Rihanna Was The Real Reason Behind Solange Knowles' Attack On Jay Z

p Close Eyes: Jay Z & Rihanna might be hitting it off in secret.

A close friend to the power couple finally breaks the silence and confirms Jay Z could be having an affair with RiRi!

Looks like Miley Cyrus isn't the only one allegedly wrecking marriages [Robin Thicke & Paula Patton]. Bad girl, Rihanna just got busted for trying to break up hip hop power couple Jay Z and Beyonce!

According to a very close source to Bey and Jay, tells Page Six that Rihanna was the real reason Solange Knowles aggressively attacked Jay Z in that elevator in New York last May.

The source claims Jay reportedly planned to meet with RiRi later that same night. “Solange was like, ‘Enough is enough — you must be [screwing] Rihanna,’” says the source. “To many people who know them, they know it’s not out of the realm of possibility.”

So despite their constant PDA-ing , playing happy families on Instagram and other desperate attempts to quash the split rumours that's hunting them, it seems their 12-year relationship may finally be crumbling thanks to Rihanna!

Plus, according to the source said, things have been pretty bad between the pair for a while now.
Do you still want Beyonce and Jay Z to break up or should RiRi be kicked out of Jay Z's Roc Nation – if these allegations are true?

Tell us what you think.

Baby Falls 9 Feet Off A Balcony And Survives

According to the Mirror UK, the baby was playing in the bedroom upstairs when he suddenly got and walked for the first time – and of course it ended in disaster.

Little Murphy’s tumbled onto the landing and plunged straight through a gap in the spindles - landing with a heavy bump on tiles 9ft below.

However, the baby is back on his feet after escaping with a cracked eye socket and a black eye
His mum, 33-year-old Kelly said: "That day was the first day he decided to start walking everywhere.
"He has been around that area a million times before when he was crawling and there have been no problems. When I saw him lying there on the floor, I thought that was it.
"I thought we were going to lose him or that if he survived he wouldn't be the same little boy he was before. By some miracle, he's OK.

"He's doing great now. He is back on his feet now; although I would rather he wasn't to be honest."
He was immediately rushed to the hospital after his father, David, called for an ambulance. It was initially thought by doctors that Jonah was going to need an operation due the orbital bone above his left eye which was fractured but miraculously was left with a huge black eye.

condoms that fights STDs

A condom like this has just received approval for mass production in Australia.
“Consumers can expect to see the ‘ground-breaking new sexual health’ product on the shelves soon,” Peter Carroll, president of the Australian firm Ansell that will sell the product, said.

The key ingredient that kills the germs is 0.5 percent concentrated astodrimer sodium solution called VivaGel – part of the condom’s lubricant.

The VivaGel binds on to germs and does not allow them to interact with human cells in the body.
VivaGel is already approved for supply to Japan’s largest condom maker Okamoto Industries.

The new Australian approvals will allow it to be launched in the domestic market in a few months.
VivaGel can disable 99.9 percent of HIV, herpes and human papilloma virus on contact, media reports said:

Meet 100cm Man Who Found Love, Got Married And Had Baby

Arif Ibrahim Tambe whose height is only 106 centimeters finally found his love and even started a family, in Pune, in the west of India.

 

 

"If you marry me you will have to do everything for me."


One day Arif, who had already got used to the idea of living alone, met Ameena Ahmed, in a shop and immediately fall in love with her. 21-year-old Ameena is 61cm taller than her lover and Arif was worried she would eventually reject him when she realised the full extent of his care needs.



"You will have to take me to the toilet, to the bathroom and to the shower. I told her everything and she still agreed."

 

Iheanacho Shines for Manchester City.

Neither Bruno Zuculini or Kelechi Iheanacho are fully-fledged Manchester City players just yet, but both were on the scoresheet as the Premier League champions got their US tour off to a winning start at Sporting Park.

Zuculini will officially join City once the Premier League ratify the Argentine’s £1.5million move from Racing Club, and highly-rated Nigerian striker Iheanacho can only loosely be referred to as a triallist after earning a place on the flight to America during last week’s training camp in Scotland.

 

The teenager came through the Right to Dream programme in Ghana, which has close links with City, and starred in last summer’s Under-17 World Cup.

 

 

Many have Criticized Iheanacho for choosing to go to city after a wonderful under 17 competition, instead, wishing he had signed for a lower rated club in Europe where he would get regular playing time

 

Dedryck Boyata and Aleksandar Kolarov were the other scorers as City eased to victory over the current Major League Soccer champions. Most of Pellegrini’s star players were still missing but there was another outing for new signings Willy Caballero and Fernando as well as some who might not be at the club much longer, such as Micah Richards, Scott Sinclair, Matija Nastasic and Javi Garcia.

 

Match Facts

SPORTING KANSAS CITY: Gruenebaum; Juliao, Collin, Besler, Sinovic; Olum, Lopez, Feilhaber; Sapong, Dwyer, Saad.

Scorer: Sapong 30

 

MAN CITY: Caballero; Richards (Clichy 45), Boyata, Rekik (Nastasic 75), Kolarov; Navas, Fernando (Garcia 65), Zuculini (Huws 75), Sinclair; Iheanacho (Denayer 90+1), Jovetic (Guidetti 65). 

Subs not used: Wright, Lawlar, Leigh, Rodwell.

Scorers: Zuculini 3, Boyata 45, Kolarov pen 73, Iheanacho 89

 

Attendance: 18,484.

