The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has ordered the investigation of the purchase and distribution of vehicles by his predecessors.
It was reported that the probe was informed by the discovery that retiring officers, including former IGs and Deputy Inspectors-General of Police, were in the habit of appropriating police vehicles for their personal use.
Findings on Sunday show that the probe, which is being handled by the Special Investigation Panel, had identified and recovered 19 police vehicles from former IG, Solomon Arase.
Some of the vehicles include assorted sedans, Sports Utility Vehicles and pick-up vans.
The vehicles, it was learnt, were apart from the four vehicles he was entitled to take away with him on retirement.
A senior officer, who is familiar with the investigation, said the SIP was still working to recover five additional vehicles from the former police boss.
It was learnt that the SIP, headed by Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Ali Amodu, (retd.), had also recovered a number of police vehicles from other retired DIGs.
The recovered vehicles were said to have been distributed to newly promoted Commissioners of Police and AIGs.
The source said:
“We are making progress in our investigations. We were able to trace 24 vehicles to the former IG and we have recovered 19 already. He has yet to release the remaining five, but we won’t let up until we recover all the vehicles. We have pictures of the vehicles and they have been documented, so he can’t deny it, the recovery is a fact.”
Arase had earlier denied taking away 24 vehicles when his successor, Idris, made the allegation during an interview with journalists on July 18, 2016, shortly after he assumed office.
Idris had further alleged that the seven DIGs, who retired alongside Arase, also carted away between seven and eight cars each. Arase, however, denied the allegations of his successor, saying he did not go away with any police vehicle.
He said,
“What am I going to do with 24 cars? Do I want to open a car shop? This is a malicious accusation. There are ways of verifying issues rather than engaging in media propaganda.”
Arase said all vehicles bought by the police under him were distributed to the state commands and other appropriate units of the Nigeria Police Force.
An Egyptian woman is believed to be the fattest woman on the planet after her weight ballooned to 79 stone.
Iman Ahmad Abdulati, 36, has not left her home for 25 years because of her weight problem.
She needs help going to the toilet as she can no longer walk there herself.
According to El Arabiya, Iman was born weighing a staggering five kilograms.
‘She was diagnosed with elephantiasis – a parasitic infection that causes extreme swelling in a person’s limbs and arms.
Her family believe she suffered a stroke at the age of 11 which left her bedridden and piling on weight.After years of desperate attempts to deal with the issue, her sister Chaymaa’ Ahmad Abdulati has now gone public with the problem in the hope of getting help.
Iman currently lives in the family home with her sister and mother.
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested some suspected members of Eiye Confraternity, who allegedly used a residence on Halidu Avenue in Shibiri, in the Okokomaiko area of the state, for cult activities.
Among the suspects are three brothers – David Richard, 33; Sunday Richard, 39; and 29-year-old Odefe Richard.
Two other siblings, John Agboroko, 30; and 34-year-old Matthew Agboroko, were also apprehended.
Other suspects are Samson Okpe, 32; Paul Jago 30; Saheed Oriyomi; 32; and 29-year-old David Quenum from the Republic of Benin.
The police said the residence belonged to one Mrs. Rosemary Lawrence, who lives on Old Marine Road, Apapa.
PUNCH Metro learnt that a shrine, where new members were initiated, was uncovered by a team of policemen who stormed the compound at about 5am on Saturday.
It was gathered that wraps of drugs suspected to be cannabis were also recovered from the scene.
A police source told our correspondent that some operatives had been on surveillance of the area prior to the arrest of the suspects.
“There was a shrine in an apartment on that premises, where the suspects used to meet and initiate new members. We got information that the gang was initiating new members and we stormed the compound. Some of the suspects are siblings. We have been keeping a close watch on the group’s activities for some time. They are Eiye Confraternity members,” the source said.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the arrest, adding that the Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, had directed that the suspects be charged to court.
She said,
“At about 11.30pm on Friday, information was received that a house on Halidu Avenue, Shibiri, owned by one Mrs. Rosemary Lawrence, was allegedly being used for the initiation of cultists.
“The place was raided and nine suspects were arrested. Some wraps of weeds suspected to be hemp were recovered in a shrine allegedly used for the initiation of new members. The suspects are still under investigation.”
A woman is auctioning her virginity to help her family following a devastating house fire.
Katherine Stone, 20, left Seattle to work in one of Nevada’s infamous legal brothels after spotting an advertisement on Facebook.
There, she is advertising her virginity for $400,000 – however she won’t accept a bid unless she feels a “connection” with the person.
Speaking to CNN , she said:
“People say you are supposed to do it for love. But if you think about it, I am doing it because I love my family.”
Stone struck up a deal with brothel tycoon Dennis Hof in 2015. Hof stated she could sell her virginity at his brothel – as long as he gets a 50% cut.
Until then, she works at the brothel and offers non-intercourse services to raise money for her family who didn’t have insurance when the fire destroyed their home. She said:
“I’m waiting for a man who I feel a connection with so that the experience can be special for both of us.
“I have the right to choose what I do with my body. And in this troubling economy, do you blame me?”
The current recession rocking the Nigerian economy has hit one of the biggest employers of labour in the country outside of the government as the Dangote Group, belonging to Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has fired 48 members of staff.
Punch gathered that those sacked were made up of 36 expatriate and 12 Nigerian workers from the group’s headquarters and one of the subsidiaries, Dangote Cement Plc.
It was further gathered that the huge amounts in foreign currencies being paid to the expatriate workers had become a burden on Dangote due to the steady depreciation in the value of the naira and the difficulties of raising enough dollars.
For the affected Nigerians, it was gathered that most of them had disciplinary issues, which made it easy for the group to do away with their services.
