MI RENEW HIS CONTRACT WITH CHOCOLATE CITY

    Rapper M.I flanked Chocolate City executives – Paul Okeugo and Audu Maikori

Amidst the rumours surrounding the current status of popular rapper Jude ‘M.I’ Abaga at Chocolate City, the J-Town bred MC has extended his contract with the record label.

The label shared the good news on April 20, 2012, via their official Facebook Page. ‘Despite the rumours, MI renews his contract with Chocolate City – See him with two of the Choc Bosses…Audu Maikori and Okeugo Paul after the contract signing’, the statement read.

Two pictures accompanied the statement, showing M.I flanked by the Choc City execs and the other where he was signing a document.

‘It’s an open policy we run at Chocolate City. M.I has been here for over six years and renewing his contract just shows the kind of trusted relationship we have. We are proud to say we run a successful music company’,Audu Maikori, Chocolate City executive said to NET in a phone conversation.

M.I recently launched his Loopy Music label and released his ‘Illegal Music 2’ mixtape.

Tiwa Savage, Davido, Wande Coal hang out at May D’s Industry Nite gig

On March 28, 2012, fans and friends of Awodumila Akinmayokun better known as May D came out to support the young upcoming act as he was hosted at the weekly Industry Nite event.

Even though his label bosses Psquare were missing in action, the gig still rocked with guest appearances from Tiwa Savage, Wande Coal, Davido and the HKN Gang, Funke Akindele, Chuddy K, Tony Tetuila, Tillaman and more…

‘In five years, I want to have a wife and a kid’ – Banky W

Flytime TV’s Toke Makinwa meets with the EME boss in this frank interview.

What was your life like growing up?

I was raised by my wonderful parents, I was born in the US but came back to Nigeria when I was five, and I had my primary school and secondary school in Nigeria. I went to Corona Ikoyi and Home Science secondary school. There is this misconception that I grew up in a rich home, which I didn’t, the fact is that my parents did everything possible to make sure we were comfortable. When I was at Corona, I lived in Akoka, inside an apartment that would sink when rain fell. Every morning we’d have to scoop the floor and we couldn’t put the electronics beyond a particular level so they wouldn’t get damaged.

Let’s talk about EME.

EME (Empire Mates Entertainment) is a record label I started 10 years ago while I was still in university (in America). We had this dream of doing great in the music industry but we couldn’t get the right deal, so, we decided to start our own record label. I got together with my friend Tunde Demuren and we started independently in New York. Back then, my first income in music was when I used to sell my CD for $5. We’d walk into salons and beg the owners to let us sing for them for some seconds, after which we would advertise our music. That was the first income EME ever generated
How do you cope with fame and women?
I must say I am appreciative of the attention and you try not to get too carried away with it. At the same time, with the kind of business that we’re in, people change, you know, they can tell you they love you now and tomorrow will be a different story. So one of the things that I tell people I’m guiding is not to get too excited with the present. The same thing goes for female attention.

What’s the down side?
I think what ever you decide to do; there are positives and negatives to it. There are things that make it worth it and there are things you don’t like so much, like when you get harassed, it’s just part of the territory. I am very blessed I’m doing this for living.

At a point, you had an illness that interrupted your career, can you tell us about that?

When I was in university, I had cancer somewhere around my shoulder and I treated it, but when I graduated and was working, it came back again. Thank God I’m fine now.

How did you decide on what is now your signature look of sunglasses and a hat?

Yea, I learnt early that once you look tired, your face looks like crap, so my sunglasses covers up for my tiredness. I go bare-faced when I’m not taking pictures but put on my glasses when I’m to take pictures. My manager actually taught me to do this.
Do you have any sex tapes out there…..
Banky cuts in….thankfully NO. I do my moves on a low key.
You have a track titled ‘Setting P’, what does setting P mean?
It essentially means any activity you do to get the opposite sex attracted to you.
You have been romantically linked with different ladies, radio personalities, actresses, etc. Are you in a relationship?

No, [but] as soon as I get the right person, I will make my choice.
 Who will the ideal Mrs Wellington be?

