I ran away from home to do music

YQ, real names, Yakubu Jubril, is one one the artistes that Nigerians, home and abroad have grown to love over the years, following his consistent release of hit songs. Having featured on many artistes’ songs, many say his vocal dexterity is what stands him out. ROTIMI IGE caught up with him recently and brings the excerpts of their interaction.

What has YQ been up to in recent times?
I’ve been working on my sophomore album and just travelling basically.
Tell us about your new singles and the ideas behind them.
‘Turn it up’ is my latest, and is a combination of Dancehall and Caribbean sounds with some afro beat in it. I would be dropping another one soon.
Your collaboration with Terry G on ‘Sandalili’ was a huge hit. How did that happen?
I was just free styling on my producer, Fliptyce’s beat and he said he liked the ‘Sandalili’ idea. When Terry G heard it, he liked it and thereafter, we decided to work together on the song.
Why hasn’t YQ dropped an album in recent times?
You don’t just release an album. You build up a level of anticipation for it first and that’s what I and my team are doing now. Watch this space as we unfold our plans.
People compare you and Wande Coal...
I respect Wande as an artiste but I make my own music just as he does his. Now, if people compare us, then perhaps they see a connection in our stories or music.
Who were your musical influences while growing up?
I had quite a number of influences ranging from Born Jamaicans, Wayne Wonder, 112, Boys2Men, Natedogg, Nas, Platashun Boiz, Akon, etc
When you decided to do music professionally, did you have your parents support?
Capital NO. As a matter of fact, I had to run away from home to achieve my musical dream.
What kind of music do you do exactly?
Afrobeat, R n b/Pop with a combination of african vibes and sounds.
What makes YQ unique?
I always try to be me, no matter what.
You have featured on many tracks with numerous artistes. Which were most memorable?
‘Efimile’ featuring Dagrin, ‘Area’ with M.I Abaga, ‘Duro’ with Naeto C, ‘Sandalili’ featuring Terry G, ‘Efimile’ Remix featuring Banky W, Eldee, M.I, Naeto C and Ice Prince.
What should fans look forward to from you this year?
The rebranding and rebirth of YQ
Any album in the making?
Definitely yes.
What collaborations should fans look forward to?
I’m working on some good artistes. When the time comes, my fans will know.
 













You were close to Dagrin and was one of the first artistes to feature him on one of your songs. How did you meet Dagrin?
We met at Sheyman’s studio when I and my ex-label boss, MK/2Koncept Entertainment went to record Tustep’s song, also an ex-label mate and friend.
Your friendship was evident as you both were, many times, seen together. How close were you together really?
We were very close because we were real to ourselves.
Did he always have that super star quality?
He was a workaholic and always said he was going to make it big. He had the drive and determination. I learnt that from him.
When he sadly passed away, he was alone in the car that night? How did that happen as artistes are generally known to move with close associates?
God knows everything.
How and when did you learn about his death?
I was resting at home and I noticed that my phone was ringing repeatedly. Then I noticed some fans outside my window, running around and talking in groups. I sought to know what was wrong and when I picked my phone, I learnt of his sad demise.
Some people claim his death was suspicious...what is your take on this allegation?
God sees everything, people must always talk.
How has life been without Dagrin?
It has not been easy but we have to move on, though I still miss him.
What are you all doing to immortalise him?
We always represent him and try to keep his legacy alive
With the new crop of street rappers like Olamide and co, do you think they could have become this big if Dagrin was still alive?
The sky is vast and with God, every man is meant to be successful. It depends on their hustle and hope.
How do you spend your normal day?
I pray, record songs, play ps3 and watch TV, if it’s a free day.
How do you relax?
I spend time with my team, drink and discuss the way forward.
Favourite fashion item?
Shades, T-Shirts and sneakers.
Tell us something many people don’t know about you?
I ran away from home at 16 to pursue my hustle.
Your ideal woman would possess...
Beauty in and out and the fear of God.

Tonto Dikeh reaches out to Jim Iyke on Twitter, says he's brave

Tonto reached out to her former co-star Jim Iyke on twitter today a few days after his deliverance video went viral online. Tonto is the first celebrity to publicly praise Jim for going to SCOAN to be delivered...other Nollywood practitioners think it was an embarrassment

Jim's reply to Tonto above...

