Photos: Dubai Building The Biggest Shopping Mall In The World

If these Arabs say they want to do something, they usually do it, not like our Nigerian leaders. The city of Dubai is in the business of setting the pace, and they are now set to build the the largest shopping mall in the world. One unique feature of this coming masterpiece is that it comes complete with climate-controlled streets, 100 hotel apartments, and the largest indoor theme park. Check out the photos below...

When will Nigerian leaders start thinking this creative?

Summer Sales at Silverbird Cinemas in Port Harcourt

It's happening live at Silverbird Cinemas in Port Harcourt. Make sure you visit the following vendors. Continue...

Prophet Ajanaku to be finally buried almost a year after he died

The remains of clergyman & founder of Christ Revival Victory Chapel International Lagos, Prophet Iretiola Ajanaku, who died 11 months ago on August 22nd 2013, will finally be laid to rest on July 17th 2014.

 

Late Prophet Ajanaku's widow, Joy Ajanaku and some elders of the church had refused to bury him all this while because they were convinced he will rise again but have now accepted that once a man is really dead, he's really dead.

 

In a statement released by the church's media personnel, Shola Bamidele, a lying-in-state will be held at the Church premises and then interred in his home. See the statement after the cut...

"Our Father, a true icon of God and Founder of the Christ Revival Victory Chapel International , Prophet Ajanaku, who passed away on Saturday August 17th 2013, shall be laid to rest on Thursday July 17th 2014. This burial ceremony is intended to put to rest all post death controversy surrounding the life and ministry of this great man of God. It is also an opportunity for us to show our gratitude to thousands of well meaning Nigerians, churches and honorable people that have since stood by the church and family he left behind. As part of the Funeral arrangement, their would be a lying-in-state at the heaedquaters of the ministry at 17, Koya Akinwale street, off Aina Obembe street, Baruwa bus stop, Ayobo Ipaja Lagos, between 9 and 11am while Interment follows thereafter at his home, Prophet Ajanaku lives on" the statement read

Ali Baba takes on pastors

Gbam!! See another tweet after the cut...

'Obanikoro, PDP aiding Boko Haram' - Bola Tinubu fires back

National leader of the APC and former governor of Lagos state, Bola Tinubu has reacted to the allegations made against him by the Minister of Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro yesterday July 2nd. Obanikoro in a series of tweets had alleged that Tinubu's friends created the Boko Haram mess being experienced in Nigeria today.

In a statement released last night through his media aide, Tinubu refuted the allegations, saying it is the PDP and Obanikoro that are aiding Boko Haram. Find his statement after the cut...

"The defence budget to fight Boko Haram and terrorism has become a conduit pipe for the ruling party PDP just as the likes of Obanikoro continue to use Boko Haram as a tool of blackmail against the opposition. This time , just like it failed in the past, it will not stick. It will not stand. It is the PDP-led government in which Obanikoro is an active and pliable agent that is perpetrating the insurgency for pecuniary benefits. This government has no shame. It lacks the moral authority to point fingers at individuals or the opposition. The country is literally on tenterhooks and all the PDP can do is lie to Nigerians in order to cover up its failures.

“Obanikoro’s allegation that Tinubu and his friends in the opposition created Boko Haram is both fallacious and untenable. It is the kind of fable that can only come  out of the mouth of someone who is delusional. One whose intoxication with power is not in  doubt. This allegation is both unreasonable and unsustainable, but not surprising coming from the person it came from. Bola Tinubu and the APC have been on record repeatedly condemning killings and bombings by Boko Haram and proffering solutions to the menace.

“The PDP is preparing the grounds for its next round of hounding opposition leaders, militarising our cities and violating the democratic rights of Nigerians to move freely. This is political Boko Haram of which the PDP is the Chief Architect.

“In Ekiti, we saw a dress rehearsal of the impunity and near brigandage of this government and its agents. Nigerians are urged to be vigilant before a few desperate persons steal our voices, our rights, our liberties and freedoms.”

Boko Haram: Tinubu Fires Back At PDP and Obanikoro

National leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has faulted the claims of the PDP and the Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, stressing that the allegation by the junior minister that it was him (Tinubu) and his friends in the opposition that created the Boko Haram sect is unreasonable.

