Nollywood Comic Actor Okon Bishop Umoh Marries His Heartrob Idara In Grand Style[Photos; Traditional + White Wedding]

Okon Lagos  goes ...somewhere, this time not to school but to the altar with his heartrob, Idara Saviour.While the traditional Marriage took place on Thursday 17th October, 2013  at Christ the King (CKS) primary school, Wellington Bassey way, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State,the church wedding held on Saturady, 19th October, 2013 at Insight Bible Church, Nsikak Eduok Avenue, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

In an exclusive interview, the couple opened up to Rhodies World on how they met:

Bride

 
We met in November 2012 in a wedding he was emceeing; I was in the bridal train. According to him, he picked an interest. Well, I was in a serious relationship at the time, though I didn’t know where that was leading.

Meeting him, he was all over me. The first thing that came out of his mouth was; “…you are my wife”. Me I was like, “you know you’re very funny, I don’t want this oh. So please just let me concentrate”. Later on I just told him, “You say you want to marry me, sorry I’m in a serious relationship and I cannot leave my guy for you”. He said, okay, just go back and think about it. We exchanged numbers, and then he called.

We started dating this year; February 2013 after my former relationship broke up unhappily. I’ll say that God had already designed Ime for me, because he’s one of the best guys I’ve ever met. Being with him these 8 months, it’s as if I’ve known him for years. He makes me happy; I smile a lot. I’ll say I’m lucky, he’s so lovely.

How did he propose? We had a misunderstanding and I wanted to just ignore him. Then he drove to my house and called me out, we sat in the car. Then he said, “So you think I will not marry you. Now, will you marry me?” I was smiling like, “my friend, di nyong (you’ll have to leave)”. He said he was serious. Then I said I’d have to think about it, talk to my mom and all. He said I had 3 days to respond. Then after he left, we spoke on the phone. I told him if he really wanted to marry me, he should come and see my mother. He came and spoke with her, and that was it.

What I have to say to him: I call him baby, but let me tell him that I love him. My prayer is that God should give me the ability, the strength…I thank God for bringing him to my life and I promise him that I’ll not just be the best. I promise to be submissive to him.

Groom:

We met sometime in November. I met her in a wedding I emceeing; she was in the train. She was impeccably outstanding. I couldn’t help but notice her. I got so distracted – never been that distracted arguably all my life. While emceeing, I was gazing at her. I rounded off as quickly as I could and intercepted her before she got into the car and talked my way to getting her contact.

What did I tell her? I told her she’s beautiful. I don’t know how to beat about the bush; I told her I liked her so much. I didn’t act like in movies. I tried to wear the seemingly responsible look. I told her that she had arrested me, distracted me, I could hardly know what I was saying.

Her response: She was chuckling, Looking at me and laughing. I believe she didn’t take me seriously.
Was I in a relationship that time? I can’t say. “I can’t categorically say” (laughs) that I was in a relationship. I was in a pseudo relationship, a phantom relationship. A break up was very much inevitable. I met her (my wife to be) with the mind to marry her.
 

Getting to know each other, one, two, three, four conversations and it just dawned on me that, well, this is the right thing. I asked her the big question; she said she’ll think of it. I didn’t have rest that night. She then gave me an answer.

At what point did I get convinced that this is my wife? When she started showing care, checking up on me… You know I’m an actor; I sometimes screamed at her when I knew I’m not supposed to, just to watch her reaction. It is very difficult to pretend when it has to do with me. I’ll push you almost over the cliff; that demon in you will come out. When I see I can cope with that demon, then you’re as good as being my wife.

What do I have to say to her? Well, I’m here. Finally, I’m gonna get married to her. We have each other for keeps. I’m going to love her unflinchingly. I don’t see myself following the seeming convention of men cheating on their wives. I’m not trying to say I’m perfect or I rely solely on myself. Even the bible says by strength shall no man prevail. I trust on the grace of God to help me sail through. I’m gonna be a super-husband to her and a super-dad to my kids.

How many kids? I want to have 3, all boys. Why? Easier to train…(laughs).

 Pictures from the traditional wedding....

           

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An assistant referee was today struck by a firework thrown during a Premier League football match.

David Bryan, who was running the line in front of Tottenham Hotspur fans at Aston Villa, was hit by a flare or smoke bomb thrown after Andros Townsend opened the scoring for Spurs in the first half.

