The forces that sacked Tukur

     Tukur
 Politicians are known to be boastful. The former National Chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, is not an exception. Even when it was clear that the drummers who were playing music for him had since dropped their drums and were no longer ready to sing his praises, Tukur soldiered on. He believed that the tide could still change and he would retain his much-treasured exalted position.

Thus, when he had even dropped his resignation letter, Tukur said he was still in power. He told the unsuspecting journalists at the State House that he had not dropped his resignation letter.

Bimbo Akintola cries out: I don’t need a husband!

*Bimbo

Since hitting the limelight in a big way with ‘Out of Bounds” alongside RMD in the 90s, Bimbo Akintola has become a big name who does things in a big way. You don’t approach her with your scripts unless you have big plans about it. Controversial, some might say, but Bimbo describes herself as easy-going but definitely not when falsehoods have been peddled about her as a story running wide that she is in desperate need of a husband.

She ran into our reporter on Boxing Day in Lekki where she was part of the humanitarian institution who put together an Xmas party for some orphanages. There, she opens up on several issues concerning her. Excerpts:

Ladies beware! I’m not ready for marriage —Flavour

           *Flavour
What’s the secret of your success story in pursuing your musical career?

The secret of my success is originality. Right from day one, I knew that if I try to be original, the sky would be my limit. But I know it’s going to take some time before that dream would become a reality. This is because nothing good comes that easily.

I work so hard to sound so original in my music. Right from when I released my first album, there has been a tremendous improvement in my music. And this time around, I had enough funds to do better videos which has distinguished my style from other artistes. Africans as a whole love originality, even though some might pretend about it .

If you are original in whatever you are doing today coupled with being down-to- earth, you will get to anywhere you want to. That has been the secret of my success. I began my career as a drummer for a local church in my home state, Enugu State.

‘Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ actor James Avery dies at 68

LOS ANGELES (AFP) – US actor James Avery, most famous as Uncle Phil in hit 1990s sitcom “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” died on New Year’s Eve aged 68, his publicist said Wednesday.

With a deep baritone voice, Avery regularly played judges, professors or doctors in TV shows in the 1980s and 90s, as well as extensive voice work, including on animated projects.


This June 3, 2009 file photo shows US actor James

Actress Fathia Balogun finally drops ex-hubby’s surname

D’banj, Genevieve Nnaji, back together?

D’banj, Genevieve

News is flying online that the Kokomaster D’banj and Nollywood screen goddess Genevieve Nnaji are back together in a love relationship.

Bloggers  is reporting that as you read this Genevieve is all comfy in the ‘Oliver Twist’ hit maker Lekki home and are talking marriage.

In 2011, after months of denial from both sides, it was eventually determined that D’banj and Genevieve had been in a secret relationship since 2009. It was wonderful news and just as everyone celebrated it, Genny dropped the bomb, she called off the relationship in March, leaving the kokomaster alongside millions of their fans heart-broken.

Made-in-Nigeria vehicles to sell for N1.2m – FG

The Federal Government, in a bid to ensure the successful implementation of its recently approved National Automotive Industry Development Plan, said it would encourage local auto manufacturers to produce less expensive models with price range of between N1.2m and N1.5m.

It also said it would collaborate with auto manufacturers, franchise holders, reputable motor dealers and selected banks to put in place an all-inclusive domestic dealership network through which a user-friendly vehicle purchase scheme could be funded by the National Automotive Council.

‘Fast and Furious’ star Paul Walker died of impact, fire

“Fast and Furious” star Paul Walker died from ‘traumatic and thermal injuries” in a fiery car crash, coroners said Wednesday, fueling suggestions he may have survived the initial impact.The initial autopsy results came as the makers of the blockbuster franchise announced they were stopping production for now as they discuss how to proceed with the seventh installment, due out next year.A preliminary report confirmed that Walker, 40, was the passenger in a $400,000 red 2005 Porsche Carrera GT driven by his friend Roger Rodas when it crashed at speed Saturday in Santa Clarita, north of Los Angeles.Rodas died of “multiple traumatic

Kidnappers seize corps member, contact family

     Ayobami Jaiyeola

The Lagos State Police Command has commenced investigation into the kidnap of a 29-year-old National Youth Service Corps member, Ayobami Jaiyeola.

Relatives of the victim told Us that she was last seen while leaving her elder sister’s house at Dideolu Estate in the Oniru area of the state in the evening of Friday last week.

When our correspondent visited the victim’s home on Wednesday, family and friends thronged the place to commiserate with her mother.

Why Catholic Church is against use of condom – CCFN

    Condom

The use of condom is not allowed in the Catholic Church to fight HIV/AIDS and as a family planning mechanism because “the sexual act is ordained by God for a purpose”, the Catholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria has said.

The CCFN however suggested “change in behaviour” which it said, was better than the use of condom in the crusade against HIV/AIDS.

The Director, Church and Society, in the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria and Executive Secretary of CCFN, Rev. Fr. Evaristus Bassey, said these in an interview with THE PUNCH in Abuja during a Town Hall meeting and Quiz Competition organised to mark the Worlds AIDS Day.

Honda goes mini with Urban SUV

                       Honda

The penchant for small car is fast spreading to virtually all segments of vehicles, as more people go for automobiles that are fuel efficient and can navigate through heavy traffic and have no parking difficulty.

Honda is set to release an all-new concept vehicle, a small sport utility vehicle next month.

The concept hints at a dynamic, fuel-efficient small SUV with inspirational styling and next-generation connectivity.

Experts note that compact SUVs are the current hot property in the automobile market as the Ford EcoSport and Renault Duster have amply demonstrated.

Toyota redesigns Camry for 2014

                   2014 Camry 

Toyota Camry is expected to get ‘significant’ attention from enthusiasts of new cars and other auto stakeholders in 2014 when a refreshed version of the vehicle is introduced.

Analysts say the Japanese auto manufacturing giant is likely to shrug off mounting competition from Ford, Chevrolet, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda and Nissan with the 2014 Camry.

A report by Allcars.2014 says the new Camry will bring many improvements and enhancements that will make the model more spacious and functional but retaining its modern and luxurious touch.

My family has been my bedrock – IGE

                     *Ige

Ige Dupe Kachi, MTN Project Fame’s Voice Coach cum trainer says music is an integral part of her being. A daughter of an Anglican Priest, Dupe started playing music while she was seven years. She joined Project Fame during its second season and she isn’t in a hurry to quit. In this chat, she talks about her music, her family, and concludes that there is more to singing professionally than meets the eye.

I was a science student while I was in school. But music runs in my family. Though my father was a radical priest. With his influence, we all joined the choir and learnt how to play different musical instruments very early in life. I started playing musical instruments when l was seven years. I must say it wasn’t very easy for me.

Messing around in Nollywood is not for me – Belinda Effah

    *Belinda

Although, she has had her challenging moments in the industry, Belinda Effah is one of the fast rising actresses in Nollywood whose name rings a bell in the industry. She has achieved a lot in a very short while, winning laurels and writing her name in gold as far as the world of make-believe is concerned. In this interview, she tells Showtime Celebrity what it takes to be where she’s today and why she cannot date anybody in the industry.

Saheed Balogun drags Fathia to court over surname

   Saheed Balogun and Fathia

LAGOS — Popular Nollywood actor, Saheed Balogun has dragged his actress ex-wife, Fathia Balogun, to court over the use of his surname ‘Balogun’, insisting that she stop using the name.

The union which produced three children lasted for many years before ending few years ago.