Endorsement Deals: A Status Symbol Among Nigerian Musicians

Music is seen as aescape route from the negativities of life. It is also seen as didactic in nature. It is the movement of sound to reach the soul for the education of its virtue. And in this regard, the entertainment industry which musicians play a huge role is seen as a vital component for a society to develop.
Nigeria is not an exception in the music world. Years back, the music industry was so much relegated that hardly would one hear songs from the country being played in clubs, parties, gatherings etc. Most times, the artistes are not invited to grace the occasions except for a few like the old legends in the industry. But today, the wind of change has blown and we now see a fully vibrant music industry.
The music in Nigeria has so much evolved that a DJ cannot but play Nigerian songs, now fully relegating foreign songs to the background. This is a welcome development as it has positively enhanced the overall acceptability of the artistes by Nigerians, even beyond Nigeria.
Knowing the huge follower base of the musicians which transcend across all spheres of life, corporate organisations seized the golden opportunity to use them as brand ambassadors. This is aimed at pushing their products to greater heights, invariably making more sales. These organisations now scramble to have certain musicians on their payroll. They know that their popularity will reflect on their products. These companies have fully bought their image rights.
Recently, one of the telecoms giants, MTN, signed lucrative endorsements deals with Wizkid, Iyanya, Chidinma, Praiz and Mike Anyasodo(iMike). These deals, of course, worth millions of naira. Davido is not left behind in this as he is signed on MTN also.
Tiwa Savage and Wizkid are Pepsi ambassadors. Pepsi is an international brand that has footballers such as Lionel Messi, Mikel Obi etc as their brand ambassadors. One can only imagine how high the public image of Tiwa Savage and Wizkid would have reached based on Pepsi deals alone.
Etisalat, another telecoms company in Nigeria with Arab roots, also signed Banky W, arguably Nigeria’s king of R&B. He has been a worthy ambassador indeed. Based on his popularity, Samsung also signed him and was reportedly paid over N100m. He was signed alongside Sasha. Banky W has his hands full as he was also signed by the Coca-Cola bottling company. I am sure we can all remember the ‘wave your flag’ song.
The music industry cannot be complete without the king of beats, the Nigerian Timberland, Don Jazzy. He is more of a producer than an singer but that didn’t stop Samsung and Loya milk from signing him. Loya milk obviously must be reaping the benefits of signing Don Jazzy. He has shot up their market sales.
There is a waging war as to who is the biggest Nigerian artiste between Tu face and Dbanj. While different sections of fans prefer one to the other, the duo always smiles to the bank. In 2009, NAFDAC signed Tu Face to lead the campaign against fake and adulterated drugs. He was first signed by Guinness Nigeria as well as Airtel, another Telecoms company. Dbanj, a one-time Glo ambassador, recently signed with Bank of Industry. We can all recall the Power Fist advert he partook in. This was arguably made possible because he was signed by Virgin Colours.
Paul and Peter Okoye, known as P Square, are among the faces of Globacom. They are said to be paid $1m yearly for being Glo brand ambassadors. The ‘short little black boy,’ MI, is also a Glo ambassador. They are not the only ones on the payroll of Glo; there are also actors and actresses.
These music idols, no doubt deserve every penny earned. They have put in their very best to give us songs to listen and dance to. From all indications, for them being signed as brand ambassadors is a status symbol as this gives them the belief they have been accepted and their works are duly being appreciated. They obviously live large as their talents have truly brought them success in all ramifications. More power to their elbows.

FANS ATTACK TONTO DIKEH ON FACEBOOK OVER PICTURES

inShare

For Tonto Dikeh’s birthday celebration, Cokobar decided to host the actress in their club in London UK.
Tonto Dikeh decided to post pictures of her boarding pass clearly showing she was flying business class, glasses, passport and a Sony tablet .She then gushed saying ” I got my pass ready, can’t wait to hit the city of London” .
After posting yet another picture with the above listed items together with a cigar that looked like weed , she gushed again saying ” I’m so gonna be high today”.
As expected, some of her followers began tongue-lashing and attacking her , while some hailed and showered her with praises.
I am sha concentrating on the tongue -lashes lol ( naughty me).
Was she wrong to have showed off she was flying business class and was gonna smoke weed, or was she just seeking attention and comments?
Tonto na real entertainment!
Check out another picture and comments from her followers below

4 Next-Level Juices Even Beginners Can Make

So you went out and bought yourself a juicer, juiced all the carrots, kale, and beets you could, and now you’re craving something with a bit more depth? Perfect! 

