I was fed with garri for one month – Kidnapped Octogenarian recount his experience

An octogenarian, Pa Akinyele Akerele, who was kidnapped in Igbobini, Ese-Odo Local Government area of Ondo State by gunmen on May 4, said on Thursday that the hoodlums fed him with garri and flogged him every day throughout the period.

Ondo State Command of the Nigeria Police Force secured the release of the old man on Tuesday and apprehended no fewer than seven suspects in connection with the kidnap.

Akerele said, “I was abducted by unknown gunmen from my home at Igbobini and was taken through the sea to Sapele in Delta State.

“I never knew I could survive the ordeal. I was taken forcefully and blindfolded till we got across the sea.

“As soon as we got to Sapele, they removed the blindfold.They fed me on just garri (cassava flakes) for the whole one month, I was flogged and beaten mercilessly especially when they realised that money was not forthcoming.

“Since my existence, I have never suffered as much as I did in the last one month in the kidnappers den.

Confusion In Benin After Police Killed And Hurriedly Buried Student

Students of the University of Benin on Wednesday disrupted vehicular movements along major roads in Benin City, the Edo state capital while protesting the alleged killing of Ibrahim Momodu a final year student of their institution by men of the Ogida police station.

The students dressed in black marched round the streets of Benin City chanting and calling for the arrest and persecution of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ogida station, Carol Afebgai over the alleged murder of Mr Momodu.

The police allegedly murdered Mr Momodu on 27 May and buried him the next day even before the family could determine his where about.

An elder sister of the deceased Rebecca Egbe, while calling for justice gave an account of how the life of his brother was cut short by the bullet allegedly fired by the DPO of Ogida police station and buried without the knowledge of family.

PHOTO OF THE DAY: Chika Ike shares photos of herself as a teenager

The last photo on the right is the actress all grown up!

PHOTOS: Elegant singer, Alicia Keys Poses for the Cover of Marie Claire July Issue

Alicia Keys jetted off to the Bahamas for an exclusive cover story for the July issue of Marie Claire.

In the interview, Alicia opened up about her love of travel and her planned trips for the future. She said: 'I'm really looking forward to having a really incredible time on my travels. I think that to be able to tour and travel the world at this time in my life is different than any other time, and I'm really looking forward to experiencing it in a way I never have before. I'm going to places I've never been, you know, it's a lot of growth, so I'm excited.'

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NEW VIDEO: Tank ft Chris Brown – Shots Fired

Tank and Chris Brown meet up to shoot an official visual for their most recent collaboration ‘Shots Fired’. The video was directed by Mike Ho.

I can be the new Oge Okoye - Ghanaian model and dancer, Abigail Dawson

While sexy actress, Oge Okoye is crying over cyber bullying and being hypertensive, an upcoming actress in Ghana is striving to be in her shoes.

Ghanaian model and video vixen, Abigail Dawson recently confirmed she would be veering into the make real busness.

She told News-One yesterday that she has great passion to act and with a dint of hard work, she hoped to take the movie industry by surprise in no time. “I believe in myself but for now I can’t say I will be a threat to any other actress. I have dedication for it and it is an inbuilt thing which comes natural. I have the drive to achieve more and I believe in myself to make it. I can be the new Oge Okoye but Yvonne Nelson is my role model”, she said.

Stressing on her forays into the movie world, she said “I’m currently on set for an upcoming ghetto movie. You guys should just watch out for me.”

Abigail Dawson is a former student of Koforidua Polytechnic and a onetime winner of the third edition of the Exopa New Faces contest.

Chet Anekwe, Van Vicker and Hollywood actor Carl Payne to stare in a new movie ‘When One Door Closes’

The movie, ‘When One Door Closes’ has been described as a “remarkable dramatic production that has brought different cultures together to tell a captivating African story.”

It was entirely shot in Atlanta, USA and draws on the acting talent of people from different cultures such as Nigerians, Ghanaians, Liberians, Jamaicans, African-Americans, Caucasians, and a host of others.

The movie which focuses on the hardships and triumphs people face in pursuit of happiness is due for release this summer and stars Van Vicker, Chet Anekwe, Clarice Kulah, Sarah Spicer and Hollywood’s Carl Payne of ‘The Cosby Show’ fame.

It was produced by Robert Peters, Van Vicker and Dr. Clarice Ford-Kulah under White Stone Pictures and Sky+ Orange Productions in collaboration with Divine Entertainment International.

