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Welcome to Linda Ikeji's Blog

Footage of Synagogue building colllapse and 'strange airplane' allegedly behind it

Posted: 14 Sep 2014 07:18 AM PDT

This article was written by journalist Ihechukwu Njoku, who reports for The Synogogue Church of All Nations. Looks like the church is blaming the building collapse on a strange airplane. They shared an eerie video purportedly showing a plane flying over the building before it collapsed. Read Njoku's report below and watch the video after the cut...
On Sunday 14th April 2014, Prophet T.B. Joshua played to his congregation and Emmanuel TV viewers worldwide shocking footage captured by security cameras of the horrific moment a guest-house collapsed within the church premises.
Joshua, speaking to a packed auditorium of worshippers seemingly undeterred by the tragic incident that transpired days earlier, began by thanking officials involved in the extensive rescue operation, as well as supporters worldwide for their prayers." Continue..
He then recounted the events that preceded the building collapse at exactly 12:44pm on Friday afternoon. "I know this is not the right time to talk,"the cleric started. "I will just say a little because I don't want to interfere with the job of security personnel."
Joshua narrated how on Friday morning at approximately 8am, he left the 'prayer mountain'  where he 'lives' to return to the church, only to be alerted by phone that "there was a jet hovering, moving around at very close range at the mountain which I had just left."
Shortly afterwards, he was informed the plane in question was flying dangerously low over a particular building within the church premises. "We are going to show you the video," he then announced.
Church members reacted with gasps of shock and disbelief as a video containing security footage of the 'strange airplane' and its multiple flights was shown, followed by the building collapse in less than three seconds of horror.
Joshua went on to state that after thirty years residing in Ikotun, Lagos, he had never witnessed an incident of this nature. "This is to tell you we have a stable terrain in this area. I have been in this community for the past 30 years and no building has collapsed," he insisted.  
He went on to assure congregants that no effort was being spared in rescuing the victims of the tragedy. "As a minister of the Gospel, our first priority is life – life saving," he stated. "There is no compromise in what we do at all. I am going to leave this for you to judge."
He then released a warning that another similar incident would occur within the country if proper precautions were not observed. "Let us believe, educate our people and be alert. Why? So that our country will not witness a similar incident in another place."
Seeming to speak the minds of congregants, Joshua went on, "I know you will ask me – why Synagogue? Don't forget the spiritual blessing that God has bestowed on us? A big head wears a large hat."
He proceeded to decry the attitude people had exhibited towards a much-publicised confession of an alleged Boko Haram member in The SCOAN in March 2014. "No matter how long a lie is sustained, truth will someday prevail,"the cleric admonished. "We should remember the militant that came with his group to this church with a bomb. Upon televising it, they said it was a lie – but later discovered it to be true. The case is still with the security."
He added that the multiple rumours peddled about Ebola victims dying at The SCOAN and the alleged 'salt-water' cure ascribed to him that went viral were all attacks against the church. "They were trying to scare you from coming to this church. Don't be scared – you are not the target, I am the target."
Joshua stated however that his 'job' on earth was still unfinished. "I knew my hour had not yet come. I have not yet finished my job."
He reminded congregants of a message he had given several weeks earlier that the last few months of 2014, which he had already termed 'The Year Of Crossing The Bridge', would contain tragic and calamitous events as if 'it were 10 years'. He declared that in the midst of the unfortunate incident, "God is on top of the matter".
Joshua then stated that Divine judgement would befall the perpetrators of the attack. "I want to assure you that our God will get back to them – the agents of satan," he authoritatively declared.
Joshua went on to shock congregants the more by reading out a message he had received concerning another foiled Boko Haram plot against The SCOAN. "Man of God, my name is Emmanuel," the message stated. "I have a confession to make. I want to give my life to Jesus Christ. I am a Boko Haram member. I came to SCOAN to plant a bomb but could not do it because of the God who called you. I went back to Jos with the bomb which I still have with me now."
 "The reason I am showing you this is for you to know the God you are serving," Joshua explained. "God wants to reveal to you what He has been doing that you don't know about," he continued, adding that he knows 'faithless' attendees may likely stop visiting his church.
Joshua concluded by saluting the 'martyrs' who lost their lives in the tragic incident, describing them as people of faith who 'knew the God they are serving'.
He insisted that truth would prevail amidst the conflicting reports arising concerning the cause of the building's collapse. "Right from the beginning of my life, people have been lying but they still come back to the truth. That is a good life – for people to lie against you first before they realise the truth. Here I am – I leave it for you to judge. I am a prophet. The security have a job to do."
Ihechukwu Njoku - freelance Nigerian journalist
Watch the video below...

Death toll now 40 in Synagogue building collapse, NEMA says

Posted: 14 Sep 2014 06:47 AM PDT

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says the death toll in the Synagogue Church building collapse in the Ikotun area of Lagos has risen to 40.

"It's now 40 dead," NEMA southwest coordinator Ibrahim Farinloye, told AFP by text message.

124 people have so far been rescued alive from the rubble of the building said to be a guesthouse for foreign followers of the church. The building collapsed as construction work was going on to raise the 2-storey building to a five storey building.

Photos: Mo Abudu's fab Oscar de la Renta birthday dress

Posted: 14 Sep 2014 06:27 AM PDT

Media mgul Mo Abudu wore this fab Fall 2014 Oscar de la Renta dress for her 50th birthday party yesterday. Beautiful dress!

Diwali's mixtape, The Upgrade, drops today

Posted: 14 Sep 2014 06:55 AM PDT

His stage name is Diwali and real name is Henry Samankwe from Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State, born August 6thinto the family of late Mr. Paul Samankwe Okafor who passed away 2005 while he was in his first year in Madonna University, Okija studying Pharmacy. 
His mum a trader ( Regina Okafor) has always tried her best to support him in whatever he chooses to do. His Primary and Secondary education was respectively in Abuedo Primary School, Ubulu-Uku(1991-1997) and St.Anthony's Model College, Ubulu-Uku (1998-2004), Delta State. Continue..

