₦airaland Forum

SA Lady:
I say its best to tell the person. I think of it as honouring the person and whatever it is that you may have had. They say true measure of a man is not in how he starts things but in how he ends them.

Well said!!!

kaytues:
chelsee abi na chesea or whatever its name is, its going to drop point today Aston Villa 2:0 win over chelseky or chelsee i dont care the name people call them, UUPPP ASTON VILLA

You should be more worried about your debt ridden club, anyways who cares what a hater has to say

queeneve:
Now High you was doing good UNTIL YOU SAID THAT LAST CHIT,

A woman is not complete with out a man? Do you know what complete means? Complete means whole and to the end.

A woman is complete WITH A MAN? that means two and not one, if you take an apple and you cut it in half that become two, but if you superglue two halves together, it become one, AND YOU SAID WOMEN ARENT COMPLETE WITHOUT A MAN?!!!!

A WOMAN DOES NOT NEED A MAN TO BE COMPLETE, that what the society what the women to think, a man compliments a woman and vice versa, but a man does not complete a woman, a woman was completed when she left her mother's womb,


Ooooh lawd yall gon make me break another dish!!!

Take your time and read my comments attentively b4 u reply, I never said a woman is incomplete but her achievements.

sleekch1c:
my sister,help me ask o!boolsheet! this is 21st century dude!

Believe it or not, no matter how successful a woman is, without a man she is not 100% happy(except you are one of those feminists out there)

@Queeneve
Yes, cos a woman that is married gets more respect even in her immediate family, no matter what a woman has achieved in life, its still incomplete without a man

Timaya, a musician, came to the spotlight about three years ago, but has since been greeted with many controversies. He talks about some of the scandals and why he is supporting Goodluck Jonathan in the 2011 presidential election in this interview with E-gist.

Somebody seeing you for the first time may not be able to reconcile the controversial Timaya and you as a person.

This is just me. I don‘t have a dual personality like most people think. Most people see me from different perspectives. A lot of people say Timaya is arrogant and they go ahead to say a lot of things. Entertainment is make-belief. We are all acting. Some people can go on stage and act as if they just snuffed cocaine, but they don‘t even drink alcohol. Some people may not be able to do what you are doing unless they get high. That doesn‘t mean that you too will always get high before you do that thing. The way I pose, especially in my album, gives people the impression that I am a bad boy. But I just like the look. I am not trying to paint myself white. I don‘t even want to present a good boy image. I am not cut out to impress anybody; there is nothing you do in this life that will please everybody. I like to live my life.

It is widely believed that you became arrogant as soon as your music became a hit.

I have always been like this. Nobody can say that I became arrogant when my music became a hit because they didn‘t know me before then. I am not arrogant.

Many even believe that apart from being arrogant, you are also rude.

In Nigeria, if you are outspoken, they will see you as being rude. Some blunt people are seen as bad people in the eyes of so many people. If you do anything to me that I don‘t like, I tell you to your face. I also expect you to do so to me if I do something you don‘t like.

It is a surprise that you speak good English.

Oh yes. I am, glad you mentioned it. Some people said Timaya can never speak a correct sentence, but when they listen to me, they get stunned. Because I sing, ‘Timaya don blow‘, that doesn‘t mean I cannot read or write. That is one thing about life.

It is just three years that you hit the spotlight and within these few years, a lot of negative stuff have been said and written about you. Do all these controversies get to you?

I used to feel bad because I wasn‘t used to such things. But now, I don‘t even mind going nude and snapping myself and putting the pictures in newspapers. It makes me more popular. People see me and they think there must be a rifle with me all the time. I just laugh. But then, if you try to kill me, I will kill you first. I can‘t wait for you to kill me and then you will go and serve a jail term.

We hear you are one of the artistes that are supporting President Goodluck Jonathan to become President in 2011. Is it because he is from Bayelsa like you?

He is a nice man. He is the best candidate. We are tired of old people ruling us. Let us try something different. I am not being tribalistic, but let us just try something else for a change. I like the steps he has taken so far.

Critics might also say you are supporting him because he has given you some money.

No way. I support him because he is the best so far. When US President Barak Obama was contesting, Pididy said, ‘Obama or I die.’ It didn‘t mean Obama gave him money. I will not lead my people in a wrong way. Nobody really knew about Bayelsa that much; I made people get to know Bayelsa. A lot of people have a wrong perception about Bayelsans. They think we are fighters and kidnappers. But I love Bayelsa. Chief Timipre Sylva is like a father to me. I have always said in my song, ‘whom God has blessed, let no man curse.’

