After surviving a ghastly motor accident, with one of his legs reported to be “totally broken”, Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State, has had surgery at a private hospital in Abuja.
Captain Wada underwent the operation at Cedar Crest Hospital, Garki, Abuja, after initial treatment in the intensive care unit of the Specialist Hospital in Lokoja.
The details of the surgery were not immediately made available, even as the hospital was surrounded with the presence of heavily armed security personnel.
It has however emerged that the accident happened, after one of the tyres of the governor’s official car, a Lexus SUV, unexpectedly burst in motion.
“When the tyre burst, the car somersaulted and other vehicles in the convoy rammed into one another,” a source said.
“In the ensuing commotion, state officials struggled to save the governor from the wreckage of his official vehicle and evacuated him to the Specialist Hospital in Lokoja.
“Several others on the entourage were also seriously injured, but the ADC’s case was the worst.”
Idris Muhammed, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and Wada’s aide-de-camp (ADC), died instantly while eight others were injured.
Journalists were barred from taking pictures of the wrecked vehicle, by about 15 mobile policemen, who cordoned off the area.
Mr. Yabagi Bologi, the State Commissioner for Information, later issued a press statement confirming the sad incident.
“The Governor survived the road mishap and is in stable condition. Sadly, however, the governor’s aide-de-camp (ADC), Idris Muhammed, an Assistant Superintendent of Police died on the spot,” he said.
“The accident occurred yesterday afternoon at Emi Woro village, about 12 kilometres into the state capital, in between Prime Polytechnic and the Salem University, in the Ajaokuta Local Government Area.
“The convoy was returning from an annual Igala Education Summit which the Governor declared opened at the state university in Anyigba.”
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Richard Elesho, quickly dispelled rumours that the Governor was dead.
He said: “I am very happy to announce to you that the Governor is not dead. He is not dead at all. I don’t want to tell you where he is. The Governor is in stable and healthy condition. It is unfortunate that we lost the ADC in the auto crash.
“I have also heard people saying the driver died. No. It is not true. There were just three people in the car, the Governor, the ADC and the driver. The ADC died on the spot, but the Governor and driver are in stable condition. Why do you want me to tell you where he is?
“If I am bold enough as a colleague to let you know that we lost the ADC, why do I have to lie to you? The Governor is alive, hale and hearty, but I don’t have to disclose the exact location of the Governor to you; must I? I only have to tell you as a colleague that the Governor is alive.
SuperSports have compiled a list of Nigeria’s 50 greatest football players of all time, the list which includes football greats such as Kanu Nwankwo and Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha is reproduced below. 1. Nwankwo Kanu 2. Austin Okocha 3. Sunday Oliseh 4. Rashidi Yekini 5. Segun Odegbami 6. Stephen Keshi 7. Emmanuel Amuneke 8. Finidi George 9. Christian Chukwu 10. Muda lawal 11. Peter Rufai 12. Daniel Amokachi 13. Taribo West 14. Uche Okechukwu 15. Teslim “Thunder”Balogun 16. Victor Ikpeba 17. Samson Siasia 18. Adokiye Amiesimaka 19. Vincent Enyeama 20. Celestine Babayaro 21. Thomson Usiyan 22. Taiye ‘Taiwo 23. Henry Nwosu 24. Emmanuel Okala 25. Felix Owolabi 26. Haruna Ilerika 27. Joseph Yobo 28. Aloysius Atuegbu 29. Richard Owubokiri 30. Elkanah Onyeali 31. Patrick Ekeji 32. Best Ogedengbe 33. Bright Omokaro 34. Peter Anieke 35. Yisa Shofoluwe 36. Ben Iroha 37. Julius Aghahowa 38. Osaze Odemwingie 39. Albert Onyeawuna 40. Augustine Eguavoen 41. Yisa Shofoluwe 42. Obafemi Martins 43. Yakubu Aiyegbeni 44. Tijani Babangida 45. Tony Igwe 46. John Obi Mikel 47. Sam Garba Okoye 48. Friday Okoh 49. Etim Esin 50. Dan Anyiam cc: http://www..com/nigerias-50-greatest-footballers-of-all-time-by-supersports/
Information reaching us , have it that Kogi State Governor, Captain idris Wada, was involved in a serious car crash along Lokoja-Ajaokuta Expressway.
