PHOTO: Checkout Alexander Amosu's 18 Carat Black Diamond & Gold Limited Edition Bespoke Shirt!

Its another luxury stuff form Alexandre amosu, 18. Carat black gold and diamond bespoke shirt, limited edition, check it out!

PHOTO: Denrele Rocked Late Goldie's Dress To Channel 0 Awards

Its no news that denrele is a very close friend of late Nigerian singer, Goldie. As friends for life, denrele reveal that the dress he wore to the channel o awards was actually the late singers dress, see photo below

Jim Hyke Takes Anger To Twitter, Bullshit Blogger

A blogger Chris Evans at Ghanacelebrity.com wrote something about Jim being involved in a street fight over $10k…don’t know the full details…but apparently Jim didn’t like the report and took to Twitter to blast the blogger, calling him a bisexual nincompoop. His tweets below…

I put My house Up For sale Because I was Broke - Kollington

Veteran Fuji artist, Kollington Ayinla popularly called ‘Kebe N Kwara’ is having some tough time in his health and finances.

As we speak, the Fuji icon is battling ulcer and typhoid fever and has been in and out of the hospital for several months.

After spending his fortune on the strange illness, Kollington Ayinla admitted to Encomium magazine that his sickness is spiritual in nature.
He has since put his mansion in Alagbado area of Lagos state Nigeria on sale for 80 million naira.

Read excerpts from his recent interview with Encomium magazine below:

A couple of months back, it was reported that you’re seriously ill. They even said it was a strange ailment and that you’re hospitalized in a private hospital and all that. What’s the truth about the whole thing?

What happened was that most of your people don’t do their investigations very well before writing their stories. I left hospital a long time before they reported that I was sick. They even said a governor’s wife visited me at the hospital and when she was leaving her car killed somebody along Lagos Abeokuta Expressway and many other things that are not true, I had left the hospital for about two months back.

Even the day the story came out I was not in , I was in Osogbo, Osun State performing at an event alongside Musiliu Haruna Ishola. The effect of this, is that if anybody wanted to invite such an artiste for a show, they would consider meticulously because they may also believe the person was truly sick. That’s unfair.

But were you not truly sick then?

Nobody is above sickness. And the body also needs rest. Anybody can fall sick at anytime, including the doctors taking care of the sick. So,
what are we saying?

I was sick but I was already out of the hospital, going about my normal duties as a musician before they reported that I was not feeling fine. Do I look sick? Definitely, no.

What was the nature of the sickness?

I had ulcer and typhoid.

How many days did you spend in the hospital?

I spent up to two weeks.

Which hospital was that?

That’s Hamkad Hospital, Abule Egba, Lagos.

Who were the people that came to your aid?

A lot of people. I am using this medium to say a big thank you to them all. But I must specially thank Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola for his support. He was the first person Wasiu Ayinde (K1 de Ultimate) rushed to and informed him of my health situation. And immediately, the governor responded very well. K1 also called on Governor Rauf Aregbesola in Osun State.

Immediately the governor was told about my condition, he quickly sent money to me. I really appreciate what Governor Fashola and his counterpart in Osun, Aregbesola did for me. May God continue to be with them. And equally, K1 de Ultimate really tried for me. If not for his effort, these two governors wouldn’t have known anything. He called and told them I must not die.

They should do everything within their means to rescue me, and they surprised me. I pray God will be with Wasiu Ayinde as well in all his endeavour.

But we learnt it was a strange ailment and not all that medical…

(Cuts in )Yes, it’s a strange ailment. It’s spiritual. That’s the best way of describing it. But I thank God I am still alive. My health condition then was worsened by the poor economic situation of Nigeria, nothing is working. Everything is paralysed. I kept thinking to the extent that I
wanted to sell my property. If the government had not turned everything upside down, people like myself are not supposed to be suffering likes this. And the irony is that most of these people in government were not that bad before coming to power. It’s only after getting there that they turned otherwise. We pray that they change and remember the day of accountability. At times, I wonder if this wasn’t the same Nigeria. Even when Babangida was there, things were very much better. I released a lot of albums to inform Nigerians about the happenings in the country and even beyond. In an ideal society, the government owes people like us a great responsibility.

It was reported days back that you have put this mansion for sale, how true is it?

It’s true. When you don’t have money, you use whatever you have to get what you want. I don’t have money, and I need money. I can’t just be looking at the building, I can’t eat it. I need to convert it to money. But not the whole property that I want to sell. It’s just this uncompleted structure directly opposite us (show reporter the building). I need to make that clarification so that people out there won’t be misinformed. I am only selling part and not all the property here. This is where I live.

How long have you been working on the house before you decided to sell it?

I have been building if for about 14years. Had it been I am financially okay, I should have finished it. I am tired of falling sick all the time. Let me sell my property and have money to do other things. I also want government to assist me, I don’t want to be suffering in silence.

So, you’re still interested in selling it?

It’s worth N80 million now

What do you intend to do with the money?

I will use part of the money to build another small bungalow within this compound. I will demarcate the place. Also, I will invest the rest of the money in a business that will be generating more money for me. If you can recall, in 1984, I established Kollington Fish Depot, at Adura Bus Stop, Lagos Abeokuta Expressway, Lagos. Everything was okay then but later I took ill. It was so bad that I had to sell the depot to take care of health then. May God save us from domestic antagonism.

Let’s agree that your sickness has been spiritual all this while, what have you been doing to address it?

I put everything in the Hands of God. Also, I don’t relent because if you’re being chased by a masquerade, you keep running. That’s why I am crying out loud and clear so that whoever God has sent to me can help me. I can’t continue to be hiding my broken hand.

Did you inform your children of the decision to sell the property?

Yes, they are aware of my decision but there is nothing they can do about it. Most of them are in United States of America. They are all in school. It’s after their education that they can start working. They all supported that I should sell it and spend money on whatever I like.

There is problem all over. It’s because I voiced out, that’s why you have the privilege of knowing all these. A lot of people face tougher times than I do but they don’t want their situation known to the public. As for me, I can’t be suffering and smiling at the same time. Whatever people like, let them say.
-Encomium

Controversial Letter: Iyabo Obasanjo Discussed Issues In Letter With me - Osoba

Veteran journalist and former governor of Ogun State, Aremo Segun Osoba, Wednesday,  gave credence to the rumpus between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his daughter, Iyabo and confirmed the details of the letter as it pertained to him.
Osoba confirmed that the contents of the letter as exclusively published by Vanguard were true and reflected discussions he had with the former senator and first daughter of the former president.
Osoba who visited the United States last September for the 73rd anniversary of the Niemann Foundation Fellowship said he met Iyabo who happened to be around where he was lodged. According to him, Iyabo eventually drove him in her car to his destination during which they had extensive discussions on issues relating to her father and the country.

Olusegun Osoba
“Iyabo was relating with me closely and it is true that we met, I confirm that and it is true that we had (a) conversation.”
”She didn’t tell me that I rigged election because I never rig elections, and in any case, I reported the meeting to the father in the church early November in the presence of the Awujale of Ijebuland inside the church. So, the meeting took place and I reported the meeting to the father which made the father to phone. After discussing with the father and telling him that I saw his daughter, he must have phoned his daughter,” Osoba said.
He, however, distanced himself from the assertions that Iyabo was being wooed with an APC senate ticket.
“The issue of she being given ticket by APC, I don’t know who promised that, please put my name clear from that,” the veteran journalist and former governor of Ogun State said.
Tomorrow:

Gbenga Daniel Given Full Labour Party Leadership

A former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has been saddled with the responsibility of repositioning Labour Party in the state.

The National Chairman of the party, Chief Dan Nwanyanwu, stated this when he received the former governor of the state and some leaders of the party at its national secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday.

He said the former governor would play a pivotal role in repositioning the party in the state and urged all members of the party to work with him.

Nwanyawu said there were prospects that the LP would produce the governor of the state in 2015.

He said those that orchestrated the purported suspension of the former governor from the party in the state did not have the support of the party at the national level, adding that there were so many people claiming to be officers of the party at various levels that were not known to the national leadership of the party.

He said it would be difficult to say a former governor of the state, who he said had served for eight years, was not important to the party.

He said, ” When we have people like you(Daniel), the devil will want to cause trouble and I must say that the party has come to some reasons and we have arrived at some decisions concerning the party in the state.

“We cannot say someone, who has served for eight years as a governor should just go like that. His alleged suspension is as a result of people who are afraid of his presence in the party.

“Daniel is the leader of the party in Ogun State and we have asked him to use all what he has to ensure we have victory in the state in 2015. ”

Nwanyawu later handed over the party’s identity card to the former governor,  asking him to use his wealth of experience to build the party in the state.

Daniel came with some of his supporters like a former Minister of Mines and Steel Development, and Secretary to the State in Dnaeil’s first term in office, Alhaji Sarafa Ishola; a former Commissioner for Information in the cabinet, Mr. Sina Kawonise; a former governorship candidate of the Peoples Party of Nigeria, which Daniel formed, Alhaji Gboyega Isiaka,  and a few others.

