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

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<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>
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<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>
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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>
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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>
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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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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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 t...

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

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<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>
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<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>
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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>
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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>
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“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>
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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>
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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 s...

Nigeria's 'Brown Envelope' Journalism | BBC

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<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>
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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>
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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>
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Paul Ibe had in 2011 filed proceedings against his former employer, seeking payment of outstanding monthly salaries and other allowances.</div>
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"I went to court not because of the money but because of the principle involved," he told me.</div>
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"Every labourer deserves his pay."</div>
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But it is not as if their employers expect these journalists to work without pay.</div>
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The former <b>ThisDay</b> editor was awarded more than $5,000 (£3,000) in damages.</div>
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They just do not think that the staff's income should come from the organisation's pockets.</div>
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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>
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He was referring to the opportunity to collect payment from individuals or organisations in exchange for publishing their stories.</div>
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Nigerian journalists are known to prowl to and fro in search of anyone whose pay will inspire their pens.</div>
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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>
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After covering an event, they linger expectantly until the envelopes stuffed with cash arrive.</div>
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Woe betide you if you fail to meet their expectations.</div>
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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>
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With this kind of goings-on, you cannot expect the average Nigerian journalist to be fair in the presentation of facts.</div>
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<b>'Strikes at democracy'</b></div>
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I know a top Nigerian politician who goes beyond brown envelopes to listing a number of editors on his payroll.</div>
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As he disburses his staff salaries monthly, he also makes payments into the editors' bank accounts.</div>
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This ensures that whenever he has any "news" to disseminate, it gets published in several media without any questions asked or facts checked.</div>
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The Nigerian media has become a thriving arena for all sorts of sponsored falsehoods.</div>
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The judicial system is equally dysfunctional, making it tortuous to win a libel case.</div>
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This strikes at the very core of democracy, where the electorate, to make sensible choices, relies on the media for facts.</div>
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In 2008, I joined Nigeria's now-defunct Next newspapers as one of its pioneer editorial staff.</div>
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Founded by Pulitzer-winning journalist Dele Olojede, it was celebrated for its vehement policy against brown envelopes.</div>
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Within months of its launch, it was boldly reporting several important national stories that most mainstream newspapers would not touch.</div>
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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>
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"Real investigative journalism requires dogged digging," he said.</div>
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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>
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<b>'Aggrieved marketers'</b></div>
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But revenue soon began to dry up.</div>
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In Nigeria, established newspapers are paid to keep big stories off the front page. Adverts are supposed to buy silence.</div>
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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>
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After one revelation about corruption in the oil trade, scores of advertisers instantly pulled out.</div>
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Many organisations began to distance themselves from the newspaper, for fear of being seen to be supporting the enemy of their friends.</div>
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At the time Next eventually called it quits in 2011, staff were owed more than five months' arrears.</div>
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Rumours of the newspaper's reporters accepting brown envelopes had begun to filter in, but few editors had the heart to reprimand offenders.</div>
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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>
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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>
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He has shown that the country's journalists do not have to put up with being used and abused by their employers.</div>
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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>
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<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 su...

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

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<b>President Goodluck Jonathan has fired Martin-Luther Agwai as the head of his government’s intervention unit, SURE-P.</b></div>
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Mr. Agwai is a respected former Defence Chief, who led United Nation missions in Sudan, amidst other career runs.</div>
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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>
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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>
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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>
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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>
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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>
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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>
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Mr. Jonathan and the former president have been locked in a longstanding row which has seen Mr. Obasanjo repeatedly criticise the president publicly.</div>
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The spat climaxed three weeks ago when Mr. Obasanjo quit the party and publicly tore his membership card.</div>
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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>
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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>
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Our sources said for daring the president, it was clear Mr. Agwai would be fired.</div>
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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>
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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...

