Saving Dreams, a Hollywood Nollywood Movie by Isioro Tokunbo Jaboro taking over the Cinemas soon

By Opute C. Joel

Movies are pacesetters made to educate, entertain, broaden the scope; enlighten etc their viewers and audience. Great movies do not only perform the above mentioned functions but also leave a footprint of great precedents in the hearts of all those that come in contact with them and their lessons most times, become a devoted way of life to them all thereby, making their viewers far better than the way they were before coming in contact with them. Such is the case of the movie, Saving Dreams, a Hollywood Nollywood movie written, produced and directed by Isioro Tokunbo Jaboro.

It’s a movie that teaches great lessons about the odds of pretence in matrimony, not developing ones skills and talents, revenge, living with the wrong person, sharing your dreams with the wrong person, ills of not believing in oneself, and above all; the great importance of fighting for your dreams and ensuring your voice is heard. It features great intrigues like love, romance, comedy, tragedy, antithesis, etc.

The movie which features great actors like Nosa Obaseki, Karen Simpson, Martin Lindquist, Cai Gallant, Olivia Gaskin, Beverly McMillan etc has been widely accepted in over 23 Film Festivals in the UK, Australia, United State, Canada, Nigeria and Africa in general and has won 15 international awards already. What a great achievement so far! The world is usually proud to receive great piece of this nature to bless the lives of its inhabitants.

STATEMENT BY THE DIRECTOR

As a director, I am always interested in all types of media. I believe that by incorporating different forms of art which includes: audio, visuals, storytelling, etc you equip yourself with the ability to create a more powerful piece of work than by using a single art form alone. I intend to make each project I make different, and believe strongly in challenging myself to becoming a better director. The world is becoming more and more diverse, which is a good thing and a reason why my focus is to make movies that are more diverse, while sticking within the subject matter. Creating films that have something positive to say and one that is able to reflect on real-life events is my immediate focus.

The film I made (Saving Dreams) has been accepted in over 23 film festivals, in the UK, Australia, multiple States in the US, Nigeria and Canada, and has already won 15 Awards. I feel honoured by the acceptances and awards and I am very excited that the film will reach many audiences and share a story they may not have known before.

Saving Dreams Movie recently got a distribution deal with Silver Bird Film Distribution WA, the largest Film distribution company in West Africa and Nigeria, and will be released in all major Cinemas in Nigeria January 20^th, 2017. As a Writer and Producer in addition to being a Director which is my main focus, my goal is to make movies that inspire people, one that torches people in many positive ways.

Watch Trailer of Movie Here...

SYNOPSIS

Saving Dreams, a dramatic thriller based on real life events, comes this compelling drama with humour and heart that explores the power that hope and leap of faith can have on marriages, friendships, Dreams and our everyday lives. Brenda Jackson (Karen Simpson) has the talent to become a great singer. But her other dreams interfere with her following that path. When she meets Steve Reeds (Martin Lindquist) she seems to have hit the jackpot. He has it all and he promises to introduce her to people in the music biz. Yet as time goes on, after their marriage, the promises fade and abuse becomes the norm. He even forbids her to sing around the house.

Then surprisingly, he asks her to sing at a fund raiser for his new foundation. There, she is profoundly shocked to learn that his foundation helps abused women and children around the world. He is more powerful than she imagined! She finds it difficult to sing, but somehow manages to wow the audience with her angelic voice. At that banquet, she meets Bayo Franklyn, (Nosa Obaseki) a music producer who gives her his card. Soon after, she finds herself pregnant but he kicks her down the stairs, causing a miscarriage. When she returns home from hospital, she finds him with another woman. She takes that opportunity to make her escape.

Now on her own, she starts a new life and reconnects with Bayo. He tries to convince her to make a demo. Brenda finds it hard to believe in herself but with Bayo’s support, she begins to work on her singing. Brenda’s song becomes a hit. Bayo asks her to marry him but she is still tied to the devil Reeds. He refuses to sign the divorce papers and offers her a humiliating choice. In desperation, Brenda buys a gun. Things don’t go as planned when Brenda confronts Reeds but she manages to turn things around and forces him to give her half his assets. Relieved, Brenda and Bayo make plans for their wedding, but Reeds has one more secret in his sick arsenal that may pierce their future happiness forever.

SOME POSTER SHOTS

Click Here To Watch The Movie Trailer... 

