ASUU: Read The Stories Of Students Who Do Not Want To Stay Idle While ASSU Is On Strike; Share Your Story!

To keep their minds occupied, some undergraduates in Kaduna have ventured into various vocations as the strike by theAcademic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) continues. Grace Ocholi,a 300-level student of English at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday that she found a temporary job as afuel pump attendantat a petrol station in Sabon-Tasha area of the city to enable her earn some money until the end of the strike. "Everyone in my house goes out every morning to work, and my younger sisters go to school while I stay home and sleep awaiting for their return. "I am not okay with staying idle so I decided to engage in something useful," Grace said. Another student,Seun Ali,an HND Computer Science student of Kaduna Polytechnic said he worked at a friend'sbarbing saloonto earn some money and to be occupied. Henry Samuelof Mass Communication Department, Ahmadu Bello University, said he was helping his father inselling tiles- something that he had been doing before before he was admitted to the university. "So instead of wasting time waiting for the prolonged strike to end, I returned to continue from where I stopped," he said. The students advised their colleagues to engage in something meaningful while the strike lasted,so as not to fall into the temptation of going into crime due to idleness. It will be reminded, thatASUU has embarked upon an indefinite strike June 30, 2013.The lecturers protest against the FG's failure to honour a 2009 agreement signed between it and ASUU in 2009 pertaining to issues of university funding and improvement of infrastructure in the sector.

Nigeria And Israel Sign Aviation Deal - Now Nigerians Can Fly To Holy Land Directly

Nigeria and Israel signed a bilateral aviation deal, the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA), that enables airlines from both countries to fly directly to each other without stopovers. Before this agreement was signed, Nigerians, including Christian Pilgrims, traveling to Israel had endure several flight changes, JNS.org reports The agreement has been inked duringa visit of the Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan to Israel. President is to to meet with Israeli Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahuand PresidentShimon Peresto discuss further deepening the countries' bilateral ties. Proponents of the deal hope that the agreement will continue the strong growth of Israel-Nigeria ties. It will be recalled that President Goodluck Jonathan has embark on a Christian pilgrimage to Israel on Wednesday, October 23. He is accompanied by eight governors, seven ministers and three members of the National Assembly. Among them is the Nigeria's Minister of Aviation,Stella Oduah, who also take part in the Piligrimmage, has left for Israel right after she found herself in the center of a corruption scandal.

Teenage driver crushes toddler in Lagos

When three-year-old Ikeoluwa Olaniyi was playing with her friends in her grandfather’s compound in Ire Akari Estate, Isolo, Lagos, on September 3, 2013, little did she know that death was lurking. PUNCH Metro learnt that a teenage motorist, Chinyere Wagbaranta, in company with her brother, Chisom, and a police corporal attached to Police Mobile Force 22, Felix Adebayo, in a Mercedes Benz Sports Utility Vehicle, drove into the compound carelessly, hitting the little girl and crushing her skull. The victim’s grandfather, Adesola Elegbede, who spoke to our correspondent while fighting back tears, said Ikeoluwa was his first grandchild. He said, “Ikeoluwa lives with me and my wife. Her father works in a bank and her mother works with an accounting firm, which are both located on Victoria Island. Ikeoluwa attends a school in Ilasa, which is not far from our house. She stays with her parents during the weekend. “On the day of the incident, I came in and saw her eating yam just outside the main door and told her to go inside. A few minutes later, I wanted to go to my friend who lives a few houses away from mine and Ikeoluwa attempted to follow me but she met some of her friends playing in the compound so she joined them. “A few minutes later, I heard a loud scream that Ikeoluwa had been crushed by a vehicle in the compound. I ran to the scene and observed that the side of her head had been crushed. I saw the vehicle that hit her but the occupants had fled. I carried my granddaughter to Good Health Hospital, where she was declared dead.” Elegbede said he immediately ran to the Isolo Police Division to report the matter and it was there that he met the culprits. He said Chinyere drove recklessly into the compound because she was on a mission to fight one of his neighbours. He said, “I was told that Chinyere and her brother hired the Police Mobile Force member, who is attached to a bank in the area, to escort them to our compound to fight one of my neighbour’s children. “They drove recklessly from Ire Akari Road into my compound and after crushing my little girl, the armed MOPOL aided them in escaping from the scene.” The grandfather said four days after the incident, Chinyere’s parents, in company with the Divisional Police Officer, Isolo, Adamu Ibrahim, and a chief in the area came to apologise over the incident, urging him not to pursue the case. Elegbede, however, berated the police for not handling the case professionally. He said, “When they came to visit me four days later, I was shocked that the DPO escorted them to my place. Why should the DPO be pleading on their behalf, telling me it was the will of God? Anyway, I told them to go and beg Ikeoluwa’s parents because I am not her father. “On September 9, the DPO called me again saying the Area D Commander at Mushin wanted to see all the parties involved but on getting there, the DPO told us to return to his own station. “When I noticed that the case was not being handled properly, I asked the DPO to transfer the matter to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba, but he refused to do this. “I am aware that Chinyere is 18 years old and is an adult. I have already started hearing that the police want to manipulate her age, get her a fake affidavit and give her a soft-landing. I will not accept this.” The victim’s grandfather said life had not been the same since the incident occurred. While pointing to the spot where his granddaughter’s blood was shed, he said, “I cannot believe this. We are still in shock. Her mother has had to take leave from work and travel out of the country to take her mind off things. Imagine us losing such a pleasant and brilliant girl?” When contacted on the telephone, the Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Police Command, Ngozi Braide, confirmed the accident to our correspondent. Braide said the matter was reported as a fatal car accident and that Chinyere had been charged to court.

