I've Not Returned and Will Not Return to PDP, I'm in APC to Stay - Atiku

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIHudptcEVYDixtY3qwyzBcJwx9pq2TEB4jcbkrJePtCu4bv1uso8c8fz0hdGTZ3SNvwRg-J1w5NbIbdsEyLcpniIreUN4Tqo3c_b3f2itzK2TXBq-5GBfhmT0Py9YEsZV18j6JNZCeRQK/s1600/Atiku.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIHudptcEVYDixtY3qwyzBcJwx9pq2TEB4jcbkrJePtCu4bv1uso8c8fz0hdGTZ3SNvwRg-J1w5NbIbdsEyLcpniIreUN4Tqo3c_b3f2itzK2TXBq-5GBfhmT0Py9YEsZV18j6JNZCeRQK/s1600/Atiku.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><br /></b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>Former Vice President and chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar, has said that his commitment to the APC and the success of its presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, and other candidates of the party in the 2015 general elections is unwavering and never been up for bargaining.</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The former Vice President made the assertion against the backdrop of media reports of his purported return to the fold of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “I remain irrevocably committed to the APC, as I promised in my concession speech at the conclusion of our party’s presidential primaries, and has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the victory of General Muhammadu Buhari and other candidates of our great party at the general elections,” the former Vice President is quoted to have said. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> A statement by the Atiku Media Office in Abuja on Tuesday said that reports of Atiku’s purported return to the PDP or any other party is the handiwork of mischief makers focused on pitching the former Vice President against other leaders of the opposition party.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Atiku said that for the avoidance of doubt he is unequivocally committed to the unity of APC and that it will take more than the antics of mischief makers to break that bond.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Atiku noted that his return from Adamawa, where he convened a meeting and reconciled disagreeing camps within the party, towards ensuring victory for the APC, bears eloquent testimony of this commitment.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The statement reminded that the former Vice President currently supports the financial operations of the APC in many states, in most cases as a sole financier.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “I have backed my words and commitment with my resources to ensure that I bring my influence and support to bear on our party’s march to victory at all levels in the general election. That should be enough to shut up mischief makers bent on derailing the APC’s success at the March 28 and April elections,” he said. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The Atiku Media Office observed that as one of Nigeria’s astute politicians and businessmen, there may be overtures from across political divides to the former Vice President, but restated that Atiku Abubakar has publicly stated his commitment to the APC and has privately rebuffed the approaches from all quarters. </div>

I've Not Returned and Will Not Return to PDP, I'm in APC to Stay - Atiku

Former Vice President and chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar, has said that his commitment to the APC and the success of its presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, and ot…

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MUST WATCH VIDEO: The Obasanjo Interview You Must See

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTbaNSUlCH2ZNJYGwpcbumk_rujw1DDDlDx2XoNLFEDjC7OpiwF8yzuoqJfyBMknrepiY4S0ifv5mZwD97Gg16aOxcEbgL80TEJEim7WYqH9-fiDPh5PCuYFXwVVcMWdc3kLsWXqxaLEvk/s1600/OBJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTbaNSUlCH2ZNJYGwpcbumk_rujw1DDDlDx2XoNLFEDjC7OpiwF8yzuoqJfyBMknrepiY4S0ifv5mZwD97Gg16aOxcEbgL80TEJEim7WYqH9-fiDPh5PCuYFXwVVcMWdc3kLsWXqxaLEvk/s1600/OBJ.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <div style="text-align: justify;"> In this interview, former President Olusegun Obasanjo talks on Nigeria, President Goodluck Jonathan, Biafra, his book and many more.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> It's a must watch. Find a seat and enjoy it.</div> <br /> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="400" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/llT7eOtod2I" width="640"></iframe>

MUST WATCH VIDEO: The Obasanjo Interview You Must See

In this interview, former President Olusegun Obasanjo talks on Nigeria, President Goodluck Jonathan, Biafra, his book and many more. It's a must watch. Find a seat and enjoy it. …

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How PDP Thugs Held Vice President Sambo Hostage In Kano

