http://www.turenchi.com/ Nigerian News. en-us BN exclusively announced that Agbani Darego had been chosen as the new global brand ambassador for Natures Gentle Touch. Now the official campaign image has been released. One word – Gorgeous!___________________________________________________________________________________________ BN Bytes Little nuggets of news specially whipped up by the BellaNaija Team. BellaNaija Sat, 05 Mar 2011 20:00:10 +0000 http://www.turenchi.com/links/59716-BN-Bytes-Agbani-s-Official-Ad-Campaign-Image-for-Natures-Gentle-Touch?dest=out http://www.turenchi.com/links/59716-BN-Bytes-Agbani-s-Official-Ad-Campaign-Image-for-Natures-Gentle-Touch?dest=out The African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) hosted the 2011 AMAA Awards Nominations Night in Nairobi, Kenya on Friday 25th February 2011 at Ole Sereni Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya. The event was hosted by Nollywood star Rita Dominic and Kenyan Actor Kenneth Ambani. Nollywood and Ghollywood stars definitely were on their A-game – they all looked amazing! Check out photos below. Click back soon as BN will be bring you more photos from the AMAA Kenya festivities including the concert featuring P-Square.What the Stars Wore Rita Dominic looked dazzling in a floor-length red dress by young designer, Datari Austin. With her long locks swept to the side, Rita’s look quintessential is movie star glam! BellaNaija Sat, 05 Mar 2011 20:00:09 +0000 http://www.turenchi.com/links/59715-The-Stars-Dazzle-at-the-African-Movie-Academy-Awards-AMAA-Nominations-Night-in-Nairobi-View-the-Glam-Photos?dest=out http://www.turenchi.com/links/59715-The-Stars-Dazzle-at-the-African-Movie-Academy-Awards-AMAA-Nominations-Night-in-Nairobi-View-the-Glam-Photos?dest=out FEELING the heat over his unpopular comments that have attracted much opprobrium to his personality since last week, Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on National Assembly Matters, Senator Mohammed Abba Aji, yesterday recanted his comments over the Freedom of Information Bill (FoI) and the Igbo Presidency in 2015. Abba-Aji, who spoke at the National Assembly yesterday, also retracted his comments that Vice President Namadi Sambo will automatically succeed President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015. In a statement that he read, the presidential aide explained that the FOI Bill, when it becomes an Act, would negate the 1999 Constitution and some other extant laws. “On the issue of the Freedom of Information Bill, what I did was to draw attention to the conflict that in my view, it is likely to have with the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as it relates to the Oath of office; and the Secrecy Act, which is yet to be repealed. “I also tried to make the distinction between the Freedom of Information Bill, which seeks to compel public officers to reveal official matters, and Freedom of Press, which is already enshrined as Section 39 of the Constitution,” he said. www.compassnewspaper.com Sat, 05 Mar 2011 15:00:10 +0000 http://www.turenchi.com/links/59712-Abba-Aji-recants-on-FOI-Bill-Igbo-Presidency?dest=out http://www.turenchi.com/links/59712-Abba-Aji-recants-on-FOI-Bill-Igbo-Presidency?dest=out The House of Representatives has given the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mrs. Farida Waziri, till Tuesday to appear before it to explain the whereabouts of the N20 billion the agency recovered from the former Inspector-General of Police (IG), Mr. Tafa Balogun. The lower legislative chamber threatened Mrs. Waziri with sack and prosecution if she failed to appear before it on the said date. The money was the proceeds from the sale of properties recovered from Balogun, following his conviction for fraud, in 2005. The chairman of the ad-hoc committee investigating the matter, West Idahosa, disclosed, during yesterday’s sitting, that Mrs. Waziri had shunned several invitations by the committee. The House, consequently, resolved, unanimously, to give her a five-day ultimatum to appear before it, or risk sack and prosecution. www.compassnewspaper.com Sat, 05 Mar 2011 15:00:10 +0000 http://www.turenchi.com/links/59713-Reps-threaten-to-sack-prosecute-Waziri-over-Tafa-Balogun-s-loot?dest=out http://www.turenchi.com/links/59713-Reps-threaten-to-sack-prosecute-Waziri-over-Tafa-Balogun-s-loot?dest=out   TWENTY- NINE days to the general elections, workers’ umbrella body – the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) - yesterday gave the implementation of the N18,000 national minimum wage for all its members as condition for the conduct of the polls. Going by the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the National Assembly election has been scheduled for April 2, the presidential for April 9 and the