Sanusi under probe for BOKO HARAM financing

LAGOS — THE Federal Government, yesterday, said it waHARAMs investigating suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, on suspicions of being a major financier of terrorism in the country.

This was revealed by the Department of State Services, DSS, in a counter-affidavit to the suit filed by Sanusi before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, in which he is seeking to restrain the Police and operatives of DSS from arresting, detaining or otherwise harassing him.

Shut Up and Stop Embarrassing the Emirate, Emir Ado Bayero Tells Sanusi Lamido Sanusi

More troubles mount for suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor,
Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the Kano Emirate sends emissaries

Confab delegate dies in Abuja

 –A delegate to the on-going National Conference has died.

The delegate,Alhaji Mohammed Hamma Misau,according to family sources, died Thursday night at the National Hospital,Abuja.

BlackREALvolution Movement for launch today

Sound Sultan’ s album art

The suspense and anticipation surrounding the #BlackREALvolution will be laid to rest on Friday, March 28, when the movement will be formally launched. Popular musicians, Femi Anikulapo-Kuti, Nigeria’s king of afro-beat and 2Face Idibia, afro hip-hop exponent, have shown their support for the Movement.

There has been an upsurge in support of the #BlackREALvolution from other celebrities. Music acts such as Sound Sultan and Chuddy K, comedians Bovi and Gordons and superstar disc jockey, DJ Xclusive, have also thrown their weight behind the Movement.

I want to be the richest comedian — Hon. D-One

Comments Aderobi Adams who is popularly known by fans as Honourable De-One is a fast-rising comedian who started his comedy career in 2011. Honorable De-one is a graduate of architecture from Covenant University in 2011, and he became popular after emerging winner as the ‘Best Comedy Artiste’ at Amstel Malta talent show competition in the same year. In this chat with WG, De-One lets us into his journey as an upcoming comedian, viz-a-viz,

I take responsibility for NIS recruitment tragedy—Moro

 


ABUJA—MINISTER of Interior, Mr. Abba Moro yesterday claimed responsibility of the tragic deaths of about 16 applicants, including four pregnant women, who died in the recent recruitment exercise by the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS.


NIGERIA, Abuja : Job-seekers applying for work at the Nigerian immigration department scramble as their exam papers fly in the air, on the pitch of Abuja National Stadium, on March 15, 2014. AFP PHOTO

The Minister said he was still pained and saddened by the circumstances surrounding the loss of lives in the recruitment exercise during the public hearing organised by the Senate Committee on Interior.
But the Comptroller General of Immigration, CGI, David Paradang said that the service which by law was supposed to handle recruitment exercise was completely ignored.

Court rules FRSC’s new number plates illegal

Lagos—A Federal High Court in Lagos Wednesday held that it was unconstitutional for the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, to impose new number plates on motorists in the country.

The judge, Justice James Tsoho, delivered the judgment following a suit by a lawyer, Emmanuel Ofoegbu, challenging the powers of FRSC to issue the new number plates.

Ofoegbu had challenged the power of the commission to impound vehicles of motorists who failed to acquire the new numbers.

How Jonathan stopped NNPC from buying new aircraft

Government officials have cited President Goodluck Jonathan’s reluctance to approve the purchase of a new jet for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC for the continued hiring of a private jet for the corporation’s senior officers, including the Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke.

The president’s reluctance is despite problems associated with the NNPC’s two private jets. One of them, a Hawker 4000, which crash landed in Warri, Delta State, sources said was to be balkanised for spare parts to service another Hawker 4000 in the presidential fleet on account of lack of spare parts following the stoppage of spare parts production by the manufacturer’s of the planes.

57, 000 Nigerians now refugees – UN

ABUJA — Despite the fact that Nigeria is not at war, Nigerians are now refugees in neighbouring countries as more than 57,000 people have fled to Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republic as a result of insurgency by Boko Haram, according to the United Nations.

