How LKT’s Manager Died Of LEUKEMIA

Last week Tuesday January 15th  2013 The Nigeria entertainment was once again thrown into a mourning mood following the death of hip hop singer LKT’s manager Emmanuel Okoi aka Emibrian.

 

 The 29 years old young man was very popular and died exactly a month after he got married to his Delta born wife Jennifer Ejinkoye Okoi.  There have been several allegations to what could have led to the death of the good looking young man and while some people say he was poisoned many others assume the light complexioned young man must have died due to an undisclosed illness.  Narrating what led to his death and how he died LKT told Music Gist that he was diagnosed of Leukemia and died while he was been prepared to be taken to UK for proper treatment.  Narrating his last days LKT said “his sickness started when he returned from Delta State where he had gone for his traditional wedding.  Though he mentioned something about feeling poisoned but we all thought it was not a serious thing because he went to the hospital and came back home.  One week after his return from his traditional wedding he started feeling sick and was vomiting blood.  He was rushed to a hospital and was kept there for one week.  He was preparing for his court wedding then and the hospital discharged him so he could go ahead with his court wedding.  He fell ill again after the court wedding and was rushed back to the hospital.  It was at this hospital that he was referred to LUTH and there he was operated upon.  One part of his ear and neck was operated upon.  He kept on vomiting blood and 15 pints of blood was given to him but that didn’t help.  They had to take a test on his bone marrow and we were duly informed that he had leukemia. 

 

Based on the fact that he was diagnosed of leukemia we started making arrangement to fly him to the UK for proper treatment.  We were told he would have to undergo some therapy before been flown abroad and that was why his trip to UK was delayed.  On the day he died, he went to LUTH for the therapy but one thing I remember  is that he didn’t even feel like going to the hospital that day. They had to beg him to.  On getting to the hospital they didn’t attend to him on time and he was in the car for 4hrs waiting on the doctors.  It’s so sad how our doctors ignore patients and while he was in the car he was vomiting blood continuously.  He was in serious pain.  When they eventually gave him attention he had  lost so  much blood and they requested for fresh blood and not that in the blood bank.  His brother that was with him that day does not share the same blood group with him and while in the process of getting fresh blood he gave up the ghost.  It’s so sad, he died in pains because he was groaning in pains.”  He will be buried in Calabar on February 2^nd 2013

CP

GOV. AMAECHI’S FIGHT WITH NYESOM WIKE OVER 2015 GUBER AMBITION GETS MESSIER

This 2015 elections in Rivers State looks to be very interesting within the PDP.  This is because there are two power brokers, Gov. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, and Hon Nyesom Wike, Minister of State for Education.

 

  In Rivers States, the influence of both politicians – Gov. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and Hon.  Nyesom Wike- cannot be underestimated.  Both are very influential but Amaechi stands heads and shoulder above Wike.  Amaechi has a well-oiled and time-tested political structure that is as old as Amaechi’s journey in politics over 30 years, but Wike does not have that.  The only thing going for Wike is his ambition.

 

Amaechi on the other hand believes in long-standing friendship and relationship plus the ability to deliver when the opportunity beckons.  He is also down-to-earth and believable. Wike, on his part, has done so much in recent times to build bridges  with prominent politicians like Austin Opara, Sergeant Awuse, Lee Maeba, Alaka Nwogu, Peter Odili, Celestine Omehia, Chidi Lloyd, Glory Emeh, Agbon Baffi, Tamuno Gogo -Jaja, Kenneth Kobani and a host of others. 

 

These were politicians whose toes he allegedly stepped on during his position as Amaechi’s Chief of Staff (COS).  How these men now, will work with him at the fullness of time, will be very interesting to see.  These are people who were ahead of him on the political ladder but he made them irrelevant in Amaechi’s first tenure especially Allwell Onyesoh, former Education and Sports Commissioner under Ex-Governor , Peter Odili.  Now it appears the wheel has gone full circle, so  it will be interesting to see how it plays out. 

