JonBenet Ramsey’s brother sues for £600m after TV show accused him of killing her

The brother of murdered beauty queen JonBenet Ramsey is suing CBS for £613 million after a TV series suggested he killed her.

Burke Ramsey said the network, its production company and the experts conspired to defame him for publicity and profit.

The 29-year-old added his reputation had been destroyed after ‘The Case of JonBenet Ramsey’ show concluded he killed his six-year-old sister in 1996.

The program, which aired in September, coincided with the 20th anniversary of her being found dead in the basement of her family’s home in Boulder, Colorado.

A prosecutor cleared her parents and brother in 2008 based on DNA evidence.

But the district attorney currently overseeing the case has said it was premature to exonerate the Ramseys and ordered additional tests using new DNA testing technology that authorities hope will further the investigation.

Mr Ramsey previously sued a forensic pathologist featured on the show who said he bludgeoned his sister to death.

The same pathologist is named in the latest $750m civil action that was filed on Wednesday.

‘The accusation that Burke Ramsey killed his sister was based on a compilation of lies, half-truths, manufactured information, and the intentional omission and avoidance of truthful information about the murder of JonBenét Ramsey,’ the lawsuit says.


--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

Tevez could return to Boca Juniors next year, says President Macri

The striker has signed for Shanghai Shenhua in a massive deal but is being tipped to only enjoy a short stay in the Far East before heading home

Carlos Tevez could return to Boca Juniors as early as next year, according to President of Argentina Mauricio Macri.

Tevez & the biggest China transfers

The 32-year-old striker has agreed to join Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua in a deal that will makes him the highest-paid player in world football.

Tevez only returned to his boyhood club last year but will now head to China where he is set to earn an estimated salary of £32 million-a-year.

Macri, a former chairman of Boca Juniors, says he understands why the 32-year-old has made the decision to leave the club but is hopeful his stay in the Far East may be short-lived.

“Tevez's sale to Chinese football will improve the relationship between both countries,” he told Radio Mitre .

“As a selfish Boca fan I didn't want him to go, but I know that he needed to.

“I love Carlitos. I told him he had to come back from Europe. I understand him now: his treatment here wore him down. He needed to take a rest and live in peace again.

“Boca is very demanding, very invasive. And Carlitos needs his space. I think what he's done is a good thing. Eight months will fly by, maybe we will have him back next year.”

Tevez is no stranger to high-profile transfers, having made the shock move to West Ham, along with Javier Mascherano in 2006. before swapping Manchester United for City in 2009.

The striker also enjoyed two years at Juventus, winning two Serie A titles, before returning to Boca Juniors in 2015 and winning a league and cup double in his first season back.

The new Shenhua recruit will join up with former Premier League stars Demba Ba and Obafemi Martin in Gus Poyet’s side.

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

Zach Galifianakis My Baby's Got the Kardashian Touch From the Same OB/GYN!

Zach Galifianakis' newest baby boy will be forever tied at the belly button to the Kardashians ... since his pops used Kim, Kourtney and Kris' same OB/GYN.

Zach's son, Rufus Emmanuel Lundberg, was delivered by none other than Dr. Paul Crane, who also delivered all the Kardashian babies as of late ... including Dream.

According to the birth certificate -- obtained by TMZ -- Rufus was born on Nov. 7 this year at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center to his parents Zach and Quinn Lundberg.

It's strange ... Zach and Quinn have been married since 2012, but Rufus bears his mother's surname for some reason. Maybe Galifianakis was too much of a mouthful -- heck, maybe Kardashian would be more appropriate. 

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

LEDAP Condemns Killing Of Death Row Prisoners In Benin City

The Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP) has condemned the killing of three death row prisoners in Benin City Prison.

The group, in a statement on Wednesday by its national coordinator, Chino Obiagwu, noted that the death warrants of those executed were signed by the Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki.

The convicts: Ogbomoro Omoregie, Apostle Igene and Mark Omosowhota were executed on December 23 2016 in Edo State, south-south Nigeria.

They were all convicted and sentenced to death about 20 years ago by military tribunals under the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Decree as amended.

LEDAP noted that in an earlier petition it submitted to the Governor on behalf of the executed prisoners on December 21, 2016, protesting the plan for their execution, the prisoners had pleaded with the Governor to shelve the planned execution, saying there was a pending case at the Court of Appeal brought by all death row prisoners in Nigeria against their execution.

They pointed out that the appeal had not been decided and maintained that it was illegal to carry out the executions.

“LEDAP is appalled that the earliest social duty of Governor Obaseki upon assumption of office was execution of his citizen on death row. We reiterate that all prisoners, including those sentenced to death, retain all the fundamental rights endowed on all citizens by the 1999 Constitution. This was re-emphasised by the Court of Appeal in the case of Peter Nemi vs Attorney General of Lagos State in 1994. The Supreme Court of Nigeria also held in Nasir Bello vs Attorney-General of Oyo State that a prisoner cannot be legally executed while his case is pending in court.

Death Penalty Moratorium

“In so far as an appeal against the sentences of the death row prisoners in Nigeria are pending in court, to the knowledge of the prison authorities and the government who participated in the high court proceedings before the appeal, there is no legal justification for the Edo executions, more so when it was carried out cruelly on a day to the eve of Christmas.

“It is also appalling that Edo State government carried out the execution despite the declaration by Nigerian Government at its 2009 and 2014 Universal Periodic Reports (UPR) to the United Nations Human Rights Council that Nigeria has put in place a moratorium on the use of the death penalty.

“The December 23, 2016 execution of these three prisoners, as well as similar execution of four prisoners on June 21 2013 by the same Edo State government have undermined Nigeria’s declarations to the international community for death penalty moratorium,” the group said.

LEDAP has further called on the Federal Government to stop all death penalty executions forthwith.

“The National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly should amend the Criminal Code and Penal Code, as well as the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act to remove death sentence as punishment for crimes and replace it with life imprisonment or term of years’ sentence,” the group proposed.

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

English Premier League result

English Premier League result on Wednesday:
Southampton 1 (van Dikj 2) Tottenham 4 (Alli 19, 87, Kane 52, Son Heung-min 85)

Tuesday

Liverpool 4 (Lallana 35, Firmino 44, Imbula 59-og, Sturridge 70) Stoke City 1 (Walters 12)

Monday

Arsenal 1 (Giroud 86) West Brom 0

Burnley 1 (Gray 81) Middlesbrough 0

Chelsea 3 (Pedro 24, 90+3, Hazard 49-pen) Bournemouth 0

Hull 0 Manchester City 3 (Toure 72-pen, Iheanacho 78, Davies 90+4-og)

Leicester 0 Everton 2 (Mirallas 51, Lukaku 90+1)

Manchester United 3 (Blind 39, Ibrahimovic 82, Mkhitaryan 86) Sunderland 1 (Borini 90+1)

Swansea 1 (Llorente 89) West Ham 4 (Ayew 13, Reid 50, Antonio 78, Carroll 90)

Watford 1 (Deeney 71-pen) Crystal Palace 1 (Cabaye 26)

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

EPL: Alli double sees Spurs past Southampton

Tottenham Hotspur's English striker Harry Kane (R) celebrates scoring their second goal with Tottenham Hotspur's Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen (C) and Tottenham Hotspur's English defender Eric Dier (L) during the English Premier League football match between Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur. Photo: AFP

Dele Alli scored twice as Tottenham came back from behind to win emphatically, 4-1, at Southampton on Wednesday.

