Tuesday 31 December 2013
Appreciation! Appreciation! Appreciation!
Arrests ordered for Bangladesh factory fire
A Bangladesh court has ordered the arrest of the owners of a garment factory and four others over a fire that killed 111 workers last year.
The arrest warrants were issued on Tuesday following a 13-month investigation into the deadly blaze at the Tazreen Fashions factory in Savar, on the outskirts of Dhaka last November.
"Dhaka's senior judicial magistrate Wasim Sheikh issued the warrants of arrest against the two fugitive owners, Delwar Hossain and his wife Mahmuda Akter, and four other company officials for the Tazreen factory fire," prosecutor Anwarul Kabir told AFP news agency.
Police charged both Hossain and his wife, as well as security guards and managers, on December 22, but no arrest warrants were issued at that time.
New safety agreements
Last week police said it was possibly the first time a garment plant owner has been charged over a fire at one of the nation's 4,500 factories.
"The owners and 11 others have been charged with arson, culpable homicide not amounting to murder and death by negligence," Kabir said, adding that all the accused face a maximum life term in prison.
Victims of the fire were mostly women who received as little as $37 to make clothing for international brands like Walmart, Dutch retailer C&A and ENYCE, a label owned by US rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs.
Deadly accidents are common in Bangladesh's $20m garment industry and the Tazreen fire placed an international spotlight on safety conditions.
More than 100 major Western retailers have signed new safety agreements so that there is greater scrutiny over their operations in Bangladesh. - Culled from Aljazeera News
GPQ
D’Banj & Genevieve Are Dating Again!
together recently.
Koko Master D'Banj and Genevieve Nnaji had dated on and off from 2009 to 2011 before Genevieve called off the relationship because of D'banj's commitment issues. Genevieve is reportedly, currently staying at D'banj's Lekki home, and they are already talking marriage.
hope they will get better now…
OJB Blasts D’banj in new interview
post surgery, veteran music producer OJB Jezreel
addressed..........
Controversy surrounding his donations, said celebs used it as
competition and calls out Dbanj. Here's why he's unhappy
with D'banj. During his fund raiser many months back, there
were rumours that D'banj gave his former music producer
N7m, a report that D'banj didn't deny. OJB says D'banj
didn't give him a dime and was upset that he didn't try to set
the record straight...
"The most disappointing one for me is D'banj because he
passed through my hands, he was trained under my
tutelage. That is offensive. I don't care if you're with
Kanye West, you can't forget your root. I won't call
anybody else's name but I will call his because it hurts.
His own hurts very deep. And he never tried to reach out
to me. It's not like we parted on fighting terms. He told
me he had to go to London and he went. And when he
came back it was Don Jazzy, and I said OK, that's fine.
And what he did worked and I'm very proud of him, the
love, that's why it hurts more. He should have come out to
say no, I don't know why you people are saying all this, I
didn't give OJB N7million, maybe a part of him felt
embarrassed because at the end of the day, really, are you
not supposed to do something?" OJB says during the
interview
He also talked about how people used his fund raiser as
competition and once again addresses the bounced cheques.
Continue….
"When P-Square gave me N5million cheque, everybody
started treating as a competition. They were like, they
brought N5m, I want to show that I can do more, or equal
it. So they will come to my house, some will drop N2m,
N1m, you say thank you, they take pictures and go away.
Then you drop the cheque in your account and you see
that almost N4/5million is being returned back to you that
it didn't clear. You call them and tell them and they tell
you they are coming but they haven't picked the cheques
till now.
"The shocking ones are not even the bounced cheques. It's
the ones that when they are coming to meet you in the
house to give you money, they come with a whole camera
crew. Then they will say I'm donating one million naira to
you and the cameras start recording and maybe the guy's
tape stops, and he says let's take that again (Laughs).
"There were people in my dialysis that I gave N100k each
to pay for their dialysis, we didn't publicise it, we didn't
take photos with them, because I felt that was unnecessary."
Jonathan’s Achievement In 2013 Was Fantastic - Presidency
However, the opposition All Peoples Congress (APC) pooh-poohed the Presidency's claims, saying the citizenry are worse off on account of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party's alleged bad rule.
Dismissing the Presidency's claim, Lagos State Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, said all the indices of a failed state are present in Nigeria.
The presidency boasted that during the year, major policies were made and key projects executed for the good of Nigerians.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, gave the presidential score card in a statement made available to Vanguard last night in Abuja.
Okupe noted that contrary to impressions being created by vocal leaders of the opposition, Nigeria, under President Goodluck Jonathan has moved significantly forward in many sectors than it was in 2011.
He said that the transformation which had taken place in the economy, transportation, agriculture, power and other critical sectors were the routes which all developed nations had taken before now but which unfortunately had not been taken by Nigeria before now.
According to Dr Okupe: "It is an incontrovertible fact that Nigeria under Jonathan has reduced its food imports by about 40 per cent and increased its local production of rice, cassava, sorghum, cotton and cocoa in percentages ranging from 25 to 56 in the last two years.
"For the first time since independence, the Nigerian agricultural sector is attracting unprecedented Foreign Direct Investment. Over the past two years, the sector has attracted $ 4 billion in private sector executed letters of commitment to invest in agricultural value chains, from food crops, to export crops, fisheries and livestock.
"The number of private sector seed companies grew from 10 to 70 within one year. Over $ 7 billion of investments from Nigerian businesses have been made to develop new fertilizer manufacturing plants, which will make Nigeria the largest producer and exporter of fertilizer in Africa. It is also noteworthy that agricultural lending as a share of total bank lending has risen from two per cent to six per cent in two years.
"On the power sector reforms initiated by President Goodluck Jonathan in 2010, Okupe explained that the major component of the reform which is the privatization of the generation and distribution power infrastructure was successfully accomplished in 2013 thus putting Nigeria on a sure path of steady power supply in a no distant future."
Okupe explained that with the completion of this process and the 10 NIPP projects, Nigeria would for the first time in history move away from vertically integrated state-owned and very poorly managed electricity industry to a modern private sector-led fully regulated market with the right incentives capable of attracting accelerated new investments to kick start the re-industrialization of Nigeria.
He also said that the Jonathan administration brought about the recovery of the Nigerian stock exchange, which he said was made possible by a combination of sound fiscal and monetary policies as well as a transparent conduct of state affairs in a manner which has rekindled investors' confidence in the Nigerian market.
Okupe said those who always seek to use the security challenges in some parts of Northern Nigeria as the only barometer to measure President Jonathan's performance were not being fair to the President, considering the fact that the war on insurgency and terrorism had never been a quick fix anywhere in the world.
