English movie actor, Sir Ian Holm, is dead. Ian played Bilbo Baggins in the popular movie, Lord of the Rings. He was 88.
Lord of the rings star, Sir Ian Holm dies
According to reports, the award-winning actor passed away on Friday, 19th of June. He died after a battle with Parkinson’s disease.
His agent, Alex Irwin, confirmed his death in a statement.
He said: “It is with great sadness we can confirm that the actor Sir Ian Holm CBE passed away this morning at the age of 88.
“He died peacefully in hospital, with his family and carer. His illness was Parkinson’s related,” Irwin said.
“An established star of the Royal Shakespeare Company, and Harold Pinter’s favourite actor, (he won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor as Lenny in The Homecoming).
Sir Ian was globally recognized for his exceptionally outstanding career which included highlights such as Chariots of Fire, The Fifth Element, Alien, The Sweet Hereafter, Time Bandits, The Emperor’s New Clothes, and The Madness of King George.
He went on, “His portrayal of Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit & The Lord of the Rings trilogies ensured the magic of his craft could be shared by all generations.
“He was a genius of stage and screen, winning multiple awards and loved by directors, audiences and his colleagues alike. His sparkling wit always accompanied a mischievous twinkle in his eye, ” he said.
“Charming, kind, and ferociously talented, we will miss him hugely, ” he added.
The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development have revealed that enrolment of the third batch of N-Power beneficiaries will commence next week.
The Ministry revealed that it reached the decision to commence new enrollment after consultations and a review on how to reform the programme for greater efficiency.
“The Federal government is committed to the continuation and expansion and as such will now begin enrolment and onboarding of a new Batch of beneficiaries,” The Nation quoted the Ministry as saying.
“Skills acquisition for entrepreneurship and job creation are critical for an economy that will require a boost post-COVID-19 and we are gearing up proactively for the challenge.
“Applications will be conducted using a hybrid system of enrolment to ensure that all Nigerians are given an opportunity to participate. As a Ministry that caters for the vulnerable, we will also make special considerations for Persons living with disabilities.
According to the Ministry, the online portal will be open from noon on June 26, 2020 and provide a plain field for all applicants.
“The online portal would be open to receive applications from noon on June 26, 2020 and will provide a level playing field for all applicants.
“As part of the Ministry’s reforms to make the programme more efficient, all applicants must supply their Bank Verification Number (BVN) in their application to ensure a streamlined and transparent selection process.”
People who attended the concert refused to observe social distancing. Besides, all social gatherings were banned by the FCTA.
In response to the decision to close their mall, a senior person in the management had an interview with This Day Live.
“Jabi Lake Mall was built in 2015 with the vision of creating a beautiful lakeside property that allowed the residents of Abuja to shop, relax, network and have fun,” he said.
“The mall was also designed to invigorate the local economy and provide a safe and comfortable location for retailers to sell their goods.
“As is typical for large properties like this, the shareholders selected a property manager who was paid to manage the property – Broll Property Services.
“Broll is one of Africa’s leading commercial property services company with operations in Angola, Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Swaziland, South Africa, Uganda and Zambia.
“They are well known in the industry and we selected them on the basis of their stellar reputation,” the source explained.
“This event should never have happened and an independent investigation has been launched to gather all the facts,” he continued.
Meanwhile, he revealed that the management is planning to take legal action against the organizers and sponsors of the concert.
“Shareholders of Jabi Lake Mall are fully cooperating with the FCT Ministry and support any and all governmental action against all those who orchestrated this irresponsible that has marred the reputation of the Mall that has to date fully ensured a safe and healthy business environment for both the tenants and customers.
The source added that bearing in mind the “current financial climate has already been a blow to businesses,” they are working hard to see the mall reopened so that businesses can continue.
Worse still, Seyi doesn’t see them resolving ever again. According to him, he has burned that side of the ship and buried it a long time ago.
The two former friends faced off during the last episode of the ongoing BBNaija reunion.
Following a question by Host Ebuka as to whether they resolve their differences and become friends again, Seyi responded saying “I burnt the side of my ship and buried it a long time ago, prevention is better than cure, I am not going to tussle with no animal in the mud.”
He went on to describe Tacha disrespectful to him, while Tacha revealed that Seyi slut-shaming her was a no-no. Therefore, their friendship is irreconcilable. However, she added that they aren’t enemies either.
The presidency has reacted to a report of ‘genocide against Christians’ by the United Kingdom All-Party Parliament Group on International Religious Freedom or Belief.
The group released a report which revealed that Christians are being targeted because of their faith in Nigeria.
