British Granny Finds Kenyan 'Soulmate' Had 46 Other Girlfriends After Giving Him Sh4 million

A British grandmother, who thought she had found a soulmate in a Kenyan man she funded, has learned he has been seeing 46 other women across the world.

Judith Stillwell, a 61-year-old former teacher and divorced parish councillor, met Ovi Elias in 2009 through a UK dating site, where he told her he lived in London.

Daily Mail said Elias claimed he had gone to the UK 20 years earlier as a student, owned a flat in London and was a retired accountant looking to buy property in Dubai.

Elias moved into her home after they met in person and they got married in Brighton in August 2012, as party of what Stillwell believes was an "elaborate scam".

The woman, who changed her her name to 'Mrs Elias' and has two children and a grandchild, said she was intrigued as Elias was "different".

But as they curved out a life at her bungalow home in Ashington, West Sussex, Stillwell said Elias took frequent trips to attend to "urgent business".

"While I believed him when he said he was flying to Dubai to do property deals, I have now discovered he was actually flying all over the world meeting other women who funded his lifestyle, just like me," said the woman who gave Elias £25,000 (Sh4 million) from her savings.

Elias, who had told Stillwell he was 62, reportedly chatted with women across the world as 47-year-old Steve.

The grandmother added that she paid for them to visit relatives in Kenya for blessings after their wedding.

She said she also gave "thousands" for water, electric showers and other repairs after finding landing in Kenya and finding Elias' father lived in a poor state.

When they returned to the UK, she further gave her husband £10,000 (Sh1.6 million) for legal fees concerning the property in Dubai.

But Elias ended up travelling for months, after saying he would only be away for weeks, she said, regretting that she did not become suspicious.

"He always came up with reasons – for example there was extra legal red tape," she said.

Stillwell discovered Elias trickery in February when he left for another trip to Dubai; she found his e-ticket indicating he had taken a trip to Australia, but Elias claimed it was a detour.

Three weeks later, a woman in Australia told her she had found a list of 47 women in Elias' emails. The women were from locations including the USA, Philipines and Tasmani.

"Apparently he met them all on dating websites and using the story about a property in Dubai, got them to pay his air fares all around the world," she said.

"Then he stayed for weeks at a time living with each woman, spinning her the same line."

Stillwell said she asked Elias to leave when he returned and has not seen him since them.

She said police informed her that they can nothing as her huband did not break the law, but added that she would like her story to serve as a warning to to other women.

"Ovi – or Steve as he was also known – seems to be making a good living out of women like me," she said.

"He meets them on a website, says he is in love and then after coming out with various sob stories, gets them to pay for his bed, board, and travel."

Grace Mugabe Flaunts Borrowed Robes

From The Standard, Zimbabwe

FIRST Lady Grace Mugabe was feted like a queen during her high profile visit to Manicaland last Thursday.

She arrived in Chimanimani aboard a presidential helicopter which was escorted by another military plane.
As Grace’s influence continues to rise, at least 16 ministers abandoned their offices in Harare to attend her rally.
They joined about 40 MPs, as well as several Zanu PF politburo and central committee members who jostled to greet her as she arrived.

Most of the 8 000 people who were bussed from all over Manicaland were donning T-shirts with messages praising Grace and boldly declaring that she was “unconquerable and unstoppable”.

Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko, who is senior to Mugabe’s wife in terms of hierarchy, behaved more like Grace’s aide.

He had to endure the humiliation of introducing Grace — his subordinate — to the people.

Speaker after speaker, including Cabinet ministers, fell over each other as they bootlicked Grace who was being treated more like the defacto President of Zimbabwe.

Grace also flaunted her financial muscle to go with her newly-found political power.

She came loaded with donations which she doled out to the thousands that came to listen to her.

Among the goods were tractors, 25 000 litres of cooking oil, and 3 000 bars of washing soap, 3 120 tablets of bath soap and 240kg of washing power.

She also handed out 4 358 pairs of shoes, 100 tonnes of fertiliser and 250 tonnes of maize.

Her show of force in Manicaland left no doubt that she is positioning herself to succeed her 91 year-old husband, the only leader Zimbabweans have known since independence in 1980.

But analysts have warned Grace’s newly-found power could only last while her husband is still alive and as such, she should not get carried away.

The analysts said the reason senior government officials, including vice-presidents were seen in public grovelling around her seeking favours and protection from political wilderness was because they feared Mugabe.

