Wizkid, Olamide, Davido, others rock at Star Music Trek in Benin

 
SENSATIONAL singers, Wizkid, Olamide, Davido, Dr Sid and Kcee, last weekend, wowed their fans with scintillating performances at the Ogbe Stadium, Benin, during the eighth edition of Nigeria’s favourite concert, Star Music Trek.

A number of talented home grown artistes lit up the Star Music Trek stage, where they displayed their vocal prowess in different genres to the admiration of the enthusiastic crowd who turned out in large number.
The host, Do2dtun, added some panache to the event as he intermittently repeated his familiar phrase: “Have fun”, before the first headline artiste, Dr Sid stepped, on the stage.

Bad leadership: Will Nigerians ever say enough?

 
Nigeria is in a sorry state, a condition that makes mockery of the toil of her foremost nationalists that had lofty dreams about her great but mismanaged potentials. And Nigerians of the younger generation have, inescapably, fallen victim to this avoidable leadership gaffe. Nigeria is at this sorry pass because at every decisive juncture, its leadership had always failed Nigerians. 

Such bad leaderships truly did not emanate from the free will of the people but obviously foisted on them by the elite political class. It would not be hyperbolic to state that leadership is the most critical challenge of the nation’s civilization – apologies to Brian Tracy, the world renowned management/leadership expert.

INEC accredits 29 observer groups for Ekiti, Osun governorship polls

                            
AHEAD of the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC, yesterday said it has approved twenty nine (29) Observers groups to monitor the elections. The accredited groups are expected to participate in the elections, scheduled for June 21, 2014 and August 9, 2014 respectively.

The Commission noted that the accreditation was sequel to the initial application of the observer groups, as contained in the completed Form EMOC 01 which was assessed by it. The electoral body, according to the Commission’s daily bulletin, also warned that any observer group other than those accredited found in the field in the course of the two elections would be prosecuted. Continue...

Joseph Yobo vows to repay Keshi

         

Super Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo has hailed the team’s chief coach, Stephen Keshi over the 30-man provisional list for the World Cup.

Speaking from his base in England on Friday, Yobo was particularly appreciative that the coach showed utmost confidence in him.

According to Yobo: “I want to thank Big Boss for believing in me. I have tried to be a bit silent in recent times because I want to do my talking on the pitch. I will pay the coach back on the pitch.

“I give God the glory for coming this far in my career.It wouldn’t have been possible coming this far without his favour shinning on me”, he said.

Jude Okoye shows off his new Hummer Jeep

                     
He shared this pic on instagram with this caption "The new beast is here!!!"
                             

Update On Chibok: U.S. Air Force men, drone go into action

     
More details emerged yesterday on the United States troops deployed to join the search for the Chibok girls kidnapped by extremist Boko Haram sect.

A U.S. military spokesman said that the 80 personnel deployed in Chad to help find nearly 300 kidnapped schoolgirls are from the Air Force and have already begun their mission, using a drone and Global Hawks.

Chuck Prichard, a spokesman at the U.S. military’s Africa command in Germany, said yesterday that the 80 Air Force personnel were previously stationed in the United States, though he did not disclose where in the U.S.

President Barack Obama told Congress in a letter Wednesday about the deployment. Obama said the service members would help with intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft for missions over northern Nigeria and the nearby region.

Kim K steps out in $20k Balmain dress for her bachelorette party

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For her bachelorette party, Kim K wore a $20,000 bejewled pearl encrusted Balmain fall 2012 dress. The all-girls party held at Costes restaurant on the Rue St. Honoré in Paris today. See more photos after the cut...

Photo From APC rally in Ado-Ekiti

FROM LEFT: APC INTERIM NATIONAL CHAIRMAN, CHIEF BISI AKANDE; GOV. KAYODE FAYEMI OF EKITI; WIFE OF THE EKITI GOVERNOR, BISI; APC NATIONAL LEADER, SEN. BOLA TINUBU AND FORMER HEAD OF STATE RETIRED MAJ.-GEN. MUHAMMED BUHARI, AT APC MEGA RALLY IN ADO-EKITI ON WEDNESDAY

   See more pics after the cut. Continue...

