My rise to fame unexpected – Davido Confesses

He is just 19 years, yet he looms larger than life. In less than two years of his entry into the music industry, David Adedeji Adeleke a.k.a. Davido has become one of the most celebrated musicians in the country.

He shares his story with our Entertainment Editor, OGBONNA AMADI.

The last time I saw you on stage was at the finals of the Nigerian Idol. Between then and now, so many things have changed, can you explain why?

Jesus. If I could explain, then I’d be lying because everything happened fast. But one thing I’d always tell myself is that; I remember exactly a year ago at Eko Hotel. I was at Ice Prince’s album launch and I told myself that I too must do same thing. So I had to work hard.

I’ve been working hard and  prayed for God to bless me with hit songs because I know that when you have God and support like good structures, then, everything will fall in place. To me, whoever God wants to blow will blow.

This whole thing; did you expect it to be this big?

I didn’t expect it to be this big at all. When I first started in the industry, I used to tell myself that I don’t want to be too big. I just want to be in the industry and don’t want to be known too much. But after some time, I started getting bigger and people could recognize me anywhere I go. It’s just crazy. It comes with a lot of benefits though. Like at first, my father didn’t want me to go into music. But now, anywhere both of us go, people call him Baba Omo Olowo.

So, he didn’t want you to go into music?

No he didn’t. He was 100% against me. He just wanted me to focus on education. But after my music became big, he goes to parties and hears my songs. With this music I have been traveling everywhere; I traveled to like seven countries in just six months.

With just one song?

Yes.

What has changed?

(laughs). My house…

You just bought a new car…

Yes. What has also changed is that people take me more serious now. At first, my family didn’t take me serious but now, they do. I feel I now have a job, a profession. So it feels really good that I’m doing something where I make money from.

How did it all start?

It started about two years ago at Atlanta Georgia, I was schooling in America for about two years

Studying what?

I was studying Business Administration and I remember when I came home for Christmas one December, I saw how crazy the industry was getting and I was amazed. I saw the likes of D’banj, Wande Coal, P-Square getting shows for millions. I knew I’m also talented too so I decided to give it a try. So I came back to the country. But when I came back, it was very rough for me. My dad was against my music

*Davido

You left school?

Yes. I left school in America

To follow your dream

Yes. But I’m back in school running a part- time programme. One thing I told my dad was that even if I’m not in school, he should allow me do part-time. So that’s what I’m doing now. So when I moved back, it was hard for me. I survived by chilling with Shank, Wande Coal, D’banj and even Don Jazzy who supported me until I dropped my first single. I couldn’t go back home then.

You couldn’t go back home?

It’s not as if I couldn’t go back home. I wasn’t at home. If I was at home, I’d have to be in school. So that’s why my dad and I were not on speaking terms for like a month. But one day, he just called me and told me he wouldn’t want to take my dreams away from me.

He said he dreamt that music is my dream and told me that if I have to do it, then I have to do it right. He challenged me to make it big. And I can say he’s one of my biggest fans now.

You wrote the song?

Yes.

What inspired that song?

I was trying to tell folks like my dad not to stop me from doing my music because everybody was trying to stop me.

Are you sure you are not into this for the money?

No it’s not for the money. I don’t know what happened, I remember when we recorded that song, my house was quiet for like two days because the song touched everyone in my family. Everyone, including  our cook all said the song was going to blow. I played it for my dad and he told me it’s a hit. So we dropped it around late November. And from then, I can’t even remember what  happened, because so much has happened so fast.

But it was a slow start initially…

Yes. It was a slow start. But like I said, I don’t know what happened. If I have to start explaining, I’d be lying. It’s all God’s doing.

So how do people see you on the street?

It’s crazy. At every show I go to, I have like sixty to seventy Area Boys following me and my car. Every where I go people want to have handshakes with me, some would say “Davido I love you,” some would just want to touch me.

How do you control the girls?

I’ve always been getting girls even before music. But it’s always about self control and knowing what you want to do. You can have fun everyday if you choose to. But at the end of the day, you know what you have to do.

So what’s been the most embarrassing moment for you with girls and the fans?

It was my picture that went viral. The one that showed up in Ghana.

Was it really your picture?

Yes.

So why did you let down your guard?

I was sleeping, when the photographs were taken and that’s it.