We’re coming for cash, robbers tell Ogun residents .

Residents of Elerinko Estate in Ijoko-Ota in the Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State say they have been living in fear since suspected robbers wrote the community last Saturday, intimating them of an impending attack.

Our correspondent gathered that the suspected robbers pasted letters of their impending on buildings, electric poles and other points in the estate.

They advised the residents to make cash available in their own interest, saying they would invade the community anytime soon. The residents were also warned not to treat the demand as an empty one.

It was learnt that the letters were posted between Friday night and Saturday morning.

Some of the residents, who pleaded anonymity for security reasons, told our correspondent that the letters had pictures of a skull and bones.

One of them said, “When we woke up on Saturday, we saw the letters pasted all over the estate asking us to prepare for them, that they are coming.

“The robbers also advised us to withdraw cash from banks to keep at home. They said we had enjoyed peace and no security could stop them.

“Presently, there is panic in this area and many people are planning to move out of the estate. The police should help us.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Muyiwa Adejobi, said the command was aware of the threat. He added that the commissioner of police has ordered the Area Commander, Titilayo Kayode, to do the needful.

He said, “We have put in place adequate security in the area. I got the information, but I have yet to see the letter.

“The CP has acted on it. The Divisional Police Officer,Ota, Mr. Gabriel Idibie, a Chief Superintendent of Police, and his men have been patrolling the area.”

Unity Bank sacks 170 workers, recruits 300 !

Unity Bank Plc on Wednesday said it had sacked 170 staff in its operations nationwide.

The banks also announced that it had recruited 300 new employees in what it described as “repositioning exercise”.

This was contained in a statement by the bank’s management in Lagos on Wednesday.

It said that the “right-sizing” was to position the bank for sustainable quality services in its branches across the nation.

According to it, the development of the bank’s human resource remains one of the key areas identified in our just-concluded capital raising.

The statement quoted the bank’s Executive Director, Secretariat and Services, Mrs Aisha Abraham, as saying that people were the bank’s greatest assets.

Abraham said that the bank would continue to train and rejuvenate the workforce, adding that the management would continue to introduce “a steady mix of promising young talents and experienced professionals.”

According to her, the bank’s goal is to offer quality services to its customers through a team of dedicated and resourceful staff at all times.

She also said that the bank’s major aim was to be the “retail bank of choice” in the nation’s banking industry.

 

Timeline of Boko Haram attacks .

 

July 23: The Boko Haram insurgents attacked Kaduna killing about 39 people and injuring many others

July 14, 2014: The insurgents descended on  Borno killing over 26 people and injuring many others

June 23, 2014: Boko Haram attacked the city Kano killing over 12 people and injuring manyothers

June 1, 2014: Boko Haram attacked Mudi killing over 40 people and injuring many others

May 31, 2014: Boko Haram attacked Kala Balge killing 40 people and injuring several others

May 27, 2014: Boko Haram attacked Borno killing 48 people and injuring several others

May 25, 2014: Boko Haram attacked Yobe killing 54 people and injuring several others

May 21, 2014: Boko Haram attacked Chikongudo killing 25 people and injuring several others

May 20, 2014: Gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram attacked Jos killing 108 and injuring 56

May 18, 2014: Boko Haram attacked Kano killing 4 people and injuring several others

May 5, 2014: Boko Haram attacked Gamboru Ngala killing several people and injuring several others

May 1, 2014: Boko Haram attacked Abuja killing 19 people and injuring several others

April 14, 2014: Boko Haram attacked Abuja killing 88 people and injuring several others

April 10, 2014: Boko Haram attacked Dikwa killing 8 people and injuring several others

April 10, 2014: Boko Haram attacked Bala Balge killing 60 people and injuring several others

March 1, 2014: Boko Haram attacked Mainokri killing 39 people and injuring several others

March 1, 2014: Boko Haram attacked Maiduguri killing 51 people and injuring several others

February 25, 2014: Boko Haram attacked Buni Yadi killing 59 people  and injuring several others

February 19, 2014: Boko Haram attacked Bama killing 60 people and injuring several others

February 16, 2014:: Boko Haram attacked a village in Borno killing 90 and injuring several others

February 12, 2014: Boko Haram attacked Konduga killing 39 people and injuring several others

July 6, 2013: Boko Haram attacked Yobe killing 42 people and injuring several others

May 7, 2013: Boko Haram attacked Bama killing 55 and injuring several others

July 30, 2012: Boko Haram attacked Zaria killing 5 and injuring several others

June 3, 2012: Boko Haram attacked Bauchi killing 12 and injuring several others

April 30, 2012: Gunmen attacked Taraba killing 11 and injuring several others

April 29, 2012: Boko Haram attacked Bayero University, Kano killing 16 and injuring several others

April 26, 2012: Boko Haram attacked Abuja killing six and injuring several others

April 25, 2012: Boko Haram attacked Maiduguri Police Headquaters killing seven and injuring many

April 8, 2012: Boko Haram attacked Kaduna killing 40 and injuring several others

April 8, 2012: Boko Haram attacked another church in Jos killing 20 and injuring several others

March 24, 2012: Boko Haram attacked Kano killing two and injuring unspecified number of people

March 11, 2012: Boko Haram attacked a church in Jos killing 10 and injuring several others

February 3, 2012:  Boko Haram attacked a police station in Kogi State killing four people

Jan 22, 2012: Boko Haram attacked Bauchi, killing 11 people and injuring several others

18 Jan 2012: A key suspect in the 2011 Christmas Day bombing in Abuja, which killed more than 40 people, escapes police custody.

