Nollywood actress Rita Dominic has revealed that she was paid the sum of N10,000 for her first movie role.
Rita Dominic made this revelation in a recent interview with Joy 99.7 FM in Ghana.
When asked about the lowest amount she has ever received for a movie role, she said, “The first film I did, the filmmaker paid me N35,000. But he owed me N25,000 for how many months. In fact, he didn’t even pay me the balance. He paid me only N10,000.”
The actress said when she started acting, Nollywood wasn’t lucrative but she was driven by her passion.
She said “I just wanted to be an actor. And to be honest, there was no money in Nollywood back then. We were just doing it for passion. We have the passion for the art which was what fuelled us.
“It was very challenging. But we just kept doing it until the industry got bigger and bigger. And obviously, the pay became much better.”
Nurses in Delta State, under the auspices of National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, (NANNM), Monday, described Governor Sheriff Oborevwori as a leader who epitomises justice in leadership.
Nurses protesting
The Nurses, who were on a solidarity thank you match to Governor Oborevwori for resolving their years of bondage under the leadership of the former Director of Nursing Services, Mrs Gloria Igumbor, pledged to use their privileged positions to ensure sustained health and wellness of Deltans.
The Nurses, who bore placards with various inscriptions such as “Governor of Destiny, Delta Nurses say Thank you”, “Thank you, our Governor for restoring the hope of Nurses”, “Victory for Nurses will better the health of Deltans”, “The Iroko Governor, Your Commissioner for Health is doing well” “Thank you, sir!”, “Thanks, our amiable Head of Service, ” “We are grateful to the Ukodo of Delta State for good governance, NANNM”, “Our Governor, Your Head of Service (HOS ) is very competent,” among others, commended Governor Oborevwori for resolving the age-long oppression affecting Nurses in the state.
Speaking on behalf of the Nurses, NANNM Public Relations Officer in the state, Comrade Julie Eto, said; “we are here today on a solidarity march and it is all about thanking the governor and all the stakeholders who have redeemed Nurses in Delta State.
“Governor Oborevwori has also redeemed the education of Nurses in Delta State. We are here to say thank you to the Secretary to the State Government because he was the mediator of the meeting that brought in this victory.
“We call it victory because the Nurses in Delta State had been in bondage for many years and now we have been liberated. The only thing we have to say to the governor is that he is an epitome of justice and justice will continue to follow him and his team.
“Because Delta State Nurses are just vessels standing in for God to treat, Governor Oborevwori will never know sickness. His team will never know sickness. You have set the pace for justice and other states will learn from Delta State.”
The Nurses further lauded Governor Oborevwori, saying, “he was taken to court and came back victorious and he asked if there was any injustice in Delta State and he did the same thing that was done for him in court. Within twenty-four hours, he mediated and we got the victory.
“This is just a cross-section of the nurses in Delta State. We love him so much and would not want to close down the hospitals for this march. We are the middle men between the sick and God. We are very appreciative of the Governor and we say a very big thank you to him because we are very happy.”
Gloria Igumbor
Responding, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori thanked the Nurses for conducting themselves very well throughout the period, assuring them of his commitment to ensuring justice in all sectors of the state.
Governor Oborevwori who spoke through the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu, thanked the Nurses for the solidarity march, and urged them to use the opportunity of their liberation to commit themselves further to the job to ensure that more lives were saved in hospitals across the state.
He said; “We like to welcome you here, and, as a state, we will remain steadfast in what we do. We were not pushed by stories told by anybody, including your stories. We were pushed by the facts of the matter and things that will make the state stable and standout.
“Health is a very important sub-sector of our economy and we can’t afford to meddle with it. You have a big responsibility to sustain the commitment you have made here; even your anthem speaks volume.
“I have looked at all the placards; they are all commendable but your actions should be more commendable. What we have tried to do is to look at all the challenges and agreed to make some amendments to suit you.
