Ace comedian, Basketmouth shared this adorable family photos.
Family Time! Comedian, Basketmouth shares new photos of wife and kids.
Read President Goodluck Jonathan's New Year speech.
Dear Great People of our nation,
1. I greet and felicitate with you all as we enter the New Year today. As we mark the beginning of this New Year, 2015, a new nation is being born. A new nation is being born because of the foundations we have all laid, working together for the good and progress of our dear fatherland.
2. I join you all in thanking God Almighty who has brought us this far, for continually bestowing His Grace upon us and for guiding our great nation safely through all the challenges of the past year.
3. This year, as in the year past, I reaffirm my commitment to work to ensure a secure future for our dear country and the generations yet unborn.
4. Last year, we celebrated our hundredth year of nationhood. The year brought us further progress, challenges and fresh opportunities.
5. We have contended with the normal challenges of nation-building and the unusual challenges of terrorism.
6. But we have continued to vigorously confront those who seek to destroy the bonds of unity that hold us together.
7. On this first day of the New Year, I want to pay special tribute to the gallant officers, men and women of our Armed Forces and other security agencies who have been in the forefront of the war against terrorism and violent extremism in our country and sub-region.
8. I also commend all Nigerians who have remained vigilant and cooperative with our security agencies in the fight against the common enemy.
9. We are re-equipping and re-positioning our armed forces to enhance their capacity to win the ongoing war against terror and insurgency.
10. Regrettably, terrorists have unleashed much pain and agony on our land. They have made widows of our mothers and sisters and orphans of our children. They have shut down businesses, desecrated places of worship and brought untold hardship to both men and women. They have violated the culture and peaceful way of life in our country, which took generations to build.
11. They have destroyed countless schools and displaced people from their communities, driving them into exile.
12. I want to assure you that the terrorists will not get away with their atrocities: they will not win; they will be routed. As President, I feel the pain of all affected communities and families. I hear their cries and share their sorrow and pain.
13. We will not forget; we will not look the other way. We have done a lot of painstaking planning and work to resolve the current security challenge. We will bring justice to the savage terrorists known as Boko Haram. They will be defeated.
14. That is the solemn commitment I make today as President of the Federal Republic, and Commander-in-Chief of our Armed Forces.
15. By the Special Grace of God, the Federal Government, under my leadership, has continued, in the past four years to lead our country forward, even under the most trying circumstances.
16. The progress we have made in priority areas bears us testimony.
17. Amongst other achievements, we have rehabilitated and expanded our rail transportation network, successfully privatized power generation and distribution, significantly reformed and increased local participation in our oil and gas industry, and improved nationwide access to potable water from 57% in 2010, to 70% at present.
18. We have also made significant progress in improving access to primary, secondary and tertiary education by building and equipping more schools, including special Almajiri schools, and establishing additional universities to ensure that each state of the nation now has at least one Federal University.
19. Our national economy maintained a steady growth rate of close to seven per cent in the past four years and millions of fresh employment opportunities were created for our people as a direct consequence.
20. Recently, we launched the Youth Employment in Agriculture Programme (YEAP) and the $100 million dollars Government and Donor Fund for Agriculture Finance in Nigeria (FAFIN) to fast-track the positive transformation of our agricultural sector.
21. The Youth Employment in Agriculture Programme (YEAP) targets 750, 000 market-oriented young agricultural producers while the $100 million dollars Fund is to provide affordable long-term financing to support the development of small and medium agribusinesses in the country.
22. This is in addition to a N50 billion Farm Mechanization Support Fund set up by the Central Bank to establish 1,200 agricultural equipment-hiring enterprises.
23. Both funds will become fully operational this year. Policies and programmes such as these to boost agricultural production remain topmost on the agenda of this administration.
24. Being very conscious of the inherent perils of our over-reliance on income from crude oil exports for national development, we have focused on accelerating the diversification of our economy.
25. The non-oil Sector which has grown by an average of 8% in the last few years, is now a major driver of growth in our economy.
26. The 2015 national budget, which is now before the National Assembly, is targeted at deepening our efforts at becoming a non-oil economy.
27. The budget also includes measures to ensure that the downturn in the price of oil does not affect our development plans and our national economy too adversely. We are adjusting our financial processes to safeguard our economy. We are also taking steps to ensure that the poor and the low and medium incomeearners do not bear the brunt.
