Wande Coal denies fight with Wizkid at GTBank concert

According to the story peddled online, the two stars got into a fight backstage at the GTBank End of the Year party which held on Friday night in Lagos. Wande Coal says such a thing never happened.

Google adds Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa to its Google Translate

Google search engine has added the 3 major Nigerian languages, Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba to its Google Translate. Google Translate is a free automatic language translation service by Google. It works without the intervention of human translators, using state-of-the-art technology instead. Other African languages also included are South African Zulu and Somali Language. Google translate already has 71 languages on its platform

South Africa unveils giant Nelson Mandela unity statue in Pretoria

A day after the anti-apartheid revolutionary was buried, South Africa unveiled a giant 30-foot bronze statue of the former president. The unity statue was unveiled today December 16th on the lawns of the Union Buildings, which is the seat of government in Pretoria.

Sasha Becomes Etisalat Brand Ambassador

Rapper Sasha has already signed the final papers in her deal with Etisalat to become their brand ambassador. She says she is so happy and already looking forward to 2014 when she will be working more with the company. Check out the signed papers below.

Be Ready To Face The Consequences Of Treason, Presidency Warns APC

Find the press statement that was just sent in from the State House below.

We have noted with utter disdain, the reckless and irresponsible call by the APC on Sunday for the National Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against President Goodluck Jonathan.

Ordinarily, we would not have dignified Alhaji Lai Mohammed’s latest vituperations in the service of his paymasters with a response, but we thought it necessary to warn that the Federal Government will not standby idly and let the nation be plunged into unnecessary crises and political instability because of the desperation and apparent readiness of the APC spokesman and his gang of power-seeking desperadoes to sacrifice the well-being of the country on the altar of their selfish personal ambitions.


The Presidency totally condemns the decision by Alhaji Mohammed and his party to move further beyond the bounds of honourable and acceptable political conduct with the senseless call for the impeachment of a President who continues to sincerely devote himself to the discharge of the sacred mandate freely given to him by Nigerians.

The APC, which remains a minority party with doubtful credentials in the National Assembly, knows fully well that its attempt to hector and blackmail a Parliament dominated by loyal members of the President’s party, the PDP, into an impeachment process, will come to nothing.

But it has cavalierly embarked on this outrageous gambit, with scant regard for peace, order, security and political stability in the country, in furtherance of its  dastardly and heinous strategy of over-heating the polity and working to cause public disaffection against the Jonathan Presidency  with lies, false accusations and unjustifiable indictments  ahead of the 2015 general elections.

The emptiness and hollowness of the APC’s call for President Jonathan’s impeachment will be obvious to all objective and discerning Nigerians who read through the statement issued by Alhaji Mohammed today. It was long on self-serving rhetoric and falsehoods, but lacked a single clearly defined charge on the basis of which any plausible impeachment proceedings against the President can be initiated.

All that the APC could offer in justification of its absurd and hare-brained impeachment call was a rehash of its well-worn litany of baseless accusations against the President, including some for which culpability should be laid squarely at the doorsteps of its own leaders and some of their new friends.

The Presidency also considers it utterly deplorable that the APC has, in its Machiavellian desperation to seize control of the Federal Government, recklessly assailed the integrity and honour of the Nigerian Judiciary in a callous attempt to  pre-empt the outcome of the  case legitimately brought against it by some of its new friends by the PDP.

Alhaji Mohammed’s unscrupulous effort to drag the nation’s judiciary into its murky political warfare and his readiness to intimidate and blackmail  members of the bench so as to secure a favourable outcome for his party in the pending case clearly shows that nothing is beyond the pale for him and the APC in pursuit of their quest for power.

The Jonathan Administration does not need Lai Mohammed or the APC to remind it of its constitutional responsibility for the security and well-being of Nigerians. The President will continue to do his utmost best to achieve positive national transformation in all areas in spite of efforts by the opposition to thwart or disparage the work of his administration.

In this regard, we have noted the undisguised threat by the APC to foster public insurrection against the Federal Government if pending legal cases go against it. We urge Nigerians to take special note of this boastful indication of an intention to resort to lawlessness.

The Presidency warns that the APC and any persons who make themselves its willing tools for the breach of public order and safety will be made to face the full sanctions of the law. Those who are threatening fire and brimstone should be ready for consequences of treasonable action.

The APC's false copy-cat  allegation that 1, 000 snipers are being trained by the Jonathan Administration clearly shows that they are now  in cahoots with some other elements who are bent on discrediting this administration and inciting the public against it.

President Jonathan is running a people's government. He does not need any snipers. His legitimacy comes from the people. Those who are alleging the existence of snipers should step forward and provide the evidence or shut up forever and go down in history as spineless cowards, driven by sheer greed and indecency.
We dismiss the APC’s call for the President’s impeachment as opportunistic, partisan and ill-motivated.
We call on patriots to make the necessary distinction between such reckless violations of civic duty and the urgent need to protect the integrity of the Nigerian nation against those who for selfish reasons have declared their readiness to stop at nothing.


Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)

December 15, 2013

SAHEED BALOGUN THROWS BOMB SHELL-I AM NOT THE FATHER OF FATHIA'S FIRST CHILD

After Fathia openly called him a liar and said they are in court, Saheed has also accepted they are in court. He released a press statement few hours ago, where he made it clear to the public that he has two kids together with Fathia and not three. We all believed they have three kids together, but Saheed is saying, the first child isn’t his but from Fathia’s previous marriage.Read the press statement below.


