Happenings

Nollywood actress, Fathia Balogun and her ex-husband, actor Saheed Balogun do share a lot of things in common, including being born on the same day, 5th February, and even attending the same school, Kwara State Polytechnic, where they actually met. So today, 5 February, 2014, we celebrate the two stars as they mark their birthdays. While Fathia was born on the 5th of February, 1969, in Delta State, making her 45 years old, Saheed was born on the 5th of February, 1968, in Kwara State, making him 46 years old today. After getting married and having three children between them, the couple separated a few years ago and have since been on their own, pursuing their careers. Fathia has delved into movie production especially in the Yoruba sector of Nollywood and has produced movies like Àsírí Owó (The Secret of Wealth), Critical Condition, Ìrírí mi (My Experience), Agbara Ife (The Power of Love), Inu Obinrin (The Heart of a Woman), and Okun Ife (The Cord of Love), whi...

It seems popular Yoruba actress, Fathia Balogun, is still yet to let go of her estranged husband, actor Saheed Balogun as she has disclosed that technically, they are still married and are only separated for the time being, not divorced as being speculated. What this means is that the case Saheed wanted to drag with her over the use of his name cannot hold water since she has the right to bear the name; she also debunked claims that they are presently in court over the use of the name, Balogun, believing that there is every possibility of their coming back together sometime in the future. The actress who is also a producer said in an interview that; “I am still Fathia Balogun. I am still married to Saheed. It’s just that we are separated. Well, we might consider coming back; what God has joined together, let no man put asunder. “But right now, I’m not thinking about it and I don’t want to talk about it right now,” she said.

President Goodluck Jonathan has accepted the resignation of four cabinet ministers. They are Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah; Minister of Police Affairs, Caleb Olubolade; Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe; and Minister of State for Finance, Yerima Ngama. They were asked to resign to save them the humiliation of being sacked. It is not immediately clear why Messrs Olubolade, Orubebe and Ngama were asked to leave. But Mrs Oduah was sent packing over corruption-related offences. She was indicted by both the House of Representatives and a presidential committee for compelling an agency under her supervision, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, to buy her two exotic armoured cars in violation of Nigeria’s public procurement laws. A PREMIUM TIMES investigation also found her to have lied about her qualifications in the resume she presented to the Nigerian senate for her confirmation hearing. She claimed a non-existent university aw...

Doose Nomhwange left home one morning, unaware that danger lurked ahead. Her friend of many years lured her to a man who traded in human parts. But fate pulled a fast one on her captor who, on the verge of killing her, became mad. Call it a demonstration of power between the forces of light and darkness in which the former roundly won. Read the heartrending account of how this middle-aged widow went to hell and came back alive to tell her story. Unforgettable Day I had lived in Lagos where I had all my kids. But later, I lost my husband. Some time ago, I went back to Lagos to find what to do to take care of my two sets of twins. I was a full-time housewife when I had my children. I intended going back to school to further my education but my husband, an Ogoni, from Rivers State, stopped me because I was too young, and we agreed that I could go back to school when I finished having my babies. But later, things became tough because my husband was a businessman. When he died, ...

Residents of Ile Onigboro, Ita Elefun, Ita Ogunbo, Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State were yesterday thrown into deep mourning at the gory sight of the mutilated body of a 3-year-old girl killed by suspected ritualists. The bereaved family had earlier lost the immediate younger brother of the deceased to a strange illness about 10 months ago, making the death more pathetic. The severed head of the victim was spotted at a refuse dump covered with a polythene bag while the remains of her badly mutilated body were deposited at a newly constructed soak-away pit, with most of her body parts and organs missing. Also, a red piece of cloth with a syringe carefully wrapped inside was found close to the severed head, lending credence to the assumption that her abductors drugged her before carrying out the dastardly act. Sympathisers were seen at the scene raining curses on the callous and heartless killers who had committed such heinous crime. Mother of the deceased, A...

Amazingly figured woman! Nicki sent her legion of fans on Instagram into a frenzy minutes ago when she shared these new photos of herself. Beyond detailing the designers responsible for her ensembles, a list that included Roberto Cavalli and Versace..

Few weeks after the sudden death of the Nollywood actor, stories have emanated over the real cause of his death. It was earlier gathered that the late actor died after complaining of an*l pains, which he got after the embattled practice of ‘sodomy’. A source had earlier disclosed that he was one of the notable dudes in Nollywood, who did not give a damn over whose jaw is broken towards their lifestyle. Well we have always given the story a wave of the hand, till a blog visitor sent a confirmation of the information to us, alleging that he actually said goodbye to this world after having severe an*l complications. Please read the message as yours truly cannot say some words. Read the message below: Charles Warren, “While having s*x with his gay mate, he suddenly felt pains in his waist areas then complained of back aches, the pains got severe, he was said to have passed out stool 4 times within a fraction of 30 mins, while the pains spread to his chest. “He was rushed to...

