Controversy over Bishop Oyedepo's school inthe UK

This is exactly how BBC put it before his
people come after me now...:-) Read below..
A Nigerian church accused of linking poor
discipline to witchcraft wants to open an
independent school in Kent. Winners' Chapel
International, which is currently under
investigation by the Charity Commission,
wants to open the school at its Dartford site.
Human rights campaigners and the National
Secular Society are urging the government to
turn down the school bid. The church, whose
leader Bishop David Oyedpo was filmed
accusing a woman of being a witch, declined
an interview.
The organisation, which has its headquarters
in Nigeria, is known as Living Faith Church
Worldwide and also Winners' Chapel
International (WCI).
Bishop Oyedepo, its leader in Nigeria, has
been shown on YouTube slapping a woman
and accusing her of being a witch.
His son David Oyedepo Junior is the pastor at
WCI's European headquarters in Dartford,
where the church organisation wants to open
Kingdom Heritage Model School for children
aged four to seven.
But groups including the National Secular
Society (NSS) have raised concerns amid
claims the church links child "disobedience"
to witchcraft - citing the David Oyedepo
Ministries website, which states "disobedience
is as terrible as witchcraft".
Stephen Evans, from the NSS, said the
Metropolitan Police had investigated 27 cases
of child abuse related to witchcraft this year.
He said: "There's a need to be vigilant and
there's a need to tackle this. You don't do this
by allowing organisations that believe in
witchcraft and are associated with witch-
hunting to open in the UK."
The school application is being considered by
the government. The Charity Commission
confirmed concerns raised about Winners'
Chapel International included conflicts of
interest and the charity's financial
management. In 2011, Bishop Oyedepo's
fortune was estimated at $150m (£94m).
Source: BBC

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Paul Okoye celebrates his wife asshe turns a year older today

Happy birthday to her!

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Dorobucci VS Aye: Which song is more popular?

There is no gain saying it, the Nigerian music scene has definitely come a long way, and this year, music lovers have been bombarded with dozens of hits.

If we were to do a countdown of five songs that have dominated the year, Don Jazzy’s Dorobuchi and Davido’s Aye will definitely make the list because of their popularity. Today, songs go viral minutes after they are officially released, thanks to the social media. And that goes a long way in determining how the songs fair. This week, Showdown zeros in on Dorobucci and Aye, two of the most popular songs of 2014.
Dorobucci:
Released on May 1, 2014, Dorobucci is an Afropop song composed by artistes signed under Don Jazzy’s Mavin Records featuring Tiwa Savage, Don Jazzy, Dr. Sid, D’Prince, Di’Ja, Reekado Banks and Korede Bello. The video of the song was lavishly shot in South Africa. Since its release, unofficial records claim the song has received over 21 million downloads. It has also received two award nominations. They are Best Pop Single 2014 and Song of The Year, at the Headies 2014.
Aye:
Aye is Davido’s 4th official single from his forthcoming album entitled, Sophomore. Produced by TSpize, it was released just before Valentine’s Day, 2014. The song has earned Davido several awards including Hottest Single of The Year at the 2014 edition of the Nigeria Entertainment Awards and Most
Gifted Video of The Year, at the Channel O Music Video Awards 2014 among others. The video of the song was shot and directed in Nigeria by Clarence Peters and it was uploaded to YouTube on February 7, 2014.

…And the people’s verdict:
It’s Aye – Fred Okoh, lawyer
As for me, I find Aye more popular than Dorobuchi. The video of the song is far better than that of Dorobuchi. It is natural and compliments the message of the song. Davido should be commended especially as the song is a breath of fresh air from his traditional style.
Dorobucci video wasteful – Edith Chizoba, undergraduate
Shooting Dorobucci in South Africa was the biggest blunder of Don Jazzy and co. As a journalist, could you honestly tell me what justifies the SA shoot? The problem with our artistes is their wasteful business sense; they like wasting our foreign exchange.
Aye is superior – Ruth Bamiloye, businesswoman
I don’t expect such a question from you because the answer is glaringly obvious. Aye is better by all standards; Aye is superior.
Aye is a masterpiece – Christian Ozor, civil servant
Aye is a masterpiece any day. The song would remain evergreen for a long time to come. But in terms of beats, Dorobucci is better. For instance, if you close your eyes and both songs are played at the same time, you are more likely to dance to Dorobucci.
Dorobucci‘s quality poor – Dayo Babajide, accountant
The quality of the video for Dorobucci makes mockery of Don Jazzy and his team of stars that featured in the song. Aye is the product of a singular effort, yet it is a lot better than what a conglomerate of celebrated stars did. Dorobuchi is a star-studded project full of errors.
Aye is far better – Onyemaechi Ephraim
Truth is that Davido’s Aye is far better than Dorobucci in all its ramifications.
Give it to Aye – Jacob Obazelle, technitial
Why are you asking? Are you not aware of the several awards and nominations that Aye has won for Davido? How many can you count for Doro? Let me tell you, Doro cannot compare to Aye in any way because Aye is meaningful.
In fact, the only thing you can manage about Dorobucci is the beat.
Dorobucci is over-hyped – Lucy John, undergraduate
When Don Jazzy was inundating his instagram with Dorobucci, hopes rose immensely and people had expected that the song would be a bang! But unfortunately, when it was dropped, it didn’t live up to expectation. But Davido’s Aye, which didn’t even enjoy any hype is still being celebrated all over Africa.
Dorobucci’s video is shoddy – Oduma Job, graduate engineer
I’m still in doubt whether Don Jazzy, Tiwa Savage and others actually shot the Dorobucci video because it is shoddy. I say this because when you consider the quality of the video and try to match that with the rating of those behind the song, one would be tempted to suspect that they shot the video under duress. Meanwhile, the Aye video which is so simple and was locally shot is so wonderful; little wonder it has been bagging awards since its release.
Aye more accepted  – Rotimi Ogumbiyi, transporter
Remember that you are comparing Aye that was done by a single artiste with Dorobuchi, which was done by a consortium of stars? But even at that, the popular saying that a tree cannot make a forest was shattered by Aye.
Davido’s Aye became the forest which Dorobuchi could not be.
What does Dorobucci mean?– Omoruyi Salaudeen, security expert
There is something about Dorobucci that the Mavins Crew and Don Jazy are not explaining to Nigerians. That is what I feel is affecting the song in terms of popularity. Nigeria is a very religious country; predominantly Christian. It was once rumoured that Dorobucci has something to do with being spiritual or occultic but the Mavins later offered a defence that was viewed by many people as unsatisfactory. Don Jazzy came up with a confused explanation. According to him, Dorobucci represents ‘anything Good.’
Doro is more popular – SOJ Tijani, electronics dealer
No two ways about it; Doro is more popular than Aye. The reason is that it is more danceable than Aye. Doro is currently a must-play at clubs and parties but you cannot say the same for Aye.
Doro living on old glory – Jane Madu, caterer
The little you are hearing about Doro is based on the popularity of Don Jazzy and Tiwa Savage. If the song was a human being, I would have said that he is riding to limelight on their backs. But for them, the song wouldn’t have made any impact because it’s of poor standard.
I have problem with Dorobuchi video –Titi Oyebamikle, undergraduate
Dorobucci and Aye are not really poor songs but the thing is that some people may have reservations when you consider the video of Doro. But nobody will certainly say any bad thing about Aye. Both songs have nice beats but the problem is Doro video.
It’s Aye all the way – Sade Odukoya, undergraduate
It’s Aye o! No explanation is even required to justify it. You and I know, just like everybody does that Aye is much, much better than Doro.
Even kids know Aye is better –Douglas Iwuji, entrepreneur
Why do you people like throwing up subject matters that have obvious answers? Please, stop testing our intelligence because even little children are aware that Aye is far better than Dorobucci by all standards.
Aye has wider acceptance – Helene Okike, undergraduate
Aye is more popular because it has wider acceptance than Dorobucci. Aye appeals to the young and old, men and women, children and adolescents as well as the religious. But I doubt if Dorobucci will ever appeal to any serious Christian because it is rumoured to be linked with marine powers and occultism. Aye is in the class of Onyeka Onwenu’s evergreen song, One Love.