 

The biggest problem Wike  is likely to have is how to make the political titans  believe him so as to throw their support drawing from their past experiences with him.  Wike dumped all those who had helped him into power.  There is the story that after Sen. John Mbata made him a Local Government Chairman in 1999, immediately he assumed office, he became Mbata’s greatest enemy.  Amaechi/Odili gave him a second tenure against the wishes of Obi/Akpor people but in 2007, he fought Odili on the side of Amaechi.  Right now, he is fighting Amaechi.  And the question people are asking is who’s next?

 

-CP

 

WHERE IS SEGUN OLAKOJO?

 He is the son of the former Secretary to the State Government during the immediately past regime in Oyo State.  He was S.A. to ex-Governor (Akala) on Environment.  He had the ears and eyes of ex-Gov. Akala.  People courted him to have access to the corridors of power.  Money was not his problem and he commanded a lot of respect with friends and associates.  The ladies won’t let him be.  They sought his attention desperately.  After the expiration of the last regime, he opened an office around Bodija where he was into loans and investments but less than 2 years now, the office is under lock and key.  He recently put up one of his cars, a Tourage Jeep for sale but is yet to get a buyer.  Segun doesn’t socialize as before.

 

 

AZEEM GBOLARUMI TO CONTEST FOR OYO GUBER COME 2015?

He was a Deputy to former Oyo State Governor, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala before Ladoja Adewolu was re-instated as Governor.  That he contested the guber ticket with his former boss is stale news.  At a point in time, he was very close to Gov. Abiola Ajimobi.  He used to sit with the Governor at social functions if he was there.  He used to break Ramadan fast sometimes with the Governor.  Aare  Arisekola Alao is their mutual close brother.  But what we hear now is that Azeem Gbolarumi, Lekan Balogun, Elder Wole Oyelese, have joined ranks with the Folarin candidacy come 2015 in PDP.  Azeem, who is currently a law student in University of Ibadan, is reportedly silently building his political machinery for 2015.  Be as it may, he would have Gov. Abiola Ajimobi to contend with at the polls come 2015.

 -CP

IBADAN SOCIALITE, DAMILOLA FADIRAN DIES ON XMAS DAY

Those who didn’t know this popular socialite by name, Oluwadamilola Ayodele Fadiran called him Kados in Ibadan.  He relocated from Canada to settle in Ibadan and was a man about town.  Last Xmas, he was driving on the Ibadan end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway overhead bridge.  His car had a brake failure and dropped down from the bridge to the expressway.  It was a sad  day for his friends and family.  On the 17^th January this year , his friends in Ibadan had a burial ceremony for him in Erewa at Titus & Timothy Anglican Church.   His Canadian wife  and Canadian son were  absent but his Nigeria wife, Toyin and daughter Seyi were there.  The wife spoke about the life of her husband who she  described as very nice.  His friends who were a fulcrum of support were Solomon (called Solo), Bayo  Salami, Gboyega Fabiyi, Hon. Demola Omotosho, Shina Alabi, Architect Kayode Fakunle, Babatunde Oduyoye, tuned Odeyemi, Biodun Fagbohun, Chief Bimpe Lanlehin, Jide Fabiyi, Soji Babalola, Barrister Tunde Adeoye, Remi Adeyemo, Jasper Ajisafe, Surveyor Ade Taiwo.

 

-CP

 

 

How IBADAN Business Woman Duped Me Of N6.5m

*Evangelist FUNMI ARAGBAIYE Recounts Ordeal

*As Ex-President, OBASANJO Wades In

 

 

            Have you met Gospel singer, Evangelist Funmi Aragbaiye of late?  If you have, you must have noticed that she looks troubled.  The source of her worry is the N6 million she paid to popular Ibadan business woman, Deaconess Adetoun Oladeji a.k.a For The Mama Ke who also sells land in Ibadan.

 

            According to the DEED of Assignment between Deaconess Adetohum Oladeji & Evangelist Dr. (Mrs.) Funmi Aragaiye the piece of land is situated  at Agbonle Village, Gbopa Area, Ologuneru, Eleyede, Ibadan, Oyo State, measuring approximately 3 acres.