Harry Kane, who missed a penalty, and substitute Son Heung-min were also on the score-sheet in a game that saw Virgil van Dijk give Southampton an early lead.

Nathan Redmond was sent off soon after Kane had made it 2-1 and although the England striker failed to convert the resulting penalty Southampton tried in vain to prevent a hefty defeat that moved Tottenham to within a point of fourth-place Arsenal in the Premier League table.

It took Southampton all of 69 seconds to take the lead, through van Dijk.

The Netherlands defender, coveted by a number of Premier League rivals and valued in the £30million bracket, rose to meet James Ward-Prowse’s free-kick to send a downward header beyond Hugo Lloris in the Tottenham goal.

The home side were full of energy and aggression – the brand of football Pochettino brought with him to the St Mary’s Stadium before leaving for Tottenham in May 2014.

The Argentinian could not have enjoyed the way his players were being put under constant pressure and there were a number of nervy moments as they attempted to stem the tide of Saints attacks.

Former Southampton midfielder Victor Wanyama had given away the free-kick for the goal on his first return to his old club and Mousa Dembele was booked for chopping Nathan Redmond down to end another attack.

Fraser Forster had little to do in the Southampton goal but found himself picking the ball out of the net in the 19th minute when Moussa Sissoko saw his cross from the left deflected upwards off Redmond.

That allowed Alli to out-jump van Dijk and plant a header past Forster that went in off a post.

Parity perhaps flattered Tottenham but they made good use of their good fortune to fashion a number of chances.

Christian Eriksen twice failed to hit the target after getting himself into promising shooting positions before Wanyama, having burst into the box and got the better of van Dijk, saw his shot blocked by Saints skipper Jose Fonte.

Tottenham made a much better start to the second half and took the lead in the 52nd minute through the previously-dormant Kane from a corner won by Kyle Walker and delivered by Eriksen. Southampton’s marking was poor to say the least as the England striker rose unchallenged to head into the top corner.

Jose Fonte headed over from a free-kick at the other end before the home side found themselves a man down when Redmond was sent off for impeding Alli from behind in the act of shooting.

Referee Mike Dean awarded a penalty and sent Redmond packing before Kane stepped up to send the spot-kick soaring over the bar in the style of a rugby conversion.

The extra man was proving useful to Tottenham and Southampton were relieved when Eriksen’s effort bounced back off the crossbar.

Danny Rose poked another effort wide after Saints made a triple substitution, with Dusan Tadic, Shane Long and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg coming on to pep up their depleted ranks with just under 20 minutes remaining.

Lloris had been a spectator for a while but almost gifted Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, one of three 72nd-minute Saints subs, a comedy equaliser.

The Frenchman kicked the ball straight to Højbjerg, who was so surprised he sent the ball straight back instead of locating an empty net.

Son Heung-min, Tottenham’s first substitute, wrapped up victory in the 85th minute, with a cool finish across Forster after Saints had been caught on the break.

Southampton couldn’t wait for the final whistle, especially after Alli strode through to slot in a fourth after the hosts were caught out at the back once again.

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

Osun Community Appeases Gods After Barber Commits Suicide

Residents of Oke-Itase area in Ile -ife, Osun State were thrown into confusion when the lifeless body of a 35-year-old man, Sunday Onifade, was found hanging on the iron rod of the ceiling fan in his living room.

The deceased, who was a barber, was believed to have committed suicide by hanging himself, but the reason for his decision could not be ascertained as at the time of filing this report. His perplexed relatives refused to speak on the incident.

The younger brother of the deceased, Omotayo Onifade, was said to have proceeded to the ‘A’ Division Police Headquarters in Ife to report the death of his elder brother.

He explained that family members were shocked when they saw Sunday hanging on the ceiling fan.

Mr Folasade Odoro, a spokesman for the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Fimihan Adeoye, confirmed the incident.

The police chief said investigation had commenced on the matter.

Channels Television’s correspondent, Bosede Sodiq, in Osun State learnt that necessary rites and rituals have started taking place in the house to appease the gods over the incident so as to prevent incessant death among members of the family and the community as believed by the yoruba tradition.

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

Airbus delivers first A380 to Emirates

Airbus said Wednesday it has delivered the first A380 superjumbo to Dubai’s Emirates airline, equipped with a Rolls Royce-made engine.

“The first A380 with a Rolls Royce engine has been delivered to Emirates Airline,” a spokesman for the aerospace giant said.

In April 2015, Airbus selected Rolls Royce for the lucrative deal to provide the engines for 50 of its A380s that was worth a record at the time of $9.2 billion (8.8 billion euros).

The first delivery came a day after Airbus said it was postponing for a year the planned delivery of 12 A380 jets.

The delay was linked to the airline’s wish to purchase the finest Rolls Royce engines, an informed source said.

“We continue to work closely with Airbus and Emirates Airline to satisfy their requests,” a Rolls Royce spokesman told AFP on Wednesday.

Emirates, the biggest client for superjumbos, took delivery of its A380 in November and has ordered 142 in total.

A380s with the Rolls Royce motor are already being operated by other airlines such as Qantas and Singapore Airlines.

AFP
--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

Blac Chyna releases new raunchy photos

Blac chyna goes gaga with her sexy photos

Pokemon Go, Trump top Google trend list

Donald Trump

The past year was a big one for Donald Trump, but also for Pokemon Go.

According to Google’s global trends report released Wednesday, the augmented reality game from Nintendo was the most-searched item online in 2016.

Trump was number three among the most-searched topics for the year, behind the iPhone 7 and ahead of rock icon Prince, who died in April.

But Trump topped the list of the most-searched people for the year, ahead of his campaign rival Hillary Clinton, Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, Trump’s wife Melania and gold medal gymnast Simone Biles, Google said.

Google publishes its global list each year along with trends from different countries, offering insights into the interests of internet users around the globe.

The top news item searched on Google was the US election, followed by the Olympic Games in Rio, Brexit, the deadly nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida and the Zika virus.

Among celebrities who died in 2016, the most searched-for was Prince, followed by David Bowie, slain US singer Christina Grimmie, British actor Alan Rickman and boxing legend Muhammad Ali.

In consumer technology, the iPhone 7 topped the search list, while number two was Freedom 251 — the smartphone offered for sale in India for 251 rupees, or less than $4.

In global sports events, internet users searched most for the Olympics, followed by the baseball World Series, the Tour de France, Wimbledon and the Australian Open tennis tournament.

The most searched-for movies were “Deadpool,” “Suicide Squad,” “The Revenant,” “Captain America: Civil War” and “Batman v Superman,” according to Google.

Among US users, the most-searched item was the Powerball lottery, which delivered a record $1.6 billion jackpot in January.

