A serious explosion occurred in the early hours (5am) of today along Lekki-Epe express way in Shango-Tedo area. My investigation coupled with eye witness report proved  that a container truck/trailer looks to be smuggling crude oil or very inflammable chemicals in a thousand of drums had a bad tire which resulted to fire.

Some motorist tried to call the drivers attention to his burning tire but he kept on driving (due to the nature of the content in his trailer). After driving few kilometers, the burning tire heated the container which resulted to a very serious & loud explosions. The explosion affected many laid out commodities which is mostly found displayed on our road sides like cements, water tanks, displayed paints and a commuter hatch-back car driving in front of the trailer. The driver of the truck escaped with some injuries and currently undergoing treatment in Safeway hospital, Shango-Tedo area but sadly, the truck conductor got burnt totally.

From the news report we heard, our fire brigade squad responded to calls after 35mins and succeeded in stopping the serious fire in just 25minutes. This shows that things still work in Nigeria .

Road leading to Eleko beach or Lagos Business School has since been blocked by motorist due to the heavy traffic.

In their Diary Session today, Ola and Chris sat with heavy hearts, prompting Big Brother to ask them what was on their minds.

Ola broke the ice by declaring that after consultation with the House Doctor, he would like to Voluntarily Exit the Big Brother House. He said that he has thought about it and since the medication he is on does not seem to be taking well, would like to seek medical attention outside of the Big Brother House.

A sombre-looking Chris added that he understands completely. “Yes, this is a game. However, we can’t play with our lives.”

The two were instructed by Biggie to leave the Diary Room and speak to their fellow Housemates, to explain the situation.

The two Nigerian Housemates have to leave the House with immediate effect, seeing as their Voluntary Exit has been prompted by a serious medical condition that needs urgent attention.

Official statement from M-Net and Endemol

Whilst M-Net and Endemol are deeply saddened to see these two very entertaining housemates leave the game, they remain committed to ensuring the health and safety of the contestants and therefore understand and respect the Housemates’ decision. Further they would like to thank both the contestants for their contribution to the show and their participation and wish them well for the future.

Recall the ever bubbly and cheerful actress, Anita Hogan, who stole the hearts of movie lovers few years ago with her acting prowess.

The dark skinned and talented movie act went off the scene after her celebrated marriage to her Dutch lover, a union that has produced two adorable kids.
Five years after her long absence from the profession she not only turned into a hobby but also rose to stardom in,with her dexterity,the University of Uyo Theatre Arts graduate,and a master’s in International Law and Diplomacy, she is aimed to take her craft a notch higher.
The ebony skinned mother of 2 has returned in a big way with her new soap titled Koko’s Diary and a new project also in the offing.

In a recent interview,she opens up on her marriage.

I didn’t even believe I could end up with a white guy.It just happened.I don’t know about white guys being more romantic because my husband is not romantic.He is more of a realist and he is always very realistic about his feelings.

Am attracted to his openness,and the fact that he is very rugged man.We started as friends,then got closer and we later got married.

He is also a very amazing father,I admire the way he cares for his kids. He is also very loving but not romantic. I am very grateful to God for him.

He has 3 children from his marriage to a Dutch lady. He was married and the union produced 3 children who are all grown up now.

When I introduced him as the man I want to marry to my parents’,the reaction wasn’t that dramatic, I come from a very enlightened family so they had no reservations about my being married to a white, it’s my happiness that counts.

The only worry was just the age difference because my husband is much older than I am.

When asked,having been off the scene for a long while now, how do you plan to relaunch yourself into the movie scene; she said Well all I am out to do now is basically creating opportunities for myself rather than wait for people to create the opportunity for me. And I have already started work on that.

A Texas woman repeatedly stabbed her fiancé after receiving only a card and flowers from Walmart for Mother’s Day, investigators say. Paige Parkerson, 20, is charged with first-degree felony murder in the death of Clifton “JR” Barkin, the 22-year-old father of her two children, according to the Daily Mail.