ASUU strike: Pupils say govt is not serious

As the strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities enters the fourth month, some secondary school pupils lend their voices to the general call for an end to the crisis, SAMUEL AWOYINFA reports Secondary school pupils in Lagos have joined other Nigerians in speaking out against the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities. Most of the youngsters believe the Federal Government reneged on the agreement it reached with ASUU in 2009. Therefore, moved by pity for the undergraduates affected by the strike, they demanded that the terms of the deal be honoured quickly so that the latter could go back to the university campuses to resume their studies. While some of the pupils noted that the strike had forced their older siblings, relations and friends, who are undergraduates in various universities, to idle away their time in their respective homes, others argued that the situation had led to an increase in crime rate. Many of the pupils accused the FG of lack of seriousness toward the education sector. They said they were aware that government had never met the UNESCO’s recommended budgetary allocation of 26 per cent to education sector. Vowing never to let the current situation and government’s unfavourable disposition to education affect their future or delay their academic progress, some of the pupils said their parents were already making alternative plans for their education. The majority look forward to either relocating abroad to continue their education or enrolling in private universities in the country. But a few less privileged pupils insist that they want to fulfill their dreams for higher education in public universities since their parents cannot afford to send them abroad or pay the exorbitant fees charged by private universities. A pupil of Dansol High School, Ikeja, Feranmi Olatunji, says that by reneging on its agreement with ASUU, the FG has shown that it does not care about the various categories of students – undergraduate, postgraduate, prospective undergraduate and parents – who are at the receiving end of the lingering crisis. “The action of the Federal Government shows that it does not care about education. If it did, it would honour its agreement with ASUU without sparing any cost. It is a pity that students are the ones at the receiving end. As the saying goes, the idle hand is the devil’s workshop. Some of the students could be tempted to commit crime. The others have become an extra burden to their parents,” Olatunji says. Alarmed by the bleak prospect presented by persistent strikes in the tertiary institutions, Ogwuike Deborah of the African Church Model College, Ifako, Lagos told our correspondent that she already had an alternative plan for her education. “I don’t think I want to be affected by ASUU strikes, which have become a tradition in public universities in Nigeria. Such inconsistency will affect my plans for the future. I do not plan to spend an extra day studying for a degree in Law,” she says. Also, Agbede Olumide of Bachel Model College, Ogba, notes that government’s attitude to education clearly shows that the children of many top government officials do not attend public universities. Worried that his elder sister, an undergraduate of Tai Solarin University of Education, is idling away at home, he says, “She just sleeps, wakes up, eats and spends the rest of the day watching movies. She says some of her friends have started working as waitresses in some eateries in Lagos just to pass the time. “Top government officials can afford to treat education with such levity because their children are studying abroad. It is an act of wickedness to the children of the poor masses.” One of Agbede’s friends affected by the strike has started processing admission into a university in neighbouring Republic of Benin. Just like Agbede’s friend, Seth Omo-Izirein of Dansol High School, would like to attend a tertiary institution outside Nigeria and his preferred choice is the University of Legon, Ghana, where he hopes to obtain a degree in theatre arts. The last thing Omo-Izirein wants is to suffer the same fate as his friend, an undergraduate of University of Lagos, who now wakes up every morning, “playing games and watching television” due to the strike. “I want a four-year programme and not an extended programme. One is not sure if this strike, when it is eventually called off, will not come up again someday,” he says. Ihekwereme Kelechi of Bachel Model College agrees that incessant strikes in public universities due to neglect of education sector by government have driven many people to seek higher education outside the country. “I read an article on the Internet recently and I learnt that Holland has 90 per cent literacy level. Obviously we are lagging behind. That is why our certificates are not valued outside the country. Those foreigners see our leaders and the people as unserious,” she says. Vanessa Osuka of the African Church Model College confesses that she feels bad seeing her brother being on a forced holiday. She says she is disappointed that President Goodluck Jonathan, who was once a lecturer, would treat his colleagues this way. “He is not showing us that he was once a lecturer. If I have my way I won’t attend a public university,” she says. Also, Munachi Ufere, who looks forward to seeking admission in a private university, thinks it is better to go to an institution with the best facilities and complete whatever course one has chosen at the appropriate time. While she describes the FG’s action as “heinous and a disruption of the academic calendar,” Munachi predicts the strike will make some affected undergraduates too lazy to study at home. Although Stephen Olufeko of the African Church Model College wants to attend a public university, he is ‘scared’ of his sister, Gloria’s experience. The latter, who is an undergraduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, is currently idling away at home. He appeals to the government “to release the funds the ASUU is demanding and let the strike be called off.” One can only hope that the voice of reason will prevail and the FG will do the needful, so that the students and lecturers will go back to the classrooms.

