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Showing posts from February, 2018

Wizkid’s ‘Daddy Yo’, "soundtrack" for new Hollywood film

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‘Daddy Yo’, the 2017 hit song of Ayo Balogun (aka Wizkid), is part of the soundtrack for British-Nigerian actor John Boyega’s new film, ‘Pacific Rim Uprising’. ‘Pacific Rim Uprising’, is an upcoming American science fiction and action film set for release on March 23. The film is co-produced by Boyega; written and directed by Steven DeKnight in his feature film directorial debut. Boyega shared this information on his Twitter page @johnboyega on Wednesday posting a video of him dancing to the song. “One of the most exciting things about producing ‘Pacific Rim Uprising’ was the opportunity to influence the creative choices. “So I put @wizkidayo song “Daddy yo” in the movie. Jaegers need afrobeats too! Oh yeah… here’s a video of me listening to this very song.” “Pacific Rim is very important to me because Pacific Rim will actually be the first movie that I have done that I would heavily target Nigeria as a main marketing spot,” he had said. The film follows ‘Jake Pente...

Buhari refuses to sign Peace Corps Bill

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President Muhammadu Buhari has declined his assent to the Nigerian Peace Corps (Establishment) Bill passed by the National Assembly in 2017. In a letter read by the speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, on Tuesday, Mr. Buhari cited security concerns and financial implications amongst reasons for his decision. The bill has been widely anticipated by many Nigerians who believe the creation of the corps will partly address the nation’s unemployment crisis. The bill had in late December 2017 arrived the Presidency for possible assent after it was transmitted to President Buhari by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Sani Omolori. The Senate had passed the bill on November 25, 2016, shortly after the House of Representatives passed the same bill. A conference committee of both chambers was inaugurated on December 8, 2016, to harmonise the bill. The House of Representatives laid and adopted its conference report on January 19, 2017, while the Senate ado...

My presidential ambition still intact "says" Donald Duke

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A former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, on Tuesday said he had not backed down on his presidential ambition. Mr. Duke made the statement in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria. He said the speculations that he had dumped the aspiration were untrue. Mr. Duke said he had not officially declared for the number one seat in the country for strategic reasons. “Sometime ago, I said I will run for the presidency of the country if the opportunity presented itself. “Yes, my presidential ambition is still intact, I am only waiting for the opportunity to present itself to make the right move,’’ he said. Asked on what platform he would run, especially as he was a member of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s inspired “Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM)’’ , he said it was too early to decide. He, however, said he was still a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). “I am still a member of the PDP, at the same time a member of the coalit...

Over 15 polling stations to open in Israel for Russian presidential poll

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Number of polling stations in Israel for the upcoming Russian presidential election will exceed 15, says an official. Russian President, Vladimir Putin The official said this surpassed the number of polling places which operated in the country during the 2016 Russian legislative election. Member of the Russian Central Election Commission (CEC), Vasily Likhachev, said on Monday that in 2016, there were 13 polling stations across Israel. “We even want to come with ballot boxes to, generally speaking, places where we have never gone to. “These are several locations on the borders with Israel’s neighbouring states,” Mr. Likhachev, who is in charge of voting abroad in the CEC, said. “If it is necessary to open additional polling stations in Israel, where around 100,000 Russian nationals live, the CEC is ready to discuss this issue and make necessary steps together with the Foreign Ministry,’’ the official continued. Mr. Likhachev praised the cooperation of the Israe...

Nigeria’s former Minister of Finance,Okonjo-Iweala appointed into Commonwealth high-level group

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Nigeria’s former Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has been appointed into a High Level Group on Governance of the Commonwealth Secretariat. Ben Maloney, Communications Officer, Commonwealth Secretariat, said in a statement that the High Level Group would make recommendations on governance of the Commonwealth Secretariat. The Commonwealth, however, denied that the group was constituted to secretly begin considering who might succeed the Queen as its head. “At their last Summit in Malta, Commonwealth heads of government directed the Secretary-General to form the Group. “Today members are discussing the scope of the group’s work and the areas of governance it will examine over the coming months. “The process is open and the High Level Group reports to the heads. “The issue of succession of the Head of the Commonwealth is not part of the Group’s mandate,” the statement said. The group is chaired by Anote Tong, former President of Kiribati from 2003 to 2016. Ms. Ok...

