The baby-mama in question,Sophia Momodu has reacted to the Instagram drama between her baby-daddy, Davido and uncle, Dele Momodu.
Sophia Momodu took to twitter moments ago to express her side of the story as well as defend her uncle.
In her defence, Sophia claims Davido’s family took her child away for 5 months and were planning to smuggle baby Imade into the United States without her knowledge.
President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, made a robust defence of the integrity of all 36 ministers in his cabinet challenging anyone with a contrary view to present evidence against such a minister.
Speaking in his first media chat, the president said the first gains of the war against corruption would become evident by the end of March, next year, even as he accused erstwhile National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.) of having allegedly committed atrocities against Nigeria through reckless disbursement of billions of government funds.
The president made his first dismissal of the agitation for Biafra stating that Igbo were in strategic position in the cabinet including holding the petroleum and labour portfolios besides the stewardship of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.
President Buhari also assured of the administration’s readiness to implement the N5,000 monthly transfer to vulnerable Nigerians even as he said the campaign promise did not emanate from him but from his then running mate, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo. He also frowned at the allocation of N47.7 billion for the purchase of vehicles by the National Assembly even after the lawmakers had collected car loans from the government.
The president, who expressed his readiness to negotiate with any credible leadership of the Boko Haram sect for the release of the kidnapped Chibok girls also disclosed his readiness to consider a ban on the use of hijab should the trend of bombing through young veiled girls continue.
Noting the dire economic conditions facing the country, President Buhari was, nevertheless, against the immediate devaluation of the naira even as he revealed that N1.5 trillion had been recovered into the federation account through the implementation of the Treasury Single Account.
The president also spoke on the fate of the Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, saying that he had allowed the Kaduna State government and the military authorities to take the lead in the investigations. He affirmed that the cleric had over time overstepped his bounds to the distress of the communities he lived.
On the panel that interviewed the president yesterday were Kayode Akintemi, Channels TV; Dr. Ngozi Anyaegbulam, Media World International; Munir Dan Ali, Daily Trust and Ibanga Isine, Premium Times.
On the ministers “I don’t think I tolerate corruption, I don’t think I picked anybody that I know will embarrass my government. But if you have any evidence about any of my ministers, I accept responsibility for the 36 ministers that I have.
“I don’t think I took anybody among the ministers who has got a case in court. Tell me one out of the 36. I don’t think I will deliberately make that mistake.”
Asked if he would sack any of the ministers if he or she is charged to court for corruption, he said:
“No, I will insist that the case go through the courts.”
On the location and condition of the Chibok girls, he said he would be prepared to negotiate with credible elements in the Boko Haram leadership if there is precise intelligence that could help return the girls to their parents. He, however, affirmed that presently he did not superior intelligence on the fate of the girls.
“We are still keeping our options open. If a credible leadership of Boko Haram can be established and they tell us where those girls are, we are prepared to negotiate with them without any pre-condition. This we have made absolutely clear. But while they are keeping the Chibok girls, they must not get away with the idea that we will not attempt to secure the rest of Nigeria.
“We have no firm intelligence on where they are physically and what condition they are in. But what we believe from our intelligence, they keep taking the girls around, they are not keeping all the girls in one place, we don’t know how many divisions they made of them and where they are.
On the crisis in Kaduna involving followers of the Shite leader, Sheikh El-Zakzaky, he said:
“I expect the Kaduna State Government to set up a judicial inquiry because it happened in Kaduna, in one of the cities and it has been there for the last twenty years from what I have been reading from papers. They will occupy a federal highway, sometimes from Kano to Kaduna. This is what I heard.
“We have a system of investigation, the military that was involved too have a tradition of investigation and I am the head of the federal government, I have to wait for the official report before I can come out as head of the federal government and make a statement. So I am allowing the Army and the Kaduna State government to submit their report of inquiry. Meanwhile it does not mean that the police, the SSS and other directorate involved are not doing their own part of constitutional role.
Frowning at the activities of the group, he said: “Unfortunately it is very serious. How can any group proclaim statehood in a state? I don’t want to speak about it in details now, I better leave it still after the report of the inquiry but there are a number of clips I saw, where some excited teenagers were visually hitting the chest of a general, mounting road blocks and threatening them with missiles.
On the contentious issue of subsidy, the president said that by the end of the next quarter that there would be no more talk about subsidy in the price of petroleum.
N5,000 monthly stipend for the less privileged
“When my VP was quoted, how can I come here and disown it? First, I believe in getting facts, how many are involved? How are we going to do it? Is it state by state or geo-political zone by geo-political zone? In trying to get the bottom of the problem, a lot of work has to be done and if it is undertaken, we have to look at it very well.”
On Dasuki, Kanu and others
Asked on the alleged flouting of court orders by the state on the issue of Dasuki and detained Biafran agitator, Nnamdi Kanu, he said:
“Technically, if you see the kind of atrocities those people committed, if they jump bail? I am sorry to say this publicly…the former president just wrote to the governor of the CBN and said give N40 billion to someone while you have two million Internally Displaced Persons, what kind of country do you want to run?
“The one you called Kanu, do you know he has two passports? One Nigerian, one British and he came to this country without using any passport? Do you know that he brought sophisticated equipment into this country and started broadcasting for Radio Biafra? There is a treasonable charge against him and I hope the court will listen to the case.
Biafra and marginalisation of Ndigbo
“They say they are marginalised but they have not defined the extent of marginalisation. Who is marginalising them? Where? Do you know? Choosing a minister is not a matter of ethnicity, it is a matter of the constitution. I am limited by what the constitution says that there must be a member of the executive council from each state. There is a lot of partisan politics in it. Who is the Minister of State for Petroleum? Is he not an Igbo? Who is the governor of the CBN? Is he not an Igbo? Who is the Minister of Labour? Who is the Minister of Science and Technology? What do they want? I stood elections and I won, I am limited by the constitution, I have a member of every state in the Federal Executive Council and I have to listen to them when I sit as chairman. That is the limit the constitution gave me”.
Asked if he would consider banning the use of hijab in the face of the continued use of veiled girls in suicide missions in the Northeast, the president said:
“Placing ban on hijab is not enough. However, if this continues it will be banned. Because it is for the safety of the people generally.”
Wife of embattled former National Security Adviser, Mrs Sambo Dasuki has called on the Federal government to release her husband who according to her “served his nation”.
According to The Nation, Mrs Dasuki made the plea on Tuesday night after her husband was re-arrested after he was able to meet his N500 million bail condition. Mrs Dasuki who created a scene outside the DSS Headquarters said;
“Nigerians should help me beg the Federal Government, the DSS and other agencies to release my husband who did his best to serve this nation.
He is ill, he needs medical attention, he is not pretending. I implore the DSS not to allow him to die in custody. I saw my husband and I felt dejected.
He is not just well. Nigerians should assist him to get a reprieve. We(myself, the children and relations) are all destabilised.
We don’t know what is happening because three courts have granted him bail.
