The Chairman Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service, Senator Aloysious Etuk while speaking on Channels Television’s breakfast programme, Sunrise Daily this morning has said Government should also consider paying politicians pensions.
Speaking during the programme Etuk said, “we have just realized that pension should not only be for working population. After-all, when we are saying working population – we have those who work in formal sector, informal sector, organised sector, unorganized sector – and everybody should be mobilised to consciously save for the rainy day’’, stating that such a move would ensure that public servants leave office with savings asides other allowances.
Citing an example, Etuk used the experience he had under the regime of late former president Sani Abacha;
“In 1993, when Abacha sacked us from the National Assembly, the money I had on me was not enough to pay my way and my aides back to Lagos. So I had to abandon my aides there and find a way to transport myself to Lagos”, he said. Meaning he probably had nothing else to fall back on.
Things really do happen everyday in the school premises; it’s either the students cheating with their teachers or the students cheating with their fellow students. The unfortunate incident took place in Uganda, Where a chemistry female teacher was caught cheating with her own student during break time. Rumour has it that they ‘ve been engaged in this for a while now but nobody ever noticed until that fateful day… it all got busted when the laboratory prefect brought some junior students to help him clean up the lab during break time, not knowing that something was actually going on in the lab.
They Never knew it was going to be that easy because the teacher always lock the door with key anytime they ‘re inside so it would look like no one is inside but unluckily for them, the laboratory prefect has the spare key.
So it all went wrong when the young innocent prefect got the door open just to see something he never thought would ever happen, they were all flabbergasted and speechless..
The young junior students that was supposed to tidy up the lab started shouting, raising alarm so some of the teachers and principal quickly arrived at the scene only to witness the unimaginable. It was really a day to remember in the school and so sadly, the teacher and the student that were engaged in the act were finally expelled from the school so as not to corrupt the other innocent students.
I believe this serves as example to all those students who are engaged in such activities in the school, if you don’t stop today, you may not have another chance to…Report by Bukedde TV Uganda
The unfortunate incident took place in Uganda, Where a chemistry female teacher was caught cheating with her own student during break time. Rumour has it that they ‘ve been engaged in this for a while now but nobody ever noticed until that fateful day… it all got busted when the laboratory prefect brought some junior students to help him clean up the lab during break time, not knowing that something was actually going on in the lab.
They Never knew it was going to be that easy because the teacher always lock the door with key anytime they ‘re inside so it would look like no one is inside but unluckily for them, the laboratory prefect has the spare key.
So it all went wrong when the young innocent prefect got the door open just to see something he never thought would ever happen, they were all flabbergasted and speechless..
The young junior students that was supposed to tidy up the lab started shouting, raising alarm so some of the teachers and principal quickly arrived at the scene only to witness the unimaginable. It was really a day to remember in the school and so sadly, the teacher and the student that were engaged in the act were finally expelled from the school so as not to corrupt the other innocent students.
I believe this serves as example to all those students who are engaged in such activities in the school, if you don’t stop today, you may not have another chance to…Report by Bukedde TV Uganda
A LASTMA official by the name Asorona stopped a car he claimed had violated traffic rules, removed the man from the car and allegedly assaulted him around 7.30 am this morning in front of BRT yard at Ketu bus stop. He and his colleagues also seized the man's car. And before anyone knew what was happening, the young man fell down on the road into convulsion, shaking, according to eye witnesses, like an epileptic patient. As the LASTMA official tried to leave the scene, he was surrounded by passersby who insisted he must stay there to see what happens to the man. See more photos after the cut...
Solange Knowles has moved on and she wants the world to do the same. The “Losing You” singer in an interview with Lucky Magazine for its August 2014 issue, she addresses and quickly brushes off questions about her infamous elevator scuffle with Jay Z and Beyonce. In the issue, the 28-year-old calls the incident “that thing” and said, “What’s important is that my family and I are all good,” she said. “What we had to say collectively was in the statement that we put out, and we all feel at peace with that.“ If you recall, after the video was leaked in May, Jay Z and Solange released a joint statement on the incident. “But the most important thing is that our family has worked through it. Jay and Solange each assume their share of responsibility for what has occurred. They both acknowledge their role in this private matter that has played out in the public. They both have apologized to each other and we have moved forward as a united family.” said the statement.
