I am very single - Jennifer Olize

Jennifer Olize

My name is Jennifer Olize. I hail from Ila, Delta State. I’m in my 20s. I am an event-planner, a stylist, a jeweller and a fashion consultant. My parents are Mr. and Mrs. Frank Olize. I studied Business Economics at the University of Reading, United Kingdom and I earned a postgraduate in Event Management at the University of New York. Initially, I wanted to have a course on wedding planning but I never enjoyed going to weddings in Nigeria. This is because everyone has turned it to entertainment. Therefore, I decided to focus more on fashion and when the idea of merging music and fashion cropped up, I jumped at it. I love planning events and as a child, I always organised parties.

Growing up

We enjoyed love from our parents and our father always showed up at any school function. Thought there was a break when he relocated to Abuja, but he still proved the good father. He is very strict and a perfectionist. He is particular about how things are done. He is in communication with whatever my sister and I do. Our mother is our greatest fan, who is more of our friend. She also supports us.

Why I’m not a broadcaster

My father was but I went for what I had a passion for. We are two girls and none of us is into broadcasting. However, he is not bothered about this and he even helps us with what we are doing. He proffers advice too.

Music Meets Runway

It was an idea that sprang up three years ago after I returned from the United States. It is to infuse live music into fashion shows. But for music, runways would have been a bore! But when models strut the runway amidst music performances, everybody and everywhere come alive. The clothes look prettier and the models are ecstatic. Live music gives an edge to the models because music and fashion are a perfect mix. I witnessed it abroad and decided to incorporate it in Nigerian fashion industry. This year, fashion icons, who are global brands, graced the runway with their designs.

Nigerian fashion

I love the designs and designers. The only concern I have is the conscious attempt by designers not to use local fabrics in most of their designs. I love to see the Ankara, Adires, Batik etc. Then, when you wear these clothes abroad, the Europeans know you are African and a Nigerian.

Success in business

Its hard work. I don’t get money from my parents to run my business. I hustle and go about with proposals, make presentations and share my knowledge. Most of the people who want to spend money are not interested in who is you father but what you have in your brain! I thank God for the open doors. I run a jewellery store, where I design some of my pieces. I have my jewellery bespoke line and I source pieces from other countries and I assemble to resell in Nigeria. I am also a stylist.

Fashion

I am very conservative in dressing and I like covering up my body. I like simplicity and I don’t do well with bright colours. I hate red. I understand my body and I wear pieces that suit my body. I don’t like red and I try not to be a victim of fashion police.

Beauty routine

I apply sunscreen, stay out of the sun and I have my body scrub- honey, brown sugar and lemon. I scrub my body and I can never go to bed without washing my face.

Relationship

I am not in any currently. This means I am very single. I wish I had time but I don’t. Fortunately, I am not under pressure from my parents but when its time, I will get married.

Leisure

I travel a lot because of my store. I try to take out a day to rest and I like eating out.

Copyright DAILY UPDATES

I am not in Music To chase women - Jaywon[full story]

Jaywon

His hit track, ‘This year’, has dominated the airwaves for a while. James Oluwajuwonlo Edahi a.k.a Jaywon, in this interview, talks about life as an artiste

What inspired the hit single, ‘This year’?

I was tired of doing the same thing and I wanted to do something different. Also, I wanted to be different from every other person. I wanted my music to sound more inspirational and that is why my songs always have a feel of highlife and juju. Let me not explain that I retraced my steps. I just wanted to do something different.  I listen to a lot of King Sunny Ade and Ebenezer Obey because their songs are the type that stands the test of time. They are evergreen songs.

Did you anticipate the single was going to be a hit?

Every song is a hit song. It now depends on how well you handle the promotion. We have seen songs that the lyrics and beats were zero per cent yet they ended up being the biggest songs in Nigeria. I just do my thing and pray to God about it.

Why is it taking you so long to come up with another album?

You need to put a lot of things into consideration before releasing an album. In the last 18months, only few albums released have been successful. People would rather go to the Internet and download the entire album on their phones instead of buying CDs. These days, you drop an album just for the sake of doing so and not because you want to make money from copy sales. Even pirates are not helping matters. When I dropped my last album in 2010, the market was better and people bought CDs.  I am singing for the people and if they are clamouring for an album, I have to drop it.

Which of your songs do you consider to be evergreen?

In the next 60 or 70 years, ‘This year’ will still be relevant. It’s a song that everybody can relate to. I was in Asaba, Delta State, about two weeks ago and I could not believe that people there knew the lyrics of the song. Delta is not a Yoruba-speaking state, yet the people mouthed the lyrics .I did not know the song was that big. Kona is one of the biggest songs in Africa, yet we don’t even understand the lyrics yet everybody is dancing to it. If music is good, it is good. Nobody can fight it, whether consciously or unconsciously.

