EKITI GUBER ELECTION; WIKE MOBILISES HEAVILY FOR FAYOSE’S DEPUTY

Nyesom Wike...Rivers Governorr

As news keep flying around of the immense support of APC Governors for its guber candidate Dr. Kayode Fayemi during the forthcoming Ekiti Governorship elections, River state Governor Nyesom Wike has thrown  his huge weight of support for Prof Kolapo Olusola Eleka, PDP flag bearer in the race.

ECD scooped that Wike has mobilized so much funds and still in the thick of mobilizing to make sure that PDP still retains power in Ekiti if only to give maximum support to his friend and brother Governor Peter Ayodele Fayose in his bid to install his very loyal Deputy as the next Governor of Ekiti state .

Inside sources say events at Ado Ekiti is a source of great concern to Wike at the Brick House Port Harcourt just as other PDP states have resolved to make Ekiti remain PDP after Fayose.

Already Wike has held several unscheduled meetings with Fayose both at Ado Ekiti and in Port Harcourt and has been reaching out to his fellow PDP governors to see that the mission is accomplished. One of his top aides is said to be a carefully selected liaison between him and Fayose to this effect.

Said our source  “over N10bn has been earmarked to prosecute Ekiti election from Rivers state. Add it to what other PDP states like Cross River, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Abia, Enugu will do in terms of support then you see that Ekiti means much to PDP.

LAGOS HORROR; POPULAR BARBEQUE SPECIALIST DIES MYSTERIOUSLY ON HIS BIRTHDAY *HOW HE JUMPED INTO A WELL

Gov Ambode of Lagos state

The mysterious death of a popular asun(a popular goat meat broth)  seller simply named  Segun is still talk of the town about a week after it happened.

Residents of Kibitiu close off Rafiu Tijani street, Ejigbo Lagos woke up normally on that day without any idea of what would happen and throw the street into a frenzy of activities before night fall.

By about 4 pm on that same day, the short street/close saw a battalion of combined paramilitary personnel including the Police, Civil Defence, Neighbourhood watch and Fire service who descended on the neighbourhood with much siren.

Eye witnesses say Segun who was popular at a nearby entertainment spot in the neigbourhood woke up normally but with excitement that it was his birthday. His friends had gathered to felicitate with him when the incident happened.

There are different accounts to the events before his death.

One view told ECD that Segun had mistakenly fallen into the well which was open at the time in his excitement during his birthday.

However another neighbor told a different tale.

According to him, the deceased was full of life and was happy about his birthday. “His friends started gathering around him and there was drinking. We were shocked when Segun suddenly realized that he could get into the well and simply retrieve the cover of the well which had fallen into it and giving his co-tenants sleepless nights since a few weeks back. A professional well digger had been contracted to do it but his cost was said to be N5000 which residents said was high. It was like joke when Segun started clambering into the well and we never saw him again except after the Fire service had come to bring his body out. It is indeed very shocking to me. I can’t believe this”

The remains of the deceased have been evacuated to a nearby morgue awaiting autopsy. 

LOST BUT FOUND...JENNIFER OLISA RETURNS TO NOLLYWOOD

Jennifer

Exactly 18 years ago Nollywood star actress Jennifer Olisa left Nollywood unceremoniously. She left acting to get married and raise her own home. But the pretty woman has just concluded shooting of a new flick called , “White Lies”.

White lies stars Keppy Ekpeyong Bassey, Padita Agu, Bryan Okwara, Mercy Isoyib and Omena Daniels.

The flick written and Directed by New York Film Academy returnee, Omena Daniels is produced by one of Nollywood’s ace directors Frank Vaughan.

“White Lies” is the story of a once romantic marriage that went bad due to neglect on the part of the husband who would rather dedicate his time and attention to his real estate business.

The woman soon got tired of being abandoned all to herself. She found solace in drinking. She goes to chill out in a lounge owned by her old schoolmate in the university.