ASUU strike: Pupils say govt is not serious

As the strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities enters the fourth month, some secondary school pupils lend their voices to the general call for an end to the crisis, SAMUEL AWOYINFA reports Secondary school pupils in Lagos have joined other Nigerians in speaking out against the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities. Most of the youngsters believe the Federal Government reneged on the agreement it reached with ASUU in 2009. Therefore, moved by pity for the undergraduates affected by the strike, they demanded that the terms of the deal be honoured quickly so that the latter could go back to the university campuses to resume their studies. While some of the pupils noted that the strike had forced their older siblings, relations and friends, who are undergraduates in various universities, to idle away their time in their respective homes, others argued that the situation had led to an increase in crime rate. Many of the pupils accused the FG of lack of seriousness toward the education sector. They said they were aware that government had never met the UNESCO’s recommended budgetary allocation of 26 per cent to education sector. Vowing never to let the current situation and government’s unfavourable disposition to education affect their future or delay their academic progress, some of the pupils said their parents were already making alternative plans for their education. The majority look forward to either relocating abroad to continue their education or enrolling in private universities in the country. But a few less privileged pupils insist that they want to fulfill their dreams for higher education in public universities since their parents cannot afford to send them abroad or pay the exorbitant fees charged by private universities. A pupil of Dansol High School, Ikeja, Feranmi Olatunji, says that by reneging on its agreement with ASUU, the FG has shown that it does not care about the various categories of students – undergraduate, postgraduate, prospective undergraduate and parents – who are at the receiving end of the lingering crisis. “The action of the Federal Government shows that it does not care about education. If it did, it would honour its agreement with ASUU without sparing any cost. It is a pity that students are the ones at the receiving end. As the saying goes, the idle hand is the devil’s workshop. Some of the students could be tempted to commit crime. The others have become an extra burden to their parents,” Olatunji says. Alarmed by the bleak prospect presented by persistent strikes in the tertiary institutions, Ogwuike Deborah of the African Church Model College, Ifako, Lagos told our correspondent that she already had an alternative plan for her education. “I don’t think I want to be affected by ASUU strikes, which have become a tradition in public universities in Nigeria. Such inconsistency will affect my plans for the future. I do not plan to spend an extra day studying for a degree in Law,” she says. Also, Agbede Olumide of Bachel Model College, Ogba, notes that government’s attitude to education clearly shows that the children of many top government officials do not attend public universities. Worried that his elder sister, an undergraduate of Tai Solarin University of Education, is idling away at home, he says, “She just sleeps, wakes up, eats and spends the rest of the day watching movies. She says some of her friends have started working as waitresses in some eateries in Lagos just to pass the time. “Top government officials can afford to treat education with such levity because their children are studying abroad. It is an act of wickedness to the children of the poor masses.” One of Agbede’s friends affected by the strike has started processing admission into a university in neighbouring Republic of Benin. Just like Agbede’s friend, Seth Omo-Izirein of Dansol High School, would like to attend a tertiary institution outside Nigeria and his preferred choice is the University of Legon, Ghana, where he hopes to obtain a degree in theatre arts. The last thing Omo-Izirein wants is to suffer the same fate as his friend, an undergraduate of University of Lagos, who now wakes up every morning, “playing games and watching television” due to the strike. “I want a four-year programme and not an extended programme. One is not sure if this strike, when it is eventually called off, will not come up again someday,” he says. Ihekwereme Kelechi of Bachel Model College agrees that incessant strikes in public universities due to neglect of education sector by government have driven many people to seek higher education outside the country. “I read an article on the Internet recently and I learnt that Holland has 90 per cent literacy level. Obviously we are lagging behind. That is why our certificates are not valued outside the country. Those foreigners see our leaders and the people as unserious,” she says. Vanessa Osuka of the African Church Model College confesses that she feels bad seeing her brother being on a forced holiday. She says she is disappointed that President Goodluck Jonathan, who was once a lecturer, would treat his colleagues this way. “He is not showing us that he was once a lecturer. If I have my way I won’t attend a public university,” she says. Also, Munachi Ufere, who looks forward to seeking admission in a private university, thinks it is better to go to an institution with the best facilities and complete whatever course one has chosen at the appropriate time. While she describes the FG’s action as “heinous and a disruption of the academic calendar,” Munachi predicts the strike will make some affected undergraduates too lazy to study at home. Although Stephen Olufeko of the African Church Model College wants to attend a public university, he is ‘scared’ of his sister, Gloria’s experience. The latter, who is an undergraduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, is currently idling away at home. He appeals to the government “to release the funds the ASUU is demanding and let the strike be called off.” One can only hope that the voice of reason will prevail and the FG will do the needful, so that the students and lecturers will go back to the classrooms.