Hundreds of thousands of TV viewers watched on Sky Sports 1 as the blue firework was launched from a section of Spurs fans in the Doug Ellis Stand during the game at Villa Park in Birmingham.

The restart after the 31st-minute goal was delayed after the incident this afternoon but Mr Bryan, who appeared to have been hit on the back of the neck, was fit to continue.

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Singer Robin Thicke and his wife actress Paula Patton have been together for 20 years..since she was eighteen and he was sixteen. Last night Robin performed at the VIP Room in Paris and after the gig, he watched with amusement as his wife gyrated with a partygoer....Twerking at one point.

Singer Robin Thicke and his wife actress Paula Patton have been together for 20 years..since she was eighteen and he was sixteen. Last night Robin performed at the VIP Room in Paris and after the gig, he watched with amusement as his wife gyrated with a partygoer....Twerking at one point.

 

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Fuse ODG beats Wizkid, Ice Prince, wins Best African Act at MOBO

Fuse ODG

Ghanaian artist Fuse ODG of the famous Azonto single beat Wizkid, Ice Prince & Tiwa Savage from Nigeria, Spoek Mathambo, Mafikizolo and Liquid Deep from South Africa, and Bombino from Niger to win Best African Act at the 2013 Music Of Black Origin MOBO Awards on Saturday, 19th October, at Glasgow’s new Hydro Arena in Scotland.

Full list of winners

Best African Act – Fuse ODG
Best Album – ‘Home’, Rudimental
Best Female in association with Tresor Paris – Laura Mvula
Best Gospel – Lurine Cato
Best International Act – Kendrick Lamar
Best Jazz – Sons of Kemet
Best Male – Wiley
Best Newcomer in association with HTC – Krept & Konan
Best Reggae Act – Sean Paul
Best RnB/Soul Act – Laura Mvula
Best Song in association with PRSforMusic – ‘La La La’, Naughty Boy
Best UK Hip Hop/Grime – Tinie Tempah
Best Video in association with SBTV – ‘La La La’, Naughty Boy
Be MOBO – Stephen Lawrence Trust

 

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Obafemi Martins Welcomes 3rd Child From 3rd Baby Mama, Mario Balotelli’s Sister!

Nigerian striker, Obafemi Martins has welcomed a child with girlfriend Abigail Barwuah, who happens to be the sister of Italian striker Mario Balotelli.
The child, which is Martin’s baby number three from a third woman, was delivered on Wednesday in Italy.
Both Martins and Abigail have been dating since 2012 and according to several reports, she lost two pregnancies for the Super Eagles frontman, with the last case of miscarriage in December 2012. However, it is understood she got pregnant almost immediately.
Martins who is yet to be married, has two other sons

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Jennifer Lopez and Boyfriend Casper Smart About to Split? Get the Details

Matt Agudo/INFphoto.com

Jennifer Lopez and her boyfriend Casper Smart may be headed for a split. A source tells E! News that the couple's relationship of nearly two years has hit a rough patch and a breakup may be imminent.
"Things are not going well at the moment," the insider says. "They are bickering and it's clear to the people around them that there is an irritation between them at the moment. It's hot and cold, but more cold than hot right now."
We're told that those close to J.Lo are not sure if it's going to last between the thrice-divorced mother of two and her choreographer beau and that Lopez, for one, "never thought it was going to be long-term."

More Photos...Jennifer Lopez hottest looks

 

Reps for Lopez and Smart have not responded to requests for comment.
Lopez, who separated  from third husband Marc Anthony in July 2011, "was really drawn to Casper because he was so attentive to her when she split from Marc," the source continues. "She was lacking confidence at the time and he was the best medicine for her. He gave her back her confidence and made her feel special."
"Jennifer finds it difficult to be alone," the source adds. "She loves being in a relationship. She's the ultimate romantic. She wants to be in love. But she is also one of those women who is strong enough to walk away when it isn't right. "
Various reports have suggested that the reason they've lasted this long is that Lopez's twins, Max and Emme, really adore Smart, who met their mom when he worked as a backup dancer for her.
"He is certainly not the big love of her life—she knows that, he knows that," our source says. "If this relationship lasts it will be surprising to everyone."
For now, Lopez is back to work as a judge on American Idol, sharing the panel this year with Keith Urban  and Harry Connick Jr.
While she and Smart were last photographed out in public on Sept. 21, he tweeted a pic, dated Sept. 26, of the two of them smiling by a fountain.
"My boo & I having a #datenight out on the town!! ;) @JLo," he wrote

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Flash of Flesh or Daring? Lady Gaga Bares all in Cover Art for Her New Single Featuring R. Kelly

Lady Gaga clearly saw Kim Kardashian's recent tweet, for now the singer has posted a picture of her derriere to her millions of online followers.Wearing just a floral thong, nearly all of Gaga's behind is on show, as she sticks it out towards the camera lens.
But it seems the image may be more than just not so subtle attempt to show off her enviable curves, but a publicity stunt to promote her new single with R. Kelly.

