Australia, Japan, Hongkong mark 2014 with dazzling fireworks

(AFP) – Sydney kicked off New Year celebrations with a dazzling fireworks display, the first in a wave of pyrotechnics to usher in 2014 from Hong Kong to world record-chasing Dubai.
Seven tonnes of explosives lit up Australia’s biggest city, with fireworks shooting off the Opera House for the first time in more than 10 years as part of the December 31 extravaganza, focused on the Harbour Bridge.
“They were absolutely fantastic,” said Murphy Robertson, from Denver in the United States, after watching the Aus$6 million ($5.4 million) show which attracted some 1.5 million people to harbour vantage points.
“The Opera House was fantastic, but the thing that really got me was the sparks, the golden curtain of sparks going off the bridge.”
A record three fireworks displays took place — at 9pm, 10:30pm and midnight — showering colour over Sydney Harbour.

New Year’s Eve fireworks erupt over Sydney’s iconic Harbour Bridge on January 1, 2014. Tonnes of explosives lit up Australia’s biggest city,

Dubai meanwhile is hoping to break the Guinness World Record for the largest display, pledging to set off more than 400,000 fireworks. Kuwait set the mark in 2011 with an hour-long blast of 77,282 fireworks.
Tonga, located near the international dateline, was one of the first nations to greet 2014, holding a prayer festival that culminated with a bamboo “cannon” fired into the air.
Antarctica was also among the first places to usher in 2014. Passengers and crew on a ship awaiting rescue after being stuck for a week in ice rang in the new year with their specially composed anthem.
Giving a rousing rendition from the top deck of the Akademik Shokalskiy in footage posted on YouTube, the Australasian Antarctic Expedition sang of “having fun doing science in Antarctica”, only to lament in the chorus the “bloody great shame we are still stuck here”.
In Hong Kong, the city’s skyscrapers were lit up by a dazzling eight-minute pyrotechnics show fired from a one-kilometre line of barges along Victoria Harbour.

Fireworks explode over Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong on January 1, 2014. AFP

An estimated 400,000 revellers packed the shoreline to watch the show. Isabella Garrow, a 39-year-old Brazilian living in Jakarta, was there with her children.
“They’re used to fireworks on the beach in Rio, so it’s a bit different. They’re noticing the cold but they’re still excited,” she told AFP.
Further down, groups of teenagers gathered with sign boards offering “free hugs” to passers by.
“We’re doing it because it’s fun and it makes people happy,” said 16-year-old local Wendy Yip.
In Japan, the celebrations were quieter. Small fireworks displays were held across the country. But millions of people turned out to local temples and shrines to greet the new year with contemplation and to pray for peace for relatives.
Muted celebrations in typhoon-ravaged Philippines
For areas ravaged by Super Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, celebrations were much more muted than usual.

OJB calls out D'banj in new intervew, says celebs used his donation as competition

During an interview with Inspiration FM's Gloria Maduka post surgery, veteran music producer OJB Jezreel addressed controversy surrounding his donations, said celebs used it as competition and calls out Dbanj. Here's why he's unhappy with D'banj. During his fund raiser many months back, there were rumours that D'banj gave his former music producer N7m, a report that D'banj didn't deny. OJB says D'banj didn't give him a dime and was upset that he didn't try to set the record straight

"The most disappointing one for me is D'banj because he passed through my hands, he was trained under my tutelage. That is offensive. I don't care if you're with Kanye West, you can't forget your root. I won't call anybody else's name but I will call his because it hurts. His own hurts very deep. And he never tried to reach out to me. It's not like we parted on fighting terms.  He told me he had to go to London and he went. And when he came back it was Don Jazzy, and I said OK, that's fine. And what he did worked and I'm very proud of him, the love I had for him, that's why it hurts more. He should have come out to say no, I don't know why you people are saying all this, I didn't give OJB N7million, maybe a part of him felt embarrassed because at the end of the day, really, are you not supposed to do something?" OJB says during the interview

He also talked about how people used his fund raiser as competition and once again addresses the bounced cheques. Continue....