As a Bayelsan, have you tried to disuade militants by spreading the message of the negative influence of militancy?

Everybody has their business. I don‘t tell people what to do. They know the right thing to do. If that is their own means of getting money, that is their business. I have sworn to God that I will never do anything bad. Everybody has his own lifestyle. If you live by the gun, you will die by the gun. Remember they are fighting for something; it is just that they are fighting for it in the wrong way.

We hear you are into rituals

People keep saying this. It is a good thing. In life, if people don‘t talk about you, that means you are nobody. If you achieve something significant in a short while, what people have been trying to achieve in a long while, it will amaze them. I hold onto God. I believe so much in God. He has everything, including life, good health and money. It is a prayer point in my life, the day I put my hands on anything fetish, let me die that day.

Why do you sing about yourself all the time?

Why should I sing about some other person? I am talking about myself and you are complaining. I don‘t know how to gossip. The story of my life will not finish because my life has not come to an end. Life must go on. I know I am inspiring a lot of people‘s lives. The God that did it for me can do it for you.

So most of your songs are true life experiences?

Yes. I sold plantain. I have every reason to sit down and thank God. There was a time N5 was like 1bn to me. Now, I have millions of N5. Sometimes, I just burst into tears because I now know that God is too much.

Was life that bad back then?

It was too bad. I didn‘t have anybody to help me out. My mother was a cleaner in the Niger Delta University.

Were you people that poor?

Not really. My father worked in the bank for years. He was a bank manager. But then later, things went bad. He became sick. It is better for you to be poor than for you to be rich and later you become poor. It is a terrible experience.

Did you decide to go into music when things became bad?

No. I have been singing right from the time I was in primary school. I knew then that music was my calling. But my father never liked the idea. He wanted me to be a banker. I was so close to my father. We were 15 in the family and I am the last born. He wanted me to be the banker in the family. But I didn‘t want that. I cannot be looking after someone else‘s money when I can make my own money. Before now, people felt that music was for the never-do-wells but now, they have come to realise that there is money in it. There is no country in this world that at least, one person will not know who I am.

When things were so bad, did you ever think that you will be a success one day?

I would have been surprised if I hadn‘t made it. I knew I was good and I believe in God. I wanted music to put food on my table. I didn‘t want to do any other thing that would distract me from my dream.

We learnt you were paid to perform in a show in London, but you refused to perform.

I was given part payment. He (the organiser) was actually supposed to pay me 75 per cent up front, but he begged and he paid 50 per cent, saying he would pay the balance when I got to London. I arrived on the day the show was scheduled to hold. He insisted I should come to the venue of the show and take my balance. I told him I wasn‘t going to do that. I just wanted to be professional, this is my job. He refused to pay my balance so I didn‘t bother going to the venue. He sent two hefty guys to come and force me to come for the show. Can you imagine? I just pushed them out of my way and went into my room and slept off. The following day, I bought my ticket and I came back home.

Some time ago, you used to pull off your pants after every performance; do you still do that?

It was one of the crazy things young men do; youthful exuberance. I can no longer do that. Everything has a stage. There was a time we used to wear blings and chains. Right now, we can‘t do that. You see us going on stage wearing suits.

Have you made up with Nicco Gravity who did a ‘diss‘ song with your name?

I don‘t know him. I don‘t think he is important. If he were important, I would have answered him. If it was somebody like Dbanj or 2Face or PSquare that sang about me, I would readily have answered back. Nico Gravity has no level at all. He has been there since the days of Daddy Showkey. I used to listen to his music then. One guy in Port Harcourt has done another song about me saying, ‘How can a friend betray a friend?‘ Now, I am his friend, see me. I have never been his friend. Well, he wanted to shine using my name. I am hot and I am happy about it.

We learnt you beat up a journalist the other day.

I have never done that. I only shouted at a journalist. I went for a show and I met this guy. A trained journalist would have first asked me how the show was and how I felt my performance was and questions relating to the show and organisers. But this guy just met me and said he wanted a quick interview. I agreed and the first question he asked was, ‘how is empress?’ I was so angry. Is that an issue? Was she the reason we came for the show? I looked at the guy and asked him if he had sense.

But a lot of people say you are a street fighter.

All the people saying this have not seen me fight one day. They say Timaya is rough, but you need to come out with proof. They said I went into a church to fight but they are yet to give me proof. Am I normal? So I no longer have the fear of God that I should enter a church and beat up a pastor? Camera phones still exist. People should have taken pictures when Timaya was beating up a pastor.

