Jason Njoku gets a matching Range Rover for his son

A toy of course! Jason Njoku & actress Mary Remmy Njoku’s son – Jason Obinna Njoku – pictured in his white whip which matches his dad’s.

BOKO HARAM: FG TO INTRODUCE DEATH INSURANCE FOR SOLDIERS

The Minister of Defence, retired Brig.-Gen. Mansur Dan-Ali, today said the Federal Government would introduce insurance package for soldiers fighting insurgency in the North-East.

Dan-Ali made the disclosure while briefing newsmen shortly after a Special Juma'at Prayer to mark the 2016 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Abuja.

"Normally we have package for the families of the fallen heroes but recently we are introducing the death insurance which has not been done before.

"It is an additional package by President Muhammadu Buhari to motivate our gallant armed forces and to take care of the families of the fallen heroes," he said.

CHRIS BROWN'S STYLIST (MALE) ALLEGEDLY GETS BUTT IMPLANTS 

Men also get butt implants? Chris Brown's stylist - EJ King - took to his instagram page yesterday to unveil his new butt. He told his followers he achieved the new size from working out but many don't believe him. They are convinced he went under the knife. See before and after photos after the cut...

NAMES OF AFRICAN LEADERS DONALD TRUMP THREATENED TO JAIL AS AMERICAN PRESIDENT

Truth be told, American Republican presidential hopeful, Donald Trump is no stranger to controversies, and he appears to like the status of a controversial man.

Recall he proposed recently to ban migration of Muslims into the United States, threatened to withdraw his £700 million of investments in the United Kingdom if he’s prevented from entering the country and was rumoured to have said blacks were lazy fools, only good at eating, lovemaking and thuggery.

While the allegation that he called blacks “lazy fools” have been described as false, he has revealed his intention towards some black leaders if he eventually becomes American President.

According to the Spectator, the Trump said he would jail some sit-tight African leaders who have been ruling their countries like forever.

He gave the names of the African leaders as Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe and Yoweri Museveni of Uganda.

Trump reportedly said this while addressing American war veterans in Washington.

He stated: “I want to reiterate here before America’s greatest heroes that I will not condone any dictatorial tendencies exhibited by dictators around the world especially the two old men from Zimbabwe and Uganda.

“Mugabe and Museveni must be put on notice that their days are numbered and that I am going to arrest them and lock them in prison. If the past American administrations have failed to stop these two despots, I will personally do it.

“Mugabe and Museveni have given the world enough troubles and it’s about time someone puts to an end all these madness for peace to prevail.

“If Obama fears them, I will never fear them. If Clinton and Bush feared them, If the Pope kneels before them, I will never be reduced to that level. I will never be cowed. I promise to clean all the political mess around the world and promote international justice.”

Robert Mugabe, 91, has been ruling Zimbabwe since 1980, while Museveni, 71, has been ruling Uganda since 1986.

Dasukigate: EFCC arrests Buhari’s associate, APC chieftain, Jafaru Isa

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday night arrested a former military governor of Kaduna State and chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Lawal Jafaru Isa.

Mr. Isa is the first chieftain of the APC arrested by the EFCC since the beginning of a sweeping probe into the alleged diversion of $2.1 billion meant for arms purchase by officials of the immediate-past administration.

Mr. Isa, Military Administrator of Kaduna State from December 1993 to August 1996 during the military regime of General Sani Abacha and one-time governorship candidate of the defunct CPC in Kano State, is a close friend of the embattled former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.

Mr. Isa, also a close political associate of President Muhammadu Buhari, was arrested at his Abuja residence located at Ajayi Crowther Street, Asokoro.

A witness told PREMIUM TIMES that operatives of the anti-graft commission invaded his residence around 9pm, and then whisked him away a few minutes later.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that Mr. Isa, a retired brigadier general, was invited last week to appear before the commission on Wednesday (yesterday) to clear the air on “some questionable receipts” from the former NSA.

Investigators believe the retired soldier received over N100million from Mr. Dasuki.

Rather than honouring the invitation, sources said, Mr. Isa wrote a letter to the EFCC through his lawyer, seeking a postponement of his appearance date on the grounds of death of a relative.

Apparently dissatisfied with his excuse, the EFCC however arrested him to clarify the “questionable receipts”.

The spokesperson of the EFCC, Wilson Ujuwaren, could not be reached Thursday morning for‎ comments on the arrest.

But a top official of the commission confirmed the development.

”He has been wasting our time, and we just have to pick him up for our investigation to continue,” the official said.

U.S. Donates 24 Armoured Personnel Carriers To Nigeria

As part of continuing support from the United States to the government and the people of Nigeria to defeat Boko Haram, the U.S. government today donated 24 Mine-Resistant Armor-Protected (MRAP) vehicles (valued at $11 million) to Nigeria’s military authorities.

“These vehicles provide increased protection from improvised explosive devices, roadside bombs, and small arms fire, while offering more maneuverability and better fuel economy than other types of armored personnel carriers,” the U.S. Defence Attaché to Nigeria Colonel Patrick Doyle, said.

The U.S. government donated the armoured vehicles through the Excess Defense Articles Programme. 

The Nigerian military arranged for transportation from the port to Lagos. 

Nigeria is in the process of receiving an additional eight (8) more MRAPs through this program, valued at approximately $7.4 million.

The Excess Defence Articles Programme is designed to transfer excess military equipment from the United States to foreign governments or international organisations to help with modernization of partner nation military capabilities.

Through a similar program, the U.S. Government donated to the Nigerian Navy the NNS Okpabana in 2014 and NNS Thunder in 2012. 

The two ships have bolstered maritime security in Nigeria.

