Monday 30 September 2013
Nollywood actress, Genevieve Nnaji, D’banj, Toolz rock at a wedding in the UK (PHOTOS)
We can’t help but notice the gleeful manner in which media personality Toolz is holding the bouquet. This photo was captured at the wedding of PR guru Vanessa Amadi, CEO of VA-PR, which held yesterday, Saturday September 28th in the UK.
As the tale goes, catching the bouquet simply means you will be the next bride, we hope that is true in the case of Toolz.
Genevieve was also spotted at the wedding, looking chic in a blue wrap gown, hair packed up with a flowery necklace.
Singer D’banj did the orange number which is very unusual for a guy to wear but he rocked the color well.
See photos below:
SHOCKER!! Actress Funke Akindele goes back to school!!
Funke Akindele sure seems to have put behind her marital travails behind her and she is churning out movies after the incidence
Am sure this photo is from a photo shoot! lol!!
"I am not a man of God...If God calls me, I can’t run away from His call". - King sunny Ade Reveals!
Before now, we’ve heard about your plans to dump secular music for full time gospel ministry. Could you tell us more about this plan of yours?
From the beginning of my life, I have been in the Christianity realm. If you listen to my songs very well, you will discover that 90 per cent of my songs have been about giving praises to God. I have always been closer to the Most High, but many have refused to see it that way.
How long have you been born again, so to say?
I think it is wrong for people to say that I am just getting born again now because I had been born again a very long time ago. It is a pity that people don’t know that I am not the type that makes noise about what I am doing. It remains between God and I whether I am born again or not. How do you want to know whether I am born again? Will it be when I start shouting at every occasion or when I say it in a church? This is not something that should be made public. It is supposed to be between you and God.
Then, why are you making it public now?
Recently, I looked at myself and all what God has done for me over the years and I began to count my blessings. It got to a point that I couldn’t count how much God has blessed me. So, I decided to re-dedicate my life to Christ at the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
Why the choice of Redeemed and not the orthodox church where you were born?
What’s wrong with the Redeemed? One thing I want to let you understand is that it doesn’t matter which church you worship. God is one. The church does not count as far as I am concerned. Inasmuch as you are convinced within yourself that the spirit of God dwells in the church, my brother, you can worship there, and anywhere. At the end of the day, God is not going to ask you where you worshipped. Does God care about your church? No.
Evangelist Bola Are said that she heard from God that she should deliver a message to you about God’s calling upon your life. Before she met you to deliver this message, was there any sign to you that something like that was going to happen?
I thank God that people like Mama Bola Are could come out to say something like that had happened. Truth is, she is not the only one to have brought message from God to me, I have heard a lot of people say the same thing over the years. I don’t believe anybody can say God said you should become this or that. These people can only guide you. For instance, if I send you to the world so that you would know how many people are praying for me, or are hearing words from God on my behalf, I am sure that we won’t complete that exercise for the next one year. So, Mama is only expressing her happiness, her joy, to have finally seen me in this position today, worshipping in my own church. I have been active in the work of God for many years and I am not planning to be a pastor, but if God calls me to be anything, I will surely follow Him. The fact still remains that I am yet to hear from God on what step I should take next. People can only tell you things, do this or do that, but you have to be careful and listen to God to guide you through.
But people are already seeing you as a Pastor. Do you see yourself as one?
You can’t just call yourself a man of God. There must be a very strong covenant between you and God before you can claim that you are a man of God. I don’t see myself like that, but if people call me a man of God, it means I have to be very careful because I have not heard from God. All I know is that I am a son of God, not yet a man of God.
You are about to step into that spiritual realm with this new development, how prepared are you for this new challenge?
I have always been a spiritual person and I have been surviving as a spiritual person since I was born.
How do you mean sir?
There is a touch of spirituality about my existence that I can’t even explain, even as I speak with you now, I still can’t explain it. The fact is that I don’t even know how I have been surviving till now. I didn’t study music, nobody taught me music. Nobody taught me how to play the guitar. But I know it has been God all along. Nothing else could have sustained me till now and surely no one has, except God. I think people are still looking at me with the impression they had in those days when I was still looking for fame. Those days, I sang all sorts of songs because I wanted to be famous, especially in Ondo town where they worship Ogun. Every year, we worshipped Ogun in Ondo those days, so I thought that if I sang Ogun songs, people would accrpt me; buy my album. But it does not mean that I am worshipping Ogun or anything.
To the question: How prepared are you for this phase of your life?
I am prepared for anything knowing very well that God Himself will not watch me fail. As long as you agree to obey God, you have prepared yourself for His work and He will take over from there. He will use you the way He wants to, not the way you want to.
Are we likely to see a complete gospel album from you and what do you think will happen to the secular side of your music career from now on?
If God says I should come and be one of His men, I will gladly take it. But the fact is that you won’t even know about it. If God calls me, I can’t run away from His call. Like I used to say, when we get to the bridge, we will cross it. Only God knows what plans He has for me. He was the one who brought me to this level and I am sure He will see me through another phase of my life.
With the feat you have achieved in the industry, what do you still ask God to do for you?
When I go to sleep every night, my usual prayer is that, ‘God, you have given me the grace to see the end of today, grant me the grace to witness tomorrow. I don’t ask God to give me this or that. If we all ask God for a long life, prosperity and other things that people usually ask, how do you want God to answer all those prayers? (laughs) What do you want the angels to write down?(laughs) The fact is that you will even forget what you have asked God yesterday if you keep asking him different things every day. I always keep it simple with God because He knows all my needs and He alone knows when, how to meet them.
Looking back into your life, what have you gained and lost?
I have gained the mercy of God and grace. Like I told you, I don’t know how I got to this level today. I don’t know why God decided to favour me this way. For the past four days now, I think I slept probably for an hour or so.
Why?
Because I wanted to be sure that everything is in good condition for my birthday celebration. The devil does not want things to go smoothly for anybody, so you have to make sure you defeat the devil at all times. He’s never tired of hurting or destroying. Talking about what I have lost, that should be the current state of the nation. I am sad because Nigeria is not in the position that I met it when I started singing. I had hopes, dreams,but all that is not happening. I know our leaders are trying, but a lot still needs to be done
What inspires you?
The grace of God is so inspiring. Anytime I want to record, I just call my band boys and we will come up with something good at the end of the day. Inspiration comes from everything about life.
How have you been able to keep the KSA brand on top?
The truth is that I wouldn’t have been successful with it if the media had not been my friend. You guys have been so wonderful over the years and that is why I always refer to you as my first friend. It is the media that builds a brand first. But the brand, or people behind the brand also have their roles to play. Any little mistake on the part of somebody known to be close to a brand can have a negative effect. So, the media, staff, friends, clients help to build, sustain a brand and I am glad KSA has not been negatively portayed in, and outside of the region.
