Davido has the money, Wizkid is the Starboy, But I’ll probably go with Dammy Krane - Chidinma

In a recent interview with Hiphop World, Chidinma addressed the issue of her rumoured love interests like Phyno & Dammy Krane If you must, who would you date amongst Iyanya, Wizkid, Dammykrane and Davido. Iyanya has the body. Davido has the money, Wizkid is the Starboy, DammyKrane is a sweet, cute guy. I’ll probably go with Dammy Krane. What’s up with you and DammyKrane Dammy Krane is my friend, he is everybody’s friend, and he’s funny and crazy. Before I shot the Video, I had a lot of options to play my love interest in the Video but I didn’t like any. Then someone said there was this new guy and then they played his song and I liked it. Sometime later, we were at Cool FM and I spotted him jumping about and being very playful. He was so energetic; I liked him instantly and wanted him as my loveinterest in the video. So my manager called him up, he was so nice, he came over, we talked and he told me the day we were going to shoot the Video was his birthday. Then I got scared that he might not make it. Unfortunately, on the day of the shoot, he got robbed that morning but he still made it to the shoot and then left after his part. We’ve been friends ever since Your Lovey-dovey Picture with Phyno went viral… It did! Less than 20 minutes after we put up the picture on Instagram, it just went crazy and we were not even in Lagos; we were in Abuja. We went for the Hennessy Artistry and we were at the airport before we went to the hotel, so we were just taking pictures then before we knew it, it was everywhere. It was kind of funny because we were just two people sitting somewhere and making the industry talk.

Miley Cyrus: latest ex-child star headed for a fall?

Miley Cyrus is grabbing headlines for the wrong reasons again. A public row with pop veteran Sinead O'Connor is raising questions over whether she may be the latest onetime child star heading for a fall. The former"Hannah Montana"actress turned pop princess burst into the wider public's mind with her sexually suggestive twerking performance at the MTV video music award show in August. Then came the video for her latest single"Wrecking Ball,"in which she swings naked on a demolition ball and licks a sledgehammer in an almost laughably suggestive manner. The 20-year-old has defended herself by saying she is merely growing up. And the publicity will certainly do no harm to sales of her records. But others warn she could be following in the footsteps of the likes of Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears, and more recently Zac Efron, as she makes the transition to the grown-up world. "There is such a thing as bad publicity,"Robert Thompson, a professor of pop culture of Syracuse University, told AFP. "Especially these child stars in their transition years, some of the publicity turns them from people who actually had promising careers to... objects of mockery. "Lindsay Lohan really suffered that,"he said, while Miley is"well on that path... Whenever you hear Miley Cyrus mentioned in the last couple of weeks, it's always been in a form of mockery, and often disdain." In her latest publicity-fueling act, Cyrus has stoked a public row with Irish star O'Connor, who has threatened legal action. The tit-for-tat began with an interview in the latest issue of Rolling Stone -- with Cyrus on its cover, topless and tongue out again -- in which she said her"Wrecking Ball"video was inspired by O'Connor's"Nothing Compares 2 U." The Irish singer responded with an open letter saying she was glad to be a role model, but advising the young star against"allowing yourself to be pimped"by the music industry. Miley fired back with tweets referring to troubled ex-child star Amanda Bynes, as well as O'Connor's own mental health problems -- provoking the Irish singer's threat to sue. "How do you feel when your friend Britney Spears is mocked and humiliated for having had mental health problems?"O'Connor wrote. Celebrity was all well and good, the Irish singer said, but warned:"You will become the victim of it shortly. Soon it will be you the media 'crazy' .. and you will not enjoy it." Hollywood has a long tradition of child stars struggling to grow up. Michael Jackson and"Home Alone"actor Macaulay Culkin were followed by a generation of troubled teens including Demi Lovato and"High School Musical"star Efron, who admitted this summer that he had checked into rehab. Justin Bieber has also had missteps of late as he moves away from his teen idol image, including several brushes with the law -- a fact referred to by Cyrus in her Rolling Stone interview. "I do mentor him in a way. Because I've been doing this ... for a long time, and I already transitioned, and I don't think he's quite done it yet,"she told the magazine. It wasn't always thus. Thompson pointed to Annette Funicello, the US actress who died in April aged 70. She started out as a Disney star like Cyrus, Efron, Spears and others, but then went on to star in the 1960s clean-fun"Beach Party"films. "When she got older and grew up there was cultural space for that kind of innocent pretty virginal character, with all those 'Beach Blanket Bingo' movies,"said the pop culture academic, referring to a 1965 film starring Funicello. Nowadays"there's no equivalent any more... there are so few places for them to go, other than the 'tarting up young women' place,"he said. Unlike Lohan, Cyrus hasn't been convicted of a crime, and unlike Spears or Efron, she has had no public breakdowns or spells in drug or other rehab programs -- though she admits to experimenting with drugs. All she's done is raise eyebrows -- and draw scorn. But with today's ever more intense 24/7 media coverage and constant online comment and scrutiny, it's not going to get any easier. "I'm amazed this doesn't happen to every single solitary child star, when you are that young and you get all of that success, and all of that money, and the power that goes with it,"Thompson said. "That's hard enough for a seasoned rational adult to take. I don't know how any kid ever makes it through."

Breaking Down Miley Cyrus: Her Career in Very Impressive Numbers

In case you weren't sure, Miley Cyrus is indeed everywhere--the numbers prove it! Twitter informed E! News today that more than 900,000 tweets about the twerktastic pop star were posted over the past 24 hours. Before that, her name was mentioned 12-times' more than usual while the documentary Miley: The Movement was airing on MTV. But even though it seems as if all this Miley talk is a newish, post-VMAs thing, that isn't exactly the case according to USA Today's handy compilation of numerical Miley facts from various statisticians. For starters: Her Best of Both Worlds Tour--featuring Miley and "Hannah Montana"--in 2007 and 2008 grossed $54 million. Folks, many of them youngsters, were definitely interested in what the then-15-year-old Disney star was up to. The 2008 documentary Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert also benefited from that interest, grossing $65.3 million. The film remains perched at No. 9 on the all-time list of top-grossing U.S. documentaries, per IMDb. (Justin Bieber: Never Say Never landed at No. 6 in 2011 with $73 million, and 2004's Fahrenheit 9/11 continues to cling to the No. 1 spot with $119 million.) But that was then. Also per the reported stats, Miley is said to have drummed up roughly $79 million worth of free publicity from her 2013 MTV Video Music Awards performance, which was watched by an estimated 10 million people. Before that had even happened, it took only 37 days for her "We Can't Stop" video to rack up 100 million views on Vevo, a record for the site. After the VMAs, it took "Wrecking Ball" 24 hours to amass a record 19 million Vevo views on its way to a record-shattering 100 million views in six days. (Breaking the record previosly set by "We Can't Stop," natch.

Nigeria school killingscondemned by Amnesty

The rights group Amnesty International says the killings of schoolchildren in Nigeria show an absolute disregard for the right to life and education. In a report it says hundreds have been killed in attacks by militants and thousands have been forced from school. On Sunday up to 50 students died when militants attacked an agricultural college in northern Nigeria. The militant group Boko Haram, which means western education is forbidden, has targeted many schools recently. Many school buildings in northern Nigeria have been burnt or damaged in a wave of attacks Amnesty said this year the attacks had become more targeted and brutal Nigerian authorities were urged to "provide better protection" for schools. In the wake of the college attack earlier this week, officials told the BBC the government and military would work to increase protection in schools. On Thursday, the authorities said they had bombed Boko Haram camps in response to the latest attacks, killing "many" militants. An army spokesman said 15 people had been arrested. Catalogue of horror Amnesty has calculated that in 2013, scores of pupils and 70 teachers have been slaughtered. Some 50 schools have been also burnt or damaged and more than 60 others have been forced to close. In some cases students have been murdered in their sleep, and in others, burnt alive in locked dormitories. BBC World Service Africa Editor Richard Hamilton says the report represents a catalogue of horror. In May, Nigeria declared a state of emergency in three north-eastern states: Yobe, Borno and Adamawa. Authorities launched a military offensive aimed at crushing the Islamists. Casualty figures vary widely but reports suggest hundreds of people have been killed. Amnesty says it is not aware of anyone being prosecuted by the Nigerian authorities in connection with the school attacks. "Thousands of children have been forced out of schools across communities in northern Nigeria and many teachers have been forced to flee for their safety," Amnesty's deputy Africa director Lucy Freeman said. Some 15,000 students in Borno state have been stopped going to school because of the violence, Amnesty's report said.

