It would seem the social media tussle between Azeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley and Michael Ugochukwu Stephens, known professionally as Ruggedman is far from being over.
Following the release of the ‘Am I a Yahoo Boy’ by Naira Marley, Ruggedman has decided to increase the tempo of his opposition. He recently revealed his intention to release a ‘diss’ song. The song which will focus on criticising Naira Marley has the vibe of a zanku rap. This is evident from the teaser Ruggedman shared on his Instagram page. In a T-shirt and towel wrapped around him, Ruggedman spat raps from the song. From the looks of it, it will be a parody of one of Naira Marley’s hit songs.
Ruggedy Baba, who deliberately wanted to ‘copy’ the style of his opposition, danced shaku shaku and imbibed youthful gestures. Not many, however, supported Ruggedman’s plan to ‘diss’ Naira Marley in a song. Through the comment section, many told him to let the sleeping dog lie. Naira Marley’s fans also attacked the veteran rapper and blatantly told him that he was treading on soft grounds. However, some people urged him on.
Recollect that earlier in the month; Ruggedman was attacked at a restaurant in London, the United Kingdom over Naira Marley comments. In a video that circulated online, the rapper could be seen trying to get protection while his attackers made use of chairs and objects around to hit him. A few hours later, Ruggedman took to his official Instagram handle to confirm the incident saying he won’t stop in fighting for the youths. It will also be recalled that prior to the arrest and arraignment Naira Marley, Ruggedman had chided the singer for showing support for cybercrime better known as Yahoo Yahoo.
Meanwhile, Naira Marley is set to make his acting debut in Regina Daniels’ mum new movie, ‘The Enemy I know’. Regina Daniels and her mum, Rita Daniels, are currently making a new movie and Naira Marley will be starring in the motion picture.
More pastors are beginning to air their opinions, as the rape allegations levelled by Busola Dakola against Senior Pastor of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), Biodun Fatoyinbo, rumbles on.
One of such is Pastor Yemi Davids, the General Overseer of Global Impact Church in Lagos, where Busola worshipped before she got married to singer Timi Dakolo.
Davids took to his Twitter feed, to admit that he has “been privy to some of the personal struggles she has had over the years, based on the details from her interview.”
He wrote: “I feel the need to do this especially as a husband, father and a pastor.
“Busola got married from our church to @timidakolo, and as a friend to the family, I’ve been privy to some of the personal struggles she has had over the years, based on the details from her interview. This is her truth & it should be honored.
“I commend her for her bravery and I pray this helps her healing process. I also noticed that there was a denial of the allegation. It is important that the truth comes out.
“Rape is a serious offense & it is unacceptable. A process that unveils the truth in this hurtful situation in the Body must begin immediately. We leaders MUST be accountable & I support a process at arriving at Justice, Healing & Resolution.”
Pastor Godman Akinlabi, the Senior Pastor of Elevation Church, also tweeted: “It is heart breaking to read and watch the various stories of rape and sexual misconduct that have permeated the Nigerian media in the last 48 hours.
“Every claimant & aggrieved person deserves our collective support to find justice, healing, wholeness and the strength to move on victim shaming should not be part of our response. Allegations of rape, especially against people in positions of authority & high visibility should not be trivialised but dealt with swiftly & decisively both legally & within d ambits of corporate governance.
“I encourage everyone who needs healing & support for finding wholeness to reach out for help. It’s the role of professional therapists & religious organizations not only to provide therapy but also support the quest for justice for the injured, oppressed and aggrieved.
That is what Jesus will do. Speak for the oppressed, bind up d injured, rebuke the erring & restore the lost. Just like Isaiah 58:6 says, “Remove the chains of oppression and the yoke of injustice, and let the oppressed go free.”
This comes after The Senior Pastor of This Present House Church, Tony Rapu, has shared his views on sexual abuse in a lengthy write-up on his personal website.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Saturday night, said it has opened an in-house investigation of the rape allegations.
Some Nigerians have expressed shock over the choice of housemates for the ongoing fourth season of the Big Brother Naija reality show.