While reminding the public that bombings and killings by insurgents happened in Kano, Kogi, Niger, Yobe, Borno,Sokoto, Adamawa and the Federal Capital Territory in 2011 and 2012, the Presidential aide noted that the activities of the terrorists had been largely contained and restricted to one or two states in 2013.
"Yes, we are not where we hope to be but it will be sheer mischief to insist that we are where we were or as some wickedly say, we are worse than we were. Definitely, their position is not based on facts and so should be ignored by Nigerians" he stated.
Okupe reiterated the determination of President Jonathan to remain steadfast in his pursuit of accelerated economic growth and stability, peace and development of all parts of Nigeria.
He also promised that the Federal Government would consolidate on the growth recorded in the outgoing year by completing all ongoing projects as well as initiating new programmes and projects especially in sectors capable of creating jobs for Nigerians.
Via: Vanguard
S-W PDP chieftain challenges Obasanjo over his letter
Obasanjo and the incumbent President, Dr. Goodluck
Jonathan heightens, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic
Party in the South West, High Chief Abiola Ogundokun has
challenged Chief Obasanjo to give proofs of the allegations
leveled against the President.
He said the onus lies on whoever raises such destructive and
inciting allegations against anyone to prove them.
"If he fails to prove all the allegations against the president,
Nigerians would take him to be a liar," he said.
Chief Ogundokun, who spoke with newsmen on diverse
national issues, faulted the contents and the channel through
which the 18-page letter was sent, said the patriotism that
Chief Obasanjo "always claims leaves much to be desired by
the way he made the letter public.
"What patriotism is in someone speaking about breaking up
Nigeria when he should be working for the unity of the
country," he added.
Vanguard
Monday 30 December 2013
Photos: Checkout Actress Rukky Sanda Hot Stunning Legs Ever
Female Rapper Mo’Cheedah Chilling In South Africa With Her Boyfriend
while and tell us she has been chasing other things — like
her education.
I just received reports that the former Knight House artiste,
really furthering her education in South Africa.
Apparently, that isn't the only reason Mo' Cheedah is in
South Africa.
I heard that the former University of Lagos (UNILAG)
student is also in the late Nelson Mandela's country with
her boyfriend, Bukunyi, also known as BK.
Bukunyi is the son of an Ondo monarch, Olateru-Olagbegi.
The rich dude is also a brother to top Beat FM presenter,
Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi.
In 2012, Mo'Cheddah was in a unclad picture mess with
Eldee, which was allegedly sent privately by Mo'Cheddah
to the rapper on twitter, but mistakenly leaked to the public;
both of them denied the report back then.
Mo'Cheddah's music career nose-dived afterwards.
Must Read: Open Letter To Headies.
@baddestdjtimmy and does not represent
the opinion of Beanballmedia Blog.
Dear headies 2013 organizers, Let me start
by saying i am not just disappointed in
you but u have just proved to us that
Nigeria is not getting better any time soon.
you have been manipulated by a greedy
and hopeless telecommunications company
(mtn) because they sponsored your event
and you forgot the ultimate rule that
awards are meant to be impartial and
should be decided by the general public
especially when u told us to vote. you
distributed the awards among 4 mtn
ambassadors (iyanya, davido, praiz, and
kcee) and just 1 glo ambassador won
(waje). Is that not politics or is it
coincidence? Now let us analyze.
The headies 2013 was a flop, your stage
was shaped like a models runway, the
choreographers just lacked ideas and
didn't interpret the music, i have seen a
better performance from Nigeria's got
talent. What was the gulder ultimate search
theme song that was being played
throughout the event? Who on earth uses
the mavin slaves -dr shit and tiwa gabbage
as presenters of an event? Oh I forgot, the
awards lacked credibility and substance.
Why did majority of the winners come
from backstage, instead of coming from
the crowd like it should be? I watched
nickelodeon kids choice awards this year
and it is far better than the over hyped
headies which was not properly planned
and hurriedly done #shame
Can you explain to us how olamide won
best rap album? olamide has
commercialized rap, we cannot tell if he is
a rapper or a singer. As far as i am
concerned, he is just an entertainer like
dbanj. so where does vector, phyno,
reminisce,ice prince and illbliss who
represent real hip hop/rap stand? Don't
forget that there is a big difference
between commercial rap and real rap. all
he sings about is remind us that he is from
the street but to be sincere terry g is more
street than olamide and terry is not even a
rapper #justsaying
How can harry song win most mtn most
downloaded caller tune song for rip
Mandela? when did Mandela die and do u
want to compare that dead song with other
club bangers in the same category?
Simple, it is because harrysong is a label
mate to your mtn ambassador (kcee). In
my opinion jawon, waje,2 face, Clarence
peters , blackmagic and davido deserved
there awards. how can wizkid not win any
award?
Someone who has been the most consistent
and sought after this year. i am sure wizkid
declined an interview from you that's why
he didn't win. in fact wizzy should be the
artiste of the year. Why did dbanj,
burnaboy, wandecoal, psquare, flavour not
win anything? oh i know why, it is
because they are Glo ambassadors.
Now explain to me why Sean tizzle won
the next rated award and he was in the
same category as burna boy who is
obviously more relevant and talented. We
all know Sean tizzle has the same old
boring style and we can always predict his
next song. Phyno too deserved the next
rated award and how on planet earth did d-
tunes win producer of the year? Someone
who recycled 1 beat 5 times (kukere, your
waist, mama eh,lenu by spicy, kilogbe). so
where does ace producer del b that
produced the national anthem limpopo
stand? You are all insane!!!!!!
Infact, headies, mtn and Pdp should merge
and start a new political party for the
upcoming election in 2015. it should be
named mhdp( mtn headies democratic
party). we all know exactly what
happened, mtn agreed to sponsor your
event and they gave you the list of who
should win. our votes did not count; do
you think we are blind and foolish like
yourself? Instead of your greedy mtn
sponsors to improve their network, reduce
tariffs and contribute to the growth of the
nation, they will be sending me sms on
how they gave free ipad and mp3 to those
who sent a sms to a code. They spend all
their time looking for how to extort
customers and scam us with their
ridiculous offers (free airplane and a trip to
the moon)
I am sorry to say sir but if u continues this
way your company will fold up and
collapse because you are not an epitome of
integrity. i am speaking on behalf of
majority of Nigerians who know the truth
and are not afraid to say it. those who feel
this letter is nonsense should not forget to
curse, insult and threaten me on
@baddestdjtimmy. after my last 2 open
letters, i have been insulted, chewed up,
spit out, as being very jobless, hopeless
and a broke laptop dj.
You guys don't know how much i love the
insults so it means i am doing a good job
and it makes me stronger. So in
conclusion, if u have the opportunity to
host another award show, learn from your
mistakes and let our votes count this time.
