Olumide Fafore's Blog: January 2014

Friday, 31 January 2014

Egypt's Shame: Why Violence Against Women Has Soared After Mubarak By Emily Dyer

A supporter of the Muslim Brotherhood in Cairo, July 2013.

PHOTOS: Skimpy outfits, an almost kiss and a naked embrace! Shakira and Rihanna's steamy new music video revealed

They're two of pop's sexiest superstars so a Shakira/Rihanna collaboration was always going to be steamy.
The Barbadian beauty has joined the Colombian bombshell on her latest single Can't Remember To Forget You and fans eagerly awaiting a saucy video were not disappointed.
Featuring both stars in a series of skimpy outfits and later in a naked embrace, it’s sure to tot up huge numbers of views

Steamy: The duo get up close and personal in the new video, which features them both in a variety of sexy outfits. More pics after cut..

Baby Factory Operators Arrested In Ondo State

An alleged baby factor syndicate operated by a couple, Mr and Mrs Abiodun Ogundeji operating in Ilutuntun, Okitipupa Local Government area of Ondo State was on Wednesday Jan 29th busted by the men of the Ondo state Command of the Nigerian Immigration Service.

Acting on a tip from the Force headquarters Abuja as well as the Imo state command, the Controller General of the state command, Musa Hassan, said the baby factory had been running for 5years. 21 people including the couple running the factory, pregnant women as well as some nursing mothers were arrested in the building. Continue...

International musical acts Brandy and UB40 are heading to Nigeria to perform at Classic FM 97.3's Valentine's Day concert.

Nigerian Entertainment Today reports that Classic FM Programmes Director, Chico Aligwekwe, confirmed that the artists will be performing at the annual concert.
"This year we've made sure there's something for everyone. There's no better way to celebrate your Valentine’s Day than this."
The concert takes place on 16 February.
Tickets can be bought at Afritickets.com and Adibba.com.

Navy intercepts hijacked Greek tanker

The Nigerian Navy has intercepted a Greek-owned merchant tanker, MT KERALA, purportedly hijacked off the coast of Luanda after a "spirited four-day search" in the Gulf of Guinea.

This is contained in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja and signed by Commodore Kabir Aliyu, Director of Naval Information.
The statement added that the arrest was achieved, using the Nigerian Navy remote surveillance system and search patrols by her ships.

Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, visited villagers of Okun-Idasho in Ibeju-Lekki today and said the State had acquired their land for its Free Trade project.
This past week villagers have been raided by police.

During the raid police fired bullets and causing panic among the villagers.
Some were arrested, and many others sought refuge in the bush. After the raid villagers returned to their village.

Justin Bieber's court cases on both sides of the U.S.-Canadian border might not just lead to more scrutiny by judges and prosecutors, but could also complicate the pop star's jet-setting ways.
Legal experts said the decision by Toronto authorities to charge Bieber with assault on Wednesday makes the singer's legal situation more complicated and difficult to untangle. He is already facing a driving under the influence case in Florida, and remains under investigation for felony vandalism in Los Angeles County.

Families try to escape continued sectarian violence in the capital Bangui

Reports of horrific revenge killing continued to emerge from the Central African Republic Wednesday, less than 24 hours after the Security Council voted to increase the international troop presence there and levy sanctions against those it suspects of war crimes.Over 2,000 people have been killed and one million - a quarter of the population - displaced since a coalition of northern, predominantly Muslim rebels calling themselves Seleka ("alliance" in the local Sango language) seized power in March 2013.

Africa's billionaires: Who made the most?

Aliko Dangote, Africa's richest man, has had a great 2013, boosting his fortune by double digits and still remains firmly at the top of the billionaire rankings. But how did the rest of the continent's super rich do?

10. Yasseen Mansour

Net worth: $2.4 billion

You may not have heard of Yasseen Mansour before now, but if you regularly survey lists like these you know his brother Mohamed: one of Africa's ten richest people. Both along with their third brother run the Mansour Group, an Egyptian giant that among many things is the continent's leading supplier of Caterpillar equipment. Though Yasseen's fortune didn't outgrow his brother's - Mohamed's worth grew to $3.1 billion - it still jumped 20 percent ($400 million) to reach $2.4 billion.