The season kicked off Sunday with 21 housemates, most of whom some viewers have described as “more foreign than Nigerian”.
Respondents said that it was puzzling how Manchester-based Mike, London police officer, Khafi and Ike, who said this was his first time in Lagos, made the cut while thousands of Nigerians flooded audition centres in February.
The audition centres across the country were crowded with people struggling to get in by scaling the fence.
Viewers felt it was unfair to have people risk lives to audition and then pick Nigerians in the diaspora.
@O said, “I have a problem with everyday Nigerians struggling across the country to audition for this thing, yet it appears they stood no chance from the beginning.
“That should have been made clear to them from the start. Big Brother Phonetics.It appears this is Big Brother Nigeria Diaspora.”
@BabaRoyan tweeted, “Too much handpicking! Connection is the main thing to strive In Nigeria! While The main people who went for d audition wea selected to become #BBNaija NINJAs.”
@Ibidunmary said, “I said it to someone all those people jumping fence,crossing hurdles to make it to the audition none of them is in the house,all these ones are imported.”
@DesmondAyotunde wrote, “I doubt if most of this contestants in the house really participated in the audition.”
Meanwhile, Instagram sensation, SimplyTacha, who was the last housemate announced on Sunday, has remained a strong talking point for the viewers as she was recognisable from several audition clips.
@DrOlufumnilayo said, “If truly Simply Tacha is in the house this year, then that’s a smart move by the organisers.
“She is a game winner. I won’t be surprised at all if she makes it to the Top 3. Mark this tweet.”
@Morlimoore tweeted, “The lady has got what it takes to keep attention on her. She has been using that to fuel her hustle. I equally believe she’ll make the top 3, she would keep giving the people what they like to see.”
NAN reports that the housemates will spend 99 days in the house, competing for the grand prize worth N60 million.
It’s common knowledge that too little sleep per night can lead to serious consequences, such as an increased risk of heart disease, dementia, premature aging and obesity.
But a new body of research suggests that getting too much sleep can be just as deadly.
A global study recently published by the European Heart Journal indicates that sleeping too much can contribute to an increased risk of heart disease and death.
In an investigation of “the association of estimated total daily sleep duration and daytime nap duration with deaths and major cardiovascular events”, researchers studied the data of 116,632 people in 21 countries over the duration of almost eight years.
The findings, in corroboration with previous research, indicate that sleeping for 10 or more hours a day can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease – or death – by 41 percent. Rates of heart disease (such as stroke or heart failure) and death were 14.8 per 1000 for those who slept more than 10 hours a night.
However it appears from recent research that a ‘perfect’ night’s sleep ranges from six to eight hours. It’s associated with the lowest risk of deaths and major cardiovascular events, at a rate of 7.8 per 1000.
For those who love a mid-afternoon snooze and sleep for 6 hours or less per night, no increased risk of death or major cardiovascular event was recorded. In keeping with other research, the study found that daytime naps can be great restoration for people who fail to get an ideal night of rest.
However, a daytime nap combined with six or more hours of nighttime sleep was associated with increased risks – confirming the common-sense notion that naps should really be reserved for those who get less sleep at night.
It is worth noting that the data was self-reported, meaning those who slept for longer could potentially have underlying health conditions requiring more rest.
British-born actor and former fashion model Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje’s Farming has snagged the Michael Powell Award for Best British Feature Film at the Edinburgh International Film Festival. Best known for his roles in Oz, The Bourne Identity and Suicide Squad, Akinnuoye-Agbaje makes his directorial debut with the feature.
The same jury awarded star Damson Idris the Best Performance in a British Feature Film accolade.
“I am absolutely thrilled to have received this prestigious award, named after one of my cinematic heroes, for my first film,” Akinnuoye-Agbaje said. “I am equally delighted that Damson Idris won for Best Performance.”
