Ibadan Born Music Global Star, Sade Adu, Clocks 60

Today, Sade Adu clocks 60. Folasade Helen Adu was born on this day in 1959 in Ibadan, Nigeria to a professor father Adebisi and a British nurse Anne Hayes. Her father is the first graduate of statistics in Nigeria. She spent her early years in Nigeria having contacts with her hometown, Ikere-Ekiti where her grandfather was one of the most influential men.

After her parents separated when she was four, her mother, Hayes moved to Essex, England with Sade and her brother Banji. After her secondary school education, she moved to London to study fashion design at Saint Martin’s School of Art.

In between her time in school, she took up modelling jobs. Later on, she joined a band, Pride and became a backup singer. An enthusiast, she came into songwriting partnership with the group’s guitarist, Stuart Matthewman and they performed at gigs. One song that caught the attention of recording companies was “Smooth Operator.”

In 1983, Adu and Matthewman left Pride to start a band, Sade. They were joined by the keyboardist Andrew Hale, bassist Paul Denman and drummer Paul Cook. Adu became so popular so that at her first show in Heaven’s nightclub, over 1000 people did not get access to the club. That same year, she performed at the US and by October, Epic Rec

ords signed her and in 1984 signed her band.

After the group’s signing, Adu dropped an album, “Diamond Life”. The album became the best-selling debut by a female vocalist and one of the best-selling albums of all-time with an international sale of over six million copies as well as stayed at number one on music top charts.

See Sade’s Top Five Songs

The following year, they released “Promise”. The album stayed on the Billboard 200, got multiple platinum certifications in the US and Europe and earned the group a Grammy Award for Best New Artist.

In 1988, the group released “Stronger Than Pride” and in 1992, “Love Deluxe.” She went on hiatus after the birth of her child.

In 1986, she landed a role in a film “Absolute Beginners” and in 2000, released “Lovers Rock”. “Lover’s Rock” was unlike her jazz style. It took on a pop sound and won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album.

In 2002, she was awarded the Officer of the Order of the British Empire(OBE). In 2010, the group released “Soldier of Love” and it got the Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.

In 2018, she did the soundtrack “Flower of the Universe” for Disney’s 2018 film A Wrinkle in Time.

INSURGENCY: Ambode Canvasses Support for Govt's Efforts

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday urged Nigerians to support officers and men of the armed forces presently fighting the war against insurgency in the northern part of the country and other territorial threats, saying that their bravery and patriotism must never be in vain.

Speaking after performing the laying of wreath and release of pigeons in commemoration of the 2019 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration held at Remembrance Arcade, Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) in Lagos, the Governor called for prayers for military personnel in the battle front to win the war and keep Nigeria as one indivisible entity.

Represented by his deputy, Dr. Oluranti Adebule, Governor Ambode said that 15th of January has remained sacrosanct in the political history of the country as it was a time to reflect on the sad memories of the civil war and also to appreciate the gallant warriors for their heroic exploits which has preserved the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Nigeria.

“This is also a platform to commend the officers and men of the armed forces who are engaged in one military exercise or the other to combat insurgency and other threats to our territorial integrity. We remain grateful to you for your bravery and patriotism to put your lives on the line for our country.

“I call on every Nigerian to rise up to the occasion and support our men and women engaged in theatres of war with prayers so that they would achieve resounding victory over those who threaten our peace and national sovereignty,” the Governor said.

While congratulating the legionnaires and families of late ex-service men for the success of this year’s Armed Forces remembrance activities, Governor Ambode assured that his administration remains committed to their welfare and well being.

He also called on Lagosians and indeed Nigerians to show love and care to the families and the loved ones of those who lost their lives while defending the country, which according to him, would further reassure them that their loved ones had not died in vain.

The Deputy Governor took on the first duty of inspecting the guard of honour mounted by the combined detachments of the Army, Navy, Airforce, Police and the Nigerian Legion immediately she arrived the venue of the ceremony.

After the wreath-laying ceremony, several gun salutes was fired and the Deputy Governor led others to the pigeon case, where she released the birds to signify peace.