Honestly, if I could answer that question, I’d probably be in a relationship now. But I like beautiful girls, intelligent girls, someone that can inspire me and I can inspire her in return. That’s the kind of person Mrs Banky W will be.

Apart from music, you’re very passionate about activism, right?

Yes! I am involved in any anti-corruption movement, I am involved in ‘enough is enough’ Nigeria and many more. I am Nigerian and I believe in Nigeria as a country, though I would like to see change, and whatever it takes to change it, even if it’s taking to the streets, I don’t mind. We did enough is enough, writing articles and things like that. I don’t really consider myself an activist but a concerned citizen. I believe we are fantastic people and things will change.

What are your future plans?
Professionally, I hope that in five years my business will have grown better than this, producing talents that the world can reckon with and Personally, I want to have a wife and a kid in the next five.

Choc Boiz unite with Kennis all stars at Kennis Music Easter Fiesta

Kennis Music Easter Fiesta keeps trudging on, nearly a decade-and-a-half after its inception. While many other concerts are failing to see a new year, the annual festival is holding up, creating a platform for old and new stars to mix and mingle, while delivering pleasure to fans around Lagos.

This year’s marathon concert featured Kennis stars Essence, Eedris Abdulkareem, F.E.M.I, KSB, Jaywo, Minjin and others, as well as the Choc Boyz – M.I, Ice Prince, Jesse Jagz, BrymO. Other performers included YQ, Goldie,  DIPP and more.

MEND attack Eni oil pipeline

A crude oil pipeline owned by Italian oil and gas group Eni was attacked on Friday by the The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND).

Attacks in the restive region have been fewer since an amnesty for militants in 2009, although large-scale oil theft and sporadic pipeline sabotage still occurs.

"We can confirm a pipeline, leading to Tebidaba, in the Clough-Creek area has been attacked," an Eni spokeswoman said.

Eni's unit Agip owns the Tebidaba-Brass pipeline, which has been subject to several attacks in recent years.

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), which was the main militant group prior to the amnesty, claimed Friday's attack and warned of more to come.

"At 0210 fighters of MEND attacked and destroyed one wellhead and one manifold on trunk lines belonging to Agip ... more attacks to follow," a statement e-mailed to reporters said.

MEND has been largely inactive since most of its militants agreed an amnesty with the government in 2009, ending a wave of attacks that at one stage cut oil production down by half.

Under the amnesty thousands of militants gave up their weapons, joined training schemes and drew stipends. Security sources say remaining gangs in the Niger Delta do not have the capacity to do the damage seen in the past.

But a resurgence of militant activity is an unwelcome headache President Goodluck Jonathan's administration, whose security forces are already stretched by an Islamist insurgency raging in the north.

Ocampo backs Okonjo-Iweala in World Bank race

Former Colombian finance minister Jose Antonio Ocampo ended his bid to become World Bank president on Friday, leaving two candidates in an unprecedented challenge to U.S. control of the global development institution.

With the board of the World Bank to meet on Monday to pick a new president, Ocampo said he hoped emerging-market nations would rally behind Nigerian Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in a race that he said had turned highly political.

Okonjo-Iweala, a former World Bank managing director, is now the sole candidate from developing nations in a race against U.S. nominee Jim Yong Kim, a Korean-American health expert who appears almost certain to secure the post.

Ocampo, who was nominated by Brazil, said his candidacy had been "handicapped" by a lack of support from his own country. Colombia said last month it was focusing on a bid for the presidency of the International Labor Organization, where it had a greater chance of success.

"It is clear that the process is shifting from a strict merit-based competition, in which my candidacy stood on strong grounds, into a more political-oriented exercise," he said in a statement.

"In this process, I stand on weaker grounds due to the lack of open support from the government of my home country, Colombia," he added.

Ocampo, now the director of economic and political development at Columbia University in New York, said he did not believe the selection process had been conducted in a fully open, transparent and merit-based fashion, but it had established a strong precedent.

However, his decision to leave the race does not mean all developing countries will support Okonjo-Iweala in a straw poll on Monday when the World Bank board tries to find consensus on a successor to Robert Zoellick, who is departing in June.

