Dana Air Inaugural Flight Lands Safely In Abuja

Passengers on board Dana Air inaugural flight on Friday clap roared in jubilation when the plane landed safely at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, the Nigerian capital.

Dana Air Flight 9J353 left the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, southwest Nigeria, few minutes after 10 am and landed in Abuja at 11.05 packed with celebrities, journalists and some passengers.

Dana Air staff at Abuja Airport on Friday

Some of the celebrities who defied fear were Comedians, Basketmouth, Buchi, musician Harrisong, Kuba crew, among others.

Among the passengers was Mrs. Adetoun Adetokunbo, a worker with the Federal Ministry of Water and Mineral resources whose husband died in a 1991 plane crash in Saudi Arabia and who survived a plane crash in Monrovia in 1994.

“Just trust in God and everything will be fine. I believe it is God that protects us,” said the 57 year old Adetokunbo 30,000 ft above sea level.

The plane was not fully booked as many passengers remain weary after the 3 June plane crash that killed more than 150 people as it approached Lagos.

Lagos Pastor Rapes 12-year-old Girl; Church Members Claim ‘He was Bewitched’

A pastor, Alasco Sobowale, in Togodo Street, Temu Town Epe, Lagos State, has been arrested for raping his 12-year-old neighbour on the 15th of December.

The victim’s aunt, Mrs. Ngozi Anjorin, disclosed that Pastor Sobowale carnally abused her after having lured her to the toilet.

“On that particular night, my children were in the room watching television but I couldn’t find my niece. I kept on shouting her name but I got no answer. I then proceeded to the toilet which is detached from the building. I knocked on the door of the toilet and the pastor immediately ran out and I saw her inside the toilet. When I inquired of her what she was doing inside the toilet with the pastor, she said he lured her into the toilet and covered her mouth with his palm so she wouldn’t scream. She said the pastor brought out his penis and forced it into her anus. She said he also put his penis in her vagina and when she discharged a particular fluid, he used a handkerchief to scoop it.”

The rape victim was rushed down to Epe General Hospital. When tests were conducted on her, it was found that the victim’s “vaginal hymen is no longer intact and bruises were observed in the anal region.”

Doctor’s report further revealed that there was sperm residue in the victim’s private part and it was concluded that she had been sexually assaulted.

Neighbors claim the Pastor fled the compound for two days but was arrested by the Epe police division after a search party was conducted.

Reacting to the incident, some of his church members accused a six-year-old girl of bewitching the pastor and had her flogged and paraded.

A few days after the incident, a six-year-old girl was branded a witch and accused of manipulating the pastor to commit the dastardly act. The poor girl was beaten up and paraded round the town. They said when the pastor was conducting deliverance for her; her spirit took over his body.” A source disclosed.

The spokesperson for the state police command, Ngozi Braide, confirmed that the girl was raped, adding that the pastor has been released on bail because courts were not in session.

“The pastor is in charge of a white garment church in the area. He will be charged with sodomy….once courts resume, he will be charged,” she said.

Mother Charged In Stabbing Death Of Her 8-Year-Old Daughter

Tameria Greene

A 26-year-old woman was charged Wednesday with felony murder in the stabbing death of her daughter at their Detroit home just days before the girl’s ninth birthday.

The mother, Semeria Greene, was also charged with one count of first-degree child abuse. Greene’s four young sons have been turned over to Child Protective Services, police spokeswoman Sgt. Eren Stephens said.

Neighbours called police to the Greene family’s apartment just east of downtown in the early hours of Sunday morning. Officers arrived to discover Tameria Greene bleeding and unresponsive on the floor. She had been stabbed in the chest with a knife and was pronounced dead on arrival at a hospital. Semeria Greene was taken into custody.

“This is only the second day of the year and we are charging a parent with a child homicide,” said Kym Worthy, county prosecutor. “This case is made even more profoundly sad because today would have been Tameria’s ninth birthday.”

State child welfare workers have known of problems with the family for at least two years and have unsuccessfully tried to take Semeria Greene’s children into protective custody, said Michigan Department of Human Services Director Maura Corrigan. She said an expedited internal review after the death showed that case workers have been trying to protect the children and act on concerns raised by family, friends and neighbours.