After his Dad's death in 2005, he pulled out from Madonna University where he was studying Pharmacy to UNIVERSITY OF BENIN, Edo state popularly known as UNIBEN which was his dream school to study his favorite subject as a core, "CHEMISTRY" from 2007 to 2011 and graduated as one of the best in his class.
He started his musical career journey in 2003/2004 when Tuface Idibia came out with his double singles ( African Queen and Nfana Ibaga) which introduced him into the world of entertainment as a solo artiste under KENNIS MUSIC, since then DIWALI believed he can also achieve any and everything he sets his mind on as long as he is persistent and prayerful. He raps, sings and writes.
He started with the stage name, One M.Y.K.E, an acronym for One Man You'd Keep Expecting but the inspiration was from  Nas' ALL I NEED IS ONE MIC and he held on to the name for a while until 2009 in a rap competition in BENIN, an Indian fan gave him DIWALI which means CELEBRITY.... However, DIWALI is the biggest festival called FESTIVAL OF LIGHT that takes place every November which brings Indians in diaspora back home to celebrate like the Christmas Christians celebrate. He loved the name and obeyed the call and has since stuck to it. 
From his school days, he had engaged in different rap battles which he conquered at different occasions and has hooked up with producers like DOCSIDE( Omoruyi Sydney) to run/manage a studio which is still the best and most prominent studio in the school (uniben) environment till date.
In 2006 he recorded his first two songs for fun, titled GROOVE ON A FRIDAY and PART OF ME produced jointly by KEN BAZ and IZZYBEAT in the state capital, ASABA. In 2014, He finally sets out to release his first official single BUGHATTI to push his career to the next level. Clemzy made a befitting beat for BUGHATTI, a single which is still being promoted at the moment airing on radio stations and receiving massive response from fans within and outside the country. DIWALI on BUGHATTI.... He tried to appreciate the beauty of an African lady with her notable backside which is always used as one of the prominent features of a real black woman.
His has carefully brewed a 5track mixtape  titled UpGrade which drops today September 14th, 2014.
See link below:
http://www.reverbnation.com/q/52c3ab    GOOD MORNING AFRICA(Produced by CLEMZY)

http://www.reverbnation.com/q/52c42v    BUGHATTI(Produced by CLEMZY)

http://www.reverbnation.com/q/52c1qe    EGWUEJI(Produced by DOCSIDE)

http://www.reverbnation.com/q/52hca0 ANALIGOM(FAR GONE) Produced by CLEMZY

http://www.reverbnation.com/q/52he7x KPUGELE(Produced by CLEMZY)

DIWALI promises to be up and doing to thrill the fans anytime any day with good collabos and solos as the challenge has started already.

Nigerian military release photos from recent battle in Konduga

Posted: 14 Sep 2014 06:16 AM PDT

About 150 Boko Haram members were killed on Friday September 12th by the Nigerian army as the militants attempted to attack Konduga village in Borno State. (read the story here). The military has released some pictures from the battle scene to re-assure the public that they are capable of defending them. See some of the pics after the cut...



Vehicle recovered from Boko Haram
Another vehicle recovered from Boko Haram
Recovered ammunition
Boko Haram vehicle recovered

Evangelist shoots and kills his own father in Enugu

Posted: 14 Sep 2014 05:43 AM PDT

A self acclaimed evangelist, Chukwukezi Afonogu (pictured above), has been arrested by men of the Enugu state Police command for shooting his 65 year old father, George Afonogu, dead.
According to Sunday Sun, Enugu state Police Commissioner, Mr Mohammed Adamu, said 33 year old Chukwukezi attacked and killed his father on August 25th during arguement. The suspect said he became very angry after his father called him a mad man. Continue...
During interrogation, Chukwukezi, who is the only son of his late father said;
"I am an evangelist and a member of the Evergreen Believers Bible Ministry. Before this thing happened, I was having several quarrel with my late father. My father called me on that fateful day and asked me about an electrician that was supposed to work in the house and he gave me N500. My late father was a difficult person. The incident happened around 3.00pm. My father called me a "mad boy" and a quarrel ensued. I went inside the room and took my hunter's gun and shot him. I quickly carried him to a nearby bush and buried his corpse because nobody was at home. Immediately, I buried him, I ran away. My late father had eight children. The first born died and we have six girls and I am the only son" he said
Chukwukezi was apprehended by youths in the community who first beat him to a pulp before handing him over to the Oji River police officers. His mother is said to have run away from the community after she learnt of what her son had done. He is expected to be charged to court soon.

Nicki Minaj once dreamt of performing on stage with Beyonce & she says God heard her

Posted: 14 Sep 2014 07:31 AM PDT

Nicki Minaj performed on stage with Beyonce on Friday night during the Paris leg of Jay Z and Beyonce's On The Run Tour and Nicki Minaj says being on stage with Queen Bey was a dream come true. The rapper took to instagram to explain. What she wrote below...
Deluxe song on Pink Friday called GirlsFallLikeDominoes - last line of the song I said: "I'm out in Paris, mudafuka, Wit Beyonce!" ~ coincidence? Or something else? What? God heard me? 😜💋. The queen, could never thank you enough."

"Must Christians confess to another human for repentance?" answer by a Christian mag

Posted: 14 Sep 2014 05:51 AM PDT

As the counsellor of a fast-growing Nigerian Online Christian magazine rightly comments, one common issue believers of all religions (not only Christians!) experience is the dilemma we face on a daily basis – in making the right choice between two or more alternatives.

The question in the title was posed by one "Jones" to Megas mag, an online Christian magazine here in Nigeria. This question has been of big controversy in Christendom from time immemorial. And it's just important to hear an authority's view on it. Continue...

