U-17: Ghana wants Nigeria, Ivory Coast banned

This is According to Reports From Punch Newspapers

A Nigerian player (left) with a Malian player during their U-17 Championship qualifier in Calabar last year.
| credits: SuperSport.com

Ex-Ghana FA chief Ben Koufie plans to make a recommendation to FIFA to ban Nigeria and Ivory Coast from playing at the U-17 World Cup for age cheating.

Koufie says he will make a recommendation to the world football’s governing body to ban countries from age-group competitions if any of their players fail age tests.

Magnetic Resonance Image scans have been used by both FIFA and the Confederation of African Football to check on the true ages of players as the clampdown on age cheats intensifies.

Nine players were banned from the African U-17 event after failing tests.

The players hailed from Nigeria, Ivory Coast and Congo.

Now Nigeria and Ivory Coast have qualified for the World Cup to be held in the UAE later this year.

Koufie, who has worked with the technical committees of both CAF and FIFA, now wants FIFA to enforce tougher punishments for teams whose players fail MRI scans.

“I am going to make some recommendations to FIFA that it should just not be a matter of disqualifying players from tournaments when they have failed their MRI in a specific competition,” Koufie told BBC Sport.

“If the players played in the qualifying matches for that competition, that team must be disqualified because it used disqualified players in the qualifying process.

“Once you are caught and it is proven that the player played in the qualifying matches then you have to be disqualified.

“Coaching at this level must be taken seriously because that is the formative stage. The U-17 is not a must-win area.”

 “I am worried about it because it is not fair at all to the youngsters. It is called U-17 because it is a development stage.”

Video: Obama's speech at the White House Correspondents' Dinner

This is the funniest I've ever seen of Obama. Watch him poke fun at himself, Jay Z, CNN, Taylor Swift, MSNBC, Michelle Obama, Conan O'Brien, Rush Limbaugh, the History Channel, Fox and many more at the Correspondents' Dinner which held on Saturday night at the White House.

Five foreign workers kidnapped in Bayelsa state Yesterday

Five expatriates, three Sri Lankans, a Russian and a Myanmarian were kidnapped today in Bayelsa state. The foreign workers were aboard an oil services support vessel when they were kidnapped by unknown gunmen. The Joint Task Force in the state said they have deployed gunboats to find the kidnapped workers and rescue them.

Nigerian Supermodel Oluchi Brings “Next Top Model” to Africa

The great news hit the web last night, when CBS Studios International announced that the African format rights for hit reality TV show competition, ‘America’s Next Top Model’ had been given to Nigerian supermodel Oluchi’s production company, LuLu Productions.

According to Worldscreen, It is reported that the Reality show competition series is slated to hit screens this 2013 and air pan-regionally in Africa on the M-NET Africa Magic channels. The show will be shot primarily on location in South Africa, with Oluchi Orlandi serving as the show’s host and executive producer. Here’s what she had to say:

“I am excited to be hosting Africa’s Next Top Model and it is great to be part of the successful America’s Next Top Model franchise that Tyra Banks created and has hosted for an impressive 20 cycles thus far in the U.S. The African version of the franchise is long overdue and I expect the show to be a smashing success across the continent. My company, LuLu Productions, will be partnering with Never Machine productions with Gavin Wratten as co-executive producer and also one of the giant media houses to help make this show a big success.” – Oluchi Orlandi

Congratulations Oluchi!

Waje covers the New issue of Exquisite Magazine

Waje looks like a goddess in the new issue of Exquisite magazine. In this issue she gives an expose on her life, plans for the future and some interesting facts about herself her fans may not know.

Also in the magazine pages are tips on how to beat a wardrobe crisis and how fashion can help you keep your man.

Be sure to get a copy but for now here are  a few shots of the cover girl.

Meet Your Glo X Factor Judges! Nigerian Legend Onyeka Onwenu, Rapper Extraordinnaire M.I. & Ghana’s Reggie Rockstone

Nigerian telecoms giant Glo has announced the judges for X Factor, the world’s biggest singing reality TV show, which the company has brought to Africa for the first time.

