Welcome to Linda Ikeji's Blog: 01/08/2012 - 01/15/2012

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Saturday 14 January 2012

Hilarious video of father quizzing baby daughter over which parent she prefers


"Who's your favorite, dad or mum?" It's one year old Maddie vs her dad. Beautiful to watch...check it out!

Photo of the day: Mammoth Crowd at MMA2

 
This is what the Murtala Mohammed Airport looked like this morning after five days of nationwide strike which led to the shut down of airspace. The airport was re-opened today and well, you can see the number of people who need to fly out...

200 pastors resign from Bishop Oyedepo's Winners Chapel

200 pastors secretly resigned enmasse from Winners Chapel in late December 2011 following a disagreement they had with the General Overseer, Bishop Oyedepo, over the re-organisation of the church.

After a general meeting in December, some pastors said they were no longer comfortable with the founder's leadership style and some new rules he implemented. Bishop Oyedepo was said to have told the pastors that anyone who wanted to leave the ministry was free to do so without any drama. A few weeks later, 200 pastors tendered their resignation letter.

Some pastors resigned to join other ministries, others to start their own churches. Bishop Oyedepo was said to have given all of them a parting gift...from N2 million to N500, 000 each, depending on how long they had served in the church. The resignations is supposed to be hush hush, so don't say you read it here, biko! :-)

Three die as cruise ship runs aground in Italy

From Reuters
At least three people were killed and rescuers were searching for other victims on Saturday after an Italian cruise ship carrying more than 4,000 people ran aground and keeled over. 
A rescue operation involving lifeboats, ships and helicopters was continuing hours after the 114,500-tonne Costa Concordia hit a sandbar near the island of Giglio on Friday evening. Photographs showed a large gash along its side.

Friday 13 January 2012

British Singer ,Estelle, remixes D'Banj's Oliver Twist (Listen)


What's going on here? Is Estelle singing in pidgin English? SCAMMMM! lol

NLC Declares Weekend Break For Strikes, Rallies And Protests

Press release from the NLC/TUC below...
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Joint Action Front (JAF) commend the Nigerian people for turning out in their millions since Monday January 9, 2012, to protest the astronomical increase in the price of PMS (Petrol). We commend them for their resolute stand and insistence in struggling for a better country.
The Labour Movement and its civil society allies after nationwide consultations has decided that this weekend, Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th January, 2012, will be observed as strike, protest and rally-free days.
We ask Nigerians to utilize these days to rest, restock and get re-energized for the continuation of the strikes, rallies and protests from Monday 16th January, 2012.

Photo of the day

The people running things. CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, IMF boss Christine Lagarde (centre) and Nigeria's Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in Nigeria.

We all know what you guys are talking about...we see you!

Meanwhile, is this the time for Naija entertainment news/gossip or should we just leave it alone for now and focus on the state of the nation?

UK arms dealer exported 80k rifles & 32 million rounds of ammunition to Nigeria in 2007

Gary Hyde
A British-based arms dealer helped organise the shipment of thousands of guns from China to Nigeria without the necessary licence, a court has heard.

Gary Hyde partly arranged and organised the shipment in 2007 of 80,000 rifles and pistols and 32 million rounds of ammunition. Southwark Crown Court heard he did not receive permission from the relevant government department.

Its music extraordinaire as the world's biggest hits show up on the Nigerian Idol stage

Nigerian Idol top 30
It was an amazing set of ten contestants that wowed the audience on Nigerian Idol which showed in television stations across the country. The popular music reality show presented the second set of its top 30 contestants performing some of the globe’s biggest songs to the awe and admiration of the viewers and judges. Joining the dynamic trio of judges Jeffrey Daniel, Yinka Davies and Charly Boy was ace producer Samklef who added a new vibe to the already entertaining show.

New Video: May D - Sound Track


I love this song. I think May D is the artist to watch in 2012. He's under P-Square's Square Records. Video directed by Clarence Peters and features beautiful singer, Retta. Enjoy...