28. In 2015, this administration will continue to lay the foundation for a vibrant economy that attracts significant Foreign Direct Investment and promotes policies that ensure economic stability.
29. We will ensure stability in the value of the Naira by striving to take away speculative behaviours that cause market exchange pressures.
30. We will continue to build and maintain a healthy external reserves position and strengthen fiscal buffers. We will ensure the Naira remains strong, and gives foreign investors the clarity and certainty that they need, to guide future investment decisions.
31. We will continue to improve our payment systems and strengthen risk-based supervision mechanism for Nigerian banks to ensure overall health and stability of the banking system.
32. We are introducing a broad spectrum of financial instruments to boost sector-specific enterprise areas in agriculture, Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs), manufacturing, and oil and gas to enhance our aggregate supply capacity, reduce poverty, promote job creation and increase the general well-being of our people.
33. These efforts and other measures being spearheaded by relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, are geared to ensure a secure future for Nigeria and create a much more prosperous country, where people live more peaceful and fulfilled lives.
34. As we enter an election year, I assure you that our administration will remain fully focused on providing good governance and the delivery of better public services to our people.
35. The coming campaigns and elections will not distract us from our ongoing work to significantly improve the living conditions of our people. And I urge all tiers of government not to be distracted as well.
36. The elections are very important for us as a country. Their successful conclusion will further strengthen our democratic institutions and place our beloved country even more firmly in the comity of truly democratic nations.
37. Given the challenges that have characterized some previous electoral contests in our country, the eyes of the world will certainly be on the conduct and outcome of our fifth post-military rule general elections.
38. I reassure all Nigerians and the international community of our firm commitment to free, fair and credible elections. My commitment to free elections and one man, one vote remains unwavering.
39. Our administration has worked hard in previous elections to prepare all key stakeholders including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and the electorate optimally, to ensure a progressively improved electoral process in the country under my watch. We will continue to do so for the coming elections.
40. We will continue to provide adequate funding to INEC and maintain the Commission’s independence and isolate it from any form of interference or meddling in its day-to-day affairs. This shall continue to guarantee its impartiality and ability to conduct more credible and acceptable elections.
41. National security agencies will also be given all necessary support to enhance their ability to ensure that the elections are peaceful and violence-free. The Nigeria Police has already established an Elections Security Planning and Monitoring Unit.
42. I am optimistic that with the cooperation of all law-abiding citizens of the country, our commitment to have a peaceful and violence-free election will be actualized.
43. I will like to say this, once again, to my fellow politicians and political leaders. None of our political ambitions is worth the blood of any of our countrymen, women and children. The improvement of their lives and living conditions ought to be our primary motive and the driving force of our quest for political power and leadership positions.
44. Let us not promote sectionalism, disunity, intolerance, hate, falsehood or the malicious abuse of political opponents. Whatever we feel or seek, we must have a nation and a people before we can dream of political ambitions. Let us put the nation and the people first.
45. Let us all conduct our electoral campaigns with the highest possible decorum and civility towards political opponents. Let us give INEC the fullest possible support and cooperation it requires to conduct credible and violence-free elections in 2015.
46. After the 2011 general elections, some unpatriotic elements embarked on an orgy of violence, resulting in the destruction of lives and property. That will not be allowed to happen this time around. This government will act decisively against anyone who disrupts the public peace, before, during or after the 2015 general elections.
47. All Nigerians, of voting age, are free to vote based on their convictions. It is our duty to defend and protect that basic right, and let no one be in doubt, we will.
48. Fellow Nigerians, I urge all of you to enter the New Year with renewed zeal and patriotism, to serve our fatherland with love, honesty, faithfulness and hope for a greater tomorrow.
49. As I have always maintained, none of the challenges before us is insurmountable. We must come together as a people and work with single-minded unity of purpose to overcome them.
50. Nigeria is a key country in Africa. We must work together to maintain our strategic position and collaborate with others to move the continent forward. I call for peace in Africa and an end to all conflicts in our continent. I urge all Africans to promote democracy in their respective countries to ensure faster development of the continent and faster economic and political integration.
51. We will continue to pray and offer hands of fellowship and assistance to our fellow Africans suffering from the Ebola Virus Disease. I urge all Nigerians to show compassion and contribute in whatever way we can to help our African brothers and sisters.
