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Friday, 6 May 2016

Super Eagles Player, Onazi Ogenyi to Wed His Beautiful Lady; See Their Pre-Wedding Photos

Onazi Ogenyi, 23 (football age?) had released his pre-wedding photos, announcing he would be tying the knot with the love of his life, Sandra Ogunsuyi, on June 1, 2016. More lovely photos...

The authorities of the Nigerian Army have convened a Special Court Martial to try two senior officers of the service. The officers are, Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Sani and Maj. Gen. Patrick Falola.

It was gathered that because of the status of officers involved in the court martial, the convening order for the court was personally signed by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai.

The members of the court who were sworn in by the Judge Advocate, Col. Saeed Musa, were the Chief of Policy and Plan of the Nigerian Air Force, (President), AVM Iya Abdulahi, Rear Admiral Peter Agba, and Rear Admiral Edwin Enechukwu.

A look at the constitution of the court at the Army Headquarters, Garrison, at the Mogadishu Cantonment, Abuja, showed that no single Major General of the Nigerian Army was included as a member apart from the Judge Advocate whose responsibility “is to serve as a guide to the panel.”

A senior Army officer told Punch that the Air Force and Naval top shots were appointed as members of the high profile panel because it was a Special Court Martial.

Falola was the Commander, 68 Hospital, Lagos. Isah was the Chief of Army Transformation and Innovation Centre until the Army authorities decision to post them for jurisdiction.

The officers are being ‘accused of offences bordering on service discipline.’ After the swearing in of the officers of the court and the introduction of the counsel for the accused, the court adjourned sitting to May 9, 2016 to commence hearing into the case of Falola.

Shortly after the introduction of the members of the court, the two generals were asked if they had objection to the constitution of the panel to which they all answered in the negative.

A demand by the lead counsel for the prosecution, Lt. Col. Ukpe Ukpe, that the Judge Advocate should also put himself forward for the same procedure as was done by the members of the court was turned down in accordance with the stipulations of military laws.

President of the court, AVM Gbum assured that the trial would not be delayed in the interest of justice.

The office of the Minister of Transportation has reacted to reports in the media that tends to infer and/or suggest that immediate past governor of Rivers State and now Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi surreptitiously and clandestinely ‘leaked’ a letter written by former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor and now Emir of Kano, Sanusi Muhammad II to then President Goodluck Jonathan on the non-remittance of $49.8 billion from oil sale to the federation account. It stated categorically that “this is further from the truth with regards to what exactly transpired as regards Amaechi’s involvement in that Sanusi letter.”

A press statement from the office of the Minister of Transport reads: “To put the records straight, we want to categorically state that: A concerned and patriotic Nigerian who felt sufficiently troubled with what was happening then, gave a copy of the Sanusi letter to Amaechi in Amaechi’s capacity as the chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF). Like Amaechi, we should appreciate that concerned Nigerian’s patriotism.

“When Amaechi got the letter, he spoke with Sanusi who was still the CBN governor to confirm the authenticity of the letter. Sanusi confirmed to Amaechi that he wrote the letter. During their conversation, Amaechi made it abundantly clear to the then CBN governor that the bleeding of the nation had to be stopped, all non-remitted funds remitted and that he (Amaechi) was going to use the letter to do whatever is in the best interest of the nation and Nigerians, which was the stoppage of the non-remittance and the recovery of all the non-remitted funds from oil sale. The CBN Governor didn’t agree with Amaechi on the way forward.

“Considering that the letter was given to Amaechi as Chairman of the Governors’ Forum, he shared the letter with his colleague governors first, and with Senator Bukola Saraki (now Senate President), who before and around that period was doing some work or/and investigation around the oil sector in the senate.