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I dumped lucrative oil & gas job for music -Lady Judith music

Lady Judith (Nwachukwu Akpomejevwe Judith), a gospel artiste, has been in the industry for the past 15 years. The former Vice President of PMAN came into limelight in 2008 when she dropped the hit single, There Is A Name.

She has performed at various concerts both at home and abroad, and has done several singles with the likes of Onyeka Owenu and Queen Salawa Abeni among others. Today, Judith is set to drop her debut studio album. In this chat with Damilola Fatunmise, the Sapele-born-singer opens up on her new album and call to music.


Tell us about yourself?
I am Lady Judith Ojevwe Nwachukwu. I am a married woman blessed with a set of intelligent twins; a boy and a girl.
For how many years have you been in the business?
Over 15 years now and I am basking in the grace of God.
Why did you title your latest album Thankful?
The title of the album is Thankful because it is the testimony of my life and what God has done for me, my family and my business. In short, I can’t thank Him enough. The only thing I can give Him is praise and I know that if I praise Him with all my heart and with my entire soul,
He will do more for me like the Holy Book says.
Why gospel and not hip-hop?
There is a part in everyone that cries out for God and the Bible says ‘we are in the world and not of the world.’ What that
means is that we are not expected to do things in the way of the world. However, I celebrate hip-hop artistes but I know I am on earth for this assignment of singing about God, and if I don’t do it, I will have to answer on Judgement Day. I am compelled to do what I am doing.
Why is it that gospel artistes are not recognised the way hip-hop artistes are?
We are not expected to live according to the world. That the hip-hop artistes are being celebrated does not mean we are not working. Good for them, we are in a world where sex sells. If you shoot a video in this country without showing boobs and bum, you have not done anything and gospel videos don’t feature all these because we have values; I am talking about morals.
How is your husband coping with your music career?
He met me on stage and he can’t stop me because that is the only way we can have peace, so he is encouraging me to do what I love to do.
The gospel music scene is saturated with so much talent. What sets you apart?
With all humility, I will say my uniqueness is what sets me apart. I do my things to make a mark. I have spent a lot of money and time in order to come out with a good job because the market is very competitive. So, I have a lot of good songs to offer the industry.
What about PMAN?
PMAN was good. I made my own impact and I was able to meet a lot of people.
Though PMAN is now a shadow of itself, my advice to my fellow artistes is that a house divided will keep falling. But if we are united, we will stand. So we should  just team up and work for a better union.
You have being singing for over 15, why did it take you this long to come up with your album?
Before now I was working with NNPC. I had babies at home to take care of. At a time I went back to school and then I eventually travelled out of the country. But now I am fully back in the business. Besides, music is not what you can just do and fold your arms; you must work hard to bring out a good album.
Why did you give up your lucrative oil job for music?
Because I was sent to do gospel music and I must fulfil that purpose.
Where is your career headed?
My career is headed for the top. I am not limiting myself at all; I see myself winning a Grammy in the nearest future. I keep growing, I won’t stop but I will keep moving.

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Halima Abubakar’s take on pre-marital sex

Sometimes, looks are truly deceptive. Do not bet on Halima Abubakar’s seductive movie role or dressing. Despite her dynamite appearance, the Nollywood actress has made a shocking revelation. Her words:
“I do not have sex.” Consequently, she advised young girls to desist from pre-marital sex and focus on building a worthwhile career for the future.
She recalled a thorny path on the ladder of success in Nigerian ‘Make- Believe’ world. “It was very difficult and stressful time for me but I knew where I was heading. I just kept telling myself to be focussed and push harder.”
Today, Halima is a popular actress. A multiple award winner, she is one of the few Nigerian English actresses that hail from the North.

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Day female fan emptied bottle of beer on my head –Victor Essiet

Victor Essiet of The Mandators fame, remember him? He was the musician who alongside the late Peggy Essiet gave us classics like Rat Race and Tribulations way back in the mid-1980s to early 1990s when reggae ruled the Nigerian music space. Essiet recently returned to Nigeria after a long sojourn in the US. He shares his over 20 years stage experience today.

When was the first time you performed live on stage?
That was in 1980. Then I was still in school. I also performed during the launch of my first album at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos.
How was the show?
I was very good because I had been practising for a very long time so the show did not come as a surprise.
Did you panic before the show?
Yes I was panicky!
How were you able to overcome that, did you take any stimulant?
No, I don’t take stimulants before going on stage?
How did you overcome stage fright?
You know, talent is physical but music is spiritual. When you are able to connect with the audience and you discover
that they are hailing you, your day is made as an entertainer
How do you prepare for a show?
Based on experience, I don’t rehearse all the time. I wake up anytime I want.
However, the only precaution I normally take is that I drink only warm water and I make sure that I don’t touch any drink that contains alcohol.
Do you take alcohol?
Not really, but I prefer some wine.
You use so much of energy on stage, what do you take?
I take little water because if I load my tummy with too much water I won’t be able to perform. Mind you, if I take any
stimulant it will be problematic because I am hyper-active.
What’s the relationship between you and your female fans?
Nice relationship; I love them and they love me too and it feels great. I treat them with respect because they are very
dear to my heart.
What crazy thing has a female fan done to you?
Lots of crazy things; at times when they get excited, some take of their blouses while I am performing! I have seen lots of
crazy things which one can not mention but one I will always remember was the day a female fan came on stage and out of
excitement poured drink on my head and the security guys had to take her off the stage. I later cautioned the security guys to handle her with care because she did it out of excitement.

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You’re hypocrite, speaker replies ex-minister

While reacting to the call by Chief Babatope that he should resign as Speaker, House of Representatives, Tambuwal, who spoke through his Spe­cial Adviser on Media, Mallam Imam Imam said the PDP chieftain was not in a position to give him such a piece of ad­vice.