Why are they after him? Let those concerned respect the court by releasing my husband.
There is no way my husband will run away from the country under any guise.
They should please follow the rule of law and uphold his right to bail.”she said
… Igbos were in Strategic Position in my Cabinet including Petroleum and Labour Ministers & Also Governor of CBN.
President Muhammadu Buhari, Thursday, explained why he cannot release leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.
The President disclosed that Kanu has two passports, one Nigerian, one British and came to the country without using any passport.
President Buhari also made a robust defence of the integrity of all 36 ministers in his cabinet challenging anyone with a contrary view to present evidence against such a minister.
Speaking in his first media chat, the president said the first gains of the war against corruption would become evident by the end of March, next year, even as he accused erstwhile National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.) of having allegedly committed atrocities against Nigeria through reckless disbursement of billions of government funds.
The president made his first dismissal of the agitation for Biafra stating that Igbo were in strategic position in the cabinet including holding the petroleum and labour portfolios besides the stewardship of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.
President Buhari also assured of the administration’s readiness to implement the N5,000 monthly transfer to vulnerable Nigerians even as he said the campaign promise did not emanate from him but from his then running mate, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo. He also frowned at the allocation of N47.7 billion for the purchase of vehicles by the National Assembly even after the lawmakers had collected car loans from the government.
President Muhammadu Buhari during his first presidential media chat,Thursday, in Abuja.
The president, who expressed his readiness to negotiate with any credible leadership of the Boko Haram sect for the release of the kidnapped Chibok girls also disclosed his readiness to consider a ban on the use of hijab should the trend of bombing through young veiled girls continue.
Noting the dire economic conditions facing the country, President Buhari was, nevertheless, against the immediate devaluation of the naira even as he revealed that N1.5 trillion had been recovered into the federation account through the implementation of the Treasury Single Account.
The president also spoke on the fate of the Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, saying that he had allowed the Kaduna State government and the military authorities to take the lead in the investigations. He affirmed that the cleric had over time overstepped his bounds to the distress of the communities he lived.
On the panel that interviewed the president yesterday were Kayode Akintemi, Channels TV; Dr. Ngozi Anyaegbulam, Media World International; Munir Dan Ali, Daily Trust and Ibanga Isine, Premium Times.
On the ministers
“I don’t think I tolerate corruption, I don’t think I picked anybody that I know will embarrass my government. But if you have any evidence about any of my ministers, I accept responsibility for the 36 ministers that I have.
“I don’t think I took anybody among the ministers who has got a case in court. Tell me one out of the 36. I don’t think I will deliberately make that mistake.”
Asked if he would sack any of the ministers if he or she is charged to court for corruption, he said:
“No, I will insist that the case go through the courts.”
On the location and condition of the Chibok girls, he said he would be prepared to negotiate with credible elements in the Boko Haram leadership if there is precise intelligence that could help return the girls to their parents. He, however, affirmed that presently he did not superior intelligence on the fate of the girls.
“We are still keeping our options open. If a credible leadership of Boko Haram can be established and they tell us where those girls are, we are prepared to negotiate with them without any pre-condition. This we have made absolutely clear. But while they are keeping the Chibok girls, they must not get away with the idea that we will not attempt to secure the rest of Nigeria.
“We have no firm intelligence on where they are physically and what condition they are in. But what we believe from our intelligence, they keep taking the girls around, they are not keeping all the girls in one place, we don’t know how many divisions they made of them and where they are.
On the crisis in Kaduna involving followers of the Shite leader, Sheikh El-Zakzaky, he said:
“I expect the Kaduna State Government to set up a judicial inquiry because it happened in Kaduna, in one of the cities and it has been there for the last twenty years from what I have been reading from papers. They will occupy a federal highway, sometimes from Kano to Kaduna. This is what I heard.
“We have a system of investigation, the military that was involved too have a tradition of investigation and I am the head of the federal government, I have to wait for the official report before I can come out as head of the federal government and make a statement. So I am allowing the Army and the Kaduna State government to submit their report of inquiry. Meanwhile it does not mean that the police, the SSS and other directorate involved are not doing their own part of constitutional role. Frowning at the activities of the group, he said:
“Unfortunately it is very serious. How can any group proclaim statehood in a state? I don’t want to speak about it in details now, I better leave it still after the report of the inquiry but there are a number of clips I saw, where some excited teenagers were visually hitting the chest of a general, mounting road blocks and threatening them with missiles.
On the contentious issue of subsidy, the president said that by the end of the next quarter that there would be no more talk about subsidy in the price of petroleum.
Money recovered
“Money has been recovered but whatever we recover, has to end up in court because I feel personally that Nigerians are entitled to know the truth and the truth will be what the court has discovered by the submission made to them in terms of documentation and the documentation includes the bank statement of where our money was lodged, when it was lodged and how much. Whether it is petrol from NNPC or Customs and Excise or money directly from the Central Bank of Nigeria.”
Told that he was limited in his disclosure of his assets, the president said that he had declared his assets at least four times in the past.
The president expressed reservation on proposals by the National Assembly to commit N47.7 billion to purchase new vehicles after members had collected car loans from the government.
N5,000 monthly stipend for the less privileged
“When my VP was quoted, how can I come here and disown it? First, I believe in getting facts, how many are involved? How are we going to do it? Is it state by state or geo-political zone by geo-political zone? In trying to get the bottom of the problem, a lot of work has to be done and if it is undertaken, we have to look at it very well.”
On Dasuki, Kanu and others
Asked on the alleged flouting of court orders by the state on the issue of Dasuki and detained Biafran agitator, Nnamdi Kanu, he said:
“Technically, if you see the kind of atrocities those people committed, if they jump bail? I am sorry to say this publicly…the former president just wrote to the governor of the CBN and said give N40 billion to someone while you have two million Internally Displaced Persons, what kind of country do you want to run?
“The one you called Kanu, do you know he has two passports? One Nigerian, one British and he came to this country without using any passport? Do you know that he brought sophisticated equipment into this country and started broadcasting for Radio Biafra? There is a treasonable charge against him and I hope the court will listen to the case.
Biafra and marginalisation of Ndigbo
“They say they are marginalised but they have not defined the extent of marginalisation. Who is marginalising them? Where? Do you know? Choosing a minister is not a matter of ethnicity, it is a matter of the constitution. I am limited by what the constitution says that there must be a member of the executive council from each state. There is a lot of partisan politics in it. Who is the Minister of State for Petroleum? Is he not an Igbo? Who is the governor of the CBN? Is he not an Igbo? Who is the Minister of Labour? Who is the Minister of Science and Technology? What do they want? I stood elections and I won, I am limited by the constitution, I have a member of every state in the Federal Executive Council and I have to listen to them when I sit as chairman. That is the limit the constitution gave me”.
I’m beginning to get more curious and furious about this, it has been
going on for about four years now and people are not seeing anything
wrong about it or I say his members are brainwashed to the highest order
not to see anything wrong in this?
