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Searching for gold may not be such a hopeless thing to do, if you know where to look. Apparently a local prospector in Ballarat, Australia knew where to look, as he has found a gold nugget weighing 5.5 kilograms, worth up to half a million dollars.

The name of the lucky man, who discovered the precious nugget, is being kept secret, the Courier newspaper reports.

Experts at the Ballarat Mining Exchange Gold Shop, who took the gold nugget for evaluation, say it was found about 60 centimeters below the surface of the earth. Gold nuggets of such enormous size are extremely rare.

The amateur gold-hunter reportedly used a cutting edge $6000 detector that helped him make the find of his life.

According to the gold shop owner Cordell Kent, if the nugget was sold just on the basis of gold content it’s market value would be around $300,000. However its size and natural shape make it worth more than that.If you are silly enough to melt it down, it would be worth just under $300,000 on market value but as a nugget at this size and shape, it’s worth significantly more than that,” he said. ”A finding like this gives people hope. It’s my dream to find something like that, and I’ve been prospecting for more than two decades,
SOURCE

He started out as a music producer. But when it was time to kick off his career as a rapper, Abudulrasheed Bello chose to be called Johnny Just Come (JJC).

From his days as the founder of the group, JJC and the 419 Squad, which had D’banj and Don Jazzy as members, till now when he is a solo artiste, this musician who is also known as Skillz has remained relevant in the scheme of things.

While most artistes who started out in 1999 like he did are panting for breath, JJC just scored another hit with African Skank. His earlier single, We Are Africans still draws music lovers to the dance floor. In this interview with TS Weekend, the KORA award winning rapper talks about almost everything from his love life, religion, career and to why it makes sense trying catching up with those he once taught how to play music.

TODAY IS SUNDAY, DID YOU GO TO CHURCH?

No, I didn’t. I went clubbing yesterday. So I slept late. I couldn’t go to church and this question kind of makes me feel guilty.

DOES THIS MEAN YOU ARE THE CHURCH GOING TYPE?

I actually have a colourful background. We are 13 in my family. I am in the middle. I am a born-again in the sense that I was born a Muslim but I do go to church. I believe in God and I pray in the Muslim way. But I haven’t made up my mind (which religion to adhere to).

SO, IT WON’T BE WRONG TO SAY YOU AREN’T STRICT WHEN IT COMES TO RELIGION?

I am not strict about religion. My mum is Christian while my father is Muslim. Every Sunday, I learn about both Christianity and Islam. My brothers and sisters argue back and forth about both religions. The atheists in the family do chip in on the arguments. So you could say that we are a family of free thinkers. We were raised not being extreme about religion.

THE LAST 13 YEARS HAVE BEEN GREAT FOR NIGERIAN MUSIC. AS ONE OF THE EARLY STARTERS, DID YOU ENVISAGE THAT THE INDUSTRY WOULD GET THIS BIG?

I started doing music for Nigeria in 1998/1999. But I had my breakthrough in 2000 with the winning of the MOBO award. At that time when I started, I felt that the Nigerian music industry was amateurish. I did the best I could to contribute to the growth of the industry from London. And I also came home to promote the industry through different ways, including training artistes. But I knew that the music industry would grow. There is nothing that you work on diligently that doesn’t get better with time. I guess that’s why I did songs to inspire people, songs like Nigeria Is The Best Land. I remember people looking at me like I was crazy singing a song like that. They used to tell me that I could sing a song like that because I lived in England. But I used to tell them that if they could only look into the future, they would see that Nigeria is indeed the best land especially when it comes to the music industry. Fortunately for us, we own the industry, unlike in England where big international companies are in control.

YOU AND SOME OTHER GUYS ARE FORERUNNERS OF HIP HOP IN NIGERIA. BUT MOST OF YOU AREN’T IN THE FRONT NOW. HOW DOES THIS MAKE YOU FEEL AND DO YOU THINK YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS ARE APPRECIATED?

One I thing I know is that one has to work hard and leave the rest to God. He is the one that determines what happens. Like you said, there are some of us who led the way and are still in the game with the rave acts. Judging by what you said, I shouldn’t complain. If someone like you could mention my name and other pioneers like Eldee, Kennis Music and DJ Jimmy Jatt as the guys who laid the foundation, then, I cannot complain. Even if you look at the hip-hop scene in America, it is not the forefathers of the genre that are reaping from it today. I am like those guys in America. Just like me, that they aren’t the rave act doesn’t mean that they have resigned to fate. They still re-organise themselves to be relevant in the industry that they helped to build. The music industry is all about rejuvenating oneself.

DO YOU EVER GET TIRED OF REPACKAGING YOURSELF TO FIT WITH NEW TRENDS?

I actually had a similar conversation with some younger colleagues recently. They expressed surprise over how I still have vigour for the industry. They told me I promote my music like an upcoming artiste. They asked if I didn’t know I was JJC. I don’t see things that way. Rather, I am grateful that I am still around kicking things with the younger artistes. I am happy that I can still do all I need to do to be relevant. It is really not hard to understand because I am doing the same things all artistes need to do. I perform at shows. I go on radio; I am in the print media and social media to talk about my music.

Just like in the beginning, I want to create a fan-base that will support me in the next 20 years. I want to be like the Rolling Stones and The Beatles who have fans cutting across four generations. It is only in Nigeria that people will expect that after releasing certain number of albums, you retire or start doing something else. I am not for that ideology because music is all I know. I loved doing music, I love doing music and I will continue to love doing music.

OBVIOUSLY, YOU LOVE THE MUSIC BUSINESS. BUT HAS IT BEEN FINANCIALLY REWARDING?

I have been fortunate in the sense that aside from succeeding in making a career from music, I have made money. I have been able to build houses from music. I am fortunate to have been brought up in the UK. I feel for majority of Nigerian artistes, because over here it is hard to make money from music. Here, you have to spend a lot to get noticed. In Nigeria when your song is aired on radio or TV, you don’t get paid royalty. In some cases, the artiste has to pay for his/her song to be played. So, in most cases, Nigerian artistes work so hard when they should be enjoying what they do. For me, I have had my good and bad times in Nigeria. I am at the verge of going to the next stage of my career, the stage where Tuface, P-Square and D’banj are. These guys enjoy corporate branding. They have gotten to the level where powerful people are willing to collaborate with them because they know that these guys have a large fan base.

PEOPLE WOULD WONDER IF IT IS A GOOD THING FOR YOU TO ASPIRE TO BE LIKE D’BANJ, WHEN YOU GROOMED DON JAZZY, WHO IN TURN CREATED THE KOKO MASTER’S SOUND?

