Unbelievable: 24-yrs-old lady dies in tragic car crash days after death dreams

Khalla had posted about her scary week long dream as well as dreams about dead relatives wondering what was the meaning.

24-years-old Khalla Nguyen has died in a tragic auto crash a week after dreaming about death and dead relatives.

According to her Facebook page, Khalla had posted about her scary week long dream as well as dreams about dead relatives wondering what was the meaning.

"I keep dreaming about death this week & Last night dreamt about a dead relative. What are these dreams trying to tell me.." she wrote.

 

Khalla known as Khalla Kush posted last on her on Friday, January 26, 2018 after which she was involved in an auto crash that led to her death.

Khalla died early Saturday morning in a vicious car crash in Jersey City, N.J.

 

She was reportedly sitting at the backseat in a car driven by her friend Khadija Hamilton, when the 2000 Honda Accord slammed into a metal barrier.

After the crash which happened at about 3 am near Seventh Street, Hamilton, who was unlicensed, fled the scene.

She surrendered to authorities with her attorney at about noon on Sunday, January 28, 2018

The Hudson County Regional Fatal Collision Unit is investigating the crash and is asking witnesses to come forward with any further information.

In Adamawa: Corporal kills sergeant over alcohol seller

The two officers reportedly had a spat over the a female alcohol seller, who was also the girlfriend of the corporal.

A police corporal in Adamawa state has shot a sergeant in the same command to death over a local alcohol seller.

The incident, according to a report by Premium Times, happened at a bar in Madagali Local Government Area of the state.

How it occurred

The two officers reportedly had a spat over the a female alcohol seller, who was also the girlfriend of the corporal.

A witness disclosed that the police officers had a hot argument that led to the corporal shooting the sergeant.

“They had a hot argument had on Tuesday over one alcohol seller who is girlfriend to Corporal Adamu. She had complained that late Sergeant Timothy did not pay a N100 bill for his drink.

“He initially took a shot of a local gin and demanded for another shot. This situation provoked Corporal Adamu, who warned Sergeant Timothy to be careful with his utterance to his girlfriend or he would be dealt with mercilessly.

ALSO READ: Female Nigeria Army officer burnt to death by security guard

“And true to his words, Corporal Adamu cocked his rifle and shot Timothy, killing him on the spot and causing pandemonium,” the witness said.

Police confirms Sergeant's death

The Adamawa State police command confirmed the death of the sergeant, whose name was given as Corporal Emmanuel Timothy, from gunshot by a Corporal Bala Adamu.

Othman Abubakar, the spokesperson of the police in the state, confirmed the death of the officer “over a minor disagreement.”

Abubakar reportedly said that an officer “shot his colleague over a minor disagreement.”

“Reports from the area indicated that it was on Tuesday morning at about 11 : 00 a.m, when Corporal Bala Adamu and his colleague late Sergeant Emmanuel Timothy attached to 13 Squadron Police Mobile Force, Makurdi on special duties in Madagali, engaged each other in a hot argument that resulted to the corporal killing the sergeant with his rifle.”

“The case has since been referred to the Criminal Investigation Department, Cid, at the state headquarters and investigation has commenced,” Abubakar said.

He said the corporal had been arrested while the corpse of the slain officer had been deposited at the Yola Specialist Hospital Mortuary.

Sexual Harassment: Methodist minister accused of sexual abuse saved by worship songs

Protests carried out by a pair of women met reproach from a church congregation who sang loud choruses to subdue the protesters.

The congregation at South Africa's Methodist Church, Tshwane defended a minister accused of sexual abuse with songs of praises shortly after he was confronted by some unknown women.

A Twitter user, AthiGeleba tweeted her support for the show of bravery by the congregation.

 

The singers who have reportedly experienced sexual abuse prior to the event quickly began singing as soon as they sighted protesters who interrupted an ongoing service.

Before the song commenced, officials of the church were seen making an attempt to dissuade the protesters who held out placards from disrupting the service.

A clip showed them as they bluntly refused.

Other comments offered in response to AthiGeleba's tweet however condemned the support given to the embattled Methodist minister.

 

Tragedy: Nigerian female migrant dies in mysterious fire in Italy

The deceased died following a mysterious fire which occurred at a refugee camp in Italy.

A Nigerian female migrant, Becky Moses, has tragically died in a mysterious fire which occurred at a refugee camp in Italy.

She reportedly lost her life at a tent city on Friday, January 26, 2018, in San Ferdinando, inspiring protests from over 100 immigrants.

La Repubblica reported that two women were badly injured from the inferno while a non-specific amount of people are receiving treatment.

During the protest, fellow migrants held out pictures of the deceased who died within few days of residing at the camp.

 

She was previously living in Riace according to reports. Moses started living at the location shortly after having her request for a political asylum denied.

ALSO READ: Rescued Libya returnee narrates how friend's girlfriend was raped to death by Libyans

Local authorities have however offered others who reside in the camp to register as occupants of the community.

This is believed to have occurred due to pressures mounted by protesters.

Light Out: Young Indomie staff dies mysteriously after birthday celebration

The deceased reportedly went missing after celebrating his last birthday on an outing with friends.

The Rivers State Police Command are investigating the death of a young Indomie staff who reportedly died shortly after celebrating his birthday with friends.

Godtime Neskey Stephen, the deceased went missing on Saturday, January 27, 2018.

He was eventually discovered dead in the premises of the food production company located at Choba Road, Port Harcourt.

A close friend of his stated that his conversation on WhatsApp was also wiped off, possibly due to reports that his phone was reset to factory settings.

 

There have been no lead in respect to the death of Stephen who is reportedly a dancer who studied at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

ALSO READ: Surgeon accused of damaging dead woman's intestine passes away

He was in his third year as a Geography undergraduate in the institution shortly before he died.

Skoochies: Introducing the favorite drink of Lagos' Science Students

Skoochies is one of those cocktails cut from the same cloth as monkey tail or that heinous thing known simply as ‘mixture’. The difference is that it has a lot more international exposure.

Except you have x-ray vision, it’s very hard to know what’s going on in a red cup when it sits comfortably in the hands of a Lagosian at a party or any random place.

The options are too numerous; it could be something regular like coke and gin or something you’ve never heard of, like the mythical Omi Gutter.

Or it could just be skoochies.

Skoochies is one of those locally-made cocktails cut from the same cloth as drinks like monkey tail or that heinous thing known simply as ‘mixture’. The only difference is that it has a bit more class.

The red coloured drink is made by mixing gin, fresh lime juice, cranberry juice or zobo, depending on how lucky you are, and the juice from boiled marijuana.

ALSO READ: What does it mean to decrimalise marijuana?

It is sold for anything between 500 naira and 5000 naira per cup, depending on what side of Third Mainland Bridge you may find yourself on.

Like all things from Lagos, it is somewhat hard to distinguish between where it started and who is claiming responsibility for it.

Almost everyone agrees that it started in the same place where Afrobeat still lives on.

Afrika Shrine's signature drink

In Afrika Shrine, skoochies is the official drink of Fela’s sons and daughters. It is said that the drink was first made and sold in large quantities there. It would not be surprising.

 

In a place where everyone from Jamiu, the roadside mechanic to Dr Pascal from the University of Lagos smokes marijuana while facing a large sign that says “DRUGS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE SHRINE", you will find barmen carrying bottles around in trays offering you highness in a small cup.

From the strength of Afrika Shrine’s clientele, skoochies can now be found in most bars and spots around Lagos.

During its travels from Ikeja, the drink has dropped many ingredients and added some, depending on the location and the taste of the mixer.

ALSO READ: Why Nigerian artistes are bringing the King of Afrobeat back to life?

Skoochies is a cocktail, so the basic ingredients are open to interpretation.

