How Boko Haram Planned To Bomb Third Mainland Bridge

THE security and intelligence community chiefs that talked about the vigilance that prevented the planned attack of Lagos three weeks ago failed to disclose to the public the magnitude of weapons the masterminds of the terror act had deployed for the failed operation and the main target, The Guardian’s inquiries have revealed.
The Guardian Intelligence Unit learned at the weekend from the authorities concerned that apart from the deadly weapons uncovered, the arrested attackers’ main target was the strategic Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos.
According to revelations at the weekend, the attackers surreptitiously conveyed the weapons to Lagos inside some of the numerous fuel tankers that ply major roads to Nigeria’s former capital and indeed Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre.
The Guardian learnt at the weekend that indeed the Federal and Lagos State authorities were quite startled that the masterminds of the planned terror act could pile up weapons of mass destruction in Lagos, generally considered the safest haven for investment at the moment in Nigeria.
It was learnt that the Lagos State authorities, including the governor, were shown the illegal arms that the security and intelligence community’s interagency co-operation confiscated recently. “They were shocked, really shocked when they were shown the level of organisational capacity of the evil ones that planned to attack Lagos…”, a top source disclosed last week.
In a related development, security chiefs that briefed the National Assembly top-shots last week about the reality of the planned attack of Lagos reportedly told the federal legislators that indeed the attackers had planned to attack Lagos to cripple the economy. Lagos is the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria. Former Head of State, the late Gen. Murtala Muhammed, had in 1976 recognised the strategic importance of Lagos even while he was announcing the creation of Nigeria’s new capital Abuja then.
His words in a national broadcast to the nation on January 3, 1976: “… Lagos will, in the foreseeable future, remain the nation’s commercial capital and one of its nerve centres. But in terms of servicing the present infrastructure alone, the committed amount of money and effort required will be such that Lagos State will not be ready to cope.
“It will even be unfair to expect the state to bear this heavy burden on its own. It is therefore necessary for the Federal Government to continue to sustain the substantial investment in the area. The port facilities and other economic activities in
the Lagos area have to be expanded.
“There is need in the circumstances for the Federal Government to maintain a special defence and security arrangement in Lagos which will henceforth be designated a special area. These arrangements will be carefully worked out and written into the new constitution. Kaduna and Port Harcourt are to be accorded similar status and
designated as Special Areas…”
The Guardian Intelligence Unit learnt that the security chiefs told the federal legislators and their presiding officers that some of the attackers captured had hinted that the plan of attack on Lagos was deliberate: to cripple the nerve centre of Nigeria’s commerce and industry, a city that plays host to the international air and sea ports so that Nigeria’s economy could collapse.
It was said that the insurgents had reasoned that since they had successfully crippled business operations in the North, there should be federal character spread of the destruction, as even the East and South-South geo-political zones too have been negatively affected by the insurgency and kidnapping. The federal legislators were said to have been alarmed by a revelation about the sense of urgency of the insurgents to hit Lagos “just to make Nigeria ungovernable for the present administration”, as it was revealed.
It was not clear at press time whether the Federal Government’s planned amnesty programme for Boko Haram insurgents has been partly influenced by the confirmed incursion to the unofficial commercial capital that makes the money that Abuja spends. It is on record that as critics of Washington DC often say, “New York makes the money that Washington spends”, so it is with Lagos that consumes about 60 per cent of the fuel that PPMC/PPPRC imports and the rest of the country shares the remaining 40 per cent.
The Guardian was told that the implications of targeting the very strategic Lagos Third Mainland Bridge have been worrisome to authorities at all levels. This is part of the reasons for the concerns in Abuja and Lagos.
The Third Mainland Bridge is the longest of the three bridges connecting Lagos Island to the mainland. The other two are the Eko and Carter Bridges. It is the longest bridge in Africa. The Third Mainland Bridge is a vital artery of the network of federal highways and commands high patronage in Lagos Municipal Area, as it connects two of the Lagos State’s commercial hubs, Victoria Island and Ikeja.
The bridge, which has about 350,000 daily users, is also a vital link to Lekki, Ajah and Epe communities. Midway through the bridge, there is a link to Herbert Macaulay Way, Yaba. The bridge starts really from Oworonsoki, which is linked to the Oshodi–Apapa Expressway and Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, and ends at the Adeniji Adele Interchange on Lagos Island. Built by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, the bridge was commissioned by former Military President Ibrahim Babangida in 1990 and it measures about 11.8 km in length.
The bridge posts huge economic relevance to the country as it saves commuters who shuttle between two of the Lagos State commercial hubs, Victoria Island and Ikeja, a lot of man-hours. It was said that the last repair of the important bridge cost the nation N1.055 billion.
It is feared that if Lagos Third Mainland Bridge is destroyed, Lagos and indeed Nigeria, are destroyed. It was estimated that the cache of arms seized from the insurgents about three weeks ago when it was reported that Boko Haram entered Lagos was capable of wreaking havoc on the vital bridge in the heart of Lagos.

Floating school for Makoko slum residents

Residents of Makoko/Iwaya Waterfront in Yaba Local Council Development Area, LCDA, will soon begin to enjoy the luxury of a floating school jointly built by the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP and NLE Works, Nigeria.
The three storey floating building is part of the regeneration plan for the coastal community.

According to the builders the construction of the school is aimed at achieving the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, Goal II, which is to boost universal primary education.

This came barely eight months after the Lagos State government demolished hundreds of ‘illegal structures in the area.

When Vanguard visited the site of the floating school at the weekend, residents of the community were already heaving a sigh of relief, anticipating that many of their children will now have access to sound education.

