onyi Adimabua, in
the Ikorodu area of the state.
The father of the deceased, Simeon Jigo,
told PUNCH Metro that Onyi is the son of
the proprietor of the school his daughter
attended.
He said his daughter opened up about
the rape when she started having medical
problems.
The 77-year-old man said his daughter
died on October 3, 2013. He said:
“Up until my daughter’s death, she was a
pupil of Fulfilled Greenland School,
Ikorodu, and she was in primary three.
One day, she came home and started
complaining of pains around her vagina,
stomach area.
We rushed her to Ikorodu General
Hospital. A doctor checked her and after
conducting some tests on her, told us
that my daughter had sustained medical
complications due to forced sexual
intercourse.
I was alarmed by this; so, I had a private
discussion with my daughter. She told me
that it was her school proprietor’s son,
Onyi, that had been raping her. The boy
had threatened to kill her if she ever told
anyone about it.”
The indigene of Ondo State told PUNCH
Metro that after initial treatments, he
took his daughter to Arogbo in Ondo
State to be taken care of but her
condition continued to deteriorate.
A few days after the troubled father
travelled to Ondo State, Onyi,
accompanied by his parents, also
travelled to Ondo State, to apologise to
Jigo’s family. The girl, however, was said
to have died that very day.
“On getting to the house where my
daughter was, we discovered that she was
dead. Onyi confessed that he had been
raping my daughter prior to her death,’
Jigo said.
PUNCH Metro learnt that after the girl’s
demise, irate youths in the area
attempted to lynch the 14-year-old boy.
The bereaved father was said to have
intervened and reported the matter to a
nearby police station, where the teenager
was held for safe keeping.
The next morning, Onyi and his parents
travelled back to Lagos.The alleged
rapist’s parents, in company with a chief
in Ikorodu, reportedly visited Jigo when
he returned to Lagos.
The group were said to have pleaded that
the bereaved father should not pursue
the case but he refused. Jigo said:
“I went to the Ikorodu Police station to
report the case but was surprised when
the policemen on duty said I should not
write any statement. They only told me to
write down my telephone number and
said they would call me later.
After waiting for many days without any
call, I wrote a petition and the matter was
transferred to the State Criminal
Investigation Department, Yaba.”
It was however learnt that Onyi had been
taken to his father’s hometown in Delta
State thereby stalling police investigation.
The teenager’s parents, however
described the incident as the handiwork
of the devil.
The 14-year-old boy’s father, Andrew
Adimabua, said:
“I trained that boy in the way of the Lord
and expected so much from him. He has
confessed to the act; there is nothing to
hide. He told me that he learnt about sex
by watching blue (pornographic) films.
We are not hiding him and we will
cooperate with the police. On the day the
little girl died, he was beaten up and
made to stay in the rain for hours. As a
result, he contracted pneumonia so we
sent him home for treatment. When he
recovers, he’ll be taken to the police for
questioning.”
Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi
Braide, who confirmed the incident to our
correspondent on the telephone,
expressed shock at the
development.Braide said Onyi would be
re-arrested in the course of investigation.
“It is appalling that a teenager could
indulge in such act. The matter is under
investigation and the culprit will be re-
arrested.”
Kim Kardashian Will Change Her Name To Kim West After She Weds Kanye West
Kim Kardashian has been married twice
before, but only with Kanye West has she
decided to change her name after
their wedding.
Kim, 33, got engaged to her baby's daddy
Kanye, 36, last week and already they are
making plans for their big day.
In a chat with E! News, when Kim was
asked whether she was going to take
Kanye's surname, Kim said: "Yeah, I will.
It'll be Kim Kardashian West."
Kim went on to reveal that the decision is
largely down to wanting to feel connected
as a family, after she and Kanye became
parents to baby North West in June.
The decision to change her name certainly
shows Kim's commitment to the
relationship, but there are concerns that
this may cause family drama.
Back in 2011 when Kim married Kris
Humphries, she had toyed with the idea
of ditching the 'Kardashian' tag altogether
and becoming Kim Humphries.
Kim had excitedly told guests at her
engagement party of her name change
plans. Only for her mum Kris to march
Kim into her office to tell her she
wouldn't be changing her name because
the Kardashian brand was too strong.
Kim eventually backed down and
remained a Kardashian.
FIFA Reveals 23-Man Shortlist For Ballon d’Or Award.
Will Lionel Messi be crowned World's Best
Footballer for the 5th time in a row or will
Christiano Ronaldo get it...for the second
time? Or maybe there's someone else
who deserves it instead? The 2013 Ballon
D'or shortlist for World's Best Player and
Coach of the Year has been unveiled. See
the nominees below...
(1) Gareth Bale (Real Madrid/Wales)
(2) Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich/
Germany)
(3) Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich/
Germany)
(4) Manuel Neuer (B ayern Munich/
Germany)
(5) Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern
Munich/Germany)
(6) Mesut Ozil (Arsenal/Germany)
(7) Robin van Persie (Man United/
Netherlands)
(8) Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich/
Netherlands)
(9) Edinson Cavani (PSG/Uruguay)
(10) Luis Suarez (Liverpool/Uruguay)
See the rest after the cut...
(11) Andres Iniesta (Barcelona/Spain)
(12) Xavi (Barcelona/Spain)
(13) Neymar (Barcelona/Brazil)
(14) Thiago Silva (PSG/Brazil)
(15) Radamel Falcao (Monaco/Colombia)
(16) Andrea Pirlo (Juventus/Italy)
(17) Frank Ribery (Bayern Munich/
France)
(18) Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid/
Portugal)
(19) Eden Hazard (Chelsea/Belgium)
(20) Zlatan Ibrahimovic (PSG/ Sweden)
(21) Robert Lewandowski (Dortmund/
Poland)
(22) Lionel Messi (Barcelona/ Argentina)
(23) Yaya Toure (Manchester City/Ivory
Coast)
Coach of the Year
(1) Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid)
(2) Rafael Benitez (Napoli)
(3) Antonio Conte (Juventus)
(4) Vicente Del Bosque (Spain)
(5) Sir Alex Ferguson (ex-Manchester
United)
(6) Jupp Heynckes (ex-Bayern Munich)
(7) Jurgen Klopp (Borussia Dortmund)
(8) Jose Mourinho (Chelsea)
(9) Luiz Felipe Scolari (Brazil)
(10) Arsene Wenger (Arsenal)
212 Breaking News: Snake Venom, World’s Strongest Beer Contains 67.5% Of Alcohol
Wednesday, 30 October 2013
#ASUUSTRIKE: We Are Tired Of Staying At Home - Lecturers
Now when the strike by the Academic
Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is
well into its fourth month, some
lecturers are coming out in the open to
advocate the suspension of the
industrial action.
Writing on his Facebook wall, one of the
lecturers said: “He who fights and run
away lives to fight another day”.
Jude Osy Nwankwo, who lectures at the
University of Nigeria (UNN), admitted
that the strike is taking effect on the
lecturers. His words:
“We don tire. . . this strike don tire
us for Nsukka o. Even traders in the
market are affected by the strike.
Meanwhile, how you dey cope with
the strike?”
Some of the responses to Nwankwo’s
post however indicated that not all
lecturers are negatively affected by the
strike as those in the big towns have kept
themselves busy with consultancies that
bring them income to cushion the effects
of government’s no-work-no-pay policy.
Below are excerpts:
Jude Osy Nwankwo: He who fights and
run away lives to fight another day.
Golden Collins Chigoo: lolz i can see dat
dis strike is takin effect on u.
Jude Osy Nwankwo: My dear, we don tire.
Adaora Uzoamaka Nwafor: Students are
crying, Lecturers too are crying! ASSU
bikozianu!!!!!
Manumehe Raphael Uzoma @
Adaora…. Lecturers crying? Ah! I don’t
know about that oh! I think it’s the
students that are crying and not the
Lecturers.
Adaora Uzoamaka Nwafor: My Dear Raph,
they are, it’s affecting everybody. No one
is left out.
Manumehe Raphael Uzoma Adaora… It’s
affecting everybody. Fine. But Lecturers
are not crying. Students are, probably.
Jude Osy Nwankwo: My dear Ralph, this
strike don tire us for Nsukka o. Even
traders in the market are affected by the
strike. Meanwhile, how you dey cope with
the strike?
Manumehe Raphael Uzoma: Em, well,
sorry about the situation the strike put
you in. As for me? Well, I’ve been busy
with one group research or the other
(official) + being a Visiting Facilitator to
one blue chip company or the other
(unofficial).
This pretty sums up my activities
during this strike period.
Manumehe Raphael Uzoma: All the
aforementioned happens during the day.
In the evening I conduct my Music
Classes/Choir Practice for different Choirs
throughout the week. Pentecostal Choirs
are now inclusive. 3 Catholic Choirs, 2
Pentecostal Choirs. So, honestly, I’m not
feeling the strike. Finances have run to an
all time low, but I’m still pushing on.
Jude Osy Nwankwo: Lolz
@Azubuike. Ralph you’re lucky to be in
Ibadan. The situation is so bad in Nsukka
because the students are the driving force
of Nsukka economy. Nothing is happening
here bro.
It will be reminded, that ASUU has
embarked upon an indefinite strike June
30, 2013. The lecturers protest against the
FG’s failure to honour a 2009 agreement
signed between it and ASUU in 2009
pertaining to issues of university funding
and improvement of infrastructure in the
sector.
Pilgrims Refuse To Say “Amen” To Oritsejafor's Prayer
The latest effort by President Goodluck
Jonathan to save the neck of his
embattled Minister of Aviation, Stella
Oduah, hit the rocks last night in Israel.
