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Tag: Benson

  • Benson clocks 52

    Benson clocks 52

    Babajimi Adegoke Benson is one man whose cup of joy is overfilled because of the Lord’s doings in his life. Benson, widely referred to as JB, has continued to surpass his achievements since his entrance into the world of politics.

    After making headway and landmark strides in the public and private sectors, the trained lawyer took on the role of a lawmaker representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives in 2015.

    Benson stands tall among 52-year-olds in Nigeria and beyond as one who has won the hearts of his people in Ikorodu and continues to make an impact on humanity across Nigeria.

    Read Also: Why Ndi Igbo must support, defend Tinubu’s govt – Kalu

    Recently, Jimi Benson reached out to the Muslim faithful in his constituents by distributing Ramadan food palliatives. The gesture, which is not new to many of his constituent, further attests to his humanitarian side.

    On Saturday, March 30, Jimi Benson will turn 52 and all roads will lead to his home where he will celebrate with his family, close associates and some members of his constituents.

  • Controversy over death, burial of entertainment icon Benson

    •I learnt of incident on Facebook, says widow  •Son: my dad died of kidney, heart failure

    Controversial has trailed the death and alleged plan to secretly bury entertainment icon and founder of defunct Faze 2 Night Club, Yaba, Lagos Prince Soji Benson.

    The family is enmeshed in accusations.

    Benson, the eldest son of First Republic Minister Otunba TOS Benson, died on February 12 while on a 10-day visit to his son, Oye, at their Apapa, Lagos, home.

    The deceased, who lived in Ikorodu with his wife, Gloria, it was gathered, had violent marks on his body when his corpse was first seen by family members last Friday.

    The Nation learnt that an argument ensued between Mrs. Benson and her stepsons- Oye and Lanre- who allegedly went to the General Hospital, Lagos mortuary, where they initially deposited their father’s body, to take it for funeral without informing the family.

    It was gathered that the parties had disagreed over hurried plans to bury the deceased, during which Gloria allegedly uncovered a grave at their Ikorodu home where her stepsons wanted to bury their father.

    A source told our correspondent that it took the intervention of the deceased’s siblings before his body was retrieved from his sons and embargoed in the mortuary.

    It was learnt that someone had contacted the deceased’s cousin, Tony Benson that he was found by the roadside in Apapa where he allegedly tripped and fell, prompting Tony to call his father.

    Besides last Friday’s attempt at the General Hospital, The Nation gathered that the deceased’s sons again attempted to bury him on Wednesday after allegedly taking the body forcefully from the mortuary, but were stopped by the police following complaints by the family.

    They and their guests were said to have worn black T-shirts with their father’s picture imprinted on them when policemen from the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Panti, Yaba, on the instruction of Police Commissioner Zubairu Muazu, stopped them.

    While the body was retrieved from the vehicle they used, it was learnt that the mourners allegedly proceeded with an empty casket to the Vaults and Gardens, Ikoyi, Lagos for funeral rites.

    Narrating the incident to our correspondent, the source said: “They said he tripped and fell. That is very suspicious. How did they know who to call? It was as if he was beaten and he collapsed. The son did not carry him to somewhere close. So they called a cousin of his, who called his dad.

    “It could not have been a problem if the place they took him, two days after he died, had agreed to issue a death certificate. The doctor there said he could not write a death certificate because when he was brought to him, he was in a coma and he needed the coma report.

    “His son (Oye) then started fighting with his aunties and uncles that they were the ones who killed him. He said he wanted to bury his father in Ikorodu. He started digging the grave.

    “Instead of them to call the elders and hold a meeting, they did not do that. They have been insulting people.

    “We thought this whole issue has been sorted, with the family directing that Prince Benson’s body should not be given to his sons. The family was making burial plans, only for someone to call on Wednesday that the boys had picked the body from the mortuary and were going to bury him without telling anyone.

    “The family immediately contacted the police and the vehicle carrying the body was intercepted. The body was retrieved from them with the help of the police. It looked badly mutilated. It is in police custody.

