ABAKALIKI—THE National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Thursday, punished some 2012 outgoing corps members in Batch B for allegedly absconding from service to unauthorized journeys, involvement in fraud, theft and other miscellaneous offences.
While five corps members who passed out yesterday would repeat their service year, ten others would have their service year extended for various offences.
Also, two other members of the batch, Edidiong Nelson Udoh and Ebiri Chinyere, died during the service period, while another member, Nkiru Angela Itodo, who relocated from Gombe State, is still missing since August last year.
The state NYSC Co-ordinator, Mr Otaru J. Eshimakhe, stated this during the passing out parade ceremony of the batch at Abakaliki Township Stadium.
He said: “As the saying goes, in every twelve there must be a Judas. Some corps members did not live up to expectations and will be punished in accordance with the NYSC bye laws.
“Five will repeat the service year while ten will serve extension of service ranging from one month to four months on half pay.
“Their offences range from absconding from service to unauthorised journeys, fraud, theft and other miscellaneous offences.
“It is hoped that their punishment will serve as deterrent to corps members on ground and prospective corps members.
Eshimakhe enjoined the corps members to remain good ambassadors of the country and maximise the knowledge they got at the Skill Acquisition training while in camp and during the service year.
Governor Martin Elechi, who was represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Sam Mgbada, said the scheme was a veritable and enduring vehicle for effective youth mobilization in addressing critical issues of national integration and nation building.
Thursday, 6 June 2013
Paris Jackson, Prince Michael Feuded Before Suicide Attempt
What led to Paris Jackson's attempted suicide? Sources told Us Weekly that the 15-year-old daughter of the late Michael Jackson had been battling a "major depression," and now an insider reveals that it was caused, in part, by "major fights" with her brother, Prince Michael.After many years of estrangement, Paris recently began spending time with their biological mother, Debbie Rowe, and Prince, 16, didn't approve of the new relationship.
"[Paris and Prince] were always so insanely close until Debbie came back in the picture, and Paris wanted to get close with her," the insider explains. "Paris wanted her mom in her life, but Paris was younger and Prince remembers all of the awful things Michael told them about Debbie. Prince feels Paris is betraying their father by getting close to Debbie."
But Paris, who has been frequently visiting Rowe, 54, at her horse ranch in Palmdale, Calif., wanted to get to know her mother, who was married to their father from 1996 to 1999.
"Paris made her own decision to get to know her mom and found she really liked her," the source says. Another benefit of their renewed bond? "She loves the stories Debbie has told her about her dad.
Her big brother, meanwhile, feels betrayed.
"He has these massive fights with her and calls Paris a backstabber for getting to know 'that woman,'" the insider reveals. "Paris and Prince fight all the time, and it really hurts Paris as they used to be close."
In a December 2011 interview with Ellen DeGeneres, Paris said she idolizes Prince and tries to copy him. "Last year, when he was in eighth grade, he played on the varsity flag-football team as a left guard. This year, when I'm in eighth grade, I decided to go on the football team. I was on the same team, same position," she shared. (Paris and Prince also have a younger brother, Blanket, 11, who was born via a surrogate mother.)
Feud or not, Prince will apparently be by his sister's side while she recovers at an L.A. hospital following her shocking suicide attempt. He canceled a scheduled appearance on German talk show Wetten.
Davido hangs out in a strip club in Atlanta (Photo)
The “Gobe” crooner shared this photo of himself via his instagram page some minutes ago, he captioned it “‘#turnup #ATL #ballin”.
Well, do you see the poles in the picture? Do you also see the scantily clad lady, and the one in stripper heels? All indicating that he was actually in a strip club.
Kunle Afolayan dropped as a Glo ambassador for working with Saka
Prolific movie director and actor, Kunle Afolayan was recently dropped as a Glo ambassador (for the likes of Waje, Omawumi, MI and co) and even though the reason wasn’t revealed, new findings claim that he was dropped because of SAKA – Saka the actor and new MTN ambassador (Afiz Ayetoro).
Prior to him being dropped as an ambassador, Kunle had a smooth relationship with the company and did not go against any terms in his contract and was really shocked at his termination.
According to blogger Linda Ikeji, Kunle Afolayan was booted out when Globacom found out that one of the main characters in his Phone Swap movie (which was sponsored by Globacom) was Saka, an Etisalat face for many of their brands, at the time. (Before he ported to MTN ).
Globacom sponsored the movie and when it eventually came out and they saw Saka in it, that was it.
Wednesday, 5 June 2013
Super Eagles emerge victorious against Harambee Stars of Kenya
Super Eagles have emerged victorious against Kenya, after Ahmed Musa delivered a goal against the Harambee Stars of Kenya.
The Eagles were able to secure a goal after 91 minutes of play, as the Harambee Stars held a strict defense line throughout the game.
