Welcome to Linda Ikeji's Blog |
- Oby Edozieh shares adorable photo of her new born daughter
- Ivorian President awards house & cash worth $100k to the National Team for AFCON win
- Some of the things Pres. Jonathan said during his media chat this evening
- Healthy Baskets for from So Fresh for Valentines
- Gen. Buhari speaks on Obasanjo publicly endorsing him
- I'd rather Go Naked than wear Fur - Pink goes nude for PETA
- Musiliu Obanikoro sues Sahara Reporters & co. Full report...
- A man in love! Ice Prince shares new cute pic with girlfriend
- It’s lovers’ season with Canoe Detergent Valentine ‘Colour Mix’ Contest
- Woman commits suicide after finding herself unmarried & childless by age 30
- Check out these adorable photos of Kaffy and Joseph Ameh's kids
- Billion Naira lawsuit! Obanikoro sues Sahara Reporters, Punch, others...
- Nigerian Military reportedly begins operation in Sambisa forest
- What would you consider a worthy investment this valentine?
- Buhari meets Catholic Bishops in Abuja, says he doesn't have any religious agenda
- India Arie dissed on the Grammy red carpet by Lady Gaga's security
- Photo: Dieziani Alison-Madueke shares rice for GEJ?
- Postponed election, an act of desperation from an incumbent terrified of losing - Chimamanda Adichie
- PowerOil shareyourlove win a special romantic dinner for that special person at a 5star hotel
- First Kim K, now Kanye? John Legend throws Kanye under the bus
- Photos: Senator Musiliu Obanikoro hits the Gym in tight shorts...
- Faces of Nigerian children taking refuge in Chad
- Photos: Kunle Afolayon meets Angélique Kidjo
- Share a best moment with friends and win a Blackberry/Ipad
- Photos from the dinner for Osi Umenyiora and Leila Lopes
| Oby Edozieh shares adorable photo of her new born daughter Posted: 11 Feb 2015 01:17 PM PST |
| Ivorian President awards house & cash worth $100k to the National Team for AFCON win Posted: 11 Feb 2015 01:03 PM PST  The Ivorian Football Federation and the team's technical staff also got rewards. In all, the Ivorian government gave out $3million in celebration of the victory. Meanwhile, the Ghanaian team who lost to Ivory Coast, also got rewards. Each player is being given $25,000 by the team's sponsor, the state-owned Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC). |
| Some of the things Pres. Jonathan said during his media chat this evening Posted: 11 Feb 2015 12:54 PM PST  He said in Lagos, on 38% have their PVCs, so if elections are held, 62% will not be able to vote. About Boko Haram, he said there is no hiding place for the terrorist group. That he had meetings with the President of Chad and he said before he can send troops to Nigeria, the AU have to be involved. He also said Boko Haram doesn't necessarily have to be completely wiped out before elections are conducted. He also said taking over the territories captured by Boko Haram does not mean that the group have been wiped out. About INEC chairman Prof Jega, GEJ said he has the constitutional right to appoint and the right to remove but he never told anyone that he's planning to remove Jega. He said reports making the rounds that he's planning to send Jega on a 3-month terminal leave is garbage bin story. Continue.. GEJ said INEC is an independent body but if they don't conduct the elections well, it will be on his head. He said people shouldn't doubt that the elections will hold. That it must hold. Asked about his 'Stealing is not corruption' comment, president Jonathan said he never said stealing is not corruption - "The word corruption we have abused it and it's not making so much sense. I did not say stealing is not corruption. I made that statement in reference to ex-CJN, Justice Musdapher. A thief should be called a thief. Ole should be called ole! If you say somebody is corrupt people don't know what you mean". He added "A thief is a thief. Don't use the word corruption to cover stealing. Call the person a thief"He said the ICPC is the only agency that is expected to deal with corruption and not even the EFCC. On the election, he said if the elections are conducted and he loses, Nigeria will definitely inaugurate a new govt "Let me reassure Nigerians that elections will be conducted in this country and a govt will be inaugurated on May 29th" He saidHe said there's absolutely no truth in him not wanting to relinquish power. That it's not right for anybody to want to contest an election and not be willing to take the outcome. About his political campaign ads, he said he doesn't know most of the people placing one form of advert or the other About Buhari, GEJ said the key actors around him in 2011 are different from those around him in 2015. When asked to assess Buhari, GEJ refused saying it will not be proper. "The insult that I have to carry is enormous" he said. When asked why he only goes to churches and not mosques, GEJ replied "I'm united by different people. I can't attend ceremonies that I'm not invited to On $9.3m seized in South Africa, GEJ said the matter is in court and Nigeria will get the money back |