Vanguard gathered that the new primary school named ‘Makoko floating School’, was built on a foundation of 256 plastic drums and powered by solar panels suspended on the roof. Investigation further revealed that, many residents are praying that the design will be approved by governor Babatunde Fashola.


…The three storey building floating school

Sources also told Vanguard that the floating school cost N993, 750 ($6, 250), because of its size.

Mr. John Adugbo, a resident of Makoko, said; “We have been waiting for the project that will aid more children to attend school. Presently, many children don’t have access to good educational facilities.”

Adugbo added; “All we have is a school that was constructed to serve as a palliative measure because of our peculiar challenge of being surrounded by water.”

The founder of NLE, and promoter of the floating school, Mr. Kunle Adeyemi who spoke to Vanguard from his Netherland office, said; “The desire to construct the school was burn out of curiosity after I visited the community and interest in the coastal community, where despite the little income made daily by the breadwinners, they have never stopped developing the infrastructure.”

Explaining the building’s features, Adeyemi said “The ground floor of the school would serve as an open recreational space for the pupils during the day and at night and weekends, their fathers can converge and hold meetings.”

He added that the first floor and the upper floor have classrooms that would serve their primary purpose.

According to him, “the structure will accommodate over 100 students and their teachers and it is an extension of the only existing school in the coastal community.”

Vanguard gathered that the community which has over 100, 000 residents has only one primary school, called ‘Whayinna Nursery and Primary school’ and no secondary.

Adeyemi continued “the floating school is an extension of the existing primary school which could only provide sound education service to less than 200 children in the community. The state government can also adopt the structure for all the coastal communities in the state,” he added.

Rihanna Dumps Chris Brown For Hot New Rapper

Chrianna fans are in for a shock as the pop star has once again severed the relationship with Chris Brown and now dating star rapper, A$AP ROCKY.
According to reports by MediaTakeOut:
Her new boyfriend is . . .A$AP ROCKY!!! According to a ROCK SOLID MTO INSIDER, A$AP and Rihanna have been on tour together now for about a month - and they've FALLEN IN LOVE!!!
The insider told MediaTakeOut.com, "This isn't some fling, they're in love . . . cuddling, hanging out, everything." The insider continued, "I've never seen Rihanna so happy - even happier than when she was with Chris."

Hopefully, A$AP ROCKY knows how to defend himself or, even better, has a bunch of hired goons--er--competent security team similar to CB's to watch his back in the event of violence.
And that violence may occur soon, because, according to MTO's talkative source, Mr. Breezy knows what's happening, and he's not amused.

Its Over – Chris Brown and Rihanna call it quits. E! News confirms this in an exclusive report.

 Its Over – Chris Brown and Rihanna call it quits. E! News confirms this in an exclusive report.

We can finally close the cluttered chapter of our Rihanna and Chris Brown scrapbooks, because it’s officially over…for now.
A source exclusive to E! News has confirmed the couple’s split after a tireless frenzy of are-they-or-aren’t-they tailchasing. Per the insider, RiRi will always love Chris but has moved on and is reshifting her focus to her career and business ventures.
Currently running the final legs of her international Diamonds tour while spending solo time with her “mini tour family” and conceptualizing new creative ideas for future shows, the superstar is also working toward launching a new perfume and continuing with her ongoing fashion camp

My collections are ethnic and western – Sharon George

Sharon George is the creative director of “Olaedo” a unisex clothing outfit that specializes in making exotic clothes and fashion she has been in the industry for about three years and recently she showcased her 2012 collection at the City Beauty and Fashion awards. In this interview, she talks about her inspirations, designs, challenges and dreams. Enjoy!

Professionally, how long have you been in the industry?

Officially three years.

How would you describe these years?

Frankly speaking, it has been very stressful but I love it. I have this strong passion to do it. Otherwise I would have quit. Of course, you know that it can’t be easy. Every business has its own stress and challenges, mine is not different. As a designer, the challenge of electricity supply tops the list.


*Sharon George

The environment is not conducive for us to work. Finding the right staff is a problem so also, sourcing for quality fabrics. And if you want to create a fashion brand in the industry, you need to have a showroom and that is capital intensive. It requires real money, to set it up.

What really inspires your designs, I see you work with a lot of Ankara Fabrics?

My designs are inspired by God basically, but I must tell you that a lot of things inspire me. For instance, people around me, the colour of the sky, even the colour of my car, and the people I meet everyday inspire my designs. Inspiration is something that comes naturally to the mind and as a designer; you replicate it in sketches and fabrics.

How would you describe your collections?

My collections are ethnic and western; I infuse ethnic and western styles into my designs.

The industry demands creativity, how creative are you?

I am creative; you are looking and talking to the most creative woman on the face of planet earth.

How would you describe the Nigerian fashion industry?

Most Nigerians I must say, are beginning to realize that fashion is part of entertainment. Nigerians are waking up, they are appreciating our own Ankara. They are appreciating our own indigenous designers. Gone are the days when a Governor would want to attend a red carpet event and he would order his outfit from London or Paris.

Today they are proud to wear what our designers make. Now you see our designs on the red carpet. This shows that they are appreciating what we are doing.

Do you consider the average Nigerian woman fashionable?

Oh my God! Nigerian women are fashion conscious. They are really fashion forward, and things are beginning to change.

Most people feel that the Ankara fabric is restrictive in nature, what is your opinion?

On the contrary, you can wear your Ankara to a red carpet event. You can wear Ankara anywhere; it all depends on the style and the finishing. Frankly speaking, there shouldn’t be restriction on Ankara. I do a whole lot with Ankara fabric. I make slippers, jackets, men’s shorts and evening dresses with Ankara fabrics.

In the next couple of years where would people see the fashion Label Olaedo?