But before I delve into the answer given by the experts at MEGAS MAG, let's discuss a little about the magazine itself…
Are you tired of reading just gossip, fashion and entertainment magazines that have nothing to do with your reality as a positive-minded Nigerian, aiming towards a better tomorrow?
Would you rather read inspiring stories, value-adding life articles, helpful and practical advice for every aspect of life - from shopping to parenting, relationships, cooking, fashion and beauty...to just about anything related to living a fulfilled, healthy and happy life?

Would you like to get the right, and deep, knowledge that helps you regularly be on par with God's directives in everything you do – all in one spot?

Then consider this wealthy source of information by God-driven experts and experienced counselors; a platform simply called MEGAS MAG. (More about what a Megasis later.)
MEGAS MAG is a Christian magazine that stands out by virtue of its distinct qualities of:
✓     Trustworthy content that is biblically-based
✓     A civil tone that communicates with conviction and love, and…
✓     Journalistic excellence and professional integrity
If all (or any) of these interest you, go ahead NOW, and subscribe to MEGAS MAG here, to get access to their life-enriching columns like:
✓      Inspiration: practical self-help and productivity tips for a better relationship with God, and for being the best you can be.
✓      Lifestyle: covers fashion (to keep you informed on the latest trends that keep you Godly yet fabulous), health and fitness, etcetera.
✓      Entertainment: reviews and news on interesting movies, music, books and tech.
✓      News: covers current but relevant news to keep you informed from a Christian and positive perspective.
✓      MEGAS: inspires you with the success stories of people from within and outside Nigeria who are making it big while holding on to their faith. Now you know the meaning of MEGAS – and that you can be one too.
✓      The Booth; offers simple and Godly advice to your challenges (faith, life, and relationship)…with the help of a team of experienced counselors, and opinions of other readers with good advice.
And this brings us back to the question…
As against the popular belief(s) of various religions, denominations and cultures – and some schools of thought – that the sacraments of confession and penance make us get forgiveness for our "mortal" sins, a counsellor in The Boothblatantly says NO; "It's not necessary to confess to a human factor for complete repentance."
Unfortunately I can't go into details here, but the counsellor has his own valid arguments. And also tells us the only time confessing to another human is required.
Go ahead to www.MegasMag.com to read not only more on this answer (and give your opinion too), but also on various other interesting, debatable topics.
Subscribe to either the weekly or daily newsletter; or subscribe to just one or more of the columns highlighted above. However it pleases you, there's great flexibility to suit your godly information and entertainment needs.
And guess what? (This is the most interesting part); ALL subscriptions are FREE.
Only that I can't say for how long.
So head there now, and subscribe while it's still free. Here's the link again; www.MegasMag.com.

More photos from Mo Abudu's fab 50th birthday party

Posted: 14 Sep 2014 04:51 AM PDT

The Executive Chairman and CEO of EbonyLife TV, Mo Abudu, celebrated her 50th birthday on Saturday, 13 September at the grand ball room of Oriental hotel, Lagos.

Guests at the event included Genevieve Nnaji, Tiwa Savage, Funke Akindele, Basket Mouth, Julius Agwu, Iyanya, Tonye Cole, Donald Duke, Dele Momodu, Adesuwa Onyenokwe, Abike Dabiri, Joseph Benjamin, Uti Nwachukwu, Bode and Uche Pedro, Niyola, Ebuka Obi Uchendu, Pastor Ituah, Mai Atafo, Olisa Adibua, Governor of Ondo state, Olusegun Mimiko, Governor of Cross rivers state and his wife, Liyel Imoke and Mrs Obioma Imoke, Donald Duke and others.
Performers were Tiwa Savage, Chidinma, Seyi Shay, Yinka Davies, Ara, Efya from Ghana and Waje. See the fab pictures after the cut...

Photos: Survivors of SCOAN building collapse rejoice

Posted: 14 Sep 2014 04:18 AM PDT

On Friday September 12th, a building inside the Synagogue Church of all Nation suddenly collapsed and according to NEMA officials, 17 people died while 120 people were rescued alive.

In this new report, Ihechukwu Njoku, a freelance journalist (who writes a lot for SCOAN) who visited the scene of the tragic incident writes about what he saw and how many people 'miraculously survived' the building collapse. Continue to see what he wrote and what some survivors told him



 
Article by Ihechukwu Njoku
"Thank You, Jesus", a cry rang out from an onlooker, followed by a burst of relieved applause from the crowd of church helpers and rescue workers. They had been working non-stop since the giant building was reduced to rubble in a matter of seconds the previous day.
From a tiny hole at the far side of the wreckage, a body was being brought out. "She's alive," a man beside me reassured. Straining to look closer, I saw the woman, who was being stretchered toward an awaiting ambulance, waving her hands. "God of T.B. Joshua, you are wonderful," the rescued lady exclaimed, her voice extraordinarily strong. She had been in the dark, under the rubble for over 24 hours.
 "Bros," I overheard a worker confiding in his colleague, "if not for God, no one should be brought out alive from there." It was hard to disagree with his sentiment looking at the mangled remains of what was a six-storey building nearing completion.
"They've found another one," a cry excitedly broke my musing, another cheer reverberating among onlookers. Despite the tragedy, the spirit of camaraderie was warming to behold. A small child was being brought out of the wreckage alive. "Wait," one of the rescue team cautioned. "Her mother is still inside." Moments later, mother and daughter were reunited.
"One thing you have to understand," an official of Nigeria's Emergency Management Association (NEMA) official told me on the condition of anonymity, "90% of those being rescued were eating or working the bottom floor of the building when it collapsed." He shook his head in disbelief. "How they survived beats my imagination."
"The situation could have turned out much worse," another member of the rescue team named Sunday corroborated. "If not for God, we could be talking of over 100 fatalities."
I made my way toward one of the ambulances preparing to leave, hoping to catch a glimpse of another survivor. A man in his late 40s lay there, wet with sweat, bruised and breathing heavily. The discussion I overhead was poignant. "Was I really in that building," he faintly questioned the nurse as she held his hand. "Thank your God," she quietly replied. "We should call your name miracle."
During a three-hour visit to The SCOAN, I witnessed no fewer than 30 people brought out of the wreckage through the concerted efforts of the rescue teams. All were alive."
I hear you Ihechukwu but all these could have been avoided if they hadn't tried to raise a 2-storey building to five. According to NEMA spokesman, the building (a guest house) was originally a two storey building and SCOAN was trying to raise it to five.
"The additional three was being constructed when it collapsed around 1p.m Friday afternoon. The church members have been very aggressive and tried attacking emergency responders." NEMA spokesperson said yesterday.
 

