Monday, 24 September 2012
Tactical Baby Kidnapping...
Wednesday, 19 September 2012
America’s 400 richest: $1.7 trillion and counting
The United States may be in crisis, but the rich keep getting richer. The net worth of the Forbes 400 richest Americans grew by 13 per cent in the past year to $1.7 trillion, as the gap between rich and poor continues to widen at a staggering rate.
The average net worth of the 400 wealthiest Americans shot up by $400 million to a record $4.2 billion, Forbes said, serving to underscore glaring wealth inequality in America.
Bill Gates, the chairman of Microsoft Corp, is one year shy of topping the list for two decades straight with $66 billion, a massive $7 billion hike from the previous year.
Warren Buffet, the American investor who likely became infamous amidst the uber-rich for proposing a tax hike on the wealthy, somewhat ironically trailed Gates with $46 billion. Larry Ellison, the cofounder and CEO of Oracle, clinched third with $41 billion – up $8 billion from last year. Charles and David Koch, the energy and chemical magnates notorious for bankrolling scores of right-wing advocacy groups, came in fourth and fifth respectively with $31 billion each.
The top five remain unchanged from last year, though collectively they are much richer: all five men are worth $34 billion more than in 2011.
One notable entry on the list – founder and CEO of Facebook Inc Mark Zuckerberg – did not see his fortunes rise, however.The social networking giant’s wealth nearly halved to $9.4 billion after Facebook’s lackluster initial public offering in May. His position dropped from 14 to 36 on the list.
Warren Buffett (Mario Tama / Getty Images / AFP)
The 13 per cent spike in wealth for America’s wealthiest citizens stands in sharp contrast with the overall US economy, as the Federal Reserve recently cut its forecast for economic growth this year to between 1.7 per cent and 2 per cent.
Median workers’ wages meanwhile have been flat over the last forty years. The real minimum wage has also actually declined over the same period from $10.55 (adjusted for inflation) in 1968 to just $7.25 today.
By contrast, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated that between 1979 and 2007, the top 1 per cent of Americans income grew by 275 per cent. Meanwhile, it is estimated that during the economic expansion between 2002 and 2007, the income of the top 1 per cent grew 10 times faster than the income of the bottom 90 per cent.
The CBO also found that between 1979 and 2005, after-tax income for middle-class Americans (adjusted for inflation) rose by 21 per cent while the richest 0.1 per cent grew by 400 per cent.
Income is the flow of money coming into a household over a year, while wealth or net worth represents the stock assets it has as a result of inheritance and savings.
As America remains embroiled in a jobless recovery, the latest Forbes 400 list confirms a sentiment expressed by Paul Krugman last year. In an op-ed for the New York Times, he said Occupy Wall Street had aimed too low in identifying their enemy, as the movement’s real slogan should read: “we are the 99.9 per cent.”
Teenage Boy Faces Life In Prison For Killing 2-Year-Old Half- Brother
A 13-year-old Florida boy whose life
was plagued with violence and
neglect went from victim to
perpetrator when he allegedly beat
to death his two-year-old half-
brother and sexually assaulted
another sibling.
A year after the vicious attacks,
Cristian Fernandez has been
charged as an adult and is now the
youngest inmate awaiting trial in
Duval County, Florida, reported
WTSP.com, and if convicted, he could face life in prison.
At age two, Fernandez was found unclad and dirty wandering a South Florida street at 4
a.m. while under the 'care' of his grandmother, who had kept him in a dirty, cocaine-
filled motel room. His mother, who was only 14 at the time, was nowhere to be found
and both she and her son ended up being sent into foster care.
Born into violence after being conceived during a sexual assault, life did not get easier
for the boy, who was sexually abused by a cousin at age eight and then severely beaten
by his stepfather, who then committed suicide before the police came to arrest him. His
only defense against the nightmarish childhood was to quash his emotions, "You got to
suck up feelings and get over it," he once told a counsellor.
Other disturbing incidences reported to the Department of Children and Families
included claims that he killed a kitten, simulated sex with classmates and
m*st*u*r*b*a*ted at school.
Now, Judge Mallory Cooper faces a legal and moral dilemma as to whether a child so
young should face life in prison, and whether he can understand the complex issues
surrounding his own case and if he understood his rights during police interrogation.
The defense wants the charges dismissed on the grounds that the U.S. Supreme Court
recently ruled that it is unconstitutional for juvenile offenders to get mandatory life
sentences without parole, and they therefore can't advise their client as to what kind of
sentence he could face.
The controversial case has sparked an outpouring of support from local residents such
as Carol Torres, who has created a Facebook page for him. "He should be rehabilitated
and have a second chance at life," said Torres, 51, whose grandson went to school with
Fernandez.
WOMAN STABS MAN IN THE BELLY FOR REFUSING TO MAKE LOVE TO HER
A heavy-drinking drug user has
been jailed after stabbing a man in
the belly because he refused to
made love with her. Joanne
Buckley, 29, would not let her
victim David Tawes seek medical
help after plunging a knife into his
abdomen and told him she would
say she knifed him because he
tried to molest her.
Teesside Crown Court was told how
the victim would have died had the
blade entered his body millimetres
either side.
Buckley, 29, was jailed for three years for her part in the attack on March 23 this year,
while friend Sophie Borrell, 17, was jailed for six months. The pair came across Mr
Tawes, 20, in Middlesbrough town centre and invited him back to their home in Emerald
Street for a drink.
Shaun Dodds, prosecuting, said each of them tried to instigate sex with him.
Borrell punched him in the back of the head and tried to choke him while Buckley then
went through Mr Tawes’ pockets for his mobile phones and wallet.
The victim was punched again by Buckley, and when he got up and walked towards the
doors asking for his belongings back, she plunged the knife into him.
Mr Dodds said: 'Buckley wiped the blade on a cloth and went to the bathroom to wash
it.
'She was shown the wound and said: “Oh my God” and to her credit, took a cloth to
press on the wound.' But their concern for him appears to have turned to themselves
because they both told him he was going nowhere.
'He said he needed to go to hospital. 'Joanne Buckley said: “I know what, we will all go
to the police station and say he tried to molest us, and that’s why I stabbed him.”
Mr Tawes managed to escape and called police.
Nigel Soppitt, for Buckley, said: “It was another day in her chaotic life - a variety of
drugs and a bottle of vodka each day was completely the norm. The pitiful aspect of the
case is that was everyday for her.
'She would obtain money from wherever and spend it on drink and drugs and be in a
state of oblivion.'
Borrell’s barrister, Joanne Kidd, said she had suffered difficulties that led to her mixing
with older and more sophisticated people and getting
Two Nigerian Students: Victoria Ordu and Ihuoma Amadi Face Deportation for Working Illegally in Canada.
Sitting inside a church, University
of Regina students Victoria Ordu
and Ihuoma Amadi start as a
prairie wind rattles the front door.
Ordu glances over, eyes wary,
before flicking toward the window
at the back of the church she now
calls home.
Sunshine streams through the
glass, but that's the only taste of
the outside world the two girls
have been able to get since June 19, when they opted to seek sanctuary in the church.
The fear of being found by the Canada Border Services Agency and deported back home
to Nigeria hangs over their heads - all because they worked for two weeks at Walmart.