52. As we go into this New Year, I salute the indomitable and resilient spirit of our people in Nigeria and wherever they are in the world. Our spirit of enterprise and the doggedness to succeed amongst all odds has been our strength.
53. With our collective prayers and efforts, we will grow our economy and our people will become wealthier. Government will continue with programmes deliberately designed to create more jobs for our youth, to enable them contribute more to the growth and development of our nation.
54. Let us continue our march to the future, towards the attainment of our collective vision of a strong, united, prosperous and harmonious nation – a secure nation for us and for our coming generations.
55. I wish you all a happy and fulfilling 2015.
56. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
57. Happy New Year, Nigeria!
58. I thank you all.
Awww! Tiwa Savage has some good news for you all.
Hope you get the memo. Congratulations to the Mavin Queen and her hubby.
Our year of abundance is here. Happy New Year People.
Happy New Year Everyone!
So glad we all made it. This shall be a year of abundance and harvest. You shall go out in peace and return in peace. Forget the sorrows, disappointments and losses of last year, the Lord shall compensate you heavily this year. God shall make you a source of everlasting pride and a cause for rejoicing throughout all generations.
Stay Blessed.
Before the year runs to a close….
It's been a great year, thanks for being a part of it. Thanks for making it worthwhile and memorable. May the new year bring beauty, blessings and freshness into your life. May each and every day of yours be renewed with lots of happiness and love. Wishing you a fabulous new year ahead.
God bless you!
Ololade Olatunji
Photo of the day: Coming To America Vs Coming To Abeokuta.
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Nigerian Idol returns with season five
All is set for the nationwide search for the best music talents as the 5th edition of Nigerian Idol kicks off.
Foremost owners of entertainment franchise in the country are Optima Media Group, in partnership with telecoms giant, Etisalat Nigeria and carbonated drink,Pepsi. Other sponsors include Payporte and Dabur Herbal.
The unveiling of the annual music TV reality show is billed to hold in the first week of the New Year at a venue in Nigeria’s entertainment capital, Lagos.
Beside the main task of the day, the event will also feature the public presentation of the three-man panel of celebrity judges for Season five and show modalities including procedures for participation in addition to the offer of opportunity for a press Idol to emerge through an on-the-spot singing competition that promises a reward prize of a thousand US Dollars for the top performer of the day.
The reality show, which is in its fifth season, is coming in furtherance of the company’s commitment to providing young Nigerians with exceptional talent in music the opportunity to unearth their potentials, hone their skills and develop into fulfilled music stars.
The Group Managing Director of Optima Media Group, Rotimi Pedro expressed delight in the potentials of the platform to offer talented Nigerian youths with flair for music the unique opportunity to express themselves on a global stage while creating a career path for themselves.
“We are delighted to be able to create the right and unique platforms across different fields for Nigerians to take advantage of and maximise their potentials. We have successfully done this over the years on a global stage as the Idol franchise provides. Our further commitment is to work with more partners in achieving this,” he said.
Nigerian Idol was successfully introduced on the Nigerian TV reality show scene a few years ago, and has seen its stock rise over the years with growth in popularity and followership hitting tens of millions. It is the only music TV reality show with a global appeal that currently cuts across 46 countries.
The reality show focuses on discovering Nigerian youths with talent in music and giving them a unique platform to take shots at stardom. The winner of the show will get N7. 5 million, a Galaxy Tab, a phone, an iPod, a recording deal with Universal Music Company and a brand new SUV car. The first runner up gets N1.5 million, a Galaxy Tab, phone and iPod and the 2nd runner up will receive N1million, a Galaxy Tab, phone and an iPod.
In addition, each of the finalists from 4th to 10th place will also receive N100, 000, a Galaxy Tab, phone and an iPod.
Nigerian Idol season five during the season will feature exciting performancesfrompast winners; YekaOnka, Mercy Chinwo, Moses Adigwe and Evelle.
Nationwide auditions will hold between January and February 2015 across five Nigerian cities; Benin City, Port Harcourt, Abuja, Ibadan and Lagos while airing kicks off from March.
Gareth Bale shuts down Manchester United rumours
"Go to Manchester United? I am very happy in Madrid, a city, a climate and a club that I love. My contract ends in 2019 and I could sign a renewal. I am very happy at Madrid and I hope to win many more titles in the future.