"When P-Square gave me N5million cheque, everybody started treating it as a competition. They were like, they brought N5m, I want to show that I can do more, or equal it. So they will come to my house, some will drop N2m, N1m, you say thank you, they take pictures and go away. Then you drop the cheque in your account and you see that almost N4/5million is being returned back to you that it didn't clear. You call them and tell them and they tell you they are coming but they haven't picked the cheques till now.

"The shocking ones are not even the bounced cheques. It's the ones that when they are coming to meet you in the house to give you money, they come with a whole camera crew. Then they will say I'm donating one million naira to you and the cameras start recording and maybe the guy's tape stops, and he says let's take that again (Laughs).

"There were people in my dialysis that I gave N100k each to pay for their dialysis, we didn't publicize it, we didn't take photos with them, because I felt that was unnecessary."

Gunmen Abduct Pastor & Six Children in Lagos

A 27-man gang on Friday abducted a pastor, Mr. Godson Akubiro, and six of his children from their Adeosun Street residence, Koya Estate, Igbo Olomu, Ikorodu, Lagos State.
Akubiro is said to be the founder of Mountain of Breakthrough Church in the area. The incident was said to have occurred about 1.30am.
Neighbours, who requested anonymity, told PUNCH that the gunmen arrived at  Akubiro residence in three jeeps and a Toyota Tundra vehicle. The  number plates of the vehicles were said to have been covered. The gunmen, who wore army camouflage, had allegedly gained entrance into the house with the aid of an iron cutter.

It was learnt that since the abduction, no one had heard from Akubiro and his six children.
The Community Developmen Association  Chairman, Mr. Yinka Obasan, said he was alerted about the development about 2am.
“I got a call that night from a resident who was coming from a vigil. He told me that he noticed some military vehicles parked outside Akubiro’s home. He said the vehicles belonged to a high ranking military official because the insignia was covered.
“I told the man to wait for me and  together we went to Akubiro’s home. When we got there, I greeted the men I met outside and introduced myself as the CDA chairman. I asked them if there was a problem. Instead of answering me, they turned on my companion and accused him of alerting me.
“After berating both of us for not minding our business, they forced us to sit on the ground and seized our phones. There was another resident sitting on the ground; they had detained him since 12am when they arrived. Then they started beating us.”
It was learnt that inside the Akubiro residence six of Akubiro’s children were in the sitting room watching a movie, when the men, said to be dressed in dark googles, black jeans and heavy bullet proof vests entered.
PUNCH Metro gathered that they told the terrified children that they were policemen and proceeded to drag their father, who was sleeping, from his bedroom into the sitting room. The six children, whose ages ranged between 30 and eight years, were beaten up.
One of them, an eight-year-old named Emeka, was allegedly tied to a tree in the compound. No reason was allegedly given by the gunmen for their actions.
Another 18-year-old boy named Obiora was said to have been tortured with a taser. Akubiro’s wife, Rita, was said to be away on a trip to South Africa at the time.
It was learnt that the gunmen later took Akubiro away along with Ada, his first daughter, Obiora, Oyinyenchi, Felicia,, Nonso and Kingsley. Three person were allegedly left behind – Emeka, Chidera and a baby.
Obasan said, “Around 2.45am, those who were inside came out with Akubiro and his children. They said they were going to the man’s church to burn it down – Akubiro is the founder and head of the Mountain of Breakthrough Church on Breakthrough Street in this estate.
“They put their victims in their vehicles and zoomed off. Before leaving, they threw our phones at us.”
PUNCH Metro gathered that immediately the gunmen left, a report was lodged at the Owutu Police Division.
However, the DPO was said to have denied that the gunmen were policemen.
PUNCH Metro learnt that since the incident, no one had been able to establish contact with Akubiro and his children. His wife Rita, who returned from South Africa the following day, was said to have received no calls concerning their whereabouts.
There was no response from the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer DSP Ngozi Braide as she did not respond to calls and text message to her phone.