Would you allow your current relationship to be publicised like the last one you had with Empress?

The last one was publicised because she was a public figure. Anyway, she was a little bit popular. That was the problem. I never had a problem with the press until I went into that relationship.

Do you regret going into that relationship?

Big time! I have never regretted anything I had ever done in life except that relationship. It is one of those things. I have learnt my lessons, but I wished I learnt the lessons from another person. What caused the problem apart from hearsay? She would tell me she heard I was sleeping with this person or that person. But we all do the same thing.

Will you ever date or marry an actress again?

No way, unless she wants to quit acting.

Can‘t you quit for her?

No. I love my mother so much. Even if she tells me to stop music or she dies, I don‘t think I will quit. If I stop singing, I will die. It is not because of the money. Music gives me joy.

But is marriage on your to-do list?

The thought comes and goes. Sometimes I feel like marrying and other times, I don‘t even want it. Marriage is not something you jump into, you must be ready for it so as not to fall out of it. I know what I am talking about because I am from a polygamous family. The reason I am smart today is because I am the last born and I was close to my father before he died.

It was praises galore for telecoms giant MTN, from the brothers of the late pop music icon, Michael Jackson, for its successful sponsorship of this year’s ninth annual Ofala Festival.

The brothers, who were members of the defunct famous Jackson 5 musical group, were excited to be part of the festival at the palace ground of the Obi of Onitsha, Anambra State. They equally expressed satisfaction at the level of organisation of the ceremony and the immense support from MTN.

The eldest of the brothers, Tito Jackson said: “It’s been a very exciting experience. This is a very colourful and well organised festival and it is interesting to see a corporate organisation like MTN providing support for the festival, which is what the people like. Everybody here is happy with MTN which is very good for the company.”

The three-day celebration, which started on October 7, witnessed the gathering of sons and daughters of Onitsha both at home and in the Diaspora, and notable guests from across the world. It reflected the rich cultural heritage of the Onitsha kingdom and its people. Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, his wife, Margaret, traditional rulers, members of the Anambra State House of Assembly, political stalwarts and business figures were some of the dignitaries that graced the event.

Apart from the Jackson brothers, other international dignitaries at the event were: the Mayor of Inkster Michigan, Mayor Hill Hampton; historian, Bruce Bridge and Hollywood actor, Walter James Jr. and Mrs. Gloria Williams. The Ofala Festival is an annual celebration of the cultural values and heritage of the Onitsha people which reflects the bond between them and the celebration of a renewed hope for peace and prosperity in Onitsha Kingdom.

The festival featured a variety of colourful activities and cultural displays. The highpoint of the event was the royal dance by the Igwe and members of the royal cabinet who filed out gracefully around the palace ground three times before the cheering crowd of excited indigenes, tourists and well wishers, greeting and wishing them well.

Over the years, MTN has championed the sustenance of various cultural festivals within the country in a bid to demonstrate its brand promise of offering ‘so much more’ and ‘enriching lives.’ This year alone, the company has sponsored 16 cultural festivals nationwide.

But for the stern-looking armed mobile policemen and a middle-aged man dressed in Kaftan manning the gate of the house, there would have been no sign of life in the residence of the former First Lady, Hajia Turai Yar’Adua.

Located in the GRA of the ancient city of Katsina, the modest new bungalow with a perimeter fence painted white looks more of a guesthouse than the residence of a former president. Its entrance was shut, an indication that the occupants of the house were away when Daily Sun visited on Wednesday.

Turai had moved into the house following the death of president Umaru Musa Yar’Adua as the palatial residence of the former President was still under construction as at the time he died on May 5. Work on the project has since stopped.

Daily Sun investigation revealed that the former first lady, alongside her personal assistants and some members of her immediate family had traveled outside the country from October 2, an indication that the former First Lady may have completed the mourning period for her late husband. From all indications, she is ready to move on with life. Daily Sun authoritatively learnt that as at October 13, Turai had been away for 10 days in Saudi Arabia, en route London, to return next week.

The former First Lady’s first overseas trip since the demise of Yar’Adua was coming on the heels of her 130-day mourning in total compliance with the Islamic injunction. She reportedly flew to Mecca for the Lesser Hajj (Umrah) and evidently to thank authorities of the oil-rich kingdom for their cooperation and understanding.

Turai has good relationship with the Saudi monarch who was the official host of the late president and his family during their over three-month medical sojourn in Saudi Arabia. According to sources, the former First Lady had since left for London after she expressed her immense gratitude to the Saudi authority for not allowing some Nigerians “politicize” Yar’Adua’s ailment.