They have spent each day hoping Canadian Federal Citizenship and Immigration
Minister Jason Kenney - the only one who can change their fate - will grant them pardon.
The daily stress of it has, they say, been "hell."
U of R President Vianne Timmons has visited them at the church and the school has
contacted the federal government, throwing its support behind the students' plea to
stay in Canada and complete their education.
Amadi and Ordu have also written letters to Kenney, but no one has had a response.
And so, they wait.
"This is a small mistake we made, and now everything is at risk," Ordu says, clasping
her shaking hands in her lap.
"It doesn't make any sense. They're looking for us like we've killed someone. We're just
students at university ... but it's like we're running away and living in fear every day."
As part of their visas, international students like Ordu - who is studying theatre arts -
and Amadi - international studies - are able to work on campus.
Both in Canada on full scholarships paid for by their government, Ordu and Amadi went
to Service Canada and got their Social Insurance Numbers when they arrived in 2010,
ending up working at the university.
Last year, Amadi found a parttime job at Walmart and Ordu at an agency that does
demonstrations at the store.
Both were under the misapprehension their SINs allowed them to work outside U of R.
Ordu quit after two weeks, as soon as she found out that wasn't the case.
Amadi discovered her mistake during her second week on the job - and was led away
from her till in handcuffs by two CBSA agents.
"They led me through the store, in front of everyone, and all the customers were looking
at me like 'What have you done?'" she recalls, looking at the floor.
"I just felt so embarrassed."
Kay Adebogun is a Regina immigration consultant who has taken on their case pro
bono.
"Why go to that level of force?" he says.
"Why parade her out of there like she's a criminal?"
Barb Pollock, U of R spokeswoman, says while the school respects the fact laws have to
be upheld, it is trying to advocate for a reconsideration of the girls' case.
"We think that the penalty, perhaps, is a bit severe for the crime," she says.
"Albeit that laws have been contravened, in light of what they have done to contravene
the law, we would like them to have an opportunity to complete their education with
us ... (and) we think it is a harsh penalty to be deported."
Pollock says the university has written to Kenney but is yet to receive an indication
when it might receive a decision from the minister.
Both students say they admitted their mistake right away, but think the CBSA's decision
to deport them - which went to an admissibility hearing - is an over-reaction.
"It's a huge deal to finish school, come back (to Nigeria) and help the country," Amadi
says.
"Now to think we lose three years of our lives because of a small mistake? If there was a
fine, a warning, that would be more reasonable. I just wish they could look at this from a
human point of view."
Pollock agrees the case demonstrates how important it is for international students to
understand Canadian laws.
"We have to make sure our students really understand what it means to come here and
go to school - what the opportunities are and, at the same time, what the limits are,"
she says.
"The fact something may not have been clear, you can be assured we're making that
very clear with our incoming students now."
Adebogun would like to see a reversal in the decision to deport Ordu and Amadi, but he
also thinks there are bigger issues at play with how the two were treated.
Of particular concern, he says, is the fact both students were asked by CBSA workers for
names of other Nigerian students who were working and even if they knew anybody in a
gang.
"They agree they did something wrong, but they should have a second chance,"
Adebogun says.
CBSA could not provide a comment on Tuesday but is expected to provide information
on the case today.
Lagos Chief Judge frees 233 inmates from Kirikiri prison
The Chief Judge of Lagos, Justice Ayotunde Phillips on Tuesday granted freedom to 233 prisoners, most of who have been awaiting trials for upwards of twelve years as part of the activities marking the beginning of a new Legal Year in the state.
Prison inmates; 33,692 out of 42,124 inmates across the country are awaiting trial.
130 inmates were released from prison custody at the Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison while another 103 from the Kirikiri Medium Security Prison.
Justice Phillips who ordered their release during a visit to the Kirikiri prison said that the exercise was “in pursuant of the powers conferred on her under Section 1 (1) of the Criminal Justice Release from Custody Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2007″ and as part of the activities marking the 2012/2013 Legal Year.
She said ” there is a saying in the legal circle that it is better for 10 guilty persons to be free than for one innocent person to be incarcerated.
“We have gone through the list of those recommended for release. So for those of you qualified to be released, you are very lucky that your name has come up. So, go and sin no more”.
Justice Phillips counselled all those who regained freedom on Tuesday to turn a new leaf and go out to contribute their quota to the society.
She recalled that during her swearing in ceremony, she made a promise to decongest the prisons.
Towards this end, she promised that prison visits would not be confined to Legal year activity alone during her tenure.
She said that she intend to pay more regular visit to the prisons during her tenure than what obtained during the previous administrations.
Justice Phillips who noted that there has been a lot of human cry about prison congestion said that all those who qualified under the new criminal administration law would be granted freedom.
Welcoming the Chief Judge, the Deputy Comptroller of the Kirikiri Maximum Prison, Olu Tinuoye said that it is very unusual for chief judges of Lagos state to visit the prisons.
“By this visit, a lot of them expect freedom. It is a matter of regret that Judges in the state have not being visiting the prison regularly. This is why their expectation is very high” he said.
Mr Tinuoye said a lot of the inmates awaiting trials have not found life easy behind the bars especially because they are in custody for petty offences.
His counterpart at the Medium Security Prison, Tunde Ladipo commended the efforts of the Lagos state government for taking care of the prisons.
Mr Ladipo however pleaded with government for the release of more awaiting trials in order to reduce the congestion in the prison.
Nollywood Actor Arrested For Armed Robbery
A Nollywood actor, Rasaki Olaniyi, 45, was on Tuesday arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for allegedly robbing, Abayomi Arinde, of N2.6 million. Olaniyi of No. 7, Aduke Salako St., Agbado, Lagos, was arraigned on four-count charges of robbery, stealing, conspiracy and impersonation.
Prosecutor Sunday Aggoi said that the accused had on Sept. 5 at Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, robbed Arinde of N500, 000, $10,000, three gold jewelries valued at N150, 000. Aggoi said that the accused also unlawfully locked up the complainant in one of the hotel rooms after robbing him. The prosecutor said that the accused was apprehended by the hotel securities following alarm raised by the complainant.
He said that the complainant was robbed of cash and goods totaling N2.6 million.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Aggoi said that the offences contravened Sections 297, 296, 299, 270 and 378 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State, 2011.
The counsel to the accused, Mr Olusegun Ajanaku, urged the court to grant bail to the accused.
The Magistrate, Mr Jacob Adegun, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N1million with two sureties in like sum.
Adegun said that the sureties must reside in Lagos State and be employees of the State Government.
The case was adjourned to Oct. 5, for mention.
Nollywood Star Actress Omotola Jalade Denies Butt Implant
Nollywood diva, Omotola Jalade-
Ekeinde has debunked the news
going rounds that she did surgery
to lift her butt, a special cosmetic
surgery procedure to lift bum
thereby making it fuller and sexier.
“The Omotola we used to know
was shapely not as Donklicious as
this. But the dimension of her bum
today is just awesome! Look at
how flat her tummy is. Combine
that with the size of her hips and
…. It all suggests that she must have had a bum lift. What we are seeing today is the
product of cosmetic surgery; bum enhancement. There is no way she can deny it; she’s
definitely had a bum lift,”
However, a close insider begged to differ;
“Omotola didn’t get any bum lift procedure, it’s just her natural physique as a result of
weight gain. She is a callipygian by nature. That is her real physique. What makes it so
obvious now is that she has added a little weight. People should stop spreading rumors.