Describing Babatope as a hypocrite, Tam­buwal said Babatope lacked the moral stand­ing to make such a call.
According to him: “Those, who live in glass house, should not throw stones. How can Babatope call on Tambuwal to resign? He lacks the moral standing to make such a call. Why did he not resign when he was a minister during Abacha regime when the late dictator’s government was busy assassinat­ing Nigerians? Which is more honourable— defecting to APC or serving in a government that killed its citizens? Did Babatope resign from Abacha government when good people were being killed, people like Ken Saro- Wiwa, Kudirat Abola, Alfred Rewane just to mention a few. Why did Babatope refuse to quit?
Imam, who added that the speaker would not like to make further statement on the is­sue, said: “This matter is already in court, and to that extent, we will not like to talk on it, let the judiciary make its pronouncement on the matter”.

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Ekweremadu gets support from Chime’s kinsmen

The contest for the Enugu East senatorial ticket in the Peoples Democratic Party certainly promises to be one of the toughest political contests in the history of the state. The contest is between the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu and the state governor, Sullivan Chime.

While the governor is banking on his powers as the leader of the party in the state, Ekweremadu is holding tight to his closeness to the National leadership of the party, as well as his Abuja connections. Of course, the sour relationship between the two leaders has continued to create division in the party in the state and also among supporters.
Thus the recent event in Udi, hometown of the governor where the Deputy Senate President was given a tumultuous reception has been receiving attention from political watchers within and outside the state.
It was meant to be a condolence visit to Udi Local Government Area that weekend, but at the end it was turned into a political carnival. The crowd was thick; the roads were blocked and even the popular Udi palm wine joints which dot both sides of the road as one drives in from the four-corner end were all under lock and key. It was unexpected, but all that was for Ekweremadu the same man in ‘battle’ with their own kinsman, Governor Chime.
The Udi people hijacked the opportunity provided by the condolence visit to the Onyia family for the death of their illustrious sons, Obiora Onyia and Emma Onyia and turned it into another political rally as men and women, young and the elderly trooped out to endorse Ekweremadu for a return to the senate.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairman in the local government, Hon Uche Ogbodo, started it all when in his speech he announced that PDP executive and political stakeholders in the local government had earlier met and endorsed Ekweremadu to return to the senate. Said he: “Looking around you can see who is who in Udi Local Government Area, I can see the pioneer chairman of PDP in the local government and other stakeholders, and I don’t think we still have other members left. You are all witnesses to the programmes and projects of Senator Ekweremadu in Udi ranging from water, electricity, roads and empowerment. That is why we have no option but to endorse him. On behalf of Udi PDP executive, we have resolved to endorse Ekweremadu for another four years in the senate.”
Corroborating the party chairman, other PDP stakeholders in the area, among them Hon. Mike Oba, former House of Assembly member and Hon. Austin Ene, declared their support for the endorsement, noting that Ekweremadu and President Goodluck Jonathan brought Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, among other major projects, to the South East zone.
Addressing the gathering, the Coordinator of Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) and Jonathan Support Group (JSG) in Udi Local Government Area, Hon. Emeka Aneke said that people of Enugu West senatorial zone had already renewed Ekweremadu’s mandate for a third term in the senate.
“This mandate is a public investment by the masses. The expected returns on this huge investment are your delivery of social justice for the masses measured in terms of quality representation, human capital development and empowerment, rural infrastructure development, accountability and prospects building”.
He highlighted some major projects attracted to the local government by Ekweremadu, pointing out that the first asphalted road and erosion control from Nkwoagu to Uwani Amokwe, the solar plant and street light at Udi town, the Enugwu Obinagu erosion control project, were attracted by Ekweremadu.
He listed other projects by the senator in Udi to include the Umuabi Abor erosion control project, construction of Oji/Udi 33kv feeder for power improvement, IKEOHA scholarship scheme, adult literacy and widowhood care programmes in all communities in the local government area.
“As our senator, we attest to the fact that you are very visible nationally and internationally and a pride of not only Enugu State but the entire Ndigbo and Nigeria.”
Addressing the people at Umuneke Udi, Ekweremadu announced that he will set up a master plan for comprehensive development of the local government area. This plan he said will make 9th Mile, the major commercial centre of the council area a hub of economic activity in the South East zone of the country. He declared that the master plan will be named “Obiora Master Plan” in memory of the late Onyia.
He observed that the people of Udi have not received fair share of infrastructural development, good governance and youth empowerment that they deserve.
He described Udi as the cradle of development in Igbo land where development started. “So, we are here to pay respect to the great people of Udi, who helped us to gain independence as Enugu people. They gave Wawa meaning, they made us proud because among the Igbo, you cannot speak about the judges without speaking about people like Justice Onyeama, Justice Nnaemeka Agu, Aniagolu and, of course, the late C. C. Onoh. We also have professors of note from Udi and also traditional rulers who gave our people character. We are here to pay our respect to this great local government that we are all proud of.
“So, I’m going to work with the elders, the leadership of Udi and, of course, the stakeholders to develop a master plan that will ensure that our people of Udi will have access to the best quality infrastructure. We are going to ensure that 9th-Mile is re-designed and re-developed so that it will be the hub of economic activities in the South East.”
A PDP stakeholders and guber aspirant from the zone, Chief Anayo Onwuegbu, who accompanied Ekweremadu, said: “Ekweremadu is one who fully embraced his opponents, we are speaking in the domain of my good friend and brother (Gov Chime) whom
I was told only yesterday that he is aspiring to– the office of the senate of Enugu West district which is presently being occupied by the Deputy Senate President; and I think it is historical that the people of Umuneke decided to come out en masse like this to sound it loud and clear that they want to identify and endorse Deputy Senate President against his opponent who happens to be the Governor of Enugu State and it is historical because it is not normal, that’s the importance of today.”
Another political leader in the zone, Emperor Baywood Ibe said: “We thank you (Udi people) for receiving warmly our brother, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, we are happy to be here, when your own deny you, you have no place to go; we have accepted our own, we are one, Udi and Awgu and all the greater Awgu people are brothers, but in the time past, some people have been treating us with contempt but they fail to understand that you cannot suppress people that are determined to move forward, you cannot bring them backward, and that is why we have decided to move forward as a group, we now have Save Awgu Forum, but now it is no more Save Awgu Forum, it is Save Enugu Forum, that is the way, because we have decided to move as one.
“This is an appeal; I can see that Udi people are eager just like us to save Enugu State. This is the time when we are going to remind our people to stand up and speak with one voice, the people have spoken, and when the people speak, they (opponents) begin to shake, so shall it be. The people have spoken that Ikeoha (Ekweremadu) is the man to beat. So, we thank you.”
Chief Mike Ugwu, a member of the House of Reps in the Second Republic also spoke, saying: “I’m a stakeholder of PDP in Enugu West and, therefore, I know everything about PDP. What I’m saying is that Ekweremadu has the capacity of being a senator, because I was a member of National Assembly, you have to talk to people, you have to lobby to get projects to your own zone and somebody who has been executive governor, should after eight years have a rest, because he will just be resting in the National Assembly.”
For Dr. Nnamdi Ene, a native of Oninagu, in Udi: “My assessment of today’s gathering is that it is actually what it should be. The people of Udi got the information, just a rumour that their senator will be coming on a condolence visit and they all thronged this place to show their solidarity and with this number of people gathered, you can imagine what will happen by the day he will be coming on a campaign; that shows that the senator is doing very well and that he is loved by the people and they will want him to go back to the senate.”

