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Wednesday 31 July 2013

Pope Francis on gays: `Who am I to judge?'


Pope Francis said on Monday that, he will not "judge" gays and lesbians - including gay priests - signaling a shift from his predecessor and offering another sign that the new pope is committed to changing the church's approach to historically marginalized groups.

“If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?” Francis said in a wide-ranging news conference aboard the papal plane.

"When I meet a gay person, I have to distinguish between their being gay and being part of a lobby. If they accept the Lord and have good will, who am I to judge them? They shouldn’t be marginalized. The tendency [to homosexuality] is not the problem...they’re our brothers.”

No student died at a Lagos hotel. The real story behind the pic that went viral

Last week the pic above went viral with many blogs claiming that another student was found dead in a hotel in Lagos. The report claimed that the victim is a girl named Florence Ngwu, a 300L student of University of Nigeria. Erm, no such thing happened in real life. This is a photo from a movie called Murder at Prime Suite Hotel, a fiction but similar to the Cynthia Osogwu murder story.

The character's name is Florence Ngwu played by an actress. The movie stars Joseph Benjamin and Chelsea Eze. The producers of the movie have released a statement. See it after the cut...
Murder At Prime Suite (MAPS): A movie not another social crime

Over the last weekend, news broke out on the Internet about a certain girl, Florence Ngwu, murdered at prime suite, Lagos. We have tried to put a stop to the rumour but it keeps going viral.



I am Jumafor Ajogwu and I am the producer of the movie called, “Murder at Prime Suite” (MAPS). The movie featured stars like Joseph Benjamin, Keira Hewatch, Chelsea Eze, Okey Uzoeshi and a host of other talented upcoming acts. I want to categorically state to the general public that this is a movie; it is not a real life incident. This movie would premiere nationwide on the 30th of August, 2013 at Genesis Deluxe Cinemas, Lekki Lagos. We cannot trace how the rumour leaked as we had several journalists on our set during principal photography but we want to put a stop to this rumour and make every Nigerian and the rest of the world know that it is a movie and not another incident like the rumour claimed.


The movie is a total fiction and a C&C Screen production’s vision to promote the value for Nigerian lives. Florence Ngwu is a character in our movie and every other character or things in the movie do not represent any true identity of living or dead.


Jumafor Ajogwu

MAPS, Producer

For more information, please visit:

Website: www.mapsthemovie.com
See the movie trailer below

Hot or not: Nonso Diobi's blonde look

The actor recently unveiled this new look. Think it's hot...?

Singer Waconzy acquires 2013 customized Range Rover


The "2 much money' music crooner recently added another Range Rover SUV to his fleet of cars. Waconzy already owns a 2008 Range Rover, a Nissan Maxima and another SUV.


''I bought the Range Rover as a gift to myself for the success of my MBG album" he says.

The much anticipated Amosu video by Waconzy premiers tomorrow. See the trailer after the cut...

How Nigeria's tribal monarchs still live in lavish royal splendour (even though they lost power 50 years ago)

Omo N'Oba N'Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Erediauwa I (left) was crowned 'Oba of Benin Kingdom' in the Edo state of Nigeria in 1979. Before that he studied at Cambridge university before being appointed to many top government posts. Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir Usman (Right) is the current and 50th 'Emir of Kasina'. He was coronated in 2008 five days after the death of his father, Emir Muhammad Kabir Usman. He is remembered as a peacemaker during the Nigerian civil war and has a passion for Polo


This is a UK Daily Mail special report...

With their brightly coloured robes, ornate thrones and legions of flunkeys attending every whim, they seem every bit the archetypal African kings.
Nigeria's traditional Monarchs may have been stripped of their powers half a century ago, but they appear to have lost little of their regal pomp and splendour as this fascinating series of portraits shows.
Photographer George Osodi toured the west African country extensively for a series of photographs entitled 'Kings of Nigeria' which is due to be exhibited at London's Bermondsey Project in October.

Robes of office: HRM Agbogidi Obi James Ikechukwu Anyasi II, 'The Obi of the Idumuje Unor kingdom', was until his death earlier this year, the longest reigning African Monarch. He was crowned king on October 9, 1946 at the age of 22. His robe, depicting a young Queen Elizabeth, gives a clear nod to the period of British colonial rule

Born to rule: Sitting on his golden throne, Benjamin Ikenchuku Keagborekuzi I is the current 'Dein of Agbor'. Just two years and four months after his birth in July 1977 he was crowned king following the the unexpected death of his father. It meant he was the youngest king anywhere in the world. He is currently the Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, one of Nigeria's most prestigious universities
As a well-known and celebrated Nigerian photographer, Mr Osodi was granted rare access to the palaces and throne rooms of these hereditary rulers who now serve as living repositories of Nigeria's enormous cultural heritage.

He told Al-Jazeera: 'There are frequent clashes among different ethnic groups… Lots of people have lost trust in their identity. I felt it was important that we see this diverse culture as a point of unity instead of seeing it as something that should divide us as a nation.

'The easiest way I could approach this was to look at the monarchy structure in the country because they are closer to the people than the governors.'
While their ancestors ruled over vast tracts of Africa, following the abolition of the monarchy in 1963 the regional monarchs were stripped of all their constitutional powers.
But far from fading into obscurity, they mostly remain popular leaders and are held in great regard by their hundreds of thousands of loyal subjects.

And despite lacking any formal powers they continue to wield considerable influence and serve as unofficial intermediaries between their subjects and the Nigerian government.
His Majesty, Deinmowuru Donokoromo III, The 'Pere of Isaba', poses with his royal sceptre outside his palace. He has ruled over the Kingdom of Isaba in the oil rich South-West area of Delta state since 1983

His Royal Majesty Oba Oyetunji Jimoh Olanipekun Larooyell, the 'Ataoja of Osogbo' in southwest Nigeria. He worked as a teacher for many years, firstly at a baptist day school. He was crowned king in 1976 and rules over some 300,000 subjects. He has studied management in London and is a qualified chartered accountant
His Majesty, Wilson Ojakovo Oghoghovwe Oharisi III was made the 'Ovie of Ughelli' in 1980 and has ruled over the great kingdoms of Ughelli and Urhoboland for more than 33 years
Alayeluwa Oba Okunade Sijuwade, the current 'Ooni of Ife', relaxes in his throne room. Born in 1930, he has enjoyed a colourful life first working for his father's business, then with the Nigerian Tribune newspaper, before attending Northampton College in the United Kingdom where he studied business management. In 1963 he became Sales Director of the state-owned National Motor company in the Nigerian capital Lagos. He later formed a company to distribute Soviet-built vehicles and equipment in Nigeria
He Emir of Kano Alhaji Dr Ado Abdullahi Bayero is attended by aides as he sits on the back of his vintage Rolls Royce on his way to the Central Mosque in Kano


Posing on his ornate throne, Alhaji Dr Ado Abdullahi Bayero is the current 'Emir of Kano', a position he has held since 1963. A former ambassador to Senegal he is renowned for his abundant wealth, which has been amassed by investing in the stock market and agriculture

Actor Bob Manuel Udokwu loses mum

Bob Manuel lost his mum on Saturday July 20th. She was 78 years old. May her soul rest in peace..

Tuesday 30 July 2013

Watch Senator Yerima Defend Child Marriage On Al Jazeera [WATCH]

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The foolish man was interviewed recently on Al Jazeera on child marriage and according to him he is just following the teachings of Islam. What a useless faggot.



 
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Juliet Ibrahim, Yvonne Nelson Shun Each Other At Lagos Event

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One thing very common among the female folks is malice keeping. It sometimes gets worse when two females are getting media attention in the razzmatazz world, where jealousy comes in due to the inherent competition that has become a common occurrence amongst them.

With this in mind, one cannot quickly forget the longtime perceived enmity between two sensational actresses, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde and Genevieve Nnaji, which was only reportedly settled by the current boss of Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Ibinabo Fiberesima.