Nigerian man killed in India, Simeon Obodo, buried in his hometown

The 35-year old Nigerian who was killed in Gao, India, on October 30, Simeon Obodo, has been buried in his hometown in Obogwe-Umunwaku community in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo.

A representative of the family, Ejike Esinkoye, disclosed this in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Monday.

Mr. Esinkoye, who said the funeral service of Mr. Obodo took place on Monday at St Paul’s Catholic parish Obogwe-Umunwaku, expressed dismay that the Federal Government did not send any official delegation to the burial.


He also said that the family had yet to receive any compensation or assistance from the India government.

The murder of the Nigerian during a violent clash in Goa village, India, sparked a diplomatic row between both countries.
Around 200 Nigerians in India protested Mr. Obodo’s murder by blockinga national highway and clashing with locals and police in the area.
Fifty-three of the protesting Nigerians were arrested and later released, after paying fees to secure their release.

The Director, Consular and Immigration Services at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abdulazeez Dankano, had on December 16, said that the diplomatic rift between both countries that Mr. Obodo’s murder caused was now “under control”.

Mr. Dankano was part of a Federal Government delegation that visited New Delhi in early December to conclude negotiations on three agreements affecting the welfare of Nigerians in that country.
He said the Indian government had made some arrests in connection with Mr. Obodo’s murder but did not say whether the suspects had been charged.

Born on Nov. 1, 1977, Mr. Obodo attended Umunwaku Primary school in Ohaji/Egbema and Umunwaku Secondary School from 1992 to 1998.
According to a biography published by the family, Mr. Obodo worked and lived in Port Harcourt before travelling to Liberia in 2009.

Mr. Obodo, who left Nigeria for India on January 9 before his unfortunate death on November 30, few days to his 36th birthday, is survived by an aged mother, daughter and wife.

Source: NAN

Fathia Balogun Drops Ex-Hubby’s Name On Social Media

Well that was what she did on her Instagram page. Fathia changed her name from Fathia Balogun to her father’s name Fathia Williams. Surprisingly, she is yet to change it on twitter. May be she forgot, hopefully this post will remind her. Remember her ex-husband; Saidi Balogun dragged her to court so she could drop his name. We still wish Fathia all the best.

Open Letter To The Headies Awards 2013 Organizers (Must Read)

Dear Headies 2013 Organizers;

 

Let me start by saying I am not just disappointed in you but u have just proved to us that Nigeria is not getting better any time soon. You have been manipulated by a greedy and hopeless telecommunications company (MTN) because they sponsored your event and you forgot the ultimate rule that awards are meant to be impartial and should be decided by the general public especially when u told us to vote. You distributed the awards among four MTN ambassadors (Iyanya, Davido, Praiz, and KCee) and just oneGlo ambassador won (Waje). Is that not politics or is it coincidence? Now let us analyse.

 

The Headies 2013 was a flop, your stage was shaped like a models runway, the choreographers lacked ideas and didn’t interpret the music, I have seen a better performance from Nigeria’s Got Talent. What was the Gulder Ultimate Search theme song that was being played throughout the event?

 

Who on earth uses the Mavin slaves -Dr Shit popularly called Dr Sid and Tiwa Gabbage knows as Tiwa Savage as anchors of an event? Oh I forgot, the awards lacked credibility and substance.

Why did majority of the winners come from backstage, instead of coming from the crowd like it should be? I watched Nickelodeon Kids choice awards this year and it is far better than the over hyped Headieswhich was not properly planned and hurriedly done #shame.

 

Can you explain to us how Olamide won Best Rap Album? Olamide has commercialised rap, we cannot tell if he is a rapper or a singer. As far as I am concerned, he is just an entertainer like D’Banj. So where does Vector, Phyno, Reminisce and Illbliss who represent real hip hop/rap stand? Don’t forget that there is a big difference between commercial rap and real rap, all he sings about is remind us that he is from the street but to be sincere Terry G is more street than Olamide and Terry G is not even a rapper #justsaying.