LIST OF CREW BEHIND THE SCENE

Saving Dreams                                                              Project Title

Isioro Tokunbo Jaboro                                                   Writer/Screenplay

Isioro Tokunbo Jaboro                                                    Producer

Victoria Kayode Jaboro                                                  Co Producer

Roger Singh                                                                    Co Producer

Isioro Tokunbo Jaboro                                                    Executive Producer

Victoria Kayode Jaboro                                                  Executive Producer

Wendy Bimbo Thomas                                                   Co Executive Producer

Roger Singh                                                                     Director of Photography (DP)

Karen Anderson                                                               Production Designer

Christopher Wilson                                                          Editor

Jennifer Jackson                                                               Costumier

Karen Anderson                                                               Costumier

Laura Menheere                                                               Costumier

Mike Freedman                                                                Music

Chantel Whitter                                                                Casting Director

Kelsey L. Harris                                                               Casting Extra

Victoria Kayode Jaboro                                                    Casting Associate

JD Oppen, MPSE                                                              Sound Editor/Designer

Gergely Laszlo-Zwickl                                                     Trailer Editor

True-Sail Production and Motion Pictures Inc                  Production Company

Isioro Tokunbor Jaboro                                                      Director

CAST LIST

Nosa Obaseki                                                    Bayo Franklyn

Karen Simpson                                                  Brenda Jackson

Martin Lindquist                                               Steve Reeds

Cai Gallant                                                         Amanda

Beverly McMillan

Olivia Gaskin

Nicole Ertl                                                         Carol

Steve Slavi Kasan                                              Minister/ Female Doctor

Emily Johnson

Tony Nashed                                                      M.C

Jesse Omonudo                                                   Hotel Concierge

Chantria Tram                                                    Wanda

Chris Alexander                                                  Guest Couple 4

Joanna Heath                                                       Guest Couple 3

Omar Amin                                                         Drunk Party Man (BBQ)

Christopher T.A. Hall                                          Doctor

Lia Scott                                                              Nurse Cathy

Peter Hodgins                                                      Alan

This film is developed by True-Sail Production and Motion Pictures Inc in association with Wayward Films. Watch out for our next publication as we'll bring to your reading pleasure the Biography of some prominent casts and crew in the movie.

Watch out for this great movie as it takes over the Cinemas as from 20th January, 2017. 

Saving Dreams; fight for your dream and let your voice be heard always...

Watch The Trailer of Saving Dreams Here And Get Entertained...

Olusegun Obasanjo, former President goes local, patronizes Nigerian made shoes

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo

– Former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, commends Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia state for promoting home made products

 – Ikpeazu says Aba remains the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) capital of Nigeria, where young Nigerians are engaged in the business of making of shoes, clothing and other products

 Obasanjo has commended Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for promoting home made products. Former president of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo has encouraged the purchase of indigenous products by placing an order for made-in-Aba shoes.

Obasanjo placed the order for the shoes during the 2016 Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Forum in Lagos, Daily Post reports. Speaking as one of the panellist at the forum, Obasanjo commended Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for promoting indigenous products.

“Governor, I listened to you and I commend you for what you’re doing in Abia. Please keep doing what you’ve told us you’re doing,” he said.

Ikpeazu, who serves as the marketing officer of made-in-Aba product said Aba remains the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) capital of Nigeria, where young Nigerians were engaged in the business of making of shoes, clothing and other products. The Abia state governor added that a firm that had an order to supply up to 50,000 military boots was currently in Aba, where Aba shoemakers were making the production.

 Ikpeazu said: “I am happy to announce here that Aba which is the commercial nerve centre of the Abia State and Old Eastern Region of Nigeria, is also the SME capital of Nigeria, where young people are in the business of making shoes, bags and clothes, including the one I am wearing. “Let me also announce here that a private firm, that has an order to supply 50,000 military boots is currently in Aba, where our shoemakers are in production for the firm.”

To help us better understand that Nigeria has great products, these are samples of some of Nigeria made shoes:

President of The Nigeria Guild of Cinematographers dies a day to his Birthday

Prince Afam Chiazor

What is going on in Nollywood? Why is it losing some of its best brains? What could be the cause of this sudden sad news again?

The Nigerian movie industry woke to the sad news that the President of Nigeria Guild of Cinematographers, Prince Afam Chiazor who is supposed to be celebrating his birthday today, died last night.

Several of his colleagues and fans who took to his Facebook wall to wish the Cinematographer a happy birthday were shocked to hear of his sudden and shocking demise. The cause of his death is yet to be known. 

What could be the cause of sudden death in Nollywood? Like some people will say, people die everyday and there is nothing so special with deaths recorded in Nollywood, the Nigeria Movie Industry. People tend to magnify it because of the popularity of the industry among its people.

Could this really be true? Feel free to share your opinion with us.

May the soul of the departed rest in peace. Amen.

Modeling and Pageantry going to the next level in Nigeria and Africa

                                                                                    By Emmanuel Esegbue Bertrams

Nwa Ada Ndokwa Organization is a socio- cultural organization set up to promote the social and cultural heritage of  Ndokwa people who occupy Ndokwa East,  Ndokwa West and UKwuani Local Government Areas of Delta State.

A principal focus of the non governmental organization (NGO) is to project and promote the social and cultural values of the Ndokwa woman, using beauty pageantry as a vehicle toward achieving the goal.

The organization also is concerned and proactively involved in protecting the rights of the girl child, fighting cultural practices against women, such as female genital mutilation and oppression of widows etc.

Behind this human and societal developmental institution, is a young woman, whose antecedent easily defines her as a woman living a purpose driven life.