I don’t know where God will want to see Olaedo. The question is not for me to answer, because I don’t know what tomorrow holds. But I want to be where God wants me to be. And I believe God who started this journey with me, will see me through.

What is your message for upcoming Nigeria designers?

The thing is that if you don’t have the passion for fashion, there is no point, because there are challenges that you will definitely meet that would force you to want to quit. The first thing an upcoming designer should do, is find out if you have the passion for fashion. If you don’t, forget it. Also, you must be hard working and dedicated to your work.

With the saturation in the industry, how have you been able to cope with the competition in the industry?

In fashion there shouldn’t be competition.

Why?

Because what you treasure as good clothing might not appeal to Genevieve Nnaji. What Charly boy wears or what appeals to his dress sense might not appeal to Ramsey Noah. So there shouldn’t be competition.

How Yoruba leaders scuttled Awolowo’s presidential ambition – Ikokwu

Chief Guy Ike Ikokwu, second republic chairman of the Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP) in Anambra State, was a member of the Strategy Committee that tried to hammer out a merger among four progressive opposition parties to stop the then ruling National Party of Nigeria(NPN).

Reminiscing on how the merger was scuttled, Ikokwu, a foundation member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former chairman of the PDP in Anambra State, lamented that the late sage Chief Obafemi Awolowo would have been elected as president in the second republic if his followers, who were in the UPGA Strategy Committee, had so desired. He said current moves by some opposition parties to merge into All Progressive Congress (APC) would not yield electoral laurels at the highest level – Aso Rock.

On this score, he said leaders of the various factions of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) should jettison joining APC and join hands to prevent APGA from failing in Anambra because the party will cease to exist if it fails in the state.

You were a member of the Strategy Committee of the United Progressive Grand Alliance (UPGA) in the second republic. Why didn’t the alliance work?

The Strategy Committee of UPGA in the second republic was made up of four parties: the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), Nigeria Peoples Party (NPP), Great Nigerian Peoples Party (GNPP), and Peoples Redemption Party (PRP). These four parties had hoped to evolve a very close alliance fielding single candidates for the constituencies across the country based on their own evaluation and party primaries.

The main figures for UPGA were Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim, Malam Aminu Kano, Abubakar Rimi and Balarabe Musa. The main aim of the alliance was to prevent the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) then headed by Alhaji Shehu Shagari as president from sweeping the polls and ruling the country politically.

The alliance’s Strategy Committee, in its painstaking and calculating methods, had shared all the positions in the legislature and the executive and government agencies in such a way as to prevent any single party from having dominance over the other.

This was done to the satisfaction of all the parties. Over 2,000 positions were shared but then the problem of accommodating the leaders, particularly Dr. Azikiwe and Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and the other leaders of GNPP and PRP became a very thorny issue due to the historical antecedents of the political roles played by the individuals concerned.

At the last meeting of the Strategy Committee, headed by the former Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, the basic and final problem was how to resolve the ambitions, political or otherwise of the two main leaders – Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and Chief Obafemi Awolowo both of whom had played very distinguished roles in the anti-colonial struggle and the emancipation of Nigeria into an independent country. Chief Awolowo was the leader of the UPN, which controlled five states, whereas Dr. Azikiwe was the leader of the NPP, which controlled three states.


*Ghief Guy Ike Ikokwu

Alhaji Lateef Jakande was the chairman of the Strategy Committee which included Senator Abraham Adesanya and Chief Ayo Adebanjo, the UPN colleagues of Chief Awolowo. Others members were Chief R.B.K. Okafor, Chief Guy Ikokwu, Dr. Omo Omoruyi and northerners representing Dr. Aminu Kano and Waziri Ibrahim.

The UPN members forgot that the difference between Zik’s NPP and Waziri’s GNPP was due to the fact that Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim wanted to assume the presidency of the country and at the same time hold the chairmanship of the political party. In the case of the UPN, the leader of the party was also the presidential candidate of the party.

We, therefore, at the meeting proposed to the UPN leaders, who had five states under their control, that they should make the first choice of either the presidency or the chairmanship of the party into which all four parties will merge. If you, the UPN, chose Chief Awolowo for the presidency, then the political party for the merger group will be NPP under the chairmanship of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe. Since Lateef Jakande’s group could not take a decision on this critical matter, the meeting adjourned for them to do consultation.

Till this day, they were unable to resolve their position for Chief Awolowo to become the presidential candidate for the merged party in order to fight Shehu Shagari’s NPN, a position Dr. Azikiwe agreed to if it was the decision of the Strategy Committee.

On the other hand, if they had chosen the leadership of the party, Chief Awolowo would have become the head of the merged and enlarged party – the UPGA- while Dr. Azikiwe will be the presidential candidate. And it had been agreed that the party would have supreme authority in its affairs. The Yoruba leaders requested that the matter be kept secret and, since they failed to take up their first choice position, all the four parties went into the elections on their own and without a single list of candidates.

All Nigerians however, knew that Awolowo had said that his ambition will be to be the president of Nigeria even if it is for one day but, this time around, it was his followers who disappointed the progressives and their leaders.

How do you see the All Progressive Congress, APC, merger. Do you think it will work given the personalities of General Buhari and Senator Tinubu vis a vis the history of failed alliances in the country?

The APC merger of three parties – the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP)- is still very much shrouded by the various distinguished personalities in the three parties, particularly former Head of State, Major General Muhammadu Buhari and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the governors of the three parties, who have all been exercising governance and political clout for more than 15 years during which they have made a lot of friends and a lot of enemies as well.

So far, from all the meetings they have held, they have not come up with an ideological platform on various issues facing the country which will make them to be different from the other parties like the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). This is because the constitutions of all the political parties registered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are very similar in all their details.

