Anyone who knew this dude 15 years ago will testify to the fact that the Lord has been good! Recently news got to us that this head honcho at the now very respected and formerly MTN sponsored Hip Hop World Awards now rebranded to The Headies, Ayo Animashaun, fell into the wrong hands of bad money changers at Allen, Ikeja, Lagos. According to the information at our disposal, he went there to change some Dollars. After changing, he counted and confirmed that the money was complete but his hairs erected in shock when he got home and recounted but discovered that the money was no more the equivalent of the foreign currency he changed. Then he started screaming Ole! Did I hear you say Fulani Juju at the highest level?
Thursday, 22 March 2012
HOW D'BANJ'S MOTHER SPONSORED MO' HITS
IBRU WIDOW DRAGS IN LAW TO COURT OVER HUSBAND’S PROPERTY
THE CRACK IN THE IBRU FAMILY
IBRU WIDOW DRAGS IN LAW TO COURT OVER HUSBAND’S PROPERTY
Contrary to the general believe that the Ibru family is a well knitted family with large entrepreneurial heart, the story you are reading will reveal the hatred and disconnect between the members of the family. Recently the widow, Mrs Maiden Ibru, of the late Alex Uruemu Ibru, publisher of Guardian Newspaper, who died on November 28, 2011, was at the Federal High Court Lagos praying to it to wind up a business concern jointly owned by her late husband and his brother Goodie Ibru. You wonder why she did that. Hear her: “Six months before my husband died, the Doctors told me he was going to die and for five months he was out of circulation, nobody saw him even his family members did not bother about him. Two weeks before he died, he embarked on a hunger strike, when the family members heard about it, some of them came to see him including Mr. Goodie Ibru. When Mr. Goodie came, the deceased said he didn’t expect he would be talking. Then my husband said he was going to fight him to the finish, dead or alive. That even when he dies he will continue the fight unless he, Goodie Ibru, resigns as the Chairman of the company (Tourist Company Nigeria Plc). He said that of all his brothers the last person he thought will betray him is Goodie. They had altered some of the documents, diverted money and committed all sourts of atrocities without the knowledge of my husband.”
MALAM NASIR EL RUFAI SHOPS FOR N25 M BULLET PROOF JEEP
MALAM NASIR EL RUFAI SHOPS FOR N25 M BULLET PROOF JEEP
It won’t come as a surprise especially as many think that this Northern Nigeria Elite made so much money while serving Olusegun Obasonjo’s government as FCT Minister. Since after the 2011 general elections when his new Principal, Muhamed Buhari, lost the election to the present president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, El Rufai has become extremely anti- government. All over the social media he has become what members of the Goodluck Jonathan led government will prefer to term, social media Terrorist! No Week passes without him lampooning the Federal Government. Now the latest is he is now on the run. Our source revealed that he and the head Pastor at the Later Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare are the most wanted men by the reigning government. He, El Rufai recently told Pastor Bakare that they need bullet proof cars so as to protect themselves from assassination. When Tunde Bakare asked how much it will cost to get one, he was told that it will cost him N25 Million. With widened eyes, he said, “I don’t have such money. “ Don’t be amazed if you see El Rufai in one any time soon.
SIASIA GOES TO CHURCH
SIASIA GOES TO CHURCH
Yes this should slap like Bruce Lee’s Karate leg slap on your face. It is a fact these days that football has gone spiritual in this part of the world, unlike abroad where the game is strictly a technical thing. These days those who win something for Nigeria are those who they say seek the face of the Lord. In the past we have stories of Shuabu Amodu, the bitter kola chewing soccer tactician, seeking the favour of God through Prophet T.B Joshua; it was also rumoured that the present setbacks in Nigerian football is due to the ill-treatment unleashed on this man whom T.B Joshua prays for. Now to the sugar in this tea, it has been discovered that former head coach of the Super Eagles, Samsom Siasia A.K.A Sia 1, has also joined the league of serious church going soccer tacticians. Yours truly can authoritatively tell you that Siasia and his entire family are very active members of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission, TREM, Vision House, Utako, Abuja. When I say active, I mean every letter of it. According to an inside source, Samson Siasia’s wife attends every programme the church does and she is very involved in church contributions. On the other side, Siasia besides also participating in church activities is also the Coach of the Church’s Sport Ministry which trains members on physical aerobics. Wondering if God is blessing him? Hold on let me help you. Siasia is the only living Ex International cum Super Eagles’ head coach who has a whole stadium to his name. Come on he has witnessed his own immortality!
