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D'banj goes down low. Article written by James Silas

Here's an article I read and found interesting. Written by publicist and entertainment business consultant,James Silas. Read the article below and share your thoughts afterwards.

D'banj Goes Down Low - By James Silas

Two years ago, it would have been almost impossible for D’Banj to do a collaboration with an Olamide even if the latter had attained this much attention with his music, but today D’Banj is struggling for another hit since “Oliver Twist”.

Once upon a time (October 14, 2010), I tweeted “Partnerships can hardly work, not unless you’re a duo like Don Jazzy and D’Banj”… this tweet was “favourited” by Don Jazzy. Then two years later (2012), the statement returned to me – void!

A D’BANJ topic at this point in time would arouse mixed feelings, especially amongst and within fans and pundits. Many would never come to an agreement while some would rather rest the case for another day. We cannot rule out the fact that most people including yours truly are yet to phantom the reality that the ‘Koko Master’ and his erstwhile buddy, Don Jazzy are no longer together – A creative and business divorce.

The breakup cleared arguments about Don Jazzy as a major influence and source of the quality and quantity of music that came from D’Banj. The source of the music was the least of my problem – I just loved what I heard from production to vocals and lyrics. Everything was fine. There’s no point going into the obvious – we all know the breakup story. The last song that was officially promoted on Mo’hits was “Oliver Twist”. It was and still is a monster hit across the world.

Before the rise of Mo’hits, D’Banj released his first set of songs “Kiss Me Again” ft. Ruggedman, “One More Time” and “Gba Si Be” ft. Abounce on OJB’s Silver Tones’ imprint.

The advent of Mo’hits and the growth of the D’Banj brand only gave ‘collabo access’ to label mates and close friends like Ikechukwu (Whine Am Well), Kas (Fimile Remix) and Banky W (Lagos Party Remix). The dynasty was very rigid in collaboration-related matters. We weren’t sure if it was Don Jazzy’s plot to protect D’Banj’s creative weakness or the latter’s personal choice. However, the release of “Mr. Endowed Remix” with Snoop Dogg in 2010 and the Kanye West-Good Music merger confirmed that D’Banj was not about the local league. He had a bigger dream.

Going over the changes that has transpired after Mo’hits’ breakup will be over-flogging the issue. A significant change on D’Banj’s side is his sudden presence on other artiste’s songs. The first was “Bad Pass (Tony Montana)” by Naeto C, followed by Iyanya’s “Kukere Remix”. The fact that these songs were already solo hits made his input less relevant especially at a time when fans and the industry at large expect more. Fally Ipupa was featured on “We The Best”, off D’Banj’s DKM Album, but the arrangement made it sound like D’Banj was the one featured.

So D’Banj is also cutting in on Olamide’s recent buzz and they have a song that will be released any time soon. I reckon this is a strategy of some sort to either sustain relevance or a random attempt to cop another hit outside Don Jazzy’s works.

The last Nation’s Cup, placed him on the Continent’s spotlight again but instead of unveiling a new song on that platform, he continues with the Don Jazzy produced “Oliver Twist”. In my opinion, the “Scape Goat Remix” with Kanye West is a waste of an opportunity. Additions like that are done when you are just paying (one off) for the guy to voice a verse or two on your already made song, but when you are a signed artiste on Good Music (especially when it’s a paid merger), creative time should be spent on a song for the sake of the fans and listening community.

Maybe it’s too early to expect much from D’Banj but I am worried for him already. This is a man who has three flawless albums and countless hit songs on his belt. Everything he touched in the past was gold and if one artiste was literally way ahead of his time, it was D’Banj. He is the only artiste who would drop his Glo Ambassadorship due to complications from renewal talks and fee. Even at that, the guy was not blabbing when he said “I make 10 million in a week…” on “Gbono Feli Feli” (2008). He is still one of the most awarded artistes of the last decade. I mean, if he drops the music today, his achievement may not be surpassed in years to come.