Our sources say one of the Governor’s aides, reportedly died on the spot, while Wada is said to be in critical condition.
This news comes less than two weeks after another Northern Governor, Patrick Yakowa died in the ill-fated helicopter crash in Okoroba, Bayelsa and over a month since Taraba Governor, Suntai, also had an accident with a private plane. He has been in a German hospital ever since and is rumoured to be brain-dead.
The 2012 Edition of the Koko Concert took place last night in Lagos with a star-studded array on stage. From the UK to the US and back to Nigeria, a mix of musical talent were represented on stage.
Hosted by Idris Elba, Basketmouth and Bovi, the musical lineup featured Tinie Tempah, D’banj, Idris Elba, Naeto C, Big Sean, Pusha T, Iyanya, Ajebutter 22, DRB Lasgidi, Ice Prince, Kay Switch and many more stars.
Micro-blogging site, Twitter, was agog with criticism of the end of the year concert by popular Afropop musician, Dbanj, tagged Koko Concert held at the Eko Atlantic Beach, Lagos .
Many of Dbanj’s frustrated fans who took to twitter to vent their anger described the concert as lacklustre and ill-managed.
In the past weeks, the concert has enjoyed a lot of hype in the media and was one of the most expensive musical concerts in the country. Some fans paid as much as N1 million to attend the concert which also has Hollywood actor Idris Elba; America rappers, Pusha T and Big Sean; as well as Nigerian-born British rapper Tinnie Tempah; on parade.
Fans were particularly disappointed by Dbanj’s performance. Many of them who went to the concert hoping to hear him perform some of his popular tunes were heartbroken as the musician chose to perform his most recent tunes that many have problems relating to.
“Dbanj does not have any song to sing.. Terrible. Let tomorrow come first,” said a fan tweeting from the handle @RicDizZle.
“Sing Suddenly or Mogbonofelifeli if you know say e sure for you!” @RicDizZle continued referring to some the musician’s popular tunes.
Dbanj, who is used to a mimed performance, had problems adjusting to performing to a live band, some attendees said.
“I think Dbanj is the worst performer of the night #kokoconcert. Easier to perform with a CD. Live performance no be beans [not easy],” said a fan tweeting from the handle @ebraheemshehu
“I have a lot of respect for #Nigerian artistes who perform with a live band but i don’t think #Dbanj killed it today. #kokoconcert,” said Fidelis Mbah, a reporter with the BBC.
“That’s not a live band, just a bunch of confused electricians,” said another fan tweeting from the handle @TheBlackHermit.
Insulted fans
His woeful performance aside, many of fans, who stayed awake all night to see him perform at the concert and those watching the live stream of the event on NdaniTV, said Dbanj’s worst blunder of the night was when he said: “The people wey pay me money na dis side dem dey” (those that paid me are on this side) while apologising to those at the VVIP section of the concert for below-par arrangement made for them. At a point he even asked those at the popular and VIP sections to apologise to those at the VVIP for the inconvenience they suffered.
Fans at the popular section and VIP paid 5,000 and 20,000 respectively. Many of his fans who felt insulted reacted sharply:
“Disgusting that he only keeps apologising to VVIP. The 5K ticket holders are the real fans and the ones promoting his music . Shame,” said a fan tweeting from @Rebl_jade.
“Dbanj needs to stop acting the fool with this VVIP thing. So rude!” said @EniolaHundeyin
“And he had the nerve to ask the 5k & 20k people to aplogise to the VVIPs. I say it, the concert was an allegory for Nigeria as a whole,” said Tola Sarumi tweeting from @AfroVII.
“Only in naija (Nigeria) you pay for something and STILL get insulted. Customer appreciation? Absolute zero,” said a fan tweeting from @kennagq
A complete mess
From tiresome trek along the sandy beach, inadequate parking space, to Dbanj’s fake American accent, the general perception was that the overpriced concert was a failure.
