Jeff Serrette Retires From Billboard After 45 Years

 When Jeff Serrette first started at Billboard, Rod Stewart's "Maggie May" was no. 1 on the Hot 100.  Now, Serrette retires after 45 years of service with The Chainsmokers' "Closer" topping the charts.
Serrette began his career on Oct. 15, 1971 as a messenger. After two years, he became a mail clerk. He leaves today (Sept. 23) as part of the sales team, handling classifieds and pro small space sales. In 1993, Serrette won the Billboard President's Award, which honored his team work and ability.
"Jeff could charm anyone into advertising in Billboard, as he did with Aretha Franklin, again and again," special features editor Thom Duffy says.
In fact, Serrette reveals that "partying with Aretha" is one of his favorite memories with the company. "She was an account of mine," he explains. "She has just been terrific whenever she comes to New York."
Of his retirement, Serrette says, "It's surreal. Billboard is part of me. It's bittersweet. Parting with something that has been a tremendous part of my life is sad. But I'm excited as well because it's a new chapter. A new beginning. This is all new to me."
 "Stay passionate, enjoy what you do," Serrette adds as advice for longevity with the company.
Serrette and his wife Rosie are retiring to Daytona Beach, Fla. to be closer to their children, Jeffrey Jr. and Donna, and their grandchildren, Marquis, Kalea and Shayla.

Those who stole from Nigeria recruited militants in the Niger Delta to fight us- Pres Buhari says

President Buhari today said those who stole Nigeria dry are angry with his government and so have recruited the services of militants in the Niger Delta to fight his government. He said this while addressing a group of Nigerians professionals residing in the US.

"We got into trouble as a country, because we did not save for the rainy day. For example, between 1999 and 2015, when we produced an average of 2.1 million barrels of oil per day, and oil prices stood at an average of $100 per barrel, we did not save, neither did we develop infrastructure. Suddenly, when we came in 2015, oil prices fell to about 30 dollars per barrel. I asked; where are the savings? There were none.
Where are the railways? The roads? Power? None. I further asked; what did we do with billions of dollars that we made over the years? They said we bought food. Food with billions of dollars? I did not believe, and still do not believe. In most parts of Nigeria, we eat what we grow. People in the South eat tubers, those in the North eat grains, which they plant, and those constitute over 60 per cent of what we eat. So, where did the billions of dollars go? We did a lot of damage to ourselves by not developing infrastructure when we had the money. Talking of our military, they earned respect serving in places like Burma, Zaire, Sudan, Liberia, Sierra-Leone, and then, suddenly, that same military could no longer secure 14 out of 774 local governments in the country. Insurgents had seized them, calling them some sort of caliphate, and planting their flags there; till we came, and scattered them. We raised the morale of our military, changed the leadership, re-equipped and retrained them; USA, Britain, and some other countries helped us, and today, the pride of our military is restored"he said

On Boko Haram, he said

"They ran riot, killing innocent people in churches, mosques, markets, schools, motor parks, and so on. And they would then shout Allahu Akbar. But if they truly knew Allah, they would not do such evil. Neither Islam, nor any other religion I know of, advocates hurting the innocent. But they shed innocent blood, killed people in their thousands. Now, we have dealt with that insurgency, and subverted their recruitment base. Those who stole Nigeria dry are not happy. They recruited the militants against us in the Niger Delta, and began to sabotage oil infrastructure. We lose millions of barrels per day, at a time when every dollar we can earn, counts. It is a disgrace that a minimum of 27 states, out of 36 that we have in Nigeria, can't pay salaries. But I prayed so hard for God to make me President. I ran in 2003, 2007, 2011, and in 2015, He did. And see what I met on ground. But I can't complain, since I prayed for the job. In the military, I rose from 2nd Lieutenant to Major-General. I was military governor in 1975 over a state that is now six states. I was head of state, got detained for three years, and headed the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), which had N53 billion of that time in Nigerian banks. God has been very good to me, so I can't complain. If I feel hurt by anybody, I ask God to help me forgive. He has done so much for me. After 16 years of a different party in government, no party will come and have things easy. It's human. We need quality hands to run Nigeria, and we will utilize them. I will like to welcome you home when it's time. But I'll like you to be ready."he said.

Source: www.naijacop.com

Chris Brown bans his friends from bringing random women to his home

  Chris Brown lives in his LA mansion with two of his best friends who until recently can throw parties, bring in women and do whatever they want. But Chris Brown has now put a stop to it following his recent arrest for allegedly pulling a gun on a girl at his home. Read the TMZ report after the cut...
  Chris Brown is done hosting frat house parties ... blaming his male friends and thirsty chicks for his recent arrest. Our Chris sources tell us he's now enforcing a strict guest policy at his Calabasas mansion -- and letting everyone in his crew know he's as serious as death ... no more randoms allowed. We told he's pulling back on parties for starters, but there's this problem with his 2 roommates/best friends.                             
They now have to submit a guest list to Chris IN WRITING, and they must describe who they are with sufficient details so he can decide whether he wants them in his home. We're told he also is imposing another strict policy ... guests are prohibited from bringing drugs or alcohol. The only booze and drugs allowed are his.

VIDEO:-“Apart From The Financial Woes, I Lost A Friend And Brother” – Don Jazzy Opens Up On Split From D’banj And Feud With Olamide

Mavin CEO, Don Jazzy, recently sat down for an interview with Forbes Africa Correspondent, Peace Hyde, on the 5 episode of the flagship Forbes Africa TV show, ‘My Worst Day.’
On why he reacted the way he did at this year’;s Headies Awards show, Don Jazzy said it was due to his love for his artistes.
He said:

I learnt a lesson about anger, I don’t really get angry like that. At that particular point, I was angry and emotional about my kids. You have to understand there’s no greater love than the love of a father for his children,“I think that’s the way people should know the amount of love i have for whoever is working for me. Especially those three. I guess I was weak, I was upset, spoke out of tongue. I’m sorry to my fans that expected better from me.

He also spoke on how, he finally made peace with Olamide after the show:

 That’s the beauty about adults. In two seconds after saying all that I regretted my actions. I realised that he did too and we got along. We didn’t want it to escalate.

 On his worst day in business, he said

The decision for myself and my former partner, Dbanj to pursue different path at that point was not the right the decision because it led to a lot of things. ‘Apart from the financial loses, I also lost a friend and brother in D’banj.

Watch Video Below:-

Another court order stops PDP from holding its National Convention tomorrow

 

Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Abuja today gave an order stopping the Ahmed Makarfi-led PDP faction from holding its National Convention slated for tomorrow August 17th in Port Harcourt, Rivers state. Justice Okon gave the order while delivering judgement on an application by embattled factional chairman of the party, Ali Modu Sheriff seeking to stop the convention.

“An order of interlocutory injunction is hereby made restraining the defendants, any of them, their servant agents from conducting the national convention of PDP and supervising and monitoring same under any guise or electing any national officer of the defendant pending the determination of the substantive suit. An order of Interlocutory injunction is hereby made restraining PDP from presenting anybody and sponsoring any person for election and holding any national convention or conference in the purpose of electing any national officers of the second defendants. An order of Interlocutory injunction is hereby made restraining INEC from monitoring the national convention of PDP scheduled for Port Harcourt on 17th August.”

          Justice Abang also ordered INEC and the police from monitoring the election.