Someone should please call this Christ Embassy church to order, every
year they charge people coming to worship with them on the 31st night
the sum 1000 naira as a gate fee. In the previous years they sell
tickets before the show sorry I mean service, so all who wants to attend
the 31st night service must come with their tickets to enter the church
auditorium. hmmmm!!
But this year they decided to craft another means of collecting this
1000 naira, they made it compulsory for each attendees to purchase an
electronic gate pass for 1000naira.
My question is, are they going to dance to the melody of a superstar
singer or dance to sound of a superstar DJ? Even the huge yearly program
“The Experience” is free, someone should please call this Loveworld ministry aka Christ Embassy to order, reaping off our gullible citizens. Whats your say about this?
President Muhammadu Buhari hosted his first presidential media chat
on December 30, fielding questions about some of the key issues in the
country from the whereabouts of the Chibok girls, the Nigerian Army
/ Shiites clash and pressure to devalue the naira.
Buhari answering questions during his first media chat on December 30, Wednesday.
Buhari, who won the March 28 elections after campaigning on an
anti-corruption ticket, outlined progress made by his government in a
two-hour presidential media chat with a panel of journalists broadcast
live on state television.
The presidential media chat has remained a main platform through
which every past Nigerian president, beginning with the return of
democracy in 1999, has kept Nigerians up-to-date of government’s
activities.
Nigerians took to different social media reacting to the chat
yesterday. Most Nigerians said President Buhari answered truthfully and
want to give his administration a chance.
Nigerians react to #PMBMediaChat
I can validly say if PMB had accepted & participated in a presidential debate, he won’t have won this election. #PMBMediaChat
PMB doesn’t understand the Rule of Law issue involved in bails, in the power & the integrity of the court. Shaking my head #PMBMediaChat
— The Oracle (@AbdulMahmud1) December 30, 2015
Clear from this chat that President @Mbuhari considers ‘security’ a bigger challenge than, say, forex restrictions. #PMBMediaChat
Those who tried to paint PMB as an Islamic extremist before the election must feel really stupid after the Hijab ban statement #PMBMediaChat
— B. (@zebbook) December 30, 2015
#PresidentialMediaChat When it comes to people who r a threat to National Security, even the US flouts court orders to keep people detained.
Whether court grant Dasuki, Nnamdi Kanu and others bail or not, my
government would not obey the order of court: President Buhari.
— PDP Youth Frontier (@PDPNYF) December 31, 2015
Buhari is your god, you’re free to worship him.
He’s NOT mine. He’s my president, and I’m at liberty to assess his every
public outing.
Absolutely, President Buhari has told us that our judiciary do not
matter. May be he can take a step further by closing the courts.
— Peter Ayodele Fayose (@GovAyoFayose) December 30, 2015
Buhari’s sincerity & honesty are his biggest
assets. No attempt to trivialize serious matters like GEJ We have made
progress already folks
We can all laugh and cheer while Buhari insults the judiciary on national TV. But what goes around always comes around.
— The Nick of Time (@nicholasibekwe) December 30, 2015
1. Our super President asked Panelists what the
price of Petrol is. If GEJ is the definition of Cluelessness then Buhari
is the glossary.
Buhari looks angry. I like that. I want my President to be under pressure. He asked for this job. He will do it. I trust him.
— Dr. Dipo Awojide (@OgbeniDipo) December 30, 2015
I’ve never claimed Buhari was personally corrupt,
but whoever prepared that budget wanted to embezzle, big time. No other
explanation
President Muhammadu Buhari hosted his first presidential media chat yesterday, December 30.
In the two-hour “media chat” with three journalists broadcast live on
state television, Buhari answered questions on national issues from his
fight against corruption, the whereabouts of the Chibok girls, to the
recent Nigerian army-Shiites clash.
Buhari came to power after winning the March 28 presidential election, defeating the former president Goodluck Jonathan.
His party the All Progressives Congress promised Nigerians change and
since he came to power, he has been trying to bring all those who
looted the nation’s treasury to justice.
There has been much reaction to Buhari’s media chat which was held last night and many were impressed with the way the president truthfully answered the questions.
Femi Fani Kayode, the former minister of aviation, has also reacted and he is not impressed with President Buhari’s performance. READ ALSO: #PMBMediaChat: Top Eight Questions For President Buhari
According to him, the president had turned himself into a judge and jury.
Anyone that watched the Pres. media chat and that
still believes we are operating a democracy where the rule of law
prevails is insane.
Buhari has turned himself into a judge and jury and he has attempted
to justify the flouting of court orders by his security agencies: Evil.
— Olufemi Olu-Kayode (@realFFK) December 31, 2015
Reacting to his tweets, some supported him while others criticised him.
@realFFK General muhammadu buhari is really a dullard and a clown. He is lawless,arrogant and idiot.
@realFFK Respectfully sir, you’ve lost the right to criticize any government in this country….. Abeg! Park well!
— Rafa Sayito (@yemmiedonrules) December 31, 2015
@realFFK
I think you are the one that’s actually INSANE! Get the fuck out of
here and bury your head in shame. Alailojuti. Ole jati jati.
The chief of defence staff (CDS), Gen.
Gabriel Olonisakin has revealed the newest tactics employed by female
suicide bombers in Nigeria.
Chief of Defence Staff, Gabriel Olonisakin
Olonisakin who pledged the support of the armed forced towards the
fight against terrorism in Nigeria however warned members of the public
against the tactics of the female suicide bombers who “nowget easy access to citizen’s homes by requesting for water to perform ablution.”
He urged the populace to be suspicious of such strange females asking
for water for ablution or any other favours, maintaining that all those
intrigues are calculated ploy to gain access to designated areas to
detonate their bombs.
The Defence boss who disclosed this at the end of year 2015
conference with principal staff officers of the defence headquarters,
revealed a restructuring of the defence headquarters adding that the
move would ensure greater effectiveness of the armed forces.
According to Olonisakin, the restructuring was to inject new tactics,
operations and robust initiatives to attain efficiency and
professionalism in the major operations nationwide where rule of law and
human rights are strictly adhered to.
He stated the office of campaign planning, the coordinating centre
for Naval component, the theatre commander and deputy in Operation Lafiya Dole as well as Theatre Media office have been established to coordinate the operational activities of the Armed Forces.
He charged Nigerians on the need to remain security conscious
especially in public places such as mosques, churches, markets, motor
parks and other social gathering.
Meanwhile, mixed reactions have continued to trail the recent comments President Muhammadu Buhari regarding the ban the use of hijab by
females in Nigeria. The president during the maiden edition of the
presidential media chat on Wednesday, December 30 suggested that a ban
the use of hijab may be enforced if it becomes necessary.
The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra and founder of Radio
Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has apologised to President Muhammadu Buhari for
calling him a terrorist, evil and a paedophile in his radio broadcasts.
Kanu, who has been charged along with two others by the Federal
Government before a Federal High Court in Abuja on six counts of treason
and other ancillary offences, said he intended to write a private
letter to Buhari to express his apology to the President.
