Saturday, 11 January 2014
Dr. Sid & fiance on vacation they look really good together.
Tottenham Striker Emmanuel Adebayor Hosts Nollywood Actor Mike Ezunroye
Sources disclosed that Mike who is currently on vacation in Toronto Canada enjoyed his Xmas in the luxury home of the Togo Striker Emmanuel Adebayor.
The Unforgivable Movie star was one of the guests of the Nigerian born striker. Mike Ezunroye also had the opportunity of watching SEA as he’s fondly called, play in the VIP box.
Breaking News: OBJ Leaves PDP, Says He Cannot Stand a Wanted Criminal as Zonal Party Leader in the South-West
The photocopy of the letter dated January 7, 2014, originally published by Nigerian Tribune has been republished below:
January 7, 2014
Alhaji Bamanga Tukur,
National Chairman,
Peoples Democratic Party, PDP
National Headquarters,
Wadate House, Abuja
Dear Chairman,Copy to: President Goodluck Jonathan
While I believe that a good and truly national political party must be a microcosm of the nation in its membership made up of all sorts of characters from near-saints to near-satan, I also believe that on no account should a known habitual criminal that is wanted abroad to face criminal that is wanted abroad to face criminal charges leveled against him should be extolled as a political leader in a respectable and wholesome nation-building political party.
Buruhi Kasharnu has been so extolled in PDP in South-West geo-political zone which I personally find unsavoury. Politics played by any national political party must have morality, decency, discipline, principles and leadership examples as cardinal practices of the Party. O have attached here recent documents that clearly indicated that your extolled PDP Zonal Leader in the South-West Zone of Nigeria and in indigene of Ogun State is, to say the least, not a credit to the Party as a member let along being a zonal leader.
Since I stack in my practice of party politics to the hallowed and cherished principles enunciated above, I take this opportunity to let you know that while I continue to remain a card-carrying member of PDP, I cannot and I will not subscribe to a wanted habitual criminal being installed as my zonal leader in the Party; a criminal for who extradition has been requested by the US Government, in the meantime, I will consider withdrawing my activity with PDP at Local, State, Zonal and national levels until the anomalous and shameful situation is corrected.
Thank you.
Yours sincerely,
Olusegun Obasanjo
Nigerians Decry Attempt To Free Ibori - PM News, Lagos
The two countries have signed an agreement that would enable Nigerian prisoners in the UK come back to the nation to complete their prison terms while UK prisoners in Nigeria would be taken back to complete their sentence in their country.
Lagos lawyer, Festus Keyamo condemned the idea, saying he would want Nigeria and the UK to exchange ideas in other areas that would be beneficial to the country rather than shipping lots of prisoners back to complete their jail terms in Nigeria.
“I don’t subscribe to this agreement. Anybody convicted in a jurisdiction should serve out the jail term in that jurisdiction. The person should serve in the system that found him or her guilty. This agreement is strange to me,” he said.
Mr. Yinka Odumakin, National Publicity Secretary, Afenifere said this situation of returning criminals to their base was improper and uncalled for, saying that “we need them to exchange better things with us and not this.”
He stated that since the two countries have different laws, it was improper to serve a jail term in another jurisdiction, adding that the idea was nothing cheery.
Barrister Chris Akiri stated that the UK had sentenced lots of Nigerians to prison for flimsy reasons and that they were now finding it difficult to spend tax payers’ money to cater for the Nigerian prisoners.
“How many UK prisoners do we have in Nigeria? It is like in the ratio of 1:100. When you have about 100 Nigerian prisoners in the UK, you have about one UK prisoner in Nigeria, that is if there is any.
“This exchange means what? They have sentenced our people for little offences and use tax payers’ money to take care of them. It is a stupid exchange idea,” he said.
Mr. Joe Igbokwe, Publicity Secretary, Lagos State All Progressive Congress, APC, said: “I am looking at this issue of exchange of prisoners between UK and Nigeria with suspicion. I believe the target is to set former Governor James Ibori who is currently serving a jail term for corruption in the UK free.
