Kim Kardashian has been a very busy lady recently - first she popped
out a baby and now it seems boyfriend Kanye West may have popped the
question. The rapper is rumoured to have asked reality television royalty Kim to get married just days after baby North West was born last weekend.
WHAT COULD THIS POSSIBLY MEAN?! Well, let us break it down. Kim went into labour five weeks early last week and the new mother welcomed her first child into the world with her lyric-spitter beau.
Kanye
let Kim finish, just like he did Taylor Swift but in a different sense,
and handed her a "push present", according to The Sun.
And no,
Kanye didn't give Kim some strange sort of button to press - a "push
present" is the name given something the father gives to the mother
either before or after the birth in the delivery room. Will Kim's wedding dress look like this?
Splash
Said present was apparently a ring which Kim is understood to
have accepted and she is said to already be planning a September Paris
wedding.
And because Kanye is loaded he's apparently splashed out
£500,000 on a unique black and tiger-striped diamond ring. Totally down
to earth, of course.
Kim and Kanye spent days inside the Cedars
Sinai Hospital in Beverly Hills after the birth of their baby daughter
as she arrived early and they waited for the all clear before moving to a
secret location to take care of their new human.
And romeo Kanye
is said to have made sure Kim is getting the best care having employed a
personal labour coach and spent thousands on treatment at the hospital
before left. Perhaps Kanye will make everyone at the wedding wear black leather
kimkardashian/instagram
A source told The Sun: "Kanye wasted no money in making sure Kim had the best of everything while she's in hospital.
"He has spent half a million on a ring as a push present and had it designed months ago in preparation.
"He's even more in love with her now than ever and they can't wait to get married."
Kim
and Kanye are yet to comment on the rumours but then again they haven't
even publicly used their own mouths to confirm the existence of their
baby.
Wizkid & Manager Arrested & Detained By Lagos Police Over UNILAG Concert Fraud Case
In the early hours of today, singer Ayo Balogun, Wizkid was arrested by the Lagos state Police command in Onikan Zone 2 after some UNILAG students reported him to the police.
According to the students, they paid .5million naira to the star for a
performance at Unilag Sports Centre for the concert of life that was
suppose to hold on the 24th of May, 2013 but he didn’t show up.
The trouble started because Wizkid and his manager didn’t contact them after the no show.
Wizkid was whisked to Onikan police station this afternoon. He was briefly queried and detained.
His lawyer came in this afternoon to secure his bail.
He has been told to report back next week to resume the case.
Some students are alleging that Wizkid wasn’t the person who collected the money.
They said a fraudster duped the students.
Though the words on the street is that he was invited for questioning, a close source said he was actually arrested.
A scrap plane formerly owned by the
late Apostle Gabriel Oduyemi of Bethel Ministries, Ajah, Lagos, caused
panic in the city on Thursday as rumour spread that another aircraft had
crashed in Lagos.
It
was learnt that the plane, which was recently released to Capt Matthew
Ekeinde, husband of Nollywood star, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, was being
dragged to Badagry area of the state before its tyre burst. The incident
forced the new owner to dump the plane in a nearby filling station.
Hundreds
of residents trooped out with their smart phones and camera, and queued
behind the gate of Dapsey Oil filling station at Igando where the plane
was parked.
A senior employee of the filling station said the
plane, with registration number N972TF, was being towed from Muritala
Muhammed Airport, Ikeja to Badagry when one of the tyres burst.
He
said, “The plane was brought here around 2am after one of its tyres
burst. It was being towed by a red vehicle, but after it got to Igando,
they discovered it would be difficult to get it to its destination with
burst tyre, which was why they brought it here.”
The Lagos State
Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Damasus Ozoani, told the News
Agency of Nigeria that the police provided escort for the plane.
He said, “About 12.45am, the command got a directive to escort the jet from MMIA Ikeja to Badagry by road.
“The
operation was led by one Capt. Matthew Ekeinde, but in the process of
the journey, one of the jet’s tyres burst at College Bus Stop and the
jet could not move.
“It was parked at Dapsey Filling Station along
Igando for repairs. We have provided security for the plane until it is
moved to Badagry.”
Men of The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps were on the ground to “ensure the safety of people” living in the area.
The Igando Divisional Police Officer, Adeoye Olugbemiga, came with his team around 12pm to control on-lookers.
In a short time, some of the residents turned the scene into an amusement park and began to pose and take shots near the plane.
One of our correspondents observed that the plane’s two wings had been chopped off and the cockpit was stuffed with nylons.
The
Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Nnamdi
Udoh, in a statement, said the aircraft had long been within the
agency’s facility till Wednesday night when it was removed.
Udoh
said, “The aircraft that was sighted by the residents was actually a
junk one belonging to the late Apostle Gabriel Oduyemi of Bethel
Ministries.
“The aircraft was actually released to Capt Ekeinde who will be using it for educational purposes in Badagry, Lagos.”
Ekeinde confirmed on the telephone that the scrap plane belonged to him.
He said, “The aircraft will be situated in a multipurpose and entertainment centre which wlll be open very soon.
“When opened, the centre will be the first of its kind in West Africa.”
The death of veteran musician, Fatai Rolling Dollar, on Wednesday, signifies the end of a persevering era,
At over 80, on stage he was as agile as a
young panther. Many people could not resist dancing to his music, but
only a few people could beat him in the game, as he was fond of rocking
along to his own beat, occasionally clapping his legs like the fronds of
a wind-driven palm tree.
While his voice remained as piercing as
it was when he was a young adult, his fingers never faltered on the
guitar. That is why, unlike some old guitarists, whose fingers retire
ahead of them, he often went round with the instrument, even when he was
not billed to perform.
He also defied ageing based on his
regular appearances at many events. The same never-say-old man, who
could be sighted mixing freely with young frolickers at an O’Jez Club on
a Sunday, would have been at the National Theatre on Friday and
probably Freedom Park, Lagos on Saturday. And he was likely to have
mounted the stage at all of such centres.
In spite of such an unusual agility,
coupled with artistry excellence, nature asserted itself on Wednesday
when death snatched away Fatai Olayiwola Olagunju, the juju/highlife
songbird popularly known as Rolling Dollar. Although some members of the
entertainment community had, for some days, nursed some anxiety,
following reports that he was hospitalised, the fear became real when
the artiste proverbially speaking, eventually laid down his guitar.
What could also be taken as his last
words exuded hope and a determination to sing on. For instance, in a
recent reaction to reports that he might have slipped into a coma, the
musician had noted that he had survived the illness scare and that he
would soon bounce back on stage.
Signs that all was not well with him,
however, became apparent when he returned from the US trip. One of our
correspondents had visited him in his house in Abattoir, Agege area of
Lagos. Quite unlike him, he could not grant him an interview, despite
the fact that the reporter waited for the artiste – who was lying in bed
– for about four hours.
Yet four days ago, he had managed to
declare, “I’m ready for my shows and I also want to assure my fans that
I am doing fine right now, though I was told to always visit the
hospital for further check-up.”
Although details of his death were
initially scanty on Wednesday, information from the management of Daily
Needs Industries Limited indicated that he died at Maritol Medical
Centre, Surulere, Lagos. The company, for which Rolling Dollar was an
ambassador, advertising its De-Deon’s Syrup, had intervened when he
became indisposed about two weeks ago.
The Marketing Manager, Daily Needs
Industries Limited, Mr. Sola Adeyi, noted in a statement on Wednesday,
“The deceased had just returned from a musical tour of the United States
of America where he took ill and was diagnosed of cancer. On his return
to Nigeria, we took up his medical case with all the importance it
deserved. We took him to Maritol Medical Centre in Surulere for proper
medical care where further checks confirmed that he had cancer of the
lungs. But medical doctor cares, God determines who survives. He
received the best of medical care and comfort until he passed on
peacefully on Wednesday.
“The death of Pa Fatai Rolling Dollar is
a painful loss to the staff and management of our company. Our prayer
is that may God grant his soul eternal rest and may his legacies
continue to thrive forever.”