How Mario Balotelli slept with a fan and sent her off in a taxi in the middle of the night

Posted: 14 Sep 2014 07:04 AM PDT

A smitten Liverpool fan Emma Dalton (pictured left) thought her dreams had come true when the Premier League club's new signing Mario Balotelli took her to bed. The £16million striker flirted with ­the hairdresser online before inviting her to a party at his luxury rented home.

That night Balotelli enjoyed a three-hour marathon romp with Emma, 23 – but it soon became clear that starting a new ­relationship was the last thing on his mind. Continue...



From UK Mirror
What he was after was more of a training session. While they were having sex the £110,000-a-week Italian told her: "This is nice. It helps my ­football."
And when the bedroom workout was over he turfed shocked Emma out of his six-bedroom mansion, telling her to take a taxi home in the middle of the night.
The furious single mum told a friend: "I know he has a reputation but I thought he'd changed from the things I'd read. He was charming and as far as I know single so I thought, 'Why not?' Now I feel stupid,
"I should never have gone to his house but what's done is done. He was only interested in one thing from me and then wanted me out of the way."
To add to her humiliation, 24-year-old Balotelli claims he is now trying to rekindle his on-off romance with former fiancèe Fanny Neguesha, 24, who sparked rumours she is pregnant by him after posting an online picture of what looks like a baby bump.
But the soccer bad boy could be red-carded when Fanny finds out he bedded Emma shortly after his transfer from AC Milan to ­Liverpool.


Emma sent Mario this picture on her phone
It all started when Emma sent him a message on social media, says her friend.
The pal told the Sunday Mirror: "She only contacted him as a bit of a joke.She didn't think for a second he would reply. How many messages must he get sent every day? But he did reply and he was quickly sending her messages asking for her to send pictures of herself and her mobile number to arrange to meet up.
"When they were talking on the phone, Emma asked him about Fanny. He told her they'd split up and that he didn't have any female friends in Liverpool."
The madcap striker also revealed that his new club had warned him to steer clear of trouble after his transfer, so he was staying out of the city centre.
The friend added: "He said he had to stay out of the Press, not to get into trouble like the last time he was in England. He told her he'd matured a lot since then."
Within days he invited Emma and a couple of female friends to a private party at the mansion in the upmarket ­Liverpool suburb of Formby on September 5. He arranged to have them picked up from the nearby train station.
Balotelli's rented home
But the friend said the group were stunned when 24-year-old Balotelli's friends arrived to collect them in an ageing Vauxhall Vectra and they were ordered to hand over their mobile phones before entering the property.
The £1.8million mansion boasts a ­swimming pool with steam room and sauna, swim jet machine and home ­entertainment room.
Once inside ­Balotelli's pals started serving the girls shots of £50-a-bottle Ciroc peach vodka – but it was some time later before Mario came down to join them after spending time alone upstairs.
The friend said: "Emma told me that when Balotelli did enter the room he was very charming. He certainly wasn't shy and greeted her with a kiss.
"She said he was drinking red wine and smoking, which the all the girls thought was a bit surprising considering he's a footballer.
"There was a large open plan area and they were all sitting around chatting and drinking. Then they had a pasta meal delivered to the house."
After a few hours Mario's pals invited Emma's friends for a dip in the pool while he offered to show her round the upstairs of the mansion.
Before long, the pal said, Emma was in his bed. But it was far from romantic.
 "She said he told her, 'This is nice. It helps my football'," the pal revealed.
Things turned sour again when, at around 3am, Balotelli told her she had to leave. The pal said: "Emma's friends had called a taxi and he just turned to her and said, 'You go too'.
"The way he did it made her feel really cheap. Like he had just used her and was chucking her out. She started asking for an explanation from him and his security asked her if she was OK. She said he insisted he would call her the following day - but she wasn't happy at all. She said she has never been treated like that before."
Emma's mood worsened the next day when Balotelli called and said he just wanted to be "good friends" as he wanted to get back together with Fanny.
The friend said: "To her that was his way of saying they had never even split up in the first place.
He had just used her, but obviously she will never know the real truth.
"She felt disgusted at the way he treated her. He had told her he wasn't with Fanny, then when they were in the house together he didn't mention her once. But the next day he wanted Fanny to be his fiancée again.
"How often has he behaved like that? I'm sure she would like to know what sort of man he really is."

Waje, Gordons thrill at ‘De Edge’ official opening in Port-Harcourt

Posted: 14 Sep 2014 03:04 AM PDT

It was an ambiance of felicitation over the weekend as top female vocalist, Waje along with some of her colleagues in the entertainment industry, stormed oil rich city Port-Harcourt for the grand
opening of the latest hospitality destination in Rivers State, 'De Edge Hotel Port-Harcourt'.
Held at the pool side of the magnificent edifice situated at Plot 12, Location Road, G.R.A Phase 3, Port Harcourt, the high profile inauguration witnessed the presence of guests within the political,
social and entertainment circles. Continue...