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Tambuwal must go – Babatope

Former Minister and member, Board of Trustees, BoT, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Ebenezer Babatope, has insist­ed that the embattled Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, should quit office if he wants Nigerians to see him as a man of honour.

While react­ing to Tambuwal’s defection to the main opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Babatope described the development as very unfortunate, adding that Tambuwal through his action has betrayed the ruling PDP.


“The best thing for Tambuwal to do now is to resign as the Speaker, House of Representatives. He has betrayed PDP. If he is a man of honour, he should hon­ourably resign his position. PDP will not miss him. The party is even going to wax stronger following his departure. But he should resign as the speaker,” he declared in this interview with TUNDE THOMAS.
The PDP chieftain also talks on Presi­dent Jonathan’s re-election, PDP’s chanc­es in Lagos State in 2015 and a host of others. Below is an excerpt:
What is your reaction to the defec­tion of the Speaker, House of Repre­sentatives, Aminu Tambuwal, from the Peoples Democratic Party, to the All Progressives Congress?
Tambuwal, through his action, has em­barked on a wild goose chase, and in the end will regret his action. What he did is a strange development for Nigeria’s democra­cy, for somebody in his position as number four citizen to abandon the political party on which platform he became speaker to join another party.
Although as an individual, he is entitled to freedom of association and speech, be­lieve me, he has laid a very bad precedent which historians will find condemnable for years to come. But I wish him the best of luck and I can assure him that PDP will not be worse off by his action. His defection will become a source of strength to PDP.
Some members of your party, PDP, have been insisting that Tam­buwal should vacate his position as the Speaker of House of Represen­tatives since he was elected on the platform of the party, but Nigerians have also insisted that Tambuwal should retain his position citing cas­es of other politicians who have de­fected from other parties to join PDP and still retain their offices, what is your reaction to this?
PDP asked Tambuwal to resign his posi­tion purely on the basis of honour. Tambu­wal should resign his position on honour as the Speaker of the Lower House having left PDP. Even there is honour among animals, not to talk of human beings. He got to the post of speaker in a manner not approved by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
If you can still remember very well, PDP leaders sat down after the last general elec­tion in 2011 to determine who will hold what position, and the position of the Speak­er of House of Representatives was zoned to the South Western part of the country. But Tambuwal went out to lobby some PDP members, and members from other political parties to become speaker. Right from 2011, Tambuwal assumed position not given to him by PDP. It is a mark of honour for him to resign. But for him to remain in that posi­tion without being a PDP member is unac­ceptable. It is unfair. If Tambuwal is a man of honour, he should throw in the towel as speaker.
Why did the PDP refuse to sanc­tion Tambuwal when he went against the party’s directive to contest the post of speaker?
When we talk about legal aspect regard­ing Tambuwal’s action, the courts are per­mitted by convention and practice not to give rulings that will compound the prob­lems of the society, as doing so will throw the country into chaos, and that is why the judiciary at times are cautious on certain is­sues.
PDP was very cautious over this issue when Tambuwal violated the party’s princi­ple. What do we do? We need to handle the issue very carefully because if we fail to do so, it could trigger a number of events with­in PDP which may have negative effect not only on the party, but the country as a whole.
Mulikat Adeola-Akande from the South- West geo-political zone should have been the speaker, but Tambuwal came from no­where to hijack the position of speaker. Even when PDP leaders were looking for him with the aim of persuading him not to go ahead with his plan to become speaker, he made himself inaccessible. Nobody saw him, but he got some rebellious members of PDP in the House to back him, and with the support of APC lawmakers, he became the speaker.
Again, people don’t know this, the Board of Trustees of PDP considered the matter, and felt that they should really set up a com­mittee to examine the whole issue and rec­ommend to BOT what BOT should recom­mend to PDP about what the party should do on the issue, and this led to the setting up of Onyeabor Obi Committee, and I was a mem­ber of that committee, Sule Lamido, gover­nor of Jigawa State, was also a member.
After our meeting, members of the com­mittee felt that the only thing we can do to assuage the feelings of the South West and therefore recommend that somebody from the South-West should be appointed as chairman of party’s BOT. Obasanjo, who was then the party’s chairman, BOT, didn’t allow the recommendation to work for what­ever reason known to him.
President Jonathan now has to do several things to assuage the feelings of the people from the South-West by giving the zone sev­eral other appointments.
Eventualy, if Tambuwal has the courage to resign, then for goodness sake, the posi­tion of speaker should be given to Mulikat Adeola-Akande in line with the party’s deci­sion.
Why is PDP insisting that Tambuw­al should resign since defection has become a common feature among Nigerian politicians?
People can move from one party to anoth­er because we have not got law that regulates this. Having said that, as regarding Tambu­wal’s position as speaker of the House of Representatives, he got there by the virtue of being an elected PDP member, and PDP won majority in the House. What Tambuwal has done amounts to total betrayal of the party. Imagine Tambuwal leaving the party when we are all busy preparing for election in 2015. What can amount to betrayal more than that? Tambuwal has compromised his position, he has compromised his party, and he has thrown confusion into the country’s politics. But Tambuwal is a young man, I wish him the best of luck, but I hope he re­traces his step.
Tambuwal and members of APC are taking measures to ensure that he retains the office of speaker, they have gone to the courts, how do you see this development?
Let’s wait and see what will come out of all these. Tambuwal can’t eat his cake and at the same time have it, he should be a man of honour. He is no longer in PDP, he should leave what belongs to PDP for the party. If I were Tambuwal, and I did what he did, as speaker of the House of Representa­tives.
Some members of PDP have instituted court cases against President Goodluck Jonathan, they are asking the court to de­clare the president as being inel­igible to seek re-election, claim­ing that the President had taken oath of office twice, what is your position on this?
Those PDP members that have gone to court are only exercising their con­stitutional rights. It is a pity they have not come to hire me as their lawyer, I will collect their money and go to court on their behalf. But what I know is that PDP has decided that President Good­luck Jonathan should seek re-election. No court of law can administer the PDP. The courts will never do that. What courts can only do is to give guidelines to interpreting party’s policies, but the courts can never dictate to PDP on what to do.
As far as we in PDP are concerned, we are focused, and we have chosen President Goodluck Jonathan as our flagbearer for 2015 presidential elec­tions.
How do you see the letter writ­ten to President Jonathan by a popular Islamic cleric in Kaduna, Sheikh Ahmed Gumi, pleading with the President not to seek re-election, but rather any other member of PDP can run for the election?
I would advise that nobody should take the letter to the president seriously. Nigerians should discountenance the letter. It is God that decides the fate of nations and individuals. Why should he say that Jonathan and Buhari should not contest? Why should he say that he sees danger ahead if Jonathan and Bu­hari contest? If Gumi is an astrologer, he should be able to see things that are positive. But again, as a Nigerian, Gumi is free to say whatever he wants to say but for us in PDP, we will not allow President Jonathan to take that kind of advice.
Lagos State has always been difficult for your party, PDP, to win and as 2015 is fast approach­ing, APC leaders have vowed to humiliate PDP again, what do you say to that?
For 2015, APC is in trouble in Lagos State. But APC has been able to sustain itself, because it has been using propa­ganda to hoodwink people. PDP is do­ing everything possible to defeat APC in 2015.
Are you saying that APC’s days in Lagos State are numbered, and the era of Tinubu’s influence is gradually coming to an end in Lagos politics?
Tinubu is a very difficult person to understand. We are watching Tinubu 100 per cent. To us in PDP, Lagos State is important to us in 2015. Honestly speaking, I think some elements believe that they have to push out from APC the Tinubu phenomenon, and it has got to a stage where those of us in PDP will benefit from that kind of thing.

