Five of the gunmen who stormed the
04 Hotel in Ajah area of Lagos last
Sunday have been confirmed dead.
The robbers were killed in the early
hours of Sunday (yesterday) in a shoot-
out with the Special Anti Robbery
Squad Ikeja, Lagos.
Several gunmen had stormed the hotel
in a purported reprisal for the arrest of
a colleague by SARS operatives at the
same hotel. Seven persons including
the owner of the hotel, Olarenwaju
Subair, were killed in the attack.
Police sources who craved anonymity,
told PUNCH Metro that the robbers
who were moving in a convoy of an
Honda Odyssey and a Jeep on Sunday
(yesterday) for another operation, had
earlier attacked some policemen at
Ajah and later at Ajao Estate before
the shoot-out with SARS operatives.
A police source said, "The robbers
began their operation around 1am at
Ajah but just as they were moving out,
they encountered a team of policemen
on routine patrol. They opened fire on
them and in the ensuing exchange of
fire, one policeman was killed in the
process and another wounded.
"Immediately, the robbers aborted
their mission and drove drown to Ajao
Estate. They got to Ajao Estate at
about 2am and attacked a major dealer
in phones, ipads and other ICT
products.
"In the process, a police corporal,
attached to the Mobile Police Force
was killed. Valuables worth millions of
naira were carted away."
Having received a directive from the
Lagos Commissioner of Police, Mr.
Umar Manko, to apprehend the
robbers, SARS operatives led by their
leader, SP Abba Kyari, were said to
have laid ambush along the Mushin/
Ojuelegba areas while two more teams
went towards the island to block the
robbers escape.
Not long after, the robbers who
eventually drove through the Mushin/
Ojuelegba road, were said to have
opened fire on sighting the SARS
teams.
In an intense gunfight that reportedly
lasted 30 minutes, the robbers were
chased from Stadium in Surulere to Eko
Bridge.
The source said, "Some of the robbers
had been wounded in the car from the
gunfight but that didn't stop them
from driving. It wasn't until the driver
of one of their vehicles sustained a
gunshot injury to the neck that the
vehicles stopped at Eko Bridge.
"Some were already dead in the car.
Several more fled their vehicles and
jumped over the Eko Bridge into the
ocean below. But some of those who
jumped must have been wounded,
because there was blood on the rails of
the bridge."
It was learnt that items from Ajao
estate were recovered from the
vehicles of the robbers. Policemen
from the Area A command and the
Marine Police later combed the waters,
but did not find any corpse.
Manko confirmed the incident to
PUNCH Metro.
He said, "Five robbers were killed in
the exchange of gunfire with SARS
operatives. They had earlier attacked a
major phone dealer at Ajao Estate
before they were ambushed by SARS
operatives along the Mushin/
Ojuelegba areas."
Monday 15 July 2013
The police guns down killers of Lagos hoye
France returns stolen artefacts to Nigeria.
France on Sunday night returned a
stolen artefact to Nigeria.
The about 900-year-old statute was
recovered by French customs at the
Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris from
the luggage of a man whose name was
not mentioned.
French Ambassador, Mr. Jacques
Champagne de Labriolle, handed over
the statute of Kwara origin and the
restitution documents to the Director
General of the National Council for
Museum and Monument, Dr. Abdalla
Usman, at a reception to
commemorate the French National Day
in Abuja.
Labriolle described the statue as of
great artistic and antropologic value.
He recalled that five items of Nok
origin were returned to Nigeria in
February this year by the French
government.
Speaking on bilateral issues between
Nigeria and France, the envoy
explained that the trade volume
between the two nations reached at
least $6bn annually.
"French businessmen would visit
Nigeria in October this year to access
the potentials for their business. I
have no doubt they will be interested
provided the appropriate environment
is guaranteed," he said.
Labriolle said no fewer than 200 African
troops incluing 18 from Nigeria took
part in the marching ceremony to mark
the national day in Paris on Sunday.
Saturday 13 July 2013
Teen jailed for Facebook joke released.
Teen kid, Justin Carter, who has bee in jail since february for posting a threat, though jokingly, on facebook has bee released after an anonymous donor posted a $500,000 bond which his parents could not afford.