| Healthy Baskets for from So Fresh for Valentines Posted: 11 Feb 2015 11:57 AM PST |
| Gen. Buhari speaks on Obasanjo publicly endorsing him Posted: 11 Feb 2015 12:21 PM PST  "I am happy about it. It means more supporters and more confidence for those still sitting on the fence. He's well respected. No serious issue can happen (in Nigeria) without people seeking his opinion and listening to it"Continue to read what Obasanjo said about Buhari yesterday At the launch of his controversial book, The Watch, in Kenya yesterday, former President Olusegun Obasanjo endorsed Buhari, saying; "The circumstances [Buhari] will be working under if he wins the election are different from the one he worked under before, where he was both the executive and the legislature, he knows that. He's smart enough. He's educated enough. He's experienced enough. Why shouldn't I support him?" |
| I'd rather Go Naked than wear Fur - Pink goes nude for PETA Posted: 11 Feb 2015 10:22 AM PST  |
| Musiliu Obanikoro sues Sahara Reporters & co. Full report... Posted: 11 Feb 2015 10:23 AM PST  Former Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro has gone to court to seek redress over a case of defamation of character by online newspapers Sahara Reporters and Premium Times. Joined in the suit are Punch Newspapers Ltd., Omoyele Sowore, Publisher of Sahara Reporters and Festus Owete, General Editor at Premium Times. The defendants had published an audio recording of Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, purportedly in a conversation with other individuals to rig the Ekiti State gubernatorial elections, an allegation Senator Obanikoro and the others have since disclaimed. In a suit filed at the Lagos State High Court Ikeja on Tuesday, 10th February 2015, Senator Obanikoro is suing the defendants for damages to the tune of N1 billion. According to the suit filed on his behalf by Dr. Yemi Oke of MJS Partners, Senator Obanikoro is seeking "1.) An order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from publishing or causing to be published either directly or indirectly, defamatory, damaging, offensive or degrading statements, articles and/or materials against the claimant, 2.) An order directing the defendant to jointly or severally pay to the claimant the sum of N1 billion being damages for harm caused to his political, professional, business, social and institutional reputation as a result of the defamation by willful and scandalous publication of false statements by the defendants, 3.) An order directing the defendants to retract the false and damaging publication by a letter of apology directed to claimant and published on the same media through which the defamatory publication was circulated and 4.) An order of court for the cost of this suit against the defendants." Meanwhile, in a similar development, Senator Obanikoro has hired Tacopina & Seigel one of New York's top law firms reputed for their groundbreaking defense of celebrity baseball player, Alex Rodriguez in his case against the 211-game doping suspension slammed on him by Major League Baseball (MLB). Tacopina & Seigel is handling Senator Obanikoro's case against Sahara Reporters in New York, United States of America. The defendants have 42 days to prepare their defense and make an appearance in court to defend themselves in the Lagos suit. |
| A man in love! Ice Prince shares new cute pic with girlfriend Posted: 11 Feb 2015 10:09 AM PST |
| It’s lovers’ season with Canoe Detergent Valentine ‘Colour Mix’ Contest Posted: 11 Feb 2015 10:02 AM PST  As the countdown to St. Valentine Day begins, a new window of opportunity has opened for all lovers. For lovers who are genuinely committed in sharing the cupid's gift of nature, Canoe Detergent Valentine 'Colour Mix' contest has guaranteed a new season of gifts and reward. With less than a week to the lovers' D-Day, you have the opportunity to make this season truly unique and rewarding by wining romantic dinner for 2, special goodies and more in the PZ Cussons' "Canoe Detergent Valentine Colour Mix" contest. The contest is opened to all; everyone can be part of this by uploading pictures in which they are posing with loved ones on the Canoe's Facebook page here: http://canoe-alivewithcolor.pgtb.me/cWnth9 Lovers, family and friends (in twos only) are encouraged to strike poses with their creative colourful mix not restricted to traditional attires and send here: http://canoe-alivewithcolor.pgtb.me/CWnth9 Once the pictures have been uploaded, they in turn can get their friends to vote for them. Only 10 couples will be shortlisted and move to stage to 2. The top 5 couples from stage 2 with the most votes get rewarded! Winners will be able to win boxes of chocolates, exquisite Da Viva materials, St Lauren Non-Alcoholic Wine, dinner for 2 at a choice restaurant and of course your colour-care Canoe Detergent. The campaign is expected to run till March 13th 2015. For more information, please visit Facebook http://www.facebook.com/CanoeLaundry.ng | Follow them on Twitter: https://twitter.com/canoelaundryng Follow them on Instagram: http://instagram.com/canoelaundryngor the website: http://canoelaundry.com/ Partners of this initiative include Da Viva and St Lauren non-alcoholic wine. This is the time the Cupid has made. Please join the train for a fun-filled St. Valentine's Day. |
| Woman commits suicide after finding herself unmarried & childless by age 30 Posted: 11 Feb 2015 08:59 AM PST  Unbelievable story! UK Telegraph reports; Hospital administrator Rachel Gow, 29, had wanted to walk up the aisle and have a family of her own but became "troubled" that she achieved neither. As her 30th birthday approached the self confessed "dizzy blonde" she said felt other members of her family were "doing better than her." Fearing her boyfriend Anton Tsvarev, 30 would leave her, Miss Gow sent him a test message wishing him "all the best for the future" before poisoning herself at her home. Mr Tsvarev who had been visiting a friend later found Miss Gow but she died despite attempts by him to revive her. An inquest was told Miss Gow, from Haslingden, Lancashire, had been an "outgoing, adventurous and loving" young woman who had attained a 2:1 in History from Lancaster University before working at Royal Bolton Hospital. In a statement read to the Burnley hearing Rachel's brother Stephen Best and her sister Sarah Davidson said: "Rachel had been a happy child who had lots of friends, she loved to dance and play the violin. "She was very close to her sister Sarah She was very academic and following A levels she studied at Lancaster University. She also made people laugh. She was proud to be at Lancaster and also a dizzy blonde." The statement added: "She had three breakups before her relationship with Anton. Her greatest wish was to settle down and get married." But Miss Gow's problems began in 2011 after her mother Connie a primary school teacher died from cancer aged 66 in 2011. She took the death "very hard" but later Miss Gow's family and friends thought she was improving and she met Mr Tsvarev in May 2012 and he moved in with her during 2013. She also got her job at the hospital. The statement said: "Following the death of her mother Rachel had a period of independence. She met Anton and they were both extremely happy. He moved in. They had lots in common. "She did have three breakups before her relationship with Anton and her greatest wish was to settle down, start a relationship and get married. "But she could not overcome her previous sadness and felt Anton would leave her. She was looking forward to turning 30, planning trips to Italy with Anton and going to go Vegas for her birthday, she was saving money every month. But the relationship became unstable and they tried to make it work. Mr Tsvarev an engineer told the hearing: "Our relationship had a lot of ups and downs due to her insecurities. This would cause a lot of problems. She constantly felt I was going to leave her but this was not the case." Miss Gow who was due to celebrate her 30th birthday in January this year went to see a psychologist in September 2014 and Mr Tsvarev added: "There had been nothing significant at the time except the anniversary of her mother's death also along with her 30th birthday and mine. "These were all things that troubled her. She felt she was not where she should be in life." He said she felt that she should be married with children and that her siblings were doing better than her and said: "This was something she struggled with. "Rachel had spoken to me about the fact she had researched suicide techniques. 