Monday 11 March 2013

Vatican officials swear oaths of secrecy before conclave begins

Ninety Vatican officials, including Swiss Guards and members of the city state's tiny police force, swore oaths of secrecy on Monday in preparation for the start of the conclave to elect a new Pope.
Pope vote: cardinals approach the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican before the start of the conclave in 2005. This time there will be 115 cardinals casting votes twice in the morning and twice in the afternoon, trying to achieve a two thirds majority plus one 


Kenya's future up in the air after Kenyatta win

Despite a massive breakdown of its vote tallying system and a disgruntled opponent crying foul over the results, post-election Kenya has largely remained calm.


But with the defeated candidate threatening a protracted legal fight and the winner facing crimes against humanity charges by a UN  tribunal, the peace is precarious.

Uhuru Kenyatta, the deputy prime minister and son of the country's founding president, was declared the winner by the election commission.

He is to face trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in  June, meaning the majority of Kenyans have elected a suspected orchestrator of crimes against humanity.  But his main rival, Prime Minister Raila Odinga, has contested the results. Odinga says there were numerous irregularities, and threatened to go to the Supreme Court to overturn the decision.

"Anybody in our opposing team starting celebrations is in for a new shock," said Lands Minister James Orengo, an Odinga ally.

The court could force Kenyatta's inauguration, set for March 26,  to be delayed or canceled.

The trauma from the previous election caused some in Kenya to believe that a peaceful process became more important than a fair one 

This was Odinga's third bid to win the presidency, and the second time he has disputed the results.


In 2007, after the election commission declared President Mwai Kibaki the winner, Odinga said he was cheated. Ethnic clashes then erupted, leaving more than 1 000 dead, displacing hundreds of thousands of people and scarring a nation.


The trauma from the previous election caused some in Kenya to believe that a peaceful process became more important than a fair one.


"We have been urged not to question the process of tallying; not  to question credible allegations of rigging; not to question the law; not to question anything. Instead, 'peace,'" wrote Kenyan blogger Keguro Macharia.


"From looking at the results, you can conclude there were irregularities," said Albert Mumma, a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Law at the University of Nairobi.


  "Whether they (Odinga's camp) were able to gather the evidence, I don't know. The court must look at actual evidence, not just supposition," Mumma added.


The election commission has admitted the electronic system, installed a the cost of tens of millions of dollars, failed miserably but insists the hand-tallied results are "credible."


Mumma warned that the Supreme Court would likely consider the repercussions of its rulings if Odinga's legal team finally does lodge an appeal. Overturning the election commission "would be destabilizing for the country."


However, peace alone might not keep Kenya, long seen as a beacon  of stability in the volatile region, in the West's good graces.


Some Western states warned they would limit contact with Kenyatta to only the bare basics, potentially putting him in the same category as Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe.



He could end up trying to dodge the court by claiming presidential immunity - and find his global movements restricted.


Or, he may spend time fighting the charges that he was a key figure in organizing bloodshed in 2007, thereby distracting him from the job of running Kenya, a nation of 43 million people.



"Kenyatta's victory has guaranteed that Kenya's leadership will be chaotic, controversial and distracted; hardly a recipe for good governance," wrote Simon Allison, an Africa analyst, in the Daily Maverick.


In an early sign, many Western states praised Kenya for peaceful  elections but did not mention Kenyatta's name.


This contrasted starkly with South Africa and China, who quickly  offered Kenyatta an embrace - a possible hint that the president-elect could "look east" to Beijing instead of relying on traditional partners.


During the slow tallying of the ballots, Kenyatta and his running mate William Ruto - also wanted by the ICC - accused former  colonial master Britain of trying to influence the election commission to favour Odinga.


Ruto and Kenyatta were on opposite sides in 2007 and the ICC prosecutor accuses them of murdering each other's supporters.


Some analysts believe they ran together to put their eggs in one  basket and hope for the best outcome. If the election commission's decision stands, then they indeed have positioned themselves well to fight off the ICC.


But their alliance may also symbolize another hurdle Kenya must overcome: tribalism. By hooking up with Ruto, a member of another tribe, Kenyatta was able to ensure voters from key areas based solely on family links, analyst Makau Mutua believes.


