2 Navy Sailors Convicted In Rape

Two U.S. Navy sailors were convicted and sentenced to prison on Friday for raping and robbing a woman on Okinawa in a crime that outraged many on the southern Japanese island.
Seaman Christopher Browning, of Athens, Texas, and Petty Officer 3rd Class Skyler Dozierwalker, of Muskogee, Oklahoma, were found guilty by the Naha District Court of raping and robbing a woman in her 20s in a parking lot in October. Both admitted committing the crime.
Browning, 24, was sentenced to 10 years and Dozierwalker, 23, received nine years.
The case outraged many Okinawans, who have long complained of military-related crime on their island, which hosts thousands of U.S. troops. It also sparked tougher restrictions for all 50,000 U.S. military personnel in Japan, including a curfew and drinking restrictions.
Prosecutors had sought up to 12 years in prison for Browning, who they said also robbed the woman after the rape. Both men admitted their guilt, but the defense had argued that such a long sentence would be excessive.
In handing down the verdict, presiding judge Hideyuki Suzuki said the sentences were in line with the severity of the crimes, which he called "contemptible and violent."
Tensions between U.S. troops and Okinawans are endemic because of islanders' complaints of noise, the danger of accidents and crimes committed by servicemen. The rape in October came amid large protests over the U.S. military's decision to base a new kind of aircraft at an Okinawan Marine facility.
Although most crimes committed by U.S. military personnel in Japan are handled by military courts, they can be prosecuted in Japanese courts in cases that occur off base and are deemed to be particularly serious, such as murder and rape.
The sailors were temporarily deployed to Japan with their unit, the VR-59 reserve air detachment based at Joint Naval Air Station, Fort Worth, Texas. According to police, they arrived in Okinawa two days before the crime on a brief stopover and were staying in an off-base hotel. They were reportedly drinking before the rape took place.
They will serve their sentences in a Japanese prison.

Ripples as Uduaghan Refuses Assent on Death Penalty for Kidnappers

Although the menacing issue of kidnapping is not peculiar to DeltaState, there appears to be confusion especially between the members of the Delta State House of Assembly, who are constitutionally empowered to make laws for peace and good governance; and the State executive governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan.

Presently, the two arms of government are engulfed in cold war on how to address the issue permanently. While the 29-member State House of Assembly, on one hand, voted for outright death penalty for anybody caught in the act of kidnapping to act as deterrent; the governor, a medical doctor by training is vehemently opposed to it.

Police Nabs Man For Raping 4 Year Old To Death

The Imo state police command has arrested a 30-year old man, Mr. Onyebuchi Ejinkonye who allegedly raped a 4-year old girl to death in Omuma Oru east local government area of Imo state.

Parading the suspect at the command headquaters in Owerri the state capital, the Imo State Commissioner for Police Mr. Mohammed Katsina revealed that his team caught Mr. Onyebuchi Ejinkonye while he was trying to bury the corpse of the 4year old girl after raping her to death.
Mr. Katsina also paraded some kidnap suspects, armed robbers as well as fraudsters who had been terrorizing the peace of the state.
He called for the cooperation of Imo citizens by giving the police meaningful information regarding to criminal hide outs and their movement.
He advised criminals in the state to go into hiding as he will not take it likely with their lot.

Kidnapped in Aba, rescued in Owerri

Emmanuel Agbesi is the assembly pastor of the Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries (MFM), South East Province Two headquarters in Aba, Abia State. On Monday, February 18, 2013, he was abducted by three men in Aba. He was heading to his church on Ndusoro Street, off Ngwa Road in his Volkswagen Golf-car when the hoodlums stopped him at gun point.

As he stopped, the kidnappers jumped into his car and ordered him to drive towards the Umangasi axis of the city. Having been warned he (pastor) should not do anything funny or his life would be wasted, he obeyed them and that began his ordeal. This is his story: “On February 18, 2013, I was coming from my house, No. 11 Ndusoro Street to the church. On getting to a junction on the road early that morning, three men stopped me. I thought they were policemen because they had guns. They asked me to open the door of my car. I did and two of them went to the back seat and the third one sat in the front with me and ordered me to move. While I was moving they hit me by the side with guns, that I should move faster, I obeyed.
“As we proceeded, I asked them where we were going, they said I should shut up and move. When we passed by our church, I became apprehensive, but they said I should keep going. At a point, they asked, ‘where is the money’? I told them I had no agreement with them about any money. We kept going. They were directing me where to go because they already warned me that if I made any noise or effort to stop them, they were ready to die and before then, they would make sure my own life was wasted, that I should try to cooperate with them. “So we kept going and on getting to the Umungasi area, they asked me to stop.
They searched and took everything I had on me. As I wanted to move, they said I should come down and get to the back seat and one of them took over the car. As we moved, before we got to any army checkpoint, they would look me straight in the eyes and warned me not to do any thing funny before the soldiers, that they were ready to kill me and waste their own lives, which they said were of no value to them. “But on getting to Umuikaa junction, along the Enugu/Part Harcourt Expressway, there was an incident.
The soldiers were doing thorough checking, they were checking booths of vehicles and asking questions; in fact, there was traffic build-up due to the thoroughness of the soldiers. “So when my abductors observed what was going on, again they warned me not to shout, that they were ready to die and that they will waste my life before dying. The next thing I noticed was that the one driving just zoomed off and one of the soldiers was shouting ‘stop!, stop! The driver was fast and he drove past the checkpoint, heading towards Umuahia.
As we were moving, the kidnappers were watching if the soldiers were coming after them and when they observed that nobody was chasing them, they made a U-turn and headed towards Owerri, through Owerrinta. “When we got to Owerri, they headed towards Owerri- Onitsha Expressway and on getting to the Coca-Cola spot, and not too far, they made U-turn. As they were moving, they were making phone calls; I didn’t know who they were talking to. After the phone calls, they immediately turned right and veered off the expressway, parked and then asked me to come down, which I did. I followed them through a path and we entered a bush near the Immigration office. It was there I sustained injuries because they forced me to sit down, beat me and many times threatened to kill me. “They collected my two handsets and other things I had on me.
They opened the handsets, collected the SIM cards and threw them on the ground, saying they had no need for my type of handsets. As the beating and threats continued, there was this sound of siren blaring from an on coming vehicle. Then next thing, one of them alerted others. And for fear it was police that was coming after them, one of them said, ‘let’s leave this man and go.’ Another one disagreed and said they should take me along with them. The third said ‘no we cannot go with him’ and they started arguing whether to go with me or not.
Eventually they fled, leaving me behind. “As they left I got up and managed to walk out to the road through the bush path with only one leg of rubber slippers. When I regained consciousness, I saw the two handsets, but without the SIM cards and the batteries. I also saw my wallet, but they had taken all the money in it. While looking for the car key, I came out to an open place, there I saw people. “I met a man waiting for a commercial vehicle and I enquired from him where I was. I have forgotten what he called the place.
I also asked him to direct me to where I could make a call. It was only my wife’s number that I could readily recollect. When I called, she did not pick because the number was strange to her. But after several attempts, she picked and I told her my story. She then called the church members who then contacted the police to rescue me back to Aba. “Before the incident, there had been several threats on my life from the children of our late landlord, who sold a piece of land to the church. They claimed I was the one preventing them from enjoying their fathers’ property. They had harassed church members severally on this issue and the police were aware of their previous actions.
The men, Kelechi Kingsley Orji Ugwumba and Ogbonnaya Orji Ugwumba once came to the church to threaten the senior pastor with cutlass, and they have fought us physically on several occasions. “Again on Sunday, a day before my abduction, during the church service which I conducted, we saw four unknown faces patrolling the premises in all-black attire and on Monday I was kidnapped. One of my captors was wearing the same black dress.”
Based on these earlier threats to life, immediately the incident happened, police in Aba were alerted and the area commander, Rabiu Dayi (ACP), mobilized his men led by Anari N. Anari into action. The police arrested the two Ugwumba brothers who had threatened to kidnap the pastor. As at the time of filing this report, the two arrested men were still helping the police in their investigations.