Remember a few days back, when i brought you all the news of how popular reality star Kendra Wilkinsons Husband Hank Baskett cheated on her with a transegxwal? well the folks on Radar Online have gone ahead to dig up more dirt on the guy who transformed himself into a female…lol
According to them the 25 year old fame hungry tranny who calls herself Ava London, was born as a boy named Paul in Modesto, California, and started undergoing radical cosmetic surgery to transition his body into a more feminine appearance in 2011.
London has had dozens of surgical procedures including size DD bosom implants, two rhinoplasty surgeries, a chin shave, a feather lift (a type of facelift), and eight sessions of silicon injections.
But that’s not all. London also had full facial feminization surgeries (FFS), including shaving down the brow bone and adam’s apple, hairline reduction, pulling back the eyes, and three nose jobs. But it doesn’t stop there. Many men wants to become woman, but why has it not been otherwise? lOl!
The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has announced plans to destroy 2 million copies of pornographic and unwholesome movies valued at N10 million.
The information is in a statement by Caesar Kagho, the Acting Head, Corporate Affairs of NFVCB.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the the unwholesome movies were seized within FCT and its environs between January and June 2014.
60% of the movies are said to be of pornographic content while 40% are uncensored, unwholesome, and pirated.
The NFVCB is working with the Federal Ministry of Environment to get a dump site to burn the seized films.
Operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, FSARS, Adeniji-Adele, Lagos, have arrested six suspected members of a notorious robbery gang that specialised in snatching vehicles from their owners at gunpoint in different parts of the country.
Also arrested was a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Odeyemi Itunu, who allegedly owned one of the guns recovered from the suspects.
Recovered from the suspects were 17 stolen vehicles, including three single-barrel pistols and a cache of ammunition of different calibre.
Paraded alongside other suspects yesterday, the APC chieftain, Itunu claimed to be a personal assistant to Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State.
He admitted to have given the gun to one of the suspects identified as Omoniyi Ajewole whom he said was his political thug. But he stated emphatically that he never gave him the gun to rob with, but to protect him.
Ajewole escorts me with gun According to him, “I have never participated in any robbery operation in my entire life. Ajewole is my political thug. He escorts me with the gun. All of us as chieftains were given slots in the state and as chieftains, we were supposed to work for the state government during the 2014 governorship elections.
“Every political party including ours, the APC, has factions. That was why I gave him the gun so that he could always protect me wherever I went. I also told him to be with me particularly as the Ekiti election approached.
“But before the elections, the Police stormed my house and arrested me. I found the gun on the ground during the 2007 elections violence in the state and had kept it for use. I am not an armed robber. I only gave Ajewole the gun to use for my protection. I cannot tell you more than that.”
Briefing newsmen on the development, the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, explained that the arrest was made following a petition by one of the victims that his two vehicles and other valuables were stolen at gunpoint in his Ile‑Ife home on June 27, 2013.
He said: “The matter was transferred to Federal SARS, where a team led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Chris Ezike, swung into action.
“After months of sustained investigation, detectives traced the stolen GSM handset to one Jacob who opened up that it was sold to him by Omoniyi Ajewole who claims to be a political thug. When Ajewole was picked up, everything that was stolen from the house in Ile‑Ife was traced to him.
“During interrogation, he confessed that the gun was given to him by a councillor. Investigation reveals that Ajewole is deeply involved in the whole process. He is not just a political thug as he claims, he is actually a member of the armed robbery gang.
“This systematic investigation led to the arrest of six suspects who have been clearly linked with not just the initial robbery incident that was reported but to series of other armed robbery incidents that have taken place in various parts of the country.
“Apart from the six robbery suspects, two receivers of some of the stolen vehicles were also arrested.
“Of these 17 recovered cars, 12 of them are Toyota products. That again explains why we will continue to advise Nigerians, particularly those who use Toyota products, to know that they must go the extra mile of safe guarding them.”
