Photos: Angry Arik Air passengers block Abuja airport runway

Angry passengers yesterday evening Thursday September 26th blocked the runway of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, preventing planes from taking-off or landing.

The passengers, who disembarked from an Arik Air flight, blocked the Abuja runway because the flight they took from Abuja to Calabar was not allowed to land in Calabar around 5.30pm for safety reasons - the runway lightening was poor, forcing the pilot to return the passengers to Abuja.

The passengers now felt the best way to express their anger was to prevent other planes from taking off or landing at the Abuja airport. Continue...

Arik Air spokesperson, Mr. Adebanji Ola, said that it was not the airline's fault that the Calabar airport was closed by the time the flight from Abuja got there.

He said,

“The flight was delayed because there was Very Important Personality movement and there was also some weather issues, it is not the fault of the airline that the plane could not land there. We are amazed that despite the security at the Abuja airport, passengers were still able to hijack the aircraft and hold other planes to ransom, that should not be the case.”

Oprah Winfrey says she'll leave this earth as a 'never married' woman

Billionaire talk show legend and actress Oprah Winfrey 59, has been dating Stedman Graham, 62, since 1986. That's 27 years - longer than a lot of marriages. Oprah said in an interview recently that although she considered marriage after she attended Tina Turner's wedding in Switzerland in July, she's pretty sure she will leave the world as a woman who 'never got married'

When asked if she would leave earth as a “never-married” woman, Oprah made her feelings very clear. “Yes,” she told Access Hollywood. “Yeah, I think that’s my final answer.”

“I think that it’s interesting that you would ask it because I thought about it again at Tina Turner’s wedding. Because Tina was like, ‘Oprah, you need to do this. You need to do it.’ I was just thinking, ‘Well, OK, would things really be different?’ And no, I don’t think so. If you ever interviewed him (Stedman), he would tell you that had we married, we would not be together today, because he’s a traditional man and this is a very untraditional relationship.”

Oprah also explained that she couldn’t be a wife because the word holds responsibilities she doesn’t feel capable of handling.

Dear Nigerians, My Own Deputy Betrayed Me - Governor Suntai

Ailing Taraba State Governor Danbaba Suntai has accused his deputy, Alhaji Garba Umar, of betrayal. Suntai said he least expected the deputy governor to lust for his (Suntai’s) office given the confidence he reposed in him.

Suntai, who spoke through his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr. Sylvanus Yakubu, said the governor was not the only one that felt betrayed but the entire people of the state.

Yakubu, who was reacting to Umar’s statement on Tuesday that he was 100 per cent loyal to Suntai and would not undermine his authority, said, “His (Umar’s) activities are a direct opposite of what he keeps saying.”.

Yakubu, in a statement made available to newsmen in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, on Thursday, added that he had personally lost the respect for Umar, who has been the state acting governor since October last year when Suntain sustained injuries when the small aircraft he flown crashed in nearby Adamawa.

“The deputy governor keeps talking of 100 per cent loyalty, but the reverse is the case; his people are in court against Governor Suntai,” he said.

Besides the allegation that Umar bribed the state lawmakers to transmit power to him to continue to act, he also accused the deputy governor of being the sole financier in the suit Danbaba filed against some members of the House of Assembly.

Yakubu said, “What we want is to see him (Umar) showing concern for the governor’s health, and loyalty to his principal, by negotiating with him on how to resolve the political impasse.

“The governor had on August 28 announced the dissolution of the executive and new appointments but Umar disregarded the dissolution. A cabal was trying to hijack the machinery of government.”

Meanwhile, a former Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Alhaji Habu Isa, has said that Umar’s continued stay in office as acting governor was constitutional.

Isa said in a statement on Thursday that Umar’s tenure as acting governor was in order since the House had passed a resolution for him to continue in that capacity till Suntai would be fit to resume his office.

He said, “The lawmakers were convinced that the governor they met was not the source of the letter of resumption sent to the House. Their efforts to set up a medical panel was blocked when by proxy, the state executive council was dissolved. Left with no other option in the interim.

“The State Assembly passed a resolution mandating Alhaji Umar to continue in acting capacity.''