Photos taken by a Chimpanzee sells for $76,000 at auction

A set of photos taken by a talented Russian chimpanzee, Mikki sold at an auction on Wednesday for 50,000 pounds ($76,680) – though the photos were askew and out of focus.  

Mikki, a performer with the Moscow Circus, was trained to take pictures in the 1990s by Russian conceptual artists Vitaly Komar and Alexander Melamid as part of a project to challenge concepts of artistic value.

Meanwhile, the buyer, Russian art collector Kira Flanzaich, said the photos were a fine example of conceptual art.

"Sometimes you think that animals can maybe photograph or do other things better than a human being," she said. "So we could see it in this particular piece, because Mikki took the photographs that are quite good of Red Square."

The sale also included images of Mikki taken by Vitaly Komar and Alexander Melamid.

Unfortunately Mikki was not around to enjoy the praise. The chimp died in 2007.

AP

Okorocha Will Vie for Presidency in 2015 - Deputy Gov

Imo State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, may not seek a second term in office as he is warming up to run for the presidency in 2015.

Okorocha had vied for the nation’s topmost political post twice before running for the governorship election in 2011 on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Okorocha’s deputy, Mr Eze Madumere, at a press briefing Wednesday in Abuja, confirmed the presidential ambition of his principal who ran for the post in 2003 and 2007.

However, the governor, this time, will be jockeying to get the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a coalition of the nation’s three major parties, which he has identified with.

In 2003, he was one of the presidential aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but pulled out of the party in the run up to the 2007 general election to form the Action Alliance on whose ticket he vied for the presidency.

Okorocha has been at loggerheads with some political stakeholders in the state over whether he would seek a second term in office as they claim that he reached an agreement with the stakeholders not to seek re-election.

Lauryn Hill Finally Agrees to Vacate New Jersey Mansion

The former Fugees singer is leaving her New Jersey mansion following a long-standing argument with her landlords over unpaid rent.

The 37-year-old star was hit with the lawsuit in March, and appears to have complied with the terms, agreeing to pay $7,000 in rent and vacate by May 31, according to TMZ.

Lauren won't have to worry about finding a new house in the immediate future, as she has been ordered by a court in the same state to report to prison for tax evasion by July 8.

Lauryn will also have to spend three months under house arrest as well as nine months of supervised release, after pleading guilty in 2012 to three counts of tax evasion for failing to file returns on $1.8 million she earned from 2005 to 2007.

Daughter accuses Dad, 57, of having sex with her

Emotion ran high, Monday, at the Bar Beach Police Division, following revelation by a Primary 5 pupil of how her 57-year-old father had been having carnal knowledge of her in the last three months.

The primary school pupil during interrogation said her mother brought her to her father after years of separation, adding that since the sacrilegious act began, her father had been giving her N200 as pocket money to school.

Unsure of who to confide in, she said she told her mother during one of her visits only for the father to dismiss the claim, stating that he could not bring himself that low as to having carnal knowledge of his biological daughter.

But the bubble burst after she summoned courage to tell her head teacher, who invited the police.

According to the pupil, “when I was reunited with my father, I was happy because I was living

Soldiers arrest Boko Haram recruitment officer, 54 others

Defence Headquarters said on Wednesday that a key terrorist, who specialises in recruiting young men into the fold of terrorism, has been apprehended by troops in Maiduguri.

The recruitment officer, an ex-soldier, was arrested after a tip off just as some terrorists in the camps dislodged, fled towards Niger Republic.

The arrested terrorist, said to be watching over the insurgents’ armoury met his waterloo during one of the stop-and-search operations by the special forces.

Also, a total of 49 suspected Boko Haram terrorists were apprehended in various locations in Yobe State following a tip off by locals in some communities.

Another group of five insurgents, all Nigerians were equally arrested when troops stormed their hideout at Mallam Fatori as they attempted to escape in two Toyota Cruiser Jeeps.

Among the recent recoveries were rifles, double barrel guns, charms and amulets, machine guns, camouflage uniform, bows and quiver and assorted rifle magazine.

Other Governors Have Forsaken Amaechi - Ononuju

A public Affairs analyst, Katch Ononuju has said that other members of the Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF) have abandoned the Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi and purported winner of the forum's chairmanship election.

Mr Ononuju, who was a guest on Channels Television's breakfast programme, Sunrise Daily on Wednesday, quoted a local newspaper where the All Progressives Congress (APC) was reported to have confessed with Governor Amaechi to use the NGF election to 'disgrace' President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP).

