Titi Adenuga.

As one staff member at Globacom puts it, “our Chairman, Dr. Mike Adenuga did not receive bribe from Siemens”. But for Globacom’s claim to be accepted without an iota of doubt, it needs to proffer reasons why Mike Adenuga waited till he received assurances of a soft landing from the Presidency before he showed up at the office of the EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission).

Information obtained reveals that Dr. Mike Adenuga, accompanied by his wife Titi (a.k.a. Snake), recently went to EFCC office in Abuja and gave a statement regarding his role in the Euro 17.5m Siemens bribery scandal. Our impeccable sources reveal that contrary to Globacom’s claim, Dr. Mike Adenuga did receive money from Siemens.

The source said that the anti-graft agency (EFCC) was instructed to allow Dr. Adenuga to give his statement while not causing him any embarrassment or harassment by not granting him bail. Apparently buoyed by the reprieve, Mrs. Titi Adenuga in a telephone conversation with our contributor, said that she had just returned from the Abuja EFCC office, and that the anti-graft agency agreed that their “invitation” was a mix up and apologized to them for falsely accusing Dr. Mike Adenuga.

Nevertheless, according to a Siemens source who elected anonymity, “In the late nineties, the German authorities approved a law making it a criminal offence for companies to bribe in order to win business and contracts overseas. But that didn’t stop Nigerians like Mike Adenuga from coming to Siemens’ headquarters in Munich…asking for pocket money during their European vacations. Employees of Siemens quickly stuffed thousand Euros in their pockets to quiet them”.

We understands that when Dr. Mike Adenuga departed for South Africa during the just concluded 2010 world cup, he had two options. The first was to lobby to see the President at all cost, and plead for leniency over his issues with the EFCC. If that failed, he was to go into another self-imposed exile until he was able to resolve his issues with the EFCC over Siemens bribery scandal.

Dr. Adenuga’s team advised him to lay more emphasis on seeing the President since self-imposed exile would not only be risky, but costly for a man whose business empire is in Nigeria. Our checks reveal that although Dr. Adenuga was ready to become a fugitive from justice for the second time, his only apprehension hinged on the fact that the political and legal terrain overseas has changed, and most countries are now reluctant to harbor fugitives wanted on corruption charges (reference the recent arrest of the embattled former governor of Delta State, James Ibori in Dubai).

It should be recalled that Governor James Ibori had fled Nigeria to avoid arrest by the EFCC, but met his Waterloo in his supposed safe haven of choice, where he now sits in prison awaiting his extradition to London to face money-laundering charges.

Another drawback to the exile scenario, as learnt, was the fact that the Siemens scandal has an international dimension, and if Dr. Adenuga were to be arrested by a foreign government, it would be very easy to obtain the bribery documents from Siemens, and he would then most likely face extradition back to Nigeria. - Huhuonline

Cynthia Okpala

Come July 2010, MTV VJ, Cynthia Okpala will kick off a new show on MTV base!

Titled MTV base.IQ Sweetened by Buttermint, the new Programme is a quiz show aimed at setting musicians, DJs, sports stars and celebrities against die- hard music fans. The project according to MTV base spokesperson “will be the ultimate trial of Nigerian youths’ music know-how and the latest ‘street’ culture

Recorded in various campuses, neighborhoods and local spots around Lagos, Base IQ’s major aim is to give young Nigerians the chance to represent where they come from by putting their musical knowledge to test how well do they know their favourite music stars? How well can they rock the mic and work the stages? How well do they even understand the music scene?

“I can’t wait to get out on the road with Base IQ,’’ Cynthia says. ‘’ Seeing celebrities compete with music fans in a test of their music knowledge will be riveting television entertainment. Can you beat your music heroes at their own game? – that will be a sweet victory indeed!” she concluded.

Cynthia ‘C-Von’ Okpala is MTV’s only Nigerian VJ. The 24-year old computer science graduate from Ebonyi State University first came to public attention after winning the MTV & MTN VJ Search in Nigeria in November 2007.

