Minister's Son BEATS Girl silly at Lagos Night Club

Posted by cozzy webtatafo on November 28, 2010 at 7:49pm

EX-MINISTER,OJO MADUEKE SON ALLEGELY BEATS LADY SILLY AT LAGOS HANGOUT

Days after Ufoma, a Nigerian model and actress raised public attention to what she called public assault by aides of Hon. Kuforiji, the Speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly- the son of a former minister is already in the middle of a controversy also bothering on assault and injury...

Ugonna, son of Nigeria’s former minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Ojo Madueke is still in the books of men of the Bar Beach police station, Victoria Island.They want him to explain reasons behind his unpalatable actions last weekend.

The heavily built University of Maryland (USA) graduate was said to have brutalize a young lady at the opening of opening of Volar by Vutton in VI on Saturday 13 November 2010.

The misunderstanding between Ugonna and the said lady started when she tried entering the section of the club where He (Ugonna) and his friends were rollicking with expensive choice drinks and hot chics.

We gathered that the young man who is one of the biggest spenders in Lagos hangouts was ‘high in the spirit’ after taking a lot of drinks and spent amount close to a million Niara with his friends (Who are mostly silverspoon kids from the UK and USA)

Sources told us that it was a brutal experience for the lady over a small issue.

“If you see this dude. He is fat and stocky, using his power to cause bodily harm on a female. After failed attempts to rectify the problems with the club operators (because the guy was spending so much money all they could say was “sorry ma” and “can we offer you a drink”),disclosed our source

The young lady contacted the Lagos commissioner of police and three police vehicles full off officers came to the club. Ugonna was shouting obscene words and yelling ” bring the f..king DPO to me”..”Ill call my chief security officers”..and continued to rant “Do you know who I am”. After 15 minutes of him tussling with the about 10 officers he was whisked away by a friend then later came back to retrieve his vehicle.

The young lady suffered bruised chins(ankles) a swollen lip and bruised knee causing a limp. She had to later seek medical attention.

Silverbird at 30 :Jonathan, Fashola to celebrate with Murray Bruce Empire

Posted by 9jabook.com webmadam on November 5, 2010 at 4:40am

President Goodluck Jonathan and Lagos Governor, Babatunde Fashola are among

the dignitaries that will dance to music from various international and local artistes as Ben Murra-Bruce-led Silverbird Group rolls out the drums in celebration of its 30 years of excellence in the entertainment industry.

Ranked the 3rd largest entertainment company in Africa, Silverbird Group has indeed contributed to the growth of Nigerian entertainment industry over the past 30 years.

The company’s achievements are numerous. In the early 1980s, Silverbird promoted concerts which featured groups like Kool & The Gang, Whispers, Shalamar, Lakeside, and Nigerian artistes like Dizzy K, and Bambelly, among others. Silverbird also blazed the trail with Fantasy Night Club which hosted the live talent hunt show tagged, The Gong Show where artistes like Majek Fashek, Ras Kimono and others were discovered.
Among the achievements of Silverbird is the Rhythm FM with stations in Abuja, Port Harcourt, Awka, Benin and Jos. Also, Silverbird Television, which transmits from Lagos, Port Harcourt, Benin and Jos, belongs to the group, and they have used these stations to promote and popularize Nigerian music. It was due to these laudable achievements that the Federal Government recently deemed it fit to grant the group network licences for radio and television.

Talking about shopping malls of international standard, Silverbird has blazed the trail by building the 1st family mall with the 1st Cineplex in West Africa in Lagos. The group has also just opened another family mall with the 3rd largest Cineplex in Africa with 12 screens.

At the moment, Silverbird group is building a mall in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State for the state government and a family entertainment centre in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State comprising a mall with a cinplex, 250-bedroom hotel, a convention centre and wet and dry parks. The group has also secured land in Abuja to build the Silverbird Stratosphere, a 60-storey building, which will be the tallest building in Africa when completed.
Now, Silverbird is celebrating all these achievements come on Saturday, November 6, 2010 at the prestigious New Convention Centre of the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. The event will commence by 4pm.

At a media parley to announce the event, Ben Bruce says: “To mark this epoch event, we shall be featuring the international band Party on the Moon that performed at President Obama’s inauguration party and other high profile events in the United States.
They will be joined by several top Nigerian artistes and the very versatile Sharp Band. It will be an evening to remember as we chronicle hit songs in the last 30 years in Nigeria and on the international scene. There will be special tributes to our departed Nigerian artistes in the last 30 years, and also for international departed artistes including Michael Jackson, James Brown and Luther Vandross.”..

President Goodluck Johnathan will be the Special Guest of Honour while the host is Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola. Top government, business, media and entertainment personalities will grace the special event which admission is strictly by invitation. But then Nigerians at large will not miss out of the fun as the show will be transmitted live from 4pm on STV, NTA, AIT, and Channels TV.

Jonathan at Silverbird at 30: N200m lifeline for entertainment industry

Posted by NollywoodMohits on November 6, 2010 at 1:30pm

Jonathan at Silverbird at 30: N200m lifeline for entertainment industry

For the first time in the history of Nigeria, a direct investment intervention has been made by the Federal Government into the entertainment industry.

Announcing this lifeline yesterday at the Eko Hotel and Suites venue of the Silverbird Group 3oth anniversary, President Goodluck Jonathan disclosed that N200 million has been set aside by the finance ministry for direct investment into the Nigerian entertainment industry...

Jonathan acknowledged that the Nigerian entertainment industry currently makes an annual turn over of over 250 million Dollars. He said his administration was determined to change the era when the entertainment was viewed as an informal sector and practitioners in the creative industry were exploited.

The president stated that he has directed the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Finance Minister to be at the event so that they could participate in the process that would lead to a structured intervention by government to create jobs and give hope to the people in the creative industry.

Through a programme called Growth and Empowerment Pact, the president said government would encourage public private partnership in the tourism, entertainment industry to strengthen the ability of the entertainment industry to promote high growth.

Jonathan’s speech followed a passionate plea from Mr. Ben Murray-Bruce asking for a presidential support for the entertainment industry.

The event was spiced with musical performances by Nigerian artistes including the Sharpe Band which did a rendition tracing 25 years of Nigerian music, D’Banj and Sound Sultan. An American Band, Party on the Moon, got a standing ovation for rendering many popular songs by American artistes.

Obasanjo Attacked at Airport !

Posted by Paul "EFCC" Hawk Adams on November 9, 2010 at 1:08am

A mild drama ensued at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, Monday, as former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, was attacked by a middle-aged man who pounced on him inside his car.

The incident occurred at about 9:20a.m.

The former president’s attacker, whose identity was not immediately known, had earlier before Obasanjo’s arrival attempted to enter the presidential wing of the airport, but was turned back by Air Force personnel manning the gate, especially as he could not explain his mission at the wing.

The man was not only denied entry, but was also driven away from the precincts of the wing and told never to return to the area, particularly as President Goodluck Jonathan’s presidential jet was parked at the wing.

The ambush

Unknown to the Air Force personnel and some mobile policemen whose presence at the airport was due to the president’s presence in Lagos, the man had laid ambush, hiding behind the fence of the car park attached to the presidential lounge.

*Obasanjo

Former President Obasanjo’s chartered jet touched down a few minutes after 9:00a.m., and the former president, in his usual jocular manner exchanged banters with press men attached to the presidential lounge. He then hopped into his car, a Toyota Landcruiser special utility vehicle, SUV, sandwiched between two excort vehicles with his security aides, leaving behind Chief Kenny Martins who came to receive him.

The attack

As the convoy of three vehicles tried to negotiate its way into Airport Road, towards the local wing of the airport, the man emerged from nowhere. He ran towards the Jeep in the middle of the convoy, opened the door and started kicking and raining blows on the former President.

Rescue

The opening of the door of Obasanjo’s car drew the attention of both the Air Force personnel and Mobile Policemen some 100 metres away, and they quickly dragged the man out of the car and gave him the beating of his life....

When he recovered from the attack, the visibly shaken Obasanjo immediately asked his driver to drive off, while scores of security men had rounded up the attacker who, amidst beatings, screamed persistently “America is watching, …America is watching.”

The man attempted to escape, but when some of the military personnel cocked their guns to shoot, he quickly laid on the floor begging for leniency.

Aftermath

The man, who looked well fed and dressed up, was dragged to the Air Force wing of the airport, as he refused to explain his mission and motive behind the attack of the former President.