Queen Valeen Oseh combines beauty and brains and she has gradually emerged as one of Ndokwa daughters who are determined to add value to her father’s land by ensuring that her education and brand identity as a model and beauty queen with multiple awards in pageantry are utilized to provide a voice and direction for the coming generation of Ndokwa Youths, especially ‘woman and the girl child’.

Queen Valeen Oseh is a First Class graduate of Computer Science, of the Delta State University, Abraka. She is currently rounding up her National Youth Service programme at the Taraba State University, Jalingo where she is currently lecturing. After participating and winning various laurels in pageantry, she established the Nwa-Ada Ndokwa Organization in 2012, to organize the annually Nwa-Ada Ndokwa Cultural  Beauty Pageant which she has organized annually since 2012.

She is currently putting resources together to host the 2016 (5th Edition) pageant with a promise to move the pageant to the next level.

Queen Valeen Oseh granted this interview to Emmanuel Esegbue Bertrams, a veteran Journalist and media consultant.

Below are excerpts of the interview.

Introduction

I am Queen Valeen Oseh by name, a first class graduate of Delta State University (Delsu) I read Computer Science in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Computer Science Unit and graduated in 2014.

I am rounding up my youth service this October 6th 2016, and I am currently serving in the Department of Mathematical Sciences, Taraba State University where I lecture.

           

I am the CEO Tisova Relief Concepts, organizers of the annual Nwa-Ada Ndokwa Cultural Beauty Pageant which is a traditional pageant designed to rekindle the cultural values of Ndokwa people & empower the girl child.

Asides being a First Class graduate, I am a Model, Actress, Presenter, Fashion Designer, professional make up artiste, motivational speaker, writer, Editor of articles of any kind, Farmer (currently thinking of starting my personal farm), project manager, Events planner, and a Giver. The list looks endless but it is what it is.

When did you host the 1st pageant?           

The 1st Pageant was organized in 2012. By that time, it was Nwa-Ada Ukwuani Cultural Beauty Pageant and it held annually till year 2014 when we changed the name to Nwa  Ada Ndokwa Cultural Beauty Pageant to reflect the nationality of Ndokwa Nation as one unified ethnic nation with one history and one future.

What inspired the vision to organize the pageant?

First and foremost, Nwa Ada Ndokwa was a dream I had for somebody else. As a growing child, I was fortunate enough to have schooled outside my Local Government which includes my nursery, primary, secondary, diploma and degree education which I did in Delsu and that exposed me to a lot of events and concepts. These exposures made me think, first of my origin, which is Ndokwa and how they could benefit from social events like pageantry.

At that time there was a tall pretty girl I always admired and wished she could start up events like this. I held on to that dream for her for years until after I attended a Pageant in 2012 and emerged Second Runner Up that I personalized that dream. I realized being tall, pretty and beautiful wasn’t just enough. We have dreams for other people yet fail to put ourselves in that dream, its just like individuals expecting so much from the Government without thinking of what they can do for themselves and also the Government. With that understanding, I decided to start and not wait for manners to fall from heaven as I believe that Ndokwa can produce the next MBGN and MISS WORLD.

As a student I contested Miss Ndokwa Delsu Chapter in 2009 and Miss Ndokwa (NUNS) National. Actually I am the first FUNS National Queen. I also won the Miss Ndokwa Delsu Chapter.

I also contested Nwada Anioma and emerged Second Runner-Up. This was 2012 and Miss Peace Delta State which I won that same year. Also, I participated in Delta Talent Quest Acting Reality TV show; a Project of the Delta State Government and I was the only Ndokwa person out of the 10 persons that were selected among thousands that auditioned for the event in Warri, Sapele and Asaba; that made it to the house where we were camped for one month and I eventually emerged the 3rd position in 2011 with Three hundred thousand naira cash prize from the state Government. I have been a State Ambassador since 2011.

           

All these experiences I gathered gave me the knowledge and inspiration to come up with the Nwa-Ada Ndokwa Concept and it took a cultural dimension to change people’s mindset towards pageantry.

           

How were you able to combine your academics with these pageants you participated in and organize?

Actually, at that time I started, it was very challenging but I didn’t lose sight of my academic pursuits because my priority was coming out with a First Class. I was able to juggle both of them in such a way that there wasn’t a clash between both.

My events were usually scheduled to hold during the holidays, December to be precise. The ones I participated, I ensured they were not during school time, I also read ahead.

Can you give us a clear picture of the objectives of the Nwa Ada Ndokwa which you desire to achieve?

NWA-ADA NDOKWA is not just a pageant, it is a vision. It is a voice for the girl child. The pageant was conceived to showcase and promote the cultural heritage of Ndokwa people.

It is to promote the growth and development of Ndokwa tourism industry. It is to train and groom young and talented Ndokwa daughters with the aim of promoting the cultural and traditional values of womanhood.

           

We are using the pageant as a vehicle to fight social vices like Prostitution, rape, female genital mutilation, gender equality, etc. This we will achieve through female rights Advocacy and demonstrating the power and values of women in our family system and community lives.

