Hello readers, Inside this post you will find trending important news in Nigeria this morning, you will find news that are of concern to Politics,Entertainment Economics,Locals and more... We update this page twice daily; morning and evening. CHECK BACK LATER TODAY FOR EVENING UPDATE.



TOP NEWS IN NIGERIA TODAY(MORNING EDITION)


CHECKOUT OUT TODAY'S TOP NEWS:

=>Breaking news: Boko Haram Attacks Malari Village In Konduga- Dailypost

The Boko Haram sect is currently carrying out an attack in Malari area of Konduga local government, Borno State.
A local resident told DAILY POST on phone that dozens of insurgents stormed the village at about 9:20pm Friday.
The attack is going on without any resistance by Nigerian troops.
Details later…READ FULL NEWS

=> It's Not Easy To Get Evidence To Probe Diezani - Buhari - PostNigeria

President Muhammadu Buhari has disclosed that he is unable to prosecute the immediate past Minister of Petroleum Resources, Deizani Alison-Madueke and other petroleum workers over what he tagged lack of evidence.
The President made this known in London, during an exclusive interview with Peter Okwoche of the BBC, after attending a conference on the ongoing Syrian crisis.
Okwoche in a series of tweet after the interview quoted the President to have said, “To prosecute corruption successfully we need evidence. That’s not easy especially in petroleum sector.”
Buhari had threatened to prosecute all those who dipped their hand into the nation’s wealth for private use and among those brandished and suspected to be prosecuted is the immediate past petroleum Minister.
Post-Nigeria gathered that despite heightened tension and anxiety over her possible investigation, the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, has been unable to put up valid prove to justify all forms of allegations against her.
Buhari unwilling to give up on his search for evidence has unwittingly admitted that there was no form of evidence privy to his government against Mrs. Madueke and as such vindicated her from diverse alleged corrupt malpractices leveled against her by Nigerians.
READ FULL NEWS....


=> Photos: Obasanjo Prostrates Before The Ooni Of Ife! - SDK Blog

The last time they met last year when Former President Obasanjo escorted Oba Adeyeye to Ife for his seclusion to becoming Ooni,it was the Ooni who went down on all fours in Salutation...Now the tables have turned and Obasanjo didnt disappoint as he paid a historic visit to the new Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II and he went down flat on the floor in Salutation.
SOURCE


 =>We have saved N2.2 trillion since I got into power - Buhari - Naij.com

Nigeria’s president, Muhammadu Buhari has revealed his administration had been able to plug leakages and save N2. 2 trillion through the Treasury Single Account (TSA).
Buhari revealed the reason when he spoke on the state of the economy during an interactive session with the Nigerian community in the United Kingdom on the sidelines of the supporting Syria conference in London.
The president said although the TSA was the initiative of the Goodluck Jonathan administration, the immediate past government did not make use of it.
“When we discovered that we were already in trouble, we tried to enforce the TSA. This government did not initiate it, it was the previous government, but it was so unpopular to the previous government,” he said.
“For its own reasons, it couldn’t impose it, but when we came and we found out that we were broke, we saw that this as the way to do it.
“We discovered that the NNPC had more than 45 accounts, the ministry of defence and the military had more than 70 accounts; tell me which of the accounts to trace every year. “So we enforced TSA, we said there must be TSA, and let me tell you by the end of December coming to January this year, last month we mopped up more than N2.2 trillion"

READ FULL NEWS..

» Zaria bloodbath: Mass graves dug by army exposed (photos) - Naij.com


Reports filtering in suggests that the alleged mass graves dug by the Nigerian army to hide the casualties of the clash with members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, has been uncovered.
According to FARS news agency, Nigeria’s political activists disclosed that they have found a mass grave where hundreds of civilians who were massacred during the Nigerian army’s raids on two Shiite religious centers on December 12 and 13 have been dumped.
The mass grave is located in Mando Kaduma cemetery along the Birnin Gwari road near Hajj camp in Kaduna state and over 1,000 Shiites Muslims of Nigeria who were allegedly massacred  by the Army have been buried there.
The political activists (who could not be named for security reasons), disclosed that after massacring the Shiite people in Zaria, the Nigerian army had brought their dead bodies to Kaduna province and buried them in the mass grave.
The activists further revealed that the Nigerian army forces buried and set fire on the corpses of those Shiite Muslims who had been killed during the recent raids in Zaria region.
“The Nigerian army has buried in mass graves and burnt a large number of dead bodies of those Muslims who have been massacred in the recent army forces’ attacks,” the activists revealed.
They claimed that the army was attempting to destroy every evidence of its alleged crimes against the suppressed Muslim community, adding that if it had any convincing reason for the mass-killing, it wouldn’t resort to such methods to conceal its crimes.
READ FULL NEWS


 =>Jonathan Government Created TSA, But Couldn’t Impose It – Buhari - Dailypost

President Muhammadu Buhari has disclosed that the Treasury Single Account, TSA, was an initiative of the Goodluck Jonathan administration, but the immediate past government could not enforce it.
Buhari, who disclosed this during an interactive session with Nigerians living in the United Kingdom on the sidelines of the Supporting Syria Conference in London, stated that his administration had been able to block leakages and save N2. 2trn using the same TSA.
According to him, “When we discovered that we were already in trouble, we tried to enforce the TSA. This government did not initiate it, it was the previous government, but it was so unpopular to the previous government.
“For its own reasons, it couldn’t impose it, but when we came and we found out that we were broke, we saw that this is the way to do it.
“We discovered that the NNPC had more than 45 accounts, the ministry of defence and the military had more than 70 accounts; tell me which of the accounts to trace every year.
“So we enforced TSA, we said there must be TSA, and let me tell you by the end of December coming to January this year, last month, we mopped up more than N2.2 trillion.”
READ FULL NEWS

 =>Police To Take Over Security In North-east From Military- Says IG. - ThisDay

The Inspector General of Police (IG), Solomon Arase, has said the time has come for police officers to take over from the military in the restoration of peace and normalcy in the North-east.
Also, as the war against terrorism is being gradually won, security experts have called for improved vigilance as a way to avoid more casualties.
Speaking at a roundtable meeting with strategic stakeholders on security stabilisation in the North-east yesterday in Abuja, Arase said with the increasing successes of the military, the time has come for the police to play its lead role in restoring civil authority in the war thorn areas.
He said: “I want to state that the unstable situation and wide range conflict created in the North-east has greatly denied citizens in the affected areas of the security which they constitutionally deserved to enjoy and it is for this reason that Nigeria Police Force is evolving operational strategies that will lead to the restoration of police primacy and restoration of civil authority in the north east.”
He, however, said all the necessary logistics needed for the police personnel on ground would be adequately provided them, not unmindful of their safety.
READ FULL NEWS....

=>Strike looms in health sector as JOHESU gives 15-day ultimatum - Punch

READ FULL NEWS

=> Mob Attacks Nigerian In Hyderabad India - Times of india

Hyderabad: Within days of a barbaric assault on a Tanzanian student in Bangalore, a 26-year-old Nigerian national was allegedly beaten up by a mob in the upmarket Banjara Hills here on Thursday night.
While Nigerian citizen Orolabe Ibidola lodged a police complaint stating that he was assaulted by 15 people for no fault of his, and that it was a racist attack, the accused lodged a counter-complaint saying that they were themselves beaten up by three Nigerians after the two groups were involved in a minor road mishap.
Alleging Ibidola suffered a racial attack, the three Nigerians staged a dharna outside Banjara Hills police station until early hours of Friday, and ended it only after cops registered a case and promised action.
Ibidola told TOI that after offering prayers at the local mosque in Paramount Colony in Hakimpet of Banjara Hills, he was walking towards Tolichowki around 8.30 pm on Thursday when a few youth standing by first hurled racial abuses at him. When he confronted them, they punched him in the chest and took off his shirt.
"Luckily, my neighbour was passing by and he intervened and told the youth that he knows me after which they let me go. However, a little later, they chased me down and beat me up again after hurling more racial abuses," Ibidola said. "They also brandished a knife and a shotgun. While the assault was taking place, my two Nigerian room mates who were passing by noticed me and came to my rescue. But the mob, about 15 of them, then assaulted all the three of us," he added.
While waiting for the cops, the three Nigerians called Nigerian Students Association President Omobowle Sean, who rushed to the spot and alerted the Nigerian Embassy in New Delhi. The Nigerians said they had video recorded the assault and handed over the clip to cops.READ FULL NEWS....

=> Amnesty International warns UK against offering military assistance to Nigeria - Punch

READ FULL NEWS

=>Oshiomhole to Obasanjo: you’re the emperor- TheNation

READ FULL NEWS 

EDO State Government yesterday, dismissed insinuations making the rounds in the Social Media that the wife of the Governor, Mrs. Iara Oshiomhole, had filed for divorce, describing the rumour as satanic, wicked and malicious. While condemning the authors of the rumour and urging them to desist from such demonic activities, the government warned that should they continue, they would definitely reap the benefits because the wicked would not go unpunished,
Edo State Government in a statement by John Mayaki, Executive Director, Media and Public Affairs, Governor’s Office, said: “Ordinarily, we would have no need to join issues with the merchants of rumours whose stock-in-trade is to malign public figures but for the need to allay the fears of those who might have been misled by their devious garbage. We are compelled to clear the air before this careless, utterly reckless, unethical and irresponsible journalism (if it can be so described) becomes an epidemic.READ FULL NEWS

=>Five military personnel feared killed as Arepo vandals strike again - Thenation
READ FULL NEWS

 

ENTERTAINMENT

=> A year after marriage, Ghanaian actor Chris Attoh speaks on being married to a Nigerian woman- Naij.com

 

Popular Ghanaian TV presenter cum actor Chris Attoh who just finished directing his first movie One More Day, in an interview with HipTV speaks on how he feels being a movie director and his transition into being a movie director.
He said: “it was a very exciting experience because I have just made the transition from being an actor to being a movie director. Actually I have two projects to be released this year but my major concern on my new movie, One More Day staring myself and my wife Damilola Attoh.”
Chris Attoh who walked down the aisle with his sweetheart about a year ago was asked how he feels being married to a Nigerian woman. He said: “it is absolutely exciting because I need the fire.”
Tinsel couple, Chris Attoh and Damilola Adegbite, had their wedding on Valentine’s Day, few months after the birth of their son in Ghana. Chris, a Ghanaian, had proposed to Damilola Adegbite on a boat cruise in Manhattan, New York City.

=>Nigerian Entertainment Conference 2016 To Hold soon

The fourth edition of Nigerian Entertainment Conference (NECLive), the marketplace of ideas, products and services in Africa’s largest creative and entertainment industry is set to hold on Wednesday April 20, 2016 at the Landmark Events Centre, Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos.
A statement released today, by Nigerian Entertainment Today (NET), convener of NECLive said ‘#NECLive4 is set to be the most incisive edition of the conference yet. We are bringing together some of Nigeria’s most important entertainment personalities and creative industry enthusiasts to provide genuine insight and share their best practices for the benefit of all. Apart from the priceless exchange of knowledge on offer, previous editions of #NECLive have immensely contributed to shaping the direction of our industry. The goal of this year’s conference is to do even more’
The theme for this year’s conference is “Entertainment Industry As ‘Last Hope’ For Africa’s Largest Economy’, as the conference works to set the agenda for the entertainment industry to become a key contributor to the economy of Nigeria and being the standard for other significant industries.”
SOURCE

=>Patoranking,Lil Kesh, Olamide To Partake In Lagos City Marathon

As the Lagos City Marathon holds on Saturday, entertainers in music industry has also indicated interest in partaking in the race.
Tagged ‘Run Lagos’, the likes of Olamide, YBNL artiste, Lil Kesh and dance hall musician, Patorankin are among the entertainers to run in the 49 km plus event.
Sponsored by Access Bank, the city marathon holding on Saturday, February 6, 2015 welcome a good number of professional atheletes and other non athletes who has indicated interest by registering for the tourney. The winner will go home with a juicy package.
Airtel brand ambassador, Patonranking was the first person from entertainment industry to indicate interest followed by Next Rated Category Headies 2015 Nominee, Lil Kesh while Award wnning rapper Olamide was the last as at the time of filing this report. Whether they ‘ll eventually run or withdraw is in the physically tasking exercise is yet to be known.
SOURCE


=>Kunle Tokunbo "Dejo Tunfulu" Marries His Fiancee In Lagos (Photos)
 
Yoruba Actor,Kunle Tokunbo AKA Dejo Tunfulu Marries His Fiance, Deola Idowu Gunwa In Lagos
Popular comic actor, Kunle Mac Tokunbo popularly known as Dejo Tunfulu tied the knot with his fiance, Deola Idowu Gunwa, over the weekend in Lagos.
The low-key traditional wedding, had families and few friends of the couple in attendance.
Check out photos from the event…
SOURCE

=> Shina Peters: "I Have Slept With 100 Women"- Vanguard

Veteran Afro Juju Maestro, Sir Shina Peters is no doubt a ladies man. The talented music veteran known for his glamorous dress sense and energetic stage performance recently revealed in a recent interview concerning the unforgettable experiences he had with women.

Shina-Peters According to him, “Women really dealt with me. When I didn’t even know anything about sex, they used me a lot. I still have 100 of them and I can mention their names. They took advantage of my youthful exuberance. That’s the only thing but thanks to God I was able to correct it. In my days, when you got an artiste’s house, you get to see nothing less than 4 women in the same house. May God forgive any children of mine that has one or two negative issues because they don’t know because if they really know me they’ll know that’s how I was made?
SOURCE


These Updates Are Brought To You By Apata Bayode Follow Him On Twitter Here

Well, it is Saturday.. And do you know what we do on Saturdays? T.I.N Magazine feature interviews here on our platform, we recently had an interview with a U.K based rapper "KI FARO" Hip-hop artistand he is an Afro-beats freak.  The rapper is a big fan of Nigerian music as he often make covers of Nigerian songs...
He's done Wizkid's Ojuelegba cover with a video, he's also done a cover for Dr Sid's Suru Lere with a video too, i am sure if you are active on YouTube you must have seen a couple of videos made by him. Ki Faro, is a British rapper who loves African culture. You will find a couple videos of his covers embedded down below this post, but for now checkout the conversation Bamsy had with him below.

                 

Hello Ki Faro, this is Bamsy interviewing you from T.I.N Magazine.

CAN YOU PLEASE TELL US YOUR FULL NAME AND AGE?

My name is Ki Faro and I am 27

NATIONALITY?

My nationality is Jamaican/Guyanese British. Being born and raised in London I was exposed to many great cultures, this is a privilege I think we have over in London compared to many countries of the world.

HOW ABOUT YOUR AFRICAN BACKGROUND?

If you go before slavery, (I am from the slavery generation) my great grandmother told my grandmother that she remembers being stolen from the lands of Ghana, so I Guess you can say (from my mums side) I have Ghanian Blood.


TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAMILY BACKGROUND AND EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

My father was born in Jamaican (the Caribbeans) and my Mother was born in Guyana (South America), I come from a family of Comedians, Footballers & Musicians!
I have studied Music my whole life and have recently entered into the clothing distribution market!

HOW HARD WAS GROWING UP?

Apart from the Racial profiling, Constant police checks, Teachers not really believing in your potential and constant wars with different parts of London, It was actually a rewarding experience. But in all truthfulness, I can never claim to of had it as hard as other parts of the world, at the end of the day I was born in the city with the most to opportunities to offer, HOWEVER sometimes it would feel most of the opportunities were giving to "others". BUT, i'm a hustler so whatever isn't given to me I will get it myself anyway.


WHEN DID YOU START MUSIC OFFICIALLY?

At around the age of 5 I joined a school music program where they would see which students had the best talent for music and out of a class of 30 I was picked. From then my music journey began. I was taught most of the instruments and how to play them, but it wasn't until around 13 that i started to Rap. Myself and a group of school mates would perform in school assemblies, gaining the favour of the whole school. Fast forward to 2012 I released my 1st MTV track called "Made In The Mana", So i guess you can say OFFICIALLY I started in 2012

WHY MUSIC?

There is only 1 answer, because its a way of life.

YOU ARE A RISING STAR IN THE U.K ALREADY, WHICH IS YOUR MOST
SUCCESSFUL SONG OVER THERE?

Definitely "Made In The Mana" it was played on all TV stations and Radio Stations!

OUR ATTENTION WAS DRAWN TO YOU BECAUSE OF YOUR INTEREST IN AFRICAN MUSIC (AFRO BEATS), WHY AFRO-BEATS?

All black music interest me, around the time I went to college I was introduced to Afro beats. I remember my 1st afro beats track called "Kolom" and i was like "WHAT IS THIS MUSIC", the vibe, the feel just drew me towards it. That track was playlisted for a whole year in all my iPod playlist. If i could of found a instrumental version i would of done a cover.

YOU'VE DONE COVERS/VIDEOS FOR A COUPLE NIGERIAN SONGS, TELL US
ABOUT THESE SONGS AND WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THEM?

Well, as I started to get more into Afro beats there was a Afro Beats mix on youtube and I heard Surulere for the 1st time. But, as you know, on youtube there are no track listing. So I spent the better half of a night searching for the track. At that time I was working on my latest mixtape "Road To Success" VOL 3. And the instrumental track of Surulere fitted perfectly for a message about "homelessness".

YOUR COVER FOR OJUELEGBA IS QUITE THE THING TRENDING AT THE
MOMENT, WHY OJUELEGBA?

When i heard Skepta's remix of Ojuelegba, his verse was so powerful I started freestyling to the track myself. The subject matter he wrote about, fitted perfectly of his experiences as a Nigerian born in London. So I believed I had to tell my story of a Caribbean being born in London, and the affect of all black culture coupled with the injustices we (as a people) have faced throughout world history.

SO YOU ARE A FAN OF WIZKID, YOU MET HIM BEFORE?
I am a fan, and no I have not met him yet.

SO DO YOU HAVE ANY AFRO-BEATS TRACK RECORDED ALREADY?

I am working on one, that will shut down the internet, but I cant talk about it yet as its in the pipeline for this year.

SO DO YOU THINK AFRO-BEATS WILL SELL IN THE U.K, U.S?

I believe with the right artist jumping on the the right tracks, with features or remixes it can definitely sell. Anything is marketable as long as you market it correctly.

HAVE YOU BEEN TO NIGERIA BEFORE?
Not yet, but you know I have to come back to the mother land soon. Probably in 2017

SO HOW DO YOU INTEND TO BOOST YOUR FAN BASE IN AFRICA?

By doing amazing remixes and features, however... The Afro beats track I have in the works... that could potentially do it!

TELL US YOUR FAVOURITE NIGERIAN ARTISTS OF THE MOMENT

Wizkid, Dr Sid, & Skepta (Grime)

DO YOU UNDERSTAND OR SPEAK ANY NIGERIAN LANGUAGE?

No

HOW IS MUSIC PAYING OFF AT THE MOMENT?

Well so far, it funds the our company and all of our employees ;) Life is good I cannot complain!