In Victoria Island, skoochies looks like it packed its bags for the weekend in 2015, went on a small break in the United Kingdom and refused to come back.

Highbrow bars sell the drink as a mixture of vodka or gin, cranberry, tropical flavourings, lime and anything else, as long as it was not made in Nigeria.

In some places like Ketu, marijuana is the most important member of the family. The quantity of juice from boiled marijuana overpowers everything else, so much that the drink has a very green shade.

Are you a Science Student?

Even that is a far cry from places like Oshodi or Mushin.

Like you would expect, people, especially students of chemistry and physics have found a way to spoil a perfectly good thing.

 

Whoever writes the chemical properties of codeine on medical websites must not have found it settled at the bottom of what is supposed to be a cup of skoochies, supported by other drinks like Bajinotu or Action Bitters.

This sort of deathly concoction could only be made by the people Olamide refers to as “Science Students”. A sip could drop you in an alternate universe, where science subjects are more important than life itself and you have to keep mixing to stay alive.

ALSO READ: Is Olamide's Science Student promoting drug abuse?

Telling you what this drink can do to you would be futile, considering the fact that Wizkid has already said what needs to be said.

In an interview with Beats 1’s Ebro Darden, Wizkid told the radio host what he could expect to do on a trip to the city of his birth.

“We go to Fela’s shrine just to drink Skoochies…that shit is gonna knock you out men, that shit is gonna send you to sleep”., he laughed.

No lies here.

One drink, many uses

Even though it is doused with what could pass as soft drinks, skoochies packs a massive punch that makes it a favourite for many of the Lagosians that simply want to zone out and blur the lines between reality and what goes on in their heads.

Somewhere between the meeting of all that marijuana and the alcohol, some believe that a shot of skoochies improves sexual prowess.

“If you take one cup, guy, you go dey well”, says Dayo, an accountant who frequents Afrika Shrine on Saturdays, Sundays and anytime he gets the chance, “Na why I dey buy the bottle for house, I no fit dey rush go shrine everytime wey babe dey come”.

Some use skoochies because the high that it brings comes with a wave of aggressiveness. On street corners in Ojuelegba, you will find motor park touts cancelling cups of skoochies mixed with other substances that only them and God can identify.

Apart from the extra spring in their step, they use it to prepare for a day in a life where you can be filled with joy and merriment, until a well-built conductor slaps the happiness off your face for no real reason.

The wide range of people that use skoochies means that it is subject to different uses in the end. Among older people, it is not unusual to find a bottle of palm wine collaborating with the cocktail.

For some, skoochies is not enough to make them take them to the heights they want so they mix other alcoholic beverages like stout, lager beer or brandy.

That’s why science students like skoochies so much, because depending on how you’re feeling at any time of the day, you can mix it with anything you want or just recreate the skoochies on your own terms, because there are no rules and even if there were, you’d be too intoxicated to make any sense of them.

It is weird that nobody, at least as far as we know, has considered putting skoochies in a well-branded bottle and selling it at prices we cannot afford but that may not even matter.

International Local

The drink is already widely consumed and like all things that can get you high, Nigerian musicians have paid tribute.

Olamide, ever the disciple of the streets he so fervently represents, has been singing about skoochies since he got high on the cocktail and Alomo and made “Stupid Love”.

In 2016, street-hop singer, Asha Gangali, also known as Ostopolos, released a song in honour of the drink, aptly titled “Skoochies”, off his #KalakutaStateOfMindEP.

Rapper Ms Chief also offered her own tribute in form of a song titled “Skushi” in honour of the drink (which everyone seems to spell in different ways).

ALSO READ: How Nigerian music and hard drugs enjoy a bittersweet relationship

On the other hand, musicians of international repute like Wizkid and Burna Boy do not hesitate to mention it in the same breath as marijuana or Hennessy.

 

There have been reports of persons having seizures after drinking some variant of skoochies, and therein lies the risk.

Depending on where you go, you may be drinking something that the mixer only sees as a good idea but your liver and circulatory system do not really agree with.

There’s no real way, short of abstaining from this drink, to prevent such messy outcomes, besides getting the drink from trusted vendors or mixing it yourself.

The latter is riskier; except for certified mixologists, mixing alcoholic drinks can have disastrous consequences such as alcohol poisoning.

One second, you’re a responsible paragon of society, then you buy cranberry juice and gin, and Olamide’s Science Student starts playing in your head.

Pulse Opinion: Why do so many adults hate on Blue Ivy?

The little lady is one of the most divisive celebrity children of all time but why?!

The first daughter of Jay-Z and Beyoncé was a celebrity when she was still in utero. When the little legend that was Blue Ivy was born, the world went mad for the heir to the Carter empire but since she was little, Blue Ivy has faced public backlash be it because of her hair or her perceived attitude. After Blue Ivy caused a stir online at the Grammys (despite no nominations), it begs the question, why do so many grown women hate on Blue Ivy?

To say Blue Ivy leads a charmed existence is a gross understatement. The 6 year old regularly attends award shows, flies in private jets and has the arduous job of following her superstar mother Beyoncé wherever she goes. It's a hard life but someone's gotta do it.

 

Blue Ivy's latest appearance at the Grammys sparked a debate over how appropriate it is for a child to wear heels. Despite wearing sparkly kitten heels, barley an inch off the ground, Blue caused a ripple all over the world wide web. Sadly, at 6 years old, this isn't first brush with internet trolls.

ALSO READ: Pop star shares adorable snaps with Blue Ivy

The Backlash Against Blue's Hair

The first wave of Blue Ivy hate came when it became clear that Beyoncé and Jay Z chose to let their child's hair grow naturally. Instead of scraping it up into tights buns and blowing it out, they let Blue's hair grow as nature intended and people were genuinely angered by it.

People were furious that the daughter of Beyoncé dare step out of her house not primped and preened to perfection despite being barely old enough to walk. The majority of the hate came from, unfortunately, people who were old enough to know better. Adults, predominantly women, who had become so invested in the lives of the Carters that they believed their opinion on their lives was necessary and valid.

ALSO READ: Proud aunt shares adorable photos of Blue Ivy

Colourism in the Black Community

A majority of the mocking of Blue comes from the fact that she takes after Jay and specifically the black traits she has inherited from him. His full lips; the kinky, afro hair; the wide nose. Many have become comfortable with criticising and teasing women of colour for not fitting the stereotype of Western beauty and the heavy and uncalled for criticism of Blue Ivy is symptomatic of a much larger issue of colourism and self-hatred within the community.

Since the day black people were taken from their homes and colonised elsewhere around the world, black people have been conditioned to hate the colour of their skin, the texture of their hair and any other characteristic that deviates from a white standard of beauty. Killing someone's self esteem, in essence kills their sense of self-worth, which results in a myriad of issues, many of which we still see today.

People feel completely at ease with openly mocking black children who don't fit into a perceived standard of beauty which have been deeply ingrained in us by the mainstream media.

This was particularly evident when people drew unnecessary and downright cruel comparisons between Blue Ivy and mixed race North West who has decidedly more Western and therefore acceptable features such as a small nose, sleeker hair and lighter skin.

Is Blue not deserving of the same assumption of innocence given to North West, simply because her wide nose and chubby cheeks are deemed 'not pretty enough'?

ALSO READ: We are the reason why Nigerian women bleach

Black Girls and Attitude

Having grown up in the limelight, Blue Ivy is very used to a lot of attention and having parents like the Carters, it's no wonder she is a confident and self-assured child. However, Blue's has often been mistaken for being 'rude or a brat'. The 6 year-old is often (and quite worryingly) described as a 'diva' and whilst most of the jokes are innocent, it does point to something more sinister about how we react to confidence in young black girls.

