Uti Dumps Alex Ekubo For Beverly Naya

Uti Nwachukwu and Alex Ekubo are pairs that always move around together.The former Big Brother Africa winner has unconsciously taken former Mr Nigeria 2011, Alex Ukibo just like a handbag. Rarely would you see Uti at any event without sighting Alex beside him.

This has raised some eyebrows among some people in the
industry in the past about the two handsome young men.
At an event in Lagos last Saturday, it was a big surprise and
disappointment when Uti sighting with another person
different from the usual, Alex.

This time, It was Nollywood up and coming actress, Beverly
Naya that was spotted with the Delta State-born handsome
model, actor and singer; Uti.

They both breezed into the event venue in an black SUV.
Beverly was sitting in front while Uti drove.

They both posed for photographs. Beverly was seen being
reluctant to be separated from Uti even when some photo-
journalists wanted personal pictures of Uti. At almost
interviews on Uti at the event, Beverly was seen around him.
What i don't know of is if Uti has finally dumped Alex for
Beverly or Beverly is just standing in for Alex who might
bounce back to take his rightful position.

We recorded unprecedented achievements in 2013 — Presidency

The Presidency, Sunday, reviewed its performance in the
outgoing year and gave itself a pass mark, saying that it
recorded unprecedented feat despite distractions from the
opposition.

It 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 cared in
a statement made available to Vanguard 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
forty percent 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 fertilizers in Africa. It is also
noteworthy that agricultural lending as a share of total bank
lending has risen from two percent to six percent in two
years"

"On the power sector reforms initiated by President Goodluck
Jonathan in 2010, the senior Special Assistant on Public
Affairs 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.

Via: Vanguard

Boko Haram: It’s A Religious War; We Are Fighting Jonathan, We Are Fighting Christians – Shekau

The leader of the outlawed Boko Haram sect, Abubakar Shekau Friday said that their battle was against President Goodluck Jonathan and the rest of his Christian brethren.
He further warned that Nigerians should be under no
illusion that the sect was not fighting a religious war in total
submission to the will of God and would have eaten
humans if they were given divine instruction.
In a message sent to e-mail of some selected journalists,
Shekau said the sect had never done anything against the
will of God which was responsible for series of victories
recorded against the Nigerian state and its agencies.
The notorious sect leader equally said it was God that has
continued to give them the booty of their enemies, which
the sect has continued to loot without restraint and enjoyed.
In the translated video recording, he said: "This is to show
our Muslim brethren that victory comes from Allah. This is
just a tip of the ice berg regarding the booty Allah has
blessed us with, the booty which took our brothers day and
night to cart away.
"Our fighters stormed Bama (military) barracks. Allah
threw them (troops) into confusion through some servants
of Allah who dedicated themselves to Allah. Allah finished
them. They bragged, they said whatever pleased them to the
extent of claiming they have cleansed Bama, now that they
have sticks-wielding vigilantes. Even Jonathan praised
them, saying Bama are steadfast."
"It is in the same Bama that our brothers pulverized 21
armoured tanks. People in multitudes were killed, bodies
scattered all over and the sight would astonish any
onlooker. Soldiers hid under blankets in their rooms and
our fighters pursued them and blew out their brains."
Shekau added that: "Had Allah allowed us to eat them we
would have eaten them but we are not cannibals because we
are not spirits or animals. As for killing, we will kill (for)
Allah, if he says we should decapitate, we should amputate
the limbs, we should mutilate."
Shekau while boasting of the title, "Victory for Allah", said
the recent destruction of Damaturu, Maiduguri and later
Bama were victories from Allah, insisting that the victories
were beyond human comprehension and the sect members
were surprised, said: "We were amazed by the victory in
Damaturu, then a greater victory was achieved in
Maiduguri and now Bama operation is better than
Maiduguri. And tomorrow we will go to…."
The terror leader asked his members to be thankful to God
on the recent victories of the group, insisting that: "They try
to brainwash the people that we are fighting an ethnic war.
No, we are fighting a religious war, we are fighting
Jonathan, we are fighting Christians."
He said those that ran out of luck may meet their Waterloo
in the couple of days left in the year as the group was set to
be on the prowl for Christians. He said: "If you are not
lucky you will not celebrate this your December. If you are
not lucky this December you will not go to your churches
or you will celebrate it in fear."
The terrorists who perhaps agreed that some of his
members might have been killed by him to instil fear and
discipline, said: "This is a bounty placed on me
(brandishing a flyer with his picture), that whoever finds
me, finds me and takes to Jonathan, will be given N50
million.
"What is N50 million. Do you know what we are doing?
Your armoured tank is worth more than N50 million and
we burnt it. Haven't we burnt your aircraft? What is N50
million. We do not worship money. As for he who is in our
midst for money, Allah has taken care of him. Hypocrites
who lived with the Prophet could not harm him. You can't
in anyway harm me."
He also said with all the bounty he was hiding by God from
his traducers, noting, "Even America has placed $7 million
ransom (on my head) if you arrest and take me. But it is
difficult indeed.
"The way you hide Jonathan in Aso Rock and hide Obama
in White House, so does Allah hide me under His
protection. You are with Jonathan and Obama while I am
with Allah. Let's play then," Shekau said.

Via: Information Nigeria

How Mother Of Three And Pastor Lover Murdered Husband

It was quite sad and a pathetic end for Mr Victor Nsongbunyo, an indigene of Akwa Ibom state and Deputy Manager at the Nigeria Petroleum Development (NPDC) Company, Benin City. The deceased allegedly murdered by his wife Mrs Enebong Victor and her Pastor boyfriend, Prince Udoka Nkanchukwu who were paraded by the Edo state Police Commissioner, Funso Adebanjo last Tuesday.