He promised to rebuild the party in the state.

He described the LP as a coalition of many groups from  the Peoples  Democratic Party, PPN and the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, adding that with the calibre of people in the party, it would be easy to win the governorship election in the state in 2015.

Meanwhile, the party will on Thursday receive a member of the House of Representatives from Ekiti State,  Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele into its fold.

Credit: punch

APC Set To Woo Obasanjo

The leadership of the All Progressives Congress is to meet with former President Olusegun Obasanjo to explain the reason behind the formation of the party.

A former Head of State and a leader of the party, Maj.-Gen.  Muhammadu Buhari (retd.),  stated this in an interview with journalists at the residence of a former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, in Abuja on Wednesday.

He said the leadership of the party had been visiting other notable Nigerians and that the time had come for it to also pay a visit to Obasanjo.

He said,  ”We have been visiting others like the G-7 governors; we have all visited former heads of state, and we intend to visit former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, any time he is available to ask for understanding and brief him on why we formed the APC.”

He said he was happy with the discussion the leadership of the party had with Atiku, who he said had promised to discuss with his supporters and political associates before taking a decision on whether to defect from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party to the APC or not.

“I think Atiku has spoken to you about what we discussed with him now, but he said he will get back to us later,” Buhari added.

At a meeting with the former Vice President, Atiku told his guests that he would consult with his stakeholders and consider the invitation by the leaders of the party to join the party, just as he threw his weight behind two party systems in the country.

“I have given them an indication that I will call a meeting of all my stakeholders across the country and we will take a decision and tell the press,” he said

The leaders  of the APC, led by its Interim National Chairman,  Chief Bisi Akande, had visited the Abuja residence of the Turakin Adamawa and asked him to defect to the opposition party.

House Of Rep Urges Fg To Remove New Tarrif On Used Cars

The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Ministry of Finance to suspend the planned increase of import duty on used and new vehicles.

The resolution emanated from a motion moved by Rep. Nathaniel Agunbiade (APC-Osun), which was adopted without debate.

According to Agunbiade, the planned 70 per cent tariff will have a multiplier effect of 250 per cent increase on the value of the affected items, adding that it will definitely lead to higher prices of vehicles.

He noted that although Jan. 2014 had been set for the commencement of the policy, none of the assembly plants the policy sought to protect would have started production in the country.

The legislator stressed that care must be taken not to bring too much pain on Nigerians, adding that the policy might encourage smuggling through the land borders.

The Federal Government had on Nov. 25, announced the planned increase of the import duty on used and new vehicles from the current 20 per cent to 70 per cent.

The Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, recently directed that imported, fully-built unit cars shall now attract 35 per cent duty and 35 per cent levy, totaling 70 per cent charges for both new and fairly-used vehicles.

Meanwhile, the 2014 budget would be presented to the House on Thursday by Okonjo-Iweala.

This is contained in a letter sent to the House and read by the Speaker, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, after an executive session.
The presentation of the budget by President Goodluck Jonathan had been postponed twice.

Credit: punch

$49.8bn scandal: Query DPR, FIRS, ex NNPC GED tells CBN

Former Group Executive Director (GED) Engineering and Technology, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr. Godswill Ihetu, has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to beam its searchlight on the Federal Inland Revenue Service and the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) in its investigation of the alleged non-remittance of $49.8 billion to the Federation Account by NNPC.

Addressing the media in Lagos yesterday, Ihetu said both DPR and FIRS should as a matter of urgency furnish the CBN with remittance details of its own share of the controversial $49.8 billion.

CBN Governor, Mr. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, had in a memo to President Goodluck Jonathan, dated September, 25 2013, explained that the NNPC has yet to account for, and repatriate to the Federation Account, an amount in excess of $49.804 billion or 76 per cent of the value of oil lifted in the same period.

The amount is said to represent 76 per cent of the total crude oil revenues from January 2012 to July 2013.

Ihetu while faulting the CBN, explained that revenue from crude oil liftings are in various categories, namely; Equity Crude; Petroleum Profit Tax, Royalty, Third Party Financing and the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC.

Besides, he stated that revenues from each of these categories are statutorily collected by different agencies of the government, stating that NNPC collects only one of the aforementioned categories, namely Equity Crude.

“Petroleum Profit Tax is collected by the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS; Royalty goes to the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, Third Party financing goes for Research, Development, Program and Satellite fields Development, while NPDC goes to NPDC for upstream development.

 
The former GED argued that the 24 percent of total crude oil revenue receipts which the CBN governor is reported to have acknowledged that NNPC remitted represents the proceeds from the equity lifting which NNPC is directly responsible for while the alleged unremitted 76 percent was paid to the agencies that are statutorily empowered to receive them for onward remittance into the Federation Account.

He maintained that the letter by Sanusi was written in error and that such mistake could have been avoided if the CBN has cross checked with NNPC on the workings of oil and gas industry accounting principles.

Ihetu insisted that it was impossible for about $50 billion to disappear from oil proceeds, saying that such amount was capable of sinking the economy.

“It is practically impossible for $49.8 billion to go missing. How much is the Nigerian budget that such huge fund will disappear. If it is true, then the government would have collapsed, “he

APC Leaders In Secret Meeting With Atiku

Prominent leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday met with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar at his Abuja private residence.
The APC leaders, who met with Atiku behind closed doors for over an hour, described the meeting as a continuation of the party’s consultations with past leaders and stakeholders across the nation.
Those that met with the former vice president included the former head of state; Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), the National Leader of the APC; Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the party’s interim National Chairman; Chief Bisi Akande.
The meeting is coming on the heels of the defection of 37 members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the House of Representatives to the APC.
Atiku, who spoke with journalists shortly after the meeting, said the discussions were very fruitful, stressing that he had always espoused the two party system.
He said that he welcomed the formation of the APC, adding that he would meet with his friends and political associates with the view to taking a decision on the next line of action.
The former Vice President stated further that the formation of the APC was healthy for the nation’s democracy, stressing that it would give the Nigerian people a credible alternative in the 2015 general elections.
Atiku said: “We want to let you know that we had very fruitful discussions and you know I have always believed in a two party structure.
“So I welcome the formation of APC. We have discussed extensively and I will meet with my political associates and friends.
“Most of us have been friends and political associates for over two decades. I will call my stakeholders across the country. We will take a decision and address the press and let you know our decision.
“I congratulated them (APC leaders) and welcomed them because it will improve competition and governance. It is healthy for our democracy.
“Once you have one very strong party and weak ones, there is no way the opposition can check the government in power.
“If the South Africans faced apartheid in the past, Nigeria is facing colonialism. The struggle has been long for the enthronement of democracy in our country.
“It is time we realised we have responsibility to our generation and those yet unborn. I think it (APC) will give Nigerians an alternative during elections. So I told them I will consult with my associates and brief the press later.”
Chief Akande, who led the parry’s delegation, said the visit was to cement a long standing political relationship with Atiku spanning more than two decades.
“We feel that it is necessary to meet people of like minds to rise up and salvage the country. All of us that met here were comrades in politics.
“We only met today to cement that comradeship and all is well cemented. We are moving together to work for this country,” Akande said.

Abuja Food Seller Stabs Boy To Death Over N100

There was a mild disturbance on Wednesday at Herbert Macaulay Way, Central Business District, Abuja, when a food seller stabbed a boy to death over a N100 debt.

The incident led to the burning of a BMW car and policemen and soldiers, guarding the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation headquarters, had to be drafted in to prevent a breakdown of law and order in the area.

Trouble started when the woman, whose name could not be immediately ascertained, allegedly accosted the boy, simply identified as Nuhu over the debt. An argument was said to have ensued and the woman, in a fit of anger, stabbed the boy in the stomach with a knife.

The deceased was later taken away to an unknown destination by his friends.

An eyewitness, who identified himself as Abubakar, told Punch Metro that Nuhu shouted after being stabbed, slumped and died and his friends and artisans quickly moved to attack the woman, but a man prevented them from beating her.

“The man prevented the boys from attacking the woman by taking her away to safety. The mob then destroyed the table and benches being used by the woman to sell food and placed it on top of the car belonging to the man before setting it ablaze. By the time the police and fire fighters came, it was too late to save the car,”Abubakar narrated.

Our correspondent observed that the policemen spent some time around the area to ensure that the mob dispersed and to prevent some of them, who are mostly jobless youths, from fomenting trouble.

The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Altienne Daniel, could not be reached for comments as she did not respond to the calls to her phone.

TOO BAD! See Nelson Mandela's Last Thought On Nigeria Leaders

Its unbelievable and very bad....see mandela comments about us
“You know I am not very happy with Nigeria. I have made that very clear on many occasions. Yes, Nigeria stood by us more than any nation, but you let yourselves down, and Africa and the black race very badly. Your leaders have no respect for their people. They believe that their personal interests are the interests of the people. They take people’s resources and turn it into personal wealth.