Earlier attempts by Brown Ideye, and Oduamadi in the second half kept the Kenyan defense on a tight rope and Ahmed Musa was able to lob the ball into the Kenya net during the last minutes of play.
The victory over Kenya has secured the team in their crucial World Cup qualifying game.
The goal keeps the Super Eagles on the top of their group at a comfortable eight points.
First gay marriage in France broadcasts live
Hundreds of invited guests including a government minister gathered for the moving ceremony Wednesday inside city hall in southern French city of Montpellier. Hundreds more flocked to the square outside the building as Vincent Autin, 40, and his 30-year-old partner, Bruno Boileau, were wed.
The politically charged ceremony was held under tight police surveillance — a stark reminder of the months of bruising opposition to the new gay marriage law that French lawmakers passed earlier this month.
Although the marriage itself went undisrupted, outside the city hall it was not trouble-free. A plainclothes policeman dragged back one protester on Wednesday who shouted threats and tried to approach the couple as they were being escorted into the building, before the ceremony. Police also used tear gas to push back a small group of demonstrators who gathered behind the city hall.
"Even if we have passed the hurdle of equality, there are still more battles to fight... But for now, it's a moment for festivity, for love," Autin said after exchanging vows. Some cried, others smiled as Frank Sinatra's hit "Love and Marriage" blasted out, marking them tying the knot.
The two men then walked hand-in-hand to the city hall balcony to wave to well-wishers alongside Montpellier Mayor Helene Mandroux, who officiated at the ceremony. Smiling proudly, Mandroux called the marriage a "historic moment" and "a stage in the modernization of our country."
The two men, who will adopt the names "Messieurs Bruno et Vincent Boileau-Autin," were holding a separate, private ceremony later Wednesday for close friends and family.
"Many people have been waiting for this law on marriage and adoption. Now, it's done. Many people are going to be doing as we did, and celebrating their unions... We are very pleased and honored," said Boileau.
It is not clear yet when the first gay adoption will take place.
News of the marriage will not be welcomed in every corner of France. Just last Sunday, tens of thousands of people protested fiercely in Paris against the new gay marriage law, demonstrations that ended with riot police shooting tear gas.
A plan to legalize same-sex marriage and allow gay couples to adopt was a liberal cornerstone of Socialist Francois Hollande's election manifesto last year. It initially looked like a shoo-in for the French president — since the measures were supported by a majority of the country — and an easy way to break with his conservative predecessor, Nicolas Sarkozy.
But the issue became a touchstone as Hollande's popularity sunk to unprecedented lows, largely over France's ailing economy. The law became a political hot potato that exposed bitter divisions between urban France, where homosexuality is widely accepted, and the Catholic heartland where conservative attitudes hold sway.
"What happened in our country to create so many divisions?" Mandroux said Wednesday, reflecting on the wrenching debate.
Demonstrations against the gay marriage law have often spilled into violence.
In Sunday's protest in the French capital, several hundred protesters clashed with police, throwing bottles and chasing journalists. Interior Minister Manuel Valls said police arrested some 100 far-right protesters.
Paris police estimated that 150,000 people took part in the demonstration but march organizers claimed on their Twitter account that more than a million people did.
At the same time Sunday, on the shores of the Mediterranean, the prestigious 66th Cannes Film Festival gave the Palme d'Or, its top honor, to "Blue is the Warmest Color: The Life of Adele," a graphic French film about a tender, sensual lesbian romance.
France is the 14th country so far — and the biggest in political and economic weight — to recognize gay marriage.
Ronaldo thought he knew it all - Mourinho
Jose Mourinho has claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo “thinks he knows everything” and that is why his relationship with the world's most expensive player broke down towards the end of last season.
Ronaldo joined Real from Manchester United for £80 million in 2009 and took his goalscoring exploits to new heights under Mourinho, who left Real Madrid to rejoin Chelsea as manager earlier this week.
Married Father-of-Three Regularly Has Séx With Teenage Boy, Pays N100m To Keep The Affair A Secret
A biséxual millionaire businessman got in trouble with the law after his secret séx life was uncovered.
He made blackmail payments totaling £628,000.
After eight years the married father-of-three finally told his lawyers and police last August.
Anthony Still, 52, is alleged to have been the blackmailer.
He denies a charge of making unwarranted demands for money between June 2003 and August last year.
The businessman - whose name is protected by the court and is known only as 'Barnaby' - contacted an éscort agency in 2002 and was put in contact with a teenage boy, aged 19, the jury was told.
The pair met for séx and took drugs but the contact between the two ended after the man paid the teenager £2,000 to pay off a drugs debt, it was said.
Oliver Glasgow, prosecuting, told the court the teenager's father, who was concerned about his son's érratic behaviour, asked a man he knew who ran a sécurity business to chéck out his son.
Mr Glasgow said Still, who had had worked for this firm in various roles, is believed to have learnt about the relationship between the two.
