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Award-winning Nigerian actress, Genevieve Nnaji has spoken about her experience in Hollywood.
She talked about when she decided to seek partnership in Hollywood after the success of her 2018 film, LionHeart that was bought by Netflix.
She stated that she never found the support she expected in Hollywood, adding that the experience made her realise that she was a commodity.
She explained that Hollywood wanted what she had, but simply for their own benefit.
The thespian disclosed this on a panel at the 2024 AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum/Afreximbank Annual Meeting.
She said, “For the first time, I realised I was a commodity. I thought, you know, given what I had done with Lionheart, and all of that, I was going to have an opportunity to do more. Getting there and having the kind of support, that obviously CANEX is bringing on board, but I thought I could find it in Hollywood. That was not quite the case.
“They wanted what I had but for their benefit. It was all about their story. It was all about how, even if it was our story, I could make it more authentic to their own understanding of whatever Africa is because they did have a lot of literature in their archives.”
She also said that she could have gone to Hollywood years ago but decided to stay back to contribute to the development of Nollywood.
Anambra State Government through the Ministry of Women and Social Welfare has arrested a couple and one other for suspected human trafficking in Ifitedunu, Dunukofia Local Government Area of the state.
The feat was achieved when the community Chairman, Mr Arinzechukwu Azodo, notified the Women Affairs Commissioner, Hon. Ify Obinabo.
The media aide to the Women Affairs Commissioner, Chidinma Ikeanyionwu, who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, said the couple, Temple and Ndubuisi Nwankwo were arrested alongside one Ebere while attempting to sell their baby daughter for N1m.
The couple is suspected to have sold their other two other children who they claimed have died.
“According to Mr. Azodo, he was alerted by the commander of his team over a report of suspected trafficking taking place in the community which he quickly informed the commissioner who told him to go ahead and apprehend the persons involved,” the statement read."Azodo explained that after the arrest, they discovered that the said suspects were about sealing their deal to the tune of one million naira."On her part, one of the suspects who gave her name as Ebere from Ukpo in same local government area of the state, revealed that it was another of the suspect by name Temple Nwankwo, her very good friend that approached her one day informing her that she has twin baby for sale although she has already sold one of the twins."Ebere said she accepted to partner with her and went further to link her up to a prospective buyer who needed a male child urgently."Ebere in her confession said that after their negotiation, they agreed to meet at Oye Agu to further seal the transaction but instead Temple requested an instant payment of one million naira in her account which the buyer objected to because he hadn't seen the baby in question."This brought disagreement among them before Temple changed her mind and left them."On the alleged seller's part, Temple Nwankwo from Enugu state but resident at Ifitedunu, denied ever having to be in any type of business with Ebere but explained that she only reconnected with her when she was four months pregnant."Temple in her defense said it was Ebere who actually asked for her help in getting a male child because she's not been able to have a child of her own."Temple claimed that after Ebere made the request, she warned her to never involve her in such and that since that day, Ebere has been coming to her house in her absence meeting her daughter even after her several warnings to her."Some members of the community alleged that Temple is into the trafficking business with her husband, Ndubuisi Nwankwo, as an accomplice because they have not seen some of her children for a very long time"When the couple were asked the whereabouts of the two kids, they claimed that they were dead."However, when they were asked where the children were buried, they stated no one had ever been around to witness the burial of the two kids."It was at this point that Hon Obinabo, who was visibly sad over the incident, handed them over to the police for investigation and prosecution.
The bust statue of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has been destroyed by irate youths who stormed the Obio/Akpor council headquarters earlier Tuesday.
Some of the visibly angry youths, who spoke in a mix of the Ikwerre dialect and English, pulled the statue down while the others cheered him on.
The youths, who had invaded the council headquarters, claimed they were there to ensure the safety of council property following the expiration of the chairman’s tenure.
Wike, a former Chairman of Obio/Akpor, and former Rivers State governor, has been involved in a political feud with his former protege the governor of the state, Siminalayi Fubara.
No fewer than nine people reportedly lost their lives in 13 road accidents that occurred in Osun, Ondo, and Oyo states in the first three days of the Sallah holiday.
The Federal Road Safety Corps Command of Zone 11, which comprises the three states, added that 78 others sustained varying degrees of injuries in the crashes involving 21 vehicles and 128 people.
The Acting Zonal Commanding Officer for the Zone, Leye Adegboyega, who shared this information in a statement in Osogbo, stressed that those injured were taken to hospitals across the zone, while 41 other people were rescued without injuries during the period.
Adegboyega stated that the 2024 Eid El Kabir Sallah Special Patrol Operation is scheduled to be held between Friday, June 14th, and Friday, June 21st, 2024, across the country.
