Yesterday, men in military uniform invaded the palace of Ateke Tom, the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, in Okirika Local Government Area of Rivers State.
According to reports, the men broke into the palace of the former militant leader and ransacked the building and shot sporadically
The motive for the raid is yet to be revealed. Tom Ateke, a former ex-militant leader, embraced amnesty in 2008 alongside his fighters.
Kokoma dance would have been lost if the Edo indigenes relied on Libraries, cultural anthropology or common popular music researchers, here comes the essence of good music contents that will certainly remind UNESCO of Edo cultural heritage. Kokoma is a forgotten dance style in the 1920’s, mainly practiced by Edo state indigenes, but soon forgotten due to American hip hop , Break dance and Shaku shaku that almost ruin the historical Kokoma dance. Odion .J went releasing his Debut album titled “Kokoma” featuring all Edo State mainstream artistes on this project.
Osayande Odion , who goes by the stage name Odion.J, popularly for his successful hit song “Dance” that sold 100,000 units with USB,and "Ukpokpagbon" which sold over 50,000 units before the official release date, in Edo State Nigeria, born in Edo state. Youngblizzyradio’s entertainment reporters decided to know what's next with the singer of the moment. Mr. Dance crooner.
Interview:
Q1: TELL US ABOUT YOUR EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION.
My names are Odion Osayande, commonly known by my stage name Odion.J, I was born on the 20THof September 1993 at Benin City (Edo state). I’m first of a twin sibling. While growing up, I was seriously battered and tortured by my Daddy, mentally and morally. In fact if you listen to my songs you will understand how I feel inside, most of my inspirations to write my successful songs were generated from my true life story.
Me and my twin sister were abandoned by my father at the hospital , because we were both born to fall sick at the hospital and my Dad asked my mum “Mrs Patience” to do away with us, that to him, we won’t survive the sickness , Oluwa was kind to us, my mum declined the idea, so he left the hospital leaving only my mother to care for me and my twin sister, she strived to raise the hospital bills and took us to her father house where humanity existed. Now me and my twin sister are physically fit, but we have vowed never to communicate with our biological father. He refused to accept his wrongs, luckily we grew up healthily with my grandfather (Mother father) that really took care of us.For this reason the reason, I have decided to change my surname “ Osayande “ to “Idahosa” which is my grandfather’s name. I attended Emminent primary and secondary school in Edo state, to proceed my musical career professionally in Europe.
Q2: YOUR SONG DEBUT SINGLE "Ukpokpagbon" WAS A HUGE SUCCESS, HOW DID YOU REACT TO THIS?
"Ukpokpagbon" in Benin dialect means (mystery of life), like I said earlier, everything that has happened to me will be converted to music, to create awareness within my environs and beyond, I sang that song with my tragic mood, probably many persons might also have been a victim, for the highlife genre music catapulted to stardom globally, that means it was consequential. The income actually generated from that song royalty was much, I needed to send lot of Orphans to school, by the grace of God, and I will be giving back consecutively to my community.
Q3: WHAT STIRRED YOUR INTEREST IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY?
I have always been a music lover from childhood , my situation wasn’t published to the world, I guessed music should be my social tool to spread the news of all that I’ve passed through in life and every social ills around my nation must be sang with.
Q4: HOW HAS THE JOURNEY BEEN SO FAR?
Well entertainment journey hasn’t be easy, especially for Afrobeat and Dancehall act like me in Europe or in Nigeria our home Land. But my believe is that recently, my generation is more exposed in Music than the era of King Yellow Man and late Raskimono, may his soul rest in Peace.
My talent has paid notable recognitions and elevated my financial status at least, though Grammy Award is on the way coming, for now I have only received couple of awards, firstly from the talent show, organized by The Berlin inter school music competition and academy award in Germany, I won as Best second runner up at the competition in yeah 2017. God's grace another award from Nigeria Community Munich-Germany for Best Edo music new act of the Year 2018, and THE VOICE ACHIEVERS AWARD 2018
Q5: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE MUSIC INDUSTRY WHEN YOU STARTED?