Let those who deserve it win, is that too
much to ask?
By Dj Timmy (@baddestdjtimmy)
Critic/professional club and events DJ
What do you think about his opinion?
Share your thoughts!
Fathia Balogun Drops Her Ex-Husband Name To Her Father's Name On Instagram
Akure Installed A New Regent
Princes Ojei, after the installation, assured all sons and
daughters of Akure that she was ready for the big task ahead
with God on her side.
Meanwhile, the family of the battered wife of the deposed
Oba, Prince Oluwadare Adesina, Olori Bolanle, who is now
late, has appealed to the state government and the council of
chiefs in Akure to consider his reinstatement appeal.
The battering of late Bolanle by the deposed monarch on
May 30, 2010, lead to his removal and banishment on June 10, 2010 by the state government.
However, the occupier of the stool that was vacant on December 1, the late Oba Adebiyi Adesida, joined his
ancestors after reigning for three years and three months.
Princes Ojei, a pharmacist based in the United Kingdom, is the first female child of the late Oba Adesida.
Speaking with newsmen after her installation, the regent said
it was a privilege to step into her father's shoes.
She, however, promised to continue where her father stopped
in his effort to bring development to the town.
The regent said it was an open secret that the development
witnessed during her father short reign is unprecedented in the
history of the town.
Development to Akureland
She said: "I promise that during my short reign I will bring
further development to Akureland. We are all witnesses to
what happened during my father's reign.
"Akureland witnessed unprecedented development and I will,
by the special grace of God, do more.
She pleaded with the king-makers to seek the face of God in
their selection of a new oba for the town.
Princes Ojei added that they should hasten the selection
process to enable her continue with her life after the selection
and installation of another oba.
Bolanle's family wants deposed Oba's reinstatement
Meantime, the deposed Oba, Prince Adesina last week wrote a
letter to the state government and Akure Council of Chiefs
pleading for reinstatement.
But the family of High Chief Ojumu Fadeyi of Owo, from
where the late Olori Bolanle came from, in a statement said
both families have since reconciled and viewed the incident of
2010 as blown out of proportion.
According to the statement, signed by the Head of the family,
Chief Akinola Fadeyi and its Secretary, Mr. Olanrewaju
Fadeyi, the family said it was aware of the letter written to the
state government by Adesina and agreed with the content of
the letter pleading for his reinstatement as the Deji of Akure.
It said: "We have read the said letter from the print media and
we have also heard the comments on the letter from the public
domain, particularly media discourse on same.
"We are particularly touched by the frank, honest and humble
content of the said letter.
"We are more touched by the gestures of forgiveness,
godliness and love extended to our daughter even in her death
and the dignity with which her memory has been treated by
her husband.
"Our family has considered all the issues that ensued before,
during and after the deposition and banishment of our in-law,
Oba Oluwadare Adepoju Adesina, and we, by this forum (as
we had done on many occasions before), appeal to Governor
Olusegun Mimiko and the good people of Akure to please
consider the appeal of our in-law."
"We have since reconciled our differences and it is our belief
that rescinding the orders of deposition and banishments
would be more in tandem with the wishes of our late daughter
– Olori Bolanle Adesina nee Fadeyi – who practically went
about pleading with all that mattered for her husband's
reinstatement before her death."
"It is our belief that reinstating our in-law to his position as
the Deji of Akure will be a rare honour done to our family
and the memory of our late daughter."
Via: Vanguard
Bachelor Party Turns into a Pit of Death As Boko Haram Brutally Slaughters Eight in Maiduguri
Maiduguri by suspected Boko Haram members.
The gunmen stormed a venue of a bachelor party and started
shooting sporadically, killing eight persons on the spot.
Nigeria President Goodluck Jonathan ordered an all out
offensive against the northeastern rebels in Africa's leading
energy exporter.
Though they retreated into a hilly area around the Cameroon
border, the rebels have since stepped up attacks on both
soldiers and civilians.
"Three Boko Haram members came on motorcycles at about
11 yesterday night," Abdul Usman told Reuters in the main
northeastern city of Maiduguri, where he fled after escaping
the attack on Tashan Alade village. "They were shooting
indiscriminately."
Nigerian forces have stepped up the offensive against the
rebels in the past few days after Boko Haram fighters armed
with grenade launchers and anti-aircraft guns attacked an
army barracks in the town of Bama.
Sammie Okposo renounces COSON membership
with the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON).
According to a statement released by his reps,
Okposo's decision to leave COSON is due to what
he says is the lack of transparency and
accountability on the part of the collective
management organization. The Gospel singer wants
COSON to stop collecting royalties and acting on
his behalf with immediate effect.
'I, Sammie Okposo, a proud Nigerian artiste wishes
to notify the general public and all stakeholders
alike that I have stopped being a member of
COSON', he said in a statement released this week.
Okposo's exit comes weeks after the Broadcast
Organisation of Nigeria (BON) and Independent
Broadcast Association of Nigeria (IBAN)
pronounced a ban on the airing of the musical works
of 96 musicians including Okposo.
Okposo has also called for the registration of
another CMO with a view to breaking the monopoly
currently being enjoyed by COSON.
Meanwhile COSON has responded to Okposo's
statement saying that he will still return to COSON.
'With time Gospel Singer, Sammie Okposo will
realize that there are few Nigerian institutions that
are run with a level of transparency, accountability
and professionalism available at COSON and he
will return to the fold', Chinedu Chukwuji said in
a statement sent to NET.
According to Mr Chukwuji', 'Sammie has not
availed himself the opportunity of visiting the
COSON office and is clearly unfamiliar with the
quality of personnel, the technology and processes
put to work at COSON'.
Mr Chukwuji also said that COSON has not
received any resignation letter from Okposo.
Culled from NET
“I Just Love to Look at Genevieve Nnaji” –Melvin Oduah
When asked about his celebrity crush, Melvin who reveals
that he is very much single says "My crush in Nollywood is
Genevieve Nnaji."
He goes on to say "She inspires me a lot. I always want to
look at her facial expression anytime I am watching her
movies and the way she acts inspires me a lot. Outside, I have
Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian, Nicki Minaj and many
others.".
Full Interview Below:
Q: What was the experience of being in one house for 91
days like?
A: It was not easy at all being there for 91 days. But it was a
wonderful experience. It had positive impact on all of us. We
learned to live with people of different temperament from
different countries and backgrounds. We got to tolerate and
endure each other because of the rule that said one was never
to allow oneself to be provoked. It was a very wonderful
experience and I don't regret going for it.
Q: When you were asked the first thing you would buy with your prize money, you said clothes. Are you that obsessed with clothes?
A: I love fashion. I said I would buy clothes because I always
love to look good. As an entertainer, Ialways love to appear
elegant.