The Deputy Senate President, Ike
Ekweremadu, who arrived in Jerusalem on
Saturday, was drafted to broker peace
between the Minister and members of the
National Assembly who are currently
investigating her stunning purchase of
two BMW armored cars, a scam that was
first exposed by SaharaReporters.
Ekweremadu called a meeting of two
Nigerian lawmakers in the country, a
Senator and a Member of the House of
Representatives, to meet with the
minister. The meeting was attended by
Ekweremadu, Stella Oduah, Rep. Jagaba
Adams of Kaduna Kachiya/Kagarko
federal constituency, and Senator Philip
Aduda, who represents Abuja. Also in
attendance was Kola Adesina of Sahara
Oil and Gas, a company now seen to be a
front for President Jonathan.
However as the Minister declared her
intention to “resolve” all differences by
bribing both houses, Senator Aduda told
her directly that it would be in her
interest to return to Nigeria on Monday
and appear before the House on Tuesday.
The Senator said while the Senate could
be pacified by bribing the committee on
Aviation led by Senator Hope Uzordimma,
the House seemed hell-bent on getting to
the bottom of the matter.
Following the advice of Adua, Rep. Jagaba
told the Minister “Let’s “get to Abuja first,”
suggesting that his ability to intervene on
Mrs. Oduah’s behalf depended on her
returning home first.
Mrs. Oduah reportedly broke down at the
meeting, pleading with Ekweremadu to
use his wider contacts to save her.
The meeting ended without any specific
resolution on how to help the Minister.
Meanwhile, a mild drama ensued at the
River Jordan when the Nigerian
delegation in Israel led by President
Jonathan went there yesterday to offer
prayers, led by the notoriously partisan
President of the Christian Association of
Nigeria (CAN) Ayo Oritsejafor.
After praying for President Jonathan
and several dignitaries at the venue,
Mr. Oritsejafor then specifically prayed
for Mrs. Oduah, but to his surprise
several people in the gathering refused
to say “Amen” to his prayer, stunning
the CAN president and Mr. Jonathan.
Several people then exchanged glances
and moved on.
If President Jonathan thought the
controversy about the BMW car scam
would quickly away, he is mistaken, as
calls for the prosecution of the Minister
grew louder over the weekend as it
emerged that the Nigerian Civil Aviation
Authority (NCAA), the agency arm-twisted
to purchase the cars, cannot physically
located them.
Also today, the Abuja–based online news
platform, PREMIUM TIMES, reported that
the office of the National Security Adviser
has said that neither the Minister nor the
NCAA applied for, or received the
mandatory “end user certificate” for the
cars. Similarly, several sources at the
Federal Road Safety Corps have told
SaharaReporters that the agency never
presented the cars for licensing.
Nigeria, FBI, CIA To Fight Boko-haram
In an attempt to stop the insecurity that is
being posed to Nigeria by the Boko
Haram Sect, the Inspector General of
Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, has
sought for collaboration with the Federal
Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Central
Intelligence Agency (CIA), New York Police
Department, United Nations and other
United States security agencies.
The Inspector General of Police who has
been on a working visit to the United
States since last week told Nigeria's
officials at the embassy in Washington,
DC at a briefing that his meetings with
various security agencies in America were
aimed at achieving the required support
from the international security agencies
and other multilateral bodies, particularly
in the area of intelligence gathering,
intelligence sharing, exchange
programmes, combating terrorism, peace-
keeping operations and capacity building,
especially on training, manpower and
infrastructural development for the
Nigeria Police Force.
He said that he believed that insecurity
would become a forgotten phase in
Nigeria with the new collaboration of the
the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI),
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), New
York Police Department, United Nations
and other United States security agencies.
Saying that the security challenges that
Nigeria is facing today is applicable to all
countries in the world, Abubakar noted
that the federal government was doing
greatly to ensure that the country
becomes very safe for both its citizens
and foreigners.
He however urged Nigerian living in the
United States to ensure that they come
home to join force with the Nigerian
government in the government's efforts
to make the country a crime-free nation.
IG Abubakar pressed further that his
working visit and meetings with United
States security chiefs had given him a vast
knowledge on how to make Nigeria free in
the hands of Boko Haram's terrorists.
He also made it known that all the
security
agencies that he met both in New York
and
Washington, DC had pledged their
supports and collaboration to ensure that
Boko Haram and other terrorist group do
not have a place to stay in Nigeria.
His words: "My meetings went very well, I
sought better ways of collaboration
between the US security and the Nigerian
security, even the Nigerian government as
a whole.
We had meetings that have to do with
sharing of intelligence information and
support for fighting crimes and
criminality in the world particularly
terrorism.
On the issue of state police, the
Inspector-General said that he was
against the idea from the beginning
because he was aware that some state
governors would surely use the agency, if
created, to intimidate their opponents. He
added that this would cause more security
problems for the country.
On the allegation that some senior police
officers want to sell the new police
uniforms to junior officers, the police
chief said: "You cannot sell any police
uniform because there are lots of things
surrounding it which i will not even have
to disclose because it has security
implication on it. So it is not possible for
any officer to sell the
new uniform, and if you see anyone
selling it, then you have to know that he
is selling the fake ones".
On the report that policemen have been
preventing members of the Academic
Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) from
embarking on protests in some states in
Nigeria, IG Abubakar said that there was
no way any police could stop people from
embarking on any peaceful protest.
Tuesday, 29 October 2013
Clara Chime Under House- Arrest Imposed By Gov. Chime
Clara Chime, the First Lady of Enugu State,
says Governor Sullivan Chime, has placed
her under house arrest, and has cried out
for assistance to reach human rights
bodies to rescue her.
In a letter dripping with pain and
suffering, Mrs. Chime disclosed that she
married Mr. Chime in October 2008 but
that she has been unable to share the
matrimonial bed with him for over four
years.
Describing her desperate situation, she
said that even President Goodluck
Jonathan and First Lady Patience Jonathan
have intervened with her husband
without success.
“My father is late, my Mum and few of my
siblings are confused and have done all
kinds of prayers they know of, 3 of my
siblings prefers me dead than to see me
leave the Government house. He treats
my Mum and my siblings bad,” she wrote.
The Enugu State First Lady said she has
been introduced to two psychiatrists
whose names she gave as Dr. Onwukwe
and Dr. Agumo, who have prescribed “all
kinds of drugs that ends up keeping me
acute depressed and also drives me into
hallucinations.”
The doctors, she noted, are scared of her
husband the Governor, to whom nobody
can tell the truth.
According to the letter, the Catholic
Bishop of Enugu state (Callistus Onaga),
and top priests have come to intervene,
as have the President and the First Lady
of the nation, without success.
Mrs. Chime further complains that
Governor Chime has ordered her to leave
with her four-year old son whom she
conceived before their wedding.
However, the governor, according to her,
later threatened to disown the boy should
she leave with him.
“He has told everyone he can reach that
there is no marriage between us that I
can leave if I wish to but whenever I plan
to leave he instructs them to lock me in. I
have told him through Sms that I will
leave my son behind and leave alone but
still he instructed
his securities to lock me inside the
house.”
Mrs. Chime further complains she has
lost touch with the real world and all that
makes her beautiful because of the side
effects of the drugs she is taking,
stressing that she is under house arrest
for committing no crime.
Of the situation in Government House,
she said, “He does not take care of me
personally, the government gives me
allowance to run the house and that's
where I save little from to take care of my
elf, my Mum and few of my siblings,” she
said in the letter. He shut me out of his
life years ago; I don't have access to his
apartment. The problem is enormous; I
don't know where to start to explain
from.”
She said that even the security detail in
the lodge has resorted to praying for her,
while the few that can be bought with
money are taking advantage of the
situation.
“Police and SS men have been instructed
by Br Sullivan Chime to confine me in a
place for a long time now against my wish
[but] it is my wish to leave these
premises,” she said, begging, “Please
assist me to reach to the human rights
and say to them to please come hastily
and release me.”
Monday, 28 October 2013
Mourinho slams fixture list
Jose Mourinho has criticised the
decision to play Chelsea's Capital One
Cup tie with Arsenal just two days
after their Premier League win over
Manchester City.
The Blues face their London rivals at
Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night,
which will be their fourth of five games
in a 15-day period.
Mourinho says that supporters have
been denied a true spectacle between
two of the form sides in the Premier
League.
"We are going to give the game that the
people that put the game on Tuesday
want," said Mourinho. "If they want a big
game, we cannot give the big game.
"If they want the players that were
playing (on Sunday), we cannot give
them that.
"If they want Arsenal to win a trophy,
that's a help, because if they want a big
game between two big teams in London,
they should put the game on Wednesday
and not on Tuesday."
Mourinho revealed that he considered
fielding a youth side against the Gunners,
but opted against it.
"It's not the plan," said the Portuguese.
"We have to respect also our fans.
"We discussed
that in the club.
(But) we have to
protect our
players. We are
going to try to do
our job and we
will do our job
the best we can."
Mourinho also
insisted that the
friction between
him and Arsene
Wenger is in the past, unless the Arsenal
boss contributed to the scheduling of the
match.
"We have no problems," said Mourinho,
before smiling when he added: "Unless
you tell me that he had an influence on
this. If you tell me that..."
212 Breaking News: Video: Rick Ross – Hold On We’re Going Home (Remix) [@rickyrozay]
"My Stature Created So Many Opportunities For Me" Paw-Paw
One of the favourite faces in
Nollywood, Osita Iheme, popularly
known as Pawpaw, in a recent
interview cleared the air on his
relationship with Goodluck Jonathan,
Nigeria’s entertainment industry and
his life as a bachelor. See excerpts
below:
You are one of the favourite faces in
the Nollywood, but recently, it seems
you have diverted a title bit or kept a
low profile. What really prompted
this?
No, I don’t think so. What do you mean
by I kept a low profile? That shows you
have not fully been following the
movie. Have you been to Alaba for a
while now? (…laughs) Maybe you have
not been watching some movies lately.