 

The shindig which kicked off with a red carpet reception was anchored by popular South South comedian, Gordons. Looking dapper in Denim and packing a lot of swag, Gordons transformed the evening into one of the biggest nights of comedy the town will ever witness. The top rated comedian
helped guests let down their hair, laughing their hearts out all through the evening.
The event proper opened with a speech by the Chairman/CEO of De Edge Hotel, Wari Opu Senibo Aloma T. Cookey. The soft-spoken Senibo said that the hospitality business in Rivers State has become so big, hence his reason for venturing into the business. He also revealed his intention to extend De Edge Hotel to other parts of Nigeria, explaining his reason for the choice of name, 'De Edge Hotel Port-Harcourt'.
"As you know, Port Harcourt is a tourism State so I decided to build this wonderful edifice so that people who come into the State can have hospitality at its best. At De Edge, our slogan is Lavish Indulgence Guaranteed.  And that you can see for yourself," he said, thanking all those who took out time to be part of the spectacular night. The well attended event had the likes of Hon Dakuku Peterside (representative of the Governor) who cut the ribbon to declare the Hotel open, Hon Emma Chinda (Commissioner for Agric, Rivers State) among other dignitaries.

Edwin Okolie CEO Eddiz Wine Bar, Sir Chief Eric Anozie, Ini Emma Belga to mention a few.
Port Harcourt's adopted son, Mohammed Usman aka Magnito, took over the stage, dropping heavy punch lines from his hit single, Kaka. The Benue State born frontline rapper is a regular figure in the rich oil city which makes him well known and loved among the upwardly mobile in the State.
The icing on the cake came with the appearance of gorgeous music diva, Waje. The songstress, who stormed the venue in a black Sequins dress top, wowed the crowd not just with her breathtaking appearance but a sonorous rendition.

Mesmerized by her looks, Gordons couldn't help taking a few jabs at her, throwing darts at Waje's endowment, her mammary gland. Her rendition of her latest single, I wish, could simply be described as spell binding.
The music diva mingled freely afterwards, wining and dining all night with the other guests from the array of exotic cocktails to the sparkling champagne and choice spirits served in bottles, not to mention the sumptuous dishes, local and international cuisines. The grand opening of DeEdge will definitely not be forgotten in a hurry.

Air Force jet used in bombing operations against Boko Haram goes missing

Posted: 14 Sep 2014 02:57 AM PDT

A Nigerian air force Alpha Jet used in the fight against Boko Haram members has gone missing. The military plane reportedly disappeared from radar around Adamawa state after it went for a routine operation attack on Boko Haram men on Friday September 12th.

Two fighter pilots who were operating the jet have also been declared missing. The Defence has released a statement on the missing jet. Find it after the cut...

 

The Defence statement posted on their website below...
An Alpha Jet (NAF 466) belonging to the Nigerian Air Force is missing around Adamawa State. The aircraft, with two pilots onboard, left Yola at about 10:45am on 12 September 2014 on a routine operational mission and was expected back by 12:00 noon. Since then all efforts to establish contact with the aircraft have not yielded any positive result. Meanwhile, search and rescue effort is ongoing to establish contact with the crew.
In view of the foregoing, you are please requested to disseminate this information through your news medium for the awareness of the general public. Thank you for your usual cooperation.

First photos of Sen. Ita-Giwa's daughter Koko and hubby at their wedding

Posted: 14 Sep 2014 02:47 AM PDT

Senator Florence Ita-Giwa's daughter Koko married her man Chimaobi at a fabulous star-studded traditional wedding which held yesterday September 13th in Calabar. Continue to see more photos..



 The bride above. Pre-wedding pics of the couple below...
Their white wedding will hold this Saturday September 20th in Lagos

Beauty of the day: Former Ada Ndi Igbo queen, Ijeoma Santus

Posted: 14 Sep 2014 02:36 AM PDT

Beautiful Ijeoma Belle Santus was Ada Ndi Igbo queen last year. See more photos after the cut...

Absolut Vodka Supports Creativity with Fashion, Music & Art Event

Posted: 14 Sep 2014 02:21 AM PDT

Absolut Vodka has once again proven its dominance in the creative space in Nigeria by supporting the Fashion, Music + Arts 2014 event that took place at Fuse Lounge, Saka Tinubu, Victoria Island on the 5th of September 2014. The event was a fusion of fashion exhibitions by Mai Atafo, Sisiano, Pandora Jewels, Efua and Taylor Gabriels and music performances by Praiz, Timaya, Lami Philips and other top Nigerian artists. Continue to see photos from the event...

The event which was put together by Upfront and Personal had in attendance A-list celebrities and industry executives amongst others. Absolut Vodka has been inspiring and enabling the creative movement in Nigeria with events on the creative edge like the Open canvas Lagos (www.opencanvaslagos.ng) and sponsorship of MAMAs 2014 (www.AbsolutMAMAs.com) and fantastic parties like the Glow in the dark party and Absolut Art party in Lagos.
The brand has promised to continue in its quest to create unforgettable consumer experiences in 2014 with creative and exciting events. View photos from the event below:
 
 

Regina Askia writes on domestic violence against women

Posted: 14 Sep 2014 01:56 AM PDT

Former Nollywood star Regina Askia Williams took to her Facebook wall to express her thoughts on domestic violence and how it can be avoided. In the piece, she addressed the notion by some women who believe a man beats a woman out of love. She says any violent act in a relationship is the shadow image of fear and that the best thing to do is to deal with the root cause of the fear. Find her incisive post after the cut...



Domestic Violence
What the heck is that? Folks this is only for mature minds and not a forum for ridicule, small talk nor look good ops. This is a serious issue. We all know when conflict arises, and there is an inability to settle amicably, more often than not violence ensues. Why? One party feels he/she needs to be heard and the other party is just not trying to hear it, voices are raised, words turn salty, things are thrown around including punches, regrettably.
 