17 Jan 2012: Two soldiers and four BH gunmen are killed in an attack on a military checkpoint in Maiduguri, Borno State. Soldiers arrest six high-profile BH members in a raid on a sect hideout in the city.

13 Jan 2012: Boko Haram kills four and injures two others, including a policeman, in two separate attacks on pubs in Yola (Adawama State) and Gombe city in neighbouring Gombe State.

11 Jan 2012: Four Christians killed by Boko Haram gunmen in Potiskum, Yobe State, when gunmen open fire on their car as they stop for fuel. The victims had been fleeing Maiduguri to their home town in eastern Nigeria.

10 Jan 2012: A Boko Haram attack on a beer garden kills eight, including five policemen and a teenage girl, in Damaturu, capital of Yobe State.

9 Jan 2012: Boko Haram gunmen shoot dead a secret police operative along with his civilian friend as they leave a mosque in Biu, Borno State, 200km south of the state capital, Maiduguri. The president says BH has infiltrated the executive, parliamentary and judicial wings of government.

7 Jan 2012: Three Christian poker players are killed and seven others wounded by BH gunmen in the town of Biu.

6 Jan 2012: Eight worshippers are killed in a shooting attack on a church in Yola. Boko Haram gunmen shoot dead 17 Christian mourners in the town of Mubi in the northeastern state of Adamawa. The victims are friends and relations of one of five people killed in a BH attack on a hotel the previous day.

5 Jan 2012: Six worshippers are killed and 10 others wounded when Boko Haram gunmen attack a church in Gombe city.

3 Jan 2012: Boko Haram gunmen attack a police station in the town of Birniwa in Jigawa State killing a teenage girl and wounding a police officer.

 1 Jan 2012: President Goodluck Jonathan imposes a state of emergency on 15 local government areas hardest-hit by BH attacks, in Borno, Yobe and Plateau states. He orders the closure of Nigerian borders in the north.

30 Dec 2011: Four Muslim worshippers are killed in a BH bomb and shooting attack targeting a military checkpoint in Maiduguri as worshippers leave a mosque after attending Friday prayers.

28 Dec 2011: A bombing and shooting attack by BH on a beer parlour in the town of Mubi, Adamawa State, wounds 15.

25 Dec 2011: A Christmas Day BH bomb attack on Saint Theresa Catholic Church in Madalla town near Abuja kills 42 worshippers. Three secret police (SSS) operatives and a BH bomber are killed in a suicide attack when the bomber rams his bomb-laden car into a military convoy at the gates of SSS headquarters in Damaturu. A policeman is killed in a botched BH bomb attack on a church in the Ray Field area of Jos, capital of Plateau State.

22 Dec 2011: BH bombs in parts of Maiduguri kill 20. Four policemen and a civilian are killed in gun and bomb attacks on a police building in Potiskum, Yobe State. Around 100 are killed following multiple bomb and shooting attacks by BH gunmen and ensuing gun battles with troops in the Pompomari outskirts of Damaturu.

19 Dec 2011: One suspected BH member dies and two others wounded in an accidental explosion while assembling a home-made bomb in a hideout in Damaturu.

17 Dec 2011: A shootout between sect members and policemen following a raid on the hideout of a BH sect leader in the Darmanawa area of Kano State kills seven, including three police officers. Police arrest 14 BH suspects and seize large amount of arms and bombs. Three BH members die in an accidental explosion while assembling home-made bombs in a hideout on the outskirts of Maiduguri.

13 Dec 2011: A bomb attack on a military checkpoint by BH and resulting shooting by soldiers in Maiduguri leaves 10 dead and 30 injured.

7 Dec 2011: An explosion linked to BH kills eight in the Oriyapata district of Kaduna city.

4 Dec 2011: A soldier, a policeman and a civilian are killed in bomb and gun attacks on police buildings and two banks in Azare, Bauchi State. BH open fire at a wedding in Maiduguri, killing the groom and a guest.

27 Nov 2011: A Borno State protocol officer in the office of the governor is shot dead by motorcycle-riding sect members while driving home.

 26 Nov 2011: Three policemen and a civilian are wounded in BH bomb and shooting attacks in Geidam, Yobe State. Six churches, a police station, a beer parlour, a shopping complex, a high court, a local council building and 11 cars are burnt in the attacks.

9 Nov 2011: BH members bomb a police station and the office of Nigeria’s road safety agency in Maina village, Borno State. No one is hurt.

4 Nov 2011: The motorcade of Borno State governor Kashim Shettima comes under BH bomb attack in Maiduguri on its way from the airport to the governor’s residence as he returns from a trip to Abuja. Around 150 are killed in coordinated BH bombing and shooting attacks on police facilities in Damaturu and Potiskum in Yobe State. Two BH suicide-bombers blow themselves up outside the military Joint Task Force headquarters in Maiduguri in a botched suicide attack.

2 Nov 2011: A soldier on duty is shot dead by sect members outside Maiduguri’s main market.

November 2011: BH says it will not dialogue with the government until all of its members who have been arrested are released.

29 Oct 2011: BH gunmen shoot dead Muslim cleric Sheikh Ali Jana’a outside his home in the Bulabulin Ngarnam neighbourhood of Maiduguri. Jana’a is known to have provided information to security forces regarding the sect.