The reaction Blue illicits feeds into the stereotype that black girls have attitude or are inherently rude. This idea is so damaging to young black women and often grows with them and evolves into the 'angry black woman' trope that has plagued black women for decades. There's something about a confident black girl that makes people uncomfortable.

The media often describes blue as 'sassy', 'precocious' and 'high-handed'. Whilst these descriptions may seem innocent, they are micro-aggressions which build up over time to have a damaging effect on one's development.

Whilst, we are sure that Beyoncé and Jay-Z are doing their best to shield Blue from the negativity, there will come an age where she will be old enough to use the internet and understand what has been said about her.

Let's hope that Blue and beautiful young girls like her can grow into a world in which the adults in it aren’t imposing self-hatred on them long before they have a chance to learn how to be truly happy in their own skin.

In Jos: Police arrest 3 suspects for allegedly raping minor

Presenting the suspects to newsmen in Jos, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Undie Adie, said all the suspects hailed from Angwan Rogo of Jos North Local Government Area of the state.

The Police Command in Plateau has arrested three men for allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl.

Presenting the suspects to newsmen in Jos, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Undie Adie, said all the suspects hailed from Angwan Rogo of Jos North Local Government Area of the state.

According to Adie, the incident took place on Jan. 23 and the case was reported to the Angwan Rogo Division of the command by the mother of the victim on Jan 26.

He said that the suspects conspired with one, Yahaya, and dragged the girl into his room where they all raped her.

“They dragged her and when she became unconscious, they raped her mercilessly.

“On receipt of the report, our detectives swung into action and arrested the suspects, except Yahaya, who is still at large.

“The suspects have confessed to have committed the crime and would be charged to court as soon as practicable, ” he said.

The commissioner said the command would intensify action to arrest the fourth suspect still at a large. 

Evil Spirit: Female Nigeria Army officer burnt to death by security guard (Graphic Photo)

The security guard murdered his boss, a member of the Nigeria Army shortly after she returned from a trip.

In Edo State, Nigeria, the police have arrested a security guard who reportedly burnt his boss, a female Nigeria Army officer named Afisatu Ajuya to death. He subsequently stole her belongings after death.

The suspect was apprehended alongside eight accomplices on Saturday, January 27, 2018, at the home of the deceased located at First Ugbor Road, Oredo.

According to reports, the suspect who is a Hausa man stabbed Ajuya severally before proceeding to burn her body in a bid to distance self from crime.

 

As part of his carefully laid out plan to feign innocence, the security guard reportedly went on to announce to neighbours that the home of his boss was on fire but suspicion was raised when the suspect was found moving items owned by the deceased to a nearby building.

The latter, described as a major in the Nigeria Army had shortly just returned from a trip when she was attacked by the trusted guard.

ALSO READ: Serial killer faces death sentence for triple homicide

 

Ajuya whose children reside in a foreign country reportedly lived alone.

Investigations are currently ongoing in a bid to gather more facts according to state police commissioner, Johnson Kokumo.

Demonic Being: Serial killer faces death sentence for triple homicide

The couple and their 17-month-old child were murdered within a day interval. Suspect made thorough plan to cover up crime.

Drew Atchison, a 24-year-old man from Missouri, is likely to get a death sentence for the alleged killing of a family of three.

The suspect was accused of slaughtering a couple, Harley Michael Million, partner, Samara Fontaine Kitts and a toddler Willa Fontaine Million.

Casualty number was confirmed by a representative of the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department according to People News.

Investigators are yet to understand what motivated the murder of the deceased who were reported missing on Sunday, January 28, 2018.

Atchison has been slammed with three counts of first-degree murder as well as kidnapping and other crimes, report says.

"They were a loving family and amazing parents to Willa. They weren't married, but they had been together for the last eight years, since high school. They both have large families who love them very much and a large circle of life-long friends," a family of the deceased mentioned in a statement.

 

People also reported that the suspect made a thorough plan to cover his trail based on his confession recorded in a court document.

It was claimed that he killed the couple's 17-month-old baby a day after executing its parents.

ALSO READ: Man who allegedly raped and slaughtered niece was inspired by dead serial killer

Killing the infant Willa initially proved a difficulty for the criminal who was only able to end the life of the latter following a third discharge of bullet from a gun.

He told investigators the gun malfunctioned on the first shooting while the second shot missed.

High Class Robber: “I only target oyinbo people", beggar caught stealing admits

The suspect who reportedly robs to feed himself pulled off a string of heists when his victims have been distracted.

Bashir Adamu, a 27-year-old beggar accused of assaulting motorists and making away with their valuables, has admitted that he mainly focuses on expatriates who worship at the National Mosque, Abuja.

He expressed this while being interrogated by newsmen on Tuesday, January 30, 2018.

The suspect who was arrested two weeks before he was arraigned added that he conducts his heist on Fridays during the Muslim Juma’at prayers, Punch News heard.

“I only target oyinbo people (expatriates) who come to the National Mosque to pray on Fridays.

"Sometimes, they give alms and while they are doing that, I steal their phones or bags from their car and run. I use the money to feed," said Adamu who had been severally arrested.

LASTMA officers accused on robbing traffic offender

On Thursday, January 25, 2018, the Ogba Magistrate’s Court arraigned four officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) for allegedly stealing money from a traffic offender.

Adeniyi Lamowa, Abiodun Odutan, Adekunle Fasanya and Kayode Olodo, were alleged to have stolen a sum of N86,000 from a complainant, Alao Abayomi who owns a Toyota Sienna vehicle.

According to Punch News, the latter who kept a sum of N103,000 in his car claimed that the accused removed part of the money after they had seized it on Wednesday, December 1, 2017.

 

ALSO READ: Angry mob lynches tailor for stealing motorcycle

He was accosted on this day for a road infraction which involved "picking somebody on the road."

This ensured the towing of his vehicle down to LASTMA's office in Ikeja, Alausa where he was slammed with a sum of N20,000, as fine.

He however felt disappointed after noticing a reduction in the amount he kept in his car.

Fighting For Justice: This 71-year-old Nigerian man claims he was beaten by Emirates airline crew

The Nigerian grandfather claims he was punched and had his mouth taped shut for sitting in the wrong seat on a flight to Chicago.

David Ukesone, a 71-year-old grandfather, has claimed that the flight crew aboard his Emirates flight to the US, had punched, restrained him and taped his mouth shut for several hours after he sat in the wrong seat.

David Ukesone was on a flight slated to land in Chicago’s O’Hare airport when a dispute started over whether he was in the wrong seat and ended with him getting assaulted by a flight crew who must have been trained to do better.

ABC News reports that the dispute started after Ukesone left his seat, 30D to use the restroom and returned, mistakenly, to the wrong seat.

Ukesone says he was very confused as he believed he was in the right seat. The situation might have been made worse by the fact that although the father of two speaks and understand English, he has “some difficulty understanding it when it’s spoken by someone who isn’t Nigerian", as he told ABC News.

A simple mistake

“He was asked to move and he wants to take his bag in the overhead compartment with him,” said his attorney Howard Schaffner. “They told him he was in the wrong seat and they laid hands on him to move him and that’s when everything escalated,” he continued.

Ukesone reported that a member of the flight crew hit him in the face, leaving a welt in place of the blow. The 71-year-old also sustained injuries on his wrists and ankles from being forced to move and change seats.

After the spat, Ukesone claims he was left to ride out the rest of the trip without water or food or any form of refreshment.

He was supposedly on the Emirates flight to reunite with his family, after his wife had left 4 months prior while he fought to get a Visa.

According to ABC, Ukesone’s family had spent hours waiting for his arrival at the airport. But when he landed, going home was an option.