ARE YOU SIGNED TO ANY LABEL?

Yes Faro Music Recordings. It is an independent label owned by the company I founded along side Faizan Ali.

ANY AWARD WON, NOMINATIONS?

Not yet, but my upcoming project Black Bond 2 will definitely change that

WHICH EVENT IS THE BIGGEST YOU’VE PERFOMED AT? SHARE WITH US THE EXPERIENCE

The biggest event I have performed at was Edinburgh festival, that was an amazing experience. The crows was amazing and sang my lyrics along side with me.

MESSAGE FOR YOUR FANS OUT THERE…

"Black Bond 2" is coming , and it will shut down the internet. "Made In The Mana 2" is coming out and it will shut down the whole UK scene. "Empire" my next Mini LP will be coming soon and it will take over the industry.

Checkout his cover videos below:




So what do you think of KI FARO? Let us know in the comment section.


Guess who we are featuring next week's Saturday? He is a Nigerian star already and his hit song have been banging the streets since last year.. Check back on Saturday and see!

Hello readers, Inside this post you will find trending important news in Nigeria this morning, you will find news that are of concern to Politics,Entertainment Economics,Locals and more... We update this page twice daily; morning and evening. CHECK BACK LATER TODAY FOR THE EVENING UPDATE!



TOP NEWS IN NIGERIA TODAY(MORNING EDITION)


=>Man Beaten By Army Cadets For Complimenting A Female Cadet Recounts His Ordeal - SaharaReporters

BY SAHARAREPORTERS, NEW YORKFEB 06, 2016
Sunday Amari, a 25-year old man brutally beaten by several Nigerian Army cadets in Abuja for complimenting a female army cadet, has given SaharaReporters a full account of his ordeal. SaharaReporters first released the video of the gruesome beating of the man, and the video quickly went viral. In the video, a female cadet from the Nigerian Defense Academy (NDA) in Kaduna is seen slapping, smacking and kicking the victim, with other female and male cadets soon joining her to brutalize Mr. Amari.
In an interview today, Mr. Amari told SaharaReporters that the assault took place on December 31, 2014 at the Jabi Lake Park in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, where he serves as a parks and recreation officer. His account contradicts a claim by the Nigerian Defense Academy that the attack happened in Lagos. Mr. Amari stated that the cadets attacked and nearly killed him while he was at his duty post.
He disclosed that he was not the original victim of the violent cadets, who included two females and seven males. According to him, the cadets’ first victim was another man seen at the end of the video. 
He revealed that the cadets had brutalized the first victim to the extent that the man may have suffered serious brain or nerve damage.
Mr. Amari, who is fondly called “Sunny,” said the unruly cadets set upon him for fear that he might report their atrocities. He said he was carrying out his duty of moving around the park to ensure that everything was in order when he saw the nine cadets around 4 p.m. beating up a civilian. He said he walked towards the cadets and their victim out of curiosity.
According to him, the cadets then beckoned on him and asked why he was looking at them. Before he could speak, they descended on him and gave him a brutal beating even as he pleaded with them that he was a recreation officer at the park. He revealed that at least five of the cadets participated in beating him until he passed out. He said he was left for dead, adding that a kind stranger took pity on him and conveyed him to the hospital where he spent a week recuperating from his serious injuries.READ FULL NEWS....


=> Governor Fayose challenges OBJ, reveals political secrets - PremiumTimes
Following rumours of deep-rooted rifts between them, Governor Ayodele Fayose has revealed that he holds no personal grudges against former president of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
The Ekiti state governor explained that whatsoever friction tends to exist, only stems from having different points of view on diverse issues.
According to Fayose, he only says things as he sees them and that sometimes may not go down well in certain quarters.
In enunciating further the alleged tussle between himself and OBJ, Fayose said he holds nothing against the former General over his reported role in his (Fayose’s) 2006 impeachment.
He said: “The military in Nigeria should subject themselves to democratic rules. When Obasanjo was there he was behaving the same way Buhari is behaving today. It was under Obasanjo that the EFCC would lock people up because the president has power to order arrest, because the president appoints the IGP, the DG of SSS and others. He has power of coercion. The fact remains that the constitution allows me the right even in the face of accusation to enjoy my liberty. Obasanjo is not a democrat. Today, former Governor (Bola) Tinubu of Lagos would recall what Obasanjo did. It doesn’t matter what our political alignments are today, history cannot be taken away. So my position has not changed and it will never change.”
According to Premium Times, Fayose further noted that: “When Obasanjo was there for eight years, Buhari didn’t go there? Everyday Obasanjo goes to kiss the ground in Aso Rock. Everyday Obasanjo has something to go and tell him there. There are some places elders would have a bit of shame.
“They would know that sometimes we should not go to this place. Even if you look at the pictures taken of his visit you see him bending down. When he was in government he was busy abusing this Buhari. Obasanjo was busy insulting Awolowo. One of the things Obasanjo wants to lay claim to in life is that he is the longest serving Nigerian president. When you add his military rule to his civilian regime, you understand.
“So, Obasanjo doesn’t like anybody to excel or exceed his record. That’s the truth. Obasanjo, who now seems to be the father of gangsterism or whatever he seems to be today, is the same man that we used to talk about every other day. Today he is there. The most painful aspect of it is for Obasanjo to be coming out and be claiming he is a very honest man. Where did he get the money that was given to the National Assembly that time? Where did he get the money? Each senator and member of the House of Representatives collected N50 million each. How about that $2billion Halliburton money? They jailed some people in America because of Halliburton. Obasanjo knows everything about Halliburton. Let us put Halliburton to trial and see what happens. That is why I told you that this fight must not be selective. If truly we want to fight corruption, let us fight corruption head on. And the fact remains that men will judge, God will judge again.”
SOURCE

 => What being a celebrity has cost me – Actress Sola Kosoko

Though she has been in the acting profession since 1999, Janet Wasilat Sola Kosoko, the daughter of Prince Jide Kosoko became prominent because of her dexterity in the role she played in the chart busting movie Omo Olorire. Despite being the daughter of a veteran Nollywood actor, Sola is not ready to live under the shadow of her father, and truly, this beautiful Nollywood actress has been dishing out grade A performances, as revealed in this encounter.What are the disadvantages of being a star?
The negative side of it is that we spend a lot of money on touts. They don’t want to know whether you have money or not. Sometimes, you might go out without much in your pocket, but they will collect money from you at every junction; that we cannot help. It is the kind of society we have. I have been to Europe a number of times. There, they don’t ask you for money; instead they give you gifts. Someone gave me a phone; he just removed his SIM card, and handled over the phone to me. But in our society, it is the other way round. 
READ FULL INTERVIEW 

=> Kunle Afolayan’s CEO Gets Rave Reviews - Leadership

 
Kunle Afolayan’s eagerly anticipated ‘The CEO’ is being commended as the AMVCA award winner released the trailer. The movie boasts of a casts of heavy weight in entertainment industry like Angelique Kidjo, Jimmy Jean-Louis, Wale Ojo, Kemi Lala-Akindoju and others.
Sharing on how he met the music diva, Angelique Kidjo, Kunle Afolayan posted on instagram: I remembered that afternoon on the plane from Los Angeles to New York. We exchanged pleasantries and started chatting about work and all sorts. We arrived NY and exchanged our works. We met again for dinner two days after and discussed more work stuff and that was when I started seeing what magic she can bring to the screen as an actor. I proposed that she read The CEO script which she agreed to, she came back to me and said she loved it and here we are today.
The movie is set mainly on a beautiful beach resort on the outskirts of Lagos in Nigeria. The CEO is a mystery-thriller surrounding five top executives from across Africa who are despatched on a 1-week leadership retreat by a multinational telecommunications firm, to determine which one to appoint as the firm’s new CEO.
SOURCE

=>The Nation: 2Baba officially replies Blackface on theft allegation

READ FULL NEWS

=>I never thought I would make it this fast–YoungJohn

READ FULL INTERVIEW




These Updates Are Brought To You By Apata Bayode Follow Him On Twitter Here

FULL NAME:          Janet Wasilat Sola Kosoko

DATE OF BIRTH:   Unknown

OCCUPATION:        Actress

MARITAL STATUS:  Married


INTRODUCTION 
Sola kosoko is an award winning popular Nigerian actress, she is a daughter of the veteran actor Jide Kosoko, she  came into the industry in the 90s and she's remained relevant since then. She is not much of a filmmaker but she is definitely a prolific actress.








EARLY LIFE AND BACKGROUND 

Sola attended Olabisi Onabanjo University, from where she graduated with a degree in Sociology.
Sola Kosoko came from a family of actors and actresses that have been part of the success of the Nigerian film industry. The young and charming daughter of movie veteran “Jide Kosoko”.
Her father encouraged her to go into acting shortly after graduating from secondary school, though Sola was reluctant, maintaining that she would rather further her education, she later capitulated and now she is doing well in the movie industry. But she has her father to thank today for insisting that she should be part of the glamorous industry. Through this, the now married lady has become a celebrity and a sought-after actress.

She started acting in the 90s with my daddy’s movie. Initially she didn’t want to act, because her father is an actor and he encouraged her to go into acting, he persuaded her and she accepted, though reluctantly because she felt she was too young then as she just finished secondary school about a year before then and she was about 19 years old. She felt she needed to further her education and that acting could distract her, but her father said no that it won’t disturb her from doing what she wanted to do.
She accepted and played a role in the movie. And later, she started acting as other producers such as Ogogo started inviting her into films;  Ogogo called her for the film; ‘Tolulope,’ Mama Rainbow called her for ‘Alamu Seniyan,’ then she did ‘Omo Olorire,’ and that was the film that shot her into limelight.
Sola lost her mother in 1983 and she recounted the experience to be a heartbreaking one.
She also revealed she spent 5years at home before gaining admission to university;
What would you consider the most trying period for your life?
My staying at home for five years before gaining admission to go to the university. Though I was going through a certificate course, it was not like the real university thing. Then I was being distracted by movies jobs. Sometimes, procrastination in terms of obtaining forms made me miss so many opportunities. Before my four year degree programme I did a two year diploma course. That experience hurt me.

CAREER AND LIFE 

Her first major role was in the movie, titled “Oko Irese” (2000). Some of her other movies are Omo Bishop, Eje Adegbenro, Onitemi, Ina Fitila and Wura Ati Fadaka, Alamu Seniyan, Omo Olorire.

Sola became more popular and versatile in the movie industry after making movies of her own, the likes of; Shindara.

Speaking on her career, she mentioned a experiences she had as a celeb, according to her one of the crazy moments is that; people feel that you she is rich, that she has enough money.
"There was a day I was going home, I think I had about N5,000 in my purse and some area boys stopped my car and demanded for money, I gave them N2,000, yet they were not satisfied. I was thinking that what kind of nonsense is this ‘all I got in my purse was N5,000 and these people are not satisfied with what I gave them, do you expect me to give you everything.’ They feel you must always drop anytime you see them."She says.


I have learnt a lot, he is my number one mentor, I write script and if I were not his daughter, I don’t think I would dream of doing that, I didn’t study theatre arts, my younger sister did, I read sociology, but I can pick up my pen and start writing. When we were growing, we always talked about productions, even as a child. So, I know a lot about production through him. When we were young, we used to go to locations with them, we know all the slangs, some of these a lay man does not know, but we grew up with that. It is not something they would start teaching me on set, there is no location I go that I would not add my own contribution to whatever they are doing. If it is the script that needs adjustment, I will definitely do so.

Sola kosoko is a married woman, she got married in 2012 to her very longtime boyfriend. She is also a mother of two as 2016.
She got married to her lover Abiodun Abinna at a private ceremony which took place at solitude Hotel,Jibowu ,Lagos .
The news of the wedding didn’t create a buzz unlike the other showbiz weddings that have held in recent times but the reason isn’t far fetched.This is because the talented thespian is one actress who loves to keep her private affairs close to her chest.
The ceremony had a lot of personalities in attendance .
It was well organized and guests were feted to lavish entertainment.

SPEAKING MARRIAGE AND HUSBAND:
How has marriage affected your career?
Marriage has not really changed much about me, aside the fact that it reduces one’s movement. Before marriage, you are free to stay out, achieving stuffs or catching fun but now one has to be conscious of the fact that you are no longer alone.
Well, I met him many years back, I went visiting a friend, which was where we met, we were friends for about five or six years before we started dating. Then, people thought we were dating, but we both knew that nothing was happening, we didn’t start dating until I gained admission into the university. I even told him that if he wanted to date me, he had to help me with admission into the university, which was how we started.Every actor/ actress must be versatile, but we have to put our culture into consideration atimes.

AWARDS AND ENDORSEMENTS 

Won several awards, includes; The Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards 2011, 2012 and 2013.
With many more awards.

CONTROVERSIES
Sola is not much of a controversial actress

Sola husband and father

Sola welcomes baby girl

SOURCES: slickson.com,nigeriafilms.com,brandiconimage.blogspot.com.ng,naij.com,takemetonaija.com

We know many of you want to know more about the Instagram star "Papa Ade" already, even though we don't have a very detailed bio yet, T.I.N Magazine is working on getting an interview with the star entertainer. But in the meantime checkout the brief bio we managed to get on him below.


FULL NAME:             Emmanuel Ogonna Iwueke

DATE OF BIRTH:      December 24th 1991

OCCUPATION:         Comedian,YouTuber,Actor,Medical Student

MARITAL STATUS:  Not married









INTRODUCTION 
Emmanuel Iwueke popularly known as Crazeclown and Papa-Ade is a Nigerian entertainer, He became a star by making short comedy skits on Instagram and YouTube, as of 2015 his social media video views are said to be close to a hundred million views. He is at the moment based in Ukraine.
He became an ambassador to NairaBet in 2016.

EARLY LIFE AND BACKGROUND

Crazeclown was born on December 24th 1991 to the Iwuekes, a family of five, four boys and a girl and he is the third child...
His dad hails from imo state, while his mum is from edo state, Crazeclown is a simple person with a widely limited edition of himself.
Both His mum and dad are into same business, they are  both in medicine and drugs(pharmacist for short) and they are both from royal families according to him, he believes he is double prinnce.

On his About.me page he talked about his parents, his words below;
I Love my MUM more than EVERY other thing in the word, they say Love is Blind and there is no love at first sight but From the Day i was born i Loved my mum and am really blinded by the love because no matter how much she annoys me i always run back to her begging for her love(yeah yeah my dad can get jealous am no homo*LOL) and for my Dad, he is the kinda father you just wanna annoy at every point in time and even sometimes spank him because he is annoying as well but on the other hand you don't wanna lose a diamond, i love him to bits.

He finished his high school in 2008, and he has been to schools like Delsu, Unimaid and Ghana but he is currently in Kharkiv National Medical University,in his 5th year as of 2015.
He  is majorly into; comedy, MC, acting and in general he likes being the centre of attraction to what makes people happy.


CAREER AND LIFE 

 He started comedy and acting from an early age. He used to lead his peers in acting and social events,he also have been hosting events since his high school days. He is madly in love with his area of study(Medicine) and Passionately love Entertainment.

Crazeclown came into limelight between 2013-2014 via making short comedy skits on instagram and YouTube, most of his videos are about African parents and their kids. He his said to have gotten close to 100million social media video views already.

He is popularly known to be PAPA ADE because that is the role he plays in his comedy skits. Crazeclown is among the most followed Nigerians on Instagram and definitely the biggest social media comedian in the country at the moment. His social media fans are not just youths alone, he's got adults,celebrities and politicians following him on social media.

As of the moment, crazeclown is not just an instagram star anymore but a professional entertainer as he features in anything called entertainment even music.

Speaking with House Of Maliq Magazine in 2015, he revealed his upcoming projects;
What are your upcoming projects? Emmanuel Ogonna ?
I'm trying to set up my brand called “Craze Productions” and my TV series called “HOUSE OF CRAZE”.I hope that my TV series will go on TV stations,it would be produced under Craze Productions.I am working with Victor.O.Frank, he is the C.E.O of Studio-Four Productions. He was the winner of the MTN short documentary competition in 2014, he is an expert with the camera. My fans will be able to watch longer skits on you-tube and even continuous tv series soon. Also, my website is under construction where my fans can purchase shirts with funny captions will be designed-on each shirt. 

Dr. Crazeclown organized a competition tagged Common Sense in 2015, the competition ran for four weeks with winners emerging every week. Winners weekly went home with $500.
For Thespian_nozy, the first winner of the competition’s $500, the money came in time as it was used to pay for a surgical operation that saved him from an untimely death.

He lost his lovely Dad in October 2015, it was a sad event.But the star believes The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh. He shared the sad news with his social media fans a few days after and they mourn with him.
Crazeclown seems to be a very prayerful and God-fearing type it shows in his social-media comments and videos.
He got a deal with Nairabet in January 2016, an endorsement deal said to be worth millions of Naira.


AWARDS AND ENDORSEMENTS 
Won a couple awards already, 
Naija FM Comedy Jam Awards as the online sensation of the year 2015, also won at the Naija Youths choice awards.

ENDORSEMENT
NairaBet ambassador 2016.

Ade and Papa Ade

Crazeclown Nairabet

Crazeclown in action(Who Off Light Skit)

SOURCES: about.me,houseofmaliq.com,takemetonaija.com

Hello readers, Inside this post you will find trending important news in Nigeria this morning, you will find news that are of concern to Politics,Entertainment Economics,Locals and more... We update this page twice daily; morning and evening. CHECK BACK LATER TODAY FOR EVENING UPDATE.

TOP NEWS IN NIGERIA TODAY(MORNING EDITION)

=>Scrap Trailer Falls On Vehicles In Ikorodu. Photos - Nationalhelm

It would have been a different tale of tragedy after a scrap trailer fell on vehicles in the early hours of today around 6:15 a.m at Oja bus stop, Ogijo after Ikorodu. Emergency officials were alerted about the incident as they immediately swooped in to save the people trapped in the commercial bus. The prompt intervention saved the situation and no one died in the incident.
SOURCE

 =>Peter Okoye Pictured Live In Stanford Bridge During Chelsea Match

Peter just uploaded this photo and captioned it
Live from Stanford Bridge
SOURCE

 =>Oga Bello recounts early challenges in Nollywood, role his grandmother played in making him a star


Veteran Nollywood actor Adebayo Salami recently spoke exclusively to Vanguard on his acting career, his struggle to make a name for himself in the movie industry as well as the role that changed the game for him.
With a career spanning decades, the Yoruba movie actor said he first started out with acting for a concert group led by Ojo Ladipo in 1964.
He explained that passion led him into becoming an actor and entertainer.
Following this, he went on to acquire some needed skills which helped launch his career properly in the industry.
He said of his journey into Nollywood and his other skills as a writer and movie director:“From the outset, acting has been part of me. I had to embrace acting because of  the passion I have for it. Moreover, I have the talent. Along the line, I acquired the needful skills and this helped me to break into the industry. The other side of me, which my fans are not aware of, is the fact that I write scripts, direct and produce movies. I have directed a couple of good which I also produced.”
READ FULL INNTERVIEW

=>2Baba releases new love song for Valentine

The Valentine day is around the corner and lovers are putting up plans on how to celebrate the season of love.
As the lovers are planning so also are artists who have love songs. 2 Baba as 2Face Idibia is now known also has a plan. 2 Baba is set to drop a new single with a love theme to celebrate this year’s Valentine’s Day titled Officially Blind.
2baba had barely a week ago dropped another single titled Coded Tinz in which he features Phyno and Chief Obi.

