₦airaland Forum

Jayne Augoye engages rave of the moment, Davido, on fame, family and music

Davido is one artiste who sure knows how to blow his own trumpet. But, who won’t, when one has certain things going on well for oneself or when ‘the lines have fallen unto pleasant places’ as the Psalmist says. A rich father, a successful career which is barely three years old, a multi-million naira endorsement deal, sold-out concerts, a string of hits, a personal home, an enviable fleet of cars and a growing fan base – Davido boast all at the moment.

At 20, he has no doubt garnered what has taken many artistes years to achieve, that is, if God and mother-luck shines generously on them.

Ever since he drew the attention of millions of music fans to himself when he introduced himself as ‘Omo baba olowo’ in his 2011 hit song titled ‘Dami duro’, there has been no looking back for the singer, who says he is currently a part time student at Babcock University, Ilishan Remo.

“Everything is just God because I just wanted to do music, be happy and comfortable but He just turned my fortunes around and I thank Him for that,” he quips.

For some established artistes, fame and wealth can be a tad difficult to manage. But for Davido, it’s been a tough call especially since he has achieved both at a young age.

“Even though I have fame, money and other things working for me, I didn’t expect to be this big. I find it sometimes overwhelming that I am immediately recognised wherever I go and it is such a great feeling, that sometimes I feel like the president. I miss partying at the club with my friends, but at the same time I am happy because this is what I have always wanted to do,” he says.

No stranger to controversies and online scandals, Davido, admits that despite being a celebrity, he isn’t immune to general life issues.

“No doubt I have made some mistakes and I am not perfect. You know, sometimes I get overwhelmed or annoyed. I am a human being too, people have to understand that before they are quick to judge my actions,” he admits.

The Nigerian music scene has become a lot more competitive with various artistes emerging and others bowing out of the scene after a hit. Davido considers himself an authority in his own right. His reason? “I’m not afraid of competition or the fact that some person will just appear on the scene and take the shine. After all, I did it to some people, so I expect that it is something that must happen to everyone because you can’t be shining forever. But once you are good to others, make good music, have loyal fans, that’s all that matters.”

Not one to throw in the towel so soon, the 20-year old singer appears to have his future plans all sorted out, already. “I have plans to go into oil and gas business with my elder brother next year. I want to do music for 10 years. By that time, I will be 30, and free to rest. Some people are just starting out at 30 but I am already a success and threat at 20. Fame at a young age is a plus because I still have like 10 years to ball while some people are just starting at 27 and 30.”

So, is Wizkid not a threat or music rival? To this, he says, “Not at all. The rumour is cool. But I see nobody as competition or threat. God is behind me, so I just go into the studio, do my music and everything is fine. I develop and write most of my songs in the studio.”

It is almost impossible to have a chat with Davido and not ask about how much influence his father has had on his career. After all, he says it for all who care to listen that he is a rich kid.

In an unapologetic tone, he says, “Yes my father is rich, but the truth is some people only knew who he was after I released my song, ‘Omo Baba Olowo’. I want people to know that the song was not a hit because of my father but because it was dope. I didn’t sing ‘OBO’ because of my father’s wealth – contrary to what people think.”

The singer, who developed an interest in music at age 13, also admits that he enjoys a very cordial relationship with his father, despite his busy nature.

Amidst laughter, he says, “My father and family always keep me grounded. They call me from time to time to ask about my welfare. My father actually visits all these blogs to read and see all my nonsense. Just like the typical Yoruba father, he scolds me and whenever he does that, I will say, ‘Daddy cool down, what’s going on, relax.’ Although he is also very proud of me, he is scared and happy for me at the same time.”

A few weeks back, the video for his hit song, Skelewu, was met with mixed reactions and this did not go down well with the singer. He says, “The song is big already; so whatever we do people are still going to talk anyway. I shot the video like a movie and there are three videos, so people can watch whichever one they want.

“If you don’t like the instructional video, you can watch Sesan’s, if you don’t like that one; you can watch Moe Musa’s. If people want, I will shoot one more video, it’s not easy.”

Although the lad admits that he has taken the criticisms in good faith, his countenance betrays him, so does his response, he says, “When the first video leaked they said they didn’t like it. Everyone knew that we were about to shoot, and he (Sesan), had the video. So it may not be him that leaked it. But we have since apologised to his camp and everybody.
Source: Punch

The Supreme Court on Thursday restrained the Peoples Democratic Party from starting Tony Nwoye’s campaign for the Anambra State governorship election.

The apex court gave the order in a ruling after an extended hearing, which lasted beyond 6pm.

PDP was ordered to refrain from going ahead with the Nwoye’s campaign pending the determination of an appeal filed by a rival gubernatorial candidate, Nicholas Ukachukwu.