But there was a time you went low-profile…

It was deliberate and I won’t say it was an issue. Everybody needs to grow and I always tell people to assess themselves and check if they are growing. This should be done every now and then. Then, you make the necessary corrections. Maybe, I noticed certain things about me and I took time out to make amends. In the past, there were some things I did which I wished I never did. Sometimes, because you are signed to a record label, you feel they should do everything for you and as a result, you let go of many things or don’t take responsibility for what you should.

Was that why you attempted to leave Kennis Music?

I am still with Kennis Music and I am releasing my upcoming album on that label. I was misinterpreted when I said I was building a team for myself during an interview with Hip TV. I did not say I was leaving Kennis Music. By my statement, I meant I was building a platform for myself inside Kennis and not outside of the label. Bloggers misinterpreted my words because they like to spread bad news. I have a fantastic relationship with my bosses, Keke and D1.

What circumstances led you to music?

I always say people discovered me. This is because while growing up, I used to sing Sunny Ade’s music and people encouraged me to sing more and write my own songs. The first song I wrote was in 1994 and a lot of people liked it. I took to music professionally in 2005 and ‘Bebe nlo’ was the song that launched me into the limelight. There were songs like those I did with Konga and W4 which helped to shore up my popularity. The likes of Fatai Rolling Dollar, Sunny Ade and Ebenezer Obey inspired me and still do.  I took to music after my National Diploma programme at Bida Polytechnic, Niger State where I read accounting.

Many music fans still believe some Nigerian musicians employ meaningless lyrics…

You can’t blame anybody for that. If you have a song that is not dancehall and does not have a strong beat; and then you see someone who has got the entire beat and no lyrics, making all the money, then you will go his way. People in Nigeria are better influenced by beats instead of the message in the song. Everybody wants to make a hit song without making sense. I believe in good music, a song you can listen to in the morning when you wake up.

What are the pains and gains of being an artiste?

There are lots of them and because nobody forced me into doing music, I have to cope with the bad ones, like being misunderstood by the press, who in turn push those wrong messages to your fans. Sometimes, you don’t even realise how big your act is until one wrong incident happens and you experience the outpour of reactions. Also, you don’t seem to have a private life apart from constant criticisms. I am yet to see someone who goes to the toilet and bathroom with his phones. So, when someone accuses me of not taking my calls, I laugh and ask if he takes his phones to those places because it’s possible that I may have been taking my bath when he called. The gains are many. People pray for you and some even pay you to come and party with them. It’s not that I was invited to perform; it’s just to come and identify with the host. That’s the kind of love people have for me.

I expected you to list your female fans as part of the gains of your profession…

It depends on the artiste and I think that goes for the very young artistes. I have been around for a while and there are some things, which, if I do now, I will look stupid. I am not in this industry for girls; I am here for a lot more serious reasons. I have a female fan base and our relationship is platonic.

What has Jaywon been up to?

I have a new video out, ‘Madantin’and it has got a lot of reviews. I am working on an album titled, ‘Product of an Environment’ and it’s my third. I am working on the video of a song I did with Tiwa Savage. I chose to work with Tiwa because I enjoy working with female artistes. In the past, I worked with Goldie and Essence.

Copyright PUNCH.

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.

Contact: editor@punchng.com

I am not in Music To chase women - Jaywon[full story]

Jaywon

His hit track, ‘This year’, has dominated the airwaves for a while. James Oluwajuwonlo Edahi a.k.a Jaywon, in this interview, talks about life as an artiste

What inspired the hit single, ‘This year’?

I was tired of doing the same thing and I wanted to do something different. Also, I wanted to be different from every other person. I wanted my music to sound more inspirational and that is why my songs always have a feel of highlife and juju. Let me not explain that I retraced my steps. I just wanted to do something different.  I listen to a lot of King Sunny Ade and Ebenezer Obey because their songs are the type that stands the test of time. They are evergreen songs.

Did you anticipate the single was going to be a hit?

Every song is a hit song. It now depends on how well you handle the promotion. We have seen songs that the lyrics and beats were zero per cent yet they ended up being the biggest songs in Nigeria. I just do my thing and pray to God about it.

Why is it taking you so long to come up with another album?

You need to put a lot of things into consideration before releasing an album. In the last 18months, only few albums released have been successful. People would rather go to the Internet and download the entire album on their phones instead of buying CDs. These days, you drop an album just for the sake of doing so and not because you want to make money from copy sales. Even pirates are not helping matters. When I dropped my last album in 2010, the market was better and people bought CDs.  I am singing for the people and if they are clamouring for an album, I have to drop it.

Which of your songs do you consider to be evergreen?

In the next 60 or 70 years, ‘This year’ will still be relevant. It’s a song that everybody can relate to. I was in Asaba, Delta State, about two weeks ago and I could not believe that people there knew the lyrics of the song. Delta is not a Yoruba-speaking state, yet the people mouthed the lyrics .I did not know the song was that big. Kona is one of the biggest songs in Africa, yet we don’t even understand the lyrics yet everybody is dancing to it. If music is good, it is good. Nobody can fight it, whether consciously or unconsciously.