- See more at: http://www.411vibes.com/2013/09/dear-nigerians-my-own-deputy-betrayed.html#more

Being actors doesn’t mean we can’t do other things –Orji

Orji
| credits: File copy

Seasoned actor, Zach Orji, speaks with JANE AUGOYE about what his colleagues in Nollywood do outside movie locations

As Nollywood actor, Zach Orji, goes deeper in the Lord’s vineyard, he is a bit disturbed that decisions by some actors to go into other businesses or callings attract what he sees as undue attention or comments. According to the artist, who is also fluent in French, his colleagues are not doing anything out of the ordinary.

“All over the world, it is normal for people in any field of life to go into something different when they get to a certain level. Here in Nigeria, civil servants and teachers try their hands on different things besides their regular jobs. So, I don’t know why those of actors should be any different. This is a normal human endeavour. More so, most times your salary is never enough to take care of your responsibilities.

“So, I don’t know why that of an actor should be considered different. Being an actor does not stop us from doing other things. So, let’s not look at it as abnormal. People can always choose to express their talents in other areas,” he says.

Orji, who was recently ordained a pastor at the Powerline Church, in Lagos, also countered claims that he had quit acting due to his new calling.

“While it is true that I am now a pastor, it has not in any way affected my career. I have featured in various movie projects lately, the most recent being Chimamanda Adichie’s best-selling novel, Half of a Yellow Sun, which was recently adapted for screenplay. Besides, I have been on various sets. I won’t be able to tell you their titles because most times all the producers do is to bring you scripts, without a title. I will be on set of a new movie by ace Nollywood producer, Rosemary Ingbi, next week,” he adds.

Although Orji, who is most famous for his gentlemanly movie roles, maintains that these actors are simply expressing themselves, for some of his colleagues, this is not the case. Apart from losing juicy deals to music stars, some consider this move as a basic survival instinct.

After all, it seems that it no longer pays to be just an actor, with piracy and absence of structured distribution networks threatening the fabric of their industry’s existence. Some are even tempted to say that Nollywood is no longer in vogue.

Some actors have tried their hands in music, though it can be argued that this is often a show of other talents. Genevieve Nnaji, Jim Iyke, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Kate Henshaw and most recently, Nollywood bad girl, Tonto Dikeh, are examples. Yet, pundits have said that it is important to note that the success of an actor’s decision to delve into music goes way beyond just being a popular face or possessing good looks.

Before now, one area where a good number of the screen stars had found consolation is in endorsements by corporate organisations, especially telecom giants that include Globacom and MTN. But the tides is changing. Many music makers now own the day and in turn, call the shots anywhere they go. They are also fast becoming role models to many Nigerian youths, who hitherto revered Nollywood actors.

Obasanjo’s ‘insult’ made me a superstar –Eedris

Eedris Abdulkareem

Controversies and scandals aside, Afro Hip Hop artiste, Eedris Abdulkareem, is happy that he chose the path of music, writes
JAYNE AUGOYE

Anytime his name is mentioned in a gathering, many incidents readily come to mind. For some people it is his scuffle with American rapper, 50 Cents, during his visit to Nigeria, in 2004. Others m­ay choose to remember his numerous swipes at colleagues in his songs.

However, beyond the many controversies that have dogged his career over the years, Eedris Abdulkareem, was once a professional table tennis player and journalist.

Recalling some of his exploits with a wide grin, the rapper says, “Back then, my passion was journalism, sports and music. As a hustler, you do everything but the most important thing is to get some form of education. I had a stint in journalism in Kano State with the Daily Times at the time, but I left because I wasn’t really passionate about it. More so, I was young and I thought it would not fetch me money.

At age 15, I represented Kano State as a table tennis player. I was also part of the Nigerian Table Tennis contingent to the All Africa Games in 1985, which took place in Kenya, with the likes of Funke Oshinaike, Atunda Musa and the late Yomi Bankole.”

The Bayero University, Mass Communication graduate says, “God told me emphatically that my calling was music because he wants me to use it to speak for the voiceless.

He said, ‘Eedris, leave Kano, you are going to go to Lagos to do music, you would go through a lot but you will make it nonetheless. As soon as you have the opportunity to speak on the microphone, use it to talk about the ills in the society like sexual harassment, politics, embezzlement and illiteracy. Also, I was interested in music because my mother raised 10 children and lost seven of them. It made me a very conscious boy at a tender age because of that.”