Q: How has being in the Big Brother House affected your
style?
A: The difference is not much. I was able to appreciate some
styles more when I met a fashion designer like Elikem. He
shared his clothes to everybody and we all came to appreciate
his designs a lot. If you are a casual dresser who finds yourself in that situation, you will be forced to try out one of
the designs. It gave me a diversification of all styles. I wanted to try on everything. There were things I saw on style and dressing that I would love to explore some more. It really
made a huge difference in my style.
Q: What style personality are you?
A: I love to diversify; I love to wear different kinds of things.
But if you ask me what my style is most times, I would tell
you that it is casual.
Q: You seem to have fondness for a particular hairstyle
A: This is the first time I am wearing a Mohawk hairstyle
with slit beside it. It is not my regular hairstyle. I usually wear
a punk look. But in the house, people try to experiment. I just
decided that it was an opportunity for me to try something
different and that was how I came up with my current
hairstyle. I did the Mohawk alone first then added the two
lines the following week. A lot of people say it looks nice on
me so I think I will just consider doing this more often.
Q: Are you adventurous?
A: Yes, I am very adventurous. I am so adventurous that
having been out of the house now, I cannot wait to actually
visit and spend time with all the housemates in their home
countries. I want to see all the things they have been telling
me.
Q: What is your favourite fashion accessory?
A: I love silver.
Q: What can you not be caught wearing?
A: Skirt.
Q: Which celebrity do you have a crush on?
A: My crush in Nollywood is Genevieve Nnaji. She inspires
me a lot. I always want to look at her facial expression
anytime I am watching her movies and the way she acts
inspires me a lot. Outside, I have Jennifer Lopez, Kim
Kardashian, Nicki Minaj and many others.
Q: What first impression do people have about you that is
wrong?
A: Some people think I am a snob.
Q: You were just one of a very few who did not kiss
anybody in the house. How could you spend 91 days like
that?
A: I did kiss in the house. We played some games in the
house where we had to chase women. However, I did
not fall in love. People that fell in love were not many. You
are making it sound as if I was the only one who did
not fall in love. We had just about five couples in the entire
season and it does not mean that because they were couples,
everybody must be couples. It is different strokes for different
people and I am just one of those people that did not
just fall in love in the house.
Q: Is it because you are in love with somebody outside the
house?
A: No. I am single, I don't have a relationship. It is not that
the girls were not hot. A lot of the girls in the house were
decent. I loved the personality of many of them but you know
these things. I am not one of those people who would
just jump into a relationship. I take my time to observe first.
Q: Who did you have a crush on, Delish?
A: Delish had this thing about her. As soon as she entered the
house, she let everybody know that she had a very strong
relationship outside the house. She was not interested in
dating anybody in the house. She always told us about all the
good things the guy did for her and how he had assisted her
for years. She created an aura around herself that warned
people to keep off. Even at that, Delish and I were very close.
She was the housemate I was closest to apart from Beverly.
We did things together, we played a lot, as a result, people
started having the impression that I was in love with her.
Q: This is about the third show you have done and gone
up to the final, are you looking at taking part in more
shows?
A: It was the third reality TV show that I had been in and I
did not win. I cannot tell you that I will be looking for the
next reality show to take part in or that I will not be looking
for it. But I will definitely try to take my career to greater
heights. I will always try to aim for the very high things that
make my career blossom.
Q: What one thing did you see in the Big Brother house
that you felt like taking with you when you left?
A: It was the fridge. The fridge was awesome, if it were
possible, I would have carried it home.
Q: Tell us about your childhood
A: My childhood was awesome. I have always appreciated the
way my parents brought us up but being in that house made
me appreciate them more. Very few of the housemates had
near-perfect childhood. We had most of the things we wanted
but we were not spoiled. My family is nuclear, consisting of
just mom and dad and the kids. No outside marriages or
children. This fact made me appreciate my family more.
When I was talking to the other housemates, most of them had
problems with their family background. It was either death
occurred somewhere or father got married to somebody else.
There were tales of divorces or kids being brought in from
outside.
Sad News: Wole Soyinka’s 2nd daughter confirmed dead at 48
A statement confirming the sad news was released on Sunday, December 29, 2013 by Soyinka's close aide Jahman Anikulapo (former Editor of the Guardian) on behalf of the family.
Anikulapo described Iyetade as an 'affable, intelligent and sometimes capricious' lady who 'struggled with her health in recent years'.
'In spite of this, she greeted every day with a smile and doted on her two children. She took ill quite suddenly and passed away while being treated at UCH, Ibadan. Iyetade leaves behind two children, both parents, numerous siblings, nieces and nephews', the statement read.
Burial arrangements have not been announced yet.
May her soul rest in peace
Covenant University Is The Best Nigeria Performing Higher Institution in 2013
proclaimed Covenant University as Nigeria's Best
Performing Higher Institution for the year 2013.
The Chairman of the Centre, Dafe Okpocha, who spoke at the
award ceremony, said the university's emulation of good
governance has made it outstanding:
"This centre believes in the practice of good governance
and sees to the development of the country. Our aim as an
organisation is to preach good governance to Africa and
Nigeria in particular. The education environment is not left
out of these. If it is not practised in this sector the country
is going nowhere."
Professor Charles Ayo, the Vice-Chancellor of the university,
was delighted to receive the award on behalf of the institution.
"Covenant is the leading university both in academic
standard and in Godly standard.
"Our drive is to be among the leading Christian mission
universities in Africa in the next 10 years. We will
consider the university as a failure, if our graduates join
the bandwagon of the unemployed looking for job,"
Professor Charles Ayo said.
He further added that the University was founded to breed a unique class of people who will make Nigeria a better place.
Pastor Tunde Bakare Rejects Cow From The Presidency
Pastor Bakare said that the cow and hampers were dropped at his Save Nigerian Group (SNG) office in Lagos, but he rejected the gift because 'a cow is not what president Jonathan should be giving to people now but a country that works'.
"I was prevailed upon not to return the gifts like the late Gani Fawehinmi did to (Buba) Marwa, when Marwa was the military governor of Lagos State. I don't eat such meat. That does not mean that I will not tell the President to face his work and do it well. We need good roads; not cow. We need water, power supply; not cow meat," he said.
Via: Naij
Jonathan’s achievement in 2013 unprecedented — Presidency
performance in the outgoing year and gave itself a pass mark,
saying that it recorded unprecedented feat despite distractions
from the opposition.
However, the opposition All Peoples Congress (APC) pooh-
poohed the Presidency's claims, saying the citizenry are worse
off on account of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party's
alleged bad rule.