 

            It was shortly after she commenced the foundation and the pillars on the land that a set of people who claimed to be the rightful owners came out to take over the plots of land claiming it does not belong to Mama Ke.

 

            “It all begin in year  2010.  I needed land for my Ministry and was introduced to the woman called Deaconess Adetoun Oladeji, popularly known as “For The Mama  Ke”.  I called her up and she asked me to come  for a meeting days later.  When I got there, I told her what I needed the land for a she said she had a land in Apete area of Ibadan, Oyo State.

 

            I declined the offer because I needed land on the express and she later said there’s another one around Ologuneru in Ibadan too but that it goes for 10million naira.  I told her I don’t have such amount so we settled for 6 million naira.  I paid outright and she tendered me some documents.”

 

            Unknown to me, they were fake documents and I later realized the Estate does not belong to her.  This was after getting the receipt from the Surveyor.

 

            “One of the days I decided to go to  see for myself, I saw some people working on the supposed land.  So I called to tell her I was no longer interested in the land because I personally  hate cheating.  And a land where were we have not started operation, and there were issues already”.

 

            “Upon departure from the area, one Major Laoye (rtd.) (SA to present Oyo State Governor) now appeared to inquire about what happened.  I narrated my ordeal to him and he said the land she purportedly sold to me belonged to one.   “Ikubeweje” family, and that is the only family that has the final say whether to sell the land or not”.

 

            “After I mounted pressure on her, she accepted to return the money to me via a cheque of 6.5million naira which eventually bounced when I got to the bank.  That alone infuriated me as she has been reluctant to refund my money.  I decided to calm down because I needed to get my money back, so I informed her that the First Bank Cheque No 9983864 bounced due to DAR.  She now postdated another cheque for me which was equally a dud cheque.

 

            Towards the end of 2010 and beginning   of 2011, I went to perform for former President Olusegun Obasanjo and he now surprisingly asked what my challenges were in my Ministry.  So I told him about Madam Adetoun and how she took my 6.5million naira.  Obasanjo asked me if I had any of her contacts and I told him I have that of her son.  He requested  a number  and I gave him Akinyele Oladji’s number.  He called him immediately.  He is the present Tax Consultant for Lagos State.

 

            For 3 mins, Obasanjo was on phone with him and asked if he knew one Funmi Aragbaye and he said Yes.  Obasanjo asked why Mama Ke duped her and he said he will do something about it.

 

            Despite all these interventions she has not returned my money till date.  ‘Mama Ke’ has land all over Ibadan.  There is even one close to Monatan around Tantalisers and yet she goes on collecting money from people to sell them land.  I later called her again after Obasanjo spoke with her son and she threatened my life.

 

            Two Sundays ago, one Ibadan Lawyer Mr. Lowo Obisesan who is a Commissioner in Oyo State called me to say he is Mama Ke’s lawyer and that I should come over to his office.  I instantly called my lawyer too Chief Akin Olujimi who had initially written a petition on this matter.

 

            Together, we left for Lawyer Obisesan’s office.

            Surprisingly we were denied entry as the security and policemen stopped us with their guns pointing  at  us at the entrance.  Then I explained to one of the policemen that it was Lawyer Obisesan that invited me and from where I stood, I could sight him upstairs looking at us and did not say a word.

 

            When the policemen got impatient,  one of them threatened to shoot me while one Mustapha wanted to beat me up.  I left there shockingly and called “Mama Ke” to relate what transpired between her lawyer and me”.

 

            “Days later, I was advised to go see her son ,Mr. Kayode.  When I got there, he asked who it was and I said Funmi Aragbaye.  He was so excited to see me, he  welcome me, offered me a seat and started bringing out all my CD’s both old and new.  So I told him I didn’t come for familiarity but to explain what his mother did to me.

            Angrily, he told me it’s been 20 years he stepped into his mother’s house that he is not happy with his mum.

 

            Afterwards I organized a press conference which came out in one of the dailies.  She reacted to it because Splash FM aired it.

 

            Many people confirmed she is owing them several millions of naira and that they were waiting for the right time.