The jury heard how Barnaby was initially asked for £35,000 from a man he knew as 'Paul' and was told if he did not pay up, the police and press would be told what he and the teenager had been doing.
Mr Glasgow said the demands continued after this payment with Still allegédly using 'ever-invéntive' schémes to get money from his victim.
Barnaby eventually decided he could not go on with this and told police.
A search of Still's home in Clacton, Esséx, revealed a 'significant amount of paperwork' linking him to Barnaby, Mr Glasgow said.
There was evidence Still had allegedly researched the business and family background of Barnaby, Mr Glasgow added.
Still told police the blackmail had never taken place and the whole thing had been made up by Barnaby.
The trial continues.
Ace Music Producer, OJB Jezreel Suffers Kidney Problem
One of Nigeria's most talented music producers, OJB Jezreel is down with kidney related disease.
The ace music beats-maker, who produced 2Face's 'African Queen' hit song, is said to be receiving treatment from a specialist at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).
According to reports, OJB needs a donor to save him from dying as a result of the kidney failure.
As reported, OJB has been suffering from the ailment for some months but kept it away from the press. We gathered that money is not the problem but getting to get a matching kidney donor to keep his survival.
‘Please Send Peter A Bottle’, Alex Amosu Responds To Peter Okoye’s N290m Champagne ‘Joke’
Alexander Amosu, designer of what he calls the most expensive bottle of champagne ‘Taste of Diamonds‘(which goes for N290m by the way) has responded (we are calling this a subtle jab) to Peter Okoyeof Psquare‘s public joke over the pricing of the sparkling wine.
Some hours ago, we reported that Peter Okoye, while bearing his mind on the champagne which made its debut this week, made it known that he, a certified millionaire, wasn’t interested in buying the drink.
"The most expensive champagne . £1.2million . (N250million) May dis champagne never CHOP MY MONEY IJN. Dis time I really care", Peter Okoye said taking time to give a breakdown of how much a glass would cost;
"So dats like N50million per glass…. Ladies are u with me? #Nawash", he added.
Well Amosu is being generous enough and has asked the owners of the drinkGoût de Diamants, to send a bottle the Pop star’s way.
"Please send Peter a bottle", Amosu wrote on his Instagram page as he posted a screenshot of Peter Okoye’s tweets.
Riot At Anambra State University After Two Students Are Shot Dead By Robbers
According to reports, a riot broke out in Igbariam campus in Anambra State University this morning earlier today.Students of the school revealed that armed robbers invaded the students' lodge last night and they a few students ended up victims of gunshots. Unconfirmed reports claimed that 2 students are currently dead from the gunshots.
Some students decided the best way to respond to the incident was to riot against the school and state government, blaming lack of security for their fellow students' deaths.
Students also lamented the fact that they pay N135,000 per session for new students and 107,000 for old students and they still don't have security or even a functioning hospital.
The rioting students went on the streets insisting on speaking with Governor Peter Obi. The students calmed down after the school Vice Chancellor addressed them about an hour ago.
KENYA: Séx On The 'bench' At Muliro Gardens- Kakamega Kenya (SEE PHOTOS)
This is really funny!!! Finally Kenya has been put on the international map for 'séx on the bench'. I always thought tha 'séx on the beach' would come first but the bench took over. It seems guys from kach have got it going on than people from towns which makes it really sad. According to various sources the photos were taken by the police. Check out for yourself and be the judge…..
Tuesday, 4 June 2013
Angelina Jolie Wows in Sexy, Strapless Dress at Brad Pitt's Movie Premiere on Her Birthday
Behold the birthday girl! Angelina Jolie was white-hot at the Berlin premiere of fiance Brad Pitt's new movie, World War Z, on Tuesday, June 4 -- her 38th birthday. Stunning and slim in a strapless white silk crepe dress custom made by European design house Ralph & Russo, the radiant star made sure all eyes were on her and her longtime love, whose all-black ensemble offered a nice contrast to her crisp, bright look
Jolie looked gorgeous in the glam frock, which featured a peplum waist, rose-gold detailing, and tiny round buttons down the back. Her long, brunette hair was curled into soft waves, and she beamed as she posed next to Pitt, 49, on the red carpet.
The Berlin premiere was Jolie's third official appearance in as many days. She previously stepped out in London at the film's June 2 screening -- her first public event since announcing in May that she had undergone a double mastectomy and breast reconstruction surgery earlier this year.
"I feel wonderful!" she gushed. Pitt: "It's incredible to be here in London."
The next day, June 3, the couple enjoyed a night out in Paris, where they hit up the French premiere of World War Z and then celebrated Jolie turning 38. Joined by a small group of friends, the parents of six wined and dined at a local hotspot.
Speaking about her fiance in London, Jolie said she was grateful to Pitt for being such an "extraordinary" caretaker as she recovered from her multiple surgeries. "He's such a wonderful man and a wonderful father," she told reporters. "I'm very, very lucky."