ASUU strike may inflame insecurity, Anglicanchurch warns

The Anglican Church in Lagos has warned that the security challenges in the country may be compounded if the strike by university lecturers persists. The Bishop of Diocese of Lagos West, the Rt. Revd. James Odedeji, said this on Thursday while addressing a one-day synod of the church at Archbishop Vinning Memorial Church Cathedral in Ikeja, Lagos. The Bishop said there could be an explosion of sophisticated crimes as the students could become idle hands hired or enlisted by criminals for nefarious activities that could worsen the country’s security challenges. He wondered what had happened to the soul of the country with frequent attacks of innocent people by the Boko Haram sect in the North, the rising wave of kidnap and rape. While calling for a stiffer punishment for those involved in the crimes, Odedeji called on the politicians to be faithful to the mandates they obtained from the electorate. He said, “It is only in a country like this that teachers in our universities will embark on strike for as long as three months without a solution to the problem which led to the face-off.” The bishop berated politicians who had turned electioneering to permanent vocation, rather than service to the people who elected them. “A lot of events are now being revealed to convince Nigerians that our elected office holders have abandoned us to struggle for positions in far away 2015,” he said. Adedeji called on the Peoples Democratic Party that controls the Federal Government to shun undue bickering and face the task of developing the nation. On the Judiciary, Odedeji, who was addressing the first synod after he was enthroned in April, said the third arm of government had failed to play its part as the last hope of the common man. He hinged this on his observation that “the penalty for the big thief is light punishment, while the one for a pick-pocket is life punishment often times, depending on how the prosecutor is treated by the people concerned.”

Owoeye becomes SuperSports’ 1stpidgin-English commentator

Owoeye emerged on Friday to clinch the position out of more than 1,000 candidates who entered for the month-long maiden SuperSports ‘Follow Ya Mouth’, Pidgin-English commentator search. SuperSports said in a statement in Lagos on Friday that Owoeye was given one year contract with effect from Nov. 1. He would be expected to thrill followers of the Glo Premier League (GPL) via the Pidgin- English commentaries. The `Follow Ya Mouth search’ took the contestants from Lagos to Warri, Port Harcourt and Uyo in the quest to pick a lucky Nigerian. No fewer than 12 contestants emerged from the regional auditioning. At the end, three finalists: Babah Kay, Benedict Wakama and Owoeye were short listed. The Chairman of the League Management Company (LMC), Nduka Irabor, witnessed the event. The judges were veteran broadcaster, Deji Omotoyinbo, Tega Onojaife and Nedu Ani. Owoeye said, “winning the search is a golden opportunity that will have positive impact on me and I appreciate everyone who contributed to my emergence.’’ The General Manager of SuperSports, Felix Awogu said: “we are making available a new window of opportunity to young talented Nigerians to contribute to the development of our football.”

Pope says Church should rid itself of ‘worldliness’

Pope Francis on Friday called for the Catholic Church and its faithful to rid themselves of earthly concerns like St Francis of Assisi during a pilgrimage to the saint’s Italian hometown. Speaking in the hall where the medieval saint is said to have taken off his robes in a gesture of humility, Francis said the Church should also “divest” itself and return to spiritual basics. “The Church, all of us should divest ourselves of worldliness,” a visibly emotional pope said, adding: “Worldliness is a murderer because it kills souls, kills people, kills the Church.” “Without divesting ourselves, we would become pastry shop Christians, like beautiful cakes and sweet things but not real Christians,” he said. The Argentine pope also referred to the migrant shipwreck tragedy off the Italian island of Lampedusa on Thursday in which 111 people are confirmed to have died and scores more are missing. The world “does not care about the many people fleeing slavery, hunger, fleeing in search of freedom. And how many of them die as happened yesterday! Today is a day of tears,” he said. “Let us hear the cry of those who weep, suffer or die because of violence, terrorism or war in the holy land Saint Francis loved so much, in Syria, in the entire Middle East, in the world,” the pope said in his homily. The pope became the first to adopt the name of St Francis when he was elected in March, saying he was inspired by the saint’s humility and his teachings on peace and protecting God’s creation. On his visit, the pope met with many poor and disabled people being aided by Catholic charities. He told a group of handicapped children that their “wounds need to be listened to and recognised”. In an address to the poor, he said: “Many of you have been stripped down by this savage world that does not give jobs, that does not help, that does not care about children dying of hunger.” Some 100,000 pilgrims and over 1,000 journalists followed the pope as he visited the sites associated with the saint in the picturesque hill town of Assisi in Umbria in central Italy. The son of a wealthy cloth merchant, Francesco Bernardone grew up an arrogant and war- mongering young man before his spiritual enlightenment. The saint, who was born in 1182 and died in 1226, famously renounced earthly riches and donned a sackcloth to live like and for the poor. Francis has called for a “poor Church for the poor” and has said he wants to overhaul the 2,000- year-old institution, making it less “Vatican- centric” and closer to ordinary people. In a more light-hearted moment during his visit, the pope also had advice for married couples, urging them not to go to bed angry. “Argue as much as you like, even if the plates fly that is fine, but never end the day without making peace.” Francis was visiting Assisi with the eight cardinals from around the world he has handpicked to advise him on overhauling the scandal-hit Church government. The council of cardinals is an unprecedented instrument of Church government that could end up reforming the Vatican, giving more power to local churches and making the Church less hierarchical. The head of Italy’s crisis-hit government, Prime Minister Enrico Letta, was in the first row of the crowd attending Francis’ homily. St Francis, who is also the patron saint of Italy, was said to have heard God tell him: “Francis, go and repair my house which, as you can see, is falling into ruins” — a reference to the Church. That is the same message that cardinals expressed for the new pope at the dramatic conclave in which he was elected earlier this year, following a wave of financial scandals and child abuse cases. Francis’s visit to Assisi is different from that of his predecessors John Paul II and Benedict XVI because it is focused on the saint’s message of poverty rather than that of inter-religious peace. The trip is the pope’s third in Italy after he visited the southern island of Lampedusa in July where he called for more tolerance of immigrants and Cagliari in Sardinia in September when he denounced “an idol called money”

Miley Cyrus Addresses Pregnancy Rumors

Miley Cyrus recently confirmed her split with fiance Liam Hemsworth and has been busy promoting her upcoming album "Bangerz." Rumors surfaced over the weekend that Miley Cyrus is pregnant. She made a joke about it during an appearance onstage with Juicy J at the BET Hip Hop Awards in Atlanta, Georgia, on Saturday. The Three 6 Mafia star, who collaborated with Cyrus on new single "23," told the audience: "I assure you she's been doing a lot more than twerking!" Cyrus then announced: "No, I'm really pregnant!" On Monday morning, the singer/actress responded to the pregnancy reports, posting on Twitter: "waking up to the news that I'm now pregnant with @therealjuicyj baby." She then joked to her best friend Cheyne Thomas that she would be naming the infant "Juicy J Jr." She also tweeted: "it makes me laugh/ sad how the world is full of dumb asses." Cyrus recently confirmed her split with fiance Liam Hemsworth and has been busy promoting her upcoming album "Bangerz."

Lady Gaga, Eminem to Headline FirstYouTube Music Awards

The November 3 award show in New York, which will be live-streamed, honors the top songs and artists that were viewed on the website in the past year. Pop singer Lady Gaga and rapper Eminem will be headline performers at the first YouTube Music Awards, the Google Inc-owned online video steaming site said on Tuesday. The November 3 award show in New York, which will be live-streamed, honors the top songs and artists that were viewed on the website in the past year. Nominees will be announced later this month and voting by the public will determine winners, YouTube said. Canadian rock band Arcade Fire will also perform at the awards show. The show will be hosted by actor-musician Jason Schwartzman while film and music video director Spike Jonze will serve as creative director, YouTube said. The video streaming website has become a crucial way for musical acts to share music in recent years and has also helped launch the careers of little-known artists such as Justin Bieber, Carly Rae Jepsen and South Korean pop star Psy.