The world body also disclosed that about half a million people have been internally displaced in the country which it described as a very alarming situation.

Mother sells three-day-old baby for N260,000

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a nursing mother, Imaobong Udoh, for allegedly selling her three-day old baby girl.

Also arrested along with Imaobong were four persons for allegedly participating in the theft of the baby.

They are the buyer, Mrs. Regina James; her husband, Mfon James; the traditional birth attendant who delivered the baby, Mrs. Comfort Henry; and Mr Emmanuel Okon, a homeopathic doctor, who arranged the sale.

Commissioner of Police, Mr. Umar Gwadabe, said in Uyo on Monday that the father of the baby had reported the theft to the police, leading to the arrest of the suspects.

Gwadabe said, “On March 3, 2014, a case of child stealing was reported by Mr. Eteobong James, of No. 33 Urua Ekpa Road, Itu Local Governmnet Area, to the police, where a three-day-old baby girl was sold for N260, 000.

“Based on the report, the suspects were arrested.

The root of the missing $20 billion oil money

Mr. Sanusi says he was suspended because of his determination to get to the root of the missing $20 billion oil money.
Few days before he was suspended, the outgoing Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Lamido Sanusi, told top bankers in the country that they would have to open their books to unravel the whereabouts of the missing $20 billion oil money, the New York Times is reporting.
Suspecting that some of the bankers had helped in laundering the missing money, Mr Sanusi said on February 11 he warned the top bank executives in a bimonthly meeting that their books would have to be scrutinised to discover where the missing money had been lodged.
“Some of them were not giving information about their accounts,” Mr Sanusi said. “I told them I would order a special examination.”
Nine days later, President Goodluck Jonathan suspended him from his position.

Comedy is not business, it’s an art — I Go Dye

The comedy industry has created a multimillion dollars empire that has swept this country with its prevailing success. Today in Nigeria, comedians are brand ambassadors, captains of industries and there can’t be a complete event without the presence of a comedian.

Today, there is no way you can talk about the comedy industry in Africa without making reverence to Francis Agoda, popularly know as I Go Dye, a Nideo Spain awardee as the Best African comedian; TV People New York African Best Comedian; A three-time award-winning Nigerian Best comedian, and United Nations Millennium Goal Ambassador. Here, he speaks on his mission to help in the national project.

How is the comedy business?
Well, it’s fine. Although, it is not really a business, it is an art that is enjoying intellectual equity, providing a platform for social restructuring and promoting core moral values through hilarious means. There is remuneration from the art but I can’t call it business.

I love money so much bank alerts turn me on — Lizzy Gold Onuwaje

Lizzy Gold Onuwaje isn’t new to the world of show business. Her foray into the make-believe world started in 2006 when she won the Delta State Pageant as Miss Delta State. Then she tried her hands at the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria Pageant (MDGN) where she emerged as the second runner-up.

It was a crushing experience for her: “I cried. I felt so bad. It’s a very terrible experience that’s not good for anyone. I f you go for a competition, you have the hope of winning and when you don’t, it’s very terrible. I became shy at a point because Delta State sent some commissioners who came to support me, so they were very disappointed”, she says.

Obesere rape saga: Case transferred to SCID

— There were indications, yesterday, that the case involving popular Fuji musician, Alhaji Abass Akande, also known as Obesere, arrested for allegedly raping a 29-year-old business woman, Miss Olanike Olaiya, in his Okota residence may have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID.Sources told Vanguard, yesterday, that the embattled musician preferred the SCID to the Isolo Police division because the DPO had insisted on the matter going to court.Normally, it is the Divisional Police Officer at Isolo Division, Aminu Ibrahim, that should have ordered the transfer of the case to SCID for further investigations.But Obesere was alleged to have used his contacts in the police to have the case transferred to SCID.*ObesereA police source also disclosed

I feel challenged by my name— Finnest, Music Artiste

   *Finnest
Herbert Patrick Onyebuchi popularly known as ‘Finnest’ is one of the rising music stars who holds a lot of promises for this generation. Having started his journey into music since 2010, Finnest is poised to rule the nation’s airwaves in future. In this interview, he shares his passion as well as his desire to emerge as one of the best up and coming artistes in Nigeria.

