Monday, 26 January 2015

Insurgents in Adamawa state killing, maiming and destroying

BREAKING NEWS: The blood thirsy insurgents are at it again, this time, somewhere around Adamawa state killing, maiming and destroying
Members of the Boko Haram Islamist sect are currently attacking Michika, Michika local government area of Adamawa state, “killing people and burning houses”....
thecable.ng

Kehinde Bankole solicits votes as AMVCA'S Best Actress




Tayo olanipekun
As the race is now on for various categories in the prestigious Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) 2015, one of the nominated actresses in the contest, Kehinde Bankole, has been urging fans and friends to vote for her.
The organisers of the event recently released the full list of nominees for the year in the event billed to take place on March 7, 2015, to the delight of the teeming fans of the talented thespian, who featured in Kunle Afolyan's movie, October 1.
 Bankole is nominated in the category of Best Actress Drama and is thus urging her fans to vote for her through this link: http://amvca2015 awards.dstv.com/Category/525/Nominee/4905.
According to her, voters will have to scroll down to register a connect Id once they get into the website and they can vote for as much as 100 times.
Voting lines are currently open and will close on the February 28, 2015.




2015 Playwright Confab holds in Kwara State





The second Playwrights’ Confab, which brings together playwrights from all over the country, has been scheduled for the first weekend of March 2015 (Friday 6th to Sunday 8th).
Scheduled to hold in Kwara State Council for Arts and Culture, Ilorin, Kwara State, The host is Kwara State University Malete, Ilorin, Kwara State, the Chief Host is the Vice Chancellor, KWASU, Prof AbdulRasheed Na’Allah while the Convener is the distinguished Prof Femi Osofisan.
The Confab, according to a statement made available to Newswatch Times, is a follow-up to the first one convened by  Prof Osofisan in 2013 at the Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, which brought together a staggering number of 136 participants, and exposed the enormous amount of work going on in this area, but which was previously unknown.
“In line with the decision taken at that meeting to make the Confab a biennial affair, we are happy to inform you that the Kwara State University in Malete, Ilorin, Kwara State, has kindly accepted to host this second one,” the statement read.
The confab organisers have advised interested participants to send their letters via e-mail to:  either ‘abiola-fasoranti@kwasu.edu.ng’ or ‘biolapearl@yahoo.com
and copy to: ‘okinbalaunko@yahoo.com’ in order for the organizers to make adequate arrangements for participants’ comfort..
In the same vein, the confab organizer hinted that a pre-confab workshop (5-day playwriting workshop) would hold from March 4 to March 8, 2015 to precede and lead to the confab. “This is exclusively for young and aspiring playwrights, and attendance is therefore totally free-of-charge, including boarding and feeding. Participants will arrive on Sunday March 1st and depart on March 8th.
“The number of places available unfortunately has to be limited. Therefore all intending participants at the workshop are to submit a short excerpt, of not more than two pages, from a play in English that they themselves have written (but not necessarily published) to the same addresses above. The deadline for the submission is February 15, 2015. Those selected for the workshop will be notified latest by February 20, 2015.”


Applications open for new BBC award for future stars of African journalism




Organised in honour of presenter Komla Dumor, who passed away a year ago, aged 41and encourage future stars of African journalism, the BBC has launched the BBC World News Komla Dumor Award.
Applications commenced from January 19, 2015 and will be open until 23.59GMT Monday February 2, 2015.
According to a statement by BBC, Komla was an exceptional Ghanaian broadcaster who in his short life made an extraordinary impact – in Ghana, in Africa and across the world – on Joy FM and at the BBC. Through his tenacious journalism and compelling storytelling, he worked tirelessly to bring a more sophisticated African narrative to the world. The BBC is committed to continuing Komla’s legacy.
The statement further revealed that: “The BBC World News Komla Dumor Award is now open for applications and will be given to an outstanding individual living and working in Africa, who combines strong journalism skills and an exceptional talent in telling African stories, with the ambition and potential to become a star of the future.
“The winner will be awarded the opportunity to gain skills and experience, working with teams across BBC News during a three month placement in London. They will have the chance to broadcast on TV, Radio and Online to the BBC’s audiences of 265 million across the world.”
Eulogising the late broadcaster, BBC Africa Editor, Solomon Mugera, said: “Komla epitomised a new Africa; youthful, dynamic and enterprising. With his infectious enthusiasm, beaming smile and engaging personality he made the stories of a new Africa, good and bad, difficult to ignore. The BBC is committed to continuing Komla’s dedication to this continent with this award. We are searching for a rising star who displays exceptional talent, someone who embodies the spirit of Komla.”
For more information on how to apply, entry criteria, and terms and conditions visit bbc.com/komladumor.
The BBC World News Komla Dumor Award is supported by Standard Char