Of course what do you expect when a woman comes into a drinking place all by herself? She has already built the reputation of owning a corner in the lounge all by herself. Soon, she gets spotted by a dashing young man who goes by the name “Young”, a pilot, but one who likes to date influential ladies in the society.

Jennifer Olisa was one of the earliest stars of Nollywood. She came into prominence when she played the role of little Nneka in Zeb Ejiro’s block buster of the mid-1990s “Nneka the Pretty Serpent”.

I’M ONLY 24 DAYS IN OFFICE….HON. COMRADE ARINZECHUKWU AWOGU CLEARS THE AIR, FULL OF THANKS

                                                                          *Awogu
Transition Committee Chairman for Ogbaru LGA Anambra state Hon Arinzechukwu Awogu has corrected our last report where we published that he has spent 40 days on the saddle.

In a well worded message, Awogu thanked all those who pledge support for his success as TC Chairman and noted;”let it be corrected..I am only 24 days in office and not 40 days. I officially assumed office Monday 23rd  April 2018 so if we make a calculation between then and today 17 May, then I may only have spent 24 days or thereabout. Certainly less than 30 days .

Continuing, he said "I am humbled by the out pour of support, solidarity and encomium we have received since assuming office. We will continue to do our best effortlessly in putting our people and their needs at the front burner”

30 DAYS IN OFFICE; COMRADE ARINZECHUKWU AWOGU IN HIGH MOTION TO DELIVER DIVIDENDS! *REAL REASON GOVERNOR OBIANO APPOINTED HIM TC CHAIRMAN OGBARU.....

Awogu addressing his people

Many Ogbaru people in Anambra state agree that since his appointment as Transition Committee Chairman of Ogbaru Local Government Area a few weeks ago, Honorable Comrade Arinzechukwu Awogu has been in high motion to excel and deliver on democracy dividends. Life for him, the LGA staff and the entire LGA has not been same. The people are applauding nonstop.

Awogu who before his new appointment on April 21, 2018 was aide to Governor Obiano on political matters and played a vital role in the victory of APGA in the last governorship election in the state has in the last 30 days proven that it takes just courage and the will to excel for government to affect its people.

Since his first entry into his office at the Ogbaru LGA Secretariat Atani, Awogu has not rested and only received few visitors but has on a daily basis toured his entire local government both on land and by River Niger to appraise the presence or absence of government across his domain so to speak.

His tour of erosion site, blocked drainage at Odekpe, the abandoned General Hospital Ossomala, the No(bad) roads of Ossomala/Ogwu Ikpele and Ogwu aniocha, the abandoned hospital at Ogwu Ikpele amongst others has no doubt boosted moral across board in his few weeks as TC Chairman and has brought attention of the people to Anambra state government.

Specifically, the new TC Chairman had visited the Ogwu aniocha road with the contractors working on it to inspect the extent of work and the Ogwu ikpele Health center which was abandoned and vandalised. His report has caused Governor Obiano to direct the commissioner for health to see what has happened and all eyes are seemingly on Ogbaru as you read this.

Anambra state Comissioner for health Dr Joe Akabuike readying to cruise to Ogwu Ikpele with Comrade Awogu to see things for himself

Inspecting the controversial Ogwu aniocha road...It is far from completion he declares

As he journeys through Ogbaru to see the land as it really is, it has been commendations galore from former Speaker of Anambra state House of Assembly and former commissioner for environment Hon Mrs Chinwe Nwaebili who visited him at his Atani residences home to Hon Benson Nwawulu former TC Chairman and current member representing Ogbaru 1 constituency at Anambra House as well as Hon Somto Udeze, member representing Ogbaru 2 constituency in the Anambra state House. The former visitors had gone to intimate him of their desire to represent Ogbaru constituency at the federal House while the latter was to commend his leadership approach.