One of Rolling Dollar’s former
associates, Mr. Kunle Tejuosho, who is the Chief Executive Officer of
Jazzhole Records, which produced the artiste’s most successful album – Won Kere si Number Wa
- corroborated this account. He said that the musician did not go
through any protracted illness as it was only a few weeks ago he
returned from the US.
Tejuosho said, “Baba was a great musician. He lived a life of music. He was always ready to perform.”
Among the Ede, Osun State-born artiste’s
other feats, he trained reputed juju icon, Chief Ebenezer Obey and the
late Orlando Owoh, while he was also said to have been a part of King
Sunny Ade’s evolution. But his acolytes also noted that the biggest
lesson he bequeathed to the industry is that of professional
perseverance.
According to juju musician-turned
evangelist, Rev. Idowu Animasahun, who spoke from his Badeku, Ibadan
base on Wednesday, Rolling Dollar’s transition symbolises the end of an
era. He recalled that even after the deceased’s contemporaries had
passed on, and he (Rolling Dollar) went through a trying period, he
later bounced back because he persevered.
Animasahun added, “Fatai Rolling
Dollar’s death is the end of an era. He represented an old generation
that defines the best of music from the country. He was with J. O. Araba
when he got the nickname, Rolling Dollar. He used to play agidigbo
with an object that looked like a dollar. So, whenever Araba and other
members of the group wanted him to play, they would say, ‘Fatai, roll
the dollar.”
Younger artistes, including Ade Bantu
and Segun Adefila, also stressed that beyond professionalism, emerging
acts should learn from the deceased the act of staying loyal to one’s
talent.
“Baba’s life or experience teaches us
that we should learn to wait for our time. If you are an artiste all you
need to do is to always put in your best. One day, time will reward
you,” Adefila said.
An undisquished polygamist, Fatai
Rolling Dollar was born 86 years ago into the family of late Chief
Olagunju of Ede in Osun State.
The artiste, held the record as the
oldest but active Nigerian musician. He was one of the pioneers of juju
music genre in Nigeria.
Years back, it seemed like Pa Rolling
Dollar was in the nightfall of his career, but he took the Nigerian
scene by surprise as he stormed back with his hit song, ‘Won Kere si Number wa.’ The song has become the anthem of music lovers and a signature tune for some brand commercials.
An enduring influence on African music –Jonathan
President Goodluck Jonathan, on
Wednesday, joined other Nigerians and music lovers in all parts of the
world in mourning the late Fatai Rolling Dollar.
In a statement by his spokesman, Reuben
Abati, the President described the deceased as an accomplished and
multi-talented musician who would remain an enduring influence on
African music even in death.
The statement read in part, “President
Jonathan shares the grief of all lovers of music over the death of the
illustrious entertainer, master singer, guitarist and exponent of the
native thumb piano, who continued to perform and exhibit his unqualified
love for the music profession at an age when most of his contemporaries
had long retired.
“The President believes that the late
Fatai Rolling Dollar, who enthralled his teeming followers throughout
his career of over 64 years will, even in death, remain an enduring
influence on African music and that the vacuum his death has created in
the Nigerian entertainment industry will be hard to fill.”
Aregbesola mourns
Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, described his death as a huge loss to the entertainment sector in Nigeria.
Aregbesola, in a statement by the
Director of Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon,
described the octogenarian high-life maestro as a testimony in
perseverance and hope.
The governor said Rolling Dollar’s life sojourn demonstrated that no time is too late for man to have a breakthrough in life.
He stressed that the star of the old
artiste shone at his old age when nobody ever taught of a musical
success for him again after his initial popularity at the beginning of
his career.
Aregbesola said, “The ace musician’s ultimate comeback is a testimony that no time is late in the life of human being.
“Pa Fatai Rolling Dollar’s story of a meteoric rise to fame is a confirmation that success can come at any time in a man’s life.
“Rolling Dollar was a force to reckon
with in high life music and he would stand tall in the nation’s music
hall of fame and counted among musical genii like Cardinal Rex Lawson,
Bobby Benson, Adeolu Akinsanya among others.
“The government and people of the State
of Osun, where the music legend hailed from, send our heartfelt
condolences to the immediate and extended families of late musician, his
band members, fans and the government of Lagos.”
He was a first rate guitarist –Fashola
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde
Fashola, has expressed sadness on the passage of the highlife icon.
According to him, the loss of the “musical innovator” would reverberate
around the musical world and beyond.
In a condolence letter to Mrs. Funmilayo
Olagunju, the widow of the late musician, Fashola said he was a first
rate guitarist under whose tutelage several other musical legends learnt
to play the instrument.
According to the governor, Rolling Dollar is assured of his place in the pantheon of Nigerian musical greats with hits like ‘Won Kere si Number Wa’ and ‘Saworo’ enduring in the memory of generations to come.
“Growing up in the 1960s and 1970s, it
was impossible to escape the presence of this iconic genius across
Lagos. I am pleased and gratified that in the latter part of his life
Lagos State was able to reacquaint itself once again with his singular
talents,’’ he said.
He was an authentic artiste –Culture Minister
The Minister of Tourism, Culture and
National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, has also said the death of the
veteran musician has severed an important link between the old and new
generations of musicians in Nigeria.
This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja.
The minister stated, “Pa Fatai Rolling
Dollar was a copious symbol of authentic creative talent. His exploits
as a musician before and after Nigeria’s independence constitute a great
legacy and a reference point for musicians, performers, policy makers
and researchers. His resurgence on the nation’s music scene with several
hits and memorable numbers is a demonstration of the vitality,
resilience and authenticity of the Nigerian creative energy.”
‘COSON will ensure he is immortalised’
Expressing his shock at the news of the
death of Rolling Dollar, who was the oldest member of the Copyright
Society of Nigeria,COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji, also noted, “He
was a legend, a fantastic person with a very positive attitude to life
who treated everyone with courtesy. I believe that his attitude to life
was responsible for the long life he lived and that should be a lesson
for all us. He was committed to the unity of the Nigerian music industry
and never missed any meeting of COSON. He will be missed by a lot of
people whom he inspired. COSON will ensure that Fatai Rolling Dollar is
immortalised.”
The United States has officially declared the leader of
the extremist Boko Haram sect, Abubakar Shekau, wanted and placed a $7
million bounty on his head.
In an announcement on Monday, the U.S. Department of Justice Reward for
Justice Programme says it would pay $7million to anyone with information
that could lead to the arrest of the Boko Haram leader.
Also declared wanted are four other alleged terrorists believed to be spreading terrorism in the West African sub-region.
They include Mokhtar Belmokhtar, described as a one-eyed mastermind
of the January deadly attack on a gas plant in Algeria, which left 37
foreigners dead. Authorities say anyone who could help facilitate his
capture stands a chance of reaping $5 million.
A $5million bounty was also placed on Yahya Abou Al-Hammam an alleged
terrorist believed to be behind the 2010 murder of an elderly French
hostage in Niger.
Also being sought are Malik Abou Abdelkarim, described as a senior
AQIM fighter and Oumar Ould Hamaha, spokesman for Mali’s Movement for
Oneness and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO). America says it will pay $3
million each to anyone who could help facilitate their arrests.
The U.S. had on June 21, 2012, designated Mr. Shekau, the Boko Haram
leader, a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, under Executive Order
13224.
Mr. Shekau’s whereabouts have however remained unknown.
Last week, he released a video calling on other terrorists in
Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq to support the struggle to enthrone an
Islamic state in Nigeria.
Suspected cult members killed a 19-year-old boy, Obunneke Osondu, in Pedro, Bariga area of Lagos State.
PUNCH Metro learnt that Obunneke
was killed on Saturday by members of Eiye Confraternity, two hours after
leaving his home in Ayinke Street.
The native of Owerri was said to have
had an altercation with the assailants who accused him of being friends
with members of a rival cult, Aiye Confraternity.
A resident, who spoke to our
correspondent on the condition of anonymity, said, “Obunneke left his
home around 8pm to take some bottles of beer at a nearby hotel.
