Idoma International Carnival Blog: February 2015

Saturday 28 February 2015

Mavins Record Dynasty Releases New Team Photos

The Mavins Dynasty Team

As they continue to dominate the Nigerian music industry and put out hits upon hits, Mavins Records headed by the Nigerian ace producer Don Jazzy has released some new pics of the entire Mavin Dynasty team.

Check them out...

Cameroonians came out in thousands on Saturday in Yaounde, the country’s capital, to protest against the Boko Haram insurgency and to show support for the Cameroonian army, which is fighting alongside Nigeria and regional neighbours to defeat the Islamist group.

One of the organisers of the march told newsmen that the march was carried out as a means of informing the public, especially those in the southern region, about the threat of the terrorists, Yahoo News reports.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday revealed that a total of 1.8 million Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) are yet to be picked up by eligible voters who are registered in Lagos.

Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Akin Orebiyi, announced the news yesterday while visiting Governor Babatunde Fashola to demonstrate how INEC card readers would be used during the elections, The Sun reports.

Orebiyi stated that:

The Lagos State Government Refunds N209 million To The Students Of The Lagos state University

The Lagos state government has refunded over N209 millionnaira back to students of the Lagos state University following the reversal of school fees by Lagos State University, LASU.

At a ceremony held at the Main auditorium of the Ojo campus of the school yesterday February 26th, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Fatai Olukoga who represented Gov. Fashola, said this was the first phase in the refund exercise. He said the second phase of refund which is about N89 million will take place soon.

The prime minister has defended the security services amid criticisms they failed to stop Mohammed Emwazi, known as 'Jihadi John', from joining Islamic State in Syria.

David Cameron said the security services made "incredibly difficult judgements" on the UK's behalf.

His comments came after it emerged Emwazi was known to authorities.

The PM said he would not comment on specific cases but urged the public to back the security services.

Life in Mubi town of Adamawa is said to gradually returning to how it use to be before the Islamic sec Boko Haram invaded in to seize it.

The Nigerian troops has reportedly recovered the town among other towns under the control of the Islamic sect.

See more pics of Mubi town after the cut...

It has been reported that one of the Cameroon's highest ranking officer has been killed during a gun battle between Boko Haram terrorists and the Cameroonian troops.

This happened on the 15th of February when the vehicle the officer was riding on along other soldiers struck a landmine, blowing up the vehicle at Gamboru.

19 Year Old Student Arrested For Raping His Friend As He Tries Bringing a Scene From '50 Shades of Grey' To Real Life

A 19-year-old student in the United States of America,Mohammad Hossain, has been arrested for raping and brutalising his teenage friend while re-enacting soft porn movie '50 Shades of Grey'.

According to the Chicago Tribune, Mohammad Hossain, was arrested on the night of Saturday, February 21.

Kanye West has taken a rare step to publicly apologize to Beck for shading him on stage after he was announced the winner best album at the 2015 Grammy Awards beating off Beyonce who was a clear favourite for the award.

At the same time yeezy also shared his regret for hating on Bruno Mars and went a step further to declare his intentions of working with Lazy Song hit singer..

The police in Abia state have arrested George Maduabuchi pictured above for allegedly selling his 14 month old son for N300,000 to a herbalist. According to a report by Punch, George, a native of Owerrinta in the Isiala-Ngwa South Local Government Area of Abia State had connived with his accomplice, one Obinna Erondu who is now at large, to sell his own child

Kanye West was spotted at a tattoo shop where he go a new tattoo of his mother and daughter's date of birth in roman numerals on his wrists on his visit to London at the early hours of the morning today.

See some pic after the cut...

They take sledgehammers to statues with an uncommon gusto destroying in seconds what may have survived centuries.

New video released by ISIS shows militants smashing what they say are antiquities at a museum in Mosul, Iraq.

Men shove statues off pedestals, and use hammers and drills to destroy what's left.

The Kardashian Lands a $100 Million New Deal With E! - For 4 More Seasons

Kim, Khloe, Kourtney, Kardashian and Kris, Kylie & Kendall Jenner have landed a new $100 million deal with E! for 4 more seasons on the network. Page Six was the first to break the news, and this is said to be the network’s highest deal till date.

As expected, ‘momager’ Kris Jenner negotiated the deal, and an insider tells Us Weekly that “This has been in the works for almost a year. Kris is a fierce negotiator. They were not planning on leaving E!, but she was playing major hardball and threatening to leave. E! needs them.“

President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday made a surprise visit to Baga town in Borno State, and Mubi in Adamawa.

During his visit, he addressed officers and men of the Nigerian army in both towns, which were recently recaptured from Boko Haram,Vanguard reports.

He applauded the army for their bravery and patriotism they have shown in the fight against Boko Haram.

