US Secretary of State John Kerry Saturday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, renewed a plea to Nigerian authorities to ensure the military does not carry out atrocities against civilians in its clampdown on Islamic militants.

Nigeria declared a state of emergency in three northeastern states on May 14 as it launched a military offensive to end Boko Haram’s four-year insurgency.

“Boko Haram is a terrorist organisation and they have killed wantonly and upset the normal governance of Nigeria in fundamental ways that are unacceptable,” Kerry told reporters on the sidelines of an African Union summit.

“We defend the right completely of the government of Nigeria to defend itself and to fight back against terrorists. That said I have raised the issue of humans rights with the government,” he stressed.

Nigeria’s FM Ashiru and US Secretary of State, John Kerry in Washington 25 April

Activists as well as the United States have voiced concerns over the fighting, with Nigeria’s military regularly criticised over its response to the insurgency due to allegations of major abuses.

“We all of us try to hold to the highest standards of behaviour,” Kerry said in a joint press conference with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “One person’s atrocity does not excuse another’s.”

He insisted the authorities should not seek revenge, saying the best way forward was “good governance, it’s ridding yourself of the terrorist organisations so you can establish a standard of law that others can respect.”

A May 7 attack in northern Bama saw insurgents disguised in military uniforms break into a prison and attack several government buildings, leaving 55 people dead. The women and children were around the sites at the moment of the attack and were taken hostage and only finally released on Friday.

The conflict is estimated to have cost 3,600 lives since 2009, including killings by the security services.

Kerry added that “to their credit the government has acknowledged that there have been some problems, they’re working to try to control it.”

A report by the United Nations has indicated that the provision of meals for school children was still lacking in many developing countries, including Nigeria. The State of School Feeding Worldwide report by World Food Programme (WFP) was made public at the UN Headquarters on Friday.

The report stressed the importance of providing meals for school children, particularly in times of crises.

The UN Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the report provides global analysis of school feeding programmes in developed and developing nations.

According to WFP, about 368 million children, about one in five, get a meal at school every day in 169 developing and developed countries. In Nigeria, according to the report, fewer than 500,000 children are being fed in schools. However, countries such as Ghana, Zambia, Lesotho, Egypt, Cape Verde, Morocco, Sudan, Ivory Coast have a better coverage of their children. Lesotho and Cape verde feed their school kids, 100 per cent, the report indicated.cameroon and Nigeria perform very poorly, with Nigeria the worst.

It explained that despite the global nature of school feeding, the coverage of these programmes was lowest where they are most needed. For more on the WFP report, please click this link:http://documents.wfp.org/stellent/groups/public/documents/communications/wfp257482.pdf

“In low-income countries, only 18 per cent receive daily meals at school, compared to nearly 49 per cent of children in middle-income countries. Global investment in these programmes is about $75 billion, with most coming from government budgets.

“While these may seem like a large investment, the benefits are even greater as the report states that for every $1 spent by government and donors, at least three dollars are gained in economic returns,’’ it said.

It stressed in the past five years, at least 38 countries have scaled up their school feeding programmes in response to a crisis, whether related to food prices, conflict, natural disaster or financial volatility.

School children: UN calls for feeding agenda

“School feeding assures that where quality education is available, children are able to take advantage of the opportunity to learn. It is an investment that pays off in the future with better-educated, stronger and healthier adults.

“It is also a critical safety net to prevent the most vulnerable from suffering in times of crisis,” the report quoted the Executive Director of WFP, Ertharin Cousin as saying.

The report also quoted lead author, Carmen Burbano as saying that “during the food and fuel crises in 2008, many governments struggled to protect the most vulnerable from hunger and looked to school meals to achieve that.

“In the current recession, even wealthy nations are examining how school meals can prevent families sliding deeper into poverty and hunger.”

WFP had been operating school meals programmes in developing countries for almost 50 years.

In 2012, the agency provided meals or nutritious snacks in school for 24.7 million children in 63 countries.

This included take-home rations for 1.3 million girls and 500,000 boys, providing an incentive for poor families to keep their children in class.

The Un will celebrate Children’s Day on 27 May.

Akwa Ibom governor,Godswill Akpabio, demonstrating poor sportsmanship, is determined to split Nigeria Governors Forum, after his candidate, Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau state stunningly lost to incumbent chairman, Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers state on Friday in Abuja.

Akpabio says that Jonah Jang is his faction’s chairman of Governors Forum, though Jang lost the open-secret election to Amaechi by three votes.

After Amaechi’s re-election was announced by Mr Asishana Bayo Okauru, Director-General of the forum`s Secretariat, Akpabio led the governors in his camp out of the secretariat, to announce that Jang ‘won’. Akpabio also leads the PDP Governors Forum, hurriedly set up, with inspiration from Jonathan’s presidency to break the solidarity of the 36 state governors under NGF and Amaechi’s leadership.

Godswill Akpabio, Akwa Ibom State governor: very anti-Amaechi

Okauru said “Amaechi won the transparent election with 19 votes while Gov. Jonah Jang of Plateau, who contested the position with him, got 16 votes.

“ I served as Returning Officer and after counting the votes cast by all governors here, except that of Yobe, the forum`s incumbent Chairman, Gov. Amaechi of Rivers emerged winner. He got 19 votes against Gov Jonah Jang of Plateau who got 16 votes,’’ Okauru said.

He added that Gov. Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo and his Zamfara counterpart, Abdulazeez Yari, contested the Vice Chairmanship position of the forum.

Mimiko, he said, withdrew from the contest shortly before the commencement of voting and yielded his position to his Zamfara state counterpart, who now returned unopposed.

However, those in the camp of Gov. Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom protested the reemergence of Amaechi as the forum`s chairman.

Akpabio, who is the Chairman of the Peoples` Democratic Party Governors Forum (PDPGF), said the result of the election was not valid.

He held that 18 governors had endorsed Jang as their candidate and wondered how Amaechi could have won the election.