How can Harrysong win most MTN most downloaded caller tune song for RIP Mandela? when didMandela die and do u want to compare that dead song with other club bangers in the same category? Simple, it is because Harrysong is a label mate to your MTN ambassadors (KCee). In my opinion Jawon, Waje, 2 Face, Clarence Peters, Blackmagic and Davido deserved their awards.

How can Wizkid not win any award?

 

Someone who has been the most consistent and sought after this year. I am sure Wizkiddeclined an interview from you that’s why he didn’t win, in fact Wizzy should be the artiste of the year. Why did D’Banj, Burnaboy, Wandecoal, PSquare, Flavour not win anything? oh I know why, it is because they are Glo ambassadors.

 

Now explain to me why Sean Tizzle won the next rated award and he was in the same category as Burna Boy who is obviously more relevant and talented. We all know Sean Tizzle has the same old boring style and we can always predict his next song. Phyno too deserved the next rated award and how on planet earth did D’Tunes win producer of the year? Someone who recycled 1 beat 5 times (Kukere, Your Waist, Mama Eh, Lenu by Spicy, Kilogbe). So where does ace producer Del’B that produced the national anthemLimpopo stand? You are all insane!!!!!!

 

Infact, Headies, MTN and PDP should merge and start a new political party for the upcoming election in 2015. It should be named MHDP(Mtn Headies Democratic Party). We all know exactly what happened,MTN agreed to sponsor your event and they gave you the list of who should win. Our votes did not count; do you think we are blind and foolish like yourself? Instead of your greedy MTN sponsors to improve their network, reduce tariffs and contribute to the growth of the nation, they will be sending me SMS on how they gave free ipad and mp3 to those who sent an SMS to a code.

They spend all their time looking for how to extort customers and scam us with their ridiculous offers (free airplane and a trip to the moon). I am sorry to say sir but if u continue this way your company will fold up and collapse because you are not an epitome of integrity. I am speaking on behalf of majority of Nigerians who know the truth and are not afraid to say it.

 

Those who feel this letter is nonsense should not forget to curse, insult and threaten me on @baddestdjtimmy. after my last two open letters, I have been insulted, chewed up, spit out, as being very jobless, hopeless and a broke laptop DJ.

 

You guys don’t know how much I love the insults so it means I am doing a good job and it makes me stronger. So in conclusion, if u have the opportunity to host another award show, learn from your mistakes and let our votes count this time. Let those who deserve it win, is that too much to ask?

-by @baddestdjtimmy

Sad! Professor Wole Soyinka Loses 48-Year Old Daughter

Professor Wole Soyinka today lost one of his daughters. Iyetade who was born in 1965 died today at UCH hospital in Ibadan where she was been treated for an undisclosed ailment. She was 48. She left behind two children, her parents and siblings.

Mo’Cheddah In South Africa With Boyfriend For A Short Course

If you have been wondering why you have not been seeing Mo’Cheddah lately, then wonder no more. The pretty young singer is currently in South Africa where she is presently undergoing a short course. We also learnt her boyfriend, Bukunyi Olateru-Olagbegi, a prince from Ondo state is also there with her. Bukunyi is also said to be busy with something over there.

Comedienne Princess Marriage Crashes 7 Months After Wedding

Friday, December 27, 2013

Koga's One Night Stand set to hold tomorrow

Tomorrow, Saturday, Dec 28, 2013 Terry G,  Wizkid, Sean Tizzle, Wande Coal and Reminisce will do a battle of sort at Koga's One Night Stand. The event that has been themed Hot & Raw

The mainland concert that has enjoyed wide followership among party and fun faithful on Mainland will play host to more than one major artistes for the first time. Continue...

Read more »

Mercy Johnson Okojie says Thank You

A message from Mercy Johnson-Okojie

2013 has been an incredible year for me. I couldn’t ask for more. It is one year I won’t forget in a hurry.

My fans were amazing. They stood by me and took on my fight. The critics played their parts too. I took the constructive ones, made adjustment and became a better person.

How can I forget 2013, the year I had the honour of being the most searched Nollywood actress for the third consecutive year. I am most grateful to the fans who worked the keyboard or keypad reading about me online.