The judges are veteran singer Onyeka Onwenu and popular rapper Jude Abaga, widely known as M.I., from Nigeria and Reggie Rockstone, hip-life artiste from Ghana.

According to the Globacom representative, “the judges would be unveiled today at a ceremony in Lagos. Their first assignment will be to audition contestants who scaled the first audition held two weeks ago in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.“

He revealed further that the final list of judges was arrived at after thorough screening and assessment of the pedigree of all the artistes earlier shortlisted for consideration for the assignment. “The X Factor is the number one singing reality TV show in the world and this is the first time it has come to Africa courtesy of Globacom. We therefore had to ensure that we selected judges who match the profile of the show and who will help deliver the objectives of the show.“

Onwenu is a Nigerian stateswoman of music, art and culture. Generally regarded as Queen of Africa pop music, Onwenu is a highly experienced Nigerian singer, actress and politician. She made a mark in the music world with several hit tracks including ‘Tetanu n’Ula”, “One Love”, “Iyogogo”, “Peace” and “Wait for me” which she sang with Sunny Ade. In 2006 she won the African Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a supporting role. She is currently the Chairperson of Imo State Council for Arts and Culture.

M.I, meaning Mr Incredible, is a Nigerian Hip hop artiste. He has won several awards including the MTV Africa Music Awards in 2009 and the City People Artiste of the Year 2012, and was nominated for BET 2010 Awards for the Best International Act Category. He rose to prominence in 2006, when his song “Crowd Mentality” became popular in his hometown Jos. He released his widely acclaimed debut album, Talk About It in December, 2008. M.I. is UN ambassador on drugs and crime.

Rockstone, whose original name was Reginald Osei, is credited as the pioneer of hip-life or Kasahara music in Ghana. He is internationally acclaimed, with several performances throughout West Africa, the UK, France, USA and Switzerland.
Since his exciting debut album, “Makaa Maka” in the early 1990s, he has shown longevity and maintained his grasp on the genre with successive albums such as “Me Na Me Kae”, “Me Ka” and “Last Show; and has also produced and managed several other young talents. He has won a Kora Award for his video “Ah” and has performed with international artistes like Shaggy and Beenieman. Reggie recently announced that he was switching from hip life to hip-hop with his hit song, “Peaches” featuring Sway.

We look forward to seeing the show on our screens. Glo X Factor will be hosted by the on air personality, Tolu “Toolz” Oniru.

Miss Korea Contestants All Look Strikingly Similar

Does the Miss Korea pageant have a Photoshop problem? A plastic surgery problem? Both?

The commenters on Reddit seem to think something's amiss. On Wednesday, a Japanese blog published a series of photos of the 2013 Miss Korea contestants, which were then posted by Redditor ShenTheWise with the caption, "Korea's plastic surgery mayhem is finally converging on the same face. Here are the miss korea 2013 contestants."

Plenty of commentators on Reddit echoed ShenTheWise's sentiments, noting that the 20 women all looked remarkably similar. (Other commenters, in turn, accused ShenTheWise of being racist.) But the similarities are worth noting,  considering South Korea has the highest rate of plastic surgery per capita worldwide.

It could also be argued that any group of pageant participants, no matter the country, tend to fit a certain standard of beauty. 

As for the Miss Korea ladies, it's unlikely that all 20 have undergone cosmetic procedures -- or that they've been Photoshopped, for that matter. But do you, like many commenters, find their resemblance to one another uncanny?