Barkin’s mother, Evetta Wright, received a call from Parkerson early Monday morning informing her that Barkin was dead. “Paige told me that she killed JR,” Wright told the Beaumont Enterprise. “That he was dead.”

Wright last saw her son at 11:30 p.m. the previous night, when she dropped him off at the home he shared with Parkerson, according to the Enterprise. Just before that, Wright had driven Clifton to Walmart so he could purchase flowers and a Mother’s Day card for Parkerson. Wright believes that her son’s fiancée attacked him because she expected a more lavish gift.

Parkerson, whose Facebook page lists her favorite quotation as, “if looks could kill i would be da murder of all my haters,” was arrested shortly after her phone call to the victim’s mother, the Houston Chronicle reported. She is currently being held at Jefferson County Jail on $75,000 bond.

The couple’s children are now staying with relatives.

When we decided to do Solar Plexus it was just in the midst of all this problem and stuff so we didn’t want to be going front and back with the press or having interviews that will start to create insinuations, so we decided to channel all our energy into creating an album, so we all came together and created the album SOLAR PLEXUS which is out now.

I heard the title was from your dad?
Yes, we were in the studio the other day and we were having like a discussion. It was me, Wande, Don Jazzy and Dr. SID in the studio. It was a  little discussion when our dad came in and like always he was giving us advice, so in  the midst of our discussion he  used the word solar plexus  that this thing going  on now has to do with Solar Plexus and we just picked it,  and it was like wow!

D’Prince
As expected DR. SID did a research on the word and it really fitted into the idea behind the album. And  we were  all like we should use that name as the title of  album and I think it has been accepted and it truly explained the whole event that has happened.  It’s funny, its crazy that  everybody seemed  to like the name SOLAR PLEXUS.

When the crisis broke out how did you feel about it all?

It’s natural that I’m going to be partial in the sense that it has to do with my brother and obviously when I see that someone was  trying to put my brother in a corner or in a nasty position obviously I will react naturally.

I really  appreciate the the way the whole story went because I believe we all tried our best to make and hold the label together but for one individual to feel otherwise it wasn’t a good thing to hear.  I tried to settle the rift before it went haywire but it did not work out.

Will you in any way blame Don Jazzy?
I wouldn’t blame him  because I know he was  only trying to help us all  to be on point and relevant  but the other party was not willing to compromise issues and he made us to  wonder if he knew what he was doing because we all started all these  things together and we believed in growing  together.)I thi8nk we should just leave the past and let the whole thing flow naturally. We are happy the way we are now, everyone is free as never before.

Could it be that you, your brother and others failed to see the big picture that D’banj saw?

PRINCE: That same picture can be achieved better with your family you understand what   I’m saying. You can’t just leave and say you want to go and achieve a big picture without the people you started with the small picture, I when it was like a passport- sized picture.

Now you want to fly alone without the people who helped you to start and develop the small picture. We all dream of the big picture but at least it will be done the right way and not a shaky way. This is my family and they are the one I’m with you understand.

I believe anything I want to do;   I will do with the backing of my family because that is how we started from day one.

Prince, do you think it’s all about money?
All about money? I think we should just let the matter rest.

From all indications you guys were just sitting on a time bomb waiting to explode?

Yes, it’s like six months long before now, the issues were there

(Cuts in) But you guys went to shows together and gave fans the impression it was one united house?

That’s because we were trying to be professional, that’s showbiz, yes, but at the end of the day we still have some members of the family with us which is what matters.  I feel I’m in a united family when I look around and see my people around me.

So when is your new album dropping?
In the MAVIN movement now, like there are no specific schedule  for dropping of albums we just intend to put out good music that our fans like, from now to the end of the year we are going to release a couple of mix tapes and singles before we decide on when  we will release our individual albums.

I feel honoured to be part of MAVIN  - Tiwa Savage
You are the latest person to join MAVIN’s records how does it feel?

http://www.nigerianbestforum.com/blog/?attachment_id=275524 *Tiwa Savage

It feels great. It feels like an honor, definitely a privilege and I know it was many girls dream to be the first lady under this label so I definitely feel like, I have been blessed by God.

