Frank Ocean Opens Up About Sexuality

Rumors have been circulating that Odd Future singer Frank Ocean is gay after lyrics from his upcoming album leaked. Last night Frank put the rumors to rest by posting a letter to his blog stating that his first love was a man. The letter was originally intended to fill the liner of his album Channel Orange and written back in December 2011. He posted the letter after Tweeting:

BASEDGOD WAS RIGHT

we’re all a bunch of golden million dollar babies. my hope is that the babies born these days will inherit less of the bullshit than we did. anyhow, what i’m about to post is for anyone who cares to read. it was intended to fill the thank you’s section in my album credits, but with all the rumors going round.. i figured it’d be good to clarify..

He then posted this:

Whoever you are, wherever you are…I’m starting to think we are a lot alike. Human beings spinning on blackness. All wanting to be seen, touched, heard, paid attention to. My loved ones are everything to me here. In the last year or 3, I’ve screamed at my creator. Screamed at clouds in the sky. For some explanation. Mercy maybe. For peace of mind to rain like manna somehow.

4 Summers ago, I met somebody. I was 19 years old. He was too. We spent that summer and the summer after, together. Everyday almost. And on the days we were together, time would glide. Most of the day I’d see him, and his smile. I’d hear his conversation and his silence…Until it was time to sleep. Sleep I would often share with him. By the time I realized I was in love, it was malignant. It was hopeless. There was no escaping. No negotiating with the feeling. No choice. It was my first love, it changed my life. Back then, my mind would wander to the women I had been with, the ones I cared for and thought I was in love with. I reminisced about the sentimental songs I enjoyed when I was a teenager. The ones I played when I experienced a girl too quickly. Imagine being thrown from a plane. I wasn’t in a plane though. I was in a Nissan Maxima, the same car I packed up with bags and drove to Los Angeles in. I sat there and told my friend how I felt. I wept as the words left my mouth. I grieved for them, know I could never take them back for myself. He patted my back. He said kind things. He did his best, but he wouldn’t admit the same. He had to go back inside soon, it was late and his girlfriend was waiting for him upstairs. He wouldn’t tell me the truth about his feelings for me for another 3 years. I felt like I’d only imagined reciprocity for years. Now imagine being thrown from a cliff. No. I wasn’t on a cliff, I was still in my car telling myself it was gonna be fine and to take deep breaths. I took the breaths and carried on. I kept up a peculiar friendship with him because I couldn’t imagine keeping up my life without him. I struggled to master myself and my emotions. I wasn’t always successful.

The dance went on…I kept the rhythm for several summers after. It’s winter now. I’m typing this on a plane back to Los Angeles from New Orleans. I flew home for another marred Christmas. I have a window seat. It’s December 27, 2011. By now I’ve written two albums, this being the second. I wrote to keep myself busy and sane. I wanted to create worlds that were rosier than mine. I tried to channel overwhelming emotions. I’m surprised at how far all of it has taken me. Before writing this, I’d told some people my story. I’m sure these people kept me alive, kept me safe… Sincerely. These are the folks I wanna thank from the floor of my heart. Everyone of you knows who you are…Great humans, probably angels. I don’t know what happens now, and that’s alrite. I don’t have any secrets I need kept anymore. There’s probably some small sh*t still, but you know what I mean. I was never alone, as much as I felt like it…As much as I still do sometimes. I never was. I don’t think I ever could be.

Thanks. To my first love, I’m grateful for you. Grateful that even though it wasn’t what I had hoped for and even though it was never enough, it was. Some things never are…And we were. I won’t forget you. I won’t forget the summer…I’ll remember who I was when I met you. I’ll remember who you were and how we both changed and stayed the same. I’ve never had more respect for life and living than I have right now. Maybe it takes a near death experience to feel alive.

Thanks. To my mother, you raised me strong. I know I’m only brave because you were first…So thank you. All of you. For everything good. I feel like a free man. If I listen closely…I can hear the sky falling too.

-Frank

Rihanna Sues Former Accountants for Millions

Rihanna** has sued her former accountants in New York, blaming them for tens of millions of dollars in losses from the singer's tours.

The lawsuit was filed Thursday in federal court in Manhattan.

It seeks unspecified damages against New York-based Berdon LLP and two accountants. A Berdon spokeswoman says the company has no immediate comment.

The singer sued under her real name, Robyn Fenty.

She says she hired the accountants in 2005 when she was a 16-year-old from Barbados launching her career.

The lawsuit says the company was supposed to provide accounting and financial management services. Rihanna alleges the company engaged in misconduct and malfeasance, culminating in overall losses in her 2009 "Last Girl on Earth" tour despite large revenues.

Actress Holly Robinson Peete Rips 50 Cent For Insensitive Remarks About Autism

Always opinionated and never one to hold back, 50 Cent is receiving backlash for a controversial comment he made on Twitter about autism.
Earlier this week, a fan tweeted 50, "Release the album or get shot again," in reference to the Five (Murder by Numbers) official album that he was supposed to release, but instead gave away for free and announced his official Interscope LP will be arriving this November.
To that, 'Fif tweeted back, "yeah I just saw your picture fool you look autistic. i don't want no special ed kids on my time line follow some body else."
That set off a firestorm of heated reaction, including that from actress Holly Robinson Peete, whose 13-year-old Rodney Peete is autistic.
Robinson Peete responded by writing an open letter to 50 Cent and posting it on her website, HollyRod.org.
"Do you even know what autism is?" she asks the G-Unit general in one part of the letter. "And what exactly does "autistic" look like? 1 in 88 have it. That's 1 in 54 boys. Families suffer a social stigma you will never know. It is a financial and emotional drain for millions..."
Robinson Peete, 47, also asked 50 to "please delete" the tweets to which he obliged.
The longtime actress, who had a role in the movie 21 Jump Street back in March, closed the letter by posting a picture of her son, Rodney.
"So I guess this is what autistic looks like?" she further questioned 50. "He is in special ed. He loves rap music and is a HUGE fan of yours. He's a tremendous kid. He has to deal with so much trying to fit in. This isn't helping."
Robinson Peete is one of many parents who have bombarded 50's twitter account over his insensitive remarks