25 Oct 2011: A policeman is shot dead in his house in a targeted attack by BH gunmen in Damaturu.

23 Oct 2011: Sect members open fire on a market in the town of Katari in Kaduna State, killing two.

23 Oct 2011: BH members kill a policeman and a bank security guard in bombing and shooting attacks on a police station and two banks in Saminaka, Kaduna State.

3 October 2011: Three killed in BH attacks on Baga market in Maiduguri, Borno State. The victims included a tea-seller, a drug store owner and a passer-by.

1 October 2011: A butcher and his assistant are killed by BH gunmen at Baga market in Maiduguri in a targeted killing. In a separate incident, three people are killed in a shoot-out following BH bomb and shooting attacks on a military patrol vehicle delivering food to soldiers at a checkpoint in Maiduguri. All three victims are civilians.

 17 September 2011: Babakura Fugu, brother-in-law to slain BH leader Mohammed Yusuf, is shot dead outside his house in Maiduguri two days after attending a peace meeting with Nigeria’s ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo in the city. BH denies any involvement in the incident.

 13 September 2011: Four soldiers shot and wounded in an ambush by BH members in Maiduguri shortly after the arrest of 15 sect members in military raids on BH hideouts in the city.

12 September 2011: Seven men, including four policemen, are killed by BH gunmen in bomb and shooting attacks on a police station and a bank in Misau, Bauchi State. The attackers rob the bank.

4 September 2011: Muslim cleric Malam Dala shot dead by two BH members outside his home in the Zinnari area of Maiduguri.

1 September 2011: A shootout between BH gunmen and soldiers in Song, Adamawa State, kills one sect members while another is injured and captured.

26 August 2011: BH claims responsibility for a suicide bomb blast on the UN compound in Abuja, killing 23 people.

25 August 2011: Gun and bomb attacks by BH on two police stations and two banks in Gombi, Adamawa State, kill at least 16 people, including seven policemen.

 3 August 2011: The government rejects negotiations with BH.

July 2011: Government says it will open a negotiation panel to initiate negotiations with BH.

27 June 2011: BH’s gun and bomb attack on a beer garden in Maiduguri leaves at least 25 dead and dozens injured.

20 June 2011: Seven people including five policemen killed in gun and bomb attacks on a police station and a bank in Kankara, Katsina State.

16 June 2011: BH targets national police headquarters in Abuja, killing two.

 7 June 2011: Attacks on a church and two police posts in Maiduguri, blamed on the sect, leave at least 14 dead.

 6 June 2011: Muslim cleric Ibrahim Birkuti, critical of BH, shot dead by two motorcycle-riding BH gunmen outside his house in Biu, 200km from Maiduguri.

29 May 2011: Three bombs rip through a beer garden in a military barracks in the northern city of Bauchi, killing 13 and wounding 33. BH claims responsibility.

27 May 2011: A group of around 70 suspected BH gunmen kill eight people including four policemen in simultaneous gun and bomb attacks on a police station, a police barracks and a bank in Damboa, Borno State, near the border with Chad.

29 December 2010: Suspected BH gunmen shoot dead eight people in Maiduguri, including the governorship candidate of the ruling All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in Borno State.

 24 and 27 December 2010: A series of attacks claimed by BH in the central city of Jos and Maiduguri kill at least 86.

7 September 2010: A group of BH gunmen free over 700 inmates including around 100 sect members from a prison in Bauchi. Four people including a soldier, one policeman and two residents were killed in the raid.

26 July 2009: BH launches a short-lived uprising in parts of the north, which is quelled by a military crackdown that leaves more than 800 dead – mostly sect members, including BH leader Mohammed Yusuf. A mosque in the capital of Borno State (Maiduguri) that served as a sect headquarters is burnt down.

11-12 June 2009: BH leader Mohammed Yusuf threatens reprisals in a video recording to the president following the killing of 17 BH members in a joint military and police operation in Borno State. This was after a disagreement over BH members’ alleged refusal to use crash helmets while in a funeral procession to bury members who had died in a car accident.

 

 

 

Governor Oshiomhole Endorses Sean Tizzle’s Album

Fast-rising Nigerian artiste, Sean Tizzle, is really building a friendly empire around himself as he recently wined and dined with one of Nigeria’s state governors, Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State. The former NLC President also endorsed the singer’s album.

Recently, the artiste paid the governor a courtesy visit and he expressed happiness Edo state Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomole a visit in Edo state.

According to the governor, "yeah, this is my preferred sound. The artiste is the greatest of all time."

Sean Tizzle, few months ago, released his first album entitled 'The Journey,' which has been receiving massive airplays. The artiste was also recently signed as a brand ambassador of telecom giant, MTN Nigeria.

JADA PINKETT SMITH SPEAKS OUT AGAINST DATE RAPE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT AFTER HER NIECE WAS DRUGGED

Jada Pinkett Smith is lending her voice to a serious and very important cause.

Following a scary family incident in which her niece was drugged, the 42-year-old actress is speaking out against date rape and sexual assault against women.

"My niece was given a date rape drug that weekend," Pinkett Smith told reporters at her Fox TCA Gotham panel recently. "She's 20 years old—thank God nothing happened because she was with some responsible guys that took care of her...She was safe because she was with a group of friends that realized. She said, 'Oh, my god, I can't feel my...' and she started losing consciousness."

