FG Seeks Release Of Nigerian Ex-diplomat Detained In Venezuela

The Federal Government has initiated moves to secure the release of a retired Nigerian diplomat, Mr. Olarotimi Ajayi, from detention in Venezuela.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olugbenga Ashiru, told the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Abuja that the Nigerian former diplomat detained in Venezuela had retired from service and no longer enjoyed diplomatic immunity.

“The information at my disposal is that Mr. Olarotimi Ajayi ceased to be a diplomat some months ago because he has retired; nonetheless, he is a Nigerian and we are working towards his release,” Ashiru said.
The minister was commenting on reports that Ajayi, who served in Venezuela, had been detained for fraud since July 19 by authorities in the Latin American country.
“He is a retired diplomat; what happened is that he must have over stayed his permit and he travelled out of the country.
On return, he was arrested. Nevertheless, sinece he is a Nigerian and a former diplomat, we have contacted the Venezuela authorities to ensure his release,” the minister said.
He said that Ajayi, having retired from service, should have regularised his stay in Venezuela.
“That is what we keep saying, people who want to stay in a particular country should have valid papers.
“If you were staying there as a diplomat and your term expired and you still continue to stay under a wrong term, then that will be problematic,” the minister added.
He said the case was being addressed like that of any Nigerian facing consular challenges as Ajayi no longer had the privilege given to foreign service officers.

Subsidy scam: Two more oil marketers docked, detained

LAGOS — Two more oil marketers, Oluwaseun Ogunbambo, Habila Theck and their company, Fargo Energy Limited accused of swindling the Federal Government in oil subsidy scam were arraigned, yesterday, at an Ikeja High Court on a six count charge of conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretence, forgery and using forged documents.
They were accused of defrauding the government of N979,653,110.28. They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge

EFCC ARRAIGNS SUBSIDY SCAM SUSPECTS—Mr. Habila Theck, (left); Mr Oluwaseun Ogunbambo, (3rd left), Fuel Subsidy scam suspects and Economic and financial Crimes Commission’s, officials during arraignments of the suspects at Ikeja High court, Lagos by EFCC . Photo: Lamidi Bamidele.

The prosecution alleged that the offences they committed are contrary to section 8 and punishable under section 1 (1)(2)(3) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria as well as sections 363 and 364 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria No 11, Laws of Lagos State 2011.
According to the charge, the accused persons and the oil company  “on or about February 10, 2012, with intent to defraud, conspired to fraudulently obtain N976,653,110.28  from the federal government of Nigeria by falsely representing that the said sum represented subsidy accruing on importation of 13,627,084 litres of Premium Motor Spirit(PMS) purportedly purchased from Sealac Petroleun Limited and imported into Nigeria through MT Diplomat and MT Milleura which representation they knew to be false”.
See more photos here
It further alleged that the defendants and the oil company “on 14th day of October, 2011 at Lagos and within Ikeja judicial division, with intent to defraud and in order to facilitate your obtaining money by false pretence from the federal government of Nigeria, under the Petroleum Support Fund, forged a document titled “Certificate of Origin, Port of Loading Antwerp Belgium” dated 14th day of October, 2011, purporting the document to have been issued by Sealac Petroleum Limited”.
Shortly after their pleas were taken, their counsel, Mr. Babajide Koku (SAN) informed the court of his plan to move their applications for bail.
However, he said he had two different  applications, one of which was dated July 25, 2012 and forwarded to court last week and a new one filed yesterday morning. He then applied that one the bail applications dated July 25, 2012 be struck out substituted with the new application.
He said the move was to react to the counter affidavit filed by the EFCC which opposed the bail for the 1st defendant.
The prosecution then urged the court to grant it time to react to some fundamental issues raised in the new application filed by the defence while the defence asked for two days to react to all issues raised in the counter affidavit of the bail application.
While conceding the need for an adjournment, the prosecution urged the court to order that the accused persons be detained in the custody of the EFCC pending when their applications for bail will be argued.
The trial judge, Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo ordered the detention of the defendants at the EFCC and adjourned the matter till Wednesday, August 1, 2012 (tomorrow) for argument on bail application.

source: vanguard

Ghana: Govt Directs Minute's Silence For Late Prez Mills On Tuesday at 2:15 pm

In honour of President John Evans Atta Mills, the government directs that all should observe a minute’s silence on Tuesday, 31st July, 2012 at 2:15pm (14:15 GMT).