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjffwO7eUXhuFsceT9d7dqhlkZG7wy0_17aEpnCVjLreDDftvqxIVuZVNRbfsj3MFo6YjfhauvIDmxcYbxJZ1L_ZTQyhozJ2-TImd6haXXuLZPru8bjlFJJcqBe2FZwHfIMUro1GhAebdyg/s1600/Namadi+Sambo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjffwO7eUXhuFsceT9d7dqhlkZG7wy0_17aEpnCVjLreDDftvqxIVuZVNRbfsj3MFo6YjfhauvIDmxcYbxJZ1L_ZTQyhozJ2-TImd6haXXuLZPru8bjlFJJcqBe2FZwHfIMUro1GhAebdyg/s1600/Namadi+Sambo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>Vice President, Namadi Sambo had a raw deal in the hands of suspected PDP thugs in Kano on Monday when he was held hostage by hoodlums for twenty minutes before a negotiated settlement.</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The incident which occurred at the Bayero University Kano (BUK) old campus shortly after the number two citizen rounded up official engagement in the university took the intervention of the Assistant Inspector General of police in charge of zone 1, Tambari Yabo before the Vice President regained his freedom.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The high risk drama began when dozens of heavily armed thugs posing as loyal party men beat the security cover around the Vice President and bare there fang before him.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Like a well rehearsed script, some of the thugs in unison chorused on top of there voices '<i>Bamuayi Bamuayi Bamuayi'</i> which meant “we are no longer with you”, while other shouted <i>'mungaji da aiki banza'</i>, meaning ‘we are tired of the job’.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The visibly shocked Sambo pulled himself together and before he could utter a word, an equally embarrassed AIG Tambari Yabo ordered his men to disarm the protesting thugs.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The thugs sensing the full implications of resisting the disarmament order by the top corp gave up there arms that paved way for negotiated settlement.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> However, it was at this juncture that top PDP stalwarts in the Vice President entourage moved in and demanded to know from ‘the boys’ why they chose to embarrass the August visitor.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The thugs struggling to explain their position told the Vice President how they had risked their life to keep PDP in the state, as they lamented that “no one has paid them a dime despite promises’.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The party officials were therefore directed by the Vice president to attend to their needs and save the party public embarrassment.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> At the end of the public show of shame, the police handed off seized weapons as the thugs rejoined the Vice president convoy and headed to other areas of engagement in the city.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> When contacted whether the police had effected arrest in line with the tough posture of ensuring violence free election, the Zonal Police Public Relations officer, ASP Rabilu Ringim requested for time to ascertain the matter.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> As at press time; there was no words from him as further calls to his GSM line was not connecting.</div>

How PDP Thugs Held Vice President Sambo Hostage In Kano

Vice President, Namadi Sambo had a raw deal in the hands of suspected PDP thugs in Kano on Monday when he was held hostage by hoodlums for twenty minutes before a negotiated settlement. The incident …

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LEAKED!!! How Jonathan Awarded $500 Million Defense Contract To Arthur Eze For Purchase of Used Helicopters