He posited that Amaechi was not supposed to have presided over the election, adding that he should have stepped down before the election.

Akpabio maintained that his camp would only recognise Jang as the NGF’s chairman while Mimiko of Ondo would serve as its vice chairman.

Governors of Kogi, Bauchi, Delta, Enugu, Plateau, Cross River, Anambra and Ebonyi, among others, were at Akpabio’s briefing.

The NGF had so far had five governors as chairmen since inception.

Its pioneer chairman, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, then the governor of Nasarawa State, held the position from 1999 to 2004.

Chief Victor Attah, then governor of Akwa Ibom, succeeded him and was there for two years from 2004 to 2006 when the then governor of Edo, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, replaced him.

Whereas Igbinedion was in office until 2007, his successor, Sen. Bukola Saraki, then governor of Kwara, led the forum from 2007 to 2011.

The exit of Bukola from the forum paved the way for the election of the current chairman, Amaechi, since 2011.

Under its first three chairmen, Adamu, Attah and Igbinedion, the forum was largely regarded as a platform where the governors came together to rub minds and relax.

However, under Saraki, it began to take on more serious issues. The forum helped the governors to win a share of the Excess Crude Account.

The NGF is an umbrella body of the 36 governors in the federation irrespective of party affiliation.

The Indiana Pacers bounced back from a heart-breaking game one defeat to edge LeBron James and the Miami Heat 97-93 on Friday and level the NBA Eastern Conference finals at one game apiece.

With the win in Miami, the Pacers seized home court advantage in the best-of-seven series from the reigning league champions, and they will try to maintain the momentum when they host game three on Sunday.

The winner of the series advances to the NBA finals to take on the Western Conference champions for the league crown. San Antonio lead Memphis 2-0 in the Western finals.

“This whole team has just shown great desire,” Pacers coach Frank Vogel said of his young squad, who had fallen 103-102 to the Heat on Wednesday.

“They believe we can win this series, and they’re giving it all their might, all their might.”

James, who earned NBA Most Valuable Player honors this season for the fourth time in his career, was forced into two crucial turnovers in the final 43 seconds.

Indiana Pacers vs Miami Heat – Game Two

Roy Hibbert, who was on the bench when James provided the game-winning layup in overtime in the series opener, delivered a dominant performance, leading the Pacers with 29 points and 10 rebounds.

George Hill scored 18 for the Pacers and David West added 13 points and seven rebounds — and forced the two late turnovers by James.

West stole a pass from James with 42.9 seconds left and Indiana ahead 95-93, although the Pacers did not score from the ensuing possession.

On Miami’s next possession, with the Heat needing a field goal to tie the game, West batted away another James pass with 8.3 seconds remaining.

Hill came up with the ball and was then fouled by James, calmly making his free throws to seal the win.

James scored a game-high 36 points with eight rebounds, but also had five of Miami’s 15 turnovers.

“Very disappointing, of course, for me. That’s the first thing I always look at on the stat sheet is my turnovers,” James said. “I had two key ones at a big point of the game. I am very disappointed in my judgment and my plays down the stretch. But I’ll make up for them.”

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said Miami’s problems went deeper.

“It’s not just those two plays,” Spoelstra said. “We just didn’t finish the game like we’re capable of. We’re supposed to find a way to close out those games and we didn’t.”

Chris Bosh scored 17 points and Dwyane Wade added 14 — the only other Heat players to score in double figures.

The Pacers, meanwhile, shot 50 percent for the game, holding the advantage in rebounding and converting 26 of 32 from the foul line.

But a four-minute stretch in the fourth quarter without a basket saw Miami seize a four-point lead with less than six minutes to play.

Lance Stephenson drained a three-pointer with 5:25 remaining to pull the Pacers within one, and Hibbert’s layup put them ahead again.

James converted a three-point play that gave Miami a two-point lead with 3:32 to play, but that was their last lead of the night.

Hibbert and West scored back-to-back baskets for Indiana. Bosh responded with two free-throws to knot the score at 93-93.

Hill drew a foul and went to the line to sink a pair of free throws with 48.9 seconds remaining. Down by two, Miami turned to James, but this time he couldn’t come through.

“We’re young guys, but we know what we’re doing,” Hibbert said. “They could be the champs, but we’re coming for them.”

Seven other children were injured in the blaze which destroyed the vehicle.

The van was carrying 24 children to a private school in Gujrat, about 112 kilometres (70 miles) north of the eastern city on Lahore, when it caught fire, local police chief Dar Ali Khattak told AFP.

“The fire erupted in the vehicle when the children were only a few kilometres from their school,” he said.

The blaze was apparently caused by a spark when the driver of the dual-fuel van switched from gas to petrol, he said, adding that the fuel gas cylinder was intact.

The children were aged between five and 15 years old, he said, adding that a female teacher also died.

Another police official, Abid Khan, said the driver fled after the fire.

Five of the injured children were in serious condition, hospital officials said.

Vehicles in Pakistan mostly run on both petrol and natural gas.

Pakistan has one of the world’s worst records for fatal traffic accidents, blamed on poor roads, badly maintained vehicles and reckless driving.

Ayo Oluokun/Abuja

Governors loyal to President Goodluck Jonathan, led by Godswill Akpabio, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State are kicking against the return of Rotimi Amaechi, their Rivers State counterpart as the Chairman of Nigeria Governor’s Forum, NGF in an election conducted in Abuja on Friday.

Amaechi was declared re-elected after a three hour meeting of the NGF in Abuja today.

A.B. Okauru, Director-General NGF who presided over the election had announced that Amaechi defeated his opponent, Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State by 19 to 16 votes. 35 of the 36 Nigeria state governors were present and voted during the election.

But in what seem a continuation of the intrigues and high wire politics that had characterized the election, Akpabio who led the other Governors who were disappointed by the result away from the venue of the election immediately after its announcement later told journalists at the Akwa Ibom State Lodge, Abuja that the poll was a sham.