Inspector General of Police To Pay N10m Damage To 14-Year-Old For Illegal Detention

THE Federal high court holden at Asaba, has ordered the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to pay the sum of N10m as exemplary damage following the brutalization and illegal detention of a 14-year-old secondary school student sometime in 2011.

The student, Amanda Atigbi of Saint Paul’s Grammar School, Ebu in Delta State, according to the facts of

FIFA To Request Help From FA

FIFA's new anti-racism chief, Jeffrey Webb, plans to enlist the help of the Football Association.

The president of the CONCACAF federation will head up a new FIFA task force to tackle racism and would like to see how the FA responded to the recent cases involving John Terry and Luis Suarez.
The 48-year-old has also promised a view of the sanctions currently available to football's various governing bodies as he believes financial penalties have so far proved ineffective.
Asked about the Terry and Suarez cases, Webb said: "It is a huge concern to be honest. During a game for me it is unacceptable, I think the incidents were unacceptable.
"The FA has been very aggressive in their campaign and I think if these incidents do exist in an environment such as the Premier League then it begs the question what happens in some other leagues where they don't have the resources and the will and the desire as the English FA has had over the years.
"I will be meeting with the FA chairman David Bernstein and visiting the FA. At that time I would also like to meet with some of the players, perhaps have a round-table discussion to talk to the players and get their input, get some suggestions from them and learn from what their experiences are.
"Obviously there's a number of players who have been victimised, targeted. Plus we would like to hear both sides really.
"We've been talking for a long time in football and I don't really think that we've supported the players. I don't think we've necessarily put the right sanctions in place to support them. It's a travesty that it comes to that.
"We as FIFA and the governing bodies have to make sure that players like Kevin Prince-Boateng and all the players around the world have the same rights and opportunities.
"I really don't think that financial instruments in today's world is enough to deal with it.
"With the money that's involved in football today, the fines that are being established, I don't think they're working, obviously."

Happy Birthday to Pastor E.A Adeboye

Today, the 2nd of march 2013 marks the 71st birthday of Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, the general overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God.

May God continue to bless him and his ministry.

UNIZIK Student Shocks the Whole University

The student who is in E2, earlier had a bet with some guys in his lecture hall that he could wear a wrapper to school and the guys promised to give him N20,000 if he did.
Guess what? The dude took the risk but lo and behold, after he stepped into his hall, the gals who could not hide their amusement started shouting, yelling and chanting.
The noise eventually attracted the security officers to the Hall and the boy was fished out & planked with heavy logs of wood.
These action nearly stirred a riot in the school, as students detested the brutality saying the guy had the right to wear anything he chooses.

Nine PDP Govs, N’Assembly Members under Surveillance

 Mr. Chibuike Amaechi

Chuks Okocha

As the Federal Government and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) get jumpy over the 2015 polls and the emergence of a coalition of opposition parties, nine governors of the ruling party and some of its lawmakers in the National Assembly have been placed under surveillance, THISDAY has learnt.

It was gathered yesterday that the presidency and the party have directed security agencies to monitor the activities of the governors and the lawmakers from their states, who are considered “sympathisers” of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a coalition of opposition parties.

Seal Moves from Supermodel to Superhero

Seal and Erin Cahill

OMG!

Seal has gone from being half of a Hollywood power couple to spending time with … a Power Ranger.

On multiple occasions this week, the 50-year-old British singer has been spotted out with actress Erin Cahill, who recently guest starred on TV’s “Red Widow,” but cut her teeth in showbiz donning a pink suit and stopping bad guys on “Power Rangers Time Force.”

Kerry to Stress Need for Egyptian Consensus for IMF Deal

US Secretary of State John Kerry boards his plane to leave Ankara, for Cairo

REUTERS

Secretary of State John Kerry plans to stress the importance of Egypt reaching an IMF agreement and achieving political consensus for painful economic reforms, a U.S. official said on Saturday.

Speaking shortly before Kerry arrived in Cairo for a two-day visit, the official said if Egypt could agree on a $4.8 billion loan from the IMF, this would bring in other funds from the United States, European Union and Arab countries.

However, the official said Kerry believed Egypt needed to increase tax revenues and reduce energy subsidies, measures that are likely to prove highly unpopular with Egyptians who are struggling during the country's economic crisis, reports Reuters.

"His basic message is it's very important to the new Egypt for there to be a firm economic foundation," the official told reporters as Kerry flew to Cairo.

"In order for there to be agreement on doing the kinds of economic reforms that would be required under an IMF deal there has to be a basic political ... agreement among all of the various players in Egypt," the official said on condition of anonymity.

