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Tag: acting

  • Dasuki: I was acting on Jonathan’s instructions

    Dasuki: I was acting on Jonathan’s instructions

    •N10b PDP ‘cash given to former President’s ADC, aide’ 

    •‘I’ve no foreign accounts, company’

    •‘N10b came from oil block accounts’

    Former National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki has said he handed over the N10billion given to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) nomination convention delegates to former President Goodluck Jonathan’s Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs, Waripamowei Dudafa and the Aide-de-Camp.

    He said the money was given out by the two aides, on the directive of Dr. Jonathan.

    The former NSA said aside collecting the  cash, he had nothing to do with it.

    As at press time, no slush funds had been traced to Dasuki’s personal accounts, it was learnt.

    Dasuki, who protested that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had subjected him to “media trial”, said such a treatment might jeopardise his defence.

    Also yesterday, it was gathered that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) confirmed that the N10 billion was sourced from the Signature Bonus Account (oil block Account).

    But the ex-NSA expressed regrets that he was being vilified by the EFCC when he acted on the instructions and approval of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

    He said he had no foreign account and his local accounts are in Skye bank Plc, GTB and Standard Chartered Bank.

    Dasuki’s Statement of Witness/Accused Person has been filed in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) ahead of his arraignment today or tomorrow.

    He said: “I wish to state as follows: That I have been publicly indicted and any statement may jeopardise my defence. Having been briefed by the EFCC investigators on why I was invited, I will answer the charges in court. As such, I do not wish to make any further statement on the matter.

    “That I am aware in November (I cannot remember the exact date), my office requested the CBN to exchange N10billion from the account of the Office of National Security Adviser domiciled in CBN. The money was exchanged at $47m and some Euros which I cannot remember. The exact amount was delivered at my residence.

    “The money was for delegates that  attended the nomination convention for the PDP. Presidential nomination. The money was paid and sent to Hon. (Waripamowei) Dudafa (SSAP Household) and ADC(C-IC) for distribution on the instruction of the President.

    Based on the statement of Director of Finance and administration (Salisu), Ibrahim Wambai, and Yazidu Ibrahim, all the cash (both foreign and local) are usually given to them for official use.

    I also noted the statement of Sagir Bafarawa whose company is Dalhatu Investment which he stated that he received the sum of N4,633,000,000 from the account of the Office of the NSA. I authorised the payment . The money was for vehicles, motorcycles for youth empowerment and women sent to Saudi Arabia. I got the proposal from the President. I do not have the proposal; it should be at the office in the Villa

    “I have seen the statement of the Zenith Bank account where N5billion was paid. I authorised the following payments, among others: Jabbama Ada Global Nigeria Limited (N400m); R.R. Hospital (N750m); ACACIA Holdings LTD (N1.25b); Barr. I.M. Bala (N150m); African Cable TV (N 350m); Nigerian Defence Academy (N159m); B.B. (N350m); Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (N125,503, 255.11); Coscharis Motors (N119m).

    “The payments were  meant for various partners as earlier listed. I know Basha Nigeria Limited to be owned by Hon. Bello Matawalle. I authorided the payment of N380million for further disbursement to members of the House of Representatives as campaign contribution. I authorised the payment of N751million to HEIRS BDC Limited for conversion to forex from the account of the NSA. Money was used for  operation in the Office of the NSA.

    “I have seen the mandate from the CBN  signed by me authorising payment of various sums of money to Dalhatu Investment for the reasons earlier stated.

    “In respect of funds given to Amb. Bashir Yuguda between December 2014 and 2015, I authorised the payment of N1.5billion from the Office of the National Security Adviser for political campaign in the last elections. I remember paying DAAR Communications the sum of N2.120billion from ONSA for media activities for the Presidential Campaign 2015.”

    Dasuki confirmed also payment of $146,639019.00 to E-Force Inter-Service Ltd

    The ex-NSA added:  “I do not have any company registered in my name, I have no account with HSBC. All payments  made from NSA accounts within the period I was there were authorised by me.”

    The CBN confirmed that the N10billion was sourced from the CBN/ OAGF Signature Bonus Account.