Canadian Rapper DrakeLands Third No.1 albumon Billboard Chart

The third studio album from the Canadian rapper, sold 658,000 copies in its first week, according to figures from Nielsen SoundScan. Rapper Drake vaulted straight to No. 1 on the weekly Billboard 200 album chart on Wednesday, as his latest album garnered the second-largest sales week of the year so far. "Nothing Was the Same," the third studio album from the Canadian rapper, sold 658,000 copies in its first week, according to figures from Nielsen SoundScan. Only Justin Timberlake's "The 20/20 Experience," which opened with 968,000 copies in March, outsold "Nothing Was the Same" in a one-week period. All three of Drake's studio albums have debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, and "Nothing Was the Same" is the biggest opening week for a rap album since the September 2011 debut of Lil Wayne's "Tha Carter IV." Drake's latest came in ahead of six other new debuts in the top 10 of the album chart this week. Nashville rockers Kings of Leon entered the chart at No. 2 with their latest album "Mechanical Bull" selling 110,000 copies. Pop singers Cher and Elton John landed behind Kings of Leon, with the dance diva's latest album "Closer to the Truth" at No. 3 and the British pianist's "Diving Board" at No. 4. Other new debuts in the top 10 included heavy metal rockers Dream Theater at No. 7 with its self- titled album, electronic dance music group Krewella's "Get Wet" at No. 8 and heavy metal band Metallica's "Through the Never," a soundtrack album for their new film, at No. 9. On the digital songs chart, which measures song download sales, there was no change in the top three this week, as New Zealand artist Lorde continued her reign at No. 1 with "Royals." Katy Perry's "Roar" remained at No. 2 and Miley Cyrus' "Wrecking Ball" was No. 3. Overall album sales for the week ending September 29 totaled 5.2 million copies, down 10 percent compared to the same week in 2012, according to Billboard. -

miley cyrus the documentary

Miley Cyrus doesn't spend all her hours twerking. That was proven tonight during the singer's MTV special Miley: The Movement, an hour-long documentary that gave fans (and anyone who happened to land on the channel and continue to watch) a behind-the-scenes look at Cyrus' life and career. And it was pretty entertaining. Viewers forgot about the Twerk Queen (at least for a little bit) and were reunited with the girl who is quirky, funny, light-hearted and insanely talented but also takes her job very seriously and still gets nervous. With that said, here are five things we learned from Miley: The Movement. 1. How the Mike Will Made It Connection Began: The young singer admitted that she wasn't fully aware of what her sound was coming into this album, but reached out to the producer because she was a fan of his work. "I had known about him because I listen to a lot of hip-hop and i just fell in love with his beats and how young he was," Miley said in the special, "and no pop chicks were really messing with him like that. I got in the studio and we were bouncing off these ideas, kinda like singing with each other and the connection just started. Then it kept getting crazier and better." 2. She Second-Guessed "We Can't Stop": "Not everyone came to me and said, 'OK you have the first single.' I had to say, 'No, I know this is it,' and go to battle if I have to for whoever doesn't believe in it," Cyrus explained about choosing "We Can't Stop" as her first single, but when it didn't skyrocket to the top of the charts after premiering, she started to panic. "It's a 181 on iTunes. It needs to go 180 up before I'm like, smiling," she told Mike Will Made It on the phone. "Did we make the right decision? The right song? I get nervous you know I'm having a panic attack." 3. Reminder: Miley's Seriously Talented: The celeb may have become famous for a number of things now, but let's not forget--she's got some pipes on her. When telling the story of her first meeting with Pharrell, viewers heard Miley belt "Jolene" from a 2012 summer backyard session clip. It was amazing. And Pharrell thought so, too. "I said to my manager, 'I wanna work with her.' And he reached out," Pharrell said. "I was just like, 'Oh my God, you guys have no idea of how crazy this girl's voice is. You listen to her sing 'Jolene' and you just go, 'OK.' So when we sat down, I was like, 'Listen, go to Miami and all I wanna do is talk and if we make music, we make music. If we don't make music, we don't make music." 4. She's Also Pretty Hilarious: During a rehearsal, Miley was terribly sick, but that didn't stop her from bringing on the laughs when she could. While discussing how she should do her hair for the performance with will.i.am and her mother Tish, Cyrus asks, "Or am I gonna go Shakira-Shakira?" and then busts into the perfect impersonation of the Colombian crooner by singing her hit "Hips Don't Lie." Seriously, it's so addicting to watch. 5. Miley Has Her Moments: Cyrus was extremely nervous about her VMAs performance, and apparently ran into some trouble before even hitting the red carpet. The plan was to arrive in a police car with the famous teddy bear by her side, but when the car missed her vehicle parked to the side, plans changed. And Miley threw the F-bomb about 12 times. "This f--king...it's been ruined. So f--k it, let me just get out of the f--king car. No, I don't wanna now reverse and then everyone see me get in the car. That wasn't the point. The point was to show up in the f--king car. This is f--king lame. Stop f--king backing me the f--k up. This s--t looks lame. Are you kidding? Let's just get out. F--k it." OK, eight times. Our apologies. Regardless, fans would have never guessed what went down in that car, because the second Miley hit the carpet, it was all smiles, twerking and sticking her tongue out for the cameras

Keshi clears Ameobi

Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi says injured Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi will be fit for a 2014 World Cup playoff in Ethiopia. Ethiopia host Nigeria on October 13 in a first leg play-off for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Ameobi has been sidelined by a knock he picked up while on international duty last month with his club saying he will be sidelined for several weeks thus raising fears he may miss the match in Addis Ababa. “Shola is fine. He will be ready for the game against Ethiopia. I spoke with him last week and he said he is good. In any case he is a very disciplined player who really wants to play for his country,” Keshi was quoted byM TNFootball.comas saying on Wednesday. “So, my list remains intact, there would be no changes.” Ameobi has won four caps for Nigeria and scored a goal since he made his long-awaited international debut against Venezuela last year in the United States.

ASUU: FG may involve Shagari, Obasanjo in negotiation

There are indications that the Federal Government may seek the intervention of past Presidents/Heads of States, Governors, traditional rulers and serving Senators to mediate in its current face-off with the Academic Staff Union of Universities. The supervisory Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike, said this on Wednesday in Abuja during a palliative meeting with the President of Nigeria Union of Teachers, Michael Olukoya; and Minister of Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu. Olukoya had suggested that following the inability of the committees earlier set up to settle the crisis, the Federal Government should seek the intervention of past presidents, governors, traditional rulers and serving senators. He also said that the NUT still stood by its threat to solidarise with ASUU over the university teachers’ demands unless directed otherwise by the union’s National Executive Council. Olukoya said, “With the way this strike has lingered on for three months, we believe government should explore all modalities to end it. Government should invite past heads of states, speakers, senators, Ministers of Labour and Education and every other stakeholder in the sector to resolve this ugly situation. “Call powerful voices like traditional leaders to intervene in this strike because our concern as teachers is that as these undergraduates stay at home, they are prone to negative vices and in turn these are the same people that would lead the society in future.” Wike said government was looking at the suggestion by NUT. He said, “We have met to dialogue on the way forward to the crisis in the education sector. The meeting went very well and it was very cordial with respect to the crisis between ASUU and Federal Government. “We have put our heads together and we have taken all the ideas, both the one we suggested and the one NUT suggested and we are going to move it forward. The suggestions by NUT were quite good and the ones we suggested were also quite good and we have put them together. Just watch out what is going to happen very soon.” The Minister was however evasive on when the strike would be called off. Meanwhile, Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities will meet in Akure, Ondo State on Monday, October 6, to deliberate on the ASUU strike. This came as students of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife on Wednesday, urged the Federal Government to implement immediately the various agreements it reached with labour unions in the nation’s tertiary institutions.