Saturday Vanguard learnt that the deceased who was recently
promoted to the position of Deputy Manager, was due to retire
next year. It was learnt that the decease and his wife had been
having issues with the paternity of their children after the
deceased suspected the wife was having an extra marital affair
with the Pastor.

The deceased was said to have visited home to complain to
both his family and that of his wife after suspecting that the
current pregnancy which is being carried by the wife was not
from him. Consequently, the families resolved that a DNA
would be conducted after giving birth to the child. Saturday
Vanguard further learnt that it was this arrangement that
infuriated the wife that led her into plotting to murder her
husband with her lover Pastor.

Friday October 22, 2013, It was learnt that the Pastor whom
Vanguard gathered has been a close family friend, called the
deceased on telephone and told him he wanted to see him.

The deceased was said to have drove to somewhere along
Sapele road, to meet with the Pastor. On getting there, it was
gathered that the Pastor entered the vehicle and stabbed the
deceased twice. As if that was not enough, he drove the car to
hidden destination along Sapele road and set both the car and
the deceased car ablaze.

On Monday 25, the wife was said to have gone to the office to
report that the husband was missing. But apparently after
visiting the husband's office, she went straight to the bank and
withdrew N4milion from the husband's account.
The wife of the deceased also went to the police to report the
incident. However, staff of the NDDC was informed that
people observed a burnt car and somebody inside it
somewhere along Sapele Road, they quickly rushed down and
found it was that of Mr Nsongbunyo. The shocked NPDC
staff went back to the deceased wife at their home to inform
her of the situation but found her sitting comfortably at home
watching African Magic. However, detectives intensified
search for the deceased new car which was given to him by
the company following his promotion. The car, a Volkswagen
Passat car was tracked to a compound at Ekenwan road Benin
City.

Vanguard learnt that a lady was accosted by detectives in the
compound and she confessed that the car was packed by a
Pastor that lives in the compound. When the Pastor came out,
detectives observed burns in his left hand and his face. The
Pastor disclosed that one of his daughters in the church sowed
a seed with the car. He subsequently took them to the
residence of the deceased where it was discovered that it was
the deceased wife.

The duo were arrested immediately and according to the state
Police commissioner, have confessed to have committed the
dastard act. According to Adebanjo, "what happened was
that the Pastor called the deceased to come and meet him
somewhere along Sapele Road, when the deceased got there
the Pastor stabbed him twice and then burnt the car.

The woman gave the husband's new car to the Pastor and we
found the car with the Pastor. A 2013 model of Volkswagen
car. It is a very sad and wicked act. After killing the man in
his vehicle he set the car ablaze. The Pastor changed the plate
number of the car and put a fake one after he murdered the
man. It was when we saw the burnt in his hand that we knew
that he was involved. Though he has confessed and after now
we will take them to court. They both confessed that they are
lovers but I believe that it was wicked on their part to have
plotted the killing of the man.

Mrs Isonguyo who denied she was having extra marital affairs
with the Pastor, narrated that "when I did not see my husband
I ran to the Pastor because we have known for a very long
time. I took my husband's new car to him to sow a seed in the
church so that my husband will be found. I told him to take it
to the church but I don't know that he went and changed the
plate numbers. I had to ask him to pray harder because I love
my husband and I don't want anything to happen to him.

I did not kill my husband because I loved him. I brought the
car and told him to take it to his church and sow a seed that I
want God to answer my prayers so that my husband will come
back. I told him to take it to the church because even if it is a
house I would have taken it to sow a seed for my husband to
come back. I gave it to him but what I did not know was that
he went to change the plate number and other papers that have
to do with the car.

I was lying down in the house at about 11pm that day when
the police came and arrested me". Asked if she is having extra
marital affair with the Pastor, she asserted " God forbid, I
have not had any affair with the Pastor. The Pastor has been a
close family friend and we always give him cloths to go and
share in the orphanages. And even when I travelled with my
husband we gave him our ATM card so that he can take care
of our poultry and whatever that is needed to be done. He has
been very honest to us so I don't know what is happening".

She further denied having quarrel with the late husband,
asserting that "Until I came to this place nobody told me that
my husband is dead. I pray that God should intervene because
I have never committed any crime before in my life. I want
God to intervene in this matter. I have three boys for my
husband, 17, 16 and 15 years".

In his confession, Pastor Ukachukwu whom Vanguard learnt
has not been to their church, Land of Evidence Church along
Airport Road Benin City, said he kicked against bringing the
car to him by the deceased wife but decided to accept it when
she insisted that she wanted to sow a seed. According to him
"I have been a family Pastor and sometimes I pick their
children from school.

She called me and said that she wanted to give me a car to
sow a seed in my church. When she even brought the car I
asked her why she should bring the car in the middle of this
crisis but she said her husband is worth more than any
material thing that she can make any sacrifice for her
husband. I changed the plate number because any gift for
Pastors you have to change it in order to be able to drive the
car". CP Adebanjo said the duo would be charged to court for
murder.

Via: Vanguard

Kerry Washington’s hubby Nnamdi Asomugha retires from NFL after 11 years

Kerry Washington is going to be having her hubby
Nnamdi Asomugha all to herself on Sundays…
Asomugha has announced his retirement from the
NFL today after 11 seasons. He has however singed
a ceremonial one-day contract with the Oakland
Raiders, hoping to end his career with the same
team that drafted him in 2003.
Kerry Washington on June 24, 2013 married the
Nigerian born professional football player Nnamdi
Asomugha, in Hailey, Idaho. They are expecting
their first child.