He was said to have been arguing with someone on facebook concerning issues of the online game 'league of legends', and his comment was "i think i'm f***ed in the head alright. I think I'ma (sic) shoot up a kindergartin and watch the blood of the innocent rain down and eat the beating heart of one of them."
But according to his father Jack Carter, Justin also included 'lol' and 'j/k' to show that he was just kidding.
Authorities say that someone reported the comment two months after the mass killings at Sandy Hook elementary school, which led to his arrest in february 21st, this year.
Train crash in france
The train crash south of Paris which left six people dead may have been caused by a fault in the rail tracks, says the state rail company.
SNCF said a metal bar connecting two rails had become detached close to Bretigny-sur-Orge station.
Transport Minister Frederic Cuvillier has praised the driver, saying his quick actions averted a worse accident.
Those killed were four men and two women, aged between 19 and 82. Thirty people were injured, eight seriously.
A minute's silence was held across France's train network at noon on Saturday to commemorate the victims.
The train had just left Paris on Friday afternoon and was heading for Limoges when it derailed at Bretigny-sur-Orge at 17:14 (15:14 GMT) on Friday.
Transport routes were particularly busy at the time, as France began a long weekend for Bastille Day.
Arsene Wenger silent over Suarez link.
Arsene Wenger has gone all coy about his interest in unsettled Liverpool striker Luis Suarez.
The Arsenal manager flew into the Indonesian capital of Jakarta on Friday for the start of the club's pre-season tour of the Far East.
And he was immediately put on the spot over his £30m pursuit of Uruguayan international Suarez.
Hundreds of local reporters and journalists turned up at the airport to welcome Arsenal to sweltering Indonesia for the first time in 31 years.
And most of them wanted to know more information about Wenger's big-money transfer targets.
But the Frenchman said, "Suarez? As you all know, the transfer period demands secrets and confidentiality, so I am not going to answer that question."
Arsenal's interest in Suarez has thrown a huge question mark over the Arsenal future of Gervinho.
The £12m Ivory Coast striker was conspicuous by his absence when the squad touched down following their 15-hour flight from Luton.
But club sources insist his absence was merely due to sickness, although they could not specify if he will join the squad later into the 17-day trip.
Robbers set ablaze for stealing recharge cards.
An angry mob has set three suspected armed robbers ablaze in Ikotun, Lagos State.
PUNCH Metro learnt on Thursday that the robbers were set on fire on Wednesday evening, shortly after robbing a recharge card trader at Second Junction bus stop on Governor's Road.
Our correspondent,who visited the area, observed burnt tyres, carcass of a burnt motorcycle and some human flesh on the side of the road.
The recharge card trader, Ese Akporhono, who had a bandage on her head, told our correspondent that the robbers came to her shop posing as customers.
She said a few seconds later, the suspects pointed a gun at her and stole recharge cards worth N400,000 before fleeing.
She said, "Around 5pm, I was closing the shop when the men approached me saying they wanted to buy recharge card.
"Before I knew what was happening, the men brought out guns and went into my shop, They stole recharge cards and money. I engaged them in a struggle and attempted to prevent them from fleeing. They overpowered me and used the butts of their guns to hit me in the face and head."
Our correspondent learnt that the robbers allegedly snatched a motorcycle and shot a man in the area and were fleeing when a motorist knocked them down.
An eyewitness, who requested anonymity, said a bystander prevented them from fleeing as he pelted them with stones while they were attempting to stand up.
Other residents quickly joined the bystander and grabbed the weak robbers, beating them up to a pulp.
He said, "After the vehicle knocked them down while they were attempting to escape, we seized them and beat them to a pulp. The crowd grew larger and this attracted the attention of policemen."
Our correspondent learnt that a team of policemen from Ikotun Police Station stormed the scene and attempted to rescue the robbers but were overwhelmed by the mob.
It was learnt that policemen even fired gunshots into the air but the mob remained adamant.
A woman, who runs a bar in the area, said another team of policemen also arrived from Area M, Idimu, but the mob set the robbers ablaze.
She said, "The policemen came in a patrol vehicle and asked the crowd to hand over the robbers but they refused because they did not trust the police.
"Another team of policemen also came but the crowd ignored them. Some of them (crowd) got tyres, placed them round the robbers' necks and set them ablaze.
"They however handed over their guns to the police."