governorship/state assemblies for April 16. But, the organised labour, through its National Executive Council (NEC), told the Federal Government that the elections would not hold without the implementation of the new salary structure across the country. The congress reiterated: “Section 2 (1) of the National Minimum Wage states that as from the commencement of this Act, it shall be the duty of every employer to pay a wage not less than the national minimum wage of N18,000 per month to every worker under its establishment.” Basing its argument on the report it received at the ongoing 10th national delegate conference of the NLC taking place at the ThisDay Dome, in the Central Business District (CBD), Abuja, the NLC NEC made the following resolution. “That except the immediate implementation of the N18,000 national minimum wage takes-off at the end of March 2011, the Federal Government should forget the April 2011 general elections”.   The NEC lamented that passing the buck to the National Assembly by governments for the non implementation of the minimum wage was part of the delay tactics not to start the implementation of the approved minimum wage for workers in the country. www.compassnewspaper.com Sat, 05 Mar 2011 15:00:10 +0000 http://www.turenchi.com/links/59714-No-minimum-wage-no-election-insist-workers?dest=out http://www.turenchi.com/links/59714-No-minimum-wage-no-election-insist-workers?dest=out •Sue CBN, Obieri, Alabi, other directors PLANS by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to sell Intercontinental Bank Plc to Access Bank may have run into a hitch, as 10 shareholders of the former, yesterday, filed a petition before a Federal High Court in Lagos, challenging the propriety of the sale. The shareholders are urging the court, presided over by Justice Binta Murtala-Nyako, to halt the process because it would occasion substantial injustice to them and their shares. Also in the petition, the shareholders are praying the court to nullify the Memorandum of Understandings (MoU) between Intercontinental and Access banks. In the said MoU, which was tendered as exhibit in support of the petition by the shareholders, an agreement was said to have been entered to the effect that Access Bank will pay N50 billion to acquire 80 per cent of Intercontinental Bank shares, while the balance of 20 per cent will be shared between the existing shareholders and the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON). The plainfiffs included Okoli Emeka, Ibekwe Adinuba, Sangobiyi Oluyemi, Fatola Olufunmilade, Afolaranmi Olufemi, Quadri Sulaiman, Muogbo Obiora, Awosanya Ojubayo, Ogunyemi Olusegun and Ighekpe Imoape. www.compassnewspaper.com Sat, 05 Mar 2011 15:00:09 +0000 http://www.turenchi.com/links/59709--Shareholders-kick-against-planned-sale-of-Intercontinental-Bank-to-Access-Bank?dest=out http://www.turenchi.com/links/59709--Shareholders-kick-against-planned-sale-of-Intercontinental-Bank-to-Access-Bank?dest=out REPRIEVE yesterday came the way of the Lagos State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Shamsideen Ade Dosunmu, as Justice Binta Murtala-Nyako of the Federal High Court in Lagos, struck out the suit challenging his emergence as the party’s primaries. According to the judge, a member of the party, Prince Oluowo Adeyeri, who filed the suit, lacks the locus standi to institute the action because Section 87(17) of the Electoral Act only stipulates that only an aspirant or a candidate can challenge the conduct of a primary. However, the judge expressed anger at the attitude of Dosunmu to her earlier order that he should halt his recently launched campaign. The judge, specifically threatened to dock Dosunmu and Adeyeri if they do anything that would jeopardise the ‘res’(substance) of the substantive suit. But despite the order, the PDP governorship candidate had carried on with his campaign as he participated actively during the presidential campaign in Lagos on Tuesday. He also appeared in his capacity as the PDP’s flag bearer the governorship debated organised by a media station in Lagos on Wednesday. Justice Murtala-Nyako said in her judgement: “This bring us to the health happening that has been brought to my attention, it is fundamentally defined doctrine in law taught back in the university and the law school and settle by so many authorities that once a case is subjudice parties should maintain status quo. www.compassnewspaper.com Sat, 05 Mar 2011 15:00:09 +0000 http://www.turenchi.com/links/59710--Court-strikes-out-suit-to-disqualify-Dosunmu?dest=out http://www.turenchi.com/links/59710--Court-strikes-out-suit-to-disqualify-Dosunmu?dest=out THE management of PAN Nigeria Limited, the country’s only surviving automobile plant, yesterday in Kaduna blasted the Federal Government over the porous nature of