He revealed that in the major routes within his jurisdiction, the commission deployed a total of 3,018 personnel, 57 patrol vehicles, five ambulances, and two heavy-duty tow trucks during the period.
“Personnel from the command covered about 65 major routes across the zone daily to ensure good visibility and reduce avoidable speed-related crashes, while standby rescue teams were also stationed across all commands in the zone for quick response to distress calls from accident scenes,” Adegboyega said.
Zone RS11 Osogbo of the Corps, which comprises Osun, Ondo, and Oyo states, has aligned with the mission of the Operation, which is to ensure the free flow of traffic, minimize the occurrence of RTCs, provide prompt rescue services in the event of crashes, and ensure timely clearance of obstructions on all major roads and critical corridors across the three states of the Zone during and after the Sallah festivities.
To achieve the mission of the Operation, a total of 3,018 personnel (comprising 2,155 Regular Marshals and 863 Special Marshals), 57 patrol vehicles, five ambulances, and two heavy-duty tow trucks have been deployed across the component commands.
The roads covered daily include the following critical corridors: Ibadan-Lagos Expressway, Ibadan-Ife Expressway, Ife-Ilesa Expressway, Ilesa-Ipetujesa-Akure Expressway, Sagamu-Ore-Benin Expressway, and Ibadan-Oyo-Ogbomoso Expressway.
“In the first three days of the operation, we have achieved the following:
i. The arrest of 737 traffic offenders who were duly contravened for 766 various traffic offenses that may otherwise have led to avoidable RTCs.
ii. Execution of 219 various public enlightenment activities across the news media, motor parks, churches, mosques, and other public places to drive home the road safety message and create public awareness of the need for safety consciousness.”
“We provided prompt rescue services for the victims of 13 RTCs which involved 21 vehicles and 128 people, out of which nine unfortunately lost their lives and 78 others sustained varying degrees of injuries and were swiftly conveyed to hospitals across the Zone, where we maintain cordial relationships for treatment.
Forty-one other people were rescued alive without injuries and continued their journeys,” he concluded.
A three-storey building under construction in Abakaliki, capital of Ebonyi State, on Tuesday, collapsed with two persons trapped.
According to The Nation, the affected building allegedly belongs to a member of the Ebonyi Assembly
The collapsed building is located near the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki.
At least one person was still trapped inside the collapsed building as of the time of filing this report, while one rescued person was rushed to the emergency unit of the Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki.
One of the labourers, who escaped from the collapsed building, told reporters he escaped because he went to wash his hands.
He said, “I was loading a bag of stones and the owner of the house was here with me, telling me to park it very well. He has finished paying us.
“Only one person, who is dumb was trapped inside and he is still there. One other who was rescued has been rushed to hospital.
“The building didn’t give any sign that it is about to collapse. I was lucky because my tools were inside. I just said let me wash my hands here before I will go inside the building to collect my tools.”
Rescue workers were still trying to rescue the trapped labourer.
Nvidia, a graphics card-making firm, overtook Microsoft to become the world’s most valuable company on Tuesday.
The American technology company saw its stock value rise by 3.5 percent to $135.58 a share — lifting its market capitalisation to $3.3 trillion.
Nvidia has dominated the technology market with its highly sought-after chips that help power data centres running complex computing tasks required by artificial intelligence (AI) applications.
On its part, Microsoft is also seen as an early AI winner given its investment and partnership with OpenAI, which created ChatGPT.
Apple, which occupies the third position, has also seen its shares rally after finally unveiling a plan to use AI — a move Bloomberg reported appeased investors.
Also, Nvidia’s surging stock price has made Jensen Huang, co-founder and chief executive officer (CEO), one of the world’s richest people.
Huang’s net worth has climbed more than $70 billion since the beginning of the year to $115 billion, putting him in 12th place on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index — the highest gain among his billionaire peers.
Adewale Ayuba, the ace Fuji musician, has revealed why he relocated to America and converted to Christianity.
In a chat with Teju Babyface on Tuesday, Ayuba spoke about his new life in the United States, his religion, and his music career.
He disclosed that he and his band member travelled to America for their three-month summer show in 1995.
Ayuba said they could not return to Nigeria after their show ended due to threats from Sani Abacha, the late military head of state.
The singer said he was threatened after he released an album advocating for the freedom of political detainees, particularly the late Moshood Abiola.
Ayuba said after Abacha’s demise, he returned to Nigeria to perform at the Benson and Hedges Concert in 1998.
The singer said while in the US, he enrolled in school and completed his documentation to become an American citizen. He said he also met his wife in America.