The mass influx of sounds and artistes in Nigeria today is enough to distract the most loyal of fans. Ghanaian rapper, Sarkodie already has a lot of fans in Nigeria; same way new artistes are sprawling up every day to have a share of the cake.

I don’t how long we will have to wait for D’Banj but if the collaborations are intentional and strategic to fuel his relevance – let’s file! Don’t touch it!

EXPOSED! Genevieve Nnaji Begging D'banj To Take Her Back

Since the Kokomaster, D'banj, made a public confession that he's still single and looking for a good woman to make his wife, Olufamous reliably gathered that actress Genevieve Nnaji has been making frantic efforts to get back into the arms of the super star.

My source, who is an insider in D'banj's camp, said Genevieve and D'banj never really had a quarrel but that she was complaining too much because of the many ladies around him. D'banj, he said, got tired of her drama and simply ignored her. Now she wants to come back by all means...

Genny just clocked 34 and its obvious she can't just settle with any guy from the street corner; her man has to be someone with some level of class. I hear she made contacts with D'banj at least three times in the last days of April but D'banj is still having some reservations.

One of his concerns, the source told Olufamous, is that Genny is too nosy and always wants to know everything going on. D'banj is the cool type who doesn't like talking too much so he's kind of having a hard time accepting her back, even though he sure needs a woman now.

There is also the issue of age difference; D'banj will be 33 in June but Genevieve is already 34. She is said to playing the card of 'age is just a number' but D'banj is still taking his time, as the handsome groom.

EFCC arraigns Kebbi director, aide for N64m theft

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday arraigned a Director in Kebbi State Ministry of Finance, Yahyah Saidu Andarai, and his aide, Farouk Abubarka Uduli, before an Ikeja High Court for allegedly stealing N64 million belonging to Coscharis Motors Limited.

The defendants were arraigned before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo on a 27-count charge bordering on conspiracy, fraud and stealing.

The defendants were alleged to have converted the money to their personal use being the proceed of the sales of AX motorcycles, property of Coscharis Motors entrusted to them on behalf of Jega National Union Local Government Employees of Kebbi State.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges preferred against them. The EFCC counsel, Oluwabumi Abosede, told the court that the defendants had committed the crime between August 26, 2009 and August 2, 2012 in Mazamaza area of Lagos.

Abosede also alleged that sometime in August 2010, the first defendant stole 20 units of AX motorcycle valued at N2.2 million.

The counsel added that on August 26, 2009, with intent to defraud, Andarai (first defendant) converted in to his use N17 million, the money entrusted to him by the Jega National Union of Local Government Employees of Kebbi State.

Abosede said the offence was contrary to Section 309 Cap 2 Laws of Lagos State. Counsel to the first defendant, Odu Hycinth, made an oral application for bail. While arguing for bail, Hycinth described the first defendant as a very responsible man who is a serving director in the Kebbi State Ministry of Finance.

He promised that the accused would always be available for trial. Ruling, Onigbanjo granted the two defendants bail in the sum of N2 million, with two sureties in like sum.

Hycinth thereafter urged the court to allow the first defendant to be remanded in EFCC’s custody because of his ill health, pending when he would meet his bail conditions. He said Andarai was hypertensive and had been to the Military Hospital at Ikoyi, close to the EFCC office.

Responding, the EFCC counsel said: “I know that the proper place after arraignment is prison custody. “I will allow the court to use its discretion because I am not aware of his health issues.”

Onigbanjo, however, said he was not satisfied with the explanation from the first defendant counsel and that of the Investigating Police Officer, IPO, on Andarai’s ill health. He said that he did not see any reason why the first defendant should be taken back to the EFCC custody.

13-yr jail term: UK court throws out Ibori’s appeal

The British Royal Court of Justice on the Strand in London yesterday rejected an appeal by former Delta State Governor, James Ibori, to have his 13-year jail term for money laundering slashed.

