Yes Magazine Vows To Tender Evidence For Genevive Denial Of Interview

Publishers of Yes Magazine have responded swiftly to Genevieve Nnaji’s denial of an interview published in it’s soft sell, insisting they have evidence.

Yes in a statement said “Like we professionally stated in our intro, it’s an old interview she had with our Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, Azuh Arinze, years back at Oceanview Restaurants, Victoria Island, Lagos. He only stumbled on the tape again and reproduced it. Above all, we still have the tape of the interview as well as photographs taken on that day”

In the alleged exclusive interview, Genevieve Nnaji had been quoted as opening up on the kind of man she wants to spend the rest of her life with; an alleged relationship with Kunle Coker and plans to go back to school.

Hours after the story went viral, Genevieve had come on social medium twitter to refute the interview.

Genevieve Denied Alleged Interview With Yes Magazine , Says It's all Lie

In an alleged exclusive interview with Yes Magazine, Genevieve Nnaji is quoted to have finally opened up on the kind of man she wants to spend the rest of her life with. She is also quoted to have spoken on an alleged relationship with Kunle Coker and plans to go back to school. Genevieve has however come on social medium twitter to call the interview a lie!



The headline to the interview reads…I want God to bless me with the right man & good family.

Genevieve is known by journalists to be hardly responsive when questions of her family or private life pop up in interviews…

Below is the controversial interview as published by Yes Magazine…

How did you come into the movie industry?
“I have been acting since I was eight in Ripples. That was how I got into acting. For movies, I think that should be in 1998 in Most Wanted. I met Torino (Emeka Ojukwu) in a bus and to my greatest surprise, he recognized me from Ripples. He asked me why I left the industry and later invited me to the audition for Most Wanted. I got a role. A waka pass and that was it.”

But the story we heard was that Kunle Coker brought you into Nollywood and both of you even dated

“Yes, Kunle Coker was actually my boyfriend, but he did not bring me to the industry.

Is it true that you dumped him for Fred Amata
“Fred Amata? I’ve never had anything to do with Fred Amata. I used to call him uncle, so I don’t see the reason why I should date Fred. We are just friends.”

What would you say is the worst story ever written about you in the press?
“So many bad things. But the one I hated most was the one about Fred Amata and I. It hurt me so much. I don’t know where they got that story from.”

Tell us about the first time you fell in love
“I think we met at a show. This was when I was in secondary school. (Her baby daddy). We shared a lot of things in common – singing. It was a case of two compatible people who were so much in love

So what eventually happened?
“Relationships sometimes come to an end.”

What’s your greatest wish?
“That God continues to bless me. Especially with the right man and a good family.”

It’s like you are eager to get married
“No. The thing is just that there comes a time in your life where everything is going fine and all you can say to yourself is after this, what next? After everything you have to get married as far as you’re a woman.

Why have you not furthered your education?
“Life is not the same for everybody. Some people are lucky they come out of secondary school and go straight to university. Mine was different. But I’m determined. Definitely I’m going back to school. I wanted to make money. I love my money. I cherish my own money. So I will go back when I make enough. But even while I’m there I won’t stop working.”

What part of a man’s body do you like most?
“A man’s chest, from the belly up.

Where do you hope to be in the next ten years?
“In the next ten years, I know I will be married with kids. But I think it all depends on what God has fashioned out for me. I know I will still be in the entertainment industry or the fashion world.”



Yes Magazine is yet to react to this denial as at press time.

President Jonathan Sack Youth Minister As PDP Crisis Deepen

The frosty relationship between President Goodluck Jonathan and five northern governors on Monday claimed its victim  as the President ordered the sack of the Minister of Youth Affairs, Alhaji Inuwa Abdulkadir.

Our correspondents learnt that the minister was sacked, among other reasons, because of his continuous loyalty to the Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko.

Until his appointment, Abdulkadir was the  state Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice in the Wamakko administration.

It was gathered that the minister would be replaced by another indigene of Sokoto State that could be trusted to deliver the state for Jonathan in 2015.

The minister was said to have stayed this long because of the belief that he would shift his loyalty from Wamakko to the President.