“When he entered the bar, he met some
members of Eiye Confraternity who asked him for money. His refusal to
give them money infuriated them and they accused him of being an Aiye
apologist.
“The boys, later identified as Bonjeu ,
Arinze , Ahmed, Feso, Ayo and Akilapa, who were all in the hotel bar,
then stabbed Obunneke many times as he ran away from the hotel.
“Immediately Obunneke ran outside,a
tricycle driver attempted to take him to Somolu General Hospital, but a
policeman asked that the bleeding Obunneke be brought down from the
tricycle. He then ordered that they go and call the mother to come and
carry her son.”
It was learnt that the tricycle driver went to inform the victim’s relative, but when help arrived, the victim had already died.
It was learnt that the incident worsened
when policemen from Somolu Division stormed the area and started
shooting indiscriminately.
Another youth was said to have died while trying to escape.
An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of
anonymity, said, “While sympathisers gathered at Kusa Street mourning
Obunneke, a group of policemen came and started shooting into the air.
“Everybody started running
helter-skelter to evade arrest. A youth, identified simply as Tiny, who
was trying to escape, fell into a pit, hit his head against the concrete
and died on the spot. When the policemen saw him, they took to their
heels.”
When our correspondent visited
Obunneke’s parents’ home at 30 Ayinke Street, the mother, Irene Osondu,
said the deceased was her youngest child.
She said her son was not a cult member and urged the police authorities to arrest his killers.
She said, “My son was a good boy. He
sold clothes for a living before he was killed. He has a daughter and a
wife and we have not even broken the news to them.
“Police say investigations are ongoing,
but we want justice. His father is currently assisting the police in
their investigation.”
Meanwhile, it was learnt that Tiny was buried at a cemetery in Odogbolu, Ogun State on Monday.
The deputy Police Public Relations Officer for the state command, Damascus Ozoanni, confirmed Obunneke’s murder.
He said, “From what we gathered, a woman
and one Tunde were standing close to Famous Hotel when a guy wielding a
broken bottle stabbed Obunneke. As Obunneke was running for his life,
the assailant picked up a knife at a Suya spot and stabbed him in the
chest.
“Policemen from Somolu Division rushed
to the scene and took him to Jolad Hospital where he was rejected. He
was then taken to Christiana Hospital where he died.”
Remember
that brawl between Chris and Frank Ocean last January outside a
recording studio? Law enforcement revealed shortly after the incident
the case was closed, but it has been found out that's not the case.
It was learned the L.A. County D.A.'s Office has an active file and is deciding whether to prosecute Brown for battery.
It's interesting ... because Ocean never formally pressed charges. Nonetheless ... the case is under review.
It's
possible the Brown/Ocean incident could come up today at Brown's
probation review hearing. Brown is supposed to be in court, and the
judge could raise the issue because Chris was ordered to obey all laws.
Meanwhile, Brown is also being investigated for an alleged hit-and-run.
Wizkid has once more postponed the release of his album which was set to
drop on 12 June. The "Dance For Me" singer revealed that he will
instead drop a new single titled "Talk". This is the second time the
star has pushed back the release of his album.
PARIS (AP) -- Two hours before her French Open final,
Serena Williams practiced on center court, the stands deserted as she
whacked one winner after another to the distant sounds of a brass band
playing on the plaza.
When the music stopped, the seats filled and the match began,
Williams went on defense, relentlessly chasing down one shot after
another to defeat familiar foil Maria Sharapova. With a 6-4, 6-4
victory, the No. 1-ranked Williams won her first French Open
championship since 2002.
''Eleven years,'' Williams said in French during the trophy ceremony.
''I think it's unbelievable. Now I have 16 Grand Slam titles. It's
difficult for me to speak because I'm so excited.''
Then the national anthem played for the first American singles champion at Roland Garros since Williams' previous title.
Williams whacked 10 aces, including three in the final game, and the
last came on match point at 123 mph - her hardest serve of the day. She
then sank to her knees, screamed at the sky and buried her face in the
clay.
The victory completed her rebound from a shocking loss to
111th-ranked Virginie Razzano in the first round at the French Open a
year ago. Since that defeat she's 74-3, including titles at Wimbledon,
the U.S. Open, the London Olympics and the season-ending WTA
Championships.
Both finalists swung with their typical aggressiveness from the
baseline, but Williams' superior serve and defense proved the
difference. She silently ran side to side whipping groundstrokes with
little apparent strain, while Sharapova often found herself lunging
after the ball to stay in the point, with each shot accompanied by her
familiar shriek.
When Williams once summoned a grunt herself to match Sharapova's volume and pound a winner, the crowd responded with a laugh.
Sharapova completed a career Grand Slam by winning Roland Garros last
year, but she's still looking for a breakthrough against Williams, who
has won their past 13 meetings since 2004.
''I played a great tournament and I ran into a really tough champion today,'' Sharapova said.
Lately Williams beats everyone. She extended her career-best winning streak to 31 matches.
At 31, she became the oldest woman to win a major title since Martina
Navratilova at Wimbledon in 1990 at age 33. Her 11-year gap between
Roland Garros titles is the longest for any woman.
Williams, who has a home in Paris, is already thinking about winning again next year.
''I love Paris,'' she said. ''I spend a lot of time here. I live here. I practice here. I think I am a Parisian.''
Williams also congratulated Sharapova during the ceremony.
''She played a beautiful final,'' Williams said in French. ''She's a great champion. I hope to be with her again next year.''
''Merci beaucoup,'' Sharapova responded with a laugh.
In an all-Spanish final Sunday, Rafael Nadal will try to become the
first man to win eight titles at the same Grand Slam event when he plays
first-time major finalist David Ferrer.
The women's final, the first between No. 1 and No. 2 at a Grand Slam
tournament since 2004, wasn't as close as their rankings. It has been 12
years since the most recent three-set women's title match at Roland
Garros.
Playing in hazy, warm weather, the finalists took ferocious swings
from the start. With fans perhaps fearful that Williams would win
quickly, they began shouting encouragement toward Sharapova after she
lost the first two points.
She overcame four break points to hold in the opening game and led
2-0 before Williams began to assert herself. It took Williams 17 minutes
to win a game, but then she swept four in a row.
After Sharapova took the next two for 4-all, Williams surged at the
end of the set, taking the lead for good by winning eight of the final
10 points.
Sharapova had to dig in again to hold at the start of the second set,
fending off five break points, and it was all downhill for her from
there. Williams easily held serve all the way to the finish.
She improved to 16-4 in Grand Slam finals. She leads all active women
with her 16 major titles and is sixth on the all-time list. Margaret
Court holds the record with 24.
Williams improved to 43-2 this
year, including 23-0 on clay. Now comes the switch to grass, and she'll
be a heavy favorite to win Wimbledon for the sixth time.
PRETORIA - Nelson Mandela was back in hospital on Saturday in a
“serious but stable” condition, triggering an outpouring of concern for
South Africa’s beloved national hero at home and across the globe.
Mandela, who turns 95 next month, was admitted to a Pretoria hospital
in the early hours suffering a renewed lung infection, his fourth
hospital stay in seven months and the third this year.
“The truth of the matter is a simple one. Madiba is a fighter and at
his age as long as he is fighting, he’ll be fine,” presidency spokesman
Mac Maharaj told AFP, using Mandela’s clan name.
He said the revered anti-apartheid icon, who has long had problems
with his lungs, was once again suffering pneumonia after being admitted
to hospital in March for 10 days for the same condition.
“His condition deteriorated to the point where it was found necessary
to hospitalise him,” said Maharaj, who served time with Mandela at the
apartheid prison on Robben Island.
“But I am told by the doctors that he is breathing on his own, so I think that is a positive side.”
The ruling ANC called on South Africans and people around the world
to keep “our beloved statesman and icon, Madiba” in their thoughts and
prayers.
The Nobel peace laureate is revered around the world as a symbol of
peace and forgiveness after leading South Africa into multi-race
democracy as its first black president after decades of apartheid rule.