Emir Sanusi gets new appointment

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Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has appointed the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, to chair the newly inaugurated Kano Investment Advisory Committee. The committee is saddled with the task of identifying strategies for making the state economically viable. The governor hinted that the overall wisdom behind the committee was to take advantage of the personality of the emir, a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. “We need to take the advantage of his personality around the globe,” he said during inauguration ceremony of the committee, held at Government House, Kano, in the presence of members of the state executive council and members and the Kano emirate council. Some of the terms of reference of the committee are unlocking the constraints that hinder the progress of the economic potentials of the state, facilitating inflow of foreign and domestic investments, and working with the federal and state governments in addressing concerns that imped...

Fuel scarcity may worsen as depot owners give 14-day ultimatum

While Nigerians across many states continue to grapple with the unavailability of petrol at the official price, the situation may get worse due to threat by depot owners. On Tuesday, the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria, DAPPMAN, gave the federal government a 14-day ultimatum to settle a N650 billion debt allegedly owed its members. Although the state-owned NNPC is currently the sole importer of petrol, a situation analysts have blamed for the unending scarcity, the NNPC has no major depots of its own and relies on DAPPMAN and other marketers to store the imported petroleum products. In a statement by its Executive Secretary, Olufemi Adewole, DAPPMAN said failure to meet the deadline will force its members to disengage their workers. Mr. Adewole said his had no other option to solve the problem of increasing debt burdens of borrowing to pay staff than to immediately commence massive staff disengagement. “The unfortunate primary fallout ...

Valentine: Pasuma to thrill fans at Badagry Beach

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Popular Fuji musician, Wasiu Alabi Pasuma, would on Friday perform for fans at Badagry Beach, Lagos State in celebration of this year’s Valentine’s Day. Solomon Zosu, spokesman, Badagry West Local Council Development Area, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Badagry on Tuesday the council was partnering with Ray Power FM in packaging the event. “It is the season of giving and sharing so the council decided to bring the Fuji legend to perform for the people of Badagry. “We know that some people might not receive any gifts during the Valentine’s Day, so we want to use the event to celebrate everyone so that they can feel loved. “The event is absolutely free so we implore everyone to celebrate as this would also be an avenue for business owners to showcase their products and services,” he said. He advised people to also help the needy during the Valentine’s Day celebration. “The day should be used to impact the lives of the needy in the society,” he said.

Pray for Nigeria, Buhari tells Christians

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President Muhammadu Buhari felicitates with Christians in Nigeria on the solemn occasion of the commencement of this year’s Lenten season. “As they join their counterparts worldwide to emulate the worthy example of Jesus Christ who fasted 40 days at the beginning of His earthly ministry, the President urges Christian brothers and sisters to pray fervently for the country’s unity and progress,” presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina, quoted Mr. Buhari as saying. “He believes that Nigeria’s existence as one united country is a divine arrangement and nothing should be done to put it asunder. “President Buhari enjoins all Nigerians to intensify love, brotherliness and concern for the less privileged members of their communities in order to strengthen the bond of togetherness. “As Christians begin the period of increased prayers, piety, sacrifice and selfless services, the President wishes them and all Nigerians well.

Pastor Adeboye, Kolade beg God to guide Buhari, others, rescue Nigeria

Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the leader of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), on Wednesday led a number of men and women of God in intercessory prayers for Nigeria at the Redemption Camp of the church. The three-hour interdenominational ‎meeting prayers were said for the end of the various problems of the country, including corruption and the recent upsurge of bloodshed across the land. Opening the session after praise and worship songs, Pastor Adeboye said it was dedicated to prayers, with no formalities, and no introductions. He advised the congregation of several hundreds of people at the Old Arena‎ of the Redemption Camp to take prayer positions they deemed fit as pastor after pastor led special prayers backed with scriptural quotations. The first prayer was for forgiveness of the sins of the nation and for general repentance in a manner that will spare us God’s wrath as it happened in the city of Nineveh, which Jonah was sent to warn. When the call was heede...

Barcelona stumble in dull draw with Getafe

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The La Liga leaders, Barcelona, failed to break down Getafe in a dull 0-0 league draw on Sunday, leaving the Catalans seven points clear at the top of the table. Philippe Coutinho came close with a long range effort which was tipped wide by Vicente Guaita, with the Getafe goalkeeper also blocking a Yerry Mina header and a late effort from Luis Suarez. Barca talisman Lionel Messi was below his best and off-target with various set-pieces, while Ousmane Dembele returned from injury but could not help from the Nou Camp bench. After second-placed Atletico Madrid won at Malaga on Saturday, Barca’s draw means Diego Simeone’s side have eaten into their lead by two points. Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde was forced to play full back Lucas Digne in the centre of defence, alongside January signing Mina, making his full debut, due to injuries to Gerard Pique and Thomas Vermaelen, and Samuel Umtiti’s suspension. However the makeshift pairing was relatively solid, with Getafe cr...