PHOTOS:

JTF lost in the maze of rocks and hard places - Reports from Baga

When the JTF responded to the distress call that insurgents had stationed themselves in Baga, the quiet town on the edge of Lake Chad on Friday 19th April 2013; they didn’t bargain for the use of Rocket Propelled Grenade launchers by the insurgents; on the other hand the members of the Jama’a Ah Al Sunnah Li Da’wa Wa Al-Jihad – Boko Haram also assumed that the area around the mosque or the mosque wouldn’t be attacked by the JTF; as such when the fight escalated the insurgents merged with the residents in order to gain a foothold against the army. The options left before the JTF was either to beat a hasty retreat and fight another day or to stay and dislodge the insurgents from Baga. They took the latter decision. It is my assumption that the insurgents understanding the rules of engagement of the army understood that the JTF were caught between a hard rock and a hard place.

As the embers of the fires died and the dust settled – Governor Kashim Shettima in company of soldiers and journalists were able to visit the deserted town on Sunday, by then the residents had buried 185 bodies while the Red Cross counted 187, both the Army authorities and Presidency have disputed these figures.

However while the army is insisting that it is the RPGs from the insurgents that caused the fires, the residents of Baga have thrown the blame right back at the soldiers saying the soldiers actually set the houses ablaze in a bid to chase the insurgents out of the area. This is not the first that the JTF has been accused of setting buildings on fire in the fight against insurgents, on 9th of October 2012, an IED was thrown at a patrol van killing a Lt.Col and injuring two other soldiers. Afterwards the JTF was alleged to have gone on rampage at Gwange in Maiduguri killing 30 people –some of them died in their rooms; burnt 50 houses, a shopping complex and about 50 vehicles parked on the street. Another case also listed by Amnesty International against JTF is the alleged killing of 25 people and raping of women in Kaleri Ngomari Custain area of Maiduguri mid last year.

Worries?? Musings from my Country by Owonubi Tobi

I am proudly Nigerian, mid 20's, very smart and hardworking. I have dreams, aspirations, hopes, beliefs that someday everything will be fine, get better, evolve into something great... TRUE.

How long do we hope against hope? Last week a video on "Fuelling Poverty" by Ishaya Bako, a brilliant Nigerian filmmaker went viral after the NBC banned it from hitting public stations. The truth is that piece of documentary revealed bitter truths about us as a Nation. For how long would we continue to murmur and suffer... For how long would we continue to queue up at embassies to different countries... running away just to meet economic ends?

Jobs aren't available.. Pension scams for those that have served dutifully have made our aged ones in dire need of want... Poverty sincerely fueled by the spend thrift attitude of the government who promotes corruption and steals from us knowing fully well that we cannot do anything about it.

Yesterday 185 people (estimated figure - possibly more) were killed in Borno state. Boko Haram becoming an issue - playing politics with insecurity and proposing amnesty to a faceless group that kills people without batting an eye.

Which way Nigeria?  One nation bound in freedom, peace and unity.... 

Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde In Iconic Invanity At The 2013 Time 100 Gala

For those unaware,  Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde is on Time’s 2013 list of  the 100 most influential people in the world.

Yesterday, the Nigerian actress attended the 2013 Time 100 Gala at Frederick P. Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center in this lovely black dress by Nigerian Designer label, Iconic Invanity.

It is safe to say, Omotola definitely loves Iconic Invanity as we’ve seen her several times rocking designs from the label.

I love her choice of  make-up, hair and dress. I think she looked stunning. what do you think?

(Photo by D Dipasupil/FilmMagic)

(Photo by Jennifer Graylock/Getty Images)

SERVICE IS FAITH IN ACTION by Sam Adeyemi

James 2: 14 – 18

Some people are so heavenly minded that they are of no earthly use. However, when you truly understand the Scriptures and if you are truly heavenly minded, you will be of earthly use. As you read the New Testament, you will see that your spirituality will always move you to impact on your environment. The core of Christ’s message always addressed people’s thinking and lives and the need to repent from dead works and sinful living. Christ expressed a sense of urgency about bringing heaven on earth. Whatever you cannot find in heaven, should not be found on earth. If a person is truly godly, it will move them to touch people in a very special way. Religion that is interested in the state of man’s soul and spirit but not in his physical condition is useless religion (James 1: 26-27; 2: 14-17 AMP & MSG).

