Jennifer and David Lopez

"Wishing a #HappyFathersDay to my dad and to all of the amazing dads out there!!" J.Lo shared with her Instagram followers Sunday. Accompanying the message was a family photo of Lopez and her dad David, in what looks to be the family's livingroom with a snapshot of her sisters Leslie and Lynda behind them. A computer technician originally from Puerto Rico, David met Jenny's mom, Guadalupe, in New York where they raised ...

Obi Says Anambra will Witness a Revolution * Doles out Billions to Schools and Vehicles to Traditional Rulers

Gov. Obi said what would happen to Anambra State by the end of the year would be revolutionary by all accounts and that all sectors would benefit. He said this today at the Women Development Centre Awka, during The Town Hall meeting at which he explained to critical stakeholders- traditional rulers Presidents General of towns, Religious leaders, among others - how the Government intend to carry out comprehensive rehabilitation of 253 Government owned secondary schools in the State. This follows the rehabilitation of the schools already handed over to the Churches by the Government.

The Governor who at the event flagged-off the distribution of the 10 million Naira, a total of 2.53 Billion Naira to Principals of those Secondary schools, said it represented the first phase of the exercise. He explain the delay on the need to set up a monitoring group for proper deployment of the money and warned that any Principal who would be found wanting would be dealt with accordingly.

Besides, the cheques, the Governor said that the EXCO had just approved the sum of 6.5 Billion Naira for school in the State assuring that by the end of the year, all the schools in the state would get school buses, Microsoft Academy, computers to schools according to their population to the average of 1 computer to 10 students ( including primary schools), Laboratory equipment, Sports equipment and various learning materials. He said he was paying INTERNET, Microsoft and other subscriptions for 3 years to allow the person coming after him the latitude for settling down.

Charging the principals to be on guard, the Governor who continued apologizing for take over of schools, appealed to them to emulate the Church, who are doing commendably with the money similarly given to them.

On another development, the Governor today presented 200 SUV vehicles to all the traditional rulers in the State. He said the vehicles which were completely free from any charges, was in recognition of the pivotal roles of traditional rulers in the State and the need to endure they work in relative comfort for the good and progress of the State.

He said the choice of INNOSON manufactured vehicles is to tell Nigerians that with a Motor manufacturing company in the State, they need not search elsewhere. He said that the State Government has unofficially adopted INNOSON vehicles as the State brand and revealed that the next set of official vehicles he would use would be bought from INNOSON and called on Nigerians to be proud of their own.

On the source of finance for the projects, the Governor said it was mainly from the money he attracted to the State. Using the education sector as an example, he said that the budget was 3 Billion Naira, but that by the end of the year, 13 Billion Naira would have been spent.

In his remarks, the Chairman, Anambra Traditional Rulers Council, Obi Alfred Achebe, described what the State is witnessing under Obi as unprecedented. He said he was particularly thrilled not by the vehicles, but by the revolution in schools which he noted, would be for the benefit of the children of the State. He assured the support of traditional rulers for what he described as renaissance of learning taking place in the State.

In his own remarks, the traditional ruler of Umuoji, Igwe Cyril Iwueze thanked the Governor for his attention to all sectors. Agreeing that what is taking place in the State was a revolution , he said that after witnessing billions given to the Church to rehabilitate schools handed over to them, that it was encouraging witnessing the extension of the same gesture to public schools in the State.

Governor Jang chairs NGF meeting with 16 governors in attendance

Plateau state governor, Jonah Jang today chaired a meeting of the factionalized Nigeria's Governors' Forum with only sixteen state governors in attendance.

Where are the remaining governors? Oh, they are having their own meeting with the other NGF chairman, Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State

How disorganized can our leaders be tho? This is so sad! Photos courtesy Sahara Reporters.

Chinedu Ikedieze to bury late dad this Saturday

Nollywood actor Chinedu Ikedieze's late father, Mr Michael Ogbonnaya Ikedieze, who died May 18th, will be buried this Saturday June 22nd at their hometown of Uzuakoli in Abia State.

NEMA warns Lagosians against severe weather&heavy rain -Tuesday June 19th

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has warned that there will be severe weather and heavy rainfall in Lagos on Tuesday June 19th.

NEMA spokesperson, Ibrahim Farinloye, said the early warning is based on alerts received from the African Centre of Meterological Applications for Development based in Niamey, Niger Republic. 

He said:

“In Nigeria, Lagos and its environs are expected to experience torrential rainfall from about 50 mm 24h: Confidence medium means that all stakeholders must be prepared to take all precautionary steps against leaving the warning unattended. 