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

Fan writes open letter to Olamide: OLIC3 was a waste of time and you owe us an apology

Twitter user @Princess_Jacki_  is an Olamide fan who was dissatisfied with the OLIC3 event that she attended and wrote a few words about it. We have reproduced the entire text below.

‘Yesterday was OLIC, I never thought I’d say this, but it was zero. Security was zero; organization was zero as well.

Firstly, porous security. Anyone, I mean anyone, could literally walk through the gates of Eko hotel.  I swear, I didn’t sight one metal detector. People walked in and out as they liked.

I’m sure every Nigerian right now is 150% aware of terrorist attacks and the need for security to be tops at all times especially at social gatherings. Some people said there were dogs. Excuse you, someone could walk in and just start shooting and these people won’t have cared if they died!

Security is major key. Anything could’ve happened TBH.

Then to the ‘disorganization’.  A lot of people didn’t have tickets; it was no one’s fault. A lot of people ended up getting regular tickets for 15k or more, and VIP for about 30k or 40k – also no one’s fault.

After getting tickets the next thing is to queue up to get tags to get in, and trust me the queue was long ASF. After a while, at about 10 or 11 p.m, they said tags were finished but we needed to hold on a little because they went to get more.

From 11 p.m to 2 a.m a lot of people were outside waiting for tags. These people had tickets but were deprived of what they had paid for, because of the inability for the organizers of OLIC to be effective. It’s just like going to the cinema and more tickets are sold than the number of seats. How dumb can that be? What stopped them from producing tags equivalent to the number of tickets they sold?

Eventually people got really angry. A concert slated for 7 p.m and they were left out till 2 a.m! The guys at the gate, bouncers or whoever, weren’t even making situations better. They were so rude, saying stuff like they don’t know why we were still waiting that the tags were finished, and there’s no space in the hall anymore. There were no fights but they released tear gas on us and used tasers on a few people.

No like FML despite this economic shit going on. People went out of their way to be there for the concert and this is what they get??? You think it’s so easy to hustle up 5k, 10k, 20k etc? Or you think people don’t have better stuff doing with their money than watching a bunch of musicians perform?  Things got emotional ASF yoooo – people were crying. That’s how deep it was.

This isn’t for Olamide alone. All artistes need to get their shit together and learn to treat your fans with more respect and love, because without us you’re nothing.

I’m the wildest Olamide fan, but even if they have 10 OLICs after this, I don’t think I’d want to be there. Because it looks like he’s started doing stuff for the rich lads alone, and we’re sorry we can’t afford the gold, silver and platinum.

If you were there for this event and you had fun to its peak –  congratulations. But I didn’t.

Olamide, I think you owe a lot of fans an apology, because a lot of people wasted their money and time.
God bless.

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

Are Drake and Jennifer Lopez dating?

Recently, Drake and Jennifer Lopez‘s relationship rumours have been flying about, but no one could confirm if they were true.

However, we do not need any confirmation as both of them have posted an Instagram picture on their official pages respectively, showing them snuggling together, looking like a couple newly smitten with each other.

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

Facebook triggers false bomb scare in Bangkok

Facebook sparked fear — and anger — among Thailand’s social media users after its Safety Check feature triggered a false bomb alert in Bangkok.

The check-in feature allows users to signal to friends that they are safe after an event in their area such as a terror attack or natural disaster.

But it appeared to misfire late Tuesday, creating an alert called “The Explosion in Bangkok” that said a blast in the capital had been confirmed by “multiple sources”.

The page gave no other details about the incident but linked to articles about a bombing in Bangkok in August 2015 which killed 20 people.

After numerous city residents marked themselves as safe, the alert was deactivated around an hour later at 10pm, leaving netizens relieved but also frustrated over the false alarm.

“Facebook issued false news that has destroyed Thailand’s image,” wrote Thai user Prasit Silhanisong.

“It’s close to the New Year and now tourists might not come,” he added, calling on the social media giant to apologise.

Facebook swiftly defended the algorithm, saying the alert was activated by reports of small explosives that a protester had thrown near Government House earlier on Tuesday.

The incident, which caused no injuries or damage, was covered in the local press.

“Safety Check was activated yesterday in Thailand following an explosion,” a Facebook spokesperson said in a statement to AFP, adding that a “trusted third party” had confirmed the incident.

It is not the first time the check-in feature has caused controversy.

In March the company apologised after a bug sent a Safety Check notification to users around the world following a deadly suicide bombing in Pakistan.

The social network also faced criticism in November 2015 for selectively activating the feature after attacks in Paris but not in Beirut.

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

Wizkid, other artistes made waves in 2016

Wizkid

Chux Ohai
The going was not all that smooth for many Nigerian music artistes who laboured against the odds to grab a piece of the market in 2016. While some fared well in the end, others managed to keep their careers and heads barely above water.

Only the most creative and focused, such as Wizkid, Falz the Bad Guy, Yemi Alade and Yemi Alade, to mention a few, were able to shine like a thousand stars.

Wizkid
Three years after pulling out of Banky W’s EME Records, Wizkid’s career has steadily been on the rise and the year under review has been an excellent one for him.

The singer’s winning streak started with the 2016 MTV Africa Music Awards in South Africa, where he emerged winner in the Artiste of the Year, Best Male Act and Best Collaboration out of Africa categories, respectively.

Then on November 6 he was named Best African Act and Worldwide Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Interestingly on the same night, the talented singer emerged as Artiste of Year at the All Africa Music Awards held in Lagos.

In addition to winning  the Best African Act award at the 2016 MOBO awards in London, Wizkid  received his first-ever Grammy Awards nomination for featuring in American pop star, Drake’s hit song titled ‘One Dance’.

Only a few weeks ago, he was named Artist of the Year at the Headies Awards. The singer, who has been described as one of Africa’s best artists, also collaborated with the likes of Chris Brown , Trey Songz, French Montana, Justine Skye, DJ Maphorisa and few others. The year under review, no doubt, has been quite rewarding for him.

Falz the Bad Guy

Trained as lawyer, Falz the Bad Guy (real name is Folarin Falana) has also had an exciting and rewarding year as an artiste. He emerged the winner in the Viewer’s Choice Best New International Act category at the  2016 BET Awards in the United States of America. Also, the rapper won two trophies, namely the Best Afro Hiphop Video and Best Music Video, with ‘Karashika’ at the 9th Nigeria Music Video Awards, among other laurels.

Yemi Alade
Hardworking and sensational singer, Yemi Alade, proved to her critics that her achievement at last year’s edition of the MTV Africa Music Awards was not flash in the pan when she repeated the feat in 2016 in South Africa.

The singer, who came into the limelight after worming into the hearts of music fans in the continent with her 2013 single titled ‘Johnny’, was named Best Female Act for the second time running. She beat fellow Nigerian act, Tiwa Savage, Josey of Ivory Coast, Mz Vee of Ghana and Tanzanian singer, Vanessa Mdee to win the award.

Kiss Daniel
Two years after he debuted with the hit single, Woju, Kiss Daniel (real name Daniel Anidugbe) finally made it to the music hall of fame by winning three laurels at the 2016 Headies Awards.

The artiste has been described as the biggest winner of the night at the event, clinching the Best R&B/Pop Album, Hip Hop World Revelation and Album of the Year awards, with his 20-track New Era album, which had other hit songs, such as Mama, Jombo.