Advanced juicing doesn’t mean standing at the other end of the kitchen and free-throwing your kale into your juicer, although if you have video of this I’d love to see it. When you start to expand your juicing horizons, it’s really all about flavor ratios. How sweet do you want your juice? What fruits and veggies lend their flavors to one another? The hardest part about juicing is the trial and error process; this sometimes means drinking that not-so-great-tasting concoction because you don’t want it to go to waste. 

The following are a few tried, tested, and loved recipes from my own kitchen, just for you. Recipes are for one person and make about 10 ounces of juice. Increase ingredients accordingly to serve your little juiced army.

CLOCKWORK

¼ pineapple

¼ grapefruit

1 orange

cinnamon

Cut rids off citrus and pineapple. Juice. Top with cinnamon.

JUICE BOMB

¼ grapefruit

1 apple

½ bulb fennel (Even if you don’t like fennel just try it. Fennel loses much of its anise flavor when juiced).

1 large sprig of mint

Cut rinds off citrus. Remove mint leaves from stem (stem can be bitter). Juice and enjoy the incredible color of this tasty beverage.

AFTERNOON DELIGHT

Handful of kale (I use Lacinato kale as it is a bit sweeter than curly kale)

1 celery stalk

½ cucumber

1 kiwi

¼ pineapple

1 apple

1 ginger knob

Cut rind off pineapple, juice, and enjoy!

JUDGE, JURY, EXECUTIONER

2 apples

1 carrot

1 lemon wedge

¼ yellow bell pepper

¼ cucumber

¼ celery

1 inch broccoli stem

1 inch red beet

Keep the rind on that lemon for this one. Juice will be cloudy but nonetheless delicious. Want a little extra awesomeness? Place in blender with ice and blend until smooth. 

Remember, you can juice almost anything! Play around with flavor profiles you enjoy — citrus and fennel is one of my favorites — and have fun.

Supreme Court Affirms Dismissal, Life Sentence On Naval Officer

The court also upheld the naval officer’s dismissal from service.
Odunlami had approached the Supreme Court to appeal the life sentence passed on him by the Court of Appeal, Lagos, as well as his dismissal by a General Court Martial.
Lieutenant Odunlami (with force number: NN2121) was travelling from the Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja to Apapa on July 25, 2005 when, at the Allen Avenue Roundabout, Ikeja, a commercial motorcyclist, Peter Edeh, hit his car from behind.
The motorcyclist, Edeh, knelt down to beg Odunlami for forgiveness, but the naval officer ignored his plea, drew his pistol, and shot him (Edeh) in the mouth. Edeh died instantly.
The naval officer only escaped an imminent mob action because of the timely intervention of the police.
However, he (Odunlami) was on January 27, 2006 arraigned before a General Court Martial on three counts.
He was charged with manslaughter, loss of service item, for not being able to convincingly account for four rounds of 9mm live ammunition, and conduct to the prejudice of service discipline.
The offences were contrary to and punishable under sections 68(1)(a), 103(i) AFA 105 and 106 of the Armed Forces Act Cap A 20 laws of Nigeria.
At the conclusion of his trial in July 2006, the Court Martial convicted him on counts one and two, and sentenced him to life imprisonment for manslaughter and equally dismissed him from service on count two.
Odunlami ran to the Court of Appeal, Lagos, but the appellate court in its judgment on January 31, 2011, upheld the Court Martial’s decision and dismissed Odunlami’s appeal.
This prompted his appeal to the Supreme Court.
In the lead judgment delivered by Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour, the Supreme Court upheld the decisions of the General Court Martial and the Court of Appeal, Lagos.
The court held that the naval officer’s argument that he was provoked into murdering the motorcyclist lacked merit.
The court also held that the trial court could not exercise its discretion to give a lower sentence because under section 105 of the Armed Forces Act, on which the charge was based, the trial judge has no discretion, but to sentence the appellant to life imprisonment.
“The confirming authority confirmed the sentence of life imprisonment and dismissal from service of the Nigerian Navy.