National conference: We’re not afraid of Nigeria’s break-up – Northern elders • National Assembly backs Jonathan

The Northern Elders Forum has said the North is not afraid of the break-up of Nigeria if its citizens vote for it at the end of any conference. The spokesman for the forum, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, said this in a telephone interview with one of our correspondents, in Abuja, on Wednesday. He was commenting on the national dialogue advisory committee set up on Tuesday by President Goodluck Jonathan. Abdullahi,who said he saw nothing wrong with Nigerians sitting down to discuss their problems, explained that contrary to the views held in certain quarters, northerners were not opposed to any form of dialogue in whatever form or shape. He said, “There is no problem with Nigerians sitting down to discuss their problems whether in the form of dialogue, whether in a form of conference, whether in the form of a meeting, even in the form of a Sovereign National Conference. His view on SNC is however not in tandem with that of the foremost Northern socio-cultural organisation, the Arewa Consultative Forum, which on Tuesday said it would not support any form of dialogue termed sovereign. However, Abdullahi, a former vice-chancellor of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, said, “The SNC that people are advocating; people are saying that it is a way for Nigeria to break up. This shouldn’t be a problem. Even in Britain today, Scotland is still agitating to opt out of the United Kingdom; even the Northern Island problem is still there. “In Spain, there are separatist groups agitating for independence. Even recently, we had in the Soviet Union and it has broken up into 11 different countries. “India was created in 1948, in one year there was Pakistan, in another year there was Bangladesh. So why shouldn’t it happen in Nigeria if they (advocates of SNC) believe this is the way to go? “We don’t mind any conference no matter the outcome. I don’t think it should worry any Nigerian.” The former VC said the earlier Nigerians accepted that Nigeria’s ethnic nationalities could never dissolve into one, the better. He stated that it was left for Nigerians to make something good out of the almagamation of Nigeria by Britain in 1914. Abdullahi also noted that it was probably out of the desire to make something out of the situation that led to the several conferences that had been held since 1914. He, however, expressed fears that the current attempt by the Jonathan administration to hold another conference when the reports of previous ones had not been implemented was suspicious. The NEF spokesman said the country had held constitutional conferences in 1976, 1978, 1988, 1994/1995 and 2005. He stated, “In each of these conferences, there have been voluminous reports on what is the problem with Nigeria. It is not for lack of information on the issues at stake.” Abdullahi said that the country could still gain from the reports of past constitutional conferences. He added, “When you look at it from this point of view, those who believe that Nigeria’s time is being wasted or that these are diversionary tactics have a point. “Because this is what (President Olusegun) Obasanjo tried to do when he was looking for a third term and he thought that he wouldn’t get it through another means except through constituting a constitutional conference.” National Assembly backs conference The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Information, Media and Public Affairs, Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, in an SMS to one of our correspondents in Abuja, said, “The Senate supports the President in his choice of the members of the committee.” The House of Representatives also welcomed the committee and its membership, saying that Nigerians were entitled to freedom of expression. However, it clarified that whenever a constitutional matter cropped up in the course of discussions at the conference, it should be referred to the National Assembly. The Deputy Leader of the House, Mr. Leo Ogor, who spoke toThe PUNCHin Abuja, explained that the National Assembly remained the legally constituted body to resolve any constitutional issues in the country. Ogor added, “We are the true representatives of the people. That is why constitutional matters must be left to the National Assembly to handle. “But, the constitution (1999) guarantees freedom of expression and association. On that score, the conference is a welcome development; to give people the opportunity to talk and share ideas.” Project Nigeria, two other groups kick The Project Nigeria Conscientious Group however questioned the rationale behind the appointment of Senator Femi Okurounmu as the committee chairman. As the group kicked, two others faulted the composition of the committee, saying it was not representative. The PNCG, in its reaction on Wednesday, said that appointing Okurounmu as chairman of the committee, might amount to an embarrassment to Nwabueze. The Secretary-General of the group, Mr. Wale Okunniyi, told one of our correspondents on the telephone that if the Federal Government had consulted well, Nwabueze ought to been made the head of the committee. Okunniyi said, “If they had consulted, Prof. Nwabueze should be the chair of the committee. If he has to play a role in the committee, he has to be the chair. “Though Okurounmu is emminently qualified and he is our own, he understands the issues. However when both Okurounmu and Nwabueze are under the same roof to discuss the issue of national question, you know what is right. “So if that is not intended to embarrass Nwabueze, then you know what is right and what is right in this case is that Nwabueze should preside over the discussion.” He said despite the development, Nwabueze, would not reject the appointment as a member of the committee. He added that the Senior Advocate of Nigeria , who is still abroad, might not return to the country until after the swearing-in of the members of the committee. “Prof. Nwabueze is scheduled to return to the country on the 11 but the swearing-in is to take place on the 7,” Okunniyi added. He stated that the PNCG which is led by Nwabueze had done “the most profound research” on the national conference, adding that it already had five models of how it could be conducted. Okunniyi added, “Project Nigeria Conscientious Group is the body that has done the most profound research on the national question in the last two years. The group has come up with five models with which you can conduct a national conference within the ambit of the existing law. We don’t intend to rock the boat. We are not quarelling with Okurounmu, he is our own, he understands the issue; he is qualified but when you put both of them in one room, Nwabueze must take precedence. “In the actual conference, he should chair it because he understands the issues better. If it must hold, Nwabueze is the most authoritative person that can chair it. “This is good because we have to do damage control. If they had consulted us, we would have told them what to do. We want this thing to succeed and we are going to make sacrifice for it to succeed. We are not going to criticise them too much; we are going to encourage them. A member of the committee, Col. Tony Nyiam (retd), however, said they would take the assignment with the highest sense of responsibility. “This is not the time to talk. It is the time to work. We know that we have a very important responsibility before us. We pray that Nigerians will judge us based on our work,” he said. Nyiam, who was part of an attempt to overthrow Gen. Ibrahim Babangida’s regime, added that he was glad to be a part of those planning the national dialogue under a civilian government. He said there was the need for Nigerians to determine how they want to co-exist and to encourage the country’s diversity and promote its unity. The Director, CCM of the University of Jos, Prof. Audu Gambo, and the Executive Director, Christian Foundation for Social Justice and Equity, Mr. Joseph Sangosanya, both faulted the composition of the advisory committee. Gambo and Sangosanya, in separate interviews with one of our correspondents on Wednesday, said though the idea of a national dialogue was a welcome development, it should be done in such a manner as not to raise any suspicion about the intention of government.

I’m an object of anger, frustration —Atiku

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has lamented that his social media engagement has, of late, been marred by barrage of criticisms. In a blog and Facebook post, he said he had been made an object of vituperative utterances; but added that the criticisms were “understandable” due to the “crushing weight of our challenges as a country.” Atiku argued that his social media followers who are university students, for instance, have a reason to direct their anger and frustration at him because it’s difficult for them to have a subsisting hope in the Nigerian Project after having been forced to sit at home for months. He said, “When you’re a university student forced to sit at home for months, due to no fault of yours, I realise that it is difficult to understand why you should have any hope in your country. What you want to do is lash out at a system that keeps conspiring to let you down. That is understandable. “Understandably, there are a lot of complaining voices. And I’m speaking from experience, as a former political office holder now active on Facebook and Twitter, and often the object of a lot of anger and frustration.” The former number two citizen who enjoined his online followers never to allow their “frustrations to blind” them, explained that he had been working round the clock with a view to “generating and highlighting solutions to the pressing problems” bedeviling the nation. He stated that an essay competition he introduced, focusing on the solutions to the challenges bedeviling the education sector, in which the winner will be awarded a scholarship; and his “impressive ‘American University’ concept,” which he “transplanted” to Nigeria, were some of his efforts aimed at “creatively solving our problems.” “Thus was the American University of Nigeria born. Change is possible in Nigeria. Ideas can survive and thrive here. But we must start by paying attention to them. Let us discuss them, tweet them, Facebook them, blog them,” Atiku enjoined. However, Atiku’s sermons did not placate the anger of many of his online followers, as they further disagreed with him on his discourse on national issues and gave him more knocks. Many of those who commented on his Facebook page said they were at a loss as to how Atiku, who served as Vice-President for eight years, could turn around and become a “saint overnight.” They accused the Turaki Adamawa of merely seeking public sympathy through his social media engagement. “It’s only in Nigeria that past political leaders turn around and become saints overnight. Sir, let me correct this impression of yours: we know vividly that you are part of our problem. What was your antecedent while in power?” Aderinboye George wrote. Some of his followers also argued that the American University of Nigeria, which he was referring to as one of his achievements, was not set up to benefit the masses. “OgaAtiku, how much is the tuition fee of your university? You started that school with around N900, 000 as tuition fee! Only God knows how much it is now. How have you helped us?” one Akila Joshua asked. Corroborating Joshua’s argument, one Obafemi Adesina-Salami wrote, “Please sir, how affordable is the American University of Nigeria, which we heard you built with the interest of Nigerian parents at heart? Why should you leave qualitative education in Nigeria for the super rich?” A particular Facebook friend, Michael Amos, said, “Atiku, you are not better in anyway; believe me, you are a notice seeker. If Nigeria is as bad as you are painting it, it means you contributed to it. You were in an administration that pioneered this democracy, which you now criticise as being in a state of collapse. “By saying you understand our complaints with the system, it shows you did not lay a lasting foundation. With regard to this obvious wrong foundation, it is wrong to have you blame the state of the nation on anybody; unless you live in perpetual irresponsibility.” The Presidency has also reacted to Atiku’s blog post, saying he was merely “politicising” on the social media the strike embarked upon by university teachers. Special Assistant to the President on New Media, Reno Omokri, in a Twitter post said, “Atiku sir, Please, understand that governments face strikes all the time. Under your tenure, even the Nigeria Police went on strike. Let’s not politicise this.”