Although these days, Cynthia’s contract with MTV base has taken her all over the continent including recent trips to Nairobi and South Africa, Miss Okpala is always keen on applying her talents in new directions. She currently combines her MTV duties with high profile gigs as a radio DJ and actress, co-hosting the ‘MTN Yellow Top 10 Countdown’ which is syndicated on 40 radio stations across Nigeria and starring on the MNET series ‘Tinsel’ as “Ify”

Base IQ will kick off on August 18, 2010. Divided into two series, Series 1 will run for 13 fast paced episodes, while series 2 will roll out in January 2011.

The show will be supported by Trebor Buttermint and fans will be able to participate by logging on to MTV Base official website www.mtvbase.com.

NEWS reading in South Africa will never be the same again. Internet TV news channel Naked News made its debut in the country recently.

Presented by women who undress while they read top quality international news and sports reports, the channel’s Africa spokesperson Quintine Yiwombe said the service is “the thinking man’s answer to adult entertainment”.

The channel was launched in Canada more than 10 years ago. Viewers log onto the Internet or their mobile phones and get real news broadcasts daily as well as a whole range of other entertainment content including movie reviews, techno advice and even tips on successful Internet dating.

The channel has over 14million viewers worldwide.

Yiwombe said yesterday that the international version has been such a success in South Africa that in recent months, the African rights owners have launched a search for presenters of Naked News Africa.

“The Africa version will be made available alongside the international version for viewers in Africa and will have local sports news as well as reportage of events of African interests and features covering local events.

“We have had a phenomenal response since the pilot was placed on the site ,” Yiwombe said.

The international version of Naked News features a range of presenters and producers.

Yiwombe said they were looking for local presenters to ensure that Naked News Africa reflects the diversity of Africa’s beauty.

Discussions were also ongoing with local TV stations to broadcast Naked News reports in late night slots but this has not been confirmed yet.

Mike Adenuga

In the same path James Ibori took before he was arrested, Mike Adunga is reported by The Will Nigeria to have made himself a fugitive: Just like the fugitive former governor of Bauchi State, Ahmadu Adamu Mu’azu who fled Nigeria more than two years ago and his Delta State counterpart, Chief James Ibori, who also fled Nigeria to the Emirati via Accra before his detention by Dubai police, THEWILL can report that Globacom Chairman, billionaire and oil magnate, Otunba Mike Adenuga has fled the shores of Nigeria for good to escape interrogation and possible prosecution.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had sought to interrogate Adenuga and his second wife, Titi in connection with its investigation into the 17.5 million euro Siemens bribery scandal.

Adenuga had written the anti-graft agency claiming that he was part of the federal government delegation to South Africa to attend the opening ceremony of the 2010 World Cup soccer competition and that he would make himself available to operatives of the agency as soon as the assignment was over.

THEWILL checks at the Office of Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) has however revealed that Adenuga was not on the federal government delegation. According to a circular obtained from the office, those on the list included Senate President David Mark (head of delegation), Governor Bukola Saraki (Kwara State); Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta State); Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers State); Sports Minister, Isa Bio; Youth Development Minister, Senator Akinlabi Olasunkanmi; Women Affairs Minister, Mrs. Josephine Anenih; Information and Communications Minister, Dora Akunyili, and former football federation secretary, Sani Toro, who served as secretary.

The federal government delegation to South Africa has since returned to Nigeria including other government officials, state governors, legislators and businessmen who trooped to South Africa to watch early matches. In fact, the Nigerian Super Eagles has officially left South Africa after they failed to qualify for the round of 16 but Otunba Mike Adenuga has deliberately stayed away from Nigeria.

One of Adenuga’s friends who opted to remain anonymous said the billionaire has no plans of honouring the EFCC invitation.

“Mike has gone underground. He won’t meet with the EFCC, he used the world cup as an excuse to buy some time but the Super Eagles early elimination exposed his plan,” the source said.

