Finding true love is really tough as a star –Kenny Blaq

Although this young humour merchant, Kenny Blaq, (real name: Otolorin Kehinde) shot into limelight barely three years ago via Ali Baba’s January 1st concert, people are already dubbing him the prince of Nigerian comedy.
The reason is not far-fetched. The young man is about the most sought-after comedian in the country at the moment and his creativity has carved a niche for him, one dubbed ‘ musicomedy ’.
In a chat with Saturday Beats, the rising star said that one of the downsides of being a star is finding true love. He said that with his celebrity status, most women only see him as Kenny Blaq the comedian and not Otolorin Kehinde.
He told Saturday Beats that even though he was grateful to God for his achievements so far, his status has a lot of disadvantages.

Kenny Ogungbe saved me from wasting my sperm –Eedris Abdulkareem

At a point when singer, Eedris Abdulkareem, thought nothing of sowing his wild oats, he got some wise words from none other than his one-time label boss, Kenny Ogungbe.
Although a lot has been heard about the controversial singer, not much is known about his family life. In a chat with Saturday Beats, the singer opened up on how Kenny Ogungbe, fondly called Baba Keke, helped to shape his life.
He said, “My wedding day was a very lavish one and Baba Keke was my best man. I chose Baba Keke to be my best man because he has always been like the father I never had. I lost my father when I was only three years old. When I was still at Kennis Music, I went to collect my royalties when I met Baba Keke and he called me aside to give me a piece of advice.

Why I was absent at Mercy Aigbe’s birthday –Husband

Although star actress, Mercy Aigbe, is going through a rough patch in her marriage, it did not stop her estranged husband, Lanre Gentry, from wishing her a happy birthday via his Instagram handle.
He said in the post, “Today, you are @40. Even though we are fighting I still say happy birthday to you because you are still my wife and my children mother as I use to call you ones again happy birthday to you Mercy Aigbe Gentry. Long life and God bless you (sic).”
His post excited some of the actress’ fans as they speculated that the couple could get back together this year.
The actress further fuelled the speculation when she began to follow her estranged husband on Instagram again. Despite the birthday wish, her husband’s absence at her birthday party was conspicuous.

Trouble on the move: Gangs control coaches on Lagos trains, feed fat on illegal fares

It was the end of a tiring day at work in September 2017. Tunde Salako, a resident of Ijoko, Ogun State, could not drive his car home after about 10 hours at work due to an electrical fault.
The chartered architect hitched a ride with a friend. But early the next morning, he decided to board a train accompanied by an automobile electrician who was to fix his car.
Salako purchased tickets for an Oshodi-Iddo train at Ijoko, Ogun State and joined others in a mad rush to get a space on Coach 2. It was one of the batch of diesel-engine coaches inaugurated by the Federal Government in June 2014 as part of efforts to improve long distance travel and mass transit in the country.

Atiku is Miyetti Allah’s chief financier, says Unongo, NEF Chairman

Olusola Fabiyi, Eniola Akinkuotu, Olalekan Adetayo, Femi Makinde, Alexander Okere, John Charles and Umar Muhammed
The Chairman of the Northern Elders Forum, Paul Unongo, has accused former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of being the chief financier and most influential member of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, the apex body of Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria.

He, therefore, called on Atiku, who is a prince of the Tiv Court, to caution the herdsmen, who have been slaughtering hundreds of people in the country.

11 killed in fresh Benue attack

Again, the troubled Logo government area of Benue State was attacked by herdsmen in the early hours of Saturday, leading to the death of 11 persons.
The fresh attack is coming barely six days after Fulani herdsmen attacked five communities in Guma and Logo local government areas of the state in which over 20 persons were murdered.
The latest incident, according to a source, happened at Tombo village in Logo local government area of the state.

I’ve yet to get political appointment promised me –Tony Tetuila

During the last election, Nigerians were surprised at the number of entertainers who ventured into politics. Among them was popular Nigerian singer, Tony Tetuila. While a few got the offices they contested for, most lost the elections.
In a chat with Saturday Beats, Tetuila fondly referred to as the Golden Boy of Africa, narrated what it was like participating in Kwara State politics.
He further explained that even though he did not win, the governor of Kwara State, Abdulfatah Ahmed, promised him a political appointment; a pledge he has yet to redeem three years down the line.

Man keeps daughter as sex slave for 22 years, fathers her eight children

A man, who fathered eight children with his own daughter after repeatedly raping her during a 22-year reign of terror, has been jailed for 12 years and eight months, Daily Mail UK, reports.
Argentinian Domingo Bulacio, 57, showed no sign of emotion as he was sentenced for multiple sex crimes after a trial at a court in the northern city of Santiago del Estero.
Relatives of the serial rapist were among the 50 witnesses who gave evidence at the hearing.
Bulacio, known by the nickname Vernacho, had been in custody since his arrest after 45 days on the run.