Insurgents use cows, camels to import arms –Military

The military has said that Boko Haram insurgents imported arms into the country on the backs of cows and camels. The insurgents also used Keke NAPEP, old model pick-up vans and jeeps to bring in arms with security agents not being the wiser, the military said. It identified these unusual methods of brining in arms and the influx of illegal aliens and Improvised Explosive Device materials through the country’s porous borders as the challenges confronting the fight against terrorism. This is contained in the current special edition of theNigerian Defence Magazine’, a publication of the Defence Headquarters, theNews Agency of Nigeriareports. The magazine said that most of the small arms came to the Boko Haram insurgents through Libyan and Malian rebels on the back of camels and donkeys, desperate to exchange arms for money. “This has added to the overwhelming challenge of the influx of illegal aliens, arms, ammunition and sophisticated IED materials into the country, and efficient and effective fight against terrorism,’’ it said. It also said that the waterways and sea ports in the southern zone provided another means through which those arms were trafficked to the country, via the ships, speed boats and canoes through the creeks. It described as “disheartening and unfortunate’’ the means by which “merchants of death’’ (insurgents) trafficked small weapons to beat security agencies at the borders. “The fact that the weapons are small, light and collapsible makes them easy to be concealed and moved on camels and donkeys’ back in specially crafted skin or thatched bags,’’ it said, stressing that some merchants of cows and grains in the region hid the arms and ammunition in empty fuel tankers, under vehicle engines and bags of grains and smuggled them in. “The grains are transported in large number via trucks, trailers, lorries and old model pick-up vans and jeeps with little attention given to them by security agents. “The use of tricycles (Keke NAPEP), camels, donkeys and cows moving in flocks to deceive, hide and conveniently traffic arms in some parts of the North are ways hitherto unknown,.’’ It, however, said that the Joint Task Force in the region had since uncovered those means and had taken measures to contain them. The magazine called for adequate deployment of personnel and technology in the borders to man, monitor and check the movement of illegal persons, goods and arms into the country. “Security agencies at the borders and seaports have complained of the porosity of the nation’s border and water ways. The problem of porous borders is compounded by inadequate personnel, patrol vehicles, surveillance helicopter and equipment. “Consequently, most of the borders are leaky and this makes effective control of intruders, smugglers

Kaduna killings: Death toll rises to 100, say villagers

The Atakar Community Development Association in Zandang area of Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State said the renewed hostilities in the area had so far claimed 100 lives. The attack last Saturday had claimed over 15 lives rendered many villagers homeless after their houses were burnt by their attackers. The police in the state, however, said 11 persons lost their lives in the attack carried out by some unknown gunmen. The Police Public Relations Officer, Aminu Lawan, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP, who confirmed the incident had said, “It is true that Zankang was attacked this morning. The number of those killed are 11. Our men are already there. You know that place is hilly and bushy. But they are combing the hills, and we expect them to come out with some results.” However, the national President of the ACDA, Ishaya Samaila, while addressing a press conference on Wednesday at Fadan Attakar, said the death toll had risen from 15 to 100. He noted that 500 houses were destroyed and over 10,000 residents displaced. Samaila said property, including foodstuffs and other household items worth N500m were destroyed. Also, the paramount ruler of the Attakar Chiefdom, Chief Tobias Nkom-Wada, expressed concern over the inability of both the National and state Assembly members from the area to draw the attention of the Federal Government to the plight of the Attakar people. He said, “We are not impressed with our representatives at the state and the national assemblies. We acknowledge their private donations but our displaced persons cannot continue feeding on such gestures alone. We expect them to raise a serious motion calling on relevant authorities to intervene so that, we can have permanent security and sustainable way of feeding our displaced persons.” Samaila, while narrating the ordeals of the people, noted that in March alone, over 32 people were killed “while 247 houses were burnt, including four churches and two schools and personal items worth about N150m were destroyed in that attack.” He added that the last Saturday attack that left over 15 people dead were planned in such a way to eliminate the entire residents of the area. “The mode of the attacks was made in such a way as to completely eliminate the villages as children and women were not spared. The attacks seems to be directed at taking over our lands,” he said. He said despite the attacks, the Attakar people had remained peaceful and law abiding and still allow Fulani herdsmen to freely graze their cattle.

B’Haram: Court to hear Senator Ndume’s appeal

The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, on Wednesday fixed November 1 for definite hearing of an appeal filed by Senator Mohammed Ndume to challenge the admission of some evidence in his trial over terrorism charges. The Federal Government has put the serving Senator on trial before an Abuja Federal High Court over his alleged sponsorship of the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram. The trial followed allegations made against Ndume by Ali Konduga, a former spokesman of the sect, who is currently serving a prison term after his conviction over terrorism-related charges. Ndume has appealed against two rulings delivered by the Abuja FHC on December 11 and 12, 2012. The trial judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawole, had in both rulings admitted as evidence against Ndume, alleged call logs from a mobile telephone firm, which indicated that the Senator had telephone conversation with Konduga. Digital video discs containing call-data records, including findings based on investigations carried out by the Special Investigation Panel of the State Security Service, were also admitted in evidence against Ndume. The materials admitted in evidence disclosed that there were 73 instances of mobile telephone communication between the Senator and Konduga. However, Ndume is claiming that the materials admitted in evidence against him were inadmissible. In his appeal, the Senator asked the Court of Appeal to invalidate the admitted evidence on the ground that the Abuja FHC erred in law by admitting the inadmissible materials. He described the admitted materials as radically and fundamentally against him. Meanwhile, the absence of Justice Musa Kurya of a Federal High Court, Lagos, on Wednesday stalled the arraignment of 17 suspected members of Boko Haram. The suspects were charged with acts of terrorism. The court has however fixed October 9 and 10 for the arraignment of the suspects. The accused are Ali Mohammed, Adamu Karumi, Ibrahim Usman, Bala Haruna, Idris Ali, Mohammed Murtala, Kadiri Mohammed, Mustapha Daura, Abba Duguri, Sanni Adamu, Danjuma Yahaya, and Musa Audu. Others are Mati Daura, Farouk Haruna, Abdullahi Azeez, Ibrahim Bukar and Zula Diani. The Federal Government is charging the suspects with eight counts of conspiracy and acts of terrorism. The arraignment had similarly been stalled at a previous proceeding due to the absence of an interpreter to read the charges in the language understood by the accused. Justice Kurya had then adjourned the case to Oct. 2, following an application for adjournment made by the prosecutor, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN). The accused were allegedly arrested on March 21, 2013 at Plot 5, Road 69, Lekki Phase 1 Housing Estate, and No. 24 Oyegbeni St., Ijora Oloye in Apapa, Lagos. It was alleged that three packets of explosive construction pipes, 15 detonators, and 11 AK 47 rifles loaded with 30 rounds of life ammunitions, were recovered from the accused at their hideout. Their alleged offences contravened the provisions of sections 1, 8, 27 (1) (a), and (b) of the Firearms (special provisions) Act, Cap F28, Laws of the Federation,

Special forces bomb B’Haram hideouts inYobe, Borno

Military special forces on Wednesday carried out a major operation against the Boko Haram fighters at a forest region between Borno and Yobe states. A security source said the special forces, who carried out an aerial surveilance of the area, discovered a major camp of the insurgents some kilometers away from the Yobe State School of Agriculture, Gujba, where about 90 students were murdered on Sunday. The source said that the operation was one of the biggest offensives of the Nigerian military against the Boko Haram since the declaration of the emergency rule by President Goodluck Jonathan in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states. Investigations revealed that three Alpha jets, several heavy artillery weapons and a large number of ground forces of the Division 7 of the Nigerian Army in Borno and Yobe states participated in the operation. Although, the source could not give the casualty figure in the operation, he stated that the camp was one of the largest to have been discovered and could contain hundreds of insurgents. It was further stated that the entire forest was engulfed in a thick fire as at the time of filing the reports. A highly placed Defence Headquarters source said that the military devised “a strategy to box them in” to prevent them from escaping during the operation. It was learnt that the men of the Joint Task Force in Yobe and those in Maiduguri were deployed simultaneously alongside three Alpha jets of the Nigerian Air Force during the Wednesday raid by the military. The source said that the Nigerian military sustained the fierce attack on the terrorists’ enclave all through the operation that lasted several hours. The source said, “The operation today was a massive one. Heavy artillery guns were deployed, Air Force, and ground troops from Borno and Yobe were deployed in large number.”