Segun Arinze asks NFVCB boss to resign over Half Of A Yellow Sun

                 
A few weeks ago, the film adaptation of Chimamanda Adichie's book Half of a Yellow Sun was to hit our cinema screens...but it was stopped. I heard the reason it was removed was because of the theme of the movie, the Hausa killing Ibo/biafra war story and because of the current situation in Nigeria, some scenes were asked to be cut from the movie by the Nigeria Film and Video Censors Board. I don't know if the scenes have been cut or what exactly is going on right now, but NFVCB has still refused to let the movie show in the cinemas.

Actor and former Actors' Guild of Nigeria president Segun Arinze is now calling for the resignation of the Director-General of the Censors Board. His statement below...

Please tell Madam Patricia Bala of Nigeria Film and Video Censors Board to release the movie Half of a Yellow Sun. She has no reason to hold on to the movie. She has no right to censor the movie only to classify it. She saw it in Canada and even partnered with the producers in Canada during the premiere. What she is doing now is an embarrassment to government and a big insult to our dear industry, Nollywood. We are not in a military regime. She should kindly resign'. - Segun Arinze

Chibok Update: U.S Deploys Troops

                        

The United States has deployed troops to join the search for the over 200  schoolgirls abducted by the extremist Boko Haram sect in Chibok, Borno State on April 15.

President Barack Obama has notified the Congress of the deployment of 80 military personnel, who  will be based in Chad, Nigeria’s northern neighbour. Their mission is to help locate the kidnapped girls.

Obama has sent a letter to House Speaker John Boehner and to the Senate, notifying lawmakers about the steps underway to assist in the return of the abducted girls.

According to Obama, the service members will help with intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft for missions over northern Nigeria. Continue...

Nigerian Army Begins recruitment of Volunteer Army Personnel

      
According to a report by Channels TV, the Nigerian army has announced the recruitment of volunteer soldiers that will serve in the search for the missing Chibok girls as well as help in the fight against Boko Haram insurgence. In a press briefing today, the Director of Public Affairs said the recruitment exercise will end on June 21st and is open to only able bodied persons. 

RunTown signs multi million naira record deal with Ericmanny Ent.

                 
Fast rising Nigerian artiste Runtown just signed a Multi Million Naira Recording Deal with Ericmany Entertainment owned by Mr Dilly, Ceo Dilly Motors. Its been a successful Journey all the way for RunTown since his Smashing hit song titled Gallardo featuring Davido, with about 418,000 views on youtube in just 2 months. RunTown has released hit songs like 1980, Gallardo ft Davido, Control and many more. Expect more from Runtown in the coming weeks. New video dropping soon. Continue..

Boko Haram in fresh attack in Borno, kills 17

 

         

According to BBC, Boko Haram members last night May 20th launched a fresh attack at Alagarno village in Borno State killing at least 17 people. Village sources say virtually all the buildings in the village were also razed.

Borno releases N150m to rehabilitate 53 girls, parents

                                

Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, on Tuesday said the initial doubt over the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls and the theory that the kidnap was staged managed by his government was as painful as the actual abduction.

He also said that the state government would spend N150m to rehabilitate the 53 students who escaped from their abductors and the parents of those still being held.

The governor said it was a sad tale that Nigeria pays more emphasis on politics than finding solutions to the nation’s problems. Continue...

Eniola Badmus launches radio programme

                     
Since she played Gbogbo Bigz Girls in actress Funke Akindele’s award-winning flick, Jenifa, Eniola Badmus’s profile has been on the rise.

A few days ago, the graduate of Theatre Arts from the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, launched her radio programme, Your Head Dey There, on both Wazobia and Naija FM stations, to the admiration of her fans.