In the Nigerian entertainment industry today, beefs are very common in the movie industry. But can it be reduced or stemmed? It is a big question that no one can give a definite answer to. The Tonto Dikeh/Mercy Johnson rivalry is still proving to be a rock of Gibraltar that cannot be removed.

Some days ago, two of Ghana’s biggest movie stars; Juliet Ibrahim and Yvonne Nelson were in Lagos for an event, which attracted many celebrities. One would have expected that both stars would get along but alas, such was never the case as they both avoided each other.

Juliet arrived the occasion first with a friend, while Yvonne stormed the show with a male friend, who at a time, acted like her bouncer when some touts outside wanted the beautiful chic to part with some money.

What surprised yours truly is that after Yvonne received her award, she passed in front of Juliet without looking at her side. Even when the reported former girlfriend of popular musician, Iyanya Mbuk stood close to Juliet, while posing for a photograph, she shunned the light-skinned actress.

It got to a point that popular MC, Bisi Atanda aka Madam Kofo tapped Juliet to take pictures with Yvonne, but she (Juliet) did not bulge, and the woman with airplane-like headgear understood and she didn’t disturb Juliet further. We just hope a man isn’t the problem between the two ladies.

source from Nigeriafilms.com

Glo Ambassador, Omawumi In Public 'Gloo Of Shame': Beats Journalist At Lagos Event

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Glo Ambassador, Omawumi

Like they say, you can take a pig out of the dirt, but you can't take the dirt out of the pig. It is also true that a child destined to sleep on the floor, even if he's put on a waterbed, will always show the trait that he's not meant for such honour.
Maybe such can be used to describe a female singer, who was only fortunate to taste glamour, but believes she would always remain her real self, a ghetto girl. Or, how would you describe a lady, who grew up like a normal village girl, but only enjoyed a life of a celeb because luck smiled at her, but now, she is forgetting how she worked, suffered to climb to the top. Maybe she has forgotten that a river that forgets its source will surely dry up. Like they say, absolute power corrupts a man, but this time, a woman too.

Enough of all these digressions and now to the crux of the matter.

According to information available to us, Omowumi has allegedly shown again why she might not be a good role model to young girls. Recall that she had a child out of wedlock, which made some parents to advise their wards, who were earlier looking up to her, not to copy her at all because getting a child out of wedlock is against a typical Nigerian culture. Now, the Warri-born singer-cum-actress has been alleged of attacking a photo-journalist at an event held in Lagos recently.

While carrying out his lawful duty, the photo-journalist, Adekola Bamigbala attempted to take pictures of Omawumi, but little did he know that danger was lurking around for him, as the singer allegedly pounced on him, snatched his big camera and with it, dealt him heavy strikes in the face in quick succession, which gave Bamigbala a swollen face. It was big and strange flashes, not from his camera, but from alleged assaults from Omawumi that the journalist could see.

Nigeriafilms.com called Omawumi, but a lady, who claimed not to be her, refused to speak with us when we explained why we called. But the voice Nigeriafilms.com heard sounded like Omawumi, which made us to believe probably the singer is not willing to speak with us on the matter.

Nigeriafilms.com immediately sent an SMS to her (Thursday), which has not yet been replied to four days after.

However, Nigeriafilms.com called the victim, who explained the incident to us. Bamigbala wondered why Omawumi would descend so low to attack him.

When asked if they have had issues before that day, Bamigbala said he can't remember any.

Meet Ghanaian Babalawo Odi Dollars Who Makes Millions From Juju





A Ghanaian-born ritualist who now lives in Ogun State, Odi Dollars has claimed to have made millions of money from his trade.

Odi Dollars posted the pictures on his Facebook pages, boasting that he could solve people’s money problems.Abeg you fit do jazz make NEPA no take light again.

Insider Abuse In Nigerian Banks

Olayinka Sanni in court for alleged N1.5billion fraud

Abdullahi(R) Nicked N60 Million from a customers account
The country’s banking industry is crawling with criminally-minded people who, through a variety of tricks, continue to milk depositors. Now the law is after them
In the last quarter of last year, the Special Fraud Unit, SFU, headquartered in Lagos, declared over 50 bankers wanted for bank fraud. This year, the agency already has a lot on its plate, with over 600 cases of bank fraud perpetrated by bankers and accomplices from outside being investigated.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is also investigating a similarly large number of banking stunts executed from the inside. The strains of the crime include manipulation of customers’ accounts, deliberate clearance of forged cheques and payment of money transfers to fictitious persons.
In many of the cases, the insiders are usually assisted by outsiders. The major targets of insider fraud, this magazine gathered, are accounts of wealthy customers as well as dormant accounts. The insiders, who sometimes are bank relationship officers, make illegal transfers from the customers’ accounts to the accounts of accomplices outside. To give the impression that such transfers are authorised by account owners, customers’ Transfer Instruction Letters as well as mandate signatures are forged.

•Olayinka Sani: Docked for an alleged N1.5billion fraud
Marilyn-Joan Obiora, a senior staff of Diamond Bank, is being prosecuted by the EFCC at the Federal High Court in Umuahia, Abia State. Obiora’s stunts were exposed in a petition by Stephen Inegbu, the bank’s zonal security supervisor in Port Harcourt. His petition was inspired by the bank’s inspection unit, which discovered that Obiora, abetted by four other staff of the bank, made fraudulent withdrawals totalling N125.6 million. In three installments, Obiora and colleagues withdrew N26 million, N91.6 million and N8 million.
Like Obiora, the duo of Ebele Okoh and Charles Amadi, also of Diamond Bank, are facing similar allegations before the Karu Chief Magistrate’s Court, Abuja. Okoh and Amadi of the bank’s Zone 4 branch in Abuja have been accused of withdrawing N250,000 from a customer’s account. Police prosecutor, Garba Mohammed, explained that Okoh and Amadi scanned the signatures of some customers, with the intention to use them for withdrawals. The suspects did not go far in their scheme before they ran out of luck. By then, they had withdrawn N250,000 from the account of one L. A. Mittee through one Amaechi Josiah, who is also being tried for alleged theft in the same court.
In February 2009, Mr. and Mrs. Tochukwu Obazu found themselves before a Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, for an alleged N97 million fraud. Mrs. Abazu, while a staff of the Ikoyi branch of Fidelity Bank, was brought to answer charges of conspiracy with her husband to forge a customer’s account statement, which had the number 027402010024417.
Mrs. Abazu, who was an Executive Assistant with the bank’s e-Business Unit, Domestic Operations, allegedly made false entries to the account. The entries amounted to about N97 million. Mrs. Abazu and her husband admitted before the court that they made the entries knowing them to be false and acted upon them as genuine through several Fidelity Bank cheques.
Early this year, Olisaemeka Onyeka, a business manager with an Enugu branch of the United Bank for Africa, appeared before the Federal High Court, Awka, Anambra State, on a 17-count charge of criminal conspiracy, fraud and forgery. Onyeka allegedly convinced himself that the best place to obtain a loan was from a customer’s account. Supported by an account officer, Dike Chukwunenye, he forged documents and “obtained” a loan of N16 million from the account. Their luck, however, evaporated when the customer noticed that his account had been fiddled with and reported the matter to the EFCC.