"It has been a fantastic year for me. I wanted to come to Real Madrid to win titles and work alongside the best players and that is exactly what I have done in a single year. I hope that we keep improving, winning more titles and that I can keep giving my all." He said
Brazilian legend, Ronaldo unveils his ultimate XI team
Brazilian football legend, Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima popularly known as Ronaldo has unveiled his ultimate XI team.
The iconic footballer Ronaldo picked for a 3-4-3 formation. Midfield maestro and Argentine talisman, Xavi Hernandez and Lionel Messi are the only two active players featured on the list.
Ronaldo’s goal skipper is Spain legend, José Ángel Iribar, who played at Atletico Bilbao between 1962 and 1980 made the list. Next is Bayern Munich’s Franz Beckenbauer.
Other people on the list are his AC Milan team-mates Cafu and Paolo Maldini. Football icons, Diego Maradona, Johan Cruyff, Zinedine Zidane, Pele and Alfredo Di Stefano.
14 people, issues or events that shook Nigeria in 2014
As the year draws to a close, Loladeville Blog takes a look at 14 people, issues or events that shook Nigeria in 2014. From the Bring Back Our Girls campaign, Ebola and the shocking deaths of Prof. Dora Akunyili, Amaka Igwe and others. These are the stories worth reviewing before the year ends.
(1) NIS recruitment tragedy- The Nigerian Immigration Service recruitment tragedy of March 15, 2014 is one that will not be easily forgotten. The issue is not that over 6million people paid an application fee of N1,000 for 4,000 vacant positions but that 23 Nigerian job seekers who left their homes were trampled to death whilst trying to gain entrance to venues, several others were injured and rushed to nearby hospitals.
(2) Bring Back Our Girls– Albeit interest in it has waned considerably, the abduction of nearly 300 Chibok school girls on April 14, 2014 in Borno State Nigeria by Islamic sect, Boko Haram topped social media’s most trending topics list in Nigeria in 2014. The kidnap prompted a global campaign tagged ‘Bring Back Our Girls’ to ensure the safe release of the poor girls. The #BBOG campaign drew unprecedented attention from the international community, protests were held severally in different parts of the country and abroad. High-profile international figures shew their support/solidarity via placards with the #BringBackOurGirls caption, tweets, instagram and facebook posts etc. Today marks the 261th day of their captivity and sadly the the girls have not been brought back
(3)Patience Jonathan’s viral bant– All Nigerians picked from an “emotional” 2-minute video of Nigeria’s first lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan addressing Mrs Asabe Aliyu Kwarmbula, the Principal of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State over the abducted 234 students of the school at a press briefing was her pidgin English. We all agree that her relationship with English is strained, Nigerians had a field day with the video just like they did with last year’s ‘Oga At The Top’ bant. The video went viral, (and of course it was available for download) and phrases like “Diaris God”, “Na only you waka come” became an anthem on the lips of both young and old.
(4) Dora Akunyili– Will Nigeria ever forget Dora Akunyili? Certainly not. The widely revered woman of substance passed on on June 7,2014 after a 17-year battle with uterine cancer. She was aged 59. The amazon was an ex Minister of Information and former Director General of The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control. Needless to say she was a passionate campaigner against fake and substandard drugs in Nigeria. She will be sorely missed.
(5) Amaka Igwe– The sudden death of one of Nigeria’s iconic filmmakers, Amaka Igwe which occurred in Enugu on April 28, 2014 left several if not all entertainment practitioners in shock. According to reports, the 51 year-old multi award-winning movie producer suffered an asthma attack on a movie location and gave up before she was rushed to the hospital. Her death has been described as an irreparable loss to the motion pictures industry.
(6) Kefee– It all started with the news of her collapse in a Chicago-bound plane. The plane we gathered had to make an emergency landing so she could receive medical attention. Fans, family and friends were however shocked out of their wits when the news of the death of the sapele-born frontline Gospel singer, Kefee Don-Momoh seeped into the air. The Branama queen died in an undisclosed Los-Angeles hospital after 15-days in coma.