I don’t see anything wrong with it. Rather, it is a good story to tell that a teacher learns from his student. I was brought up with the mentality that there is nothing strange about teaching someone and he progresses so much that you can pick a few things from him. It is high time we started thinking that way in Nigeria. I applaud D’banj for what he has been able to achieve. He is a big brand. I doubt if I ask people walking on the street right now and they would say they don’t know who D’banj is. We should celebrate him and the others that have made Nigerian and African music global. Life is like a circle. I was like them years back and I helped them get into the game. Now, there are leading acts and I am studying their style to see what I can get from them so that I can get back into the lead.

LAST YEAR, YOU CAME OUT TO DEFEND YOURSELF WHEN D’BANJ SAID THAT HE WOULDN’T CHEAT DON JAZZY LIKE YOU DID. HERE YOU ARE COMMENDING HIM. HAVE YOU GUYS SETTLED AFTER THAT EPISODE?

I haven’t seen D’banj after what happened. But the air has been cleared between both camps. I have gotten several emails from common friends and I can tell you there is no bad blood between us. I guess it is just the way people like to do things in Nigeria. They want to know who is fighting who. For me, we are all brothers who should work together to promote the Nigerian brand.

YOU ALWAYS DO SONGS TO PROMOTE AFRICA AND NIGERIA. IS THIS YOUR OWN WAY OF BRANDING YOUR MUSIC IN A PLACE LIKE EUROPE?

When I started out as a producer, I did all kinds of music. I did club music, s*x music and other kinds of music. But when I decided to create the foundation for my career and the character, which I would play, which is Johnny Just Come (JJC), I knew my music will standout. My story had to be about a Nigerian who hadn’t forgotten home. When I started out, it was the time that Nigerians weren’t finding it easy with the UK government. At that time, people were stopped and searched on the streets. You had to have your passport on you. People didn’t want to be identified as Nigerians but I was singing about Nigeria. But now people aren’t afraid to identify themselves as Nigerians anymore. I am happy I was a beacon of hope for Nigerians when things got tough in England.

YOU ARE A SINGER/PRODUCER AND YOU ALSO ARE A LABEL EXECUTIVE. WHICH ONE OF THESE THREE ROLES IS YOUR FAVOURITE?

I love being on stage. But my best moments are when I am teaching others. I feel great when I meet people and they tell how I taught them this or that thing in music. I meet people on the train or at shows and they tell me how big they have become from when I taught them a skill that got them where they are. Look at the D’banj story. Five to six years after we were together, he turned out to be a success story.

WHO IS THAT PROTÉGÉ THAT GOT THE BEST OF YOU?

I will say Don Jazzy because we were more like friends. We used to hang out a lot. We partied together. And he is the person who shares my ideology that we need to inspire artistes. We might not be close now but I see all the good stuff he is doing by discovering talented artistes and producers. I hope these people he has discovered will also pass down the knowledge to the next generation.

ARE YOU MARRIED?

At this point I am not married.
SOURCE

G.O.O.D music boss, Kanye West and reality TV star Kim Kardashian are planning to exchange vows in a pledged ceremony.

Kim who is expecting her first child can’t have a proper wedding because her divorce from her ex-husband Kris Humphries hasn’t been finalized. The couple has decided to hold a commitment ceremony, where they will declare vows and exchange rings.

A source close to Kanye has revealed: “Kanye is very traditional. He’d have liked to marry Kim now they are having a baby. But with Kim still married to someone else, there is not much he can do. It won’t be official like a wedding because Kanye wants that to be extra special when the time comes. But they will still exchange rings – they just won’t wear them on their wedding fingers.”

The ceremony will take place at a mansion in Malibu. An insider said the event would be “a lot more low-key than a wedding”.

Kim, 32, and Kanye, 35, announced their news at the beginning of the year. The baby is thought to be due at the end of June and the couple has already started preparing by splashing out on a family home in Bel Air
culled from here

It’s a long way from Okokomaiko, where he grew up. And in between being just another kid full of dreams and becoming one of Nigeria’s hottest young stars, he’s had a full life. He’s studied zoology at Lagos State University, been a serious member of a 3-man band, written and composed nearly a hundred songs, and released an album.
Then he got signed to Chocolate City.
And with the release Son Of A Kapenta, his sophomore album and first under Chocolate City, he’s cementing his stand as a voice determined to barge in, get your attention and keep you listening.



His lead single ‘Ara’ won the Recording of the year at The Headies and Most gifted Afro Pop Video at the Channel O Awards.
In this interview he talks about growing up, stardom and how it seems everything has only been leading up to now.

Interview...

Your album dropped November last year. How’s it been since then?
It’s been amazing. For one we are getting good reviews, and the marketer is not complaining. *laughs* But basically, I don’t think I want to evaluate the album yet until I make more videos and see how far that goes.

How many videos are you planning to shoot?
At least another 2.

‘Ara’ won the award for Best Afro Pop Video at the Channel O Awards. What was that moment like?
I was there sitting beside Sam, my manager. I think I was to present an award so I was waiting to go backstage. And then they just announced that I won an award. It was a great moment. To add to that I was looking extra fly. I dug out one costume like that. *laughs*

So this year…What’s the plan?
Um, aside from my videos, there’s going to be a lot of promotion. I’m hoping the album does well… I’m hoping that the work on the album is actually good enough to get me where I need to be.

Basically I’m just going to promote and promote and promote.

It’s a very good album. How long were you working on it for?
Pretty much from 2012. I remember having that conversation with MI. He asked me what I would call it and I said, “Son of a Kapenta.” He was like: “Nice one.”

That was like June, July 2010.

So I was able to build around it… The most amazing thing however was during the recording process, as soon as I recorded a song, I would immediately know if it was going to make the album. I didn’t know how many songs in all were going to be in it. But all the songs I was going to use I actually picked them out during recording.

I tried to record as much as possible during a one year period. So if I could still like a song after some months I knew it was a good one. So I would record, leave it in the studio and then go back and listen. Every time I came back to it, I’d listen and listen and listen again. I figured if I could like it still after all that time- my own song- and not get tired, people would like them too.

Ideas kept coming in. It was an amazing experience.

What’s the hardest part of making music for you?
The biggest problem artistes face is that final moment of just reconciling your music with yourself. It is designed in such a way that the musician is like a storyteller. Storytelling is a core part of music. So the most difficult part for most artistes is accepting the person that you are and sharing with the world.

When I was recording my first album, I didn’t know how to put melody to stuff that had happened to me. So I would just come up with stories. So when people listened to the song, they’d just hear the story, with no soul.

No matter how much success one is looking for, as long as you look inward, and you’re honest, people can relate.

And the bulk of the time, when you share something with people, it sort of sets you free.

So making an album was like documenting a chapter of my life. When you close it, it’s supposed to become part of your history. It just becomes a part of who you were.

What’s the biggest blessing about stardom?