His readmission to hospital — and the acknowledgement that his
condition is serious — sparked concern at home and around the world, as
South Africans grappled with their hero’s increasing frailty.
“My thoughts are with Nelson Mandela, who is in hospital in South Africa,” tweeted British Prime Minister David Cameron.
“Getting too frequent and concerning — he is 94,” tweeted Zwelinzima
Vavi, general secretary of Cosatu, the powerful labour union allied to
the ANC.
Mandela as receiving care at his Johannesburg home when the lung problems returned.
He was diagnosed with early-stage tuberculosis in 1988 during his 27
years in jail during white minority rule. He has also had treatment for
prostate cancer and has suffered stomach ailments.
The government has not disclosed where he has been taken, although in
the past he has been treated at the Mediclinic Heart Hospital in the
capital Pretoria.
In December 2012, he was hospitalised for 18 days for a lung
infection and for gallstones surgery, his longest stay since he walked
free from 27 years in jail in 1990. In March he was admitted for an
overnight scheduled check-up before returning later that month for a
10-day stay.
President Jacob Zuma’s office said Mandela was “receiving expert
medical care and doctors are doing everything possible to make him
better and comfortable”.
The presidency wished Mandela a speedy recovery with a request for his and his family’s privacy to be respected.
Mandela is still a powerful symbol of peace and unity almost 20 years
after first taking power as South Africa’s first black leader.
But he has not been seen in public since the World Cup final in July 2010.
After serving just one term in office he turned his energy into the
battle against AIDS and resolving conflicts particularly in Africa,
before announcing in 2004 at the age of 85 that he was stepping out of
the public eye.
In March, Zuma appeared to prepare the nation for the passing of the father of the “Rainbow Nation”.
“In Zulu, when someone passes away who is very old, people say he or
she has gone home. I think those are some of the things we should be
thinking about,” Zuma told the BBC.
The release of television footage in April showing a frail Mandela
being visited at home by leaders of the ruling ANC after his previous
hospital stay sparked outrage and accusations that the party was
exploiting Mandela.
An unsmiling, distant and frail Mandela was shown seated upright on a
couch, his legs covered in a blanket and his head propped up by a
pillow.
The African National Congress — facing elections next year — has
struggled to convince the public that it is still the party of Mandela,
amid widespread corruption, poverty and poor public services.
Mandela’s own family has also been locked in a feud over control of various companies.
“It’s sad because he’s our icon,” said Faith Mashaba outside the Pretoria hospital.
But there was also growing acceptance of his age.
“I think we must not worry that much about his health,” said Calvin
Netshifhefhe, saying it was normal for elderly people to get sick.
“But I think people just love him, they just want to see him alive.”
Popular Nollywood actor, Emeka Ike who happened to be at the centre
of the crisis that polarised the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN about
three years ago, has opened up on why he decided to allow peace to reign
in the guild, saying that it was his wife who made it possible.
It would be recalled that Emeka dragged the Board of Trustees of AGN
to court about three years ago to challenge the leadership of Segun
Arinze as president of the guild. He prayed that the court should
declare an election that brought him into office null and void.
While the case lingered in court, the guild did not know any peace as Emeka vowed to sanitise the actors’ body at all cost.
But surprisingly, embattled Emeka Ike suddenly withdrew into his
shell after the election of Ms Ibinabo Fiberesima as the first president
of the guild. And many industry watchers have been wondering what
might have been responsible for the actor’s decision to sheathe his
sword.
But Emeka has this explanation to offer to whosoever cares to
listen; “My wife pleaded with me that for the sake of our children, I
should forget about the AGN palaver. She said to me that those whom I’m
fighting for are not even recognising what I’m doing for them. My
husband, please let go the matter for the sake of our children”, Emeka
recounted while in a chat with HVP, recently.
As part of strategies to contain
terrorism in Africa, the police will on June 10 deploy 140 personnel to
Mali in support of the ECOWAS and Africa Union-led peace initiative.
Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed
Abubakar, stated this on Friday shortly before handing over the Nigerian
and Police flags to the Commissioner of Police in charge of
Peacekeeping, Mr. Kayode Aderanti, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The flags are symbols of authority, which empower the troops to represent the nation and force in Mali.
The personnel drawn from the Formed
Police Unit consists of specialised sections trained in riot control and
counter-terrorism and, are equipped with modern crime-fighting and
peacekeeping equipment.
Abubakar tasked them to take their assignment seriously and be good ambassadors of the force as well as the nation.
The IG counselled the personnel to be
dedicated, committed, honest and professional; to shun all forms of
vices and respect human rights while keeping the peace in Mali.
Currently, the force has seven staff
officers in Mali including Deputy Commissioner of Police Subair Kamar,
who is in charge of the African Mission in Mali.
The IG reminded them that the force had
created outstanding record of good performance in peacekeeping missions,
making the African Union Commission in recent time to commend the force
peacekeepers in Somalia.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola
Ibrahim, congratulated the officers for being selected to keep the peace
in Mali and also charged them to be true ambassadors of the force and
nation.
Represented by Maj.-Gen. Hussain Saliu, he warned them to behave professionally as they would be closely monitored.
Nigeria’s ambassador to Ethiopia and
permanent representative to the AU, Mr. Bulus Lolo, noted that
peacekeeping was one of the areas where the country had excelled in its
foreign policy.
Lolo said it was a privilege and honour
for anyone to be called upon to serve the country in any capacity and
charged them to “be peacekeepers and not peace abusers,” and to “expect
the unexpected.”
He said when they found themselves in a difficult situation, they should be guided by the best of judgment.
The deployment to Mali brings to 10 the
number of countries where officers and men of the Nigeria Police are
currently keeping the peace.
The other countries are Cote d’ Voire, DRC, East Timor, Guinea Bissau, Haiti, Liberia, Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan.
The Chief Executive Officer,
Etisalat Nigeria Mr.Steve Evans, has described the celebrated porting
of the comedian Hafiz Oyetoro popularly known as Saka as a mistake,
noting that he will return back to Etisalat fold after 90 days.
Speaking
in Lagos yesterday at a media Roundtable on Mobile
Number Portability (MNP), Evans noted that “We all make mistakes in
life” and the decision by Saka to port from Etisalat to a rival network
MTN Nigeria was one of such mistakes on the part of the comedian.
In
what could be regarded as one of the official statement by any high
ranking staff of Etisalat since Saka ported over a month ago, Evans
said he is hoping Saka would realise his mistakes and port back at the
end of the 90 days grace period given by the Nigerian Communications
Commission (NCC) for subscribers to port back to any other than his
original network.
The CEO noted that Etisalat was well prepared
for the MNP and has built and expanded its network to accommodate over
30 million subscribers which is double its present capacity.
He
noted that his company has recorded very impressive results since
the MNP kicked off on April22. Though he refused to provide the details
but said he was satisfied with the report he was getting from his men on
the field.
Furthermore, Evans maintained that his company has improved tremendously in its Key Performance -indicator (KPI) ratings.
In a recent interview, popular entertainer, Charly Boy reveals more titbits about his life; As
an advocate of the masses, accompanied with your passion for
bikes.,What is your stand on the ban of bikes in some parts of the
country?
I don’t know what informed that decision and
wouldn’t want to talk about the rational of government in accepting this
kind of policies that are not favourable to the masses. It is
insensitive that despite the fact that there is a huge problem of
employment; a lot of people who live from hand to mouth are being
incapacitated without an alternative means. As far as my eyes can see,
what is building up in the country is doom and destruction except we
wrestle out our stolen future. Research has it that your
stylist and associate singer Tina Onwudiwe created your persona, how
true is it and what motivated your style?
Right from
time, I have always been wired differently, with the drive to do things
different and for the fact that everybody takes a right turn, doesn’t
make it right. For me, it is only natural and I have been comfortable in
my own skin.
Tina came about six years after the Charlie boy’s
image was built, way before the Boy George came into lime light and
created a masculine kind of image by introducing the image on power bike
and mohawk hairstyle. She came at a time when I wanted to change the
brand and she helped me find out something else and I also became
serious about my body building hobby.