“We enjoin you to go back and show deeper commitment to your job and do less of unionism. Unionism is good but everything cannot become a union business because your job will suffer. Like you said, you are the middle men between the ailing people and God. Therefore, you must stand in the gap for the people.
“So, we commend you for your efforts and we enjoin you to go back and do you your job just exactly the way you sang it in your Nurses’ anthem. We appreciate your solidarity and effort”.
Controversial Nigerian crossdresser, Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, has announced that he has acquired female genitals.
The crossdresser claimed he cut off his male organs even before undergoing breast development surgery.
Bobrisky demanded to be addressed as a woman, stressing that he is now fully transgender.
In a recent Instagram post, he wrote: “Let me officially break the news. I now have a female genitals. I have taken off the other even before my boobs surgery. So address me as a woman cos we all instab girls collect pr*k d same way.”
His revelation left many in shock as they thronged to the comment section to express concerns.
Bobrisky, who is a University of Lagos graduate attained celebrity status by being a cross dresser.
Her Instagram account has over 5 million followers.
In May 2019, Bobrisky confirmed that her pronouns are “she” and “her” after receiving several misgendered comments on her Instagram profile.
The witness, Bamaiyi Meriga, called by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), informed the court that following forensic analysis of the disputed documents, he discovered that there was clear evidence of forgery of signature, and the seal of execution were different from the original.
Continuing the trial of former CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele, a forensic analyst has confirmed that the document used to request payment of $6.2 million to foreign election observers was forged.
He also confirmed that the signature were not those of former President Muhammadu Buhari and ex-Secretary General of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha.
The two documents, Presidential Directive on Foreign Observer Election and Presidential Directive on Foreign Observer Election tendered in evidence were admitted in evidence by the trial judge, Justice Muazu.
Nigeria is committed to using innovative and digital technology to prevent, identify and manage conflicts of interest, including by assessing and mitigating corruption risks through effective and transparent financial disclosure, according to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).
Speaking at the 10th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) in Atlanta in the United States, from December 11 to 15, 2023, Nigeria’s Chief Law Officer said: “As corruption is now aided by the development in technology, we are improving our operations to meet this emerging challenge.”
He said Nigeria has established the Nigerian Open Contracting Portal (NOCOPO) for increased disclosure of procurement information to all stakeholders in order to ensure improved transparency and accountability, to prevent corruption and enhance active citizen participation for better service delivery and improved ease of doing business.
The Minister said Nigeria has suffered from the damaging effects of corruption, including loss of billions of dollars to foreign havens, stolen and expatriated by corrupt leaders and their foreign accomplices, including multinational companies, adding that the diversion of strategic resources continues to challenge Nigeria’s growth and development.
Saying that Nigeria had taken bold and proactive measures to combat corruption and continued to make significant progress in its efforts to prevent and combat corruption, block leakages, and recover its stolen assets, he stressed that Nigeria is committed to beneficial ownership transparency and has adopted a roadmap for implementation.
The Minister said Nigeria had deployed a holistic Beneficial Ownership Register encompassing all sectors, adding: “The Beneficial Ownership Register is online, searchable, and publicly available at no cost.”
According to him, “We believe that focus must be placed on the opaque shell companies that are seeking to exploit sovereign states for their own financial gains at the expense of the security, health, education, economy and infrastructural development of the developing nations. We reiterate the importance for beneficial ownership information to be publicly available and accessible.”
The Minister argued that asset recovery is the “kernel of the anti- corruption fight” as “criminal convictions without asset return will not dissuade the corrupt or serve as sufficient deterrence.”
He said Nigeria expects the conference to continue to re-emphasize clear, unambiguous and uncomplicated modalities for assets recovery and return since proceeds of corruption and illicit financial flows constitute a huge chunk of resources needed for sustainable development.
The Minister stated that Nigeria was not relenting in its efforts at the national level to recover the proceeds of corruption.
