Oga at the top movie debuts!!!

Call it the director’s creativity or mischief, the movie, Oga at the top, is out. Quite similar to the viral ‘Oga at the top’ quote, the movie features popular Nollywood actor, Nkem Owoh, also known as Osuofia. Although the viral quote stopped trending on Twitter after a week of dominance, Nigerians put their creativity to test as they made T-shirts, mugs, songs and jokes about the error made by the Lagos State Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Obafaiye Shem, during an interview on Channels Televison.
Efforts to reach Osuofia proved futile as his mobile phone was switched off when Saturday Beats tried to reach him. He did not also reply to a text message sent to his phone.
Naija no dey waste time!!!

Flood returns to Lagos

 The heat in Lagos in the last couple of months has been insane....so insane that you'd pray for rain. But then the rain comes, and there's flood. Awolowo Way, Ikeja was flooded this morning after a down pour. Cars were submerged to window level, leaving a number of cars stuck.

15-year-old rape victim loses baby

                                         Deborah

Deborah Jolaosho, the 15-year-old girl, allegedly raped by a 40-year-old man, Taju Adejumo, has delivered a stillborn baby.

Punch Metro learnt that Deborah was delivered of the stillborn baby early last month.

On February 6, 2013, reported Deborah’s rape by the father of four.

After the rape, Deborah, who was a virgin, missed her period. Subsequent medical examination showed that the 15-year-old pupil of Meiran Community Junior Secondary School was pregnant.

As of February 6 when We visited the home of the Jolaoshos, Deborah’s pregnancy was said to be seven months.

The suspect had told our correspondent on the telephone then that the incident was the devil’s work.

Adejumo agreed then he had sex with the minor on one occasion, but insisted that he was not responsible for the pregnancy.

“I did not do it intentionally. As I speak to you, I cannot understand what happened to me that day. Since that time, I have remained unstable. As for the pregnancy, I do not believe that action led to it. From the scan and tests, we were made to believe she is seven months pregnant but I had sex with her about six months ago,” Adejumo had said.

A family source, who did not want to be quoted, told our correspondent on Monday that Deborah was delivered of the stillborn baby at Crescent Hospital, by Baale Bus Stop, Meiran, Lagos.

The source did not state the circumstances leading to the stillbirth but he said the pregnancy was in full circle.

He said they were happy she (Deborah) survived the birth of her stillborn baby.

“She was delivered of the stillborn baby at Crescent Hospital. She was delivered by Dr. Lateef of the hospital. The foetus has already died in her womb before delivery. We are happy Deborah survived,” the source said.

V-Channel Responds To Mercy Aigbe/Husband Disgrace Saga

Mercy and husband kissing at the show

We would summarise what happened yesterday for the sake of clarity and Mrs Gentry's legion of discerning fans.
Indeed, Mercy was hosted by indigenous television station on Startimes, Odua Mounmarowan, on Sunday evening. She came to the event with her friends, younger sister and Faith Irabor, a journalist in her car. However, Mr. Gentry came in from his hotel in Oregun, Lagos. The event was well-attended by movie and media personalities. Immediately after the event, Mercy went to the changing room allotted to her in company of her husband and Faith Irabor. On getting to the car park, however, Mercy’s car didn’t start; so she joined her husband with her friends and left for Oregun, her husband's hotel.


In all of these, one can’t get where Stella got her concocted report from. Mr Gentry left the venue happy as the event was successful and without hiccups.

As at the time the couple left, the musician specially invited to perform, Sunny Melody was still performing.
We are therefore confused as to where Mrs Dimoko got her story from? The moon, perhaps. Why does Mrs Dimoko keep publishing lies all in the name of journalism? Is she not happy that a younger woman, Mercy, has a flourishing career as an actor and producer and also enjoys domestic felicity? Mrs Dimoko, these are things God can do for you too if you stopped destroying homes and people.

Having said these, we challenge Mrs Dimoko to furnish the public with evidence of Gentry’s anger and battery, or Mercy leaving in a nightgown. We strongly believe that those who mean well for journalism should not watch people like this blogger drag the noble profession through the mud.

New born babies sale syndicate smashed in Delta

ASABA — A syndicate which specializes in luring pregnant teenage girls eager to deliver their babies under cover and thereafter selling the newborns to ritualists and childless couples has been smashed in Asaba, Delta State capital.

Already, a middle-aged woman (names withheld) who hails from one of the eastern states of the country alleged to be running an illegal maternity centre at a camp in Oduke, in the outskirts of the town, has been arrested, while a nurse and a medical doctor attached to the home are presently on the run.

Vanguard gathered that police have intensified manhunt for the runaway medical doctor and nurse involved in the deal.

It was also gathered that upon delivery of such babies depending on the sex of the child, they are sold for between N400,000 and N500,000 each.

Police sources confirmed the story, saying the suspect would be arraigned in court.

Thunder kills 2 traders, 3 goats in Asaba market

Also two traders and no fewer than three goats were struck dead by thunder at Niger Bridge Head market in Asaba, weekend.

The incident which took place on Friday evening threw the market into pandemonium as traders and buyers ran for dear lives following the deafening thunder accompanied by lighting.

Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in charge of the police station by the Bridge Head, Mr. Ngozi Ezeabata, confirmed the death of the traders.

Pastor Olukoya of Mountain of Fire Gives N40m To First Class Graduates

Pastor Olukoya rewards first class graduates
In his usual style of rewarding academic excellence, the General Overseer of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, Dr. Daniel Olukoya, has splashed N40 million on members of the church who graduated with first class honours degree from different universities across the country.
The event which is third in the series made the 77 graduates smile home with N 500,000 each.
The previous first class graduates went home with a car each, but this year the number rose from 15 to 77 so Dr. Olukoya settled for cash, which they could use to further their education or start something.
The breakdown of the graduates showed that University of Lagos (UNILAG) top the list with 12 graduates which cut across various disciplines, followed by University of Ibadan with nine of such graduates while one is from Central University College, Accra, Ghana.Speaking at the occasion, Pastor Shade Olukoya, who presented the award praised the graduates for dedication to their academic work and serving God at the same time.
According to her, the award was put in place to reward members of MFM who are dedicated to their academic work while also creating time to serve the Almighty God.

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.