Dismissing the Presidency's claim, Lagos State Publicity
Secretary of the APC, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, said all the indices of
a failed state are present in Nigeria.
The presidency boasted that during the year, major policies
were made and key projects executed for the good of
Nigerians.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public
Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, gave the presidential score card in
a statement made available to Vanguard last night in Abuja.
Okupe noted that contrary to impressions being created by
vocal leaders of the opposition, Nigeria, under President
Goodluck Jonathan has moved significantly forward in many
sectors than it was in 2011.
He said that the transformation which had taken place in the
economy, transportation, agriculture, power and other critical
sectors were the routes which all developed nations had taken
before now but which unfortunately had not been taken by
Nigeria before now.
According to Dr Okupe: "It is an incontrovertible fact that
Nigeria under Jonathan has reduced its food imports by about
40 per cent and increased its local production of rice, cassava,
sorghum, cotton and cocoa in percentages ranging from 25 to
56 in the last two years.
"For the first time since independence, the Nigerian
agricultural sector is attracting unprecedented Foreign Direct
Investment. Over the past two years, the sector has attracted
$ 4 billion in private sector executed letters of commitment to
invest in agricultural value chains, from food crops, to export
crops, fisheries and livestock.
"The number of private sector seed companies grew from 10
to 70 within one year. Over $ 7 billion of investments from
Nigerian businesses have been made to develop new fertilizer
manufacturing plants, which will make Nigeria the largest
producer and exporter of fertilizer in Africa. It is also
noteworthy that agricultural lending as a share of total bank
lending has risen from two per cent to six per cent in two
years.
"On the power sector reforms initiated by President Goodluck
Jonathan in 2010, Okupe explained that the major component
of the reform which is the privatization of the generation and
distribution power infrastructure was successfully
accomplished in 2013 thus putting Nigeria on a sure path of
steady power supply in a no distant future."
Okupe explained that with the completion of this process and
the 10 NIPP projects, Nigeria would for the first time in
history move away from vertically integrated state-owned and
very poorly managed electricity industry to a modern private
sector-led fully regulated market with the right incentives
capable of attracting accelerated new investments to kick start
the re-industrialization of Nigeria.
He also said that the Jonathan administration brought about
the recovery of the Nigerian stock exchange, which he said
was made possible by a combination of sound fiscal and
monetary policies as well as a transparent conduct of state
affairs in a manner which has rekindled investors' confidence
in the Nigerian market.
Okupe said those who always seek to use the security
challenges in some parts of Northern Nigeria as the only
barometer to measure President Jonathan's performance were
not being fair to the President, considering the fact that the
war on insurgency and terrorism had never been a quick fix
anywhere in the world.
While reminding the public that bombings and killings by
insurgents happened in Kano, Kogi, Niger,Yobe,
Borno,Sokoto, Adamawa and the Federal Capital Territory in
2011 and 2012, the Presidential aide noted that the activities
of the terrorists had been largely contained and restricted to
one or two states in 2013.
"Yes, we are not where we hope to be but it will be sheer
mischief to insist that we are where we were or as some
wickedly say, we are worse than we were. Definitely, their
position is not based on facts and so should be ignored by
Nigerians" he stated.
Okupe reiterated the determination of President Jonathan to
remain steadfast in his pursuit of accelerated economic growth
and stability, peace and development of all parts of Nigeria.
He also promised that the Federal Government would
consolidate on the growth recorded in the outgoing year by
completing all ongoing projects as well as initiating new
programmes and projects especially in sectors capable of
creating jobs for Nigerians.
Okupe feeding the nation with lies—APC
*Jonathan not in charge Igbokwe said: "What do you expect
Okupe to say? You should not have expected them to score
themselves low or to have agreed that they have failed. There
is nobody in the presidency who will have the courage to say
that the Peoples Democratic Party-led Federal Government is
not doing well. I am not surprised. There is no need wasting
time on Okupe's claims. He is just earning a living, that is
why he feeds the nation with lies.
"The fact is that the President is not in charge. All the indices
of a failed state are present in the country at the moment. Our
economy is not doing well, the hospitals are still mere
consulting clinics, security is a luxury, while oil theft is on the
rise. I was reading an article on Sahara Reporters and the
author of the article listed all the contracts that have been
awarded by the present administration and there is nothing to
show for it. He specifically mentioned the Benin/Ore
Highway which is still dilapidated and they award the contract
yearly. Maybe they are claiming the glory of Lagos because
the state is doing well. Same applies to all APC states. Maybe
they are claiming the glories of the APC states."
Via: Vanguard
See The Men And Women Who Will Shape 2014
Some Nigerians who are bound to direct the pace of political activities in the country are mentioned below.
President Goodluck Jonathan
President Goodluck Jonathan will be the centre of action in the coming year. As president of the country eligible for a second term, the pace and posture of his politics would largely determine the pattern of political activities in 2014.
President Jonathan who had in the past pooh-poohed questions on whether he would seek re-election had said that he would make his plans known in 2014. With that year now at hand, the president can no longer wave aside a response to the issue. Will he or will he not?
Though his body language has all but indicated that the president would be contesting the election, it is not impossible for him to pull back.
A decision to run would heat up the polity to a level beyond the normal level of a presidential contest. A decision not to run could also pose serious threats to national security given the passion of the president's Ijaw kith and kin who are determined to have their son return to office in 2015.
Another possible action of the president that would affect the polity would be how he treats the Council of Ministers. Presently, the council is short of about 12 ministers following the sack of a number of ministers earlier this year. It is expected that the president could reshuffle the council to plug in the vacancies. The public, in the event of a reshuffle, would be watching to see how the president treats controversial members of the council, notably the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah who was indicted by the House of Representatives over her role in the purchase of two armoured vehicles.
How the president responds to some of his bitter criticis would also define the way politics will play out in the country. Besides the usual tit for tat with the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, the president would also be expected to frontally confront his one time benefactor turned adversary, former President Olusegun Obasanjo. The president's open reply to Obasanjo's missive last week has inevitably taken their quarrel to the point of no return.
Obasanjo as Jonathan noted, has heckled all former heads of state who succeeded him in office as military head of state in 1979. However, Jonathan is not like any one of the others, given Obasanjo's major role in the ascension of Jonathan to the presidency.
Given that this may be his last political fight, Obasanjo is expected to fight to the hilt in what is obviously now an ego fight between him and his one time surrogate.
The prospect of Obasanjo teaming up with the opposition in 2014 appears unlikely despite the recent visit to him by national leaders of the APC.
Speaker Aminu Tambuwal
Though the leader of the PDP in the House of Representatives, only fools still believe that the speaker's heart is still in the party that is now a minority in the House. Speaker Tambuwal has handled issues maturely in the House despite his relative aloofness from the presidency and the party.