Read press statement released by Saidi Balogun, a few hours ago, about the brouhaha going on between himself and his ex-wife, Fathia Balogun - Yesterday I was accused of lying to the press on a recent rumor that has been circulating. I separated from my ex-wife Fathia Balogun in 2006, over 7 years ago. Since we were LEGALLY MARRIED IN COURT, we had to LEGALLY DIVORCE IN COURT to finalize the issue. The public is welcome to go to the Lagos High Court to verify these records. This has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH ANY NAME! I AM NOT ASKING OR FORCING FATHIA TO STOP USING THE NAME BALOGUN, as it is one of the most common Yoruba names.

Furthermore, to set the record straight, Fathia and I had TWO children together NOT THREE. Fathia's first child is from a different husband that she later divorced before we were married.

I never lied to anyone. Journalists presented me with a rumor that had no basis in fact, so I simply stated that I DO NOT WANT MY PRIVATE LIFE MADE PUBLIC. IT IS MY PRIVACY AND CONCERNS NOBODY. I decided to stay quiet as the two parties involved in this issue are over 40 years old, and I think we are old enough to handle this issue MATURELY instead of turning our private matters into a public gossip debate.

I hope this issue is now clarified for the public, as I SAIDI BALOGUN am divulging the true facts myself instead of using a MISINFORMED publicist to do so for me. There are so many positive aspects of Nigeria's entertainment industry, we would rather focus on negative meaningless noise instead of these positive components.


PLEASE GIVE ME THE RESPECT OF KEEPING MY PERSONAL LIFE PRIVATE AND OUT OF THE PUBLIC EYE. I AM FOCUSING ON MY WORK. THANK YOU!

Nigeris's Senate President, David Mark Gives Out his Daughter In Abuja Yesterday

Senate President David Mark yesterday gave out his daughter’s hand in marriage. Anne married her long-time lover, Emmanuel Egwa in a ceremony witnessed by the President and other important dignitaries in the country. More photos after the cut.

Buruji Kashamu Exposes Obasanjo..Says He Is Still Taking Him To Court

Former president Obasanjo in his recent letter to President Jonathan called Buruji Kashamu a criminal. Buruji was in Lagos on Friday where he granted an interview and still insists on dragging Obasanjo to court by his cap. He also said he helped Obasanjo fight Gbenga Daniel with almost N3b. Read all he said after the cut.


What is your reaction to the letter by Chief Obasanjo to President Jonathan?

The letter that was sent to President Goodluck Jonathan accusing him of many atrocities and also calling me an unashamed criminal. How can Obasanjo be calling me an unashamed criminal? What do I have to be ashamed of when I know that I am not a criminal? When I know that I did not commit any offence. I have been engaged in genuine business since I was 17, 18 years old. My hands are clean. This story has been on since 2007 when I married Rosemary Osula. She was the one who started it. Then from Osula to Gbenga Daniel, then to Segun Oni, Oyinlola, Bode George and so on. If it is true that America is looking for me, if it is true that America has case against me, since that 2007 when Osula and I were fighting on the pages of newspaper, they could have come if they were sure I was the one they were looking for. 2007 till date, that’s almost six years. The same story continues.
First, for Obasanjo, an ex-president who had ruled the country three times to have written the letter, complaining that Jonathan allowed me to move close to him was an acceptance of defeat. It shows that Obasanjo is afraid of me.
What is giving Obasanjo the power is the soul of the South-west. We have six geo-political zones in the country. For someone to have the control of an entire zone, which former president Babangida does not even have, which no other ex-head of state controls. Only Obasanjo is controlling a zone. This is what Obasanjo is using as a foundation to negotiate with the Presidency. He gets benefits as an ex-president, then he also corners slots meant for the Southwest. That is why you see many people go to his house to bow to him. Those who want to be ministers, ambassadors and other appointments always go to his house. He had the PDP structure of the Southwest in his hands. Obasanjo used me to take control of Ogun State. He had Lagos, Oyo with Akala, Osun with Oyinlola, Ondo with the late Agagu and so on. All of them under his umbrella were having southwest meeting with him.  He introduced me to the late Agagu, Segun Oni, Caleb Olubolade and so on.
When President Jonathan came to power, he respected Obasanjo and appointed ministers nominated by Obasanjo. They gave him two ministers in Ogun State, but he was not pleased. It was after that that he went to Geneva to speak ill of the Jonathan government.
Jonathan was not fighting Obasanjo. He was just concerned with how to fulfil his mandate, but because Obasanjo saw that he could not control Jonathan, that is genesis of their problem.
Obasanjo is making it look like Jonathan is not performing, but we Nigerians are not foolish. We know what Obasanjo has done to damage this country. Have you ever seen any ex-president in the whole world that can write this kind of letter to bring his country into disrepute? But Obasanjo is not ashamed. He thought he did that to rubbish Jonathan, but he is doing it to damage himself.
Obasanjo is playing God to have said Jonathan should not have more than one term. Jonathan never told Obasanjo he wanted the presidency. He was just a lucky, easy going man. They wanted him to betray Alamieyeseigha, but he refused. He is loyal and competent. Obasanjo is merely taking advantage of Jonathan’s gentlemanliness.
How dare Obasanjo say Jonathan should spend one term? Is Obasanjo God to dictate someone else’s progress?
Recall that after Obasanjo left prison, it was Chief Orji Uzor Kalu and others who funded his campaign to be president when he said he didn’t have money to contest.
And he told those who were working for him to get power that if they assisted him, he would only spend one term in office. After first term, Obasanjo begged Atiku Abubakar, to allow him do second term. As soon as he got what he wanted, he turned against the vice president. There is nothing he did not do to destroy Atiku. But God did not allow him. After second term, he started the third term agenda, bribing lawmakers before they stopped him. Which credibility does he have to say Jonathan must not run for second term?