Boy carrying toy gun shot dead by police

A 13-year-old boy carrying a replica assault rifle has been shot dead by police in the US state of California, the BBC reports. Officers in the city of Santa Rosa say they opened fire after the boy refused orders to drop the rifle, which they believed to be real. The shooting on Tuesday is now being investigated. It comes a day after a 12-year-old boy in Nevada shot dead a maths teacher at his school and wounded two fellow pupils before taking his own life. In the latest incident, two sheriff’s deputies saw the teenager “with what appeared to be some type of rifle”, a news release from the Sonoma County Sheriff’s office said. The deputies called for backup and repeatedly ordered the boy to drop the gun before firing several rounds from their handguns, police said. The boy, who was pronounced dead at the scene, was later identified by his family as Andy Lopez. “He was holding the weapon in his left hand. He began to turn toward his right in the direction of the deputy, and in so doing he moved the gun toward the deputy, and the deputy’s mindset was that he was fearful he would be shot,” Lt Paul Henry of Santa Rosa police said. But the boy’s father, Rodrigo Lopez said the shooting made no sense. “My son lost his life. He’s not alive any more just because of the mistake of somebody.” The replica gun had belonged to a friend, he said. The sheriff’s office said a plastic handgun had also been found in the boy’s waistband. Witness Brian Zastrow told the Santa Rosa Press Democrat he heard seven shots. “First, I heard a single siren and within seconds I heard seven shots go off, sounded like a nail gun,” he said. One man who saw the events unfold said the shooting was over in an instant. “He pulled over to the kid walking and he just opened the door and shot him, three shots,” Ismael Mondragon told KGO-TV. Police Lt Dennis O’Leary said the deputies had been placed on administrative leave pending the inquiry. Sheriff Steve Freitas described the shooting as a “tragedy” and promised the investigation would be thorough and transparent. “As a father of two boys about this age, I can’t begin to imagine the grief this family is going through,” he said. A spokeswoman for the boy’s school described him as “a very loved student, a very popular, very handsome young man, very smart and capable”. Linsey Gannon, assistant principal at Lawrence Cook Middle School, said he played trumpet in the school band. “Our community has been rocked by his loss,” she said. Candles, teddy bears and flowers have since been left at the scene of the shooting. “He was a good kid, he was 13 years old. He didn’t look like a man, Andy, he was a boy,” one friend told local media. On Monday, a 12-year-old boy who has not been named opened fire at a school in Sparks, Nevada, killing maths teacher and Afghanistan veteran Michael Landsberry. Police said Mr Landsberry had tried to coax the boy to drop the gun, enabling children in the playground to flee. The boy then shot and injured two fellow pupils, before taking his own life on the outdoor basketball court. President Barack Obama has recently renewed calls for changes to US gun laws following a series of deadly shootings. However, the BBC’s Alastair Leithead in Los Angeles says the proposals face fierce resistance.