Said a notable politician in Ogbaru Hon Fred Nwakonobi “Awogu has made a promise to himself, Ogbaru people and his God that he will never stop making compelling sacrifices to every humanly tolerable extent to make Ogbaru better than it is today.”

 Said the man many call Agenda, “Not that he has built many edifices now but he has started on the right note. Ogbaru has not had it so good. Awogu has Ogbaru people at heart and will go far as a liberator. In fact his intention to go to the House of Representatives to change the Ogbaru negligible narratives is welcomed by me personally and well meaning Ogbaru people”

Awogu at Ossomalla General Hospital....only one doctor at work

In a chat with the very busy Awogu, he said ”we are doing just the little we can. What these visits do is make an appraisal of what is really on ground and bring about government attention and intervention. I see government as a place where anyone can be appointed. It is what you do with the opportunity given you to serve that matters. There is no time to waste because the people will either clap for you or jeer at you for a job well done or not done at all. My visits have shown me that there is much to be done for Ogbaru people and the time is now. Not tomorrow.”

REAL REASON OBIANO APPOINTED HIM

Speculations have gone haywire as to the real reasons Governor Obiano appointed  Hon Arinzechukwu Awogu as TC Chairman of Ogbaru even though since their paths crossed many years ago, Governor Obiano has taken Comrade Arinze Chukwu Awogu as a son.

One of such reasons include the fact that he is one of the committed pillars of APGA who had  donated his father’s house, his real estate inheritance to give APGA an office in Onitsha where he started his political life and sacrificed quite a lot of other comforts to let the party form. The Governor is said to note this as a huge sacrifice and loyalty.

Another thing that is said to endear the young man from Umuiyasele Atani  Ogbaru LGA of Anambra state to Governor Obiano  is that he is cerebral and pragmatic in his political strategies which he put to play during the last governorship election which returned Obiano to power even with the most vociferous of oppositions and politicking. Ogbaru is said to have voted massively for APGA due to the huge efforts of Awogu and many others.

Again, Awogu is seen by Obiano as an emerging leader of men who with sound education and organizational skills will go far as a shining light for his people and those are qualities the Governor holds dearly.

Yet,  another reason being peddled by insiders to Awka seat of Anambra political power as to why Awogu was appointed TC Chairman is to help him pave way to the House of Reps where Hon Chuchu Onyemaof the PDP has been in the past 8 years.

Awogu seen by many as the most formidable political force to move PDP out of the House of Reps had declared this interest many weeks ago and flagged off a political war chest to that effect. And all agree that the tours are already paving way for him as it may have inadvertently exposed shortcomings in other representations so far.

Hon. Awogu; still on the matter

 According to a source in Awka, “The case of Ogbaru has been pathetic and has always given Governor Obiano cause for concern. The people have cried out over inadequate representation both by members of other parties (not APGA). Obiano wanted to appoint a tested and trusted son of the soil who would help him look into the problems of the people and call his attention to them regularly. I know that the comrade is already trying his best and will do very well”

By Fred Iwenjora

ROAD TO RUSSIA 2018; MILADO SINGS AGAIN FOR SUPER EAGLES

Many years since he released his gyration music in support of the Super Eagles soccer escapades, singer song writer Austino Milado has not wavered.

With the frenzy over Russia 2018 world cup soccer tournament in which the Super Eagles are lined up with other world national teams, Milado has just appeared from the studio with a new gyration song titled Dodorima which he says is to ginger the eagles to a memorable world cup action.

“Dodorima is a concentrated beat of percussion and choruses geered towards pushing the Eagles to action” said the Anambra state born super performer. “My support for Super Eagles has never wavered at all. It is total. We reasoned that the Super Eagles gyration song we did before required fine tuning with enriched resonance. Of course you know that when we did the first Super Eagles dedication, we had many names that had now retired and doing new things. A new crop of Eagles have emerged so names of some of those who are currently on rampage with their German technical adviser comes up every now and then..