Okay, if she could do a bum lift, why not breast enlargement as well because we all
know she has rather small boobs. That tells you it’s all rumors.”
What do you think?
Peter of Psquare almost unclad in new photoshoot - Photos
Peter, One Half of Psquare shows
abs, loads of skin and is almost
unclad in New Photos emerging
from SquareVille from an apparent
Photoshoot session. Dude is seen
in smooches with a female
character with just a Boxer on.
Was Messiah married? 'The Gospel of Jesus' Wife' suggests Christ tied the knot...rt.com
A newly-discovered ancient text labeled "The Gospel of Jesus' Wife” could prove Jesus and Mary Magdalene were married. The Fourth-century papyrus challenges one of the cornerstones of Christian religion: that Jesus was celibate.
The discovery was made by Harvard Divinity School Professor Karen L. King, who specializes in Coptic literature, Gnosticism and women in the Bible. King made a presentation of her research on Tuesday evening in Rome.
The Vatican has not yet commented on King’s finding and suggestions.
The papyrus’s authenticity and date have yet to be confirmed; however King and other scholars are pretty sure they are dealing with a real historic gem.
Text written on an 8cm by 4cm piece of papyrus has Jesus speaking to his disciples saying 'my wife' in the Coptic language, most likely referring to Mary Magdalene. The text is written in the old Coptic language on both sides of the papyrus. The inscription on one side is badly damaged and the test is undecipherable. Only two words – 'my mother' and 'three' – could be identified. However it’s the other side that has sparked the interest.
The phrase ‘my wife’ challenges the settled portrayal of Mary Magdalene as a whore and the Christian concept of abstinence. It casts doubt “on the whole Catholic claim of a celibate priesthood based on Jesus’ celibacy,” King told Smithsonian Magazine.
"Christian tradition has long held that Jesus was not married, even though no reliable historical evidence exists to support that claim," King said at a conference in Rome on Tuesday.
NEW LOOK; Basket Mouth Trims Off His Trademark Locks
Bright Ekpocha popularly known as Basket Mouth, has joined the fray. Recently, Timaya also changed his looks by having his trademark locks chopped off.
Eralier today,Tuesday 18th September 2012, the A-class comedian, Globacom brand ambassador and host of the MTV Base Big Friday show, chopped up his famous locks. The exclusive scoop and photos are courtesy of BellaNaija.
Speaking with BellaNaija.com exclusively on his decision to wear a new look, the superstar comedian said “I didn’t decide to cut it [His famous locks] due to only re-branding purpose, I have had it for close to 9 years and in as much as it is now part of my brand – if not my main feature on physical brand outlook, I felt a bit static mentally with reference to the hair style. In these 9 years, a lot has changed except my looks, which was why I decided to engage my hair stylist this morning.”
30 killed as Truck Crashes Into Commuter Bus in Ogun ...Vanguard
Tragedy struck at Mobalufun junction in Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State on Tuesday late evening when 30 persons were feared dead in an auto crash.
Vanguard gathered that, a truck loaded with flour rammed into a commuter bus heading to Lagos killing all the passengers on spot.
It was further gathered that, traders and some commuters standing by the road side, begging for free ride to their destinations, were part of the victims.
According to sources, scores of people sustained serious injuries in the incident.
The injured,Vanguard gathered have been been taken to General Hospital, Ijebu-Ode and the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu,for treatment.
The remains of the dead persons including a pregnant woman were also reportedly taken to the hospital morgue.
Vanguard learnt that as at 8.00pm, officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps(FRSC), the Police and the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency(TRACE) were at the scene making frantic effort to save lives and at the same time evacuate the dead.
The Ogun State Police Command Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), Olumuyiwa Adejobi could not be reached.
Tuesday, 18 September 2012
England Winger,Raheem Sterling is a Father at the age of 17
Soccer wonderkid Raheem Sterling is the dad of a baby girl — conceived when he was 16.
Sterling, now 17, has caught the eye after breaking into the Liverpool first team this season and was called up to the last Three Lions squad. He has already played for England youth teams.
Yesterday the mite’s mum, 23-year-old Melissa Clarke, from the Toxteth area, confirmed: “Yes, he’s fathered my child.”
Melissa had already posted snaps of the baby on Twitter.
She wrote a message for the winger — who wears the No 31 shirt — on the website saying: “Thanks for making me a mummy to this beautiful little girl @sterling31.”
And after one game she posted: “@sterling31 melody said well done daddy.”
Sterling arrived in the country from Jamaica aged five.
He grew up on a tough housing estate in Wembley, North West London, and joined QPR.
Liverpool signed him from them at just 15 in February 2010 for £600,000 — which could rise to £5million depending on appearances.
Happy Birthday to Linda Ikeji
Nigeria's foremost blogger and former model,Linda Ikeji is a year older today.
Have a nice one girl and send some bubbly my way while at it.
Nahhh..Tonto Is Not My Kind Of Girl -- Kas
In 2011, Tonto Dikeh announced that she was in the studio with top music artiste and producer, Kas of Kas Beats.
At the album launch of the artiste in November 2011, Tonto was physically present at the event to support Kas. Soon after, there were rumour that both entertainers were dating.
Though the rumour didn't last, but some believed they must have 'crossed' each other. While a guest on an Eko FM radio programme on Wednesday, September 12, 2012, Kas disclosed that he never at any time dated the controversial actress.
He told the show presenter that Tonto is not his kind of girl just as he is also not the kind of guy for the pretty Petro-Chemical graduate of Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUTH).
He also stated that the two of them are just friends and nothing more. Meanwhile, Kas is now set to launch his album come October 1, 2012. The album is titled '@IAMKASBEATS'. It would be the second album the singer is launching in 12 months.
Pastor sentenced to jail for stealing sheep
An Ilorin Magistrate’s Court, Kwara State, on Monday sentenced a pastor, Oloruntoba Ibitoye, to nine months imprisonment for stealing a sheep.
According to the prosecution, the complainant, Mrs. Florence Adebiyi, reported at the police station in Ganmo, near Ilorin, that the convict stole her sheep valued at N3,000 in front of her residence at Amoyo area of Ilorin.
The prosecution said the sheep was recovered from the convict by the police.
The New Agency of Nigeria reports that the convict pleaded guilty to the offence and begged for leniency.
Police prosecutor, Insp. Mojisola Olamokun, applied for summary trial, which was granted by the court.
The Magistrate, Mrs. Mariam Qudus-Salahu, sentenced him to nine months imprisonment without an option of fine.
Osezua Elvis Osolas, Nigerian Man Smuggled Children To Britain For Prostitution
A Nigerian recycling worker smuggled young children into Britain before brainwashing them with witchcraft to try and force them into prostitution.
Osezua Elvis Osolase, 42, is accused of 13 offences of trafficking, Molestation, false imprisonment and intimate activity with a child.
He allegedly cast spells over his three victims, all originally from Nigeria, using juju magic rituals in order to stop them from running away, a court has heard.
He is also alleged to have sexually assaulted the girls - who are now aged 15, 17 and 18 - and it is believed he has many more victims.
Juju refers to traditional West African religions involving objects of superstition and witchcraft.