Now if you are at the receiving end of those "salty words" or the landing pad for those flying objects and punches you feel a variety of emotions. First you feel small, then emotionally hurt, then physical degradation, the physical being the most dangerous of them all. You can get over words if you work at it, therapy can get you over wounded emotions, but how do you get over scars and post traumatic reenactments of fleeting moments when death said hello. How do you reconcile when you hear stories of those in that same situation who actually passed on. The person at the launch end of the punch also feels fleeting gratification that frustrating moments of torture from a mouthy 'bi*ch" are over…but wait….she/he is not moving. Damn, I didn't even hit her so hard. Waves of panic and terror take turns. Frantic efforts at reviving the fallen may be successful or not. Then comes bitter regret and the "I am so sorry" which too often also comes with "It is too late". Note that sometimes there is absolutely no remorse, "We hear remarks like "Look what you made me do" or "Bit*ch asked for it". Snoop Dog sings "If a bit*ch gets an attitude, pop it like its hot" yeah. 
 
The question now is why do we feel the need to physically strike out at another when we feel we must impose our way of thought or action on them. What is that need to have others conform or get hurt? Now if we hurt them enough to get them to fall in line, have we secured true change or secured an act as a means of self-protection by our victims? In this case who is fooling who? As we reflect on these please consider your partners in relationships, your spouses and yes your children. Being raised African I often got the switch as did we all when we stepped out of line or when we chose to do business with the devil as in lying or stealing. Those were the big ones. Of course I turned out a well-rounded, well-adjusted individual I hope. But then how did this teach me to deal with frustrating situations? You got it right, the switch and if you were "bigger" than me, my mouth. Oh dear, you don't want to be at the other end of my mouth. I don't curse, I only tell the crystal truth with brutal delivery and at less than appropriate moments. Some would call them fighting words, starting sh*t or asking for it. Same reaction applies with violent spouses and relationships. In frustrating moments we attack each other with whatever arsenal at our disposal. Like animals the physically stronger survives. But we are more than animals, we are thinking reasoning people. So why do we react the way we do? 
It is clearly time for a journey into self. What if at the moment of escalation like voices getting raised, we stop and walk away, or decide to leave it for another minute. What if at the moment you feel like raising your hand you imagine it was landing on your own face? What about writing your frustrations down on paper and discussing it with each other. We need to realize that violence begets violence. We especially African and African Americans need to find other ways for conflict resolution. With our children, we must talk and reason with them and follow up with modelling the required behavior and rewarding it when met. I really used to wonder why some parents would stand by and let their kids act out in the store, jack knifing and rolling all over the floor, because kid wants some toy whereas they could give one good slap on the butt and that nonsense is over. Now I know they let the child pull all his /her tricks while they stand firm on "No dear, you can't have yet another Robocop". Our children learn what we teach. I remember also (though sadly) when my kids acted up on outings and when we were driving home and I was all silent, my daughter would start asking "Mommy are you my friend" because she knew she was going to get a spanking for acting up. 
 
We may be tempted to say that's different from domestic violence, but violence is violence no matter the form. The sad thing about violence is that it's cyclical, you will keep being violent, salty or "keep asking for it" unless you make a conscious effort to change the way you react in frustrating situations. If your spouse has hit you once, he will do it again. He will kneel with tears and a tremulous voice and beg your forgiveness, he will apologize, with flowers, shoes (leboutins , you know it), candle lit dinners and the sweetest (kiss and make up) loving. Aah yes!! for better or for worse. Stupid world people keep trying to break you up, you figure. In fact both of you will call up all those nosy pokers and warn them to mind their business and stay out of your relationship. For a while you will exchange secret smiles which will become quick unsmiling glances with silences you cannot explain, tension builds, arguments over silly stuff like why this cup is sitting on the side table and not in sink and an explosive argument over yet another mundane like a missed call. Then the flying objects and the blows come down. Who you going to call? You warned everybody to stay away and he knows because he made sure you have no relationships a mile outside of you and him. You are in a choke hold, all is quiet, his face is an inch from yours contorted in anger and vehemence, but all you hear is a ringing in your ears, you feel your body slacking and did you just fart? Damn. 
 
Unless we make a conscious effort to deal with frustration differently we will continue to be violent, teach violence and experience violence in our families and society. 
 
I have heard some flawed thinking from my African sisters; he beats me because he loves me. How come he does not let you beat him because you love him or don't you? We cannot blame being violent with someone on "they made me do it". No one can tell you how to control yourself or how to react to situations except you. Only you have the power to change you. Some men think it's a power thing to slap someone into conforming but wise folks know that VIOLENCE IS THE SHADOW IMAGE OF FEAR. What are you so afraid of? The manly thing to do would be to really face that fear and deal with it rather than choose the cowardly way of beating up on a weaker person. A man incontinent with rage is as embarrassing as one incontinent of his bowels. (We could forgive bowel incontinence because it may be a medical condition). Now for those of us, who really have an out of control problem with rage, GET HELP now. We don't want to see you on the six "o'clock news as having hurt somebody. For those women in abusive relationships get help or get out. We also don't want to see you on the news as dead or as having shot somebody. Having said that, don't expect an overnight change to a condition that took a life time to breed. The condition of violence and rage requires painstaking deconstruction during which there may be relapses. Some people recover while others take a while, but you should not wait around to find out. 
 
There are a myriad of services for women and men in violent situations. There are also so many schools of thought on those services being targeted at destroying the black family unit, denying black kids a home, encouraging divorce among black folks and the further debasing of the black male(pointing them towards jail) and female (driving them to prostitution). Again, personal responsibility comes into play. Only you can choose the direction where your life leads. Just remember those things will happen with worse consequences when YOU are dead and your kids taken to foster homes. The above reasons are the poorest excuse to stay in a situation or relationship where your life is in danger. A strong black family needs men and women with their heads screwed on right. Get help if you need help. 
 
My next post will focus us learning to handle frustration. I would also appreciate comments from those brave ones among you who have been to anger management classes. I would also appreciate comments on this black footballer who struck his fiancée and knocked her out cold and the one who put the switch on his son and is now facing child abuse charges. We must find another way other than violence. 
 
Let us walk in love and not in fear. Enjoy your weekend!!. Cheers.