Specifically, Tinubu who described the Obanikoro’s allegation as a political Boko Haram, which the PDP was the chief architect, noted that the PDP and the minister were, by the said allegation, establishing grounds for another round of clamping down on the opposition, militarising cities in the country, as well as flouting the democratic rights of citizens with impunity.

The APC leader's statement said, “Obanikoro’s allegation that Tinubu and his friends in the opposition created Boko Haram is both fallacious and untenable. It is the kind of fable that can only come out of the mouth of someone who is delusional; one whose intoxication with power is not in doubt”.

Tinubu, who spoke through his Media Adviser, Sunday Dare, challenged the PDP government to “step forward and explain to Nigerians why the over 200 girls kidnapped in Chibok are yet to be rescued”, adding that “they should explain why the Boko Haram insurgency continues unabated despite billions that is being voted for security."

Tinubu alleged that “the defence budget to fight Boko Haram and terrorism has become a conduit pipe for the ruling party, PDP, just as the likes of Obanikoro continue to use Boko Haram as a tool of blackmail against the opposition. This time, just like it failed in the past, it will not stick. It will not stand”.

Accusing the PDP and Obanikoro of aiding and abetting Boko Haram, Tinubu said it is the PDP government in which Obanikoro is an active and pliable agent that is perpetrating the insurgency for pecuniary benefits.

Handsome felon, Jeremy Meeks, lands modeling contract

30 year old Jeremy Meeks, the gorgeous felon who became an internet sensation after his mug-shot was posted on the Stockton police Facebook page, has secured an gent who is negotiating modeling contracts for him even though he is still in jail in California facing a felony weapons charge.

Popular Hollywood agent, Gina Rodriguez, has signed Jeremy as a client and he joins her other notorious celeb clients including Teen Mom star Farrah Abraham, Donald Sterling's former mistress V. Stiviano and 'Octomom' Nadya Suleman.

"Jeremy has an amazing look and has received international attention which I feel can only help him flourish in the entertainment industry. He could make somewhere between $3,000 to $100,000 per month through endorsements and modeling. We're also speaking with several production companies about following Jeremy's foray into the entertainment industry. I believe this can be a positive change for Jeremy and his family" Rodriguez told ABC News.

Meeks, who is being held on 11 felony counts that include street gang membership and possession of firearms, remains behind bars on $1.1 million bail. I hope he gets a second chance.

Tonto Dikeh's Boyfriend Malivelihood Now Producing Condomz

Michael Adelaja, the guy who's spoiling Tonto Dikeh with expensive stuffs is set to launch his condomz brand for the good of lovers and they come in banana, strawberry, orange and blueberry flavours. Rough things!

Referee In Critical Condition After Been Punched By An Angry Soccer Player

 

A soccer referee remains in critical condition after an upset soccer player punched him in the throat and under the chin, knocking him out and causing a head injury during an adult-league match in Detroit.

Baseel Abdul-Amir Saad has arrested and charged with felony assault with the intent to do great bodily harm in the Livonia District Court on Monday. A hearing has been set for July 10.

Saad's lawyer, Brian Berry, said his client is cooperating with police after surrendering himself on Monday and is not guilty of the charge.

According to the Livonia Police Lieutenant, Saad punched the unnamed referee in the head after the referee indicated he planned to eject the 36-year-old Dearborn resident from a game on Sunday at Mies Park.

An opposing player, Joseph Cosenza told Fox 2 News that Saad had left the park by the time police arrived. "He got away, took off with one of his buddies, jumped in their car. ... A couple of our players were able to take pictures of the car and the license plate after they took off. But unfortunately, the cops found the car and the driver".

Violence is not uncommon in soccer and other sports, but do you thing this Saad guy will go free? Send us your thoughts below.

Omeruo has been dependable for Nigeria at the World Cup according to Chelsea officials

Chelsea have so far been pleased with the performance of Nigeria defender Kenneth Omeruo at the World Cup in Brazil, his adviser has told AfricanFootball.com

Omeruo, a full international only last year, has been one of the ever-presents as Nigeria made it past the first round of the World Cup for only the third time in their history.

And the player’s adviser, Chika Akujobi has told AfricanFootball.com that the central defender’s stocks have appreciated with his London club, who only recently gave him a new, three-year contract.

