The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba State has said that it is confident of reclaiming its governorship mandate from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the Supreme Court.
Speaking to our corespondent, the state chairman of the party, Hassan Jika, said that although the party lost at the Appeal Court, they are hopeful of victory at the Supreme Court.
He said they will not rest “until they claim the mandate given to Senator Aisha Jummai Alhassan by people of the state”. He added that the Appeal Court ruling is just a minor set back.
“We believe in the rule of law. The issue is all about the law and we are still confident that we will be given back our mandate to serve the people of Taraba State. Our candidate has faith in the ability of the court to do justice and you know our party, the APC always respects the law no matter the situation,”he said.
Jika maintained that the leadership as well as all members of the APC in Taraba State are solidly behind Senator Alhassan and that they will continue to seek for justice.
FOLLOWING the current fight against corruption led by President Muhammadu Buhari, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Dr. George Moghalu, has stated that no member of the party found corrupt will be spared.
Moghalu
Moghalu who is a the party’s National Auditor said this in an interview, where he stated that members of the party were not above prosecution if found culpable and if Nigerians have evidence of corrupt practices against any member of the ruling party should not hesitate to approach the anti-graft agencies for investigation and prosecution.
He said: “If Nigerians have evidence against any APC member no matter how prominent make it available to the anti-graft agencies saddled with the responsibility of fighting corruption and they will investigate it.
“Mr. President is not responsible for prosecution but to give a leeway, and he has integrity as a person and anybody who wants to work with him must live according to his rules otherwise he will embarrass the person because he cannot afford to damage the reputation he has built over the years.
He also explained why the government under the APC has faced challenges after taking over the reins of power, and accused the PDP of vandalising the country’s treasury. “The truth of the matter is that as government we met a very bad situation; a country that was totally run down and almost vandalised, coupled with attendant economic downturn as a consequence and declining of our oil as a source of revenue for government.
Timaya and Cynthia Morgan, these music stars experienced their own fair share of controversies that became subject matters on the social media. Here, we take a look at the major controversies that made the headlines last year.
Chidinma and Falvour go sensual
Seyi Shay‘s skimpy outfit to Meet the president
Pepsi brand ambassador, Seyi Shay was in the news for her dress sense on Sunday, March 1 2015, where Nigerian youths met with the former president, Gooduck Jonathan. Her skimpy outfit stirred negative reactions from the public. In the pictures unveiled after the event, she was pictured sitting next to the then president in a very revealing outfit. This generated countless social media reactions with several Nigerians calling her various derogatory names. “I am a very respectable young lady and I was not in any way trying to seduce the president with the outfit I wore,” She revealed.
Timaya’s alleged rape scandal The Dem Mama Records boss was at the centre of a rape allegation days after his baby mama put to bed. He had sex with a lady who accused him of rape. Shella B, a Nigerian upcoming artiste accused Timaya of raping her while he was in Atlanta for a show. She dedicated an Instagram account for that reason known as Exposing the real Timaya which has since been deleted. From indications, the issue has been resolved. When the accusation was ongoing, Timaya took to his Instagram account to clear the air. “This girl who had been promising to blow out my brains with sex when she sees me begged to see me when she knew I was in town. I didn’t know that she had a hidden agenda. I agreed to see her and she came to my hotel in Atlanta and we got down for real.”
Cynthia Morgan controversial Baby Mama promo pictures German Juice star, Cynthia Morgan doesn’t spare anyone who gets into her ‘Bad books’. Sometime in October last year, the Northside Inc. artiste had a feud with actress, Caroline Danjuma over promo pictures meant to unveil her song Baby Mama. In one of the pictures, she was carrying her months old cousin while smoking a cigar. This didn’t go down well with Caroline Danjuma who took to her Instagram account to condemn that act.
“Thank you Miss Caroline. We all love kids and want no harm near them. You don’t love kids more than I do madam. That doesn’t change the world which these kids are in already” Cynthia Morgan replied
Skiibbi “Death” stunt Five Star Music artiste, Skiibii was said to have hatched the news of his own death as a publicity stunt to generate buzz for his music career. This incident happened in August last year. Condolences were sent to the family and friends of the artistes via Twitter and Instagram, with everyone believing he has truly passed on. The storyline changed when investigations revealed that the artiste who had reportedly collapsed was said to have used it as a stunt.
