OJB Jezreel puts stop to donations

In a press conference that held yesterday, OJB said:

"Appreciate all those who stood by me one way or the other. I'm sincerely grateful and feel blessed that people could go miles just to make me well again. Now that I have gotten all the money needed for my medical bill, I want to officially put a stop to all forms of appeal or request in bid to save OJB. I want Nigerians to know that I have gotten the N16million needed for my treatment. Therefore, no donation should again be made to any source in respect of the said case. I will be going for my operation by mid August"

The Future Of Nigeria Media Industry

 

Two remarkable developments of the 1990s had immense implications for media ownership and control in Nigeria. These are the deregulation of the broadcast media by the Federal government in 1992 and the annulment of the 12 June 1993 presidential election. The deregulation of the broadcast media brought to an end government’s monopoly of the broadcast media and the emergence of independent broadcasting stations. The annulment led to greater political awareness and the presence of a committed courageous press. The following article examines the interaction of these events.

With the return to civil rule in 1979, after thirteen years of military rule, the few surviving privately owned newspapers in Nigeria were joined by a plethora of titles. The newcomers appeared, in part, to serve the electioneering role played by newspapers of the 1920s. Ignoble sectional parochial rivalry ensued with reawakened political partisanship. For instance, the Nigeria Tribune and the Daily Sketch were used to advance the political interest of Obafemi Awolowo, while the Concord Group of newspapers represented the interests of their owner, Moshood Abiola and his political National Party of Nigeria (NPN). The role of the newspapers in political party partisanship continued in the 1990s.

Similarly, as the nation prepared for the fourth republic in the early 1990s, a number of privately owned newspapers emerged. These newspapers and others that came into existence after the 12 June annulment have played significant roles in criticizing the military government. Since then, the country has seen a formidable opposition press, which in spite of all forms of intimidation has turned the people’s skirmishes into full battle.

When Our Oil Well Dries Up

We as loyal and proud citizens of Nigeria,  have every cause to thank God each passing day of our lives because we come from  a blessed country, we are a lucky country, we are country that should not lack anything.
We are God’s own country, a country endowed with everything, such that other countries are even jealous of us.  We are the children of the Most High whose land abounds with the richness of oil. The poet S.T. Coleridge writes of “water, water, everywhere but not enough to drink.”  But here in Nigeria, it is the case of oil, oil, everywhere, but not enough to take care of its people because wealth is in the hands of the rich, greedy, favored few.  This is the sermon on Nigeria, the oil-rich country where its people are suffering amidst plenty.  Plenty oil.  Yet plenty trouble.
Oil!  That precious liquid gold from the bowels of the earth.  Oil, that dark, precious, subterranean liquid that the world keeps wanting, that fuels the global economy and keeps everything moving, from cars to okadas to planes to even spaceships that fly on a mission to explore the heavens.
Oil, the wealth that sustains our economy such that Nigeria depends on oil for everything, from monthly federal allocations to state governments to stolen oil subsidy money to the money that politicians share in heavy bags of Ghana-must-go.  All of them are products of oil.  Oil money!
What will Nigeria be without oil?  Death of course.  Because oil has become our oxygen.  Oil provides us perpetually with the easy pocket money from God.  Without much sweat, we make billions of dollars from oil, such that we don’t even know what to do with it—to borrow from General Gowon who once ruled Nigeria and boasted to the world about our oil wealth surplus.

In Nigeria: Money Is Never Enough

Life isn’t really about getting to a destination. It’s about how we live along the way. It’s easy to become so goal-oriented and so focused on our dreams that we overlook the simple things we should be enjoying each day. Life is a journey. There is no such thing as the finish line. Once we accomplish this dream, God will give us another. When we overcome that challenge, there will be another. There is always another mountain to climb.
If you make the mistake of living just for the destination, you will look up one day and realize you have missed out on the biggest part of life. Most of life is routine. Most of us get up every morning, go to work, come home, eat dinner, go to bed, and then do it all again.There are very few mountain tops; you graduate from school, you get married, you have a child.The high times are few and far between.
But many people live only for the mountain tops.They’re so focused on earning promotions, they work night and day.They don’t really enjoy their families.They are so stressed raising the children,they don’t enjoy their children.They are so caught up in solving daily problems, they don’t enjoy the best moments of each day.

