₦airaland Forum

Toke And Maje: CelebrityTales Of A Trophy Husband And His Trophy Wife

Nigerian celebrities love to copy the west, foolishly most times. So, American celebrities inundate us with scandals, divorces and the absurd; hey we are Nigerians, let’s do our own.

“Let me become Flavour Nabania’s baby mama and share my baby bump on Instagram”

“Let me use Twitter to congratulate my little niece who just became Davido’s baby mama, even though marriage is not in sight.”

There is no law that says a celebrity cannot keep his or her private life away from the media, IT IS POSSIBLE.

Most “notice me” Nigerian celebs don’t realize that in America, scandals are monetized. American Media houses dish out millions of dollars for exclusive interviews with major actors in any given scandal. Hence, broke American artistes do create their own scandals and smile to the bank.

In Nigeria, things are different, we are a very conservative society; Nigerian celebs whose 400k Twitter followers pledge Liberalism and open-mindedness are being deceived. Take it or leave it, in our society an unmarried female celebrity above the age of thirty is seen as irresponsible, her Baby Mama status adds ‘Maggi’ to the insults. Nigerian male celebs are not spared; a successful but unmarried Nigerian man above the age of forty is seen as irresponsible, impotent or gay…or all of the above.

The currently trending scandal about Toke Makinwa and her husband Maje Ayida is one of those useless issues that could have been managed privately. I recall that from the outset Toke Makinwa’s marriage had been controversial, some even referred to it as a hoax. Now this happens, her husband allegedly impregnates his Ex-girlfriend, Anita Solomon.

Lots of married men (and women) do cheat, but when they comfortably impregnate (or get impregnated), not just with anyone but an EX, then it says a lot about the current situation of that marriage.

My verdict is that in the marriage between Toke Makinwa and Maje Ayida, someone was very unhappy inside it…clearly that someone wasn’t Toke. We must hear Maje Ayida’s and Anita Solomon’s side of the story. Did Maje want kids and Toke wasn’t ready? Did Toke ‘steal’ Maje from Anita twelve years ago? Did Anita upgrade her *cough* ‘communication skills’ in certain areas while Toke remained static?

Ladies, you all know that Maje Ayide is a billionaire’s son and has a great body too, right?

My conclusion is that Maje Ayide was a trophy husband while Toke Makinwa was a trophy wife. Maje is a Silver trophy while Toke is Bronze, Anita Solomon gets to keep the greatest trophy of all, the Gold inside her.

I watched Buhari’s campaign speech yesterday and I left feeling like I was listening to my father speaking to me- and that’s sort of natural. After all, he and my father are about the same age. Buhari is an awesome figure, very impressive in terms of what he stands for as a person . Indeed, I must tell a story – way back in 1998 during the perennial university strikes I was in Kaduna during one of the perennial fuel scarcity episodes. I was at the Ungwar Rimi filling station and had been on a line for 3 hours or so waiting for my turn to buy fuel. And if you can recall those days, fuel lines were like military camps and people were violent if you tried to jump the queue unless you were a friend of the petrol station manager or a soldier. And General Buhari drove into the area in his 505 looking for fuel and somehow people saw him and all of a sudden people started moving their cars out of the way to allow him drive up to fill his tank.

This people did without compulsion – it was out of sheer respect of him, the man, the father figure- that was General Buhari, before he become Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF).

If Buhari was going to be allowed to run the country based on his ideals alone, I would probably change my mind (after I get past the age factor). But honestly speaking , governance is not strictly about a single personality – it’s a series of conversations around different interest groups and institutions and walking the fine line between your decisions based on personal interest or moral values and/or public interest- which usually means a politicized decision.

I feel that a General Buhari presidency, though well intended, will not achieve much due to the fact that he will try to purge Nigeria via old school methods which are no longer practical. He will be the face but the real machinery will be run by some of Nigeria’s most “pious” politicians – people like Tinubu, Amaechi , Atiku ,etc. The question is will they allow him to stop the business as usual environment they have benefited from to their detriment?


When he spoke about Sharia a few years back, which was seen as very inciteful, and how it was necessary in Nigeria, he spoke as a devout Muslim that he is – but the statement was so politically incorrect especially since you know that same Sharia implementation led to the death of thousands of man and women in Kaduna state alone in the early 2000s. The implementation of Sharia in Kaduna led to the division of Southern Kaduna from Northern Kaduna and the relocation of the people to Barnawa and beyond due to religious intolerance. When it comes to elections, I personally feel that we are asking a man who’s ways and actions are set to suddenly become dynamic and new and do so with the support of leaders who were not just part of the PDP’s alleged rot but were key players in it. Suddenly the are ‘born again” and old things are passed and have become “new”.

President Goodluck Jonathan is far from perfect but I see him continuing to make steady inroads especially in the area of the economic advancement of young people because the cliche is true – the youth are the future but the future is now and here!

Has he done well? In some areas yes but in security no. That’s the fact. I won’t go into the reasons why not but we should note that the rot in the army started many years before Jonathan and the insurgency only opened the cankerworm that was hidden because the need to protect Nigeria against a new age enemy hadn’t arisen in over 39 or so.

About corruption having worked around government for almost 3 years I now understand things I never quite understood. Most of the corruption in our country is usually attributed to government and the civil service which is true but we forget that they need collaborators in the private sector to successfully perpetrate these crimes. The best way to fight corruption is to build institutions and use technology to fortify them so they can reduce incidences of corruption- that’s the truth. You can’t tap an MTN line like we used to tap the box telephones at home in those days. You can’t pass the Lekki Toll Gate without paying N120 at the automated gates but the politicians can set up companies to surreptitiously buy the company that owns the gates (hope you get my drift) and that’s done at top level. You can’t also fight corruption if you tip a policeman at every checkpoint instead of taking the day off and ensuring you get your drivers license so we can stop the extortion – yes that too is corruption.

