42.5 Cement Grade: Dangote, others support Reps position

Dangote

Towards a better and quality driven industry, leading cement manufacturers have pledged their commitment to align with the House Representatives position that the 42.5mpa cement grade should be the minimum standard of quality to be produced in the country, while all expired ones be withdrawn forthwith from the market.

Already, cement manufacturing companies such as Bua, Ibeto and Dangote said long before the quality review by the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) which pegged the 42.5 grade for general purpose use, they had been producing the quality grade and nursed no intention to produce lower quality cement.

A statement sent to SHOWBIZPLUSng stated that the Hon. Dogara’s ad-hoc Committee on Cement Composition and Pigmentation had after a public hearing from stakeholders submitted its report to the House of Representatives, in which it asked SON to commence implementation of its cement standardization and that manufacturers should retool their machinery for the production of the higher grade of cement.

Photo of the day: Nollywood star, Kate Henshaw changes look, flaunts new attire, regalia!

Kate Henshaw rocking her new attire with pride and passion

Customers panic as robbers kill cops, steal N24m from Fidelity Bank

Nnamdi Okonkwo, MD Fidelity Bank

It was a scene of panic and pandemonium when some armed robbers on Wednesday attacked a vulnerable branch of Fidelity bank in the Alaba International Market in Ojo, Lagos, killing four people.

SHOWBIZPLUSng gathered that the incident started at about 2.30pm at the Alaba cash centre of Fidelity bank.

Witnesses said four people died, while others were injured in the incident. Two of the dead victims were said to be policemen.

It was also gathered that the robbers carted away about N24m

A source said, “Some persons were injured and had been taken to the hospital, four persons died, including two policemen,” she said.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, confirmed the incident, but said one policeman was killed.

Leading entertainers to thrill as Express Star Awards (ESA) holds this Sunday

It will definitely be the constellation of stars this Sunday, July 27, as the long awaited debut edition of Express Star Awards (ESA 2014) and third anniversary bash of your soar away tabloids, Entertainment Express and Sunday Express hold amid glitz, grandeur and glory.
SHOWBIZPLUSng exclusively gathered that leading musicians billed to thrill guests at the grand gathering, which is currently serenading the nation’s entertainment industry include: self acclaimed music Taliban, Oritse Femi, Faze,Kuchi-Kuchi crooner, J’odie, Chuddy K and Yemi Sax.  
Others are kid sensations, Ozzy Bosco and TJ Sax alongside emerging pop merchant, Kech Ofuobi.
 Wave making comedians, Elenu, De Don, Acapella, Elder O and Funny Bone will support versatile entertainer and famous actor, Segun Arinze, the awards’ anchor, on stage with rib cracking jokes and jibes. 
Youthful DJ Mewsic has vowed to provide ceaseless flow of hit songs from his turn table.
 While reigning acrobatic group, Scatter and Sons will further spice up the venue with their daring displays on stage. 

Oil Spillage: Bayelsa Community gives Shell 30 days ultimatum to quit their land

The country’s largest oil-producing company, the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), has been given a 30-day ultimatum by the Nembe community in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State to shut down its operations for failing to abide by the terms of General Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) they reached since last year.

The ultimatum, SHOWBIZPLUSng learnt was handed down yesterday by Chief Nengi James, the Chairman of the Oil and Gas Committee of the Nembe community during an enlarged meeting with officials of Shell and stakeholders of the community in Yenagoa.

Besides, the community also warned that the people would resist any attempt by the oil company to sell its facilities within their domain without proper consultations with the Amanyanabo of Nembe, Chief Edmund Dakoru, and his people, saying they reserved the right to have a say in the disposal of any property owned by Shell within their community.

Crisis looms as Unity Bank sacks 170 employees

Bello, MD Unity Bank

There is a festering crisis at the head quarters of Unity Bank Plc following the disengagement of over 170 staff members.

Most of the affected workers are already threatening a showdown with the embattled bank.

 The unpopular exercise SHOWBIZPLUSng learnt was carried out across its entire branch network.

A sacked worker who spoke with us on the condition of anonymity said the exercise was carried out in order to pave way for the newly recruited cronies and family members of some key management staff of the bank.

Fears as 90 escape death aboard Turkish Airline at Aminu Kano Airport

No fewer than 90 passengers aboard Istanbul bound Turkish Airline cheated death at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport Tuesday night when a petrol tanker refuelling it reportedly burst into flame.

The incident, which occurred around 10.45p.m. triggered pandemonium at the airfield as those around the scene took cover.

