List Of Marriages That Crashed In 2014 With The Oyakhilomes At Number 1

Some really beautiful marriages went down this year. well, we don’t know if these marriages were beautiful but… One lasted for as long as 23 years while some didn’t last 2 years. Encomium magazine has compiled a list of these marriages and what went wrong.

1)REV. CHRIS & ANITA OYAKHILOME (1991-2014 = 23 years)

Celebrity preacher and founder of Believers Loveworld a.k.a Christ Embassy, Rev. Christian Oyakhilome and his delectable wife, Anita (who is also a pastor) are now estranged. Rev. Anita Odegwa Oyakhilome has since approached a London court in the United Kingdom (UK) seeking divorce.

In a suit filed on April 9, 2014, Rev. Anita wants divorce on grounds of “unreasonable behavior and irreconcilable differences.” Her estranged husband (Pastor Chris) would surprisingly admit their once peaceful home is burning.  And that they are in court.  The embattled billionaire minister, however, rubbished allegations of adultery which many believe crashed his marriage of 23 years that produced two daughters, Sharon, 21 and Charlyn, 19.

Oyakhilome had earlier accused his wife of being wrongly influenced by friends. He also alleged she was no longer listening to her leaders. Their relationship collapsed to the extent she was no longer attending services at their London, UK branch where she presides.

An online search for Anita was what revealed that the marital bliss the Christian couple have been enjoying for years has been eclipsed by rancor and bitterness.

Obviously, the most scandalous divorce saga of 2014, the controversy generated by the crash of Anita/Oyakhilome marriage did shake the foundation of Christendom, especially the young members of Christ Embassy who are still divided by the unfortunate development.

But with the warring couple moving on with their lives, pending the determination of the ongoing divorce case instituted by Anita, the fact still remains that their marriage is regrettably dead and buried!

Anita and Pastor Chris met at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State in the 80s.  Their relationship started at the Believers Loveworld campus fellowship which later transformed to Christ Embassy with branches across the globe.

Pastor Chris and Anita got married in 1991.

2)

UCHE IWUJI & JUWON LAWAL (Nov. 16, 2012 -2014 = 1 year plus)

Alleged marital infidelity finally forced oil tycoon, Juwon Lawal to kick out his pretty actress wife, Uche Iwuji early this year.  Not minding she already had a baby for him, Juwon issued a press statement notifying the public he’s done with perhaps, one of Nigeria’s most controversial actresses.  Uche Iwuji had allegedly dated former Super Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo and yet another footballer before she was introduced to Juwon through a lady friend.

Considering the weight of the allegation of the last affair that implicated Uche, it is unlikely that she would be forgiven by her estranged husband who says her case is “once a friend, always a friend.”  Uche Iwuji would have wished a once-a-wife, always-a-wife case.

3)

UCHE OGBODO & UBBY ATO (2013-2014) 

Controversial actress Uche Ogbodo’s short-lived marriage to ex-footballer, Ubby Ato is good for a movie script.
Barely living with her husband for more than four weeks, she left her matrimonial home pregnant.  She explains why:

“I realized I had made the greatest mistake of my life.  The foundation of the union was based on lies and deceit.  We had been dating for almost a year and I thought I knew everything, but nothing prepared me for what unfolded.  Yes, I’m the one walking out of the pack of lies. I’m not going to pretend because I want to be married.  I am not desperate and I would rather swallow my pride and accept I made a mistake than forge ahead in lies.

On the verge of trying to salvage the situation, I found out I was expecting a child.  I kept quiet to the rumours making the rounds because I was left with the option of thinking for my child and trying to salvage a dead situation.  But now I have finally made up my mind to break off the engagement and my reasons are irreconcilable differences.

I just want to be left alone to take care of my child. I wasn’t married. I was engaged to be married but as things stand now the engagement is officially broken due to irreconcilable differences and since I’m having a baby soon, my doctor has advised me to rest, as my health and that of my baby are the most important right now.”

Interestingly, Ubby Ato’s dad, a clergy would fault the actress’ claim, insisting they paid her bride price. Uche elsewhere had also admitted she was married in a sense though it wasn’t a traditional or white wedding. She told a national daily on September 27, 2014:

“It was a marriage, but we didn’t do any wedding.  We didn’t do any court marriage or church wedding.  We did nothing.  We didn’t even do traditional marriage but in my culture, there are many processes to getting married and I did a few of those.  So, you can say I was married.  In Igboland, there are rites you adhere to before you can say this is my wife and I did a couple of them,”

It was also alleged that the popular actress walked out of her marriage because her US-based hubby had terminal ailment.  It was equally speculated that her husband’s family wasn’t sure Ubby was responsible for Uche’s pregnancy.  A development that made them suggest a DNA test after her delivery.  But Uche was reportedly said to have opted out of the union while rejecting any test of her baby’s paternity.

The long and short of the story is that actress Uche Ogbodo has called it quits with her marriage that couldn’t see the next year. It would be recalled that Uche Ogbodo met her estranged hubby, Ubby Ato at a friend’s birthday party months back.

4)

INI EDO & PHILIP EHIAGWINA (2008-2014 = 6 years)

Star actress, Ini Edo took to her Twitter handle @ini4phil on October 5, 2014, to announce the break-up of her marriage to US-based Philip Ehiagwina. Unperturbed by rumours of adultery encircling them (the estranged couple), Ini Edo vehemently denied sleeping around, while in marriage.

