Nigerian Celebrities 'Rich Today, Poor Tomorrow'

Recently, some have said the Extravagant Lifestyle of Popular Nigerian celebrities who seek funds in order to survive after making huge success in their chosen career but squandered the proceeds on luxury and later become bankrupt is what has given industry watchers great concern. Why do some Nigeria-known faces in the entertainment industry usually beg for fund after a successful career? ANTHONY ADA ABRAHAM and SAMUEL ABULUDE take a look at this recurring issue as raised by popular opinions

A typical Nigeria celebrity is seen as a wealthy personality. Going on tour around the world, shooting videos and making people know they are a force to be reckoned with.

Most of the shows they perform in is outside the country and it aids them with lots of money for stage appearance, multinational endorsement and more fan base. But of late, the tide has continued to turn inasmuch as majority seek fund from the public before they could even eat. The question entertainment enthusiasts are asking is, what have they been doing with the millions they earn?

The ordeal of African Queen Music producer, OJB Jezreel with kidney failure has revealed the lifestyle of our music celebrities. He struggled to get the required funds for his kidney transplant and had to resort to begging Nigerians to save his life and donate money for his operation. This development casts a notion of wasteful spending on our celebrities who made money when the going was good.

A lot of our contemporary artistes and music producers have smiled to the bank unlike the veteran singers of yesteryears who laboured more producing quality music and yet did not make as much as the contemporary artistes. Catching on the global hip hop trend, many of our artistes have hit it off and smiled to the banks. The Nigerian musician has laboured and tried to make himself to be reckoned with. Today, while many have attained celebrity status via the industry and become brand ambassadors of different products and organisations, others have gradually faded out as if they never existed.

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Posted in GBENGA AKINBOBOLA , Gbenga Daniel , Gbenga Islander , NIGERIA CELEBRITIES , Nigerian news

Nigeria: 2013 Hajj Fares Announced

Fares were announced by NAHCON

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, has announced the 2013 Hajj fares and Air carriers for the different Hajj zones in the country.

According to a statement by the agency's spokesperson, Uba Mana, the minimum fare without BTA for northern departure zones is N526, 996.52, while the fare for persons departing from the southern zone without BTA is pegged at N534, 369.52.

The statement also added that minimum fare for northern zone with $750 BTA is N636, 496.52, and N643, 869.52 for the southern zone.

Medium fare with $1000 BTA is N672, 996.52 for northern zone and N680, 369.52 for southern zone.

Maximum fare, with $1500 BTA is N750, 996.52 for the north and N758, 369.52.

 Air Carriers

The Commission also announced Air carriers that have been approved to airlift intending pilgrims from Nigeria to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for 2013 Hajj exercise.

The airlines selected include, Kabo Air Ltd, Med-View Airline Ltd, Max Airline Ltd,

Meridian Airline Ltd, and Skypower Express Airways.

For those travelling through international carriers, NAHCON said, NAS Air Charter (Saudi based Airline) and Tradecraft Nigeria Ltd were approved.

It also said Medview Travel Consult, Cargo, Zeal Technologies and Slim Aviation Services Ltd were approved for pilgrims' excess luggage.

The Commission also requested the States and other pilgrims' agencies to speed up the process of collecting the balance of the Hajj fares from intending pilgrims and remit same to NAHCON to facilitate early conclusion of necessary arrangements.

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Posted in GBENGA AKINBOBOLA , Gbenga Islander , NIGERIA CELEBRITIES , Nigerian news

Nigeria: Okagbare Sets New African Record in 100 Metres

Okagbare set a record of 10.86 seconds.

Nigeria's Blessing Okagbare has broken the African Women's 100 metres record at the ongoing Sainsbury's Anniversary Games in London after posting an impressive 10.86 seconds winning time in the second semi-final of the Women's race.

 Okagbare has been in tremendous form lately as she also leapt 7m recently to become only the second Nigerian lady after Chioma Ajunwa to do same.

Expectedly, Okagbare tops the list of 19 athletes to represent Nigeria at next month's World Athletics Championships in Moscow where Nigeria hopes to end her 13 years of medal drought.

Coming behind Okagbare to place second in the second semi-final is America's Barbara Pierre; while fellow African, Murielle Ahoure of Cote D'ivore came third. The other contestants were Kelly-Ann Baptiste of Trinidad & Tobago, Verena Sailer of Germany, Dafne Schippers of the Netherlands, Asha Phillips of Great Britain and Annabelle Lewis, also of Great Britain.