He said when Governor Amaechi called a meeting yesterday (Tuesday), "nobody is with him. All those people you said voted or not voted when Governor Jang called his meeting, they are there."

There has been intense scheming in the NGF, an association composed of the 36 governors in Nigeria, after its election for a new chairman. The Director General of the governors forum, who served as the returning officer at the election had announced that Governor Amaechi polled 19 of the 35 votes casted while his only opponents and Plateau state Governor, Jonah Jang polled 16 votes.

Severance benefits for PHCN workers: FG to commence payment on June 17

The Minister of Power, Prof Chinedu Nebo has disclosed the readiness of government to settle electricity workers’ severance package.

The minister said government would most likely pay the N384 billion to workers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) by June 17.

Nebo, who gave the assurance during his official inspection of Egbin Power Station in Lagos yesterday, said “very soon your severance package or entitlement will hit your various accounts by June 17.

“We hope to start payment of workers benefit by June 17 which is the tentative date we are working at, we need a lot of support from workers in areas of adequate information on the forms given to them,’’ he said.

Nebo said that for several months now, the technical and implementation committees set up to look into the issues of workers’ entitlements have been working seriously in ensuring effective result.

He said that contrite agreement had been reached with the leadership of the union in ensuring that what was agreed as the workers’ severance package was  paid as at when due. He urged them to ensure that all forms given to them were endorsed and filled adequately, adding that nobody would be left out.

Project Fame West Africa Winners, Iyanya and Chidinma Covers Juvenis Magazine

Iyanya, who was the winner of the debut edition of Project Fame and Chidinma, Season 3 winner speak on their current fame and the journey so far, as they continue to soar high.

Indians advised to avoid visiting Borno, Yobe and Adamawa

The Indian High Commission in Abuja has issued a warning to Indians to avoid visiting the states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa where the Nigerian government has declared a state of emergency.

The high commission said that "following this measure, some areas in these states have witnessed higher level of violence and the security outlook appears to be uncertain at this stage".

It asked "Indian nationals living in these three states to carefully weigh their options and consider relocation until the security situation settles down. Similarly, those planning to visit these three states are advised to consider postponing their visits until security situation settles down".

Twitter Battle: Kenyans Rant and Rave On Twitter Ahead of Today’s Match (Photos)

 

Ahead of the World Cup qualifying match between Nigeria and Kenya, the East African country has taken to twitter to incite a twitter battle.

Interestingly, the comments are not just about the football match; hilarious pictures targeted at Nigerians are also shared on the social network site.

Some of the comments;

“#SomeoneTellNigeria that if they bring Aki na Ukwa to intimidate us our Inspekta Mwala will arrest them”, and “SomeoneTellNigeria We already sent CHINEDU back home. Learn something from that” (referring to the Nigerian businessman recently deported from Kenya)

Meanwhile, anoher angle was added to it when a Kenyan Rapper, Bamboo took a swipe at his Nigerian counterpart, “Someonetellnigeria that @TheRealBamboo will battle ANY Nigerian rapper! So much bacteria in Nigeria that malaria got sic of the area”, he said.

Am not sure if our rappers have time for that, anyway few hours from now, we would know who the real Boss is. Reminds me of the thrilling quarterfinal showdown between Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire in AFCON 2013 – before the match, Nigerian Team was referred to as Super chickens. 

VIDEO: New Zealand's Oldest Driver is still on the road at age 105, been driving for 88 years

New Zealand's oldest driver is still on the road, motoring around at the grand old age of 105. He received his first licence in 1925, aged 17-years-old after learning to drive in a French car that had a lever instead of a steering wheel. 

My regrets as NAFDAC DG –Akunyili

The former Director-General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Prof. Dora Akunyili, on Tuesday named her inability to establish a Drug Mart as one of her greatest regrets.

Akunyili, who shot into limelight for revolutionising the fight against fake drugs, also blamed fake and counterfeit drugs in the country on lack of alternative to the chaotic and unregulated drug markets.

She said she had nursed the idea of a drug mart right from when she became a NAFDC DG but was unable to realise the dream.

The former Minister for Information, who spoke at the inauguration of the state Drug Mart in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, poured encomiums on the Governor of the state, Mr. Seriake Dickson, for the initiative.

She said the idea of establishing the mart was approved by the former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

WARNING! First Bank To Shut Down Operations On Thursday, Re-opens on Monday

Customers of First Bank Limited may find it difficult to carry out some banking transactions from Thursday to Monday due to the decision to shut down the bank’s branches nationwide during the period.

