World Press Conference: I’ll quit as senate president if… – Saraki

World Press Conference: I’ll quit as senate president if… – Saraki
Senate President Bukola Saraki has said he would quit his position if he lost support of fellow senators.
He stated this while addressing a live world press conference at the National Assembly in Abuja.
Saraki said the leadership of the National Assembly was willing to quit whenever they no longer enjoyed the support of member lawmakers
“This is not about us. This is about the rule of law,” he said. “We will leave the day we no longer enjoy the support of the members.”
He condemned the siege laid by the security operatives of the Department of State Services on the National Assembly on Wednesday, saying it’s “an assault on democracy.”
Saraki had led Principal Officers of the National Assembly to the conference

How I Got OBJ To Come On Teju Baby Face Show

Popular Comedian, TEJU BABYFACE

His real name is Olateju Oyelakin. But he is more popularly known by his stage name, Teju Baby Face. Several years ago, he started out his acting career with a lead role in the blockbuster movie, Diamond Ring, making headlines at the time as the next big thing waiting to happen in Nollywood.

That wasn’t to be as the movie roles Teju was hoping for just never came. 
Undaunted and determined to make his mark in showbiz, Teju soon moved on and found himself in the comedy business, a profession in which he made a pretty decent impact, having learnt from some of the best names like Basorge Tariah Jnr. and the king of Naija comedy, Ali Baba. Soon after, the hyperactive and extremely creative young man came up with the Teju Baby Face Show and with it, he has made an impact which can only be described as phenomenal.

The show has had on parade some of the biggest names within and outside showbiz, the latest being former president Olusegun Obasanjo. Teju’s tenacity, wits and intelligence have enabled him attract these big names to the show, coupled with his uncanny ability to relate well with the older generation. Now, he has found himself another calling, which is mentoring and it is so very dear to his heart. He has authored his first book, SECRETS OF THE STREETS. You only need to go online to have an idea how massive the impact he has made is.

Couple of weeks ago, City People’s Senior Editor, WALE LAWAL, had quite a revealing interview with the very engaging Teju Oyelakin inside his tastefully furnished Maryland office. Here’s the first part of the refreshing interview that lasted over an hour.

The Teju BabyFace Show has become a phenomenon. Clearly, no other comedy show comes anywhere near it. How did you come up with the whole concept and how were you able to hit the ground running with it?

Difficult, difficult, difficult. Let’s bear in mind again that I did not know what I was doing with the Teju Baby Face show, it was just an attempt for me to find a way to express my comedy because it wasn’t really happening for me. It’s actually amazing how people see me now and say he’s one of the forerunners of comedy which actually I am. They say, ‘you’re a successful comedian, why did you stop comedy?’

(Laughs) People’s memories are a bit upside down. My comedy career was difficult. And the public was the reason why. They now think of me fondly. Since I removed myself from the stage now and they no longer see me, they have now developed some sort of fondness and ask, why don’t we see your comedy anymore? They forget that when I was a comedian they didn’t exactly make it easy for me.

What I had when I was a comedian was a cult following. There were those who really liked me and liked my brand which was corporate Nigeria because they wanted a comedian who could carry across his humor without having to resort to pidgin and all that. But corporate Nigeria is just a small part of the market, the biggest part of the market was the rest of Nigeria. And they didn’t think I was really funny.

Every time I came on stage it was like I had to convince the audience over and over and over again. Haba! It was during one of those frustrating experiences that I figured that I had to look for another way to express my talent. I felt that going on stage and doing comedy was not the best expression of my comedy talent. So, that was when the idea came. I thought, why not do a teevee show that could allow you do that? So, we started.

And with the help of people like Tade Ogidan, Muiz Banire, Fola Adeola, Tunji Ogunwusi, we were able to not only come up with a show but we were also able to put it on television. It was very difficult. It still remains quite challenging. But there’s favor and there’s grace.

You’ve had on that show some of the biggest names within and outside of showbiz. How have you been able to pull this off? You keep bringing them on the show one after the other like there’s a long queue of them waiting to take turns on the show?