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How fire from oil spillage almost razed Foursquare campground

Tuesday, November 4, 2014 was a day that petrochemical fire would have razed the expansive camp of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria located in Ajebo, a community in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State.

Some villages in the vicinity of the camp such as Derupatan, Ajebo, Ashaidun, Oniworo and Fidiwo would have also been reduced to rubble by the raging fire, but for providence.
The incident occurred less than a week to the commencement of the annual national convention of the denomination slated to hold from Monday 10th to Sunday 16th Novem­ber, this year, at the Foursquare Campground, Ajebo. The main gate of the camp is beside Lagos-Ibadan Expressway at Alapako/Ogun­makin area.
The fire reportedly broke out at about 12noon and burnt uncontrollably for several hours before it stopped by itself. Some nota­ble members of the church, who were at the camp with a view to putting necessary things in place prior to the convention, and scores of villagers were said to have been very alarmed.
When Saturday Sun met with the Chair­person of the Foursquare Camp Board, Rev (Mrs) Yetunde Sodipo, who is the District Overseer of the church in Ifo District, Ogun State, she said the authorities of the camp no­ticed oil spillage on the Asha River that pass­es through the camp about three months ago. The stretch of the river that passes through the camp is about three kilometres.
Letters, according to her, were written to the manager of the Nigerian National Petrole­um Corporation (NNPC) in Abeokuta and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) at Owode- Egba, informing them of the development and the need to address the situation.
The Camp Manager, Rev Ebun Bella, who was at the camp when the incident oc­curred, took over the narration from there. He explained that at about 12noon on Tuesday, he suddenly noticed a thick black smoke bil­lowing into the air, with fire and intermittent explosions from the Asha River.
“I suddenly noticed the fire at the back of the old National Temple. The smoke was too thick and nobody could stay in about 600 metres away from the river because of the heat from the fire. People at the camp ran for safety. Also, car owners hurriedly jumped into their vehicles and drove off towards the second gate for safety.
“The smoke covered the old National Temple, Harold Curtis Hostel, the Camp Can­teen, the Foursquare Women International (FWI) building and other hostels that are not far from the Asha River. It was an ugly de­velopment.
“The fire was burning on top of the water and also burnt the green vegetation along the river, including trees, palm trees and bam­boos, along the river. The river flows from Olosun, Ajebo, Ashaidun side through the camp to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. So, we noticed that the fire came from those ar­eas along the river path, and burnt towards the expressway.
“We thank God the fire incident did not happen during dry or harmattan season; oth­erwise, the whole camp might have been burnt down. Also, we thank God that the na­tional convention had not started. If it had, I could not imagine the kind of commotion that would have engulfed the camp.
“But about three months ago, we had no­ticed oil spillage on the river. So, we wrote letters to the NNPC, Abeokuta and the DPO, Owode-Egba Police Divisional Headquarters. The NNPC later told us verbally that the leak­age point of the petrol pipeline that caused the spillage had been repaired. So, the NNPC said it would not pose any danger to us again. Thereafter, the spillage stopped. But we sud­denly saw the fire on Tuesday afternoon.”
Bella also said the police have begun in­vestigation on the fire incident, adding that a Deputy Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, on Wednesday, led 11 other policemen on an assessment visit to the scene of the in­ferno.
One of the campers, Mr. Tosin Iwala, told Saturday Sun that when he suddenly saw the thick black smoke and the fire, he left the caf­eteria in front of the old National Temple and ran away.
“The smoke overwhelmed the camp. I did not know that it was oil spillage that caused it. I was only imagining how fire could be burn­ing like that on top of a flowing river, not a stream. We thank God that nobody died in the camp and none of our property was razed.”
When the reporter visited Derupatan, one of the villages in the camp area, a young man, who introduced himself as Sherifudeen Afo­larin, lamented that a septuagenarian lost his life to the fire incident.
He said the old man, Pa Idris Ajinikirun, who was blessed with heavy beard and mous­tache, was working in his farm when the fire broke out, saying: “The information I heard was that the old man did not die immediately. He was roasted by the fire at about 2p.m on Tuesday. He was taken to hospitals. He was rejected in the first two hospitals he was taken to and died in the third one where he was ad­mitted.

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Duke, Imoke at ‘war’ over guber race

The age-long re­lationship be­tween Governor Liyel Imoke and his predecessor, Mr. Donald Duke seems to have broken down as the latter has taken a swipe at the processes adopted by the party leadership in Cross River to select the next governor.

There has been no love lost between the two friends.
While Imoke insists that his successor must be a member of the PDP family and chosen by the people, Duke contends that major­ity of the PDP members have been shut out through the processes put in place by the leadership headed by Imoke to choose the next governor.
Addressing a political rally on Thursday at the Holy Child Girls’ Second­ary School in Calabar, Duke, who handed over power to the incumbent in 2007, said he cannot un­derstand the real meaning of PDP family being ban­died about as his adminis­tration accommodated all shades of opinions unlike now.
Duke said it is unaccept­able for a few privileged people to hijack power to the detriment of all Cross Riverians, stressing that it is only change of baton to the wish of the people that can salvage the state and the PDP.
He said, “I don’t know the meaning of the word family. I know better still the meaning of the word, PDP family. You see in 1999, when we assumbed office, we were not all in PDP. So there were some in APP as at then and of course there were others in PDP. My first task as gov­ernor was to bring all of Cross River to PDP family. I was the chief executive of that family.
“I was the head of that family. And by the time I left in 2007, all of us, all of Cross River State resided in one family.
Now, families, when they get very large, they have challenges, but the only way one can keep everybody together is by showing leadership; by be­ing honest, by being forth­right and being straight forward. Members of the family should not guess what the leader or lead­ers or elders of the family think. They should know. You don’t guess what God wants of you.”