But there was a time you went low-profile…

It was deliberate and I won’t say it was an issue. Everybody needs to grow and I always tell people to assess themselves and check if they are growing. This should be done every now and then. Then, you make the necessary corrections. Maybe, I noticed certain things about me and I took time out to make amends. In the past, there were some things I did which I wished I never did. Sometimes, because you are signed to a record label, you feel they should do everything for you and as a result, you let go of many things or don’t take responsibility for what you should.

Was that why you attempted to leave Kennis Music?

I am still with Kennis Music and I am releasing my upcoming album on that label. I was misinterpreted when I said I was building a team for myself during an interview with Hip TV. I did not say I was leaving Kennis Music. By my statement, I meant I was building a platform for myself inside Kennis and not outside of the label. Bloggers misinterpreted my words because they like to spread bad news. I have a fantastic relationship with my bosses, Keke and D1.

What circumstances led you to music?

I always say people discovered me. This is because while growing up, I used to sing Sunny Ade’s music and people encouraged me to sing more and write my own songs. The first song I wrote was in 1994 and a lot of people liked it. I took to music professionally in 2005 and ‘Bebe nlo’ was the song that launched me into the limelight. There were songs like those I did with Konga and W4 which helped to shore up my popularity. The likes of Fatai Rolling Dollar, Sunny Ade and Ebenezer Obey inspired me and still do.  I took to music after my National Diploma programme at Bida Polytechnic, Niger State where I read accounting.

Many music fans still believe some Nigerian musicians employ meaningless lyrics…

You can’t blame anybody for that. If you have a song that is not dancehall and does not have a strong beat; and then you see someone who has got the entire beat and no lyrics, making all the money, then you will go his way. People in Nigeria are better influenced by beats instead of the message in the song. Everybody wants to make a hit song without making sense. I believe in good music, a song you can listen to in the morning when you wake up.

What are the pains and gains of being an artiste?

There are lots of them and because nobody forced me into doing music, I have to cope with the bad ones, like being misunderstood by the press, who in turn push those wrong messages to your fans. Sometimes, you don’t even realise how big your act is until one wrong incident happens and you experience the outpour of reactions. Also, you don’t seem to have a private life apart from constant criticisms. I am yet to see someone who goes to the toilet and bathroom with his phones. So, when someone accuses me of not taking my calls, I laugh and ask if he takes his phones to those places because it’s possible that I may have been taking my bath when he called. The gains are many. People pray for you and some even pay you to come and party with them. It’s not that I was invited to perform; it’s just to come and identify with the host. That’s the kind of love people have for me.

I expected you to list your female fans as part of the gains of your profession…

It depends on the artiste and I think that goes for the very young artistes. I have been around for a while and there are some things, which, if I do now, I will look stupid. I am not in this industry for girls; I am here for a lot more serious reasons. I have a female fan base and our relationship is platonic.

What has Jaywon been up to?

I have a new video out, ‘Madantin’and it has got a lot of reviews. I am working on an album titled, ‘Product of an Environment’ and it’s my third. I am working on the video of a song I did with Tiwa Savage. I chose to work with Tiwa because I enjoy working with female artistes. In the past, I worked with Goldie and Essence.

Copyright PUNCH.

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.

Contact: editor@punchng.com

I am not in Music To chase women - Jaywon[full story]

Jaywon

His hit track, ‘This year’, has dominated the airwaves for a while. James Oluwajuwonlo Edahi a.k.a Jaywon, in this interview, talks about life as an artiste

What inspired the hit single, ‘This year’?

I was tired of doing the same thing and I wanted to do something different. Also, I wanted to be different from every other person. I wanted my music to sound more inspirational and that is why my songs always have a feel of highlife and juju. Let me not explain that I retraced my steps. I just wanted to do something different.  I listen to a lot of King Sunny Ade and Ebenezer Obey because their songs are the type that stands the test of time. They are evergreen songs.

Did you anticipate the single was going to be a hit?

Every song is a hit song. It now depends on how well you handle the promotion. We have seen songs that the lyrics and beats were zero per cent yet they ended up being the biggest songs in Nigeria. I just do my thing and pray to God about it.

Why is it taking you so long to come up with another album?

You need to put a lot of things into consideration before releasing an album. In the last 18months, only few albums released have been successful. People would rather go to the Internet and download the entire album on their phones instead of buying CDs. These days, you drop an album just for the sake of doing so and not because you want to make money from copy sales. Even pirates are not helping matters. When I dropped my last album in 2010, the market was better and people bought CDs.  I am singing for the people and if they are clamouring for an album, I have to drop it.

Which of your songs do you consider to be evergreen?