However, in a letter titled:
‘Recent Retirement Exercise’, signed by the President/Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, dated Thursday, October 20, 2016, read in part,
“This year has been a very challenging year for us as a business. The unavailability of foreign exchange coupled with an unprecedented hike in the exchange rate has resulted in increased costs across the organisation.
“This called for a proper review and adjustment of our costs across board to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in the deployment of our factors of production in a bid to eliminate redundancies that we know exist, which resulted in some tough decisions, which means losing staff, including some of our colleagues“On Friday, October 14, 2016, we began the process of staff cutbacks as it is imperative to review our human capital deployment for the required cutbacks that would ensure eficiency and eliminate redundancies in the allocation of human resources.
“This first phase of this exercise involved the cutback of 36 expatriate staff across the Dangote Cement Plc and Dangote Industries Limited, and 12 local staff members in Dangote Industries Limited.”
Mavin Records Singer, Reekado Banks and his beautiful 19 year old girlfriend, Emem shared these loved up photos from all the way Houston as they attended the One Africa Music Festival together.
A 41-year-old man in Fresno, California was sentenced to 1,503 years in prison for raping his teenage daughter over a four-year period.
The man was sentenced Friday, October 21, to the longest-known prison sentence in Fresno Superior Court history. The Associated Press is not naming the man because it could identify his daughter. They also don’t name victims of sexual abuse.
In announcing the punishment, Judge Edward Sarkisian Jr. told the man he is a “serious danger to society” and noted that he had never shown remorse and has blamed his daughter for his predicament.
The man’s daughter was first sexually abused by a family friend but instead of protecting her, he turned her into “a piece of property,” prosecutor Nicole Galstan said.
The victim was raped two to three times a week from May 2009 to May 2013, when the girl got the courage to leave him.
In September, a jury found him guilty of 186 felony counts of sexual assault, including dozens of rape of minor. The daughter, who is now 23 told the judge that her father has never shown remorse for her pain and suffering.
“When my father abused me, I was young. I had no power, no voice. I was defenseless,”
Before his preliminary hearing, he turned down two guilty pleas. If he had admitted his guilt, prosecutors would have recommended 13 years in prison. But he rejected the offer, saying he should be released from jail for the time he already served.
“He ruined her teenage years and made her feel like it was her fault,” Galstan said.
Honestly I’m not sure what’s going on in my marriage. Sometimes, I think I’m losing my mind for no reason. Then again, I feel something really wrong is going on. Let me give a bit of background.
I’m in my early 30s and I’ve been married for about 3 years without kids. My husband and I live in a European country and we have a great relationship. I have a BFF, let’s call her X.
She’s about my age but older by two years. Our parents worked for the same oil company and were very friendly with each other. We both went to the same secondary school in Nigeria, ended up in the West together for uni and have had loads of fun times together.
She knew my husband from the days of toasting to dating and marriage. To be fair to her, she has been so supportive. When I had no one or money difficulties as a student, she was there for me in a way no one could. A friend who is closer than a sister.
My problem is with her closeness with my husband. My husband and I are not from the same tribe. When marrying overseas, you can’t be filtering for tribe. However, X is from the same tribe as my husband.
Sometimes, the way they gist in their local dialect makes me uncomfortable, always laughing crazily like teenagers. In all my years of marriage, I haven’t enjoyed that the banter that they have.
Whenever when they discuss in English like when we all hang out together, I feel like the third wheel. Sometimes, my gut tells me she is flirting with him with her general body language and the way she makes faces at him. The fact that X was she was a wild chic at university just makes uneasy.
My husband doesn’t even seem to restrain her or himself, like I think a married man should. She hasn’t done anything overt. It is the nudging him in the ribs, the rubbing of his head or even gentle tugging of his beard that is making me go crazy. The way she laughs at his jokes; jokes that are not even funny. She is too damn relaxed in his presence.
She has even this nickname for him in their dialect. When my hubby got a promotion and we all went out to eat, X came to the restaurant dressed to the nines and wearing this incredible fragrance. Then she gave him this bear hug that I felt lasted for too long. I don’t feel all this is normal but I don’t want to be a prude.
I know she is not seeing anyone, she would tell me if so. Her life has been a bit scattered so she hasn’t cultivated a serious relationship. She’s prettier than I am and I know she shouldn’t have any problem attracting guys.
What can I do? I can’t just cut her off abruptly or ban her from her house. It would be odd and besides, we have a lot of mutual friends. To be fair to my husband, he hasn’t given me any tangible reason to be suspicious but you know what they say about naija men.
I don’t know of anytime they have been in the same place without my knowledge. But he is not helping matters the way he always invites her for events or compliments her or things like that.
I can’t confront husband because I may be making a mountain out of a mole-hill. The last thing I want is to be called a jealous wife. I can’t tell my parents because they never supported my marriage from the outset (tribal issues) and I want to prove them wrong.
I already have enough stress from work and trying to start a family. I feel so worn out. What do I do?
Ekiti state’s Governor Ayodele Fayose, in a Channels interview reiterated his belief that the over 200 missing Chibok girls were not kidnapped by Boko Haram as widely believed. It’s all a propaganda, he said.
“I want to make it very clear. I am still not clear about the issue of these Chibok girls. I am not quite clear about it. You might not like my views about it. You might not want to hear it. When you tell me about 200 students were to go for exams and they are physics students.
The first one they brought to us cannot speak English. The second one they brought was resisted by the Bring Back Our Girls Group. When you look at the scenario, you begin to ask questions. Is this a make believe?”he said
Beautiful Nollywood actress and mother of one, Stephanie Okereke Linus posted the above beautiful family photo to mark her son Maxwell’s first birthday.
The operatives of Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of Lagos State Police Command have apprehended a tricycle rider, popularly called, “Keke Marwa”, for allegedly abducting a 15 – year old girl and turning her into sex slave.