“I left for America with my full band members in 1995 for a summer show and others. We came to America for about three months and then returned to Nigeria,” he said.
“I returned to Nigeria in 1998 when Abacha died. The three years I stayed in America were by the grace of God because he is a good planner.
“When I was in America, I realised that I could only perform shows on weekends. My Mondays to Fridays were free. So, I enrolled in school. That was where I met my wife.
“After that, I took part in a lot of activities. Doing so was like building another foundation in America. That was not easy. From there, I completed my documentation and became an American citizen.
“I don’t see myself continuing in Fuji music, I believe I have done well. This is America, there’s more to explore in life, trusting that God has a plan.”
Speaking about his decision to convert from Islam to Christianity, Ayuba revealed that he was unable to pray in Arabic.
This, he said, prevented him from practising Islam, adding that he would always invite clerics to pray on his behalf.
He also said he was inspired by verses from the Bible quoting Jesus Christ as saying “He is the way, truth, and life”.
Ayuba said he prefers to worship where he “feels closest to God,” adding that his choice to become a Christian “brings me happiness”.
“People claim Ayuba is a Muslim. Have they seen me in the mosque? If I were practising Islam, wouldn’t someone have noticed,” he said.
“Why is this an issue? Can they let me be? They say I should pray five times daily, but I’m not. My mother is an Alhaja, and although my father never went to Mecca, we practice Islam at home.
“So, my name is Ayub, which is Job in the Bible. It’s not that being a Muslim is good or bad. When I attempted to practice it, I had to summon some Alfas to help me communicate with God because I didn’t understand Arabic.
“I questioned whether I should continue despite all that God has done for me, needing others to intercede on my behalf.
“There isn’t an album of mine where I haven’t referenced Muslim words. We all worship God. To me, religion is akin to education.
“I chose Jesus Christ because he proclaimed, ‘I am the truth, the way, and the life’. This is my personal choice, and it brings me happiness.
“Many of my band members are Muslims, and we pray together. I was unable to attend Arabic school due to my profession. I prefer to worship where I feel closest to my God.”
Ayuba began his music career as a teenager and released his first album, ‘Ibere (Beginning)’ in 1986.
The 59-year-old singer is famous for albums such as ‘Bubble’, ‘Turn Me On’, ‘’Ijo Fuji’, and ‘Koloba Koloba’.
In 2015, Ayuba said the day he became a Christian was the happiest day of his life.
The United Kingdom, UK is grappling with a shortage of bricklayers and other construction workers, causing prolonged delays for homeowners seeking building services.
Since 2021, a staggering 415,000 people have experienced over a year-long wait to secure a builder, according to a national construction audit by Fix Radio.
The shortage extends beyond builders, with 301,000 households waiting a year for plumbers and heating engineers, 294,000 for roofers, and 274,000 for carpenters.
On average, the wait for a bricklayer over the past three years has exceeded three months, while landscapers, painters, and decorators have left customers waiting for two and a half months, per report from Daily Mail UK.
Industry experts highlight the severe impact of this skills shortage on major projects, including delays in completing the Co-op Live venue in Manchester.
To meet rising demand, an additional 225,000 skilled workers are to be needed by 2027 with economic repercussions significant as the UK is projected to miss out on £98 billion of growth by 2030 due to the skills gap.
The ageing workforce exacerbates the issue, with a fifth of construction workers now over 50 and a third planning to retire by 2030.
The Construction Industry Training Board’s Construction Skills Network estimates nearly one million tradespeople will retire in the next decade.
While migrant labour has somewhat mitigated the shortages, there is an urgent need to train more British workers.
Last year, bricklayers, plasterers, roofers, and carpenters were added to the Home Office’s shortage occupation list to address the deficit.
UK government initiatives aim to alleviate the problem, including cracking down on non-vocational university degrees and funding 100,000 apprenticeships. Both Labour and Conservative parties have focused on construction in their General Election campaigns, with Labour proposing new towns and Rishi Sunak promising to build hundreds of thousands of homes in major cities.
Clive Holland of Fix Radio emphasized the critical need for more builders, warning, “If political parties, irrespective of their stripe or colour, honestly believe they can address the housing crisis without having the serious conversation of addressing the skills deficit, we’re heading into a very dangerous position.”
A Fix Radio survey revealed that two-thirds of Britons felt insufficiently encouraged to pursue trades in school, and 18% of parents discouraged their children from entering the construction industry due to perceived low earnings.
Unites States President, Joe Biden is set to announce a new policy that will grant legal status to hundreds of thousands of undocumented spouses of US citizens, protecting them from deportation.
The policy will apply to those who have been in the country for at least 10 years and will allow them to work in the US legally.