Mutua, a founder of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, wrote in the Daily Nation that the real economic and political issues of the campaigns, such as unemployment and underdevelopment, "were subsumed in the tribe."


Paraphrasing former US president Bill Clinton's campaign from the 1990s, he said that in Kenya "it's the tribe, stupid."


Fashola reopens Ladipo Market, as traders sign undertaking

Lagos State Government yesterday reopened the Ladipo International Auto Spare Parts market with conditions to sustain the environmental viability of the market. Several well-meaning individuals, including Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha and respected Igbo leaders in Lagos had appealed to Governor Babatunde Fashola to reopen the market. The reopening of the market, which came two weeks after its closure, was announced by the Ministry of the Environment after a six-hour meeting at the State Secretariat. The meeting was attended by the Chairman of Mushin Local Government, Mr. Babatunde Adepitan, and members of the traders’ association.

The traders signed an undertaking to comply with all the conditions given by the government. According to the agreement, the government would relocate the market if the traders failed to meet the conditions. Some of the conditions are that the drainage channels’ Right of Way, RoW, and other access roads would no longer be converted to trading points and mechanic workshops.

Other conditions listed in a statement by the ministry include: “Nonconversion of the shops in the market for residential purposes; no dumping of wastes and vehicle parts in the canal; maintaining the general cleanliness of the market environment at all times and LACEC shall be empowered to ensure same.”

The traders also agreed to patronise Lagos State Waste Management Authority, LAWMA-appointed PSP operators and pay service charges promptly; while the association is empowered to ensure compliance by all the traders in the market. The agreement also nullified all purported allocations and permits around the canal setbacks.

The agreement was signed by the leader of the traders, Mr. Ikechukwu Animalu; President LACEC, Pastor Steve Paul; secretary of Ladipo Central Executive Auto Dealers’ Association; Chairman, Mushin Local Government, Adepitan and Commissioner for the Environment, Tunji Bello, who was represented by Mr. Muyideen Akinsanya (Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services).

Ladipo Market was shut on the orders of the state government on Monday, February 25, following flagrant abuse of sanitation laws, including indiscriminate dumping of refuse, engine parts and wares inside drainage channels, construction of stalls on drainage alignments, conversion of market roads for trading and blocking access roads with spare parts, derelicts and abandoned vehicles, thereby making the network of roads within the market inaccessible to motorists.

Obafemi finally moves to US

NIGERIA striker Obafemi Martins has finally joined Major League Soccer club Seattle Sounders. The recalled Super Eagles player moved to the American side from Spanish side Levante.

Martins’ move to Sounders had to be put on hold after he had agreed terms with the MLS side late last month. But on Monday, Martins announced on his twitter handle @oba_martins: “Wow..Finally, I can now announce that I have just signed for Sounders FC..A big step to take in my career. It’s a big challenge but I’m ready.”

Yahoo! Sports, quoting reports from Spain, reported on Monday that Levante will receive $3.9 million ($3 million euros) to release the Nigerian forward from his contract.

The move to make Martins a free agent is expected to pave the way for him to complete his long-rumoured move to Seattle as a Designated Player.
Valencia-based journalist Carlos Ayats Pérez reported on Monday morning that Martins would pay the sum himself.

Meanwhile, Martins also took time out to praise Levante fans for their support during his stay in Spain. Martins tweeted: “This is so difficult for me to do, but I really do love my fans. Levante fans are the best... I will always cherish the time I played here.”

Martins, who got a recall into the Super Eagles for a 2014 World Cup qualifier later this month against Kenya after he was left out of the Nigerian national team that won the Africa Cup of Nations title in South Africa last month, added that he could not wait to team up with Sounders players and fans.

He tweeted: “I look forward to this new era in my career... I also look forward to meet my new teammates and the Sounders FC fans, my new family.”

Martins teamed up with Levante from Russian side Rubin Kazan where his career was characterised by injuries.

Japan gives physically-challenged Nigerians N600m wheelchairs

The Government of Japan yesterday donated N600 million wheelchairs and other walking support to Nigerians who require mobile aids.