The suspect, Dada Azeez, 28, abducted Bukunmi on October 5 while on errand for her aunt in Agege area before the RRS operatives rescued her on October 21th, 2016 from his hideout in Agege.
The alleged abduction of the girl was disclosed by her sister, Mrs Gbemisola, who stated that the girl was abducted with a sum of N58,000:00 meant for her thrift contribution.
The suspect, after weeks of lodging in several locations to evade arrest, was eventually nabbed by the operatives at his residence at 7, Oseni Street, Danjuma Cinema area, Agege with the girl in his one room apartment.
Confessing to the crime, the suspect disclosed that he wooed the girl when she was 14 years old at her sister’ shop in Agege. “We started having secret affair about a year ago. But her sister frowned at our relationship when she got to know.
Unknown to her, we were still seeing each other. In order to be having regular conversation with her, I bought a mobile phone for her and instructed her to hide it from her sister. So, whenever she intended coming to meet me, she will call and I will describe our meeting point for her”.
He added “then I thought if she could elope with me that would be better for us. I started working on her psyche and deceiving her with some material things”.
“I was able to perpetrate the crime when her sister sent her on errand on one Sunday afternoon. However, I didn’t know she was with such amount of money. I just wanted to take her far away from her guardian for not supporting our relationship”, he revealed.
Narrating her ordeal, Bukunmi noted that the suspect forcefully deflowered her, adding that, he turned her to a sex slave.
According to her,” he forced himself on me the very first day I visited him at his residence. Ever since, he has been having sex with me without wearing condom.
He slept with me anywhere and even at his friends’ place where he hid me for weeks. I succumbed to him because I couldn’t go back home”.
She said that the suspect collected the N58,000:00 her sister gave her. “He fed me thrice a day probably from that thrift contribution money”, she added.
The victim, who looked pale when he was arrested, said that, she eloped with him out of ignorance.
Also arrested along with him, was one of his friends, Wasiu Agunbiade, who aided the abduction by accommodating the suspect and the teenager in his one-room apartment in Agege.
He said that he only accommodated them for a night, adding that he never knew he abducted the little girl.
“If I had known the girl was abducted, I would have advised him to return her to her parents. I never believed he could commit such crime.
He begged me to accommodate them for one night with her in my room, stressing, “he left my place the following day to somewhere else. I regretted allowing them to pass the night in my place”.
In her reaction, sister of the abducted girl, who was so elated upon seeing her niece, said that the family will take her to hospital for medical check-up.
While confirming the incident, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Superintendent of Police, SP Dolapo Badmus, warned parents and guardians against exposing their wards and children to social vices around their environment.
The suspect, friend and the abducted girl have been transferred to the Divisional Police Office in Agege where the case was initially reported before RRS operatives took it up and rescued the girl.
Miss. Controversial, Kemi Omololu Olunloyo has once again come out to publicly blast celebrity blogger, Linda Ikeji for not winning her category at the MTV Africa Music Awards 2016 (MAMA ’16).
She addressed Linda as nobody and call her fans dummy.
She also claimed Linda has no Uterus therefore, she cannot bear a child of her own:
Yesterday, one of the graduands at the University of Ilorin 32nd convocation ceremony, Yusuf Ololade Faidat, was the centre of attraction, as she clinched 19 prizes.
Faidat, who is in her early 20s beat the men in her department to win the prize for the best graduating student from the Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences.
She received the prize of N20,000 awarded each session by the Senate to the student adjudged to be the best in each faculty.
She also got another prize of N10,000, awarded by the Senate to the best student in each department.
Daily Trust on Sunday gathered that Faidat took home prizes for best student in the departments of Behavioural Sciences, Pathology, Community medicine, Paediatrics and child health, Medicine, Ophthalmology, Obstetrics and gynaecology and Surgery.
Also, out of the 12 endowed prizes and scholarships, Faidat got 10 of them which are; the Henry Adewoye prize for best graduating student in Chemical pathology, Late Dr. Hamza Olayinka Brimoh prize for best graduating student in Medicine, Prof. Mathew Akinyemi Araoye prize for best graduating student in Medicine, Abdullahi Mohammed/Ilorin community prize for best graduating student in Child health.
Others are the late Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki prize for best graduating student in Medicine, Prof Stephen K. Odaibo’s prize for best graduating students in Surgery, Justice Mohammed Mustapha Akanbi’s prize for best graduating female student in College of medicine, 1992-1995 prize for best overall pre-clinical medical graduand at 1st professional MBBS and best overall clinical medical graduand in Part III final MBBS as well as Albert Anjorin prize donated by the Ilorin Medical Student Association (ILUMSA) Alumni for best graduating student in Pathology.
The overjoyed Faidat, while speaking to newsmen attributed her success to the Almighty and perseverance.
“As a woman you can become whatever you want to be once you are persistent, irrespective of number of men around you. I read for about four hours every day,” she said.
A 40-year-old man from Okpoma village in Yala Local Government Area, Cross River State, Dominic Iyayi Ogar, has thrown his in-laws into mourning following the gruesome murder of his wife and their only daughter.
Ogar is alleged to have committed the dastardly act on October 8, 2016 in Mpape, Abuja. Sunday Sun reporter learnt from the Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory Command, Mr. Mohammed Mustafa, that Ogar, who slept with his wife and their only daughter on the same bed, woke up suddenly in the middle of the night, took a knife and stabbed both of them to death, and they died instantly.
Mustafa said that Ogar then carried the corpses of the dead 27-year-old wife, Omago and the daughter, two-year-old Blessing to a nearby nursery and primary school in the area; he allegedly wrote a small note and dropped it beside the corpses and then ran off to hide in his farm.