He was supported by Jang of Plateau and Governors Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta, state Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo state and Peter Obi of Anambra state, all of whom are regarded as die hard supporters of President Jonathan.

Akpabio declared that contrary to the result declared, Governor Jang won the election by 19 votes.

Godswill Akpabio, Akwa Ibom State governor.

Consequently, the Akwa Ibom State Governor said he and his colleagues regarded Governor Jang as the validly elected Chairman of NGF.

President Jonathan and his supporters within the ruling PDP are believed to be against the return of Amaechi as the Chairman of NGF over concerns that the Rivers State Governor may contest for the presidency or as vice president to a Northern presidential candidate in the 2015 election.

The PDP Governor’s Forum led by Akpabio was formed earlier in the year as a counterpoise to Amaechi led NGF.

Reports indicated that Akpabio had been in Abuja for some days before today’s election trying to lobby other governors against voting for Amaechi.

•Amaechi:

Governor Rotimi Amaechi of oil rich Rivers State, has been re-elected by his colleagues to chair the Nigerian Governors Forum, despite speculations that Aso Rock planned to block him.

In the election today in Abuja, he got 19 votes, while his opponent, Jonah Jang of Plateau State got 16 votes.

Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State and Ibrahim Shema of Katsina state were earlier rumoured to be in the race to topple the Rivers governor, who has been having a bumpy relationship with President Goodluck Jonathan. But in a run-up to the election, the Northern Governors Forum endorsed Jang as consensus candidate, after Shema and Yuguda refused to step down for each other.

Yobe State governor, Ibrahim Geidam was absent at the election.

Yobe State Governor, Ibrahim Geidam stayed away from the poll, there were indications that a governor might have stayed neutral.

According to an insider, Amaechi won the poll at the first ballot.

The insider said: “At the count of the ballot, Amaechi secured 19 votes against Jang’s 16.

“The verdict has been greeted with protest by pro-presidency governors. That is what we are now contending with. They want to stage a walk out.” But anti-Amaechi governors were alleged to have threatened a protest march out of the poll venue, reported TheNation online.

The loss meant the SuperSand Eagles who still progressed, will now face perennial foes Senegal, in the first semi-final match of the competition on Saturday afternoon.

A win on Saturday will give the former African champions one of the two African tickets to the World Cup.

The mundial is scheduled for Papeete in Tahiti in September.

The other semi-final encounter will see Cote d’Ivoire taking on hosts Morocco later in the day.

In Friday’s match, Cote d’Ivoire kept the first place on the Group B table by upsetting Nigeria in the last group-stage matchday of the competition.

A balanced and hard-fought game had seen a first period without goals, while the scoreboard got really busy in the first half of the second period.

Both sides, however, engaged in a ding-dong affair which finally had the Eagles 3-2 ahead at the end of the period.

Nigeria opened the third period with a goal to make it 4-2, but the Elephants netted two goals to level things back.

With the match seemingly heading to extra time, the Ivoriens fired a free kick home with just seconds to go to grasp the game’s full points, leaving Nigeria no time to react.

In the other matches played on Friday, Egypt mauled Libya 8-3 while Morocco beat Senegal 3-2 and Madagascar whipped Ghana 10-3.

Eight teams are participating in the competition which began on May 22 and end on Sunday, May 26.

Guatemala extradited ex-president Alfonso Portillo to the United States on Friday to face charges of laundering $70 million, sending him on a plane under the escort of US agents in a first for Latin America.

“Hasta luego (see you later), people of Guatemala,” Portillo, 61, said as he boarded the small plane at the air force headquarters south of the capital.

Portillo, who was president from 2000 to 2004, is the first former Latin American leader to be extradited to the United States. Panama’s former dictator Manuel Noriega was ousted by US troops in 1989 and jailed in Miami for 20 years on drug charges.

Wearing a black sweater jacket and holding two books, the former president described his extradition as a “kidnapping” and accused the Guatemalan government of breaking the law since he still had cases pending in his country

“They have acted illegally against me from the beginning. They have violated all my rights,” he declared after being taken from the military hospital where he was being treated for health problems.

“They are taking me away sick, so I hold the government and the interior minister responsible for anything that may happen to my health. I’m not well,” he said, adding he had fluid in one lung and an abnormal heart beat.

The United States welcomed the extradition as “an important affirmation of the rule of law and due process in Guatemala.”

“We commend the commitment of Guatemalan authorities to strengthen the rule of law and combat organized crime and corruption,” William Ostick, a US State Department spokesman, told AFP.

Portillo had been fighting extradition since it was approved by then president Alvaro Colom in 2011.

“I will be back,” he said as dozens of supporters protested outside the air base. “The evidence they have is not enough to convict me, and I thank the Guatemalan people for its support.”

Alfonso Portillo: to face money laundering charge in US

Following a request from a New York court, he was arrested in January 2010 as he was trying to flee to Belize. Portillo has described the case against him as a “political persecution.”

Portillo was indicted by a US grand jury on charges of embezzling tens of millions of dollars of public funds and laundering the money through US and European banks, including $1.5 million intended for Guatemalan school children.

His attorney, Mauricio Berriondo, said the extradition was “outside any legal framework” and was conducted “by force.”

In 2011, a Guatemalan court acquitted Portillo and two of his former ministers of conspiring to embezzle $15 million from the defense ministry in 2001. His acquittal was confirmed by an appeals court in April.

Portillo was a member of the Guatemalan Republican Front, a party founded by former dictator Efrain Rios Montt, who faces a new trial after the nation’s top court threw out his genocide conviction this week.

“What they did was inhuman because the former president’s life was put at risk,” Mario Estrada, a losing candidate in the 2011 presidential election, said as he stood with other supporters outside the air base. “They kidnapped him from the hospital to take him away.”