And what did you do to the girl after that?

Nothing.

Is she still with you?

I don’t know where she is.

Thought you are signed on to D’banj’s label, now you’re talking about HKN. Is that also  D’banj’s label?

D’banj and I work together but HKN is my label. We recorded the album on HKN label

What’s HKN?

Hakkan in Arabics meaning King Of Kings. It’s mine and my brother’s label. D’banj and I are business partners and he’s my big brother.

So you’re not signed unto his label?

Wait and see.

Surprises?

Just wait and see.

But you’re doing it with Flytime. Why did you choose Flytime?

Because Cecil promised he’s going to do my album launch if I  could get him a hit record. I promised him I was going to come back to him with deal; a hit record. Today it’s a deal come true.

And you have a new one, Ekuro?

Yes.

Beautiful song

God bless you

But it’s not particularly new. It’s like a folk song from somewhere…

Yes. I was in the car one day with my consultant and he was playing some old school songs. When I heard it, I thought about doing something in that direction. So I just put it in my own way.

So what do we expect on Sunday?

It’s going to be crazy. Expect it to be one of the greatest shows in Lagos ever. We’ve planned for it from acting to everything. It’ll feature acts like Tuface, P-Square, D’banj and everyone that counts in the game.

What’s growing up like?

I wouldn’t say growing up was sweet but thank God I have wonderful parents who brought me up. My mum passed away when I was ten. So from then, it was just my father and I

He never re-married?

Yes, he re-married.

You schooled in Lagos?

Yes for some time and then went to America for two years for my University until I decided to come back.

So why did you decide to shoot your new video Ekuro in America and not in Lagos?

I went to America  because I want my music to be international. Right now I’m planning to shoot my next video in Sudan

Why Sudan?

You’ll know when the video comes out.

Do you have a visa to Sudan?

When we get to the bridge we’ll find a way across. I’m an American citizen remember

Why did you choose Sudan?

Because there are deserts there.

What message are you trying to pass across with such video?

You’ll see it.

Now, how many tracks do you have in your new album?

I have about seventeen tracks

…And you worked with how many producers?

I worked with five of them, big names like Chizee, J Sleek, Dr. Frabz, myself and one other person.

How many collabos?

About four- with May D,  Tuface, Naeto C and myself

Has anything changed in the music industry since you came on board?

I’ve only been here for a year. The technology is growing. We have things like Twitter, Facebook and different things, that were not there in the past

I need to know what happened that led to your being slapped by a policeman?

Nothing really happened. I was just on my bed going through the internet and I saw the story. I was amazed. I didn’t get slapped.

You weren’t anywhere around there?

No. I wasn’t. I was in Lagos but the story said I was in Abuja.

So how did that make you feel?

I don’t care because it didn’t happen but people would always talk.

Man dupes girlfriend of N400,000

BENIN—A 23-year- old man, Austin Giwa, has been arraigned before an Egor Magistrate’s Court sitting in Benin City, Edo State for allegedly duping his fiancee of N400,000 under the pretence of assisting her procure travelling documents to the United States of America.

Police prosecutor, Mr. Thomas Omokaro, told the court that the accused committed the offence between the months of June and December 2010 at  S/T Road, Uselu, Benin City.

The accused was alleged to have collected two passport photographs from the unsuspecting girl, one Miss Joy Aibangbee in addition to the sum of N400,000 already collected from her.

Testifying before the court, Miss Aibangbee, said the accused person collected the money in installments at various times and also took her to Oshodi in Lagos State, with a view to introducing her to one aunty, who he said would perfect the traveling documents.

Counsel to the accused person, asked for time to study the case file, as he was just briefed by the accused to represent him. Trial Magistrate, Mrs.Taiye Omoruyi  adjourned further hearing till August 13.

Source: Vanguard Newspapers Nigeria.

Did this woman vanished in Lagos church?

                                  Lost in the cathedral

                                                         How woman vanished in Lagos church

On Saturday, June 30, this year, Miss Bridget Azin Omang was taken to a popular church in Ikotun area of Lagos State by her mother to be spiritually healed of a mental disorder. But she got lost in the church within 24 hours. 

Since then, her whereabouts have been shrouded in mystery. Bridget and her mother arrived in Lagos from their village, Kakwagom in Boki Local Government area of Cross River State on Friday, June 29, which was a day before the incident.