"I had my niece sit down with my daughter [Willow Smith] and a couple of her friends and tell her about that experience," Pinkett Smith went on. "It's one thing to sit with me as her mother. It's like, 'OK, mom, yeah, I get that.' But when you have your 20-year-old cousin that comes in, and she's like, 'This is what happened,' and it was somebody you looked up to as well, it's like, 'Oh, man, this is really real.'"

"There is an epidemic going on out here in regards to the treatment of women," she added. "We have to figure out how we can empower people in different ways.

"I give her the opportunity to be empowered by having herself first, because when you allow a person to be an individual and you allow a person to have power within and have confidence with who they are, she'll never have to look in the eyes of a man and question whether it's a yes or a no, she's going to be very clear."

Police arrest fake ex-soldier while buying pistols .

The Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Lagos State Police Command has arrested a suspected fake ex-soldier, Benjamin Ifada, who allegedly contacted a police division to buy two pistols for the sum of N300,000.

PUNCH Metro learnt that 54-year-old Ifada was first apprehended by the Idimu Police Division, from where the Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko, ordered that his case be transferred to the SARS where he was being investigated by the operatives.

Our correspondent further learnt that Ifada had been using the appellation, Captain Benjamin Ifada (retd.), and claimed to be with the British Army Regiment Home Office before his arrest.

The police said the suspected fake soldier usually visited the Idimu Police Division, and tried to gain recognition as a retired military officer.

However, it was gathered that Ifada allegedly approached the armourer in the division, and said he needed to buy some AK-47 rifles. The divisional armourer was said to have declined the request. After two months, the fake ex-soldier was said to have shown up again at the division requesting to purchase pistols.

It was gathered that the armourer alerted the DPO, and the DPO in turn took up Ifada’s case to the CP. The suspect had further allegedly sent a text to the armourer, requesting how much he would pay to purchase the pistols.

To catch him red-handed, it was learnt that the armourer played along and charged N150,000 for one pistol.

Ifada was said to have proceeded to the division, where he selected a revolver and a berretta pistols in the armoury. He was subsequently arrested.

It was gathered that immediately the suspect was arrested, a search was also conducted in his house on Idowu Alimo Street, Idimu Road, where the police recovered items such as a walkie-talkie, a N300,000 cheque in his favour and a full military uniform.

Ifada, however, told the police that he was sent by a friend, one Kalu, with the cheque to buy the pistols. Our correspondent learnt that efforts were ongoing to get the said Kalu.

Ifada explained that he had lied to the Idimu DPO that he was a retired captain and had made an Identity Card for such to be able to purchase the ammunition.

He said, “I am into security equipment. I made the ID card for myself to ease my movement within security circle. I had told the DPO that I was a retired captain, because I loved to be a captain. I have never used the ID card to do anything negative..

“I met Kalu while passing through the Gowon Estate. When I inquired, I was told that Kalu was building a hotel in the area. So, I met the man to do business with him. I told him I was into electric fencing and could also install security cameras. He said he would take me to his house in Lekki. He also asked if I was a Christian, and I said yes. He signed a cheque of N50,000 saying he was sowing a seed for me.”

 

 

Anger as nine-year-old pupil dies in soakaway .

There was anger on Thursday morning on the Apata Street, Somolu area of Lagos after a nine-year-old child, identified as Riliwan, fell into a soakaway and died.

Riliwan, a primary six pupil of a primary school in the area, was to attend his graduation ceremony that morning where he was billed to be given prizes for coming first in his class, when tragedy struck.

A resident said his parents, who were devout Muslims, had sent him to pour away a bowl of dirty water they had rinsed their hands in after eating Sahur (Ramadan pre-dawn meal), when he fell into the pit.

The resident, who did not want his name mentioned, said, “The incident happened around 4am. There was no power supply. His parents had finished eating the early morning meal, preparatory to the fasting, when they asked him to empty a bowl of dirty water inside the gutter.

“As he went out in the dark, he stepped on a covering on the soakaway, which gave way.”

Another resident said after his parents did not see him return, they became worried and searched everywhere for him.

It was only about seven hours later that one of his foot wares was seen at the mouth of the soakaway.

“People rallied round and tried draining the water in the soakaway, before they were able to bring him out. But he had died,” he added.

A crowd of sympathisers were seen in front of the house condemning the owner of the building for not sealing the soakaway before giving out the apartments.

Our correspondent observed that there were two openings on the soakaway.

The holes were said to be covered with used printing plate sheets.

An angry resident ran to the place where the victim fell and pulled back one of the plates to the pit surface to demonstrate how “anybody could have fallen victim at that time of the night”

“This house was completed four months ago and the owner did not deem it fit to cover the soakaway with slabs. This is evil, sheer wickedness,” he added.

Men of the Lagos State Fire Service and policemen from the Somolu division were sighted by our correspondent at the scene.

PUNCH Metro learnt that council officials had been informed and had visited the house.

When our correspondent approached the father of the victim, he said he had no comment.

“Please we have nothing to say. We don’t want this matter blown out of proportion. We will be burying him soon,” he said.

Our correspondent could hear a woman wailing, “Riliwan, Riliwan” as people in the room tried consoling her.

The deceased’s father asked PUNCH Metro to leave the house, and the gate into the house was shut.

Nobody was ready to point out the owner of the house for comment.

However, an executive member of the Community Development Association, who pleaded anonymity, told our correspondent that septic tanks in Apata and Debari streets were not well constructed.