I will say, talent is no more the key to a successful breakthrough in the entertainment industry, in most cases your wallet will make mainstream record labels discover you.
Q6: AS AN AWARD WINNING SONG WRITER, WHERE DO YOU THINK NIGERIAN ARTISTES SHOULD PAY ATTENTION?
Well i think the Nigerian artists home and abroad should always relate our songs to the situations surrounding us.eg like how the masses are suffering and mis managements in our country. The companies also should learn how to invest on artists and promote our culture, precisely Edo state Government, should promote Edo music acts.
Q7: ARE YOU STILL DOING MUSIC, AND HOW DO YOU HANDLE COMPETITION, GIVEN THE FACT THAT THERE ARE LOTS OF TALENTED ARTISTES IM THE COUNTRY?
Well like i always say ' my star is not your star so everyone is unique in their own way and also we carry different stars and Grace.
Q8: WHAT PERSONAL TRAITS HAVE HELPED YOU BECOME A SUCCESSFUL ARTISTE?
Well am cool and easy going guy who his goals are always focused is on how to be best in all my doings. And i always seek advises so i won’t miss the track and that has be my source of growth because if I don’t listen , certainly i will end up as a misleader.
Q9: WHAT ARE YOUR OTHER TRAITS?
Well i don’t really like depending on someone ,because sometimes when you put all your hope on someone and he or she failed its be like a disaster ,so i learn how to pray to God ,trust and believe in him that what i need will come from him. In other words he uses man to fulfill his promises. Well am cool and easy going guy who his goals are focused in getting best in my doings.
Q10: WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON PRESENTLY?
Well presently am working on some of my new jobs to be unveiled in due course.
Q11: ANY PLAN OF RELOCATING TO NIGERIA FROM DIASPORA SOON?
Probably, I would have loved to relocate to Nigeria finally but no light to work in my studio, for now I can sincerely come to perform, but to reside hm, e go hard ohh.
Q12: TELL US ABOUT YOUR NEW ALBUM KOKOMA, WE LEARNT ON AIT RADIO THAT ALL STARS WERE FEATURED ON THE ALBUM, HOW WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE IN THIS COLLABORATIONS?
I’m elated to have worked with all Edo state mainstream legend like, Dr Agbakpan Olità, Super stars like, Stanley .O.Iyonawan, AG.Simili, and chain of Nollywood actors and actress. it was a dream come true for me, it wasn’t that easy to approach them to collaborate on my Kokoma Album project, finally it was really fantastic, thank God the Album is doing well. Now available worldwide on digital platforms like Amazon, Google play music, Deezer, Spotify etc. Kokoma song featured AG.Simili, the track contains wake up lyrics, that certainly will educate 21th century youths of our culture, that could be modernized if necessary . I also showcased the craft and artifacts from Edo State.
Q14: WHAT ELSE WOULD YOU WANT TO LET US KNOW?
Nothing more for now, I would say thanks for hosting me on Youngblizzyradio house, thanks a lot.
NBA star, Tristan Thompson, who recently broke up with Khloe Kardashian over his cheating scandal with Jordyn Woods, seems to have moved on with his life.
On Tuesday morning, Tristan looked unbothered as he was seen heading into his hotel in New York, carrying two cups of coffee before emerging with a pretty lady for a night out.
At one point, the 27-year-old flipped his middle finger to the cameras as walked side by side with his female friend.
President Buhari has addressed Nigerians ahead of the second and final phase of the 2019 general elections which comes up on Saturday, March 9, with Nigerians voting for governors and members of Houses of Assembly in the states.
Let me once again extend my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives or sustained injuries as a result of accidents or criminal violence during the elections.
The onus is once again on qualified people to turn out in large numbers to exercise their civic rights.
With the presidential poll behind us, let us not become complacent, and fail to vote in the gubernatorial poll.
The forthcoming elections are as important for good governance as that of the presidency and the National Assembly.