Egypt said on Thursday it would invite a team from the International Monetary Fund to reopen talks the loan - which was agreed in principle last November but put on hold at Cairo's request during street violence the following month - and the Investment Minister Ashraf al-Araby expressed hope that a deal could be done by the end of April.

Egypt's foreign currency reserves have fallen to not much more than a third of their level before the 2011 overthrow of Hosni Mubarak as the nation's crisis deepens.

However, the hopes for political consensus between the ruling Islamists and opposition parties seem slim. Liberal and leftist opposition parties have announced a boycott of parliamentary elections, scheduled for April to June, over a new constitution produced by an Islamist-dominated assembly and over other grievances.

Nevertheless, Kerry will stress the need for agreement on reform across the political spectrum on reforms that are likely to be unpopular and winning approval in the Shura Council, Egypt's upper house of parliament.

Posters Promoting African Pope Appear in Rome

 A man tries to remove a spoof poster supporting Ghana's Cardinal Peter Turkson from a billboard in Rome

REUTERS

Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana is not "running" for pope but he clearly has supporters who think enough of him that they have plastered posters with his picture around Rome.

"Vote Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson at the conclave!," was written in bold on posters above a photograph of the cardinal, a favourite among bookmakers to succeed Benedict, who on Thursday became the first pope in six centuries to resign.

The posters were plastered over banners that had been used for candidates in Italian elections earlier this week.

Unlike the Italian parliamentary election, candidates for the papacy cannot launch public campaigns, suggesting the poster came from Turkson fans or maybe even pranksters.

Cardinals will meet in a closed-door conclave in the Sistine Chapel in about 10 days, a gathering where their choice is said to be inspired by the Holy Spirit and not earthly politics, reports Reuters.

Turkson would be the first non-European to lead the Catholic Church in more than a millennium if he elected.

But an old Roman saying warns about campaigning, even indiscreetly, to become pope or even trying to predict the outcome of conclaves.

It goes: "He who enters a conclave as pope, exits as a cardinal".

Hugo Chavez 'Has More Chemotherapy'

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez

BBC

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is receiving chemotherapy in a Caracas hospital after cancer surgery in Cuba, the vice-president has revealed.

Nicolas Maduro was speaking after a Mass at a military hospital in honour of the president.

On Thursday, he went on TV to say Chavez was battling for his life, reports the BBC.

Worshipers Escape Death as Gunmen Throw Grenade into Mosque

Governor Jonah Jang

By Seriki Adinoyi

What would have turned out a bloody attack in Jos, Plateau State capital was Friday night averted by men of the Special Task Force (STF) as unknown gunmen, threw a 36-Hand Grenade in to a Mosque located at Bukuru Expressway, in Jos South Local Government Area of the state.

But before it went off, the STF men had taken charge and detonated the grenade.

A witness said at least 10 persons were observing their prayers in the mosque when the grenade was thrown, and immediately followed by sporadic gunshots.

Confirming the incident, the Media and Information Officer of the STF, Captain Salisu Mustapha in a statement said “this is to inform the general public and good people of Plateau State that there was an attempted explosion at a mosque located along Bukuru Expressway in Jos South Local Government Area Saturday at about 8:30 pm.

Chris Brown and Rihanna thankful for fresh start

Rihanna tells Elle UK..

"Stay (her new single) is a story about having love that close and wanting it to last forever. You don’t have that feeling with everybody so when you have it you don’t want to let go of it. I would definitely say that he (Chris Brown) is the one I have that kind of relationship with.'

wizkid sample his girlfriend

The singer posted the first tweet yesterday. A few minutes ago, he posted the tweet “my fine lady” then followed it with love a few minutes later.

Nigerian Actress Tonto Dikeh Kidnapped

The fast rising actress and singer was kidnapped today in her  home. The strange incident happened in the front of her gate. Eye witnesses said a black van drove and stopped right in front of Tonto Dikeh and three gun men emerged and whisked her away.

A Police near by that saw the kidnap go down stood, watched and took no actions but laughed.

After the kidnappers drove off, they left a note on the road and the police picked it up and it read:

“Dear Nigerians, we are doing you a huge favor, we have taken this drastic action to save the little we have in this country. we got information that Mrs Tonto is about to release a new song by march and we cant look and fold our arms. Mrs Tonto would be released for five thousand Naira after march 1st”

So far no one is willing to pay N5,000 to set Mrs Tonto Dikeh free... This is serious oh. Gat Ya! LMAOO

8 secondary school student expell for lesbianism

It is not a new story that even in our secondary schools lesbianism has eating deep that teenage student see it as nothing…

Barely a week after the the local newspaper covered a story about the rising number of lesbians in Girls High Schools all over the country, the administration has now sent home eight girls over the matter. The school’s principal, Pacifica Nyambong’i said that a group of eight students in Form Two, who were also jointly being investigated for arson claims, had been sent home and others readmitted after undergoing counseling and promising to change. The principal admitted that some Form Two students confessed to being lesbians who had lovers in the school while other girls denied the allegations.

“I received a note listing some girls as suspected lesbians who also planned to burn down the school on December 10th, we embarked on investigations to unearth the truth,” Ms Nyambog’i revealed. Those who confessed to being lesbians were forgiven, counseled and readmitted but those who denied were sent home.

The parents of those sent home have however mounted a strong defence to the allegations claiming that their girls were beaten during the interrogations in order to admit by force. Also, Anglican run St James Girls High School in Zimbabwe has been hit by a lesbian “s*x” scandal which has resulted in the expulsion of pupils, one of them for offering a teacher s*x in exchange for lenience after being caught in the act.
The scandal reportedly started in June when two Form Six pupils were caught by fellow pupils in the middle of the night having a nice time under the sheets, BMetro reported. A report was made to school authorities.

After a probe, the two girls (names withheld) were suspended for two weeks. According to a source, the pupils showed remorse during the disciplinary hearing and promised to give up the lesbian antics. On returning to school after serving the sentence, the two are said to have kept a distance from each other.

“Everyone was convinced that they had indeed stopped their behaviour. They even stopped talking to each other and we all thought that the relationship was over. Little did we know that we were being fooled,” said a source.

30yrs old give birth to tortoise after 10 months of pregnacy

A tradomedical practitioner in Lagos has claimed that a 30-year old woman delivered a tortoise and a baby girl in his clinic.

Meet the woman with the largest breast in the world,breast weight equal a 4yr old healthy child

ANNIE Hawkins-Turner is used to people being unable to look her in the eye — as she boasts the world's largest natural breasts.

