APC Pleads With Senate Over Loan Rejection

Zonal Publicity Secretary of The All Progressive Party(APC)South-East region, Hyacinth Ngwu in Enugu yesterday, appealed that the Senate reconsider its rejection of the $29.680 billion loan requested by President Muhammadu Buhari for provision of infrastructure between 2016 and 2018. He pointed out that the rejection was ill-advised, and an ill-wind that would not blow anyone any good. Ngwu, in a statement said: “We believe the loan, which is within the acceptable Debt Management Office, DMO, debt threshold of 19.39 per cent for External Debt/GDP ratio and far below 56 per cent debt threshold for External Debt/GDP ratio by the World Bank’s Country Policy and Institutional Assessment, CPIA, for countries in Nigeria’s peer group, respectively, is sustainable in the medium term.”

COSON, Disc Jockes Enter Into Landmark Agreement

The Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), on Tuesday November 1, 2016 signed a landmark copyright agreement with Disc Jockeys across the federation of Nigeria. At the ceremony, COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji praised the leadership of Disc Jockeys Association of Nigeria, (DJAN) for their persistence in the negotiation which has lasted many months. The COSON Chairman said he was impressed by the determination of the DJAN leadership to obtain the most favorable deal on behalf of their members.

  COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji and the Disc  Jockeys Association of Nigeria (DJAN) President, Mr. Tade Adeyemi a.k.a DJ Kool signing the agreement

 

                                                                          

Chief Okoroji said that the significance of the agreement at a time when the Nigerian economy is challenged is that, the respect of intellectual property, which is the cornerstone of the new knowledge economy, is being institutionalized in Nigeria. He particularly praised DJ Jimmy Jatt who has worked tirelessly for this day to come true. By the agreement every member of Disc Jockeys Association of Nigeria (DJAN), shall obtain a copyright licence from COSON with immediate effect and every member of DJAN engaged in any public performance of musical works or sound recordings shall at the time of such public performance carry on him a copy of his/her current music copyright licence issued by COSON and shall present such licence for sighting at the request of any accredited COSON agent or representative. Furthermore, no Disc Jockey shall engage in the unauthorized reproduction for sale, compilation for sale, sale or distribution of any musical works or sound recordings. While the agreement protects all licensed Disc Jockeys from the infringement of the relevant copyright in musical works and sound recordings in a public performance, the agreement does not protect any brand owners, corporate bodies, owners of event venues, public or commercial facility owners, whose brands, venues or facilities are associated with the public performance. The agreement also states that every licensed Disc Jockey shall not engage in the public performance of musical works or sound recordings in a venue or facility not licensed for the public performance of music or in support of a brand or corporate organization which has not obtained the appropriate copyright licence for the public performance of musical works and sound recordings. Reacting, DJAN President, Mr. Tade Adeyemi, popularly known as DJ Cool described the day as the best of his life. He commended the COSON Chairman for his magnanimity in listening to the demands of the Association while also taking into consideration the Association’s enumerated challenges. He said “ Today I can categorically say that I am the happiest man on earth because we have been on this for quite a long time and we are very happy that at the end of the day, COSON agreed to some of our terms and DJAN also agreed to some of COSON’s terms. We are highly grateful that COSON listened to us and I am promising that on behalf of the entire DJAN members nationwide we will not disappoint.” Present at the signing ceremony were COSON Directors, Mr. Joel Ajayi, Mrs. Azeezat Allen, COSON General Manager, Mr. Chinedu Chukwuji and popular reggae artiste, Ras Kimono, Also present were DJAN executives, Deejays Kolabaiye, (Vice President) Larry ( Zonal Coordinator South West Zone), DJ Alex ( Treasurer) and DJ Temple (Lagos Treasurer).

Singer, Jaywon Welcomes Baby Boy

Jaywon admires his baby

Popular Nigerian singer Jaywon has become a new dad!

The 'Oba orin' welcomed a baby boy with his girlfriend in the Czech Republic.

Jaywon welcomes a baby boy with his girlfriend in the Czech Republic. (Instagram)

He took to Instagram today, November 1, 2016, to share the news with fans and followers.

"All glory to God, Another king is born!!! #NewMonthNewBlessing #GbogboOpeFunBabaLoke #OlaOluwaLafinDara," he captioned an adorable shot of his baby boy.

It's unclear who the mother of his child is. But recall that the 'This year' crooner spoke to Pulse about having kids outside wedlock like many of his colleagues.