“There is a level of poverty in Nigeria that should be unacceptable. I cannot understand why Nigerians are not angry than they are…

“What do young Nigerians think about your leaders and their country and Africa? Do you teach them history? Do you have lessons on how your past leaders stood by us and gave us large amounts of money? You know I hear from Angolans and Mozambicans and Zimbabweans how your people opened their hearts and their homes to them. I was in prison then, but we know how your leaders punished western companies who supported Apartheid.

“What about the corruption and the crimes? Your elections are like wars. Now we hear that you cannot be president in Nigeria unless you are Muslim or Christian. Some people tell me your country may break up. Please don’t let it happen.

“Let me tell you what I think you need to do. You should encourage leaders to emerge who will not confuse public office with sources of making personal wealth. Corrupt people do not make good leaders. Then you have to spend a lot of your resources for education.

“Educate children of the poor, so that they can get out of poverty. Poverty does not breed confidence. Only confident people can bring changes. Poor, uneducated people can also bring change, but it will be hijacked by the educated and the wealthy…give young Nigerians good education. Teach them the value of hard work and sacrifice, and discourage them from crimes which are destroying your image as a good people.”

Justin Bieber To Retire From Music After Next Album

Justin Bieber has claimed he is retiring.

In an announcement that no doubt caused rivers of teenage girls’ tears across the world, the 19-year-old star has revealed he is taking a step back from the music industry when his new album, Journals, is released next week, and it could be permanent.

The Heartbreaker hitmaker told radio station Power 106 in Los Angeles, California, on Tuesday: ‘After the new album, I’m actually retiring man. I’m retiring.’

Iyabo Obasanjo Blast Jonathan, Says He Is Behind Blackmail Letter

Obasanjo exposed the bitter truth and the man helped made president decided to blackmail him?
“If President Jonathan want to reply the letter my father wrote him, he should be man enough to reply direct. Why are they trying to make me a scape goat? I know my father very well and I don’t question his judgement, I believe my father wrote his letter in the best interest of the nation. If Mr President disagree with some of the allegations in the letter, let him be man enough to talk directly to my father, he should stop involving me in an issue I know nothing about.
“How can you write a letter to insult my father and claim I, the daughter is the source. If that is how Ijaw people insult their father, I am a Yoruba Woman; we respect our parent in all circumstances.Reacting to the fake letter against her father, Iyabo Obasanjo further stated that…
“I have never seen or heard this sort of fabrication in my entire life! I, Iyabo Obasanjo, never contemplate writing a letter to my loving father. I speak with him almost on daily bases. Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo is the best father in the world. He gave birth to me, he raised me up and gave me the best of education. I wouldn’t have achieved whatever I did without my father. In fact, WHO AM I WITHOUT MY FATHER? As a father he never disappoints his children in any way, he is a father anybody wish to have.
“I, Iyabo Obasanjo, did not write any letter. Nigerians should please take note. The purported letter is a malicious lies intended to rubbish the good name of my family, when I get to the source of the letter, I will waste no time to take the necessary legal actions.

“I love my father and I never disrespect him.”

PHOTO: See What Emmanuel Adebayo Is Doing To This Lady!

The photo below was at the OK! Magazine celebrities Christmas party in london  with Alexander amosu, Emmanuel adebayo and kolo toure  in attendance but what caught my eyes is the pose of Emmanuel adebayo with his date.....what is he doing?

Jakie Apiah, Van Vicker And Others Grabs Awards At PAMSAA Awards

Ghanian Artiste Like jakie Apiah ,van vicker and host of others all won an award at the recently concluded PAMSAA awards in which van biker won the best international actor....see photo below

Saheed Balogun And Fathia At war Again Over Paternity Of First Child

So according to Saheed who is entangled in a legal battle with his ex
wife Fathia Balogun, one of these kids above is not his.
Fathia recently called him a liar and said they are in court after news
emerged a while back that saheed dragged her to court over her
refusal to drop his name.
Read Saheed Balogun's press statement below..
A few hours ago, about the brouhaha going on between himself
and his ex-wife, Fathia Balogun - Yesterday I was accused of
lying to the press on a recent rumor that has been circulating. I
separated from my ex-wife Fathia Balogun in 2006, over 7 years
ago. Since we were LEGALLY MARRIED IN COURT, we had to
LEGALLY DIVORCE IN COURT to finalize the issue. The public is
welcome to go to the Lagos High Court to verify these records.
This has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH ANY NAME! I AM
NOT ASKING OR FORCING FATHIA TO STOP USING THE NAME
BALOGUN, as it is one of the most common Yoruba names.
Furthermore, to set the record straight, Fathia and I had TWO
children together NOT THREE. Fathia's first child is from a
different husband that she later divorced before we were married.
I never lied to anyone. Journalists presented me with a rumor
that had no basis in fact, so I simply stated that I DO NOT WANT
MY PRIVATE LIFE MADE PUBLIC. IT IS MY PRIVACY AND
CONCERNS NOBODY. I decided to stay quiet as the two parties
involved in this issue are over 40 years old, and I think we are
old enough to handle this issue MATURELY instead of turning
our private matters into a public gossip debate.
I hope this issue is now clarified for the public, as I SAIDI
BALOGUN am divulging the true facts myself instead of using a
MISINFORMED publicist to do so for me. There are so many
positive aspects of Nigeria's entertainment industry, we would
rather focus on negative meaningless noise instead of these
positive components.
PLEASE GIVE ME THE RESPECT OF KEEPING MY PERSONAL LIFE
PRIVATE AND OUT OF THE PUBLIC EYE. I AM FOCUSING ON MY
WORK. THANK YOU!

Asuu Nec Meeting update: We Shall Effect Our Own side Of the Deal - Asuu

The leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), will on Monday (today) convene a crucial National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.
DailyPost has gathered that the meeting has been scheduled to hold at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State.
Today’s meeting is on the heels of a peace deal brokered by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on the impasse between ASUU and the Federal Government.
Last Wednesday, President of the NLC, Abdulwahed Omar, the Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, MacJohn Nwaobiala, among others, witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The MoU had stated that none of the striking lecturers would be victimised because of the strike.
The MoU, which ASUU President, Nasir Fagge would be presenting before the NEC members today for further deliberation, includes agreement on the N200billion deposited with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for the universities as intervention fund.
On Saturday, Professor Ike Odimegwu, Chairman of ASUU Chapter, Nnamdi Azikwe University, told DailyPost that the Union stands by its promise to make public its decision on or before Wednesday, December 18, 2013.
“You know we reached that agreement and signed it 6pm last Wednesday (Dec. 11), he said.
“After that, we promised Nigerians that we will communicate our decision within a week.”
“What that means is, there is still ample time to do so until 6pm of next Wednesday. The people should not be agitated. On our part, we are ready to effect our side of the deal, so no cause for alarm.”
The Union action which clocks 169 days today, brought academic activities on campuses nationwide to its knees .
Their action was a response to Federal Government’s failure to implement the 2009 pact both parties reached.

PHOTO: Yung6ix Grabs Best National Act At AMM Awards

Congratulations bro!

PHOTO: Check Gourgeous Emma Nyra At Rythym Unplug

Really looking sexy!..that was backstage tho

Alaye Of Aiyetoro Beaten To Pulp By Village Heads Over Chieftaincy Tittle

Pandemonium broke out in Ayetoro, the political headquarters of Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, when at least 10 village heads allegedly beat the Alaye of Ayetoro, Oba Azeez Adelakun and destroyed his traditional beads.
The fracas which occurred,weekend,  shortly before the embattled monarch installed a village head of Ago-Imala, Olayiwola Ajibola, prompted the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Ikemefuna Okoye, to personally supervise his men who stormed the place in four Hilux vans to restore normalcy.
The installation was billed to take place at Isale-Agboro multi-purpose hall before the crisis escalated.
When our correspondent visited the place, there were eight bonfires in various places which were reportedly made by the youths in the area in protest against the assault on their monarch.
It was gathered that, there had been bad blood between the monarch and the aggrieved  village heads following the refusal of the monarch to merge two village heads in Saala village.
An eyewitness told our correspondent that some village heads had demanded to hold a meeting with the  monarch on the need to jettison the installation of the new village head, and when the monarch entered the palace, the aggrieved village heads refused to pay  homage to him, saying they did not recognise him.
Speaking  on behalf of  the monarch, Baale Ayobo-Ayetoro, Ezekiel Ogundele said:  “Those  Baales  have vowed to dethrone the Kabiyesi  and  they have been planning against him for long. They said until they dethrone him they will not rest.
“They alleged that the Kabiyesi  disgraced  them in Abeokuta and they would retaliate by removing him  as the oba of the town. They said the two village heads  in Saala should be merged, but Kabiyesi  told the government  not to allow them merge the two offices. This did not go down  well with the aggrieved Baales who vowed to deal with the Kabiyesi by removing him as Oba.
“This development led to the confusion to the extent that,  these aggrieved village heads  wrote  the Kabiyesi  to  meet them at his palace, December 16.
“But, Kabiyesi wanted to install Baale Ago-Imala and when they got to the palace they did not pay homage to him and when the monarch asked them why they failed to pay the homage, they said the Kabiyesi had been removed as the Oba,
“They vowed that they will not remove their caps and shoes as the culture demanded and they carried out  the threat. They were about 10.”
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Muyiwa Adejobi, said 19 Baales were involved, adding that one of the Baales assaulted the oba by  removing his  traditional beads.