The said day and time marks one week and the exact time that President Atta Mills passed away.

A statement signed by Deputy Information Minister James Agyanim Boateng on Monday said, wherever people find themselves throughout Ghana at 2:15pm on Tuesday, 31st July, 2012, they are to observe a minute’s silence as directed.

The statement also admonished Ghanaians to say a prayer afterwards for the soul of President Atta Mills, who worked selflessly towards bettering the lives of Ghanaians.

Government further urged the electronic media, as far as is reasonably possible, are also encouraged to observe the minute silence.


Source: Ghana/Ministry of Information

Nodding Disease Affects 3,000 Ugandan Children

(iStockphoto/Thinkstock)

On Monday, World Health Organization officials and scientists will gather in Uganda to discuss a mysterious affliction, called "nodding disease," that is affecting almost 3,000 children in the African country. One young girl suffering from the sickness drowned as a result of her symptoms, according to the Associated Press.

Joyce Labol was found dead about three years ago. As she bent low to fetch water from a pond a half mile from Languna's compound of thatched huts, an uncontrollable spasm overcame her. The teen was one of more than 300 young Ugandans who have died as a result of the mysterious illness that is afflicting more and more children across northern Uganda and in pockets of South Sudan.
The disease is called nodding syndrome, or nodding head disease, because those who have it nod their heads and sometimes go into epileptic-like fits. The disease stunts children's growth and destroys their cognition, rendering them unable to perform small tasks. Some victims don't recognize their own parents.

London 2012: First two world records broken at Games

London 2012 has not had long to wait for its first world records, with the South Korean archery team setting two new landmarks at Lord's.

Im Dong-hyun, who is visually impaired, set an individual record in Friday's ranking round. He also joined forces with Kim Bub-min and Oh Jin-hyek to record a new best in the team event.
South Korea's archery team is regarded as the best in the world.
Britain's Larry Godfrey shot a personal best to finish fourth of 64.
Alan Wills registered his third-highest score of the year to finish 42nd, and Simon Terry was 50th.

In the women's competition, Naomi Folkard led the way for Britain in 42nd, six-time Olympian Alison Williamson was 47th and Amy Oliver 57th.

The men ranked ninth out of the 12 teams, with the women's scores only good enough for 11th place.
Dong-hyun, who won team golds at the past two Games, broke his own 72-arrow mark of 696 by three points.
He can barely read the big letters at the top of an optician's chart, aiming at a "yellow blob" in the target 70 metres away.
Alongside Bubmin and Jin-hyek, Dong-hyun helped set a 216-arrow total of 2,087, eclipsing the previous world record by 18 points.
Lord's played host to the men's individual ranking round on Friday morning and will hold the men's team gold medal match on Saturday.

Amazon Founder Donates $2.5 Million To Support Same-sex Marriage

With gay rights activists still riled over Chick-fil-a’s LGBT criticism, two megastores are taking the opposite tack and making their support for gay marriage as public as possible.
Amazon CEO and founder Jeff Bezos became the biggest financial backer of gay marriage in the country today when he and his wife MacKenzie pledged $2.5 million to support Washington state’s same-sex marriage referendum.
The Bezos gift doubled the amount Washington’s pro-gay marriage group Washington United for Marriage had raised so far, the group said in a statement. Washington’s Legislature legalized same-sex marriage in February but opponents have since collected enough signatures to put the measure before voters in November.
Gay marriage is legal in six states, but despite 32 separate attempts in various states, same-sex marriage has never survived a popular vote.
At the national level, Target is broadcasting its support for equal marriage rights with a wedding registry ad featuring two smiling men dressed in suits and bow ties holding hands and touching foreheads. “Be Yourself, Together,” is printed in bold red lettering across the center of the advertisement, which encourages couples to build a registry that is “as unique as the two of you.”
Target spokeswoman Molly Snyder said in a statement that the ad is part of Target’s broader commitment to “diversity and inclusion.”
“At the heart of our company are core values which include Target’s long-standing commitment to create an environment where all of our team members and guests feel welcome, valued and respected,” Snyder said. “We believe our current marketing is consistent with this value.”
Two years ago Target earned itself the scorn of gay rights activists after the Minneapolis-based retail giant donated $150,000 to MN Forward, a political group that endorsed GOP gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer. Emmer was  firmly opposed to same-sex marriage.
Since then, Target has launched numerous pro-equality campaigns. It sold gay pride T-shirts online during June’s Pride month and donated part of the proceeds to the Family Equality Council, an LGBT advocacy group.
And in June the megastore stocked its shelves with greeting cards for same-sex couples. The cards have messages like “Two very special women, one very special love,” as the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported.