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji9lz60ghnnPTqN8nxXaWJkXrSVoi__GjvUyfdcqktVUcOkXHaFI3eskQPSPOesfv8Pc9o7ZsaxFjIoILeqwnNdSgfC0V9EmSHlk-tEmHEBdxmq8YwoTdvtASbS-85KWAI5XLSZTshPw-N/s1600/goodluck_jonathan_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji9lz60ghnnPTqN8nxXaWJkXrSVoi__GjvUyfdcqktVUcOkXHaFI3eskQPSPOesfv8Pc9o7ZsaxFjIoILeqwnNdSgfC0V9EmSHlk-tEmHEBdxmq8YwoTdvtASbS-85KWAI5XLSZTshPw-N/s1600/goodluck_jonathan_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><br /></b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>SaharaReporters has obtained documents relating to a scandalously inflated $500 million defense contract that President Goodluck Jonathan awarded to Arthur Eze, a Nigerian businessman with a shady past, a close friend of the president and his wife, and a major financier of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Our security sources said some officers of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) were furious over the jumbo contract described by one source as “a pure waste.” The sources, most of them military personnel, told our correspondent that, in addition to its sheer extravagance, the contract has also saddled the Nigerian military with helicopters that have limited or no combat utility.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The documents obtained by our correspondent reveal that Mr. Eze, the chief executive of Triax, received the gigantic sum of $466.5 million in order to weaponize six Puma helicopters with the aid of an Israeli company named Elbit Systems. This meant that each weaponized helicopter cost close to $78 million. “For the price of each helicopter provided by Engineer Arthur Eze, the Air Force could have acquired seven top grade military helicopters,” said one of our sources.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Our sources also noted that the haste with which the contract was initiated, approved and executed raised serious questions. A memo dated November 20, 2014 and submitted by the Chief of Air Staff, A.N. Amosu, revealed that Mr. Eze had on November 4, 2014 submitted a proposal to the office of the National Security Adviser proposing to supply the upgraded helicopters to the NAF. The tone of Mr. Eze’s letter, obtained by us, indicated that he was deeply involved in sourcing and supplying hardware to the Nigerian military as it is embroiled in a fight against Boko Haram militants.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> An Air Force officer said he was alarmed at the alacrity with which Mr. Eze’s overinflated proposal was approved by the NSA’s office. The NAF followed with an equally quick endorsement sixteen days later.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> One of our sources accused President Jonathan and Mr. Eze of using the refusal of the US to sell Cobra attack helicopters to Nigeria as an excuse to engage in a large-scale squandering of funds involving the Federal Government and Mr. Eze’s company, the Triax Company Nigeria Limited. “In the US, a brand new AH Cobra attack helicopter costs around $12 million each,” said a source at the NAF. He added: “That means that, with $400 million, Nigeria could have purchased up to 40 brand new helicopters.”</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> According to the source, the Cobra attack helicopter is one of the best US-made helicopters. “It is highly effective in the battlefield. It would have given us big battlefield advantage over Boko Haram,” he said.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> In an additional proposal, Mr. Eze’s company sought to purchase 4,000 57mm S5 rockets, 400 80mm S8 rockets, 500 general-purpose bombs, and 20,000 units of unguided rockets. His company also received a contract to refurbish three C-130 planes that had been sitting at the hanger of the Nigerian Air Force for several years.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> A final invoice Mr. Eze submitted to the Nigerian government showed that he would receive $466, 500,000 to supply six upgraded Puma helicopters, four units of single-seater Sukhoi Su-25K (“Frog-foot”) Soviet-made ground attack jets, and two upgraded Su-25UB trainers for $330 million. In addition, he would receive $14 million for the shipping of platforms/ground support/line replacement of the six Puma helicopters; $44 million for some arms and ammunition earlier proposed; $37 million for the maintenance of C-130 engines, and $40 million for unspecified armaments for the NAF.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Our military sources stated that Mr. Eze’s invoice for the supply of the refurbished aircraft was massively inflated by international and Nigerian standards.