“Most recently, DHS petitioned the court Nov. 28, unsuccessfully, to remove Tameria and her siblings from her mother’s home,” Corrigan said in a statement. She said the department “continued to provide court-ordered counseling services to the family as well as conducting in-home visits, the last of which occurred only two days before Tameria’s death.”

“We share the grief felt by her loved ones and her community,” Corrigan said.

Corrigan’s statement didn’t include details of the removal requests and the hearings, and spokesman David Akerly said the department would not go beyond what was in the statement.

Tameria’s 7-, 4-, 2- and 1-year-old brothers now are in foster care.

Greene was scheduled to be arraigned Thursday afternoon in 36th District Court. It wasn’t immediately clear whether she had a lawyer.

A conviction on the murder charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison without parole. The child abuse charge carries a maximum 15-year prison sentence.

A motive for the stabbing was not clear. Police were not releasing details of the case Wednesday, Stephens said.

The girl’s slaying came at the end of a particularly brutal year in Detroit. By Thanksgiving, the city had surpassed the 344 homicides reported in all of 2011. As of Dec. 16, the city had recorded 375 murders. 

SINGER IYANYA MAY BE IN POLICE TROUBLE OVER OPA WILLIAM’S SHOW (COLLECTED N1.7M BUT DID NOT SHOW UP)

Not a good way to start the year…R&B singer turned Pop act Iyanya Mbuk is allegedly wanted by the Nigerian Police in Port Harcourt, Rivers State after allegedly ’defrauding’ popular show organizer Opa Williams of N1.7m being payment for the singer’s performance at two events.

According to sources Iyanya was paid the said amount to perform at two ‘Nite of a Thousand Laughs‘ events which held in Benin and Port Harcourt. The ‘Kukere‘ singer missed both shows.

The latter which was held last night on New Year’s Day featured a performance from rapper Olamide and was hosted by Bovi. Guests had waited for the singer to step on stage and thrill as the highly publicized show had promised a performance from him. Iyanya never showed up.

Interestingly, Iyanya is believed to have traveled on the same flight (allegedly paid for by the show organizers) with Olamide and Bovi.

Sources told NET the singer shunned Opa Williams’ event, performing instead, at another show in Omuma local government area, also in Port Harcourt which also featured Timaya.

‘We were all disappointed, we waited in vain. As soon as Bovi announced he was not going to show up, everybody started leaving‘, a guest who attended the event held at the open ground of the Hotel Preseidential, PH said.

Just this morning, sources say Policemen from the Nigerian Police at the Mile 3 division invited Iyanya and his manger Ubi-Franklin Ekapong to the Police station over the matter which was reported by the show organizers led by Opa Williams.

The officers could only get Ubi-Franklin to station. ‘Yes I was at the Police Station this morning, we have decided to return all money paid to us, it’s not a problem‘, Ubi-Franklin told NET reporters in a telephone conversation.

Ubi went on to explain what the whole brouhaha was all about:

We were paid to attend and perform at the Benin and Port Harcourt shows but we missed both due to reasons beyond our control. We missed the Benin gig because we were in Ghana as at that time and we arrived pretty late for the PH gig. We however had issues with initial payment from the show organizers also

Photos From Rita Dominic’s New Year Pool Party

The Actress who had a New Year pool party posted some of the photos.

In attendance were Nse Ikpe Etim, Banky W, Ebuka Obi Uchendu, Jacob’s Cross actress Kendra Etufunwa and model Ify Jones.

See more photos below

 us on twitter and become a fan on Faceb

How P-Square Blocked May-D From Performing At Calabar Carnival

May-D was billed to perform alongside Psquare and Akon at the Calabar festival. His name was on the list. And true to their words, MayD arrived at Calabar airport on the same flight with P-Square.Nigeriafilms.com

Miss Petite Nigeria smelt trouble when he looked alone and didn’t walk with them. They rode in separate cars and he was lodged in a separate hotel from them.

So, the show started and I saw J-Martins had replaced May-D and people were asking questions about his whereabouts.

According to information gathered “He wasn’t paid his balance and decided to pull out”.