In one case, the court heard, Osolase took the 17-year-old-girl to a place of 'witchcraft' in April last year and forced her to bathe using a red cloth and blood.
The girl then had her armpit hair cut, toe and finger nails cut and blood was taken from her right hand before she was told the spell would kill her if she tried to run away.
During the opening of the eight week trial today, Canterbury Crown Court heard the three girls were shipped to the UK from Nigeria in preparation for being sold as LovePeddlers in Italy.
Sara Ellis, prosecuting, said: 'This case involves allegations in respect of three young Nigerian girls who were trafficked from Nigeria into the UK in order to traffic them out of the UK and to Europe for the purposes of prostitution.
The court heard Osolase, who lives with a German woman in Gravesend, Kent, had found his alleged 17-year-old victim begging on the streets of Nigeria.
The former security guard told her would take her to Britain to help her get an education.
Canterbury Crown Court heard how three girls were shipped to Britain from Nigeria in preparation for being sold as LovePeddlers in Italy
Canterbury Crown Court heard how three girls were shipped to Britain from Nigeria in preparation for being sold as LovePeddlers in Italy
Ms Ellis said: 'He called himself ‘Victor’ and took her to a large house - a place she described as a "place of witchcraft".
'There she was given what she described as "native port", a mixture which looked like blood and a red cloth.
'She was told to use this liquid to bathe and to tie a cloth around herself after doing so.
'A man came and cut hair under her armpits and finger and toenails and blood from her right hand.
'She was told this was to ensure she did not run away and would repay Victor.
'She said it was an "oath" and if she ran away the charm would find her.
'She was told that if she ran away or didn’t pay that she would die. She believed it.'
Ms Ellis told the court the 17-year-old was then given a passport - which had been lost by its genuine owner some years earlier - and flown to the UK then Italy.
However, when she reached the airport she refused to go through customs and begged Italian officials for help, the court heard.
Forget About It For Now: Reps order CBN to withhold introduction of N5000 note
The House of Representatives in
a unanimous resolution on
Tuesady, ordered the Central
bank of Nigeria (CBN) to hold on
the proposed introduction of the
N5000 note.
The lawmakers in their first session
after a long recess ordered the apex
bank to withhold the planned
release of the N5,000 pending the
outcome of the investigation of the
House Committee on Banking and
Finance.
The House resolved that the
committee will investigate the
planned introduction of the N5,000
note and redesigning of the N10,
N20 and N50 into coins.
The resolution followed a motion
moved by the minority leader, Femi
Gbajabiamila, who called on the
National Assembly to ‘urgently’
reform the CBN Act to curtail the
expenditure of the apex bank which
is carried out without any
appropriation by the lawmakers.
Mr Gbajabiamila said the CBN is
proceeding with the policy due to
the Act establishing the institution
which allows the bank to expend
money without the National
Assembly’s appropriation.
Illegal reinstatement of Oteh
The members also resolved that the
reinstatement of Aruma Oteh as the
Director General of the Security and
Exchanges Commission (SEC) is
illegal following the
recommendation of the House of
Representatives adhoc committee
which investigated the near collapse
of the capital market.
The Committee had called for the
removal of Ms Oteh noting that she
is unqualified to serve as the head
of the SEC.
The Federal Government had in July
recalled Ms Oteh, who was sent on
compulsory leave in June by the
board of SEC in the wake of an
investigation into the near-collapse
of the capital market launched by
the House of Representatives.
Following Oteh’s suspension, the
commission’s board had engaged
the services of Price Water Coopers
Limited, a audit firm to examine the
records of the commission’s
transaction covering the SEC project
50 which Oteh had supervised.
Too Much Money: Nigerians are 4th biggest foreign spenders in UK
Nigerian shoppers are reported
to be the fourth biggest foreign
spenders in the United
Kingdom. A report by the UK’s
Guardian has revealed.
According to the report “Visitors
from the west African nation are the
UK’s fourth biggest foreign
spenders, ringing up an average
£500 in each shop where they
make purchases – four times what
the average UK shopper spends.”
One of the Nigerians interviewed in
the report, Victoria Appiah disclosed
that she stocks up on everything
she needs for the next six months
in Nigeria whenever she visits the
United Kingdom.
“I basically only do food shopping
back home. It’s not that you can’t
get these things in Lagos, but
everything here is much more
reasonably priced. If you want
cheap products, Chinese-made have
taken over in Nigeria, and you can’t
always vouch for quality” she said.
Holidaying or visiting relatives
abroad is increasingly open to
millions of middle class Nigerians,
with the number of visitors to the
UK increasing by more than 50% to
142,000 a year in the decade
ending 2011, according to the
Office for National Statistics.
In a country projected to become
Africa’s biggest economy next year,
and the world’s fifth most populous
by 2050, businesses at home and
abroad are cashing in.
In Debenhams’ Oxford Street
branch, signs in Hausa-one of the
official Nigerian languages in the
country’s largely impoverished
north-direct shoppers to items on
sale.
This year, the shop said that
Nigerian customers were its biggest
overseas spenders.
Daily flights plying the lucrative
route between Nigeria and the UK
have ballooned in the last decade.
British Airways permits almost
double the normal baggage
allowance for the six-hour haul.
In some cases, Nigerians are literally
using their deeper pockets on
sprees.
Shola Obadeyu wore a heavy duffel
coat while queuing in Heathrow for
a flight back to her sweltering home
city of Abuja.
“I can save [airline] baggage space
by putting small things like vest
tops and underwear in the
pockets,” she said as she queued
with other passengers, almost all
struggling with bulging suitcases.
Back in Abuja, Obadeyu sells wares
bought in London “at prices that
don’t kill you”.
Others are tapping the market. A
mushrooming middle class snapped
up 10m microwaves last year. Big
name brands from Apple to Zara
have sprung up to feed those
aspirations.
The African-based discount
supermarket giant Shoprite is
pouring $205million into its current
three outlets in Nigeria, while the
US hypermarket Walmart sees
scope for 50 outlets in the country.
On a recent trip back from Europe,
Marie Claire Lienou lugged 50kg of
frozen meat in a freezer bag back to
Nigeria. “You can’t compare
[Shoprite's] prices here with their
prices in Europe. For 10 steaks
there I can buy two here. You just
pay what you have to for the
convenience and guarantees,” she
said, pushing a trolley laden with
relative luxuries such as bagged
salads.
“Nigeria is very crowded, traffic is
terrible, fakes [wares] are
everywhere. The only thing I’ll buy
from the market is fresh bulk
vegetables, because there are no
fake tomatoes,” she added.
Being middle class in Nigeria isn’t
cheap. In a brightly lit KFC across
the shopping centre, Taiwo Edun,
an engineer, treated his girlfriend to
crispy chicken and chips, a luxury
beyond the reach of many at $20
(£13) a pop.”I don’t consider myself
in the super-rich class, I’m not
chartering flights for my friends to
go on holiday like some Nigerians
can. But I can come here maybe
once a month,” he said.
The widespread corruption and
infrastructure woes that plague
Nigeria – including daily power
blackouts that are smoothed over
by millions of generators–push up
the costs of running businesses
here, keeping most dependent on
informal, market-style retail.
Abrupt plans to introduce a new
N5,000 (£20) note worth five times
the current highest bill have caused
an outcry, with market sellers
saying it would drive up prices.
