Reps order BON, IBAN to suspend ban on Tuface, MI, Sammie Okposo, Banky W, WizKid, others

*Artistes threaten to boycott Rhythm Unplugged and The Headies

The House of Representatives has intervened in the ongoing conflict between COSON and BON/IBAN with a directive to the latter not to ban the air play of the songs of some Nigerian musicians.

In the wake of the ban, the long list of COSON members banned by BON and IBAN included TuFace Idibia, D’ Banj, Inyanya, Olamide, Dr Sid, Sammie Okposo, Banky W, WizKid, Olu Maintain, 9ice, Sunny Neji, Flavour, Chidinma, Rugged Man, Keffee, Midnite Crew, Eldee De Don, M I, Azeezat, Jazzman Olofin, Ice Prince, Jesse Jagz, Kcee etc.

The House of Representatives on Thursday asked the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria and the Independent Broadcasting Association of Nigeria to withdraw the ban they placed on the air play of the songs of some Nigerian musicians.

In a resolution passed in Abuja, the House observed that the ban was planned to take effect from Sunday, December 15, 2013.

A member from Lagos State, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who brought the issue to the attention of the House under matters of urgent public importance, said BON/IBAN and the Copyright Society of Nigeria had been locked in a crisis revolving round payment of royalties to musicians and other unresolved disagreements.

Who is after Pastor Okotie”s life?

Chris Okotie" self-styled "Pastor" last Sunday stunned worshipers with Gun-totting armed guards with bullet proof vest guarding him during a sermon to mark the annual Karris AWARDS. 

Question on the tongues of many onlookers who were stunned with the act has remained, “Who is after Pastor Okotie”s life?”

ASUU calls off strike next week

Following a resolution signed by both the federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, yesterday, indications have emerged that the five-month-old strike is likely to be called off by Monday.

Briefing newsmen, the Supervising Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, said the meeting was called to sign the resolution on the agreements reached at the final negotiation between the federal government and ASUU.

ASUU had embarked on a nation-wide strike in July over what it described as the non- implementation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement.

"Today, I am very pleased to announce that all contending issues between ASUU and the federal government have been resolved to the satisfaction of the parties," the minister said.

Police disrupt Rivers Assembly sitting with tear-gas

The police in Rivers State today disrupted a sitting of the Rivers State House of Assembly as they used tear-gas to disperse members of the State House of Assembly.

Following a declaration by the Federal High Court in Abuja that the take-over of its function by the National Assembly is unconstitutional, 25 out of the 26 members of the House loyal to embattled Governor Rotimi Amaechi had converged on the Assembly for the first time since July when the House was sealed.

While the lawmakers had tried to gain entry, the police quickly descended on the Assembly sealing off the complex.