A Presidency source said, “The President cannot afford to retain any minister, who is working at cross purposes with him in any state.

“Ministers are supposed to be the eyes of the President in the states. If the President cannot guarantee a minister’s loyalty, such a minister will go. That is why he  has been asked to leave.”

The sack of Abdulkadir was announced through a statement by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Pius Anyim.

The statement signed by Anyim’s Special Assistant (Media),  Sam Nwaobasi, reads, “His Excellency Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR President and Commander–in–Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria has relieved Inuwa Abdul-kadir, Esq of his appointment as Honourable Minister of Youth Development with effect from August 26, 2013.

“The former minister is to hand over to the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development. Mr. President expresses appreciation to the former minister for the time he put in the services of the nation and wishes him success in his future endeavours.”

When one of our correspondents contacted the former minister, he said that he learnt of his removal from the correspondent.

Conversation with our correspondent:

PUNCH correspondent, “Is that Alhaji Inuwa Abdul-kadir?

Abdulkadir: “Yes, speaking please.

PUNCH correspondent: “I just got a statement from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation relieving you of your appointment as Minister of Youth Development. I want to confirm from you…

Abdulkadir: I am just hearing it from you.

PUNCH correspondent: “You mean, you’re hearing from me?

Abdulkadir: “I said, I’m just hearing it from you.”

PUNCH correspondent: Can I call you later?

Abdulkadir: Yes, you can.

But several calls by our correspondent to the embattled ex-minister’s mobile phone were not replied.

Wamakko, the Niger State Governor, Dr. Babangida Aliyu; Alhajiu Sule Lamido (Jigawa); Alhaji Rabiu Kwankanso (Kano) and their Adamawa State Governor, Alhaji Muritala Nyako, had visited former leaders and President Goodluck Jonathan.

They had complained about how the ruling People’s Democratic Party was being run, the crisis in Rivers State and the behaviour of some presidential aides.

It was gathered that the President removed Abdulkadir based on the advice of some of his aides, who said that it would be politically suicidal for Jonathan to leave him.

The presidential aide, who confided in one of our correspondents, said, “We expect other ministers to emulate the Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike, who has been unflinchingly loyal to the President in spite of his Governor, Rotimi Amaechi’s stand against Jonathan and his wife, Patience.”

Investigations also showed that the minister must have been sacked because of the allegation of imposition of a candidate at a recent election of the National Youth Council of Nigeria.


The Forum of State Chairmen of the NYCN had a few months ago accused the minister of imposing   a leader on the council in a purported election held in Makurdi, Benue State.

It was gathered that reports submitted by the SSS DG and the senior special assistant to the President also worked against the minister.

A presidency source said, “The reports indicated the election was not transparent enough. This administration does not want to lose respect it has enjoyed for conducting free and fair election.”

It was gathered that the Presidency became suspicious about the motive for the imposition of a candidate on NYCN because the council would play a key role in the 2015 elections.

The Presidency source said, “We do not want anybody to install youths who will be antagonistic to this administration in 2015.”

When asked if truly the minister was sacked because of the crisis in NYC, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, simply said, “I have no idea.”

-PunchNG.

Eleven Power Plant To Be Completed By 2014 - FG

The Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, has said all the 11 power plants being constructed by the Federal Government will be completed before the end of the first quarter of 2014.

Maku stated this on Monday while fielding questions from journalists after the Peoples Democratic Party stakeholders’ meeting in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

He said seven out of the power plants had so far been completed, while efforts were being intensified to complete others before the end of the first quarter of 2014.

The minister said the Federal Government had completed 150 out of the 220 injection sub-stations being constructed to stabilise and hold the power to be generated.

Maku further explained that the privatisation of the sector would enhance efficiency in power delivery as was witnessed in the telecoms sector.

The minister noted that the Federal Government deserved commendation for completing the plants in two years, adding that electricity generation would double in the next few years.

 “It is almost magical for the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration to have achieved this feat in just two years; this is a clear indication of his commitment to deliver on power,” he said.

Maku pointed out that the present administration had done far more than any previous administration in the country.