On that fateful day, Bridget and her mother got to the church at about 9:00a.m with the aim to see the senior pastor on time. But it was not so because they met hundreds of people from different parts of Nigeria and abroad waiting see the same senior pastor. So, they joined the queue to wait their turn. It did not get to their turn until very late in the evening when the pastor decided to take some rest. So, Bridget and her mother decided to sleep in the church with the hope to meet the senior pastor the following morning.

They slept and when the mother woke up, she could not find her daughter beside her. She searched for her and when she could not trace her, she broke down in tears in the church. As gathered, nobody attended to her among the crowd that also came to see the senior pastor as they all minded their business.

President of the Kakwagom Family Union, Lagos State chapter, Mr. Emmanuel Ayim, told Daily Sun that Bridget’s mother came to the meeting of the union held on Saturday, July 7, at 33, Adebiyi Street, Shomolu, where she reported the matter to them.

His words: “Bridget’s mother reported to us during our meeting that she took her daughter to the church for healing because the daughter has mental problem. But when she woke up the following morning, she was nowhere to be found. Possibly, she had stood up and walked away while her mother was still fast asleep.

“They are from our village and I know them personally. In spite of her insanity, Bridget is not violent. She makes friendship with some people while she avoids others, depending on her mental state at any point in time. “I must tell you that before her mother took her to Lagos, her elder brother who is a lecturer had taken her to psychiatric hospital in Calabar. She had spent six months from the 24 months she was to spend at the hospital. But her mother was not patient; she wanted a quick healing.  “Bridget is in her early 30s now and the mental challenge started about five years ago. Before then, she had finished her secondary education and she has had two children.”

Ayim said the sudden disappearance of Bridget was not as a result of commission or omission by the church but the impatience of her mother. Bridget’s mother, according to him, took a big risk because her daughter could as well have attacked her on their way from Calabar to Lagos and run into the bush.

If found, Ayim urged members of the public to contact the nearest police station or Kirikiri Police Station through the Operations Officer on 08024772906. Ayim can be contacted on 08056279145. 

Konga joins Morgan Entertainment,Upgrades life.

Morgan Record extends tentacles with Konga

LAWAL Olalekan Olumo, popularly known as Konga, is not a new face in the music industry. His first album, Konga H20, was released in 2007 by Funky Monkey Entertainment.

Konga has now joined Morgan Entertainment, a company into production and content development. With a hefty deal including an American Spec Cadillac and a furnished apartment in Festac Town, Konga has definitely hit it big as an artiste, so much so that he confessed, “Life was good before, but it is better now”.

Although he started back in in primary school, Konga’s talent became visible when he was in secondary school, where he excellently mimed different songs. “People would tell me I was even doing it better than the owners of those songs,” he recalled. “It dawned on me that I could actually sing but my decision to become a musician was when I graduated from Union Computer Training School, where I studied Computer Engineering.

“One day, I bumped into my friend’s studio and I heard him playing a beat they were singing to. I jokingly told them I could do better and as soon as I stated rapping, everybody paused. They were all screaming, telling me I should just go and become a musician. In fact, they invited me to join their group.

“When I got back to the studio the following day, based on their encouragement, they began to play pranks with me. I asked them to play the beat again, but they started tossing me around and when I discovered that they did not want to play the beat for me, I went to another DJ elsewhere and I told him to just play some beats for me and he played some old school songs, which I did free-style on; he was equally amazed, and he advised me to work on my voice that I could make a career in music.”

Konga, who has arts’ background, from Government College, Ikoyi, has written a couple of poems and even movies in the past. So, he did not hesitate in writing his lyrics as well as trying his hands on every musical instrument he came across.

He also did not find it easy with his parents who wanted him to learn a trade on graduation so he could put food on the table as well as cater for his siblings, being the first born. But he already saw himself as a musician and could not imagine being anything other than that.

According to him, “I already knew what I wanted. When My father first learnt that I was the one doing all those songs, he began to calm down, and his friends also encouraged him to allow me do music because they believed I was good enough to make it in the industry. And today, just like many that have persisted, mine has become history.”