When asked why the residents took laws into their own hands, the woman said there had been an increase in robbery in the area and the police had failed them.
She said, "It is because armed robbers have been terrorising us that is why we close our shops early. Last year, a pregnant woman was robbed and killed in this area.
"We cannot continue to fold our arms. By this act, robbers will be afraid anytime they think of coming here."
Akporhono told our correspondent that her recharge cards were still with the police and they had refused to return them to her.
"Police are holding my recharge cards as exhibit, I want them back because I am the victim," she said.
When contacted on the telephone, the spokesperson for the state police command, Ngozi Braide, said she was aware of the incident and promised to call back.
Woman arrested after confessing to the murder of her husbamd.
A newly-married woman, identified as Mariam Yahaya, has confessed to killing her husband, Lawal Bala. Yahaya, who was allegedly hacked to death by his wife in Gangere area of Jos North Local Government area of Plateau State, was said to have married his wife last month.
Initially, the police were working on the theory that some armed men had invaded the neighbourhood and slit the throat of the deceased with a long knife.
But some youths, who rushed to the area after the cries of Bala and his wife, strongly suspected her and had tried to lynch her before she was rescued by the police.
However, the woman was said to have confessed to police that she actually killed her husband.
Bala, 30, who got married to 17-year old Mariam just last month, was said to have been killed while relaxing in his home shortly after he returned from his business.
Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Olakpe, could not confirm the woman's confession, but said, "We have a lead on the man's death.
"We will charge her to court and only the court will determine whether she killed her husband, but all I can say is that our investigation has produced some evidence of the man's death."
Court convicts Sule Lamido's son for money laundering.
A Federal High Court, Kano, on Friday convicted Aminu; the son of Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, of money laundering charge preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Aminu was arrested on December 11, 2012 at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport on his way to Egypt for failure to declare the $50,000 in his possession. He only declared $10,000 to the Nigerian Customs Service.
According to a statement by the EFCC Acting Head, Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, Justice Fatu Riman ordered him to forfeit 25 per cent of the undeclared sum of $40,000.
In the course of trial, which started on April 19, the prosecution called four witnesses and tendered documents which were admitted as exhibits.
One of its witnesses, Sanusi Ahmed, who is an operative of the EFCC, told the court that the accused person only registered $10,000 in the Nigerian Customs Declaration Form only for a search to reveal that he had $50,000 on him.
He identified the Customs Declaration Form when it was shown to him. The document was accepted by court as exhibit 1.
The defence called two witnesses: the Chief Press Secretary to the Jigawa State Governor, Umar Kyare, and the wife of the accused, Samira Aminu Sule.
In convicting the accused person, the trial court held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Murray wins title and trophy because we weren't present at the game- Grandparents say
Andy Murray's grandparents have said their grandson won his first Wimbledon title on Sunday because they were not at Centre Court.
Murray's victory ended Britain's 77-year wait for a men's champion with a hard-fought victory over world number one Novak Djokovic.
The Scot, 26, converted his fourth championship point in a dramatic final game to win 6-4 7-5 6-4 and claim his second major title.
After collecting the trophy the tennis ace picked up the phone to Roy and Shirley Erskine, who opted to watch the final at home in Dunblane, after Shirley broke her leg recently.
The 79-year-old managed to "hobble down" to the local tennis club with Roy, 81, after the match, where they were met with a huge cheer.
Mrs Erskine said, "Every year we had gone to Wimbledon. We had been there for the last six or seven years and what happens this year? He wins!
"I said to him on the phone just now, 'That's because we're not there, we must be the jinx', you see. And he said 'Oh, gran. I missed you'."
Mourinho is warned off rooney by Manchester United boss, David Moyes.
Manchester United boss David Moyes has warned Jose Mourinho that Wayne Rooney is not for sale after the Chelsea manager had once again spoken of his admiration for the striker.
Mourinho hinted at his first press conference since returning as Chelsea boss last month that he would relish the chance to bring Rooney to Stamford Bridge and his latest comments to the media in Bangkok at the start of their pre-season tour added fuel to the fire.
When asked about a possible offer for Rooney, Mourinho did his best to dodge the question, yet he could not resist praising the striker who left United's pre-season tour early on Friday after suffering a hamstring injury.