“I asked for a divorce from my ex-husband because of irreconcilable differences.  I never cheated on my husband.  There’s a conscious and malicious attempt at tarnishing my image.  This whole saga is familiar.  Let’s not forget the past.  Thank you and God bless.”

Now as free as air, Ini is really having a swell time even as her foes and friends are revealing the real reasons her marriage crumbled.

In a widely circulated piece released to the media, a US-based showbiz journalist, who’s also Ini’s kinsman, Ekerete Udo made a serious effort to clean up the battered image of the embattled actress.  The writer claimed Ini Edo never slept around.  We were also made to believe she did everything to keep her home.  Her estranged hubby, Philip was, however, portrayed as a gold digger who was only after his wife’s ‘wealth.’

Philip was specifically accused of insisting on being a co-owner of Ini Edo’s N70 million Lekki house.  Accoding to the story, Philip had to move out of Ini’s Lekki (Lagos) home and moved in with another lady for three months.  The Texas, US-based businessman is yet to defend himself.

No matter who is right or wrong, one thing is sure and certain, the six year big budget wedding of Ini Edo and erstwhile heartthrob, Philip Ehiagwina has finally hit the rocks after months of speculations that all is not well with their union.

It would be noted that Ini actually spent more time in Nigeria than in her matrimonial home in Houston, Texas, USA, all through the marriage.

Not having a baby after six years couldn’t also have saved her marriage.

Read more at http://www.360nobs.com/2014/12/list-of-marriages-that-crashed-in-2014-with-the-oyakhilomes-at-number-1/#4m4wad014a8mDD4j.99

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Instagram This Week

For the newbies, Blogxclusiv ‘What you missed on Instagram today’ helps you stay up-to-date with all the buzz, selfies, and moments they share on the social media App, Instagram.

Today, we have Wizkid, Ibinabo Fiberesima, Eniola Badmus, Peter Okoye, Lola Omotayo, Van Vicker, Timi Dakolo, Mike Ezuronye, Tonto Dikeh, and more, gleefully shared some significant moments with you.

Wizkid who would rather not say a word on the bedroom scandal that hit him earlier today, posted this epic photo, reflecting on how he used to move around in a bus.  “Sitting in this bus shooting my video thinking about when I used to move around in the bus like this praying for a better life! I’m thankful to God and my fans! big things coming 2015!! #StarBoy !” he captioned the photo.

Do you remember Lilian Bach? The actress has been off the radar for a while now but she looked stunning at Ibinabo Fiberesima’s wedding.

Movie producer, director and actor cum Desmond Elliot showed off his beautiful family.

DJ Cuppy got her hands on the music wheels last night at the GTB end of the year party 

Toke Makinwa had lunch with her family today, she stepped out in this jumpsuit, you like?

Actress cum singer Tonto Dikeh shared this Christmas card with her fans, it’s been a good year for her, she says.

VJ Moet Abebe showed off her Walt Disney like bed room.  “It’s white and pink! I’m a girlie girl who loves feeling and being treated like a princess!” she says

Actress Omoni Oboli showed us a sneak peek of her home decoration yesterday, now she’s shared another photo with her boys and yea, she added a prayer this time “God’s gift for us at Christmas is Favour! As my boys decorate me, may God decorate you all with Favour this Christmas and in the new year! God has greatly favoured me this year, I can’t even lie! I wish the same for you all in Jesus name! The plan is for all of us to succeed!”

Rapper Olamide in the building, make some noise!

Ghanian actress, Jackie Appiah wants you to check out her designer blouse and jeans. Photo was taken by fellow actor, John Dumelo, what ya say?

Actor Mike Ezuruonye took this selfie  on his way to the Niger Delta today.

Gbogbo Bigs Geh, Eniola Badmus is presently shooting a movie in Enugu alongside Mr Ibru.

The newest bride in town, Ibinabo Fiberesima shared her favorite photo from her wedding which held in Rivers state on Friday. “Ebuka is my soul” she captioned it, aww!

We are all used to seeing the Santa Claus in red but Psquare’s Peter Okoye showed us a new one today…a ‘father christmas’ can rock blue and still be cool 

Ghanaian actor, Van Vicker showed off some precious family moment.

Rave of the moment, Yemi Alade whose ‘Johnny’ musical video hit 10million views on youtube recently,  shared a reflection on her journey into fame. “DEAR FANS I have always asked God to bless me in ways that men would see and say it is the work of our God of miracles!! My desire is for people to see His blessings in my life and start to give God d glory!!! Today Johnny video is an example of God’s miraculous blessings. That a smallie like me would hv YouTube views as many as Davido and Psquare’s!!! I am thankful and I hope that when God does yours you would laugh when doubtful thomas’ like this write articles to ridicule God’s blessings.”

Timi Dakolo and Asa are cooking up something, we can’t wait.hush!

We are loving this selfie of the Psqaure wives – Lola Omotayo and Anita Okoye.

Patoranking’s mum is a year older today and she got the most beautiful birthday shout out from him. “They say love and happiness begins at home and you have always shown that to be true. Happy Birthday To u mummy, on ur birthday: I hope that your day is filled with good things and happy moments not only today but everyday. And may there always be a smile on your face. #Happyday #whayasay #FS2015″

D’prince and the mavins wowed the audience at the GTB end of the year party, last night.

Osas Ighodaro was at a fashion show today and yea, she had lotta fun.

And comedian Bovi shared this “Look who was on board an aero flight…. Santa. And he didn’t give me a gift cos of age.”