Kanye West To Drop Solo LP After G.O.O.D.'s Cruel Summ

G.O.O.D. Music's Cruel Summerhasn't even hit the shelves yet, but there is a good chance fans can get a double dose of Kanye West this calendar year. Def Jam VP and multiplatinum Chicago producer No I.D. confirmed to MTV News that right after G.O.O.D. Music drop their compilation, Yeezy is looking to follow up with his sixth solo album.
"He's coming right after that," No I.D. revealed to us on the red carpet for the ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Music Awards in Los Angeles on June 29.
No I.D., who produced Common's 1994 classic "Resurrection" as well as more recent hits for Jay-Z ("Run This Town") and Big Sean ("My Last"), has been a longtime friend of Kanye's, and though he isn't working on Cruel Summer, we can look for his name in the production credits of 'Ye's next solo shot.
"I'm not working on that [Cruel Summer] album, I'm working on his album," he said before cryptically telling us what's to come on the upcoming G.O.O.D. LP. "This is Kanye. You know what to expect from the family. He hasn't missed yet, so don't expect him to miss."
Hard to believe now, but there was a time when the expectations for a Kanye West album weren't very high. Originally, the brass at Roc-A-Fella Records figured that even if their star producer failed as a rapper on his 2004 debut, The College Dropout, they could just overload the release with a ton of features from the label's star artists like Jay-Z, Cam'ron and Beanie Sigel. Now, after dropping LPs like the Grammy-winning Late Registration and 2010's critical darling My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy,the expectations for a Yeezy album are perhaps higher than any other artist out today.
But No I.D. is confident the rap star will once again deliver. "It's what you expect and everything you don't expect," he said.
What are your expectations for Kanye West's next solo album? Sound off in the comments!

Downpour displaces 10,000 in Borno, washes up 500 bodies from graves

MAIDUGURI—A heavy rainfall in Maiduguri, Borno State capital, from Wednesday evening till the early hours of yesterday, has displaced over 10,000 residents, with property worth millions of naira destroyed.

In Jajeri Moslem Cemetery in Maiduguri and Jere Council Area, over 500 dead bodies were washed up from their graves. A 10-year-old, who was buried two days ago, was also washed up.

The rainfall, which started at 5.00pm, Wednesday, stopped at 7.00pm; continued again by 2.00am till 6.00am,  yesterday. The down-pour was said to be the heaviest in the state since the commencement of the rainy season.

The most affected areas are: Bullumkutu, Ajillari, Jajeri, London Ciki, Polo, Bolori, Ummarari, Maduganari, Gomari Airport, Gwange and Mary wards of the metropolis. Most of the residents in these areas had to stay indoors. Others were seen evacuating their property and laying the items under the sun and on trees to dry.

Mallam Bukar Maina, a resident, said the affected people have met and unanimously endorsed a letter to Governor Shettima to come to their aid.

Maina said: “This is not the first time we have taken our complaint to the governor on the devastating effect of flooding in the area due to our proximity to River Gadambul. But all our cries fell on deaf ears. We hope this time around the governor will listen to us.”

One of the victims of the flooding in Bullumkutu, who is a senior civil servant(names withheld), said the state government, under Governor Kashim Shettima, was paying lip service to the environment sector.

A woman, who gave her name as Hajiya Asabe Umara in Bolori area, described the situation as very pathetic and destructive.

She said: “It is by the grace of Almighty Allah that I was able to deliver a baby boy in our house this morning(yesterday).
“The massive flooding prevented any vehicle from coming to take me to a nearby hospital.”

Meanwhile, Governor Shettima has said the state government has awarded contracts worth N14 billion for the construction of roads and drainage in Bullumkutu, Dala, Abuja Talaka, Bullumkutu Tsalake, among other wards of the metropolis, to check flooding.

He said there was ongoing planting of over 10 million Arabic trees/seedlings across the 27 council areas of the state.
He said there was need for Borno State government to embark on massive construction of roads and drainage networks in the flood-prone areas of the state.

He said: “It is unfortunate that apart from some of my valuable documents and property which were destroyed, some section of my only hard-earned two bedroom bungalow was brought down by the flood. I am now totally confused as I have nowhere to go to with my family of 10.”

D’Prince, Wande Coal, Tiwa Savage, Dr SID shutdown Industry Nite

The Mavins – D’Prince, Wande Coal, Tiwa Savage, Dr SID
Lagos stood still on July 4, 2012, as MAVIN Records showcased their acts – Tiwa Savage, D’Prince, Dr SID and Wande Coal at the weekly Industry Nite event.

The Ballroom of the Oriental Hotel in Lekki, Lagos, was specially opened for Don Jazzy and his crew, who treated a mammoth crowd to a series 0f performances. From their reactions, fans were obviously thrilled, roaring louder  each time Don Jazzy got on stage.

Wande Coal got everyone on their feet, performing back to back hits from his repertoire, as did Dr SID and D’Prince, but Tiwa Savage  stole the show with an electrifying live performance delivered like a true diva.

The gig, hosted by BEAT FM Sports newscaster Jimmie, was attended by a number of Nigerian celebrities including 9ice, Modenine, Weird MC, Tee-A, 2shotz, Praiz, Sexy Steel, Storm Records‘ Naeto C, Tola Odunsi and Ms Jaie, Durella, Samklef, KCEE, DJ Caise, Harrysong, DJ Sose, DJ Xclusive, and many more.

Indsutry players including BEAT FM’s Deji Awokoya, Olisa Adibua and Toolz, Toke Makinwa, COOL FM’s N6, Dotun and Kaylah, Yvonne ‘Vixen’ Ekwere, Kemistry, X3M Music boss Steve Babaeko and others were also present.