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Several of the sources said Triax delivered the substandard equipment after Mr. Eze further padded the cost of the refurbished helicopters and the C-130. The sources revealed that, since February 15, 2015, when Chief of Air Staff Amosu showed off the helicopters and C-130 planes, none of the aircraft has been deployed even once to fight Boko Haram militants. “They are not in any combat-ready condition,” one officer fumed. “We are looking at a total waste of money for no good reason.”</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> SaharaReporters could not ascertain from Mr. Amosu whether the Air Force had taken delivery of the other items listed on the invoice Mr. Eze had signed and submitted to the NSA’s office.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Mr. Eze’s partners in the defense deals is Elbit Systems, an Israeli company that has been involved in several scandalous defense contracts in Nigeria, including a multimillion dollar internet spying project.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Our sources wondered why the Nigerian government, which is in a critical stage of counter-insurgency operations against Islamist group Boko Haram, would strike such an overinflated deal with Mr. Eze’s firm to purchase antiquated helicopters and other equipment that were virtually discarded by Romania.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> One clear answer may be found in the fact that Mr. Eze is one of the biggest personal financiers of Mr. Jonathan’s re-election. The businessman, who also controls huge interests in oil fields both in Nigeria and other West African countries, has been funneling millions of dollars into Mr. Jonathan’s campaign, said an insider PDP source. The businessman is extremely close to Mr. Jonathan and is reportedly well liked by First Lady Patience Jonathan because of his lavish presents to her, including million dollar gifts.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Mr. Eze is a big-spending billionaire who is an expert at ingratiating himself with those in power. During the brutal dictatorship led by the late General Sani Abacha, Mr. Eze became one of the closest confidantes of the general and his wife. He received a huge windfall when Mr. Abacha handed him the $120 million contract for rural electricity and water projects in the southeastern states. Even though the contract sum was borrowed from the African Development Bank, Mr. Eze pocketed the money without doing any of the projects, a scandal that led to the firing of the bank’s chief executive.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> At the height of Mr. Abacha’s repression, Mr. Eze used to fly traditional rulers from the southeast on frequent visits to pledge loyalty to the dictator in Abuja. The TRIAX executive even stated once that he would go into exile if Mr. Abacha gave up power to an elected government.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Mr. Eze warmed his way to President Olusegun Obasanjo. As Mr. Obasanjo sought to change the constitution to extend his tenure, Mr. Eze was a vociferous supporter of the scheme.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> His closeness to President Jonathan and his wife has brought him more riches through inflated contracts and great political clout. At the urging of Mr. Jonathan and his wife, the PDP national headquarters in Abuja allowed Mr. Eze to determine most of those announced as winners of PDP primaries for Federal legislative seats in the southeast, but especially in his home state of Anambra. In most cases, the businessman’s candidates were declared winners of primaries that were either not held or were heavily manipulated.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><a href="http://saharareporters.com/2015/03/10/how-jonathan-awarded-500-million-defense-contract-arthur-eze-purchase-refurbished">SAHARAREPORTERS</a></b> report the BIG SCANDAL with pictorial evidence:</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMxn-L80QpTGtZ4ep1cK5IAhQDBxxUv-f5bWe3ixluLaM_5ECTpEexiLKR1_E6mh4sqKcgclVPEKiibOMDzfJWuRv2zPEAKy1qML_qFZwtApV7utkBPGKs5mLUZ-l3AFdhfnB7NtxWtpE/s1600/GEJ+naf+fraud0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMxn-L80QpTGtZ4ep1cK5IAhQDBxxUv-f5bWe3ixluLaM_5ECTpEexiLKR1_E6mh4sqKcgclVPEKiibOMDzfJWuRv2zPEAKy1qML_qFZwtApV7utkBPGKs5mLUZ-l3AFdhfnB7NtxWtpE/s1600/GEJ+naf+fraud0.jpg" width="494" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq6DgFCxA9-m3Iep7Yff_nDZgCLxjl2nRRZhSXzQeVuZRUfia108NdZrncQyEg_x5i_mdtAkym0QdKrO0FKaYdZjb9Pa36qqXZPpn12RGfBPDKi-_qEmiIB0IlWFKWEwqY38bN1G4rotSH/s1600/GEJ+naf+fraud1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq6DgFCxA9-m3Iep7Yff_nDZgCLxjl2nRRZhSXzQeVuZRUfia108NdZrncQyEg_x5i_mdtAkym0QdKrO0FKaYdZjb9Pa36qqXZPpn12RGfBPDKi-_qEmiIB0IlWFKWEwqY38bN1G4rotSH/s1600/GEJ+naf+fraud1.jpg" width="494" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <br />