In the next 60 or 70 years, ‘This year’ will still be relevant. It’s a song that everybody can relate to. I was in Asaba, Delta State, about two weeks ago and I could not believe that people there knew the lyrics of the song. Delta is not a Yoruba-speaking state, yet the people mouthed the lyrics .I did not know the song was that big. Kona is one of the biggest songs in Africa, yet we don’t even understand the lyrics yet everybody is dancing to it. If music is good, it is good. Nobody can fight it, whether consciously or unconsciously.

But there was a time you went low-profile…

It was deliberate and I won’t say it was an issue. Everybody needs to grow and I always tell people to assess themselves and check if they are growing. This should be done every now and then. Then, you make the necessary corrections. Maybe, I noticed certain things about me and I took time out to make amends. In the past, there were some things I did which I wished I never did. Sometimes, because you are signed to a record label, you feel they should do everything for you and as a result, you let go of many things or don’t take responsibility for what you should.

Was that why you attempted to leave Kennis Music?

I am still with Kennis Music and I am releasing my upcoming album on that label. I was misinterpreted when I said I was building a team for myself during an interview with Hip TV. I did not say I was leaving Kennis Music. By my statement, I meant I was building a platform for myself inside Kennis and not outside of the label. Bloggers misinterpreted my words because they like to spread bad news. I have a fantastic relationship with my bosses, Keke and D1.

What circumstances led you to music?

I always say people discovered me. This is because while growing up, I used to sing Sunny Ade’s music and people encouraged me to sing more and write my own songs. The first song I wrote was in 1994 and a lot of people liked it. I took to music professionally in 2005 and ‘Bebe nlo’ was the song that launched me into the limelight. There were songs like those I did with Konga and W4 which helped to shore up my popularity. The likes of Fatai Rolling Dollar, Sunny Ade and Ebenezer Obey inspired me and still do.  I took to music after my National Diploma programme at Bida Polytechnic, Niger State where I read accounting.

Many music fans still believe some Nigerian musicians employ meaningless lyrics…

You can’t blame anybody for that. If you have a song that is not dancehall and does not have a strong beat; and then you see someone who has got the entire beat and no lyrics, making all the money, then you will go his way. People in Nigeria are better influenced by beats instead of the message in the song. Everybody wants to make a hit song without making sense. I believe in good music, a song you can listen to in the morning when you wake up.

What are the pains and gains of being an artiste?

There are lots of them and because nobody forced me into doing music, I have to cope with the bad ones, like being misunderstood by the press, who in turn push those wrong messages to your fans. Sometimes, you don’t even realise how big your act is until one wrong incident happens and you experience the outpour of reactions. Also, you don’t seem to have a private life apart from constant criticisms. I am yet to see someone who goes to the toilet and bathroom with his phones. So, when someone accuses me of not taking my calls, I laugh and ask if he takes his phones to those places because it’s possible that I may have been taking my bath when he called. The gains are many. People pray for you and some even pay you to come and party with them. It’s not that I was invited to perform; it’s just to come and identify with the host. That’s the kind of love people have for me.

I expected you to list your female fans as part of the gains of your profession…

It depends on the artiste and I think that goes for the very young artistes. I have been around for a while and there are some things, which, if I do now, I will look stupid. I am not in this industry for girls; I am here for a lot more serious reasons. I have a female fan base and our relationship is platonic.

What has Jaywon been up to?

I have a new video out, ‘Madantin’and it has got a lot of reviews. I am working on an album titled, ‘Product of an Environment’ and it’s my third. I am working on the video of a song I did with Tiwa Savage. I chose to work with Tiwa because I enjoy working with female artistes. In the past, I worked with Goldie and Essence.

Copyright PUNCH.

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.

Contact: editor@punchng.com

I Love Colours - Olu Jacobs[full details]

Olu Jacobs

For a first time visitor to the home of veteran actor, Olu Jacobs, the impression of luxury extends beyond the tasteful but simple decor. There is a collection of exotic and expensive artworks lining the walls and also tucked in crevices of room dividers.

Located in a quiet and serene residential area of Ajah, Lagos, the Jacobs’ apartment is a testimonial to the minds of its owners— they are lovers of the arts. This, he recalls, dates back to when he was just a little boy.

“I was bitten by the theatre bug in Kano when I was seven years old. I was sent on an errand by my mother and just as I came out of the house, there was a lorry driving past with drummers and musicians inside. The occupants of the lorry distributed leaflets and I took one of them and showed it to my mother. She convinced my father to let me join the troupe after she was sure I had completed all my house chores,” he enthuses of his early foray into the world of arts, theatre and drama.

“The troupe happened to be the Hubert Ogunde travelling theatre and it was on a tour of Kano, where I was born.   My first performance with the troupe took place before a large crowd at a colonial hotel called, Obanta Hotel.  Ogunde did his theatre in three phases which included dance, drama and music.”

Born Olutodun Baiyewu Jacobs, to parents of Egba Alake descent in Ogun State, Jacobs had his early education in the North before proceeding to England where he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts.  Known to have broken into mainstream theatre with appearances in several British television series, Jacobs reminisces, “The reason why I went overseas was to amass enough experience so that I can come and be of benefit to people.  After doing some work in Glasgow, Leicester and other places, I decided that it was time for me to come back home.  I started visiting Nigeria in the early 80s. I would spend three months working in Nigeria, then, I would return to England and spend four months.