Having got his parents’ nod, he began as a street free-stylist in Ebute Metta. He started with such performances as Indomie Groove under the auspices of Larry Kay, events in universities and polytechnics all over the country. He was also part of Rhythm Unplugged, Guiness Extra Smooth Launching, Nigeria Independent Concert sponsored by Ben TV U.K., Konga and Fans Live in Dublin among others.

Konga has also done collaborations with Ja Won SI featuring 2Face Idibia, Lori le X-Project, Jedi Jedi by Olu Maintain, Ebute Metta Banky W and many more.

He related his experience working alongside such big act like 2Face Idibia in the past, and said, “Nothing beats the feeling. I will like to say God should continually bless him and lift him higher than he even expects, because he was the one who inspired me. Funny enough, he is one of my biggest fans and he particularly loves Baby Konga. When he met me after the release of that song, he was so excited; he kept asking me if I truly did the song and he prayed for me and blessed me. He said I was going to do well, that I should do anything I could to make sure the industry remained positive, one love. Since then things became much easier; I don’t joke with him.”

The Roots Afro Hip Hop artist, says, “I play all genres of music but in my own style”. He said he was also conscious of the lyrics he writes, saying, “I’m aware that all kinds of people listen to music; besides, music travels far to places you can never imagine. So, I know that it must be positive”.

He cited a case where a woman walked up to him and told him that anytime her six-month-old baby was crying and they played one of his songs, Baby Konga, he would stop. “I was happy and this motivated me the more to continue doing positive music, and I have promised to give my fans nothing but the best”, he stated.

Konga has words of advice for upcoming artistes: “This our game is a very transparent one. You must be loyal to the game as well as the people you meet. Honesty is also important, and you must be friendly; that way, you have knowledge of the things you don’t know. They must also not joke with their fans because they are the ones that will make you. Beside all these, put God first!
”

Lady Gaga poised for her new album release

Lady Gaga at a recent outing.Her new highly anticipated album is said to entirely based on dance music.




Lady Gaga as spotted in Los Angeles today.

Husband 'raped to death' by five wives

A wealthy businessman - and husband of six - has died after allegedly being forced into a marathon sex session with his 'jealous' wives.

Nigerian Uroko Onoja was having sex with the youngest of his spouses when the remaining five are reported to have set upon him with knives and sticks - and demanded that he have sex with each of them too.

Mr Onoja went on to have intercourse with four of his wives in succession, but 'stopped breathing' as the fifth was making her way to the bed in Ogbadibo, according to Nigeria's Daily Post.


Two women have been arrested following the incident in the state of Benue last week, said the report, which used the term 'raped to death' to describe the businessman's fate. Mr Onoja is understood to have returned from a bar in the small community of Ugbugbu, Ogbadibo, at around 3am on Tuesday, and headed for the bedroom of his youngest wife.

His five other wives - who were said to have held a meeting to discuss their intentions before their husband arrived home - are then alleged to have burst into the bedroom armed with knives and sticks to insist that they too be granted their conjugal rights.

The businessman, who has been described as a philanthropist who 'contributed positively' to the growth of his local community, is thought to have resisted the demands of his wives' before being overpowered.

Mr Onoja reportedly stopped breathing and could not be resuscitated after having sex with four of his wives in a row.

His youngest spouse is quoted as saying her five fellow wives ran into the forest when they realised their husband was dead.

The head of his village, Okpe Odoh, told the Daily Post the matter had been reported to police.

Meg adds another year.

Meg Onyeagoro

Congratulations to one of our own, Mrs. Meg Onyeagoro of Union Bank Nigeria PLC on her birthday occasion this Sunday. Life and style understands that this career banker will want to mark her birthday at home with close friends and relations quietly in their Ogudu GRA residents. A lot of dignitaries and relatives have been calling in to find out how this occasion will be held, but many will be disappointment to know that Meg as she fondly called rather wants a quiet ceremony at this time around. Many have taken to various social networks to wish this wonderful Human Resources Guru the best of the moment.
9ija life and style join all well wishers to wish Mrs. Onyeagoro, a happy birthday and long life.

Mandela still riding on at 94

Nelson Mandela is 94 years born on the 18th of July 1918. This legend will forever be remembered throughout the world with remarkable respect and dignity to human life. Life and style 9ija has joined the world over celebrate you Sir, wishing you the best health health and strength over the next years to come.
Happy birthday.