Why is budget implementation so poor? Because the National Assembly unduly politicizes the process leading to late passage of the bills (in 2013 it was in July / August same as 2014) so when projects don’t get delivered its mostly because of slow passage of the bill.

The other reason is that the appropriations committees can tamper with the budget how they like that’s why a project like the perilous Lokoja -Abuja Road which led to the death of many Nigerians took over 10 years to be completed because the amounts appropriated by the NASS was simply inappropriate to adequate fund the completion. It was only when the Sure-P Programme intervention came that the road was fast tracked (as most can testify) same with the railways , roads and bridges etc- why? Because the SURE-P funds were better insulated from tampering unlike many other projects approved for completion. There are now policies being put to change this to make execution more effective from the lessons we learnt via Sure-P on a federal level.

But I digress, I agree that GMB is a fine gentleman and leader but I also believe that if I did vote for him I would be doing so nostalgically not realistically because there’s a new Nigeria where people are earning a living off their talents and passions and creating a new middle class which was virtually non existent pre-GEJ and that’s the Nigeria I want to be part of…

Agriculture is becoming the new sexy and his administration has pushed it even more than Obasanjo (a renowned farmer did). No matter how I explain FB or Instagram or the global economy to my dad now he may not fully grasp it as a person below 35 would and I fear that I would rather move forward imperfectly than go back to the past in search of a non-existent Utopia.

This is just my view of things and I have taken time to state it and not berate GMB – it’s my vote , it’s my choice. Some will say that I vote for GEJ because of SURE-P. But honestly I do so because in him I see a man who is imperfect, struggling with his imperfections to make things better and I see room for improvement and change… in all fairness we are all sort of like that trying to get a better report card and improve on poor subjects of last semester. In the former I see an upright man of integrity and high discipline who doesn’t yet realize that one of his disciples may yet betray him because they don’t stand for the same ideals.

NEWS ALERT: Dele Momodu Blocks Me From His Twitter Handle.

For almost twenty years, I had been a fan of Chief Dele Momodu’s write-ups right from his June 12 advocacy struggles till date. I didn’t necessarily agree with all his viewpoints. As a matter of fact in post-1999 years and with the birth of Ovation magazine in 1996, I saw a Dele Momodu celebrate the luxurious lifestyles of quite a few prominent characters that (I felt) frustrated the actualization of MKO Abiola’s mandate.

Today, Dele Momodu is a strong supporter of APC’s General Muhammadu Buhari’s presidential aspiration, while yours truly has decided to pitch tents with President Goodluck Jonathan. I studied political science and I see Politics as a game with no emotional attachments. I don’t believe that ANY Nigerian politician can improve the quality of my life without personal hard work, a bit of luck and God’s grace. In any case READ my earlier post to find out why I endorse President Goodluck Jonathan. I believe in freedom of expression, the right to criticize and also be criticized, apparently Chief Dele Momodu doesn’t.

Dele Momodu is an excellent writer with the uncanny ability to criticize incumbent governments, sometimes very constructive, other times just emotional.

This current political dispensation has revealed a very awkward trend, a scary one too. Supporters of PDP’s Goodluck Jonathan and APC’s Muhammadu Buhari are constantly at loggerheads with each other online and offline. I may be biased, but it does seem that many Buhari supporters, including a few of my close friends and associates are exhibiting cult-like following towards the General, giving him (an undeserved) messianic status. Support for Buhari is beginning to look like a cult-religion of its own where those not subscribing to his candidacy are viewed and treated as traitors, infidels, enemies or outcasts. Jonathan supporters appear more level headed, less violent, a bit cynical but very passionate about their candidate. Again, being a Goodluck Jonathan fan perhaps I’m just being biased, so please forgive me.

I’m an ardent follower of Dele Momodu on Twitter; so last week he released controversial tweets defending General Buhari’s old age and his capacity to lead Nigeria into the future. Expectedly, I replied with a series of tweets disagreeing with @DeleMomodu’s stance. My tweets got a few Retweets and I simply moved on from the topic, not feeling victorious, my respect for Dele Momodu remaining intact.

I did not ‘abuse’ Chief Dele Momodu; I never referred to him as corrupt, clueless, incompetent or inept.

Today, I decided to visit Dele Momodu’s Twitter timeline only to discover that he had blocked me from viewing his twitter handle. How is it possible that a character known for vehemently disparaging top political figures including the Nigerian President cannot stomach or accept criticisms from an ordinary nobody like Stanley Nwabia? Is this an APC thing?

I leave you with graphic illustrations of what inspired @DeleMomodu to block me from his twitter handle.


Enjoy!

PS: Serves me right though.

Three decades after his government sponsored the failed abduction and illegal repatriation of the erstwhile Minister of Transport, Alhaji Umaru Dikko, via a cargo crate, General Muhammadu Buhari’s proposed attempt to return to the United Kingdom as part of his global campaign circuit, received a major setback recently as most major UK and Europe based institutions have turned down his request for visitation.

Investigations indicate that the Buhari Campaign team has received sour reception from some institutions, Government and non-government organizations.

A source in the know revealed that a consultant working for the campaign approached the Chatam House, select members of the House of Commons, members of the EU Parliament, as well as top advocacy groups, policy makers and public opinion molders.

Further investigation indicates that the rejection is not unconnected with the poor human rights record of General Muhammadu Buhari during his reign as military head of state of Nigeria. The APC’s Presidential candidate’s perceived link with extremist Islamic organizations as well as his propensity to instigate electoral violence did not help his case.

The U.K Foreign Office’s most recent annual report on human rights and democracy said the country will reject any ties with known despots and human rights violators.

It condemned “The use of unlawful and arbitrary measures to target human rights defenders including enforced disappearance; house arrest; restrictions on freedom of movement, communication and association; extrajudicial detention and harassment of family members by both past and current leaders across the globe”.

However it was gathered that top APC wigs are puling all strings to seek alternative platform for the ex-military dictator. But some human rights groups are mulling the idea of instituting process that could lead to the arrest of the former dictator to answer charges on the botched extra-judicial deportation of the late Umaru Dikko.