Although she claims she acts independently, political analysts say the First Lady is riding on the back of Mugabe’s political power.

The analysts said Grace had the sense of security to attack anyone she chooses regardless of their political seniority.

University of Zimbabwe political science lecturer, Eldred Masunungure said although the First Lady was a politburo member and had a right to address party rallies at will, her current power and penchant to attack anyone opposed to her was “imparted immunity” from the presidency.

“On her own as Grace Mugabe without President Robert Mugabe, she is nobody and she might fail to do what she is currently doing when Mugabe is no longer there as President,” Masunungure said.

“She is just using her borrowed power to attack anyone from the former VP, Joice Mujuru to her current victims.
“You can’t say she has political clout that can withstand Zanu PF fissures, but people just respect her because she is married to President Mugabe.”

He said Grace knew that everybody in Zanu PF feared Mugabe and not her.

“She knows that life after Mugabe could be a challenge hence she wants to create a power base now when a shield is there to protect her from anyone who may want to oppose her. Once that shield is gone, she will be exposed to the reality of what Zanu PF is,” Masunungure said.

After she decimated former Vice-President Joice Mujuru using her husband’s power, Grace is now wielding the same axe on other party members whom she suspects are working to topple her and her husband.

Grace has become such a source of fear many party members have taken to hero worshipping her as a way of saving their political scalps.

The use of T-shirts inscribed, Munhu Wese Kuna Amai . . . “The unconquerable” is the current most popular way to show support or the former typist’s ascendancy.

Evidence that she uses Mugabe to be as untouchable as she has become was shown upon their return from New York two weeks ago, when Mugabe warned party members against doing anything to stop her. Nobody should stand in her way, he warned.

During her Chimanimani rally, Grace boasted that anybody who dared cross her path would be thrown into the cold.

Grace has been associated with the G40 faction along with Mphoko, political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere and politburo member and Mugabe’s nephew Patrick Zhuwao.

However, her backers claim the First Lady is not aiming high but was simply solidifying her position as the women’s league boss.

Analysts said there was nothing serious to celebrate at the moment as it was apparent Grace would not take over from Mugabe.

“As a Zimbabwean, no legitimate case can be raised against her interest in the presidency,” said Simukai Tinhu.

“However, she is smarter than what many think. She knows that odds are against her presidency.

“She has no power base, her allies are ‘transient’ and she is very much aware that her ambitions, if she has any, would immediately collapse if anything happened to her husband.”

Mugabe has become weaker physically and depends on his wife for many things, including walking at public functions as he mostly leans on her or she firmly holds his hand as they walk together at most public events.

“With her elevation to the position of leader of Zanu PF women’s league as a starting point, she has found public life thoroughly enjoyable, and she is unlikely to relinquish herself from politics anytime soon,” Tinhu said

“Even after her husband’s departure, she will want to continue playing that role, hence she will support a faction that will ensure her continued role in politics, but not anywhere near the presidency.”

Another political analyst, Takura Zhangazha said Grace was merely consolidating her husband’s hold on power, although she was fast becoming the second in command of the party and disregarding other organs.

Zhangazha said the gesture by Grace to donate several expensive items was now a creation of a new materialist culture to the national politics.

“What the First Lady and the ruling Zanu PF party are doing is to make politics a very expensive and exclusive endeavour,” he said.

“In the process they intend to create the impression of a reality in which Zanu PF becomes undefeatable in the minds of ordinary citizens.”

Some said while her star may be rising and her influence expanding, it remained to be seen how the Mnangagwa faction, which seems to be under siege at the moment, would regroup and challenge her without being seen as opposing Mugabe.

Change Hits Music Industry With COSON’s Digital Music Summit

Uzo Chikere

An august assemblage of professionals in the music industry converged on Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos from September 28 to 29, 2015 to chart the way forward for the Nigerian music industry. This was a project driven by what the promoters, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) tagged “Nigerian Digital Music Summit” and themed, “Establishing the Basic Rules of Engagement in the Digital Environment”.

Quite contrary to the established way of talk shopping in this clime, the gathering exhibited in most ways, another dimension to tackling problems bedeviling institutions in the country, especially the music sector in the age of high technology and digitisation.

The two-day event provided the plank for stakeholders in the production and distribution of music to engage with copyright experts from around the world to deliberate on the rules of engagement in the digital environment so as to ensure that practitioners who are involved in the value chain in Nigeria get a fair deal and to guarantee the stability and sustainable growth of the Nigerian music industry.