•Ibru: Pleaded guilty to stealing N199 billion from Oceanic Bank
Another business manager, of the University of Ilorin branch of the bank, Sirajudeen Abdullahi, along with two of his colleagues, is being tried at the Kwara State High Court for nicking N60 million from the University of Ilorin Personnel Cost Account. The EFCC, which is prosecuting him and his friends, alleged that the suspects pretended that the university instructed the bank via a letter dated 14 September, 2011 and with a false reference letter to transfer the money from the account to another owned by Bamestic Ventures. While the suspects denied any wrongdoing, there was no evidence to support their claim as the account owners never gave authorisation for the transfer.
Also early this year, the EFCC arraigned the trio of Oyebode Atoyebi, Olayinka Sanni, a former manager with the defunct Intercontinental Bank (now part of Access Bank); and a company, Sidaw Ventures, before a Lagos State High Court on an eight-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and forgery. Sanni, Atoyebi and Sidaw Ventures were accused of stealing about N1.5 billion. Sanni, a chartered accountant and owner of Sidaw Ventures, a bureau de change, was alleged to have illegally moved various sums of money from more than seven customers of the defunct Intercontinental Bank into the account of Sidaw Ventures owned and operated by him, without the customers’ consent. Atoyebi was arrested for allowing the use of his passport-sized photograph and name to open an account in Sidaw Ventures Limited in the name of Akanmu Babatunde. With this fictitious name, Sanni launched a series of shady deals that left many victims sucked of their cash.

•Atuche: Forged resolutions of two companies to siphon over N10.9 billion
And in one audacious move, Hillary Amakor, an intern with Finbank plc, now swallowed up by First City Monument Bank, in harness with Osondu Chimaokwu, a full-time employee of the bank, masterminded a N600 million heist through a fictitious company, Osdech Nigeria Limited. The two men were recently arraigned before a Lagos High Court on a six-count charge bordering on falsification of account.
Just last week, two Access Bank staff, Olusegun Afolabi, 25, and Rebecca Enahoro, 24, appeared before a Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for an alleged N3.3 million fraud. “The duo conspired to fraudulently re-activate a dormant account No. 0021035478 belonging to Mohammed Lokogoma,” the prosecutor said. After the reactivation, the accused used the account to transfer N2. 3 million to another bank and another N1 million to a different account in Ecobank. If convicted, the suspects face up to 15 years imprisonment.
Aside from the cases being tried by the anti-fraud agencies, some aggrieved customers are also in court with staff of banks for allegedly fiddling with their accounts. Odafe Atogun, a Skye Bank customer, is one of them. In 2008, Atogun, an editorial consultant, struck a deal with an Ireland-based company, Hudson Killeen, for the establishment of a printing press in Nigeria. To start up, a sales representative of Hudson Killeen, Kelvin Fuller, sent the sum of €6,000 to Atogun through Western Union Money Transfer. In his payment instruction to Western Union, Fuller specified that the money be paid to Atogun through any of its affiliate banks in Abuja. When the money was sent, Atogun decided to wait till the next day to pick it up since it was already past banking hours.
The next day, he went to Skye Bank on Ademola Adetokunbo Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja, to collect the money, only to be told that the money transfer control number may not exist or may have been used. After about two months of continuous enquiry, the Western Union Money Transfer office in Ireland discovered that the said money was paid out at 6.22pm Nigerian time on 3 November 2008, by a Skye Bank branch office at 1, Forestry Road, Benin City–to someone else. Desirous of knowing how the money could have been paid during non-banking hours, Atogun approached the bank for explanation. He got none. That aroused a suspicion that the payment could only have been made possible by an insider.

•Sanusi: CBN has put in place measures to check internal and external bank fraud
He filed a N100 million suit against the bank. Five years after, Atogun’s quest to hold Skye Bank liable for the fraudulent withdrawal of the money sent to him is still before a Lagos High Court. Three weeks ago, the court rejected the bank’s application to stop the trial on the grounds that the court lacks jurisdiction to hear the matter.
In another incident involving the bank, over N52 million was allegedly fraudulently deducted from an account belonging to the Lagos State Ministry of Establishments and Training at the bank’s branch in Alausa, Lagos.
Two cloned cheques were allegedly used in withdrawing the money from the ministry’s account in two instalments without confirmation from the account signatories. Police investigation into the matter revealed that the ministry, indeed, issued two cheques with the same numbers as the cloned ones, but to other individuals and amounts way below the ones cashed with the cloned cheques. While the original cheques bore the sums of N400,000 and N4,249,429.40 respectively, the cloned cheques bore N23,830,192 and N26,750,400. Unlike in the case of Atogun, the management of the bank, perhaps because of the entity affected, experienced a bout of contrition and made a refund of the money to the ministry.
Even the top echelon of the industry appears not to have immunity against the temptation to engage in fraud.
The trial of Francis Atuche, former managing director of the defunct BankPHB, alongside two others, shows the vulnerability of the industry’s top cats to the seduction of money. Atuche, who is standing trial along with his wife, Elizabeth, is alleged to have forged board resolutions of Future View Securities Limited and Trajek Nigeria Limited. The resolutions by the two companies, which were mere proxies, were used to siphon over N10.9 billion from the bank. Witnesses in the case have offered startling revelations of the couple’s predilection for fraudulent transfers and conversion. Mr. Erastus Akingbola, former managing director of the defunct Intercontinental Bank, is in the same boat with Atuche. Still hanging on the former Intercontinental Bank boss’ neck are hefty charges relating to a N47.1 billion fraud.
Aside from the cases in court, this magazine learnt that many others involving bank staff are never reported to security agencies because of their potential for reputational damage. An industry source told this medium that many fraud cases in which bank staff assist Internet hackers to access customers’ accounts are often not reported to security agencies. The source explained that banks prefer handling such internally to stave off public suspicion that their internal security measures are defective. “No bank wants to give the public the impression that it is unsafe to bank with it. So, when cases of internally assisted Internet fraud are detected, they just handle the matter internally,” said the source, who added that the EFCC is currently not handling cases on Internet hacking, a claim confirmed by a senior EFCC official.

Thursday 25 July 2013

Child Not Bride: The Age Thirteen Is The Beginning Of Teenage Hood And One Of The Tender Ages Of Puberty

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To say I am not really shocked by the new law or whatever it can be called that has been the bone of contention in the country is an understatement. I have known for quite a while now that we are being governed by a bunch of self-serving hypocrites who have no business being in the law making house in the first place. Whatever brought about such insanity as proposing a bill of making the legal age for marriage 13 years for a girl child? Isn’t it plain madness to any reasonable person with a conscience to ask a girl of 13 to move into a matrimonial home when she has her whole life ahead of her.

The age thirteen is the beginning of teenage hood and one of the tender ages of puberty when many young people just begin to grow into young adults and at this stage of their life they need tender care and nurturing both definitely not the kind that conjugal relations bring. In a country with an estimated number of over 150 million people, one would expect that there would be enough marriageable women to go round any man’s appetite rather we have a bunch of senators sitting in their high seats believing that ‘fresh blood’ is what will revitalize their dry bones. To say I am appalled would be making light of the situation.

Nigeria is a country filled with strife and we have corruption at the center of our affairs running our daily lives and yet the only thing that our lawmakers can see to bring up is an early child marriage. Are these not the same senators who so righteously condemned the same sex bill and said it was not part of our customs and traditions?

Has our customs and traditions suddenly gone so awry and demented that it now supports early child marriage? If we are going to be making laws from morals then shouldn’t we be sticking to the full enforcement of norms and traditions? Even if our so called tradition accepts early child marriage, aren’t we in a civilized age where we know that some practices are abominable and just not right in the sight of God and man?

Seeing a list of 35 senators that supported this just kills my heart, are these the people that Nigerians have voted into power to rule them. If yes is the answer then this is not a country I will want to be a citizen, a country where the future of my unborn child is uncertain and where a grown man in his supposed ‘right senses’ would want to get married to a 13 year old child. It is barbaric to ask a child to be a mother, ask another child to beget another child. At age 13 I know that I would want my daughter to have all the loving and care in the world and not be bothered about such things as marriage and the issues that trail it.

