Goldie, represented Nigeria in the Big Brother Africa season 7 tagged STARGAME. She was one of the representatives as we had OLA and Chris who had to voluntarily opt out due to Ola's health. I guess Goldie's stage presentation gave the organisers the impression that she was entertaining but her performance was below expectation. The most annoying aspect for me was her becoming the cook and chef to the other housemates. She cried at every given provocation and started behaving like a housewife to Prezzo who did not care about her. She did not represent Nigeria at all. If we want to know who represented Nigeria well, check Uti Nwachukwu and Karen Igho in the previous BBAs. Thank God Goldie was voted out and now she gave the following analysis on the potential winners of BBA7. Tommorrow Sunday 5th August 2012 is the final of BBA7. Below is Goldie's analysis on the the potential winners of BBA7. This is based on her relationship with each of them.

Prezzo

Prezzo I will start with the president, cuz he was the closest 2 me.☺ Prezz has played the game to a T. Master in chess&draft, every move is calculated. Every action, every word. He's a genius. An enigma. People love him, people love to hate him. He's controversial. He's a star... In terms of playing the "Game" he's aced it...☑ Let's not also forget that prezzo has survived nominations 4 times consecutively... (STRONG CHARACTER)

Lady May

Next on my list is LadyMay. A lady with incredible ambition&talent. We find her fascinating cuz she rocks her pink heels unapologetically. She holds her own,doesn't fraternize, respects herself &she's also survived 4 nominations!she might appear boring but she's quirky. Voters MIGHT forget to vote for any character they don't see often. In a game such as this, especially in the last week, visibility is key.

Keagan

Next is Keagan...hmmm! Keagan is extremely intelligent, he's also played the game WELL. He's controlled himself in situations that could have escalated in2something physically violent. Even when drunk, he doesn't go in2 fits of rage&doesn't get abusive. He's loud but playful. Entertaining and funny. He also has a very GOOD heart. Extremely objective and he doesn't pretend. He says what he feels when he feels it. Lastly he's goal oriented and SA has never won big brother. Every south african is expecting him to win.

Kyle

Now4 Kyle: I like kyle; he's an intellectual. He's honest,a bit lyk Keagan but on the quiet side. He's also loyal&fights 4 his own people. Even though he doesn't know how to cook, he's extremely domesticated. A good listener. Kind, caring and generally a peoples person. Let's also not 4get he's had D highest country in votes so far in all his nominations. Higher than both myself, ladymay&prezzo.(STRONG XTER)

Wati

Now4Wati... My dear simple minded Wati. Genius on many levels. Quiet unless he's cyborg steve;lol! He is a strong contender because on many levels he's the underdog. Human beings generally love the underdog *syndrome*. The one no1 seems to think will stand a chance against the bigger more obvious *stars* So? Those odds might definitely work in his favour. Also, all the countries on that side of the continent might vote 4 him as they no longer have any "rep" of their own,& he's the closest.

Talia

Nowwww! For my Talia! Playful jovial minx! I love this girl, the way she played around with the boys without getting emotionally entangled. Obviously because of Seydou; *wink* she's never been nominated, she's extremely beautiful, kind, caring and honest. Domesticated yet ballsy! I think she stood a high chance of winning as she'll definitely get angola's votes becuz of Seydou apart from her country's and ROA. But now, seeing as things are heating up with keagan, I don't really know that will affect her chances. We'll just have to w8 and see...☺

These are GOLDIE's assessments of the five remaining housemates. But Africa has the final decision to vote for the most entertaining housemates. Most people may not accept some of the actions of the housemates in the BBA but the younger ones would. I wonder why being drunk always is entertaining. For Lady May, she is truly a Lady. She respects her womanhood and did not allow the men and boys in the House to disrespect her as a person and as a woman. Kudos to her. Well tomorrow is the final of the BB7 Stargame and we wish all of them well.