“The worst day of my life! Dec 29th, Koko concert. Despite d negativity, I managed to hold my head up nd stay positive! Home now..#NeverAgain” said eccentric Channel-O presenter, Derenle Edun. “Call me a hater but Dbanj is too big of an artist to be putting out mediocre shows like that!! #kokoconcert,” said @natashamutale
“This guy better not be planning to drop any album soon. People will refuse to even bootleg it,” said Tome Buluku tweeting from the handle @IamTome. “There’s def no koko concert next year sha. Not with this crap,” said Yemi O tweeting with the handle @mimio193
“D’Banj speaks like Igbo man from Iweka Road now,” said Onyeka Nwelue. “@iamdbanj sold more VIP & VVIP tickets than d no of seats available..we had to hustle for seats..pathetic,” said Tokunbo Otitoju tweeting from the handle@fimiletoks
You dropped the Thank You single some days ago. What was the motive? - After having a successful year and touring the United Kingdom and the United States and going everywhere for shows, I feel it’s just right that at the end of the year, I say thank you to my fans that have shown me love and support. I know it’s just my little way because I can’t go to everybody and say thank you; so I decided to do a song and appreciate my fans and friends.
2012 has been a wonderful year for you. How do you feel? - I’m thankful to God and my fans; they’ve bought my CDs. I’m just on my first album and I’ve done a lot with it. I feel so blessed and I know it’s the grace of God, the support of my fans and my hard work.
People always commend your stagecraft. Looking at you now, you look very different from what we used to see on the stage. Is there anything you do to boost your performance? - When I’m on stage, it’s different from when I’m just Wizkid. Once I step on stage and get the microphone to perform my songs, the energy I feel from the crowd is enough to get me going. It’s different because this is what I love to do; so it’s definitely going to be different from who I am. It’s not that I’m a loud person or that I jump up and down, but in my performance, I always give my best.
Why do you always re-echo your past in some of your songs? - Because I want people to know. A lot of people see me and they don’t think I’ve gone through anything tough in my life; they see me and feel I just woke up one morning and started making money. Not a lot of people saw me when I was walking the streets of Surulere. So I need people to know that I didn’t just get things for free. Nobody gave me anything, my parents gave me nothing. This is something I did for myself. I took a loan from my friends, I jumped my books for loans and nobody saw that part of the hustle, and I think it’s just relevant for me to point it out so that my fans will be sure of where I came from.Did you really envisage this sudden success? - I was working hard and preparing myself for the success that would come. I wasn’t thinking I wanted to be bigger than anybody; I just wanted to be able to feed myself and my family, live a good life and make music – which I love to do.
When did you finally decide you were going to do music? - I started when I was 11 years, in church; and from then on, I’ve been in love with music, and everybody in my family knows that. I dropped an album in church. I performed in church. I go from church to church for performance. I did a couple of concerts and later, when I told my parents that I wanted to take music serious, they refused. They told me if I wanted to do this professionally, I had to stay in school. I had to stay in school and again do music professionally. So, it was like a double task for me. I’m thankful to God for where I am now.
Starting from the church to secular music, what was the transition like? - If you listen to my songs, you will see I’m always thankful to God. My relationship with God is private; it’s between me and God and I don’t feel anybody should come and judge based on what I do. The music I make is for the pleasure of it. The music I make, I thank my God as well.
You said your parents wanted you to go to school. When are you fulfilling that? - I’ve fulfilled it already. I was in university and I left in my second year. Before I left, I was doing very fine academically and my parents had no problem with that; but when the music and the brand became bigger, I couldn’t stay in class because people were mobbing me. It got really crazy and I don’t think there is any university I will go in Nigeria without getting mobbed. So, I just had to take a break from school and focus on my music for now.
Meeting Banky W was a turning point in your life. How exactly did you meet? - We met at the show. It was a friendship thing, and later he said he thought we could do business. We started talking. There are some things you can’t really explain. We started flowing and I think that was how God planned it to happen.
Listening to your music, one will easily experience a blend of different genres of music. What can you call your biggest musical influence? - My biggest musical influence is definitely Fela. Everytime Fela gets on stage to perform, you can’t hear his song and not be blown away. So, I just felt I wanted my own song to be a little different. I grew up listening to a lot of songs; my dad played a lot of Sunny Ade and Ebenezer Obey. So, growing up [the influence], was just kind of subconscious. It stuck to my head. This has really helped me because I draw inspirations from songs I listen to and create my kind of music.