Nigerian Make-over Show organiser, Ladon, speaks on his show


Ladon

Prominent male make-up artist, Ladon, in this encounter with ADA DIKE, among other issues speaks on why he chose make-up business which is females dominated business as his career.
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Ladi Munis, otherwise known as Ladon, is a male make-up artist and also the Creative Director of the Nigerian Make-over Show, an annual event where different make-up artists gather to showcase their creativity and styles.
Asked why he chose make-up business and fit into such a craft, which is supposed to be ladies’ vocation, he laughed and said: “Of course I know that. I have been in this make-up business for a long time due to the passion I have for it and it is my profession. Shortly after I completed my university education, I realised that I could do well in it and I am glad that I followed my heart,” he explained.
He has hosted many editions of the Nigerian Make-over Show that heralded the appearance of great names in Nigeria’s make-up industry. Ladon, in one of the editions in 2010 named the theme of the show, ‘Roots’ as it aimed to celebrate Nigeria at 50.
That year’s show was the premium make-over show in which artists from many parts of the country participated to showcase indigenous creativity and style.
Ladon stated that: “The Nigerian Make-over Show in the last years has created both national and international platforms for make-up artists to come together and unite as a body. The idea is to give people proper orientation about make-up and to show the world about the rich cultures in Nigeria.
“In the past, some villagers used to apply charcoal on their faces which metamorphosed to today’s mascara or eye-liner. Some of them used palm kernel oil as a lip-liner and cream, that is why I urged some make-up artists during my show to use at least one local product to make people up.”
Speaking further he said: “We normally bring some make-up artists from outside Nigeria to our shows and top Nigerian make-up artists have also participated in our show and they include: Eni Lise, Modela, Vzoren and Nelas, among others.”
So what is the concept of the make-over show you normally organise? He was asked: “It is geared towards empowering the youth to be self-reliant. Skill acquisition is important that is why we should work and appreciate whatever talent we have.
“Furthermore, the idea is to give people proper orientation about make-up business,” he added.
He hinted how the annual make-up shows he normally organises have fared by saying that: “It has been awesome. Notable make-up artists like Sharon (Anita Baker and Lionel Richie’s make-up artist from Washington), Paccion, a make-up artist from Paris, Tara, Bunmi of Unveil and some other make-up artists have participated in the show.
According to him,We use the show to celebrate the make-up artists. When we are talking of movie production a make-up artist goes a long way in beautifying actors. Also, in fashion and beauty shows, make-up artists play vital roles there, so the show helps to bring make-up artists to a union that is up to standard. With my first degree and Master’s in Business Administration (MBA), I can work somewhere else, but this is what I love so much, that is why I am doing it.”
On the kind of make-up products he normally uses at the shows, he maintained that all the make-up artists normally use their own products.  “Tara normally use her Orekelewa make-up products, Paccion from Paris brings her Forever make-up. As long as they have their own brand, they are allowed to use their products just to showcase it too.”
He believed that his last show in 2014 was more successful. “Certainly.  It was better than the former editions because we improved on so many things. Moreover, we had more make-up artists than the previous shows.
“We also used popular venue unlike the previous one in which we used open venue and all the invited guests were well taken care of.
“To spice up one of our shows in 2010, we had seminar and workshop where invited lecturers from the University of Ife, where I did my MBA spoke on small-scale business. Also, there were a lot of musicians and comedians that thrilled the audience at the last event.”
In terms of the challenges he has been facing in hosting his shows, he mentioned getting sponsors as the major challenge. “This is because make-up was not really what we do in Nigeria, but now people are exposed to it and people want to invest in what they know very well. We need sponsors in order to take our business to a greater height. We have been talking to corporate bodies and they promised to come in to assist us.”
Doing a business that attracts many ladies would definitely mean that he has many female admirers, he said he handles them maturely and added that, “initially, my woman used to be jealous before I convinced her that I don’t mix business with pleasure. I normally concentrate on my job without having any romantic feelings for my female customers. The job of a make-up artist requires adequate concentration to avoid making mistakes that is why I don’t joke with it,” he emphasised.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry meets with Nigeria’s President Jonathan