Do you ever query your mum why
you have this stature?
Why should I do that, my parents are
not God. I don’t have to worry her over
that. I believe if she knows, she might
have tried to do something about it. I
know she must have been furious
about it when she discovered that I am
of small stature, but I feel good because
what is supposed to be a burden to her
and the entire family is now a blessing.
I am happy and my family is happy as
well.
How has this name and stature
brought you fame?
I thank God in every situation and
place I found myself. The moment I
discovered that this is the way I am, I
asked myself what was the next thing
to do, but the spirit in me said I should
remain focused. The secret is that I
don’t see myself as short until when
people draw my attention to it. I have
come to realise that it is not by size and
it requires that I will definitely get my
own portion. It is always good to know
who you are and where you are coming
from. Some people don’t really know
who they are and it is good to
communicate with God to discover
yourself. If you don’t have a close
relationship with Him, you won’t be
able to identify who you really are. You
need to see yourself as an important
personality. Being a peculiar person
attracts people to me and I have never
looked inferior due to my stature, it has
rather turned my disability into ‘This
ability’ and it has helped me a lot. I
give thanks to God for giving me this
wisdom that enabled me to think on
what to do at the right time.
Opportunity is like a boy without a
parent or guardian; it means you can
jam it anywhere, especially when you
come out from your comfort zone. My
look or stature created so many
opportunities for me.
The emergence of Aki and Pawpaw
gave the movie industry a new face,
both of you usually command
attention, it even got to a stage movie
is not complete without showcasing
Aki and Pawpaw. What do you feel
with this development?
No doubt, Aki and Pawpaw gave the
Nollywood another name because of
the peculiar nature of the actors
coming together in the movie world.
Our coming together in the industry
created another perception of how
people view and relate with people
with a small stature. We came to break
the barrier and correct the wrong
impression and stigma placed on us.
We were able to state clear that no
matter your disability, you can still
make it in your life time. You have the
right to do what you wish irrespective
of your environment or
discriminations. And with the grace of
God, we did it and through this, we
have been able to educate a lot of
people.
But it seems the intimacy is not what
it used to be, considering the rumour
doing the rounds that Aki had
dumped you for his wife. What do
you see to this?
Getting married is not a big deal. It is a
good move for a man to wake up one
morning and say he wants to get
married. I don’t think we will have any
barrier in our closeness or relationship.
I don’t know why the rumour is doing
the rounds that we have parted ways.
You know people like to make news
out of what is not. If we were not in
good terms, would I be his best man?
But you guys no longer live together
as before?
Yes. We were living together before,
but we had to re-adjust our bachelor
life since he is married. As a matter of
fact, we visit each other.
How did you feel when that woman
suddenly came to snatch him away
from you?
A bachelor must have it at the back of
his mind that one day a woman will
come in and take charge of the house.
Considering the intimacy, people
thought you guys would also make a
record by knotting the tie same day?
(…Laughs) God has a way of doing
things and since God wants it that way
it will definitely happen.
It seems you are enjoying your
bachelor life?
I am enjoying my life. You know
everyone has the right to enjoy life,
either bachelor or not, that is why we
are here.
People, especially your fans, can’t
wait to see you get married?
It is a good thing. I am inviting all and
sundry for a day like that and I know
they will all come.
When exactly should they look to?
Is that what we are talking about now?
We are talking about political issues in
the country; you have to secure your
life first before you can talk about all
these things. We are talking about the
way forward. When you get the way
forward then you will now build future
for the children.
What is your take on the emerging
nude films being produced?
That is what I was saying. A lot of
people came into the industry to do all
sorts with the mindset of making waves
by all means. It is after one gives them
a hand that you see them going naked
all in an attempt to become a star. To
me, it is uncalled for. You don’t have to
show the size of your boobs before
people know that you have penchant
for acting. We are warning them,
especially those girls and the directors
that want to use the industry as a
medium to flaunt their bodies. We are
taking necessary steps to stop whoever
wants to tarnish the image of the
association.
You are speaking authoritatively;
have you also dreamt to become the
next president of the association?
No. I have not thought of that, but if
tomorrow comes, I can go. For me, I
always nurture the idea to lead my
people. It might not be Nollywood.
Are you comfortable with the
governance of President Jonathan?
Fine; I am comfortable with it, but you
know when you are in governance,
there are lots of challenges and
oppositions I think so far, President
Goodluck Jonathan has been doing
well. Take a look at the power sector.
He is making sure that Nigerians enjoy
electricity and other things. At the same
time, he still faces other political issues
on the new and the old but all these
lies on the aspiration of the Nigerian
youths. The problem is that the new
generations are no more asking
questions and it is until we begin to ask
questions that our leaders will begin to
think right. The Nigerian dream we are
talking about is the youths.
How is the experience like with your
being close to the president?
He is the president and we are the
subjects. I don’t think it is a bad idea to
be closed to my President.
Even your intimacy with his
children?
If you are closer to a president’s child,
that means you are close to the
president too. His children are still in
their tender age. If you are close to me
now you will be close to my family as
well. To me, it is a great privilege to be
close to the commander in chief of the
most popular black nation. It is an
honour and I feel very proud to have
such opportunity. The experience has
been awesome and interesting because
it is a big open family.
Many see the glamour but are ignorant of the hard work and pains that preceded Banky W's fame and success. In a chat with with Vanguard, BankyW shared his story - how he moved from being an undergraduate begging for audience at salons in the United States, to building a musical empire that has produced internationally acclaimed artistes like Skales and Wizkid. Excerpts: “Everybody knows me to be the Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of EME, but what people do not know is that EME started when I was in my third year in university in New York. You see, we all dream dreams, but it is important to think very big and start where you are because God never gives you everything but gives you enough to start. At that time, I knew I wanted to do music, but of course I understood nobody starts by selling a million CDs or the big screen! I worked in fast foods outlets, clothing stores and as a knife salesman, selling knives from door to door. That way, I gathered money to pay for studio recording time. I was recording with a close friend at that time. After making that music, we printed a thousand CDs though we didn’t have any fan. I had one battered car that broke down virtually everywhere, so, we would print black and white posters, stick them on the sides of the car, sell from the car’s trunk and drive to salons to do marketing. We would walk to the owners of the salons, greet politely, and ask them to let us entertain their customers. Sometimes, some would kick us out and sometimes some would say yes. If told yes, after singing for a minute or two, we would sell our CDs to the customers! That was the beginning! A lot of people see you on stage and see the success but do not know what you had to go through! I never had one really big break; it was always two steps forward and a couple backwards. But I just decided that I was going to make music work for me. That was why I moved on to a new salon each time any salon rejected me! I just kept going because I believe failure is when you give up. Albert Einstein said he tried a hundred times to make the light bulb. When he was asked what kept him going during the 99 times, he said: ‘I didn’t consider those 99 times as failure; rather, I considered them 99 ways that it didn’t work!’ We went about selling CDs and, on the days we couldn’t sell much, we would sit down and be broke together. I remember my friend was a member of a church that usually served food after service. So, on the days we didn’t sell CDs and were too broke to buy food, we would attend service in that church so we could pack rice and store in the fridge. At a point, being a student of industrial engineering, I was working for an engineering company and was recording as well. I would go to work from 7am till about 2pm and then go to school till about 8pm, and then drive two and a half hours to New York City where the studio that would let us record for less was, and record until about 2am. I would then drive two and a half hours back home to be back at work at 7am the following day. One day, I was driving home from work and was so tired that I fell asleep while on a bridge. I would have driven off from the top of the bridge to God knows where, if not for an on-going construction work. God really saved me!” After a while, Banky’s hard work began to pay off and, even while in school, he began winning awards, beginning with the ‘Albany Idol’ competition. Other international awards soon followed. In 2008 when he decided to move to Nigeria after the completion of one of his albums, Mr Capable, Banky was consistently told his genre of music ‘would never appeal to Nigerians and therefore wouldn’t ‘sell’. As he got turned down, pressure mounted on him and his manager to change their genre of music but Banky strongly held on to another long-standing principle which had taught him to stand out by being unique rather than trying to imitate anyone’s skill. He therefore insisted on sticking to R&B, and this paid-off as he soon became a household name in the Nigerian entertainment industry! Banky's advice: “You cannot say enough about the grace of God and I therefore do not want to claim any form of glory. Falling down is inevitable but getting back up is optional! Frankly, you can’t appreciate sunshine if you’ve never been through a heavy rain. Yes, life is tough, but what do you do in those tough moments? Do you learn the lesson, stand up again, consider yourself stronger and keep going? Or do you sit down and feel sorry for yourself? The graveyard, they say, is the richest place in the world because therein lies so many who died with their dreams. So, my advice is, do not give up! If Banky can be where he is today, you can be where you want to be if you put to mind to it.”
Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! We have so many best
dressed celebrities lately cos it seems
every one ‘em
wanna look superb, even tho some go
extra mile just to look good at events or
gatherings, so they are bringing up their
‘A’ game.
A best dressed person is someone who
is perfectly styled, decently dressed,
someone who
has charisma, captivating look, has a very
good combination and most importantly
the dressed
most fits you.. Even if you are wearing
cheap material you still make the dress
look expensive..
Best dressed is totally different from
being fashionable… Being fashionable is
the
combination of good or bad or crazy or
weird materials together just to make you
unique. You
can be fashionable by looking crazy or
weird but can’t be best dressed looking
crazy or awkward..
So here are the list of worst dressed
celebrities in no particular order:
1. Rukky Sanda : She’s an actress, I’m
sure you know her right.. She’s got the
best body but she
doesn’t dress spectacular but always
careless with her dressing.. Do you guys
still remember
the nip slip and also the tight leggings
showing her crotch?