The development prompted tightening of security at the presidential wing, as every person or vehicle entering the lounge and car park were subjected to stringent security screening.

Second Nigerian tests positive at Commonwealth Games

Posted by Choochoo Sports Book on October 12, 2010 at 3:24am

A second Nigerian has failed a drugs test at the Commonwealth Games. And he came 6th in the race ! is that 419 or 319 ?

Samuel Okon, 24, who was sixth in the 110m hurdles won by Andy Turner, tested positive for the same drug as women's 100m winner Damola Osayemi.

According to Commonwealth Games Federation president Mike Fennell, Okon is waiving his right to the B sample test but this has yet to be confirmed.

Okon has been provisionally suspended and will attend a provisional hearing later today.

Okon and Osayemi both tested positive for methylhexaneamine, which is a stimulant that was added in 2009 to the World Anti-Doping Agency's list of banned drugs.

However, it was reclassified earlier this year and from the start of 2011 it can be used with a therapeutic use exception certificate.

CWF chief Fennell said: "We are concerned with the number of incidents that are coming up with the same substance.

"At this stage I cannot speak very definitively as to where it's coming from but it appears that it may be coming from the use of supplements. .

"The supplements industry is by and large an unregulated industry worldwide and it is an industry that is a cause of great concern, not only for the fight against doping but also the protection of athletes. If people think a substance is not on the banned list, they take it, and sometimes they are caught out when it is added to the list

BBC athletics commentator Steve Cram

"There are are all sort of claims as to what is in them and we have found that in many cases the claims are inaccurate. So many are misled into using these supplements."

Asked when the results for Okon's B sample test would be known, Fennell replied: "We have been informed that the athlete is waiving the right to the B sample (test) but this has yet to be confirmed.

"We will confirm this at his hearing this afternoon."

The Nigerian team have been informed and are also investigating.

"We have already had discussions with the leadership of the Nigerian team, who are themselves taking it very seriously. They are very concerned about it," Fennell told a news conference.

Recently, several Jamaican sprinters and 11 Indian athletes tested positive for methylhexaneamine.

The drug, which has some performance-enhancing qualities, is commonly found but often not labelled in supplements and products such as nasal decongestants.

As the BBC's Steve Cram notes, the drug can therefore be taken by accident: "If people think a substance is not on the banned list, they take it, and sometimes they are caught out when it is added to the list."

Four of the Jamaican sprinters were given three-month suspensions and talking about Osayemi's potential punishment, Cram said: "I would expect a ban of between three and six months, which is probably proportionate to the crime."

Nollywood Courses at American University: Well we are number 2 in the world. Respect !!

Posted by NollywoodMohits on October 13, 2010 at 10:15pm

Nollywood is gaining an foothold in the world of academia. Arcadia

University, based in Pennsylvania, USA starting in the Spring semester of 2011, will be offering undergraduate credit units on 3 African Film courses as undergraduate credits at its College of Global Studies at its Center for East African Studies in Arusha, Tanzania. Two of these courses are pertaining strictly to Nollywood.

The tutor for these courses is Mr Akpor Otebele. Please see his blog entry about this development below:

Nollywood Film Studies Curriculum At Arcadia University

Have a look at the films that the students will be required to watch:

2009 Crazy like a Fox – Tony Abulu (USA/Nigeria)

2009 A Kiss from a Rose – Osita Okoli (Nigeria)

2009 Runaway Prince – Nonso Ekene Okonkwo (Nigeria)

2007 Welcome To Nollywood – JamieMeltzer (USA)

2007 This is Nollywood – Franco Sacchi (USA)

2007 The Amazing Grace – Jeta Amata (Nigeria)

2007 Danger Signal – Teco Benson (Nigeria)

2007 Mama Africa – A collection of shorts by African women directors:

“Uno’s World” – Bridget Pickering (Namibia); “Hang time” – Ngozi Onwurah

(Nigeria); “Raya” (Sated with….) – Zulfah Otto‐Sallies (South Africa)

2007 Love My Way – Ikechukwu Onyeka (Nigeria)

2006 Letter to a Stranger – Fred Amata (Nigeria)

2006 This America – Bethels Agomouh (USA/Nigeria)

2005 The Wooden Camera – Ntshavheni Wa Luruli South Africa)

2004 Critical assignment – Jason Xenopoulos

(Various)

2003 Osuofia in London – Kingsley Ogoro (Nigeria)

Babs Fafunwa is dead : former minister of education passes away at 87

Posted by 9jabook.com on October 11, 2010 at 7:29pm

Babatunde Aliyu Fafunwa, former minister of education, died yesterday morning at the National Hospital, Abuja. He was aged 87.

According to a hospital official, he died a few minutes before 7am. Although the hospital staff refused to disclose the cause of death, it is believed that Mr. Fafunwa had fallen ill during a recent trip to Abuja, where he was expected to deliver a speech at the Open University.

Widely credited as introducing the 6-3-3-4 educational system in the country, the late Mr. Fafunwa was also the first Nigerian to receive a doctorate degree in Education. His teaching career began in 1961 at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Following the advent of the Civil War, he moved to Ife, and taught at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), where he remained until his retirement.

Innovative methodologies

He is accredited with introducing several innovative teaching methodologies during his days at Ife. It was his contemporary methods that brought him to national prominence when he served as an education minister for three years under Ibrahim Babangida..

President Goodluck Jonathan had last week blamed him for the failure of the 6-3-3-4 education system.

He is to be buried today according to Islamic rites. He is survived by his wife, Doris, four children, and several grand children.

Fasasi Gbagba, the president of Jama’atul Islamiyya Society, the Islamic sect to which Mr. Fafunwa belonged, said the members were awaiting the body from Abuja. He is to be buried at his residence on Victoria Island, Lagos, today.

The Ogun State government has described his death as the loss of a major pillar of the education sector who worked tirelessly throughout his lifetime for the enhancement and development of the sector.

“A great mentor and outstanding person of character has just left us,” said the cultural activist, Segun Olusola, adding, “His relationship cuts across the entire nation and though a very religious person, he never allowed religion to affect his relationship.”

Atiku: Lets debate ! Please where dis man come get brain now ?

Posted by Paul "EFCC" Hawk Adams on September 22, 2010 at 11:03pm

A Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has called for a debate, on the economy, among all the presidential aspirants on the economy.Photo Atiku ? this man looks like a Hitman sha

Abubakar, a former vice-President, made the call after submitting his nomination form at the PDP national secretariat on Tuesday in Abuja.

The Adamawa State- born politician said the economy should be the main issue in the 2011 election campaigns.

“The issue of economic recovery for Nigeria cannot be a matter of wishful thinking nor of rhetoric. It is a subject for rigorous analyses and provision of well-thought, viable, practicable and sustainable strategy,” he said.

Abubakar said that all aspirants must be able to tell Nigerians how they intended to confront the challenges of the economy and reposition it for the benefit of all at the shortest possible time.

He said, “Of all the aspirants that have declared interest in the presidential election, I consider myself the most qualified to address the daunting economic challenges facing the country.

“I am the only one who has successfully managed a business and you need extensive knowledge of the private sector to combine its potential with the authority of the public sector to address this challenge.”

The former vice-president said his approach to resolving the economic crisis in the country was contained in a 47-page Policy Document he presented on August 15, 2010 while announcing his intention to contest the 2011 presidential poll.

He said, “We are faced with a job crisis of monumental proportions. Unless we evolve strategies to dealing with the teeming population of young people churned out almost on a daily basis, we may risk the destruction of the next generation.

“If we fail to channel the energies of this huge population, they could be a potent force for instability and social unrest.”

Abubakar, however, stunned journalists when he said that he was not aware that the President had declared his intention to vie for the PDP ticket.

“I didn’t see it (declaration). Honestly, I didn’t watch it,” he said.

Twenty seven out of the 28 PDP governors were among thousands of people that attended Jonathan’s presidential declaration at the Eagle Square on Saturday in Abuja. The event was shown live by some public and private television stations nationwide.

On the reported move by some politicians to produce a consensus presidential candidate among the Northern aspirants, Abubakar said, “There is a process for the emergence of a consensus candidate in the North. It shows that North is even more united if “they” agree to bring out a consensus candidate.”

He also said he was not aware of the support that Jonathan was getting from the northern states.

Reacting to the challenge, the Presidential Adviser to Jonathan on National Assembly Matters, Senator Mohammed Abba-Aji, said the President was ready for such a debate.

“We are ready for it (debate) anytime. The President has talked about all the aspects of the economy when he declared. If they want more, we are ready for them,” he said.