ASUU strike: Idle students take up menialjobs

Some undergraduates in Kaduna have ventured into various vocations to keep them occupied as the strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) persists, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. Some of them who spoke with NAN on Friday in Kaduna said that they had to find something to do, to keep their minds occupied and avoid trouble. Grace Ocholi, a 300-level student of English at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, said she secured a temporary job as a fuel pump attendant at a petrol station in Sabon-Tasha area of the city to enable her earn some money until the end of the strike. “Everyone in my house go out every morning to work, and my younger sisters go to school while I stay home and sleep awaiting for their return. “I am not okay with staying idle so I decided to engage in something useful,” Grace said. Seun Ali, an HND Computer Science student of Kaduna Polytechnic told NAN that he worked at a friend’s barbing saloon to earn some money instead of staying idle at home. Another student, Henry Samuel of Mass Communication Department, Ahmadu Bello University, said he was assisting his father in selling tiles before he was admitted to the university. Samuel said he had to continue manning the business until the end of the lecturers’ strike. “So instead of wasting time waiting for the prolonged strike to end, I returned to continue from where I stopped,” he said. The students advised their colleagues to engage in something meaningful while the strike lasted, so as not to fall into the temptation of going into crime due to idleness. NAN recalls that ASUU had been on strike since June over the non-implementation of a 2009 agreement it entered with the Federal Government on the funding of public universities.

Michael Jackson RegainsCrown as Top-earningDead Celebrity

Jackson who died in 2009, was back on top with estimated earnings of $160 million in the 12 months from October 2012 to 2013. Michael Jackson regained the title of the highest- earning dead celebrity in the past year, easily surpassing Elvis Presley and cartoonist Charles Schulz, Forbes magazine said on Wednesday. After being pushed into second place by Elizabeth Taylor last year, Jackson, who died in 2009, was back on top with estimated earnings of $160 million in the 12 months from October 2012 to 2013. "He earned the bulk of his bucks from two Cirque du Soleil shows, his Mijac Music catalog, recorded music sales and his half of the Sony/ATV publishing empire - which includes the copyright to hits by the Beatles, Lady Gaga, Eminem and Taylor Swift, among others," Forbes said. Presley was a distant second with $55 million, followed by Schulz, the creator of the Peanuts comic strip, who came in third for the second consecutive year with $37 million. Taylor dropped to fourth place with earnings of $25 million, a huge dip from last year when her estate pulled in an estimated $210 million with much of it from the auction of her jewels. Reggae star Bob Marley rounded out the top five with earnings of $18 million. The singer, who died of cancer at the age of 36 in 1981, has sold more than 75 million albums in the past two decades, according to Forbes. Nobel-prize winning physicist Albert Einstein, dropped one place to No. 8 this year with earnings of $10 million, while Mexican-American singer Jenni Rivera, who died in a plane crash in December at the age of 43, was new to the list at No. 13 with $7 million. Forbes compiled the list by talking to estate managers, lawyers and licensors and analyzing estimated posthumous earnings between October 2012-2013.

Michael Jackson RegainsCrown as Top-earningDead Celebrity

Jackson who died in 2009, was back on top with estimated earnings of $160 million in the 12 months from October 2012 to 2013. Michael Jackson regained the title of the highest- earning dead celebrity in the past year, easily surpassing Elvis Presley and cartoonist Charles Schulz, Forbes magazine said on Wednesday. After being pushed into second place by Elizabeth Taylor last year, Jackson, who died in 2009, was back on top with estimated earnings of $160 million in the 12 months from October 2012 to 2013. "He earned the bulk of his bucks from two Cirque du Soleil shows, his Mijac Music catalog, recorded music sales and his half of the Sony/ATV publishing empire - which includes the copyright to hits by the Beatles, Lady Gaga, Eminem and Taylor Swift, among others," Forbes said. Presley was a distant second with $55 million, followed by Schulz, the creator of the Peanuts comic strip, who came in third for the second consecutive year with $37 million. Taylor dropped to fourth place with earnings of $25 million, a huge dip from last year when her estate pulled in an estimated $210 million with much of it from the auction of her jewels. Reggae star Bob Marley rounded out the top five with earnings of $18 million. The singer, who died of cancer at the age of 36 in 1981, has sold more than 75 million albums in the past two decades, according to Forbes. Nobel-prize winning physicist Albert Einstein, dropped one place to No. 8 this year with earnings of $10 million, while Mexican-American singer Jenni Rivera, who died in a plane crash in December at the age of 43, was new to the list at No. 13 with $7 million. Forbes compiled the list by talking to estate managers, lawyers and licensors and analyzing estimated posthumous earnings between October 2012-2013.