Customers Worry As First Bank Shuts Down Operations

There have been mixed reactions from First Bank customers over the temporary nationwide closure of its operations for an upgrading exercise.
Some branches in Lagos State witnessed calmness as customers were able to withdraw money via the Automated Teller Machines.
However, in virtually all the branches, customers had long queues to contend with.
At Ojodu/Berger Road, Lagos, Saturday PUNCH observed that customers were making withdrawals via the ATM points.
Some customers in Lagos commended the bank for adequate publicity ahead of the exercise, but many customers outside Lagos complained of inadequate publicity to enable them to prepare for the consequences of the bank’s action.
In Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on Friday, customers described the recent hitch being experienced in the bank’s operation as disappointing.
They said it was a common sight to find customers crowding the banking halls with long queues at the ATM points for transactions.
A financial expert, Tunde Alalade, said, “This development is affecting in many ways. It reduces customers’ trust, frustrates business transactions and creates hiccups in commercial activities. The experience is nationwide and one wonders how long this would last.”
A Business Administration student of the Polytechnic, Ibadan, Damilola Afolabi, said students’ registration was affected as a result of the hiccups being experienced in the bank’s services.
In Jos and Bukuru environs, all the First Bank branches were locked in line with the bank’s scheduled upgrading exercise.
At the branches at the City Centre, Market, Ferin Gada and Bukuru, customers, who had no inkling of the exercise, were seen around the bank premises.
They complained that they were not given adequate information to enable them to withdraw some money to feed their families pending the conclusion of the exercise.
A customer, who identified himself simply as Haruna, said that he had an important transaction to make and was surprised when he went to his bank and saw it closed for business.
In Ilorin, Kwara State, there were diverse reactions from customers over the temporary closure of First Bank.
Saturday PUNCH found that about 2.30 pm, many of the customers that went to the Geri Alimi branch and a few other branches to collect cash via the ATMs were disappointed as the machines were reportedly not dispensing cash.
But the experience was different at the Unity Road branch, the bank’s head office in Ilorin and some other branches in the metropolis.
At these points, many customers were seen queuing up to make use of the ATM, which was functioning well.
In Awka, the Anambra State capital, the closure of First Bank banking halls is taking its toll on its customers.
Many of those affected were traders at the Eke Awka market, the biggest market in the city.
Some customers seen withdrawing money at the ATM points said they had little to do with banking hall transactions.
Sunny Okeke told Saturday PUNCH that he went to the bank on Friday morning to pay in the proceeds from his transactions but he was turned back on the grounds that the bank did not open.
Okeke wondered how he was going to keep the proceeds safe until Monday that the bank would open again.
Mrs. Uju Okoye, who was turned back at the Onitsha-Enugu Expressway branch of the bank, said she was desperately in need of cash to pay her rent.
“My landlady says she is travelling on Sunday and wants the money now. The most you can get from an ATM is N100,000. I don’t know what to do now?” she lamented.
In Ondo State, some First Bank customers lamented its temporary closure.
In separate interviews with Saturday PUNCH on Friday, they said they could not access their money through any of its branches or cash points.
Mostly affected are some of the Batch ‘B’ corps members, who said they were unable to travel back to their destinations after completing their service year.
They alleged that the time of the notice sent by the bank to customers on the issue was too short and that it did not allow them to make adequate preparations.
Despite the prior notice given by First Bank of Nigeria Plc that it would shut down operations to upgrade its banking application system, a large percentage of customers were still caught napping.
In Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, many First Bank customers said the closure notice was off the mark.
A customer, Emem Moses, said people could use the ATMs to access their accounts, but added that they had to endure long queues for between two and three hours, as they could withdraw money via other banks’ ATMs.
He noted that on Thursday, only three out of six ATM points in Uyo FBN main branch worked. He added that on Friday, none of the ATM points worked.
A customer, Miss Iniabisi Eyo, said she had to suspend her business trip to Dubai as she could not get the money for her flight.
In Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital on Friday, customers bemoaned the closure of the bank.
Many of the banks’ customers, who besieged the branches in Sapon and Pansheke areas of Abeokuta, kicked against the action of the bank’s management.
At Sapon, a customer, Mr. Emmanuel Madu, told Saturday PUNCH that the action of the management had clearly demonstrated a lack of feeling and insensitivity.
Another customer, Mrs. Bisi Daniel argued that the bank did not need to completely shut down its operations because it wanted to carry out some duties.
At Pansheke branch of the bank, scores of customers, many of whom were students of the nearby Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, were seen loitering around the premises.
In Abuja, many of the customers, who besieged various ATM points, were jolted when they could not access their accounts for withdrawal or money transfer.
Some of them complained that the notice was so short even as it was not properly communicated.
A customer, who identified herself as Comfort, said, “As you can see, the queue here is too long, majority of the people have been complaining about the closure of the bank. Many of us were not even aware of the closure because if we had gotten the information earlier, we would have prepared for it.”