Buhari could be charged under the popular United Kingdom Common law which carries a maximum life sentence for ordering the kidnap and barbaric deportation of Dikko a move which sparked a major diplomatic row between Nigeria and the UK.

Lawyers also point out that that the botched kidnap also contravened the British Aviation Security Act of 1982. It would be recalled that plane designated to transport Dikko who was drugged by his abductors was waiting in the tarmac for its `consignment’ before eagle eyed UK custom officials intervened.

The planned trip coming at a time The United Kingdom’s Prime Minister, David Cameron is facing severe criticism for his perceived watering down of Britain’s “ethical” foreign policy towards human rights violators and known despots.

Eleanor Byrne-Rosengren, director of the campaign group Free Tibet, said recently on dealing with dictators, “Mr Cameron needs to restore our pride”.

“Mr Cameron stands up for human rights in Sri Lanka and the right of self-determination in the Falklands. He must show to the world that Britain stands up for justice everywhere.”

The APC had planned the global lecture circuit for their Presidential candidate as part of the world wide campaign to drum up international exposure for General Buhari whose relatively unpopular among members of the international community.

It was also gathered that the APC intends to use the tour to extend its ongoing campaign designed to achieving total discrediting of the president and his team in a bid to place him in a very weak position before a nation that would be clamouring for a change as a prelude to the February 14 Presidential polls.

Findings by this newspaper revealed that the plan is to portray President Goodluck Jonathan as indecisive and weak.

A specific aspect of the agenda which is the portrayal of the Jonathan presidency as anti-people and a puppet of some international agency and governments, in line with the transcript of the U.K based Burson-Marsteller PR Firm in London to boost the profile of the opposition party.

Buhari: Reverend Father Mbaka’s Unfortunate Endorsement.

The absence of integrity even in the ‘house of God’ has always been a common feature of life in Nigeria. Men of God, though associated with lots of good deeds are also susceptible to unbelievable scandals and corruption. However, scandals and corruption are mere minor features when exploring the Political sphere, especially in Nigeria. So, when men of God decide to openly associate themselves with politics and politicians, it becomes cause for worry because the church already has enough problems of its own

During a chat with a friend of mine that attended Reverend Father Mbaka’s recent anointing of General Buhari’s candidature during a New-Year cross-over service in Enugu, he described the atmosphere as confusingly uncomfortable. Fr Mbaka is not a stranger to political controversy; he once had running battles with former Enugu governor Chimaroke Nnamani during his first tenure. Fr Mbaka was quoted to have sworn to renounce his priesthood if Nnamani won a second term in office. Nnamani won a second term, Mbaka remained a priest.

On New Year's day, most members of Fr Mbaka’s congregation left the Adoration Ministries Enugu very disappointed, as though all their prayers made all night had suddenly evaporated into Buhari’s pocket. My friend at the event said, “Knowing the love Enugu has for President Jonathan, What Father Mbaka did was like a Chief Imam in a Kano mosque telling supporters that Allah has endorsed Goodluck Jonathan. We all know that if this was the scenario in a place like Kano, that Imam may not survive it.”

Ironically, in November 2014, same Fr Mbaka had endorsed Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election when Dame Patience Jonathan attended one of his services, so what happened?

Sadly, when Fr Mbaka spelt out his reasons for no longer supporting Jonathan, it sounded like a script written by characters such as APC’s Lai Mohammed – vague, unintelligent, clownish, devoid of real issues and facts.

During Biblical times, men of God did anoint kings and leaders, most times very ordinary people with extra ordinary gifts from God. A situation where a CHRISTIAN man of God stands in front of his congregation and endorses a political candidate whose past utterances have supported imposing Sharia nationwide, Post-election violence against innocent Nigerians and tacit support for Boko Haram, then we have a big problem on our hands.

If we all sit back and study both Buhari’s and Jonathan’s ascendancy into the presidency, one might ask whose story sounds more like divine intervention? Buhari, a Northern military officer that rose in the ranks with doubtful educational qualifications; expelled a democratically elected government in 1983 and meted out selective justice at alleged corrupt officials based on tribe and religion. Or Goodluck Jonathan, a political nonentity and devoted Deputy Governor as at 1999, emerging Governor after his boss is impeached, shortly appointed as Vice-President to Yaradua, and again becoming President after Yaradua’s demise.

Fr Mbaka’s Buhari message may or may not have been well intentioned. But the manner in which that message was delivered to an already decided people seeking God’s face in other areas of their lives in the New Year smacks of a well orchestrated and highly insensitive political maneuver.

It is always best that we keep religion VERY far away from politics.

Nigerian Artistes Endorsing Political Candidates: Consequences And Benefits.

The Koko-master D'banj has always been a Goodluck Jonathan fan from day one, Timi Dakolo, Sammy Okposo are most likely on the list too alongside several other Nollywood celebrities. Just recently, we’ve been made to understand that artistes such as Dj Jimmy Jatt, Praiz, Olu Maintain, Skales and others have pitched their tent with Team Buhari in the upcoming elections. Like every move, action or decisions we make in life, there are benefits and consequences. Fortunately or unfortunately, Nigeria runs a ‘winner takes all’ kind of politics where losers are often times driven into oblivion.

Nigerian entertainers queuing up to identify with Politicians or Presidential candidates must be prepared for the positive or negative effect this move will have on their respective careers. In 2011, D’banj aggressively campaigned for Goodluck Jonathan (and he’s subtly doing same this election season), when Jonathan won, D’banj’s career also blossomed simultaneously. The Koko master gained access to vital connections that helped his music with hits after hits, 'Oliver Twist' being the climax - Some form of ‘good luck’ did follow D’banj up until his split with Don Jazzy.

Even though D’banj’s music career is currently experiencing a downward swing, commercial endorsements have not stopped coming, especially government related programmes such as the Agricultural business initiative (Coco na Chocolate). Pro-government Nollywood celebrities have not been left out from these fringe benefits. The benefits I’m talking about here may not necessarily be linked with bribery or corruption; it just comes with the territory.