Ex-MBGN Queen Sylvia Nduka launches her Hair Extension Flagship Store “Sylvia’s Hair Gallery” in Lagos! View Photos from the Event

Sylvia Nduka (CEO, Sylvia’s Hair Gallery)

After the successful launch of her hair extension line - Sylvia’s Hair in December last year, MGBN 2011 winner Sylvia Nduka recently launched the hair extension line’s flagship store Sylvia’s Hair Gallery in Surulere, Lagos.
The event which kicked off by 1 PM, saw in attendance Sylvia’s Hair models – MBGN 2011 Miss Universe Sophia Gemal, super model Veezee and Ify, Nigerian musician Steel, MBGN 2011 Tourism Obioma Isiwu, Abdul of STV E! Weekly, Gulder Ultimate Search Season 7 Winner Qriss Okagbue, media representatives and many others, who came to support Sylvia Nduka and shop for her hair extensions.
According to Sylvia’s Hair rep, the opening of Sylvia’s Hair Gallery signaled a new dawn in the Nigerian beauty and fashion industry. We certainly think so, check out all the exclusive photos from the launch.
Photos

Ify

Sylvia Nduka & Sophie Gemal

Sylvia Nduka & Qriss Okagbue

Sylvia Nduka, Steel & Sophie Gemal

Ify, Sylvia Nduka & Obioma Isiwu

Sylvia Nduka, Jane & Ushers

Shola & Veezee

Shola, Veezee & Steel

Sylvia Nduka, Shola & Zainab

Ishioma, Sylvia Nduka & Qriss Okagbue

Sophia Gemal, Sylvia Nduka & Ishioma

Abdul & Sylvia Nduka

Veezee & Sophie Gemal

Veezee, Ify & Sophie Gemal (Sylvia’s Hair Models)

Veezee, Sylvia Nduka & Sophia Gemal

Sylvia Hair is currently on the verge of starting a TV reality show Face of Sylvia’s Hair 2012. The show aimed at teaching young African women the necessities of developing the culture of a beautiful hairstyle, will see one lucky girl crowned the face of Sylvia’s Hair and win a cash prize of N 1 Million, a brand new KIA car and all expense paid trip to Dubai. To participate in this competition, call 07043535536 | 07089589844 | 08185406104 or log on to www.Sylvias-Hair.com/FaceOfSylvia for all the info.
Contact: For more info and general enquiries;

• Call 07043535536
• Visit Sylvia’s Hair Gallery, No 39 Adeniran Ogunsanya Street, Surulere, Lagos
• E-mail sylviahair@yahoo.com
• Follow them on Twitter@Sylvia_Hair
• Like their Facebook Page – www.Facebook.com/SylviasHairExtension
• Log on to their Website – www.Sylvias-Hair.com

source: bella naija

E'll Adamz set to represent Nigeria @ Mr Ultimate Model International 2012

 E'll Adamz is no novice when it comes to modeling.His Biological name Lawal Adamu, he hails from Apa Local Government Area of Benue State. He has been part of so many events, competitions etc that i'll just enumerate a few..


In 2008 he walked the runway 4 Terros. Designs @ The Benue Best Designers Show and emerged as (Model Of The Night)
 In 2009 he represented Nigeria in an Online pageant (World Face Of The Month) and emerged as a 1st Runner up
 In 2011 he emerged as Mr FCT Abuja 2011 and represented FCT Abuja in the (Mr Ideal Nigeria 2011) where I made the top finalist

Think that's all? Guess what! In 2011, he got signed on Next Models Guatemala (Central America) as one of their International Models. And Just recently was voted by 2 countries and awarded as (Best Model Look 2012).
This year, he is set to represent Nigeria at the (Ultimate Model International 2012) is an international pageant hosted by KR Pageant Production South Africa.