Join again tomorrow for another edition of the “What you missed on Instagram today’ ciao!

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7 things you should know about Timi & Busola Dakolo’s love story

Mention a celebrity couple with a love that blossoms everyday and you have, Timi Dakolo.

The R&B singer and his wife, Busola are one happy couple with their 3 adorable children.

They’ve been married since 2012 yet their union keeps waxing stronger and are seen everywhere together.

In a new interview with Punch, they share their amazing love story and we bring you seven things that might interest you!
1. They met in a church:  “We met at the House on the Rock church. I was not searching then, but simply minding my own business when I spotted her.I was standing behind the choristers on the podium when I sighted this fine girl. I went to speak to her by asking her why she was frowning in church.”

2. Their first conversation was kinda cold:  I remember saying, ‘Hi, my name is Timi Dakolo,’ and she said, ‘and so?’

3. She gave him a fake phone number: “You would not believe that she gave me a fake number and I started searching for her every Sunday until I finally caught up with her and challenged her for giving me a wrong number. It was my lucky day because that was how we started talking. This was in 2010.”

Busola says “I gave him my genuine phone number but he thought it was a wrong one. Unfortunately, my phone got missing that day. After service, he followed us in a car to know where I was staying and later on, he kept coming to the house. While he kept asking me out, I realised he was different from other artistes. He turned out to be a wonderful person.”

4. Their proposal story is unusual:  I went to visit her and then put the ring in an empty plate of food. I was a little scared that she might say no but at the same time, I was convinced it was time to do it.”

Busola says: “It happened early in the morning. He said he wanted to make me breakfast in bed then he came with the plate covered and stayed a few minutes. I wasn’t expecting anything more than noodles but he opened the plate and brought out a ring.”

5. Timi Dakolo witnessed the birth of their three kids:  The arrival of our children. I have always been in the labour room. I was the first person who carried my third child when she was born.

6. They enjoy travelling together: Other memorable moments include our travels, our ‘alone time’ at home with and without the children. It has been a beautiful journey thus far and I have learnt much being a father and husband. I also feel the collective responsibility of not having to think for only you alone any longer, is a high point of my marriage. You can’t just wake up and go out on your own. When I stay outside for a long time, my wife would call me up and sarcastically say, ‘greet those people wey dey there with you for me o. Its past 11pm greet them goodnight.’ It has been a jolly ride with ups and downs.”

7.  They love each other yet don’t a run joint account:No, we trust each other and don’t need to show each other our bank statements. We don’t have joint account but monthly budgets. We have different accounts for different things and support each other financially.

8. What they will love to change about each other:

Busola: “He stays on the phone for too long. I want him to spend more time with me instead of being on the phone.”
Timi: “She should be fast when we are going out and apply her make-up hurriedly.”

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5 Astounding Christmas Gifts That Will Thrill Your Woman

So, last year I had an horrendous time choosing the ideal gifts for the women in my life. I had to sample different opinions from male friends and known were forthcoming with an idea of what would have my women drooling (my mum inclusive here). This made me dig deep into the inner recesses of my mind and think up what I believe should be the ideal gift. I have come to realise that we the male folk really suck at buying the women we love gifts. We would rather take them out on a date than go through the eternal stress of trudging along in malls and gift shops to get the perfect gift.

I have come to realise that women don’t want the routine sexy lingerie, box of chocolates and kitchen appliances but would rather have things with a little more class and personal touch. As a result of this, I decided to do a little digging into what women would love as gifts while ensuring that we men don’t have to break the bank to get them especially with the Christmas festivities around the corner. Thus I did a little compilation of gifts that would thrill the women and make our lives a little less stressful.

Handbags

This seems to be the fetish of a whole lot of women as it adds style and prestige to their dressing. Getting the right size and colour most suitable for your woman might be the issue but that problem can be solved by understanding the needs and favourites of the intended recipient. All women love a handbag and getting one that goes with all shades of colours might just be the best and ideal Christmas gift for your woman yet.

Lingerie set

From time immemorial, lingerie set has always been the first choice of gift for the male folk as it builds a typical emotional connection between the man and his woman. Getting to choose the right lingerie might be a tasking job as we the male folk do not share the same thoughts with women regarding this matter. It is thus important to know what colour appeals to your woman. Getting the right size and colour is important especially when your woman is the prim and proper type.

Shoes

Quite important to get the size right as you wouldn’t want your woman smirking at you. Shoes will definitely have her loving you more especially if you get one with heels or wedge. Ensure you get the best in this category if you decide on getting shoes as they are very important to women.

Make-up kits

Very few women go out without make-up nowadays and if your woman falls in the category of women that enjoy having a clean endearing face, then look no further than a make up kit. Since we are men and it may be a bit difficult getting the right mix that suits their faces, it’s cool we go for a kit with several shades. This will help limit our chances of falling on the wrong side. It is also important to get ones of high quality so as to avoid giving the women we love a skin reaction.

Neck chain

Well, every woman loves jewellery especially those that come in gold. It is guaranteed that you can never get it wrong if you get a woman a Gold, silver or platinum chain. It is however important to note that this one is in no way cost effective as it will take a sizable chunk of your money to get the one that would ‘whao’ your woman. Ensure that you get a quality one that will stand the test of time as your relationship will.

I hope I have been able to give a list that would help us to give our women a Christmas gift to remember.