Two justices of the appellate court dismissed Ibori’s appeal for want of merit. On April 2012, a Southwark Crown Court in South London jailed Ibori for 13 years for embezzling more than $250 million from the treasury of the Delta State between 1999 and 2007 when he served as governor.

Just like when he was sentenced, news agency said a retinue of his supporters thronged the courthouse wearing Tshirts calling for his freedom.

The London Southwark Crown Court, where he was sentenced, was told the amount he stole from the people of Delta State was “unquantified”.

His sentence was announced by Judge Anthony Pitts. Before his sentence, his lawyers had tried to make a case for a lenient jail term. His lead counsel, Nicholas Pernell, blamed Badrash Gohil and former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Victor Attah, for the V-Mobile scam, saying they were the architects of the fraud.

He further credited his client with every development in Nigeria, and especially in Delta State, from the banking reforms, to peace in the Niger Delta, education, and building of low-cost housing. Also in his defence, Pernell said Ibori played a part in supporting British industry even before he became governor. As evidence, he cited a letter from British Airways, thanking Ibori for restoring direct flights between Nigeria and Britain.

In his conclusion, Pernell asked the judge to consider the pressure that his client had been under since investigations began in 2005, and also the accused children who now have both their parents in custody before passing his sentence.

Sasha Wass, QC, prosecuting him, told the court Ibori “deliberately and systematically” defrauded the people he was elected to represent.

“From the moment Ibori was elected, he set about enriching himself at the expense of some of the poorest people in the world,” Wass said at the start of Ibori’s two-day sentencing at Southwark Crown Court in London.

Top Lawyer Arrested after Weed falls from his pocket inside court

An assistant city attorney in New Orleans was arrested when a marijuana joint fell out of his pocket in court while talking with police officers.

On Monday while officers sat in a courtroom waiting to testify in a case, they spoke with City Attorney, Jason Cantrell, 43, when all of a sudden they saw a marijuana joint falling out of his pocket. 

Two police officers glanced at the marijuana joint on the ground, then at each other. They told the attorney that they have to arrest him for possession of marijuana. Cantrell, who has lost a race for a juvenile court judgeship in 2009, complied. Cantrell is the son of Magistrate Commissioner Harry Cantrell.

Thanks to a new law passed in 2010 Cantrell was given a summons and let go. Under the new law passed in late 2010 by the city council, pot possession is now a municipal offense, allowing police to issue a summons rather than arrest and book an offender on state charges.

“Cantrell is a first-time offender, he was issued a summons for possession of marijuana, Officer Garry Flot, an NOPD spokesman said.

Officers were seen snickering as their colleagues led Cantrell out of the courtroom about 4:15 p.m. to write him up. Cantrell was suspended without pay pending an investigation.

Cantrell has practiced civil and criminal law in New Orleans for 17 years, including 6 as a public defender in Juvenile Court.

The City Attorney's Office, which normally prosecutes municipal cases, has recused itself in Cantrell's new pot case.

Photos from Divas Rock Concert with Salt N Pepa

Dr Sid _Lady Don Dada Ft Don Jazzy

Why I Can’t Be Chairman Where Buhari Is Present – IBB

The maiden edition of Mr Sam Nda-Isaiah Lecture Series in Minna, Nigeeri State, brought to the fore the atmosphere of friendship between former head of state, General Muhammadu Buhari, and former military president General Ibrahim Babangida as the latter conceded the chairmanship of the occasion to Buhari. 

Babangida was reluctant to speak at the occasion as the chairman, but when pressed upon, got up and stated that he could not be chairman in an occasion where Buhari was present.

“I can’t be a chairman at this occasion when General Buhari is here, and this is for two reasons: one he was 5 and I was 6, and those of you in the military understand what I mean; in other words he is my senior. Secondly, he was the head of state before me, so it is my pleasure and honour to formally invite General Muhammadu Buhari to declare this conference open,” IBB said, conceding the chairmanship to Buhari.

