Popular radio presenter, Benny Ark has revealed for the first time, why he married his wife, Ese Walter who was involved in an alleged affair with a popular Abuja Pastor and later came out to reveal it to the world. Benny says she did it so that she could have her peace back and not because she was the boldest person in the country. Interestingly, Ese had tried to reach out to the other party before coming all out, but some people told her, some men where untouchable, hence her action. Below is what Benny Ark told The Sun about the alleged affair and why he married her even when some people felt otherwise.

“Amazingly, the people around us were supportive and understanding. It was some outsiders who were not privy to a whole lot of stuff that were making some kind of remarks. But the truth is, we were just friends when she told me about what happened. I was pained and hurt because here was a man who I held in high esteem. I only told her to do what she had to do because she felt like she was enslaved by something she didn’t have control over. And when she tried to reach out for disclosure that would have led to her healing, she was treated badly by some people who sent the message that some person is untouchable.

“I can tell you that she reached out not once or twice. In the end, she did what she did for her peace of mind and to encourage others who are in a similar situation. She opened up not because she is the boldest person; she knew that she was taking a big risk. But she opened up because she is someone who has a conscience and will not stand for something wrong. Her making that bold move endeared her to me. When she came out with the truth, I believed her, having heard the same story two or three times from other women. When she spoke out, she was attacked. But I believe that with her simple act of speaking the truth, she not only liberated herself but also other women in a similar situation.”
 

The Catholic Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Most Rev. Hilary Paul Okeke has made it clear while speaking at the Feast of Our Mother of Perpetual Help/Parish Day Celebration of Saints Michael, Rapheal and Gabriel Catholic Church in Lagos that the church does not worship Mary and other saints, that what they do is to venerate Mary, being the mother of Jesus Christ.

“We do not worship idols as most people think. Those who lack understanding of the word of God equate our worship for the one true God with support from images and symbols as idolatry. We worship God, worship Jesus Christ and we honour Mary and the Saints. Their images in churches and homes before us represent holiness, sacraments and signs of their presence in our life.

“Let us venerate Mary, Mother of perpetual help for in venerating her, we are going to Jesus Christ. Let us have her images in our individual homes as it will draw us to holiness, remember our vocations, her images will draw us closer to Christ and do whatever Jesus Christ commands us to do,” the bishop added.

 “We need Mary to help us to overcome in whatever we do, to overcome various challenges in our families, marital and extra marital co-affairs and sex, polygamy, same sex union, divorce and suffering homes. Young ladies need Mary in order not to forsake their Catholic faith by marrying outside the church”, he said.

>Get hotter and latest News and happenings<

Oluwarotimi Martins, known in the music industry as Alariwo of Africa, has been around for a long time and seemed to disappear after his hit song, Yawa Go Gas, an afrobeat single. Even Cable News Network, CNN, was confused the single could have been done by the late Afrobeat king, Fela Anikulapo Kuti.

Here's a cut from the interview he granted Vanguard:

Can you compare the then music industry to now?
The industry is getting better now but we still have some meaningless songs. Because back then, we were singing for fun and not for money. But at the same time, it’s better, as artistes now get paid good money, they get endorsement deals and all other things.

But do you feel threatened by the new artistes?
Why would I, when most of them see me as a source of inspiration to them. They respect and appreciate me a lot. Everything in life has got its time and seasons. Also am still relevant and still making money in the industry so I don’t agree to your saying that, they are the ones making it in the industry or if I feel threatened by any of them. They are good but am yet to decide on who to work with.

Do you have any unforgettable moment as an artiste?
Yes, I do, and it was when I was raped in Calabar. It happened long time ago and it is something I haven’t talked about until now. I think the girls were with the rival club of the club where I was performing and they were set out to do it. They were actually two in number. I don’t want to go into the details because it happened long time ago. The second was when I was singing on stage in Benue State and bullets were flying all around in the air . It was in 2001, it’s past and I don’t want to remember it ever again.

And there was a story that you were beaten up by Area boys over a girl?
I haven’t talked about this because it is absolutely false and I don’t want to give it any credence. My management is not happy about it. My wife is not happy about it. I think somebody paid somebody to peddle that story. It never happened and I never knew such a girl.