A man who makes me laugh has a chance to my heart – Oma Iyasara

Oma Iyasara is an extraordinary, emerging talent, with a unique combination of good looks, enterprise, a good command of English with sophisticated diction. In 2011, she enrolled in the prestigious Royal Arts Academy owned by Emem Isong and she excelled as one of the favourite students in her time, with a certificate of excellence.A graduate of Mass Communication from Imo State University, Oma has featured in a number of blockbusters like ‘Damage’ by Uche Jombo, ‘Secret Weapon’ alongside Eucharia Anunobi, Emeka Ike and Chika Ike among many others.What are the biggest challenges one encounters in trying to break through in Nollywood? One of the greatest challenges is acceptance. There are so many talents in Nollywood, and it is not an easy task to get noticed, not to even

YOBE MASSACRE: How my mates were killed – Survivor

“I was shot on my left leg, while I was sleeping. When I woke up, I could not walk and was later taken to the girls hostel where the insurgents gathered us with the female students. They selected some of the female students and went away with them, while they left some of us groaning in pain from gun shot”.Those were the words of 14-year-old Ibrahim Musa Lampo, a JSS 2 student of Federal Government College, FGC, Bunu Yadi, Yobe State who was one of the lucky survivors of the Boko Haram massacre on Tuesday, which claimed the lives of 43 students. The insurgents also burnt the hostels, classrooms and more than 40 houses during the attack.A survivor of the Yobe massacre.

P Square launches Alingo Animated series

Over the past few months, the multiple award-winning duo of Peter and Paul Okoye, famously known as P-Square, have relentlessly been working on a ground-breaking and unprecedented family-oriented animated series entitled “The Alingos.” The project is an innovation from the stables of P-Classic Entertainment.

Problems in marriage

HELLO WOMEN: Some of u complain of problems in marriage and some are down with one sickness or the other simply because you don’t want to overlook those irrelevant things. Why on earth should a woman carry the husband’s phone when he is in the bathroom just because she wants to catch him in his sexcapades? Why create time just to drive around town looking for where his car is parked? Why liaise with your female friends to get him caught when some of them are after him ...and ready to take him from you? Na high blood pressure you wan give yourself so.

The 5th edition is here of the KiDDIES CUSTOME PARTY

 The 5th edition is here of the KiDDIES CUSTOME PARTY
  by H-Town Ent and Kalijjos
at the Teslim Balogun Stadium,on the 21st April 2014 Easter Monday time 10am prompt, gate fee #1000 for kids only, parent free.

Has Tuface Idibia a pregnant mistress?

No one can argue that being popular or rich comes at a price. And somebody has said that life is a market where you take what you want and pay for it. Yes, stardom is expensive and hip-hop megastar, Tuface Idibia, is having a hard time grappling with the truth. Just last week, a TV channel reportedly claimed the singer has died and I had to rush to confirm from his people and it was all lies.

Funke Akindele, Osita Iheme headline AMVCA nominations

Nominees of the prestigious Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards have been announced with Funke Akindele and Osita Iheme (Paw Paw) getting multiple nominations in the best actress and actor’s category respectively.The first edition, held last year, had the likes

Praise Adejo donates N10m to baby born with hole in heart

An artiste, Praise Adejo, popularly known as Praiz, has donated N10 million for the treatment of a baby, Somaya Olayinka, born with a hole in the heart.Praise AdejoAdejo on Tuesday in Lagos said that the gesture was his “little’’ contribution to the society.He presented the cheque for the sum to the child’s parents in Lagos.“I did it because I wanted to do something I had never done before. I wanted to save a life, and I am grateful to all who contributed to