[FULL List] Golden Globes Nominations: Shape of Water, Big Little Lies score big

Shape of Water
– FILM –
Best film, drama
“Call Me by Your Name”
“Dunkirk”
“The Post”

FG establishes reception centre in Port Harcourt for Libya returnees

Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, on Friday says a reception centre has been established in Port Harcourt for 5,037 Nigerians being evacuated from Libya.
Onyeama said on his Twitter handle @geoffreyonyeama that the returnees would be formally received and profiled at the centre before being transported to their various states of origin.
He added that the Nigerian mission in Libya was coordinating the identification of Nigerian migrants being evacuated from that country.
He explained that the mission was working with a technical team for the evacuation exercises made up of representatives of relevant agencies.

Over 40,000 persons displaced in Benue attack – SEMA

Residents fleeing Tse Igbudu Taraka to Bakin Kota and the injured at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, after attacks by Fulani herdsmen on some Benue communities. Photos: John Charles and James Igbudu facebook page.
Benue State Emergency Management Agency said over 40,000 persons had been displaced following the recent gunmen attack in Guma and Logo Local Government Areas of the state.
The Executive Secretary of SEMA, Mr Emmanuel Shior told the News Agency of Nigeria in Makurdi on Friday that the agency had opened four camps for the displaced persons in the affected areas.
Shior disclosed that Governor Samuel Ortom had been extremely worried over the plight of the people.

Boko Haram factional leader, Mamman Nur, fatally injured – Military

The military on Friday claimed that the notorious leaders of the Boko Haram terrorist group, Mamman Nur, was fatally injured in an ongoing bombardment around the Lake Chad.
Mamman Nur, who controls a faction of the Boko Haram, is next in notoriety to feared leader Abubakar Shekau.
He is believed to control the Lake Chad axis of the sect, which in recent time has emerged the new deadly haven of the terrorist group and perhaps their major base after the capture of the Sambisa Forest in December 2016.

18-year-old Badoo suspect confesses, says he was tricked

One of the five Badoo cult suspects paraded on Thursday at the Lagos State Police Command headquarters in Ikeja, 18-year-old Chibuzor Igwe, says he was tricked into joining Badoo cult.
Igwe explained that he had approached one of the alleged leaders of the cult, Obamoyegun Omotayo, for a driving job, but was lured into the gang.
Chibuzor said, “I am a Badoo member. Around November, I told Obamoyegun (Omotayo) that I wanted to be his driver because I saw him with new cars. He told me that it would take some time before he would give me the job. During that time, he called me….”
But what could have been a full-blown revelation from the teenager, who has injuries on his hands, was aborted by the state Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi, who stopped the interview and ordered that Chibuzor and the other suspects be taken away.

Seasoned broadcaster, Mabel Oboh flags off ‘SaveourStars’ campaign

 Recently, Mabel Oboh announced her plans to establish an entertainment foundation to cater for the welfare of Nigerian celebrities. While the project is still in the pipeline, the seasoned broadcaster and actress has flagged off a campaign to that effect. Tagged, “Mabel on SaveourStars”, the campaign is expected to benefit entertainers who are battling serious ailments and are financially constrained  to help themselves. Mabel Oboh Unveiling the campaign to  the media, Mabel listed entertainers who are  suffering from terminal diseases such as cancer, diabetes and accident victims as major beneficiaries. “Producers, actors, actresses, script writers, musicians make-up artistes, journalists among others are part of the beneficiaries,” she added. According to her, in the course of the

We’ve been abandoned, says Ese Oruru’s father

Mr. Charles Oruru, the father of Ese Oruru, the then 13-year-old girl abducted and taken to Kano where she was allegedly raped, forcibly Islamised and married off without her parents’ consent, is lamenting that the family has been abandoned.
He also said that all the promises made by the governments of Bayelsa and Delta states as well as some non-governmental organisations with regard to Ese’s scholarship had not been fulfilled.
The abduction of Ese, the youngest child of Charles Oruru and Rose Oruru, occurred on 12 August, 2015 at her mother’s shop in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Ese, who was 13 years old at the time, was abducted by a man named Yunusa Dahiru (alias Yellow) and taken to Kano, where she was allegedly raped, forcibly converted into Islam and married off without her parents’ consent.

Banky W, Adesua’s wedding documentary airs on Africa Magic

 A documentary on the celebrity wedding between R & B Singer Banky W and Actress Adesua Etomi is set to hit TV screens on Africa Magic channel on Jan.6. bankyw-wedding According to the official trailer released by Africa Magic, the documentary titled “The Wellingtons”, showed the couple sharing details on why they chose to share their special day with the world. Africa Magic is a collection of Pay TV entertainment channels that focus on African programming. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the marriage between the two celebs caused a lot of frenzy on the

Shuga Band ready to celebrate 20 years of undiluted live performances

 Shuga Band, a Lagos-based 14 piece group, led by Shuga (Akinloye Tofowomo) is ready to roll out the drums as it celebrates 20 years of undiluted live music performances  in Nigeria. The Band, which was established about 20 years ago after Shuga’s exit from Pintus, an upscale bar in the highbrow Allen Avenue, Ikeja,  back in the days, remains one of the best  bands that had  maintained a high

Herdsmen kill woman, destroy 200 acre farms in Ondo

Some suspected Fulani herdsmen have allegedly invaded a farmland at Arodoye community, in the Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State, destroying 200 acre farms.
The herdsmen also allegedly killed a female farmer, identified as Patience Salami.
The incident was said to have occurred during the Yuletide holiday when most of the farmers had travelled out of the community.
It was gathered that nobody had been arrested by the security agencies for the incident.
Some of the farmers who spoke to our correspondent on Thursday lamented that they had lost millions, saying the herdsmen destroyed farm produce.