His evil deed, however, came to light when one of his neighbours, Destiny Onwusuaka, noticed a trail of blood that led to the door of the family house. In a chat with Sunday Sun reporter, Onwusuaka said: “It was around 7:00am when I discovered stains of blood on the floor and followed the trail to the door of Ogar.
When I looked into the room, I saw a pool of blood but I didn’t see the husband or the victims.
“It was later that I saw the two corpses where the husband dropped them. I shouted and called our neighbours. We then ran to the police to report what we saw. We started searching for the husband. It took four days before we found him and arrested him in his farm on October 11, 2016.
Following the arrest of the suspect, the corpses of the deceased were moved to the mortuary of the National Hospital, Abuja.
At the Criminal Investigation Department of the FCT Police Command, where he spoke with Sunday Sun, Ogar said:
“I don’t have a job, I cannot feed my family, I can only feed myself, and God should forgive me for what I have done.
“I don’t know what came to my mind; it was frustration that led me to stab my wife and only daughter to enable me survive in life.”
As it stands now, Mustafa said that Ogar’s hope of surviving in life now lies at the discretion of the court where he would soon be arraigned to answer charges.
Ailing Nollywood Actor, Leo Mezie was flown to London for his Kidney treatment and he is said to be responding really well to treatment.
The actor has taken a moment to speak from his sick bed, thanking all those who provided financial assistance to make it possible for him to go to London. He said:
“Hello people, this is your boy Leo Mezie, I want to use this medium to say thank you for your support, financially, thank you players, I just want to let you know that everything got across to me. I want to also thank in a special way; my president, Igbinagbo, Chioma Okoye my sister, Kele Akara my wonderful friend and brother, I want to thank Chijiro, I want to thank Ifoma Okereke, these are the team that swore me to action immediately the news got broken. I thank you guys, I thank you all, and I pray God to bless you in a million fold. I’m sorry this came a bit late, it is just that I have been unstable, but I am now stronger and better…”
They call American musician DJ Khaled the King of Snapchat for a reason. But his recent post on the social media site has got tongues wagging.
The American musician of Arabic descent shared with his fans on Snapchat a video of his wife Nicole delivering their son while his album was playing in the background.
While this may be surprising to some, it does not come as a surprise to fans of the DJ and occasional rapper. He often shares videos of his daily life on social media but, this may be a tad too much for some.
As expected, some fans have berated the musician for sharing what in their opinion supposed to be a private moment. But others have praised him describing the video as cute and loving.
Pastor Tunde Bakare, said the current economic recession was an opportunity for the Church to bail out the country through God-inspired economic principles. Bakare, a Senior Pastor, Latter Rain Assembly, Lagos, stated this on Saturday in Abuja.
He spoke on the theme: “ The Church and Economic Recession , “ at the 14th anniversary celebration of Foursquare Gospel Church.
He said that the church had the ability to bail out nations, influence public policy through God-inspired economic principles and strategically position human resources to implement its principles.
Bakare, however, said that the church was yet to rise to the height mandated to it by destiny to bail out nations and to lead them to God’s will.
“ I am convinced that the recession currently being experienced in Nigeria is an opportunity for the Church.
“Therefore, I declare to you that the Scripture is about to be fulfilled in your hearing as God is stirring up the church to take responsibility for the destiny of Nigeria.
“ That is why we are gathered here today to talk about the church and economic recession.
“ If the church is also reeling from the impact of the recession, we must admit to ourselves that this is against the Scriptural pattern.
“ It is the best of times to take the tenets of the faith beyond the four walls of the church building to the marketplace and the policy roundtable, “ Bakare said.
He said that the nation’s economic recession was largely self-inflicted which could have been avoided, saying “unfortunately for Nigeria, our biggest boom experience fell into the hands of an unprepared leadership.“
The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a suspected kidnapper, Odele Tosin, for allegedly masterminding the kidnap of a 12-year-old girl, Eniola Oyekanmi, in the Ketu area of Lagos.
The victim was said to have been kidnapped on Friday by the gang at the Orimerunmu area of Ketu.
Policemen from Mowe Division of the command reportedly rescued Oyekanmi around 1am on Saturday in a hotel at Mowe, Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of the state.
The victim was taken to the hotel, while the gang demanded a ransom.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, told Sunday Punch that the victim was kidnapped by the gang while she was running an errand for her parents.
He said, “She was taken to a hotel in Mowe where the kidnappers kept her and started demanding a ransom. They ran out of luck when the anti-robbery team from Mowe Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer, Francis Ebohuwa, got a tip-off and stormed the hotel. One of the suspects was arrested while others escaped. The victim was rescued unhurt.”
Oyeyemi said the state Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Iliyasu, had ordered a manhunt for the members of the gang who escaped.
He said Iliyasu had also directed that the suspect be transferred to the Anti-kidnapping Unit of the command headquarters at Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation.
Celebrated actor, director, producer and film-maker, Zack Orji, talks about his experiences as a father with GBENGA ADENIJI of Punch.
How would you describe fatherhood?
I would describe fatherhood as being a father in all expectations of the word; being a father to one’s children not only by words but also by deeds.
I have discovered over the years that action speaks louder than words. Most of the things I have done over the years were things I learnt as a child. Things that I watched my father do; not as much as the things he said but the things I saw him do. I discovered too that parents must be careful in training their children not only by what they tell them to do but the actions they take in the presence of their children. This made me to realise that fatherhood is not an easy thing because one cannot be on one’s guard always. One cannot change who one is in one’s home. If one is a general in the army, one cannot be a general to one’s children at home. One must be a father to them.
What year did you become a father?
I became a father two years after marriage in 1991.
What can you say have been your challenges as a father?
One of my biggest challenges as a father is spending enough and quality time with my children. Owing to the nature of my work, I travel a lot within and outside the country. I go out to work and also socialise with other people. Some of these times, I wished I were with my family. I have discovered that I cannot be with them most of time I wished to be with them because of the exigencies of my work.