He explained that to facilitate the identification and recovery of illicit funds, the government enacted new laws and issued regulations, including the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act 2022; the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022; the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022; the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020; among others, to provide sufficient punitive measures and strengthen the anti-money laundering and counter terrorism financing framework to address gaps in its review.
The Minister reiterated “Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to the fight against corruption and the implementation of our obligations under the convention.”
Chief Government Ekpomupolo and Comrade Chris Isiguzo
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) is set to confer a national merit award on the former militant commander in the Niger Delta, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo.
Chief Chris Isiguzo, Chief Government Ekpomupolo aka Tompolo and Liman Shuaibu
The honour, according to the national leadership of the NUJ, is in recognition of Tomplo’s contributions to the prevailing peace in the Niger Delta and the success recorded in the war against crude oil theft and pipelines vandalism being spareheaded by the ex-commmder of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND).
National President of NUJ, Chief Chris Isiguzo, made these revelations, during a visit to Tompolo at Oporoza Community, Warri South West LGA, Delta State, during the weekend.
He said the formal presentation of the award to Tompolo would take place during the forthcoming annual conference of the association in Abuja, in February.
Isiguzo led some national leaders of the association , including National Secretary, Mr. Shuaibu Usman Leman, as well as state and local chapter leaders of NUJ to the meeting.
Isiguzo, while briefing Tompolo and his aides, said in arriving at the decision, the NUJ profiled the activities of the former militia, especially his involvement in the restoration of a lasting peace in the region.
Isiguzo said Tompolo contributed largely to the relative peace in the hitherto war-ravaged oil-rich region.
Chief Government Ekpomupolo and Comrade Chris Isiguzo
Also, Isiguzo hailed Tompolo for his relentless commitment to put an end to the menace of crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other sharp practices associated with exploration of crude oil and production as well as transportation of petroleum products.
According to the NUJ president, Tompolo, through the instrumentality of his pipelines surveillance company, Tantita Security Services Limited (TSSL), the nation’s waterways have become a nightmare for criminal elements and economic saboteurs.
Isiguzo recalled some giant strides recorded by TSSL under the leadership of Tompolo in the manhunt for the oil buccaneers and illicit oil barons along the nation’s waterways especially the recent arrest of MT Kali, illegally siphoining crude oil from Pennington Oil field of the Anglo-Dutch energy giant, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in Bayelsa State.
Isiguzo admitted that with the patriotic zeal of TSSL in the pursuit of the oil thieves, the nation’s crude oil production was on steady rise, adding that this development “is ultimately pushing the nation on the path of sustainable economic recovery and prosperity.”
Isiguzo said the NUJ aligned with other stakeholders within and outside the country, who have poured ecomiums and accolades on TSSL and its operators for satisfactorily performing its oversight functions over the surveillance and protection of the nation’s economic assets.
He said, “Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, the NUJ has profiled your activities and we are impressed by your patriotic zeal to ensure that Nigeria works again by your pursuit of those pilfering the nation’s oil wealth. The NUJ is glad to note that crude oil production is gradually on the rise and we can meet the OPEC quota with ease. With more revenue from additional crude oil production, we can have more money to run our money.”
“The NUJ also acknowledges the prevailing peace in the Niger Delta for which you have played pivotal roles. For these significant contributions you have made towards the nation’s growth and development, the NUJ has decided to honour you with one of our prestigious awards.”
“We are here to formally intimate you about the decision by the NUJ to accord you this well-deserved honour. To demonstrate the seriousness attached to this engagement, I have with me the National Secretary, Mr. Shuaibu Usman Leman as well other leaders of the NUJ from the state council and Warri chapter of the association .”
“We seize this opportunity to also formally invite you to the investiture and presentation of the awards during our national conference in Abuja in February,” Isiguzo added.
Responding, Tompolo, who was joined to receive the NUJ delegation by a former member of Bayelsa State House Assembly, representing Southern Ijaw Constituency 4, Chief Macdonald Igbadiwei and his Media Adviser, Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, expressed gratitude to the NUJ for the honour accorded.