2012 LONDON OLYMPIC GAMES

Finally the much awaited 2012 London Olympic Games officially commenced 9PM, Friday 27th July, 2012. The opening Ceremony started with Great Britain history dating back to centuries. Find below some of the beautiful events i captured. Hope to do more throughout this period.

The beautiful farm houses and the peasants, workers and the masters. the fields beautifully laid out.

The fields are now transformed into industrialised city with chimneys, fire and smoke.

The symbolic Olympic Rings with blazing fire which everyone turned to watch as it formed in the center of the Stadium.

The whole staduim lit up in fireworks

The Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth. The Queen's cameo appearance was quite interesting and comical. A segment was filmed in Buckingham Palace with Daniel Craig (JAMES Bond) star going to escort her to the opening ceremony. They boarded an helicopter and they seem to parachute into the Olympic Stadium. No wonder her hair is not looking 'royal' at all. She was looking exhausted or bored throughout.

Mr Bean - Rowan Atkinson comical character came to the fore. His appearance made people to chuckle as he hams it up during playing of Chariots of Fire. It was hilarious.

The children scene

Many volunteers. Billions of people from across the world tuned in to watch the £27 million spectacular, while thousands of others travelled to the UK to witness the official start of the sporting celebration in person. The three-and-a-half-hour show seemed to be an instant hit with many, with its British sense of humour and vibrant soundtrack celebrated by viewers from other countries.

MR. BOYLE, the award winning director who made it all happened in a spectacular and unforgetable way

First lady or Permanent Secretary?

Patience Jonathan, was on Friday in Yenagoa the capital of Oil rich Bayelsa State sworn in as a Permanent Secretary by the Bayelsa state Governor. She becomes the first wife of a serving President or Governor to be sworn in as Permanent Secretary

Mrs. Jonathan in a hand shake with Gov Dickson shortly after taking the oath of office as Perm Sec. Dickson is said to be close to the president and accusations of nepotism and patronage have long plagued Nigerian politics, but the governor insisted that the first lady “merits the appointment”.

“I have not done anything wrong and illegal,”

Dickson said at the ceremony. But some people in the State think the appointment was greased “with the oil of corruption” and the First Lady lacked the requisite experience. It is believed that her official credentials were doctored following the public uproar that ensued when her appointment was revealed on July 11, 2012. One of the opposition members said

“They must have re-arranged the document to cover-up the scandal that followed the announcement,

” The position of permanent secretary is not a chieftaincy title you splash around like confetti or an honourary tittle conferred on inexperienced people with money. A Permanent Secretary in the Ministry is a Civil Servant that has grown over the rank in the Ministry and has become an expert in that profession. A Permanent Secretary is a seasoned administrator. As a permanent secretary, Mrs Patience Jonathan becomes the administrative head of a ministry but right now no clue as to the Ministry she will be assigned. I hope the specific portfolio to be assigned to her at a later date would not be Education. Read some where that she was a teacher. I was shocked because the woman cannot read the speeches prepared for her so how was she communicating to her pupils? Was she teaching them in Ijaw dialect? Many people do not think Mrs Jonathan is better than the rat in the cellar when it comes to public-speaking. Michelle Obama is an intelligent woman. She could hold her own intellectually, even if her husband wasn’t the President of the United States. But she is the first Lady of United State for now until her husband's terms (I pray he wins a second term)in the White House is over. Hilary Clinton is a good lawyer and a professional politician but she suspended all that once the husband became the President of the United State of America. Even Peter Odili's wife, a Judge, suspended her career to be the first lady of Rivers State and so was Fati Abubakar. These women are intelligent and smart but confined themselves to the constitutional role of a First Lady until the expiration of their husband's terms in office. Is Dame Patience Jonathan going to leave her husband's side to seat in an office in Bayelsa and be answering sir to the Governor? Unfortunately, whatever we say now is not going to stop them as Mrs. Jonathan with 18 other permanent secretaries, were sworn in by the Chief Judge, Justice Kate Abiri at the State Banquette Hall Government House in Yenagoa. Well, the appointment of the First Lady as a permanent sec has caused a lot of controversy but the Governor who made the appointment is not fazed. Infact the Governor, Sekibo Dickson insisted that he followed due process in the cause of selecting the permanent secretaries and the First lady was not an exception. Patience Jonathan who spoke for the permanent secetary's, said that their appointment is a confirmation of Dickson administration’s resolve to transform the state economically, socially and politically.

