Kanye West catches a cab in New York City

Kanye West catches a cab ride while out and about in New York City, New York on October 29, 2014 (FameFlyNet)

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Nollywood actress: Shan George Talks About Her $-ex Life, Personal life And Pros-titution Scandals

 Like every other Nollywood actress, Shan George has had her fair share of scandals. She has been accused of going into marriage and coming out of it over  three times, dating younger men and decorating her body with countless tattoos. What’s true and what’ s not? In this interview, the half caste actress shares her  painful story with Showtime Celebrity. This is Shan George beyond the scandals.

You have some reservations about the kind of questions journalists ask you during interviews?

Well, people always want to know more about my personal life, my relationships and  all those stuff that the soft-sell magazines like to exaggerate. I just think that serious publications should be interested in asking relevant questions.

So, if you were the one interviewing yourself, what would be your first question?
I would ask myself how long it actually took me to get to where I am today; the challenges along the way and how I’ve been able to overcome  them. It took me about 15 years to get to this point. However, one major challenge I have always faced as an actress has to do with not being at home all the time and playing roles in movies that are opposed to my character.

Continue.... 

Let’s assume you were born in a Christian home and you imbibe what you were taught from when you were a kid. All of a sudden, because of your profession, you are called to be a Buddhist or a mermaid. You are talking about being something you have never experienced. I have never seen a mermaid or transformed into  a mermaid before, but I’ve acted as one.  You have to try and figure out how they talk, walk, smile and so on.

Another challenge is when you go to the extent of interpreting  whatever role you’re given to play in movies. People who watch the movie tend to associate you with that character.  I’ll never forget an experience I had at Alade market, in Lagos, a few years ago. I went there to buy some things like every other person, but  suddenly, some people started throwing rotten tomatoes at me.

Many others were calling me unprintable names; a loose woman, husband snatcher. All because  I  played such roles in movies. I’m not like that in real life.   I remember I acted a prost-itute in the movie, Outcast. After the film was released into the market, I got a call from a guy based in Italy who told me that he just watched the movie, and he thought I was really hot. He said he would want to enjoy  such a gesture like the guys in the movies any time he storms Nigeria.

There are so many other challenges. You are seen playing roles where you are really rich with several big cars and houses at your disposal. People assume you’re like that in real life, but it’s not always true. Everywhere you go, people expect you to settle ‘agberos’ and drop something, but it doesn’t work like that. That is the reason some practitioners tend to spend money they don’t have just to meet the expectations of their fans.

Have you ever  lost a sense of identity because of the different roles you play in movies?

Acting is a job. As soon as I’m done with interpreting my role, I become myself again. I have never had the experience of being confused about my own identity. I  know that many of my colleagues actually get cut off from reality; they want to be like what people expect them to be or spend the kind of money people expect them to spend. And so, they have to do one or two things that they ordinarily wouldn’t have done.But you can’t really get to know someone by watching that person on the screen.

So, what’s the real Shan George like?

I think everyone should know that Shan George is an ordinary person who was born and brought up in the village, grew up like every other village girl and I was privileged to  be part of the movie industry at a time I found myself in it. I have been favoured by God in the industry. When you talk about a typical village life, I have experienced it and when you talk about living in a castle,  I have also enjoyed the privilege.

To be candid, the most interesting life is the village life. In the village, there are no fences, no gates, and no walls in between houses. We collectively go to the same farm, and fetch water from the same stream.  It was a communal existence. I still travel home once in a while to identify with my roots. I am from Ediba in Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State.

What was growing up like?

It was quite enjoyable. It’s just that I wish I knew my father. I’m the only child of my mother, and my father was a  whiteman. My mum is a very wonderful person, but I guess there is always going to be that part of me that keeps wondering who my father is. I  tried several years to trace his whereabouts to no avail. While in search of him, I once  travelled to where he used to work then, Turner’s Asbestos in Enugu.

The company consulted their files and brought out his old address in Manchester. Consequently, I travelled  to Manchester in search of the man that fathered me.  But my mission was not accomplished.      I even had to cross-check phone books and called about 100  phone numbers, all in the bid to trace his whereabouts. One  question I asked each time I called any of the numbers was whether any member of his family ever visited Africa or Nigeria in particular. I gave up hope of meeting my father at the age of 35.

What is your take on Nollywood today?