UNIBEN Student Killing: Edo Police Command Sends Case File To DPP

24 hours after the body of the 22 years old University of Benin (UNIBEN) student who was killed by the police last week Wednesday, Ibrahim Momodu, was exhumed for autopsy by the police, the Edo state Police Command yesterday, forwarded the case file to the Director of Public Prosecutions for legal Advice.

The state Commissioner of police, Mr Folunsho Adebanjo, who condemned any form of extra judicial killing, disclosed that the DPO of Ogida Police Station, Mrs Carol Afegbai and her orderly PC Amadin Idahosa, who were alleged to have shot at the deceased, have been redeployed with a view to facilitate further investigations into the matter.
It would be recalled that the state governor, Adams Oshiomhole had set up a judicial panel of inquiry to investigate the killing of the final year UNIBEN students , following the outcry by the family that their son was not an armed robber contrary to the claim by the police that he was arrested with guns and was shot while evading arrest.
But the Edo CP who briefed newsmen on the incident, expressed the readiness of the police to investigate the matter, just as he urged all the parties to maintain peace while the investigations are carried out.
According to him, “ looking at the scenario now, it might be too early for any one to dismiss either the claim of the police or that of the bereaved family. In order to demonstrate the Edo state Police management team’s desire for justice and fairness as it concerns this case, the case file has been forwarded to the DPP for legal advice.
“The DPO Ogida Division CSP Carol Afegbai and her orderly PC Amadin Idahosa who shot the deceased have also been redeployed to facilitate further investigation.
The Command therefore, calls on the general public particularly the family of the deceased and the UNIBEN community to exercise restraint and go about their lawful business as we await the DPP advice on the matter please” he appealed.