    “The boys were still going to Ikorodu to bury an empty casket, but their guests did not follow them. I don’t know what happened thereafter. His sons are in their 30s. They have been acting really suspicious. I don’t know if the family has property disputes.

    “Whatever the matter, the deceased deserves a decent funeral. He was a good man; he helped a lot of people. They should not bring shame to him in death.”

    Benson’s widow told our reporter that she learnt about her husband’s death on Facebook. She said there were violent marks on his body when she first saw him.

    Said she: “I don’t even understand what is happening. I did not know my husband had died. I learnt about it after it had been posted on Facebook. My husband visited his son at Apapa, Lagos, he died at Apapa. They didn’t allow me to see his body until March 1 when I learnt Oye had gone to take the body for funeral.

    “Before that day, I discovered a grave being dug by Oye at Ikorodu and I objected to the place. I told him my husband deserved to be given a befitting funeral, he should not be dumped at a dunghill just like anybody.

    “They continued to dig the grave and I protested by jumping inside the grave. That was when they stopped. I reported to the police at Shagamu Road and they came, saw the place and advised us to hold a family meeting to resolve the matter.

    “They wanted to bury my husband without my consent. I have no issues with my stepsons. This is why I’m surprised at these happenings. I was not there when my husband died because he was at Apapa where he had gone to visit his son. They did not even tell me he had died.

    “When they wanted to bury their father, I reported the matter to one of my brothers-in-law, who stopped them.

    “I don’t know why he (Oye) did not even want anyone to be involved in my husband’s funeral. They (Oye and his brother, Lanre) just wanted to bury their father quickly for reasons best known to them. It was last Friday that I saw my husband’s body for the first time.

    “When I saw the body, I noticed that he was beaten to death. The son was making it look like I was the one who wanted to bury him, until I jumped into the grave, took a picture of myself and sent it to the family.

    “My husband was in hospital but I was not aware. When I went to my husband’s family house at Apapa, Oye had already called my husband’s lawyer. They were holding a meeting. I knocked for more than 20 minutes, he refused to answer. It was when he realised I would not leave that he came down and ordered me out of my husband’s house. Then, I did not know if anything had happened, maybe, my husband was in hospital then.”

    But Oye denied the allegations. He said his father died of heart and kidney failure.

    He told our correspondent on the phone that he was being wrongly accused of killing his father, denying that there were violent marks on him.

    Oye said: “This is not true. As you are talking now, my father’s burial is going on at the Vaults and Gardens in Ikoyi, Lagos. The family members are there. I am not there because I am at the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Panti, Yaba where they have kept me.

    “They accused me of killing my father, but autopsy report said he died of kidney and heart failure. There were no violent marks on his body. It is untrue that my brother and I wanted to secretly bury him. It is not true that the police intercepted us while taking his body to Ikorodu. We were asked to bring his body to the police and we did.

    “The autopsy report will be out by 2pm today (Thursday). I don’t know where Lanre is at the moment.”

    The Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in charge of SCIID, Yetunde Longe, denied that Oye was in her custody.

    She said: “Nobody is in our custody. We don’t have a suspect in that case.”

    Police spokesman Chike Oti, a Chief Superintendent (CSP), told our correspondent that Benson’s body was in the mortuary and investigation was on. He refused to answer further questions on how the police got the body, insisting that investigation was being conducted on the matter.

    Oti had confirmed that Mrs. Benson reported at Shagamu Road Division that she was not satisfied with the place her husband’s family had earmarked for his burial, saying it was unbefitting.

    He said: “Mrs. Gloria Benson reported at Shagamu Road Police Station that she wasn’t satisfied with the place her late husband’s family earmarked for his burial. She considered it unbefitting for a man from such a prominent family.

    “Following her report, the Divisional Police Officer invited the family to his office and advised that they should resolve their dispute. He told them that it is not the duty of the police to decide burial site, but that of the family.