NIGERIAN BILLIONAIRES WITHOUT UNIVERSITY DEGREE
NIGERIAN BILLIONAIRES WITHOUT UNIVERSITY DEGREE
Just as you might know that most of the big American names like Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft, who run the American economy, were college drop-outs, it might also interest you to know that Nigeria’s economy is also in the hands of wealthy men who had very little education .They are very wealthy, especially in the Nigerian context. They are captains of different industries. They occupy the high tables of every event they attend; they are driven in the most expensive auto wheels; they employ the most educated of the society to manage their wealth yet they are the least educated of the society. They are the wealthy Nigerians who are illiterates. PASCHAL OGE OBI presents the list of super rich Nigerians who never saw the four walls of a University.
Number one on the list is Chief Rasaq Akanni Okoya, the chairman Eleganza Industries. This wealthy Industrialist never went to a University. Chief Rasaq knew from childhood what he wanted from life; he wanted to be a business man. He shunned school and focused on his business career. Chief started by helping his father in his shop then went on to sell ear rings and baby shoes at Oke Arin market in Lagos State. From there, he became a big time merchant in household goods. Today, Chief Okoya has become a self made billionaire, who has his own factory. The Aare of Lagos showcased the depth of his wealth by erecting the intimidating Oluwa Ni Sola Estate along Lekki-Ajah Expressway, Lagos. He also owns the popular Eleganza Gardens and Shopping Mall in Ajah.
Following behind is Samuel Adedoyin, he is called the Prince of commerce because he seems to possess the Midas touch. Samuel Adedoyin is the Chairman of Doyin Group of Companies. From bag distributor to a bag manufacturer! This Agbamu, Kwara State born business guru has built a business empire that spans from Medicine, household goods, to foods. When asked the secret of his business prowess, he said: “I think it’s because I am focused in what I do or that God helped me to be focused” He said.
Third on the list is the Aare Musulumi of Nigeria. Born Abdulazeez Arisekola Alao in 1945 to Raheem Alao and Olatutu Alao. He started as an apprentice in Gbagi market, Ibadan in 1960. Today, he has a business conglomerate that spans from Automobile, Oil and Gas, to Real Estate . With little education, he started with Auto sales ,Flour Mills and Oil marketing, later, he spread his tentacles into Real Estate, Insurance, banking and publishing. His golden moment was the military era. He took his business into Aso Rock and the result was, he became a major supplier of articles to government establishments, his company also was the major supplier of food to ECOMOG.
Chidi Anyaegbu is another big entrepreneur whose name must be mentioned. Chidi Anyaegbu is a transport magnate; he is the founder of the popular Chisco Motors. He was born into a less privileged background. His parents couldn’t afford his University education fees so they encouraged him to get married early in life. Due to this, he grew up trying to be successful. He wanted to be somebody his friends who had proper education would never feel better than. Today, most of his educated friends enjoy his benevolence.
Cosmas Maduka: He is definitely among Nigeria’s richest auto dealers. Also born into a poor family background but never allowed that determine what life offered him .His father died early in life so he hit the street hawking petty goods for his mother, later he became an apprentice where he learnt the ropes of business. He later became an importer of Motor Cycles and Spare Parts. He founded his company, Coscharis Group which is now one of the leading auto dealers in Nigeria with many subsidiaries under it. He is married to Charity Maduka and they are blessed with five children.
Oyin Jolayemi: Foremost Industrialist, Chairman DailyNeeds Industries. Born in 1940. Oyin was a local farmer before he relocated to Lagos from Kwara State. He started by hawking, street trading, even became a house boy at one point! His life changed when he met Alhaji Folorunsho Akosile who as at then dealt in Patent Medicine, this connection opened doors for him which led to the establishment of Daily Needs Chemist at Idumota Lagos .
