It’s exactly two days to the much anticipated Born In Africa Festival, the biggest to ever happen this season. Still not sure if you should attend? If you all under any of these five categories, you should get your tickets and plan to attend already.
Art lovers
If you love visual arts and appreciate all the details and time put creating a piece of art, then you should come support and see award-winning visual artists; Uche Edochie, Olumide Onadipe, Isaac Emokpae and Tolu Aliki at the Arts Exhibition at BAFEST. Show starts from 9am on Sunday 16th December 2018.
Music lovers
All round music lovers; afropop, highlife, rap and other genres have more than enough choose from the line up of performing artistes at BAFEST this Sunday. Music stars like Awilo, Dbanj, Yemi Alade, Tiwa Savage, Olamide, Davdo, Kizz Daniel, Burna Boy, Falz, Flavour, Timaya and many more will be thrilling you to performances of their back to back hit at BAFEST from 6pm on Sunday.
Fashion Lovers
Do you love fashion and love to see your favorite models walk the runaway? If yes, the BAFEST fashion show has been packaged to meet of those needs. International designs like David Tlale, Torlowei and Tiffany Amber will be showcasing their 2019 collections while international models, Oluchi Millen Magese will be walking the runway. Fashion show starts at 9am on Sunday at the Eko Atlantic city
FIlm Lovers
If you’re a movie buff and love to see stories expressed in the most creative ways ever, you should come witness the screening of over 50 movies that will grace our screens next year. Movie producers, directors and actors are ready to get you captivated with their stories and cinematography. Come through!
Those who are happy to just see the end of 2018
If you are a fun lover and looking out for events to be at this weekend or if you just want to turn up and escape the hustle and bustle of Lagos, you should also be at #BAFEST this week. There are loads of activities to kee you relaxed and refreshed for the new week ahead. In short, everyone should plan to be at the Born In Africa Festival. Don’t be left out of the fun. See you on Sunday.
Recall
that at a stakeholders meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, Minister of
Power, Babatunde Fashola reportedly said it is not the Federal
government's problem if some Nigerians don't have power. Read here.
Actress
Shan George has reacted to the viral photos of a 70-year-old man that
got married to a 15-year-old girl in Niger state.Sharing a photo from
the wedding on her Instagram page, George expressed her disgust at any
religion or tradition that supports child marriage. Read what she wrote
belowMy heart cant stop bleeding since i saw this wedding pix yesterday,
i Detest any Man, Woman, Religion, Govt, Tradition or Anything under
the Earth that would put a child like this under this kind of Eternal
Emotional, Psycological and Physical Turture in d name of Marriage. If
this used to be ok during the Stone Age for whatever reason, Now is the
time to stop this HORROR. Poor child, I cant deal, i'm traumatised.
The
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and also the Duke and Duchess of Sussex
have released new photographs of their families ahead of the Christmas
celebration.Prince William and Kate Middleton released a relaxed photo
of their family, with all their kids present. The photo taken by Matt
Porteous shows The Duke and Duchess with their three children at Anmer
Hall.The photograph features on their Christmas Card this year.Prince
Harry and Meghan Markle also released a photograph which will feature on
their Christmas card this year. The photo is from their Wedding
Reception at Frogmore House on 19th May. It was shot by Chris Allerton. 