Were you in the hospital with your wife when she was delivered of her first child?
By the grace of God, I was with her at the time until the doctor told me to go home to get some of the things the baby would need. It was about 30 minutes after I left the hospital that she put to bed. I was in the hospital with her during the birth of my two other children who are girls. But I did not witness the birth of our first child who is a boy as I had to go home to prepare things for the baby as instructed.
Do you wish to correct anything as a father?
There is nothing I would wish to correct as a father. Many fathers do not have enough time for their children due to what I call an irony of life. They spend their lives working hard to make money to cater for their children. Their jobs thus take them away from their children and families. So, whatever time one has, one should spend it well with them.
Did you nurse any fears prior to your becoming a father?
No, I did not. I was brought up to always take things in my stride. Whatever comes, I believe that I have enough grace from God to take care of it. Fear is part of the human nature but one learns to overcome it by trusting God. He gives one the grace to overcome it.
Apart from providing for your children, what other way have you been able to discharge your fatherly role to them?
I believe I am a good example to them. They are free with me. We discuss and talk as friends. I always tell them to tell me anything and not be afraid. This has made them feel relaxed to tell me anything. Anytime I am not around and they need anything, they do not hesitate to call me.
Are you saying the Zack Orji who cuts the picture of a disciplinarian in movies is different from Zack Orji the father?
Yes, I am a disciplinarian. I am free with my children at home, but they know that it does not give them the freedom to do whatever they like. We are good friends. But they are also careful not to cross the line. I have never raised a hand to any of them.
How do you discipline them whenever they act up?
I speak to them. I have never found the need to use the rod on any of my children. I count myself very blessed because I have children who respect and love me. They listen to me whenever I talk to them. Even my son, Lionel, when he was studying abroad would call to tell me if he got an invitation to any event. I would only tell him to attend it but to be careful.
Your son is into music. Would it be right to say his interest in the entertainment industry was influenced by you since it is also your industry?
Possibly, but then a lion can only beget a lion. When he completed secondary education, I asked him what he wanted to do and he said ‘media.’ Eventually, he studied Media with Television at the University of Bradford, United Kingdom. He should be going for a master’s degree programme soon.
What legacy do you wish to leave for your children and the society?
I do not know about legacy. But I know that my life, work and lifestyle have influenced many people. I believe that is the essence of living. God created us to impact positively on others; to empower others and make them realise their dreams. Anybody who lived in a way that his or her life did not impact positively on others either knowingly or unknowingly lived a wasted life.
How often do your children watch the movies you feature in?
They watch the movies I feature in sometimes. They have not watched all my movies though. My children are my number one fans.
What values did you learn from your father which you are passing on to your children?
My father died in 1983. I was in final year in the university at the time. I got my diction and orientation from my father. He was more handsome than I am. He worked with John Holt as a clerk. He was careful about his speech. Most times, he would pronounce some big words and ask us to search for their meanings in the dictionary. My father was also fashionable in the way he dressed. He would dress and ask us to appraise his dressing. If we dressed in a way he did not like, he would look at the person and say, ‘You dressed like a bush man.’ My father was also a staunch Christian. I have recollections of how he would wake up at night and say warfare prayers. He was also fair-minded and a strict disciplinarian. He also spoke to us using popular sayings such as ‘punctuality is the soul of business.’ All these I imbibed from my father.
Did you assist your wife to do domestic chores before your children became adults?
I did domestic chores and I still do. In fact, my son slept on my chest the day they returned from the hospital. For me, a man should be willing to do housework because it is his house.
I wash the dishes sometimes. It is not about showing love for one’s wife or one’s family. I just believe that since it is my house, it is something I should do. Also, when the children see such a thing, they will endeavour to emulate it. It will become a habit. Sometimes, whenever my children are reading, I will pack my plates myself to the kitchen after eating rather than disturb their reading. We have no house maids. My children sweep, cook and do other house chores. There are no cut-out roles for my wife or anybody in my house. There is no rule that says my wife must cook or do other things. I wash the toilet sometimes since everything one needs to clean the toilet is there.
What biggest gift have you given your children?
I set target for them that if they pass an examination for example, I will give the person a certain amount. It is a way of encouraging them to remain focused. I must tell you that it has been productive.
Did you have preference for a particular gender before the arrival of your first child?
No, I did not. Let me tell you this. About six months before my wife gave birth, the scan showed that it was a girl. So, we bought baby things for a female child. When I brought the baby things to the hospital, I was congratulated by the nurses. I later learnt that my wife was delivered of a baby boy. The baby had to put on girl’s clothes for the first day.
You do not seem to participate more in local movies nowadays. What have you been doing?
I have been around; participating in productions both home and abroad. I have a production next month in the US. I have been coping as a father, actor and husband. I also appreciate my wife who has been so supportive of my work. My wife’s name is Ngozi. She is an actor, costume designer and a gospel artiste.
How do you cope with female fans?
Being a celebrity does not give one a licence to misbehave. I try to be friends with everyone even when it is not convenient for me. But because of the nature of my work, one can also say I am a public property. I bend over backwards sometimes to be nice to people. The smile one puts on the face of someone might be what the person needs to brighten up for the day. If one denies the person such, he or she may develop resentment which may last for a long time.
What major advice did you give your children about life?
I did not give them a particular advice but I serve as a good example to them by my deeds. I make them copy good habits and exhibit same. I believe that by the grace of God, they will impact positively on their generation.
Furniture maker, Olabisi Ola, in this interview with Spice, talks about her foray into carpentry, enjoy!
What are your qualifications?
I have a bachelor’s degree in Industrial and Labour Relations, from the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, and a diploma in Local Government Studies from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. I also have a certificate in interior design from the Maven School of Interior Design.