LEAKED!!! How Jonathan Awarded $500 Million Defense Contract To Arthur Eze For Purchase of Used Helicopters

SaharaReporters has obtained documents relating to a scandalously inflated $500 million defense contract that President Goodluck Jonathan awarded to Arthur Eze, a Nigerian businessman with a shady pa…

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FUNNY PHOTOS: See How These Celebs Will Look In 40 Years

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPBHQkqth6QPRcqLqVNrZDEKzCIlZ8c0uQqEyzpEXo4lnr3OJcZW6Yu3BcMISiewhAURQKvB1PcNb7SkjZEfkF8MlILduBxv5KZJWvRcNQJmm6ko_eOaJpznytpOQOgN0kAOA2wKqTGzm/s1600/tuface.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPBHQkqth6QPRcqLqVNrZDEKzCIlZ8c0uQqEyzpEXo4lnr3OJcZW6Yu3BcMISiewhAURQKvB1PcNb7SkjZEfkF8MlILduBxv5KZJWvRcNQJmm6ko_eOaJpznytpOQOgN0kAOA2wKqTGzm/s1600/tuface.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><br /></b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>The only constant thing in life is change. This is even more undeniable when we consider the effects of the changes that aging brings to the human physique, body and looks. Beauty is fleeting; it is just the way we are wired as humans. </b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Yet, some people are quite obsessed with the way they look regardless of this fact. Not to worry though. For such folks, the perfect way to know how you will look when you are aged is an app to edit images called <i><b>Oldify</b></i>. Designed to do exactly what it is called - make you look older, <i>Oldify</i> works wonders when applied. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> How does it work? Simply choose a picture or take a new one with the app. Select your preferred age - between 20 years to 100 years, and the app will age your face. It’s that simple...you can actually take a peep into your future and see what the much older you will look like.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> In light of this, here is a sneak preview into what your favourite Nigerian entertainment idols will look like in the next 40 years.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwy7mdbBdAixEO8YxEtgMaFl0NxwIgOJOXtRgvEr3vNCCqWu-w95GOlvQsQX20s9GqIghgaWnlMdJsvtdTkfVafwe2fJVMWInXZVzjxlz21147vMzhYqRpH_yg_KTuC34pkM9yTpgOnNqB/s1600/2genevieve.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwy7mdbBdAixEO8YxEtgMaFl0NxwIgOJOXtRgvEr3vNCCqWu-w95GOlvQsQX20s9GqIghgaWnlMdJsvtdTkfVafwe2fJVMWInXZVzjxlz21147vMzhYqRpH_yg_KTuC34pkM9yTpgOnNqB/s1600/2genevieve.jpg" width="592" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Genevieve Nnaji</td></tr> </tbody></table> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsQBaWleng7LGvuSzqi9tKF_kcaMKDataTbdfVL6eW4myqZuz1DZThK8JAqx3jHdPjU5ldWfO1_Ci6kWCJFxKwUrJ7irlUHt13V13FBAEu430PNEttxpTNA6tVVbdduKTqIbNNdihAwPg/s1600/3dbanj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsQBaWleng7LGvuSzqi9tKF_kcaMKDataTbdfVL6eW4myqZuz1DZThK8JAqx3jHdPjU5ldWfO1_Ci6kWCJFxKwUrJ7irlUHt13V13FBAEu430PNEttxpTNA6tVVbdduKTqIbNNdihAwPg/s1600/3dbanj.jpg" width="520" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don Jazzy</td></tr> </tbody></table> <br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-JRzN2z6JpD2qjXY3F6HFKPGy06unraoXMxyBbmoNrya4R2BKgRcmiGUyRHviMXuEbHH_qKAYqW7OmxufgX3endPj1JvPADcxHcr3RUhxL_dMySQvQ8f1MVYwavg0o3cza4cKZlFCdpq4/s1600/4omotola.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-JRzN2z6JpD2qjXY3F6HFKPGy06unraoXMxyBbmoNrya4R2BKgRcmiGUyRHviMXuEbHH_qKAYqW7OmxufgX3endPj1JvPADcxHcr3RUhxL_dMySQvQ8f1MVYwavg0o3cza4cKZlFCdpq4/s1600/4omotola.jpg" width="624" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Omotola Jolade Ekeinde</td></tr> </tbody></table> <br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfCSsnK15vLpv44H7o4kngWNGFtCISAo3ndSqajyCsAH7bRNXF-lS6m_u4pcsw6nRac9Cwwt0P0ZWIuKXhGXwTDTFDMbvp59FEDrcpbsoRjeEk2Sby39deye2vWn0rUeTovcK8QOA5ds6I/s1600/5bankyw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfCSsnK15vLpv44H7o4kngWNGFtCISAo3ndSqajyCsAH7bRNXF-lS6m_u4pcsw6nRac9Cwwt0P0ZWIuKXhGXwTDTFDMbvp59FEDrcpbsoRjeEk2Sby39deye2vWn0rUeTovcK8QOA5ds6I/s1600/5bankyw.jpg" width="522" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Banky W</td></tr> </tbody></table> <br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnyDs3OCsAEF7m_mOIht59kkC_ZOCX0iP-rweLg8-RcJQVPutCSnlwYSiGJuS0XBGLsmyPyfRZvH5Zw3OyfH-vrRn2sWsdiulknzSQo1g9Q9FikTNp6kAkwxxBhwKmF6Fcf5-IE-W-vnL7/s1600/6tiwasavage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="616" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnyDs3OCsAEF7m_mOIht59kkC_ZOCX0iP-rweLg8-RcJQVPutCSnlwYSiGJuS0XBGLsmyPyfRZvH5Zw3OyfH-vrRn2sWsdiulknzSQo1g9Q9FikTNp6kAkwxxBhwKmF6Fcf5-IE-W-vnL7/s1600/6tiwasavage.