Another aspirant, who is also the Kwara State Governor, Dr. Bukola Saraki, also expressed readiness for the debate.

“We are ready for the debate. That is what we have been calling for. Without such an issue-based debate, we will not be able to get the best candidate. Saraki is ready for it,” one of the governor’s aides, Mr. Billy Adedamola, said.

Olu Jacobs Interview:, A True Igwe at heart talks about life,Pete Edochie with wisdom and sincerity

Posted by NollywoodMohits on September 21, 2010 at 3:38am

I am Faithful to Joke my wife

He’s a renowned and consummate actor who plays all kinds of roles effortlessly and with finesse within and outside the shores of Nigeria. In the 80s, he featured in the hilarious sitcom Mind your language. It was a distinctive statement of his acumen and stagecraft. Jacobs’ passion for acting started quite a long time ago.

In the days of Hubert Ogunde. There’s another side to Olu Jacobs which is noted by all and sundry. It’s his devotion to his family which has survived all kinds of situations through the immense capacity of both him and his wife to love. Jacobs, indisputably is a good husband and father.

He doesn’t have any scandals haunting or trailing him for instance. In this interview with Samuel Olatunji, Jacobs lays it all bare revealing how he handles female fans who sometimes call him when he’s in bed with his wife.Excerpts:

You seem to maintain your ‘evergreeness’. What’s the secret?
I’m what I have always been. I enjoy the company of people. I like to make people feel welcome . It’s much more enjoyable to be honest with your feelings about people. That’s why, when I’m angry, people know it easily but when I’m happy they know as well and for me, that is what life is all about. You can’t hang on being miserable all the time or trying to hide your feelings.

What’s it like when Uncle Olu is angry?
Watch some of the parts I’ve played.

What is it with you and the masterpiece of acting?
Well, thank you for putting it that way. All our lives, we were told that men should not shed tears and that is usually why men should not shed tears in public. Nobody can say that men don’t shed tears in private. So, that’s what the public sees. When they are outside dealing with people, they are strong. They are different from what they play in the movies. They feel very strong but at the same time, they do not show their emotions in public but we get it mixed up when we’re watching them in movies.

We assume that we are watching them in public, but we are not watching them in public at all. So, a man can allow himself to feel like any other human being and that’s why it is easier when you understand that they can go through whatever the script says very well. I believe in total commitment. I don’t like to do things half way. Once I understand what a play is about, because I hardly read a play twice, I read it once and I do some work on it and then fine-tuning continues until it is recorded.

I enjoy the work, I find it interesting. There are some that are quite obvious and you don’t need to do any research, because they are too obvious, but there are intricate ones that you have to research . You have to dig for them , because they really put the icing on the cake. I try as much as possible to put new experience in every play and also try not to underestimate any play.

Even at this stage, with all the plays you’ve done?
I know they say that the reputation of an actor makes his performance almost automatic. The more you do something, the better you become. That is why some things are automatically understood. Once I see them, I can understand them, but there are intricacies to each part .

You must respect that , if you want to get the truth in that play and I try as much as possible not to lie to my audience. I don’t cheat, not with a role. I go as honestly as possible with the role to portray what has to be portrayed. If it’s something I think I won’t be able to espouse, then I will tell the producer I can’t take the part. But once I take a part, I read it and it’s what I want, then I’ll do it.

But people are saying that Uncle Olu appears in almost every movie and perhaps, you want to make all the money?
(Laughs) How much money is he making that he wants to make all the money now? I don’t know who these people are. I don’t know their reason for saying that. If they want to know, let them go and ask the producer how much they are paying and they’ll know whether I am collecting all the money. No, it’s not that. It is the job that we have in hand and I always try as much as possible to give it the best shot within the circumstances that I find myself.

I don’t pretend to be doing what I am not doing. When a part is given to me, I look at it honestly and scrutinize it thoroughly so that when I come out, I know what I am feeling for the role. I know where the character is coming from and where he wants to land. Now, how he lands there, for the two of us may be something different. You may think he lands this way, while I’m thinking he lands that way. It doesn’t matter, he’s still going to land.

So we must be professional enough to look at our different opinions. If they just assume and do things the way they want, then I don’t have time for them. I don’t have time for anyone who does that or thinks that way or say that about me. Without boasting, I think I am the best manipulator of words as far as this industry is concerned. I believe strongly that each line must mean something; each word must mean something; each paragraph must mean something; each theme must mean something. So, until I find out what the entire play means, I may not proceed and I think I am the best at that.

I honestly and sincerely believe that this doesn’t stop me from working harder. When it comes to manipulating words, analyzing situations, I still think that most people are not getting it right. For most people, their experience is limited. Some on the other hand are lazy, while some cheat. I try not to cheat when it comes to looking at a character, looking at the play, looking at what he’s saying and why he’s saying what he’s saying and with whom. All these things I put together when I get a script and I do it for every single production that comes my way.

What has kept you in this game that you seem to be the only one left to play the Igwe, head of family or an elder’s role despite the fact that some of your colleagues that you started with are not seen anywhere near the screen anymore. What’s your staying power?
Hmmm, well, this is something I find very difficult sometimes. After all these years, I suppose I’m calm enough to understand why you are asking these questions but before I go further to answer this question, I would like to let you know that there’s always a character for the father, mother, brother, uncle, and a cousin. They are there and they will always be there.

They have to be filled. Do we get them filled by the young stars or do we get them filled by people of the right age. I have noticed in some productions that they use somebody who’s hardly thirty (30) playing an old man of sixty (60).That should not be allowed professionally . There are enough roles for husbands, for uncles, for brothers and sisters and friends to play; for men and women without having to play the role of fathers when they are still young. Though, they can play young parents but they want to add the grandfather role and thereby getting it all mixed up. I think that’s ridiculous, that’s not natural.

If God wants it that way, He would have created it that way. A father is father and that’s what we are and that’s what we must remain and we have to be seen as such. When you say father, you must respect a father, believe a father. I get calls all the time. People are saying, Uncle Olu, you are like my daddy, some will say, I want you to be my daddy. All these things are involved in the play that one is doing and they think, one should become their biological father. It’s very moving when you hear them talking about such issue.

A young man and I wanted to act and I was lucky that somebody like Hubert Ogunde was alive then. I saw him at the Olonde in Kano. I was born in Kano actually and I was excited to see the singing and the dancing at that event and I went home with so much joy . Ogunde was organizing a concert party, so I told my mother that my brother and I wanted to go there and act.

She said she would think about it. She gave us some work to do and we finished everything so they had to take us to the concert. When we got there, it was wonderful. The atmosphere was absolutely electrifying. To see a hall meant for a thousand people or thereabouts jam-packed with over three thousand people was amazing and people were sweating.

The show had not even started. But they didn’t mind, they wanted to sweat. Then, the curtain was lifted and Ogunde showed up and they sang and people were crying. Somehow, I was able to get away from the crowd and I was watching them from outside and I saw the total joy of these people. By now, I was in tears and I said to myself at that time, that’s the job that I am going to do.

Has acting put food on your table?
Well, we thank God. It’s not easy. It’s been hard. You have to get to a certain stage. For example in England, every city has its own theater subsidized by the UK government. So, you can imagine how many theaters they have. They all have shows every night. So, they employ electricians, actors, stage men, cameramen and so on. So, you can’t compare that with Nigeria.

We don’t have that here. It’s about communicating, bringing children together, talking to them at a very tender age, going to schools, creating awareness within the school where the children can understand, use and learn from all these things so that they can have a wider experience of life instead of one-line thoughts. So, for me, I don’t see it any other way.

When I saw what was happening in England, it got to a stage where I was only attending interviews, not auditions per se and I was not given anything challenging. All I was asked to do was to support a white actor who may not be as good as expected. So, I said well, I can do better here and there is much to be done. If at the end of the day I leave the stage and I am able to help people build structure and make them stars, then it will be worth it.

Is it true that you must be from a particular tribe before you can play a character from that tribe in a movie?
No. As long as you can do it well, there’s no problem and don’t forget that there is a director and a producer and it’s their decision regarding who plays what role. At any point, they can always change the person if they think they have made a mistake.

So, I don’t think you have to be a Yoruba man before you can play the role of Oba in a movie, as long as you can interpret and play the role as expected, I don’t think there is anything wrong with it at all. I have played Emir and other roles in other tribes, but I am a Yoruba man. I am from Abeokuta.