Pics: All the Glitz & Glamour from Mo Abudu's 50th birthday party

Posted: 14 Sep 2014 01:46 AM PDT

Media mogul and EbonyLife TV CEO Mo Abudu celebrated her milestone 50th birthday yesterday September 13th with a grand party at Oriental hotel, Lagos. Celebrities, media executives, governors, and businessmen turned up to celebrate with her. See all the glam pics after the cut...



Mo with Bella Naija's Uche Pedro and husband
Mo with her mum
Mo with Governor Liyel Imoke and wife
With Soni and Betty Irabor
Mo's mum
 
 

British aid worker, David Haines, beheaded by ISIS

Posted: 14 Sep 2014 12:31 AM PDT

The Islamic State yesterday released a video showing the beheading of British aid worker, David Haines, who was abducted in Syria last year. Before he was executed, the father of 2 blamed British Prime Minister David Cameron for his death. He said;
"My name is David Cawthorne Haines. I would like to declare that I hold you David Cameron entirely responsible for my execution. You entered voluntarily into a coalition with the United States against the Islamic State, just as your predecessor Tony Blair did, following a trend amongst our British Prime Minsters who can't find the courage to say no to the Americans. Unfortunately it is we the British public that in the end will pay the price for our Parliament's selfish decisions.'
We all know they force these hostages to make these statements but why even say it if you know they will still kill you? Haines is the third westerner to be beheaded in the last few weeks. Continue...


Before executing his hostage, the Islamic State militant called Jihadi John by the media, said;
"This British man has to the pay the price for your promise, Cameron, to arm the Peshmerga against the Islamic State. Ironically he has spent a decade of his life serving under the same Royal Air Force that is responsible for delivering those arms.
'Your evil alliance with America which continues to strike the Muslims of Iraq and most recently bombed the Haditha Dam will only accelerate your destruction, and playing the role of the obedient lapdog, Cameron, will only drag you and your people into another bloody and unwinnable war.'

Responding to the video, British Prime Minister David Cameron said
"This is a despicable and appalling murder of an innocent aid worker. It is an act of pure evil. My heart goes out to the family of David Haines who have shown extraordinary courage and fortitude throughout this ordeal. We will do everything in our power to hunt down these murderers and ensure they face justice, however long it takes," Cameron said.

Chinua and The Miracle drops Afurumginanya

Posted: 14 Sep 2014 12:35 AM PDT

The Nigerian music industry is about to experience a new groove and lease of life with the recent arrival of the duo of Chinua and The Miracle. The siblings recently concluded work on their debut single, entitled Afurumginanya (I love you), which they also produced. 

The Afro Pop crooners, who have been working underground for years are now ready to take their rightful place in the nation's music industry. Continue...

 
Chinua, is a 23 year-old graduate of Biochemistry from the University of Lagos, while The Miracle, is a 19 year-old undergraduate at the University of Wisconsin, Ghana.
 
The duo talked about their latest single, which is expected to hit airwaves soon.
"We are here to make a statement after quietly studying the music industry for long. Aside singing, we are also producers, which is an advantage to our careers. Afurumginanya is just a tip of the iceberg, we promise you, the industry, especially music lovers will see why we are unique and different.
Our full album is also ready, but we are just using this single to test the ground. Also expect our music video soon alongside other surprises from Chinua and The Miracle".
Meanwhile, you can follow the hot duo on Twitter @chin_ua and chat them up on Facebook : Chinua Suka. For bookings, you can equally reach them on: +2347036419730 and +2348023137312.
 
Listen to Afurumginanya below...

Must read: Wole Soyinka writes on the #bringbackjonathan post, says he knows Australian hostage negotiator

Posted: 13 Sep 2014 01:21 PM PDT

In a piece he titled 'The Wages of Impunity', Nobel Laureate Prof Soyinka condemned the recent #bringbackjonathan2015 campaign slogan and GEJ's recent trip to Chad with Ali Modu Sheriff, who has been accused of being a Boko Haram sponsor. In the piece posted on Sahara Reporters, Prof Soyinka wrote that he knows Australian hostage negotitaor Stephen Davis, saying that they both worked together under late President Umaru Musa Yar Adua's regime during the struggle for the return of peace in the Niger Delta region. 
He also wrote that he has his own theories regarding how General Ihejirika may have come under Stephen Davis' searchlight. Find his article after the cut...