Of the major figures likely to affect the polity in 2014, Speaker Tambuwal is expected to make the earliest move given the gravitation of a substantial number of PDP members to the APC.
The question in many mouths is when, and not if Speaker Tambuwal would defect to the APC. When he does, it is not likely to affect his position, but could bounce on his prospects.
It would be recalled that former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida had earlier this year called on the Speaker to aspire to higher office. Many would be looking for gesticulations from the speaker on a possible presidential contest.
Even before the call by Gen. Babangida, Tambuwal had been the focus of appeals from several political stakeholders who believe that he is best positioned to challenge Jonathan for the presidency within or outside the PDP. His friendly disposition towards the leadership of the APC has also made him the cynosure of many eyes.
Speaker Tambuwal is definitely going to be one of the major factors that would shape the politics of the nation in 2014.
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu
As leader of the APC, Tinubu is expected to play a decisive role in the politicking that is going to produce the next governments at the central and state levels. His role is going to be overwhelming in the emergence of the next set of governors in the South-West.
How he plays politics of 2015 would, however, be another matter. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo had in his open letter to President Jonathan accused him of mortgaging the interests of the PDP in the South-West through a secret deal with Tinubu in 2011.
The veracity of Obasanjo's assertion remains an issue, but whether or not Tinubu cut a deal with Jonathan last time will bring the issue of Tinubu being a decisive factor into consideration.
However, except something goes awry, no deal would be expected in the year as the election is not expected to hold until early next year. Tinubu is thus going to be a decisive influence on the election.
Gen. Muhammadu Buhari
The three time presidential candidate continues to be idolized by the grassroots in the North on account of his discipline and the perceptions of his aversion to avarice.
However, his influence outside the North and among the elitist class in the North has progressively ebbed. Despite his negatives, Buhari has not ruled himself out of the 2015 contest, and is as such the cause of anxiety in the hearts of opposition partisans who believe Buhari is not electable.
Should Gen. Buhari decide to rule himself out from contesting for the APC ticket and decide to mobilize for a younger and more electable person within the party such as Tambuwal, then it would be a more serious battle for the PDP and President Jonathan.
Senator David Mark
Senator Mark may be regarded as a systems man. However, set between President Jonathan and former President Obasanjo, his body would obviously move with Jonathan but his heart would definitely be with former President Obasanjo. It is no secret among leading political stakeholders that the once very cordial relationship between Mark and Governor Gabriel Suswam in Benue State has ruptured.
In an apparent bid to strengthen his hold on the local chapter of the PDP apparently for the benefit of enhancing his speculated move to the Senate and planting his successor, Governor Suswam is known to have become a strong apologist of the president, and in the process, won key federal appointments that had hitherto gone the way of the Senate President.
Senator Mark on the other hand is bound by the dignity of his office as Senate President not to be seen as overtly a lackey of the presidency, a situation that has seen him lose some patronage from the presidency to Governor Suswam. However, in the battle of strategies that is bound to ensue in 2014, Senator Mark is expected to move with his heart with a patriotic zeal above party sentiments putting more distance between him and the presidency.
Jonathan's women
The women around the president would in significant ways affect him and the way he operates in 2014.
First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan has largely been out of gaze in recent times on account of reports of negative political fallout of her alleged incursions in the polity especially in her native Rivers State.
Mrs. Jonathan continues to mobilize support for her husband's presidency through every opportunity available to her.
The Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala would be a serious factor in the consideration of many given her hold over the nation's purse. Her tact and thunders in the face of demands from politicians in government to loose the financial strings would be a critical issue in the year.
Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke, the Minister of Petroleum has become the longest serving Minister of Petroleum since the advent of the Fourth Republic. She has almost stamped her personality on the politics of the sector and according to some sources, also become a defining personality in the inner caucus of the Jonathan presidency.
She would be a major influence in 2014.
Ms Stella Oduah, the minister of aviation won accolades in her first year in office following the renovations of the country's airports. However, the accolades died down as eyes focused on the processes that led to the renovations and it became an issue for her when she was indicted by the House of Representatives over her role in the purchase of two armoured cars for her use by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA.
Despite her indictment and the report of an internal investigation ordered by the president, Oduah has remained in her position. Her staying power is largely due to be said to be her role in mobilizing support for the president's 2011 election. She is said to be one of the strongest women with influence in the inner caucus of the presidency and she would be a figure to watch out for in the politics of 2014.
Governors
Governors Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State and Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State would be significant political factors especially in their states in 2014 as they prepare for second term elections.
Also of interest in the year would be the emerging leader of the opposition in Ekiti State, Rep. Michael Opeyemi Bamidele who would stir the Ekiti polity as he battles the incumbent.
Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State would also be of great interest in the polity given his recent appointment as chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum.
Via: Vanguard
Flavour: Tiwa Savage Gave Me The Go Ahead to Kiss Her
after collaboration with her, actually, he was caught kissing
Tiwa during the shooting of his music video.
We gathered that Tee Billz didn't feel bad when he heard
about the rumour of flavour dating Tiwa, because he knew
Tee Billz was around her during the shooting of that video…
While shooting the music video, the director came to them
and said, you guys are playing love scene, you need to do
something intimate. He urged them to do it, and he looked at
Tiwa and she gave him a go ahead and he said 'yes' we can
do it. There was nothing wrong with that. Moreover, he said
they did music with passion.
People will always talk and turn around stories when it comes
to his private life. But he said he is still single because
marriage is not his priority for now. He still wants to hit the
top before thinking about marriage. It's not yet time. Flavour
is still concentrating on music, ladies stay off!
There Is No Hell Fire; Adam & Eve Not Real ––– Pope Francis Exposes
Catholic church is Pope Francis. Some of the beliefs that are
held in the church but contrary to the loving nature of God are
now being set aside by the Pope who was recently name The
Man of The Year by TIME Magazine.....
In his latest revelations, Pope Francis said:
"Through humility, soul searching, and prayerful
contemplation we have gained a new understanding of
certain dogmas. The church no longer believes in a literal
hell where people suffer. This doctrine is incompatible
with the infinite love of God. God is not a judge but a
friend and a lover of humanity. God seeks not to condemn
but only to embrace. Like the fable of Adam and Eve,
we see hell as a literary device. Hell is merely a metaphor
for the isolated soul, which like all souls ultimately will be
united in love with God."
In a shocking speech that is reverberating across the world,
Pope Francis declared that:
"All religions are true, because they are true in the hearts of
all those who believe in them. What other kind of truth is
there? In the past, the church has been harsh on those it
deemed morally wrong or sinful. Today, we no longer judge.