The list released Friday in Accra, Ghana had some surprise inclusions, top of which is long-time absentee Dominic Adiyiah

Also getting a recall for action with the Black Stars is France-based defender Samuel Inkoom who has not played for Ghana for nearly one year.

In a list expectedly dominated by foreign-based players, four home-based players nonetheless were named for the two away matches.

Top on the list of local stars in the Ghana squad are Kotoko defender Rashid Sumaila and Aduana goalkeeper Stephen Adams who returns to the fold to replace goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey who will undergo surgery on an injury.

Top stars such as Mubarak Wakaso, Sulley Muntari, Kwadwo Asamoah, Agyemang Badu, Christian Atsu and striker Asamoah Gyan were all named in the team.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Fatau Dauda (Ashgold), Daniel Agyei (Liberty Professionals), Stephen Adams (Aduana)

Full-backs: Harrison Afful (Esperance, Tunisia), Samuel Inkoom (Bastia, France), Kissi Boateng (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Baba Rahman (Greuther Furth, Germany)

Central Defenders: John Boye (Rennes, France), Jonathan Mensah (Evian, France), Awal Mohammed (Maritzburg United, South Africa), Rashid Sumaila (Kotoko).

Defensive midfielders: Rabiu Mohammed (Evian, France), Edwin Gyimah (SuperSport, South Africa) Isaac Coffie (Chievo Verona, Italy)

Right midfielders: Albert Adomah (Bristol City), Solomon Asante (TP Mazembe, DR Congo)

Left midfielders: Sulley Muntari (AC Milan, Italy) Mubarak Wakaso (Espanyol, Spain), Christian Atsu (Porto, Portugal)

Offensive midfielder: Emmanuel Agyemang Badu (Udinese, Italy), Kwadwo Asamoah (Juventus, Italy)

Strikers: Asamoah Gyan (Al Ain, UAE), Dominic Adiyiah (Arsenal Kiev, Ukraine), Richard Boakye Yiadom (Sassuolo, Italy), Mahatma Otoo (Hearts of Oak).

A Nigerian Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday fixed 25 June to hear an application filed by Chief Debe Ojukwu, for alleged breach of his fundamental human rights.

The applicant, who is the first son of Late Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu, had filed the suit on 5 October 2012, seeking an order of the court to restrain 10 respondents, from threatening his life. The respondents are: Prof. Joseph Ojukwu, Emmanuel Ojukwu, Lotanna Ojukwu, Bianca Ojukwu, Patrick Ojukwu, Patricia Ojukwu and Magaret Ojukwu.

Joined in the suit are the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Assistant Inspector General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Muktar and Deputy Commissioner of Police Anambra State, Mr Mike Okoli.

The late Ojukwu: family in legal war

Justice Okon Abang fixed the date for hearing Ojukwu’s application, after counsel representing second to eight respondents, Mr George Uwechue (SAN), had orally applied to regularise his processes.

Uwechue informed the court that he had filed a counter affidavit and written address, in response to the applicant’s processes, which he said had been served on the applicant, and prayed the court to allow him make some amendment.

Abang granted Uwechue’s prayers, and adjourned the case for hearing of the applicant’s substantive application.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the applicant in his originating motion sought a declaration that the flagrant threat to his life by the respondents, amounted to a violation of his rights.

He averred that since his birth as first and eldest surviving son of the deceased, he had been poorly treated by his family.

“I was trained solely by my mother until I was compelled by circumstances, to join the Nigeria Police Force in 1976. I was doing so well in the Police Force, when the respondents, beckoned on me to come back and manage Ojukwu Transport Ltd, owned by Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu (now deceased)’’ he said.

The applicant averred that he had managed the venture effectively with his expertise, until the death of his father when things began to fall apart with him.

He said he was suddenly informed by the respondents, to hands off the Transport Company, which he had been handling so well.

“They used me to savage the company that had become moribund and wasting and later resolved to dump me’’ Ojukwu averred.

He said that as a result of this, he filed a suit to challenge the proposed acquisition.

“When my father died, I traveled to London to confirm the situation, but before I returned to Nigeria, the first to fourth respondents had taken over my father’s house. They took the task of organising a befitting burial for the deceased, a duty which is traditionally the function of the eldest son,’’ he said.

The applicant further averred that he was later invited for a meeting by the respondents, during which they warned him to cease interference in the transport company and to withdraw the suit in court, or be killed.

He averred that they employed the services of the ninth and tenth respondents to continuously harass and threaten him.

Ojukwu said he was also excluded from performing the dust-to-dust funeral rites during the burial of his father.

He is, therefore, claiming the sum of N100 million as exemplary and punitive damage against the respondents for violation of his fundamental rights enshrined in Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

Mazzarri had been linked with a move to Inter ever since announcing he would leave Napoli at the end of this season.

And Inter president Massimo Moratti confirmed as much when he said: “I’ve chosen Mazzarri, I’m sorry for Stramaccioni.”

Moratti added: “That takes nothing away from the esteem I hold for Stramaccioni’s talent and potential.

“I’m convinced he’ll become one of the great Italian coaches but it might also be necessary to save his professional future after a particularly unlucky year, and maybe he needs to find an easier situation than Inter.

“We’re coming to a difficult season and I thought we’d need a coach with Mazzarri’s experience.”

The move comes after a torrid season for the Italian giants who finished a dismal ninth in Serie A and missed out on European competition for next season, just three years after winning the Champions League under Jose Mourinho.

Mazzarri will thus become the sixth Inter coach since that memorable night in Madrid.

He guided Napoli to a second place finish this season, their best result since the days of Diego Maradona in the early 1990s.

It completed four successful years in Naples for Mazzarri, who twice guided his team into the Champions League.

Stramaccioni, by contrast, suffered a miserable season as his side lost 16 times in 38 league matches, their worst sequence since the end of the Second World War.

Since winning the treble of Champions League, Serie A and Italian Cup in the second of Mourinho’s two seasons in charge, Inter have won only one trophy of note, the Italian Cup in 2011 under Brazilian Leonardo, who promptly walked away to take over as sporting director at Paris Saint-Germain.