Her gigantic size 102ZZZ assets weigh nearly 85lbs, each heavier than the average four-year-old child.
And she now makes a living from her unusual assets - starring in soft-core porn movies under the pun-tastic name of Norma Stitz.

Annie, originally from from Atlanta, Georgia, is known worldwide for her raunchy videos and gets plenty of attention in person as well.
See More Photo Below:

23yrs girl who took 54 injection for butt enlargement

A WOMAN addicted to black market bum-boosting injections has told how she used the dangerous jabs to swell her backside from a size four to a size 10.

Karmello, 23, from Detroit, Michigan, US, says 54 injections over the last three years have filled her buttocks with a whopping two litres of liquid.

But she claims she needs even MORE of the jabs full of unknown chemicals to obtain the “perfect” figure – with another 36 planned.

Shockingly, the mum-of-one has never received a single jab form a plastic surgeon and instead meets an unlicenced woman in hotel rooms.

Uche Jombo Rodriquez and husband at her movie premiere in Lagos

Uche Jombo and her husband Kenny Rodriquez walked the red carpet at her movie premiere yesterday. My Life, My Damage premiered at Ozone Cinemas Yaba. See more photos after the cut...

Rukky Sanda at My Life My Damage Movie Premiere

Love love the dress. See more photos after the cut...

Photos from Goldie's candlelight procession

Family, friends and colleagues gathered yesterday to honour the late singer. See more photos after the cut..

Dramatic Exit on Knorr Taste Quest

It was an emotional and tense-filled kitchen during the last episode of the Knorr Taste Quest, which saw the contestants evict one of their own.

In this episode, the contestants were pitted against each other as they were grouped into two teams of 5 each. The teams were to battle and a member of the losing team was to be evicted

Imoke Returns Hale and Hearty

Governor Liyel Imoke

By Yemi Adebowale                   

After almost three months absence, Cross River State Governors Liyel Imoke finally returned to Nigeria Friday evening from the United States of America.

Jonathan Can Run in 2015, Says Court

President Goodluck Jonathan

• PDP: It’s yet another victory for nation’s democracy

By Tobi Soniyi and Chucks Okocha
              
Relief came the way of President Goodluck Friday when Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi of an Abuja High Court held that he is eligible to contest the forthcoming 2015 presidential election if he so desires.

Oyo Battles Ondo in Adeboye U-20 T’TennisFinals

Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye

It’s Oyo, Ondo for finals of Adeboye U-20 National Table Tennis Championship.
The dominance of South West states in table tennis continues at the maiden Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye National U-20 Table Tennis Championship, as Oyo and Ondo will play in the finals on Saturday March 2, holding at the Redemption Camp, Lagos/Ibadan Expressway.
In the women’s semi-final played on Thursday, second seeded player, Oyo’s Fatimo Kazeem was in fine form when she dismissed number one seed, Lagos’ Funke Hassan to set up a final clash against Funmi Ajala.
To berth in the final, Kazeem overwhelmed Hassan 4-0, while Ajala, also an Oyo State player, beat another Lagos’ star, Ayo Udoh 4-0 to set an Oyo State affair in the final scheduled for tomorrow at the Redemption Camp, Lagos/Ibadan Expressway.
Number two seed in the men’s event, Ondo’s Akinwale Fagbamila wasted no time in progressing to the final after whitewashing Rivers’ Ahmed Bello 4-1. Also, Ondo’s Ojo Onaolapo beat Ogun’s Olajide Omotayo to make the final round.
Sunday, Akinwale and Onaolapo will confront each other in the men’s final, which promises to be exciting.
Over 150 players from 25 states of the federation registered for the championship

Uduaghan Laments Injustice in Niger Delta

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan

Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has decried the injustice being suffered by the people of the Niger Delta region.

Speaking at Silverbird ‘Man of the Year 2012’ award held Thursday night in Lagos, where two Deltans bagged awards, Uduaghan said it was unfortunate that decades after a Niger Delta activist, Isaac Adaka Boro, brought to the consciousness of the world the injustice being suffered by the people of the Niger Delta region, the situation was yet to be resolved.
Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Prof. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, a Deltan bagged the ‘Man of the Year’ award, while Chief Newton Jibunor, also a Deltan reputed for his campaign against desert encroachment, was rewarded for his crusade against desertification in Africa

Obama Signs Budget Cuts into Effect

US President Barack Obama

US President Barack Obama has signed into effect a wave of steep spending cuts which he has warned could damage the US economy.

The cuts - known as the sequester and drawn up two years ago - will take $85bn (£56bn) from the US federal budget this year.

Last-ditch talks at the White House to avert the reductions before Friday's deadline broke up without agreement, reports the BBC.

The IMF has warned the cuts could slow global economic growth.

The BBC's Mark Mardell in Washington says the cuts were designed to be so brutally painful that politicians would be forced to agree on a better way of balancing the books.

However, as the deadline loomed on Friday, Mr Obama and Republican congressional leaders still failed to agree on a way to avoid them.

The two sides are at odds over the president's insistence on raising taxes as part of any plan for tackling the country's $16.6 trillion (£11tn) debt.

After the White House talks broke up, Mr Obama blamed Republicans for the impasse.

"They've allowed these cuts to happen because they refuse to budge on closing a single wasteful loophole to help reduce the deficit," he said.

He warned the cuts - if fully realised - would slow US economic growth by half of 1% and cost 750,000 jobs.

"We shouldn't be making a series of dumb, arbitrary cuts to things that businesses depend on and workers depend on," he said.

The sequester was drawn up in mid-2011 as Congress and the White House feuded over raising the debt ceiling and how to slash the huge US deficit.

Republicans wanted deep cuts in spending while Democrats insisted on raising taxes.

At the end of 2012 Congress and the White House struck a dramatic deal to avoid what was dubbed the "fiscal cliff", that included expiring tax breaks and the sequester.
BBC explainer graphic

Republicans agreed to Obama's demand to raise taxes for the rich and Congress postponed the deadline for the budget cuts until 1 March.

About half the cuts will come from the defence budget. Incoming defence secretary Chuck Hagel has warned of "significant impacts" on the military.

He said the cuts "will cause pain, particularly among our civilian workforce and their families".

"Let me make it clear that this uncertainty puts at risk our ability to effectively fulfil all of our missions," Hagel said.