Getting tips from Kim? Lady Gaga reveals her derriere for cover art of new single

With the picture, Gaga tweeted: 'Official Do What U Want Feat @RKelly Cover Art. Song Available this Monday 12:01am!'
And she has also changed her Avatar image on the social networking platform to the revealing shot.
But Gaga has never been afraid to push the boundaries when it comes to her daring sense of style, and regularly flashes the flesh in her trademark quirky ensembles.

 

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And the Lady ensured she certainly got her fair share of attention when she posed completely nude in another promotional shot for her upcoming single, Do What U Want.
With just a spot of strategically-placed foliage protecting her modesty, the 27-year-old pop icon showcased her incredible curves and alabaster skin for all to see.

 

A green future: Lady Gaga posed completely nude in a promotional shot for her upcoming single, Do 

What U Want, with just a spot of strategically-placed foliage protecting her modesty

Showbiz pals: The singer's latest nude shot came as she treated fans to a sneak peek of her forthcoming collaboration with R&B star R. Kelly, ahead of the official release of Do What U Want on October 21

Wearing her long brunette locks draped seductively over her shoulder, the Applause hitmaker's naked body was scattered with leaves and moss as she positively smouldered into the camera.
Posting a link to a snippet of the track via her Twitter page, Gaga admitted she was overwhelmed by her loyal army of followers' response to the up-tempo tune.
Writing a series of tweets, she said: 'I feel like crying seeing your excitement for the new music it means the world to me, this music is my life.
'FUN FACT about ARTPOP: I sang the songs over and over until they transformed into a part of me. Then we pressed record. Each song on ARTPOP was inspired by different types of adrenalin, so it's an expression of the various rushes. I want you to feel them.'
This is the latest in a series of flesh-flashing shoots for the pop megastar, who shed her inhibitions on her risqué new album cover for ARTPOP, posing nude as she clutched her bare breasts. 

 

Statuesque: Lady Gaga revealed the cover for her new album PopArt via Twitter on Monday

The 27-year-old unveiled the new artwork on Twitter with a series of posts revealing that the provocative nude is a sculpture she commissioned specifically for her forthcoming album created by
highly regarded artist Jeff Koons.
The singer tweeted: 'I'm nervous&excited to share something that's such a piece of my heart. Something I cherish deeply.'
She went on to provide a countdown: 'Album cover can be unlocked in 30 min by trending #iHeartARTPOP !'
Gaga then endearingly admitted her own nervousness: 'I'll be in the bathroom throwing up'.
Minutes later she unveiled the cover art with the caption: 'FULL ARTPOP ALBUM COVER.'

Tired out: Lady Gaga shared a photo on Instagram saying she was tired and proud of ARTPOP

By way of explanation she wrote: 'Please welcome Jeff Koons into our family [plus] shower him with love for the the talents he has shared with us. A pure and genuine collaborator.'
Her final message revealed that the image of her naked was in fact a sculpture created by pop artist Jeff Koons, who famously immortalised Michael Jackson and his pet chimpanzee Bubbles with a similar sculpture in 1988.
The fragmented collage art surrounding Gaga's nude bust on the album cover appears to be made of cut outs from Botticelli's The Birth of Venus, painted in 1486.

A Venus in her own right: Gaga, performing in London at the beginning of September, has been working her goddess look for her forthcoming album

The Roman goddess originally represented love, beauty, sex, and fertility - and Gaga seems to be dressing the part during her performances and the music video for her single Applause.
Seeming to mimic the large windblown hair and seashell themes of the classic painting, Gaga's costume for Applause - both in her stage performances and in the official video - features a large wig and a clamshell bikini.
The motifs could represent an underlying thematic message regarding sex and empowerment for the forthcoming album.

