Meghan Markle talks about the death of George Floyd

The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle has addressed the graduating class of her old high school, Immaculate Heart, LA. In a video covered for the virtual graduation ceremony for the class of 2020, Meghan Markle also spoke about the death of George Floyd.

She began her keynote with talking about the death of George Floyd and other African Americans who were killed in the US by police in recent years.

Here are some salient points from her speech:

1. What is happening in our country and in our state and in our hometown of LA. I wasn’t sure what I could say to you. I wanted to say the right thing. I realized the only wrong thing to say is to say nothing because George Floyd’s life mattered and Breonna Taylor’s life mattered and Philando Castile’s life mattered and Tamir Rice’s life mattered – and so did so many other people whose names we know and whose names we do not know.”

2. Always remember to put another’s needs above your fears. “I am sorry that in a way we have not gotten the world to a place that you deserve it to be”.

3. "I was 11 or 12 years old and it was the LA Riots, which was also triggered by a senseless act of racism… I remember the curfew and I remember rushing back home and on that drive home, seeing ash fall from the sky and smelling the smoke and seeing the smoke billowing out of the building. I remember seeing men in the back of a van just holding guns and rifles. I remember pulling up the house and seeing the tree, that had always been there, completely charred. And those memories don’t go away."

4. Meghan encouraged the graduation class to use their positive energy to help combat racism. She says, “You’re going to use your voice in a stronger way than you have ever been able to because most of you are 18 – or you’re turning 18 — so you’re going to vote. You’re going to have empathy for those who don’t see the world through the same lens that you do. You’re ready. We need you and you’re prepared”.

Nigerian singer, Peruzzi still being dragged for rape

For few days now, Nigerian singer, Peruzzi has been in the news for very wrong reasons. He has been dragged recklessly across all social media platforms for being mentioned inbsexual harassment allegations. 

And it did not begin recently. It can be recalled that in January, London-based singer, Daffy Blanco accused him of sexual assault. 

He has been called out recently on Twitter by a lady who accused him of raping her in 2012. 

Several distasteful tweets about rape made by Peruzzi back in the years 2010, 2011 and 2012 have also resurfaced, leading people to conclude that the artist may have been capable of rape at the time.

After the singer was accused, he announced that he has never and “will never be a rapist”. Peruzzi’s old tweets clearly depict the way a lot of people viewed and still view rape today. Everyone needs to learn that rape is a serious matter and it should never be approached flippantly.

After these screenshots hit the TL, Peruzzi quickly deleted all his old tweets concerning rape. But even though he has deleted the original tweets, the screenshots will always remain on the internet for all to see.

Veteran director, Lancelot Imaseun accused of sexual harassment

Veteran Nollywood director, Lancelot Imaseun had joined the list of celebrities to be accused of sexual harassment in the ongoing anti-rape online protests.

Nollywood actress, Sylvia Oluchi called Lancelot Imaseun out in a popular industry group chat known as 'Filmic'. 

While accusing him of soft-pedalling the issue of sexual assault in the industry, Slyvia revealed how the revered director groped her during a film shoot in 2008. Sylvia wrote: 

"When we were filming Bent Arrows back in 2008 in Abuja. You told be to come to your room in the hotel after shoot at night (we were all camped in the same hotel). You made some moves, when I refused, you physically pinned me to the bed and shoved your tongue down my mouth while squeezing my boobs".

Sylvia also revealed how her tears forced Imaseun to have a change of mind.

In a phone conversation with news reporters, Slyvia affirmed the allegations and hinted that hers was not an isolated incident as a good number of young female actors have been harassed by the film director.

We reached out to Lancelot Imaseun regarding Sylvia's claims. He did not confirm or deny the reports but insisted that he could not speak to press as key industry players have weighed in on the 'private' matter.

He said,

"It is still a private matter so I am not in a position to make a statement. The group chat where the accusation was made is a private one and the group's admins have set up a committee to investigate the allegation.

So, while I am surprised as anybody else- it is from 13 years ago, I have been advised to be quiet. It is an industry thing for now and cannot be made public".

"Diamond Platnumz isn't supporting our son and I" - Tanasha Donna

Tanasha Donna has made it known that her former fiance, Diamond Platnumz has distanced himself from the financial upkeep of their son. They welcomed Naseeb Junior in 2019. 

The Kenyan media personality and singer let this out in an interview with Jalang’o. However, she made it clear that she is capable of taking care of her son and does not need the Tanzanian music star's support. She said,

"I have been doing it all on my own to be honest, I will be 100% honesty with you. I’m very real and am not gonna say something that is not the case, with all the respect I have for him and I doesn’t have any bad blood with him.

He is not supporting and am doing it on my own and I don’t need his support to be honest. I’m raising my son just fine, there is nothing that boy lucks in his life. He is fine."

Also commenting on the reason she unfollowed Diamond Platnumz and his family members on Instagram, Donna revealed that she was simply avoiding constant reminders of their breakup.

Ogun : 25 yr-old boy arrested for raping 70 yr-old grandma

It has been brought to our notice that the Ogun State Police Command has arrested a  25 year-old-man. The man who was identified as Wasiu Bankole was arrested for allegedly raping a 70 year-old grandmother.

The suspect was arrested following a report by the victim at Agbado police division. She reported that while she was asleep in her house on June 2,  at Abule lemode area of ijoko at about 8 pm, the suspect broke into her room, held her down and forcefully had carnal knowledge of her against her consent.

The Ogun State  Public Relations Officer (PPRO) ,Abimbola Oyeyemi , said that the victim stated further that it was one of her neighbours who heard her screaming that came to rescue her.

