Okiki wins Fuji to Bam, gets N750,000

After two months of rigorous drills, tensions and excitements, Akeem Okiki from Osogbo, in Osun State, has emerged winner of the third edition of Goldberg Fuji T’o Bam music talent activation that had over ten thousand consumers in attendance at the Trans Amusement park in Ibadan, Oyo State. Okiki , whose stage crafts and renditions swept the judges off their feet, now wears the crown, “The WURA 1 of Fuji T’o Bam”, which comes with a cash reward of N750, 000.

Saheed Ishola, from Ota, grabbed N350, 000 as the first runner up prize, Opeyemi Akanbi, Arole Currency from Ibadan, went home with N250, 000 as the second runner up, after their battle of wits where other contestants also tested their mettle.

The five contestants, who took part in the finals were, Akeem Okiki, Ishola Saheed, Yusuf Kehinde ( Ejire Performer), Idris Aloma and Opeyemi Akanbi (Arole Currency). The night kicked-off with a rendition from the praise singer “Ewi”…singing the praise of Goldberg (The Befitting Beer). Afterwards, the contestants took turns displaying their mastery of various Fuji theatrics to the admiration of the judges and the audience that thronged the venue of the event.

The high point of the event was the impressive performance by the International Fuji icons, Alhaji King Wasiu Ayinde, K1 and Alhaji Abass Akande Obesere aka PK1, who thrilled the fans with various hit songs to the admiration of the crowd who seemed to want more from the two giants.

The night was also a gathering of the best of celebrities and respected Yoruba movie actors and comedians like Odunlade Adekola, who acted as compere for the entire show; Sanyeri was a judge. Mr. Latin, Bolaji Amusan and Kamilu Kompo, Adekola Tijani, also made powerful appearances which gave the guests and fans the best brand experience. Antenna, the winner of the first edition of Fuji T’o Bam and other Ibadan based Fuji icons, lent their full support to the event.

It would be recalled that Public Affairs Adviser, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Kufre Ekanem, had during the preliminary stages, expressed great satisfaction over the huge turn-out of Fuji lovers and artistes. While explaining the rationale behind Goldberg’sFuji T’o Bam initiative, he said, “Goldberg has delivered on its promises of staging the biggest Fuji Concerts you can ever think of.

Female suicide bomber kills six in Maiduguri market

No fewer than six persons were killed and many others injured during a suicide bomb attack at a crowded grocery market in Maiduguri on Friday, a member of the youth vigilance group told our correspondent on the telephone.

The attack, which temporarily stopped commercial activities in the market, happened early in the morning.

The member of the youth vigilance group, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the bomb was detonated by a woman who arrived at the market pretending to buy vegetables.

He said the woman arrived in a tricycle at about 6:30 am on Friday at Gamboru market where a wholesale trading of fresh vegetables is done.He said the woman who seeing that she might perhaps be caught by the security at the entrance to the market quickly detonated the bomb strapped on her at the tricycle park at the market. The source said, “The blast occurred near the entrance of Gamboru market where commercial tricycle operators park to pick passengers.

“The woman had come on a tricycle like every other person to the market. Immediately the woman arrived and saw that she might have to undergo security screening before being allowed to go into the market, she detonated the explosives on her and this left her dead with the driver and three others. Many were also injured by the explosion.”

He added that the trading at the market was temporarily halted as the bodies of the victims had to be evacuated and the injured taken to hospital.

The Information Officer, National Emergency Management Agency, North-East, AbdulKadir Ibrahim, confirmed that there was an explosion at the market, but told journalists to wait a little longer to get the casualty figure.

NEMA Coordinator for North-East, Mohammed Kanar, said six persons were killed in the early morning explosion.

He said, “I cannot give you the exact time of the blast but our men were called to offer assistance at about 7am. We found out that six persons were killed and two of the bodies were mangled.”

Osinbajo pledges support for IDPs in Kano State

The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on Saturday in Kano, told the Children displaced by insurgency not to lose hope as the Federal Government was committed to providing for their future.

Osinbajo gave this indication at the Internally Displaced Persons’ School in Mariri, Kano, where some 100 children from Borno were receiving education and psychological therapy, courtesy of the Kano State Government.

According to him, President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is committed to the Presidential Initiative for the North East (PINE) Project to take care of all those affected by insurgency in the country.

He recalled the interaction the President had with the PINE Committee headed by Gen. Theophilus Danjuma in Abuja, adding that besides educating the children, government was interested in rebuilding places destroyed by terrorists.