"Later this month, we intend to issue preliminary notifications to thousands of civilian employees who will be furloughed [put on unpaid leave]."

Defence officials say 800,000 civilian employees will have their working week reduced. They say they will also have to scale back flight hours for warplanes and postpone some equipment maintenance.

The deployment of a second aircraft carrier to the Gulf has also been cancelled.

On Friday, Republican House Speaker John Boehner reiterated his party's refusal to allow taxes to rise and challenged the gridlocked US Senate to pass a bill first before the House acted on a plan.

"Let's make it clear that the president got his tax hikes on 1 January," he said as he left the White House. "The discussion about revenue, in my view, is over. It's about taking on the spending problem."

Correspondents say attention will now turn to the next congressional challenge - a possible shutdown of the US government if no funding bill is passed in the next month.
On 27 March a temporary federal budget that has kept the federal government running since 2012 is due to expire

Assad Forces Take Aleppo Village, Reopening Supply Line

Boys are pictured through a broken windshield as they stand on a street in Aleppo

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces seized a village southeast of the city of Aleppo on Friday, reopening a supply line to the country's biggest city where they have been battling rebels for eight months, a monitoring group said.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the capture of Tel Shghaib marked the last step to creating a land supply route north into Aleppo from Hama province, crucial for Assad's forces who have lost control of part of the main north-south highway.

Rebels say they hold most of the city itself and nearly all the rural hinterland. But they have been unable to achieve a decisive victory and complain that they are outgunned and vulnerable to Assad's air force, artillery and ballistic missiles, which killed dozens of people in Aleppo last week.

The United States pledged direct but non-lethal aid to the rebels at a meeting in Rome on Thursday, disappointing Assad's opponents who had hoped for more tangible military support to tip the balance of forces on the ground, reports Reuters.

Activists reported another day of fierce fighting around Aleppo, including the military airport at Nairab, three miles north of Tel Shghaib which Assad's forces retook.

"It's a significant gain for the regime," the British-based Observatory's director Rami Abdelrahman said of the army's push north, which reversed many rebel advances when they moved south into Hama from Aleppo province at the end of last year.

Further east, on the Iraqi frontier, government troops also managed to wrest back control of the Yarubiyah border crossing after insurgents seized it 24 hours earlier, he said.

The revolt against Assad, which erupted in March 2011 with mainly peaceful protests, has escalated into civil war between mainly Sunni Muslim forces and troops and militias loyal to Assad, from the minority Alawite community whose faith derives from Shi'ite Islam.

The United Nations says 70,000 people have been killed, nearly a million have fled the country and millions more have been displaced or need aid.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Friday that Syria, a major Arab state on the fault lines of broader Middle East conflict, would fall apart if the government and rebels keep fighting instead of seeking a negotiated peace.

"This is a very small window of opportunity which we strongly support and encourage them to use that. The opportunity may close soon," Ban said in Geneva.

The government and opposition have both edged away in recent weeks from their previous rejection of dialogue. Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem said on Monday the government would even talk to armed rebels and opposition coalition leader Moaz Alkhatib has said he is ready to meet Assad's representatives.

But Syrian officials say any serious talks must be on Syrian soil under state control, and have shown no readiness to discuss Assad's departure - the central demand of the opposition. For rebel fighters, who do not answer to exiled civilian opposition leaders, Assad's exit is a precondition for any negotiations.

"I continue to urge the Syrian parties to find their way to the negotiating table. The horrors of the last months and years prove beyond doubt: the military solution in Syria is leading to the dissolution of Syria," Ban said.

He also called on the U.N. Security Council, paralyzed by a standoff between the United States and European allies on one side, pushing for U.N. action against Assad, and Russia and China, who have backed Assad, to unite and address the crisis.

Moscow criticized Thursday's meeting in Rome of largely anti-Assad Western and Arab states for taking positions and steps which "directly encourage extremists" to topple the government by force.

But the Kremlin also said presidents Vladimir Putin and Barack Obama had told their foreign ministers to keep in close touch and seek new initiatives to end Syria's civil war.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Thursday Washington would provide non-lethal aid including medical supplies and food to rebel fighters, as well as $60 million to help the civilian opposition provide services including security, education and sanitation

Colombia: Soldiers Jailed over Cash Hidden in FARC Camp

Colombian soldiers

A military court in Colombia has given jail sentences to 147 soldiers who found and kept about $20m (£13m) believed buried by rebel fighters.
The soldiers found the money packed in plastic bags during an operation in a deserted FARC rebel camp in April 2003, reports the BBC.
They were found guilty of embezzlement. Their lawyers had argued that there had been no theft as it was not clear who owned the money.
The jail sentences ranged from eight months to five years.
At their trial, the court heard that the soldiers had known the money belonged to the FARC and that it had come from drug trafficking, kidnap ransom and extortion.
Instead of reporting the find, the judge said, the soldiers had decided to split it.
Many deserted with the cash and some went on spending sprees, which raised suspicions.
On Friday, the military court ordered the immediate capture of those still on the run.
The soldiers belonged to an anti-guerrilla battalion fighting members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in the San Vicente de Caguan area.

The Nigeria I saw in my dreams and the shape of things to come

Diaspora
By Ekerete Udoh
I was in a state of pure ecstasy almost bordering on delirium as I traversed the nooks and crannies of the land. The environment looked pretty familiar yet everything around me was different. The ambience, the demeanor of the people, the aplomb, the ‘swagger’ and the patriotism everyone projected was decidedly different and deeply infectious. I was confounded by all I had seen around me, and for a moment, I felt discombobulated. “No, this is too good to be true” I found myself shouting in pure excitement. “Could this have happened within the past six weeks since I left the country”?  What changed?  And how this new orientation and attitude, command such breath-taking and profound dimension which for 51 years we had attempted to effect all to no avail or with diminishing output”? I had wondered aloud.
Everywhere was fully lit- the perpetual darkness had melted into the deep blue sky; the roads were world-class- free from the stomach-curling bumps and potholes that had previously defined one’s travelling experience, the traffic moved spectacularly well, as everyone drove according the rules and there was no animalistic display of bravado behind the wheels neither did someone attempt to forcefully cut me off my lane.  The traffic lights worked as well and everyone waited patiently for the light to turn green. At bus stops, everyone lined up to board the fully air-conditioned municipal buses driven by drivers in sparkling uniforms.