Via: Thenet

The 12 Biggest Artistes of 2013

D'banj, 2face, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Olamide and Psquare
smiled to the banks all year, dominating the industry with
viral works and their personal lives.

2013 was a very big year for Nigerian music and quite a
number of artistes lived up to expectation. We're talking sold-
out shows, monster singles, European tours and endorsement
deals. NET presents the 12 biggest artistes of 2013.

1. Wizkid
After battling his label EME for a few months and setting up
his StarBoy Entertainment, Wizkid quieted label exit
rumours and released a number of chart-topping singles. He
bagged a multi-million Naira endorsement deal
with MTN and performed in Europe and several African
countries.

2. Davido
O.B.O cemented his position as an A-list act covering the gap
between him and friendly rival Wizkid. Extending his
endorsement deal with MTN, the 21-year-old went on a 13-
country European tour, performed in 5 African countries and
dropped two of the biggest singles of 2013.

3. Psquare
No album release this year, but Psquare dominated with two
powerful singles 'Alingo' and 'Personally'. The twins went on
a US tour and visited quite a number of African countries.
They also made big news as they both proposed to their baby
mamas with Peter tying the knot in November.

4. Tiwa Savage
Definitely the biggest female artiste in Nigeria in the last three
years, Ms Savage released her hugely anticipated debut 'Once
Upon a Time', extended her Pepsi endorsement deal, picked
up a MOBO nomination and got married to her
manager Tunji 'Tee-Billz' Balogun.

5. D'banj
Banga Lee with his newly setup DB Records/DKM
Media continued his reign as king this year – releasing the
label's first LP, bagging endorsement deals with Bank of
Industry and re-kindling his romance with GLO.

6. Iyanya
The Pop singer released his highly commercial and successful
second album 'Iyanya VS Desire', embarked on a very
successful US tour, returned and bagged an endorsement deal
with MTN, Solo Phones, Zinox Computers. He was named
artiste of the year at the 2013 Headies, amongst many other
decorations this year.

7. Olamide
If all Olamide gained in 2012 was fame, in 2013 he added
money and the power of influence to it. The Yoruba-lingo
rapper broke into the commercial market with a few power
singles and later dropped his third album 'Baddest Guy Ever
Liveth'. He grabbed an Etisalat endorsement deal, dozens of
awards – including three from The Headies. Add to that, the
viral Gunman pose.

8. Flavour
Mr N'abania also went on a US tour as he continued to
dominate the Highlife music genre in Nigeria and elsewhere.
He increased his frontiers in South Africa and also bagged an
endorsement deal with GLO.

9. KCEE
2013 saw KCEE perform at almost every event we attended.
He has cemented his place in the A-list zone with hit singles
'Limpopo' and 'Pullover' feat Wizkid. He signed a multi-
million Naira deal with MTN and then released his debut solo
album 'Take Over'.

10. Femi Kuti
Getting his fourth Grammy Awards nomination is enough for
Afrobeat great Femi Kuti to be listed here. But we'll still tell
you that 'Shoki Shoki' finally warmed up to mainstream
media, performing at quite a number of upscale events
including 'Night of the Masters' and 'Music Meets Runway'.

11. Ice Prince
It was a fantastic year for Ice Prince, following his successful
2012 run. Dropping new singles, performing in several
African countries, releasing his second album ' Fire of
Zamani' and bagging a telecoms deal withEtisalat are what
made him the hottest rapper in 2013.

12. 2face Idibia
No new music this year but we couldn't help but keep a tab
on 2face Idibia, thanks to his N100m grand wedding. The
artiste kept it smoking hot, going on a '2face Campus Tour'
and signing on for the Star Trek concert tour. Idibia made a
power move few weeks back when he announced his
rebranded label Hypertek Digital, with the legendary Victor
Uwaifo as one of his signings.

Culled from NET

Breaking: Oshiomhole escapes death in auto crash

GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, Saturday escaped death in a ghastly motor accident involving the governor's convoy around Ewu village, Auchi- Benin road.

Vanguard learnt that the incident occurred at about 9.45am on
his way to Benin City from his Iyamho Village.

It was gathered that the incident occurred when a Peugeot J5
Bus with registration number XB 355 Fugar, conveying
tomatoes and plantains lost control while trying to overtake an
articulated vehicle and crashed into the governor's flag car, a
BMW bullet proof car, before ending in a ditch.

It would be recalled that the governor's convoy was also
involved in an accident last year when a tipper rammed into
his car.

Via: Vanguard

2015: Jonathan launches new offensive •Takes charge of PDP battle plans •Meets Omisore, Fayose over Osun, Ekiti polls