Based on Akinnuoye-Agbaje’s own childhood, Farming tells the story of Enitan (Idris), a London-born Nigerian boy “farmed out” by his parents to a white working-class home in 1980s Essex in hopes of giving him a brighter future. As he straddles a fence between cultures, Enitan falls into a destructive pattern of behavior and becomes a member of a white skinhead gang. Kate Beckinsale, John Dagleish and Gugu Mbatha-Raw also star in the drama.
“The unanimous decision of the Michael Powell Jury goes to an important, powerful and disturbing film from Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje,” said jury members Antonia Campbell-Hughes, David Hayman and Philip John in a statement. “This story forces us to confront an unfamiliar, uncomfortable reality. ‘Farming’ keeps you invested in its brutal world. Culturally adrenalising. Visceral. Inspirational.”
Farming is set to be released in the UK September 17.
Adewale was born on August 22, 1967, in London, England, to parents who had immigrated to the United Kingdom from Nigeria.He is also known for his roles as Simon Adebisi on Oz, Nykwana Wombosi in The Bourne Identity, Kurse in Thor and many more.
Flu has killed more than 200 people in Australia and the country’s government has warned that the worst is yet to come.
“The flu season is already making its impact felt around the country, with more patients presenting to NSW emergency departments so far in 2019 than in any other six-month period,” Vicky Sheppeard, NSW’s director of Communicable Disease, said in a statement.
According to data released separately by Australia’s six states and two territories, at least 228 people have already been killed by the flu and more than 100,000 have been infected compared to only 58,824 in 2018.
“We’re having one of our worst seasons so far… we expect the peak will come between July and September,” Richard Kidd, chair of the Australian Medical Association Council of General Practice, told the Australian Associated Press on Saturday (June 29).
“Influenza is nothing like the common cold. It’s serious and can be lethal.”
More than 100 deaths and 49,000 cases have been reported in New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria, Australia’s two biggest states, since January alone.
In South Australia, where the population is approximately one-quarter of the size of Victoria, there have been 18,500 confirmed cases of influenza and 44 deaths.
The outbreak is happening despite more than 11 million people having being vaccinated against the virus under a programme subsidised by the government.
James Day, a 43-year-old Victorian man, had the vaccination but died from the flu only one week after being diagnosed, leaving behind a wife and a young son.
While we all enjoy a binge watch session of a TV show we are obsessed about, we all know that the effects of staying up late watching the tv aren’t that great.
Watching television late at night can disturb your sleep, you will be tired in the morning and now, according to a new study, it can also lower sperm count in men.
A Danish study looked at 104 couples who had been trying to conceive for two years, with the average age of the men participants being 34.
It found that those who stay up late, whether it’s binge watching TV shows or playing video games, have a much lower count that men who go to bed early.
According to the study, an hour can really make a difference – men in bed by 10.30pm had four times better sperm quality than those staying up after 11.30pm.
However, it’s really all about how much sleep they get – guys who get 7.5 to 8 hours of sleep each night have a normal sperm count and many (not all) find it easier to conceive.
Professor Hans Jakob Ingerslev, co-author of the study from Aarhus University, said:
“These were men who had been trying to have a baby for about two years and an early bedtime was likely to be important because it allowed them to get more sleep.”
Meanwhile, a gynaecologist at Manchester University NHS Trust said:
“They should think about what is keeping them up and try to change their habits, whether it’s binge-watching Netflix or sending emails.
“Going to bed earlier with their partner may also increase their opportunity for sex, improving their chances of success further.”
Amid allegations of rape levelled against its Senior Pastor, Biodun Fatoyinbo, the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly has declared seven days of fasting starting from Monday (today).
This comes as protesters vowed to continue to demand justice following allegations by Busola Dakolo, wife of popular musician, Timi Dakolo, that Fatoyinbo raped her 20 years ago.
Addressing the congregation on Sunday, Fatoyinbo said the yearly special programme titled, ‘Seven Days of Glory,’ which usually takes place from July 1 to July 7, had been suspended.
The programme had in the past attracted international preachers like Creflo Dollar and Bishop T.D. Jakes.
However, Fatoyinbo, who claimed to be speaking under the instruction of God, said the programme had to be cancelled because he did not want the invited preachers to go through the embarrassment of being heckled by protesters.