What are you working on now? - My second album is ready. I’m waiting for us to finish the campaign. I’m going to drop my album next year; it’s ready. I’m always working, so I have ready-to-go songs a lot. I think this new album will be a better album than what we had last year. Sometimes when I listen to some of my songs, I feel like I should have done it better; but there is still time for that.
Are you still working with Samklef this time around? - I work with everybody. The reason Samklef had more songs on my album last year was because I chose all the songs I recorded with him. Though I worked with other people, the songs I did with him were the ones I really liked. Samklef is my guy and I work with him and I still work with a lot of people. I work with anybody that has a good beat.
Don Jazzy tweeted that you were in the studio with him. Is this part of what to expect? - Yes. My first single I’ll drop in January is produced by Don Jazzy.
What’s the experience with him in the studio? - I’ve known Don Jazzy since I got into the industry. He was there when I performed majorly for the first time on stage and we’ve been friends since then. He is like a brother, and for us to just be getting into the studio together is something long overdue. We’ve been trying to work together for years, I feel great.
Wizkid is a very popular name at the moment. How have you been coping with the fame? - Sometimes I feel bad that I can’t walk on the streets freely; I feel bad I can’t walk like the normal boy I was in Surulere then without attention. But for me getting acknowledged based on my hard work, it’s a good feeling and I know everything is a blessing.
Celebrity’s life is always considered as ephemeral. Are you putting something down for the future? - Every smart person will do that. Investment is very key and I know I’m not going to be jumping around as Wizkid for the rest of my life. In 10 years’ time I might not be doing this if I know I’ve made a lot of money. I wouldn’t be jumping on stage. I can stay in my house and produce music. Investment is key; so I’m doing that. I’m doing a lot of merchandise next year, but the real business is very personal.
How will you discipline yourself from making fame and money get into your head? - I know what it feels like not to have [a presence]. I grew up like that, and for me to now have it and start acting up will mean I’m a fool. I think it would be senseless for a boy like me that works hard to make money, to blow it. It’s a personal decision I took for myself; it’s how I grew up and I won’t say I’m Wizkid and go and jump off the bridge or do something crazy. I love what I do and I understand it. I can’t allow anything to get into my head.Can we take a peep into the EME family? You live together? - We used to live together, but we don’t live together anymore. But we work together and use the same studio everyday. The relationship with EME is crazy; our work ethic is mad because we are always working.
For someone that works hard, how do you relax? - I don’t get enough rest, but I try to sleep anytime there is chance. Right now, I don’t think it’s time to sleep, because I’m still trying to build a brand globally. My relaxation time will soon come. Continue Reading
Here is the picture of a girl who looks just like Kim Kardashian. Kim kardashian is a popular US Showbiz presenter and the current Kanye west girl friend.
This lady looks exactly just like her, just that she is just sexier than her.
Check her picture below and compare it with Kim's picture snapped with Kanye West and make a comment:
It has been hailed as the best Carnival in this part of the world and we doubt anyone can dispute that. We bring you pictures from the ongoing Calabar Carnival taking place in Cross River.
Revellers who spent this year’s Boxing Day, at the Lagos Boat Club in Ikoyi, have posted pictures of a very big fish, that was allegedly caught from the sea.
The image was updated by n2oflife with the caption: “Fish of destiny; Caught in Lagos, Nigeria”.
A fire which reportedly started around 4:30pm Thursday, has gutted a section of the multi-million naira hilltop residence of former President Olusegun Obasanjo in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital.
Although it is not yet clear what started the fire, we gathered that the ex-president’s secretary’s office, located within the expansive mansion, at Ibara GRA, was gutted.
Meanwhile, an Ogun State Fire Service truck marked OG 122 AO9 got to the scene of the fire incident an hour after it was detected and was quickly joined by another 10mins later even as men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, the Nigeria Police, State Security Service and close friends of the ex-president battled to contain the fire from spreading to other parts of the sprawling estate cc:http://www..com/fire-guts-obasanjos-hilltop-residence/
When Romeo Beckham, 10, was unveiled as the latest model for Burberry’s trench coat, more than one eyebrow was raised in recognition.