These Updates Are Brought To You By Apata Bayode Follow Him On Twitter Here

.At a point in the 1980s, Abiola’s firms and companies employed over 5,000 people in Nigeria and all over the West African subregion.

ENTERING POLITICS

Bashorun MKO Abiola accepting the flag of SDP to be its presidential candidate in 1993.

CHIEFTAINS: MKO Abiola talking with Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, Bamanga Tukur (current PDP chairman) at an SDP convention in the 1990s.

-MKO came into the public limelight in 1978 when he was appointed to the Constituent Assembly.
-The time came in 1979 when General Olusegun Obasanjo wanted to hand over to a civilian government, the field was suddenly opened to ambitious politicians like the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Alhaji Shehu Shagari and others. However, MKO Abiola, who entered partisan politics in 1978 when he joined the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), colluded with the military working towards the eventual defeat of Awolowo. MKO’s ambition to become the Chairman of the NPN would be frustrated by a combination of forces dreading his wealth and influential position, and also adding to the fact that MKO intended to use the chairmanship post to actualize his presidential ambition. When he could not achieve this, he stormed out of the NPN with fury in 1978.  In the audio recording below MKO Abiola explains the circumstances under which he left the NPN:

-Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN): This was Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s party and he had lost the presidential elections to Shagari. However, his party was in total control in the five Southwestern/Midwest states of Lagos, Ondo, Oyo, Ogun and Bendel.
-Great Nigerian Peoples Party (GNPP): This party was led by Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim and the party was in control of Borno and Gongola States.
– Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP): This party was led by the Owelle of Onitsha, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and was in firm hold of Imo, Anambra and Plateau States.

Nnamdi Azikiwe & MKO Abiola.

– Peoples Redemption Party (PRP): This was the party of the late Mallam Aminu Kano and controlled Kano and Kaduna States.
– After MKO Abiola stormed out of the NPN, he retraced his steps back to the UPN, Awolowo’s party. He even went to Mama HID Awolowo and prostrated stating that he would not stand up until Mama forgave him for his sins. He was forgiven and later swept Ogun State with 97%, even trouncing Obafemi Awolowo’s records. Following Shagari’s victory, MKO had faded away from politics and continued making his money only for him to get involved in some clandestine activities with his military friends.
– MKO later became disgruntled and dissatisfied with his army friends in power. At a seminar of the Nigerian Army in Minna, Niger State in 1984 during the Buhari regime, MKO did not hold back its scathing criticism of the military government. He blasted:
If we are to turn our backs on our past mistakes, we must sincerely and vigorously pursue the idea of accountability of government to the people. Government by secrecy and concealment was largely responsible for the injustice, the corruption and the mistakes of the last administration. Now, we seem to be accepting that the ‘public’s right to know’ is inconsistent with military rule. I firmly believe that this is only a smokescreen. People’s right to know, which promotes accountability, does not relate to any specific form of government. It is rather a question of attitude. Any system that holds that the people are entitled to maximum information about how their governments operate, so that it can be more responsible and accountable to them, will welcome the idea of less secrecy and concealment…
Abiola and IBB’s friendship blossomed with time but as IBB was reluctant to vacate the seat of power even after MKO had given him the sum of $10 million to help overthrow the duo of Buhari and Idiagbon in August 1985, their relationship would become strained.
It became so bad that by March 1992, Abiola’s media outfit via its African Concord magazine was firing a salvo of criticism against the IBB regime. The military junta responded by closing down all of Bashorun’s businesses domiciled in Nigeria, both the media-based and the ones related to the media. Things had started falling apart. Their relationship would then assume a sweet-sour dimension.

MKO ABIOLA THE SOCIALITE
.The following are memorable pictures of MKO Abiola during his lifetime. He was a very sociable man, highly gregarious and leaving an imprint in the minds of those that met him.

.King Sunny Ade listening to MKO Abiola at a function.

Cutting the cake when he turned 50 in 1987. PHOTO CREDITS: Professor Oluwatoyin Kole, Florida, USA.

.With Sir Shina Peters. The same SSP would later sing in 1998 for Abacha to continue in office.

.Dolapo Asiru, MKO Abiola and Adnan Khashoggi.

.FAAJI

: Wedding at the residence of Late Chief Olola Moyosore Aboderin off Marine Road, Apapa Wharf; Lagos, 1978. Photo credits: Ademola Oba-Gbadebo.

.MKO Abiola with Nelson Mandela shortly after his release from prison.

.MKO Abiola with the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II. Photo credits: Otunba RhodeIsland.

.AT MANDELA’S INAUGURATION: Ogbonnaya Orji (Radio Nigeria), Yemi Fakayejo (Voice of Nigeria) & Chris Ngwu (NTA) with Chief M.K.O. Abiola in Pretoria, during the inauguration of Dr. Nelson Mandela as president in 1994. MKO reportedly sat on the seat reserved for the Nigerian Head of State at the event. Photo credits: Adeyemi Fakayejo.

.INSIDE NITESHIFT: MKO ABIOLA & his son-in-law FEMI KUKU at the nightclub where Abiola was hosted in March 1993.

.THE INTERNATIONAL MAN: With the head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and Metropolitan of Sofia, (Patriarch Maximus), His Holiness, Maxim I. Photo credits: Creative Commons.

.MKO Abiola with the late Alhaji Danjuma Haruna at an event. Photo credits: HONOURABLE MUHAMMED SANI IMAM.

.MKO Abiola with the late NF Aina. Credis: Sola Ige Jongbo.

.WITH SDP-USA: With Titus Folayan, Sola Ogunbode, Bukky Babalola (Oyingbo), The Princess, Jacob Sodiya, MKO Abiola, Abiodun Akinola, Diran Fadojutimi, Rose Ezidinma Ogbonna, Kunle Badmus, Muritala Akintunde, Muritala Akintunde (Olubadan) and Akib Abiola at MKO’s hotel suite on 16th and K Streets, NW, in Washington, DC, SDP-USA Executive, 1993. It was his first visit to the USA after having escaped Abacha’s cruelty. He would later return to Nigeria and be arrested. This is one of his last photos. Credits: Abiodun Adepoju.

MKO Abiola with Chief SK Babalola. Credits: Sola Ige Jongbo.

.MKO ABIOLA DURING AN ICAN CONFERENCE
.Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN). At the conference, he was the Special Guest. All the credits for the pictures go to Mr. Ademola Somorin, also of ICAN. Have a nice time with them!
.L-R: Mr. Ademola Somorin with late Chief MKO Abiola and past president of ICAN, late Chief E. Oke and an ICAN member.
.Late Chief M.K.O. Abiola with some ICAN members.
.Late Chief M.K.O. Abiola with past president Chief Omidiora.
.With the special guest, late Chief M.K.O. Abiola, and Chief Hillary Onukogu.
.The late Chief M.K.O. Abiola and late Prince Ashaye, past ICAN President.
.MKO Abiola with guests at the conference.
.Late Chief M.K.O. Abiola and Chief Akintola Williams and a guest.
.Late Chief E. Oke with Late Chief M.K.O. Abiola and Chief Arthur Mbanefo.
.Late Chief M.K.O. Abiola and a past ICAN President.

.THE FOLLOWING WERE TAKEN AT DELE MOMODU’S WEDDING IN December 1992

.Here is the late Bashorun Moshood Olawale Kashimawo Abiola (MKO Abiola) at the wedding of the Ovation publisher and later presidential aspirant, Dele Momodu in 1993 at Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State.

.Here is the late Bashorun Moshood Olawale Kashimawo Abiola (MKO Abiola) at the wedding of the Ovation publisher and later presidential aspirant, Dele Momodu in 1993 at Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State.

.The Balogun MKO Abiola and the Akinrogun Olusegun Osoba, two prominent sons of Egbaland.

.RUNNING FOR THE PRESIDENCY

.–Following the cancellations of the presidential primaries of the National Republican Convention (NRC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP was financed by the Federal Government and individuals like MKO Abiola, Francis Nzeribe and Major-General Shehu Musa Yar’adua), Abiola showed interest in running for the Presidency.

.NRC was also established by the government and was headed by Tom Ikimi (later Abacha’s foreign minister and now of the All Progressives Congress, APC). MKO Abiola had to slug it out with the party’s National Chairman, Baba Gana Kingibe and Shehu Musa Yar’adua. Yar’adua later did not contest but he placed his godson, Abubakar Atiku in his place (MKO Abiola was later fingered as being responsible for the military’s disqualification of the presidential candidates of the SDP and NRC).
.The day came for the convention in SDP Convention in Jos, Plateau State but Kingibe lost in the first round as he could not muster enough votes to gain a majority. Thus, Kingibe, Abiola and Atiku Abubakar had to go for a second round, which Abiola won becoming the flagbearer of the SDP. Then he started making a series of mistakes. One, MKO felt that getting the winning ticket was the main battle and he failed to consolidate his early victory. When it was time to conduct the election for the National Executive Council of the party, MKO Abiola exhibited immense political immaturity by not sponsoring even one candidate. Yar’adua did not even dull himself as he sponsored Tony Anenih (ehn, same Anenih) who later became the National Chairman of the SDP. Later on, MKO’s flaw would rear its ugly head when the same Anenih found no problems with accepting the annulment and Shonekan’s government.
.  Also, MKO’s choice to go for Kingibe as his running mate was also seen by some as a tactical error. That was because Yar’adua wanted that slot to go to Atiku so he could teach Kingibe a bitter political lesson. This makes more sense when you realize that virtually everyone in the party’s executive council were actually Yar’adua’s loyalists from the Peoples Democratic Movement, a creation of Yar’adua. Unfortunately, the same Kingibe would later serve in Abacha’s cabinet, eventually betraying MKO and leaving him in the cold.

.Sani Abacha receives the Sultan of Sokoto as the head of state in the Aso Rock Presidential Villa.

.-Less than two months after the death of MKO Abiola’s wife and lover of many years, Alhaja Simbiat Atinuke Abiola of cancer in London, IBB encouraged his friend MKO to run for the presidency. Instead of mourning his late soulmate, MKO Abiola was perhaps carried away by the false promises of his military friend called Babangida and the allure of power. IBB edged him on to spend billions of naira, but at the end of the day, he did the unthinkable by annulling the elections.

.-On Saturday, 27^th of March, 1993, MKO Abiola was elected by the Social Democratic Party, SDP, at the National Convention in Jos, Plateau State to become their presidential flagbearer following his return to partisan politics in 1992 and his subsequent victory at the presidential primaries of the SDP.  One very interesting thing that must be pointed out here is that a man named Atiku Abubakar had to withdraw from the race to pave way for MKO who specially thanked him during his acceptance speech. Abubakar would later become Nigeria’s Vice President (1999-2007). Sarah Jubril was also the only female contestant in the presidential race, so she has been on that stage long before now.

.Sarah Jubril during the presidential debate in 1993.

.As at the time MKO Abiola was made the presidential flagbearer of the SDP, he had already been conferred with over 257 chieftaincy titles from various parts of Nigeria in addition to being either the Patron or Grand Patron of more than 650 organizations that cut across various spheres of life, from economy to religion to sports and many more. Without a doubt, MKO Abiola was massively popular. His opponent was Alhaji Bashir Tofa, a wealthy oil-prospecting businessman from Kano. MKO soundly defeated Tofa even in his home base.

.When MKO and Tofa emerged as the presidential candidates of both parties, the TELL derided the outcome as a ‘a triumph of IBB’s men.’ In fact, Onome Osifo-Whiskey, who was the Managing Editor of TELL would slam it as ‘the triumph of money’. They went on to accuse the duo of being IBB’s henchmen who would later declare for IBB. Ebenezer Babatope, a politician and lawyer later made a transport minister, blasted MKO and Tofa as part of ‘IBB’s hidden agenda’  and that by June 1993, both of them would declare to all of Nigeria that IBB should be allowed to continue. Abiola did not find all these accusations funny at all. He fired a letter to the TELL editor in which he stated:
.It is true that President Babangida is a very close friend of mine, but he never asked me to act as a ruse for him. He is simply not that kind of man and I am definitely not a tool to be used by anybody. My bid for the presidency is real.


.THE JUNE 12 ELECTIONS

.MKO on television during an SDP debate for presidential candidates.

.But MKO was wrong. Even though his presidential bid was real, he underestimated IBB’s capacity to destabilize things. IBB would do everything possible to throw spanner in the works and sustain himself in power for as long as possible. On the 10^th of June, 1993, just 48 hours before the election, the Association for Better Nigeria, ABN, put in place by IBB’s man, Arthur Nzeribe, got an interlocutory injunction from Justice Bassey Ikpeme of the Abuja High Court that the election be stopped! The mischievous ruling was given in the middle of the night. The nation woke up to hear of the obnoxious ruling, no one was really shocked as they merely saw it another of IBB’s maradonic attempts to die in office. The Nigerian media criticized the ruling and the NEWS blared in its pages that the American spokesperson has made it very clear that the United States would not ‘tolerate further postponement in the presidential election. ’
.The National Electoral Commission (NEC) set the ruling aside and went ahead with the elections, following Decree 13 of 1993 which was guiding their decision. IBB’s attempt to derail the elections at this stage failed and it later became the freest and fairest elections in the history of Nigeria.
.MKO Abiola launched an unprecedented media campaign and popular broadcasts ensured that his message was heard in all the corners of homes across the nation. One of the popular campaigns then went thus:

.Nigeria on the march again, on the march again,

.Searching for Mr. President, on the march again. .(MKO speaking): .Nigerians have began to express doubts about the future of our dear country. We all know that. That is why I am stepping forward to renew hope. That is why I and all progressive people of Nigeria are determined to banish poverty and replace our hopelessness with prosperity. There shall be more food to eat, I shall provide houses for sale to heads of households in each local government. I shall make teaching attractive again, and education tuition-free and heavily-subsidized. I shall introduce National Health Insurance Scheme, modernize all hospitals and above all, improve service conditions of medical personnel. On June 12, all Nigerians should vote for me. We shall make our country great again.

casting vote

.In April 1993, he released his manifesto and hope was written all over it. See his manifesto below: 
.The optimism all over the nation was palpable. The late Chief Gani Fawehinmi stated:
.June 12 is a rebirth of Nigeria. June 12 is more spiritual than physical, more providential than mundane. It is a judgment delivered by God based on activities in society since 1914 and 1960. God used it to unite Nigeria. –Tell, September, 13, 1993.
.IBB on the elections:
.It is true that the presidential election was generally seen to be free, fair and peaceful. However, there was in fact a huge array of election malpractices virtually in all the States of the Federation before the actual voting began even if the Commander-in-Chief was not ready or willing to relinquish power.

.THE ANNULMENT

.Nigerians in the USA protesting over the June 12 elections.

.General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (aka IBB, Evil Genius and Gap-Toothed General Who Lives On A Hilltop Mansion) is Nigeria’s only military president but till tomorrow, he remains one of the most widely-despised figures for one singular act –the annulment of the elections that were adjudged to be freest and fairest in the history of Nigeria. Some analysts believe that IBB approved the annulment because he felt (among other reasons) the government was too indebted to MKO Abiola to allow the Ogun State-born tycoon become the Nigerian President.

MKO Abiola Dares Nigerian Military Rulers Over June 12 Elections

.Following the annulment of the June 12 presidential elections, IBB handed over to an Interim National Government headed by Ernest Shonekan before fleeing with his family into the hands of then Egyptian strongman and dictator, Hosni Mubarak in Cairo. Like any other human being, MKO felt cheated and betrayed but it was during this period that he would make some disastrous political miscalculations. Fine, he consistently asked for the validation of his mandate, that was fine and the masses formed a solid bloc behind him. However, what would later bring about his own fall was the underground schemings and plot he got himself involved in.
.At this stage, we will have to welcome a man named Sani Abacha aka Khalifa. The dark-goggled Kanuri General was known for his stealth and brutal efficiency. During the long eight years of the IBB horrendous regime, Abacha was the silent commando, always quiet and working in the shadows. When a terrified IBB was almost killed by coup plotters in 1990, it was Abacha who saved the life of the Commander-in-Chief and fought the coup plotters to the very end. That sealed the pact of friendship and IBB made him a full four-star General, something that had never happened before in the history of Nigeria, for someone else to be a full General with the Head of State.

.Although cunning, smart and evasive, Abacha did not hide his disdain for Abiola, someone with whom he maintained a somewhat aloof relationship with even while Abiola continued his warm friendship with IBB. Abacha had his own ambitious plans to rule Nigeria but because he was a man who played his cards very close to his chest, it was very difficult to decipher what was on Gumsu father’s mind. Many even underestimated his sagacity, and that included Abiola, who gave his support to the overthrow of Shonekan hoping that an military junta would not even last a year then he would reclaim his mandate. Unknown to MKO, Abacha himself was gunning for the top position in the land and would ultimately outsmart Abiola. But for the meantime, Abacha played the meek lamb and gentle dove until it was time to overthrow Shonekan even if he was blatantly disobedient to Shonekan on numerous occasions.

.  A grave mistake that MKO made but that later turned out to be a masterstroke for Abacha was that MKO nominated some of his cohorts to be in Abacha’s government not knowing that Abacha was merely using his gullibility to consolidate his own grip on power. In no time, Abacha began to show his real stuff and his body language announced boldly that he would not only stay in power for as long as possible but he would also not tolerate any dissent in any form. For a man that Abiola had underestimated, Abacha’s maiden speech to the nation was fiery and showed that he was in no mood for a Nite of a Thousand Laughs. Abacha came in with a plethora of ‘this has been banned, that has been proscribed or abrogated’ and that ‘offenders will be decisively dealt with’.
.  MKO Abiola knew there was fire on Mount Aconcagua when his own vice-presidential running mate, now a member of Abacha’s cabinet, Baba Gana Kingibe (a very ambitious guy, he likes calling himself ‘King I Be’) wrote an open letter to MKO Abiola that they forget about the June 12 elections and join hands with Abacha to move the nation ‘forward’. That is what I call ‘lobatan’ of the day. MKO’s troubles started to multiply as even his close aides began to decamp to the Abacha side of the grass which I guess was greener. But MKO Abiola was a fighter who believed in his right and till the very end, he fought for it. With his vivaciously beautiful and elegant wife, Alhaja Kudirat, MKO Abiola transverse the length and breadth of the country seeking assistance for his mandate to be restored.

.MKO Abiola & wife, Kudirat Abiola.