Thursday 12 January 2012

Meeting between Government and Labour today ends in deadlock

The meeting between the President, some sate Governors and Labour this evening has ended in a deadlock. Labour says compromise is being made but no agreement has been reached.

Discussion continues on Saturday. Strike continues tomorrow...

Angry OccupyNigeria protesters storm NTA, AIT offices

Protesters at NTA office this evening
Watching the government owned TV station, NTA, you would never think that there's any crisis in Nigeria. They aren't covering the protest or interviewing people against the subsidy removal. On NTA, there's peace and calm in Nigeria and Nigerians love their president.

Well, some protesters stormed their station today to let them know don't appreciate their imbalance reportage.

Meanwhile earlier today, angry protesters threw stones and pebbles into the compound of AIT at Alagbado, accusing the TV station of siding with the government.

Photo: Beyonce's hospital room - like a five star hotel

TMZ has obtained photos of the VIP room at the Lenox Hill Hospital in NYC where Beyonce gave birth on the 7th of January. The room has 4 flat screen TV's, state of the art electronics, a kitchenette, nice art, mahogany walls, plush furnishings and a bed where Jay Z could sleep.

Sources connected with the hospital told TMZ that the suite was not constructed specifically for Beyonce, but it was always intended that Beyonce would be the first patient to use it.

Day 4 of Nationwide Strike

  
Everyday, the crowd at the Gani Fawehinmi park at Ojota, increases. Nigerians aren't backing down. They are ready for this Government.

Meanwhile, FG and labour are right now talking behind closed doors in Abuja. In a few hours, we will all know the outcome of that meeting.

Civil Society Groups to drag Jonathan to ICC for crime against humanity

 A protester killed at the Onikan area in Lagos yesterday. Another one injured by a stray bullet

For the loss of several lives in the current fuel subsidy removal protests across the country, a coalition of 25 civil society groups have agreed to file a complaint against President Goodluck Jonathan at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague for crime against humanity.
An official of the Save Nigeria Group, Yinka Odumakin, told the press: 
A decision has been agreed on, to take the President and the Inspector General of Police; Afeez Ringim before The ICC for the unwaranted killing of ordinary Nigerians on a peaceful protest. Everyone who is responsible for the killing and ordering of the killing of unarmed civilians must be brought before the law.

Wednesday 11 January 2012

#OccupyNigeria NYC Protest: Jonathan (Parody) Stoned With Egg


PENGASSAN threatens total oil production shutdown

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has directed all oil production platforms to be on red alert in preparation for total production shutdown.

In a statement issued today, the PENGASSAN President, Mr. Babatunde Ogun, said this was in response to the callousness of the federal government, in allowing matters to deteriorate so far that the current paralysis in the country has entered the third day.

Beyonce's Baby Triggers Church Vandalism -- Blue Ivy Is 'Satan'

This is absolutely uncool...calling a newborn Satan? Ahn, ahn! Below is how TMZ is reporting it...
Beyonce's new baby Blue Ivy Carter is the devil incarnate -- this according to some heartless vandal who defaced the sign in front of a North Carolina church yesterday ... writing, "Beyonce had her baby. Satan is on Earth."
The pastor at Beulah Hill Baptist Church in West End, NC tells TMZ, he discovered the vandalism yesterday after receiving numerous complaints from locals -- and removed it immediately.

New Music: Flavour N'abania - Nigeria Ebezina


Due to the on going crises in the country, Nigeria's highlife king, Flavour, released this comforting song to sooth the pains of Nigerians. Enjoy...

Protesters burn down INEC office and other buildings in Niger state

Riot broke out in parts of Niger state this morning as protesters took to the streets. The INEC office along David Mark road in Minna, the Governor's campaign office at Mobil Roundabout, Senator Awaisu Kuta's house, PDP vice chairman Barr. Tanko Beji's chamber and IBB campaign office were all set on fire by irate protesters a few hours ago.

The announcement by head of service in Niger state asking workers to resume resulted in the violent demonstrations.