According to her, Your Head Dey There is a ‘question-and-answer programme, which will focus on the environment, especially for residents in Lagos State.

She added that there would be cash prizes for listeners who correctly answer questions on the show.

Eniola, also a graduate of Economics from the Lagos State University, Ojo, has appeared in several English and Yoruba home movies, since she started her acting career some years back.

I’ve not lost focus says: Korede Bello

                                 
Contrary to the insinuation in some quarters, fast-rising soul singer Korede Bello has said that his muse has not left him.

The new addition to Marvin Records also added that he had not embraced another genre of music, a situation that necessitated the claim that he had lost focus.
He further explained that his latest single is in sync with his style of music. Korede Bello, who spoke through his manager,  Casper, said: “He is set to do good music. You can take everything from him, but you can’t take his guitar away from him.”

His songs, according a critic, are usually “straight from the heart and inspired by his environment. Sometimes, they are hilarious but with a deeper meaning.” Apart from his euphonic gift, he is also loved by his fans for his dexterity on the guitar. His first official single, African Princess, is a passionate song dedicated to lovers.

Ekiti 2014: Why I’m supporting Fayemi – Oni

       
Engineer Olusegun Adebayo Oni is the immediate past governor of Ekiti State, who recently defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC. In this interview, Oni bares it all stating why he is pitching his political tent with Governor Kayode Fayemi.

YOUR leaving the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP was greeted with mixed feelings. At what point did you lose hope in the party?
As far as the PDP is concerned, I did everything I could do to give the party a chance to pick a candidate that we can work with, that we can be proud of, that we can show to generations that are coming behind, as someone that we can recommend as role model for them. When the PDP decided what its own options would be, we had no alternative but to make up our mind, rigidly, to toe the path that we have now chosen.

You reportedly said your decision to leave the PDP was to build a future for Ekiti people. What is that future?
What we are doing is in the interest of Ekiti and in the interest of the good name that we may lose if we are not careful. The generations coming may have to suffer for it if we allow it to be completely destroyed. Continue...

Burial ceremony for soldiers who died in the North last week

                            
Some soldiers were ambushed and killed in the North East last week by Boko Haram men leading to their colleagues rising against their General Officer Commanding. The fallen soldiers were buried today. May their souls rest in peace. Continue to see more pics you

Explosion rocks Jos this Afternoon Over 200 killed

                         
OK, apparently the bomb explosion that occurred this afternoon at the densely populated Terminus Market near Murtala Mohammed way in Jos is more serious than we thought. The twin explosion, which occurred 30 minutes apart, reportedly killed at least 200 people according to eye-witnesses, making it deadlier than the Nyanya blast.

The bomb was planted in two cars, a Peugeot J5 van and a Toyota Sienna SUV with a Gombe state license plate number. Eye-witnesses said the car had been parked near the busy market since early this morning and had even drawn the curiosity of people in the area who allegedly alerted the police. It exploded many hours later. See a pic of some bodies being removed from the scene after the cut

Her little mini-me! Kim Kardashian carries adorable baby North as they wear co-ordinating outfits in Paris

                        

The Kardashian family have been pictured out and about in Paris ahead of Kim's impending nuptials to rapper Kanye West and now baby North is joining in on the fun. 

The adorable 11-month-old tot looked a little tired as she was carried across the street by her doting mother - and the resemblance between the two was plain to see. 

Kim stepped out in a black lycra mini teamed with a camel coloured shell top which flattered her curves. See more pics after the cut.....

Relationships don’t work for me — Evia Simon

                    

Fast-rising Nollywood actress, Evia Simon, has said men go crazy over her figure. That was her first encounter with Potpourri and the Abuja-based actress was everything but shy in telling us that men have embarrassed her more times than she cares to remember.