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry with Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan. Kerry arrived Lagos, Nigeria earlier today to hold talks with President Jonathan over his nation’s preparedness to undertake an election challenge a few weeks away.
Source: http://www.guardiannewsusa.com/home.html

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Girl Stages Her Own Kidnap

Belynda Bosa and George Itietie, who were arrested in Port Harcourt after they had received the sum of N500,000 from the distraught family, are currently being detained by Delta Police Comman.Bosa, a 300 level student, had told police officers in her confession that she did what she did out of love and her desire to marry Itietie but now, it seems all her plans for her future has hit the rocks as her parents have vowed never to have anything to do with her including her educational pursuit or the man she was so smitten with love, meaning that they will not support any marriage plans between them.
They implored the police to treat her and Itietie as criminals.

Bosa, crying profusely when her parents visited the police station, said:

"I regret getting involved in this crime. Please forgive me, daddy and mummy! I’m sorry for the stress I made you go through! George and I love each other. We decided to get married but had no money to plan the wedding.

I decided to offer myself to be kidnapped by George so that we could extort money from my parents for the wedding. If I’m given the chance, I’ll still marry George. But we didn’t envisage that it would go this way. I can’t just explain what came over me. I don’t know why I embarked on this shameful act.

I’ve embarrassed my parents and soiled my family name for the sake of love.

Can somebody please help me beg them to forgive me?

"But her parents would have none of her tears and pleas, saying she was only shedding crocodile tears.

On his part, Itietie did not believe that any plans for marriage between them would work anymore.

"Even if Belynda’s parents allow me to marry her, will they be able to obliterate the stigma from their hearts?

 

FG to Ban Porn Websites


The National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.), says the Federal Government is planning to introduce a law that will ban and block all porn websites in the country.
He stated this at the closing ceremony of a three-day workshop on use of social media organised for Islamic preachers, Imams and youths in Kaduna on Sunday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop, which was organised by the national body of Izalatil Bid’a Wa’iqamatis Sunna (JIBWIS), aimed at correcting anomalies in the use of social media.
Dasuki, who was represented by the Minister of Special Duties, Alhaji Kabiru Turaki, said: “Government is planning to ban and block websites that inculcate negative attitudes in our children but we need a law to support such move.

Burial arrangements for Late Muna Obiekwe.

.. Candle nite; Feb 1st 2015,...Meeting point @Marshall roundabout by 4pm...Procession frm there to ;Ojez stadium..Dress code;(white) but Tshirts wl be provided @ the Venue...Burial; 3rd February,
Venue;Umudioka in Anambra state...Ibinabo Fiberesima AGN President
Muna