Read more »

Comedienne Princess Dammy & husband split after only 7 months of marriage

After just seven months of marriage, one of Nigeria's best comediennes Princess Dammy, real name Damilola Adekoya, has separated from her husband, movie producer/director Adeshola Jeremiah. The NET reports that the couple started having problems just two weeks after their wedding in May 2013 and officially split a few months ago after a series of efforts to mend the broken marriage failed.

Confirming the split, Princess Dammy told Reporter

"Yes my marriage has ended due to irreoncilable differences. We have been having issues since the wedding but we still remained together hoping that we would be able to work it out. But apparently, we couldn’t work it out, hence the reason for our separation. We actually ended it several months ago, but we didn’t want to make it public. I’m sure God knows best’ 

Eya, sad to hear this...

Timaya Still Sees Me As A Threat- Oritse Femi Says

Oritse Femi who became popular after his hit track ‘Mercies of Da Lord’ where he featured Dagrin has said, Timaya still sees him as a threat. He revealed this to Vanguard Newspaper in an interview they had with him. His words;

But talking about Timaya, he is a good friend and right from time, Timaya has always seen me as a competitor. You know sometimes, someone can be your friend and still feels you are the only problem he has. The last time that I called him that we should do a song together, he said we are going to do it but he kept postponing it because he sees me as a threat. He doesn’t want a situation whereby people will be comparing us.  Timaya is a good artiste and he has his own energy and he keeps doing what he knows how to do best but to me, I don’t see him as a challenger. I can compete with any artiste in the world

Obasanjo is selfish, a fraud and evil, Eedris Abdulkareem Tweets

These two, OBJ and Eedris, have a history. See more Tweets after the cut...

Photos: Olamide, Davido, Sean Tizzle, Others Win Big At The Headies 2013

The Headies 2013 Awards held last night, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2013 at Oriental Hotel in Victoria Island. Olamide went home with three awards, making him the biggest winner of the night while Sean Tizzle won the Next rated award and a Hyundai Tucson SUV. Davido also bagged the Hip Hop World Revelation Award. Click read more to see the other lists of winners and photos from the awards ceremony. 

Full list of winners

Best R&B Single

Good Good Loving – Banky W

Best Rap Single

Man of the Year – Phyno

Best Street-Hop Artiste

Durosoke – Olamide

Best Recording Of The Year

This Year - Jaywon

Best Collabo

Ghost Mode – Phyno FT Olamide

Best Rap Album

YBNL – Olamide

Hip Hop World Revelation

Omo Baba Olowo – Davido

Lyricist On The Roll

Let It Go - Mode 9

Producer Of The Year

Sho Lee – Dee Tunes

Best Alternative Song

Repete - BlackMagic

Best Pop Single

Ihe Ne Me – 2Face

Best Vocal Performance Female

Only You – Nikki Laoye

Best Vocal Performance Male

Rich And Famous – Praiz

Next Rated

Sean Tizzle

Best Reggae/DanceHall Single

I Wish – Waje

Song Of The Year

Limpopo – KCee

Album Of The Year

YBNL - Olamide

Artiste Of The Year

Iyanya

Best Music Video

Alingo – Jude Okoye & Clarence Peters

Best R&B/Pop Album

O.B.O – Davido 

Hall Of Fame

Wasiu Ayinde The 1st

D’prince And The Girl Who Bought Him A N13Million Benz 2013

Meet the lady behind Omoba D’prince’ white 2013 Benz coupe estimated at N13million.
New York based Inorie Fotso daughter of Cameroonian billionaire business man Victor Fotso.Inorie and D’prince have been dating for over 2years and their love waxes stronger by the day.
Inorie Fotso is a dance/house singer and also an actress who has done several movies in Nollywood.
Their relationship has been low profile and Close friends say they are very much in love and he is sprung over her.
They say ”She is a beautiful girl with a lot of talent ”

Kelly Handsome, M.I. Reconcile, Thrill Port Harcourt Fans with Joint Performance

Kelechukwu and M.I Abaga need to clap for themselves as it seems the two rappers have put aside their long running feud in the interest of peace and collaboration.
The rappers were spotted on stage in Port Harcourt recently rocking the crowd in a joint performance.