>Read More hotter entertainment gist HERE<

The stories of our lives are never determined by the beginnings. The starting point only helps us to know where to steer the boat.  If our efforts don’t change our live then it is baseless.

A wise man once said that life doesn’t give you what you deserve, but what you demand. In this edition, we view the lives of two celebrities who demanded wealth and fame from life, and today, are living their dreams.

Kate Henshaw

Kate Henshaw  is no doubt one of the most popular and richest actresses to have graced the screen in Nigeria. The mother of one, since her debut in When the sun sets, has come a long way and is rated as one of the most successful actresses in Nollywood. She was born July 19, 1971 in Calabar, Cross Rivers State. Kate is the first of four children. She had her primary and secondary education in Lagos and Calabar respectively.

Kate did remedial studies at the University of Calabar and went on to Lagos State University to bag a degree in Medical Microbiology. She later worked at the Bauchi State General Hospital.

The icon ventured into the make-believe world in 1993, after she auditioned and got a lead role in the movie, When the sun sets. She has featured in more than 50 movies including blockbusters movies like Games Men Play, Above Death, and In God We Trust.

She also starred in a new movie titled The Assassin’s Practice, which premiered recently in the United Kingdom and is set to hit Nigerian cinemas.

Awards

Kate Henshaw, in 2008, won the African Movie Academy Awards for the Best Actress in a leading role for her role in the movie titled Stronger than Pain.

Favourite Clothing Items

It is no doubt that Kate Henshaw has one of the best bodies in Nollywood due to her consistent workout culture. It is no wonder, therefore, that she showcases this body of hers in expensive designer clothes, bags and shoes. She was sighted on her mini black and red Kira dress from the Afrolosophy collection at the London premier of the Assassin’s Practice. The dress was designed by a UK-based Nigerian designer label, Asake Oge. Her clothes are worth N100,000 to N250, 000 per design. She completed her red carpet look with a black and red peep-toe shoes, a red clutch and a stunning ruby earrings which must have cost the ‘celeb’ a fortune. She also wears Charlotte Olympian Heels designs; the designer shoes only are worth over N200,000 per piece.

Again, at the recent AMVCA award, Kate stole the show with her red Needlepoint dress. Needlepoint dress are always handmade and handmade clothes are priceless. Kate also has a Fendi designer’s handbag worth over N200,000.

Endorsements

Kate Henshaw was one of Globacom brand ambassadors. The endorsement deal was worth millions of naira. Kate replaced Sasha, the female rapper, as one of the judges on Nigeria’s Got Talent. It is also an endorsement deal worth million of naira. She is still the face of Onga. Kate Henshaw is also one of Samsung’s brand ambassadors, an endorsement worth millions of naira also. She is the face of Blessings Perfume in the United Kingdom.

Projects

Kate has a reputation for being fit as she has maintained the lifestyle of regular exercises over the years. It is no surprise that she is about to launch a fitness regime DVD called “Kate’s Fit for life DVD” in September. She had recently signed a multi- million naira contract to market and distribute the fitness DVD in Nigeria and abroad. ‘Fit for Life’ is going to be sponsored by an International Distribution deal in New York. In 2012 Kate Henshaw Hair Dressing Saloon was nominated for Liverpool Lifestyle Awards in the United Kingdom.

Houses and Cars

 Kate Henshaw's Nissan-Armad

Our icon is not so flashy. She is prudent when it comes to buying loud, extremely, expensive cars like most celebrities do. She channels her money into investments. At the moment, she drives an SUV, Nissan Arrmada, worth N16m. Kate Henshaw has a property in Cross Rivers state and lives in her own house worth millions of naira in a choice area on Lagos Island.

Mercy Johnson

Mercy Johnson Okojie is already a force to reckoned with in the Nigerian entertainment industry. She may not have stayed a hundred years, but she is an authority without mincing words. She is blessed with a body every man would kill to have. Mercy has been described many times by her own friends and colleagues as an extremely beautiful African woman, blessed with uncanny intelligence and wisdom. Her debut into the industry was at the time when some actresses were facing suspension and new faces were in desperate need.