the nation’s borders, which allows the importation of all sorts of vehicles. The automobile plant says this remains a threat to its existence. PAN spoke through its Head of Communications, Alhaji Rabiu Ibrahim, at the media launch of the new Peugeot 408 saloon car at the ongoing 32nd Kaduna International Trade Fair. The firm also kicked against the deliberate policy of the government of not protecting local industries, saying that no nation ever survives economically by making itself a dumping ground for all sorts of goods from other countries. “The porous nature of the nation’s borders, cheap and second hand vehicles are threat to any local manufacturer. They eat into what ought to be ours,” said Ibrahim. He urged Nigerians to patronise locally assembled cars for the growth of the economy. www.compassnewspaper.com Sat, 05 Mar 2011 15:00:09 +0000 http://www.turenchi.com/links/59711-PAN-berates-FG-over-vehicle-importation?dest=out http://www.turenchi.com/links/59711-PAN-berates-FG-over-vehicle-importation?dest=out •Commission discovers 500,000 double registration CHAIRMAN of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, yesterday raised the alarm over conflicting orders from judges on the April general elections. The number one electoral officer said that if something urgent was not done, such orders may truncate the polls. Jega, who expressed his worries when former Ghanaian President, John Kuffour, led a delegation of the International Republican Institute (IRI) to the INEC headquarters in Abuja, said: “Ex parte orders hindered the success of past elections”. According to him, increasing court orders have become a source of worry to the commission, ahead of the elections. He said: “What is happening now is a very worrying situation. The commission had received series of court orders which have led to continuous substitution of candidates from political parties”. He pleaded with the courts to seek fair hearing from INEC before issuing orders to the commission on the nomination of candidates. www.compassnewspaper.com Sat, 05 Mar 2011 15:00:08 +0000 http://www.turenchi.com/links/59706--Jega-raises-alarm-over-abuse-of-court-orders?dest=out http://www.turenchi.com/links/59706--Jega-raises-alarm-over-abuse-of-court-orders?dest=out FOR allegedly displaying a lackadaisical attitude to the preparation of their budget proposals for the new year, members of the House of Representatives yesterday lambasted the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The lawmakers said they would stop further deliberations on the 2011 Budget until the two parastatals showed enough seriousness. They wondered why the CBN and NNPC were not ready to cooperate with the lower chamber for the budget proposals to be expedited in the interest of Nigerians. The lawmakers expressed sadness on how high level corruption had crept into the N4.2 trillion budget, adding that such had resulted into making overhead cost of just three agencies go above that of the entire budget. The CBN and NNPC are among the 32 Federal Government agencies now required by law to submit their annual budgets to the National Assembly for scrutiny under the Fiscal Discipline Act, 2010. Deputy Speaker Usman Bayero Nafada, who presided over yesterday’s plenary, directed that no further action would be taken on the budget proposal submitted to the lawmakers by President Goodluck Jonathan at a joint session of the two chambers last December. www.compassnewspaper.com Sat, 05 Mar 2011 15:00:08 +0000 http://www.turenchi.com/links/59707--Reps-threaten-to-stop-2011-Budget-over-CBN-NNPC?dest=out http://www.turenchi.com/links/59707--Reps-threaten-to-stop-2011-Budget-over-CBN-NNPC?dest=out Justice Ibrahim Auta of a Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday granted an order to the Labour Party (LP) to stop the sequence of the 2011 elections. The party had approached the court, seeking an order to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from conducting the elections in the order it has set out in its timetable as provided for in the 2010 Electoral Act. INEC is planning to have the elections on April 2 (National Assembly), April 9 (Presidential) and April 16 (Governorship/House of Assembly). The Electoral Act is currently undergoing a review at the National Assembly, following demands by INEC for time extension to enable it complete all electoral process necessary for the conduct of credible elections. www.compassnewspaper.com Sat, 05 Mar 2011 15:00:08 +0000 http://www.turenchi.com/links/59708-Labour-Party-gets-court-s-nod-to-stop-election-sequence?dest=out http://www.turenchi.com/links/59708-Labour-Party-gets-court-s-nod-to-stop-election-sequence?dest=out •It’s disheartening, disturbing, a sad commentary on the polity, says Babangida A ZONAL rally organised by