Emeka Ike Evicted from rented duplex over failure to pay N8.5 million rent

Nollywood actor, Emeka Ike who has been thrown out of his rented apartment in Magodo GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, over his inability to pay an accumulated three year rent of N8.5 million. The apartment, a twin duplex located at 1, Raji Oladimeji Street, Magodo GRA, was until his ejection, used by Emeka to run his business. Emeka had in 2007 diversified by establishing a secondary school named St Nicholas College and decided to hire the premises on a five-year lease agreement from an 87-year-old retiree, Chief Samuel Agboola Akintan at the rate of N2 million per annum for the first two years and N3 million annually for the remaining three years, bringing the total rent of five years to N13 million. Saturday Sun gathered that Emeka was able to get his landlord accept a deposit of N2 million with a promise to pay the rest later.

CDO switches to gospel music

           John Iketuonye

Fast rising singer, John Iketuonye, formerly known as Ceasefire, has not only switched to gospel music but has also changed his stage name to CDO, Ceasefire Da Oracle.

His crossover from secular music to gospel is a total turnaround for the artiste who has now become the founder of an evangelical outreach known as IrepDaMostHigh.

Summit: Sanusi on the run?

It is actually because of the news on the suspension of the CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido by the President.
In fact, he is on the run as we speak,

I’ll drive myself to prison – Sanusi

     Sanusi

The suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Lamido Sanusi, is in the eye of the storm for what many see as his outspokenness and controversial position on critical national issues, especially his revelation about unremitted funds to the Federation Account by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. Shortly before his suspension by the President, he spoke to Metropole magazine. Excerpts

You openly said you were not interested in being reappointed as the governor of CBN. Why?

Sanusi was a mistake —UTOMI

                      Prof. Pat Utomi

abuja—As controversy rages over the suspension of Mallam Sanusi Lamido, a renowned economist, Professor Pat Utomi has berated the tenure of Lamido as a Central Bank governor, describing his original appointment as “a huge mistake”

Sanusi-led CBN lacks corporate governance — FRC

•No board approvals for financial transactions
•Investment in Islamic liquidity management had no board approval
•Governor as chairman of board, error of law CBN governor,

Now I believe in love – Maureen Cyril

Remember Maureen Cyril, the beautiful light-skinned actress who bedazzled movie lovers in uptown movie ‘Lady Gaga’. She is very much around but not available as she used to be because her status has changed. She got married last year and ever since has been singing ‘I never knew there was a love like this before’.

In fact when I got talking to her lately I almost had my ears knocked off my head with her song of bliss on how much God has blessed her with the man of her dream. She even invited me for a surprise party for her husband on Valentine’s Day.

I’ve powers to suspend Sanusi – GEJ

—President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, affirmed his powers to suspend Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as governor of the Central Bank, saying the action was totally unconnected with alleged corruption charges raised by Sanusi against the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC.Speaking during an interactive media chat on television last night, President Jonathan equally pooh-poohed issues about his intentions for the 2015 presidential elections just as he declared that the country would not break under his watch.President Goodluck Jonathan and Lamido SanusiThe president said that the forthcoming national

I can’t be a complete housewife – Anita Joseph

Anita Joseph isn’t a push-over – not by a long shot. The actress and singer is beautiful, sexy and has a body on her, that would set even a priest on heat. So, why should anyone expect her to jump at any offer, even when that offer comes with a lifetime of matrimonial bliss.

The social media was rife with the news last week that the sultry actress turned down marriage proposal from her lover of many years, who proposed to her on St Valentine’s

Fashola Bans Mini Skirts, Approves Dress Code For Men

Governor Babatunde Fashola’s administration has banned indecent dressing among female public servants.

All forms of dresses that expose breasts, contours and other sensitive female body parts have been outlawed.

The decision was taken as a result of worsening cases of indecent dressing among female public servants at the Lagos State Government Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, southwest Nigeria.