I always tell people not to try to compare Hollywood toNollywood. It is like comparing an old man to a baby. Nigeria itself is a young country and Nollywood is much younger, and so the extent at which we have grown is quite far. Right now, we are growing rapidly and producing movies that are shown abroad. We are doing advanced movies but the only place we are lacking today is in the area of distribution. We have very good movies but we don’t have people to distribute  them. I know a lot of people who went to school to study Marketing and they are not practising their profession. The industry has grown  rapidly  but the marketing aspect of the business still needs a boost.

Don’t you think piracy is the reason for this shortcoming?

Let us be realistic, there are even American movies that are being pirated. Piracy is something I believe cannot function where you have a big community  in dire need of it. It’s just like when you want to release a movie for over 150 million people and you only printed about 20, 000 copies. Don’t you think  that people living in remote areas would want to watch the same movie?

shan-georgeIt is natural that pirates will help them get  as many copies of the film as they require by any means. For example, I once travelled to Kano and saw a movie that was just released into the market,  I was tempted to buy it. The funny thingwas that the movie was recorded in a plain CD and they used a marker  to write the name of the movie. I concluded that these sellers didn’t see the original CD for people to buy. I believe if the original products are readily available, the menace of  piracy will reduce drastically.

Which do you prefer, being behind the camera or in front of it?
I produced my first movie in 1998 while I was in my final year in the University of Lagos. I studied Mass Communication and I have been writing and producing since then till now. There are different feelings actually. Standing in front of the camera, you are something else; while working behind the camera, you are being yourself. And aside being yourself, working behind the camera involves a lot of work because you have to organise everybody, everything and you are like the head of the family. I love producing more than acting because producing gives me the opportunity to have a platform for new actors. It also gives me the opportunity to write my own story and get it across to the audience.

What’s your advice for those who want to get into the movie industry?

The first advice I will give you is to acquire good education. Education is the foundation upon which you are going to build your future. Secondly, be committed;   work hard and be ready to give it your best shot. You never can tell, one thing can just take you to the top. And as a person, you have to agree that you want to do this job and also agree to grow gradually so that you will not get frustrated along the line.

Would you like to  address some of the scandals that have trailed your acting career over the years?

It is really crazy.  A lot of these things are not true. For example, I have two grown up sons. Anytime people see me pose for shots with younger men, they conclude that as old as I am, I like young boys and that’s not true at all.  It is very depressing sometimes. You need the grace of God to hear things about yourself that are not true and still be strong and get going.

Have there been times when you nearly broke down because of what people were saying about you?

It happened many years ago when I was still a toddler in the industry. I remember driving some years back and I saw vendors selling a particular magazine with my photograph and a caption that read: “Even Pastors love my boobs.”  That day was so sad for me. I couldn’t even believe that I was the one they were writing about.

What about the multiple marriage scandals; is there any truth to them?

There was a time someone called to congratulate me on my new marriage. I was shocked. My first marriage was when I was 16, and I don’t count that because I was a child and I had no say in the matter. The ideal thing is that as an adult, you meet someone you like and you get married to him.  What happens most times is that I act a movie where I get married, the pictures go  viral online and everyone says I am married again.

And I am amazed because I wonder, people who read this, don’t they calculate the years? I married once and my two kids are for my first husband. I read on some blogs that I had a child out of wedlock and I have been hiding it. But  I wonder if I got married at the age of 16, at what age did I have that child?  I was so young when I walked out of my first marriage to pursue my education. Later on, as an adult, I got married again, but we aren’t really together anymore. Marriage can be complicated.

What was it like being married at such a young age?

Being married at the age of 16 was just like a child still living with her parents. It was more like an obligation. I don’t really want to talk about it because of my children.

What is your relationship status now?

shan-george-and-objI have someone who is very nice and important to me. So, I guess you can call that a romantic relationship. I have always known this guy and he has  been there for me.

Would you like to get married again?

Of course, I would.

How do you manage to look so good at 43?

Because the job is very stressful, I don’t really add much weight. But because I’m slim doesn’t mean that I’m fit. I can be very lazy about exercise. However, I am very careful about what I eat; that’s why am not very fat.

What are your sons like?

My first son is an Economist; he is still in the UK and has refused to come back home. My second son actually is into  music. He read Music Engineering and Production in London and now, he is in Nigeria trying to pursue a career in music.