Grace again. You have to find your area and you have to stick to it, no matter how difficult it gets. In a short while from now, you’re going to see former President Obasanjo on the show. We went to Abeokuta to interview him, so let me use that as a case study. I was just sitting on my own, minding my business one evening when somebody called and said wouldn’t you like to speak to president Obasanjo? I was like, ah! Wouldn’t I like ke?

I would sell two of my staff for the opportunity. And the person said take this person’s number, he’s close to Baba. I called the person and he said just come to Abeokuta on a date we agreed on and he said just bring your equipments just in case. And that’s how I quickly coupled equipments together and headed to Abeokuta.

In fact, the proof that I didn’t even fully believe in it was that I didn’t bother to call my sound guy, so when you watch that episode you will see that we had to subtitle because the sound wasn’t the best. Not that you can’t hear him, but it wasn’t the best. But that’s how much I didn’t believe it would happen. We got there, and within an hour we had interviewed Baba and we were out of the place. So, it’s grace. Now, when you find your place, you find grace and favour. Of course, the fact that you’ve found grace and favour doesn’t mean it won’t be difficult. It will be difficult but you just have to keep on keeping on.

Another industry giant that everyone knows you admire and have tremendous respect for is RMD. Share with us a bit about your relationship with him, did that relationship start on the set of Diamond Ring or before?

(Smiles) Bros na bros now! I just wanted to be RMD when I was a young man. He just represented for me what a man was supposed to be. So, I couldn’t believe my luck when I landed on the set of Diamond Ring and he was to play my father. But the relationship didn’t grow to what it has become simply on the strength of that.

What really solidified it, like I said, was when Amaka Igwe cast me in a soap opera called Solitaire. And then, RMD was again going to play my father! So, when we met on set he was like, ah, again? That was when we began to build our relationship. It’s a relationship I’m blessed to have. He’s actually a secret keeper for me on several levels. If things happen to me in life and I needed to tell a few people, he’s actually one of those who would hear first.

How about the likes of Ali Baba, what role did he play in your coming into comedy when you were actively involved in it?
Before I met Ali Baba, Basorge Tariah Jnr. was the first person who trained me. And it was because I trained with Basorge that I could find the favour to now be trained with Ali as well because Basorge’s training was what got me into A Night Of A Thousand Laughs where I met Basket Mouth who now introduced me to Ali Baba. Between those two gentlemen, Basorge Junior and Ali Baba, they basically formed my training for comedy.

Tell us about mentoring, how did that part of you evolve? At what point did you discover that you could do this and do it so well?

Quite by accident, really. I was just thinking about my life and the challenges I was facing on the Teju Baby Face Show one day and I’m like, why is it so difficult? And the answer to why is it so difficult got me to writing a whole message, a very deep and revelatory message and I was like, what? Where did all these come from? And it came so easily that I just kept writing. And I’m looking at the message and I’m like any motivational speaker or pastor would be proud to present this anywhere. And then it didn’t stop.

It just kept coming and kept coming and it came with far more ease than comedy or script writing or acting had ever come to me. In fact, it came with so much ease that the problem was how to shut it off. So, I had started to watch the principal inspirational speakers of the day which were mostly pastors. I began to enjoy watching them and soon realized that I ached to stand where they were standing to say what they were saying. I stopped watching comedy.

I didn’t want to be a comedian anymore. it didn’t hold any interest for me anymore. I began to buy DVDs of pastors and teachers and preachers, that was all I that interested me. And if you want to know what your calling in life is, those are two things that tick the box for you: first of all, what you’ve given up, and second of all, what you’ve used to replace that which you’ve given up.

And how has the response been? What sort of vibes have you been getting from your target audience which consists largely of the youth?
It’s been amazing (smiles). They now call mementor. Something that God just told me barely a year ago. And with all humility, when did I just start this thing? Go online now, I challenge you. Go online now and run a poll and say, who is the mentor in Nigeria, I’m sure I’ll rank somewhere high in that. So, it’s basically what God showed me.