“I am saying this because no ordinary Nigerian serving a jail term in UK will want to come to Nigeria to finish his term. Nigeria is among the countries in the world that have the worst prison condition. While UK citizens may want to return home, Nigerian prisoners may not want to return back to serve their terms here.” A human rights lawyer, Barrister Supo Osewa said it is a game plan towards 2015 election.
According to him, once Ibori is transferred back to Nigeria, the support of Niger Delta people will be secured for Jonathan..
In addition, he said the former Delta State Governor may be pardoned even if it is not pardoned, he can dictate political matters from prison, after all some Nigerian politicians won elections in the prison in the past.
In his own reaction, Barrister Ebun Adegboruwa said once Ibori is transferred back to Nigeria, he will be a threat to the opposition.
He said Nigeria is not capable of keeping high profile prisoners behind bars and some high profile criminals who were convicted in the past spent their jail terms in conducive environment.
Barrister Paul Ogundele, a Lagos-based lawyer said once Ibori is relocated back to Nigeria, he will be pardoned and it will not augur well for the country because his conviction is to serve as deterrent to other offenders.
The former secretary of Nigeria Bar Association, Lagos branch, Mr. E.K Uko said it is a way of releasing Ibori from Prison.
According to Rasak Olookoba, Secretary General of Coalition of Odua, “If it is part of President Goodluck Jonathan’s desperation to come back to power, it is a condemnable act. If it is goodwill, let all Nigerians languishing in prisons abroad be brought back home, not only in UK alone but in Malaysia, India, all over the world. That is when it will be a welcome development. What aroused our curiosity is the fact that it is limited to UK alone.
“Why is it that the pact is signed only with UK government, a country where his kinsman, who came from the same region with him, James Ibori is serving a jail term? Another coincidence is the fact that why is it now that Mr president is desperate to survive all political opposition and agitation against him.
“We are watching him. The image of Nigeria has been shattered already, he should not add to it. If it is for political gain. We will rise against it,” he said.
Britain’s Justice Minister Jeremy Wright had said Thursday that the eligibility of Ibori to complete his prison term in Nigeria would be determined by Nigeria and UK governments.
Wright gave the clarification in Abuja when he visited the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Professor Viola Onwuliri, shortly before he signed a Prisoners’ Transfer Agreement (PTA) between both countries.
Responding to questions from journalists on the fate of high profile Nigerians currently serving in UK jails, including Ibori, under the new agreement, Wright said the consent of a prisoner was not required before repatriation.
“In relation to individual prisoners, there has to be a good deal of discussion between our two countries about individual prisoners and the agreement of both countries to be secured before individual transfers.
“The compulsory nature of this prisoner transfer agreement is that the prisoners’ themselves do not have to choose where they go or not but the respective countries do still have an opportunity to discuss whether a transfer should be made,” he said.
In April 2012, a British court sentenced Ibori to jail for 13 years for money laundering and associated crimes.
Ibori’s wife, sister, mistress and London solicitor are also in a UK jail having been convicted of related crime.
Earlier, Onwuliri, who described the PTA as “historic,” said experts from both countries would work out modalities for implementation before its ratification.
“We have been on the prisoners agreement for a long time and we are happy that we are beginning the year on a happy note by signing this agreement,” she said.
The minister expressed delight that the agreement would improve the condition of Nigeria prisons based on earlier agreements reached before the signing.
She pledged that the Nigerian government would continue to improve the condition of prisons around the country, which had received a boost with a one million pounds commitment from the UK Government.
Also speaking, Mr. Abdulazeez Dankano, the Director of Consular and Immigration Services in the Ministry, noted that both countries were signatories to the Scheme for the Transfer of Convicted Offenders within the Commonwealth.
Dankano stated that the scheme allowed for transfer of prisoners between Nigeria and the UK where the consent of both states and the prisoner was obtained.
He said that under the Commonwealth Scheme, only one Nigerian had been repatriated from the UK since inception.