What is it with you and tattoos?

Tattoos are a way for me to express myself. People wear clothes, fix their hair or nails; but for me, I love tattoos, that’s who I am. I have just two permanent tattoos, but sometimes I wear artificial tattoos depending on my mood.

Apart from movies what else are you interested in?

I used to own a boutique but am not fashionable. I don’t know how to sew, but I can draw and create designs. I have passion for putting smiles on the faces of  people around me. I would love to be in a place where everybody is cared for. Not one person having all that others will worship. I am working on the release of my new  movie, “Finding Good luck.”  I am hoping to release it on DVD. It is in the cinemas already and this is a movie that has got to do with the image of the Nigeria Police and how people generally relate with the average policeman and how it should be at the end of the day. I hope the movie will better the lives of some people.

Source: omoooduarere blog

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OMG! You will not believe what the Minister for Constitutional Reforms of Italy, Maria Maria Boschi is rocking

Do you see the G of The Minister for Constitutional Reforms of Italy, Maria Maria Boschi rocked to paliament ?. 

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Mayhem, as LASTMA van crushes bus conductor in Lagos

A 44-year-old bus conductor was allegedly crushed to death by a vehicle belonging to officials of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, yesterday, at Cele Bus Stop, along Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, while the bus driver was avoiding arrest.

The incident caused a riot as hoodlums attacked LASTMA officials and also invaded their office at Cele, destroying several vehicles’ windscreens.

Traffic gridlock on Apapa-Oshodi Expressway as hoodlums took over the road in the wake of Mr. Ikeckukwu Abasirim’s death. INSET: Late Mr. Abasirim. PHOTO: Biodun Ogunleye.

Vanguard gathered that trouble started for the deceased, identified as Ikeckukwu Abasirim, after the driver of the bus, with an unknown identity, was ordered to stop by LASTMA officials at Mile 2, over an unknown offence.

The driver of the bus was said to have ignored the order, an action that reportedly led to the LASTMA officials chasing the vehicle.

On arrival at Cele Bus Stop, passengers in the commercial bus disembarked, while the conductor was busy calling in passengers, unknown to them that they were still being trailed by the officials.

Eyewitnesses told Vanguard that the LASTMA vehicle blocked the commercial bus, while one of the officials held Ikechukwu and attempted to force him into their operational vehicle.

‘How he died’

One witness said: “In the ensuing struggle, one of the officials was said to have swept the conductor off his feet.

“He fell and at that moment, the LASTMA official at the wheel was said to have moved the vehicle. The tyres went over Ikechukwu’s skull, killing him on the spot.”

Others told Vanguard that on-lookers raised an alarm which attracted hoodlums who pounced on the two LASTMA officials.

A trader who gave his name as Lawani said: “ The LASTMA official, who swept the conductor off his feet was the first person to alert his colleagues that their car had climbed the conductor’s head.

“There was no way we could save him as he died on the spot. A mob attacked the officials, but they were lucky to escape before the arrival of another batch of hoodlums.

Source: Vanguard 

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Khloe Kardashian Fighting With Kim Kardashian: Las Vegas Birthday Party Snub (PHOTOS)

Kim Kardashian and Khloe Kardashian may be sisters, but they’re fighting and slowly drifting into the territory of mortal enemies. Okay, maybe mortal enemies is exaggerating a little bit, but a Khloe Kardashian/Kim Kardashian feud is definitely brewing. In fact, sources close to the Kardashians [hi Kris Jenner] have revealed that Khloe is not even planning on attending Kim Kardashian’s birthday party.

Now, it’s very possible that Kim and Khloe could be playing up their feud for the sake of their reality show. In fact, there were reports leaked earlier last week about how Kim and Khloe were shooting scenes about their ‘feud’, i.e. probably some trumped up arguments dramatized for the sake of Keeping Up With the Kardashians. However, even if they’re playing up their feud more than necessary, there’s no denying that something is going on between the sisters.

Take Khloe Kardashian’s birthday tweet to Kim Kardashian, for example. She wrote, “Happy birthday sister!!!! My bestie, my confidante, the keeper of my secrets (well only of I threaten your life.) the sharer of my world. You have become an amazing woman. I couldn’t be prouder or more inspired. Enjoy your birthday KiKi! I love you like a fat kid loves cake! @kimkardashian.”