See the full excerpt of General Buhari's speech at the Chatham House today after the cut..

Permit me to start by thanking Chatham House for the invitation to talk about this important topic at this crucial time. When speaking about Nigeria overseas, I normally prefer to be my country’s public relations and marketing officer, extolling her virtues and hoping to attract investments and tourists. But as we all know, Nigeria is now battling with many challenges, and if I refer to them, I do so only to impress on our friends in the United Kingdom that we are quite aware of our shortcomings and are doing our best to address them.

Italian surgeon, Sergio Canavero has said that he believes head transplant is very possible in the futre. This he said will be best suited for people with incurable illness or paralyzed.

It sounds like the plot of a bad horror film, but doctors are gearing up to do the world’s first head transplant.

Italian surgeon Sergio Canavero wants to take the head from someone with an incurable illness and graft it on to a healthy body. He claims the first operation could be done in just two years’ time.

The £7.5million body swap would initially be used to give a new lease of life to paralysed people – including those with spinal cord injuries similar to those sustained by the late actor Christopher Reeve.

Reality Tv star Khloe Kardashian 30, was spotted heading to the gym in Beverly Hill yesterday wearing a sheer leggings.

This is the second time Khloe will have her package on full display on her way to gym within the last few days.

See more pics after the cut...

Pro GEJ activists arrived Chattam House with various banners to protest against the APC presidential candidate Gen. Buhari. Adamu.

See more pics after the cut...

Police in Russia have launched a full scale search for a gang of organ traffickers including a sexy lady and doctor who drugged 30 year old TV Soap actor Dmitry Nikolaev and stole his testicles.

According to reports, Dmitry, a married man, met a random young blonde woman who approached him at a bar after he finished a performance at a small Moscow theatre. They both had drinks and afterwards she invited him to a sauna which he agreed to. And there, he lost his testicles.

Gen. Buhari, Bola Tinubu, Governor Rotimi Amaechi, Governor Adams Oshiomhole, and other party leaders have arrived Chattam House (Royal Institute of International Affairs) where Buhari met with former British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown.

See the photos after the cut...

Find the EFCC press statement below...

Justice C. O Ogisi of Delta State High Court, Sapele, on Wednesday February 25, 2015 convicted and sentenced a former Deputy Comptroller in charge of Ogwashi-Uku Prison in Delta State, DCP Diete Wure Wisdom and a Senior Inspector of Prison, Ayamede Peter to three years imprisonment for stealing 27, 200 litres of automotive gas oil stored in exhibit trucks, left in the custody of the prison.

Buhari pictured this morning with other APC party leaders including El Rufai and Rotimi Amaechi leaving his London apartment to Chatham House where he is expected to make a presentation. Photo credit- Dele Momodu

Jihadi John Who Has Featured On Several ISIS Beheading Video Identified

Media outlets have identified the "Jihadi John" suspect who has featured in several Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant beheading videos as Mohammed Emwazi from London.

The Washington Post newspaper named Emwazi and said he was a Briton from a well-to-do family who grew up in West London and graduated from college with a degree in computer programming.

The BBC later said it too had learned that Emwazi was the suspect in question.

Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed a 10-minute test for the Ebola Virus Disease(EVD).

The diagnostic method is carried out by using a simple paper strip similar to a pregnancy test.

The new test can speed up the process of diagnosing Ebola, as well as other diseases such as yellow fever and dengue fever.

Three Al-Jazeera journalists have been arrested in Paris for illegally flying a drone.

The reporters, who are aged 70, 54 and 36, were arrested on Wednesday, February 25, after police noticed a drone flying in the Bois de Boulogne woods in western Paris.

Unidentified flying objects have been a major cause of concern for French authorities in recent times after drones flew over the Eiffel Tower and key Paris landmarks for two nights in a row.

A woman identified as Mrs Taiwo Sheriffdeen gave birth to a baby boy without arms in Ifo LGA of Ogun state on Tuesday February 24th. According to a report by Punch, the woman gave birth to the baby, her first child, at Majotal Hospital, a private hospital in the Ilogbo area of Ado/Odo-Ota Local Government Area of the state.

Speaking on the birth of her deformed baby, the mother said her husband, Mudashiru Sheriffdeen, ran away after he was told that their child was deformed at birth (the baby pictured above).

Martha Nagbe

The wife of a Liberian pastor who is based in the U.S, has been fined for praying too loudly outdoors.

According to Valley News, the woman named Martha Nagbe has been fined $150 for “unecessary noise” and appeared in court on two occasions regarding over the matter.

Despite the fines and court appearances, Martha, who lives in North Dakota with her husband, insists that she will never give up sharing her faith.

Kidnappers of American Missionary worker, Rev. Phyllis Sortor, who was kidnapped in the Hope Academy Compound in Kogi state on Monday February 23rd are demanding a N30 million ransom for her release.