ALSO READ: 5 weapons Nigerian women can use to protect themselves against assault

The injuries were so severe that the he was moved to University of Chicago Medical Center where he stayed for several days getting treatment.

Emrates' insensitive response

Emirates has since acknowledged that there was an incident on the flight. But their response suggests that Ukesone was a troublemaker who had to be restrained for the safety of the flight.

“Emirates can confirm that a passenger on flight EK235 from Dubai to Chicago on 23 January had to be restrained by cabin crew due to unruly behavior during the flight. The passenger was handed over to the authorities on arrival in Chicago. The safety of our passengers and crew is of the utmost importance and will not be compromised. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the other passengers on the flight for their understanding, in particular, the individuals who had assisted our crew during the flight.”

Schaffner, the man’s lawyer, has since refuted these accusations.

 

“The man did nothing more than sit in the wrong seat,” he said. “Even if he’s in the wrong seat you don’t have to beat the guy.”

Schaffner has also confirmed that the family plans to sue the airline. The success of that action will be based on how much of Ukesone’s side can be proved so the family has urged other passengers to come forward with information.

Respecting persons

As absurd as this entire debacle sounds, it is not new.

Last year, a video which went viral on social media showed a distraught passenger being dragged on the floor of a United Airlines flight in a manner best described as inhumane and debasing. His crime was that he had refused to surrender his seats to members of a partner airline.

One day, we will also have the politically-incorrect conversation about how Nigerians and Africans in general are treated in the West.

The first barrier you face when living in Europe and North America is usually the colour of your skin. The next one is where you're actually from, being from Africa doesn't win you any point.

There's also the disregard of cultural differences. Even though Ukesone was literate, he claims he had trouble understanding non-Nigerians and their accents.

There is little chance that the guys at the airline considered this and made an effort to communicate with him without escalating a tense situation.

ALSO READ: Why are South African men beating their women daily?

Even in the chance that Ukesone was being difficult, there is nothing that warrants that a passenger is assaulted by airline staff, not less a septuagenarian.

Emirates’ response to the scenario should also be put under intense scrutiny. Rather than suggest it was looking into the situation, the airline wrote down Ukesone’s grudges.

As if that was not insulting enough, it tried to explain the assault of his person as a necessary measure.

It will be interesting to see how this turns out, especially it will be one man’s case on how he was assaulted versus the perceived safety standards of an airline that doesn’t see a problem with beating old Nigerian men and leaving them in the hospital just so they can go to their seats.

What matters is simple; except he is a risk to the life of someone else, there is no real excuse for hitting a 71-year-old on the face.

David Ukesone: This 71-year-old man claims he was beaten by Emirates airline crew

The Nigerian grandfather claims he was punched and had his mouth taped shut for sitting in the wrong seat on a flight to Chicago.

David Ukesone, a 71-year-old grandfather, has claimed that the flight crew aboard his Emirates flight to the US, had punched, restrained him and taped his mouth shut for several hours after he sat in the wrong seat.

David Ukesone was on a flight slated to land in Chicago’s O’Hare airport when a dispute started over whether he was in the wrong seat and ended with him getting assaulted by a flight crew who must have been trained to do better.

ABC News reports that the dispute started after Ukesone left his seat, 30D to use the restroom and returned, mistakenly, to the wrong seat.

Ukesone says he was very confused as he believed he was in the right seat. The situation might have been made worse by the fact that although the father of two speaks and understand English, he has “some difficulty understanding it when it’s spoken by someone who isn’t Nigerian", as he told ABC News.

A simple mistake

“He was asked to move and he wants to take his bag in the overhead compartment with him,” said his attorney Howard Schaffner. “They told him he was in the wrong seat and they laid hands on him to move him and that’s when everything escalated,” he continued.

Ukesone reported that a member of the flight crew hit him in the face, leaving a welt in place of the blow. The 71-year-old also sustained injuries on his wrists and ankles from being forced to move and change seats.

After the spat, Ukesone claims he was left to ride out the rest of the trip without water or food or any form of refreshment.

He was supposedly on the Emirates flight to reunite with his family, after his wife had left 4 months prior while he fought to get a Visa.

According to ABC, Ukesone’s family had spent hours waiting for his arrival at the airport. But when he landed, going home was an option.

ALSO READ: 5 weapons Nigerian women can use to protect themselves against assault

The injuries were so severe that the he was moved to University of Chicago Medical Center where he stayed for several days getting treatment.

Emrates' insensitive response

Emirates has since acknowledged that there was an incident on the flight. But their response suggests that Ukesone was a troublemaker who had to be restrained for the safety of the flight.

“Emirates can confirm that a passenger on flight EK235 from Dubai to Chicago on 23 January had to be restrained by cabin crew due to unruly behavior during the flight. The passenger was handed over to the authorities on arrival in Chicago. The safety of our passengers and crew is of the utmost importance and will not be compromised. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the other passengers on the flight for their understanding, in particular, the individuals who had assisted our crew during the flight.”

Schaffner, the man’s lawyer, has since refuted these accusations.

 

“The man did nothing more than sit in the wrong seat,” he said. “Even if he’s in the wrong seat you don’t have to beat the guy.”

Schaffner has also confirmed that the family plans to sue the airline. The success of that action will be based on how much of Ukesone’s side can be proved so the family has urged other passengers to come forward with information.

Respecting persons

As absurd as this entire debacle sounds, it is not new.

Last year, a video which went viral on social media showed a distraught passenger being dragged on the floor of a United Airlines flight in a manner best described as inhumane and debasing. His crime was that he had refused to surrender his seats to members of a partner airline.

One day, we will also have the politically-incorrect conversation about how Nigerians and Africans in general are treated in the West.

The first barrier you face when living in Europe and North America is usually the colour of your skin. The next one is where you're actually from, being from Africa doesn't win you any point.

There's also the disregard of cultural differences. Even though Ukesone was literate, he claims he had trouble understanding non-Nigerians and their accents.

There is little chance that the guys at the airline considered this and made an effort to communicate with him without escalating a tense situation.

ALSO READ: Why are South African men beating their women daily?

Even in the chance that Ukesone was being difficult, there is nothing that warrants that a passenger is assaulted by airline staff, not less a septuagenarian.

Emirates’ response to the scenario should also be put under intense scrutiny. Rather than suggest it was looking into the situation, the airline wrote down Ukesone’s grudges.

As if that was not insulting enough, it tried to explain the assault of his person as a necessary measure.

It will be interesting to see how this turns out, especially it will be one man’s case on how he was assaulted versus the perceived safety standards of an airline that doesn’t see a problem with beating old Nigerian men and leaving them in the hospital just so they can go to their seats.

What matters is simple; except he is a risk to the life of someone else, there is no real excuse for hitting a 71-year-old on the face.

Black Panther: The people of Wakanda will speak this real African language

The spoken language of Wakanda will be isiXhosa, a South African language known for its rhythm and distinctive click sounds.

The inhabitants of the Kingdom of Wakanda will be speaking a real African language in the upcoming Black Panther movie, adding to the insane frenzy about Marvel’s first African superhero.

The spoken language of Wakanda will be isiXhosa, a South African language known for its rhythm and distinctive click sounds.

Black Panther is presently all the rave in Hollywood, after a highly publicised worldwide premiere. Most of the reactions have been positive and fans are looking forward to a movie that finally attempts to depict an African nation, or kingdom as the case may be,  in a positive light.

The story is built around the lead character, T’Challa who has to take over the throne in the resource-rich, technologically-advanced African country after his father is murdered.

 

Chadwick Boseman plays the role of T’Challa, the new king and Black Panther who made his first appearance in the Marvel Cineverse in "Captain America: Civil War".

Sounds like home

T’Chaka, the old king is played by Tony-Award winning actor, John Kani. He is the one who is most responsible for adding some true African flavour to the movie.