All efforts to reach her spokesman, Lawal Attahiru, for comments proved futile, as several calls to his telephone were unanswered. Although another effort by this reporter to reach another aide of the former First Lady who was on her entourage (name withheld) was successful, he however declined comments.

The leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, Mr. Henry Okah, was in contact with the militants who set off twin car bombs during Nigeria’s 50th independence anniversary in Abuja on October 1, the South African police have said.

Okah was arrested in Johannesburg after the blasts that killed at 16 people and injured 66 others. MEND had claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Reuters reported that the South African police made these claims in an affidavit read by a prosecutor at a bail hearing for the MEND leader in a Johannesburg court on Thursday.

But the Police refused to reveal the evidence backing their claims, saying that they had to protect their confidential sources.

Okah was described as the ‘mastermind’ of the blasts, who was in contactwith the bombers before and after the incident.

However, in a counter affidavit read by his lawyer, Okah denied “any involvement whatsoever with the bomb acts.”

The police said they searched Okah‘s home and found receipts for the purchase of thousands of submachine guns, rockets launchers and anti-aircraft machine guns, but did not find any weapons.

They also claimed to have found that Okah and his wife, Azuka, own about 10 properties in South Africa valued at over $1m.

Reuters added in its report that Okah, who was dressed in a brown sweat shirt and jeans, shook his head and laughed, when a prosecutor read the affidavit.

In the affidavit, the attorney- general said the MEND leader was engaged in economic sabotage and had links to various terrorists groups. The court later adjourned before a decision was made on whether to grant Okah bail. It will resume on Friday.

The South African police also said they had seized diaries that included entries on “guerrilla fighters, training discipline, the use of explosives, boats and night vision.”

In an entry dated September 19, 2010, Okah wrote: ”God is with us. We will fight to the end.”

The Nigerian Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN ), sent a written affidavit, pleading for the magistrate not to release Okah.

According to him, granting the bail will jeopardise the trial.

Adoke alleged that Okah had been engaged in warfare and ”economic sabotage” against Nigeria since 2005.

He added in the affidavit that Okah was also involved in kidnapping, oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other illegalities.

He added that many incriminating documents were found in Okah’s home when it was searched on September 30, prior to the bomb blasts in Abuja.

Among the documents was a quotation from a Chinese company for the supply of guns, mortars and other such devices.

He said that a large number of camouflage uniforms like the ones used by MEND in Nigeria were also seized from him.

Okah, in an affidavit read by Klause, claimed the e-mail messages warning on the blasts and accepting responsibility were all from within Nigeria, as there was nothing linking him with it.

He said a search on his house before the explosion revealed nothing incriminating and he was released after his initial arrest on September 30.

Meanwhile, Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has withdrawn from the Aaron Initiative recommended by MEND as an alternative to the amnesty programme of the Federal Government.

The AI, which was headed by Soyinka on MEND’s recommendation, met about twice with former President Umaru Yar’Adua before his death in May 2010.

This was just as Vice-President Namadi Sambo on Thursday restated government’s determination to punish the culprits and sponsors of the October 1 twin car bomb blasts in Abuja, which claimed 12 lives.

THE PUNCH had sent an SMS enquiry to Soyinka, asking about how MEND’s claim of responsibility for the attacks would affect the initiative.

But the playwright, in a short SMS response on Wednesday, said he withdrew from the peace process before the twin car bombings.

He added that he had since July 2010 warned that he would pull out of the process because of lack of ‘seriousness’ in the negotiations.

Soyinka, however, did not say if the lack of seriousness was on the part of the Federal Government or MEND.

“Even before the Abuja bomb blasts, I had withdrawn from this initiative. I gave warning of this likelihood as far back as July, citing a lack of seriousness.

“I have since sent word that I had taken the decision to pull out,” he said.

But MEND also said on Wednesday that the programme had failed to address the fundamental issues that caused the crisis in the Niger Delta.

The group’s spokesman, Jomo Gbomo, who responded to questions from THE PUNCH through an e-mail, said no key MEND members had embraced the amnesty programme.

Gbomo said that only the implementation of the Niger Delta Technical Committee headed by Mr. Ledum Mitee, would resolve the crises in the region.

When asked which of the presidential aspirants would best address the Niger Delta crisis, he said that three of them neglected opportunities to do something concrete about it in the past.

In apparent reference to President Goodluck Jonathan, who is one of the aspirants, Gbomo said, “One has the opportunity now but has done nothing significant.”

But he dismissed the allegation that MEND was bent on destabilising Jonathan’s administration, saying, “We have not done anything different.”

