ALL ABOUT THE 2014 AFRIMA AWARDS: THE WINNERS, THE CULTURE, THE HERITAGE

The hosts - globally renowned African music star, 2Baba Idibia and
Togo’s bilingual radio and TV personality, Marisse Akotie

The 2014 All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, brought together some of the best talents from the five regions of the continent to the 2014 main award ceremony held on Saturday, December 27, at the Grand Ballroom, Oriental Hotel, Lagos Nigeria.

Starting from the red carpet to the stage embellishments, Africa’s enduring cultural heritage and creativity were on display at the highly-anticipated awards ceremony that also welcomed guests which included African Union Commission, AUC, officials, government officials from ministries of culture, ministries of trade and industry and captains of industry across Africa.




The ceremony, produced by PRM Africa, a Lagos-based PR, Brand Communication and Event Production Agency, was conceptualized around African cultural themes ranging from the rich Egyptian heritage of the Pharaoh era to the earthy depth of the artistically intricate Benin Kingdom, the folklore and oratory skills of the West Africans and the fierce power of the Zulu Kingdom.

The event’s 14 ushers wore the Benin queen and Egyptian queen attires –seven apiece, while the 16-man strong security team wore the traditional regalia of Zulu warriors of South Africa to man the event venue and the red carpet area where guests were treated to assorted drinks, finger foods, photo shoots and interview sessions.

THE OPENING
AFRIMA 2014 opened with a dramatic appearance on stage of the 11 feet high ‘Adagbe’ drum; arguably the world’s tallest drum -rhythmically beaten by drummers on stilts while fire breathers brought a fiery glow to the performance. The capacity audience was further awed by the presence of veteran Nigerian culturist and actor, Pa Peter Fatomilola who emerged on stage to chant a litany of prayers and proverbs in Yoruba language.

THE HOSTS AND PERFORMANCES
The event was hosted by globally renowned African music star, 2Baba Idibia and Togo’s bilingual radio and TV personality, Marisse Akotie with the first music performance by 2Baba in his regal royal outfit of a Pharaoh -a ruler in ancient Egypt- to perform his hit single Odi Ya to backing choreography by 54 children representing the 54 countries on the African continent. .

Wiyaala from Ghana performing on stage at the 2014 AFRIMA award

Other sizzling performances came from top African performing artistes such as Dear Zim from Zimbabwe; Wiyaala from Ghana; Radio and Weasel from Uganda; Bez, TemiDollface, Niyola, Timi Dakolo, Oritsefemi, Davido all from Nigeria among others.


THE AWARDS, THE WINNERS
Nigeria artistes also took home the highest number of trophies, 13 in total, with O.B.O crooner, Davido, carting away four of the coveted 29.3 carat gold-plated AFRIMA trophies.

L-R Hosts, 2Face, Marisse Acotie and Davido

2Baba won the Best African R’n’B & Soul category endorsed by Channel O; Inspirational Singer, Nikki Laoye won Best Female Artist in African Inspirational Music.

Nikki Laoye from Nigeria winner of the Best Female Artist in Inspirational Music

2Face from Nigeria admiring his Best RnB award trophy endorsed by Channel O

L-R: Head of culture and social affairs, African Union Commission, Mrs. Angela Martins presenting the AFRIMA Legend Award won by Fela Anikulapo Kuti to his daughter, Yeni Kuti, at the 2014 AFRIMA awards ceremony held at Grand Ballroom, Oriental Hotel, Lagos recently.

 Afrobeat creator, late Fela Anikulapo Kuti received the AFRIMA Legend Award which was presented by the Head of Culture Division, Social Affairs Department, African Union Commission, Mrs. Angela Martins and received on Fela’s behalf by his first daughter, Yeni Kuti. 

Vanessa Mdee from Tanzania, winner of the Best Female Artist in East Africa

Dear Zim from Zimbabwe winner of the Best African Rock award kissing his trophy at the AFRIMA award

L-R: Best Female Artiste in Southern Africa, AFRIMA 2014, Cindy Munyavi (Zimbabwe) and Best Male Artiste in Northern Africa, AFRIMA 2014, Ahmed Soultan (Morocco)

L-R: Nollywood actress, Cossy Orjiakor and Zimbabwe Rock star, Dear Zim on stage to present award at the All Africa Music Awards ceremony

Other African winners include Dear Zim from Zimbabwe for Best African Rock; Ahmed Soultan for Best Male Artist North Africa; Cindy Munyavi for Best Female Artiste in Southern Africa; Vanessa Mdee from Tanzania for Best Female Artist in East Africa and many more.