Justice at last

This is James Ibori the former Governor of Delta State in Nigeria. Who would have thought that the mighty politician who paraded himself as the kingmaker in People Democractic Party (PDP), the ruling party in the Country would be seen like this - behind bars.

The day the judgement was pronounced in London, i felt sad for our Country. Ibori was initially charged in this Country but a Judge dismissed the case and announced to all of us that Ibori has no case to answer. Even the people that he stole from unfortunately were defending him and attacking the Economic and Financial Crime Commission Officials that went to arrest him. What a pity!

Mr Ibori was extradited to the UK from Dubai in April, and prosecutors decided he would be tried alongside a co-defendant, Emmanuel Preko, who was already slated to be tried. Mr. Ibori faced 14-count charge relating to money laundering in the UK of billions of naira stolen from the treasury of Delta state and had been in detention in London since last year. He actually remained in prison until his case was heard. This would have not happened in Nigeria where the Judges are always bribed to acquit a notorious criminals and Politicians. Because of the delay in commencing the trial, Mr Ibori's Barrister, Nicholas Purnell QC, referred to in court by other members of the defence team and the Judge as "one of the finest legal minds of this generation", told the court he had been forced to withdraw his services from Mr Ibori because of the schedule. Well this time around, it was not only Ibori that had to face the music but his associates, wife, mistress and lawyer, were all convicted in London. One Mr Aina said it was not clear to him that what Mr Ibori is accused of was considered illegal in Nigeria. Hear him

"Due to differences in practice between here and Nigeria, it has not yet been established that whatever did or did not take place in Nigeria is in fact criminal, or is malpractice that falls short of criminality,"

. Judge Pitts said he received this statement with "some surprise". The Judge should not have been surprised because some Lawyers and Judges in Nigeria are corrupt and money can make them say or do anything. So shameful that people went to London to show solidarity as the the public gallery was full of Mr Ibori's supporters, including Chief P D Oboh, who hails from Mr Ibori's home village. Also in court it was noticed that the court usher, the official monitoring the recording of proceedings, and the guard who brought Mr Ibori up from the cells are Nigerians living in London. Finally on Tuesday April 17 2012, JAMES ONANEFE IBORI was convicted and sentenced to 13 years in prison by the Southwark Crown Court in London. I described the conviction and sentencing as a great lesson as well as food for thought to Nigerians in positions of authority. As Afe Babalola rightly pointed out in an interview, those who are entrusted with public funds should refrain from diverting it to private use. Furthermore, it should now be clear to all that no matter how long it takes, the law will always catch up with those who act contrary to it. Unfortunately, Ibori is just one out of 36 former Governors that has been caught. The lawyer, who noted that there were many ‘Iboris’ in and out of government, said the conviction of the ex-governor should teach those entrusted with state funds to refrain from diverting it to private pockets.

“The wheels of justice may turn slowly but they always catch up with the offender.” He added, “The sentencing of former Governor James Ibori demonstrates that plea bargaining through which his guilty plea was agreed and obtained can, if properly annexed, be of benefit in Nigeria’s criminal administration. Consequent upon his guilty plea and imminent sentencing, much of the funds which were looted from the treasury of Delta State will be returned to the state. Without plea bargaining, the process would have taken much longer.”