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FG undertakes not to undermine Tambuwal

The Attorney Gen­eral of the Fed­eration and the Inspector General of Police have given an undertaking not to do anything that will un­dermine the office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives as a re­sult to his defection to the opposition All Progres­sives Congress [APC].

In doing so, the federal agencies asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss the suit filed by Aminu Tambuwal border­ing on the perceived moves to impeach him as well as the withdrawal of his secu­rity details as Speaker.
When the case resumed yesterday for hearing, the presiding judge, Justice Ahmed Mohammed re­vived its earlier orders for the parties to maintain the status quo.
The judge premised the order to maintain status quo on verbal undertakings by the defendants’ lawyers not to do anything that would destroy the subject matter of the case.
In a short ruling, Jus­tice Mohammed held that: “Parties are on agreement that the res should not be tampered with. The plain­tiffs are satisfied by the undertakings granted the defendants not to tamper with the res.
“The lone issue now is the security of the plaintiff.
“On the issue of juris­diction, the court has pow­er to determine whether or   not it has jurisdiction.
“The preliminary objec­tions will be taken together with the substantive case.
“Parties are hereby di­rected to maintain the sta­tus quo pending the hearing of the suit and the prelimi­nary objections.”
The court however did not make any order direct­ing the police to reinstate the security details of the Speaker. Justice Moham­med was silent on this. He adjourned the matter till November 17.

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C’River PDP suspends guber aspirant, 10 others

The crisis rocking the ruling Peo­ples Democratic Party, PDP across the country deepened in Cross River State yes­terday when the party suspended one of its gov­ernorship aspirants, Mr. Goddy Agba, and 10 other stalwarts over alleged gross indiscipline as well as outright abuse of party rules and guidelines.

Besides, the party lead­ership referred the Sen­ate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, and Hon. Chris Etta, House of Rep­resentatives member to its national headquarters for appropriate sanctions over their alleged conducts in the just concluded ward del­egates’ election in the state.
Those sanctioned include Dr. Sandy Onoh, immediate past commissioner for Envi­ronment, Hon James Tam­bang, Mr. Tony Mkpang, Liganus Odigha, Dr. God­win Igile, Kenneth Ndoma- Egba, Samuel Willie, Ubi Itam Ettah, Barr Venatious Ikem, former PDP Publicity Secretary, and Ernest Irek. Speaking at a press brief­ing at the party secretariat in Calabar, the party chair­man, Ntufam John Okon, said the decision to suspend the 11 members was arrived at after the state Execu­tive Working Committee’s meeting that examined the roles played by each of them during the last ward congress.
Ntufam Okon said the suspended members by their conducts have not only ridiculed the party, but did everything possible to compromise the system just as they have taken the party to court against the its rules.
“Following the just-con­cluded delegate congress, a lot of issues occurred. We have some party members that have ridiculed the par­ty, and gone against party rules. Some of them have gone to court against party rules. Some have been in­duced to compromise the system. And some other party members from across the state have sent petitions to me.
“And I had to summon the party Exco in the state to sit over them. We did not have to waste time unneces­sarily over them so we are not accused.
I, as a person don’t have the power to sanction. When the Exco looked at the whole petitions they passed a resolution that those involved in such alle­gations be suspended. They are referred to appropriate party committee in line with constitution of the party for thorough investigation.
“For Sen. Victor Ndoma- Egba and Hon Chris Ettah, we don’t have power to sus­pend them. Constitution of the party says because they are members of the Nation­al Assembly if anyone has case against such should be referred to the National Working Committee”, he stated.
Insisting that their action is in order, the chairman said, “the party will not sit down and watch those who want to destroy the struc­tures of the party,” stressing that the party treats every member equally no matter which office you hold or status.
The suspended members are to appear before the dis­ciplinary committee headed by Barr (Mrs.) Josephine Effiom, former chair of Ak­pabuyo LGA.
Reacting to his purported suspension yesterday, Sena­tor Ndoma Egba dismissed it as mere rumour and a non-issue.
He further said he was yet to be officially notified by the Cross River State chap­ter of the party.
“I’ve heard the rumour; I don’t believe that the state chapter of the PDP will dis­play such crass ignorance.
“If they did, then, it’s a pity and quite unfortunate. It would be a comedy of very frustrated people, as far as I’m concerned.”
The Senate Leader prom­ised to throw more light on the development on Mon­day.

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Skye Bank records N12b profit

Skye Bank Plc has announced its Third Quar­ter result with moderate growth in some performance indices. It recorded a profit before tax of N12.3billion during the period, which repre­sents a quarter on quarter growth of 33 percent.

With gross earnings of N97.1billion, the bank was able to reduce its in­terest expense by 15 per cent year on year to close at N30.3billion compared to N35.7billion as at Sep­tember 2013. This is in line with its operational strategy of increasing the volume of low cost funds in its deposit portfolio.
The bank closed with a year-to-date net loans and advances balance of N576billion showing a 6% increase year on year. Similarly, customer depos­its grew to N801.7billion as against N726.8billion of the previous year while as­set size remained strong at N1.1trillion with a 3 per­cent year-on-year growth.
The bank said barring any unforeseen circum­stances, the growth pattern would be improved in the remaining period of the fi­nancial year.
“Our loan impairment charge increased by 62 percent year on year to N7.5billion, being a delib­erate policy of aggressive provisioning early in the year to enable a fairly sus­tained position and avoid high concentration in the last quarter of the year. Non-interest income im­proved by 15 percent YoY to N17.6billion compared to N15.2billion of the cor­responding period in 2013.

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Broadband: Nigeria has tremendous opportunities for growth-EVC

The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Eugene Juwah has disclosed that the country still has tremendous opportunities for growth in internet deployment.

Juwah, who was speaking shortly after after a nail-biting election in Bussan, South Korea recently, noted that there had been so much development in the country’s Communications sector, which she was ready to export and share with the international community.
“The Nigerian Telecommunications industry has grown in leaps and bounds over the last decade. The growth rate continues to be impressive. Our industry statistics shows the Country’s Active voice Subscriber Base of about 132 million as at today;  Tele-density of 92.41 percent; Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) of over $32 Billion and Telecoms contributes 9 percent to Nigeria’s GDP. Nigeria still has tremendous opportunities for growth, especially in the area of broadband deployment.
“As a Country, we have valuable experiences to share. We have also been recognized in various fora globally for the achievements we have made in regulating and developing our telecommunications sector. We continue to enunciate programmes and regulatory frameworks, as well as adapt global best practices in the regulation of our telecommunications industry. We carry out our regulatory role based on the principles of fairness, forthrightness and firmness. This has been demonstrated over the years in all the initiatives and programs we have implemented”.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s efforts to remain in the ITU Council were also rewarded as the Nigerian campaign was spear-headed by the Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, and supported by  Juwah.
Johnson urged the Nigerian delegates to work harder in the campaigns next time in order to make the outcome less anxious and stressful. The Minister was referring to the thick anxiety that enveloped the Nigerian delegation when the name wasn’t called at the expected time.
The ITU Council is the highest decision making body and acts as the union’s governing body in the interval between Plenipotentiary Conferences while one of the Board’s main functions is to approve rules of procedures to facilitate application of the Radio Regulations, the international treaty governing the use of the radio-frequency spectrum and the geo-stationary-satellite and non-geostationary satellites orbits.
The 48 membership Council seats are distributed thus: The Americas (9 seats); Western Europe (8 seats); Eastern Europe and Northern Asia (5 seats); Africa (13 seats); and East Asia and Australia (13). Although the seats are fairly distributed across the regions, a whole lot of international politicking and diplomatic maneuvering usually come into play and this saw countries like South Africa and Iran voted out of the Council.
The Nigerian Communications Commission formed the arrow-head of the country’s return to the ITU Council.
From the outcome of the elections the appeal hit a positive note as Nigeria was retained in the Council, while some other high profile countries lost out.
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone provided by Airtel Nigeria.