Her story was that she seized the opportunity given and made the best of it. Yes, she rose from zero to hero as a true heroine she was born to be. It was not always rosy for the screen sweetheart as she got shot into limelight after spending a part of her life working humbly to feed herself.   MJ was born on August 28, 1984. She hails from Okene in Kogi state and is the sixth child of seven children. Her Primary Education commenced in Calabar, and later continued at the Nigerian Navy Primary School, Lagos State. Mercy attended Rivers State Secondary school, but finished from the Nigerian Navy School both in Port-Harcourt. After her Secondary education, situations in life launched the icon into acting and the rest, as they say, became history.

Ratings

Mercy Johnson rakes in more than N7.5m per week and gets to do five movies per week. She is the highest sought-after actress and one of the highest paid actresses in Nollywood. She had starred in over 60 movies and still counting. Her movies are known to have been soldout even in Europe as she attained international recognition. It is no wonder producers stand in queues to give scripts to Mercy and also pay up-front to even get her attention. An example was when Mercy Johnson travelled to the United States to have her baby and had to feature in the movie titled Baby Oku, which was actually written because of the state of her pregnancy. That movie, Baby Oku, indeed sold like wildfire both in Nigeria and abroad.

This screen goddess has carve an amazing niche for herself to then extent that the least she charges as professional fee per movie is N1.5m or N2m, and she does close to five movies per week. Once in an interview, she told the press that she isn’t bothered about not having any endorsements from any telecommunication body or so. She said that her endorsements comes from her fans all over the world applauding her great work of art on screen and the money she rakes in for the jobs.

Project

Mercy Johnson may not be so busy with a lot of projects, but she is busy with her foundation which is dear to her. She calls it The Mercy Johnson Foundation for Children and Widows (TMJFCW). TMJFCW is a Non-Governmental Organisation. Meanwhile, the icon recently travelled to the United Kingdom to have her second baby. That alone is a project of a life time. As a mother and a wife, Mercy has done a fantastic job. It is not a surprise that she was given a welcome-home package by her hubby when she returned from the States after her first baby. Her fans are waiting for the second surprise package!

Her movies

Amongst her movies is the popular Dumebi in School, Sonma the Local Champion, Ebute the Only Girl and more.

Her car and house

Mercy Johnson has so many vehicles, but she said that her best is the car she received as a gift from her husband when she had her first baby. It is a brand new Lexus SUV which is worth N16m. Before her marriage to Prince Okojie, MJ had properties undisclosed, but enjoys her life living with her husband in their beautiful duplex in Lekki, Lagos.

Her designs and perfumes

Although Mercy Johnson is not a strict designers person, she wears what fits her body shape and type. It could be said that MJ is a designer in her own credit because she doesn’t need any particular design to look breathtakingly on the red carpet. According to MJ’s friends, as she is fondly called by her friends, MJ loves good perfumes and spends a lot of money getting them because to her, it is never wrong to smell nice. She goes for expensive designers perfumes.

Her wedding and life today

It would be recalled that MJ married her heartthrob, Prince Odianosen Okojie, in 2011 amidst so much joy and laughter. She is presently in United Kingdom expecting her second baby.

>Read More hotter entertainment gist HERE<

Popular Nigerian finest and highly sought after Number one music producer in Nigeria, Michael Collins Ajaere, Popular known as ‘Don Jazzy’, has shared his pains of being a celebrity.

For the 32 years old Abia State-born music guru, having a successful career wants people to know his work and love his work.

But according to him, he claims he doesn’t like the fact that he can’t step out and be himself, citing instances like wearing his ‘own’ pyjamas on him and not getting people complaining about it.

He went on to say that there are a lot of things he craves to do as a normal human and feels right to do, which to him is human rights, and doesn’t see any reason to reduce basically his own rights as a human, just as lots of people have that freedom to go on social media and say whatever they feel like they want to say, but the reverse is the case for him, without him been attacked.

For the celebrity model, gifted singer and Mavin records CEO and Chief, the best idea ever is the ‘lagbaja’ (face-masked). As when he (lagbaja) is wearing his mask, he is lagbaja, and when he is not wearing it, the public eye doesn’t know who he is. Don Jazzy went on to laud the Nigerian afro beat musician’s face-masked concept.

Don Jazzy claims he maintains a dual and split personality due to his career, which is Michael Collins for when he isn’t seen around or spotted with a walking stick and Don Jazzy when he is with the stick.