Looking back, the artiste, who has been in the game for two decades, says he is glad that he yielded to the call.

“I would have made more money from music if I sing praises. But if you are a public officer who is accountable, I will definitely praise you. With music, I have met all my needs and gained international recognition. I have the authority to walk up to any governor’s door and get instant recognition. They will say, “Ah, Eedris Abdulkareem, Obasanjo’s friend, Jaga jaga”. It has opened many doors for me and I don’t have to sell my soul to the devil or become a member of illuminati to be successful,” he says amid laughter.

When asked to comment on the high point of his career, his face lights up in a smile

“The best to ever happen to me was former President Olusegun Obasanjo talking back at me, calling me a mere street boy whose father is not known. The president took me to the next level, I became a super star, and now people know me, because Obasanjo put me in his level.”

As if these achievements are not enough, the rapper, who has been running an independent label, La Kreem Records, since 2004, is happy because he has succeeded in keeping the home front intact in spite of controversies.

“I love my family and wife so much that I don’t joke with them. I have been married for 13 years, though they thought it would last three months. I proved to them that it is possible to be a family man and artiste at the same time. I am an inspiration to other married celebrities,” he boasts.

Things can only get better, as far as Eedris is concerned. With a sixth album due in November, the Osun State native, who says he has a few friends in the industry, tries to clear a few issues off his chest.

“I don’t need endorsements, but I am cool with the shows that Mike Adenuga has been giving me. Shows are enough for me. I will endorse my own product which I am putting together. I need more shows because they pay my bills. If I tell you I want endorsements you may think that most of the things I sing about are for endorsement. I don’t want it, but I do it for other Nigerian artistes so they can live big. But if you must endorse, choose people that will add value to your life.

Endorsement is the best thing that has ever happened to Nigeria. My only grouse is that abroad, endorsed artistes add value to other people’s lives. Here in Nigeria, it is the opposite,” he says.

DJ Switch wins GLO X Factor

DJ Switch

DJ Switch has emerged the first ever winner of the keenly contested GLO X Factor talent show. With the win, Switch, who is a one time winner of the Star Quest reality show, walks away with N24m, an SUV and a recording contract with SONY music

She beat Eshun and Vicky in the final of the event held at Dream Studio, in Ikeja, Lagos, on Wednesday. Producers have however not announced the winner as the recording will be aired on Television this weekend.

DJ Switch (real name Obianuju Catherine Udeh), who currently resides in Abuja, studied Geology at the University of Port Harcourt.

She was a member of Da Pulse, a band that won the 2009 edition of STAR QUEST music talent show. She was featured on Weird MC‘s

I was pelted with tomatoes for snatching my friend’s husband in a movie — Shan George

Shan Gearge
| credits: File copy

She cause ripples with her acting skills and interpreted her scripts professionally. Then, Cross River State-born actress, Shan George made headlines as one of the sexy actresses in Nollywood. She opens up on her career and life

You have been quiet for a while, what have you been up to?

I am working on my latest film entitled ‘Finding Goodluck’. It will be released very soon.

It was said you withdrew because of the emergence of young girls in the industry?

I have heard this lot of times but we should all realise that this industry has no age limit. I am still acting and will still be acting till death. I was not seen for sometime because when you do a job for about 10 years or more, you are balanced well and need not be seen everywhere like before. That does not mean you are no longer in the industry. Entertainment is ageless and unending.

Or were you intimidated?

I think it’s a shallow way of thinking. It’s not a competition of youthfulness. It is an industry that accommodates everybody of any age. Actors such as Justus Esiri and Sam Loco-Efe died as actors at a much matured age. It is no longer the home video era where you shoot a movie in two weeks. Now, movies are taken to the cinema and that means your script has to be very good. The same applies to your logistics of location, audition, actors and lots more. All these take a very long period to put together. My latest work took me two years to put together. If you are seeing in me in 10 movies some years back, it’s no longer like that because I am more involved in film production. Some people should grow up, please.

So far, how many movies have you produced?

I produced my first movie when I was at the University of Lagos which was in 2008. It was titled All for Winnie. Till date, I have produced 22 movies in all.

Where did you get the money to fund all these works?

It has been God all the way.

There are some actresses who haven’t produced a movie till date?