Pete Edochie once said you destroy the Igbo culture the way you act the Igwe in movies?
I’m surprised Peter can say that. Olu Jacobs is an actor; he’s a fine actor, he’s the best analyzer of character and the best manipulator of words. If some people, for whatever reason, say that the hundreds or thousands of fans who phone and come to applaud me everyday don’t not know what they are saying, that they don’t know what they are doing… I’m talking about real Igwes who meet me, not in their palaces but at airports, outside and they call me to tell me how much they appreciate what I am doing.

This happens everyday, even today. Do you want to tell me that those people don’t know what they are doing? Do you want to tell me that it’s only Pete who knows what he’s saying? What about the producers who commissioned this story, do they not know whom they want for what role? Is he saying that those producers don’t know what they are doing? Whatever he says about me, he must say about them because I didn’t write the script myself, it wasn’t my film. I want to end this topic by saying, I, Olu Jacobs respect and admire our way of life and I will do anything to propagate it, honestly and sincerely.

Our children watch us, what we present to them, what they thought they never had. Our children thought they didn’t have a past, we are the ones letting them know that we had a glorious past. We may have our hiccups at the moment but our present is as good, if not better than our past. We don’t live on trees. We live where every normal human lives and we shall continue to work hard. I want to tell you that Pete is my younger brotherbrother, forget the red cap.

If we meet outside he must show respect. He can think whatever he likes, he has every right to his own opinion but I don’t have to agree with him. In this case, I totally disagree with him. I believe that in this case, he should have re-educated himself well enough before making any comments. I don’t know what’s behind what he has said, but I know he’s not being honest.

When you use extreme words like destroy, it’s a sign of desperation. Is there anything that Peter is desperate about that we don’t know? I don’t know why he should go to such length to talk about me. When he went to play Oduduwa, did it sell, did they make their money back? What did they achieve there, nothing. The story of Oduduwa, we all know.

Someone said there is a feud between two of you. Is this true?

As far as I am concerned, I don’t have anything against Peter. His two children are my children and we’ve being working together. We both have a working relationship. He called me some three weeks ago; somebody wanted an interview and he wanted me to grant the interview and I did. I don’t have anything to hide and I see no reason why I should . I would rather advice that his questions be directed to the marketers who bought and commissioned the play.

Some even said, perhaps it’s because you get the Igwe role more than he does?
(Chuckles) I think that question should be directed to the owners of the movie. I don’t know what’s at the back of their mind. All I know is that, I get called to do movies , I do them to my best. Maybe Peter knows something I don’t know.

Why are marriages breaking down these days?
Our country has been through a lot and so have our children. Our children did not get the kind of support they should have gotten because we parents don’t even have the support, the confidence that a child needs. So, what you discover is a few families that are doing business and have succeeded. They were trying to show off, they wanted to use their money to buy what they could have been able to by themselves. You’ll find that a lot of poor people who got married are still happily married but majority of the rich people who got married are no longer married.

Are you saying that money is a culprit sir?
Of course. They were using money to cover those areas they should have touched by themselves . They could have educated, guided and loved their children. Instead, they spent that time trying to amass wealth. The driver was the person who knew where they needed to go to. The housemaid knew everything else. If there were three housemaids, the children knew what to do. The mentality of a child at that age will be the mentality of a housemaid or a driver. Even when you speak to your children, they’ll seek approval from the housemaid before they could say yes to anything you say. Then, you should know you’ve lost it.

So, the reason why we have broken marriages is because most of these children were raised by housemaids?
Yes, because we tried to buy them with our money but they were not brought up with that money. Later, you’ll hear the father sobbing and saying, “after all I have done, after all I have worked for”. What have you worked for? Nothing! Nothing to do with the children, it’s all about you. You were trying to justify yourself. That is what our problem is.

So, what has kept your marriage intact?
Well, to God be the glory. I have been married for about twenty-five years now and I am married to this girl, Joke. (Laughs). She’s so troublesome, she’s so wonderful, ah that girl, she’s my best friend and you know that when you have a friend like her, you talk, you play and if you need to quarrel, you quarrel a bit and that is the same way we have brought up our children too.

We are very close to them. As a matter of fact, our youngest boy just started to live in boarding school. Joke and I were very lonely at home. We were learning that we have to release them and they must get used to being released so they can be on their own. Not relying on us all the time; but when they look back, we are always there. Even without looking back, they should be able to say we are there and that is the kind of life that we are trying to have with them. It’s not easy but we thank God.

Is it hard for men to ever be faithful, especially when they are famous?
Well it is true, believe you me it is true. Recently at 2:00 am , I got a call like I always do but this one was from a female I have never met in my life, who wants to talk to me, who needs my help. It’s true one tries as much as possible, like I said they call you anytime they are watching a film anytime from 11:00, 12:00, 1:00, 3:00, 4:00. They are watching your film, they want to be with you, they want to know you. You should know them, you will find them very interesting, you will find them very attractive, they are beautiful. .

Well at my age, what I try to do is I don’t dump them, I don’t scold them. That ability to show interest must not be killed because they are going to need it for the rest of their lives. What they have done to me is wrong, knowing that I am married. I say to them “ do you know me and my family are in bed right now?....Sorry, thank you it’s all right, I appreciate this thing you are doing, you calling, thank you. Please don’t ring this late, ring early, when you and I can talk, easy without being aggressive, what am I being aggressive for…, gbogbo wa ko la sewo ni?.

But they say, if you don’t go after men, they will still go after women.That’s their nature. What’s your take on that?
That is the law of nature. It is normal. Men are hunters and polygamous by nature. Apart from anything else, that’s why our forefathers married so many. Eyokan o to. We are changing our thinking, we are trying to reduce all these things; we are doing them because we have a society we have to relate to and we are trying our darn best to relate to them . Otherwise I will say it will be very difficult. Going back to the question you asked before, it’s one of the reasons why marriages fail. Some men don’t know how to cope with it , because when they get to that point, they need someone else. Their wives at home is perfectly alright, there’s nothing wrong but they need someone else.
But for a man, something doesn’t need to be wrong with the woman at all.

Let me put you on the spot sir. For 25 years, have you been totally faithful?
Yes. Once you are married, you are together. We learnt a lot together, then I traveled. I didn’t travel for long, three weeks, two weeks, ba se n travel ni yen (that’s the way we’ve been traveling)

But some men will be men whether in or out?
I didn’t marry young , so I didn’t experience that.

Tell us when things weren’t so easy
That one plenty. (both laughed). When we were down, with very little to eat, we explained to our children. This is what we have and this is what we are going to eat, and they ate and they were so exited because it tasted nice. But if we had not told them, we would have felt guilty that we were keeping things away from them. So, it was good, everybody was open and we ate what we had. I never thought that we were the kind of people that should be keeping things away from our children.

People say these days marriages fail , because women are demanding more independence. Is that true?
What I don’t understand is the mentality of men. We had a situation where men went out, the women stayed at home and looked after the children. The scenario now is that men and women go out to work and you have to employ somebody to look after the children and you still want the wife to play a subservient role in the house. So what does she go out to do?

Why does she need to go out at all? The idea of her going out is for the family to get enough funds to look after the children, to look after the family together. If the husband earns enough, he would have been able to convince his wife to stay at home or to stay as close to home as possible but obviously he doesn’t. So, if she has to come in, she is earning something and whatever she is earning is helping the family. So, if that’s the case, you expect her to get home at 9:00pm and go straight into the kitchen and the husband who is coming home around the same time, what right has he got to expect that? She has probably worked more than the man at work.

The mindset of men is the major problem?
No . The mindset of the family. It’s the mindset of the family. If you like, the husband’s family but some of the wife’s family too. They are equally guilty. You know they have forgotten that their children went out to work to sustain the family. I mean we all know, when the grand ma is coming lati wa ba won to omo (to take care of the children) she was going to be there may be for six months, may be for three months. Ewa lo ma je o ma ba won wa, isu, oma ba won wa, elubo, o ma ba won wa, eja gbigbe lo ma je, o ma ba won wa. Epo, ororo, everything oma ba won wa. So that family will not need to worry about anything to ba je area ounje…..

That is no longer there, because these family ties viz the mother, the aunties, they are not usually wanted anymore because they are thought to be poke-nosing into the affairs that don’t concern them. What do we want to do? Do we really want a nuclear family or we really want to import our own family? The ones we are going to pay for… the housemaid, the houseboy, drivers… is that the ones that we want, is that what we want?