My Fiance Wiped Away My Shame – Tiwa Savage

Just a few years back, Tiwa, amidst fear of the unknown, left the U.K where she already had everything going for her as a backup singer and songwritter for most UK’s high-flying artistes to build her music career in Nigeria.
Despite facing series of discouragements, she did not give up on her resolve to break new ground in the nation’s music industry. Today, she is one of the best things that ever happened to the industry. Come on board as she takes us on a journey into her life, her career and the man in her life.
Your debut album will drop any moment from now. What are your fans expecting from you?
Tiwa This album is straight from my heart and it’s something that I’ve worked so tirelessly for. A lot of people wondered why it took me so long a time to drop my own album. That’s because we had to go through a lot of legal processes to clear some of the samples that we used, and that took us some months.
Also, we wanted to work with notable producers outside the shores of the country like Oak who produces Rhinna. So, we had to work around his schedule and waited for them to have our time. But this album is something that I really took my time with because I didn’t want it to be the usual Nigerian album that contains just party tracks from the beginning till the end.
Why did you title your album ‘Once Upon A Time?’ Once you hear ‘Once Upon A Time’, you know it’s story time. My life has been an amazing story and I wanted to reflect that on my album. Also, I wanted to motivate other upcoming artistes that, once upon a time, I was a little girl living at Isale Eko and I dreamt of doing this, and here I am doing it. So, I want their ‘once upon a time’ to turn into reality. It’s a 19 -track album.
There are tracks like Wanted, Ileke, Middle Passage, Olorun Mi, Why Don’t You Love Me, Fela Interlude, Love Me Love Me Love me, Eminado ft Don Jazzy, Folarin, Oh Yeah ft Don Jazzy, Shout Out ft Ice Berg Slim & Sarkodie, Written All Over Your Face, Get Low, Ife Wa Gbona ft Leo Wonder, Eji ma fia, Baby Mo ft Flavour, Stand As One ft General Pype, and Thank You. It also has two bonus tracks like Without My Heart ft Don Jazzy and Kele Kele.
Looking back to when you stormed the nation’s music industry a few years ago, how do you feel today?
Like you said, a lot of people tried to discourage me from coming home. They told me that people who came before me were not really welcomed home, and that it is even worse for a female singer. They even said there was no way I could be on the same stage with the likes of Tuface, Wizkid and many others.
I got discouraged somehow. As a matter of fact, after I dropped Kele-Kele, I moved back to Los Angeles. Then, I dropped Love Me Love Me and it grew even bigger. So, I decided to move back to Nigeria because people around me encouraged me that I could make it if I’m consistent in what I’m doing. That was how I was encouraged to do more. I thank God for where I am today.
A lot of female artistes complain of being marginalised in the industry.Do you have the same experience?
I think every female artiste needs to work ten times harder than the opposite sex and that’s why I put much effort into what I do. Usually, what most artistes do is wait until when they drop their album to do an album launch. But I think it’s important to do an exclusive listening because the press are the ones who are going to project my image to the outside world. And that’s why I had to organise a press listening party so that you guys can assess me, and also, to let you know how much you mean to me.
Now that you’ve become a big brand, aren’t you scared of competition from other female artistes?
Why would I be scared? Back in America, we have the likes of Beyonce, Nicky Minaj, Mariah Carey and other female acts standing tall. So why would there be just one person shining here? After all, here in Nigeria, we have male acts like Davido, Wizkid, M.I, Tuface and other big names at the same time. It’s not fair to have just one female act in the industry. So, I’m glad that more female acts are springing up. Having more female acts in the industry will open more doors.
Tiwa In the song, Ife Wa Gbona, you featured an artiste and there’s this scene where both of you were in the forest singing to each other. He spoke Yoruba to you but you replied in English. Is it that you don’t speak Yoruba?
Of course, I speak Yoruba fluently, omo Yoruba ni mi(I’m a Yoruba ). We did it for a purpose because I have a mixed audience. If he speaks Yoruba and I reply him in Yoruba language, how will my fans in South Africa, Uganda and all over the world be carried along?
The track Eminado has this special kind of tone. How did you come about it? That sound and name is the handiwork of Don Jazzy. We got the idea when we were in the studio rehearsing. We were just playing around with words and sounds. So when it came up, we thought it was a good one and we decided to turn it into a song.
What was growing up like for you? Growing up was very interesting. There were no barriers, I was just free. I had a very healthy upbringing. My parents ensured that I was grounded and I had lovely brothers.

Nigeria’s Central Bank Governor, Sanusi, Unable To Shake Off Sex Scandal As More Evidence Surface

Premium Times was first to report the scandal in which Mr. Sanusi was accused of abusing his office in order to advance an amorous relationship with a woman.
Several sources told SaharaReporters that Premium Times has been under intense pressure from associates of the CBN Governor since the expose was published. In the wake of the report, the CBN also issued a widely circulated rebuttal claiming that Ms. Yaro was never a staff of the bank, that she was employed at Nigeria Incentive-based Risk Sharing Systems For Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL), and that the governor had no hand in her recruitment.
But records obtained by SaharaReporters suggest that the bank’s claims are an attempt to muddle up the facts. NIRSAL, to which Ms. Yaro is attached, is a special purpose vehicle (SPV) set up by the Federal Government through a partnership between the CBN and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture. Besides, the project is domiciled in the Development Finance Department of the CBN.
It is the CBN’s human resource department that hires staff for NIRSAL, and it is Mr. Sanusi who approves all recruitments into the agency, insiders say.
Records available to us indeed showed that, contrary to the CBN’s claims, Mr. Sanusi directly and personally approved Ms. Yaro’s recruitment.
Investigations by SaharaReporters revealed that, after approving Ms. Yaro’s hiring and sending her file back to the bank’s human resource department, Mr. Sanusi sent a message to his mistress on June 25, 2012 saying, “I’m in South Africa. I approved your recruitment last week.”
Ten minutes later, Ms. Yaro responded: “You have made my day. Thank you so much. Let me know when you are back.”
When the human resource department delayed in sending her appointment letter, Ms. Yaro contacted Mr. Sanusi to complain.
“I have not heard anything from CBN since you approved my recruitment,” she wrote in a July 9, 2012 message. “Is there anything I need to do?”
A source told SaharaReporters that, following her complaint, Mr. Sanusi contacted the CBN human resource department urging them to expedite action on her case.
Eight days later, on July 17, 2012, Ms. Yaro informed Mr. Sanusi that the human resource department had finally acted on his instruction.
“Allah nguro, I have been issued my letter of offer,” she said in a message. “Thank you so much. When can I come and see you?”