“On this premise, NEMA is passionately imploring all segments of Nigerian society in the southern part of Nigeria to steps against exposing themselves to the dangers at hand,”

“Those living in the flood plains should relocate to higher (areas) when they are experiencing heavy accumulation of flood water

"NEMA is also using this medium to warn parents sending their wards on any errands while the rain is falling as well as stop dumping of refuse on the drain,” the statement said.

And if you need the agency's help, call its emergency numbers - 080022636432; 08160581814..

Check out Tiwa Savage,Chris Attoh and Elohor Aisien outfit at Geneveive mag event

 Check out Tiwa Savages outfit alongside Chris Attoh and Elohor Aisien at the Geneveive magazine event held at Wheat Baker hotel in Ikoyi.

 They are really looking hot...our own Tiwa is just on point.... - 

Singer J Martins stuns 18 year old fan with $10,000 wristwatch

18 year old Musa Isa from Kogi State got the surprise of his life on Saturday June 15th when J Martins called him on stage during the 2nd leg of the Star Music Trek in Lokoja and gave him a wrist watch valued at $10, 000...which is a little over N1.5million.

J.Martins then urged the secondary school student to work hard and face his studies squarely. Musa couldn't contain his joy and said he will remember this act of generosity for a long time to come.

Whispering into Musa's ears..."Now sell the watch and put the money into a savings to help further your education". Abi, my people? #I'mjustsaying! :-)

God bless J Martins' heart!

PLACES TO VISIT IN ANAMBRA STATE: AGULU LAKE, OGBUNIKE CAVE,

Anambra State (Light of the Nation). The land of Igbo Ukwu Art and The River Niger here we will visit the world famous Ogbunike Cave, The River Niger and Picnic on the banks of the Agulu Lake which houses alligators who can be called out mysteriously by the supervisor of the attraction.

                                                                                                   AGULU LAKE 

The Lake is located along Awka road in Agulu, Aniocha Local Government Area of Anambra state, A potential tourist site, it is home to an estimated three hundred crocodiles and water turtles. Fishing is not allowed on the lake and the crocodiles, being sacred animals to the people, cannot be killed. Legend says that these crocodiles were instrumental in delivering the town from enemy soldiers during the Nigerian civil war. It is believed that these sacred crocodiles and turtles transformed themselves into beautiful ladies and lured the soldiers unawares into the lake where they disappeared without trace. At noon the crocodiles and the turtles appear at the banks of the lake to take in sunlight. Anambra state which is one of the states that has traditional attractions such as scared streams, lake, with potentials for investment and tourism development of which Agulu Lake is one. Agulu Lake is not a common lake; it traditionally inclined, and it has cultural landmarks. The lake is used for different spiritual rites performance for traditional worshipers and the water serves as a major source of medicine for different ailments. Interestingly, the traditional lake is also the source of Idemili River which serves different communities of Anambra. The Lake is characterized by sacred and cultural landmarks of attraction which is gradually being devastated by natural and human factors of flooding, soil and gully erosion as well as landslides effects due to poorly consolidated geological formations, weathering and pollution.
           

Tinubu Receives Shocker in Dubai as Adeyemi Asks Him 'Why Serve Buhari'?

Leader of the ACN and former governor of Lagos state, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu got the shocker of his life after he was publicly humiliated by Kogi Senator and former President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Senator Smart Adeyemi who asked him at a party in Dubai why he would serve a man who truncated democracy! Tinubu was stunned at the effrontery of Adeyemi as was the audience. Tinubu, along with controversial former minister of the Federal Capital Teritorry, Nasir Elrufai, immediately left the hall after the incident apparently angered that Adeyemi put Tinubu on the spot.

A large number of the who is who in the Nigerian socio-political and economic strata had stormed the City of Dubai in the UAE for the society wedding of the son of oil mogul, Chief Jide Omokore, Tosin and his heartthrob, Faisal, daughter of Ambassador Azeez Musa.

There were no fewer than 20 senators on hand, including Senate spokesman, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Senator Smart Adeyemi, Senators Magareth Okadigbo, Zainab Kure, Gbenga Ashafa, Olugbenga Onaolapo Obadara, Boluwaji Kunlere, Anthony Adeniyi, Clever Ikisikpo, Aisha Jummai Alhassan, Esther Nenadi Usman, Olubunmi Adetunmbi and a former member of the upper chamber, Senator Joseph Akaagerger.

Besides the heavy Senate representation, the crème de la crème of Lagos was also represented. The Asiwaju of Lagos, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu; the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu; a number of red cap chiefs, a former Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Lagos State, Mr. Dele Alake; and a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai were also at the wedding.