Check Obasanjo’s history. He doesn’t want anyone to be richer or better than himself. If you are rich, you must go look for talakawa clothes and appear as if you are poor, that is when Obasanjo would not hurt you. If you go to Obasanjo looking rich and well to do, you are finished. He would ruin you.
He said I am an unashamed criminal. When I was working with him, when I spent N3 billion to fight Gbenga Daniel and took PDP structure and handed over to him, he did not see me as unashamed criminal.

Yet, this was the same man that former EFCC boss Mallam Nuhu Ribadu described corruption under his watch as worse than that of late General Sani Abacha, according to United States cable obtained by Wikileaks.

The report stated that a meeting which the former US Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms Robin Sanders, had with Mallam Ribadu to discuss his removal from the EFCC, Ribadu told the US ambassador that Obasanjo was good at covering his tracks while admitting that corruption was worse under Obasanjo.
Ribadu was quoted as saying that former President Obasanjo knew how to play the game. ‘Although he created the EFCC and understood its importance for him with the international community, Ribadu explained, that by far and even more than the Abacha days, corruption under Obasanjo’s eight years was far worse.’

In Ogun where I spent N3 billion fighting Gbenga Daniel. Daniel dragged Obasanjo on the floor. I came in, joined Iyabo Obasanjo. We were fighting Daniel. I would go to Obasanjo’s house and office to take instructions. When we took the PDP structure from Daniel, when were in the court in Abuja, Daniel used same delegates list, one for PDP and the other for PPN. He planned that if he failed in one, he would use the same list in the other party, which is illegal. Then I alerted INEC that they should not allow the same delegates list. We went to court in Abuja. Daniel then carried placard with his supporters that the case must return to Ogun State. Because of that, the chief judge transferred the case to Ogun State. After the transfer, we believed that if we kill the PPN, the fight would be between PDP and ACN. Because of that we fought tooth and nail with Obasanjo suggesting we use illegal means to have our way. But after we fell apart, all the PDP cases that they lost in the Southwest, we would file case and his boys believed Obasanjo had power, he could influence the judiciary. They would not fight. They think Obasanjo is above the law. Before they woke up, we had removed Segun Oni. That was when they started fighting.
How can Obasanjo say I’m an unashamed criminal? You know what that means? He is saying I am stronger than him. That I have scattered his structure and that America should come and help him to remove me.
Since they have been calling America, they have their embassy here, but that country would not do anything illegal. The American law even says if you request for the extradition of a person, you must get that person to stand trial within two and a half years. If you fail, then the indictment is null and void. If I decide to go to America today, there is no case against me. I won the case in 2003 in London and came back to my country, the US government did not appeal. Between 2003 and now is about 11 years.

Which extradition is Obasanjo even talking about? If he is not an old man bullying for nothing, how would he not consult a lawyer and do proper checking to get his facts right before issuing his letter.
Have you ever seen other ex-heads of state, Gowon, Shagari, Buhari, Babangida, descending so low to behave the way Obasanjo is doing? What makes Obasanjo think that Nigeria belongs to only him?

I was the one who rescued Obasanjo when Gbenga Daniel wanted to rubbish him. I was always in his house. Iyabo, his daughter was moving with me. She would come to my hotel. We would be feeding Baba Obasanjo with details of our activities. When we took over the PDP structure from Daniel, Obasanjo called us one day and said we should not work for Jonathan for 2015. We asked why and he said Jonathan doesn’t listen to him; Jonathan doesn’t take instructions from him and Jonathan tells him lies. And we asked what kind of lies? Obasanjo said when Gbenga Daniel locked up the Ogun State House of Assembly during the crisis involving the lawmakers, Jonathan was in China and called him to say the action was unacceptable, that within 24 hours the Assembly would be re-opened. Obasanjo said despite the promise, the Assembly remained locked for two months. That in his own state it was an insult to his integrity. He was boiling with anger that day. He vowed that Jonathan would not spend more than one term in office. That he would fight President Jonathan to the end.

Khloe spotted out with new love, Matt Kemp

These women don't waste time at all. Same day Khloe Kardashian filed for divorce from her husband of 4 years, she was spotted going to the gym with her rumoured new love, LA Dodgers baseball star Matt Kemp, who dated Rihanna in 2010.

Matt drove in his car and Khloé followed closely behind in her own car. They got to the gym and entered separately. The two even went to Jay Z's concert on Monday but sat separately not to attract gossip. According to reports they have been dating quietly for weeks.

The amusing thing about this hook up is that Khloe left her husband mainly for his drug use and cheating ways, while Rihanna left Matt in 2011 for his cheating ways.

Mariah Carey in Lagos

Mariah Carey arrived in Lagos this afternoon to perform at Access Bank's Christmas Party and Send-off ceremony for the bank's Managing Director Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede. The event will hold tonight at Eko Hotel. This is Mariah's first time in Nigeria

Real Reasons why Premium Times battled Punch over Obasanjo's letter

Some days ago you read the 18-page stinker Obasanjo wrote to President Jonathan .Here's the thing, online news site Premium Times published the letter first and claimed to have exclusive rights to it. They even watermarked each page of the letter. Punch and other media houses later wrote their own reports and published unwatermarked version of the letter

Premium Times is now accusing Punch and all the other media houses of plagiarism, claiming they stole their exclusive and refused to acknowledge them.