Recently, you were in the news doing some stuffs for Coca-Cola in Kenya, could you tell us about that?
I was invited by a friend, David Sanders, a TV presenter in Kenya, but it was sponsored by Coca-Cola. On getting to Nairobi, I discovered that Coca-Cola had already erected a Coke Studio in Kenya. It’s a different style entirely. These days, musicians don’t have other jobs than to go to the studio, handle the computer and record. If you tell the same musician to come and perform live, it becomes a problem. Coca-Cola said they were looking for the present generation to plan ahead for future generation by fusing the old and new music. They want us to work together so that musicians, either old or young, can have something to fall back on at the end of the day. It was an opportunity for me to blend. I told them that I wanted artistes of all genres of music to work with me.
Flavour was with you in Kenya. How was it working with him?
He was great. So were the other artistes, they were all great.
You are the real global name after Fela, do you see this as a burden?
It is not a burden. It is like I am moving from one class to another one. I don’t know which lecturer I am going to meet when I get there. That is why I love to work with everybody. My brand would not have been successful or popular, but for the support of the media, I am where I am today. I have said that before. So, whatever class I find myself, I am always ready to learn from everybody, especially from the press. I have learnt a lot from you today with the way you asked your questions,and even the suggestions you have given. That is why I always perform very well because you have educated me a lot.
SHOCKER!! Pastor shot in front of his wife and entire congregation during church service!!
A pastor was fatally shot as he preached
to a crowd of more than 60 during a revival service Friday night, and a
suspect has been arrested, law enforcement officials said.
Sixty-five people were inside at the time, including the victim's wife, Chief Deputy Stitch Guillory said.
 |
| The shooting ocurred around 8:20 p.m. on Friday at Tabernacle of Praise Worship Center in Lake Charles, La. |
Woodrow Karey, 53, of Lake Charles is charged with second-degree murder and was held in the parish jail Saturday, Myers said. Meyers said Karey's bond has been set at $1 million.
The gunman fled the church, but Myers said Karey called the Sheriff's Office and surrendered without incident.
Myers added Saturday that deputies were busy "interviewing everybody who was there at the church."
Family members who answered the telephone Saturday at the Harris home in Lake Charles said there would be no comment. There was no answer at a telephone listing for Karey or at Tabernacle of Praise.
DailyNews
Jealous ex-girlfriend sets rival ablaze in Enugu
The Commissioner of Police Enugu State, Mr. Mohammed Adamu described the incident as very unfortunate. “It is terrible that a girl because of jealousy would set another girl on fire simply because they are befriending the same boy.”
CP Adamu explained that on that fateful day, Cynthia had in connivance with another suspect, one Obiora Chukwuegbo stormed Chika’s home and set Chinwe on fire. It was only the assistance of neighbours that Chinwe was rescued through the window as the fire consumed the room. She was said to have been taken to a private hospital before she was transferred to Annunciation Specialist Hospital Emene, Enugu State where she is still receiving treatment.
The boyfriend, Chika told Sunday Sun
“I am a driver and I’ve been dating Chinwe for the past five years. We had little quarrel and we stopped dating. I meet Cynthia who is a prostitute and dated her for just one month. We separated one month after because at times she would be chasing me with a knife. I couldn’t bear it and so I went back to settle with my former girlfriend. Cynthia didn’t give up as she threatened that she was going to deal with us. She even threatened to pour acid on me.
Being a driver, I travelled the day Cynthia burnt my girlfriend. It was one of my neighbours that called me to say that my house was on fire and that somebody poured fuel under the door and it exploded and burnt my girlfriend who was sleeping in the room; that they have rescued her through the window.
“When I got home, I saw that all my property had been burnt to ashes. My girlfriend was hospitalized because she sustained injuries from the fire. But I am determined and I have promised God that with the condition of my girlfriend that I am still going to marry her.”The suspect, Cynthia, who hails from Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State, said
“I started dating Chika when he had misunderstanding with his former girlfriend, Chinwe. We dated for one month and then he told me that he was no longer interested in marrying me. Chika is owing me N12,000. When we had a quarrel, I did not threaten him with a knife. I only used the knife to deflate his tyres.
“I have quarreled with Chinwe several times. I sent her a text message to leave my boyfriend. Because she threatened me, I also threatened her that she will never enjoy the relationship. I don’t know anything about who took fuel to the house of her boyfriend and burnt the house. On that fateful day, Chika called my phone at night and said that I should meet him at Emene junction. I was out waiting for him when the policemen from the State CID arrested me. I didn’t know anything about the incident. I only know we have traded words.”When Sunday Sun visited the victim at the Annunciation Specialist Hospital Emene Area, Enugu State, she said:
“I am still shocked at what happened. I regret dating Chika as I have been turned to something else now. I saw Cynthia Onah and Chukwuegbo Obiora after they had poured fuel under the door and fire was everywhere. I was calling him for help. It was when I was calling for help through the other window that I saw Cynthia Onah and Obiora Chkwuegbo running away and I was shouting for help until the neighbours broke one of the windows and carried me out from the window”, she said.
“My relationship with Chika is over. I am in pains and agony. I didn’t know what to do. I was sleeping and suddenly I saw smoke and it exploded and caught fire. I could have been burnt to ashes if not for the neighbours who broke through the window and rescued me,” she added.CP Adamu said the suspects would soon be charged to court.
Gospel Singer, Don Moen Welcomes His First Grand Child (photos)
My favourite and award-winning ace gospel singer, Don Moen is so elated at the moment. His oldest child Melissa and son-in-law who also doubles as his manager Jesse Sproul, just had their first child, thus making Don Moen a grandfather!
The music-evangelist announced on his facebook page that he is now a grand-father. "It's official! Our first grandchild!! Sweet Stella!" She's co cute, congrats to him!
Don Moen further shared a testimony below:
Don Moen said his wife and he searched for a child for 12 years before they were finally blessed with a baby girl. ‘We waited for 12 years before we had our first child. Doctors said we couldn’t have children but God gave us 5 at the end, a daughter, then a son, a daughter then a son and then a daughter. Men had given up on us but at the end, God gave us five children in 7 years,’ he announced!
53rd Independence: Boko Haram Plans More Attacks -Police
Following the massacre of about 77 persons including 50 students of a College of Education in Yobe State by the Boko Haram terrorist group at the weekend and intelligence reports showing that the group was planning more strikes on the eve of Nigeria’s Independence anniversary, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, has placed all officers and men of the force on red alert.
The directive of the IGP in a signal to all Assistant Inspectors General of Police and Command Commissioners of Police in the 36 states and Abuja, is for them to ensure that pre-emptive actions and proactive actions aimed at intercepting the murderous plans of the terrorists before they carry them out.