I am not a robber, but political thug— Suspect
Ajewole, 28, told journalists: “I am not a robber. I am a political thug, I work for APC. Honourable Itunu employed me last year and gave me a gun. He pays me N50,000 every month and also assists me financially in other areas.
“What I do is to guard him whenever there was any meeting between him and members of other parties and during campaigns. But I have never used the gun to rob.
“I only gave it as barter to a friend whom I collected some things from. I did not know he used it to rob. One of them was arrested and he brought the police to me.”
The receivers, Tolani Babatunde and Abubakar Umar, who are both car dealers, were arrested in Abuja.
Mba, therefore, called on politicians to play the game by the rules, warning that the police would bring the full wrath of the law on anyone or group of persons that would breach the law.
Meanwhile, a victim, a lecturer, who did not want his name in print was at Federal SARS to pick two of his vehicles that were stolen in Ile‑Ife.
On July 4th, Rwandans celebrated their annual Liberation Day celebrations at Amahoro national stadium in Kigali. Davido was the headline act for this year and President Paul Kagame of Rwanda welcomed the BET winner with his wife and children at the airport. Wow! You go, Davido. Continue to see more photos...
The concert which started that night was headlined by Africa’s biggest act Davido. The 21 year old hit maker performed to 60, 000 excited fans. When it was time for his back to back hits Gobe, ‘Skelewu’ and ‘Aye’, the crowd went ballistic. There were 9 East African presidents at the show that night; Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta were among the presidents at the show.
After the show Davido was invited to perform Aye at the President’s home, however, no cameras were allowed during that time.
At least six persons, including a pregnant woman, were crushed to death in an auto crash that occurred at Agbala junction area of Ibadan in Egbeda Local Government area of Oyo State, yesterday.
Three vehicles were said to be involved in the accident that occurred some minutes past 7am.
Although, the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, confirmed that three people, including a woman died, eyewitnesses said there were six casualties. There were also four people, including a child, who were seriously injured.
Vanguard gathered that the accident happened on the ever-busy Ife‑Ibadan Road when a commercial car, with number plate, YNF 963 AA, reportedly crossed the road unexpectedly while the on‑coming vehicles ran into it.
Confirming the accident, Mr. Abiodun Akinlade, the Egbeda Unit Commander of the FRSC said: “The accident happened around 7:30 am on Ife‑Ibadan road at Agbala junction. It involved three vehicles, including Nissan Micra with number plate YNF 963 AA; a Toyota Sienna with number plate, XD 451 KAK, and a Volkswagen Audi with number plate, FST 452 BH.”
Giving the breakdown of the victims, he said, nine people were involved, including three male adults, one male child, four female adults and one female child. He said four other people were also injured.
He said: “Among those injured included one male child, two female adults and one female child. Two male adults and one female adult died.”
The corpses were said to have been taken to Oluyoro Catholic Hospital at Apomu in Osun State.
An eyewitness said three male corpses were first taken to Egbeda local government secretariat before they were moved to the morgue.
Another account said an articulated vehicle also crushed a pregnant woman to death. The trailer reportedly escaped after killing the woman instantly.