Buhari who got up to accept the offer said in the same hilarious mood: “I think that who is a Maradona is always a Maradona; it is very clear to me that General Babangida is the chairman, but since I came in here, he said to me he wouldn’t be the chairman because I was his senior and in the military, things are considered in terms of seniority”.

He, however, added that Babangida, refused to hand over his prepared speech for the occasion.

Buhari congratulated the Mr Nda Isaiah, chairman of Chairman LEADERSHIP Group, for the honour done him by the youths,  saying that he deserved it due to his courage and consistency.

According to Buhari, Sam Nda-Isaiah has contributed so much to make sure that truth is told for the best interest of the nation because he has always put government and people in authority in check.

Employees Get Company Logo Tattoo In Exchange For Raise

A New York City real estate company has offered employees a 15% pay raise if they get a tattoo of its logo on their bodies. So far, 40 of the 800 employees took the deal and got a permanent Rapid Realty tattoo.

People usually get tattoos to show off their personality, but for the employees of Rapid Realty getting inked was simply a quick and sure way to get a 15% permanent bonus. Company owner Anthony Lolli has been more than happy to pay for tattooing fees, but doesn’t take credit for the idea. Surprisingly enough, it all started when one of his employees decided to do it for free. “He calls me up,” Lolli said “‘Hey Anthony, I’m getting the logo on me.’ I show up at the shop and I’m like ‘this is cool, how can I repay you?’” And it all pretty much snowballed from there, and now 40 of his 800 workers have the Rapid Realty logo inked somewhere on their bodies.

There are no restrictions regarding the size and location of the tattoo, and that got people interested. For example, Brooke Koropatnick got hers behind the ear and says: “I had a paycheck coming in what was a substantial amount of money different, so it was nice.” Stephanie Barry went under the needle two weeks ago and got a nice bonus for every successful transaction. “I was like, why am I throwing my money away when I could give myself from a $25,000 to $40,000 for the same amount of work?” Barry told reporters.

But some of Anthony Lolli’s workers say money wasn’t the only reason they decided to get tattooed. “I think it’s a good opportunity to show commitment to a company that makes going to work fun every day,” Robert Trezza toldCBS New York, while Joseph Tighe said “My wife was a little concerned but I said, you know what, it was the best commitment I could think of.” Rapid Realty’s owner hasn’t yet gotten tattooed himself, but says he plans to do it “eventually”. He recently posted a photo of his loyal employees in front of a tattoo shop, and wrote: “Talk about marketing – they’re walking billboards!”

While such extreme actions could ensure a loyal workforce and cut advertising costs, a lot of people say they wouldn’t get a tattoo of their company regardless of the raise. Would you do it?

5 Everyday Habits That Can Destroy You

Everyday habits you never thought would be bad for your health….

We already know that tucking into junk/ roadside food, smoking, biting your nails and sleeping late are bad and avoidable habits. But did you know that some of your innocent habits could be causing you harm? Here are some daily habits that are bad for your health…

Fibbing

Small white lies or lying through your teeth — we all do it sometimes. However, here’s what you should know. Studies say that all those little lies are actually bad for your mental health. Researchers say that when you lie, you generate feelings of stress, which are bad for you. When you lie less, you suffer from less headaches, sore throats and even anxiety.

Missing out on lunch breaks

No matter how busy you are, skipping your lunch break and opting to eat on your desk is a big no-no. Not only is missing out on breaks bad for your stress levels, eating in a hurry when you’re distracted results in overeating. Being physically inactive also increases the chances of being exposed to harmful bacteria. Studies say that the place where you sit at work contains nearly 400 times more germs than the average toilet seat. Still feel like eating there now?

Diligently doing housework

Yes, you read that right. Sometimes when you feel like taking a break and skipping housework, and feel guilty about it, here’s something that will cheer you up. Research suggests that procrastinating the housework for a day can actually give your health a boost. When you do housework after a long day at work, it prevents levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, from lowering and reduces recovery from stress. Take turns to do the housework so that you don’t burn yourself out and make sure you take some time out to relax afterwards.