In Nigeria (and I dare say almost everywhere else) most big businesses and big business owners are ‘connected’ with the government of the day, directly or indirectly. Hence, whenever such businesses have extra money to spend on concerts and brand endorsements, they tend to look for either trending celebrities or ‘government friendly’ ones. Most of us can recall Eedris Abdulkareem’s “Nigeria Jaga-jaga” and Tony Tetuila’s “E go beta” episode during the Obasanjo administration (1999-2007). While Eedris’ career suffered because many powerful corporate sponsors and show promoters snubbed him, Tony Tetuila on the other hand was allowed to flourish.

Nigerian Artistes that have recently stepped out for Buhari must be prepared for any sudden eventualities in their respective careers if he wins or loses. Same goes for those in Jonathan’s camp.

Ultimately, the best bet would have been for Nigerian artistes to remain politically neutral and focus solely on using their talents to make money, or using their music to change society like Fela did.

However, this may be asking too much considering the fact that most of our artistes just like every other Nigerian cannot do without politics. Even Fela Anikulapo Kuti had his own political movement.

While some celebrities are happily tying the knots in 2014, others are as well walking out of their marriages and long relationships.

The latest to return back to spinsterhood is Alex Okoroji, daughter of ex-musician and PMAN President, Chief Tony Okoroji.

Alex revealed that her marriage crashed like a tokunbo car engine.

The actress confessed that marriage is not easy and could no longer cope with her husband’s temper.

Subsequently, she left him for good. That notwithstanding, she says that she's ready to give marriage a second shot but it has to be with a man that is honest and hardworking.

A notorious fraudster who impersonated the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, 39-year-old Adewunmi Ajide Olayinka, has confessed that the lack of employment opportunities in the country makes it easy for him and his syndicate to dupe job seekers.
Olayinka, also known as Adewunmi Adeyinka Siaka, who was arrested after he posed as an employee of NDLEA, reportedly told some of his victims that he was in charge of selling auctioned vehicles for the agency. In his confession, he claimed that it was easy to extort money from job seekers, and he used to collect between N17,500 and N40,000 from his victims.

He also extorted N680,000 from another victim for the purchase of two NDLEA auctioned vehicles and employment of his son. The suspect said that joblessness pushed him into the criminal act.

Olayinka who also claimed to be an Ordinary National Diploma, (OND), graduate of Business Administration hails from Ila-Orogun, Osun State, and stated that he used to sell CDs in Abuja until his business collapsed when his shop was demolished and he lost his home.
Hear him:
"I told a man that I work with the NDLEA and that I can assist his son get job through an ongoing internal recruitment. He then gave me N40,000. I discovered that it was easy for people to pay money for recruitment. That was how it all started.
It was joblessness that made me to do it. I also collected money from a man that I will help him to buy Toyota Sienna and Toyota Camry at a very cheap price during NDLEA auction sales in Abuja. Some people paid money into my bank account while others paid cash."
But the tide turned against him when ten of the people he duped visited the Ibadan office of the agency requesting for information about the next batch of training at the NDLEA Academy in Jos slated for December 16.

Olayinka was eventually traced and arrested at a private location in Ibadan. Items recovered from him include curriculum vitae of applicants, Nigeria Immigration Service recruitment form and his international passport with the name Adewunmi Adeyinka Siaka.

The NDLEA Chairman, Ahmadu Giade, however, said that the agency was not conducting recruitment and would not recruit secretly.
"We are determined to deal decisively with fraudsters who defraud members of the public under the guise of employment or helping them to buy auctioned vehicles. Members of the public should learn from this case and avoid dealing with fraudsters."

Banky W shared a photo of his younger brother earlier today and his fans have been gushing about his cute look. While some fans have argued that his brother looks more handsome than him… Others are of the opinion that Banky looks better… We’d like to know who you think looks better… Banky W or his brother?

A secondary school student in Oshodi area of Lagos threw decorum to
the wind yesterday, when he stabbed his father in the right eye for failing to
buy him Christmas clothes.

The boy, a Senior Secondary School (SSS3) student, who was identified
simply as Ikechi, was said to have held his father, Anthony, hostage for some
minutes in their apartment on Arowojobe Street, Osodi, before committing
the dastardly act, because the man failed to buy him Christmas clothes.

According to family members, Anthony was said to have explained to Ikechi that he had only “small money” which barely paid for the Christmas clothes of his three siblings, but all appeals made by his father fell on deaf ears.

Ikechi’s cousin, Ukachukwu, revealed that Ikechi was so livid that he
quarrelled with his father through the night, insisting that he must get his
Christmas clothes, because he wanted to wear it to the birthday of a friend
at one of the beaches along the Victoria Island-Epe Expressway, on Sunday.

According to Ukachukwu, when Anthony, who works as a guard in a hotel, wanted to leave for work, his son would not let him leave.

“He accused his father of hating him and, fed up with his complaints, the man got his belt and began to flog the boy.

“As his father continued flogging him, Ikechi reached for a knife and
stabbed him straight in the eye. Upon seeing the horror of his deed, Ikechi
took his heels.

“When I wanted to run off to the police station to report the issue to the
police, his mother begged me not to, as it will ‘involve more expenses.”

Anthony, who was rushed to the hospital right away is under intensive care, while family members are praying for him to see properly with the eye again.

“But I doubt if he will still see with that eye again,” Ukachukwu said.

Former Borno State governor Ali Modu Sheriff yesterday said he owed the Department of State Services (DSS) gratitude for coming out with facts that confirm his innocence over allegations that he was sponsoring Boko Haram
activities.

Sheriff said this days after the DSS paraded six persons, including a former special assistant to Borno State governor Kashim Shettima, who confessed to being the one that cooked up stories that informed the indictment of former chief of army staff General Azubuike Ihejirika and himself as sponsors, as announced by the Australian selfstyled. negotiator, Steven Davis.