So, it’s not because women are demanding more freedom?
They are not demanding freedom, they are demanding equality. They are saying they can make us be at ease, that we don’t have to struggle as much as they are doing.

You know men cannot accept that they are equal with women?
It makes it easier for us to enjoy working hard. We enjoy working hard; it makes us enjoy even better when we know that our wives are not right on top of us. They even appreciate us now more than ever before.

But how can men accept that things have changed?
They should open their eyes and their minds and realize that our wives are now with us and that they have a mind, a mind that is as chilled as our own and that we have a job to do and if they are able to do it, why do we deny them? We have to think and justify why we should deny somebody who is capable. Why? Is it because of our ego?

Night Driving: Tanker drivers caught at night to be fined N100, 000

Posted by 9jabook.com webmadam on September 21, 2010 at 3:27am

The Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) has imposed N100, 000 fine on any driver found driving tankers at night.

The Executive Secretary of NARTO, Emmanuel Gowon, told the News Agency of Nigeria, in Lagos, on Saturday, that the fine would be paid by the guilty driver to the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD). “Driving at night attracts N100, 000 as fine,” he said..

Mr Gowon said that a written code was brought up by PTD members to NARTO, that no tanker should be seen driven after 6.00 pm. According to him, the policy came up about a month ago nationwide as it was observed that most accidents involving tankers usually happened at night and on roads with potholes.

“A driver may not identify all the numerous potholes on the roads at night,” he said. “No owner likes accidents to happen. We advise drivers to stop driving at night. A tanker owner loses N30 million as the cost of a tanker with all its accessories and components, and over N2 million as cost of 33,000 litres of petroleum products. No owner would want to lose close to N33 million in just a few minutes due to avoidable circumstances.”

Groom accidentally guns down father and two aunts at his own wedding

Posted by Jane Okinedo on August 10, 2010 at 7:29am

Lucky he did not nail his Mother-Inlaw someone would have raised

eyebrows !

Three family members at a wedding in Turkey have been accidentally shot dead by the groom firing an AK-47 rifle in celebration.

The groom, Tevfik Altin, lost control of his rifle, spraying the guestswith bullets and killing his father and two aunts and injuring sixothers, according to CNN Turk.

It reported that Altin had been arrested after the incident in the villageof Akcagoze in southeastern Turkey. Guns are often fired into the airin celebration in some parts of Turkey.

One family member, who did not give his name, told CNN: "It happened very quickly. We all triedto take cover and there was blood all over. We are all very sad rightnow."

The injured guests included three children aged 10, 12 and 16, according to CNN Turk.

The Sehitkamil State hospital where some of the injured were brought confirmed it has one patient still in the hospital.

Jonathan purchases 3 Aircraft at 150Million Dollars One G55 of the skies & 2 Falcon 7x

Posted by 9jabook.com on August 11, 2010 at 8:43pm

FG move to avert future presidential embarrassment…. acquires three aircrafts

After the embarrassing incident in Ugandan, penultimate week, in which President Jonathan was left stranded, the Nigerian Government on Wednesday approved the purchase of three additional aircrafts for the Presidential Air Fleets (PAF) at a cost of $150 million.

Dassault Aviation of France will supply two units of new Falcon 7x Aircrafts, while the Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation of United States (US) will supply the Gulfstream G550.

Known as one of the most expensive/advanced Business jets. The Gulf Stream is like the Mercedes G55 of the skies see picture

At a briefing, after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, which was presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, minister of information and communications, professor Dora Akunyili, said that negotiations at the instance of the president led to definite purchase agreement (DPA) signed in May 2010 for the acquisition of the aircrafts..

“The sum of N21 billion has been provided in the 2010 appropriation act for the outright purchase of the two Falcon 7x aircraft and the one unit G550 to be delivered as agreed in the contract”, she disclosed.Akunyuili put the cost of the two Falcon jets at $102 million while the Gulfstream cost $53 million brining the total cost of the three planes to $154 million.

She said that the committee which was set up to carryout the negotiations of the purchase of the aircrafts through screwed negotiations a rebate of $2.9 million on the two Falcon jets and $5.47 million on Gulfstream jet.

The first of the two Falcon jets will be delivered by the end of the fourth quarter of 2010 while the second Falcon and the Gulfstream jest will be delivered by the end of the second quarter of 2011.

BP to replace CEO Hayward with Robert Dudley

Posted by jackie webLondonGirl on July 26, 2010 at 9:41pm

LONDON – BP's embattled Chief Executive Officer Tony Hayward will be replaced by American Robert Dudley on Oct. 1, the company said Tuesday, as it reported a record quarterly loss and set aside $32.2 billion to cover the costs of the devastating Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

Photo:Reuters – BP Plc (British Petroleum) Executive Vice President for the Americas and Asia Robert Dudley speaks at …

BP said the decision to replace Hayward, 53, was made by mutual agreement. In a mark of faith in its outgoing leader, the company said it planned to recommend him for a non-executive board position at its Russian joint venture and will pay him 1.045 million pounds ($1.6 million), a year's salary, in lieu of notice..

"The BP board is deeply saddened to lose a CEO whose success over some three years in driving the performance of the company was so widely and deservedly admired," BP Chairman Carl-Henric Svanberg said in a statement accompanying the quarterly earnings update.

Svanberg said the April 20 explosion of the Macondo well on the Deepwater Horizon platform run by BP in the Gulf of Mexico has been a "watershed incident" for the company.

"BP remains a strong business with fine assets, excellent people and a vital role to play in meeting the world's energy needs," he said. "But it will be a different company going forward, requiring fresh leadership supported by robust governance and a very engaged board."

Hayward, who has a Ph.D in geology, had been a well-regarded chief executive. But his promise when he took the job in 2007 to focus "like a laser" on safety came back to haunt him after the explosion on the Deepwater Horizon rig killed 11 workers and unleashed a deep-sea gusher of oil.

He became the lightning rod for anti-BP feeling in the United States and didn't help matters with a series of gaffes, raising hackles by saying "I want my life back," going sailing, and what was viewed as an evasive performance before U.S. congressmen in June.

On top of the $1.6 million payout, Hayward retains his rights to shares under a long-term performance program which could eventually be worth several million pounds if BP's share price recovers. The stock has lost around 40 percent since the well explosion.

Hayward, who will remain on the board until Nov. 30, will also be entitled to draw an annual pension of 600,000 pounds from a pension pot valued at around 11 million pounds.

Svanberg described Dudley, 54, who was thrown out of Russia after a battle with shareholders in the company's TNK-BP joint venture, as a "robust operator in the toughest circumstances."

Currently BP's managing director, Dudley grew up partly in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and has so far avoided any public missteps. He spent 20 years at Amoco Corp., which merged with BP in 1998, and lost out to Hayward on the CEO slot three years ago.

Dudley will be based in London when he takes up his appointment and will hand over his present duties in the United States to Lamar McKay, the chairman and president of BP America.

BP said that the $32.2 billion charge for the cost of the spill led it to record a loss of $17 billion for the second quarter. The charge includes the $20 billion compensation fund the company set up following pressure from President Barack Obama as well as costs to date of $2.9 billion.

But the company also stressed its strong underlying financial position — revenue for the quarter was up 34 percent at $75.8 billion — and Hayward said it had reached a "significant milestone" with the capping of the leaking well.

Crews were restarting work to plug the leaky Gulf well after the remnants of Tropical Storm Bonnie blew through, forcing a short evacuation. The U.S. government's oil spill chief, Retired Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen, said Monday that the so-called static kill — in which mud and cement are blasted in from the top of the well — should start Aug. 2.

If all goes well, the final stage — in which mud and cement are blasted in from deep underground — should begin Aug. 7.

BP said the bottom kill could take days or weeks, depending on how well the static kill works, meaning it will be mid-August before the well is plugged for good.

Hayward said the company expects to pay the "substantial majority" of the remaining direct spill response costs by the end of the year.

"Other costs are likely to be spread over a number of years, including any fines and penalties, longer-term remediation, compensation and litigation costs," Hayward said.

BP said it planned to tell analysts in an update later Tuesday that it will sell assets for up to $30 billion over the next 18 months, "primarily in the upstream business, and selected on the basis that they are worth more to other companies than to BP."

That would leave the company with a smaller, but higher quality Exploration & Production business, it said.

The company reported that underlying replacement cost profit — the measure most closely watched by analysts — was $5 billion for the three months between April and June when adjusted for one-off items and accounting effects. That compared favorably with a $2.9 billion profit for the second quarter of 2009.