The Reflection On June 12 and What it means to The Westerners

 

 

 

 

As a Nigerian, I share the pains of other Nigerians all over the world who narrowly lost the June 12th presidential election to the Military junta under the self-imposed president, Ibrahim Babangida. Today is a reminder of the day we all thought the military took its last breathe in the country. If not for anything, we would have had democracy before 1999. One other painful aspect of the annulment was the eventual action of the then Military government that consequently led to the arrest and the detention of MKO Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the election.

How well do you know your country

How well do you know your country

Its so unfortunate how most Africans living in diaspora know little or nothing about there country...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=bqqNLUmtvzM#!

KUBWA, A Town Where Every Car Owner Is A Transporter

First darkness and then light. That is the best way to savour the beauty of a town: to arrive in the thick of night and wake up the next morning to capture the scenery; like photography, where negative prints slowly turns to sharp-coloured photos, sights and sounds etch on your senses, filtered through mellowed rays of light from the rising sun. That way, the novelty lingers.

The dynamics applies to Kubwa, a satellite town located 13 kilometres from the Federal Capital City of Abuja when I found my way into the town less than an hour before midnight like a man groping his way in the dark.

My mother in-law nearly wrecked my marriage -Richest black woman, Folorunsho Alakija

After almost four decades of silence, Nigerian-born globe’s richest black woman, Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija, has revealed the many pains, rejections and frustrations she had to bear with equanimity in the hands of her mother in-law, prior and after their marriage.
The stylish oil baron and fashion connoisseur, unknown to many, fought and won several battles while trying to settle down with her darling husband, Modupe, especially in the early stages of their affair.
She met a very stiff opposition in her now late mother in-law, who blatantly kicked against her walking down the aisle with her son.
Surprisingly, unperturbed and determined Alakija, who was and is still madly in love with her man, the founder of Famfa Oil, stuck to her gun and refused to let go that which meant so much to her.
Alakija, the boss of Rose of Sharon Foundation and Famfa Oil, made this chilling confession, while delivering a lecture on marriage, as the guest speaker at the 21st wedding anniversary of Bishop Isaac Idahosa, the general overseer of God’s First Ministries (Illumination Assembly). The event held on Sunday, at the Lekki Light Centre of the church along Ajah/Badore road.
Speaking to a jam-packed church, she said her mother in-law never wanted a Yoruba woman and Muslim as a daughter in-law.

'GOLDIE' Leaves Big Brother Stargame in tears...

After an awesome run on StarGame, Nigeria's Goldie has been given the boot.

Goldie has arguably had the most emotional stay in the House, all thanks to her tumultuous relationship with the Masai warrior, Prezzo. In the days leading up to t he Eviction Show, Goldie has cried a river of tears and after a horrible fight with Prezzo this afternoon, Goldie told Big Brother she does not want to spend the last three hours of her stay in the House, fighting with the love of her life.

Sylvester Stallone's 36-year-old son found dead

Aspiring actor and filmmaker Sage Stallone, the son of action movie star Sylvester Stallone, popularly known as "RAMBO" was found dead on Friday at his home in Hollywood, authorities and his attorney said.

"Sylvester Stallone is devastated and grief-stricken over the sudden loss of his son," the actor's publicist, Michelle Bega, said in a statement. "His compassion and thoughts are with Sage's mother, Sasha." 

Police and a lawyer for Sage Stallone, 36, gave conflicting accounts of how he was found, but police said there was no sign of forced entry or foul play. 

Ras Kimono, AY, Raw, Yemi Sax, others to perform at Entertainment Express anniversary bash

Entertainment and entertainers will take centre stage on Saturday, July 28, as the nation’s fastest selling newspaper, Entertainment Express, celebrates its first anniversary with a bang.
The evening event, which is already serenading Lagos and its environs, holds at upscale Niteshift Coliseum, the nation’s most revered club and events venue, tucked in the heart of Opebi, Ikeja.
Tagged: Express Nite 1, the anniversary bash will be specially anchored by sensational comedian, Ayo Makun, famously known as AY.

250 million mansion: RMD fights dirty with Linda Ikeji

Veteran Nollywood actor and current Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Delta State, Richard Mofe Damijo, popularly known as RMD is currently in a fiery war of words with model turned blogger, Linda Ikeji over an alleged false publication.
Ironically, the brawl which many believe might lead to litigation from the ace actor cum politician against the blogger was a fall out from the former’s 51st birthday celebrations, which held recently.