    The CBN made the clarification in an October 29, 2015 letter to the EFCC’s Director of Operations.

    The apex bank said: “Your letter ref: EFCC/EC/ CBN/ 12/163 dated  21st September 2915 to the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria and the directive by the management that we provide some explanations, we wish to state as follows:

    “The N10billion constitutes two tranches of N5.08billion each debited to the CBN/OAGF SIGNATURE BONUS ACCOUNT NO 400225220 vide OAGF memo Ref: FD/LP2015/1/28 DF to the  Office of the National Security Adviser A/C Number 20172241019 with the CBN Abuja  and the second was for credit into the account of National Security Adviser Account Number 1014199287 with Zenith Bank Plc Wuse II Abuja.

    “The transactions were consummated  on November 10, 2014. The mandate that authorized the withdrawal of USD47.0m was from the Office of the National Security Adviser(ONSA) with REF: NSA/366/S dated November 26, 2014. The mandate was processed for dollar cash payment to Mr. S. A. Salisu on November 27,  2014.

    “The USD5.0M was via a memo from the ONSA memo REF: ACCT/86/VOL. 2/ 218 dated November 13, 2014. The National Security Adviser Account Number 20172241019 was debited  and dollar cash payment made to Mr. Wambai Ibrahim on November 14, 2014 in line with the mandate.

    “The Euro 4.0m and Euro 1.6m transactions were via mandate from ONSA memo REF: NASS/ 366/S dated November 26, 2014.  The NSA’s Account Number 20172241019 was debited and Euro cash payment effected as follows: Euro 4.0m on December 3, 2014 and Euro 1.6m was on December 24, 2014. These sums were released to Mr. S. A. Salisu as stipulated in the mandate. Attached are copies of all the relevant documents please.”

    The CBN Governor was responding to a letter ( EFCC/EC/CBN/12/163) of 21st September, 2015 by former EFCC Chairman Ibrahim Lamorde.

    The three-paragraph letter said: “ This commission is investigating a case of Abuse of Office and money laundering of funds for special services by the Office of the National Security Adviser which were withdrawn  in November 2014.

    “We seek your kind assistance to provide available information on the disbursement of the funds with copies of relevant documents, including transfers to foreign and local banks and cash withdrawals.

    “Thank you in anticipation of your usual cooperation.”

    A Staff Officer Account 1 in the Office of the NSA, Yazidu Ibrahim said in his statement as follows: ” I can testify that in the last five years, for all the companies that were paid, VAT and Withholding Tax were never paid for any contract.

    “Also, to the best of my knowledge, there is no tenders board and procurement unit at the NSA. The awarding authority for all contracts, remains the NSA. All payments for contracts are (sic) based on directive from the  DFA. Sometimes, there were accompanying documents  most times, there was nothing except account details of contractors.

    “In the last five years, the SAS imprest account has been passed and ONSA is getting direct funding from the government.

    “I want to state as follows: many of the contracts were fake because the payment were round figures. (2), many of the payments were related to the 2015 presidential elections and not for national security. Many of the cash payments were just looted. Many people in the ruling PDP got huge sums of money”.

    ” The SAS imprest account is an account maintained by the NSA and the Permanent Secretary, Special Service Office. This is where money for the intelligence community is first paid before sharing between the ONSA, NSA and DSS.”

     

  • Acting INEC chair, others for women’s forum

    Acting INEC chair, others for women’s forum

    The Acting Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Hajia Amina Bala-Zakari will speak tomorrow at the 2nd edition of SheForumAfrica at the National Centre for Women Development, Abuja.

    Other speakers are publisher of Today’s Woman, Adesuwa Onyenokwe, founder/Director at The Contact Project, a global Enterprise, Jennifer K. Lynne and Vice President – Women in Politics Forum, Sharon Ikeazor. Others are Angela Ajala, an astute Educational Entrepreneur/Administrator; Aisha Attah, a Personal Development Consultant; Dr. Ify Monye, a Primary Healthcare  and lifestyle medicine expert , Lola Adele-Oso, Executive Director of Act 4 Accountability UK, an African diaspora organisation, and Terri Pardonu – host of the popular ‘WE WOMAN’ radio talk show.