Some presenters of awards for night also include Rikki Stein, international adviser of AFRIMA (UK), Kenny Ogungbe (Nigeria), Delani Makhalima (Zimbabwe), Peter Mscheu (Tanzania), OJB Jezreel (Nigeria), Tee Mac (Nigeria), Ahmed Soultan (Morocco), Steve Ayorinde (Nigeria), Davina Green (Zimbabwe), Richmir Totah (Republic du Benin), Cossy Orjiakor (Nigeria), Dear Zim (Zimbabwe) among others.

AFRIMA, in partnership with the African Union Commission, is a platform to reward the creative excellence of African talents and provide a platform to showcase the culture of Africa globally. The 2014 awards ceremony was supported by ONE.org, Africa 2.0, Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation. Corporate sponsors are Kenya Airways, Procter and Gamble, Peugeot and Diamond Bank.



L-R International Flutist and former PMAN president, Tee Mac, Daughter of late Afro Beat Legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Yeni Kuti and Rikki Stein, AFRIMA International Adviser (UK)


2014 AFRIMA Awards Winners’ List


Continental Categories


Album of the Year
Olamide (Nigeria)
Title:Baddest Guy Ever Liveth


Best Female Artiste in Inspirational Music
Nikki Laoye (Nigeria)
Track: Only You


Best Male Artiste in Inspirational Music
Bro. Philemon feat. Morris (Ghana)
Track:It is Well


Song Writer of the Year
Olawale Ashimi (Brymo)Nigeria
Track:Down


Best African Group/Duo/Band
Paul and Peter Okoye (P-Square)Nigeria
Track:Personally


Best African Collaboration
D’Banj and Friends (19 countries in Africa)
Track:Cocoa Na Chocolate


Most Promising Artist in Africa
Wiyaala (Ghana)
Track:Rock My Body


Best African Contemporary
Angelique Kidjo (Benin)
Track: Shango Wa


Best African Electro
Mi Casa (South Africa)
Track: Jika


Best African Hip Hop
Davido (Nigeria)
Track: Aiye


Best African Pop
Elani (Kenya)
Track: Kookoo


Best African Reggae, Ragga & Dancehall
Radio and Weasel (Uganda)
Track: Breath Away



Best RnB & Soul (Brought To You By Channel O)
2Face (Nigeria)
Track: Dance in the Rain


Best African Traditional Music
Adjiboye (Benin) and Yinka Ayanda (Nigeria)
Track: Inna and Ise


Best African Rock
Dear Zim (Zimbabwe)
Track: Indiana


Best Video
Bez (Kemi Adetiba) Nigeria
Track: Say


Revelation of the African Continent
Wiyaala feat. Jupitar (Ghana)
Track: Rock My body


Song of the Year
Davido (Nigeria)
Track: Aiye


Producer of the Year
Don Jazzy (Nigeria)
Track: Eminado

and

Robbie Malinga & Mojalefa Thebe (South Africa)
Track: Impilo


Artiste of the Year
Davido(Nigeria)

REGIONAL CATEGORIES


Best Female in Central Africa
Laurette La Perle (DR Congo)
Track: Lembo La Mboka Ame


Best Male Artist in Central Africa
Fally Ipupa (DR Congo)
Track: Original


Best Female Artist in East Africa
Vanessa Mdee (Tanzania)
Track: Cover


Best Male Artist in East Africa
Diamond Platinumz (Tanzania)
Track: Number One


Best Female Artist in North Africa
Noura Mint Seymale (Mauritania)
Track: Tzenni


Best Male Artist in North Africa
Ahmed Soultan (Morocco)
Track :It’s Alright


Best Female Artist in Southern Africa
Cindy Munyavi (Zimbabwe)
Track: Parere Moyo


Best Male Artist in Southern Africa
Heavy K feat. Professor (South Africa)
Track: Beautiful War


Best Female artiste in West Africa
Angelique Kidjo (Benin)
Track: Shango Wa


Best Male Artiste in West Africa
Davido (Nigeria)
Track: Skelewu


AFRIMA Legendary Award
Fela Anikulapo Kuti (Nigeria)

Stella Damascus Finally Confess Dating Doris Simeon's Ex

You know when your man is gone with another and you just hoping maybe its not true..I am sure Doris knew all that was happening but Stella till now never confirmed anything for sure..