"Outside the Gulf it is very encouraging that BP's global business has delivered another strong underlying performance, which means that the company is in robust shape to meet its responsibilities in dealing with the human tragedy and oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico," Hayward said.

Higher prices for oil and gas made up for slightly lower output and a loss in gas marketing and trading in Exploration & Production, while Refining & Marketing reported increased profits as a result of strong performance in the fuels value chains and the lubricants and petrochemicals businesses.

The company said it planned to reduce its net debt level down to a range of $10-$15 billion within the next 18 months, compared to net debt of $23 billion at the end of June, to ensure that it had the flexibility to meet its future financial obligations.

Capital spending for 2010 and 2011 will be about $18 billion a year, in line with previous forecasts.

26bn Stolen from Ondo State Account at Intercontinental Bank .Gov Mimiko How far ?

Posted by Paul "EFCC" Hawk Adams on July 25, 2010 at 11:11pm

Even the penetrating klieglight of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC in Nigeria has failed to spot the disappeared ₦26 billion belonging to Cocoa and petroleum rich south west state of Ondo. A disturbing allegation has now surfaced that

soft spoken Governor Olusegun Mimiko connived with embattled ex-boss of Intercontinental Bank PLC to empty the State’s account of about ₦26 billion.

Whistle blowers told our sources that EFCC officials who have visited the state at least six times in the last three months often returned to Abuja with a verdict of “nothing incriminating found” after being allegedly, handsomely settled by the officials acting at the behest of Governor Mimiko. “In spite of their compromised reports we know the state lost ₦26 billion as a result of a deal between Mimiko and Erastus Akingbola”..

Sources said that the Ondo missing billions was part of the reason, Mimiko, who had to issue an edict to be addressed as Mr. Governor, made sure Erastus Akingbola was co-opted into the embezzling scheme early in the life of the administration by being appointed as the Pro-Chancellor of the state-owned university, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko. Once Akingbola had allegedly being hurriedly pocketed, it became very smooth to empty the 26 billion naira account that state had with Intercontinental Bank.

Some of the looted funds are suspected to have surfaced in some western countries with the just concluded so-called business visit of Mimiko in the company of his Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Akinyele Ogundipe. They were said to have visited the United States and United Kingdom and Ireland. Some unidentified individuals were said to have met with the Governor alongside Akingbola during one of the meetings.

A prominent Redeemed Christian Church prosperity preacher in Washington D.C. is also being named as one of those providing divine decoy for hiding the looted funds of Ondo State.

Interview with Goldie: I make passes at men; I'm a shameless flirt! - Goldie

Posted by NollywoodMohits on July 20, 2010 at 2:00am

Golden Girl Susan Oluwabimpe Harvey is the real name of Nigeria's reigning pop queen, Goldie. The Business Management graduate who is now a musician hails from Ekiti State and in this interview with, she speaks about her life, growing up, her interest in music, among other issues.

Tell us about yourself.

I'm the first born of my parents. I hail from Ikole, in Ekiti State; I attended Green-springs Montessori Primary School, Saint Johns College and then went on to get a degree in Business Management at the University of Sunderland, United kingdom.

How did it all start, your journey into music?

I came from a very religious family; my parents are very strict and academic. Though, I was a member of the junior church choir when I was younger, I was never encouraged to take it to a professional level.

I always knew I had a flair for the arts though, even at a very tender age; I was always part of the cultural dance groups in school and stuffs like that. Music for me started in Nigeria not by chance but by God's design, who ordains all things. I released my first video "Komole" in March/April 2007.

How rewarding is the business and what are you doing against your works being pirated?

It is quite rewarding, I thank God for every penny I make, no matter how small and pray that it gets more rewarding, as time goes by. The fight against piracy is not and cannot be a solo effort, it would take my fellow artistes, industry bigwigs, and the government to help combat this problem. Right now, I leave it in the hands of my record label, KennisMusic, to deal with it on a small scale as they deem fit.

What other business do you do?

Music is a 24/7 business for me, I have little time to focus on anything else.

What was your parent's reaction when you decided to go into music and who are your role models in the industry and the artistes you wish to feature in your album?

My parents were like, you can do whatever, but please make sure you go to school and get a degree, so that, not only will you be showing your younger ones good example, you'll also have something to fall back on in terms of getting a job if the music doesn't work out. My dad still has problems with my music, but, its not as bad as when I first started out though.

My mum is my role model, hardworking, highly intelligent, kind, generous and very loving. I really don't have any artiste in particular I'd like to feature, I'll record with any artiste that is in the same frame of mind with me, especially to add value, so to speak.

How many albums have you now? When is your next album coming out?

I have no albums for now. I released a limited edition (CD) compilation late 2007, but it wasn't a full album released for commercial purposes. I'm working on a commercial album now, scheduled for release later this year, hopefully before October, God's willing. I'm going to be expressing myself more in this album, talking about my personal perception of inter-human relations as I see it. I already have tracks with ElDee the Don, Ruggedman, Magnito, Banky W, to name a few.

How will you rate your music in Nigeria, what is the acceptance level?

Oh! So far, so good, I thank God. In the beginning, it was like I was hitting my head against a brickwall, an unyielding mind-boggling surface. Now though, people have come to accept me, my style and my sound. Its great and I feel good about the development.

How has your chosen profession lifted your life?

I've never been proud or snobbish. As a public figure, I owe it a duty to my fans to be polite and sweet even on my "off" days. And oh yes, I've performed in a couple of places in the UK. I learned new things everyday; by and large, I think my fame has made me more of a people-oriented person, I think, where I was more introverted before.

You are no doubt beautiful and I'm sure men will run after you. How do you curtail the rush, the passes? Are you engaged?

I'm flattered if you consider me beautiful. I think I just clean up well. As per the men, I really don't go out much apart from social or entertainment events and I don't get hassled. I literarily don't. Sometimes, I even wonder if there's something wrong with me and I keep asking myself "why don't men toast me sef? na wa o! " As per when I'm going to the altar, don't worry, everything will reveal itself in time, you will surely be in the know when the time comes.

If you see a guy you are fascinated with, can you make a pass at him?

Is it wrong or abnormal for a lady to make a pass at a man? Ah! That's my job oh! I make passes all the time. Yes! I'm a shameless flirt! Its embarrassing, I know, but I can't help it. Making a pass at a man is like going to the market and seeing a dress you like! If you walk by without pricing it, you'll go home and feel bad the rest of the day. You'll never know if it would have been your size, if it would have been available, etc. But if you make a pass and he doesn't accept (meaning the dress wasn't your size or it was too costly), then at least you'll know you've tried and it wasn't meant to be. In my opinion, I see nothing wrong in a woman making a pass at a man. Anybody that says otherwise is old school. Come on, either of the sexes can make the pass.

What dictates your fashion sense, how do you get your clothing because you dress like the Madonnas, Mary J Bliges etc, why?

I think Zizi Cardow isn't doing a bad job. I believe everybody should wear what they are comfortable in. If you like ankara, adire or lace, feel free to wear what looks good on you and what you feel comfortable in.

In my case, I dislike patterns! Too many colours and patterns on a fabric give me headache. My mood and the occasion of course dictate my dressing. Yes I like leather; simple, shiny and strong.

I also feel my stay in the United Kingdom influences my fashion sense; coupled with the fact that when I was growing up, my parents always got us ready-made clothes. I don't remember ever having any native clothes as a child.

A lot of my dresses are Karen Milan dresses. Leather wears. You will find shoes from four to six inches high heel shoes. I prefer wearing shorts. When I wear shorts, I am extremely comfortable. I can do anything in shorts, you feel very free. Naturally, I love shorts because I could go to the market, to the movies or clubbing in shorts but in dresses, one is really restricted. You cannot really be playful and I like being playful, you know jumping around. I love lace underwear, they are sexy. I love perfumes and clothes a lot.

You expose your beautiful body a lot. What is your impression of boobs' exposure, bum and thighs?

My personal opinion is this, if you got it, then flaunt it. If I think I have it, I do flaunt it, but there are some days I think I don't have it, so I won't flaunt. I like to be sexy, comfortable and trendy. To ladies out there, watch your body shape before you follow a trend because it is not everything that you put on that would look good on you.

What is your general perception of the entertainment industry in Nigeria? Do you see known names as a threat?

I don't perceive anyone as a threat, because everybody is different. Fingers are not the same. If anybody sees me as a threat, I wouldn't know about it, nor would I care. I don't like dwelling on negativity; it disrupts my aura. The industry is improving rapidly and that's a plus.