I believe stardom is quite amazing. When I was about 10, I was in trouble with my dad a lot. So he forced me to go to Arabic school. Within two years I was meant to graduate. It’s usually a very big ceremony. We were supposed to have memorized the entire Koran by then and reciting a portion was part of the ceremony. About a thousand guests were present because people’s entire families, I mean families, used to show up. When I was called upon, I was walking out and the Imam said, “Stop. Go back. Do that walk again.” So I did. And the Imam said: “See this one. He has swag.”

And everybody laughed. When it was my turn to recite, I started and I could hear everybody going still.

They practically paused the event after I was done and started saying this one is special. He’s good. It was a moment for me. For me at the time, it was just too much energy that I had to put somewhere else. Like: Okay if I do this will they let me do something else?

For me, I think that was my first exposure to what fame was like. To me it meant a lot.

Stardom, as shocking as it is, it’s a function of something else. A function of music. If I didn’t make music nobody would care.

But then on the other hand, it’s an amazing experience. All the people you admired… All the people you looked up to… you see yourself becoming them. It’s such a beautiful experience that you can actually get lost in it.

Every single thing that people work for: Respect, love… You get it for free. Men, women, children…Everybody loves you. They see you somewhere and walk up to you “Hi, I really like your song!” They forgive your mistakes.

What’s on your playlist right now?
I intentionally make sure there are Nigerian songs Tuface, Asa…some MI… Also a few Nigerian’s outside the country: Sade, Lemar. Then John Mayer and Frank Ocean. Frank Ocean. I also had a feel of local music when I was growing up. Listened to Fuji, Juju etc so that influences me too.

What’s been the moment you looked back and were like: ‘Na me be this’?
There was a day I was performing at Eko Hotel and when Ara played the place practically shut down. One of my most effortless performances. The type where people are just screaming your lyrics from beginning to end. And you’re just on stage.

Everybody stood up and I was just wow. Wow. Wow.

SOURCE

This list was said to have been culled from Encomium magazine, and it is quite revealing. The magazine wrote thus:
More exciting revelations have emerged that the penchant for private jets acquisition has cost wealthy Nigerians over N1 trillion in five years. The luxury trend actually rose by 650% between 2007 and 2012, this has increased the rate of private jet acquisition from 20 in 2007 to over 150 in 2012 which has placed Nigeria and china as the fastest growing private jets markets in the world.

Top ten private jets by wealthy Nigerians.
Type Price Owner
1. Falcons 7X. $51m(N8.2billion) Mike Adenuga
2. Bombardier Global 6000 $45.5m(N7.3billion) Unknown
3. Bombardier Global Express 5000 $45m(N7.2billion) Aliko Dangote
4. Gulfstream G550 $40m(N6.4billion) Bishop Oyedepo
5. Gulfstream V $30m(N4.8billion) Bishop Oyedepo & Pastor Adeboye

6. Bombardier Challenger 604 $30m(N4.8b) Mike Adenuga
7. Embracer Legacy 650 $30m (N4.8b) Ifeanyi Uba
8. Hawker 900XP $20m(N3.2b) Dr Kashim and Sir Aremu Johnson
9. Gulfstream G450 $15m(N2.4b) Bishop oyedepo
10. LearJet $13.3m (N2.1b) Bishop Oyedepo and Dr Kashim
cc:http:///rNC9

Dbanj has officially apologized for the poor management of d koko concert..he hopes his fans would forgive him and continue to support him.....well to all of those who went do u forgive him?

cc: http:///rN3s

SuperSports have compiled a list of Nigeria’s 50 greatest football players of all time, the list which includes football greats such as Kanu Nwankwo and Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha is reproduced below.

1. Nwankwo Kanu
2. Austin Okocha
3. Sunday Oliseh
4. Rashidi Yekini
5. Segun Odegbami
6. Stephen Keshi
7. Emmanuel Amuneke
8. Finidi George
9. Christian Chukwu
10. Muda lawal
11. Peter Rufai
12. Daniel Amokachi
13. Taribo West
14. Uche Okechukwu
15. Teslim “Thunder”Balogun
16. Victor Ikpeba
17. Samson Siasia
18. Adokiye Amiesimaka
19. Vincent Enyeama
20. Celestine Babayaro
21. Thomson Usiyan
22. Taiye ‘Taiwo
23. Henry Nwosu
24. Emmanuel Okala
25. Felix Owolabi
26. Haruna Ilerika
27. Joseph Yobo
28. Aloysius Atuegbu
29. Richard Owubokiri
30. Elkanah Onyeali
31. Patrick Ekeji
32. Best Ogedengbe
33. Bright Omokaro
34. Peter Anieke
35. Yisa Shofoluwe
36. Ben Iroha
37. Julius Aghahowa
38. Osaze Odemwingie
39. Albert Onyeawuna
40. Augustine Eguavoen
41. Yisa Shofoluwe
42. Obafemi Martins
43. Yakubu Aiyegbeni
44. Tijani Babangida
45. Tony Igwe
46. John Obi Mikel
47. Sam Garba Okoye
48. Friday Okoh
49. Etim Esin
50. Dan Anyiam
cc:http:///rLwD

It is no longer news that Davido is a teen superstar in his own right and neither is it news that his father is a billionaire and supports his music. But what you may not know is Davido’s father, Dr Deji Adeleke, is so interested in his son’s music career that he will do whatever it takes to ensure the popstar honours his contract obligation with show promoters/organizers.

If you recall, yesterday, 27th December, was the much anticipated day for the annual Koko concert in Eko Atlantic City Lagos, organized by Dbanj and Davido was billed to perform there alongside other superstars. But it was a tricky situation for the young singer because he also had a show billed for the same night in Accra Ghana – he had to perform at both shows only if the venues were in the same city.

Enter Dr Adeleke. To save his son the stress of long queues, security and flight schedules and even delays associated with commercial flights, Davido’s father leased a private jet, yes, you read correctly a private jet for his last son so he could easily perform in two different countries in one night.

And this piece of information was revealed by none other than friend of the Adelekes and renowned publisher/journalist, Dr Dele Momodu, in a tweet. He wrote: “Dele Momodu Ovation @DeleMomodu Davido’ Dad Dr Adeleke is a gentleman. Davido is performing in Accra tonite & he wants his son to play at Koko concert. He provided a jet!”
cc:http:///rKBU

The shocking spate of insecurity in the nation is assuming a more worrisome dimension by the day as Professor Hyacinth Ngong Mbibu, Head of Department of Surgery of the largest University in Africa, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria was shot dead on Thursday evening by unknown gunmen.

DailyPost gathered that the University Don was on his way home at about 8.30pm after attending to his patients at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital ABUTH, Shika, Zaria when he was attacked and killed by his assailants.