"He's a player that I like very much, being fast and direct I like him very much, but he's a Manchester United player," Mourinho said. "It's a funny, tricky question from an ethical point of view as I can't talk about players from other teams, but it is not my character to speak with hypocrisy, I always tell what I see."
Collision in Owerri...
Yesterday, the 12th of July, in Orji, Owerri, the road was blocked by cars that were involved in an accidents. It was said to have een caised by a car that had faulty break, it first hit a keke, then a few meters ahead it hit a bus nd later stopped a few meters ahead as d engine fell out after hitting the pavement that divides the road.
The authorities were quick to the scene to belp clear out the vehicles so that peiple in the state could go about their normal movements.
Italian football team, Juventus signs Torino football player Angelo Ogbonna.
Juventus confirmed that they have completed the signing of Angelo Ogbonna from Torino, for a fee believed to be in the region of EUR14m.
The 25-year-old is one of the most highly-rated defenders in Italy and was linked with Premier League champion Manchester United before the Bianconeri firmed up their interest.
Ogbonna grew up in Turin and made his Torino debut against Calcio back in February 2007, before spending the following campaign on loan at Crotone.
Since then he has blossomed into one of the Granata's star men and has built a reputation as an athletically-blessed performer who can cover both the centreback and left back slots.
That versatility is sure to have swayed Juve boss Antonio Conte into securing his signature given his preference for a 5-3-2 formation.
Ogbonna made 10 appearances for Italy's under-21 side before progressing to the senior ranks and he was included in the Azzurri's Euro 2012 squad, though he did not feature in the tournament.
His arrival comes on the same afternoon it was revealed Emanuele Giaccherini will leave Juventus Stadium for Sunderland.
Thursday 11 July 2013
After a loss of 67-0, Gombe disbands team. Na wa oh!
The owner of Nigerian side Bubayaro, Shuaibu-Gara Gombe, has disowned and disbanded the club after their 67-0 loss at the hands of Police Machine.
Gombe, who was in Lagos when the games were played, said he had ordered the team not to play the match but he was ignored by team officials.
"As soon as I heard the result I disbanded the team," he told BBC Sport.
It's disappointing that some people would bring the game to disrepute out of desperation. I have written a petition to the (state) police in Bauchi to investigate this shame and arrest anyone found to be involved."
Police Machine were trying to score more goals than Plateau United Feeder, who were playing Akurba, in the race to win promotion to the lowest tier of the Nationwide League Division.
As information about scorelines was swapped between the two venues, which were about 4 kilometres apart, the madness began in the second halves.
A journalist, who does not want to be identified to protect his own safety, was at one of the matches on Saturday, and said that things went bizarre in the second half.
Feeders scored 72 of their goals in the second half, while Police Machine found the net 61 times after the break in their game.
"In the second half we start witnessing outrageous own goals, free-kicks and terrible goalkeeping," he said.
"Feeders blasted goal after goal past Bubayaro. Officials of the club turned into emergency ball boys, instead of retrieving the ball from the net, they quickly threw another ball into the centre-circle.
"It was ridiculous, because the losing side (Bubayaro) didn't make any effort and the officiating was abysmal with controversial calls being made and unaccounted additional minutes played.
"Some people were on their mobile phones updating officials at the other venue. A shameful scene at that."
Even when an official did try and take action he was thwarted.
"The coordinator of Bauchi centre was threatening to arrest all the people involved but players and officials disappeared after the game," the journalist said.
The result would have meant Plateau Feeders were promoted on goal difference.
But the Nigeria Football Federation has placed indefinite suspensions on all the four clubs involved in the scandalous scorelines.
Nigerian Police probes source of Ammunitions in Zamfara State
Police have begun a probe into the source of arms purportedly imported by Zamfara State Governor Abdul'Aziz Abubakar for vigilance groups in the state.
The force, it was gathered, had directed its detectives to investigate the sourcing and importation of the arms and ammunition into the country without the knowledge of the approving authorities.
A senior police officer, who craved anonymity, told our correspondent in Abuja on Wednesday that the police began an investigation into the arms procurement process considering its security implications for the country as it approaches the 2015 general elections.
The police, the source added, were surprised that the state government brought in the arms even when they no longer granted importation permit to local armouries and arms dealers in the country.