On the back of one of the notes will
be Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, mother
of the Afrobeat singer Fela Kuti.
Ransome-Kuti made her name as an
activist with a mass protest against
policies that increased prices for
market women.
Meanwhile, those who can afford it
continue to see a better deal
abroad. The country’s central bank
throws billions of dollars into
propping up the Naira at artificially
high rates, hurting millions of local
exporters and encouraging Nigeria’s
shopping exodus.
Indicating her clutch of M&S carrier
bags, Appiah said it was her five-
year-old grandson’s favourite shop.
“As long as the weather is not too
cold, Nigerians will be shopping in
London,” she said.
Jim Carrey Hits the Beach With Bikini-Wearing Mystery Woman
Jim Carrey is enjoying the dawg days of summer. The Mr. Popper's Penguins star was spotted on the beach in Malibu yesterday with a striking, bikini-clad brunette, the pair of them walking in the surf and snapping photos not far from one of Carrey's homes, which he put on the market in June for $13.5 million. Do you think he's having second thoughts about letting go of such a prime location? It's a great spot to entertain... Anyway, while the mystery woman hasn't been identified (and Carrey's rep hasn't returned a request for comment), we'll just venture that she isn't quite in the same age demo as the 50-year-old actor--who's looking good in the abs department, we might add! Since splitting up with McCarthy in 2010 after five years together, Carrey has filmed a creeptastic ode to Emma Stone that she found most flattering, and was most recently linked to 23-year-old Anastasia Vitkina.
Jim Carrey Hits the Beach With Bikini-Wearing Mystery Woman
Jim Carrey is enjoying the dawg days of summer. The Mr. Popper's Penguins star was spotted on the beach in Malibu yesterday with a striking, bikini-clad brunette, the pair of them walking in the surf and snapping photos not far from one of Carrey's homes, which he put on the market in June for $13.5 million. Do you think he's having second thoughts about letting go of such a prime location? It's a great spot to entertain... Anyway, while the mystery woman hasn't been identified (and Carrey's rep hasn't returned a request for comment), we'll just venture that she isn't quite in the same age demo as the 50-year-old actor--who's looking good in the abs department, we might add! Since splitting up with McCarthy in 2010 after five years together, Carrey has filmed a creeptastic ode to Emma Stone that she found most flattering, and was most recently linked to 23-year-old Anastasia Vitkina.
Why I sent Stephanie Packing' - Rev Chris Okotie
Since ending his four year marriage to Stephanie Henshaw in June this year, Pastor Chris Okotie has never really opened up about what led to his decision to end his marriage. There has been a lot of speculations in the media and he finally decided to react to some of it. He gave an exclusive interview to City People magazine through a minister in his church, Rev Grace Funmi Paul, a member of House Hold of God for the past 25 years. It's a long interview but I'm just going to pick some parts I think might interest you all. See it below...
Rev Grace Paul: A blind person knows that my pastor loved his wife, Stephanie, passionately. This year before the separation, he had taken her out of the country at least three times to different places like Dubai, US and so on. He loved her, so did the congregation but the bible says that two cannot walk together except they agree. In the establishment of the kingdom of God, the rules change because the rules are made by God and not by man. So, it didn't have to do with what pastor wanted to do, because left to him, his love will keep him struggling and going at it but if God gives him instruction he has to follow it through.
More when you continue...
City People: If I get you correctly, it was Jesus instructions for Pastor Chris to part ways with Stephanie?
Rev Grace: Let me give you a precedent. In the bible, there's a queen called Queen Vershti of Persia. The king invited his wife and said - come woman, I want to show you off to my people and the woman had an attitude. She had pride issues. It was at that point she said to the king "Excuse me, I am making up, how can you be humiliating me by telling me to come and sit down so that people can be looking at me." So she refused and the people of the kingdom rose up against her, and they said the king must let her go, and that was how Esther came in. That is the principle of The Kingdom. In the two cases of my pastor's former wives, it was an abdication of roles. One was a physical abdication, and the other was a spiritual abdication. In the matters of the Kingdom of God, when you abdicate your position, your position will be taken over, because the calling my pastor has, he is not called to work alone (Linda says - get ready for another pastor Okotie wedding hehe)
CP: In Stephanie's case, was it a case of spiritual or physical abdication?
Rev Grace: Her case was spiritual abdication, but either ways it amounts to the same thing, because the scripture states clearly that if unbelieving departs, let him depart, you are not bound.
CP: Any efforts to patch things up?
Rev Grace: Spiritual things can not be patched up. When there are two people who are not the same kind, it is not a matter of patching up.
CP: So is the congregation happy that the pastor is single again and is there any plans to replace Stephanie?
Rev Grace: The congregation is not in the position to replace Stephanie. My pastor is a full grown man, and he knows what he's doing. In the case of our pastor's first wife, she insisted that where she wanted to do her church work was in the US. As for Stephanie, I cannot be intruding. As much as I am authorised to do what I am doing, I can't disrespect my pastor and Stephanie. If I begin to give you some details, they would amount to disrespect. My pastor has insisted that they want to keep it private.
CP: Pastor Chris once said that the instruction to marry Stephanie was from God
Rev Grace: If you know my pastor, he is a passionate person. They had a long time relationship before they got married. My pastor is particularly careful about beautiful women because he knows that the devil desires them. So when a beautiful woman has issues in church, he ministers to them, and because he does that, people jump to the conclusion that he sleeps with them, which is not true. Just like Queen Ure, pastor has never had an affair with her, will never have an affair with her because they are not of the same kind...
And conversation goes on and on!!!
LASU students on rampage, disrupt exams
One hundred (100) level students of
Lagos State University, LASU, (Main
campus) Tuesday, protested
alleged decision of the school
management not to reduce their
school fees.
Our sources said the students were
reacting over the rumour making
the rounds on the campus that the
management had no intention to
effect a cut in tuition as promised
during their admission into the
school.
It would be recalled that the Lagos
State government, as part of moves
to douse the rising tension caused
by the increase in the tuition of
LASU students, said the proposed
fees would only be paid by incoming
students that would gain admission
into the school in years to come.
The student were however,
directed to pay N193,750 for Arts/
Education; N223,750 for Social and
Management Sciences; N248,750
for Law while those in
Communication/Transport, Sciences,
Engineering and College of Medicine
paid N238,750, N258,750,
N298,750 and N348,750
respectively as against old fees
which ranges between N25,000 and
N62,500.
The protesting students it was
gathered, were supposed to be
writing one of their GNS papers
today but have refused to take the
paper so as to register their
grievances.
It was also gathered that the
Students Union Government, SUG,
the umbrella body of every student
in the institution has dissociated
itself from the protest.
Details later
FG to withdraw national honour from holders with questionable character
President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday directed the national honours committee to compile a list of persons conferred with national honours whose current credibility is questionable.
The president gave the directive in Abuja while addressing Nigerians after the investiture on 155 persons who received the 2012 national honours .
He said: “I have directed that the National Honours Committee to compile a list of persons conferred with National Honours but that their current credibility is questionable. If they are found wanting, our prestigious Honours will be withdrawn.
“This is essential in ensuring that holders of National Honours are truly worthy representations of our national values and honour, and especially are patriotic Nigerians or real friends of Nigeria.”