It was also gathered that a ABUTH nurse whom he assisted in his car from the teaching hospital’s gate was also shot in her arm but presently on admission at the hospital.

Prof Mbibu until his death was among the coordinators of the West African
College of Surgeons, a Visiting Urological Surgeon, Armed Forces Hospital, a Reader, Surgery Department, ABU-Zaria , and also a Visiting Lecturer at Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto.
CC:http:///rK9v

The name Wizkid is right now about the hottest in the entertainment industry in Nigeria. The young man, whose real name is Ayo Balogun, speaks on how he met Banky W, his plans, the deal with Akon and his speculated rivalry with Davido.

You dropped the Thank You single some days ago. What was the motive? –
After having a successful year and touring the United Kingdom and the United States and going everywhere for shows, I feel it’s just right that at the end of the year, I say thank you to my fans that have shown me love and support. I know it’s just my little way because I can’t go to everybody and say thank you; so I decided to do a song and appreciate my fans and friends.


2012 has been a wonderful year for you. How do you feel? -
I’m thankful to God and my fans; they’ve bought my CDs. I’m just on my first album and I’ve done a lot with it. I feel so blessed and I know it’s the grace of God, the support of my fans and my hard work.


People always commend your stagecraft. Looking at you now, you look very different from what we used to see on the stage. Is there anything you do to boost your performance? –
When I’m on stage, it’s different from when I’m just Wizkid. Once I step on stage and get the microphone to perform my songs, the energy I feel from the crowd is enough to get me going. It’s different because this is what I love to do; so it’s definitely going to be different from who I am. It’s not that I’m a loud person or that I jump up and down, but in my performance, I always give my best.


Why do you always re-echo your past in some of your songs? –
Because I want people to know. A lot of people see me and they don’t think I’ve gone through anything tough in my life; they see me and feel I just woke up one morning and started making money. Not a lot of people saw me when I was walking the streets of Surulere. So I need people to know that I didn’t just get things for free. Nobody gave me anything, my parents gave me nothing. This is something I did for myself. I took a loan from my friends, I jumped my books for loans and nobody saw that part of the hustle, and I think it’s just relevant for me to point it out so that my fans will be sure of where I came from.


Did you really envisage this sudden success? -
I was working hard and preparing myself for the success that would come. I wasn’t thinking I wanted to be bigger than anybody; I just wanted to be able to feed myself and my family, live a good life and make music – which I love to do.


When did you finally decide you were going to do music? –
I started when I was 11 years, in church; and from then on, I’ve been in love with music, and everybody in my family knows that. I dropped an album in church. I performed in church. I go from church to church for performance. I did a couple of concerts and later, when I told my parents that I wanted to take music serious, they refused. They told me if I wanted to do this professionally, I had to stay in school. I had to stay in school and again do music professionally. So, it was like a double task for me. I’m thankful to God for where I am now.

Starting from the church to secular music, what was the transition like? –
If you listen to my songs, you will see I’m always thankful to God. My relationship with God is private; it’s between me and God and I don’t feel anybody should come and judge based on what I do. The music I make is for the pleasure of it. The music I make, I thank my God as well.


You said your parents wanted you to go to school. When are you fulfilling that?
– I’ve fulfilled it already. I was in university and I left in my second year. Before I left, I was doing very fine academically and my parents had no problem with that; but when the music and the brand became bigger, I couldn’t stay in class because people were mobbing me. It got really crazy and I don’t think there is any university I will go in Nigeria without getting mobbed. So, I just had to take a break from school and focus on my music for now.


Meeting Banky W was a turning point in your life. How exactly did you meet? –
We met at the show. It was a friendship thing, and later he said he thought we could do business. We started talking. There are some things you can’t really explain. We started flowing and I think that was how God planned it to happen.


Listening to your music, one will easily experience a blend of different genres of music. What can you call your biggest musical influence? -
My biggest musical influence is definitely Fela. Everytime Fela gets on stage to perform, you can’t hear his song and not be blown away. So, I just felt I wanted my own song to be a little different. I grew up listening to a lot of songs; my dad played a lot of Sunny Ade and Ebenezer Obey. So, growing up [the influence], was just kind of subconscious. It stuck to my head. This has really helped me because I draw inspirations from songs I listen to and create my kind of music.


What are you working on now? –
My second album is ready. I’m waiting for us to finish the campaign. I’m going to drop my album next year; it’s ready. I’m always working, so I have ready-to-go songs a lot. I think this new album will be a better album than what we had last year. Sometimes when I listen to some of my songs, I feel like I should have done it better; but there is still time for that.


Are you still working with Samklef this time around? –
I work with everybody. The reason Samklef had more songs on my album last year was because I chose all the songs I recorded with him. Though I worked with other people, the songs I did with him were the ones I really liked. Samklef is my guy and I work with him and I still work with a lot of people. I work with anybody that has a good beat.


Don Jazzy tweeted that you were in the studio with him. Is this part of what to expect? –
Yes. My first single I’ll drop in January is produced by Don Jazzy.


What’s the experience with him in the studio? –
I’ve known Don Jazzy since I got into the industry. He was there when I performed majorly for the first time on stage and we’ve been friends since then. He is like a brother, and for us to just be getting into the studio together is something long overdue. We’ve been trying to work together for years, I feel great.


Wizkid is a very popular name at the moment. How have you been coping with the fame? –
Sometimes I feel bad that I can’t walk on the streets freely; I feel bad I can’t walk like the normal boy I was in Surulere then without attention. But for me getting acknowledged based on my hard work, it’s a good feeling and I know everything is a blessing.


Celebrity’s life is always considered as ephemeral. Are you putting something down for the future? – Every smart person will do that. Investment is very key and I know I’m not going to be jumping around as Wizkid for the rest of my life. In 10 years’ time I might not be doing this if I know I’ve made a lot of money. I wouldn’t be jumping on stage. I can stay in my house and produce music. Investment is key; so I’m doing that. I’m doing a lot of merchandise next year, but the real business is very personal.


How will you discipline yourself from making fame and money get into your head? –
I know what it feels like not to have [a presence]. I grew up like that, and for me to now have it and start acting up will mean I’m a fool. I think it would be senseless for a boy like me that works hard to make money, to blow it. It’s a personal decision I took for myself; it’s how I grew up and I won’t say I’m Wizkid and go and jump off the bridge or do something crazy. I love what I do and I understand it. I can’t allow anything to get into my head.

Can we take a peep into the EME family? You live together? -
We used to live together, but we don’t live together anymore. But we work together and use the same studio everyday. The relationship with EME is crazy; our work ethic is mad because we are always working.

For someone that works hard, how do you relax? -
I don’t get enough rest, but I try to sleep anytime there is chance. Right now, I don’t think it’s time to sleep, because I’m still trying to build a brand globally. My relaxation time will soon come.