A statement from Force headquarters signed by Force Public Relations officer, CSP Frank Mba said, “As part of deliberate and comprehensive efforts by the Nigeria Police Force to ensure a hitch-free Independence Day Anniversary Celebration, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP MD Abubakar has placed officers and men of the Nigeria Police, as well as other special operatives, on red alert nation-wide.
“The IGP has specifically directed all Zonal Assistant Inspectors-General
of Police, Command Commissioners of Police, including the Maritime Command to ensure adequate and effective deployment of all operational tools and manpower within their Commands”
“They are to pay special attention to Shopping Malls, Public Parks and Beaches, Highways and other critical infrastructures and sensitive areas in order to guarantee the safety and well being of the citizenry”.
The IGP assured Nigerians that the Police will do everything within available resources to discharge their constitutional and statutory responsibilities of providing safe and secure environment for all, particularly during this period of Independence Anniversary.
The IGP has equally, on behalf of Officers and men of the Nigeria Police
Force, heartily congratulated President Goodluck Jonathan and the entire people of Nigeria, on the nation’s 53rd Independent Anniversary.
He saluted the courage and determination of Nigerians to build and
sustain a strong, indivisible and virile nation, in spite of all confronting circumstances.
Furthermore, the IG called on Nigerians to put their differences aside and courageously continue to support the Police in the face of current security challenges confronting the country.
He enjoined all well meaning persons and groups to cooperate with the Force by providing useful information, especially with regards to the on- going fight against terrorism and other forms of crimes and criminalities, for the mutual benefit and collective interest of the citizenry.
PDP Crisis: I Belong To No Faction – Obasanjo
Former President Olusgeun Obasanjo
“Former President Olusegun Obasanjo does not belong to any faction of the party; he is a leader of the PDP. Baba is a former President of the country under the platform of PDP, former chairman, Board of Trustees of the party, you don’t expect him to belong to any faction of the party.
“As far as he is concerned, PDP is one and what is happening is a disagreement within the PDP family; it is a family affair which will soon come to an end. Baba is a mediator and you don’t expect a mediator to take sides in a feud.
“Those who are insinuating that Baba belongs to one faction or the other are missing it. It is his wish that peace and unity return to the party and that is what he is working on till this hour. The idea that some people are after him because of his resolve to end the crisis does not arise. He believes that the party will come out of the crisis stronger,” he said.
Stupid Colleague Caused Our Arrest – Robbery Suspect
Olusanya, Balogun and Oluwatosin
Some robbery suspects engaged in a war of words on Thursday at the Lagos State Police Command headquarters.
The suspects, who were recently arrested by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, traded blames over who caused their arrest.
We gathered ga area of the state.
Police authorities said after the robbery, the suspects shared the loot and went their separate ways.
Oluwatosin was, however, spotted while hiding his gun at the backyard of his house.
An eyewitness was said to have reported to the police and Oluwatosin was arrested. It was learnt that
through his confessional statement, the police apprehended his colleagues.
One of the suspects, Balogun, who claimed to be a barber, said he regretted following Oluwatosin for the robbery.
He said, “He (Oluwatosin) is a very stupid boy. He is just 20-years-old and I see him like a younger brother because we grew up in the same area. Some days ago, he told me that there was a man in the area drove a nice car and he had studied the man’s movements.
“We got guns and when it was midnight, we stormed the house. We stole about N500,000 and I felt this was enough, but Oluwatosin was not satisfied. He stole CDs, laptops, seven mobile phones, video games and other items that we did not need.
“Carrying such things around at night could draw suspicion to us and I told him this but he was too stubborn. As I predicted, he was the one that caused our arrest. He is stupid.”
Another suspect, Olusanya, said he was not an armed robber but a smuggler. He said he knew the gang but had only followed them for one operation.
He said, “I followed them for a robbery some months ago but we did not succeed. On that particular operation, we met policemen on the road and decided to turn back. However, the driver was drunk and we had an accident.
“We had to snatch another car which we used to escape. After the unsuccessful robbery, I went back to my smuggling business because I felt those guys were not serious armed robbers. They were too clumsy.”
Oluwatosin, who is the youngest among the suspects, said he went into robbery so he could impress the suspects.
He said the suspects usually gave him N7, 000 as an informant but he wanted to make more money which made him to lead the operation.
He said, “I knew Balogun was an armed robber and I looked up to him. He used to give me N7,000 as an informant, but I felt I could do more. I did not know I would get caught after my first robbery.”
Deputy Police Public Rleations Officer, Damasus Ozoani, said the suspects would soon be charged to court. -Punch Metro
Boko Haram Beheads Seven People On Maiduguri/Damaturu Road
At the Makintafamari village, in a separate incident, gunmen also cut the throats of four persons on Saturday. They were returning to Maiduguri in the evening.
Borno Police chief Lawal Tanko confirmed the attacks .
Makintamari is a few kilometers from Benishek where over 100 travelers were murdered a week ago by suspected Boko Haram sect members.
Yobe State Governor Ibrahim Gaidam said: “We call on Mr. President and all the security chiefs, to intensify security operations through aerial surveillance, to contain the situation before it consumes the region and country.
“On our way from Maiduguri to Damaturu this afternoon (Sunday), we saw a trailer and bus that were burnt, with the occupants slaughtered and their corpses littering the highway.
“Government should rise up to its responsibilities to save the lives and properties of its citizens,” he pleaded15.
The governor said that anyone travelling on the Damaturu to Maiduguri highway, was taking a huge risk.
He urged the newly established Seven Division of the Nigerian Army, to intensify surveillance of all flash points in the two states, to flush out the insurgents.
Sunday 29 September 2013
Meet Olawale Ojo: The Winner of MTN Project Fame 2013
With just the collating company, Alexander Forbes armed with the result, the ceremony took place Saturday night at the Ultima Studio, Lekki, Lagos, as the contestants graced the stage, singing their last songs, each, just to entertain the studio guests.
Amidst the tension and anxiety that pervaded the studio, petit-frame contestant, Olawale Ojo, was declared winner of the sixth edition of the continental music show.
That night, the last shot at music, by the 400level Agronomy Student of Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, was a near-perfect rendition of Asa's Beautiful. He had sang it half-way when he delved into the Fuji genre, not losing focus of the theme of the song. He had sang his mother's praise in a high tempo tempo fuji beat and sliding back smoothly, to Asa's slow and sonorious tune as he wraps up a performance that got the audience clapping excitedly.
Even though he is more at home with the Jazz genre, perhaps his versatility was what endeared the fans to him, gathering the highest number of votes that upstaged other five finalists.
'The Pimp', as he is fondly called by friends, won for himself, N5m cash prize, a brand new car and one-year recording contract for his effort in the competition.
Olawale thus become the sixth winner of the popular musician reality show.