He implored the 2012 recipients of the national honours to sustain the tempo of their performance because they provide hope for the future generation who look up to them as role models.
Some of the recipients of this year’s awards include the Chairman of Globalcom, Mike Adenuga, who was conferred with the highest honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) as well as Mohammed Zakari of the office of the Accountant General of the Federation, who was honoured for the display of honesty by returning the sum N6 million overpayment made to him.
Apart from Misters Adenuga and Zakari, Mr Jonathan decorated eleven others including six Supreme Court judges with Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR), 25 distinguished Nigerians received the award of Commander of the Order of Niger (CON) – the recipient included state governors, senators, ministers and accomplished bankers.
However two of the retired jurists – Justice Kayode Eso and Justice Andrews Obaseki – were absent at the investiture ceremony.
The president further decorated 24 Nigerians with Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) award-some of the recipients included directors general in the civil service and politicians.
38 others won the honours of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) they include civil servants, other directors and business men, while another group of 38 received the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) -they include public servants, politicians, military personnel and even traditional rulers.
The high point of the awards was the inclusion of the 6 Paralympic athletes, who won gold medal in the just concluded London 2012 Olympics, on the award list. They were each conferred with the Member of the Order of Niger (MON) award.
President Jonathan told the Olympics gold medallists that the national honours bestowed on them comes with great responsibility calling on them to see it as a privilege and not a right.
The name of the Deputy governor of Taraba State, Sani Abubakar Danladi, which was 51 on the list of nominees to be honoured with the award of Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) was skipped.
Also absent was Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi but was represented by his wife.
D'banj featured on Kanye West's 'Cruel Summer' CD inlay
D'banj is not only featured in the new album's CD inlay, he's standing front and centre beside Kid Cudi. Kanye is at the back behind Kid. "Cruel Summer" GOOD music compilation album out today in stores! Sept 18th - http://www.apple.com/itunes/affiliates/download/
Britney Spears Throws Birthday Blowout for Sons Sean and Jayden
It was a special weekend for Sean Preston and Jayden James. Britney Spears threw a huge party on Saturday to celebrate the birthdays of her adorable boys at an arcade and trampoline park called Sky High in Calabasas, Calif., a source confirms to E! News. Sean turned 7 Friday while Jayden reached the big 6 last Wednesday. Aside from Brit, her fiancé Jason Trawick and her father, Jamie Spears, around 20 kids--including Sophia Grace and Rosie from Ellen--enjoyed games and cake, but not the excitement of opening presents. (That was done in the privacy of their own home.) Either way, our source tells us the party was a huge success! "Britney was smiling ear-to-ear during the whole party and enjoyed watching her kids play with their friends. It was a really lovely occasion, everyone was in a good mood and in the spirit of the birthday. She looked overjoyed and at one point was singing happy birthday to them." They add, "Jason and Britney were beaming and couldn't have been more proud of Jayden James and Sean Preston."
Nigerian Judiciary Again In Spotlight: Kaduna Gunrunners Set Free Despite Being Found With Weapons By The Army
Alhaji Nuhu Mohammed, who was
last January arrested on gunrunning
charges, has been set free by a
Kaduna Magistrate Court.
On January 15, SaharaReporters
exclusively reported that there were
influential forces working against
the prosecution of Mohammed, a
top Peoples Democratic Party’s
chieftain. The deal to set him free
was concluded this morning and he
walked out of the courtroom at
Ibrahim Taiwo Road along with his
son.
SaharaReporters had exclusively in
a subsequent report identified him
as head of a campaign organization
christened “Namadi Ambassadors”
that campaigned for the election of
Arc. Namadi Sambo as Kaduna
State governor in the 2006-2007
elections period.
Sambo, who is now Nigeria’s vice
president, denied that report, but
competent security sources and the
Kaduna PDP confirmed it.
Discharging the suspect and his son
today, Justice Nasiru Lere, who
presided over the court, attributed
his decision to the absence of
diligent prosecution.
The Nigerian Army, State Security
Service, Police and Kaduna State
Judiciary were accused of conspiracy
in frustrating the prosecution of the
suspected gunner and his son. One
of Mohammed’s sons, Yusuf,
escaped during the incident in
January, and fired shots before
soldiers overpowered them. Their
action is said to have been part of
the grand design to finally silence
the case.
It would be recalled that on January
17, the Nigerian Army in Kaduna
paraded the suspects before
newsmen stating.
They made the following statement:
“In the course of performing our
duties, the activities of one Alhaji
Nuhu Mohammed Marafa alias
Babawo caught our attention. His
activities necessitated the military
to raid his residence bordered on
issues of national security and
stressed that it had to do with gun-
running and suspected association
with and support for a terrorist
group. After intensive surveillance,
troops of I Mechanised Division
Nigerian Army on January 13 and 14
2012, conducted a search operation
on Marafa’s compound of Marafa,
located at Trikania, opposite IBBL,
Kaduna. Before troops could gain
entrance into the compound, there
was a gunshot fired at the soldiers
from the compound. It was later
revealed that the shot was fired
allegedly by Yusuf Nuhu
Mohammed, Marafa son. Yusuf
escaped with the weapon by scaling
the perimeter wall of the compound.
Yusuf who fired on troops during the
search operation is hereby declared
wanted we are hereby appealing to
law-abiding citizens to assist the law
enforcement agencies with
information that could lead to his
arrest. It must be emphasised at
this stage that investigations are
still ongoing. Ultimately, the
suspects (which include Marafa’s
second son, Musa) would be handed
over to the appropriate authority for
further action at the end of the
investigations”.
The military listed the items that
were recovered as - 9mm
Ammunition (quantity 9), 6mm
Ammunition- (quantity 5), 7.62mm
(special) ammunition, 7.62mm
(NATO) ammunition (quantity 11),
Barrel gun cartridges (quantity 17),
Pump Action gun, Double edged
special axes (quantity 2), machetes
(quantity 3), Improvised Explosive
Devise (IED) bomb in a Mirinda
bottle, bows (metal), and long clubs
(wood).Other military
accoutrements recovered were black
army belt, camouflage belt, two dog
tags belonging to the Nigeria army
D2004/1/5511899 S Adamu and US
Army 84637857 Rambo RH and
Nigerian Army camouflage trousers.
Chris Brown Probation Hearing Delayed; Hours at Issue
Chris Brown will have to wait to check in
with an L.A. judge regarding how much
community service he's done since he
beat Rihanna senseless back in 2009.
A court appearance scheduled for
yesterday was pushed back a week to
allow authorities more time to prepare
the controversial singer's probation
report.
At issue: The number of hours of
community labor - roadside cleanup,
graffiti removal, etc. - that Brown's done
and details such as where, when and
what.
After Brown's previous L.A. court
appearance, in February 2011, the
judge changed a restraining order
regarding Rihanna from "stay away" to
"do not annoy."
That means he can be with/near her as
much as he wants unless she files a
complaint, which she obviously won't.
We all saw Rihanna and Chris Brown
kiss.
Chris has completed a 52-week
domestic violence education program
but still must do 180 hours of
community service and five years of
supervised probation.
He's more than halfway through it, but
some people can't or won't forget (not
that he does himself any favors) what
he did to earn that assault conviction.
A British group recently began slapping
warning labels on his most recent
release urging shoppers not to buy the
discs because " This man beats women."