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5 Signs She’s A Virgin

Apart from the signs you might be aware of when judging your girl if she is a virgin, I promise you there are other signs to look at for clarification. To be more specific there are marks in a virgin Girl’s body to note include:

1. Forehead

A girl who is still pure has a smooth forehead. After intercourse the slippery smooth face is always lost and some twitch (lines) will appear. The lines don’t look like the ones brought by old age. The lines cannot be removed by any face lotion or oil. It is not easily visible but can be noticed when she laughs or talks.

2. Nose

The tip of her nose is reddish in color if she is a virgin. If you touch the tip of the nose it appears red. Sometimes the color is not easily visible. After intercourse the red color disappears.

3. Eye

When the bottom of the petals folded a bit and there is a sign of bruising ( bruise marks) means the girl is not a virgin anymore. A girl who is still virgin has no black strip. Also when she laughs, a virgin girl has no wrinkles under her eye lids.

4. Fruit Chest (bre’ast)

Brea-sts of a virgin girl are always tense and hard. After being touched by a man, the bosoms normally become less firm and become larger than before. The more she is touched and undergoes intercourse the more it enlarges and the more it drops.

Apart from knowing her virginity, you can also tell if a woman has given birth or not by looking at her brea-sts. If her nippl’es are straight or facing upwards, she has never given birth. But if her nippl’es are facing downwards, she has given birth.

5. Outline Hand Palm

Try to hold the little finger about one minute then release and ask how it feels. If she says she felt nothing at all, there are high chances she is not a virgin. A virgin girl will say that she felt tense, heart pounding or throbbing pain.

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30 Amazing Facts I Bet You Never Knew About Africa!

These are fact about Africa that will blow your mind

1. The Gambia has only one university.
2. Equatorial Guinea is Africa’s only Spanish-speaking country.
3. South Africa is the most visited African country.
4. Nigeria has the richest Black people in Africa.
5. Samuel Eto’o is the highest paid Footballer of all time, he received about £350,000 weekly in Russia in 2011.
6. A person from Botswana is called a Motswana, the plural is Batswana.
7. A person from Lesotho is called a Mosotho.
8. A person from Niger is called a Nigerien.
8. A person from Burkina Faso is called a Burkinabe.
9. Nigeria has won more football cups than England.
10. Zimbabwe’s President, Robert Gabriel Mugabe is the world’s most educated President with 7 degrees, two of them are Masters.
11. Al-Ahly of Egypt is the richest club in Africa.
12. Didier Drogba is Chelsea’s highest goal scorer in European competition.
13. Johannesburg, South Africa is the most visited city in Africa.
14. Zinedine Zidane wanted to play for Algeria, but the selector rejected him, saying they are already many players like him in the team.
15. President Jacob Zuma was once a referee in prison.
16. President Robert Mugabe was jailed for 11 years for fighting for freedom.
17. President Robert Mugabe is Africa’s oldest Head of State and the world’s second oldest Head of State. He was born 1924.
18. The Seychellois are the most educated Africans. Seychelles’ literacy rates (Adult: 92%, Youth: 99%) Zimbabwe is 2nd (Adult: 91.2%, Youth: 99%).
19. Rwanda is a better country for gender equality than England and USA.
20.Somalia got its first ATM on October 7, 2014.
21. South Africa has the most Grammy award winners in Africa.
22. Ethiopia has the most airports in Africa.
23. Ethiopia’s economy is growing faster than China’s.
24. Eritrea’s President, Isaiah Afwerki is the least richest President in Africa.
25. Ethiopia is Africa’s oldest independent country, it has existed for over 3,000 years without being colonised.
26. Haile Selassie 1 was the 225th and last Emperor of Ethiopia.
27. Nigeria has the most monarchs in the world.
28. Angola has more Portuguese speakers than Portugal.
29. President Jose Eduardo Dos Santos has ruled Angola since 1979.
30. President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo is Africa’s longest serving Head of State. He has ruled Equatorial Guinea since August 3, 1979 when he overthrew his uncle, Francisco Nguema. His son, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue is his Vice President and will succeed him if he resigns.

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@DeleMomodu: As Buhari plays his last card

Fellow Nigerians, this has been a most suspenseful but exciting week, courtesy of APC, the opposition party. For the first time since 1993 when Chief Moshood Abiola had great difficulties picking his running mate, the same scenario was re-enacted as General Muhammadu Buhari kept the nation on edge while struggling to find and name his Vice Presidential candidate. The situation almost became like Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot.

The frontliners, according to a poll by Saharareporters, were Rotimi Amaechi, Babatunde Fashola, Adams Oshiomhole, Kayode Fayemi, Yemi Osinbajo and Bola Tinubu. It was such a breath-taking affair. While we were all anxious and permutated away about the outcome of the selection, General Buhari apparently remained focussed on his target. He was determined to find and play a joker as his last card. It couldn’t have been easy with the calibre of men to pick from and the volatile interest groups that litter the APC landscape.