BADOO LOVE TURNED SOUR


•Lady who killed lover says ‘There was sex; no money, and I became angry’
THOUGH many people have used the social network to connect positively, the story of Cynthia Osokogwu who was killed in Lagos State by her Facebook friend in July 2012 sent shivers down the spine of everyone who heard the sad story.
But it seems as if some users of social networks are yet to grasp the lessons of their usage, as another young man recently fell victim when a lady he connected with on Badoo network murdered him in cold blood over what she tagged “unfulfilled promises.”
The life of a young man, Charles Bankole Orisanya from Akoko in Ondo State, who was working with Halliburton in Rivers State ended sadly and brutally on September 19, 2014 when his 26-year-old girlfriend, Loretta Odikagbo, snuffed life out of him. She was however apprehended almost three months after, precisely December 9, 2014 after a painstaking investigation by the Homicide Section of the Rivers State Police Command.
Senior police officers and detectives who investigated the case told Crime Reports that the method of killing was an uncommon one in Nigeria, as Miss Odikagbo, popularly called Loretta, and two accomplices allegedly tapered late Orisanya’s mouth, hands and legs before covering his head with a polythene bag. Loretta was said to have sat on the deceased’s head while one of the accomplices, Ime Francis Moses Jnr., held his neck until he became lifeless.
According to information gathered by Crime Reports, Loretta Odikagbo, a student of Rivers State Polytechnic, Bori, met Orisanya on Badoo network and they started dating online. They connected physically and the relationship blossomed over the next months. Along the line, Loretta fell out of love with her lover. And the reason she gave was that her lover boy was not fulfilling his promises. The deceased, who was in his early 30s, was a civil engineer and a staff of Halliburton Company at Trans-Amadi area of Port Harcourt, it was learnt.
On September 19, 2014, the lover invited the lady to his house but she did not come alone. Crime Reports learnt that she hired two men to go with her and hid them under the staircase of the lover’s residence.
In order not to arouse any suspicion, Loretta released herself totally to her lover and engaged in a passionate love making session with him. After the man climaxed, he rolled off and got ready for sleep. The lady was said to have quietly opened the door to let the two accomplices in. Pointing a gun-like object at Bankole, Loretta and the boys used a rope and masking tape to tie his hands and legs.
Satisfied that she had dealt with her lover, Loretta left for an Automated Teller Machine to collect all the cash in Bankole’s account. Of course, she had earlier collected the secret pin from him under duress. Not done, the lady was said to have returned and had gone to her lover’s kitchen to pick a polythene bag to cover his head after taping his mouth, and sat on his head. One of the accomplices, Moses, held the man’s neck until he gave up the ghost. The two men also took their victim’s shirts, shoes and other personal items while Loretta went for his LG phone and laptop.
When the case was reported at a police station, it was learnt that there was no single clue that could be used to trail the killers. But when the case was transferred to Department of Criminal Investigation, Rivers State Police Command, the crack detectives investigating the case were able to resolve the mystery as they worked on an item picked from the scene crime. This eventually led to Loretta’s arrest and, subsequently, Moses’, while the third suspect is still at large.
In an interview with Loretta, she claimed that she decided to deal with late Orisanya because he was not fulfilling all his promises to her. Her narration went thus: “I am from Rumuomasi, Obio/Akpor Local Government area of Rivers State. I was born on May 2, 1988. I hold a Diploma in Mass Communication and was to resume for my HND in January 2015 but I was arrested in December 2014.
“I asked a friend, Moses to help harass a man who was my boyfriend but is now deceased. I met Bankole (Orisanya) through a social network called Badoo in January 2014 and we got intimate online since he was at the rig offshore when we met. He was there for two months and we became internet lovers. We were chatting and exchanging pictures. When he came back, he invited me over and we started dating.
“The basis of it all was money. When I met him, it was all promises upon promises. Along the line, the sex was going on and the money was not coming. He would give me N10,000, N15,000 but that was not what I expected from him. Also when we first met, to me, he was a single man but along the line, I discovered he was married.
“We talked about it but he didn’t want the affair to end. He said that it would not be a problem and he could handle it. But I only continued with him because I was waiting for the promises to be fulfilled. I was not interested in marriage to him. We had a bit of misunderstanding concerning money and our relationship. I asked my friend who is also my in-law to help me so that I could get the money forcefully from Bankole.