    In a bold and novel demonstration of the commitment to bridge the generational knowledge gap, SheForumAfrica 2015 features a number of young panelists representative of various age brackets among them, Rinsola Abiola; Adaora Asala, the dynamic MD of Easy Taxi Nigeria, Lois Auta, Mandela Washington fellow and founder Ceedar Seed Foundation and  Fatima Musa Aliyu.

    Also in the line-up are Hajia Saudatu Mahdi of WRAPA, Dr. Christianah Kwabe, a GP with Asokoro General Hospital, Chioma Kanu, a gender exponent/Programme Manager, CISLAC; Laura Ajoiyi, a Legal Practitioner, and Amina Salihu, foremost gender activist and Chairman Board of Trustees, HADIS Foundation.

    The keynote presentation on the topic: “Being a Voice not an echo: Synergising for Sustainable Impact” will be delivered by  frontline broadcast journalist, author/trainer, motivational speaker and life coach, Mrs Eugenia Abu.

    The maiden edition of SheForumAfrica held last year with participation from two countries.

    According to conference host  and founder of the Friendraiser Community, Inimfon Etuk, “the conversation this year across the Forum’s 4 Panels will reflect the road travelled by the average African woman, with a priority on demystifying persisting stereotypes that keep women at the bottom of the ladder, especially in the areas of health, basic education and the ability to function optimally in the enlarged entrepreneurial space”.

    The theme for SheForumAfrica 2015 is “Risk the unusual – make it happen”.

     

  • ‘Why more children are taking to acting’

    ‘Why more children are taking to acting’

    Josephine Igberaese is a director with the National Troupe of Nigeria.  In the past, she handled Creative Station, a drama series for children during the summer holiday.  In this chat with Edozie Udeze, she talks about how the programme has helped to discover new talents and refocus creativity in others.

    Tell, to begin with, this programme has been an eye-opener to me and to most of us who have been involved in it.  The satisfaction it gives me is that when the children come here initially, you’ll see some of them so shy because they have not been on stage.  But then, give them two weeks or so after they have been molded, you see them very agile and eager to go,” Igberaese began.

    “Now they can begin to talk and mix freely.  For me, this makes life easy for them.  That self-consciousness is no more there.  Apart from that, the education they get in the areas of creative writing, acting, music – those talents their parents were not aware they have, we discover them here during this process of molding them.  Those who know what to do but do not know how to go about it, we also begin to nurture that.  In the end, the children I see after one month of their being here are a different breed of who they were when they came in.  This is part of the joy we derive from teaching them.”

    Igberaese who studied Theatre Arts at the University of Jos, explained that the best way to keep the children busy during the long vacation is to allow them do some creative endeavours.  “You see, they have been in school for this while.  Then what again will you teach them now?  And children do not necessarily learn in formal setting, because this year we are dealing with the theme, the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade.  Last year, it was about the Nigerian nation and many of them learnt a lot.  Now when they do not teach them History in schools anymore, the topic becomes handy for them to learn about Nigerian cultures and traditions and more,” she said.

    To her also, learning and mixing up with one another gives the children plenty of joy.  “Yes, you have to tell the story over and over again and you can see them glitter and glimmer.  This also makes their parents proud.  They now see what other options they have for the children – those who can sing; those who can dance or paint or even play the drums and perform.  There are varieties of creative things each can show his or her preference for.”

    In the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade story, Igberaese and her team are looking at the movement of slaves from Africa across the Atlantic to the new world.  It is a whole new experience for the children who indeed marvel at the fact that truly for over 300 years human beings were parcelled like cargoes across continents.  “This movement also affected farming because the youths who were sold into slavery would have been useful in that regard.  They took away all the able-bodied men to help develop Europe and America while Africa was left barren.  And apart from that, what was the reason for the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade?  The children were quite curious to know the reason and you could really see that enthusiasm to get to know about their past.”

    Before this lesson began, the children were mandated to go and check on the internet what the topic entails.  “So by the time we began to work on the topic as their creative theme, they’d already known what it is all about.  We then spent time talking about each person’s research.  Each person stood up and told us what he researched on.  Each kid told us based on his age.  The older ones were of course more matured about it and in the end, we had plenty of issues to dwell on.  Most of them asked me, did it really happen?  And I said yes and they were shocked.”