Other notable personalities, who performed the laying of wreath ceremony, include representatives of the Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly; Chief Judge of Lagos State; Oba of Lagos; Service Commanders of military and para-military formations, a representative of the widows of the fallen heroes, among others.

Oyo Gov., Ajimobi Warns NURTW Members Against Violence

Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has handed down a strong warning to leaders of the drivers’ unions not to allow their members to be used by politicians to cause mayhem as political parties intensify campaigns for the 2019 elections.

He gave the admonition in Egbeda, as he leads the campaign train for the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, and other candidates of the party in Egbeda/Ona Ara constituency, on Tuesday.

  

The governor was addressing leaders of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and rival Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), who also attended the massive rally.

Ajimobi warned that any member of both unions caught causing trouble during the APC or any of the political party's campaign would be brought to justice.

The governor said, "We are warning the transport unions in Oyo State against infighting or inter-unions imbroglio. I am begging you to please let peace reign. But, if any of you foment trouble after this admonition, you will be suspended immediately.

"Not only that, you will face the full wrath of the constituted authority. Our administration enjoys the people's support because of the prevailing peace across the state and we will not allow you to truncate it for any reason.

“We have performed well enough in the almost eight years that we have been in the saddle and we have earned the trust and support of the good people of Oyo State in the coming elections. You are also free to support us, but don’t attack anybody.”

MultiChoice Talent Factory Masterclasses Begin Friday

The highly anticipated MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) Masterclasses, the flagship Corporate Shared Value project of MultiChoice Nigeria, will begin on Friday.

This was announced in a statement by the video entertainment company.

According to the statement, the Masterclasses will present the industry with “Best in Class” workshops to increase MTF’s up-skilling outreach to established film and television industry professionals and are aimed at developing technical skills in cinematography, audio and storytelling to improve the quality of local productions. The Masterclasses will be powered by various industry partners as part of the shared value initiative’s three touch points alongside the MTF Academy and the soon-to-be launched industry networking portal.

The workshop is open to invited members of the film and television industry, who aspire to take their craft to the next level. Participants will be drawn from across the spectrum of the industry, with delegates from the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Lagos Television, independent television production companies and leading Nollywood professionals.

These will be led by well-respected experts. Among these are South African director and producer, Bobby Heaney; accomplished sound consultant from Dolby India, Vikram Joglekar; pan-African storytelling and creative consultant, Allison Triegaardt; award-winning Kenyan film producer Appie Matere; and Jonathan Kovel, the cinematographer behind the award-winning South African film Ayanda. Additionally, a special MTF Masterclass on Nollywood will be facilitated by Femi Odugbemi, Nigerian film/television expert and Academy Director for MTF Academy West Africa. 

“We are excited about the launch of this next touch point of MTF, as it reaffirms our commitment to supporting the industry and promoting sustainability  by creating shared value across the business through quality programming for our customers,’’ said John Ugbe, Chief Executive Officer, MultiChoice Nigeria.

The MTF Masterclasses will be presented with support from Dolby Laboratories and FOX Portugal, which both play a crucial role in priming the MTF Academy students as key players in the growth and sustainability of Africa’s creative film and television industry.

Speaking about the workshop Odugbemi said: “The success of these MTF Masterclasses will, over time, deliver a more professionalized, networked film and television industry across Africa and an expanded community of highly- skilled professional who are passionate about creating quality home-grown content.”

Behold! Apostle Suleman Takes Gospel To Pakistan

Because the testimony of the Gospels provides the most reliable witness to Christ, servant of God and senior pastor at Omega Fire Ministries (OFM) worldwide, Apostle (Prof.) Johnson Suleman, would be taking the evangelism to an uncommon territory this week.

The ‘Oracle of God’ who regularly travels across countries of the world in a mission to deliver God’s messages, is billed to host a two-day apostolic crusade in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, from Tuesday 15^th to Wednesday 16^th of January, 2019. Characteristics of Suleman, he would be preaching the Gospel in Pakistan, to his congregation and to Pakistanis, as it is.