Omowunmi Akinnifesi’s new look

Omowunmi Akinnifesi

Former beauty queen Omowunmi Akinnifesi easily ranks among the most stylish ex-beauty queens. In her 20s, Omowunmi who holds a Master’s degree from King’s College,

I am not afraid to show my body— Emma Nyra

Obi a .k.a -Emma Nyra transformed right in front of our eyes from being just another female act to becoming one of the sexiest damsels in Nigeria’s entertainment. Armed with an unquenchable passion for her craft, and a soulful voice, the award winning singer opens up in this interview about her contract with Tripple MG, her relationship with the sensational Iyanya, the sexiest part of her body and her celebrity crush. Was it difficult breaking into the Nigerian music industry?My experience has been memorable. I noticed that when I was in America pushing my music, it was difficult for the music to now move to Nigeria.

I am happy Nigerians love what I do —Jide Kosoko

                                                                               Kosoko

If one rides a horse in the heart of veteran Nollywood actor, Prince Jide Kosoko, the rider would surely have a jolly ride.

This is because the actor, who turned 60 on January 12, has been receiving phone calls, text messages, prayers and accolades from fans, family members and colleagues. This development has gladdened his heart so much that he vowed not to relent in his tradition of entertaining Nigerians.

Perhaps, he underrated his popularity in the nation’s entertainment industry having been unable to get over the continuous encomiums on him from several quarters days after his birthday.

My ideal man must be handsome –Niyola

                                                                            Niyola

My name is Eniola Akinbo but for the purpose of my music, I am known as Niyola. I had a well-rounded childhood and my father was a very strong influence in my life. I have nine siblings and I’m the last child. I read books, played and got into trouble like every other child. I learned to be responsible early in life and this has helped me handle good and bad times.

Journey to music

Wearing pants to bed can harm you

Do you wear pants to bed? Many women would likely answer in the affirmative. However, experts say when a woman does so on a daily basis when it’s not necessarily because she is having her period, there may be untoward side effects to it!

Physicians aver that the female genital needs to breathe in order to maintain its PH levels and prevent fungi and odour. And that’s why doctors advise going bare below when it’s bed time at the close of day.

Part of the problem, says Family Physician, Dr. Grace Obong, is that during the day,

My disappointment with today’s Nollywood

 For two years, ageless beauty and veteran actress, Clarion Chukwurah took a break from acting to tour three countries following her position as a special UN peace envoy. She’s back in the country and upon her return, she bagged a prestigious award in recognition of her contribution towards the development of the Nigerian film industry.But in spite of all these,

I fasted seven days for movie role – Yvonne Enakhena

Yvonne Enakhena has all it takes to make it in the movie industry: the height, the figure and the burning desire but that didn’t seem to give her any edge as she had to wait in line like others to even get noticed. According to her she had to do the extraordinary to see her childhood dreams come true. Hear her story. Excerpts:

Please introduce yourself

PDP chair: Jonathan, govs choose Mu’azu

                                              A former Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu

A former Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, has been chosen as the new Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party by President Goodluck Jonathan and governors.

He will replace the former chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, who resigned from his position on Wednesday.

Mu’azu was picked as a consensus candidate at a meeting between President Goodluck Jonathan and the governors of the party at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Sunday night.

The meeting ended at 1:22 am on Monday (today) morning.

Tukur’s successor to emerge on Monday

                                                    President Goodluck Jonathan  

Barely 24 hours after President Goodluck Jonathan confirmed The exclusive report on the resignation of Dr. Bamanga Tukur as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, the search for his successor has begun.

Among those who have shown interest in the post are the former National Publicity Secretary of the party, Prof. Rufai Alkali from Gombe State); a former Acting National Secretary of the PDP, Dr. Musa Babayo (Bauchi); and an ex- Minister of Commerce, Amb. Idris Waziri (Taraba).

We also gathered that a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Ibrahim Bunu (Borno) and the Minister of Transport, Sen. Idris Umar, who is believed to be the choice of Patience Jonathan, are also in the race.

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.