Facts: SpongebobSquarePants

SpongeBob SquarePants is an American animated television series which was created by marine biologist and animator Stephen Hillenburg. The series chronicles the exploits and adventures of the title character and his various friends in the fictional underwater city of Bikini Bottom. Hillenburg initially conceieved the show in 1984 but the first episode was aired on Nickelondeon in the United States on May 1, 1999, following the television airing of the 1999 Kids' Choice Awards. The show reached enormous popularity by 2000 during its second season and has remained popular since. The series' popularity has made it a media franchise, contributing to its position as Nickelodeon's highest rated show, the most distributed property of MTV Networks, and among Nicktoons' most watched shows. So far, the media franchise has generated an $8 billion merchandising revenue for Nickelodeon. Apart from the TV series, a feature film of the series was released in theaters on November 19, 2004, with a sequel in development with a projected release date of February 13, 2015. Here are some facts you may not have known about Spongebob. 1. Spongebob's name was originally "Spongeboy" but the name was already taken by a mop. 2. Tom Kenny, the voice of Spongebob, preforms Spongebobs laugh by saying "Aaah!" and hitting his throat. The laugh is supposed to make the viewer think of dolphins. 3. President Barack Obama told TV Guide in 2007 that Spongebob was his favorite character because Spongebob is what he watched with his daughters. 4. Guest stars on Spongebob include Johnny Depp, Alec Baldwin, Amy Poehler, David Hasselhoff, Scarlet Johansson, and Gene Simmons. 5. Squidward only has six tentacles because eight makes the character look too busy. 6. In Korea, Spongebob is known as Square Square Sponge. 7. The Krabby Patty was originally going to be called the Barnacle Burger. 8. Plankton's computer wife Karen is named after Steve Hillenburg's wife and is voiced by Jill Talley, the wife of Tom Kenny. 9. Almost every time a character throws something away you can hear a glass breaking. 10. Spongebob has been broadcast around the world in 25 different languages.

