ANGELINA JOLIE AND BRAD PITT OFFICIALLY DIVORCED!!!

                Angelina Jolie has filed for divorce from Brad Pitt, according to the USA TODAY. 



              The couple married in 2014 and has been together since 2004.

"This decision was made for the health of the family," Robert Offer, an attorney for Jolie tells USA TODAY in a statement. "She will not be commenting at this time, and asks that the family be given their privacy during this difficult time."

Jolie, 41, and Pitt, 52, have six children together: Maddox, 15, and Pax, 12, Zahara, 11, and Vivienne, 8, Shiloh, 10 and Knox, 8.

In court documents the date of separation is listed as Sept. 15, and Jolie has asked for physical custody of all six children.

Pitt soon released his own statement. "I am very saddened by this, but what matters most now is the well-being of our kids," he told People. "I kindly ask the press to give them the space they deserve during this challenging time."

For 12 years the couple has captivated international audiences with their jet-setting glamour, their commitment to philanthropy, and their stunning red carpet turns. But they put off getting legally married for a decade, until announcing a surprise ceremony in France at Château Miraval in August 2014.

In December 2014 Jolie told Vanity Fair being married did feel different for the couple. "It feels nice to be husband and wife," she said.

Their children helped them write the vows for their ceremony, she revealed, adding, “they did not expect us never to fight, but they made us promise to always say, ‘Sorry,’ if we do. So they said, ‘Do you?,’ and we said, ‘We do!’ ”

Jolie was previously married to actors Jonny Lee Miller (1996-1999) and Billy Bob Thornton (2000-2003). Pitt was previously married to Jennifer Aniston from 2000 to 2005, and the two announced their separation just before the release of Mr. and Mrs. Smith, which starred Pitt and Jolie as husband-and-wife spies.

Though Pitt and Jolie denied infidelity, Pitt later told Rolling Stone he "fell in love" making the movie. A month after the film's release, the first paparazzi pictures of Pitt and Jolie surfaced.

AMBODE RECEIVES BEST PERFORMING NIGERIAN GOVERNOR AWARD IN NEW YORK

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode at the weekend said the State was gradually emerging as the choice destination for investors, assuring that his administration would continue to work round the clock not only to become a shining example for Africans in Diaspora but retain the State as investors haven.
The Governor, who spoke at the 2016 International Forum on African Leadership, where he received an award for Best Performing Governor in Nigeria, organised by the African Leadership Magazine and held at the Regis Hotel, New York, USA, said since he assumed office on May 29, 2015, efforts have been geared towards creating a conducive and friendly environment for investors and for businesses to thrive.

Governor Ambode, who was represented by the Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Mr. Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti, apologised for his absence to receive the award, but said that he acknowledged the importance of the event hence his decision to send a powerful delegation including Durosinmi-Etti; the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde; his Special Adviser on Overseas Affairs and Investment, Professor Ademola Abass; and his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Habib Aruna, to represent him.

The Governor, in his remarks shortly after receiving the award, said the security and judicial reforms which he initiated at the commencement of his administration and the creation of the Office of Overseas Affairs and Investment were part of efforts to reduce the burden of bureaucracy and security concerns for would-be investors.

While stating that the State is open for

business, Governor Ambode assured would-be investors that government would continue to invest in security, job opportunity and infrastructure which are the tripod upon which his administration was built.

He said that Lagos is also playing a leading role in the Nigeria economy, and as such must not shy away in ensuring that it takes the lead as Nigeria restrategises to restructure its economy for greater prosperity.

“Lagos as the fifth largest economy in Africa is like a country and with the momentum with which the State is moving, it might soon emerge as the biggest economy in Africa. It is home to almost every religion, tribe and colour and accommodates the largest pool of black people all over the world, including Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who is from Nigeria and has a home in Lagos”, the Governor said.

Earlier, in his opening remarks, Publisher and Chief Executive Officer of African Leadership Magazine, Mr. Ken Giami while thanking participants for finding time to honour the occasion, said the focus of the Forum was for good governance and how it could impact on the African continent.

“We have to connect, build bridges and cultivate both intra and inter African interests and connection, continue discussion and conversation on how to move Africa forward.

“A continent that has all the natural resources but still at the lowest ebb in the rank of other continents, needs trade and investment because there are many opportunities that abound in Africa. This is the time for countries all over the world to explore the resources that abound in the continent to make the world a better place for us”, Giami said.

Other recipients of the African Leadership Awards at the event include the President of Malawi, Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika; President of Burkina Faso, Mr. Roch Marc Christian Kabore; Vice President of South Sudan, Mr. Taban Deng Gai, among others.