There are 521 Nigerians currently serving jail terms in the UK and only one British national in Nigeria prison. According to ministry officials, about 60 percent of Nigerian nationals in UK jails can qualify for the compulsory prison transfer agreement signed by Nigeria’s Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke and Wright.
It’s not my fault I’ve big hips–Nollywood actress Crystal Okoye
Crystal Okoye, a 300-level
student of Business Administration at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, is a
fast-rising Nollywood actress. The Nnewi, Anambra State-born movie
star, in this interview with GBENGA KUTELU, talks about her passion for
acting, challenges and more.
WHEN precisely did you join the movie industry?
It was two years ago when I went to see a
friend at a movie location in Asaba, Delta State. The cast members were
just getting ready for the shoot. They waited for an artiste who,
unfortunately, did not show up. So, they decided to feature me in the
movie: Though I had wanted to be an actress before I got on that
location that day, I didn’t know how to go about it.
What does it feel like being a movie star?
I feel like a star already. You can’t
imagine what I go through in the public. There was a time I went to a
shop, where prices were fixed to all the items. I paid for all the stuff
I bought; but to my surprise, the owner said that as a movie star, I
should pay a different price. She said, ‘You actors have money, so you
should be able to afford whatever I price I give you.” I was speechless
at that moment. Also, most of the time, people stop me on the road and
request for photographs with me. At times, I feel shy, but that is the
prices of stardom.
How did your parents react initially when you were coming into the industry?
Yes, I had the support of my parents until they passed on in 2010. It was a painful moment for me when that happened.
Who are your role models in the industry?
My role model is Pete Edochie. He plays a
fatherly role in my life. He was one of first set of people I met when I
joined the movie industry. My other role model is Stephanie Okereke.
Do you get sexually harassed by men in the movie industry?
It’s a choice you have to make. If you
decide you want to sleep around with men in the industry, it may favour
you or turn the other way round. Everyone has his or her own choice to
make in the industry. I’ve heard about sexual harassment in the
industry. There are also stories about ladies who really go out to have
sex with producers just to appear in their movies. My belief is that if
God does not want you to be in a movie, you won’t. But if you are fated
to be in any movie, you will surely get it. So, I believe that becoming a
star is about destiny. If God says that is your destiny, then, it will
be.
How do you manage advances from men?
All my life, I get several men who admire me. I’m a beautiful lady and I know it; so, it depends on the way it comes.
What part of your body do you treasure most?
I treasure and protect my whole body. I spend lot of money to maintain my skin, just to keep me sparkling.
What’s your unique selling point?
I know I’m blessed with my shape. Some
girls have walked up to me to ask how I gained the figure. They say: “I
want to be curvy like you”. And my simple answer is: it is the way that
God created me. It’s natural. People admire me for my height, looks and
figure. When you talk of Crystal Okoye in the movie industry now, people
always describe me as being beautiful and curvy. I know my figure,
height and beauty opens the doors for me easily. There’s no way people
will walk past me without noticing my waist. It’s a gift from God.
What attracts you most to men?
I go close to people that are intelligent and people that I can learn something from.
Can you talk about the movie that has transformed your life?
It is The Priceless, a Ghanaian movie.
The storyline caught my attention. It was the only movie that I have
ever made, which made me shed uncontrollable tears.
What was growing up like for you?
It was interesting. My parents were there all along before I lost them few years back.
Could you recall your first experience in the first movie you featured in?
It was in Speak the words. I was very
young then. My dad introduced me to his friend, who then referred me to
his brother. This was a long time ago. I was much younger then, but my
hips were there. My hips have always been a major attraction for me.
It’s one of those things that attract men to me. It isn’t my fault that
I’m curvy in figure.
What would you have been doing if you were not an actor?
I would have gone into importation of female clothing.
Doesn’t your profession affect your education?
No, it doesn’t in any way. I run a
part-time programme (CEP). I go to school only on weekends. When I’m
sitting for examination, I don’t accept acting jobs. I have my
textbooks, which I study even while I’m not in school.