He said PINE was a huge plan that had immediate, medium and long term plans.

He added that, part of that is the education of children who are displaced. Part of that also is resettlement, the rebuilding of homes and bridges and de-mining of farms.”

The vice president said several farms in the North East had been planted with mines by the insurgents and that it was the plan of the Federal Government to remove all the impediments in the land.

He said government was doing a comprehensive de-mining of the affected areas to enable the displaced persons to return to their communities to resume their businesses and economic activities, including farming.

He explained that the IDP school established by the Kano State Government was a creative and humanitarian project, given the circumstances of the children.

He noted that the Kano State Government had demonstrated to others how to show concern for the future of the children.

He said, “despite everything that has happened to them, it is obvious that the children’s future is bright.”

My Wife Deserves An Award- Ramsey Noah

Veteran actor, Ramsey Noah told Encomium that his wife deserves an award.

Ramsey who don’t like exposing his family to the media said “My wife is not an ordinary human. A whole lot of women can’t take what my wife tolerates.

That’s why I call her a double woman. In fact, she’s a triple woman. I give it to her, she deserves an award. A lot of women say’ Oh your wife is trying’, and I tell them, that’s why she’s better than me”

Saturday training and Florence squad revealed

Adriano misses Saturday morning training with thigh strain but Mathieu is back with the squad. Messi, Neymar, Mascherano and Alves left out of trip to Italy along with the injured Douglas and Arda Barça are off to Italy for the final game in the International Champions Cup, against Fiorentina at 9.00pm CET on Sunday. Luis Enrique will be taking 18 players with him, after deciding to leave behind the players that have only just returned from holiday, Messi, Neymar Jr, Mascherano and Alves, who will instead be training at the Ciutat Esportiva. Goalkeeper Bravo, meanwhile, is not due back at work until after the weekend. Adriano, with a thigh strain, and Mathieu, who is suffering from otitis after a bout of the flu, also stay behind as precautionary measures after sitting out training on Saturday morning. The injured Douglas and Arda, who worked out separately from the group as they battle to recover from their respective injuries, will not be travelling to Florence either. But Barça B’s Sergi Samper and Gerard Gumbau have been included in the squad, along with the first team’s Ter Stegen, Masip, Piqué, Rakitic, Sergio, Pedro, Iniesta, Suárez, Rafinha, Bartra, Jordi Alba, Sergi Roberto, Vermaelen, Sandro, Munir and Halilovic.

Sergi Roberto looking forward to the new season

Whether it’s a right back or in midfield, Sergi Roberto has had more playing time than any other member of the Barça squad in the preseason. He discussed his situation on Saturday morning at a press conference after the team’s last training session before the trip to Florence. “This is my third season with the first team and my second under Luis Enrique” he said. “I would like to have played more last season but now I can play in more positions and that gives me more options. I’m looking forward to it … I had never played at full back before, but my versatility is bringing me new opportunities. All I want to do is play games and help the team, in whatever position I have to.” Chat with Luis Enrique Although he struggled to hold down a place in the starting eleven last season, Sergi Roberto is happy where he is. “I had a talk with the boss at the start of the preseason” he explained. “And he told me that he had confidence in me. And without Xavi and with the option of playing at full back, I think that should mean more chances for me this season.” Speaking more generally about the team, he added that “we are all back now apart from Claudio Bravo. That’s good. The last ones to come back are in fine form and eager to get started … I hope we can win all six trophies this year. That would be some achievement. We are excited about the new season and just as optimistic as we were last year.”

Chelsea Squad Numbers list Announced

Among the major changes is Juan Cuadrado’s switch from the number 23 to the number 11 jersey, previously occupied by Didier Drogba, while Asmir Begovic has taken the number 1 and Radamel Falcao the number 9. The list is as follows: 1 – Asmir Begovic 2 – Branislav Ivanovic 4 – Cesc Fabregas 5 – Kurt Zouma 6 – Nathan Ake 7 – Ramires 8 – Oscar 9 – Radamel Falcao 10 – Eden Hazard 11 – Juan Cuadrado 12 – John Mikel Obi 13 – Thibaut Courtois 14 – Bertrand Traore 18 – Loic Remy 19 – Diego Costa 20 – Victor Moses 21 – Nemanja Matic 22 – Willian 24 – Gary Cahill 26 – John Terry 27 – Jamal Blackman 28 – Cesar Azpilicueta 29 – Nathaniel Chalobah 34 – Ola Aina 35 – Dominic Solanke 36 – Ruben Loftus-Cheek 37 – Jake Clarke-Salter