Permanent Secretary, 7 Others Arrested In BushnMaking Rituals

The Ekiti State Police Command has arrested eight persons, including a serving Permanent Secretary in Ondo State over the raid of a commercial bank in Ikere Ekiti last Thursday.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Victor Babayemi, who gave the hint in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital on Saturday, said the Permanent Secretary and others were arrested in a bush at Ijare, a border town between Ekiti and Ondo states.
The Branch Manager of the bank, Ikere was also reportedly arrested following the incident.
According to the police, the Permanent Secretary and three others were arrested while performing rituals at night in the bush through which the robbery bandits escaped.
The armed gang had stormed a first generation bank at about 5.30 p.m killing two persons and injuring two others during a gun battle with the men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad.
The PPRO said the Permanent Secretary and the three others were arrested at about 3 a.m by the police.
Babayemi said the men were arrested with a live goat and other fetish materials, adding that they would have been mistaken for robbers.
“During the operation, we saw the Permanent Secretary and seven others in white apparel performing rituals, so we had to arrest them to explain their mission at the place at that unholy hour”.
The PPRO said those arrested are being interrogated with vital information being obtained.

New Call To Impeach President Jonathan

The All Progressives Congress has called on the National Assembly to immediately commence the process of impeaching President Goodluck Jonathan for alleged gross misconduct.

It  said  in a statement on Sunday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, that Jonathan’s impeachment  would  save Nigeria from imminent collapse.

But the Presidency warned the APC and others, who it said were  bent on plunging the nation into political instability,  to be ready for the consequences of treasonable action.

The opposition party,  however, said it  made the  call with a high sense of responsibility and   strong belief that the impeachment of the President was a legitimate constitutional option available to the National Assembly not only to protect the nation’s democracy, but  to ensure its  unity.

It explained that  it based  the  call for Jonathan’s impeachment on the  dangerous drifting of the country.

The APC added that there was a total failure of leadership,  insecurity, unprecedented corruption, impunity, massive unemployment and hunger  in the country.

The statement reads in part, ‘’Since the raison d’etre of any government is the security and welfare of the citizenry, and the present administration has failed to live up to the justification of its existence, there can be no other definition of gross misconduct but that.

 “Therefore, the time has come for the head of that government, on whose desk the buck stops, to be removed through the provisions stipulated in the 1999 Constitution. This is the patriotic thing to do.”

The APC   warned that if the National Assembly failed  to act   very fast, it  would  share with the “clueless and feckless” Jonathan administration,  the   blame for dashing the hopes of millions of Nigerians, especially the youth.

The party said it was necessary for anyone who might  say the call for the impeachment of  the President was outlandish to remember that all it would take  to torpedo the current democracy was “for this increasingly-paranoid government to get a pliant judge to put a judicial stamp on just one of its litany of illegalities.”

 The party  also wondered why the PDP  could go to court to challenge the defection of five of its governors.

 It recalled that an  attempt by the ruling party to declare the seat of the then Vice-President Atiku Abubakar vacant was rejected by the Supreme Court, when he defected to the then  Action Congress of Nigeria.

 It wondered what could have been the motive behind the latest action of the PDP.

 The APC  said, ‘’What then can be the sole motive behind the PDP’s action?  To plunge Nigeria into chaos?  This is why we issued a strong warning in our statement of December  5 in which we said, ‘We wish to state unequivocally that should the PDP go ahead with this plan, there will be widespread repercussions as the APC has resolved that, henceforth, every act of impunity of the PDP and the Presidency will be met with stiff resistance in the form of a vociferous telegraphing of people’s power, the likes of which have not been witnessed in these parts.’

“We reiterate those words today (Sunday), and make bold to say that not even the revelation by former President Olusegun Obasanjo that snipers are being trained secretly and that 1,000 people have been placed on political watch, will deter us from saving this democracy, which was watered by the sweat and blood of many patriots, long before this generation of opportunists stormed the political scene.”

 The opposition  said while Nigerians were very much aware of the failings of the Jonathan government in all sectors,  it was important to remind them that the administration  had,   in particular,  not been up to scratch in fighting corruption.

  The party said the government had also failed to provide jobs for Nigerian youths, even as it daily reels out phantom figures of economic growth that only serve to keep the so-called Ivy League-trained officials in charge of the economy on their jobs.

 The APC added, “The talk out there now is that Nigeria has never had it so bad. But the government may not know because it has distanced itself from the people.

“Therefore, for embracing corruption so much and providing succour to corrupt public officials, for threatening the country’s fragile unity through divisive policies and politics, for frittering away the nation’s resources through unprecedented cronyism and clannishness, and for a total failure of leadership, this President deserves to be slammed with the cudgel of impeachment.’’

When contacted, the  Chairman, Senate Committee on Information, Media and Public Affairs, Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe,  said the Senate was not aware of the call  for the President’ s impeachment by the APC

“I can only react to issues and matters before the Senate that have been concluded. No letter or motion has been brought before the Senate on the issue,” he said.

But the Presidency, in a statement by the  Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati,   dismissed the  call as opportunistic, partisan and ill-motivated.

“The Presidency warns that the APC and any person  who make themselves its willing tools for the breach of public order and safety will be made to face the full sanctions of the law. Those who are threatening fire and brimstone should be ready for the consequences of treasonable action,” it said.

It advised Nigerians to  distinguish  between   reckless violations of civic duty and the urgent need to protect the integrity of the nation against those who for selfish reasons  had declared their readiness to stop at nothing.

While describing the   call as reckless and irresponsible, the Presidency  warned that the Federal Government would not standby and let the nation be plunged into unnecessary  political instability.

The statement reads in part, “We have noted with utter disdain, the reckless and  irresponsible call by the APC on Sunday for the National Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against President Goodluck Jonathan.

“Ordinarily, we would not have dignified Alhaji Lai Mohammed’s latest vituperations in the service of his paymasters with a response, but we thought it necessary to warn that the Federal Government will not standby idly and let the nation be plunged into unnecessary crises and political instability because of the desperation and apparent readiness of the APC spokesman and his gang of power-seeking desperadoes to sacrifice the well-being of the country on the altar of their selfish personal ambitions.

“The Presidency totally condemns the decision by Alhaji Mohammed and his party to move further beyond the bounds of honourable and acceptable political conduct with the senseless call for the impeachment of a President who continues to sincerely devote himself to the discharge of the sacred mandate freely given to him by Nigerians.

“The APC, which remains a minority party with doubtful credentials in the National Assembly, knows fully well that its attempt to hector and blackmail a parliament dominated by loyal members of the President’s party, the PDP, into an impeachment process, will come to nothing.

“But it has cavalierly embarked on this outrageous gambit, with scant regard for peace, order, security and political stability in the country in furtherance of its  dastardly and heinous strategy of over-heating the polity and working to cause public disaffection against the Jonathan Presidency  with lies, false accusations and unjustifiable indictments  ahead of the 2015 general elections.”

The  Presidency said it   considered it deplorable that the APC had  in its Machiavellian desperation recklessly assailed the integrity and honour of the   judiciary.

It added, “We  have noted the undisguised threat by the APC to foster public insurrection against the Federal Government if pending legal cases go against it.

“We dismiss the APC’s call for the President’s impeachment as opportunistic, partisan and ill-motivated.”

The PDP also described the call by the APC as “irresponsible, malicious and self-seeking.”

“The call is part of the plan by the APC to truncate this democracy and we will not allow it, ”   the PDP  spokesperson,   Chief Olisa Metuh, said.

He added, “The APC had planned to cause mayhem during the governorship election in Anambra State, but God did not allow that to happen.

“Its members want to engineer turmoil and breakdown  of law and order  in the country. They know that they cannot win the 2015 general elections because Nigerians have rejected them.”

Metuh asked Nigerians to be wary of the activities of the members of the opposition party.

He also called on them  to hold  the opposition party responsible for any breakdown  of law and order in the country.

Credit:PUNCH.

Farewell : Mandela Finally Goes Home Today

With military pomp and traditional rituals, South Africa buried Nelson Mandela on Sunday, thus  marking  the  end of an exceptional journey for the prisoner turned President.

Mandela,  who died on December 5   at the age of 95,  was laid to rest in his childhood village of Qunu.  His body travelled from Pretoria by air to Mthatha in Eastern Cape province, and then by road to Qunu .

Present at the private burial   were about 450 members of the Mandela family,  political and religious leaders as well as foreign dignitaries, including  Britain’s Prince Charles, American civil rights activist ,Reverend Jesse Jackson and talk show host Oprah Winfrey.

 Tribal leaders clad in animal skins joined the dignitaries in dark suits at the grave site overlooking the rolling green hills.