UAE 2013: Garba names Chelsea starlet, 20 others

Manu Garba

Golden Eaglets coach  Manu Garba has named his squad for the 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates. The tournament, which  kicks off on October 17, will end on November 8.

Three-time champions  Nigeria  are in Group F alongside Sweden, Iraq and Mexico. The Eaglets will play their  first game against Mexico in Al Ain City on October  19.

Leading  Garba’s 21-man squad are  Chelsea starlet Habeeb  Makanjuola,  Morocco 2013 CAF Under-17 Championship highest scorer  Success Isaac, Idowu Akinjide and Mohammed Musa.

Meanwhile, Eaglets assistant coach Nduka Ugbade  believes Nigeria have the quality to win the competition for the fourth time  at UAE 2013.

Nigeria were champions in 1985, 1993 and 2007, and runners-up in 1987, 2001 and 2009.

Ugbade, who captained the team that won the maiden edition of the tournament at China ’85, said the Eaglets are fired up for the title fight ahead of them.

“The players know what our target is and they are ready for the challenge,” the Tunisia ’94 Africa Cup of Nations winner told our correspondent on the telephone before he departed the country for UAE during the week.

“We have very good players and we’re grateful to the Nigeria Football Federation President  Aminu Maigari for encouraging us. He wants us to win and we’ll not disappoint him and the NFF.”

The Saudi ’89 FIFA Under-20 World Cup silver medallist called for support for Garba, saying “he’s a very good coach”.

He said the team won’t underestimate any opponents in their group, saying they would fight for the ball in every match.

The squad

Sunday Alampasu, Bello Zaraddeen, Japhet Raymond, Musa Yahaya, Chidera Ezeh, Isaac Success, Taiwo Awoniyi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Alfa Abdullahi, Chigozie Obasi, Abubakar Abdulazeez, Baba Salihu, Godwin Saviour, Habeeb Makanjuola, Okon Denis, Uzoha Odinaka, Mohammed Musa, Chidiebere Nwakali, Abubakar Aliu, Idowu Akinjide, Godwin Samuel.

Tears as late TFC’s executive director is buried

At the cemetery

Tears flowed on Thursday as the remains of the Executive Director, De Tastee Group, the parent company of Tastee Fried Chicken, Mr. Oluwabunmi Adedayo, were buried.

Oluwabunmi, who is the only child of owners of the TFC, died on September 25, 2013 at 36, after a brief illness in the United States.

The deceased, who is survived by his parents, wife and two children, was on a visit to the US when he passed on.

The home journey of Oluwabunmi started at 11am as a funeral service was held in his honour at Our Saviour’s Church, Tafawa Balewa Square, Onikan, Lagos.

The church auditorium was filled with friends, family members and sympathisers who came to pay him their last respects.

Grief-stricken friends, colleagues and relatives could not hold back tears while the service lasted. They later broke down completely when his remains were taken out of the church at 12.23pm.

In his sermon, the Diocesan Bishop of Lagos, Most Revd Dr. Ephraim Ademowo, urged the wife of the deceased, Oluwayemisi, to take solace in the fact that human life is filled with pains.

 He said, “This life is filled with pain. As a nation, individual, family, and even church, we experience pains that make us ask questions like, ‘God, are you really there? Do you really care?”

The Reverend, who recalled that he presided at the solemnisation of the five-year-old marriage, told Oluwayemisi to look at the bright side of life and take comfort in the family she married into.

He said, “Since this incident happened, it has been streams of people sharing your pain from far and near. No airplane from US, Britain, Europe and Asia, has landed in Lagos without one or two people not having your home as destination, and that shows the goodwill that the family you married into enjoys.”

He encouraged others to lead a life worthy of emulation.

The family members were too distraught to speak to PUNCH Metro, but some friends and co-workers of the late executive director, who spoke in tears, recounted remarkable moments with him. They described  Oluwabunmi as “humble and unassuming.”