Don Jazzy Goes on Vacation inPrivate Jet

Yeah, it's vacation time for the hard working Mavin boss, Don Jazzy as all work and no play makes him a dull producer. On October 1when Nigeria is all party-party for her 53rd Independence, our dear Jazzy jetted out of the country on a holiday in a hired private jet to Mauritius Island where he'll be for a while. As you read this, he has arrived the island and having fun but...ehm surprisingly, it's not only in Nigeria that wicked mosquitoes abound. After posting the picture of himself relaxing in the jet and arriving the Island, he also made a recorded video where he was being troubled by Mauritius mosquitoes.

Justin Bieber’s BodyguardsCarry Star Up Great Wall ofChina

Justin Bieber You gotta hand it to Justin Bieber: The pop star certainly knows how to continuously outdo himself in the bratty behaviour department. The 19-year-old's latest faux pas occurred Monday when he forced his entourage of bodyguards to carry him on their shoulders up the Great Wall Of China, in what might be described as an attempt to make fans beliebe he's, what? an emperor? According to RadarOnline, the full blown diva moment came a day after the singer had his bodyguards run behind him as he skateboarded around Beijing while on tour in China. Photos documenting Bieber's behaviour were posted to Instagram by his fans, who by all accounts didn't find anything wrong with the Canadian's antics. User @bieberandsupras tweeted: only Justin would have somebody carry him up the Great Wall of China, aw my baby boy." However, some fans did express pity for the poor bodyguards, reports StyleCaster News. If you've been following Bieber's trip down bad boy lane, you'll know this incident follows a series of rude/bizarre acts, including attacking a photographer, urinating in a kitchen worker's mop bucket, and even spitting on his own fans. We're not sure what kind of crisis Biebs is going through, and perhaps this incident is part of his healing process post breaking up with Selena Gomez, but quite frankly we're starting to lose interest. What about you, do you think it's just a phase, or is Bieber destined for even more trouble?

I Wasn't Delivered of Witchcraft- Jim-Iyke

His haters must have got him this time-poor Jim Iyke. Contrary to stories making the rounds that Nollywood 'bad boy', Jim Iyke recently visited T.B Joshua's Synagogue where he was delivered from an alleged evil spirit which had troubled his life for years, stopping from even getting married, the actor has come out to deny ever being delivered of any witchcraft. Iyke sent out a disclaimer through his Twitter account where he said he wasn't a witch neither was he delivered of it. Here's how he reacted to it. "lol witchcraft?! It's imperative I underscore that people are oblivious to what transpired [during my deliverance]. Ignorance is no excuse. Tailor your opinion to who you know." Meanwhile, the actor never denied visiting the church. He didn't also say he didn't go through any deliverance session. So, reactions have continued to trail what actually happened and the actor prefers to keep everyone in suspense. While some believed he was paid a huge sum to do that stuff as publicity for the church, others suspected it may be that Iyke was still justifying his title as Nollywood's 'bad boy'.

Jay Z's Confession on Drugs,Beyonce

In the recent issue of Vanity Fair, Jay Z who is on the cover opens up on his drug past and also talks about Beyonce, how hard it was to impress her and says he changed her from a good girl to a gangsta. On Drug dealing ''I know about budgets. I was a drug dealer. To be in a drug deal, you need to know what you can spend, what you need to re-up. Not until later, when I realised the effects on the community, I started looking at the community on the whole, but in the beginning no. 'I was thinking about surviving. I was thinking about improving my situation. I was thinking about buying clothes.' “You have to have an exit strategy, because your window (for dealing drugs) is very small. You're going to get locked up or you're going to die.” On dating Beyonce… '''We were just beginning to try to date each other. Well, you know, you've got to try first. You got to dazzle ... wine and dine. ''If I’m as cool as I am, yes. But she’s a charming Southern girl, you know, she’s not impressed... But I would have definitely had to be this cool.' He also confirms that the line on his latest album: 'She was a good girl ’til she knew me' is about his wife. When quizzed if she is no longer a 'good girl', Jay- Z responds: 'Nah. She’s gangsta now.'

S-H-O-C-K-E-R! I don’t have a teamyet – Keshi

HEAD coach of the Nigeria national team, Stephen Keshi has astonishingly revealed that he does not have a team yet as he continues his “rebuilding project “ with the Super Eagles. Keshi replaced Samson Siasia as Super Eagles trainer in 2011 following the latter’s failure to lead Nigeria to the finals of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. He gained legendary status when he became the first man to win the Africa Nations Cup as a captain and coach after masterminding success with the Super Eagles at the 2013 Afcon in South Africa. From Left: National Team Goalkeeper Trainer, Ike Shorunmu; Assistant Coach, Daniel Amokachi, and Super Eagles Chief Coach, Stephen Keshi during a media parley in Abuja The 51-year-old gaffer however believes his current squad is “not the finished article” and is keen to make further additions in the coming days despite naming an unchanged side for Nigeria’s last two international fixtures and for the upcoming 2014 World Cupplayoff game against Ethiopia in Addis Ababa. “No matter how long you have a team, there are still one or two players you will see that you will like to bring into the team. There is no way you are going to have 11 or 18 players for two years and you don’t see the need to make one or two changes,” Keshi told Supersport. “If I have one or two good players better than what I have here, I may have to change. “It’s part of building (a strong team) too because when they come in, they will have to learn our style of play,” he added. The “Big Boss” then went down memory lane to highlight the importance of freshening up the squad with new additions as he recalled the earliest days of former captain, Sunday Oliseh in the Nigeria national team. “When I was captain of the national team, I still recall vividly when in 1993, (coach Clemens) Westerhof introduced a young player called Oliseh into the team. “A lot of eyebrows were raised because at that time, the late Thompson Oliha had made that position in midfield his own with strong performances over the previous four years. “Oliseh (who went on to amass 63 caps for the Super Eagles) played marvelously in his first two games for Nigeria and Oliha was never first choice again. “My decision to look at new players is not based on sentiments. I do this in the interest of the country. “We need players that will get us results and that is the most important thing because the present team is not the finished article,” he said. Keshi has only lost 4 games in 31 as coach of the Super Eagles since taking the reins in 2011. His first defeat was in an international friendly against Egypt on April 12, 2012. He also tasted the bitter pill of defeat when Nigeria lost 0-1 to Peru in another friendly on May 23, 2012. Nigeria’s two other losses under Keshi were recorded at the 2013 Fifa Confederations Cup against Uruguay on June 20 and Spain on June 23.

6 Celebrities Who MadeMillions Then Lost It All

From Riches to rags stories are not as widely circulated, but these 6 celebrities went from millions to debt. Read on to find out which 6 celebrities were in the red. Terrell Owens Terrell Owens played 15 seasons in the NFL and made $80 million dollars. Between league fines, child support payment to four different women, bad investments, and the recession, he managed to lose almost all of his money. Terrell Owens is currently unsigned in the NFL, but the Patriots might benefit from looking to him as their new wide receiver with Hernandez's scandal and Gronkowski's injury. Lindsay Lohan In early 2013 there were reports that Lindsay Lohan was almost completely broke and that she was actually in debt and being loaned money. She lost a lot of her money to an expensive drug habit, expensive unnecessary purchases, and legal trouble. This child star turned troubled adult has had a difficult years and now picks up odd jobs to cover the bills. From promoting energy drinks to starring in a movie, The Canyons, that many described as erotica, Lindsay Lohan has been working her way back to financial security. Octomom After Nadya Suleman made medical history by having octopulets that all survived, she was overwhelmed with offers for free things, reality TV shows, movies, and book deals. Unfortunately, the fame faded fast and she didn't handle any money she made well. After she attempted to declare bankruptcy because of her mounting debt, she turned to doing a pornographic video to make money, as well as endorsing random products. Hopefully, her many children are doing okay. John Gosselin Another victim of the Reality TV curse, John Gosselin was on John and Kate Plus Eight where the show documented their daily lives after Kate gave birth to sextuplets. John and Kate ended up getting a divorce after John cheated. As of 2012, John Gosselin was broke and struggling to make child support payments because he was unemployed and no longer in the TV show. MC Hammer MC Hammer had millions from his rap career, but after recklessly spent the money on unnecessary purchases and hiring his friends to not do much. By the mid 1990's he was broke, allegedly in debt for $13.7 million. By 2011, he still hadn't exactly recovered. He still owed the government hundreds of thousands in taxes. Pamela Anderson If you're making the list of Top 500 Delinquent Tax Payers in California, it's time to find a more stable job. In both 2009 and 2011, Pamela Anderson was in debt for over $1 million. She got her start as a sexy lifeguard on Baywatch. However, in recent years, she has been hopping from reality TV show to reality TV show from various versions of Big Brother, Dancing with the Stars, and Dancing on Ice.