'I was not sure how serious she was about it because she always said things in the heat of the moment." The day before Rachel was found last November 1, the couple went to her father's house to look after his dog while he was away. But in the morning, the couple had an argument over a text message Miss Gow had found on Mr Tsvarev's phone from someone else. He said: "In the morning we both got up. I had my phone on charge in the bed room. She looked at it. She came into the living room very upset telling me to leave. She had found texts on my phone from someone. They were not out of the ordinary. She didn't see it that way." Later that the day couple drove home to their house in Haslingden and Anton went out to visit a friend in Preston. He said: "She was still upset when we arrived home. She was very agitated. This was not a new thing. I left the house at 13pm after picking some clothes as I decided to stay somewhere else for a while. I went to Preston to visit a friend." He added: "I got a text from her wishing me the best for the future. It was common place after an argument so I didn't think anything of it." However Mr Tsvarev "had a really bad feeling" so he decided to go back to Haslingden to see if everything was alright. He said: "I went into the lounge. The lights were off but the fire was on. I could see her lying on the floor." The inquest was told that Anton performed CPR on Rachel until emergency services arrived just before 9pm, but Miss Gow was pronounced dead. Tests showed Miss Gow had died from hypoxia as a result of helium inhalation. Recording a verdict of suicide, Coroner Richard Taylor said: "We have a girl who is severely troubles by a number of aspects of her life. As I understand it she was having a slightly more positive year because of new employment. "But she clearly had difficulties and at some stage she purchased the items with which she took her own life. It appears from her actions she did that with intent to end her life." In a statement Mr Tsvarev said: "Everyone is devastated by Rachel's death. It's a tragic loss for everyone, I'm absolutely heartbroken. Being around her was so easy, we enjoyed all the same things and we loved going walking together in the Lake District. "Rachel did a lot of travelling all over the world and she was very adventurous and loved life. "She was a fantastic person who inspired everyone around her. She was still grieving for her mum - they were very close. She really did miss her mum, she always spoke very highly of her." Miss Gow's brother brother Stephen Best added: "Through all of our grief and sadness, it is essential that we remind ourselves of why we all loved her. Rachel was effervescent, full of fun and laughter, and could tell a brilliant joke. Sister Sarah Davidson said: "She was very popular and made friends easily. She was a kind and generous person who made other people feel at ease. She was a treasured sister and was wonderful with children." |
| Check out these adorable photos of Kaffy and Joseph Ameh's kids Posted: 11 Feb 2015 08:46 AM PST |
| Billion Naira lawsuit! Obanikoro sues Sahara Reporters, Punch, others... Posted: 11 Feb 2015 08:37 AM PST  |
| Nigerian Military reportedly begins operation in Sambisa forest Posted: 11 Feb 2015 08:29 AM PST  "The military has started the operation in the Sambisa Forest; the operation started on Monday. For now there is no specific cases of arrest, we don't have that information now. The Air Force has been operating in the area since Monday. It is after that that the ground troops who are on red alert would move in."Also, a source close to a security office strategic to the operations of the Federal Government said on Wednesday that a lot of activities were going on simultaneously in the Sambisa area and other parts of the North East.". The National Security Adviser had on Monday said that the Nigerian military would take out all known camps of Boko Haram within the 6 weeks period of election postponement. |
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| Buhari meets Catholic Bishops in Abuja, says he doesn't have any religious agenda Posted: 11 Feb 2015 08:14 AM PST     Buhari's speech below... As our nation approaches perhaps the most crucial election in our history, all true patriots are called to deeper reflection of the basic ingredients that bind the nation together- our common freedom, peace and unity. This reflection is even more relevant in the face of the illegal postponement of the general elections- a feat achieved through various sinister ploys and with the sole aim of avoiding the will and verdict of the people. In all of these, I feel the urgeto communicate some of my personal vision and thoughts to the people of our great country, especially on the question of religion, a sensitive matter for many citizens that has become the most frequently used tool by the ruling party. This affordsme an opportunity to give my response to the ruling party's false propaganda and lies against my person. Needless to say, we must at all times hold the unity, peace and progress of our dear nation paramount and above all other considerations, especially politics. Those who deliberately disseminate divisive disinformation and attempt to stoke primordial sentiments using religion or ethnicity and create fear