The Chidinma and Flavour kiss Love or hate them, Chidinma and Flavour are gifted music stars who command a huge fanbase.The duo share a chemistry that further came to the fore in the song they collaborated on titled Ololufe.They have been seen and photographed in compromising positions. Amazingly, they have denied dating each other at any available opportunity. November last year at Phyno’s Phynofest concert, the duo performed the song, Ololufe.After the song, they shared a kiss. This romantic act got people talking and wandering if they are truly in a romantic relationship.
Korede Bello’s performance of Godwin in a church Mavin act, Korede Bello who clinched the award at the Headies was under public condemnation when he performed his hit song Godwin in a church on the 5th of April 2015. His rendition didn’t go down well with a lot of people especially some gospel artistes who believe he has no business performing in a church. In his response, he simply said: “Mixed reactions about me glorifying God in the church! Am I not allowed to give my testimony?”
ANGLICAN primates meeting in Canterbury at the invitation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, have unanimously agreed to bar a liberal US branch from decision-making for allowing same-sex marriage. The Anglican Communion has been sharply divided on the issue since the US Episcopal Church ordained an openly gay bishop in 2003.
File: Homosexuals Brazilian Toni Reis (L) and British David Harrad of Macclesfield city kiss for a picture after their wedding in Curitiba May 9, 2011. Brazil’s Supreme Court has recognised the legal rights of same-sex partners in ‘stable’ civil unions granting gays and lesbians the right to form civil unions, and on guaranteeing them the same legal rights as other couples on May 6, 2011. REUTERS/Rodolfo Buhrer (BRAZIL – Tags: SOCIETY)
Primates from across the Anglican Communion began its meeting on Monday as leaders from the 39 provinces gathered for the first time since their meeting in Dublin in 2011 with its new secretary general, Nigeria’s Archbishop Josiah Idowu-Fearon for a crucial meeting to pray and consider the unity of the communion especially with developments at the Episcopal Church.
The primates’ meeting which ends today, is understood as one of the three “instruments of communion”. Leaders said the church’s stance was a “fundamental departure” from the faith of the majority in what is the world’s third largest Christian denomination.
But Episcopal leaders said the three-year bar, which aims to prevent a formal schism, “will bring real pain”. ‘Fundamental departure’
The decision—made at a four-day meeting of 39 Anglican primates in Canterbury—means the Church will be suspended from participating in the life and work of the Anglican communion, the BBC reported yesterday.
A statement from the primates at the meeting says that the church should “no longer represent us on ecumenical and interfaith bodies, should not be appointed or elected to an internal standing committee and that while participating in the internal bodies of the Anglican Communion, they will not take part in decision-making on any issues pertaining to doctrine or polity”.
More than 100 senior Anglicans had urged the Church of England to repent for “discriminating” against lesbian and gay Christians in an open letter.
However, the Anglican leaders in Canterbury said the Episcopal Church’s approval of gay marriage was “a fundamental departure from the faith and teaching” of the majority of Anglicans.
The rift over the US Episcopal Church’s stance on same-sex marriage and homosexuality dates back to the ordination of openly gay Canon Gene Robinson as bishop of the Episcopal Church’s New Hampshire diocese in 2003.
Jimmy Adewale Amu, popularly known as DJ Jimmy Jatt is one of Nigeria’s most influential and entertaining DJs. As a party-starter, beat-dropper, headliner and underground king who has been rocking the dance floor for close to three decades now, Jimmy Jatt has seen it all. He is revered for his role in setting the pace for hip-hop music in the country, dating back to the early 90’s when he debuted as a DJ. In this interview, he recounts the story of his life as a DJ and what one can do to become successful in the business.