Reps move to simplify impeachment of President
A bill with the aim of simplifying the procedure for impeaching the country’s President and Vice-president passed second reading at the House of Representatives on Tuesday.
The bill seeks to amend Section 143 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) “to remove the ambiguities in the process of removal of the President and the Vice-President from office on allegations of gross misconduct and to provide for a more transparent and democratic procedure for impeachment…”
Achebe, a revolutionary author – Obama
Nigeria may currently not be in the good books of US President Barack Obama, but he cannot hide his love for deceased foremost writer, Chinua Achebe.
Even as the socio-political situation in the country has discouraged Obama from including it among African countries he is visiting, he and his wife, Michele, paid a glowing tribute to Achebe on Sunday at a ‘Celebration of Life’ held for the departed author of Things Fall Apart in the US.
In a letter addressed to Achebe’s family, and read at the event by a White House representative, at the Andrew Mellon Auditorium, Washington, DC, the American first couple described the writer as a revolutionary author.
They noted, “A revolutionary author, educator, and cultural ambassador, Chinua shattered the conventions of literature and shaped the collective identity of Nigerians throughout the world. With a dream of taking on misperceptions of his homeland, he gave voice to perspectives that cultivated understanding and drew our world closer together. His legacy will endure in the hearts of all whose lives he touched with the everlasting power of his art.”
A statement from the organisers indicates that other highlights of the event included tributes from public and private friends and dignitaries and performances by various cultural dance troupes.
The statement added, “The Afrobeat band Eme and Heteru serenaded the crowd with electrifying music. Speakers included the host, Johnnetta Cole, president emeriti of Spelman and Bennet Colleges and now director of the Smithonian Museum of African Art; Ruth Simmons, former president of Brown University; Poets Sonia Sanchez, Micere Mugo and Simon Gikandi.
Others are Scott Moyers – president of Penguin, and Jules Chametzky professor emeriti of Umass Amherst, where Achebe spent time in the 1970s and ‘80s.
Buhari’s presidential posters flood Abuja
Posters, announcing a former Head of State, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), as the consensus presidential candidate of the yet-to-be registered All Progressives Congress in the 2015 elections surfaced in Abuja on Monday.
The posters, which were pasted on walls, trees and dust bins, were mostly seen at Asokoro and Maitama districts of the city.
But the former head of state has asked his followers and members of the APC to disregard the posters, saying they were pasted by those he described as enemies of democracy.
He said the coming together of the opposition political parties was already giving the ruling party headaches, adding that it was evident that “there are enemies around the corner.”
A close look at the posters by our correspondents revealed that those behind the posters made a mistake of misspelling the acronym of APC as “APG.”
The posters, which carried the logo of APC, described Buhari as the only saviour of Nigeria
Inscription on one of the posters read, “2015: Here comes the only savior for Nigeria. APG candidate for 2015 presidential election.
“Support the All Progressive Congress. Support Buhari: The only man for the job.”
A group, Forum of all Progressive Congress Youths, sponsored the campaign.
But speaking on behalf of Buhari, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Rotimi Fashakin, said the posters did not emanate from him.
He said there was no way the APC could come up with the idea of consensus, adding that those who had been preaching consensus and automatic tickets might be responsible for the posters.
Fashakin said, “The enemy is at the corner. Those posters did not come from the General and he was not behind them. In APC, we would do direct primary to pick our presidential candidate. We would not use consensus to pick our candidate for the presidential election.
“It is the Peoples Democratic Party that has been calling for automatic tickets for its aspirants and that President Goodluck Jonathan should be its automatic candidate. In APC, that is alien to us. Nigerians and our supporters should not be varied away because of the posters. Definitely, the enemy is around the corner.”
Man transmits DSTV signal to 500 homes
The Nigerian Copyright Commission has arrested one Mr. Ubong Obot for illegally transmitting broadcast signals of Multichoice (DSTV) to an estimated 500 houses in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State.
Obot is said to have installed the DSTV signals to different homes for N5,000 and charged N1,000 per month as subscription fee.
Uyo Liaison Officer, NCC, Mr. Amudipe Charles, who represented the Director-General, NCC, Mr. Afam Ezekude, told journalists in Uyo on Monday that Obot was arrested with the equipment he used to transmit the cable television signals illegally.
Ezekude said,“The operatives of the NCC have raided Obot’s house over illegal transmission of cable television signals in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State.
“Illegal transmitting decoders, transmission boosters, rolls of installation wires, and other accessories worth N20m were impounded during the raid at two different locations. The locations are No. 89 Atan Road, 32 Umuahia Road, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State.
“Investigation into the case continues and appropriate action will be taken on conclusion of investigation.”
He stated that Obot, who operated as Botex Integrated Service, was arrested based on intelligence and surveillance reports during an anti-piracy operation.