This event would take place live from 4th to 8th of october 2012 live at Rio Casino and Hotels SA... He was short-listed by the South African pageant organizer as a worthy official representative of Nigeria in this prestigious pageant.....

According to him..

" Making Me the (Mr Ultimate Model Nigeria 2012)  I'll do my best to be a good representative of Nigeria out there. All i need right now is the support of all Nigerians to make us proud out there. Thanks"

source:  misspetitenaija

AFLPM re-elects Mrs Jonathan as President

Abuja – Nigeria’s First Lady Patience Jonathan was on Friday in Abuja re-elected as the President of the African First Ladies Peace Mission (AFLPM).
Jonathan as well as all other regional heads of the mission were unanimously re-elected at the 7th Summit of the AFLPM.

Closing of 7th Summit of African First Ladies Peace Mission in Abuja.jpg where Dame Patience Jonathan was re-elected President of the African First Ladies Peace Mission

The AFLPM re-elected Mrs Jonathan as its President and she is expected to oversee the affairs of the Mission in West Africa.
The First Lady of Cameroon was re-elected as Vice President (Central African Region), while the First Lady of South Africa retained the post of Vice-President, Southern African Region.
The First Lady of Sudan was re-elected as Vice-President (Eastern African Region); the First Lady of Libya retained the post of Vice-President (Northern African Region); while the First Lady of the Republic of Congo was re-elected as an Ex-Officio executive for a fresh two-year term.
In her acceptance speech, Jonathan thanked all the members of the Mission for the confidence reposed in her and members of her team to continue as AFLPM’s executives.
“It is a great honour for me and our country, Nigeria; this new mandate would further strengthen our resolve to laying a solid foundation for our great organisation.
“We will not relent in our efforts in ensuring that the African First Ladies Peace Mission fulfills its divine responsibility of achieving a lasting peace in Africa.
“Let me appeal to you my dear sisters that all of us owe our spouses support in ensuring that peace, security and total development is achieved in Africa.
“We must all work hard to change the picture of war painted of Africa to that of a peaceful, stable and progressive continent.
“We can still play our part in resolving some of the ongoing conflicts in Africa.’’
Jonathan called on all African women to persuade their husbands, sons and brothers to embrace dialogue and refrain from violence because women suffered most, physically and emotionally, in all conflict situations.
She said that women, as mothers, could no longer afford to sit in their comfort zone and do nothing because the lack of peace and insecurity always affected governance and developmental efforts negatively.
In her closing remarks, the AFLPM President urged members of the Mission to remain committed to the goals set for achieving peace in Africa.
She stressed that the African First Ladies were responsible for shaping the future of the continent, adding that tangible efforts must be made in the peace building process.
“ I want to urge us all to reflect on the programmes and activities we intend to implement as we return home.
“ This is very important because without conscious, clear and thoughtful commitment on our part with regard to efforts to pursue an agenda for peace in Africa, the goals of this summit would have been defeated.
“Therefore, we must work hard for peace promotion as African mothers so that generations yet unborn will be proud of our efforts in making our continent a better place to be.’’
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the AFLPM, which aims at promoting peace and harmony in Africa, was established in 1995 after the UN Conference on Women in Beijing, China.
NAN recalls that Nigeria was elected the President of the AFLPM in 2008 and it was then agreed that Nigeria should provide a permanent secretariat for the Mission.
A total of 10 First Ladies attended the summit, while 21 others sent representatives. (NAN)

Don Jazzy Post Family Potrait on Instagram

What do you think guys!

my judgement is this is a one big happy family.