2. Modenine: As long as I am concerned,
the rapper still remains the worst dressed
Nigerian
rapper.. He’s a very good and talented
artiste but being talented doesn’t
necessarily transcend into your dressing…
Modenine is one artiste that wears big
blazers to an award show in a hot
weather.
3. Denrele: Denrele is one of the
most fashionable people… He’s not best
dressed he’s
just got the taste and eyes for fashion..
The Crazy looking guy is far from being
best dressed but
he’s got a fashion statement that makes
him standout and unique.. Looking like
Denrele does
not make you a best dressed but a
worst dressed.. No parent would allow
his or her child
to grow up and look like Denrele *lol*
4. Mercy Johnson: She still remains the
sexiest nollywood actress, but in terms of
dressing; it is a
no no. She’s one actress that don’t know
how to put it together despite her
hourglass shape..
Mercy Johnson is one of worst dressed
actress but one of the most talented
actress ever..
5. Charly Boy: Area father still remains
worst dressed celebrity of all time, he’s a
legend and he
started this weird and scary look even
before we know who is Denrele.. Charly
boy is totally
fashionable but still remains the scariest
worst dressed celebrity of all time.. At
some point I
thought he was gonna change his dress
sense cos he’s a grandfather, he has
grown up kids oooo. We love area father
but not his dressing..
212 Breaking News: Girl Commits Suicide After Parents Ban Her From Using Facebook
I Begged To Sell CDs In US Salons To Survive - BankyW
Many see the glamour but are ignorant of
the hard work and pains that preceded
Banky W's fame and success.
In a chat with with Vanguard, BankyW
shared his story - how he moved from
being an undergraduate begging for
audience at salons in the United States,
to building a musical empire that has
produced internationally acclaimed
artistes like Skales and Wizkid.
Excerpts:
“Everybody knows me to be the Chief
Executive Officer, CEO, of EME, but what
people do not know is that EME started
when I was in my third year in university
in New York.
You see, we all dream dreams, but it is
important to think very big and start
where you are because God never gives
you everything but gives you enough to
start.
At that time, I knew I wanted to do music,
but of course I understood nobody starts
by selling a million CDs or the big screen!
I worked in fast foods outlets, clothing
stores and as a knife salesman, selling
knives from door to door. That way, I
gathered money to pay for studio
recording time. I was recording with a
close friend at that time.
After making that music, we printed a
thousand CDs though we didn’t have any
fan. I had one battered car that broke
down virtually everywhere, so, we would
print black and white posters, stick them
on the sides of the car, sell from the car’s
trunk and drive to salons to do marketing.
We would walk to the owners of the
salons, greet politely, and ask them to let
us entertain their customers. Sometimes,
some would kick us out and sometimes
some would say yes. If told yes, after
singing for a minute or two, we would sell
our CDs to the customers! That was the
beginning!
A lot of people see you on stage and see
the success but do not know what you
had to go through! I never had one really
big break; it was always two steps forward
and a couple backwards.
But I just decided that I was going to
make music work for me. That was why I
moved on to a new salon each time any
salon rejected me!
I just kept going because I believe failure
is when you give up. Albert Einstein said
he tried a hundred times to make the
light bulb. When he was asked what kept
him going during the 99 times, he said: ‘I
didn’t consider those 99 times as failure;
rather, I considered them 99 ways that it
didn’t work!’
We went about selling CDs and, on the
days we couldn’t sell much, we would sit
down and be broke together. I remember
my friend was a member of a church that
usually served food after service. So, on
the days we didn’t sell CDs and were too
broke to buy food, we would attend
service in that church so we could pack
rice and store in the fridge.
At a point, being a student of industrial
engineering, I was working for an
engineering company and was recording
as well. I would go to work from 7am till
about 2pm and then go to school till
about 8pm, and then drive two and a half
hours to New York City where the studio
that would let us record for less was, and
record until about 2am.
I would then drive two and a half hours
back home to be back at work at 7am the
following day.
One day, I was driving home from work
and was so tired that I fell asleep while
on a bridge. I would have driven off from
the top of the bridge to God knows where,
if not for an on-going construction work.
God really saved me!”
After a while, Banky’s hard work began to
pay off and, even while in school, he
began winning awards, beginning with the
‘Albany Idol’ competition. Other
international awards soon followed.
In 2008 when he decided to move to
Nigeria after the completion of one of his
albums, Mr Capable, Banky was
consistently told his genre of music
‘would never appeal to Nigerians and
therefore wouldn’t ‘sell’.
As he got turned down, pressure
mounted on him and his manager to
change their genre of music but Banky
strongly held on to another long-standing
principle which had taught him to stand
out by being unique rather than trying to
imitate anyone’s skill.
He therefore insisted on sticking to R&B,
and this paid-off as he soon became a
household name in the Nigerian
entertainment industry!
Banky's advice:
“You cannot say enough about the grace
of God and I therefore do not want to
claim any form of glory. Falling down is
inevitable but getting back up is optional!
Frankly, you can’t appreciate sunshine if
you’ve never been through a heavy rain.
Yes, life is tough, but what do you do in
those tough moments?
Do you learn the lesson, stand up again,
consider yourself stronger and keep
going? Or do you sit down and feel sorry
for yourself?
The graveyard, they say, is the richest
place in the world because therein lies so
many who died with their dreams. So, my
advice is, do not give up! If Banky can be
where he is today, you can be where you
want to be if you put to mind to it.”
212 Breaking News: Photos: Kanye West Falls Asleep During Kim's Birthday Bash
Se'xy Mercy Johson Reveals All Her Inner
Features
Movie industry have grown with
time and there have been good and
bad times. There have been
rumours and scandals. Sometimes,
when I cry in movies, it wasn’t the
script that made me cry. Rather, I
reflect on my humble beginning
and the height I’ve attained now.
This makes me cry.
Journey into acting
After my secondary school education, I
approached a friend for assistance to
feature in a movie. He took me to the
National Theatre, Lagos, but a role did
not come until a year later. My first lead
role was in a film titled, ‘The Maid.’ It was
quite challenging to interprete because it
was my first movie. When I saw the
veterans on set, I fidgeted.
A star actress
Life is in phases and I cannot say I have
reached the peak of my profession. I have
not even won an Oscar yet! There is
always a higher mountain to climb, a new
vision to fulfill and I am at that point. I
want to achieve new and greater dreams.
Fulfillment
The greatest fulfillment is the ability to
influence people positively through my
acting.
Challenges
Life is not a bed of roses; it comes with
challenges which make me stronger and
who I am.
Nollywood: Then and now
We have achieved feats which the old
Nollywood did not achieve. It is all about
progression and I am sure that in the
future, Nollywood will achieve a greater
feat than it is doing currently.
Relationship
My husband is loving and he is an
understanding man. I am so happy to be
married to him. I acted a movie, ‘Baby
Oku in America’ when I was heavily
pregnant and he didn’t feel bad about it.
He understands that I am an actor and
sometimes, we need real life situations,
like the pregnancy, to interpret a role. Not
many men would allow their wife do that.
Scandals
They are all lies. I just think the media
needs to do their verification well before
they put any story out. Whenever I read
all manner of lies about me in the media,
I wonder where all of these came from
and regret being an actor. But in all, I
move on and take it as one of the hazards
of the job. I am fulfilled as an actor.
Mercy Johnson Foundation
I floated the foundation because of my
love for the less privileged. One of my
greatest joys is to see other people
happy. I want to make lasting impact in
my society. The objective is to identify the
needs of the less privilege, evaluate them
and help in our own little way. I strongly
believe that as movie stars, we should live
beyond the euphoria of stardom.
A se'xy woman
It is inbuilt. It’s just how you feel about
yourself. For me, being sexy is
confidence. It mustn’t be about the
hairstyle or the accessories or the big
buttocks. It’s about you, liking yourself
just the way you are.
Motherhood
My husband is a wonderful man. He
makes my job easier and helps carry our
daughter, Purity. He feeds her and she
misses him whenever he is not around.
As a family, we understand one another
and we make whatever adjustments we
have to make in order to have a good
home.
Success
The challenges I faced have yielded
results and I am reaping the fruits of all
my efforts. I have grown from nobody in
the industry to becoming a top actress
from Africa. To God be all the glory.
To be an actress
Talent is never enough you must
constantly brush up your talent but
training can come in different form. You
only need to ensure that in whatever
form, you are not just relying on your
inborn talent.
Projects
There are many but I’m not permitted to
disclose them yet. They will start
unfolding soon.
Fear
My worst fear will be to leave this earth
without making a huge impact.
Fashion
I don’t wear what is in vogue or what
everybody is wearing, I just wear what
suits me and I’m lucky to have a physique
that encourages everything I wear. My
husband is a huge critic, so when he pays
compliments to my dressing, I feel so
good. He doesn’t believe that exposing
anything makes you look better. He feels
when you cover up, you look real nice.
To upcoming actors
Be yourself and let your talent speak for
you. Don’t come into the industry because
you want to be famous, but because you
love the art of acting. Then try to
appreciate those who were there before
you.
Sunday, 27 October 2013
Super sunday match preview: Chelsea vs man city.
Jose Mourinho's side have won all four of
their top-flight games at Stamford
Bridge this term, scoring 10 goals in the
process, but the 2011-12 champions
City are unbeaten in their last five outings
against the London club in all
competitions, winning four of those
encounters.
Former Real Madrid boss Mourinho avoided
a touchline ban in the lead-up to
this match but was fined by the Football
Association for improper conduct
during Chelsea's 4-1 victory over Cardiff City.
The Blues have lost just one of their eight
Premier League matches so far this season -
September's 1-0 reverse at Everton - and go
into this clash having won their last four in
all
competitions.
