Lagos Prostitutes - This Is Our Worst Christmas.

A popular brothel called 7up, which is on the same road with the Synagogue Church of All Nations in Ikotun area of Lagos state, can be best described as lifeless when Echris' paid a visit to its cigarette-smoke filled bar on Christmas eve.

To a casual observer, everything was in order because the brothel was not without its flamboyant paraphernalia of coloured lights, blaring music and assortment of enticing and scantily-dressed prostitutes.

But to regular visitors to brothels, things were not well. Intimacy was not in the air and that was the lifeline of brothels and motels.

The observation was confirmed immediately Hawa, a friendly prostitute with a nice shape who Echris' reporter had met earlier at a banking hall in Ikotun came around.

Hawa, in response to question on the general situation of things on the job, waved her right hand at the low turn-out and gloomy look of waiting prostitutes and said “Buhari has finished us.”

After sipping from her favourite big stout drink which the bar man brought over without an order from her, she went on to tell Echris' blog how the Christmas has been a disaster for all the girls.

She said:

If money no dey for Christmas, wetin men wan spend for we wey be ashawo? In all the 5 years that I have been here, this is our worst Christmas.

All the guys you are seeing now are only here to drink, smoke and enjoy the vibe. They are not coming in to relieve themselves of the extra sperm they carry about. Even those who want it badly are giving us low prices.

It’s really a terrible situation. The recession is really harming us all. And na that Buhari cause am. Imagine me that used to have customers round the clock during Christmas and New Year period cannot even boast of one customer now.

I am not sure those guys who always pay extra money to shout ‘Happy New Year’ inside me will even be coming this year. Buhari no do am well at all.

Our

In one of the brothels, a pretty, fair-complexioned prostitute urged oUR reporter to part with a paltry N800 for a quick one while claiming she gave such an abysmal price because she needed to make something for the festivities.

She also said that there was nothing like 'promo' in her dictionary because that there are already low turn out of men.

The lady who identified herself as Tina also said that in all her years in the prostituting business, this year’s Christmas’ eve was the worst of all. She vehemently blamed President Buhari for the ugly situation.

Tina, who spoke in pidgin English, said:

Na wa o. Nobody believe say Christmas wey dey bubble before fit be like this o and if no be for that yeye president wey we get for this country, things no go bad like this. When Jonathan dey there, people dey enjoy. That time, for Christmas time like this, business dey move well well. I dey get customer well well. But na only 4 people wey don follow me enter room today. How ashawo wan make money when people no come do? Which kin yeye promo you even dey talk about self?

No be him cause this recession abi no be him government?”, she said in response to the reporter’s interruption. “The thing wey dey even pain me be say, I don get budget for January next year and I no sure say I fit meet the target now. You see, I no go forgive that Buhari if I no meet my target.

As the thing dey vex me reach, my brother wey dey support Buhari for our town call me say make I send am money, na curse I curse am. The Buhari wey him support na him spoil business for ashawo now. The man don finish us.

The pain voiced by the prostitutes above reflect the true situation of prostitutes across Lagos.

When We visited Ojuelegba area of Lagos state on Christmas Day, it was also the same story of low turnout in the different brothels and motels visited.

Judith, a prostitute who also spoke to Us only after demanding payment for her ‘precious time’, said that the downturn in the country’s economy was the reason for the low patronage of prostitutes during this year’s Christmas.

She blamed President Buhari for the ugly situation, describing the situation as ‘unprecedented’ in the history of prostitutes in Nigeria to suffer such low turnout during festive season.

I won’t deceive you; this is probably the worst Christmas ashawo people in Nigeria will be celebrating and for Lagos here, our own still even better. My friend wey dey do ashawo business for Abeokuta don nearly die.

She call me for phone this afternoon say, she don do only 3 men since yesterday. Imagine and all of them na short time. How much that money go be? For Christmas o, eh! Buhari! Buhari!

From all the submissions above, indeed, 2016 Christmas has not gone well for Lagos prostitutes and even Nigeria at large but the pink ladies are hopeful that other Christmases which will come their way in the nearest future would be better. observation confirmed Hawa’s submission. Despite low turnout, there were men around, smoking, drinking, and watching a replay match on the television, but there were no price wrangling at a corner and no guys were talking with girls in the passage - the girls were just there, loittering, waiting and hoping as the music blared.

A quick visit to two other brothels in the same vicinity showed that the situation was similar in all the three brothels. 

2016 Begins and Ends With Music Deaths.

Pop superstar George Michael’s death over the Christmas holidays caps one of the most tragic years in memory for the music world which mourned a steady stream of top names.

Here are some of the prominent musicians who died over the momentous year:

DAVID BOWIE. The rock icon’s fans were stunned by his death on January 10, just two days after releasing an acclaimed album, “Blackstar,” on his 69th birthday. Bowie, musically innovative until the end, had been battling cancer but his illness was known to few outside his immediate family.