The Nigerian superstar wished he came up with that concept first, as he can’t step outside and do whatever he pleases.

>Read More hotter entertainment gist HERE<

Their union was trailed by controversy after Foluke was accused of snatching Kayode Salako from his first wife..But according to Vanguard she gushed about her marriage of 1 year 4 months. saying
“I would say that the reason I am enjoying my marriage is because I married my friend. I did not jump into marriage for the sake of getting married. I took time to study the kind of man I wanted to get married to. It is all about friendship. If you marry your friend, you are bound to enjoy your marriage,”

>Read latest entertainment news here<

It’s a clash of the power couples! An insider tells OK! that Jay Z and Beyonce have ceased all contact with pal Kanye West and his bride Kim Kardashian, who had spent the last two years pushing to get closer to the stars. “When the rappers were on tour, Beyonce was forced to sit with Kim at shows and hang with her after, and she put up with it through gritted teeth,” says the source. Now the newlyweds have even been spending more time at their New York apartment, just two blocks away from Jay and Beyonce’s home there, in a bid to get North to Bond with Blue Ivy.

However, the insider says the superstars are fed up with being associated with the Kardashian brand. “Bey and Jay feel like they’ve been dragged through the mud with all the drama surrounding their absence at the Kimye wedding,” says the source, adding that Jay has actually been moving away from his former BFF for some time. “Jay made it clear to Kanye that he doesn’t approve of the choices hes making in his personal life and it will end in disaster for his career.” Do you think that the feud between Bey and Jay and Kimye is real? Do you want Blue Ivy and North to be friends?! Okmagazine

>Read latest shocking news and scandals<

Is it really worth it? How can one take his life because of a lover? People are losing it these days.

A 33-year-old graduate of Tai Solarin University of Education, Oluwatosin Otaiku stabbed himself to death on Saturday, in Onikolobo area of Abeokuta Ogun state on Saturday after his fiancee, one Oluwatoyin Olaogun after his girlfriend dumped him.

Narrating on how the incident happened: Friends and neighbors heard about his girlfriend Oluwatoyin's decision to call off their relationship, they invited her over at their residence in Onikolobo area of Abeokuta to resolve the issue.

An eyewitness said Tosin had hidden a knife in his pocket during the mediation, which he eventually used to stab himself when he discovered that his fiancee was not ready to change her mind, despite the intervention of neighbours and friends.

“Tosin was immediately rushed to Mercy Hospital at Panseke from where he was referred to the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, but he died on the way to the hospital. It was a rude shock to me,”. “Come rain, come shine, Tosin would never be cowed by anybody and would never for any reason, change his decision.

A day to his death, he had called me to explain what was happening between him and the lady. We spoke for about 11 minutes and I agreed to visit the two of them the following day to settle the discord between them, only to receive a phone call that he had killed himself. I can’t still believe it. Why would Tosin take such a terrible decision? I can’t explain it,” he narrated.

“When we were in school at TASUED in Ijagun, a similar thing happened. But for God’s mercy on him, he would have died. He drank kerosene when Ope, a student of Polytechnic, Ibadan, whom he was dating then, broke up with him. If not for God and some of us who rallied to save him then, he would have died.

We were then living at Overcomers Hall, Imaweje, very close to Ijagun. Everybody was aware of that incident. You can check round to confirm this,”

Late Tosin was a motherless child from Odogbolu in Ogun state. He graduated from Tai Solarin University with a degree in Political Science back in 2010.

He worked as a managing director at a business centre in Onikolobo area of Abeokuta until his death.

>Read latest shocking news and scandals<

The Nigerian military released a statement today stating that they killed over 50 terrorists yesterday after a daring attack on a military base in Damboa, Borno state. Find the statement signed by military spokesperson Major General Chris Olukolade below...
Over 50 terrorists died as troops repelled a daring attack on troops’ locations in Damboa, Borno State yesterday night.  The terrorists had stormed the troops’ bases and police locations while most of the troops were out on patrol of surrounding villages.
A total of 5 soldiers and a senior officer were also killed while repelling the attack. A cordon and search of the locality is ongoing, while the bodies of the fallen soldiers have been recovered and deposited in the military morgue. The wounded are also receiving treatment in the military medical facility.
In another development, troops on patrol around Baga area have recovered explosives and rifles concealed in a truck loaded with fish and other commodities. Four suspects have been taken into custody in connection with the incident.