D'banj: image by AKINTUNDE AKINLEYE/Newscom/RTR

Popular Nigerian Singer and Song-writer Dapo Oyebanjo, aka D’banj on Wednesday in Addis Ababa launched a song "Do Agric, It pays", to urge African leaders to commit 10 per cent of their national budgets to agriculture.

D’banj song was launched as part of a South Africa base Civil Society Organisation "The ONE" campaign effort to push political leaders to adopt better policies that would boost productivity, increase incomes and reduce poverty.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho intends to sell Romelu Lukaku in the summer to fund a deal for a new senior striker signing.

The Daily Star says the Blues hope to bank around £20m by flogging Belgian Lukaku, 20, with Atletico Madrid keen.

And they plan to plough the money into a bid for a world class striker.

The Blues are considering long-term target Radamel Falcao again after learning his move to Monaco has already turned sour.

Falcao joined Monaco last summer for £50m but is understood to be disillusioned in France.

Exclusive Pictures From Nollywood Actor, Jide Kosoko 60th Birthday Celebration.

Nollywood Legend Jide Kosoko turned 60 on Jan. 12, 2014. A birthday party was held last night at Troy Lounge in Ogba with many Nollywood stars in attendance. More pics after cut..

President Jonathan pictured at the ongoing opening ceremony of the AU Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. More pics after cut..

Ever since virulently homophobic Russian President Vladimir Putin pushed through a law effectively outlawing openly gay people, the country’s LGBTQ community has, predictably, been plagued by violence. Now a study published in Harvard University’s Health and Human Rights journal confirms what myriad horrific anecdotes suggest: Gay people in Russia are being beaten, raped, and murdered at record rates—and the government is doing little to stop it.

TORONTO (AP) — Justin Bieber was charged Wednesday with assault for allegedly hitting a Toronto limousine driver several times in the back of the head last month, just hours after his attorney entered a separate not guilty plea in Florida to drunken-driving and other charges.

Bieber turned himself in to a Toronto police station, arriving amid a crush of media and screaming fans. He was charged with one count of assault and is scheduled to appear in court in Toronto on March 10.

Police allege Bieber was one of six people who were picked up by a limousine from a nightclub in the early morning hours of Dec. 30, and there was an altercation while en route to a hotel.

File photo: Gigi Chao, right, daughter of the Hong Kong property tycoon Cecil Chao, poses with her partner Sean Eav at an event in Hong Kong

Ms Chao, right, married her long-term partner Sean Eav in France in 2012

The daughter of a Hong Kong tycoon has urged her father in an open letter to accept she is a lesbian, after he offered millions to find her a husband.

Gigi Chao says Cecil Chao should accept her partner and "treat her like a normal, dignified human being".

Ms Chao, 33, who married her long-term partner Sean Eav in France in 2012, also emphasised: "There are plenty of good men, they are just not for me."

Mr Chao last week reportedly offered to double his 2012 offer of $65m (£40m).

Atiku Abubakar In Edo, Meets With APC Members

Ahead the 2015 general election, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar on Wednesday consulted with leaders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo.

Atiku, who visited the state governor, Adams Oshiomhole in his office in Benin said he was in the state as part of his nationwide consultation with the leadership of the party.

He said that the tour was in fulfilment of his promise to consult with relevant stakeholders across the country on his political ambition.

He commended the state government on its infrastructure development under the present administration and urged the governor to do more.

Responding, Oshiomhole said that he was excited about the intention of the meeting and wished him well.

He urged him to ensure that his consultation would be to the benefit of the country and its citizens. (NAN)

IBB writes his own Open Letter: The Happenings In the Country Call for Worry – IBB to Jonathan

Former Nigerian Head of State, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida once released a statement through his media aide, Kassim Afegbua more or less advising the President to see things a bit differently especially beyond what his aides tell him. This was released in 2011 and it appears nothing has since changed.