AMBODE DONATES LAND TO GERMAN FIRM INVESTING $75M IN LAGOS

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday demonstrated his commitment to attract foreign investors into the State by approving land for the establishment of a training centre in Lagos where architects, civil engineers and craftsmen will be trained on modern trends and technologies in the construction sector.

Governor Ambode, who gave the approval when he received a delegation from The Knauf Group, which is a German firm currently establishing a $75miilion building/construction tools manufacturing factory in Lagos, said the approval for the land became imperative in view of the need to encourage investors to continue to invest in Lagos.

The Knauf Group is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of modern insulation materials, dry lining systems, plasters and accessories, thermal insulation composite systems, paints, floor screed, floor systems, and construction equipment and tools.

The delegation was led by a member of the Management Committee of the firm, Isabel Knauf and Consular General of German Embassy in Lagos, Mr. Ingo Herbert.

Governor Ambode, who recalled the last time Herbert visited the Lagos House about eleven months ago, said his administration has remained focused to the promise of upholding judicial and security sector reforms, as well as creating a friendly environment for investment to thrive.

He said the massive investment by The Knauf Group in Lagos was a pointer to the fact that investors were still willing to invest in Nigeria despite the economic recession, and that the country will come out of the economic doldrums even stronger.

“I must commend the German government and The Knauf Group for showing something important to all Nigerians that beyond the economic recession, their total believe in our economy is unshaken because it is not enough for any investor to come into an area where they have never invested before and months after, the parameters for investment are not really looking good, but you stuck in there and beyond the fact that you have gone to procure land, you also have an established office within the last eleven months and you are already pumping in money into what you want to do.

“This is a great pointer to the fact that you believe in the Lagos economy and also believe in the future of Nigeria and I like to encourage other investors to emulate what your firm and government is doing in Lagos and as they show interest, we will not hesitate to give them the necessary support,” the Governor said.

Governor Ambode said The Knauf Group specifically deserved to be commended for not just investing in Nigeria, but also bringing the German vocational expertise on an area of construction that was hitherto not in existence in Nigeria into Lagos.

Besides, the Governor said he was excited about the fact that the firm was not just establishing a factory here in Lagos, but also a training centre where Nigerians will be trained, adding that he would stop at nothing to encourage investors such as The Knauf Group.

Earlier, Isabel Knauf said the team was at the Lagos House to brief Governor Ambode on the progress made so far since the project started in September 2015.

She said the firm has 23 training centres all over the world training about 14,000 people annually, and that they would like to build the same training centre in Lagos where architects, civil engineers and craftsmen would be trained on how to technically install their products.

She said upon completion of the factory, the firm would create 25,000 direct employment, adding that the training centre will cost about two million Euros to establish, while at least 800 Nigerians will be trained annually in the first phase.

Knauf, however, solicited the support of the State Government in land space for the training centre and permit issues, a request which was instantly granted by the Governor.

AMBODE SEEKS SCAPE GOATS ON SEXUAL OFFENCE !!!

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday led an All Male Walk against Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV), vowing that his administration would leave no stone unturned to ensure that all perpetrators of such crimes are made to face the wrath of the law.

The walk, which proceeded from Ikeja under Bridge through Awolowo Way to Lagos House in Alausa, witnessed the participation of dignitaries from all walks of life, including members of the State Executive Council, members of the State House of Assembly, key government functionaries, entertainers, youths, artisans, workers, among others.

While addressing participants at the Lagos House, Ikeja, the Governor decked in a black T-shirt and armed with a placard with the inscription ‘Stop Rape, Domestic Violence, Child Abuse’, said it was time for men to stand up and take the bull by the horn in tackling the menace of sexual violence in the society, as recent research has shown that women are more prone to being victims of these crimes. The governor said, “I will like you to join hands with me to say no to rapists, say no to women beaters and wherever they are, we know that the Task Force that we have set up will swing into action once it receives any petition from any member of the society. We are looking for the first 11 scapegoats whether highly or lowly placed in the society. We say no to domestic violence and sexual abuse,” Governor Ambode said.

Among celebrities who joined the walk include Ace comedians, Alibaba, Teju Babyface, Omobaba and music artiste, Bez.

Gov. Ambode (3rd right); SA on Commerce, Mr. Olabinjo, member, Lagos House of Assembly, Hon. Adedamola Kasunmu; Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem; member, Lagos House of Assembly, Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu and Commissioner for Science & Technology, Mr. Olufemi Odubiyi during the walkAdd caption