Land-grabbers Attack Prayer Warriors For Invoking God’s Wrath On Them

Armed youths, believed to be land-grabbers, weekend, reportedly stormed a prayer ground in Umudioka, Awka South Local Government Area, Anambra State, and beat to comatose one Kenechukwu Nebeolisa as well as some prayer warriors for allegedly invoking the wrath of God on them. Nebeolisa had invited the prayer warriors to the community to ward off all manner of evils, including land-grabbing, intimidation, harassment, robbery and thug activities in the community. Vanguard gathered that in the middle of the vigil by Nebeolisa and the prayer warriors, some armed youths stormed the prayer ground and beat everybody there to a pulp, for invoking God’s wrath on them. Narrating his ordeal in the hands of the youths, Nnebolisa said: “They said I did not take permission from them before inviting the prayer warriors to curse them; that as those in charge of the youths in Ezi-Awka, I must take permission from them. “Those youths have been going about extorting money, beating up people and taking over their land. The last time they met me at Aguoye Hills, they beat the hell out of me. I reported the case to the Chairman and the Secretary of Ezi-Awka Youth Assembly and also to the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for necessary action.” Contacted, Chairman of the Ezi- Awka Town Assembly, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, said: “I have received several reports against the clandestine activities of the group, who even claim in the media sometime to be the elected executive of the Ezi-Awka Youth Assembly. “During the recent celebration of Imoka, the same group stormed the arena and robbed, destroyed canopies and items meant for the occasion. They injured many. “A town crier, Mr. Ozoanadimkanyi, was brutally beaten up, his house ransacked and his tenants robbed by the land-grabbers. “Unless security operatives arrest them, they will continue to commit all kinds of crimes in the community.” Source: Vanguard.

Meryl Streep Joins Mary Poppins Sequel, Reveals Fear She Was Finished @ 40

Meryl Streep is reportedly set to join the all-star cast of the Mary Poppins sequel in the new role of the iconic nanny's cousin. According to Variety, the Academy Award-winner is in talks with Disney to star in the 2018 film alongside Emily Blunt and Broadway star Lin-Manuel Miranda. In this Disney film from 1964, Julie Andrews stars as a mysterious nanny who appears to find some fun for a banker's children. Based on P. L. Travers' book series of the same name. Streep is set to take a supporting role as Poppins' cousin, Topsy, a character that wasn't in the 1964 original film. The follow-up film will take place in Depression-era London and will follow a grown-up Jane and Michael Banks, who are visited by Mary Poppins, played by Blunt. Miranda will play new character, Jack, a street lamplighter and friend of Poppins. In a recent interview with Wall Street Journal, Streep, 67, revealed she feared her career would be over by her forties. The actress has been nominated for an incredible 19 Academy Awards, more than any other actor or actress in history. "I remember as I was hovering around 40, I thought each movie would be my last, really," she said. "And all the evidence of other 40-year-old women at that time - this is 27 years ago - would lead you to believe it was over." Streep has received 11 of her 19 Oscar nominations since turning 40. The actress said she considered herself lucky to still be working. "On a certain level you don't have any choice - you're unhappy if you're not doing it, so you're compelled in a certain way. And if you're lucky you can keep working. "But everybody has troughs and dismal times - every single person." The Mary Poppins sequel is scheduled to hit cinemas on December 25, 2018.

Macy Gray To Perform In South Africa

American soul/jazz singer Macy Gray, renowned for her raspy voice, is set to perform in South Africa. The ‘I Try’ hit-maker will take to the stage in Johannesburg on Saturday, 8 October 2016, at the upcoming DStv Delicious International Food & Music Festival. Local jazz maestro Hugh Masekela has also just been added to the line-up, taking to the stage at the two-day festival on Sunday, 09 October. Previously announced to perform at the festival are on Saturday Mi Casa, De La Soul, Arrested Development, Elements of Life featuring Louie Vega, Lisa Fischer, Josh Milan, Anané Vega, Monique Bingham, Adeva, Bucie, Kaylow, Luisito, and Quintero. For Sunday, the line-up includes The Jacksons, Elements of Life, Roy Ayers, Lira and Judith Sephuma.

Sandra Ifudu' Confesses Her Admiration For Phyno

Rising gospel singer, Sandra Ifudu, has revealed her admiration for Sputnet Records rapper, Phyno. Disclosing this in a recent press close-up,Ifudu listed the rapper as one of her favourite Nigerian music stars, alongside Davido, Dare Art-Alade and Asa. Said she: "I like Davido. I think he is amazing. I also like Phyno. He has captured my heart. Dare Art-Alade is awesome… Yes! I would love to work with them, including Asa". Her admiration for Phyno however does not seem enough to spur Ifudu in respect to dating, as the singer mentioned that she will like to focus on her music career for the time being. According to her, men are a distraction that she wants to avoid in a bid to drive her profession to the elite class. "I don’t have a boyfriend and I am not looking for one at the moment. I don’t want unnecessary distractions at this early stage of my career, so I am putting my career before boys", she further stated. The singer is the niece of legendary singer, Dora Ifudu, who made a great impression on Nigerian entertainment in the 80's and 90's. Sandra, who is a runner-up in the 2015 edition of the Next Movie Star reality TV show once revealed in an interview that she aspires to be better than her aunt.