Miss
USA has apologized after comments she made about two fellow Miss
Universe contestants' English-language abilities, sparked backlash
online. In a live Instagram video, 24-year-old contestant Sarah Rose
Summers said that Miss Vietnam H'Hen Nie is "so cute and she pretends to
know so much English and then you ask her a question after having a
whole conversation with her and she (nods and smiles)." Summers, who was
joined in the video by Miss Colombia, Valeria Morales and Miss
Australia, Francesca Hung, was attending the Miss Universe pageant in
Thailand, which is scheduled to begin on Sunday in Bangkok. Later on in
the video Summers appeared to express sympathy for Miss Cambodia, Rern
Sinat, who she said, "doesn't speak any English and not a single other
person speaks her language." "Can you imagine? Francesca (Miss
Australia) said that would be so isolating and I said yes and just
confusing all the time," Summers said. "Poor Cambodia." The comments
have sparked criticism online, with some calling Summers' words
"xenophobic" and "condescending." Responding to the backlash in an
Instagram post today, Summers said that Miss Universe was "an
opportunity for women from around the world to learn about each other's
cultures, life experiences, and views.""In a moment where I intended to
admire the courage of a few of my sisters, I said something that I now
realize can be perceived as not respectful, and I apologize.My life,
friendships, and career revolve around me being a compassionate and
empathetic woman. I would never intend to hurt another. I am grateful
for opportunities to speak with Nat, Miss Cambodia, and H'Hen, Miss
Vietnam, directly about this experience.These are the moments that
matter most to me" Summers said, alongside a photo of her embracing her
fellow contestants.
Vice
President Yemi Osinbajo, former Head of State Yakubu Gowon and Pastor
Enoch Adeboye, set aglow, the presidential Christmas Carol held at the
State House Banquet Hall in Abuja. Aside Adeboye, the General Overseer
of Redeemed Christian Church of God, many state governors attended the
Carol. The Carol tagged “Christmas Praise Concert”, was also attended by
Wife of the Vice President, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, and Secretary to the
Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha. The first Bible
reading taken from Luke 2:18 –18, was read by Mrs Victoria Gowon, wife
of the former Head of State, Gowon, while the second reading taken from
Isaiah 7:14–15, 9:6–7, was read by Gov. Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom
State. The Gospel lesson taken from Luke 2: 1–7, was read by SGF,
Mustapha. In his Christmas message, Adeboye thanked God for peace in
Nigeria and prayed God to continue to protect the nation and bring
lasting peace to it. He prayed for God’s mercy on the nation and
committed the 2019 general elections into God’s hands. In a special
intercession, Pastor Seyi Malomo, Chaplain, State House Chapel, prayed
for Nigeria and its leaders especially, President Muhammad Buhari, who
would mark his birthday on Dec. 16. The congregation was thrilled by
renditions from various choir groups, including Aguda House Choir, Aso
Villa Chapel Choir, Aso Villa Chapel Children Choir, Plateau Unity Choir
and Praise Chorale, Lagos, among others. 
The
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said Thursday’s validation of
Senator Kashamu Buruji’s expulsion from the PDP, by a Federal High Court
in Abuja, has vindicated its position that he is not PDP’s governorship
candidate in Ogun state. It says with the ruling, the validity of
Ladi Adebutu, as the PDP governorship candidate in Ogun state is no
longer in contention. Given his expulsion from the PDP in July this
year, Senator Buruji lost his membership of our party and as such, did
not partake in any of our nomination processes; did not purchase the PDP
governorship nomination form and did not participate in any way
whatsoever in our Ogun state governorship primary, yet he had continued
to cause confusion and parade himself as PDP candidate. The PDP invites
Nigerians, the people of Ogun state and particularly the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take copious note of the
judgment of the court, in suit no: FCT/HC/0303/2017, which today,
December 13, 2018 affirmed the powers of the PDP, as provided in her
constitution, to discipline and punish any member who contravenes any of
the provisions of its constitution. By this judgment, it is clear that
Senator Buruji Kashamu is not a member of the PDP, and cannot, under
any circumstance whatsoever, claim to be the governorship candidate of
the PDP in Ogun state, moreso, when he never participated in any of our
nomination processes. While hailing the judgment as victory for
democracy, the PDP charges INEC to copiously take note of the
development and reflect such in every issue regarding the conduct of
governorship election in Ogun state. Finally, the PDP commends the
people of Ogun state for standing steadfast with its governorship
candidate, Ladi Adebutu, who is already coasting to victory in the 2019
polls.
Over
a 9 hour period, Kanye West tweeted over 120 times at fellow rapper
Drake and alleged that Drake is threatening his life. Kim Kardashian has
now publicly warned Drake.On Thursday, December 13, Kanye West shared
hundreds of tweets where he said Drake "called trying to threaten me."