Photos: #OccupyNigeria NYC Protest + Date for Atlanta Protest

 
The protesters were at the Nigerian embassy in New York City yesterday January 10th 2012. Meanwhile, Nigerians in Atlanta will today Wednesday January 11, protest at the Nigeria Consulate, 8060 Roswell Road, Atlanta, GA 30350.

Continue to see more photos of the NYC protest...

Quote of the day

"When my father started this struggle, I was 13. I will be 50 in six months time. My son is 16, we still have no electricity, no healthcare. People are poor. People are dying because of N10,000 in this country."- Femi Kuti.

Senate demand April date for fuel subsidy removal implementation

After a one-hour meeting in the senate yesterday, the senate have asked FG to suspend the subsidy removal until April 1, 2012, following the shut down of the nation’s economy, caused by the nationwide strike.

The senate set up a committee to meet with the president and gave the committee a 48-hour ultimatum to report back the outcome of the meeting to the senate.

According to some law makers, we are still operating in the 2011 budget, which ends March 31st...so why remove petroleum subsidy in January Mr President?

Photos: Nigerian police removing remains after killing protester in Ibafo

 A protester was killed in Iabfo during the #occupyNigeria protest in Ibafo yesterday. The victim was in a 14-seater bus en route Ibafo when he was hit by the bullet from a policeman said to have been shooting randomly.

In this photo, you can see the Nigerian police taking his corpse away...wow! I hope this Government is seeing this?

Eedris Abdulkareem calls DBanj a bastard for allegedly collecting money from Govt

While speaking at the #OccupyNigeria protest on Monday Jan 9th, musician Eedris Abdulkareem called out the names of all the artists that campaigned for president Jonathan last year. About D'Banj, he said:
Fuck that bastard D'Banj for collecting money from Goodluck, God will punish you!
Thoughts?

Nigeria heading for civil war - Wole Soyinka. Do you agree?

“We see the nation heading towards a civil war,” Wole Soyinka reportedly told the BBC World Service in an interview on the state of the nation yesterday.

Is Nigeria heading towards a civil war? Please share your thoughts

Tuesday 10 January 2012

Rivers State Govt introduces fuel subsidy: cuts price from N141 to N137

The Rivers State Government today Tuesday January 10th introduced a N4 subsidy on fuel sold in the state. The govt said it in a broadcast that it had reached an agreement with independent marketers to cut the price from N141 to N137. The governor, Rotimi Amaechi, said his government will pay the N4 price difference.

*Linda shakes head* So do we commend him now or what?
These our leaders don't seem to understand the pains of the masses. FYI, anyone who can pay 137, can pay 141, get that right! It makes no difference, it doesn't make life easier. Cost of living has doubled...N4, will not reverse it. Someone told me today, I don't know what this subsidy means, all I know is that I don't want to buy a bag of pure water for N200, (it used to be N80) and I don't want to be spending N700 to go to work everyday, (she used to spend N300). How much do you earn, how much are you going to spend to survive? Please our leaders, have mercy on us, biko!

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala condoles families that lost loved ones in the fuel hike protests

 

The finance minister tweeted her condolence today.
 
And then she talks about why the subsidy removal is necessary. Anyone who is in a government where the president gets N1 billion for food for just one year, gets no respect from me...continue reading...

#OccupyNigeria: Desmond Elliot addresses bad leadership on twitter

Desmond Elliot during his campaign for Goodluck Jonathan last year.
 The Nollywood actor's tweets now...he wrote this just a few hours ago

 
Continue to see more of what he wrote on his twitter page today...

Sea Turtle Captured in Eleko Beach...

My sister and her friend went to Eleko beach recently and witnessed the capture of a sea turtle (abi what is that?) that had been washed ashore by the waves. It was captured by some - local beach boys, who said they planned to kill it and sell the meat. They surrounded it, tied it with a rope and it was when they were gauging its eyes out (to prevent it from escaping because my sis said the animal really fought its captors) that my sis walked away because she couldn't bare to watch the torture...but she took some pics before leaving.

Is that animal edible biko nu? Na wa o! Continue to see more photos...