•Anenih to coordinate Ekiti, Osun guber strategy •Group
in secret meeting in Ibadan
AS 2013 ends on a sour note for the ruling People's
Democratic Party (PDP), President Goodluck Jonathan has
taken full charge of the party's battle plans for 2014 both for
governorship polls and the primaries holding in the New
Year.
Already, Jonathan has met Senator Iyiola Omisore and
former governor Ayodele Fayose over Osun and Ekiti
governorship elections holding in the third quarter of 2014.
This is against the backdrop of a new command structure
already created to allow the president take charge of
preparation for the primaries for the 2015 polls, which the
electoral commission has announced will take place either in
January or February of 2015.
INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, recently announced
that the 2015 general elections would hold between January
and February, indicating that party primaries would hold in
2014.
Although INEC has not announced a definite date for the
Osun and Ekiti governorship polls, it was reliably gathered
that the two polls would hold between June and August 2014.
The elections in both states, according to analysts, are being
seen by the Presidency as a test case for the PDP to cut the
opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) to size.
"The Ekiti and Osun governorship elections are a litmus test
for both sides in the battle for the soul of Nigeria. You know
the APC's major foothold is the South-West. So, whatever
happens in these elections will either weaken or strengthen
either side. That is why the president is not leaving anything
to chance. The die is cast. You just wait and see how events
unfold," PDP leader told Saturday Tribune on Friday.
Saturday Tribune findings showed that the presidency regards
2014 as a critical year, especially as the party is expected to
pick all its standard-bearers for the next general elections in
the new year. Primaries to be held in the new year include
state and national assemblies as well as governorship and
presidential.
According to findings, the resolution of the wrangling
between the governors and the party leadership was the first
step to a new offensive the party is planning for 2014. Under
presidential watch, it was gathered that the PDP is to launch
an expanded offensive to gain lost grounds and put the party
in good stead ahead of the 2015 polls.
A party chief contacted on this development confirmed the
direct involvement of the president in the new offensive,
explaining that "2014 is a pre- election year that is unique for
many reasons. The president, even when he has not
announced he is contesting, is rightly taking charge.
"All presidents during election years must take charge. So,
there is nothing unusual. We in the party welcome this new
tone. It will energise the party and rally our support base,"
the official, a member of the working committee, noted.
As part of the offensive, it was learnt that the party, which
has been cash-strapped for some time now, is to be properly
funded while each sector of the party is expected to organise
mass mobilisation events in the new year. Already, the party
has scheduled a national summit of its youth and women
leaders at all levels for the new year.
Further checks showed that the president had increased the
tempo of his direct consultation and interaction with critical
stakeholders, both for the 2015 general elections and the
governorship elections holding in Osun and Ekiti states.
Insider sources revealed that the outcome of the ongoing
consultations would determine the final decision of the
president on his candidature for the 2015 presidency.
Saturday Tribune further gathered that the president had
asked the Chairman of PDP Board of Trustees, Chief Tony
Anenih, to help coordinate the party's strategy to win the
coming governorship polls in the two South West states.
In what many see as a response to criticism of his not being
supportive of the party, the president is said to have assessed
the electoral situations in both Osun and Ekiti states and has
given tacit support to both Omisore and Fayose. This has led
to controversies in both states over report of presidential
adoption.
It was, however, learnt that the president indeed has preferred
aspirants due to what a source called "the concept of
undiluted loyalty to the presidency."
Saturday Tribune reliably gathered that Senator Omisore,
indeed, had a closed door meeting with the president recently
in Abuja. Both men again met during the visit of the
Afenifere to the president recently in Abuja.
It was after the meeting with the president that Senator
Omisore announced February 8 for the declaration of his
governorship ambition, an event to be witnessed by Vice
President Namadi Sambo and the Chairman of the PDP
Governor's Forum, Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa
Ibom State.
A similar meeting was said to have been held between the
president and Fayose in Abuja a week ago. Those privy to
the meeting disclosed that Jonathan reviewed the state of the
party in Ekiti with the former governor and charged him to
continue his mobilisation to ensure victory for the PDP in the
governorship polls.
A check in Abuja, however, affirmed that both the party
leadership and the presidency are not foreclosing holding of
primaries to select the party's governorship standard-bearers.
A party source noted that the primaries would hold either in
March or April in both Ekiti and Osun states.
"We will hold primaries in Osun and Ekiti, but you know,
getting the president to back you means a lot because it
grants you what I call state support," the source said.
Group in secret meeting in Ibadan
Meanwhile, Some leaders of the PDP on Thursday evening
converged on Ibadan, Oyo State, for a meeting held behind
closed doors, with a source declaring that the move was to
launch a group to salvage the party in the zone.
The leaders, comprising former Minister of Defence,
Adetokunbo Kayode; former Nigerian High Commissioner to
Ghana, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro; Deputy Senate Whip,
Senator Hosea Agboola; PDP governorship candidate in
Ondo State and former National Legal Adviser of the party,
Olusola Oke and a governorship aspirant of the party in Osun
State, Hon. Oluwole Oke, among others, were at the A 3
Hotels, Ibadan, for the meeting which lasted for hours.
Though Senator Agboola declined to comment on the issues
discussed at the meeting, another party leader at the parley,
who pleaded not to be named when contacted, simply sent a
text message to Saturday Tribune that the meeting had to do
with a new move to save the party in the South West.
The senator also declined to react when asked if the meeting
had anything to do with the fortune of the party in the zone.

Culled from Tribune

Nikki Laoye Says She Stopped Singing For 2 Years After Her Father’s Death

It was a very emotional moment for Nikki Laoye at this year's edition of The Headies; the singer cried on stage as she walked up to receive her award for 'Best Vocal Performance (Female)'.

Laoye won the award for the fantastic performance of her single 'Only you' which she wrote as a tribute to her late father.

'It was a very painful and sad moment for me when I lost my father two years ago. I stopped singing for two years', Laoye said as she shed tears on stage.

'But I thank God and my lovely husband', she added right after singing a powerful medley.

Laoye beat the likes of Waje, Niyola, Seyi Shay and Zaina to clinch the award.

Via: NET

47 Persons Die In Boat Mishap; Clash Between Tiv And Fulani

Makurdi- At least 47 persons were feared dead in two separate
incidents in Benue in what appeared to be a bloody yuletide in
the state following a clash between Fulani herdsmen and
native Tiv farmers at Agasha and a boat mishap on River
Buruku, in Buruku local government area.