My father use to say these
things won’t work in Nigeria, why do you want people to see you as
irresponsible? Why are you dressed like this? But I told him that when
it is time for me to show what is in my head then I will prove to them
that i am a student of mass communication and we deal with perception,
how things look that being different is not being crazy, stupid or an
idiot but being distinguished and not like every other person. I have
never lived my life for the public, I live my life for myself to find
out what makes me thick and enhance my environment. As a
publisher, producer, presenter, actor and musician, what possible ways
do you think our entertainment industry can be improved to encourage
international patronage?
There are so many things to do;
we are lacking the infrastructure, creativity. Mediocrity has become
the order of the day, for every street in the country, talents are born
but how many people could make it to the front line, just because we
don’t have is no structure.
There is no music industry in Nigeria
because you can’t have an industry when you don’t have a real recording
industry that seeks out, nurtures and invests in talent, we don’t have
it here. It’s only a few who know where they are going, get lucky and
also get the big money, although it is not that easy. The ones that are
may be top eight, top ten are the ones that I consider lucky because
they have managed to have some kind of exposure on the international
scene.
This is what we all started during our time in PMAN, when
we advocated for artistes must be paid properly, respected and treated
same as other foreign artistes. And of course, It was during my time as
the PMAN president when Guinness was the first to organized the command
performance, All Nigerian artistes, Wyclef and some other foreign stars
get to meet us and we had the opportunity to shake hands with them and
was the first music collaboration with foreign stars, and that was how
that area opened but before then, there was discrimination between
Nigerian artistes and foreign artistes.
But even at that, there is no structure and in our Nigeria way, there is always a propensity to do things anyhow, ‘na the witch wey dey worry us.’ Because of mediocrity, we don’t have a concrete structure on ground, it just becomes no man’s business. It is all over the news that you sleep in coffin, what do you have to say?
I don’t sleep in coffin, I lay in it, I get bed for my house naw. I
only go into my coffin when necessary and this is what I have been
doing for the past three to four years now to meditate because it’s a
symbolic, its may be spiritual in a way but It’s not a ritual thing.
People
see things from where they stand, if you are fetish kind of person,
that’s what you will see, but if you are a Christian, you will see a
reality of death and trying to understand it because people just run
away from what they don’t understand, they just label it, how can he be
sleeping in coffin? I use it for meditation to zero in my focus, also as
a body warmer when I finish my exercise in the morning, you could turn
it on to heat myself just like in a solar, I further use it to remind
myself that life is frail and have conquered my fear of death, so I live
like everyday is my last day and it inclines me to do more of good even
though doing evil is the easiest thing in life and good people are
covered.
But because it’s in form of coffin, people who don’t
understand will misinterpret it, and whatever I do is subject to
interpretation. You could see it the way you want but am not going to
allow your myopic thinking or interpretation to frustrate my living
open. I have never looked for miracle because I believe that the life we
live is a miracle in itself, even though they are evil people who think
they have life forever but we don’t own life. I have chosen the hard
way in life that is why I have worked in the path that have allowed me
to strengthen faith in myself not in the external things, not like
people who are myopic and looking for quick face, am not looking for
anything that is exotic.
That is what Nigerians believe in, the
young people don’t want to work and focus and where are they getting
these things from? It’s obvious because there are no role models, your
leaders are wolves in sheep clothing, they are fraudulent people and
even the few who want to do good have been prevented. The mediocrity we
have today is because good people have ran away, some have taken cover
and the few left are being frustrated Talking about role models, who is your role model?
I
have gained inspiration from different people depending on what am
looking at a particular time. I cant say there is just one person who is
my role model. I have been able to draw inspiration from different
people even starting with my family, my father for his act of
contentment, he doesn’t have money but he is content, peaceful and a
happy man, as for me, that is the essence of life because nobody can
give you happiness and that is something we have to learn how to seek
for ourselves.
Even as a spiritual being, I have always asked
myself, what my mission in life is because everybody has a purpose in
life and thank God, I was able to find my purpose in time and my purpose
Is to enhance the life of people am privileged to meet.
So in
terms of role model, I will say my father but it doesn’t just end there
because I have drawn inspiration from all the people I have tremendous
respect for, either crossed their path, have worked with, or for how
they stood out in their community, society, and have also given me
something positive. As an influential Nigerian, most of your fans will like you to seek political appointment, how will you respond to it?
I
know that you can’t effect change from the outside but already what I
do is politics, the politics of change and I have used my life as an
example that all things are possible as long as you believe and stay in
focus, I have written it on the rock and other social network,
everywhere.
I have been the most consistent after Fela, for the
past 38 years in terms of focus and still maintain that even in a messed
up country like ours, with all the bad things going on, there is still
room for great values like integrity, honesty, I know they are becoming
extinct but there is a space for them. I have said loud and clear that I
did not get the little success I have by becoming criminally minded but
by being focus, consistent and hardwork.
It is possible, so, let
no one especially the young ones keep thinking that it is by any means
necessary, I have said it in so many ways and I have lived it. But there
comes a time people must take charge of their future because the
salvation of this country does not lie on all these people that call
themselves politicians but in the hands of its exceptional youths. I
have always been in politics but that of change and succeeding under the
most extraneous, harsh and brutal environment. I am politician but cant
go for partisan politics.
Image is a reflection of reality. The image of our country is very poor. The reason is not far-fetched. It is because of poor governance over the years. The overall result is very high corruption in all areas of our life leading to insecurity in all ramifications such as militancy, Boko Haram insurgency, kidnapping and injustice in the polity. This results in poor infrastructure at all levels, poor budget preparation and approval. This is currently going on at the federal level . What is the solution? It is transparency in government activities to give confidence to the citizens and assure that a fair system of rewards and punishment for our actions.
The family of the 14-year-old Brooklyn
girl who was allegedly killed by her boyfriend and dumped on a beach
blasted him this morning for cowardly slaying her after he thought she
was pregnant. Police
had arrested Christian Ferdinand, 20, in Maine on Tuesday, where he had
fled after he allegedly suffocated Shaniesha Forbes, 14, and burnt her
body before dumping the remains at Gerritsen Beach.
“On the
record, she wasn’t pregnant at all. As a 20-year-old man, that is
something you could easily find out,” said her devastated cousin
Kerry-Anne Thomas. “You had the courage and the balls to kill her and
bring her body, and lay her on the beach. But you couldn’t go to the
pharmacy to buy a pregnancy test to find out if it was actually true.”
Detectives
yesterday drove Ferdinand back to the 63rd Precinct station house in
Brooklyn, where he allegedly admitted to killing Forbes in January after
coming to believe she was pregnant.
He was charged with second-degree murder, and has not been arraigned yet.
The victim’s weeping mother Sandra Price thanked the police for catching the killer, as did her grandmother Daisy Smith. “I’m
very grateful for the job that the two main detectives have done,” she
said. “They did a wonderful job catching the killer and getting him for
the street, and hopefully putting him away for life. That’s what I think
he deserves.”
Smith said the family hadn’t been eating or sleeping since the girl’s death.
“I’m
so happy they caught this guy who killed my granddaughter,” she said.
“There was nothing we could do, only wait…Bring him justice.”
Sources said Ferdinand suffocated the aspiring nurse — who was, in fact, not pregnant — in his apartment.
He then kept her body in his home for a couple of days, sources said.
Finally,
he allegedly put the corpse into a suitcase and brought it onto the
beach, where he tried to get rid of it by setting it on fire.
Cops
recovered the suitcase the killer used to transport Forbes’ body from
his Maine hideout and also took floorboards from his former Brooklyn
apartment, the sources said.
Relatives said never met Ferdinand,
and was not sure how he met Forbes. Thomas speculated that they may have
met through social media.
“Honestly there shouldn’t have been a
relationship. He was a 20-year-old man and she was a 14-year-old child,”
she said. “As an adult, which he is, he should have known it was
inappropriate to have any type of a relationship with a 14-year-old.”