The Editor-in Chief of the Premium Times, Dapo Olorunyomi, said
“Majority of the papers published the complete text of the letter which was first revealed to the world by this newspaper, and made available via our website. There were also cases of shameless lifting of the original story published by this medium. I am weirdly tickled at the absence of humility in competitors who sought to ignore accepting that they got the material from us and ended up failing to offer their readers the source of the material altogether.”
Punch has reacted to the allegations, insisting Premium Times was not the source of their report. See their statement after the cut...



The online news medium, Premium Times, on Thursday, falsely accused The PUNCH of republishing its version of the letter that former President Olusegun Obasanjo wrote to President Goodluck Jonathan without attribution.

We strongly repudiate this unfounded claim and deplore the online news medium’s recourse to hasty generalization in its bid to claim the moral high ground.
Premium Times was neither the source of the information used in our story nor the source of the text published.

The online medium would have avoided an “ethical flaw”, and served its readers well, if it had been careful to comply with one of journalism’s basic tenets by reaching out to The PUNCH for its side of the story.

This newspaper would have readily shared relevant information pertaining to our story, particularly, the fact that it was obtained from a source in the former President’s office on December 11, 2013 and also provided emails and PDF document containing the 18-page letter in its original form.

That an online news medium publishes a document first does not by any means suggest that it is the only medium (print or online) with the information at the point in time.

Our decision not to state the source of the story was not for the reason stated by the online medium. Indeed, Financial Times (UK) also published the story without stating its source, just like The PUNCH.

PUNCH’s culture of professionalism is its strongest forte. We provide clear attribution when stories are sourced and offer an apology when errors are brought to our notice.

Martin Ayankola
Editor, The PUNCH

North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, executes his own uncle

Months after executing his ex-girlfriend, North Korean 30 year old leader Kim Jong-un, has once again killed someone close to him, his own uncle.

According to Korean Central News Agency, Kim Jong-un executed, Jang Song Thaek, (pictured above being led away yesterday) for allegedly 'trying to overthrow the government'."

Jang Song Thaek had been the leader's adviser and had until recently been regarded as North Korea's second most powerful person after Kim Jong-un.

The 'traitor' was found guilty of treason by a military tribunal and was sentenced to death. He was executed immediately after the hearing.

Jang was removed from his government position at a Ruling Workers' Party politburo meeting on Sunday, he was arrested shortly after that.

Jang was married to Kim's aunt, and had served as vice chairman of the country's top military body for years.

And she's done it! Khloe Kardashian files for divorce from Lamar

After months of 'will she?' 'won't she?', Khloe Kardashian has finally filed for divorce from husband of four years, Lamar Odom. She also filed court documents to restore her name, TMZ reports.
In the legal docs, filed by disso-queen Laura Wasser, Khloe cites "irreconcilable differences."
And Khloe is asking the judge to take Odom out of her name, so she is once again simply Khloe Kardashian ... eliminating Odom from her life in every way.
And, Khloe is not asking for spousal support and wants the judge to reject any bid by Lamar for the same, TMZ reports.
Remember their fragrance Unbreakable by Khloe and Lamar? Guess they are breakable after all. Sad to see these two end their marriage. Khloe is rumored to be secretly dating Rihanna's ex, Matt Kemp

Khloe Kardashian to file for divorce from Lamar , TMZ reports

According to a report by TMZ, Khloe Kardashian's four year marriage to Lamar Odom is over as she's set to file for divorce today.

From TMZ
Sources tell us, Khloe will be citing irreconcilable differences in her legal docs. The split should be pretty cut and dry -- an ironclad prenup which kept all their assets separate ... and no kids.
As we reported, Lamar's bizarre freestyle rap video -- in which he brags about cheating on Khloe -- was the last straw in their crumbling relationship.  Immediately after TMZ posted the video last month, Khloe stopped wearing her wedding ring.

Head of Trailer Assn. in Bariga murdered in broad day light

on Tuesday Dec.10th around the Yaba area of Lagos, a car that had been parked on the road for quite a while, cornered a trailer as it approached around 4pm on Tuesday. Two hefty men then jumped out of the car and dragged down the driver of the trailer who was wearing a blue suit and began stabbing him in broad day light.

According to eye witnesses, one man concentrated on his head and the other on his tummy, while people watched in horror unable to help the victim. They stabbed him for several minutes while a third man said to be the driver of the car was heard shouting 'kill him', 'kill him' in Yoruba.

The incident which lasted a few minutes caused serious traffic and panic as several motorist, who weren't sure of what was going on, abandoned their vehicles and took to their heels.

After the men ensured that their victim was dead, they got into their car and drove off. A few minutes later, a huge crowd gathered where the victim lay dead where it was later learned that the dead man was the head of the Tipper 'Trailer' association in the Bariga area of Lagos and was just coming back from court where he'd been favoured in a land dispute.

His family members arrived the scene several minutes later, and one member was heard screaming "Can you see Kayode has killed my brother, Can you see". His corpse was removed by the police.

Will and Jada Smith set for divorce

According to a report by National Enquirer, friends of the A-list couple fear they won't make it through the holidays. Well, it's according to National Enquirer, so there's probably no cause for alarm.