See the Crown Prince of Dubai’s Insanely Luxurious, Adventurous Life On Instagram

Considering Dubai has one of the largest concentrations of wealth in the world, you might expect the Crown Prince's photos to look like the Rich Kids of Instagram on steroids.
via: Instagram
While he is incredibly (insanely, unbelievably) wealthy, what he chooses to share with the world on social media is far more interesting than pictures of parties, yachts, and fancy cars. (Okay, there’s a few fancy cars in here.)
Rather, Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, better known as simply “Fazza,” chooses to share his fascinating passions on Instagram, focusing on charity, animals, adventure, and sport.
It’s a welcome departure from the hedonistic partying we normally see, and, honestly, it makes us wish we could hang out with the guy for a bit. Except when he’s jumping off of Dubai skyscrapers. He’s on his own there.
You'll see here that Fazza, thirty-four years old, is a man of diverse tastes and hobbies.
via: Instagram
Animals regularly appear in his Instagram feed...
via: Instagram
...which has amassed over five million followers thanks to his 2,000 posts.
via: Instagram
He travels a lot, making for some fascinating pics.

Why I Sacked DSS Director-General, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo Explains

Why I Sacked DSS Director-General, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo Explains

Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has sacked the Director General of the Department of State Services, Lawal Daura.
Laolu Akande, the media spokesperson for Osinbajo, announced the development via his Twitter handle.
“AgP Yemi Osinbajo has directed the termination of the appointment of the DG of the DSS, Mr. Lawal Musa Daura.
Also Read: MISLEADING RELATIONSHIP ADVICE
“Mr Daura has been directed to hand over to the most senior officer of the State Security Service until further notice,” he tweeted.
The sack of the DSS boss might not be isolated from this morning’s incident that saw DSS officers laying siege on the National Assembly.
Daura, has been courting controversy in recent times with the manner with which DSS operatives storm private residence laying siege for its owner.
Sha

Shocking!10 Nollywood actors who are also University lecturers

Aug 6, 2018 9:23 AM

There was a time, not too long ago, when acting was seen as a profession for never-do-wells in the society, but notion has since been discarded. Actors now include intellectuals, professors, doctorate degree holders and others who find the passion to get on stage or screen too hard to resist. We present a list of actors who also teach the art in university, as well as university lecturers turned actors.

1. Peter Fatomilola

He is a graduate of theatre arts from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ife, and he learnt under professor Wole Soyinka. He later became a dramatic arts instructor at the OAU. Though he is retired, he still gets invitations to come and lecture in universities.

2. Sola Fosudo

Dr. Sola Fosudo is a senior lecturer and head of department at Lagos State University (LASU) department of theatre arts and music. He was until recently the director of press and public relations unit at the university.

3. Professor Ayo Akinwale

Professor Ayo Akinwale is an actor, a veteran movie producer, an academician. He has featured in several home movies. He is a laureate of the African Movie Academy Award (AMAA) and the current dean of the faculty of arts at the University of Ilorin. Prof Akinwale has written several books and articles on theatre arts in Nigeria. As a seasoned actor with a fantastic Yoruba accent, his spoken English is also impeccable.

4. Hafiz Oyetoro

He is a lecturer at Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education in Ijanikin, Lagos. The actor who is simply known as Saka has been blessed through acting. Acting brought him the MTN brand ambassador contract. He has also modeled for different firms including Diamond Bank and Etisalat. His porting from Etisalat to MTN became a big item when he left Etisalat for MTN as a brand ambassador.

5. Doyin Hassan

Doyin Hassan is popular for his role in Saworoide but the soft-spoken actor with a woman voice has since gone on to appear in only Christian movies produced by Mike Bamiloye’s Mount Zion Film Productions. Doyin Hassan holds a PhD in Marketing and he is a senior lecturer in the department of marketing in Lagos State University (LASU). He is also a former HOD at the department and is currently an Assistant Director in the university’s school of part-time studies in charge of Ogba and Ikorodu campuses.

6. Professor Akinwunmi Isola

Professor Akinwunmi Isola was a lecturer at the OAU. He became a professor in 1991. Isola is a playwright, actor and scholar and is proud of the Yoruba culture.

7. Kola Oyewo

Fame came the way of Kola Oyewo in Tunde Kelani’s movie ‘Kosegbe’ where he played Mako, an incorruptible custom boss. Oyewo had his first degree from the OAU, where he was his son’s classmate. He later proceeded to University of Ibadan where he earned his PhD. He was a senior lecturer at the OAU until 2011 before he moved on to head the department of dramatic arts in Redeemer’s University.