The kidnappers had initially demanded a N50 million ransom but have since reduced it to N30m. 5 gunmen, two of them wearing masks, had on Monday scaled the fence bordering the missionary’s compound, fired sporadically into the air and kidnapped her.

Music: Seriki ft. Vector – SBM (StandBackMurdafucker)

Seriki Ibiyemi Sulaiman a.k.a Seriki Omo owo came through with his new HipHop single which features vector. One can tell this song is addressing some issues amidst the Nigeria HipHop warlords.

Though he claims he doesn’t need to mention names but those he’s speaking to knows themselves. He has told them to Stand Back just as the title implies “STAND BACK MURDERFUCKERS (SBM)“. Listen below and enjoy the tune which has Vector coming through with his usual heavy punch lines, metaphors and wordplay.

The Adamawa State Police Command on Wednesday confirmed the abduction of the Vice Chairman of Hong Local Government, Bijida Yakubu, by gunmen suspected to be members of the Boko Haram.

The Public Relations Officer of the command, Othman Abubakar, who confirmed the incident, said three vigilante members that were with Mr. Yakubu lost their lives in the encounter.

Mr. Abubakar, who did not give details, however, said the police officers investigating the incident have so far recovered the vice chairman’s shoes.

Former World Best Footballer Sentenced To 10 Months In Prision

Former FIFA World Player of the Year (2006), Fabio Cannavaro, 41, has been sentenced to 10 months in prison for breaching orders to keep out of his home after it was seized by authorities.

The home of the former Real Madrid defender turned coach was seized after he was accused of tax evasion. The authorities claim he owes over €1m in unpaid taxes. They also seized goods worth about €1million as well as a €180,000 yacht belonging to Cannavaro.

This is a screen grab from Davido's new video showing the skelewu crooner sky diving. The video featured Uhuru and DJ Buckz.

See more photos after the cut...

The Nigerian Army says it will be placing all the Nigerian troops involved in the mission to recapture Baga from Boko Haram on special promotion. The promotion was announced by the Chief of Army Staff, Kenneth Minimah while addressing the soldiers in Baga today February 25th.

In his speech, the Army Chief celebrated the army officers and urged them to keep up the tempo & rescue more towns.

Nigerian Former head of state Shehu Shagari has clocked 90 today as President Goodluck Jonathan among other former Heads of State such as Chief Ernest Shonekan, Gen. Babangida, Gen. Yakubu Gowon and Gen. Abubakar Abdulsalami, all turned up in Sokoto to celebrate with him.

Born 25th February 1925, Sir Shagari served as President of Nigeria's Second Republic from 1979 -1983.

Happy Birthday to him.

Canadian Government Denies Chris Brown Entry - Few Hours Before Concert

The Canadian government denied Chris Brown entry into the country yesterday just hours before a scheduled performance. Chris took to Twitter to announce to fans...in a dignified manner. He tweeted;

"Unfortunately I will not be able to perform in front of sold out crowds in Montreal & Toronto. The good people of the Canadian government wouldn't allow me entry. I'll be back this summer and will hopefully see all my Canadian fans!"

Syndik8 head, Lynxxx, premieres the official video to his afro-beat tune Jeje which was released in January 29th.

The Clarence Peters directed flick is quite captivating.

Check On It...

This is a picture of some members of the Islamic sect Boko Haram captured yesterday by the Chadian soldiers in Gamboru, a border town between Chad and Nigeria.

Over 207 of the militants were reportedly killed during a gun battle between the terrorists and the Chadian soldiers.

Music: MMM Records – This Year Feat. No2, Edgar, Kido, Mr Jay & Charass

The music record label owned by Chelsea Football star John Obi Mikel shot into the limelight two years back when they unwrapped their debut single Bunka which instantly became a radio favorite,

The video was directed by the celebrated Clarence Peters & the label went ahead to unleash their budding act Charass who has since risen to become one of the new kings of Highlife music in the Nigerian music industry following his superstar remix for Coco Butter featuring Davido & Phyno

Fast forward to today, They release their second music collaboration as a group This Year

Check On It..

Nigerian woman Esther Ibanga, a pastor and activist in who has campaigned against extremist group, Boko Haram was on Tuesday Feb. 24th awarded a Japanese peace prize worth $170,000.

For her tireless vocal protest against Boko Haram killings and kidnappings, and pressuring central and local governing officials to fight back against the extremists. the Niwano Peace Foundation said it has awarded Ibanga its 20 million yen annual prize.

Queen B and her husband Jay Z were spotted in LA today as they dashed into a restaurant to have a launch. Oh! and i forgot to make mention of her bra-less cleavage too.