A church in the US state of Virginia, White Tail Chapel, has taken the bizarre decision to allow its congregation attend church services unclad. Because according to their leader, Pastor Allen Parker, the clothing requirements of other churches were overly ‘pretentious’. So he decided his own flock should be free to forgo such materialism if they desire. Pastor Allen claims that many of the most important moments in the Bible happened while the protagonists were unclad, including Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. Speaking to CNN, Mr Parker said: ‘When he [Jesus] was born he was unclad, when he was crucified he was unclad and when he arose he left his clothes in the tomb and he was unclad. If God made us that way, how can that be wrong?’ Mr Parker is believed to have drawn at least some of his opinions on indecency from the book of Genesis, in which Adam and Eve were originally described as ‘both unclad, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed’. It was only afte...

Nollywood actress Moji Olaiya daughter of highlife musician, Sir Victor Olaiya, walked out of her marriage sometime last year and her husband had reportedly being begging her her to come back. According to report from Nigeriafilms, her estranged husband, Bayo Okesola has allegedly been spotted with a lady. He is reported to be playing a hide and seek game with the lady and if things work out right, he may end up marrying her. It was reported that Moji left the marriage because she was often assaulted by her husband. In an interview she had said, “He wasn’t hardworking at all and he never appreciated my efforts in keeping the home intact financially such that he even turned brutal, there were issues of domestic abuse. It is a bad thing for a man not to be hardworking and unable to fend for his home.”

The Kogi Government may soon close down 449 illegal private primary and secondary schools operating in the state, Mrs Grace Elebiyo, the state’s Commissioner for Education, said on Tuesday. Elebiyo told newsmen in Lokoja that steps were being taken to close down all illegal private schools in the state. She said the state government had received the report of the task force constituted on illegal schools, saying “government will soon clamp down on 449 unregistered private schools operating in the state’’. The commissioner said it was amazing to discover that some proprietors were operating schools in their living rooms and some in uncompleted or dilapidated buildings. “Such a scenario is against the laid-down rules of establishing a good school in the state,’’ Elebiyo said. She also expressed displeasure at reports about some proprietors who had turned their schools to “dens of examination malpractices’’ or “miracle centres’’. The commissioner warned...

T.I seems to not agree on the way his wife is showcasing her body on social media for all to see. The multi millionaire rapper and hip hop producer put his wife on blast on social media . Ever since rumors started about T.I. and Tiny having marital problems, Tiny has been sharing a lot of photos showing off her body on Instagram. On Sunday night, T.I got fed up and turned up in the comment section to reprimand his wife, telling her she has more to offer than just her azz. A day later Tiny replied her husband. See her comments after the cut… Tiny posted the pic below on her instagram page

The Network on Police Reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN) has given shocking details of how the special anti-robbery squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police allegedly arrest, frame, torture and extra-judiciously execute their victims. Addressing the media in Lagos yesterday, national co-ordinator of the Network, Comrade Okechukwu Nwanguna chronicled alleged cases of police impunity and abuse of human rights across the country. Nwanguna said most cases of arrest by police are not effectively investigated to ensure accountability and redress, and that justice is not given to the victims. He recalled several human right abuses reported by local and international human rights advocacy groups, indicting Nigerian police for gross abuse, torture and extra-judicial killings. Nwanguna said that it was worrisome that perpetrators of the human right violations were hardly brought to account, adding that the culture of impunity in the system now protects police officers involved in p...

The Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers,  NUPENG , yesterday in a statement signed by its President, Achese Igwe threatened to stop fuel distribution and shut down the nation’s oil sector over alleged unfair labour practices and other nefarious activities by major oil marketers and multi-national oil companies in  Nigeria . “NUPENG has watched with great concern the activities of oil majors and multi-nationals in the industry and warns of imminent fuel scarcity if their nefarious activities are not checked by embarking on nation-wide strike without notice. “The new drive of the oil majors and multi-nationals amounts to sabotage and that if not controlled will lead to an unhealthy atmosphere in the sector. We call on Mr. President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, the Minister of Labour and the National Assembly to quickly intervene before the bubble bursts,” the statement said.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the    People’s Democratic Party (PDP) of using public funds to lure back some of the federal lawmakers who have defected from the ruling party to the APC, condemning what it called political horse trading carried too far. In a statement issued in Lagos on Tuesday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Mr Lai Mohammed, the party said the PDP, in an unprecedented show of desperation, has rolled out a mouth-watering enticement package that promises $2 million to each Senator who returns to the PDP; $1 million to each member of the House of Representatives, and $10 million to each ‘leader’ who abandons the APC for PDP. It said the price tag for the federal legislators from Rivers State is even higher, at $5 million each. But the APC said there is no cause for alarm, as no amount of inducements will stop the change that is in the horizon, because the long-suffering people of Nigeria are ready and eager to vote out...