THEWILL called Adenuga’s number severally to know when he would meet with EFCC officials but all our calls were unanswered while our SMS was not acknowledged.

EFCC spokesman Mr. Femi Babafemi confirmed in a conference call that Adenuga has not been interrogated by the agency.

Mike Adenuga

Last week, the commission interrogated two Executive Directors of Globacom telecommunications company, Mrs. Gladys Alabi and Mr. Mike Jitubo in its investigation into the 17.5 million euro bribery scandal.

The commission also grilled former Legal Adviser Ministry of Finance Mrs. Agbamuche, former Legal Adviser Nigerian Telecommunications (NITEL) Daba Jubrin and a former NITEL employee R. Olusanju on June 18, 2010.

Siemens Managing Director, Mr. Alain?DeCat; Siemens General Manager Finance & Accounts, Mr. Tunde Orija; Managing Director C. Woermann Nig. Ltd, Ralf Henrich; and Chief Accountant C. Woermann Nig. Ltd, Mr. Olusegun Olaniyi; three former Communication Ministers, Dr. Haliru Bello Mohammed, Deputy National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); Retired Major General Tajudeen Olanrewaju and Chief Cornelius Adebayo have all been interrogated by the commission.

C. Woermann Nigeria Limited, a German mechanical consulting firm is alleged to have handled the disbursement of brides to Nigeria officials.

Globacom in statement following the news of Adenuga’s invitation declared that the company is not in any way involved in the Siemens bribery scam.

The telecommunications company said that the only relationship it ever had with Siemens, as a private company, was when it awarded a single contract in 2003 to the German firm for the provision of GSM and broad access infrastructure in some parts of the country. The company it stated was also awarded part of the National Fibre Backbone Infrastructure, which has since been completed.

The company added that since Siemens executed the contract, Globacom has not engaged the telecommunication equipment manufacturing company for any other project.

“It should be noted that the equipment supply and installation contract forms the basis of the only relationship that Globacom has had with Siemens. It was and remains a normal business interaction that was entered into by Globacom purely to meet its network expansion needs. Globacom has had no other form of relationship or dealings with Siemens, the statement noted.

Adenuga, who also owns controlling shares in Equitorial Trust Bank Plc (ETB), Conoil, and other business interests was first arrested at his Okeowo Victoria Island, Lagos residence on Sunday, July 09, 2006, after the businessman refused to honour several invitations to appear at the commission’s office for questioning following its investigation into the questionable deposits of Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) funds into Equitorial Trust Bank. Atiku Abubakar, Nigeria’s former vice president was alleged to have approved the deposits.

The then Nuhu Ribadu led EFCC in a statement justifying Adenuga’s arrest said, “EFCC visited Chief Adenuga’s home on Sunday, 9th July 2006, only after several invitations to him, over a period of more than three months.? He refused to honour the invitations.

“Even at his Victoria Island, Lagos home, for over seven hours, Adenuga, among other evasive tactics employed by his family and staff, refused to see EFCC operatives or allow them entry;

“The 14 operatives (not “over 40″ or “over 70″ as reported in the media) had no choice than to extract Chief Adenuga in a professional manner, with due respect for his rights as a citizen of Nigeria and in accordance with established rules and regulations.? Consequently, no injury was done to his person or damage to his property.

“Chief Adenuga was subsequently taken to our Ikoyi, Lagos offices where he answered questions in relation to EFCC investigations.? He was released on bail immediately after.

“The Commission’s investigation of Chief Mike Adenuga has certain international dimensions that EFCC may not be in a position to make public at this stage.? But, once the Commission has reached a comfortable point in its inquiry, everything would be made public;

“It must be emphasized however, that EFCC’s invitation to and interaction with Chief Adenuga is normal.? No crime has been established against him.? He is innocent until proven otherwise.? However, the Commission wishes to reiterate that no one is above the law.”

It is unclear whether the commission would formally declare Mr. and Mrs. Adenuga wanted if they fail to submit themselves to operatives of the commission for interrogation.