 -CP

 

 

 

DEBORAH VANESSA SAYS SHE IS NO LESBIAN

Deborah Vanessa is one of the newly emerged musicians making waves very fast on the music scene. She is one pretty big babe in Accra, who has always been in the news. She is  also a  model, Television presenter, fashion designer.She is the  kid sister of controversial musician Wanlov D’ Kubolor.  The fact that she has not been sighted with a male, be it a friend, lover or husband, has sparked speculations that she may be a lesbian.  Last week however, sexy Deborah came out publicly to deny the rumours.  “Hell no, I’m not a Lesbian. I’m not even a bisexual.  I’m straight and I love men”, she said in an exclusive interview with an Accra-based magazine,  NEWS-ONE.  She explained that even though she is not a fan of gay and lesbian relationship, she does not believe that people should be condemned based on their sexuality.  “I don’t think they should be condemned because we are all human beings and we need to respect their rights and their sexualities.  Since we are not God, we can’t explain why a person feels a certain way”, she said.  Meanwhile, the entertainer says she is enjoying the popularity her song ‘Uncle Obama’ is getting after her interview on CNN to clarify issues on the song.  She said the number of views on her You Tube page shot up massively after the interview.

 

STAR ACTRESS SHAN GEORGE RELOCATES TO CALABAR

 

It may surprise many to know that star actress Shan George who recently premiered her new movie “Finding Goodluck” has finally relocated  to Calabar, Cross Rivers State.  The Nollywood Diva who before now resided at a posh apartment in Ikeja area of Lagos State, according to what we gathered, took the decision to relocate back home in order to take care of her aged mum who has been sick since March 2012.  The pretty actress has been taking care of her mum in Lagos but as the illness seems to be taking a grater toll on the aged mum, she decided to relocate to Calabar her home town.  Shan George who has also featured and produced a couple of movies in the past will still remain very active in her acting career.

IKEM CHUDE BECOMES PASTOR IN FIREMAN’S CHURCH

For some time now top actor, Ikem Chude has been off the movie scene.  He has not been featuring in movies as he used to.  This has kept several  tongues wagging on what mush have kept him off the scene.  The talented actor has dumped his acting profession to winning souls for God.  He is now a top Pastor at Fireman’s church located around Aguda, Surulere area of Lagos State.  Ikem, no doubt, has done so well for himself.  He has featured in a whole lot of movies which include  Sacred Blood, The last Supper, Burning kingdom , Royal Reward, Jealous princess, Weeping Soul, Broken Tears, Kiss my Pain, My Girlfriend, My Only Girl, Onoja, amongst several others.

 

5 Powerful Catholic Priests In Nigeria

Fr Mbaka

Fr Edeh 

In Nigeria today, there are many revered men of God who are as powerful as they are influential.  In this league are some powerful Catholic Reverend Fathers whose integrity are still very much intact, in spite of all the rot and sacrileges in Christendom these days.  These Reverend Fathers are holy and still keep to their calling, leaving no room whatsoever for compromise or deviation from all Catholics norms and doctrines.   Unlike many men of God nowadays who are meddling in politics, making names and money for themselves in the process, these Reverend Fathers are apolitical.  Most of them own prayer ministries, and even schools.  They are renowned for accurate predictions, healings and life-changing counseling, coupled with parishes that each one of them coordinate.

 

 Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Ede is one of these powerful and influential Reverend Fathers in Nigeria.  He is the founder of Catholic Prayer Ministry of the Holy Spirit, Elele, Rivers State.  Fr. (Father) Ede as he is called, is perhaps the first Catholic Priest whose miracle works remain very popular and unequalled in the history of Catholic church in Nigeria.  He is a household name in the area of breaking of curses/yokes, and healing of the sick through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

A power-packed monthly miracle programme he holds at Pilgrimage Centre, Elele town, Rivers Sate, usually attracts thousands of Christians, and even non-Christians from all parts of the country who always besiege the place, every month for breakthroughs in all areas of life.  Beyond the transformation that this fire-brand Priest has brought to the pattern of worship in the Catholic Church, he is the proprietor of 2 reputable institutions of higher  learning.  He is the proprietor of Our Saviour Institute of Science and Technology, (OSISATEC) Enugu State and Madonna University Okija, Anambra State.