He also apologised to former President Goodluck Jonathan and Igbo elders for “some uncomplimentary things” he said about them.
The 48-year-old pro-Biafran agitation leader, who is, however,
unapologetic about his demand for a Republic of Biafra, has been in the
custody of the Department of State Services since his arrest in Lagos on
October 14, 2015.
He tendered the apology for his comment against Buhari and others in a statement which he made to the DSS on October 23.
The prosecution, in its summary of the case, alleged that in one of
the radio broadcasts by Kanu on August 1, 2015, he expressed his resolve
to actualise the Republic of Biafra and “cast aspersions on the person
and the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.
The statement read in part, “Reference to the President of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria as a terrorist, evil and a paedophile is
regrettable and uncalled for and for that, I unreservedly apologise and
will be doing so in a private letter to the President.
“Before PMB (President Muhammadu Buhari) there was the administration
of Goodluck Jonathan. I also said uncomplimentary things about him and
Igbo elders as well, which I now recognise should not have happened
because it is un-African to be rude or insolent to elders.
“All I was trying to do is to draw attention to the problems afflicting society and something done about them.”
Kanu, who described himself as a Nigerian and a British citizen, justified his agitation for a Biafra Republic.
He said IPOB’s secessionist agenda was informed by the “incessant
hardship, lack of holistic development in the socio-economic landscape
of Nigeria, lack of youth employment, corruption in high offices and
economic regression.”
He added that the agitation by IPOB, which, according to him, was
founded in London in 2012 by a group of people from the South-South and
South-East regions of the country, was in line with the United Nations
Charter on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ratified by African
countries, including Nigeria.
In contrast to the counts of managing and a$$isting in the management
of an unlawful society preferred against Kanu and two others, the Radio
Biafra founder stated that IPOB, which the prosecution described as
unlawful, was registered with the UN to pursue the rights of the people
of Biafra.
He stated, “I can confirm that I, Nnamdi Kanu, is the leader of
Indigenous People of Biafra worldwide as a legitimately and duly
registered body at the United Nations pursuing the rights of a specific
indigenous people, in this case, Biafra, to seek self determination
according to the said charter.
“The reason for the formation of the Indigenous People of Biafra is
to avail those referring to themselves as Biafrans the opportunity made
available as a result of the United Nations declaration to seek the
peaceful rebirth of Biafra in line with international law.”
Kanu, who is a son of a traditional ruler in Abia State, Sir I.O.
Kanu, said he operated Radio Biafra, whose programmes “are designed to
wake up the public from its slumber and address the issues of the time”
because of his belief in free speech and freedom of expression.
He explained that the intended Biafra Republic comprised Enugu,
Ebonyi, Abia, Imo, Anambra, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa and
Delta states as well the Igbanke part of Edo State; Igala part of Kogi
State and Idoma/Igede part of Edo State.
Apart from Kanu, one of the two other defendants in the six counts
filed by the Federal Government is a Field Maintenance Engineer, David
Nwawuisi, charged with the responsibility of maintaining MTN masts in
Enugu State.
The other defendant, Benjamin Madubugwu, was said to be living in the
Ubilisiuzo, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, where he
allegedly received custody of a container, housing transmitters, from
Kanu.
On December 23 during the accused persons’ appearance in court for
their scheduled arraignment, Kanu refused to take his plea due to what
he called his lack of confidence in the presiding judge, Justice Ahmed
Mohammed.
The judge promptly returned the case file to the Chief Judge of the
Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, for rea$$ignment to another
judge and the three accused persons were returned to the custody of the
Department of State Services.
The fresh charges were filed against the three men barely 24 hours
after Justice Adeniyi Ademola, in a ruling on Kanu’s bail application on
December 17, ordered his unconditional release from DSS custody having
been detained for about two months without any valid charges filed
against him.
The appeal by Governor Darius Ishaku of
Taraba state against the ruling of the election petitions tribunal
which sacked him will be decided on by a сourt of appeal in Abuja
sitting today, December 31.
If Aisha Alhassan becomes a governor, she will be the first female governor-elect in Nigeria.
The Justice
Danladi Abubakar-led tribunal had on November 7 sacked the Peoples
Democratic Party’s Ishaku and declared All Progressives Congress’ Aisha
Alhassan the winner.
But Governor Darius Ishaku, who
expressed confidence in holding on to his position, following the
possibility of going to the poll for a third time, filed an appeal asking the court to set it the judgement of the state tribunal aside.
Ahead of today’s judgment, on December 21, the Justice Abdul
Aboki-led five-man bench of the appeal court heard three appeals and a
cross-appeal by the APC.
A correspondent of The Punch reports on ground:
@MobilePunch#TribunalElection 2nd issue on alleged incompetence of the grounds of APC/Alhassan is resolved against PDP/Ishaku
Good afternoon everyone, the panel of judges to delivered the judgement of PDP’s appeal are seated now. @APCNigeria@APCUKingdom — Sen. Aisha Alhassan (@SenAishaAlhassn) December 31, 2015
Alhassan, who is fondly called Mama Taraba, is currently serving as
the minister of women affairs after being nominated and sworn in by
President Muhammadu Buhari. If she secures the Taraba governorship seat,
she would become Nigeria’s first female acting governor.
Some soldiers who were jailed for cowardice
against the Boko Haram insurgency may regain freedom if the federal
government heeds the call of the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) group to
reinstate them.
Members of the court martial sitting during the inauguration to try the accused soldiers
Recall that Nigerian Army during the Jonathan administration
arraigned about 71 soldiers on several count charges including criminal
conspiracy, conspiracy to commit mutiny, insubordinate behaviour and
false accusation.
Later, the death sentences by firing squad passed on 66 soldiers in
January and March 2015 by Court Martials was commuted to 10 years
imprisonment each.
According to Channels TV, the co-convener of the BBOG on Tuesday,
December 29 implored the attorney-general of the federation, (AGF) and
minister of justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami to recall the military men who
were jailed for cowardice.
Among other demands, the group also asked the government to publicise
the report on the mass abduction of the Chibok girls in April, 2014.
On his part, Abubakar Malami advised the group to make their request known to the federal government.
The attorney general also assured the group
that the federal government has set up a formidable legal team to take
on the war against corruption in courts across the country.
He said President Muhammadu Buhari was committed to bringing to
justice looters who mismanaged fund that could have helped to defeat
insurgency.
The naira has on Wednesday, December 30,
2015, strengthened against the dollar on the parallel market, the News
Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
This is coming at a time when Nigerian are groaning about the
increasing exchange rate of the dollar to the naira and as currency
speculators are expressing fears that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
might come up with policies that might be unfavourable to them in 2016.
Naira strenghtens against the Dollar at the parallel market.
In the new development, the naira gained N1 to appreciate about 0.4
per cent, to exchange at N226 to the dollar against the previous N227.