According to the administration officials, over 500,000 spouses of US citizens will benefit from this policy, in addition to 50,000 young people under 21 whose parent is married to an American citizen.
The policy is the most significant relief program for undocumented migrants already in the US since the Obama administration announced the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) in 2012.
To qualify, undocumented spouses must have lived in the country for 10 years and been married as of June 17. They will have three years to apply for permanent residency and will be eligible for a three-year work permit.
The White House believes that those eligible for the process have been in the US for an average of 23 years, with a majority being born in Mexico.
Critics argue that the policy is an overreach of executive authority and violates US immigration law.
NumbersUSA, an immigration reform group, in a statement by the Chief Executive, James Massa, referred to the policy as “unconscionable”. He said:
“Rather than stopping the worst border crisis in history, President Biden has overreached his executive authority to use an unconstitutional process, circumventing voters and their elected representatives in Congress, to send a message that amnesty is available to those who enter illegally into the United States.”
However, immigration lawyers and advocates welcome the move as a start towards addressing the complex issues faced by undocumented immigrants.
Alex Cuic, an immigration lawyer and professor at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio, told the BBC: “A good majority of them [would have] left the country in order to come back lawfully. It’s like they physically enter the US, but their immigration ‘soul’ doesn’t come with them.”
The application process is expected to open by the end of summer, and the White House is also planning to ease and speed up the visa process for highly skilled undocumented immigrants.
At the time of the announcement, US President Biden urged those who consider the measure “too strict” to “be patient”.
“[In] the weeks ahead, I will speak to how we can make our immigration system more fair and just,” he said.
Former President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, Mrs. Florence Morenike Saraki, has died.
She died on Tuesday at the age of 89.
Saraki made the announcement on Tuesday evening on his x.com account.
He announced that, “With profound sadness and total submission to the will of Almighty God, I announce the passing of my beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and matriarch, Chief Mrs. Florence Morenike Saraki, who peacefully transitioned today, Tuesday, June 18th, 2024.
“Details regarding funeral arrangements will be shared in due course. We appreciate your love, prayers, and support as we mourn Mama’s passing.”
The late Florence was the widow of Olusola Saraki, who was a Senator in the Second Nigerian Republic and political godfather in Kwara until his demise in 2012.
The late matriarch of the Saraki family who celebrated her 87th birthday in 2022, was survived by Saraki, former minister of state for transport, Gbemisola, Tope Saraki-Edu and Laolu.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Saraki’s ward has issued a statement mourning her death.
A statement by the chairman of the ward, Comrade Abubakar Yusuf Garba, on behalf of the party said, “We share in the grief and sorrow that comes with the loss of a matriarch, a pillar of strength, and a guiding light. Chief (Mrs.) Florence Morenike Saraki was an exemplary woman, a devoted wife, and a dedicated mother who left an indelible mark on the lives of everyone she touched.
“Her unwavering support and dedication to her family, particularly her husband, the late Dr. Olusola Saraki, and her children, are a testament to her selflessness and devotion.”
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Femi Esho, the Nigerian music promoter and founder of Evergreen Musical Company, has passed away.
Esho died at the age of 77.
Bimbo Esho, his daughter, confirmed his demise via Facebook on Tuesday.
“My Loving Dad May your Gentle Soul Rest In Peace Esho Baba (sic),” she wrote.
However, she did not reveal the cause of death or the exact date he died.
Esho was Born in Ilesa, Osun state on November 29, 1946.
The Chairman of the Katcha local government area of Niger State, Danlamin Abdullahi Saku has been beaten to a pulp.
He was given the beating of his life by hoodlums in the council over alleged failure to settle a debt of over N1m owed his creditor.
The LG chairman borrowed the money from one Alhaji Yanda of the same area and failed to repay.
It was gathered that the incident occurred in the area on Sunday when his creditor conveyed a message to him through some boys in the area demanding his money.
Instead of receiving and responding to the message sent to him, he was said to have slapped one of the boys leading to a fight that saw the chairman beaten to a pulp.
It was further gathered that the council chairman was rushed to the General Hospital Katcha and he was later referred to another undisclosed hospital for medical attention.
However, a party source from the area who would not want the name mentioned disclosed that the council chairman was beaten by his party supporters who were not happy over his refusal to pay back a debt of about N1m he borrowed to fund his political campaign which won him the seat of the council chairman.
The source disclosed that before the incident, the council chairman’s vehicle was forcefully ceased by his creditors and was returned to him after a series of interventions from some party leaders of the LG.
Confirming the incident, the state Police command through the Public Relations Officer (PRO) SP Wasiu Abiodun said on 16th of June, 2024 information was received at Katcha Division that the Chairman Katcha LGA Hon. Danlami Abdullahi Saku was attacked by some miscreants along Saku-Gaza village after the Sallah prayer at his village Saku, Katcha LGA”
“The attack was allegedly reported to be linked to a debt issue between the Chairman and one Alh. Yanda of the same area”.
Abiodun stated that the Chairman sustained serious injury during the attack and he was taken to Gen. Hospital Bida and later referred to another hospital for further treatment.
“Preliminary investigation is ongoing at Katcha Div, while effort is being intensified to apprehend the miscreants who were responsible for the criminal force and assault and causing grievous hurt on the Chairman, ” he further added.
‘No Matter How Your Mother Tries To Take You Away, I Remain Your Father’ – Mercy Aigbe’s Ex-husband, Lanre Gentry
AFOLABI
Lagos-based hotelier, Lanre Gentry, the ex-husband to Nollywood actress, Mercy Aigbe, has stirred social media reactions over his birthday message to his son, Juwon.
Naija News reports that Gentry, in the post shared on his Instagram page, accused Mercy of denying him access to his son.
He noted that despite Mercy’s attitude, he is happy that his son still understands he remains his father.
He wrote, “Happy birthday to my dear son Olajuwon Gentry,no matter how your mother try to take you away from me,I still remain your father and am happy you are growing up to understand that I remain your father and to come back to me to ask for anything without your mother asking by herself. I cherish you, my son, a long life to you and me as your father.”
Meanwhile, Mercy Aigbe, in her birthday message, wrote, “Happy birthday to my not so small Baby. They Grow so fast and so Big!
“Olajunwomi, my son in whom i am well pleased. How time flies you are 14yrs older already, you will always be mummy’s baby. I bless God for growth, protection, provision and unending blessings.
“My dearest son, I will always be here for you,I will always cover you,I will always pray for you and with you,I will always love you forever Oko mi ? Thank you for bringing me so much joy has your mother and I am very proud of you! I’m forever grateful to God Almighty.
“Juwon is that son every mother prays to have,a very peaceful, loving and caring child. You are very Kind and very generous to everyone around you. I feel blessed that you are my son.
“I love you from the first time you took your first breath, I love you now and I will love you till eternity. I’m wishing you long life and prosperity in good health, success, happiness & joy, God’s protection & guidance on you always & forever Amen. Happy Birthday My Son @olajuwon.gentry.”
A 400-level student at Federal University Oye Ekiti in Ekiti State has been arrested by police for allegedly raping a male colleague.
A viral video on Tuesday shows the accused being taken away by police amidst a crowd.
The National Association of Ondo State Students and the FUOYE Student Union have issued statements distancing themselves from the accused, clarifying that he is not a member or affiliate of their organizations.
Both statements emphasize their commitment to a safe and inclusive environment and promise to take necessary actions to ensure justice is served
National Association of Ondo state students in a statement said, “We want to clarify that the individual Oni Olalekan popularly known as Asiwaju accused of sexual assault and who has publicly denounced our association on Monday 10th of June 2024, is not a member, an executive or appointee of our association.
“We would like to clarify that this individual is not a member of our association nor has any affiliation with us.
“It is important to ensure that this distinction is clear to the general public and that any misinformation is addressed promptly.
“We take these matters very seriously and stand for a safe and inclusive environment for all our members. If you have any concerns or information that you think we should be aware of, please do not hesitate to reach out to the association board.
“Let’s continue to uphold our values and principles as we strive for a respectful and supportive community within our association.”
Also, the FUOYE Student Union in a statement said, ” Disclaimer. This is to inform the general public that Oni Olalekan, popularly known as (Asiwaju), is not a member of the Students’ Union Government nor is he an appointee of the Students’ Union Government.
“Any claims or assumptions to the contrary are incorrect. Please take note and disregard any misinformation.
“Please be assured that the FUOYESUG is actively addressing this matter and will take all necessary actions to ensure that justice is served. Thank you.”
Speaking to our reporter in a telephone interview on Tuesday, the Ekiti State Police Public Relations Officer, Abutu Sunday, confirmed the arrest and ongoing investigation, stating that the suspect is denying the allegations.
Abutu Sunday said, “Investigation has commenced, the suspect has been arrested and investigations have commenced because he is denying why the complainant is alleging, so we will see the result of the investigation.”
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— Punch Newspapers (@MobilePunch) June 18, 2024
A 400-level student at Federal University Oye Ekiti in Ekiti State has been arrested by police for allegedly raping a male colleague.
A viral video on Tuesday shows the… pic.twitter.com/cSUN2msm7H