    Having been better informed now, the next step was to take them on the creative exercises based on the chosen theme.  But again Igberaese allayed the belief that the programme is basically for rich men’s children.  “No, it is not” she said, “Here, we have children from Orile, from Ajegunle, from Ijora Badia as well as from other local places around.  Most of them were sponsored by kind-hearted Nigerians.  They’ve been paid for to be part of this show.  So it cuts across.  Last year, I called them children without borders because you could see them all mixing together, whether you were from Ikoyi or Lekki or Mushin.  Once they dropped their bags, they also dropped their social classes.”

    While on stage, it was not possible to know who came from the rich or poor family.  The children ranging between five to seventeen years old were in the mood to bubble, to thrill and to impress.  In them, you see theatre, you perceive drama and feel the razzmatazz of all sorts.  “There is no class distinction here and that is why I call them children without borders.  It is only incidental that it is parents who are a bit affluent who see the need to bring their children here.  It is they who see the need for a vocational education which includes sports, art and all.  And probably many of them will go to school abroad.  And in applying, these are some of the things they ask them.  So what we do is to help  link up these children sooner or later.”

    In all, it is not that the parents of the less privileged do not appreciate them.  They only do not have the wherewithal to allow them to come for the programme.  “This is why we keep looking for sponsorship for those who have the talents but do not have the money to come.  You see also children of the rich who can afford to have their holidays abroad but their parents want to prepare them for tomorrow.  There are no jobs anywhere, and they can learn now how to be big actors in the future.  This is the opportunity we are offering them with this creative station.  They watch most of their idols on TV or on CNN and now many of them want to be like them.  This is why parents are encouraging their children to be in Maltina Dance, in American Idol and so on.  This is the time when creativity pays and most parents do not want to lag behind.”

    From experience, Igberaese further explained, some of the graduates of the scheme are now prepared to record their own music.  “It is so awesome to see kids of just yesterday so eager to do their own music.  It is so amazing.  The irony of it all is that once you’ve been here before, you get addicted to it.  These children are like that; they want to act and be involved even when they have passed the age.  They still come for the programme and function back stage.  They mingle with the children, telling them one or two things as they make up.  The issue of acting or taking up theatre as a profession is already in them.  Those who have done it before appreciate what they have learnt and that is why they try to come back every year not only to say hello but also to hobnob with the younger ones.”

  • Buhari’s directive ‘ignored in appointment of acting AGF’

    President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive that the most Senior Officer be appointed to act as the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF)  following the retirement of the AGF Jonah Otunla, was ignored, it was learnt yesterday.

    Otunla left office a fortnight ago and handed over to Mr. Mohammed Dikwa, who is said to be the second most senior director.

    Omoniyi Fagbemi, the director of Revenue is the most senior director Dikwa is said to be ranked at No 18 in the order of seniority of directors of Finance and Accounts in the Federal Civil Service.

    Dikwa’s appointment is trailed by discontent in the civil service.

    Senior Civil Servants have condemned the decision of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HoS), Danladi Kifasi as lacking in due process and against the norm.

    The development is viewed as inimical to seniority, experience and discipline.

    According to a civil service source, who pleaded anonymity, the handling of the screening procedures for the eventual appointment of a substantive AGF has equally heightened suspicions which may question the integrity and veracity of the process.

    She explained that further to a tradition enthroned by Mr Steve Oronsaye to ensure transparency, applicants aspiring to various leadership positions in the civil service including those of Permanent Secretary, Accountant General and Auditor General, among others, are required to write qualifying examinations and undergo further screening.

    “Thirty Directors of Finance and Accounts across the civil service, sat for the most recent qualifying examination but based on performance in the three-stage test, the number should have been whittled down to a more manageable size to enable oral interface, before recommendation for presidential approval.

    “The template which was put in place and followed religiously under former President Olusegun Obasanjo was for the best three candidates, following tests and screening for top-level service positions, to be proposed for eventual ratification at the discretion of the President.