It is also designed to serve as a serious voice for the womenfolk of Ndokwa nation especially the girl-child, female and women in general. We are interested in promoting feminine gender. We are the voice against rape, female genital mutilation, prostitution, human trafficking, cultural practices against widows and relegation of women generally in relationship, politics and business.

What reform(s) do you have in place to address the general perception that pageantry is a morally depraved event?

We don’t actually encourage undue exposure of cleaverage, because of the general outcry against such practice. But it is wrong to completely dismiss the bikini culture because it’s foreign and English. If you look back into the mainstream African Cultural heritage, you will notice that what we call mbenuku is actually the English swimsuit. It merely covers the breast and pelvic region.

           

Even in the earlier times, take the time of Adam and Eve for instance, when they became conscious of their nakedness, they covered their breast and pelvic region with leaves and felt dressed.

           

However, humanity has moved and gone a long way in terms of fashion and moral values. If we criticize indecent exposure in pageant, what do we say about the new fashion wave that sees people supposedly fully dressed, but with their breast and pelvic regions exposed by handless tops and skirt slights?

So, considering that our culture frowns at immorality either in fashion or language, we now tailored our pageant in conformation with the ideals of our cultural heritage.

What are your major challenges in your effort to organizing the annual event?

My major challenges have been funding and inability to get sponsors to partner with us.

Another challenge would have been inability to attract contestants but this is minor because it’s subject to finance. Contestants want to be sure of what they would get when they win, so good sponsorship with attractive prizes would motivate beautiful girls with talent to come out to showcase their natural endowments.

 Also, we have parental factor. Some parents would not want to allow their children to come out to contest due to the wrong perception that pageantry is an indecent art. I also want to use this medium to appeal to parents to allow their children come out and participate because their fears is actually the reason  Nwa-Ada Ndokwa is in existence.

If you have the needed funds, what improvement would you record in your future editions?

With needed funds, we will do more research on our cultural heritage, give the events a wider and more intensive publicity, and get great (attractive) prizes both materially and financially to attract contestants.

Also, we need fund to put the pageant on the world stage by giving it national and international coverage so that Ndokwa Culture and identity will get world attention.

We will be able to get professional consultants to tutor and groom our contestants as resource persons during their camping period.

We would also be able to purchase a bus to convey the contestants and crew members to strategic locations during camping as well as get a branded car for The Queen to enable her carryout her pet project during her one year reign.

Checkout for the publication of part 2 in a week time… stay connected with us till then.

FG outlines developmental programmes to revive the nation's economy

The Federal Government says it has outlined various developmental programmes that will revive the nation’s economy, restore the value of the naira and “drive hunger from our land.’’ President Muhammadu Buhari said this in a national broadcast to mark Nigeria’s 56th Independence Anniversary in Abuja on Saturday . 

Buhari said the programmes, included the constructions and rehabilitation of new roads, housing and power projects across the country, adding that already the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing had received N197.5 billion for the execution of some of the projects. According to him, already contractors have recalled 9,000 workers laid off and several hundreds of thousands of workers will be reengaged in the next few months as our public works programme gains momentum. 

He said the affected roads were the dualisations of Calabar- Itu Road in Cross River/Akwa Ibom, Lokoja-Benin Road, Ehor=Benin city and reconstruction of outstanding sections of Benin-Shagamu Expressway Edo/Ogun. Others were the expansion works on Lagos-Ibadan Dual carriageway (Ogun/Oyo); rehabilitation of Onitsha-Enugu Expressway (Anambra/Enugu); and rehabilitation and reconstruction of Enugu-Port Harcourt dual carriageway. He said the rehabilitation of Hadejia-Nguru Road, dualisation of Kano-Katsina Road in Kano State, dualisation of Kano-Maiduguri Road, dualisation of Azare-Potiskum Road, Azare-Sharuri Road, Bauchi State, would also be carried out. 

The president revealed that rehabilitation work would also be carried out on Ilorin- Jebba-Mokwa-Birnin Gwari Road, while Oju/Lokoja-Oweto Bridge over River Benue in Benue would be constructed. “Other major highways are in the queue for rehabilitation or new construction.’’ 

On railways, Buhari disclosed that Federal Government had provided its counterpart funding to China for the building of the standard gauge Lagos-Kano railway. He said, “the General Electric is investing 2.2billion dollars in a concession to revamp, provide rolling stock, and manage the existing lines, including the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri Line.’’ He said that the Lagos-Calabar railway would soon be on stream. 

On housing, the president revealed that the government had initiated the National Housing Programme. “In 2014 N400 million was voted for housing. In 2015 nothing. Our first budget this year is devoting N356 billion,” he said, adding that much of the housing projects would be private sector-driven. He, however, said Federal Government would be initiating a pilot housing scheme of 2,838 units uniformly spread across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. “We expect these units to be completed within four to six months. These experimental Nigeria House model Units will be constructed using only made in Nigeria building materials and components.’’ 