It is basically for this reason that issues like ethnicity and the historical antecedence of various individuals and groups that attempted alliances and mergers eventually fail. If, however, the APC merger breaks new grounds in ensuring within its platform ideological and differential programmes on serious issues confronting the country with a lot of discipline and patience, then it will engender large scale following which will make it a strong opposition and eventually a governing party.

Chief Annie Okonkwo said it is in the interest of South-East to back APC. Do you agree?

I do not agree with Chief Annie Okonkwo a former senator of the PDP, that it is, at this moment, in the interest of the South East to back the APC. Chief Annie Okonkwo does not even seem to have a political party of which he is a full member as he has not attended any convention of APGA and he is not a member of the National Executive of APGA or any of the APGA splinters. Therefore, he cannot be said to have the authority to speak for APGA except for himself or maybe for one or two political cronies.

We understand that he is the chairman of a group canvassing for Governor Rochas Okorocha to become the presidential candidate of the APC through a splinter group of APGA that will merge with APC. This, of course, is very unrealistic. At the moment, the South-East is heavily leaning towards the PDP the same way the South-South comprising six states is also heavily leaning towards the PDP, and not the ACN.

Why would south-easterners not join the APC merger?

South-easterners at the moment do not want to join the ACN or its new offshoot, the APC. Senator Tinubu cannot canvass in the East when in a place like Lagos with millions of easterners he has denied them fair representation even at the local government level in the party primaries in Lagos under the Alliance for Democracy, AD, or later ACN. It is even worse for Buhari who did not extend the infrastructural developments of the Abacha Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) under his control to the South-East which remained deplorable until the recent amelioration by the federal and state governments.

Many Nigerians have forgotten that Buhari, as Head of State, desperately wanted to Islamize Nigeria through the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC). Even his then federal cabinet with General Tunde Idiagbon, a fellow Muslim and northerner, as his deputy was almost 90 per cent Moslem, forgetting that Nigeria is neither an Islamic or a Christian country, but has a non-sectarian constitution.

Buhari only corrected the gesture recently when he adopted Pastor Tunde Bakare a former Muslim now a Christian, as his vice presidential candidate. His CPC has a following in only some northern states in the whole country. He had dumped the ANPP where he had a lot of enemies to establish his own party, the CPC, in ordre to vie for the presidency. For these and other reasons, the easterners and south-southerners and middle-belters will not join the APC. In fact, only about half of the south-westerners will eventually join the APC merger.

What do you make of the crises in APGA, the role in the APC merger and its chances in the coming election in Anambra State?

It would be recalled that APGA, as a political party, was founded under the leadership of the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu. It won state Assembly and House of Representatives seats in the South-East and South-South states. It also had some representation in many other states in the West and the North. However, it was only in Anambra State that APGA was able to control the executive with the election of Mr. Peter Obi as the Governor of Anambra State in recent times.

Another governor of APGA was elected in Imo in the person of Chief Rochas Okorocha, a former PDP member. APGA also had the first female governor in the country, Mrs. Virginia Etiaba. It could, therefore, be said that APGA had its strongest following in Anambra State where Dim O. Ojukwu hailed from and Governor. P. Obi has been the governor for seven years.

At the moment, Governor Peter Obi is the oldest executive governor in office in the South-East and has been the chairman of the South-East Governors Forum even though his party has only two out of the five governorship seats in the South-East. Governor Peter Obi seems to realize that the South-East is predominantly PDP by virtue of the PDP membership at the local government, state legislature and national legislature positions.

It has, therefore, been realistic on his part not to unduly antagonize the PDP by trying to foist APGA positions on the PDP in order to avoid a rift which will easily lead to his being dethroned. Instead, Governor Obi has tried to use his chairmanship position to aggregate issues of common interests to the whole South-East in the areas of marginalization, infrastructure, security, health, education, environment, power generation, oil and gas and aviation to mention a few.

He has been able, over the years, to earn the trust of not only his party leader, Odumegwu-Ojukwu, but also the PDP
president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. He was able, therefore, to lead APGA into supporting the PDP presidential candidacy in the person of Dr Jonathan in the hope that the next president of the country will emerge from the South-East zone in 2015 or thereabouts as may be decided.

It should be said, without fear or favour, that Governor Obi has been able to transform Anambra State in the last five years by his style of governance and executive intervention in the affairs of the people of Anambra State. When he found that his predecessor, Dr. Chris Ngige, was able to develop more roads in Anambra State than the former PDP Governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju, he emulated Ngige by embarking on further developments of roads across the three senatorial zones in the state, but, unlike Ngige, Governor Peter Obi has dramatically changed the educational and health facilities in Anambra State to make them nationally accredited and of very improved quality.

He has returned schools to their former owners, the Christian missionaries, and discovered that the state has less than 20 per cent of the educational institutions in Anambra State. Very importantly, he is funding the schools directly to their owners the missionary institutions rather than through the ministries and civil servants.

The missions utilize their resources cheaper and beneficially. The quality of education in Anambra State has risen beyond what it was a few years ago. Some of us, who have spoken to Governor Peter Obi directly and investigated his style of governance, agree that he is running the state in all the various sectors as a shrewd businessman who is interested in result rather than propaganda.

For instance, Governor Obi does not waste government fund in chartering planes for his travels within and outside Nigeria. Governor Peter Obi does not reside in hotels in Lagos or Abuja where the government pays on his behalf a hundred or three hundred thousand naira per night.