Oprah Winfrey sells Chicago apartment at a loss

Oprah Winfrey sells Chicago apartment at a loss for $2.75million - under the asking price and HALF the figure she paid six years ago

Selling at a loss: Oprah Winfrey's Chicago co-op finally sold yesterday for $2.75m, under the asking price and half the figure she paid in 2006

Oprah Winfrey has sold her Chicago apartment at a loss for $2.75million, $50,000 shy of the $2.8million asking price, and half the figure she paid for it six year ago.

The television mogul purchased the luxurious co-op, in the city's upscale Streeterville neighbourhood, for $5.6million in 2006, and first attempted to sell for $6million in 2008, though it failed to attract a buyer.

But, demonstrating just how much the local property market is suffering, she was forced to reduce the asking price by $2.8million in May.

The sale was finalised yesterday, according to the Chicago Tribune, and puts an end to Ms Winfrey's unfortunate property saga.

However drastic the discount, the apartment, which was listed with Prudential Rubloff Properties, certainly lives up to its six-figure price tag.

One of 13 units in a 1913 Beaux Arts-style building designed by architect Benjamin Marshall, it has eight rooms with 10ft ceilings over 4,607sq ft.

It boasts its own library, a formal dining room, a butler's pantry, a wine room and even a solarium.

Opulent: The property, in the upscale Streeterville neighbourhood, has eight rooms over a vast 4,607sq ft

Fine dining: The eat-in kitchen is decorated in a traditional style with marble worktops and a range cooker

In addition to a vast 1,241sq ft master bedroom with an equally large en-suite bathroom, there are two guest bedroom.

But if the buyer was impressed by the celebrity cachet, they might be disappointed to learn that Ms Winfrey never lived in the apartment.

It is believed that she felt this property was too overlooked and had concerns about privacy.

Sweet dreams: In addition to a vast 1,241sq ft master bedroom, there are two guest rooms as well

Bathing beauty: The master bathroom is bigger than the average person's bedroom

Room with a view: The apartment is one of 13 in a 1913 Beaux Arts-style building by Benjamin Marshall

Ms Winfrey was based in Chicago until this time last year, when her long-running talk show, filmed in the city, ended, and has two other properties in the area.

The Tribune reports that she uses a nearby duplex condo as her main Chicago residence instead.

She spends most of her time, however, at her estate in Montecito, California, nicknamed 'The Promised Land', which she purchased in 2001 for a reported $52million.

Outside space: There is also a terrace, though it is believed the star chose not to live in the apartment because it was too overlooked and she was concerned about privacy

Disappointment: If the buyer was impressed by the celebrity cachet, they might be disappointed to learn that Ms Winfrey never lived in the apartment

The star also has a farmhouse in Kula, Hawaii, a holiday home in Antigua, a property by the shore in Lavallette, New Jersey, a ski chalet in Telluride, Colorado, and a home in Douglasville, Georgia.

Naturally, she has a $42million private jet to travel between them too.

A "Hit Man" called Balotelli (The other side of him)

1st above picture Balotelli was crying out his eyes just after his team Italy lost to Spain in the 2012 Euro finals.2nd picture is him with his ex-girlfriend who incidentally is pregnant for him, a news Balotelli described as the best news of his life.

Breaking News: Adele Is Pregnant!

Adele is pregnant with her first child, she announced Friday on her website. The dad-to-be is her beau Simon Konecki.

"I'm delighted to announce that Simon and I are expecting our first child together," the 23-year-old Grammy winner wrote. "I wanted you to hear the news direct from me, obviously we're over the moon and very excited but please respect our privacy at this precious time. Yours always, Adele xx."

 


Adele (seen here at age 4) grew up in Tottenham, a north London neighborhood, raised by a single mom who got pregnant with her at 18. (To this day, Adele considers her mother to be her closest friend, and one of her biggest early influences). "I just want to say, Mum, your girl did good!" the "Someone Like You" singer told the 2012 Grammys audience during her tearful acceptance speech.

Katie Holmes files for divorce from Tom Cruise after five years of marriage... and she's 'seeking sole custody of Suri'

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes have sensationally revealed they are divorcing after five years of marriage.

The Hollywood superstar, 49, said he was ‘deeply saddened’ that his younger wife, 33, had filed for a separation.