The ex-militant leader said he was elated that a strategic stakeholders in the Nigeria project such as NUJ has recognised and appreciated his contributions to national development and singled him out for the award.
Tompolo assured the NUJ and Nigerians that the award would spur and trigger him to do more for the country.
Members of the NUJ in the entourage of the national President include the immediate past Chairman of Delta State Council, Comrade Michael Ikeogwu, a Senior Journalist, Asiwaju Sola Adebayo and Chairman of Warri Correspondent Chapel of NUJ, Mr. Okies Vicky-Okpomor, one of his predecessors and Vanguard’s correspondent, Chief Akpokona Omafuaire, ThisDay newspaper Senior Correspondent, Mr. Sylvester Idowu and Mr. Gbenga Ahmed of Independent Television (ITV), Benin-city, among others.
The Delta State Contributory Health Commission (DSCHC) has set forth ambitious plans to significantly expand the state’s health insurance scheme, with a goal to extend coverage to one million enrollees within the next 12 months.
The ambition was announced yesterday by the Chairman of the commission’s governing board, Dr Augustine Obidi during the inauguration of new board members in Asaba.
The move comes as part of a broader strategy by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to strengthen the state’s healthcare infrastructure and ensure that all residents of the State can avail themselves of quality medical services.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the Chairman highlighted the pressing need to broaden the reach of the health insurance scheme, emphasizing the importance of proactive healthcare measures for the overall well-being of the state’s residents.
According to him, ‘’Now that the full complement of the governing board is in place, we must hit the ground running. In subsequent engagements, the roadmap will be unveiled. These include but not limited to;
‘’Exponential increase of enrollee population (We think one million enrollees per year is possible), increased awareness of the scheme, digitization of the commission, redefining the access-to-finance program, registration of all residents, staff motivation, among others’’ he said.
Addressing journalists on the sidelines, the Director General of the Commission, Dr. Isaac Akpoveta, said that in seven years, the state has registered 1.8million enrollees into the scheme making it the highest public health insurance in the country, adding that over 30 percent of the state’s population have been covered.
‘’We need to do more. Our mandate is to ensure that all Deltans are registered in the scheme. In the next one year, we will bring in at least One Million more and that will represent over 40 percent of the state’s population’’ he said.
One of the board members who spoke to journalists after the inauguration, Deacon Okezi Odugala pledged to deploy his wealth of experience in the civil society to deepen sustainable development processes in the state’s contributory health commission.
Members of the governing board of the commission took the oath of office/allegiance administered by the Commission’s director of legal services.
It is quite unfortunate that both people who lost their party tickets and those who failed to install their lackey in elective positions came together to fight a man who God used to give Delta State the best hand that can pilot the affairs of our lives and state for another eight years. The wickedness was so strong that they recruited an ex-Governor from Rivers State to help them to snatch the mandate freely given to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori by deltans at the Supreme Court just to stop Senator Dr Okowa’s popularity.
The gang-up and underhand game to steal Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s mandate was so strong that even his lordships in their admirable wisdom have to keep the public in suspense concerning the exact date for judgement delivery for fear of inducement and intimidation from the forces who are using the name of Mr President.
Mr President being a strong democrat, resisted and refused to influence judgements in favour of his political party despite the irresistible pressure on him by these demons who don’t care if the outcome of the apex court judgement will throw the states into crises of unimaginable proportions. All they are after was to grab power through the backdoor in order to be called godfather.
Dr Okowa is not after the title and honors affiliated to the word godfather, but wants to leave the state in a safer hand; in the hand of a man who will not go after the wives of his subordinates, a man who will not leave governance for globetrotting and pleasure, but a man that will outperform him in every areas of governance and take the state to a greater height.
At the peak of this ungodly scheming to disgrace Dr Okowa by unseating Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, the praying spirit fell upon deltans who went to their knees to conquer the battle in the realm of the spirit, this was manifested the day judgement was given all over the state.