“So far Chelsea officials are very positive and happy with Kenneth’s development,” Akujobi told AfricanFootball.com

“They've not come to a conclusion as the World Cup is still going on in Brazil, but he's going with them on pre-season training, which has been scheduled for Papendal training complex in Holland. There they will play a few friendly matches against teams like Vitesse Arnhem.

“But the way things are going, he will be in (Jose) Mourinho’s plans for the new season with a loan option to any of the premier league clubs in England. Let's wait and see.”

He held his own against Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko, when Nigeria pipped Bosnia-Herzegovina and he also posted a decent shift when he came face-to-face with an Argentina strike force that included Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Angel di Maria and Sergio Aguero on Wednesday.

Omeruo was on loan at English Championship side Middlesbrough last season, while he also played on loan for Dutch club ADO Den Haag the previous season.

Don Jazzy, Joy and James Did Not Like Me……… D’Prince

Marvin record label artiste, D’Prince, has recount his weaknesses as a young child while growing up with parents who showed him love and attention being the last born of the family.

According to him, he was exposed early to exquisite life styles of attending events and functions with his parents. Adding that he weeps anytime his parents decides not to take him out.

He added that Jazzy, Joy and James who were his elders, did not like him because of his babyish attitude and as such, would neglect him to be crying until their parents returned. Adding that the picture above, was taken when he was five years old at a party in Sheraton Hotel, Lagos.

TIWA SAVAGE DEDICATES AWARD TO HUSBAND AT MAMAs 2014!

Mavins first lady, Tiwa Savage praised her husband and manager, TeeBillz infront of Africa at the just concluded MAMA awards.

The Eminado singer who won the award for Best Female dedicated her award to her husband thanking him for all the hardwork in her career so far. She said, “I just want to thank God, fans, 323 Entertainment, my label, Mavin… my producer and boss, Don Jazzy and finally, I want to say thank you to the most handsome and amazing husband in the whole wide world, TeeBillz who has put so much to make our story a success… thank you and I love you very much!”.

Tiwa later performed a mash up of Surulere with Dr Sid, Don Jazzy and Phyno wearing a customized sequined boyfriend Tee-shirt which had “Mrs Billz” written across.
 

For the record: Poverty and terrorism threaten the foundations of our democracy – Bola Tinubu

by Bola Tinubu

Since the 1999 transition from military to civilian rule, we have effectively limited our definition of democracy to the holding of elections with little regard to the quality thereof. There are two jarring problems with this self-imposed constraint.