We say Nigeria is backward and we keep saying that youths are the hope of Nigeria but where is the hope? Where is the change we so desperately seek, education that is supposed to be the key for the growth of any nation is in such state of ruin that it will take nothing short of a miracle to revive it. Will the 13 year old child that you have married have access to education? Will the child-mother be psychologically stable to live a normal life in society? Does the child-bride that you want to make be ripe for decisions to be made in marriage? Whatever happened to marriage being the union between two consenting adults and why not as well make the voting age to be 13 while you are at it? These and many more questions I pose to the lawless lawmakers who have failed us as Nigerians in their duty to serve us. We have more pressing issues of ASSU strike, NUPENG issues, electricity issues, Boko Haram crisis and some other insecurity issues, education is in a sorry state, most of our roads are nothing but routes to hell, death traps and all these are relegated to the backburner to bring up an issue that shouldn’t have even seen the light of day in the first instance.

I have read countless responses to the child-bride issue and even the response of Senator Sani Yerima who is one of the fore supporters of this insanity and I have to say that the arguments he raises begs the question of his fitness as serving this nation. He brings up issues of Islam encouraging early marriage and I am forced to wonder if Nigeria is an Islamic nation. Even if we were an Islamic nation, I am sure no religion would want evil for followers of that religion as God who we all ultimately serve didn’t mean evil for us at no time or the other in his creation. Thank God Senator Yerima himself agrees that Nigeria undoubtedly has many problems but what I fail to see his logic when he says that early child marriage is the solution to majority of our problems.

He talks about giving out hi9s daughter in marriage at the age of 6 and I can only wonder what kind of father he is. It has been proven times without number that just because you gave birth to a child biologically does not necessarily mean that you are fit to take care of that child because giving out a child at 6 years does not speak of parental responsibility. He further goes on to argue that Sharia law does not allow a man to rape his wife so the marriage cannot be consummated until the child becomes physically mature and gives her consent. In this modern age where parents do not impose a husband or bride on their children, why talk about giving out a child at six years just to wait for her to grow mature enough for him to sleep with her. Is marriage really the best way of nurturing a child?

In all this madness, all I can say is that Nigerians have been able to come out to express their displeasure about this, if truly this is a democratic nation then the wishes of the people must be respected and we say NO to child-bride, we say a capital NO to early child marriage.

We want a nation where education is bettered, where the average man can live above N150 daily, a Nigeria where the power supply is excellent and the cities and states are developed, where science and technology is at the peak and good governance. A Nigeria free of corruption and where we can breathe and live easy without any fear of security or terrorism; that is what we want and not an early child marriage that belittles our females.

I refuse to be a part of the barbaric, primitive, inhumane, retrogressive, backwards, redundant, and unprogressive law that supports early child-marriage. Give the girl child a pen and not a penis, give her books and leave her boobs, an education and not ejaculation. Speak out today so that we do not get trodden up, our voices must be heard.

source from: Nigerianfilms.com

9ice Makes Comeback With 'Ike Kan' August 1

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After a long time away from stardom, former husband of Toni Payne, Abolore Adigun, also known as 9ice, is making a comeback to take his rightful place in the industry. To this effect, the 'Gongon Aso' crooner has set August 1, 2013 as the official release date for his new single, 'Ike Kan', which literally means 'One Plastic'.

The song is produced by multiple award winning Nigerian beats maker, Don Jazzy and it is from his upcoming album, 'GRA (Galvanising Right Ahead)'. The single will be released online via top music retail websites.

'Ike Kan' signifies applying strength in all that you do. It is an irresistible beat from Don Jazzy, fused with the well composed lyrics and sweet melody 9ice is known for, which gives the song a groove from start to finish.

I Take Idian Hemp To Relax and Cool Off-Seun Kuti

Click for Full Image SizeThe other day Tonto Dikeh displayed a picture of india hemp with on her timeline, virtually everybody lampooned her and called her all sorts of name.

What amazes Nigeriafilms.com is that Seun Kuti, the last born of the late Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti recently admitted in an open interview that he takes 'Igbo' to cool off and relax and nobody is raising any highbrow about it.

Hear what he said, "The Indian hemp should not be abused. It is good for mankind. I take Igbo (Indian hemp), but not for performance. I take it to relax and cool off. It is ideal for good sleep, arouses appetite, used to treat cancer, relieves pains, clears the head and relaxes the nerves."

He also said about why the government frowns about Igbo as illegal, "Our government sees Igbo as illegal because it is a black man’s inheritance and not from white people; maybe if it was from Europe like cigarette, it would have been legalised.

We are just fake people who don’t believe in our own abilities, but only rely on anything from the West. If Oyinbo man says something is right, then it is right and if they say it is bad, then it is bad.

Our government should first provide me with the basic, social amenities before telling me to stop smoking Igbo because I take it to reduce the psychological frustration I get from government’s inabilities. They are criticizing Igbo, but there are junkies are all Nigeria now sniffing cocaine and other hard drugs."

source from Nigeriafilms.com

Davido acquires N19mn Benz


Davido recently arrived from an European tour.

Award winning singer, David ‘Davido’ Adeleke, added a new car to his collection as he got himself a new Mercedes Benz G-Class valued at N19 million.

The MTN ambassador and head of HKN Gang also caused ‘gobe’ at the Muritala international airport upon his arrival from his successful Europe tour.

Genevieve: I haven't had sex in 10 years,yeah me too

I remember when I was 17 years old,I had a girlfriend who was 19 and claimed to be a virgin.Only for me to get 'there' and to my surprise it was like driving on the Third Mainland bridge on a sunday evening.Guess what she told me after the liaison,'I fell off a bike that's why you didn't notice.
It's been rumoured lately that 'Genny' is about to walk down the aisle,hence the story about not being intimate in 10 years, just to impress her groom,after all the' thing ' no get meter.
Below is what Genevieve said about her "thing":

”I have been single for so long, it hasn’t been easy, even when dbanj came along with his thing that wasn’t long he kept saying NO LONG THING..NO LONG THING.. never [knew] that was he meant it till i saw it, it was even shorter than his harmonica… We couldn’t settle down.

"Luckily for me, I have found a man now to spend the rest of my life with.”

So, what do you think, could it be true that Genny's "thing" has been close in for about 10 years?

Tuesday 23 July 2013

Psquare show off their uncompleted twin duplex on Lagos Island (photo)


In 2011, the Okoye brothers built their over 500 million Naira mansion in Lagos.

Now, two years after – 2013 – they have decided to move to the island, where a lot of dignitaries and celebrities reside.

Jude Okoye shared the photo of their new construction on his instagram page and tagged it ”Top top of the top!”

Mansion of life!

We say congrats to them!

Rita Dominic loses her cool in this funny video

After been away from the movie scene for quite a while, the actress began the year 2013 with a renewed effort to improve on her brand recognition and be more present in movies. It also meant being proactive with advertisement campaigns either for her direct promotional videosor for companies that requires her services to promote their brand and products.

In the video below, Rita features in a detergent advertising that’s quite hilarious. Check it out:

Ghanaian actress deported for shoplifting in London

photoGhanaian actress and new mum Emelia Brobbey has been reportedly nabbed in the UK for shoplifting a bracelet at Piercings while on vacation in London.

According to an Accra based radio station, the incident has now landed some other Ghanaian celebs in the UK into a big trouble, as they are now faced with deportation threat.

According to reports, her host, Gloria Agyema who is also an actress got her home raided by police when the accused actress gave it as her residence.
This led to sniffing into Gloria’s immigration status by the police and they asked her to keep reporting to the station every week until a clear picture of her immgration status is ascertained.

Another resident actress, Eunice Akua Adjeiwaa who had overstayed wasn’t that lucky as she was arrested at the address by the police and is currently languishing in a UK Border Agency’s detention centre, waiting to be deported to Ghana. -

Ghanaian actress and new mum Emelia Brobbey has been reportedly nabbed in the UK for shoplifting a bracelet at Piercings while on vacation in London. The controversial actress will be leaving London to Ghana tomorrow but in the wake of her theft, her host actress Gloria Agyeman got her home raided by the police when the ‘thieving’ actress gave Gloria’s address as her residence.