Forbes was a student at the Academy of Young Writers in East New York.
The
family of the 14-year-old Brooklyn girl who was allegedly killed by her
boyfriend and dumped on a beach blasted him this morning for cowardly
slaying her after he thought she was pregnant.
Police had
arrested Christian Ferdinand, 20, in Maine on Tuesday, where he had fled
after he allegedly suffocated Shaniesha Forbes, 14, and burnt her body
before dumping the remains at Gerritsen Beach.
“On the record,
she wasn’t pregnant at all. As a 20-year-old man, that is something you
could easily find out,” said her devastated cousin Kerry-Anne Thomas.
“You had the courage and the balls to kill her and bring her body, and
lay her on the beach. But you couldn’t go to the pharmacy to buy a
pregnancy test to find out if it was actually true.”
Detectives
yesterday drove Ferdinand back to the 63rd Precinct station house in
Brooklyn, where he allegedly admitted to killing Forbes in January after
coming to believe she was pregnant.
He was charged with second-degree murder, and has not been arraigned yet.
The victim’s weeping mother Sandra Price thanked the police for catching the killer, as did her grandmother Daisy Smith.
“I’m
very grateful for the job that the two main detectives have done,” she
said. “They did a wonderful job catching the killer and getting him for
the street, and hopefully putting him away for life. That’s what I think
he deserves.”
Smith said the family hadn’t been eating or sleeping since the girl’s death.
“I’m
so happy they caught this guy who killed my granddaughter,” she said.
“There was nothing we could do, only wait…Bring him justice.”
Sources said Ferdinand suffocated the aspiring nurse — who was, in fact, not pregnant — in his apartment.
He then kept her body in his home for a couple of days, sources said.
Finally,
he allegedly put the corpse into a suitcase and brought it onto the
beach, where he tried to get rid of it by setting it on fire.
Cops
recovered the suitcase the killer used to transport Forbes’ body from
his Maine hideout and also took floorboards from his former Brooklyn
apartment, the sources said.
Relatives said never met Ferdinand,
and was not sure how he met Forbes. Thomas speculated that they may have
met through social media.
“Honestly there shouldn’t have been a
relationship. He was a 20-year-old man and she was a 14-year-old child,”
she said. “As an adult, which he is, he should have known it was
inappropriate to have any type of a relationship with a 14-year-old.”
Forbes was a student at the Academy of Young Writers in East New York.
From Tani bobo yii to Bobo yen da? Richard Ayodeji Makun, a.k.a
AY, has risen from being Alibaba’s Personal Assistant to one of the
most sought-after comedians in Nigeria. Ask the Delta State University
Theatre Arts graduate what makes him thick, he will tell you that it’s
God. He spoke with TADE MAKINDE on some issues. Excerpts:
Suddenly the comedy industry has become huge. Did you see this coming when you started out as a comedian? Every human being has the ability to dream and as for me, when it happened, it was more than a dream.
Why is that so? Because
I wanted so much to be like Alibaba, and to also be a stand-up
comedian. It was a dream and seeing the dream come through. To answer
your first question; you can go over board and begin to believe that you
have always seen it. As a matter of fact, brag that the talent has been
there, but I won’t say that. I can only say that everything that has
happened to me as a stand-up comedian is something that has come with
grace and favour of God. Seeing myself where I am today always elicits
appreciation to God and by extension, to the industry. And for believing
in the industry since 2006.
You seem to be different from others as regards your style of comedy. How have you done this? There
is what you call brand identification. When you are trying to go into
something, you come out with your style. People will identify, recognise
and accept you with your own style. For me, I would say what has given
birth to the AY brand is that AY has created his style, AY understands
his market and AY is doing his own thing to the level at which it has
gained appreciation that has come with the brand today.
What is it about the AY style that has made it different from others? I
honestly can’t tell you what makes my style different from others, but I
know that I created the AY brand and I decided to go in line of my own
job as a comedian the way I understood it best. On how I understand it
best? The truth is that I am not an advocate of dirty jokes. I try as
much as possible to avoid any form of dirty jokes. There is no hidden
fact that every dirty joke is funny, no matter how you put it. But I try
to take myself away from it. For me, that is a form of branding. I am
very conscious of every joke I do, as well as identify this brand as a
clean brand; as a brand that cuts across ages and creed. That is a
definition of my own comedy. I have built my brand to the point that you
can pick something out of it. It is me doing my thing and people
accepting it that way and that defines the AY brand.
When did you make up your mind that you wanted to be a comedian? Sometime in 2005. Then I was the Personal Assistant to the king of comedy, Alibaba.
How was it working with him? Working
with him gave me a sudden recognition of the fact that I graduated as a
Theatre Arts student from the Delta State University, Abraka. What we
do in Theatre Arts is make believe; create a larger than life attitude.
So, it was a plus working with somebody who is in the make-believe
business. I saw myself as someone that could put something on the paper
and call it a script and stand as an actor who could grab a microphone
and get on stage to interprete that which I had put down. This made me
walk up to my boss one day that I wanted to be part of this industry.
What was his reaction? As
a matter of fact, he encouraged me and even gave me a platform by
allowing me to open shows for him. By doing this, people started to
accept me and not quite long, I started comedy professionally.
You were his PA, did you see opening shows for him as a special avenue for you to break into the industry? The
truth is that when you serve with any master, you learn a lot from such
master and when you create your own style, it is very possible that
there are some other unique things you gain as a result of your master’s
additional inspiration. I give credit to God for using him to create
that opening for me. As a matter of fact, a good percentage of what I do
can be traced to Alibaba. Back then when I started, people would see me
and say they have seen Alibaba in this guy because of the style,
carriage, level of education and knowledge that they acquired from my
materials. When you graduate from the Alibaba school of comedy, you are
given the liberty to explore the outside world and create some other
things that will redefine or further define your brand.
Some
15 years ago, comedy was not much a leisure avenue for Nigerians. Why
do you think Nigerians have now accepted, and pay a lot of money to
watch comedy shows? There were quite a lot of people in the
business even before we came on board. That is why you see everybody,
even till date, giving kudos to Alibaba, because he reshaped comedy in
Nigeria. He took it upon himself to repackage the industry and made
comedy a serious business. Today, every professional comedian has his
package and the truth is that a lot of people have come to understand
that laughter is, indeed, the best medicine. There are lots of events
that are usually very dry without a stand-up comedian. There are some,
for some reasons, who just want to give that job to an English-speaking
staff in a company, but at the end of the day, after doing their review,
they see how dry the event has been and eventually see why they need to
call on a stand-up comedian. Right now, it is a big business and a lot
of people, as soon as they go into planning their events, incorporate
comedians into it. That puts food on the table of comedians who are
doing good at what they do.
You have been talking about
Alibaba and other comedians, but when he was there, it was like he was
the only one, so he had the opportunities. Then you guys came on board.
The opportunities were also there because you were not that many. Do you
think the opportunities are still there for up-and-coming comedians to
have their way now that there are more seeking that big break? Of
course what makes an industry to be known as industry is the inflow of
talents that come in. The opportunities are always there for anyone who
wants to excel in this profession. I always tell people that the sky is
wide enough for everyone to fly without infringement. It is for people
to up their games and know how to get it right because once you are in
demand, it means that you are getting something about comedy right. As a
matter of fact, the opportunities are as clear that if you use Lagos as
an example, on a good Saturday you could have up to 200 weddings in
Lagos alone. In fact, the truth is that the comedians we even have now
are not enough to cover all the venues at ones. Alibaba is running a
marriage, Basketmouth is running a corporate show and a few other
comedians are also anchoring as well. You need to create that
opportunity for others to come in so that it can go round so that it
will only be a matter of choice on who you want to make your master of
ceremony.
Is it true that you are from Ondo State? Yes. I am from Ifon in Ose local government area of Ondo State.
You don’t look it. Also, you don’t have the accent Yes.