And last week she Open Widely !! And I just felt a lil bad for Doris I mean The man don go be that..

My heart prayed for her,NO I am not saying anyone is right or wrong..But obviously someone might be hurt than the other party and so I checked up on her... errrr I mean where "we" you and I go check up on celebrities?? I mean Thank GOD for Instagram hehehehe..

And from her photos she's lookimg radiant, and beautiful so Y'all dont worry..Doris will be fine..

Check out her look to Ibinabo's Wedding below..

Top 10 Songs That Rocked Nigeria In 2014

NOTE:- This List was Complied by Encomium Magazine.

Contemporary Nigerian artistes have always shook clubs and parties with charging and monstrous hits, but in 2014, they took it up another notch, releasing songs that had their fans bopping and swaying from dance tracks propagating new dance moves such as Sekem and Shoki to songs celebrating love.

ENCOMIUM Weekly takes a look at the songs that rocked the year…

MAVIN, Dorobucci

The video of the hit song, Dorobucci featured Mavin’s boss, Don Jazzy, Tiwa Savage, Dr. Sid, D’Prince, Korede Bello, Di’ja and Reekado Banks.

Dorobucci, which shook the music landscape, premiered some months ago and in less than 24 hours, the video had over 10,000 views on YouTube.

DAVIDO, Aye

The 22 year old pop star, David Adedeji Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, released his hit song, Aye produced by T-Sprize early 2014.

The video, directed by the virtuoso, Clarence Peters, features heavy use of traditional costumes. With this song, Davido really made waves in the entertainment industry.

OREZI, Shoki

Afro hip hop singer, Esegine Allen, famously known as Orezi cashed in on the popularity of the Shoki dance step by creating a song of the same name.

The song, Shoki produced by Popito was widely accepted by Nigerians and till now has not left the lips of his fans.

SKALES, Shake Body

Rapper, singer and songwriter, Raoul John Njeng-Njeng, popularly known as Skales kicked off his new phase with a single, Shake Body produced by Jay Pizzle.

Shake Body is a beautiful dance track which ruled dance floors at clubs and parties throughout the year.

ORITSEFEMI, Double Wahala
Self-professed musical Taliban, Oristsefemi Majemito Ekele, famously known as Oritsefemi, had an unforgettable 2014. His remake of Abami Eda, Fela Kuti’s Double Wahala shot him to the top of the charts and made him grin from ear as he walked to the bank.

Dr SID, Surulere

Surulere, suru laye yi o…Nigerian music lovers, both young and old sang along with Dr. Sid and Mavin Records boss and beat making guru, Don Jazzy on this track.

It’s a song that preaches patience and its rewards as portrayed in the Daniel Ugo shot visuals.

SEYI SHEY, Murda

Sultry singer, Seyi Shey ruled the air waves with Murda featuring singers Patoranking and Shaydee. The hit, produced by the veteran Dokta Frabz, has a catchy beat and rhythmic chorus which made it a deejay’s favourite.

YEMI ALADE, Johnny

Delectable singer, Yemi Eberechi Alade, popularly known as Yemi Alade ruled the airwaves with Johnny produced by Selebobo.

The visuals for the hit, shot by the prolific Clarence Peters, featured Nollywood actor, Alexx Ekubo, singer Saeon and comedian Bovi.

MC GALAXY, Sekem

Popular artiste, Innocent Udeme Udofot, known as Mc Galaxy dropped beautiful tune plus viral dance video, Sekem produced by T-Spize.

The video featured comedian Basketmouth and 2Face doing their Sekem dance will make you start dancing unconsciously.

PATORANKING, Girlie O

Dancehall artiste, Patrick Nnaemeka Okorie, popularly known as Patoranking released a song called Girle O featuring Tiwa Savage. The video was directed by Moe Musa.

The song, Girile O widely accepted by Nigerians especially ladies, has been played in different ceremonies on different occasions.

Fashola Meets His Former School Teacher After 38 Years [Picture]

YOU ARE WELCOME MA . . .


Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN (left) welcoming his former Bible knowledge teacher at Birch Freeman High School, Surulere, Mrs. Felicia Iyabode Adefunke Akinola (right) during her courtesy visit to the Governor at the Lagos House, Ikeja on Monday, December 22, 2014.