What is your work history?
I worked with Citygate Global now Empire Trust Microfinance, as a customer relationship manager and I resigned in May 2014. Prior to that time, I interned with the Interior Designers Association of Nigeria for three months and I was a part of the team that organised the industry’s first interior design exhibition in Nigeria.
I also worked with Skye Bank PLC, as a teller and customer service officer.
Why did you quit your job to become a carpenter?
The desire for the highest fulfillment of self. Sometime in March 2014, I became less interested in my eight to six job. I looked into the future and what I saw scared me. I saw myself getting married, having children, growing old and dying without any fulfillment.
I became dissatisfied and restless. There was a void I knew my current job at the time, couldn’t fill; I had this intense craving for something tangible. So I resigned even though I had not set any money aside and had no clear definition of what I wanted to do next.
I went for my interior design business and decided to focus on that. I did that for a year but the peace I wanted still eluded me.
I knew that wasn’t the path to follow. During one of my quiet times, the thought to narrow my business down to furniture came to me and I did just that. That was how my furniture making journey started in July, 2015.
I sourced for carpenters, created a product collection, and opened a store on Konga – “Timberworks.” As I progressed, I saw the need to reduce production cost. Thus, I made the decision to buy materials myself and just pay the workers for labour. This decision exposed me to the practical details of the business and also made visible the possibilities that abound in what looked impossible.
Did you train on the job?
Yes. I trained on the job by getting free resources online and watching videos online on furniture making. And as it is with people in the arts and craft industry, the demand on your skill is ever evolving.
This makes the learning process infinite. So with each piece I make, I learn something new and keep getting better.
When and how did you decide to become a carpenter?
I decided in February 2015. I asked one of the people working with me to assist with putting together a TV console.
I had purchased all the needed materials; he only had to couple them. I watched him while he worked and the thought that I could do this came out of nowhere (I believe God spoke to me).
I sustained the thought and saw the possibility of me doing it. So I asked if he would train me and he said no.
He said,
“Madam, you can’t understand this work.It’s more complicated than it looks and it’s not a woman’s job.”
But the thought of learning carpentry stayed with me afterwards and I spoke to a friend who promised to help me make enquiries.
She came back to tell me that I would have to train for three years and serve for another year if I wanted to train in a carpentry workshop.
That discouraged me and I laid the idea to rest.
But in June, I found myself in a very dark place and nothing seemed to be working. I was down financially, emotionally and spiritually. A lot was just going on at the time and it was too much to bear.
In the midst of all the chaos, just like a light bulb, the thought about my carpentry training flashed and considering that I had been asking God for clarity, I knew that was the answer I had been yearning for. I had no option than to go after it with a renewed determination.
I didn’t bother looking for someone to train me anymore; I went online to download free ebooks on furniture making and committed myself to watching furniture making videos on Youtube.
I knew I didn’t have the money for big machines or a workshop, so I had to make do with what I had which was N21,000. I bought the essential tools needed and started training myself.
Did your friends and family frown on the choice you made?
My parents weren’t too keen on the idea initially; considering it is the dream of most Nigerian parents to have their children work in a corporate environment. But seeing how convinced I was, they had no other option than to support me. My friends are one of the greatest gifts God has blessed me with.These are people who have taken my dream upon themselves as though it’s theirs. Their shoulders are readily available to lean on. Theygo the extra mile for me just as I would for them.I am indeed blessed to call them friends.
What was your first carpentry experience like?
Frightening, interesting, disorienting and enlightening. My first experience was all of these and more. I hadn’t done such before, so there were a lot of mistakes, confusion and fear. I would be in the sun for hours working and sometimes not even make much headway. At some point, I was so overwhelmed and I thought to quit but the desire and hunger for success soon drowned all of my fears.
How do you source for clients?
Through word of mouth and social media. Konga (online mall) has been good to me as well.
How profitable is the carpentry business in Nigeria?
There is the need for furniture in every home, so it is considered a major purchase for most people. This leads to high turnover but not necessarily profit.
When the cost of doing business is factored into turnover, the profit margin can be low but if the business is scaled and structured properly, it is possible to record high profit. So the furniture business being profitable in Nigeria is relative.
What challenges do you currently encounter in your business and how are you coping with them?
I am constrained by the non-availability of space and lack of funds to buy machines for easy and fast production of items.
As a result of this, I don’t take in more than my current space can accommodate and I fulfill my technical needs at the plank market in Mushin for a fee. This is however usually stressful and time consuming.
When did the business first experience its major breakthrough?
I have experienced some great wins. I remember one sunny afternoon in August when I made my very first perfect piece which was a side table. I had been training for over a month and the progress seemed slow (looking back it wasn’t). I was already frustrated and was reaching my tipping point.
But on this day, I had marked my drilling points and was a bit nervous to drill in the screws, I eventually did and was surprised when the first screw held tight. Then I proceeded to finish the work I had started and was very surprised that the table did not wobble. A satisfaction that had so long escaped me saturated the experience.
That was and still is a proof that consistency is the key to achieving anything. And this is why I am so excited about this and the days ahead -with each piece I have created from then on, I am certain that if I keep at it- and I have no doubt I will- My big breakthrough is as sure as dawn.
What motivates you on the job?
My motivation comes from within. I am motivated by the fact that I am doing what I enjoy. I derive pleasure in joining boards and creating furniture pieces. The feeling that comes from finishing each piece is one I have never felt before.
To look upon something built to last, to know it exists because you put in the effort is a powerful motivation and addiction.
The sheer joy and happiness I see on the faces of those I have worked for motivates me to keep going and getting better. Knowing that I have the ability to create things that didn’t exist before I touched them is just beyond fulfilling.