Other performers who rocked the stage include Tunde Ednut, BiggSplash, Oluwasegun and Benny P.

Police Arraigns Abuja Pastor For Allegedly Molesting Female Members

A pastor of a new generation church in Abuja was on Thursday arraigned before an Abuja Chief Magistrate Court, Karu for allegedly molesting young female members.
Pastor Basil Princewill, the General Overseer of the Mountain Movers Fire Ministries International, Nyanya, Abuja was arraigned by the Commissioner of Police, FCT command alongside Ms Paulyn Ode, the church coordinator on charges of conspiracy, criminal impersonation, criminal intimidation, and criminal force and assault.

The pastor was accused of having carnal knowledge of two 14 year-old female members of the church under pretense of offering them prayers in July, 2011 and later aborted the pregnancy of one this year at the Fountain Health Clinic, Nyanya, Abuja after telling doctors he is her father.
According to the charge which was transferred from the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) where parents of the victims lodged initial complaints, the pastor also parades himself as a lawyer.
When the charges were read to the accused persons, they denied the allegations.
Consequently, defence counsel Uchenna Anayo applied for bail of the accused persons which was opposed by Police counsel Oyewusi Abiola.
Magistrate Ahmed Shuaibu ruled in favour of the defence and granted bail to the accused persons in the sum of N2 million and two sureties in like sum.
The sureties, the judge said, must be civil servants of no less than Grade Level 15 and must have a property in Abuja valued at not less than N5 million.
He consequently adjourned the case to July 25 for hearing.

Bloodbath: 3 Persons Killed In Ogun Community Over A Prostitute

Bragging rights over a commercial sex worker has led to the death of, at least, one person and the destruction of property worth millions of naira. 
Spoils of the fight
Ibese town in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State was on Wednesday enmeshed in crisis following a bloody clash caused by two men, allegedly fighting over a commercial sex worker, in the town.

The ensuing violence in Ibese, which hosts a Dangote Cement Factory, recorded the death of about three persons with many more injured. About twenty-five trucks and five motorcycles were also set ablaze.

Similarly, a number of shops were set on fire with goods consumed in the raging inferno.

The genesis of the mayhem has been traced to a tussle between two men over a commercial sex worker, which metamorphosed into the use of guns and cutlasses.

In the course of the face-off, a man was allegedly shot dead; which resulted in a retaliatory attack from the deceased’s supporters.

As at the time of filing this report, some traders who escaped being killed, were seen evacuating remnants of their destroyed goods.

One of the traders who gave her name as Olufunke told Premium Times that the fight started at about 5.30am and lasted for over eight hours.

“There were gun shots everywhere, shops and vehicles were set ablaze and some people got killed in the process. I miraculously escaped with my children,” she said.

In an apparent move to avoid a spill-over, of the violence, to the Dangote Cement Factory, an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) was stationed in the front gate of the company.

In the same vein, over 100 policemen have been drafted to the troubled area.

When contacted, the Ogun State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed that the crisis was caused by a woman following a fight between two men

Exclusive Pictures from The Stage Show @ Koga Lounge Ikeja Lagos Nigeria

Exclusive Pictures from THE STAGE Show, June edition at Koga entertainment. It holds every last sunday of the month. THE STAGE is a platform for talent and skills, its open to music, dance, fashion, poetry, comedy, visual art and so on. Its absolutly free to participate.

N300,000 church offering turns into paper in Jos

Wonders, they say, shall never end. The leadership and members of St. Marry’s Parish in Hwolshe, Jos, Plateau State were shocked recently when the N300,000 that was realised as collection suddenly turned into bundle of papers.

Olufamous.com gathered that the strange incident happened at the banking hall of Zenith Bank main branch in Jos, where the Church Secretary, Miss Ifeoma Eze had gone to deposite the collection.

“The money was intact when I left home for the bank but on getting to the counter, I opened the polythene bag only to discover that it has turned to bundles of papers. I was so confused and scared; I started screaming and was oblivious of the attention I was attracting as bewildered customers tried to console me,” she said.

Miss Ifeoma said she was particularly confused because she was wondering how to relay the story to the Parish Priest who entrusted the money to her. “It is a story I find difficulty in telling anyone because not many people can believe it,” she added.

Confirming that she actually took the “real” money with her, Miss Ifeoma said she even changed the smaller denominations into bigger ones to ease the deposit processes in the bank.

Although some members of the church thinks there was a foul play somewhere, but Rev. Father Emmanuel Ray-Ikpe, the Parish Priest, described the incident as “unfortunate, surprising and mysterious”.

“I have never heard of such a thing before but it has happened to us; to our Church. There is nothing we can do about it. My secretary came back from the bank crying. Only God knows what exactly happened… We have left everything in the hands of God our creator,” the Reverend Father said.

Men beaten to death while trying to hijack plane

TWO men who allegedly tried to hijack a plane in China were beaten to death by passengers and crew.
The Global Times newspaper reported that two of the suspects died in hospital from injuries they suffered during the ensuing fight with passengers and crew on board.
The men were part of a six-strong gang involved in the foiled hijack of a Tianjin Airlines flight bound for the regional capital of Urumqi last Friday.
Just minutes after the flight took off from Hetian, southwest Xinjiang, the men, all aged between 20 and 36, stood up and announced their plans to terrified passengers.



The gang reportedly broke a pair of aluminium crutches and used them to attack passengers while attempting to break into the cockpit, Hou Hanmin, a regional government spokeswoman said.
They were tackled by police and passengers who tied them up with belts before the plane, carrying 101 people, returned to the airport safely just 22 minutes later.
Hanmin added that police were still testing materials they had been carrying, thought to be explosives.
The men were reported to be Uighurs, the local Muslim ethnic minority. There have been clashes between authorities and Uighurs resentful of government controls over their religion and culture.
Dilxat Raxit, spokesman for the German-based World Uyghur Congress which campaigns for Uighurs’ rights, said that it wasn’t a hijacking attempt, rather an in-flight brawl over a seat dispute.
“We warn China not to use this incident as another excuse for crackdown,” he said in an emailed statement.
Two more suspects are reportedly being treated in hospital after mutilating themselves.