.At a point, MKO had to leave the country to seek the help of foreign governments and international organizations. Some of his supporters became really angry at this point querying why he would leave them during the heat of the struggle to junket all over the globe all in the name of ‘seeking foreign assistance’. A very well-connected man with diverse international contacts, Abiola got promises of support from the various places that he went to. MKO even took his appeal as far as to the doorsteps of President Bill Clinton in late March 1994. In the Capitol Hill’s Roll Call newspaper he sponsored an appeal to Clinton and the US Congress to help return him to office, he even lobbied a US Congressman, Republican Donald Payne of New Jersey to sponsor a bill that would return civilian rule to Nigeria and thanked the US lawmaker for introducing the legislation. By the time he would return to Nigeria, he was clearly more energized. But he would step on the tail of the scorpion in the process.
.  Abacha had become very aggressive at the point and he was indiscriminately clamping down on all pro-democracy groups, especially those who posed the greatest threat to his militocracy. But Nigerians too fought back and on October 25, 1993, a group of four men from the Movement for the Advancement of Democracy hijacked a Nigeria Airways plane and diverted it to Niger Republic. Restoration of Abiola’s mandate within 72 hours was one of their key demands. Abacha’s response to the hijack was not nice at all.
.  In Lagos, a spate of bombings ripped the state apart while many activists lost their lives in some really bizarre assassinations. Some lucky ones got long vacations in prison.

.ABACHA SITS TIGHT
 
.Before he came to the throne of Nigeria, the agreement between the duo of Abacha and MKO was that Abacha would come, stay briefly and organize Abiola’s path to the presidency. In fact, when the staff and management of his Concord Press paid him a solidarity visit on the 23^rd of February, 1994, MKO Abiola was so full of optimism that he was thinking that by March 1994, Abacha would have handed over to him. Unknown to him, the Khalifa had some other sinister plans.

.MKO Abiola, General Sani Abacha, Sir Michael Otedola and Major-General Abdulkareem Adisa at the Aso Rock.

.MKO DECLARES HIMSELF PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF
."Exactly one year ago, you turned out in your millions to vote for me, Chief MKO Abiola, as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. But politicians in uniform, who call themselves soldiers, but are more devious than any civilian would want to be, deprived you of your God-given…."

.Edged on by supporters, sycophants and praisesingers, MKO Abiola decided to bite the bullet by declaring himself as the duly elected President of Nigeria. He said at the declaration:
."We are sickened to see people who have shown little or no personal achievement, either in building up private businesses, or making success of any tangible thing, being placed in charge of the management of our nation’s economy; by rulers who are not accountable to anyone. Enough of square pegs in round holes.
.We are tired of the military repetitive tendency to experiment with our economy: Today, they sayno controls. Tomorrow; they say full controls. The day after, they say fine tuning. The next day, they say devaluation.  A few days later, they say revalue the same naira upwards again Abi? All we can see are the consequences of this permanent game of military about ­turns;high inflation, a huge budget deficit and an enormous foreign debt repayment burden, dying industries, high unemployment and a demoralised populace. Our youths, in particular, can see no hope on the horizon."


.THE ARREST

.MKO Abiola on the day he was arrested.

.Eleven days after MKO Abiola made the Epetedo Declaration, Sani Abacha’s goons went into an overdrive, following Abacha’s stern commands. Fully-armed mobile policemen in a convoy of 200 vehicles stormed Kashimawo’s Lagos residence to effect his arrest. Before Abiola was whisked away by the fierce-looking, no-nonsense armed government agents, he granted an interview to the BBC as he entered the car. The following was the conversation that ensued that day in June 1994:
.BBC correspondent: What is happening at your house? So are you being arrested?
.MKO Abiola: I’m being arrested and I am just going out now with the police. There is a large crowd here. And I am being escorted out to the station by singing the National Anthem.
.BBC correspondent: Why are they arresting you?
.MKO Abiola: They are arresting me on an allegation of felony, namely treason or something like that. They are not doing anything, they are just taking me away. Please let me go. I am delaying them.
.BBC Correspondent: And so where are you now? You in your car?
.MKO Abiola: I am in my car now.
.BBC Correspondent: Is it police who are with you in your car now or are they escorting the vehicle?
.MKO: The Commissioner of Police is in the car with me, and my senior wife is in the car with me.
.BBC Correspondent: Why are they letting you talk on the phone to the BBC while they are in the middle of arresting you?
.MKO Abiola: (Laughs) They have come to arrest me, not to arrest my mouth.
.BBC Correspondent: You sound very cheerful about it, Chief Abiola….
.MKO Abiola: (chuckles) Of course. (Laughs heartily) It is (stammers) all part of democracy here.
.BBC Correspondent: And you are happy to go to the police and await whatever charges they are going to file against you?
.MKO Abiola: I am not in anyway disturbed by it. Any sacrifice is in order, if it would bring democracy, peace and prosperity to Nigeria.
.BBC Correspondent: Is it possible to talk to the Commissioner of Police who is with you in the car?
.MKO ABIOLA: I don’t know if the Commissioner of Police is authorized to talk. He cannot talk to the press.
.BBC CORRESPONDENT: What is your advice now to your supporters many of whom we heard a moment ago?
.MKO ABIOLA: Well (laughs), I told them before I left home to just stay calm. It is very very important that they stay calm.
.BBC CORRESPONDENT: So you are appealing for calm, you don’t want them to take any direct action in your support?
.MKO ABIOLA: No, no, no.
.BBC CORRESPONDENT: You still say you are the President of Nigeria but it is not much good if you are going to be in jail.
.MKO ABIOLA: Well, Mandela was in jail for 27 years, Kenyatta was in jail, I suppose that is one of the qualifications you need in this part of the world. Don’t worry yourself my friend.

.MKO Abiola leaving a Black Maria after his arrest.

.THE IMPRISONMENT
.Following the arrest of MKO Abiola, Abacha clamped him into jail in solitary confinement for almost four years for having the temerity and audacity to declare himself President of Nigeria and undermine Abacha’s grip on power.
.  According to Kofi Annan’s accounts, MKO Abiola’s days in Abacha’s gulag was terrible. For four horrible years, he was held in solitary confinement and he had no access to radio or newspapers. His guards were on standing orders not to even say peem to the Bashorun of Ibadan. All that he was given was what he requested for: the Holy Quran, the Holy Bible and some sheets of paper to write on. Often times, Abiola would sing religious songs all to himself in his dingy cell.

.THE KOFI ANNAN CONNECTION
.And Abacha was dead. In fact, he had been quickly buried in the tropical soil of Kano. A Gwari general in the Nigerian Army, Abubakar Abdulsalami was hastily sworn in as the new Commander-in-Chief. Abdulsalami was now in a dilemma. He knew military rule all over the globe was fast going out of fashion and it would make no sense for him to even try to entrench himself. His wife, Fati, a high court judge, had to step down in the face of the obvious clash of interests. Abubakar wanted to clean up the mess quickly and leave the bloodied scene of Nigeria’s most powerful office. Abubakar started mopping the scene with an immediate release of 26 political prisoners, one of whom was General Olusegun Obasanjo whom Abacha had flung into prison for getting on his Kanuri nerves. But then, there were uneasy questions on the wagging tongues of millions of Nigerians: what of Bashorun MKO Abiola? Is he not going to be freed? Are they not going to release him ni?

.Kofi Annan.

. In addition to MKO, there were about 250 other political prisoners still left in jail but obviously, the most prominent of them all was Abiola and millions of his kinsmen in Nigeria’s southwestern region of Yorubaland were insisting that he must take over as President or at least head a government of national unity (Annan voiced this idea to Ikimi but he said it was not a feasible one). The army generals argued back that it was not feasible that even if MKO was initially given his mandate, his term would have ended in 1997.  Another argument was that there was just no legal or constitutional basis to return MKO to power.
.   However, a tested general that he was, Abubakar knew how fluid things were at the apex of power and how quickly things could degenerate if care was not taken. He also knew that whatever that was to be done had to be done with immediate alacrity as unwarranted peregrinations would only worsen the matter. Then he hatched a plan, all in secret. Using his foreign minister, Abubakar called on the Ghanaian-born diplomat, the eternally-handsome Kofi Annan to come and mediate in the process. Annan, a first-class envoy and gentleman, was still receiving accolades from his spectacular efforts in Iraq and Abubakar had hoped that the man once married to a Nigerian woman (Kofi Annan was once married to Titi Alakija before they divorced) would perform the same magic in the Abiola case. Annan’s visit was negotiated on phone and was kept away from the public. A presidential jet was dispatched and after six hours on the return flight from Europe, Annan was in Nigeria. According to William Shawcross, a British journalist and writer who covered all of Annan’s visit to the country, Abubakar had told Annan he was willing and ready to handover to a democratically-elected president but some of the other army generals were not too sure.
.  On the fateful day of the meeting, smartly-dressed Nigerian military officers ferried Annan from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to the Villa. To Annan’s consternation, the reception was low-key. Even the statement he had prepared to read had to be ditched. Annan knew that Abiola was crucial to the nation’s future and whatever had to be done, had to be with caution. Another thing was that the army generals needed some degree of assurance that they will not be witch-hunted after they willingly leave power. Annan was driven straight to the militarized fortress of power called Aso Rock.
.  As he entered, he saw Abiola watching the England-Argentina match but the sound of the television was turned off. Annan shook hands with him and flashed his trademark seductive smile. He asked MKO Abiola how he was doing and MKO stated that he was fine, despite his long years in prison. Then a puzzled MKO asked Annan:
.‘Who are you?’
.‘I am Kofi Annan, the Secretary-General of the United Nations’. Annan replied.
.MKO Abiola was overwhelmed, he rushed towards Annan and kissed his hands. Then he asked:
.What of the Egyptian (in apparent reference to Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Annan’s predecessor)? What happened to him?
.A bewildered Annan told MKO that he took over as the UN scribe since 1997 and he also noted that MKO Abiola was almost totally cut off from the entire world and was not even in tune with the latest affairs (that was against some officials statements that Abiola had newspapers in prison). In fact, MKO Abiola did not even know that Pope John Paul II was in Nigeria to plead for his release.
.Annan had met with Abubakar in Aso Rock and the general told him that he was not interested in holding on to power. Annan congratulated him on the reforms already made and advised him to speed up the transition and also called for the release of the political prisoners, especially MKO Abiola whose supporters wanted him to become the president immediately he was released. Abubakar told Annan that idea did not go down well with the military but everyone (including those in the opposition) was hopeful that Annan’s visit would produce tangible results.
.  After Annan met with Abiola, he held a press conference and had some really heartwarming news. He said Abiola was realistic with the issue on ground and that all MKO wanted was to go home and travel to Mecca to thank his God. He also stated that MKO Abiola told him that one does not have to be a president to live one’s life. Annan said MKO gave him a verbal assurance that he would not claim his mandate. He MKO Abiola later denied that he told Annan he would give up on his mandate.

.  Following Annan’s conference, an elated Abubakar told Abiola that the deal still stands and that if MKO Abiola would agree in writing and append his signature that he would not claim his mandate that he would go home the next day. That was where the problem arose. Abiola said all he could give was a verbal assurance that there was nothing to place in writing. Some reports state that MKO Abiola also stated that the mandate was no longer his own cross alone, but that of millions of Nigerians. At any rate, Annan left Nigeria with the hope that Abubakar would release all the political prisoners very soon as he had promised.

.INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT THE LATE MKO ABIOLA

.-Unlike many of the politicians we have in Nigeria today who have absolutely nothing to offer the people but prop up their base using divisive religious tactics or shamelessly brandishing a regional or ethnocentric ideologies, MKO Abiola was a man who loved Nigeria and was what can be described as a typical Nigerian. Although a devout Muslim, MKO Abiola was very familiar with the Holy Bible, quoting from the various Holy Books in his speeches and conversations. Still on MKO Abiola and his philosophy of religious tolerance, he was always proud of the fact that he was trained at a Christian missionary school (Baptist Boys’ High School, Abeokuta). When he was jailed by Abacha, MKO requested for the following items: a copy of the Holy Qu’ran, a copy of the Holy Bible and some sheets of paper on which to write on. He was prepared for the journey ahead. He paid the ultimate sacrifice in his struggle for what he believed was rightly his.
.-MKO Abiola worked for and promoted religious tolerance all over the nation. He freely and gladly doled out millions to churches, mosques and various organizations. Not at a time was MKO Abiola accused of being a religious bigot and a vast majority of Nigerians were so comfortable with him that they massively voted for him even if his running mate, Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe (he calls himself King-I-Be) is a Kanuri Muslim from Borno State. Today, many Nigerians cannot even think or look at any issue without the prism of religion, and that, is very sad indeed.
.-Abiola died wearing a white lace, his favourite dress. And like Abacha, he was also foaming at the point of death. There are many causes as to why people foam or froth at the mouth before they die. One is poisoning, and a specific agent, called strychnine, causes this symptom. Strychnine is a highly-toxic alkaloid compound normally used as a pesticide to kill birds and rodents. It is colourless, bitter in taste and crystalline in appearance. It can be swallowed, inhaled, injected or even absorbed through the eyes or mouth and leads to spasms of facial muscles, loss of consciousness, generalized muscular contractions, foaming at the mouth and finally, death through asphyxiation. One interesting thing is also that strychnine poisoning causes the body to arch in three different ways: resting on the heels or occiput, with the body flexed to one side or bending of the body forward due to spasm of abdominal muscles. Minutes before MKO Abiola was pronounced dead, he was lying on the floor, face down.

.   While this is not conclusive and does not really prove anything, it is important to note that strychnine is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, transported by plasma and the blood cells, leaves the bloodstream quickly and is distributed to the tissues. About 50% of the injected dose enters the tissue in 5 minutes. It becomes detectable in the urine in few minutes and in someone killed by strychnine poisoning, the highest concentrations are found in the blood, kidneys, liver and the wall of the stomach. In very serious cases, the patient dies even before reaching the hospital. Almost 90% of the drug is cleared from the body within 24 hours by the kidneys and within 48-72 hours, excretion is almost 100%. It has no specific antidote but early response can save the patient. Turgut Ozal, a former President of Turkey and Alexander the Great were believed to have been killed by strychnine poisoning. Note also that coughing up and production of a pinkish, mucous foam can actually be caused by a heart failure.

.-Abiola was also active with his networking outside Nigeria. He supported rebellions and coups all over the continent, especially in the Eastern, Southern and Central parts of Africa. The current President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni Kaguta, who came to power in January 1986 via the overthrow of General Tito Lutwa Okello is one those who benefitted from Abiola’s largesse.
.-Ore Falomo, Abiola’s personal physician but also a close confidant of Abacha said that if Abacha was alive, he would not have killed MKO. He stated that in fact, Abacha did not want him dead and that he was not even the one who killed Major-General Umaru Musa Yar’adua but his closest allies who also plotted to inject General Obasanjo.
.-In his own words, the first place where MKO Abiola ate fried eggs in his life was at the residence of his girlfriend, Simbiat Soaga, later to become his wife.
.-Abiola was very good friends with the late President Gnassingbe Eyadema of Togo who ruled the tiny nation for 38 years before his death in 2003. In fact, they were so close that Eyadema sent an official Togolese delegation to represent him when one of Abiola’s sons was conducting his wedding ceremony.

.Kola, Simbiat, MKO and the late President Gnassingbe Eyadema of Togo.

.-Abiola was also a huge crusader for reparations back to Africa. He was an unrepentant Pan-Africanist. In fact, in June 1992, he was elected the chairman of the committee in the Group of Eminent Persons (GEP), a body whose aim was to achieve the goals of African reparation.
.-The Federal Government owed MKO Abiola money and it is not sure if all has been repaid to his family. The debt to Abiola started piling up under the IBB regime when Babangida would approach his good multimillionaire friend MKO to give them money to buy the uniform materials, supplies and other commodities for Nigerian soldiers going to Liberia as part of the ECOWAS Monitoring Group. IBB made repeated demands and promised that they would pay Abiola back. Abiola was not worried as he felt he was doing it for a friend and that if the effort in Liberia became successful, it would be a nice thing if his friend claimed the glory. Well, things later turned out another way. But as incredible as it may sound, it was Sani Abacha that started repaying back some of the debt to Abiola but he stopped immediately Abiola declared himself President. When Abubakar came to power, he visited Abiola’s house and told the family that he would see to it that all of MKO’s money was paid. It all becomes hazy after that.
.-At a point, Abiola was running with the hare and hunting with the hound. How? When it became clear that Abacha was not going to give up power, Abiola was still holding backdoor meetings with the enemy. He even nominated members for Abacha’s cabinet and met with Arthur Nzeribe, one of the architects of the entire annulments. That was when people like the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Bamidele Aturu, Olisa Agbakoba and Femi Falana were risking their lives fighting for Abiola’s mandate.

.-At a point, MKO Abiola had received chieftaincy titles from 260 traditional rulers from almost every single state in the country, from various ethnic groups. No Nigerian has been able to replicate that feat.
.-A very patriotic man, MKO Abiola set up newspapers in Nigeria’s three major languages and distributed all over the country. No one had ever done that before him and no one has done that after him.
.-An incident happened at the Commissioner of Police’s office in Abuja during Shonekan’s time. As narrated by Ore Falomo, Abiola’s physician, they had given Abiola a newspaper to read and one police officer wanted to snatch it from him. Abiola refused and a scuffle ensued. Abiola was pushed to the pillar and there were fears that his spinal cord might have been damaged. There were no CT scan available for imaging and he wanted to fly out. But because he once travelled out and Shonekan refused him entry, they thought he would be barred from entering again.
.But interestingly, Abacha intervened and allow him fly out for the necessary treatment. When he was returning, it was the same Abacha that arranged it. Sani Abacha changed the presidential guard at the airport, replaced them with his own cronies and ordered them to fly to Cotonou, Benin Republic to bring Abiola in after his treatment. But once Abiola entered the nation, things fell apart o. Abacha kicked out Shonekan at gunpoint and he tricked everyone that he had to remove Shonekan to prevent a return of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida.
.A deal was struck and it was believed (even by Abiola) that Abacha would restore MKO’s mandate by March 1994. It was a total disaster. Because Abacha operated with so much stealth, he was underestimated by many. Even Abiola underestimated Abacha’s powers of strategic planning with devastating consequences.

.HIS PHILANTHROPY
.One thing that Nigerians fondly remember MKO Abiola for is his philanthropy. He gave and gave until he even gave his life. He was a relentless giver. The following are some of his best-known philanthropic gestures:
.1990: He gave the sum of N1million each to state university in the country, N500,000 to every federal university and N250,000 to every polytechnic. I think that feat remains unbeaten.
.LOVE AND ROMANCE: HIS LOVE CHILD, MARRIAGES AND MANY WIVES
.MKO Abiola’s unbelievable appetite for women remains a very interesting aspect of his colourful life. Although his first love was Alhaja Simbiat Atinuke, he had already impregnated another lady while he was still dating Simbiat. The other lady, whom Abiola did not marry, later gave birth to his first child, the well-known politician, Lola Abiola-Edewor. The following are some of the most prominent of Abiola’s wives, said to number between 25-40.