Ukachukwu’s appeal is to be heard on November 4.

As a result of the development, it is expected that the campaign would no longer start on Saturday (tomorrow).

Vice President Namadi Sambo is slated to lead the campaign.

Counsel for the respondents in the matter gave assurances that their clients would abide by the apex court ruling.

Ukachukwu’s lawyer, Joseph Daudu, SAN, had expressed concern that PDP was planning to commence campaign and hand over the party’s flag to Nwoye as its candidate.

Earlier, the apex court had dismissed an application by another claimant to the party’s ticket, Ubah, to be joined in the appeal brought by Ukachukwu.

The panel of Justices of the Supreme Court held that since Ubah already had an appeal pending before the court, his application amounted to an abuse of court process.

It will be recalled that a Port Harcourt Federal High Court had initially declared Ukachukwu as the candidate of the PDP, after which the Court of Appeal overturned the decision, and instead upheld Nwoye as the party’s authentic candidate.

As a result of the development, Ukachukwu headed for the Supreme Court to challenge the decision of the appellate court.
Source: Punchng

PDP keeps failing and APC keeps waxing stronger. Seems the prediction of PDP's extinction is gradually coming pass. If you ask me, I'd say the end is near for PDP.

The Federal Ministry of Finance on Thursday said it did not grant any waiver for the importation of the N255m bulletproof cars purchased by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority for the Minister of Aviation, Ms. Stella Oduah.

The disclosure is coming 24 hours after the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation was informed that the ministry and the office of the National Security Adviser were made to believe that the vehicles were for the 18th National Sports Festival (Eko Games 2012), which was hosted by Lagos State.

In a statement issued and made available to our correspondent on Thursday, the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said the waiver was granted only to the Lagos State Government and not for the purchase of the controversial armoured cars

The statement signed by the Special Adviser (Communications) to the Minister of Finance, Mr. Paul Nwabuikwu, described claims that the ministry granted a waiver to Coscharis Motors Nigeria Limited for the purchase of armoured cars as “totally false and without foundation.”

The statement read in part, “On June 23, 2012, the Lagos State Government applied for a waiver of destination inspection charges and duty exemptions for Coscharis Motors Nigeria Limited, the official automobile partner for the National Sports Festival (Eko 2012), to purchase 300 vehicles on its behalf for the event.

“Since the Lagos State Government met the laid down criteria, the waiver was granted. It is also important to clarify that the waiver granted to the Lagos State Government for the event did not include the purchase of armoured vehicles.”

Also, the Nigeria Customs Service in a statement issued on Thursday, said its role in the car scandal was to implement the waiver granted for the importation of the 300 vehicles.

The statement signed by the Deputy Public Relations Officer, NCS, Joseph Attah, however, stated that the N10.13m import duty was meant only for three bulletproof cars and not for the 300 vehicles.

The statement read in part, “We wish to clarify that at no time did we say that the Federal Ministry of Finance granted a waiver to Coscharis Motors for the purpose of armoured cars. However, it should be noted that out of the 300 vehicles granted waiver, 25 units were BMW (7 Series). During the clearance process, three were discovered to be bulletproof cars, which statutorily require end user certificates.

“Coscharis got it from the Office of the National Security Adviser and presented same to Customs to facilitate the clearance.

“Also to be noted is the fact that the N10.13m that should have been paid is only for the three bulletproof cars and not for 300 vehicles as erroneously reported by some media outfits.”

The statement added that the role of the NCS was to implement the waiver duly granted for the importation of the 300 vehicles, adding that it requested and got the end user certificate clearance of the three bulletproof cars before they were released.
Source: Punch

idupaul: Let's fix Nigeria Una no go gree instead we thrive on bigotry and tribalism ..

Well said.

If Amaechi is championing her removal,it isn't out of place because she is the greatest enemy of herself.The sacred of corruption is never get caught.Obviously she did the needful, now in the web and all her spider-enemies have arrived to devour her.Anyway,Uncle Jona has the final say.

No source and I think the news isn't tenable at all.The Plan B has specified in the report isn't realizeable because the Universities won't open if the lecturers are still on strike.The only good news from the report if it is true is that the President himself will meet with ASUU and present FG's latest offer.I guess that is what celebrating.It obvious that if the President can't persuade ASUU to go back,then,the end is near for ASUU and the effect on students will be appalling.

Her picture looks like an artistic work,placed as exhibition and she looks extremely gorgeous corruption wise.Seems the trend as finally shifted and women taking the mantle of leadership when it comes to corruption and sharp practices.Little wonder they say 'what a man can do,a woman can do better'.I think they are doing better now

The baby should be made to star in a movie and allowed to do all his stuffs.I guess they wont be needing film-tricks for his role

aitoehigie: I like your comment because of something in your comment.

