PHOTOSPEAK ON MERCY JOHNSON'S WEDDING

MERCY JOHNSON WEDS

After a successful and colourful traditional wedding of star actress Mercy Johnson and her heartthrob Odianose Okojie on Friday August 26, the couple further proved to the world that their love has triumphed as they proceeded to Christ Embassy Church on August 27, 2011 to further cement their relationship and the only place everybody in the metropolitan city of Lagos wanted to be on this fateful day, was this eventful wedding ceremony.

The groom looking dapper in an all white suit and dark shade, walked into the Christ Embassy auditorium flagged by his best man Kenneth Kadiri and grooms men. Shortly after, the congregation comprising family members, friends and some members of the press were on their feet as the Bride made a head turning entrance into the church. Mercy Johnson looking beautiful by all definitions in her all white figure accentuating yet flowing wedding gown, was flagged by her chief brides maid, the beautiful Ghanaian actress Yvonne Nelson and a star studded bridal train including Waje, Empress Njamah, Chika Ike, Qween Nwokoye and Goldie.

With Christ Embassy’s Pastor Ton Obiazi officiating, the wedding went on smoothly and saw the exchange of vows, rings and kisses amidst a lot of cheering from the crowd. After a lot of dancing and praising, the church wedding ended and all roads led to 10 Degrees Event Centre, the reception venue.

Once settled in the reception hall elegantly decorated by Royalandmarks, the guests were left in the hands of the MC of the event who happens to be the famous Nigerian comedian AY. He got everyone laughing and relaxed in few minutes after which he welcomed in the newly wedded couple.

The almost endless roll call of stars and dignitaries at Mercy Johnson’s wedding include, Genevieve Nnaji, Emeka Ike, Jim Iyke, Jim Iyke, Segun Arinze, Mike Ezuronye, Kenneth Okonkwo, Patience Ozokwo, Chinedu Ikedieze, Majid Mitchel, Fransis Duru, Dj Jimmy Jatt, Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly and many others.

Mulchies, Villa Sophia and Drinks Plus kept the mouths of the guests busy with mouth watering delicacies and cocktail drinks. The beautifully decorated cake, high enough to be seen from every angle of the hall was made by Cakes n Cream. Guests also could not help dancing as Ebony Band, kept everyone grooving all through the event. The heavy media coverage at the wedding was handled by Bigsam Media.

In a statement by her management firm, Bigsam Media, Mercy says thank you to all her fans, friends and colleagues who stood by her and came for the wedding.

The classy Mercy Johnson’s which left everyone who attended smiling and wishing the couple loads of marital bliss was put together by Royalandmarks.

THE REIGN OF ‘DAMAGE’ AT THE CINEMAS

Nollywood actress Uche Jombo on August 5, 2011, had her dreams to
redefine Nollywood movies fulfilled as her movie ‘Damage’ arrived in
cinemas across Nigeria. This highly anticipated movie, earlier
premiered amidst loads of pomp and style at the Silverbird Galleria in
Lagos, has since its arrival at cinemas across the federation been
enjoying a lot of patronage from movie lovers.

The thrilling movie ‘Damage’, tells the story of love and the pain of
domestic violence with a style that projects the subject as one that
has not been threaded before in a movie. A man (Kalu Ikeagwu) and his
wife (Uche Jombo) love each other immensely yet their day to day life
can only be described as a ‘cat and mouse’ situation. They fight
violently almost on a daily basis and one of the long run effects of
their fights is the psychological torture their children had to go
through.
Directed by Moses Inwang, ‘Damage’ is advocating and at the same time
highly entertaining. It features Nollywood finest like Uche Jombo,
Kalu Ikeagwu, Tonto Dikeh, Basorge Tariah Jr and others.
However, on August 13, 2011, Uche Jumbo in company of Tonto Dikeh,
Basorge Tariah Jr and Kalu Ikeagwu all of whom acted in ‘Damage’, will
be meeting and greeting fans at the Xcape Centre, 119 stadium road,
Port Harcourt.
Speaking on the movie, the producer Uche Jumbo Said, ‘the journey into
the production of ‘Damage’  was not an easy one, it was very involving
in terms of budget and other logistics but the  quality of movie we
came up with and the response we are getting from the cinemas has
proven that all our efforts was worth it. I am happy about the turn
out of the movie at the cinema, it just shows that Nigerians know and
appreciate a good movie’.
Uche Jombo went all the way for this particular production as the
Damage story is a trilogy. Beyond ‘Damage’ the first of the trilogy,
the story extends to ‘My life my Damage’ and ‘My Country their
Damage’. These three movies are however interwoven but distinct from
each other. Each story addresses important problems affecting
individuals, families and societies at large.
The Damage movie soundtrack by Mo Seeze featuring Gino is already
garnering a lot of accolades all over the internet and now Uche Jombo
has gone ahead to release a video for the Damage sound track. She says
her fans are in for loads of fun as they will enjoy the video as they
did the song.