Not the first time: The 27-year-old posed nearly completely nude for her 2010 album cover for Remix

Either way, Gaga has clearly made the painting of Venus a theme both in her style and cover art for ARTPOP.
Another image on the album cover is a blue ball, that is strategically placed to protect the Poker Face singer's modesty.
According to MTV.com the entire sculpture, including Gaga, is made from white plaster and is part of Koons' ongoing series called Gazing Ball.
The release date for ARTPOP is scheduled for November 11.
 

Taking the big hair on the road: Gaga has taken to wearing her Venus wig on and off the stage, pictured going to dinner last month in West Hollywood

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According to a report by Vanguard the Lagos State Police Command on Thursday October 18th paraded a 40-year-old man, Adeyemi Stephen Akintolure (pictured above), a suspected fake medical doctor, who claimed to be a staff of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, with card No. 13541, identifying him as a surgeon and gynaecologist.

He said he is from Ondo State, studied Marketing at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, as a part-time student and graduated in 1997.

The fake medical doctor was said to have fraudulently obtained N500,000 from one Joy Umosekhaimhe of 2, Adesanya Close, Ifeko-Gbagada.

Akintolure, who said he uses the wife’s car as a mobile clinic, said the money in question was borrowed from Umosekhaimhe, adding “actually, it was not N500,000. It was N260,000 she lent me to use for my brother’s ailment.”

 According to Akintolure, “I have not treated more than 10 people. I just treat them for malaria and typhoid and I also give injections too because of my experience at Rivic Hospital at Akure.”

When asked how he got the identity card, he said he got it from a business centre and that the computer operator signed it for him.

He said that he charges between N3,000 and N4,000 per patient, adding that his wife was not aware of his trade.

Police Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police Ngozi Braide, said she received a petition at the area H Police Command Headquarters, Ogudu, on July 19, that one Adeyemi Stephen Akintolure obtained N500,000 from one Joy Umosekhaimhe.

Braide said that a letter was written to LUTH on July 23 to authenticate Akintolure claims of being a staff.
She said: “On October 10, LUTH replied that the suspect is not an employee of the hospital and was not issued the identity card.

“In view of the revelation, the suspect confessed that he is not a medical doctor, but has been practising for about four years, using his wife’s vehicle as a mobile clinic.”

She said his house and vehicle were searched and drugs, injections, syringes and laboratory coat were recovered

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Naomi Campbell Dating A Nigeria Millionaire? Both Spotted in Paris

Naomi Campbell With Kola

Kola Aluko is an international business man who made the list of Forbes 'Ten Nigerian Multi-Millionaires You've Never Heard Of'' last year. But that's not the gist.
This is not the first time, Kola Aluko and Naomi Campbell would been seen together in public.
Dailymail featured them today and even admitted it looked like they had a good time together in Paris.
Since Naomi Campbell broke up with her Billionaire boyfriend, she has not really been seen in public with any man.

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'My husband Chased Me Out Of The House, My First Son Slapped Me' - Winner Of Supermom Reality Show Reveals

The Society for the Safety of the Insane and Destitute (SOSAID) emerged winner of the fourth edition of the Supermom reality show, which was broadcast on various Nigerian television channels.

The orphanage, which was founded by Mrs. Concern Martins beat other finalist to win the grand price of N2m.

Recalling her experience, the founder, Mrs Martins said she was chased out the house by her husband and slapped by her first son because they were embarrassed with her SOSAID project.

“In the beginning, I was going about the streets with camera crew and those who will help in carrying the insane for me, this made my husband chased me out of the house because he felt I was embarrassing the family even my first son hit me on the face and I slept on the street for eight months when I started the project.

“When I see some schools discriminating against my kids, telling the kids not to come to school because they are from So-Said (motherless babies’ home) I shed tears," she said.

Describing Mrs Martins, 44 year old medical matron at So-Said, identified as Mrs. Gift Abudu said she was a charitable and God-fearing woman.

Some of the promoters of orphanages featured in season four of the show include Mrs. Cordelia Nweke, Late Mrs. Irene Willoughby of Ijamido Home, Mrs. Motunrayo Bamidele of SOS Children Village, Mrs. Betty Obiewu of Living Foundation Orphanage, Mr. Oyedeji of Compassionate orphanage, Rev. Deborah Ogo of Arrows of God orphanage and Mrs. Oyiza Adenuga of Oyiza Home.