Mazzarri will bring his own backroom staff with him and is expected to decide on Inter’s transfer policy with Moratti.

He is also suspected to be looking at bringing Colombian wing-back Camilo Zuniga with him from Napoli.

Nigerian authorities said Friday they had freed three women and six children abducted by Islamist extremist group Boko Haram as part of an ongoing military operation targeting the extremists.

The group was abducted on May 7 during an attack on the town of Bama in the country’s northeast, according to Defence Spokesman Brigadier General Chris Olukolade. Two children and one woman remain missing, he said.

“Efforts of the troops’ operation around the Sambisa forest resulted in freedom for nine of the women and children that were held hostage in that camp,” Olukolade told journalists, adding they were freed on Wednesday.

The military said those rescued from the forest close to Bama were among the kidnap victims shown in a recent Boko Haram video.

Suspected Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau claimed in the video that the group was holding women and children hostage in retaliation for wives and children of its members detained by the military.

Nigeria has since said it intends to release a number of suspects held in connection with Boko Haram’s insurgency, including women and children.

The May 7 attack in Bama saw insurgents disguised in military uniforms break into a prison and attack several government buildings, leaving 55 people dead. The women and children were around the sites at the moment of the attack and were taken hostage.

Nigeria declared a state of emergency in three northeastern states on May 14 and launched a military offensive seeking to end Boko Haram’s four-year insurgency.

Activists and the United States have raised concerns over the fighting, with Nigeria’s military regularly criticised over its response to the insurgency due to allegations of major abuses.

The conflict is estimated to have cost 3,600 lives since 2009, including killings by the security services.

At exactly 07:30p.m. West Africa time Thursday, Tinsel, one of Africa’s favourite and most successful weekday soap operas, played out its 1000th episode. It was a milestone given the unfortunately high  rate at which TV soaps disappear from Africa’s contemporary television circuit. Launched five years ago, Tinsel, the multi-camera, multi-million naira studio-based production has turned out the most watched soap on  cable and terrestrial television. It has set a high standard of quality in the production of soap in the industry. And this is not by accident. The quality of the cast and crew stands the soap out.

Biola Alabi

In its first season, the soap progressed from airing two times a week to showing every day except at weekends. Initially, it had a cast which comprised actors from both Nigeria and Ghana, though Nigeria had over 90 percent of the cast and the crew. Tinsel started with a lot of expectations.  It was simply a return to the golden era of television drama.

“M-Net is delighted that Tinsel continues to be a popular series and is growing from strength to strength as Nigerian audiences positively react to its story lines and its characters. M-Net believes in investing in local talent, and with Tinsel, we are confident that our investment is reaping rewards by creating a series that is compelling, entertaining and dynamic,” said Biola Alabi, Managing Director, M-Net Africa.

Shot on location in Lagos, set in the glittering and dynamic world of film production, Tinsel melds all the elements of drama, intrigue, romance, deception, betrayal and triumph, into one thrilling ‘must watch’ series. Now in its fifth season, the series tracks the story of two rival film production outfits whose fierce battles for box-office dominance see them taking their rivalry from film-sets to industry boardrooms and everywhere in between.

This drama series centres around the energetic and enigmatic Fred Ade-Williams (Victor Olaotan), founder of Nigeria’s biggest independent film company, Reel Studios, who gets drawn into a battle of wills with daring newcomer Brenda “Nana” Mensah (Funmilola Aofiyebi-Raimi), whose beauty and intelligence is only surpassed by her drive to transform her film company, Odyssey Pictures, into a dominant force. And she will stop at nothing. Brenda installs a link in Fred’s company as a mole, and her exploitation of it sparks off a corporate war that reverberates throughout the entire film industry. What starts out as a power struggle between these two influential studio owners soon grows disastrously out of control. No one is immune and everything is put to the test as these titans clash and destinies are changed, forever. With so much at stake, Fred’s refusal to sink to his opponent’s level raises fear whether this will cost him everything he has ever held dear.

Tinsel is showing in about 45 African countries and has millions of fans around the world.

There was slight drop in the quality of production when the studios at Phillips building, Ojota, Lagos, where the soaps was being recorded, was gutted by fire some months ago. Some scenes had to be shot outdoors, pending when the entire studios will be put in place; though the soap retained its X-Factor.

Other actors that have made Tinsel a must watch include: Iretiola Doyle, Gideon Okeke (Philip Ade-Williams), Omar Shariff Captain (Reginald), Uzo Egeonu, (later replaced with Funmi Holder as Amaka), Matilda Obaseki (Angela), Chris Attoh (Kwame), Kunle Coker (Ziggy), Gbenro Ajibade (Soji), Iyke Okechukwu (Chuks), and Damilola Adegbite (Telema Duke).

Other major characters include the couple, Florence Uwaleke (Ene) and Iyke Okechukwu (Chuks) who recently got married in real life. There is also the hilarious trio of Biola Segun Williams, (Titi Kagbesioye), Dan Ade-Williams (Bimbo Manuel), the estranged brother of Fred and their daughter, Shalewa, played by Tomi Odunsi, who in real life is an upcoming musician.

Top actor, Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD), made a debut appearance in Tinsel during its Season Four. He joined the league of Nollywood stars who have made appearances in the soap since 2008. Others are Jide Kosoko, Segun Arinze, Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, Bayo Bankole, Kalu Ikeagwu, Norbert Young, Ann Njemanze, Carol King, Jude Orhora, among others.

Recently, new faces such as Tunde Kelani, Chioma Chukwuka-Akpotha, Ghana’s Majid Michel and Nse Ikpe Etim joined Tinsel cast.

•Tinsel’s lead cast

There are also non-actors who have been allowed to play cameos in one or two scenes. Karen Igho, one time winner of the Big Brother Africa show, is currently on the show.