“Nigerians, by now, should have been convinced about my innocence on the lies being told against my person as a major sponsor of Boko Haram, but by God’s will, no amount of attacks would deter me from taking Borno State to the right path of politics and development.”

Sheriff said he was consoled that the federal government, through the, DSS, was able to conclusively unravel the truth on the matter.

“Do I need to stress to you that the government has vindicated me as the outcome of investigations have more clearly revealed the source of the blackmail against me. Those behind the plots to smear my name are more on the spot now, going by what has happened.

“I have always said that attempts to give me a bad name will always fail. I stand by the truth and I will not relent in pursuing the truth. Let them continue to toe the line of evil against me, but rest assured that those
involved would soon burn their fingers.”

The former governor further praised the DSS for its relentless quest to unravel the mysteries behind Boko Haram, and urged Nigerians to always accord the government and security agencies the necessary cooperation they need to win the war against terrorism in the country.

Sheriff, who made these comments in an interview with newsmen yesterday, said his efforts to ensure victory for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Borno State was the reason he has been constantly under attack with desperation by those he described as ‘political foes’ to link him with insurgency in the state.

LEADERSHIP Friday recalls that one of the fake Boko Haram suspects, Junaid
Idrisa Khadi, in his statement at the DSS office, said he deliberately conspired to blackmail and implicate Ali Modu Sheriff and one Mala Othoman, former state chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as sponsors of the Boko Haram sect.

Khadi had said it was when the attempt failed that he sold the idea directly to Steven Davis, an Australian negotiator, that Sheriff was a sponsor of Boko Haram.

The spokesman of Borno State governor, Isa Gusau, had said in a statement
released on Tuesday that Governor Shettima condemned whatever act Khadi and
his cohorts had engaged in.

A former coach of Nigeria, Adegboye Onigbinde, has disclosed that he has personally written to out-of-contract Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, to quietly seek a job elsewhere.

Onigbinde spoke with a Nigerian online news portal SuperSport.com.

Of late the calls have been deafening mostly from former Nigerian managers for the erstwhile Mali and Togo coach to leave the Eagles job after he failed to qualify the country for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in a dismal fashion. The latest calls for Keshi to quite have come from Christian Chukwu, Shaibu Amodu, and Kashimawo Laloko, among others.

Onigbinde said he would not like to be seen repeating himself on Keshi and Eagles’ job as he has specifically asked him then to politely thank the president for considering him worthy for recall and bow out honourably.

Onigbinde said, “On the very day the Presidency asked him to return to his job I personally sent him a text message to politely thank Mr President for the offer and bow out honourably and quietly, too.

“Keshi respectfully replied the text message thanking me and that was it as he went ahead with the two remaining 2015 AFCON qualifying matches against Congo and South Africa, I’m sure the rest is history.

“I volunteered the advice to Keshi because I understand that he won’t work with the Presidency but a different set of people as well as an entirely different environment.

“Now that others have picked up the calls I have the privilege to have said over two months ago I won’t like to engage in an exercise that will appear repetitious so that I won’t be accused of having interest in the whole matter.

“I’m not used to pressurising people to act in certain way, I’ve passed my view directly to him, I don’t need to pressurise him further on same thing.”

Onigbinde insisted that administration is the bane of the nation’s football development while he condemned the football house for half-heartedly implementation of his suggestions on match analysis.

“The major problem of football in the land is administration, I’ve written several papers on the need for a virile technical department which is key to football development.

“In other lands it’s called technical and development department because without development then everybody could as well go to sleep. I suggested that some people be trained as match analysts but the persons I saw on the list the NFF wants to train made me to laugh.

“The major mistakes we keep repeating are to assume that ex-footballers are automatic administrators, it’s quite wrong. Jose Mourinho and Arrigo Sacchi weren’t star players but you can’t rival their administrative and technical finesse.

“Being a star player doesn’t make you sound administrator or technical expert, it’s clearly a special calling,” Onigbinde said. [PUNCH}

Oil workers under the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Worker (NUPENG) have called off their four-day long industrial action.
The National Executive Councils of the two unions agreed to suspend the strike after a long meeting on Thursday with federal government representatives.

The meeting lasted till the early hours of Friday.

Though details of the resolution were yet to be released, a senior national official of PENGASSAN in Abuja told PREMIUM TIMES that the unions were able to extract “firm” commitments from the government with regards to their grievances.
The meeting, convened by the Ministry of Labour and Productivity, was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.
Some of the demands of the workers included the immediate reinstatement of one of PENGASSAN zonal official in Rivers state, Elo Victor, sacked by the management of Total Oil Nigeria and the suspension of plans by government to sell the refineries.
The workers were also protesting against the delay in the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which has been pending at the National Assembly for about six years.

The PENGASSAN official, who pleaded that he should not be named as he was authorized to speak on the issue, said a formal joint statement calling off the action would be issued by the NEC of the union later on Friday.

Special Assistant to President Jonathan on New Media, Reno Omokri has just described Rotimi Amaechi as the ‘Automated Teller Machine’ of the All Progressive Congress Party (APC).
He threw the shade hours after Gov.Amaechi of Rivers State was appointed Head of APC presidential campaign.
Just yesterday, the People’ Democratic Party (PDP) members accused Amaechi of using state funds to finance Buhari’s campaign, now Reno is not letting it slide.

Major SK Umaru was killed yesterday Wednesday December 17th during a battle with Boko Haram militants. Described as a committed soldier, Umaru told friends when he was posted to the war front recently that he was ready for whatever his mission brings him. Sadly, it brought death. May his soul rest in peace Amen.

Richard Mofe-Damijo, Delta State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism has abandoned the grave of his wife, Mee Mofe Damijo at Ikoyi Cemetery, Lagos and the grave is now overgrown with weeds.

The late wife was the publisher of Classique Magazine, Editor of Quality Magazine and host of Mee & You Television Talk Show before she died after fibroid operation in Lagos.