PROTOCOL
I thank all of you for participating in this maiden Freedom House lecture on democracy. I want to express special appreciation to Professor Larry Diamond for honoring us by accepting to deliver this inaugural address. It is my fervent hope that what we embark on today shall become a perennial institution, a permanent feature of our democratic landscape.
Such lectures are needed because our nation needs a broader, deeper appreciation of democracy in all of its complexities and ramifications. To state it bluntly because I know of no other way to state it, we do not understand enough about democratic governance and practice.
What we practice is often not democracy. How this nation is governed is a hybrid process where democracy is often the junior partner and minority attribute.
As such, the system of governance we practice has not yielded the desired results – the dividends of democracy have been painfully elusive. How could it be otherwise? It would be wrong to anticipate a pear to grow from apple tree or a dog to give birth to a goat. Thus, it is wrong to expect this current form of governance to produce the fruits of democracy when it is the wrong type of tree.
To think otherwise is not to be optimistic. It is to engage in unproductive wishful thinking that precludes us from doing the heavy and hard work needed to transform “what is” into “what ought to be.” This lecture series is a modest contribution toward this benign change.
Since the 1999 transition from military to civilian rule, we have effectively limited our definition of democracy to the holding of elections with little regard to the quality thereof. There are two jarring problems with this self-imposed constraint.
First, most members of the Nigerian political class was weaned on the rancid milk of dictatorship and the imperial mindset upon which it is based. Fairness and openness of process and outcome of discourse and debate, and compromise and conciliation have no place in this realm. In this authoritarian world, the ends justify the means and the only ends pursued are those that increase the power and wealth of the people wielding them. It is a top- down world where the top dictates the tune and everyone dances to it or gets kicked into the shadows.
Most adult Nigerians have spent the majority of their lives under military, or its antecedent, colonial rule. Neither one is a good primer for democracy. Nigerians are smart people and learn fast. Too bad, our history has presented bad governance role models to us. We have learned much. Sadly, most of it has been the wrong lessons from the wrong textbook.
Thus, the conduct of elections during the past fifteen years has been basically an unbroken trail of malpractice and connivance to steer Nigeria to a contrived result with scant connection to the popular will.
Instead of being the periodic celebration of democracy, elections in Nigeria have generally mocked the very notion of democracy they are supposed to uphold.
Worst has been what comes after elections. Since the winner often is not chosen by the people but by some subterranean process, he continues to dishonor the people while resorting to that subterranean process in how he rules. Generally, these office holders believe they have the inborn right to rule instead of have been given a duty to govern.
For the most part, elections have become a perverse form of modern coronation. Instead of choosing public servants, elections in Nigeria have been basically to select a new aristocracy, an elected royalty.
Government is run like a medieval court, full of intrigue and an excessive number of jesters and unproductive courtiers whose only reason for being is to use their proximity to power to extract rents from the improper operation of government.
One can only find rhyme and reason in governance to the extent one can decipher or anticipate the whim and caprice of the man in power.
Thus, we call ourselves a new, growing democracy yet we retreat further into the old ways. We slip into authoritarian darkness.
Faced with a growing number of state governors in the opposition party, the federal government arbitrarily has reduced the revenues flowing to the states in order to punish the political opposition. In effect, the federal government has imposed economic sanctions simply because some political leaders have the temerity to belong to another party. That the people are made to suffer means little. For the people are not why they entered into governance. Power and privilege are.
This is why they shut down newspapers recently and restricted freedom of movement by prohibiting key APC members from travelling into Ekiti state prior to elections. This is why they deployed more security people to hover over the elections in Ekiti than they do to protect the people and tackle the security challenges in Borno state. The Minister of State for Defence has spent more time in Ekiti than he has in Chibok. This is not responsible democratic governance. It is a hoax.
This brings me to the point where I would like to say a few words about the topic of today’s lecture: Poverty, Terrorism and Democracy. In my view, the first two concepts have intertwined to form a terrible union against the third, against democracy.
Some claim the rise of Boko Haram has nothing to do with poverty. They blame it all on ideology. Some go as far as implying that Islam is at fault. Those who say this can be excused to some extent for they are as ignorant about Islam as Boko Haram is. However, Boko Haram cannot be excused. They are violent murders of both Muslim and Christians. There is not one word in Islam that supports the evil they do.
It is obvious that Boko Haram terrorists have lashed themselves to a dangerous and desperate ideology. But we must ask who does such a thing and why do they seem to have so many adherents and supporters?
Poverty is a big part of the answer. Poverty often distorts a person’s humanity. The destitute and the ignorant, casting about on their last strand of hope, are susceptible to a mean and wicked interpretation of the world that labels everyone not in that group as expendable sacrifices and objects of terror.
Again to put it bluntly because I know of no other way, Boko Haram is an extreme manifestation of the chronic and acute misgovernance that has spread gross injustice and mass poverty across the face of our beloved nation.
All nations have their wayward souls. However, in better governed, more prosperous societies, the number of anti-social actors is much less and even their extremism is somewhat muted. Because of their low numbers, they are confined to being a law enforcement problem.
But here, abject poverty swells their ranks. Here, they have become a small army. With that, they are a national security threat and a political challenge to a free and open society.
We must deal with them decisively yet wisely. Also, government must also be cautious in not using the fight against terrorism to truncate otherwise legitimate political activity by a legitimate and peaceful political opposition. Also, government must restrain itself from striking indiscriminately against people in the affected areas, in the process committing human rights abuses that undermine democracy and that become a recruiting tool for the terrorists.
As such, poverty and terrorism are truly a compound threat to democracy. Not only do those who manufacture terror undermine democracy through their direct actions. We also must take care that government’s response is not such a heavy-handed and indiscriminate one that it undermines civil liberties and chases people into the camp of the terrorists.
I shall end here that we may soon come to the meat of this gathering; Professor Diamond’s address.
Again, I thank you all for coming today that we may use this lecture to take a step toward the democracy we truly seek.

OPENING REMARKS BY ASIWAJU BOLA AHMED TINUBU AT THE INAUGURAL LECTURE OF THE FREEDOM HOUSE DEMOCRACY LECTURE SERIES HELD AT MUSON CENTER, AGIP HALL, LAGOS, NIGERIA. JUNE 3OTH 2O14