The silver-coloured coffin bearing his remains was later conveyed in a black automobile to the Vaults and Gardens, Ikoyi.

Around 1pm, the remains of Oluwabunmi, who was fondly called, “D Enormous One,” were lowered into the grave after prayers were said.

Oluwayemisi, who whispered some inaudible words to the coffin of her husband, later blew it a final kiss.

A friend of the family, who identified herself simply as Nkem, said, “He was too young to leave so soon. He was very humble. He was always ready to associate with everyone. My last moment with him was before he travelled. We prayed together in his father’s office. I didn’t know it was my last time of seeing him.”

 While fighting back tears, Isa Abdulsaheed, a worker with TFC, said he could not believe his boss was dead.

Lolade Olayepo, an employee in the quality control department said, “When I was to resume work in the company, I negotiated for something  lower and he surprised me when I checked my appointment letter; he gave me something beyond my expectation. He didn’t behave like he was the boss – so selfless and simple.”

A former worker with TFC, Kayode Odebunmi, said “Even after I left the company to start my own project, he still associated with me. I took my unemployed child to him and  he gave him a job in TFC. He was such a kind man who never discriminated.”

How Obasanjo received rumoured involvement of son, Gbenga

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo
| credits: www.orijoreporters.com

Fears on Thursday gripped many residents of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital following rumours of the involvement of Gbenga, the first son of former President Olusegun Obasanjo in the crash of the Associated Airline plane in Lagos.

The news which was first circulated through the social media filled many residents of the state capital with fears and apprehension as many started mourning with the Obasanjo family over the tragedy.

Obasanjo himself received the news during a photo session with primary school pupils who had come for a leadership training programme at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta.

The rumour of the involvement of his first son in the plane crash came to his father as a rude shock.

Obasanjo had just finished addressing over 400 head boys and head girls of primary schools from Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states who had converged at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta for the workshop tagged “Leadership Training for Young Leaders” when a caller informed him on the phone about the rumoured involvement of his son in the crash.

The ex-President was already seated in front of the auditorium along with other dignitaries, including the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Centre for Human Security, Prof. Akin Mabogunje; the director of the centre, Prof. Peter Okebukula; and the participating pupils for a photo session when his phone rang and the caller at the other end informed him of his son’s involvement in the plane crash.

Our correspondent who was at the event heard Obasanjo shouting on top of his voice to the caller at the other end in Yoruba, saying, “Gbenga wo! O wa ni Abuja!” meaning “which Gbenga, he’s in Abuja.”

The former President, whose countenance immediately changed, ended the call and became uncomfortable throughout the few minutes that the photo session lasted.

Immediately the photo session was over, Obasanjo grabbed Mabogunje’s hand and started moving to the left side of the OOPL with Okebukola and other dignitaries and his security aides in tow.

They went into one of the chalets at the end of the library complex where they spent about 40 minutes and later drove off to an unknown destination.

The programme however continued as many of the workshop participants who apparently were not aware of the tragedy returned to the main hall.

When our correspondent later visited Obasanjo’s Hilltop mansion, security operatives at the entrance were seen going about their normal duty, an indication that nothing had gone wrong with the family.

Agagu’s family to go ahead with burial’

Dr. Olusegun Agagu

Members of the family  of the former Governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Agagu, have insisted that they will  go ahead with the arrangements for his interment despite the plane crash on Thursday.

The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ondo State, Mr. Ebenezer Alabi, made  this  known on Thursday in Akure just as a member of the   Agagu  family, Chief Sehindemi Oguntoye,   said the community had   premonition  that   a tragedy would occur  before the burial of the former governor.

Alabi  said, “We have just consulted with the family and it has been decided that they would go ahead with the burial. This is more so that his  son,  the son-in-law   and (Chief Olusegun) Obasanjo’s son survived the crash.

“We are also aware that the casket bearing Agagu’s  body  was not affected by the crash.”

He quoted the family as saying, “while we   sympathise with the families of  those  who lost their  loved ones  in the crash, we  will go ahead with the burial.”

The interment was scheduled for Friday (today) at his home town in Iju-Odo,  Okitipupa Local Government Area.