President Jonathan At The Opening Ceremony Of The World Pension Summit “Africa Special” In Abuja Today Remarks by His Excellency, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR At the Opening of the World Pension Summit ‘Africa Special’ Monday 7th July, 2014 PROTOCOLS 1. Let me warmly welcome you all to this historic first edition, of the World Pension Summit ‘Africa Special’. I am particularly pleased to address this distinguished gathering, on an issue of overriding importance to people and families; governments and nations. 2. Pension, it is globally recognized, occupies a strategic place in national socio-economic development. It is not only a vital component of social security; it is also a veritable vehicle for nation building. 3. Indeed, investment in pension has profound impact on the well-being of pensioners, society and the economy at large. As such, it is imperative that stakeholders in this life-shaping industry engage constantly in dialogue to bolster management frameworks and practices in their respective jurisdictions. 4. It is therefore heart-warming, that this Summit brings together highly accomplished pension practitioners and experts from Africa, and around the world, in discussion of various aspects of this subject, with emphasis on African perspectives and realities. 5. There is no doubt that the experiences of other countries in pension issues would offer valuable lessons that would assist participants in review and adjustment of their systems and practices, in line with global standards. Indeed, there will be broad lessons that could be drawn from specific history, priorities and dynamics of various pension jurisdictions. 6. For us, here in Nigeria, this meeting is taking place at a time of pronounced transformation in all facets of our national life. In the pension sector, we have also made considerable progress in defining and implementing reforms, and instituting governance structures based on best global practices. 7. In 2004, the Pension Reform Act was enacted by the Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, to address the recurring challenges experienced in the administration of pension and to enhance efficiency in the system. This reform initiative established the Contributory Pension Scheme, for the public and private sectors. 8. In ten years of sustained policy innovation and meticulous management, these have facilitated confidence and credibility in our pension system and dministration. It also strengthened our pension institutions, as we transited from a deficit of about N2 trillion (USD 12.9b) in 2004 to accumulate pension assets of over N4.21 trillion (USD27.2b) by March this year. 9. Furthermore, as provided by the Act, we have restructured the system of administration of the defunct Defined Benefits Scheme in the public service, by setting-up the Pension Transitional Arrangement Department (PTAD) and appointing its substantive Head, in order to improve the scheme. Our goal is to digitize pension payments and streamline payment procedures to ensure prompt and ease of payment of pension benefits. 10. Six days ago, I signed into law, the new Pension Reform Act 2014, which repealed the 2004 Pension Reform Act. The new law seeks to consolidate the gains of reform, address the identified implementation challenges and provide the enabling legal environment to facilitate the creation of quality instruments through which pension assets could be best invested for infrastructure and real estate development. 11. I am confident that these fresh initiatives will assist us to consolidate the remarkable achievements recorded by the National Pension Commission (PenCom) in the implementation of the Contributory Pension Scheme, over the last ten years, for the benefit of contributors, and the entire economy. 12. It is our expectation that PenCom would put in place the necessary regulatory and supervisory framework to facilitate and accelerate the objectives of the reform. Most especially, ensuring the safety of pension assets and hence, workers’ security in retirement. 13. I believe that other African countries share similar experiences, and reform zeal, as Nigeria and it is encouraging that a number of African countries have visited Nigeria, to understudy our pension reform and share ideas which we believe can be useful to the entire continent. 14. As we commit to share experiences and seek growth, let me conclude by emphasizing that the protection of pension assets for the payment of retirement benefits, as and when due, should always be our paramount objective. 15. I am confident that participants will seize the ample opportunity offered by this inaugural World Pension Summit ‘Africa Special’ to reflect and share experiences on how best to fine-tune African pension systems to globally acceptable standards, while retaining tailored and unique adaptations. 16. On this note, it is my honour to declare open the inaugural edition of the World Pension Summit ‘Africa Special’. I wish you very fruitful deliberations. 17. I thank you. Click here for more hot news
http://1.1.1.5/bmi/4.bp.blogspot.com/-Me0lCssJvJM/U7r_HUgQ9ZI/AAAAAAABgA8/WSU2mcU5ENU/s1600/2.jpg Gabriel Edwards, 24, had played for Wigan Athletic’s Second team until a knee injury stalled his career, William Baidoo, 32, (left) who is said to be the organiser of the fraud was jailed for 40 moths, Fellow ringleader, Mudasir Adesina, 27, was jailed for three-and-a-half years via Daily Mail:
A Ghanaian-born professional footballer has been jailed for three years for teaming up with a gang of cyber-fraudsters to hack into bank accounts across the globe. Gabriel Edwards, 24, had played for Wigan Athletic’s second team until a knee injury stalled his career.
Later he joined a gang of villains who targeted bank users from 'Minnesota to New South Wales'. Stolen details were used to hack into hundreds of bank accounts online and by phone before money was stolen by electronic transfer.
The gang grabbed £130,000 and tried to get a further £45,000 between August 2010 and February 2012. They were caught after a man of 72, returned from a visit abroad to learn £47,365 had been stolen from his Halifax account between November 17, 2011 and November 25, 2011.