The air was clean, the smog in the air all clear. At the airports, the airfares were within range of the average Joe. All the major airlines had a somewhat uniformity of prices- there was no unilateral fixing of air fares by according to the whims and designs of the airline operators, because the regulatory agencies would have none of such arbitrariness. If I was still in a state of shock over all these, then what was ahead was to say the least confounding and I was by this time, screaming praises to God for finally pulling my country away from the abyss of inefficiency and a blatant lack of ownership of the instruments of governance by both the leaders and the led.

At the ministries where I had gone to see some people, the professionalism I saw -from the man at the counter was simply overwhelmingly. Looking smart and speaking in a voice and cadence that had been trained to show courtesies to visitors, I was ushered into a waiting room, and there, again, I was shocked when the aide to the big man, came out just after just 10 minutes to announce that the big man will see me in a few minutes and asked if I could be served coffee while I waited. Exactly 10 minutes, I was ushered into the office of the big man and the business at hand was concluded briskly and as he ushered me to the door, I felt proud to be a Nigeria. “Wow! I had exulted “So this is happening in my country? Where are the naysayers who daily rave and rant that our country cannot function properly- that elected leaders are not accountable to the people and that they all see themselves as all-powerful potentates, who are blissfully disconnected from the pulse of the people”? I had exclaimed.

The news media was equally seized by the new air of patriotic fervor that was swirling all over the land. A particular headline caught my attention “The Deputy Governor of Lagos state “Chief Ikechchukwu to visit Abia state”. “No, no, no” I had scrammed. An Igbo man as the deputy governor of Lagos state- in my lifetime?  No, this can’t be true”, but there it was on the cover of the newspaper! What happened to the lords of ethnic politics, where did the apostles of parochialism-, of indigenes/settler issue go? Were they thankfully defeated and had their tails tucked between their legs? So they were finally overwhelmed by the forces of national renewal? I couldn’t believe that all these were happening in my country.

At the national level, the president was forceful in his defense of national ethos, interest and values. All those who had played upon the narrow fears of their little enclaves were put to national shame. The new spirit spoke of national unity, of the pursuit of things that bind us as one people- where the diversity of our union was held as value-added as opposed to the diminution of our collective essence. The northerner, while still attached to his or her roots and values, trumpeted more issues germane to our collective development-same with those form the South-West, the South-East, South-South and the Middle Belt.  All around me, a new spirit of national renewal was blowing all over the land and I was drunk by this new wind that had been unfurled.

The private sector was thriving, jobs were being created because government had partnered with that sector and had given them benchmarks - practically tying future partnerships on the need for the sector to create jobs for our teeming population of graduates. A new agency fully funded by the federal government was granting soft loans with no interests but with strict monitoring mechanism to college graduates who desired to start a small scale business instead of looking for employment. With the steady supply of electricity, Nigerians brought out the innate creative talents in them, and instead of an army of unemployed youths roaming the streets, looking for quick fixes, most were now looking inwards and trying to dream dreams of self-sufficiency predicated on the ‘can-do’ spirit that was now the motivating impulse of the land.

Driving around the streets, I saw policemen in sparkling uniforms and brightly painted cars patrolling the streets. I observed a driver being arrested for attempting to bribe a police officer while he, the cop was trying to carry out his law enforcement duties. “Is this truly happening in my country? God, may your name be praised” a crowd that had gathered to witness the arrest of the driver had chorused. “This is a new day in Nigeria” the arresting officer had intoned and “if you think you can bribe me to obstruct the discharge of my duties, then you are painfully mistaken. Come with me young man to the station” he had commanded as the errant driver was handcuffed and driven away in the siren-bearing patrol car.

In international arena, the foreign affairs minister was speaking in a clear, active and powerful voice as opposed to those days when we spoke in passive voice on international issues and the promotion of our national interest. The minister was now using such clear words as “we expect our brothers in the continent” or we “expect our allies to” instead of the usual “We hope our brothers “or our” allies”, fully conscious that in international system with its anarchic layers and lacking controlling or centralized authority, when you “hope for things to be done” it remains what it is: hope but when you “expect “things to be done”, it carries  a force and power of expectancy and urgency. The new phrase was in recognition of our new national consensus on major issues which had given us a stronger voice- one of authority as opposed to one that was lost in the din of all other ‘smaller voices.” My country was now on the ascendance and I couldn’t be more proud.

All over the 36 states, I saw people who originally came from other parts of the country working together as one, and some running for elective position because those voices that shouted ‘carpet-barger’ or those who trumpeted parochial and ethnic-based platforms had been drummed out of the public square and were now only operating from the fringes. Nigerians were now proud to proclaim themselves first as Nigerians over those of their tribal identity that had pretty much defined our previous existence.

It was a new day and as I got lost in the intoxicating aroma of the new national spirit, I felt a strong urge to use the bathroom, and as I walked into the bathroom, unzipping my pant, it all came together. I opened my eyes and I realized that I was on my bed in my home right here in Saint Albans, Queens, New York. It was all a dream- far removed from the realities of our daily existence in Nigeria, and I was seized by a paroxysm of anger and disappointment. The dream was too good and I didn’t want it to end, but it had ended and the cold reality was now starring me in the face. Nigeria of my dream was only a thriving entity that resided in my dream. It was a far cry from the reality on the ground, which made me real sad.

But can’t we build a nation such as the one I dreamed about? I think we can and as an eternal optimist and one who completely believes in our capacity to reinvent the wheels of our progress, I know we will get there someday. Let this dream inspire our leaders to do the right things so that our land- peopled by a proud and exultant  citizens; industrious and creative will have cause to raise their heads and proclaim the majesty of our land and our people. It takes a few people to help engender this, just as America had their Washingtons, the Lincolns, the Franklin Roosevelts, the Clintons, the Reagans and now the Obamas, thank God we have a few of them already- the Akpabios, the Fasholas, the Yugudas, the Obis etc- let their efforts help bring about a tipping point in good governance so that the dream I had above will be lived out in reality. That should be our collective prayers because Nigerians are dreamers who also work hard to have their dreams fulfilled. It takes just a few good people to have this dream become destiny fulfilled. May it be well with Nigeria.
Congratulations to Governor Akpabio
Here’s congratulating Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, on his emergence as the Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum. As the visionary and the propelling hand behind the ‘Uncommon Transformation’ in Akwa Ibom Ibom state, which has been nationally and internationally celebrated, I have no doubt that he will, in close partnership with his colleagues and the leadership of the PDP, uncommonly transform the way the party deals with its different ideological blocs and get them all united to work toward the strengthening and deepening of our democratic culture. Congratulations again Your Excellency!