Indeed, the promise of a united front from emerging markets evaporated on Friday when Russia said it would support Kim, becoming the first major emerging economy to do so.

"Taking into account Mr. Kim's considerable professional qualities, as well as his experience and knowledge, the Russian Federation will support the candidacy of Jim Yong Kim during the voting by the bank's board of directors," the Russian Finance Ministry said in a statement.

Under a informal agreement, the World Bank has always been headed by an American and the International Monetary Fund by a European. Emerging-market nations have been seeking to challenge U.S. leadership at the bank to increase their influence in global economic institutions long dominated by rich nations.

While Kim is still the favorite to win the World Bank presidency due to backing from the United States and European countries, a rigorous challenge from developing countries could put them in a stronger position to extract concessions.

It also increases their odds of winning senior jobs coming open in the next few months, including chief economist and head of the International Finance Corp, the World Bank's private-sector lending arm.

Okonjo-Iweala thanked Ocampo and said his presence had helped to further a shared goal of an open selection process.

"I am proud that Dr. Ocampo and I have helped make history by changing the way that World Bank presidential elections are contested," she said in a statement.

Fashola condemns roadblock during Patience Jonathan’s visit

Goveror Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos state on Friday said that the blocking of roads and the traffic jam caused in parts of the state during the visit of the First Lady, Patience Jonathan was an infringement on the rights of the residents.

He said that the taxes these residents paid provided the infrastructure that ensured Patience had a smooth ride; yet they had their business activities put on hold throughout the period of the blockade.

At the 2012 retreat for members of the state executive and permanent secretaries, Fashola advised VIPs( Very important personalities) in Nigeria to consider the price citizens have to pay for their security measures especially the blocking of roads.

Fashola said, “Lagosians were needlessly inconvenienced yesterday (Thursday). It dawned on me the need for public officers generally to be more sensitive to the people we serve.

“It is particularly worrisome that this is not an elected person. I think we all must check how security agencies use the movement of high officers, especially VIPs, to disrupt citizens and taxpayers, whose money were used to fuel all the vehicles and all the apparatus that we used to block the roads against them.

“It is an issue that calls for greater sensitivity. I understand the need to protect the VIPs, but it must be done in a way that it does not inconvenience anybody.

“It should not get to the level that we close the roads in the state because VIPs want to pass.

“If they let us know earlier, traffic can be managed and citizens here respect their leaders and they will gladly allow them to go. “I don’t think they deserve to be kept on the road in a standstill for five hours.”

Fashola also revealed that Lagos had recorded 65 per cent performance in the 2012 first quarter budget implementation. He noted that the improvement was noticeable compared to what the city had in the corresponding period last year.

Jonathan turns to God for help in security crises

President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday said Nigeria would overcome its daunting security and development challenges with unwavering faith in God and renewed commitment to national cause.

Jonathan stated this at the second Presidential National Prayer breakfast held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The President said the prayer was organised to offer collective supplication to God for the country.

He said the second edition of the prayers involved a broad spectrum of Nigeria's leadership comprising politicians, clerics, learned people, traditional rulers and captains of industries.

The President said that the event was significant coming at a period of serious security and religious challenges in the nation.

``Daunting as these challenges may appear, I trust in the efficacy of the Bible truth that the prayers of the righteous avail much.

``I am confident that Nigeria will emerge from this trying time a stronger, more united, more stable and more prosperous nation.’’

Jonathan said Nigerians must live above the primordial diversity tendencies which could only compromise the growth of the country.

He said the people should be guided by the ideal of ``justice, equity, selflessness and the fear of God’’ in every sphere of their public or private conduct.

The President said that Nigerians must also be imbued in the spirit of selfless sacrifice as exemplified by Jesus Christ.

He said Nigeria could only attain the lofty height which God endowed it, through natural and human resources base, if the citizens were prepared to make sacrifice.

Jonathan noted that championing narrow sectional agenda would not add values to national development.

He stated that his administration owed Nigerians, the sacred duty of enhancing their welfare and well-being.