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiwa Savage</td></tr> </tbody></table> <br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA12HA4ggvXj8W0mfO5chDzppC3a2CDththkNsZ5jUpitK-bG6SydZQNjHnVkByyzue2tqK46C6T61f_3vqp13Dii82XHtWm6TEDAWbmZGynSQC8i-UCNnplNWV6V3SDHlWzrKU0F3W54h/s1600/7rita.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA12HA4ggvXj8W0mfO5chDzppC3a2CDththkNsZ5jUpitK-bG6SydZQNjHnVkByyzue2tqK46C6T61f_3vqp13Dii82XHtWm6TEDAWbmZGynSQC8i-UCNnplNWV6V3SDHlWzrKU0F3W54h/s1600/7rita.jpg" width="590" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rita Dominic</td></tr> </tbody></table> <br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_lsu9rm2ge8Tk1-bxTgH-tsN2H6vA6fDQIOEObv8_sW_amHyyDGbZ2ju5QdCbIOrN-2OhBATBWe1BMnM5DM3y3fedqJ3COOwGo5SD7pOrVUQk7KIzXiWisFA5IAmsWrb1VifqoeBAxEK/s1600/8kate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_lsu9rm2ge8Tk1-bxTgH-tsN2H6vA6fDQIOEObv8_sW_amHyyDGbZ2ju5QdCbIOrN-2OhBATBWe1BMnM5DM3y3fedqJ3COOwGo5SD7pOrVUQk7KIzXiWisFA5IAmsWrb1VifqoeBAxEK/s1600/8kate.jpg" width="576" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kate Henshaw</td></tr> </tbody></table> <br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYxSL6SZs-Peq1tuo1_V-fFwyaqowATyD2Djb44MK4j8cLgr1wiLRV-h70o1Vtgsc6Tj49VNGhU3Fhpv4rDeESHFN-IPMIeeJeShk9OeZLJTv1GLX5wPGQ8JLF2gF7Flxw2PhmwnMozIu/s1600/9davido.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYxSL6SZs-Peq1tuo1_V-fFwyaqowATyD2Djb44MK4j8cLgr1wiLRV-h70o1Vtgsc6Tj49VNGhU3Fhpv4rDeESHFN-IPMIeeJeShk9OeZLJTv1GLX5wPGQ8JLF2gF7Flxw2PhmwnMozIu/s1600/9davido.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Davido</td></tr> </tbody></table> <br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQIgZzAqAAcfwTbp8PvDMbtHrRVWew9DMbRdpH-pYra_DO9uAomSebAFInDgaWrk3J8DRQqgKDeqyXU30Y7U-29xno84-zZTFXUnsueKncceT4q7Q2Fy9eGEEioXHV-C_kzZMGHcZbnm7N/s1600/9funkejenifa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQIgZzAqAAcfwTbp8PvDMbtHrRVWew9DMbRdpH-pYra_DO9uAomSebAFInDgaWrk3J8DRQqgKDeqyXU30Y7U-29xno84-zZTFXUnsueKncceT4q7Q2Fy9eGEEioXHV-C_kzZMGHcZbnm7N/s1600/9funkejenifa.jpg" width="568" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Funke Akindele</td></tr> </tbody></table> <br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0REvjOY2Ce3RF-Txdl8Pe8nerj1feRdQQP1m9r3Y5ivpZUvJ1ft5i4WhaiNSvIunkVbhFQf0olE-lkD61fChGhlIvhyphenhyphenb0dZ3wX1SrwFEuHS59bd6r9f1zVjppADW4YMpOnCccwEFr0xbn/s1600/9helenpaul.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0REvjOY2Ce3RF-Txdl8Pe8nerj1feRdQQP1m9r3Y5ivpZUvJ1ft5i4WhaiNSvIunkVbhFQf0olE-lkD61fChGhlIvhyphenhyphenb0dZ3wX1SrwFEuHS59bd6r9f1zVjppADW4YMpOnCccwEFr0xbn/s1600/9helenpaul.jpg" width="548" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helen Paul</td></tr> </tbody></table> <br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioVKmyeJEZVG8G_raYtN1tkeG0Rt-0nQ_M95JnGDojF0k-KhU83y70o6HPOlzjDEiI-V2_kWe4GbMeaYMJtwORtHBygUszpXYI9rFXOsqI1dFgNaDN1cHptK3ew884OsME1HL7Qm6azvjQ/s1600/9iniedo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioVKmyeJEZVG8G_raYtN1tkeG0Rt-0nQ_M95JnGDojF0k-KhU83y70o6HPOlzjDEiI-V2_kWe4GbMeaYMJtwORtHBygUszpXYI9rFXOsqI1dFgNaDN1cHptK3ew884OsME1HL7Qm6azvjQ/s1600/9iniedo.jpg" width="580" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ini Edo</td></tr> </tbody></table> <br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0FlyDxBexwyuSd94pgM8NYSrGJtE79shjvcfm4N7g91HSviQ1yLqxeJbZ9tqHi4fKO4W8i65kFYFZ7nlCOQudqt2tkA3X4S5aZ9bwZkKbQpYOr7Dd36C6M9w4L10FLv5A8KUaZ3pv-X9_/s1600/9olamide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0FlyDxBexwyuSd94pgM8NYSrGJtE79shjvcfm4N7g91HSviQ1yLqxeJbZ9tqHi4fKO4W8i65kFYFZ7nlCOQudqt2tkA3X4S5aZ9bwZkKbQpYOr7Dd36C6M9w4L10FLv5A8KUaZ3pv-X9_/s1600/9olamide.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Olamide</td></tr> </tbody></table> <br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39mdq5xt8Q7zCEdNRP9id5NmvPo-aR62qtseVN3Q7cVd9Y5tPFF3-ZO2VnS9KIZ8CSlIPAjW2jMSISUEy2u7jg4L4mgf9_PU0WFhCE-sPMYy-0WTEtiHz6YqIcbk92Kjo0Pa9QHM4di4e/s1600/9ramsey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39mdq5xt8Q7zCEdNRP9id5NmvPo-aR62qtseVN3Q7cVd9Y5tPFF3-ZO2VnS9KIZ8CSlIPAjW2jMSISUEy2u7jg4L4mgf9_PU0WFhCE-sPMYy-0WTEtiHz6YqIcbk92Kjo0Pa9QHM4di4e/s1600/9ramsey.jpg" width="630" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ramsey Noah</td></tr> </tbody></table> <br /> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXeOiMgUrhpHMHq00DNsR8G97EW0tIQdbRfOCMatvPdeQgkoH-1kqiCn7uh-GsyNEOH7wrCWqPIibew0i6lmyjBuipY9TovKYnAFju5N7MeCdrN95rwAc6U_m42xjQ2HKxa8EbhH83cqgj/s1600/9wizkid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXeOiMgUrhpHMHq00DNsR8G97EW0tIQdbRfOCMatvPdeQgkoH-1kqiCn7uh-GsyNEOH7wrCWqPIibew0i6lmyjBuipY9TovKYnAFju5N7MeCdrN95rwAc6U_m42xjQ2HKxa8EbhH83cqgj/s1600/9wizkid.jpg" width="540" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wizkid</td></tr> </tbody></table> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div>