15 busty entertainers ...Why they flaunt their boobs recklessly

No doubt, celebrities these days are now setting new trends, not only in fashion but also in the deliberate flaunting of their boobs, especially those who are well endowed.  In fact, more and more celebrities, including actresses and musicians have over the years, added panache and razzmatazz to the business of boobs flaunting.
While some dress with a bit of decency, others do not mind whose ox is gored.
For these entertainers, their busty boobs, coupled with penchant for provocative dresses remain their sex appeals and new found identities.
With this reckless display of excessive mammary glands, they make many hearts (males) flutter in admiration and infatuation. While some are just naturally endowed, others have over the years opted for a little lift in the boobs’ business vis-à-vis breast augmentation, breast implant and other artificial boosts.

Halima Abubakar explodes: Why I fought Tonto Dikeh

Halima Abubakar is angry and she makes no pretence about it! The diminutive Nollywood actress is upset with a lot of things. Hear the Ebira, Kogi State-born thespian: “I have really gone through many things in my life. It has not been an easy journey, but I thank God I was not broken. Sometimes people make you lose confidence in yourself and you just want to give up. So I am really happy for my strength and God.
“People are annoying and suddenly they are saying things about me, but it is okay, it means I’m doing something great, because if you are not doing anything great, they won’t talk about you,” she adds.

Jennifer Lopez Finally Exits ‘American Idol’

 

 

Jennifer Lopez has made it official. Following the “hardest business conversation she’s ever had,” the entertainer confirms she is leaving “American Idol” after two seasons.

“I honestly feel like the time has come that I have to get back to doing the other things that I do, that I put … on hold because I love ‘Idol’ so much,” Lopez, 42, told Ryan Seacrest Friday on his KIIS-FM morning show.

“I could do Idol for the rest of my life,” she said, “but that would be giving up a bunch of other things. We had an amazing run.”

Lopez follows in the footsteps of fellow judge Steven Tyler, who announced Thursday that he will not be returning for another season.

As previously reported, there is also speculation that veteran critic Randy Jackson will be leaving. And a source tells People.com that Mariah Carey is in serious talks to take one of the judges’ spots.

“I have my movies and my music and my this and my that,” Lopez said. “It all kind of worked together for a while, but then it gets more complicated. As the kids are getting a little bigger, it started feeling like it was a lot. Something has to give. And that’s, I think, where I am right now.”

Lopez, who called the judging experience “such a lovely surprise in my life,” went on to say, “I’ve never felt so much a part of a family of something I’ve been working on as I did with Idol. I didn’t know I’d be moved so emotionally by working on the show and working with the contestants.”

Jay-Z, Partners Sued for $7M over Rocawear Logo

Jay-Z and his partners were slapped with a $7 million lawsuit by a clothing designer who claims he’s owed unpaid royalties for designing their logo for Rocawear.

Clothing designer Dwayne Walker claims in a lawsuit filed in Manhattan Federal Court, New York, yesterday: ”The logo has become universally recognized as an iconic symbol of Jay-Z, one of the most successful recording artists in the history of popular music.”

Walker claims to have devised the logo in 1995, when Jay and his former business partners Damon Dash and Kareem ‘Biggs’ Burke founded the record company, which is now a subsidiary of the Universal Music Group.

Last month, the 42-year-old rapper was sued for plagiarism by author Patrick White, who alleges Jay stole portions of his writing and then used them for his own memoir, “Decoded.”

In the lawsuit, Patrick claims: ”In 2009, my personal computer was compromised, resulting in my personal work to be used in Jay-Z’s book ‘Decoded’ which was released in 2010.

”The book contains various expressions/colors/phrases which correlates to my work. After contacting or attempting to contact the co-author, I got no reply.”

Why Rihanna Is Suing Ex-management Firm

Rihanna is suing her former accountants claiming they messed up her finances and earned huge commissions from concert tours that resulted in her losing millions of dollars.

In the lawsuit filed in Manhattan federal court, the 24-year-old singer and her tour company, Tourihanna, are seeking an unspecified amount of compensatory damages and loss of earnings from accounting firm Berdon LLP and former employees Michael Mitnick and Peter Gounis.