    “However, during their discussion, one of the parties levelled an allegation against others; thus the DPO said since the new issue introduced in the dialogue happened in Apapa, Apapa Police Station is better placed to handle it, being the police station in charge of the area where the alleged offence was committed.

    “At the end, the parties left the police station without a rancour, promising to maintain peace and abide by the DPO’s advice.”

     

  • I’ve delievered on my campaign promises, says Benson

    I’ve delievered on my campaign promises, says Benson

    The lawmaker representing Ikorodu Constituency in the House of Representatives, Babajimi Benson, said he has delivered on all his campaign promises within two and half years in office.

    Benson told a large crowd of coordinators, supporters and other people from the constituency that he has implemented all the programmes he listed in his manifesto, which he presented to the people of the constituency during his campaign for their votes.

    The occasion was at the presentation of “iCare Apo Anu”, (a bag containing different kind of food) to 500 aged women and other persons to commemorate the one year anniversary of the iCare Foodbank  and the World Food Day.

    The iCare Foodbank is an initiative of Babajimi Benson’s iCare Foundation, a non-profit organization that focuses on the improvement of the quality of lives of every resident within Ikorodu Fedrral Constituency.

    Benson said not less than 3,800 residents have so far benefitted from the “Apo Anu” programme through the foundation within the last one year at an average of 300 beneficiaries each month. He added: “The idea was to fill the stomach first and thereafter, teach the beneficiaries how to fish.”

    The lawmaker, who served on the Constitution Review Committee of the House of Representatives, also claimed to have ensured amendments of different sections of the constitution as requested and in a way that would be beneficial to the people.

    He said there are 65,000 and 2,000 Foodbanks   spread across the United States of America (USA) and the United Kingdom respectively, which are being funded by their governments to help the needy.

    Benson said that the idea of establishing iCare Foodbank, which was part of the programmes listed in his manifesto, was an initiative mooted by his wife, Olajumoke, and tailored along the line of the Foodbanks in USA and the UK, to help the needy within the constituency.

    He said that he has no hand in nominating beneficiaries, explaining that the selection process of the  beneficiaries is long and that it is  being done mostly by the churches, mosques with little input from leaders within the constituency.

    He added: “When you look at the beneficiaries, you will agree with me that they merited it and really need it. It will uplift them. It will strengthen and give them hope.”

    The Director-General of iCare Foundation, Mr Deen Sanwoola, disclosed that the foundation has been consistent in doling out the iCare food bag to beneficiaries every month within the last one year.

    Sanwoola said the programme is not that of the federal or state governments,  but that it is being funded by Benson and his wife from their personal savings with support from some philanthropic minded individuals and organisations.

    The Director-General explained that the content of each food bag can feed a family of four for two weeks. He listed the contents to include:  gari, spaghetti, indomie, beans, rice, groundnut oil, palm oil, salt, sugar, milk, tea among others.

  • How Ambode inspired my grassroots programme -Benson

    How Ambode inspired my grassroots programme -Benson

    The lawmaker representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Babajimi Benson, has special passion for the wellbeing of the vulnerable constituents. In this interview with Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu, he reveals how he has reached out to the people so far. He also spoke on the prospects of All Progressives Congress (AP), his future ambition and other issues. Excerpts

    YOU are one of the first term members of the House of Representatives, how will you describe your experience so far?

    The experience has been very enriching. The parliament has members from 360 federal constituencies, so, I sit with representatives of the Nigerian nation. The experience has been worthwhile. In this difficult time, we have been able to navigate and to try, as much as possible, to make Nigerians happy, though a difficult task. So, the experience has been very challenging and enriching.

    What you saw when you joined your colleagues at the National Assembly, was that what you expected? In terms of the calibre and quality of representation at the legislature, are you disappointed?

    I will say yes and no. I have met extremely patriotic and brilliant minds. I have also met some disappointments.

    Looking at some of your ongoing programmes in Ikorodu Federal Constituency, soon after your emergence as their rep, it seems you prepared very well for this office. I don’t know how you entered into Nigerian politics, but has your dream ever been to serve as a legislator?