Today’s equipment donation represents part of the continuing U.S. commitment to Nigeria and its neighbours to counter Boko Haram’s senseless acts of terror and promote regional security. 

“The United States provides advisors, intelligence, training, logistical support, and equipment to our African partners as they work to defeat Boko Haram. 

“We also support those affected by Boko Haram’s violence through ongoing humanitarian aid and victim support services.  The United States will continue working with our partners in the region to identify new opportunities to restore order in the Lake Chad Basin region,” he added.

Most celebrated films that rocked Nollywood in 2015

The year 2015 may have come and gone but lovers of Nigerian films will continue to talk about some of the great films and events that made 2015, a memorable one.   It is not only that the expired year was a witness to many great movies, but  that it struck a responsive chord among industry watchers. Here, we prove list of some of the films that raised the bar in Nollywood in 2015.

By Benjamin Njoku

October 1Release date: October 1, 2014

Kunle Afolayan has always proved to everyone that he is a genius. After the success recorded by his second  film, “Figurine”.

Afolayan returned to reckoning with his romance comedy drama film,”Phone Swap” which he released in 2012.

He made his fans throng the cinemas again to see his cinematic account of the country’s dark history, “October 1”when he released the film late last year.

The film came strong  in 2015, winning laurels at AMAA, AMVCA and BON as well as enjoying rave reviews.

It is believed that the amazing story-line and the ability of the producer to strike a chord with every movie buff makes the film a must watch in 2015.

Dry

Release Date: August 14, 2015

Stephanie Linus bounced back with the release of her advocacy film, ‘ “Dry,”which many described as a “heart-opener.” Starring the likes of veteran actress Liz Benson, William McNamara, Darwin Shaw and Paul Sambo, this film showcases a couple of true life stories about child marriage controversy in Nigeria, abandonment and rejection.

This thematic thrust, however, makes the narrative compelling and endearing  as one of Nollywood’s best films in 2015.

The acting is outstanding just as the story evokes a lot of emotion. Already , the film has started winning awards, and it is predicted that it will be one of the films  that will rule  the big screens this year.

Oxford Garden

Release Date: December 4, 2015

Obi Emelonye’s “Oxford Garden” is completely enthralling to watch. The film, which premiered early December, saw the celebrated film maker taking a clue from Hollywood trend,and leaving no one in doubt of his ability to strike a balance between Hollywood and Nollywood.

With the likes of former boxing champion, top model and actor, Ngoli Okafor playing a lead character, Emelonye’s collaborative film project  was one of the films that helped to deepen the Nollywood brand in 2015. As Emelonye noted, “”Oxford Garden is purely fictional including all the characters.

But the message of the film is fight. Figuratively, metaphorically, categorical and otherwise, the idea is that you have to fight for your place in the society, you have to fight to stay alive, fight for love and everything.”

Invasion 1897

Release Date: December 6, 2014

Lancelot Imasuen has never failed to make his fans happier each time he releases a new film.

And his historical film,  “Invasion 1897”is a case in point.

The film, which is unique for its historical values, broke new grounds during the second quarter of  2015, when it toured major cities in the United States including Chicago, Boston, Atlanta, New York, Dallas, winning laurels as well as accolades along the line.

A  great discussion starter, “Invasion 1897” has long become a reference point for many historians, scholars and students of African studies.

It remains one of the movies that raised the bar in Nollywood in 2015.

30 Days in Atlanta

Another movie that made a powerful statement in Nollywood in 2015, is “AY’s 30 Days in Atlanta.”

Shot  in the United States and starring some of Hollywood’s leading stars, the film broke the record as it  grossed N76 million in seven weeks of showing in the cinemas across the country.

The prediction that it would gross over N100 million after Christmas was not out of place.

AY brought his craft as a stand up comedian to bear in the much talked about  film.

Those who have seen the film  cannot deny the fact that it is a bar raiser.

Beasts of No Nation

Adapted from a 2005 novel of the same title by Uzodima Iweala, son of Okonjo-Iweala and shot in Ghana, “Beast of No Nation” took Nollywood by storm when it premiered last December.

The premiere had in attendance the lead character, British-born Hollywood actor, Idris Elba and co-star, Abraham Attah, the young Ghanaian prodigy who played Agu in the film.

Both stars were accompanied to the red carpet by Senator Ben Murray Bruce, CEO, Silverbird Group and Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former Finance Minster.

The Encounter

Release Date: December 4, 2015

For those who are not familiar with the story of what transpired between the Biafran warloard, C. Odumegwu Ojukwu and his bosom friend, Emmanuel Ifeajuna, during the civil war, this short film which premiered early last month, introduces them to the problem.  It also presents new information that is fascinating to learn, especially to those who already know the story.

Fifty

Release Deate: October 13, 2015

Mo Abudu, CEO, Ebonylife TV, turned a producer as she released her much talked about star-studded film, “Fifty.” The movie, directed by Biyi Bandele tells the story of a few pivotal days in the lives of four Nigerian women at the pinnacle of their careers. Starring highly talented Nollywood actress including Iretiola Doyle, Omoni Oboli, Nse Ikpe-Etim and Dakore Egbuson, the film lifted the soul of many movie buffs in 2015.

Road To Yesterday

Release Date: November 13, 2015

Resounding ovation greeted the premiere of “Road to Yesterday”, directed by Ishaya Bako and produced by Genevieve Nnaji alongside Chinny Onwugbenu.  The film, which closed the 2015 African International Film Festival, AFRIF,  is an epic love story, about a couple desperate to mend its marriage on a road trip to a relative’s funeral. It marked dramatic return of Genevieve Naji to Nollywood after taking a break from acting  for some time now.