What’s really the relationship with Akon? –
It’s a work relationship and a friendship. Akon is like a big brother to me. When he heard my stuff, it took us a year to actually finish all the documents. We’ve been talking for a year back and forth, signing law documents and so on just to make the stuff works. I feel Akon came at the right time because when he heard my music, he just wanted to work with me when he realised how talented I am. And I went to America to work with him as well. We did a lot of collabos. Our relationship is very cool and I feel he sees a younger me in him. There is a new album coming out, Stardom, which I featured in.

Fame comes with women. How do you manage yours? –
Same way all other artistes manage theirs.

It can’t be! – I show love to everybody. I’m not stupid.


You once mentioned your mum was the only woman in your life. Is it still like that? – Yes. I’m still very single. My mum is still my girlfriend; till I find that woman I can call mine.


Who are the people you look up to in the industry? –
D’banj and Tuface are my biggest inspirations ever in the Nigerian music industry, and the only people I do shows with a lot in the industry. Definitely, I have to perform before D’banj or Tuface. I look up to them and watch their performances. It motivates me a lot. Tuface is a legend; I grew up listening to him when I was in secondary school. I was following Tuface, and for me to be performing on the stage right now with him is a blessing.


What’s your relationship with your peers in the industry? There is some talk that there is a rivalry between you and Davido. –
I think it’s the media and the fans that are trying to create what I will call an entertainment. There is nothing like that in Nigeria right now. When I came out, everybody was comparing me to Wande Coal, until now that they all know me as Wizkid. If they compare me to him, it means I’ve done well.

Don’t you feel challenged? –
I’m still making money and getting shows, so why should I be bothered about anybody’s success? I’m very straightforward and the sky is big enough for everybody to fly. You get your money and I get my money. Before now Tuface was there and he was collecting money, now I’m collecting money too. Will Tuface be mad at me for making money? It’s not possible.

Source

Karen is spending the holidays with her family.
cc: http:///rIJm

It has been hailed as the best Carnival in this part of the world and we doubt anyone can dispute that. We bring you pictures from the ongoing Calabar Carnival taking place in Cross River.

Please see the photos below:
and more SOURCE

The disengaged workers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria have declared that the sum of N170bn provided by the Federal Government as their severance pay is grossly inadequate.

The Secretary-General of the National Union of Electricity Employees, Mr Joe Ajaero, said that the government had contradicted itself by saying that it would pay about N170bnn to the workers when the workers had demanded an amount in excess of N500bn. He also said that all issues had not been resolved, despite the reaching of an agreement with the government.

He also said that the mention of N170bn by the Ministry of Power as the money set aside for staff entitlements clearly showed them as people with stiff positions.

“For avoidance of doubt and from the result of the agreement, the staff accrued pay-off is above N500bn and one component of the pay-off is more than N170bn,” he said.

He said that the ministry was aiming at creating confusion and insisted that nothing the government does would make the workers back down.

“As a union, we want to assure the executives of the ministry who increased military presence at PHCN installations over the past few days, that we are more than committed to resist any attempt by anti-worker agents to short-change the workers, or even contemplate batch payment as was used against NITEL workers.”

He advised PHCN workers not to open Retirement Savings Account until there is an actuarial valuation carried out by bodies endorsed by their representatives.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Power, Dr Dere Awosika, had recently said in Lagos during a power summit that the Federal Government would pay N170bn as pensions and gratuities to the workers.

However, the President-General, SSAEAC, Mr Bede Opara, said no worker would allow any investor take over any PHCN outlet pending the settlement of all agreements.

“Labour and the Federal Government have reached a resolution, but we are now waiting for implementation. It is after the implementation that investors will be allowed to come and take over what they have bought,” he said.

http:///0dy6c

POPE Benedict XVI while delivering the Vatican traditional Christmas Day message from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on Tuesday, called for an end to “savage acts of terrorism” in Nigeria and the slaughter of the “defenseless” in Syria.

The 85-year-old pontiff also called for the return of peace to Mali.

“This good earth exists, and today too, in 2012, from this earth truth has sprung up! Consequently, there is hope in the world, a hope in which we can trust, even at the most difficult times and in the most difficult situations.

“May the birth of Christ favour the return of peace in Mali and that of concord in Nigeria, where savage acts of terrorism continue to reap victims, particularly among Christians.

“Yes, May peace spring up for the people of Syria deeply wounded and divided by a conflict which does not spare even the defenseless and reaps innocent victims.”

“Once again I appeal for an end to the bloodshed, easier access for the relief of refugees and the displaced, and dialogue in the pursuit of a political solution to the conflict” he said.

In Nigeria, AFP reports that the Islamist sect Boko Haram has killed hundreds in its campaign to impose Sharia Law in the North, targeting a number of churches.

The group has often targeted churches in its bloody insurgency, as well as police and other symbols of the establishment in the North.

In Mali, a mix of Islamists with links to al Qaeda have occupied the country’s north since April, destroying much of the region’s religious heritage. They have also carried out amputations to help impose strict Islamic law on a population that has practiced a more moderate form of Islam for centuries.

The leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Roman Catholics, prayed for “Israelis and Palestinians (to be granted the) courage to end long years of conflict and division, and to embark resolutely on the path of negotiation.”

The Pope also prayed for “help and comfort to the refugees from the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo”, where a rebel campaign caused tens of thousands to flee their homes, and peace in Kenya, “where brutal attacks have struck the civilian population and places of worship”.

Benedict said, “May peace spring up in the land where the Redeemer was born, and May he grant Israelis and Palestinians courage to end long years of conflict and division and embark resolutely on the path of negotiation.”

Regarding China, where there have been tensions this year between the Catholic Church and Chinese authorities over the oversight of church leaders there, Benedict called for expanded freedom of religion.
cc:http:///FOo5Ow

The online storms that brew this week over the prophecy of Nigerian Pastor T.B. Joshua about the crash that ended the lives of Governor Yakowa and General Azazi seem to be slowly abating.

As the news of the tragic deaths reverberated nationwide, Joshua released a controversial video on youtube which claimed he had predicted the incident and details relating to it on four different occasions. However, I still feel the need to air my views, furnished by contextual consideration, as the dust settles on the heated debates within social media that were triggered by the prophecy.

Understandably, the video drew its fair share of criticism, the major bone of contention in the minds of viewers and observers being Joshua’s continued proficiency in predicting negative events and his seeming inability to change them after such revelations come forth. I can well understand this mindset, having been one of Joshua’s most skeptical distant observers for long. However, it was last year when my brother fell mysteriously sick that I was basically ‘forced’ to look in Joshua’s direction for help. Doctors told me he had a treatable kidney infection but what I saw was my brother transform from a healthy, vibrant young man to an almost unrecognisable emaciated figure in literally two months, on the verge of death.