“There are words used to indicate that those people’s indigenous language is not English,” said Kani. “But you know this is an American major blockbuster, therefore it will be 99.9% English. However, you’ll hear some isiXhosa words being dropped.”

ALSO READ: Here's what critics are saying about Black Panther

Kani told journalists at the movie’s premiere that he introduced the language into the script with the line, “I miss you my son, I haven’t seen you in a long time,”.

“I asked the directors ‘Why am I speaking English to my son?’ We are supposed to be from Africa,’” Kani said he told Captain America director Joe and Anthony Russo.

As he said the use of the African language will only happen for a brief moment in the movie, but it is a big step that Kani hopes will “introduce the different African, an African that is a global figure,” he told Variety.

Africa Rising?

Marvel is one of the first major media conglomerates to pay attention to Africa and this has brought a lot of excitement and speculation.

 

Africa has been ignored by Hollywood for the most part, so fans are excited about what the movie will do, particularly in portraying the lesser known aspects of African culture and people.

In Black Panther, director Ryan Coogler described the moment you hear a father and son on screen speaking a real African language in a Hollywood blockbuster as “emotionally moving.”

It is a feeling that will hit many Africans when the movie finally hits cinemas.

It also indicates that Hollywood might finally be paying attention to the African market, which would make sense considering the story is set on the continent.

It is why Nigerians were excited when a list of the cast members for Avengers: Infinity War which included Funke Akindele was found on IMDB, the Internet Movie Database. Funke has won hearts over the years while  making a name with roles in "I Need to Know", a hit television series and her self-produced movie and television franchise, Jenifa.

That profile has since been replaced with Genevieve Nnaji’s suggesting some sort of mischief.

Why was Yoruba not chosen?

The choice of IsiXhosa may have been influenced by John Kani.

Kani worked with Coogler, the movie’s director, to make sure the moment felt authentic, also playing the role of language consultant.

You may wonder that considering the influence of Nigerian pop culture and our slang, it would be a no-brainer to use a Nigerian language.

 

Nigeria may have the energy and Twitter presence, but South Africa has the cinemas and the people who are willing to pay for a movie and merchandise.

In the end, it’s a case of following the money.

ALSO READ: You should know about Sope Aluko, the Nigerian who appears in Black Panther

Regardless of this, Nigerian fans are looking forward to the release of Black Panther on February 15.

On social media, couples and friends have been asked to dress in traditional attire to honour this milestone and show their love of Africa.

Many have high expectations of the movie and a character who is supposed to portray the African as a strong, tenacious individual beyond regular stereotypes.

Chadwick Boseman has already done a good job in the suit since Civil War. We will be hoping he takes it several levels higher and reps for all of us in the new movie.

In Lagos: Man arraigned for allegedly stealing phone

Olaadura, who has no fixed address, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

A 27-year-old man, Olanrewaju Olaadura, was on Tuesday docked before an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly stealing a mobile phone worth N57, 000.

Olaadura, who has no fixed address, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

The Prosecutor, Sgt. Lucky Ihiehie, told court that the accused allegedly stole the phone from one Adekunle Sabitu on Jan. 20 at Ketu Bus Stop in Ketu, near Lagos.

Ihiehie said that Sabitu reported the theft at the Alapere Police Station on the same date.

He told court that Sabitu was in a bus at about 10:30 p.m. at ketu when the accused snatched the phone from him through the window of the bus and ran away.

He said that some onlookers pursued the accused until he was caught but that Olaadura had allegedly given the phone to an unknown person.

The prosecutor reminded the court that the offences contravened Sections 287 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 prescribes three years imprisonment for stealing, while Section 411 stipulates two years jail term for conspiracy.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.

The Magistrate, Mrs O. Sule-Amzat, granted him bail in the sum of N50, 000 with two sureties, one of whom must be a parent of the accused.

Sule-Amzat adjourned the case until March 15 for hearing.

'Pastor Sharp Sharp': 'Juju' pastor who reportedly cures cancer by sucking women's breasts arrested

Law enforcement officers have frowned against the clergyman's act of sucking women's breasts in a bid to perform a miracle.

The police in Lagos have arrested a clergyman, Raphael Obi, also known as Pastor Sharp Sharp who reportedly cures cancer by sucking hard on a woman's breast.

A report claims that the Enugu-born pastor has cured "killer diseases" by simply licking the female organ. He expressed this during an interrogation conducted by policemen from the Area M Command located in Idimu.

"The police at Area M Command, Idimu, Alimosho local government area of Lagos State, arrested Obi for alleged gross misconduct, sucking of breasts and engaging victims in marathon sex in the guise of deliverance," a report by a local media disclosed.

ALSO READ: Congo church heals members by a sip of beer

More reports revealed that some charms attached to baby dolls were discovered at the suspect's residence. The police have acquired these are expected to present this as an evidence of misconduct against Obi.

Pastor kisses wife and housemaid in public

In Tanzania, a prophet named Onesmo Machibya was arrested by the police after a picture of him kissing his wife and housemaid went viral.

 

It was alleged that Machibya who is also known as Nabii Tito, also preached with a bottle of beer in his hands.

ALSO READ: Pastor's wife reportedly shares naked video in church's WhatsApp group

His action has generated widespread condemnation from his countrymen who accused him of setting a bad example.

According to Tuko News, a statement released by a police spokesperson Simon Sirro confirmed that the 'man of God' was arrested following public complaints.

He promised that the prophet who was also described as "a devil's agent" will be dealt with.

Psycho! Sex seeking landlord flings female tenant off 3-storied building but she lived

A Nigerian landlord, Daniel Chukwuka has been apprehended by policemen in Italy after exhibiting violent behaviour.

Daniel Chukwuka, a Nigerian landlord based in Italy, reportedly threw a female tenant, Precious off a three-storied building after the latter denied him of sex.

The victim who survived the violence is recuperating at a hospital located in Florence according to reports.

 

She had just returned from work when the assaulter attacked her after observing that a recording of their conversation was being made.

A Facebook user, Udoka Emmanuel offered the information in a recent post.

He mentioned that the victim sustained injuries to her spinal cord, legs and waist following the attack. Chukwuka was arrested and charged to court as a result.

A woman wants sex at all cost

An unnamed woman has threatened to frame her love interest as a gay man for refusing to have sex with her.

According to the Linda Ikeji's Blog, a Facebook user, Bright Baidu Maigari shared a conversation between the pair. It saw the female persistently make sexual advances at the victim who expressed a lack of interest in her offer of wild sex.

ALSO READ: Pastor's wife reportedly shares naked video in church's WhatsApp group

This angered the woman who opted for blackmail in a bid to force the man to concede to a pressure to have sex with her.

The mood of the conversation portrayed the blackmailer as an aggressive and desperate woman who was willing to explore any means to get the subject to submit to her will.

Emmanuella, Mark Angel: Why Nigerians think this comedy duo is very funny

The lovable duo may not be on big stages but Emmanuella and Mark Angel are some of Nigeria's most popular comedians.

They may not be, like some of their peers, on big stages at Eko Hotel but Emmanuella and her disturbingly oblivious uncle, Mark Angel, are the Prince and Princess of Nigerian comedy.

The numbers don’t lie. Last year, Youtube handed the duo a plaque for reaching a million subscribers in Nigeria. Since then, they have added 600,000 more subscribers.

The average Emmanuela video gets 600 thousand and a million views on Youtube within its first week of release. That doesn’t take into consideration the views from hosting sites and random broadcasts on terrestrial and web television.

For some, the duo is an acquired taste. But that is not the majority. The majority, all men, woman and children of them, is why the channel’s videos have been watched a grand total of 369,993,153 views as of the time of writing this.

