14th Of January Has Been Declared Public Holiday!

In order to commemorate the Eid-el-Malulud Muslim celebration, the Federal Government has declared Tuesday, January 14, 2014 as a public holiday.

 

The declaration was made by the Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro on behalf of the Federal Government in a statement signed Thursday in Abuja by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Fatima Bamidele.

An Intelligent Girl Passed WAEC at 9

A 9-year-old intelligent girl, Anjola Victoria passed West African Examination Council (WAEC) Nov./Dec. 2013 batch. In her interview with the Sun Newspapers, the brilliant girl tells it all about her success.

I am aware you wrote last GCE exams. What was your experience during the period?

I studied a lot during the period of the exam. I even had to study books that were for SS3 students. I also studied the oldest past questions of the GCE examination that I could lay my hands on because the older the questions, the harder they are.

 

Erstwhile Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon dies at 85

One of Israel’s most powerful leaders, Ariel Sharon who led several military campaigns and became the country’s prime minister before suffering a devastating stroke in 2006, has died.

 

Having nurtured a long illness, Sharon died on Saturday at the age of 85. He had spent eight years in coma after two strokes, and failed to regain consciousness.

 

President Shimon Peres of Israel confirmed the death in a statement on Saturday, saying that Mr. Sharon had “lost his final battle.”

 

Mother Of 12 Years Old Girl's Killer Debunked Son's Story Against Pastor!

Mother of the boy, who was apprehended by Lagos State Police over the alleged ritual murder of a 12 year old girl, Bose Ogoja, has debunked fallacies the boy garnered surround the case and says her son has never met the founder and Head Pastor of Perfect Christian Mission. 18 year old Ikechukwu claimed he killed his victim, Bose, following instructions from Pastor Sign Fireman. The claim and some other fabricates have been refuted by his own mother.

 

Wole Soyinka’s Daughter Buried Amid Tears In Ibadan

Tears as the remains of Iyetade, daughter of the Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka was laid to rest in Ibadan on Friday. The interment took place at the Ultimate Gardens, a private cemetery after a service at the Chapel of the Resurrection, University of Ibadan.

 

While commiserating with the family, Reverend Kunle Oyelade used the opportunity to urge people to draw closer to God by giving their lives to Christ. He noted that it takes living a good life to ensure that good things are said after one’s departure from this world.

 

More pictures after the cut:

A Pastor and General Overseer of a Church in South Africa Commands Members to eat grass!!! (Photos)

Incredible! Lesego Daniel, a South African Pastor and an overseer of Rabboni Centre Ministries at Zone 2 Ga-Rankuwa, North of Pretoria doomed members and commands them to eat grass saying power of spirit of God is unlimited. With illustration he is hushing, trampling and telling them to feed in lawn – a misconception of God's omnipotence.

 

"There were many disciples and you don't know others. Let God show you as they were deliberately not revealed in the Bible because God wanted someone to do them, new things. Nathanael was a disciple yet there is no book of Nathanael, what about the miracles, signs and wonders, what about how they them who were not mentioned, taught," said Lesego.

 

18-yr-old Boy Killed A 12-Year-Old Girl For Money Ritual – Says My Pastor Summoned Me!!!



Suspect - Ikechukwu Friday

It was reported Thursday that the police in Lagos State have arrested an 18yr – old boy and his kingpin over allegedly killing of a 12-year-old girl for money ritual.

The suspect, Ikechukwu Friday, being interrogated at the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Panti, Yaba, was paraded before newsmen.

According to him, he asked Pastor Fireman for money who instructed him to kill a young girl and obtain her faeces. He promised him N100,000 if he was able to accomplish the task.

Pictures From Singer Bez and Bolatito Ladoja's Wedding

Landmark wedding ceremony of daughter of the former Oyo State Governor, Senator Rashidi Ladoja came into limelight on Saturday, January 4 in Lagos. The occasion was graced by dignitaries.

 

Below are the pictures from the limelight event:



Nollywood Produces Largest Quantity Movies not Quality – Akin Lewis

The veteran Nollywood actor Akin-Lewis late last year, launched Abake-Lewis Foundation for Arts (ALFA), named after his late mum, to train and retain materials that will compete in the arts industry. 