 

Another of such Reverend Father is Ejike  Mbaka, in Enugu, a very popular firebrand preacher of the gospel.  Signs and Wonders usually follow his powerful ministrations.  Mbaka’s weekly all-night adoration crusade at Emene, Enugu, has continued to be a big crowd-pulling programme as many Catholic faithful always throng the round to attend the programme.  Though many of his ministrations and preaching’s are controversial,  and sometimes anti-government, this has not in any way diminished the ever-soaring profile of the priest.    His miracles have, in no small way, helped in letting many young parishioners stay put in Catholic, because all they would have got in Pentecostal, miracle-happening churches, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mabaka makes happen in Catholic Church.  His miracles have brought Pentecostals, Methodists, and Anelicans etc to swell the Roman Catholic crowd.  People come from abroad to attend his crusade.  Fr. Mbaka is not just a charismatic preacher, he is also an anointed singer.  His recorded messages on DDs, DVDs and audio tapes are fast-selling in the market.His AQUARAPHA sachet water is second to none in the South East. 

 

Rev. Fr. Dominic Nwobodo, the director, Vincentian Retreat Centre, Lagos, is another revered Catholic Priest who usually performs miracles and win souls for Christ in Nigeria.  Convinced that Nwobodo has the divine gift  as a miracle worker, the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos  gave him the approval to establish the Vincentian Retreat Centre in the Ojodu area of Lagos.  Today, the Centre has become a pilgrimage of some sorts, as miracles-seeking people troop to the Centre in search of divine solutions to their myriads of problems.  Programmes he organize include, counseling for couples, monthly midnight vigil and breaking of curses.  Fr. Dom, as he is fondly called, has successfully carved a niche for himself in this regard. 

 

Fr. Basil Gbuzue is another Catholic Priest whose exploits for God cannot be underestimated.  He is renowned for his prayers and never-seen-before miracles.His prayers and miracles have transformed many lives, from the path of destruction, abject poverty to fulfillment and abundance, in all area of their lives.  There are testifiers to the goodness of God through the hands of Fr. Basi Gbuzue.  He uses  a particular Holy  Water, which we gathered, works wonder.  This has continued to draw different caliber of people in need of spiritual help, to him from all over the world.

Another top Catholic Priest worth mentioning is Rev. Fr. Paschal Tochukwu Ekediegwu.  He is the Parish Priest at St. Mary’s Church, Akuke, Enugu State.  He is highly respected, as a result of his miracle works, and his life-transforming miracles to many.  He has been severally invited, even outside Nigeria for Prayers.

 CP

 

 

TINUBU Becomes Pres. MAHAMA’s Closest Ally

That the new leader of Ghana, President John Dramani Mahama is in the news in Nigeria a lot of times may not be an exaggeration after all.  This submission is based on the fact that the new President of Ghana enjoys a good relationship with Nigeria and some notable Nigerians, especially some key power  brokers.  Before and during the last election which brought Mahama in for a 4-year term in office, there were report of how the energetic politician got massive support from some notable bigwigs  in Nigeria who aided his ambition  to become Ghana’s President.

            President Mahama is no stranger to Nigeria.  There are reports that he spent parts of his formative years in Offa, Kwara State in North-Central Nigeria.  Interestingly too, Mahama’s connection to Nigeria and his rapport with highly-placed Nigerians did not just start with his ambition to become President.  He has been highly-connected to influential Nigerians since his days as Ghana’s Vice President, way back in 2009.  He was already connected in the corridors of power in Nigeria prior to the time.  Mahama enjoys a robust relationship with President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria and some Governors in Nigeria, as well as some key members of the National Assembly.

            However, among the entire key figures in Nigeria whom the Ghanaian leader is close to, the former Governor of Lagos State and leader of Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu can easily pass for his closes ally.  The popular Nigerian politician is very close to President Mahama and their closeness has been for a while now.  President Mahama has been a close associate of Asiwwaju Tinubu since his days as Vice President.  Authoritative sources told  media men  reliably that though Asiwaju did not share much of a tie with late President Atta-Mills who was Mahama’s Principal, but he took part in some of the activities of the administration at the instance of Mahama.