That form has helped Mourinho's side to
joint
second in the table, just two points behind
leaders Arsenal and one better off than City.
The hosts will be boosted by the return of
England left-back Ashley Cole following a rib
injury, with long-term absentee Marco van
Ginkel their only sidelined player.
Fernando Torres will be hoping to have done
enough to keep his place in
Mourinho's starting XI after scoring twice in
Tuesday night's 3-0 Champions
League win at Schalke, although fellow
forward Samuel Eto'o could be in line
for a recall after bagging his first Chelsea
goal against Cardiff.
City, meanwhile, head to Stamford Bridge on
the back of a 2-1 Champions
League victory against CSKA Moscow in the
Russian capital on Wednesday.
That victory was overshadowed by midfielder
Yaya Toure allegedly being the
subject of racist abuse and Uefa has
launched an investigation into the matter.
Manuel Pellegrini's side - who are the
Premier
League's top scorers with 20 goals in eight
games -
have won their last three fixtures in all
competitions
but midfielder Samir Nasri knows that they
face a
stern test in the capital.
"Winning at West Ham and CSKA means we
will go
into this game with a lot more confidence,"
the
Frenchman told the club's official website.
"It was important we started winning away
in the
Premier League but we know Chelsea won't
be an
easy game.
"I think they are more complete than they
were last
season - they are always a threat, especially
on
their own pitch and, with Jose Mourinho
returning,
that's even more the case so we will have to
be at
our best if we are to get a good result."
City skipper Vincent Kompany is not yet
available to return to the squad due to
the thigh injury that he picked up in the 3-1
win over Everton earlier in October
but Pellegrini has no other absences to
contend with.
Argentine striker Sergio Aguero is in fine
form ahead of the game, having scored
five goals in his last three outings in all
competitions.
Saturday, 26 October 2013
212 Breaking News: Photo: Ramsey Noah, AY Comedian And Desmod Elliot Spotted In Atlanta, USA
Ramos: Ronaldo denied 'clear' penalty
The defender lambasted Clasico match
official Alberto Undiano for turning
down what his side thought was a
stonewall spot kick appeal in the
second period
Sergio Ramos was incredulous that
Cristiano Ronaldo was not awarded a
penalty in Real Madrid's 2-1 loss to
Barcelona on Saturday.
The Portuguese attacker went down under
Javier Mascherano's challenge in the
Catalans' area as los Blancos sought an
equaliser, having fallen behind to Neymar's
first-half strike.
But referee Alberto Undiano's waved away
Madrid's protests, much to the disgust of
Ramos, who felt the match official had
effectively decided the game in the hosts'
favour.
"We have been harmed, the penalty was so
clear," the 27-year-old blasted to reporters
after the match. "There are things that we
can't fight against.
"The referee was determinant. Real Madrid
played well against a hard team. It's been a
long time since we saw Barcelona suffering
and wasting time."
Shortly after the incident, Alexis Sanchez
doubled the hosts' advantage, though Jese
Rodriguez netted a consolation in stoppage
time.
Carlo Ancelotti's men now find themselves
six points off the pace at the top of La Liga
B-O-M-B-S-H-E-L-L!!! Power Shift To North Not Negotiable In 2015 - Northern Leaders.
**“There is no going back on the
presidency returning to the North in 2015,
and that has remained Northern
position.”
Northern Elders are not prepared to back
down on the North’s demand for the
presidency in 2015,spokesman for the
group, Professor Ango Abdullahi has said.
“There is no going back on the presidency
returning to the North in 2015, and that
has remained our position,” he told The
Nation on the outcome of the last
weekend meeting of the Northern Elders
Forum.
Professor Abdullahi accused the
President of playing politics with the
proposed national conference.
“As far as we are concerned, all this talk
about national conference is political and
geared towards 2015. It is also becoming
clear that the only card on the table of
Mr. President is ethnicity or religion. We
are waiting to see how this will work in
his favour,” he said.
But he explained that the North is not in
any way against the conference.
His words: “The Northern Elders’ Forum
met last weekend and we generally
agreed with the direction of the North on
the National Conference. And we said why
not? The point we tried to make is what
kind of conference?
“This is because we have had all sorts of
conferences in the past from 1914 to
date. All the reports of these conferences
are there in the Government House. The
Northern Elders’ Forum wondered what
kind of conversation, dialogue, or
conference that would be different from
the ones we have had before.
“We agreed that the only thing that will
make the proposed conference
significantly different is when it is
sovereign. What needs to be done is to
suspend the current 1999 Constitution by
the National Assembly to pave the way for
a peoples’ conference. The National
Assembly should vacate itself to enable
the sovereign conference to take place.
“I am particularly surprised that those
who have always wanted a sovereign
conference are now backing out and for
whatever reason, I cannot say. While the
Northern Elders’ Forum may be at home
with the proposed conference, as we have
always maintained that we are ready for
any kind of conference, I still maintain
that we either have a sovereign
conference or nothing else. Without that,
we had better manage the system as it is.
Otherwise, the proposed conference will
be a mere talk shop and a jamboree.”
212 Breaking News: Kim And Kanye Will Have A Prenuptial Agreement Before They Marry.
Manchester United - Stoke City Preview: Van Persie set for return
Time:3:00pm. the Netherlands international was rested
for his side's 1-0 win over Real Sociedad in
the Champions League on Wednesday but
David Moyes is positive over the striker's
availability for the match at Old Trafford.
"I hope Robin will be fit for the weekend,"
said Moyes.
"He had a couple of niggling injuries even
before he went on international duty and
they have all just caught up on him a bit.
"I thought if I had a chance to give him a
breather I would and fortunately for us it
worked out fine."
Tom Cleverley (calf), Rio Ferdinand (groin)
and Nemanja Vidic (knock) will all hope to
be available. Darren Fletcher, meanwhile,
has returned to training following 10
months out with a chronic bowel condition.
Reigning champions United - who sit eighth
in the table - have taken just five points
from a possible 12 at Old Trafford this
season, and conceded late to draw their
last home encounter 1-1 with Southampton
on Saturday.
That result means Moyes' men could go
three games without a home victory in the
Premier League for the first time since
October 2005 should Stoke deny them three
points this weekend.
Their only top-flight success at Old Trafford
this term came in a 2-0 triumph over
Crystal Palace in September, and Moyes will
be desperate for his side to buck that trend
against Mark Hughes' team.
Ahead of the game, midfielder Michael
Carrick admitted United must do more to
improve their position in the division, as
they sit some eight points behind leaders
Arsenal.
"The frustrating thing is we have had
moments in certain games when you think
'this is it, we're on the up'," he told the
club's official website.
"You can look at the Southampton game
last Saturday and say we really should have
won.
"In the past we have been good at getting
on top of those things and seeing games
out. I am sure we will do that in the games
we have coming up."
Stoke come into the fixture on a five-match
winless run in the top flight, and drew a
blank in their latest encounter with West
Brom.
Indeed, Hughes' men have failed to score
in their last three Premier League games,
but have never gone four without scoring
since gaining promotion in 2008.
If Stoke - who have taken just one point
from their 10 Premier League meetings with
United - manage to pull off an unlikely win
on Saturday, it would represent Hughes'
100th Premier League victory as a manager.
Hughes may be without former United
defender Ryan Shawcross who has been
unable to train this week through illness,
but Geoff Cameron could return from a
groin injury.
FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid CF Preview
Barcelona will aim to beat arch-rivals Real
Madrid in La Liga for the first time in
almost two years in Saturday's much-
anticipated Clasico.
The Catalan giants last won a league fixture
against Real Madrid in December 2011, as
they came from behind to win 3-1 in the
Spanish capitalrid
And although Copa del Rey and Supercopa
wins have since followed, Barca will be
determined to end a run that has seen
them take just one point from their last
three league meetings with Madrid.
Gerardo Martino's table-toppers are the
only side to avoid defeat in La Liga this
term, having recorded eight wins and one
draw.
They were held to a goalless stalemate at
Osasuna last week but will hope a return to
Camp Nou - where they have won their last
19 Liga matches - helps them return to
winning ways.
Real Madrid sit third in La Liga, three points
adrift of Barca, with their only loss of the
season coming against neighbours Atletico
Madrid last month.
Both sides have new stars keen to make an
impact in their first Clasico - Neymar, Bale,
Isco and Asier Illarramendi - while coaches
Martino and Carlo Ancelotti will also
experience their first taste of Spain's
fiercest derby.
While much attention will focus on the
impact of the likes of Neymar and Bale - the
latter having returned from a back injury
against Malaga on Saturday and confirmed
by Ancelotti as fit to feature - Cristiano
Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are more than
likely to steal the show.
Widely regarded as the two best players on
the planet, both have made an outstanding
start to the current campaign, with
Ronaldo's brace in a 2-1 Champions League
win over Juventus on Wednesday taking
him to 15 goals from 12 appearances this
season.
Four-time world player of the year Messi,
meanwhile, has 12 goals in nine outings.
Real will be without midfielder Xabi Alonso,
despite him returning to training following
a broken foot, while Barcelona defender
Jordi Alba (hamstring) will also miss the
fixture.
Historically, Real Madrid have shaded the
clash, winning 90 of the 224 competitive
matches, with Barcelona winning 86.
Ancelotti will be hopeful that his side can
lenghten that statistic on Saturday as Real
bid to go level on points with their rivals
and claim the early Clasico bragging rights
this season.
Friday, 25 October 2013
Pope Suspends 'Luxury' Bishop For Spending N6.8billion Of Church Funds On His Residence.
Pope Francis has suspended indefinitely a
German Roman Catholic prelate Franz-
Peter Tebartz-van Elst known as the
"luxury bishop" from his diocese for
spending $43m (N6.8billion) of Church
funds on his residence.