Saturday Vanguard gathered that seven persons lost their lives
at Agasha, Guma local government area of the state in a fresh
skirmish between the natives and Fulani herdsmen.

A reliable source told Saturday Vanguard that the crisis
which erupted few days to Christmas spilled into yesterday,
leaving seven persons dead while property and farmland
worth millions of Naira were also destroyed.

"The crisis started just few days to Christmas when the
herdsmen invaded Nzorov and Gbajimba and from there they
moved to Agasha, burning and destroying anything in sight."
"About seven person may have so far been killed in the
fighting, we are yet to account for some missing persons, but
in the next few days, we should be able to come out with an
authentic figure of the dead." the source added.

Meantime, its all wailing and crying in Buruku, after about 40
persons were feared dead in a Boxing Day boat tragedy at
River Buruku when the wooden boat conveying them across
the river capsized at the middle of the river.

An aye witness told Saturday Vanguard that, the victims of
the mishap were young fun seekers; "They met their untimely
death while returning from a picnic on the other side of the
river.

"When they arrived the boarding point at about 8pm
yesterday, most of them were drunk, they boarded the canoe
and jam packed themselves in the wooden boat against the
advise of everyone including the driver that conveyed them.

"Unfortunately, the canoe could not make it to the other side
of the river, it capsized at the middle of the river; as I speak to
you, bodies of most of the victims are yet to be recovered
from the river. When contacted, the Benue State Police Public
Relations Officer, PPRO, Deputy Suprentendent, DSP, Daniel
Ezeala confirmed the death of seven persons in the Guma
crisis but pointed out that he was yet to get the full details of
the Buruku boat mishap.

Via: Vanguard

Blackmagic addresses Syndik8 Records split on new album ‘Version 2.0′

Eccentric Nigerian Hip-Hop artiste Blackmagic has
released his new album 'Version 2.0', a follow up to his critically acclaimed debut 'Version 1.0'. On the eighth track of the album 'My Niggas', Ejay addresses his controversial exit from Syndik8 Records. 'Based on belief, in the streets it's on/ Syndik8 not really, all I need is IKON', Blackmagic rhymes, alienating himself from the label which he once ripped.

In May 2013, NET exclusively broke the news about his split from the label headed by the flagship artiste Chukie 'Lynxxx' Edozien. Sources told us both parties fell out as Blackmagic decided to walk away from the label when C.E.O Lynxxx offered him a contract which stated he would be signed
JUST as an artiste on the label, with no executive stake.

And he continues; 'Came through with the same army, I only say names that are worth mentioning/to elevate I think there are some agreements worth entering and some just wanna make me say some sh*t worth censoring/dear f*ckery to whom are well accustomed, I really wanna say truly you're not welcome/when you talking about the friends I'm with/love and loyalty, don't give a f*ck about your Benjamins/B.O.B over everything, believe'. Blackmagic now runs his music under his 'Based on Belief' movement and is currently being
managed by Osagie Osarenkhoe's M.e.tal Management.
'Version 2.0' is a 15-track album featuring appearances from Banky W, M.I, Sasha, Oritse Femi with production from T-Flava, Kid Konnect, Xela, Remi and Syndik8 Records' IKON.

Gov. Imoke: Calabar Carnival Is A Brand Worth Promoting

Governor Liyel Imoke has described Calabar Carnival as a
unique brand that should be jealously protected and promoted.

Speaking at the event's command performance night in Calabar as part of activities for the carnival, Imoke said the
beauty of Nigeria's rich cultural heritage was expressed in
the carnival.

"The beauty of Nigeria is wholly expressed in the Calabar
festival and the unique brand should be jealously protected
and promoted by all," the governor said.

He therefore called on governments at all levels and the
private sector to ensure all hands were on deck so as to see
to it that the carnival was protected, noting that this would
serve as a way to continue attracting both local and
international support for the country.

"Carnival Calabar can be identified internationally and
exported around the world.

"It has become a brand that everyone has identified with because it is about the people. So, with or without government behind it, it has become an international brand.

"After Nollywood, Carnival Calabar is the highest brand in
Africa and it is unique because, unlike others, it is designed, programmed and costumed through passion and creativity," he said.

Also speaking on the carnival, sponsor of the Brazilian Samba team to the carnival, Ms Karen Sauza said another Brazilian band would be participating at the adult carnival.

She said the band would showcase some popular Brazilian
songs.

Sauza said the continuous participation of Brazilian bands
at the carnival affords both Nigeria and Brazil the opportunity for cultural exchanges.

She commended Governor Imoke for promoting the
carnival.

Culled from Information Nigeria

Breaking: Comedienne Princess Marriage Crashes 7 Months After Wedding?

There are reports that female comedian; Princess has packed
out of her husband's house. According to the report, Princess
herself confirmed this at Stand Up Nigeria, a comedy show
which took place yesterday at Muson Centre. Speaking on
stage, Princess said her marriage collapsed due to
irreconcilable differences. Princess got married to Adeshola
Jeremiah on the 8th of May, 2013.

#Headies2013: Winners 2face, KCEE, Modenine skip event for Benue gig

Pop artistes 2face Idibia, KCEE and rapper Modenine were all winners at The Headies 2013 but the trio were not present to pick up their awards as they were in Benue State for a scheduled show.

2face, KCEE, Modenine and at least 10 other Nigerian acts including M.I, Ice Prince, Sound Sultan, Vector, Ikechukwu, Styl Plus, Show Dem Camp travelled to Otukpo, in Benue State for the annual 'Mark D Ball' which kicked off on
December 26, 2013.