At the point you had the collabo, did you know you were going to be on the label?

No I didn’t know, it’s just that Jazzy and I have always been friends from long, like he said before he’s always there to give me advice and when he heard my song he actually liked the song  and we decided it will be a great for him to do the song.

So what are we expecting?
Well, my album, I  have been working on it for a while now so it getting ready to be done I just have a couple of more songs  to do we are hoping to put the album out very soon more videos and just  TIWA SAVAGE she’s building that name?

So how soon is your new album going to drop?
My new album, yea, my first ever album we are hoping within the next month or two that soon we are just putting the finishing touches to it.

‘MAVIN offers lots of freedom’  - Wande Coal
There were so many insinuations about the side you will go when the crisis broke but here you are in MAVIN.  What informed your decision?

It’s a new movement and at the end of the day I realized the only person that has helped me grow to this point in terms of my music and everything is Don Jazzy.  So I think this time he has it better than ever and the future is bright for me and I want everybody to accept the new record label I have moved to.

http://www.nigerianbestforum.com/blog/?attachment_id=275527 *Wande Coal

When the crisis  broke out, how much did it affect you as a person?

Well at the end of the day the only constant thing in life is change so you have to always change to the next level. I always try as much as possible to develop myself and fit into the next thing that is happening.

(Cuts in)In the heat of the crisis you released three singles and one of the singles was even produced by a producer outside Mo Hits.

Yea, because I’m not trying to eliminate myself, not really because at the end of the day I took direction and the concept from Don Jazzy first. He even listened to the song and told me it’s a great song and told me it will be part of my singles. Jay Sleek produced it the Private Trip was produced by Jay Sleek. Go Low and Be Long You Saw Me were produced by Don Jazzy. They were all good songs that’s why we put it on the singles.

In MAVIN, is it possible you have other producers on your songs?

Yea, because Don jazzy is bringing in more producers, he will sign more producers and we will get to work with different people. Don Jazzy is not going to be the only producer. It’s going to be like in the past   that I worked with other producers like Q- beat on the song Kiss your hand with R2B in Ghana, yea as long as it’s  a good song.

A lot of people feel probably you guys are not looking at the international market, not able to see the big picture?

I wouldn’t say it’s like that because it takes time at that time  in  Mo Hits they were the  ones making the decision and we learnt everything comes in stages, process,  like D’banj comes first, Wande comes after you understand but this time it is MAVIN so like Don Jazzy  said  everyone  is putting out songs,  doing individual  albums for everybody  and push as much as possible (so he’s going to act as the executive producer  on any song ) yea, he tries as much possible to make things good so we try to bring in good songs if the song is not good we will not release it.

So how do you feel having Tiwa Savage on MAVIN with you guys?

I feel happy because I’m a fan of Tiwa and I love Tiwa so much probably because then we were all male singers but now we have a female singer, she too will have to sing a lot of songs.

Like more competition in the house?
No, I don’t think it’s about competition but compliment her. I’m a male she’s a female so I don’t think it’s a competition, and we would do a lot of things together, collabos definitely very soon it’s a thing I must do, she has no choice.

Are you missing D’Banj?
WANDE: Well we miss everybody, everybody miss one another.

Do you learn from him as your former boss?
WANDE: Yes I learnt a lot of things, but we thank God that everything is going on fine we hope the future will be brighter.

What do you think of the structure of MAVIN compared to that of  MO’HIT?

Yes, I think there is a lot of freedom in MAVIN like now am enjoying myself a lot. I love it because the structure is well put in place and a lot of things are in place.

‘Everyone in MAVIN  is doing well’   – Dr Sid
What difference have you seen from your movement from MO’HITS to MAVIN?

Nothing much, MAVIN is a movement. It’s a collective of young talented people, it’s the same ethics, principles we held and practised in MO’HITS which made it to work, I mean everybody working together.