Ibori’s case exposed the weakness in the country’s judicial system and confirmed the level of criminal compromise. Even the Economic and Financial Crime Commission has been compromised. Founding Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, retired Justice Mustapha Akanbi, said the convicting and sentencing of Ibori was a challenge to Nigerian judiciary and a signal to the public. Akanbi in an interview, said it was puzzling that Ibori, who was acquitted of all the corruption and money laundering charges by a Nigerian judge, pleaded guilty and was sentenced by a British Court. Akanbi said,

“The conviction of Ibori is a challenge to Nigerian judiciary. “We must be able to make sure that we really fight against corruption and corrupt practices so that once we solve the problem of corruption, a lot of problems would have fizzled out. I am happy that at least, Ibori has been convicted and hope that other corrupt people will also be dealt with and accordingly.”

With Ibori's conviction, we all need to arise and agree that the crimes of unbridled looting of Local Government, State or Federal treasuries is no longer acceptable as it is a a crime that must be condemned by all. That era of abuse of state power and converting of state into family business is over. It is shameful indeed that while a foreign country feels appalled by this expression of bovine predilection for the acquisition of ill gotten wealth, Nigeria keeps celebrating the worst species of the human race. There are many Iboris in and out of government. We will only be taken seriously when we display sufficient courage to send them to where they belong - jail.

Post title

DANA AIRCRAFT BEFORE THE CRASH DANA AIRCRAFT AFTER THE CRASH There are indications that the Dana Air MC Donnell Douglas MD 83 which crashed in Lagos had an engine problem which the owners had been battling with. The plane was sold to Dana Air by U.S.-based Alaska Airlines on February 17, 2009. According to information from Aviation Safety Network web site, an exclusive service of the Air Safety Foundation, the ill-fated aircraft was acquired by Alaska Airline in November 13, 1990, with registration number N944AS. However, on November 4, 2002, it was alleged that the aircraft developed fault and had emergency diversion due to smoke and electrical smell in the cabin area. It was further alleged that four years after, the aircraft’s health was also called to question when on August 20, 2006, it was again evacuated after landing at the Long Beach, in the U.S. due to a chaffed wire bundle that discharged and produced smoke in the cabin area. Apparently scared that the worst could happen, Alaska Airlines was said to have, on August 21, parked the aircraft at Victorville until September 11, 2008, when it carried out maintenance on it. Eventually, on February 2009, Alaska Airlines shifted the burden to Nigeria when it sold the ill-fated plane as 5N-RAM. On May 11, 2012, the same aircraft billed for Lagos/Abuja route with more than half capacity passengers, was allegedly returned to the airport and had to make an emergency landing at the MMA in Lagos. Reports said passengers on board had to hurriedly disembark and sought alternative means of travelling. No casualty, then. On May 25, 2012, the same plane was on a Lagos/Calabar route but also made another return to Lagos after the crew reported engine faults. There was also no casualty. But everyone concluded that the plane was a disaster waiting to happen so when on that fateful Sunday, 3rd of June 2012, it crashed, it did not take analysts by surprise. Although the Management came up with stories that the Aircraft was just certified by NCAA, an organisation headed by Demuren, that was not not satisfactory. Even the Governor of Akwa Ibom State had cause to demand explanation for their poor service and the terrible state of their aircrafts when citizens of the State complained to him. The Management just said their Aircrafts were in perfect state and the Governor have to reason to fear. Below is the site of an Airplane that crashed some years ago. DEMUREN MD of FAAN

Congrats Governor Oshiomhole

Today Sunday 15th July 2012, the Independent National Electoral Commission declared the incumbent, Governor ADAM OSHIOMHOLE as the winner of the Governorship election in EDO State.