Tinsel is not just for the oldies. It has also created new talents for the industry. Acts such as Damilola Adegbite, Gbenro Ajibade, Ifeanyi Dike Jr., Linda Ejiofor, were really unknown prior to Tinsel. Today, they are stars who can’t just walk the streets without being noticed.   Nigerian film/TV industry will benefit immensely from capacity building and exposure through  this eclectic mix of actors.

P.M.NEWS Entertainment Café observed that the team headed by Alabi, has created a show that competes with the best across the continent and will surely be around for some more years. But that has not insulated the series from having its own fair share of controversies. There have been controversial exit of some major characters in Tinsel. After four years of playing the role of Telema Duke on the soap, Adegbite announced her exit from the series. Also, beautiful Obaseki was relieved of her role when she became pregnant in real life. Her role as Angela Dede, a personal assistant working in a Production Studio, was then handed to Ghanaian Actress, Leonora Okine, who replaced her.

The exit of Coker (Ziggy) was trailed by stories about artistes asking for pay rise, while another of their top actors lashed out on Twitter, calling the scriptwriters of Tinsel dummies. And this turned a huge trending discourse on social media.

In spite of all this, Tinsel continues to gain more converts.

Juliet Femi, a fan of the drama series said Tinsel represents Nigeria’s acting prowess.

“I love watching the series because it is captivating. The story line, the characters are very interesting. My favourite character is Brenda Mensah, she is stern and determined to stand against her father, Fred Ade Williams till the end,” said Femi.

To celebrate this memorable 1000th episode, the cast and crew of the series had a photo shoot of themselves and visited different states in Nigeria to meet fans and sign autographs.

—Funsho Arogundade

Grace Onuoha, a model, actress, fashion designer and the current Miss Eko, tells ABIMBOLA OBATAYO about her career and how she copes as a student of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, NIJ

Grace Onuoha, Miss Eko

How was growing up like?

I will say it was quite challenging. I am not from a well-to-do family, so growing up, for me, was challenging.

Give us an insight into how you started your modelling career…

I started my modelling career in 2008, a day after my birthday precisely. I was just 17 years old then. I went with my sister for an audition because the previous day was my birthday, so she decided to take me out with her for the audition. We got there and I saw girls like me and I decided to take part. I was interviewed and then I was chosen. I didn’t even expect it because I went there for fun. So two days later, I was called upon that I have been chosen. I was asked to report to the camp that they were going to train us. That was how I began.

Which outfits/designers have you worked for?

I have modelled for Zizikado, Itien Bassy, Modela Couture, Mood Couture and for myself, Great Grace Collection. I have modelled for some designers whose names I can’t even remember.

Were you paid when you started modelling?

Yes, I was well paid. That was what encouraged me to go into it fully.

Did you really love modelling or was it circumstances that led you into it?

I have always wanted to be a top model right from when I was a kid. I think I was four years old when I said I wanted to be on TV, that I wanted to be a broadcaster, I wanted to be everything that has to do with broadcasting. While growing, I liked Genevieve and Agbani Darego, so I have always wanted to be a model.

Did your parents support your?

Yes, very much. They were really in support even before I started modelling; I had acted in some films. My first movie was done in my secondary school. The production team came to my school to pick people that will act and then I was chosen and I played the lead role in the movie. My parents really liked it because they knew that was what I wanted to do, even right from when I was young. I participated in a lot of church activities like drama and debates, so they already knew what I wanted to be. They have always been in support, they provide me with clothes and all that I need, even when I wanted to contest for Miss Majoss, I was about 7 years old then, but my parents provided all I needed, taught me what to say and how to say it. When I was in the secondary school, I contested again and won. So they have always been praying for me, showing me all their support.

How have you been able to combine education and modelling?

I chose a part-time programme because of my modelling career, so none of them is disturbing the other.

What modelling competitions have you won so far?

A lot of them and I am going to start from my primary school. I won Miss Majoss International School and while in secondary school, I won Miss Majoss International College, and after my secondary school, I went for Instant Beauty Queen on Soundcity and I won. I was Miss NIJ in 2011 and Miss Eko 2012.

Apart from the car you won, what other things did you get from the Miss Eko pageantry?

Well, I was supposed to be given N2 million and a jeep, they have been paying me in instalments. I would say I’ve been paid but still expecting my balance and I was supposed to have a year contract with women affairs and poverty alleviation and also to do some things with the Commissioner for Sports. I was also supposed to be on a monthly salary but I have not seen any of that yet, I am still hoping.

What are the challenges since you became a professional model?

I wouldn’t want to say it is very easy, but compared to other people and other stories I have heard, I think it’s been quite rosy for me. I won’t say it’s because of my beauty or anything; it’s by the grace of God because I have always been chosen at most of the auditions that I have attended. Maybe it was just a few that I was rejected, which I felt was normal for some obvious reasons. But many auditions that I went for, I was chosen. I have been getting money from modelling and it’s been very good for me.

Have you been given any endorsement deal since you became Miss Eko?

Yes, I have done an advert for Emily. I did for Best Lube Oil, Gentle Touch and some I can’t remember.

How have you been able to handle the fame?

For me, it’s like my normal everyday life. It’s like a continuation of me not being Miss Eko. Well, there’s something special about me being a queen and having a car but I still see people as the way they’ve always been, my friends are still my friends. I also have my privacy even as a queen and everybody is still what they are to me. The fame has not changed anything.

What other things do you do aside modelling?

I do fashion designing, and like I said, I also market other things. I sell what I make. I make accessories and Ankara shirts.

How have you been able to cope with the opposite sex?

Well, it’s been the same. It’s normal for guys to want to come around when they know this girl is now made but I’m too wise to be fooled by people pretending to be friends when they are not. The best time to know when people love you is when you’re nobody. The people that I have in my life now are those that have always known me. So, these guys coming around to ask me out are like they’ve always known me but don’t have the courage to walk up to me. But I still make them understand that it can’t be. If it wasn’t that time then it can’t be now.