What has changed in terms of the structure?
http://www.nigerianbestforum.com/blog/?attachment_id=275533 *Dr Sid

In terms of structure nothing has changed, still the same way we communicate, the same way we bring ideas to the table.  Someone will bring an idea and we all look at it.

In the heat of the crisis, you broke the silence and it’s like DON Jazzy or nobody?

No, the truth of the matter is, I meant that statement because there is a lot of people’s perception of who Don Jazzy is and his person. Some people have started downplaying and insulting his person and I took offence because as someone who knows how we worked and how things were put together and how we created music, he’s the driving force, he is the creative mind.

We come up with ideas but he is the one that sees how all the ideas come together to make the music and drive the brand the way it needs to be driven. So, I was offended at people down playing that though I understand that it’s their perception they don’t really know or have the information that is why I came out and said you know what?

Don Jazzy is the most important piece of MO’HITs Records and without him a lot of things will not come to be done.  Like myself, I used to be a rapper but Don Jazzy came and told me ”see come I don’t want you to rap, this is want I want you to do.’

At first, I was skeptical at the beginning because of the way and the change Don Jazzy made on me and my kind of music hence the title of my album Turning Point, because assumed I had to make that turning point from been a rapper to doing more singing and being more of an entertainer which is pretty much of what I enjoy to do.

So you being on this side is more like showing gratitude?

SID: No, it’s not about being on this side Don Jazzy is my friend, regardless of music, we  hang out, we chill together at least we still party together aside  the music  thing and all that but  I mean knowing the kind of human being  that he is, it’s kind of hard to think  otherwise. There are too many stuffs going on though we don’t want to focus on the past but on the future.

How much influence do you have on the decision of TIWA SAVAGE to come to MAVIN?

SID: To be honest  when Don Jazzy  mentioned it to me,  I thought it was a great idea you know we’ve talked about it in the  past even  from when she first  came to Nigeria, he said at that point in time that the label was still boarding and we still have to develop and release more so  now it’s the perfect time because you know we can actually achieve it  with the way we decided to do things, everybody has room to create and release music and she’s a friend.

One of the reasons we put her on is we don’t want to be you understand she is an established and grinded artiste and she’s got the foundation. So, it’s not the question of did you create this or that, she’s an established artiste we want to augment the work she’s done and take it to another level.

With this new company MAVIN, is Dr SID an artiste or a stakeholder?

SID: Elm! As an artiste I am a stake holder because my success reflects on the company, if am successful the company is and if otherwise its affect the company as well so am definitely a stake holder.

Are you a co- owner?
SID: No Don Jazzy owns the company.
You are an artiste of the company as well as others?

SID: Yes, everyone.
What do you think will make you leave MAVIN Records?

SID:  You know what? I said something to Don Jazzy and D’Banj a long time ago that ‘look MO’HITS Records is the last bus-stop for me, if am not in MO’HITS I’m not doing music.  For me, nothing has changed. The most important factor in the first place is still there which the creativity is and the drive to create good music and it’s still there so there is no reason for me to say I want to leave or whatever.

When the crisis broke, how did you feel?
SID:  I mean the truth of the matter is you feel happy and you also feel bad. I’m happy because in some way you feel, you have an opportunity to express yourselves a little more as side you coming to create something as the full force intend to do. Like I said God  have a reason for everything happening you know everyone is doing fine, everyone in MAVIN is doing exceedingly well and we thank God for that.

How much do you miss D’Banj?
SID: I miss him a lot. Let just put it that way. Thank you

Boko Haram issues new threats and says all government establishments in northern Nigeria and Abuja should be evacuated in preparation for deadly attacks

The extremist Boko Haram sect says it is set to resume its deadly attacks with sights now aimed at bombing government-owned properties, offices and residential quarters, in the 19 northern states and Abuja.