Some of us closely monitored Buhari’s mind-set and it became obvious that the gentleman was adroitly committed to the promise of picking his Vice Presidential candidate from the South West; it was only a question of who. According to insiders, he would have loved to pick the APC giant, Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos State who has become a super-brand in Nigerian politics. But he was technically knocked out on account of religion; he’s a Muslim. And many of us had warned against risking a Muslim-Muslim ticket at the beginning of this voyage. If our own opinion was supposedly irrelevant, the strident admonition from former President Olusegun Obasanjo could not be easily ignored or readily dismissed. I had smelt a rat and knew it was a clear and powerful message to General Buhari not to touch the tiger by the tail. Obasanjo’s vociferous voice automatically disqualified former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as well as his successor, Mr Fashola, since they are both Muslims.
The other two candidates under consideration were former Governor Kayode Fayemi and Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) but the latter was clearly favoured by Tinubu, the irrepressible generalissimo of the South West, after a botched attempt to have the kingmaker pair up with Buhari. General Buhari was unequivocally opposed to the idea of a Muslim/Muslim ticket. Once he narrowed his choice down to Yemi Osinbajo, after Governors Adams Oshiomhole and Rotimi Amaechi were torpedoed on account of zoning, the next task was how to persuade the major stakeholders and he embarked on a marathon expedition to various APC leaders. His mission was to personally convey his decision to each and every one of them.

Contrary to doomsday prediction, Governor Amaechi gave his total blessing and agreed to lead the campaign. The bond between Buhari and Amaechi is like that of father and son. Those who expected APC to break up after the Presidential Primary were sorely disappointed, in fact, it turned out to be one of the best organised in our dear country. It actually won many converts and admirers to the party; a huge equity indeed. The next anticipated problem area was that of choosing a Vice Presidential nominee but once again, the APC overcame the challenge despite widespread anxieties over the delay in announcing the lucky one.

General Buhari finally settled for an erudite lawyer, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, a pious man of God and Senior Pastor at The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Professor Oluyemi Oluleke Osinbajo, born on March 8, 1957. Osinbajo’s curriculum vitae are one of the longest I’ve ever encountered. I will not even attempt to list it all here as it may occupy the entire space allocated to Pendulum but I shall try to showcase the most relevant parts.

He was born in Lagos and started his education from Corona Primary School before heading to the famous Igbobi College where he mesmerised mates and teachers alike with academic brilliance. He was the winner of the State Merit Award in 1971. He won the School Prize for English Oratory in 1972. From 1972-75, he was the number one Orator and bagged the Elias Prize for Best Performance in History, in WASC examination. He was also the best in Literature.

He read Law at the University of Lagos from 1975-1978 and won the Graham-Douglas Prize for Commercial Law. He attended the Nigerian Law School thereafter and became a barrister and solicitor on successful completion. He wasted no time before travelling abroad to attend the prestigious London School of Economics & Political Science and was awarded a Master of Laws. Osinbajo served his National Service at the Bendel Development and Planning Authority.

He joined the University of Lagos as Lecturer and rose to become a Professor of Law at the age of 33. He became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2002. He worked simultaneously and tirelessly as teacher, barrister and solicitor. His hard work is uncommon. His service to man never disturbed him from serving his God. He is a notable clergyman and he has inspired so many and impacted lives from far and near.

Osinbajo is happily married to Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s grand-daughter, Dolapo, the daughter of Tayo and Ayodele Soyode, and they are blessed with three children. Mrs Osinbajo has been engaged in charity work despite being a lawyer herself. She’s been able to assist those with different kinds of deprivation. She and her husband are extremely compassionate. Buhari must have spent ample time studying Osibajo’s resume before settling for him. What he brings on board is the much needed intellectual grounding of politics and governance. Both candidates share their simplicity in common as opposed to the profligate leaders Nigerians were used to.

Now that Buhari appears to have played his final joker, where do we go from here? Ordinarily, the incumbent President should not be afraid of this type of contest but things have changed. The Buhari of today is no longer the badly maligned man who contested against us in 2011. He is not the Buhari who lacked national spread. The Buhari of today has metamorphosed into a megastar bearing the image of a Rock legend. His image-makers have worked hard to make him appear debonair and appealing to the young and old. His new swag is Presidential and takes attention away from his so-called old age. President Goodluck Jonathan and his team would underrate Buhari/Osinbajo at their own peril.
What makes Buhari/Osinbajo so attractive should be examined. While they are not saints as mere mortals, they do not carry the type of heavy baggage on the President right now. As in Murphy’s Law, everything that could go wrong has been going terribly awry for our nation. While the President and his handlers are fond of regurgitating their favourite swan song of “the President did not create the problems, they were there before he assumed power”, many are tired and bored with these flimsy excuses. Their response, in the words of Professor Akin Oyebode, is “if you can’t stand the heat, leave the kitchen.”

There are too many reasons to be adduced for why the world is crumbling over the Federal Government at the speed of light. The first is psychological in nature. By 2015, PDP would have been in power for 16 years. That is long enough to get the citizens irritated. Democracy has never been a monarchy which rotates appointments amongst Royals. Lack of performance makes matters worse for a government such as ours. Even if we admit that not all of our challenges were caused by Jonathan, many of it should have been solved in four years.

Some of the problems were actually caused by this government. This government made the fatal mistake of amplifying the religious confusion in Nigeria. Today Nigeria is more divided along religious lines than ever. What is likely to happen is that Muslims are likely to vote en masse against Jonathan while the Christians would be split down the line between the candidates. In such a contest, the result should be obvious.

Ethnicity is another source of worry. As soon as Jonathan got to power, his supporters developed the attitude of “it is our turn and we can misbehave as we like.” Insults were heaped on critics endlessly. Other ethnic groups were treated with disdain. We saw the emergence of new oil sheikhs and the proliferation of private jets. Nigerians watched in utter amazement as resources were being frittered with reckless abandon. We saw the emergence of sacred cows and untouchables who were directly protect at the highest level

To make matters worse, insecurity became a permanent feature in our daily lives. A chunky part of Northern Nigeria has practically been donated to terrorists with no hope in sight. Nothing has rubbish this government than the abduction of Chibok girls and many other abductions and wanton killings. All we hear are the same clichés of “we are working hard to bring the situation under control while the killers continue to operate unhindered.