Maybe because I was born, and grew up in Delta State. I am more
accepted as a Deltan because throughout my growing up, even to my
university days, the state government was paying my bursary and when I
came up with my show, the state government recognised me as their son
who is doing them proud. What Ondo State could not do, Delta State did.
They sponsored AY live show. I am proud to be a Deltan. I am like the
Obama of Delta State. I can even go there to contest for a political
office.
Well, the present Ondo State government has taken steps
to focus more on the youth. Moreover, you have anchored one or two shows
for the Mimiko-led government. It shows you are also a beneficiary of
this administration.
The truth is that I am not among the youth
who sit back and wait for what Nigeria, or their state government, can
do for them. I am very sure that the state government has already
recognised this is one man who strives to succeed by himself with God
helping him. If they wish to incorporate me in whatever they are doing, I
will appreciate the fact that it is going to come on merit and
professionalism. That is one of the main reasons I don’t lobby or run
helter-skelter in state houses to get shows. I am pleased with those
that recognise me for who I am. I will definitely honour a call from
Ondo State. If you said you saw me in one or two events in Ondo State,
it wasn’t as a result of the money they offered me. It was more like I
had to honour the call of my people for once. As a matter of fact, this
job does not limit me to say it has to be your people that I must work
for. I am friends with some governors in other states who recognise my
talent and incorporate me into their activities in their states either
to be part of their planning committees, or to participate as a
comedian, which I do always. I am always proud to say I am a Nigerian.
What will you do when Ondo and Delta States call at the same time? (Laughs…) They must definitely come with a date and that will justify or settle that situation.
What if it’s a call for an appointment, which will you opt for? I am commissioned to take that decision outside this interview (Laughs….)
From your experience so far, what will be your advice for anyone struggling to make it in the comedy industry? First,
you need to have a talent. But having a talent is barely 30 per cent of
what compels you to be a brand. You need to do something unique that is
different from what people see regularly; that way you will gain what I
call instant recognition and acceptance. Gone are the days we have
comedians that don’t do well. For you to remain in the business of
comedy now you need to be intact and be learned. It is not a job for
dropouts like some people used to be because you are creating something
that people can relate with and I don’t think one will last if
foolishness or trash is coming out of you. You have to be endowed with
the spirit of professionalism which has to do with packaging. It goes
beyond being funny. When you’ve got the brand, they don’t need to think
twice before they beckon on you for an event because they know what
they’re going for. Basically, as an up-and-coming comedian, you need to
have all of these, but it is good to create that fundamental approach
and be funny, but gradually move to the next level and know the sense of
packaging and everything that follows that will definitely make you to
become a brand.
Have you ever had it raw with unimpressed fans? Yes.
It was more like being yanked off, not booed. I went to Lagbaja, that
was Motherland, sometime when I started in 2006. Then, I had already won
an award as the best up-and-coming comedian for the year. Remember I
told I started comedy in 2005 and I was bestowed an award in 2006. The
introduction by the MC of the occasion at Lagbaja’s event place was so
thick and there were lots of screaming. Apparently, they were expecting
that recognition to go with a super brand and a beefy fellow. The first
thing I heard immediately I stepped on stage was “tani bobo yi”? I
didn’t immediately get the message and as a Warri boy, I told them to
relax. I hailed them and said ‘how una dey’? Since then, and till now, I
have had the phobia for the slang ‘how una dey’ because that was the
only thing I said and I was not allowed to say any word further, nor
crack any joke. I stylishly dropped the microphone and left the stage.
Because of that singular action, I have always been conscious of that
slang and it has been my habit to quickly step on stage whenever I
discover any MC is trying to introduce me to big crowd. But that ugly
incident was corrected when Abibaba later noticed that I was not myself
after I returned home that day. I recounted what happened and he
insisted that it must be corrected. We went there again the following
month because it was a monthly show and after Alibaba performed, he gave
me five minutes to convince the same crowd that had booed me the
previous month. Before they knew it, they were thrilled and the crowd
went wild and I told myself I had come to stay in the industry.
What was growing up like in Delta? It
was sweet. Growing up there affected my comic talent. You cannot grow
up in that part and don’t have a sense of humour. Both old and young in
the city are funny. I would say it is a comic city. The way you can
trace Reggae music to Jamaicans and long distance race to Kenyans is the
same way comedy is to the Deltans. As a comedian, you just need to
visit Delta and hear a line that will bust your ribs and you come back
here upgraded and begin to make money.
Have you ever used other comedian’s jokes before? Yes.
I have used Alibaba’s jokes before when I started, but then I don’t do
other peoples’ jokes at public events. Except at private events.
Sometimes when you do other comedians’ jokes, you credit them, but
sometimes, others don’t. I would say 80 per cent of comedians used
Alibaba’s jokes till late 2000. His jokes were trendy till comedians
stopped using them in 2008. As a successful comedian, people can’t stop
picking one or two of your jokes.
How did you conceive the idea of taking shows abroad? The
UK market started when I was creating stuff online. We later found out
that 100,000 people had viewed our shows on Youtube. Some even passed
comments and always making requests on when to bring the show abroad. We
now did a research between America and United Kingdom and we discovered
that a lot of people wanted us to come to the UK. I had to partner with
a promoter in the UK and together we did the first one, the second and
third, and it was a bang.
As a comedian, what really makes you laugh? My
clients. Especially when they show me the cheque. I laugh a lot,
especially when I see the colour of the cheque and know the name of you
bank or receive an alert (Laughs….)
THE
Federal Government has said that only 520, 000 candidates out of the
1.7 million that registered for the 2013 Unified Tertiary Matriculation
Examination (UTME) will be offered admission into tertiary institutions
in the country.
Minister of Education, Professor Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i, who made
this known while addressing newsmen at the Federal Government Academy,
Suleja, after monitoring the conduct of the UTME, on Saturday, said only
520,000 spaces are available in all the federal, state and private
tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
According to her, the bulk of the 1.2 million candidates would have
no placement because of the low carrying capacity of the institutions
available, adding that she was pained that most of them who sat with all
seriousness for the examination might not have access in the long run.
“Out of the 1.7 million candidates, the space that we have in the
entire nation is 520, 000. What are we going to do with the remaining
1.2 million? Assuming that only 1 million passed the exam, about 50 per
cent of them will have admission and what are we going to do with the
remaining number when only over 500, 000 have the provision in terms of
our readiness of the carrying capacity?
“We will not expand our carrying capacity simply to accommodate these
students without the commensurate expansion of our facilities. So our
facilities as of today are basically for 520, 000 students. That is why
we are calling for this improvement in access.
“We are calling for PPP (Public Private Partnership), individuals,
corporate bodies and organisations that can come out and have private
institutions—universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
“What are we going to do with the large number of students out there?
We have seen them sit for that examination with all seriousness but I
feel the pain that most of them cannot have access in the long run,” the
minister said. Exam impersonator nabbed in Abuja Meanwhile, a
fake candidate for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination was
arrested in Abuja. The suspect, who simply gave his name as Isaac, was
found to have impersonated a candidate in Enugu.
Trouble started when it was discovered that his e-slip indicated an examination centre in Enugu.
He was, therefore, subjected to biometric verification at the Chams
City examination Centre in Abuja where he appeared to sit for the Dual
Based Test.
However, the Registrar and Chief Executive of JAMB, Professor ‘Dibu
Ojerinde, told journalists that the fake candidate came to impersonate
another candidate from Enugu State. He said the suspect would be handed
over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) who would
in turn hand him over to the police for prosecution.
“We went to the internet and discovered that the owner of that paper
is from Enugu. He came to impersonate. Unfortunately, we were able to
catch him. I took him to biometric and told him to thumbprint and the
biometric told us that there was no record of his registration.
“I tried it myself and there was no record of my registration.
Therefore, he will be handed over to the Civil Defence who will in turn
hand him over to the law enforcement agents.
“He registered for Centre 021 and he came to Centre 022 and 023.