Using ATMs regularly

Surprised? Ever wondered how many people use ATMs? While withdrawing money from ATM machines is a common habit, tests have revealed that these machines are almost as dirty as public toilets. Experts said the key pads on ATM machines have the same type of bacteria that are found in public rest rooms. Ensure that you use a hand sanitiser or wash your hands after using them.

Ditching friends

While it’s okay to cancel plans with friends, once in a while due to unavoidable circumstances or because you want some alone time, doing it frequently is bad news. While personal time is good for your mental and physical health, spending too much time on your own is actually bad for you. Experts say that having strong social bonds promotes brain health, reduces feelings of depression, lowes stress levels and also encourages you to look after your health.

Dead Baby Found In Cooler At Recycling Center

Investigators are trying to find the mother of a baby found dead inside of a cooler at a Chicago Ridge recycling center Wednesday morning.

An employee made the discovery at Resource Management Company at about 4:30 a.m. The boy was wrapped in a blanket with the umbilical cord attached, according to Chicago Ridge Fire Chief Rob Pyznarski.

The cooler was picked up at a location in either Waukegan, IL or Pleasant Prairie, WI, and investigators were in the process of contacting authorities in those two cities.

An autopsy will be performed on the baby on Thursday.

Under Illinois’ Safe Haven law, parents are allowed to relinquish custody of an unharmed newborn up to 30 days old to personnel at a hospital, emergency medical care facility, police or fire station.

Parents can give up their child anonymously and without the threat of prosecution for abandonment.

Pepsi Pulls ‘The Most Racist Commercial In History’, New Ad Depicts A Goat As A Black Gang Member

PepsiCo has pulled an offensive Mountain Dew ad after it was dubbed ‘the most racist commercial in history.’

The ad, which has also been criticized for promoting violence against women, shows a white female assault victim, battered and on crutches, at a police station, as she is asked to identify her attacker out of a line up of five black men and a goat.

The culprit, the goat, named Felicia, threateningly dissuades the victim from pointing him out to police as a white detective tells her to ‘nail this little sucker.’

It wasn’t long before the ad sparked a furor online, with one social commentator, Dr. Boyce Watkins, describing it as ‘arguably the most racist commercial in history.’

‘Mountain Dew has set a new low for corporate racism,’ he writes on his blog Your Black World.

‘Their decision to lean on well-known racial stereotypes is beyond disgusting. This doesn’t even include the fact that the company has put black men on par with animals.’

The ad was part of a series developed by African-American rapper Tyler, The Creator.

Responding to the complaints, PepsiCo says it immediately removed the ad from all Mountain Dew channels and requested Tyler to do the same. It was, however, still available on certain individual YouTube accounts.

The company said: ‘We understand how this video could be perceived by some as offensive, and we apologize to those who were offended.’

Attempts to view the advert result in the message: ‘This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by PepsiCo.’

Land dispute: Turai Yar’Adua floors Patience Jonathan

AN Abuja High Court on Thursday declared as null and void the revocation of a plot of land allocated to Turai Yar’Adua by the Federal Capital Territory.

The FCT had revoked the Abuja land allocation in favour of  Mrs Patience Jonathan, the current president’s wife.

The court therefore revoked the notice of revocation issued to Turai by the FCT Administration on the plot with the judge, Peter Affen, ruling that taking the land from Turai, wife of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua and reallocating same to Mrs. Jonathan served no public interest.

Affen held that “the revocation issued by the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Sen. Bala Mohammed, was invalid, null and void’’ and that the plaintiff’s (Turai’s) right of occupancy over the 1.84 hectares of land remained valid and subsisting.

“There is no regular and proper overriding public interest to warrant the purported revocation,’ the judge ruled, adding that it was the dispute between the plaintiff and Mrs. Jonathan that led to the purported revocation.

“The plot belongs to WAYEF, a site for the building of the head office of the plaintiff’s pet project and so the dispute does not amount to overriding public interest,’’ the judge said.