Agagu’s kinsman,  Chief  Oguntoye, who is also the Ojomo of Osooroland,  told the News Agency of Nigeria  in Iju-Odo,  that the family held a prayer session  after it was warned of an impending  tragedy before the burial.

He said, “The community had  been informed of an impending tragedy and the community had held a vigil  to avert it. The vigil even ended today (Thursday).

“It was a big tragedy for Iju-Odo community. We had before the death of Dr. Agagu lost our traditional ruler, and now a plane crash which involves  our loved ones.’’

He, however, urged the community to be fervent in prayers  to prevent further tragedies.

The  residents of the community were in pensive mood, with many of them gathering in front of their houses discussing the incident.

St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Iju-Odo  has been and renovated for the burial service scheduled for Friday while major roads leading into  the town had  been rehabilitated.

The  grave  where Agagu will be  buried  in the church cemetery has also  been decorated to give him  a befitting farewell.

Aircraft conveying Agagu’s corpse crashes in Lagos

Another tragedy struck in Lagos on Thursday morning  when a chartered aircraft  carrying the remains of  a former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, 20 passengers  and crew crashed  less than a minute after take-off from the local wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja.

The Embraer 120 aircraft with registration number SCD 361 belonging to Associated Aviation Limited,  was heading for Akure in Ondo State where dignitaries, family members, friends and associates of the former governor, had gathered for his final burial ceremonies. Agagu died  on September 13 in Lagos.

Although the  metal casket  bearing his body was recovered intact, 13 out of the 20 passengers aboard the flight were confirmed dead by the management of the AAL.

Others, who survived the crash, were rushed to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja and the nearby Nigerian Air Force Hospital  for treatment.

Feyi, Agagu’s son, who was speculated to have died in the crash, was one of the survivors. But, Deji Falae, the Ondo State Commissioner for Tourism and son of  a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation,  Mr. Olu Falae,  was not as lucky.

A handwritten  manifest released by Associated Aviation Limited  contained only 17 names, even though the airline said 20 passengers were on board. Those named as passengers were Femi Akinsanya,  Akintunde  Joseph,  Akeem Akintunde, Tunji Okusanya,  Chijioke Duru, Kingsley Amaechi,    E O Alabi,  Daji Bernard,  Samson Hassan, Olatunji Okunsanya and Deji Afolabi.

The manifest  listed Soroh Elaiye, Felix Fateye, Yakubu Oyinlola, and Owolabi  Ibrahim  as the crew members  of the   23-year-old aircraft which last flew on August 30, 2013.

August 30, 2013, while the age of the aircraft was 23 years.

The airline said, “We can account for seven survivors, while the remaining 13 people were dead.”  Mr. Tunji Okusanya, owner of Nigeria’s most popular coffin marketer /maker,   MIC Funeral Company;  his  son, Olatunji,  and Duru  were said to be among those that were killed in the crash.

Thursday’s crash happened 16 months after that of an MD 83 aircraft belonging to Dana Airline occurred in the Iju-Ishaga area of Lagos, claiming 159 lives on June 3, 2012.

 Agagu’s recovered  casket

The casket was  recovered by rescue agencies at the tank farm of Sahara Group, where the plane marked 5NBJY, crashed.It  was conveyed in an NAF Ambulance with registration no AF 054 -Eo1 to the  NAF hospital, a few minutes after 12 noon.

The plane broke into two with its cockpit compartment seriously burnt, while the remaining part that included the luggage compartment where the casket was,    was slightly burnt.

The remains of the former University of Ibadan lecturer were due to be interred in Ondo State this weekend after a series of events by the state government.

 Plane lost engine after take-off

Aviation sources said the plane  lost an engine immediately after take-off.

One of the sources, who confided in The PUNCH, said the pilot tried to return to the airport   when  the aircraft crashed about 800 metres away from the airport.

 Rescue Operation

All relevant security and emergency agencies  comprising  the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, the  Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps,    the Police, Federal Road Safety Corps, Red Cross and the Lagos State Fire Services, were present at the crash site.

Others included the Nigerian Air Force personnel and officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority.