I Sell Dry Fish and Rice - MumaGee

So some fan of yours are insinuating your new album is being delayed because you are now married. What can you say about that? People are entitled to their own Option. Can you let your expectant fans into what you are presently working on? Working on my latest album titled ‘Motherland’. How many tracks? It's a 12-track album but its only in due time that all d tracks can be unveiled. For now, we have Released two tracks which are ‘African Woman Skillashy’ and my latest single ‘Jikele’, which can be downloaded online from. http://www.hulkshare.com/8yjnlv75dc74 Not too many people really know much about you. What was growing up like for you? Growing up was great. Had a solid foundation from a Christian home. What kind of training did your parents give you that made you the kind of woman you are today? They were very strict and therefore no time for messing around or playing too much and so it creates more time for domestic cores and activities. Next after that is studying and reading books that can aid good morals. Don't you think that's too weird of them? Girls should b allowed to flow with boys, party and have affairs while growing up. Well if others did or do, it's not for me to judge. I only narrated how I grew up. While growing, what were those things you did that gave you out as someone who would later go into music? Joining the junior choir at age four and presenting special songs at church events. What about in school? Well when I came of age, I was participating in various social events on Saturdays especially and even representing my school in debates as one of the most brilliant students. So how did music start for you professionally? It all start from watching Divas on screen and wishing to become one some day. So that desire drove me to writing my own songs and by practicing and creating my own style, which has finally brought me this far. Did you approach anyone to help you out with your dream and how did they help? I met with my first producer, Nelson Brown who Recorded my first album. Since then I have grown from one level to another. What was the reaction of your parents when you told them you wanted to do music? No parent would agree totally at first, when they notice your interest to go into entertainment until they are sure you know what you are doing. My case was no different. So what were your experiences when you first started? Every good start is never easy until people begin to buy into your idea. It wasn't easy until after a while especially the fact that I came a very unique style that I refer to as Afrotastic music, but in no time, people started loving it and then I started enjoying the dividend. But how you do feel especially when you don't get call up for shows? Your songs aren't dancehall. I am a very busy person so that is the only time I get to rest and do other business. You didn’t get my question. Since you don't sing dancehall that can be played at gigs, how do then make money from your kind of music? That I don't sing dancehall does not mean I don't make money from my Afrotastic brand of music! So who are your fans and how do you get shows? My dear, my fans are those who love my style and music, and I get show just like every other Nigerian artiste. Aside music, what other projects are you involved in? Importation of dry fish and rice, fashion and clothing Business. I'm also doing my second degree in marketing and juggling these with being co-CEO/MD of GEEKLIPS ARTS ACADEMY. First of all, why did you choose a business like dry fish and rice? A good business person sees an opportunity and grabs it. Besides, what do you want to do with a second degree in Marketing? As you can see, my profile has shifted a great deal from just being an artiste. So Marketing would to a great extent make me more grounded in Business than my degree in theatre Arts. What's GEEKLIPS Art academy? It's an academy that trains up coming artistes professionally. We also help nurture them into live dreams. Since when did you start the academy? 2013. So how has been the response since you started? It’s an initiative I have always nurtured for years now, which was born out of the desire to assist up coming artistes. So it finally kicked off this year to d glory of God. The response has been great! Quite encouraging. Though a start is never easy. Is the academy free, as in like a give-back thing? Almost free but no one gets serious over free things. So why did you decide to stay in Port Hacourt when other artistes prefer Lagos? I'm not other artistes. Life for me goes beyond just being Muma Gee. I moved as soon as it was time for me to start giving back to d society and charity they say begins at home. And for me, Port-Harcourt is my Motherland and that is why my latest Album is titled MOTHERLAND. But don't you think moving back is making you miss out on a whole lot of gigs? Well I have attend enough of that in d past and at present I only go for event where am paid to attend or making an appearance that will impact positively in the lives of people. Even while in Lagos I do not go to all events. So I miss nothing because I get booked for the right events in Lagos and so many other places even outside the country. How then do you cope with male admirers now that you are married? Doesn't your husband worry that you have to mingle with men most of d time? Shockingly it's not just male but also females adding to the pressure. But the best thing in a union is when you and your partner have confidence and trust in each other. It makes life easier for a healthy cohabitation. So how do you combine home front and all that baggage of work? I have maids and house keepers that I instruct and supervise on how I want things done and they are so supportive by Gods grace. So far, how do you describe your marriage? That is private and I will appreciate if you respect my opinion. So how many kids should fans expect from you? Fans don't have any say in my private life but professionally only. If asked to make a wish, what will that be? To excel and impact positively in the lives of others. What's that one experience you would like to forget and not be reminded of? None I can remember at the moment. It's like you don't even want to talk about your man? It's my very private life I'm sorry. One last question please. There's a rumour that you are older than your husband. Is it true? I don't live on rumours so I will ignore this question. Okay! Let me put it directly to you. Are you older than your husband? That is also personal.

Nigerian army 'kills dozens' of Boko Haram suspects

The Nigerian army says it has killed 74 suspected Boko Haram militants in a raid in north-eastern Borno state. The raid involved "ground and aerial assault" and "led to the destruction of the identified terrorist camps," said army spokesman Lt Mohammed Dole. North-eastern Nigeria is the focus of an insurgency waged by Boko Haram in its bid to create an Islamic state. The area has been placed under a state of emergency as the army tries to crush the group. Lt Dole said the latest raid had been carried out on Thursday and that two soldiers had been wounded. President Goodluck Jonathan recently urged the military to up its campaign against Boko Haram, which launched its insurgency in 2009. The army's claims about military operations against the group are hard to verify - there has been no mobile phone network in Borno state since the latest offensive was launched. Nigeria's campaign has been criticised by human rights groups. Amnesty International said earlier this month that hundreds had died in detention in north-eastern Nigeria, some from starvation or extra-judicial killings

Beverly Moves on with D'banj

Obviously she's trying her best to get her groove back. Beverly Osu was on same stage with the ‘Kokomaster’, shaking her butt to his music. She was one of the special guests at the Hennessy Artistry finale on Saturday. During D'banj's performance, he invited her on stage and she gladly accepted. Trust Bev, she dished out some of her dance steps to the groove