He added that the operatives of the NCC had also on June 1, 2013 arrested four pirates and confiscated an estimated N3.2m worth of copyright infringing products during an antipiracy operation in Uyo metropolis.
Ezekude stated that the anti-piracy raid was carried out in four outlets dealing in suspected pirated products located on 2, Abak Road; 29, Abak Road; 30, Oron Road and 37, Oron Road, Uyo.
“The impounded products included large consignments of foreign and local VCD/DVD movies as well as musical works of both foreign and local artists,” he said.
Ezekude said the commission was intensifying its anti-piracy campaign across the country to protect genuine right owners and the copyright industries in the country.
He said the commission was hindered by paucity of funds and asked the Federal Government to help provide the needed funds for the commission in the interest of Nigerians.
Dangote, Africa’s first $20bn man —Forbes
The President/Chief Executive of the pan-African conglomerate, the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has become the first African entrepreneur to lay claim to a $20bn fortune, thus becoming one of the 25 richest men in the world.
This is on account of the stock value of his largest holding, Dangote Cement, leaping about three-fourths since March when Forbes released its annual ranking of the world’s richest people.
Dangote’s 93 per cent stake in the cement company is now worth $19.5bn, according to the magazine.
Dangote Cement becomes the first Nigerian company to achieve a market capitalisation of over $20bn.
Added to this are his controlling stakes in other publicly-listed companies like Dangote Sugar and National Salt Company of Nigeria, and his significant shareholdings in other blue-chip companies like Zenith Bank Plc, UBA Group and Dangote Flour; his extensive real estate portfolio, jets, yachts and current cash position, which includes more than $300m in recently-awarded Dangote Cement.
Forbes reported that the Nigerian billionaire was now richer than Russia’s richest man, Alisher Usmanov; India’s Lakshmi Mittal; and running neck and neck with India’s Mukesh Ambani.
According to the magazine, he is catching up to such Americans as Google’s billionaire founders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin.
It will be recalled that Dangote Cement had recorded an unprecedented surge in its share price largely due to market response to the company’s impressive results in the first quarter of this year.
The cement manufacturer’s un-audited results for the three months ending March 31, 2013, had showed that the company’s pre-tax profit rose to $339m, representing an 80.6 per cent increase from last year, and a strong indicator of the company’s future earning potential.
The results also indicated a 79.5 per cent rise in its earnings per share over the corresponding period last year.
The Head of Investor Relations in the United Kingdom, Dangote Cement, Mr. Carl Franklin, explained in an email response to Forbes that the company’s share boost in the first quarter of 2013 was because it had a huge increase in demand across Nigeria, considerable improved gas supply and ramped up capacity.
Franklin said, “So, Q1 was the first sign of just how profitable we can be in Nigeria. The amazing thing is that 66 per cent of our gas-fired production in Q1 was done at 84 per cent gas. Imagine what would happen to margins if we did the same amount at 95 per cent. This has given investors a good sense of what we can really do when everything goes in the right direction.
“It’s certainly a landmark for a Nigerian company and we’re proud to be the first to achieve it. Obviously, we are focusing on building long-term and sustainable value for shareholders through our investments in Nigeria and Africa. Nigeria is a very entrepreneurial country and I can assure you that other companies will follow us in achieving this.”
Forbes in its report reasoned that other companies might eventually achieve this, but it was going to take a bit of time.
Dangote Cement currently accounts for more than a quarter of the total market capitalisation of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. The second largest company on the NSE is currently Nigerian Breweries Plc, West Africa’s largest manufacturer of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, which has a market capitalisation of $8.5bn.
Dangote made a debut on the Forbes billionaires list in 2008 with a fortune pegged at $3.3bn. His fortune dropped to $2.5bn in 2009 and plunged further to $2.1bn in 2010.
His fortune surged 557 per cent in 2011 to $13.8bn after he took Dangote Cement public. Dangote dropped to $11.2bn in last year’s rankings, but rebounded at $16.1bn this year. Since March, his fortune has jumped another 30 per cent.
Dangote started building his fortune over three decades ago after taking a loan from Sanusi Dantata and started trading in commodities like flour, sugar and cement.
I’ve never kissed a man in my life – Babcock’s best graduating student
The 11th convocation of the Babcock University, Ilisan-Remo, Ogun State recorded a mixed grill of emotions, SEGUN OLUGBILE reports
Last Sunday’s convocation of Babcock University, Ilisan-Remo, Ogun State, was a potpourri of emotions. For some, it was expectedly exciting. Shouts of joy, mixed with backslapping and hugging, were not in short supply.
But while most of the graduating students had cause to rejoice and shed tears of joy, two of the graduating students and their family members, who managed to grace the occasion, were grief-stricken. But, first, the story of joy.
At the carnival-like 11th convocation, 1,359 students were awarded first degrees. Twenty got postgraduate diplomas, 71 obtained Master’s degrees in various disciplines while another set of 41 got PhD degrees in various disciplines.