Right. Well, apart from being unnecessarily convoluted, it’s actually quite passive aggressively gushy and cryptic, no? I feel like Khloe is both professing her love for Kim, but at the same time reminding her that she knows all her secrets and can reveal them at any time. Not quite the birthday tweet I would expect from my sister…

What do you guys think? Are Kim Kardashian and Khloe Kardashian fighting for real, or is it all just a made up ruse to increase publicity for the show? Will Khloe show up at Kim’s birthday party in Las Vegas after all? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Kim can’t seem to get along with anyone these days – check out her fight with Kanye West when they took Nori to the Pumpkin Patch last weekend. Kanye lost it when he realized that Kris Jenner called the paps to film what was meant to be a family outing – naturally the bully took it out on Kim.  Kanye was still sulking on his movie date with Kim later that weekend. FameFlynet

Source: celebdirtylaundry

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Kim Kardashian shows boobs in white dress as she parties in Las Vegas for her 34th birthday

Happy birthday, Mrs. West!Wearing a slinky, cleavage-baring dress that complimented her hourglass figure, Kim Kardashian celebrated her 34th birthday at the posh Venetian Hotel and Casino's TAO nightclub in Las Vegas on Friday night with family and friends.
The list included husband and rapper Kanye West, mother Kris Jenner and sister Khloé Kardashian, who shared a video of the guess of honor posing on the red carpet, Jonathan Cheban and Simon Huck, both of whom have appeared on the family's reality series, Keeping Up With the Kardashians and its spinoffs, and her glam squad, makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic and hair stylist Jen Atkin.
The birthday girl wore a ruched white Alexandre Vauthier dress with a V-neck waist-skimming plunging neckline, a favorite style worn at past events and on the show, paired with black Givenchy sandals.

 

Kim Kardashian turned 34 recently and they threw her a birthday party last night at TAO Nightclub in Las Vegas. She showed off massive side boobs in a white plunging wrap dress as she partied with her husband Kanye, sister Khloe and friends. See the pics after the cut..

 

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I fell out with Patience Jonathan because I refused to share Rivers money with her" - Amaechi

Governor of Rivers state, Rotimi Amaechi says the major reason he and the first lady, Dame Patience Jonathan fell out was because he refused to share the state money with her. Gov Amaechi said this yesterday October 24th at the graduation ceremony of the Pioneer graduands of the Ignatus Ajuru University of Education held at Rumuolumeni in Rivers state. He said

"Remember, when I became governor, I fought militancy. Right there where you built a new house used to be a hole where they pass into the river nd escape. The security report reached me and I came here and chased the militants away. I asked them to fence the school premises and block the hole. I have to protect you because it is my responsibility. Some of the militants went to Lagos, Ivory Coast, Ghana etc. Today, they are back because the wife of the President bought them back to protest against me." Continue...
I refused to give them money in Abuja because if I do that, I won't be able to carry out any developmental projects or finish the road from Rumuolumeni to Rumuepirikom. The quarel between me and the wife of the Preseident is because she said I should bring your money, Rivers peoples money and share with her" Governor Amaechi alleges

Governor Amaechi is also quoted to have told the graduands that should they vote for President Jonathan back into power in next year's general elections, rivers state's economy would crumble

"Now that you are graduates, you are eligible voters that can use your voters card to change society. Ask yourself this question that I have always asked Rivers people. What have we (Rivers people) done to President Jonathan that he has refused to bring any project to Rivers state. We had to fight them before they could do the East-West road. I had to abuse the federal government and they abused me back before they could do the work you now see on that road. Our President, from the South-South, has taken oil wells from Soku in Rivers state to Bayelsa state. What about the 41 oil wells in Etche that was given to Abia state? Is the President or his wife from Abia? Why do they want us to suffer? If President Jonathan comes back to power in 2015, Rivers state economy will crash" he said

Source: AIT

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Nigeria's Super Falcons win 2014 African Women Championship

The Super Falcons of Nigeria this evening October 25th beat Cameroon 2-0 to win the 9th African Women Championship 2014 which took place in Namibia. Football stars Desire Oparanozie and Asisat Oshoala gave Nigeria the victory after scoring the two goals in the match. This will be the 7th time Nigeria has clinched the title. Thanks girls!!