From The National Enquirer
He’s been caught with a hot young blonde, she’s been seen without her wedding ring – and now friends fear this will be Will and Jada’s last Christmas together!
“Will and Jada are trying to put on a good front in public, but behind the scenes, they’re having major troubles,” said a source close to the couple, whose 16th wedding anniversary is Dec. 31.
“If this marriage lasts beyond the holidays, it will be a miracle.”
But the source says Will is desperate to avoid a divorce. “Will has more to lose since he was the major breadwinner and they’d likely have to split things in half,” explained the source.
Will has also previously stated that “divorce just can’t be an option.” Meanwhile Jada just doesn’t feel that she has as much reason to stay married.
“She’s telling friends that she’s thinking of filing for divorce and having a Happy New Year – without Will!”

Lawyer, passenger found dead in car with engine running in Asaba

According to a report by Eagle Online, a lawyer and another man were found dead in a Toyota Camry car with registration number FGG 931 AE, at the popular Inter-Bau round-about in Asaba Delta State yesterday Thursday December 12th.

The lawyer and the passenger were said to be returning from a court session when they suddenly started foaming in the mouth and nose in the air-conditioned car. They were dead within minutes according to eye witnesses.

Explaining the mystery behind the deaths, a source said he believes the men were poisoned.
“They must have inhaled a poisonous substance thrown into their car from where they were coming from. If not, how would they have died inside the car they were riding in?”
The identity of the lawyer and the passenger, believed to be a bricklayer, have not been confirmed. Their bodies have been deposited at the Federal Medical Center, in Asaba.

OJB, wife at Dele Momodu's home in Ghana

OJB is currently in Ghana to attend the Ovation Red Carol and Awards which will hold tomorrow at the State House Banquet Hall. He's looking healthy again. Another pic after the cut...

RMD's son's traditional wedding

RMD's 30 year old son Oghenekome Mofe Damijo married his longtime girlfriend, Eniola Abiodun, in a traditional wedding ceremony which held on Thursday Dec. 12th at the bride's family home in Ikeja. Their white wedding will hold on friday in Lagos. See more photos after the cut.

Black Christmas as over 200 bankers lose Job..

Over 200 staff of Enterprise Bank and Keystone Bank have lost their jobs due to the rationalization exercise that was recently carried out by both banks. On the 2nd of December Enterprise bank rolled out a list comprising of a 150 staff members that were affected by the rationalization excersie which according to the bank's management was done in order to achieve effective service. Worst hit by the retrenchment exercise are the Lagos Island branches of the bank. Spokesman for the bank, Olusola Longe-Okenimkpe says the rationalization exercise was carried out to identify resource optimization.

Keystone bank in November also carried out their own rationalization excercise which saw 52 Senior staff members losing their jobs.

Iyanya acquires brand new 2013 Range Rover Sports

Bode George no longer ex-convict - Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of Nigeria today quashed all charges of corruption earlier leveled against PDP Chieftain and close pal of former president Olusegun Obasanjo, Chief Bode George. The Supreme Court Judges headed by Justice Afolabi Fabiyi while passing their verdict said the charges of contract splitting brought against Mr Bode George by the EFCC was unknown to the law at the time he was convicted of the crime.

A Lagos high court judge, Justice Joseph Olubunmi Oyewole on Oct 2009 convicted Chief Bode George and 5 others for corruption and diversion of funds totalling N84billion when they served on  the board of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA. He was sentenced to 2 years imprisonment and was released Feb 26 2011. So now, he's no longer an ex-convict

Being Flamboyant Is Not Satanic! Pastor Tom Samson Explains Why He Wears Big Chains Like Music Stars

Here is what he told Bosede Olusola Obasa in a recent interview.

People say that you are a flamboyant pastor, how would you react to that?

It is because of where I am coming from.

In fact, your neck chain has been described as expensive, just like those worn by Nollywood stars…

It is because they don’t know where I am coming from. I am here to make a statement, including the way I build my buildings. Look at this facility, the one in Ikeja, you also need to come to Royal City. The crown on the building alone costs a lot. Even the school I build must spell class, the hospital and so on, the cars I drive, the clothes I wear – they are all a reflection of what God can do. I will never do anything inferior for God. Who says that being flamboyant is satanic? Satan has nothing. The Bible says, “I give you power to get wealth.” Even if I look expensive, it is more of what I give out than what I wear or have. Between last year and now, I have given out about 20 cars to those who needed them – especially missionaries. Where I live, the people didn’t have electricity supply for four years. I had to intervene with transformer and accessories. I depict and reflect God. My message is that God can lift anyone. I tell the whites that being a Nigerian doesn’t mean one has to beg. In Florida, a man of God wanted to know what needs we had in our church and I said I would rather ask him that question and I gave him $2,000. God’s word says it is more blessed to give than to receive. I finance all my churches abroad.

So, you have no apologies for being so flamboyant?

No, I don’t.

The First Lady Wants Us To Address Her As 'Mama Peace'

On Friday, while inaugurating the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme Maternal and Child Health otherwise known as MAMA Project, The First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan said she should no longer be called Patience but “Mama Peace.”

According to her, “My name is no more Patience but now Mama Peace because I believe that without peace, there will be no more women, no more children and no more health sector. Without peace, the international community will be afraid to come and invest in our country. Peace is from the heart and not from the tongue or lips; not what you say but what is in you. We pray for genuine peace because peace is the key to our arriving at our desired destination as a nation”.

I Will Sue Obasanjo For Calling Me A Drug Baron In His Letter To Jonathan- Kashamu

The Chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party Campaign and Mobilisation Committee in the South West, Prince Buruji Kashamu has threatened to institute legal action against former president Olusegun Obasanjo for referring to him as a wanted criminal in his letter to President Goodluck Jonathan, which was published online.

