Lebanon reverses ban on Spielberg film

 Lebanon’s interior ministry will allow the release of Steven Spielberg’s latest film, “The Post”, overturning a ban by the General Security authority, a senior official said Wednesday.
Steven Spielberg The security body had on Monday announced it was banning the Hollywood thriller to comply with an Arab League boycott targeting supporters of Israel. In a rare move, the interior ministry chose not to sign off on the decision by General Security, which in addition to controlling Lebanon’s borders, is responsible for censoring films, plays, and books.

Our policies are youth-focused, says Bayelsa Govt

 The Bayelsa Government on Wednesday said most of its policies were tailored toward ensuring a better life for the youths of the state because of their critical role in society. Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, said this in Yenagoa while addressing the new executives of the Bayelsa
Youth Federation (BYF). Dickson Iworiso-Markson said the state government recognised the‎ importance of youths and was working hard to secure their future. “This government is today preparing your future to make you have a better and prosperous life. “You have seen our projects across the state. They are designed to provide employment and empowerment opportunities for you all.

Manchester United overtake Real Madrid, FC Barcelona as Europe’s biggest earners

Manchester United enjoyed the biggest revenue of any European club in the last financial year after a 32 percent increase propelled them above Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, UEFA say. Manchester United players celebrate a goal In an annual report published on Tuesday, UEFA in the European Club Football Landscape report said revenues among Europe’s 700-odd top-flight clubs totalled 18.5 billion euros (£16.5 billion) for 2016. This is in comparison to 16.9 billion the year before and 2.8 billion in 1996. However, the report acknowledged that nearly half that amount — 9.1 million euros — was generated by 30 clubs. It also noted that the financial gap between the elite ones and the rest was increasing. English Premier League television revenues were now such that mid-table Bournemouth earned the same as three-times European champions Inter Milan. Manchester United’s revenue for 2016 was 689 million euros, compared to 521 million euros in 2015, the report said. United were followed by FC Barcelona and Real Madrid (both 620 million), Bayern Munich (592

N’Delta militants demand restructuring, threaten fresh attacks

THE Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, Wednesday, called for restructuring of the country, declaring anybody opposed to it, including the Federal Government as enemy. File: Militants before the federal govt amnesty programme The group in a statement by the spokesperson, self-styled “Major General” Murdoch Agbinibo, also vowed to resume another round of attacks, in the next few days” on oil installations in the Niger Delta region if government refused to listen the new demands, including control of ownership ofresources and release of detained Niger Delta activists. It words: “While promising a brutal outpour of our wrath, which shall shake the coffers of the failed Nigerian nation, our demand unambiguously is for the government to restructure this country.” “We wish to state in plain terms that anybody against restructuring is an enemy of this country and particularly an enemy of the Niger Delta Avengers; and we shall not rest until such enemies are defeated by the Niger Delta People who earnestly seek to control our own resources,” the group added. NDA warned in the

7 die, many injured as gas plant, depot explode in Lagos

TWO persons died when a gas plant at Magodo, Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area of Lagos, belonging to Second Coming Company Nigeria Limited, exploded yesterday. The fate of some severely burnt persons was yet to be ascertained, as they were said to be unconscious at a Lagos Teaching Hospital, while those that sustained varying degrees of burns, were also being treated. Those affected were staff of the company. But reports had it that some persons who had gone to transact business at the company were also affected. Images of the fire victims and the explosion scene at Magodo. PHOTOS: Lamidi Bamidele. It was gathered that three gas reservoir tanks, a 33,000-litre gas truck, the administrative block of the company, electric power generating set, gas cylinders and other equipment were destroyed in the inferno. The cause of the explosion was attributed to gas leakage at the plant located on CMD Road. Also, five persons died in another gas explosion in Ajara Vetho, Badagry Local Government Area of Lagos State, yesterday. An

Duke indicates interest for 2019 presidency Says Buhari, ministers disconnected

 A former Governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke, has said that he will contest for presidency in the 2019 general elections. Donald Duke Mr. Duke, who declared his interest for the plum job at the 3rd Mike Omotosho Annual Lecture titled, “Mellinials as Protagonists in Nation Building,” on Sunday night in Abuja, promised to kick-start the process at the right circumstances. According to him, “I am entitled to run for the presidency of this country. I am entitled to it. Only on right circumstances I will aspire for it. I don’t shy away from responsibility, only the right

I travel for business, not for fun –Harrysong

Nigerian singer, songwriter and instrumentalist, Harrison Okiri, popularly known as Harrysong, shares fond memories of his trip to Duisburg, North  Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
When did you visit Duisburg and what was your mission there?

I visited Duisburg two years ago, during my European tour and it was very successful. The reception I got was massive.

Reekado won’t apologise for saying he is better than Lil Kesh – Manager

Reekado Banks’ manager and brother, Temi Solomon, insists that his artiste doesn’t feel sorry for saying he is a better artiste than Lil Kesh.
It will be recalled that when Reekado was adjudged the Next Rated Artiste at the 2015 Headies Awards, it generated mixed reactions. Olamide, who was Lil Kesh’s boss at the time, was furious that his protégé didn’t win the award. While reacting to Olamide’s public outburst, Don Jazzy (Reekado’s boss) said he was ready to let Olamide and his boy have the car prize if that was what made them upset. That comment degenerated into a war of words on the Internet before both parties were implored to sheathe their swords.

Two years after the ugly event, at his recent Thank You concert in Ibadan, Reekado declared in pidgin English that he is better than Lil Kesh and his father.  He said, “I remember when they said I didn’t deserve the Next Rated award. The person that they said deserved the award, I am better than his father.”

I’m proud of my body –Biodun Okeowo

Popular actress, Biodun Okeowo, aka Omobutty, is known to be one of the sexiest persons in the Nigerian movie industry, especially the Yoruba sector.
She recently released some pictures to celebrate her birthday, and it set the pulse of a lot of people racing. In a chat with Sunday Scoop, the actress stated that she didn’t release the pictures to court attention, rather to thank God for what He had done for her. She said, “For every year one spends on earth, we have to thank God because it is all by His grace that we are alive. I have every reason to be thankful and I don’t hesitate to give God praise. I posted those pictures as a way of celebrating my birthday, and not for any other purpose. I am proud of my body and I always love to look good. I thank the people who have been appreciating me and it makes me feel good to know that there are a lot of people who love me out there.”

Commendation service holds for late ex-VP, Ekwueme

 FINAL rites of passage have begun for the late former Vice-President of Nigeria, Dr. Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme. A statement by Mr. Ken Ekwueme  indicated that a commendation service in honour of late Dr. Ekwueme will hold this Friday, January 19, at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos, at 2p.m, while an Evening of Tributes and Music is scheduled for 5p.m. of same day at Muson Centre. Dr Ekwueme Thursday, February 1, is service of songs at Alex Ekwueme’s compound in Oko, Anambra State, at 5p.m. Next day, Friday, is funeral service at St. John the Divine Church, Oko, at 11a.m. Interment and reception follow at his compound.