Jerry Douglas' Blog

There are indications that President Goodluck Jonathan and former President Olusegun Obasanjo are set to clash again over the chairmanship of the Peoples Democratic Party’s Board of Trustees. Though the presidency had denied it,  there have been reported instances of alleged disagreements between Jonathan and Obasanjo in recent times. The PUNCH’s investigations on Sunday showed that while Jonathan was pushing the candidacy of a former Minister of Works, Chief Tony Anenih, chieftains of the party, including Obasanjo, were said not to be comfortable with Anenih. It was learnt that while Jonathan had not openly pressured BoT members to vote for Anenih, he was said to have shown that he had confidence in him. A member of the National Working Committee of the party, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Anenih “should be contented with the headship of the Nigerian Ports Authority for now and allow a younger and energetic person to head the board of our party at this cruc...

Friends and family of Kelvin Lakoju, the 28-year-old Nigerian student in India who allegedly committed suicide by jumping off the second floor of his rented accommodation, don’t believe the suicide story. Close friends of the photography student said Kevin had absolutely no reason to commit suicide and he wasn’t suffering from depression as it’s being alleged by the Indian police. A friend living in India said “Kelvin was killed, we know it, the Indian police knows it, they have confirmed it”. Although investigations are still going on, it is believed that the possibility of suicide has been ruled out. Related Article:   28-Year-Old Nigerian Student Commits Suicide In India Kelvin was said to have received death threats from his landlord and on several occasions he had reported to his parents. Unconfirmed reports say that new findings will be sent out soon. In the main time it has been sadness, pain and tears for friends of Kelvin. Another longtime friend of his Kofo ...

The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,  has said it is yet to endorse any aspirant as it governorship candidate for the 2015 elections in Lagos State. In a statement by its publicity secretary, Mr Taofik Gani,, the party said  reports that it had endorsed an aspirant was aimed to cause disaffection within the Lagos PDP. He stated that “we are saying emphatically that we have not endorsed nor focussed on any particular person to be our governorship candidate. “We are occupied with laying the conducive environment for  free and fair primaries.” He added that “ our party is  fully democratic and we don’t intend to deviate from that identity, especially in selecting our candidates at all levels. “Besides, our party urged aspirants vying on its platform to abide by the dictates of the party, adding that the party intends to provide a level playing ground for aspiring members. “Consequently, we shall intensify our prayers so that no h...

 More pictures after the cut. Mrs Kemi Olunloyo and Ogogo

People really need to be careful who they employ as domestic staff: The police in Lagos State have arrested a 27-year-old housemaid, Mariam Acheme, and four others for allegedly robbing the housemaid’s boss.  According to police authorities, the housemaid, invited her boyfriend, Dansu Akokran, and another person at large to rob her boss and also stage her own kidnap. The Police Public Relations Officer of the state command, Ngozi Braide, said, “On November 26, 2012, the housemaid invited her boyfriend to her boss’ house when the madam had gone out. On getting to the house, the boyfriend and another person ransacked the entire house. “They vandalised the doors and also stole all the valuables. The housemaid then padlocked the gate from outside and fled with them.” It was learnt that when the owner of the house arrived, she discovered that all her valuables were gone and Acheme was nowhere to be found. The victim was said to have immediately reported the matter to the Bode T...

Former Super Eagles star, Austin Jay Jay Okocha seems to be flushing most of his properties down the drain. From available records, the ex-Bolton midfielder has been selling his assets in recent times. As at the last count, TON gathered that the soccer star has put another of his house up for sale at a give away prize (N17m) due to what a source described as "reasons best known to him". This is coming not long after he sold his Club 10 bar. Many people are asking questions because the house he put up for sale, located in Akute, is already occupied by tenants and he has collected rent from these tenants. I just hope all his well with Jay Jay...