The neighbour used a stick to hit the suspect on  his back which made him jump off her and run away, leaving his clothes, shoes and torchlight in her room.

The detectives succeeded in getting him arrested after about 24 hours. On interrogation, he confessed to committing the crime but claimed to have acted under the influence of alcohol.

Nollywood filmmaker dragged for sexual harassment

In the wake of victims speaking up, a Nollywood filmmaker, Victor Okpala has been dragged for sexual harassment.

From the past week, online protest has been sparked against the accusations levelled about gender based violence.

An upcoming actor, Oshevire Divine has gone on Instagram to call out Nollywood filmmaker, Victor Okpala for sexual harassment.

Divine shared screenshots of a conversation with the filmmaker who suggested that she offers her body in exchange for film roles. She wrote, 

"I was going to keep quiet about this..but why should I?this isn’t a normal thing and shouldn’t be considered as a normal act at all.

This is a chat between me and a Nollywood movie producer & director. I have to voice out on this matter..this is wrecking the image of Nollywood. Check my last slide to see.

The monologue challenge I wanted to participate in he asked to subscribe to his channel,watch one of his movies then send a proof. 

So i did according to the guidelines he posted and sent the proof...he replied👆🏽he literally told me that talent is not enough and indirectly said that I’d have to sacrifice my body for me to make it into Nollywood. 

I don’t know how many other girls he must have deceived like this but this isn’t fair and we shouldn’t keep quiet about this.This happened yesterday,this needs to stop".

Another upcoming actor, Emeka Nwagbaraocha took to Twitter to share a thread of another victim who accused the director of assault while she was 17.

Although the filmmaker is yet to address the allegations, filmmakers and actors have taken to their platforms to react to sexual assault in Nollywood.

Orji Uzor Kalu has been released from prison

Former Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu has been released from prison. 

He was released from the Kuje Custodial Centre by the Nigeria Correctional Service after a Federal High Court in Lagos ordered his release on Tuesday, June 2, 2020.

He was released yesterday, Wednesday, June 3, 2020.

Confirming the news of his freedom, the spokesman of the Nigeria Correctional Service, DCC Austin Njoku, said the senator was freed at 5:05 pm. He said, 

“Ex-governor Orji Kalu was released from custody at exactly 5:05 pm on Wednesday. He was discharged after we received the court warrant on his release.”

In December 2019, Kalu was jailed after he was convicted of N7.1 billion fraud alongside his firm, Slok Nigeria Ltd., and a former Director of Finance in Abia State, Jones Udeogu.

But On May 8, 2020, the Supreme Court nullified the trial of Kalu’s co-convict, Udeogu.

The court had on Friday, May 8, 2020, held that the trial judge, Mohammed Idris, who had been elevated to the court of appeal at the time of the case shouldn’t have presided over the case while he was an appeal court judge.

#JusticeForFloyd : See the three officers involved with Chauvin

The three former Minneapolis police officers who were with Derek Chauvin on the day George Floyd died have been arrested.

The former officers whose names are Thomas Lane, J. Alexander Kueng, and Tou Thao have been charged with aiding and abetting in the murder of George Floyd.

Also, the murder charge against Derek Chauvin has been elevated from third-degree murder to second degree murder.

Pastors Paul and Ifeanyi Adefarasin mark silver jubilee

Head Pastor of House on The Rock (HOTR), Pastor Paul Adefarasin and his beautiful wife, Ifeanyi, are celebrating their silver jubilee today. They are celebrating their 25 years wedding anniversary.

His wife, Ifeanyi took to her Instagram page to write,

"Time passes by speedily when you’re living your best life with the man of your dreams! 

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I had no idea the heights that you would take me to, nor the depths and wonders that you would show me in life; all I knew was that you were a very special man - a unique man, a true man of God; and I was being given the privilege and honour of journeying life alongside you. 25 years later, having lived life under your cover, guidance, love, and assurance; if I had to choose again, I would choose you Adeolu. 💕🤗

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I love you simply because you are an absolutely amazing person who cares deeply and loves easily. You make it so easy to love you. 

I respect you for the loving husband and caring father that you are. 

I cherish you for your large heart that reflects Christ in so many ways. It makes you very admirable and attractive. 

I am so blessed and inspired by you. I thank you for being the man you said you would be. 

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Today, I stay focused on and grounded in the One who has blessed, kept, and given us 25 wonderful years and the promise of a great God-ordained future.

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With all my love now and forever, I wish you a Happy Wedding Anniversary, my Best Friend, my Husband, my Pastor, my Forever Heartbeat and my Love -"

See beautiful photos of the couple below 

Lagos : Government seizes houses used for fraud

The Lagos State Government has said that it seized two houses which have been used to defraud some accommodation seekers in the state.

Making this known at a press briefing to commemorate the first year of the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Housing, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka said that the government had resolved to prosecute any developer or agent caught defrauding members of the public.

Benson-Awoyinka, who is also in charge of the Lagos State Real Estate Transaction Department, said her office was prosecuting two developers who defrauded members of the public in the Ketu and Mafoluku areas.

She said government had seized their properties, which would be sold to repay their victims.

The special adviser, however, appealed to residents to always patronise agents and developers registered with government.

“We have successfully reviewed the Lagos State Estate Agency Regulatory Law, Cap. L28, Laws of Lagos State, 2015, which provides for the establishment of the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority.

The essence of this law is to regulate real estate transactions in Lagos State by identifying persons eligible to be licensed as real estate practitioners and provide for the issuance or renewal of annual permits,” she added.

Benson-Awoyinka pointed out that the state had the responsibility of maintaining a register of licensed real estate practitioners and sanctioning unlicensed agents in the state.