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

Watch out for me — Winner of Next Titan

Marshal-Idio

Winner of the third edition of The Next Titan Season 3, Marvis Marshal-Idio, has said that she is, more than ever, ready to make an impact in the business world. The graduate of architecture from the University of Uyo, who also holds a second degree in Interior Designs from the Florence Designs Academy in Italy, beat three other finalists during the grand finale of pitching done in Lagos to win the contest.

For this feat, the star prizes – N5m provided by star sponsor, Heritage Bank and a Ford car from another sponsor,  Coscharis – will go to her.

Speaking after the event, Marshal-Idilo said, “I now have what I need, and the sky is my limit with new energy, new strength, and new focus. Just watch out.”

Although the other finalists, Ronald Ajiboye,Victoria Mamza and Sunday Ewolabi paraded some ideas that cut across different sectors, her idea, which dazzled the Next Titan judges, is built on creativity. She wants to turn trash into beautiful furniture.

The judges, who are seasoned entrepreneurs, are Mr. Kyari Bukar, Mr. Tonye Cole,  Mr. Chris Parkes and Mrs. Lilian Olubi.

According to the organisers, Bravopoints International formerly Ficomms International Ltd, the Season 3 received over 15,000 entries from young and aspiring entrepreneurs from different parts of the country.

The opening ceremony/premiere evening of the show witnessed a large turnout of people at the Oriental Hotel, as everyone was eager to see the unveiling of the qualified 16 contestants who had made it into the House to compete for the 10 weeks competition reality show for the grand prize of N5m and a brand new car.

The Executive Producer of The Next Titan, Mr. Mide Kunle-Akinlaja; and officials of the sponsors, including Mrs. Orhi Ogba of Heritage Bank, expressed delight at the success of the project which, they said, aimed to strengthen the entrepreneurial spirits of young Nigerians.

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

See Full List Of The Headies Awards 2016 Winners

Falz TheBahdGuy and Simi came out victorious at this year’s awards.

Check out full list of winners below:

*BEST RECORDING OF THE YEAR

EMERGENCY – D’BANJ

PRAY FOR ME – DAREY FEAT. SOWETO CHOIR = WINNER

LOVE DON’T CARE – SIMI
 ORENTE – ADEKUNLE GOLD

SOMETHING GOOD IS HAPPENING – BRYMO



*PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

DJ COUBLON ‘GOOD TIME & RABA’

PHEELS – ‘PICK UP & LAGOS BOYS’ – OLAMIDE

LEGENDURY BEATS – ‘FINAL – BABA NLA’ WIZKID

YOUNG JOHN – ‘MAMA’ – KISS DANIEL= WINNER

MASTAKRAFT – ‘FADA FADA’, ‘CONNECT’ – PHYNO

OSCAR HERMAN-ACKAH – ‘PRAY FOR ME’ – DAREY



*BEST MUSIC VIDEO

EMERGENCY (D’BANJ) – UNLIMITED LA

MARY (SEYI SHAY) – MEJI ALABI

SOLDIER (FALZ THA BAD GUY) – CLARENCE PETERS = WINNER

MADE FOR YOU – BANKY W

BAD – TIWA SAVAGE FEAT. WIZKID – SESAN



*BEST R&B/POP ALBUM

NEW ERA – KISS DANIEL

WANTED – WANDE COAL

KLITORIS – BRYMO

Unclad – DAREY = WINNER

SEYI OR SHAY – SEYI SHAY



*BEST R&B SINGLE

LOVE DON’T CARE – SIMI = WINNER

MADE FOR YOU – BANKY W

SUPER WOMAN – WANDE COAL

PRAY FOR ME – DAREY

ADUKE – TJAN

SMILE – SHAYDEE



*BEST POP SINGLE

A category for the best pop single in year under review (by single individual or group)

MAMA – KISS DANIEL = WINNER

FINAL (BABA NLA) – WIZKID

PICK UP – ADEKUNLE GOLD

OSINACHI – HUMBLESMITH FEAT. DAVIDO

REGGAE BLUES – HARRYSONG FEAT. OREZI, IYANYA, OLAMIDE, KCEE = WINNER

EMERGENCY – D’BANJ

FADA FADA – PHYNO FEAT. OLAMIDE

MONEY – TIMAYA FEAT. FLAVOUR



*BEST REGGAE/DANCEHALL SINGLE

NO KISSING’ – PATORANKING FT SARKODIE = WINNER

BODY HOT – PRAIZ FT. JESSE JAGZ & STONE BWOY

JAGA LOVE – JESSE JAGZ

OLOWO – CYNTHIA MORGAN

PAM PAM – KETCHUP

TIMAYA – I LIKE THE WAY



*BEST RAP ALBUM

A Non-Voting Category for the Best Album By A Rap Artiste Or Group In Year Under Review.

EYAN MAYWEATHER – OLAMIDE

POWERFUL – ILL BLISS = WINNER

STORIES THAT TOUCH – FALZ

LIL’ KESH – YAGI



*BEST COLLABO

A voting category for the best R&B, Pop or Hip-hop collaborative track (including cameos).

SOLDIER – FALZ FEAT. SIMI = WINNER

REGGAE BLUES – HARRYSONG FEAT. OREZI, IYANYA, OLAMIDE, KCEE

OSINACHI – HUMBLESMITH FEAT. DAVIDO

WAIT – SOLIDSTAR FEAT. TIWA SAVAGE

NO KISSING – PATORANKING FEAT. SARKODIE

MONEY – TIMAYA FEAT. FLAVOUR



*BEST VOCAL PERFORMANCE(MALE)

BRYMO – SOMETHING GOOD IS HAPPENING

DAREY FEAT. SOWETO CHOIR – PRAY FOR ME

SHAYDEE – SMILE  = WINNER

WANDE COAL – SUPER WOMAN

RIC HASSANI – GENTLEMAN



*BEST VOCAL PERFORMANCE (FEMALE)

A non-voting category for the single female artiste with most outstanding vocal performances on a single song or album.

SIMI – LOVE DON’T CARE = WINNER

SEYI SHAY – RIGHT NOW

ARAMIDE FEAT. ADEKUNLE GOLD – LOVE ME

OMAWUMI FEAT. ANGELIE KIDJO – PLAY NA PLAY



*NEXT RATED

This category is a voting category for the most promising upcoming act in the year under review.

YCEE

MR EAZI = WINNER

HUMBLESMITH

ARAMIDE



*HIP HOP WORLD REVELATION

A voting category for the best new artiste in the year under review.

KISS DANIEL – NEW ERA = WINNER

SEYI SHAY – SEYI OR SHAY

LIL’ KESH – YAGI

RUNTOWN – GHETTO UNIVERSITY



*LYRICIST ON THE ROLL

A non-voting category for the Rap Artiste with the best lyrical depth and performance on a single song or album.