Our Dear First Lady - By Dele Momodu | ThisDay

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Your Excellency please let me start by emphasising the fact that this is my very first letter to you since destiny elevated you and your husband to the highest positions in Nigeria. It may be the last before your tenure expires on May 29, 2015, and another begins with you or someone else in the saddle. Despite all the controversies engulfing you and your husband, I had resisted the temptation of writing you in the past for several, if not many, reasons. Kindly permit me to expatiate a bit.</div>
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I’m a great admirer of strong, confident and energetic women who cannot be bullied by the galaxy of male chauvinists that litter the political landscape of Africa. As someone who was brought up by my amazing mum, <i>Omo Arotiwebiojo</i>, an unlettered woman and petty trader, I knew what it took to survive in a particularly difficult terrain. Indeed, whilst some have impugned you for your so-called lack of command of the English language, I have remained partial to you because, like most of us, English is not your first language, and your contributions have enriched our home-grown lexicon! I can therefore imagine what you and our dear beloved President must have gone through together, in thunder, lightning, rain and sunshine. The hurly-burly of life must have thrown you hither and thither when there was no one else around to share in your secret pain and anguish. But it must have pleased God in His infinite mercy to raise you and your husband up, like Jesus did to a dead Lazarus, as original examples of uncommon transformation.</div>
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I must say, Ma, that I have a soft spot for you for other reasons. I was told on good authority that you were a more formidable politician and mobiliser of people and resources than your husband. A few of your friends often regale how you have been a solid pillar and a rock of Gibraltar behind the love of your life, Dr Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan. It is said that you’re willing to sacrifice your all for his sake and he has also reciprocated by according you humongous respect and granting you such vast powers that make onlookers see you as a <i>de facto</i> President in your own right. To God be the glory.</div>
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I vividly recollect your relationship with the former First Lady, Hajia Turai Yar’Adua. You gave her tremendous respect and your taciturnity was legendary. Not much was heard from you at that time and not many, except probably Bayelsans, ever suspected that you had so much buried inside your heart and that you were only waiting for the opportune time to vomit them. Even in the days of tribulations when the cabal held sway and grabbed our nation by the jugular, you and your husband handled the volatile situation with maturity and remarkable equanimity. Some of us were ready to fight your battle, and risked our lives, because we saw you as the underdogs who must be rescued from the fangs of the political hyenas. We were further emboldened by the facts of your husband’s man-in-the-street story, a fairy-tale of sorts about a man from the Otuoke manger who had no shoes. We were not just titillated but fascinated by such flashes of inspiration.</div>
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Against all odds, your husband became the substantive President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria after the demise of President Yar’Adua. Nigerians were happy about the smooth transition of power and they even boasted that for the first time we had not just another graduate but a PhD holder as President. Sooner than later, as time sped by, it was time for your husband to run his own race. Nigerians from all walks of life queued behind him and he won without much ado. The goodwill he garnered was awesomely massive and the people were very expectant about the “fresh air” promised by him. Of course, to whom much is given, much is expected.</div>
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It is nearly four years since that momentous occasion and it is time for a re-examination and re-election. But what should have been a simple walk-over for your sweetheart seems to have developed k-leg. While your husband and those close to him would want us to believe he is Nigeria’s best President ever, many Nigerians feel he has under-performed and would want to try someone else. I have seen you and your husband <i>waka</i> up and down this nation campaigning like no man’s business. Many have likened the exercise to a student engaging in last minute <i>agberu</i> (memorising) after failing to do so all along.  This is the crux of my epistle to you today.</div>
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I have read and heard so much about you as a very powerful First Lady. I know that when you are at that level, not many people can tell you the gospel truth. No one wants to offend those in power. But I have decided to tell you the bitter reality once and for all. I’m not writing out of any malice, since none can exist between us. But for the sake of posterity, which I know beckons as always; the fact must be told to you. The summary of what I’m about to say is that you and your husband have frittered away most of your goodwill. Had you retained your humility in power, may be you could have avoided this commotion and conundrum of trying to achieve in two months what you couldn’t in about five years. You would probably have avoided the tragedy of trying to manipulate the electoral process, buying more time and doing a catch-up on lost grounds.</div>
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If the actuality must be told Ma, the whole trouble started the day you publicly ridiculed the Governor of your home state. It was reported that you yanked a microphone out of his hands and lambasted him like a recalcitrant school boy. In order not to cause mayhem right there, the Governor was said to have left you to your tantrums and went home quietly like a penitent student. That day, you sowed the seed of discord that would later germinate and snowball into a consuming fire. Though the Governor and your husband like true gentlemen chose to carry on their damaged relationship as if all was well, but the worst was on the way.</div>
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The battle for the soul and control of your state would later spread to Abuja where your husband began to see the Governor as an enemy who must be cut down to size. In the process of trying to achieve that dream, more Governors joined the fray and in a jiffy, the centre could no longer hold. I do not want to go into some obvious details as I’m sure you know about the intrigues of power more than me. But I must give one more example of how you laid the foundation for today’s grand alliance against your husband.</div>