So, one of Akon’s people asked where May-D was and was told the same thing “In his words,that’s not good mennn..sometimes, it really isn’t about the money you know. Akon loves that dude mennnn”.

However, another reliable source said that “When May-D was put on the list of performing artistes, the organizers didn’t know he wasn’t with Square records anymore.

So, P-square on getting to Calabar, intimated the organizers on the latest development and so they had to drop him at the last minute.

When Akon and P-square performed “chop my money”May-D’s part had been yanked off.

Fire Razes Another Building In Lagos

Two buildings on Jones Street around Ebute West area of Lagos have been razed by fire.

Eye witness account says that the fire which started around 8pm New Year’s Day may have been escalated by petrol stored in the first building built with planks and roofing sheets.

Properties belonging to occupants of both buildings were destroyed, including those of a newly-wed couple.

This comes barely a week after the famous Jankara Market was gutted by fire caused by a spark in a store filled with fire crackers which burnt about 15 adjoining buildings.

Beach parties, movies, and shopping: Lagosians celebrate the New Year

Holiday makers in Lagos on Tuesday ensured that the New Year’s day celebrations were remarkable in the city.

In separate interviews, different people said that the holiday gave them an opportunity to kick back from the hectic life that Lagos has become. One speaker, Ali Yakubu, was grateful for the time spent with his family. Speaking at the Bar Beach, Mr. Yakubu said, “I believe that the best thing for me and my family is to come around here at the Bar Beach and have a nice time with them.

“We are also gathered here to thank the Almighty for giving us live to witness the arrival of a New Year,” he said.

On his part, Yinka Adefeko said that members of his immediate family had a tradition of spending the New Year holiday at the Bar Beach. Adefeko however complained about touts at the beach. He asked that the State Government to pay more attention to the provision of security for people using the beach. Adefeko explained that the rate at which touts were issuing different kinds of tickets to defraud the fun seekers at the arena could cause harm to tourism in the state.

On her part, Omolola Akolade, a trader at the Bar Beach said, “the turnout of picnickers this year is not different from past years because people would always come out to enjoy themselves in appreciation for being alive. But most of them came with their food and drinks. They stop by Shoprite and eateries to get what they need to enjoy while we are experiencing low patronage.”

Other popular spots including the Silverbird Galleria, the Palms Shopping Mall, the National Theatre, O-Zone Cinemas and the Ikeja Shopping Mall were all filled to capacity.

Adeboye Releases Prophecies For 2013…More Disasters…

General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye yesterday cautioned Nigerian political leaders to learn from disasters of 2012 and take precaution to avert bigger ones.

Releasing his annual prophesies for the year 2013 at a cross over service at the Redemption Camp, Adeboye said there could be more devastating natural disasters like flood if necessary precautionary measures are not taken soonest to avert such calamities.

Describing the New Year as a year of signs and wonders, he assured, “God says this year will be better than last year”.

According to Pastor Adeboye before the middle of the year, many Nigerians will have reason to say hope rising, adding however, that prayers and supplication be intensified.

Speaking to the congregation at the service, he said God spared the lives of certain individuals in the country last year because of intercessory prayers of the saints, noting “the prayers of some of you minimized death of prominent Nigerians last year, don’t stop praying.”

For individual Nigerians, he added, “No matter the darkness around you, your star will shine brighter.

“God says, He will speak peace to your storms; certain individuals have been stagnated for sometimes, the reasons for your stagnation will become known, will be addressed and will be eliminated, therefore progress will follow.”

On the international platform, the cleric said prominent world leaders need a lot of prayers so as not to die in office.

In addition, he said prominent Church leaders need prayers against planned scandals, even as he said that weather conditions may get worst, much worst, unless prayers are intensified.

Adeboye also said: “We should expect a major breakthrough in medicine this year,” concluding that nations who pass unholy laws will have a taste of divine fury.

According to him, this year will be a better year than the just ended one, maintaining that the principles must include praise and worship of God, putting God first before any other consideration; evangelism; control the fullness of your joy, pointing out that one who is close to God can control even the weather around him.