GLENN FREY. The co-founder and frontman of the Eagles died on January 18 at age 67 after years of poor health. With the massive success of tracks such as “Hotel California,” the country-tinged rockers were among the best-selling acts in US history.

PAUL KANTNER. The co-founder and creative force of Jefferson Airplane, whose psychedelic sound was a soundtrack to the 1960s hippie era, died on January 28 at age 74 after a heart attack.

MAURICE WHITE. The founder of Earth, Wind & Fire crafted tight pop songs out of funk, with the band becoming one of the top-selling acts of all time and among the first African American groups to win a wide white audience. The 74-year-old died on February 4 after suffering for years from Parkinson’s disease.

KEITH EMERSON AND GREG LAKE. Emerson, one of rock’s original keyboard stars who infused concerts with on-stage theatrics such as playing upside-down, killed himself in his Los Angeles area home at age 71 on March 11. Bassist and singer Greg Lake, his bandmate in progressive rock trio Emerson, Lake & Palmer, died in London of cancer on December 7 at age 69.

PHIFE DAWG: The snide rapper from A Tribe Called Quest, a group that brought a new artistic sensibility to hip-hop, died on March 22 at 45 after a lifelong struggle with diabetes.

MERLE HAGGARD. The country music legend, a self-styled outlaw whose music gave voice to disaffected conservatives in the hippie era, died on April 6 on his 79th birthday.

PRINCE. One of the most influential and successful artists of the 1980s, the “Purple Rain” star died on April 21 at 57 at his Paisley Park estate in Minnesota from an accidental overdose of powerful painkillers. Prince, who popularized his own brand of sensual and danceable funk, was prolific in his output but also famously reclusive. With his marathon shows, he had appeared outwardly to be a model of health.

LEONARD COHEN. The poet and singer, whose meditations on love and spirituality had won him an impassioned if niche audience, died on November 7 at 82, with his family quietly burying him in his native Montreal before announcing the news. In a parallel to Bowie, Cohen just weeks earlier had released an acclaimed album, ominously entitled “You Want It Darker.”

SHARON JONES. The fiery soul and funk singer, who rose to fame at a late age and came to be called the female James Brown, died on November 18 of cancer at age 60.

RICK PARFITT. The hard-charging, hard-living guitarist from Status Quo died on December 24 at age 68 following an infection.

GEORGE MICHAEL. The singer, one of the brightest lights of giddy 1980s pop with the duo Wham! before a more introspective and troubled solo career, died at his home outside London at age 53, apparently on December 25. The “Careless Whisper” singer had numerous health scares and drug-related incidents late in his life.

NEWS: Black Christmas in Lagos Police College as Building Collapse Kills Two.

Whilst the world was celebrating Christmas day, it was a black Sunday today at the Police College in Ikeja, Lagos, after one of the buildings collapsed and killed two persons, leaving several others with injuries.

Confirming the incident, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), said they responded to the distress call today.

The collapsed building was located at High Way Police Barracks opposite Area F, Ikeja.

According to investigation conducted by the agency’s officials at the incident scene, it was gathered that the toilets and stairway of ‘Wing D’ block collapsed at about 4am.

It was gathered that the agency’s officials in collaboration with men of Lagos State Fire Service, Nigeria Police (highway patrol) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA-) recovered the bodies of two dead adult male.

While one was simply identified as Mr. Danjuma, the other male was yet to be identified but their bodies has since be deposited at the Mainland Hospital Mortuary Yaba.

At the scene was LASEMA General Manager, Mr. Adesina Tiamiyu, who said the agency with other stakeholders has commenced the immediate demolition of the affected building under the directive of the Commissioner of Police.

Their decision to demolish was based on the directive of Commissioner of Police who was present at the scene.

He also ordered the evacuation of residents living in the affected building as well as other dilapidated buildings and gave an order for the immediate demolition of the affected block.

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SEE THIS: Kafanchan Residents Prepare For Christmas Amidst Curfew

In spite of the 24-hour curfew imposed on Jema’a, Zangon Kataf and Laura local government areas, residents of Kafanchan were busy preparing for the festivity this week.

The Kaduna State government had on Monday imposed a 24-hour curfew following threats to law and order by some residents in the areas.

Checks conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday revealed that residents defied the restriction and were busy making last minute purchases at makeshift markets in their neighborhoods.

At one of the hidden markets visited in Angwaun Galadima area, residents, especially women, were seen busy buying food items while others were buying clothes for their children.

Sarah Musa, a resident of the area, said although security of lives and property was paramount, the people defied the restriction order to shop for the festive season.

“At least, the government should have been considerate enough to have relaxed the curfew to allow people to buy food items,” she said.

Mathew Bege, a civil servant said he rushed to the market to buy beef and tomatoes to prepare for the festivity.