He, therefore, appealed to Nigerians to be patient with the administration, pointing out that there would be a lot of improvement and stability in the power sector before the end of 2014.

Maku said the media was under reporting the achievements of the government.

He said, “It is unfortunate that the media is focusing more on personality rather than discussing development.

“The media should focus more on progress and on the achievements of the government irrespective of political party platform in the interest of the people.”

He added that the government needed support and the media had the responsibility to report progress “so that you don’t fixate yourself with politics.”

“Politicians will want to undermine tangible achievements because they will want to come in, but the reality of what the Jonathan administration is doing is very clear and deserves to be reported,” he said.

Meanwhile, the President has given an assurance to Nigerians that they will soon begin to enjoy the benefits of the privatisation of the power sector with the successful conclusion of the sale of the generation and distribution companies.

A statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, quoted the President as saying this while granting audience to a delegation of the Anioma Peoples’ Congress led by the Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Chike Edozien, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Monday.

Jonathan confirmed that all the successful bidders for the power generation and distribution companies except one had completed the payments required to complete the process, which he said was conducted in conformity with globally acceptable standards and best practices.

He said, “We are fully conscious of the centrality and importance of adequate power supply for our developmental efforts. We have challenges in the sector but we are constantly working to overcome them.

“We are currently in a transition phase in which the sector is being positively transformed. The sale of our generation and distribution companies is almost concluded. Finally, everyone has paid and in the shortest possible time, our power sector will take on a much more positive life of its own for the benefit of all Nigerians.”

Jonathan said his administration remained fully committed to significantly improving national infrastructure and would continue to work on rapidly developing railway links, airports, seaports, roads and other transportation services in the country.

 “We are glad that you appreciate what we are doing. We will continue to work very hard so that Nigerians in all parts of the country will feel the positive impact of our efforts to accelerate national development and progress,” he said.

Responding to the delegation’s request for his support for the creation of Anioma State and for the next governor of Delta State to emerge from Delta North if Anioma State did not become a reality before 2015, Jonathan reportedly said such political matters did not depend on him alone.

Edozien, on behalf of the delegation, thanked the President for the commencement of work on the Second Niger Bridge and the approval of a cargo terminal at the Asaba Airport.

The group also praised the President’s handling of the country’s security challenges.

“We are glad that you have tenaciously carried on with your development strides in spite of distractions. We believe you should be given all necessary support to forge ahead and we assure you of our full support if you decide to seek a second term in office,” Edozien told the President.

Governor Danbaba Suntai Seek To Resume Duty, Write State Assembly

RECUPERATING Governor Danbaba Suntai may have sent a letter to the Taraba State House of Assembly  seeking to resume  work.

The letter, according to a United States- based Nigerian online news portal, SaharaReporters, was  on Monday  received by the Speaker of the House of Assembly,Haruna Tsokwa.

 The portal did not say exactly when the letter was written and the day the governor, who arrived in the country from the US after a 10-month medical sojourn, hoped to commence duties.

But it quoted sources close to the Assembly as saying that Suntai, in the letter, claimed to have fully recovered from the injuries he sustained when a small aircraft he piloted  crashed on  October 25,  2012.

The agency added that the Assembly might on Tuesday(today) hold plenary on the governor’s return. A source  hinted that  he might be  invited   to address the lawmakers  on the state of his health and plans to resume work.

 The Speaker of the assembly, Haruna Tsokwa,met with the Acting Governor, Alhaji Garba Umar,  in the latter’s office on Monday  evening.

Tsokwa declined to  speak with  reporters on his way out of the office.

 Suntai, on arrival at the domestic wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja,  looked frail and was aided to alight from the chartered aircraft that flew him.

From the NAIA  to the Jalingo Airport, he did not utter a word to the crowd that had gathered to welcome him. He only managed to wave  and smile at them.

But Suntai played host to his  Adamawa State counterpart, Murtala Nyako, who shed tears after  praying  for  him  to fully recover.

The two governors sat in one chair in the inner office of the Governor’s office  with Suntai wearing an ash-coloured suit with a blue-black shirt  and Nyako  decked in a white agbada and a black  cap to match.