After exhausting medical treatment, a good friend of mine advised me to take him to The SCOAN for prayer. Circumstantially driven, I acceded and financed his wife to take him there. Three weeks later, my brother was back on his feet, eating well and regaining his lost vigour. Thus, my interest in Emmanuel TV was born, and I must confess, it has slowly become my daily spiritual food and a constant source of discussion and wonder within our home.

I don’t claim to completely understand T.B. Joshua’s ministry at The SCOAN. On the contrary, many of the things I see there on Emmanuel TV (especially the deliverance)baffle me. However, I have seen enough to know that Joshua is a humble servant of God with quite extraordinary powers he is unequivocally using to uplift society. In my view, he is the best pastor to have come from these shores – with an uncompromising message of salvation, an admirable array of charitable projects and real solutions provided to people who come with myriads of diverse problems.

So, on the argument dealing with his tendency to deliver ‘negative’ predictions, I think this is a case of blaming the messenger for delivering his message. It is sadly indicative of the state of our society and nation and the type of seed we have collectively been planting. As one commenter on the issues arising from Joshua’s prophecy opined, “It’s the prophecies of prosperity and ‘it shall be well with the abominable’ that has destroyed any remaining chance for Nigeria’s restructuring. The ‘prophecy of doom’ is to the sharpening of man… Let those who prophesy prosperity tell us what has come of it save the acute and nauseating love for money which, as the Holy Book says, is the root of all evil.”

Everyone wants to hear good tidings but how many are genuinely pursuing a righteous and just course that will amalgamate in a tide-turning shift within Nigeria’s political and socio-economic landscape. God cannot break His own Divine statutes, set in stone from the earth’s formation, the principle of seed-time and harvest.

If we continue to harbour corruption, celebrate decadence and have a compromising conflict of deeds and words, what then do we expect God to reveal to His servants about our future? Indeed, a flick through our national dailies reveals enough about the actions and attitude of our nation, its leaders and inhabitants, especially that of our youth, to know that a bleak future awaits us unless there is a radical change.

On Joshua’s revelation without apparent corresponding action and subsequent redemption, I believe the majority of people who heard about the prophecy and quickly drew such abrasive conclusions never actually took the time out to watch the video released on YouTube to the very end. Joshua is very explicit in explaining this issue. He said, “I have been wrestling with certain things.

When I say, wrestle, it’s an issue that I keep praying and asking God, ‘What I’m seeing should be changed.’ But God said, ‘No, the whole nation should come together and pray’. So, when I’m hearing my country should come also and pray together, that is when I will come out and tell you what I am seeing in the vision.

When I see a vision and I know I can handle it myself, I don’t need to tell you. I will call the wise men and we’ll pray. But when I know that this thing is not possible for me alone and my people to do, I will come out to tell you that this is what I have seen.”

If our eyes were opened spiritually, perhaps we would be privy to see devastating events on the verge of occurring within Nigeria that were forestalled through the prayers of God’s people at SCOAN, the news of which will never reach our earthly ears. Aside from this, the prophet prayed and enjoined the nation to join him. Did we?

I believe many of those blindly criticising the prophet are not well versed with his ministry or accustomed to watching Emmanuel TV. This prophecy is not an isolated proclamation. Indeed, every week, Prophet Joshua prophesies to individuals in the church with uncanny speed, accuracy and consistency. Whether its prayer for the terminally ill, reconciliation of a broken family, deliverance of people under demonic oppression or charity to the widow, orphan and reformed militant, Prophet Joshua is settling real problems with real solutions. It seems to me both insolent and incoherent to suggest he is just a ‘prophet of doom’ who capitalises on misfortunes to project his name. Please, don’t base your view on a single news report.

On a related note, Pastor Enoch Adeboye whose global influence on his flock and command on the common Nigerian is almost inestimable prayed for President Jonathan in his Redeemed Camp just a few hours before the ill-fated crash. The question beckons, did he not have any such revelation about the tragic events on the verge of unfolding merely hours after his public prayer with the President knelt before him? If so, were his prayers effective? Respected Nigerian journalist Femi Adesina of The Sun Newspaper, wrote in his column this week, “Didn’t Pastor Adeboye see the crash as he prayed with President Jonathan? Didn’t the Lord reveal it to him? Couldn’t he have interceded, so that the monumental tragedy would be averted… ‘The secret of the Lord is with those that fear Him,’ says the Good Book. So, why didn’t the Lord confide in Adeboye about the Bayelsa crash, which was to happen some hours after Jonathan had come for prayers… I’m sure the pastor himself must have been somewhat embarrassed when he heard the news.”

The reason I write this is not to gloat or in any way suggest Adeboye’s spiritual incompetence. I just believe it’s time Nigeria recognises who is who in God’s vineyard. Baba Adeboye is a fine preacher but, in my own humble opinion, not a prophet. This is evidenced by his yearly prophetic declarations which are almost nonsensical in nature if perceived to be divinely inspired.

He declares simple biblical principles and realities of life and packages them with the title ‘prophecy’ on a yearly basis. It’s high time someone like Adeboye can publicly acknowledges God’s gift in his brother in the vineyard, instead of the baseless bickering, crude condemnation and pulpit-judgement that have caused division within the Nigerian church fold for far too long.

I believe our nation should recognise God’s voice in this trying time and acknowledge the potential pastors, who are genuinely doing God’s work, have to bring Divine direction to those in the helm of affairs in this nation, if they are willing to listen. Who knows – if President Jonathan had visited Joshua for prayer on that fateful day, perhaps Kaduna would still be with its Governor and the deaths of six men would have been averted..
cc:http://mrte.ch/n9z

Flashback:This was dbanjs 1st ever performance on stage...wellyou would agree he has really changed(What money can do)

On this day a new star was born to hip pop world ....dbanj kokomaster ejanla,The black mamba

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpVIj9e_hPs




view bankyw wizkid and others flashback here:http:///uLu

It’s no longer news that the ace Nigerian footballer is in a sizzling relationship with Mario Balotelli’s elder sister, Abigail BarwuashObafemi has been discreetly dating the Ghanaian lady, who he met in Spain a while back, for many months now. The lovers recently flew private jet to a remote Island in Europe for a romantic holiday before Obafemi flew home to Nigeria for Christmas.

People close to the very private Levante FC of Spain striker say he’s very serious with Abigail and that’s why he’s no longer hiding his relationship with her unlike previous relationships. They say he may be considering marriage.
cc:http://mrte.ch/na0

Praiz drops the visuals to the catchy Rich and Famous single.