However, the President doesn’t agree with them and has urged them to come see for themselves.
The statement issued by President Muhammadu Buhari and delivered by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, revealed that Boko Haram helps drive that narrative by attacking Christian.
According to him, Boko Haram attacks Christians in order to aggravate the religious and land tensions already existent in the country.
“The President and Government of Nigeria wish to thank members of the United Kingdom All-Party Parliamentary Group on International Religious Freedom or Belief for their report, launched a few days ago,” the statement reads.
“Although it is difficult reading, the statement also acknowledges the importance of accurate, unbiased, depoliticised and truthful information when it comes to understanding the realities and addressing the challenges for those of faith in Nigeria.
“In this regard when uncritical attention is afforded to critics with dubious intentions, it only becomes harder for both the government and people of Nigeria to engage in constructive dialogue to resolve our differences, and uphold what is enshrined in our Constitution and laws: that everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
“It is clear for all to see that there have, for generations in Nigeria, been tensions between our major religions, Christianity and Islam – and between herders and farmers – both for access to ever-decreasing arable and farmland due to a rapidly rising population, temperatures and desertification through global warming.
“Exacerbating those tensions, our nation has also been in recent times and focused within the northern states – subject to vicious and criminal attacks by the terror group Boko Haram.
“In concert with our American and British allies, Nigeria’s military have pushed back the terrorists and largely reduced their capacity over the last five years compared to the previous decade.
“Boko Haram have targeted Christians and Churches specifically because they know it drives forward religious and land tensions already existent in the country. Similarly, they attack mosques and Muslims in order to issue the threat: radicalise, or become targets yourselves.
According to the President, he has intensified efforts to completely eradicate the sect.
“In the months and years ahead, our President who is Muslim and our Vice President who is an evangelical Christian pastor are irrevocably committed to addressing these multiple and long-term challenges for today’s and future generations.
“These include:
– Continuing and increasing Nigeria’s efforts alongside our allies to fully defeat and finally finish Boko Haram, in order to bring security to the north of the country.
– Continuing to seek, negotiate for, and secure the return of all those held hostage and in captivity by the terrorists, regardless of the religious faith or belief.
– Uniting our nation through dialogue organised around respect for difference in religion. Such a programme is already underway under the leadership of the Vice President, Pastor Yemi Osinbajo.
– Addressing, through Joint Federal and State Governments programmes, access to arable farmland – with land mandated both for farmers and herders. The federal government will issue detailed measures regarding this plan and its rollout in the coming weeks
– Countering fake news – particularly on social and digital media – by working with the non-partisan stakeholder community, the National Broadcasting Commission and social media platforms themselves, to address the proliferation of false and inflammatory commentary.
“The President and Government have and will at all times work with those – both within and without Nigeria – with a concern for the rights to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
Finally, the president urged the Group to come see their efforts by themselves.
“In this regard, we look forward to welcoming members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group to our country to see for themselves the work that is going on to promote these fundamental rights of our citizens.”
As BBNaija Pepper Dem Hosemates work on settling their differences, one feud that doesn’t look likely to be ending soon is that of Seyi Awolowo and Tacha.
During a heated argument, Seyi referred to Tacha as a prostitute. That is, of course, in reponse to the many insults Tacha earlier true at him.
Clearly, women do not enjoy being labeled a prostitute. Tacha is no exception.
To that effect, Tacha made known her grievances, saying the bad blood between herself and Seyi became stronger after he called her a ‘Puta’, which is the Spanish word for prostitute.
However, Seyi didn’t apologize, thereby complicating the chances of resolving their feud.
In response, Former fellow housemate, Omashola Kola Oburoh, took to Twitter to write saying “If Na me now the world no go hear word again…. Omashola apologize!!”
If Na me now the world no go hear word again…. Omashola apologize!!????
Recall that last week, Omashola apologized to Mercy for calling her a prostitute back in the house.
“I regret calling Mercy a prostitute and other names on the show. I was angry and said a lot of bullshit. That was why I called Mercy names while in the show.” he said.
The apology came following the outcry by fans and fellow housemate for him to apologize to the BBNaija 2019 winner.
7 boys have allegedly been arrested after they gang-raped two girls. According to an eyewitness, Funke Adeyanju, the incident took place in her estate in Lagos state.
Funke revealed that two girls from Gbagada GRA were set up by another female friend, who was livid because they always mocked her for losing her virginity.
The suspect claimed that she wanted to confirm if they were really virgins for mocking her virginity. Therefore, she invited them over in the pretext of having a birthday.
“This morning at about 09:15hrs the security men in my estate rushed to my gate to alert me of an ongoing crime that is being perpetrated,” Adeyanju wrote.