SHOWBIZPLUSng learnt that the timely intervention of men of Fire Service Department of the airport saved the day as they battled the inferno for over an hour to restore normalcy.

Finally: Sanusi pays homage to Jonathan in Aso Rock

Sanusi greeting Jonathan in Aso Rock

Sacked Central Bank Governor, Lamido Sanusi, yesterday finally visited President Goodluck Jonathan for the first time, since he became the Emir of Kano under a controversial circumstance, in Aso Rock, this SHOWBIZPLUSng can authoritatively report.

Sanusi, who said a special prayer for peace at Jonathan’s residence was one of the northern traditional rulers, led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III to join the president at the Presidential Villa, Abuja for the breaking of Ramadan fast.

GOtv positions for Digital Switch-Over with Get Up and GO empowerment

Amkpa, GM GOtv

 Digital terrestrial pay-TV, GOtv has continued to innovate value-laden, people-oriented services.The latest is the launch of a new entrepreneurial scheme, called Get Up and GO.Kicking-off in Jos, in anticipation of the digital broadcast switch-over, the scheme will train unemployed youths in proper antenna installations, service activation as well as attending to sundry secondary customers’ complaints.

A statement sent to SHOWBIZPLUSng stated that the scheme, which involves a formal training workshop, as well as hands-on practical sessions, is in collaboration with some youth development-oriented Non-Governmental Organisations, NGO.

MDA 8:Fun as 8 finalists emerge from Port-Harcourt auditions

Dancers at the audition

It was a battle of talents and dexterity as hundreds of contestants took to the dance floor to compete for slots at the Maltina Dance All (MDA) season eight regional audition held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The atmosphere at the Atrium Event Centre, venue of the two-day auditions was electrifying as the dancers - both young and old - trooped in to showcase their skills.

According to a press statement sent to SHOWBIZPLUSng, the first day - which was the general session - was set aside for dancers from age categories; 5 - 12, 13 – 19, 20 - 29 and 30 and above, to compete for prizes ranging from Home Theatres, 22-inch Flat screen television sets and 5.5KVA Generating sets.

Jubilation as Chidoka becomes aviation minister…Oyeyemi takes over at FRSC

Osita

President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday named the former Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission, Mr. Osita Chidoka, as the new Minister of Aviation.

He also named a former lecturer at the University of Abuja, Dr. Suleman Abubakar, as the Minister of National Planning and Deputy Chairman of the National Planning Commission.

Jonathan made the announcement after the swearing in of the two new ministers shortly before the commencement of the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting.

The President also named Deputy Corps Marshal Boboye Oyeyemi as Chidoka’s successor in the FRSC.

Just In: Bomb rocks Kaduna, many feared dead

An explosion has occurred in central Kaduna killing at least 10 people, a witness has said.

The blast occurred Wednesday afternoon along Isa Kaita road which leads to the popular Murtala Square.
A witness said the explosion is believed to have targeted the convoy a prominent Islamic cleric, Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, who was on his way to the Square.
The witness, Hassan Mohammed, told Premium Times that the bomb, concealed in a red Volkswagen golf car parked by the road side, was detonated as the cleric’s convoy drove past.
The sheikh escaped unhurt, the witness said.

Chibok girls hit 100 days in captivity as 11 parents die from shock, heart attack

Jonathan addressing some parents of the abducted Chibok girls in Aso Rock...recently

The National Chairman, Chibok community, Pogu Bitrus, has said that four more parents of the abducted girls of the Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State have died thus raising the number to 11. SHOWBIZPLUSng findings revealed that this sad news is coming in the wake of the abducted girls already spending 100 days in captivity, without any hope for their freedom in sight.

An online newspaper, The Cable, in its report monitored by SHOWBIZPLUSng quoted Bitrus as saying that seven of the parents of the girls abducted by members of the Boko Haram sect on April 14 from their hostel at Government Secondary School, Chibok, died of heart attack and frustration.

MultiChoice rewards subscribers with home appliances

Some of the lucky winners with their prizes

 With barely a week left, MultiChoice Nigeria with its unique DStv and GOtv products has shown to its loyal subscribers that it’s a brand that truly cares and promotes family values. Little wonder why over a hundred subscribers of both DStv and GOtv have won big in the on-going Home Advantage promotion.

The Home Advantage promotion for DStv and GOtv subscribers, SHOWBIZPLUSng gathered is designed to encourage subscribers in bouquets to make subscription payments through the DStv and GOtv scratch cards.

Photos: Rising Nollywood actress, Mimi Orjiekwe goes half nude with friends on her birthday!

Mimi (R) with colleagues displaying their half covered bodies