ILL BLISS – CHUKWU AGOZI GOGI

REMINSCE – ASALAMALEKU

YCEE – JAGABAN

BOOGEY – SHOW YOU SOMETHING

A-Q – AGU JI NDI MEN’

MODENINE – NO MATTER WHAT



*BEST STREET-HOP ARTISTE

A voting category for the artiste whose songs are inspired by the streets. Such song should captain lingua, which may also be originated by the artiste and popular on the street.

OLAMIDE – WHO YOU EPP = WINNER

AJEBUTTER FEAT. FALZ – BAD GANG

KOKER – KO LE WERK

YCEE – JAGABAN

SMALL DOKTA – GBERA

2T BOYS – CUSTOMER DADA NI



*BEST ‘ALTERNATIVE’ SONG

A voting category for the artiste whose songs reflect any form or style of music which falls outside the mainstream of recent or past popular musical trends.

PICK UP – ADEKUNLE GOLD

SOMETHING GOOD IS HAPPENING – BRYMO

YOU SUPPOSE KNOW – BEZ = WINNER

WAIT FOR ME – JOHNNY DRILLE

GENTLEMAN – RIC HASSANI

*ALBUM OF THE YEAR

A voting category for the best album (solo or group) in year under review, that meets judges requirements of excellence (Songwriting, production, rendition and promotion) and acceptability (Sales and popularity).

STORIES THAT TOUCH – FALZ

NEW ERA – KISS DANIEL = WINNER

WANTED – WANDE COAL

SEYI OR SHAY – SEYI SHAY

*ARTISTE OF THE YEAR

Most critically and commercially adjudged artiste in the year under review. Overall most successful artiste for the year under review.

WIZKID = WINNER

TIWA SAVAGE

FALZ

YEMI ALADE

OLAMIDE



*SONG OF THE YEAR

A voting category for the most popular song in the year under review.

FINAL (BABA NLA) – WIZKID

OSINACHI – HUMBLESMITH FEAT. DAVIDO

PICK UP – ADEKUNLE GOLD

REGGAE BLUES – HARRYSONG FEAT.

FADA FADA – PHYNO FEAT. OLAMIDE = WINNER

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

Amazing Photos From Emir Of Kano’s Daughter, Siddika’s Wedding

 Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi’s daughter, Fulani Siddika Sanusi’s wedding activities started a few days back.

Ahead of the wedding, several events have been lined up for the week including her Traditional Kamu Wedding and the bridal shower which held some days ago.

See photos from the day 3 and 4 of the bride who is soon to become Mrs Abubakar Umaru Kurfi below:

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

How Kiss Daniels ruled the 2016 Headies

 He was the biggest winner of the night, going away with three awards.

 He might get a bad rap for not being sure what his real age was or be accused of being a little cocky, but there’s no denying that Kiss Daniel does know how to make good music.

And he was the biggest winner of the night at the 2016 Headies, carting away three plaques in the Best R&B/Pop album, Hip Hop World Revelation and Album of the Year categories.

The G-Worldwide signee was initially absent when the first category was announced and his label mate Sugarboy had to pick it up on his behalf.

It seemed as though it would be same thing when his Hip Hop World Revelation award was called but he walked in on stage at the last minute. He would go on to win a third, a feat that was unrepeated on the night.

In the short while that Kiss Daniel has been an artiste, his career has enjoyed unprecedented growth.

His official debut was in 2014 and the follow up track, ‘Woju’ catapulted him into the mainstream spotlight.

He released his album, New Era in 2016 and with songs like ‘Mama’, ‘Jombo’ and ‘Sin City’ featured on the 20-track album, it was enough to allow him go on a world tour and, as the Headies triumph will prove, place him heads and shoulders above his peers this year.

Only a year ago at the 2015 edition of The Headies, Kiss Daniel was nominated in the Next Rated category and lost out to Reekado Banks. What a difference those 12 months make: this year he’s the winner with the most awards.

His big win on the biggest awards stage is more impressive when one considers the acts he had to fight off for each of the Headies plaques he went home with: Wande Coal, Darey Art Alade, Brymo, Seyi Shay, Lil Kesh, Runtown and Falz.

None of the acts threw up a tantrum like Olamide did last year when his act Lil Kesh didn’t win – perhaps proof of Kiss Daniels’ ascendancy to the pinnacle of pop success.

Long may it continue.

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

NET Exclusive: Why Tekno’s 2016 Headies ‘Next Rated’ nomination was withdrawn

Nigerian pop star Tekno is no longer in contention for the Headies Award.

According to reliable information obtained by Thenetng, the jury took the decision to withdraw his nomination because he failed to participate in all of the required activities by organisers leading up to the event.

Official e-mails between the organisers and the singer’s reps confirm all nominees for the category were required to take part in promotional activities including photoshoots, interviews and more.

An insider says all other nominees were available for all the activities.

‘We reached out to them repeatedly, using personal contacts and official channels. They promised he’ll come but he did not. They were clearly aware of the consequences,’ a Headies insider told us today.

READ: As expected: Tekno just rejected The Headies ‘Next Rated’ nomination

The ‘Pana’ singer’s ONLY nomination for the 11th edition of the award ceremony was for the ‘Next Rated’ award, along with YCee, Aramide, Humblesmith, and Mr. Eazi.

Thenetng obtained a copy of a letter sent to him by the Headies secretariat, and signed by executive producer Ayo Animashaun, informing of his disqualification.

‘Tekno has unfortunately not made himself available for any of the mandatory activities, hence the committee’s decision to effectively withdraw his nomination for this year.’

We could not immediately confirm if the letter got a response from his team.

It was the only category the 24-year-old singer was nominated in. He missed out on major nominations including ‘Artiste of the Year’, which was the award he was hoping to be nominated for.

Shortly after the nominees were announced, Tekno expressed his dissatisfaction through an Instagram post that was later taken down: ‘Next rated after how many years! Let’s be honest pls’.

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

At least 32 confirmed dead following fireworks chain-reaction explosion

At least 32 people are now known to have died at the site (Picture: AP)

 At least 32 people have been killed after a fireworks market was flattened by a deadly chain-reaction explosion on the outskirts of Mexico City.

Health Secretary Cesar Gomez Monge, of Mexico State, where the San Pablito market is located in the city of Tultepec, said 46 people remained in hospital, five of them in such serious condition they are fighting for their lives.

Ten of the injured were minors, including one girl with burns over 90 per cent of her body.

Juana Antolina Hernandez, who has run a stand for 22 years in San Pablito next to one operated by her parents, escaped the market in a mad dash when the explosions began on Tuesday afternoon.
Protester accidentally sets himself on fire while trying to light effigy

‘I can’t find my father and my mother is very badly burned,’ she said. ‘I am waiting here for them to tell me if my father is here, but up to this point, nothing.’

San Pablito was bustling with hundreds of shoppers when the blast reduced the market to a stark expanse of ash, rubble and scorched metal, casting a pall over the Christmas season.

Dramatic video of the explosion showed a towering plume of smoke that was lit up by a staccato of bangs and flashes of light, the third such incident to ravage the market on the northern outskirts of Mexico’s capital since 2005.
Three children are rescued by police after they spent days without food or water keeping vigil next to their mother's body in Majorca (Twitter)Children spent days in house with mother's dead body without food or water

Refugio Leon, who spent years working at the market and whose family ran seven stalls there, said vendors commonly stacked displays of bottle rockets and firecrackers outside their establishments in the passageways – even though the rules supposedly forbade putting merchandise in what was supposed to be a safety buffer to prevent chain-reaction explosions.