Making the donation during an agreement signed between him and Minister of National Planning in Abuja, Dr Shamsuddeen Usman, the Japanese Ambassador, Mr. Ryuichi SHOJI, said the gesture was made to commemorate the March 11, 2011 earthquake which occurred in Great East Japan with tremendous damage to lives and property, as well as to support the promotion of economic and social development of the two countries by utilising the products made in East Japan, especially in Tohoku region, where the local corporations are still striving for reconstruction.

Accordingly, the envoy said the donation makes the grant a symbol of the revival of the industries in the affected areas and a demonstration of Government of Japan’s gratitude towards those who supported the affected people.

He said: “With this grant of 350 million Yen, which is equivalent to N600 million, Japan is providing wheelchairs and walking support wheels to support the life of physically challenged Nigerians. Records show that there are about 16.7 million Nigerians living with some kind of disability. Many of them are in need of mobility aids. “We believe that people should be the centre of development.”

Boko Haram Defend JTF They did not Kill 52 Of Our Members





The Jama’atu Ahlis Sunnah Lidda’awati Wal Jihad popularly known as Boko Haram has dispelled claims by the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital that 52 members of the insurgents were killed in an operation during a raid by the Joint Task Force in Jajeri area of Maiduguri, last Friday.

In a statement sent to newsmen via email and signed by Abu Zinnira suspected to be the spokesman of the radical group, the group debunked claims by the JTF saying “the truth of the matter is that we are the ones that triumphed during the encounter because we killed many soldiers and destroyed four armoured personnel carriers (APCs).

The JTF had on Saturday 9March claimed that 52 members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect were killed in a raid of Jajeri area of Maiduguri the state capital as 70 others were arrested during the raid which witnessed recovery of catche of arms and ammunition.

The JTF had also claimed that the 70 suspects arrested are being interrogated.

The statement further claimed that the JTF had only succeeded in killing innocent civilians during the raid and not members of the sect.

The group also debunk the claim in respect of the attack carried out by the sect on the army barracks in Monguno pointing out that the claim by security forces to have killed 20 members of the sect and destroyed four of its vehicles is far from the truth.

The statement confirmed that three of its members were killed during the attack but the sect succeeded in attacking and destroying their barracks including two APCs as they carted away arms and ammunitions during the attack.

The statement challenged Nigerians to go to Monguno and see things for themselves stressing that the attack in Monguno favoured the sect and not the security forces as earlier claimed.

The sect had earlier launched an attack on the military barracks in Monguno on Sunday the 3rd of March, 2013.


Jonathan Reasons For Withholding Amnesty From Boko Haram Is Illogical – ACN

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) on Monday said that the argument advanced by the President Goodluck Jonathan for denying amnesty to Boko Haram members is as illogical as it is puerile.
Reacting to the president’s visit to Borno and Yobe states last week, the main opposition party in the country said that the visit which it labelled a ‘show-off’ has worsened the insurgencies that has killed and maimed hundreds of innocent people, especially in the two states.

It would be recalled that President Jonathan’s visit to Borno and Yobe States last week was mainly to salute the patriotism of the military Joint Task Force (JTF) for keeping down the maiming and killings of residents in the states.

Can The Super Eagles Make FIFA Top 10 — NFF?





Nigeria’s Super Eagles is doing all it can to make it into the FIFA top 10 this year.

This is according to the Nigeria Football Federation President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari who was speaking on the tremendous progress the Super Eagles of Nigeria has made in the continent after it emerged African Champions at the Afcon 2013.

Nigeria is currently ranked 30th in the world football rankings by the World Football governing body FIFA, this has however not been Nigeria’s best ranking as Nigeria was ranked 5th in the world after USA 1994 where the Super Eagles showed what team football was back then.

According to SuperSport, Aminu Maigari said international friendlies are set in place to enhance the preparations ahead of the world cup and to enhance the individual talents into teamwork towards achieving this goal.

“Like you know we have secured a friendly with the CONCACAF champions Mexico. It is part of our drive to ensure that we finish the year among the best 10 footballing nations in the world,”

Police Start investigation Regard Chris Brown weed smoking saga


The Ghana Police have commenced investigations into allegations that American music star Chris Brown smoked “weed” on stage during his performance at the Hope City concert at the Accra Sports Stadium on March 5.