the Niger State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Suleja turned bloody yesterday. About 10 people were killed and 18 injured when bombers invaded the Government Secondary School, Suleja, venue of the rally attended by Governor Babangida Aliyu. It took about 30 minutes for the more than 20 people, who were unconscious due to the effect of the bombs thrown from an 18-seater bus, to be revived. Among those affected were men of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). They were immediately rushed to the Suleja General Hospital and Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital as security men had an hectic time controlling the huge crowd of family members looking for their loved ones. The identity of those who died could not be ascertained, but their bodies littered the venue until they were taken to the mortuary by medical personnel. A source said PDP members, supporters of the governor and other candidates “were already having a good time” when the bus came. www.compassnewspaper.com Sat, 05 Mar 2011 15:00:07 +0000 http://www.turenchi.com/links/59705-10-killed-as-bombers-storm-PDP-zonal-rally?dest=out http://www.turenchi.com/links/59705-10-killed-as-bombers-storm-PDP-zonal-rally?dest=out As the 2011 Nigerian General Elections approach, various advocacy groups and non-profit organizations are taking action and encouraging eligible Nigerian to “make their voices heard” by voting during the elections. Voting numbers relative to the number of eligible Nigerians were unimpressive during the last general election in 2007, therefore it is important that we do not let this happen again!“My Vote Fit Change Naija” is a short film directed by Alex Mouth and produced by Kingsley Bangwell as part of a non-partisan citizen-led initiative by the Youngstars Foundation in partnership with Julius Agwu Foundation for Youth (JAFFY). The project is funded by National Democratic Institute (NDI). BellaNaija Fri, 04 Mar 2011 23:00:09 +0000 http://www.turenchi.com/links/59704-BN-Exclusive-World-Premiere-Julius-Agwu-Adaora-Ukoh-2Shotz-star-in-My-Vote-Fit-Change-Naija-Watch-It-Now?dest=out http://www.turenchi.com/links/59704-BN-Exclusive-World-Premiere-Julius-Agwu-Adaora-Ukoh-2Shotz-star-in-My-Vote-Fit-Change-Naija-Watch-It-Now?dest=out After two weeks of intense voting and heightened excitement, Sowambe announces the winners for the first-ever Sowambe Awards for Social Media. Sowambe is simply an acronym for – Social Web Addicts in Media, Business and Entertainment. In the Yoruba language, ‘sowambe?’ means “are you there?”. So we’re asking: Are you there? Are you in the social media space? Are you a social web addict? BellaNaija Fri, 04 Mar 2011 18:00:15 +0000 http://www.turenchi.com/links/59703--lightupnigeria-Nmachi-Jidenma-Wild-Fusion-Banky-W-honoured-as-Sowambe-Announces-Winners-for-their-first-ever-Social-Media-Awards?dest=out http://www.turenchi.com/links/59703--lightupnigeria-Nmachi-Jidenma-Wild-Fusion-Banky-W-honoured-as-Sowambe-Announces-Winners-for-their-first-ever-Social-Media-Awards?dest=out For the past few years, Stephanie Okereke has been quietly doing great work with her campaign to educate and raise funds  for surgery to treat Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF). Cases of VVF are especially prevalent in Northern Nigeria where due to certain traditions, poverty or family pressure which forces hundreds of girls get married and have children in their early teens before their pelvis is well developed and ready to handle childbirth.According to the Fistula Foundation, BellaNaija Fri, 04 Mar 2011 15:00:17 +0000 http://www.turenchi.com/links/59702-Stephanie-Okereke-talks-about-her-VVF-Charity-Campaign-on-MNet-Africa-Magic-s-Jara?dest=out http://www.turenchi.com/links/59702-Stephanie-Okereke-talks-about-her-VVF-Charity-Campaign-on-MNet-Africa-Magic-s-Jara?dest=out Building on momentum from a mass voter registration drive, a coalition of several youth empowerment groups and blogs are calling for the first-ever presidential youth centered debate in Nigeria. Looking ahead to the April elections, the debate would focus on the key issues affecting a critical voting demographic, with the age group of 30 and under representing 70% of the population.The debate will be a direct conversation with Nigerian youth, inviting presidential candidates to answer questions posed by young Nigerians, at home and abroad, via social media networks including Facebook and Twitter, text messages and phone, about key topics of concern. For the first time, the candidates will have platform to share their agenda with the nation in a live-televised format, laying out specific and concrete solutions. The debate is tentatively scheduled for the last week of March 2011. BellaNaija Fri, 04 Mar 2011 14:00:25 +0000 