FUNNY PHOTOS: See How These Celebs Will Look In 40 Years

The only constant thing in life is change. This is even more undeniable when we consider the effects of the changes that aging brings to the human physique, body and looks. Beauty is fleeting; it is …

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Ivorien Ex-First Lady Simone Gbagbo Bags 20-Year Jail Sentence

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLw300koyhg7lFhmMNgItrSwUh5MSHni8ces-bzNlniKT0UHjopIXV4XQWPDxcPRHq2Uq6f3BMufySAc3k-LR5y3bZ1JR2AiKZZMm8UjiXzkzDxWwJGS5oO6eHKswWiMtZJiWIY79872c_/s1600/Gbagbo+Mrs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLw300koyhg7lFhmMNgItrSwUh5MSHni8ces-bzNlniKT0UHjopIXV4XQWPDxcPRHq2Uq6f3BMufySAc3k-LR5y3bZ1JR2AiKZZMm8UjiXzkzDxWwJGS5oO6eHKswWiMtZJiWIY79872c_/s1600/Gbagbo+Mrs.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>A court in Ivory Coast on Tuesday sentenced former first lady Simone Gbagbo to a 20-year prison term on charges of “undermining state security” during post-election violence in 2010-2011 that left nearly 3,000 dead.</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The wife of former Ivorian president Laurent Gbagbo was also accused of “disturbing public order” and “organising armed gangs” after her husband and his supporters rejected results of the December 2010 presidential elections showing rival Alassane Ouattara had won the contest.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The court “unanimously” condemned her to 20 years in jail, court president Tahirou Dembele said in a statement Tuesday. Gbagbo’s face hardened as the verdict was read. She was “a little affected” by the sentence, her lawyer Me Rodrigue Dadje told newsmen.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “I am ashamed of Ivorian justice,” he said, adding that they would appeal the sentence. “We showed that impunity in Ivory Coast must not continue,” said state prosecutor Soungalo Coulibaly.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Laurent Gbagbo’s son Michel, a French-born dual national from a previous marriage, was also sentenced to five years in prison for his role in the violence.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Once referered to by admirers and opponents alike as Ivory Coast’s “Iron Lady,” Simone Gbagbo has been on trial since January with 82 co-defendants accused of varying degrees of involvement in the deadly unrest. A key issue in her trial was whether she played a part in directing the death squads that ran amok in the weeks after the disputed vote. Prosecutors had asked for a lighter 10-year jail term for the 65-year-old Gbagbo.</div>

Ivorien Ex-First Lady Simone Gbagbo Bags 20-Year Jail Sentence

A court in Ivory Coast on Tuesday sentenced former first lady Simone Gbagbo to a 20-year prison term on charges of “undermining state security” during post-election violence in 2010-2011 that left ne…

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Nigeria's 'Brown Envelope' Journalism | BBC

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHVPmdP8DBzj7t8EPuFatC24T5GTCHWsrfJG9x_vbvR7F3aE7JdpdaiU6nKabLU_eywYTl_SqnuMDo-QNH63oJ7zWkUQAap6MiNgLeLZfhtwBy67xYa38NEF5jnp8ZGnPcyJX9di0oWAeJ/s1600/News+stand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHVPmdP8DBzj7t8EPuFatC24T5GTCHWsrfJG9x_vbvR7F3aE7JdpdaiU6nKabLU_eywYTl_SqnuMDo-QNH63oJ7zWkUQAap6MiNgLeLZfhtwBy67xYa38NEF5jnp8ZGnPcyJX9di0oWAeJ/s1600/News+stand.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><br /></b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>In our series of letters from African journalists, writer and novelist Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani looks at journalists' struggle for survival in Nigeria.</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Nigerian journalists are typically paid wretched salaries, and even the pittance to which they are entitled is often owed for months at a stretch.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> A former editor with Nigeria's <b>ThisDay</b> newspaper last month became something of a celebrity in local media circles after <b><a href="http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/177111-former-editor-floors-thisday-obaigbena-in-court-paper-ordered-to-pay-damages.html">an Abuja court awarded him damages against the newspaper's publishers</a></b>.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Paul Ibe had in 2011 filed proceedings against his former employer, seeking payment of outstanding monthly salaries and other allowances.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "I went to court not because of the money but because of the principle involved," he told me.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "Every labourer deserves his pay."</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> But it is not as if their employers expect these journalists to work without pay.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The former <b>ThisDay</b> editor was awarded more than $5,000 (£3,000) in damages.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> They just do not think that the staff's income should come from the organisation's pockets.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> My friend, who was a reporter with one of Nigeria's popular newspapers, said her boss often justified his non-payment of salaries by saying: "I've given you a platform to make money. Use it."</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He was referring to the opportunity to collect payment from individuals or organisations in exchange for publishing their stories.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Nigerian journalists are known to prowl to and fro in search of anyone whose pay will inspire their pens.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> It is common for "brown envelopes" containing cash to be handed out during press briefings - a practice that has been going on for so long that many young journalists with whom I have spoken have no idea that it is unethical.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> After covering an event, they linger expectantly until the envelopes stuffed with cash arrive.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Woe betide you if you fail to meet their expectations.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Whatever you read about yourself and your event, if the item manages to find space in the newspaper, will be entirely of your own making.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> With this kind of goings-on, you cannot expect the average Nigerian journalist to be fair in the presentation of facts.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>'Strikes at democracy'</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> I know a top Nigerian politician who goes beyond brown envelopes to listing a number of editors on his payroll.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> As he disburses his staff salaries monthly, he also makes payments into the editors' bank accounts.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> This ensures that whenever he has any "news" to disseminate, it gets published in several media without any questions asked or facts checked.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The Nigerian media has become a thriving arena for all sorts of sponsored falsehoods.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The judicial system is equally dysfunctional, making it tortuous to win a libel case.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> This strikes at the very core of democracy, where the electorate, to make sensible choices, relies on the media for facts.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> In 2008, I joined Nigeria's now-defunct Next newspapers as one of its pioneer editorial staff.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Founded by Pulitzer-winning journalist Dele Olojede, it was celebrated for its vehement policy against brown envelopes.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Within months of its launch, it was boldly reporting several important national stories that most mainstream newspapers would not touch.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> When its reporters began garnering local and international awards for investigative journalism, Mr Olojede reminded us that most of those stories had been lying in the public domain, simply waiting for someone to report them.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "Real investigative journalism requires dogged digging," he said.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He explained during an editorial meeting: "I wanted to pay salaries that would enable the average reporter buy a beer for himself and a friend after work on Friday, and a small car for himself."</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>'Aggrieved marketers'</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> But revenue soon began to dry up.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> In Nigeria, established newspapers are paid to keep big stories off the front page. Adverts are supposed to buy silence.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Often, Next would run a story in its popular weekend edition, only for editors to arrive at the office on Monday to meet an aggrieved marketing team - certain big advertisers had terminated their business that morning.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> After one revelation about corruption in the oil trade, scores of advertisers instantly pulled out.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Many organisations began to distance themselves from the newspaper, for fear of being seen to be supporting the enemy of their friends.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> At the time Next eventually called it quits in 2011, staff were owed more than five months' arrears.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Rumours of the newspaper's reporters accepting brown envelopes had begun to filter in, but few editors had the heart to reprimand offenders.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> It is difficult to ascertain whether corruption in Nigeria's journalism emanated from pressure by the political and business elite, or if the media themselves initiated jukebox journalism.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Following Mr Ibe's court victory - which only one newspaper reported - journalists from around the country have been sending congratulatory messages, thanking him for giving them hope.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He has shown that the country's journalists do not have to put up with being used and abused by their employers.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> However, it will take more than one court victory to bring an end to this kind of malpractice and create a thriving Nigerian media.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-31748257">BBC</a></b></div>