    “This applied to Vice-Chancellors, Chief Medical Directors, Rectors and Provost of federal government-owned tertiary institutions and health facilities, and by extension other service appointments.

    “Without regards for this rule, however, four of the 34 candidates who sat for the AGF qualifying examination were randomly selected for post-screening, in circumstances which were but transparent.

    “These include Director, Finance and Accounts in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture Alhaji Idris Mamman and Dikwa.

    “While Mamman came ninth in the examination, Dikwa placed 29. If merit, transparency and due process were followed, both officers will not make the post examination interface,” she said.

    The game plan, according to the source, was aimed at a subtle attempt to narrow the options for eventual presentation for presidential assent, to the Northeast geo-political zone, where Kifasi comes from.

    She said: “Whereas Kifasi is from Taraba State, Mamman and Dikwa are both from Borno in the same Northeast zone.

    “The argument for skipping Fagbemi for Dikwa in the appointment of an acting AGF, is that he comes from the Southwest, as Otunla the former AGF.

    “When did it become a crime for people serving in the same establishment to come from the same zone? If the Office of the Head of Service (OHOSF), is not working towards a premeditated result, why didn’t the office make its shortlist based strictly on the results of the examination conducted specifically for the appointment of a new AGF?

    “The OHOSF has impugned the integrity and fairness of the whole process with the dispassionate manner it has handled it thus far”.

    On the implication of the development which was said to have been the same that threw up Otunla, who had came ninth out of the 10 Directors that took the second round of the examination in January 2011, the source regretted that the due process and anti-corruption stance of this administration would be unfairly impugned.

    She said: “Rumours are rife that the process has been unwittingly compromised and corrupted.

    The source, however, hoped that as an experienced and tested administrator, President Buhari would take more than a passing interest in the process leading to the first substantive appointment which will bear his approval.

     

  • RAKON: ‘Acting gives me joy but I prefer rapping’

    RAKON: ‘Acting gives me joy but I prefer rapping’

    Why did you decide to go into acting? 

    Art generally has been my passion. When I was a kid growing up, I liked singing and drumming. That was how I got inclined into music. As I grew up, I found myself acting. Because your passion, your drive for something you have a passion for will motivate you to want to do more, I found myself yearning to take it to a professional level. That was how it started for me.

     As one who acts and you also sing, how do you marry both worlds?

    It all boils down to what I am saying about having a passion. The same passion I have for acting is the same I have for music. Although music is actually my first passion, somewhere along the line, acting came in and overtook music. But right now, I’m concentrating more on both of them. I am trying to share my time between both of them.

    So far, have you released any album?

    I am currently working on releasing one. It is my first album. I have done two singles already but they are not out yet. I just recorded them. ID Cabasa produced one of them. It is titled Superstar. The other track was produced by DXL. It is titled I Will Blow.

     How would you describe your genre of music?

    Basically, I do Hip Hop music. I also rap, I do a little singing and I also do dancehall.

     Who are your influences when it comes to music?

    Among the foreign acts, I like Nas a lot. His music inspires me so much. I like KRS1 too. I like him for his depth as regards his lyrics. I also like The Game. On the local scene, I think I like MI and Mode 9.

     So far, how receptive has the acting world been to you?

    Acting to me is fun. It is fun to me in the sense that you get to do what you enjoy and you get paid for it. It is like I am catching fun and at the end of the day, I still get paid. To me, acting is fun. Most times I crave for challenging roles, something that will challenge me; something that will give me that jolt so that when people see me, they will commend my performance.

     What films have you done so far?

    I have acted in quite a number of movies. I did War Front with Teco Benson. It is an action-packed movie. I did Three Last Digits with Moses Ewang. I also did Cash Money which was also directed by Moses Ewang. I acted in the movie Rules of The Riches directed by Charles Inojie. On the TV side, I have done SuperStory. I have also done a couple of other soap operas. Some of them include This Life, Family Ties, Face 2 Face, So Wrong So Wright and now, I am acting in Tales of Eve. I have also been on Nowhere to be Found. It is a long list.

    Having done these much productions, would you say the industry has given you the recognition you deserve?

    I have been able to pick up one or two awards. When we shot Sweet Killer, I was nominated and I actually won an award. It was called the Promising Future Award. I won the Best Actor category for my role on the set of Sweet Killer.