Governors in attendance included the Akwa-Ibom State helmsman, Chief Godswill Akpabio and his wife; Kogi State governor, Captain Idris Wada; a former Military Administrator of Oyo State, General David Jemibewon, former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmadu Alli; former governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris; Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Segun Aganga, among many others.

Something no one was prepared for, however, happened at the hall. As guests were getting seated, the lot fell on the Chairman of Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Senator Smart Adeyemi, to welcome the dignitaries on behalf of the groom’s family. The Senator, a broadcaster, went on and on reeling out the long list of the high and mighty.

A drama was to play out between Senator Adeyemi and Senator Tinubu. Adeyemi, who since he left behind his camera and microphone, has imbibed the art of politicking just like the veterans, took Tinubu by surprise.

He started by recognising Tinubu as the landlord of Chief Jide Omokore in Lagos. He said Tinubu had shown himself as a good landlord at that and that he was proud of Tinubu’s political prowess. He stated that looking at Tinubu’s attainments so far, he should not be seen as Asiwaju of Lagos, but Asiwaju of the entire kaaro o ojiire (Yorubaland). Tinubu was elated, seeing a key opposition politician eulogise him to high heavens.

Sources at the gathering told Sunday Tribune that the former Lagos governor never knew he was in for a shocker from Adeyemi who after reeling out the ACN leader’s pedigree, put the question forward. Why would Tinubu be deploying his democratic credentials in service of undemocratic elements? The hall went into deep silence, but it was not a question and answer session. So, Tinubu could not offer a response. Many of the guests who had offered ceaseless claps as Senator Adeyemi reeled out Tinubu’s credentials were also shocked at the twist.

According to the Kogi senator, Tinubu should be seen as leading the charge towards democratisation of the country, rather than promoting those who have truncated democratic growth of the nation in the past.

Senator Adeyemi said that Since Tinubu should be seen as Asiwaju of the Yoruba race, he was inherently a democrat because the Yoruba were democrats. He added: As democrats, you cannot be seen to be aligned with a dictator.

Senator Adeyemi had said: “I admire Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He is the landlord of the groom’s father in Lagos. A good landlord he is and he has honoured his tenant here today. I looked at his accomplishments in politics and his political antecedents and I say that this man should not just be Asiwaju of Lagos but Asiwaju of the entire Kaaro o ojiire.
“Senator Tinubu sir, I am, however, shocked that someone of your pedigrees will be devoting his political acumen for the service of a non democrat. Someone who had truncated democracy in the past….”

“I want to assure you, Asiwaju, that there is a president in Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, who has fought more battles than any other Nigerian leader in the name of terrorism.
“In 2012, the budget for security was N900 billion; that money is enough to dualise all major roads in Nigeria. It is enough to equip our universities. If that money had entered some African countries, it would cripple the economy, but it was committed to security because of terrorism.

“Goodluck Jonathan can be likened to a pilot who took off and suddenly entered into turbulence. With patience and perseverance, he weathered the storm. Today, he has reached the cruising level and he is cruising towards 2015. I believe you should be with this president as a democrat and not with a dictator.”

The hall initially went into pin-drop silence, but then erupted in huge ovations for the Kogi senator. Tinubu felt the shocking twist to the senator’s prolonged eulogy. But it was not a question and answer session so he could not offer a response.

Afterwards, Tinubu and the former FCT Minister, el-Rufai, left the venue. They were said to have been apparently unhappy at the decision of Senator Smart to turn the venue to a political gathering.

To cap it all, Senator Adeyemi moved a motion and put the question as it is done in the Senate. He put the question, saying; “those in favour of the solemnisation of Tosin and Faisal here today, say ‘aye’…… and the ayes have it.”

It was not the first time Senator Adeyemi was lashing out at those he blamed for truncating Nigeria’s democracy in the past. During a debate on the remunerations for past presidents and Heads of State, Senator Adeyemi rose on the Senate floor to announce that Nigeria should place a ban on anyone who had truncated democracy in the past. He insisted that anyone who had been seen to act negatively against the growth of Nigeria’s democracy in the past should not be allowed as partakers in the current politics, adding that the punishment for such persons should be life ban from partisan politics.

Kardashians Break Social Media Silence to Welcome Kim's Baby Girl

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  Associated Press - FILE - In this Oct. 22, 2012 file photo, singer Kanye West and girlfriend Kim Kardashian attend a benefit in New York. Reports attributed to anonymous sources broke over the weekend that Kardashian has given birth to her baby with West. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)  less 

The Kardashian Klan is finally opening up about their newest family member after the birth of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's baby girl on Saturday.
"I can not even begin 2describe the miracle that is now apart of our family. Mommy/baby are healthy &resting. We appreciate all of the love," Khloe Kardashian tweeted this afternoon.
"More info will come when the time is right! Thank you all for understanding! We love you dearly! Overwhelmed with love right now ?" she followed up.