“One day, I just called my agent in England and told him not to bother me with any job in England unless it was very important. I told him that I had decided to use my talent for my people.”

Though there are challenges, the actor says he has no regrets about relocating to Nigeria.

“There were challenges at the very beginning. Though I had anticipated some of them, some were a bit of a shock to me. I know that there was a time when the profession was estimated very lowly. The prejudice is still there but we are no longer in the minority.  People have now realised that drama is a legacy one can build a future on. Those of us who were outcasts previously are now being consulted on issues relating to the profession.”

He is married to screen diva, Joke Jacobs. According to him, he did not think he was going to marry an actress. Recalling their initial encounter, he says, “One day, I was having a meeting at the National Theatre and the door opened and this lady came in.  I remember saying to the people who sat with me, ‘this is the lady I am going to marry.’ Of course, we became friends later because we were in the same production. Less than five years later, we were married.”

For him, marrying someone in the same profession has been helpful.  “Both of us are able to understand the intricacies of this business as regards our relationship with ourselves,” he says.

With more than a 100 movies and television dramas to his credit, the African Movie Academy Award winning actor would not forget the day he got his first job. To him, that was the happiest day in his career: “It was a Christmas Day and I got my first job in television. I was delighted and I had to work on a Christmas Day. I did not care and I told myself that another Christmas would come.”

Apart from serving as a reminder of his first job, Jacobs notes that Christmas means a lot to him. Hear him: “It is a period to forgive and forget, a season of caring and giving.   It is a season to meet and relate with your family.  You are able to remember people you have not seen, those you have not done well with and you try to make amends. The phone rings and somebody, you have not seen for three years, is inviting you to lunch. It is a season of fairness.

“In my family, we celebrate Christmas by coming together as a family.  We get in touch with other members of the family, no matter where they are. We don’t think only of ourselves, we also think of other people. The season reminds us of the birth of Christ and the fact that God loved us enough to sacrifice his son for us.”

For him also, the year 2013 has not been a bad one. “It has been a good year,” he recalls. “I was able to spend a bit more time with my wife. We were able to take a little break from work and spend more time together.  Next year promises a lot more interesting jobs.    We have plans on ground and we hope that they will begin to materialise. One never stops; there is a lot of job to do,” he says.

Not done yet, he makes reference to the Theatre Academy which he founded together with his wife, Joke: “The Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts is coming nice and steady. Therefore, we begin to give more and more people the opportunity to improve themselves.”

Known for his impeccable dress sense, Jacobs’s comments on his style: “It is a way of doing things. When you call it style, it is a classy way of doing your own thing.  I like classical style.  Also, I don’t like what everybody else is doing. I like to do things the way I believe they should be done.”

Asked what he would never be caught wearing and he says chuckling, “I shall never be caught wearing things that I should not be caught wearing. I can’t tell you what they are but I will know them when I see them.”

On the most expensive fashion item in his wardrobe, the thespian, whose best colour is green, opines on the perfect combination which connotes his style. “I don’t have a favourite fashion item. Everything one wears has to be good. At the same time, I cannot put a price on what I have not seen yet that I might see tomorrow. If it is a shirt, cufflink or tie, I don’t know, but when I see it, I will know it. My dressing is determined by my knowledge and love of colours. Whatever I am going to wear has to fit the occasion I am wearing it for.”

Gabrielle Union and Dwayne Wade get engaged

After 4 years together, NBA player Dwayne Wade, 32, and actress Gabrielle Union, 41 are engaged. Dwayne popped the question yesterday Saturday December 21. They announced the good news via their twitter and instagram accounts instead of releasing an official statement. This will be the second marriage for both of them. Big congrats to them. 

CHAN 2014 SHAME - Home Bases Eagles Lack training Kits

Coach Stephen Keshi addressing the home-based Eagles players in Abuja

As the 2014 African Nations Championship in January draws nearer, the Super Eagles are reportedly short of Adidas training kits, thus resorting to sub-standard kits in preparation for the event, reports ’TANA AIYEJINA

As African football fans anxiously await the commencement of the 2014 African Nations Championship, scheduled for South Africa from January 11 to February 1, it is not the same story for Nigeria’s home-based Super Eagles, who are making their debut in the competition.

The Eagles are taking part in the competition exclusively designed for African players active in their domestic leagues, for the first time, having failed to qualify for the two previous events in Cote d’Ivoire (2009) and Sudan (2011).

But our correspondent gathered exclusively that the team, which began preparations for the championship on December 10 in Abuja, with coach Stephen Keshi inviting 30 players to camp, have no training kits.

It was learnt that the players were made to settle for sub-standard kits reportedly bought in Lagos by the football federation.