Michelle Obama: Olympic Games Are about Finding Inner Strength

Samantha Cameron and Michelle Obama came to AU’s Bender Arena for a mini-Olympic competition. (Photo: Jeff Watts)

First Lady Michelle Obama will lead the U.S. presidential delegation to the Olympic Games in London, a plan she announced in March at American University.
Obama and her guest, Samantha Cameron, wife of British prime minister David Cameron, came to AU in the spring for a mini-Olympics competition as part of Obama's "Let's Move" initiative.
“This is why we’re here today,” Obama told 60 schoolchildren from Washington, Maryland, and Virginia. “The true spirit of the games isn’t just confined to the two weeks of competition in the summer. It’s not just about who wins the gold or which country wins the most medals. Instead the Olympic Games are about commitment, determination, and most importantly, teamwork. The games are about finding our inner strength.”
Obama was joined by members of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams, who led the students in activities including basketball, tennis, and running. That she chose AU to stage the event, which was closed to the public, was a sign of the esteem in which she holds the university, said Anita McBride, executive in residence at the School of Public Affairs and former chief of staff for First Lady Laura Bush.
“I think it’s certainly wonderful when the president and first lady of the United States visit,” McBride said. “To come to AU shows our important presence here in Washington. The fact that they’d extend a further honor by bringing such an important international guest underscores the important role this university plays not only in the Washington community but the global community.
“These games are about inspiring you guys to move,” Obama told the kids. “That’s what I want you all to do with ‘Let’s Move!’ You guys know that ‘Let’s Move!’ is about ensuring young people like you guys get up and get moving. We want to use these games as a way to jump start people into moving.
“That’s what’s so beautiful about these games,” she said. “They don’t just allow us to marvel at the skills and achievements of the world’s greatest athletes. They help us all dream bigger.

Balotelli: I would have been a UFC fighter

Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli has confessed that he would have pursued a career in the Ultimate Fighting Championship had he not been a footballer.
The controversial striker has been involved in his fair share of mishaps following his switch from Inter Milan to City in 2010.
A string of disciplinary incidents have dogged the Italy international during his time with the Premier League champions.
Balotelli has now admitted that he is a fan of mixed martial arts and was tempted to become a competitor in the sport.
"If I wasn't a footballer, I probably wanted to do UFC. I really love it," Balotelli said at an Umbro event launching the Blues' new kit.
The 21-year-old then explained his decision for choosing the number 45 with both Inter and City.
"My first game in Serie A, it was with [Roberto] Mancini, I also had No.45 because the younger players had numbers between 35 and 60.
"I got No.45 and I scored two goals, so I am lucky with 45," he added.

Nasri banned over behaviour at Euro 2012

France midfielder Samir Nasri has been banned for three matches following an investigation into his behaviour during Euro 2012, the French Football Federation said on its website on Friday.
The 25-year-old Manchester City player swore at a reporter following the quarter-final loss to Spain and made a gesture after scoring against England.
Jeremy Menez of Paris Saint-Germain was also given a one-match ban after he argued with goalkeeper Hugo Lloris during the Spain match.
Both players will miss a friendly against Uruguay next month and Nasri will also sit out 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Finland and Belarus.
Midfielders Hatem Ben Arfa and Yann Mvila were given warnings following separate incidents during the tournament.

NEWS- WIZKID COLLABORATES WITH U.S top Rappers Jeezy, The Game and Chris Brown on NEW SINGLE?

Wizkid has confirmed the fact that he did 5songs with U.S top Rappers Jeezy and The Game, when listing the artists who showed up in the studio, he mentioned Chris Brown . Could wizkid be featuring chris brown on his next sinlge ?

Is Kanye Planning to Propose?

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

The Gold Digger rapper is then planning to propose to the Keeping Up With The Kardashians star once her divorce from Kris Humphries is finalized.
"Kanye picked out some of Donda’s most expensive pieces, including some diamond earrings and a ruby ring," a source close to Kanye tells Radar.
"He then gave them to a private jeweler friend to make Kim a one-of-a-kind engagement ring.
"Donda was such an important person in Kanye’s life, he thought the world of her and was devastated when she died. So, he kept all her jewelry as keepsakes -- a lot of the pieces were items he bought over the years after he made it as a hip-hop star.
"And now, Kanye has found a woman he respects and loves just as much as his mom, so he wants to share her jewelry collection with Kim."

hmmmnnn... hope it goes well!