     Aside entertainment, what else are you into?

    I am a 100% entertainment person. When I am not acting, I am writing songs. I write a lot. I write scripts too. Most of the stories I have written are yet to be seen. Though I have shown some of them to Moses Ewang and he has assured me that they are production worthy. He is my bosom friend. He liked them.

    Between acting and singing, which gives you more joy?

    Acting gives me joy and to be quite honest music also gives me a lot of joy. But when it comes to it, if I have to choose between them, it will be music.

     How soon are you expecting to release your album?

    First of all, I need to drop those singles. As soon as they are out, the response and the acceptance would determine how soon the album will drop

     Are you working on any collaboration?

    I did a song with Seriki. We are trying to put a perfect finishing to it. I also want to do something with Oritsefemi as quick as possible. Those are the collaborations I am working on currently.

     What was growing up like for you?

    As a boy, my growing up went so well. I attended a private nursery and primary school but my secondary school was in a government school. After my WAEC, I attended a college of computer studies where I obtained a diploma in Computer Studies. From there, I went to the University of Abuja where I studied Computer Science. I grew up in Lagos. The only time I left the city was in my university days when I had to go to Abuja.

  • ‘Acting has opened doors for me’

    ‘Acting has opened doors for me’

    With a brief stint in the Nigerian movie industry, Ifeka Doris Ifeoma is fast growing to be a darling on the screen. The budding actress is best known for her roles in television series such as Clinic Matters, Karma, Daddy’s Girls, Closet and now, Tales of Eve. In this interview with OVWE MEDEME, Doris, who is a student of the University of Lagos, opens up on her fears and anxieties as she embraces a career in acting.

    IS this your first time acting? This is not my first time on screen. I have been acting for long. I started in 2006. This is about the fourth TV series I would be starring in.

    What other ones have you done?

    I have done Clinic Matters, Karma, Daddy’s Girls, Closet and others. I am not really into feature films though. I think I have just done one and that was way back in 2006.

    Is it a deliberate thing not going into full length movies?

    It depends on certain factors. If I get the opportunity, I will definitely do more movies. For now, the opportunities have not come and I haven’t really gone out there to explore.

    What inspired you into the world of acting?

    Right from when I was very young, it had always been my dream, my passion to go into acting. It is something I have always loved to do. I see it as the best way to bring out what I know I can do best.

    How did you get auditioned for your first role?

    When I was still living in my former street, some people came to shoot a movie, so my mum called me to tell me that I should come and see Ramsey Nouah. I went and I saw them shooting. I met the Production Manager. I was still very young then. So I told him that I would love to act. He laughed and told me, ‘you this small girl, you want to act?’ I said yes, and that was it. The next day, they came to my house and they took me. I acted in that movie they were doing and they liked my performance. So they called me for an audition. That was my very first audition.

    Were you nervous?

    I was very nervous because I was still very young. I was 11 then.

    So far, how has the acting world been treating you?

    It has been treating me well. It has made me believe that I can actually do this, even at those times when I have my doubts. Acting has been awesome. It has been good.

    A lot of actresses have to deal with controversies. Does that scare you?

    It does, because most times, I am always nervous when I come on set. I don’t know why but it is a feeling I cannot shake away.

    How do you overcome your fears?

    Once I come on set, I always have this feeling that I can do it. I try to give it my best. At least I know I would have created something if it comes out well. If I am okay with myself, the fears and everything goes. And once I believe in myself, I tend to do well.

    Are you still in school?

    Yes. I am currently schooling at the University of Lagos studying English.

    How do your course mates react when they are around you?

    (Laughs) My course mates call me my character name. They are excited when they see me. They keep telling me that they love to act too, asking if I can connect them. Some even go to the extent of asking for my autograph. It is fun having that kind of feeling.

    Has somebody ever been nasty to you because they’ve seen you on TV?

    No one has ever been that way. Instead, they appreciate what I do on TV.

    What big favours have acting brought to you?

    It has brought me a lot of favours in the sense that people see me on TV and give me jobs. I have gotten presenting jobs from acting. It has also made me kind of popular around my neighbourhood. It has also brought me money too.