As if we’ve not suffered enough; our economy is receiving its own battering so mercilessly. The price of oil has collapsed and Armageddon has arrived. While government is trying to paint a picture of all is well, it is becoming increasingly clear that we have landed in big trouble. I even heard a PDP Governor crying that the Federal Government should kindly find money to pay teachers’ salaries just days to Christmas. How bleak can life be!

It is doubt if our budget would run as planned in the New Year. Even on a good day, we’ve never been known to balance our budgets. How do we then hope to make things run effectively when our economy has gone into coma? I don’t know how the President hopes to go into election with this barrage of upheavals and win.

But who knows, a man who has been beheaded may still try to puff some smoke. Time will ultimately tell the story of this battle royale!

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Op-ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of blogxclusiv

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Immanuel Ugwu: How we worship fake messiahs in Nigeria

Doyin Okupe presented President Goodluck Jonathan as Jesus Christ in the most opportune time. We were in Christmas mood and should have been most receptive to the revelation of god among us.

Okupe’s job description as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs is to appraise and praise his principal. And security on the job lies at the extreme end of hyperbole. He has to be (seen to be) sufficiently worshipful of the President or he gets the sack. This incentivizes Okupe to work overtime, talking Jonathan up. And sure enough, it predisposes him to sounding stupid. But this attempt to make up the profane with the sacred shows that Okupe’s sycophancy has mutated into wanton license.

It couldnt have been his answer to Wole Soyinkas portrayal of Jonathan as King Nebuchadnezzar. Soyinka, the Nobel Laureate, called a press conference just to vent and he kept his metaphor within the bounds of the secular. But Okupe, the self-acclaimed Attack Lion, went to a breakfast TV show for expediency and ran into profanities.
Basically, the overreach testifies that Okupe has run out of material. After placing Jonathan in the peer group of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, Lee Kaun Yew and Barack Obama and ranking him as the greatest Nigerian leader since independence, there are no more fitting mortals left for comparison. So Jonathan has to be equated with Jesus.

Jonathan deserves some congratulations, though. He is one of the rare humans who have managed to inspire the veneration of their persons. His own evolution to divinity makes him measure up to his wife. Patience, according to Evans Bipi, the arrowhead of an anti-Amaechi gang, was Jesus Christ on earth.

It is good that President Jonathan’s catch-up worked out fine. This leaves Nigeria with a couple of Jesus Christs in the State House. One Jesus and a spare.

But the paradox is that the countries that are led by mere mortals fare better than theocratic Nigeria. They have higher standards of living. They have very low child mortality rates. They have public schools that are training their youths to participate in a future where knowledge will become the principal commodity. They have efficient transport systems that move people and goods with few instances of avoidable mishaps. They have portable water at the turn of the tap. They maintain healthcare systems that our Jesus doubles resort to when they fall ill.
Actually, the Jonathans are not the only saviors. There is a glut of claimants to the title of messiah, from the lowest tier up to the presidency. They base their claims on some grudging tokens. The roads that begin to deteriorate with the onset of the first rains. The schools they cannot suffer their children to attend. The hospitals their family members cannot patronize.

Since May 1999, these false messiahs have been saving only their family and friends. They have been offering the populace more hype than governance deliverables. They have been investing in looking good than doing good. And they have always liked to hire fawning loudmouths.

These sycophants run an interminably arduous race. They compete and outperform themselves every new day. They have to break yesterdays record in order not to sound like a broken record. As the electoral season inches to its decisive stages, they go into overdrive to raise their principals electability. And the rush to deliver trumps temperance.

But it should be obvious that this kind of salesmanship – borrowing from the supernatural realm to improve their bottom line  is counterproductive. It betrays the brand as so flawed that its marketability can only be helped by a bogus label.

President Jonathan should be worried. He should be concerned that his promoters are nauseating and alienating the multitude instead of converting them. He has continued to pretend to be too absorbed in some otherworldly business to notice the sacrileges his hirelings are perpetrating in his name. He looks on because he hopes that some benefit will accrue to him from their activities. And this sends the signal that the stakes are too high, and that everything is up for despoliation.

Jonathan winked at the tweaking of #BringBackOurGirls hashtag into his re-election campaign promo. He was content to let it persist until Washington Post shamed him into issuing a disclaimer. He pretended to be asleep while the police desecrated the premises of the National Assembly on the orders of Inspector General Suleiman Abba. And he has yet to wake up.
Jonathan must rein in Okupe and other sycophants. Chinua Achebe reminds us that those whose palm kernels were cracked by the gods must remain humble. A shoeless school boy who rose to the presidency cannot afford to have an aide misrepresenting him as a contestant for the position of Jesus Christ.

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Op-ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of blogxclusiv

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7 Bedroom Lies Men Tell To Get Women In Bed

When you’re about to hook up with a guy, you have to remember that there are lies men tell to get you into bed. Unfortunately, you can’t believe everything he tells you. You have to decide whether the hottie you’re chatting up is an honest guy or a dangerous player. The next time you think about hooking up with someone, ask yourself if the things he’s saying are among the potential lies men tell to seduce you.