Supported by Growth & Employment Project (GEM), funded by the World Bank and domiciled in the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the summit had facilitators and participants from across the gamut of the entire music business including musicians, music producers, label owners, copyright administrators, rights managers, music aggregators, telecommunications companies, legal practitioners, advertising practitioners and government officials.

Papers presented by experts centred on various topics, including, “Understanding How the Digital Music Business Works in Nigeria” by Mr. Audu Maikori, “Aggregating Music for the Digital Market Place” by Mr. Lawrence Wilbert, “The Digital Music Market Place and Copyright” by Mrs. Tarja Koskinen-Olsson.

Others were Mrs. Inger Elise Mey addressing “Digital Music Licensing: Current Issues”, Mr. Rob Hooijer, dealing with “Monetization of the Digital Exploitation of Musical Works and Sound Recordings as it Affects Creators and Publishers, Performers and Record Companies”, Mr. Yunusa S. Labaran speaking on  “Employment Opportunities in a Structured Music Industry”  and Ms. Nothando Migogo rounding off with “Monetising Music in the Internet Age: The CAPASSO South Africa Experience”. The presentations were complemented by panel discussions and interventions by other industry practitioners and experts.

In his expression of appreciation for the massive attendance by, participation of key players in the music industry as well as assessing the event, COSON chairman, Tony Okoroji, said that everybody openly bared their minds at the summit, pointing out that there was no pretense or sugar-coating.

Said he:  “At the summit, everyone openly bared his mind. There was no pretense and no sugar coating. The objective was to identify the problems and design actions to address them. The Nigerian Digital Summit was not just a world class event in attendance and organization, it was focused like a laser beam on moving the Nigerian music industry to the digital age. One of the big achievements was the setting up of the Digital Music Monitoring Group made up of tried and tested persons from across the private and public spectrum. The monitoring group is charged with taking the decisions made at the summit and ensuring that they are fully implemented. That will certainly create a revolution in the Nigerian music industry and shape the way things are done in the country. The steps we have taken have made the summit very different from the usual Nigerian talk shop” 

Also speaking, Mr. Chinedu Chukwuji, General Manager of COSON said, “We are pleased with the outcome of the summit. So much was said and resolutions were adopted. We are set to implement these resolutions to steer the industry forward. Going forward, it can never be business as usual”.

Earlier in his opening address, the Director-General (DG) of Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Afam Ezekude, thanked the collaborating bodies for taking the initiative for orgaising such a summit which he described as certainly due for Nigeria at this stage of her development.

Further stating that major aspects of our national life was dictated being by developments in the communications technology and digital industries, Ezekude pointed out that one of the by-products of the evolution of digital network was that it renders information and data processing systems more vulnerable to intruders. Since the creative and innovative industries are among the groups affected by the vulnerability of information technology, the NCC boss held that users of creative contents, including telecoms companies, should do so on the basis of licenses legitimately issued by the owners of the rights of creative content.

All said, by the recently concluded summit as organized by COSON, Operation, in the digital music space which is rapidly evolving will be guided by informed knowledge of the rules of engagement in the industry and thing may not remain as before.

ZAFAA Global Awards Makes Debut In Nigeria Oct. 31

Uzo Chikere

For the very first time Nigerians will witness a spectacle in the movie industry when ZAFAA Global Awards hits Lagos. The event described as the biggest African movie event outside Africa, having been featuring in the UK over the years, is being organized and promoted in Nigeria by Nollywood Entertainment Ltd. UK and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) for the first time.

Slated to hold at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos on October 31, 2015, ZAFAA, according to its director of operations, Chinedu Onyekwuru, was being brought to Nigeria in Africa for the first time due to its strategic partnership with NTA as well as to recognize the artistic talent that abound in the continent.

On the part of NTA, having observed through its interaction with ZAFAA promoters over the years, that it was promoting Africa and Nollywood in Europe, it considered it expedient to collaborate with the orgnisers to bring the prestigious event home to Nigeria.

From its inception in 2006, ZAFAA has grown to become the biggest African movie event outside Africa, structured as an exhibition of Africa’s post-colonial entertainment savvy and culture. It is regarded as part of the cultural Calendar of the UK featuring film exhibition, festival, academy and awards across two days culminating in the awards night.

For the Nigerian maiden edition, the rich repertoire of Nigeria’s diverse cultural dances will be displayed alongside the presence of movie stars from the UK, US and Africa at the show.