At Konduga also in Borno State, a suicide bomber in a Golf car yesterday crashed into a checkpoint killing himself, a policeman and 3 Vigilante Youth members.
  Major General, Chris OLUKOLADE
Director Defence Information

>Read latest shocking news and scandals<

Charly's father and former Supreme Court judge, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa who died on May 4th was buried on Saturday, June 28, at his Oguta home town in Imo State. Charly Boy shared photos from the burial. See more photos after the cut...



>Read latest shocking news and scandals<

A Nigerian man was detained on a psychiatric ward for 18 days because he did not believe in God, a humanist charity has said.

Mubarak Bala said he was detained and medicated at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, in Kano state, northern Nigeria, by his Muslim family after speaking openly about his religious beliefs, the International Humanist and Ethical Union has said.

Bala was freed on Tuesday 2 July following a strike at the hospital which also saw a number of other patients discharged, the charity said in a statement this week.On his Twitter account, he wrote: “I wish to express my utmost Gratitude to all those that wished me well, especially the team that got my predicament noticed.”

Shed loads of messages have however been directed at Bala on Twitter. Many of wish are targeted towards his new found position on religion.

IHEU said: “There are still deep concerns for Mubarak’s safety in a part of the country where accusations of “apostasy” can be deadly.’

Following his detainment, Mubarak had used email and Twitter to seek help, until his phone was taken off him.
He has now thanked those who campaigned for his release and said he no longer wants to take legal action.

At the time he was detained, IHEU spokesman Bob Churchill said: “It appears that a warped notion of family honour is the motivation to pressure Mubarak in this appalling manner, to conform to religious views that he simply doesn’t hold. This is an abhorrent violation of his freedom of thought and belief.”

While detained, Mr Bala told online he was detained because of a ‘personality change’ after he became atheist despite having been raised a Muslim.

Activists instructed a Kano-based lawyer and campaigned for the hospital to reassess his case and for the government to call for his release.

>Read latest shocking news and scandals<

Two South Africa-based Nigerians identified as Magnus Ikechukwu Kamah and Ndubuisi Sunday Sunday Okeke have been arrested and charged in South Africa.

After a 5-month investigation by the police, 38-year-old Kamah and his accomplice 34-year-old Okeke were arrested over fraudulent home sale in Western Australia.

Kamah and Okeke were accompanied by a South African woman Asanda Zimkhitha Cwayi, 28, all three were arrested by the South African police in Johannesburg on Wednesday 3rd of July following a five-month police investigation. They were charged with fraud, forgery and uttering.

According to Australian Associated Press, In mid-February, a Mandurah real estate agency that was managing a Greenfields property on behalf of its South African owner received an email from the accused, who allegedly pretended to be the real owner and duped the agency into changing the contact email address it had on file.

Two weeks later, a request to sell the property was received, and agreements were signed with allegedly forged signatures and exchanged electronically. The property was then put on the market.

In March, an offer was made on the property and accepted by the pretend owner, police said. On receiving the offer, the agency mailed documents to the real owner’s address in South Africa.

While the email address had been changed, the physical address on file had not, so the real owner raised the alarm. WA Major Fraud Squad detectives worked with the real estate agency, a settlement agent and South African police to apprehend the three suspects.

They are due to appear in a Johannesburg court on Friday. WA commissioner for consumer protection Anne Driscoll said two successful and six attempted real estate frauds had been reported to the government unit in the past six years and seven had involved owners in South Africa. The other resided in Nigeria.

Driscoll urged real estate and settlement agents faced with a request to change an owner’s contact details to seek confirmation by sending a notification to the original address, both physical and electronic.

>Read latest shocking news and scandals<

 

Yesterday being 4th of July, America celebrated her independence. Actress Genny posted this pic above and wished the great America a happy 4th of July as well but some of her Nigeria fans seems not to be happy for her doing that so they called her names on her IG page but my question is, What is wrong in wishing another country a happy independence day?