He said, "The governor had lobbied the IG to give him a permit for the guns but he refused because he knows that the weapons may be used during the 2015 elections by thugs and other miscreants.
"If the IG had been corrupt, he could have made so much money from the governor, but he refused to yield to every form of persuasion from the governor."
The governor reportedly purchased the arms in 2012 and then applied to the IG for permit, but his request was turned down and the weapons confiscated by the police.
The police had been silent on the matter until Senator Shabba Lafiagi raised it during a plenary in the Senate last week.
However, following the interest the debate generated, the police last Sunday, in a statement, restated that the embargo on firearms licensing was still in force.
The force added that the extant laws guiding the use of arms prohibited the bearing of all manner of firearms, without requisite permits.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, confirmed that investigation into the arms deal had commenced.
He, nonetheless, declined to say whether Zamfara State officials had been interrogated over the matter.
Mba also declined to comment on the level of investigation, saying it would not be proper to disclose it in the media.
Wednesday 10 July 2013
NFF Suspends 4 football clubs after disgracing scores of 79-0 and 67-0
The Nigeria Football Federation has placed indefinite suspensions on four clubs after two scandalous results of 79-0 and 67-0 in a promotion play-off.
In promotion play-offs into the Nigeria Nationwide League, the lowest tier of Nigeria's domestic league, on Monday, Plateau United Feeders beat Akurba FC 79-0, while Police Machine FC demolished Babayaro FC 67-0. The incredible results forced the NFF to suspend the teams.
All the teams were involved in promotion play-offs in which the winners would qualify to play in Nigeria Nationwide League Division 3.
Before this, Ghanaian clubs had the record of such scandalous goals but they didn't score more than 25 goals.
Chairman of the NFF organising committee, Mike Umeh, who is also NFF First Vice President, said he was alarmed when informed and promptly directed that the four teams at the centre of the scandal be grounded, pending further sanctions on all involved.
"It is unacceptable. This is a scandal of huge proportions. The four teams involved are suspended immediately and indefinitely, pending further sanctions. We will investigate this matter thoroughly and get to the bottom of it," Umeh said on Tuesday.
NFF director of competitions, Mohammed Sanusi, assured that the organising committee would mete out severe sanctions on all persons and institutions indicted by the investigation.
"For now, that centre is suspended. The teams involved, their players and officials, match officials, coordinator and anyone found to have played some role in this despicable matter would be severely dealt with," Sanusi said.
Tuesday 9 July 2013
Fela Kuti's voice resonates in Finland.
The idea to create a musical based on the life and works of late Afrobeat creator, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, originated from Kitari Mayele, the cultural producer of the International Cultural Centre in Helsinki, Finland. By the end of January, the plan to have the musical, which was already titled 'Beats of a BArD's Country', on the stage had been concluded. But there was an immediate challenge: who would undertake the task of writing the script for production?
Eventually, the choice fell on Charles Ogu, a Nigerian writer resident in that country. Aware that he had a difficult task in his hands and not knowing how to set about accomplishing it, he was initially confused.
"I was totally amiss in which direction to go as the script writer. How do you mount a Fela Kuti production in a society that is totally foreign to English language, how much more the dialect-pidgin?" he says, in an online interview with our correspondent on Tuesday.
Ogu's dilemma deepened as it became obvious that no concrete plans were afoot. Moroccan born director, Hossni Boudali (who played Fela), whose knowledge of Afrobeat music was indisputable, blundered and thrashed in every direction as he was made to undergo a short drill in Pidgin English and African spirituality.
By the time that hurdle was finally scaled, with some assistance from the producer of the musical, Marjo-Sisko Lindstedt , getting the entire cast still posed a serious challenge.
Then relief came after a certain Art school in Helsinki indicated an interest in the production.
"Suddenly, we had hundreds of people willing to move their bodies and shake them to the rhythm of Afrobeat. And by the time Aija Kauppanen, the choreographer, began synthesizing and threading the dance steps (in concert with the politically charged lyrics of Fela), a 'comprehensive show' was already on the way, though without the usual 'yabis'.
"CAISA created a flavour of African communal life, an exotic mix of Somali, Congolese, Gambian and Nigerian variants, complete with their cuisines in different stands. The result was reminiscent of Kalakuta Republic, where things were shared in common and food was eaten in groups," Ogu says.