What edge do you have over the known names, I mean what stands you out?

I'm unique I think, my music is different; I dress differently, I also reason differently. Yes, its obvious that my uniqueness stands me out.

Is there any international artiste you admire and wish to feature in you album in future?

Hmmm... I've always loved Ludacris. If God wishes, why not?

Where does Goldie wish to be in the next five years?

To have achieved all God has lined up in store for me, and also to help as many people as I can; within my capability..

What is your favourite food? Colour? Car?

I can eat French fries and peppered snail anyday anytime. I love black, creams, purples, greens, I like down to earth people; this applies to both sexes. I've always been a Mercedes cars lover. I think I'll name my first daughter Mercedes.

Can you remember any embarrassing moment?

I have so many embarrassing moments, day in day out, it's a struggle to keep up with everything. I've had wardrobe malfunctions, where I've unintentionally revealed some parts of my body in public. I sometimes forget what I'm about to say at public functions/meetings. I'm in a roll and all of a sudden, zap! My brain freezes, it can really be embarrassing, you know? It happens to me atimes.

What can you not be found doing?

Goldie can never be found fighting, quarrelling, or raising my voice in public. I made a vow to myself never to degenerate to the level of an animal in public or otherwise. Nothing is solved using violence.

Artists honour Soyinka at 76

Posted by NollywoodMohits on July 12, 2010 at 9:23pm

Seventy six Nollywood actors and veterans of the stage will walk the red carpet in honour of Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka, who clocks 76 today. The event will take place at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, by 6pm.

Some of the artists lined up for the event are Dejumo Lewis, Kola Oyewo, Felix Okolo,

Peter Badejo, Ayo Lijadu, Tunde Kelani, Joke Silva, Tunde Kuboye and Ben Tomoloju.

Parade of talents

They will be joined in the parade which will be televised live on selected TV stations by Richard Mofe Damijo, Olu Jacobs, Tade Ogidan, Sola Fosudo, Biodun Duro Ladipo,

Nobert Young, Yemi Sodimu, Rachael Oniga, Bimbo Akintola, Ayo Adesanya, Hafiz Oyetoro, Uzor Maxim Uzoatu, Duro Oni and others.

‘Preemptive’ a play written by United States of America-based Niyi Coker and directed by Segun Ojewuyi will thereafter be staged at the same venue.

The play which has already toured Barbados and the United Kingdom will also be staged on Wednesday before the accompanying play, ‘Seven’, written by Rachael Hastings and also directed by Mr Ojewuyi, will show at the National Theatre, Iganmu, on Thursday. The two plays will subsequently tour cities including Asaba, Calabar and Abuja.

Speaking on preparations for today’s event at a meeting with journalists yesterday, the cast and crew of ‘Preemptive’ who are also featuring in ‘Seven’, affirmed their readiness to ‘edu-tain’ Nigerians with the plays.

Cortez Johnson, one of the actors described his involvement in the play, which among others examines terrorism and official reaction to it, racism and conflicts, “as a mind blowing experience, really inspirational”. Another actor, Christopher Collins said, “I felt very honoured to be part of this project.” The playwright, Mr Coker, said he hopes the play will make Nigerians “Go back and examine those phobia; what moves you from point A to B. What is it inside you that makes you want to kill the other person?” Born on July 13, 1934 in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Wole Soyinka was educated at Saint Peter’s Primary School, Ake, Abeokuta; Government College, Ibadan; the University College,

Ibadan; and the University of Leeds where he began to establish himself as a talented playwright. Some of Soyinka’s plays include ‘Trials of Brother Jero’, ‘Jero’s Metamorphosis’, ‘The Swamp Dwellers’, ‘The Lion and the Jewel’ and ‘Death and the King’s Horseman’ amongst others.

He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986 and has over the years, become one of the leading members of the human rights and pro-democracy movements in Nigeria.

Bafana staring at elimination, infamy

Posted by Choochoo Sports Book on June 16, 2010 at 9:00pm

PRETORIA--South Africa is on the verge of becoming the first World Cup host to be knocked out in the group phase following a comprehensive3-0 defeat to Uruguay on Wednesday night.

After drawing the opening match with Mexico last Friday, the Bafana Bafana were schooled by the Uruguayans who were led by a Diego Forlandouble and an injury-time strike by Alvaro Pereira.

Forlan struck in the 24th minute with a deflected drive from 25 meters out before the former Manchester United striker made it 2-0 10minutes to time with a penalty, following a straight red card for SouthAfrican goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, who took down Luis Suarez inside hisown area.

South Africa now must beat 2006 finalist and 1998 winner France in its last game on Tuesday at Bloemfontein to finish in the top two ofGroup A to reach the second round.

Uruguay sits pretty on four points after a 0-0 with France in its first match, and will face Mexico at Rustenburg also on Tuesday..

"Right now, we're hoping for other teams and that's not a good position, " said captain Aaron Mokoena, whose side fought Uruguay to agoalless draw in a friendly in September.

"The most important thing is that we show belief. It's always not good to lose, especially the way we did. But we have to move on andprepare for France."

Coach Oscar Tabarez is on the brink of taking Uruguay to the Round of 16 for the first time since the 1990 tournament. The 1930 and 1950champions did not even qualify for Germany four years ago.

"We are extremely happy," said Tabarez. "I think we have beaten a very good team that was also in a position to win the match. Nothing hasbeen decided in our group, but I think we have taken a very importantstep forward."

South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira was blasted referee Massimo Busacca after the game, accusing the Swiss official of beingbiased toward Uruguay.

"We are very disappointed with the referee," Parreira said. "Myself and everyone said it was the worst referee of this competition so far,and he was very unfair from the beginning, the way he acted toward ourteam.

"He was giving fouls that weren't fouls, giving yellow cards that weren 't yellow cards and then he left the ground with a big smile onhis face.

"I hope we don't see his face again because he does not deserve to be here."

SOUTH AFRICA: Khune, Gaxa, Masilela, Mokoena, Tshabalala, Mphela, Pienaar (Josephs 79), Modise, Letsholonyane (Moriri 57), Dikgacoi,Khumalo

URUGUAY: Muslera, Lugano, Godin, Fucile (Fernandez 71), Cavani ( Fernandez 89), Suarez, Forlan, A. Pereira, Perez (Gargano 90), E.Pereira, Arevalo Eee

Bishop Oyedepo fires back at Erelu Agbaye, says allegation of occultism amounts to blasphemy

Posted by frank adeche Mr Netchurch on June 12, 2010 at 11:05pm

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It was far into the night at the Living Faith Church, Ota, Ogun State penultimate Friday as the presiding bishop, David Oyedepo, delivered a lecture on empowerment to an attentive audience. The session provided the bishop an opportunity to address an issue that has raised a lot of dust in the fold of Christians lately.Photo:Oyedepo & Erelu

A woman named Dorcas Bolatito Oluwatimilehin, a.k.a Erelu Agbaye, had recently boasted that she wielded a lot of occult powers from which many religious leaders, including Bishop Oyedepo, had profited. The declaration had sent tongues wagging, with many challenging the religious leaders that were named by Erelu Agbaye to come out and clear their names..

The session on empowerment, however, gave the bishop an opportunity to deny any link to occultism. In apparent response to Erelu Agbaye’s claim, Oyedepo thundered in front of the attentive congregation, “There is no satanic institution that can confront me to say that I share anything with them. I challenge them to do so. The anointing on this altar is one of the landmark events of this generation. That is why some fellows say that they gave me power. I curse that blasphemy. I command that tongue to seize forever.

Oyedepo, who is also the Chancellor of Covenant University, continued, “Every time they see something working in this part of the world, they say it is charm. The Holy Spirit is the greatest charm that I know, and that is what I am using. I operate only from this platform, except you would be deceived.”

The decision of the fiery faith preacher to react to the issue came as a surprise to many in the congregation, because his approach in the past had been to ignore such allegations. A lot of them reckoned that Oyedepo, who oversees a congregation of more than 50,000 worshippers in Canaanland, rarely reacts to negative reports about him, wondering why he attached so much importance to Erelu Agbaye’s allegation.

“Not even the regularly televised attacks on his person and work from co-preachers like Pastor Tunde Bakare of The Latter Rain Assembly, Lagos, and Pastor Chris Oyakhilome of the Christ Embassy in about two decades of the ministry’s relocation to Lagos had moved him into making a direct pronouncement,” a source close to the clergy wondered. “Only recently, Pastor Bakare literally tore one of his books apart during one of his sermons on the television. But his stand for more than two decades had been never to reply to such accusations or castigations.”