Super Falcons Asisat Oshoala was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.

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Baby born in Ibadan clutching holy Qur’an

A renowned Islamic preacher based in Ibadan, Oyo State, Dr Dawood Amoo, has described the birth of a baby boy clutching a pocket-size Qur’an as one of the signs of Allah.

In an interview with journalists in Ibadan, Amoo said although the development was not strange, the boy named Ismail was unique as the said mini Qur’an contained all the 114 chapters in the holy book.

 The preacher testified that he was one of the earliest callers at the Owode/Academy, Ibadan residence of the parents of the baby to witness one of God’s wonders.

 He said the mother, Jelilah, gave birth in a church at Oniyanrin area of the city, where the baby was seen clutching a strange object in his left hand.

“The woman, who took the delivery, thought it was one of the devilish drugs used by the mother to terminate the pregnancy, hence she threw it in the dustbin,” he explained.

 Amoo said that the said object, which later turned out to be a pocket-size Qur’an, was wrapped in a thread.

He said that with the forceful removal of the object from its hand, the baby became restless and continued to clutch an empty fist.

“Following his restlessness, a local cleric advised them to go and bring what they took from the baby which later turned out to be a copy of the mini Qur’an.”

“They were all afraid to touch it until I got there and I had to remove the remaining thread on the object and to my surprise, it was a beautifully- designed pocket-size complete noble Qur’an,” Amoo Said.

He said although the Qur’an was small, the lettering inside was readable and complete from chapter one to chapter 114 of the holy book.

Expectedly, the news filtered into town and Ibadan people had since turned the residence into a mecca of sort.

Jelilah, the elated mother of the baby, said since September, when the baby was born, nobody could take the Qur’an away from him, as he would be restless until he clutched it.  

The father of the baby, identified simply as Semiu, said he thanked Allah for the blessings, saying it was an indication that Allah wanted them back in the fold of Islam.

Semiu, a driver, said paucity of funds has caused his wife to put to bed at a nearby church, as they were both not practising any faith.

He said with the signs directly from Allah, “I have resolved that my wife and I will revert to Islam and be worshipping our Creator till we answer His call.”

A similar baby was born in a Lagos church in 2012 clutching a copy of the Qur’an.

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Patience Jonathan resigns as Permanent Secretary in Bayelsa

The First Lady, Patience Jonathan, has resigned her appointment as Permanent Secretary in the Bayelsa State Civil Service.

Mrs. Jonathan was appointed to the position in July 2012 by Governor Seriake Dickson, five months into his administration.

Sources in the Bayelsa state government told PREMIUM TIMES the First Lady decided to quit following “irreconcilable differences with Governor Dickson”.

The source did not provide details. He only said she resigned over political differences between her and the governor over issues bothering on the politics of the state.

“The whole thing appears to be political. It appears Madam is not happy with the governor. With her resignation, the battle line has been drawn,” the source said.

Governor Dickson has faced criticisms for appointing Mrs. Jonathan as one of the 17 permanent secretaries he appointed into the state civil service shortly after he assumed duties.

Many Nigerians had wondered why the governor would appoint someone and place her on salary when it was clear she was not available to discharge the responsibility of her office.

Some people at the time had accused Mr. Dickson of taking political sycophancy too far.

The First Lady, in her letter of resignation, opted for voluntary retirement, a source said.

A source in the Bayelsa State Ministry of Education said the ministry had already computed and finalized her terminal benefits but declined to disclose the sum due her.

Another senior official of the ministry also confirmed the development and said it was true the First Lady resigned.

When contacted by PREMIUM TIMES, Bayelsa Commissioner for Education, Salo Adikumo, said he too had resigned as Commissioner for Education to pursue his own political ambition.

The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Dickson, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said he was in Abuja, not in Yenagoa, and was therefore not aware of Mrs. Jonathan’s resignation.

Mrs. Jonathan’s spokesperson, Ayo Adewuyi, did not answer or return calls seeking comment.

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NEW INTERVIEW: Boko Haram To Release Chibok Girls By Monday, Denies Involvement In Recent Kidnaps

The Secretary General of terrorist group Boko Haram, Mallam Danladi Ahmadu, who represented the group and negotiated a ceasefire agreement with the Nigerian government has said that the agreement with the Federal Government is still valid.