>Read More Nigerian entertainment gist HERE<

One word for this shameless girl


>click here to read hot gossip and gist<

I believe you all still remember the case of Pastor Ernest Nwankwo who was caught days after he escaped from his church in the Ikorodu area of Lagos, in connection with alleged ritual? Well, here is an update:

New information has come to light on the controversial kidnap of a 7yrs old boy by Mrs. Rosemary Chukwu, in the Majidun area of Ikorodu, Lagos.

The woman, who is a Prayer Warrior in the church, claimed in her statement given to the police after her arrest, that Pastor Ernest Nwankwo of the Holy Family Happy Family Ministry (aka House of Mercy) offered to pay her N2.5m if she could deliver the child.
According to Mrs Chukwu’s statement, her Pastor had appeared to her many times in her dream and had even made love to her in dreams before she decided to do his bidding...

The woman, whom residents of their Omo Ologede neighbourhood described as a firebrand “prayer warrior” had kidnapped seven-year-old Emmanuel Emeka, son of her co-tenant, while the boy went to fetch water from a well located within their compound early in the morning.

Punch correspondent learnt about Mrs. Chukwu's shocking confessions from a police source.

Pastor Nwankwo, who is from Nsugbe in Anambra East LGA of Anambra State, was arrested on Monday at the Ebute Metta area of Lagos, after the police had been on his trail for many days.

Mrs. Chukwu, who was nearly lynched by residents of the area before police intervention that day, has now told the police that the genesis of the kidnapping plan was when she approached the pastor for a loan.

Our source said, “The woman said that when she told the pastor that she needed some money, the pastor told her that he could only lend her the money if she could bring a child in return. She told us that the pastor promised to give her N2.5m in return if she could get a child by any means and deliver the child.”

However, Punch learnt that the pastor who is being detained at the Department of Criminal Investigation, Panti, Lagos, has denied Chukwu’s allegations. Pastor Nwankwo’s church has shut down its website.

When Punch visited the church premises at Majidun on Wednesday, it was locked up. Residents of the area said nobody had visited the church since the police who had initially barricaded the place against looters left.

Punch correspondent who spoke with Mr. Kelvin Emeka, the kidnapped child’s father on Friday, learnt of the emotional struggle the young boy has been combating since he was saved from his kidnapper.

Mr. Emeka described Mrs. Chukwu as a reserved praying woman, who kept mostly to herself.

He said, “We only know each other as co-tenants and within the two years that we lived in the same compound, nobody saw or knew her husband. When we were at the police station, she was asked of the phone number of her husband, she did not know it. She was also asked to provide the address of his workplace, she could not provide that as well.

“All I can say is that God loves my family. That was why she did not succeed in taking my child away to the ritual killers who sent her. Emmanuel still feels pain on his neck where the woman tried to strangle him before she put him in the luggage but the hospital did a great job on him. He is still undergoing treatment but he has been discharged.”

He said the boy has been having panic attacks since he was discharged from hospital.

“Nobody can touch him anymore, not even my siblings. The only people whom he allows to touch him now are his mother and I. He sees every other person suspiciously and gets scared when they want to touch him. But I know he would be okay. God has delivered him,” Emeka said.

Emeka said the day Mrs. Chukwu was caught by residents of their neighbourhood, a green sports utility vehicle picked up the suspect’s four children and they have not been seen since then.
Some other members of Nwankwo’s church were apprehended after Chukwu’s arrest but it is not clear what the level of their culpability is.

Police spokesperson in the state, Ngozi Braide, said investigation was still ongoing on in the case.

She said: “We are doing all we can to follow every lead. Every truth would come to light on this issue. But we cannot reveal too much information that could jeopardise our investigation at this moment.”

>Get latest shocking news and gist here<

Rapper Kel in a new interview with Punch has said she is not broke and neither did she start a family like some people have speculated. While debunking the rumour, the rapper who says she has missed not performing on stage says she will soon be back doing music. A lot of people have said the rapper is broke, and that’s why little or nothing has been heard of her. Here is what she told Punch;

“I used to read what was written about me, become saddened and sometimes cry. But I have moved on. Now I read and laugh a lot, shake my head, and sometimes share jokes with friends. I have grown wiser and stronger and more comfortable and honest with who I am. Experience has taught me a lot and I have learnt that nobody will look out for you like you can.

“Right now, I will make music that is raw and real.. I miss performing on stage. Some people said I left because I was broke and started a family somewhere. But they are all wrong.”