20 killed in renewed Benin City cult war..

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM
BENIN CITY—NO fewer than 20 persons have been killed in the past four days in different parts of Benin City, following a renewed cult war between suspected members of  Eiye Confraternity and Black Axe.
Over 10 persons were said to have been arrested by the Edo State Police Command in connection with the incident.
It was gathered that some of the leaders of the groups are on the run following the collaboration of security agencies with the state government to hunt for the suspects.
Vanguard was informed that the latest face-off was triggered  last Thursday when members of one of the groups went to the home of one of the suspects currently on the run, whose father was said to belong to one of the warring groups to resolve some money related issues.
It was learnt that while they were settling the issue, the suspect went upstairs to fetch a pump action gun and shot a member of the rival cult group on the leg.
The victim was rushed to the hospital by his colleagues while the suspect fled. Consequently, colleagues of the victim mobilised  for reprisal attacks, visiting the homes of members of the rival  group.
It was learnt that the attack led to the killing of a colleague of the suspect who started the shooting at New Benin. As expected, the cult war escalated. There were killings in Idu Owena, after Ugbowo, Isihor, Ugbiyoko, Textile Mill Road, New Benin and Igbesanwa.
Vanguard was reliably informed that no fewer than 20 persons have been killed so far. As a result, night life in Benin City has been affected as people no longer relax in bars in the evenings due to fear of being attacked by the rampaging cultists.

Oshiomhole summons security meeting

Worried by the development, it was learnt that Governor Adams Oshiomhole convened an emergency security meeting last Friday, asking security operatives to fish out the killers. Vanguard learnt that about 10 persons have been arrested so far while efforts were on towards finding a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
The Edo State Police Commissioner, Mr Folounsho Adebanjo, who could not confirm the casualty figure, described the killings as unacceptable and vowed that the police would deal with the situation.
According to him, “we are not relaxing at all. We are in search of the leaders behind this. Some persons have been arrested while some are on the run. The killings will stop because our officers are all on the alert now. I can assure you that anybody arrested will be dealt with very seriously.
“All security agencies in the state are concerned. The governor is equally concerned, residents of the state are concerned. So we will not relent until we stop this madness. It is very sad that people no longer value human lives.”

FG approves N300m for capacity building for Nollywood

Abuja –  The Federal Government has approved N300 million out of the three billion naira intervention fund for capacity building to boost the Nigerian film industry.
This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday by Mr Paul Nwabuikwu, Spokesman for the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
“Action on the three billion naira support promised the Nigerian film industry by President Goodluck Jonathan has formally commenced with the roll out of a N300 million capacity building fund.’’
The statement noted that the capacity building fund was the first of a series of initiatives planned under “Project Act Nollywood’’, adding that It was made up of two components.
According to the statement, the first component is a Training Fund of N150 million, dedicated to training and skills acquisition for Nollywood practitioners in all competencies along the entire value chain of the industry.
The statement said it include; scriptwriting, directing, production and production design, special effects, lighting, sound, HD techniques, acting, cinematography, make-up and editing, among others.
It said that the second component was the Capacity Development Fund which was also worth N150 million.
According to the statement, grants will be given to existing Nigerian-owned private institutes that offer training courses, programmes, and technical certification in the movie industry.
The statement said the fund might be used to upgrade existing facilities, procure equipment and develop internal capacity to offer a set of courses and training programmes that would address key skills gaps.
It said that institutes to benefit from the fund must have a prove of registration from Jan. 1, 2013, and be competent enough to train people according to global best practices.
The statement said that the intervention Project ACT Nollywood, would be managed by the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and the Minister of Tourism, Chief Edem Duke.
Okonjo-Iweala in the statement said the establishment of the fund underscored government’s commitment to supporting Nollywood in recognition of its contributions to the economy.
“This is the first of the initiatives planned under Project Act Nollywood, and it shows that the president is keeping his word to the industry and to Nigerians.
“Nollywood deserves this support because it has added value to the economy by creating jobs and acting as an ambassador to the country.
“It is also projecting Nigeria to many parts of the world that hitherto, knew little or nothing about the country,” it quoted Okonjo-Iweala as saying.
It said that the overall objective of Project Act Nollywood was to support the industry in a sustainable way that practitioners could leverage on to improve their capacity and output in key areas.
“The fund is open for applications from July to December 2013. Courses commencing after Dec. 31st are eligible provided the application is received before Dec. 31 2013.’’
It said that guidelines for applications indicated that applicants must be Nigerians and industry practitioners among other requirements. (NAN)