The cynosure of all eyes were, however, a 20-year-old lady, Omobola Oduyoye, who emerged the best graduating student after scoring a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.92, and Nuhu Benjamin, who won the President’s Award for securing the overall best performances in leadership, academics, community and spiritual services.
Oduyoye, an indigene of Ilisan-Remo, Ikenne Local Government Area of the state, was awarded a first class degree in Public Health, while Nuhu also got a first degree in Christian Religious Studies.
Speaking with our correspondent after she received the Senior Vice-President’s Prize as the graduate with the highest overall CGPA, Oduyoye said commitment, discipline, hard work and focus – combined with what she called God’s grace – fetched her the award.
“Motivation from my parents, lecturers and course mates also helped me. Healthy competition from my course mates such as Akomolafe Damilola, who also obtained a CGPA of 4.60 , also enhanced my performance.
“I have a lot of respect for her because she is a mature married woman and a nurse. In spite of her age, she related well with us and she was very focused. Each time I looked at her, I felt like I should ask government to stop admitting fresh secondary school leavers straight into the university. They should be asked to do the A/Level or ordinary diploma programme before they enrol at the university,” she said.
Oduyoye, who aspires to become the nation’s health minister some day, noted that she would change the face of the nation’s health sector, particularly child and maternal health if given the chance.
“I’m from this town. I only lived the first six years of my life in Ghana and since then I’ve been here and I see a lot of challenges poor women and children go through daily. I want to make health delivery accessible, affordable and extremely cheap for our children and women. I will fight corruption in the health sector and ensure that our children and their mother don’t die again from preventable diseases,” she added.
This desire could explain why each time she and her colleagues had to embark on a field work, Oduyoye always ensured that children and young mothers were her target.
“Though I don’t have money to give them, I always organise seminar and workshop to train them on hygiene, oral health and how to handle preventable diseases. We at times give them off-the-counter drugs. But if God permits and I become the health minister, I’ll work hard to ensure better health service delivery for Nigerians,” she noted.
On how she handled pressure from male students and lecturers, Oduyoye, who had her primary and secondary school education at Babcock Primary School and Babcock University High School, stated that though she had so many male friends, she avoided getting intimate with them.
“I have a number of friends – including male students but I always draw a line between friendship for academic advancement and immoral relationship. I’m not abusive; neither am I a snub. But I don’t encourage any relationship that will distract me from my studies. I don’t encourage any action that can suggest to you that I’m a cheap commodity. I also ensure that I don’t go alone anywhere or follow anybody to dark corners even if she is a girl like me.
“It may sound funny to you, I have never kissed anyone in my life and I have not been kissed by anybody. I thank God for the grace He gives me to achieve this because I know that some people will say it is not easy but with God all things are possible,” the 20-year-old fresh graduate added.
Oduyoye advised young girls to abstain from sex, face their studies and respect people and honour God. But the lady, whose father is a lecturer in the Business Administration Department at Babcock, has a word for the management of the institution.
She stated, “They should relax the rules. Specifically, I don’t see any reason why a female student should not keep long hairs. Do you know it is so bad that security men on campus can stop a student and cut off her hair? This is not good. After all, undergraduates are no longer in the secondary school.”
Oduyoye however urged the university to sustain its dress code, though she wants students to be forced into engaging in physical activities. This, she said, is based on the result of a research she did in her final year.
“I did a project on the effect of physical inactivity among Babcock University students and my findings revealed that many of us were not physically active and this has implication for our academics, health and general wellbeing. The university should therefore invest more in sports and possibly compel everybody to participate in sports.
“They should also reduce the sale of fatty foods such as hamburger, doughnut, eggroll and meat-pie on campus. The scriptural and inspirational write ups on billboards in open spaces on campus are good but they should add educational health tips too,” she noted.
The former Governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke, was honoured with the honoraris causa of the institution for his distinguished public service works. He gave a lecture where he advised African leaders to work for the development of their people.
He also challenged the graduating students never to emulate corrupt leaders but to be passionate and committed to their vision.
Earlier, Makinde had told the gathering, including the Chancellor, BU, Pastor Gilbert Wari; the institution’s Pro-Chancellor, Dr. Oyeleke Owolabi; representative of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; and vice-chancellors of some Nigerian universities, that as is the tradition with the citadel, none of the graduating students had Third Class degree.
It was learnt that students whose CGPA was within the third class degree were given automatic extra year. According to Makinde, the institution is committed to its mission to produce graduates that have competence, character and commitment.
He told the gathering that all the programmes on offer in the institution had been accredited by the NUC. He also commended philanthropists, including Chief Kessignton Adebutu, Dr. Alex Otti and Alhaji Aliko Dangote, for their contributions towards the development of the university.