Praiz will be ending the year on a high note with the release of his third consecutive video, this one for the hit single ‘Rich and Famous’.

The video simply tells a tale of a young upcoming star who thinks he’s ready for fame and fortune only to meet disappointment everywhere he turns. He then has his shot at fame and eventually succeeds.

The video was directed by Josh Clarke.

Expect Praiz who is signed to X3M Music release his debut album in 2013.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lp0CS6p0w7M&feature=player_embedded



DOWNLOAD TO MOBILE

Actress Nkiru Sylvanus, the special assistant on public affairs to the Imo State governor is yet to be found amidst unconfirmed indication that her kidnappers are demanding a N100m ransom for her release.

The popular actress was said to be abducted on Sunday morning in Owerri.

The photo below, taken by Kenneth Okoli, was purportedly taken while on location during a movie shoot a day before her abduction .
more@:http://www./nkiru-sylvanus…er-kidnapphoto/

Here’s something new from Skuki. It’s called “Necessity”.its a lovely tune i love it Check it out.
http://www./skuki-necessity/ ‎

vevcom media: have a video yet?

no not yet u like d song?

A Nigerian man was grabbed by police at Newark Airport on Saturday after police were tipped off that he planned to 'blow up' a Delta Airlines flight to Paris.

But authorities now believe that the information, that came from the suspect's wife, was a false accusation following nothing more than a domestic dispute.

The New York Post reports that Eunice Ukaegbu, 50, rang police on Okieze Ukaegbu, 58, because the couple had just had a big fight and she didn’t want him to leave the country without her.unice (pictured above) told the Post that she just thought she was just acting on her civic duty. 'He told me he was going to blow up the airplane. I did what an honest citizen would do,' she said.
The NJ nurse claims her husband 'is a little secretive.' Her story is that she first became concerned as Okieze had been acting distantly.

When she couldn't open his suitcase, Eunice felt she had to warn authorities. Police and federal agents rushed to the Ukaegbu family home in Union, New Jersey, to question the possible 'terrorist.'
Luckily for Okieze, the couple's daughter overheard the incident and rang her father to tell him that police were on the way to apprehend him at Newark Airport.

Okieze had already passed through security and was waiting for a Delta flight to Paris, the first leg of his trip to Nigeria.

He remained at Gate B45 until authorities arrived, then calmly told them that his wife was lying and had an 'alcohol problem.'

Police took Okieze in for questioning, pulled his luggage off the plane and checked it with bomb detection dogs.

This caused the man to miss his flight but sources at the Post claim other travelers did not experience significant delay.
more@:http://www./angry-nigerian…ir-had-a-fight/ ‎

n the real world, an influential person’s opinion is always sought after and re-echoed by many. These powerfully influential people can usually inform and help shape peoples opinions about a certain topic or issue.

On Twitter, these social influencers take on a more magnified dimension. With just 140 characters – the word limit of a tweet- they can send out a message to potentially thousands of people around the world cuasing an interaction that can be postive, negative, enlightening, inspiring or simply informative. Below we’ve identified the top 10 most influential Nigerians so far for the year 2012 on Twitter. You may not agree with this list because some people may have more followers and yet didn’t make it, but from our criteria these are Nigeria’s top 10 most influential folks on twitter in this order.

#1 Nasir El-rufai

Twitter Profile: “Chartered Quantity surveyor, Certified ruffler of feathers & opposition politician. My views about Nigeria based on 50+ years…… Retweets are NOT endorsements!!”

Twitter Handle: @elrufai

Average daily retweets: 90

Daily Handle Mentions: between 700 and 1000

Followers: 118,100+

#2 Don Jazzy

Twitter Profile: Music Producer and record label executive

Twitter handle: @DONJAZZY

Average daily retweets: 130

Daily Handle Mentions: between 500 and 700

Followers: 433,142

#3 Wizkid

Twitter Profile: STAR BOY!

Twitter Handle: @wizkidayo

Average daily retweets: 128

Daily Handle Mentions: between 300 and 500

Followers: 394,900+

#4 Banky W

Twitter Profile: They hit the high notes… I hit the right notes.

Twitter handle: @BankyW

Average daily retweets: 90

Daily Handle Mentions: between 300 and 500

Followers: 269,200+

#5 Innocent Idibia

Twitter Profile: Music and me. One life. One love

Twitter Handle: @2faceidibia

Average daily retweets : 80+

Daily handle mentions: between 300 and 500

Followers: 247,100+

#6 Tonto Dikeh

Twitter Profile: “Who eva said Succezz waz a slow procezz waz mos defntly not talking abt Mii/Businez tycoon/A petro/chemical engr/IAMNollywood*#IAMPOKO#Tlovethyself#I luv TerryG”

Twitter Handle: @Tontolet

Average daily retweets: 50+

Daily handle mentions: between 300 and 500

Followers: 116,000 +

#7 Japhet Omojuwa

Twitter profile: “I asked Google…….Guess what Google said………. {Retweets = endorsement} One City at a time……

Twitter Handle: @omojuwa

Average daily retweets: less than 30

Daily handle mentions: over 200

Followers: 43,000 +

#8 Eldee the Don

Twitter Profile: Song writer, record label exec, music producer and performing artist

Twitter Handle: @elDeeTheDon

Average daily retweets: 20+

Daily handle mentions: 200+

Followers: 223,760

#9 Linda Ikeji

Twitter Profile: Ex-model, entrepreneur and blogger

Twitter handle: @lindaikeji

Average daily retweets: 30+

Daily handle mentions: Over 200

Followers: 60,400+

#10 Dino Melaye

Twitter profile: ACN chieftain, former member house of representatives, human right activist, social worker.

Twitter Handle: @Dino_Melaye

Average daily retweets: N/A

Daily handle mentions: less than 200

Followers: 18,600+

Others that almost made the list;

#11 Gbenga Sesan

Twitter profile: African. Social Entrepreneur. ICT for Development (ICT4D) Consultant

Twitter Handle: @gbengasesan

Average daily retweets: 30+

Daily handle mentions: Less than 200

Followers: 17,700+...more@ http://www./the-ten-most-powerful-nigerians-on-twitter/

The Nigeria navy executive Agusta 109E helicopter, which crashed yesterday killing Kaduna State Governor Patrick Yakowa, former NSA Andrew Owoye Azazi and four others, had engine failure, naval sources have said.

SaharaReporters learned that the pilot of the helicopter communicated with the control tower in Port Harcourt to report the problem before it crashed to the ground and caught fire. The chopper belonged to the Nigeria navy, but it had been placed at the exclusive service of the president in the Niger Delta region.

The navy has had three Agusta 109E helicopters. In 2007, one of them crashed due to bad weather as it approached the Owerri airport in the night, accompanying INEC election materials. Four persons died in the crash.