    What role are you playing in Tales of Eve?

    I play the role of Boma. Boma is this naive, innocent girl who just entered school. She is what we call a Jambite. She is this girl that looks up to her friend, Irene, because she believes that she can get a whole lot from her. Irene has helped her both in her family problems and financially.

    Boma is this kind of girl who looks up to Irene but there is a part of her that wants to join Irene in doing her runs. However, Irene never supports her. Boma feels that is the right thing to do, so, there is kind of a conflict. At the end, she realises herself and becomes that person she wants to be.

    What is the most challenging script you have acted?

    That should be my role in Karma. I had to play a role bigger than me. I was a 21-year-old, I was pregnant and dating two guys. I had to kiss for the first time in a movie and it was challenging to me. But for Tales of Eve, it is more like me being myself; being the innocent, gentle and quiet person that I am.

    How did your parents react to you kissing a guy in a movie?

    Before then, I told my mum that this is the kind of role I have to play. My mother supports me all the way because she believes that I am being another person. It is another character. She didn’t see anything wrong in that.

    Does she help you pick the roles you act?

    No, she doesn’t. But if there is a role I want to play, I run it by her. She always tells me not to take any role where I have to go nude or where I have to expose my body. She is fine with me kissing in a movie, she is fine with a guy touching me, but not too much. However, the part of me exposing my body is what she doesn’t want.

    How old are you?

    I am 18 going to 19. I will be 19 this year. I am in 300 Level in UNILAG.

    Where did you grow up?

    I grew up in Lagos.

    What was growing up like?

    Growing up was fun. I lived with my parents. I have always been around them, especially my brother. I am the last, we are just two. I didn’t have any challenge growing up.

  • Oyo gets Acting HoS

    Mr. Williams Adesoji Eniade has been appointed as the Acting Head of Service of Oyo State.

    This was contained in a statement issued yesterday by the governor’s media aide, Dr. Festus Adedayo.

    Until his appointment, Eniade was the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Youths and Sports.

    Born on April 31, 1959, Eniade got a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography from the University of Ibadan (U.I.) in 1981 and a Masters of Public Administration (MPA) from the Obafemi Awolowo University (O.A.U.), Ile-Ife, in 1997.

    A 2012 graduate of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Eniade joined the service of the Oyo State government on February 8, 1983, as Administrative Officer II and rose to a Permanent Secretary on July 3, 2009.

    He hails from Lagelu Local Government Area and is married with three children.

    Governor Abiola Ajimobi urged Eniade to discharge his duties diligently.

  • Fed Govt not involved in Kaduna bombings, says acting IGP

    Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Suleiman Abba has said police investigators on the July 23 twin bombings in Kaduna indicated that the Federal Government has no hand in the attacks.

    A former Head of State and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, was said to be the target of one of the attacks.

    He escaped by the whiskers.

    His convoy, including the vehicle he was travelling in, was badly damaged by the blasts.

    Critics of the government, including the leadership of the APC, accused the Federal Government of alleged complicity in the attempt on Gen. Buhari’s life.

    But Abba dismissed the claims.

    The acting police chief explained that although a suspect was being held in connection with the blasts, there was no indication that the Federal Government was involved in the attacks.

    Abba said: “A competent team of police investigators, including forensic experts, visited the scene of the blasts. The investigators also visited the victims of the blasts in hospitals and the mortuaries.

    “They met with witnesses, including the highly respected General Buhari and his aides, who were with him on the day of the incident. But the report of the investigation absolved the Federal Government of any complicity in the attacks.”

    The new police helmsman spoke yesterday at the Force Headquarters in Abuja during his first meeting with Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) and Commissioners of Police from the 36 states.

    On Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State, the police chief assured the parties and other stakeholders that arrangements had been concluded to ensure the security of life and property and integrity of the poll.

    Abba said: “Arrangements are on ground for adequate security for the election. We only need to make a few adjustments here and there. An advance team of officers and men have been on ground in Osun since last Saturday. We are going to deploy another team on Wednesday (tomorrow) to join the personnel on ground.