The act has received a lot of criticism from civil society organizations and the general public. Notable voices that have condemned the act include Minister of State and Member of Parliament for Wa Central, Rashid Pelpuo and Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, Most Reverend Charles Palmer-Buckle.

Organizers of the concert, Charter House, categorically denied media reports that American music star smoked weed during his performance at the event. According to the events outfit, Chris Brown smoked a cigar, not marijuana.

A statement released by the police Monday and signed by DSP Cephas Arthur, Director of Public Affairs said the investigation has been necessitated by a complaint filed by Mr. Jonathan Osei-Wusu, CEO of POS Foundation.

Reaction Over Govenor’s wedding gifts to 2face Idibia and wife





Friday’s presentation of two SUVs to Nigerian hip pop star, TuFace Idibia, and wife, Annie Macaulay, by Akwa Ibom State governor, Godswill Akpabio, at their traditional wedding, has got a lot of Nigerians railing at the profligacy of public officials.

Mr. Akpabio had stunned guests that thronged the Apostolic High School, Esit Urua Community venue, along Eket-Ibeno Road, for the traditional wedding of the celerity couple with the announcement of a donation of two brand new Toyota Prado SUVs to them.

The lucky couple are also to travel in the luxury of the company of 29 delegates from Akwa Ibom to the United Arab Emirate, UAE, courtesy of the governor, who also promised to throw the state’s treasury open to bankroll an all-expense paid trip for the white wedding scheduled for March 23 in Dubai.

The Eket-Ibeno Road, which has remained in a bad state for a long time, is to be fully rehabilitated before the next child dedication ceremony of the couple, the governor said.

Although a couple of loyalists commended the governor, commonly derisively called “the uncommon transformer” in the state, for his reckless spending of state funds, a cross-section of other Nigerians have described the gesture as “misplaced priority”, “wasteful” and “abuse of public trust” in the management of state resources.

No official justification
The state Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah, did not respond to calls and text messages by PREMIUM TIMES for official explanation regarding why the governor made the extravagant gesture in a state where salaries to civil servants are known to be consistently irregular.

Electrocution Kills Policeman, One Other In Abeokuta

Two people including a policeman have been confirmed electrocuted in Abeokuta, the Ogun State Capital.
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The remains of the two victims who lost their lives at the constructions site in Isale Igbein area of the state were later taken to the morgue of the State Hospital in Ijaye.
It was gathered that a young boy who was identified as Moses 17, emerged from the Police Barrack in front of the Government House to scavenge for useful materials in the rubbles which was used by the construction company to fill the ditch at the site.
Moses, whose father, a police officer was recently killed by Armed Robbers in Abeokuta has succeeded in gathering some iron rods from the site and was on the way back home when the rods touched and high tension cable and he was electrocuted.
The other victim, Sunday Joseph who has been taking care of Moses since the death of his father was immediately contacted on phone rushed to the scene.
According to eyewitnesses, when Mr Joseph arrived the scene in a Volks Wagen Golf marked Lagos FB 359 APP,  he immediately made for the lifeless body of Moses which was still strapped under the cable but was prevented by friends who were sympathizing with the family and in an instance, the police officer forcefully let himself off the grips of sympathisers and made for the Moses’ lifeless body only to be trapped by the same cable and was left gasping on the ground.
All effort to rush him to the hospital proved unsuccessful as his car which was the only available car at the scene couldn’t be assessed because of the security mechanism therein as he died few minutes later.
Leading a delegation of some state government officials to the residence of the deceased, the secretary to the state government, Taiwo Adeoluwa promised government assistance to the family.

Benitez: Alex Fergerson Refused To Shake My Hand

RAFA BENITEZ accused Alex Ferguson of snubbing him as their bitter feud blew up again.