in the minds of our people fail the standard of patriotism this nation demands of them and deserves from them. The ruling government and PDP have adopted this sad divisive and false narrative as their strategy to prevent the inevitable change that our country and people desire and require. And they have succeeded in making some of us victims of the tales which they invent, propagate and sell as gospel truth to gullible listeners, while it is all nothing but a tissue of lies. I would like to solemnly declare that in spite of what our detractors say, I am not a religious fanatic of any sort and I have never been. In all my life, I have never supported extremism of any kind, and nowhere in my record of service to this nation can this false toga, political opponents have tried so hard to put on me, be substantiated. Indeed, it is very unfortunate and I feel extremely sad that I have to give this type of assurance. My background is in the army, and there is no doubt that the military is the most integrated pan-Nigerian institution. And even today, the military is one of the institutions that represents the pride of our nation's possibilities in unity. Compatriots from every corner of this country come together, work and live together, entrust their lives to each other and integrate their families. It is a military where many of my dearest friends, from all faiths and parts of the country, lost their lives defending the unity of our nation. That was the military I served in, and in that military it was impossible to be a bigot. For me, the issue of religion was, and should always, be a matter of personal conviction. This personal conviction approach to religion has defined my work and interactions all my life, including my tenure in office as military Head of State. The religion of all those I worked with was never a factor in their progress or in what happened to them. All that mattered then, and should still matter today, are competence, integrity and readiness to be fair to all. I was recently informed that we had a balanced cabinet with key positions such as Finance, Energy and Defence occupied by Christians. In addition, 11 of the 19 governors I appointed were Christians. My most memorable recollections of subordinate service was under Christian bosses, the finest our country had then, and among the most respected today. Indeed one of the best appraisals I received in the course of my military career was from General T.Y Danjuma. Government has no business preferring one religion to the other. The role of government is to protect lives and properties of citizens and to respect and protect their constitutional rights. One critical freedom that every government must strive to protect is the liberty for citizens to exercise their respective faiths, Christians and Muslims or others, in a lawful manner without fear or hindrance and to prosecute those who use religion as an excuse to destroy homes, schools and places of worship. When governments fail in that duty, they must then assist in the rebuilding of structures including destroyed places of worship and giving full restitution for lost property. We, Nigerians, are a religious people, and the burning of places of worship constitutes one of the vilest forms of abomination to all those who believe in God. It is the duty of governments to protect this important sensitivity. Let me state this categorically, that I, MuhammaduBuhari, as an individual, and as president of this great country by the grace of God, given the opportunity to serve, have no personal religious agenda. And I will not entertain, consider or promote the religious agenda of anyone. I will not condone any initiative that seeks to promote one religion over the other. Neither I, nor my party, or any member of my team has any desire or plan to Islamize or Christianize Nigeria or support anyone with such intention. Although I am a practising Muslim, and I have been so all my life, I have never belonged to, nor shared the views of, any extremist group. I am not even a cleric. I believe that religion is personal and private. Many of the people close to me are not of my religion. My cook and driver for 20 years are Christians, Most of my bodyguards are Christians. Some were killed while protecting me in the terrorist attack on my convoy in Kaduna. If I have not Islamized these people who serve under me, how will I Islamize the likes of Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Ogbonnaya Onu, Governors RochasOkorocha, Kayode Fayemi, Rotimi Amaechi or Professor Yemi Osinbajo who is a senior advocate of Nigeria and a pastor? Or how will I Islamize Nigeria? Our constitution, which in many respects, is similar to the American constitution does not permit a state