Governor Peter Obi has not launched a loan scheme of 10 to hundred billion naira by way of bonds or bank loans or external foreign debt which will later be paid by future Anambra State generations. However, Governor Peter Obi believes that more educated and intellectually equipped and experienced Anambraians ought to be interested in the affairs of APGA than as at the moment.

He even states that the PDP in Anambra State is similarly devoid of experience and qualitative people who would have helped immensely in the development and governance of the state. About the leadership of APGA, it can be said without controversy that Governor Peter Obi is the most experienced leader in APGA and who should in all honesty be regarded as the new leader of APGA especially as he will retire from executive governance of the state this year.

When he quits as Governor of Anambra State, he will have more time and resources and experience to lead others in the development of APGA as a veritable political institution for the development of our people in the South-East, South-South and other zones of this country.

The recent publication in the Nigerian newspapers of the international and public debt profile of Nigeria shows clearly that Anambra State ranks more than 33 other states in this country. In other to determine the sustainability or otherwise of the state’s total public debt, a recent analysis of the state solvency and liquidity position was undertaken for the periods up to June 2012.

A critical ratio in the determination of the debt sustainability of each state is the total public debt stock to total revenue ratio as this shows the solvency level of the state government and its capacity to meet the state future debt obligations.

Lara George moves ‘higher’ with new album

More good things are happening fast to Lara George, the multiple awards winning ‘Ijoba Orun’ crooner, any step she takes moves her to higher grounds in her career in gospel music.

The reigning African gospel music queen, courtesy of African Gospel Music Awards, who just had a new baby in the United States, has released a new album prophetically entitled “Higher” on her Sorfte Entertainment label.


*Lara George

‘Higher’ is her third album and it has hit tracks such as “Dansaki”, “ Higher” , and “Rise”, which Lara had earlier released as singles. According to the Ex–Kush singer, these top songs are already becoming crowd favourites from the album.

Lara revealed that what makes this album special was her contact with a new wonderful producer she worked with in the album. “I worked mostly with an amazing new producer, Mr. Jay. He is simply phenomenal in helping to mold the beautiful sounds you will hear in that album. Other impressive tracks in the album according to her are “Ayino” and “A new day”.

The mother of two also stated that she has shot and released the video of title track “Higher”. “The video is enjoying massive airplay everyday,” Lara disclosed.

Why I rejected Zenith Bank job for Miss West Africa Nigeria pageant – Sophie Ann  Diete

When twenty-four years old Sophie Ann Diete Spiff decided to stick her neck out for the Miss West Africa Nigeria crown, little did she realise she would come tops. The journey to stardom was rough, so also was securing a job as a graduate of English and Literary Studies from Niger Delta University, a job which eventually came next day after she was crowned Miss West Africa Nigeria, 2013. Here are loads of Sophie’s experience. Excerpt:

What was growing up like for you?

Growing up was okay. It wasn’t difficult. I was born in Sokoto and grew up in Zaria. Later, my family relocated to the South when I was 17.

So, what kind of upbringing did you have?

My parents are God fearing people and they are disciplinarians. So, I had set rules I had to follow. There was no messing around at home.

While growing up, what were those things that prepared you for the ‘run away’ profession ?

Actually, there was none. It was something I had inside of me and I didn’t tell anyone about it

While growing up, what were those things that prepared you for the runway profession ?

Actually, there was none. It was something I had inside of me and I didn’t tell anyone about it

Why did you keep it a secret?

Although I had passion for the beauty world, I was scared because my parents wouldn’t allow me pursue my dream. This is one aspect of my life I nurtured inside of me. I didn’t tell anybody about it until I was really grown. And even when I made my first attempt at beauty pageant, I kept it away from my parents.

That was when and for which competition?

That was in 2008, Miss Intercontinental. I didn’t tell anyone I was going to camp till the D- day. That was when I opened up to my mum and she didn’t have a problem with it, neither did she blame me for keeping it to myself. She only wished I had told her earlier since it was my dream.

What happened at the Miss Intercontinental pageant?


*Sophie Ann Diete

It was okay. In fact, that was myfirst attempt and I made the top five. I was very happy because I contested alongside girls who were really good and there were plenty of us. So, making the top 5 was a big deal for me then.

Did you have any training before going in for the competition?

No, it was my first attempt. But when we got to the camp, we had trainers so I was able to pick up one or two things.

How did you get into the Miss West Africa competition?

A friend of mine told me about it and I decided to apply.Then I went online and saw that the competition was a huge one, and decided to give it a try. I applied and was invited for the audition.Thereafter, I was selected for the one week camp. It was a beautiful experience, and what made it more beautiful was that I won the pageant at the end of the day.

What was the mindset you had when leaving for the camp?

I didn’t know I would win but I was optimistic. I have this belief that the moment you think you will lose then, you have lost. So, whenever I’m doing things with other people, I always place myself on top. I feel like I’m the best person there. So, I worked with such mindset.

What were those challenges you faced in the house?

Like I said, it’s something I do with a positive mind. Although, I met a lot of beautiful girls at the camp, I didn’t let that bring me down because I’ve been there a couple of times. Usually, when in camp, they look at a lot of things. You don’t just have to be beautiful. You have to be of a good moral standing too. Some girls just go to camp to have fun. Some go there for different reasons but I didn’t go there for that. I went there to win. So, I believe I was following the rules

At the point when they were about to announce the winner, what were you thinking?

They called the 2nd runner up and it wasn’t me. I just told myself that was a really good spot and it won’t be that bad if I came the 1st runner up. Although I wanted the crown, I still would be happy to be the 1st runner-up. I had a lot of thoughts running through my mind and the MC was wasting time announcing the winner. But when they eventually called the winner, it was me. I was so happy that I just stood there and started laughing. It was so beautiful.

Were your parents at the finals?