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Let me put it this way. Never in the history of Nigeria have I read of a First Lady responding to criticisms in the frontal manner you attacked Professor Wole Soyinka over an issue that you could easily have ignored. That singular act of unrestrained combativeness was one of your worst public relations gaffes. Wole Soyinka is one of those global icons that you can’t take on and win. If for nothing, here was a man who at about 76 years of age trekked under the scorching sun of Abuja to defend the rights of your husband when many of the acolytes around you today were nowhere to be found. You were not supposed to repay such selfless gestures with verbal blows. That was when you finally lost me and I’m sure many others.</div>
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Let me remind you that virtually all Nigerian leaders have been disparaged at one time or the other. It is one of the heavy prices to pay in compensation for the privileges of leadership. Just imagine how much some of us attacked President Ibrahim Babangida, Chief Ernest Shonekan, General Sani Abacha and others over the June 12 crisis. None of their wives ever hit back at the critics no matter the degree of provocation. In fact, they acted perfectly normal and even tried to build bridges of friendship instead of bombing the castle. I remember with fond memories, Dr (Mrs) Maryam Ndidi Babangida, who remained graceful to the very end. Mrs Maryam Abacha endured the most blistering attacks against her husband in life and death. She has since reconciled with many of her husband’s vociferous enemies. Hajia Turai Yar’Adua was subjected to virulent criticism by many, and I confess I was one of her knockers in the dying throes of the cabal, but she wisely kept her own counsel and declined to join issues with anyone. When it dawn on her that the battle was lost and won, she packed her baggage out of Aso Rock without as much as a whimper.</div>
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If Justice Fati Abubakar was a selfish woman and a poor adviser to her husband, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, she would have insisted that they should not quit power within the one year he promised to hand over to a democratically-elected President. That government had more than enough resources to buy the ubiquitous array of mercenaries but General Abubakar chose to go in peace and not in pieces. It was such a rarity in Africa and till this day the General is still enjoying a standing ovation for his vision.</div>
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I must also mention specifically Mrs Stella Obasanjo, whose husband has always had a running battle with the media and yet she maintained steady media frenzy in her own kingdom. She was everyone’s friend and continues to be fondly remembered even in death. I recollect one occasion when we travelled to Beverley Hills, USA, with her, and her simplicity just wowed everyone. She made sure we jumped in the cars and buses and headed out to a night club owned by Don Cornelius. She was so down to earth. On her last trip to Ghana before her unfortunate death, I had gone to pay her a visit at M-Plaza hotel where she and President Obasanjo stayed. Despite my frosty relationship with her husband, we sat in one corner chatting away as the President attended to his own visitors. She never got involved in our endless battles with Baba. I have cited these examples to show that you and your husband are not alone in the barrage of criticisms and attacks. You must rise up way above such pedestal. But sadly, you have not been able to allow any comment pass you by, no matter how mundane.</div>
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I decided to write this open letter after the spate of vocal terror you deployed in the last few days against your husband’s opponents. In case some praise-singers told you lies that what you did was right, I wish to assure you that you've done almost irreparable damage to your husband’s presidential campaign. I will now proceed to paraphrase about three of those satanic verses that escaped from your tongue this week alone, but not in any particular order.</div>
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The first shocker was when you said before a crowd that those shouting the mantra of Change are not serious and that as a matter of fact they should be stoned anywhere they shout Change! I thought it was a joke until the video went viral. The next one was when you spoke dispassionately about how your husband should be praised and thanked for improving the welfare of the menacing Almajiri kids in Northern Nigeria but you then went astray by insensitively and inconsiderately saying that the Northerners are fond of bearing children with reckless abandon and throwing them on the streets to fend for themselves. You went further to say such things don’t happen in the part of Nigeria you come from. I think that wasn’t very nice or tactful.</div>
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The last straw for me was when you declared matter-of-factly that your husband’s main challenger, Major General Muhammadu Buhari should not be voted in because he is “brain dead”, according to you. That was extremely malevolent and sinister, to say the least. It is not an elegant language to be used by any lady not to mention the First Lady and certainly not about a former Head of State of the same country that you are governing and from whose citizens you are seeking a second term in office. However, I believe that this may have been an innocent quip. Whilst some may be willing to forgive such naivety, it is essential for you to quickly assure Nigerians that you meant no harm and that despite the ill-feeling and bitterness that politics and electioneering may engender you wish no evil to any man least of all your husband’s leading rival and contender. There is nothing wrong in admitting your mistake of commission or omission. It is actually a sign of strength.</div>
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In conclusion, I think you need to offer urgent apologies for those unguarded, unbecoming statements and try to be more circumspect in the future. One of your best appellations that I love most sincerely is that of Mama Peace. Please, don’t change it to Mama War …!</div>
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May God continue to bless you and yours.</div>