The statement read: “The happenings in the country in recent times call for worry if we must be sincere with ourselves. Every day, the nation is treated with one form of political issue or the other. From security challenges to economic challenges, Nigerians are asking several questions that deserve responses from government at the various levels. Democracy is when it is a people-driven government with its fundamental principles of freedom of expression, freedom of association, rule of law, accountability, probity and equal representation amongst others.

In State of the Union, Obama vows to expand opportunity, with or without Congress : The Washington Post

President Obama sought Tuesday to restore public confidence in his presidencyafter a dispiriting year, pledging to use his White House authority with new force to advance an agenda that Congress has largely refused to support.

In his fifth prime-time State of the Union address, Obama made clear that instead of trying to fix the mess in Washington, he was now promising to find ways around it.

“America does not stand still,” Obama said, “and neither will I. So wherever and whenever I can take steps without legislation to expand opportunity for more American families, that’s what I’m going to do.”

President Jonathan is seeking the death penalty for any person who is found guilty of hacking into Criminal National Information Infrastructure or any computer network that would lead to loss of lives

The bill which is called the Cyber Crime bill 2013 and currently before the House of Reps, seeks to address all forms of criminality within the cyberspace and also proposes a life sentence for anyone who uses any computer network to carry out terrorism acts. In a case where there is no loss of life but the offender causes grave bodily harm, the bill recommends a prison term of not less than 15months.

Arsenal have tabled a bid for Schalke midfielder Julian Draxler.

The Daily Star says the Gunners have made a ‘take it or leave it’ bid of £24.7m for Draxler.

The 20-year-old has a buy-out clause of £37m with the German side.

But the Gunners have proposed a deal with various add-ons in a bid to land the German international by Friday when the transfer window closes.

See Full List Of Defecting PDP Senators to APC

See the full list of 11 Senators that submitted a letter to Senate President David Mark today asking to defect to the opposition All progressives Congress (APC) party.
The defecting senators are as follows :
1. Senator Bukola Saraki-Kwara Central
2. Senator Umaru Dahiru-Sokoto South
3. Senator Magnus Ngei Abe -Rivers South-East
4. Senator Wilson Asinobi Ake-Rivers West
5. Sen. Bindawa Muhammed Jibrilla-Adamawa North
6. Sen. Mohammed Danjuma Goje-Gombe central
7. Sen. Aisha Jummai Alhassan-Taraba North
8. Sen. Mohammed Ali Ndume-Borno South
9. Senator Mohammed Shaba Lafiaji-Kwara North
10. Sen. Abdulahi Adamu-Nasarawa West
11. Senator Ibrahim Abdullahi Gobir-Sokoto East

Ex-Kano Governor, Shekarau, Dumps APC For PDP- PREMIUM TIMES

Former Governor of Kano, Ibrahim Shekarau

Ibrahim Shekarau, one of the founding members of APC, has moved to the PDP.
The immediate past governor of Kano State, Ibrahim Shekarau, has dumped the All Progressives Congress, APC, for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Mr. Shekarau, backed by his supporters from the 44 local government areas of Kano, made the declaration at his Bompai GRA residence in Kano on Wednesday.
He said the decision is to satisfy the aspirations of the people of the state who felt left out from the APC.

The little racist who got a face full of gay fish fist for spitting racial slurs into Kim Kardashian’s ear at her chiropractor’s office now has $250,000 more in his checking account. TMZ says that Kanye West pulled a stack of hundred dollar bills out of his butt cleavage and threw $250,000 at the bitch he punched to not press charges and to go away. Yes, that 18-year-old kid got that much money and all he had to do was get fisted by Kanye. (“Where’s my $250,000?!” – Riccardo Tisci) Pimp Mama Kris now knows that if she ever needs some quick Botox money, all she has to do is get one of her low-level whores (see: Rob) to spit a racial slur at Kim before getting punched by Kanye and she’ll have an instant $250,000!

Abdel Fattah al-Sisi: Image courtesy of STRINGER/Newscom/RTR

Egypt's top brass on Monday weighed a possible presidential bid by its chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, hours after he was promoted to the highest rank in the military.

Sisi, who ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in July after mass street protests, has shot up in popularity and is seen as a leader who could end the political instability and bloodshed that has roiled Egypt since 2011.