1. I’M SINGLE
If a man really wants to hook up with you, he’s not going to risk you walking away. If he tells you he has a girlfriend, chances are you’ll run in the other direction. One of the common lies men tell is that they’re single when they’re actually in a relationship. Sometimes you have to take his word for it, but if you know any of his friends, ask them for the truth. You might find out something that will destroy any feelings you have for him.

2. I WON’T TELL ANYONE
If you’re worried that everyone’s going to hear about your hookup, he’s going to want to delete your doubts. Some men will do everything they can in order to get with a girl. He’ll promise you that he’ll keep your romance a secret, but he’ll end up bragging to his friends. Once he blabs to one person, it can quickly become public knowledge. Secrets don’t stay secret for long.

3. YOU’RE AMAZING
His constant compliments could be less than genuine. If he feels like he has to butter you up before you’ll kiss him, he’ll say whatever he has to say. He’ll tell you you’re beautiful. He might even tell you that he loves you. If you’re anywhere near a bed, don’t trust everything that comes out of a man’s mouth.

4. I NEVER DO THIS
If he’s trying to hookup with you on a first date or during a party, he might come across as sketchy. He doesn't want you to think you’re ‘just another girl’ to him, so he’ll tell you that he never has random hookups. Of course, he’ll tell the next girl the same thing. It’s a way to make you feel special so that he can have his way.

5. I HAVE A HIGH PAYING JOB
Some women are more attracted to men with higher incomes. If a guy thinks that a fat wallet will impress you, he’ll lie about his job. He’ll tell you that he makes six figures, or that he recently got promoted. He’ll say whatever he can to make himself look good. He doesn’t realize that you care more about his personality than his paycheck.

6. I CAN’T WAIT TO BE A FATHER
If a man’s really desperate, he’ll lie about something as important as children. I mean, what do women love more than babies? In a ridiculous attempt at impressing you, he’ll make you believe that he wants to get married and have kids. That way, you’ll think of him as a potential mate, and won’t mind jumping into bed with him. This is one of the most deceitful ways for a man to get a woman to fall for him.

7. I JUST WANT TO CUDDLE
Who could say no to a cuddling session? It’s always nice to feel a man’s body pressed against your own. However, cuddling can easily lead to sex. If he wants to get into bed, you have to be wary. It’s possible that he’s a romantic, but he could be using cuddling as an excuse to get close to you.

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When Meeting Your IGBO Mother-In-law For The First Time

Nobs: Hello

Ngozi: “His mother is not dead & I’ve always prayed to God for a man whose mother is late!”

Nobs: Onye?

Ngozi: Mama Dozie na

Nobs: Who’s Dozie?

Ngozi: Oh, sorry, my new boyfriend.

Nobs: And what’s wrong with his mother?

Ngozi: He wants us to meet his mother and I’m really not sure how to go about this because I was hoping never to have to deal with this.

Nobs: Negodi onye. People are calling people they know nothing about “boo” while others are in what they describe as “undefined” relationships and here is someone willing to take you home to mama and you are complaining?

Ngozi: It’s not that, I just don’t have to have a mother-in-law. Their wahala is plenty jo.

Nobs: Mana, you want your own mother to be alive?

Ngozi: Before nko

Nobs: That’s not fair

Ngozi: Okay that’s true but she’s Igbo and I’m just scared!

Nobs: Scared of?

Ngozi: Scared of meeting her and  whether or not she will  approve of me.

Nobs: Then you don’t have to but if you decide to there are certain things that may help you.

The above was a conversation I had with my cousin who wished death on her future mother-in-law. Truth is, I’ve heard women say they will prefer a husband whose mother is dead because they say “ that will surely reduce drama on the home front”.

The irony is that they want their future husbands to come to them “motherless” while they keep theirs forgetting that in some cases, when issues arise, they may need their mother-in-law to talk sense into their husband.

You know what else is funny ?

Your mum is the one that will come for Omugwo, stay for months watching AfricaMagic while picking her teeth after eating dried meat, pack things when going and would even take some gifts back for your father and you will expect your husband to make her feel at home.

Forget what you heard, Igbo mother-in-laws are great prayer warriors and you will meet them alive and well, drinking small stout straight from the bottle.

As a true Nigerian with a great spirit of giving back to the society, I’ve decided to share some of the advice I gave my cousin in preparation for meeting the future Igbo Mother-in-law.

Grab your pen and paper, follow my instructions, and if it works for you, please inform me so that I can send you my account number.

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Greet like a Yoruba Girl irrespective of Your Tribe

You know that your mother-in-law by default is a member of the strongest group in Igbo land known as “The Umuada”. The Umu Ada are the group of people who will not allow for a dead person to be buried if their food has not been completed at a burial ceremony and they don’t even wear any kind of uniform. Just picture that.

Once you see your future mother-in-law, at least at the first meeting, bend at your knees while greeting her. She may ask you not to greet her like that again after the first date but show her that you are properly trained and you have respect for mothers. The Igbo mother-in-law does not necessarily expect you to kneel down, but then if she’s going to be your mother-in-law at some point, she needs to know that you will always see her as a ‘bigger’ person.

Don’t call her “Aunty”

The Igbo Mother-in-law may not be the most educated person in the room but she’s very sure she is not your “Aunty”. I totally understand that we use the “Aunty” tag for anyone older than us but then if you are dating (read as having sex with) her “child” then she clearly does not deserve the “Aunty” tag. Save the Aunty title for your husband-to-be’s older sister if she is present at the meeting.