Affen said that the claim by the Attorney-General of the Federation that the plot had earlier been allocated for the building of the African First Lady Peace Mission was wrong.

“There is no evidence in all of the materials before me that the land had been initially granted.

“The minister did not rely on the alleged error while revoking the land but rather relied on evidence of overriding public interest.

The judge said, “The disputed land, plot no. 1347 Cadastral Zone AOO, Central Business District, Abuja, FCT, was initially allocated to Women and Youth Empowerment Foundation while Mrs Yar’adua was First Lady.

“The minister of the FCT, Bala Mohammed, revoked the allocation for what he described as ‘overriding public interest’.

“He then re-allocated the same land to Mrs Jonathan for the building of African First Lady Peace Mission Headquarters on the 2nd of November, 2011.

“The action of the FCT administration is not tenable in law as it was done contrary to the rules and law, and therefore will not stand.’’

Turai had approached the court seeking the restoration of the plot allegedly taken by Patience.

The plaintiff said that the land allocated to WAYEF on Feb 19, 2010, was being trespassed upon by the President’s wife and got a court order dated March 5, 2012 restraining the defendants from affecting WAYEF title and interest over the land.

Those joined as co-defendants in the suit are the Minister of FCT, Federal Capital Administration, the Abuja Geographic Information System, and the AGF.

Reacting to the court verdict on Thursday, Patience said she was not involved in a land tussle with her predecessor as Nigerians were made to believe.

The President’s wife made the clarification in a statement by her spokesman, Mr. Ayo Osinlu.

Osinlu said the land which had been  a subject of litigation was between the Federal Capital Territory Administration and Hajia Turai Yar’Adua’s non-governmental organisation.

He said neither the African First Ladies Peace Mission, led by Mrs. Jonathan nor the President’s wife in her personal capacity was joined in the suit.

Osinlu said, “Our office had repeatedly stated that the land, which had been a subject of litigation, was between the FCT Administration and Hajia Turai Yar’adua’s NGO, and neither the African First Ladies Peace Mission, even though it is the original allottee of the land, nor Dame Patience Jonathan, who is the sitting President of the continental body, was joined in the suit.

“For purposes of emphasis, we wish to reiterate that, the land in question was first allocated to the African First Ladies Peace Mission, according to records available to us, during the tenure of Hajia Turai Yar’Adua as President of the Mission.

“If in leaving office she had decided to depart with the land, the FCT has taken appropriate logical action to retrieve the said plot for the original allottee and purpose.

“To this extent, we wish to state categorically that the judgment referred to in the media was not against the person of Dame Patience Jonathan, and we will like the public and well-meaning Nigerians to put the matter in its proper perspective for the purpose of accurate record and common good.”

Punch Nigeria

Man With Biggest Balls Gets Surgery To Remove 132 Pound Scro tum

What a load off!

Wesley Warren Jr. — the 44-year-old Las Vegas man whose 132 pound scro tum made headlines worldwide — had surgery to resolve his condition, which is caused by an excess of watery fluid collecting around his testicles.

“There are a lot of shows about makeovers, but this is a real makeover,” Dr. Joel Gelman, who performed the surgery on Thursday, told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “He’s basically a new man.”

Warren was released from the hospital last week and is recovering.

For more details on the surgery and how it was performed.

Warren’s condition first made headlines in October, 2011.

Warren initially sought donations for the surgery, estimated to cost around $1 million, through the email address benefitballsack@yahoo.com.

He also turned down an offer from the “Dr. Oz Show” to pay for the surgery in exchange for exclusive interview rights.

That fueled speculation that Warren had become addicted to the fame his scro tum had earned him, but he shot down that suggestion in June of last year.

“Who would want to live like this?” Warren said. “I just don’t want to die during the operation.”

There was a risk Warren could have died if doctors were unable to stop the bleeding during the invasive surgery. But, after Gelman offered his services for free, Warren decided to take his chances, according to the Review-Journal.