The middle-son of David and Victoria looked mighty similar to another fan of beige outerwear – his father.
Studying snaps of father and son it soon becomes clear that the two have a lot more in common than just genes, dimples and a love for a certain type of jacket. MORE PICS:http://www..com/beckham-jnr-becomes-a-model-isnt-he-just-like-his-dad/
He's an Olympic champion and the most senior member of the family.
But Bruce Jenner, 63, was bumped out of his front row seat at the LA Clippers game on Christmas Day to make way for the arrival of Kim Kardashian and her boyfriend Kanye West.
The family were watching Khloe Kardashian's husband Lamar Odom on the court as his team defeated the Denver Nuggets 112-100 at the Staples Centre.Bruce was initially seated next to his wife Kris, 57, in prime position but moved a row back when his step-daughter and her rapper beau made a late entrance.
Kris didn’t seem at all concerned and spent the game cheering away with Khloe on one side and her favourite child Kim on the other.
The matriarch and her husband of 21 years have recently been hit by claims their marriage is on the rocks. MORE PICS:http://www..com/kim-bounce-bruce/
The former Lagos State governor’s son, Michael Otedola, Femi is having a serious issue with his 26 year-old love child mama, Olayinka Odukoya and the child at the centre of all this, Christie is said to be a split image of Femi, the Forte Oil boss.
Then loved-up Femi, we learnt, had put Olayinka in a family way when he was selling stationeries at Iponri area of Lagos, and the result of that effort was 26 years old, Christie, the first from his loin but his mum did not only show disapproval, she condemned their dalliance and sent mother away and took the baby to her custody.
In spite of Femi’s mother’s rejection, the arrow of love hit Femi again and he found himself in the arms of Olayinka, who second time around got pregnant for the Femi who has since married delectable, Nana Otedola, the Managing Director, Garment Care and blessed with children.
As fate would have it, she lost the pregnancy seven months after. Since then, their paths never crossed, Olayinka was shut away from her only child, and her world became empty. Now she’s on a search for her long-lost daughter, Christy.
Below is the interesting story as said by the mother of the first daughter of Femi, the former Zenom oil boss, the emotional distressed mother provides insight into what went wrong with the romance, how Mr Otedola and his parents hoodwinked her into parting with her child and other intimate details in this interview.
For the purpose of this interview, can I have your full names?
I am Olayinka Odukoya.
What kind of relationship existed between you and Mr. Femi Otedola?
We used to have a love affair.
Was the love affair one that your parents knew about? I mean your own parents and his parents?
What happened was that I just finished from secondary school at that time and I was even working when he approached me for a relationship. I accepted his advances and somewhere along the line, I realised that I’d taken in for him. And this was a time I was just offered an admission into the School of Nursing in Ikoyi; I was only waiting to go for pre-registration interview before I realised I was pregnant. And at that point in time, there was a man, Mr. Tobun father’s house at Odo-Irangusi.
It was through my friend that was dating the contractor that I met Femi. And he promised me heaven and earth. As a matter of fact, we both sworn to an oath with the Holy Bible never to leave each other. I was about 21 years at that time and it was at that point that we started sleeping together and I got pregnant for him. And he accepted it. But in the long run, I realised that he didn’t tell his parents at home that he had put a lady in the family way. It was that Mr. Tobun that later went to his dad to tell him that his son had impregnated a young lady in Ijebu. And his mum later called him to probe him over it after the dad complained to her.
But he lied to his mum initially that he did not impregnate anybody. Meanwhile, I used to go to their house regularly before then to the extent that all his younger siblings were familiar with me. His mum even knew me, though she did not know that I was dating her son which was the real purpose of my frequent visit to their house. She thought I was only a friend to Femi’s sisters. So, since I took in, I would go to him to collect money for my upkeep and things like that.