Suntai, who bowed down while Nyako’s prayer lasted, kept saying “amen” in low voice. He clapped and put up a smile when Nyako ended  his prayer.

At this point,  tears rolled down the Adamawa State governor’s cheeks. He then held Suntai in a firm handshake and then proceeded  to have  a brief discussion  with Suntai’s wife, Hauwa.

He described Suntai as his brother and not just a colleague.

“What affects him affects me too. I pray he recovers speedily so that he can continue  where he stopped,”  Nyako said.

Hauwa, who thanked Nyako for the visit, narrated how he  had been helpful since the  accident.

According to her,  Nyako was the one who helped to convey Suntai to the hospital in Yola and   to Abuja the following day.

Nyako, who left the Government House around 12pm on Monday,told  journalists that he had a lot of things in common with Suntai.

 He said, “You saw me shedding tears of joy.I am very happy. I can now go back to my state (Adamawa) and tell my people.

 “I wish him (Suntai) a very quick recovery. Governor Suntai and I have a lot of struggles and grounds to cover. When he recovers, we shall ensure that justice prevails and democracy develops in our states.”

Suntai, who appeared better than he was  on Sunday,  walked unaided, but did not address the journalists who had gathered for a speculated press conference by him.

The Acting governor, Alhaji Umar, also told journalists that he was happy that  his boss   was back.

He  urged the people of the state to “sustain the unity and cooperation” and commended journalists’ efforts in covering the governor’s  arrival.

 Umar said, “I am very happy for the successful homecoming of my boss.I appreciate the unity, cooperation and the way everyone turned out. I want to urge Taraba people to sustain this unity and cooperation.”

Meanwhile, the Public Interest Lawyers League has threatened to go to court, if within seven days, the Taraba State Executive Council and the state House of Assembly fail to declare Suntai unfit to continue to govern the state.

 The group, in a statement by its President, Mr. Abdul Mahmud,  on Monday  said the failure of the governor to address the press since his arrival was “indicative  of a more serious medical case”.

 PILL also demanded that, within the seven days , a medical panel should  be appointed in accordance with Section 189 (4) of the 1999  Constitution to investigate the true medical state of the governor.

 Section 198(4) of the Constitution states, “The medical panel to which this section relates shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Assembly of the State, and shall comprise five medical practitioners in Nigeria.”
-PunchNG

3 Die, 4 Injured, 18 Others Arrested At Cult Initiation

 The combined team of Kwara State Police Command and Vigilance group in Ilorin, Saturday night, swooped on the hideout of Aiye Confraternity initiation which led to death of three, four critically injured while 18 were arrested.

The cultists from neighbouring states, who were returning from an initiation ceremony were mistaken for robbers by the security operatives.

The  command Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Olufemi Fabode, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP,  confirmed the incident in Ilorin, yesterday.

Fabode explained that prior to the incident, the police had information  that on Saturday night, robbers were hiding in a bush behind NASFAT village along Airport Road, Ilorin preparatory to unleashing terror on the residents of the area.

He said: “This prompted various vigilance groups in the communities around the place to mount sentry on all roads that lead to the bush and waited until early hours of the morning when the Aiye Conferternity completed their initiation.

“Unaware that ambush had been laid for them, they ran into it. The vigilance groups mistook them for robbers and opened fire on them.”

The PPRO said during the exchange of gun fire, three of the cult members fell and were almost burnt before men of the command got there.



The police spokesman confirmed that three of the cultists died, four critically injured and 18 of them were arrested and are being interrogated by the men of the state CID.

He said some of the cultist came from as far as Lagos, Osun, Ibadan and Oro respectively, adding that more of them will be arrested

He said investigation still continues while those died have been taken to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital mortary , the injured taken to hospital and the rest 18 are cooling their feet with the CID.

He enjoined Kwarans “to always give useful information to the Police with a view to make the state crime free and warned parents to monitor their wards as some of those arrested disclosed that they were yet to gain admission to higher institution, neither their parents know their where about,saying if this could happen then they would graduate to become kingpin of the group,” he noted.