Ahmed Onibudo: Owner of popular Lekki Peninsular Resort. This great man was once a Newspaper vendor! An Electrician and a local Printer. He only attended school up to Standard VI and this was made possible by late Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s free primary education but today he has become a force to reckon with. Can you imagine how great things come out of total hopelessness? Born in 1939 in Lagos, his father Wahab Onibudo was just a mechanic while his mother Akanke Kehinde was a petty trader. Their marriage didn’t last. After their separation, the young Ahmed had to grow up under the elderly hands of his grandmother.
Kanu Nwankwo: Former Super Eagles Captain is reputed to be the most successful footballer out of Africa, why you might ask. Because he is the most beautified footballer this continent can boast of. He has won everything besides the World Cup! Business wise, Papilo is also very successful, has built a business empire that cuts across photography, Real Estate and hospitality. He is married to Amarachi and they are blessed with two lovely kids. Internationally he has played for A-list Clubs like Arsenal FC, Ajax, WestBromwich Abion, Ajax Amsterdam, Inter Milan etc. The discovery of a heart ailment at Inter Milan couldn’t stop him from achieving his dreams instead, it pushed him to establish the now popular Kanu Heart Foundation which has really helped many ailing kids in Nigeria. Kanu Nwankwo is a magical figure both on and off the pitch.
Auston Okocha: Popularly known as Jay Jay, a miracle to behold on pitch! Jay Jay is at least one of the most phenomenal mid-fielders the world can boast of, many have argued that if Okocha was a White man, he would have been more celebrated than he is today. This dude didn’t care about school instead he focused his energy on developing deceptive dribble skills which has made him one of the richest sports men in the African continent. He started at Enugu Rangers, has played for Eintracht Frankfurt of Germany, Fenerbache of Turkey, Bolton Wanderers, Hallcity of England etc. Laurels includes African Cup of Nations, 1994 and Olympic Football gold, 1996. He has successfully invested his money into Hospitality and Real Estate business.
Vincent Obianudo: Chairman Young Shall Grow Motors Ltd. This businessman never saw the four walls of a University but his company is definitely one of the leading transport outfits in Nigeria. He started the company in 1972 as a mini bus transport operator, plying only Enugu-Onitsha road. Today, almost four decades later, the company has grown into a powerful outfit boasting of nothing less than 500 buses plying across the West African region. This Anambra born man is also into other businesses.
godPasie: KOLA KUDDUS WOWS AT ARISE MAGAZINE FASHION WEEK
godPasie: KOLA KUDDUS WOWS AT ARISE MAGAZINE FASHION WEEK: He is young, creatively vibrant and dynamic! An epitome of a great Nigerian mind. He tells the story of a true proud African with his ...
KOLA KUDDUS WOWS AT ARISE MAGAZINE FASHION WEEK
He is young, creatively vibrant and dynamic! An epitome of a great Nigerian mind. He tells the story of a true proud African with his designs. He has been dubbed the new Alexander Amuso because his works show class and excellence. This dude was the genius who opened the just concluded Arise Magazine Fashion Week. His works left the audience mesmerized! When we asked about his super collection, here is what he had to say: "My collection "Urban Aficanus" tells a story of the urban man with love for his ethnicity. So he is definitely combining both the urban and the local style in what he wears and his life style. My strongest piece would be the African-Asian piece with a waist coat and a head gear which a lot of people loved on the runway"
A CALL FROM MR. PRESIDENT
As you read this this morning, I am busy parking my things. You wonder where on earth this paranoid Nigerian traveling to,right.Well, I will tell you. I was awaken this morning by a shocking call from Aso Rock! Did I hear you mutter "You can lie!"? Well believe it or not my flight and accommodation to and in Aso Rock have all been taken care of as you read, after all Mr. President wants to talk to me, Paschal Oge Obi. But what troubles me in all these is, I don't even know why he is interested in ME! Jehovah, na your hand I de o! Hope he is not mistaking me for being a member of Boko Haram? Thank God I am not from the North. On a more serious note I have made up my mind that when I get there I will tell him exactly what his pretentious aides do not tell him, as e be us for bele! How person go de use our money de enjoy A/C we go de suffer under sun, no be craze be that? I will tell him that most Nigerians are completely disappointed in him...yes! What they expect him to do , he is not doing. He is weak! A woman wearing trousers designed for men. I thought his people are known for swallowing the famous Sapele Water to ginger body, why is he not drinking it? But forget o, looking at Lucky Jo's eye balls, Omo you go know how many drums he has consumed since he entered office as Mr. President. I will make sure I, godpasie, tell him that it is a disgrace for Nigeria to be in the business of importing kerosene and feeding it to families across the nation like feeding students in dormitories; that it is ridiculous to have an irrational Sanusi as the axe man of CBN, I will also tell him that he should stop all these Kangaroo House of Reps Committees that can not bite.... I ve got to go now so I don't miss my flight to Rock City. Less I forget what would you tell Mr. President if he called you?