Why I Dumped Her Oyibo Husband -Nollywood actress Kate Henshaw Reveals
I just decided that, ok, it didn't work. Next, I had to move on. There is no need holding on to the past – no need holding on to something if it's not working any more. There is no need flogging a dead horse since it is already lifeless. And when you decide to bury the horse, would you not leave the grave site afterwards? You would go now.
Anything that happens to you now, that sun would still set, another day would come. So, it's your choice to either be part of the living or be in the grave yard.
And I choose to be alive, enjoy my life and smile at everything that is happening – good or bad. As long as God is with you, things would always be fine with you.
I'm not thinking about anything. At the moment, I'm facing my career. If it comes, fine. If it doesn't come, that's okay. It's not the end of the world because I'm convinced that God loves me. Love has given me more than enough. I have the most gorgeous daughter in the whole world. That's enough for me.
Judgment against Prince Oyinlola Is a “Miscarriage of Justice” - New PDP
The factional PDP in an online statement signed by its National Spokesman, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka, said that the party learnt with shock of yesterday's judgment by the Federal High Court Abuja, presided over by Justice Abdul Kafarati in the suit filed by the Ogun State chapter of PDP against PDP's National Secretary, His Excellency, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former Governor of Osun State.
The breakaway PDP observed that in the judgment, Justice Abdul Kafarati ordered the PDP faction led by Alhaji Bamanga Tukur to swear in a new National Secretary for PDP and went ahead to order the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to delete Prince Oyinlola's name from its records as PDP's National Secretary.
The Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje-led PDP condemned what it described as "obvious and glaring miscarriage of justice" as the judgment was given in spite of the pendency of Prince Oyinlola's suit over the subject matter at a superior court of competent jurisdiction – the Federal Court of Appeal Abuja.
The faction said it wish to inform Nigerians that Prince Oyinlola was never served any court processes before the judgment was delivered.
The splinter PDP went further to say that the judgment "unfortunately dishonours the Court of Appeal and His Lordship's pronouncement" on the subject matter which negates procedures outlined in the Constitution of the PDP for the emergence of the party's National Secretary.
The faction opined that the Judiciary was the last hope of the common man and a defender of the weak against the strong and appealed to the Judiciary not to indulge itself in anything that may tend to give a contrary impression.
The Baraji New PDP also appealed to its supporters and all PDP members to remain calm as arrangements are being made to appeal the judgment and ensure that justice is done in the matter.
Saturday 28 September 2013
SHOCKER!!! Late Goldie's ex-boyfriend Prezzo has been declared wanted by the Kenyan Police!!!
Police say they want Prezzo aka Jackson Makini to report to Parklands Police Station for grilling after he allegedly assaulted a Swiss military officer in the head with gun butt and holster on Saturday morning.
The two are said to have been involved in an argument outside Aqua Bar over a parking slot at about 3am.
According to Gigiri Division police boss Vitalis Otieno, Prezzo had obstructed the military colonel from Switzerland which prompted the argument.
"When the military officer came back ready to go, an argument broke out over the parking slot which degenerated to an assault using a gun. We want him to report at Parklands," said Otieno.
The military officer is attached to Amisom and was headed to Ethiopia Saturday morning when the incident occurred. He was forced to cancel his flight. Otieno said he was treated and discharged from MP Shah Hospital.
And after the drama, Prezzo is said to have tried to cock and shoot at the officer who was bleeding at that time.
Otieno cited witnesses who said Prezzo was restrained by his bodyguards who dragged him to his car and drove off.
A hunt on him was on-going on Saturday morning even as police appealed to him to surrender.
Police visited his home but they did not find him.
It's not clear if Prezzo is a licensed gun holder. We could not reach him for a comment over the allegations as his mobile phone was switched off.
Check-out Wizkid on set for his jaiye jaiye music video!!
The video which will be airing soon is directed by Sesan.
He shared the picture with the caption
'Me nd my g Sesan abt to make a dope video! “Jaiye Jaiye” day 1!'
My frustration as a musician – Baba Fryo Reveals
In a recent interview with Vanguard, Denge
Pose crooner Baba Fryo spoke about his frustration with his record label, his
lifestyle and his next move.
Here is the interview;
What is
happening to Baba Fryo?
I am living a very simple life and trying to
re-arrange myself since my last record label O’jez Music, frustrated me. I am
trying to pick up myself again. If you listen to Peter Tosh in one of his songs
he said: “I got to pick up myself, dust myself up, and start all over again.”
So, I just want to start all over again as if I have not done music at all. I
have some beautiful tracks right now. I will release one on air as a single.
What do
you mean exactly by being frustrated?
My album was delayed for three years. Is that
not frustration? Already I have taken my mind off music. I was made to feel as
if I am no longer doing music again. He didn’t make me feel as if I am still in
the industry.
What
were the terms of the contract?
For me, I refused to sign any contract when
time has been far spent. It took them three years to draft a contract as
against when I started with them spanning one
to three years. You are now asking me to sign a contract. I am not a
baby in this industry. That is why today, artistes pay for their songs to be on
CD compilation and also pay the marketer to sell their music. The music
industry is already corrupt. It has cancer for now.
COSON
is paying royalty. Are you a member?
People that are being paid now are members of
COSON. I am not a member of COSON but a member of MCSN. MCSN and all others are
having issues. They don’t have time to look for money. Everything about our
royalty is pending. While I was there, they usually give us something no matter
how small. I used to be a member of PMRSN that is the former COSON. I left
because they were not working well.
How
many albums do you have?
I have three. I am working on the fourth one.
What
happened after you released, “Notice Me” and why Notice Me?
Notice Me is about people who are full of
themselves. You know my music affects the
lives of people positively. Before the ‘Notice Me song’, there were a lot of
braggarts who pretended to be what they were not. When people travel and return
from abroad you know how they intimidate people around here.
It was
rumoured that the song was an attack on Daddy Fresh?
Well, I will not say it was an attack on
Daddy Fresh. In my first song, I said, ‘I want to throw a stone and anybody the
stone meets, that’s his own problem. It is a conscience. If you are engaged in
‘notice me’ and I play that song, it will affect you. Many musicians attacked
me when I released the song. I will not mention names but they know themselves.
Those who put earrings on their noses, ears, tongues, stomachs, everywhere,
they attacked me seriously. I give thanks to God for the inspiration. Everybody
has what influences what they do. People
feel the kind of songs I compose and I am happy because when I did ‘Denge
Pose’, it really affected people positively.
It was
rumoured that you made so much money but lavished it, living in hotels?
That is iniquity. I lived in a hotel but I
didn’t pay a dime. It was while I was living in the hotel that I thought of
buying a land. The first land I bought was two plots. When I realized I didn’t
like the area, I decided to sell them and bought other lands at Okoafo and
Amuwo. Living in a hotel to me is a worthwhile experience. I experienced many
things .It is not every cloth that is dried in the sun. I spent and I’m still
spending. But I don’t spend anyhow. I still give thanks to God.