Heaven does not recognise the form of Christianity which does not move you to help someone who is hungry or in need. If you are spiritual, you will be practical. Faith without corresponding good works is dead. Some of the most seemingly pious people and leaders of Jesus’ day were the most uncaring (Luke 10: 25-37). They had forgotten what godliness was all about and had taken it into a vague and superstitious dimension. Their followers were also affected as they began to see church as the four walls of a building where they have an awesome experience but after getting home, they continue with their normal lives while ignoring those in need in the community. After Jesus went to heaven, his disciples did not have any doubt about what they were supposed to do. As soon as He left and the power of the Holy Spirit came on them, they ensured that no one in the church and the community went to bed hungry. They sold their lands and properties to feed the needy, God gave them favour with all the people and the Church grew (Acts 2: 44).

God has given us a template that can transform any society if only we will use it. Jesus’ disciples had a culture of solving basic, practical problems for people in their society. Our assignment is not only to meet the spiritual needs of people. The least we can do is to be sensitive to the people around us and to look for opportunities to meet the basic needs in their lives. As long as we are in this city, no one should go to bed hungry. Once we help to solve a basic problem like hunger, God gives us the grace to do much more in people’s lives (Acts 4: 32-35). The purpose of God’s anointing is not only for financial breakthroughs but for us to be free from selfishness and self-centredness because God’s anointing and greed do not work together. No matter how poor you may think you are, you have something to give out but until you break away from selfishness, you will remain at your current level. Begin to recognise people’s needs and meet those needs from a basic level. Start from where you are!

Kerry Washington Talks Fashion Challenges for InStyle Spread

The actress says she likes to go for it "whether it's fashion or life."

Kerry Washington is not only bold onscreen as Scandal's Olivia Pope, but the actress is looking boom-pow on the pages of InStyle's May issue. Washington is sporting colorful prints from designer labels like Dolce & Gabbana, Erdem, Peter Som and Fendi and we're loving the picks. Not that we'd expect any different from the starlet who always looks on point on the red carpet. And if she ever committed a fashion misstep, she wouldn't think much of it as Washington says she just goes with what makes her feel good, regardless of what critics might say.

"I need to challenge myself," Washington says. "Whether it's fashion or life, I like to go for it. As long as I feel good about what I'm wearing, it doesn't matter if so-and-so calls it ugly."

To view the full fashion spread, grab a copy of InStyle's May issue when it hits newsstands April 19.

We Don’t Want It to End | Watch “Alá àló” a Short Film by David Adeogun

This film is an amalgamation of several true stories. It is unique in its narrative style and it explores a different angle of story telling and of the African culture. David Adeogun employs a really different style in his film making. It is bold and powerful and delves into new forays.
Watch the video here.

Aláàló (Someone has a Story) from David Adeogun on Vimeo.

Nigerian Oil Theft Reaches $6bn (N942bn) Annually – Economy Watch

Nigeria’s oil companies are battling a surge in crude oil theft, with estimates suggesting that the oil-rich country loses some $6 billion annually in revenues due to bunkering. Oil theft is a lucrative black market in Nigeria, Africa’s top oil exporter, as well as neighbouring countries.

Bunkering, as oil theft is commonly known in Nigeria, involves siphoning crude from pipelines into makeshift vessels and has turned into huge a business that is damaging the country’s investment profile as well as international oil companies operating in Nigeria.

185 Killed, 2000 Houses Razed in Borno Town, Baga, as Soldiers, Boko Haram Fight

At least 185 persons including women and children were reported to have been killed by either gunshots or fire after suspected Boko Haram gunmen engaged soldiers of the Joint Task Force in a deadly shootout that left the commercial border town of Baga in Borno State completely burnt down.

Local government officials, who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES, said 185 persons died, at least 2000 houses, 64 motorcycles and 40 cars were burnt in the wake of the attack.

The Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, visited the town on Sunday and was told by residents that soldiers were responsible for the torching of houses that led to the death of many.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that scores of others are currently hospitalised with various shades of burnt injuries.