Terry G Stoned With Sachet Water By Youths In His Home State

When a celebrity hails from a particular state and he is loved more by the people of the state , it is believed that his fan base should even be more from the youths but the reverse is the case for artiste Terry G who hails from Benue state

Popular IBB square arena has remained a beehive of social activities preparatory to the Christmas and new year celebrations, The IBB Square, Makurdi in Benue State was thrown into confusion and disarray last weekend when the Benue youth fiesta staged was disrupted as a popular Nigerian musician, Terry G, the crooner was performing on stage.

The Benue fiesta, which attracted hundreds of youth, including men and women was was organized by the member representing Guma/Makurdi federal constituency, Barrister Emmanuel Jime, who is known to be nursing gubernatorial ambition in 2015.

The venue of the event was jam-packed as all fun seekers in the agrarian state attended to unwind.

Prominent Nigerian artistes including J. Martins, I Go Dye, Ice Prince and Pastor Nicodemus Mbatsavtampu performed at event and it was such a lively occasion before it was rudely interrupted. Trouble started as Terry G was on stage performing and some youth suspected to be hoodlums began to throw sachet water on the musician and later broke bottles and charged towards him, while making loud noise. There was confusion as people ran helter skelter for the lives.

Letter To President: Al-Mustapha Challenges Obasanjo To Public Debate

The former Chief Security Officer to late Head of State, Sani Abacha, Hamza Al-Mustapha, has challenged former president Olusegun Obasanjo to an open debate. This is in reaction to Obasanjo’s letter to President Goodluck Jonathan in which he alleged that he (Al-Mustapha) was released from prison to help the president train snipers to assassinate political opponents.

Al-Mustapha bore his mind and challenged the ex-president to a public debate on the allegations, while speaking to the Hausa Service of the Voice of America, VOA, which was monitored in Abuja on Wednesday.

While admitting that Obasanjo did not mention his name in the controversial open letter, he said that he knew the former president’s assertions were about him.

He expressed disappointment at the former president’s approach: “If he has anything to say on me, he should mention me directly or even challenge me and not make allusions.”

Al-Mustapha vehemently denied the allegations supposedly made by Obasanjo, claiming that training assassins to hunt the president’s political opponents contradicts his known passion for supporting people from Northern Nigeria especially within the military.

He said: “I read Obasanjo’s letter and subsequent comments by Nigerians, I would have responded immediately, but I was away in India receiving treatment.

“Perhaps it is Obasanjo and his cronies that are planning what he was insinuating.”

Al-Mustapha also said: “From 1974 to the present, a lot of things are buried with all sorts of lies, but all would be revealed one day.

“I urge everyone to pray for Obasanjo to accept my challenge for a public debate so that the truth will come out,” he said.

Source

Channel News

Jonathan drags OBJ to rights body, ICPC, EFCC

The public spat between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and President Goodluck Jonathan is far from over.
Yesterday, Jonathan asked the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, to probe the criminal allegations levelled against him by Obasanjo.
In a letter to the commission, President Jonathan is seeking for a thorough investigation of the allegations against him, touching on alleged human rights abuses.

•Jonathan and Obasanjo: No more laughing matter

The letter, signed by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, SAN, on the directive of Jonathan, had already been submitted to NHRC.
The letter dated December 23, 2013 was submitted yesterday.
Sources close to the Presidency said that similar letters had been written to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The two anti-graft agencies are to probe allegations of economic crimes and official corruption against the Jonathan’s administration as contained in Obasanjo’s letter.
Former President Obasanjo had written an 18-page open letter to Jonathan, accusing him of incompetence, engaging in anti-party activities, ethnicism and training about 1,000 snipers ahead of the 2015 polls.
Jonathan, who denied the allegations in his response, is specifically inviting the rights commission to unravel the truth in the allegation that his government had begun training over 1,000 snipers to terminate his political opponents.
.From vanguard