The home raid by the police led to the establishment of Gloria’s immigration status. Unsatisfied with her status, the police requested she reports to the station each week until a clear picture of her immigration status is ascertained, as reported by GhanaCelebrities.Com. Gloria Agyeman slightly got off the hook by the immigration status of her husband and her newly born baby.. another resident actress- Eunice Akua Adjeiwaa who had overstayed wasn’t that lucky as she was arrested at the address by the police and is currently languishing in a UK Border Agency’s detention centre—waiting to be deported to Ghana.

But for the alleged shoplifting actress, she should be in Ghana as you are reading this piece as she was scheduled for deportation yesterday (Monday).

Source: Nigeriafilms

(VIDEO) Condemns Child Marriage: Stella Damasus Spits Fire!


Click for Full Image SizeNigerian actress, singer and motivational speaker Stella Damasus Stella Damasus expresses her anger over the issue of underaged marriage being discussed in the Nigerian senate. Watch video below!

Click for Full Image SizeSenator Yerima Ahmad Sani had two years ago married a 13-year-old Egyptian in violation of the constitutional provision

It’s A Boy! Duchess Of Cambridge, Kate Middleton Gives Birth!

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Buckingham Palace confirms that the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton has given birth to a baby boy, the first child for her and Prince William.

Kate was admitted to St Mary’s Hospital on the morning of July 22. She and Prince William arrived via car through a secret side entrance.

The birth comes after an anxious waiting period. Beginning in early July, press and fans camped outside the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital waiting for the duchess to arrive on her speculative due date… only to be left waiting for days more.

The duchess’ pregnancy was announced in December 2012, following months of royal baby rumors perpetuated by the tabloids. The day of the announcement, Kate was admitted to the hospital for treatment for hyperemesis gravidarum.

The illness, an acute form of morning sickness, was thought to be serious enough to affect her entire pregnancy, preventing her from making many public appearances.

Source: The Huffington Post

Charles Novia - 'GOD PUNISH YOU, SENATOR YERIMA'

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GOD PUNISH YOU, SENATOR YERIMA: I just read a purported defence of Senator Ahmed Yerima about the Underage Marriage bill he coerced his fellow dimwit Senators to pass into law. His lame excuses are as stupid as they are so archaic. A theory from a puerile mind: hiding under obtuse reasons to justify his sexual appetites through a Holy Law. This neanderthal Senator is a threat to National Security and National Unity. I hear he aspires to be the next President or Vice-President of this country, Nigeria. I can safely tell him that his aspirations will come to nought.

After amputating hands and legd in Zamfara State and shipping them to the South West to beg for alms in a suspicious Political Sharia atmosphere as proved by both President Obasanjo and Mallam El Rufai in his book, the dense Senator wishes to justify his actions by blaming it on a skewed lifestyle in a fictitious city wher he lives! I don't know how else to answer the irritant Senator but to heap God's punishment upon him and his ilk.

May your ambitions to have a paedophile-imposed state never come to fruition and may you and your ilk have your political ambitions castrated. I join millions of women in Nigeria and beyond to abuse you and your friends in the Senate. And I will join them to celebrate too when your bill never sees the light of day. And it won't. Trust me. It won't. So sue me, asshole.

- Nigeriafilms

Mother’s death: First lady cuts short Geneva trip, returns home

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First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, is on her way back to Nigeria following the tragic death of her mother in a car crash on Monday in Port Harcourt.

Reliable sources told our correspondent in Abuja this morning that Patience and the entourage, who were in Geneva on official assignment, are on their way back to the country following the orders given by the distraught woman who could not attend to scheduled engagements.

The news of the death of the woman popularly known as her foster mother, Mrs. Iwarioba (Sisi), was said to have been broken to her in Geneva by President Goodluck Jonathan through the telephone yesterday.

Though it was not clear if some of her close friends would be waiting to console with her at the Presidential Wing of the Abuja Airport, but our correspondent gathered that one of her aides had called to inform The Presidency that the Presidential jet that coverage the entourage to Geneva is on its way back to Abuja.

Mrs. Iwarioba was reported to have died yesterday in a road crash at Elele in Rivers State. She was on her way to neighbouring Bayelsa State. Her body was deposited at the Kpaima Mortuary on Elechi Beach, Mile One, Diobu, Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, around 6 pm, by the self-acclaimed “Speaker” of Rivers House of Assembly, Evans Bipi, accompanied by many policemen.

-The Nation

Friends Battle To Save Ailing Jeremiah With N5m


Click for Full Image SizeSome spirited and kind-hearted friends have taken it upon themselves to save one 22 years old Jeremiah Emmanuel, who is a student of Yaba College of Technology, Lagos. The young man is suffering from Ventricular Septal defects, which has almost made life unbearable for him.
Information gathered by us reveals that Jeremiah was diagnosed with congenital heart disease at the age of three, but has been managing it on some medications. He was stable for some years before it re-occurred.

Right now, the heart disease has made his stomach, legs and private part swollen and presently and urgently needs an Open Heart Surgery in India, which costs about $30,000 (N5million).

Donations can be made into his account below;

Account No: 0123823022
Account name: Emmanuel Jeremiah
Bank: GTB.

Click for Full Image SizeClick for Full Image Size

Source from nigerianfilms

Friday 12 July 2013

'My daddy, my hero': Two-year-old son of murdered soldier Lee Rigby attends funeral service wearing t-shirt tribute to his father

Full military funeral for Fusilier Lee Rigby, who was murdered on May 22, attended by 800 mourners

Vast crowds have gathered outside the private family service which paid tribute to the 'gentle soul'
Tight security around Bury Parish Church, Greater Manchester, as police swept streets for hazards
Fusilier's son Jack wore a t-shirt saying 'My Daddy, My Hero' as sobbing relatives arrived
Prime Minister David Cameron and Mayor of London Boris Johnson attended the service

The son of Fusilier Lee Rigby arrived at his father's funeral today wearing a t-shirt that said: 'My Daddy, My Hero'.

Jack, Rigby two, arrived at the funeral wearing a blue t shirt with 'My Daddy's A Fusilier. Lee Rigby' printed on the front.

He was joined by hundreds of mourners at the service for the 25-year-old, who was hacked to death outside Woolwich barracks in east London on May 22.

More than 1,000 people lined the streets to pay their respects to the soldier brutally killed in broad daylight.
Members of the public applauded Fusilier Rigby's comrades and forces veterans as they arrived for the funeral service at Bury Parish Church, where comrades had maintained a guard of honour overnight.

Applause also greeted the father's heartbroken loved ones, who joined about 800 mourners inside for the private service just a couple of miles from his home town of Middleton, Greater Manchester.

Members of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers held a two-minute silence to honour the soldier, whose death shocked the nation.

Prime Minister David Cameron, who told the Commons earlier this week that the whole of the UK will be mourning with the family, was among dignitories attending the service. He arrived with the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, to a ripple of applause.


Fusilier Rigby, a drummer in the 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (2RRF), was killed as he returned to Woolwich barracks from the Tower of London on May 22.

He had served in Afghanistan as a machine gunner and was attached to the regimental recruiting team when he was murdered in daylight on a street in south London.

The horrific killing led to nationwide shock and revulsion, and led to an outpouring of support for his family from the public.

Serving soldiers, forces veterans and ordinary members lined the streets outside Bury Parish Church where a guard of honour kept a vigil overnight over their comrade’s coffin inside the church.

The service began with a hymn and a reading by Sean Sheer, one of Lee's fellow soldiers and a family friend, bringing laughter from mourners.

He spoke about how they had become friends, and how Lee had adored being a father.