She recounted an experience where a guy left his car by the road side and followed her all the way home on bike just to get her attention.
But the actress has said such overtures do not fool her as she is well aware that most men who chase after her do not do so because they have true feeling for her Continue...

We can win World Cup Says: Keshi

                                     

Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi said yesterday that Nigeria can win the World Cup.

‘’Yes, Nigeria can win the World Cup. Those who win the World Cup, do they have two heads?’’, Keshi asked yesterday after collecting his award as the best Nigerian coach presented to him by Chief Executive Officer of Matchmakers Consult, Shina Philips at the Ibis Hotel, off International Airport road, Lagos.

Keshi was reacting to a question on whether he thinks his Eagles could win the World Cup as predicted by Sports Minister Tamuno Danagogo. He did not hesitate to answer in the affirmative. ‘’We can win the World Cup. Those who win the World Cup do not have two heads.

If the Minister said so, I pray to God that it is so.

Nigerian girl emerges best graduating student at American university

                     
20 year old Delta state born Merrilyn Akpapuna (pictured above) on May 10th 2014 emerged overall Best Graduating Student of Dillard University, an Ivy league school in New Orleans, USA . 

Merrilyn, the daughter of a dental surgeon, graduated with a first class honors in Psychology. She also won two other awards for highest academic achievements for the College of Arts and Sciences and College of General Studies.

Her feat made her share the podium with US First Lady, Michelle Obama, who attended the school's convocation. Merrilyn is pictured above with the President of Dillard University, Dr Walter Kimbrough. Congrats to her. What an inspiration. Continue...

What do you Think of Rihanna's Pink Hair?

           
Rihanna rock pink hair

Three policemen dismissed for smoking hemp

                                                  

The police in Adamawa State have dismissed three policemen for hemp smoking and indoctrinating others.

Commissioner for Police M.A Abakasanga said they have been charged to court for narcotics and hard drugs consumption.

The Assistant Commissioner of Police (Criminal Investigation Department), Salau Usman Alabi, who represented the commissioner, said 17 civilians would be arraigned for drug possession.

Alabi said the public should report any suspicious movement to the police.

He warned police officers to desist from smoking Indian hemp and other prohibited substances.

Police intercept bomb-laden car in Kano

                                   

Another tragedy was averted yesterday in Kano, with the police intercepting a bomb laden vehicle primed with explosives on Tafawa Balewa Road, Nassarawa quarters.

Commissioner of Police Aderenle Shinaba told reporters that a vehicle carrying two gas cylinders, a jerry can of fuel and wires were found abandoned.

The recovered vehicle is an ash-colour Mitsubishi Station Wagon marked Kano AE756GSW.

The police chief inspected  the scene of Sunday’s bomb blast on Middle Road by Gold Coast in Sabongari, Fagge Local Government.

He said the primed vehicle might have been abandoned by terrorists for one reason or another.

The police have confirmed that five people died in the attack; seven were injured. Four of those injured have been discharged from the hospital. Continue...

Nigerian Idol Contestants Party with Phyno At Eviction Party

                  
It was an electrifying Saturday night of pure fun as guests present at the Etisalat-organized eviction party for Xolani and BeeBee Bassey, the recently evicted contestants in the competition, partied non-stop till the break of dawn.

The party which held last weekend at Ntyce Lounge, Karimu Kotun street, Victoria Island, had Nigerian artistes, Phyno and Reminisce, give riveting performances to celebrate Xolani and BeeBee Bassey. It was world class British Nigerian producer and artist, DJ Exclusive who peaked the night with an endless array of music that had the crowd dancing well into the morning. Continue...

JAMB releases CBT results

                          

The Joint Admission and Matriculations Board (JAMB) on Monday released the results of Saturday’s Computer Based Test (CBT) examinations.

The Board’s Deputy Director, Outstation, Mr. Nobel Onukwue, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos that the result was released online on Monday.

He advised candidates who wrote the examinations on Saturday to check their results online.