PICTURED: Justin Bieber leaves Panama for LA with his manager following 'intervention' six days after Miami DUI arrest

Justin Bieber is heading home after a brief break in Panama following his DUI while drag racing in Miami, Florida last week.
The 19-year-old was seen at Tocumen International Airport on Tuesday, accompanied by manager Scooter Braun and Usher, a source confirmed to MailOnline.
'He left with his team and is flying back home to Los Angeles,'

Latoya Ammons (pictured left) moved into a home with her mother and 3 children in Gary, Indiana in 2011 and started hearing footsteps in the basement. Over time, she and her children, aged 12, 9 and 8, became 'possessed'; their eyes would bulge, they'd shake and growl. A clairvoyant said the home was haunted by 200 demons. Sons were taken to hospital after one was inexplicably thrown in the house. While there a nurse and a CPS worker saw him walk backwards up a wall. Full story below..

Beyoncé and Jay Z performing "Drunk in Love" at the Grammys Jan. 26, 2013
YouTube

When it was announced that entertainment’s “it” couple, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter and Jay Z, would be performing at the Grammys—the opening act, no less—I knew it wasn’t going to go well. They were undoubtedly going to perform their latest hit, “Drunk in Love,” an ode to liquor and the joys of marital sex, replete with raunchy innuendo. Everyone would tune in, and there would be a mega backlash.

Credit: Madonna’s Instagram, the Lord, albeit indirectly

You’re cordially invited to get your damn minds right, get your LIVES, and glue your wig back onto your head. I’m probably very correct in assuming that you just died at these #veryrvre, very luminous photos of Miley Cyrus and Madonna at Miley’s “MTV Unplugged” taping. Well, you’ll be reborn when you bear witness to this denim-clad holy union of Miley Cyrus and Madonna,

Tuesday, 28 January 2014

That's a bit awkward! Rihanna and love rival Karrueche Tran show up at the same Grammys after-party

Love rivals: Rihanna attended a Grammys bash at Greystone Manor on Sunday and so did her rival Karrueche Tran who is dating Rihanna's ex Chris Brown.

Rihanna and Karrueche Tran have one thing in common and his name is Chris Brown.
The 25-year-old Diamonds singer apparently skipped the Grammys ceremony to attend The Young Money Cash Money Records bash at Greystone Manor.
As luck would have it, Brown's current girlfriend, 25-year-old aspiring model Karrueche, was there too on Sunday making the most of things while the Don't Wake Me Up rapper's in rehab.

Pope: image by AP Photo/Plinio Lepri, File

A religious relic stained with Polish pope John Paul II's blood has been stolen from a church in Italy, sparking a region-wide search with police and sniffer dogs.

It was stolen on Saturday from the San Pietro della Ienca church in the mountainous Abruzzo region in central Italy where the pope, who died in 2005, loved to go on skiing holidays.

Praising your kids—it seems like an obvious, not-fraught thing parents should do. And yet, according to a new study, delivering praise to children in ways that inspire rather than sabotage is harder than it sounds.
What forms of cheerleading stick? How do you convey sincerity? How do you avoid burdening your kid with stratospheric expectations? Developmental scientists have been asking these questions for a while now. So far, the research has treated praise as a fixed influence—a kind of powdered sugar (or crack) that tastes the same to everyone.

There are no gay people in Sochi, according to the mayor of Sochi, who knows about these things.
But even though there are no gay people in Sochi, that doesn't mean that gay people aren't welcome in Sochi, Anatoly Pakhomov clarified. Gay people are welcome in Sochi (where there are currently no gay people) as long as they "respect Russian law."
"Our hospitality will be extended to everyone who respects the laws of the Russian Federation and doesn't impose their habits on others," he explained.

The State Security Service (SSS) have released Nasir El-Rufai, a former Minster for the Federal Capital Territory, on bail. The agency released Mr. El-Rufai after interrogating earlier today. The former minister is the interim deputy national secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Mr. El-Rufai had turned himself in this morning accompanied by Rivers State Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, Senator Chris Ngige and several family members. However, our correspondent was told that his companions were not allowed inside the SSS headquarters in Abuja, the venue of the former minister’s interrogation.