(read here)He also added in one tweet:so drake if anything happens to me
or anyone from my family you are the first suspect. So cut the tough
talk.Kim has now stepped in to warn Drake. She tweeted at Drake,
saying:@drake Never threaten my husband or our family. He paved the way
for there to be a drake.In another tweet, she wrote:My husband is the
most brilliant person, the most genius person that I know. He has broken
so many boundaries, everything from music, stage design, fashion and
culture and will continue to change the world.
A Nigerian
footballer has died while warming up for a match.Dominic Dukudod,
a former Kano Pillars player popularly known as ‘Don K’, slumped
yesterday while warming up before a friendly match between Abuja United
and Nasarawa United at the Lafia township stadium, Nasarawa state,
according to sports journalist Niyi Busari.Dominic slumped while he was
warming up with his teammates before the match. 
Just
before he died, he took to Facebook to share photos of himself before
the match with the caption:Nasarawa unite is in problemThat was the last
thing he would ever post. 
Friends and fans have commented on the post to express their shock and pray that he rests in peace. 
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A
7-year-old girl from Guatemala has died of dehydration and shock after
she was taken into Border Patrol custody last week for crossing from
Mexico into the United States illegally with her father and a large
group of migrants along a remote span of New Mexico desert. The child’s
death is likely to intensify scrutiny of detention conditions at Border
Patrol stations and CBP facilities that are increasingly overwhelmed by
large numbers of families seeking asylum in the United States.
According to CBP records, the girl and her father were taken into
custody about 10 p.m. on December 6th south of Lordsburg, N.M., as part
of a group of 163 people who approached U.S. agents to turn themselves
in. More than eight hours later, the child began having seizures at
6:25 a.m., CBP records show. Emergency responders, who arrived soon
after, measured her body temperature at 105.7 degrees, and according to a
statement from CBP, she “reportedly had not eaten or consumed water for
several days.” After a helicopter flight to Providence Children’s
Hospital in El Paso, the child went into cardiac arrest and “was
revived. However, the child did not recover and died at the hospital
less than 24 hours after being transported,” CBP said. The agency did
not release the name of the girl or her father, but the father remains
in El Paso awaiting a meeting with Guatemalan consular officials,
according to CBP. The agency is investigating the incident to ensure
appropriate policies were followed, it said.
President
Buhari has approved the appointment of Suleiman Hassan as the minister
of environment, following the resignation of Ibrahim Jibrin, the
minister of state. Before his appointment, Hassan was the minister of
water resources. His appointment was conveyed in a statement by Garba
Shehu, the senior special assistant to the president on media and
publicity in Abuja, on Thursday. Jibrin on Wednesday announced his
resignation from the federal executive council (FEC) to enable him to
assume his new position as emir of Nasarawa. Jibrin, who appeared in
traditional attire during the FEC meeting presided over by President
Muhammadu Buhari, at the presidential villa, Abuja, thanked the
president for according him the opportunity to serve in the cabinet.
The minister said the appointment had afforded him the opportunity to
serve the country in the last three years. Jibrin was on December 7
appointed emir of Nasarawa by the state governor, Tanko Al-Makura.
Ghanaian
actress, Salma Mumin, who is a year older today took to IG to share
this completely naked photo of herself posing in a bathtub with
Watermelon fruits strategically placed to cover her modesty.See full
photo below.
Super Eagles captain, John Mikel Obi, was pictured lifting up one of his twin daughters in this adorable photo he shared.
The
Social Democratic Party (SDP) has substituted the running mate of
Donald Duke, its 2019 presidential candidate. Shehu Musa Gabam, who is
also the National Secretary of the party, replaces Mohammed Junaid, the
party announced on Thursday. Alfa Mohammed, SDP national publicity
secretary, said the substitution was done long ago. He said Junaid’s
substitution was subjected to deliberation at the party’s leadership
level which he was a member. Mohammed said the consensus was that Junaid
should step down as running mate for strategic reasons. “Hence, as a
genuine party man, he voluntarily stepped down and thereafter signed all
the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) forms required to
perfect the substitution process.He remains one of our highly respected
leaders the party is proud to have. Meanwhile, the substitution which
was done long ago now has Shehu Musa Gabam from the North East as our
vice presidential candidate” he said
Rapper,
Nicki Minaj, 36, took to IG to share these loved-up photos with her new
man Kenneth Petty, 40, and revealed he wants her to be his wife.This
comes after sources close to the "Queen" rapper told TMZ that Nicki and
Kenneth Petty have already had the marriage and baby talk after only a
couple months of dating. Sharing photos of them together, the 'Queen'
rapper wrote: 'He want me to be his wife- his MISSIS like SIPPI NOW.'