Mr Sheer said he first met Fusilier Rigby when he was posted to the Fusiliers in 2008 and found him the 'most annoying, campest man I have ever met', citing his singing and love of boyband Westlife as the reason.


Mr Sheer said his comrade's young son came 'crashing' into his life but Lee 'took to fatherhood instantly'.


'Everywhere Lee went, Jack went with him,' he said.

'Lee's time on this earth was tragically cut short' but he was a 'loving father and devoted husband'.
Scroll down for video
The family broke down as they watched the coffin be carried away after the service. Lee's son, Jack, wore a t-shirt honouring his father
The family broke down as they watched the coffin be carried away after the service. Lee's son, Jack, wore a t-shirt honouring his father
The coffin was taken away from the church as the Fusilier's wife Rebecca gently spoke to their toddle son Jack
The coffin was taken away from the church as the Fusilier's wife Rebecca tenderly spoke to their toddler son Jack, who had adored his 25-year-old father
The coffin was taken away from the church as the Fusilier's wife Rebecca tenderly spoke to their toddler son Jack, who had adored his 25-year-old father
The family of Fusilier Lee Rigby follow his coffin as it leaves Bury Parish Church after his military funeral. Mourners clutched teddy bears and wore red ribbons remembering the soldier
The family of Fusilier Lee Rigby follow his coffin as it leaves Bury Parish Church after his military funeral. Mourners clutched teddy bears and wore red ribbons remembering the soldier
Fusilier Rigby, 25, a drummer in the 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, was killed as he returned to Woolwich barracks from the Tower of London on May 22
Fusilier Rigby, 25, a drummer in the 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, was killed as he returned to Woolwich barracks from the Tower of London on May 22
Crowds outside stood in the sunshine, singing along with the hymns and saying the Lord's Prayer before the 50-minute service came to a close and the pall bearers carried out the coffin
Crowds stood outside in the sunshine, singing along with the hymns and saying the Lord's Prayer before the 50-minute service came to a close and the pall bearers carried out the coffin
The family of Fusilier Lee Rigby; wife Rebecca (centre) with son Jack, mother Lyn (right) and step father (right) follow his coffin as it leaves Bury Parish church
The family of Fusilier Lee Rigby; wife Rebecca (centre) with son Jack, mother Lyn (right) and step father (right) follow his coffin as it leaves Bury Parish church
Lee Rigby's cortege drove past a guard of honour, as soldiers past and present held flags to pay tribute to the soldier, who was hacked to death in Woolwich, London
Lee Rigby's cortege drove past a guard of honour, as soldiers past and present held flags to pay tribute to the soldier, who was hacked to death in Woolwich, London
Mourners salute the cortege: Rigby conducted ceremonial duties outside Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and the Tower of London
Mourners salute the cortege: Rigby conducted ceremonial duties outside Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and the Tower of London
Fusilier Rigby's coffin, draped in the Union flag and with his bearskin on top, was borne out of the church by six pall bearers in their ceremonial scarlet tunics and placed in the hearse for his final journey
Fusilier Rigby's coffin, draped in the Union flag and with his bearskin on top, was borne out of the church by six pall bearers in their ceremonial scarlet tunics and placed in the hearse for his final journey
The funeral cortege of Fusilier Lee Rigby drives away from Bury Parish church, as more than 1,000 people were believed to have come to mark the service for the soldier
The funeral cortege of Fusilier Lee Rigby drives away from Bury Parish church, as more than 1,000 people were believed to have come to mark the service for the soldier
Tears rolled down the cheeks of Aimee West, the Fusilier's fiancee
Tears rolled down the cheeks of Aimee West, the Fusilier's fiancee

We will love you and miss you,' Mr Sheer added.

The service heard how Lee had a 'wicked sense of humour' and was a 'naturally flamboyant character' who quickly became popular with his regiment.

Lt Col Taylor said Fusilier Rigby joined the Army in 2006 on his third attempt, fulfilling his 'lifelong ambition', and it was 'an early indication of how doggedly determined he was when he set his mind to something'.

Despite a passion for Westlife and other boybands, he had no musical background and no musical skills.

'The drums training lasted six months, during which he drove everyone crazy with his incessant tapping of tables, steering wheels - in fact, anything he could find to practise on while he mastered a new skill.'

He arrived in the Second Fusiliers in Cyprus in 2007, having earned the much- coveted title of Drummer, said Lt Col Taylor, and quickly his 'naturally flamboyant character' made him popular in Fire Support Company and across the whole battalion.

Ending his eulogy, the commanding officer said: 'We have a saying in our regiment that 'once a Fusilier, always a Fusilier.

'Today we, his regimental family, salute a fallen comrade. A talented soldier and musician. A larger-than-life character.


'A loyal friend and brother-in-arms. A gentle soul.

'Above all a true Fusilier - daring in all things.


'We all feel his loss keenly. We will remember him with pride always.

'Today we stand shoulder to shoulder with his family and friends. We will continue to do so in the years to come.

'So, thanks be to God for Lee Rigby - father, husband, son, brother, friend, Fusilier. We will remember him.'



RIGBY FUNERAL: Solder's two-year-old son arrives wearing t-shirt...





Fusilier Rigby's mother fought back tears, holding her husband's hand, and spontaneous applause rang out as the family left after the service and the hearse drove away


Heartbreak: The family of Drummer Lee Rigby leave the church in wake of his coffin at the end of the service






Saluting a fallen comrade: Senior officers stand to attention as the coffin is put back on to the hearse





Comfort: Family members walk away from the service (left) in which Lee Rigby was described as a good father and comrade, and a little girl joins crowds (right) to pay respect as mourners make their way to funeral service



In London with the Second Fusiliers Fusilier Rigby conducted ceremonial duties outside Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and the Tower of London.


His commanding officer said: 'As a Drummer, the pace of life for Lee was relentless.


More...
The saddest homecoming: Lee Rigby's distraught widow carries their little boy behind murdered soldier's coffin on eve of funeral
'Lee's killers backfired... he's become a hero and a martyr': Family of soldier killed in Woolwich atrocity speak out to thank public for 'overwhelming support'



'Through it all, Lee wore his scarlet tunic with pride. He loved entertaining the crowds outside the Royal Palaces.'


The highlight of Fusilier Rigby's time there was when he was invited to take part in the Household Division's Beating Retreat, mourners were told.

'This is a real honour for a line infantry regiment like the Fusiliers and no-one was more pleased than Lee that it was bestowed on his platoon,' Lt Col Taylor said.

'He was widely regarded in the Drums Platoon as one of the best drummers in the battalion.






Heartbroken mourners embraced each other before they entered the church, where the mourners heard a touching tribute about the Fusilier








The Fusilier's grieving mother Lyn said the support given to the family by the public after Lee's death had been overwhelming








Aimee West, who was the Drummer's fiancee, arrives at Bury Parish church in Bury, Greater Manchester for the funeral, wearing her engagement ring






His stepfather Ian brushed away a tear as he arrived for the service, while his grieving mother Lyn sobbed as she entered the church, wearing a bow to honour him




Ian Rigby (centre left) stepfather of Fusilier Lee Rigby, arrives with family members for the funeral as veterans applauded them in a show of support



Beefeaters, retired servicemen, relatives and politicians arrived early before the funeral, which was held more than two months after the soldier was killed


Difficult day: Aimee West attends the funeral of her boyfriend

'He was also competitive and mischievous during the performances. He often tried to make the drummers either side of him drop a stick during a stick beat through his more skilful and incredibly energetic performance.


'Many of the drummers remember finishing events relieved that they still had both sticks in their hands but with incredibly bruised fingers. Lee found this highly entertaining.'


The service was officiated by the Rev Dr John Findon. Mourners sang hymns including Who Would True Valour See, Lord Of All Hopefulness and I Vow To Thee My Country. The choir sang Deep Peace Of The Running Wave.