The dancing obscenity of Shekau and his gang of psychopaths and child abductors, taunting the world, mocking the BRING BACK OUR GIRLS campaign on internet, finally met its match in Nigeria to inaugurate the week of September 11 – most appropriately. Shekau's danse macabre was surpassed by the unfurling of a political campaign banner that defiled an entry point into Nigeria's capital of Abuja. That banner read:  BRING BACK JONATHAN 2015.
President Jonathan has since disowned all knowledge or complicity in the outrage but, the damage has been done, the rot in a nation's collective soul bared to the world. The very possibility of such a desecration took the Nigerian nation several notches down in human regard. It confirmed the very worst of what external observers have concluded and despaired of  - a culture of civic callousness, a coarsening of sensibilities and, a general human disregard. It affirmed the acceptance, even domination of lurid practices where children are often victims of unconscionable abuses including ritual sacrifices, sexual enslavement, and worse. Spurred by electoral desperation, a bunch of self-seeking morons and sycophants chose to plumb the abyss of self-degradation and drag the nation down to their level.  It took us to a hitherto unprecedented low in ethical degeneration.  The bets were placed on whose turn would it be to take the next potshots at innocent youths in captivity whose society and governance have failed them and blighted their existence? Would the Chibok girls now provide standup comic material for the latest staple of Nigerian escapist diet?  Would we now move to a new export commodity in the entertainment industry named perhaps "Taunt the Victims"?
As if to confirm all the such surmises, an ex-governor, Sheriff, notorious throughout the nation – including within security circles as affirmed in their formal dossiers – as prime suspect in the sponsorship league of the scourge named Boko Haram,  was presented to the world as a presidential traveling companion. And the speculation became: was the culture of impunity finally receiving endorsement as a governance yardstick?  Again, Goodluck Jonathan swung into a plausible explanation: it was Mr. Sheriff who, as friend of the host President Idris Deby, had traveled ahead to Chad to receive Jonathan as part of President Deby's welcome entourage.  What, however does this say of any president? How come it that a suspected affiliate of a deadly criminal gang, publicly under such ominous cloud, had the confidence to smuggle himself into the welcoming committee of another nation, and even appear in audience, to all appearance a co-host with the president of that nation? Where does the confidence arise in him that Jonathan would not snub him openly or, after the initial shock, pull his counterpart, his official host aside and say to him, "Listen, it's him, or me."? So impunity now transcends boundaries, no matter how heinous the alleged offence?
The Nigerian president however appeared totally at ease. What the nation witnessed in the photo-op was an affirmation of a governance principle, the revelation of a decided frame of mind – with precedents galore. Goodluck Jonathan has brought back into limelight more political reprobates – thus attested in criminal courts of law and/or police investigations – than any other Head of State since the nation's independence. It has become a reflex. Those who stuck up the obscene banner in Abuja had accurately read Jonathan right as a Bring-back president. They have deduced perhaps that he sees "bringing back" as a virtue, even an ideology, as the corner stone of governance, irrespective of what is being brought back. No one quarrels about bringing back whatever the nation once had and now sorely needs – for instance, electricity and other elusive items like security, the rule of law etc. etc. The list is interminable. The nature of what is being brought back is thus what raises the disquieting questions. It is time to ask the question: if Ebola were to be eradicated tomorrow, would this government attempt to bring it back?
Well, while awaiting the Chibok girls, and in that very connection, there is at least an individual whom the nation needs to bring back, and urgently. His name is Stephen Davis, the erstwhile negotiator in the oft aborted efforts to actually bring back the girls.  Nigeria needs him back – no, not back to the physical nation space itself, but to a Nigerian induced forum, convoked anywhere that will guarantee his safety and can bring others to join him. I know Stephen Davis, I worked in the background with him during efforts to resolve the insurrection in the Delta region under President Shehu Yar'Adua. I have not been involved in his recent labours for a number of reasons. The most basic is that my threshold for confronting evil across a table is not as high as his -  thanks, perhaps, to his priestly calling. From the very outset, in several lectures and other public statements, I have advocated one response and one response only to the earliest, still putative depredations of Boko Haram and have decried any proceeding that smacked of appeasement. There was a time to act – several times when firm, decisive action, was indicated. There are certain steps which, when taken, place an aggressor beyond the pale of humanity, when we must learn to accept that not all who walk on two legs belong to the community of humans – I view Boko Haram in that light. It is no comfort to watch events demonstrate again and again that one is proved to be right.
Thus, it would be inaccurate to say that I have been detached from the Boko Haram affliction – very much the contrary. As I revealed in earlier statements, I have interacted with the late National Security Adviser, General Azazi, on occasion – among others.  I am therefore compelled to warn that anything that Stephen Davis claims to have uncovered cannot be dismissed out of hand.  It cannot be wished away by foul-mouthed abuse and cheap attempts to impugn his integrity – that is an absolute waste of time and effort. Of the complicity of ex-Governor Sheriff in the parturition of Boko Haram, I have no doubt whatsoever, and I believe that the evidence is overwhelming. Femi Falana can safely assume that he has my full backing – and that of a number of civic organizations – if he is compelled to go ahead and invoke the legal recourses available to him to force Sheriff's prosecution. The evidence in possession of Security Agencies – plus a number of diplomats in Nigeria – is overwhelming, and all that is left is to let the man face criminal persecution. It is certain he will also take many others down with him.
Regarding General Ihejirika, I have my own theories regarding how he may have come under Stephen Davis' searchlight in the first place, ending up on his list of the inculpated. All I shall propose at this stage is that an international panel be set up to examine all allegations, irrespective of status or office of any accused. The unleashing of a viperous cult like Boko Haram on peaceful citizens qualifies as a crime against humanity, and deserves that very dimension in its resolution. If a people must survive, the reign of impunity must end. Truth – in all available detail – is in the interest, not only of Nigeria, the sub-region and the continent, but of the international community whose aid we so belatedly moved to seek. From very early beginnings, we warned against the mouthing of empty pride to stem a tide that was assuredly moving to inundate the nation but were dismissed as alarmists. We warned that the nation had moved into a state of war, and that its people must be mobilized accordingly – the warnings were disregarded, even as slaughter surmounted slaughter, entire communities wiped out, and the battle began to strike into the very heart of governance, but all we obtained in return was moaning, whining and hand-wringing up and down the rungs of leadership and governance. But enough of recriminations – at least for now. Later, there must be full accounting.
Finally, Stephen Davis also mentions a Boko Haram financier within the Nigerian Central Bank. Independently we are able to give backing to that claim, even to the extent of naming the individual. In the process of our enquiries, we solicited the help of a foreign embassy whose government, we learnt, was actually on the same trail, thanks to its independent investigation into some money laundering that involved the Central Bank. That name, we confidently learnt, has also been passed on to President Jonathan. When he is ready to abandon his accommodating policy towards the implicated, even the criminalized, an attitude that owes so much to re-election desperation, when he moves from a passive "letting the law to take its course" to galvanizing the law to take its course, we shall gladly supply that name.
In the meantime however, as we twiddle our thumbs, wondering when and how this nightmare will end, and time rapidly runs out, I have only one admonition for the man to whom so much has been given, but who is now caught in the depressing spiral of diminishing returns: "Bring Back Our Honour."
Wole Soyinka

Genevieve Nnaji, Waje, Tiwa's stuning outfit to Mo Abudu's 50th brithday event

Posted: 13 Sep 2014 01:21 PM PDT

Genevieve Nnaji stunning in a Monique Lhuillier dress. The grand event is currently going on at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos. See Tiwa's outfit after the cut...

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