Benue killings: Police go after masterminds, dispatch DIG

The police have said they are probing the alleged involvement of different groups, including the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria in the killing of over 20 people in Benue State between Monday and Tuesday.
The force explained that the eight suspects their custody in connection with the incident would provide details about the masterminds of the attack, adding that anyone found culpable would be arrested and prosecuted.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood, said this in a telephone interview on Thursday in response to allegations that some Miyetti Allah leaders had earlier threatened to cause mayhem in Benue State following the implementation of the anti-open grazing law which the Fulani herdsmen were opposed to.

Winner of Big Brother Naija to get N45m

Winner of the 2018 edition of the Big Brother Naija will go home with N45m.
The third season of the reality show will start on Sunday, January 28.
According to a report, it will premiere with a special two-hour episode on DStv channel 198 and GOtv channel 29.

IPOB to begin Hausa radio service Saturday

The Indigenous People of Biafra, on Thursday, said it would begin the transmission of a Hausa service radio station on Saturday.
The Media and Publicity Secretary of the group, Emma Powerful, disclosed this in statement in Awka, Anambra State.
He said the move was in keeping with IPOB’s promise to facilitate the creation of an unbiased informative platform “to the downtrodden and the oppressed indigenous population of northern Nigeria.”
He said the service would hit the airwaves on Saturday, January 6, at 7pm Nigerian time on Short Wave 15110 KHz 19 Meter Band.

Army rescues Chibok schoolgirl

The troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued one of the Chibok schoolgirls earlier abducted by the Boko Haram terrorists in April 2014.

According to the army, the girl, identified as Salomi Pogu, was rescued in company of another girl, Jamila Adams, 14, and both of them are now in the custody of the troops.
In a release by Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, and Spokesperson, Theatre Command, Colonel Onyema Nwachukwu, Pogu is on the list of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls.

BREAKING: US imposes sanctions on Iranian missile firms

The United States imposed sanctions Thursday on five Iranian companies it alleges are working on part of the Islamic republic’s illegal ballistic missile program.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin linked the measure to recent anti-government protests, arguing that Iran ought to spend more on public welfare than on banned weapons.

CJ illegally transferred Farouk Lawan’s $620,000 bribery case –FG

The Federal Government has told the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal that the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, acted illegally by transferring a part-heard bribery trial of a former member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Farouk Lawan, from one judge to another in March 2017.
Lawan ran into trouble when he was the Chairman of the House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy in 2012 for allegedly collecting $620,000 from the Chairman of Zenon Petroleum and Gas Limited, Mr. Femi Otedola.

Igbo will never go to war again, says Ohanaeze

The Igbo apex socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has said that the Igbo will never again go to war to resolve conflicts in the country.
It said the Igbo would rather use diplomacy as a tool for peace and conflict resolution.
The President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, stated this  at the 2018 Igbo International Leadership and Good Governance Retreat held at Abagana, Anambra State.
The retreat was organised by the World Igbo Leadership Council and the World Igbo Information and Communication Network.

Fuel scarcity: Senate to grill Kachikwu, Baru, DPR today

NNPC GMD, Dr. Maikanti Baru and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu
Leke Baiyewu, ’Femi Asu and Theophilus Onojeghen
The Senate will today (Thursday) question the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu; and the Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Mr. Maikanti Baru, over the current crisis in the supply chain of Premium Motor Spirit, also known as petrol.
Also to appear before the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) are regulatory bodies, marketers and other stakeholders in the petroleum sector.

I will appear before police, but not CP Edgal –Suspected Badoo kingpin

Suspected Badoo kingpin, Alhaji Alaka Abayomi, has said he is ready to submit himself to the Nigeria Police Force for investigations.
Alaka, who had been declared wanted by the Lagos State Police Command, however, said he would not appear before the state Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi.
He alleged that investigations would be compromised if carried out under Imohimi’s supervision, urging the Force headquarters in Abuja to take up the matter.
Alaka spoke to PUNCH Metro on Wednesday on the heels of the arrest of a herbalist, Fatai Adebayo, who allegedly administered oaths on Badoo members before they went on operations.
On Wednesday, the Lagos State Government also sealed off Alaka’s filling station and hotel on Ijebu-Ode-Itoikin Road, in the Sabo area of Ikorodu, saying the facilities violated the state’s Urban and Regional Planning Law of 2010.