The shutdown, according to the bank, is to enable it upgrade its core banking application from Finacle 7 to Finacle 10, which will ensure easier and faster customer services and experience.

Our correspondent gathered that the decision to shut down operations in order to facilitate the migration to Finacle 10 would affect the bank’s over 700 branches nationwide.

 Apart from all the branches being shut, Point of Sale transactions and transaction alerts by Short Message Service will not be possible during the period. In addition, all card services, except Visa prepaid card, will not be available via Quick Teller and the Web.

Thisday office was bombed to appease Allah, witness tells court

The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, yesterday, heard how alleged kingpin of the Boko Haram sect, Mustapher Umar, bombed office of Thisday Newspaper in Kaduna State with 12 camp gas cylinders in a bid to appease Allah.

Justice Ademola Adeniyi, who admitted a burnt Honda Car, with number-plate AL-306-MKA, allegedly used to perpetrate the terrorist act on April 26, 2012, further heard how the accused person cried bitterly when he was rescued from the burning car, saying they denied him the opportunity of inheriting 72 virgins in heaven.

In a bid to prove the complicity of the accused person, the Federal Government brought a senior police officer that is charged with the responsibility of keeping exhibits recovered from terror suspects to testify before the high court.

The masked witness, PW-8, who told the court that the accused person had intended to carry out a suicide attack, produced the burnt Honda car, the discharged cylinders, half-charred 25 litter jerry-can that allegedly contained fuel, and persuaded Justice Adeniyi to move the court outside to inspect the terror items.

Besides, he showed the trial judges who were accompanied on the inspection tour by lawyers and journalists, the foot wear the accused person discarded in his attempt to escape after he was caught by angry mob within the premises of SOJ Plaza in Kaduna State where the attack occurred.

PHOTOS: Serena Williams poses for Essence Magazine, talks about her “Famous Asset”

She's known for her fearless and fierce attitude on the tennis court. Now Palm Beach Gardens resident Serena Williams is putting that same attitude on display on the July cover of Essence Magazine.

The defending Wimbledon and US Open champion shows off her curves by donning a tri-toned blue one-piece swimsuit for the magazine's "Body Issue".

On the attention surrounding her body, she said;

“It can be a bit weird. Before it was, ‘Serena has a big butt,’ and that was all. Now there are way more people who feel comfortable with themselves and they’re saying, ‘I’m a woman, and this is what I look like.’ I always say, ‘We’re popular now! We’re finally in style!’”

PHOTOS: Ghanaian actress Jackie Appiah Adds New BMW X6 To Her Fleet of Cars

According to peacefm, Ghanaian actress Jackie Appiah has just released a brand new BMW X6 2013 edition in addition to the number of cars she has in her garage.

Jackie is one of the few Ghanaian actresses who can be rightly described as a car freak – the type of cars she drives puts her in a class of her own.

She is seen as the only Ghanaian actress who owns a fleet of expensive cars including a 2008 model Nissan Murano, an all-wheel drive variant infinity 2009 model, a E120,000 ultra-modern Range Rover that has the registration number customized in her name and is also said to own a Chrysler 300 C, a Toyota Camry among other small cars.

Go girl, spend that money!

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Nigerian-Born Actor to become the first black Doctor Who

With the announcement that Matt Smith would be leaving the role of Doctor Who at the end of the year, the hunt is on to find the twelfth Time Lord.

And so far, Nigerian-born British actor Chiwetel Ejiofor has been given 7/1 odds and is the sci-fi fan sites' favourite to fill the role, not to mention becoming the first black Doctor in the show's history. Chiwetel, 35, has already stated that if the series' producers asked him to play the Time Lord, he'd tell them 'yes, of course.'

Asked by Andrew Marr in 2011 whether he'd take on the part, the actor said: 'Yes, of course. It's always good to be asked to come back to London and do great stuff not only in television but in theatre and film too.'

Skybet gave BAFTA-winner Chiwetel, the odds taking into account his stellar history on stage and screen, having starred in films like American Gangster and Love.

But Ejiofor isn't the only star rumoured to be taking on the high-profile job, with Rory Kinnear as the Ladbrokes favourite with odds of 3/1.

Russell Tovey is also a strong contender, whose name was linked to the eleventh Doctor role but obviously the Being Human star lost out to Matt Smith in 2010.

Hollywood Actress Angelina Jolie turns 38

Here’s wishing Hollywood’s highest paid actress (Forbes 2009, 2011) a happy birthday.