According to him, "Lol I'm still very single and I right now I just wanna see my label Next World Music music up there before I can start up any relationship now right now.'"

Meanwhile, Jaywon bagged an award for the Best Indigenous Act Of The Year at the 2016 edition of ACIA Awards which took place in Atlanta.

Mavin Records Sign On Nigerian Pop Act, Iyanya

Don Jazzy and Iyanya in the studio

One of the latest developments in the entertainment industry in Nigeria presently, that Iyanya has been signed on to Mavin Records. The Nigerian pop act, in an unexpected move, has inked a deal with the Don Jazzy-owned record label, after splitting from his music company, Made Men Music Group. Posting on his Instagram page, Don Jazzy said: "The SUPREME MAVIN DYNASTY is pleased to welcome Iyanya to the ever growing Mavin Family. Please join us to welcome him and let the world know that we ‘Up2Sumting’. MavinActivated." The deal which has been sealed, signals a new turn for the singer who has spent the past six years running his record label, in partnership with his manager, Ubi Franklin. “I'll be launching my new label and new album soon”, the singer wrote on Instagram in July The announcement sparked off some reactions among fans and industry enthusiasts. Iyanya until his decision to quit was a co-owner of MMMG, an outfit he ran with his manager and friend, Ubi Franklin. The duo set up the record label in 2011, where they had Tekno, Selebobo, Mr. Chibbz,

and Tonye Garrick all signed. Singer Emma Nyra was once part of the record label, until she acrimoniously departed in 2014 due to personal reasons. Baci was also affiliated with the label for six years, but he was never offered a contract. He left in 2016. The new contract with Iyanya is unfamiliar territory for Don Jazzy. The music business mogul has spent decades signing young unproven talents and nurturing them into stars. In 2014, he announced the signing of three acts – Reekado Banks, Di’Ja and Korede Bello. All of them have transitioned into genuine stars in their rights. Other members of his team include Tiwa Savage, Dr. Sid, and D’Prince. Don Jazzy shares a similar story with Iyanya: Just like his new signee, he formerly ran a record label – Mo’Hits Records – in partnership with D’banj. But they split up in 2011 and he picked up the pieces and created Mavin Records. Iyanya, a star who is popular for his work in Nigerian pop music started in 2008 after emerging victorious in the MTN Project Fame West Africa. He has released three albums including “My Story,” (2009), “Iyanya Vs Desire,” (2013) and “Applaudise,” (2015). Prior to the change in his music business in 2016, Iyanya was working on returning to his R&B roots. He is also planning a collaborative R&B album with EME singer, Banky W. So far, he has released two singles, ‘Type of woman’ and 'Heart beat' from the project. No word has been given if this project will still continue. Iyanya has put out a single featuring Don Jazzy and Dr Sid titled 'Up 2 sumtin', with the trailer for the video and full audio.

Kukah Visits EFCC, Meets Fani Kayode, Obanikoro, Others

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Revd. Mathew Kukah, yesterday visited the

Bishop Kukah

headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja. According to a statement by the commission’s spokesman, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, Kukah met with Femi Fani-Kayode, Musiliu Obanikoro and a former presidential spokesperson, Reuben Abati, among others. He said that Kukah was reportedly conducted round the EFCC’s detention facilities by the acting chairman of the commission, Mr Ibrahim Magu. Uwujaren said Kukah expressed delight that the detainees were in high spirits despite the discomfort of temporary restriction. “I discussed with some detained suspects like Femi Fani-Kayode, Musiliu Obanikoro and Reuben Abati, and I am quite pleased they are looking cheerful. “I was also happy with the humility of the acting chairman who took me round and the way he interacted with the detainees. “This is what is important for our country so that nobody takes these kind of things personal. I am happy I came,” Kukah said.. Kukah said that well-meaning Nigerians like himself were staff of EFCC to the extent that they wanted a better country and were doing what was needed to be done. “We’ll continue to pray that God guides you, keeps you safe and ensure that we build a country that we all will be proud of.