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 BBA winner Dillish Matthews and her Namibian best friend who also contested in BBA Maria Nepembe (pictured above) are currently in Nigeria. They came in quietly into the country a few days ago and went straight to Benin were they were hosted by Governor Adams Oshiomhole. You will recall that while in the BBA house, Dillish used to call on Gov Oshiomhole and other Nigerian rich men like Dangote to bless her with money and change her life. Well, God changed her life by making her the winner of the 2013 Big Brother Africa competition and Governor Oshiomhole, I hear, made her richer after her courtesy visit. :-)

BBA contestants Elikem and Selly are also in town. Dillish and Maria are currently in Abuja for another Selly's birthday party which will hold today October 19th at Sofa Lounge.

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In a shocking turn of events, the aviation ministry and its officials have begun a manhunt for the official that leaked information about the purchase of expensive bullet-proof cars for the Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah.

The cars, reportedly bought for 255 million naira, were acquired for Mrs. Oduah by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in a move which has seen a lot of backlash with various groups calling for investigations into the minister’s affairs and others demanding her resignation.

Nigerian Eye reports:

The Director-General, NCAA, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu, disclosed this at a press conference at the head office of the Federal Ministry of Aviation in Abuja on Friday,

He said the Federal Government was concerned about how the information got leaked to the public, noting that whoever leaked the information committed a criminal offence. He explained that the agency had begun moves to uncover the person[s] that leaked the information to the public.

He said, “I am not saying that this particular information should not be put in the public domain. But how it was obtained is the concern. If somebody breaks into an office and makes copies of official documents, then the break-in has become criminal.

“So we are in the process of trying to find the source of this leakage and I am very concerned about it. Because this information may look trivial but there are other information that we have that are confidential and it is only fair for us to respect the confidentiality of information. I am not saying that they broke into our office, but they obtained the information illegally.”

The visibly terrified Akinkuotu said he was stunned to see the documents in the open, stressing that the information were leaked illegally.

He said he was “shell shocked that government information and particularly information from the civil aviation authority has gotten into public purview in an illegal manner. It is criminal! However, what has been done has been done, but I think when such information is gotten, you should have come to the agency to ask. We are not shy to take your questions.”

Akinkuotu stated that Snowden of the United States ran away after leaking confidential information, adding, “He (Snowden) went on the run after putting such information in the public domain. The sources of the leak I don’t know, but yesterday, I issued a circular to all staff on this issue. I will read a little part of the circular: ‘Without prejudice to the nature and the purpose of this act, you should know that leakage and ultimate publication is a matter of great concern to the authority.’

NCAA had purchased two vehicles valued at a whopping $1.6m said to have been delivered to Oduah in August this year. The armoured vehicles, BMW 760 Li, were bought from Coscharis Motors Limited in Lagos.

An online news medium, SaharaReporters, had reported on Tuesday that the armoured vehicles were delivered to the minister in August.

The medium reported that documents in its possession showed that the transaction for the purchase of the two BMW cars started in June, but the request for the delivery of and payment for them was fast-tracked between August 13 and 15, 2013.

The transaction involved the NCAA, First Bank of Nigeria, and Coscharis Motors Limited, according to the report.

The two black BMW 760 Li HSS vehicles had chasis numbers WBAHP41050DW68032 and WBAHP41010DW68044, and were reportedly delivered to the NCAA on August 13, 2013. They were received by two store managers, F. Onoabhagbe and Y. A. Amzat, who is also the agency’s head of transport.

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Monalisa Chinda plans magazine launch in Ghana

Star actress, Monalisa Chinda has disclosed plans to launch her debut magazine, ‘Monalisa’ in Nigeria and Ghana before the end of the year.

Monalisa made this disclosure while speaking at the Fashion and Champagne VIP evening held last weekend at the Villa Monticello Hotel, in Accra. She was honoured alongside other celebrities at the glamorous event.

*Monalisa Chinda

This is coming weeks after a journalist, Mr. Kelvin Keshi threatened to drag the actress to court over breach of contractual agreement and failure to pay his two months salaries while working for their proposed magazine.
The Catwalq star hinted that she plans to launch the magazine during the first week of November in Nigeria while Ghana in December.
According to her, “Ghana is a place I visit all the time. But for the first time, probably, because Monalisa magazine is a big project I’m about to launch. I had to come with my team to get content for the magazine and also source for a venue for the launch

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Norwegian-Somali Hassan Abdi Dhuhulow identified as one of the Kenya mall gunmen

 Almost one month after gunmen attacked an upscale mall in Kenya, one of them has been identified as a Norwegian-Somali, officials said Friday, as charred body parts taken from a collapsed portion of the shopping centre awaited forensics analysis to determine if they were the remains of the assailants.