Fresh facts emerge on Farouk/Otedola bribery scandal

*Telephone conversation between duo released
LAGOS – Fresh facts emerged yesterday to corroborate Sunday Vanguard’s story of the alleged telephone conversation between Mr. Lawan Farouk, House of Representatives Committee Chairman on the management of subsidy funds, and Femi Otedola, Executive Chairman, Zenon Oil and Gas, in the unfolding $3 million bribery scandal.

Channels Television yesterday obtained the recorded audio conversation which transpired between both men as reported in the Sunday Vanguard edition of June 17, 2012.

Sunday Vanguard’s report had exclusively disclosed that Hon. Farouk, whether acting on premonition or instinct, decided against going to the airport to collect the alleged of $2.5m – having allegedly collected $500,000, earlier.

The Sunday Vanguard report of June 17, reads:
“Now, whether Farouk had a premonition that he was likely to be set up or that he just didn’t want to be spotted at the airport in the company of Otedola, he simply refused to meet Otedola at the airport afterwards.

”Instead, according to records of the telephone conversation that was bugged, Farouk instead suggested that he would send a third party to collect the money.”

According to the recordings, he gave the telephone numbers of the nominee.

He, according to the recorded conversation between him and Otedola, actually spelt the name of the nominee to Otedola.

”But all these were activities in futility.
”The high command of the SSS would not have a third party collect the balance of $2.5m.

”A senior security source told Sunday Vanguard that the reason why the airport operation was aborted was that since it was Farouk that was being expected to show up and he was now planning to send another party, there was no need to continue.

” Had he shown up and collected the money, he would have been arrested immediately, a source confirmed.”


Lawan Farouk and Femi Otedola
In the recording, the voice said to be Otedola’s asks how the outstanding bribe money should be delivered as Lawan is unavailable.

The audio conversation started with the MD/CEO, Zenon Oil and Gas, Femi Otedola saying he did not want to take the money to his house. “I don’t want to take it to my house; it is a lot of money” he said.

Then the lawmaker replied that he was on his way out and by the time he returned, he would have to head to the chambers of the House of Representatives.

Otedola then asked, if he should reschedule his planned trip to China, but Farouk said no and offered to bring in a third person to collect the bribe.

The lawmaker gave the phone numbers 08036513355, naming the person as TJ.

Acknowledging the transaction, Farouk responded affirmatively to Otedola’s remark that if he received the initial payment, then there would be a balance of $2.5 million, saying “that’s right” while he said, he would be calling the third person to ensure the collection of the initial payment.

The conversation verbatim

Otedola: How are you sir? I don’t want to bring it to my house

Lawan: Oh, you would take it to your house

Otedola: No, I don’t want to bring it to my house; it is a lot of money

Lawan: err… so where? Because I’m rushing to the… they are at the airport now?

Otedola: ? Yes they are in the airport in the aircraft

Lawan: Well, I can’t come over now and before they can come over now unless I send somebody to but
I can’t because…by the time they come I should be…I have a lot of things to do myself

Otedola: Is there anybody you think I can give it to or maybe I should just postpone my trip to China till tomorrow?

Lawan: No, no it’s ok…I’ll arrange it with someone…let me give you his number 080

Otedola: hold on hold on

Lawan: 08036513355

Otedola: (Repeats number after him)What’s the name?

Lawan: TJ

Otedola: Sorry?

Lawan: aaarrh… TJ

Otedola: Ateezay?

Lawan: TJ!

Otedola: Teezay?

Lawan: No, Tj

Otedola: OK. So I will give him the balance; that is erm… 2.5 million dollars, yea?

Lawan: that’s right. Hold on. I’m calling him to be sure his phone is on…..

Lawan Farouk reacts

Meanwhile, Mr Farouk Lawan has reacted to the audio conversation which was broadcast on Channels Television saying Mr Otedola manipulated the audio and challenged the business mogul to produce the complete audio video unedited and undoctored.

In a statement issued on behalf of the lawmaker by his counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, he said,

“we have listened to and watched the audio with our client, Mr Farouk Lawan. On his instructions, we hereby  state that the audio is infertile, vague, puerile and inadmissible in evidence by any Court Of Law or Tribunal.

“Professionally, Channels did make the vital point that the audio was “purported to be their voices”. One simple question here: where is the visual of the audio? Recall that Mr Otedola had told the whole world that he used SSS to carry out a so called “Sting Operation”, which showed Farouk Lawan not only pocketing the sum of  N500,000 US Dollars, but also putting some under his cap, in Mr Otedola’s Lagos home. On Farouk’s instructions, we had debunked this allegation and challenged Mr Otedola, or the Police and SSS to produce this complete audio video, unedited and undoctored.

“Mr Otedola had the opportunity of doing this through Channels TV. But he did not. Rather, he brought highly doctored, manipulated and incomprehensible voices purported to be his and Lawan’s. He will certainly require forensic evidence to prove this to be true in this highly technologised world of manipulative evidence that can easily turn a man into a woman. Certainly, the audio was a sorry anti-climax to what Nigerians had been expecting.

“Even at that, let us take the audio “evidence” itself for whatever, it is worth. The conversation started somewhere in the middle, not from the beginning and ended abruptly. Our client hereby still challenges Mr Otedola to air the entire audio visual and also the complete video for Nigerians to see the setting and  environment in which the alleged bribe took place, who said what, to whom and for what.