Pop
icon, Janet Jackson,has been named as one of the stars that will be
inducted into The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for 2019The 52-year-old
singer will be inducted alongside Radiohead, Stevie Nicks, Def Leppard,
The Cure, Roxy Music and the Zombies, who all will become class of
2019.“Janet Jackson has built a career so groundbreaking that she’s
immediately identifiable on a first-name basis,” the organization wrote
on its site. “She explored social issues, themes of empowerment and
self-confidence, and influenced generations with her stylized music
videos with innovative choreography.”Jackson celebrated the news on
Twitter. “We did it u guys,” the music icon wrote. “Thank U for all your
love and support.” We did it u guys Thank U for all your love and
support. #RockHall2019 pic.twitter.com/1APrRJdmTv— Janet Jackson
(@JanetJackson) December 13, 2018The induction ceremony will be held at
Brooklyn’s Barclays Center on Friday, March 29, 2019The Rock & Roll
Hall of Fame recognizes inductees for “having contributed over 25 years
of musical excellence.”
A
drug user who was sold flour instead of cocaine reported his
disappointment to a police officer in Peru.According to a video shared
online, the dealer deceived the buyer by handing over a plastic baggy
filled with what was supposed to be cocaine. But when the man tried to
snort it, he noticed it was flour.Disappointed, he saw a police officer
on a routine patrol shift and he approached him to report his failure to
purchase cocaine."I am from La Porra, I came to get my drugs, boss,"
the addict told the cop in a video shared online."And I want to file a
report because they’ve given me flour, boss." 
The
drug abuser begged the cop to help him get his supply of cocaine and
the cop broke out laughing.He told the officer: "Help me out with that,
boss, because one comes here to get his drugs and they give you
flour."According to Article 299 of the Peruvian Penal Code, it is legal
in the South American country to possess up to two grams of cocaine or
at least five grams of coca paste for personal use.Planting coca plants -
which is the the material used for making cocaine - is legal in Peru
and coca leaves are sold in markets.
The
Vice President of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo's children have just completed
the compulsory one year National Youth Service Corps, NYSC.Kiki
Osinbajo and her brother, Laolu Osinbajo, began serving together and
they both just passed out with the latest batch of Corps members. 
Below is what Kiki wrote.
Threats
by Police officers in Delta State to unleash teargas has led a woman
who feigns blindness and begs for alms to experience a rare miracle. The
suspect, who goes about begging with her child, was nabbed at Jakpa
junction. On getting to the police station, the officers threatened to
put teargas in her eyes and according to reports, that was when she
regained her sight. The woman, identified as Ada Nwachukwu, disclosed
that she came all the way from Orlu in Imo state to hustle for
Christmas. And as at the time she was arrested, she had already made
N3,270.
Maiduguri-based
Rahma Monguno shared the story on Facebook today. Read below: "This is
Hafsat Umar, her father (Goni Umara Madu) was killed by insurgents a
few years ago, on his way to his night shift as a security guard at PZ,
located near Ngarnan. She had measles when she was about three, and
related or not, lost the use of her lower limbs ever since. Recently, I
posted Ahmed Suleimans situation, and mentioned there were others. I was
going to make a separate appeal for her and the others, but God so
kind, the Vice Principal who's number I gave out on the initial post,
called me and said a good Samaritan, who wished to remain anonymous, had
called, enquired, and sent him a donation for Ahmeds chair. We managed
to get two chairs, and this morning, Ahmed and Hafsat were both
delighted and grateful for their new found mobility. May the Almighty
bless the donor in ways she to doesn't expect , and thank you all for
the concern, shares and kind words." 