Tebartz-van Elst was dubbed "the luxury
bishop" after an audit of his spending
revealed that his residence cost at least
six times more than planned.
German media, citing official documents,
said the residence had been fitted with:
a free-standing bath
that cost 15,000 euros
(N3m),
a conference table that
cost 25,000 euros
(N5m),
and a private chapel for
2.9 million euros
(N594m).
In a highly unusual move, Bishop Franz-
Peter Tebartz-van Elst of Limburg was
ordered to leave his diocese while an
investigation and audit into cost over-
runs is held.
He has apologised for any "carelessness
or misjudgment on my part", but denies
wrongdoing.
The issue has proven a major
embarrassment for Pope Francis, who has
called for a more austere Church that
sides with the poor.
He has told bishops not to live like
princes, and has also promised to clean
up the murky finances of the Vatican
bank.
Ojukwu Family Demands Proof Of Marriage From Bianca
Some members of the Ojukwu family have
asked the Nigerian Ambassador to Spain,
Bianca Ojukwu, to show proof that she
was legally married to the late Ikemba of
Nnewi, Chukwuemeka Odimegwu-Ojukwu.
In a 19-paragraph statement of defence
filed by Ojukwu Transport Limited and
seven others before Justice Funmilayo
Atilade of the Lagos High Court, the family
equally demanded:
proof from Bianca that
her two sons, Afamefuna
and Nwachukwu are
biological sons of
Odimegwu- Ojukwu.
The other defendants are Prof. Joseph
Ojukwu, Engr. Emmanuel Ojukwu,
Lotanna Putalora Ojukwu,
Dr Patrick Ojukwu, Arc. Edward Ojukwu,
Lota Akajiora Ojukwu and Mrs. Massey
Udegbe (doing business under Massey
Udegbe & Company).
Bianca had in suit No: LD/1539/2012 filed
on behalf of her two under-aged children,
Afamefuna and Nwachukwu (claimants),
wants the court to:
declare that her
children are entitled to
the possession and
occupation of the
property known as No.
29, Oyinkan Abayomi
Street, Ikoyi Lagos, until
the harmonisation of the
management and
administration of the
assets of the first
defendant (OTL).
At the resumed hearing of the suit
yesterday, counsel to Bianca and her
children, was not in court which
necessitated Justice Atilade to adjourn the
suit till December 10 for adoption of
written addresses on a Motion on Notice
seeking to restrain the defendants from
the property in dispute.
Bianca’s children had through their
lawyer; Chris Ezugwu, prayed the court to
declare as illegal the threat of forceful
ejection from 29, Oyinkan Abayomi Street,
by the defendants.
In addition, they urged the court to
declare that they are entitled to possess
the following property, namely:
No 13, Hawksworth
Road, Ikoyi (now known
as No. 13 Ojora Road);
No 32A, Commercial
Avenue, Yaba, Lagos;
No 30, Gerard Road,
Ikoyi, Lagos;
No. 30, McPherson
Avenue, Ikoyi.
Bianca’s children said throughout the
period their father was struggling to
retrieve the properties from the
government, the second to the seventh
defendants “never played any role in the
struggle nor contributed financially or
otherwise to the realisation of the
struggle.”
Besides, the claimant is asking for an
order of court restraining the defendants,
their agents or privies from interfering
with the claimants’possesion and control
of the properties.
But, in their statement of defence, the 1st
to the 7th defendants through their
lawyer, George Uwechue, SAN, averred
that the subscribers of the memorandum
of association of Ojukwu Transport
Limited (1st defendant) at incorporation
in 1952 were L. P. Ojukwu and Betram
Chukwuemeka Obi, adding that the late
Chukwuemeka Odimegwu-Ojukwu and
one Prof. Joseph Ojukwu (2nd defendant)
were later appointed as directors in 1953.
They stated that late Chukwuemeka
Odimegwu- Ojukwu thereafter ceased to
be a director of the company prior to the
Nigerian civil war and was reappointed as
a director on December 16, 2005 while the
3rd and 4th defendants were appointed
directors in 1954 and 2005 respectively.
They added that the claimants’ statement
of claim contained tissues of lies and
distorted facts alleging that Bianca who
instituted the suit, “being greedy felt that
she could hold unto the company’s
properties.”
212 Breaking News: Photo: Genevieve Nnaji Rocks Another $4,000 Chanel Bag
Brymo To Pay N22M Or Remain At Chocolate City Till 2016
Contrary to the news circulating in the
early hours of today that Chocolate City
didn’t get an injunction against Brymo’s
Merchants, Dealers and Slaves album and
also stopping him from further recording
tracks that might be released to be
promoted.
Brymo said and I quote – “Pls disregard
any news about an injunction on my new
album M,D&S, it’s all untrue.. Just a ploy
to disrupt my release as usual..”
A source at the Chocolate City re-affirmed
that there is indeed an injunction against
Brymo and any plan he has till he fulfills
his contract with Choc city. Our source
also told NaijaMp3s that Brymo has 2
albums left in his contract with Chocolate
City which expires in 2016.
Brymo has been served the injunction
notice and he is now wanted by the court
for compromising his contract with the
recording company.
The law firm consulting for Chocolate City
have also included a buyout clause for
Brymo which is set at 22 Million Naira.
Brymo has been asked to play out his
contract with Choc city or simple just
activate the buyout clause of 22million
Naira which was also confirmed by our
source at chocolate city who confirms
Choc city boss, Audu agreed to, in order
to resolve the issue.
When we asked our source why Jesse Jagz
wasn’t served an injunction when he
released his “Thine kingdom Come”
album was released; NaijaMp3s was told
that Jesse’s contract with Chocolate city
was over and it was easy for Jesse Jagz to
quit the label without any problem.
It should be recalled that during Brymo’s
press conference he told reporters that
his lawyers couldn’t get him out of the
problem he was in with Chocolate city
and that was why he had to come out to
the public.
We hope this doesn’t get escalated than it
already has and hopefully Chocolate City
and Brymo would settle their differences
so we can all enjoy good music that
Brymo provides us with.
Fatherhood Has Been Awesome & Made Me Humble – Terry G
Gabriel Oche-Amanyi, popularly known
as Terry G who is known for his weird
style has taken up a new character.
It is normal for an artiste to rebrand at
some point in his or her career. For the
once self acclaimed Gingah Master, Terry
G, real name Oche Amanyi, that time is
now.
After serenading fans and flooding the
Nigerian music scene with his weird and
wild persona, addictive auto-tune laced
hits like ‘Testing Microphone’ and ‘Free
Madness’, the singer, producer and music
video director is carving out a new image
for himself.
Apart from the fact that he now wishes
to be referred to as Honourable Terry
G, the Chaante Chante singer now
possesses a calmer mien, which is evident
in his response and disposition to
questions posed to him by this
correspondent.
For the 27-year-old singer, who has a son
from his lover, Mimi Omoregbe, late last
year, it is safe to say that becoming a
father for the first time has given him a
different outlook of life.
“Having a kid has a lot to do with it.
Sometimes you see life in a different way.
You perceive it in another way another
time. When I had a kid, I saw so much
value in my life and the future. I became
humbled and developed the mindset that
anything that has to do with my future
must automatically involve my son as
well. I started changing a lot of things and
it actually scared a lot of negative friends
from me. It helped me resolve and re-
organise myself again.
“In the past, some children appeared
scared to come close to me, but all that
has changed. Fatherhood has been
awesome, amazing and a miracle to me.
My son is my replica.”
Shutting critics who often accuse him of
singing ‘meaningless songs that sell
nonetheless’, the Benue-State born artiste
includes a love song titled ‘Love Affair’ in
his recently released fourth album, Book
of Ginger .
In the album, the artiste explores a
variety of genres, which, he says, depicts
the many sides there are to him, musically
and personally. Yet, despite the ‘bold’
move, he reckons that the feedback isn’t
too pleasant.
He explains, “It was quite challenging
because some people did not actually
believe that it is Terry G. They were like:
‘Is this Terry G on the television?’ It was
quite a big shock to them and so I got
both positive and negative news , but with
the negative topping the list.
“It was really shocking to them that I went
R ‘n’ B. The romantic side of me has
always been there despite the fact that I
have been portraying a particular image
all the while. In fact, I used to sing love
songs before I discovered the Terry G
image. I felt that at this point in my
career, I could risk doing something even
though love songs are not commercially
viable.”
With the new image, Terry G says, he has
been forced to adopt certain lifestyle
changes.
“I still party because of what I do; you
know our job requires you to party. But I
prefer what I am now because I am more
coordinated. I strongly believe that it is
better to go out for a reason than for
nothing,’’ he says excitedly.
During the course of this chat, the singer
attempts to clear the air with regards to
his controversial album titled ‘Terry
Gzus’, which was released in 2011.
According to the artiste who started out
singing in his local church choir, the title
was only a play on words, with no
religious undertone whatsoever.
“With the title, Terry Gzus, I didn’t mean
JESUS, I simply mean, GZUS. Because I
knew the pronunciation sounded like the
Jesus, I already foresaw that it was going
to create a huge controversy but that was
why I named it that way in the first place.
But it was intentional; it means (Terry
omo Jesu) and I chose not to say anything
because I wanted the buzz,” he explains.
He is also quick to add that while he has
gotten used to the controversies that
usually trail him, an ‘erroneous’ story of
hit-and-run involving him last year, nearly
dented his image.
Although he refuted the allegation at the
time, he says the damage has already
been done.
“When I drive through certain
neighborhoods, people still yell at me,
saying, ‘Baba hit and run’. I had nothing
to do with the accident because I was in
London when it happened.