President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor in a sermon entitled "the power of an altar" said the gathering was a call to "national altar" to offer prayers for Nigeria to overcome its challenges.

He said Nigeria is a "great nation endowed with talents but lacking in knowledge; a rich nation with citizens suffering from lack and wants".

He likened the present situation of the country to that of the Biblical Israel when there was no rain for three years.

Oritsejafor said Prophet Isaiah offered prayers on an altar to God and there was rain in abundance.

The clergy said he was confident that the time was ripe for the country to overcome its challenges.

Earlier In his welcome address, the Chaplain of the Villa Chapel, Venerable Obioma Onwuzurumba recalled that the inaugural breakfast was held following the constitutional crisis which arose after the death of former President Umaru Yar'Adua.

He said the prayers were held for the purpose of divine guidance and preservation of the country.

Onwuzurumba said that the event had been enlarged by bringing in all stakeholders from the federal and state governments.

He said the objectives of the second edition were to pray for peace in the country and for the nation to overcome the post 2011 general elections crisis.

He said the crisis which raged unabated had taken a new dimension of attacks on innocent citizens and destruction of property.

The clergy said that the essence of the breakfast was also to pray to God for fresh anointing and wisdom for the President and his team to drive the transformation agenda.

Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon took the first reading from the Book of Second Kings, Chapter 23 and verses 1 to 23.

Vice President of Kenya, Kalonzo Musyoka, took the second reading from the Book of First Timothy, Chapter 2 verses 1 to 8.

Prayers were offered for peace and divine guidance for the nation and its leaders.

The prayers were led by Primate of Anglican Communion, Nicholas Okoh; Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Rev. John Onaiyekan and Bishop David Abioye of Living Faith Church.

In an interview with State House correspondents after the event, Akwa Ibom Governor, Godswill Akpabio, commended the initiative of the President to commit the country in the hands of God.

``Something has happened here today, Nigeria has reached out to God.

``All along, we thought we could do all things through our own strength, but today Mr President has shown that we have found out where we erred by ensuring that the whole nation is redirected to God.

``God is the Almighty, it is the Grace of God that has kept this country together; such a fragile unity when we consider the fact that we are diverse in culture, in language, in tribal and ethic congregation.

`For God to have kept us together for over 50 years really means that it is the Grace of God, " he said.

Akpabio called on Moslems to take a cue from the initiative and come together to offer prayers for the nation to overcome its challenges.

In attendance were former Head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan, past ministers and elder statesmen.

Also in attendance were Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha who led other members of the National Assembly, Judge and Justices of High and Supreme Courts.

Governors Adams Oshiomhole of Edo. Peter Obi of Anambra and Jonah Jang of Plateau were also in attendance.

Also at the event were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, ministers, clergymen, members of the diplomatic corps and captains of industry.

We’ll sack Jonathan in 3 months – Boko Haram

The leadership of the Jama’atu Ahl-Sunnati Lil Da’awati Wal Jihad, also known as Boko Haram, yesterday threatened to consume the President Goodluck Jonathan in three months.
In a new video, posted on Youtube by the sect, it stated that President Jonathan could not end its insurgency in June as publicly stated.

The new posting was in apparent reaction to recent statement by the president in North Korea that the activities of the sect would be brought to an end by June. Sheik Abubakar Imam Shekau, leader of the group, boasted that Nigerian security agencies could not wipe out the sect by June 2012, as promised by the president.

Several bodyguards surrounded Shekau, who appeared agitated throughout the video recording. The message, which was delivered in Hausa and Arabic languages, lasted for 14 minutes and two seconds.

In the video entitled, ‘Message To Jonathan,’ Shekau vowed in the preamble that the sect must destroy Christians and Christianity in Nigeria, particularly those killing Muslims and it would also kill all Muslims aiding the arrest and harassment of its members.

“You, Jonathan, cannot stop us like you boasted; instead, we will devour you in three months like you are boasting. If death is your worldly gain, for us, it is eternal victory to die working for Allah. Our joy is to die in Jihad for Allah against infidels like you…”

“We are also aware of some Muslims using our name to make money; we will say nothing but let them continue, and they will meet Allah in the last day. We are not doing physical human service, but Allah’s work and it is clear your aim is killing us. Let me tell you, with Allah, we will triumph over you and your men in hundreds. We are not boasting rather keeping quiet and working for Allah.