 

             Through Asiwaju, the Ghanaian President also got close to some Nigerian Governors, especially the ones in the South-West, where Asiwaju’s party, ACN is in power.  Meanwhile, the Governor Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has had a personal relationship with Mahama befoe Asiwaju came into the big picture.  Fayemi has close ties with Ghana.

            Interestingly, the fact that President Mahama has many friends in Nigeria was made more obvious during his inauguration penultimate Monday, January 7, 2013 in Accra.  The inauguration was attended by over 2,000 dignitaries from Nigeria.  In fact, the number of flights from Nigeria that landed at the Kotoka International Airport on the Inauguration Day got officials on their toes for many hours.

            President Jonathan led a high-powered government delegation to the swearing-in ceremony.  The delegate included Governors and Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

                       CP

We’ve Moved On Without Our Lead Singer”

*X-Project Duo, SAAL & SLEX Talks About MAJEED

‘Xtreme project’ popularly called X-Project was created between Nigeria’s Majeed Akinwunmi Akinwoye (Majeed), and Sierra Leone’s Aziz Mohammed Kamara (Slez), and Salieu Umaru Sindi (Saal). This was basically to unify and craft a ceaseless African music genre and it thrived for many years delivering intriguing songs and producing four albums.
They emerged in the Nigerian music industry at a time when singing was a criterion for musicians to his stardom and this presented them as a respected entrant that was being shaped by youthful singing talents like Sound Sultan, Remedies, Azadus, Plantashun Boiz, and STYL Plus.
X-Project made a statement between Sierra Leon and Nigeria and encouraged stakeholders to be more adventurous and look beyond the precincts of their national borders. This Sierra Naija mix produced classics such as the timeless Tumba Dance (influenced by the infiltration of Makossa into Nigeria), Aiyemi (R’n’B love song) and majorly Lori Le which gave them a phenomenal prominence within and outside the shores of Nigeria and winning them most of the spurs they now have in their kitty.
X-Project has not been able to hit headlines in spite of their hard work to return to their lost place in the industry. Indications are however clear that the young men are more than ever-before-ready to fight their way back into reckoning. Hard to please critics, critical industry watchers and fans who have had the opportunity of listening to the repertoire of songs they have lined up are unanimous and they patiently await X-Project back to their winning ways as they stand the chance of making a riposte history in 2013.
In disparity, many thought the departure of Majeed who was then the lead singer was bound to create the impression of a ‘crumbling cookie’ but it otherwise shaped and placid ripeness and Slez’s renowned brogue, the group has upped their game to give an indication of their new direction.
They have performed in Gambia, USA, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Nigeria and Liberia. In this interview with ADBOYIN OKESINA X-Project, duo of Slez and Sall confessed that they have learnt the hard way but swanked that the experience would guide them in making sure that they stay in connection for a very long time from now onwards.

Not much has been heard of you since Lori Le
(Slez responds) You may be right to say that we have not been able to hit headline as we did in Lori Le but we have not been that obscure. We have been working and have over the years had songs on all the major music media in Nigeria and on the continent and you must know that out of the 1001 musicians in Nigeria, not up to 5% of us are fortunate to get that opportunity. What your question however emphasizes is that we have not been that much of a household name. many of us who were competing for awards during the Lori Le era are experiencing same challenge of having to fight our way back into reckoning and placing ourselves firmly into frames that will keep us at the very topmost end of the industry for a long time to come.

Your experience(s) so far?
From our experience, once you make a hit that places you over and above your peers, you will need to work harder than those wishing to be where you are. You cannot afford to be distracted, worse still flatter yourself into believing that you have the answer for all music trends and that your fans would always be there for you. No! The fans are like your stomach or appetite, tomorrows’ hunger or appetite must be fed with tomorrow’s meal. Lori Le was trendy and we benefited from that. We however spent too much time on it trying to satisfy our fans across the continents and by the time we returned, we found new kids on the block, with different genres of music that we failed to adapt to on time.