When Famous People Magazine visited Ikoyi Cemetery days ago, Moors there told us that they have never seen the husband come to visit the grave since she was buried in the early 1990s.

They said initially members of her NGO, Sunshine Foundation do visit and gives them money to clear weeds around the grave. But they have stopped coming. The Moors added that those who really care about their late love ones do visit regularly and keep their love ones grave clean.

They added some even come with their families to spend time at the graveside of their love ones. It is interesting to know that it was Mee who brought Richard Mofe-Damijo to fame and fortune when she married him and moved him from Oshodi where he was squatting with some friends to her duplex at Talabi Street, Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja, Lagos. Onome, her only daughter and child lives in America.
Culled from Famous People Magazine

Nigeria and Lille Metropole Goal Tender, Vincent Enyeama says he should have been crowned the BBC African Player of the Year but lost, perhaps, because Nigerians didn’t vote enough.

Enyeama was shortlisted for the award along with eventual winner Algerian Yacine Brahimi, Gabonese Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Ivorian pair Gervinho and Yaya Toure.

After a record number of votes were submitted from fans in 207 FIFA-registered countries, Brahimi came out on top.
The 24-year-old midfielder becomes the first Algerian to win the award, which is decided by football fans.
“I wouldn’t say I felt bad because I deserved to win based on my performance through January till date, but it was down to voting and perhaps Nigerians didn’t vote enough.”

“In any case I want to say a big thank you to all those who did. It means I must put extra effort to my job for the next one,” said Enyeama, who is among the shortlisted for the annual Glo-CAF African Footballer of the Year Award which will hold in Lagos next month.

Meanwhile, After missing out on this year’s 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil due to injury and also sure to miss out on next year’s AFCON tournament in Equatorial Guinea, one capped Eagles’ defender and Darmstadt star, Leon Balogun says he does not regret opting to play for Nigeria.

The German-based defender picked up a long-term foot injury during playing for Nigeria in a friendly against Mexico in the World Cup year.
Leon in an interview with www.footballlive.ng expressed his disappointment with the Eagles’ failure to book a ticket for the continental showpiece, but was confident the team will surely recover from the setback.

“I’m not that kind of person who’s only there in times of success. Nobody said it was going to be easy because every team during the qualifiers played to be at the tournament and we missed out on it, but we can always bounce back,” the defender said.

Festus Mbisiogu has emerged the 2014 Igbo Person of the Year. A China-based businessman, Mbisiogu clenched the award, defeating 10 other distinguished Igbo indigenes slated for the prestigious award.

The Igbo Person of the Year Award, a thought seed of Igbo Amaka, an Igbo socio-cultural organization committed to promoting excellence in the nation’s interest in concert with various Pan Igbo organisations, is conceptualised to stimulate the spirit of industry and to acknowledge sterling achievements by Igbo sons and daughters across the globe.

A native of Ideato South in Imo State, Mbisiogu got the honour in recognition of his pivotal role in the establishment of the Nigerian Consulate in the city of Gwanzhou, China, which has the largest population of Nigerians resident in China. More importantly, the Assessment/Advisory Board for the awards also considered his far reaching measures towards providing portable water in his place, Ideato South, Imo State.
The Tusk presentation ceremony of the 2014 Igbo Person of the Year Award is scheduled to hold on January 23, 2015, at Golden Gate Restaurant, Ikoyi, Lagos State.

The event will also witness the presentation of an All-Time Igbo Personality Award to the Former African Footballer of the Year and one of Africa’s most decorated footballers, Kanu Nwankwo. The African Wrestling Heavyweight Champion, Osita Offor aka De Ultimate Commander shall also receive an award for his display of sporting talent in wrestling.
On the same occasion, DAAR Communications PLC shall receive an award for providing and sustaining broadcast time for Igbo cultural programmes on all its three platforms – Ray Power FM, AIT and DAARSAT since inception.

This prestigious award has been won by notable indigenes of Igbo land, Including Peter Obi, Former Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chinua Achebe, Chief Pete Edochie (MON), Chief Mrs. Chioma Ajunwa (MON), Chief Mrs. Patience Ozokwo (OFR) and Chief Chika Okpala (MON), aka Zebrudaya.

Anchored by Ogene TV Channel, the fifth edition of the award ceremony, shall be a gathering of notable Igbo, including Goddy Uwazurike – President General, Aka Ikenga, as chairman of the award ceremony, Dr. Alex Ekwueme (GCON), former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the special guest of honour, while Chief Audu Ogbe is a special guest of honour. The diplomatic community and a host of other great personalities will also grace the occasion.

Mbisiogu, who holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Lagos (UNILAG), is happily married with five children.

An armed robbery suspect in the cell of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Lagos Police Command, Seun Kolawole, has confessed that his numerous girlfriends have been the ones sponsoring his crime spree and paying for the hotels he has been lodging in before his arrest.
The suspect who claims to be 23-year-old, says he lives with his wife and mother in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, but comes down to Lagos to rob and snatch expensive cars before going back to his base.

According to the police, Kolawole who was a member of a notorious and violent gang of robbers, has been terrorising Lagos residents for many years and was declared wanted by the command following a directive by the Commissioner of Police in the state, Kayode Aderanti, and his cup became full when he was nabbed by the squad led by super crime buster, DSP Abba Kyari.
Kolawole was arrested in Mushin when he came out of the hotel room where he lodged in to receive a car believed to have been stolen.
The suspect confessed that though his family lived in Abuja, he had relocated them to Ekiti State, while he moved down to Lagos to perpetrate his crimes.
He opened up to crime reporters on his crime:
"The address of the hotel where I was arrested is 21, Alafia Street, Mushin. I am from Ikire local government area of Osun State. I’m a driver and I’m married. My wife first gave birth this January.
My dad is a retired army officer; he just got accommodation in Ekiti, because he worked in Ekiti. He asked his wife (my mother) to come down. I did not have the money to get out, so I asked my wife to follow them.
Police arrested me on Monday at 9.30pm in Mushin. They arrested me because of a car, Toyota Camry. One of my friends called me; he told me that someone was bringing a car from Ajah, I should help him to receive the car and park in the hotel I lodged.
He said that after two days he would come and pick the car; I asked him if it was a Tokunbo car or fairly used, he said it was fairly used, so I agreed.