>Read More Nigerian entertainment gist HERE<

Months after the use of Hijab by female students was banned in all public primary and secondary schools in Lagos State, a Lagos High Court in Ikeja has fixed September 26 to deliver judgment in a suit filed by the Muslim Student Association of Nigeria against the Lagos State Government.

Counsel to the students, Mr Gani Adetola-Kaseem in his arguments in court yesterday Friday July 4th maintained that the essence of wearing Hijab by Muslim females is to prevent them from tempting people of the opposite sex or being tempted by them and also to protect their chastity. Continue...



The lawyer also insisted that it is mandatory for all Muslims who have attained puberty to participate fully in the practice of Islam, including Islamic dressing mode, worship and fasting.

He submitted that from the Islamic point of view, womanhood is determined not by biological age or marriage but by the time a person has attained the age of puberty. This age he says varies between individual. Some females attain puberty as early as the age of nine years while others attain puberty at age 13 or more.

The lawyer therefore urged the court to grant the application because the position of the Lagos State Government violates the religious rights of the applicants and it is the duty of the court to protect them.

In his response, the counsel to the State Government, Mr Lawal Pedro, argued that the wearing of uniforms in public primary and secondary schools is for identification of students from different schools in Lagos and also to encourage a sense of unity, discipline, organisation and orderliness amongst the schools.

He also submitted that the clamour and demand for the compulsory use of Hijab on top of the school uniform by Muslim girl students in Lagos is a recent development.

Two Muslim students, of Atunrashe Junior High School, Surulere, Lagos State, Miss Asiyat Abdulkareem and Miss Maryam Oyeniyi, had filed the suit through their fathers – Alhaji Owolabi Abdulkareem and Mr. Suleiman Oyeniyi.

In the suit, they claimed that the restriction of the use of the Hijab, violates their fundamental human rights.

They also argued that banning female students from using Hijab on or outside the premises of any educational institution in Lagos State “is wrongful and unconstitutional”.

The defendants in the suit are the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye; the Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye; and the Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture, Mr. Oyinlomo Danmole.

Source Channels TV

>Get latest and hottest News here<

Brazilian striker Neymar has been ruled out of the remainder of the 2014 World Cup after suffering a fractured vertebrae during Brazil's quarter-final match against Colombia yesterday.

Brazilian Team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar revealed the unfortunate news to Brazil's SportTV:
"Neymar had a scan, which confirmed he had fractured his third vertebra. It's not serious in the sense that it doesn't need surgery, but he’s in pain and he’ll need to immobilise it to recover. He’ll have to have it immobilised with a belt for a few weeks to be able to get back to full mobility. Unfortunately, he's not going to be able to play." he said
Neymar, who suffered the injury after colliding with another player, was carried off in tears on a stretcher towards the end of their 2-1 victory over Colombia. He will be unable to play for about a month, ruling him out of Tuesday's semi-final against Germany.


>Read More Nigerian entertainment gist HERE<

true talk

The Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Uyi Igbe and 14 other All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers, escaped death on Friday after over one hundred armed mobile policemen deployed from Abuja to the state, took over the premises of the State House of Assembly.

The policemen who stormed the Assembly complex at about 11am started assaulting the staff of the Assembly in their offices, ordering them out of the premises. The workers who are involved in the on going renovation of the Complex were equally chased away by the policemen.
Following the pandemonium at the Assembly complex, a visibly shocked Speaker of the House, Uyi Igbe, came out from his office to confront the policemen led by ASP Florence Joseph.
The female police officer told the Speaker that they were acting on “orders from above” and threatened to shoot the Speaker if he attempted to stop them...

Angered by her comment, the 15 APC lawmakers challenged her to shoot them, vowing to resist any attempt by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to use the police to destabilize the state.

“We will fight with the last drop of our blood, the presidency and the Inspector General of Police can kill all of us, we are prepared to die”, they echoed to the policemen.

According to Vanguard, as the argument between the APC lawmakers and the Police went on, the impeached Deputy Speaker of the House, Festus Ebea, said there was no need for the renovation, saying that it was an attempt by the APC to stop them from sitting.

The Assembly complex has been taken over by orders from above.

>Get latest shocking news and gist here<