Activists Blame Obasanjo For Non-Recognition of June 12

Speaking at a news conference held on Friday, in Osogbo, to herald the anniversary, the Coordinator, Committee for Democracy and Rights of the People, Amitolu Shittu, accused Obasanjo of working against the recognition of June 12.
“Those who worked against the interest of June 12 are the ones in high political offices. They are found in the upper and lower legislative chambers,” Amitolu said.
The Coordinator, Osun Civil Societies Coalition, Wahid Lawal, said it was unfortunate that military apologists, who worked against the actualisation of the election, were currently enjoying various political offices across the country.
Lawal said, “Former President Olusegun Obasanjo never wanted to hear anything about June 12. It is most unfortunate that Chief MKO Abiola, being a kinsman of Obasanjo, could be given such a treatment.”
Osun State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Chief Sunday Akere, said, “June 12 would soon be given a national recognition as soon as the All Progressives Congress wins the 2015 presidential election.
“The decision to collaborate with civil societies in the state is to ensure a befitting June 12 celebration that would be symbolic. Osun
State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, will soon send a bill to the house of assembly to make June 12 constitutionally recognised.”
An activist, Rahman Shenge, called on Nigerians across geopolitical divides to unite in the struggle to give June 12 national recognition, adding that the winner of the election, Chief MKO Abiola, should be immortalised.
The theme of this year’s celebration is, “20 years after June 12, thenational question.

Nelson Mandela Hospitalized

The 94-year-old was being treated by a team of doctors at his home for a recurrence of a long-standing lung infection but in the early hours of this morning

Mandela

The decision was taken to transfer him to hospital after his condition deteriorated, the South African presidency said. Mac Maharaj, President Jacob Zuma's spokesman, said Mr Mandela's health was "serious this time," adding: "Every day that he gets older it gets more serious."
"The problem is that his infection reoccurred," he told The Telegraph. "At 1.30am today the doctors came to the conclusion that his condition had deteriorated enough that it warranted hospital treatment."
Mr Mandela is known to have been on and off a ventilator in recent months but is understood to be breathing on his own this morning.
His wife Graca, and other family members, are at his bedside in an undisclosed hospital in Pretoria, the nation's capital.

Hot or hot: Dencia's outfit to Industry Nite

Yeah, she wore this a while back...and I'm just posting it! :-). The Cameroonian singer wore this outfit to D'banj's Industry Nite gig last week. You like?

Rapper Drake gets a $2m Bugatti Veyron from label boss, Birdman

Young Money/Cash Money bosses, Birdman and Lil Wayne each drive a Bugatti. They decided to get one for Drake as a boss man.

Photo: Femi Kuti shows off his children

The proud papa posted this adorable picture on Twitter, showing off five of his six children. Femi also has a teenage son, Made, with former wife, Funke Kuti.

Woman discovers online ‘friend’ is actually ex-husband

File photo of computer webcam (Thinkstock)

A divorced Minnesota woman discovered that the man she'd been communicating with online for roughly a year was actually her ex-husband, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. The woman has since filed stalking charges.
Brian Matthew Cornelius, 36, allegedly created an "elaborate online persona" before communicating with his ex-wife. During the course of their online courtship, his ex-wife revealed many intimate details of her life, including her thoughts and feelings about her ex-husband, according to the Pioneer Press article.
The paper reports that prosecutors claim Cornelius observed his ex-wife's home through a webcam. He also convinced her to "skip a court appearance in which she was seeking an order for protection against him." The charge against her ex-husband was then dropped, the Pioneer Press reported.
Eventually the woman was able to figure out that "Aaron Carpenter" was actually Brian Cornelius. The Pioneer Press explains that Cornelius showed up at places where the woman had told Carpenter she would be. The man known as Carpenter also said things to the woman that only her ex-husband could possibly know, according to the paper.
Confronted by his ex-wife, Cornelius allegedly admitted to using images he found online to fill out his alter-ego's profile, according to the complaint cited in the Pioneer Press piece. The two were married for 11 years and have two children.
Cornelius faces two counts of gross misdemeanor stalking. He is scheduled to appear in court on the stalking charges next month.