What
was your experience?
You will see the case of a nursing mother
with her baby coming to the hotel to sleep with an old man using a walking
stick. I have seen some men with pregnant women. Not that the owner of the
hotel supports these things, he dares not see it. Some would come with their
child, give the child biscuit and leave him at the reception while they climb
upstairs for the amorous romp even in a very hot afternoon. I saw many
iniquities.
Denge
Pose, was said to be an attack on Showkey?
Like I said, anybody who thought I was
referring to him, then I was referring to him.
What is
your relationship with Daddy Showkey now?
We are best of friends. We have talked about
the past and realised we have made our mistakes. If we had been working
together right from time, I think many Ajegunle artistes would be more
successful today. Now that we are working together things are bound to improve
for our people.
What do
you think about Majek Fashek?
I wasn’t close to Majek. Some individuals are
saying his problem is spiritual. You
cannot ask a sick person to tell you what is wrong with him. He cannot. If you
ask Majek, he would tell you it’s spiritual. I think Majek needs to go back in
time to correct his mistakes, his lifestyle.
You
have been in music for sometime but some younger guys have taken over. Do you
honestly think you can still make a great comeback?
I believe hundred per cent that I will come
back with my own pattern. Let me tell you something, some people believe that
you must play what these boys are playing before you can make it. No, I
disagree. Play something that people will accept. Once people accept what you play,
that is all. I listen to the music they play these days and discovered they are
old pattern. It’s just a small touch that is added. Listen to Flavour. The beat
is old; it is the tempo that has been increased. Even the woman that sang ‘Ko
si Oba bi re’ is not different from the normal gospel music that was being
played in the past. How can Baba Fryo sing like all these small boys? That is
iniquity.
What
kind of music do you play?
I play Afro reggae beat. That is why when I
sing, they would say I sing like Fela. My own pattern is not Afrobeat. If you
say Fela did not sing like someone, we were not his age mates when he was
alive. We may not know who Fela’s mentor was or who he sang like. Somebody must
imitate somebody.
In
other words, Fela influenced your going into music?
Not only Fela. Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and
Manu Dibango also influenced me.
Do you
agree that you are one of those who started lewd songs with Johnny Waka?
No. I disagree because many people have been
singing it. What would you say about Fela?
Are you
a member of the Jehovah witness as your wife is?
I am everywhere. What I mean is that I stand
apart to observe things. I always attend ‘Jehovah Witnesses’ preaching because
it is very educative. They don’t go after your money. They don’t need your
money. Some pastors call them vendors. If they sell the book, I will be buying
it. I have investigated many churches and found out that many of them are full
of iniquity. Many exist to exploit people. They have turned all Christ taught
upside down. They twist the Bible to suit their own interest. If they have not
collected tithes and offerings repeatedly, they are not satisfied. I call them
fancy pastors.
What do
you do aside music?
I sell lands. I am an Estate agent though I
still perform my shows. I just came back from a show in Abuja.
Among
the younger ones, which one do you think can last long on the scene?
I think P-Square is good. Those boys are good
entertainers. They show other artistes example to follow. Secondly, I think
Tuface is trying but I pick P-Square.
When
are we expecting your next album?
Wait, you will hear my single this year even
my mother is insisting that I sing in my native dialect. So expect to listen to
my single in my native dialect with pidgin English to spice it up. It is
called, Kpokrikpo.
Since
you left AJ, it has not remained the same. Why?
It cannot remain the same because it’s like
the pillars have left. We put structures on ground but the people handling it
are not doing so well. All of them are following the same pattern which is not
good and I was saying this thing when it started. If you listen to Daddy
Showkey, you would know it is Showkey. If you listen to Baba Fryo, you would
know it is Baba Fryo.
Ditto to Daddy Fresh, Nico Gravity, China
Ray. Apart from Fleckterman who is
different, many people followed Femi Oritse style. They want to play like Femi
Oritse. So Ajegunle music began to go one way. I was in Ikorodu where they were
playing all these Nigerian hip hop music and one lady got annoyed and said they
should remove the Ajegunle music because it sounded the same. But our own songs
back then were not sounding the same. We laid the foundation but they did not
follow it.OMG!!! Cristiano Ronaldo shows off his jewel encrusted watch... worth £100,000
Image is everything for football's 'King of Bling' Cristiano Ronaldo who has been spotted about town flashing a jewel encrusted timepiece that would likely put a dent into even in his substantial wallet.
The watch is a Jacob and Company limited edition H24 with a total diamond weight of 15.25 cts and an retail price of nearly £100,000.
However, despite being able to afford the ostentatious accessory following the renewal of his Real Madrid contract earning him around £288,000 per week, the world's most image conscious player is unlikely to have paid the full price - since he is the new face of the luxury watchmakers.
The Portuguese was seen leaving a Madrid restaurant wearing a watch that costs more than most cars before stepping into his Lamborghini Aventador - a car worth more than most houses.
If you've got it... Cristiano Ronaldo rocks up in his Lamborghini Aventador wearing a jewel encrusted watch
King of bling:The Portuguese superstar flashes his diamond encrusted watch
'I’ve been a customer and fan of the brand for a long time so it is a natural fit. I always used Jacob watches, even before I knew Jacob,” said Ronaldo, referring to Jacob Arabo, the founder of the company.
The Portuguese recently starred in a high-profile advertising campaign to complete the relaunch of the company.
Ronaldo who has also fronted campaigns for Emporio Armani and Armani Jeans, Nike and Pepe Jeans said he was comfortable in front of the camera - to the surprise of absolutely no one.
Strike a pose: Ronaldo fronts the new advertising campaign for Jacob & Co. watches
ronaldo1.JPG
“I always try to do my best on-set, as I do on-field,” said Ronaldo during the photo shoot in Madrid.
'I try to accomplish the briefing I’m told [about the campaign] and I’m quite used now to being in front of the camera.'
The 28-year-old has also been recently seen sweating in a tuxedo on the red carpet for Jacob & Co.'s gala event in Monte Carlo.
So hot: Ronaldo looks a little overheated as he parades the red carpet with the brand's founder in Monte Carlo
Funke Akindele, O.C Ukeje, Gabriel Afolayan, others nominated for Nollywood Movie Awards
The list of nominees for the second edition of Nollywood Movie Awards (NMA) have been released by the organisers of the award ceremony which will hold on Saturday, October 21, 2013 at Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Topping the list of nominees this year are O.C Ukeje, Gabriel Afolayan, Funke Akindele, and Imeh Bishop Udoh with two nominations each for their movie roles.