Adeboye was very particular about the praise of God as a veritable tool for signs and wonders, noting that one can pray, study the Bible in silence but no one can praise God in silence.

The congregation applauded when he said: “You can never praise God quietly”, stressing that praising Him comes from a heart of gratitude and it’s not quietly.

“If they say we are crazy for shouting Hallelujah in our environment and wherever we find ourselves, then that is a good kind of craziness,” he stated, adding that nobody says thank you to his benefactor with his mouth closed.

While assuring worshippers that 2013 is a year of doors, Adeboye said it is one thing to enter into a New Year and it is another to have a brand new beginning, hence he enjoined every Nigerian to live right with God who only has the capacity to give of His limitless bounties and guarantee all round peace and calm every storm in our lives. 

“I Will Buy You A Cheap, Second-Hand Phone” – Obasanjo To Journalist Whose Blackberry Was Smashed

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo over the weekend caused a mild drama when he sighted Premium Times’ correspondent at the Government House in Ogun State.

The reporter tried to take a picture of the former president standing beside former Nigerian leader, Ernest Shonekan, with his camera phone, but got a dramatic response from Mr. Obasanjo.

“You again,” the former president said. “That was how your blackberry phone was smashed.”

One of Mr. Obasanjo’s children, Oba, had smashed the blackberry phone of the PREMIUM TIMES journalist for taking the picture of the fire at the former president’s house last week in Abeokuta, the Ogun State Capital.

Obasanjo to buy second hand phone

The journalist complained to Mr. Obasanjo about the destroyed phone and asked the former president what he intends to do about it.

The former number one citizen again responded in his characteristic dramatic and jocular manner.

“I will buy you another one, but if you don’t mind, it has to be a fairly used and with cheaper price,” Mr. Obasanjo said.

At the end of the day’s programme, our correspondent again approached the former president, requesting to follow him to his house to collect the promised blackberry phone; but Mr. Obasanjo turned it to another round of comedy.

“You this Ijesa man, I suspect you are the one who set my house on fire, and you want to come there again, I will buy your phone for you when I return from abroad.”

After making the statement, the former president entered into his vehicle, smiled and waved to the reporter.

Watch D’banj,Tinie Tempah, Big Sean, Pusha T, Others Perform At Koko Concert 2012

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Watch D’banj,Tinie Tempah, Big Sean, PushaT, Saeon, Naeto C, Burna Boy and more perform at the Koko Concert which was held on December 27, 2012

Davido And Manager Asa Asika Part Ways.

Investigations reveal that the pair severed ties on December 28 – a day after Davido performed at D’banj’s Koko Concert.
The former partners are yet to release any official statement but we hear ‘a lot of water have passed under the bridge’ and reconciliation might not happen.

Sources in Davido’s camp said, that dropping Asa was ‘an executive decision’; saying many stakeholders believe someone ‘more matured’ should handle Davido who’s a top five act, and one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing pop stars. Asa who turned 22 in August 2012, met up with Davido, 20, in 2010.

Since his 2010 debut, Davido’s career has recorded amazing success. But he has also been plagued with controversy. ‘HKN feel he should have stronger management’, a rep from the label said.

But other sources claiming to know ‘the true story behind the break up’ say it’s more than what HKN is letting out. Multiple sources says financial disagreements have come up more than once and that could be one of the major reasons Asa was shown the way out.

A few hours ago, a blogger Adesoji Adesumo wrote about the breakup, giving entirely different reasons. He alleges that Davido and Asa finally parted ways after the latter couldn’t come up with a N2m balance from a show. Adejumo says Davido assaulted Asa leaving him with bruises and cuts. This could not be immediately confirmed from both Davido’s team and Asa whose phone is currently switched off.

Asa Asika played a key role in building Davido’s career; and before Davido released his first single, he was already positioned in the entertainment industry. Thanks to tutelage from big uncle Obi Asika and cousin Naeto C, Asa was equipped to work with an unknown Davido who returned from the US back in 2010, until they recorded remarkable success.

It is learnt that Davido and his label HKN are now looking for a new manager and the likely candidate to fill that position might be Shank’s manager ‘Yemi Energy’. Insiders say no decisions have been made though.

We will keep you updated on this story as it develops.