The suit, filed late Tuesday (July 3), claims they caused “significant financial losses” between 2005 and 2010 by charging “exorbitant” commissions from Rihanna’s 2010 “Last Girl on Earth Tour.” It also accuses Berdon of mishandling Rihanna’s foreign and domestic taxes and failing to monitor unpaid song royalties.

“Between 2005 and 2010, Tourihanna suffered significant losses due to defendants’ financial mismanagement and other acts and omissions,” the lawsuit said.

Rihanna, whose real name is Robyn Fenty, is referred to in the suit as a financial novice who found fame at a young age and relied heavily on her accountants. Her music management introduced her to Berdon in 2005 when she was a 16-year-old and “a minor with a booming music career and no knowledge or understanding of financial matters whatsoever.”

The lawsuit said the accountants concealed facts regarding her finances, and in a deal Rihanna’s lawyers called unusual, earned commissions based on a percentage of Rihanna’s gross receipts which were “exorbitant and expensive.” In addition, the firm assumed control over the singer’s affairs beyond the industry standard and failed to maximize her personal net worth and long term wealth, the lawsuit said.

The lawsuit also said several of the Barbados-born singer’s national and international tours between 2005 and 2010 suffered losses compared to her last tour “Loud” that was a financial success after she had parted ways with Berdon.

Rihanna claims in the lawsuit that she lost millions of dollars during “The Last Girl On Earth” tour after the firm failed to reconcile costs vs. revenues while still paying itself millions in fees. She estimates that between 2007 and 2010, the accountants earned millions in commissions on tour gross receipts in an amount equaling 23 percent of total tour income, compared to 6 percent for Rihanna.

The firm did not do monthly planning reports, and performed little record-keeping of Rihanna’s personal and business expenses, including those for Tourihanna, according to the suit. For example, during 2008 and 2009, the accountants kept only 2 percent to 4 percent of all receipts for expenses charged on the singer’s personal credit card, the suit said.

It also failed to uncover millions in unpaid royalties and problems with the way in which Universal Music Group (UMG) label Recordings was tracking song royalties. The suit did not mention Rihanna’s direct label, Def Jam, also owned by UMG.

Accountants mishandled foreign and domestic taxes by withholding more funds than necessary, leading to “a significant losses of tax benefits” and failed to file taxes on time, causing late penalties.

The singer further claims that as a result the IRS is now auditing her because Berdon mishandled tax returns between 2008 and 2010. The suit includes claims of breach of contract, negligence, breach of fiduciary duty and unjust enrichment.

How Wizkid floored others to win BET Awards

As a confirmation of the recognition of Nigerian music on the continental front, fast-rising Pop star Ayo Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid was named a joint winner of The Best International Act (Africa) at the just concluded BET awards, held on Sunday, July 1, at the Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, US.
The EME act who alongside Ice Prince was nominated from Nigeria for the precious award emerged winner alongside Ghanaian music sensation, Sarkodie. The Pakurumo crooner outshined numerous wave making stars, including the likes of Camp Mulla from Kenya, Lira from South African and Mokobe, a Malian music star.
The 21-year old singer who was recently signed to the prestigious Akon-owned Konvict Music Label, has continued to step-up his game by maintaining a steady rise into the world Pop scene, and had earlier emerged the Best African Act at the MOBO awards held last year.
Interestingly, the Ogun State-born star has revealed intentions to collaborate with popular American rappers, Game and Young Jeezy. He noted via social networks when he recently tweeted thus: ‘about to hit d sack!!!...crazy studio session, with Game and Jeezy!!.” His tweet was later followed by a picture posted by Young Jeezy himself, which confirmed the collaboration. Young Jeexy further let the cat out of the bag in a BET red carpet interview with Vibe: “I just came out from a studio session with Game and Wizkid from Africa and we came out with a monster hit”.