She said, “If the soakaway was well constructed, since its a new house, the boy ought to have fallen into an empty space. It will be easy for him to cry out for help.

“But landlords in Apata and Debari streets make their soakaways in such a way that whenever it rains, they can release wastes into the gutters.”

She appealed to the state’s Ministry of Environment to conduct a check in the area for the safety of residents.

 

Top ten wealthiest African musicians .

In the recent past, it has become something of a sport for various organisations to come up with list of richest entertainers, using various parameters most convenient to them.

And more often than not, their publications are either greeted with disbelief, outrage and even scorn. If not from the persons concerned, it comes from the members of the public. There has never been a time a published list of the richest African musicians was welcomed with widespread acceptability.

Even when Channel O and Forbes came up with a top ten list of richest African musicians, presumably using factors such as endorsement value, popularity, show rates, sales, awards, YouTube views, appearance in newspapers, investment, social media presense, influence and so many other factors, many people still did not believe they got it spot on.

Now, an African online magazine known as Answers Africa has done its own findings, using pretty much the same parameters as Forbes and here is what they came up with. Compare it with Forbes list and see which one is nearer the mark:

1. Youssou N’dour: The legendary Senegalese singer born in 1959 tops the list. He is said to own biggest media houses in Senegal, including radio and TV stations. He has served as Senegalese cultural ambassador and culture minister . Note; not on Forbes list.

 

2. P-Square: The singing duo of Peter and Paul sit in the second position according to Answers Africa on account of their various endorsements and returns on shows and tours. They are said to make over 150 thousand dollars per show. Their Ikeja crib is valued at 3M dollars. Note: Rated third on Forbes’ list.

 

3. D’Banj: The Koko master who has now gone in deep into entrepreneurship is rated third richest in Africa. He charges over 100 thousand dollars per show and he is said to have a house in Atlanta, Georgia, USA worth more than 1.5M dollars. Note: Forbes rated him fourth in Africa

4. Kofi Olomide: Real names, Antoine Christophe Mumba, born 1956 is 4th. The DR Congplese Soukous star rakes in more than 100 thousand dollars per show. Has 7 albums to his credit. Note: Not on Forbes list.

5. Salif Keita: Malian Afro-pop singer, born 1949 is a direct descendant of Emperor Sundiata Keita, founder of Mali Empire. He is said to have private island and estates in France. Note: Not on Forbes list

6. Fally Ipupa: From Democratic Republic of Congo, Fally used to be part of Kofi Olomide’s band before branching out on his own. Immensely rich. Note: Not on Forbes list.

7. 2face Idibia:

Has 5 albums to his name while working on the 6th. 2Face has won over 40 awards, probably more decorated than any of his contemporaries. He has vast investment in real estate. Earns around 50 t0 80 thousand dollars per show. Note: 6th on Forbes list

8. Hugh Masekela: Born 1939, Hugh is one of the most talented jazz artiste in Africa. The South African singer and trumpeter was once nominated for a Grammy award. Note; Not on Forbes list

9. Banky W: The widely acclaimed king of African Rn B has made so much money from endorsements. Brand ambassador for Etisalat in Nigeria, Samsung in the West African region, among others. Note: 10th on Forbes list.

10. Jose Chameleone: Joseph Mayanja, popular reggae musician from Uganda is the biggest money-maker in the Eastern Africa. He is said to have a spectacular fleet of customised exotic cars. Note: Not on Forbes list.

Project Fame 7.0 begins in style .

MTN Project Fame West Africa Season 7.0 kicked off in grand style with the opening gala on Saturday. The event, which also served as the audition finals for the 18 contestants, unfolded with Kaffy and her Imagneto Dance Company thrilling the crowd with dance moves.

The 18 contestants who had beaten thousands of other talented contestants to get to this stage, earned an opportunity to perform alongside legendary Congolese singer – Awilo and Tiwa Savage.

The night began on a light note, with funny man, Seyi Law, whose hilarious jokes ushered the guests into the business of the day.

The organisers spiced up the show this season by introducing Bolanle Olukanni (winner of Search for Mo’s Co-host) as the new co-host of the reality show alongside Joseph Benjamin.

The panel of judges for the new season include producer – Tee-Y mix, Kora Award winning artiste, Ade Bantu and singer Bibie Brew. The faculty members, Joke Silva, Ms. Ige, Kaffy, and Benneth Ogbeiwi, are also on board.

While Sola Ekundayo, Flourish Agu, David Olowojoba, Melvin Okolie, Taiwo Okunola and Deborah Ohiri had to sing their way, others simply earned automatic entry. On this note, the race to the grand prize of N5m, a Sport Utility Vehicle, and recording contract worth millions of naira has begun. The 1st runner-up will go home with N3m and a brand new car, 2nd runner up – N2m and a brand new car, while the 3rd runner-up goes home with N2m.

 

 

After working as a co-host on MTN Project Fame for five seasons, Adaora Oleh has been taken off the show. The UK born Nigerian host has been replaced by new girl on TV, Bolanle Olukanni, who will now take co-host Joseph Benjamin‘s side in the seventh season of the music reality TV show. Olukanni is currently a co-host on Moments with ‘Mo alongside Mo Abudu and Dolapo Oni.