Chief Obasanjo had in his 18-page letter to Mr. Jonathan referred to Kashamu, the major financier of PDP in Ogun State, as a criminal wanted by Uk and USA authorities for drug trafficking and money laundering crimes and thus should not be seen as being a close associate of the president.

But in a statement released yesterday by his Media Adviser, Austin Oniyokor, Kashamu said, “I do not know what extradiction Baba Obasanjo is talking about.  We are already in court over a different case. With this one, he’s in for a big libel. Of course, I’m going to sue him immediately. Obasanjo is not above the law, so there is no reason why I will not sue him. By tomorrow (today) we’ll be in court because that is the last resort for an aggrieved person”.

Kashamu added that “Obasanjo has not said anything new. It is all part of the old worn-out blackmail that Kashamu’s political adversaries have been peddling. Anyone who knows Obasanjo’s antecedents will agree with me that it is only typical of him to turn round to call the same man that he wined and dined with in the past names.


“When Kashamu teamed up with him against former Governor Gbenga Daniel, he was a good man. When he worked with him to produce the platform that his (OBJ’s) anointed candidate, Maj.-Gen. Tunji Olurin, used during the 2011 elections, he was a good man. Indeed, he praised him to high heavens and openly prayed that God will reward his labour for the party and humanity”

Fathia Balogun confirms being dragged to court by Saidi Balogun over use of name

There were reports recently that actor Saidi Balogun had dragged his ex- wife actress Fathia Balogun to court over the use of his surname, Balogun, insisting that she drops it.Saidi denied the report in a statement he sent to the press

Fathia is now accusing him of lying to the press, because according to her, he indeed dragged her to court over the use of the name. Below is a statement released by her publicist, Seun Oloketuyi
“Our attention has been drawn to media reports where Saheed Balogun claims that he knows nothing about the media reports that he is in court with our client Fathia Balogun over his decision to ask his former wife to stop using his name.
“We will like to put the records straight. The case is in court and our lawyers are on it to ensure that our client retains the name. We won’t be saying much at this time but we believe that adults should be bold and mature enough to take responsibility for their actions and not do something and say something else.
"We won’t say anything further on this matter until judgement is given as this case resumes hearing.”

Beyonce gets explicit in new song, sings about giving Jay Z 'head'

Some people are saying this new album is Beyonce's best album yet because Queen Bey didn't hold back at all, it's quite raw and it's actually the number 1 album in 66 countries right now including the US, UK, Australia, France, Germany, Canada, Russia and Japan.

Anyway, there's a song in the album titled Partition (track 6) and in the song Beyonce sings explicitly about giving Jay Z 'head' (you all know what that means..hehe) and having him cum all over her.

Beyonce sings;
Driver, roll up the partition please, I don't want you to see 'Yonce on her knees. It took 45 minutes to get all dressed up. We ain't even gonna make it to this club.
Mascara running, red lipstick smudged, Oh he's so horney yeah he wants to f*ck
He popped all my buttons and he ripped my blouse and Monica Lewinski'd all on my gown

New couple alert: DJ Cuppy Otedola and Asa Asika

DJ Cuppy is the UK-based DJ daughter of Nigerian billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola and Asa Asika is the popular artist manager and CEO of Stargaze, a Talent Management company. According to reliable sources in the know, the 21 year old stunning DJ, who is trying to break into the Nigerian music scene, and Davido's 23 year old former manager are currently dating. The relationship is fairly new and I hear they are really into each other.

Wyclef in Lagos for Harp Rhythm Unplugged, Dec 15th, Eko Hotel

Artists performing: P Square, Dbanj, 2face, Wizkid, Flavour, Davido, Banky W, Burna Boy, May D, Iyanya, Olamide, Ice Prince, Dr Sid, Omawumi, Waje, Sean Tizzle, KCEE, Tonye, Jared, DJ Jimmy Jatt. Comedy by: Basketmouth, I Go Dye, Gordons, Seyi Law, Buchi and Apororo.

Regular: 7,000 and VIP 30,000. Tickets sold by NaijaTicketShop.com and all NaijaTicketshop outlets in Eko Hotel, Silverbird Cinemas and Ozone Cinemas. For Table Bookings call : 08165025419.

'Anyone who says I bleach is stupid' - former Governor Alao-Akala

He doesn't bleach? That hand could have fooled me. In an interview with Saturday Punch, former governor of Oyo State Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, denied bleaching his skin and said anyone who says he's bleaching is very stupid.

During the interview, a Punch reporter asked him, 'Is it part of your own fashion to bleach?' OMG! Can't believe he asked that question straight up...lol. Big ups to the reporter.

 Alao-Akala replied...
Bleach? That is stupidity; you are asking a very stupid question, how can I bleach? You are very stupid to ask that question. What do you mean by that? What gave you that impression?
(He pulled up his clothe and singlet to show his fair complexion.)
Is this bleaching? Have you seen the cream that I use that makes me bleach or did you know me when I was black? So if you want to write that, put it there that I said you are very stupid to ask me that kind of question. Don’t ask that kind of question again. What you don’t know; you ask. You don’t even know my parents. Is my wife complaining or my children? I don’t know what gave anybody the impression that I bleach. You don’t know me; do you know what it takes to bleach?
Read the full interview on Punch

Snow in Cairo, Egypt for the first time in over 100 years

For the first time in over 100 years, a winter storm has brought snow to a city known for its heat and sand, Cairo in Egypt.