Police discovered the money had been deposited into different accounts without his knowledge using different IP addresses. Officers later arrested Edwards at his flat in Salford, Greater Manchester during a series of raids on home across the county and during house searches various documents, mobile phones and laptops were seized.
William Baidoo, 32, (left) who is said to be the organiser of the fraud was jailed for 40 months The computers and mobile telephones that were seized were examined and found that those involved in the conspiracy had acquired personal identification and account details for hundreds of people across the world. The information had allowed them to transfer money from bank accounts held by customers of major high street banks and credit card companies, into accounts run by the gang. At Manchester Crown Court, Edwards pleaded with a judge for leniency claiming he had been offered pre-season training with Macclesfield Town and wanted to 'continue his career in the lower leagues'.
But he was jailed after being found guilty of conspiracy to steal, concealing criminal property and possessing an article for use in fraud at trial. Two accomplices were also jailed while a woman was given a suspended prison sentence and ordered to complete community service.
Judge Michael Leeming told Edwards, who left his native Ghana on a football scholarship after being spotted on TV: 'You are a talented footballer. Had fate been kinder the path you followed may have been very different’.
Fellow ringleader, Mudasir Adesina, 27, was jailed for three-and-a-half years Earlier the court heard victims of the scam included 158 Visa customers, 74 Halifax customers and eleven Bank of Scotland customers.
William Baidoo, 32, of Beswick, Manchester, who is said to be the organiser of the fraud was jailed for 40 months after admitting conspiracy to steal, concealing criminal property, handling, and possessing articles for use in fraud. Baidoo’s fellow ringleader, Mudasir Adesina 27, from Whalley Range, Manchester was found guilty of conspiracy to steal and concealing criminal property at trial, and jailed for three-and-a-half years.
Adesina’s wife Laila Adesina, 22, admitted the same charges and was sentenced to 16 months jail, suspended for two years, plus 250 hours unpaid work and made subject of a 12-month supervision order.
Almost a week after about 50 suspects were picked up from different parts of Lagos State, following the twin explosions that rocked a tank farm along Creek Road in Apapa 12 days ago, killing four persons, the police have said the arrests were preemptive raids, ThisDAY reports. As at yesterday [July 6], it was still unclear if the suspects, who were mostly foreigners, had been cleared or charged as the police had planned earlier. The police had days after the blast kicked off a massive mop up of suspects and transferred them to the state Special Investigation Bureau (SIB), Ikeja where they were profiled. A police source had disclosed that the foreigners who had smuggled themselves into the country without the appropriate pass, would be deported if they are cleared after investigations. When ThisDAY contacted, the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), said he was not aware of such raid by the state command but promised to find out. He, however, said if such an incident happened, then it must have been a preemptive raid on the part of the state command as part of measures to look for evidence to help prevent a re-occurrence. He said: “It must have been a preemptive raid which is different from arresting the real suspects behind the incident. We need to be careful so as not to create the impression that the people behind the incident has been arrested. “Such raids are crime preventive strategy and it is a sweep operation which aims to prevent further occurrence of such an incident and also helps the police look for evidence. “The thing about those kinds of raids is that evidence garnered might be connected to the first crime, which will aid the police to try to disrupt any criminal arrangement on ground. So if there was any arrest, it must be in this direction”. But when ThisDAY contacted, the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) Public Relations Officer, Lagos Command, Muyiwa Odunubi, said the service was yet to receive any of such persons from the police either profiled or otherwise. He said: “Nobody has been brought to immigration neither have the police informed us of plans to do so. We can only act when they send us the profiled foreigners. “Even at that, we will only deport them if after screening and it is discovered they do not have the proper valid documents and did not come in through the recognised points of entry”.
Chris Brown and his on-again/off-again girlfriend Karrueche Tran broke up again on Saturday and MediaTakeOut claims they know why the two split. Chris allegedly wanted a threesomes with Kae and other girls. "Now that memory of prison is getting further and further away - the old Chris Brown is starting to come out. Chris attended a Malibu Party with Karrueche, at the restaurant Nobu and he paid her almost no attention. One partygoer told MediaTakeOut "Chris spent most of his time with his boys, and talking to other women. I was embarrassed for Karrueche."