… as another graduating student loses 8 family members
Margaret Okwuikpo, who graduated with a second class upper degree in Nursing, was one of the two that could not help shedding bitter tears at the Babcock’s graduation. The lady had lost eight family members in a road crash on Friday, two days to her graduation.
It was learnt that 11 people, including Okwuikpo’s parents, brothers and sisters and her sister-in-law, had an accident shortly after they left Port-Harcourt for the convocation in Ilisan-Remo.
“Eight of the occupants of the vehicle, including Okwuikpo’s parents, her brother and his wife and their eight-month-old baby, died on the spot,” a source close to the family told our correspondent.
A man, who claimed to be Okwuikpo’s relations, said he could not talk to the press. The lady herself was not stable when our correspondent attempted to speak to her.
The correspondent’s telephone call to the university source, with a view to speaking with Okwuikpo, yielded no fruit, as she was said to have left for Port Harcourt on Monday morning.
However, another graduating student, simply identified as Tochi, also lost her father in the same accident.
Another university source, who claimed that Tochi’s brother works at Babcock, said he (the brother) was also too devastated to speak on the issue.
In the course of the ceremony, before it was the turn of the graduating students of her department to mount the rostrum to shake hands with the institution’s principal officers, led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kayode Makinde, Okwuikpo had controlled her emotions. But she soon started crying and collapsed on the podium as soon as she walked towards Makinde, Her friend and course mate, Rabiu Sakirat, who was right beside her, could only help in wiping off her tears.
Those who did not know what the matter was were confused.
“Why is she weeping?” a woman beside our correspondent asked rhetorically.
“Perhaps, she remembered her relation who might have been part of those who died in the ill-fated Dana crash a year ago,” another man, who had come to celebrate with her niece, said.
But silence fell upon the hitherto cheerful crowd when it was learnt that the grieving lady had lost her parents two days to her convocation. The institution’s Sports Complex, venue of the convocation, suddenly became a temporary hall of mourning. Parents, students and well wishers shared in the lady’s low moment, with some putting their hands on their heads while others just sighed.
Like a pastor, Makinde rose to the occasion, held Okuikpo’s hands and consoled her. Tochi and her mother were also called to the rostrum where they were prayed for. But efforts to speak with the mourning families were unsuccessful as a man who identified himself as Okuikpo’s relation said they were not in the mood to speak to the press about the sad incident.
Tiwa Savage & M.I Abaga go shopping at Sarkodie’s new boutique ‘Sark’ in Ghana (Photos)
Apart from his bubbling music, Ghana’s most popular Rap star, Sarkodie also has a fashion label and boutique!
The “Azonto” crooner launched his own fashion label, ‘Sark’ a few weeks ago and has now officially opened a boutique for his ‘Sark Collection’ in Accra, Ghana.
Sarkodie’s fashion label features an elaborate set of unique designed T-Shirts, belts, bracelets, jackets, baseball caps and lots more.
To show solidarity, two of our Nigerian celebrities, M.I & Tiwa Savage went all the way to Sarkodie’s boutique to shop.
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Omowunmi Akinnifesi is stunning on the new cover of Y! Magazine
The 2005 Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria is stunning on the cover of the June issue of Y! Magazine.
Luxury designer Alexander Amosu creates world's most expensive champagne
Nigerian luxury designer Alexander Amosu has created the most expensive champagne in the world called Taste of Diamonds. The drink costs 1.2million pounds. Converted to Naira it is - N250million.
Amosu created the design in collaboration with luxury champagne brand, Goût de Diamants.
Drama as Don Jazzy gives fan N100,000 for retweeting his “.”
How the drama began:
Don Jazzy updated his handle on Twitter at about 1.37 pm on Saturday, with a tweet containing only a single dot (.) and no other message.
Many of his followers classified the tweet an error, since no meaning could be attached to the post.
However, two minutes after the post appeared on the social network, he wrote on his handle that @Bmillions! was the first to retweet the post and then, announced a N100, 000 for the latter.
He stated, “You have just won yourself N100,000 for just being the first person to retweet my “•” RT @Bmillions1.”
He immediately asked the lucky fan to send his bank details to him via direct messaging on the social network.
“@Bmillions1 send a direct message of your bank details sir. God bless. I’m waiting sir,” he said.
Showing appreciation after receiving the money, @Bmillions1 tweeted at 2.52pm on Saturday, “Thank you very much @DONJAZZY for the 100k. Thanks bro. God bless.”
Don Jazzy replied, “Amen. You are welcome bro.’’
The development created a buzz on Twitter as tens of his followers went on to retweet the post with the expectation that he might decide to reward more people.
Barely five minutes after he announced the reward for the supposed loyal fan, over a 100 people retweeted the dot ‘.’ post, lol!
When it became clear that he wasn’t going to extend the gesture to more followers, many of those who had rushed to retweet the post started begging him for money and they gave various reasons for doing so.