When I got to Mushin, I called the person to say I was in Mushin and he said I should come to the filling station close to Mushin Bus Stop. When I got there, I saw the car, I saw the driver, and he gave me the key.
I started the car, put it in gear, but as I moved, someone entered from the other door, the car was already moving, the person turned the steering; I did not know they were policemen because they were not in inform. The car turned and rammed into a Danfo bus."
Asked why he lodged in hotels and who paid the bills, Kolawale said:
"I lodged in Jocasson Hotel at Adeoya Street; I paid N6,000 per night. It was my women friends, my sugar mummies, that paid. I have some sugar mummies, anytime they want to see me, they invite me and pay for a hotel room.
My sugar mummy asked me to lodge there, she wanted to pay for five days. In fact, I have not paid yet. She asked me to stay until she comes, before this happened.

I have three sugar mummies. One is staying at Ajah, one stays at Warri in Delta State and one is in Ibadan, Oyo State. The one from Warri was the one that told me to lodge in the hotel. Even after that incident happened, she was calling me on phone in the night. She is a businesswoman based in Warri.

My friend that called me in respect of the car is Chukwuka Uzor. I knew him as a car dealer, and I know his car stand in Abuja. I also know his house in Abuja; he is based in Abuja. He said that someone was bringing a car from Ajah.
Chukwuka is my friend. He once gave me a Toyota Sienna, and Odyssey to transport for him. Many times, I go to Owode-Idiroko to transport cars for him. Contonou registration numbers are always fixed on the cars.

He told me someone was bringing the car that I should collect and keep it for him. I told him I was at Adeoya; he sent my number to the person, the person now said he could not come to the hotel, so I should come to Mushin Bus Stop.
It happened in the night, I did not know it would end like that. I was only waiting for the woman that asked me to lodge in the hotel.
That was the third time he had given me cars. Two were in Owode-Idiroko. The first time I transported a car for him, he gave me N70,000. It was Toyota Sienna, then Honda, he gave me N30,000. I was angry, I told him this time he would pay me well that I did not have money, I did not know it was a stolen car."

It’s the season to give back!

Uti Nwachukwu holds a charity event every year where he pulls together a number of stars to help put a smile on the face of less privileged children.

This year Uti had stars like Flavour, Melvin Oduah, Vimbai Mutinhiri, Chigul, Kenneth Okoli, Saeon, IK Ogbonna and more cheer up the kids while also donating tons of things.

Check on it!

The Eko Electricity Distribution Plc (EKED) has announced that there will be seven hour power supply interruption to some areas within in Lagos today . The Assistant General Manager (Public Affairs) Mr Godwin Idemudia, in a statement said that the interruption will take place between the hours of 10 am to 4 pm due to routine maintenance work to be carried out on line 2 of Ajah-Alagbon 132kv line. Areas to be affected by the outage include; Ikoyi, Victoria Island, Obalende and Lagos Island. The statement further added that the routine maintenance to be carried out was for better efficiency of its facilities so as to enhance improved service delivery to its customers. The company appealed to its customers to please bear with it for any inconvenience the outage may cause adding that supply would be restored as soon as the maintenance work is concluded.

Ibinabo Fiberesima Gushes On Facebook About Being The Happiest Woman On Earth..
She is about to marry UK based boo Uche Egbuka and her Joy knows no bounds as she went on her social media handle to post these new pics.
Uche will pay Ibinabo's bride price in Port Harcourt tomorrow.Celebs have started arriving the city for the wedding.
You deserve every happiness IB....your threshold is over,enjoy the palace!

Unveiling Dele Giwa’s first daughter, Funmilayo

Funmilayo is one of the 5 children of Dele Giwa, the founding editor –in –chief and chief executive Officer of Newswatch magazine who was killed through a parcel bomb in Lagos on 19th October 1986. In his life time, the late Dele Giwa had 5 children, three boys and two girls: Billy, Dele Jnr., Tunde, Funmi. Funmilayo Dele-Giwa, a trained lawyer, is dual qualified in England and Nigeria, with a First Class LL.M in International Corporate Governance & Financial Regulation. She specialises in Finance and Corporate/Commercial law and she has developed expertise in emerging market transactions. She has an eye for detail and assists banks with Trade Finance and due diligence, particularly in relation to the Nigerian market. She is an avid reader and enjoys travelling.

The Rivers State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has 'congratulated' the outgoing Governor of the State, Rotimi Chubuike Amaechi for losing his bid to grab the Vice Presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

A statement issued by the PDP this afternoon read, "The PDP is excited that Amaechi has been confirmed as a serial loser who lacks the capacity to win any competitive contest and can only excel in incivility and loose tongues"

Most disturbing, the party noted is the billions of tax payers’ money the outgoing Governor spent on lobbying for the APC VP ticket at the expense of infrastructural development, provision of portable drinking water in the State and payment of salaries and allowances of civil servants and pensioners.

"The outgoing Governor Rotimi Amaechi plans to empty the State treasury and also debit the upcoming Government with huge debts that will take the life span of his successor administration to upset.

"One of such plans, the PDP can authoritatively reveal is the recent directive by Governor Amaechi to the Chairmen of the 23 Local Government Areas, whose tenure in office has elapsed to access bank loans to the tune of Two Hundred Million Naira (N200,000,000.00)".

"The loan, the Party reliably gathered, would be used to fund this year’s cultural Festival, here referred to as ‘CANIRIV’ and as Christmas package and freebies for members of the All Progressives Congress in the various LGAs and fun APC campaigns"

"The PDP condemns in its entirety what it describes as criminal and unpatriotic of Governor Amaechi and all those aiding him to commit such financial fraud on Rivers People", PDP said.