Mrs. Akinola taught the young pupil, Babatunde Fashola Bible knowledge in 1976 and it was a warm reunion when she visited him in the Office on the Governor’s invitation on Monday 38 years after.

Funny but True:- How A Lady Stole ₦55,000 Naira Inside First Bank At Lekki today

Drama happened inside first bank at osapa london branch this morning. I (Makinde) was inside this bank to withdraw some amount of money. Inside this bank there was a very huge crowd and a very long queue. This guy came in to deposit some cash (55 thousand naira) but when he saw the crowd he didn’t want to queue and went to the front to approach a lady who is around no ten on the queue and begged her to help in paying his cash.

He gave the already filled teller to that lady and the cash after standing for about two to three minutes. He went to sit on a seat very close to the queue. Few minutes later, he really enjoy the coolness of the air condition and surrendered to sleep.

When it was about three people before that lady, she looked back and discovered that that guy is already sleeping. She just told the next person that she is coming and left the banking hall through the exit door.

By the time this guy woke up, she was gone. It was like a dream. He asked the people in front if they saw a lady in green top and they reply she left few seconds ago. He ran outside but the lady was no where to be found. He was outside the bank shouting my boss money.

Now see what he caused himself by being inpatient. Hmm my people be careful this is not a joke, I was an eye witness. It happened around 10:30 am today.

Naijaloaded

Photospeak;Most Unusual souvenir ever! Bride parent share raw eggs as wedding souvenir

Hmmmm so at a wedding some people thought of souvenir ohhhhh what can we share ohhhh... Oh yes Eggs! so 2mor after the party you just add some toast,bacon,maybe some mushrooms,baked beans and breakfast don land.. then you will remember the couple and say ha! wedding ana yen o dun gan while chowing down ur brekkie..

So what happens if a guest mistakenly breaks eggs on their clothing No dont tell me its packaged ohhh lol.. next tin na tomato una go dey share abi.. abeg make una add Efo soko and alubosa and Iru sef..lol..

5 Essential Vitamins For A Healthy Body

 

A lot vitamins and antioxidant rich foods can help to fight skin problems. Know about them and add these to your daily diet.

Vitamin A: It is essential for the repair system of the cells. It helps prevent acne and gives a radiantly glowing skin. Eat foods like dark green vegetables, carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, cantaloupe, apricots and mango, fish, etc.

Vitamin C: Your body not only needs vitamin C to create collagen that produces skin tissue, but also requires it for healing wounds and scars. Since it a water soluble vitamin, you need to eat vitamin C rich foods everyday which include citrus fruits, berries, papaya, watermelon, pineapples, mango, and vegetables, such as dark, leafy greens, green peppers, tomatoes, lemons, bell peppers, etc.

Vitamin E: It is an excellent antioxidant which fights against the free radicals, thus preventing damage to the skin. It helps to revive the skin cells. You can get vitamin E from almonds, walnuts, olive oil, sunflower seeds, whole grains, wheat germ, etc.

Zinc: may prevent acne growth by creating an environment inhospitable for the growth of bacteria. It also helps to calm the skin irritated by breakouts. Zinc is found in wheat germ, pork, fish, soybean, nuts etc.

Omega 3 fatty acids: They also support the normal healthy skin cell turnover that helps keep acne at bay. You can get omega-3 fatty acids from cold water fish, such as salmon, flax-seed oil, walnuts, sunflower seeds and almonds.

New photos of alleged T72 tanks bought to fight Boko Haram

 
Last week, I shared a mail and photo of T72 tanks allegedly recently acquired by the federal govt to tackle Boko Haram. (read Here). It was from a man claimed to be an officer but many of you doubted its authenticity. Well, he just sent me an update with new photos. Read below...

After reading the comments and most people are in doubt if the tanks are in Nigeria, here are more evidence to proof that the T72 computerized tanks are in Nigeria. And the real war has just begun, this administration will flush out BH now.

"Please find attach pix of the T72 tanks with our boys to proof critics that the tanks are in Nigeria and are ready to flush BH for good. With the immense support from the administration, the boys morals are high and ready to maintain the army's integrity."

 

I can't verify the authenticity of these photos... 

Sorce: Linda Ikeji

NAFDAC lab gets international accreditation

” The Regional Drug Laboratory of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, in Lagos yesterday recorded a major feat with its international accreditation by the National Board of American Society for Quality.

The drug laboratory was accredited after a thorough audit and assessment of the quality Management System, QMS, of the entire Laboratory by officials of the American Society for Quality technically known as ASQ-ANSI.