The Basketball event will run for the next five days, ending on Tuesday, December 31. 2013.

At The Headies, 2face's 'Ihe neme' won the award for 'Best Pop single', KCEE's 'Limpopo' won 'Song of the Year', while Modenine's 'Let it go' got him the 'Lyricist on the Roll' award for the seventh time Artiste manager and Now Muzik boss Efe Omorogbe picked up both awards for 2face and
Modey while producer Del B picked up KCEE's award.

Culled from NET

How I Averted Yoruba/ Fulani Clash - Emir Of Ilorin

The emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari has narrated how he prevented a Yoruba/Fulani ethnic conflict that he said could have thrown the country into a major crisis about two months ago.

The monarch made the revelation yesterday at the annual national conference of the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU), at Fufu in Ilorin South local government area.

Sulu-Gambari said the conflict would have started in his domain before it was averted. He disclosed that a clash between the Yoruba people and the Fulani herdsmen in Alapa area in Asa local government in the Ilorin Emirate would have triggered off a war, if not for his intervention.

The emir said that some people alleged that after the death of a Yoruba man in a clash between a Fulani and Yoruba man, members of the Oodua People's Congress (OPC) were mobilised to attack the Fulani people in the area the following day.

He added that it was further alleged that after OPC members had killed many of the Fulani herdsmen, their wives and children, they carried away their cattle and disposed of them in Ibadan.

The monarch disclosed that this allegation made a group of militants from the far north of the country to mobilise themselves and prepare to come to Ilorin to avenge the killing of their Fulani kinsmen.

He said that when he heard of this plan, he quickly intervened by explaining to the people that the progenitor of the head of Ilorin Emirate was from the Sokoto Sultanate and that both the Fulani and Yoruba people in the emirate were one people, cohabiting without discrimination.

Sulu-Gambari disclosed that what he said discouraged the people from going ahead with their vengeance mission and thanked God that his intervention worked, saying that the reprisal attack would have aggravated the security problems of the country.

He said that the Fulani herdsmen left who were displaced after their huts were burnt during the conflict had been relocated to a camp. He said that along with assistance the Kwara State government had rendered to the camp, he had donated N1million for their feeding.

The monarch, who described Kwara State as the gateway between the North and South-west of the country said that if Ilorin the state capital, or the state as a whole were to be engulfed in violence, the whole country would be in trouble.

He called on the people of his Ilorin community to discourage violence by not discriminating against one another based on ethnicity; saying that they had all came from elsewhere to live in the community and had long become brothers and sisters.

The emir commended the leadership of the IEDPU for the achievements recorded within its tenure, under the presidency of Saka Yusuf.

Via: Leadership

Researchers discover wonder drug which may prevent AIDS

Research led by scientists at the Gladstone Institutes, San
Fransisco, United States has identified the precise chain of
molecular events in the human body that drives the death of
most of the immune system's CD4 T cells as an HIV infection
leads to AIDS. Further, they have identified an existing anti-
inflammatory drug that in laboratory tests blocks the death of
these cells — and now are planning a Phase 2 clinical trial to
determine if this drug or a similar drug can prevent HIV-
infected people from developing AIDS and related conditions.

Two separate journal articles, published simultaneously in
Nature and Science, detail the research from the laboratory of
Warner C. Greene, MD, PhD, who directs virology and
immunology research at Gladstone, an independent
biomedical-research non-profit.

His laboratory's science paper reveals how, during an HIV
infection, a protein known as IFI16 senses fragments of HIV
DNA in abortively infected immune cells. This triggers the
activation of the human enzyme caspase-1 and leads to
pyroptosis, a fiery and highly inflammatory form of cell
death.

As revealed in the Nature paper, this repetitive cycle of
abortive infection, cell death, inflammation and recruitment of
additional CD4 T cells to the infection "hot zone" ultimately
destroys the immune system and causes AIDS. The Nature
paper further describes laboratory tests in which an existing
anti-inflammatory inhibits caspase-1, thereby preventing pyroptosis and breaking the cycle of cell death and inflammation.

"Gladstone has made two important discoveries, first by showing how the body's own immune response to HIV causes CD4 T cell death via a pathway triggering inflammation, and secondly by identifying the host DNA sensor that detects the viral DNA and triggers this death response," said Robert F. Siliciano, MD, PhD, a professor of Medicine at Johns Hopkins University, and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator. "This one-two punch of discoveries underscores the critical value of basic science — by uncovering the major cause of CD4 T cell depletion in AIDS.

Dr Greene's laboratory has been able to identify a potential
new therapy for blocking the disease's progression and
improving on current antiretroviral medications." The
research comes at a critical time, as so-called AIDS fatigue
leads many to think that HIV/AIDS is solved. In fact, HIV
infected an additional 2.3 million people last year, according
to UNAIDS estimates, bringing the global total of HIV-
positive people to 35.3 million. Antiretroviral medications
(ARVs) can prevent HIV infections from causing AIDS, but
they do not cure AIDS. Further, those taking ARVs risk both
a latent version of the virus, which can rebound if ARVs are
discontinued, and the premature onset of diseases that
normally occur in aging populations. Plus, some 16 million
people who carry the virus do not have access to ARVs,
according to World Health Organization estimates.

Seeking solutions for all these challenges, the new Gladstone
discovery builds on earlier research from Dr. Greene's lab,
published in Cell in 2010. This study showed how HIV attempts, but fails, to productively infect most of the immune system's CD4 T cells. In an attempt to protect the body from the spreading virus, these immune cells then commit "cellular suicide," leading to the collapse of the immune system — and AIDS.