[VIDEO] Daughter Auctions Virginity On YouTube As Mum Suffers Stroke.

A Brazilian girl named Rebbecca auctioned out her virginity on Youtube, causing a firestorm in her village and leaving her mother with a stroke.

18-year old Rebecca said she did it out of desperation, and with the current highest bid at $35,000, Rebecca hopes to be able to raise enough money to cater for her mother and start a new life.

CNN.

Kim Kardashian steps out in nude sheer lace dress… as she rocks Vegas with Kanye West, John Legend (PHOTOS)

They hit headlines worldwide after it was announced that she was expecting their first child together on Sunday.

But Kim Kardashian and Kanye West certainly weren’t keeping a low profile in the wake of the news as they spent New Year’s Eve partying in Las Vegas, reportedly earning a staggering £300,000 for their efforts.

Toasting the New Year: Kim Kardashian kisses boyfriend Kanye West as the clock chimes midnight, the same day that she announced her pregnancy to the world

Ringing in the New Year: Kanye whispers in Kim’s ear as the they countdown to 2013

On top of the world: The couple seem overjoyed as it reaches midnight, knowing that they’ll be having an exciting 2013 with the arrival of their little one

The pregnant reality star, who confirmed that she was expecting just hours before jetting to Vegas, hid her figure under a sheer lace dress by Welsh designer Julien McDonald as she posed next her boyfriend on the red carpet at the Mirage Hotel.

Clearly over-the-moon about her pregnancy, Kim was happy to chat to press and pose for photographs ahead of the blow-out New Year’s Eve party.

The reality star – who is around three months pregnant and due at the end of June – shied away from her usual cleavage-baring outfit, instead opting for a more demure, black midi dress.

New year, new start: The couple, who only announced the pregnancy hours before, toasted the New Year with a blow-out party in Las Vegas

Even through the knee-length dress had sheer paneling, her curves were cleverly hidden under strategically placed lace, offering no hint of a bump.

Proving just how loved up the parents-to-be are, Kim and Kanye cosied up on the red carpet, clearly delighted that they’ve been able to share their happy news with the world.

Kim wore her hair in a stylish side plait and added muted make-up, creating a wide-eyed look with large, false lashes.

Hand on her stomach: Kanye puts his hands on his girlfriend’s stomach, protective of her pregnancy bump

Covering up: Kim Kardashian hides her pregnant figure underneath lace detailing on her sheer dress as she hosts a Las Vegas New Year’s Eve party with Kanye West

We’re so happy: The reality star told of her joy on Monday at the news of her pregnancy

Back to work: Just hours after Kim confirmed her pregnancy, she was back to work, reportedly earning $300,000 for hosting the party

Keeping her close: Kanye puts a protective arm around his pregnant girlfriend as they pose for photos on the red carpet

Expecting: The reality star seems over-the-moon to have shared her news, and doesn’t hesitate in speaking to press ahead of the party

New beginnings: Kim spoke to her fans about her baby joy

Even though they’re going to be focusing on starting a family this year, that clearly doesn’t mean that the couple are going to be shirking their work commitments.

Instead of seeing in 2013 with an intimate evening, Kim and Kanye happily made their appearance at the pricey party at 1 Oak Nightclub, where tickets are $125 for women and $150 for men, while it’s $3000 to hire a table.

When the clock struck midnight, the loved up couple held each other close and had a passionate kiss in front of a sea of people.

Looking ecstatically happy, Kim through her head back and laughed during the countdown, her arms wrapped around Kanye.

The couple were joined by friends including John Legend and Lance Bass, who partied in the VIP area.

After the 35-year-old rapper let slip that his reality star girlfriend was expecting during a concert on Sunday, the entire Kardashian clan jumped at the chance of expressing their joy on Twitter.