According to local reports, it happened over night and unexpectedly on Wednesday Dec. 11th. An official of Egypt's Meteorological centre said it was first time in decades since the last snowfalls and it took residents of Cairo suburbs by surprise. But most are delighted because they have never seen snow before.They took to Twitter to post their amazement in words and shared pictures


The snowfall has forced the closure of the country's ports and several other businesses for days now

Obasanjo's letter unbecoming, self-serving &provocative - Presidency

The presidency has responded to former president Obasanjo's letter to President Jonathan where he accused the current president of taking actions calculated at destroying Nigeria. See the State House press release below...
We have noted the publication on several websites today of a letter recently written by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.
The Presidency acknowledges that it has indeed received the said letter from Chief Obasanjo.
We however find it highly unbecoming, mischievous and provocative that a letter written by a former Head of State and respected elder statesman to President Jonathan  has been deliberately leaked to the mass media in a deplorable effort to impugn the integrity of the President and denigrate his commitment to giving Nigeria the best possible leadership.

While many patriotic, objective and well-meaning Nigerians have already condemned the leaked letter as self-serving, hypocritical, malicious, indecent, and very disrespectful of the highest office in the land, President Jonathan has directed that none of his aides or any government official should join issues with Chief Obasanjo over it.

The President himself will, at the appropriate time, offer a full personal response to the most reckless, baseless, unjustifiable and indecorous charges levied against him and his administration by the former Head of State.

Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
December 11, 2013

Obasanjo writes 18-page letter to President Jonathan

Premium Times claims to have obtained an 18-page letter written by an angry and frustrated former president Olusegun Obasanjo to president Jonathan, accusing the current president of 'ineptitude and of taking actions calculated at destroying Nigeria.'
“Nigeria is bleeding and the hemorrhage must be stopped,” Mr. Obasanjo said in the 18-page letter titled “Before it is too late” dated December 2, 2013
In the letter Obasanjo said President Jonathan has 'failed to deliver on his promises to Nigerians, stem corruption, promote national unity and strengthen national security.'

You can read the full letter HERE or continue to read the full exclusive report by Premium Times...


From Premium Times

He said in the letter titled that rather than take steps to advance Nigeria’s interest and up the standards of living of Nigerians, Mr. Jonathan had betrayed God and the Nigerian people that brought him to power, and has been pursuing selfish personal and political interests based on advice he receives from “self-centred aides”.

In the detailed letter, dripping of anger , frustration and what appears a genuine concern to rescue a nation on the brink, Mr. Obasanjo lamented that Mr. Jonathan had become terribly divisive and clannish, destroying his own party, polarizing the country along regional and religious lines and ridiculing Nigeria in the comity of nations.

Without mincing words, Mr. Obasanjo blamed Mr. Jonathan for the crises tearing the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, apart.

He said apart from using party chairman Bamanga Tukur to cause multiple crises and divide the ranks of the party, the president’s failure to keep a promise he made not to seek a second term is also generating tension within the ruling party.
“It would be unfair to continue to level full blames on the Chairman (Tukur) for all that goes wrong with the party,” Mr. Obasanjo said. “The chairman is playing the tune dictated by the paymaster (Jonathan). But the paymaster is acting for a definitive purpose for which deceit and deception seem to be the major ingredients.

“Up till two months ago, Mr. President, you told me that you have not told anybody that you would contest in 2015. I quickly pointed out to you that the signs and the measures on the ground do not tally with your statement. You said the same to one other person who shared his observation with me. And only a fool would believe that statement you made to me judging by what is going on. I must say it is not ingenious. You may wish to pursue a more credible and more honorable path.”
The former President said Mr. Jonathan told him before the 2011 election he would not seek a second term, and made the same promise to governors, party stakeholders and Nigerians.

The president’s refusal to keep that promise cast him as a man without honour, Mr. Obasanjo said.
Saying it would be “fatally morally flawed” for Mr. Jonathan to contest in 2015, Mr. Obasanjo added, “As a leader, two things you must cherish and hold dear among others are trust and honour both of which are important ingredients of character. I will want to see anyone in the Office of the Presidency of Nigeria as a man or woman who can be trusted, a person of honour in his words and character.”
Mr. Obasanjo also accused Mr. Jonathan of anti-party conducts – supporting opposition parties’ candidates in governorship elections in Lagos, Ondo, Edo and Anambra states at the detriment of PDP’s own candidates –, and of pitting party members against one another.

Saying the President had failed to address the underlying causes of the Boko Haram menace, Mr. Obasanjo urged Mr. Jonathan to adopt a carrot and stick approach in dealing with the insurgency explaining that “conventional military actions based on standard phases of military operations alone will not permanently and effectively deal with the issue of Boko Haram”.

Mr. Obasanjo also tackled Mr. Jonathan for allegedly being clannish. “For you to allow yourself to be “possessed”, so to say, to the exclusion of most of the rest of Nigerians as an “Ijaw man” is a mistake that should never have been allowed to happen. Yes, you have to be born in one part of Nigeria to be Nigerian if not naturalized but the Nigerian President must be above ethnic factionalism. And those who prop you up as of, and for ‘Ijaw nation’ are not your friends genuinely, not friends of Nigeria nor friends of ‘Ijaw nation’ they tout about.

“To allow or tacitly encourage people of ‘Ijaw nation’ to throw insults on other Nigerians from other parts of the country and threaten fire and brimstone to protect your interest as an Ijaw man is myopic and your not openly quieting them is even more unfortunate.

Two Ijaw men, ex-militant Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, and a former federal commissioner for information, Edwin Clark, who carries himself around as the political godfather of the president, are known to talk down on people opposed to the president.