Most of the volunteers were Finnish students and foreigners -asylum seekers to be precise, whose interests were divergent. While some were genuinely drawn by the desire to learn more about African culture, others saw the show as an opportunity to meet more people and to get integrated in the cultural environment of their hosts.
Ogu noted that certain events preceding the final production had already raised public awareness of the musical. For example, the Helsinki Sanomat, Finland's largest circulating newspaper, published a rave review of the final rehearsal and the FaceBook page of the musical, tagged 'Felaway', was daily updated with the events from the rehearsals, even as the public eagerly awaited the show.
Still, there was one more hurdle to scale. The organisers of the show realised that there was no official approval from the copyright owners to 'power' the show, as it were. Finland's copyright authority would definitely not allow the show to hold without an approval from from Fela's family. So, Fela's daughter and eldest child, Yeni Kuti, was contacted and a formal request to proceed on the production was put to her.
After a while, Yeni finally authorised the show and there was jubilation among the cast and production crew of the musical. Tickets were already sold out and over 680 people missed seeing the show for want of tickets.
Ogu enthusiastically describes the opening of the show on Friday, April 26, as signifying the birth of a 'new Afrobeat' in the Scandinavian country. The successful production of the musical and its overwhelming reception, he adds, spells a positive turn in Afro-Finnish cultural relations.
"Now, pidgin English has become a common tongue among the cast of the musical, which comprises Finns and asylum seekers, who wanted to find relevance with the immigration authority by participating in a worthwhile project," he notes.
Satisfied with his role in installing Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, now known among the Finnish as the 'political musician from Nigeria', as the symbol of a much-needed cultural affirmation in Finland and in advancing Afrobeat as an art form that "voices a unique and powerful African essentialism", Ogu is optimistic that the voice of the late legend will, henceforth, rule the Finnish music scene without end.
OJB Jazreel, possibly saved.
A timely donation of $100,000 to the OJB Fund Raising Committee by Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State may have guaranteed the much-needed kidney transplant and treatment to save the life of ailing music producer and songwriter, Babatunde Okungbowa, aka OJB Jezreel, anytime from now.
Announcing this development on his Twitter handle on Wednesday night, the head of the committee, Muyiwa Oshinuga, aka Nomoreloss, tweeted: "We have on record that the Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, has approved the sum of $100,000 to be handed to #OJB on Friday."
Governor Amaechi's kind gesture finally ended several weeks of anxiety for the relatives, fans, friends, colleagues and well wishers of OJB Jezreel, who have been involved in a campaign to raise funds for his treatment. About N15m was required to cover the expenses for his treatment.
Also, the donation may have put paid to the controversy that had previously sneaked in on Nomoreloss and his team of fundraisers and consequently, threatened the progress of the Save-OJB campaign.
Irritated by reports about cash donations presumed to have been made by some A-list artistes, Nomoreloss had virtually been at his wit's end to check possible moves by unscrupulous individuals to exploit the situation to their selfish ends.
In an interview with a popular entertainment magazine in Lagos, the musician noted that the activities of these individuals and others, who peddled false figures to give the impression that his committee had accomplished its task, almost affected the campaign.
When asked if he was involved in a musical show organised by a group of people allegedly to raise funds for Jezreel's kidney transplant, he replied, "I wasn't involved in it, so whatever show that anybody is organising, they are organising for themselves. You ask simple questions, how do you hope to remit funds to the person, you don't get an answer. Obviously, there's some scam going on there and I am not going to be a part of that."
Just when Nomoreloss was expecting a positive turn in the campaign to save OJB, a comment posted on Instagram by Ghanaian actress, Juliet Ibrahim, seemed to throw a spanner in the works.
Worried by insinuations that celebrities, especially top flight music artistes whom OJB Jezreel had helped to rise to stardom, were not giving enough financial support to the campaign to save the producer's life, Ibrahim wondered why the committee was insisting on the sum of $100,000 for his treatment.
The actress, who runs a kidney foundation in Ghana, had said that a kidney transplant did not cost more than $50,000 and that there were cheaper alternatives. She urged members of the fundraising committee, reach out to the right people and to 'stop harassing' celebrities for funds.