Indeed, governance at the state level is closer to us, and should touch our lives more directly. That is why it is vital for us to participate in the choice of who governs us at the state levels.
I, therefore, urge you to troop out massively on Saturday to elect your governors and state lawmakers.
As a member of the All Progressives Congress, I recommend those standing on the platform of the party to you, as we are guided by progressive ideals, and we will not disappoint you.
Equally, I urge you to comport yourself properly, as you turn out for the election.
Avoid all deviant behaviours like ballot stuffing, ballot snatching, and any other action that does not conform with best electoral practices.
I assure you that the security agencies will be on hand to protect voters, and ensure that the process is not undermined in anyway.
Let make the gubernatorial polls, much better than the presidential, which Local and International observers have adjudged to be free and fair.
May I repeat my appeal to our young people: do not allow yourselves to be used to cause violence or to break the law or otherwise disturb the peace.
I have pledged decent and credible electoral system for our country. I stand by that promise.
Let us together do the right thing on Saturday, so that the best hands can emerge at the states, and take us faster to the Next Level.
Reality star, Porsha Williams who is expecting her first child her boyfriend of one year, Dennis McKinleycelebrated a 'Magical' Winter Wonderland-Themed Baby Shower for her baby daughter who is on the way.
The event was held on Feb. 24 at Suada Studio in Atlanta with 80 guests in attendance, including her boyfriend, Dennis, sister Lauren, and her RHOA costars Kenya Moore and Cynthia Bailey among many others.
The day was magical,” the mom-to-be tells PEOPLE exclusively for this week’s issue, sharing a collection of photos from the stunning shower thrown by her “loving fiancé,” Dennis McKinley and planned alongside ellyB Eventsthis link opens in a new tab. “It was amazing to walk into a room and feel that much love. I have such a tremendous support system around me and women who lift me up and are just so incredibly happy for me.”
“I’ve waited a really really long time for this moment,” adds Williams, 37 (the star announced her pregnancy in September, six years after suffering a miscarriage). “I am cherishing each minute and enjoy every day being pregnant. It’s a blessing for us.”
A prosecution witness, Tosin Owobo, has told Justice C.J. Aneke of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, how a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Adesina Amosu (retd.) laundered various sums of money belonging to the Nigeria Air Force, NAF.
Amosu is standing trial alongside Air Vice Marshall Jacobs Adigun, a former Chief of Accounts and Budgeting and Air Commodore Gbadebo Owodunni, a former Director of Finance and Budget, on an amended 13-count charge bordering on conspiracy and conversion to personal use of the sum of N21bn belonging to the Nigeria Air Force, NAF.
Owobo, an investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, while being led in evidence by the prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, explained his findings regarding the statement of account of the NAF special emergency operations, as contained in Exhibit A3.
Testifying as the first prosecution witness, PW1, Owobo, said: "The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, paid funds into the Nigerian Air Force special emergency operations accounts, which the defendants are signatories to.
“NIMASA paid in a sum of N3,000,000,000 (Three Billion Naira) in 2014. The statement of account showed that the money was transferred to five different companies, namely: Rites Option Oil and Gas, Juda Oil and Gas, Delfina Oil and Gas, Mcallam Oil and Gas, Trapezites Bureau De Change Limited and Lebol Oil and Gas.”
When asked about his findings regarding the companies that received the money, the witness further told the court that “When the statements of accounts for the companies were investigated, we found out that one Adedeji Adelakun owns Rite Option Oil and Gas.
“When he was interviewed, he said it was a Bureau De Change company. He also said that it was opened as an oil and gas company, so as to get reduced charges on cost of transactions.”
Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has assured residents that governorship and house of representative election will be peaceful this weekend.
Ambode held a press briefing this evening where he said, 'ahead of Saturday's Governorship and House of Assembly elections, we urge Lagosians to be peaceful and law abiding in exercising their civic duty. Adequate measures have been firmed up to ensure a hitch-free exercise'
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