1. ...SIMBIAT ABIOLA: She had five children Kolawole Abdulateef, Ayodeji Shamsudeen, Agboola Nureyndeen, Bolaji and Wuraola (F) for MKO Abiola. 

.MKO Abiola & Kola Abiola.

.Kola Abiola today.

.Wuraola and her father.

.Wuraola with Governor Ibikunle Amosun of her home state of Ogun.

..KUDIRAT ABIOLA: She was later assassinated.

..

.MKO with Kudirat and the kids.

.

.MKO with his wife, Dupe Onitiri-Abiola.

.MKO with his wife, Dupe Onitiri-Abiola.

With Dupe Onitiri.

.In an interview with Tribune in 2013, she said that she constantly warned her husband of the sly tactics of IBB but MKO told her that Babangida had already promised him and swore to an oath that he would leave power and hand over to him. Onitiri said she knew that all IBB wanted was to be a life president like the late Gnassingbe Eyadema who ruled Togo for 38 years and that when the results were annulled, MKO was shocked and he could not believe it. She said he told him: But I told you.

6. .SITI-BIOBAKU ABIOLA: She is the cousin to Abiola and the youngest of his wives, shown below are their photos with their kids:

       
.HIS WORDS

MKO speech

.These assurances were given, in some cases from the highest level of government, I consulted the President himself. And he gave the assurance himself. That this time around he was serious. I was therefore convinced that the commitment to civilian rule come August 27, 1993 was firm, settled and irrevocable. –MKO Abiola on the assurance he received from Babangida concerning the elections.
.Both of us (Babangida and Abiola) are over 50 years old. We should not be afraid to die, why are you afraid? –MKO Abiola to IBB as quoted in the Tempo magazine in June 1993. It was on negotiations over the June 12 elections and the formation of an interim government.
.HIS LAST WORDS TO HIS FAMILY:
.‘Shame on ye that can kill the body and not the soul.’


.ON WOMEN: ‘We have all been guilty of the ill-treatment of the womenfolk, and as I said yesterday, that there are times, I sat throughout that session yesterday glued to my seat with all the speeches, one after the other. I felt sorry for some of the things I’ve done and I live the rest of my life in making amends for them. Every man in our environment has got a lot to apologize for, to our women, and if you have a conscience, if you are an African man, probably one of the enlightened ones, there are some things that were said, particularly when Museveni (Ugandan President) was speaking. But thank God I have given my daughters equal opportunities with my sons.’

.ON FELA’S ALLEGATION THAT HE WAS AN INTERNATIONAL THIEF THIEF (ITT):
.Fela had nothing against me per se except the business problems we had, with Decca. I am Chairman of Decca, I was Chairman of Decca, he felt that Decca should have paid him some money, and we felt Decca was not liable. I was expecting to take the matter to court where issues of business and contracts are resolved. Instead, he assembled all his queens together and invaded the premises of Decca, you remember that time? All of them were there for 77 days, destroyed everything we had in there. People said I should take him to court, I laughed, I did. Then he made this record again out of vengeance, fine. You see, if there are no Felas, I would have had to buy someone to play that role. Things are so good for me that there has to be some elements like that. No, it is not a stormy time, it is just a storm in a teapot. There is no problem. You see, people said I should sue him, BBC asked whether I should sue him for damages, I said damages? It is like you are having your bath in the river, then a mad man came and took your clothes and ran away with it. If you follow the mad man, nobody will know, who of you is mad. So just let him go. 
.24^th August, 1992

.-ON CORRUPTION ALLEGATION LEVELLED AGAINST HIM IN THE PUBLICATION ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 17^TH, 1980 OF THE LOS ANGELES TIMES:
.In this publication, MKO Abiola was accused of his involvement in questionable business deals and financial impropriety. He was accused of being central to the receipt and payment of kickbacks to Nigerian officials through ITT Standard SA of Switzerland in order for ITT to gain huge telecommunications contracts in Nigeria for which he was paid ‘lavishly’. In a presidential candidate debate/interview, a female member of the audience raised this issue with Abiola who then responded:
.Well, I haven’t seen that article. I don’t know where it came from, this is the first time I am hearing about it. I have never taken part in questionable kickback in 1980 or at any time at all. Ehmmm, the last contract we got, the one  I was talking about earlier on very recently, was in 1976. There was never any kickback involved, it was by competitive tender, it must have been the product of a jaundiced mind, I didn’t read the Los Angeles magazine or whatever it is but definitely if I get more facts about it, I will go into it because there is no statute of limitation on that type of nonsense. 

.WHAT OTHERS SAY ABOUT HIM
.-Prince Bola Ajibola, former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation described MKO as the true father of our democracy.
.–Abiola lived a life that was ‘paradox of pain and pleasure, a parable of poverty and plenty.’-Newswatch
.I was deeply saddened to learn of the sudden and untimely death of MKO Abiola, a distinguished citizen and patriot of Nigeria. –Bill Clinton, US President. 

.CRITICISM
.-Abiola was one of the wealthiest men in Africa when he was alive. By the late 1980s, he was recognized as the richest man in Nigeria (but he constantly denied that he was a billionaire even if he was already flying all over the world in his own private jet).  And like every other moneybag, he was assailed on various sides by attacks from critics who loudly denounced him as a corrupt capitalist who manipulated an entire populace via a sophisticated network of bribery and sleaze, especially when it was time to run for the Presidency.

.-Some people also nurse a grudge with MKO Abiola for eternity because they believe that as a contractor working closely with brutal military dictators, he remains one of the architects of the problems we are facing in Nigeria.

.-Also, the fact that he also sponsored various military coups (reportedly gave IBB a sum of $10million to overthrow Buhari, gave tacit support to Shonekan’s overthrow) and rebellions (financed the rise of Yoweri Museveni of Uganda in 1986) has drawn the ire of many who see him as nothing but a conniving and sly business magnate concerned with only protecting his own interests.
.-MKO Abiola has also come under fire for his unbelievably vast of harem of wives, mistresses and women. Some joked that Aso Rock would not contain MKO and his family should he have become the President of Nigeria.

.-When the sly Babangida cancelled the presidential primaries of the National Republican Convention (NRC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Abiola was one of those fingered as being responsible for the plot, which was said to have been aimed at neutralizing the powerful Major General Shehu Musa Yar’adua, a mutual friend.
.-MKO Abiola was also accused of launching his vast media empire and utilizing it to stage massive propaganda against political opponents like Awolowo (who also fired back with his Nigerian Tribune). The media war between the two was not funny. MKO Abiola’s Concord newspapers were launched less than a year after the 1979 general elections. His papers published the damaging story on the Dideolu Estates and Maroko land deal against Awolowo accusing Awolowo of enriching himself but masquerading to the people as a socialist.

.-Abiola was also accused of being a religious bigot. In the year 1978, he walked out of the Constituent Assembly refusing to sign the 1979 constitution because people like Awolowo refused to approve the inclusion of the Sharia Islamic law at the federal level. Although, MKO’s zeal for his faith cannot be denied, there was no time that he used religion as a divisive factor. With time, he even became very tolerant to everyone irrespective of faith. At this stage, there is one incident I must chip in.

.In 1993, against the expectations of millions of Nigerians, General Babangida annulled the elections. Abiola was stunned. As the Vice-President of the National Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, he approached his northern Muslim allies to assist but he got the shock of his life. The Sultan of Sokoto, a friend of IBB, announced that the annullment was the will of Allah meaning Abiola should sempe with a satchet of cold pure water. On the other hand, the leaders of the major Christian bodies blasted IBB and told him that he had no right whatsoever to cancel Nigeria’s fairest and freest elections. The church did not only criticize IBB’s senseless decision but also refused to fall in line and instead called for the military dictator to honour the will of the electorate.

.A disappointed Abiola was told by his friends that the northern Fulani oligarchs did not trust him, a southwestern Yoruba, with such immense political power. Some of the northern powerbrokers (especially the northern army generals who were afraid MKO would probe and jail of them should he come to power, one of them even said Abiola would become president over his dead body) even cried out that giving the Presidency to a southerner would be nothing but a political harakiri. At the end, they made calls to pull of of the NSCIA and form their own parallel southwest Yoruba faction. That all southern Muslims should withdraw from the NSCIA and establish their own body for what they considered a stinging act of betrayal.

.CONTROVERSIES AND MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT MKO ABIOLA
.For a man who was immensely successful as MKO Abiola, he also had a horde of very powerful enemies who actively spread propaganda about MKO Abiola. While not entirely dismissing the fact that the late MKO Abiola might have gotten himself involved in some controversial deals especially being an executive tycoon, there are some allegations against him that do not hold any water and cannot stand even the flimsiest scrutiny. We take a look at these one after the other.

1. .DID MKO REALLY SINK A SHIP LOADED WITH THREE MILLION COPIES OF THE HOLY BIBLE? Although this is an incredible piece of nonsense, it is amazing how such fables gain ground and how people hold on to flimsy tales without demanding for concrete proof and evidence. If Bashorun or anyone else on earth tried such stupidity, it would make global headlines and spark trouble of unbelievable proportions. This fable should be left as it is. It is not worth sweating over.

2. .DID MKO ABIOLA REALLY MARRY HIS COUSIN’S DAUGHTER?

.Yes.

3. .WAS ABIOLA BEATEN TO DEATH?

.According to Abiola’s personal physician, Ore Falomo, this is a mere fabrication.

4. .WAS ABIOLA IN THE KNOW ABOUT SHONEKAN’S OVERTHROW BY ABACHA?

.Yes, MKO Abiola was aware and supported it. He knew about the plot and the idea was that Sani Abacha would later hand over to him. When Abacha took over, he sent General Oladipupo Diya as an emissary to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade, Olubuse II, the Oba of Lagos, the late Oba Adeyinka Oyekan and the Oba of Benin, Erediauwa I, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo to seek their opinion on the matter. The monarchs told him to handover to MKO Abiola but Diya returned and told Abacha to brush the advice of the kings aside that once a soldier gets to power, that is it.

.General Sani Abacha welcoming Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola to the Aso Rock Presidential Villa.

.HIS WEALTH
.Yes. Abiola was stupendously wealthy and he is easily one of the greatest philanthropists that Nigeria has ever seen. But exactly how much was the legendary MKO Abiola worth? He owned the Sierra-Leone Airline, Summit Oil, Concord Press, Concord Airline and even had his largest farm in Dakar, Senegal in addition to some of the vast farms he had in Nigeria.

.HIS CHILDREN

.For a man who maintained such an expansive harem, it comes as no surprise that Abiola is said to have had as much as 120 children from anything between 26 to 40 wives.

.MKO with his children in an old photo.

.AND DEATH CAME CALLING
.  On Tuesday, the 7^th of July 1998, the Nigerian Presidential Villa received some special guests. A delegation from the United States made up of Ambassador Thomas R. Pickering and Susan Rice arrived at the Akinola Aguda House (official residence of the Nigerian Vice President) at 3pm. They were in the country to plan and strategize on how the nation would transit to a civilian regime. What would later follow that day remains one of the most mysterious happenings in the annals of Nigerian history.
.
.MKO Abiola was sleeping where they held him and he was not aware of the delegation’s visit. They just woke him up and then  informed him he had to see some ‘important persons’. He stood up and brushed his teeth. He had not even taken his lunch when he followed them.
.An enthusiastic Abiola met Rice and they exchanged pleasantries. He even reminded her of the dress she was wearing the first time he met her. The petite American lady let out a warm smile to Chief’s kind words. Then Ambassador Pickering remarked that Abiola must have had a very outstanding brain for him to have remembered all the details, and they all laughed. In one corner was Death in his dark robes, lurking patiently.

. After a few minutes of exchanging banters, the group proceeded to start the meeting. But what the American delegation telling MKO Abiola? They were there to convince him to denounce his earlier mandate and run for another election in future. Since Abacha was already dead, the problem was becoming less complicated. But MKO Abiola had already told everyone in clear terms that was not going to happen. He had flatly refused the offer even before the American delegation came leading some to believe that Pickering and his team came for something else.
. What happened next is still the stuff of fiction. Just 10 minutes to the meeting, Abiola was said to have demanded for a cup of tea. He was a great lover of the beverage but there was something quite strange that afternoon. One, his chief guard, who was assigned to him was not present as no one had told MKO he would be meeting with any visitor. Two, according to Major Hamza al-Mustapha, the Chief Security Officer to the late Sani Abacha, the American delegation with their own tea of flask. Al-Mustapha described the flask as ‘multidimensional’.
. The American delegation poured Abiola some tea. They also poured some for themselves. But where in the world does the guest bring tea for the host? To cut a long story short, Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola took some sips of the tea. That would be his final gargle.
.  In a matter of minutes, Abiola’s countenance changed. He complained of pain in his chest and grabbed his chest. He then told the delegation to give him some minutes. He approached the toilet and by that time, he was already feeling very uncomfortable. He was having trouble breathing. Abiola did not come out of the toilet on time and they called him (why were doctors not called at this time?). He told the American delegation he was coming. By then, his voice was already weak and life was slowly ebbing out of his tired body. He was already fatigued and one can only imagine what was on his mind in those final moments of anguish. The delegation called out again if they should call a doctor. MKO told them to tell the guard to get him his painkillers and cough medication.
. By the time Bashorun emerged from the toilet, he was soaked in his own sweat and was holding on to life by the thread. He sat on the couch and according to Ambassador Pickering, MKO Abiola was sweating profusely and had to remove his clothes. He also asked for the room to be properly ventilated. At that stage, Susan Rice called on one of the guards to get a doctor (but why would such an important personality be left totally with a foreign delegation, all alone without his guard or anyone present at the so-called meeting?)

.Pickering said in 10 minutes a doctor had arrived but there was no ambulance so they helped carry a traumatized MKO into the car and followed him to the Aso Rock Clinic where he eventually died. For 90 minutes, doctors had tried to jerk his heart back to life but it was all unsuccessful. It was all useless. Abiola had already journeyed far. Far beyond the confines of his mortal body. Pickering stated:
.Clearly, the entire team of the doctors made all possible efforts to save his life but tragically all their efforts were in vain and he died.
.According to Ambassador Pickering, Abiola died between 3.20 and 3.40 pm. Their meeting had started 3.00 pm. Pickering, Rice and their delegation then extended their meeting till Wednesday before leaving the country. Following Abiola’s death, Ambassador Pickering spoke to the BBC and stated that there was the need for Nigeria to find the exact cause and nature of Abiola’s death and that his family has demanded for an autopsy conducted by a team of international specialists. Then Pickering added that there was no evidence of a foul play in MKO’s death. Hmmm…
.Here is some background information on Ambassador Thomas Pickering, who is now 82 years old: He was the United States Ambassador to Nigeria from the year 1981-1983 under the regime of President Shehu Shagari. He was the 17^th US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs from 1997-2000 and was in Nigeria in this capacity. He had served in the United States Navy before joining the US State Department where he worked at the Bureau of Intelligence and Research. While US Ambassador to El Salvador in 1983, he was marked down for assassination by some politicians in the country. The same year, a US Senator urged that Pickering be dismissed from his position for helping in the manipulations of elections in El Salvador. He is regarded as one of the best American diplomats in history. The New York Times even called him ‘’arguably the best-ever U.S. representative to that body’’ in reference to the United Nations while Time magazine called him a ‘five-star general of the diplomatic corps.’

.SUSAN RICE:.
.Susan Elizabeth Rice was the 12^th Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of African Affairs from 1997 to 2001. In that role, she was the head of the Bureau of African Affairs within the US Department of State and her responsibility was to guide the operations and activities of the American diplomatic establishment in Sub-Saharan Africa. Another function was also to advise the US Secretary of State and the Under Secretary for Political Affairs. That explains why she was part of the delegation. She was among those pencilled down by President Barack Obama to replace Hillary Clinton as the Secretary of State in 2013 but following the controversy of the Benghazi attacks in 2012 in Libya following Muammar Gaddafi’s death, her name was withdrawn. Obama later appointed her as the National Security Advisor (Assistant to the President on National Security Affairs), a role that did not need the confirmation of the US Senate and she remains in that position as you are reading this line. She is 49.
.Nigerian military history is full of twists, plans, attempts, secrets and conspiracies. MKO Abiola’s death stand out as one of the most spellbinding conspiracies in the annals of the nation’s records (same goes for Abacha’s death too). There are various versions and Abiyamo will take one after the other.

.THE THEODORE BETHNEL ZADOK THEORY
.-While MKO Abiola was incarcerated in Abacha’s gulag, the last two years he spent in jail was under the watch of an Assistant Superintendent of Police named Theodore Bethnel Zadok. Zadok was in charge of Bashorun’s welfare while in prison. In 2001, during a petition filed by Kola Abiola, MKO’s scion and his personal physician, Ore Falomo, Zadok stated that MKO was taken away from him only to be handed over later, dead. He said MKO was dead minutes after he was offered a cup of tea. Zadok, reading from paper, narrated as follows:
.
.THE ORE FALOMO THEORY:
.Dr. Ore Falomo was the personal physician and confidant of the late MKO Abiola and in June 2013, he stated in an interview with Punch that General Abdulsalami and the United States knew precisely what killed his late client and friend. He explained that the last time he saw and met with MKO Abiola was two weeks before his sudden death, and by that time, the Nigerian atmosphere was already saturated with rumours that Bashorun had died in detention. Ostensibly to dispel the rumours, the military arranged for him to meet with MKO. For the penultimate meeting, an army captain from the Presidential Villa was dispatched to tell Falomo that he was needed urgently at Aso Rock. He was a bit surprised why an army captain was sent because the previous meetings were arranged by the Commissioner of Police of Abuja under whom was MKO. Falomo said that when he got to Abuja, he was driven all over the city to waste time and to ensure that by the time it got dark, he would not even know the destination they were taking him to. Eventually, they came upon this bungalow.
.It was a new place that they had moved Abiola to. The duo hugged warmly and Abiola seemed quite excited and forlorn at the same time. Then they started conversing in Yoruba and the military guards interrupted but later allowed them to keep talking even with the guards listening to all they were saying. Falomo told him that there were dark rumours all over the place that he had died in detention. Then, Abiola took a deep breath and told Falomo:
. ‘I know that I’m dead. They have dug the grave. They have put me in the grave except that they have not closed me up.’
.Falomo was alarmed. His eyes lit up and asked his friend:
.‘What happened? Have they injured you? Have they injected you?’
.With another sigh, Abiola responded that none of the above was done but he just knew that the end was near, nearer than they all thought. Then all of a sudden, MKO’s mood switched and he said that he had forgotten all those that jailed him and murdered his wife and all the evils they had done to him. With eyes slowly welling up with tears, Abiola then said that it was now left to them to seek for God’s forgiveness. But as for him, he had forgiven all of them because he wanted God to forgive him too.