One of Don Jazzy’s numerous fans, who requested financial assistance from him, sent his tweets via the handle, @HRH_TIPSY. The man wrote that his wife was on the verge of giving birth, adding that he still needed money to buy diapers.
He said, “@DONJAZZY baba, abeg make I DM my account number join na. My wife go soon born. I no mind money for pampers from you.”
However, other fans of the music producer went on to confess that his kind gesture had taught them a lesson not to ignore tweets from celebrities any more.
A particular fan, named Mr. Rasaq, who also uses the account, @ItsMr_Razaq, said he would henceforth retweet every message from Don Jazzy’s Twitter account.
However, explaining the rationale behind his decision to reward the person who retweeted what many of his fans had deemed meaningless, Don Jazzy tweeted that he did it intentionally to create a sense of brotherliness among Nigerians on social media.
“A retweet doesn’t kill. Pay attention. Help people’s hustle, by retweeting links, sharing messages. You might save someone’s life. Imagine that we need to save your life and nobody retweets your tweet for help. Be your brother’s keeper,” he said.
"This is assault via photoshop” See hilarious photoshops of Toolz, Tiwa Savage and Tonto Dike
These photos of Tiwa Savage, Toolz and Tonto Dike were released online a few days ago by Nigerian singer-graphics designer Adekunle Gold – he tweets from (@adekunlegold) – and have since gone viral.
Of course the prank generated some buzz on the social media platform (instagram).
Reacting to the photo, popular OAP reposted the photo on her Instagram page with the quote ‘WTF is this?!! This is assault via photoshop no?? Lol‘.
See their tweets:
Actress commits suicide
Bollywood actress Jiah Khan, who made her debut starring opposite acting legend Amitabh Bachchan, died in an apparent suicide at her home in the Indian city of Mumbai, police said on Tuesday.
The 25-year-old Khan, who grew up in London before moving to India for a career in Bollywood, was found dead in her home by her family, an officer said. Police were interviewing her neighbours, the officer said, adding that no suicide note was found.
“We suspect she hung herself at her home” late on Monday, a police official told AFP, saying that her body has been sent for a post mortem.
Khan, who was born in New York before moving to London and then Mumbai, made her Bollywood debut in 2007 with the controversial film “Nishabd” (No words), playing the role of a teenager in love with her best friend’s much older father, played by Bachchan.
The movie received average reviews because of its provocative storyline but Khan was praised for her bold acting.
Khan, who changed her name from Nafisa Khan, went on to star alongside actor Aamir Khan in “Ghajini”, a box-office hit
Actor, Chidi Mokeme shares his 7-star Dubai experience [PHOTOS]
Months after attending 2face Idibia’s big wedding in Dubai, Nollywood actor and reality tv host, Chidi Mokeme decided to share his photos from the wedding trip a few hours ago.
The actor also shared a story of how he had a running stomach after consuming some sea food during his luxurious stay at the Burj Al Arab hotel and how he had to “dunk his expensive poo” in one of the 7star’s hotel’s gold laced toilets.
See photos below:
The actor also shared a story of how he had a running stomach after consuming some sea food during his luxurious stay at the Burj Al Arab hotel and how he had to “dunk his expensive poo” in one of the 7star’s hotel’s gold laced toilets.
See photos below:
Rihanna offers condolences to Bruno Mars
Rihanna has sent her condolences to Bruno Mars after the death of his mother.
The ‘Diamonds’ singer sent the star – real name Peter Hernandez – support on twitter after his mother passed away on Saturday (01.06.13) She tweeted: “Sending my love and condolences to Bruno Mars at this difficult time! I’m sincerely praying for you bro! #1Love (sic).”
Bruno’s mother, Bernadette Hernandez, was admitted to hospital in Honolulu, Hawaii in a critical condition on Friday (31.05.13), but died the next day of a brain aneurysm.
Rihanna can sympathise with Bruno as last year she lost her beloved grandmother, Clara ‘Dolly’ Braithwaite, and had to cancel shows to fly back to her native Barbados to be with her family and grieve.
A number of other celebrities have since written to Bruno, 27, to offer their support during this difficult time.
Actress Jennifer Love Hewitt – who lost her mother Patricia to cancer last year – wrote: “My heart is breaking for Bruno Mars and his family tonight. I know all too well, too recent and too deep what they are feeling. Nothing in the world like a mother. And nothing can prepare you for the pain of losing one. Sending my condolences.”
Singer Boy George tweeted: “Bruno Mars Thoughts and prayers to you fella. I’m sorry for your loss. Our mothers are goddesses.”
‘Glee’ star Amber Riley wrote: “No worse feeling than losing a loved one. My condolences. Prayers for Bruno Mars.”
Wizkid’s manager, Godwin Tom, acquires new toy
Godwin Tom, the young man who doubles as the manager of two of Nigeria’s most talented music stars – Wizkid and Waje recently acquired a brand new Toyota (pictured above).
He purchased it prior to his birthday last week.
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