Source

Note2note

The Nigeria Leadership initiative (NLI) presented to the public on
Wednesday 26 May, 2010, Notes2Note – a 12 minute documentary of video
clips, graphics and animation that tells a story of Nigeria’s rich history
and core values using Naira Notes (and the Founding Fathers) as
illustrative elements.

The media and VIP premiere held at the Genesis Deluxe Cinemas in Lagos.
Guests at the event (including NLI Fellows and Associates),included Maryam
Uwais, Asue Ighodalo, Prof. Yemi Osibajo, Leke Alder, Tunde Kuboye, Muhtar
Bakare, Kate Henshaw-Nuttall, amongst others.

The animated video, which runs for 12 minutes, employs celebrities to
highlight short values lessons of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi
Awolowo, Alvan Ikoku, Murtala Mohammed, and other remarkable Nigerians who
are on the Naira notes. Values such as integrity, industry and patriotism
are brought to the fore.

The narration which expressed the loyalty of these national heroes to
nation building and their desire to put Nigeria in the forefront of the
African continent was performed by Nigerian celebrities of high ethical
standard such as MI, Sasha, BOUQUI, Omawumi, Kate Henshaw-Nuttall, Aisha
Augie-Kuta, TY Bello, Chioma Omeruah (C-Flow), and RoofTop Mcs.

A performance by soul singer Modele welcomed the guests to the venue.
Following this, there was an introduction to the CLEVER initiative, which
is the umbrella idea for Notes2Note, by Hauwa Magoro, who is chair of
NLI’s Projects Committee and a member of its Management Board. After the
screening, some of the celebrities Kate Henshaw-Nuttall, Aisha Augie-Kuta
and the Rooftop MCs spoke to the audience about their involvement in the
project and audience questions were taken.

Also present at the event were students from Princeton School. This was
important because the animated video will now be taken around schools in
the county, with the support of corporate sponsors.

Support for the event was provided by Central Bank of Nigeria, GTAssur,
Aso Savings & Loans, Cityview Estates, Citibank, Genesis Deluxe Cinemas,
Critics Facilities Company, Zaphaire Events, Perception Celloette and
RedSTRAT.

Note2note

The Nigeria Leadership Initiative (NLI), an international non-profit
organisation and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network has
announced the premiere of its Notes2Note video for youths.

NLI was founded in 2006 by Olusegun Aganga (who is presently Nigeria’s
Minister of Finance & Chairman of the Board of the Bretton-Woods
Institutes, the World Bank & the International Monetary Fund (IMF)) and Dr
Christopher Kolade CON (Pro-Chancellor, Pan African University & former
Nigerian High Commissioner to the UK).

NLI has become popular for its Future Leaders Seminar, which is a
values-based leadership seminar for young leaders who explore the modern
challenge of leading in societies; especially a society where people share
different and sometimes opposing values or goals.

The Notes2Note video is animated and features the following narrators: MI,
Kate Henshaw-Nuttall, Sasha, BOUQUI, Omawumi, Aisha Augie-Kuta, TY Bello,
Chioma Omeruah and the RoofTop Mcs. It tells the story of Nigeria’s rich
history using Naira notes and illustrates the core values of the country’s
founding fathers. The early sixties were an exciting and exhilarating time
to be Nigerian, says Tunde Olanrewaju, Co-Chair of the NLI Management
Board. We had gained independence and Nigerian youth exhibited an
insatiable thirst for education and innovation in different spheres of
life. During this time, strong values and a sense of community were the
fabric of Nigerian society and Nigerians upheld values in their everyday
activities. Today, this is just not the
case.

NLI believes that one step to getting the country back on track is to
reach out to young people during their formative years to start
reinforcing values necessary to rebuild a good society. This was the
driving impetus for the conception of Notes2Note. This initiative
incorporates and promotes 10 values that were identified by Nigerians in a
National Essay Competition as important for building a good society,
explains Yinka Odeleye, an NLI Associate. The values are Integrity,
Industry, Compassion, Justice & Equity, Tolerance, Discipline, Family
Values, Contentment, Spirituality and Patriotism.