What does it take to become a successful DJ in Nigeria? Firstly, you need to acquire the necessary skills after which you procure start-up equipments. If you find someone who believes in your dream and can invest in you, start-up equipments are not really cheap but affordable. Whenever you are ready to come out, all the platforms are there for you to sell yourself. You can sell yourself through the social media and a good PR, but the most important thing is that you must distinguish yourself because a lot of people present themselves as DJs before they start learning the art. Secondly, you will need to build your music library. Buy every available music record. These days, you can always buy online, download or get complimentary copies from artistes. Then, you must have a good management team because it is business and so you need to structure it as a business empire. Sometimes, people see deejaying as a hobby and not as a profession.
What has been your most memorable experience as a DJ? If I must remember anything, it’s not going to be a very pleasant one. It was the day I was to perform on a stage which was about 8ft off the ground and the woods used in constructing the stage suddenly collapsed.
DJ Jimmy Jatt
How did you survive it? It ended up being a great night for me even though people were saying it was embarrassing. But for me it wasn’t, rather it was embarrassing for the people that constructed the stage. Some of my equipment fell on my feet. I quickly put everything together and the show continued. It turned out to be a very good experience for me. Another one was when someone held me at gunpoint to play a song. He wanted me to play a particular song for him. The first time he approached me, I promised him that I would play it. But when he came the second time, I did not sound nice to him. The third time he pulled a gun and ordered me to play the song immediately.
Was there any time your mood affected the way you mixed your music? There were times I wasn’t in the mood to play music. But the good thing is that I love music and that is why I went into the DJ business. I was on stage when I lost my mum; I was also on stage when my dad passed away. Those were the worst moments of my career as a DJ. I couldn’t abandon the shows; the music had to play on. My siblings called me while I was on stage that my dad just passed on. It’s not as if I didn’t feel the pain, but I couldn’t just get off the stage. I had to go on with the show without disclosing the sad news to anyone. It was not the best of times for me. I have done the DJ job for close to three decades now but I have never had a bad day.
What is it like to be a DJ for nearly three decades now? When I started the DJ job, I never made a deliberate decision to pursue a career in deejaying. This was as a result of the way people were looking down on those who wanted to make a living as DJs. Then, DJs were seen as “never do well people” and rascals who lack parental guidance. In the first place, my mum was a teacher and you know what it means to be the son of a teacher. So, I was well trained. But when I started the DJ business, most parents wouldn’t allow me to come close to their children. I had some friends who would tell me they can’t come to my house because their parents wouldn’t want them to be seen around me. Sometimes, some of my friends’ parents would come to the studio to warn me that the next time they see their sons around me, they would get me arrested. All those threats and condemnations made me more determined to be successful in what I was doing. At a point, I became curious as to why people judged me negatively because I play music and entertain people. Sometimes, it’s wrong to judge a book by its cover, just open the pages and read the book before you can draw your conclusion. Some people believe that for you to be a DJ, you must be the worst person on earth, a womaniser, a drunk and a smoker, etc. Fortunately, I’m not into any of these things. That’s why when people ask me “when are you going to quit being a DJ?” I usually tell them that I am a role model to many young DJs. If I quit the job today, they will feel like there is no more hope in the business. They need to constantly see me grow from strength to strength for them to be encouraged and keep hope alive in the business. I want young and aspiring DJs to see a career in this and be hopeful about this job and let no one tell them ‘it’s not a job’.
At what point in your career did your realize you had become a brand? Honestly, at the initial stage I didn’t think I made any concerted effort to become a DJ. But following the way and manner people were looking down on the DJ job, I made up my mind to change that negative perception. I don’t see myself as a brand yet, instead I see myself as someone who still has a room for improvements. I believe that when you feel you have arrived, there will be no next level for you. I always feel I can still do more, I can still be a better DJ and that’s what keeps me going in this business.
Are you planning to set up an Academy where DJs will be trained? Of course yes. The Academy was supposed to have kicked off last year but due to some reasons it couldn’t.
Tell us why parents should encourage their children to enrol in your Academy. Whoever I train is going to be a star DJ in Nigeria. I have trained many DJs without charging them any fee. I always feel this is my own little way of assisting and empowering young people in our society. Moreover, I am approached everyday on the social media by young people who want to go into the business of DJ. There is no way I can continue to tell them I don’t have the space. So, there is the need for me to establish a training centre where they can be absolved and actualize their dreams.