Nigeria's 'Brown Envelope' Journalism | BBC

In our series of letters from African journalists, writer and novelist Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani looks at journalists' struggle for survival in Nigeria. Nigerian journalists are typically paid wretched …

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Jonathan Fires Agwai As SURE-P Boss For Attending Obasanjo's Birthday

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiMcWiuGImbibHoVObTNOBdF7EuqFg5ppogDuCmiqBI0DtTzy8YimkMUwIcbPtLQWocDkYeCLYsCziDaC6fwDSvRAOn4CizYzbytNjgF90usuBg3kUn0Ww__mjkNPmKaSWJCnTtXlZVWWv/s1600/Agwai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiMcWiuGImbibHoVObTNOBdF7EuqFg5ppogDuCmiqBI0DtTzy8YimkMUwIcbPtLQWocDkYeCLYsCziDaC6fwDSvRAOn4CizYzbytNjgF90usuBg3kUn0Ww__mjkNPmKaSWJCnTtXlZVWWv/s1600/Agwai.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><br /></b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>President Goodluck Jonathan has fired Martin-Luther Agwai as the head of his government’s intervention unit, SURE-P.</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Mr. Agwai is a respected former Defence Chief, who led United Nation missions in Sudan, amidst other career runs.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Mr. Agwai was appointed by Mr. Jonathan to head SURE-P, a department created by the government to deploy saved fuel subsidy money for the provision of critical infrastructure and jobs.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> In a statement Tuesday, presidential spokesperson, Reuben Abati, named Ishaya Dare Akau as the new head of SURE-P, Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The new SURE-P Chairman hails from Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State and holds Bachelors’ Degrees in the Arts and Law.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Mr. Akau comes to the job with years of experience as a high-level administrator in the nation’s public service. His record of service includes tenures as Chairman of the Kaduna State Universal Education Board and Chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The presidency did not give any reason for Mr. Agwai’s removal, beyond saying it was “in furtherance of his efforts to continuously re-energize and reposition agencies of the Federal Government for optimal service delivery”.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> But PREMIUM TIMES understands reliably that Mr. Agwai was fired for flouting a presidential instruction that no government official or member of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, should attend the birthday event of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, last week.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Mr. Jonathan and the former president have been locked in a longstanding row which has seen Mr. Obasanjo repeatedly criticise the president publicly.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The spat climaxed three weeks ago when Mr. Obasanjo quit the party and publicly tore his membership card.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Sources within the presidency told <b><a href="http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/178245-breaking-jonathan-fires-sure-p-boss-martin-luther-agwai-for-attending-obasanjos-birthday.html">PREMIUM TIMES</a></b> that all government functionaries were instructed by President Jonathan to boycott Mr. Obasanjo’s birthday event.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Our sources said when informed of the president’s warning, Mr. Agwai, who climbed to the pinnacle of his career under the Obasanjo administration, said he will go ahead and attend the function, more so, in view of the president’s directive.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Our sources said for daring the president, it was clear Mr. Agwai would be fired.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> One source said it appears Mr. Agwai was informed ahead of the announcement of his removal Tuesday, as the former defence chief arrived early at the SURE-P office to pack his belongings.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Mr. Agwai himself replaced Christopher Kolade, who was sacked after criticising the president.</div>

Jonathan Fires Agwai As SURE-P Boss For Attending Obasanjo's Birthday

President Goodluck Jonathan has fired Martin-Luther Agwai as the head of his government’s intervention unit, SURE-P. Mr. Agwai is a respected former Defence Chief, who led United Nation missions in S…

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