Would you mind if any of your children go into acting?
I think a child has the right to choose a
career for him or herself. You have to give your children the support
they need, so you don’t have to impose any profession on them.
Have you won any award?
No, but I know it will happen soon.
Which is your choice: sex or money?
(General laughter) Money is good. With
money, I’ll be able to build the houses of my choice and buy the best of
cars. Without money, you can’t do anything. Sex is a momentary
enjoyment that does not translate into anything. With money, I’ll invest
into things that will help and not a few seconds of enjoyment.
What brand of car do you like?
Porsche because I like classic things.
Source: The Nation
Tuesday, 7 January 2014
Man Loses Bet After John Mikel Obi Scores, Tattoos Mikel’s Name On His Butt
Mitchell tweeted before the Derby game saying “If Mikel scores today I’ll get his name or the Chelsea badge tattooed on my Bottom”
Mikel did just that and broke the deadlock with a fine header.
US College Says It Did Not Award MBA To Stella Oduah As It Has No Masters Programme
Her resume, which she presented to the Senate as a ministerial nominee in 2011, indicated she obtained a Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA) from St. Paul’s College Lawrenceville, Virginia, United States.
But SaharaReporters has learned from the President of the college that it has never in its 125-year history had a graduate school or graduate program.
The Provost Vice President of Academic Affairs, and the Vice President of Institutional Development said in response to our inquiries, “We don’t offer any graduate programs here.”
Similarly, the school’s website states: “Saint Paul's College is accredited by the Commission of Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate [bachelor’s] degrees.” There is no mention of graduate degrees.
The Minister’s documentation shows she received an undergraduate degree in accounting from the college in 1982, but Dr. Claud Flythe, St. Paul’s current president, could neither confirm nor deny this during a phone conversation with SaharaReporters. Further verification with the Office of Alumni Affairs is also currently impossible, the school said, because the college has been closed since June 2013 to loss of its accreditation.
“[Oduah] realized very early in life the indispensability of a sound education in her growth plans in life and therefore pursued her education with all diligence and sense of purpose,” her documents claimed, adding that a determination “to have the best education at the highest level” prompted her stay at the Virginia college in 1983 for the MBA programme.
As her public relations machinery marched on, in December 2012 The Sun newspaper published an article headlined “Stella Oduah: An Amazon of transformation,” which lauded her “MBA from St Paul’s College, Lawrenceville Virginia USA.” The story also praised her for being an official who brought her “rich educational background to bear on the aviation sector by automating revenue centers in all the agencies and parastatals to boost their revenue profile and enhance transparency and accountability in the system.”
In October, SaharaReporters broke the story that Mrs. Oduah, a former campaign manager for President Goodluck Jonathan, purchased two bulletproof BMW cars worth $ 1.6 Million (N255m) through the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, for her own use.
Following an investigation, the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation dismissed the Minister’s pleas of innocence and all her rebuttals during her testimony. The committee’s report, which was subsequently adopted by the House, declared that no budgetary appropriation had been made for the purchase of the cars, and that the NCAA proposal for their purchase was rejected.
President Jonathan also set up a three-member administrative panel to investigate the matter, but he immediately travelled out of the country with Mrs. Oduah and Colonel Dasuki, the National Security Adviser who was to serve as a member of the panel. Not only did the panel submit its report much later than the two weeks it was given for the assignment, Mr. Jonathan has refused to release its report.
Mrs. Oduah’s new certificate questions are certain to feed into national concern about her credibility as an elected official, but also about Mr. Jonathan’s credibility, and about the nation’s security apparatus which verifies official documents offered to the Senate for official nominations.
If Mrs. Oduah deliberately deceived the Senate, it remains to be seen if the Upper House will be sufficiently motivated to take up the matter with the Executive.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s aviation industry continues to face a massive challenge, with struggling airports and airlines, as well as financial and administrative pitfalls that hinder expansion and development.
Source: Sahara reporters
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)