At the official inter-bank window however, the naira remained at N197
to the dollar just as available apex bank’s record puts the price of
crude oil at 36.09 dollars.
The currency speculators are now envisaging that the apex bank might
come up with policies that would affect them negatively in the new year.
Fact-checking is very important in the world of mass media as
anonymous sources always ready to leak unconfirmed facts, photos and
videos. In most cases, these fake news gather lots of public attention
and receive a refutation in the end.
Naij.com made a compilation of the most shocking Nigerian news that were debunked in 2015. 1. Nnamdi Kanu Apologises To President Buhari
The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the founder of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu has allegedly apologised
to President Muhammadu Buhari for referring to him (Buhari) as a
terrorist, evil and a paedophile in his radio broadcasts. The
apology was reportedly contained in a statement which the 48-year-old
pro-Biafran agitator made available to the DSS on October 23.
However, these information has been denied by Vincent Obetta, the lawyer of Nnamdi Kanu. According to the lawyer, the government was trying everything possible to destroy Kanu’s defence. 2. President Buhari Closes Down Aso Rock Villa Church
At the beginning of September, mass media was filled with reports
that President Buhari has allegedly ordered the closure and relocation
of the Aso Rock Villa Church. Former president Olusegun Obasanjo
allegedly built the Villa Chapel too close to the residence to enjoy
worship from the comfort of his bedroom. Thus President Buhari decided to relocate or even close the church as it doesn’t apply to his religion.
Nevertheless, Femi Adesina, the president’s special adviser on media
and publicity, denied the story, saying that the alleged closed church
is still open and functioning. Adesina also tweeted photos from service held on Sunday, September 6, 2015. 3. Godsday Orubebe Defects From PDP To APC
In May, former minister of Niger Delta affairs, Elder Godsday
Orubebe, has allegedly tweeted that “he has concluded plans to join his
folks in the APC to champion and sustain the movement for a better Niger
Delta in the new administration.” Orubebe, who attempted to disrupt the
collation of presidential election results, and confronted INEC
Chairman, Attahiru Jega, has denied these media reports.
Orubebe said his Twitter account has been hacked, adding that he is a core PDP member. 4. Owa Obokun of Ijeshaland Has Passed Away
After the royal family has been besieged with torrents of calls to
confirm if the king is alive or not, a son of Oba Gabriel Adekunle
Aromolaran in an exclusive chat with Naij.com expressed shock
and debunked the news.
On October 27, Prince Adeyemi Aromolaran confirmed that Oba Aromolaran is alive, hale and healthy. READ ALSO: #2015InReview: 16 Events That Shook Nigeria In 2015 5. Nollywood Actor Hanks Anuku Is HIV Positive
Shocking news emerged in February this year that actor Hanks Anuku
had HIV and allegedly intentionally infected his wife. However, the
actor in a phone chat with Naij.com confirmed that he is healthy and there is “no iota of truth” in these ridiculous rumors. 6. Buhari Traveled Abroad Over Poor Health
Muhammadu Buhari, who was a presidential candidate at that time, allegedly went to London to address his health problems in a hospital. However, the situation has been cleared out as the president said he went to the UK for a short working visit. He left Abuja on February 19 to visit key members of the Royal Institute of International Affair, Chatham House.
Who are those Lagosians that have the most impact on Nigeria
and its socio-economic life in the outgoing year? We bring you a review
of the personalities we consider as most influential in 2015.
However, you are free to disagree. 1. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu: Unarguably the most
influential Lagosian in 2015. The Jagaban led his brainchild party, the
All Progressives Congress to wrest power from the vicious grip of the
Peoples Democratic Party. He is unarguably the most influential person
of 2015.
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu also called the Jagaban is the nemesis of the Peoples Democratic Party
2. Babatunde Raji Fashola: Former Lagos governor
Babatunde Raji Fashola and now super minister of Power, Housing and
Works comes in second after the Jagaban as the most influential Lagosian
of 2015. No one will like to argue with the place of Fashola in
national politics today.
Super minister Fashola is unarguably a power broker Lagosian in Buhari’s government
3. Jimi Agbaje: The Peoples Democratic candidate in
the 2015 election gave the incumbent governor Akinwumi Ambode a run for
his money in the controversial election. He comes in third for his role
in the election.
Jimi Agbaje gave Akinwunmi Ambode a run for his money in the Lagos governorship election
4. Oba Akinolu of Lagos: Then enter the controversial Oba Akinolu who stirred ethnic tension with his Igbo rant.
Oba Akiola, the controversial Lagos monarch is also worth mentioning
5. Olamide: The Bariga born musician Olamide may not
be a politician, but he certainly has the most influence on Lagosians
in 2015. He concerts are sell out and he continues to dish out hits to
all music lovers.
The Bariga born Olamide is not a politician but he is certainly a crowd puller
Who are the Lagosians you consider the most influential in 2015?
Surgeons at a hospital in Taraz, southern
Kazakhstan were stunned after removing a hairball from an unnamed
11-year-old girl’s stomach during a surgical operation.
According to Daily Star, the youngster was taken to the hospital
after suffering from a severe stomach ache and loss of appetite and
could not as much as take in a glass of water.
One of the surgeons holding out the hairball after removing it from the unnamed 11-year-old girl’s stomach. Photo: Daily Star
The doctors could not ascertain the reason for the girl’s discomfort
until they carried out the surgical operation and made the bizarre
discovery from her stomach.
The huge ball of hair measured about 17cm across the stomach and
around 35cm into the girl’s bowel and the parents confessed to have
spotted their daughter chewing her long hair, but were unaware she was
swallowing it.
The hairball after being removed from the girl’s stomach. Photo: Daily Star
Medically, the condition is known as Rapunzel syndrome while the
Scientists, who called the hairball a ‘trichobezoar’ expressed
confidence that their patient would eat and drink again.
Nigerians on Wednesday, December 30 2015 reacted to the
reports of the lawyer of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of
Biafra (IPOB), Vincent Obetta that his client apologized to President
Muhammadu Buhari.
Nnamdi Kanu at the entrance of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on December 23, 2015.
The reports stated that Kanu apologised to President Buhari for
referring to him as a terrorist, evil and a paedophile in his radio
broadcasts.
The apology was reportedly contained in a statement which the
48-year-old pro-Biafran agitator made available to the DSS on October
23.
The statement read in parts: “Reference to the President of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria as a terrorist, evil and a paedophile is
regrettable and uncalled for and for that, I unreservedly apologise and
will be doing so in a private letter to the President. Before PMB
(President Buhari) there was the administration of Goodluck Jonathan. ” I also said uncomplimentary things about him and Igbo elders as
well, which I now recognise should not have happened because it is
un-African to be rude or insolent to elders. All I was trying to do is
to draw attention to the problems afflicting society and something done
about them.”
Read some reactions of Nigerians below.