In what appears to be a defensive response to growing public anger and a tactical shift in operational approach, the spokesperson for the sect, Abul Qaqa, told PREMIUM TIMES, Thursday afternoon, that the facilities being targeted are in retaliation for the destruction of properties belonging to its members and those it characterized as “innocent landlords” in some parts of Kano and Borno States.

In a prompt response, the police asked Nigerians to disregard such a threat and go about their normal businesses, adding that it is battle ready to repel any attack by “any criminal group”.

It is not clear whether the State Security Service is aware of the fresh threat by the group. The spokesperson for the agency, Marilyn Ogar, declined comments, saying she would not respond to telephone enquiries.

In a move indicating that the group is battling for its share of the minds of the public, Mr Qaqa also said his sect is giving a notice in advance of the attacks because, “we don’t want innocent people to be caught in the attacks. We are not happy that innocent people are dying in our war with the government. And that is why we have reduced our attacks in the past few days to enable us to strategize.”

He accused the Joint Task Forces, the inter-agency outfits in charge of security in Kano and Borno states, of harassing and arresting members of the sect in the two states.

“Most of these people live in rented apartments,” Mr. Qaqa claimed.

“But to our utmost surprise, after arresting them, some with their wives and family members, the JTF will bring out their properties. Both the apartments and the properties are then destroyed.

“This has become the new trend and it is becoming difficult for people to rent out accommodation to people, and a lot of people, including our people are homeless.

“Because of this trend, we have decided that in the coming days, every Nigerian, especially in the North, including Abuja, should vacate any government quarters or buildings – residential, office, classroom or anything owned by government.

“Every government building, whether occupied or empty will be blown up. Whoever is caught up in the attacks has his or herself to blame. We have done our best by issuing this warning,” Mr. Qaqa said coldly.

We are ready for them

But the spokesperson of the police, Frank Mba, who refused to disclose whether or not his force is aware of the threat, said the security consciousness and readiness of the police is at its peak.

“For us, security is 24 hours,” Mr. Mba said.

“Whether there are threats or no threats from criminal groups, we will continue to provide the best level of security.

“We want to urge Nigerians to disregard whatever threats there are. We also want to reassure Nigerians of our commitments to providing the citizens and other inhabitants of utmost security.”

The police spokesperson said the new leadership of the force had put in place an elaborate and effective counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency strategies.

History of killings

The Boko Haram sect, founded by Mohammed Yusuf in 2002, set out seeking to impose a stricter form of Sharia or Islamic law in northern Nigeria and end corruption.

The group gradually became violent after the five days of clashes in July 2009 between the group and members of the security forces in Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, and Kano states that left more than 800 people dead, including at least 30 police officers.

During that unrest, the police captured and allegedly killed the Boko Haram leader, Mohammed Yusuf, along with several dozen of his followers in Maiduguri.

Since the July 2009 clash with the authorities, the group has executed series of attacks on Nigeria.

Suspected members of the group carried out hundreds of attacks on cities in northern Nigeria, targeting government security officers, politicians, traditional leaders, opposing clerics, Muslims, Christians, students and journalists.

Last year, the group claimed responsibility for the November bombings in Damaturu, Yobe State, that left at least 100 people dead, and a suicide bomb attack in August on the United Nations building in Abuja that killed 24 people and injured more than 100 others.

The American Idol 2012 Top 3 became the Top 2 tonight and no one should be surprised of the outcome because it’s been anyone’s game for quite a while now.

At the start of the show the American Idol Top 3, Phillip Phillips, Joshua Ledet and Jessica Sanchez opened the night with their version of “Got To Get You Back In My Life” by The Beatles.  It was an OK performance. Nothing I’d get too excited over.

Up next we get the Ford music video, once again without Phillip Phillips. Must’ve been back at the mansion resting those kidney stones. Right after that, Ryan pretends like it’s time for results and calls up Joshua. It’s actually just Joshua’s recap from the night before.

Jimmy Iovine says that Joshua’s songs last night were hit and miss but adds that he definitely deserves to be in the finale. Ryan sends Joshua back to his seat. Results will come later, he says.