Presidency: North should wait till 2019,says Babatope

A former Minister of Transportation, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, has backed Jonathan’s 2015 bid, asking the North to wait until 2019 for their turn. Also, a former governor of the old Anambra State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, has said President Jonathan is a tool in the hands of God to implement God’s designs for Nigeria. He said Jonathan’s tolerance, cool-headedness, fear of God and respect for people and their constitution had neutralised Boko Haram violence in Nigeria. The duo spoke during the state’s 17th anniversary public lecture organised by the Bayelsa State Government in Yenagoa on Monday. Other dignitaries at the lecture which took place at the state’s Banquet Hall on Monday evening were a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Ghali Na’Abba; Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State; his deputy, Rear- Admiral John Jonah (retd.); elder statesman, Chief Diete Spiff; Speaker, Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Konbowei Friday; and the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Kate Abiri. Babatope in his lecture, had described Jonathan as a detribalised Nigerian, whose right to contest the 2015 presidential election was non- negotiable. “If Jonathan declares to contest the 2015 election, I will be among the people that will campaign for him. I submit it is right and proper that the Ijaw man, President Goodluck Jonathan, completes his term in 2019. After that, if I am still alive, I will be one of those that will fight to ensure the North have its turn in 2019,” Babatope said. Ezeife said through Jonathan’s style of leadership, which could not be compared with any President before him, had been able to contain the Boko Haram’s insurgency. The former governor said, “Jonathan is a tool in the hands of God to implement God’s design for Nigeria. His tolerance, cool-headedness, fear of God and respect for people and their constitution has neutralised the Boko Haram sect. We must sympathise with the aggrieved people, even as we must not allow injustice to take root. And we must not be provoked as to endanger, Nigeria, which our God Almighty has given us. Everybody knows who would lose most, should the unthinkable happen. “Which President had faced determined efforts to making the country ungovernable, under him? If we help put a bag of salt on somebody’s head and make rains to beat the person, do we have a right, at the end of the rain, to ask how much salt is left in the bag?” Ezeife also said for Nigeria to survive as one united country, there was the urgent need to restructure the country for efficiency and effectiveness. Dickson, in his remarks, said a new Nigeria was born with the election of Jonathan, a man from the minority tribe, as the President of the country. He sued for peace in the country, stressing that Nigeria was not only a country of contradictions, but had endless potential, which if well harnessed, would drive the nation’s socio- economic and political development. “May I call on the present generation to learn to see national issues as they are. Because it is when you have a nation, you can have a G7 governors. Disagreement is healthy – whether we agree or not, it is legitimate. All politicians are ambitious and ambition is legitimate but the way you go about it matters,” Dickson said. Na’Abba, speaking on the theme, ‘Good governance as a panacea for promoting a stable and sustainable democracy,’ said good governance should be the hallmark of democracy. He said in view of the myriad of problems confronting the nation, there was the need to guarantee good governance and deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.

UN, US, others ask Jonathan to arrestterrorists

THE United Nations, Unite States of America and others in their message to Nigeria as the nation marks its 53rd Independence anniversary have asked President Goodluck Jonathan to arrest violent elements in the country, especially members of the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram, Empowered Newswire reports. The US asked the Nigerian government “to find and bring those responsible for this deplorable violence to justice.” The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, also in a statement from the UN Secretariat late on Monday, called for the “the perpetrators to be swiftly brought to justice.” The Christian Association of Nigerian-Americans similarly wondered how easy it had become for the terrorists to do damage and “simply vanish into thin air even at a time of emergency rule.” In a statement from the United States Government, released on Monday night US time, the Americans said, “As Nigeria prepares to celebrate its 53rd year of independence, the United States stands with all Nigerians to reject the heinous violence that continues to be perpetrated by Boko Haram and other extremist groups. These attacks on innocent civilians have no place in a democratic society.” “Following last week’s heinous attack in Benisheikh, where more than 160 people were shot and slaughtered, this weekend’s attacks in Yobe State took the lives of more than fifty innocent students and civilians. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in these senseless acts of violence.” While commiserating with the Nigerian government and the victims’ families, the US government declared, “We encourage the Government of Nigeria to work together with the families of the victims and affected communities to find and bring those responsible for this deplorable violence to justice, and to enhance the protection of civilians to ensure respect for the rule of law.” The UN statement from its secretariat in New York said, “The Secretary-General strongly condemns the murder of more than 40 students and the wounding of several others by gunmen at the College of Agriculture in Gujba, Yobe State, northeastern Nigeria. “The Secretary-General calls for the perpetrators to be swiftly brought to justice and for increasing efforts to be taken to prevent similar attacks and ensure adequate protection of civilians.”

Gunmen kill 160, abduct 10 womenin Zamfara

Gusau — Governor Abdulazez Yari of ZamfaraState said in Gusau, Monday, that gunmen killed 160 people and abducted 10 married women in different villages of the state in the last three months. Yari made the disclosure when he addressed members of the state House Assembly on security situation in the state. He said the situation had caused disaffection between residents of the affected villages and the state government. The governor said the hoodlums, who continued to terrorise villages in parts of the state, stole no fewer than 6,000 cows and 4,000 sheep within the period. Yari said the state government was handicapped, and urged the Federal Government to deploy more security personnel to the state to protect lives and property of the people. The governor said the state government had committed a lot of its scarce resources on security issues, and called on Federal Government to stand up to its responsibilities. The Speaker, Alhaji Sanusi Rikijin, assured the governor of the assembly’s support, adding “we will consult with other state houses of assembly and the National Assembly to ensure justice, equity and fair play in the country.”

Nigerian students 'trash' embassy in Moscow over grants

Moscow police have detained 16 Nigerian students accused of smashing furniture inside their country's embassy, reportedly in anger over unpaid grants. The 16 suspects were removed from the embassy building at the request of Nigerian staff, Russia's interior ministry told local media. All of them are enrolled at colleges of higher education in Russia, it added. Other African students in Russia have protested in the past over their home countries' failure to pay their grants. The 16 students arrested in Moscow face administrative charges, the interior ministry said. Trouble erupted at the embassy on Malaya Nikitskaya Street following a hearing for the students over their financial problems, according to a police source quoted by Ria-Novosti news agency. Furniture was smashed in the reception room, after which the students reportedly threatened to damage the embassy's other rooms. Last year, Nigerian students beat up an embassy representative over non-payment of grants, Russia's lenta.ru news website reports. Thousands of African students have passed through the educational system in Moscow and other Russian cities in a tradition dating back to Soviet times, when the communist government subsidised their studies

Miley Cyrus Hosting Saturday Night Live: Singer Laments the VMAs, Explains Her Tongue in New Promos

Miley Cyrus can't get over her MTV Video Music Awards performance either! At least, she pretends not to be able to for Taran Killam's sake in one of four new promo spots for her upcoming hosting and musical guest appearance on Saturday Night Live--all of which you can watch right here! "That VMAs performance, how could you?!" a stricken Taran asks his costar-for-a-week. "I know, how could I?!" she agrees. "I mean, it was too much, the children!" he continues. "And what was I wearing?!" Miley marvels. "And doing!" Taran added. "Don't forget about the children!" she presses him. "God, the children!" Taran laments. In the next promo, Taran asks the "Wrecking Ball" singer why she's always sticking out her tongue. "It's how I smell," she claims. Miley then demonstrates by extending her now infamous organ and asking him, "Are you wearing women's deodorant?" Keep watching and see Miley show Taran the 30 Rock roof she lives on ("That's my kitchen over there, there's my bathroom...") and find out what happens when he feigns naivete and asks her what she's been up to lately! Miley takes over Saturday Night Live this week(!), Oct. 5, at 11:30 p.m. on NBC

Usher Does a Dance Move for Each Letter of the Alphabet on Sesame Street

What better way to learn the ABCs than to associate each letter with a dance move? And who better to teach us those moves than the man who can boogie with the best of 'em--Usher. The R&B singer stopped by Sesame Street today to help teach the alphabet with much more swag than we're used to. Usher, along with Grover, Murray Monster, Elmo and Abby Cadabby, showed off a quick and fun dance step that correlates to every letter of the alphabet, because the ABCs "can help you move." For example, the letter B is for "bounce like a ball," D is to "duck down," E is "elbows out" and M is "make a muscle," just to name a few. Some weren't exactly associated with a particular dance, however. Like the letter U was for--yep, you guessed it--Usher. And our personal favorite was Y, which stood for the star's signature phrase, "Yeeeeah, man!"