Fatoyinbo added, “We will have prayers for those who are interested in coming but we are not going to have the seven days of glory. It has been suspended because I don’t want all those kind of stuff.
“So, if you want to pray, come; but the regular seven days of prayer, having preachers come in, you don’t want to put your guest speakers through that. We love to host people properly.”
His speech was greeted with chants of ‘we love you pastor’ from worshippers.
In a prayer that ensued, he added, “As we start our fasting, even though we are not doing the seven days of glory (programme), those of you who are led to come and pray here, as you come, the Lord will lift you up.”
Shortly after Fatoyinbo’s speech, his wife, Modele, attested to the integrity of her husband, insisting that he was not a rapist.
Mrs Fatoyinbo said, “Not even as an unbeliever would my husband rape someone. Hello, let me talk, please, not even as an unbeliever…”
However, her husband grabbed the microphone from her, saying, “The elders are stepping into it, please let them handle it.”
Earlier, the church, which usually begins its sermon at 10am, held a session of testimonies by female members, apparently with the aim of rubbishing allegations that Fatoyinbo was a rapist.
About seven women came out one after another to share their ‘COZA experience’.
The women all claimed that their lives had hit rock bottom but God used Fatoyinbo to save them from destruction.
While Fatoyinbo was being eulogised inside the church auditorium, he was being heckled by protesters outside.
The protesters, mainly women, demanded justice and asked for the pastor to step down.
The #ChurchToo Movement, a group of at least 126 civil society organisations and individuals, which organised the protest, marched to the front of the church around 9.30am clad in white T-shirts and holding placards that read, ‘We are watching you,’ ‘Your pastor is not your God,’ ‘Thou shall not rape’ and ‘No to sexual abuse in my church,’ among others.
At the scene of the protest, COZA protocol officers formed a barricade against the protesters as officers of the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps accosted protesters and journalists who tried to intercept the barricade.
A convener of #ChurchTooMovement, Bukky Shonibare, said, “We demand that the board and leadership of COZA commence investigation into the allegation of rape levelled by Busola Dakolo and any other member of the church against its lead pastor, Biodun Fatoyinbo.
“While the investigation is being carried out, Pastor Fatoyinbo must be asked to step down from any leadership role in the church.
CAN Reacts To Rape Allegations
“The Christian Association of Nigeria, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and other relevant Christian bodies must show leadership by condemning this crime coming from the church. The continuous harassment and intimidation of Busola and Timi Dakolo, and other victims must stop forthwith.”
She said in the coming days, the group would take its protest to relevant bodies to show that rape and other forms of sexual abuse would no longer be tolerated.
A mild drama, however, ensued while the protest was ongoing as supporters of Fatoyinbo emerged with placards that read, ‘We love Pastor Fatoyinbo’ and ‘Biodun is a great man,’ among others.
Our correspondent observed that some of them accepted N500 each from a #ChurchTooMovement protester to surrender their placards before other Fatoyinbo supporters rejected the amount they were offered.
About two protesters were said to have been arrested by the DSS around 8am before the main demonstration began but their identities remained unknown as of press time.
In a related development, human rights advocacy group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, condemned the alleged harassment and arrest of anti-rape activists who protested outside COZA, Abuja.
SERAP’s deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, in a statement on Sunday urged the security agencies to release those arrested unconditionally.
In the wake of the heavy outrage against Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly, COZA, over alleged rape and molestation of women, another woman has surfaced levelling similar allegation against the general overseer of the Synagogue Church of All Nations SCOAN, Prophet T.B Joshua.
It is no longer news that Busola, wife of singer Timi Dakolo, came out last week with revelations of how she was allegedly raped by Pastor Biodun.
Although, the pastor had since denied raping anyone in his lifetime, “even as an unbeliever”, there were mass protests in several locations of COZA on Sunday with members and non member calling for his resignation.
However, the woman, who was on a protest in support of Busola, made claims that Prophet T.B Joshua trapped her in his church for 14 years and raped her. She showed a book which she claimed contained evidence against the cleric in case he denied.