A widow staged a protest in her husband’s grave on Thursday at Wanyororo
cemetery in Bahati, Nakuru County, Kenya, after a suspect linked to his
murder was allegedly released from police custody.The deceased, 33
year-old Edward Mwangi was was found murdered in a farm in Wanyororo B
area in Bahati after being stabbed eight times on December 3, 2018.The
main suspect is said to have surrendered himself to the police and also
presented a knife he used to kill the deceased. Mr Mwangi’s family
claims the suspect was released the same day.On Thursday, his widow Mary
Wangari led a group of friends and relatives in demanding the arrest of
the suspect before the burial could proceed. They also vowed that no
burial will take place until the suspect is arraigned in court.“We will
not allow the funeral to take place until we get an explanation why the
main suspect was released,” said the widow.A rival group had dug a grave
at the Wanyororo cemetery on Thursday and wanted to proceed with the
burial.The deceased, a father of two and footballer in a local club, is
said to have engaged in a scuffle with the suspect who claimed he was
dating his wife before stabbing him to death.
Donald
Trump has denied directing his former lawyer Michael Cohen to break the
law.Cohen was on Wednesday sentenced to three years in jail after
admitting crimes including tax evasion and arranging illicit payments to
silence women who threatened Mr Trump's presidential campaign in
2016.After his sentencing, Trump tweeted: "I never directed Michael
Cohen to break the law. He was a lawyer and he is supposed to know the
law."It is called 'advice of counsel,' and a lawyer has great liability
if a mistake is made. That is why they get paid." 
He
added in a follow-up tweet: "Cohen was guilty on many charges unrelated
to me, but he plead to two campaign charges which were not criminal and
of which he probably was not."See the rest of Trump's tweets in
reaction to Cohen's sentencing below.
The
Public Complaint Rapid Response Unit of the Nigeria Police force has
helped to reunite a young mother with her 4-year-old daughter two years
after separation.The Asistant Commisdioner of Police, (PCRRU) ACP
Abayomi Shogunle, who confirmed the news in a statement on Thursday,
said the child was forcefully taken away from her mother by her father's
family living in Kaduna State. Read full statement below:PUBLIC
COMPLAINT RAPID RESPONSE UNIT (PCRRU),On the 5th of December, 2018 at
about 11:00am one Ms. B (full name withheld due to privacy of her infant
daughter) came to the PCRRU and narrated how her little daughter was
forcefully taken away from her by the family of her estranged boyfriend
and father of the little girl who has since relocated to South Africa.
During the process of this traumatic ordeal in 2016, the said family
boasted that she will never be allowed access to her daughter again,
after which her daughter was taken to Kaduna, Kaduna state to stay with
the grandmother. She also stated that all efforts made to see her
daughter proved abortive as she was threatened with violence. That she
has also reported the matter to various authorities but no positive
response received.Her complaint was recorded as a distress call and
Tracking No. #PCRRU931805 issued. The case was immediately forwarded to
the Officer-in-Charge of Juvenile and Women Centre (JWC) of the Kaduna
State Police Command to investigate and ensure a decision is taken in
the best interest of the girl without further delay. Within five days,
the JWC was able to bring all the parties together during which it was
discovered that the little girl was more interested in being with her
biological mother and not her grandmother. Advise was also sought from
relevant experts and it was decided that this 4-year-old girl be
released to her biological mother considering the fact that her father
has relocated from Nigeria as Ms. B was also discovered to be a
responsible and working class woman.On 12.12.2018 (exactly one week
after the complaint was received), an elated Ms. B visited the PCRRU,
Force Headquarters, Abuja in company of her little daughter to express
her joy and happiness over the swift response of the Unit in “helping
her to get justice and helping the helpless people in the society”. She
also thanked and prayed for the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Ibrahim
Idris, NPM, mni and the entire officers and men of the Nigeria Police
Force regarding the good work they are doing across the country.T