“Secondly, our client believes that the entire footage is devilish, satanic, luciferous, mischievous and completely taken out of context. Even then the audio shows that it is Mr Otedola offering to pay the balance of the alleged bribe of N2.5 million US Dollars, not Mr Farouk Lawan.

“Even from what was said, there was no mention of the purpose of the alleged balance of N2.5 million US Dollars, or any mention of Mr Otedola’s indicted companies, Zenon Oil and AP Petroleum, Whose desired removal from the Committee’s indicted companies list allegedly formed the fulcrum of the bribe itself. If it was actually a “sting operation”, why is it Mr Otedola and not the SSS officially releasing it on Channels TV?  The audio has raised more questions and doubts than answers. Mr Farouk Lawan says it is a doctored anti-climax”

Police uncover ‘baby factory’ in Rivers

PORT HARCOURT – POLICE in Rivers State have smashed a syndicate, that specialised in selling new babies. Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr Ben Ugwuegbulam, who confirmed the development to 3m360, said the Police arrested a husband and his wife involved in the illicit trade.

He said the two specialised in kidnapping girls and arranging for them to get pregnant, while they would hide the pregnant girls in their custody until they delivered.

Ugwuegbulam said the suspects confessed that as soon as the girls deliver, they would sell the babies. He said: “Rivers State Police Command had arrested one Chigozie John and his wife, Akwarama  and rescued three pregnant women held as captives in the suspects place or residence somewhere in Akpajo.

“On interrogation, the husband and wife confessed to the offence of trafficking in new babies and further admitted that the three pregnant women found in their house were procured to deliver babies that would be sold as soon as they were delivered of their babies.”

He added that investigation was on to unravel details of the operation of the suspects.

3rd Mainland Bridge: FG, Lagos to parley on new repair date

LAGOS – Federal Government, yesterday, said a new date for the commencement of repair of the Third Mainland Bridge would be announced soon.

It would be recalled that the repair on the bridge which was scheduled to commence on on Sunday, was postponed due to  logistic reasons by the government a day before.

Federal Comptroller of Works in Lagos, Mr. Ejike Mgbemena, at a briefing, said: “You will be informed when the project will commence between today (yesterday) and Tuesday (today). We will hold a briefing on Friday where the Minister of Works will brief you on the details.”

“The minister will be coming to Lagos on Thursday to meet with Lagos State governor on the project before a world press conference on Friday.”

He noted that this will douse the tension that the Federal Government was suspending repairs of the 22-year-old bridge indefinitely.

He, however, blamed the anxiety created over the project on the ineptitude of the contractor.  “What we were considering was first week of July not a specific day in July.”

The controller stated that the Federal Government will collaborate with the Lagos State Government to ensure a hitch-free repair.

Also speaking on the project, Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Aderemi Ibirogba, assured residents that the government would be working closely with the Federal Government to ensure that motorists experience minimal discomfort.

Ibirogba said the state government had effectively managed such issue of partial road closure through the joint efforts of the various state traffic control agencies before now, urging the residents not to panic whenever the government begins the repair.

He said: “There is no need to fear, it’s all about management, the government has done this before, and when we did it, we all remained calm, there were some little traffic, but we are better off now than where we were then.

“What the government did was to divert traffic to Funsho Williams Avenue (formerly Western Avenue),  Ikorodu Road and also through Murtala Muhammed Way, through Carter Bridge, Lagos Island and out.

Family celebrates Christy Essien-Igbokwe one year after

Family members and fans of the late Christy Essien-Igbokwe on Sunday, July 1, 2012 gathered at the Archbishop Vining Cathedral, Ikeja, in Lagos, for the one year remembrance-thanksgiving of the late singer.

The thanksgiving service which kicked off shortly after the Holy Communion service, saw friends and fans join the family members of the singer as they danced to the alter. A short prayer was rendered by Reverend C.K Olubodun, in appreciation of the life and works of the late singer and also for the life of her son, Chinwuba Igbokwe, who survived an armed robbery attack on  Sunday, April 22, 2012.

In a chat with NET, Christy Essien’s widower, Edwin Igbokwe  says ‘I am coping by the grace of God but it’s not been easy and it’s still not easy but we know that with God, everything is possible’.

When asked what he misses most about his late wife, he responds ‘There is no single thing I don’t miss. I miss her a lot, every moment of my life; I know I really miss her’.

Igbokwe tells us there are plans to continue with her foundation, which he announced has been renamed Christy Essien-Igbokwe Memorial Foundation.

The foundation, he says will carry on with her philanthropic activities and seek to help abandoned and disabled children.

The singer who died on Thursday, June 30, 2011 began her musical career at age 17 and released several albums including ‘Ever Liked My Person’ which was produced by Lemmy Jackson and released in 1981


Culled from the NET

Pastor Bakare Hits Harder: “Down, Down Jonathan”

Fiery Pastor Tunde Bakare, who was last week declared wanted by the State Investigation Bureau over a sermon proclaiming President Jonathan as determined to bankrupt Nigeria, today hit even harder in his latest sermon.
 
Mr. Bakare, who heads the Latter Rain Assembly, began on a musical note, imploring the congregation to join him in singing a popular Pentecostal retreat song that inserted “Jonathan” into the lyrics.
 
“Let us carry Jesus up and throw Jonathan away. Up, up Jesus; down, down Jonathan,” the pastor proclaimed, warming into his sermon this Sunday.
 
Wanted by the SIB over a recent sermon, Pastor Bakare told his congregation that the letter inviting him to attest to the rippling sermon he gave last week arrived while he was
away in Ukraine. He said he had defied the advice of many who counseled that he should not return when he was being sought by the government’s security department.
 
“I received lots of calls and I was advised not to come to Nigeria until Monday, but I have nothing [to hide],” Mr. Bakare announced, narrating his experience of last week.
 
The pastor also reacted to the news of a N25 billion lawsuit reportedly filed against him by a firm owned by oil magnate Femi Otedola over the pastor’s statement accusing Otedola of fraud in last week’s sermon.
 