The LASEMA  General Manager,   Mr. Rasaq Fadipe, who was one of the top government officials at the scene of the crash,   said  the agency received a distress call around 9.30am and immediately  mobilised   men and equipment to the site.

“We took three fire fighting trucks,each with 10,000 litres of water, which my men used to extinguish the fire that affected the cockpit compartment of the aircraft,’’ he said.

 Black boxes recovered

The Accident Investigation Bureau confirmed the recovery of  the two black boxes of the plane.

The Director of Engineering, AIB, Mr. Emmanuel Dialla, said  “We have  succeeded in picking the two black boxes, which will give us an insight into what really happened.”

 Conflicting figures

There was however initial confusion over the actual number of persons aboard the flight.

While the Ministry of Aviation put the number of persons at 27,  the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and  the AIB said they were 20.

FAAN and the AIB  said the 20 comprised  13 passengers and seven   crew members, which included two pilots, two cabin crew members and three  engineers.

The Special Assistant to the Minister of Aviation, Mr. Joe Obi,  had said  in a statement,  “An Embraer aircraft operated by Associated Airlines with Reg. No. SCD 361 en-route Akure from MMA, Lagos, crashed shortly after take-off at about 9.30am local time.

“The plane had 20 passengers and seven crew members on board.  The majority of the people on the ill-fated aircraft have been accounted for. However, rescue operations continue to look for one soul, who was on board the plane and who is still missing.

“Emergency rescue operations commenced immediately by a combined team of Fire Service and security personnel.  We can confirm that there were six survivors on the aircraft. Four are in a stable condition while two are critical. All are receiving full medical attention in the hospital.”

 But   a commissioner in the AIB,   Shehu Usman, said  at a news conference in Abuja, that 20 persons and not 27 were on board the ill-fated flight.

Usman said, “There were 20 people on board.Thirteen of them were passengers and seven  were crew members, which included two pilots, two cabin crew members and engineers.

“The plane had a 30-seat capacity. From four survivors which we had initially, we now have six survivors.”

He added that the bureau would  not “ release the names of the casualties or the hospitals where they are until we have contacted the families involved.”

Usman, who also said that rescue operations at  the scene of the accident ended at about 11.50am, also declined to give the age of the  Brazilian made Embraer aircraft.

The General Manager, Corporate Communications, FAAN, Mr. Yakubu Dati, who spoke at the scene of the crash, said, “We confirmed today(Thursday) the crash of an Embraer 120 belonging to Associated Airlines near JUHA premises of the MMIA. The propeller aircraft marked 5N-BJY crashed around 0932hrs on its way to Akure with 20 passengers on board .

“The rescue operation commenced immediately with all the relevant  agencies moving en masse to the crash site. The Black Boxes of the aircraft have been recovered. Some of the survivors are already receiving treatment at the hospital while rescue operation is still in progress. An emergency response centre has been set up at the NCAA medical conference room.”

 Lagos to perform autopsy

The  Lagos State Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Wale Ahmed, said  the government would perform autopsy on those that died in the crash before releasing their remains to their families.

 Minister sympathises with victims’ families

The  Minister of Aviation,   Stella Oduah, who sympathised with the families of the deceased, said  full investigation into the cause of the accident had commenced.

Urging the public to be patient, she said in a statement  that the nation’s airspace remained safe and secure.

The statement reads in part, “The Federal Ministry of Aviation deeply commiserates with the families of the victims.  Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time.

“The Black Box of the aircraft has been located and is in the custody of the Accident Investigation and Prevention Bureau who, with the cooperation of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and other relevant agencies has commenced full investigation into the cause of the accident.

“While it is too early to determine the cause of the accident, we urge the public to be patient while the investigation progresses.  I assure the public that the investigation will be thorough and that our airspace remains safe and secure.”

The Chief Operating Officer, AAL, Alhaji Taiwo Raji, said, “We  can account for seven survivors while the remaining 13 people are dead. There  were 20 souls on board. It was a very unfortunate incident.

“We have 10 aircraft in our fleet and six serviceable aircraft and the last A-check maintenance was done on June 14, 2013. And the plane was insured by Sema insurance company and Nigerian Re-insurance.”