Benjamin posted an Instagram photo of himself and his new co-host hours ago, breaking the news. ‘#GalaShow backstage #MTNProjectFame7.0 with my lovely Co-Host Bolanle Olukanni‘, he wrote as he posted the photo, which was taken at the Gala show.‎ The show returns without a change in the judging panel; Ade Bantu, Tee-Y Mix and Bibie Brew will be taking the high seats. Members of the faculty also remain unchanged.

 

FG, Lagos to restrict trailers on Apapa-Mile 2 Road .

The Federal Government in collaboration with the Lagos State Government and other major stakeholders have reached an agreement on how to end the menace of heavy traffic associated with articulated vehicles on the Apapa-Mile 2 axis.

To eliminate the traffic congestion on the road, the Federal Government may introduce routing system to tanker and truck drivers plying the road while the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, has also been mandated to order the various concessionaires at the ports to increase their handling capacity to speed-up the loading of vehicles.

These were parts of the five critical decisions reached at a stakeholders’ meeting yesterday in Lagos.

It was attended representatives of the police, the Nigerian Navy, the Lagos State Transportation Management Authority, LASTMA, the Federal Ministry of Works, the National Association of Road Transport Owners, NARTO, concessionaires and other stakeholders in the system.

The stakeholders agreed to set up a committee, which will include LASTMA, NPA, police and the Nigerian Navy. Also, trucks playing the route have been mandated to be on a call-up with documentation evidence indicating that they had a business to do on the axis at that particular point in time.

Besides, the various unions and associations of articulated vehicles have been ordered to desist from collection of dues at the port general areas as the attitude also add up to the heavy congestion at the area.

Speaking with journalists after a closed- door meeting with all parties involved in the haulage business along the axis, the Commander of the Nigerian Navy, Commodore Ovenseri Uwadiae, reiterated the determination of the Federal Government to end the gridlock.

He also disclosed that a committee to speed up the implementation process of the decisions reached at the meeting had been set up by the government, stressing that the committee had the mandate to find a lasting solution to the lingering traffic on the road.

Uwadiae also reiterated that the attitude of the stakeholders was a key factor in determining the implementation of the decisions reached and agreed upon at the stakeholders’ meeting.

General Manager, LASTMA, Mr. Babatunde Edu, assured of permanent end to the traffic congestion in the area soon.

Edu said that all the stakeholders would work in tandem to ensure that the project was successful, stressing that this would reduce man-hour lost due to the logjam on the road.

“All we are after is the global success of the project so we are going to put our heads together to ensure that we deliver and that we can assure you.

“We have been trying to ensure that traffic moves in and around Apapa and as we leave here, we will go back and see how we can work more on the areas that have just been discovered such that we can have a lasting solution.

“It is a work in progress that most importantly requires the cooperation of everybody such that we can have a desired result. Traffic management is an all-encompassing thing, we are very mindful of that and that is why we are a part of this meeting so we will do our best to ensure that traffic is moving.

“What we will do right now is to ensure that the travel time is reduced and once this happens, we are not expected to have any gridlock on the way.

“We are more proactive than ever; occasionally, you know we have broken down vehicles on the way or by the side, the time of arriving there is not the problem, but the time of taking the equipment that will reposition these vehicles is what matters. I am sure that going away from here we would get it bette, he said.

The meeting will reconvene in two weeks to assess the progress of decisions taken.

 

Gridlock worsens as contractor abandons site

LESS than 48 hours after it was reported that the contractor engaged by the Federal Government to repair failed portions of the Apapa end of the ever busy Oshodi/Apapa Expressway had commenced repair works, investigations yesterday revealed that the contractor might have abandoned the job as road users, residents and others continue to suffer the heavy gridlock.

The contractor, Boroni Prono, was given two weeks to fix the failed portions from Trinity Bus Stop to Tin-Can Island end of the expressway.

One of the workers had Tuesday claimed equipment were moved to site on Sunday following a directive from the Presidency to the management of the construction company.

But yesterday, workers reportedly seen Tuesday on site were nowhere to be found.

Efforts to speak with officials of the construction company for explanation, proved abortive.

An official of the company, who spoke on condition of anonymity said only the company’s director was permitted to speak on issues concerning the company.

On the spot assessment of the failed portion of the road yesterday, showed there was no sign on ground to suggest repair works would start soon.

A bus driver, Peter Edobor, who spoke to Vanguard, called for the termination of the contract and for it to be re-awarded to a more serious contractor who had the capacity and knew the urgency required.

Speaking to Vanguard earlier on the need to have the road fixed, Senior Special Assistant to the President on maritime matters, Mr Oyeleke Oyewole, said the president had expressed concern over the bad state of the road leading to the port.

I don’t know why they want me dead —Buhari

Former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), yesterday, said it remained a mystery how he survived the bomb attack on his convoy in Kaduna on Wednesday.

This came as former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida; former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, yesterday, joined several other Nigerians and organizations in condemning the suicide attack on Buhari.

They described it as a dangerous development. Meanwhile, Governor Mukhtar Yero of Kaduna State has lifted the 24-hour curfew imposed on the city following the bomb attacks.

82 persons died in the twin bomb explosions targeted at General Buhari and an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi. They both escaped unhurt.

Nigeria can deal with Boko Haram — Buhari

Recounting his experience when Governor Yero visited him at his Sultan Close residence in Kaduna, Buhari said: “When this question of Boko Haram started, and I am sure it is on record, in the first statement I made about 18 months ago, I said no religion advocates what is happening in the North East. So the case of this kind of killings is not religion; it is also not ethnic. When they kill children in schools in the North East, they kill teachers, they burn churches, they burn mosques, they burn motor parks, they burn markets — where is religion there? Where is ethnicity there? This is terrorism and I hope the government will come to grips with it. Nigeria is capable of dealing with this. Some of us died in the civil war for this country. For 30 months we fought and we kept Nigeria one and, God willing, we are going to keep Nigeria one.