Human Rights Commission To Probe Invasion Of Judges’ Homes

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is on the verge of commencing

Prof. Ben Angwe

investigation into the recent invasion of homes and arrests of some judicial officers across the country by the operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS). The Executive Secretary of the commission, Prof. Ben Angwe made this known when he spoke in Abuja yesterday while addressing a coalition of Lawyers in Defence of Democracy (LDD) and a non-governmental organisation, Citizens for Good Governance (CGG), also assured that the NHRC would neither be partial nor take orders from any quarters in the course of carrying out the investigation. The coalition had marched to the commission’s headquarters in Maitama district of Abuja in protest of what they described as “revenge operation” against the Judiciary by the secret police. He noted that NHRC had before now been waiting for petitions from the public on the alleged arrest of the judges and violation of their human rights but did not receive any. He further stated that now that a formal petition had been submitted to the human rights body, it would not hesitate to go into a comprehensive probe of the matter in order to unravel what actually transpired between the security operatives and the affected judges. The protesters also stormed the Federal High Court headquarters in the nation’s capital and terminated peaceful protest at the National Assembly, to protest the call on judges whose homes were raided by the DSS to step aside from office. Earlier before the protest kick-started, the convener of the coalition, Barrister Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, addressed journalists, saying that heeding to the call on the embattled Judges to step down was a victory for tyranny and gradual return to what he called “Kokomo democracy.” He condemned DSS continuous detention of Nigerians who had been granted bail conditions by the courts, noting that continued detaining of such persons was an affront on the authority of the Judiciary. He also described their detention as dictatorial and desecration of the fundamental democratic principle of Separation powers, stressing that the Executive could not be a prosecutor and Judge at the same time. The Protesters called on the National Judicial Council (NJC), and the Chief Justice of Nigeria to direct all Judges in the country not to hear any application from the DSS and other agencies of government except bail applications until there was obedience to all pending orders against them, saying, “what use are the courts if their orders cannot be enforced and obeyed by the state”. The groups implored the UN, US, National Human Rights Commission, Amnesty International and indeed the International Community to immediately call the Buhari-led government to order and halt the present attempt to derail Nigeria’s hard earned democracy. The group further observed that the National Judicial Council was a creation of the constitution with its inherent powers, and that the DSS ought to have recognized such vital roles of the Council. It said that, in the exercise of its constitutional function, the NJC had within the last five years sanctioned at least 70 judicial officers in addition to taking other innovative steps at combating corruption “There should have been no need for the deliberate misinformation to the public that the invasion of the judges’ homes were due to the uncooperative stance of the NJC. Make no mistake about it, the attack on Justice Dimgba, Ademola, Ngwuta, Inyang-Okoro, Liman was a revenge operation not a fight against corruption”, Ugochinyere stated. He alleged that the affected lawyers were attacked by the DSS because of the various judgements they had delivered, contrary to the whims and caprices of the government or its agencies. He said, “is Justice Ngwuta’s sin not his lead judgment in the Ekiti Governorship election which the ruling party wanted at all cost? “Is Justice Adeniyi Ademola’s sin not his stand on the events that happened between him and the Honourable Attorney General when he was a Judge in the Kano Division of the Federal High Court or his orders in the cases of Sambo Dasuki, Nnamdi Kanu, President Buhari’s certificate saga and the orders he made on the attack date of October 7th against the DSS awarding a total of N30miliion as human rights violation compensation to two complainants……among others similar cases,” he said.

Ini Edo, Sammie Okposo Dropped As Glo Ambassadors After 10 Years

Ini Edo

Sammie Okposo

Telecommunication company, Globacom has dropped Ini Edo and Sammie Okposo after 10 years as Glo ambassadors.

Nollywood actress, Ini Edo and gospel singer, Sammie Okposo took to their Instagram pages yesterday, October 30, 2016, to announce their departure from the company's list of ambassadors.

"10 years as a Glo ambassador has been quite an interesting and a rewarding journey . I wish to say a huge thank you to @globacomlimited for the privilege of serving you, it was fun while it lasted. Thanks n Godbless," Ini Edo wrote, appreciating the company.

"I'm officially no more a glo @globacomlimited ambassador. Maximum respect thanks and appreciation to my chairman Sir Dr Mike Adenuga Jnr thank you sir for the opportunity it was a pleasure and a joy to serve as one of your glo ambassadors Godbless and keep you sir."TWALE BABA"

To all the staff of globacom nationwide it was great and exciting meeting and working with you guys 2006-2016.. 10 Amazing years

It was a fantastic run.... God be Praised.....," Okposo reacted.

While these artistes have been dropped Timaya was recently signed as an ambassador with Glo.

"Its Official... They say am proud now I know why cause I glo with pride. Glo ambassador. Great Deal.... Thank u lord," he wrote on Instagram on October 29, 2016.

Glo also dropped most of their celebrity ambassadors this year including: Burnaboy, Wizkid, Wande Coal and Psquare.