What is your take on the issue of lesbianism in the modelling world?

I don’t really know what lesbianism holds in the modelling industry. I have never experienced or seen anybody that came to me and said ‘oh I’m a lesbian’ and I have never been molested before. So, I don’t know anything about lesbianism. Models should not be seen as lesbians.

Tell us how you got into Nollywood?

It all started when I was in secondary school. They wanted to use my school as location for a movie, and because the school uniform is really nice and I was the president of the literary and debating society, I was auditioned and did very well and I was chosen. I played the role of Amina. After that, I did What Went Wrong and Wind of Change where I played Izoduwa the daughter of Patience Ozokwor. I have done other movies afterwards.

What advice will you give to upcoming models?

I will advise them to be patient; they should avoid every form of desperation because people take advantage of others when they are desperate. Then, I will also advise them to hold God tight. Anywhere I am today, any position I see myself could not have been if not for God. They should have a prayer routine and make God their only source, because if you don’t make God your only source you cannot make headway. Importantly, they should have a role model. If you know you want to become somebody; you should have someone you look up to. For instance, you want to become a top model; you look at Agbani Darego and Oluchi. You look at those that are already there and how they live their life, the way they dress, their poise, everything. My role model is Tyra Banks. I love her life, her dressing and things that she does.

What are your future plans?

Like I will always say, the future is now. My ambition is to be one of the best fashion designers in my country first and to still leave more examples to upcoming models.

How would you describe yourself?

I am a friendly person, adorable, humble and of course very intelligent. Wisdom is really embedded in me because I have the wisdom of God. I am also fun to be with and also a peacemaker.

Any regrets so far?

I don’t have any regrets. Life is good, life goes on, so, there is no energy to regret or live a life of regrets.

Are you engaged or getting married soon?

I am not ready to get married. I am someone that sets my priorities right. In fact, marriage for now is not in my top ten priorities. I still have like two to three years to give myself, to enjoy my career, to enjoy my single life. So I don’t have plans for marriage now. So, relationship right now is not in my top ten priorities either and I am not engaged.

•Chidinma

Music talent discovery and grooming competition, MTN Project Fame West Africa, is back for its sixth straight season. Looking for raw talents, the annual show will commence auditions on 25 May till 29 June.

The auditions will hold across four West African countries- Sierra Leone, Ghana, Liberia and Nigeria. Thousands of young talents are expected to fight their way into the prestigious Project Fame Academy.

Previous music stars that have graduated from the ‘Fame Academy’ include Iyanya Mbuk, whose Kukere, with the famous Etighi dance won the best pop single on the 2012 Headies Award in Lagos; Mike Anyasodo, who by virtue of his Fine Fine Lady video won the 2010 Sound City’s Best R&B Video Award; Kesse Frimpong, who was voted the Ghanaian’s Best Male Vocalist of the year 2012 and Chidinma Ekile, who won the Best Female Act (West Africa) of the prestigious Kora Award in 2012.

This year, three music concerts will be held in Benin-City (7June), Calabar (21 June) and Lagos (28 June). It is aimed at showcasing Project Fame superstars alongside other Fame Academy alumni and the possibilities the show holds for making dreams come true for young people.

–Bayo Adetu

Music fans and Star Lager Beer lovers across Nigeria are in for an amazing time on this year’s Star Trek as top music stars are billed to perform at the highly anticipated 10-city musical concert.

At a star-studded sign-on ceremony held at Rhapsody’s Lounge, Victoria Island, Lagos on 22 May, to officially herald the gigs, the top artistes and the host cities were unveiled.

Headlining the concerts this year are 2Face Idibia, D’Banj, PSquare, Ice Prince, Tiwa Savage, Sound Sultan, Naeto C and M.I.

Other big names expected to perform are K.C, Timaya, Wande Coal, Obesere, Mr Raw, Dr Sid, and J Martins.

Fast rising hitmakers such as Seyi Shey, Kas, Phyno, Yinka Best, Olamide, Juke Box, Da Beatz and Crystalz will also thrill fun lovers at various venues of the concerts.

Star Trek 2013 will span 10 weeks and it will kick off on Saturday 8 June at Festac, Lagos, and move through other Nigerian cities, namely Aba, Abeokuta, Agege, Lagos, Asaba, Enugu, Lokoja, Nnewi, Owerri, Lokoja, and culminate in  another massive gig in Victoria Island, Lagos on 10 August.

Speaking at the sign-on ceremony, Edem Vindah, Corporate Media and Public Relations Manager, Nigerian Breweries Plc, said Star is always keen on giving back to its loyal consumers.

He said Star Trek is one of those avenues to pay back and give them top range entertainment and fun.

Vindah said adequate security has been arranged at all the venues for a wonderful moment during and after the concerts.

The exclusive sign-on event witnessed celebrities, industry top shots, consumers as well as Nigerian and international media practitioners in attendance.

—Funsho Arogundare

P-Square Shoots New Video

The duo of Paul and Peter Okoye of P-Square fame will shoot the video of their new single, Personally, on Monday.

•P-Square

The audio and video of the song will be released simultaneously towards the second week of June.

The multi-million naira budget video will be co-directed by the twin brother’s elder brother, Jude Engees Okoye and Clarence Peters. It will be shot in Nigeria.

P.M.NEWS Entertainment Cafe gathered that the video will star Peter’s son, Cameron and a couple of Nollywood stars. P-Sqaure’s latest video, Alingo, was also shot in Nigeria and co-directed by Engees and Clarence.

It is currently one of the most popular videos in Africa.

–Bayo Adetu

Born2learn

Born2learn To Launch Album

The duo of Kingsley Adene and Richard Adene of Born2learn hip hop group, are set to launch their debut album.

The Akure, Ondo State-based singers are already one of the most promising singers in the state, having recorded a hit track, Omalicha1, featuring Sabi.