Franca Ogagbor-The Pride of Nigerian Diaspora Community
She is one of the most respected members of the Nigerian Diaspora community who has added value to our community in significant ways. Deeply religious, ethical and committed to the best practices of shipping industry of which she is a respected member, Franca Ogagbor- a former model who in the 80s was the face of ‘Close-up’ toothpaste, and Vitafoam under the late John Oduah’s Lintas Communication has been running Grandbelle International- a foremost shipping and freighting forwarding business that caters to Nigerians in the Diaspora and those from Nigeria wishing to have their goods shipped from the United States.
In a community where we have unfortunately been negatively stereotyped due to the activities of a tiny percentage of our nationals,  the Delta state born Franca’s ethical approach to business has been lauded by all, earning her company the membership of the prestigious Better Business Bureau (BBB,) membership of the U.S Chamber of Commerce and was awarded “Woman of the Year 2012 by ‘The Association of Professional Women of New York ‘“for demonstrating excellence and dedication” in the shipping industry. “Our clients come first-we go the extra mile to ensure that they have hitch-free shipping experience with us. We handle the shipping needs of most Nigerians and other Africans here and also those in Nigeria who desire to have a reputable shipping company that will deliver their goods in real time. We feel blessed by the accolades we have received, and are happy to promote the Nigerian brand in our industry.” Franca had stated when asked why her company has won all the accolades.

Jonathan Reduces FG's Bureaucracy

President Goodluck Jonathan 

By Muhammad Bello
In line with the recommendations of a committee headed by erstwhile Head of Service of the Federation, Mr Steve Oronsaye, the five structure federal bureaucracy has now been reduced to three.
This, President Goodluck Jonathan asserted Friday night was to enable the apex government fast track the development of the country.
Jonathan stated this in Abuja on Friday at a formal send-off ceremony for two past Heads of Service of the Federation, Mr Stephen Oronsaye and Prof. Oladapo Afolabi

Jonathan, First Lady Receive Ivorien National Honours

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan

By Muhammad Bello

President Alassane Ouattara late Friday in Abidjan conferred Cote d’Ivoire’s highest honour, the Grand Cross of the Order of the Nation on President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in appreciation of Nigeria’s contributions to peace, stability and progress in his country. 

President Ouattara also conferred the honour of Commander of the Order of the Nation on the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan at a State Banquet in the Ivorian seat of government.

Speaking at the occasion, President Jonathan, who began a state visit to the country on Friday, said that Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire must continue to strengthen their bilateral cooperation for the benefit of their citizens and others in the West African sub-region.

‘Kalu Has No Degree Certificate to be Revoked’

Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu

By Emmanuel Ugwu 

Former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, has been advised to face his certificate scandal alone without dragging the state Governor, Chief Theodore Orji, into the messy affair, which was already in the public domain before the present administration came to power.

Kalu had reportedly cried out over what he regarded as a politically-motivated move by his successor to revoke a degree certificate awarded him by the Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU), following the completion of his university education.
The former governor’s university education was alleged to have been truncated at the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) several years before he became Abia State governor in 1999.
But in a statement issued in reaction to Kalu’s claims of being victimised over his acquired degree certificate, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Orji, Mr. Ugochukwu Emezue, said Kalu was sounding false alarm as he had no degree certificate from ABSU to be revoked.
According to him, investigations by the university authorities have revealed that Kalu was never a student of ABSU as there was no record to show that he was formally admitted into the state university when he was governor and visitor to the university.
The CPS explained that the ABSU Senate had launched investigations into the certificate scandal, following a petition against the former governor alleging that he was “not properly admitted” into ABSU, hence the claim of his graduation and award of certificate “is neither here nor there.”
“The petitioner claimed that Kalu arm twisted the school authorities to admit him while he was the governor, following public outcry then that the state governor was not a graduate,” Emezue said, adding that: “The petitioner also claimed that Kalu as the governor only came to school for two semesters.”
Emezue further stated that the panel set up by ABSU Senate had discovered that the transcript Kalu sent to ABSU from UNIMAID did not bear the letter head of the institution.
The panel’s report, Emezue alleged, also showed that Kalu did not matriculate with other fresh students at the period he claimed he was admitted as required by the university regulation having transferred from another university

See 2face and Annie Macaulay's traditional wedding invitation card

2face and Annie Idibia's traditional wedding will hold on Friday March 8th at the brides hometown. Their white wedding will hold 23rd of March in Dubai. The invitation card for their traditional wedding is out! See it above and another one after the cut...

The gold exquisitely packaged IV is a souvenir.

Iyanya's concert ft D'banj, MI, Wizkid, holds tomorrow at Eko hotel

Iyanya's album launch concert will hold tomorrow March 2nd at Eko Convention Centre at 7pm. Tickets: N5k and N25k. Tables sold for N500k and N1million.

The concert will feature D'banj, MI, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Flavour, Davido, Bracket, May D, Seyi Shay, Timaya, Burna Boy, Vector, Emma Nyra, Lola Rae. See Iyanya's  Desire Album launch rehearsals in Abuja after the cut...

Gbenga Adenuga launches ‘Step Out!' today with 250k grand prize

One of Nigeria’s most respected gospel acts ‘Gbenga Adenuga’ (the writer & composer of the popular gospel song “You make me wonder”) has taken a giant step in leading dance revolution in the country. This is following the release of his successful new single in January this year – ‘E be like say’. 

'Step Out’ is the competition launched on Friday, 1^st of March 2013 – and will be searching for new and clever dance routines that are fun but simple. See more after the cut...

 

“The goal is also to provide, joyful, alternative entertainment for young Christians living in today’s world,” Adenuga added.

Presented as a dance party, the competition is open to everyone with talent to step on the stage to entertain and uplift.

 

PROCEDURE:

This is a DANCE ROUTINE SEARCH (Choreography) not a dance competition. INNOVATION is KEY – the dance routine must be simple, fun and easy to follow.

1. Download the song below or  http://gbengaadenuga.com/albums.html
2. Go to  http://gbengaadenuga.com/stepout  fill  form and upload video on site – no video uploaded on YouTube will be treated (Multiple entries are allowed).
3. Entries are open for submission from Friday 1^st of March 2013 and closes once the 100 mark is reached (Only the first 100 entries will be treated).