CB also fielded flak regarding a new
tattoo on his neck, which some claimed
was of a beaten Rihanna, but he claims
is just Day of the Dead-themed art.
2 Workers Found Dead at the Bottom of a Pool in a Chinese-Owned Company in Lagos
So, I got this email last week from a guy who said his friend's brother who worked for a Chinese company died in the company's pool sometime last week.
He said the young factory worker decided to sleep over at the company and the following evening, his body and that of another colleague were found inside the company's swimming pool, with blood coming out of their ears, nostrils, and mouth. They say they suspect foul play.
I didn't put up the story at the time because I wanted to get more info. The new info I have now are the names of the dead men, the name of the company and the address. I will leave the company's name out of this for now because most of the police stations contacted around the area about this case said they are not aware of it...as no one has reported it. The company is situated at Rev Ogunbiyi Str., Ikeja and the names of the dead men are: Imhonbhio Martins Odion from Ewohimi, Edo state and Richard Dada from Ugoja Rivers State.
A trusted reporter friend of mine is working on the story and as soon as I get details, I will definitely update you all.
Continue to see the dead workers being pulled out of the pool...but *viewers discretion advised.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY 2FACE IDIBIA
Today 18th September is 2baba birthday,we wish you a merry and a glorious birthday celebration..
Monday, 17 September 2012
NADIA BUARI AT LOGGERHEADS WITH CAB DRIVER IN ABUJA
Beautiful and sexy Ghanaian actress, Nadia Buari, recently had what she bargained for in Abuja the last time she came visiting. The multi-talented actress who imprinted her presence in people’s hearts for her sensational role in ‘Beyonce’, we gathered she had some issues with a cab man who she claimed on her twitter handler as a fraud.
The drop-dead gorgeous actress whose beautiful façade and happy demeanour is well known said that the cab man played a fast one on her and she had to lose her cool.
The story has it that the said cab driver, seeing that Nadia is a Johnny-just-come, tried to gyp her by inflating fares exorbitantly, not knowing that the actress, as foreign as she looks, knows her way around the capital city. An argument is said to have ensued between the two over what should be a fair fare for the journey.
“Early morning temptation-this cab driver wanted to dupe me and not so much about the money, but its just the principle and then he yelled and insulted me when I declined” Nadia later confirmed the incidence on her twitter account.
“ Honest to God I felt like grappling and beating the shit out of him(if I could), because instead of him to be bucolic about it, he was rather yelling at me. Just had to keep my cool and ignore him, because in the end he wasn’t worth my fury. Dear God, thank you for the spirit of stoicism, because I would have hurt him” she added.
The Voice Shake-Up: Usher and Shakira to Replace Christina Aguilera and Cee Lo Green?
The Voice Season 3 just got underway,
but is there already a casting shake-up
in the works for Season 4? According to
a new report, at least, there may well
be:
Usher and Shakira are replacing
Christina Aguilera and Cee Lo Green.
Alleged insiders say Shakira and Usher
would take the place of Christina and
Cee Lo alongside Adam Levine and
Blake Shelton at the end of the current
season.
Earlier this month, Aguilera opened up
to Ryan Seacrest about the show,
admitting she once viewed her job as a
coach on The Voice "kind of like a side
project."
"[I thought], 'It'll keep me close to my
son [Max, 4] in L.A. I don't have to
travel," the Grammy winner said. "Then
it kind of took off, and there goes my
free time!"
The Voice sources say Christina will use
her break from the program to focus on
tours and promotional duties
surrounding the release of her new
album, Lotus.
Christina Aguilera's "Your Body", the
first single from the upcoming record, is
already out. Green, for his part, is
currently working with NBC on a new
show.
The rumor comes just as speculation
surrounding American Idol's revolving
door ends: Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban
will join Randy Jackson and Mariah
Carey as judges.
What do you think? Should Usher
and Shakira join The Voice?
ATM To Dispense Coins - CBN Plans
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says it will facilitate the introduction of Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) that can dispense coins to encourage Nigerians imbibe the culture of spending them.
Mr Chidi Umeano, Head of Shared Services at CBN, on Monday in Lagos said that this plan was in tune with the currency restructuring exercise. He said that the coins dispensing ATMs would hasten the acceptance of coins by Nigerians and change misconception about their use.
“To achieve this plan, what is needed is to facilitate the inclusion of a process called “add-on” to the ATMs.
“Good enough, the existing ATMs have the “add-on“ feature that will easily make them adapt to coins dispensing, “ he said.
Umeano said that the apex bank would ensure that newly deployed ATMs had the “add-on“ feature among others.
“It is very possible to achieve Automated Teller Machines that will dispense coins.
“This “add-on” feature can be activated on the ATMs at any time by the CBN and this is not new because it is being practiced in advanced countries.
“This proposal is in consonance with our cash-less policy and also in line with the CBN’s effort to encourage Nigerians to appreciate coins, “he said.
Mr Dipo Fatokun, CBN Director of Banking and Payments System, had in August said that the apex bank would soon facilitate the introduction of multi-functional ATMs.
Fatokun said that such ATMs would also be able to accept deposits from customers and credit their accounts immediately.
Yes, I'm a billionaire! plus My 10 principles of success -- Ali Baba
Godfather of Nigerian comedy, Ali Baba, has shared the secrets of his success story with TS Weekend, revealing how his wealthy dad rejected, abandoned and finally disowned him over his decision to pursue a career in comedy, a sharp contrast to his father's plans for him. The comedian disclosed that his father wanted him to be a lawyer and would stop at nothing to make his son one but his passion for comedy put both of them on collusion course.
Things finally got so bad that he had to run away from home to Lagos, to actualize his dream. And when Ali Baba finally hit Lagos, he sought and got sanctuary in an uncle's home but was later kicked out from there. He recalls: “I came to Lagos to do comedy in 1990. Today, I am a billionaire and I have made people millionaires. It's all about the passion. Once upon a time I chose to pursue a career in comedy, which was in contrast to my father's dream for me.
He wanted me to be a lawyer but I wanted to do comedy and I was passionate about it. Consequently, when he realized I wouldn't budge, my dad rejected and abandoned me!” Parental opposition Like every parent back in the day, his dad believed if the future godfather of comedy became a lawyer, he would be wealthy and be able to take care of his family. And so he insisted as early as possible and drummed it into his head that he must study Law. “My dad felt that the best career for me was Law. I wanted to prove to him that comedy is better than Law. I am a graduate but I chose to pursue comedy because I had a dream.
As soon as my dad realized that I was hell bent on pursuing comedy, he disowned me. In fact, he stopped sponsoring my education!” However, Ali Baba was not discouraged. He picked up the pieces of his life and moved to Lagos armed with only the clothes on his back and a vision to excel. But the dream that his uncle would take him in evaporated like dew on a sunny morning when the man threw him out of his home. And so, young Ali Baba became a hippie as he was forced to move to the popular Lagos Bar Beach. The year was 1990. Recalling those trying moments, the comedian states: “After my uncle threw me out of his house. I moved to the Bar Beach where I lived for a very long while.