It is all about 'gbagaun'

Bpriest: enugu N4,000 crew member

BigBen10: You be thief

.He also does the 'needfull'.

As if 'the act of God' was not enough,the embattled Minister came with another one i.e.'do the needfull'.I guess there is no ending to messing up of 'Madam do the needfull'

Protesters supporting the embattled Minister of Aviation, Ms. Stella Oduah, have accused Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State of being among top government officials spearheading the “witch-hunt against the minister.”

The pro-Oduah protesters, who gathered at the Federal Secretariat, Abuja, where the aviation ministry is located, alleged that the Rivers State governor was against the minister because his aircraft was grounded earlier this year by agencies under the ministry.

The National Coordinator, Grass Root Movement for Unity and Stability – a rights group, Mr. Edisemi Yiki, alleged that calls for the sacking of Oduah were politically motivated.

He argued that his group had investigated and their findings revealed that a serving governor from the South-South region of the country was leading the campaign for the removal of the aviation minister.

He said, “It is now clear that the calls for Oduah’s sacking were politically motivated. I can confirm to you that a serving South-South governor is among those leading the witch-hunt against Stella Oduah.

“And this is because one of his aircraft was grounded by agencies under the ministry sometime this year. But what they fail to understand is that the minister has done well and must be allowed to continue the good work we see at our airports.”
Source: Punch

The Nigeria Police has described the photograph, which showed a senior police officer in the act of handling the breast of an unknown lady, as fake. It said the picture, which went viral on the Internet, was deliberately fabricated with the aid of Adobe Photoshop technology to mislead the public.

The alleged amorous scene, the police authorities claimed, did not take place and the officer had nothing to do with the woman.

The police said it arrived at this conclusion after interrogating the policeman, who was seen in the type of uniform worn by officers of the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police.

On the official Facebook page of the police, the affected police officer was quoted as saying, “I don’t know this lady. I never took the picture with her.”

However, the authorities did not name the police officer nor give the details of the command where he is serving.

The police said that though it does not forbid its rank and file to pose with members of the public for photographs, it would not tolerate any display of affection for the opposite sex in full public glare.

“An image showing one of our officers in a compromising position with a lady has gone viral. Please check the hands in the so-called picture that is in circulation and you will agree that they were photo-shopped.

“Other citizens of this country are encouraged to pose for snapshots with our uniformed officers if they so desire, just as it is done worldwide. What we discourage is public display of affection by our uniformed officers,” it said.

After it appeared online, the controversial photograph provoked widespread condemnation from many Nigerians who have described the development as an act of indiscipline.

Claiming to be policemen, some people wrote on the police Facebook page that the phot0graph was the handiwork of mischief makers, who were clearly determined to drag the name of the security agency in mud.

They said that no uniformed officer of the rank of ACP would be so careless as to pose for a photograph in such a compromising position with a lady.

One Oluwasegun Samuel-Alalade commented on the wall of the Facebook page. “I know it is not real. Even a fresh recruit undergoing training at the Police College will not do such a thing, not to mention a top ranking officer. The Nigeria Police Force should kindly disregard the photograph, “ he wrote.

Also Kabiesy Ojeabulu wrote, “Photoshop or no Photoshop, all I have to say is that the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, should always investigate issues before taking actions. It appears that a large section of the general public does not like the police. So they fabricate anything to tarnish our image. God help us all.”

Another policeman, Adegbola Olafiyin, stated, “I don’t know the offence we committed to deserve this from the public. Imagine here in the state where I am serving, commercial motorcycle riders will not give you a ride despite the fact that you have your money. This whole thing amounts to blackmail.”

But some Nigerians have disagreed with the police authorities on the status of the controversial photograph. They insist that it appears more real than fabricated.

On cknnigeria.com, one Lanre Bewaji wrote: “There are many angles to this picture. It is obvious the lady took the picture and the officer consented to it. No matter how awkward the scenario looks, if the lady was his wife or fiancée, would there be an issue? Until we know the real circumstances behind this picture, the matter is neither here nor there!”

In a tweet to the police, Hyke Ekeanyanwu expressed doubt that the photograph was faked. He said, “I may agree that the hand holding the breast was photo-shopped, but I will not agree that the hand around his (police officer’s) neck does not belong to the lady.”

Wale Bolanle, also on Facebook, queried,“What do you want us to believe? What else do you want him to say? He must surely deny. Is he not a human being?”

Meanwhile, the police authorities may have drawn the battle line with commercial banks in the country over the non-payment of the salaries of policemen.