Nigeria’s leading cement producer Dangote Cement, is making good its promise to expand its cement operations across Africa as it has recently made major inroads into Cameroon, Senegal, Zambia and most recently Liberia.
A recent approval by the government of Liberia, gave the company the nod to invest US$20 million in the country’s cement industry, following which the President of the group, Aliko Dangote, signed a 20-year agreement with the Liberian government in Monrovia last Friday. The agreement paves way for his company to build a cement factory at the Freeport of Monrovia.
The deal was sealed with the Freeport of Monrovia, National Port Authority (NPA) head, Matilda Parker, who congratulated the Nigerian investor for demonstrating African solidarity by choosing to invest in Liberia.
“I gratefully expressed my gratitude to you, Dangote, and your company for extending operations to Liberia,” she said.
The NPA boss, who signed for the government of Liberia, pointed out that this investment would help build up the Liberian economy. “It will speed up reconstruction, create more jobs and expand the economy,” Parker noted.
While responding, Dangote expressed his company’s willingness to work with the government and people of Liberia to ensure the production and supply of quality and affordable cement on the local market.
According to him, the new investment, Dangote Cement-Liberia, is committed to job creation for Liberians with an initial employment opportunity for 250 Liberians.
The Dangote Group CEO also pledged his company’s commitment to being law abiding, to include paying their taxes on time. The US$20 million investment is expected to kick off within six weeks
Tuesday, 20 March 2012
SENIORITY PALAVA TEARS OJUKWU'S HOUSEHOLD APART
The disadvantages of polygamy are beginning to play out in the family late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu left behind. Barely days after the remains of Eze Igbo Gburugburu were committed to mother earth, his two eldest sons – Debe and Emeka, Jnr. – have gone for each other’s throats. Not only that, the two of them have also decided to wash the family’s dirty linen in public. Emeka, Jnr. and Debe, by the way, are from different mothers. Emeka’s mother is Njideka, from Nawfia, Anambra. She also bore the Ikemba two other children – Mimi and Okigbo. Debe’s mother is Margaret, from Iwororie. She died in 2008 and had only him.
The later, who is actually the Ikemba’s second son, fired the first salvo. This was soon after Ojukwu’s death in London, on November 26, 2011, and following an interview granted by Debe where he had commented on plans for the burial as the first son of the family. As if on cue, Emeka, Jnr. had replied, warning that any person masquerading as Ojukwu’s first son other than him, should be avoided.
The matter was left at that until days later when it reared its head again. But shooting this time is Debe. According to him, some people are trying to steal his birthright and heritage. “I am the first child and son; nobody can take that away from me”, he had insisted. Continuing, he said: “There have been litigations over the estate my grandfather left behind and other members of my family felt they were going to use the litigations to blackmail me. That is why when they (family members) wanted to see President Goodluck Jonathan over the burial plans, they decided to be hostile towards me and ensured I was not part of the team that visited the president.
“Due to my nature, I decided not to allow the hostility impedes the burial activities of my father, a man I still respect so much, even in death…Despite all they tried to do to me, I was actively involved in the funeral activities. I was very visible in all the states where my father’s corpse was taken to for full military honour. The only place I was not actively involved was the burial in our home town, Nnewi.
That day, I had to attend to some private issues…”This was in his interview with The Punch.
To get to the root of the matter, an Nnewi, Anambra elder was consulted and here is what he told our reporter after pleading anonymity. “Indeed, Debe is Ojukwu’s first son and Emeka the second. However, the advantage Emeka is enjoying over Debe stems from the fact that Ikemba officially married Emeka’s mum unlike Debe’s. And because of that, most people see Emeka as the official first son and Debe, the unofficial first son.