The Chelsea interim boss claimed he was waiting to greet Ferguson in front of his dugout before the game but the Manchester United manager ignored him.
Benitez said: “I was waiting at the beginning. I was ready and waiting and he just walked past. I have education and know what I have to do. You’ll have to ask him why he did not do it.”
Benitez responded to his early snub by walking away from Fergie at the end of yesterday’s 2-2 FA Cup quarter-final draw rather than offer his hand.
Asked why he did not wait for Ferguson at the end of the game, Benitez said: “I went to be with my players.”
Chelsea had fought back from 2-0 down yesterday to earn a replay and could have won it at the end but for a fantastic save from David De Gea.
Rio Ferdinand could be in hot water for tripping and shoving Fernando Torres in one movement — and then yanking the Chelsea player to his feet.
The 85th-minute incident was missed by referee Howard Webb but the FA could still take action.
The date of the replay at Stamford Bridge is yet to be decided, with the winners facing Manchester City in the semi-final at Wembley.
sportinc

VIDEO: Reverend Sisters Dancing To Psquare’s ”Chop My Money”

The scene was captured at the wake-keeping ceremony of late Rev Vincentia Aribe in New Jersey recently.
The two reverend sisters were spotted rocking the dance floor as the MC of the event changed the music to P-Square‘s hit song ‘Chop My Money‘.
848a7865e2161f6d7aea045282b58c38

Mother Arrested For Selling Her 1-Year-Old Daughter To Man To Make Child Porn

A mother has been charged with selling her 18-month-old daughter to a man who used her to make child pornography.
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Natisha Hillard sold the child to 39-year-old Christopher Bour for an undisclosed amount of money, according to court documents.
The 24 year old is alleged to have known that her daughter would be used in child porn films.
The FBI began investigating Bour after being alerted by a unnamed masseuse who said Bour had texted her about his intentions to sexually abuse the child.
Two of Bour's messages read: 'U wanna watch me play with a baby tomorrow a real one' while another said: 'I get a chance once in a while I was just seeing if you would hold the camera.'
The woman told FBI agents  she had seen child porn movies on Bour's laptop during previous visits to houses he lived in while renovating them.
He also said he had expressed interest in 'animal love.'
An FBI agent assumed the identity of the masseuse and texted Bour about what he planned to do with the infant according to NBC News.
Bour responded with graphic descriptions, said he had done it before and that the mother approved.
FBI agents raided Bour's home in Hammond, Indiana, and seized his computer.
They also found videos and photographs of people engaging in sex acts with pre-pubescent children, including images of Bour and young children.
Hillard could also be seen in some of the photographs. Court records show she knew Bour through an internet dating service, according to the court records.
She was charged with selling the girl to Bour with knowledge she 'would be portrayed in a visual depiction assisting another person to engage in sexually explicit conduct.'
Bour is charged with production of child pornography, purchasing a child for production of child pornography and possession of child pornography.

Woman Rapes Another Woman Using Golf Club

A woman was convicted Wednesday of raping a younger woman with a golf club.
Catherine McCoy, 49, had been convicted in November of kidnapping, assaulting and threatening a woman who prosecutors said had slept with McCoy's ex-boyfriend. However, jurors in the November trial could not reach a verdict on a charge of forcible sexual penetration.
Prosecutors said that McCoy, along with her friend Christopher Carerra, showed up at the 21-year-old victim's home in August 2011 and forced her into the back of an SUV. While Carrera drove, McCoy beat the woman -- identified only as "Amber" -- forced her to get naked and then shoved a wooden golf putter into her vagina multiple times.
McCoy told Amber, "You [expletive] my man. I'm going to [expletive] you now."
After the golf club assault, McCoy pushed Amber out of the vehicle, leaving her naked on a highway. She was later rescued by passing motorists.
In the October trial, Amber testified she had recently purchased heroin and had been using drugs the night of the incident. She also stated that McCoy's ex-boyfriend had paid her for sex.
McCoy's defense lawyer, George Modlin, argued that Amber's account of the night was unreliable because she was a drug addict who accepted pay for sex, U-T San Diego reported. He admitted that his client had beaten Amber, but said there was no evidence of rape.
McCoy will be sentenced on March 22. She faces a maximum of 33 years in prison.
Carrera pleaded guilty in August 2012 to rape, assault, kidnapping and making criminal threats, as well as assault charges in an unrelated incident. He was sentenced to nearly 17 years in prison