He revealed the former Dawson's Creek actress had initiated the split, bringing a dramatic end to one of Hollywood's most high-profile romances. 

In a surprise move, Miss Holmes is understood to have filed for sole custody of the couple's daughter Suri, six.

'This is a personal and private matter for Katie and her family,' Holmes's lawyer Jonathan Wolfe said in a statement to People magazine.

'Katie's primary concern remains, as it always has been, her daughter's best interest.'

A spokesperson for Cruise, who is currently in Iceland filming his new sci-fi movie Oblivion, said: 'Kate has filed for divorce and Tom is deeply saddened and is concentrating on his three children.'

The actress filed documents in New York this week citing 'irreconcilable differences'.

 
 

Those close to her said that she felt he wasn’t putting any effort into her or the marriage.

Her once promising film career – she had been the love interest in Batman Begins – had been stifled. Roles evaporated. She ended up trying to find work as a fashion designer, endorsing the line Holmes and Yang.

The couple’s 2006 Italian wedding was choreographed like a massive movie premiere, with more bodyguards than guests and the ultimate goal seemingly the fantastically romantic images which were released to the media of the A list star and his pretty bride.

This came in the wake of the president of Paramount Sumner Redstone complaining that women found the actor ‘creepy.’

Source .Dailymail  uk.

Photo of the week

           

  Spice your day with our girl Genevieve Nnaji......


                  Nollywood hottest Actress

Looking all white! Kim Kardashian keeps it simple but effective in matching top, jeans and high heels

Kim in all white, some fashion critics say that this outfit is too casual and out of match to what Kim is known for. Meanwhile a lot of people disagree saying that, the simple design was on "money" and surely looks good in those outfit as usual. Is it all white really? take a closer look at the last third picture.

Omoni Oboli, the Nollywood Actress with the Best Public Relations

 

Omoni Oboli has been rated the Nollywood actress with the best public relations and from informed knowledge, her husband Nnamdi is the secret behind her superb public relations and they have been married for 12 years and still waxing stronger as the most solid celebrity couple in Nollywood. She has also acknowledged the exemplary role of her husband in her successful professional life.

Public relations are not well appreciated in Nigeria, because many Nigerians do not appreciate the importance, relevance and significance of public relations in both private and public sectors. 

That is why Nigeria has a very terrible image in the global village, and Nigerians are being labeled as fraudsters and drug peddlers in the international community when only very few Nigerians are engaged in these crimes, because of our bad public relations. And unfortunately, the appropriate public officials in government and corporate affairs managers in private companies have not performed up to the expectations of the best practices of public relations.

Nigerian corporate Affairs managers don’t even know how to reply important emails or letters and their companies end up with bad public relations as can be seen in the common misunderstandings between them and their respective customers/clients in their host communities.

Most of these corporate affairs managers or public relations officers forget that they are the public image of their companies. Many of them even lack basic company manners when compared to their foreign counterparts or peers. 

Therefore, it is really imperative to emphasize the urgency of this matter in our private and public lives and in particular where public relations would be of immense benefit to Nigeria and Nigerians locally and internationally such as in Nollywood the most popular Nigerian brand in the world which is seen as the mirror of Nigeria and Nigerians in the global village.


Source:Nigeria Films.com

An arresting sight! Jolly giant Shaquille O'Neal wears a comical wig as he dons a police uniform for new film Grown Ups Shaquille-ONeal-wears-comical-wig-dons-police-uniform-new-film-Grown-Ups-2

Shaquille O'Neal  acting as a cop in a new film Grown Ups 2,but his funny hair style is raising more of an awareness than the gently giant stature of his.
Source:Dailymail uk.

Babies-for-sale: Soldiers raid Aba orphanage

Soldiers attached to the 144

Battalion of the Nigeria Army, Aba, Abia State, have stormed a motherless babies home in the city and arrested six girls for alleged child trafficking while six babies were recovered. 

The officer in charge of the Forward Operation Base (FOB) in Aba, Captain Chris Nwogu, said the raid followed complaint received from one Chidinma (other names withheld) that her friend deceived her into taking her three months old baby boy to the orphanage where she was given some cash on an alleged understanding that she would have access to the child whenever she wanted. 