8. Sam Dede

Sam Dede is an award-winning actor and at the same time a lecturer. His role in the epic movie ‘Igodo’ endeared Sam Dede to movie enthusiasts. The former lecturer at the University of Lagos is currently in the employ of the department of theatre arts at the University of Port Harcourt. He is also the director-general of the Rivers State Tourism Development Agency.

9. Tunji Sotimirin

Tunji Sotimirin is a veteran actor whose activity in the Nigerian movie industry spans almost three decades. Tunji Sotimirin stared in ‘Owuro Lojo’ alongside a young Joke Silva in the early 90s and has also featured in numerous movies including Tade Ogidan’s Hostages. The funny actor is currently a lecturer in the department of theatre arts at the University of Lagos.

10. Gbenga Windapo

Windapo is a prolific actor and comedian who recently acted alongside 2face, Ali Baba and many others in Baba Dee’s movie, Head Gone. He is a lecturer at Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED). Gbenga Windapo and Hafiz Oyetoro are however not coincidental colleagues at AOCOED as the duo have a long history together as partners having acted in numerous stage plays as a group. Gbenga Windapo founded the comedy group, Lafomania, which had Saka and many other comedians as members.

Valverde has his Barcelona team back together

Valverde has his Barcelona team back together

Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde now has his entire playing staff at his disposal.
The remaining internationals returned to training on Monday after Ivan Rakitic, Samuel Umtiti, Luis Suarez, Philippe Coutinho, Yerry Mina and Thomas Vermaelen all stepped onto the grass.
They worked out in the morning in Barcelona and had another session scheduled for the afternoon.
However, there are still likely changes to come in the squad before the transfer market closes.
Everton are close to completing the signing of Yerry Mina, whose time at the Camp Nou appears to be numbered, following in Lucas Digne's footsteps.
Barcelona's season begins on Sunday when they take on Sevilla in the Supercopa de Espana.

The Obamas are worth 30 times more than when they entered the White House in 2008 — here's how they spend their millions

The Obamas are worth 30 times more than when they entered the White House in 2008 — here's how they spend their millions