.Obama defends broad phone, Internet spy programs

Associated Press/Evan Vucci - President Barack Obama gestures during a statment about the Affordable Care Act, Friday, June 7, 2013, in San Jose, Calif. Speaking about the NSA collecting of phone records, the …more 

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is urging Americans to "make some choices" in balancing privacy and security as he defends once-secret surveillance programs that sweep up an estimated 3 billion phone calls a day and amass Internet data from U.S. providers in an attempt to thwart terror attacks.

Obama says it will be harder to detect threats against the U.S. now that the two top-secret tools to target terrorists have been so thoroughly publicized.

At turns defensive and defiant while speaking to reporters on Friday, Obama stood by the spy programs revealed this week.

The National Security Agency has been collecting the phone records of hundreds of millions of Americans each day, creating a database through which it can learn whether terror suspects have been in contact with people in the U.S. It also was disclosed this week that the NSA has been gathering all Internet usage — audio, video, photographs, emails and searches — from nine major U.S. Internet providers, including Microsoft and Google, in hopes of detecting suspicious behavior that begins overseas.

"Nobody is listening to your telephone calls," Obama assured the nation after two days of reports that many found unsettling. What the government is doing, he said, is digesting phone numbers and the durations of calls, seeking links that might "identify potential leads with respect to folks who might engage in terrorism."
If there's a hit, he said, "if the intelligence community then actually wants to listen to a phone call, they've got to go back to a federal judge, just like they would in a criminal investigation."

While Obama said the aim of the programs is to make America safe, he offered no specifics about how the surveillance programs have done that. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich., on Thursday said the phone records sweeps had thwarted a domestic terror attack, but he also didn't offer specifics.

Obama asserted his administration had tightened the phone records collection program since it started in the George W. Bush administration and is auditing the programs to ensure that measures to protect Americans' privacy are heeded — part of what he called efforts to resist a mindset of "you know, 'Trust me, we're doing the right thing. We know who the bad guys are.'"
But again, he provided no details on how the program was tightened or what the audit was examining.
The revelations have divided Congress and led civil liberties advocates and some constitutional scholars to accuse Obama of crossing a line in the name of rooting out terror threats.

Obama, himself a constitutional lawyer, strove to calm Americans' fears but also to remind them that Congress and the courts had signed off on the surveillance.

"I think the American people understand that there are some trade-offs involved," Obama said when questioned by reporters at a health care event in San Jose, Calif.
"It's important to recognize that you can't have 100 percent security and also then have 100 percent privacy and zero inconvenience," he said. "We're going to have to make some choices as a society. And what I can say is that in evaluating these programs, they make a difference in our capacity to anticipate and prevent possible terrorist activity."
Obama said U.S. intelligence officials are looking at phone numbers and lengths of calls — not at people's names — and not listening in.

The two classified surveillance programs were revealed in newspaper reports that showed, for the first time, how deeply the NSA dives into telephone and Internet data to look for security threats. The new details were first reported by The Guardian newspaper of Britain and The Washington Post, and prompted Director of National Intelligence James Clapper to take the unusual and reluctant step of acknowledging the programs' existence.

Obama echoed intelligence experts — both inside and outside the government — who predicted that potential attackers will find other, secretive ways to communicate now that they know that their phone and Internet records may be targeted.
"The bad folks' antennas go back up and they become more cautious for a period of time," said former Rep. Pete Hoekstra, a Republican member of the House Intelligence Committee for a decade. He said he approved the phone surveillance program but did not know about the online spying.
"But we'll just keep coming up with more sophisticated ways to dig into these data. It becomes a techies game, and we will try to come up with new tools to cut through the clutter," he said.
In the immediate years after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, the government began collecting data from U.S. telephone companies, looking at whether overseas terror suspects were calling phone numbers in the U.S. The program does not allow the government to listen in on calls, but it can track where a call was placed and how long it lasted. If intelligence officials single out phone numbers that they want to target for eavesdropping, they must return to court to get approval.
In 2006, after the telephone surveillance was first revealed and amid a public outcry, a secret court was tasked with approving all of the government requests for the records. But until this week, it was not widely known how many phone records were noted, or how often.
The NSA seizure of website and Internet provider records was even more secretive, and began only in the past few years. Clapper said those records, too, are released only with secret court orders and monitors look only for documents that appear to have come from overseas. The data are not to be used to target U.S. citizens, and the government must try to minimize any information that was mistakenly taken from Americans.