Reuters

A former Seleka soldier holds his weapon as he keeps watch from a moving vehicle at the Camp de Roux base in Bangui, in Central African Republic. The conflict in CAR is expected to feature on the AU's agenda at the Addis Ababa summit.

Addis Ababa - Conflict and humanitarian crises rather than growing economies and development top the agenda for African leaders this week, as they meet for a summit of the continental bloc.

Conflict in Central African Republic (CAR) and South Sudan are key priorities, Ethiopian Foreign Minister Tedros Adhanom said, ahead of the two-day African Union meeting that opens on Thursday.

The controversial role on the continent of the International Criminal Court (ICC) is also expected to be addressed.

Are you a chocoholic? Turns out your little addiction may save your life. A recent study found that those consuming the highest levels of chocolate had a 37% reduction in cardiovascular disease and a 29% reduction in stroke compared to those with lower chocolate intakes.
Though experts are quick to clarify that we should stick to moderate consumption of high-calorie chocolates, it’s hard to deny the cold hard facts that chocolate can be a healthy addition to our diets.
Hundreds of studies have shown that dark chocolate is packed with antioxidants that promote heart health and may prevent many cardiovascular-related conditions, but we’ve dug up five more surprising health benefits. Read on for five new ways to justify your chocolate craving.

African Union has declared 2014 the year of Agriculture and D'banj & music producer Cobhams Asuquo have been picked as ambassadors by ONE organization to champion the movement in Africa.

Monday, 27 January 2014

Game of Thrones Season 4: What Happens to the Stark Kids? (VIDEO)

With the Stark family’s numbers dwindling even further towards the end of Game of Thrones Season 3, we can’t help but wonder what’s going to happen to the remaining living Starks. What kind of challenges await Bran, Arya, and Sansa inSeason 4? Isaac Hempstead-Wright (Bran), Maisie Williams (Arya), and Sophie Turner (Sansa) recently teased what we can expect for the newly-minted orphans in Season 4.

Access Hollywood caught up with the youngest Stark kids on the red carpet at the SAG Awards, and they each had a bit to say about their characters.

View Photo Gallery: Fashion at the 56th annual Grammy Awards was uncharacteristically mellow, a departure from an awards show that is typically defined by over-the-top arrivals and gowns. — Cara Kelly. More pics after cut...

The 56th annual Grammy Awards red carpet was a well-documented snooze. Even Queen Bey, a couple of French robots and an oddly minimalist New Zealander couldn’t save the bland train wreck of what was once an annual fashion holiday. Without the likes of Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus and Nicki Minaj (none of whom were nominated), there seemed an enormous drought of talent willing to take an outsize risk.

A handful of the veterans did their part, albeit in foreseeable formats.

Former Vice President Abubakar Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said today the real troubles of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are yet to come and that its new chairman, Adamu Muazu, whose daughter is married to his son, cannot save the party from its woes.
Atiku was speaking in an interview with a radio station, Liberty Radio, which SaharaReporters monitored live from New York.
He stated that he is on the same page with former President Olusegun Obasanjo who recently in an open letter to President Goodluck Jonathan, attacked the latter’s failures in managing the affairs of the country.

Former FCT minister, Nasir El-Rufai

By Saharareporters, New York

There was no indication this evening that the former Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nasir El-Rufai, who voluntarily turned himself in at the headquarters of the State Security Service (SSS) in Abuja this morning, would be released to go home.
The SSS had declared El Rufai, the Interim Deputy National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) wanted over a comment attributed to him that the 2015 election could turn violent if rigged and many people left dead.
As of 7.20pm Nigerian time on Monday, the former Minister was still being detained by operatives of the SSS.

After much speculation, multiple award winning American singer and actress Kelly Rowland, has been unveiled as the surprise act performing at the second edition of Darey Art Alade’s critically acclaimed music concert, Love Like a Movie: The Love Roller Coaster!

The popular Grammy Award winning artiste and former member of the best selling female R N' B group of all time, Destiny’s Child, will electrify the stage accompanied by her world famous dancers.

More pics after cut...

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Friday, 31 January 2014

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Tuesday, 28 January 2014

Monday, 27 January 2014