Residents said most casualties, especially the aged ones and children, died as a result of the conflagration that engulfed the entire town.

Babcock University releases school fees for next session. Students protest

Well, they are not protesting in school or complaining to their school administration...they are protesting via the media. A few students from the school have sent me mails complaining about the exorbitant fees they are being made to pay to get an education. The university just released the school fees for the next session and some of the students feel its outrageous. See it below...

1) Accounting- N1.5million
2) Nursing- N1million
3) Law- N2million
4) Medicine- N3million
5) Others- N860,000

The students are scared to protest in their school because they could get suspended. Babcock is a Christian University and claims to be a non-profit organization, so students don't understand why they have to pay such huge amounts to school there. 

Dr. Aganga’s Ministry of Industry, T&I abandons N15 m/year fully equipped office for over a year

Dr. Olusegun Olutoyin Aganga is the current Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment

The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment is headed by Dr. Olusegun Aganga. One would expect the minister who worked at Ernst & Young in London UK, and Goldman Sachs International amongst many respectable organisations, to bring the culture of prudency that guide these global brands to bear. This does not appear so. Information available to Omojuwa.com indicate that the Ministry has currently left to waste its office at the last floor (12th floor) of the iconic Bank of Industry building Central Area, Abuja. It costs some $95,000/year (about N15,000,000.00) to rent an apartment at that level of the building. The said office is fully equipped and ready to use as we speak but has been abandoned by the Ministry.

Locked! Not open for trade

A visit to the12th floor of the Bank of Industry building on a regular work day will confirm this – considering this report does not send them running to make amends. One of our roaming citizen parrots was there to confirm this and staff of other companies in the building confirmed that the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment’s office has been abandoned for at least a year. Considering the rent and the exorbitant price it must have cost the nation to equip this office, this is just another way to put our so called inadequate resources to waste. N15,000,000.00 + cost of equipping said office may sound inconsequential in the scheme of waste and corruption that has bedeviled Nigeria but they all count and add up to the mess that is this nation.

Note the ceremonial portrait of the Minister and the President

Imagine the many productive hours that could have been invested by a serious entity. One can imagine things like this happening in an environment where public officials hold public service in high esteem. The said apartment is one of the prime locations in the whole of the Federal Capital Territory because it affords you a bird-eye view of the city. Why would anyone who knows the time value of money abandon such? One hopes that when those in charge see this report, they’d not rush to offer a denial because this has been confirmed. It would help their cause to rent the office to another company that’d find better use for the space. One can only imagine how many of such abandoned offices are left empty by the many inefficient government ministries and agencies. If these agencies and departments have no use for these offices, they can please indicate because there are many young people looking for office spaces just to express their business acumen. We could make a globally renowned hub of businessmen and women out of these abandoned offices littered all over the city of Abuja.

Sterling Bank's The Spirited Actor kicks off this Sunday

The much awaited TV program that will provide ten weeks of excitement as it searches for the Next African Hollywood Superstar is kicking off this Sunday; all thanks to Sterling Bank.

Watch as ten dreamers; five from Nigeria and five from Ghana vie for their dreams to be that lucky winner to Co-star with Morris Chestnut in a movie and also bag a one-year contract with a Hollywood agent.

Tracy Moore will educate, enlighten, engage and drill these contestants on everything a world-class actor(tress) should know and do to get to the top. Will it be a walk in the park or will it be a gruesome, heart-rending, thrill-giving endeavour? Well, let's all watch, to find out.

Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries officially divorced

Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries are officially divorced, according to TMZ. A judge in LA dissolved their marriage in today's court hearing...and Kris got nothing from Kim. He had asked for $7 million as divorce settlement and had also asked for an annulment of the marriage based on fraud, but recently dropped his demands. Kim will have her baby now as a single woman. 