Knowing that I just have to wake up, fulfill someone’s need and put a smile on their face by doing what I enjoy. I give them their item(s), I get paid for it, everyone is happy.
Do you feel intimidated by your male counterparts?
I don’t feel intimidated. I do what I do and I do it well. I hone my skills daily and keep looking for ways to be better at it, so all I feel is pride, joy and happiness. No intimidation.
Have you ever been looked down upon as a female carpenter?
I get questioned a lot by male carpenters at the plank market and they mostly suggest I look for a man to work for me as this is not a profession for women. But I won’t call that being looked down upon, I see it as their way of dealing with the ceiling that has been crashed.
If you weren’t a carpenter, what other profession would you have considered and why?
Maybe a chef. I love creating stuff and I like food.
How do you unwind?
Watching movies, listening to music and dancing.
What advice do you have for females who intend to go into carpentry?
For females who genuinely seek to follow this path, I’d say the time to make that move is now. If you do this, become the absolute best you can.
It’s a field where there is positive correlation between effort and reward – the more you take on, the more you make. Know that nothing is impossible and nothing is out of reach.
Whatever idea your mind can conceive, you have the ability to make it happen so far you’re willing to put in the work. It is my sincere wish that you fulfill the highest expression of yourself.
In August 2013, Delectable Nollywood actress, Chika Ike finalized her divorce with her estranged husband, Tony Eberiri over alleged grounds of infidelity, domestic violence and more.
The movie star is excited to have found love again and she tells Kemi Filani Blog all about it and more in this exclusive interview…Enjoy!
Is Chika Ike a fulfilled woman yet?
Honestly, not yet. There are certain things I haven’t achieved. Everyday I wake up, I want to get to the zenith of my career, but all takes one step at a time. I’m still hoping to achieve more which would eventually make me a fulfilled woman.
We know you have finished the season 2 of your TV Reality show, African Diva, which just started airing, is there another pet projects you are working on?
Of course Yes! I have my movie project coming up next year. We are still working on it. But for now we are focused on African Diva.
What’s new about the African Diva reality show season 2?
We had 3 girls each from four African countries and the rest from Nigeria. The season 2 was thought through. It has better picture quality,the girls more organized, the task more interesting, the house more structured. Lots to learn about from this season 2.
You have been in Nollywood for a long time, how do you re-invent yourself to be always relevant?
Life is all about growth. The day you stopped growing, you start dying. The ability of not been satisfied, the thought of failure, scares me. It makes me to want to do for myself everyday.
How has life been generally for you as a Nigerian actress?
I started acting since 2005. I knew there was a world I could conquer back then beyond my father’s bakery wall at Ikotun- Egbe area of Lagos State.
It has been 11 years has been very rewarding.
But for a while now, your face has been scarce in movies, have you shunned acting on other people’s jobs?
Well, my latest movie is still in the cinema; Miss Teacher. I released it last year for the cinemas.
Adding to that, I have been busy with my pet projects and doing a lot of traveling too. But I have done about 4 movies this year, 2016 for Iroko TV.
What’s the striking thing you want to be remembered for in Nollywood, just like AY the comedian who has broken bonds and also made it to the Guinness book of World’s records?
Firstly, I tap into AY’s blessing, (laughs). Honestly, I want to get to higher places in life, but we all know that no matter how far and wide you project, you can only get there by the grace of God.
From my recent experiences, I know it’s all about God and his plans for me. I know he would crown my efforts and hard work with great success.
Would ever go under the knife to correct or enhance any part of your body?
No! I won’t. I’m comfortable in my skin and looks but that doesn’t mean I am against those that did or want to go through plastic surgeries.
I’m beautifully made by God, so there’s no need to go under the knife to tamper with any part of my body.
After what you went through in your first marriage, do you still want to give love and marriage a second chance?
Marriage is a beautiful institution. I will never talk down on marriage because it’s something I still look forward to. It’s what every average woman hopes for. But the thing is, right now, i’m focused on my career.
But do you have a special someone in your life?
Yes I do (blushes..). I have a very special person in my life right now.
Is he from the movie industry?
Well, that’s all I can say about my relationship; I have a special someone. His profile doesn’t matter to you right now.
On social media, especially Instagram, how do you react to critics that trail your posts?
Some years back, it bothered me a lot. But right now, I have learnt to develop thick skin for such negative comments and critics. I don’t waste my time responding to them. I just sieve; the good, bad and ugly ones.
I take note of the good ones, do what I need to do with them and discard the rest.
Your mum was a pastor before she passed on some months ago, how did she influence your life?
My mum was a very strong woman. There’s something she always says, don’t let anyone intimidate you; be confident. So, she’s the kind of mum that won’t you fail. She preached the gospel all over the world; American, London, everywhere. She was like a role model to me. She shaped me into the woman I am today.
How is this present bad economy tagged ‘recession affecting you?
To be honest, it’s affecting everyone. Businesses are folding up everyday. We just have to go through all these for a reason. Americans too went through recession. But it’s the ability to survive after the recession that matter.
I have strategy; I tell myself that I must survive till the recession ends. I just have to look for ways to survive.
Was that why you went into Real Estate business?
Well, i’m a business woman as whole. I love doing business and I like generating funds for myself, so I can give out. I like to help people a lot. That’s my basic thing.
I do acting, I have a beauty store, and ventured into Real Estate, 5 years ago.
The Real Estate business is on the down low because of the recession.
Nollywood actress, Hilda Dokubo was in Lagos recently where she ministered as a Pastor at the Fresh Oil International Church. During her sermon, she revealed some part of her past that may be unknown to many.
While speaking, she said,
“I was born with a silver spoon, but death turned me poverty-stricken after my father died when I was just nine. I turned away from God at that point, because I felt disappointed that despite how much my father loved and served God, he still died.”…
She continued,
“After my dad died, my mother completely lost her mind. If she were living in the US, I’m sure she would have been diagnosed as a mental case. You know, in Nigeria, we don’t consider people mad until they have started eating from dustbins. I rebelled against God at that point, and I stopped going to church at the age of nine.