You don’t have to produce a film if you don’t have the desire to do so.

What inspired you to go into production even as an actress?

I started as an actress and a producer. Let me say its desire and ability that brought me up into producing. Some people may not just want to produce, not because they don’t have the money, but they don’t desire it.

How has those scandals published in the media affected you?

As a human being, such things affect me. How we cope with it is what makes us different. For me, I see it as the hazard of the profession. Fortunately, my children are adults and can decipher truth from falsehood. Truth is, when people write false comments about you, those who are very close to you (your family) always know the truth. They are those who matter to me.

Once you have a clear conscience, then there is no fear.

How do you cope with fans who either like or hate you for roles you play in films?

I love all of them. I show them love because I know some will hate you and others will like you. The men? You don’t even need to be a celebrity before men rush at you. Any man makes advances at every good-looking woman.

Where did the issue of your third marriage emanate from?

There was no third marriage. Actually, it was a role I played in a movie. Entitled ‘Heartbreak’, it was shot late last year in Abuja. In the movie, I got married and the production pictures circulated in the media as part of publicity stunt for the movie. Then, some bloggers, who claim to be journalists, got hold of it and said I got married! It was just a movie wedding not a real one.

When do you plan to re-marry since your children are all grown and you have debunked any recent marriage?

I have re-married! There has been no divorce although we have fought and gone our separate ways, but we are still together.

Let’s talk about your marriage

I don’t think it is a relevant question because it is an African mentality. It is only a man who wants to ask you out that should ask if I am married or not. The Shan George in films and that in real life are two different people. The Shan George they created in the entertainment was full of life, loved high-flying lifestyle and was sexy. That has nothing to do with my person.

The reality of it is that most people have this sex idol image and they want to keep hammering on the sex issue. They keep saying I wear skimpy clothes but now some girls wear more terrible clothes. In those days, we wore skimpy clothes only to act films but now you see them wear it on the streets!

Are there times you regret being an actress?

Yes. I do nurse regrets when people assume you are the roles you interpret in films. It is make-believe and if you don’t do it well, no producer comes for you again. The number two challenge of acting is the fact that people think you are what they see in movies. If you were living in a big house or you are a big Abuja babe and then when they see you in real life they want to see you in that wealthy appearance and opulence which is not in existence and then it has a psychological effect on those acting.

There was a time I was pelted with tomatoes at Alade market because some of those people believed I snatched my friend’s husband in a movie! That aside, some actors act as rich men/women in films and cannot extricate themselves from such roles in reality. They now live beyond their means and get involved in scandals because they are so desperate to meet with the standard. I am not a victim of that anyway.

Is that a challenge in the make-believe industry?

Yes, some actors find it hard to come out of a character and be themselves. If you are not careful, you lose yourself in the middle of different characters.

But there are films you expose a bit of flesh.

Yes, that was then. Now, I reject some scripts not because they would not pay me, (in fact, they are willing to pay double) but because of obscenity. Recently, I was invited to shoot a film in Ghana and I rejected the script because it exposes a lot of my body as a character in the movie. The producer was willing to pay me in millions but I refused.

How have you been able to maintain your trim stature?

I’m just lucky because I don’t diet or go to the gym; but I am very careful about what I eat.

Do you have a beauty routine?

My hair is natural, my skin is natural and I do not apply make-up. Therefore, I do not have a beauty routine. I use normal lotion.

Do you have dreams?

I don’t waste time dreaming. Dreaming is for people that are sleeping as far as I am concerned. As long as you are doing something, you don’t dream. You can probably have a projection when you are working on something. I live with my projection and when I am done, I rest and move to another.

How fashionable are you?

I might wear designer clothes but I just get to the boutique and pick what I like. As long as it is fine and fits me, I wear it. I don’t follow the trend. Fashion does not me feel high. If you are too intellectually balanced, it is hard to pull off fashion trends because it is a thing of the mind and your mind is on intellectual things. So, there is no time for fashion.

Are you still the sexy Shan?

I remain Shan George and I don’t understand what you mean by being sexy.

Comedian Bovi and wife welcome baby girl

Popular comedian Bovi Ugboma and wife Christabel welcomed a daughter last night September 25th at 8:47pm. This is the couple's second child. Big congrats to them. Another pic after the cut...