The End Time Journal, a Lagos-based soft-sell magazine had published the story in which Erelu Agbaye challenged Oyedepo to deny her claim that she was the one that had been empowering him spiritually, threatening to reveal more about the issue if Oyedepo denied it. “Of all the people I have mentioned, only one of them is no more, and that is Abacha, Erelu Agbaye had said. “I, therefore, challenge any of them who thinks I am lying to make a public denial and I will reveal more of their atrocities.”

Our correspondent gathered that before Erelu’s pronouncement was published in the journal, the story had circulated in a video CD that detailed her claims. More copies of the said journal, which has Oyedepo’s picture on the cover, were circulated at a programme held at the Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos about two weeks ago to pray for Nigeria’s golden jubilee anniversary. The vendors must have seen the programme as a good opportunity to market the publication, since it was hosted by Oyedepo and the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church, Pastor Enoch Adeboye. Expectedly, curious worshippers drawn from different denominations patronised the vendors in large numbers.

But the VCD, Saturday Punch learnt, originated from Kwara State where Oyedepo hails from, and contains more shocking information than was reported in the journal. Also mentioned in the VCD are names of notable musicians like Yinka Ayefele, Ayinla Kollington, Sikiru Ayinde Barrister and King Sunny Ade.

The VCD, which was originally a product of a religious forum held in May 2009 at Odo Okun, Saw Mill, Ilorin, Kwara State, later became a commercial commodity, contrary to the intention of the organisers of the event.

Erelu Agbaye, who claimed to have renounced occultism herself, said she had met Oyedepo and others while she was in the cult and given them the power to succeed. But because she had renounced occultism and would now prefer to be called Erelu Jesu, she decided to make public their escapades.

Erelu claimed she was at Oyedepo’s church to demand for a certain article of power she had given to him, but he allegedly refused to part with it, offering instead to pay her millions of naira, after which he would pay her N250,000 monthly as salary if she would keep the secret. She claimed that she declined the alleged offer.

Bangladesh fire KILLS 114

Posted by 9jabook.com on June 4, 2010 at 4:02am

At least 114 people were killed in a fire that razed a crowded, centuries-old Dhaka neighbourhood overnight as rescue workers scrambled on Friday to pull bodies, many charred beyond recognition, from smouldering debris.

The blaze was the worst to sweep through the Bangladeshi capital in almost four decades.

"The confirmed death toll from the fire is now 114 and may rise," Muhibul Haque, district commissioner of Dhaka, told Reuters. He said more than 40 people were being treated for burns in hospital, with 12 in critical condition.

Fuelling the flames, which some witnesses said rose up to six-storeys high, were chemicals from illegal, home-based factories in the Kayettuli neighbourhood, one of the most densely populated in Dhaka and in the heart of the city.

"It seemed like hell broke loose," said a wailing woman, looking for her daughter and son in what remained of the area, home to several multi-storey blocks and tin-roofed dwellings. Some had been turned into chemical factories despite a law banning their presence in residential areas.

"Burning chemicals from stores within or beside the living quarters spewed on the streets like lava from a volcano. There was hardly any safe place to step out," added one survivor.

Television channels put the death toll at up to 150, including a dozen people who died in hospital.

The country's police chief, Nur Mohammad, said it was difficult to give an exact casualty toll until search and rescue operations were finished, likely on Friday afternoon.

RESIDENTS TRAPPED IN BURNING BUILDINGS

Some families lost up to eight members, witnesses said, and many residents were trapped trying to rush out of buildings.

"Flames leapt up to the sixth floor of buildings. It was a huge inferno," said a Reuters witness.

The blaze, believed to have been caused by an explosion at a electrical transformer, was the worst in the capital since 1971, the fire brigade said.

"I never have had such a harrowing experience in my 40 years here," said a doctor at the burns unit of the Dhaka Medical College Hospital, as patients crammed the corridors and sobbing relatives searched for loved ones.

Hospitals, strained by the high casualty toll, began handing back corpses to relatives able to identify them. "Some of the bodies lying in the morgue are charred beyond identification," one police officer said..

Firefighters said narrow streets and the density of the buildings hampered access and the chemicals in the area helped the fire spread quickly.

The government has ordered an investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire.

Jahangir Kabir Nanak, State Minister for local government, said the lack of proper fire escapes in many buildings contributed to the high death toll. "We should have better planned homes and wider roads to save lives," he said.

The government declared Saturday a day of mourning and said it would pay 20,000 taka (197 pounds) towards the cost of each burial. "I have no words to console them," said Home Minister Sahara Khatun while visiting the hospital late on Thursday.

REUTERS

Saturday Panorama: 62 9ja Senators in faulty Plane to World Cup also Sa babes go topless for soccer (Image Advisory)

Posted by 9jabook.com on June 12, 2010 at 12:00am

Nigeria Vs Argentina Today At

3:00pm

The Super Eagles team that would come face to face against the Argentinian side this afternoon includes Enyeama, Odiah, Taiwo, Shittu, Yobo, Kaita, Etuhu, Obasi, Lukman, Aiyegbeni and Nsofor.

The match which is scheduled for 3:00pm today (Nigerian time)would take place at the Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

Main Article Comments:

Are these fo&^%£$*ols going to South Africa to draft bills? Is senate on recess? How can 62 out of 108 senators leave at the same time to go and jolly with Goodluck Jonathan in South Africa ? How many countries sent more than 6 senators to the world cup ?

Na! They ain't there for you, me or Jonathan. . . SA babes have been welcoming teams by displaying the lovely pointies God blessed them with.

What a mishap,so the plane didn't crash!
We would have been atleast 62 thieves less by now.

Main Article:

NFF sympathises with 62 Senators

NFF President Sani Lulu Abdullahi said on Friday that the Football Federation was grateful to God for sparing the lives of 62 Senators of the Federal Republic who were involved in a near mishap in Lagos on Thursday.

The lawmakers, according to reports, had chartered an aircraft from France for the flight to South Africa to support President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan at Friday’s opening ceremony in Johannesburg, to which the Nigeria leader was invited by President Jacob Zuma.

However, their aircraft developed landing gear fault just after take-off at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, and the pilot had to return quickly to base to avert disaster.

“We have the Almighty God to thank for this. What would we have been saying? God is great and it is important that we always give Him thanks anytime things like this happen,” said Lulu Abdullahi.

The Senators eventually arrived and joined a strong Nigeria reception team for President Jonathan who arrived in Johannesburg at about 6.30 pm South African time on Thursday morning.

Other News: SA Goes Nude for World Cup
Ooops! What an eye-catching scene over there in South Africa, venue of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, which kicks off in less than 24 hours.
If you aren’t feeling the World Cup excitement yet, then the body language of thousands of South African ladies across the country readily puts you in great competition mood.
The babes are baring everything they have; their beauty, curves and poise all to make the visitors feel at home during the mundial.
While many say posing unclothed is a normal way of life amongst young South African ladies, some believe that the trend is restricted to the grossly under-developed areas of the former apartheid enclave. Whatever the insinuations, South Africans are already in a joyous celebration of their country’s readiness to host the world and they are not hiding it.

South African dancers cheer Chile's national football team before their friendly international against New Zealand at the Kanyamazane Stadium near Nelspruit yesterday, two days ahead of the start of the 2010 World Cup football tournament. AFP PHOTO

Only yesterday during the pre-World Cup friendly match between Chile and New Zealand, thousands of South Africans, including their ladies, stripped themselves unclothed and filed out to cheer the teams at the Kanyamazane Stadium, near Nelspruit.
The pretty damsels appeared happy to showoff their bodies as they danced around in Sandton, north of Johannesburg city centre, where a big party was held in anticipation of the beginning of the world showpiece.

Many of the ladies who spoke to international journalists say whatever they do is ‘for the good of the game’ and an honour for their nation. Reports say the presence of the ladies is not only felt on the streets of South Africa, some unsuspecting players are getting distracted, especially when the babes come around their training grounds and near their hotels. It was gathered that security personnel have been up and doing to ensure that the 32 teams, including the host, Bafana Bafana, are focused on the mundial, the first to be staged on Africa’s soil.

Jonathan at Silverbird at 30: N200m lifeline for entertainment industry

PRETORIA--South Africa is on the verge of becoming the first World Cup host to be knocked out in the group phase following a comprehensive3-0 defeat to Uruguay on Wednesday night.

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