“It was one of my boys that hit somebody
with my car and not me, as reported. He
was driving a Black Toyota Camry car
when he hit the person and then ran
away. Because eye witnesses did not see
who the driver of the car was, they
assumed it was me; perhaps this was due
to my number plate. I had to part with
nine hundred thousand naira for the
person’s treatment,” He recollects.
This is the news you’ve been waiting for! I
am thrilled to tell you that we are about to
officially resume our rollout of BBM for
Android and iPhone customers around the
globe!* In the next few hours, people will
start seeing BBM in Google Play, the App
Store and in select Samsung App Stores –
where it will be free to download.
The demand for BBM on Android and BBM
on iPhone continues to be amazing. About
six million people signed up for
information about BBM at BBM.com . As
you know, in just seven hours, about one
million Android users were using the
unreleased version of BBM for Android.
What you don’t know is that more than one
million people have found creative ways to
“side load” BBM on their iPhone. This is
incredible.
To help manage this unprecedented pent
up demand for BBM, we are implementing
a simple line-up system to ensure a smooth
roll out. Here’s how it is going to work…
BBM Roll Out Details:
1. Download BBM – the easiest way is
to visit BBM.com from your Android
or iPhone browser*
2. Once you install the app, open it,
and enter your email address to hold
your spot in line
3. We will email you as soon as you
reach the front of the line and can
start using BBM
If you are among the millions that took the
time to sign up at BBM.com , you can start
using BBM immediately without waiting in
line.* If you didn’t sign up in advance,
don’t worry – we are focused on moving
millions of customers through the line as
fast as possible.
Our team of developers and engineers has
been working around the clock to bring you
BBM – and make some upgrades while
we’re at it – and some incredible work has
been done. I look forward to sharing more
of this with you here, on Inside BlackBerry,
soon.
For updates on how quickly the line is
moving you can follow @BBM on Twitter . I
will be back tomorrow with another post to
provide you with an update on the line-up
and to share more detail about the work
the team has done over the last several
weeks.
Lastly, thank you for your patience. We
know you’re excited (we are too!) and we
look forward to having you join us on BBM.
*Samsung customers in Sub-Sahara Africa
can download BBM today from the
Samsung Apps store. iPhone and other
Android users in Africa will be able to
download the app in three days’ time
Thursday, 24 October 2013
ASUU STRIKE: NLC Threatens Nationwide Strike
The leadership of the Nigerian Labour
Congress has threatened to call a
nationwide industrial action if the
Federal Government fails to stop the
ongoing strike by university lecturers
under the banner of the Academic Staff
Union of Universities.
The NLC, in a communiqué issued at the
end of its National Executive Committee
meeting in Kaduna on Wednesday, said it
was unfortunate that the government
had not taken the expected steps to
stop the ongoing strikethat has crippled
academic activities in public universities
across the country.
The President of the NLC, Mr.
Abdulwahed Omar, and the Acting
General Secretary of the Congress, Mr.
Chris Uyot, accused the Federal
Government of sponsoring protests
against ASUU instead of resolving the
lingering crisis.
The union warned that the NLC would
not hesitate to call out Nigerian
workers to protest across the country if
the present situation was not resolved by
the Federal Government.
Omar and Uyot also stated that the NLC
had taken a decision to intervene in the
crisis rocking the university system in
order to save Nigerian students from
been traumatised by the strike.
212 Breaking News: Happy 28th Birthday To Wayne Rooney! [@WayneRooney]
Welcome To Prince Udonsi's Blog: Unbelievable: The 15 Top-Earning Dead Celebrities
N225m car scandal: Stella Oduah tells her own side of the story
Minister of Aviation Stella Oduah has
responded to President Jonathan's query
to her to explain her role in the purchase
of the controversial N225million BMW
armored cars. See her response below
Executive summary on the
procurement of NCAA
operational vehicles
“The Nigerian Civil Aviation
Authority, NCAA, is the statutory
regulator of the Nigeria Civil
Aviation Industry.
Consequently, the NCAA is charged
with oversight responsibilities over
all civil aviation operations in the
country, including safety, security
and strict compliance with ICAO
Standards and Recommended
Practices, SARPs, and Nigerian Civil
Aviation Regulations, NCARs.
2. Towards the effective
implementation of its statutory
regulatory responsibilities,
therefore, it is imperative that the
NCAA is fully equipped with highly
specialised tools and facilities,
including adequate operational
vehicles to cover all 22 national
airports and over 400 airstrips. In
keeping with standard practice,
provision is therefore made
annually for the replacement of
obsolete, inadequate & unreliable
monitoring equipment.
3.In the 2013 budgetary appropriation,
provision was made for the procurement
of specialised equipment (including
operational vehicles) to complement and
in some cases replace obsolete ones.
Furthermore, the fact that NCAA, as the
regulator of the industry, often plays host
to dignitaries from ICAO, IATA, US FAA,
AFRAA, AFCAC BAGASO, CANSO, ACI and a
host of others makes it necessary to have
specialised operational vehicles.
4.With regard to the procurement of
additional operational vehicles (including
BMW Security Vehicles), the following due
process was observed:
(I) By letter dated April 15, 2013, NCAA
officially requested authorisation from the
Federal Ministry of Aviation to procure 56
operational vehicles through lease
financing. This option was proposed to
the ministry to enable the NCAA make 36
monthly payments based on receipts from
Internally Generated Revenue, IGR.
The Ministry therefore granted due
approval.
(ii)Based on the ministry’s approval, the
NCAA invited Expressions of Interest from
all Banks in Nigeria for the financing of
the said vehicles. EOI was adopted
because the procurement is two sided.
First, the financier would have to be
selected before the supplier is
determined. This is in line with
procurement best practices.
(iii) On May 24, 2013, the response
received from the various banks to the
Expression of Interest, EOI, request was
opened publicly and minutes of the
opening exercise was duly documented.
During the EOI opening exercise, NCAA
got commendation from one of the Civil
Society Organisations, CSOs, approved by
BPP who were invited for the opening
exercise.
(iv) The evaluation of the expression of
interests was held on May 31, 2013 during
which First Bank Plc, Union Bank Plc and
Stanbic IBTC emerged most responsive.
On the June 10, 2013 the above three
banks were invited to submit Financial
Proposals. Thereafter, First Bank emerged
the highest rated responsive bidder.
(v)Between June 20 and 25, 2013, invoices
were received from various accredited
motor vehicle dealers during which only
Coscharis Motors Limited quoted for BMW
Security Vehicles.
(vi) On June 28, 2013, NCAA Parastatal
Tenders Board approved the selection of
First Bank Ltd for the Lease Financing as
well as Metropolitan Motor Vehicles and
Coscharis for the supply of the vehicles.
All necessary approvals were duly
sought and obtained accordingly.
(vii) Between July 8, 2013 to August, 12,
2013 various meetings were held with
First Bank Ltd, contract agreement was
signed and necessary documentation
executed.
Your Excellency is respectfully invited to
note:
(i) The crucial statutory role of the NCAA
in regulating civil aviation operations in
the country, including safety, security and
strict compliance with ICAO Standards
and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and
Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations
(NCARs).
(ii) The need for NCAA to be fully
equipped with highly specialized tools
and facilities (including operational
vehicles) to enable the effective
implementation of its statutory functions.
(iii) The procurement of specialized
operational vehicles is duly provided for
in the NCAA 2p 13 (IGR) Budget and the
need for adopting instalmental lease
payments over36rionths.
(iii) That Due Process was followed in the
procurement of the said operational
vehicles.
Please your Excellency my continued
loyally and esteemed regards.
Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah, OON,
Honourable Minister.
Today's Top Job Vacancies
1. Accountant at a Reputable Eatery
Company
A new Eatery located in Surulere, Lagos,
currently requires competent personnel
to fill the following under-listed position:
Job Title: Accountant
Location: Lagos
Responsibilities
Set up an effective and efficient system of
accounting records to capture all costs,
income, profits assets and liabilities of the
business.
Prepare management accounts monthly to
guide decision making.
Prepare budgets regularly and institute
effective internal controls.
Handle transactions with banks, including
obtaining bank statements and preparing
monthly bank reconciliation statements.
Interface with suppliers, service providers
and others on matters regarding
accounting records and reconciliations.
Qualifications and Skills
Must have minimum of ATS certificate of
the Institute of Chartered Accountant of
Nigeria (ICAN).
Must be computer literate.
Must have a minimum of three (3) years
hands-on experience in the accounting
function of a hotel or restaurant.
Ability to work effectively in a team.
Must be a male and not above 25 years of
age.
Application Closing Date
5th November, 2013
Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates
should submit a handwritten application,
stating the position applied for, and
attaching their current CV’s and evidence
of most current salaries to:
The Advertiser
P.O.Box 3911,
Surulere, Lagos.
2. Tailors at Glamour Tailors Limited
Glamour Tailors Limited; a registered
Nigerian Company, fully equipped with
the state of the art tailoring and allied
equipments and located within Surulere,
Lagos is desirous of filling the following
underlisted vacancies in its Organization.
Job Title: Tailors
Location: Lagos
Requirements
Minimum of WAEC/WASCE with 3-5 years
cognate tailoring experience.
Ideal persons must without supervision
be able to cut & sew different male/
female cloths.
Application Closing Date
5th November, 2013
Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates
should forward their applications stating
their desired post to:
The General Manager,
P.O. Box 3831,
Suru-Lere,
Lagos.
Or email: victormiiexclusive@gmail.com
3. Supermarket and Restaurant Job
Vacancies (5 Positions)
Supermarket and Restaurant hereby
invites applications for suitable
candidates for the following positions:
1.) Restaurant Supervisor
Requirements
Should possess a minimum of OND with
working experience in similar positions.
Basic Knowledge of store-keeping, data
capturing and catering will be useful.
2.) Cooks
Requirements
Basic training and consuming passion for
cooking are required.