Photo of the day: Once again, Christians on guard as Muslims pray

 
Once again, Christian protesters watch over their Muslims brothers as they pray this afternoon in Abuja, during the #OccupyNigeria protest in the city.

Slain Boko Haram leader’s in-laws get N100m compensation

Late Fugu
In fulfillment of an earlier agreement for an out-of-court settlement, the Borno State government yesterday paid N100 million as compensation to the family of the in-law of the late Boko Haram sect leader, Baba Fugu.

Meanwhile, four suspected Boko Haram gunmen on motorcycle at the weekend attacked a tea shop  in Gazangi-Tashan Gandu area of Biu, in Borno State, killing three people, and injuring five others.

Nationwide strike: Labour and Senate meeting end without a deal

The senate president, David Mark, yesterday met with Labour and TUC leaders at his home in Abuja and tried to persuade them to call off the strike..but Labour and TUC leaders said lai lai, insisting there's no going back until government has reinstated the price of petrol to N65.

After the meeting, Labour leaders told the press - "We appreciate the intervention of the Senate President, because when windows are opening nobody will like to miss that, but our position is clear and that is that government must revert to N65 per liter of petrol."

Also in his brief statement to the press, Senator Mark assured that a resolution would be reached soon. "The meeting was fruitful and the problem will be resolved in the interest of Nigerians." he said

#OccupyNigeria killing in Ogba. DPO arrested

 
The Lagos state police command has confirmed the arrest and detention of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), who with his officers, shot and killed Ademola Aderinde, and injured 3 others in Ogba during the nationwide fuel hike protest yesterday.

According to the Lagos state PR officer, Mr Jimoh Jinad, the DPO, Mr Segun Fabunmi, has been handed over to the state criminal investigation department and the Nigerian police plan to punish all those involved in the killing.

We are watching.

Monday 9 January 2012

Beyonce and Jay Z Issue Joint Statement for Blue Ivy Carter

In a statement that was released today, the new parents release details about the birth of their daughter, Blue Ivy Carter. They said:
Blue was delivered naturally at a healthy 7 lbs and it was the best experience of both of our lives. Her birth was emotional and extremely peaceful, we are in heaven. We are thankful to everyone for all your prayers, well wishes, love and support."
Jay Z also in a new song titled - Glory, revealed very personal details about his and Beyonce's struggles to have a child. He rapped about Blue being conceived in Paris and Beyonce once having a miscarriage. Continue to read lyrics from the song...

Edo Youth Coalition Condemn Attack of Muslims in Benin City

A Mosque that was set ablaze, but the fire was eventually put out
Edo Youth Coalition in a statement today, condemned the killings and burnings of Muslims and their properties, that took place in the state today. The statement below...
EYC condemn unequivocally the killings, maiming and burning of innocent people and their properties in Edo State under the guise of protest against the removal of fuel subsidy. We strongly feel that this conduct is barbaric, rancorous, criminal and unacceptable from a civilised society. Above all, it does not yield any GOOD fruit; it will only fuel hatred, revenge and anarchy in Edo State and Nigeria.
Totally agree. Continue reading...

Lionel Messi Wins World Footballer of the Year...for the Third Time

24 year old Barcelona and Argentina forward, Lionel Messi, today Monday January 9th became the first footballer to win FIFA Player of the Year three times in a row.

Real Madrid’s Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo was second in the vote for the 2011 FIFA Ballon D’Or and Messi’s Barcelona team mate Xavi Hernandez came third.

Barcelona’s Pep Guardiola won the coach’s award ahead of Manchester United’s Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho of Real Madrid. Ferguson took the FIFA presidential award for outstanding service to the sport.

Photos and Video From #OccupyNigeria Protest in Washington, DC

Fuel subsidy removal protest held today at the World Bank HQ, in Washington DC. Watch video and more photos when you continue...

Photos: #OccupyNigeria Protesters March Through the Streets

  

From the North, to the South, to the East, thousands of Nigerians came out today to protest the subsidy removal, as nationwide strike begins. Continue to see more photos...

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