Was there any point you wanted to quit because you could not cope with the challenges any more? Is there anybody who never wanted to quit his or her job at some point in Nigeria? This country has been unfair to a lot of people. What we earn can’t be compared to what our counterparts in other countries are paid, especially when it comes to the business of being a DJ. When I started the business, nobody saw it as a lucrative venture. They believed it was my hobby so they always felt they were doing me a favour each time they tell me that I would be on the wheels during their birthday parties. Like I said before, I used to buy every song I played then with my money. So, every Monday I would be busy paying for the records I either borrowed from people or acquired with the peanut I made during the weekend. Last year, I launched my book titled, ‘The Jimmy Jatt Story’. The book recounts my story as a DJ. While I was coming up, there were times, I had no money to buy new records or transport myself to my destination. I usually jump from one bus to another claiming to be a staff. So, when you listen to 2face’s song where he’s saying ‘you are claiming to be staff because you have no money’ it is not fictitious, it is a real life story. I would hang at the back door of a long bus, where the conductor who is collecting the fare would not possibly get to me before I jump down to join another bus. A few occasions, when they did, I ended up claiming to be a staff. It worked for me while it lasted.
How affordable are you? I am very affordable. In fact, I am the cheapest DJ in the country. Unfortunately, many people have not bothered to find out what I charge for a show because they have this mindset that it will run into millions. Honestly, I think I am one of the cheapest DJs in town.
What genres of music do you like the most? Before I started my career as a DJ, I loved hip hop music. Then as an aspiring entertainer, I was into rap music before I later delved in the world of the DJs. I had a demo tape.
As a renowned DJ, what’s your impression about the Nigerian music scene? I will say it’s improving with the speed of light. These days, it is easy to make music, unlike yesteryears when artistes hit the studio to record their songs. All you need now is your laptop. You can stay in the comfort of your bedroom and knock something together. Immediately you upload it on the Internet and millions of people across the world are listening to the trash, feedbacks will be sent to you. I am a realist, the volume of music our artistes are making these days lack quality. Unfortunately, the buying public who are the final consumers of music are celebrating them. If people are not celebrating these songs, the artistes will go back and work harder. The reverse has been the case; people that are doing the good music have turned round to water it down, because majority of the people do not want quality. Sometimes, when I play outside the country I enjoy being a DJ because people out there accept different genres of music: playing a bit of reggae, calypso, hip hop, RnB, Afrobeat among others. But in Nigeria, it’s not so. We are becoming too selfish and self-centered that all we want to listen to is our local content.
Whenever you want to perform, what do you do and how do you select your music? First and foremost, I am very equipped in term of the genres of music I want to play. I have my laptop loaded with music. Sometimes, I cross- check everything and see what I am lacking in term of new songs that might just not be in the right places. On a daily basis, I am buying music online; I am going through my mails and checking out who sent me what and where I am needed at any point in time. Some times when I play outside the country I intend to enjoy DJ more because people accept more genres of music play a bit of reggae, a bit of calypso hip hop, RnB, afro play a bit of everything.
Abia North Senatorial candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), David Onuoha-Bourdex recently took his campaign tour to Umunneochi Local Government Area, to seek support for his candidature.
Bourdex who promised to protect the interest of Umunneochi people if voted also assured them a better representation.
Meanwhile, Umunneochi people after assuring him of their support, the people encouraged him not to be disappointed or deterred by the former’s outcome, but promised that they will stand by him to make sure that all votes cast would be counted and declared in the presence of all for the purpose of transparency.
Speaking to them, Bourdex expressed dissatisfaction over the level of abandonment Abia North had suffered in the hands of previous representatives, who he said benefited individually from his support for quality leadership and effective representation.
“I know how well I supported most of them in government, but it pains me that when they win to occupy those positions, they develop hatred overnight against our people. Even when I will fund their elections for them to win and make lives easy for our people, yet they will go there and forget us.
“At a point, I felt enough is enough. I felt I should go there myself, even if it means spending just four years to deliver and save our people from the menace of bad leadership. We need to save Abia North. We need a representative who can be here at home to handle the problems affecting our people, and as well be in Abuja for proper legislation. You can count on me. Don’t forget, if I fail, please ostracize me,” he said.