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Jonathan opens Akwa Ibom Stadium

President Good­luck Jonathan who laid the foundation stone of the Akwa Ibom Stadi­um two years ago was on hand to commission the sumptuous arena yester­day. Assisted by two serv­ing presidents of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama and Côte d’Ivoire’s Al­assane Drmane Ouat­tara, as well as former President of Ghana, Jer­ry Rawlings, the presi­dent declared the edifice open at quarter past six in the evening (6:15pm).

He paid tributes to Gov­ernor Godswill Akpabio, who executed the project in record time, pointing out governments in the fed­eration sometimes initiated programmes, which they were often unable to finish.
“This has not been the case here. I therefore com­mend the governor for the achievement”. He also pointed out the signifi­cance of Akwa Ibom, be­ing the first state to host three serving presidents at the same time on occa­sion that had nothing to do with a major political or economic meeting. The commissioning preceded the Nigeria versus Ghana football match.
Ghana’s president in his goodwill message, devi­ated to commend the coun­try on how the Ebola virus was contained and showed how Nigeria can achieve a lot if all work together.
President John Dramani Mahama also spoke as the chairman of ECOWAS, remarked that the stadium will not just be a nest for champions of Nigeria, but also that of West Africa, Africa and the world.
He hoped that the arena will breed future Serena Williams, Nemar, Pele and other notable names of the world.

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Harp Music Nite second editionkicks off

Nigeria, get set to rock this ember period!
Harp, the Premium Lager best enjoyed with
friends is back and promises really exciting
times ahead for friends across the country.
Three intense weekends of fun across five
major cities in Nigeria and all courtesy of
Harp premium Lager. It’s the Harp Music
Nite tour!
Benin, Are you ready!
The party kicks off on the 9 th of November in
Benin at the PLAYHOUSE, 17 Okhoro Road,
Benin city by 6:00pm and the man of the
moment; Flavour will be there LIVE to ensure
his fans have a super night of Harp-iness.
Up and coming artistes will also get a
chance to show what they’re made of, with
the crowd favourite going home with Harp
gift items and lots of cash.
Join he party train and keep up to date with
all the news and tidbits as the Harp Music
Nite thrills Nigeria by liking the Facebook
page at https://www.facebook.com/
HarpNigeria .
Be there! Harp is not for sale to persons
under the age of 18. Drink Responsibly.

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Photos: Don Jazzy & Mavin crew step out in all white ensemble

Don Jazzy, Tiwa Savage, Dr Sid, D Prince and
other Mavin artistes stepped out in all white
ensemble as they attended the opening of
Ibom stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state this
evening. They performed at the opening. See
more photos after the cut...

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ooops!! Model Ify Yolanda Jones comes for Iyanya and his abs

Lol. If he wants to show off his abs, let him
nah! Some of us like it jor! :-). Last tweet after
the cut...

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Nigerian lawyer arraigned for killing man'sfowl, breaking 19 eggs

Yep, this is a real case in a Nigerian
court...hehe! According to a report by NAN, a
38year old lawyer, Hajiya Hamamatu Manu,
was today Friday November 7th charged in a
Gudu Upper Area Court in the FCT, Abuja, for
allegedly killing a man’s fowl and breaking 19
of its eggs.
Manu, who resides at Apo resettlement, Abuja,
is charged for mischief. The prosecutor, Insp
Emmanuel Edet, told the court that Terhemen
Kolum of Zone B, Apo resettlement, Abuja,
reported the matter at the Apo Police Station
on Nov. 4.
Edet said that the accused killed the
complainant’s fowl, destroyed 19 eggs and
destroyed all the bricks that the complainant
used in building his fowl’s house sometime in
September.
According to him, the damage caused
amounted to the sum of N25, 000.
He further said that when the complainant
challenged the accused, she told him that she
acted based on the instructions of the owner
of the house.
The prosecutor said the offence contravened
Section 329 of the Penal Code. The accused,
however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Counsel, Mr Sanni Dawaki, made a bail
application in favour of his client,and for bail
to be granted based on self-recognition as the
accused was also a lawyer.
Dawaki assured the court that the accused
would not jump bail. The Judge, Umar
Kagarko, admitted the accused to bail based
in self-recognition and adjourned the case to
Dec. 17 for hearing.
Source: NAN

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Photos: Nigerian Sprint queen BlessingOkagbare weds today

Nigerian track and field athlete and Olympic
and World Championships gold medalist
Blessing Okagbare, 26, is getting married as
you read this. Her traditional wedding to
Otegheri Jude Igho is happening right now in
Sapele, Delta state in the presence of family
and friends.
Their white wedding will hold tomorrow,
November 8th, at the St Patrick Catholic
Church Sapele. Big congrats to them. Another
pic of the couple after the cut...

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Photos: Catholic priest to contest for Governor of Cross River state

Roman Catholic Priest, Rev Fr Francis
Agantem Eworo of the Ogoja Diocese in Cross
Rivers state, has signified interest in running
for governor of the state in the 2015 general
election.
At a media parley held recently, Rev. Fr Eworo
told newsmen that he intends to contest on
the platform of PDP and if elected as
Governor, would focus on youth development
among others
Father Eworo who says he has been involved
in the politics of the PDP since 1999, was
ordained a priest in 1977 and has served in
various parishes of the Catholic Church in
Ogoja, Ikom, Uruan, Calabar, and Akwa Ibom
State. Is it OK for a Catholic priest to want to
run for election?

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Photos: Paula Patton and Robin Thickespotted together for the first time since shefiled for divorce

Paula Patton filed for divorce from her partner
of almost 20 year Robin Thicke, last month,
after being separated for several months. The
estranged couple were spotted in public
together for the first time since they
announced they will be divorcing. They met at
a Playground in LA this week to spend some
quality time with their 4 year old son, Julian.
See more photos after the cut...