.    Falomo narrated that this was very strange and unusual of Abiola that in their previous visits, all they discussed were national matters and other issues not all these philosophy that MKO was now waxing. At that point, MKO Abiola started singing a song:
.‘Nearer to my God to Thee, nearer to Thee…’
.(For those who do not know, Abiola used to Christian songs even though he was a Muslim and while in Abacha’s jail, he would sing various songs all to himself).
.When he finished singing the song in English, he switched to the Yoruba version. Then he stood up, hugged Falomo and both of them broke down in tears. It was a spontaneous flood of emotion as both grown-up men wept like babies. Falomo, through his own steaming tears too, tried to calm MKO down and reassure him because he did not even have any idea of what MKO saw that he was behaving so strange all of a sudden.

.  Surprisingly, the overzealous guards did not even tell them that time was up. Perhaps they were also touched by the heart-wrenching display of emotion by a man on whose life many had pinned their hopes. After the sober encounter, Falomo left, promising him to tell the story to the world. Falomo would see him briefly one more time to change his toiletries and he stated that all through this period, MKO did not show any signs or symptoms of any illness or disease and spoke with a very sound mind. Days later, MKO Abiola was gone, to the Great Beyond.

.  While in jail, Abiola was visited by Chief Emeka Anyaoku, the former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth who also stated that he was in good health and in high spirits. By then, rumours were all over the nation that Abubakar would release MKO, Falomo told him of this rumour but what did Abiola do? He sneered at the gossip and declared that he did not believe that the military would just release him like that. Not even the hearsay that he would not be charged to court (Chief Rotimi Williams had said that the government had any evidence against him) could convince him.
.   Throughout his time in Abacha’s gulag, MKO Abiola was prevailed upon to renounce his mandate and regain his freedom. But Bashorun refused. He would rather die than bow his bemedalled head before some men simply because they wore the uniform and carried guns. After Abacha’s death, the same offer came up. MKO was told to forget about his mandate and be free and then wait till a future election. But again, he held fast to his dream.

.THE POSTMORTEM

.After Abiola’s death, the Nigerian Head of State sent a presidential jet to the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos through Buba Marwa, the military administrator of Lagos to ferry Ore Falomo, Abiola’s personal physician to Abuja. He refused to fly to Abuja and blasted Abubakar’s personal physician who called him on phone to quickly hurry to Abuja that he was not going to come and that if they had killed Abiola that they should eat him (yes, those were his words). An angered Falomo who was already given an appointment to see MKO in two weeks then delegated  Professor Oye Adeniran to represent him.
.  Upon telling Kola Abiola, MKO’s son, Kola said they should go to Abuja (he had already known of his father’s death before Falomo heard it on the BBC while inside Kola’s car and by the time they got to Maryland area, riots and violent protests had already broke out, they narrowly escaped with the vehicle intact), he insisted he would not fly to Abuja. Governor Buba Marwa then called him on phone again to fly to Abuja that the pilot and others were already waiting for him and that he would send a car to come pick them but Falomo must have taken after MKO with his stubbornness, he told Marwa he was going nowhere.

.However, he told Kola that the family should not go ahead with a hasty burial (the military authorities were already talking to two of MKO’s wives about a quick burial in line with Islamic traditions) and left standing instructions with Professor Adeniran that Abiola’s burial be delayed. Thereafter, MKO’s body was embalmed, wheeled into the morgue where it waited for the probing dissections of a team of international pathologists.

.The autopsy carried out the late MKO Abiola showed that his gastrointestinal tract was clear indicating that he had not eaten for hours as at the time of death. At the end of the autopsy, the team concluded that Abiola died of natural causes, that his heart did not get enough blood supply as a result of some vascular troubles. However, his personal physician, Falomo, would have none of that. He insisted that for someone like Abiola who was well to suddenly die of a heart attack was very suspicious. He stated categorically that something must have triggered the malformation in the rhythm of Abiola’s heart. Falomo has called for the government to probe deeper into the mysteries surrounding Abiola’s death. Well, in medicine, there are various agents that can affect the activity of the heart. They can make it beat faster, reduce the rate, modify the strength of each beat or even stop it totally. These agents can be drugs or poisons depending on the dose. Some leave traces in the system while some others disappear quickly depending on their bioavailability, rate of elimination and other pharmacokinetic factors.

.THE BURIAL

.After his sudden death, an entire nation was thrown into grief. A dark cloud over Nigeria refused to drift away. At 8.03am that fateful morning, a vehicle of the Diplomatic Corps marked CD 140 drove into MKO Abiola’s sprawling home. Inside the car were the remains of the owner of the house but this particular day he would not be sleeping in his own house, he would be sleeping outside, underground. The War General had come home from battle, to finally rest. The Bashorun was home, Aare Ona Kakanfo was finally back, just as he has said.
.Just as his death was an uneasy one, his burial was also a hectic event. For a man who received over 14 million votes from Nigerians all over the country, not a few were determined to give MKO Abiola a most befitting burial, the kind the nation has never seen before.

.Clerics praying over the corpse of MKO Abiola.

.  On the day of his burial, the Nigerian government was evidently not going to take chances and allow the event in Lagos to snowball out of control. Thus, there was an unprecedented display of force and military might. Scary-looking and menacingly-armed mobile policemen filled 22 vehicles of the Operation Sweep and they were strategically positioned to control any spontaneous outburst of anger from a thoroughly disenchanted populace. To back up the Operation Sweep vehicles was an armoured tank and a military helicopter that kept hovering overhead like the Sword of Damocles.
.   However, all the braggadocio of the military apparatus could not deter determined Nigerians who would face anything to give their hero and martyr a most memorable exit ceremony. Over 5,000 students from the University of Lagos, Lagos State University (LASU) and the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) poured out on the streets with defiance.

.Abiola’s grave.

.Abiola was buried beside his wife and lover, Simbiat.

.HONOURS, TITLES, AWARDS AND LAURELS
.Now, this is where MKO beats them all. It is quite difficult to think of any other Nigerian that is as bemedalled as MKO Abiola. Even Leonid Brezhnev would have sneered in envy…lol! The following are some of the honours bestowed on the late in-law of the Gbaguras.
.-The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland and the Bashorun of Ibadan. This is a very rare feat but MKO Abiola held these two titles simultaneously. They remain two of the most revered titles in Yorubaland. The Aare Ona Kakanfo is a military title given to the head of the Eshos (the Alaafin of Oyo’s special military force) who also doubles as the Field Marshal, Generalissimo, or War Commander of the Yoruba Army.

.Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Adeyemi installs MKO Abiola as the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland.

.In the days of old when the Old Oyo Empire commanded a lot of relevance, the Aare Ona Kakanfo was given only to the greatest military strategist and tactician. For a man in charge of a well-trained military force, the post is one that came with a lot of responsibilities. The post also came with rigorous initiation rites. Before MKO, the late Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola was the Aare Ona Kakanfo, he was assassinated in 1966 and it was not until 22 years later that MKO Abiola was given the title in 1988. Since MKO Abiola’s death in 1998, Yorubaland has remained Aare Ona Kakanfo-less. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo was said to have surreptitiously worked for the title but for now, Yorubas simply have no Field Marshal. The Aare Ona Kakanfo remains the single greatest honour that can be bestowed on a man in Yorubaland.

.MKO Abiola and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.

.Before anyone would fully take on the garb of the Aare Ona Kakanfo, he would be made to pass through some really interesting stages. One, the head is cleanly shaven to ensure that not even a single strand is left. Once that is done, 201 incisions are made on the shiny scalp of the prospective Field Marshal. Please note that these incisions are made with 201 DIFFERENT blades. Once the cuts are made, specially-prepared mixtures and ingredients from 201 DIFFERENT containers or pouches are rubbed into the cuts. The belief then was that the infusion of these ingredients would make the Aare Ona Kakanfo bold and fearless, the painful process is also expected to embolden his heart and toughen him up (and why am I suddenly thinking of transdermal patches?). Tenacity of character and an endless courage were features identified with the Aare Ona Kakanfos. They were even regarded as stubborn and heady by some.

.   Historical records have it that residents or citizens of Oyo Empire were never made the Aare Ona Kakanfos because an Aare Ona Kakanfo as the supreme military commander was expected to over-ride the decisions of the Alaafin of Oyo if the need be (something like the Chief of Defence Staff over-riding the orders of the President, just that in this case, the President, i.e the Alaafin is not the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces).

.Alaafin Adeyemi III of Oyo bestowed the title of Aare Ona Kakanfo on MKO Abiola.

.In order to add to the tasks of the Aare Ona Kakanfo as the Commander of the Alaafin’s Army and all of Yorubaland, he is expected to go to lead all the cavalrymen and soldiers to battlefield at least once in three years on the direct orders of the Alaafin. Within three months of reaching the battlefront, the Aare Ona Kakanfo has only two options: to return as a victorious war general or be returned home as a corpse, killed on the warfront. In short, the post was not for the faint-hearted. While in Abacha’s jail, MKO was aware of his role as an Aare Ona Kakanfo and remained incorrigibly focused on regaining his mandate despite all of Abacha’s entreaties and later, torture. For MKO, the battle for his mandate had gone beyond personal, it was now all-out-war with Abacha and his ruthless junta. Like a true Aare Ona Kakanfo, MKO Abiola fought his battle to the very end. He was the 14^th Aare Ona Kakanfo. His predecessors were: Kokoro Gangan (Iwoye), Oyatope (Iwoye), Oyabi (Ajase), Adeta (Jabata), Oku (Jabata), Afonja (Ilorin), Toyeje (Ogbomoso), Edun (Gbogun), Amepo (Abemo), Kurumi (Ijaye), Ojo Aburumaku (son of Toyeje of Ogbomoso), Latoosa (Ibadan) and Ladoke Akintola (Ogbomoso).

.Only Alaafin of Oyo can bestow the title of Aare Ona Kakanfo on anyone.

. Akintola mounted resistance and opened fire on armed soldiers who attacked him in 1966 before he was assassinated. Because of the often violent and tragic endings of many Aare Ona Kakanfos, some hold the belief that the title is jinxed. Some even state that the cursed Alaafin Aole placed on Afonja of Ilorin is the reason for the unfortunate deaths of the Aare Ona Kakanfos but Abiyamo does not just subscribe to this idea of curses being transferred via a gene pool or something.
.Legend has it that the Aare Ona Kakanfo carries no weapon in battle, except what is known as the ‘King’s Invincible Weapon’. The war attire of the Aare Ona Kakanfo was a cap made with tufts of the red feathers of a parrot which can reach his waist and a waist band made from leopard’s skin.

.-MKO was also the Bobagunwa of Egbaland.
.-January 1991: First Chancellor, Oyo State University of Technology (OSUTECH), now referred to as the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH). The name was changed after Oyo and Osun went their separate ways.
.-July 1987: He received the Life Membership Award of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), America’s biggest civil rights organization.
.-September 1987: Honoured with the Golden Key of the City of Washington DC by Mayor Marion Barry.
.-1998: Businessman of the Year Award, Los Angeles, California, USA. He was the first African ever to be so honoured. The award was given to him in appreciation of his ‘economic contributions to the upliftment of Africans and blacks in diaspora’.
.-Order of Merit in Gold, Confederation of African Football’s highest honour. A pillar of sports, Bashorun had rendered immense financial support to the CAF, Amateur Boxing Association, the Super Eagles (which got numerous donations from him) and many other sporting bodies.
.-In its August/September 2004 edition (No.432), the New African magazine named MKO Abiola as one of the 1oo Greatest Africans. Others on the list included Fela, Chinua Achebe and Kwame Nkrumah.
.-Probably, MKO Abiola was sung about by Nigerian musicians more than any other individual in the nation’s history. Enjoy some of the songs below: King Sunny Ade, tebe.
.-MKO Abiola Trade Complex was built in his honour.

.IN HIS REMEMBRANCE
.Bashorun MKO Abiola Lecture:
.Organized by the Africa Studies Association (ASA), the Bashorun MKO Abiola Lecture is awarded annually to a senior African scholar who then presents a lecture at the Annual ASA Meeting. It was established in the year 1992 with a generous fund from MKO himself and it runs till today. Past winners have included the legendary Ghanaian writer, Professor Ama Ata Aadoo, Ali Mazrui and Wande Abimbola.
.-A fiery Ewi poet, Kunle Ologundudu released an album that he titled Iku Abiola (Abiola’s Death). He had burst on the scene in June 1993 when he waxed a song Mokago June 12 (Raise The Alarm on June 12, it is not ‘Pound the Alarm’ o…lol!) criticizing the annullment of the results of the presidential elections.
.-Another Yoruba Ewi exponent, Alhaji Olanrewaju Adepoju also waxed very interesting songs on MKO. You can enjoy some here:
.
.The Moshood Abiola Stadium in Ogun State was named for him. Former President Goodluck Jonathan made attempts to rename the University of Lagos after the late MKO Abiola.

Abk

.A statue of MKO Abiola in Lagos.

.LEGACIES
.-General Sani Abacha was ready to release MKO Abiola from prison and even refund him for all the expenses that went to his presidential campaign and elections. But there was just one single condition attached: MKO would renounce his mandate. And that was where the Aare Ona Kakanfo plus the Bashorun in Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola showed its real face. Abiola could have betrayed his conscience, surrendered to Abacha’s crippling conditions and let down the over 14 million Nigerians who voted for him. But MKO Abiola would not be moved by Abacha’s vituperations. Not even the brutal assassination of his lover and wife, Kudirat, could bend his unflinching will. Not even Abacha’s brutal clampdown on his octopodal business empire could crack MKO’s determination. He was a man, flawed like everyone else, made costly mistakes, but he also shone, with the light of his philanthropy, and if there was any lesson MKO taught us as Nigerians, it was believing and dying for a cause we truly hold dear.
.When Kofi Annan came to meet him days before he was arranged to be released, the Ghanaian diplomat told MKO that he would have to forget about the presidency if he was to go home free. MKO Abiola flatly refused. He said the mandate was no longer his own load alone, that it was now the cross of millions of Nigerians too. He died a fighter, for democracy. I pray the current goons in power today do not make a mess of his sacrifice, and that of the countless unknown protesters killed during IBB and Abacha’s regimes or even during the Occupy Nigeria protests simply because they stood for and fought for one thing they shared with MKO: hope. Nigerian leaders should do not deprive the people of hope, for that may be the only thing they have left.  Nigerian leaders, do not deprive us of the hope of a brighter future, especially when you cannot lay down your lives for such a future. Goodnight, Bashorun.

.SOURCES: .

.
.CREDITS AND REFERENCES

1. .http://topetempler.wordpress.com/2013/06/12/june-12-as-an-industry-in-nigeria/

.MKO Abiola on June 12 Mandate by Lai Olurode, Rebonik Publications, 1993.

.MKO Abiola, The Great Achiever by J.F Brigue, Birsill Konsell Limited, 1993.

.How MKO Abiola Signed His Own Death Warrant by Wole Adejumo http://thestreetjournal.org/2013/07/how-mko-abiola-signed-his-own-death-warrant/

.Oyo Empire: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oyo_Empire

.Who Becomes The Aare Ona Kakanfo: http://olalekanakogun.blogspot.com/2012/08/who-becomes-aare-ona-kakanfo-of_23.html

.The News, Volume 15, Issues 13-26, page 19.

.How Abacha, Abiola Died In My Hands: http://sundaytrust.com.ng/index.php/top-stories/13727-how-abacha-abiola-died-in-my-hands-former-aso-rock-chief-physician-wali

.http://io9.com/5942161/the-deadliest-poisons-in-history-and-why-people-stopped-using-them

.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strychnine

.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heart-failure/DS00061/DSECTION=symptoms

.Nigeria: Set Aside By God for Greatness and The Untold Story of the June 12 Annulment by Adesina Adedipe, Paramount Communications, 2004.

.Trials and Triumphs: The Story of The NEWS by Wale Adebanwi

.African Studies Association Awards and Prizes http://www.africanstudies.org/awards-prizes/bashorun-mko-abiola

.Deliver Us From Evil: Warlords, Peacekeepers and a World of Endless Conflict(2000) by William Shawcross http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Genocide/Political_Prison_DUFE.html

.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UNSCOM

.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kofi_Annan

.Nigeria Takes First Step on Freedom Road by William Shawcross, The London Sunday Times, 7^th July, 1998.

.http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/1492580-bhagavadg-t

.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/128491.stm

.http://www.punchng.com/feature/interview/us-abubakar-knew-what-killed-abiola-dr-falomo/

.http://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/?year=1998

.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_R._Pickering

.http://history.state.gov/departmenthistory/people/pickering-thomas-reeve

.http://www.academyofdiplomacy.org/members/bios/pickering.htm

.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_E._Rice

.Owners of Nigeria by Seyi Oduyela: http://nigeriaworld.com/feature/publication/oduyela/092004.html

.Democratization and Islamic Law: The Sharia Conflict in Nigeria by Johannes Harnischfeger.

.http://pmnewsnigeria.com/about-2/

.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babafemi_Ojudu

.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P.M._News

.DOCUMENT – NIGERIA: FEAR OF ILL-TREATMENT / POSSIBLE PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE: BAYO ONANUGA: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/AFR44/021/1996/en/98e91555-eae7-11dd-b22b-3f24cef8f6d8/afr440211996en.html

.Repressive State and Resurgent Media under Nigeria’s Military Dictatorship by Ayo Olukotun.

.The Palace Coup of 1985: http://www.waado.org/nigerdelta/nigeria_facts/MilitaryRule/Omoigui/PalaceCoup-1985II.htm

.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Security_Advisor_(United_States)

.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assistant_Secretary_of_State_for_African_Affairs

.http://www.tribune.com.ng/news2013/index.php/en/component/k2/item/14999-how-babangida-betrayed-my-husband-%E2%80%94mko-abiola%E2%80%99s-wife.html

.Abacha: The Myth, The Man by Uche Ezechukwu

.Regional Perspectives on Labour and Unemployment by Karl Wohlmuth

.mkoabiola.org

SELECT 1 OPTION ABOVE. AND CLICK ON VOTE.

POLL RESULTS WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON SUNDAY...