 

Comedy is the business of making people laugh. And Emmanuella’s success is based on targeting a Nigerian sense of humour.

Emmanuella reminds you of child stars from wayyy back

A good number of Emmanuella’s fans are, believe or not, from the older generation. For them, her sense of humour is reminiscent of old Nigerian humour from an era that they associate with happy personal memories.

In the past, Nigerian movies and television shows were sprinkled with child actors with a larger than life personality that they used to pull off tricks and make jokes.

Emmanuella’s skits are cut from the same cloth. For a lot of those people, she reminds them of actors like Somadima Adinma who was also ready to be the smart guy in the movie until he had to be mischievous.

Mischief rules

Emmanuella, particularly, has a personality that is very similar. A lot of the things she does can seem mean at times, but she pulls off because there is a difference between mischief and being sinister and downright evil.

Mischief is basically playful misbehaviour which can be funny at times, and being sinister or bad hearted is just annoying.

 

Most of Emmanuella’s actions come off as the mischievous acts of a very interesting person so it is easy for us to shake our heads at her and laugh while ignoring any abrasive parts of the joke.

ALSO READ: These are 7 ordinary Nigerians who went viral globally

For instance, take the skit where she meets a group of schoolmates and after a small run-in with them, she threatens to beat them, all 8 or so girls who are larger than her in size.

She starts to talk big, but instead of settling the score, she lures them to her house, saying she doesn’t want to stain her uniform.

On getting home, she asks them to wait for it, it being the beating that they deserve. The next shot shows Emmanuella, her bag beside her, eating out of a bowl of popcorn and watching television.

It’s mean but it’s also more mischievous than anything else.

Everyone loves a funny child

The fact that she is a child or a young person also helps. It’s interesting when an old man like Mr Ibu, visibly drunk steals a vital part of his neighbour’s car and hides under a tree, but everyone knows there’s something wrong with him.

 

When an 8-year old does something wrong and makes a funny face to avoid being recognised by her classmates, it is just downright funny. The questions that come to our mind are why does this child think like this? How can a young person be so funny?

It allows us to set low expectations for her that she surpasses at every try.

Everything is funny but it’s even funnier when a young person does it.

While Emmanuella and Mark Angel practically own YouTube Nigeria, there is an entire batch of comedians on the same platform, as well as Instagram and Facebook.

They are some of the funniest of the bunch, granted but the Mark Angel guys have also helped their chances by creating videos that are easy to share with others.

Mark Angel has hacked the sharing game

The videos are relatively short and easy to consume, between available everywhere. On blogs, social media and perhaps, most importantly, Whatsapp.

ALSO READ: Emmanuella visited Liberia and it was hilarious

Remember Daniel Kaluuya from "Get Out", the Hollywood movie where a black man is tortured by the racist family of the woman he’s getting married to?

 

In an interview with WIRED, an American magazine, the actor was asked what the last video he saw on Youtube was.

“My mom sends me so many flippin’ videos”, he said. “Look there’s an African one…”

Then he stretched his phone across the screen and played one of Emmanuella’s videos.

If that is not winning, I don’t know what is.

It’s easy to say Emmanuella is so popular because Nigerians are not intelligent enough blah blah blah.

But on every video, she gets at least something right; it could be a punchline or a witty response to an older person that is too stunned to clap back.

So, drop the cynicism and let her show you why none of what you see is actually her real face.

No Case: Surgeon accused of damaging dead woman's intestine passes away

A surgeon alleged to have damaged a woman's intestine has passed away. This has left police confused about what to do.

Policemen in Abuja are reportedly battling with confusion concerning the right way to address the demise of a surgeon, Dr. Aqson Warigon, accused of damaging the intestine of a woman, Mrs. Victoria Isaac causing her death.

The latter was 29 years old until her passing at the Maitama District Hospital, Abuja, on Sunday, January 28, 2018.

Her husband, Isaac revealed in a report compiled by the Daily Trust News expressed that his late wife had visited Warigon to seek help concerning an inability to conceive a child, but this only brought death to her.

Victoria began having issues four days after undergoing a surgery which prompted her to visit the surgeon's hospital Niquad clinic.

“He asked us to come back on the 7th of August 2017. He requested for N50,000 for the operation. He later reduced N5,000 after I begged him.

"The operation was done on the 7th, and he discharged my wife on the 9th after I paid the money.

“Immediately after giving her the drug that evening at home, her breathing became fast and her body became weak, so I called the doctor and he asked that she be brought back to the clinic," says an aggrieved Isaac who is having a hard time deciding whether to drop the case due to the death of Warigon on November 1, 2018.

ALSO READ: Israeli organ transplant survivor trembles as she buries old heart

The latter reportedly denied removing the patient's intestine following a visit to the Maitama police area command.

Jungle Justice: Tailor who doubles as motorcycle thief dies from angry mob lynching

The relatives of a suspected thief have threatened to avenge his death following an alleged attempt to steal a motorcycle.

Ejime, a tailor in Delta State, has died following a mob lynching that occurred on Tuesday, January 30, 2018, based on an allegation that he stole a motorcycle.

The incident which occurred in the Afiesere community of Ughelli town saw a bunch of youths chase down the deceased as well as two members of his gang who reportedly escaped according to the Daily Post News.

An unlucky Ejime was however not so fortunate.

The killing of the suspect came at a time that has seen a widespread theft of motorcycles in the state. The relatives of the deceased who is from the Isoko community have promised a reprisal attack in respect to the death which has been described as an "extra-judicial killing".

ALSO READ: Angry mob burns 'mad woman' found with human parts to death [Graphic Photo]

Daily Post also reported that the suspect confessed to committing the crime. He named one of his gang members in addition.

The group received attention after the owner of the motorcycle raised an alarm after catching them in an attempt to steal his vehicle.

Espionage: China has been spying on Africa for the last 5 years

The Asian country built a backdoor into the African Union's computer network, and used it to steal the organisation's secrets.

China has been spying on the African Union — through a backdoor it built into the computer network at the African Union’s headquarters in Addis Ababa.

The headquarters was built and paid for by China, as a gift to its African friends. What African leaders did not know was that the gift was a Trojan horse.

China left an open gateway that allowed it to monitor the communications and get access to the organisation’s secrets when it wished.

According to an investigation by French newspaper, Le Monde, the information technology department in Addis Ababa discovered something strange in January 2017.

Stealing secrets

Between midnight and 2 am every night, the amount of data used would increase sharply, even though there was usually no-one in the building.

The technicians investigated further, and they noticed something even stranger.

 

All of that web traffic was because data was being sent out, and all of it, including tons of confidential information, was going to Shanghai.

ALSO READ: Fashola encourages Buhari to get more loans

This spectacular data leak, or espionage, depending on how you want to look at it, happened from 2012 when the African Union’s headquarters opened, until January 2017, when it was discovered.

“According to several sources within the institution, all sensitive content could be spied on by China,” wrote Le Monde.

African Union officials quickly got around to fixing the problem, by getting its own servers and concealing its communications and information in a code.

Among African countries, Algeria enjoys a strong reputation for its efficient intelligence network. So it made sense that in July 2017, six months after the breach was noticed, a team of experts from the North African country was brought in.

They were joined by cybersecurity experts from Ethiopia to examine the entire system, look for hidden devices and any other back doors the Chinese may have left behind.

China has since dismissed reports the claims as "preposterous".

Kuang Weilin, the Chinese ambassador to the AU, told reporters in Ethiopia that the "absurd" claim in France's Le Monde was "very difficult to understand".

What exactly does China want?

This development calls China’s intentions towards African countries, including Nigeria, into question. Since the West and Europe have turned their sides to Africa, China has swooped in like the ever-present superhero.

