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.

Fame not my aim for ‘sharing’ money – Williams Uchemba

Since actor and comedian, Williams Uchemba, started his Give Challenge in December, his popularity has soared.
However, in a chat with Sunday Scoop, Uchemba, who was once a kid actor, said he didn’t initiate the gesture to gain popularity or seek attention.
He said, “I have been in the limelight since I was eight years old. What I am doing now is not because I want popularity, irrespective of what anyone thinks. I am doing it because God has said I should do so. As long as people are blessed and their lives are changed for the better, I am happy. Before I started the challenge, I had more than 300,000 followers on Instagram and the number has not changed. The Give Challenge only drew more attention to me, but it has not made me famous. I have my skits and other things I have been doing.”

Negative comments don’t bother me –Efe, BBNaija winner

At a time when the Internet has taken over many things, it will be hard for entertainers to flourish without embracing the social media. But the winner of the 2017 edition of Big Brother Naija, Efe Ejeba, has said that he hardly uses the different social media platforms in vogue today.
In a chat with Sunday Scoop, he said, “The truth is that I don’t know what is happening on social media. When I wake up in the morning, I pray, eat, record songs and I release them. I don’t hear what people say about my music. I am not disturbed about negative comments because it is normal for people to have different views about whatever you do.”

I didn’t lie about N14m stolen from me –Mr. Ibu

During the week, it was widely reported that the house of comic actor, John Okafor, aka Mr. Ibu, was robbed and that he lost over N14m to the thieves.
While many sympathised with the actor, others also questioned why the actor would keep such a large sum of money in his house, considering the cashless policy adopted by most Nigerians. Some people also insinuated that the actor exaggerated about the amount he lost to the robbery.

In a chat with Sunday Scoop, Okafor made some clarifications. He said, “When I said I lost N14m, there was a misconception that it was all in cash but that was not the case. One million naira cash, and properties worth over N13m were carted away. Some of the items the robbers stole included gold wristwatches, necklaces and jewellery. They also stole shoes belonging to me and my wife, and a lot of other items. The trauma is still very much for my wife and kids. They are still in shock because the thieves knocked down the doors of the house and you can imagine the type of noise they would have made at the time they came, which was about 3am.”

Ooni of Ife is my father, not lover –Ara

There have been reports that popular singer and drummer, Aralola Apake, popularly known as Ara, is in a relationship with the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and that she may be his next queen. However, in a chat with Sunday Scoop, Ara rubbished the stories. She said, “There is no iota of truth to such reports, please disregard them. The Ooni is like a father to me, and he takes me as his

daughter. There is no love affair between us at all. The monarch is a very great lover of our culture, and it is obvious that he has done a lot to support and promote the Yoruba culture. I am also a cultural ambassador and the Ooni has lent his support to our cause. I believe that there are a lot of potential in this country that can be tapped. If we harness the tourism potential of Nigeria, it would fetch the