Ghana's New Leader Talks Africa's Future

(The Root) -- When John Dramani Mahama, who until July 24 was the vice president of the Republic of Ghana, was in class three at an elite boarding school in the late 1960s, he experienced an unforgettable encounter with a bully named Ezra. After slyly gaining the trust of his peers, Ezra, muscular and bold for his age, managed to create a system that required all students in the school to donate their mid-afternoon snacks to his private food collection, one that he would dive into after-hours without sharing. Ezra instilled so much fear in his classmates that no matter how unfair it was, everyone obliged.
Eventually, young Mahama grew tired of the snack confiscation system. He and his friends set out to plan a peaceful revolt. They would scarf down their snacks just before the time came to turn them over to Ezra. They would deliver a thoughtful speech -- something about how their fathers pay their school fees, and thus, pay for their snacks. They would stand up for themselves and await the consequences.
Out of fear, his two friends dropped out at the last minute. Still, Mahama didn't waver in his plan to defect. He ate his cake.

"Ezra released his punishment in one fell swoop. I barely felt the blow, but it landed me on the floor," he wrote in a chapter of his new memoir, My First Coup d'Etat: And Other True Stories From the Lost Decades of Africa. "He kneed me; he gave me knocks on my head. He really maltreated me, but I did not die. I did not die."
It was his experience with Ezra that Mahama called a true "microcosm of what was happening all throughout Africa." From the late 1960s until the 1980s, just after Africa freed itself from the grip of European colonialism, dictators sprouted up as often as new national flags. War and poverty ravished the continent.
"Additionally, because of the economy, hardships and the brain drain of that time, the period wasn't documented properly," he told The Root about his reasons for chronicling this time period in his book.

Did Janet Jackson Slap Paris?

 

Getty Images

It's been a difficult and dramatic week for the Jackson family, with ongoing reported disputes about Michael's estate and an announcement that his mom, Katherine, was presumed missing. (She was later found to be in Arizona, where she's reportedly resting.)
Today we're hearing about a fight involving multiple family members, in which Janet -- who memorably comforted a distraught Paris at Jackson's memorial service -- allegedly slapped the teen. From MTV:

On Monday (July 23), a fight broke out at Michael Jackson's mother, Katherine Jackson's, home in Calabasas, California. Multiple family members were involved, including MJ's daughter Paris Jackson and his sister Janet Jackson.
Sources tell TMZ that Randy, Jermaine and Janet Jackson entered the home uninvited and then tried to coerce Michael's children, Paris, Prince and Blanket, into coming with them to Arizona where their grandmother Katherine has been staying.
Sources say that Paris resisted the intervention and apparently things got violent. Allegedly, Janet slapped Paris and yelled, "You're a spoiled little bitch!" to which Paris responded with a slap and told Janet, "This is our house. Not the Jackson family house. Get the f--k out!"

Between a major loss, issues surrounding money and their public image -- not to mention the difficult family dynamics that fame doesn't change -- the Jacksons are clearly dealing with a lot. We hope -- if only for the sake of the kids who lost their father and for Michael's memory -- that they're able to sort it out.
Read more at MTV.