“Even if we will stay at home, at least, we should have something to eat,” he said.

Helen David, who resides in Garaje area, said she rushed to the market to purchase hair attachment for her siblings.

Meanwhile, operators of relaxation spots made brisk sales to customers who hid in closed premises to consume liquor.

One of the liquor dealers, who spoke to NAN on condition of anonymity, said he was forced to open due to pressure from his customers.

“I opened the door strictly for those I recognised otherwise, we are not opened to the public,” he said.

Danladi Gambo, a resident of Ungwan Musa area said the curfew did not restrict palm wine tappers from the neighbouring villages to sell their commodity.

“It is difficult to restrain activities that are tied to culture and tradition,” he said. 

NEWS: Lampard Open to Chelsea Return As Player.

Frank Lampard admitted on Saturday he would relish a return to Chelsea as a player and is keen to rejoin the Premier League leaders in some capacity even if he is not offered a deal.

The former England midfielder is Chelsea’s all-time leading goalscorer and is keeping his options open after leaving New York City FC following a two-year spell with the MLS side.

Appearing alongside Blues captain John Terry on Sky Sports, Lampard said: “Myself and John are Chelsea through and through so whatever happens, in some capacity I will be at Chelsea.

“Whether it’s with my season ticket, watching them, I don’t know yet, I’ll have very close contact. Whether I’ll have the role (as a player), it’s not all in my hands so I can’t go any further on that.

“I’m very relaxed about it, which is a nice place to be. If the right thing comes, I’ll take it. Obviously Chelsea, I’d love that, but it doesn’t work that way always.”

The 38-year-old left Stamford Bridge in 2014 after scoring 211 goals in a 13-year spell at Chelsea, briefly playing for Manchester City before heading to the United States.

He scored 15 times in 31 appearances for New York City and has yet to decide whether he will retire or not.

“I feel fit, I’m fresh in the mind,” Lampard added. “I understand when you get even past 30, you start to understand things are different.

“What I would say is, if I was to carry on playing, it would have to be perfect. I’m not being snobby and hand-picking what I want to do but perfect for my family, for me and all those things.”

SEE THIS: Dangote Makes World’s Most Powerful Persons List.

In spite of the biting economic recession, it is not all gloom for the country. One of world’s most respected magazines, Forbes, recently ranked Alhaji Aliko Dangote as one of the most powerful individuals in the world. In this, he is ranked among global political figures like the newly elected President of United States Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The President of Dangote Group, Nigeria’s biggest business conglomerate, first featured on the exclusive list of world’s powerful people in 2013 when he was ranked the 71st most powerful person in the world and the only African to crack the list. This year’s ranking sees him move up to 68th in the world and second in Africa behind Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who is placed 44th on the list.

Expectedly, the top places on the list are dominated by very visible global figures who have been making waves for right or wrong reasons. Vladimir Putin, the aggressive Russian president, sits atop the list as the most powerful person in the world, followed by Donald W Trump. German Chancellor Angela Merkel is third while Chinese premier Xi Jinping is fourth. Social media champion and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg is number 10 on the list released by the magazine.

NEWS: Court Orders EFCC to Freeze Patience Jonathan’s Bank Accounts.

                             

A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to freeze the multiple bank accounts operated by former First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, on the grounds that it contains suspected proceeds of crime.

The account, with Skye Bank Plc, has a balance of $5,316.66.

Also affected by the order are five companies and one Esther Oba.

The companies are believed to have a total of N7,418,829,290.94 in six banks, while Oba has a balance of $429,381.87.

The order by the court was consequent upon an ex-parte motion filed by EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo.

He contended that there was an urgent need for the court to direct the bank to, in the interim, freeze the accounts, to prevent further dissipation of the money. 

The five companies affected are Finchley Top Homes Limited, Aribawa Aruera, Magel Resort Limited, AM -PM Global Network Limited Pansy Oil and Gas Limited. 

Finchley Top Homes Limited was alleged to have opened an account with Ecobank Plc which has a current balance of N226,376,700.23 and a fixed deposit with a balance of N1,099,511,484.88.

The company also has other accounts  in Skye Bank and with a current balance of N14,173,848.85; Fidelity Bank with a balance of N1,800,494,000; Stanbic Bank with a balance of N40,594,12.88; and Diamond Bank with a balance of N39,418,712.12.

 Aribawa Aruera Reachout Foundation opened account number 1222014221 with Ecobank and has a closing balance of N479,893,431.01, while Magel Resort Limited accounts with Fidelity Bank has a subsisting balance of N1,000,494,000.

The company also operates two other accounts in Zenith Bank, which has a balance of N858,923,982, and with Diamond Bank and has a balance of N174,166,207.

AM-PM Global Network Limited opened an account with Diamond Bank and has a balance of N7,213,303.50.