However, the president of the leftist Democratic Revolution Party, Alejandra Barrales, noted that fireworks accidents take place regularly, including four this year alone.
Woman mauled by circus leopard while covering godson, 4, to protect him

‘This demonstrates the lack of care and attention not just here but in the whole state,’ Mr Barrales said in a statement.

Mexico State chief prosecutor Alejandro Gomez said some of the dead were so badly burned that neither their age nor their gender could be immediately determined, and that DNA tests would be needed.

He said the toll could rise because 12 people were listed as missing and some body parts were found at the scene.

A list of the nine bodies identified so far included a three-month-old boy and a 12-year-old girl.

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

Protester accidentally sets himself on fire while trying to light effigy

A protester is believed to be fighting for his life in hospital after accidentally setting himself on fire during a demonstration.

Sukhminder Singh Mann intended to light a government effigy at the rally for teachers’ contracts in Bathinda, India.

However, it appeared as though petrol had landed on his coat and jeans and he was quickly engulfed in flames.

He screamed and people patted down the flames before being rushed to hospital.
 

The incident happened when he was sprinkling petrol to burn the effigy.

The teachers said that the Punjab government has not regularised their services even after them completing two-year contract with the state government.

The union members claimed that the government had made a two-year contract with more than 7,000  volunteers in 2014 and promised to regularise their services after completion of the agreement.

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

Mike Posner I May Live Modestly But I Can Sell My Crib for a Mil

Ovie Okpare, Warri

The Ovie of Agbarha-Warri Kingdom in the Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, Orhifi Orovwagbarha Agbarha-Ide Ememoh II, who was abducted on Wednesday, has been rescued by operatives of state’s police command less than 24-hour after he was kidnapped.

The monarch was rescued by a team of local vigilante groups and the Delta State Police Command led by its commissioner, Mr. Zanna Ibrahim, at about 3:12am on Thursday morning.

A palace chief confirmed the released of the Urhobo monarch to our correspondent on Thursday morning when contacted.

The Agbarha-Warri paramount ruler was abducted on Wednesday along the Ughelli/Asaba Expressway near Ossissa community in Ndokwa-East Local Government Area of the state while traveling for a Security Summit in Asaba, the state capital.

The state police commissioner confirmed the rescued of the traditional ruler to our correspondent on telephone, saying would be conveyed to Asaba, where he was headed before the incident, but was relaxing in an undisclosed hotel as of the time of the phone conversation.

The commsioner said the monarch was rescued after he led a team of hundred police operatives and 30 local vigilante groups to comb the Ossissa forest along the area where he was waylaid by suspected herdsmen who had earlier robbed vehicles plying the busy road.

Ibrahim said, “The Ovie has been rescued by a police crack team personally led by me. The monarch’s abductors were fleeing with him to a different location after our men combed the entire bush in search for him.

“The monarch was abducted by herdsmen. They are very conversant with the bush even more than the indigenes. Our men sighted the movement of the hoodlums through a torch light and we shot into the air which they responded. They engaged us (police) in exchange of gun fire and left the monarch behind.

“There was laxity on the part of the driver who sighted the kidnappers robbing other vehicles but refused to reverse the car for safety. We have learnt our lessons from the kidnap of the monarch. The lesson is that we all need to be alert and vigilant.”

The commissioner added that no arrest was made during the rescue operation but police operatives have been deployed in the area to smoke out the suspects.

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

Mike Posner I May Live Modestly But I Can Sell My Crib for a Mil

Mike Posner's ditching his L.A. bachelor pad, and based on the asking price the rest of the country is saying, WTF?!!

The "I Took a Pill In Ibiza" crooner's home is in escrow for around the $1.375 million asking price. Posner initially put the 4 bedroom, 3 bath place on the market in September for $1.425 mil.

There's a huge private deck connecting the main house with the back guest house, where we think Posner wrote some of his songs.

He's been living there since 2013, when he bought it for a little over a million bucks, so he'll walk away with a nice profit.

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

Nikki Benz Brazzers Fires Producer For Alleged Brutal Assault During Sex Scene

A porn studio fired a longtime producer after its star actress, Nikki Benz, accused him of stomping on her head and choking her out during a shoot ... but the guy's calling BS.

Brazzers -- a porn production company -- tells TMZ ... they've officially cut ties with Tony T., who allegedly went too far during a recent sex scene he directed with Nikki.

Nikki claims Tony choked her and stomped on her head in a fit of rage. It's unclear what allegedly set Tony off, but Nikki claims he attacked her during one of her sex scenes. It appears her claim is that she did something on camera he didn't like.

Apparently, the sex scene was completed but Brazzers tells us it will not release it, saying the video "stands in direct contrast with our mandate to ensure that performers' consent, boundaries and limits are respected."

As for Tony, his rep tells us he denies the allegations and laments the actions taken by Brazzers. We're told he's confident his name will be cleared.

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

Meek Mill Scores $200k for Miami NYE Party

Meek Mill's about to haul it in for headlining a New Year's Eve party in Miami ... and the amount of 0s on his paycheck is right up there with some of rap's biggest acts.

Sources close to Meek tell us ... he's getting $200k to perform at Dream Nightclub in South Beach, plus $20k to partially cover expenses. Not too shabby for a guy whose career seems to be on a never-ending roller coaster.

We're told Meek will also be lubricated with spirits -- 10 bottles of Ace of Spades, 5 bottles of Moet Nectar Rosé and some Hennessy and tequila to boot.

Varsity Lifestyle Group is throwing the bash, and tickets to ring in the new year with the rapper are $60 for chicks, $109 for dudes, with VIP packages ranging from around $4k to $10k. It's scheduled to rage 'til 5 AM.

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

Customs intercept 102 bags of plastic rice

Bags of rice

The Federal Operations Unit, Ikeja, of the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted 102 bags of plastic rice branded “Beat Tomato Rice’’ with no date of manufacture.

The Customs Area Controller of  F.O.U. Comptroller Mohammed Haruna, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Lagos.

He said that the commodity was stored for distribution as Yuletide gifts for the public.

Haruna said that officers of the unit intercepted the plastic rice along Ikeja area on Monday, adding that a suspect was arrested in connection with the seizure.

“Before now, I thought it was a rumour that the plastic rice is all over the country but with this seizure, I have been totally convinced that such rice exists.

“We have done the preliminary analysis on the plastic rice. After boiling, it was sticky and only God knows what would have happened if people consumed it.

“I advise those economic saboteurs who see Yuletide season as a peak period for nefarious acts to desist from such illegal business.

“The unit has decided other operational modalities that will give them a run for their monies and count their losses,” NAN quoted the controller as saying.

He described smuggling as a global phenomenon, adding that such act could not be curbed entirely but could be brought to its barest minimum.

Haruna appreciated well-meaning Nigerians who provided the service with prompt information that led to the discovery of the bags of plastic rice.

The controller, however, advised the media to educate the public on the existence of plastic rice, adding that it was no longer a rumour.