Announcing this while addressing Regulatory Officers of the agency at the Annual Budget Retreat in Lagos, Director-General of NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii said the Yaba Laboratory has now joined four other NAFDAC laboratories that have been internationally accredited since last year.”

10 things we learnt from the APC and PDP primaries

The primary elections of Nigeria’s two strongest political parties, the All Progressives’ Congress (APC) and the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) might have come and gone, but the dusts raised by the exercises across various states of the federation are yet to settle. As things are currently going, it is unlikely that the primary election appeal committees of both parties will adequately or significantly settle these dusts so much that it will amount to a major change of the status quo. Petitions, accusations, allegations and counter allegations from different aspirants may have to be settled by the courts as INEC’s deadline for accepting nominations from political parties has elapsed. For better or for worse, these nomination processes by the two biggest parties have taught us some lessons, some of which were so funny to the extent that one occasionally finds it difficult to differentiate between Nigerian politics and comedy. From the expected and usual to the bizarre and unexpected, here are some of these things are; 

1. Aspirants Only Unite After Losing Primaries; 

This year’s elections have seen a lot of contenders for different positions with some states having from between 10 to 15 gubernatorial aspirants in one party alone. Ideally, one expects all the aspirants to have one major goal, that of using the office they are vying for to better peoples’ lives and the only differences between them should be in methods and approaches to achieving that goal. In the pursuit of their mandates, they differ very much. While some are craving for free and credible primaries, some are clamouring for zoning, some want automatic tickets while others are waiting for anointment. However, once the primaries are over and the ‘winner’ emerges, the defeated aspirants will for the right or wrong reasons gang up and suddenly unite under one agenda, call for fresh primaries. Aspirants with hitherto no connections or even sharing animosities, suddenly become partners searching for justice. A lot of PDP Gubernatorial Primaries have resulted in such scenarios with Yobe, Adamawa, Kano and Imo been typical examples. The APC has a similar case in Gombe. 

2. APC Is Merged but Not Integrated; 

From early to late last year, the ANPP, ACN, CPC, APGA Faction, nPDP and others merged to form the APC with some coming after the party’s formal registration. However, the recent primaries in some states showed that they didn’t really merge; the only glued or fastened together. In many states, there was rancour over what they termed ‘marginalization of legacy parties’ or ‘scheming out of non-legacy parties’, etc. in other states, candidates were ‘allocated’ based on legacy or merging parties. A senatorial aspirant in Kano State only remembered that he was a former ACN member after he lost the primaries. One of the reasons he gave why the primaries should be annulled was that ACN was marginalized in the state. 

3. Consensus Is More like Coercion 

The issue of consensus candidate is not new in our politics, but it was practically kicked off this term by the PDP and President Jonathan. PDP undemocratically barred anyone from contesting against the president, despite the fact that nothing suggests that Jonathan will not win the PDP primaries with a landslide against whoever decides to contest. Although a convention was later organized to ratify Jonathan’s candidacy, we also learnt from that convention that all this while, the PDP National Chairman and Secretary have been in acting capacity. 

Furthermore, most candidates who were claimed to have stepped down base on consensus arrangement, later turned back and kicked against the consensus arrangement, citing coercion, threat and potential injustice for their withdrawal. In Jigawa State, the former Deputy Governor of the state emerged as APC gubernatorial candidate through consensus, only for one of the other aspirants to make a u-turn and insists on primaries. That aspirant won, but the earlier consensus candidate did not participate in the primaries. 

4. There is No End in Sight to Godfatherism and Nigerian Governors are Simply Unstoppable; 

Godfathers, most of who are governors have continued their dictatorial trend of dominating politics left, right and center. Governors’ favoured aspirants are winning primaries with ‘ease’ and by the governors forcing themselves as senatorial candidates; they are now well positioned to take over the Red Chamber in 2015. Meanwhile, the abysmal performance of deputy governors in primary elections continues. It is safe to assume that no less than 90% of Deputy Governors covertly or overtly nurtured the ambition of flying their party’s flags, but only two (Kano and Ebonyi) succeeded, others failed woefully.

 Simply put, success in Nigerian politics is fast becoming an impossibility without a godfather. Even the mighty Buhari had to rely on Tinubu’s support to be sure of victory. 