As a matter of fact, I contemplated aborting the pregnancy at a point because I felt it was affecting the continuation of my education but unfortunately for me then, an old man overheard me telling a friend about my planned abortion and the old man went straight to leak it to my mum. So, my mum came to take me from where I was back home so as to prevent me from aborting the pregnancy. And my dad too also prevailed on me never to try aborting the pregnancy with the counseling that it is not only people that are well educated that make it in life. So, I later went to tell Femi that my parents were well aware of the pregnancy and he also plead with me to keep the pregnancy.
What was Mr. Femi Otedola doing then? Was he working or still in school?
He was a trader at Iponri Shopping Complex selling stationery materials. And since his dad was running a printing press then, he was also supplying them materials to work with. And when we realised he was not showing up at our house like it was expected, my parents said I should tell him that they wanted to meet his parents and he said no problems. But when he refused to come with his parents like he promised, a sister to my mum who was a registrar was even nursing the doubt that I might not know the real owner of my pregnancy and she attributed her doubt to the fact that the Otedola’s were well-to-do and very responsible, so they would not tolerate their son impregnate a girl and not do the right thing.
So, there was a resolve that my mum should follow me to their house and when we got there, it was Femi himself that opened the gate for us. And when we met his dad, Baba Otedola, and told him a bout the pregnancy, he probed Femi over it and he told his dad that he was the one responsible for it.
And the dad said he would have loved his mum to be at home for the meeting because when he first heard about the issue and raised it with the mum, Femi vehemently denied knowing anything about the pregnancy to the extent that the mum was saying any girl that was claiming to have gotten pregnant for her son should go and take care of it in her parent’s house.
Since her son had said he didn’t impregnate any girl. But the dad said we should not worry about it and that he would always send money for my upkeep. And shortly before I would deliver my baby, the mum came around at the prompting of Baba Otedola, I guess, she came with Baba Otedola’s elder sister.
They said they were the owners of the pregnancy since it’s their son that was responsible for it. And when I delivered my baby, a naming ceremony was organised at their house for my daughter.
So, since everything was cordial to that point, how did the denial of access to your daughter come into play?
Thank you. That’s exactly what I am about to tell you. After the naming ceremony, Femi came later to tell me that his mum said he should not marry me. And I was like if she says that then, maybe you should leave me alone. But he said he could not do that. Later on, I told him I wanted to learn Hair Dressing since I could not go to the School of Nursing any more. But he advised that I should go to a Catering school instead. So, I went to Catering school and it was while I was there that I got pregnant for him again. But his mum still stood strongly against our getting married.
Meanwhile, I had a forced labour when the pregnancy got into the 7th month which I had as a still birth. In fact, I almost lost my life during the delivery. It was the placenta that came out first before the dead baby came out b*ttocks first instead of the head. My dad later went to meet him that, Femi, so, so, thing happened to me. Though, he was fully aware that I was pregnant for him again, but he apparently did not inform his parents.
So, it was when my dad went to their house that his dad too knew about it and challenged him over it. But in his usual manner, he denied having anything to do with the pregnancy and I later told him that thank God I did not die in the course of the forced labour because that is how he would have denied me in death.
I reminded him of how he lied that he did not know anything about Christy’s pregnancy before he later accepted to be the one responsible. And shortly after that was when his mum became extremely hostile to me, telling his son that he saw girls from rich background, he didn’t go to them. That, why would he go for someone from a humble background like me. And it was because Femi told me that his mum might accept me if we had a second child that I accepted to get pregnant for him again. But when they said I should bring my daughter Christy to them when she was a little over 2 years, so that she could start kindergarten, I left her for them. But ever since then, the mum would not allow me to see my daughter.
There was even a festive period that my younger siblings went to their house to ask them to allow my daughter to come and spend some time with us, the mum refused. And I later went myself but as soon as the mum saw me, she took my daughter inside and locked her up. And when all my efforts to see my daughter became abortive, I later told them that I would always be my daughter’s mother because they cannot buy another mother for her no matter how much they prevent me from seeing her. And again, my mum’s younger sister told me not to worry because when it gets to a point my daughter would ask for her mum.
But when she (Christy) was 15 and was schooling in Akure, Ondo State, while she lived with her father’s younger brother, I still made an attempt to go and see her there, yet they prevented me. And that was the point in time I decided to leave the South-West for the Northern Part of the country to cool-off. So, I stayed and worked in the North for some time before I returned few years ago. Meanwhile, I was already aware that my daughter had been taken abroad for further studies.