What can you say about the rip with Majeed?
(Saal responds) To worsen things for us, just at the time we finished the compilation of the songs for the follow up album, Majeed left us and relocated to the United States of America. By the decree of our record label owner, Majeed was made the lead singer and all songs were built around him. As an aside, we will say that for those who know how our songs are produced, they will know that everyone; from the song writer to the producer, all work for the lead singer because he is meant to drive the song. Because of that, it is easier for the lead singer to be lazier and distracted than any other member of the group because he believes that his is a package he does not really need to contribute to. And where the public attention or reception gets into his head, he starts playing god and could become a problem to d group. So when Majeed left, he left with the soul of that album and we now had to start from scratch because it would have been futile for us to promote it in his absence. Majeed’s departure however, opened some opportunities for us as the record label owner Uncle Sam now gave us the freedom to build and record our songs in a manner we consider most appropriate.
Instead of having a dominant lead singer, we now develop songs around our individual capability and forte.

What lessons have you learnt by building walls around a lead singer?
You see when you have one dominant singer, you tend to be somewhat monotonous and predictable. Then, you can easily bore your fans and loose them to new and much more experimental talents. That was partly our problem. Of course we cannot afford to stay in the industry for too long playing second fiddle to less talented artistes. We therefore had to reinvent ourselves and face the realities of the day.

How will you describe your first appearance without Majeed?
Yes, our first outing without him was with Black Diamond, in which we tried to convince our fans and colleagues in the industry that X-Project was a project made up o three distinctive singers who could hold out their own anywhere in the world. Many could see then that that the two of us (Sall and Slez) made sacrifices for Majeed to excel and having betrayed that, we had to let our fans assess us and give us our due respect. Black Diamond may not have been a hit but it gave us respectability among our peers and open doors for collaboration. Without Black Diamond, it may have been difficult to convince singer Waje and all the big acts who have featured in our songs, to collaborate with us as they have done. Today, we have songs with Olamide and even those who initially snubbed us are now ready to feature in our songs. So in a word, Black Diamond has done its part and it is now time for us to get to the next level.

Do you think you are capable of coming up with songs that will situate into the busy and crowded A-list group of musicians?
(Slez responds) Unlike other endeavors where you can talk your way to relevance, in music, your work must talk and work for you. Luckily for us, it is now easier to make a hit than our earlier days.

The Rise & Rise Of CHISOM MBONU

*The Story Of Supersport Presenter

*Who Is Nigeria’s No 1 Female Sports Presenter

 Charming and amiable SuperSports’ gal, Chisom Mbonu is that popular anchor you see on DSTV’s Supersport channels during every football league season across Europe.  The question on the lips of many viewers in Nigeria, as Chisom lined up alongside Presenters, Charles Anazodeo, Daniel Amokachi, Emeka Enyadike and Colin Udoh when SuperSport launched its Nigeria studios in 2008  with live broadcast of the Serie A ‘who’ s that girl?  And over the years, she has evolved into a damn good presenter stepping into field reports during the World Cup and pitch side alongside another of SupeSport’s lady presenter, Carol Radull from Kenya at the 2010 Africa Women’s Championships in South Africa.  She is also presently one of the anchors of the ongoing 2013 South African Nations Cup.

 As a young girl, Chisom had a dream of becoming one of the presenters of Supersport and today, she’s ‘Living Her Dream.’  Chisom, a sports fanatic, an ardent follower of Football, Tennis and Athletics is at the moment the most sought-after female sport presenter in Nigeria.  To say she is the numero uno female sport presenter would be stating the obvious. 

  She’s someone who has made her passion her profession.  It’s no wonder why it’s so easy for her to face the camera every weekend even as a lady to present a sports programme in a most professional manner to the delight of many viewers at home.  This beautiful lady started her love for football analysis like most Nigerians, who watch the game, go out, meet people and argue about it.