5. Nigerians Have No Stake in Determining Flag-bearers; 

The most popular aspirants usually lose in the primaries, leaving voters to elect between whomever candidates the party primaries produce for them in the general elections. Early this year, APC embarked on a massive membership drive promising Nigerians that they would be given the opportunity to choose their leaders through direct primaries. However, since after the enormously successful membership registration exercise, the party began to systematically distance itself from that promise, until it eventually settled for what it called ‘modified indirect primaries’. That arrangement has seen only 6,008 delegates select a Presidential Candidate for more than 170 million people. 

PDP’s case is even worse in all ramifications as about 3000 delegates were made to vote for just one contender. Also, 21 delegates were alleged to have determined the PDP gubernatorial candidate for the whole of Yobe State. We also learnt, especially from the PDP primaries that delegates may be different from voters and that it is not the voting that matters, but the counting. 

6. Jonathan is Focused on His Ambition; 

It is clear that Jonathan is strictly focused on his ambition, leaving little or no room for distractions. This is evident, going by the fact that most of his men failed to clinch the various tickets they contested for. With the exception of Darius Ishaku (Taraba) and Nyesom Wike (Rivers), none of his former ministers managed to scale through the PDP gubernatorial primaries and events suggests that Jonathan did little to help. 

Despite being part of Jonathan’s kitchen cabinet, some ministers like that of FCT simply refused to participate in the PDP gubernatorial race probably due to lack of encouragement from the President. It looks like Jonathan did not take sides directly and didn’t get involved much in PDP state primaries, probably as a pay back to his sole candidacy or to avoid any move that could backfire. Internal revolt is the least Jonathan would want at the moment. 

7. APC is PDP’s Waste Basket; 

A rough estimate suggests that between 60 to 80% of all successful APC candidates at all levels are either former PDP members or those who left the PDP recently. 

Many aspirants joined APC from PDP within days or hours and went ahead to clinch gubernatorial tickets. Akwa-Ibom, Kebbi and Benue states are typical examples. It would be interesting to see if APC would complain if these guys keep to tradition and later re-join the PDP after they win. 

The other twenty or thirty something remaining political parties are no more than anyone’s waste basket. Only few of them conducted meaningful and visible primaries with most of their notable candidates emerging after crossing over from other parties. 

8. It Is Possible To Contest for Two Posts at a Time; 

This phenomenon practically began with Tambuwal who was eyeing both the APC Presidential and the Sokoto State Governorship Tickets. Media reports suggest that he has obtained nomination forms for both positions. However, he later settled for the governorship. 

Kwankwaso and Rochas successfully executed what Tambuwal only attempted. They may not have broken any law, but their actions are simply insulting on peoples’ sensibilities. It was very much clear that Kwankwaso was eyeing the Kano Central Senatorial Ticket even as he was vigorously pursuing a clearly predictable presidential contest. Kwankwaso made sure that his in-law, former Personal Assistant and current Commissioner clinched the Kano Central APC Senatorial Ticket and after he lost the APC Presidential Primaries, the ticket was relinquished to him, just as one’s personal property would be returned to him when he comes for it. Rochas practically did the same by apparently asking his commissioner to take custody of the Imo APC Gubernatorial Ticket for him before he collected it back almost on the very day he lost the presidential primaries. One wonders how APC allowed that without any query so far. 

9. Being Running Mate Is More Difficult That Being Candidate; 

Vice president Namadi Sambo’s seat was under threat for much part of their second coming with Jonathan. It was clear that in the past 2 years that some Northern PDP Governors were not eyeing the Presidency but the Vice Presidency which made Sambo’s position looked insecure for some time. 

Similarly, the choice of Buhari’s running mate gave the APC’s top hierarchy a tough time with meetings running into marathons. Before succumbing to religious propaganda which probably necessitated the emergence of Professor Osinbajo, they had to seriously contend with more than 7 names with Amaechi, Oshiomole, Tinubu and Fashola among them. The APC VP slot was fiercely contested to the point one thought the party would organize a fresh convention to elect a VP Candidate. 

Similar scenarios played out in some states where Gubernatorial Candidates had to determine their Running Mates on INEC candidates’ submission deadline. 

10. 2015 Elections Would Not Be Free and Fair; 

Going by the controversial nature by which many candidates emerged; one has every reason to be pessimistic about the General Elections. Many unpopular incumbents had forced themselves through the primaries and are probably hell bent on rigging themselves through the General Elections. 