Akin-Lewis, a scion of the house of Moses Oladipupo Lewis of Olowogbowo Lagos and Abake Ekolo-Adedoja family of Oke Odo Ibadan. He travelled around Nigeria a lot with his Nigerian Railways engineer father, recalls the early 70s at the then Western Nigerian Government Broadcasting Corporation (WNTV) in Ibadan. At the onset of the civil war, he was sent to complete his primary education at Alafia Institute Primary school in Ibadan. He attended Lagelu Grammar school also in Ibadan where he sat for WAEC examination in 1973 after which his movie career kick-started professionally.

 

In an exclusive interview, the 58-year-old graduate from the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), opens up on the myriad problems the movie industry is facing in Nigeria with TADE MAKINDE and other journalists.

 

Lagos State Seeks Stringent Action Against Foreign Employer's Maltreatment

Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire on behalf of the Lagos State on Friday solicited review of the Nigerian Labour Law to offer more protection to employees against violence at workplaces.

 

The Deputy Governor of Lagos State made the call when she briefed journalists on the recent case of the alleged battery of a resident, Alexandra Ossai, by her Arab Lebanese employer in Ikeja.

 

Sarcasm: Pay Me $50m and I will act nude - Nollywood Actress Amanda Ebeye

A veteran Nollywood actress, Amanda Ebeye in an interview tells Ademola Olonilua why she prefers soap operas to Nollywood movies, and what brought about her becoming actress.

 

You once said that some of your friends who are actresses encouraged you to become an actress. How did they manage to do that?

I had a particular friend who was taking me for auditions. Back then, auditions were held at the National Theatre and Winnie’s Hotel in Surulere (Lagos). Actors would hang around and wait for audition notices. Those were the two most likely places artistes converge for auditions. My friend knew I always wanted to act and she was acting partly but in smaller roles. She was and is still more of an actress than a model till date. We are not really close friends anymore.

 

Iyetade Soyinka... To Be Buried in Ibadan

Iyetade Verity Soyinka, daughter of Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka, who passed on at the University Teaching Hospital, Ibadan (UCH) three days after Christmas 2013, will be buried on Friday January 10 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

 

Her funeral services will take place at the Chapel of Resurrection, University of Ibadan at 11a.m.

 

Born on 5 June 1965, Iyetade was survived by her father, Wole Soyinka, winner of the 1986 Nobel Prize in literature, her mother, Olayide Soyinka, a former university librarian at Ogun State University, her sisters and brothers - Olaokun, Moremi, Peyibomi, Ilemakin, Morenike, Amani, Tunlewa, Bojode and Eniara - as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

 

May her gentle soul continue to rest in perfect peace.

NMA Suspends Strike

It was learnt that the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) the ruling body of the dental and medical practitioners in Abuja has relinquished its earlier directive to all members in Nigeria to call off services from Monday, 6 January 14.

 

I never knew I would become a musician – Omawumi

After being pronounced first runner up in the 2007 edition of the West African Idols, Omawumi Megbele was fully launched into limelight. Meet Omawumi in her interview with Tribune where she talks her private life and career as a musician.

 

Where would you say you got your voice from?

I really don’t know. I have always been singing. I got a lot of influence from growing up in a large house, so I found myself always singing and entertaining them.

 

While growing up, did you have an inkling that you would get to this stage?

I did not even know I was going to be a musician.

Pastor, 15 others Nabbed for Printing and Circulation of Fake Naira Notes

It was announced by the department of State Security Service, SSS, in Lokoja, Kogi on Tuesday that a syndicate has been arrested, including a pastor, for the alleged printing and circulation of fake Naira notes.

 

Presenting the suspects to journalists, the Director of SSS, Mike Fubara, said the syndicate, the pastor's six children and 15 others were involved. The pastor was introduced as Godson Akubuiro who's the General Overseer of The Mountain of Breakthrough Deliverance Ministry, Lagos.

 

Ajimobi to offer N300m Interest-free Loan to Oyo State Traders

Traders in the 33 Local Government Areas of the state will have access to government’s N300 million interest-free loans in January 2014, says Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State.

 

This was disclosed on Sunday at an interactive session with market men and women held at the House of Chiefs, Parliament Building at Secretariat in Ibadan.