See full list of nominees below:
Best Movie
1. Hoodrush
2. Journey To Self
3. The Meeting
4. Phone Swap
5. Udeme Mmi
6. Mrs Somebody
Best Lead Actor
1. Bayo Alawiye – The Gods Are Still Not To Blame
2. Gabriel Afolayan – First Cause
3. Iyke Adiele – Broken
4. Oc Ukeje – Hoodrush
5. Moses Armstrong – Udeme Mmi
6. Wale Ojo – Phone Swap
Best Lead Actress
1. Rita Dominic – The Meeting
2. Nse Ikpe-Etim – Mr & Mrs
3. Mercy Johnson – Dumebi
4. Funke Akindele – Ma’ami
5. Bimbo Akintola – Hoodrush
6. Uche Jombo – Mrs Somebody
Best Supporting Actor
1. Imeh Bishop Udoh – Udeme Mmi
2. Akin Lewis – Heros & Zeros
3. Bimbo Manuel – Broken
4. Gabriel Afolayan – Hoodrush
5. Afeez Oyetoro – Phone Swap
6. Bob Manuel Udokwu – Adesuwa
Best Supporting Actress
1. Ngozi Ezeonu – Adesuwa
2. Barbara Soky – Bridge Of Hope
3. Ada Ameh – Phoneswap
4. Chelsea Eze – Hoodrush
5. Mary Chukwu – Broken
Best Actor Indigenous
1. Ekere Nkanga – Kokomma
2. Wole Ojo – Maa’mi
3. Segun ‘Lanko’ Ogunremi – Odasan
4. Imeh Bishop Udoh – Udeme Mmi
Best Actress Indigenous
1. Tope Brass – Odasan
2. Belinda Effah – Kokomma
3. Obonganwan Bennet-James – Udeme Mmi
4. Funke Akindele – Ma’ami
Best Indigenous Movie
1. Udeme Mmi
2. Odasan
3. Maa’mi
4. Kokomma
Best Director
1. Mildred Okwo – The Meeting
2. Lancelot Imasuen – Udeme Mmi
3. Dimeji Ajibola – Hoodrush
4. Kunle Afolayan – Phone Swap
5. Tope Oshin Ogun – Journey To Self
Best Editing
1. Paul Apel – Mr & Mrs
2. Yemi Jolaosho – Phone Swap
3. Victor Ehi-Amedu – Adesuwa
4. Dimeji Ajibola – Hoodrush
5. Okey Benson – The Meeting
6. Kunle Adejuyigbe – Journey To Self
Best Sound Design
1. Obi Emelonye – Last Flight To Abuja
2. Semiu Adewuyi – Kokomma
3. Carl Raccah – Journey To Self
4. Olukunle Adegbite – The Gods Are Still Not To Blame
5. Alex Njuguna – The Meeting
6. Dimeji Ajibola – Hoodrush
Best Cinematography
1. Alfred Chia – Heroes & Zeros
2. James Costello – Last Flight To Abuja
3. Shalom Uyi Enabulele – Broken
4. Yinka Edward – Phone Swap
5. Jim Bishop – The Meeting
6. Byron Ene – The Gods Are Still Not To Blame
Best Original Screenplay
1. Tunde Babalola – Ma’ami
2. Mildred Okwo/ Tunde Babalola – The Meeting
3. Rita C Onwurah – Udeme Mmi
4. Dimeji Ajibola – Hoodrush
5. Tchidi Chikere – Dumebi
6. Kemi Adesoye – Phoneswap
Best Costume Design
1. Jaiye Owolabi – The Gods Are Still Not To Blame
2. Titi Aluko – Phone Swap
3. Ekene Okoye Mpon – Kiss And The Brides
4. Yolanda Okereke / Aminat Olateju – Journey To Self
5. Wanger Ayu/Rosaline Ijejem – Mr & Mrs
6. Iyen Agbonifo – Adesuwa
Best Make-Up
1. Temisan Etsede – Adesuwa
2. Touch Of Glamour/ Tobi Jeje-Phillip & Korede Olowoyo – Journey To Self
3. Tracy Iyoha – The Gods Are Still Not To Blame
4. Jennifer Alegieuno – The Meeting
5. Olivia Obasi – Broken
Best Set Design
1. Pat Nebo – Phone Swap
2. Adeoye Bakare – Heroes & Zeros
3. Hilary Patrick – The Meeting
4. Sango B’song – Last Flight To Abuja
Best Soundtrack
1. Truth – The Meeting
2. Luke Corradine – Last Flight To Abuja
3. Patrick Mathias – Hoodrush
4. Slam – Udeme Mmi
5. Truth – Phone Swap
6. Oludare Olateju – The Gods Are Still Not To Blame
Best Diaspora Movie
1. Man On Ground
2. Alaalo
3. Epitaph
4. The Past Came Calling
5. Secret Past
Best Short Movie
1. Unspoken
2. 15 Minutes
3. Turning Point
4. Ogondah
5. Blink
6. Till Death Do Us Part
Best Rising Star Male
1. Oc Ukeje – Hoodrush
2. Ifeanyi Kalu – Kokoma
3. Bobby Obodo – Mrs Somebody
4. Uti Nwachukwu – In The Cupboard
Best Rising Star Female
1. Linda Ejiofor – The Meeting
2. Belinda Effah – Kokomma
3. Ijeoma Agu – Hoodrush
4. Rachel Isaac – Daisy
5. Tehila Adiele – Broken
6. Tess Abubakar – In The Cupboard
Best Child Actor
1. Ayomide Abati – Ma’ami
2. Adeola Faseyi – Married But Living Single
3. Regina Ojeogwu – Wave Of Glory
4. Obiora Samuel Olife – Broken Silence
Young, Rich Rulers Of Nigeria Music Industry
A new generation of artistes are rocking the entertainment scene and smiling to the bank, JAYNE AUGOYE reports
A wind of change is currently blowing across the music industry in Nigeria. A new order championed by young, vibrant and talented artistes has emerged. Rather than curse the day that their children decided to embrace a career in music instead of education, the parents of these wave-making artistes are pleased with the success they have achieved.
Today, the young artistes are giving the older and established stars a run for their money. These new-wave superstars now rub shoulders with the same artistes whom they once looked up to or chose as role models.
Apart from competing with the ‘old guards’ in terms of income and expenditure, they are often nominated for major music awards in similar categories.
Multinationals and telecommunications outfits, as well as other major events sponsors, have realised that the younger generation of music artistes represent the future of entertainment in Nigeria. With a good number of them aged between 20 and 25 years and a few others barely clocking 30, the sky seems to be the limit.
Many of the emerging stars are not just rich; they flaunt their wealth at every given opportunity. It seems that the rewards for their modest efforts at making many Nigerians happy are without limit and they always come in the form of luxury mansions, sold-out concerts, huge fan base, state-of-the-art cars, bestselling albums, multi-million naira endorsement deals, chattered flights, big budget videos, custom-made outfits, ‘bling bling’ and generous airplay on terrestrial TV stations.