It has built schools and other infrastructure in countries like Kenya and Zimbabwe, giving a lot and leaving us to wonder what it wants in return.

Since President Buhari came into power, Nigeria has literally put its hands in China’s pockets like a hopeful younger sibling.

As Nigeria plans to launch two satellites, China is providing $550 million to fund the project. Power, Works and Housing minister Babatunde Fashola has announced plans to build a dam worth 5.8 billion dollars with loans from China.

China has also pledged to invest $267 million to build the Lekki Free Trade Zone near Lagos. Even states have started making their own deals.

Oyo State recently made way for a railway system worth 30 million dollars with a Chinese firm.

This new spy leak implies that China is taking advantage of our need for help and expanding its power.

ALSO READ: China's investment in Nigeria is very questionable

There are other negative sides to our relationship with China.

Many have suggested that it is building infrastructure in countries like Nigeria to help actualise its dreams of a new Silk Road, an international route for trade that will pass through 3 continents and will be under its control.

There's also the case of substandard Chinese products.

The country is known for making fake versions of popular goods; most of these are dumped in Africa where they are sold for low prices.

In 2016, an Internet café, belonging to Emeka Ezelugha, an entrepreneur was razed after a fire broke put in a corner of the main room. 30 computers were destroyed; Chinese-made power strips were named as the culprits.

 

“The guy tried to convince me it was from the U.K. — I was surprised when it happened,” Mr Ezelugha told the New York Times.

It is so bad that “Chinko”, the derogatory term used to refer to China is also used to refer to substandard products.

There is also the chance that this is not an isolated incident. Countries like France and Japan are masters of economic espionage, something that African countries are painfully oblivious to.

So as we tackle all these gits and welcome foreign companies into our countries, we may actually be opening ourselves up like a book.

African leaders must learn to see the other side of the conversation and reduce their eagerness to take every bit of help that is given. In a bid to meet certain needs, they are selling away our continent.

Bad Juju: Angry mob batters man who reportedly turned human being to goat

The intervention of the police saved a man from being beaten to death by an angry mob who accused him of turning a human being to a goat.

In Rukpoku, Port Harcourt, an angry mob reportedly beat to a pulp, an unnamed man who allegedly turned a human being to a goat.

The 36-years-old victim who was saved from death due to a timely intervention of the police, claimed that the animal belongs to him.

He had just stepped out on a trip when he noticed the animal had jointly embarked on the journey with him.

 

It was in this moment that the mob apprehended him accusing him of using fetish means to transform a person to a goat, says the Daily Post News.

“I was strolling out of my compound only to realize that my goat was following.

"Usually it follows me whenever I am going out because I used to buy biscuit for it, but this time I didn’t want it to follow me so I decided to run and try to dodge it. The goat’s name is Remember.

“I was surprised that people thought I changed a human being into a goat. How is that possible?,” the suspect reportedly stated.

According to reports, the police has expressed a determination to solve the mystery.

 

Nigeria, known for a high rate of fetish activities, has seen deaths to many innocent persons who have been victims of wealth seekers and their agents.

Blackmail! Lady threatens to frame man as gay for refusing to have sex with her

A man who consistently turned down sexual advances from a woman was threatened to be exposed as gay.

An unnamed woman has threatened to frame her love interest as a gay man for refusing to have sex with her.

According to the Linda Ikeji's Blog, a Facebook user, Bright Baidu Maigari shared a conversation between the pair. It saw the female persistently make sexual advances at the victim who expressed a lack of interest in her offer of wild sex.

 

This angered the woman who opted for blackmail in a bid to force the man to concede to a pressure to have sex with her.

The mood of the conversation portrayed the blackmailer as an aggressive and desperate woman who was willing to explore any means to get the subject to submit to her will.

Maigari's post received hilarious responses from his followers, mostly men, who were either happy that a woman was seen as the villain in an issue related to sexual harassment, while others simply wanted to meet the horny woman.

 

ALSO READ: 3 weeks to wedding, groom finds bride in bed with best man

To express her desperation for sex with the unnamed man, the blackmailer offered to pay for his transportation fare after he revealed that he was without his car.

Harry Uzoka: Third man charged with the murder of young model

As the world continues to reel from news of Harry's death, a third man is charged with murder.

A third man has been charged with the murder of a 25-year-old London model, Harry Uzoka,  who was fatally stabbed in Acton, West London on the 11th January.

Merse Dikanda, 23, was set to appear at Westminster magistrates court on Saturday accused of killing Harry Uzoka. He is also charged with possession of a bladed or pointed article.

Uzoka's Untimely Death

Uzoka, who was signed to Premier Model Management, which helped launch the careers of supermodels including Naomi Campbell, was found injured around 4pm and according to the Metropolitan police, there were reports of a scuffle between a group of boys before Harry's body was found in the street. Officers and a London air ambulance crew attended the scene and he was treated at the scene but unfortunately, he was pronounced dead shortly after 5pm.

Scotland Yard has said they believe he was attacked outside Ollgar House, a block of flats in Ollgar Close, before staggering to the nearby street.

George Koh, 24, and Jonathan Okigbo, 23, both from north London, have already appeared in court charged with his murder. Koh was also charged with possession of an offensive weapon.

 

Tributes for Harry

Tributes were paid to the model after his death, with his ex-girlfriend and Victoria Secret model Leomie Anderson writing on Instagram:

I’m not even ready for this and I still don’t accept it. He wasn’t just my ex boyfriend, he was one of my oldest and dearest friends. He didn’t deserve this and I am heartbroken. I remember when we were together, things had just started for you, you hadn’t even left the country before and I took you to Paris for your 18th birthday. Fast forward 7 years and you’ve been all over the world and been an inspiration to so many. You are proof that you can change your entire life and become a role model, no matter the circumstances. So much I want to say, so much I feel and don’t feel right now but just know you are loved, you are love and light and I just can’t believe this.

Uzoka was described by one of the companies he worked for as a “wonderful model but, even more so, a good person and a pleasure to work with”.

 

Barcelona's Philippe Coutinho returns to Liverpool to say farewell

Philippe Coutinho was back at Liverpool for the first time since his move to Barcelona to bid farewell to his former teammates. Having been given some time off by Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde, Coutinho took the opportunity to fly back to Merseyside and say a proper goodbye to his ex-club. While some Liverpool supporters still have a sour taste in their mouth resulting from the manner of the Coutinho's departure, Adam Lallana was particularly pleased to see Brazilian once again. Back to say his farewells... a class act this little genius =K<© @phil.coutinho A post shared by Adam Lallana (@officiallallana) on Jan 29, 2018 at 10:36am PST "A class act this...

Big Brother Naija: Here's what this reality show says about young people who watch it

BBNaija lets us live through a contestant, becoming the person we imagine at night, without having to bear the consequences.

Most of Nigerian television, even the few reality shows you can find, are painfully predictable. Big Brother Naija is different in the sense that, even though you know everything that will happen over the next 85 days or so, it doesn't change anything. 

Housemates will make out, muscular men will throw blows or threaten each other. Someone will drink too much and spill family secrets on television. But we still watch it anyway.

Not many people would be able to explain why they do this, except for short sentences that end with “it’s very interesting”.

The fact is that people watch or have stopped watching BBNaija for different reasons. Many of us have fond memories of the now-defunct shower hour.

ALSO READ: Nigerians react to Big Brother Season 3 launch

Some people finally got tired of the entire human experiment and stopped watching.

Even though we can plead the blood of Jesus when a housemate claims that she has never sat in a yellow danfo all her life, there's a part of us that can relate with all these behaviours.

When the show reaches its most intense moments, the people and things we see on BBNaija are very familiar, and it's because they are a reflection of us as young people.