He however urged the members of various security agencies in the state to partner with the command in its untiring efforts to make kwara state a crisis free one




-VANGURD

Governor Suntai Arrives Abuja, Assisted Out Of Aircraft

Governor Danbaba Suntai of Taraba State on Sunday afternoon arrived the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja after spending about 10 months abroad for treatment for injuries sustained when a small aircraft he piloted crashed.

The governor, who left Nigeria  for  Germany  in October, was supported on his right and left arms by aides while disembarking from a chartered Gulfstream aircraft with registration number G4 at the domestic wing of the  airport.

 The aircraft touched down on the  tarmac at about 12.41pm and the governor was immediately  driven to the VIP lounge of the airport in a Toyota Land Cruiser.

At the lounge, he  sat between two men  before he proceeded to Jalingo, the Taraba State capital where two advance aircraft marked N224BA and 5NBMR were already on the ground.

Suntai was visibly weak and could not speak, but his associates told journalists that the long haul flight from the United States where he had the last phase of his treatment, made him tired.

He was shielded  from responding to questions from journalists  by heavily  armed security personnel.

But  a personal friend to Suntai, Mr. John Dara, said, “I am fully in the picture in all the arrangements for his return  and we are really excited to see  him back. What is clear is that after the long haul flight from the US, he is obviously weak and tired.

“But we are thrilled by the fact that he recognised each of us and called us by our names. This shows that he is mentally alert and this is an indication that he is capable of running the affairs of the state as governor.”

On why he was prevented from speaking with journalists, Dara said, “Normally, talking to press can be spontaneous and can be organised; but we felt that when he has rested well, it will be easier for him to address the press logically.”

Another associate of the governor  and a former  of member   Niger Delta Development Commission board , Mr. Rima Shawulu,     said  that Suntai  would commence work in earnest.

He said, “We have no doubt in our minds that when he gets to Jalingo later today (Sunday), it will be whether he will resume today or  in a couple of days from now. But he is clearly okay and able to function.

“It is what the doctors report says about him that should be followed. When I met him in Germany in February, he did not look like somebody that had  lost his senses. We  discussed. He told me things and asked me to do some things for him which I did.”

A board member of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prof. Jerry Gana, who was part of a Peoples Democratic Party team that welcomed the governor,  also told journalists that Suntai was strong enough to start work.

He said, “We thank God for his safe arrival and he is hale and hearty as you can see. We give God the glory that he has returned to start work as governor in his state.”

Suntai arrived  Jalingo  around 3.45pm aboard another chartered  aircraft marked 5N-12Y amid tight security and cheers  by government officials,  his friends and sympathisers.

Before he alighted from the plane, his wife, Hauwa, first entered to greete him and then his deputy, Alhaji Garba Umar, who ran the affairs of the state in acting capacity.

When Umar came out of the aircraft, Suntai emerged, this time, assisted by his wife, who led him into an unmarked marooned  Range Rover Sports HSE.

The Range Rover –Sports HSE made  straight for  the governor’s lodge in Jalingo  with the ailing governor waving to the people  that had gathered to welcome him.

Some of them were heard shouting “ya dawo”, meaning ‘he has come’ while others were saying “shi ne”, meaning ‘he is the one.’

Security chiefs in the state, including the commissioner of police and the director of the State Security Services  were cited at the lodge but it was unclear if they were able to see the governor, whom doctors   asked  to observe  a   72 hour-bed rest

 Meanwhile, Plateau State Governor   has  dismissed rumours that  he financed  Suntai’s return.

The  Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr. Abraham Yiljap, told our correspondent in  Jos that Jang didn’t have to  do so   since   the government and people  of his state were   capable of   financing  his return.

He said, “Governor Jang did not have to shoulder the financial responsibility  for his return as the government of Taraba and people and people of good will were very capable  of undertaking the operation; after all he (Suntai ) is a sitting governor.

Abraham said that Jang was happy  that  the governor was back in the country.

He added, “Jang prayed and visited him in Germany when he was first taken.  He encourages him and he (Jang) will continue to support him in any  way to fulfill God’s plan and purpose in his life.

“His return gives Jang a feeling of exhilaration.   Being back in the presence of his people will offer him the perfect atmosphere for complete healing.”

-PunchNG