All this arrogance from supporters and closest sympathisers, Nnamdi
Kanu will beg for mercy on national tv last last. Fav it. — Dr. Dipo
Awojide (@OgbeniDipo) December 27, 2015
Nnamdi Kanu dey beg ?? Are u kidding me ?? So .. He no dey destroy the “Zoo” again ?? Dem don flash am prison … Alakori 😀😀
Prince Kanu, a brother to the director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has called the report on an apology rendered to the Nigerian president by his brother “a blatant lie”.
The Radio Biafra director, Nnamdi Kanu
In his exclusive comment to Naij, Prince said the report is an attempt to call bluff all effort to get justice for his brother. “That is blatant lie, when and how? Where did the person see him to get the apology from?” Prince wondered.
He added that the articled as published by Punch is an attempt to sell their newspaper. “I will put it as Punch’s propaganda, a Lagos-Ibadan expressway propaganda to sell their papers,” he said.
The brother of the embattled Radio Biafra boss also noted that report on his brother’s apology was weird. “It is a very strange, a weird report, because I have been in
communication with my brother (Nnamdi Kanu) and as far as I am concerned
he did not grant any interview to anybody and never made a statement
apologizing to anybody. “So, only God knows where the junk is coming from,” Prince said.
Kanu’s lawyer Vincent Obetta has also debunked claims that his client made such confessions.
He said the report was a propaganda by the Nigerian government, an
indication that the government was trying everything possible to destroy
Kanu’s defence.
The apology, the Punch reported, was contained in a statement which
the 48-year-old pro-Biafra agitator made available to the DSS on October
23.
In the report, Kanu was said to have apologized to President Muhammadu Buhari for calling him ‘a pedophile’ among other things.
After being granted bail by a magistrate court and, subsequently, by a
federal high court, Kanu is currently being detained by the State
Security Service (SSS) over allegations of managing an unlawful society,
unlawful possession of firearms and assisting in the management of
unlawful society, all punishable under Section 27 (b) (1) of the
Firearms Act CAP F28 and Section 63 of the Criminal Code Act, CAP C38
Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.
Vincent Obetta, the lawyer of Nnamdi Kanu,
the director of Radio Biafra, has denied reports that his client
apologized to President Muhammadu Buhari.
Reports had surfaced that Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), apologised to President Buhari for referring to him as a terrorist, evil and a paedophile in his radio broadcasts.
The apology was reportedly contained in a statement which the
48-year-old pro-Biafran agitator made available to the DSS on October
23.
Nnamdi Kanu with mother, Ugoeze Nnenne, and siblings.
Speaking on Wednesday, December 30, Obetta said it was impossible that Kanu tendered an apology, The Cable reports.
According to him, the report was an indication that the government was trying everything possible to destroy Kanu’s defence.
“The government is using every instrument to puncture what we are doing,” he said.
Kanu has been in the Department of State Services (DSS) detention over charges of treason and other ancillary offences.
A chief magistrates court sitting in Wuse zone 2, Abuja, had earlier
discharged him on all counts of criminal conspiracy and membership of an
unlawful society brought against him by the federal government.
During his arraignment at a federal high court in Abuja on December 23, Kanu had made an objection,
saying he had no confidence in the court to give an order and have the
authorities follow it, asking the court to leave him in detention.
In his ruling, Justice Ahmed Mohammed said he sees nothing wrong in
the defendant’s objection. He also excused himself from the case against
Kanu.
You aren’t in the mood for s*x some nights. Expectedly, you blame
stress, fatigue, a lack of sleep, but the secret behind your libido’s
loss is perhaps hidden in your plate of food.
Since both testosterone and oestrogen play a critical role in the
bodies of men and women, an imbalance can either amp up or diminish your
s*x drive. Research shows that certain foods can significantly impact
your hormonal levels. So, look before you eat.
Here are six foods you should avoid if you want the libido to simmer:
1. Alcohol
According to researchers, alcohol is a downer and can affect a man’s
ability to maintain his erection. Since it affects both s.exes, women,
you too need to take it slow. While all alcohol affects the liver’s
ability to get rid of excess oestrogen, beer is rich in phytoestrogens.
Its plant-derived oestrogen directly affects fertility.
2. Sugar
High levels of sugar in your bloodstream can adversely affect the
gene that controls your se.x hormones. Simple sugars, such as glucose
and fructose, are metabolised in your liver and the excess fat gets
stored as lipids. Excess fat synthesis deactivates your shbg (s.ex
hormone binding globulin) gene, causing your levels of shbg protein to
drop dramatically, and it is this shbg protein that controls your
testosterone and oestrogen levels.
3. Plastic bottles
Throw away that spare water bottle you keep at work. It’s not the
water, but the plastic which is the problem. Most plastic food
containers and water bottles contain bisphenol a (bpa), a chemical
component that is reported to have a negative impact on fertility in
both men and women.
4. Coffee
Coffee as we all know wires up the body system and make you feels
alert. But if you’re someone who feels edgy or apprehensive after
drinking coffee, the caffeine could have a direct impact on the time in
bed with your partner. Increased anxiety can often lower your se.x
drive.
5. Spicy foods
Heavily scented or spiced foods have the potential to change the way
your vagina smells and tastes. This list of food and beverages also has
on it coffee, onions, garlic and strong spices. Try and include more
whole grains, fresh fruits and veggies in your diet.
6. Chocolate
Dark chocolate has often been perceived as a stimulant and is said to
induce feelings of love and affection. But there are types of
chocolates that are known to adversely affect and reduce testosterone
levels. Be careful with what you choose to eat. Try always opting for
darker chocolates.
Mavin Firstlady “Tiwa Savage” Shared this lovely photo and caption; “Had
the day off so I spent it all with my little angel. Watching him sleep
off in my arms….priceless moments #MomsKnowBest”
The year 2015 was somewhat slow in terms of music from A-list artistes in Nigeria but things picked up in the later part of the year and fans were blessed with pristine sounds and quality vocals from a range of artistes.
We take a look at some of the songs that cut across the major demographics of the nation, leaving a lasting impression in terms of airplay, awards and international renown.
This said, we present you 15 biggest Nigerian songs that defined 2015 and dominated mainstream media in no particular order: 1. Godwin by Korede Bello
In May, 2015, the jerry curl Mavin singer performed at the inauguration dinner for Nigeria’s newly sworn in President, Muhammadu Buhari and it was obvious many more feats would follow.
From there, Godwin became the unofficial sound of campaign rallies from Lagos to Lokoja and even beyond there. Add wedding receptions to that.
The song cut across all social strata and events. Quite remarkable, amazing even, because Korede’s repertoire isn’t abundant yet. His label boss and legendary producer Don Jazzy had his signature “tungba” touch all over the song and turned an otherwise cheesy tune into a winner, making it easily the song of the year. – Jide Taiwo
2. Ojuelegba by Wizkid
The most obvious thing about Wizkid in 2015 is the transition he is making from ‘boy’ to ‘man’, and it is evident in his general demeanour. Against this back drop we look at Ojuelegba and conclude (even though a bit too early) that he just might have made what would go down as the biggest song of his career in Ojuelegba.