As pall-bearers walked toward the site after a funeral ceremony,  three helicopters whizzed past dangling the national flag. Cannons fired a 21-gun salute and their   echoes rang over the quiet village.

  Mandela’s widow, Graca Machel, dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief as she watched the proceedings.

“Yours was truly a long walk to freedom. Now you have achieved the ultimate freedom in the bosom of God, your maker,” an officiator at the grave site  was quoted by the Cable News Network as saying.

Military pall-bearers gently removed the South African flag that draped Mandela’s   coffin and handed it to President Jacob Zuma, who gave it to the   former President’s family.

At the request of the family, the lowering of the casket was closed to journalists.

• The funeral ceremony

Before the burial, 4,500 family members, friends and dignitaries attended a state funeral service in a huge domed tent, its interior draped in black, in a field near Mandela’s homestead.

  Seated on either side of  Zuma  were  Graca Machel, and Mandela’s  ex-wife, Winnie.

African National Congress members, veterans of the fight against apartheid, several African presidents and business mogul, Richard Branson, were among the guests.

The flag-covered casket was carried in by military chiefs, with Mandela’s grandson and heir, Mandla, and  Zuma following in their footsteps.

It was then placed on black and white Nguni cattle skins in front of a crescent of 95 candles, one for each year of Mandela’s life. A choir sang Nkosi Sikelel’iAfrika or “God Bless Africa” drifted over the village, a giant picture of Mandela looked down with a smile. Mourners placed their fists on their chests, some with tears streaming down their faces.

The Deputy Leader of the ruling ANC , Cyril Ramaphosa, who presided over the three-hour ceremony, broadcast live across the nation and around the world, said, “The person who is lying here is South Africa’s greatest son.”

Zuma, in his remark, described the ex-South African leader as a beacon of hope and    thanked the Mandela family for sharing him with the world.

He said, “Today (Sunday) marks the end of an extraordinary journey that began 95 years ago. It is the end of 95 glorious years of a freedom fighter and a beacon of hope to all those fighting for a just and equitable world order.

“We shall not say goodbye, for you are not gone. You’ll live forever in our hearts and minds.”

In other major cities, including Johannesburg, crowds watched the funeral at special screenings in stadiums.

• I’ve lost a brother -  Mandela’s prison mate

Mourners represented all spheres of Mandela’s life. There were celebrities, presidents, relatives and former political prisoners.

“You symbolise today and always will … qualities of forgiveness and reconciliation,” said a tearful Ahmed Kathrada, Mandela’s  close friend, who served time in prison with him  for defying the apartheid government.

 “I’ve lost a brother. My life is in a void, and I don’t know who to turn to,” Kathrada lamented.

Talk show host, Oprah Winfrey; Prince Charles; and business mogul, Richard Branson, were also among the attendees.

• Final chapter

The funeral and burial ended  10 days of national mourning for a man whose fame transcended borders.

“Mandela was our leader, our hero, our icon and our father as much as he was yours,” Tanzanian President, Jakaya Kikwete, said, regaling mourners with tales of a secret visit Mandela made in 1962 to Dar es Salaam to gather support for   the African National Congress.

During his fight against apartheid, Mandela fled to Tanzania, which housed the headquarters of the ANC.

In sharp contrast to the days of apartheid, the events honouring Mandela included a great deal of pageantry as well as state honours.

Before arriving in Qunu, the  ex-President’s body lay in state for three days in Pretoria. After an emotional service at the air base there, which included the handing over of his body to the ANC , it was put in a military helicopter for the final leg of his journey.

Though he dined with kings and presidents in his lifetime, the international icon relished his time at the village. He herded cows and goats there as a child, and always said it was where he felt most at peace. Some of his children were  also buried there.

“He really believed this is where he belonged,” said his daughter, Maki Mandela.

Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years for defying the racist apartheid government that led South Africa for decades. He emerged from prison in 1990 and became South Africa’s first black president four years later, all the while promoting forgiveness and reconciliation.

His defiance of white minority rule and his long incarceration for fighting segregation focused the world’s attention on apartheid, the legalised racial segregation enforced by the South African government until 1994.

Years after his 1999 retirement from the Presidency, Mandela was considered the ideal head of state. He became a yardstick for African leaders, who consistently fell short when measured against him.

“Thank you for being everything we wanted and needed in a leader during a difficult period in our lives,” Zuma said.

Wizkid Flopped At GTB Show, Picks Up Fight With Wande Coal

The eagerly anticipated Guaranty Trust Bank End of the Year party held last night, and it lived up to the bar, except for one minor flop: Wizkid. Social media was littered by fans who complained about the Star Boy artiste’s performance, who were disappointed because the organizers had saved the best for the last.

Wizkid had come on stage in a stoned state, clearly not in the right frame of mind to perform, with fans
saying he did “more talking than singing”, and that “people stopped dancing when he came on”.

The other performers were on point with the likes of Flavour, Wande Coal, and Olamide giving the crowd a swell time, up until Wizkid came up. The organizers were obviously not pleased with Wizzy’s performance, and the Star Boy reportedly worsening matters by getting in a fight back stage with Wande Coal.

There seems to be a lot going on in Wizkid’s life at the moment, as many blogs report he has broken up with girlfriend Tani Omotayo, and last night’s horrible episode may be in some way related to it. Whatever it is, we hope he gets his act together, and soon.

      

2face, Dbanj And Others Plans Big Concert For Mandela

As the world prepares to bid the departed Nelson Mandela farewell on Sunday, some Nigerian music artistes have concluded plans, in partnership with  EbonyLife TV and other entertainment outfits in the country, to host a rare concert  in celebration of the extraordinary life and times of the icon and former President of South Africa.

Titled The Legacy Lives, the concert will feature performances by notable singers, such as Dbanj, Tuface, Darey, Omawumi, J.Martins and Tiwa Savage. The list also includes Burna Boy, Ikechukwu, Eldee the Don, Timi Dakolo, Waje, Julius Agwu, Mike Aremu, and Rocksteady, among others.

The organisers of the event indicate, in a statement released on Thursday and made available to our correspondent, that the concert will take place in Lagos on Wednesday, December 18, 2013, at the Oceanview Restaurant, Victoria Island.

With the calibre of artistes lined up to perform, the event, no doubt, promises to be one that befits a celebrity of Mandela’s stature.

But beyond providing quality entertainment for thousands of music fans expected to grace the occasion, the concert is aimed at celebrating the priceless contributions of one of the greatest statesmen that ever lived on earth.

Commenting on the event, the Chairman of EbonyLife TV, Mo Abudu, says, “Nelson Mandela lives on as a beacon of hope and a true icon of inspiration; a man of extraordinary vision who has left such a great legacy of humanity that Africans and the rest of the world must strive to aspire to. So we are indeed very proud to put this together.

“It is a free concert for the expensive price of liberty paid for by the selfless Madiba. We made a call to the industry and we got really tremendous response. For all our music stars and partners, we cannot thank you all enough for your sacrifice, kindness and generosity, which typify the spirit of ‘Ubuntu’, which is the  South African word for humanity.”

To make the concert a worthy tribute to the icon, Ebonylife TV will partner with Beat FM, Eko Hotel, Maverick Equinox, Bella Naija, Red Media Africa, 360 Nobs, Linda Ikeji and Noel Productions, while it will be supported by African Events, GQ Acoustics, No Surprises Events, Pisces Power, Edi Lawani, Prive, South African Airlines, Discovery Brands Management, Damell Photography and K-Square.

Also, the Chief Executive Officer of No Surprises Events, Funmi Victor-Okigbo, gave assurance that the concert will be one to be remembered in a long while.

“We’ll ensure that the event is orchestrated and executed to perfection according to world-class standards,” Victor-Okigbo said.

Obasanjo - Jonathan's Close Door Meeting After Controversial Open Letter

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday met behind closed doors in the  Intercontinental Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya.

The meeting held less than 24 hours after an 18-page   letter Obasanjo    sent to Jonathan went public.

Both leaders were in Nairobi for  Kenya’s  50th independence anniversary which was held inside the Safaricom Stadium.

The former President had in the letter accused Jonathan of  condoning corruption and engaging in acts  that were capable of destroying the country.

Before  the event, Obasanjo had made an  appearance at Jonathan’s hotel on a day the  media were awash with the letter  titled “Before it is too late.”

The former President’s arrival was said  to have been heralded by the surprise visit to Jonathan by Obasanjo’s daughter identified simply as Funke.

A source told The PUNCH  that a few minutes after that, Obasanjo arrived to the surprise of Jonathan’s aides.

The source added that the ex-President, in his usual humorous manner, said, “Mr. President, I have come to pay homage.”

According to him, they   talked briefly over breakfast  after which  Obasanjo jokingly said, “Mr. President, permission to go ahead of you.”

Our source said Jonathan replied with “Permission granted,” amidst laughter by the two of them and their aides.

But The PUNCH  learnt in Abuja on Thursday  that   the Presidency and the Peoples Democratic Party were already  planning   a counter offensive against Obasanjo.