President Jonathan for example who has one of the poorest public ratings in Africa currently and whose eligibility to contest is still controversial, must be very conscious of this, and he wouldn't have decided to contest if he was willing to allow a free, fair, smooth and credible election to take place. The way he emerged as PDP’s sole candidate only adds possibility to this assumption. 

Furthermore, with many primaries of both parties dominated by money sharing, coercion of delegates, rigging, do-or-die attitude, winning-at-all-costs and winner-takes-all phenomena, one only has to wonder the extent to which candidates that emerged from such processes would go in trying to win at the general elections. 

With INEC being handicapped by the Electoral Act from fighting candidate imposition, refusing to accept flawed nominations or even properly checkmating rigging, anything can happen in 2015.

Who Looked More Beautiful At Rhythm Unplugged — Funke Akindele, Waje Or Toke Makinwa ??

The stars have a very busy schedule as the end of the year is just around the corner.

One of such shows was the annual Rhythm Unplugged in held in Lagos.

Our celebrities turned up en mass and the female superstars dressed in their best.

Waje, Toke Makinwa,Funke Akindele, Toyin Lawani looked really fabulous in their outfits.


More photos below: –

[Suffering and Smiling in Nigeria] while Governors, businessmen, others donate N21.27bn for Jonathan campaign

Governors, businessmen, various interest groups and individuals on Saturday night donated a total of N21.27bn to support President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign bid for the 2015 presidential election.

The donations were made at the Peoples Democratic Party’s fund raising dinner held at the old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The first donation was made by the chairman of the occasion, Tunde Ayeni, who announced a donation of N2 billion.

He announced that the donated sum consisted of N1 billion donated by him and his partner, and another N1 billion contributed by their unnamed friends.

Some players in the oil and gas sector announced a donation of N5 billion; real estate and building donated N4 billion; transport and aviation, N1 billion; food and agriculture, N500 million; power, N500 million; construction, N310 million; road construction, N250 million; National Automotive Association, N450 million; while Shelter Development Limited announced N250 million.

Jerry Gana, the chairman of the fundraising committee, said his friends and associates in the power sector were donating N5 billion.

The PDP Governors’ Forum announced a total donation of N1.05 billion, while the Bauchi State governor, Isa Yuguda, who spoke on behalf of the PDP governors, said each of the 21 governors would donate N50 million each.

The SIFAX Group announced N100 million donation, while the PDP stakeholders in Rivers State supported Jonathan’s bid with N50 million.

The states on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission donated a total of N15 million, amongst others.

Joseph Makanju, representative of the chief fund raiser and chairman of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, said his principal who was outside the country, did not leave a mandate and would see Adamu Mu’azu, the national chairman of the PDP, to offer his support upon his return.

Donation pledge forms were made available to guests at the event to make their personal donations.

In his remarks, Jonathan thanked the donors, while assuring them that the funds would not be wasted or misused.

“I thank everyone who made donation tonight,” he said.

The president noted that the money was for the PDP, adding that the amount generated would help to run the PDP better.

Meanwhile, Gana also admitted that the 2015 general elections would be highly contested and warned the leadership of the party not to underestimate their opponents.

He said it would be competitive because it is going to be more of a two-party contest.

He said, “Therefore, the PDP must not take things for granted. We must campaign very well. We must not underestimate the opponent. Because we have been in power for 16 years, we are at a disadvantage. We need to spread the message of our achievements diligently.

“The campaign should be issues-driven. While the other side will be talking of theory, we shall be showing what we have done.”

Adamu Mu’azu, the national chairman of the PDP, in his speech encouraged those who have won in the primaries to carry other faithful along.

“Power and glory come from God and nobody else. Those who have won should involve everybody in their campaigns in order to make them family campaigns.

“For the losers, I pray for you that God will answer you at a later date. Join us to campaign for all our candidates at all levels to have success”, he said.

Nigerian growth to slow, inflation to rise in 2015

Nigeria’s growth rate is expected to slow to about 5 percent in 2015 as falling oil prices cut revenues and spending, the International Monetary Fund said on Friday.

Africa’s biggest economy will have to rely more on businesses outside its core oil sector in the medium term — agriculture, trade, and services all helped it grow 6.1 percent in the third quarter of 2014, the fund added.

Nigeria has been battered by the more than 45 percent decline in crude prices since the summer, in the run up to hotly contested presidential elections in February.