A global premiere event will hold on Wednesday, May 26 at the Genesis
Deluxe Cinemas. The video will also be broadcast on TV and radio stations
on Children’s Day, May 27, 2010 at 8pm on Silverbird TV and Inspiration
FM. It will also be available for free download at www.nli-global.org.

The Notes2Note project is under NLI’s CLEVER initiative, which includes
other projects like the Wordslam competition where youth can write the
lyrics to a potential award winning song and international poetry book.
There’s also a Clever Club, which gives students an opportunity to take
responsibility for transforming the country by developing a sense of civic
responsibility.

It is NLI’s goal that by the third year of implementation, the CLEVER
initiative will be institutionalised and self sustaining through a
combination of private sector support, and partnership with the Federal &
State Governments.

About the Nigeria Leadership Initiative

The Nigeria leadership Initiative (NLI) was established in 2006 as an
international non-profit, non-partisan organisation. The mission of NLI is
to mobilise the energy, talent and resources of credible and accomplished
Nigerians in Nigeria and the Diaspora to tackle the challenges that
confront Nigeria. NLI provides a platform for highly accomplished,
uniquely qualified Nigerian Leaders (Fellows) and emerging leaders (Future
Leaders) to develop and express their values-based leadership skills and
to assume a transformative role in the development of Nigeria. NLI is registered as a Charity in
Nigeria, United Kingdom and the United States and is a member of the Aspen
Global Leadership Network.

Funmi

Funmi Oduyemi is a contestant on the prestigious gospel competition TV show airing on BET. she was oe of the twenty vocalist on the Sunday best TV show that has gone from Lagos to the US.With renowned performer Kirk Franklin as host and the sister singers – Mary Mary and Donnie McClurkin as judges.

The show airs every sunday by 7PM on DSTV Channel 116.

Tiny and Toya

This season of Tiny and Toya show, Tameka ‘Tiny’ Cottle and best friend Antonia ‘Toya’ Carter continue to uplift their lives while balancing motherhood, family, fame and budding business empires of their own.

Catch Tiny and Toya on their Smash hit reality show every monday from 9PM on DSTV Channel 116.

Agbani Darego at the Stylogenic Presentation

New style-focused Pan-African Reality TV Show hosted by former Miss World, Agbani Darego set to air this summer

“You better go and think of a real career!” That was the response that most African parents would give when their children suggested that they wanted to enter the world of fashion. Perhaps as a model, fashion stylist, fashion designer, photographer, makeup artist or even a fashion photographer.

Thanks to the success of fashion pioneers including Iman, Oluchi and Liya Kebede, things are changing. Fashion is being recognized as a worthy profession.

An exciting new Pan-African Reality TV show – STYLOGENIC is set to propel African fashion and those that aspire to join the industry to greater heights.

STYLOGENIC is a show like no other. Rather than being based on the search for a top model or designer or stylist, the show is based around the concept of a style team! So contestants are going to be grouped in teams consisting of the various ‘style elements’. That is a model, designer, stylist, makeup artist, photographer and model. They will compete as a team and will battle it out with fellow teams for the grand prize!

The show recently held a media presentation in Lagos which was attended by the host, one of the most famous women in Africa – Former Miss World, Agbani Darego. Agbani won the Miss World crown in 2001, making her the first and only black African to ever win the title. She went on to have a successful modeling career which included a stint as a L’Oreal International “Face” and Spokesperson, numerous commercial ad campaigns and features in US Vogue and Essence magazine.

Entries for the show will open soon and entries will be accepted from all eligible Africans based on the continent and in Diaspora. The show will begin airing in September 2010.

Prizes are yet to be revealed but from what we hear, it’s MAJOR!

It promises to be an immensely exciting show!

We will fill you in with more information on the show as the air date draws closer.

STYLOGENIC is produced by Insight Communications and IBST Media