Use Smaller Gods To Swear-in State Officials In Ghana, Pete Edochie Tells Rawlings

Pete Edochie and Jerry Rawlings

Legendary Nollywood legend Pete Edochie who is in Ghana to shoot Kofas Media and Miracle Wave International collaborated movie has suggested that African leaders swear with smaller gods instead of the bible.

Chief Edochie who paid a courtesy call on the former president of Ghana, H.E Jerry John Rawlings on Friday with casts of the new move said state officials who swear with the Bible become corrupt when they are in office.

To him, God forgives easily so these officials do not take the oath serious whenever they hold the Bible to swear. The Nigerian actor further said that the smaller gods are not merciful like the Almighty God who created heaven and earth so that it will put fear in these corrupt leaders.

To him, the gods give instance justice to persons who break their oath and that will deter politicians from ‘chopping’ state cash.

Singing To Babies Engages Their Attention, Creates Bonds: Research

Mothers singing to babies is an age-old practice found across all cultures and traditions. Now US research finds it is actually an important way to create bonds and stimulate children.

Shannon de l'Etoile, professor of music therapy and associate dean of Graduate Studies at the University of Miami Frost School of Music,  initially set to look at how infants behave in response to their mothers' singing, also called infant-directed singing, compared to other mother-baby interactions such as reading books and playing with toys.

In addition the research looked into the role that infant-directed singing plays in creating the intricate bond between mother and child.

For her initial study, de l'Etoile filmed 70 infants responding to six different interactions: mother sings an assigned song, "stranger" sings an assigned song, mother sings song of choice, mother reads book, mother plays with toy, and the mother and infant listen to recorded music.

The babies showed high cognitive scores during infant-directed singing, suggesting that song is just as effective as reading books or playing with toys for engaging and maintaining babies' attention, and far more effective than listening to recorded music.

The promising results led de l'Etoile to carry out a second study that focused on the mother's role during infant-directed singing by measuring the make-up of the song and the mother's voice.

The results suggested that when infants had a high level of engagement during song, their mother's instincts were higher, with mothers intuitively knowing when to adjust pitch, tempo or key or the song to stimulate and regulate their child's response when the child's level of engagement declined.
De l'Etoile then looked at the acoustic range in the singing voices of mothers with post-partum depression. The results showed that although the children were still engaged, the tempo of the singing did not change and was more robotic. However de l'Etoile added that for mothers with postpartum depression singing to their child can offer a distraction from negative emotions and thoughts, while children are given much-needed sensory stimulation.

In conclusion de l'Etoile commented, "The tempo and key certainly don't need to be perfect or professional for mothers and infants to interact through song. In fact, infants may be drawn to the personalized tempo and pitch of their mother, which encourage them to direct their gaze toward and ultimately communicate through this gaze."

Angelina Jolie Hopes Family Will Come Out 'Stronger' After Break-up

Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie says that she and her family have been going through a "difficult time" since the breakup of her marriage to Brad Pitt, but added that hopefully they would come out "stronger for it."

The actress and filmmaker spoke briefly about her personal struggles during a recent interview with BBC World News. She has been promoting her new movie, "First They Killed My Father." It's set in Cambodia and based on the life of author and human rights activist Loung Ung, who was a child during the brutal Khmer Rouge regime of the 1970s.

Jolie, who has custody of her six children with Pitt, said that "we are and forever will be a family" and that having faith was how she was "coping."

Nigeria’s Democracy Under Manipulation -- Ekweremadu

• Says Naira Currently Worst Currency In Africa

Nigeria's democracy is being manipulated and tampered with by vital institutions and

Ekweremadu

radical decline of democratic freedoms, said Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, on Monday.
The senate number two man, said in a speech he gave at the stakeholders meeting of the opposition party  at Ekiti House in Abuja on Monday that the attack on chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party in Abuja on Monday were clear evidence of decline of democracy.
He also said that the PDP was united as according to him, the solidarity of all key organs and bodies of the PDP towards the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee, showed that “it is not the hood that makes the monk.”
He  decried the attack on the International Conference Centre, Abuja, the earlier announced venue of the stakeholders meeting by the security agencies,  adding that such flagrant manipulation of critical institutions of democracy was not only dangerous, but bad news for democracy.
He said: “We are aware that all the institutions of democracy are being manipulated and harassed in this country. The National Assembly and the press are not left out. The INEC has been captured and now a part of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Our judiciary is being insulted and assaulted every day. Their houses are being attacked very late at night and the judges are being harassed. He also decried the continuous fall in the value of the Naira saying the currency has become the worst in Africa.
He said: “They told us that one US dollar would be one naira when they take over. Has that happened? Today, our currency is the worst currency in the whole of Africa. Is that the type of democracy we looked forward to? I can see a situation where the price of oil is going up and the value of naira is going down. What type of economics is that?”
“So, we are not surprised at what we are seeing today (sealing of meeting venue). But what remains is for us to remain resolute.
“If you look around this room, you will see a lot of people who are being harassed, persecuted, and taken to court. What is their offence? They claim they allegedly received stolen property, yet nobody has been arraigned for the actual stealing. As a lawyer, I know that if you are being arraigned for receiving stolen property, you must first of all arraign the man who stole the property. That is not so in our own case. Is that democracy?”