Mr. Obasanjo also accused Mr. Jonathan of placing over 1000 Nigerians on political watch list and “training snipers and other armed personnel secretly and clandestinely acquiring weapons to match for political purposes like Abacha and training them where Abacha trained his killers”.

He wondered why the Presidency was providing assistance for a murderer to evade justice.
“Presidential assistance for a murderer to evade justice and presidential delegation to welcome him home can only be in bad taste generally but particularly to the family of his victim,” Mr. Obasanjo said. “Assisting criminals to evade justice cannot be part of the job of the presidency. Or, as it is viwed in some quarters, is he being recruited to do for you what he had done for Abacha in the past? Hopefully, he should have learned his lesson. Let us continue to watch.”

Mr. Obasanjo did not mention the name of the murderer he accused the President of protecting but he seems to be referring to Hamza Al-Mustapha, a former security aide to late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, who is facing trial for allegedly masterminding the killing of Kudirat Abiola, the wife of Moshood Abiola, the winner of the annulled 1993 presidential election.

Mr. Al-Mustapha was freed by the appeal court in July but the Lagos state government has since appealed the judgment at the Supreme Court.

The former President also called on the National Assembly to rise up and take decisive action over the recent allegation in the country that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation failed to remit billions of dollars in proceeds of crude oil sales to the federation account.
“This allegation will not fly away by non-action, cover-up, denial or bribing possible investigators,” Mr. Obasanjo told the President. “Please deal with this allegation transparently and let the truth be known.

“The dramatis personae in this allegation and who they are working for will one day be public knowledge. Those who know are watching if the National Assembly will not be accomplice in the heinous crime and naked grand corruption. May God grant you the grace for at least one effective corrective action against high corruption which seems to stink all around you in your government.”
Mr. Obasanjo said he wrote the letter in the national interest, saying nothing, at this stage of his life, would prevent him from standing up for whatever he considers to be in the best interest of Nigeria, Africa and the world.

He said he was ready for whatever backlash his letter would provoke from the presidency.
“Knowing what happens around you most of which you know of and condone or deny, this letter will proke cacophony from hired and unhired attackers but I will maintain my serenity because by this letter, I have done my duty to you as I have always done, to your government, to the party, PDP, and to our country, Nigeria…,” Mr. Obasanjo said.

“I have passed the stage of being flattered, intimidated, threatened, frightened, induced or bought… Death is the end of all human beings and may it come when God wills it to come

Don Jazzy, Tiwa Savage, Iyanya Others Attend Dr SID & Simi Osomo’s Introduction Ceremony Today

MAVIN records artiste, Dr Sid and fiancée, Simi Osomo have started their marital journey. Their introduction ceremony held today with Don Jazzy, Tiwa Savage, Iyanya, his manager and some other celebrities in attendance. We wish the couple all the best. More photos after the cut

ALL The Photos & Winners From The 2013 Best Of Nollywood (BON) Awards

More pictures and the list of winners after the cut.

We Are Terminating JoshBeatz Contract Because Of Davido’s Unruly Behaviour - Record Label

This might not be the best time for the people at Born Winners Empire (BWE), as their in-house producer, JoshBeatz has been ‘manipulated’ to join Davido’s HKN gang. Well, it’s a long read, and they are claiming it’s all Davido and HKN’s fault and they are ready to kick JoshBeatz out, because they will not be caught dead in an argument with the HNK gang. Find their press statement below.

Our attention has been drawn to the false and  persistent claim by members of HKN Music that young music producer - Joshua Boafo  a.k.a JOSHBeatz, is signed to HKN.

Contrary to this, We wish to clarify that 'JoshBeatz' is officially signed on to Born Winners Empire (BWE) as in-house producer. All contractual obligations on the part of Born Winners Empire have been fulfilled till date. JoshBeatz is expected to produce a Mixtape under BWE. At the time of this incidence he was in d studio working on a new single for QUEST and also our newest signed artist - BAZINO.

Be it also known that as at this moment JoshBeatz is still living in BWE premises in Lekki.

The first news of this mischief broke on twitter on 21st Nov, when Davido via his @iamdavido handle tweeted "Welcome @joshbeatz to the family!!!! Hkn gang!! NEWEST MEMBER!!!! Congrats!!"

This came as an embarrassment and sad surprise to us because Davido is well aware that JoshBeatz is on a valid contract with BWE,  he and his crew have visited our Lekki office / studios a few times when JoshBeatz recorded him on a track for the JoshBeatz mixtape.

We have utmost respect for Davido and HKN, and we contacted them to verify the situation, but they said it was just a random casual tweet by Davido and they have no interest in signing the young producer. Yet we continued to observe a manipulative and deceitful under-the table approach to woo our artist/producer.
HKN further went ahead last week to release recorded materials produced by JoshBeatz  whom they tagged 'HKN newly signed producer".

Music business is Serious business, and there are rules to the trade. We must put a stop to this hell-destined 'Hustle and Blow' mentality and observe mutual respect as music business professionals.
In an industry that is constantly faced with flagrant disregard and abuse of contractual commitment, it is disappointing that even well established record labels will now manipulate and conspire with Artistes to breach contracts. Its a shame indeed.

In view of the above, the management of BWE finds JoshBeatz's disloyalty and embarrassment totally unacceptable,  and has opted to Terminate his (JoshBeatz)  contract forthwith. We are not asking for any damages, and we do not wish to be drawn into controversies with anyone.

Thank you..      
Signed,

For: Born Winners Empire (BWE).