Not known to soft-pedal around terminologies to please his audience, the servant of God would be clear with his message, about his beliefs and why his audience should also believe.

“The more you know about your faith, the easier it is to convince people whose lives are about to be restored,” an inside source said of the OFM team’s preparedness for the Pakistani mission.

The crusade which will hold at the Defence Marquee & Event Complex, Airport Road, Lahore Cantt, would be about preaching and winning souls, according to the source. However, the servant of God would also be empowering people as he has always done.

According to Apostle Suleman; “I have a mission to keep people out of Hell. And the only time the Gospel of Christ does not work is when we don’t use it. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth” (Romans 1:16).

MELAYE: Senator's Absence Stalls Trial

The absence of Dino Melaye in court on Monday stalled his trial in the ongoing alleged false information case before Justice Olasunmbo Goodluck of an Abuja Federal High Court.

Melaye, the senator representing Kogi West in the National Assembly, is facing a two-count charge bordering on giving false information to the police.

The Prosecuting Counsel, Mr Shuaib Labaran, had arraigned Melaye, alleging that the defendant had sometime in April, 2017 deliberately given false information to the police.

Labaran alleged that Melaye had deliberately volunteered information that incriminated David Onoja, Chief of Staff to the Kogi State governor as the mastermind of an assassination attempt on him.

The prosecution counsel further alleged that Melaye had in April, 2017, given false statement of facts during a phone conversation with Mr Mohammed Abubakar, son of the late former governor of Kogi State, Abubakar Audu.

The senator, however, denied committing the offence which contravened Sections 140 and 393 of the Penal Code Law, Cap. 89, Laws of Northern Nigeria, 1963.

On resumption of hearing on Monday, Labaran, told the court that Malaye was absent from court but that his Counsel, Mr Olusegun Jolaawo, had explained the circumstance of his absence to him.

The prosecuting counsel informed the court that Jalaawo had appealed to him to agree to his request for adjournment since the court had initially given two different days for continuation of hearing in the case.

Labaran then informed the court that he was not opposed to the defendant’s counsel’s request for an adjournment.

Jolaawo informed the court that Melaye was absent in court because he was in custody of the police.

“Because the court does not take to speculation, the defence team had obtained a certified copy order of the FCT High Court by Justice Yusuf Halilu on Jan. 9, ordering the remand of the senator in police custody.’’

He said the defence team had tendered before the court, a filed application for enforcement of Melaye’s right, filed by Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) before Halilu.

The counsel informed the court the date the remand order would expire, which consequently made Justice Goodluck, to adjourned the case until Jan. 28 for continuation of hearing. 

-NAN

CCT: "I Was Not Properly Served" Justice Onnoghen

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Walter Samuel has denied receiving proper service to appear before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) to face trial over alleged false asset declaration.

The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) filed a six-count charge against the CJN over alleged failure to declare his asset upon assumption of office as provided in Section 15 (1) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act C15, punishable under Section 23 (2) (a) (b) and (c) of the same Act.

Wole Olanipekun (SAN), who is leading the defence team, argued that Section 123 (a) and 124 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) mandated personal service of the defendant in criminal matters.

Olanipekun also challenged the jurisdiction of the court to hear the matter, adding that the defendant was not served with leave of court containing the date for the arraignment.

“Our appearance here is on protest. We are not yet at the stage of trial,” he said.

Following the submission, the chairman of the tribunal, Justice Danladi Umar asked the court registrar for the report of service of summons on the CJN.

The registrar informed the court that the CJN, on Friday, directed him to serve his personal secretary with the summons on his behalf.

A mild drama ensued when the chairman of the tribunal said the rule allows service on the defendant’s next door neighbour.

But Olanipekun expressed surprise that service in a criminal matter can be served on a neighbour without an order of court for substituted service to that effect.

Prosecution counsel, Aliyu Umar asked the court to order the trial of the defendant before any objection can be raised.

“We concede that personal service is mandatory in criminal matters under Section 123 of the ACJA, however arraignment has to be made before any objection,” he said.

He however, suggested an adjournment to allow for fresh service to be personally served on the CJN.