He expressed the hope that the housing initiative would reactivate the building materials manufacturing sector, generate massive employment opportunities and develop sector capacity and expertise.

News Updates for today Nigeria's 56th Independence Day

NEWS UPDATES;;
Sat, 1 Oct 2016

*Nigeria is 56 today
*Jimoh Ibrahim is our candidate, not Jegede — Ondo PDP
*Gunmen kidnap Central Bank Governor’s wife, demand N1.5bn ransom
*Gas Shortage: Dangote Cement, Bua Turn To Coal
*Independence Day not worth celebrating –Nigerian celebrities
*Recession: Why I can’t stop blaming Obj, Yar’Adua, Jonathan – Buhari
*HIV/AIDS Prevalence Rate Drops
*NCC Warns against Unregistered Sim Cards
*Saraki, Mark, Ekweremadu Call for Co-operation, Sober Reflection
*PDP Blasts APC, says Party Responsible Nation’s Woes
*Tinubu vs. Oyegun: The battle for 2019 begins
*NJC sacks Enugu CJ, Kwara Appeal Court Justice, Kano judge for alleged corruption
*NCC warns against use of unregistered SIM cards
*FIRS generates N675bn from education tax in two years
*ECOWAS court offers assistance to curtail terrorism financing
*BBOG flays FG over contradicting positions on Chibok girls’ rescue
*Ahead of LG election: Ogun police warns against thuggery, ballot snatching
*US Salutes Nigerians on Independence Anniversary
*Tinubu: Nigeria not Where it Should Be
*Nigeria @ 56: A Twisted Journey To Nationhood
*Edo Guber: Our Democracy In Danger, Says PDP
*Dangote Saves Nigeria $2.5bn From Cement Import
*Abdulmumin Jibrin: A Rebel without a Cause
*Independence Day: Nigeria Working To Address Challenges – US
*NJC To Hand Over Justice Auta To Police
*Budget Padding Scandal: Jibrin gives lawmakers 3 days to return illegal allowances
*External reserve falls to $24.59bn
*Diversification: FG begins bio-fuel project next year
*Economic Recovery Policy Will Save Nigeria –ICAN
*Stay Away From National Assets, NUPENG Warns Moneybags
*Navy foils militants attempt to bomb Warri Refinery
*Niger to create over 2,000 jobs from Gurara falls
*New Adamawa CP vows to disarm herdsmen
*FRSC Begins Enforcement Of Speed Limit Device
*Labour, workers kick as FG eyes pension fund
*Nigerians yearn for better leaders as nation turns 56
*Nigeria @56: Nigeria not on track, say Ekweremadu, Fasoranti, others
*Zamfara assigns five academicians to write state’s history from scratch
Earlier today
*Bauchi gov frees 22 prison inmates
Lalong bans Independence goodwill messages
*Fayose’s accounts remain frozen till November 7
*PDP crisis: Justice Abang adjourns suit indefinitely
*Sex trafficking of African migrants in Europe is a ‘modern plague’
*Conte insists no problem with Abramovich visiting training ground
*Rangers deserve to be champions – Akpokona
*Edo election: APGA accuses INEC of allotting 876 votes, claims party polled 30,000
*Edo election: Fayose denies telling Ize-Iyamu to congratulate Obaseki
*Kanu Nwankwo had a great impact on my career – Wenger
*Troops rescue kidnap victims in Mai Haru, Bauchi
*Presidency says current economic policy best Nigeria ever had
*NIS recruitment trial: Witness reveals how Senators lobbied for slots
*Man batters wife over missing N2,000
*Conte says Mikel Obi to miss Hull game with minor muscular problem
*Actor, Davidson Dike says recession has turned celebrities to gigolos, whores
*Kogi: Supreme Court explains why Faleke, Wada’s appeals were dismissed
*Mob beats up suspected robber who stole N500,000 from supermarket in Abuja
*Nigeria at 56: U.S says there is still much work to be done
*Man brutally murders wife for converting to Christianity
*Herbalist arrested for raping 15-year-old girl
*Nigerians are dying while you pursue shadows – CLO blasts Buhari
*How we recovered over N1bn from politicians, others in Niger Delta within seven months – EFCC
*Man arraigned in court for forging WAEC certificate


***Happy independence anniversary!

I did not bring Buhari to power - Obasanjo

Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo on Tuesday debunked newspaper reports quoting him as saying that he and a few others brought President Muhammadu Buhari to power. He dismissed the reports as baseless, untrue and calculated attempts to smear him. 

Obasanjo, who is in Jalingo, Taraba State, said President Buhari was overwhelmingly voted by many Nigerians. “ No single individual or group can claim that glory,” he said. 

During a courtesy visit to Governor Darius Ishaku, Obasanjo spoke about the economic potentials of the state. He said the Mambila Plateau in Taraba had the potential of becoming the hub of tea production in Africa. He expressed determination to promote the tea production potential of the state using his connections and experience. “ The Taraba tea factory is a symbol of national greatness. The tea potential of this state can attract global demand and earn the nation foreign exchange,” he said. 