With the wide rich of NTA, said the organisers, it promises to be a celebration of African creativity, resilience and excellence.      

COSON Digital Music Summit Takes Off In Grand Style

The two-day Nigerian Digital Music Summit took off in grand style at Eko Convention Center, Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, this Monday September 28, 2015.

Many of the gurus of the Nigerian music industry and experts from around the world stormed the venue for the historic event. Among those present were Evangelist Dr. Ebenezer Obey, Mr. Raw, Kofi, Charles Granville, Olu Maintain, Baba Dee Fassasi, Essence, Mode nine, DJ Gosporella, King Waleman, Azeezat Allen, Sk Sensation, Daddy Fresh, Chief Tony Okoroji, Mr. Afam Ezekude, Director General, Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Mr. JohnKennedy Chime, representative of Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA),  Mr. Yunusa Labaran, Project Coordinator Growth and Employment Projects (GEM), Mr. Efe Omorogbe, CEO Now Muzik, Mrs. Chinyere Okorocha, Partner, Jackson Etti & Edu Law Firm, Mr. Simon Aderinola, COO BeyondBranches, Mr. Audu Maikori, President, Chocolate City Group, Ms. Nneka Anyina, Director VAS Services, Hauwei, Mr. Joel Ajayi, Chairman, Music Label Owners Association of Nigeria (MULOAN), Hon. John Udegbunam, Engr. Sharon Wilson, President, Music Producers & Marketers Association of Nigeria (MUPMAN), Mr. Femi Fajolu, Managing Partner, Chief G. O. Sodipo & Co., Mr. Lawrence Wilbert, CEO Agilent Wireless, Mr. Afam Nwokedi, Managing Partner, Still Waters Law Firm, Prof. Egerton Uviegahara, Mrs. Inger Elise Mey, Director of Online Media, Broadcast and International Licensing at TONO, Mrs. Tarja Koskinen-Olsson, International Adviser at Olsson & Koskinen Consulting, Mr. Robert Hooijer, International consultant on collective management of Copyright and Neighbouring Rights, Ms. Nothando Migogo, CEO, CAPASSO amongst others.

The red carpet was practically on fire as camera lights flashed from all corners to capture gaily dressed stars and industry experts who turned out for a very defining moment in the Nigerian music industry.

The summit which is borne out of the obvious need to set in place the proper framework for the exploitation of music in the digital space, set in motion the desired change the industry seeks.

In his address, Mr. Afam Ezekude, Director-General, Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) said, “It is important for users of creative contents including telecom companies to leverage on the facilities of our copyright system to ensure the sustenance of seamless availability of creative content to enhance their value added services. Use of creative content should be on the basis of licenses legitimately issued by those who own rights to the creative content

“Most operators appear not to be engaging the right platforms to secure appropriate licenses for creative contents deployed on some networks. Consequently, we are continually witnessing some avoidable copyright disputes, which do not only impact negatively on the image of the service providers, but also distract authors from pursuing their creative endeavours”

“The Copyright Act has provided for collective management of rights, which is globally acknowledged as the best mechanism for licensing of content where the use of such content has assumed a certain anonymous scale making it difficult for users to trace and approach individual right owners for separate licenses”.

Speaking on the summit, Chief Tony Okoroji, Chairman, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) said, “This summit is not meant to be a talk shop. It is a historic opportunity to agree on how the Nigerian music industry will move forward in a new era so that everybody’s interest is protected and the industry can grow and meet its true potentials. It may need to be repeated that if the industry does not agree on how to move forward, everyone will move to trenches and just fight it out

“Following the summit, it is envisaged that there will be an industry monitoring committee to ensure that the players are complying with the new rules and where there is a need for legislation to ensure compliance, the right steps are taken to ensure that such legislation is passed”.

Also speaking, Mr. Yunusa Labaran, Project Coordinator, GEM said, “The reason GEM chose to sponsor this summit is because we must support the music industry to grow and to pay. Oil which has been the mainstay of our economy has been dwindling and there is a need to diversify to strengthen our economy. The outcome of this summit will help us to set up an intervention to help the industry grow and create employment for the growth of the Nigerian economy”. 

The theme of the Nigerian Digital Music Summit is “Establishing the Basic Rules of Engagement in the Digital Environment” and is organized by the COSON in collaboration with The World Bank, Growth and Employment Projects (GEM), UKAid and Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.