US House Rejects Obama Offshore Drilling Plan

Karen Boman
27 July 2012, The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday rejected the Obama administration’s proposed five-year offshore drilling plan, replacing it with legislation that would implement a new drilling plan.
The House voted 253-170 in favor of replacing Obama’s proposed plan with H.R. 6082, which would expand the number of lease sales held, and would open up for leasing tracts on the Outer Continental Shelf offshore southern California and Virginia.
Under the president’s proposed plan, a lease sale is scheduled for offshore Virginia in 2017, while the schedule proposed under H.R. 6082 calls for a Mid-Atlantic lease sale in 2013.
“President Obama’s rewritten offshore plan represents a giant step backwards for American offshore energy production and a giant lost opportunity to create over a million new American jobs,” said House Natural Resources Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04), who introduced the legislation on July 9.
Hastings said the areas where the lease sales occur in H.R. 6082 are those known to contain the greatest known amounts of oil and natural gas resources, which will provide new opportunities for increased energy production and job creation.
Hastings and other critics of Obama’s proposed plan, which was delivered for Congressional review on June 28, have said Obama’s plan would keep 85 percent of America’s offshore areas off-limits to energy production.
The U.S. Senate also is seeking to overturn Obama’s proposed drilling plan. On Wednesday, six senators – which include Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), John Hoeven (R-ND), Mary Landrieu (D-La.), Jim Webb (D-Va.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.) – introduced into the Senate the Offshore Petroleum Expansion Now Act of 2012 into the Senate, also to replace the president’s proposed offshore lease sale plan.
Under current law, the president must submit his five-year plan to Congress for a mandatory 60-day review. The legislation proposed by the senators would replace within the 60-day Congressional review period under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, President Obama’s Proposed Final Outer Continental Shelf Oil & Gas Leasing Program for 2012-2017.
Under the proposed legislation, also called the OPEN Act, an additional dozen lease sales would be added to the existing list of lease sales, and includes multiple area-wide sales in Alaska’s Beaufort and Chukchi seas. The president’s proposed plan includes 12 lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico, one in Alaska’s Cook Inlet, and two potential sales in Alaska’s Arctic.
The bill would also ensure that states receive a fair share of the revenue generated off their coastlines, something that has been lacking in other drilling legislation, said Landrieu.
“Energy exploration and subsequent production within the Virginia Outer Continental Shelf – if coupled with environmental protections and equitable formula for sharing revenues between the state and federal governments – would boost domestic energy supplies, while benefiting the Commonwealth’s economy,” said Webb, who has repeatedly called for Virginia’s inclusion to the administration’s five-year oil and gas leasing plan.
“The House has voted on a bipartisan basis to reject President Obama’s proposed offshore drilling plan and replace it with a bipartisan plan that will expand offshore energy production and create jobs,” said Hastings. “I’m pleased that a bipartisan group of Senators has introduced legislation to do the same.”
Congress will have 60 days to review President Obama’s proposed plan.
“The president’s plan is unacceptable and failure to act by the Senate would be an active endorsement of the President’s no-new-drilling, no-new-jobs plans,” said Hastings. “The Senate must vote before the 60-day clock runs out.”
Karen Boman has more than 10 years of experience covering the upstream oil and gas sector. Email Karen at kboman@rigzone.com. This pieces was culled from Rigzone

Sound Sultan & Wyclef On People Bad Remix?

…

Well we’re not entirely sure but based on what Sound Sultan suggested on his twitter page it might be something to think about. Sound Sultan’s heavy hit People Bad has been a fav for a while and a remix with Wyclef will definitely get the buzz sky high again.
For now it’s not confirmed, but we just might see that remix along with a video.


source: jaguda

Ghanaian Musicians Mourn President Mills + Tribute Song

Ghanaian musicians world-wide have expressed shock and deep sadness at the news of the sudden death of President John Evans Atta Mills who passed on at the 37 Military Hosiptal.

Not long after the sad news broke out on some social networks, some musicians sent messages of condolences particularly on Twitter and Facebook.

“RIP Atta Mills, may the good lord keep your soul” – Paulina Oduro

My condolences to his excellency’s family and friends. Rest In Peace.” – Wanlov

“I am so sad!!!. God keep the soul of our late President John Evans Atta Mills. God knows why, Gold loves Ghana and I am sure he knows why he call him at this time. Let mourn President Mills regardless of our political affiliation” – Bro Philemon

So couldn’t we have praised and hailed Prez Mills for his achievements whiles he was alive than to wait till his death. Lets learn to say good things about one another and encourage people when they try their best in Life. RIP PREZ MILLS – Reggie Zippy

“RIP to Ghanaian President “John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills”. I’m not into Politics but we just lost a Legend who was sick but still fought hard though all these Pressure, Farewell Prezzo. Like or Share to show ur Condolence it doesnt matter whether ur NPP or NDC . Dadie Opanka

“Seriously? The president is dead?” – Hammer

“Rest in perfect peace. President JOHN ATTA MILLS! so sad” – Eazzy

“Henceforth Atta Mills was KING and not just president. Real Kings die on the throne. Presidents hand over power” – Ian Jazzi

“May his soul rest in peace. May God protect and be with all Ghanaians in this difficult time” – Rocky Dawuni

“I’m very proud of him. He died being a very strong christian. May he rest in the bosom of the most high” – Jenny C

R.I.P His Ex. John Evans Fiifi Attah Mills (21st July 1944-24th July 2012). – Nii