Nwogu said the girl reported that she was paid N300, 000 and the friend that brought her was given N200, 000 and she gave out the child with the hope that she would have access to him as agreed. The officer in charge said in the process of transacting the business, Chidinma’s mother died and she travelled to their hometown, Mgbo in Ebonyi State for the burial. According to the army officer, Chidinma said after the burial, she called the orphanage and informed them she was coming to see her child. 

The management of the home was said to have told the girl that as far as she had been paid, she would no longer see nor have access to the baby. This prompted Chidinma to report the matter to the Army. Nwogu said when soldiers stormed the orphanage, workers in the place refused to open the gate for them but that his men managed to gain entry into the place. 

Nwogu said before gaining access into the home, the founder was at large, leaving behind three pregnant girls who she allegedly contracted to deliver their babies for her. They were arrested together with two other girls said to be workers in the place. 

The officer informed that the soldiers rescued six children ranging from three days old to 16 years. Three of them were said to have been brought from Akwa Ibom and Cross River states. 

The army officer, while appealing to the founder of the home to make herself available, said those arrested would be handed over to the State Security Service (SSS) for further investigation and the children given to the Department of Social Welfare for upkeep till their rightful parents would come.  Some of the girls who spoke to Daily Sun said they had problem with the men that impregnated them and were introduced to the home by their friends and the lady accepted to take care of their pregnancy and pay them off when they were delivered of their babies. 

Chidinma told Daily Sun, “I sold the baby last Monday for N300,000 and on Friday, my mother died, so I used part of the amount I was paid to bury her and when I came back to see my boy as we agreed, they refused.” Another girl simply named MaryAnn from Item in Bende Local Government Area was said to have been delivered of a baby girl last Friday but that the baby was taken away immediately and the mother had not seen her neither was she paid any money. 

The soldiers appealed to the authorities in the state to close the home because of alleged atrocities said to be going on in the place.

‘My wife uses sex as bargaining tool’

Mr. Taiwo Benson has urged an Ado-Ekiti Grade 1 Customary Court to dissolve his eight-year-old marriage with his wife, Maureen, because she used sex as a bargaining tool.

Benson also told the court that his wife was not only troublesome, she had also abandoned him and did not show love and care toward him, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

Benson told the court that the marriage produced two children, aged six and four years.

He said, “My wife denies me sex on a regular basis. She only gives me sex whenever she wants to get something in return.

“There have been countless occasions when I demanded sex from my wife, and she would just ignore me like I did not exist.

“She uses sex as a bargaining tool. This has been the biggest issue in the marriage. Why will my wife be starving me of sex?”

He said his wife was often quarrelsome, adding that they were always having problems in their marriage because of personality clashes.

Benson said, “She is a very proud and stubborn woman. I am also a proud man, and both of us cannot be proud at the same time so this always caused problem between us because we are never on the same page.

 “She does not show me any kind of love or affection. I am tired of this marriage and I implore this court to dissolve the marriage.

The wife, who was present in court admitted starving her husband of sex but noted that she stopped having sex with him when she realised that he slept around.

Maureen said, “I stopped having sex with him as soon as I knew he slept around. My husband runs a non-governmental organisation. So, he travels a lot. Whenever he gets back and I am packing his loads from his car, I always saw used condoms in his car.

“Whenever I accused him of cheating on me, he would beat me and immediately he finished beating me, he would want to have sex with me.

“When I refused to give him sex at that point, he would say that sex was the remedy to calm nerves down after a fight.”

Maureen said Benson always wanted her to practise what they watched in pornographic movies.

“My husband is a big fan of pornographic movies, and he derives pleasure and joy watching them. Whenever he watches it, he will always want us to practise what they do in the movie.

“I am not a porno star; how am I supposed to do that? I was not raised in such background. As usual, my refusal results in beating, and he even goes as far as threatening me with a machete he keeps in our bedroom.

“I cannot go on this way; please I want the dissolution of this marriage.”

The counsel to the petitioner, Miss Okonny Hilda, pleaded with the court to adjourn the case in order to respond to the defendant’s counter claim.

However, the lawyer to the respondent, Miss Agibulu Toyin, objected to the plea, saying the law guiding the court did not permit such.

The President of the court, Mrs. Christiana Ajibabi, adjourned the case till July 19, for further hearing.