Haruna assured Nigerians that the distribution point of the particular plastic rice seized by the unit had been blocked with immediate effect.

He said that investigation was still ongoing.

The controller said the unit would hand over the plastic rice to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control for proper investigation.

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

EFCC corrupt – Fayose

Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose

The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has described the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission as unfit to fight corruption because it is “an irresponsible and corrupt organisation.”

The governor, who commended the judiciary for standing firm against the “EFCC’s tyranny,” said the way and manner the commission had been going about shopping for court orders against Nigerians should concern lovers of the rule of law in the country.

He said this in reaction to the Monday’s Federal High Court, Abuja, judgment ordering the EFCC to release all his properties that were attached based on the order of the court made on July 20 and August 2.

Fayose, who spoke through his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, said, “It is the height of irresponsibility and fraud for the EFCC to have approached Justice Okon Abang for a similar order and concealed the fact that the order obtained from Justice Dimgba elapsed on September 3 and had failed to approach the same court for an extension.

“The EFCC and its corrupt elements fraudulently approached Justice Abang, …and the same EFCC has even moved to the Federal High Court, Akure in search of another order, ostensibly because they have realised that the judge in the Federal High Court, Ado Ekiti won’t play ball.”

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

Osun court issues warrant for Oluwo’s arrest

Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi

Femi Makinde, Osogbo

A Magistrate Court, sitting in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, has issued a bench warrant against the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Adewale Akanbi, following the monarch’s refusal to appear in court in a case instituted by the Oluwo of Iwo Oke, Oba Kadiri Adeoye.

The implication of the bench warrant, according to lawyers, is that the monarch should be arrested and brought before the court at its next adjourned sitting.

Although Oba Akanbi was represented in court on Tuesday by his counsel, Mr. Olaide Yekeen, Magistrate Olusola Aluko issued the bench warrant  despite the application for a stay of proceeding, notice of preliminary objection and a notice of appeal filed before the court.

 Oba Akanbi, the paramount ruler of Iwoland, was dragged before the court by the Oluwo of Iwo Oke, for alleged criminal offences.

The magistrate had, at the last sitting of the court on December 2, threatened to issue a bench warrant on the monarch if he refused to appear in court on Tuesday (yesterday).  Counsel for Oba Akanbi had told the court that his client had several applications before the court, adding that the notice of preliminary objection, which bordered on competence and jurisdiction of the court, should be heard first before the substantive application.

He said Section 19 (1) of the Magistrate Court Laws highlighted the jurisdiction of the court, arguing that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter.

 “When there is an application challenging the jurisdiction of the court, such application should be taken first. We are vehemently and seriously challenging the competence and jurisdiction of this court and our applications should be taken first,” he said.

 But counsel for the applicant, Soji Oyetayo, in his submission, told the court that the court made an order which the Oluwo had refused to comply with.

 He stated that the applications, filed by the first respondent (the Oluwo) could not stop the order of the court that the monarch should appear before it.

 “I urge the court to jettison the applications. They have to obey the earlier order of the court. The first respondent should be in court today but he is not in a flagrant disobedience of the court order,” he said.

 The magistrate, in his ruling, agreed with the respondent (the Oluwo) on the issue of jurisdiction, but said the notice of appeal was not ripe.

 He said, “The court mandated the first respondent to appear in court. He has violated the court order of the last adjourned date. I hereby issue a bench warrant against him.”

 The counsel for Oluwo, while speaking with journalists on the court premises, said the applications for a stay of proceedings, notice of appeal and application on the jurisdiction of the court, ought to have been heard first before the magistrate issued the bench warrant.

 Yekeen stated that the authorities he cited during the hearing should suffice, adding  that even in a case of contempt of court, the court should hear such objections first.

He argued that the order was made in error.

Yekeen added, “As it is, what we have is that we are following the due process of the law and we believe that the law should be and grow and it should be allowed to follow the due process.

“If a doctor makes a mistake, the mistake is buried six feet under the ground but if a lawyer or a judge makes a mistake, the mistake will be inherited by generations unborn.  That is what we have today.”

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

Youths to ministers: Tell Buhari we’re very hungry

President Muhammadu Buhari

Olusola Fabiyi, Abuja

Some ministers on Tuesday in Abuja appealed to Nigerians to exercise more patience, saying President Muhammadu Buhari was aware of hunger in the country.

They said the President and the Federal Government were working hard to alleviate their suffering.

The ministers spoke at the Special Edition of a Town Hall Meeting series dedicated to the youths.

The event was held at the Presidential Villa.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, hosted the event.

Also at the  programme were the  Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola(SAN);  Mrs. Kemi Adeosun (Finance) ; Chief Audu Ogbeh (Agriculture); Labour and Employment, (Dr. Chris Ngige);  Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed; and the Minister of Youths and Sports, Mr. Solomon Dalung.

The ministers were responding to complaints by some members of the audience, who accused them (the ministers) of change in their lifestyles since they assumed office.

The youths insisted that the ministers must carry their message of hunger to the President.

Clapping as the questions were being thrown at the ministers, the youths said President Buhari and members of his cabinet must work to lift the country out of  the woods.

One of the youths from Kuje Area Council, said he would have preferred to send the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, to his principal about the level of hunger in the nation.

He, however, asked the ministers to take the message to the President.

He also asked them to know that the youths were waiting for the President and his team in 2019 when another election would be due.

The youth from Kuje asked, “I don’t know if the S.A on Media to the President is here. I would have loved to send him to the President. But honourable ministers, help us tell the President that we are hungry. Nigerians are very hungry.

“ If he has changed from his promises during the campaign, we are also waiting for him in 2019.”

While asking each of the ministers to answer questions directed at them, Mohammed said he was not going to come to the aid of any of them.

“Every minister would bear his own cross. I don’t have to repeat the questions,” the minister said.

But he said the present government was not responsible for the hunger in the country.

Ogbeh, in his response, said government was working hard to reduce the level of hunger in the country.

He said, “Government is working hard to make sure that we don’t go hungry.

“We are planning at least 10 dams in one state. Kano State has 23, yet no one is being utilised.

“The problem with us is that we have all become elitist. We have become so arrogant to label farmers as lazybones…

“If we can’t feed ourselves, we can’t go anywhere. A young man said Nigerians are hungry, we are aware.

“When we get to meetings and see the face of our President, you will know he is in pains. We are all in pains, we are supposed to solve the problems and we are driving ourselves as fast as we can, to solve them.”

Dalung also said the President and the ministers were aware of the problem of hunger in the country.

He said it was not true that the government had abandoned the youths.

He beret-wearing minister said, “The youth question has been on the front burner of this government. You said Nigerians are hungry, we know and we are working on it.”

Fashola, a former Governor of Lagos State, asked Nigerians not to lose hope, saying 2017 would be a better year.

Fashola also announced that an MoU had been signed with the CBN to assist the two meter manufacturing companies cleared by the ministry to get funds.

On his part, Mohammed said the Federal Government was determined to ease the hardship in the country.

Towards this, he said more than one million Nigerians would soon benefit  from the Bank of Industry micro-credit scheme planned for the nation’s youths.