Obasanjo noted that beside tea, the state also had potentials in cattle rearing, poultry, power generation, among others. “ The livestock potential of this state surpasses any kind of cattle rearing known in this country. “ likewise in poultry which of course is in commercial quantity. “ The Mambilla Hydro-Power Project, if completed, has the capacity to generate more than half of our power demand in this country. “ Therefore, Taraba is indeed a blessing to this country,” Obasanjo said. There are over 50,000 hectares of land suitable for tea production on the Mambilla Plateau.

Japanese billionaire gives Dream Team VI cash rewards

Japanese surgeon, billionaire Katsuya Takasu gave the Nigeria Olympic football team, Dream Team VI, cash rewards for winning a #bronze medal for Nigeria having defeated Hunduras 3-2.

Team coach, Samson Siasia, and Mikel Obi captain got $200,000 and $190,000, respectively.

Katsuya Takasu had promised each player of the Nigerian U-23 team $30, 000 if they win the gold in the men’s soccer event and will pay the team $20, 000 dollars for silver and $12,000 for bronze.

Jonathan has no plan to destabilize Nigeria—Niger Delta indigenes

President Buhari.       Good luck Jonathan

Concerned indigenes of the Niger Delta region, on Tuesday, described as ‘an orchestrated lie” the accusation levelled against former President Goodluck Jonathan as being part of the sponsors of the Niger Delta Avengers.

They assured President Muhammadu Buhari that Dr. Jonathan has no plan to destabilize the nation.

The concerned Niger Delta indigenes, under the aegis of the Coalition of Niger Deltans for Justice and Development (CNDJD), said the former President has proved himself to be meek and honest man with the unity and togetherness of Nigeria uppermost in his heart.

According to the group, the allegation of sponsoring militancy against Dr. Goodluck Jonathan is a deliberate attempt to set him on a war part with the incumbent President, Mohammadu Buhari.

The Concerned Niger Delta indigenes, in a statement issued in Yenagoa and signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Ebiakpo Barle, stated that those behind the false allegation against Jonathan were disappointed by his peaceful disposition towards the defeat during the last Presidential election against their false prediction on dismemberment of the nation.

“These dissatisfied and angry elements after their failed predictions are fanning ember of disunity, destabilization, disintegration and liquidation of Nigeria.

“They are plotting to set the former President, Goodluck Jonathan and President Muhammadu Buhari on a collision course with consequence that could be monumental.

"It is an inhuman and diabolic plan to distract President Buhari from the ongoing anti-corruption war. It is unfortunate that these elements are not aware of President Buhari position on Dr. Goodluck Jonathan with the consistent open declaration and respect for voluntarily conceding defeat during the last election.

“We appreciate President Buhari for his statement, confidence and trust reposed so far in former President Goodluck Jonathan and call on him to shun and dismiss any though that his predecessor is involved with a militant group in the Niger Delta region.

"Let President Buhari be assured that Jonathan has no link with persons in these groups and has nothing to do with their activities. He has no plans to make Nigerian ungovernable for either President Buhari or the Federal Government.

"We believe any existence of such is in the pigment of myopic mindset and cynical imagination of those evil elements who wants to visit Jonathan with wickedness and plunge the country into chaos," the group.

On the posture of the Former President, Goodluck Jonathan on the ongoing anti-corruption campaign by President Mohammadu Buhari, the indigenes of the Niger Delta insisted that the former President have been silent and have never criticize the present administration.

"The former President knows corruption is endemic and has come a long way in the life of Nigeria hence he tackled it the much and best he could while in office. So, like everyone else, he expects President Buhari now saddled with directing affairs of the nation to likewise improve on his performance in his own way and style for good governance to remedy things and to keep Nigeria afloat, united and moving forward in the interest of all.

“Dr. Jonathan’s only prayer, concern and desire as a believer in the rule of law and the sanctity of life, is for persons alleged of corruption and other offences is for them to be brought to open court to face proper speedy trial and within time frame provided by the specific law for the particular crime in the interest of justice,” the group noted.

Jonathan denies link with Avengers

Former President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, dismissed reports linking him to Niger Delta Avengers, describing them as a figment of the authors' imagination.

Some national dailies had reported that the former President had a link with Niger Delta Avengers and in another report, said the Federal Government was probing him for Niger Delta bombings.

But Jonathan in a statement signed by his spokesman, Mr. Ikechukwu Eze, said the reports were not different from allegations made earlier by Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta. MEND, which were mere fabrications.

The statement read in part:  "We obviously would have ignored the allegation, having responded recently to the exact same fabrication peddled by a shady militant group, but for the new dimension of bringing in the authorities, while hiding under the often-abused journalism latitude of quoting nebulous ‘sources.’

"Firstly, we note that there were similarities in the two stories published the same day by the two newspapers, that are too striking to pass the test of the normal newsroom process of diligent reporting and independent investigation.