The final race is set for later today.

Incidentally another Nigerian Olusoji Fasuba holds the African record in the men's 100m event.

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Posted in GBENGA AKINBOBOLA , Gbenga Islander , Nigeria , Nigerian news

MOST STYLISH CELEBRITIES IN NIGERIA

TOKE MAKINWA

First up we have radio personality, Toke Makinwa! With her dark long locks, flawless makeup and demure style she reminds me of a life size Barbie doll. Or rather the more exotic version of Barbie. Every time she steps out on the red carpet or snaps a random photo on Instagram you can tell she’s all about being a LADY. Even when she does something edgy with her look it still exudes femininity.

ALEX EKUBO

Please believe I had to add the one and only Alex Ekubo. Take a look at that photo first and tell me his style is not on point. Apart from being a very handsome man, he knows how to wear a suit and tie. You can tell he likes to look sharp and clean. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him look undone. He is always put together… and although he’s dressed in all black in the photo above, he knows how to incorporate bold colors into his wardrobe which can never hurt.

GENEVIEVE NNAJI

Another no-brainer was the incomparable Genevieve Nnaji. It seems like the older she gets the finer she gets and along with her looks her style becomes more and more classic. She can wear the hell out of a dress and make you want to buy it right off the rack and if possible wear it off her back. There’s something sexy yet subtle about the way she dresses. It doesn’t overpower you but creeps up on you but in a good way.

UTI NWACHUKWU

Next up we have Mr Uti Nwachukwu! The only man that can rock this style of dreads! When I first saw Uti at the NEAwards last September with his plaid suit, I was like… wahala deeeey! Like who else could pull that kind of suit of, if not him? All I know is that he follows his own trends not what fashion dictates! Ultimately that is why is he on this list!

RITA DOMINIC

Now Rita Dominic, gets a standing ovation from me. She has really grown into her own woman style wise! I’ve been noticing all these vintage inspired outfits and dresses she’s been rocking to events and on red carpets. Recently she wore a huge hat, baby blue blazer, white collared shirt and trousers to Tuface’s wedding and I absolutely loved it. She’s been trying new things when it comes to her coordinating a look and I must say that I am impressed. Levels have most certainly changed honey!

EBUKA

When it comes to colors, Ebuka, knows how to mix and match them! Adding color to a man’s wardrobe can be tricky for most but I guess he falls under another category. I personally think the color blue looks great on him! Gentleman: take note… no offense. 

KATE HENSHAW

Kate Henshaw is in same class as Genevieve when it comes to the kinds of clothing they would go for but Kate’s athelic build just allows any dress to look great on her and fit like a glove. I also love that she sports her natural hair at times …when you have to let your hair just breathe y’know! 

D’BANJ

Aside from the exposed D&G briefs and Jesus piece in this photos… oh and the bare chest, D’Banj does have a style all his own. Yes men were wearing suits in Naija before he came around but in a sea of artists rocking the latest kicks,  T-Shirts, tailored jeans, D’Banj made it sexy and appealing to wear suits as an entertainer in Naija.

TIWA SAVAGE

Tiwa is a fashionista through and though. She not only wears dresses and outfits that look great on her. She adds accessories to the mix and in a bold way! Check out the gold cuffs on her wrist and gold plated necklace she’s wearing in the photo above. These are the little additions that can take an outfit from nice to a show stopper and Tiwa does that perfectly.

BURNA BOY

Burna Boy! Burna Boy! Burna Boy! This guy’s style just makes me think of Puffy aka P. Diddy back in the days when he was rolling with Biggie sans the sleeveless shirts and tattoos of course. Maybe its the shades, I don’t know but I get that vibe from him. I love the way he dressing down and how he dresses it up, he never seems to have a care as to what others around may say or think. Some may call that cockiness, I call it confidence. That’s something you need to have if you’re going to walking around with leopard printed sleeveless top and dark shades.

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Posted in GBENGA AKINBOBOLA , Gbenga Daniel , NIGERIA CELEBRITIES , Nigerian news

Nigeria: Christian girls at risk of abduction

Christian girls in northern Nigeria are increasingly at risk of abduction by Muslims who are then forcing them to renounce their faith. 

Professor Daniel Babayi, of the Northern Christian Association of Nigeria, told Barnabas Fund that Christian girls below the age of 18 were being targeted.