EXCLUSIVE; COSSY BECOMES BIG TIME FARMER

Cossy Orjiakor

Nollywood’s controversial actress Cossy Orjiako has turned to farming as a new means of livelihood.

According to the actress who became famous for flaunting her mammary natural endowments “ I am a farmer now and there is no going back”

In a chat Cossy said there is nothing as lucrative as farming as she spends time in her farm more than anything else these days

According to Cossy, I have acquired several acres of land and currently tilling and weeding to cultivate anything cultivatable including yams, cassava, Vegetable and more.

What about film making I ask? She says “ film making does not stop me from

farming the land because I know that man must wack”

BEHOLD HON VICTOR IFEANYICHUKWU ODILI….MAN WHO WILL BE ONELGA CHAIRMAN RIVERS STATE.

Hon Victor Ifeanyichukwu Odili

Many people from ONELGA Rivers state may have heard of Hon Victor Ifeanyichukwu Odili, PDP flag bearer for ONELGA (Ogba Ndoni Egbema LGA) in the forthcoming Rivers state Local Government election set for June 2018 but not many have seen him.
He is from Ndoni Rivers state. Here he is.

WHEN BENIN STOOD STILL AS NIGERIA’S INTERNATIONAL SHOW PROMOTER ISAAC IZOYA WEDS(RARE PHOTOS CONTAINED)

Isaac and Presh

By Fred Iwenjora

The ancient city of Benin literarily stood still as Nigeria’s most celebrated international showbiz promoter Isaac Izoya took a wife in a two day carnival celebration.

The German based Nigerian promoter popularly called Cultural ambassador because he has won several awards to that effect having founded Nollywood Europe Golden Awards NEGA had carefully planned a two day jamboree which was witnessed by several dignitaries from Nigeria, US,  Europe and Asia.

On Friday 27^th of April all roads led to No 1 Task Force road, Upper Saint Saviours road Benin city where the traditional dowry ceremonies held  while on Saturday,  28^th April every guest were at the Rialto Hotel, on Benin Auchi express way  to make merry and confirm to the world that they witnessed the event.

On the part of Nollywood whom Izoya had done his utmost best to promote in Europe, they were not found wanting at the reception.

Nollywood practitioners who were there to show solidarity with one of their own include top Nollywood director, producer and one of the most respected film makers in Nigeria Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen. Also founder of Night of a thousand laughs Opa Williams was there live just as  award winning comedy actor/, Charles Inojie. Also on hand to celebrate with Mr and Mrs Izoya on their day was  producer/director the so called Queen of boobs, Cossy Orjiakor who made Izoya traditional wedding her first social outing since her father was buried in Anambra state. Others were Queen Blessing Ebigeson, Festus Eremosele of G Worldwide Entertainment.

Chief Mike Ituah, the Edohe of Opoji was chairman and flew from Germany to do that distinguished job.

CHECK OUT PICTURES

THE FULL STORY OF ROGERS ALL STARS, FATHER OF MUSICIANS BY FRED IWENJORA(2) · How he spots a hit artiste, trips to Congo to import makossa and soukous music…etall

 W e continue with the special series on Chief Sir Romanus Nwaementa Okonkwo, founder Rogers All stars music

Chief Sir R.N Okonkwo better known as Rogers All stars

Could you make a long list of your catalogue of albums?

It would be very difficult to count our albums because they are numerous

We have recorded over 200 albums of different artistes from Nigeria and the entire West Africa. There are even several of the albums that were recorded without making it after release while some others may not have been released at all.

We had a lot of musicians both local and international on our label with several catalogues. There are some that were not recognized; there are artistes when they come we take them to the studio to start their albums but along the line we discover that the person is not talented to do that work, we stop there and advise the artist to go to school because not everybody will be super stars. If I see the born artiste, I would know.

However, music business in Nigeria started changing in the 1994 as no one does records these days but CDs and online. We have not stopped because several of our catalogues are still selling while our studios are still wide open for those who want the real sound.