''We are convinced that such clear coincidences are only permissible in situations where general statements are issued, but not on matters of intelligence/security reports which do not fly into newsrooms as press releases.

"We are also concerned that the stories did not differ in content and substance from the trite allegations earlier made by the so called Reformed Niger Delta Avengers over the same lies of linking Jonathan to the militants.

"For instance, we are amazed that a newspaper would be quick to report that “the intelligence gathering was said to be a confirmation of a similar claim by the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta(MEND),” even without subjecting such frivolity to any ethical interrogation.

"From what we know about intelligence gathering, there is no responsible Government agency that would rush, as claimed in the newspaper stories, to adopt the accusations of a questionable rebellious organization as its own findings, without applying the professional processes of rigour and due diligence."

‘’It is sad that the two publications wore the cloak of the deceit from the same misguided characters that are hell-bent on pulling down the former President, despite his clear record of diligent service to his country and long standing commitment to the good of society.

‘’There is no doubt that there exist such people who may have scores to settle with the former President but are now feeling frustrated by the fact that his national and international profile has continued to rise, despite their recourse to endless muck-raking character assassination. ‘’Such people will stop at nothing to continue to throw obstacles, albeit futilely, on his path.

We are aware that the same people approached other well-meaning newspapers with the same false information, but they were wise to turn it down on account of its absurdity.

‘’Our media houses should then be careful not to make the country a laughing stock by being hoodwinked into passing off the perverted voices of irritant groups as that of our well respected official and security authorities.

‘’Apart from toying with the serious issue of libel, those newspapers lending themselves to be so cheaply used by miscreants, are also doing gross disservice to our collective good and the image of the country.’’

Buhari’s bodyguards, police set to clash in Abuja

The Police have deployed mobile policemen to the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Office in Abuja, venue of the planned protest by former bodyguards to President Muhammadu Buhari who participated during the campaigns.

The Spokesperson of the group, Badiru Olabiyi Balogun, told reporters on Thursday, that his group will go ahead with the protest.

He said, “Two truck loads of mobile policemen have been deployed to our  office and that is our office. They said the instruction was that they should not allow us access to the office and that the people outside should not be allowed to go out. So, we are meeting there by 9:00 am this (Thursday) morning to disgrace them. The venue is APC Presidential Campaign Office in front of Unity Bank, CBD, Abuja.”

Recall that the group had earlier issued a video documentary of their plights which went viral online.

In the video some of the protesting bodyguards were embittered over their “exclusion” by those they described “cabals in the government.”

They alleged that apart from the 20,000 they got on two occasions in January and February 2015, “we had never and were never given anything.”

Why I named my dog ‘Buhari’ — Trader

The Police in Ogun State, yesterday, released unconditionally, the 30-year-old trader, Joe Fortemose  Chinakwe, who was arrested last Saturday for naming his pet dog ‘Buhari’.

The embattled trader, who was visibly angry after his three-day incarceration in police cell, was let off the hook around 5pm on Tuesday after the intervention of both the Serkin Hausa and President-General of non-indigenes in the state.

It was learned that the prompt intervention of the elders made the complainant to withdraw the case he reported against the trader at Sango-Ota division which was later transferred to Police headquarters at Eleweran.

However, police sources said both the complainant and suspect were made to sign an undertaking not to cause any breach of peace again.

Speaking after this release, the trader, a father of two from the Niger Delta, who trades on second hand clothing lamented that he was made to suffer for no just cause.

Complainant from Niger Republic

Narrating his ordeal, Chinakwe said “It is annoying because the complainant is from Niger Republic and I am sure he is one of those illegal aliens in this country.  He connived with one Police Sergeant from the Northern part of Nigeria called Musa, who works at Sango Police division to humiliate me.  Worse still, the Divisional Police Officer there, did not help matters as he refused to entertain any plea from me after I was arrested that Saturday night. He simply ordered his men to throw me into the cell.”

Why dog was named Buhari

Continuing, he said “I did not commit any offence. I named my beloved pet dog Buhari, who is my hero. My admiration for Buhari started far back when he was a military Head of State. It continued till date that he is a civilian President. After reading his dogged fight against corruption, which is like a canker worm eating into the very existence of this country, I solely decided to rename my beloved dog which I called Buhari, after him. I did not know that I was committing an offence for admiring Buhari

Ordeal with Police

“I was intimidated and thrown inside the cell with hardened criminals for about three days. While I was there, the complainant from Niger Republic and Sergeant Musa from the North kept on taunting me saying people from my part of the country are trouble makers and that after detaining me, they will throw me into prison where I will die unsung.

''Even when my wife came with our baby on her back, they stopped her from giving me food.  One of my friends that came to see me was also maltreated.

“While taking me to Eleweran the next day, they handcuffed and chained me together with that my friend. Fortunately, when we got to police headquarters, both the Commissioner of Police and other officers were angry with their colleagues at Sango-Ota.