Nigerian Professor of Physics, Fransisca Okeke, Clinches the 2013 L’Oreal – Unesco Women In Science Award for Africa & Arab States

Francisca Okeke, a Professor of Physics at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka has recently received theL’Oreal-UNESCO for Women in Science Award for her contribution to the understanding of “daily variations of the ion currents in the upper atmosphere which may further our understanding of climate change.”

Professor Okeke was the Dean in the faculty of Physical Sciences at UNN from 2008 – 2010. She is a huge inspiration to women in the sciences and we’re really inspired by the work she is doing. In an interview with UNESCO, she was asked “What remains as the biggest challenge faced by women and young girls in science in Nigeria and what can be done to encourage young girls to consider further study in Science?”
She replied: “It’s encouragement. Where and when it is possible, we need to let the guardians and parents know the importance of women participating in science.

I will talk specifically about the village because, though there are some enlightened people there, the situation is worse. Sometimes you have girls who are very brilliant but are forced into early marriage. We can let parents be aware of advantages of their daughters becoming scientists and that they can gain more from the girls when they are scientists than when they get married as early as 16, 17 or 18. Like it happened a few years a go, we can call social gatherings with a talk by someone on ‘women in science’. We can give them examples, maybe by playing movies of successful women in science. This can work wonders.

We need to get guidance counsellors for these young women because some of them should have opted for these courses but since they don’t have the background and counselling, they say “this is a male subject so I can’t do it”.

Another angle to this is to lead as a model, by example. I have so many postgraduate female students and many of them have gotten PhDs through my guidance, counselling and encouragement. But if I don’t let them come near me, they will be scared. And once they are scared of you, they are scared of the subject. We need to tell them that this subject is not as difficult as they think. If it’s possible, get women to teach women. ‘Seeing is believing’. They will eventually see that it is practical and that this is a subject that can be dabbled into and not fearing it because ‘people say…’

Finally, as women scientist, we have to establish good relationships with younger women scientists and even among ourselves, so we can all get along with each other. Leading women scientists must develop a leadership style that will be highly prized. This L’Oreal-UNESCO Award given to me is a big challenge; it has strengthened me to continue to encourage girls and women to participate in the development of science and technology by offering these core sciences courses in schools and universities. This invariably furthers the development of a Nation.”

Among the L’Oreal -Unesco fellows for 2013 are; Marie Florence Ngo Ngwe from Cameroon (Plant Biotchnology); Anita Takura from Ghana (Agricultural and Environmental Science); Eucharia Oluchi Nwaichi from Nigeria (Environment and Toxicology) and Sahwa Adil Nourein from Sudan (Clinical immunology & Medical doctor)

Watch ” author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Engaging Interview on Channel 4 News

Award winning novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie‘s stock is set to rise further with the release of the Hollywood treatment of her Orange prize winning novel ‘Half of a Yellow Sun’. Channel 4 News spoke to the Nigerian author during a visit to the UK.

Part 2 – Award winning African author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie tells Jon Snow why her latest book Americanah mirrors some of the central issues of her own life; race, immigration and the power of hair.

Photo Credit: The Independent UK

British Airways flight grounded in Abuja for ‘operational reasons’ before take off to London

A British Airways flight which was scheduled to depart Abuja by 8.14am to London Heathrow was grounded after the aircraft developed a problem in one of its engines before take-off from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The Acting Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, Joyce Nkemakonam said on Monday that the agency had to delay the flight after the issue came up.

“The aircraft had a snag and the airline notified NCAA and it was subsequently grounded”.

The Country Manager of British Airway,  Kola Olayinka confirmed that the airline’s London bound flight was barred for operational reasons.

According to reports, Olayinka also said that the parts to fix the snag were on its way from London. “British Airways confirms that its Abuja-London flight was stopped due to operational reasons. At the moment, the parts to fix the problem are being flown from London tonight, and the flight will operate tomorrow to new timings.”

“All British Airways passengers have been looked after according to our Operational Standard Procedures. British Airways flight 083 scheduled to depart London tonight is operating normally.” he affirmed.