Nobody was there. I was there alone.

So, who was the first person you called?

Actually, they stayed up at home to watch the show but they couldn’t because I didn’t tell them which station aired it. And back stage, I gave my phone to someone to hold didn’t have time to reach them. They had stayed up for so long, and when they didn’t hear from me, they’d started dozing-off. Then, I called my father’s line with the phone belonging to one of the officials. He was so happy. He woke my mother up and everyone was all over the house.

What were you given as the winner?

I was given a brand new car, a Kia Rio 2012 model, an annual salary, a wrist watch by Watch Locker, shoes, Macson Hair gave me a hair, then NK Klassic in Asaba make me beautiful outfits every months.

And the race for the Miss West Africa International started

Yes. The Miss West Africa Nigeria team had lots of people who had their hands on deck and I didn’t really have time to go home and rest for a long while because the international pageant was just a month away. And since Dissy Lateral Entertainment is the company I work under now, they had to groom me.

And the D-day when you were to leave the country came

Yes, we left the country on the 17th of March, to Cape Verde Island.

So you saw other African beauties

Actually, before I left Nigeria, all I thought about was how beautiful other queens would look like. But when I got there and saw other girls, I felt better because I was sure my beauty could compete well alongside theirs.

As a graduate, are you looking forward to working after you might have dropped the crown?

I’m a graduate of English and Literary Studies from Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State. I don’t intend to look for any job after I drop my crown. Since I graduated in 2009 and went for my NYSC in 2010/2011, I’d searched for a job to no avail. I wrote several aptitude tests even in banks, but I was not lucky to secure a job.

Ironically, a day after I was crowned as Miss West Africa Nigeria, I got a call from Zenith Bank to resume work the next day. It was so funny because I’d applied a long time ago and had waited for the job to come but it never did. When I received the call, I just told the caller,’Thank You’ and put a call across to my mum and we just laughed it off. I have a better job now because it’s something I love doing and I know I’m going to enjoy it.

So, now that you are back, what are you plans?

Not winning the international crown is not the end of the world. I still have lots of plan. I want to start working on a charity project called We Do Care Nigeria. It’s going to be a subsidiary of the main organization called We Do Care. It’s there in Cape Verde, headed by the former Miss West Africa International.

So I volunteered to be in charge of it here. It’s a package where we reach out to people who are less privileged, hungry, those who don’t have clothes to wear, and those who need help from the government. I intend to start soon but I still need to get funds from the governments in Nigeria.

I also intend to work with the old people’s homes and the physically challenged because I have passion for them too.

Malawian actress eyeing Nollywood

Malawian actress, Suya who is a top contender in this year’s Best Actress category at African Movie Academy Awards, AMAA which is scheduled to hold later this month, in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, has declared her intention to ply her trade in Nigeria.

From all indications, the actress may not be returning to her country after the grand finale of the prestigious award.

Suya’s role in Shem Joya’s ‘Last Fishing Boat’, earned her the nomination, alongside other A-list actresses like Rita Dominic who was also nominated for her role in her film, “The Meeting” , Yvonne Okoro( The Contract’), Florence Masebe (Elelwani), Mariam Ouedraogo(Moi Zaphira) and Mbutung Seikeh(Ninah’s Diary).

Flora

The actress, made the declaration while in a chat with HVP, shortly after the AMAA nomination party, held in Malawi recently.

Suya said, she has a strong desire to relocate to Nigeria in order to horn her talent in acting. According to her, she wants to star alongside top Nigerian actors and actress, including Jim Iyke, Genevieve Nnaji, Ramsey Nouah, Monalisa Chinda, Emeka Ike and many others.

In her words, “ I will gladly jump at the offer to stay back after the AMAA grand finale, if given the opportunity to do so. I feel privileged to be getting a platform that allows me to be rubbing shoulders with top Nigerian actors and actresses.”

Suya who was also nominated for the Best Actress category in 2010, following her role in the film, “Season of a Life” said, she was not surprised that she was nominated again for the award. “I was not really surprise because when I performed, I was convinced I acted very well. So, I wasn’t surprise, I saw it coming,” she said.

In 2010, Suya lost the award to a “worthy contender”, Ghanaian actress, Jackie Appiah who was crowned the Best Actress in Africa for her lead role in “Perfect Picture.”

Gwaza, who said, she started acting while she was in primary school attributed her victory to God. She hit limelight in 2006, after her role in “Season of a Life” where she played the role of Sungisa Malango, a maid-turned-lawyer who fights for custody of her child.

Suya’s desire to be part of Nollywood will augur as far as Nigerian producers are ready to give her a chance to prove her mettle.

Superstar 2face Idibia and his beautiful wife Annie are finally back in Nigeria.

The couple arrived the Murtala Mohammed International Airport at around 8:20pm on Friday aboard an Emirate Airline flight.

Fans and airport staff were indeed delighted to see the newly weds at the airport as they welcomed and shook hands with them.

2face and Annie were in Dubai for almost two weeks for their white wedding which held on Saturday, March 23, 2013.

Check some more pictures below

RLG free BRT bus ride to Lagosians throughout the month of April

Rlg Communications Nigeria Limited, an Information and Communications Technology products manufacturing and training company is providing free commuter ride on the Bus Rapid Transit system of the Lagos State Government on special buses designated to ply selected routes within the metropolis for 30 days.

The rationale behind the RLG Free BRT ride is a major corporate social responsibility to assist commuters, at least, within a given period in order to demonstrate the bond existing between the company and the generality of Nigerians by assuaging the stress of transport fares on their pockets.


To this end, Rlg has branded BRT buses on four major routes within Lagos metropolis – Ikorodu – CMS, Okokomaiko – Mile 12, Oshodi – Ikotun/Egbe and CMS – Ajah.