Usually dressed in sagging pairs of trousers with expensive jewellery around their necks, many of them charge as much as N1.5m to mime to their songs for only 10 minutes at wedding parties or concerts. Many of them had to drop out of school to pursue a career in music.
We present to you six young music stars that have taken the music scene by storm.
Wizkid
At 23, Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, a.k.a Wizkid, leads the pack. A string of endorsement deals, including one from MTN, has placed him on the list of big earning music artistes in Nigeria. At
FG Hands Over Power Plants To Investors On Monday
The Federal Government has said it would on Monday formally hand over the privatized power plants to private sector investors.
Vice President Namadi Sambo gave the assurance on Friday in Abuja during a special forum on financing the power sector reforms for economic development.
The forum, which was supported by the Central Bank of Nigeria and sponsored by Nigerian Deposit Money Banks, was aimed at reviewing the contribution of the banking sector to the reforms in the power sector.
Sambo, who is also the Chairman of the National Council on Privatization, said that all labour issues with workers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria had been resolved.
To this end, he added that the payment of severance, pensions and gratuities of all the 47,913 workers would be settled on Friday (yesterday).
He said, “At the inception of the privatisation programme, a total of 25 generating companies and 54 distribution companies sent in bids. After a rigorous and screening process, five bidders for the Gencos and 10 bidders for the Discos were successful.
“The relevant government agencies have since February 2013 signed the transaction document. The winning bidders have also paid their bids in two instalments of 25 per cent and 75 per cent by the end of August 2013.
“With their full payment of the transaction amount, the stage is now set for the formal handing over of the generation and distribution companies on Monday 30 September, 2013.
“Another major success of the transaction was the successful resolution of all labour issues. The agreement reached is being implemented and payment of severance, pensions and gratuities of all the 47,913 workers of the PHCN is planned to be completed today.”
The VP described the response of the private sector to government’s call to invest in the sector as massive.
This, he added, is a clear demonstration of the confidence of investors not only in the potential of the nation but in the government’s commitment to deliver the dividends of democracy in the power sector.
He said the FG was also implementing an extensive programme for the upgrading and expansion of power transmission capacity and called on the banking sector to support in financing power projects in the country.
“The FG through NNPC, the Nigeria Gas company and the private sector, is implementing a robust programme for the realisation of Nigeria gas masterplan with specific interest in meeting the gas-to-power demand in the country at a planned cost of about $8bn.
“Already, $500m out of the $1bn Eurobond would be utilised as counterpart funding for the implementation of this project. This is another opportunity for our bankers to participate,” he added.
He said the FG would, in tandem with the goals and objective of the National Electric Power Policy, continue to improve the efficiency and affordability of power supply.
The VP added that the generation capacity of the power sector is being improved.
He said, “We are investing in improving the generation capacity of this country by the construction of Zungeru hydropower which would add 700 MW at a cost of $1.2bn; the construction of the Mambilla Hydropower plant which would add 3,050 MW and we are utilising $1.7bn from the sale proceed of the NIPP power plant as counterpart funding for this project that would cost $6.4bn.”
Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka Escaped Death In Kenya
Nigeria's
Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, would have been among the dead
in the terror attack that took place at the Nairobi Westgate mall in
Kenya last weekend.
Speaking at a press conference at the Freedom Park in Victoria Island, Lagos, on Friday in honour of the late Ghanaian poet, Professor Kofi Awoonor who died in the attack, Soyinka led a group of Nigerian writers to condemn the Nairobi massacre.
Speaking at a press conference at the Freedom Park in Victoria Island, Lagos, on Friday in honour of the late Ghanaian poet, Professor Kofi Awoonor who died in the attack, Soyinka led a group of Nigerian writers to condemn the Nairobi massacre.
“Those who organised and carried out the outrage on innocent lives in Nairobi are carriers of the most lethal virus of corruption imaginable – corruption of the soul, corruption of the spirit, corruption of that animating humanistic essence that separates us from predatory beasts." Soyinka said he and Prof Awoonor would have attended the Storymoja/Hay Literature Festival, but couldn’t be there with him due to other pressing engagements he had elsewhere. “My absence was particularly regrettable, because I had planned to make up for my failure to turn up for the immediate prior edition. Participant or absentee however, this is one edition we shall not soon forget,” he said.
The literary iconic said, giving his close relationship with Awoonor, he might have been at the same place with him and could have been shot as well. He said: “Kofi and I could have been splitting a bottle at that same watering hole in between events and at the end of each day.”
Condemning the use of religion to commit atrocities, Soyinka, who spoke on the theme, “Humanity and Against,” said: "I am no theologian of any religion, but I aver that these assailants delude themselves with vistas of paradise after life, that their delusion is born of the perverted reading of salvation and redemption.”
Speaking at a press conference at the Freedom Park in Victoria Island, Lagos, on Friday in honour of the late Ghanaian poet, Professor Kofi Awoonor who died in the attack, Soyinka led a group of Nigerian writers to condemn the Nairobi massacre.
“Those who organised and carried out the outrage on innocent lives in Nairobi are carriers of the most lethal virus of corruption imaginable – corruption of the soul, corruption of the spirit, corruption of that animating humanistic essence that separates us from predatory beasts." Soyinka said he and Prof Awoonor would have attended the Storymoja/Hay Literature Festival, but couldn’t be there with him due to other pressing engagements he had elsewhere. “My absence was particularly regrettable, because I had planned to make up for my failure to turn up for the immediate prior edition. Participant or absentee however, this is one edition we shall not soon forget,” he said.
Tuface Idibia Shares A Photo Of Himself Drinking Pure Water
Tonto Dikeh shares new pix
I Did Not Pose Topless - Chidinma Shares Original Photos
Friday 27 September 2013
SEE Jim Iyke’s Response To Nadia’s Birthday Greetings!
His passion, the Beautiful Ghanaian actress Nadia, has sent him warm and sincere birthday greetings via Twitter.
Jim Iyke was surely happy to receive them and gave in his reply promptly. See the tweets below:
Comedian Bovi receives special gift on his birthday; a cute baby girl! (photos)
Comedian Bovi & his beautiful wife Christabel are the proud parents of a baby girl - she's so adorable!
Yesterday was Bovi's birthday and just when he thought the day had ended, he got the best gift ever - what an amazing birthday gift!!
An excited Bovi shared the news via his twitter handle, both mum and baby girl are doing fine!
See tweet and photos below:
Let God Be The Judge Between Me And Kollington Ayinla- Queen Salawa Abeni
In her words “Even though Kollington and I have gone our separate ways 23 years ago, I still consider him a big part of my life because I bore him children who bear his name. His name will forever be written in the history of my life. Though we do not have a smooth relationship, and I have been solely responsible for the upbringing of my children up to university level, I still maintain the fact that he is part of me. Let God be the judge of whatever bad Kollington has done me.”