The Vanguard reports:

Investigation conducted by Vanguard revealed that the aircraft door had been shut and modalities to commence flight set in motion when it was announced that one of the engines was not operational. After several futile attempts to restart the aircraft, there was a loud noise from the right engine while smoke was also noticed as the passengers were asked to disembark from the plane, according to sources.

Vanguard further learnt that after several attempts the pilot and engineers were given the option of working on the problem within 40 minutes or abort the flight and reschedule.

The aircraft was later seen being towed to the tarmac and the flight cancelled.

African Movie Stars Majid Michel & John Dumelo honoured by the City of Philadelphia, USA | For Film Career & Charity Work

Yesterday,  Ghollywood superstar, Yvonne Nelson was honoured by GoWoman for her film career and her charity work in glaucoma awareness. Well, it seems she’s not the only Ghollywood superstar that is receiving honours for a stellar film career & charity work.

On April 10, 2013, the city of Philadelphia, USA honoured two of Ghollywood’s most popular superstars –Majid Michel & John Dumelo for their exemplary work in their film careers as well as their charity work. John Dumelo posted the above photo on his Instagram with the following caption:

“History was made yesterday! Honoured by the city of Philadelphia for outstanding contribution to the African film industry and charity work. We are honoured to be honoured.”

Congratulations!

Photo Credits: Instagram – @JohnDumelo1

Ade Bakare presents its 2013 Spring/Summer Collection – “Sahara”

London-based Nigerian designer, Ade Bakare, presents his new summer collection called “Sahara“. Characterised by burnt oranges, golden yellows the pieces are heavy with embellishments  sequins, flirty floral print and and hints of tribal origins.

With fitted ball gowns, charming sun dresses and asymmetrical tops the detailed collection is bold and elemental.

Ex-lawmaker Dino Melaye escapes assasination in Abuja Yesterday

Former House of Reps member, Dino Melaye, yesterday evening escaped an assassination attempt on his life in Abuia.

He was attacked in Abuja City's Central Business District by unknown gunmen as he made his way home. His car was shot at but fortunately he wasn't hit. (His car pictured above).

The men who shot at the former lawmaker were driving in a Golf car.

New Music: Angel Feat. Wizkid – Blown Away

The star boy is at again! Back in January we showed the above photo of Wizkid and UK Recording artist,Angel getting to work in the studio. Well, the massive tune is finally here as Angel has just released his debut album, “About Time”. 

As its singles continue to climb the charts and rave reviews continue to pile, here’s the track, “Blown Away” in which he featured the Star boy, Wizkid.

Check on it!

Enjoy!

Play Angel Feat. Wizkid – Blown Away

Download

Star Boy Wizkid Collaborates with Afrobeats Legend Femi Kuti

Wizkid has been putting in work like the ‘studio rat’ that he has commonly referred to himself as. With an official new single dropping anytime soon, the star boy has started putting final touches on his second album which will be released via Empire Mates Entertainment as well as his first mixtape.

And, it also seems that the new single about to drop will be one featuring Afrobeats Legend, Femi Kutititled “Jaiye Jaiye” as he uploaded the above photo on his Instagram a few days ago with the caption:“New single Ready!! Yaga!”

Here is the Twitter correspondence between Femi Kuti and Wizkid.

Nigeria to resume gas supply to Ghana, Others

Gas pipelines
| credits: sweetcrudereports.com

The West Africa Gas Pipeline Company will resume gas flow through its pipeline on April 30, 2013.

The company’s General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mrs. Harriet Wereko-Brobby, said this at the Lagos Beach Compressor Station in Badagry on Friday.

“We are looking at April 30, 2013 for the pipeline to be back,” she said.

The pipeline was damaged in August 2012 and this affected the company’s operations.

WAGPCO is jointly owned by Nigeria, Ghana, Togo and Benin Republic.

Wereko-Bobby said the damaged gas pipeline had been undergoing intensive repairs, including tests for leakages.

She said naval personnel from the four countries had also been charged to protect the facility.