“It is because of Emeka’s status that he is enjoying more visibility and acceptance from a wide spectrum of people. Debe’s issue would have been settled had the Ikemba, before his death, married his own mother officially. What I have told you is the true story, whatever thing any other person tells you is contrary to the custom and traditional of Nnewi people. Nobody is marginalizing Debe, we are just following our tradition”.
Meanwhile we had exclusively broken the story of the war in the family weeks back. This was after noticing that at the Lagos event (pre-burial), it was Emeka that stood in for the family. Again, at the burial proper – where only he and his brother, Okigbo occupied what in Igboland is known as ‘nwogo’, acknowledging all those that came to the burial and also accepting their gifts. Debe was no where near there. Even when President Goodluck Jonathan and his team arrived, it was Emeka, Jnr. that again welcomed him. Likewise all the other dignitaries.
“Debe was like a spectator on that day”, lamented one observer. “He only strolled in with his group and also strolled out. He didn’t do anything of importance that day”.
Project Fame Eyo Drops New Video
Shortly after leaving the Project Fame Academy, in late 2011, Eyo, the second runner up in the competition, has decided to move his career forward. Having recorded quite a number of singles, the hardworking and ambitious young man, who hails from Akwa-Ibom State, just released the video of one of his most popular singles, Show for you eyes. Shot by Paul Gambit Obata of Gambit Pictures, Eyo who beat fellow Ghanaian contestant, Kesse, to emerge the second runner up, has joined colleague, Chidinma, who has two videos on air. He told us he will stop at nothing to improve his career.
Thursday, 8 March 2012
MY HEART BEATS FOR THE DOWN-TRODDEN - UFUOMA EMERHOR
MY HEART BEATS FOR THE DOWN-TRODDEN
- UFUOMA EMERHOR
Ufuoma Emerhor is a different breed of the human specie. As the first daughter of Olorogun O’tega
Emerhor, OON, Chairman of Standard Alliance Assurance she is a silver spoon kid
by birth. Schooled at the best schools in Nigeria and England. In her hand bag
lies a First Class Certificate in Social Works which she obtained from
Manchester Metropolitan University in England. All these brilliance, comfort
and wealth she has locked up in the boot of life to drive on the rickety road
of the less privileged. In this interview with Paschal O Obioha, she opens up on her pet project,
Fair Life Africa Foundation and what life means to her. Enjoy the excerpt.
Let’s meet you
My name is Ufuoma Emerhor. I run Fair Life Africa Foundation;
we support street kids by trying to give them a fairer life.
Take us through your
growing up experience
My growing up experience, I lived in a village until I was
six years old then we moved to Lagos, we stayed at Palm Groove, from there we
moved to Anthony Village. We also stayed at Dolphin Estate in 1993 before I first
went to England; I was 11 years at that time.
Licensed Victualler’s School was the school I and my sister attended there;
it’s a boarding school in Berkshire. I came back to Nigeria in 1997, I went to
Atlantic Hall to complete my Secondary education. I also went to Ivy College in
Ikeja, I did one year A Level there. Then I went back to England, started a
course in Computer Engineering, that was trying to do something that my Dad
wanted not my wish even though I was alright at it. I got distracted by other
things that I had passion for like working in the Ministry, taking care of the
less privileged. I went into Social Works after trying my hands at some
vocational works in England. I came in March 2010 to serve my country, NYSC.
After which I started what I had always wanted to do, working with street kids.
For the records, I studied Social Works at Manchester Metropolitan University;
I came out with First Class, second division though. I majored in Children and
Family.
Share the fun memory
living under the roof of your parents as a child
I enjoyed all the travelling; I always enjoyed the road
trips. The music especially those of Michael Bolton. I love the family time
that we had, when we go away together and also the Sunday Breakfast we used to
have together at home.
As an offspring of
the Emerhor family, what will you say is the character your parents taught you
that has shaped who you are today?
They taught me up to respectful, to be nurturing. They
brought me up to value what I have
Now considering your
silver spoon background, why did you throw away all the mouth watering jobs to
run a Non Governmental Organization?