P-Square Tops List of HighestPaid Nigerian Artistes

It's rating time galour and another list is out again. Not a Forbes list this time but our very own, thoroughly researched and released by Encomiun magazine. The duo of P-Square is leading the list with N10million per show. D'banj follows with N8million and Tuface with N6million Check out full list below 1- Psquare – N10million 2- D’Banj - N 8million 3- 2Face – N6million 4- Wizkid – N5million 5- Omawumi, Darey, Duncan Mighty,Olamide, Timayah, Flavour, M.I, Ice-Prince – N3 million 6 - Iyanya, Davido, Wande Coal, Tiwa Savage – N2.5 million 7 - 9ice, D’Prince, Dr. Sid – N2 million 8 - Neato C and Waje - N1.5 million

6 pregnant teenagers in court fortrading babies

Umuahia - Six pregnant teenagers were on Monday arraigned in an Umuahia Magistrates’ Court on a two-count-charge of conspiracy to commit felony, buying and selling newly-born babies. Four of the teenagers, Blessing David, Chikodi Samuel, Mercy Dickson and Miracle Ifeanyi, appeared in court while Goodluck Erondu and Happiness Chinemerem were absent. The prosecutor, Insp. Agwu Okoronkwo, told the court that the fifth and sixth accused were not in court as they had given birth while in custody. Okoronkwo applied that the names of the two be deleted from the charge pending the time that they would be fit to stand trial. The teenagers and one Isaac Okwuonu, a medical doctor, now at large, were said to have, between July and September, at Isaac Okwuonu Memorial Hospital, Ogbor Hill, Aba, conspired to commit felony and trade in newly-born babies. When the charges were read to the accused, they pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge. Mr Ogbonnaya Nwannunu, the counsel for David, applied that she be granted bail since the offence was bailable. Nwannunu told the court that his client was a victim of circumstance, who was tricked into the business by her aunt. Ruling on the bail application, the Chief Magistrate, Mrs Elizabeth Kalu, granted bail to the four accused in the sum of N80, 000 each. She also granted the application of the prosecuting counsel that the two who did not appear in court be deleted till they were fit to stand trial. The matter was adjourned to Nov. 27 for hearing.

Taylor Swift and Demi Lovato Go Shopping: See Joe Jonas's Exes Bonding in Beverly Hills!

Taylor Swift and Demi Lovato have two big things in common: They're both BFFs with Selena Gomez, and they both dated Joe Jonas! On Sunday, Sept. 29, the twosome had a girls' day out and did some shopping in Beverly Hills, Calif. Whether they talked about besties, breakups, or maybe just clothes, we don't know, but we do know they looked super cute. Taylor, who talked a lot about Joe dumping her back in October 2008, wore a burgundy bowler hat, a white button-down shirt just long enough to count as a dress, patterned tights and black shoes. And Demi, who admitted she was "really mad" at the Jonas Brother after their May 2010 split, looked chic in a leather jacket, white top, black pants and black ankle boots. Clearly both ladies have moved on from Joe, but they've still got each other. Always remember, girls, sisters before misters!

Miley Cyrus on Nudity, Twerking and VMAs Performance: "I Don't Apologize for Anything"

Miley Cyrus' frequent nudity and constant twerking don't sit well with everyone. But, in Miley: The Movement, an MTV documentary airing on Wednesday, Oct. 2, the 20-year-old singer says defiantly, "I don't apologize for anything." And if you thought Miley's provocative performance the 2013 MTV VMAs was a "hot mess," you're not entirely wrong. "It's a strategic hot mess," she explains of her crotch-grabbing, eyebrow-raising antics onstage. "If I wanted a raunchy sex show, I wouldn't have been dressed as a damned bear." (As you will remember, she was in a teddy bear onesie for the first portion of her and Robin Thicke's performance, but she then stripped down to nude-colored latex lingerie.) "How many times have you seen this play out in pop?" she asks. "Madonna's done it. Britney [Spears has] done it." "I'm onto the next one," the "Wrecking Ball" singer says, adding, "Yes, I am very comfortable with my sexuality." The former Hannah Montana star laments that she "had to do something that didn't feel like me for so long." And the former Disney girl wanted to say goodbye to the squeaky clean image she used to try and maintain. "I just needed to let go of the past in a way," she says, "so I felt like I could be the bad bitch I am." Not convinced? Pharrell, who worked closely with Miley on her upcoming album Bangerz, says she's more than just the image she's been presenting in these past months. "I'm telling you, the world thinks they know this girl but my thing to you is, don't be fooled," he says. "So when people are going, 'Why is she twerking? Why is she doing this?' Because she is a byproduct of America." You're welcome, rest of the world. Party in the USA

NOLLYWOOD SUPERSTAR ACTOR JIM IYKE RECEIVES DELIVERANCE AT THE SCOAN!

As Wise Man Daniel ministered prayer in Jesus' name, Nollywood Actor Jim Iyke, of international fame, was arrested by the power of the Holy Spirit. The evil spirit that had tormented his life for so many years began to manifest, confessing that it was the cause of his setback and disappointment. It confessed that he was the biggest and that it was only God's grace that had kept him. He was delivered in the name of Jesus Christ and immediately knelt in God's presence, appreciating His Creator for his miraculous deliverance.

Nigeria attack: Students shot dead as they slept

Suspected Islamist gunmen have attacked a college in north-eastern Nigeria, killing up to 50 students. The students were shot dead as they slept in their dormitory at the College of Agriculture in Yobe state. North-eastern Nigeria is under a state of emergency amid an Islamist insurgency by the Boko Haram group. Boko Haram is fighting to overthrow Nigeria's government to create an Islamic state, and has launched a number of attacks on schools. Classrooms burned Casualty figures from the latest attack vary, but a local politician told the BBC that around 50 students had been killed. The politician said two vanloads of bodies had been taken to a hospital in Yobe's state capital, Damaturu. A witness quoted by Reuters news agency counted 40 bodies at the hospital, mostly those of young men believed to be students. College provost Molima Idi Mato, speaking to Associated Press, also said the number of dead could be as high as 50, adding that security forces were still recovering the bodies and that about 1,000 students had fled the campus. A Nigerian military source told AP that soldiers had collected 42 bodies. The gunmen also set fire to classrooms, a military spokesman in Yobe state, Lazarus Eli, told Agence France-Presse. The college is in the rural Gujba district. In May, President Goodluck Jonathan ordered an operation against Boko Haram, and a state of emergency was declared for the north-east on 14 May. Many of the Islamist militants left their bases in the north-east and violence initially fell, but revenge attacks quickly followed. In June, Boko Haram carried out two attacks on schools in the region. At least nine children were killed in a school on the outskirts of Maiduguri, while 13 students and teachers were killed in a school in Damaturu. In July in the village of Mamudo in Yobe state, Islamist militants attacked a school's dormitories with guns and explosives, killing at least 42 people, mostly students. Boko Haram regards schools as a symbol of Western culture. The group's name translates as "Western education is forbidden". Boko Haram is led by Abubakar Shekau. The Nigerian military said in August that it might have killed him in a shoot-out. However, a video released last week purportedly showed him alive. Other previous reports of his death later proved to be unfounded.