 

“Oyo state traders will be entitled to this interest-free loan. The loan will be co-ordinated by members of the executive organs of the six umbrella bodies of market associations in the state,’’ he said.

 

Princess Adetutu Adesida-Dike installed as Regent in Akure

The first daughter of the late traditional ruler of Akureland, Oba Adebiyi Adesida was on Saturday installed as the Regent of the ancient town.

 

The development came almost a month after the Monarch who was until his death the Chairman of the State Council of Obas, passed away in his palace, during a brief illness, at the age of 63.

 

5000 Widows Received Christmas Gifts From Mercy Johnson in Uromi, Edo State (Photos)



In a Christmas welfare largesse, the veteran Nollywood actress, Mercy Johnson-Okojie through her foundation put smiles on almost 5000 widows' faces in her husband's home town of Uromi, Edo State on Monday 23, 2013.

 

"Mercy Johnson Okojie’s Foundation" donated various gifts and food items to the widows and the people of Uromi's days before Christmas.

 

Each and every one of the 5000 widows received a bag of rice, 6 yards of super print, a bag of salt, groundnut oil, tin tomatoes and maggi cubes.



Nobel Laureate, Soyinka Loses Daughter

Iyetade Soyinka, a daughter of Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, has died. Ms. Soyinka 48, died at the University of Ibadan Teaching Hospital where she was being treated for an undisclosed ailment.

 

Her death was disclosed in a statement signed by Jahman Anikulapo, an aide to Mr. Soyinka, winner of the 1986 Nobel Prize in literature. The statement noted that the late Iyetade Soyinka was a student at the Staff School and Queens School, Ibadan before she studied Medicine at the University of Ibadan.

 

Big Thanks to My Fans: Says Mercy Johnson

2013 has been an incredible year for me. I couldn’t ask for more. It is one year I won’t forget in a hurry.

 

My fans were amazing. They stood by me and took on my fight. The critics played their parts too. I took the constructive ones, made adjustment and became a better person. 

 

How can I forget 2013, the year I had the honour of being the most searched Nollywood actress for the third consecutive year. I am most grateful to the fans who worked the keyboard or keypad reading about me online.

 

Lebanese Boss Who Battered His Pregnant Employee Arrested

In a commendable effort of security men on an accused Lebanese Boss, the Lagos State Police Command has reportedly on Friday arrested Kaveh Noine, a manager with Toppan Printing Company who allegedly kicked his pregnant employee, Alexandra Ossai, in the stomach which caused her to lose her pregnancy two weeks ago.

 

PUNCH Metro had, on Tuesday, exclusively reported that Noine, a Lebanese, travelled out of the country when policemen attached to the Area F Police Division initially went to the company, to invite him for questioning.

 

What a Sad Christmas! Veteran Actor, Kayode Odumosu (a.k.a Pa Kasumu)

On telling/Witnessing the story of his ailing health, the veteran actor Kayode Odumosu (a.k.a Pa Kasumu) walked slowly into his living room after having his afternoon shower.  His steps were painful and deliberate as he tried to get his eyes accustomed to the dimly-lit living room.

 

Although his face still had drops of water drizzling unto the cape of his white Kaftan, he smelt fresh. After a while, he wiped off the drizzle on his forehead with his left hand.

 

Although I am a Veteran Actor, I am not a Billionaire. So sad – Alh Kareem Adepoju (a.k.a Baba Wande)

How does it feel like celebrating 50 years on stage?

I believe God has kept me till this very stage of my career. For me to be in the profession for that number of years without any problems or difficulties, I think it is worth celebrating. That is the reason I am using the opportunity to thank God.

 

Considering that you have fixed a date, how do you intend to do it without getting financial support?

I believe God will not disappoint me. If one person refuses to answer me, I believe another person would surely support me. I believe so much in God and I know he will not disappoint me on this. Since I have already made up my mind that, I am going to do it, it must be done. God will help me on it. Even though there is disappointment in getting sponsorship, I know He will help, because somebody will rise up somewhere to help.

America's Openly Gay Imam!!!

Daayiee Abdullah believed to be the first only openly gay imam in America and is proud of his story despite several condemnations from Muslim leaders to the extent that some local imams have even refused to greet him.