But the two of them split on Saturday - we're told that Chris told Kae that he wanted her to have threesomes with him and other girls whenever he wanted. Karrueche's girlfriend told MediaTakeOut.com, "That's just so disrespectful. After the way she held him down, he's treating her like that . . . f*ck heaux . .. these n*ggas ain't loyal."
The Nigerian military released a statement on their website today saying that they have cleared and taken over terrorists bases in Borno state and also captured mercenaries. Read the statement below Troops have cleared and taken over Balmo forest in a military operation that lasted throughout the weekend. Prior to the operation, Balmo forest stretching from Bauchi through Jigawa States with links to the fringes of Sambisa forest was used by terrorists as bases and hideouts for launching attacks. Terrorists and armed gangs operating in the forests were completely rooted out while some were captured during the operation. Among those captured were two foreigners who are suspected to be mercenaries. Also captured are several weapons and equipment including power generating sets, communication equipment, vehicles, motorcycles, foodstuff and kitchen utensils. (See the items from the terrorists' den after the cut)
The nurse who filmed Brazilian striker Neyma being wheeled around on a hospital trolley has been fired, according to an article on Brazilan football site UOL.
The nurse has been criticized for not only recording the football star in that state but also for blowing kisses to the camera afterwards and laughing. She then posted the video to her Facebook page. Personally, I don't see how this is a big deal but the hospital management released a statement saying the nurse, named Chintia, has been fired. See the video after the cut...
They are Nigerians and they are world class entertainers. From movies, to art and music, these Nigerians are forces to be reckoned with in their various choices of career. Tribune writes about Nigerians making waves in Hollywood.
Chiwetel Ejiofor A renowned British actor of film, television and theatre, Chiwetel Ejiofor was born in July 1977 in London to Nigerian parents. He gained a scholarship to the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art after he enrolled at the National Youth Theatre in 1995 and by age 19, and only three months into his course, Chiwetel was chosen by Steven Spielberg to play a small part in Amistad as James Covey. His archive of awards and nominations include the BAFTA Orange Rising Star Award in 2006, five Golden Globe Award nominations and the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor for his performance in Othello in 2008.
Megalyn Echikunwoke MEGALYN Ann Echikunwoke was born in Washington, United States. She is an actress best known for her roles as Tara Price in CSI: Miami and Isabelle Tyler on The 4400. Her father is a Nigerian Igbo, while her mother is a German/Scots-Irish American. She has featured in many movies and TV series and she is a regular face for many movie lovers. Some other popular movies and TV series that Megalyn had featured in include Funny Valentines, Like Family, ER, That ‘70’s Show, Spyder Games and as Senator David Palmer’s daughter, Nicole, in 24, among a whole lot of others.
Hakeem Kae-Kazim Having started acting as far back as the 1980s, Hakeem Kae-Kazim is a British Nigerian actor that many Nigerians are so proud of. Born in October 1962, Hakeem is best known for his role as Georges Rutaganda in the 2004 motion picture Hotel Rwanda. His achievements cannot be overrated and to name a few, the movies he had featured in include Coming To America, King Solomon’s Mines, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, The Fourth Kind, X-Men Origins: Wolverine and Last Flight to Abuja, among others. Hakeem Kae-Kazim is a recipient of many awards.
Ashley Banjo BORN in London to a Nigerian father and an English mother, Ashley Modurotolu Banjo is an English street dancer, television presenter, chorographer and an actor. The 26-year-old is the leader of the dance troupe, Diversity, which won the third series of the Britain’s Got Talent show. A resident judge on the talent show Got to Dance, Ashley grew up in Wickford, Essex, and, according to him, “from the age of 14, I started to teach myself routines.” Ashley Banjo is an official ambassador of the United Dance Organisation and his dance troupe, Diversity, performed before Queen Elizabeth at the Royal Variety Show in 2009. He has featured in many movies such as Street Dance.