Embracing an afrobeat tinge he found since Jaiye Jaiye, he fuses it with a slight sample of Snoop Doggy Dogg and Dr. Dre’s 1992 classic Nuthin’ But A G Thang and as a result it got even Drake interested in Nigerian music. That’s major! – Jide Taiwo
3. Jagaban by YCee
‘New kid on the block’ YCee stepped into the scene in 2015 and stole some major buzz from an otherwise slow year, with a song that many did not see coming. He dropped the infectious tune produced by D Will and enlisted Olamide on a remix joint to make it all the more a galactic piece of work. But as they say, you can’t improve on perfection.
Jagaban (though heavily assisted by the Olamide collaboration) was already on its way to becoming one of the most rotated, mainstream song of the year and the fact that it was served by a ‘newbie’ doesn’t make it any less stellar. – Henry Igwe
4. Lagos Boys by Olamide
Olamide is not new to us in terms and view of making hit records. And we have come to love him for this, especially for his consistency and drive in an age where he could easily have been swept under the tide owing to complacency.
Lagos Boys produced by Pheelz is easily a jam any day, any time. It portrays the suave lifestyle of the Lagos boy in all his charm and dashing confidence.
The beats are catchy and the chorus a driving force behind the many frenzied displays in many a Lagos party. Above all, the song is a victory song of sorts for the youths of this day, it mirrors them in sheer ecstasy as they celebrate their various degrees of success and achievements through the course of the year. – Henry Igwe
5. Fans Mi by Davido featuring Meek Mill
Davido could at this point drop his Omo Baba Olowo moniker because daddy’s billions might have helped but homeboy has shown consistently over the years that he is no ‘Daddy’s Boy’.
No year has gone by since 2012 that Davido has not delivered a hit track or two and, truth be told, he deserves every accolade that comes his way.
His collaboration with Meek Mill is quite remarkable because while ‘Mr. Minaj’ is not that platinum-selling superstar, his relationship with Rick Ross and MMG puts him in a network of friends any artiste will be happy to have.
Davido holds his own well with the artiste and it is also noteworthy that he and Meek actually did sit down (or stand in the studio – as the case may be) to put together an original song, not the latter fortuitously jumping on a Davido beat.
It took a year from when he announced that they were working together to when the song was actually released. And of course the song is not exactly likely to win any prizes for depth and lyricism, Davido scores an A for effort, hustle and an ability to deliver commercially successful songs over time. – Jide Taiwo
6. Bobo by Olamide
Bobo is built around Olamide’s understanding of Nigerian pop culture and street lingo and it is truly thrilling listening to the beats interweave with the rhythm and lazy lyrics on the song.
He shines a little light on his rough pasts and touches on his present situation with a bit of a smug feel and assurance.
Young John does remarkably on the song, as well as other YBNL songs from 2015, and deserves all the praise for helping shape a great year musically in terms of music production. – Henry Igwe
7. High Notes by Banky W
Thankfully, Wizkid’s departure will not be the only thing notable about EME Records in 2015. Mr. Banky reached into his bag of tricks and pulled out a melody that would pique R Kelly’s interest. And just like the Pied Piper of R&B, he shows off his musical ambidexterity on this track by crooning in high notes (no pun intended) and spitting rhymes that many a rapper will covet.
And like he said on the song Bad Guy P Remix, he ‘plays for the team he coaches’ and will obviously have to do so for much longer. This is true as Shaydee Boi is definitely no replacement for Wizkid and with the team needing a ‘marquee player’, Banky W has no choice but to step in as that player. – Jide Taiwo
8. Reggae Blues by Harrysong (featuring KCee, Olamide, Iyanya and Orezi)
This song doesn’t need much defining. Four of Nigeria’s biggest Afro pop names came together on it with a mix of humour, musicianship and flair and made an instant hit off Dr Amir’s production.
The local drums and percussions garnished the song in different ways, making a sizzling piece off what is otherwise a laid back song. It shone across major parts of the nation especially in the closing months of the year.
Harrysong and KCee have formed a super fusion and their music partnership is great. But critics fear that the 5 Star music company is based on little substance and originality, save for Harry’s inputs.
The music literati in Nigeria knows better than to take a group seriously after a failed Skiibii PR stunt and the many similarities in Ebaeno and Jantamanta by Mavins Records, among other things.
But, hey, Reggae Blues was a hit song in 2015 and nothing short of it. – Henry Igwe
9. King Kong by Vector featuring Phyno, Reminisce, Classiq and Uzi
Let’s be real, hip hop in Nigeria has damn near become what Fuji became in the 90’s – weak! And this is far from what the art form really is.
Fuji’s salvation arrived when practitioners fused a little bit of Juju and highlife into it to make it more appealing. In the same vein, Nigerian rappers have gone pop, which is not necessarily a bad thing, because the audience wants what it wants. And this is why it is refreshing when the occasional rapper remembers his roots and makes a proper rap song.
The remix of King Kong features some of the ‘dopest’ lyricists right now and is a reminder to others to get back to rapping because the singing is getting out of hand!
This is pretty much a clarion call to Ice Prince, Classiq and the likes to do what they ought to be doing.
In sum, everything about King Kong is hip hop! From the beats to its ‘braggadocious’ theme and lyrics, it reminds us anew of what rappers worldwide are known for. Good joint. – Jide Taiwo
10. Ashimapeyin by Wande Coal
Wande Coal’s Wanted album might have met mixed reviews here and there and the reasons are obvious – the expectations were too high.
Be that as it may, the criticisms take nothing away from Wande’s musical strength and vocal lustre. We say this because on Ashimapeyin the man digs deep inside and brings forth pure magic and nothing short. Magic!
He came through on the street-themed anthem, singing in his trademark Yoruba dialect, a signal of his reemergence in the saturated Nigerian music industry. The chorus is sweet like sugar cane especially as he employs innuendos here and there, the verses are sharp and gritty like window panes, and overall the song is coloured with many markings of Afro pop class and ingenuity. – Henry Igwe
11. Efejoku by Lil Kesh (featuring Viktoh)
Lil Kesh is the closest competition to Olamide today as far as that Yoruba rap-Afro pop connect in Nigerian music is concerned.
Reminisce is a more lyrically-balanced artiste than both YBNL stars, probably more balanced than both of them put together. But what he lacks in youthful appeal and Afro pop influence these two have, almost in abundance. And here is where the difference lies.
Efejoku is straight up appealing, almost an instant hit upon first listen. Kesh is in another world altogether, a world wherein his understanding of the market demands in Nigeria leaves him almost unmatched. To cap this, he has a brilliant alignment with Young John’s productions so that their outputs continue to make miracles like one walking on water.
It is a compelling piece of work especially in terms of production, commercial viability, street appeal and originality. – Henry Igwe
12. Right Now by Seyi Shay
Seyi has been underrated for a while, and it’s ironic because she arguably has a more rounded experience of the music industry – having been on a major MTV show while her contemporaries here were struggling to circulate their CDs to Music Africa and whatnot.