Ahmadu disclosed that the final meeting between the group and the Federal Government to finally seal the ceasefire agreement has been scheduled for Monday in Ndjamena, Chad, and to be supervised by the Chadian leader, Idriss Darby.

Danladi Ahmadu, who spoke in the Hausa service of the Voice of America on Friday, affirmed that the Chibok Girls would surely be released on Monday to the Chadian President, Idriss Darby, for onward presentation to the Nigerian government.

He added that an enlarged meeting of the group has been fixed for the weekend to prepare ground for the Monday meeting with the Federal government, affirming that the final ceasefire and the release of the Chibok girls are promises that will surely be fulfilled by the group.

Ahmadu also disclosed to VOA that the group and the Federal government are in close consultations over arrangements for the Monday meeting in Chad.

Commenting on the latest kidnap of over 40 women and girls in the border villages between Adamawa and Borno states, the Secretary General maintained that as far as Boko Haram is concerned it is not aware of the latest kidnap and attacks.

He added that the group is investigating the latest kidnap and attacks to determine the involvement of its members, admitting that many anti-social groups have infiltrated Boko Haram.

Danladi Ahmadu stated that political thugs, armed robbers, kidnappers, hired assassins and other anti-social groups now parade themselves as members of the sect, but was quick to add that if the ceasefire agreement is sealed all the groups would fizzle out.

It will be recalled that no fewer than 50 women and girls were abducted by unknown gunmen from Gartu in Michika, Adamawa state and Waga Mongoro, a border village between Madagali in Adamawa and Gwoza in Borno state after a ceasefire agreement with the insurgents was announced by Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, Alex Badeh.

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Nigeria's deal with Boko Haram to free girls still on, Chad says

Chad said it believed Nigeria's secret deal with Boko Haram Islamists to free more than 200 kidnapped Nigerian schoolgirls would go ahead despite the breakdown of a truce, and revealed that the key to the agreement was a prisoner swap.

The accord mediated by Chad for the release of the girls seized from Chibok in northeast Nigeria in April has been called into question since it was announced by the Nigerian military last week.

A ceasefire supposed to be part of the agreement has been broken, and a further 25 girls were abducted this week.

Moussa Mahamat Dago, the No. 2 official at Chad's foreign ministry, in a Reuters report said it appeared some Boko Haram factions were refusing to abide by the deal, brokered by the Chadian foreign minister with two representatives of the Islamist group and two Nigerian negotiators at meetings in Chad on Sept. 14 and 30.

"Quite possibly those who are fighting are dissidents that even they (Boko Haram) aren't able to control. So far, there is no reason for others to doubt this agreement," Dago told Reuters late on Thursday in the Chadian capital N'Djamena.

"What I can say is that those that negotiated with the Nigerian government did so in good faith ... We are waiting for the next phase which is the release of the girls."

Dago said the two sides agreed verbally to a series of points summarized in a document he had seen, including the release of the schoolgirls and of jailed Boko Haram fighters.

The Nigerian insurgent group, which has fought a bloody five-year revolt mostly in the northeast, has said it wants to carve out an Islamist enclave in the religiously-mixed nation, Africa's top oil producer and biggest economy.

"The starting condition of Boko Haram was the liberation of some of their members ... That is the compensation," Dago said, adding that the specifics on the names and number of Boko Haram fighters still to be released had not yet been agreed.

Dago said he still expected the girls to be freed, without giving a time frame. The Boko Haram negotiators were no longer in Chad although they had agreed to return in October after freeing the girls to hold more talks, he added.

The first stage of the agreement made was the release of a group of 27 Chinese and Cameroonian hostages by Boko Haram two weeks ago in northern Cameroon, Dago said.

"We remain optimistic. The two sides agreed to find a negotiated solution and to show their good faith they already freed some hostages and announced a ceasefire," he said.

Dago admitted it would be embarrassing for Chadian President Idriss Deby's government, which has taken a leading role in security and diplomacy in Africa's turbulent Sahel region in recent years, if the girls were not freed.

"It would be very disappointing. We are engaged in this now. If this negotiation doesn't succeed that would be damaging for Chad's facilitating role," he said.

The release of the girls would be a boost for Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, who faces an election in February and has been pilloried at home and abroad for his slow response to the kidnapping and his inability to quell the insurgency.