Our Dear First Lady - By Dele Momodu | ThisDay

Your Excellency please let me start by emphasising the fact that this is my very first letter to you since destiny elevated you and you...

No Calls For Now! Moroccan King Rejects Jonathan's Phone Call

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqVGkF6uT8qXdz0dzicKK67lUEGCc5ZNdkJigP1lTis-XEl9psMg8wXm7ko7DWcRY6im8PABMWF1M6DZxqJtni-l6yiRIwB4mcr-Bn50YMU76LNS3CVatIS87_v4VdNNQpzjLBtxt2hMLk/s1600/Maroc+King.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqVGkF6uT8qXdz0dzicKK67lUEGCc5ZNdkJigP1lTis-XEl9psMg8wXm7ko7DWcRY6im8PABMWF1M6DZxqJtni-l6yiRIwB4mcr-Bn50YMU76LNS3CVatIS87_v4VdNNQpzjLBtxt2hMLk/s1600/Maroc+King.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Moroccan King Mohammed VI rejected a request made by Nigerian authorities to hold a phone conversation with the Nigerian President.</b></div>
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In a communique released on Friday, Morocco’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that “the request by Nigerian authorities for a phone conversation between HM King Mohammed VI and Nigerian President was refused by the Monarch who deemed it inappropriate on grounds of the upcoming elections in Nigeria.”</div>
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The Sovereign refused to accept the request which he deemed “inappropriate” on grounds that it is linked to the important elections in Nigeria and also because of Nigeria’s positions regarding the sacred national, Arab and Islamic causes, the Ministry said in a statement.</div>
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The Nigerian authorities request for the phone conversation and the sending of a Nigerian envoy to the Kingdom is more akin to an attempt to gain Muslim votes than a normal diplomatic act, added the statement.</div>
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Nigeria is one of the stanch allies of Algeria, South Africa and Venezuela in defending the Polisario with the regards to the question of  Western Sahara. Nigeria, which is a non-permanent member of the Security Council, has been lobbying the United Nations and calling for the establishment of human rights monitoring mechanism in the territory.</div>
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Africa’s most populous nation is also one of the few countries that recognize the self-proclaimed “Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), reports <b><a href="http://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2015/03/153195/king-mohammed-vi-rejects-request-to-hold-phone-call-with-nigerian-president/">Morocco World News</a></b>.</div>
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No Calls For Now! Moroccan King Rejects Jonathan's Phone Call

Moroccan King Mohammed VI rejected a request made by Nigerian authorities to hold a phone conversation with the Nigerian President. ...

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No Calls For Now! Moroccan King Rejects Jonathan's Phone Call

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