Johnson's blog

A plane carrying the Brazilian presidential candidate Eduardo Campos has crashed in a residential area of the port city of Santos, in Brazil's Sao Paulo state. Members of Mr Campos' Socialist party (PSB) said he had died in the crash. The party of his running mate, Marina Silva, tweeted that it was "shocked by Mr Campos' death". The plane was frequently used by Mr Campos, who has been running third in the polls for October's election. Firefighters said there were 10 "victims" but did not clarify if the 10 were injured or dead. A police spokeswoman told the AFP news agency that there were "fatalities but we still do not have a number confirmed". Locals said the sky was cloudy and it was raining at the time of the crash. Police and emergency workers are at the scene in Santos, which is located 70km (43 miles) south-east of Sao Paulo. The Cessna 560XL plane had taken off from Rio de Janeiro's domestic airport and was head...

In an interview with Encomium Weekly, Nigerian drummer Ara opens up about regrets, getting ready for 40 in January 2015 and her 3 year marriage to Olalekan Saliu. On being 40 and fabulous:  “Maybe my gene. I also try to do the right things. I try not to overdo things.” On regrets at the age of 39:  “How I wished I were still a virgin. Yeah, but it’s a good thing I have a beautiful son.” On her split from her hubby:  “It’s not even divorce. As at the time we got married, he (Olalekan Saliu) was still legally married to another woman. I wasn’t aware. So, automatically, our marriage was annulled Ab Initio.” On regrets from the marriage:   “I don’t have regret because a beautiful child came out of it. If I say I have a regret, then my son will be a regret. I don’t have to regret it because of my son.” On problems of the marriage:  “Yes, I was depressed and downcast. I never planned my life like that. I never knew I will exp...

  A man believed to be training female bombers has been arrested in Kano yesterday. Ibrahim Ibrahim was arrested with 16 girls who security agents said were being trained as would-be bombers. The security agents carried out the raid following a tip off. JTF(Joint Task Force) spokesman Capt. Ikechukwu Eze confirmed the arrest, and said investigation was ongoing. A security source also told  The Nation  anonymously that when interrogated, the suspect disclosed that he brought the female bombers from the Sambisa forest in Borno State.

Celebrated film maker, Tunde Kelani is currently shooting a short film aimed at raising awareness as regards the Ebola virus. Reports say Kelani was contacted by a UK based health organisation to shoot the campaign. One of the actors on the set, Halima Abubakar, who plays Aisha in the short film, expressed confidence that the film will sensitize the public about the virus and the need to seek professional medical attention instead of self medication. Other actors involved in the project are Yomi Fash Lanso, Kunle Afolayan, Toyin Aimakhu Johnson and Funky Mallam.

In January, it was widely reported that music star 9ice will contest for a political post by representing his state, Oyo. He later refuted the reports, claiming he was on the set of a music video and a member of his team posted the image and the caption declaring his political interest. Fast forward to August, 9ice has had a change of heart, and plans to be part of the affairs of Oyo. He shared with his thousand of followers this image of himself on a white seat, stating that he wants a seat in the Federal House of Representatives for Ogbomosho North/Ogbomosho South/Orire Federal Constituency in 2015. 9ice joins stars like Kate Henshaw, Desmond Elliot, Julius Agwu and Dan D’Humourous who have made their political ambitions known.

Veteran film and television comedy actor Robin Williams was found dead in his home in Tiburon, Calif on Monday. He was 63years. The cause of death is believed to be suicide via asphyxiation, according to the Tiburon coroner’s office. According to his publicist, who confirmed the news, the actor had been battling depression of late and recently entered 12-step rehab for drug abuse. His wife Susan Schneider said in a statement: “I am utterly heartbroken. On behalf of Robin’s family, we are asking for privacy during our time of profound grief. As he is remembered, it is our hope the focus will not be on Robin’s death, but on the countless moments of joy and laughter he gave to millions.” The Marin County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from Williams’ residence on Monday at 11:55 a.m. reporting the actor had been found unconscious and was not breathing. The paramedics arrived shortly thereafter at 12 p.m. and pronounced him dead at 12:02 p.m. Williams was las...

Spanish missionary priest Miguel Pajares who contracted Ebola while working in Liberia, has passed away. He died at a hospital in Madrid, CNN reports. Over the past few days, the 75-year-old priest was being treated with Zmapp,   the untested, experimental drug for Ebola. May his soul rest in peace.