The account opened by Pansy Oil and Gas Limited at Fidelity Bank has a balance of N1,809,666,494.68, while that at Diamond Bank has a balance of N55,930,024.50.

 Oba was believed to have opened an account with Diamond Bank and has a balance of $429,381.87. 

All the monies, according to the anti-graft commission, are suspected to be proceeds of crime. 

It said upon the receipt of an intelligence report, it carried out analyses, which showed that the accounts merited being investigated.

Consequently, Oyedepo contended that it would serve the course of justice to grant the application for such. 

The presiding judge, Justice Mojisola Olatoregun, while granting the order freezing the accounts, ordered the anti-graft agency to file an undertaking should it turn out that the order should not have been made.

Recall that a Federal High Court in Lagos presided over by Justice Mohammed Idris had recently granted leave to Mrs. Jonathan, to amend her civil suit against the commission.

The former first lady, in the civil suit before Justice Idris, is claiming that EFCC froze four of her accounts with Skye Bank in the name of four companies.

The accounts, she said, had a balance of $15,591,700 (about N5 billion) belonging to her.

But, the companies, on September 15, pleaded guilty to laundering the money when they were arraigned in a criminal charge before Justice Babs Kuewumi.

The judge, however, refused to order its forfeiture to the federal government until the trial of the others named in the charge was concluded.

The companies are: Pluto Property and Investment Company Ltd (represented by Friday Davis), Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Ltd (represented by Agbor Baro), Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Ltd (represented by Dioghowori Frederick) and Avalon Global Property Development Ltd (represented by Taiwo Ebenezer).

EFCC arraigned them with a former Special Adviser on Domestic Affairs to President Jonathan, Waripamo Dudafa, a lawyer, Amajuoyi Briggs and a banker, Adedamola Bolodeoku.

Dudafa, Briggs and Bolodeoku pleaded not guilty to the 17-count charge.

Mrs. Jonathan, in a separate suit against EFCC and Skye Bank, before Justice Idris, was seeking an order to de-freeze the accounts and release her money.

Her lawyer, Adedipe, had told Justice Idris that his client amended her claim. He said he also filed a motion to regularise his processes, which the court granted.

EFCC’s lawyer, Oyedepo, said he would also amend his response to the suit.

Justice Idris then said: “Leave will be granted to the respondent (EFCC) to file any amended process.”

Oyedepo accused the applicant of changing the address of the companies through which the suit was purportedly served on them. Mrs. Jonathan had joined the companies in her suit.

The EFCC lawyer said: “We are of the opinion that if you want to change the address of a party, it should not the adversary who will change the address of another party.

“What we saw was the applicant was changing the address of the other defendants and I don’t think that is tidy.”

Justice Kuewumi had on November 2 refused an order the forfeiture of $15.5million after convicting the companies in whose accounts the money is domiciled.

The judge said he would hand down a sentence on the companies after the trial of the others who pleaded not guilty in the charge.

Justice Kuewumi said: “The ownership issue is still pending. There’s also a pending suit on the matter.”

While reviewing the facts, Oyedepo said the money was stolen from the State House, Abuja.

He said: “EFCC received an intelligence report showing vividly that the fourth to seventh defendants retained proceeds of crime.

“Our investigations showed that Fetus Iyoha admitted receiving the fund from the first defendant (Dudafa). Iyoha is a domestic staff at the State House. He admitted that funds credited into the accounts were given to him from the State House.”

Oyedepo said Iyoha paid $3,096,377.38 into Pluto’s account; paid $3,410,534.71 into Seagate’s account, paid $3,765,711.87 into Trans Oceans’ account, and paid $250,000 into Avalon Global’s accout. All the accounts, EFCC said, are domiciled in Skye Bank Plc.

Mrs Jonathan claimed she operated the accounts even though they were opened in the companies’ names by Dudafa contrary to her instructions. She said the bank promised to rectify the issue and change the accounts names to hers’ but never did so.

Justice Idris adjourned until January 18 for hearing. Trial in case before Justice Kuewumi will continue on December 14.

7 Vintage Christmas Movies To Watch This Holiday Season.

                                  

Norman Vincent Peale once said, “Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful”.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year as they say. Many will gather with family and friends to celebrate another year passed. They will remember good times with family by eating, sharing gifts and hopefully sitting down to watch some holiday movies.

For many, watching certain movies during the holiday season is a tradition that you would not dare skip. Perhaps you are looking for another film to add to your traditional watch, look no further. Here are seven vintage movies to enjoy with your Suya, barbecue fish, drinks and fireworks to close out the year.

Happy holidays!

7. “A Charlie Brown Christmas”

Since its debut on December 9, 1965, A Charlie Brown Christmas has been a staple of the holiday season over generations.

Unable to find joy in the upcoming Christmas holiday, Charlie Brown takes on the task of directing the school play but finds resistance at every turn. Eventually, Charlie is able to find the true meaning of Christmas.