Chams City is Centre 021 and 023. He was handed over an answer sheet of
022 01. In fact, the registration number on the answer sheet is
different from the one on the slip. His slip ended with E, the real
answer sheet ended with FH. Later on, when I was taking him out, he
said his father did it for him,” Ojerinde said.
However, some parents who spoke with Sunday Tribune described this year’s biometric fingerprint as an improved version.
At Chams City, an ICT Centre in Abuja, 360 candidates sat for the
Dual Based Test. However, some candidates who chose Computer Based Test
but out of inadequate information reported at Chams City for the
examination yesterday, were sent back to re-print their e-slip in order
to have their accurate date of the CBT fixed by JAMB from 18th May to
June 1st.
Chams City is one of the designated centres in Abuja for the CBT.
Professor Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i, who monitored the exercise in
Abuja, described the transition to e-testing as an advancement of
education in Nigeria.
The Minister was also at the Federal Government Academy Suleja, Niger
State, where the traditional Paper Pencil Test took place.
At Bishop James Yisa Memorial School, Suleja, a total of 530 candidates who sat the examination were screened biometrically.
The Biometric operator, Mr. Lukeman Adegoke, said the centre had no
problem with the biometric verification as the exercise was hitch-free.
He, however, disclosed that 10 candidates did not show up for the
examination. FG denies plans to scrap UTME, NECO Meanwhile, the Federal Government has also denied plans to scrap the UTME and National Examination Council.
The Minister of Education stated this while responding to a question
on if the 2013 UTME would be the last one to be conducted by JAMB.
“On this UTME and NECO, this has become a controversial issue. That
Federal Government has a White Paper on this. Mr. President has not
taken any decision on it and I told you clearly when I addressed the
press at the Villa that I’m not aware that NECO and UTME will be
scrapped. The government has not really taken decision on that,” she
said.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Police Command, at the time of filing this
report, stated that no irregularity was reported during the conduct of
the examination in Oyo State.
The Registrar of Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board,
JAMB, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde escaped assassination by whiskers when hired
assassins went after him.
The
incident happened on Monday night when the intruders scaled through the
fence of the house, entered through the back door and gained entrance
into the house while the security men attached to the compound did not
notice as they were stationed at the gate of the house.
The
security personnel which include two regular armed police men and other
private security guards at the gate did not take notice of the incident
throughout the period the operations lasted.
Confirming the
incident, the Registrar said according to the story narrated to him by
the children and relations who are staying with him, they were
terrorized during the operation as the assassins were continuously
asking and looking for their father, the Registrar. The children told
the assassins that he has travelled for official assignments but the men
were not convinced.
“They instructed one of the children to lead
them into the Registrar’s living and study rooms which they searched
thoroughly but could not find Prof. Dibu as he went on official
assignments”
At that point, the assassins decided to look for him
through the ceiling of the house moving from one ceiling to the other as
they locked up the occupants in one of the living rooms thinking the
Registrar was hiding up in the ceiling.
They searched and
scattered every hiding places the assassins suspected the Registrar may
be hiding. It was after their target could not be found that they left
the house.
According to Prof. Dibu, “nothing was taken out of the
expansive residence despite the thorough searching conducted on the
compound”
On the 23/04/13 inspector sunday akinmuyipitan was reported dead at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) after been operated on three times on mere broken leg, he was neglected by the Nigerian Police Force, NPF and was use as lab rat by the medical student at luth.
the inspector who was a victim at the festac bomb blast in lagos pass on due to negligence and been operated on the 3rd time on broken leg, report state that he has been recovering fast till the doctor in care of him decide to use him as a lab rat to the student doctors, the operation failed and he was unable to urinate anymore and he lost lots of blood so the victim pass on. we pray the good lord grants his family the grace to bare this loss.
After lurching from one military coup to
another, Nigeria now has an elected leadership. But the government faces
the growing challenge of preventing Africa's most populous country from
breaking apart along ethnic and religious lines.
Political liberalisation ushered in by the return to civilian
rule in 1999 has allowed militants from religious and ethnic groups to
pursue their demands through violence.
Thousands of people have died over the past few years in
communal attacks led by the al-Qaeda ally Boko Haram. Separatist
aspirations have also been growing, prompting reminders of the bitter
civil war over the breakaway Biafran republic in the late 1960s.
At a glance
Politics: People's Democratic Party (PDP) has
dominated since the return to civilian rule in 1999. The
al-Qaeda-aligned Boko Haram armed movement is conducting an insurrection
in the mainly Muslim north
Economy: Nigeria is Africa's leading oil producer; more than half of its people live in poverty
International: Nigeria plays a prominent role
in African affairs; has withdrawn troops from oil-rich Bakassi peninsula
to settle border dispute with Cameroon
The imposition of Islamic law in several northern states has embedded divisions and caused thousands of Christians to flee.
The government is striving to boost the economy, which
experienced an oil boom in the 1970s and is once again benefiting from
high prices on the world market. But progress has been undermined by
corruption and mismanagement.
The former British colony is one of the world's largest oil producers, but the industry has produced unwanted side effects.
The trade in stolen oil has fuelled violence and corruption
in the Niger delta - the home of the industry. Few Nigerians, including
those in oil-producing areas, have benefited from the oil wealth.
In 2004, Niger Delta activists demanding a greater share of
oil income for locals began a campaign of violence against the oil
infrastructure, threatening Nigeria's most important economic lifeline.
Nigeria is keen to attract foreign investment but is hindered
in this quest by security concerns as well as by a shaky infrastructure
troubled by power cuts.
Former South African President Nelson Mandela was admitted to
hospital overnight after a recurrence of a lung infection, the South
African president's office said Thursday.
The Nobel laureate was admitted to hospital just before midnight Wednesday.
"Doctors are attending to
him, ensuring that he has the best possible expert medical treatment
and comfort," President Jacob Zuma's office said in a statement.
"We appeal to the people
of South Africa and the world to pray for our beloved Madiba and his
family, and to keep them in their thoughts."
Madiba refers to his affectionate clan name, which is widely used in the nation.
2012: Granddaughters: He's doing well
2012: Nelson Mandela back home
Zuma's office did not say what hospital he was in, but renewed calls for his privacy.
The anti-apartheid icon was hospitalized again this month, but officials said it was only for a routine checkup.
Mandela, 94, has
undergone treatment for the ailment before, including a Christmas
hospital stay last year for gallstones surgery and a lung infection. He
was also treated for an acute respiratory infection in 2011.
Considered the founding
father of South Africa's democracy, Mandela became an international
figure when he endured 27 years in prison for fighting racial
segregation.
During his imprisonment, he suffered from tuberculosis, and has battled respiratory infections over the years.
He was freed in 1990. Three years later, he and then-South African President F.W. de Klerk won the Nobel Peace Prize.
In 1994, Mandela was elected president, serving only one term as he had promised.
Despite his rare public
appearances in recent years, he retains his popularity and is considered
a hero of democracy in the nation. Last year, South Africa launched a new batch of banknotes with a picture of a smiling Mandela on the front, a testament to his iconic status in the nation.
Mandela's impact extends
far beyond South African borders. After he left office in 1999, he was
involved in mediating conflicts from Africa to the Mideast.
PARIS (AP) -- Two hours before her French Open final,
Serena Williams practiced on center court, the stands deserted as she
whacked one winner after another to the distant sounds of a brass band
playing on the plaza.
Speaking
in Lagos yesterday at a media Roundtable on Mobile
Number Portability (MNP), Evans noted that “We all make mistakes in
life” and the decision by Saka to port from Etisalat to a rival network
MTN Nigeria was one of such mistakes on the part of the comedian.
Police
had arrested Christian Ferdinand, 20, in Maine on Tuesday, where he had
fled after he allegedly suffocated Shaniesha Forbes, 14, and burnt her
body before dumping the remains at Gerritsen Beach.
THE
Federal Government has said that only 520, 000 candidates out of the
1.7 million that registered for the 2013 Unified Tertiary Matriculation
Examination (UTME) will be offered admission into tertiary institutions
in the country. 
2012: Granddaughters: He's doing well
2012: Nelson Mandela back home