After that research, the Gladstone scientists began to look for
ways to prevent this process by studying exactly how the
suicidal response is initiated. Working in the laboratory with human spleen and tonsil tissue, as well as lymph-node tissue from HIV-infected patients, the researchers found that these so-called abortive infections leave fragments of HIV's
DNA in the immune cells. As described in Nature, pyroptosis
ensues as immune cells rupture and release inflammatory
signals that attract still more cells to repeat the death
cycle.

Via: Nigerian Tribune

Nine Signs You are His Back-up Chick

Ladies, at one point or another, we've all had that "back up
guy" on deck in case we needed a quick date or some male
company. You know the type: he's more than a friend but
nowhere near anyone we claim as our man. But have you ever
wondered if you were someone else's back up chick? In
matters of the heart, lines can get blurred and many things can
get lost in translation when you're ignoring signs or being
deceived, so here are some ways to tell if the guy you're into
is into you back, or if you're simply his back up chick.

1. He Doesn't Claim You: Some men will call you his "girl"
in private, but never claim you in public. By this, I mean
never introducing you to friends or family, no PDA and won't
be caught dead in any cute, cozy flicks on Instagram. I'm not
saying you have to have a social media presence in order to
be official, but if he doesn't want anyone to know you exist
and says it's because he's "private" and doesn't want anyone
all up in his business, what he's REALLY saying is "I want to
keep my options open." You're not the one…keep it moving.
2
. Cancels Plans At The Last Minute: This guy only asked
you to hang out because the woman he really wanted to go
out with was unavailable. But then she became available,
which means you are now getting the boot. If this happens
often, it's usually because something, or someone, better
came along and he doesn't need you to fall back on anymore.
If it happens once, it's nothing to get alarmed about. But if it
happens often, you're his back up chick…and you shouldn't
stand for it out of principal alone.

3. He Just Wants To Be Friends (With Benefits): The most
obvious way to tell you're his back up chick is if he tells you
he just wants to be friends, even after you've managed to
sleep together already. Now this is where a woman has to be
honest with herself because a lot of men will tell a woman
upfront that they don't want to be in a relationship with her or
anyone else, but they think s3x will change their mind.
Ladies, not even MIND-BLOWING s3x will make a man
want to commit if he isn't ready. Hell, he may be ready to
commit, just not with you. If he says he just wants to be
friends, believe him. If you can hand s3x with no strings,
cool…rock out. But if you want more, wait to see if that
friendship has the potential to turn into something more
before you give up the goodies.

4. Makes Plans At The Last Minute: Just like the guy who
cancels at the last minute, the man who uses you as his back
up chick usually considers you his "Plan B" when his original
plans fall through. He knows you'll be at home waiting by the
phone for him to call you to do something, so you keep your
weekends free just in case he gets the urge to hit you up. If
you recognize this behaviour in yourself, stop it and get a life.
As the saying goes, don't make a man a priority when he only
considers you an option. Next time he calls with a last minute
request to see you, be busy.

5. He Says You Are Perfect For Someone Else: How many
times have you been seeing a guy casually who complains
that there are no good women out there when, in fact, you
seem to be everything he's looking for? It's frustrating when
the guy you're head over heels in love with can't recognize a
good thing when it's staring him in the face, so you keep
trying to show him how wonderful you are to no avail. He
will tell you that you're beautiful, intelligent, funny, hot, and
everything that any man could ever want…just not him. What
he's saying is he's just not that into you. If he keeps trying to
push you onto someone else, then follow his lead and find a
man who actually wants to be with you.

6. He Openly Dates Other Women: Again, this is a no-
brainer, but you'd be surprised how many women are in
denial that they have a chance with a guy who openly talks
about and dates other women. If you two have no real
commitment and he has no problem discussing other women
in front of you, you're wasting your time hoping for a
relationship with this guy. If he knows that you want more
than a casual dating situation with him, yet flaunts other
women in front of you anyway, he has no regard for your
feelings. In fact, wants you to know that you two are nowhere
close to being in a committed relationship. He's showing you
who he is and what he does and does not want. Believe him!

7. He Never Returns Your Calls: Duh. If you are always
calling him, only to get a response back from him days or
weeks later, he's not that into you. When a man is digging
you, he can't help but reach out to you to hear your voice,
check up on you and see what you're up to. But if days,
weeks…months go by, and then he hits you up out of the blue
like "what's up…wanna hang out," or drunk texts you asking
if he can stop by, it is up to you to see the clear sign. This
basically means he's in between girlfriends, his girlfriend is
out of town, or he's bored or Hot and there is no one else to
call. Block him.

8. You Can't Spend The Night After S3x: If a man says you
can't stay over because he has to get up early or simply asks
you to leave after having s3x, you are a non-factor in his life.
You should be able to at least get a good night's rest after
rolling around in the sheets and maybe even a bowl of cereal
in the morning before you head out. But if he's always got an
excuse as to why you can't stay, he's using you for s3x only
or he's afraid his REAL girlfriend will roll up on him and
bust him. If he was really into you, he'd want you to stay so
you could spoon all night. Have some dignity and never go
back…and sleep in your own bed.