    “I will not disclose the number of personnel to be deployed in Osun, but we are going to deploy enough hands. There won’t be any problem because we are doing everything possible to ensure that the integrity of the poll is maintained.”

    The acting IGP assured that policemen would observe established code of conduct and ethics before, during and after the elections.

    He added that when he was the DIG in charge of Zone 7, he chaired a special committee that drew up arrangements and preparations for the 2015 general elections before his appointment last week.

     

  • Abba is Acting IGP

    Abba is Acting IGP

    The police have a new chief.

    Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) Suleiman Abba was yesterday named Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP).  He replaces Mohammed Abubakar, in the saddle from January 2012 till yesterday when he retired after 35 years in service.

    President Goodluck Jonathan appointed Abba, according to statement by his spokesman Dr. Reuben Abati.

    The statement said: “President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has approved the appointment of AIG Suleiman Abba as the Acting  Inspector-General of Police.

    “AIG Abba, currently the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 7, comprising Abuja, Kaduna and Niger states, replaces the incumbent Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Abubakar, who proceeds on statutory retirement today having completed 35 years in service.

    “The incoming Inspector-General, a lawyer, hails from Jigawa State and is an alumnus of the Nigerian Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies.

    “Positions previously held by him in the Police include Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department, FCT Command, Deputy Force Secretary and Commissioner of Police, Rivers State.

    “His appointment is with effect from Friday, August 1, 2014.”

    Abba’s appointment has laid to rest speculations that Abubakar, whose tenure extension bid was spearheaded by Vice President Namadi Sambo, would stay in the police a day longer than his retirement date.

    Abba was the Chairman of Police Cooporative and was ADC to Mrs. Maryam Abacha during the tenure of the late General Sani Abacha as military Head State.

    Abba, 55, was born on March 22, 1959. He hails from Gwaram Local Government Area of Jigawa State. He was enlisted into the police on December 31, 1984. Abba became an AIG on February 22, 2012, a few days after his predecessor was appointed the Inspector General of Police.

    The new IGP served in various capacities and at various police formations. He was once the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of State CID at the Federal Capital Territory Command. From there, he moved to the Force Headquarters as Deputy Commissioner of Police (Deputy Force Secretary).

    Abba is described by police sources as “an officer without controversy”. With the 2015 general elections around the corner, his major challenge and test of character may come from the way he handles the elections.

    His first challenge may come from next Saturday’s Osun State governorship election.

    If he serves out his full term as IGP, Abba, with Service No. AP24176, is expected to retire on March 22, 2019.

    The Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Mr. Mike Okiro, congratulated Abba on his appointment.

    In a statement yesterday, Okiro, a one time IGP, advised Abba to rise up to the challenges of his new appointment.

    He noted that as a tested officer who had various Command positions, he had no doubt that Abba would bring new perspectives in the search for solutions to the security threats confronting the nation.

  • Acting Club Owners’ scribe resigns

    Acting Club Owners’ scribe resigns

    The Acting Secretary of the Globacom Premier League Club Owners’ Association, Alloy Chukwuemeka, has resigned.

    Chukwuemeka confirmed his resignation in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Ilorin.

    He said his resignation became necessary after ABS FC’s relegation from the Globacom Premier League was ratified by the Nigeria Football Association (NFA), during its Annual General Meeting in Warri, Delta on Thursday.

    Chukwuemeka stressed that as the General Manager of ABS, it was no longer possible for him to retain the position of acting secretary since his club had been relegated.

    It was against the backdrop of the team’s relegation that the ABS General Manager tendered his letter of resignation on Thursday.

    The letter read: “You will recall that my nomination to the position of Ag. Secretary was based on the resolution by the entire Chairmen and Managers of the 20 clubs of which I was a member.

    “Consequently, on my honour and based on principles, I hereby step down from my position following the relegation of my club.’’

    The former Yobe Desert Stars Media Officer thanked members of the Association for their cooperation. He also extended his appreciation to all the stakeholders in the football family, as well as the media.

    The ABS helmsman told NAN that his major assignment would be how to bring the team back to the Premier League.

    NAN reports that ABS got relegated at the end of the 2012/2013 Globacom Premier League season after they finished in the 18th position on the league’s standings.