And I even made an attempt to be close to Otedola’s house but each time I went, Femi’s mum was always like “what do you want?” And I would tell her that I only came around to say hello and also to know if you are hearing from my daughter.
But when it got to a point, I could no longer cope with not seeing my daughter, I sent a Reverend Father to the mum to beg her for me. And she was like I should never again in my life send any emissary to beg her again. And about 7 years ago, I told my younger brother that I felt I would need to take the matter to a relevant government authority to contest my right to see my daughter for me. But my brother said I should not go that far that he would go and talk to Femi man to man.
Meanwhile, at that point I was always texting Femi asking about the well-being of my daughter, he would not reply any of the messages. There was even a day I went to his Zenon House in Victoria Island.
He saw me face to face as he was driving in because I was standing at the gate. And when he got out of the vehicle, he looked back at me and I said “Femi, you are the one I have come to see”. But he rushed into the office and never came out till I left. I got there around 8am and left at 12 noon. I later dropped a note for him with his security guys stating that I did not come to fight him but to see him and ask after my daughter. The number that my younger brother had was no longer going through, so, he got another number of his from me which he called without any one picking it. And he decided to send him a text that why would he not allow his sister to see her daughter. And that he should redress the situation since the child belongs to him and his sister.
But by the second or third day, he called his mum to go and warn Felix, that is my brother, that he was threatening his life. And the mum went straight to my dad’s house to fight him. That he should warn his son who was threatening the life of her son. My dad called my younger brother from Ijebu immediately asking why my
brother would wade into the matter. And when my brother went to Ijebu some time later, he told anyone that cared to listen to go and tell Femi’s mum that he had come to town and that she should come and arrest him, maybe the Police would be able to resolve the matter once and for all. But after spending 3 days without seeing anyone come to arrest him, he returned to Lagos.
So what happened after then?
We decided to give them some time again before raising issues over the matter. In fact, at a point, I decided to go to Human Rights Advocacy Groups and I was already in Ikeja with pictures before my brother called me and plead that I should not do anything like that. Because no two opposing parties in a court case return as friends.
EME Boss, Banky W spoke recently on his career, label, love life and many more. Excerpts…
What was the acceptance of the EME album like? It’s being fantastic; I have heard some comments that it’s probably the best album of the year. I feel very rewarded and very grateful that people took to the album. Pretty much every song and every video we released from the album has turned into a hit. Whiz is doing great and I am doing fine. At the least, the album has helped to make people understand Scales a little bit more; it has helped understand who Shady is, who Niola is and who DJ Xclusive is. So, the album did exactly what I wanted it to do, to establish EME, the artistes individually and collectively as a force to reckon with.
Recently, Don Jazzy and D’banj went their separate ways, have you ever thought of that happening to you in future? Well, I wrote an article about it on my blog. We have seen this happen in recent times and honestly we are unable to predict what will happen in future, but right now we are all doing very well. Hopefully, we will be able to keep that going and the key to keep that going is communication and understanding what each person’s role is in a relationship, and what benefits each person brings to the table. But for every Jazzy and Damon Dash, there is an Eminem and Dr. Dre, who were able to keep their relationship going and they are still going on strong. But, who is to say, nobody can predict the future, but I feel very confident about this.
There is a Yoruba proverb that says, twenty children can’t play for twenty years, if this should happen are you prepared, because Don Jazzy and D’banj’s separation came as a rude shock to everyone? I haven’t heard that, but that is a good statement. But like I said, you know the only thing anybody can do is to do the best you can and make sure you are doing all your responsibilities. You should always do the right thing and if you do that then, it should work out and if it doesn’t, then you should be able to beat your chest that you did the right thing anyway. By the grace of God, I have been able to build strong company and I have fantastic artistes and I am really proud of the works they have done.