Hands-on: Both Kim and Kanye put protective hands over her stomach as they party

Protective hand: Kim keeps a hand cupped on her stomach as she chats to press

Business as usual: Just a day after the new broke, the pair are back in the spotlight at the Las Vegas event

Good friends: Kim and Kanye chat with John Legend and Chrissy Teigen in the VIP area

Mum in tow: Kim chats to mum Kris Jenner and Brittny Gastineau just hours after announcing her pregnancy to the world

Not taking it easy: Not one to shirk her work commitments, Kim mingles with everyone at the party

Having fun: John Legend and Chrissy Teigen toast the new year in style in Vegas

The rapper said ‘stop the music’, then announced ‘make noise for my baby mama right here,’ with a wide smile. Kanye’s announcement prompted a flurry of excited tweets from the audience.

But Kim remained tight-lipped until later in the day when she opened up about her first pregnancy on her website.

The 32-year-old TV personality said she and boyfriend Kanye West feel ‘blessed’ but wished that her late father Robert and his late mother Donda were still around to share in their joy.

The couple, who have been dating for eight months, were spotted earlier in the day at LAX with their arms draped around each other and with Kim’s mother Kris Jenner in tow.

Special night: The couple, who have been dating for eight months, seem overjoyed at the imminent new arrival

Mingling: Kim chats to Cynthia Bussey and Lance Bass at the party

Partying in style: The high profile couple certainly don’t do things by halves as they hug in front of a packed club

Secret’s out: Kanye announced the news at a concert on Sunday, while Kim confirmed it a day later

So happy: The pair cuddle up as they jet out of LAX a few hours before the party, with Kris Jenner in tow

Intense gun battle welcome Maiduguri into the new year, as 22 killed in 48 hr terror

After a protracted gun duel between Joint Task Force, JTF and Boko Haram forces around Gwange, Maidugurii, the town is now in "utter silence". There is no movement around Maiduguri at the moment. But that has not been the situation since the new yearr' eve. While the sound of firecrackers heralded New Year in many parts of

the world, the story is different in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State in north-east Nigeria, as gunshots rented the air.

At exactly 12:00 am, residents say sporadic gunshots were heard in some parts of the state.

At least 22 people have been killed in three separate attacks in northeastern Nigeria since Friday, including 15 Christians shot Sunday inside a church, according to officials.

Reports reaching elombah.com indicates that there is a serious fighting between Boko Haram terrorists and men of JTF, at the moment (Tuesday afternoon) with sophisticated weapons such as armoured tanks with which the JTF engaged the BH forces but no exact location was indicated.

However, it appears that it takes place in two or three separate areas. Residents told elombah.com Lagos Street is quiet, but ferocious battle is taking place around Umrari, Ngarnam and Bulabulin areas. Residents who were lucky to escape from the war zone reported of intense ongoing battle.

"3 km from where I am, I could hear the monotonic sounds of the JTF war machine, children dispersed from Islamiya schools are playing away happily oblivious of the carnage going on a few neighbourhoods away. Life here is indeed a paradox", a citizen reporter wrote for elombah.com.

The violence began early Friday when unidentified gunmen raided a village in Musari, in Borno state, killing five people, said Joint Task Force Lt. Col. Sagir Musa. JTF troops responded, and a gun battle ensued. Three of the attackers were killed, and troops recovered weapons and ammunition. 

Also Friday, gunmen with suspected ties to the Islamist militant group Boko Haram killed two people and wounded another in an attack in Maiha, in Adamawa state, according to Godfrey Okeke, Adamawa state commissioner. The attackers freed 35 inmates from the Maiha prison and set government buildings on fire, Okeke said.

 In Sunday's attack, gunmen entered a church in Chibok, also in Borno state, and killed at least 15 worshipers, said Mohammed Kana, a regional official for the National Emergency Management Agency. 

"Some of the people had their throats slit," Kana said, citing NEMA staff who responded to the scene. 

Sunday's violence comes six days after attackers raided two churches during Christmas Eve services, killing 12 people.

In October, a report from Human Rights Watch addressed the violence plaguing northern Nigeria, particularly from Boko Haram. The group's name means "Western education is forbidden." It seeks to impose a strict version of Sharia law in the Muslim-dominated northern part of the country.

"Suspected members of the group have bombed or opened fire on worshipers in at least 18 churches across eight northern and central states since 2010. In Maiduguri, capital of Borno state, the group also forced Christian men to convert to Islam on penalty of death," it said.

It is not immediately known whether the group was behind the latest attacks.