Pro-Jonathan Group Vows To Chase Fulani Herdsmen From Niger-Delta

A  group going by the name, GoodluckNigeria has vowed to stand solidly behind the former President Good luck Jonathan and his wife, Patience to rid the Niger-Delta of Fulani Herdsmen in the region.

,, pro-Goodluck Jonathan, group in a statement signed by its President, Joseph Spiff Wilcox and made available to journalists in Port Harcourt on Monday, said that the move was a commendable one.

The organisation called on all Ijaw sons and daughters to join in chasing all Fulani herdsmen out of the Niger Delta, noting that it was in the best interest of the Ijaw people.

However, it was learnt that following the threats, a number of Fulani herdsmen are already fleeing the Niger Delta for fear of their lives and the lives of their cattle.

"Very soon, we will lead a massive protest across Niger Delta to sensitize our people on the need to resist the movement of all herdsmen in Ijaw land.

“What happened in Agatu must not be allowed to happen in any Niger Delta community. The senseless killing of 75 people in Delta State by Fulani herdsmen must not go unpunished. That's why we support the move by the former President and his wife to protect our land”.

The Niger Delta group, which was instrumental to the Goodluck Jonathan campaign in 2015, said the resolve of the former Nigerian leader and his wife must be executed to the letter.

“ We align with the thinking of our leader, former President Jonathan and the former first lady to ensure that every part of our region is ridden of all traces of these archaic people whose stock in trade is the killing of our people from the south.

“We also call on all our people to key into this new movement of making sure that Fulani people and their cows do not continue to plunder our land, while we fold our hands and watch helplessly”, the group said.

The group vowed to use anything within its reach to achieve its aim, stressing that Jonathan and his wife deserve the praise of every well-meaning Niger Delta person, who is interested in the growth and security of the region.

9ice Enters Fresh Deal With Temple Management Company

9ice signs the deal

Set to chart a new direction for his career, 'Gongo Aso' crooner, Abolore Akande, popularly known as 9ice, has joined the likes of Mavin Records and Iyanya by signing a deal with Temple Management Company.
The deal was consummated on Thursday, February 16, 2017 at the corporate office of the company in Victoria Island, Lagos and witnessed by representatives of both parties.
While receiving 9ice, Idris Olorunnimbe, CEO/ Founder, TMC noted that 9ice still commands a strong place in Nigerian music.
 “We recognize the foundation that 9ice has built and established, together we can build on and take it to newer heights,” Olorunnimbe said.
“At Temple Management Company, we do not gamble but believe in strategy and pinpoint execution,” he added.
 He explained further, “With our team and structure, we are here to support 9ice to actualize his career goals. In 9ice, we see a brand that has an important and strategic core that we can expand.”
In under a year, the management company is now positioned as a powerhouse in the creative sector having amassed clients in sports, arts, media and of course, entertainment

9ice and Temple management 

. Some of its clients include Don Jazzy, Mavin Records, Project Fame winner, Jeff and Iyanya,
In his remarks, 9ice said, “For me, this is the right thing to do at this stage in my career and indeed for any forward thinking artiste. When we started music, we grew with the knowledge that everything was all about the artiste; you are the manager, owner of the record label etc. We did this to the best of our ability.”
“This is the time to give experienced professionals the chance to take care of you because one will become the better for it.  Temple Management are like our own Sony or BMG in Nigeria. Any artiste who plans to grow need to work with the right people such as Temple Management Company," 9ice noted.
On his new direction, 9ice said that with the backing of his new management, he is working assiduously to release new music and will explore an international fan base.

Benita Okojie Gospel Singer Mourns Death Of Dad

Benita

The loss was a sad one for the singer but she stayed positive all the way by focusing on fond memories of the deceased.
Gospel singer, Benita Okojie has taken to her Instagram to mourn the death of her father who recently passed away.
Though saddened by the loss, the demise of the elderly man wasn't all sobs for the singer who chose to focus on the positive impact the deceased had on her.

Okojie, who broke the news of his passing on Thursday, February 16, 2017 was quite thankful for the support her father provided in choosing a career.
"My hero and father has gone to be with Jesus. He made such great impact in my life and in the lives of so many people. I'm eternally grateful to God that you walked me down the aisle.
"Quizzed my then boyfriend like every father would , gave your consent and enjoyed that day and many other months with us.
"I love you with all my heart. Thank you for believing in us (your children) and seeing to it that we all followed our passion.
"Thank you for your legacy.
"No more tears anymore. Now its celebration. You will be celebrated for life. Mummy misses you like crazy but she knows you're with Jesus.
"You remain in our hearts forever. THANK YOU, OBU SIR!!
"Jesus is coming soon so I know we will see in heaven soon.
"Till then, rest with Jesus Baba Benita."

Now a fully grown woman, the 'Osemudiamen' songster was one of the favourite music sensations that graced the late nineties.
Despite choosing the less popular gospel genre, the singer managed to capture hearts with a couple of her numbers.

Iyere King