“I am now in the country for anyone that is looking for me,” said Mr. Bakare, adding, “Let him bring his lawsuit so that we can put his integrity to the test.” Mr. Bakare stated, “He wants to see the lawyer in me.” 
 
Mr. Bakare also announced that his church was planning a prayer event for the nation this July, adding that the fraudulent party and people in power would be swept away for a new dawn in the nation, come Nigeria’s next national anniversary in October.
 
“I invite the South, the North, the East and the West on the 22nd of July to join us in sweeping off the frauds in the government of Nigeria. Only the foolish will wait for 2015 or 2020. We are throwing the corrupt people out of power. July will be intense for them, August will be more intense for them and September will be the darkest night that will usher in the new dawn for Nigeria,” he declared as he raised his voice. 
 
Last Sunday, Pastor Tunde Bakare had claimed in his sermon that President Goodluck Jonathan’s destiny was to run the nation bankrupt. The SIB had reportedly sought to invite Mr. Bakare for questioning, but he was away in Ukraine as the letter arrived. The SIB’s invitation has been widely perceived as an attempt to arrest and detain Pastor Bakare who was a vice presidential candidate to General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd).
 
Pastor Bakare gave assurances today that he did not flee the country to evade detectives, adding that he was back now and ready to receive those seeking him.

I Did Not Shun Jonathan, Anenih, Others ... Oba Of Benin

Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo , Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediuwa, has denied reports in some Blogs (Not Obehi Okoawo's Blog) and national dailies, which suggested on Sunday that he shunned  President Goodluck Jonathan, Chief Tony Anenih and other chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during their visit to the Benin monarch at his palace.
Jonathan and other leaders of the PDP were in Benin City, the Edo State capital, for the governorship rally towards the July 14, 2012 governorship poll and was reported to have been shunned by the Benin monarch.
The monarch, while reacting in a press statement signed by the secretary to the Benin Traditional Council, Mr. Frank Irabor, described the report as mischievous.
“The attention of the Palace has been drawn to certain mischievous publications in some national newspapers on the recent visit to Oba’s palace by President Goodluck Jonathan. The palace would like to make it clear that the Benin monarch did not shun Mr. President and the PDP members that came to visit him,” the palace stated.
The Oba advised politicians to avoid violence in the forthcoming election, stressing that the meeting with the president by the monarch in his inner chamber was, indeed, a mark of respect and love for the president.
“It was respect for the monarch to see the president under the difficult circumstances.”
 “The public is reminded that, two weeks ago, the Omo N’ Oba waited for over two hours in his open office, where he received the vice-president, Dr. Namadi Sambo. The monarch uses the medium to advise politicians to shun violence in Edo State,” as politics should not be seen as a do-or-die affair, he added

Beyonce And Jay-Z Double Date With Kanye West And Kim Kardashian At BET Awards 2012 (PHOTOS)

KIM Kardashian and Beyoncé dispel rumours at this year’s BET Awards
Though this year’s BET Awards was jammed pack with celebs, all eyes fell to music icons Beyonce and Jay-Z when they arrived at Los Angeles’ Shine Auditorium to take their seats next to Jay’s Watch the Throne collaborator, Kanye West, and his girlfriend, Kim Kardashian

Kanye West And Pusha T Show Off Their 'New God Flow'

Nothing Kanye West does is by accident, so when Yeezy debuted a brand new a cappella verse at Sunday night's BET Awards, of course it was a sign of things to come. On Monday (July 2), 'Ye and Pusha T dropped "New God Flow," a single they have been teasing for the past week, and boy, was it worth the wait.
The track starts off with a vocal sample from Ghostface Killah's "Mighty Healthy" from his 2000 classic Supreme Clientele LP. "Shake that body, party that," the Wu-Tang Clansman is heard saying in the track's opening seconds.
Though the track for "New God Flow" is markedly different, like Ghost's "Mighty Healthy," it does sample its drums from Melvin Bliss' 1973 break record "Synthetic Substitution." Pusha, who has been on a tear lately, appearing on G.O.O.D. Music's "Mercy" and his own "Exodus 23:1," sets things off lyrically with a spirited verse. "I believe there's a God above me, I'm just the God of everything else/ I put holes in everything else, new God flow, f--- everything else," he rhymes.
In his verse, the Clipse MC references his drug-dealing past, vacations to Ibiza and exotic car collection. "Well, if you goin' coupe, I'm goin' four-door," he playfully spits, challenging Kanye.
In his second verse, Pusha baits all his competitors, though just like on "Exodus 23:1," they go unnamed. "Step on their necks till they can't breathe/ Claim they five stars, but sell your dreams," he starts off before he steps it up further, spitting "F--- 'em, 'Ye/ I wouldn't piss on that n---a with Grand Marnier."
Once Push gets all of his rap frustration off his chest, Kanye jumps in for the song's climactic third verse, the same one he performed at the 2012 BET Awards. "Hold up, I ain't tryna stunt, man/ But the Yeezys jumped over the Jumpman," he raps, referencing the popularity of his sneakers in comparison to the industry standard: the mighty Air Jordan.
Like on "Mercy," West commands a beat change for his bars. Three-quarters of the way through his closer, the dusty hip-hop track changes and takes on the characteristics of a stadium chant — think Queen's 1977 classic "We Will Rock You." "Did Moses not part the water with the cane?/ Did strippers not make an arc when I made it rain?/ Did Yeezy not get signed by Hov and Dame?/ And ran to Jacob to make the new Jesus chain," he asks in a rhetorical rhyme.
The truth is, Kanye cemented himself as a rap God way before releasing this new single, but just in case fans forgot, the "Jesus Walks" rapper turns musical water into wine with his "New God Flow."
What do you think of "New God Flow"? Let us know in the comments