At the beach, I met Lati Kekere who was nice to me. He is still my friend to this day. He gave me a tent to sleep and I paid him N5 per night. After a while, things started picking up and I went to my uncle's place to take my things. My washman became my wardrobe; I left all my clothes with him. From there, I trekked to NTA every day. I was on Youth Scene, Youth Rendezvous and the Sunday Show. I was prepared, I wanted opportunity.” Information age Ali Baba disclosed that one thing he discovered early in life was the importance of communication. Then, there were no mobile phones but pagers were the rave and he knew that if he had to succeed, he would need to have information at his fingertips and so he went for a pager.
A while later, however, Bar Beach was overtaken by miscreants and he had to relocate. “I got a pager then,” he says, “there were no mobile phones so I was communicating with my clients on my pager. However, at a point, Bar Beach was no longer the peaceful haven it used to be. Lati had left and prostitutes, pimps and robbers were taking over so, I moved over to Yabatech. Every day, I trekked to NTA from Yabatech where I squatted with a friend. It was quite a distance but I had a dream that was bigger than the journey. I was committed to my dream. On the side, I made money doing stand-up comedy and by virtue of my pink forms at NTA, by 1998 I had earned over N50, 000.” Gradually Ali saved up enough money and moved into a three bedroom rented apartment and before he knew it, he had started a revolution that would inspire the likes of Julius Agwu, Basket Mouth, Opa Williams, AY and TEE A among a host of others.
Rumours Tales that still baffle the comedian to this day were newspapers reports that he was living on his ex-wife. He quips: “I find it so ridiculous. People kept saying that I was living off my wife but it was not true. Yes, she had money, earning as much as N2 million a month where she worked but I was making more money, earning as much as N2 million per show. I bought her an SUV and made sure she had everything she wanted. To this day, we are very good friends and I still pay her. “Where you're coming from has nothing to do with where you're going. It is your sheer determination that will take you there. Identify the tools that you need. The only way you can make it is to be prepared so that when opportunity comes, you will be ready. If you're not where the opportunity is because you don't have information, you're wasting your time. My dad taught me these lessons as far back as 1977.”
According to Ali Baba, though the country is going through some difficult times, it's no excuse for youths to be lazy and laid back. Rather, they should look inwards and improve their lots by tapping into the unique talents God has bestowed on them. “I did not need government to give me an enabling environment; I created my own. When I started doing stand-up comedy, some people laughed at me. I remember late Mohammed Danjuma told me comedy would never work. He would rather stick to his job as an MC. However, as time rolled by, corporate bodies would invite us for events. Danjuma would be the MC and pocket N50, 000 while I would go home with N200, 000 as a stand-up comedian.
Within a short while, Danjuma realized that comedy was the way forward and before I could say Jackie Robinson, he was doing comedy as well. “I grew up in Ojo Cantonment, Lagos, but I had dreams and goals and what I was going through did not matter. It's all about the passion. We want people to do things for us but what have you done for yourself. As I speak to you, I have a property worth N300 million for sale in Lekki and I have moved to Queens Drive, Ikoyi, into a house I bought with my own money. You too could achieve this if you believe in your dreams.” For Ali Baba, to make it in life one needs education, information, communication, humility, hard work, experience of others and opportunity to excel. “Believe in yourself. You have to decide on charting a course.
Your journey must achieve its purpose,” he says with passion. Best of friends Today, Ali Baba and his dad are the best of friends. The comedian disclosed that it took 15 years for his father to forgive him. Relating the anecdote he said: “My father and I were not on talking terms for 15 years. My decision to follow my heart was responsible for that. People will tell him, 'your son, Ali Baba is always on TV. He is making a lot of money. Why don't you forgive him? But he would reply, 'Ali Baba is not my son. I have no child by that name.' The time for reconciliation came in 2005. I bought him a Mercedes Benz SLK and took it to the village along with my friends. We moved in a convoy of cars.
He was surprised when I told him, 'dad, this is your car,' and for the first time in 15 years, my dad finally recognized my success when he shouted, 'Ali Baba! Ali Baba!' That was my happiest moment.” To the comedian, success goes beyond the individual. “If you are successful and you're not touching lives, you're a failure,” he says. “If you're a millionaire and you're not making millionaires, you're a failure! AY has made more comedians than I have made. The same thing goes for Basket Mouth and they all stayed with me once upon a time.” My success principles Ali Baba goes on to reveal the 10 principles that a person must stick to, to achieve success.
Hear him: “What I am about to reveal to you are the secrets of my success which my dad taught me in 1977. Corporate bodies pay me millions to share these secrets with their staff. Number one is that your career must provide shelter for you. Two, your career must put food on your table. Three, your career must give you fame, respect, dignity and appreciation.
Four, your career must maintain your life style. Five, your career must make you charitable. Six, your career must give you good health. Seven, your career must give you job satisfaction. Eight, your career must match your personality. Nine, your career must take care of your future. And 10, your career must make you make heaven.”
Kate Middleton, Prince William Have Second Honeymoon in South Pacific as They File Legal Papers
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge aren't going to let a few unauthorized topless photos get them down!
On Sunday and Monday, Prince William and Kate Middleton, both 30, continued their Diamond Jubilee Tour of Southeast Asia as their legal teams back home finalized plans to file a criminal complaint over pics appearing in French magazine Closer, in addition to other publications.
Among their adventures in the remote South Pacific, England's future King and Queen met with some of the last survivors of the undercover war against the Japanese, attended a church thanksgiving service at a cathedral on Honiara -- and the Duchess even became an island Princess as she was crowned with a headdress of fresh flowers (frangipani and bougainvillea) on Monday.
After receiving a traditional warrior and chief's welcome on the island of Marapa, the spouses retreated to the Tavanipupu Private Island Resort via traditional war canoe.
The duo will sleep in a private, $1,260-a-night, leaf-thatched bungalow with incredible amenities, gourmet meals and more.
It's "peaceful and romantic," says one of the island owners, Kimberly. "I really wanted them to feel like they had everything they need. The fridge is fully stocked, the finest champagne, fresh fruit platter, high-tech cappuccino machine."
Still, she adds, "The Duke and Duchess are so down to earth. They haven't asked for one thing."
"It's the perfect place for honeymooners," notes Kimberly of the secluded retreat, where the royal couple can also partake in snorkeling.
Back in London, it's all business for the couple's legal team. "We can confirm that a criminal complaint has been made to the French Prosecution Department today," a Clarence House rep said on Monday. "The complaint concerns the taking of photographs of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge whilst on holiday and the publication of those photographs in breach of their privacy."
Sam Bacile, Man Who Made Anti-Islam Film That Is Causing Riots Is A Convicted Drug Dealer And Conman
This is the first picture of the man said to be behind the anti-Islam movie that has triggered violence across the Middle East.
Nakoula Basseley Nakoula – also known as Sam Bacile – was last week named by the FBI as the film-maker responsible for Innocence Of Muslims, which ridicules the prophet Muhammad.
The Mail on Sunday has exclusively obtained this on-set image of him with the film’s star Anna Gurji, who says she was duped by the 55-year-old director.
Nakoula is an Egyptian-born Coptic Christian. Now living in California, he is a convicted drug dealer and conman who was last released from jail in June last year.
The film has ignited anti-US clashes from Morocco to Malaysia. Seven people have been killed, thousands injured and last night the rioting had spread to Sydney, Australia. It was also reported that Sudan had rejected a US request to be allowed to send in Marines to protect its embassy.