GOVERNOR ADAMS OSHIOMHOLE, the re-elected GOVERNOR OF EDO STATE. Before today, i had fears that the principalities in Edo state in form of humans were going to do everything in their power to scuttle the people's determination to choose who they want to rule them. But on the other hand, I know that the Governor had transform the once traditional and ancient state into a modern state. He has also turn the state into an industrial state from the civil service state. Now we have National events being staged in Edo State unlike before where organisers would claim there was no action in the State. The last Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria Beauty Pageant organised by the Silverbird group was hosted in the State. Also before the election or as a build up to the election, PDP was using an uncompleted house built by Oshiomole for the past 10 years as a reason not to reelect the governor claiming he stole the State money to build it. But within me, I knew the Governor has transform the State and improve the infrastructural facilities. After almost 10 years of misrule of the State and the squandering of the resources by the Former Governors who were from PDP, I did not panic because we have responsible and patriotic people in EDO State who wold want the Governor to continue the good works he is doing. Even in the so called leadership of the PDP villages, the Governor floored them. His closest rival the PDP Man, RTD Major General Aibiahare scored hundred and forty four thousand plus votes while the Governor scored Four hundred and seventy seven thousands plus votes. Below is the breakdown of results from the 18 local government areas of Edo State for the July 14, 2012 governorship election as issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission. The seven parties that participated in the election are Action Congress of Nigeria, All Nigeria Peoples Party, Congress for Progressive Change, Labour Party, National Conscience Party, Peoples Democratic Party and Social Democratic Mega Party. 1. Akoko Edo: ACN-29,803, ANPP-163, CPC-184, LABOUR-38,NCP-36,PDP-13,783, SDMP-65. 2. Egor: ACN- 50,623, ANPP-294, CPC-281, LP-28, NCP-36, PDP-3,486, SMDP-29 3. Esan Central: ACN-11,792, ANPP-83,CPC-65,LP-23,NCP-30,PDP-9,281, SDMP- 34 4. Esan North-East: ACN-13,086, ANPP-123, CPC-77, LP-11, NCP-35, PDP-12,478, SDMP- 44. 5. Esan South-East: ACN-14,904, ANPP-85, CPC-61, LP-22, NCP-16, PDP-9634, SDMP-44. 6. Esan West: ACN- 13,499, ANPP -156, CPC- 115, LP -24, NCP- 25, PDP- 13,282, SDMP- 40. 7. Etsako East: ACN- 23,174, ANPP -75, CPC- 61, LP- 13, NCP- 6, PDP- 4,992, SDMP -28. 8. Etsako West: ACN- 44,962, ANPP -169, CPC- 192, LP -152, NCP -37, PDP -5,920, SDMP -45. 9. Igueben: ACN -9,751, ANPP -63, CPC -35, LP -9, NCP -19, PDP -6,758, SDMP -18. 10. Ikpoba/Okha: ACN -58,809, ANPP -518, CPC -357, LP -54, NCP -49, PDP -6,505, SDMP -56. 11. Oredo LGA: ACN -66,522, ANPP -454, CPC -268, LP -49,NCP -45, PDP -9,081, SDMP -48. 12. Orhionwon: ACN -26,163, ANPP -277, CPC -235, LP -34, NCP -46,PDP -8,716, SDMP -53. 13. Ovia South-West: ACN -16,077, ANPP -196, CPC -222, LP -25, NCP -37, PDP -5015, SDMP -84. 14. Ovia North-East: ACN -26,835, ANPP -280, CPC -233, LP -41, NCP -34, PDP -5,427, SDMP -68. 15. Owan West: ACN -15,150, ANPP -136, CPC -130, LP -20, NCP -26, PDP -7,229, SDMP -37. 16. Owan East LGA: ACN -22,483, ANPP -169, CPC -123, LP -27, NCP -23, PDP -11,709, SDMP -34 17. Uhunmwode: ACN -17,011, ANPP -359, CPC -124, LP -22, NCP -24, PDP -5,826, SDMP -70.

Congratulations Comrade Adams Oshiomhole!!!!!