Beyonce who broke the internet last few days after she posted an untouched/Photoshoped photos from a commercial campaign almost broke the net once more time but just like Nigerians will say, almost cant kill a bird :)

See more pics after the cut..

The PDP National Secretary Professor Adewale Oladipo in a new statement issued in abuja has claimed that the membership card Chief Olusegun Obansanjo tore was the long expired membership card signed by the former acting party chairman Alhaji Abubakar Baraje who is currently a member of the APC.

According to Professor OLadipo, Chief Obasanjo is over 80 years old and there are certain actions people of his age take that they themselves can't explain.

Prof Oladiposaid this while speaking to a group of students who came to show their solidarity for President Jonathan at the party's National secretariat yesterday in Abuja .

Jay-Jay Okocha Nephew and former England Youth International Alex Iwobi Ready For Nigeria Debut

Jay-Jay Okocha nephew and former England youth international Alex Iwobi says he is happy to wait until March to make his debut for the country of his birth, Nigeria.

The 18-year-old Arsenal midfielder had been due to play in Saturday's 4-1 win over Gabon in an All Africa Games qualifier but watched from the stands.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) are waiting for clearance from Fifa for his switch of national allegiance.

A few months ago media personality Ariyike Akinbobola released a vlog about ‘Things Not to do in Front of Your Man Prt 1’ and now she is back with the second part of the topic which has to do with ‘Things Not to do in Front of Your Woman’.

In this episode Ariyike doesn’t hold back.

Check On It..

His hands and feet were clearly visible - but baby Silas Philips was in no rush to enter the world. Born still inside his amniotic sac, he has since been described as a 'medical miracle' by doctors.

Silas was delivered three months prematurely at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in California. And doctors performing the Caesarean section on his mother, Chelsea, were astonished to see his amniotic sac was still intact. Pictures show Silas curled up inside with the placenta and umbilical cord, his tiny hands and a leg clearly visible.

President Goodluck Jonathan and the first lady was in attendance at the funeral service held for the 12 women who lost their lives on February 14 in an auto crash after meeting with the first lady.

See more pics of the funeral service below.

Election no be War project is a youth non-violence voter education campaign by The 2Face Foundation and Youngstars Foundation which seeks to promote peaceful participation by Nigerian youth in the 2015 elections.

The campaign seeks to encourage youth to make a commitment to shun violence and embrace peace.

It is hoped that Nigerians from all walks of life will commit to peaceful elections by signing a non-violence pledge.

A US missionary worker has been kidnapped by unknown gunmen in Kogi state. According to the spokesperson of the Kogi state Police command, Mr Sola Colins, the kidnapped woman who's an American citizen was kidnapped inside her school premises at about 10am yesterday February 23rd.

SolidStar has decided to support the forth coming election movement with a nice slow tempo reggae tune . telling us to ‘Be Strong‘ no matter the consequences we are facing at the moment also the freedom to vote right and peacefully .

Be strong is produced by Lil prince ameen.

Check on it..

The Ebonyi State House of Assembly in Abakaliki, the state capital, has reportedly been gutted by flames.

The fire broke out in the accounts section of the complex early on Tuesday, February 24, Vanguard reports.

The flames eventually spread to the media section of the building and many important documents were said to have been destroyed.

Over 18 persons are feared dead as a fully loaded bus scheduled to leave for Kano was blown up in a new bomb explosion at the Tashar Dan-Borno motor park, Potiskum, Yobe state.

The incident reportedly happened around 11.40am and there are no known survivors at the moment.

Updates to follow in a bit.

Why Former Anambra State Governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju Decamped To APC From PDP

The People's democratic party has witnessed a massive exodus of its party members in the recent weeks and the latest been the former governor of Anambra state Chinwoke Mbadinuju who has abandoned PDP for APC.

In an interview with Punch, Mbadinuju cited his reasons for defection been the inability of the ruling party recognizing him and his status.

See the excerpt of the interview with punch after the cut..

A swine flu outbreak in India has claimed 833 lives, health authorities in the country have said.

Health Ministry figures also show that 14,484 people have contracted the disease since the outbreak began.

On Sunday, Health officials had put the number of infections at 13,688 while the number of casualties was put at 812.

The Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday announced that it would honour Josephine Agwu, a cleaner at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) who found and returned a bag containing international currencies worth N12 million a passenger had lost.
According to Tribune, the assembly has invited Agwu to appear before its sitting at a later date, during which she will be honoured.

Jimi Agbaje posted this on his Facebook page this morning. It's a response to Governor Fashola's comments that Agbaje's company only paid his taxes after he was publicly called out. Read below...

The Honourable Governor B.R. Fashola (SAN) has lied again and I think it's time to address his repeated blunder.

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Saturday 28 February 2015

Friday 27 February 2015

Thursday 26 February 2015

Wednesday 25 February 2015

Tuesday 24 February 2015