The interview with Gbomo reads in part:

What actually are the grievances of MEND against the amnesty programme of the Federal Government.?

The amnesty programme has not addressed the root issues tat led to the unrest in the first place. It has been hijacked by con men for a money making scheme and has become one big scam.

If key members of MEND have embraced it, why has your faction not embraced it?

No key member of MEND has embraced the amnesty. The only two persons were in the rank of commanders and that is not significant. There are no factions in the group.

In concrete terms, how can the problems be addressed?

It is simple. It first has to be tabled and addressed. The government is even avoiding the Ledum Mitee report and that is clearly an indication they are not willing to address this injustice.

How do you react to an allegation that the October 1 bombing was a betrayal of the Niger Deltans, who you are fighting for?

It was a golden opportunity to highlight the unresolved issues in the region and our objective was achieved.

Thats why you should not do certain things in d presence of kids

A gal that stands her point but not stubbornly always win my heart. She shuld have her own mind.

Cos they have a limited time to achieve that, plus that is literally the greatest achievement 4 them

Talk it over with ur partner and minimize the communication

Try changing ur environment maybe that will help

ikay88:
THIS POLITICIAN, IN MY OPINION, IS THE ONE WHO INSULTS THE AVERAGE NIGERIANS INTELLIGENCE THE MOST.

HE SHOWS HIS DUBIOUSNESS BY WEARING WESTERN STYLE SUITS FOR CAMPAIGN SHOOTS WHICH HE NEVER WEARS OTHERWISE.

ALSO, HOW CAN SOMEONE PUT ON HIS CAMPAIGN BILLBOARD THAT "HE'S THE MAN OBJ AND EFCC COULD NOT STOP"
MAYBE I'M WRONG, BUT THAT SERIOUSLY DOES NOT PORTRAY HIM IN ANY GOOD LIGHT.

He claims to be better than other candidates but has not come up with any of his own ideas to challenge theirs, all he keeps saying (apart from zoning) about himself is that he knows democracy better than anyone after being VP for 8 years (of which he has nothing concrete to show).

I mean even his looks scream of THIEF, LIAR & SNAKE. Not surprised he can't even make real friends unlike most other thieves in our political system. Even the OBJ he's talking of appears to have more integrity.

Spot on!!!

jalether:
Is this an indication that Sturridge is becoming unpopular with Carlotti. . . he use to be his favourite kid. I Like

Sturridge picked up an injury, so he is not available

allboyz:
a draw should be a fair result i fink!

Wishful thinkin, 3 points are already in the bag

Odunnu are u sure Anyways depends on what you call true love

Odunnu:
There is still true love and i'm a living witness

U mean true love in its full definition?

Love is dead, i attended the burial

Nwaokike:
Drogba is not travelling with the squad

http://www.chelseafc.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10268~2185442,00.html

Yeah he is not, he has virus but will be fit b4 the champo league. The line up is: Cech, Ferreira, Ivanovic, Terry and Cole, Ramires, Essien and Mikel, strikers Kakuta, Malouda and Anelka.

IBB should top that list

Atiku is the most corrupt 9ja Politician

Inked_Nerd---- She is sound and matured

Mama Gee------ Makes me laugh, especially on sports section

Check my profile picture to see the true definition of handsome!!! Next

Wor wor (Ugly)

Drogba is already salivating. Mama Gee which club are you rooting for?

Arysexy:
It seems you are going to end up dying with 'Ojukwu' and 'Biafra' as your last words.

lol, the homo-erectus always pee on his pant at the mention of ojukwu or biafra. ojukwu will eventually give u ULTRA HIGH BP that will keep u indoor thinking about biafra and ojukwu. M.oron!

The fool will never stop. Its so painful when you worry about som1 that doesnt even know you exist

[quote author=bk.babe97y link=topic=522647.msg6859296#msg6859296 date=1285974556]Who said I regarded the Ibo man as a human being?[/quote]Did you grow up with dogs? Man it takes more energy and time to hate

Am not sure the Poster here is the gal in question, I think she culled this story from "Auntie Agatha". Anyways, whatever is the case, its so obvious that the gal has a serious problem of taking decisions herself, she waited till her pastor almost ruined her life b4 she woke up from her delussion and now she is running to "Auntie Agatha" for advise, always running from pillar to post. God gave us brains so He can rest sometimes while we fix certain things ourselves.

Arsenal do not stand any chance in this. This will just be a walk in the park for Chelsea given how porous arsenal defence is at the moment, am sure Drogba is already salivating