“What a sad day in Ghana” – Tic Tac

Source: Omgghana.com

Katherine Jackson Is 'Fine,' Confirms Custody Change

After a mysterious disappearance that set off a wild war of words (and fists) and splashed her family's business all over the media, Katherine Jackson broke her silence on Wednesday night in an attempt to set the record straight.
"I am here today to let everybody know that I am fine and I am here with my children, and my children would never do a thing to me like that, holding me against my will," she told ABC News in a statement that denied rumors she'd been kidnapped or held against her will by a group of her children. Surrounded by children Janet, Jermaine and Rebbie, as well as Rebbie's daughter, Stacy, Katherine spoke to ABC, but would not allow the network to ask her any questions. "It's very stupid for people to think that. But anyway, I am devastated that while I've been away, that my children, my grandchildren, have been taken away from me, and I'm coming home to see about that, also."
On Wednesday, a judge temporarily stripped the Jackson family matriarch of her guardianship duties for late King of Pop Michael's three children, Prince, Paris and Prince Michael II ("Blanket") handing responsibility over to their cousin, TJ Jackson. In appointing TJ, 34, son of Tito Jackson, as the new guardian for the children, the judge the judge may have further stirred the pot in what appears to be a tug-of-war between Michael's adult siblings over the late pop icon's estate. During an emergency guardianship hearing, the judge said he was not suspending Katherine for any wrongdoing, but said that she was being blocked from carrying out her guardianship by unnamed third parties, which TMZ speculated were siblings Randy, Janet, Jermaine and Rebbie.
Katherine said she had spoken to TJ (as well as Prince and Paris) and that she had left him in charge of the children when she left town more than a week ago to get some rest at a ranch in Tucson, Arizona. "I never leave home without leaving instructions of who to stay there with them," she said, noting that during her leave taking "someone" had fired the cook, the nanny and the housekeepers at the family's Encino, California, estate without her knowledge.
"I told him it wasn't necessary for him to go down and sign for guardianship," she said of TJ. "I don't know who instructed him to do that ... but he wanted me to come home before that happened, but the ruling in court today was about the guardianship and I think it was based on a bunch of lies, but I have a good idea who's doing that and who's behind that."
Katherine, 82, did not specify who she thought was behind the decision to temporarily rescind her guardianship, but she thanked her children for realizing that she needed a "short vacation." She also explained that the reason she didn't call for more than a week was that, "I just gave up my phone and I didn't want to have any phone calls while I was here." She also noted that her assistant had been in touch with TJ and that she "put everything in order" before she left Los Angeles on July 15.
 
 Katherine Jackson
"Because there's a lot of lies that have been put out there and I am going home to straighten them out and this kind of stuff doesn't make sense," she concluded. "So I want to say goodbye and I am on my way home."
One of Katherine's lawyers, Perry Sanders, said in court that he vigorously opposed a permanent move to strip Katherine of her guardianship and that when she returns to Los Angeles he will file a motion to reinstate her as guardian. The judge also ordered that the children not be removed from California without a court order and that backup guardian Diana Ross and Debbie Rowe, biological mother of the two oldest children, also be informed of the order to keep the kids in the state.
The temporary guardianship will be reviewed at a hearing scheduled for next month, where it's possible that Wednesday's action could be reversed.
While Michael's will gave Katherine custody of his children and a 20 percent stake in his massive estate, her husband, Joe Jackson, and the eight surviving Jackson siblings were completely cut out. Some of the siblings have reportedly been exploring a move to have the will invalidated by arguing that Michael was in New York on the day that the document was notarized in Los Angeles.
In a video that surfaced earlier this week, Janet Jackson is seen trying to take a cell phone away from Paris, 14, and berating her niece for using her phone to tweet about family business. That video leaked after Janet, Jermaine and Randy Jackson reportedly attempted to persuade Paris and Prince, 15, to leave Katherine's home on Monday. Both resisted and a short time later, sheriff's deputies arrived to break up a scuffle between Randy, Jermaine Jackson and TJ.
MTV News reported that police were called to the scene but did not make any arrests.

source: Mtv base

WOW! Publishes Uche Jombo’s Wedding Photos

WOW! magazine has published the wedding photos of star actress, Uche Jombo-Rodriguez in its latest issue. The actress gave WOW! magazine exclusive rights to her wedding pictures. She got married to her husband, Kenney Rodriguez in Puerto Rico on May 16, 2012. The latest issue of WOW! magazine is currently on sale. The issue is a wedding themed edition, and it contains details of the wedding, as well as a lavish photo spread.