(7) Ebola– In Nigeria, the name Patrick Sawyer is synonymous to Ebola. The 40-year-old Liberian brought the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) to Nigeria on July 20, 2014. He vomited frequently during his flight and on arrival was hospitalised at the First Consultant Hospital, Obalende. His arrival set a chain of transmission that got 19 people infected, 8 of whom died. He died on 25 July. But for Dr Stella Adedavoh, a senior consultant at the hospital who promptly alerted health institutions after a malaria test carried out on Sawyer came out positive and stopped the Liberian from leaving the hospital for a conference in Calabar, the death toll would have increased. Sadly Dr Stella died few days later after a direct contact with the Ebola victim. Nigeria was declared Ebola-free by World Health Organization (WHO) on October 20, 2014
(8) Psquare’s alleged breakup– The news of their breakup started with Jude Okoye, the elder brother of singing duo, Psquare’s tweet one fateful day, “After 10 years of hardwork, I am done”, it was difficult to believe all was well with the Okoye brothers. There were reports that they fought severally at rehearsals and had to be separated by their dancers. Shortly after that fans, celebrities and friends of the singers took to several social media platforms to advise them to sheathe their swords and shelve their planned break-up. Fans however heaved sighs of relief after the brothers debunked the rumour via their various twitter accounts. “Forever Psquare”. “Psquare! Stronger than ever.” They wrote.
(9) 2014 World Cup– The World Cup is unarguably the biggest sporting competition in the world. The 2014 edition held from June 12- July 13 2014 in Brazil. 64 matches were played, 32 countries were represented, 12 venues were featured and 1 winner emerged- Germany. There were those who jetted out to Brazil, some saw the games in the comfort of their homes, viewing centres and in large malls. There were others who followed the games on several social media platforms and got connected to a community of football fans around the world. They followed live updates, analysed matches and players/teams’ performances, talked about goals or funny/bizarre goal celebrations, praised or lashed out at players, won prizes for predicting games correctly etc.
(10) Ayo Fayose- The return of Ayodele Peter Fayose to the Ekiti State Government house is one of the issues that dominated political discourse in the country in 2014. Fayose who was impeached from office in controversial circumstances in 2006 defeated Dr Kayode Fayemi in the Ekiti gubernatorial election held in June this year. He made history in Nigeria as the first politician to defeat two incumbent Governors for the same office twice. He was sworn in on October 16,2014.
(11) Entertainers in politics– The year 2014 saw many Nigerian entertainers expressing their interests in qualifying for one political office or the other. Roll call of celebrities who vied for political seats include: Julius Agwu (Rivers State Governor), Desmond Elliot (Lagos State House of Assembly Surulere Constituency), Abolore ‘9ice’ Akande (House of Assembly Ogbomosho North/South Orire Constituence Oyo), Kenny Saint Best (Lagos State House of Assembly Ikeja Constituency 1), Daniel Chibuzor a.k.a Dan D’ Humourous (comedian) (House of Assembly Ikweme Constituency), Kate Henshaw (Federal House of Representative Calabar Municipal/Odukpani Federal Constituency), Bob Manuel Idokwu (Anambra State House of Assembly Idemli North) and a host of others. Sadly, majority of them lost out in the primaries.
(12) AFCON – Two goals from Super Eagles’ Sone Aluko didn’t help Nigeria to qualify for the African Cup of Nations 2015 to be held in Equitorial Guinea. Nigeria crashed out after failing to beat South Africa at the newly commissioned stadium in Akwa Ibom. Nigeria garnered a total of 8 points and came third in a group comprising of South Africa who qualified with 12 points and Congo who occupied the second spot with 10 points. Nigeria is however the only country who has not defended the nations cup after winning it in 1996 and 2013.
(13) Primary Elections- Primary elections were held in several states of the nations for candidates vying for Gubernatorial, Presidential and other positions in the 2015 elections. While President Jonathan emerged PDP candidate for the Presidential election, General Muhammadu Buhari garnered a total of 3,430 votes to emerge the presidential candidate of APC. Who wins a ticket to Aso Rock next year? That’s one question Nigerians will find answer to in 2015.
(14) Keshi’s sack and reinstatement – National team coach, Stephen Keshi was highly commended for helping Nigeria to win the African Cup of Nations in South Africa last year. The story is different today. The ex international was relieved of his job on October 15, 2014 after a disastrous AFCON 2015 qualifying campaign and a former handler, Amodu Shuaibu took over.
Two weeks after, Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan ordered his reinstatement to oversee the two remaining qualifying matches. That didn’t help matters as Nigeria failed to pick the 2015 AFCON qualifications ticket. The debate for Keshi to remain as the Super Eagles coach is one of the most controversial issues in the Nigerian sports circle.