What the Bible said in Proverbs 29:2a, (when the righteous are in authority the people rejoice) manifested throughout the length and breath of Delta State on Friday 19th of January, 2023. Despite the hardship in the country, people opened the doors of their bars and restaurants to feed the jubilating crowd because of the sound judgement that not only protected their mandate but also saved lives and properties.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has not demonstrated his leadership skills in prudent management of scarce resources but, also being able to save some funds for signature projects across the state. This is happening when some of his colleagues have borrowed hundreds of billions of naira in less than one year in office.
We urge these people to refrain from anything that is capable of causing crises in the state for the benefit of all, we appeal they jettison the thoughts of trying to bring Okowa down, rather come with innovative ideas than will place our state as par with Tokyo and Dubai please.
Senator Dr Okowa is not in competition with anyone, but wants to see Delta State move to an enviable height for the benefit of all deltans.
The Obi and Paramount Ruler of Abavo Kingdom , Uche Irenuma 11 has described the victory of the State Governor , Right Honorable Sheriff Oborewori at the Supreme Court as a re -affirmation of the collective mandate freely given to him by all Deltans in the march 18, 2023 Governorship Election in the State.
Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori
In a Congratulatory Message to Governor Oborewori, on behalf of the good people of Abavo Kingdom, Obi Uche Irenuma 11 described the Apex Court’s affirmation of the Governor’s Election as victory for Democracy and restoration of the People’s confidence in the Judiciary and Electoral Process.
The Paramount Ruler of Abavo Kingdom said it was instructive to note that Governor Oborevwori emerged victorious in all the thirty eight legal suits meant to stop him from being Governor from the lower courts up to the Supreme Court insisting that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is a Child of Grace.
Obi of Abavo
The Abavo Monarch urged the Governor to remain focused in the implementation of the M.O.R.E agenda adding that the Supreme Court Victory should spur the Governor to do more for the greater good of all Deltans. He prayed God to continue to grant the Governor good health, Sound Mind, wisdom and knowledge to pilot the affairs of Delta State in the years ahead..
President of the South South Coalition of Esan Sons and Daughters for Good Governance, Oyamendan Oziegbe has called on APC delegates in Edo State to Vote Dr. David Imuse as the party’s flag bearer ahead of the forthcoming governorship election in Edo State.
Dr. David Imuse
Oziegbe who stated this in a statement after the monthly of the political pressure group in Port Harcourt,Rivers State said it was time to put Edo State on the right track of development with well articulated policies and programmes geared towards liberating the Edo people from the claws of underdevelopment.
“We the South South Coalition of Esan Sons and Daughters For Good Governance have decided to throw our weight behind Dr David Imuse based on his enviable track record of service and capacity to deliver,he is a man of destiny,we appeal to the good people of Edo State to support our noble choice”.
“We shall mobilize all sons and daughters within the state and beyond to galvanize support for this great man Dr. David Imuse”.
Dr. David Imuse
According to the President, Coalition of Esan Sons and Daughters for Good Governance. “Dr David Imuse had all the qualities required to fly the party’s flag in the 2024 Edo state governorship election and win the election”.
“We have seen from among all the governorship aspirants drumming for the Edo State government House, that Dr. David Imuse had distinguished himself as a man of proven loyalty to the party, a man with competence,capacity,calm temperament and political sagacity to take Edo State to a higher pedestal”.
“With his wealth of experience, we believe that he is proper and fit to govern Edo state. We urge all well meaning APC members in Edo state to use their power to deliver Dr. David Imuse as the party’s flag bearer”.
“The time for governmental experiments is over, we need a charismatic leader that will govern Edo state for the good of all Edo people irrespective of religion,ethnicity and political affiliation”.
Oziegbe said “Dr. David Imuse retired as a Director, Nigerian Army Medical Corps. He is a household name that lives among the people. He knows the delineation and peculiarities of Edo state having served as the party chairman and had transversed the state’s 292 wards, a record three times in the last ten years”.