“We rushed to the house and discovered that 7 boys were raping 2 girls. We caught them in the act all pants down, the girls have been beaten and perhaps drugged.
“We called in the police immediately. What I saw is not forgivable. One of the girls was slightly burnt with a hot pressing iron because she refused to submit.
“Before police arrived, myself and other excos present interrogated the criminal boys and the girls in seperate rooms, what we discovered was shocking.
“These girls left their parents’ homes in Gbagada GRA this morning to come and give their female friend a surprise birthday gift at her cousin’s house not knowing their friend actually set them up.
“When they got there they were offered Chivita orange juice laced with marijuana and codeine, immediately the drug started taking its toll on the girls the boys pounced on them.
“We’ve been able to get the girl who arranged this crime….her reasons: *I wanted to know if they were truly virgins, that they always mock her since she lost her virginity* All these girls are year 1 students of Unilag and are 18 and 19 years of age.”
Adeyanju concluded by urging parents to “scrutinize the friends our sons and daughters keep” because there are “so many evil these days.”
She added that “the boys have been arrested, the girl’s parents have been notified and the girls moved to a medical facility (hospital name withheld) on Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja.”
Meanwhile, we await police confirmation of this report.
This is coming amid the nationwide outcry for the increasing number of rape cases.
Over 15,000 persons have now signed a petition to strip Nigerian singer, D’Banj, of his UN appointment and endorsements with popular brands amid the rape allegations he’s facing.
D’Banj.
Recall that the award-winning singer was accused of rape by one Seyitan, who claimed the incident took place in 2018.
According to reports, D’Banj got Seyitan and her mother arrested and made her retract her statement.
That act was heavily criticized by several Nigerians who have now resorted to creating a petition on Change.org that has now attracted over 15,000 signatures within barely one day.
According to Popoola who started the petition, the UN must distance themselves from the singer and strip him of his appointment as a Youth Ambassador.
“We call on the United Nations, and United Nations Women Africa organisations to remove Nigerian artiste Mr Dapo Oyebanjo as a youth ambassador and distance themselves from his actions following the sponsored kidnap of Seyitan who accused D’banj of rape and sexual assault which happened in 2018.”
he/she then went on to call on other brands to terminate their deals with the popular singer.
“We also call the attention of brands such as Heritage Bank Africa, One Africa, CSA Global and other establishments associated with Mr. Oyebanjo to end their commercial relationship with him and stand in support of victims of sexual violence,” the petition added.
Former Big Brother Naija housemate, Ifu Ennada, has issued a warning to women who are currently dating fraudsters.
Ifu Ennada.
She warned them to quit the relationship lest he relationship brings them unwanted disgrace.
“Leave that YahooYahoo boyfriend before he brings you Yahoo Yahoo disgrace. Go and hustle clean and make your own money, God will bless the work of your hands,” She wrote on Instagram.
Many would argue that Obaseki is a traitor for joining the People’s Democratic Party after he won an election with the All Progressive Congress. But is that correct? Can we really tag him a traitor for that?
Well, it depends on what perspective you view it from. Needless to say, members of The APC will feel hard done by, bearing in mind that he is the incumbent.
I, however, doubt Obaseki and his loyalists would picture him as a traitor, considering how the last week turned out.
Let’s rewind to how it all started.
In the early parts of 2016, It became clear that then-Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, endorsed Godwin Obaseki to take on the mantle.
During the campaign, Oshiomhole praised Obaseki for helping him build the economy team of the state that would later see off projects without the need for government funds.
As it would later turn out, Obaseki won the primaries and then the gubernatorial elections and was named governor of Edo State on 29 September 2016.
However, Obaseki and Oshiomhole subsequently fell out for obscure reasons.
Many people have claimed that Obaseki refused to be a loyal son to his God Father, Oshiomhole.
After the fallout, Oshiomhole’s camp sought to impeach Obaseki, as reported by The Sun News. However, that plot failed.
Soon after, Oshiomhole was removed as Chairman of APC in the State. Also, he was briefly removed as National Chairman; a move that was later overturned by another high court.
The final blow
Just this week, Obaseki was disqualified from taking part in the primaries of Edo State. According to the party, there were discrepancies in his certificate; the same discrepancies that were allowed to slide when he was Oshiomhole’s favorite son.
After visiting the Aso Villa and with no option left, Obaseki made the switch from the APC to the PDP, knowing fully well that the second term he so much desires was off the cards at the same party where he was elected into office.
Do you think he should have accepted APC’s decision in good fate? Do you consider him a traitor for making the switch?