religion. The Sharia identified in the constitution is almost synonymous with customary law. It is only applicable in matters of personal status such as marriage, divorce and inheritance. This has been the case since the 1979 constitution. Just as no one can make any customary or any other religious law the law of Nigeria, so Sharia cannot therefore be the law of Nigeria. My record is evidence of this strongly held belief. Before my tenure, the deadly and violent extremist radical sect, Maitasine carried out terrorist activities in the north, especially Kano; When it erupted again in Yola, during my tenure, I took direct command, and personally led the successful effort to eradicate the threat to our country. Similarly, when some Chadian insurgents attempted to occupy Nigerian territory, I led the military confrontation that eliminated the threat. For all purposes, we must all learn to live together as brothers and sisters, because the problems that bedevil our nation do not discriminate based on religion or ethnicity. Poverty and hunger do not know or respect religion or creed. When a bomb explodes in a market, it kills and maims without regard for religion or ethnicity. The millions of the unemployed youth of our country cut across all tribes and religions. Wicked propagandists continue to spread vicious lies about me for political gain, including claiming that I once asked Muslims not to vote for Christians. This must be the height of absurdity. How could I ever say that, when whoever voted for me would be voting for the Christian running with me on the same ticket? And how could I ever say that of Christians when my own holy book, the Qur'an, tells me that in the entire world those that are nearest in love to me are those who believe in Jesus Christ [AS]? I ask, who, intending to win any election, ever does that? How can I choose southern Christian running mates [Chuba Okadigbo of blessed memory, Pastor Tunde Bakare and Pastor YemiOsinbajo] and with them by my side make such silly utterances? Because they have no record, they must seek to destroy our own; and because they have no integrity, they feel they must impugn our own. We must reject those who propagate hatred, ethnicity, divisiveness, sectionalism or seek to manipulate our religious differences in such cynical fashion. On our part, we will remain undeterred: our commitment is to bring about change in the way we live and think and work in this nation; and our goal is to ensure a decent existence for all. And, by the Grace of God, that is what we will do—we will remain true to our commitment and we will achieve our goal. May God bless Nigeria and its people for all time. General Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR |
| India Arie dissed on the Grammy red carpet by Lady Gaga's security Posted: 11 Feb 2015 08:06 AM PST        The video below... |
| Photo: Dieziani Alison-Madueke shares rice for GEJ? Posted: 11 Feb 2015 07:44 AM PST  |
| Postponed election, an act of desperation from an incumbent terrified of losing - Chimamanda Adichie Posted: 11 Feb 2015 07:22 AM PST   Last week, Victor, a carpenter, came to my Lagos home to fix a broken chair. I asked him whom he preferred as Nigeria's next president: the incumbent, Goodluck Jonathan, or his challenger, Muhammadu Buhari. "I don't have a voter's card, but if I did, I would vote for somebody I don't like," he said. 'I don't like Buhari but Jonathan is not performing." Victor sounded like many people I know: utterly unenthusiastic about the two major candidates in our upcoming election. Were Nigerians to vote on likeability alone, Jonathan would win. He is mild-mannered and genially unsophisticated, with a conventional sense of humor. Buhari has a severe, ascetic air about him, a rigid uprightness; it is easy to imagine him in 1984, leading a military government whose soldiers routinely beat up civil servants. Neither candidate is articulate. Jonathan is given to rambling; his unscripted speeches leave listeners vaguely confused. Buhari is thick-tongued, his words difficult to decipher. In public appearances, he seems uncomfortable not only with the melodrama of campaigning but also with the very idea of it. To be a democratic candidate is to implore and persuade, and his demeanor suggests a man who is not at ease with amiable consensus. Still, he is no stranger to campaigns. This is his third run as a presidential candidate; the last time, in 2011, he lost to Jonathan. This time, Buhari's prospects are better. Jonathan is widely perceived as ineffectual, and the clearest example, which has eclipsed his entire presidency, is his response to Boko Haram. Such a barbaric Islamist insurgency would challenge any government. But while Boko Haram bombed