M.I announces release date for 4th studio album ‘Yung Denzel’

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Rapper M.I through his social media platforms on Thursday confirmed a release date for his fourth-studio album titled, Yung Denzel. The album is due to be released in May. The album announcement came with a short clip that features Tay Iwar’s unmistakable voice and shots of M.I in full-on reflective mode. As the clip states, this will be M.I’s eighth project — following three studio albums, three mixtapes and one compilation album. Speaking about the delay on his Instagram, M.I said: “People ask me to rush and just put out music. I have tried and failed horribly because music is too important to me. This project has taken so long, but I promise it is worth it.” It has been a little over four years since the release of The Chairman album in 2014 and two years since Illegal Music 3 Mixtape dropped. MI, real name Jude Abaga, has won several local and international awards. He rose to prominence in 2006, when his song “Crowd Mentality” became popular in his hometown...

JAMB reacts to ‘money-swallowing snake

The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has reacted to a bizarre report trending of a snake swallowing N36 million from the vault of one of its state branches. The board said the case was that of pure criminality and fraud on the part of one of its staff. Nigerians on social media have also been reacting to the disappearance of the cash in JAMB’s Makurdi office. According to a report in Sun news online, a mystery snake was said to have sneaked into the accounts office of the Board in Makurdi and ‘stolen’ N36 million cash Saturday Sun said a team of auditors was dispatched to different state offices of JAMB to take inventory of the sold and unsold scratch cards and recover whatever money that might have either been generated or mismanaged during the period of the sale. JAMB candidates usually purchase scratch cards to gain access to the Board’s website for either registration or for checking their admission status. But new reforms introduced by JAMB registr...

Otedola’s daughter, DJ Cuppy, teaches French, Senegalese presidents how to DJ

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Florence Otedola, the daughter of billionaire Femi Otedola, stole the show at the Global Partnership for Education Financing Conference in Senegal over the weekend when she taught Senegalese President, Macky Sall, and French President, Emmanuel Macron, how to DJ. DJ Cuppy, one of Nigeria’s leading Disc Jockeys, was one of the global influencers invited to the event. The event focused on ending extreme poverty and expanding educational opportunities for some of the poorest people in the world. Dj Cuppy was filmed teaching both presidents the rudiments of her craft whilst also introducing them to Nigerian music. Other global entertainment icons associated with the Global Citizen community are American pop singer, Rihanna, and popular talk show host, Ellen DeGeneres. The GPE Conference was co-hosted by Messrs. Sall and Macron. The conference which gathered global leaders and representatives from developing and donor countries, international organisations, private bus...

Tinny Entertainment announces termination of Ycee’s deal with Sony Music

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Tinny Entertainment has announced the termination of Ycee’s distribution deal with Sony Music Africa. Ycee, real name Oludemilade Alejo, is one of the four artists signed to Tinny Entertainment label. This development comes a little over a year after the contract was signed. As part of Sony Music Entertainment’s expansion across Africa, the label announced an exclusive deal with Ycee in South Africa in October 2016. The deal saw the rapper’s first E.P, ‘The First Wave,’ released under the Sony Music Africa umbrella. But the relationship has been fraught with disagreements and social media outbursts for quite a while now. In August 2017, Ycee (popularly called Jagaban) called out Michael Ugwu of Sony Music Entertainment West Africa, accusing him of treating artists badly and making away with their money. In a statement released on their website on Sunday, Tinny Entertainment, revealed that the deal was terminated in December and they now have sole right to all mat...

2019: I am ready to replace Buhari says Ex-Governor

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A senator representing Plateau North senatorial district at the National Assembly, Jonah Jang, has said he is ready to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari if Nigerians desire ”effective, positive change and a better country.” Although Mr. Buhari is yet to formally declare his intention to seek re-election, he is expected to run as the candidate of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress. Mr. Jang, a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, governed Plateau State between 2007 and 2015. His anointed candidate, however, lost the Plateau governorship election in 2015 to the APC’s Simon Lalong. A panel set up by the incumbent governor has since found Mr. Jang and other officials of his administrations of misappropriating hundreds of millions of Naira of state funds while in office. Mr. Jang refused to appear before the panel and has denied any wrongdoing. On Sunday, the ex-governor also said the advice given by two former heads of state, Olusegun Obasanjo and...