    I will say yes and no, but what I always say to people is that I grew up playing politics. My great uncle, Otumba T.O.S Benson, was Nigeria’s first Minister of Information and Culture. My dad was always with him. I always say to people that as young as I am, I had dined with the crème-de-la-crème of the first generation politicians in Nigeria. I met with Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe and a whole lot of top politicians from the East, West and the North at a very tender age. Coupled with that, I studied law in school. So, I am sort of in my natural habitat.

    What informed your decision to join public service?

    It was Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s making. It all began when Asiwaju, through his PA, invited me, for a ten minutes meeting. Then, Asiwaju was looking for a replacement of Hakeem Muri-Okunola, the then Company Secretary/Legal Adviser of Ibile Holdings, the investment arm of Lagos State Government. The meeting lasted for two hours. After the meeting, Asiwaju said he has a greater role for me. That was how I became the Legal Adviser/Company Secretary of Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC).

    Your constituency, Ikorodu, is a unique place. Are you finding it easy serving as their rep at the House of Representatives? If yes, what are the secrets?

    I will say yes and no. You know Ikorodu is the second biggest federal constituency in Lagos State after Alimoso. We have 30 wards; we have 5 LCDAs and 1 LGA. In each LCDA, there are structures: We have a political structure, we have the religious and we have the traditional structure; we have all the CDAs and all the CDCs. If you replicate that times six, it’s huge. A lot of my other colleagues in Lagos State, some have 11 wards, some have 12 wards; I have 30 wards, plus six, making 36. So, it is challenging. We thank God that He has given us the wisdom and grace to cope with the challenges. In population as well, that axis is also the fastest growing. I think the population would be a minimum of about 2.5million. We only have one rep and two House of Assembly members. Other divisions have times three or times four of what we have. So, it’s challenging.

    Is that the reason behind your iCare Projects?

    Yes and no. I have always had the interest of my community at heart. The ‘I’ in the iCare Project stands for all my five LCDAs and the one LGA- because ‘I’ is for Ikorodu North, Ikorodu West, Ikorodu Central, Imota, Ijede and Igbogbo. There are all ‘I’. So, by iCare, I am saying for all of them, I care.

    A project designed to outlive my tenure in the House, iCare Foundation is to serve as the catalyst for adding value into the lives of our constituents. We realised that everybody wants something from their representative. If you have 2.5million people, how much can I give to sustain them? So, I now devised this policy to benefit the community instead of just giving some individuals money. That is what informed the birth of iCare. It is a communal initiative that will assist or benefit the greatest group and the greatest number. But the challenge is that everybody wants to benefit. While the Lagos Island rep, for example, may have less than 100 CDAs, in Ikorodu, I have over 1000 CDAs. So, everybody wants to be touched or affected in many ways forgetting that I am a legislator and that my job actually is to go to the centre and fight for federal presence, to fight for bills that will advance the interest of my constituency and community. However, I can’t let my people to continue to groan in poverty. So, we intervened through, amongst others, the iCare Foundation.

    The iCare Foundation has a Job Portal, an internet device where our unemployed youths go and register and upload their CV. So, employers can go there and search for the kind of people they want to employ. We have the StartUpIkorodu, which is a system through which we train the unemployed youths towards becoming self sufficient and entrepreneurs. We train them on vocational skill and we teach them entrepreneurial skill. We recently graduated 80 students. A six months programme, they studied fishing, graphic designs, catering, fashion designing, printing and CCTV installations and we partnered with Lagos Vocational Institute at the Lagos State Technical College, which trained them and gave them certificates. After that, we, myself, my wife, the ED of Ikorodu Micro Finance Bank and other professionals also trained them on entrepreneurial skills.

    And why did I start this StartUp Ikorodu? It was because I latched on what Governor Akinwunmi Ambode said during his electioneering campaign: That he will devote N1billion per division for Employment Trust Fund. That is, if you are unemployed and you learn a skill, he will give you money to start up. That is why we said StartupIkorodu. So, we have graduated the first graduates and the Executive Secretary of the Fund came to the graduation and he said our template is what he would be selling to the other honourables. He looked at the curriculum and the quality. He said he will grant initial start up facility to 25.

    There is also the Food Bank, which is part of the foundation. Under it we look at vulnerable and needy people in our community; we ask Mosques, Churches, CDAs, CDCs and various associations to send in names of people they know are vulnerable within the society and we give them food ration every month. They are entitled to get it for three months; thereafter we select new people. Each bag, tagged Apo aanu (Mercy bag) contains rice, garri, beans, milk, sugar, bournvita, noodles, tomatoe paste and pepper, vegetable oil, gesha, etc.

    There is also the Back to School Project. When the schools go on holidays, I will personally lead a team of volunteers to such schools, identify damaged portions and help to put them back to shape. We help do the toilets, re-floor damaged classrooms, take carpenters along to do repairs, do the roofs, fix the bulbs and such like. From this I have learnt how to do carpentry work and to use the shovels.

    After your tenure at the National Assembly, what is your future political ambition?

    With all these, I hope I will earn my people’s trust and be re-elected to return to the House for a second term.

    After serving out another term, what next?

    After the second term, if my people want me to continue, I will love to return to the House for a third term.

    What about the executive arm of government? Are you not thinking of serving your people there?

    Executive arm is for the tough people. It is not easy to govern over 22million people because I am a Lagosian.

    What is your assessment of the government of Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State?

    Flowing from the presentation of the 2017 Budget, the good people of Ikorodu are extremely grateful. We never had it so good. We are all happy with the governor, particularly with his style of quiet leadership. He under promises and over performs. We are assured that he will turn Ikorodu Division into the Miami of Lagos State.

    There are reports that your party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is greatly troubled. Some say the party is sharply divided now. What is currently wrong with the ruling party?

    I recall walking with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the one million march, a couple of years ago in Lagos. The man walked in the sun from Maryland to the Stadium for the current president. The man sacrificed a lot; his energy and time for Mr. President. So, I believe there is a time to sow and a time to reap. When you sow and you don’t reap appropriately or adequately, as a human being you tend to feel aggrieved or a bit disappointed. I will feel so because I am a human being but a couple of days ago, I read in the papers that they said there were no issues. Well, they are leaders, and they have the capacity to take stabs and be able to absolve disappointments more than the younger ones like us. If I were in Asiwaju’s shoes, I will be utterly distraught but I am sure he has seen many of this happen in his life time that he probably no longer expects anything from anybody.

    Some observers claim things have degenerated so much in the APC that the Asiwaju political family is considering an alternative. Being an active member of that family, can you confirm that such an option is being considered?

    I do not think anybody is thinking of an alternative. Asiwaju has said it severally that he built the party, and that he is going to stick with the party to ensure that the party wins more seats and win future elections. I don’t think you should leave a house you single handedly built. Democracy is a game of numbers; you win some, you lose some. Most time, he has been winning, so I don’t think anybody is planning to leave the party we built for anybody else.

     

  • The clown called Benson

    The clown called Benson

    By nature, clowns make us laugh. When you are sad, just look for them and smiles will play on your face. In the days of yore, kings kept clowns on their payrolls. They were called palace jesters. They lightened up the mood when the kings were tensed. These days, you have them on video compact discs. And with the aid of a DVD player, you can laugh your head off. Youtube also has abundance of them. And when you want it live, there are shows where you can get the best of comedy.

    In our work places, in our politics and elsewhere, we also have other clowns who make us laugh. In Bayelsa State, there is a jester who has taken the stage for about two months. He does not make me laugh. He nauseates me. He claims he is the Speaker of the House of Assembly. This is after the Court of Appeal sacked him and ordered a rerun. His name is Kombowei Benson.

    On October 16, last year, the House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal presided over by Justice Ononnaeze Madu dismissed Orunimighe’s petition for lack of proof. But the Court of Appeal decided otherwise. Benson’s fate was sealed by Justices Mohammed Lawal Garba, Ejembi Eko and Stephen Jonah Adah. The judgment delivered by Justice Eko and signed by other justices on the panel resolved the issues raised in the appeal in favour of Ebifaghe Oruminighe of the APC, who argued in his petition, that there was no election in Olodiama Ward 3, Apoi Ward 15, Forupa Ward 14 and Ukubie Ward 16.

    The Court of Appeal established over-voting. It ordered that fresh election be conducted in all the wards of the constituency within 90 days. Olodiama Ward 4 and the polling units 20-30 in Foropa Ward 4 were exempted. The results from these Olodiama Ward 4 and polling units 29-30 in Foropa Ward 4, said the panel, shall upon the fresh elections in other wards be duly collated and final declaration and return made.

    Justice Eko said: “The line of attack by the appellants under issue 2 is that upon proper evaluation of exhibit P viz-a-viz the total number of vote cast at the election put at 34,985 as announced by INEC. There was an inexplicable over voting.

    “Out of these 34,985 votes, 6038 from Olodiama Ward 4 and polling units 20-30 of Forupa Ward are not in contention as submitted by the appellants. Thus, 28,849 votes are suspect or disputed votes.

    “Had the trial tribunal properly evaluated exhibit P it would have come to a conclusion that there was over voting in the constituency. Clearly there is an electoral malpractice where the number of votes cast are in excess of the total number of voters accredited to vote.

    “The trial tribunal failed, neglected and refused to evaluate the critical evidential materials contained in the documents tendered and admitted in evidence by the appellants.

    “I allow the appeal in substantial part. My findings on issues 1, 2 and 3 justify the declaration that the election/return of the first respondent Hon. Benson Friday Kombowei, as the purported winner of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly seat for Southern Ijaw Constituency 4 elections held on April 11, 2015 was null and void.

    “It is hereby ordered that fresh election shall be conducted in all the wards of the constituency within 90 days from today except in Olodiama Ward 4 and the polling units 20-30 in Foropa Ward 4.

    “The results from these Olodiama Ward 4 and polling units 29-30 in Foropa Ward 4 shall upon the fresh elections in other wards as ordered, thereafter, be duly collated and final declaration and return made.”

    But Benson said this judgment of December 9, 2015 did not exist. He said his election was okayed by the court that day.

    He said: “INEC has not informed me of any notice of enrolment or whatever they have received. The falsehood being circulated in both the social, electronic and print media by members of the APC should be disregarded as it represents the desperate ambition and interest of only the peddlers of this falsehood.

    “What transpired in the open court was that the case was dismissed for lack of merit by the presiding Judge of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ejembi Eko, represented by Justice Muhammed Lawal Garba.

    “On the 9th of December, the appeal court dismissed the appeal by Orunimighe challenging my election. On January 14th, a purported judgment alleging that my election has been declared null and void emerged. This is strange and untrue.

    “What transpired in the open court in the presence of lawyers was outright dismissal of the appeal brought by my opponent. The judgment was delivered in the open court thereby upholding my election in the House of Assembly.”

    Curiously, Benson has not produced a written copy of the judgment to substantiate his claim. By inference, he is claiming that there are two versions of the judgment. On this basis, he has refused to stand down as Speaker and he even received the 2016 Budget when it was presented by Governor Seriake Dickson.

    Days ago, he said he had through his lawyers filed a motion on notice praying the Appeal Court to set aside the judgment that was not in conformity with its declaration in the open court on December 9. Note that the Court of Appeal has not denied the judgment in circulation. Yet, Benson is praying the court to make an order directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to stay execution on the judgment pending the determination of the motion on notice.

    His motion, he said, has been served on the National Judicial Commission (NJC), President of the Appeal Court, the Department of Security Service (DSS), Commissioner of Police, Clerk of the House and other officers and some important personalities.

    He added that his lawyers and others in court on December 9 have sworn to the affidavit to the fact that the judgment delivered in the open court is different from the written version being circulated.

    As far as the lawyer to the APC candidate, Mr. Bipeledei Efieseimokumo, is concerned, Benson is in contempt of court for parading himself as a lawmaker after the judgment.

    He said: “The implication of that judgment is that the Speaker of House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Kombowei Benson, ceased to be a member of the state House of Assembly. And any actions, decisions, including monetary appropriations made since that 9th of December judgment are all illegal.

    “That is the position of the law and we have communicated that to the Clerk of the House. When David Mark was ousted by the court of appeal,  there was no issue of implementation.

    “His lawyers had informed him, look, you have lost this case,  it is for him to vacate the seat. What are you waiting for? The judgment takes effect the moment it is delivered.

    “As a civilised citizen, once you are aware that the judgment of court has been delivered, it is for you to obey the judgment. For you to now cling on technicalities that you are not aware, that you have not received the judgment is just the voice of a drowning man.”

    For me, it is dishonourable for the House to aid and abet illegality. It is nauseating that the lawmakers still allow this clown to call himself their speaker. It is simply irresponsible and unacceptable.

    My final take: Except Benson produces a judgment different from the one in the public domain, Benson should be made to return salaries and allowances he has collected. He should also refund money he has collected to pay his personal aides. Dickson should also stop any further dealing with Benson except he can prove that the judgment in public domain is a fraud. To do otherwise amounts to supporting lawlessness.

     

     

  • Tinubu, Benson urge citizens to live healthy life

    Tinubu, Benson urge citizens to live healthy life

    Wife of All Progressive Congress (APC) National Leader Senator Remi Tinubu has urged the citizens to keep a healthy lifestyle with regular exercises.

    She advised people to engage in light walk, jogging, press-ups and other exercises that would help in smoothening nerves and strengthening bones.

    The senator added that the idea would help in keeping them physically and mentally fit.

    She said apart from taking drugs, exercise helps in promoting good health.

    Mrs. Tinubu, who spoke at the 2015 edition of the Institute of Directors of Nigeria’s (IoDs) “Walk For Life” programme in Lagos,  said out of ignorance,  people believe that good food was the only determinant of a healthy living.

    It had in attendance dignitaries such as the Yeye Oge of Lagos, Chief Oprah Benson, Punch’s ex-Chairman Chief Ajibola Ogunshola and others.

    The senator, who was represented at the event by her aide, Mrs. Serah Joseph, said she believed in the maxim, Health is Wealth, adding that only the healthy could run their affairs better.

    Mrs Benson said people should start embracing what she described as “a culture of keeping of soul, body and mind fit through regular exercise”.

  • Teco Benson out with Red Hot

    Teco Benson out with Red Hot

    COME Friday, August 23, Teco Benson’s directed flick, Red Hot, will hit cinemas across Nigeria. The movie, a suspense thriller, produced by Pleasant Pictures, was written by Sinmisola Ogunyinka, an Abuja-based author.

    According to Ogunyinka, Red Hot was birthed as the first feature film by Pleasant Pictures to infuse excitement into the experiences by movie lovers in Nigeria. She described the movie as an eye opener concerning the depths of desperation human beings can be led to because of greed.

    She described Red Hot as an action-packed thriller which tells the story of a woman’s desperate moves to get out of a childless marriage: “To achieve her aim, she decides to end it all in one day in her supposed perfect crime. It starts like romance in the afternoon and ends as a tragedy close to midnight because of undoing actions by the unseen hand of fate which leads to red hot desperation to survive.”

    Director of the flick, Teco Benson, did not mince words in rating the movie high. “Good plot. Great Script; all events one day, almost at the same place; Good and dangerous imagination, breath-taking suspense, and it is a timely lesson for our playboys and sugar mummies,” he stated.

    The movie parades a mix of established and rising Nollywood stars including Bukky Wright, Bimbo Manuel, TV personality Uti Nwachukwu of the Big Brother Africa fame and Akin Lewis and creates a particular aesthetic appeal with qualitative production, good storyline and sublime acting from this mix of talented actors.