“Around that period, a delegation from the United States of America government, from the offices of the Secretaries of State and Defense visited Amaechi in Port Harcourt to discuss the issue of oil theft in Nigeria. From their records, they gave Amaechi figures of billions of dollars (about $7 billion dollars, annually) that was being lost to oil theft in Nigeria. They were discussing the issue and figures of oil theft, and that was how the CBN governor’s letter to President Jonathan came up. In the presence of journalists covering the visit, Amaechi brought out the Sanusi letter to the visiting American delegation to buttress the point that Nigeria was losing far more money to non-remittance of proceeds from oil sale into the federation account, which everyone seemed to concur, was in itself, another form and another dimension to the issue of oil theft. “To suggest, infer or even extrapolate that Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi surreptitiously, clandestinely or underhandedly ‘leaked’ the CBN governor’s (Sanusi’s) letter is indeed most unfair, disrespectful and uncharitable to his person. Amaechi did what he did because he believed that the theft and corruption was just too much. He was propelled by his patriotic zeal to put Nigeria first, do what is in the best interest of the nation and Nigerians, and stop the bleeding and sucking of our collective resources by a tiny few. The mindboggling corruption revelations in the recent past, that is still ongoing clearly justifies and vindicates Amaechi’s stance on the issue and the actions he took. Faced with the same situation, under similar circumstances, Amaechi will not act differently. The good of Nigeria, putting the nation and Nigerians first, will always be his guiding principle.”

Delta state governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is set to win all the states of the federation in the 2019 general elections. Speaking at Owa, Ika North-East area of Delta State while addressing PDP members after the local government congress in the area on Thursday, the governor said: “I congratulate the chairman and those who were elected into the executive committee of the party at the local government areas, including the national delegates; I must thank our party leaders because what we witnessed today, shows unity and strength; we had very peaceful congresses not only in Ika North-East but the 25 local government areas of Delta State.

We have engaged in the process of reconciliation and building consensus and the peace we are enjoying in our party today is a product of hard work.”

He added, “because we worked hard, we had a peaceful congress and we have seen a wonderful showing that we love ourselves and the consensus we have built is good for us.”

The governor who observed that the PDP was getting stronger all over the country, reiterated, “we are confident that going into the future, we will win all the states of the federation. We must continue to build consensus, we must be able to build friendship and ensure that every voice is heard; we have always won elections in Delta State but we cannot go to sleep.”

The Nigerian creative industry held the 5th edition of the British Council led Creative Industries Conference and Expo at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja. The two day event which is part of the UK/Nigeria 2015 – 16 season activities was designed as a platform for Nigerian and UK public and private sector stakeholders to discuss and explore areas of potential policy and practice level collaborations and exchange.

This year’s edition also featured a trade exhibition where businesses and organisations in the creative industry showcased their products and services. Speaking at the opening of the conference, the Country Director, British Council Nigeria, Connie Price said, "Both the conference and trade exhibition are in line with our objectives for UK/Nigeria 2015 – 16 to create and sustain the enabling environment that will make possible access to art, new digital work, art in public spaces, as well as working with young people."

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, and the Global Director of Arts, British Council, Graham Sheffield, both delivered keynote addresses on the importance of the creative economy, using Nigeria and the United Kingdom as case studies.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Art, Culture and Tourism, Folorunsho Folarin-Coker delivered a speech titled, 'Building blocks for a successful creative economy.' Mr Folarin-Coker stated that the Nigerian media and entertainment industry is the fastest growing industry in the world. ‎"Nigerians are highly creative.

Creative economies encourage cities to thrive and not just survive, as well as create strategic impact on other industries in the economy through a multiplier effect," he said.

Day 2 of the Conference had panel discussions with thought leaders from various creative fields including; Audu Maikori, Emem Ema, Akin Oyebode, Lola Shoneyin, Yemisi Mokuolu, Tom Porter, Tom Fleming and John Osadolor. They shared insights on various topics including the skills landscape and role of festivals in developing cultural as well as creative industries, and investment and funding models for the creative industries.

Also present at the event were the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright; Mo Abudu; award-winning artiste, D'banj; Hilda Dokubo; Francis Duru; Eugenia Abu; Dike Chukwumerije; Nkiru Asika; Audu Maikori; Tee A; Charles Novia, and others.

The event was organized in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture.