Who Won At The 2012 BET Awards? Full Winners List

There were a few notable wins at Sunday night's BET Awards . Nicki Minaj and Chris Brown took home big trophies, but Kanye West and Jay-Z were certainly the talk of the town, both coming on stage to pick up a prize for Best Group. Check out the full list of winners below.
Beyoncé and husband Jay-Z collected two awards each. After Kanye West, the married duo topped the nominations list and mockingly duked it out for the night's big award, Video of the Year (the Throne won, and B playfully jabbed her husband when their name was called). Beyoncé was the second-most-nominated act of the night with six awards. Chris Brown also snagged two awards.
Centric Award
Common
Youngstars Award
Diggy
Best Group
The Throne (Jay-Z and Kanye West)
Best Actor
Kevin Hart, "Think Like a Man"
Best New Artist
Big Sean
Best Male R&B Artist
Chris Brown
Best Collaboration
Wale (featuring Miguel), "Lotus Flower Bomb"
Best Gospel
Yolanda Adams
Best Female R&B Artist
Beyoncé
Best Female Hip-Hop Artist
Nicki Minaj
Lifetime Achievement Award
Maze, featuring Frankie Beverly
Video of the Year
The Throne (Jay-Z and Kanye West), featuring Otis Redding, "Otis"
Humanitarian Award
The Reverend Al Sharpton
Viewers' Choice Award
Mindless Behavior
Video Director of the Year
Beyoncé and Alan Ferguson
Entertainer of the Year
Chris Brown

Chris Brown releases diss song for Drake, gets neck tattoo

Chris Brown’s new neck tattoo
Let the games begin! Chris Brown has taken the ‘bold step’ towards what we would like to call a forthcoming epic ‘war of words’ between himself and recent nemesis Drake by releasing a diss song for him.

The Pop/R&B singer has responded on record to the infamous club brawl with Drake which took place in June. Brown’s verse is featured on a remix of Chief Keef’s ‘I Don’t Like‘ song featuring Kanye West, Jadakiss, Pusha T and Big Sean and The Game.

Breezy raps;

‘They throwing’ bottles, I’m throwing’ models…. I be singing’, he be singing’, so it’s on sight….. Them eyebrows? Man, them shits is yikes / OVO, you overdose,screaming’ Y.O.L.O. though, I live twice!‘

Drake is yet to respond to the song.
Meanwhile Chris Brown continues to ink his body, filling every space that’s left with tattoos. The 23-year-old just got a huge neck tattoo done by Peter Koskela aka PeterTattooist. The tattoo is described as an ‘Indian chief transforming into a wolf’.

Police Accuse Oshiomhole Of Lying About Assasination Attempt

THE Edo State Police Command said yesterday that it has commenced investigation into the attack on the convoy of Governor Adams Oshiomhole Thursday night and the burning of the Police post by youths alleged to be students of the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Usen.

However, the State Government in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Louis Odion, alleged thugs loyal to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state opened fire on the Governor’s convoy at about 6pm, shortly after he paid a visit to the Onogie of Usen, His Royal Highness Oluogbe 11,at his palace.
It stated however that “the brave security details attached to the governor, supported by an additional contingent of regular policemen deployed to maintain law and order, rose to the occasion. They were able to shield the governor, key government functionaries and ACN leaders. But several official vehicles including Toyota Land cruisers, Hilux pick up van and Toyota Corrola Saloon car were either badly damaged or riddled with bullet”.
The attack is coming barely two months after the Governor escaped death following the accident involving his convoy at Auchi, where three journalists in his convoy lost their lives.
However, the Police Command in a statement signed by its spokesman in the state, DSP Anthony Airhuoyo, narrated that “the governor went on campaign tour to Usen town in Ovia South West Council of Edo state, the governor while on his way to the campaign venue met the students and promised to address them on his way back.
After the campaign at about 6: 15pm, the governor decided to address them on a later date as it is already getting late.
But the students barricaded the high way at the outskirt of the town and were compelling the governor to visit their institution. When there demands could not be met, it became riotous. Throwing stones and missile at the governors convoy.
“In the process of dispersing the riotous students, two of them were injured and are currently receiving treatment.
No body was killed in the process. The students later regrouped and went to Usen Police out post and vandalized the place. However, investigation has commenced as the area is closely being monitored by the police” it stated.

Fans Slam Rihanna For Performing At A Show Few Hours After Her Grandmother’s Death

RIHANNA was today in mourning following the death of her beloved grandmother.
After losing a battle with cancer Dolly passed away in a New York hospital over the weekend.
The grieving chart-topper penned a tender tribute and posted a string of touching photos of the pair on Twitter.
But, unaware of the singer’s pain, Swedish fans slammed as shambolic her performance at a show in the country last night.
Performing just hours after learning of the tragedy, she is said to have turned up 45 minutes late at the Peace And Love Festival in the city of BorlÃnge.

In a string of angry tweets gig-goers accused the star of having been in no suitable condition to perform. 
Tender care ... Rihanna clasps Dolly's hands
One wrote: “Really don’t feel like watching Rihanna under the influence gig. Who the f*** allowed her on stage in this state?”
Better times ... Rihanna celebrates with grandparents

Another added: “Crowd walk-out from #Rihanna concert at #peaceandlove #pal12 #Sweden claiming she’s too high to sing properly.”

Rihanna has often used her Twitter account to speak warmly of Dolly – her mother’s mother

BET names Wizkid and Sarkodie ‘Best African Act’

It’s a tie between Wizkid and Sakordie!
Ayo ‘Wizkid’ Balogun has won the award for ‘Best International Act: Africa’ at the 2012 edition of the BET Awards!

The Nigerian pop act jointly won the award with Ghanaian rapper Sarkodie at the awards ceremony taking place at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California on July 1, 2012.