It is as valid as any other occupation in life; it’s always
a question of motive, what you want in life. If you are driven by money, you
definitely run away from this. If you are a criminal who wants to get involved
in this to swindle people, you soon be found out. The reason I went into this
is because I can’t stand injustice and inequality. I am also a natural advocate
especially for issues like this. I always want to please God. I read in the
Bible that real worship to God is helping the Orphans and Widows, I want to do
that. I also considered being a Nun some time in my life. I just want to live a
life that makes an impact. If we take care of our environment, if we take care
of the needy, we will have the paradise that we seek. Money is only a tool and
what it does is corrupt.
From parental angle,
did you battle to convince your parents that you wanted to do this?
There was this fear of will I get their full support? They
weren’t actually against or in support but what made it easier was the fact
that they saw that it was in me. They thought about it and were like, this is
where she is going, it could be worse. I had conversations with my dad on
working with him or my mum; I had ideas of businesses to do on my own but
nothing came out of them because they all died naturally
How did you start
Fair Life Africa Foundation?
By the end of 2010, I wrote a proposal for Care Continuity Challenges
Initiative which I shared with my Dad and he was like let’s do something with
this, let’s set up a foundation so we started asking other people who run NGOs
how to get registered, where are the children. We found out that they are at Kuramo
Beach, we started visiting Kuramo in February, and also started doing
programmes for the children every week. While we were doing that, we were also
looking for where to situate the office then we found this ideal property. The
more we searched, the more doors opened, besides time and money, we didn’t have
any barriers. So far we have been learning on the job.
What is philosophy
driving Fair Life Africa Foundation
Fair Life Africa, we empower people; we give them a fairer
life because life is not fair. We can’t say we are giving them a fair life but
we try to give them a fairer life by providing the basic needs in life, giving
them more opportunities. Trying to
alleviate the vulnerable, strictly children. We operate through social initiatives; Care
Continuity Challenges is focused on street children. We are going to also
establish other programmes that will focus on drug abuse, domestic violence,
child trafficking and even issues like unemployment. House helps because they
are also vulnerable. There are a lot of other potential areas we would
diversify into but we are trying to stabilize and expand to other parts of
Nigeria first. We are also hoping that other people would see that we are genuine,
that we don’t seek anything for ourselves and be part of it.
Throw more light on
the Care Continuity Challenge Initiative
It is a three stage holistic programme , going by the name,
the first stage is care. This is the point of contacting the children, bringing
them to our care centre, trying to know them and why they are on the street,
getting them to open up so we can know how to help them . Providing for their
basic needs. Continuity is the point
where we are concerned about their future, do they want to get back to their
family, we try to find family, get them
talking again then try to minimize the risk of them running back to the streets
again. The Challenge is that we won’t always find the family, the children
might be Orphans or their parents might be highly abusive and even needs
prosecution. When that happens, we have to put up a long term plan like long
term accommodation to adulthood, get them to go to school or learn a trade that
is if they agree to and also promise to behave in a way that will not damage
our care system. We will do this until they become functional adults.
So far what are the
challenges you have faced
Time and money and Nigerian mentality. Mentality like things
can’t change, African time mentality.
The Police, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, the
Ministry of Youth Sports and Social Development, we have been trying to
register since July last year, they have been telling us that they don’t have
money to come and visit, they said we should come and pick them , when you go,
they say you should come back. They make it so impossible to do your job. When
you are trying to help correct something the government couldn’t fix. Another
challenge is, people suspect you because of other people who used platforms
like this in fraudulent ways. They might not want to support to your project;
some prefer to support the bigger, well known organizations.
Recently you were
given an Award by the International Women Society, how does it feel being
recognized
It’s great, it feel good. It was an encouragement for the
works that I have been doing through Fair Life Africa Foundation. The Award was
also an encouragement to other young women out there to take up such
responsibility. I feel privileged, recognized. I hope the recognition will make
an impact in the support that we need.
What challenges has
your background thrown to you so far?
One of them is that people think I am a bank account. People
thinking that because I have a heart for the less privileged they can exploit
that but they don’t know that it gets on my nerves and I can’t put up with it.
People also treating me like what I am doing is a game, a part time job thereby
not taking me seriously when to me it’s everything.
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