''They were wondering loudly why I was brought to the headquarters over such a minor case. It’s very unfortunate that I have to be so humiliated in my own country because of the antics of a foreigner in connivance with my brother from the North.”

I have found my Certificate - Godwin Obaseki, Edo APC Governorship Candidate.

Edo State Governorship

Godwin Obaseki

candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo state, Mr Godwin Obaseki, Wednesday, disclosed that he has found his missing certificates, saying those raising false alarm over the issue are only scared of his credentials.

Obaseki who disclosed this during an interactive session with members of Civil Society Organisations in the state with the theme, "The Need for Governorship Candidates to Effectively Promotes their programmes to Edo People", also disclosed his plans to build Mini stadiums across the eighteen Local Government Areas of the state if elected. The Executive Director of the African Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) Rev.David Ugolor, said the interactive session was organized to enable the public relate with the APC candidate, saying that “all the candidates will appear before us and I want to state that none of the candidates have given us money or is sponsoring this exercise, civil society groups funded it so we will know the pedigree of the candidates in order not to vote the wrong person”.

Obaseki who equally disclosed that if elected his administration will build mini stadiums in the 18 Local Government Areas of the state, said he found out that “my certificate was
missing in Lagos during this period so I had to get a sworn affidavit and all the
institutions I attended acknowledged that I attended the schools. However, while the mischief makers in PDP raised the alarm because they have nothing else to talk about me, my brother in New York read about it and called me to say Godwin your original certificate is here with me. “I said Oh my God please send it down. So I have found it. These guys are intimidated with my qualifications that is why they are running up and down” he stated.

Disclosing plans to boost sports development in the state, Obaseki noted that sports have become a big business in the country therefore stressed the need to provide a mini stadium in each of the Local Government so as to encourage youths to explore their talents in different sports. According to him, the only way government can attract investment into the sector, is to first be involved in its development, saying “We have them in abundant, youths with great talents and to expose these talents, we are going to build mini stadium in each of
the eighteen Local Government Areas of the state. "We do all our campaigns in public school fields and some of these schools, we have an apple space where these mini stadium can be built. For me, this is part of what we are going to do to promote sports development in the state when elected”.

The APC candidate who also disclosed how he intends to improve the economy of the state through agriculture, noted that no government would be able to satisfy everybody at the same time particularly with the dwindling revenue from the Federation account, asserting however that he intends to look inward and generate funds so he can run the state effectively.

Lesson for the week

Opute C. Joel and Jimmy Jean Louis in a movie location

One day a school teacher wrote on the board the following:

9×1=7
9×2=18
9×3=27
9×4=36
9×5=45
9×6=54
9×7=63
9×8=72
9×9=81
9×10=90

When she was done, she looked to the students and they were all laughing at her because of the first equation which was wrong. The teacher looks at them and said the following:

"I wrote that first one wrong on purpose, because I want you to learn something important in life. This is for you to know how the world out there will treat you. You can see that I wrote RIGHT 9, 9 times but none of you congratulated me for that, you all rather prefer to laughed and criticized me because of one wrong thing I did. So this is the lesson...

'The world will never appreciate the good you do a million times, but will criticize the one wrong thing you do...

...But don't get discouraged, ALWAYS RISE ABOVE ALL THE LAUGHTER AND CRITICISMS. STAY  STRONG AND ALWAYS BE YOURSELF.

please don't read alone, be magnanimous to share with your friends.

I'm back!

Touching: Keshi's funeral rites begin (Photos)

The funeral rites of the late Stephen Keshi started with a mass service at the St. Paul Catholic Church in Benin on Thursday, July 28.

The event was well attended by family members, top members of the Nigeria Football Federation, ex-internationals and a host of other well wishers.

It was confirmed that the service will be followed by a novelty match in the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium in Benin.

The former Super Eagles captain and coach Stephen Okechukwu Keshi died in Benin on June 8, after he was said to have complained of a leg ailment.

However, his remains will depart Benin City for Asaba after the church service on Thursday, July 28, to Delta state from 1:15pm. On arrival, there will be lying in state ceremony at Stephen Keshi Stadium, Indoor Hall, Asaba, from 3:15pm, while a service of songs/vigil mass will hold at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Illah, Delta state by 6:00pm same day.

Friday, July 29, 2016, the body leaves Asaba for Illah by 7am, and there will be a brief stopover at the Ogbelani Palace for traditional rites as a palace chief by 8:00am, followed by lying in state at his family home, Ukpologwu Quarters, Illah, from 8:30am.

The requiem mass will take place at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Illah, by 10:00am after which interment will hold at his family compound, Ukpologwu Quarters, Illah, from 12:30pm. Entertainment of guests will be at Omorka Primary School Playground by 12:30pm.

The burial ceremonies will be rounded off on Sunday, July 31, with a thanksgiving mass at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Illah, by 10:00am.

Undertakers carrying the corpse

Coffin of the late tactician

Delegates of the Nigeria Football federation led by its president Amaju Pinick

Children of the late tac tician