“The authorities fully recognise the implications of this exogenous shock. They have already taken bold measures to counteract lower oil receipts, pressure on the naira, and a fall in reserves,” IMF mission leader to Nigeria, Gene Leon, said in the statement.

An 8 percent devaluation of the naira currency in late November would likely boost inflation, the fund added.

“But the effect is likely to be contained, in part owing to lower food prices from increased local production of staple food crops,” Leon said.

Leon said the country’s fiscal and external buffers had shrunk since the last sharp oil drop in 2008, leaving little room for manoeuvring.

“Compared to the onset of the 2008-09 financial crisis – the Excess Crude Account (ECA) in 2008 was $21 billion compared to $3 billion now, while gross international reserves was $52 billion,” he said.

As of Dec 17, gross foreign reserves were about $35.3 billion, according to central bank data. The ECA is a rainy day fund, which is meant to accumulate crude export revenues above the benchmark price.

FG sees brighter chances of foreign exchange earnings from gas

Nigeria’s chances of earning foreign exchange from gas had brightened with the efforts the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) is making to stabilise the global market, a top official has said.

The Nigerian Ambassador to Qatar, Shuaibu Ahmed, gave the assurance in an interview with the in Doha, Qatar, saying the focus of the forum was to salvage the international energy sector from the challenges facing the trade in gas.

“You can see that the prices of crude oil are crashing down and it is affecting the gas sector.

“So, the focus now is to salvage the situation internationally first. If we get to do that, Nigeria is a major oil exporting country; automatically it will trickle down because our revenue is going to increase.

“And some of the budgetary challenges we would have had in 2015 because of the dwindling oil prices would be overcome.“

• Cue out audio
The envoy said the appointment of Nigeria as president of the forum was a major achievement for the country’s Minister of Ptroleum, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke and the country as a whole.

According to him, giving Nigeria the right to host the 17th Ministerial Meeting in Abuja in 2015 shows how much trust the international community has in Nigeria.

He said, “we consider the appointment of the minister of petroleum as the president of the GECF for the year 2015 as a major achievement having just been elected as the President of Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries.

“This is very significant for Nigeria and the minister as a person. It shows the kind of confidence that the international oil and gas sector has reposed in her

“As you know, the global energy sector is facing one of its major challenges in the last couple of decades.

“So for one country to be entrusted with the leadership of the two most important organisations in the energy sector, it shows that the international community has a lot of confidence and respect for us”



Rueters

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DB signed artist, Poko Lee also known as Tonto Dikeh is touching the lives of people with her foundation. The singer and actress visited Ghana as part of her Tonto Dikeh foundation's charity tour...

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Was strolling through Twitter when I found these...lol... Oh well! Another day another political drama!

Obasanjo is part of Nigeria’s problem–Bishop Chukwuma

Emmanuel Chukwuma

Emmanuel Chukwuma, the Anglican Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiasti­cal Province is reputed for speaking his mind on national issues without mind­ing whose ox is gored.

In this interview, he commented on diverse national issues in­cluding President Jonathan and General Bu­hari’s presidential candidacies, former Presi­dent Obasanjo’s controversial book and the alleged contempt of court issue which resulted from the book launch, as well as the politics of 2015 in Enugu State.

According to him, the Anglican Church will resist any attempt to deny the church the op­portunity of producing the deputy governor of Enugu State.

And on the fate of the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Chief Ayogu Eze, and the parallel PDP governorship candidate of the state, the cleric said the best bet for the lawmaker is to sheath his sword and support Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi who is the pre­ferred candidate of Enugu people.

Excerpts

What is your take on the recent controversial book launched by for­mer President Obasanjo, which has led to a face-off between him and some individuals?

As far as I’m concerned, I do not think that it was right for the court or anybody to bar the former President from launching his book because such action could be seen to imply that some people want to cover the truth.

Why were they asking him not to launch the book? Were they attempting to cover up something or what? If you are sincere, that what the man wrote in his book is not true, let the whole world look at it and see for them­selves.

So, preventing him from launching a book he has suffered to put together is like at­tempting to cover up one’s sins and it is not acceptable at all.

And if somebody realises that what he has done is not good, he should quickly repent and make amends.

But the truth is that the man at the centre of the whole issue – Obasanjo – is also part of the problem we have today.

Whatever problem we have today, he is part of the cause.

He is reaping the consequences of his selfishness which has now backfired on him.

Seems Kim & Khloe Kardashian Met the Same Doctor to Pump their Ass [PHOTOS]

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