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CharlyBoy For President 2014 by Charlyboy

Article written by Charly Boy...
Yesoooo! I no reach? The whole country is
currently agog with political rallies
everywhere. Most Politicians/magicians are
out with their jack knives, long spoons, guns
and God knows what. As I lament over our
obnoxious predicament, the phone rings, my
uncle Chief OgbuaguUzukwuNsofor
summoning me to his house. Unano go
believe weytin we yarn! He called me to ask
me to join politics and campaign for a
political position. Haba! Me? Like how, for
where? Who die? Kai! Tufiakwa was my
immediate response.
Why will I want to join the bandwagon of
thieves and criminals with no pedigree or
honour? But he went on to extoll all the good
virtues that he believed that I had which he
said was badly needed in the political arena of
today. He said I was transparent, honest and
dedicated to service so he was sure that I
wouldn't get into politics to steal from the
people. Of course I had a good laugh, but as
soon as I got back to my hotel room, it left
me thinking deeply.
If the few men with integrity, honour and
virtue avoid getting into politics because the
arena is clogged with thieves and criminals
who have no value for the honour in their
words or their pledge to the people then how
will Nigeria ever get better!! Biko tell me.
Because the scammers, riffraffs, 419ers and
those who are drunk on ripping off our
treasury can never let go without drawing
blood. God, are you sleeping sef ? Why do the
vile and evil amongst us get away with
murder?
That night I got no sleep, I kept tossing and
pondering and the answers I kept getting was
why not, if not? Dem get two heads? Why
shouldn't I delve into politics and create this
change I have so badly advocated for since I
became Charlyboy. After all, if change must
come, the agents of change must be at the
fore front of the struggle. It is not enough to
be an armchair critic. If people like Fashola
can make Lagos work irrespective of how
diverse Lagos is and the known and unknown
challenges he faces in the hands of the
shylocks, then I Charles Oputa can do the
same? Or can’t I?
If it is aboutgragra , I have some measure of
street in me to play, if it's about
qualifications, I'm more than qualified based
on the constitution of the country and of
course you know my pedigree is
unquestionable so why can't I vie for a
political position?
See me see matter, my thoughts began to run
wild strategizing my plans, what party is
credible enough for me to campaign under,
what position do I want to serve in? How do I
build a reputable team to work with? My mind
was racing, my heart beating faster and faster,
because in this game, it's do or die. I don't
mind the dying but can I deal with the doing?
Odiofele?
All this strategizing is draining me mentally
and emotionally. How can this change be
actualized? All this thoughts are making me
think about my father. I'm missing him badly
and I wonder, if Justice ChukwudifuOputa was
still alive, can he ever delve into politic as one
of those change agents we need to steer this
nation forward? I can categorically tell you
that the answer will be, HELL NO! Knowing
him, I know he would not want to mess with
meddling into the murky waters that flows in
our politics of today. But me, Charlyboy, am I
not rugged enough to deal with some of these
mother f..king assholes? After all a few
Governors and ministers have experienced the
soar taste of Charlyboy when they crossed the
line, nonsense! I send dem?
Don't get me wrong, not everyone in politics is
corrupt, there are a few insignificant minority
who are honourably serving the people they
pledged to serve on the platform they have
chosen, however their efforts get swallowed up
by all the corrupt majority.
My recent trip to Abia state was as a result of
my conviction of one of these few good people
who have made money through hard-work and
now wants to serve his people in Abia state by
aspiring to become the governor of the state.
I'm talking of Dr. Alex Otti, former group
manager and CEO of Diamond bank. For the
first time ever, I saw myself standing behind
someone I had faith in, someone who in my
heart I believe could make a difference if given
the opportunity, but he appears too much of a
gentleman. And my question is, can he deal
with some funny characters and charlatans
already in the system?
An ethical line has been crossed by our yahoo
yahoo leaders. Governments can’t act freely
without lying and democracy can’t function in
this neck of the woods, sorry, we are not that
sophisticated in our thoughts or mindset. Our
trust in politicians has been damaged, over
the years. Poverty and fear has weakened our
resolve to build a better environment for our
children. We no longer care about how we’re
governed. Politicians and corruption continues
unchecked. They are all interested in winning
this election by hook or by crook, what
happens after May 2015, what kind of Nigeria
and Nigerians will they lead? For sure the
violence after May 2015 will make Boko
Haram look like child's play, because boys are
angry, and for those whose duties are to
protect lives and properties of the common
man have failed because they couldn't
careless, must know that even their protection
with all the brigade of security operatives can
never be guaranteed, they will be like sitting
ducks, when the shit hits the fan.
About my ambition in running for a political
position? I believe I have always been involved
in the politics of change. Showing young
Nigerians that values like, hard work, honesty,
focus, consistency, and believe in self are not
outdated. They are the same qualities that
have brought me this far. I thank God that I
have directly or indirectly affected the lives of
millions and will continue to do so, so why me
and yeye yahoo yahoo area boys go deygo
struggle anything. My tenacity, is positively
affecting millions of Nigerian youths, can we
say that much for most of our leaders? God
punish Satan. Nonsense!

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You control the army, do your job - Senator Saraki tells GEJ

Former Governor of Kwara state, Senator
Bukola Saraki, just posted this on twitter...

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Pic: suspect who defrauded Bureau de Changeoperators of $18k arrested

Find the EFCC press statement below...
A suspected fraudster, who defrauded a
group of Bureau de Change operators of $
18,600,290 USD and disappeared after he was
granted administrative bail by the Economic
and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has
been re-arrested. Alhaji Saidu Hashim was
picked up by operatives of the Commission
from his hide out in Lagos.
Alhaji Hashim who is the owner of Amjigar
Bureau de Change Limited alongside one
Ahmed Bashir allegedly defrauded a group of
52 bureaux de change operating under the
aegis of Association of Creditors of Amjigar
Bureau de Change, of the sum of $18,600,290
(Eighteen Million, Six Hundred Thousand, Two
Hundred and Ninety Dollars) between August
and October 2008.
The suspect is alleged to have collected the
money and diverted it for his personal use
thereby failing to honour his financial
obligation to the group.
The suspect who was first arrested by the
EFCC was granted administrative bail prior to
his arraignment in court but jumped bail,
thereby stalling his prosecution. But his
accomplice, Ahmed Bashir is currently
standing trial at the Federal High Court,
Kaduna.
The fraudulent activities of the suspect and
his disappearance brought told hardship to
his victims and their dependants.
Alhaji Hashim will soon be arraigned in court.

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Mo' Cheddah Covers TW Magazine'sNovember Issue

TW magazine just released it's new Music
Issue and gracing the cover is - Mo' Cheddah!
Stunning! See more photos after the cut...

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Stevie Wonder denies expecting triplets

There were reports a few weeks ago that Stevie
Wonder was expecting a set of triplets with his
40yr old girlfriend, Tomeeka Bracy. Turns out
that rumor was only one-third correct.
The legendary singer shut down the triplets
rumour on Wednesday when he made an
appearance on The View. He said he and
Tameeka are expecting only one baby in
December, a daughter they will name Nia.

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Pic: Borno state governor 'sharing' money tochildren in his state

Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno state
pictured handing out some Naira notes to
children in his state.

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