Bribery and Corruption

ALHAJI LAWAN FAROUK, LAWMAKER and CHAIRMAN HOUSE COMMITTEE ON PETROLEUM SUBSIDY PROBE. Am going to write about the $3M Bribery scandal presently rocking the nation but have to reproduce this blog from one Ogunyemi Bukola. The blogger titled it 'The Gospel According To ‘Saint’ Farouk'. It makes an interestind reading. 1) And it came to pass after these things, on the first day of the first month of the twelfth year after the second millennium, that king Jona son of Bele announced to the people saying; there is no money left in the royal treasury, and the future of the kingdom is in great danger. 2) Therefore, a measure of oil shall no longer sell for three scores of silver and seven, but shall now be seven scores of silver and one. But the people grumbled aloud, and said one unto another, what shall it profit our king to gain all these oil money and lose his throne? 3) For it is appointed unto him to reign but once, and after this prison, for many are the atrocities which he has committed. 4) So they said unto the king, eat thou thy food in peace in the palace, and surround thou thyself with thine women, only touch not our oil price and do thy people no harm. 5) But the king would not listen, and said unto himself, I know my people, they shall only grumble for a while and soon they shall forget. 6) But the people would not forget, for the burden was too much for them to bear, and they said; now unto him that is able to increase the price of oil exceeding abundantly above all that his people can bear or think, according to the greed which worketh in him; 7) Unto him be curses in the streets by the masses throughout all ages, protests without end. So they took to the streets and gave the land no peace, and there was no going out or coming in throughout the kingdom for two weeks, and the king feared greatly and said to himself, surely these people shall overturn me if I answer them not. 9) So he called the head of the labourers unto the palace, and gave him bags of gold, that he mayest turn off the wrath of the people against the king. 10) So the king assembled the people and said unto them; a measure of oil shall no longer be seven scores of silver and one, but shall now be four scores of silver, one dozen and five, to this your leaders have agreed. Praise me now therefore for I am a benevolent king. 11) And after all these, the Loudspeaker of the House of People said, let us inquire into the king’s claim that there be no money in the royal treasury. So they appointed Farcrook, son of Lawal. ALHAJI AMINU TAMBUWAL, SPEAKER NIGERIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (12) And said unto him, gather ye now all the oil sellers, that we may know who stole from the kingdom. This did he with diligence, and came back with his report saying, 13) Thieves abound in the land, and so have the oil sellers stole from the people, and gave them not oil, this they did with the help of Aliyaro the king’s mistress; and the amount he mentioned was unheard of in the land. 14) When the people heard this, they were dismayed, and sorrow gripped their hearts. 15) But the oil sellers went in unto the king in his chamber, and said; “rememberest thou not, O! king that what we stole we did make available to thy campaign, and by this did we make you king? 16) “If thou deliver us unto the people that they may punish us, we will hold not our tongue from telling the people that thou art one of us.” MR. FEMI OTEDOLA, CHAIRMAN ZENON OIL AND FORTIS PETROLEUM. (17) And they said unto him, “How else shall we destroy the message if not to destroy the messenger? Let us therefore implicate Farcrook the son of Lawal in this matter.” 18) So they sent a certain rich man from the West by the name Otedollar, and he took Farcrook into his house and gave him some money, that he may alter the report which he had set before the people. 19) And it was that Otedollar went before an assembly of the people and said unto them, “Trust ye this man who said we stole from the treasury? Surely he is one of us, for he came unto me in the middle of the night, and he left with his pockets full of money.” 20) And the people where amazed, and their hearts bled, for Farcrook was a man in whom they had put their trust. 21) So Farcrook arose, and said; “Otedollar is my briber, I did not request. He maketh me to sit down in his Maitama house; he leadeth me beside the chilled champagne. 22) “He exploited my greed; he leadeth me in the path of marked dollars for subsidy’s sake. 23) “Yea, even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of EFCC, I will fear no arrest: for bribes are with me; my loots and my kickbacks they comfort me. 24) “Thou preparest the dollars before me, in the presence of the SSS: thou anointest my mouth with wine; my pocket runneth over. 25) “Surely the shame and reproach shall follow me all the days of my life, but I will dwell in the house of PDP forever and ever.” 26) And the people wept, but there was no one to console them. Ogunyemi Bukola