and butchered, Jonathan seemed frozen in a confused, tone-deaf inaction. Conflicting stories emerged of an ill-equipped army, of a corrupt military leadership, of northern elites sponsoring Boko Haram, and even of the government itself sponsoring Boko Haram. Jonathan floated to power, unprepared, on a serendipitous cloud. He was a deputy governor of Bayelsa state who became governor when his corrupt boss was forced to quit. Chosen as vice president because powerbrokers considered him the most harmless option from southern Nigeria, he became president when his northern boss died in office. Nigerians gave him their goodwill—he seemed refreshingly unassuming—but there were powerful forces who wanted him out, largely because he was a southerner, and it was supposed to be the north's 'turn' to occupy the presidential office. And so the provincial outsider suddenly thrust onto the throne, blinking in the chaotic glare of competing interests, surrounded by a small band of sycophants, startled by the hostility of his traducers, became paranoid. He was slow to act, distrustful and diffident. His mildness came across as cluelessness. His response to criticism calcified to a single theme: His enemies were out to get him. When the Chibok girls were kidnapped, he and his team seemed at first to believe that it was a fraud organized by his enemies to embarrass him. His politics of defensiveness made it difficult to sell his genuine successes, such as his focus on the long-neglected agricultural sector and infrastructure projects. His spokespeople alleged endless conspiracy theories, compared him to Jesus Christ, and generally kept him entombed in his own sense of victimhood. The delusions of Buhari's spokespeople are better packaged, and obviously free of incumbency's crippling weight. They blame Jonathan for everything that is wrong with Nigeria, even the most multifarious, ancient knots. They dismiss references to Buhari's past military leadership, and couch their willful refusal in the language of 'change,' as though Buhari, by representing change from Jonathan, has also taken on an ahistorical saintliness. I remember the Buhari years as a blur of bleakness. I remember my mother bringing home sad rations of tinned milk, otherwise known as "essential commodities"—the consequences of Buhari's economic policy. I remember air thick with fear, civil servants made to do frog jumps for being late to work, journalists imprisoned, Nigerians flogged for not standing in line, a political vision that cast citizens as recalcitrant beasts to be whipped into shape. Buhari's greatest source of appeal is that he is widely perceived as non-corrupt. Nigerians have been told how little money he has, how spare his lifestyle is. But to sell the idea of an incorruptible candidate who will fight corruption is to rely on the disingenuous trope that Buhari is not his party. Like Jonathan's People's Democratic Party, Buhari's All Progressives Congress is stained with corruption, and its patrons have a checkered history of exploitative participation in governance. Buhari's team is counting on the strength of his perceived personal integrity: his image as a good guy forced by realpolitik to hold hands with the bad guys, who will be shaken off after his victory. In my ancestral home state of Anambra, where Jonathan is generally liked, the stronger force at play is a distrust of Buhari, partly borne of memories of his military rule, and partly borne of his reputation, among some Christians, as a Muslim fundamentalist. When I asked a relative whom she would vote for, she said, "Jonathan of course. Am I crazy to vote for Buhari so that Nigeria will become a sharia country?" Nigeria has predictable voting patterns, as all democratic countries do. Buhari can expect support from large swaths of the core north, and Jonathan from southern states. Region and religion are potent forces here. Vice presidents are carefully picked with these factors in mind: Buhari's is a southwestern Christian and Jonathan's is a northern Muslim. But it is not so simple. There are non-northerners who would ordinarily balk at voting for a 'northerner' but who support Buhari because he can presumably fight corruption. There are northern supporters of Jonathan who are not part of the region's Christian minorities. Delaying the elections is a staggeringly self-serving act of contempt for Nigerians. Last week, I was indifferent about the elections, tired of television commercials and contrived controversies. There were rumors that the election, which was scheduled for February 14, would be postponed, but there always are; our political space is a lair of conspiracies. I was uninterested in the apocalyptic predictions. Nigeria was not imploding. We