“However, I was a very brilliant girl, and I got admission into the university at the age of 16. I became rascally and did what girls like that do. I slept with a man, and I became pregnant. It wasn’t the Holy-Spirit that impregnated me.
My mom was devastated and disappointed in me because of that. I was also angry with her because ‘her God’ killed my father, and we stopped speaking to each other.
One day, a man came to me and said he needed a barge. I didn’t know what it was, and he told me it was used to store oil.
I then recalled that I had once seen a barge in the compound opposite ours. I went to the neighbour and told him I needed the barge. He asked me what I needed it for, but I told him not to worry.
I told them to put the barge in front of my mother’s house. At that point, the man who told me he needed the barge came back, and dropped sacks of money containing N2m with my mom because I was in school at that time.
Two weeks later, he returned with N500,000, and I was dumbfounded. Before then, I had never seen N100,000 together, but there I was as a millionaire at 17, not knowing what to do with the money.
I would have become a prostitute, but I became restless and challenged destiny. Your life cannot change for the better if you don’t challenge destiny. Even God challenged destiny.”
The prestigious MTV Africa Music Awards 2016 is finally here, the ceremony which is taking place at the Ticket pro Dome, Johannesburg, South Africa today being Saturday 22nd October 2016 is aimed at recognizing and rewarding musicians and achievers who have made the most impact on African music and youth culture over the previous year.
MAMA 2016 which is hosted by Bonang Matheba after Trevor Noah pulled out will feature stunning performances from American hip hop artist, Future and other African Superstars like Wizkid, Diamond, Emtee, Kwesta, Patoranking Alikiba, Babes Wodumo, Cassper Nyovest, Nasty C, Ycee and Yemi Alade etc.
Below Are The Announced List Of Winners
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Wizkid (Nigeria)
LEGEND AWARD
Hugh Masekela
BEST FEMALE
Yemi Alade (Nigeria) WINNER
BEST FRANCOPHONE
Serge Beynaud (Ivory Coast)
LISTENER’S CHOICE
Jah Prayzah (Zimbabwe)
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
“Niquer Ma Vie“ – Youssoupha (Congo) – Director: Antony Abdelli & Jose Eon
BEST COLLABORATION
Dj Maphorsia ft. Wizkid & Dj Buckz – Soweto Baby
BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT
Drake
BEST LUSOPHONE
C4 Pedro
BEST MALE
Wizkid (Nigeria)
BEST LIVE ACT
Cassper Nyovest (South Africa) WINNER
PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
Caster Semenya
BEST GROUP
Sauti Sol (Kenya) WINNER
BEST POP
Kyle deutsch & shekhinah
BEST BREAKTHROUGH
Tekno (Nigeria)
BEST HIP HOP
Emtee (South Africa)
SONG OF THE YEAR IN PARTNERSHIP WITH GOOGLE
“My Woman, My Everything” – Patoranking feat. Wande Coal (Nigeria)
Mavin singer, Korede Bello jumpsuit outfit has been described as a plumber,engineer workshop gear and of course a nepa official.
The ‘Godwin’ singer hit the red carpet of the 2016 MTV MAMA Awards, moments ago in this jumpsuit and has already been heavily criticized as one of the worst dressed at the event.
via instablog9ja
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Korede bello looking like he's about to fix NIGERIA with uninterrupted power supply pic.twitter.com/sf0VoFr2Cj
Arguably, the breast seems to be one part of a woman’s body that means different things to different people, and that could be the reason why women pay so much attention to it.
Beyond the fact that it is the source of food for a newborn baby, men see it as more of sex organ that makes sex more pleasurable, and for women, apart from its being important for breastfeeding after childbirth and being a body part that enhances their outlook, it is one of the routes to sexual satisfaction, as findings have shown that fondling the breasts is one of the quickest ways for women to reach orgasm.
Such is the importance of the breast, or boob as some prefer to call it, to all concerned.
Meanwhile, it has also been found that the firmness or otherwise of those two soft, protruding organs influence women’s self esteem, and they also impact on how attractive they are to men.
For most men, the bigger the better, and the more firm the breasts are the better, which make women to do all they can to make the breasts look firm, including using all kinds of bras.
It should be noted that the breasts tend to sag with age and after childbirth and or breastfeeding. But be that as it may, there are some human activities that could increase the likelihood of sagging.
So, given the much importance men and women attach to the firmness of a woman’s breasts, it seems helpful for women to know how best the breasts should be treated to avoid sagging (quickly).
1. Mismanaged breastfeeding: It is largely assumed that a woman’s breasts tend to sag after pregnancy and breastfeeding, and this is entirely understandable because of the release of some hormones and the secretion of milk which could increase the size of the breasts.
In fact, some people assume that with the way the baby draws the nipples in the process of suckling the mother’s breasts, the breasts would lose firmness and end up being droopy afterwards.
But those assumptions may not be true. According to a gynaecologist, Dr. Bolanle Shukra-Okesina, women can retain the firmness of their breasts even after breastfeeding, depending on how the woman manages the breasts during and after the period.
She said, “Breastfeeding per se does not make the breasts to sag. If the woman uses the appropriate bra size and she takes enough of fluid, especially water, when breastfeeding, the breasts will not sag, even after breastfeeding. Also, during pregnancy, the woman is expected to change the size of her bra as the breasts increase in size. She is supposed to use the appropriate size at every stage because the breasts need to be supported by a firm bra.
“When the milk stops after breastfeeding, the breasts would on their own go back to their normal size. So, if the woman does the right thing, the breasts have no reason to sag.