According to Kingsley, “we featured Sabi because is a close friend of our producer, Lahlah. We know he is talented and people know him for his unique talent.

“Lahlah knows he can add something good to the song and he suggested that we have him and it worked out well.

We are planning to record our next single with Flavour.” Kingsley and Richard are siblings, and they started their music career in Yaba, Lagos before relocating to Ondo State where they are fast becoming a household name.

–Bayo Adetu

Rosemary Unveils New Album

•Rosemary

Female gospel singer, Olabisi Rosemary Udochi, will launch her new album, Ayanfe, on Sunday.

The event, slated for Oshodi Hall of the United African Church, Ebute Meta, Lagos, is expected to be graced by top politicians including Mr. Jide Jimoh, Chairman, Yaba Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, his Lagos Mainland council counterpart, Mr. Oladele Adekanye (LADO), a former council chairman, Mr. Tunde Okusanya and Eng. Rasheed Shabi, an ex-council chief and currently the General Manager of Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA).

A graduate of Lagos State University (LASU) and former councillorship aspirant in Yaba LCDA, Rosemary veered into music in 1996 and later debuted with an album, Asiko Ti To, a remix of which she is currently working on.

–Kayode Aponmade

9ja Queen Dedicates Album

9ja Queen

Ten year-old singer, Princess Favour Nwabueze, a.k.a. 9ja Queen, has dedicated her new album to Toba Oke, the Chairman of Ifako Local Government.

Titled Toba Oke is the Best, the video of selected tracks in the album will be shot soon.

While thanking the singer for her effort, Oke promised to assist her. “I appreciate music a lot, and I know how to discover a hidden talent. With what you have done, I will do as much as I can within my capacity to encourage you.”

Princess is currently a student of Upright Nursery and Primary School, Ifako, Lagos southwest Nigeria.

–Bayo Adetu

May D In Chapter One

Wave-making singer, Awodumila Akinmayokun, a.k.a May D, will launch his debut album, Chapter One, at the ThisDay Dome, Abuja, on Sunday.

The album will be unveiled with a concert that will feature Iyanya, Davido, 2Face, Olamide and Reminisce to mention a few.

May D

Comedians like Tee-A, Gandoki and Klint De Drunk will also be on stand to entertain guests.

Speaking with P.M.NEWS Entertainment Cafe before leaving Lagos for Abuja on Tuesday, May D said the album concert was long overdue and promised his fans to expect the best of him.

The concert will also be held in Lagos and other major cities in Nigeria. May D’s latest video, So Many Things, directed by Moe Musa is currently enjoying fair reviews and rotation.

–Bayo Adetu

Former Bayern Munich striker Roy Makaay is certain the Bavarians, Bayern Munich, will emerge victorious in Saturday’s Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund.

The Bundesliga champions were beaten by Chelsea in last year’s showpiece, while Inter proved to be too strong in the 2010 final.

However, the Dutchman is confident that Bayern have what it takes to bring the trophy home this time round.

“I think Bayern have a very good chance. If the team play the way they did in the semi-final, I’m confident they’ll win,” Makaay told the official Bundesliga website.

“It’s a one-off game and you can never tell what might happen, but that said, I’m sure Bayern are going to do it this time. Dortmund are not bad at all, but Bayern are a little bit better. “Every opponent’s awkward in a final, but Dortmund have nothing to lose. Bayern have got this far for the third time in four years and they lost on previous occasions. “The pressure’s on them – but then, they’re a club who are used to dealing with pressure.” Makaay represented Bayern between 2003 and 2007, winning two Bundesliga titles during his time in Munich.

•Bayern Munich players train ahead of Wembley showdown tomorrow

On the other hand, ex-Borussia Dortmund striker Alexander Frei has backed his old club to beat Bayern to the trophy.

“Borussia Dortmund will win the Champions League!” he told Fifa.com.

“I knew BVB would get past Malaga in the quarter-finals. The pressure at Signal Iduna Park when the fans get behind the team is so enormous, only the truly great teams survive.

“Against Real Madrid in the semi-final return leg, Dortmund could so easily have landed a lucky punch, as people call it, then it would have been basically all over from the start.

“But I do have to say if the game had gone on five or seven minutes longer, BVB would have been knocked out.”

•GETTING SET: Dortmund team members train ahead of their Champions League final against Bayern Munich at Wembley Stadium in London tomorrow. PHOTO: AFP.

Frei went on to say that German teams are now setting the standard in European football.

“Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund have developed a playing style which could well set the benchmark for the next two years,” he said.

•Captain Isiaka Olawale

Nigeria’s Super Sand Eagles will this evening face their West Africa counterparts, Ivory Coast, in the last Group A match in the ongoing African Beach Soccer Championship in Morocco.

The Super Sand Eagles are tied with Ivory Coast on six points apiece but lead Group B on goals difference. The team emerged victorious in their second game of the competition, thumping Egypt 8-4 and defeating Libya with the same margin on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Abu Azeez has expressed excitement that his five goals helped Nigeria’s Super Sand Eagles beat  Egypt 8-4.

•Abu Azeez

The Kwara United striker was the hero of the day while Babatunde Badmus got a brace and team captain, Isiaka Olawale, netted once.

He admitted that the Egyptians were not easy opponents as the result suggested. The Nigerians and their Egyptian counterparts battled through almost all of the first period goalless until Badmus scored with about a minute left to play.

And Azeez told supersport.com: “It wasn’t easy at all. They gave us a very good fight.”

But in the second period the Nigerians overpowered the North Africans and raced into a four-goal lead and subsequently won 8-4 in the final period to reach the last four of the tournament. Azeez believes the Super Sand Eagles were too strong for the Egyptians in the last two periods of the tie.

“They couldn’t match our strength and force in the second and third periods,” said Azeez to supersport.com.

The striker has now set his sight on the final group clash of his team against West African rivals, Ivory Coast today.