 The fact that she is eloquent made her succeed in her career within a short period of time. Before Chisom became a popular TV presenter, she burst onto  the scene as the first female Figa licensed football agent in Nigeria.  She got her licence in 2005.  Her drive to be relevant in the Nigeria football sector, NFF (Nigerian Football Federation) made her enroll for the FIFA agent licence examination and she came out in flying colours after writing the tough and expensive test.  Chisom was the only girl who took the exam for that year in Nigeria and she beat everybody else.  It’s on record that she is the first female Nigerian to take the exam.  After she got her licence, the recognition  she needed came such that everyone wants to meet her.  The licence helped her get into the industry quickly and today she’s one of the most influential Nigeria’s female sport personalities home and abroad.

As a FIFA Licensed player’s agent, she has done one direct deal with a club in Dubai.  She has partnered with other agents to do deals for about 10 Nigerian players where she made a lot of money. Chiosm Mbonu, a die-hard Arsenal fan is the youngest of a family of eight, four boys and four girls, she was born and raised in Enugu.  An English Language graduate of the University of Abuja, Chisom is also the chief media officer of Nigerian’s female national team, Super Falcons.

CP

Remilekun Amope Kufo, Lagos Big Babe Marries Kudeti, NURTW Topshot: Read Couple’s Short Interview.

Three months after she escaped from the den of kidnappers, Lagos society babe, Amope Remilekun Kuforiji in the news again. The light complexioned pretty lady on Saturday, January 12th, 2013 got married to Lagos Transporter and NURTW (Nation Union of Road and Transport Workers) boss, Alhaji Sulyman Olamide Bodunri Ojora popularly known as Kudeti at a private ceremony with few friends and family members in attendance. They tied the knot at CAC Cathedral Church and that was followed by a Reception at the open field of Apata Memorial High School, Okota, Lagos. Their wedding came as a shock to many people who are close to them because they had barely dated for 2 months. With top Fuji star, Sule Alao Malaika on the bandstand, a number of celebrities were in attendance. They included Hon. Ayodeji Joseph the chairman of Apapa LGA, Lagos State House of Rep Member, Hon. Muyiwa Jimoh, Jamiu Disu, Toro Ojora, Wale Akilo Jamiu Ojora and others.
That they got married few months after they started dating has not only come as a surprise to many people but also left many in shock because they were not aware of their courtship at all. Media men called Amope to comment on their love story but she declined initially. After much persuasion, she said, “I wish to live a quiet life right now. I was kidnapped 3 months ago and got married after. It’s true we dated for 2 months and that happened after my kidnap case. He has been very supportive and caring but the fact remains that God decides what happens to any human being and when you don’t even plan for something, the best comes out of it. I just want to thank all my friends that stood by me and I sincerely don’t want to grant an interview on my private life.”
Not satisfied with her response, we went ahead to engage her husband in a conversation and he gave more details on how they met, fell in love and eventually got married. His story: “I am the happiest man right now and that is not because I am married but because I am married to a woman I love dearly. What most people don’t know about my wife is the fact that she is very loving and caring. She is humble, honest and submissive. If you are not close to her, all you will see is just her beauty but I can tell you that she is more beautiful inside and all the physical beauty is nothing compared to the real beauty she has inside. I have known her for a while but we started dating 2 months ago. When I met her, I knew she was the person I want to spend the rest of my life with. I met her at that time in my life I was thinking of settling down and starting a family. You know the job I do is the kind of job people don’t regard one serous. I have always wanted to be a responsible father and husband and I feel that way right now because I am with a woman that makes me happy and obviously bent on bringing the best out of me”
Amope is into business and very popular in the Lagos social circle and well known for her fashion sense. Kudeti is the NURTW boss of Ijora and he is popular within the Lagos transport business particularly due to his closeness to former Chairman of Lagos NURTW, Rafiu Olohunwa. What Amope and Kudeti have in common beyond being husband and wife is the fact that they both have kids from their previous relationships. Speaking further on this, Kudeti said, “I have never been married and this is my first marriage, though I have 2 kids from different women. My first son is 17 and my daughter is 6 years old. One lives in Nigeria while the other lives in London with the mother. Amope also has a child for another man but is that the real content of what makes a successful marriage? Love is important and the fact that we have both accepted our other children as ours is key to what will make our home peaceful”.
-CP