The suspect was identified as Hassan Abdi Dhuhulow, the first time officials have confirmed having a real name of one of possibly four attackers from the Somali militant group Al-Shabab who stormed the mall on Sept. 21. Norwegian tax records show a Hassan Abdi Dhuhulow was born in 1990 and was registered at an address in Larvik, southern Norway, as late as 2009.

A former classmate of Dhuhulow’s at Thor Heyerdahl High School — named after the Norwegian adventurer — said she was shocked when she found out he was a suspect in the Nairobi attack.

“The video I saw looks a lot like him. But it’s difficult to see,” said the former classmate, who didn’t want her name to be used because she was uncomfortable being associated with a terror investigation.

One man living in a Scandinavian country, but not Norway, told AP he believes he had met the Norwegian-Somali gunman at a gathering of Somali immigrants in Oslo, Norway’s capital, in 2008.

Yussuf, who only gave his first name for fear of reprisals, recalled the man’s name as Abdi and said he was associated with “pretty radical” circles in Norway

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I brought no leaked NSA documents to Russia - Edward Snowden

US whistleblower says he handed over all digital material to journalists he worked with in Hong Kong

 

Edward Snowden says there is no chance of leaked NSA documents falling into the hands of Russian or Chinese officials. Photograph: AP

Edward Snowden, the source of US National Security Agency leaks, has said he left all the leaked documents behind when he flew from Hong Kong to Moscow and there is no chance of them falling into the hands of Russian or Chinese authorities.

In an interview with the New York Times, Snowden said he had decided to hand over all digital material to the journalists he had met in Hong Kong because it would not have been in the public interest for him to hold on to copies. "What would be the unique value of personally carrying another copy of materials onward?"

Snowden disputed speculation that he had run the risk of China and Russia gaining access to the secret files. He said he was so familiar with Chinese spying operations, having himself targeted China when he was employed by the NSA, that he knew how to keep the trove secure from them. "There's a 0% chance the Russians or Chinese have received any documents," he said.

The 30-year-old said he had previously been reluctant to disclose that he no longer had the files for fear of exposing the journalists – Glenn Greenwald and Ewen MacAskill of the Guardian, and the independent filmmaker Laura Poitras – to greater scrutiny.

Snowden conducted the interview over the past few days, communicating from Russia, where he has been granted a year's asylum, with an NYT journalist in the US via encrypted email. He took the opportunity to try to quash several of the most widely aired criticisms of his actions.

Snowden said he had decided to become a whistleblower and flee America because he had no faith in the internal reporting mechanisms of the US government, which he believed would have destroyed him and buried his message forever.

One of the main criticisms levelled at Snowden by the Obama administration has been that he should have taken up an official complaint within the NSA rather than travelling to Hong Kong to share his concerns about the agency's data dragnet with the Guardian and other news organisations. But Snowden dismissed that option as implausible.

"The system does not work," he said, pointing to the paradox that "you have to report wrongdoing to those most responsible for it". If he had tried to sound the alarm internally, he would have been "discredited and ruined" and the substance of his warnings "would have been buried forever".

Snowden's comments go to the heart of the dichotomy within the Obama administration's policy towards whistleblowers. It has introduced new protections for whistleblowers uncovering corruption and inefficiency, including a presidential order that extends the safeguards to the intelligence services. But contract workers such as Snowden are not protected by the executive order, and the government has pursued official leakers with an aggression rarely seen before.

Eight leakers, including Snowden, have been prosecuted under the 1917 Espionage Act – more than twice the number under all previous presidents combined.

Snowden singled out one of those eight, Thomas Drake, a former senior NSA executive who turned whistleblower, after he became alarmed about the agency's choice of tools for intelligence-gathering. Drake, who was prosecuted but had all the charges dropped, was in Moscow last week to honour Snowden with an award.

The author of the NYT article, James Risen, is himself at odds with the Obama administration. Risen uncovered the original warrantless wiretapping of phone calls by the Bush administration, for which he won a Pulitzer prize. He is under intense pressure to divulge the name of one of his sources at the criminal leak trial of Jeffrey Sterling, a former CIA agent who is another of the Espionage Act eight. Risen is refusing to reveal his source, and is likely to appeal right up to the US supreme court.