Like a loving father, we never condemn our children. Our
church is big enough for heterosexuals and homosexuals, for
the pro-life and the pro-choice! For conservatives and liberals,
even communists are welcome and have joined us. We all
love and worship the same God."
In the last six months, Catholic cardinals, bishops and
theologians have been deliberating in the Vatican City, in
discussing the future of the church and redefining long-held
Catholic doctrines and dogmas. The Third Vatican Council, is
the largest and most important since the Second Vatican
Council was concluded in 1962.
Pope Francis convened the new council to "finally finish the
work of the Second Vatican Council."
The Third Vatican Council concluded with Pope Francis
announcing that...
Catholicism is now a "modern and reasonable religion, which
has undergone evolutionary changes. The time has come to
abandon all intolerance. We must recognize that religious
truth evolves and changes. Truth is not absolute or set in
stone. Even atheists acknowledge the divine. Through acts of
love and charity the atheist acknowledges God as well, and
redeems his own soul, becoming an active participant in the
redemption of humanity."
One statement in the Pope's speech has sent traditionalists
into a fit of confusion and hysteria...
"God is changing and evolving as we are, For God lives in us
and in our hearts. When we spread love and kindness in the
world, we touch our own divinity and recognize it. The Bible
is a beautiful holy book, but like all great and ancient works,
some passages are outdated. Some even call for intolerance or
judgement. The time has come to see these verses as later
interpolations, contrary to the message of love and truth,
which otherwise radiates through scripture. In accordance
with our new understanding, we will begin to ordain women
as cardinals, bishops and priests. In the future, it is my hope
that we will have a woman pope one day. Let no door be
closed to women that is open to men!"
A few cardinals in the Catholic church are against Pope
Francis' latest declarations. Watch out for the report.
Via: Diversity Chronicle
12 Killed In Boko Haram Fresh Attacks, Borno Villages
Reportedly the in Tashan Alede, which took place on Saturday at about 11:00 pm, killed 8 persons at a wedding reception, while the attack in Kwajjafa today, Sunday, claimed 4 persons.
It has been gathered by Daily Post that there were earlier reports that the Islamic militants were planning to attack Marama, Garkida, Shaffa, and Kwajjafa, which are all Christian dominated areas.
A Kwajjafa resident, who commented on the attack, said they were not surprised that the sect attacked Christian villages following a video massage released on Friday, by the purported sect leader, Abubakar Shekau, where he attacks on Maiduguri NAF Base, Kur Mohammed Barracks in Bama.
It would be recalled that in that video, the sect leader said they were the warriors of Islam and were waging a religious war on Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan and on Christians.
At the moment there are no official reports from the 7 Division Nigerian Army or the Police on the attack, but indigenes of Kwajjafa and Tashan Alede villages, who lost one relation or other were being prayed for in churches in Maiduguri as they traveled back home to the village to bury the victims.
Via: Naij
Sunday 29 December 2013
Cardinal Anthony Olubumi Okogie Replies Pastor Okotie
Household of God Church International, Chris Okotie, against
talking out of ignorance or else he will be disgraced very
soon.
Pastor Okotie, while criticising the Catholic Church in a
Sunday sermon, had said the church is "a counterfeit
church set up by Satan." He also said Catholics "bow to
idols and crucify Jesus every Sunday when they eat bread
claiming they are eating Jesus' body."
Okotie added: "They (Catholics) are not Christians and
have never been. They don't know Jesus. They believe
that when they eat bread on Sundays, they are eating the
body of Jesus. It's ritual."
In his reaction to Pastor Okotie's comment that "all Catholics
will go to hell", Cardinal Okogie said it is wrong for Okotie, a
55-year-old pastor, to speak on what he knew little or nothing
about
.
In a chat with Punch, Cardinal Okogie said, "It is always good
to talk on what you know, not on what you do not know. The
problem we have today is that a lot of people put their mouth
in what does not concern them because they want people to
know that they too are there; that they can be reckoned with.
"I don't think that is the way to do things, no. I think the best
thing is to always put your mouth where God puts it, if you
don't want to be disgraced."
You may wish to know that Pastor Okotie, who had divorced
two wives, recently bought a Rolls Royce 2014 worth N120m
to mark his 30 years as born-again Christian and 27 years as a
pastor.
El-rufai, 99 others escape death as airplane loses tyre
over 100 passengers belonging to Aero Contractors had a bust
tyre at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, MMA, Lagos.
The aircraft, which departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport,
NAA, Abuja around 9am had a burst tyre on landing at the
Lagos Airport.
One of the over 100 passengers onboard the plane was the
former Minister, federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, Mal.
Nasir el-Rufai who tweeted "Upon landing in Lagos, our
Aero aircraft lost a tyre. The pilot did a great job of breaking
to a halt. My phones flew under seats."
Reacting to the incident, Mr Yakubu Dati, Coordinating
Spokesman, Aviation Parastatals said " A aircraft Boeing
737-500 with Registration No 5N-BLC, operated by Aero
contractors landed safely at the Murtala Mohammed Airport,
Lagos, following loss of pressure in one of the tyres, today
December 29, 2013".
" The aircraft which landed at 10.50am had a total of 104
passengers and crew members on board.
The aircraft has since been towed to the apron and Accident
Investigation Prevention Bureau, AIPB has commenced
investigation into the incident."
Via: Vanguard
Aremu Afolayan: "I didn't marry my wife because of her wealth'
reports that he married his new wife because she's rich.
Aremu got married quietly on Saturday December 7th in
Abuja to a woman believed to be older than he is, but Aremu
says he doesn't care what anyone thinks of him, his wife or
their marriage. The actor said his wife is not as rich as people
think and that contrary to reports, his wedding wasn't a secret
and his famous older brother was at his wedding.
Aremu tells Saturday Punch
A"People will always say what they want to say. I am not
perturbed in any way. I don't care. If I had married a top
politician's daughter, I am sure you will not be talking to
me. My wife's family is not rich let alone my wife. I got
married to somebody I wanted to get married to and not
because of her wealth. I don't know why people say all
they say."
"I wonder how anybody would say my marriage was
secret. Some people went ahead to say that my brother
(Kunle) was not at the wedding but he was there.
Anyway, I am not ready for them. When I am ready, I
will let you know," he said.
Governor Oshiomhole In Horrible Road Accident
The incident occurred at about 9.45am at Ewu, in Edo Central Senatorial District, when a Peugeot J5 Bus filled with tomatoes and plantains apparently lost control and rammed into the Governor's Flag Car from the opposite direction before swerving into a roadside ditch.
Three vehicles in the Governor's convoy were in front of the Governor's Flag Car and had passed the Peugeot J5 Bus before it [J5 Bus] had direct impact with the Governor's car, which had the Governor, his Aide-De-Camp [ADC] and his Driver as occupants.