The town of Bury, which has strong military links to the Army, has from early morning been swamped by old and not so old former soldiers in their regimental ties, blazers, caps and proudly wearing their campaign medals.

Floral tributes filled one car in the funeral cortege, including one in the shape of 'Daddy' with the message 'My Dad, My Hero. Always proud. Lots of love, Jack.'

A message on another tribute from his widow said: 'My husband, my hero. Forever in my heart. Sleep tight baby. Love always, Becky.'


Another in the shape of a drum came with the message: 'Beloved Grandson from Nana and Grandad Seville. Rest easy' and one from his mother and stepfather, spelling out the word 'Son', had a message ending with the words: 'Sweet dreams our beautiful boy.'

Crowds outside stood in the sunshine, singing along with the hymns and saying the Lord's Prayer before the 50-minute service came to a close.


Fusilier Rigby's coffin, draped in the Union flag and with his bearskin on top, was borne out of the church by six pall bearers in their ceremonial scarlet tunics and placed in the hearse for his final journey.

His wife, mother and stepfather watched from the steps, his young son clutching his mother's hand and looking bewildered as he scanned the crowds outside.


Fusilier Rigby's mother fought back tears, holding her husband's hand, and spontaneous applause rang out as the family left after the service and the hearse drove away.

A private committal followed the service which was attended only by close family and friends.

Fusilier Lee Rigby was a 'fantastic soldier', his commanding officer said today before he delivered a eulogy at his funeral.

Lieutenant Colonel Jim Taylor, commanding officer of the 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (2RRF), said: 'He was larger than life, he was always at the centre of fun and mischief, but he was a true regimental character with real charisma and everybody fell under his spell.'

Lt Col Taylor, speaking outside Bury Parish Church, added: 'We are here to honour him today and as a regiment support his family, stand shoulder to shoulder with them at their time of need.



A private committal followed the service, which David Cameron and Boris Johnson attended, that only close family and friends were part of



David Cameron and Boris Johnson looked solemn as they left the service, which described Lee Rigby as a hero and a popular soldier in his Regiment



Mayor of London Boris Johnson (right) and Prime Minister David Cameron arrive for the funeral service of Fusilier Lee Rigby









Prime Minister David Cameron and Mayor of London Boris Johnson were among the 800 mourners who attended the touching service


Prime Minister David Cameron told the Commons earlier this week that the whole of the UK will be mourning with the family at the funeral


IN FULL: Lee Rigby's widow emotional interview



'But it is also a day that we as a regiment want to remember him for the true character he was.

'One of the things about the Fusiliers as a regiment is, we are a family regiment and that is not just the immediate family within the corps of drums but much wider to that.

'We are standing here today in Bury which is one of our regimental heartlands and the church behind me is the spiritual home of the Lancashire Fusiliers and has been for hundreds of years.'



Rebecca Rigby (right), wife of murdered Fusilier Lee Rigby, arrives holding the hand of their son Jack, who clutched a teddy bear




His mother clung to his stepfather as they walked into the church, where they heard touching tributes to the 25-year-old, which remembered his love of music and his flamboyant personality





A mourner clutched a teddy bear wearing a Fusilier uniform before the service began, which paid tribute to Lee as a 'larger-than-life character'




Toddler Jack Rigby arrives for the funeral service of his father clutching the hands of mourning relatives








Countless floral tributes were left outside the church in colours of red, white and blue. Crowds gathered to join the mourning outside of the Bury service






Lt Col Taylor said the public’s support 'meant the world' to him and his soldiers after the death of Fusilier Rigby.

He added:'We are a true family regiment and look after each other and the family of our soldiers.

'I would like to thank personally the people of Bury for the reception they gave Lee yesterday and the support they showed to his family and to the regiment.





A host of people arrived to show their respects for the fusilier. A policeman appeared to brush away a tear, as he was joined with sombre Beefeaters at the service



Members of The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers march through the high street for the funeral service of Fusilier Lee Rigby at Bury Parish Church








Serving soldiers, forces veterans and ordinary members are lining the streets outside Bury Parish Church



Mourners arriving for the funeral service were applauded by members of the public who were there to remember the 25-year-old

'This is a regimental heartland and the people of Bury have been long associated with the Fusiliers and I expect the people of Middleton will do exactly the same as we take Lee to his place of rest later on today.

'It means the world to us as a regiment to see the public support. I have been inundated with letters from around the country, around the world showing solidarity with us as a regiment and passing on sincere condolences, which has been deeply touching.'

His family and regiment paid an emotional tribute leading up to the funeral, saying that the father had become a hero after his death, and support from around the world had helped them endure their overwhelming grief.



The town of Bury, which has strong military links to the Army, has from early morning been swamped with well wishers - from members of the public to veteran soldiers







Members of the public outside Bury Parish church in Bury, Greater Manchester gathered to pay tribute to the heroic soldier, who had a 'gentle soul'




Crowds gathered for the funeral. Lee Rigby's commanding officer, Lt Col Taylor, said the public's support 'meant the world' to him and his soldiers after the death of their comrade






Mourners listen to the service of the funeral of Fusilier Lee Rigby, which was played aloud as 800 mourners gathered inside the church





Retired Fusiliers gather outside the Bury Parish Church. Rigby, 25, of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, was hacked to death in broad daylight near his barracks in Woolwich, southeast London





British legion members stood outside the church to show their solidarity for the family, who say that Lee's death has made him a hero and a martyr

His mother Lyn, 46, said: ‘We have received overwhelming support from the public, friends, family.

‘We have had thousands of cards, with kind words. That basically has given us the strength to get through this time.’

His stepfather Ian, 54, said the support showed how the motives behind his murder could be defeated.

‘Whatever the intention was, it’s backfired because it’s made Lee into the hero and the martyr,’ he said.

‘And the support and the unity through the country... we have been having phone calls or letters off mosques, off Jewish sections, every religion you can think of and not just in this country.

‘The country is united, whatever elements may wish to stop it. It’s not working because it’s working the other way.’





Mr Rigby said the family wanted today’s funeral to be a celebration of his life. ‘Lee was a fun-loving lad and that is how he should be remembered,’ he said.



A set of flower spells 'SON' among the flowers left in tribute for the 25-year-old had a message ending with the words: 'Sweet dreams our beautiful boy.'


Patriotic: A floral tribute marked 'Class of 83' left outside the church in Bury, Greater Manchester. A card attached says 'thinking of all your family'





Caring: A floral tribute 'from the inlaws' left for Drummer Lee Rigby outside the church





Paying respects: A wreath of red carnations is left on the floor outside the church ahead of the service







A floral tribute from Lee's parents promised to never forget the soldier. Earlier his mother Lyn had said: 'We have had thousands of cards, with kind words. That basically has given us the strength to get through this time.'



A bearer holds an invitation to the funeral. Thousands of mourners took to the streets, as people were determined to show their solidarity in the face of the Fusilier's brutal, and senseless, killing

‘We would like today a certain amount of respect and dignity, but we would like it to be Lee’s day and Lee remembered as how he was.


‘We don’t want everybody crying and getting heartbroken. We would rather enjoy Lee’s memories as he was with us.’


His widow said his own wishes had been for a funeral ceremony that was a remembrance of his life.


‘He wanted people to enjoy that and sit and talk about happy days and happy memories they have got of Lee and the things he used to do and say because he was always so full of life,’ she said.


‘He just wanted to put a smile on everyone’s face.’


Yesterday, hundreds of people lined the streets as the father-of-one's family attended a vigil at Bury Parish Church.



Police checked flowerbeds and fences amid tight security ahead of the funeral of Fusilier Lee Rigby at Bury





Hundreds of mourners are expected to turn out to show their respects for the murdered father-of-one today



Police left no stone unturned as they carried out security checks ahead of Fusilier Lee Rigby's funeral by inspecting tributes, roads and flower baskets





Fusilier Rigby, pictured in his uniform and with his son Jack, pictured right, who is now two, was killed as he returned to his barracks





Comrades, forces veterans and members of the public lined the route to Bury Parish Church where soldiers kept a guard of honour over the body of Fusilier Rigby overnight before his funeral today.