It shows that you need more than Matthew Knowles’ tutelage to succeed musically.
Nevertheless since she got back to Nigeria few years ago, she has been making decent efforts and has made a handful of good songs. 2015 however proved to be her year, as she dropped the much-anticipated debut album and signed on to Island Records UK, an arm of Universal Music Group.
Right Now is the second single off that album and by far the best. She does well on the song and skillfully marries it with the tastes of her local audience base which is what stands out the song. – Jide Taiwo
13. Tesojue by Reminisce
The Baba Hafusa album is a fiery, genre-busting album but Reminisce and his camp didn’t do enough to keep the fans fixed on it for long. It came and went away too quickly in a relatively slow year musically, an indication that his PR game is weak – perhaps nonexistent.
It took Billboard’s recognition in May, 2015 for Reminisce to spread into certain playlists not because the project was weak but more as a result of publicity issues. No mainstream buzz per se, near zero social media influence and so on.
The album was cross-hatched by mostly blurry, lewd shadings of sex and the female behind. Other times, it is outright x-rated lyricism on many songs off it but it deserves more renown than it got.
That said, Tesojue is lit! The producer Jospo deserves all the accolade there is for such a song. There are some Afro pop elements here and there, some hip hop injections, but overall a feel good jam for the streets and frenzied social gatherings. – Henry Igwe
14. Shake Body by Skales
Since leaving EME Records the rapper has managed to take his career to the next level with the release of an album and a number of hit songs, perfect response to naysayers.
Shake Body is a song that many would remember for its energy and drive, especially as it helped launch Skales on that giant podium of light and acclaim.
Songs like Ijo Ayo featuring Olamide and Always featuring Davido from his Man Of The Year album are hit records by any standard, but Shake Body has to be the best from the young man all year in terms of mainstream buzz and show-stopping elements. – Henry Igwe
15. Orente by Adekunle Gold
Adekunle Gold first got involved in music as a graphic artist who used to design CD jackets among other artistic endeavours. But he got really popular two years ago when his photoshop spoofs with celebrities started making the rounds.
He’s put himself into photos with Nicki Minaj, Beyonce and Barak Obama, to name a few. It made for a good laugh and that might have been it.
But in 2014 he released Sade and to everybody’s surprise it was actually a good song. He leans on a ‘folksong-y’ melody and sounds like nobody else at present.
His follow up Orente proves that (maybe) the dude actually does have workable talent.
Olamide thinks so too because he signed him up to his YBNL ensemble, helping the young man finish strongly for the year as he builds up for a greater 2016. – Jide Taiwo
The award-winning music video director known for his song
“komole” feat Vector in 2011 is a business administration graduate from
University of Ilorin. Akin Alabi, a graphic designer came into limelight
in 2005 with the music video of Big Bamo. He bares his mind to Esther
Odili on his life, career, how to be a good video director and his
latest Single “yapa” (Abundance) by TIV. How was it like Growing up?
Growing up was fun. I attended a boarding secondary school where I
got so much memorable experiences. I did my primary school education at
Lara Day Nursery and Primary School, Ikeja. My secondary school was at
Federal Government College (FGC) Idoani, Ondo state while I got my first
degree in business administration at university of Ilorin, kwara state.
My parents also encouraged me a lot when they discovered my artistic
inclinations. So I would say I enjoyed my growing up days. I was able to
try my hands on a lot of things while growing up. What inspired your interest in video directing?
I chose video directing after trying my hands on graphics
designing, music production and web designing. I made the switch to
video
production around 2003/2004 because I thought it was one job that combined both visual and sound together.
What skills are required in video directing?
You need to be artistic and creative. Also have a good understanding
of how to communicate things effectively using visual images. What inspires your works?
Other creative works inspire me. Creative environment and nature inspires me too. How do you combine your career your roles as a cinematographer, business administrator, artist, songwriter and entrepreneur?
I have been managing all this roles ever since I was in university
so it’s not really a big issue to me. While in d university, I was also
doing business as a graphic designer. I published a book titled
the pursuit of destiny and I also released an album. I also managed a
library club called Daniels club. Which of the professions made you famous?
Video directing brought me fame. My first single titled komole
featuring Vector in 2011 also gave me another level of fame so to speak. Can you share your experience and the limitations during your first video?
My first video was shot on a budget of N25,000. I remember using the
Sony pd170 to shoot it with a fisheye lens. Shoot it on the street and
it was a memorable experience. No challenges whatsoever. What do you think is your selling point?
I understand music well because I am a musician too. My pictures
and images are remarkably natural looking and also spectacular in
simplicity. How do you cope with competition in the industry?
Competition is good for everyone. It makes you push yourself the more. I love competition. Which is more tasking and your most preferred choice, photography,songwriting or video directing?
Video directing is more tasking because it involves lot of different
departments and stages. Songwriting and music production is easier for
me because I can handle it alone. What would you consider before directing a music video?
The quality of the song. Does it speak to me first? I also consider the money too. How well do you relate with your colleagues in the industry?
We relate together very well especially on social media because we don’t get to see physically often. Would you say you’ve achieved success in your career?
Success is a personal journey for me and it’s in different stages. I am a success but am not done succeeding. What are the challenges so far?
I don’t see challenges again, I see opportunities. The only challenge maybe I will say is I wish I could slow down time. Interesting things your fans don’t know about you?
I am a reserved person. I don’t like talking much except I have
something important to say. I used to write a lot when I was younger. Your favourite videos?
My favorite video would include No be God by Gino, Save me by GT DA guitar man.
How would you describe your songs, secular or gospel?
Aha. I think it’s a blend of both.
Video directing in Nigeria, in the past and its present state, has there been any improvement, and what are the challenges?
There has been great improvement. Now we have all the latest
video equipment in Nigeria. Now we have access to good locations. Now we
have better budget to work with. Assessment of Nollywood in Nigeria?
Nollywood is a product of the never-say-never spirit of the Nigerian.
We made use of what was available then to tell our own stories our own
way but I think its time for Nollywood to take it to the next level
which I think they have started doing already How do cope with the demands of your job and your family life?
My family and my job actually blend together. My wife and I work from
the same office. My children are on set with me sometimes too. Your special moments and your most embarrassing moment?
My special moment was when I discovered my music was getting massive
acceptance. It was a special thing for me that I could still make
relevant music after leaving it for like 7 years. The song Komole, what inspired it?
The beat. I produced the beat for fun and I just freestyle the komole
chorus on it. I saw that the people around me loved it and I just
decided to record it in my house. I also wanted to create a dance song
that had inspiring content that anyone could listen too. Can you talk about your new single?
We just released the video for our new single, “Yapa(Abundance)”, and it definitely wowed everyone.
The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra and founder of Radio
Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has apologised to President Muhammadu Buhari for
calling him a terrorist, evil and a paedophile in his radio broadcasts.