I agree that calling her “Mummy” upon first meeting may be a bit too forward but you can make do with “Ma” at the end of every sentence or when she calls on you but always remember she may advise you to refer to her as “Mummy” before the end of the meeting or in some special cases, her traditional title like “Ada Ugo” or a religious title like “Ezinne” or something as simple as “Mama Emeka”.

The thing is, with time, she’ll tell you whatever she wishes for you to call her or you can call her whatever your husband calls her but you CAN not begin with “Aunty” if you intend to get that far.

Biko, Hapu LBD, Mini Skirt & Jeans

Hear me out, the Igbo mother-in-law is not bush or anything and I agree you would like her to see you in your true form but for the first meeting you cannot be trying to study her facial expressions while battling to keep your legs closed.

A dress or pencil skirt and blouse (below or at least covering the knees!) is a winner for this sort of meeting and you can show off your curves with a belt on the waist.

Most of them like to see that you have a little bit of a love handle because of “child bearing”. I don’t know what the two have got in common but yeah.

Save Your Opinion until it’s needed

It’s all cool and the gang to be well informed about everything under the sun but during the first meeting, please don’t jump into their discussion or champion one against the other unless you are asking her about her “Health”, ‘Work” or “Meeting August”. Make sure that every time that you are included in any discussion, you don’t try to argue her son’s opinion on anything. She would not want see you as someone that will always shut down her son during discussions and in the long run ask her son to stop her from visiting or worse, listening to her.

It’s Okay to know “Odi nma” & “Daalu”

If you are Igbo already this may not concern you but if you are from a different tribe, then it’s totally okay to learn and use a few everyday Igbo words like “ Kedu = How are you”? This is followed by a simple response of “Odinma” = Fine or “Adim mna” = I’m fine”.  Your Mother-in-law does not expect you to be an expert in Igbo Language but she would like to see that you are making an effort. Remember, the “Kedu –Odinma” phase takes place within the first 4 seconds of meeting and please, I know you are not Igbo, but try not to answer her “Kedu” with “I’m fine, Thank you” as such behaviour may push her into speaking Igbo to you for the rest of the meeting.

Don’t Fall for “The Drinking Water Glass Trap”

It’s one of the oldest tricks in their book; she may place her drinking glass a bit further from her and at a point, she will try and reach for it without actually touching it. Nne, she can reach but she’s only trying to see your reaction. It does not matter if you are sitting at Umuahia while her seat is at Enugu, please get the glass for her and if her glass is half empty, fill it up. I agree you are not her slave but you would do the same for your mother, she’s only trying to see if you will come through for her in times of need.

Doing the dishes

Nne, if the first meeting is at her house and not a hotel, please insist on taking your plates to the kitchen yourself. They may have a house help or a cook but avoid passing your plate to them and instead look for an opportunity to take the dishes to the kitchen yourself. You may be stopped half way by the help but initiate taking the plates to the kitchen yourself. If the meeting is just between the both of you, don’t ever let her wash the dishes, she may say “Nne, rapu ba”, but please, please, Nne, insist and say you do the dishes at home and its not a big deal.

Don’t sell yourself as “Oku Enu”

Your Igbo Mother-in-law does not need to hear about how good you are with make-up. They claim to love “natural beauty” and will not want an “Oku Enu” for their son.

She may ask you certain things about make-up just to see how much you depend on it, don’t claim to have too much knowledge, make it sound like something you can live without.

Tattoos

Pause! Don’t get me wrong, the Mother-in-law understands the concept of tattoos but if you’ve got a tattoo on your boobs, please don’t rock the push up bra and V-neck attire to the first meeting. She may ignore the tattoo on the other parts of your body but not on the Nri Nwa grandchild ya. How can you have “gaga gaga” on the boobs and plan to breast feed her grandchild? When you become part of the family, gradually introduce her to the tattoos but on the first date, nara ha turtle neck.

The Igbo Soup discussion

The Igbos love their soups and your mother-in-law does not want to believe that her son will marry someone that cannot prepare that Onugbu soup for him. I know you may not even end up cooking for your husband mana, but you don’t have to tell your MIL outright that you intend to hire a cook for that. Before the meeting, learn certain things about their native soup and maybe find out on how it is prepared. You can use your boyfriend’s sister for lessons. If he’s from Imo, find out about Okazi/Ofe Owerri, if he’s from Anambra state, find out things about Onugbu or Ora soup. She can never ask you to go prepare one for her but you just need to know how its prepared and sound like you know your way around the kitchen.

Onwa December  & Communal Cooking

You already know that the Igbos love to go home to their hometown for Christmas, biko, if the issue of coming home to the village for Christmas comes up, tell her that you are very open to it and would like to visit. The Igbo mother-in-law does not want any woman that will keep her son in the city during Christmas and not allow him come home to see her and learn more about his tradition.

During Christmas, in most cases, the food is prepared by the wives in the family compound. Sell her the idea that you are a team player but it is also important that you are a team player to avoid issues with your husband’s brother’s wives.

I’ve not written this to make you see her as a bad person; they are very protective of their sons especially the “first borns”. I write hoping someone will read this and take on the  important points within, maybe feel less at a loss. Your Igbo Mother-in-law is a fellow woman and will love you like her daughter, you just have to make her feel like she is gaining a daughter and not losing a son.

Ngwa, ne ikwe, ne kwa, aka odo’.

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