The Nation Newspaper

Tag: US-based

  • US-based music duo Roze storms Nigeria with new single

    US-based music duo Roze storms Nigeria with new single

    After stamping their feet on the American music scene, versatile singing duo, Eghosa Rodney Agbonayinma, aka ‘Row’ and Osazuwa Michael Agbonayinma, aka ‘Zuwa’, have come back to Nigeria with a hit single titled, ‘The whole Night.’

    Born to House of Representatives member, Hon. E.J Agbonayinma, the duo are determined to claim their spot on the Nigerian music space with their creativity and versatility.

    At their unveiling at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos last Friday, the two teenagers explained how they intend to break into the competitive Nigerian music industry.

    “We do pretty good music never seen before, and we have great musical stuff we’re bringing on board. When you have great stuff you aren’t scared to launch out in an industry that is complicated or crazy.”

    Signed to U & I Music, an entertainment platform owned by their father, the teenagers said they intend to ride on the crest of their father’s influence to stardom just as they claimed afro-pop star Davido did.

    “If it’s a good thing and it will take us to that high and covetous pedestal, why not? Did Davido’s father support him? If he did and Davido decided to uses his influence to rise to fame then why won’t we do same?” said Row.

    While giving his vote of thanks, their father, EJ, reminisced on his love for music.

    “I am also a lover of music,” he said.

    “I supported many popular artistes back then in America like LL Coool J and others and I established my own studio, U&I in Benin in 1992. I belief every parents should be able to support their children because you don’t want they would become tomorrow and also to keep them away from streets doing drugs and frauds.”

    Row and Zuwa were born in Houston, Texas, January 11, 1998 and July 30, 1999 to Nigerian-American parents, Hon. EJ, Mr and Mrs Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma and Itohan Agbonayinma but relocated to Nigeria, where they did their primary and secondary school education. Once done with their secondary school education, they then moved back to Houston, Texas, where they are now studying Petroleum Engineering and Architecture at the University of Houston and Houston Community College in Texas.

    In their high school, Immaculate Conception College (ICC), the brothers were known for their musical talents. Zuwa was known in his set to be one of the best rappers they had, while Row was known to be one of the best vocalist they had.  Ever since their childhood, both brothers have had a passion for music and affinity with several genres such as Hip Hop, R&B, Reggae, Country and many others.

    They first appeared in 2014 while working on a test project, titled ‘Time to Party,’ which was never released. However, they later appeared again in 2016, being introduced to producer, Mekoyo.

    The video of ‘The Whole Night’ was directed by Clarence Peters.

  • US-based Nigerian couple to pay N44m for enslaving nanny

    US-based Nigerian couple to pay N44m for enslaving nanny

    A Houston-based couple was ordered at the weekend to pay more than $121,000 in restitution to a Nigerian nanny who worked in their home.

    The couple had pleaded guilty to federal charges related to forcing the woman to work nearly 20 hours a day, taking care of their home and five children without pay for two years, authorities said.

    Besides, Chudy Nsobundu, 57, and his wife Sandra, 49, were sentenced to seven months in jail and seven months of home confinement, plus three years probation.

    The couple, who are Nigerian-born, naturalized U.S. citizens, recruited the woman by promising her a $100 monthly wage. Instead, they abused her physically and verbally while she worked at their home in the Houston suburb of Katy from September 2013 to October 2015, authorities said.

    Chudy Nsobundu pleaded guilty to visa fraud in 2016 while his wife pleaded guilty to unlawful conduct with respect to documents in furtherance of forced labour.

    According to court documents, the nanny worked every day from 5:30 a.m. to 1 a.m., with no breaks, and no fresh food, and at times was allowed to drink only the milk left in the children’s cereal bowls.

    The Nsobundus prevented the nanny from leaving their employment by withholding her passport and by threatening her with physical and mental abuse, authorities said.

    The nanny reached out for help and was rescued following a tip to the National Human Trafficking Resource Centre.

    Prosecutors also say the couple knowingly submitted false application to the U.S. State Department for the woman’s visa application.

     

  • US-based players eager to join U-23 team

    US-based players eager to join U-23 team

    • 2nd phase camping starts Wednesday in Abuja
    • Siasia to attend Glo’s African Awards Thursday

    U-23 national team coach Samson Siasia will hit Abuja tomorrow from his base in the United States where he celebrated the Yuletide with his family.

    Siasia, who confirmed his return to Abuja tomorrow from the United States, also told NationsSport that he was elated with the excitement of some Nigerian players  in the United States to play for the Dream Team VI.

    He said: “I hope to be back to Abuja on Tuesday unfailingly by the special grace of God. We are starting the crucial phase of our preparations for the African qualifiers for the All African Games against Gabon and next month is just around the corner.

    “I have been keeping in touch with my players and the foreign based ones. I can also tell you that there are many players here in the (United) States that have called and even met me to signify their interest in playing for the nation, which to me is a welcome development.

    “They have shown real interest in playing for the team and they are very eager too. But we will find a way around it to see if they can join us when we finally settle for a playing tour.” Siasia spoke yesterday to NationSport from the United States.

    NationSport gathered that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has given the green light for a training tour for the U- 23 national team which has been tentatively fixed for Turkey.

    Siasia also told NationSport that the training tour in Turkey would give other Europe based professionals the opportunity of joining the team where their fitness level, techniques and skills would be determined by the Dream Team VI handlers to know if their inclusion in the team would add quality to the team he is moulding.

    Siasia has been invited by the Confederation of African Football, organisers of the CAF/Glo Awards for the ceremony in Lagos. The Coach will attend and hurry back to Abuja the following morning to continue his team’s  build-up to the Gabon match slated for February.

  • US-based oil magnate declares for presidency

    Nigerian based inthe United States of America, Ibrahim Ladaja, has joined the presidential race under the banner of All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The oil and gas magnate said he decided to return home to salvage the country from what he described as the misrule of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the inefficiency of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Ladaja, who declared his ambition to newsmen in Minna yesterday, said the ruling PDP has failed to provide solutions to the various socio-economic and political problems in the country.

    The presidential aspirant, who claimed to have consulted widely with many stakeholders in the country, said APC is the only viable platform that can bring about the desired change in the country.

    Ladaja, who hails from Biu in Bornu State, said he has a master plan to put an end to the dastardly killings of innocent lives by the outlawed Boko Haram group within the first three months, if voted into power.

    He also said that his administration will ensure the establishment of state police.

    Ladaja also pledged a review of the revenue allocation formula in favour of the federating states. “

    He said: “We all know that the states are saddled with more problems and are in direct contact with the people. I strongly support a revenue sharing formula in favour of the states”.