Obba Babatundé A veteran entertainer, Babatunde has been in Hollywood as long as many could remember. From his recurring roles on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, to Undercover Blues, Chicago Hope, Static Shock, he is a talent that has withstood the foreign entertainment scene for decades. Born in December 1951 in Jamaica, Queens, New York, United States, Babatunde is a dancer, singer and plays different instruments. He is also a director and he directed a highly acclaimed version of the Broadway Musical, Dreamgirls, which featured Carolyn Blair, in Ohio during the late 80s. He is also known for his role in the movie, Once in a Lifetime, a world premiere musical at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego.
Sophie Okonedo SOPHIE Okonedo began her film career in 1991. She was born in London in 1968 to an Ashkenazi Jew mother and a Nigerian father, Henry Okonedo. Sophie had worked in such a wide variety of media, including film, television, theatre and audio drama that trying to list the number of movies she has featured in could be a hard task. To name a few, she played the role of Tulip Jones in the film Storm Breaker and Wachati Princess in Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls. Sophie was nominated for an Academy Award in the category of Best Supporting Actress in 2004 for her role as Tatiana Rusesabagina in Hotel Rwanda and also nominated for a Golden Globe for a Lead Actress in a mini-series for her work in Tsunami: The Aftermath. She acted alongside Queen Latifah, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys and Dakota Fanning in the film The Secret Life of Bees, while she portrayed Winnie Mandela in the BBC drama, Mrs Mandela in January 2010.
Top Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele, has lashed out at her critics, who claimed that her infrequent appearance in English movies is due to her linguistic deficiency in English. For some time, the rumours had been rife that the talented actress has been featuring majorly in Yoruba movies because she cannot speak or act effectively in English.
But rather than take up her critics in the most common ‘street way’, which she is known to have acted in most of her movies.The Ikorodu, Lagos State-born thespian took to Twitter to express her disgust. Funke wrote on her twitter page:
“I always laugh when people say na only Yoruba films she dey act. She no fit speak/act English film. Maybe dey didn’t watch I Need to Know.”
Almost immediately after she dropped the tweet, her fans started to take a swipe at her critics. In a comment, a fan wrote:
“Of course, they are either too young or ignorant.” And as if that was not enough, another fan said:
“I agreed because that series was more than educative and I heard Funke was paid in Dollars.” For those who have been following her story since she came into the movie industry more than a decade ago, the producer of Jenifa, an award-winning movie, is one of the respected crossover actresses, having also acted in a number of English movies, including White Hunters.
US President Obama’s oldest baby girl Malia just had a milestone birthday and blew out 16 candles on her birthday cake. The teen was also given a BIG gift for the occasion from the President and First Lady; a car! The Daily Mail reports: “First daughter Malia Obama received a brand new car for her sweet 16 birthday on Friday, according to sources close to the first family, but unfortunately for her she won’t be able to drive it alone for at least another year.
Drivers in the District received fair warning in February that Malia may soon be behind the wheel of a car – from her mother no less. ‘Ladies and gentlemen in DC, watch out!’ first lady Michelle Obama joked at the time. ‘Malia Obama on the road – kinda frightening.’ Details of the make, model and color weren’t immediately available, or even how she spent the day, which happens to coincide with the date the US celebrates its independence.
President Barack Obama has striven to keep his family out of the spotlight, and staffers have remained mum about any planned festivities. We do know that rapper Pitbull performed on the South Lawn of the executive mansion, though it wasn’t clear if that was for Malia or just part of the White House’s 4th of July celebrations. In any case, Malia may now have her own wheels but driving on her own is out of the question – let alone without her Secret Service escort. Washington requires teens to be at least 17 to drive a car without an adult present, and that’s only after holding a provisional license for six months, according to the Daily Caller. At 16, she can acquire a learner’s permit, but an adult must be in the front seat at all times, and she can only be on the road from 6am to 9pm Sunday through Thursday and 6am to 11:50pm on Fridays and Saturdays.”
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Operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, FSARS, Adeniji-Adele, Lagos, have arrested six suspected members of a notorious robbery gang that specialised in snatching vehicles from their owners at gunpoint in different parts of the country.