After some Fox movie filler, Lisa Marie Presley takes the stage next and I must say, I was pleasantly surprised with her performance. I didn’t hate her or the song. In fact I kind of liked it. Who knew.

Up next we get Jessica’s recap from the night before. Jimmy wasn’t super happy with any of her songs, including the one he picked for her. He didn’t say she was bad or anything, he just wasn’t jumping up and down like the judges.

Season 8 runner up Adam Lambert takes the stage next and after that we can get to the real results.

Before the results, it’s time for Phillip’s recap. We were reminded that of the three, Phillip showed the most emotion during his homecoming. Jimmy says Phillip won the night with his performance of “We’ve Got Tonight.” I agree.

Finally results. Ryan reveals that Jessica has made it into the finale. So that leavesPhillip and Joshua. At this point everyone’s thinking it could be either one of them.Phillip has been steady all season, but Joshua has really grown in popularity the past couple weeks. Ryan tells us it’s Phillip. Joshua will be heading home.

So there you have it. Your American Idol 2012 Top 2 are Jessica Sanchez andPhillip Phillips. Are you happy with this outcome? Who is going to take the season11 crown next week?

Doctors in Federal Government-owned hospitals in Lagos State are to begin an indefinite strike on Thursday, May 18, 2012, in solidarity with doctors sacked by state government.

Lagos State Government sacked 788 doctors in its employment for failing to respond to queries.

The government queried the doctors for embarking on a three-day warning strike.

The President, Association of Resident Doctors, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Adetunji Adenekan, announced the sympathy strike on Thursday at a news conference in Lagos, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

He said the doctors in the Federal Government hospitals would embark on the strike under the aegis of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Lagos State chapter.

The ARD is an affiliate of the NMA.

Adenekan described the state government’s sacking of its doctors and the government’s refusal to negotiate with the doctors as draconian, adding that the actions were in disregard to the rule of law.

The doctor said the sympathy strike was to show that the actions were unacceptable and should not be allowed to persist.

“The ARD-LUTH having followed these events closely from the beginning will like to state that these draconian actions of the Lagos State Government are unacceptable by any standard.

“We view the attitude of the government as an insult on doctors, the medical profession and patients.

“By sacking a total of 788 doctors, the state has succeeded in increasing the patients-doctors ratio to 50,000 to one.

“On this note, the ARD-LUTH as an affiliate body of the NMA, has resolved to stand totally with our parent body – NMA – by complying fully with its directive on this strike,” he said.

He said patients already on admission would be attended to during the strike but emergency units would be locked, while clinics would not hold and new patients would not be admitted.

Adeneken implored members of the association and other NMA affiliates in the state to comply with the strike directive.

He said the association would continue to work closely with the NMA to seek a speedy and amicable resolution of the conflict.

Adenekan admitted that doctors swore to an oath to dedicate themselves to saving lives but urged public support to the doctors’ efforts to rejuvenate the medical profession.

He called on the National Assembly to wade into the conflict to facilitate its resolution in the interest of the health of Nigerians.

NAN reports that the state Chairman of the NMA, Dr. Edamisan Temiye, had on Wednesday announced that the members of the association would embark on strike to protest the state government’s failure to recall the sacked doctors.

Source: Punchng

According to him, Stephanie sued him for N100m on the grounds that he was married to another woman in America, to which he replied, ‘If I had been married to another woman and she had the documents to prove it, nobody would talk about the court striking the case out. What she should be suing me for would have been bigamy.

An explosion has occurred in the Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital. The blast occurred in a bus in the Roumoukoro area of the city around 10: 30 AM Nigerian time.

Police sources said they are yet to determine the cause of the explosion…..Someone Who just left the scene revealed that It wasnt a tanker explosion. It ws an 18 seater bus dt exploded. 1 person dead, several injured. RSESA are there now to evacuate the remains of the bus to ease traffic.

Meanwhile, within minutes of the explosion, Governor Rotimi Amaechi ‘investigated’ & concluded Armed Robbers did it.