In addition to the above, the Party said the outgoing Governor has consistently squandered public funds on Personal Political ambition, sponsoring APC events and his failed Vice Presidential aspiration. "It has also been established that the outgoing Rivers State Governor is today a leading financier of Gen Buhari’s Presidential campaign, as billions of Rivers money were used in organising Buhari’s campaign tours and travels as well as major events of the APC in and outside the State, including the protest march in Abuja and the National Convention in Lagos"

"Considering the economic and social implications these reckless and fraudulent financial activities of Governor Amaechi portend on the State and people after the life of this administration, the PDP believes it is time to act rather than remaining mute over an avoidable calamitous situation in the State".

"It is in the light of this that the PDP urges all anti graft agencies to urgently save Rivers State and the people from impending collapse in 2015, after Governor Amaechi has left office. The Party also warns all financial bodies, including Banks and other lending institutions, not to honour any further applications for loans or borrowing arrangement by the Rivers State government under Governor Amaechi or any of its agencies, as such financial transactions will not be respected by the incoming Government in the State", the party added.

Editor of Pride magazine, Assistant Editor Vanguard Allure and anchor of the fashion police show, Glamsquad TV, Latasha Ngwube was recently made the face of Konga’s newly created plus size category.

LoveMEBaby:
God but why? Who is this @op.... smh. Shey u no get internet wey u fit check online.
Some Topic wey person dey see for FP nowadays smh

Following the news of Nigeria being declared Ebola free by the World Health Organisation, the leadership of the Nigeria Catholic church has ordered the return of handshakes as a sign of peace during masses.

According to Thisday¸ the Nigerian Catholic Bishops Conference at the weekend also ordered all its priests and the faithful to revert to the normal practices of receiving Holy Communion through the tongue, a practice that was stopped before because of the threat of the Ebola Virus. The Bishops also directed that holy water founts at the entrance of churches be filled again with holy water and never to be allowed to go dry any more.

All these practices were stopped after the outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease in July when the Bishop’s Conference met and issued a circular banning all these practice in a bid to curb the spread the deadly virus.
Now in a new circular that was signed by the Archbishop of the Catholic Diocese of, Alfred Adewale Matins, the Bishop’s Conference has instructed all Catholic churches in Nigeria to revert to the normal practices.

“I refer to our special circular of August, 2014 on the outbreak of Ebola Virus in which we directed that the ‘sign of peace’ through pastoral handshake be omitted, and the holy water fonts be left dry and permitted in the interim, the reception of Holy Communion in the hand, as an extraordinary practice while the Ebola alert was on. We thank God that the steps we took to contain the spread of the Ebola Virus, have been most helpful as Nigeria is now declared an Ebola free nation. To this end, we hereby direct that the church reverts to the normal and ordinary practices prior to the Ebola disease saga,” the statement reads.

The Bishops also praised God for the zero case status of the Ebola Virus Disease in Nigeria and urged Nigerians to pray for the countries is still battling the virus.

History was made today when Captain Abimbola Jayeola (Captain AB) became Nigeria's first ever female Helicopter Captain. She flies the sikorsky S76 for Bristow helicopters Nigeria. Here's a photo of her being decorated with her commanders epaulets. Congrats to her.

Not too long ago, Comedian Basket mouth and his wife, Elsie marked their 4th wedding anniversary.

He has however revealed that marriage is not a bed of roses.

In a brief chat with YNaija at the recently held Headies awards in Lagos, the happily married father of two said “Marriage is not that simple but I always try to make it work by playing my part. Due to the nature of my job, I am not always around, sometimes I could be away for weeks but when I am back home, I try to make it up to my family especially my wife.

For instance I came here (Headies) with her today, I go to events with her, take her shopping and make her feel special.

When I am home, I am the houseboy, I do all the work, clean up the kids and spend time with them. I sweep, I cook, I wash…I do basically all the house chores”

When asked what he could cook best, he laughed and said “er, it varies, it depends on what my wife wants me to cook but I can cook all sorts of soup, okra, egusi, everything, just name it”

Suspected Boko Haram Insurgents, who fled Bama alongside IDPs and formed a syndicate along Bama road at Yanshayi, in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital have been rounded up by security operative. While many were arrested others escaped and are at large at the moment.

Those who were arrested were brought to the headquarters of sector 3 around Gidan Madara ‘Milk shop’ on Tuesday evening before they were moved by soldiers to Giwa Barracks in Maiduguri.

A civilian JTF, who identified himself as Tanimu Shuiabu told our reporter that, they have been arresting members of the Boko Haram insurgents who escaped during and encounter with the Nigerian military and stormed Maiduguri, the Borno state capital as IDPs.

According to him, ” Those who were today arrested were said to have been seen on several occasions planning mischief. They have been kept under close watch until when we found out that, they were members of Boko Haram who came from Bama with the IDPs”

Asked on how they were able to establish that those who were arrested were members of the Islamic sect,. Tanimu said, ” they had guns. They never wanted anybody around to be friends with them and they would always leave other IDPs for private meetings.

” When they were confronted by other IDPs over their nocturnal meetings, they told them that they were only planning on how to go back to Bama, saying that it was better to go back than to continue to live under the present harsh situation and that their major concern was how to get back to Bama through Konduga.

“Also one of the IDPs who saw them with guns sneaked and told some of our boys (civilian JTF) and we inform the soldiers with all the details that we had. After it was established that they were Boko Haram members, the soldiers stormed the place today and many of them were arrested.” He said.

As we all know, Yemi Osinbajo has been announced as the running mate of Presidential aspirant Muhammadu Buhari. However, Banky W insists that the winner should have been Fashola.
Yemi was picked because he is a christian while Fashola is a muslim.
Banky W also goes on to speak on how religion and tribe often divides us.
See tweets below: