The National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN, Emeka Rollas, has confirmed the death of Nollywood actor, John Paul Odonwodo, popularly known as Junior Pope.
DAILY POST reports that the late actor and three of his colleagues were coming back from a movie location in a boat when they fell into Anam River in Anambra on Wednesday.
Rollas took to his instagram page on Thursday to disclose the sad development as he wrote, “It is so so sad that our joy was shortlived.
“My first post was out of excitement when we noticed his tingling fingers. Two notable hospitals tried their best to revive him but to no avail.
“God knows the best. We finally lost him,” he said.
DAILY POST reports that Junior Pope, in 2006, joined the Nollywood industry and started attending movie auditions and acting as a minor character in movies.
He usually played the role of a bodyguard, palace attendant, and servant in movies.
In 2007, he rose to fame after acting in the Nollywood blockbuster movie “Secret Adventures”, a movie directed by Tchidi Chikere.
He acted in more than 150 Nollywood movies which include: “Secret Adventures”, “Mad sex”, “Bitter Generation”, “Vengeance of Bullet”, “The Cat”, “The Generals”, “Wrong Initiation” among others.
In 2010, he won the award for Nollywood Most Promising Actor in Nigeria at the Entertainment Factory Awards.
He is known for acting criminal, villain, armed robber, militant and hitman roles in movies alongside Emma Ehumadu, Sylvester Madu, Zubby Michael, Jim Iyke, Alaso Wariboko, Gentle Jack, Hanks Anuku, Jerry Amilo.
Other awards he won include Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards and Best Actor of the Year at the Africa Movie Academy Awards, among others.
As a result of insecurity, higher transportation costs, poor topography and bad roads, the cost of trade in Nigeria is four to five times higher than what is obtained in the United States, the World Bank has revealed.
In its latest Africa Pulse released, the global bank said market distortions across Africa result in high price differentials in imported food and non-food products, indicating a lack of integration across African markets.
“Similarly, access to product markets is constrained, which prevents firms and farms from scaling up production. In particular, the lack of connectivity and market integration means that markets are segmented, allowing firms or farms with market power to capture benefits, contributing to income inequality,” it stated.
It added that studies from the African region consistently find spatial differences in prices of imported goods (food and non-food) as well as non-traded agricultural staples, indicating that markets are not well-integrated and that retail prices of products are affected by distance.
It noted that food inflation and the weakening of domestic currencies are still major
drivers of inflation in Nigeria and other countries in the region.
According to the report, by February 2024, about one-third of the Sub-Saharan African countries with monthly available food price information (14 of 40 countries) had double-digit year-on-year rates of food inflation, with the fastest increases experienced in Ethiopia, Malawi, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Zimbabwe.
For instance, trade costs more in Nigeria than in the United States, due to poor road infrastructure, low competition in the transportation sector and poor topography.
The report concluded that the consequences of these distortions include the preference of African producers to sell locally rather than export. Furthermore, it noted that frictions in the labour markets across Africa are a result of high transport cost, elevated cost of screening workers and lack of information on labour opportunities.
The bank said the state involvement through regulation in markets across Africa also creates barriers to trade competition and investment. It also noted the tendency for big players in such environments to set prices above market rate to the disadvantage of consumers, small competitors and workers.
“Global analysis of World Bank and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development indicators of product market regulations suggest that barriers to competition in product markets tend to be higher in African countries, due to a high degree of state involvement in markets, legal and administrative barriers to entrepreneurship, as well as barriers to trade and investment,” it noted.
It concluded by saying that such an anti-competitive market environment stifles innovation and further inhibits the growth trajectory of the economy.
A former member of the House of Representatives from Kogi State, Hon. Mohammed Idris, is dead.
Mohammed, the son of a former Governor of Kogi state, Ibrahim Idris, represented Ankpa, Olamaboro and Omala Federal Constituency at the lower chamber of the National Assembly.
DAILY POST gathered that he slumped and died shortly after observing Eid prayer at his residence in Abuja on Wednesday.
He will be buried according to Islamic rites at Gudu cemetery in Abuja.
A popular Lagos traditional ruler, the Osolo of Isolo Kingdom, Oba Kabiru Agbabiaka, Adeola Olushi III died suddenly on Wednesday after observing the Eid prayer.
The popular Lagos monarch died at the age of 64.
His death was announced by the Chairman, Isolo Local Council Development Area, Olasoju Adebayo on Wednesday.
Adebayo, in a statement said he has the instruction of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos to announce the death of the monarch.
He said Oba Agbabiaka would be buried by 4.00pm today at his palace in accordance with Islamic rites.
“I have the instruction of the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to formally announce the passing of the paramount ruler of Isolo Kingdom, Oba Kabiru Agbabiaka, Adeola Olushi III, today April 10, 2024. He was aged 64.
“He will be buried today by 4pm at his palace, 3/5 Akinbaye Street, Isolo, according to Islamic rites. May his soul rest in peace,” Adabayo said.
It was learnt that the traditional ruler had spent 20 years on the throne.
A tragedy occurred on the newly-rehabilitated 3rd Mainland Bridge on Wednesday, when a fully-loaded 20-seater commercial bus hit the railings, sending two passengers into the Lagoon.
This occurred on a day Nigeria’s Muslim faithful joined the rest of the world in celebrating the end of the holy month of Ramadan, Eid-el-Fitri.
According to an eyewitness, who identified himself as Akinola Adeniyi, the tragedy occurred at about 11.30 am.
He said the commercial bus en route to the Island from Iyana-Oworo suddenly hit the railings on the bridge.
Adeniyi attributed the cause of the accident to excessive speeding on the part of the driver of the ill-fated vehicle.
A rescue team, including men of the Lagos State Emergency Management LASEMA, and the Police, among others raced to the scene.
The incident led to traffic gridlock on the 3rd Mainland Bridge, inward the Island.
Director of Public Affairs of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, Taofik Adebayo, confirmed the incident.
He said LASTMA personnel, in collaboration with other rescue teams, particularly the Marine Police, were carrying out the rescue mission.
According to Adebayo, 18 passengers were immediately taken to hospital for treatment. He added that they were seriously injured.
According to reports, he said, preliminary investigations revealed that a 20 fully-loaded LT commercial bus, with registration FKJ 872 YA while on a high speed, lost control as a result of a brake failure.
The bus was about to fall inside the Lagoon before it was stopped by the railings of the 3rd Mainland Bridge.
Adebayo added that the truck driver ran away after the accident. He noted that policemen from Adeniji Adele Police Station provided security backup during the rescue of the 18 passengers by LASTMA officials.
One LASTMA Alpha, Zone 1 Lagos Island, Ojo-Oniyun Olamide, led the recovery operations. He confirmed that his team immediately evacuated the bus off the road for free vehicular movement inward Adeniji Adele area of Lagos Island.
“Meanwhile, the Marine rescue team is already inside the Lagoon on a search-and-rescue mission to see if any of those passengers that fell inside could be rescued.
However, the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, warned the motoring public to stop overspeeding.
He also urged them to ensure their vehicles are properly checked, including the braking system, before embarking on any journey within or outside the state.
After the first week under the new electricity tariff system, data released by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) reveals that more than 20 percent of consumers classified under Band A lack prepaid meters.
This absence significantly impacts the accurate measurement of consumption, crucial for billing purposes, Vanguard reports.
Consequently, the consumers would be made to pay on estimated billing, a practice largely discredited by both the consumers and the NERC as subject to manipulation and shortchanging of the consumers.
Band A customers are those who enjoy a minimum of 20 hours of electricity daily, who are supposed to know and control their bills in a transparent process, according to the NERC.
This category of consumers have been subjected to a 230 percent tariff raise in the recently announced tariff structure putting the new rate at N225 per kilowatt-hour, from N68 per kilowatt-hour.
Apparently referencing this challenge, the Vice Chairman, NERC, Dr Musiliu Oseni, has directed the Electricity Distribution Companies, DisCos, to prioritize the metering of the Band A customers.
Vanguard also learnt from industry sources that many DisCos would be unable to deploy the meters immediately as the prepaid meters are not readily available.
Affected consumers, especially small businesses are already contemplating rejection of any estimated bill and are ready to shut down in the event the DisCos disconnect them on account of unsettled bill.
Meanwhile, indications also emerged yesterday that the Organised Labour is planning to present a new minimum wage demand following the recent hike in electricity tariff by the Federal Government, claiming the 300 percent jerk up in electricity tariff has made nonsense of its earlier benchmark wage demand.
The Labour groups under the aegis of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and its Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, counterpart, had last month presented a joint minimum wage demand to the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage, TCNMW, through the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, NSIWC, which is the secretariat of the TCNMW.
The joint presentation is contrary to what they (NLC and TUC leaders in the zones) proposed during March 8, 2024, zonal public hearings organised by the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage, TCNMW, across four of the six geo-political zones of the country.
Speaking to Vanguard in confidence yesterday, one of the labour leaders who is a member of TCNMW stated: “The recent hike in electricity tariff has made nonsense of the demand we presented to the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, which is the secretariat of the minimum wage committee.
“Both centres had met last month to harmonise our different demands as seen during the public hearing and made a joint demand. But with the 300 percent increase in the electricity tariff, our demand is no longer realistic. Therefore, we plan to adjust our demand to accommodate the new tariff hike.
“As you are aware, our demand was based on the socioeconomic indices on the ground at the time we made the demand. But things have changed as typified by the 300 percent hike in the electricity tariff by the government. So, we have to adjust our demand by 300 percent in line with the electricity tariff hike.”
Recall that while the TUC had earlier demanded a uniform figure of N447,000 across the zones, the NLC demanded different figures for each zone of the country with the highest being N850,000.
In the South-West, while leaders of the NLC, proposed N794, 000, those of the TUC proposed N497, 000.
While in the South-East, the NLC said it preferred the new minimum wage to be N540,000, TUC suggested N447,000.
However, South-South workers proposed N850,000, with their North-West counterparts angling for N485,000 minimum wage.
A 37-year-old woman who was allegedly in possession of 317 live ammunition, has been arrested by the tactical team of the Operation Zenda Joint Task Force in Benue State.
The Commander of Operation Zenda, SP Felix Nomiyugh, confirmed the arrest on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Makurdi.
He said the suspect was arrested at Ayati Junction in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.
The commander said that the suspect was an associate of a dreaded bandit operating in the local government area.
He confirmed that the task force recovered from the suspect 200 live ammunition of General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) and 117 rounds of 7.6mm ammunition
Media personality, Shade Ladipo has advised Nigerian men to stop talking about DNA tests because they put their women through a lot.
She shared this opinion in an episode of the Bahd and Boujee podcast with Tolani Baj and Moet Abebe.
She claimed that most men like to believe that they are best in cheating and have multiple partners and children outside their marriage.
Shade believes that even though men usually think they are getting away with infidelity, the women act unaware and also retaliate.
While she admits that some women who engage in paternity fraud are actually wayward, some others do it because of their husband’s infidelity.
She advised men to stop talking about DNA tests as it is a repercussion for how badly they have treated Nigerian women.
See the video of her speaking below;
Media
“For what Nigerian men have put Nigerian women through, let’s leave the DNA topic for a while”
— ???? @???????????????????????????????????????????????????? (@OneJoblessBoy) April 9, 2024
- Shade Ladipo pic.twitter.com/iFxvGgoi80
Popular socialite Madame Mystique has opened up on why her relationship with Nigerian singer, Asake ended.
She spoke while responding to a curious fan on her Instagram page.
Mystique explained that she broke up with the ‘Lonely At The Top’ crooner because he wanted to let the “devil use him.”
The fan wrote, “Why did you break our national sweetheart’s heart? Our Asake.”
She replied, “Cuz he wanted to go let the devil use him.”
Responding to another fan who berated her for not protecting Asake from the devil instead of walking away, Mystique explained that the singer is a God-fearing man, stressing that “the devil” was just a trickster.
She wrote, “Chill, he’s very much a man [of] God. The devil is just a trickster nonetheless.”
Asake and Madame Mystique sparked relationship rumours last year after their lovey-dovey photos and videos surfaced online.
In March 2024, reports emerged that their relationship has hit the rocks.
Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has opened up on the secret to his good health.
The 82-year-old clergyman attributed it to a devout spiritual regimen.
This revelation came during the monthly Thanksgiving service at the RCCG national headquarters, Throne of Grace Parish, in Ebute-Meta, Lagos, themed “Renewed Like The Eagle.”
The cleric, who recently responded to his detractors, elaborated on the practices that have underpinned his progress in ministry and well-being.
He emphasized the significance of maintaining a close relationship with God, highlighting fasting, prayer, and obedience to divine directives as core components of his routine.
Furthermore, Adeboye advocated for a lifestyle of holiness, which he considers crucial for his sound health and spiritual fortitude.
Adeboye while narrating his story said, “As long as you are connected to the socket of the Most High, the enemy cannot touch you. Every day you will be looking younger, feeling stronger.
“A friend of mine called me at the beginning of this year and asked me, ‘Friend, how are you doing it’? I said doing what? He replied that at over age 80, I am still running up and down as if I am a small boy. I said if I tell him the secret will he believe me? Stay connected to the One who never tires, who never grows old, The One who is always there, the One who does not sleep nor slumber. Remain connected to Him and His Power would flow through you, renewing you strength from day to day.
“Not too long ago I travelled to one nation and as it used to be my custom, I decided to go for a walk in the morning and two of my sons decided to walk with me and said okay. After sometime I looked back and I wonder where are these boys? I have left them far behind. When I was returning, I met them on the way and I asked what happened, they said they did not know I am going that far. They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.
“We are not just talking about being strong physically alone but it includes being strong mentally, spiritually, emotionally.
“I was telling someone what happened to me in 1951 he said how do I remember all these things, remember that those that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. All you need to do is remain connected to the source of the Almighty God.
“Samson was so anointed by God that he singlehandedly killed thousands but when he disconnected himself from God, the enemies dealt with him.
“When you plug water heater to its socket, as long as water heater remains connected to the power source and put inside water, it is the water that will be boiling, and the heater would remain hot. But if you unplug this same heater and put it in water, the water would become cold including the heater.
“Scientists have discovered that you can renew your age by fasting, it has a very great advantage to make you look younger after the fast. Researchers conducted an experiment years ago, they caught two set of mice, separate them. Give one set food once in two day and feed the other one very well. I can’t remember for how many months they did that but they injected rat poison into both sets of rat, before evening all the rats that were feed fat had died. Seven days later, the only sign they saw on the rats that have been fasting was that there was yellow colour on their tail. When you hear people protesting that I asked you to fast regularly, just smile, it looks as if this old man knew what he is doing.”
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Nollywood actress and filmmaker, Funke Akindele has said reports of her abandoning late actress Jumoke Aderounmu is untrue.
Recall that after Jumoke passed away, her brother stormed social media to accuse Funke of hypocrisy over her condolence message.
Jumoke's brother had also claimed that she didn't reach out to the actress during her battle with sickness that eventually killed her, but she ignored her messages.
Recall that Aderounmu passed away on Saturday at the age of 40 after battling an undisclosed ailment.
Akindele, who worked with Aderounmu on her TV serial, ‘Jenifa’s Diary,’ had taken to her Instagram page to mourn her.
However, a brother of the deceased shared a post on his Instagram account, stating how someone who ignored his late sister during her predicament was now mourning her on social media.
Many, who suspected he was referring to Akindele, thronged to the actress’ page to lambast her.
Reacting to the backlash in an Instagram live session, Akindele explained that she was depressed and dealing with her own “trying moments too” when Aderounmu was sick.
She said, “Some people are telling me to keep quiet since I’ve reached out to the deceased’s brother and explained. But I think I deserve… Somebody commented on my page that I may bury my children. I think that is serious. Why? What have I done wrong?
“The late Jumoke Aderounmu, I met her years ago. She was an actress, so I gave her some roles. She featured in Jenifa’s Diary and Industreet. And that was it. She acted her role, got paid and left.
“Recently, my attention was brought to a post by Jumoke’s brother. He was so upset that nobody checked on Jumoke. I said I know he is grieving. I know it’s not easy to lose someone. I’ve lost my mum. Nobody knows what I went through. I was depressed after losing my mum.
“So, I reached out to Jumoke’s brother. I said, ‘I’m so sorry. I feel your pain. Nobody told me that your sister was sick. I don’t turn deaf ears to people that are in need that are next to me. They wrote that I don’t help, I do help but I don’t make noise about helping. I believe giving should be done privately.’
“I don’t beef any filmmaker, I do my things, I face where I’m going. The records I’ve been able to break are by the grace of God. Do not forget I’ve got my trying moments too.
“My mum passed away during COVID-19, I was backlashed politically, and I lost my marriage. Somebody is now saying that I will lose my children. I think that is too much.”
Billionaire singer, Rihanna has revealed how many children she would love to have with her partner, AP Rocky.
The star said she is open to have more kids after giving birth to two in less than three years.
She said she had been looking for a female child but kept giving birth to boys.
Rihanna covered the latest issue of the Interview Magazine.
“As many as God wants me to have… I don’t know what God wants, but I would go for more than two. I would try for my girl. But of course if it’s another boy, it’s another boy,” she said.
The Barbadian superstar also gushed about how stylish his American partner, rapper A$AP Rocky is.
She said, “I be feeling bummy as s**t next to this man. I feel like, goddamn, I look like his assistant. I’m getting on a plane. We should be in sweats. He wants to be in a full Bottega suit. I’m like, ‘Why you got to do that to me?’”
Recall that A$AP Rocky confirmed his relationship with Rihanna in a GQ interview in 2021.
The couple welcomed their first child together, a boy called RZA, on May 19, 2022. In August 2023, they welcomed their second son Riot Ross.
Gov Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has ordered the indefinite suspension of commercial activities at some markets in the state.
The latest development was due to a fire incident which engulfed four buildings in the area, leading to the collapse of buildings.
Special Adviser to the state Governor on Central Business Distress, CBD, Bola Olumegbon Lawal, made the announcement during a visit to the scene of the fire accident to assess the situation.
Lawal announced the immediate closure and suspension of business activities in the market and environs, stressing that the measure has become necessary to prevent possible loss of life and maintain peace and order in the area.
She further appealed to market women and men in the area to pave the way for emergency respondents who have timely responded to the incident to effectively perform their duties throughout the rescue operations as required.
Lawal listed the suspended markets to include:
Dosumu
Nnamdi Azikiwe
Moshalashi
Woro Pedro
Obanikoro Streets.
Ago Tawa
Idumagbo Avenue
Idumagbo
Ido – Oluwo
Oju Olobun Streets
Gov Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has stated that he is absorbing the insults and tantrums thrown at him for peace to reign in the state.
Fubara made the assertion when he received a delegation of members of the Bishops and Gospel Ministers’ Association International Incorporated, Rivers State Chapter, at Government House in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, said most people took his meekness for weakness, but his stance on peace has unarguably enhanced the harmonious atmosphere of concord as residents sleep with their two eyes closed.
He noted that because he has anchored his government on promoting peace, an enabling atmosphere has been provided for investments and sustainable development to flourish in the State.
Fubara urged members of the Christian family to continue praying for the State and the Government so that the enemies of the State would be put to greater shame.
He said: “Before, what they hear of Rivers State is that they are fighting, and some genuine investors will not come. Some people even ask you: ‘How are you coping in Rivers State?’
“But now, the Governor has brought about a lot of changes in the State. One of the most important things is that he has changed the negative narrative. It is no longer Rivers of blood. It is now Rivers of peace.
“We are enjoying our lives here. Why? Because there is a change in the narrative. We have peace. The Governor is, as much as possible, absorbing any level of insult at him only for one purpose: that Rivers State may have peace; that we may grow; that this State will experience genuine development.
“This peace is what I want you to embrace. Go and continue to pray, because when the sower of the seed went and sowed, the enemy went in the night and sowed tares inside there. But the Governor is sowing peace.
“When someone has the strength to fight back, but refuses to fight back. That is a bigger strength; that power of restrain does not just come, it can only come from God.
“You cannot give peace, if you do not have peace within you. The Governor is not interested in any form of trouble or violence. What he is interested in is known, and it is: let there be peace in Rivers State.”