True to its recent public statement that it has asked its lawyers to go on ‘rampage’ against all royalty defaulters and copyright infringers across the country, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) has asked the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos to restrain the Federal Government owned Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) from further broadcast of music and sound recordings belonging to its members, affiliates or assignors on any of FRCN’s 42 radio stations across Nigeria until the full payment of all music copyright royalties due to COSON.

In the 33 paragraph statement of claim filed on May 5, 2016, on behalf of COSON by Lagos Intellectual property lawyer, Mr. Justin Ige of Creative Legal, COSON narrated the unending and unsuccessful efforts made by its officers to collect from FRCN music copyright royalties due to its thousands of members and members of the 135 international collective management organizations represented by COSON in Nigeria.

COSON stated in its court processes in Suit No FHC/L/CS/603/2016 that the behaviour of the likes of FRCN has led to massive loss of jobs to the Nigerian nation, significant loss of revenue to the country and heavy capital flight from Nigeria as most of the world’s best known international music companies have divested from Nigeria and the domestic investors are leaving the industry in droves because of the intolerable amount of copyright infringement encouraged by the likes of FRCN.

According to the COSON legal papers, the Federal Government led by President Muhammadu Buhari has identified the entertainment industry as one of the key areas to be promoted by the government to provide good paying jobs for young people in Nigeria, to reduce crime and insurgency and boost the nation’s economy but the activities of the likes of FRCN are set to torpedo the very good intentions of the government.

Also in the court documents, COSON expressed the concern that if the courts do not intervene, individual right owners in musical works and sound recordings may in frustration be forced to take precipitate actions to protect their rights and this may lead to breakdown in law and order.

Among the 42 FRCN radio stations listed in the suit are Kapital FM 92.9 MHz, Abuja; Metro FM 97.7 MHz, Ikoyi; Bond FM 92.9 MHz, Ikeja; Radio One FM 103.5 MHz, Ikoyi; Heartland FM-100.5 MHz, Owerri; Premier FM-93.5 MHz, Ibadan; Positive FM-102.5 MHz, Akure; Gold FM-95.5 MHz, Ilesha; Amuludun FM-96.3 MHz, Ibadan; Paramount FM-94.5 MHz, Abeokuta; Treasure FM 98.5 MHz, Port Harcourt; Progress FM 100.5 MHz, Ado –Ekiti; Supreme FM-96.1 MHz, Kaduna; Pyramid FM-103.5 MHz, Kano; Coal City FM-92.8 MHz, Enugu; Unity FM-101.5 MHz, Abakaliki; Pacesetter FM-103.5 MHz, Umuahia and Purity FM-102.5 MHz, Awka.In a recent statement, COSON announced that it is set for an unprecedented show down in courts across Nigeria with copyright infringers and royalty defaulters.

Confirming what is planned to be the most extensive legal attack against intellectual property abuse in any country, COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji said, “We have no choice. We are fighting this war with every arsenal we can muster. We are deploying every resource at our disposal. We intend to win this war once and for all and change the intellectual property landscape in Nigeria. For all the defaulting broadcasting stations, we have notified the Broadcasting Organizations of Nigeria (BON), the Independent Broadcasting Association of Nigeria (IBAN) and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC). We have also informed the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC).

With respect to the hotels, restaurants, events venues and events organizers, we have met with the leadership of both the Hotel & Personnel Services Employers Association of Nigeria (HOPESEA) & Hotel Owners Forum (HOFA), the two main hotel associations in the country. They are fully briefed. We have left them in no doubt as to what we are about to do. With respect to telephone companies and transport companies, our lawyers are in touch with them. The deployment of music without a licence in a public or commercial setting in Nigeria will not happen anymore. We have asked our lawyers to go on rampage. Our brief to them is clear: there will be no untouchables and no sacred cows” FOR COSON:

CHIBUEZE OKEREKE

Photos & Video: See what 3 policemen did to a disabled black man in Paris

Three Paris police officers on Monday, May 2, stopped and searched a disabled black man identified as Francois Bayga, who was waiting for his immigration status. One officer pushed him against the wall, while another pulled his prostetic legs off just to see if he wasn't "hiding anything" They left him on the ground, his phone and transport card scattered around and his prostetic legs way beyond his reach.