Tonto Dikeh Enters Into New Skin Products Deal

Nollywood actress and new mum, Tonto Dikeh has just signed a deal with a skin products company in United States. The new mum is now an ambassador for a skin products company, Naturessence. She took to Instagram today, August 1, 2016 to share the news with her fans and followers. "Signed and sealed #NATURESSENCEUSA #AMBASSADORALERT #MULTIMILLIONCONTRACT #GOD #YOLO," she wrote. Tonto Dikeh recently celebrated hitting 1Million followers on Instagram. Not too long ago, Tonto Dikeh was known more for being controversial and grabbing headlines for the wrong reasons. Since she’s gotten married the former DB artiste has taken it easy. Now that she is a mother Tonto Dikeh is the total opposite of her public persona.

Instead of going wild online the actress now gushes about the joys of breastfeeding her son. “After birth this is the most fulfilling task/Duty. Having the knowledge that you produce food so great for your Child..Am so greatful for Gods awesome miracle.. If you have never been here you wldnt understand the joy my heart holds.. Mothers pls read about the benefits of breast feeding, Show everlasting love to your offsprings ..#7monthstogo” penned the actress on her Instagram page. Tonto and her husband Churchill Olakunle Oladunni welcomed their son on February 18, 2016. Do you ever witness anything interesting or exciting? Just take out your phone and send us

Military Presence Compels Militants To Suspend Republic Declaration

Boro Town, the country home of the late Ijaw freedom fighter, Isaac Adaka Boro, in Kiama, Kolokuma-Opokuma local government area of Bayelsa State, has reportedly been crippled by the military following threats by a group of militants to declare the Republic of Niger Delta. The militant group, Adaka Boro Avengers (ABA), had earlier said it would declare the Niger Delta Republic and open the headquarters of the republic in Kaiama. The massive presence of the military, The Nation gathered, forced the militants to cancel the planned declaration. The Niger Delta Republic was first declared on February 23, 1966 by a group of armed militia, Ijaw Volunteer Force (IVF) led by the late Boro who battled the Federal Government and demanding a fair share of the oil money. Despite the gallantry of Boro and his group, the firepower of federal forces easily routed, arrested and jailed the militants for treason. But the administration of Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd) granted Boro amnesty on the eve of the Nigerian civil war in May 1967, enlisted him in the Nigerian Army as a Major where he fought on the side of the government but was killed in mysterious circumstances in active service in 1968. On December 11, 1998, Ijaw people representing over 40 Ijaw clans, also gathered at the historic town of Kaiama to advance their agitation and articulate their aspirations for Ijaw people. They founded the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) after adopting the famous Kaiama Declaration. Our correspondent gathered that following threats by the ABA to repeat what the late Boro later renounced, the military in a joint operation with the Department of State Service (DSS), the police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) stormed the community at the weekend. A number of security operatives have reportedly taken strategic positions in different parts of the community.

North Plotting To Islamize N-Delta,Claims Militant Group

Niger Delta Revolutionary Crusaders, NDRC, a militant group Monday, alleged that there was an Islamic agenda by northerners to conquer and enslave the people of Niger Delta because of their oil. The group in a statement by the spokesperson W O I Izon-Ebi, said: “Their first step is to use few of our greedy political elites. The second plan is to frame distinguished leaders with frivolous charges. The third one is to incite crisis for the military to come into the Niger Delta with the sole purpose to kill all the vibrant and brave youths of the region that are mouth piece and leaders of tomorrow.” It asserted: To further expose their Islamic agenda to own our oil and enslave us, they have gone further to absorb more than 250,000 civilian JTF into the Nigerian Army and even boasting to absorb more into the military and paramilitary force.” “As if that is not enough, they are offering the Boko Haram Amnesty with the sole aim to invade the Niger Delta in the name of fighting militants. The drafting of Special Forces to the Niger Delta is not a threat to the people Niger Delta, because before this time we have known the Islamisation plot of recruiting Saudi Mercenaries, absorbing civilian JTF, and recruiting of Boko Haram members to form a special force to invade the Niger Delta,” NDRC said. It added:” Niger Deltans have suffered in the hands of the Nigerian government through their divide and rule tactics and few criminal minded elites to impoverish the people. This is why from 1957 when oil was discovered in commercial quantity in Oloibiri till date, there is nothing to show as an oil producing region. All we see is suffering, hunger, poverty, gas flaring, and degradation.”