Fire disaster at Enugu Prison Barracks, Enugu Thursday

Members of Federal Road Safety Commission transferring the bodies of fire victims in their vehicle.

A view of the petrol tanker after the accident

Shows burning petrol tanker that caused the fire outbreak

Some vehicles affected by the fire incident

A thief caught during the incident being led away by the police.

People assisting Enugu State Fire Service to extinguish the fire outbreak.

Burnt body of one of the fire victim recovered from the Prison barracks.

Welcome! Oh Ramadan

Another chain of opportunities of opportunities are here again before us. It is a time for another high level spiritual devotion, for cleansing of our iniquities, for attracting divine blessings, for prayers, alms_giving, dhikr, re_direction of destinies, and a set of hundreds of opportunities for a ticket to al_janah.
Ramadan, the blessed month opens up a new vista for spiritual shopping, a month of intensive worship, reading of the Qur’an, giving charity, purifying one’s behaviour, and doing good deeds and moving the believers closer to his creator. It is a month in which good deeds are multiplied and bad deeds are overlooked.  A month of forgiveness and mercy, a month so great that flings the door of paradise open and with its might chains the devils and closes the doors of hell fire.
The night month of Islamic calendar and the third pillar of faith that is so honoured so much by Allah that the Glorious Qur’an was revealed.
For those who are drifted into swirls of sins and rebellion in different ways, to cleanse and purify themselves.
In this respect, one should make good use of the fruitfulness of Ramadan. It will amount to absolute loss in this world and a wanton miss of mercy and forgiveness of Allah if the month passed by without observing it.  What will be worse than digging one’s own grave and tumbles down in it?
It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) ascended the minbar and said: “Amin, amin, amin.” The companion asked: ‘O Messenger of Allah, you ascended the minbar and said, ‘Amin, amin, amin.” He said: “Jibril (peace be upon him) came to me and said: ‘If Ramadan comes and a person is not forgiven, he will enter Hell and Allah will cast him far away. Say Amin.’ So I said Amin. He said: ‘O Muhammad, if both or one of a person’s parents are alive and he does not honour them and he dies, he will enter Hell and Allah will cast him far away. Say Amin.’ So, I said Amin. He said: ‘If you are mentioned in a person’s presence and he does not send blessings upon you and he dies, he will enter Hell and Allah will cast him far away. Say Amin.’ So, I said Amin.”
Allah says in the Qur’an “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed for those before you.  That you may learn self restraint.”
Fast for a fixed number of days; but if any of you is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed number (should be made up) from days later.  For those who can do it (with hardship), is a ransom, the feeding of one that is indigent.  But he that will give more, of his own free will, it is better for him.  And it is better for you that you fast, if only you knew.”
“Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down Qur’an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong).  So, every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting but if anyone is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (should be made up) by days later.  Allah intends every facility for you; He does not want to put you to difficulty.  (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period and to glorify Him in that He has guided you, and perchance you shall be grateful.” (Q2:183-185)
Fasting for the period of 29 or 30 days in the month of Ramadan is not meant for self torture neither is it merely a temporary abstention from food and drink but a spiritual exercise to move believers closer to God and offer him divine blessings.  During the period,  a measure of ascendancy is given to one’s spiritual nature, which becomes a means of coming closer to God while Allah makes good His promise by descending mercy on the believers.
Fasting is also a way of developing sympathy for the less fortunate, and learning to appreciate Allah for His bounties. Fasting is also beneficial to the health and provides a break in the cycle of rigid habits or overindulgence.Many Muslims insist on the local physical sighting of the moon to mark the beginning of Ramadan, but others use the calculated time of the new moon or the Saudi Arabian declaration to determine the start of the month. Since the new moon is not in the same state at the same time globally, the beginning and ending dates of Ramadan depend on what lunar sightings are received in each respective location. As a result, Ramadan date vary in different countries, but usually only by a day. This is due to the cycle of the moon. When one country sees the moon, mainly Saudi Arabia, the moon travels the same path all year round and that same moon seen in the east is then seen traveling towards the west. All the countries around the world see the moon within a 24 hour period once spotted by one country in the east.
While being appreciative of the grace of Allah for witnessing another Ramadan, it is also important to welcome the glorious month by saying Mar’aba bika yaa Ramadan, wa baraka llahu fiha.

More facts emerge on Mother of 7 miracle babies

Precious Ogbonna

There are indication that the husband who had kept mum all these while may also be a complicity in the case of Precious' seven miracle babies.  A family source has hinted societygist that before the ordeal of his wife in the hands of the police, Mr Ogbonna demanded the sum of N4million from his wife as a share of what she had received as donations from good spirited Nigerians on the seven miracle babies.
We gathered that Precious refused claiming she had no such money and the man vowed to deal with her.  A family source also hinted that the man who is a furniture maker at 41 Tetlow street, Owerri had the habit of extorting money from his wife, adding that all had not been well with the family since the issue of pregnancy came up two years ago. We gathered that he stayed away from the house and only coming around when he needed money.
Source hinted that recently Precious moved out of the house to hire a three bed-room apartment at the Umulere, Owerri where she was arrested by the police on Monday June 20. He seldom come to the house according to the source.
Meanwhile, in the interview he granted one of the daily newspapers, he had tried to exonerate himself on the issue disclaiming suggesting he disclaims the paternity of the seven babies.
Watch out for more details 