Wereko-Brobby said efforts were underway for WAGPCO to enter into an agreement with Togo’s Navy to carry out strict surveillance on the gas equipment to avoid damage.

She said, “We are currently engaging with the host communities to ensure that such a breach does not occur again.

“We have also gotten the countries to agree on a pipeline protection zones (one mile from the pipeline). We are going to enter an agreement with the Navy to pay special attention to WAGPCO.”

She added, “We already have agreement with the Nigerian Navy to help protect the pipeline from sand mining and we are hoping to extend the agreement with them so that they can help us protect the pipelines in the offshore areas.

“We already have an agreement with the Navy in Benin, but the agreements with the Navy in Togo and Ghana for the protection of the pipelines are underway.”

Speaking in the same vein, the Supervisor, Lagos Beach Compressor Station, WAGPO, Mr. Olugbenga Agboola, explained that water entered the pipeline when it was breached.

“The pipeline had been repaired but we are at a cleaning process to ensure that we don’t supply dirty gas to our customers,” he said.

Meanwhile, there were concerns over the flaring of gas at the station during the repairs of the damaged pipelines.

The Health/ Environment & Safety Specialist, Mr. Romeo Obaye, said the plant was designed in such a way that gas could be flared in an environmentally-friendly manner.

He said the main by-products of the combustion (water and carbon dioxide) did not constitute any environment threat.

“We obtained air emissions permit from the Federal Ministry of Environment in February 2012. We also obtained flare permit for initial facility commissioning from DPR and another flare permit from DPR for pipeline re-commissioning following pipeline breach in August 2012,” he said.

20-year-old Nigerian sets record; graduates as youngest commercial licence pilot

Favour Odozor…Pilot in Command

A 20-year-old Nigerian, Favour Odozor, has emerged as the youngest with the Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) in both Nigeria and South Africa.

Favour Odozor

Mr. Odozor who graduated alongside 15 other trained pilots at the Afrika Union Aviation Academy (AUAA), Mafikeng, South Africa on Saturday was described as the new hope of the African aviation industry.

Capt. Allan Roebuck, Director of AUAA, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Johannesburg that Mr. Odozor completed all the 37 flying procedures in record time.

“The academy is proud of this young Nigerian, with the award of licence and certificate to him. Today, I can say he is the youngest commercial licence pilot in both Nigeria and South Africa.

“I cannot say now if he is the youngest African to attain that record, but I’m sure he is the youngest in South Africa and Nigeria,’’ he said.

The AUAA director noted that it requires a lot of hard work, focus, punctuality and discipline to be trained as a commercial pilot.

“It is not enough to be academically sound to be a good pilot. It requires focus, punctuality, and  discipline to get the commercial licence and certificate.

“It has been a long road for the group of qualified pilots to obtain their licences. With the award of certificate, they can fly commercial planes,’’ Mr. Roebuck said.

He said the new pilots underwent two years of rigorous training and 37 flying procedures.

Favour Odozor (right) with colleagues in training

On his part, Mr. Odozor said he had always dreamt of becoming a pilot.

“Flying a plane has been my childhood dream, and I am happy today that I’m a licensed commercial pilot at the age of 20.

“I never expected myself to be the youngest Nigerian to get the commercial pilot licence, not to talk about in an advanced country like South Africa. I was just pursuing my childhood dream of being a pilot.

“But I thank God that I have now made history, as a record licensed commercial pilot in both Nigeria and South Africa,’’ Mr. Odozor said.

He said his immediate plan was to go for his instrument type and rating courses.

“Aviation training is very wide. This is just the beginning. My immediate plan is to enrol for my instrument type rating and Boeing 737 training courses,’’ Mr. Odozor said.

Mr. Odozor has equalled the record set by Ed Gardner, a Briton, who obtained  his commercial pilot licence at the age of 20 in 2008.

Before heading for South Africa for training, the Nigerian attended Uchenna Secondary School in Owerri, the Imo State capital, graduating in 2009.