Kemen and Rape Culture

Take the Kemen and T-Boss incident for instance. The latter had built a strong presence by being dismissive and portraying herself in an elitist light. Most of the men wanted a shot at her, for different reasons.

But while persons like Miyonse were comfortable being a cross between a younger brother and a landlord in the friend zone, Kemen took it a step further.

His forceful attempts at kissing and groping the latter cannot easily be forgotten. But the social media conversation that followed is very important.

 

Even though his actions were clearly seen in the video that went viral, many men felt comfortable making some very funny arguments, like how T-Boss had lured and seduced a grown man only to leave home hanging. Others, perhaps trying to explore how to take leaps of faith, said T-Boss enjoyed Kemen’s actions.

ALSO READ: My disqualification from Big Brother was unfair, says Kemen

If you were to call Kemen’s actions for what it is, you could call it sexual harassment. And the reactions to it reflected how deeply ingrained rape culture is in our society.

Making the most of situations

In the last edition, the variety of housemates made me wonder how we have managed to stay together as a country without ripping each other’s heads off.

On one part, there was a Giffty, always indecisive about her choice of accent for each particular day. Marvis, born with a silver spoon was too ingrained in street culture to bother with any pretences.

Efe, the one who you heard before you saw, loud, amusing and pitiable when he wanted to be.

 

On this year’s episode, the 20 housemates are as different from each other as you could imagine.

What’s interesting is that, save for the odd fight, these housemates will learn to live together. Despite their obvious differences, they will share a home while competing for the golden prize of 45 million.

It is a reflection of how young Nigerians have that commendable ability to make the best of what ever situation they find themselves in.

Some call it tenacity, call it what you may; you may be required to sleep next to a person you can’t stand, but if you want to get a snag of that guap, you have to live with them, and we do.

ALSO READ: Meet the new BBNiaja housemates

You may wonder why Big Brother Africa’ run was cut short and Multichoice/DSTV focused on Nigeria.

The obvious reason that Nigeria can provide more views than the average African country. It must also have helped that Nigerians are more than willing to put ourselves in the hot seat where there is the slightest promise of reward.

Are you not entertained?

Since the new edition of BBNaija launched on Saturday, January 28, 2017, it has become the most trending conversation in the only places where we get to talk nowadays; on social media.

That it is how it will stay for the next 84 or so days. Things we go down on every other one of those days that will make us talk about common issues that we have ignored or failed to see the problem with, like women's rights.

It will also evidence of how much we love to be entertained and entertain others. Not many of the housemates will leave with enough money to change their lives. Being on BBNaija is a 3-month long public audition, depending on how long you last. For some of them like Teddy A, being in the spotlight is just enough.

On the other side of the screen, millions of young people will be watching too, spoling for someone to make a bad decision.

In the end, housemate or member of the audience, these young people want to be entertained and that in itself is no coincidence.

 

We may protest and be noisy about it but when a housemate gropes a woman, it is because we grope women too.

When a housemate schemes and wins the money by marketing himself as an impoverished Warri boy, it is because we see a bit of our own struggle, real or imagined, in his story.

Big Brother may just be a therapy session.

We may not be ready to admit it but we may actually be watching ourselves for the next 84 days.

And in the end, what we will learn again is that we are largely free-spirited, even though religion and breathing are the same thing here. We may need to unlearn a lot of things but we are always willing to let our curiosity and our need for excitement lead the way.

Big Brother Naija: This show is proof that young Nigerians just want to be entertained

Big Brother Naija is all about the love triangles, the sob stories and human experiences that you can relate to.

Most of Nigerian television, even the few reality shows you can find, are painfully predictable. Big Brother Naija is different in the sense that, even though you know everything that will happen over the next 85 days or so, it doesn't change anything. 

Housemates will make out, muscular men will throw blows or threaten each other. Someone will drink too much and spill family secrets on television. But we still watch it anyway.

Not many people would be able to explain why they do this, except for short sentences that end with “it’s very interesting”.

The fact is that people watch or have stopped watching BBNaija for different reasons. Many of us have fond memories of the now-defunct shower hour.

ALSO READ: Nigerians react to Big Brother Season 3 launch

Some people finally got tired of the entire human experiment and stopped watching.

Even though we can plead the blood of Jesus when a housemate claims that she has never sat in a yellow danfo all her life, there's a part of us that can relate with all these behaviours.

When the show reaches its most intense moments, the people and things we see on BBNaija are very familiar, and it's because they are a reflection of us as young people.

Kemen and Rape Culture

Take the Kemen and T-Boss incident for instance. The latter had built a strong presence by being dismissive and portraying herself in an elitist light. Most of the men wanted a shot at her, for different reasons.

But while persons like Miyonse were comfortable being a cross between a younger brother and a landlord in the friend zone, Kemen took it a step further.

His forceful attempts at kissing and groping the latter cannot easily be forgotten. But the social media conversation that followed is very important.

 

Even though his actions were clearly seen in the video that went viral, many men felt comfortable making some very funny arguments, like how T-Boss had lured and seduced a grown man only to leave home hanging. Others, perhaps trying to explore how to take leaps of faith, said T-Boss enjoyed Kemen’s actions.

ALSO READ: My disqualification from Big Brother was unfair, says Kemen

If you were to call Kemen’s actions for what it is, you could call it sexual harassment. And the reactions to it reflected how deeply ingrained rape culture is in our society.

Making the most of situations

In the last edition, the variety of housemates made me wonder how we have managed to stay together as a country without ripping each other’s heads off.

On one part, there was a Giffty, always indecisive about her choice of accent for each particular day. Marvis, born with a silver spoon was too ingrained in street culture to bother with any pretences.

Efe, the one who you heard before you saw, loud, amusing and pitiable when he wanted to be.

 

On this year’s episode, the 20 housemates are as different from each other as you could imagine.

What’s interesting is that, save for the odd fight, these housemates will learn to live together. Despite their obvious differences, they will share a home while competing for the golden prize of 45 million.

It is a reflection of how young Nigerians have that commendable ability to make the best of what ever situation they find themselves in.

Some call it tenacity, call it what you may; you may be required to sleep next to a person you can’t stand, but if you want to get a snag of that guap, you have to live with them, and we do.

ALSO READ: Meet the new BBNiaja housemates

You may wonder why Big Brother Africa’ run was cut short and Multichoice/DSTV focused on Nigeria.

The obvious reason that Nigeria can provide more views than the average African country. It must also have helped that Nigerians are more than willing to put ourselves in the hot seat where there is the slightest promise of reward.

Are you not entertained?

Since the new edition of BBNaija launched on Saturday, January 28, 2017, it has become the most trending conversation in the only places where we get to talk nowadays; on social media.

That it is how it will stay for the next 84 or so days. Things we go down on every other one of those days that will make us talk about common issues that we have ignored or failed to see the problem with, like women's rights.

It will also evidence of how much we love to be entertained and entertain others. Not many of the housemates will leave with enough money to change their lives. Being on BBNaija is a 3-month long public audition, depending on how long you last. For some of them like Teddy A, being in the spotlight is just enough.

On the other side of the screen, millions of young people will be watching too, spoling for someone to make a bad decision. In the end, housemate or member of the audience, these young people want to be entertained and that in itself is no coincidence.

 

We may protest and be noisy about it but when a housemate gropes a woman, it is because we grope women too. When a housemate schemes and wins the money by marketing himself as an impoverished Warri boy, it is because we see a bit of our own struggle, real or imagined, in his story.

Big Brother may just be a therapy session.

We may not be ready to admit it but we may actually be watching ourselves for the next 84 days.

And in the end, what we will learn again is that we are largely free-spirited, even though religion and breathing are the same thing here. We may need to unlearn a lot of things but we are always willing to let our curiosity and our need for excitement lead the way.