When it comes to animated Christmas movies, there is only one to turn to in my opinion: A Charlie Brown Christmas. Its animation is quaint, its jokes are funny, and its moments iconic.  It has amazing music as well. Vincent Guaraldi’s arrangements of classic Christmas carols have become so prolific they are a permanent part of the Christmas music canon.

A Charlie Brown Christmas is an animated television special based on the comic strip Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz. Produced by Lee Mendelson and directed by Bill Melendez.

6. “Elf”

Elf is a 2003 American Christmas comedy film directed by Jon Favreau and written by David Berenbaum. It stars Will Ferrell, James Caan and Zooey Deschanel. The story is about one of Santa’s elves (Ferrell) who learns of his true identity as a human and goes to New York City to meet his biological father (Caan), spreading Christmas cheer in a world of cynics as he goes.

“Elf” is a favorite among the younger generation of movie-lovers. Will Ferrell’s character of Buddy is one of the funniest and most uplifting characters in the holiday movie genre. Some might be tired of “Elf” but that doesn’t make it any less of an enjoyable and funny ride that will lift your Christmas spirits.

Not to mention its endless barrage of quotable lines. “You sit on a throne of lies!”

You are sure to get a kick out of this Christmas comedy classic.

5. “Bad Santa”

Bad Santa is a 2003 American Christmas black comedy crime film directed by Terry Zwigoff and starring Billy Bob Thornton, Tony Cox and Bernie Mac.

Career criminals Willie and Marcus disguise themselves as Santa and his elf to rob mall stores at night.

Some people get tired of watching all the family-friendly holiday movies. Look no farther than the excellent “Bad Santa.” The movie is sure to give adults a fun escape from all the kid-friendly movies they’re usually forced to watch.

4. “White Christmas”

White Christmas is a 1954 American musical romantic comedy film directed by Michael Curtiz.

A musical classic that is known for its abundance of classic and beloved Christmas Carols. Even still, it boasts some hilarious sequences as well as a heartwarming love story that focuses on romantic love as well as brotherly love. The movie is known for its beautiful colours and amazing music which is competently handled by well-known musical talents. The crooning lounge voices of Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney will be sure to put your heart in a warm, fuzzy, Christmas feeling. It’s one of the best musical’s out there, and certainly the best Christmas musical.

3. “Miracle on 34th Street”

Miracle on 34th Street (initially released in the United Kingdom as The Big Heart) is a 1947 Christmas comedy-drama film written and directed by George Seaton.

Christmas seems to have lost its meaning for the citizens of New York until one day a man claiming to be the real Santa Clause applies at Macy’s.

Kris Kringle is indignant to find that the man assigned to play Santa in the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is intoxicated. When he complains to event director Doris Walker, she persuades Kringle to take his place. He does such a fine job that he is hired as the Santa for Macy’s flagship New York City store in Herald Square/34th Street.

“Miracle on 34th Street” is an unusually fun Christmas film set against the backdrop of a courtroom drama.

2. “It’s A Wonderful Life”

It’s a Wonderful Life is a 1946 American Christmas fantasy drama film produced and directed by Frank Capra. The film is now among the most popular in American cinema and because of numerous television showings in the 1980s has become traditional viewing during the Christmas season.

When George Bailey decides, his average life isn’t worth living, a guardian angel named Clarence shows him what life would be like if he had never been born.

A classic in every sense of the word. Beautifully captured, heartwarmingly kind and wonderfully acted. It’s a touching movie about how everyone’s life has value. Its visuals are weak compared to today’s standards, but its story and characters are what keep fans coming back. It moves from incredibly comedic to hauntingly dramatic to create a movie that is the epitome of an emotional roller coaster.

The travels of George Bailey and Clarence Odbody through an alternate universe makes for a fantastic and thrilling ride that culminates in a beautiful and wise ending that transcends across the sentiments of many generations.

1. “A Christmas Story”

A Christmas Story is a 1983 American Christmas comedy film based on the short stories and semi-fictional anecdotes of author, raconteur Jean Shepherd.

Ralphie Parker’s quest for a Red Rider BB Gun is shot down at every turn by his parents, mall santas and his teachers. While all this is going on he is trying to fend off the bullies at school who won’t stop taunting him.

Jean Shephard’s semi-biographical account of young Ralphie Parker has some of the most memorable Christmas scenes of any movie. Flick’s tongue stuck on the icy flag pole, The Old Man receiving his fishnet stocking leg in the mail, and a department mall Santa telling Ralphie he’ll shoot his eye out if he gets a BB gun.

It’s a story of hilarious and loveable vignettes that have become so engrained in American holiday culture that they are inescapable. “A Christmas Story” is so culturally relevant that it is more than just a movie.

SEE THIS: 5 Interesting Moments From 2016 Headies.

The 2016 Headies Awards may have come and gone but some remarkable and not so remarkable memories still linger.