The girls are held in the homes of Muslim leaders but when Christians report this to the police, they say there is nothing they can do.

"The police have become very helpless.  In some instances, they are part of the conspiracy," said Professor Babayi. 

Last year, militant Islamic group Boko Haram threatened to kidnap Christian women as part of "new efforts to strike fear into the Christians of the power of Islam", Barnabas reports.

Boko Haram has stated its intention to eradicate Christians from northern Nigeria and implement a strict interpretation of Sharia law across the region. 

The group has repeatedly attacked Christian communities and churches, most recently killing 40 at a boarding school in Yobe state on 6 July.  A dormitory was set alight in the attack and those fleeing gunned down. 

Last month, an attack on a secondary school in Yobe and another school in Borno left 16 students dead.  

Barnabas Fund added that Boko Haram was recruiting unschooled and unemployed children, sometimes by force.

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Posted in GBENGA AKINBOBOLA , Gbenga Daniel , Nigeria , Nigerian news

Nigeria forces disperse rival youth factions in oil city

PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria (Reuters) - Nigerian security forces fired tear gas on Wednesday to prevent hundreds of youths loyal to President Goodluck Jonathan and to his bitter rival, Rivers state governor Rotimi Amaechi, clashing in the main oil hub of Port Harcourt.

A Reuters witness saw around 2,000 youths from the two factions arrive in some 30 commercial buses at the Rivers state parliament in Port Harcourt, the main hub of Africa's biggest energy industry in the swampy Niger Delta and historically a flashpoint for political violence.

Police struggled to keep them apart until a Joint Task Force composed of both military and police stepped in, firing tear gas canisters and chasing away the crowds. One man was arrested.

Last month, police banned demonstrations in the hub of Nigeria's two million barrel a day industry to prevent clashes.

"The ban on rallies and protests is still on. Anyone caught holding protests will be dealt with," Rivers state police spokeswoman Angela Agabe said.

Amaechi and Jonathan have been embroiled in a spat in the past few months which worsened when Amaechi was elected head of the National Governors' Forum grouping Nigeria's 36 states.

Jonathan, also from the oil-producing Niger Delta, and his backers have refused to recognize Amaechi because of his open opposition to the president seeking another term in an election scheduled for 2015. Jonathan has not officially declared he will run but his supporters say he will.

Many of Nigeria's governors, and quite a few lawmakers, are in revolt against Jonathan over his expected plan to run, including many within his own People's Democratic Party (PDP).

Security officials and oil workers fear Port Harcourt -- once a fiefdom of militants, gangsters and kidnappers targeting the oil industry - will become a key battleground in this power struggle, as it has in the past.

Representatives of Jonathan and Amaechi were not immediately available for comment on Wednesday.

Violence between specially bused-in youths, sometimes armed, has been a feature of Nigerian electoral cycles since its return to democracy in 1999, but the spat over Jonathan's future plans risks triggering violence way ahead of time, analysts say.

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Posted in GBENGA AKINBOBOLA , Gbenga Daniel , Nigeria forces

Share Nigeria's Health Minister Voluntarily Resigns

President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday in Abuja accepted the voluntary resignation of Dr Ali Pate as Minister of State for Health.Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, who disclosed this to State House correspondents said the resignation takes immediate effect.

In a letter of resignation dated July 22, made available to newsmen, Pate stated that he was leaving the cabinet to take up the position of Professor in Duke University's Global Health Institute, USA.

He said in his new capacity, he would participate in a university-wide Africa initiative and would also serve as Senior Adviser to Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation based in Washington DC.

Pate, however, offered to continue to serve the Jonathan's administration as honorary advisor on the polio eradication initiative and Save one million lives of Women and Children initiative which he was in charge of.

"As we have discussed, I wish to offer the continuation of my service on part time basis as Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Polio Eradication and Public Private Coalition on Saving one million live initiative.

"If you agree, in fulfilment of my previous commitment to see to the conclusion of these important national priorities, this may entail an honorary advisory role reporting directly to you progress at least on quarterly basis," he said.

Abati, said that in accepting the minister's resignation, the President was "highly elated that his star-studded cabinet was attracting required global attention".

He said that the President saw the appointment as a plus for the administration and the country.

Abati said Jonathan commended Pate for the integrity and competence he brought on board while carrying out his duties first as the Chief Executive of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and later as a minister.

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Posted in GBENGA AKINBOBOLA , Gbenga Islander , Nigeria's Health Minister