Some of  the  aides of the President, headed by  his  Chief of Staff, Chief Mike Ogiadomhe, met at the Presidential Villa with Vice-President Namadi Sambo,    the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar; and the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP,  Chief Olisa Metuh.

 The other aides in attendance at the meeting which took place in Sambo’s  office were the  Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Mr. Ahmed Gulak;  the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe;  the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice-President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Umar Sani.

Sambo, Maku and Umar later left others to attend a scheduled meeting inside one of the conference halls in  the vice-president’s office while others moved to Oghiadomhe’s office to continue their consultation.

A source privy to the meeting told one of our correspondents that they discussed  how best the Presidency would respond to Obasanjo’s letter.

It was gathered that  the meeting by the presidential aide   was approved by Jonathan, who, according  to our   source, was rattled by the  publication of  the letter by the media.

They also discussed  the way to handle the backlash arising from the letter and how to  reach out to those that Obasanjo sent copies of the letter to.

The former President  had copied two former Heads of State, Generals Abdulsalami Abubakar and Ibrahim Babangida.

He also copied former Vice-President Alex Ekwueme and a former Minister of Defence, Lt.-Gen. Theophilus Danjuma.

One of  the decisions reached at the meeting  was that “a high-powered” delegation  be sent to  Abubakar, Babangida, Ekwueme and Danjuma   to explain   Jonathan’s angle to the issues raised by Obasanjo.

It was gathered that the team would leave for  Minna, Niger State “soon,”  to  meet with Abubakar and Babangida.

Our  source  said  there were reports that Babangida was also planning to write his own letter to the President, asking him to forget his second term ambition.

The source said, “The  two meetings are aimed at dousing tension created by Obasanjo’s letter.

“We will meet those he copied in his letter and explain our points to them before deciding on the next line of action. We know the security and political implications of the letter. So, we don’t have to leave anything to chance.”

The  source added that the President  might  personally  reply  Obasanjo   in writing.

He said, “Chief Obasanjo has said that the President refused to reply his earlier letters. He will get his reply this time round. When the President said he would personally respond to the charges, he did not mean that he would address a press conference for instance. What he will do is to write the former President.”

When asked  if the President’s letter  would  be made public,   he  replied , “When we reach that bridge, we will cross it. For now, the response is still being compiled.”

Shortly after the meeting ,  Sambo also met behind closed doors   with the Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih.

At the end of the meeting, Anenih, who  refused to speak with journalists, also had discussions with the National Chairman of the  PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.

Mixed reactions  have however continued to   trail the letter in which Obasanjo lashed out at Jonathan for acts capable of destroying the country.

Those who reacted on Thursday were   a Vice President,  Atiku Abubakar, the All Progressives Congress, the Northern Elders Forum,  the Coalition of Northern Politicians, Academics, Professionals and Businessmen,  the  Ijaw Youth Council  and    the  United Action for Democracy.

While Abubakar called on the two former Heads of State, Ekwueme and Danjuma  to speak up  now on the   letter, the APC, CNPAPB A, the  NEF and the UAD  cautioned the Jonathan administration against treating issues raised by the ex- President  with levity.

But the IYC chided Obasanjo, claiming that his anti-Jonathan posture was capable of putting the nation on the precipice.

Although  Abubakar said he  was not competent to speak on   the letter, he however insisted that it was expedient for Nigerian  leaders  to intervene and reduce the tension created by  Obasanjo’s weighty allegations.

In a statement issued by his media office in Abuja, the ex-vice-president  said like every other Nigerian, he  felt the allegations were too disturbing to be treated with apathy by any political stakeholder.

He said at a moment of national anxiety or uncertainty, leaders across the country should rise to the occasion and reassure their   citizens  about the future.

Abubakar  said, “Our priorities for Nigeria are forging lasting solutions to our chronic unemployment, providing safety and security for all, and vastly improving our failing education systems. President Jonathan’s government has consistently failed to address these critical concerns.

“That said, it is on record that I have firmly fought for a democracy where the voters choose their future leaders, not political party bosses.

“If the incumbent President insists on continuing to destroy his own party with vindictive internal wars and thinks his record of rising youth unemployment, never-ending violence, corruption and scandals is worthy of another term, then he is welcome to run. We are confident Nigerians will exercise their democratic right to choose new leadership in 2015.”

 He agreed  that the President was free to run his government without interference, but  said sometimes even sitting Presidents needed outside constructive interventions to move their  countries forward.

 The  APC said it agreed with Obasanjo’s call on   Jonathan  not to allow personal and partisan considerations blot out his responsibility as the father of the nation.

 The position of the APC was contained in a statement by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

 In reference to happenings in Rivers State,  for which Obasanjo also berated Jonathan,  the  APC  said it had resolved not to sit by and allow anyone make the nation a laughing stock in the comity of nations.

 The statement reads in part: “We are aware of the letter to President Jonathan by former President Obasanjo, virtually accusing the President of destroying the same nation he was elected to preside over and uplift.

 “We hope he will not allow Obasanjo’s prognosis about him to come true so soon by backing any move that can plunge Nigeria into chaos.

 “This is because, we in the APC,  have resolved never to sit by and allow anyone, no matter how highly placed, to engage in actions that will make our country a laughing stock and a pariah in the comity of nations.”

 The APC said there would be no peace anywhere in the country if the Federal Government supported  the perpetration of impunity in Rivers State.

 This, it said was not a threat, “but the sure consequences of any acts of impunity.”

 Speaking in a similar vein, the Convener  of the                 CNPAPB, Dr. Junaid  Mohammed,  said Obasanjo’s letter raised  a number of serious issues   that  could not be ignored.

 He said claims that the Presidency was plotting to set up “a killer squad” was particularly worrisome considering the nation’s sad history of unresolved assassinations.

 Mohammed said, “This, to me is very serious and given the way the government has been behaving from the time Jonathan came to power in an acting capacity, the way and manner he, INEC and others, were complicit in rigging the election.  I, as a Nigerian, has to be worried.

 “It is a known fact that a new think tank has been created and is being massively funded. Nigerians ought to be worried; we had random extra-judicial killings which became the norm of the government of the day.

 “As I can recall, most of the people killed have been unaccounted for.

Most of the people who were alleged to have done it or were accessories have been freed.

 “The idea that we are going back to the era where for example, Kudirat Abiola was assassinated in broad daylight, a time where the late Alex Ibru, got a snipers bullet in the head; he never was the same until he died of another ailment.”

Also, the UAD  agreed with Obasanjo’s claim that corruption had  been institutionalised  in the country.

The group, which is made up of more than 46 civil society groups, also said it  would be wrong to insulate the National Assembly from the corruption bazaar in the country.

It said corruption was being used as a patronage  mechanism of the ruling elite.

The National Convener of the UAD, Mr. Baba Aye, spoke on behalf of other leaders of the group at a news conference  in Abuja on Thursday.

Those present at the briefing were the Deputy National Convener, Abdul Yusuf; the  General  Secretary, Zulu Ofoelue; the  National Treasurer,  Jide Afolabi;  and the National Publicity,  Styvn Obodoekwe.

 Aye  said, “The UAD notes that corruption has remained institutionalised in Nigeria as a patronage mechanism of the ruling elite to foster their control over the economy and polity.

“With the recent rating of Nigeria as the 33rd most corrupt country in the world by the Transparency International, the brazen faces of corruption continue to disrupt national development.”

He  stated that  it was particularly worrisome that there was surreptitious sharpening of the teeth of state terrorism going on in the country.

“We  regard  these allegations with utmost seriousness, and demand  an urgent verifiable response from the Presidency,”  Aye  said.

  On its part, the NEF    said  even though   Obasanjo  said nothing new,   he  should be given credit for  his comment on  Jonathan administration.

Its spokesman, Prof. Ango Abdullahi,  said, “This is from the horse’s mouth, if I had said this three weeks ago they would have said, Ango has been in opposition all his life but this is the man I opposed. I opposed Obasanjo, he was my friend. We parted ways in 2003.

“Here is the man who brought this man (Jonathan) to us (North), he was the one who did the mago, mago(trick) for Umaru Yar’Adua, he did the mago, mago for Jonathan.

“Now that he has at least been honest enough to speak out about the fact that, there was a one-term agreement and all of the issues he has raised in his letter, we should take him as an authority on the issue.”

The NEF spokesman also said there was no denying the fact that the nation was on its knees hence the need for all men of goodwill to abandon their ethno-religious differences and work towards rescuing the nation.

  But the IYC  accused Obasanjo of heating up the polity unnecessarily.

 President of the IYC, Udengs Eradiri, who addressed journalists in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State,  asked   Obansajo to look inwards before making spurious comments.

 He said it was unfortunate that Obasanjo associated Jonathan with violence and purported training of goons like late General Sani Abacha reportedly did.

He added that  it was not in the character of Ijaw people to take delight in killing people.

Eradiri said Obasanjo’s letter was suggestive of ill-feelings, stressing that he  was engaging in the proverbial ‘pull-him-down syndrome’ because the President had unbeatable record of achievements.