The company had earlier on Thursday said it  was “currently co-operating fully with the aviation regulatory authorities with a view to establishing the remote and other causes of this most regrettable  accident.”

It also assured that it would “continue to provide information on this accident firstly to the affected families out of respect for them.”

THE MANIFEST

1.Feyisaye Agagu

2. Femi Akinsanya

3. Akintunde T Joseph

4. Akeem Akintunde

5. Tunji Okusanya

6. Chijioke Duru

7. Kingsley Amaechi

8. Mrs E O Alabi

9. Daji Bernard

10. Deji Falae

11. Samson Hassan

12. Olatunji Okunsanya

13. Deji Afolabi

14. Soroh Elaiye

15. Felix Fateye

16. Yakubu Oyinlola

17. Owolabi Ibrahim

Photo: Davido shows off inside his N140million Lekki home

He shared the photo on his instagram page and wrote "OBO mansion. Dreams come true! I remember my room back in Babcock. Small ass f**k. See what 2years & hard work gets you! #Dreamchasers!! We just getting started.

Rihanna shuts down another fan

When will people learn not to play with Rihanna? *sigh*. The other night Rihanna posted a picture of a close up of her lips on Instagram and a fan made a slick comment about the scar in the corner of her mouth. RiRi immediately shut the fan down. Pic above right.

Singer KCee acquires 2013 Bentley

Just three months after he acquired two brand new cars - a 2013 Range Rover and a 2013 BMW X6, (see it HERE) the singer has added a Bentley to his fleet of cars - the 2013 model. The car came into the country today. Congrats to him...

Photos: Khloe Kardashian steps out without bra, nipples on display

Khloe Kardashian went shopping with her little sis and mum yesterday wearing a clingy low-cut top with no bra. She didn't seem to notice or care that her nipples were on full display through her shirt. And although she didn't step out with a bra, she stepped out with her wedding ring still in place, despite removing her estranged husband's name from all her social media accounts. See more photos after the cut

Dangote set to build world’s best 1000-bed capacity hospital in Kano

The richest man in Africa Aliko Dangote is set to build the world's best 1000-bed capacity hospital in Kano via his Dangote Foundation. The 1,000 bed capacity ultramodern medical theatre complex will be constructed within the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital in Kano and will cost N2billion to build. It has been named Mariya Sanusi Dantata.

The hospital would comprise of a diagnostic laboratory, 10 operating theatres, 3 intensive care units, patients’ wards and administrative/service rooms for doctors and nurses. On Tuesday October 1st Aliko Dangote explained why he's building the hospital...

“It is not just about building a best in class medical facility in Kano state, it is about fulfilling our commitment to sustainably improving the health and well-being of Nigerians. We believe that every Nigerian has a right to quality healthcare, we also believe that it is our collective duty to rally our resources to improve health infrastructure, support the development of health care professionals and improve preventive health measures in Nigeria,"

Naija celebs and their Chanel Lego Clutch bags

Hmmmm, seems like some of the Chanel 'Lego' bags spotted recently with some of our Naija celebs  may be replicas since the original ones sold out over three months ago. I checked online and yeah, the replica goes for $295. If you want to buy, then go HERE. Oh and that's actress Sikiratu Sindodo showing off her version of the clutch bag.

Agbani Darego talks about her AD label, says she designs herself

When asked if she designs her products herself, the former Miss World turned fashion entrepreneur said "Yes I do and I also have a team of designers I work with. The concepts of my label are all mine. The sketches are mine. The designers just fine tune what I have created."

Asked about what inspired her decision to go into fashion, she said "I have been working on different concept of lines before I decided to go into denim line because when I graduated from college, and I wanted to do something else, I asked myself what's next for Agbani? So, I chose fashion because it is the only thing that I wanted to do. I wanted something the masses could wear, at the same time, something profitable.

Tiwa Savage stuns in newspaper outfit in Mauritius

While Don Jazzy is in Mauritius to speak at the African Leadership Network, Tiwa was invited to perform. After her performance, she chilled with Don Jazzy at the poolside wearing this beautiful newspaper outfit. Would definitely rock this. Beautiful!