PREMIUM TIMES presents 5 interesting moments from one of Nigeria’s prestigious music awards.

1.Kcee and Harrysong kiss and make up

When Harrysong’s Reggae Blues was announced as the Song Of The Year, something interesting happened. Harrysong came up stage to receive the award all by himself. But, media personality and model, Uti Nwachukwu, who announced the category winner, teasingly asked Kcee if he won’t join Harrysong on stage. A somewhat embarrassed Kcee who collaborated with Harrysong on the track agreed to receive the award alongside his former label mate. He handled the situation quite well and said,  “We been dey fight, but it is all settled,” as he was accepting the award. The duo later showed up to present the award for Best Recording (Male), which was won by Shaydee. 

2. Wizkid ignored Eva Alodiah’s fiancé:

Tagged the most embarrassing moment at the 2016 Headies, Star Boy, Wizkid, totally ignored Ceasar, who is the fiancé of his fellow artiste, Eva Alodiah. It all began when Wizkid was announced as the Artiste of the Year and was making his way to the stage. He walked towards Eva who was seated with her fiancé. Ceasar stood up to hug Wizkid but the latter snubbed him and hugged Eva who was sitting down instead. He then moved on to shake the person seated next to Eva leaving Ceasar looking like a mannequin.

3.Yaw, Sound Sultan and Ushbebe embarrassed Mizz Kiss’ manager:

When veteran rapper, illbliss was announced as the Best Rap Single award winner, a certain gentleman came out to collect the award on his behalf. Just as he made to announce that he was standing in for illbliss, radio presenter, Yaw, grabbed the microphone and said, “We no even know who you be o?” Quite embarrassed by the question he responded saying, “Oga Yaw I be Mizz Kiss manager o”. The audience burst out into laughter.

When Sound Sultan and Ushbebe later came out to present an award which illbliss also won, the same guy made to receive the award on his behalf. Sound Sultan said, Abeg who you be?” He responded saying, “I be Mizz Kiss’ manager na! Sound sultan then asked, “Where is Mizz Kiss? Mizz Kiss is he really your manager? Make I give am? Are you sure? Because this award fit no reach illbliss hand.”

4.When Eedris Abdulkareem flung Eddy Remedy’s hand:

One of the highpoints of the night was a performance by a pioneer Nigerian hip-hop music group, The Remedies. It consisted of Eedris Abdulkareem, Tony Tetuila and Eddy Remedy (also known as Eddy Montana). While the group was performing Eedris’ hit single “Jaga Jaga, Eddy Remedy placed his right hand over Eedris’ shoulder but Eedris flung his hand. Quite an embarrassing moment, a smart Eddy Remedy carried on as though nothing happened.

5.When Wizkid snubbed Mizz Kiss’ manager:

Mizz Kizz’s manager appeared to be the butt of jokes at The Headies. He was seated beside Wizkid and was expecting a handshake but StarBoy snubbed him. It was quite obvious because the singer did shake all the popular faces who were seated  around him.

SEE THIS: Meet Mark Okoye, Africa’s Young Person of the Year.

                            

Few months after he was appointed Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget in Anambra State, at the age of 30, Mark Okoye has emerged winner of The Future Awards Africa 2016, the biggest youth event in the continent. However, his emergence is no surprise to keen observers; he has always been a high flyer.

Held at the Federal palace Hotel & Casino, Victoria Island, Lagos, the award ceremony, which is now in its eleventh year, brought together young people from different parts of the continent, top political leaders and captains of industry, with president elect of Ghana Dr. Nana Akufo-Addo as keynote speaker.

A graduate of the prestigious George Washington University, Washington, DC, Okoye is the key player in regenerating the Anambra state economy and a sterling example for a generation typically averse to public service. At thirty years old, he became the youngest member of the Governor Obiano-led cabinet in 2016 and one of the youngest government officials in the country. Okoye brings his experience as a senior member of the investment banking division at Afrinvest (West Africa) Limited, where he was instrumental in executing numerous capital raising and financial advisory transactions to his new position, leaving an illustrious investment banking career, to join the Anambra State Economic Think-Tank.

This led to his appointment as Special Adviser to Governor Obiano on Economic Planning, Budget and Investments in 2015. His role involves him running the day-to-day activities of the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget. In addition, he has operational and strategic oversight over Anambra State Investment Promotion & Protection Agency. The Harvard Kennedy School and Euromoney, Dubai alumnus has experience in governance, policy formulation, public sector financing, public budget analysis and corporate finance. He is undoubtedly shaping the future and economic wellbeing of our great country.

However, before he was given his present role in Anambra, he served in his current capacity for a year and eight months in the last administration and he waited for his time to come. Sources revealed that the Anambra State House Assembly had previously refused to grant him his new position prior to now, as he was deemed ‘under-age.’ But once he clocked 30 and after much clamouring, his appointment was approved and made final by Governor Willie Obiano.