In a viral video, the woman said she was trapped in the church for 14 years before the Lord set her free.
According to her, “This is not the time for make up, this is the time to address. I am also talking on behalf of other young girls that are still in the captivity of TB Joshua. 8-years-old, 14-years-old and 11-years-old are still there.
“Yes, I can say it, because they have money, connections, they can put people down. Enough is enough, if he thinks I am lying, he can contest it in court.”
The United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), Nigeria Program, has honoured the Director General, National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr. Sani Aliyu and 15 other heroes of HIV response in Nigeria.
The award ceremony held in Abuja recently to honour the 16 distinguished men and women that have made significant contributions to the HIV epidemic control in Nigeria, was part of the commemoration of PEPFAR’s 15th anniversary.
The awardees, drawn from People Living with HIV (PLWH), civil society, government, and private citizens, are all persons who have made sacrifices and committed themselves to serve those affected by HIV and AIDS.
Sharing her thoughts, the Director of Media, NACA, Mrs. Toyin Aderibigbe said “In the face of the epidemic, they have provided outstanding leadership, fought against the stigma and discrimination that impedes HIV service uptake, offered innovations, has made great sacrifices for the greater good.
“Dr. Aliyu has given special attention to empowering and engaging with PLWH, vulnerable women and girls, key populations, adolescent and young people and has strived to ensure that the civil society and faith-based responses are better coordinated and supported.
“PEPFAR’s support to Nigeria revolutionised and accelerated the delivery of services over the past 15 years, extending a lifeline to people in need, building capacity, strengthening Nigeria’s health systems and leaving a legacy in the heart of many people.
“Nigeria’s HIV/AIDS response today has a renewed focus and has made significant progress, with more than 1.1 million people on treatment and a programme of sustained investment to expand the treatment programme and remove barriers to treatment and prevention for all Nigerians.
“American generosity, the work of PEPFAR and its partners, and the heroism of the awardees that has saved millions of lives, averted millions of new infections, and changed the course of the AIDS epidemic in Nigeria is appreciated and commendable.
“Abdulkadir Ibrahim, National Coordinator of the Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN) is noted. The generosity of PEPFAR, and the sacrifices of people working to change the course of HIV in Nigeria is an enduring legacy cherished by all,” she said.
For Aliyu, there is no better way to appreciate PEPFAR’s assistance to the country in the control of HIV/AIDS and celebrate the heroes of the response than to demonstrate government commitment to putting more people on treatment, keeping them alive, healthy and productive and ultimately end AIDS in the country.
The Co-ordinator, Association of Women Living with HIV in Nigeria (ASHWAN), Assumpta Reginald, National, said: “I celebrate Dr Aliyu for his vision and the breath of fresh air that he brought to the National HIV response. With him, we will surely get to the next the mile and end AIDS in Nigeria.”
Other beneficiaries of the award are National Coordinator, ASHWAN/ Regional Director ICW-WA, Mrs Ukam Reginald Assumpta; Pioneer National Coordinator, NEPWHAN, Dr Patrick Olabiyi Matemilola; former National Coordinator, NEPWHAN, Mr. Victor Olaore Omoshehin; Executive Director, Society of Women & Children Living with HIV Abuja, Mrs. Lucy Attah Enyia; Activist/Initiator of Sex Workers Association, Mr. Alban Anonyuo; Independent journalist and researcher, Ms. Tobore Ovuorie; Founder, Kishimi Shelter & Care Foundation, Mrs. Samuel, Grace Ton; and HIV Expert, Researcher & Director, Board of IHVN, U.S.A, Dr William Blattner.
Others are MWO Musa Emmanuel (retired), Major General Ogbonnaya Simon Njoku (retired), Major General Tahir Umar (retired), Major General Life Ajemba (retired), Brigadier General Nurudeen Ayoola Hussain (retired), Professor Babatunde Osotimehin, former Director General NACA/Minister of Health and Executive Director of UNFPA — Posthumous, and former Director General of NACA, Prof. John Idoko.