“I commiserate with the families of those that died, because this thing was ignited at exactly when my car was almost side by side with that of the bomber. I came out of the car after the bomb went off. There was blood on my dress. I did not know how it came about because I did not have a scratch myself, but there were dead bodies all over the place. The security tried to move me to the other side and we just got one of the vehicles passing and they brought me home. I hope the law enforcement agencies and the chief executives of the states will succeed in securing the country. May God help us”, he said.

This bloodletting must stop — IBB

Condemning the bomb attacks, General Babangida, in a statement yesterday said: “The latest attack in Kaduna on Wednesday by yet unknown persons has once again thrown up new dimensions in the political life of our dear country. This, and several other attacks have tended to portray our dear country as a terrorist nation that is grappling with insecurity. To state the least, this bloodletting must stop. This bloodletting has to stop.

“I have sat back in my quiet retirement home in Minna to ponder what could be the motivation for these several attacks, but I am yet to find any explanation why Nigerians would be killing fellow Nigerians. For those of us who fought the civil war, our painful sense of nostalgia still remains deep, as much as our patriotic attitude towards this great country, Nigeria. These wanton killings and needless bloodletting have continued to retard our growth and democratic journey, forcing the system to improvise all manners of mechanisms to arrest this descent to anarchy. It is callous and inhuman for anyone to goad this country on the path of perfidy, a path that is laid with landmines and bombs. This is totally unacceptable.

“Even as I sympathise with my colleague former President, General Muhammadu Buhari for escaping the bomber’s scalpel, I also wish to condole with the families of those who lost their lives in this attack. It is frightening and calls for condemnation by all well meaning people of Nigeria. We all must rise above partisanship in our condemnation of this state of insecurity, as we all must be united in our clear-cut resolve to find solutions to this hydra-headed situation we find ourselves. We must see this state of insecurity as a Nigerian problem and not one that is pigeon-holed in any particular region, religion or tribe. Nigerians, by virtue of their nationality, should be free to live anywhere in the country without molestation, harassment and intimidation.

“Let me also condole with Mr. President on this unfortunate incident and the recurring decimal of insecurity and crime against humanity that is fast polluting public morality. We all must join hands with Mr. President at this critical time of our national history and democratic journey to proffer solutions to this anti-development scenario that is fast enveloping us.”

Halt security challenges, Atiku tells FG

Former vice-president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in his reaction called on the Federal Government to urgently take steps to halt the escalating security challenges in the country, which he said has reached an embarrassing proportion.

He said a situation where a former Head of State and key opposition figure could be targeted by terrorists or hatchet killers is a dangerous development, which should not be taken lightly by any responsible Nigerian.

According to Atiku: “The targeting of Buhari, whatever might be the motive or whoever could be behind it, has added a dangerous dimension to a bad security situation in the country”. He added that the attack on Buhari has only deepened the anxiety of ordinary citizens that nobody is safe if a former Head of State could be so targeted and almost killed but for providence”.

It’s barbaric — Tukur

Also, former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur yesterday described the bomb attacks as most barbaric and unholy.

According to Tukur, who is Nigeria’s Ambassador-at-Large, it was unfortunate that innocent Nigerians going on their legitimate duties were killed in the blasts, adding that for the perpetrators to commit such heinous crime against humanity at this holy period of the Ramadan fasting was most unholy and barbaric.

In a statement by his spokesperson, Prince Oliver Okpala, Tukur, who noted that no right thinking person would like to take the lives of innocent people away against the preaching and doctrines of Christianity and Islamic injunctions, however called on those behind the dangerous acts to have a re-think and return to the path of religious and social rectitude.

CAN condemns attack

On its part, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), described the twin explosions in Kaduna and Kano at the peak of Ramadan as a clear indication of disregard to the only true God by a sect that claimed to be fighting God’s cause, condemning the attacks in strong terms.

Reacting to the blast, the President of CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor in a statement said it was unfortunate that people that could be used as the moral compass for society’s transformation were now being targeted by terrorists.

“The attack, coming almost at the climax of the holy month of Ramadan is a clear indication of the perpetrators’ inclination to evil and disregard for the true God and all that are linked to him.”

PDP sympathises with Buhari, Sheikh Bauchi

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the All Progressives Congress also condemned the bomb attacks on the former Head of State.

The PDP in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh described the attacks as dastardly and unfortunate. The party also sympathised with the cleric, Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, who was also lucky to have escaped unhurt.

Metuh said: “The party, while mourning the dead, “joins all well-meaning Nigerians in thanking God for saving the lives of General Muhammadu Buhari and Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi whose convoys were affected in the incident.

“We sincerely sympathize with General Buhari. Our hearts go out to him and all those affected in these wicked attacks.”

It’s no-win situation for FG — APC

The APC in a statement issued in Lagos by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said the attempted assassination of Gen. Buhari has changed the narrative about the insurgent group and knocked the bottom off the sinister, irresponsible and partisan colouration given to the insurgency by the Federal Government.

APC said while no one has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, the mere fact that it occurred at all is a lose-lose situation for the Jonathan Administration.