Under his supervision, 10,000 jobs have been created in Anambra as a result of investment inflows into key sectors of Anambra’s economy such as Agriculture, Trade & Commerce and Manufacturing.  He has been nominated by the Vice President of Nigeria to serve as a Member & South East Geopolitical Zone Representative of the National Economic Council Retreat Implementation Monitoring Committee. He Led investment promotion teams that facilitated the successful launch of numerous Public-Private-Partnership projects in the State. Some of these investments include Coscharis farms – $100m, Lynden Poultry Farms – $40m and Anambra Delfarms Ltd – $60m.

He has also introduced monthly performance reviews to monitor the State’s internally generated revenues (IGRs), monitoring statewide initiatives that led to the increase of IGRs from N600m/month to approximately N1.3bn/month in 12 months.

The Future Awards Africa is a set of prizes given annually to celebrate and accelerate innovation, creativity and enterprise amongst young Africans aged 18 – 31. It has produced over 150 winners and over 1550 nominees since its first edition in 2006. It is presented in conjunction with The Future Project, which has a mandate to build empowered citizens across Africa, through (inclusive) enterprise and (active) citizenship. This focus on Human Capital Development is informed by our value proposition: Africa’s growth needs a generation of young people who are gainfully employed and able to demand and secure better leadership.

MMM Founder Accuses Media Of Causing Panic Among Participants.

                              

As subscribers await the resumption of operations of Mavrodi Moneybox Mondial (MMM) Nigeria in January 2017, the founder of the Ponzi scheme Sergey Mavrodi has accused the Nigerian press of deliberately “fueling hysteria around MMM and causing panic.”

The operators of the scheme in Nigeria said in a message sent to all subscribers on December 12 that all confirmed Mavros would be frozen for one month.

During the period – December 12 to January 12 – none of the participants would be able to ‘get help’ (withdraw funds deposited with the mandatory 30% interest). But they allowed to ‘provide help’ (deposit funds).

The scepticism and panic that followed the announcement were caused by the media, Mavrodi said.

He said, “I’m just astonished by your irresponsibility and cynical attitude. Interests of millions of people, your fellow citizens are at stake. Don’t you have any sympathy for them? Why are you fueling hysteria around MMM and provoking a panic? Why are you doing this so diligently and persistently, what is your purpose?”

He insisted that operations of the scheme would resume in January, noting that the “suspension of work for holidays” was not unusual. His claims contradicted the reason the Nigerian operators of MMM gave for freezing the confirmed Mavros for one month. They explained that the measure was put in place because “in the New Year season the System is experiencing heavy workload.”

But Mavrodi insisted all was well with MMM Nigeria and urged the press to desist from being biased against the scheme.

He said, “Again, leave MMM alone and let us work. Nothing has collapsed, and MMM will perfectly resume its work in January. We Can Change the World!”

Why I Left Medicine for Acting – Kiki Omieli

                        

A medical doctor by training, multiple award-winning Nollywood actress, Kiki Omieli, shot into limelight on account of her antagonistic role in the 2012 feature film “Married But Single”. A class act, the Anambra State-born actress speaks about her career, background, why she made the switch to acting as well as her future plans in this exclusive interview with PREMIUM TIMES.

??: What have you been up to lately?

KIKI: I have quite a number of projects up on my plate. I don’t want to reveal too much but my fans should look forward to it. I am also shooting a movie in Abuja titled “Playing god”. I have also been doing a lot of promotions for my short film titled “unprotected”. It’s on YouTube.

??: Is the short film your first attempt at movie production?

KIKI:  Yes it is and I have always longed to produce health advocacy through films. Films are a wonderful way to get information across to people. I always like to use my medical knowledge as a doctor to help people live better and healthier lifestyles. So, whether it is going to be a short film or a featured film, all I want to do is health advocacy through films.

??: Do you sometimes miss practicing as a doctor?

KIKI:  I am doing the same thing a doctor does in the hospital through the media/films. I am also involved in a lot of health awareness campaigns and I work with so many foundations. I am involved in Dorcas Cancer Foundation and we have project Pink Blue for Breast Cancer. I am just very passionate about getting my information across to people.

??: So, does this mean you are still drawn to medicine?

KIKI: Yes I am and what I am simply doing is infusing my medical background into my passion, which is acting.

??: Was it easy to let go of your background as a doctor?

KIKI: I don’t want to say it was tough. During my final year in medical school, I realised that I was passionate about the performing arts. It wasn’t a very tough decision to make, it was just a case of me basically knowing what to do. I am not going to let go of medicine; I am going to as much as possible use my voice to continue to practice medicine.

??: What do you love the most about acting?

KIKI: I love the fact that you can just totally transform and become someone else; you can take a character from scratch and give it life. You eat the character, you breath the character, you live the character, you create mannerisms for the character, and you create reactions on how that character reacts to certain situations. Most importantly, I love acting as it affords liberty to take on a totally different personality.