What are the challenges you face within the music industry? The challenges of any successful musician are the same, when you are starting out there is always the challenge of getting people to give you a chance to break in. You know there are so many people in the industry now. The other challenge is the ability to remain relevant, you had a good song once, and then can you do it again and again. Can you stay consistent? Can you stay fresh? Then, there is the challenge of finance. Then, if you look at the Nigerian business landscape as a whole, there are lots of issues, like royalties, piracy, publishing et al. If all these things were sorted out there will be a more enabling environment to do business. The album is an extremely expensive project when you talk about producers fees, the mixing, the mastery, the studio time. So, it is really painful when you make an album and you don’t get anything out of it.
Was there a time you got so overwhelmed that you wanted to pull out? I think there was a tough time, everybody goes through tough times. But I don’t think there was a point when I wanted to turn my back on it. But there were challenging times. Like they say, tough times make you stronger. When you go through it, you fall down, you pick up yourself and you are right back on track.
Did you ever think you would become this big? I am very much a dreamer; I actually pictured myself bigger than I am now. I am a dreamer and I am also a realist in the sense that when I am done dreaming, I wake up and make things happen. There were times it did look like I was going to get this big, so far, we are doing okay and hopefully we are going to do better.
Whizkid seems to be the biggest now on the label; do you think there won’t be a sort of rivalry between Scales and Whizkid? Well, I mean there is healthy competition between them; it is like when you see your brother and friend doing well, it pushes you to work harder. I think it’s a healthy competition and each artiste on EME is very unique, no two artistes do the same thing. So, there is always room for everybody to be successful, so just because Jazzy raps it doesn’t stop Eminem from making money from rap music. Just because R Kelly sings doesn’t stop Usher from making money. So, in the same way, we don’t sign artistes on the label to be same, they are all different and they are all special.
What’s your typical day like? It varies now because we have a concert coming up, we have a lot of rehearsals; we have a lot of meetings, we are trying to get everything well put together. Then, I try to work out, I go to the gym, I try to pray, sometimes I have press like we are doing now. So, it varies because no two days is the same. Are you a very religious person? I don’t think I am a very religious person, but I was raised to be a spiritual person. I was raised by my parents to believe in God and God has been fantastic to me despite my shortcomings. That remains a very important part of my life.
What is your relationship status now? I am single and available.
You are single and available, so how do you handle your female fans? I just appreciate them; they are fantastic; you can’t get too caught up. You can’t let it get into your head. You can’t indulge in a lifestyle where you start to slip up because you are single. But I do appreciate them and try to live up to everybody’s expectations.
I remember you said you wrote the song, You are the only one for me, because you were hurting at the time. Are you still hurting now that you have attained a marriageable age? No, I don’t think so, because marriage is the most important decision of one’s life. It can make or break you. So, I think one should never rush into it. So, you have to have the right state of mind, you have to be in the right state physically. And more importantly, you have to find somebody that is on the same page with you at that level; that’s a challenge. The truth is that in my business it is very hard to find somebody, because of what is going on now and how fast your life is. Everyone is asking, even my parents are asking where is the girl; but hopefully, I will find the right person soon. It is not something I am afraid of, it’s not something I am running away from, it will definitely happen.
What’s your ideal woman? I don’t think there is anything such as an ideal woman, I think the perfect woman for me, hopefully, when I see her I will know.
The video simply tells a tale of a young upcoming star who thinks he’s ready for fame and fortune only to meet disappointment everywhere he turns. He then has his shot at fame and eventually succeeds.
The video was directed by Josh Clarke.
Expect Praiz who is signed to X3M Music release his debut album in 2013.
The Nigeria Police College has confirmed that about 500 recruits, have been dismissed for various offences.
A Deputy Commissioner of Police, Adekunle Oladunjoye, who is the Acting Commandant of the College, revealed this during the graduation of 4,484 recruits in Kaduna on Friday.
The offences committed by the recruits included forgery, stealing, health challenges and indiscipline.
“The recruit intake Batch 1/2011 course was inaugurated in October 2011.“They were sent in by the various Police Commands in northern Nigeria catchments areas such as Kano, Jigawa Kaduna, Zamfara, Katsina, Niger, Nasarawa, Plateau and the FCT.
“Today we are witnessing the passing out of 4,484 recruits consisting general and specialist constables after 15 months of classroom and field training,” he said.
The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, reminded the graduands of their primary responsibilites – protecting the lives and property of Nigerians.
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