 He said, “In this country, leaders who see that others will surpass them will decide to drag  them  down and  is that is what is playing out in the case of Obasanjo’s letter to Jonathan.

“The achievements that Jonathan has put on the table will be difficult for any other President to surpass in the country. But he is a man who does not know how to blow his trumpet.”.

Credit: Punch

Rose Amrayebure Laments Ethnic Bias In Nollywood

When did you start acting?
I started acting in 2005. My first job was in 2007. Then I left and came back in 2011.
Between then and now, how many movies have you done?
Between 2011 and now, I’ve done six movies and five soap operas.
Is there any soap opera you have done that is currently running?
They’ve shown the epilogue of ‘Married’ currently on TVC.
Have you taken a lead role before?
A sub-lead. The one in which I took a lead role is coming out in January. The one I played a sub-lead is already out and that was ‘Tears for Revival’. The one coming out in  January is called ‘Atmospheric Madness’ and it is directed and produced by Mr. Femi Okpeoluwa.
Why did you choose acting?
I have a flair for acting. Growing up, when I come back from school, my aunty would say, “Come and dance for me and all that”. So, I’ll say right from childhood, showbiz has been in me.
Your journey into acting, how has the experience been?
It is by God’s grace and with God, I am still pushing up.
I know it’s not a piece of cake to make it to the top in the acting industry, have you ever encountered anything like sexual harassment?
Sexual harassment is everywhere not just in showbiz or the movie world.

Rose Amrayebure
What has your own experience been as regards that?
My own experience has more to do with the language barrier, it’s not easy. They prefer giving their own people the jobs. Like the ones I have done so far are mostly from friends. I’ve gone for auditions but I have only gotten two movies from auditions. There is this ethnic bias, you are not Igbo and all that. Though I speak Igbo.
When you say language issues, is it that you are expected to speak Igbo?
Not really, but they tend to see you as their own person.
Has any director ever asked that you do otherwise before you could be given a role in a movie?
Not a director, but some producers. I’m not going to mention names, but they tell you if you don’t do it, no job for you!
Have you ever been tempted?
No. One thing I have at the back of my mind is any job that comes, let God take the glory. No, I have never been and will never be tempted.
What’s the highest fee you’ve been paid so far?
(Laughs).Highest fee, wow! A hundred thousand naira, and it was for a sub-lead role with ‘I beg’. Some people will tell you, it is when the movie comes out, they’ll pay. But you are doing it because you know the person will pay, you guys have a relationship. It isn’t everybody that will just say, come, after the job, I’ll pay. You guys must have an understanding.
Which role do you really like to take, that you believe you have natural affinity for?
I don’t think there is any like that. I am an actress and if I am given any role, I put myself into the character.
Most upcoming actresses are desperate, how desperate are you?
Desperate in what sense, I don’t understand.
If a big budget script falls into your laps now where you are required to do certain things like showing parts of your body, will you pick up the script considering the fact that it’s going to give you the big break you need ?
I won’t do it, I can’t expose vital parts of my womanhood if that’s what you mean. I can’t!
What about sexual scenes where you and a guy have to do a lot of smooching?
In this job, there are people you have good chemistry with. It depends on who you’re dealing with. If I have good chemistry with you, I might say okay, let’s do this thing for real. When I say for real, I mean when you guys are under the sheets, you make it look so real, meanwhile nothing is actually happening.
When I mean chemistry, I mean people you like working with, that you flow with.
You’ve been in the movie industry for six or seven years, which actor do you have good chemistry with?
Don’t get me wrong when I say chemistry, what I mean is for instance, you could be in an office, and there are five people in that office, but there is one person that you like working with.
The way you are putting it across, your chemistry thing is sounding like a crush ?
No, it’s not a crush. It is just work chemistry.
So, in your time as an actress, you’ve actually developed a chemistry with certain people?
(Laughs) Fine. I have friends I like to work with……
Even under the blankets?
No, I have never done any under the blanket job. It isn’t under the blanket chemistry I’m talking about, just work chemistry.
But these friends you are talking about, even though you’ve not had any under the blanket job with them, you wouldn’t mind having it with them because you have a good chemistry with them?
No, they are females not males.
That brings me to another question, there’s so much about lesbianism in the industry, have you heard?
I have not seen. Nobody has come to me.
So no female has come to woo you or proposition you?
No
What actually is your mission in Nollywood?
To make it to the peak of my career. I have people I want to carry along in the sense that whatever God gives to me, I want to be able to give it back to the society.
Who do you look up to in the industry?
None.
So you don’t have mentors in the industry?
No, God is my mentor.
No role model?
No.
Is there any particular Nollywood movie that you think is a good film?
The movie that really motivated me is an old film, ‘My Love’. Then I hadn’t dreamt of even coming to Lagos. I was watching that movie and shedding tears. One uncle who was watching the movie with me said, “Are you crying? One day, you too will be doing this thing” and I said “No, I can’t act o, I can’t cry now”. The movie featured Chiege Alisigwe, Ramsey Noah and Hank Anuku.

PHOTO: Could Tonto Dikeh Be So Much In Love With D'banj Or Something Else?

Tonto dikeh is no doubt really happy or less busy today with he uploading so much photos on her instagram today. But the one that caught my eyes is the photo below where tonto was really good looking and sexy but guess what.....the caption of that photo is EJANLA, was that meant for D'Banj or she is the new ejanla?

OBJ Blasts GEJ In An 18 Pages Open Letter

President Goodluck Jonathan is under  a fresh attack . This time, it  is a stinker  from a former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.

 The Balogun of Owu, Abeokuta, did not make an impromptu speech at a public forum, he took his time to pen what he felt to be Jonathan’s  failings.

In  an 18-page  letter to  the President, Obasanjo  accused  him, among other things, of  not honouring his words  and  taking actions calculated at destroying Nigeria.

The  letter dated December 2, 2013 and titled, “Before it is too late”  became public  knowledge on Wednesday. Only on Monday, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, said Jonathan was paying lip service to  the anti-corruption campaign  in the country.

In the letter, Obasanjo accused the President of  pursuing “ selfish personal and political interests based on advise from his “self-centred aides.”

He also alleged that the President had  failed  to deliver on his promises to Nigerians and to  curb insurgency and corruption in the country.

 “Nigeria is bleeding and the hemorrhage must be stopped,” an obviously angry Obasanjo lamented. He went ahead to declare that  “Jonathan had betrayed God and   Nigerians,” who voted him into power.

Obasanjo further alleged that Jonathan  had not only   placed more than  1, 000 Nigerians on a political watchlist,   he had  succeeded in destroying  the ruling  Peoples Democratic Party and  polarised Nigeria  along regional and religious lines.

He also said the President was involved in anti-party activities.

• PDP crises and Jonathan’s personal agenda

He said the President was using the PDP  National Chairman, Bamanga Tukur, to cause the lingering crises in the party.

Obasanjo said, “Let me start with the leadership of the ruling party. Many of us were puzzled over what was going on in the party. Most party members blamed the national chairman. I understand that some in the Presidency tried to create the impression that some of us were to blame.

“The situation became clear only when the national chairman spoke out that he never did anything or acted in any way without the approval or concurrence of the party leader (Jonathan) and that where the party leader disapproved, he made correction or amendment, that we realised most actions were those of the chairman but the motivation and direction were those of the leader.

“It would be unfair to continue to level full blames on the chairman for all that goes wrong with the party. The chairman is playing the tune dictated by the paymaster (Jonathan). But the paymaster is acting for a definitive purpose for which deceit and deception seem to be the major ingredients.”

Obasanjo stated that Jonathan’s  failure to keep his promise not to seek a second term   had also worsened the crises in the PDP.

“Up till two months ago, Mr. President, you told me that you have not told anybody that you would contest in 2015. I quickly pointed out to you that the signs and the measures on the ground do not tally with your statement. You said the same to one other person who shared his observation with me. And only a fool would believe that statement you made to me judging by what is going on. I must say it is not ingenious. You may wish to pursue a more credible and more honourable path.”

He added that  before the 2011 general  elections,   the President told  some governors and  the PDP     stakeholders, including himself,   that he would not seek reelection.

He   specifically mentioned  Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam,  as having  told him that Jonathan accepted not to run for Presidency in 2015.

The former head of  state said,  “ He (Suswam)  told  me  that  you  had  accepted  a one-term Presidency to allow for  ease of getting support across  the board in the  North.    I decided  to cross-check with  you.    You  did  not  hesitate to confirm to me that you are a strong believer in a one-term of six  years for the  President  and  that  by  the  time  you  have  used  the  unexpired  time  of your  predecessor  and  the  four  years  of  your  first  term,  you  would  have almost used up to six years and you would not need any more term or time.”

According to the former Nigerian leader, Jonathan’s failure    to keep the  promise had made him appear like a  man without honour.

Obasanjo told the President that it would be  “fatally morally flawed” for  him  to contest in 2015.