The Governor's Car was badly affected but both occupants of the Peugeot J5 Bus and that of the Governor's sustained no injuries.
The Peugeot J5 Bus was following a truck that was descending the Ewu Slope when it suddenly veered off into the Governor's lane from the opposite direction and directly impacted on the Governor's vehicle, apparently because of brake failure.
Fortunately, none of the passengers in both vehicles sustained injuries. The Comrade Governor is hale and hearty, his ADC and other occupants of the Peugeot J5 are also in good condition.
The incident has been reported to the Divisional Police Station at Ewu for further investigation. This is to assure all good people of Edo State that there is no cause for alarm.
Their loving Comrade Governor is fine, hale and hearty as well as other occupants of the other affected vehicle. The Comrade Governor is wishing everyone a prosperous new year ahead. Signed
Via: Sahara Reporters
Photo: Benjamin Joseph Share A Stunning Pic With His Two Kids
Photos: Nollwood Actress Rita Dominic Sends Kate Henshaw A Bottle Of Dom Perignon
In her words, "I said I will pop a bottle whenever I sold my
first copy. Well @k8henshaw just bought a whole lot of
Special Limited Edition copies of THE MEETING
MOVIE. What a way to start selling! #Christmasblessings
#Grateful #thankyouGod.."
Confirming the gift, Kate Henshaw wrote, "Bought my
Special Limited Edition copies of "The Meeting" and Dom
Perignon is in d house… #sales #sales #sales #Greatmovie
#nollywooddivas #supportingafriend #creativity."
I’m Very Much Single- Flavour
almost everything at home. He parties right in his house,
works in his house and of-course eats and drinks at home. He
does not even go to clubs, the singer revealed. Here is what he
told Vanguard in a new interview.
People will always talk and turn around stories. But I am still
single because marriage is not my priority for now. I still want
to hit the top before thinking about marriage. It's not yet time.
I am still concentrating on my music. But the issue is that I try
to stay away from trouble. For instance, I don't even go to
clubs. Any time I want to do something, I do it in the comfort
of my house. I party inside my house. I do my recording
inside my house. When you start mingling and partying with
everybody in different places that is where one or two things
would start to emerge.
Photos: Mercy Johnson Donates Materials To Widows In Her Husband’s Home Town
Okojie donated various materials and food stuffs to 5000
widows in Uromi, her husband's home town. According to
sources, she made the entire widows and the people of Uromi
very happy this Christmas.
The actress was able to achieve this through her Mercy
Johnson Okojie's Foundation, which is geared towards the
improvement of less privileged people and women in the
society. Each widow of over 5000 received a bag of rice, 6
yards of super print, a bag of salt, groundnut oil, tin tomatoes
and maggi cubes.
University to make Igbo language compulsory course for all students
the Gregory University, Uturu (GUU), Abia, said on Saturday that the university would soon introduce the Igbo language as a compulsory course in the second year.
Madubuike announced this at Uturu during the 6th edition of
the Igbo (Uturu) Cultural Carnival, which held at the university.
"By the next two years, the university plans to introduce the
Igbo language as a compulsory subject for all students in the
second year.
"Whether you are Yoruba, Hausa or Efik, you must take Igbo
as a compulsory subject, in spite of your area of
specialisation,'' he said.
Madubuike described the Igbo language as the ''soul of the
culture of Ndigbo,'' adding that the disappearance of the
language would mean the ultimate death of the culture.
Earlier, the traditional ruler of Oko in Anambra state, Igwe
Laz Ekwueme, called for concerted efforts by people of the
South-East to save the Igbo language from going extinct.
Ekwueme, who was the chairman of the carnival, expressed
regret that the Igbo language was under serious threat, due to
the decline in its usage as a means of communication in
various families.
He noted that many families of Igbo origin preferred to
communicate in foreign languages, especially the English
language, with their children.
"More often, nowadays, you find many parents communicating with their children and relations in the English
language, rather than the Igbo language,'' he said.
Ekwueme regretted that the development was capable of
endangering the Igbo language, if not promptly checked.
The monarch, who was a former Minister of Education,
commended the Chancellor of the University, Dr. Greg Ibe,
for initiating the carnival.
"Anything that is done to encourage the sustenance of the
Igbo language and culture would be encouraged," he said.
Ekwueme noted that the event would add value to similar
efforts designed to re-establish and reinforce the Igbo culture.
He urged governors in the zone to rally support toward the
sustenance of the culture and the language of Ndigbo by
identifying with the carnival.
Prof. Barth Chukwuezi, a director in the National Commission
for Museums and Monuments, expressed delight that the Igbo
cultural heritage and artefacts could be found in abundance in
Uturu.
Chukwuezi, who is the Head, Educational Services and
Training, said that the commission often encouraged the
people to communicate in their native languages during its
outreach programmes.
He noted that the Igbo language ranked among the few native
languages in the country facing serious threats of possible
extinction and called for urgent steps to stem the tide.
"Once a people's language and culture go extinct, then the
people literally cease to exist,'' Chukwuezi said.
He advised parents to encourage the use of the Igbo language
in their homes, as a major means of communication with their
offspring, to save the language from dying.
The initiator and sponsor of the carnival said that the
objective of the yearly event was to provide a platform for the
transmission of Igbo culture from one generation to another,
among others.
He said that the theme of this year's carnival: ''Ibu anyi
danda'' (meaning ''resilience and the indomitable spirit'') of
Ndigbo, underscored the numerous challenges and struggles
faced by the Igbo man.
Ibe noted that God had always rewarded the Igbo man with
huge success in his vocations and determination to succeed in
life.
The Chancellor explained that the ceremony was organised as
''our contribution to the cultural heritage of mankind''.
He described the celebration of a people's culture as ''the
celebration of their history, civilisation and the totality of their
way of life''.
The lecture on the theme was delivered by a renowned author
and publisher, Mr Chinedum Ofomata.
Highlights of the ceremony included cultural dances by
various dance groups from 16 states of the federation.
Different kinds of masquerades, including ''Ijele'' and ''Atu''
from Anambra, took turns to perform at the event, which
attracted a large crowd from within and outside the country.
Via: NAN
Star Boy Wizkid’s Manager Involved In Car Crash
sensational pop singer, Wizkid has crashed his automobile.
Going by a message posted by the young man on his
Instagram page, he was involved in a road mishap on
Christmas Day, but escaped death.
"Thank you Jesus for his life. Cars can always be bought,"
Godwin wrote on the social media platform.
Godwin, who is also the manager of female singer, Waje
bought the 'toy' in June 2013.
He however did not state where the incident occurred. He is presently doing fine after the unfortunate December 25 incident. Thank God oo
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