??: Have you played your most challenging role yet?

KIKI: I have played challenging roles, I don’t know if I have played my most challenging yet, but yes I have played challenging roles. I always like to refer it to a short film, Steam, which won me the 2015 best-supporting actress for the GAMA awards. It was a very physically and emotionally challenging role. I also always love to speak about my character, Blessing, in Gbomogbomo Express; I played a gangster and a kidnapper in the move. It was a far cry from my real life persona. To transform into that character and make it believable was quite challenging.

??: How did you psyche yourself up for that role?

KIKI: Well basically, whenever I want to play a particular character, I study a lot of people, which is what contributes to my acting skills. I also study their reactions to situations around them. So first things first I do is to change my looks. I recall that I had to dye my hair blonde just to appear very razz and uncouth. This is not to say that people who wear their hair blonde are razz. I just draw from people’s experiences around me, the way I have seen them act and that way I am able to give a character life.

??: What are the downsides of acting?

KIKI: There is the fact that you become a popular face and you kind of lose your privacy. A lot of people tend to think you are the way you are in the movies, if you play a bad role, or a wicked role, people tend to dislike you before even meeting you. Again, there is a bad notion about actors in Nigeria; people tend to think that actors are acting because they do not have anything to do. Some also think that actors are dropouts and that’s really not the case. So many actors are very well trained and very well educated.

??: There is also this common belief that Nollywood actresses are more favoured than their male counterparts.

KIKI: It is not true. Based on my experience, it was very challenging for me especially coming from a medical background to penetrate the acting world. I had to prove myself to be able to get major roles and after you get noticed, people now look for you to interpret other roles. It is not seamless at all it is actually quite difficult. Acting is not the most lucrative job in Nigeria, so what I think some women have going for them is the fact that they are married to spouses who have more lucrative jobs; spouses who can make it possible for them to produce their own movies. So I think that’s where women might have it easier.

??: How about the single actresses, is it any easier for them?

KIKI: I really wouldn’t say so but I find that many female actresses have a side business that brings in income and maybe the guys don’t really do that.

??: Please tell us about your foray into Nollywood?

KIKI: I was very young when I got into medical school; I was about 16. I didn’t really know what I wanted.

??: But you wanted to read medicine?

KIKI: Well, because at the time the rave of the moment was professional courses. My sister had gone to study law so I just went to study medicine.

??: Where did you study medicine?

KIKI: I studied medicine at the college of medicine, University of Lagos. Midway into studying medicine, I realised that my passion for the arts was still strong.

??: But you rounded up your studies?

KIKI:  Oh yes, I did everything before I transited to Nollywood. I was like “you know what just go ahead, you don’t have to leave medicine behind, you can pursue your passion and still infuse medicine into it”.

??: Will you ever return to practicing medicine?

KIKI: I never left; when people talk about going back I am like “how can I ever return to something that I never left in the first place?”  I mean for a while, I was even on the radio, talking health and dissecting health topics and people would call in and ask health related questions. So I never left, medicine is still such a huge part of me even as an actress.

??: So how did your family receive the news?

KIKI: My family was very supportive. My parents are the most supportive people in the world. The truth is, I think my parents already saw the flair for the arts in me.  So when I said that I was going to start acting, I don’t think they were too surprised. Parents know their children, they know which of their children would come and tell them such news. They have basically been incredibly supportive.

??: What was growing up like?

KIKI: Growing up was wonderful. I grew up with a father who was a banker and a mother who was a prison controller. I have three siblings; an older sister and two younger brothers. I had a wonderful childhood.

??: Lekki Wives remains one of your most popular works till date…

KIKI: People always ask me about Lekki Wives. Lekki wives was my first breakthrough series. I would like to say it gave me my breakthrough because it earned me a lot of local and international attention and recognition as an actress. A lot of roles I got subsequently was due to my role in the Lekki Wives.

??: What was it like coming into the movie industry from your background in medicine?

KIKI: Coming into the movie industry, especially from a medical background was not easy, I would attend auditions, and a lot of times when I get auditioned they would ask what course I studied. They are always shocked to know that I am a medical doctor. So, it took quite a lot to be able to convince people that I knew what I was doing and that I actually had what it took to be in the movie industry. So it wasn’t very easy in the beginning but thanks to a few breakthrough here and there, I think I have been able to secure a place in Nollywood.

??:Are you satisfied with the growth of your career thus far?

KIKI: I have to be honest but I think I really have grown. I think I have done quite well and I am very proud of what I have been able to achieve in five years, and in the next five years I can do a lot more.  I am proud of what I have been able to achieve, I am proud of the fact that I have gotten to a point where I can use my voice as an actress to actually help people live better. I can apply my medical training into my actress career and produce a lot of health advocacy films.