An official of the team, who pleaded anonymity, said the players have been alternating the few training kits left.

He said, “As I speak to you, the national team doesn’t have kits in camp with few weeks to the 2014 CHAN. Chidi (an official of the team in charge of balls and kits) was sent to the market to buy kits last week.

“When we asked for the kits, we were told that some were shared to government officials and the others to the junior national teams. We don’t knoww the manner of contract they signed with Adidas.”

All efforts to reach the media officer of the team, Ben Alaiya, proved abortive as his phone was switched off.

However, when our correspondent called the Nigeria Football Federation spokesman, Ademola Olajire, for his reaction, he replied, “Let’s talk later. I don’t understand what you are saying.”

One of the players in camp, who also pleaded not to be named, said it was a dishonour to the home-based players.

“I don’t know why they are treating us like this. Is it because we are home-based players? The foreign-based pros cannot be treated like this,” he said.

Former Eagles centre-back, Taribo West, lamented the sad development, saying it was worrisome that the team had no kits to train with ahead of a major competition like CHAN.

The Atlanta ’96 Olympic Games gold medalist said it was part of efforts by some people to frustrate the efforts of Keshi.

Taribo said, “In our time (in the Eagles) the officials even gave out the kits to their girlfriends. Somebody can just lock them somewhere just to punish the boys because they are home-based.

“They will do everything to frustrate the team because they want Keshi to fail. They said ex-internationals were not good coaches. Keshi came in and has been giving us favourable results but they want the downfall of the man and the team. However, they won’t succeed.”

Despite the shortcoming, the team’s technical crew has been working tirelessly to ensure that the final squad put up a fine performance in South Africa next month.

What first caught the eye when Keshi’s list of 30 was released was the inclusion of Kelechi Iheanacho, Dele Alampasu and Taiwo Awoniyi, the trio members of the Golden Eaglets that won the U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates in November.

In the team’s first practice match, goals from Gbolahan Salami, Aliyu Abubakar, Azubuike Egwuekwe and Oghenekavro Etebor gave the Eagles a 4-1 win over newly promoted Nigerian National League side, Prisons FC of Abuja.

On December 16, Keshi changed the team’s training schedule from once daily to twice as he toughened the players ahead of the competition.

Two players Bayelsa United midfielder Mohammed Ajia and Elkanemi defender, Reuben Ogbonnaya, were dropped for low productivity while Bendel Insurance duo of Obannu Erhune and Ikeleji Bello were brought in as their replacements.

Also invited were Warri Wolves midfielder Ewenike Achibi and Enyimba striker Mfon Udoh.

On Wednesday, Barnabas Imenger and Ikechukwu Azubuike’s goals helped the national side to a 2-0 win over hard-fighting Niger Tornadoes in Abuja.

Even though the team may not have the opportunity of playing another national team before the commencement of CHAN, observers are optimistic that the team can get the job done in South Africa, just like their counterparts did early in the year, winning the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations for a third time.

“South Africa is a fertile land for Nigeria and the team can do it again. They can win the double despite the insensitivity of the officials,” Taribo said.

Former Nigeria midfielder, Etim Esin, was also upbeat about the home-based Eagles’ chances of conquering Africa despite participating in the competition for the first time.

“In Africa, you cannot write-off Nigeria. We may not have the best league, but we have the best players; players who are hungry to succeed and make names for themselves. I think that will be the driving force when the boys get to South Africa,” Esin said.

Ex-junior international, Mike Onyemachara, said, “We’ve got fantastic players who can get the CHAN job done.”

However, Keshi has lamented the absence of the trio of Gabriel Oboabona, Gabriel Reuben and Juwon Oshaniwa from the team.

The players, once the foundation on which the team was built, have secured contracts in Turkey, Scotland and Israel respectively.

“The only problem we have is that of time; we have little time to prepare but we will still give it our best shot and ensure that we replace some of our players that have left us for bigger things abroad,” Keshi said.

But the former Nigeria captain refused to make promises.

“It’s because we’ve got little or no time and we are working with new boys on this project. I hope we do the nation proud in CHAN but I cannot promise the trophy,” he added.

The creation of CHAN by the Confederation of African Football was a response to the desire to revive and strengthen domestic leagues on the continent regularly weakened by a mass exodus of top players who leave their home countries to play for foreign teams.

Congo DR won the first edition in 2009, beating Ghana 2-0 in the final while Tunisia defeated Angola 3-0 two years ago to emerge the champions of Africa at that level.

Barca Vulnerable without Messi,Neymar - Getafe

Barcelona are looking to extend their record run at the top of La Liga and sign off for the winter break with a win when they play at eighth-placed Getafe on Sunday but the modest Madrid-based club are eyeing an upset.

Barca will travel to the Spanish capital without injured World Player of the Year Lionel Messi, who is continuing his recovery from a muscle strain in his native Argentina and is not due back until the middle of January.