AY, Elenu, Lectura, D-Don, Mc Abbey to anchor EE first anniversary bash

The Nigerian showbiz industry will reverberate endlessly on Saturday, July 28, as the nation’s fastest selling newspaper, Entertainment Express, celebrates its first anniversary in a grand style. The evening event, which is already serenading Lagos and its environs, holds at upscale Niteshift Coliseum, the nation’s most revered club and events venue, tucked in the heart of Opebi, Ikeja.
The anniversary bash tagged: Express Nite 1, will be specially anchored by sensational comedian, Ayo Makun, famously known as AY. He will be supported by other wave making comedians like, Elenu, D’Lectura, D-Don, Mc Abbey and several others.
Also gracing the epoch event are leading stars and entertainers from Nollywood, music and comedy sectors as well as captains of industry.
Expected also are dignitaries and celebrities from different fields of human endeavours, including our international guests.
Fans, readers and friends of Entertainment Express will be given special considerations in order to equally attend the strictly by invitation historic groove.
Interestingly, several partners and sponsors have thrown their weights behind the anniversary bash, with many others still coming up with fruitful discussions.
Achievas Entertainment, promoters of reigning hip hop act, Solidstar and other entertainers, is solidly behind the bash, which continues with an After Party, inside the posh Arena of The Coliseum.
Wave making disc jockey, DJ Spin’All and his tight crew will be in charge of non stop good music at the anniversary ball, which promises to be memorable and grandeur.
Meanwhile, several stars, especially musicians are already lobbying and jostling to perform on the D-Day. As the event approaches, we would definitely unveil the names of the specially selected acts and the few emerging talents that will be allowed to mount the Niteshift Coliseum’s world class stage to thrill our VIP guests.

Okotie marital crisis deepens: As sacked wife reveals more dirty secrets

Although, it is no longer news that the second marriage of the General Overseer of House of God Church, Pastor Chris Okotie and his estranged wife Stephanie Adie Henshaw has gone sour with both going their separate ways, but more controversies trailing the dirty and shocking separation has continued to unfold.
The embattled Pastor who still refused to give details of his decision to quit the four years old fruitless union confidently stated that come December, he’s going to be married again because it’s not good for man to be alone, quoting from the book of Genesis.
On the other hand, the embittered former Mrs. Okotie had since taken to her Facebook page (Stephanie Adie Henshaw) to tell her painful story amid tears and lamentations.
Indicating that the separation was never her initiative, thus still as shocked as the public, the mother of three revealed dirty details about her husband which she believes instigated his weird and rash decision.
The initial information which she posted on Sunday read, “Today makes it three weeks I was asked for a separation and a week and four days I packed out. Romans 8:28: ‘All things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. I am as shocked as most people are, as there has not been an argument in my home. In over a year we have been as happy as everybody thought we were. I wait because I know in time God will make known what has gone wrong.”
In her subsequent posts, Henshaw, who has reverted to her maiden name, disclosed that she had known her ex husband for almost two decades and served him wholeheartedly but he has chosen to pay her good deeds back with evil instead.
She wrote: “Twenty years I have known a man; 15 years we have been the closest friends. I prepared all his meals for 10 years, including the four years we were married. The day I was asked to leave, I prepared his meal, served it and I left. For the four years he never fell ill but today I am called all sorts of names - ‘witch’, and ‘mermaid spirit.’ I have served Jesus with clean hands and a clean heart. I have loved all that have come my way and if I do not live through this pain and hurt as sure as Jesus lives my children will see my vindication.”
Making her mind known through several other posts, an obviously aggrieved Henshaw maintained that she was grossly implicated and falsely accused by ‘certain church members’.
“Lies, not from the world but the church; accusations not from the world, but the church. Where are the spirit filled Christians, the ones who fear and hear the Lord. My husband loves and adores me; he is not the one saying these things, the enemies from within who hate me. They hate the grace God showed me. They hate the mercy God has had on me. So, they come up with all kinds of lies. My going can bring in another Mrs. Okotie, but what happens to the rest of you?
You bring shame to the body of Christ out of your jealousy and selfish desire and in the process expose your pastor. The works he has to do cost Jesus his life, don’t joke with it. Our friendship is not based on marriage. You manipulate things at the expense of God’s work and name. It is not about me. It has never been: it is about the will of God.’’
In yet another post, Henshaw, who hails from Cross River State, prays for a vindication and deeply cried to God for mercy as she has chosen to accept her fate with equanimity.
She cries, “Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to you for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of your wing until the danger passes by. Vindicate me, Lord. All things are open before you, righteous judge. I remain still, speak on my behalf. I submitted to the end. I did all I was asked to do, Lord.
I left that home blameless before you. I have loved but have not been loved. I have given and not received; but that is contrary to your word, Lord. So, today I ask your word be made manifest in my life.”
As the messy separation drama continues to unfold, EE will keep updating you darling readers with more shocking revelations.