“Along the line, I could not control my anger so I asked my in-law to come help harass him to get what I could get from him and move on with my life.
“On a particular night, he called me and I went to his place with my in-law and one other guy. I felt it was an opportunity to deal with him. We went to his residence and I managed to sneak the two men into the compound. I hid them under the stairs. I went in to Bankole and we made love. After we were done, I left him in the bedroom and went to the kitchen as if I wanted to drink water, and let the guys in. I made it look like both of us were being robbed. We met Bankole in the sitting room; probably trying to know what kept me away for long.
“There was no light. I didn’t see any gun. My in-law was holding a tape while the other guy held a torch and something that looked like a gun. Bankole and I went on our knees and the guys were threatening us, asking for money. My lover told them that he had money in his account so he gave them his ATM card pin number.
“My-in law tied his hands with the tape and second guy acted like I had to be the one to follow him to the ATM. It was raining heavily that night. It was almost midnight. We left for the ATM and I withdrew a little over N120,000 and paid the guy off. I gave him about N30,000 or thereabouts. My in-law came to meet me at the ATM and I also gave him almost N50,000.
“I took Bankole’s LG phone while his laptop was brought to me the following day by my in-law. I can’t remember what the other guy took from Bankole’s house. I didn’t know anything about the polythene that was used to cover his head.”
Loretta said she did not bother to go back to Orisanya’s house so did not know that he died. “I didn’t have the intention of dating him anymore; I just wanted to move on. I only knew about Bankole’s death when I was arrested.”
Moses (30), who said he hails from Akwa Ibom State, however gave a contrary narration to Loretta’s. According to him, “Loretta called me and said that she and her boyfriend were having some issues. She said he was owing her some money and had refused to ‘settle’ her. She said she would call me to go and harass him promising to notify me whenever he called her. Before then she gave me some money to buy a torchlight, which I did.
“On a day, she called me and came to meet me. We went to Rumuomasi to pick another guy called Winkoro. He refused being part of the plan and we left him. As we walked, we saw a boy whom I knew but don’t know his name. I introduced him to her and she explained her intention to him and he joined us.
“She took us to the man’s house and kept us under the staircase. Earlier, she gave the other guy a rope and masking tape and I was with a torch light and an iron object that looked like a gun. After a while, she called us in and we got into the kitchen. Minutes later, according to her instruction, we got into the room where she was with her boyfriend.
“I pointed the torch at the man and said: “Na you dey owe our sister and you no wan pay”. The lover boy pleaded that he was going to pay; that we should calm down. The guy with us tied the man’s legs with a rope and tapered his hands. Loretta stood up and slapped the man repeatedly. After that she asked the man of money but he said he had no money at home. He pointed at his ATM cards and gave Loretta the pin number.
“She and the other guy left for the ATM and I stayed with our victim. I later called her to confirm if the pin was right and she said yes. I asked if I should start coming but she asked me to wait at the man’s house. Before she left, she and the other guy packed some items like laptop, phone. When she came back, she went to the man’s room.
“She came out, went to the kitchen, brought a polythene bag and said that if I did not assist her in killing the man, if the bubble burst, I would be the first person she would mention. She covered the man’s head with the polythene bag and sat on his head while I assisted her in holding the man’s neck until he became motionless.
“Loretta gave me N28,000. I was arrested on December 10, 2014. She was the one who led the police to me. I took three shirts and a sandal from the man’s house. Taking the man’s life was not in the initial plan.”
On the relationship between them, Moses said that he and Loretta used to drink alcohol together while she was also a chain smoker. Loretta confirmed this and added that she used to smoke marijuana.
Moses also revealed that a case akin to the current one occurred three years ago. “Loretta had a man she was going out with. They had some problems and because Loretta had the man’s spare key, she gave it to me and asked me to go and pack the man’s things and her own too, so that it would look like robbery. The man got her arrested and I was also picked. We returned the things to the man,” Moses disclosed. Again, Loretta confirmed this and said that the man was a staff of Shell.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in Rivers State, DSP Ahmad Muhammad, confirmed the story, saying that the case was still under investigation at the Department of Criminal Investigation.
Source: TRIBUNE:

 
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