Coach Gerardo Martino is also missing in-form Brazil forward Neymar, who is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season in last weekend’s 2-1 win over Villarreal, and Getafe president Angel Torres believes the absence of the two forwards boosts his side’s chances.

Sunday’s game is the first of three meetings between Barca and Getafe over the next few weeks as they also clash over two legs in the last 16 of the King’s Cup early next month.

“Let’s see if we can get them this time, it’s a good moment for it,” Torres, whose side knocked Barca out of the Cup in 2007, said.

“Messi is the best player in the world and Neymar is coming into good form but it must be said that they have plenty of backup,” he added.

“We will have to play at 150 percent on Sunday as well as in the Cup.

“We will have a go. We did it in 2007 and we will give it the best possible shot.”

With Messi and Neymar unavailable, the goal-scoring burden will likely fall on the shoulders of Alexis Sanchez, Pedro and Cesc Fabregas.

Spain forward Pedro has seven goals in La Liga this term, one more than Neymar, and scored Barca’s opening goal in Tuesday’s King’s Cup victory against third-tier Cartagena.

“Scoring always helps with your confidence,” he told reporters. “I am pleased with the goals I am bringing to the team and also for having a chance to play.”

Barca’s success at home to Villarreal meant the champions had held top spot for 54 consecutive matchdays extending back to last season, surpassing the record set by arch rivals Real Madrid between the 1986/87 and 1987/88 campaigns.

Mourinho Feels heat ahead of Arsenal tie

Jose Mourinho admits he is starting to feel the strain of Chelsea’s inconsistent form as his side head to Arsenal for a crucial clash against the Premier League leaders.

Mourinho is growing increasingly vexed by the misfiring form of Chelsea’s strikers and the Blues boss has so far been unable to find a solution to a problem that threatens to wreck the team’s challenge for the title.

Fernando Torres, Samuel Eto’o and Demba Ba have scored just five league goals between them this term, leaving Mourinho under pressure to resolve the issue by making a signing in the January transfer market.

A host of players including Zenit Saint Petersburg striker Hulk and Atletico Madrid forward Diego Costa have been linked with Chelsea, but Mourinho must make do and mend until then, starting with the most significant match of the season to date at the Emirates Stadium on Monday.

While a win for second placed Liverpool over Cardiff at Anfield on Saturday would knock Arsenal off the top, the result of the London derby between the Gunners and Chelsea will been seen as an indication of which club is more likely to last the pace in the title race.

A win for Arsenal would take them five points clear of third placed Chelsea, who have already lost seven times in all competitions this season, and deepen the sense of gloom at Stamford Bridge following their surprise League Cup quarter-final defeat at struggling Sunderland in midweek.

In the circumstances, Mourinho could do with his strikers finally finding their shooting boots and he said: “Missing goals. It’s always the same words. It’s unbelievable.

“Even on the bench, I feel every time we miss a chance and the score is 0-0, 1-0, 2-1, 1-1, I feel the pressure.

“I feel that missing the chances, maybe later you are punished. We have this problem.

“In every match we lost in England, in the Premier League and in the cup at Sunderland, we were the best team by far.

“We create, we enjoy the ball, we were always very comfortable on the pitch, we had unbelievable chances to score to kill the game. We don’t do it.”

Okotie buys N120million Rolls Royce to mark Pastoral Anniversary

The Pastor of the Household of God Church International, Chris Okotie, recently bought a Rolls Royce Coupe, the 2014 Bespoke Edition, to mark his 30 years as born-again Christian and 27 years as a pastor, DAILY UPDATES learnt on Saturday.

According Okotie’s close aide, the pastor spent N120m on the luxury car and had earlier spent N33m on a Range Rover Autobiography to mark a milestone of his church.

The source, in a text message, said, “Pastor Okotie just bought a Rolls Royce Coupe, 2014 Bespoke Edition at N120m to mark his 30 years as a born-again Christian and 27 years as a pastor. He had earlier bought a Range Rover (Autobiography) 2014 Model for N33m, reputed to be the costliest SUV in the world to mark this ministry’s milestone.”

Checks on the Internet showed that the cheapest price of  same Rolls Royce model is about N65m, but it could be more expensive if armoured.

Fifty-five-year-old Okotie was in the news recently for the controversial comments he made during a church service in which he claimed that “all Catholics will go to hell,” and referred to Pope Francis as anti-Christ.

Copyright DAILY UPDATES

Biko Haram Kidnaps soldiers' wives,children In Borno

The army on Saturday launched a manhunt in Abbaram, Borno State, for suspected fighters of the Boko Haram sect, who had reportedly kidnapped soldiers’ wives and children during the Friday attack on an army barracks nearby town of Bama.

The suspected Boko Haram fighters had stormed the barracks in the town of Bama early on Friday, spraying it with bullets before torching the compound.

Agence France Presse reports that several Bama residents said the Boko Haram gunmen fled to the nearby village of Abbaram after the attack, where the military sent hundreds of troops on Saturday.