 

Daayiee was born a Christian and raised in Detroit, where his parents were Baptists, according to a media report. At 15, he declared himself to his parents as a gay.

 

When he was 33, studying in China, he converted to Islam and went further to study the religion in Egypt, Jordan and Syria.

 

As a gay man in America, Daayiee viewed that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Muslims had not met spiritual needs, so he decided to become an imam to attend to their needs.

 

A Banker Who Withdrew N50m from Customer's Account Has Been Arrested

The Special Fraud Unit, Ikoyi, Lagos State, has arrested an account officer with Guaranty Trust Homes, Adeola Olokojobi, in connection with a N50m fraud at the financial institution.

 

Prior to his arrest, Olokojobi was said to be working at the GT Homes, Saka Tinubu branch, Victoria Island.

 

Assault On Fetus Committed By A Lebanese Boss: President Wades In

In a crucial and laudable turn-up move to citizenry care, President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered a probe into the case of a 34-year-old woman, Mrs. Alexandra Ossai, who accused her Lebanese boss, Kaveh Noine, of causing her to lose her seven-month pregnancy after he kicked her in the stomach.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, disclosed this in his Twitter handle as well as his Facebook page on Thursday.

 

PUNCH Metro had on Tuesday published the story of Ossai, who until December 13, 2013, was a supervisor with a Lebanese owned firm, Toppan Printing Company. She had alleged that Noine assaulted her many times during her eight months stay at the company.

 

Assault On Fetus Committed By A Lebanese Boss!

Mrs. Alexandria Ossai, 34, has accused her Lebanese boss, Kaveh Noine, of assault on her seven-month pregnancy after he kicked her in the stomach.

 

Ossai was a supervisor in the Lebanese owned firm, Toppan Printing Company till 13 December 2013. She alleged that Noine assaulted her many times during her eight months stay at the company.

 

It was reported that currently at a private hospital in Fagba area of Lagos State Ossai had undergone emergency surgery four days after the kick to save her life as her placenta was said to have been damaged.

 

My Conversion to Islam Accepted By My Father – Nollywood Actress, Metchie Vivian

Vivian Metchie, a Nollywood actress, who stepped aside for a while from limelight after a cracked marriage to Wale Adesina is back on stage with new faith.

 

She recently announced her new faith adopted according to an exclusive talks granted, said she is now Muslim having found the Christian faith confusing.

 

On her conversation with Yes International Magazine, Ms Metchie (now Fareedah) said her conversion was a personal decision she had to take.

 

According to her: “Yeah it is personal. I understand the Koran more than the bible. All of a sudden, the Christian confusion was driving me nuts. My dad was catholic, my mum was Deeper Life, I married someone in the Redeemed Church and then all of a sudden, the few religions had something bad to say about each other. I just couldn’t take it anymore. A friend of mine who is close to me said that once you are grounded on the word, it won't be confusing. Unfortunately, maybe I wasn’t grounded in the word, but I still could see what I see. But in my quest and study and research, I don’t know: I was probably looking for peace. Yeah! That was what I was looking for and I found it in the Koran”.

Police To Beef Up Security Nationwide For Christmas

The police spokesperson, Frank Mba, confirmed in a statement Sunday that comprehensive operational strategies have been set in motion by the Nigeria Police Force to boost security effectively during this year’s Christmas season and beyond.

 

This was quoted from the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, at the end of a meeting with other members of the Police Management Team, reassuring Nigerians, both at home and in the Diaspora, that massive security measures have been put in place to ensure a hitch-free celebration nationwide.

 

Gombe State: N58 Million As Christmas Gift To Christians

Christians in four Local Governments in Gombe State have been given charity of N58 million to enable them celebrate Christmas as announced by the Governor of Gombe State, Ibrahim Dankwambo, in Kaltungo on Saturday. 

The areas included are predominantly populated Christians of Balanga, Billiri, Kaltungo and Shongom local governments which constitute Gombe South Senatorial District. 

The governor, during his tour of senatorial districts in the state, did not only donated to the South but also said that party officials, traditional rulers, religious leaders and other stakeholders in the area were beneficiaries of the largesse for the Yuletide.