“Allah that put an end to Pharaoh and other wicked rulers that you (President) are not even up to, will finish you and end your government. We are not afraid because we are not doing man’s work but Allah’s work. And we will see who will carry the day.”

Nigeria's Boko Haram vows to fight on in video message

The suspected leader of Nigerian Islamist militant group Boko Haram vowed to fight on in a video...

The suspected leader of Nigerian Islamist militant group Boko Haram vowed to fight on in a video message to President Goodluck Jonathan posted on YouTube on Thursday.

However no specific threats are made in the 14-minute clip, unlike in previous messages from Abubakar Shekau, the alleged leader of the main branch of the group blamed for scores of shootings and bombings.

The video's authenticity could not be confirmed but the speaker, seated between four men with AK-47 rifles and headscarves over their faces, resembled that in other images said to be of Shekau and his voice is similar.

The speaker appeared to refer to recent comments reportedly made by Jonathan, in which the president pledged that security threats will be brought under control by the middle of this year.

"We heard some pronouncements from... Jonathan proclaiming that he will finish us in three months," the man says in the Hausa language spoken throughout Nigeria's mainly Muslim north.

"Only the person who rebels against his creator will say such (a thing) because no one crushes, save Allah... We are absolutely sure. We believe you can't do anything to us. Our goal is to be killed on the path of Allah."

He adds later: "By Allah, there is nothing you can do, because those who preceded you could not do anything despite their boasts."

Shekau does not mention an Easter Sunday car bombing near a church in the northern city of Kaduna that left at least 41 people dead, in the video message recorded on an unspecified date.

The Easter bombing was a reminder of previous anti-Christian violence. On Christmas Day attacks claimed by Boko Haram killed dozens, with the deadliest attack at a church near the capital Abuja.

A number of high-profile arrests and raids have been carried out against Boko Haram, and the speaker seemed to make reference to those.

"You are proud of your killing us and arresting us," he says. "Allah has told us in the Koran not to be discouraged, not to be frightened and not to be downcast because we are victorious."

Boko Haram's insurgency has killed more than 1,000 people since mid-2009. The group is believed to have a number of factions, and Shekau is suspected to lead the main Islamist branch.

Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation and largest oil producer, is divided between a mainly Muslim north and predominately Christian south.

Unearth Baby-Making Factory In Akwa Ibom

UYO, April 12, (THEWILL) - Police in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, have uncovered a mysterious factory in Uruan Local Government Area of the state where young girls are made to conceive, give birth and thereafter sell their babies to suspected ritualists.

The new born babies, THEWILL can confirm, on delivery are taken severed from their young mothers, who receive a pay-off compensation of N70, 000.

State Commissioner of Police, Umar Gwabade, who briefed newsmen on the development and other breakthroughs recorded by the state’s Police of late, disclosed that the said illegal home, located at Ekpene Ukim in Uruan Local Government, is owned by a certain Dr. Wisdom Mbaba.

“Following a tip-off from a concerned citizen of the area, the place was raided and about seven young women between the ages of 18 and 20 were rescued from the said operation,” Gwadabe announced. “The suspected proprietor of the home Dr. Mbabe escaped but his wife, Mrs Effiong Mbaba was arrested.”

One of the rescued girls, Aniebet Okon Sunday, said that she had gone there to abort a five-month pregnancy but the doctor advised her to stay back and deliver the baby.

“My friend took me to Doctor Wisdom when I was pregnant. I wanted to abort it but he said that I should stay and give birth,” she began her narration. “I did not even see the baby that I gave birth to; I don’t know if it was a boy or girl. It was taken away before I could stand up but the doctor gave me N70, 000.”

Mrs. Mbaba, wife of the factory dealer who is presently in detention, admitted that her husband was an abortion specialist but said he quit some years back.

Asked whether she runs the business with husband she said, “No, I don’t know anything about the business. I run a shop where I sell foodstuff and other things.”