NAN reports that the CBT started on May 17, and would end on May 31.

Onukwue said the second day of the CBT was better because, there were no problems of candidates being logged out mistakenly, server going off, or power outage.

Mr. Buhari Aliyu, JAMB Biometric Operator, said that 332 candidates were screened for the first session, and 342 for the second session, as against the 350 expected candidates.

"I'm not a cooking kind of woman and my husband is fine with it' - Joke Silva

                
In a recent interview with City People magazine, Nollywood screen legend Joke Silva talked about her lack of cooking skills and other ways she takes care of her husband, screen legend, Olu Jacobs..

"I have never lied about this, I have never been 'a doing the cooking kind of woman'. When my husband met me, he knew. He was the one who used to do the cooking because he is good at it. I used to do the cooking when I felt like. Sometimes, it comes out to be a huge success and sometimes a failure. Some years ago, I cooked vegetables and it was terrible and my husband is such a gem, he ate it like that. It is not as if my mum didn't teach me. For my husband, cooking is a therapy and for me it is a chore and yet he will always tell you that I look after him so much, I do that in other ways. We have somebody who does the cooking. I have taught them to cook the way I like and we have people who do the general cleaning."

Ekiti polls: Bamidele, Fayemi tango over failed factories

                                  

LABOUR  Party Governorship Candidate, Hon Opeyemi Bamidele, has accused the Governor Kayode Fayemi-led administration of paying lip service to industrial development in Ekiti State.,

Bamidele said the governor’s boast on the day of his inauguration on October 16, 2010 that he would diversify the state civil service from its present monolithic economy through industrialization has not been actualised, a development, he claimed has crippled the state’s economy.

In a statement in Ado Ekiti by his Media Aide, Ahmed Salami, Bamidele queried what the Ire Brick Industry and Road Material Company(ROMACO)  in Igbemo had contributed to the development of the economy of the state after over N2 billion had been expended to resuscitate the industries. Continue...

Nigerian Unemployed graduates to receive N19k monthly allowance?

                            

That's what a committee at the on-going National Conference is suggesting...for all unemployed graduates in Nigeria to earn a monthly allowance equivalent to the allowance of members of the National Youth Service Corps, which is N19,800.

Punch reports that the conference’s Committee on Law, Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Reform made the recommendation but it can only fall through if its accepted by the Federal Government.

A member of the committee said the recommendation was one of the ways the committee members felt that crime could be reduced in the country. He told Punch;

"The recommendation is our own way of finding solutions to the rising wave of crime in the country and to also force the government to do the needful for the increasing number of unemployed graduates in the country. “We have done our part and it is left for the delegates to either reject or accept it at plenary.”

I have a feeling, FG won't be interested in this.  

Jennifer Lopez can Still pull it off

             
When Jennifer Lopez wants to make a statement, she does so with her clothing.
The 44-year-old singer showed up to the Billboard Awards Sunday looking like a glamorous superhero in a red - and very plunging - sheer DKNY gown.
It didn’t appear to be an accident that the dress was reminiscent of the green Versace number she set tongues wagging with at the 2000 Grammy Awards. See more photos after the  cut...

Wizkid excited over endorsement deal renewal

                              

Sensational Hip hop act Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, aka Wizkid, is currently having a blast, as he has reportedly renewed his endorsement deals with MTN and Pepsi.

To confirm the deal, the jaiyejaiye crooner, who has also signed an endorsement deal with Hennesy, posted a picture of himself signing some papers, with the popular brands displayed on a table. He wrote: “Just renewed my contract with the biggest communication company. You see that Pepsi on the table? Do you see that Hennessy? Bigger than music! Big moves! Big brands!”

Wizkid, according to sources, is currently working on his second studio album titled Chosen, which is scheduled for release later in the year.

Poilce say Ten Killed in Kano suicide car Bomb Attack

NO fewer than 10 people were feared dead last night in an explosion in Sabongari, Kano.