Actress Foluke Daramola Advices Ladies To Marry For Money

"If you marry any man who cannottake care of your financial burden, then what is the essence of marrying that person?" The above statement was said recently by the highly endowed Nollywood actress, Foluke Daramola who recently got married to another man's husband, Kayode Salako.
People in the know, having heard such utterances coming from the mother of two, they criticised her and said she is not qualified to be a role model to the emerging generation.
She gave this as a warning, according to her, to the ladies out there who are yet to pick their spouse. " Don't marry a man that can not take care of your financial needs," Foluke concluded

source; http://www.leaknigerianews.com

Save us from Rapists, Girls’ School Tells FG

The Federal Science and Technical College, Aka Offot, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has urged the Federal Government to strengthen security around the school to protect the all-girls institution from hoodlums and rapists. The school is the only girls’ Federal Science and Technical College in the country.
The school, which also called on the Federal Government to provide the institution with more physical and academic facilities, said improved security would save the girls from hoodlums and rapists who always attack the institution. Specifically, the school Chairman, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, Federal Science and Technical College chapter, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Isaac Udoh, said lack of perimeter fencing for the school had caused a lot of security challenges for the school.
Speaking in Uyo on Thursday, Udoh noted that the girls were in grave danger of being attacked by hoodlums who have broken into the college to steal property and harass the pupils severally. He added that the frequency of the incident had caused the college to mount security to keep the girls safe.
He said, “These are serious cases, the Federal Government must urgently come to our aid. The first one is the perimeter fencing of the college. This is a girls’ school and we have over 1,000 pupils. It is difficult to keep them when there is nothing like fence surrounding the school. If these girls had not been properly trained we would have been experiencing a lot of pains.”
He said the school was doing well in both science and technical courses and the laurels it has won in competitions would justify the claims. “The pupil population has always been on the increase. About five years ago we have about 550 pupils. Since then the population had increased to 606, then 780 and now we have 1,150 as pupils,”he added.

Photos: Eight Year Old Boy Takes 61-Year Old Mother Of Five As ‘Wife’

8 years old marries 61 year old woman in south africa4An unusual wedding ceremony between an eight-year old boy and 61-year old woman took place weekend in Tshwane, South Africa with close to 100 people in attendance.
Sanele Masilela (8) and Helen Shabangu (61) had their families present at the union – the bride’s husband and her five children were also at the wedding.
Explaining why the wedding took place, Sanele’s aunt, Patience Masilela (46), said: “The boy was named after his late grandfather who never had a white wedding, so the ancestors told the boy to get married and he chose Helen to be his bride. The family took his desire to get married very seriously. They paid for the bride in March last year and spent a lot on the wedding because they believed it was what the ancestors wanted.”
The bride who was visibly excited, stated: “I’m married and have five kids of my own, but I know that this is what the ancestors wanted, and now they are happy. it is a ritual. we are just playing now, but it is a sign that he will get married one day”.
8 years old marries 61 year old woman in south africa
Sanele who stated his desire to continue his education explained the reason behind the wedding thus: “I told my mother that I wanted to get married because I really did want to. I chose her because I love her and I’m happy that I married her, but I will go to school and study hard. When I’m older I will marry a lady my own age.”
8 years old marries 61 year old woman in south africa1

FEMALE PREACHER Who Preaches With Her TIDDAYS OUT To Entice


British Military: Warplanes Spotted in Nigeria Moved Soldiers for Mali, Not For Hostage Rescue

British Military: Warplanes Spotted in Nigeria Moved Soldiers for Mali, Not For Hostage Rescue
KANO, Nigeria — The United Kingdom's military says its warplanes recently spotted in Nigeria's capital city were there to move soldiers to aid the French intervention in Mali — not to rescue kidnapped foreign hostages.
The Ministry of Defense said Sunday that the planes had ferried Nigerian troops and equipment to Bamako, Mali. An Islamic extremist group in Nigeria called Ansaru partially blamed the presence of those planes as an excuse for claiming Saturday that it killed seven foreign hostages it had taken.
Those kidnapped included four Lebanese citizens and one each from Britain, Greece and Italy — all employees of Setraco, a Lebanese construction company with an operation in Bauchi state.
The Ministry of Defense declined to comment further about the claimed hostage killings. The hostages have yet to be found