RLG communications has operations in Ghana, Gambia, Kenya, Dubia, China and Nigeria. The company is currently building a multimillion dollar assembly plant in Osun state and also recently launched a 10 billion dollars ITC hob in Ghana termed HOPE CITY. RLG……PROUDLY YOURS.!

Stephen Keshi receives his Range Rover and Toyota Camry from Glo

 The cars were presented to the Super Eagles coach this afternoon at the Globacom office in Victoria Island. They are gifts to him from Glo Chairman, Mike Adenuga, for winning the African Cup of Nation 2013. Presenting the keys is Mr Mohammed Jameel, Group Chief Operating Officer.

My Father Is Proud Of Me Posing Nude – Nigerian Model, Adaora Akubilo

Stunning Nigerian-American model, Adaora Akubilo who posed almost unclad for ‘Sports Illustrated’ a few weeks back got some unfriendly reactions in regards to that. Now, the 21 year old model has come out to counter her critics.
She said her father is proud of what she’s doing, adding that she’s making her money and also celebrating her body.

“Well, what I would say about the blog posts and the unclothed thing, my father is very proud of me, first and foremost. I am a well rounded individual. I did everything he wanted me to do, and kind of like what I wanted to do, like going to school, getting my education, and this is just something that I’m adding to my resume and my life achievements and accomplishments so he’s very proud of me. And as long as I’m happy that’s all he cares about.

“My photos are done in a tasteful way. I’m not out there, "Blunder" all out {laughs}. Like I’m being a little coy with it, you know, I’m kind of like hiding it a little bit. I’m hiding my "Blunder"; it’s not all out there like hello (laughs). No one knows what my milk ducts look like.

“It’s not all out there. It’s done in a very tasteful way and I would never compromise myself. If I wasn’t comfortable doing it and if I felt like I was in some way doing something that would embarrass my family, i would not do it. I would never do anything that would embarrass my family or myself for that matter.

“So it’s unclothed done in a tasteful way… and if you’re comfortable. God created these bodies of ours, you know, I’m just celebrating it and getting paid at the same time so that’s a good thing,” Says Adaora.

Where’s my daughter, late Olayinka’s mum asks Gov Fayemi

THE 81 years old Mrs. Adetutu Grace Famuagun, mother of the late Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Mrs Funmi Olayinka, yesterday, wept uncontrollably and repeatedly asked Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, the whereabout of her daughter.

Fayemi, who was at the Famuwagun’s family house, Oke Ori-Omi, where the parents of Mrs. Olayinka live in Ado Ekiti, at 10am, alongside his wife, Bisi and other top government functionaries, could not hide his emotion when the octogenarian mother kept asking “Kayode, where is Funmi?” repeatedly.

In a statement, Governor Fayemi said all his engagements, including the symposium organised for the youths at Ikogosi Ekiti are cancelled. Equally, the state has suspended all official ceremonies and opened condolence register in the office of the governor and the office of the deputy, including the state’s liaison office in Lagos and Abuja.

Already Governor Fayemi has declared a seven-day mourning during which all flags in the state will fly at half mast.

This came as Senate President David Mark, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Professor Wole Soyinka, state governors, senators and other prominent Nigerians continued to pay glowing tributes to Mrs. Olayinka, 52 and mother of three, who died in a Lagos hospital on Saturday after a long battle with cancer.

Condolences

Meanwhile, Senate President, David Mark, urged the Ekiti State government to immortalise late Olayinka in recognition of her contribution to the development of the state.


*CONDOLENCE – Mother of late Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Mrs. Adetutu Famuagun; flanked by Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi (Right); and his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, during a condolence visit to the Famuaguns over the demise of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka, in Ado-Ekiti, Sunday.

In a condolence message through his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, Mark described the late deputy governor as an indomitable amazon, who stood to be counted when it mattered, stressing that her death was a huge loss to the nation.

Also former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in a statement said the death of Mrs. Olayinka at such time when Ekiti State needed her services the most was most unfortunate.

Atiku Abubakar appealed to Governor Fayemi to accept the death of his deputy governor as an act of God, saying “the death of the Ekiti State deputy governor is not only a loss to Ekiti State, but to Nigeria because she was a faithful and committed compatriot.”

Governors

In Ondo State, Governor Olusegun Mimiko, through a statement by Eni Akinsola, his Chief Press Secretary, said the death of such a young, lively and active leader could not but evoke deep feeling of loss and sadness.

He said: “Nigerians were well aware that she was indisposed, but were hoping and praying that she will scale through and come out stronger and better. We were therefore shocked to hear of her death. It is sad, sad news.

“It evokes a deep feeling of loss and sadness. The demise of Mrs Olayinka will be greatly felt by her husband, children, political acolytes and indeed the good people of Ekiti State.

”Sad as it is, we cannot but thank God for her life, pray that her soul finds repose in the Lord and seek God’s Grace and strength for the family to bear the loss.”

On his part, Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, described the death of Ekiti State Deputy Governor Ekiti as devastating and a big blow to progressive politics in the state and Nigeria.

A statement by the Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, said the demise of the late Olufunmilayo Olayinka who died of cancer had shown that government at all levels should brace up and give the necessary attention to the treatment and detection of cancer.

He said: “Lives of millions of women are being threatened as they suffer under the disease of cancer without early detection and adequate treatment. Government at all levels should rise up to the task by subsidising the cost for testing and treatment.”

Fashola, Oshiomhole, Uduaghan others mourn

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos, in a condolence message by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Hakeem Bello, described the deceased as a great daughter of the state who made her mark professionally and then offered to serve her people.