Boko Haram has not yet commented on the ceasefire. Its fighters have killed thousands of people in raids mostly in Nigeria's northeast but have also claimed sporadic bomb attacks in the federal capital Abuja and the commercial hub Lagos.

Dago said he was confident that the negotiators had the authority to speak on behalf of Boko Haram's mercurial and reclusive leader Abubakar Shekau, whom Nigeria's military has more than once claimed to have killed.

"They are envoys who answer to their leader Shekau who himself confirmed that these emissaries spoke on his behalf. That was confirmed in writing to the Chadian government," he said, confirming local press reports that the negotiators were named Cheikh Goni Hassane and Cheikh Boukar Umarou.

Chad does not know where the abducted Chibok girls are being held, but Dago said it was likely they were outside of Chad and spread out over a wide area.

The Chinese hostages freed earlier under the agreement were found scattered across northern Cameroon, he said.

"They (Boko Haram) gave us guarantees that the girls are well but we don't know physically where they are," he said.

"But they have certainly dispersed them like the Chinese hostages, who were spread out over a large area."

The two parties planned to meet again for a third time in Chad after the release of the schoolgirls to draft a roadmap to tackle more fundamental issues, Dago said.

"For the next stage of negotiations, the girls need to be freed. We cannot go into details as long as this question remains and it is a requirement of Chad that the girls are released before we start the next stage of talks," he said.

Source: Nigerian Tribune

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Senator accuses journalists of phone theft

Journalists who covered the official visit of the Senate Committee on Privatization at the Kano Electricity Distribution Company, Kano, were embarrassed on Wednesday when they were searched for a missing phone.

The phone belonged to the Chairman of the committee, Sen Gbenga Obadara.

The incident happened shortly after the chairman addressed the newsmen at the headquarters of the company.

Trouble started when he raised an alarm that his cell phone was stolen at the conference hall of the company, venue of the briefing.

Following this, the main entrance of the conference hall was closed, to enable security agents to search all the newsmen that attended the occasion.

However, moments before the search began, the senator who had already left the venue, discovered the phone.

The announcement of the discovery was made by a member of the entourage.

However, the company’s Head of Corporate Communication, Alhaji Muktar Baffa, apologised to the newsmen.

The committee was in Kano to assess the performance of the company.

The Chairman of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr Edwin Olofu, directed its members to boycott activities of the company until an official apology was tendered.

According to him, the action is an attempt to tarnish the image of journalists working in the state.

source:pm news

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Keshi: I will always be Proud of My Eagles Achievements

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Former Super Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, has said that he is proud of his achievements during his spell as Nigeria’s manager.
In a chat with ESPN football pundit, Colin Udoh, the former Togo and Mali gaffer said that despite criticism of him in the media that he drew most of Eagles last matches, he did what most indigenous coaches were afraid of doing at the Eagles job.
“People keep saying I drew a lot of matches. But how many Nigerian coaches agreed to play friendly matches all the time. Or to use home-based players without fear but people don’t see that. Every time it’s Keshi this and Keshi that.
He also said he was happy that the drama was finally over, as was his family.
“I am not bitter. I’m just disappointed in some of you,” he pointed out, referring to journalists. “Now people can stop talking about Keshi.”
Speaking also about those accusing him of name-dropping to harass the Nigeria Football Federation chiefs into doing his bidding, Keshi insisted that he had no access to President Goodluck Jonathan during his time on the job.
“Then they say I always try to use the President against them. President that I cannot even see!”
Keshi revealed some of his handicaps while on the Nigerian job.
“How many good pitches do we have in this country? We say we are a football nation and we don’t even have good training pitches for the national team, or good field to play on.
“Instead, there are artificial pitches everywhere, even the new stadium in Uyo, it was when I heard from the governor (Dr Godswill Akpabio) that they wanted to lay artificial turf on the facility that I had to shout and tell him no way. That was why we now have natural grass on that pitch there. But why should I be the one to say it? Where are the journalists?” queried the ex-international fondly called the Big Boss.
Meanwhile, Ethiopian Football Association yesterday rubbished speculations that the country desperately needed Keshi to handle the Walya Antelopes. They said that they never approached Keshi nor even receive any application from him.

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Policeman killed by Okada rider for seizing his bike

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A police corporal, Joseph Ebosele, has been confirmed dead at a Lagos hospital after he was hit with an iron rod by a motorcyclist, Bakare Lukman, in the Meiran area of Lagos State.