20 African, American Comedians &Musicians Thrill Lagosians at Glo LafftaFest

National telecommunications operator, Globacom, last Saturday dazzled Lagosians with entertainment unlimited as it paraded 20 top Nigerian and international artistes in the opening show of the 2013 Glo Laffta Fest aptly tagged Invasion LOL. The comedy show held at Lagos, featured four American comedians, Donnivin Jordan, Robert Powell, Deray Davis and Tony Roberts, two South African humour merchants, Ndumiso Lindi and David Kau, Uganda's best comedian, Salvador, and 13 Nigerian artistes consisting of two musicians and 11 comedians. Anchored by the hilarious Basketmouth, the Lagos edition of the show had Jimmy Jatt as the Dee Jay and the likes of the doyen of Nigerian comedy, Alli Baba, and Julius the Genius Agwu performing alongside equally talented and resourceful hands like Okey Bakassi, Bovi, Buchi, Gandoki, Akpororo, Funny Bone, Senator and Osama. The show was spiced with music as Wande Coal and the legendary saxophonist, Lagbaja, thrilled the audience with their songs. It was an evening of fun, laughter and entertainment as the huge crowd, which filled the main hall and the foyers, danced, rocked and reeled with laughter as the artistes came on stage to perform. The American foursome were full of praises to Globacom for bringing them to Nigeria and to Africa for the first time in their career, just as their South African and Ugandan counterparts expressed their gratitude to the telecommunications giant for providing a huge platform such as the Glo Laffta Fest for them to perform in Nigeria. The comedians, both from Nigeria and abroad, gave the audience value for their time as they reeled out jokes on contemporary political, social and economic matters and issues of day-to-day life. While expressing their willingness to come back to Nigeria to enjoy the hospitality of the Nigerian people, the foreign artistes said that their coming to the country had exposed them to its potentials. Salvador, the Ugandan was at his best elements, telling the audience that Nigerian cuisines "give me emotional feelings as I shed tears each time I eat any of the delicacies because I don't eat pepper". "I must thank the organisers of this show for making me to hang out with real Americans as all I have been seeing back in Uganda is having my fellow country men travelling to America for a few weeks and coming back home with Indian accent. I wish somebody will simply adopt me in Lagos and make me stay here permanently", he teased. Deray Davis said that he had to call up his daughter back in the United States to "tell her that I am having fun and a good time in Africa and that I like it here and will have to come back here again", while his compatriot, Donnivin Jordan hinted that he might likely "have a baby in Lagos", sending the audience reeling with laughter. Specifically, Jordon praised Globacom "for congregating comedians from different parts of the globe. I consider this a network of world comedians and I will like the company to take this kind of show to other parts of the world. This will help to promote harmony among comedians all over the world." The Lagos edition of the show was the first in the series of shows in the 2013 Glo Laffta Fest slated for different parts of Nigeria. The next show which will feature the international artistes and their Nigerian counterparts will hold on October 25 in Abuja at the Thisday Dome. Nine other shows parading the best of the Nigerian entertainment industry will hold in Owerri, Enugu, Calabar, Uyo, Port Harcourt, Abakaliki, Benin City, Aba and Ibadan in subsequent weeks.

Lady Gaga Settles Up With Ex-Assistant Who Claimed Mother Monster Owed Her Overtime

Lady Gaga is back from the edge of trial. The "Applause" artist has settled a lawsuit filed in 2011 by a former assistant who claimed that Mother Monster owed her almost $400,000 in overtime salary for 7,168 extra hours that she said were spent attending to Gaga's every need during her period of employment. Terms of the settlement are being kept confidential and neither side's attorneys have commented. The case was scheduled to go to trial in New York on Nov. 4. But Gaga didn't initially move toward an out-of-court agreement without showing her teeth. "She's just--she thinks she's just like the queen of the universe," she fumed about plaintiff Jennifer L. O'Neill in a deposition taken in August 2012. "And you know what, she didn't want to be a slave to one, because in my work and what I do, I'm the queen of the universe every day." "You don't get a schedule," she reportedly testified. "You don't get a schedule that is like you punch in and you can play...at your desk for four hours and then you punch out at the end of the day. This is when I need you, you're available." U.S. District Judge Paul G. Gardephe had set a trial date after ruling that being "on call" 24/7, as O'Neill referred to it in her suit, could potentially qualify for overtime compensation. The attorneys alerted him on Friday that they were close to a settlement. Per Bloomberg.com, both parties filed a stipulated order informing him that they had settled on an undisclosed amount and requesting a dismissal with prejudice, meaning O'Neill can bring no other wage or overtime-related claims against Gaga