The blast occurred at a hotel around 9:30pm when  people were relaxing. Many were injured.

No group has claimed responsibility for the explosion, which bore the imprint of the Boko Haram insurgents.

An eyewitness told The Nation that the incident occurred in a hotel on Gold Coast Road, near Aithen Road, Sabongari, an area populated mainly by non-indigenes.

The explosion sent people scampering to safety during which many were injured. The Joint Task Force (JTF) cordoned off the area shortly after. Continue...

Expendable 3 cast carry #Bringbackourgirls placard at Cannes

             
The cast of action movie Expendables 3 all carried the #bringbackourgirls posters at their film premiere in Cannes this afternoon. From left: Harrison Ford...Wesley Snipes, Sylvester Stallon and Mel Gibson. Awww, thanks guys

NAETO C SET TO LAUNCH ALBUM

                                 

COME September, fans of superstar rapper, Naeto C, will be in for a swell time, as the artiste has unveiled plans to release his highly awaited album.

Naeto C dropped the hint when he stopped over at Radio Sapientia, Onitsha, before he stormed the stage for his final appearance at the seventh leg of Star Music Trek, which held at Godwin Achebe Stadium Onitsha on May 11.

The WKG rapper, a few weeks ago, had disclosed that he was yet to come up with a name for the album and asked fans to help him out.

The artiste, who has also performed at Makurdi and Uyo on the Star Music Trek, apparently wants to devote more of his time to producing another award-winning album.

Source: The Nation

Flavour, Okocha, Kanu, MI boost Glo’s new campaign

                   

A number of Nigeria’s music stars gathered recently in Lagos, as leading telecommunication company, Globacom, unveiled a unique motivational campaign and theme song to mobilise nation-wide support for Nigeria’s participation at the World Cup in Brazil in June.

The occasion, which also saw the unveiling of a first-of-its-kind online reality show hosted on Google+, was graced by sensational singers, Flavour, M.I, Naeto C, Omawunmi, Waje and Nollywood star, Chioma Akpotha.

The musicians, who are Glo ambassadors, also performed in the campaign aptly tagged Go Ahead Super Eagles. Also in attendance were Nigeria’s football icons, Christian Chukwu, Jay Jay Okocha, Kanu Nwankwo and Victor Ikpeba. Continue...

Customs officers arrested for raping Facebook friend

Two officers of the Nigerian Customs Service, Seme Border Command have been arrested for allegedly raping a 23-year-old lady.

The suspects identified as Felola Uzezi and Mohammed Sanni, have already been transferred to the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID), Panti, for further interrogation.

The victim told policemen from Area K Police Command that she met one of the customs officers on Facebook and visited him after an invitation. The visit however turned nasty as her Facebook friend and his colleague allegedly raped her.

It was gathered that the men were picked and quizzed by operatives from Area K Command from where they were transferred to SCID.

The two men, attached to Gbaji Custom’s checkpoint were alleged to have raped the lady  at Limca Bus Stop area, along Badagry Expressway, home of Felola Uzezi. Continue...

40 feared killed as Boko Haram invades another Borno village

                        
At least 40 villagers were killed and several others injured yesterday Saturday May 17th as Boko Haram gunmen attacked Dalwa-Masuba village in Damboa LGA of Borno State, Premium Times reports.

Security sources and a witness said the gunmen stormed the village in large numbers and burnt down virtually all buildings in the village as well as three pickup vans carrying woods to Damboa.

A member of the vigilante in Dalwa-Masuba, who spoke to journalists in Maiduguri on phone, said no security personnel had reached the attacked town at the time he was speaking. “We were on patrol somewhere near Damboa when we heard about the attack from some of the villagers who ran from the village”, said the source. “We had to drive to the town on our patrol van; we met the entire village on fire, and about 40 persons dead, there were bodies all over the place; three firewood pickups were also set ablaze.” Continue...