Two National Youth Service Corps members, O’tega Daniel, 27, and Sulaimon Abari, 26, were arraigned on Monday in an Ibadan Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting at Iyaganku for engaging in homosexual acts with a student. Abari, a graduate of the Lagos State University, Ojo, and O’tega were performing the national service at St. Louis Secondary School 2, Molete, Ibadan. The duo were arraigned on a three-count charge of conspiracy, procuring as well as getting hold of their victim. The prosecutor, Insp Olufemi Eyiaromi, told the court that the two accused persons conspired to commit the offence. Eyiaromi alleged that Daniel procured and got hold of the male student, took him into a room, laid him on a bed as well as caressed and orally sucked his manhood until the minor released sperm. He also alleged that Abari committed the same offence on the victim. The offence was said to have been committed sometime in November 2013 at Osungbade, Odo-Oba area of Ibadan. Eyiaromi said the of...

Few hours after the presidency claimed that Chief Mike Oghiadomeh resigned his position as Chief of Staff to the President Goodluck Jonathan, Chairman Daar Communications PLC, operators of African Independent Television, AIT, Chief Raymond Dokpesi has been named as  successor of Oghiadomen. Both Dokpesi and Oghiadomeh hail from from Edo State. Prior to his appointment, speculations have been rifed for months about the enlistment of the media mogul into President Goodluck Jonathan’s government. Political observers argued that the choice of Dokpesi is premised on his robust contacts and goodwill both in the media industry and in the political circles which is expected to enhance the public perception and boost the acceptance of President Jonathan among Nigerians. It would be recalled that Dokpesi was appointed as the Director General of Ibrahim Babangida Campaign Organization in 2010 in the build up to the 2011 presidential election before the former head of state withdrew f...

A father has allegedly beaten his four-year old son to death, padlocking his mouth to prevent him from shouting while the beating lasted. The incident occurred on Monday afternoon at 7, Adetola Adelaja Street, Meiran area of Lagos, southwest Nigeria. P.M.NEWS  gathered that the man, Mr. Chris Elvis, who claims to sell computer accessories, allegedly locked his son, Godrich in the room, padlocked his mouth and beat him to death with an object that inflicted deep cuts all over his body, claiming that the boy was an Ogbanje (evil child that dies and reincarnates repeatedly). •Little Godrich after he was beaten to death by his dad The man landed in trouble when his landlady, Mrs Popoola who was in the market, was informed that something was happening in her house. She rushed home and discovered that the boy had been beaten to death by his father. She rushed to Meiran Police Station to report the matter. The police stormed the house around 9 O’clock last night to arrest Elv...

Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission , EFCC, today charged a female banker with negligence, leading to the loss of hundreds of millions of Naira. The accused, Grace Akpojiyouwi, a former staff of Union bank was accused of complicity in the mega scam that rocked the bank early this year when some fraudsters hacked into its data base and pulled out hundreds of millions of naira. Akpojiyouwi allegedly failed to conduct due diligence as the account officer of Dan Kawu Bureau De Change before confirming and authorizing the payment of N450,000,000 (Four Hundred and Fifty Million) to the company. The case is being heard by Justice Babajide Lawal-Akapo of the Lagos High Court sitting at Ikeja. When the charge was read, the defendant pleaded not guilty. Based on the plea of the defendant, the prosecution counsel prayed the court to fix a date for trial and to remand the defendant in prison custody pending trial. Justice Lawal Akapo adjourned the case to February 19...

CIVIL SOCIETY STATEMENT ON SENATE COMMITTEE PROBE ON NON-REMITTANCE OF OIL REVENUE TO THE FEDERATION ACCOUNT 11 FEBRUARY, 2014 The SAY NO CAMPAIGN–NIGERIA is a platform of non-governmental organizations, media, labour, organized private sector, faith-based organizations and community groups committed to fighting corruption, impunity, poverty, violence and other governance challenges in Nigeria. The central focus of the Campaign is built around the twin issues of corruption and impunity, especially as manifest in the Presidential pardon granted to corrupt public officers in the country.  The Campaign uses different national and sub-national strategies such as advocacy, press conferences, street protests to mobilize Nigerians from all sections of the country and sectors of the economy to push for necessary administrative, legal, policy and legislative changes required to reverse ongoing trend of democratic rollback as well as promote good governance and people-centred developmen...