Good experience in outdoor and indoor
catering as well as in continental and
African dishes is also necessary.
3.) Waiters
Requirements
A minimum of SSCE is required.
A prior experience working in an eatery
will be an advantage.
4.) Restaurant Attendants
Requirements
A minimum of SSCE.
Good communication skills.
5.) Drivers
Requirements
Should possess a minimum of 3 years
driving experience.
A sound understanding of Lagos road
network is also required.
Application Closing Date
6th November, 2013
Method of Application
Interested applications, bearing the
position of interest as subject, should be
forwarded to:: kayusdeji@yahoo.com
4.Customer Service Officers at a
Nigeria Aviation Sector
A leading services provider in the Nigeria
Aviation sector. We currently require the
service of highly motivated and amiable
individuals who seek fulfilling careers in
Customer Service at major international
airports in Nigeria.
Job Title: Customer Service Officers
Location: Abuja, Lagos, Enugu, Kano and
Port Harcourt
Job Description
Successful candidates will work with a
team Customer Service Officers at major
airports in Nigeria in providing assistance
to passengers traveling through the
airports. The Customer Service Officer will
be responsible for assisting passengers in
a manner that promotes free flow of
traffic at the airports and improve the
overall service experience in line with the
best international standards.
Requirements:
Must possess a Bachelors degree or its
equivalent in the Arts or Social Sciences
with a minimum of Second Class Honours
Evidence of having participated in the
National Youths Service Corps (NYSC)
scheme
Must not be older than 28 years
Clear oral and written communication
skills
Working knowledge of the French
Language is art advantage
Ability to work under pressure
Must be in good physical health
Good listening skills and patience
Application Closing Date
7th November, 2013
Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates
should send your CV with the applicable
position and preferred location as subject
of the email to:
customerservice@aerobiz.info
5.Civil Engineer at a Estate
Development Company
A real Estate Development company with
office in Lekki, Lagos requires the services
of a well qualified Civil Engineer with the
following credentials.
Job Title: Civil Engineer
Location: Lagos
Qualification:
B.S.C in Civil Engineering
Working Experience:
Minimum of 5years working Experience in
an Estate Development Company. COREN
Certification
AGE: 26-40 years old.
Remuneration: Very attractive
Application Closing Date
6th November, 2013
Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates
should send their detail Curriculum vitae
(CV) and application to:
akfproperties@yahoo.com
or
The Managing Director
AKF Properties Limited
P.O.B 56390 Falomo Ikoyi,
Lagos.
6. Nurse In A Leading Agricultural
Business
A leading Agricultural Business house
needs the vacant position to be filled for
its large farming operations in a remote
location in Nasarawa State:
Job Title: Nurse
Location: Nasarawa State
Job Description
Preferably a Female.
She must be a Registered Nurse with
minimum of 7 years experience.
She must he between the ages of 28 years
to 40 years.
She must be hospitable and trustworthy.
Remuneration:
Successful candidates will receive a good
salary mid allowances in line with
company salary scale. Successful
candidate will be provided
accommodation.
Application Closing Date
30th October, 2013
How to Apply
Application must include Curriculum
Vitae, application letter, recent passport
size picture and scanned copies of
relevant credentials.
Email: ariyoolu@yahoo.com
Mourinho hit with FA fine
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has been
hit with an £8,000 fine by the Football
Association after being sent to the stands
against Cardiff City.
The Portuguese coach was sent to the
stands after berating referee Anthony
Taylor for warning Branislav Ivanovic over
time-wasting.
Mourinho was forced to watch the
remaining 20 minutes from the East Stand
amongst Chelsea fans, but has avoided a
touchline ban after accepting the FA's
decision to fine him.
The statement read: "Chelsea manager Jose
Mourinho has been fined £8,000 after he
admitted a breach of FA Rule E3 in that his
behaviour in or around the 69th minute of
his side's game against Cardiff City on 19
October 2013 amounted to improper
conduct.
"The fine is the standard penalty for the
offence."
212 Breaking News: Photos: The Moment Kanye Got Down On One Knee To Propose To Kim
212 Breaking News: Davido Named As The New Brand Ambassador For Guinness In A Multi Million Naira Deal
Wednesday, 23 October 2013
212 Breaking News: Governor Rochas Appoints Another Nollywood Actress Shirley Igwe As His Principal Protocol
212 Breaking News: Rihanna Was Asked To Leave Abu Dhabi Mosque For Taking 'Inappropriate' Pictures
212 Breaking News: Burna Boy Strips & Performs On Stage In His Underpants
Mourinho maintains faith in Torres
Jose Mourinho was thrilled to see Fernando
Torres repay his faith as the striker netted
twice in a 3-0 Champions League victory at
Schalke which took Chelsea top of Group E.
Torres was preferred to Samuel Eto'o to
make his 100th Chelsea start and netted his
38th and 39th goals for the Blues following
his £50million move from Liverpool before
Eden Hazard added a late third.
The World Cup-winning striker has been
much-maligned, mainly due to his hefty
price tag, but Mourinho has belief in the
ability of the Spaniard and was pleased to
see his selection justified.
"What boosts him is the confidence he
knows I have in him," Mourinho said.
"Samuel played a very good game against
Cardiff and scored the winning goal.
"I thought Fernando was adapted to this
game. I put faith in him and he answered
well.
"It's good for him, it's a good feeling to
score goals, winning goals in the
Champions League."
After beginning the Champions League
campaign with a surprise home loss to
Basle, Chelsea now lead the pool following
wins away to Steaua Bucharest and Schalke
ahead of the return match with the
Germans at Stamford Bridge on November
6.
Mourinho added: "After the first game we
were last, because we lost at home, and
now we are top of the group.
"Because of my experience I was not in hell
after the first game and I'm not in heaven
today. I'm calm.
"I know we have two matches at home (to
come) and I know normally we are going to
get enough points to qualify.
"In this moment, after six points, we can
think first about qualifying, but after that,
maybe, we can also think about finishing
first in the group. That is what we are
going to try (to do).
"We were under pressure after the first
game, after the second game we found a
balance and today, after this victory, we are
in a good situation."
It was Mourinho's first Champions League
win against a German team in Germany,
although Gelsenkirchen was the neutral
venue when he guided Porto to victory
over Monaco in the 2004 final.
He added: "I knew that if somebody asked
me, (they) only ask about half of the
record.
"The record is always defeat in Germany,
and I never lost at home against a German
team."
Chelsea were playing on German turf for
the first time since winning the 2012
European Cup in Munich and, like on that
occasion, for large parts of the game had to
absorb the pressure applied by their
opponents.
After Torres' headed opener in the fifth
minute, he completed a stunning counter-
attack featuring Hazard and Oscar for the
second before the Belgium forward's half-
field dart and neat finish completed victory.
Mourinho was particularly happy with the
performance of goalkeeper Petr Cech ,
defenders Branislav Ivanovic, Gary Cahill ,
John Terry and Cesar Azpilicueta and
defensive midfielders Ramires and Frank
Lampard.
"Everything started with the way we
defended," Mourinho added.
"My goalkeeper, my four defenders and
Rami and Lampard, they gave us fantastic
stability.
"We had a difficult period in the first half,
which a team always has, and in that
period, the last 10, 15 minutes of the first
half Schalke were really dominant.
"After that we were compact, we were
solid. We controlled the game, we were
always dangerous. My team deserved the
points."
Schalke head coach Jens Keller was
frustrated by the margin of victory.
"I don't think we lost that badly," Keller
said.
"The early goal irritated me; we conceded a
goal after just five minutes.
"After that the team tried everything, we
had three or four chances and if you don't
score against a team like Chelsea, things
just aren't going to work out.
"Three-nil is a high result, but I don't think
that's quite fair for a match that we saw."
Despite the loss, Keller believes Schalke,
who won their opening two games, are
well-placed in a group which also includes
Basle and Steaua, who drew in Romania.
"We've got six points, the other game was a
draw," Keller added.
"Right from the start we said Chelsea were
the clear favourites, so we had to battle it
out with the other two teams.
"This result is a little bit annoying because
we could've got a draw out of it."
UNIABUJA Students Offer To Pay Lecturers
After pleading with the Federal
Government and the striking lecturers to
no avail, the Federal Capital Territory
(FCT) chapter of the National Association
of Nigerian Students (NANS), have vowed
to embark on a fund raising mission to
pay the lecturers of the University of
Abuja Chapter of the Academic Staff
Union of Universities (ASUU).
According to the Chairman NANS (FCT),
Comrade Adediwura Ismaeel Adesina:"So
far Nigerian students have tried their best
and we have realized that Nigerian
government and ASUU have exhausted
our patience. We went on different
peaceful protests in FCT for them to know
our plights and at the end of the day
nothing was done. ASUU continues to
agitate for this money even as the Federal
Government keeps saying that there is no
money. We begged ASUU to return to
classes it refused while our future is in
jeopardy. That is why the National
Association of Nigerian Students, Joint
Campuses Committee FCT axis now
decided that since that is the case, the
students can pay ASUU. "
He said since the entire NANS can no
longer reach a consensus on the ASUU
strike, the FCT chapter decided to tackle
on the challenges of the University of
Abuja that is within its jurisdiction.
On how the students will raise the money,
Adesina said: "The stakeholders and
NANS of FCT have now declared a month
rag service in FCT. We will move around
from November 1 to the end of
November. We will move from one office
to another, streets and different markets.
We will talk to our parents, talk to our
brothers around FCT and we know from
the one month rag days, we will be able
to raise substantial amount to pay ASUU."
He explained that since the FCT NANS
does not have the financial capacity to
pay the entire ASUU, it will battle to settle
the only university in the territory-
University of Abuja.
He promised that for transparency and
accountability, the union will announce its
daily collections on radios and televisions
stations.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)