Chris Brown, Smoking Weed And Getting Paid A Million Dollars By Ghanians

R&B star Chris Brown’s troubles seem to know no end since he got in the news for molesting his ex-girlfriend Rihanna. He is in the news again for yelling at a valet and refusing to pay a $10 charge at the PINZ Bowling Center in Los Angeles, CA.
Brown is reported to have refused the payment on the grounds that he did not stay at the bowling alley long enough to be charged $10.
But that does not seem to be his biggest problem at the moment. A Minister of State and Member of Parliament in Ghana, Rashid Pelpuo has called for his arrest for abusing controlled substances in public and inciting the public to civil disobedience.
Chris Brown was the main act for a mammoth show organized by Charterhouse, Ghana’s leading event organizer for rLG Communications to launch the IT company’s Home Office People Environment (HOPE) City project.
The American entertainer hit the stage and performed to the admiration of a huge audience who had come to the Accra Sports stadium to see him. He combined dazzling dance moves, light and visual effects as well as several costume changes to make his show outstanding. He particularly enthralled Ghanaians when he brought on Nigerian singer/rapper Wizkid to do the Ghanaian ‘azonto’ dance with him.
The controversy then started when Chris Brown is purported to have -at a point in his performance promoted the use of marijuana and actually gone ahead to smoke a joint to the amazement of the cheering crowd. "…if anybody's tripping on you smoking weed, f**k them", he is alleged to have said.
The embattled R&B singer is also getting a lot of criticism for the excessive use of vulgar language (particularly the F word) in the course of the show.
A post performance assessment however suggests that the singer may be getting flack for more than these stated reasons. A number of people have also berated rLG for dishing out $1 million to him as payment while Ghanaian artists played almost no part in the event. A peeved Hiplife artist, speaking on condition of anonymity whined “That’s what they do all the time; they bring all these yawa artists and pay them gargantuan amounts, and they don’t even know we exist at such times. And when we are lucky enough for them to approach us sometimes, they will not pay you even a decimal of that amount... Even azonto, someone has to come from Naija to dance it?”
Speaking in an interview with Sahara Reporters however, George Quaye, one of the event organizers refuted the claim. Even though he refused to disclose exactly how much was paid, he emphasized that the figure was less than a million dollars. “We did not pay him a million dollars, I can put that on record” he stated. “It is not our policy to disclose how much we pay our clients without their express permission, but I can tell you for a fact that it was not a million dollars”.
On the issue of smoking weed on stage, Mr. Quaye said “it was just part of his stage act. People interpreted it variously but it was just a part of an overall performance and a lot of people also did not see it as a big deal at all”.
Some social critics have suggested that the whole mêlée is just calculated towards the industrious Mr. Roland Agambire, CEO of rLG who is seen as ‘close to the presidency’. The Hope City project was launched by President John Mahama.

Hostage Killings, Unforgivable Act of Cold Blooded Murder – Hague

The British Foreign Minister, Mr William Hague, has condemned the killings of seven hostages in Nigeria, describing it as “an unforgivable act of cold- blooded murder”.

William in a statement in London on Sunday said, a British construction worker held hostage since Feb. 16, was likely to have been killed at the hands of his captors along with six other foreign nationals.
“My thoughts are with his family, and the families of the other hostages, who will be devastated by this tragic loss. “I offer them our deep condolences at this terrible time and know that the thoughts of people up and down our country will be with them,” Hague said. He said, “ responsibility for this tragic outcome rests squarely with the terrorists.”
Hague said that Britain would work with the Nigerian government to hold the perpetrators of this heinous act to account. According to the BBC, militant group Ansaru, believed to be an offshoot of Boko Haram, says it has killed the captives. The group said the hostages were killed because of a rescue attempt by British and Nigerian forces.
It said British warplanes had been seen in Bauchi. However, the UK Foreign Office said, “there are a number of deployments as part of various engagements in Africa which will include the movement of assets.”

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