Having been in this business and scored several hits after another, how do you know a great artiste?

I listen to the message and I listen to the voice very well. The rhythm is our work to create. We also take note of the artiste and his art, stature and physique to see if it is sellable. We also check out the number of tracks you have to make an album and give the listeners variety. Nowadays young people go to the studio to record a track and pay radio station to play the track. When you start looking for the album you would not see. The quality may also be very poor. So many artistes of these days come together with other twelve artistes to come up with what they call collabo album. I don’t know what is happening. There seems to be so much unhealthy competition in the music business now as every one wants to be a star. You only find just a few unique artistes as every one imitates the other.

You seem to have come a long way and have the secrets of getting out the best from an artiste. Could you share these secrets?

When I have an artiste I know what to do to get the best because I saw the highest standards of artiste management and the business of it because my music was sold internationally, I worry these days about what we record these days as sound. It is unfortunate. People can’t sing; they bark like dogs and people are dancing. In those days, music was played with discipline and not any how. I gathered much experience in seven years. I started by buying and selling of records until I decided to record artistes. I would take my artistes to DECCA, Lagos where we buy records to record them as Decca also had a big studio where many big artistes from across Africa were recorded. At that same time I travel regularly to East Africa to Kenya and Congo and all those places to buy records. I knew Franco Makiadi, leader of the famous Ok Jazz, Tabu Ley and Rocheroux first hand and sold their music in Nigeria, They were big artistes from Congo and Zaire known world wide. Their names still ring in world music.

What informed your decision to travel far for your kind of music?

I decided to travel out to source my own market since the moguls as CT Onyekwelu, Right Time and others had dominated the system, So I reasoned that I needed to carve my own niche So I started to travel out to get the music from East Africa into Nigeria. I had direct business dealings with Ok Jazz and most of the music companies of those countries. I am the first person who started importing Congo music into Nigeria. I take that credit quote me. I was in my early 20yrs when I started to import music into this country. There was a factory in Congo producing several records from that area. I was inspired by the fact most Nigerians listened to radio stations from that area which infiltrated the entire eastern Nigeria. I will say very correctly that Congo music influx into Nigeria was made possible by the wide coverage of their radio stations which reached the east of Nigeria like it was being played from our backyard.

So I took advantage of that understanding by traveling to bring these records down here physically. The fans of such music showed that they were delighted to have them by buying them fast.  A lot of people who even had the means to travel then were too timid or too afraid to travel far. I took that risk may be because I was a youngster roaring to go.  There was another radio station in Santa Isabelle, Equatorial Guinea which also penetrated Nigeria. They only played only Congolese tunes from makosa and soukous which Nigerians enjoyed.

When did you make this first trip to Congo?

 I traveled to Congo Kinshasa for the first time in 1965, two years after getting freedom from my master and hustling for a living in music marketing. I went for the passport and then to the Zaire Embassy in Lagos and they quickly gave me visa. I told the man who interviewed me that I was going to their country to buy their music as a dealer. He expressed surprise at my boldness considering my young age at that time and advised me where to get my ticket. I bought it from Air Sabena and travelled the next day. I employed a translator who assisted me because I couldn’t speak French. Most of them spoke English. They took me to Franco Makiadi, the leader and owner of OK Jazz Orchestra, the very popular band that ruled the world of Congo music. When I arrived, we set up a meeting at one of his very expensive hotels in that country. We discussed several business ideas and I was taken to the record company that manufactured his music as well as other big musicians and I made my selections of the best; the ones I knew the fans would love. Do you know that at the moment I landed at Onitsha from that trip, the lot I had bought finished immediately so I was encouraged and had to prepare to travel again? It went on like that until the last trip which shook me to my marrows. It was in 1967 when we were on air and there was an announcement that the Nigerian Civil war had started.

Watch out for continuation of this interview on ejigbocitydiary.blogspot.com