The governor said: “As a brother Governor, I feel completely overwhelmed, just imagining the depth of your pain and anguish at the death of a most loyal, dependable and diligent deputy which you had in Mrs. Olayinka.

“When the history of the restoration of the democratic mandate freely given by the duo of Governor Fayemi and the late Deputy Governor as well as the back-breaking work to restore the meaningful governance to Ekiti state comes to be written, a very glorious and general mention would be made of the late Deputy Governor.”

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, in his condolence message, through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Peter Okhiria, said: “We learnt with deep shock and grief about the death of the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State.

“Mrs Olayinka gave her all to the recovery of the mandate freely given to the Governor and herself by the good people of Ekiti state and she was unwavering in her quest to deepen the nation’s democracy by going through the judicial process.”

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, through his Press Secretary, Mr. Felix Ofou, in a statement, said: “The Delta Governor praised the courage and strength of the late Deputy Governor in the battle against cancer. She worked tirelessly to please everyone until a few weeks ago when it was announced that she was proceeding on medical leave.

“Not once did she betray signs of being sick. May be a few persons were aware of her health status. All we saw was a courageous and strong woman willing to please everyone.”

On his part, Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, in a condolence statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Christian Ita, said although words seemed inadequate to express the sorrow felt by her loss, ”we must try to see beyond her demise and focus on the memories of her good works and life long achievements.

“The thoughts and prayers of the people of cross River State are with her family and people of Ekiti state during this difficult time.”

On his part, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State , through a condolence message by his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Abdulwahab Oba, described the passage of Mrs. Olayinka as a national loss as she died at a young age with a lot of ideas, zeal and vision that could help in shaping a better Ekiti State and the building of a virile Nigeria.

Soyinka condoles

Prof. Soyinka, in condolence message, said: “Her departure will be felt as a great loss to your administration, to the people of Ekiti State, but most especially to her family, to whom I request that you be so kind as to convey my message of fortitude in the face of this grievous bereavement.”

Senators pay tributes

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu in a condolence message in Abuja, through his Special Adviser, Media, Mr. Uche Anichukwu, said Mrs Olayinka was not only a “promising female leader but a progressive and distinguished professional who wholeheartedly dedicated herself to the service of the good people of Ekiti and the entire nation.”

Senator Gbenga Ashafa, representing Lagos East Senatorial District, in his brief message, expressed shock over the news of the deputy governor’s death, who he described, as “heroine of Democracy.”

Others who paid condolences included former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu; former governor of Ekiti State, Chief Segun Oni; member, House of Representatives, representing Ado-Ekiti/Irepodun-Ifelodun Federal Constituency, Ekiti State, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele; Osun State chapter of ACN and Conference of Alumni Associations of Nigerian Universities, CAANU.

My Husband Was Feeding From Me; I Now Want A Real Man –– Nollywood actress Moji Olaiya

 Nollywood actress Moji Olaiya, daughter of highlife musician, Sir Victor Olaiya, is having it rough with regards to her marriage. Naijaonpoint.com observed that getting married is easy these days but staying in the marriage is a serious matter, especially for celebrities.
Moji shares the secrets pains of her marriage with Tribune and finally confirmed that she has separated from her husband for life. No going back! See brief excerpt below:
Do you apply so much dedication to marriage too [like you do to your acting job]?
Oh yes, I do. Marriage is an institution by God and a lifetime affair, so if I dedicate so much passion to my job, how much more my marriage? I am a very good Christian and I respect the marriage institution a lot.So, in what state is your marriage as we speak, are you still with your husband?
I want to use this medium to say categorically and officially that I am separated for life with my husband. I have never talked about this officially before because I was thinking we could amend and make it work again but I am saying emphatically here that all is forever over between me and my husband. This has been on for two years now but I thank God I have been able to pick my life back and move ahead.
Are you saying the issue is irreconcilable?
Exactly. It is finally over between us, there is no going back.
But what actually happened between you and your husband?
It’s a long story, but I guess the error I made was not taking time to study him before marrying him; I rushed into the marriage because I was in love. Now, I see and know better. But we are separated for life and for good. We only courted for a year and a half and he was always going and coming. It was more of a love across the sea affair.
For how long were you married and how many children do you have for each other?
We were together for four years and there is no child between us. He has two boys already and I have my daughter, so we didn’t have any kid.
Could that be the reason for the issues at home or could it be that he wasn’t comfortable with your job?
It had nothing to do with no kids or my job. He didn’t just understand and wasn’t ready to be a real man that will fend for his wife and home. While the marriage lasted I gave it my all, I ensured I didn’t sleep out on location just to keep my home and my job suffered a bit too but he wasn’t just there for me. While we were together, I was practically the bread winner, he was unnecessarily and unfairly suspicious and listens to rumours about my personality, I doubt if he had real love for me because you don’t doubt whom you love.
He wasn’t hardworking at all and he never appreciated my efforts in keeping the home intact financially such that he even turned brutal, there were issues of domestic abuse. It is a bad thing for a man not to be hardworking and unable to fend for his home. But it is all over now and we have not even communicated in the last two years.
Do you have plan to remarry in future?
Yes, of course but this time to a real man, a God-fearing, hardworking, loving and understanding man who will love me for who I am and love my job too. Someone who is capable of taking care of me and not vice versa. And I will take my time to study him well this time around.
Are you seeing any man now?
Yes of course, but I am not ready to disclose details of him yet.
What is your perception of life?
Life is interesting when you keep a free mind towards others. When you suspect everyone around you, you cage yourself and your feelings and it means you don’t trust yourself too. Whatever situation you find yourself, know that life will go on; it will only stop when you are tired of going on.