But OJB responded to Ibrahim's posting in an interview with a Lagos-based gossip magazine. "The procedure itself is $55,000. When you take out $55,000, you are left with $45,000. What about the running cost of the procedure? You don't go to India only to come back and ask for help again. At least, I need some money to maintain myself for the next one year. So, when you factor in all these costs, add air tickets and lodging, you will appreciate what we are talking about," he was quoted as saying.
Now that there will be no need for further controversy, Nigerians can heave a sigh of relief and wish the ailing producer the best in the days ahead.
Forbes gets new name.
When American publishing executive, Steve Forbes, arrived Nigeria penultimate week, one of the things he least expected was that he would be re-christened.
But no thanks to R&B artiste, Darey Art-Alade, who was a co-compere at the TV launch, where the billionaire mogul was a special guest. He promptly re-christened Forbes, Olatokunbo, to the amusement of all present.
House Of Gold Productions looking to sign new Actors.
Father Arraigned for impregnating 14-year old daughter.
Five Suspects nabbed for Abducting NYSC Members.
Debate on where C. Ronaldo will finish his deal.
Janet Jackson to receive $500m if divorced after 5 years.
Man tortures son to death, buries body.
Boko Haram to sign Cease fire deal. Praise God
Bynes calls Obama and Michelle, ugly.
Pilot Had no experience landing 777 in San-Francisco
follow this link to watch the video http://edition.cnn.com/2013/07/07/us/plane-crash-main/index.html#
Lauryn Hill goes to Prison
David Becham, Retired and Gay???
All David did was break the long silence of homosexuality in football, he openly courted his gay fanbase and said he was happy for his wife to spread the news.In an interview with the BBC given in 2007, Beckham spoke of his pride at being tagged as a "gay icon".
"Maybe it's things like (the fact) I like to look after myself, I like to look smart and presentable most of the time," he said at the time. "I always liked to look good, even when I was a little kid. I was given the option when I was a page boy once of either wearing a suit or wearing knickerbockers and long socks and ballet shoes -- and I chose the ballet shoes and knickerbockers." "David read the piece I did about how far football had come in dealing with homophobia," Newkey-Burden recalled.
"I know he was very moved by the fact I wrote how he had opened the door to change and that is what swung getting me the interview with him. "Look, there are 92 league clubs in England with each squad having around 20 players, so statistically, there must be some gay players, " added the journalist. "One day it will be common place for footballers to come out and David Beckham will have played a part in that. "He opened the door and it is the person who opens the door who makes the difference. "Beckham said to the world: 'I'm straight, I'm the England captain and I think it's cool people are gay.'" Despite Beckham embracing his "gay icon" status, football continues to struggle with homophobia. Last February, U.S. football star Robbie Rogers announced he was retiring from football after "coming out" -- leaving Swedish player Anton Hysen as the only openly gay player in Europe. Rogers might yet make a return given he has been training with Los Angeles Galaxy. In search of a gay soccer hero
Beckham was also key in footballers becoming fashionistas and attracting interest from the mainstream media, according to Newkey Burden. "Gay football fans don't want 11 neatly coiffured and manicured players to admire," said the journalist and celebrity biographer who has written books about Adele, Brangelina, Michael Jackson and Paris Hilton. "They're more attracted to the old-fashioned kind of player like Vinny Jones or Alan Shearer if I'm honest.
David Villa to move to Athletico Madrid
This deal is set to bring Barca a maximum amount of €5.1milliom, with €2.1m due this season and €2million if Villa stays in Athletico Madrid next year, and a remainder of €1m if he should still be in the club the next season.
Barca also reserves the right to 50% of any sell on fee in the future.
Monday 8 July 2013
Top 10 Box Office Movies
- Despicable Me 2
- The Lone Ranger
- The Heat
- Monster's University
- World War Z
- White House Down
- Man Of Steel
- Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain
- This Is The End
- Now You See Me
At Least 51 Dead in Egypt
California Prisons Sterilizing Women Illegally.
Tragic Death Of Students Going On A Camp Trip
It is still such a mystery that among 307 passengers in the plane, 305 survived and just the two friends were found dead even among the 28 other students
Mick Jagger's hair sells for $6,000
ASUU sends students home.
Ezinne Akudo, the new Miss Nigeria