She is gradually bouncing back to the music industry after years of taking a break due to a throat ailment. She also said she is thankful to God because she did not believe she could get a cleaning job, not to talk of becoming a celebrity due to her poor educational background.
Mourinho Blocked My Progress, Says Villas-Boas
Extra spice was added to Tottenham’s clash with Chelsea on Saturday after Andre Villas-Boas said he went into management when his coaching ambitions were thwarted by Jose Mourinho at Inter Milan.
The two Portuguese managers will be in opposing dugouts for the first time when their teams meet in the Premier League, four years after Villas-Boas quit Mourinho’s backroom staff at Inter to take a job back home with Academica.
The pair had been close, Villas-Boas working under Mourinho at Porto and Chelsea before the spell together in Serie A signalled the end of their working relationship.
The Tottenham manager had been an opposition scout for Mourinho but wanted a more hands-on coaching role, only to be rebuffed.
“My relationship with him professionally and personally was excellent, as you can imagine, because we worked so many years together,” he told reporters at Tottenham’s training facilities in Enfield on Thursday.
“Our break-up point was because I was full of ambition to give him something extra and I wanted further involvement to the job that I was doing at the time which was scouting and match preparation.
“I felt that I could give him much more so my initial idea was to keep working with him but he did not feel the need for someone near to him or in another position as an assistant and because of that we both decided it was time.”
Villas-Boas denied there was any on-going feud between the coaches who
have strikingly similar career paths with varying degrees of success. They are on speaking terms, but are no longer close friends.
“We talked at the Premier League managers meeting when we were there
in August, but since then no,” Villas-Boas added.
The Tottenham boss may feel he has a point to prove at White Hart Lane against the team who sacked him after only eight months in the job.
Boko Haram Linked To Group Behind Kenya Westgate Mall Attack
US report says Boko Haram may have anti-aircraft missiles
A report by a committee of the United States House of Representatives has linked the fundamentalist Islamist sect, Boko Haram, to al Shabaab, the terror group that carried out the September 21 Westgate Mall attack in Nairobi, Kenya.
Al-Shabaab is a Somali-based group whose members are said to be highly proficient in suicide bombing.
The report dated September 13, 2013 and entitled, ‘Boko Haram: Growing Threat to the US Homeland’, also acknowledged the growing relationship between the Nigerian sect and another terror group, the Al Qaeda in the land of the Islamic Maghreb.
The 39-page report noted that “while there is no evidence that al Qaeda’s core in Afghanistan and Pakistan commands Boko Haram’s operations, it is clear from the words of multiple US officials and media reports that Boko Haram is supportive of, and supported by Al Qaeda networks such as AQIM.”
It noted that “it is the unity of ideology and mutual hatred for the West between the Al Qaeda networks that exposes the danger Boko Haram poses to the U.S Homeland.”
The committee described Boko Haram as a “hardened and sophisticated terror network” that required multiple simultenous local and international efforts to enhance the capacity and capability of the the Nigerian Police and the military to curtail its activities.
It said there was an urgent need by the US to designate the sect as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation because it has shown no signs of ending its aggression against the government of Nigeria and the Western world.
The commiteee wrote, “The world is coming to know more about Boko Haram; their intentions, what they’re capable of, and who is supporting them.
“The US Intelligence Community is working to erase the gaps in our understanding of Boko Haram, but it is already evident they are a serious threat to US interests and potentially to the US Homeland.
‘‘Acknowledging this threat publicly by designating Boko Haram an FTO will establish a legal mechanism for prosecuting any supporters within US jurisdictions.
“This is an increasingly important tool given their attempts to market themselves to a wider international audience.
“Boko Haram shows no signs of ending its campaign against the government of Nigeria and the Western world. Two years after their August 2011 bombing of a United Nations facility in Abuja, Nigeria, Boko Haram remains a threat to the international community, and continues to be a developing threat to the US Homeland.”
The report said that Boko Haram had “highly skilled bomb makers who might have received training from experienced militants elsewhere, potentially indicating a stronger relationship between them and AQIM or Al Shabaab.
It said that besides building sophisticated weaponry, it was now possible that Boko Haram had acquired or will acquire SA-7 and SA-24 shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles.
The SA-7 missile is effective up to 1,300 metres, while some newer models reach altitudes of almost four kilometres. Although most aircraft cruise around 9,140 metres, the SA-7 could be used to target aircraft during takeoff and landing.
In the report, the committee warned, “It does not take much imagination to picture the threat these weapons would pose to commercial aviation in Abuja if they fell into Boko Haram hands.”
Out of the 20,000 such weapons in Libya, only 5,000 of them had been secured through a $40m US programme to buy up loose missiles during the fall of the Gadhafi regime. Most are believed to have found their way into countries that share common boundaries with Nigeria.
The committee acknowledged that the Goodluck Jonathan administration had taken some potentially promising steps in its effort to fight Boko Haram.
It said the appointment of Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd), a northern Nigerian Muslim, to the position of National Security Adviser on June 23, 2012, demonstrated Jonathan’s willingness to give northerners and Muslims a visible role in Nigeria’s struggle with Boko Haram.
“Dasuki has taken the lead in organising government’s fight against Boko Haram, and his background as a Muslim from the North may give him obvious and potent symbolic significance,” the committee said.
In spite of this, the committee observed that concerns regarding the capability of the Jonathan administration to effectively deal with Boko Haram remained prominent.
The committee said without foreign assistance from countries such as the US and the UK, the Nigerian government would almost certainly face a prolonged battle in neutralising Boko Haram.
According to the committee, the State Department, which has also engaged Nigeria through its African Coastal and Border Security programme, has focused its assistance on peacekeeping support, training, border and maritime security, and increasing military professionalisation.
But it lamented that in spite of the training, the “JTF continues to behave unprofessionally, and has been accused of human rights abuses by Human Rights Watch, among other entities, including the State Department’s most recent annual human rights report.”
It also warned that greater pressure must be applied to the JTF to abandon counter-productive and brutal tactics alienating northerners.
The committee said failure of the Secretary of State to designate the Boko Haram sect an FTO, was the ‘most obvious flaw in the US effort to combat it and prevent its expansion.’
It said, “If Boko Haram were to be designated an FTO, it would support US intelligence community efforts to curb the group’s financing, stigmatise and isolate it internationally, heighten public awareness and knowledge, and signal to other governments the US takes the threat from Boko Haram seriously.
“If Boko Haram is not designated an FTO, its potential threat to the US and its capability to attack the homeland would likely increase. It is therefore an urgent next step to take in fighting this growing al Qaeda affiliate in Nigeria.”
The committee further said as the number of attacks perpetrated by Boko Haram had increased in 2013, so had the attention paid to the group by the US.
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