The EME act and Sarkodie had faced tough competition from other nominees – Nigerian rapper Ice Prince, Kenyan Hip-Hop/R&B group Camp Mulla, South African singer Lira and French speaking Malian rapper Mokobe for the coveted Best African Act prize.
‘Thankful!‘, an excited Wizkid tweeted.
This isn’t the first time the Best African Act award will be jointly won. Last year, African pop giants D’banj and 2face came out tops and received a joint award prize in the same category.
Wizkid also won the MOBO prize for Best African act in 2011

The ‘gods’ stopped Oba of Benin from receiving Jonathan —Aide

President Goodluck Jonathan, state governors, chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other top government officials received a rude shock in the ancient city of Benin on Saturday when the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba Erediauwa, declined to receive the president who was visiting his palace.
The president had arrived the Edo State capital for the grand rally of the state PDP ahead the July 14 governorship election and had been received at the Benin Airport earlier by Governor Adams Oshiomhole.
He, thereafter, proceeded to the monarch’s palace, but on taking his seat next to the oba’s throne, he was made to wait for about 15 minutes before a palace official announced to his delegation and the Bini chiefs that were also seated that the royal father would not be seeing him because of circumstances beyond his control.
However, the monarch’s  official added that the usual palace formalities would still be observed in the absence of the monarch, including prayers for the president and the distribution of cola nuts.
According to him, “because of circumstances beyond his control, the Oba cannot receive the president, but the normal procedures of prayer for our guest will still be carried out.”
President Jonathan, who was apparently taken aback by the announcement, looked calm as he simply lowered his gaze even as the palace official invited the most senior chief present to offer the prayers.
After the prayers, the palace official, again, announced that even though the Oba would not see the president in public, he would be willing to receive him alone in another section of the palace.
It was not immediately clear whether President Jonathan, who had removed his cap in line with Bini tradition to wait for the Oba,  later met the royal father alone despite security requirement which would have been against the president being alone outside the close monitoring of his body guards.
Even though, the palace did not reveal the reason for the monarch’s decision not to publicly welcome President Jonathan, sources in the palace volunteered that the traditional ruler was merely adhering to the dictates of the ‘gods’ who had made it impossible for him to appear in public to receive the president at that particular time.
Among those with the president in the palace, were Vice President Namadi Sambo, Governors Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Idris Wada (Kogi) and Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa); top government officials and PDP chieftains, led by the National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, as well as former Acting National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje.
While speaking at the rally later in Ogbe Stadium Benin, President Jonathan, particularly, thanked the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, who he referred to as a “power traditional chief,” and other traditional rulers who came to the stadium to give the PDP their royal blessings.
“Let me appreciate other traditional rulers that are here with us with the Esama of Benin for coming to give us the royal blessing,” he said.
He thanked the people of Edo State for their massive support for him before the last presidential election and assured that he would fulfil the promises he made to them during the campaign.
He specifically referred to a previous incident where the Oba of Benin refused to see former Minister of State for Works who was on official visit to Edo State on the grounds that government had done nothing about the poor state of roads in the state.
According to him, “before my election, one of my ministers, incidentally your own son, who was the Minister of State for Works, came to visit the Oba of Benin and the Oba said he didn’t want to see him because the roads are very bad.
“He got back to me and when I came for the campaign, I told the Oba, ‘don’t worry. After the election, my minister will come back.’ Luckily, the (present) Minister of Works is from Edo State.
“The last time the Minister of Works came to Edo State, when he went back, I asked him, ‘did the Oba receive you?’ He said, ‘yes, Oba even promised to send the president a gift.’
“Let me assure you, my good brothers and sisters from Edo State, that we will continue to keep faith with our electoral promises.”
President Jonathan remarked that he has used the first year of his administration to plan and strategise, but that government was now moving on.
While urging the people to vote for the PDP candidate, Major General Charles Airhiavbere, he pointed out that the “PDP is the dominant party. As long as you mobilise and vote, PDP will win.”
Edo State chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Dan Orbih, in his welcome speech, thanked President Jonathan for the “great transformation work of his administration in Nigeria,” just as he commended him for the Universal Basic Education (UBE) projects being executed in the state.
Orbih described the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the state as hypocrites who failed to practice what they preached, just as he thanked the president for being a true party man by coming to demonstrate his support for the Edo PDP and for the party’s candidate.
The state PDP, however, in an official statement, denied that the monarch did not receive the president.
Theparty said members of the ACN in the state had gone to town, shortly after President Jonathan’s visit to the Oba of Benin, before attending the PDP governorship rally, to spread what it described as “an untrue, wicked, mischievous and malicious lie” that the Benin monarch shunned the president and his entourage.
The state Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Matthew Urhoghide, in the statement issued on Saturday in Benin City, added that “at the palace, Oba Erediauwa, who, for reasons that the royal palace may explain at a later date, could not have a formal and open reception for the visiting president, most courteously invited the president to his inner sanctum where they both had a special meeting.
“The Oba’s invitation of President Jonathan into his very highly restricted bedchamber should have been seen for what it really is — a special meeting, the content and attendance of which was restricted only to the need-to-know.
“Not many non-Benin sons and daughters, in the history of the palace of the Oba of Benin, can claim to have been received in the special section where President Jonathan had audience with His Royal Majesty.
“Those who spread the wicked lie do our royal father grave wrong because Oba Erediauwa is reputed to be seeped in the observance of protocol, courtesy and decorum. A few weeks ago, he warmly received, Vice President Namadi Sambo and his entourage who were in Benin for the same reason as President Jonathan and paid a courtesy visit on him.”
The Edo PDP further said, “it is unthinkable that some people would claim that our revered royal father would openly refuse to see the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Those who spin this lie should stop for a minute to think of the damage such malicious lie would do to the image of the Benin Traditional Council.
Edo PDP cannot think of any twisted advantage they calculate to win from the lie.
“We are sure that the royal palace of the Oba of Benin will, at the appropriate time, officially correct this anomaly so that the good people of Edo State will be better informed.