9. He Always Comes To You After A Break Up: This is the
guy who cries on your should after some other no-good chick
breaks his heart into a million little pieces…and he has yet to
realize that you would never hurt him like that. He knows
deep down inside that you are a good woman and would make
a great wife one day, but rather than getting with you, he
dates ratchet chicks and then wonders how he got played for a
fool. He's vulnerable, so he talks to you in romantic ways
saying things like "why can't all women be wonderful like
you," getting your hopes up that he'll actually open his eyes
and discover that you're the one. He spends time with you
while he heals and you take his mind off that wicked b–ch
who broke his heart and you think he'll pay you back with his
undying love and devotion. Wake up, because that stuff only
happens in your dreams or the movies. Once his wounds have
healed and he's over her, he doesn't need you anymore…he's
on the prowl again looking for anyone but you. Next time he
comes to you after a breakup, tell him you'd love to console
him but you've got plans with your new man and he'll have to
get over it himself. You're not his therapist, he'll be alright.

Via: KemiFilani's blog

Sunny Okosun honoured!

Despite being disowned by the family after the death of Sunny
Okosun, Ethel Okosun and organisers of Exquisite Face of the
Universe World Finals deemed it fit last week to honour the
singer with a tribute performance at the grand finale of the
pageant.

At the event, Eazy Okosun, brother of the popular musician got on stage and performed a number of Okosun's memorable songs including 'African Soldier' and 'Orimolade' to the toast of the guests.

His performance was punctuated with reminiscence. The
Exquisite Face of the Universe world finals took place last
Thursday, at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos and
had over 30 beauty queens from different countries compete
for the coveted crown.

19-year-old Miss Dominican Republic, Susan Castano,
however, emerged winner of the pageant, walking away with
the cash prize of $10,000. Miss Sweden Makda Tewoldeberhan was chosen as the 1st runner-up with a cash
prize of $4000 while Miss Brazil, Souza Paula was the 2nd
runner up with a cash prize of $2000.

Via: Vanguard

Gov. Fashola Tells Auto Dealers To Stop Using Road Sides As Showrooms

Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State on Friday warned
traders, especially auto dealers to stop making sections of the
highways their showrooms.

Fashola gave the warning when he inaugurated the
reconstructed Kodesho Road and Simbiat Abiola Way in
Ikeja.

The governor said trading constricted the roads thereby
causing traffic gridlock and great inconveniences to users.
He stressed that staying too long in the gridlock had serious
health implications as it could lead to accidents, hypertension
and stress.

"As we hand over these roads, I think we need to talk to
ourselves.

"We build roads to let us get to our businesses; our places of
work quickly and to make movement easier.
"But some residents covert the roads to places they trade and
as long as we continue to trade on them, we defeat the
purpose for which they were built.

"As long as we turn our roads to shopping malls where
everybody buys in traffic, we all pay the price because you all
know that such causes stress and hypertension.

"Now, I see those who sell cars on Mobolaji Bank Anthony
Way and other areas have turned sections of the highways into
showrooms.

"I am using this opportunity to tell them to get land where
they can display and sell their cars. If we want to be great
people, we don't turn our highways into car shops" , he said.
Fashola reminded the traders that Lagos was fast becoming a
megacity and urged them to sell their goods in the market,
shopping malls and not on the highways.

The governor said the delivery of the two strategic roads was
the fulfillment of his electoral promise to improve
infrastructure in all parts of the state.

He added that work was on going in over 200 inner-city roads
across the state, adding that the State Government had
awarded contracts for the rehabilitation of additional 25 roads.
He urged Lagos people to pay their taxes to enable the
government to do more.

The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Dr Obafemi
Hamzat, said that the roads were major routes to decongest
traffic in Ikeja.

Hamzat said that 274 new jobs were created during the
reconstruction of the two roads.

He urged the residents to protect all projects from vandals.

Via: Vanguard/ NAN

Another Nigerian Nearly Lynched in India

The "second-class" citizen nature of Nigerians living in
India was again brought to the fore this week after the
police in Vashi, Mumbai, failed to register any
complaint against a mob of over 100 people who nearly
lynched Onouha Lucky.

The mob attack on 24-year-old Nigerian occurred after he
had a petty squabble over N13 (about Rs5) with a shoeshine
vendor.

Lucky asked the cobbler, identified as Sheshrao Purbe, to
polish his shoes.

Purbe narrated that he usually charged N26 (about Rs 10),
but the Nigerian threw Rs 5 at him.

This led to an argument and Purbe was punched hard on his
face. The fight between the two soon attracted a crowd and
a mob surrounded the alien.

The angry mob started slapping and punching Lucky. He
ran into the Vashi railway station and hid himself in a
foodstall to save himself from being lynched. However, he
had been spotted by someone, and the mob
continued beating Lucky for about 15 minutes before the
police rescued him.

The embattled Nigerian was sent to 2-week custody on
Tuesday for assaulting the cobbler but the police failed to
register any complaint against the mob of over 100
people who had attacked the Nigerian .

"Although it was wrong on part of the Nigerian
to hit the cobbler, it was equally wrong on part
of the mob to badly beat up the Nigerian and
tear his clothes. Therefore, he too has the right to
lodge a complaint against the mob, but Vashi police
has not done so," RTI activist and lawyer, Vinod
Gangwal, commented.

It would be noted that the Times of India (TOI)
photographer, K K Choudhary, was attacked by a few
persons from the same mob which was hitting the Nigerian,
as they were afraid that their illegal act would be caught on
camera and published in the newspaper.

Meanwhile, the cobbler, Purbe, told TOI that the municipal
hospital at Vashi have recommended an X-ray of his three
front teeth which were affected after he was punched by the
Nigerian.

Purbe's medical report states that his front teeth are
showing 'Grade 1 mobility' (slight loosening due to the
fight).

It would be recalled that another act of discrimination
against Nigerians in India took place about one and a half
months ago, as Nigerian was beaten in Goa.

Via: National Telegraph