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

Is N92bn budget vote for agric sufficient to ensure diversification?

In my own view, no amount is too much or too little to be invested in the agric sector but it depends on the utilisation of such funds. Even if N1tn is voted for agriculture and it is not well utilised, the money will amount to nothing.

I have no problem with the amount in the budgetary allocation this year but let it be utilised judiciously. I can see that this government is making efforts in this direction. N92bn budgetary allocation is not a joke and it can make a huge impact in the sector if the amount is judiciously spent.

The money should get to the farmers because the problem we have been having is that money allocated to agric before usually does not leave Abuja but this will make a great impact if the amount gets to the farmers.

My view now is that government should focus on value addition because that is where the money in agriculture is. Money is not on the farm but in value addition. We produce enough food to feed everyone in Nigeria but we lose a large chunk of if due to post harvest loss.

We must invest in food processing and value addition to have enough food for local consumption and even for export. We produce so much but we lose the food as well.

For example, five tubers of yam are being sold for less than N3,000; famers have to sell everything at the same time because they cannot preserve them. So, I want a large part of the fund to be invested in food processing and value addition because that is where the real money is.   •Prof. Labode Popoola (Vice-Chancellor, Osun State University)

The amount (N92bn) budgeted for the agricultural sector by the Federal Government in the 2017 budget is grossly inadequate for a country that is largely agrarian in nature and seeking to diversify its economy by taking advantage of the vast opportunities in the agricultural sector.

I wonder what percentage of the total budget the money would represent. The truth of the matter is that peasant farmers will still continue to struggle to feed Nigerians and I believe that the percentage can be increased because it is grossly inadequate considering the depression Nigerians are going through now.

I can imagine a situation where each local government in Nigeria prepares 1,000 hectares of land for farmers to use. If you multiply that by all the local government areas in Nigeria, it is a huge investment.

 Nigerian farmers are not carried along by the government before coming out with agricultural policies. In such a situation, those policies cannot work. Nigerian farmers don’t get the required financial support from the government. The policy on rice and wheat production is selective. What about other cash and food crops that Nigeria can produce? Are we going to eat rice and wheat alone?

Some years back, Nigeria was the third largest producer of cocoa but today, we are no longer reckoned with in that area. I wonder how we want to practise mechanised farming with such a ridiculous amount.

The tractors bought by state governments were given to politicians who hired them to farmers at huge amounts that farmers cannot afford. In Oyo State, a tractor is given out at N20,000 for a day. How many farmers can afford that? Farmers are using labourers who use cutlasses and hoes to cultivate the land. How many hectares of land can you prepare with cutlasses and hoes?

Nigeria must consider cluster farming where large farmlands are prepared by the government and given to farmers in groups in each local government. When they harvest, government buys the crops from them through produce board. This is what is done in Asia where we buy our rice.

The late Chief Obafemi Awolowo established a marketing board in the western region that has now been scrapped with no replacement. I know several farmers who call me regularly that they have hectares of farmland with mature crops waiting to be harvested. Government should establish a board that will assist these farmers in the marketing of their produce. •Chief Olatunji Bandele (Secretary of Agbekoya Farmers Union in Nigeria)

For what we need to resuscitate agriculture, that N92bn is too small. In the situation we have found ourselves now, agriculture should be the first priority sector in the budget. It should be a sector that should give us what we are looking for. We have the land, good weather, large population and the potential for employment in agriculture is very high. So, I thought that the government would have looked at all the potential and invested in it. If you look at our cocoa, it could be processed to chocolate. We have many raw materials from agriculture that could be processed and even serve our industries as further raw materials. The investment is not just to produce but to also process. •Prof. Job Atteh  (A specialist in Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ilorin)

It (N92bn) is not enough to ensure diversification. All along, the nation has been operating on a mono-economy – oil. But as it is now, the oil is no longer selling in the world market, so there is the need for us to diversify our resources. Going by the normal requirement, every country is supposed to earmark 10 per cent of her total budget for agriculture.  By the time you look at that rate, the budgeted amount is even lower than 10 per cent of the total budget.

The issue now is, would the budgeted amount be managed well? Is it not going to be managed by some of these politicians who would embezzle part of the money? Even if some of the money is allocated to farmers as incentives to mobilise them or subsidise and provide fertilisers, it will be better. Some of the allocated funds do not get to farmers. That is where we have been having problems in this country. We have people who will get these funds on behalf of farmers but divert them into their personal coffers.

To ensure diversification as a nation, we have to be serious. We have to be up and doing. All hands must be on deck. We must face the reality.

Corruption must end in all ramifications. There must be monitoring organisations to follow up the implementation of financial allocations and disbursements. There should be a prudent management of available resources to boost agricultural development.   •Dr. Salau Abdulganiyu (Lecturer Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension Services, College of Agriculture, Kwara State University)

The N92bn budgeted for the agric sector cannot ensure the needed diversification of the sector because it is grossly inadequate. There’s no gainsaying the fact that agriculture is critical to the development of the country.

In the first instance, all the materials used by industries are derived basically from agriculture. Many of the industries depend on agricultural products to survive. As far as I am concerned, that amount is too small if we are serious about really developing the economy.

If we are really serious about diversification into agriculture, agriculture should get much more than that amount.

I don’t think there is anybody who does not eat. That shows you the kind of importance that should be given to agriculture.

Food is so important. Without food, there is nothing anybody can do. Without food, there is no life.

If the country is really serious about turning the economy around, we need to pump more money into agriculture.

Agriculture, science and technology are vital to the nation’s development. But even scientists need food to be able to think well.

It is only those who take balanced diet that will not fall sick. •Mr. Segun Dasaolu (Ogun State Chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria)

Considering the current economic recession and shortage of funds, I think N92bn, if effectively and judiciously put in the right place, will get Nigerians an encouraging result. The economy is presently in a bad shape. So, we can manage that (N92bn) for now. The entire funds must be put into the agricultural sector.

If not for the recession, I will say that the amount is too small and will not be able to move us from a mono-economy to a diversified economy. Agriculture can actually become the mainstay of the Nigerian economy as against the current reliance on petroleum products.

For now, we have to make do with what we have and I am calling on those that will manage the funds for the development of the agricultural sector to make a judicious use of what is available. Nigerians can guarantee this by being vigilant and ask those in position of power to be transparent and do the needful by managing the resources at their disposal well. The only way we can make them to do the needful is to keep an eye on them and ensure that the N92bn does not go into private pockets.   • Mr. Anyakwe Nsirimovu, (Executive Director, Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law)

The budget was anchored on pulling the economy out of recession and stagflation as well as taking the path of self-sustainable growth. What is important is not the budgetary amount set aside for funding agriculture.

We need to focus on the policies that support backward and forward integration and seek to make agriculture a business rather than just for self-sufficiency.

The National Bureau of Statistics data has shown that the contribution of agriculture to nominal GDP, for example, has grown higher than it was.  This, however, needs to be complemented by walking the talk in ensuring the 2017 budget fiscal stimulus is implemented as much as possible. •Mr. Rislanudeen Mohammed (Former Managing Director, Unity Bank Plc)


--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.