The other two, NN07 and NN08, which actively worked the Bayelsa airspace yesterday, were commissioned in 2009.

Sources told SaharaReporters that the choppers had been placed almost exclusively at the service of President Goodluck Jonathan and his cronies, which is the reason why they were deployed to carry VIPs to and from the Port Harcourt International Airport for a private burial event of presidential aide Oronto Douglas that had no official value.

Prior to yesterday's deadly flight, the naval choppers also carried VIPs to the funeral of President Jonathan's brother, Meni, less than two weeks ago.

At the time of the crash, the helicopter had reportedly done 10 shuttle trips between Port Harcourt and the burial place of Mr. Douglas's father in Okoroba. Landing and taking off from the soccer field of a decrepit local school in the town.

The flight was reportedly the last one, but the engine failed some ten minutes after takeoff, leading to the fatal crash.

President Jonathan, who had earlier attended an overnight “Holy Ghost Congress” at the Redeemed Church of God on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway then issued a terse statement which revealed the names of crash victims and the usual promise that a probe of the crash will be conducted.

Meanwhile, Mr. Jonathan has ordered two new luxury helicopters from the same manufacturer, AgustaWestland, the Anglo-Italian helicopter company based in Italy. The two AW 101 VIP helicopters will cost Nigeria $40 million. In 2010, Mr. Jonathan ordered three presidential jets as soon as he took office.
cc:http://www./azazi-yakowa-t…after-10-trips/

The massive 12-12-12 concert held on Wednesday night in Madison Square Garden was filled with musical royalty, from Mick Jagger and Bruce Springsteen to Billy Joel and Paul McCartney. But the day after, everyone (in our world, at least) seems to be buzzing about one thing: Kanye West’s leather skirt.
West took the stage in a leather Givenchy skirt from the men’s Fall 2012 collection, worn with leather leggings underneath. The “kilt” had Twitter abuzz (and a parody account was created, obvi). But despite the chatter, the fashion world has essentially one simple reaction: smh. Haven’t we seen this before?

Yes, we have. Kanye wore a similar outfit last year on his Watch The Throne tour with Jay-Z. As the Daily Beast’s Isabel Wilkinson put it, “Is our collective amnesia so great that we can’t remember that Kanye’s worn a leather skirt 1,000 times before?”

Touché.

Anyway, see Kanye at the 12/12/12 concert and at his 2011 “Watch The Throne” concert in the leather skirt get-up. Do you think a rapper in a typically womenswear style is worth getting all worked up about?
see more pics:http://www./kanye-skirt/

Popular soul group Style plus has broken up, one of their members,Tunde has gone rogue. The group popularly known for their hitsong 'Olufunmi', has been trying to find their footing on the music scene for some years now, which might have resulted in Tunde's exit.

Tunde has rebranded himself and now goes by the name Nativeboy, He has dropped some single and is officially signed to his own music label B.A.T music.Tunde Akinsanmi
Stage name (NativeBoy) is a Un Peace Ambassador, singer, songwriter, producer, blogger,CEO & Owner of BAT Records LTD.

BAT which is an acronym derived from BEATZ AND TECHNIQUES has worked with various artistes in music production some of which are Styl-Plus with IMAGINE THAT and JEKASERELO, MENYA NIMYEL with SUGARLAND, X-PROJECT with NEVER GIVE UP and more.
more@:http://www./styl-plus-break-up-at-last/

Presidential spokesman, Reuben Abati and a spokesman of the Nigerian Navy have confirmed the crash of a helicopter in the Nembe-Okoroba area of Bayelsa State that claimed the lives of Kaduna state Governor Patrick Yakowa and former NSA, Andrew Owoye Azazi this afternoon Nigerian time.

In his statement, Mr. Abati disclosed that two Nigerian navy pilots as well aides of Governor Yakowa and Mr. Azazi also died in the crash.

Apart from Azazi and Yakowa, four other persons died in the crash, they include: Governor Yakowa’s special adviser, Dauda Tsoho and Warrant Officer Mohammed Kamal who was Azazi bodyguard as well as two naval pilots, Commander Muritala Mohammed Daba and Lt. Adeyemi O. Sowole.

Also, Commodore Kabir Aliyu of the Nigerian Navy disclosed that a Navy’s Agusta helicopter crashed, even though he would not confirm the identities of the passengers who died.

The spokesman was willing to state only that the ill-fated Agusta helicopter “was conveying Very Important Personalities (VIPs) to Port Harcourt from Okoroba village.”

In his statement, the naval officer disclosed: “A Nigerian Navy Agusta helicopter (Helo 07) crashed today, Saturday 15 December 2012 at about 3:30 p.m. around Nembe-Okoroba area in Bayelsa State. The helicopter was conveying some VIPs to Port Harcourt from Okoroba Village also in Bayelsa State.”

Another military source told SaharaReporters that the helicopter caught fire on impact. The source disclosed that some of the passengers on board were burnt beyond recognition.

The Nigerian Navy had two helicopters at the scene of the burial of the father of presidential aide, Oronto Douglas. SaharaReporters determined that Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa of Kaduna state and former National Security Adviser, Andrew Owoye Azazi, were on board the doomed helicopter.

A source told SaharaReporters that Mr. Azazi, a retired general, had invited Governor Yakowa to fly with him on the helicopter to the Rivers State capital, Port Harcourt. The governor’s flight was reportedly late in arriving in Yenogoa, the capital of Bayelsa State.

cc:http://www./president-jona…licopter-crash/

It has emerged that Timi Dakolo, narrowly escaped the helicopter crash, that has claimed the lives of Governor Yakowa and Owoeye Azazi.

The West African Idol winner, attended the burial ceremony of Oronto Douglas’ father, with his wife, Busola, who he tied the knots with very recently. He decided at the very last minute to travel by road, and not join the entourage that used the helicopter.

“Timi is doing okay, he was meant to fly on that chopper but he didn’t. I just got off the phone with him,” Tony ‘Don T’ Anifite, an executive for Now Muzik, Dakolo’s management team told NET.

The ‘Great Nation’ singer then tweeted: “God saved me” to douse fears and express his gratitude to God.



http://www./god-saved-me-timi-dakolo-and-wife-escaped-helicopter-crash/

These are the first pictures of the victims who died in a shooting rampage when a ‘deeply disturbed’ gunman went classroom to classroom at a Connecticut school.

Ana Marquez-Greene, seven, was killed when the shooter opened fire on children and teachers at 9.30am on Friday at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Twenty-six people died in the mass shooting.

The little girl and her older brother had attended Linden Christian School nearby, before moving with their parents to Newtown in July and enrolling at Sandy Hook. Both children were inside the school when the shooting began.
VIEW FULL PICS:http://www./too-painful-vi…evealed-photos/