The soldier's loved ones will lead mourners at the private service in Bury, where there is a strong security presence.

The family, who have been inundated with cards, letters and flowers in condolence from all over the country and abroad and from all faiths, wish for a private service.

Well-wishers have been asked to show their respects by lining the streets outside, where they will hear the service on loudspeakers from inside the church.

Earlier, police officers swept the streets of Bury ahead of the funeral of murdered soldier Lee Rigby later today.

They were seen checking flower beds, patrolling the roads and inspecting floral tributes left for the soldier.


Prime Minister David Cameron told the Commons earlier this week that the whole of the UK will be mourning with the family at the funeral, beginning at 11am.

THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS: FUSILIER'S WIDOW TELLS OF 'UNBELIEVABLE' SUPPORT FROM AROUND THE WORLD






Ahead of the private funeral in Bury, Greater Manchester today, his widow spoke movingly about how they hoped the ceremony would confound his killers’ intentions by celebrating him as a ‘hero’ and ‘martyr’.


Fighting back tears throughout, his 30-year-old wife Rebecca said: ‘We have had an awful lot of support from across the world. It has been overwhelming.

‘We have had letters from the Prime Minister, from senior politicians from all parties, the Duke of Kent, from the Sikh community.


‘Various large mosques and interfaith groups have been in touch with letters of condolences and such.’


‘We have had masses of cards, letters and donations from everywhere. It’s unbelievable, really, the things that have been coming in.


Fusilier Rigby’s widow also spoke of the kindness of total strangers towards their two-year-old son, Jack.


‘I was handed £1.10, two 50p coins and a 10p piece, that had been handed over by somebody at the Tower of London,’ she said.

‘It was requested that it be passed on to the soldier’s son’s money.


‘And I have had a cheque off another lady. She sent me a lovely letter and a cheque for £10 asking me to buy something to put a smile on Jack’s face.


‘He wanted a scooter so we got him a scooter which he absolutely loves.’


She added: ‘There are so many kind and generous people out there. It’s just horrible that it takes something such as this to make you see how many good people there are.’



The coffin arrived at Bury Parish Church yesterday ahead of an all-night vigil on the eve of the Fusilier's funeral





His wife Rebecca Rigby struggled to hold back her tears as she carried their son Jack and followed his coffin



His mother Lyn and stepfather Ian arrived at the church yesterday to see the soldier's coffin arrive at the church. In an emotional interview they said they had received 'overwhelming support' and that Lee 'had become a hero'


:: Michael Adebolajo, 28, and Michael Adebowale, 22, have been charged with the murder of Fusilier Rigby and are due to stand trial at the Old Bailey on November 18.


They will appear at the same court for a plea and case management hearing on September 27.



Tears and a moving rendition of the Last Post outside Woolwich Barracks


Hundreds gathered at the entrance to Woolwich Barracks today to pay their respects to the soldier Lee Rigby - close to where he was killed.


As the funeral of the 25-year-old father of one took place in his home town of Bury, crowds gathered at the entrance to the barracks where he was based when he died in May.


Members of the public joined serving servicemen, veterans, the wives of soldiers based at the barracks and more than 100 bikers to mourn the young soldier.


In the days and weeks after Lee's death, the entrance to the barracks was a sea of floral tributes, messages of support, flags and other tributes left by people from across the country.



Bikers, members of the Public and troops from Royal fusiliers attended a memorial service for murdered soldier lee Rigby at Woolwich Barracks. Fusilier musician Dan Griffiths played the Last Post






Bugler Dan Griffith plays the last post outside the main gate to Woolwich Barracks, as heartfelt tributes, flowers and a drum were laid to respect the popular soldier

Two months on, a small selection of some of the floral tributes left to Lee - including messages from Lee's family - were on display on a neatly trimmed grass verge outside the main entrance to the Woolwich Barracks.


Just before 11am around 50 soldiers from the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment marched out of the barracks and formed a three deep semi-circle around the verge as the crowd gathered behind.


There was a shot ceremony as representatives from Lee's regiment, soldiers' wives and the Royal British Legion Riders laid flowers in silence on the grass verge.


At 11am a biker called Julia Stevenson, 65, from the Royal British Legion Riders, read the Act of Remembrance.





Mourners shed a tear at the Royal Artillery Barracks,Woolwich during a memorial service for Drummer Lee Rigby, Royal Fusilliers

It was followed by The Last Post, performed by a solo bugler from the Royal Artillery Band, and the crowd then gave a minute's silence in respect to Lee Rigby.


Wives of serving soldiers could be seen wiping tears with tissues in the emotional mark of respect to the dead drummer.

At the end of the minute's silence another Royal British Legion Rider Iain Thompson, who is also a serving soldier then read the Kohima Epitaph: 'When You Go Home, Tell Them Of Us And Say, For Their Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today.'


The reading was brought to an end with a round of applause and a prompt to give three cheers to 'Our Soldiers' which the mourners enthusiastically responded to.

A soldier's from Lee's batallion, the 2nd Batallion the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, laid a wreath as a representative of the Fusilier Association.


The serving soldier, who was also one of Lee's friends, did not want to be named, but said: 'It's a really sad day for all of us and we're just thinking of his family and his fiancee Aimee.




Woolwich barracks was filled with people and soldiers who wanted to show their respect. One attendee, Max Waite, 59, from Charlton, south east London said: 'Woolwich is a military town with a proud history and we won't let something like this divide us.'



Bikers pay their respects prior to a minute silence for the soldier at the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich, London

'I have just returned from Afghanistan. I was expecting to come home and see Lee and catch up with him.


'We all just miss having him around so much. He was a joker. And the barracks are a lot quieter without him.


'He was a true Fusilier. He served his country loyally and this should never have happened.


' know Aimee as well. I was with her in Afghanistan when she got the news. She was absolutely devastated.


'She is still finding it really hard. I wanted to come down here today to pay tribute to Lee.


'Most of his friends are in Bury but I felt some people needed to be here as well.'

Julia Stephenson founded Ride of Respect, a group of bikers who pay respects for re-patriated fallen serving service personnel at the former RAF base at Wootton Bassett and now at RAF Brize Norton.


Ms Stephenson, from Farningham, Kent said: 'I just feel very sad that we have got to come here because of such a tragedy.


'I think not only the biking fraternity appalled of what happened to Lee Rigby, the whole country is.


Just before 11am around 50 soldiers from the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment marched out of Woolwich Barracks and formed a three deep semi-circle around the verge as the crowd gathered behind


Bikers, members of the public and troops from Royal fusiliers all joined together to pay their respects for the soldier, who death shocked the nation

'We are just here to pay our respects. A lot of bikers have gone to Bury. But we wanted to come to Woolwich as well.'


Ellie Osbourn, 29, the wife of Sergeant Chris Osbourn, who serves with the 2nd Batallion of the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment based at Woolwich, came to the ceremony with her two daughters.


She was part of the group of 20 wives who preserved the thousands of tributes to Lee in the weeks after his death.


They spend several days separating the hand written cards and messages from the flowers so the messages could be preserved and given to Lee's family after the floral tributes and bouquets had wilted and died.


She said: 'I feel very emotional. It could've been any one of our husbands.


'They all walk that way when they are going back to barracks. After it happened, I was so traumatised, I had to go away and stay with my parents for a week.'

Max Waite, 59, from Charlton, south east London said: 'I had to come today to show my respects for Lee and the Armed Forces.


'Woolwich is a military town with a proud history and we won't let something like this divide us.


'I think the ceremony today was a fitting tribute to show that the community cares and love our Armed Forces.
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