Barack Obama has an estimated net worth of $US40 million.
Barack Obama’s net worth is estimated to be $US40 million.
Aside from the six-figure pension he receives as a former president, Obama has made millions from speaking engagements and his best-selling books.
While Obama spends his money in various ways, he loves to donate to charity and take vacations with his wife, Michelle.
Former President Barack Obama is a busy guy.
From speaking at events around the world to writing a memoir and, most recently, signing a massive production deal with Netflix, Obama’s life after the White House has been full and very lucrative.
These endeavours – along with the six-figure pension all former presidents receive – have significantly contributed to Obama’s estimated net worth of $US40 million.
From the time he joined the US Senate in 2005 to the end of his presidency, Obama made $US20 million alone from his presidential salary, book royalties, and investments, Forbes reported. And based on all the projects he has taken on in the short time since leaving the White House, we can only expect him to make
many millions more.
From philanthropic efforts to vacationing where the sun shines to making long-term investments in his daughters’ education, here’s how Obama spends his fortune.
The Obamas entered the White House with a $US1.3 million net worth in 2008. That has since grown to an estimated $US40 million.
Source: American University,CNN Money,GoBankingRates
From 2005 (when Barack Obama joined the US Senate) to 2016, the Obamas earned a total of $US20.5 million from his government salary, book royalties, investment income, and Michelle Obama’s income from her job at University of Chicago Hospitals before she became the first lady.
Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
Source: Forbes
Obama earned $US400,000 a year during his eight years as president, and he earns an annual pension of about $US200,000 as a former president.
Milos Bicanski/Getty Images
Source: GoBankingRates
The lion’s share of the Obamas’ fortune came from books. From 2005 to 2016, Obama earned $US15.6 million in advances and royalties from his books “The Audacity of Hope” and “Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters” and royalties for “Dreams From My Father,” Forbes reported, citing tax returns and financial documents.
Solaris Images/Getty Images
Source: Forbes
But Barack’s lucrative career as an author isn’t over. Last year, he and Michelle signed book deals worth at least $US60 million.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Source: Business Insider
Books aren’t the Obamas’ only foray into media — they recently signed a production deal with Netflix. While financial details haven’t been released, The New York Times reported that previous similar deals were worth tens of millions of dollars.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
Source: New York Times
Since leaving office, Obama has also been paid as much as $US400,000 for public speaking events.
Scott Olson/Getty Images
Source: CNBC
All things considered, the Obamas could stand to earn as much as $US242.5 million in their post-presidency life, American University estimated. But here’s how they have spent their fortune so far …
Source: American University
The Obamas think long-term when it comes to their money. In 2007, Obama purchased Bright Directions age-based growth plans, each worth $US50,000 to $US100,000, to pay for Malia’s and Sasha’s college education. Malia started at Harvard last fall.
Pool/Getty Images
Source: Business Insider
The Obamas also made an investment in real estate. They needed a new place to live after leaving the White House, so they purchased an 8,200-square-foot mansion in Washington, DC, for $US8.1 million after previously renting it.
Pool/Getty Images
Source: Washington Post
At the time of purchase, it was reportedly the second-most-expensive home in the neighbourhood, right behind Jeff Bezos’ former textile museum turned mansion.
Harrison Jacobs/Business Insider
The Kalorama neighbourhood of Washington, DC.
Source: Washington Post
In addition to their residence in Washington, DC, the Obamas still own their home in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighbourhood that they bought for $US1.65 million in 2005. They took out a $US1.3 million mortgage on the home. It’s valued at about $US2.5 million.
Getty Images
Source: Chicago Tribune,Cook County Assessor’s Office,Cook County Recorder of Deeds
The Obamas have also enjoyed several vacations since leaving the White House. They first headed to Southern California and eventually made their way to Necker Island, where Obama was spotted kitesurfing with Richard Branson.
Getty Images
Sources: Business Insider,Time
Obama also visited his home state of Hawaii and the island of Tetiaroa in French Polynesia, where he checked into a luxury resort called The Brando. A night there in a one-bedroom villa can cost anywhere from $US3,034 to $US4,318.
Chris Carlson/AP Photos
Source: Time,The Brando
The Obamas have also been spotted on David Geffen’s yacht with Oprah, Tom Hanks, and Bruce Springsteen; at a wine tasting in Tuscany; and river rafting in Indonesia.
Source: Business Insider,Time
The General Services Administration is required to provide a former president with enough money to cover travel and business expenses, so it’s hard to say how much of their own money the Obamas spent on their vacations.
Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photos
Source: Business Insider
We do know wardrobe isn’t included in the package of presidential benefits and perks.
Source: Business Insider
While Michelle has donned expensive designer clothes like pieces from Naeem Khan and a Versace gown worth an estimated $US12,000 for special events as the first lady, she’s also known for her casual, relatable style. She’s often been spotted in affordable brands like J. Crew, Target, and Converse.
MediaPunch/AP Photos
Source: New York Times,Business Insider
Of course, she needs the perfect outfit for date night, which she and Barack always make time for. They couple was recently spotted attending a Beyoncé and Jay-Z concert.
Source: Business Insider
Not all aspects of their lives are as lavish as their vacations. Michelle opts for a bag lunch, like turkey chilli, over eating out, the former president’s chief of staff told People magazine. And she’s a regular at SoulCycle, which costs $US36 a class or $US900 for 30 classes.
Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP Photos
Source: People
The Obamas also spend a significant amount of their money on philanthropy. From 2009 to 2015, they gave $US1.1 million to charity, Forbes reported.
Pool/Getty Images
Source: Forbes
During that time frame, they donated to charities focusing on African-American causes, veterans, disaster relief, homelessness and housing, and health. More than half of their donations went to organisations for children.
Pool/Getty Images
Source: Forbes
Obama donated all the post-tax profits from his children’s book, “Of Thee I Sing,” to provide scholarships for children of wounded and fallen soldiers. The donations totaled $US392,000 from 2009 to 2015.
Pool/Getty Images
Source: Forbes
In 2015, Obama’s penultimate year in office, the Obamas donated more than $US64,000, or about 15% of their income, to 34 charities, Time reported, citing tax returns.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Source: Time
But none of this includes Obama’s biggest donation to date: his $US1.4 million Nobel Peace Prize award in 2009, all of which he donated to multiple charities.