Graphic photos: Train kills man (cuts him into pieces) in Oshodi

Some eyewitnesses said the man threw himself in front of the train, some said he was just walking across the railway track with his friends when a train coming from Agege approached early yesterday morning around the Bolade area of Oshodi. Don't know which one is accurate but there's one fact; the unidentified man was crushed into pieces by the train. When I say into pieces, I mean head off, hand off, leg off, cut into two from the stomach. Horrific!

Please I beg you don't open the photos, it will give you nightmares. But if you insist, see them after the cut..

Pics thanks to a LIBer who witnessed it @kordayty.

Okada man flings himself in front of oncoming trailer over seizure of his bike

A desperate, angry Okada man tried to kill himself yesterday Thursday September 26th by throwing himself in front of a trailer and then, an SUV after his motorcycle was seized in Oyo State.

According to a report by Nigerian Tribune, the unidentified Okada man was stopped by officers of the Oyo State Commercial Vehicle Registration Unit and upon checking his papers, alleged they were fake, after which they seized his Okada.

According to eyewitnesses the man pleaded with the officers for a while but when his begging fell on deaf ears, he attempted suicide by flinging himself in front of two on coming vehicles.

Fortunately there were people around the area to rescue him both times. He later went into shock and started foaming from the mouth. Some policemen arrived the scene and took the man to the hospital.

2face to perform at ARS championship closing, as Arsenal legend, Robert Pires confirms attendance

Nigerian music heavy-weight, 2face Idibia is expected to set the Agege Township Stadium alight this Sunday, September 22nd, 2013, for the Closing Ceremony of the Airtel Rising Stars Africa Championship.

Also the youngest Nigerian non-inheritor millionaire and winner of the inaugural edition of the Nigeria’s Got Talent (NGT) Television show, Amarachi Uyanne, and the first runner up of the NGT competition, violinist, Godwin Strings are slated to perform at this event. Continue...

Big Brother Africa – The Chase Housemates, Melvin Oduah and Beverly Osu will also add colour to the occasion as they storm the venue of the championship to support talented kids drawn from 16 African countries. Meanwhile, Arsenal legend, Robert Pires, has also confirmed his attendance of the closing event. He will arrive Nigeria on Saturday, September 21 for the Grand finale. Continue...

Nigeria’s topnotch songster, 2face will light up the stage and take excitement to a higher level as he performs hits from his rich repertoire of songs while Amarachi Uyanne and Godwin Strings will also relive moments of the maiden edition of the NGT show as they perform to thrill guests with what some enthusiasts have dubbed avant-garde entertainment.

This year’s edition of the ARS kicked off Monday at the Agege Township Stadium with host Nigeria recording respective victories in the opening group matches against Kenya female and DRC male teams.

The Airtel Rising Stars Africa Championship, which kicked off on Monday, is part of the Airtel Rising Stars programme, a soccer talent initiative that has focused on identifying and nurturing soccer talent.

Broadcast by SuperSport and Canal Plus, the Airtel football competition provides the perfect platform to spot top soccer talents from the continent.

Over 600 aspiring footballers travelled to Lagos to participate in the Airtel Rising Stars Africa Championship. The countries that are participating are - Kenya, Tanzania, Madagascar, Malawi, Ghana, Zambia, Gabon, DRC, Burkina Faso, Chad, Congo Brazzaville, Uganda, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda and Sierra Leone.

Segun Ogunsanya, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Airtel Nigeria, said: "Airtel has signed broadcasting pact with SuperSport and Canal Plus to ensure that young aspiring footballers get the Pan African media exposure they deserve. Fans across the continent have the opportunity to view the dazzling skills of these extremely talented players."

Mr. Ogunsanya confirmed that as part of its partnership with DSTV’s sports channel, SuperSport, the Boys and Girls final matches will be broadcast live on Sunday September 22nd.

The best players of the tournament will participate in football clinics under the supervision of the best coaches of the Arsenal FC and Manchester United soccer schools. The clinics will be held in April 2014 in Lagos (Nigeria) and Lubumbashi (Democratic Republic of Congo).

The Airtel Rising Stars Africa U-17 soccer tournament is a unique pan-African initiative of Airtel Africa designed to create a pool of talents to feed the national football teams of African countries.