Mr Donatus Ogbonna

Home where ‘miracle babies’ were delivered

Side view of the house where miracle babies are born in Port-Harcourt

 *Another 3 babies delivered in 13mnths
•Charges between N.3m - N.5m per delivery

It was easy locating Nurse Blessing’s native  Maternity Home in Port-Harcourt where Precious Donatus Ogbonna claimed she was delivered of five of the seven babies.  In spite of the frustrating gridlock-traffic along Rumuokoro road, down to Rukpakulusi along Eleme road, compounded by the heavy downpour that afternoon, the mission was clear: to confirm her claim that she was pregnant of the children, take pictures of the place and also find out why pregnant women patronise the home since it was clear the nurse is being detained by the police in Owerri, Imo state.  But the whole exercise revealed other issues as neighbours and those who knew Nurse Blessing readily gave information.
Saturday Vanguard gathered that Precious Donatus might not be the only one in this incredible story of multiple births in months.  According to the neighbours, people patronised the Maternity Home, and there are those who had delivered there at different times which we immediately explored.
As we report this, another woman who is based in Warri, Delta State but who did not want her name in print following the controversy which the story of Precious Donatus has generated, claimed she also gave birth to three babies in two years in the same home.  She claimed she delivered her first baby in May 2009, another in October 2009 and the last one in June 2010.  All deliveries she said took place in Nurse Blessing’s native Maternity Home.  Like the story of Precious who also claimed to have had her five of her babies there, she stated that scan did not detect the babies in her womb.  But when SaturdayVanguard visited her home for an interview, she declined saying she has been warned against it until the issue of Precious Donatus is resolved.  She hinted that Nurse Blessing uses native materials, such as leaves, roots, and water.  “She will massage you with hot water to test the growth of the baby and ascertain whether it is time to deliver.
“When you deliver, she will give you a room and observe you for few days before you are discharged,” she added.
The other woman who was said to have also delivered a baby in the home could not be reached as at press time. But other information about the woman in charge of the home suggest either a spiritual manipulation of the multiple births or a huge racket of  sort yet uncovered.
Recently,  Abia state police command had raided the baby factory and rescued about 32 teenage expectant inmates from a certain clinic in the state where teenagers are kept until they are delivered of their babies.
According to the reports, the babies are usually taken away and their mothers discharged after being paid certain amounts ranging between N25, 000 and N30, 000, depending on the sex of the babies.
In the same vein, a natural clinic in Ugwuaku, Okigwe, Imo State, was believed to be the ‘solution ground’ for baby-seeking habitue. But behind the high fenced walls, all manner of the absurd takes place, away from the prying eyes of the public and law enforcement agents. Unknown to many, this was a hugely thriving baby factory, where women who pretend to be heavily pregnant deliver their ‘babies.’ But not without a price!
Could it be the one our source is referring to? Could it be a deception to cover up child-trafficking? Time will tell.


Nurse Blessing’s Home
At her house located on Ohonda close, in Rukpakulsi, the black iron gate is as tall as the building and you could hardly see anything from outside.
Hamzat, the gateman, who has been working with Nurse Blessing for several months, refused to let the guest in, saying he was warned never to open the gate for anybody.  The reporter had to slip his camera under the tall gate from which position he managed to take some shots. Hamzat however said that Nurse Blessing left the house about three weeks ago and  has not returned ever since.  He said her husband who is based in Abuja was around the previous day and had travelled back to his base.  He confirmed that Nurse Blessing used to take delivery of babies, adding that she has not done that for a couple of months now.  “She used to travel and deliver pregnant women of their babies but for some time now, she has not taken any delivery,” he said.
Another woman who preferred anonymity told SaturdayVanguard that Nurse Blessing had been doing the business for years now.
 “She is a fairly rich woman; we heard that she just delivered twins some  months ago.We also gathered she collects as much as N300, 000- N500,000 for each delivery depending on the complications.  She collects big money, sometimes 500,000 and sometimes less,” a source said.
“We also gathered that Nurse Blessing got her tutelage from a popular woman in Okigwe; Imo state who treats all kinds of spiritually attacked pregnancies for N1million.  The Okigwe woman we gathered had trained several women in the business and Nurse Blessing is one of them.”
A few distance from the house, a resident said Nurse Blessing was known in the area for the business of delivering pregnant women by massaging, and using warm water on the women’s belly. It is like a native hospital.
She also hinted that she used to stay on Jacob Ahonda street (pointing to the place) before she moved to where she now stays some metres away.”   When the reporter narrated the story of Precious Donatus Ogbonna to see if there is any confirmation of it or similar story, she declined knowledge of that but revealed that women quietly come there, give birth and leave most times without people knowing the details.