They told AFP that the insurgents also abducted several of the soldiers’ wives and children during the attack.

“The soldiers have besieged the village and more troops are deploying in hundreds. Nothing is happening yet but from the huge number of troops and the large number of Boko Haram in the village, one can imagine what may happen,” a Bama resident, Ibrahim Idris said.

Another Bama resident, Karim Bunu, who described Abbaram as a village of some 250 people, said, “We are afraid of what will happen to the people of Abbaram because whichever way one looks at it, they are facing a serious security threat.”

A third resident, who requested anonymity, said the sect was holding in Abbaram the “women and children of soldiers,” who had been kidnapped during the Friday attack, in an account supported by both Idris and Bunu.

When asked for details, Northeastern military spokesman Mohammed Dole referred AFP to Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters.

Defence spokesman Chris Olukolade could not be reached for comment.

In November, Human Rights Watch reported that Boko Haram has increasingly used kidnappings as a tactic, abducting scores of women and children this year.

After staging an attack on the military, the insurgents flee to far away camps to evade pursuing troops, but their escape was slowed on Friday by fighter jets which dropped bombs on the major routes leading out of Bama, according to the military and witnesses.

“I counted 18 burnt all-terrain vans belonging to the Boko Haram gunmen pulverised by military jets,” said the unnamed resident, who identified himself as a member of a military-backed vigilante force which has formed in the northeast to fight the insurgents.

Air force jets continued to fly over the region on Saturday, residents said.

The Bama attack was the second major Islamist assault on the army this month, casting further doubt on official claims that the rebels have been weakened by a seven-month-old military offensive in the North-East.

Obasanjo Embraces APC

Leaders of the All Progressives Congress with ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo in Abeokuta, Ogun State on Saturday.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Saturday openly threw his weight behind the All Progressives Congress when some national leaders and governors of the APC visited him, in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

Our correspondent gathered that the APC leaders at the meeting solicited Obasanjo’s support for the party in the forthcoming elections.

The visitors started arriving at Obasanjo’s Hilltop Mansion around 5:22pm. A former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, led  APC leaders, including the party’s Interim National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande; former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari; former speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Masari; former Borno State governor, Senator Ali Modu-Sheriff; Senator Osita Isunazor; Senator Bukola Saraki; Mr. Lai Mohammed to the  meeting.

Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State came to the former president’s house in company with the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commissioin, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; the former minister of aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode and others in a convoy of three black jeeps.

Other APC governors at the meeting included Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Abdulfattah Ahmed (Kwara), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano) and Senator Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo).

The Chairman of the New PDP, Kawu Baraje led some of his members and the former Kaduna State Chairman,  Yero Makama, to the meeting.

Presenting the party chieftains and the APC governors to Obasanjo during the opening of the meeting, Akande said the party was in support of the former president’s 18-page letter to President Goodluck Jonathan.

The APC National Leader, Tinubu who alluded to Obasanjo’s contribution to the building of the Nigerian nation, lamented that the country was divided more than ever.

Apparently referring to Obasanjo’s recent letter to Jonathan, he enjoined the former president not to shy away from speaking the truth.

Tinubu added that the APC had resolved to rescue Nigeria, appealing to Obasanjo to lead the mission.

“You’ve come out of tribulation and held the highest position in this country. We are here because of your courage. Nobody can say he has information more than you. You have surmounted a number of crises. Nigeria is divided more than before; to realise stable Nigeria, we want to encourage you to continue to speak the truth. We’re resolved and determined to rescue Nigeria. We want you as navigator,” he said.

Responding, Obasanjo, who said he remained a card-carrying member of the ruling PDP, described himself as an “incurable optimist” totally committed to Nigeria’s well-being.

He vowed that nothing would distract him from his commitment to the Nigerian nation.

Obasanjo also enjoined the opposition party to play a constructive politics “without bitterness”

The former president said, “I am a card carrying member of the PDP but the politics I play traverses Nigeria, Africa and world in that order. I am a democrat and one of the essential ingredients of democracy is opposition. A democracy that has no opposition built into it is not democracy.

“As an opposition, you are enhancing democracy.  You are at home,  you are welcome. I will just appeal that the politics you play is politics without rancour, without bitterness, with decency, that has Nigeria at heart. I am an incurable optimist about Nigeria, I am totally committed to Nigeria and nothing  will divert me from that commitment.”

At the end of their two-hour meeting, Tinubu, in a chat with newsmen, denied that the APC had come to woo the former president.

He said, “The meeting was not to woo him but to tap from his wealth of political experience.”

One of those present at the meeting, Fani-Kayode told SUNDAY PUNCH  that Obasanjo embraced the APC at the meeting. He said, “The ex-president told us that APC has taken the first step in the right direction towards making Nigeria great. It was an excellent meeting.”

Efforts to get the reaction of the PDP and the presidency were futile on Saturday as the spokesmen of the party and presidency could not be reached. Their phones were switched off.

Copyright DAILY UPDATES