Hello readers, Inside this post you will find trending important news in Nigeria this morning, you will find news that are of concern to Politics,Entertainment Economics,Locals and more... We update this page twice daily; morning and evening. CHECK BACK LATER TODAY FOR EVENING UPDATE




TOP NEWS IN NIGERIA TODAY(MORNING EDITION)


=>ICC receives petition against Alaafin of Oyo for murder and human rights abuse - Naij.com

The International Criminal Court (ICC), the Hague, has acknowledged a petition against the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi over alleged criminalities relating to murder, bomb planting and human rights abuse.
The petition titled: “Unprecedented criminality, flagrant human rights violations, bomb planting, gun running and unresolved assassinations in Oyo town, Oyo state” was delivered to the ICC on September 9, 2015.
We exclusively obtained copies of both the petition and ICC’s letter, dated February 2, 2016, acknowledging receipt of the petition.
The ICC reply came just over a week after President Muhammadu Buhari received similar petition against Oba Adeyemi.
Earlier on December 15, 2014, Justice Ayo Emmanuel of the Federal High Court, sitting in Ibadan, granted an order of mandamus brought before it by Jacob Oluokun and Sulaiman Ishola to compel the Inspector General of Police to investigate the criminal allegations, against Oba Adeyemi.
But since the order was given, the Nigerian Police have continued to disregard the directive even after the IGP, Solomon Arase, was threatened with jail term for contempt of court.
“Successive IGPs have refused to obey the order (to investigate the Alaafin) even after two letters of reminder on January 5 and 21,” the petitioners’ counsel, Abiodun Abdur-Raheem said.
READ FULL NEWS

 =>Why I cannot do without Funke Akindele - Comedian A.Y

– Ayo Makun has stamp his feet in the sand of time with his debut movie 30 Days In Atlanta
– He shares the secret of the success of 30 Days In Atlanta
– The comedian talks about his relationship with Funke Akindele and why he cannot do without her.
There is this strong bond between you and Funke Akindele, she is always by you either during AY Live or in your movie. What is the bond?
Yes, it’s relationship, it is talent. Iron sharpeneth iron; it is just gaining the right connection with somebody you believe you can work with. And Funke shares that same believe like if it is AY I am ready to go. It is going to be Funke because the connection is there and she also can deliver so it is not only about connection, it is about who she is, her gift and her talent as well. She is somebody who has it and nobody will drop that idea of working with somebody like that.

READ FULL NTERVIEW

 =>K1 stages birthday bash for 3 daughters in 1 day

Fuji music maestro K1 De Ultimate known simply as K1 on Sunday, February 7, threw a lavish birthday party for his three daughters at Ticklebay in Lekki , Lagos.

One of the celebrants Anjolaoluwa Whitney

The three daughters are from different mothers with the last one being the daughter of Titi Masha.The three celebrants, with K1and wife Titi Masha

The party had celebrities like the youngest wife of Eleganza CEO Shade Okoya, Lil Kesh, Patoranking, the publisher of Global Excellence magazine Mayor Akinpelu among others in attendance.
READ FULL INNTERVIEW

=> Shaapera wins TECNO Own The Stage

After months of competing against some of Africa’s finest talents, Shaapera on Sunday, February 7, emerged as the maiden winner of TECNO Own The Stage.
It was a culmination of years of hard work for the Nigerian-born Shaapera who went home with the competition’s grand prize of $25,000 at the end of Sunday’s Grand Finale in Lagos.
In addition, she also earned for herself a recording deal as well as a brand new TECNO Phantom 5.
In second place was the Tanzanian, Nandy, who went home with $15,000, a three-month internship programme at the internationally acclaimed Chocolate City, and a Tecno Phantom 5 smartphone, while Pascal, from Kenya, finished in third place and earned for himself $10,000 and a Tecno Phantom 5 smartphone.
Sikin, who was the other Kenyan that made it into Sunday’s Grand Finale, placed fourth at the end of the show.
READ FULL NEWS

These Updates Are Brought To You By Apata Bayode Follow Him On Twitter Here

Hello readers, Inside this post you will find trending important news in Nigeria this morning, you will find news that are of concern to Politics,Entertainment Economics,Locals and more... We update this page twice daily; morning and evening. CHECK BACK LATER TODAY FOR EVENING UPDATE



TOP NEWS IN NIGERIA TODAY(MORNING EDITION)


=>Biafra: 6 IPOB Members Shot Dead In Aba, 30 Injured, 45 In Police Net - Vanguard

ABA—The protest embarked on by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, over the prolonged detention of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, yesterday, turned bloody in Aba, Abia State, as a combined team of security agents, comprising soldiers and policemen allegedly fired shots at the protesters, killing six members of the group and arresting 20.
Also in Enugu, the Police in the state yesterday, arrested 25 members of the IPOB, who had gathered at the Naira Triangle in preparation for a protest march. Vanguard gathered that the protesters had, as early as 9am, converged at National High School, along Port Harcourt-Aba road, from where they usually march to other areas of the city when security agents swooped on them.
Sources said the IPOB members were in prayer session when the soldiers and their police counterparts invaded the area and arrested some leaders of the group. In the confusion, several protesters were injured while 10 were feared dead.
Eyewitnesses told Vanguard that the casualty figure would have been higher had some of the protesters not escaped. According to them,“the protesters as usual, gathered at the school to pray before taking off, but soldiers and policemen invade the area.
There was heavy shooting. I saw more than three dead people. Many others were injured.” The situation caused tension in the area as shop owners and residents scampered to safety.
Motorists avoided the stretch between Crystal Park Hotel junction and National High School in order not to be caught in the crossfire. An IPOB official who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the security agents arrested the group’s Aba Coordinator identified as Ikechukwu and some of his assistants.
The official, who disclosed that 20 IPOB members were being detained by the Police, insisted that they would not relent until their detained leader is released as well as the actualization of an independent state of Biafra, adding that the protest would continue until Friday. READ FULL NEWS


 =>  Pics: Actress Toyin Aimakhu's Ex-Husband, Adeniyi Johnson Flaunts Mystery New Lover

As Toyin Aimakhu moved on to socialite and millionaire Nollywood investor, Seun Egbegbe. Her estranged husband, Adeniyi Johnson seems to have done the same. He flaunted this mystery lady with an interesting caption. (Do we hear wedding bells?)
He has also removed ''husband'' from his instagram bio.SOURCE

=>Confirmed: Ali Baba says Helen Paul backstabbed him

Acclaimed king of comedy, Alleluya Atuyota Akprobomere, popularly known as Ali Baba, has confessed that comedienne Helen Paul was the one he referred to in a controversial Instagram post last year.
In the post, Ali Baba berated a ‘female colleague’ who ‘backstabbed’ him after he had recommended her for an event, and as well done several favours for without waiting for any compensation in return.
Ali Baba’s comments immediately went viral on social media, albeit a war of words also ensued between Helen Paul and Gordons a few days earlier at the AY Live Comedy show in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital.
Fingers were instantly pointed at Helen as the ‘backstabber’ in question by social media commentators.
Tatafo, as Helen is fondly called, later posted a comment, literally claiming that if she was the one in question, Ali Baba would have personally called her to express his grievances.
A few days later, the king of comedy denied that he was referring to her, but a source close to him has claimed otherwise.
“He (Ali Baba) actually confessed to me that he was referring to Helen Paul. He is quite bitter about the fact that after recommending her for a job, which they were billed to co-host, she was suggesting to the event planner to use a younger male comedian instead.
“What the lady (Helen Paul) did was wrong actually, so Ali has the right to be upset,” our source revealed.
SOURCE 

=> My Brothers Failed To See The Talent In 9ice, Phyno & Others- Paul Okoye Regrets

– Paul Okoye said the brothers would have signed Phyno, 9ice, Kiss Daniel
– Paul explained why the Okoye brothers are doing things independently
– He said he was sure of achieving success with his new artiste, Muno
Following the birth RudeBoy records and signing of Muno to the label, Paul Okoye of Psquare has revealed why the brothers are doing business individually.
In an exclusive interview with Naij.com on Monday, February 8 at their Omole residence, Paul maintained that Psqaure remains intact but it was time for each of them to try out things independently without hurting the Psquare family.
He said he decided to sign Muno immediately he heard him so as not to repeat missed opportunities he had with some artistes in the past. He revealed that he had missed opportunity of signing artistes who are now stars just because he wanted them signed unto Square records.
“When they brought Muno to me, I heard his voice, I accepted him immediately because I no wan hear say he don blow tomorrow and I don miss again (general laughter).”
He further explained that Square records had missed opportunities of signing several artistes.
“When Jude brought Cynthia Morgan I was in support of it, but my brother (Peter) wasn’t comfortable with it but Jude doesn’t want that kind of stories anymore so he went on his own. We don’t want to experience the kind of experience we had before because the problems we will start resolving might even start affecting us. Now, some of us are now like, ‘if to say we know we for allow this girl join us o in Square records’.
READ FULL NEWS

Actress Funke Adesiyan says she does not believe in marriage

Nollywood actress turned politician Funke Adesiyan is gradually carving a niche for herself as a controversial personality.
The actress who contested in the 2015 general election for the Oyo state House of Assembly and is ripe for marriage has just dropped a shocker concerning marriage.
Adesiyan relocated to Ibadan after her failed relationship with star Nollywood actor Saheed Balogun. She said she does not believe in marriage.
 “I never believed in this sham called marriage. I rather appreciate two lovers appreciating one another without any imprisonment. What would give a wife the right to kill her husband and vice versa if not the nonsense that had filled their brains of “owning one another till death do us part”? Not one person has the right to another’s life. Not even the child you gave birth to. They are gifts from God.
The lawyer who killed her husband must be jailed if not killed in return. She has to learn her lesson that just because they were married doesn’t mean she owns his life. It’s just stupid”.
The actress who has been working on her stature said she is done with working out. She said she has achieved the perfect shape she wanted and that the only thing left for her is to maintain her new figure. She said this on her Instagram page.
SOURCE

These Updates Are Brought To You By Apata Bayode Follow Him On Twitter Here

Tony Ogunlowo just sent this in, and we think some of you may want to read.. so check this new article he's got for you below

The Wanton Abuse of Spiritual Powers by Tony Ogunlowo

“ With great power comes great responsibility”, goes the common saying.

Some people are very fortunate to be endowed with great spiritual powers; they’re able to see the future, heal and, through prayer and meditation, avert disasters amongst other things.

On the downside certain unscrupulous people with spiritual abilities are using it for evil purposes; to cast spells to destroy and kill people, cheat nature by faking healings, manipulating predictions and creating questionable instant wealth.

Any spiritual power is a gift from God and the fortunate recipient must treat it with respect and be responsible with it. It is a gift that is to be used for the good and empowerment of Mankind and nothing else.

Having spiritual powers connects us to the power of the Universe or the God-being. With practice these abilities can become limitless – nothing is impossible – as the recipient becomes privy to great knowledge and wisdom. The cars we drive, the computers we use, cures for diseases, the future foretold and disasters averted are all as a result of certain individuals using their spiritual abilities for the greater glory of Mankind.

But there are those who use it for dark, evil purposes.

Because you can doesn’t give you the right to put ‘juju’ on someone destroying their life and tampering with their destiny. The repercussions, maybe not immediately, will be severe.

Likewise using spiritual powers to do anything bad contravenes the Law of the Universe and God. The spiritual power endowed upon such persons becomes tainted. It’s no longer a gift but becomes a tool for the Devil to wrought his work. The said practitioner is now using black magic.

Again to all black magic practitioners out there, there are severe repercussions for abusing God-given spiritual powers. For every action there is an equal reaction. For whatever evil spells or curses you send out you can be rest assured it will come back to haunt you. Like a boomerang it will bounce back mostly at a time when you least expect it. Only in coming back the evil power sent out would have magnified, many time over, bringing disaster and calamity back to the sender. Desist.

Having spiritual powers is also not an excuse to enrich yourself at the expense of the needy as many rogue prophets and pastors and witchdoctors do. It’s a gift from God to be used to help others, if possible, and not to extort money from them.

So how should someone with spiritual powers act?

First and foremost the individual must realize the power is a gift from God and it must be treated with the utmost respect and used responsibly. It’s not for showing off, bragging or to be used to exert power over another person.

Under no circumstances is it to be used for evil purposes or anything that contravenes the will of God. If it’ is it becomes black magic and both practitioner and recipient will be held accountable, either in this life or the next.

It is not a money-spinner either. The mere fact you’ve got certain spiritual powers does not mean you have been given a licence to print money. There are unscrupulous practitioners out there, prophets and pastors included, who charge exorbitant fees for ‘healing’ and ‘predictions’. The powers you possess are a gift from God and should be as free as the air we breathe and the water we drink . Turning it into a business or using it to get more people to come to your church is wrong.

So you people, out there, who have certain spiritual powers remember that with great power comes great responsibility. Don’t abuse it and don’t misuse it.

Hello readers, Inside this post you will find trending important news in Nigeria today, you will find news that are of concern to Politics,Entertainment Economics,Locals and more... We update this page twice daily; morning and evening. CHECK BACK LATER TODAY FOR EVENING UPDATE



TOP NEWS IN NIGERIA TODAY(MORNING EDITION)


=>Soldiers kill Boko Haram terrorists in early morning ambush-Naij.com

– The troops ambushed the terrorists in the morning
– Recovered vehicle and ammunitions
– Army says more operational strategies are being employed to further flush the terrorists out
Troops of 212 Tank Battalion, 29 Task Force Brigade, recorded success in the onslaught against the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists in the North East.
In a statement issued on February 10, by Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, acting director army public relations, a copy obtained by Naij.com, the troops in an early morning ambush killed some sect members.
Colonel Usman disclosed that some of the terrorists managed to escape after sustaining gunshot wounds.
The ambush, which was laid at a major cattle market in Gwai Mainari around Mainok general area, was supported by a Quick Response Group (QRG).
The troops captured a Hilux vehicle containing 8 jerry cans of petroleum, oil and lubricants, large quantity of 7.62mm ammunitions, 127mm ammunitions and 4 AK-47 rifles, as well as 5 hand grenades.
He further revealed that more operational strategies are being employed to completed wipe out the remaining Boko Haram terrorists from wherever they might be hiding in the troubled area.
The army spokesman said the gesture was in continuation of their clearance operations of the Boko Haram terrorists in the Northeastern part of the country.
SOURCES


These Updates Are Brought To You By Apata Bayode Follow Him On Twitter Here

As we all know it is throwback Thursday so we've decided to show you a few interesting photos of how Nigeria and Nigerians used to be in the past.. Well, for the elders, this will jog up some memories and also let younger ones know how things were.

Threaded hair was the fashion in the seventies Nigeria. This style is called twisted. Cool.. ain't it?

Nigerian youths celebrating Val in 1965. Razz and Lovely Ain't it?

Nigerian kids chilling at the beach n the 1940s...Wow.. I feel like being among them right now...

Hello readers, Inside this post you will find trending important news in Nigeria today, you will find news that are of concern to Politics,Entertainment Economics,Locals and more... We update this page twice daily; morning and evening. CHECK BACK LATER TODAY FOR EVENING UPDATE


TOP NEWS IN NIGERIA TODAY(MORNING EDITION)


=>PDP wins APC again as Supreme Court declares Darius Ishaku winner of Taraba election-Dailypost

The election of Taraba state governor, Darius Ishaku of the People Democratic Party (PDP), has been upheld by the Supreme Court.
The appeal lodged by Senator Aisha Jumai Alhassan, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was unanimous dismissed by a seven-man panel of Justices of the apex court, Vanguard reports.
Delivering the judgment, Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour said: “I am of the firm view that there is no merit in this appeal and it is hereby dismissed. The Judgment of the ‎Court of Appeal is affirmed and the election of governor Darius Ishaku is hereby upheld.”
The apex court fixed February 22, 2016 as the date when it would adduce reasons that informed the judgment.
The Taraba state governorship election petition tribunal  led by Justice Danladi Abubakar had on November 7, nullified Ishaku’s election and declared Alhassan the winner of the election. The three-member tribunal held that Ishaku was not validly nominated as candidate of the PDP and therefore did not qualify, from start, to contest the governorship election.
Governor Ishaku filed an appeal asking the court to set it the judgement of the state tribunal aside.
The Court of Appeal had on December 31, 2015, reversed the judgment of the Abubakar-led tribunal which nullified Ishaku’s election.
Alhassan who is currently the Minister of Women affairs, had proceeded to the apex court, asking it to set aside the verdict of the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal.
READ FULL INTERVIEW

=>“I Thought He was a bit Rude & Arrogant” Tiwa Savage on meeting Tee Billz for the First Time

SOURCE

=>One day we will sleep and never wake up - Actress Ronke Oshodi Oke

Famous busty actress Ronke Oshodi Oke has joined her colleagues in mourning late Yoruba actor Sikiru Adeshina popularly known as, Arakangudu.
The light skinned actress on Wednesday night took to her Instagram account to eulogize the late actor and seized the opportunity to tell her fans to always be good and remember that one day we will all go to a land of no return.
Ronke Oshodi Oke posted a picture of late Arakangudu dressed in a white suit with the caption: “This man was on my movie set (Osun Sengese), strong and healthy but today he’s late. We should always have it at the back of our minds that one day we will sleep and never wake up so we should try to be good to people, always go to the hospitals for check-ups and do what makes you happy and know God because life is too short. Sun re ooo (Sleep well) Sikiru Adeshina.”
SOURCE

=>Adewale Ayuba talks about his fear after conversion To Christianity

What could have Adewale Ayuba done for his life to be at stake?
Every first Sunday of the month is called thanksgiving Sunday in all Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) worldwide. So it was not different in RCCG City of David parish, Lagos where newly converted Christian, veteran Fuji musician Adewale Ayuba worships. He was one of the testifiers during testimony time.
In his testimony Ayuba talked about how the fear for his dear life did not allow him to come out as a Christian even when he had become born again since 2010 but had the courage to come out in 2015.
He said his main fear is the genre of music he plays which is seen more as a song done by Muslims. Aside that he narrated how he keeps Muslim clerics in his house to pray for him. Before his conversion, Ayuba was turbaned as the Asupa Adinni in Lagos, a Muslim title in the 90s therefore his fear that he might be killed.
The fuji singer also testifies to the goodness of God in his life since his conversion and also sang gospel song in a Fuji tone.
See video below:
READ FULL INTERVIEW


These Updates Are Brought To You By Apata Bayode Follow Him On Twitter Here

                      PROFILE
FULL NAME:              Francis Agoda

DATE OF BIRTH:      April 4, 1979

OCCUPATION:          Comedian

MARITAL STATUS:  Married




INTRODUCTION 
I go dye is a very popular Nigerian comedian who started his career as far back as year 2000, he is definitely among the top 5 comedians in the country at the moment, he is also rated by many media outlets among the top three richest comedians in Nigeria.





EARLY LIFE AND BACKGROUND 

I Go Dye, was born on April 4, 1979. He is a Popular Nigerian Comedian, and an indigene of Abraka, in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. He is married and blessed with a son.
He had his Primary Education at Ighogbadu Primary School, then proceeded for his secondary education at the College of Commerce in Warri, Delta State, where he became the zonal project manager of Junior Engineering Technical Society (JET Club). At an early age, he invented a flying helicopter, a hover craft ship, a radio transmitter and a battery table fan, which earned him a scholarship to study structural engineering at a university in New York. However, he declined the offer.
I Go Dye started out at a time when comedy in Nigeria wasn't looked at much and wasn't seen as a means to achieving livelihood--comedians in general were earning relatively low income. However, he continued to pursue his passion, until he was invited to join the Press Literary Art Drama Debating Society (PLADDS). He soon became PLADD's Programme Director. His membership to the organization helped him to further hone his skill in comedy.
According to the comedian, his parents did not believe one could make a living out of comedy. He has this to say “The truth is that every parent would want to give a son or daughter all the support they need in life. But when we started comedy some 20 years ago, it was not a lucrative business “They just believed that ‘oh our son is just having fun.’ They wanted the best for me and wanted me to be an engineer because I was the first one to build a helicopter in Delta State. I was also the first to build a hover craft. I also constructed a radio transmitter. My superiors were so impressed at Urhobo College I was given a scholarship to study Structural Engineering,”
I go dye revealed in an interview with Vanguard in 2014 that as a child, his dream had been to be an engineer. However, comedy came to him by accident after he won a scholarship to study Structural Engineering and was interviewed on Delta State TV in the early 1990s. His life took a dramatic turn. He has this to say “My life changed forever when I was interviewed on Delta State TV on my inventions. They asked me a couple of questions and I proudly started talking. Before I knew it everybody was laughing including those interviewing me. Each time I tried to demonstrate the creativity that resulted in the innovations, people just couldn’t stop laughing and the lady who was presenting the show said to me, ‘young man, drop this thing. You have a great future as a comedian.’
He added “That’s how I was introduced to Tunde Omonode and before I knew it I was on Delta TV doing the DTV Talk Show alongside my friend, I Go Save. I was so surprised because I never really knew I was funny; the impact we had was so great! The love was overwhelming and I was like wow!
“I always started my comedy those days with my short comings in life but that one’s another story for another day,” he says waving his hands emphatically, “I tried to tell my fans that no matter where they’re coming from, they’ll succeed as long as they stay focused.”