The competition will be judged by two of Nigeria’s most respected dance instructors Segun Lawal (Spirit of David) and David Abraham (Xplicit) – and the winning dance will be adopted for the ‘Step Up’ campaign. The winner also gets the grand prize of N250, 000.

“I think this is an important milestone for the Gospel genre. The imagery in many modern music videos can be quite sensual and that leaves a huge bloc of the public out,” Gbenga said. “I think it is time we show young Christians that dance can be fun, entertaining and still uplift your heart and soul for the Lord to witness.”

‘E be like say’ drives the singer’s vision not just as another track but also as a campaign for alternative entertainment suited for the church. Billed as the next big thing in gospel entertainment, it is receiving attention globally with radio airplay across the world.

You can listen to the hit song ‘E be like say’ HERE

22 year old Larry Reed (right) has been arrested and charged for the murder of openly gay mayoral candidate, Marco McMillian (left). Marco's body was found near a Mississippi River Levee on Wednesday February 27th.

Reed was driving McMillian's vehicle when it crashed head-on into another car the same day the popular 34 year old Mississippi politician went missing. Police are investigating the murder but do not believe it was politically motivated. They are trying to find out the connection between Reed and McMillian and also establish if he was targeted because of his sexual orientation which is what most people think... (may have been robbery!

Nigerian Woman Gives Birth To Baby 25 Months After Pregnancy

Nigerian Woman Delivers Baby 25 Months After Pregnancy
……Pregnant For 25 Months: Nigerian Woman Gives Birth To Baby 25 Months After Pregnancy Conception
With men it is impossible but with God all things are possible.
This popular biblical verse has become a reality in the family of Mr & Mrs Adeoye who believed God for the fruit of the womb for over fourteen years after marriage.

“My Life Is Very Boring” – Is Omotola Jalade Staging A Fake Show?

Feb 28, 2013 - Is Omotola Jalade Acting Fake In The Real Me Reality TV Show? 
Omotola Jalade said and we quote “I can stop my reality TV show anytime, my life is very boring”
Few days back, a fan blast Omotola Jalade of staging a fake reality TV show and the actress replied with a very frustrating message that reads;
“My Show fake?Hahaha…. U could not recognize what fake is if it starred you hard in the face and punched you! #sangostriketheirteeth”
In a pre-show interview granted to PM news few weeks back, Nigerian actress and Omotola The Real me reality talk show host claim she initially tried to turn down the offer because it might become unbearable for her later on.
In the interview, Omotola explained that she didn’t look very pleased to do the show initially given that unknown to millions of her fans, behind that glamorous lifestyle in the media and red carpet drama they see, is a boring life that has started giving her concerns until the producers surfaced with the proposals for the reality show.
Hear Omotola in her own words below:
I’m actually worried that my life is becoming boring. It looked very interesting whenever I stepped out there on the red carpet, but the truth of the matter is that I don’t even go out. When I am done with my work, I go home. My life is very boring, but the producers say that is what they want. They want to showcase how exactly it has been that boring. They want people to see how boring my life is. So, it is a gamble. I am just taking a chance. But I can opt out of the show anytime I want. I think that’s the beauty of it. I signed a contract that if it is getting unbearable for me and my family, I can opt out of it if I want too,”.
All of the above points to the fact that Omotola Jalade might have been forced to do what she is not talented to do.

Ini Edo, Tonto Dikeh & Others Star In Playing Safe Nollywood Movie – Watch Trailer

Ini Edo, Tonto Dikeh & Others Star In Playing Safe Nollywood Movie – Watch Trailer
Nollywood beauty queen Tonto Dikeh and Ini Edo co-star with Gollywood actress Matha Ankomah, Chris Okagbue, Jibola Dabo and IK Ogbonna in the latest 2013 Nigerian movie titled Playing Safe.
The movie was produced by Nollywood film producer, Mr Elvis Chuck
Playing Safe movie Synopsis: the movie is based on young girls trying to live on past love experiences ,thereby out of fear, not ready to put their eggs in one basket and choose to play safe,but the game becomes tough,and the quest to play the right card becomes impossible even as the clock ticks,and desperation sets in.
The movie was shot in Lagos, Ghana and Dubai.
Movie cast list:

• Tonto Dikeh
• Ini Edo
• Matha Ankomah
• Jibola Dabo
• Sexy Steel
• IK Ogbonna.

Watch the short trailer below

New Nollywood Reality TV Show Starring Rita Dominic, Funke Akindele, Kate Henshaw & Uche Jombo Debuts On EbonyLife TV

Feb 26, 2013 – New Nollywood Reality TV Show Starring Rita Dominic, Funke Akindele, Kate Henshaw & Uche Jombo Debuts On EbonyLife TV Via DSTV

As at the time of this report, the most secretive project going on in Nollywood is a movie/reality show dubbed: EbonyLife TV. The project which is a part reality show and part movie is being shot at the soar-away Tinapa Resort on the bill of Mo Abudu, who is the Executive Producer of the project and CEO, EbonyLife TV. EbonyLife TV is a new channel by the TV personality cum entrepreneur, which will debut on DSTV any moment from now.
We learnt she’s been putting finishing touches to several contents, as she believes viewership would be determined by content. Nollywood is one of the few platforms Mo Abudu wants to use to drive the channel and close sources said her choice of Nollywood would be ‘new Nollywood’. This, we learnt, prompted her choice of the reigning queens of Nollywood in the mode of Rita Dominic, Kate Henshaw, Funke Akindele and Uche Jombo. However, the level of secrecy on the job is high, as the actresses have been made to sign a non-disclosure contract.
A statement signed by Pamela Ofoegbu, Director, Reality Programming, EbonyLife reads thus: “The show sees the Nollywood Divas collaborate in the production of a brilliant and pulsating short film that spotlights the plight of women across Africa who have to bear the pains of domestic abuse, a crime far too familiar but rarely spoken about. We have signed up four electrifying Nollywood divas who will each play a role in the short film.”
The statement also quotes Mo Abudu as saying: “Our current filming will bring our viewers to that compelling intersection between entertainment and reality as we bring some of Nigeria’s most celebrated Nollywood screen goddesses to highlight and fight the scourge of domestic abuse, an issue prevalent in the African, and indeed, Nigerian daily life, through reality TV.”