The Force Headquarters wrote on its Facebook and Twitter handle on Wednesday that then Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, was “angry” with the banks over the matter.

“IGP MD Abubakar, is angry with bankers over delay in payment of Police salaries,” the message read.

Lamenting the situation, one Samuel Dogo, wrote, “The police authorities have allowed the commercial banks to deal with us the way they want because there is no proper monitoring. Nobody wants to know whether we have families and other dependants that are looking up to us for their upkeep.

“The police has the highest rates of deaths and causalities among security agencies in the country. In spite of our tireless efforts to protect the lives and properties of Nigerians, we are not appreciated. We earn the least salaries. Yet, we struggle so hard to ensure that this money is paid at the right time. If I may ask, is it a curse to be a policeman? I don’t understand. Can someone help me with a reasonable explanation?”

Odedoyin25: bros we get fight before? why the insult?

Insult is a way of life here

ckkris: Will it be TOTALITY? Thank God for Physics, otherwise some witches would be beaten up, some prophets make good money, and alfas get new wives.

Joystick is the bone of contention here. Will it be wrong to say it has done more harm than good!!! To an extent 'yes' and to another extent 'no'. For me, I prefer a one man-one woman system but if your joystick can't be curtailed/control/tamed/guided etc, then, marry another. Is that a guarantee that the dude wont cheat on them? It is yes and no. He could be satisfied after two women at home and at the same time, he could be another "Oliver twist", always asking for more. It is a complex thing called 'joystick'. Love it, hate it and whichever way, it is probably the best possession a man has!

MAYOWAAK: Neither chewing stick nor toothbrush can remove particles of food stuck between the teeth.Flossing is the best method for that.

Well said.

yuzedo: How does one effectively scrub his tongue with a chewing stick then? I'm ready to dump over-priced toothpastes and brushes if there is a viable method for tongue cleaning with the chewing stick. I spend over 30mins every morning cleaning my tongue, i no wan hear say handsome boy like me get bad breath by mistake.

Does that mean in Banana Iceland Island, it took you guys 30minutes to clean your tongues . Iceland Island filled with people having mouth odour

Ping411: The Head of Dental Department at the State Specialist Hospital, Okitipupa in Ondo State, Dr Segun Adegoke, has said that chewing sticks are better for cleaning the teeth than tooth brush.

Considering the two submissions about Chewing Stick and toothbrush, I think there is no winner, no vanquish. 1-1, the submission na draw, make everybody go relax!.

He, however, said that the only advantage tooth brush had over chewing stick was its ability to get to the corners of the mouth.

nene1: Polygamy only needs to be practiced by a few men in order for every woman to find a husband

Assuming the OP is one those numerous women who could not get a husband, meaning she will stay unmarried.

Swiftlee: Rescue

. I love to rescue babes only

chaarly: photoshop oooooooooooooooooo

cr7 no get hairs for him chest oooo

It looks more like tattoo.

The Americana simply turned a pastor in his closing remarks!

Ngige just killed it in his closing remarks. That is the way to go!

WildChild00: The medical doctor man, from the United States, tend to have lots of ideals, but the Nigerian system will not enable him to sale his ideal, frm his speech, he is confident and enthusiastic

The ACD Governorship Aspirant (The Americana) has great ideas. For me, he has the best ideas so far in this debate and too bad, he won't get to govern.

The (American) Governorship Aspirant - Money makes money.We are Igbos mehn!!!

splashbaby: Baba Mumu meji

Baba awon Baba to bi Baba to bi Baba-Baba Baba Baba Baba Baba Baba (ni ona egberun lona egberun egberun egberun ti ko se ka) ati mumu ti ran di ran meji lona egberun-egberun meji

Or better still , to collect more money as settlement.

Jonah told journalists that the location of the Governor’s house obstructed the Right-of-Way, hence there would be no compensation for him.

These people never cease to amaze me, always thinking the masses are fools.

Bale1: the guy ugly sha......i need my price for beening 1st and 2nd to comment

Usbeel: Oh really? Even if Bauchi is poor, its Obasanjo that you are to blame, population wise, Bauchi is the seventh, then you know there must be business activities, Bauchi is the pearl of tourism, and soon, Bauchi will be the most tourist place in west Africa-as five new springs have been discovered in Yankari apart from the one(wikki warm spring) that made the state the pearl of tourism! Also, even if you don't want to visit Bauchi, I know you eat things that came out of Bauchi, and if u dey vex, abeg stop taking Water melons, sweet potato(the packaged ones-in form of grain), onions, beans, maize, etc!!!

Are you guys never tired of blaming somebody for your failure? The north is somehow backward because northern leaders over the years have refused to develop the area. Quit blaming people for your flaws when you could have helped your situation.