Snowden said it was a report on the wiretapping programme that Risen uncovered that had first piqued his curiosity.

He said he was shocked when he came across a copy of a classified report from 2009 dealing with the NSA's warrantless wiretapping under Bush. "If the highest officials in government can break the law without fearing punishment or even any repercussions at all, secret powers become tremendously dangerous."

He said his main objection to the NSA dragnet of data was that it was being conducted in secret. "The secret continuance of these programmes represents a far greater danger than their disclosure. It represents a dangerous normalisation of 'governing in the dark', where decisions with enormous public impact occur without any public input."

Snowden would not discuss the conditions of his life in Moscow. His father, Lon Snowden, returned to the US this week from a visit to see him and reported that "he's comfortable, he's happy, and he's absolutely committed to what he has done".

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POWER PROJECTS; Lagos State Government Commissions New Power Plant

Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola on Thursday commissioned the 10.4 megawatts Alausa independent power project (IPP


The power plant will cater for the power needs of the state secretariat, Alausa and also electrify Awolowo Road, Ikeja and adjoining streets.
The inauguration of the plant is in continuation of activities commemorating October 2013 as ‘Energy Conservation Month’.
The power plant will supply uninterrupted electricity to a total of 62 public buildings, 156 departments and over 40 offices thereby enhancing efficient service delivery at the seat of government and other public institutions.
Apart from the secretariat complex which includes the Government House, Lagos State House of Assembly and public service offices, the plant will also feed the Lagos Television (LTV 8); Lagos State Printing Corporation; Lagos State Council of Arts & Culture; Office of the State Surveyor-General; proposed Multi-Agency Complex, and Staff Quarters I, II and III with power in addition to power street lights within the area.
Inaugurating the plant, Fashola said the construction of the environment-friendly plant made Lagos State the first government in Nigeria to run its own power plant.

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Nigerian actress, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, known by her fans as Omosexy, was named as one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world this year. She recently visited BBC Africa studios in London, where she told Focus on Africa’s Komla Dumor about her career, how she balances her work and life. To spice it all, Omotola told the station that she pounds yam.

She is one of the biggest stars of the Nigeria’s film industry referred to as Nollywood, having appeared in more than 300 movies, as well as having her own reality TV show.

Omotola was recognised as an entrepreneur and one of the most widely known and award-winning actresses in Africa.

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We will thrill Nigerians at Glo Laffta Fest - American comedians

Popular American comedians, Tony Roberts and Deeray Davies, have promised Glo subscribers who will attend today’s Glo Laffta Fest show an exciting evening of fun and laughter.

The comedians who arrived in Lagos on Thursday evening for the biggest comedy show tagged Invasion L.O.L. said they would give the audience a different kind of comedy from what they were used to. Continue...

 

Asked by reporters what Nigerians should expect from him, Roberts who had a big smile plastered on his face declared, “Non-stop comedy. I'm very unpredictable, so I don’t know what I'm going to say. If you're in front of me, I might talk about you. I don't want to offend anybody, but you never know. You've got the best right here with you!”

Roberts continued, “Every country we go to, we do our research. We try to read the mindset of the people, because what's funny to people back in the United States might not appeal to the audience here, so we just have to get ready, and make sure we operate on the same wavelength as the people here.”

On his part, Davies said, "I just want to have a good time and bring my own brand of comedy to a whole new place. Many may have watched me on TV, but they’ve never seen me perform live. It's going to be spectacular. It's going to be a different vibe coming from me on that stage. I just want to create a stress-free environment and make the audience have a good time.”

Anxious to work with some of Nigeria’s biggest comedy talents, Davies stated, “I want to see more so I can take in the culture, and learn as much about their comedy as I possibly can. I don’t want this to be my last trip; I want Nigerians to be so used to me that they’ll keep having me over, and not just for big events alone.

The duo will be performing with some of Nigeria’s biggest stars including Alli Baba, Basketmouth, Okey Bakassi, Julius Agwu and Gordons. 

On their expectations on working with their Nigerian counterparts, Roberts said, “Actually, it's weird because they're more used to this environment than we are. They know the local stuff, so they can say things that we don't know about. They have the upper hand on us, but all the same, we're super funny, and you're going to find out! We're going to get along with them and work as a team.”
The show which is packaged by national operator, Globacom, is scheduled for 6.00 p.m., Saturday, October 19^th, at Eko Hotels, Victoria Island, Lagos.

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