OVER 35 illegal oil refineries and 18 local boats used by bunkerers were, weekend, destroyed by the Joint Task Force on Oil Bunkering operating in Ondo State. The Joint Task Force which stormed the riverine communities burnt down all illegal refineries in a two day operation in the coastal communities of Ondo, Edo and Delta states. The operation was in conjunction with a private security outfit, Gallery Security Services Limited owned by an ex-militant High Chief Bebopiri Ajube that intercepted over 1.6million litres of stolen crude last week. Vanguard which witnessed the destruction of the illegal refineries discovered that it lasted for over five hours and it involved soldiers from the 19th Battalion in Okitipupa, Naval officers from the Forward Operation Base at Igbokoda. The illegal refineries are hidden in the creeks of Dababilebu, Akitogbo, Adiloseimo, Obontonu and Akina-Zion communities..

The final burial arrangements of the late Nollywood actor, Enebeli Elebuwa who died of 5th of Dec 2012 has finally been announced. According to the president of the Actors Guild Of Nigeria (AGN) Ibinabo Fiberesima, the burial ceremony would hold from Wednesday, January 9 to Friday, January 11, 2013 and is scheduled as follows: "On Wednesday Jan 9, a Nollywood nite with candlelight procession would be held in his honour. The procession starts from Marsha to Ojey Restaurant, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. This would have tributes and prayers for Enebeli. The dress code is white.  On Thursday Jan 10, a Service of Songs ceremony would hold at the premises of NTA 10, Tejuosho, while on Friday Jan 11, a requiem Mass would be held at St Michaels, Lafiaji, by 11am. His body would be interred at Victoria Courts Cemetry. On Sunday Jan 12, a thanksgiving service would hold by 10am at St Michael." May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.

Dear Tonto Dikeh, I know you feel beautiful this morning! Well, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. For me, you are nowhere near ‘beautiful’. You are just there. But before I tell you what I really want to tell you, I need to tell you something. There is a lady called Adele. She is a singer. She sings. I need to explain what a singer means, because I understand that you have no brain at all. Because I hate sugar-coating, I am hated by a lot of people. You are just like me too. I will understand when people hate you, but, seriously, if you think Igbo men are nosy, then, you are right. That is your opinion and you must protect it.  I am an Igbo man. I will defend myself right now. Back to Adele. I will tell you everything about this young lady who transformed herself into something very beautiful in the eyes of men. I also understand that you don’t know her, but it won’t hurt if I tell you about her now. This is what TIME magazine wrote about her few days ago: “As talented and ...

A 40 year old Spanish woman was arrested in Madrid for being married to three Nigerians who she had charged €3,000 each so they could get Spanish nationality.  The investigation began when police discovered irregularities in the request for a residency permit of a Nigerian man.  He had married a Spanish woman and included the marriage certificate in his request. However, the woman was registered as having married two other Nigerian men in other parts of Madrid in 2007 and 2008.

General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has revealed the circumstances surrounding his birth around 1942, saying that they were mysterious. According to him, he was born on a Sunday when there was rain and sunshine, while his delivery was single-handedly handled by his mother in a room at Ifewara, Osun State, a reason he was nicknamed “the tiger.” He gave the revelation to worshippers at the Redemption Camp, Kilometre 46, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ogun State, while giving a sermon on the topic: “Wonders of His Names.” While speaking on the significance of names, the cleric said in the course of his growing up, he had to drop some names that he discovered were inimical to his spiritual and physical progress. Adeboye reeled out his full names as “Enoch, Elisha, Sunday, Adejare, Adetona, Olagundoye, Adeboye, including his alias, which the people chorused as “the tiger.” According to him, “I asked my mother when and how I was born...

Share Facebook Twitter print Ballon d'Or contenders Messi, Ronaldo and Iniesta in profile Regarded as the most prestigious individual award in world football, the Fifa Ballon d'Or was created by France Football magazine in 1956 to honour the best European player of the previous calendar year. In 2010, it was merged with Fifa's World Player of the Year and the award - voted for by journalists, and national coaches and captains - now recognises the best players in world football. Andres Iniesta, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi - the three contenders for the main prize to be awarded in Zurich on Monday. Primera Liga & Champions League in 2012 Messi Ronaldo Iniesta Games played 50 51 39 Total minutes 4,380 4,541 2,835 Goals 72 53 6 Total shots 205 288 48 On target 139 149 23 Shot conv. rate 35.1% 18.4% 12.5% Assists 17 11 16 Passes 3,178 1,848 2,667 Passe...