He wrote,  “As a leader, two things you must cherish and hold dear among others are trust and honour both of which are important ingredients of character. I will want to see anyone in the office of the Presidency as a man or woman who can be trusted, a person of honour in his words and character.”

The former President accused Jonathan of  supporting the candidates of opposition parties in governorship elections in Lagos, Ondo, Edo and Anambra states  and causing disagreements between  party members.

He said, “Maybe you also need to know that many party members feel disappointed in the double game you were alleged to play in support of party governorship candidates in some states where you surreptitiously supported non-PDP candidates against PDP candidates in exchange for promise or act of those non-PDP governors supporting you for your election in the past or for the one that you are yet to formally declare.”

He claimed that a former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola  Tinubu “was nocturnally brought to Abuja to strike a deal for support “ for Jonathan’s  personal election at the expense of the  PDP  and its governorship candidate.

 “If you as leader of the party cannot be seen to be loyal to the PDP in support of the candidates of the party and the interests of such party candidates have to be sacrificed on the altar of your personal and political interest, then good luck to the party and I will also say as I have had occasions to say in the past, good luck to Goodluck,” he said in the letter.

• Insecurity/Boko Haram

Noting   that the President had not been able  to tackle the remote  causes of insurgency in the country, Obasanjo again advised him  to adopt “a carrot and stick approach”  to stem  the problem.

He stated  that “conventional military actions based on standard phases of military operations alone will not permanently and effectively deal with the issue of Boko Haram.”

• Factionalism/clannishness

 Obasanjo also  took on Jonathan for being clannish and wondered why he had not quietened some Ijaw leaders who  publicly  attack those opposed to  his leadership style.

The former President said,  “For you to allow yourself to be ‘possessed’, so to say, to the exclusion of most of the rest of Nigerians as an ‘Ijaw man’ is a mistake that should never have been allowed to happen.

“Yes, you have to be born in one part of Nigeria to be Nigerian if not naturalised but the Nigerian President must be above ethnic factionalism. And those who prop you up as of, and for ‘Ijaw nation’ are not your friends genuinely, not friends of Nigeria nor friends of  the ‘Ijaw nation’ they tout about.

“To allow or tacitly encourage people of ‘Ijaw nation’ to throw insults on other Nigerians from other parts of the country and threaten fire and brimstone to protect your interest as an Ijaw man is myopic and your not openly quieting them is even more unfortunate.”

• Political watchlist

Obasanjo also  alleged that the President had  not only  placed more than  1, 000 Nigerians on a political watch list, he had encouraged the  “training of  snipers and other armed personnel secretly and clandestinely.”

He added that  weapons  were being purchased   them   for political purposes and training given to them  where Abacha trained his killers.

The former President  wondered why the Presidency was providing assistance for “a murderer” to evade justice.

He said, “Presidential assistance for a murderer to evade justice and presidential delegation to welcome him home can only be in bad taste generally but particularly to the family of his victim.

“Assisting criminals to evade justice cannot be part of the job of the presidency. Or, as it is viewed in some quarters, is he being recruited to do for you what he had done for Abacha in the past? Hopefully, he should have learned his lesson. Let us continue to watch.”

Obasanjo did not  give the  name of the   but he  was apparently  referring to  the  former  Chief  Security Officer to   Abacha,  Hamza Al-Mustapha.

• Corruption

Obasanjo  called on Jonathan to take at least, “one effective corrective action against high corruption which seems to stink all around you in your government.”

He mentioned the  recent allegation that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation failed to remit billions of dollars in proceeds of crude oil sales to the federation account.

“This allegation will not fly away by non-action, cover-up, denial or bribing possible investigators,” he  told the President.

He added,  “Please deal with this allegation transparently and let the truth be known.

“The dramatis personae in this allegation and who they are working for will one day be public knowledge.

“Those who know are watching if the National Assembly will not be accomplice in the heinous crime and naked grand corruption.

 “As  head  of  government,  the  buck  of  the  performance  and non-performance  stops  on  your  table  and  let  nobody  tell  you  anything  to the  contrary.    Corruption  has  reached  the  level  of impunity.    It  is  also  necessary  to  be  mindful  that  corruption  and  injustice are fertile breeding grounds for terrorism and political instability.”

He also told Jonathan to do the right things because God and Nigerians would hold him responsible for “whatever happens and fails to happen in the country.”

“I have had opportunity, in recent times to interact closely with you and I have come to the conclusion painfully or happily that if you can shun yourself to a great extent of personal and political interests and dwell more on the national interest and also draw the line between advice from selfish and self-centered aides and advice from those who in the interest of the nation may not tell you what you will want to hear,” Obasanjo said.

The former President told  Jonathan that  nothing, at this stage of his life, would prevent him from standing up for whatever he considered  to be in the best interest of Nigeria, Africa and the world.

He added that  he was ready for whatever reaction  the  letter would provoke from the Presidency.

He  said, “Knowing what happens around you,  most of which you know of and condone or deny, this letter will provoke a cacophony from hired and unhired attackers but I will maintain my serenity because by this letter, I have done my duty to you as I have always done, to your government, to the  PDP, and to our country, Nigeria.

“I have passed the stage of being flattered, intimidated, threatened, frightened, induced or bought… Death is the end of all human beings and may it come when God wills it to come.

“The harassment of my relations and friends and innuendos that are coming from the government security apparatus on whether they belong to New PDP or supporters of defected governors and which are possibly authorised or are  the  work  of  overzealous  aides  and  those  reading  your  lips  to  act  in  your interest will be counter-productive.

“It is abuse of security apparatus. Such abuse took place  last  in  the time of  Abacha.    Lies and untruths  about me emanating from the Presidency is too absurd to contemplate.    Saying that I recommended a wanted criminal by United Kingdom  and United States  authorities to you or your aides to supplant legitimately elected PDP leader in the South-West is not only unwise  and  crude  but  also  disingenuous.    It is a clear indication of how unscrupulous and unethical the Presidency can go to pursue your personal and political interest.

The former Nigerian leader  urged the President to share the contents of his letter with former Heads of State, Generals Abdulsalami Abubakar and Gen. Ibrahim Babangida as well as a former Vice-President Alex Ekwueme and ex-Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Theophilus Danjuma.

He told Jonathan that  he should do so because  Abubakar and Babangida     had shared the concerns he raised in the letter with him (Obasanjo).

Obasanjo said, “I crave your indulgence to share the contents of this letter, in the first instance, with Generals Babangida and Abubakar, who, on a number of occasions in recent times, have shared with me their agonising thoughts, concerns and expressions on most of the issues I have raised in this letter concerning the situation and future of our country. I also crave your indulgence to share the contents with Gen. Danjuma and Ekwueme, whose concerns for and commitments to the good of Nigeria have been known to be strong.”

Initial fear that the letter did not emanate from Obasanjo was  doused by  his Chief of Staff, Deacon Victor Durodola, who confirmed its authenticity to one of our correspondents.

Durodola said the elder statesman decided to write Jonathan despite their perceived close rapport.

“The reasons are already stated in the letter, including where Baba (Obasanjo) said the last letter he wrote was not even acknowledged; so, the reasons are there, about 10 of them. So, he wrote the letter.”

He also confirmed that Obasanjo left South- Africa on Tuesday after the memorial service for the former South African President, Nelson Mandela.

But the   Presidency   described the allegations  by  Obasanjo as “most reckless, baseless, unjustifiable and indecorous.”

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, who confirmed  receipt of the letter by the Presidency,   added that it was “highly unbecoming, mischievous and provocative” that it    (letter)  was  deliberately leaked to the mass media in an effort to impugn the integrity of the President.

The presidential spokesman   said  in a statement that  Jonathan, at the appropriate time, would offer a full personal response to the allegations.

The statement reads, “We have noted the publication on several websites today (Wesnesday) of a letter recently written by Chief Obasanjo to President  Jonathan.

“The Presidency acknowledges that it has indeed received the said letter from Chief Obasanjo.

“We however find it highly unbecoming, mischievous and provocative that a letter written by a former Head of State and respected elder statesman to President Jonathan  has been deliberately leaked to the mass media in a deplorable effort to impugn the integrity of the President and denigrate his commitment to giving Nigeria the best possible leadership.

“While many patriotic, objective and well-meaning Nigerians have already condemned the leaked letter as self-serving, hypocritical, malicious, indecent, and very disrespectful of the highest office in the land, President Jonathan has directed that none of his aides or any government official should join issues with Chief Obasanjo over it.

“The President himself will, at the appropriate time, offer a full personal response to the most reckless, baseless, unjustifiable and indecorous charges levied against him and his administration by the former Head of State.”

The PDP, in a statement by Tukur  also  called on  Obasanjo to tread with caution. It said the letter was  a direct assault on the person of Jonathan.

It added, “ For such a statement against the person of the national chairman of the PDP, to come from Chief Obasanjo, a former head of state  and President is most unfortunate.

“For him to insinuate that the President is using the national chairman to cause multiple problems for the party doesn’t in any way portray him as a true democrat.

“Obasanjo’s letter  is certainly an attack on the personal integrity and credibility of  Tukur.”