PUNCH Metro learnt that around 11pm on October 11, 2014, policemen on patrol arrested Lukman for contravening the traffic law which prohibits the movement of commercial motorcycles after 10pm.

It was learnt that after seizing Lukman’s bike, the team leader of the policemen handed it over to Ebosele to ride to the station.

Our correspondent learnt that a furious Lukman reportedly escaped police custody, caught up with Ebosele and attacked him with an iron rod.

A source told our correspondent that the 35-year-old deceased and his colleagues were responding to a distress call when the incident occurred.

He said, “The policemen were in their station when they received a distress call. They went there and were returning when they sighted Lukman riding the bike around 12 midnight.

“They queried him and when he could not give a satisfactory answer, they decided to confiscate the motorcycle. They also arrested him, but he escaped along the way.

“Lukman then waylaid them. He attacked the police corporal on the head, with an iron rod and rode away on the bike.”

He said the other policemen noticed that their colleague was nowhere to be found and decided to trace him.

They were said to have met him unconscious and rushed him to the hospital where he was confirmed dead.

Our correspondent learnt from a police source that the police recovered the suspect’s cap at the scene which they used in tracing him to the motor park.

PUNCH Metro gathered that Lukman’s friends identified the cap as belonging to him.

Further investigations were said to have led the police to the suspect.

Our correspondent learnt that Lukman confessed to the crime.

Lukman, a resident of Olajumoke Street, in Obafemi Owode Local Government area of Ogun State, told the police he had hid in the dark inside a mechanic shop from where he monitored the movement of the police patrol van.

He said, “After they seized the bike I went ahead of them and stayed in a mechanic shop. It was there I saw an iron rod which I took.

“While waiting on Meiran Road, I saw their van pass by, then I saw the policeman riding my bike.

“I used all my strength to hit him with the iron before fleeing with my bike.”

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Keneth Nwosu, confirmed the incident.

He added, “The bikeman is in our custody now, and investigations are ongoing.”

Source: PUNCH

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Married Man With Three Wives Dies Attempting To Rape Another Housewife!

A man died while attempting to rape a house-wife in Gidan Kaso village in Birnin Magaji Local Government Area of Zamfara State.The housewife was said to have held on to the manhood of the suspected rapist until he died.A resident of the village, Kabir Sani, said the suspect, who is also a member of the vigilante group in the area, made several attempts to r*pe the woman in the past, causing her to report him to the village head.

He said the suspect was summoned and warned to desist from the act or face the law, but that he denied the allegation.“On the day of the incident, the suspect, who was also married with three wives, went to the woman’s house with a knife and threatened to kill her if she rejects him”, the witness said.He said the woman told the suspect to take off his clothes and after doing that, he laid down.“It was at that point that she grabbed his manhood and held on to it until the man died. He screamed for neighbours to rescue him, but nobody did. When she confirmed that the r*pist had died, she hurriedly rushed to the village head and narrated the incident to him. He then authorized other members of the vigilante group to go with her and find out what actually happened. After that, the corpse was taken to a hospital for examination and was later buried,” he said.The state’s police spokesman, DSP Lawal Abdullahi, confirmed the case, adding: “The woman is under protective police custody now and she acted in self defence. Right now, we are investigating the matter, after that the case file will be taken to the state Ministry of Justice for legal advice”.

Source: Afikpo Chic Blog

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RAPE: Madman Makes Attempt On Housewife

A mild drama occurred in the early hours of yesterday at the popular Ogbogonogo market, Asaba, Delta State, when a suspected madman in his early 40s allegedly attacked a housewife and attempted to rape her before she was rescued.
The suspect, clad in trouser and T-shirt, reportedly walked up to the woman who was arranging local garden eggs for sale and forcibly pulled up her skirt, including her wrapper, before members of the public descended on him.While the incident lasted, the suspect identified as Steven was surrounded and beaten up by onlookers and co-traders of the victims.The victim, a mother of two kids and one of the leaders in the market, was said to have told a friend that she had a dream prior to the incident that she was being harassed by a madman.

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You think Pressure as a sigle girl is bad,wait till you get married-Toke Makinwa

The TV/Radio personality took to twitter this morning to talk about the pressure she’s receiving from folks about her not being pregnant many months after marriage.

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