CAREER AND LIFE

He began his career in comedy in 1991 at the age of 13 in Delta State Television, DTV Top Show with veteran broadcaster Tunde Omonode. He also became co-host presenter of a programme called Mock News every Saturday, together with his friend Otaghware Otas Onodjayeke, fondly called i go save. Later, I Go Dye got a contract to perform in the first comedy club in Nigeria, the Prest Motel in Benin City, Edo State, where he was paid one thousand Naira per show.

He gained popularity on media stations and on one occasion when he went to perform at the Univeristy of Benin(UNIBEN), he met Baba Kome who shared the idea of performing in Night of A Thousand Laughs. He auditioned for Night of Thousand Laughs, and was rejected four times by the organizers of the event. Opa Williams (organizer of Night of a Thousand Laughs) took I Go Dye to the Pre-Reel Award to watch his performances when Azuh Arinze of National Encomium Magazine gave him an opportunity to perform at the Pre-Reel award, where he overwhelmed the audience. After this, Opa Williams signed a contract with him to perform in the forthcoming Night of a Thousand Laughs 2000. Consequently, he was also made to perform at the REEL AWARD and the AMEN Award of 2000. Opa Williams also presented a special award to him as the most outstanding comedian that was featured in the show.

His introduction into the Night Of a Thousand Laughs and his performances earned him a place in the comedy industry of Nigeria as his first national break could be traced back to the year 2000. He has become a sought-after comedian by events promoters in Nigeria and Europe.
I go dye says that things have been looking up since his eventful emergence into the very competitive industry that has seen many come and go over the past ten or more years, though the challenges involved are highly enormous and one has to come up with new materials and wit to keep one relevant over time”.

His first European tour was in 2005 with Ehizoya Golden Entertainment, which took him across nine countries and 18 cities in Europe. He was also invited by NIEDO France to perform during the UNESCO Cultural Week.
I Go Dye has been featured in MTV Africa Music Awards and also in opening and closing shows of the world's notable musicians including Akon, 50Cents, Rick Ross and others.
He has won several awards including the Creative Award in Africa (CAN), African Best Comedian, TV People Golden Award (New York), Best Creative Comedian In Africa, the NIDOE-SPAIN Award for his contribution to the upliftment of Nigerian cultural and artistical values, the Nigeria Best Comedian Award (NEA AWARD), National Comedy Award (NCA), Best Comedian In Nigeria, Best Niger-Delta Comedian, and many more.

I go dye has been honoured by the United Nations as one of its Ambassadors. The successful comedian is now the international body’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Ambassador. I Go Dye is now among other UN MDGs Ambassadors around the world working to realise the objectives of the United Nations.
The honour is in recognition of the impact I Go Dye has on society through comedy. He was given the mandate to continue to facilitate the realization of the United Nations MDGs.
I Go Dye, Daily Independent gathered, is involved in philanthropic and humanitarian projects. He is also an advocate of non-violence approach to issues among youths in Africa, inspiring them to seek good leadership and eradication of poverty.

In an interview with daily independent, I Go Dye had this to say, “I feel honoured by this, but it will be more gratifying to me, when I will see our leaders create more opportunities for the youths and making effort to gainfully employ them. As at today, millions of Africans are suffering and faced with uncertainty. The future seems vague and there is no hope in sight.
“Until this personal desire for a better Africa is achieved, my heart knows no profound happiness because someone is still sleeping without a meal.”
He added, “But this recognition shows that my work is not in vain. I thank God for giving me this talent that is inspiring others and also to my fans all over the world, who have been supporting me with their prayers and love. Without you, all these achievements won’t have been possible. May God bless you all.”

The honour came with a customised vehicle number plate: MDG AMB 7K, an
international identification card and an honorary plaque.
His story is one of grass to grace. From humble beginnings in Warri, the comedian, I Go Dye has risen to be one of Nigeria’s most prominent comedians. In fact, everything about him is comic.
I Go Dye has come a long way; from Lagos to Abuja, from Nigeria to the UK and the US including most European capitals, the UN Peace Ambassador has plied his trade winning fans across the globe and thrilling audiences.
In a career that spans 20 years, the rib cracker has done it all and seen it all. He however has this advice for youngsters who want to walk in his footsteps…

“The advice is that they should believe in themselves and know that truly, no one can believe in you more than you believe in yourself. Even if the world tells you that you cannot do it, tell the world that you can. There’re people who are writers, there’re those who are singers and those who are dancers so you have to believe you can do it.
“They should not think of being Tuface or I Go dye. Rather, they should be thinking of being what God has chosen for them and fulfilling their purposes in this world; they should carve an identity for themselves.
“Wole Soyinka is celebrated worldwide today because he writes. Michael Jackson is respected worldwide today because he could sing and dance. Hussein Bolt is a celebrity today because he runs very fast. Eddie Murphy is a super star today because he acts very well and so too is Genevieve Nnaji. All these people have achieved the best in what they know how to do best so now they can rule the world just like Obama.”



AWARDS AND ENDORSEMENTS
I Go Dye has won various awards, including:

• African Best Comedian
• The Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation of Europe-SPAIN Award for his contribution to Nigerian culture and art
• The Nigeria Best Comedian Award (NEA AWARD)
• The National Comedy Award (NCA)

ENDORSEMENTS
Reported to have several endorsements

 CONTROVERSIES

I go die and family

Award

SOURCES: nigerianbiography.com,takemetonaija.com

Hello readers, Inside this post you will find trending important news in Nigeria today, you will find news that are of concern to Politics,Entertainment Economics,Locals and more... We update this page twice daily; morning and evening. CHECK BACK LATER TODAY FOR EVENING UPDATE



TOP NEWS IN NIGERIA TODAY(MORNING EDITION)


=>Boko Haram: Bloody attack in Goshi, 27 killed, 7 injured-Naij.com

SOURCES

=>  Actress Monalisa Chinda ready to remarry?

Nollywood actress, Monalisa Chinda, whose marriage to the Question Mark label boss, Dejo Richards, crashed about seven years ago, may be warming up to give marriage another chance. If the buzz making the rounds is anything to reckon with, then the 41-year-old mother of one will be walking down the aisle before the end of this month. Monalisa-ChindaMonalisa-Chinda Sources close to the actress revealed that she would be tying the nuptial knots with one Victor Coker, who is said to hail from the Niger Delta region. Recall that her marriage to ex-husband, Segun Dejo-Richard, hit the rocks as a result of purported domestic violence. According to reports, the beautiful actress is currently engaged to the said Victor Coker, who paid her bride price in December 2015, at their introduction ceremony. They have chosen February 20th as their engagement date and an undisclosed date in May 2016, for the white wedding scheduled to hold in Greece. It was further gathered that the traditional wedding would take place at the actress’ father’s compound in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, with a few of her celebrity friends in attendance.
Recall that Monalisa once said that she regretted being divorced. According to her, “One thing I regret most is the fact that I am divorced. Where I come from, I’m the first daughter. I’m from a royal family, it has never been on record in my family that the first daughter would walk out of her matrimonial home. But it was a matter of life and death, otherwise, I would have stayed back and make my marriage work.”
SOURCE

=>Olajumoke Orisaguana Gets Luxury Apartment In Lagos (pics)

According to Chris Ogunlowo,former Agege bread seller turned model Olajumoke has been given a luxury home in Lagos.
Chris wrote...
This is ‪#‎Olajumoke‬. She’s just been offered a furnished luxury apartment in Lagos and an enrollment into the Poise finishing school. This is a clever (and humane) PR by Sujimoto Construction Limited. Very clever. (Only if I were one of dem lifestyle and gossip bloggers, I would have been screaming EXCLUSIVE, earn massive traffic to my site and likely ruin these pictures with watermarks!, lol). Her husband looks kinda dazed as though he’s trying to figure if the Bible says, “he who finds a GOOD wife or he who finds a LUCKY wife… “. But, really, how incredible that someone can be this lucky in a Buhari economy!”
Congrats to her.What a turning point in her life!Everybody fit make am na matter of time
SOURCE 


These Updates Are Brought To You By Apata Bayode Follow Him On Twitter Here

Well, we are still in the val-season and you should checkout what we've got for the ladies this time around. Nigerian ladies sometimes can be stingy during valentine periods, and we think that shouldn't happen this time around, so; checkout a few nice and affordable things you can get your partner.



Culled: Nigerianeye
Gifting something special to your guy on Valentine’s Day can be a little tricky. Guys are usually not so forthcoming or particular about what they want as gifts. But that does not mean they don’t love them. So what to get for them? Well, let us make your task easy by telling you about the gifts your guy secretly desires.
Chocolates, roses or soft toys are a complete no-no; they only prove that you have not put too much thought into what to gift him. If you want to give him the perfect gift, get something which is really thoughtful. Here are few ideas for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for your guy.

1. Sports memorabilia
Is your boyfriend a sports freak? We know when it comes to guys you might feel this question should not be asked, but we still want you to think hard and answer. We want you to recollect what sport he actually likes and what teams or players are his favourites


2. You can gift him the sports memorabilia of his favourite team.
His favourite team’s jersey or an autograph of his favourite player will definitely make him go over the moon. You can easily find sports memorabilia from various auction sites. So, start bidding in advance. If this is out of your reach, then you can gift him match tickets or an annual subscription to his favourite sports magazine. If nothing else works, it is easy to find a jersey or jacket with his favourite player’s number on it.

3. Perfume
Guys love to be pampered just like girls. This is something we know they would never accept! So, gift him a high-end perfume that he has been lusting after for ages. Try to figure out his taste, the perfume notes he prefers, look for his favourite brand and make your choice accordingly.
If you don’t like his choice of perfume then you gift him something that you think will make him smell good. Ask a buddy of his to tag along, so that he can help you make a good choice.

4. Gadgets
Guys love gadgets and they secretly desire for them always. You don’t need to break your bank account by gifting your boyfriend a high priced gadget; you can give him something quirky and fun. A water-based alarm clock, a USB drive in the shape of his favourite super hero or a new set of stylish noise-cancelling headphones will definitely make him happy. You can also get some colourful Bluetooth speakers, to add a colourful spark to his room.

5. Fun things
Try for things that are a little different and fun. Colourful shot glasses with crazy captions, stylish bottle openers and even stoppers, a Kamasutra card set, a Swiss knife, darts game or a poker chip set are some of the fun things which will make your guy’s face light up with delight. Well, such a gift would also show your man, what a “cool” girlfriend you are!

6. Chocolates
By chocolates we don’t mean those gifts packs that are available in supermarkets. Your chocolates need to be a little hatke. After all, they are for the most hatke person in your life! Premium dark chocolates stuffed with paan, chilly or saunf can really tingle his taste buds. If your guy is not too adventurous with his food, you can gift the traditional chocolates with praline and nuts filling.

7. Dig into his likes
This one depends on how well you really know your man. Think about what he likes, it can be something completely nerdy or totally luxurious. If comics are all that your man talks about, get hold of a vintage comic to surprise him this V-day. If he is obsessed with a music band or a movie character (does Rocky or Family Guy ring a bell?), gift him a graffiti tee with his favourite picture or a quote. And, if your sweetheart is into music, gift him a guitar or a set of drums or limited edition vinyl records that he has been saving up for.

If your man is obsessed with his work, this is a perfect opportunity for you to get him a luxurious pen, which would remind him of you even when he is at work. High-end pens like Mont Blanc and Pierre Cardin can make any guy swoon. And, fountain pens are really fashionable and are symbolic of good taste and sophistication.

8. Homemade goodies
If you really cannot afford to gift your guy something expensive, then whip up something for him at home. Show him that you can be a domestic goddess by making some chocolate chip cookies. Put them in a tin and write a cute note for him. You can also create personalised gift cards for him with ‘gifts’ such as giving him the TV remote for an hour, breakfast in bed, not making annoying noises when his favourite match is on, giving him a kiss whenever he demands and so on. He can redeem these gift cards whenever he likes and you can surprise him all through the year.

This Valentine’s Day is going to be a pleasant surprise for your guy, we are sure. What have you decided to gift him? Share your ideas with us in the comments section below.

Subzilla

We bring to you this week the Sisi Eko Crooner Subzilla, if that song is not on your playlist right now you are definitely not a dance-hall fan. Anyways, T.I.N Magazine had a little chat with the star few days back and he revealed more about himself and his music to us. You'll find a link to Sisi Eko's music video embedded down below this post.
So do you wanna know more about Subzilla? Well, find out below.....

Sisi Eko

Hi Subzilla, this is Apata Bayode interviewing you from T.I.N Magazine.
CAN YOU TELL US YOUR REAL NAME?

My names are Boboye Emmanuel Bodunde

AGE?

22years

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND AND FAMILY?

I am from a family of five and I'm the last born,and more so I studied computer science at AAUA

WHERE DO YOU HAIL FROM?

I'm from Ondo State,But precisely Ifedore local government area

HOW FUN AND HARD WAS GROWING UP?

It was fun growing up cos I grew up with families

WHAT INSPIRED YOU INTO DOING MUSIC?

I never choosed music,music choosed me although I listened to more of tuface,Orlando owoh,king sunny ade and some foreign artists too so with that I gradually buildup myself

WHEN DID YOU START MUSIC OFFICIALLY?

I started music officially 3years ago when I dropped a song titled nghelu

TELL US CERTAIN DIFFICULTIES YOU FACED AS AN UPCOMING ARTIST

Everybody knows that music is very challenging and it requires a lot of effort and money to make yourself known and also I had a problem of getting a record label to sign me but I thank God for now cos it's all shinning under Lams Records

SO, YOU ARE SIGNED TO LAMS RECORDS AT THE MOMENT, HOW DID THAT HAPPEN?

There's nothing much about Lams Records cos it is owned by my brother that has been helping me from the start so it's a family record label if I would say

TELL US ABOUT YOUR HIT SONG "SISI EKO" WHAT INSPIRED IT?

Sisi Eko is like a freestyle cos the beat inspired the song

HOW WELL DO YOU THINK THE SONG IS DOING RIGHT NOW?

Sisi Eko is getting a massive air play at the moment both on television stations and radio stations even in clubs so God bless all the djs and the presenters for supporting me as a brand,I really appreciate all your effort

DO YOU HAVE SONGS YOU'VE RELEASED BEFORE AND AFTER SISI EKO?

Yes,I have released some couple of songs like nghelu and overload before Sisi Eko

ANY PLANS ON REMIXING THE SONG WITH AN A-LIST?

I'm working on the remix at the moment and it will be out soon

WHEN SHOULD WE EXPECT YOUR ALBUM?

I don't have any plan of dropping album for now but I will be dropping singles and videos back to back and I'm sure when the Time comes for my album to drop,everybody will know

SO TELL US WHAT BROUGHT ABOUT THE STAGE NAME: "SUBZILLA"?

Although initially I was called Zilla but due to the way my friends used to hail me back then like "what's up Zilla or Sup Zilla" and it sounds cool so I accepted the tag SUP but I changed it to SUB on my songs to make it SUBZILLA coz it's sounds cool to me than SUP

ANY "SISI EKO" IN YOUR LIFE AT THE MOMENT?

NO

HOW HAS YOUR LIFE CHANGED SINCE COMING TO SPOTLIGHT?

I don't have much to say on that cos God has really been good to me and I bless him

ARTISTS YOU LOOK UP TO IN THE INDUSTRY?

I look up to tuface and Don jazzy

HOW DO YOU SPEND YOUR DAY?

I'm always in the studio tho but if am not in the studio working then I will be chilling with my hommies

YOUR CELEBRITY CRUSH?

seyi shay

YOUR PLANS FOR 2016?

I will be dropping new singles and videos

AWARD NOMINATIONS?

None at the moment but I believe as long as I keep the good music coming,lots of awards awaits me this year by the special grace of God

WHICH EVENT IS THE BIGGEST YOU’VE PERFORMED AT AND HOW WAS THE EXPERIENCE?

Lagos count down and to my greatest surprise,the turn up was massive and unexpected ,but I was very happy .

ANY MESSAGE FOR YOUR FANS OUT THERE..?

Firstly,I will like to say a big thank you to all my fans, for supporting me !coz without them there's no me and they should expect more good songs and videos from me coz I will always keep it coming and I will never disappoint them...Just watch out and keep supporting your boy SUBZILLA....God Bless You..

WATCH SISI EKO'S VIDEO BELOWAND CHECK HIS YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOR MORE VIDEOS.

We've got an exclusive interview we are gonna feature next Saturday.. Do well to check back.
So what do you think of Subzilla?

Well, we've been notified to pass this information to the young and upcoming music acts over there who wants to get signed to a record label.



A record label; LAGSABA RECORDS has been birthed. Opportunity they say comes but once, and this could be one of those once in a life-time opportunities.
LSGSABA RECORDS is in search of that young, zealous, talented and smart artiste who has all it takes to stand amongst men in the industry. We are building a team of vibrant individuals that soonest will conquer, be at the top and also remain there which is our primary goal.
Feel you’ve got what it takes to be a part of this team?
1. For artistes looking to get signed, here are the steps you need to take for screening:
a. Submit your song(s)
b. 2 studio photos of yourself
c. Phone number(s) to lagsabarecords@gmail.com

Top shots in the industry; artistes, DJs and producers will be the one to screen the entries.
Submission of songs ends on 18th of February as screening will commence immediately.
2. For top professional hands in audio production willing to work with us as in-house producer, contact the management on the following numbers;
09055933735,
09023376621,
08138883861
For further enquiries visit our office at Road 5, office space J168, Ikota Shopping Complex, VGC, Lagos State. Or call the management on the following numbers;
09055933735,
09023376621,
08138883861
E-mail address: lagsabarecords@gmail.com
Follow us on IG and Twitter;
@lagsabarecords
@ceejoe_lagsabarecords
@ceejoe1
Signed,
Management.