http://www.turenchi.com/links/59701-Youth-Organisations-Ask-Nigerian-Presidential-Candidates-What-About-Us-?dest=out http://www.turenchi.com/links/59701-Youth-Organisations-Ask-Nigerian-Presidential-Candidates-What-About-Us-?dest=out My Sunday started simple enough. I had a fantastic time at Church and then stopped over at my uncle’s place to exchange hugs with him and my aunt. That’s when I got a call from my homegirl, Wana Wana. Apparently we had been invited for a barbeque somewhere on the island and she thought we should attend.As I write this, I am surrounded by men, listening to samples off a new artist’s album and there is no barbeque chicken in sight. Since, I am not the Music Editor for Bella Naija, I couldn’t help but wonder how I managed to get myself into this skillfully set trap and at the same time I am shooting Madam Wana Wana daggers from the corner of my eye! Admittedly, she too has been trapped into this make believe barbeque, so we both decide its best to sit and listen politely. In my attempt to become comfortable with my surroundings, I find my breathing has become somewhat restricted and its not because the stench of cigarettes has now permanently ingrained itself into my braids, rather its due to the words coming out of the dark boy standing right in front of me. BellaNaija Fri, 04 Mar 2011 13:00:10 +0000 http://www.turenchi.com/links/59700-Change-your-Style-?dest=out http://www.turenchi.com/links/59700-Change-your-Style-?dest=out Virgos Lounge can definitely be counted amongst the fast emerging African brands. Three fashion savvy ladies were able to transform a simple business idea into a brand that offers vintage garments crafted to the sensibilities of the contemporary woman – It’s classic elegance demonstrated through a modern silhouette.We’ve seen the brand consistently deliver, gradually paving their way and marking their name in the international fashion scene. As you know, our job at BN Style is to keep our readers in the loop of all Fabulous Fashion, and a new collection by the inspiring trio, is something we ought not to ignore. BellaNaija Fri, 04 Mar 2011 09:00:11 +0000 http://www.turenchi.com/links/59699-Virgos-Lounge-Unveils-Peacock-Collection-for-Spring-2011?dest=out http://www.turenchi.com/links/59699-Virgos-Lounge-Unveils-Peacock-Collection-for-Spring-2011?dest=out •It’s disheartening, disturbing, a sad commentary on the polity, says Babangida A ZONAL rally organised by the Niger State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Suleja turned bloody yesterday. About 10 people were killed and 18 injured when bombers invaded the Government Secondary School, Suleja, venue of the rally attended by Governor Babangida Aliyu. It took about 30 minutes for the more than 20 people, who were unconscious due to the effect of the bombs thrown from an 18-seater bus, to be revived. Among those affected were men of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). They were immediately rushed to the Suleja General Hospital and Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital as security men had an hectic time controlling the huge crowd of family members looking for their loved ones. The identity of those who died could not be ascertained, but their bodies littered the venue until they were taken to the mortuary by medical personnel. A source said PDP members, supporters of the governor and other candidates “were already having a good time” when the bus came. www.compassnewspaper.com Fri, 04 Mar 2011 03:00:16 +0000 http://www.turenchi.com/links/59698-10-killed-as-bombers-storm-PDP-zonal-rally?dest=out http://www.turenchi.com/links/59698-10-killed-as-bombers-storm-PDP-zonal-rally?dest=out The House of Representatives has given the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mrs. Farida Waziri, till Tuesday to appear before it to explain the whereabouts of the N20 billion the agency recovered from the former Inspector-General of Police (IG), Mr. Tafa Balogun. The lower legislative chamber threatened Mrs. Waziri with sack and prosecution if she failed to appear before it on the said date. The money was the proceeds from the sale of properties recovered from Balogun, following his conviction for fraud, in 2005. The chairman of the ad-hoc committee investigating the matter, West Idahosa, disclosed, during yesterday’s sitting, that Mrs. Waziri had shunned several invitations by the committee. The House, consequently, resolved, unanimously, to give her a five-day ultimatum to appear before it, or risk sack and prosecution. www.compassnewspaper.com Fri, 04 Mar 2011 02:00:11 +0000 http://www.turenchi.com/links/59697-Reps-threaten-to-sack-prosecute-Waziri-over-Tafa-Balogun-s-loot?dest=out http://www.turenchi.com/links/59697-Reps-threaten-to-sack-prosecute-Waziri-over-Tafa-Balogun-s-loot?dest=out