had crossed this crossroads before, we were merely electing a president in an election bereft of inspiration. And the existence of a real opposition party that might very well win was a sign of progress in our young democracy Then, on Saturday, the elections were delayed for six weeks. Nigeria's security agencies, we were told, would not be available to secure the elections because they would be fighting Boko Haram and needed at least another month and a half to do so. (Nigeria has been fighting Boko Haram for five years, and military leaders recently claimed to be ready for the elections.) Even if the reason were not so absurd, Nigerians are politically astute enough to know that the postponement has nothing to do with security. It is a flailing act of desperation from an incumbent terrified of losing. There are fears of further postponements, of ploys to illegally extend Jonathan's term. In a country with the specter of a military coup always hanging over it, the consequences could be dangerous. My indifference has turned to anger. What a staggeringly self-serving act of contempt for Nigerians. It has cast, at least for the next six weeks, the darkest possible shroud over our democracy: uncertainty. |
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| First Kim K, now Kanye? John Legend throws Kanye under the bus Posted: 11 Feb 2015 07:48 AM PST  After being quoted by Us Weekly saying Kanye's latest Grammy stunt was harmless and funny, John Legend took to instagram to throw his quote in reserve after listening to what Kanye had to say about Beck after the awards. He kinda subtly said Kanye was silly for saying Beck didn't deserve the award. See what he wrote on instagram after the cut.. John Legend on Instagram; I want to clarify my thoughts on Kanye's actions at the Grammys on Sunday. First of all, Kanye is my friend. He believed in me years ago when very few did, and I wouldn't be here without his support. That doesn't mean we'll agree on everything, but it does mean that I am grateful to him. And I also believe he is one of the most gifted people I've had the privilege of working with. In my comments to US Weekly, I said that when Kanye walked up on stage, mimicking his interruption of Taylor Swift's VMA acceptance speech, then turned around as if he was just playing, most of the room including me saw this as funny, as a way of taking the piss out of himself for his infamous behavior several years ago. When I said that was funny and people should lighten up about it, that's what I meant. I wasn't referring to Kanye's comments after the show which I have now seen and heard. I disagree with those comments. Beck is indeed a true artist's artist. He's a multi-instrumentalist, a creative and unique singer-songwriter whose music I have bought and enjoyed over the years. While his win may have been a surprise to many, it's not because he's not a great artist deserving of recognition. All of the other nominated artists, including Beyonce, are incredible in their own right, and arguments could be made for any of them deserving to win. This is not an objective process. It's completely subjective, in fact. We can all debate who we thought should have won. But even if you didn't vote for him, plenty of our colleagues in the music business did. These voters are all creators who love music and have dedicated their lives to it, and the plurality of them chose Beck as the Album of the Year. I respect their decision and congratulate Beck on this outstanding accomplishment. |
| Photos: Senator Musiliu Obanikoro hits the Gym in tight shorts... Posted: 11 Feb 2015 06:47 AM PST   It's not everyday you see something like this..:-). The Former Minister of State for Defense pictured at the Gym today... |
| Faces of Nigerian children taking refuge in Chad Posted: 11 Feb 2015 06:46 AM PST |
| Photos: Kunle Afolayon meets Angélique Kidjo Posted: 11 Feb 2015 06:46 AM PST   |
| Share a best moment with friends and win a Blackberry/Ipad Posted: 11 Feb 2015 06:32 AM PST   Best will be giving out blackberrys every week and IPads monthly to lucky winners. How to participate 1. Follow all our social media handles: facebook - Best Tanamont Nigeria 2. Take a picture of you and your friends having a best moment, i.e. having any of our best products with friends. 3. Tag any of our handles, also use the hashtag #bestmoment and get your friends to like the picture. The people with the highest number of likes will win blackberrys and at the end of the month we shall give away IPads. So hurry and share a best moment with your friends. Best, simply the best! |
| Photos from the dinner for Osi Umenyiora and Leila Lopes Posted: 11 Feb 2015 05:43 AM PST |
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