Kanye West To Name His Next Album ‘I Am God’

Kanye West brewed up some confusion with the so-called title of his new album, ‘I Am God’…

I know you’re probably thinking the devil is a liar! What the hell is Yeezy talkin bout?! Well, before you get too upset, there actually is some truth to this rumor, forget the rumor look at the freakin’ album cover! He reportedly claims its just a rumor but he does have a song titled “I Am A God,” thus the confusion.

wheeeew! Now maybe we can relax a little? Nahhh, how the hell do you explain all these freakn album covers?! According to a reliable source in West’s camp , he confirmed with the HuffPost that the title is correct but for an upcoming single instead of the whole album.

Sounds to me like a certain somebody will do anything for a little album promotion, including going to hell!!

The album name has yet to be set but for there’s one thing for sure, the track will be called “I Am A God” (emphasis added on the A).

“We would never be so presumptuous or sacrilegious to call ourselves the supreme being,” the source said. While everyone will have to wait for the actual song to parse the specifics of the song’s message, the source hinted that the idea was generally that all people are manifestations of a higher power.

The title is also a reference to Psalm 82, which inclues the following:

I said, “You are gods,
And all of you are children of the Most High.
But you shall die like men,
And fall like one of the princes.”

What do you think of Kanye’s song title? Is he correct to reference himself as A God?!

Leave your comments below….

Reasons why Tonto Dike Must be Stopped - AfricanMan

Well, the fact that everyone has the freedom to air his/her own impression on social media does not give you the right to write nasty things about an artiste, we should always remember that music sounds differently to our hearing and we all judge the lyrical contents and harmony based on our love for good music which obviously is lacking in Nigeria. Nigerians should always try as much as we can to appreciate our musicians no matter how poor the musical piece is. I got this write up from a distressed Nigerian who is trying to stop Tonto Dikeh from furthering her musical career, my take is that instead of tarnishing people's image why don't we highlight their limitations and encourage them to improve? Read below.....

I have watched with patient annoyance, I have listen with patient distress, to the sights and sounds of our dear actress turn singer Tonto Dikeh. Like many others, I chose not to talk about her but I was forced to know how wrong I was for keeping silent by the words of Alibaba and OJB, two eminent personalities that means a lot to the entertainment industry.

Alibaba once tweeted “Playing a song of an artiste that you know is not good enough is no encouragement you are spoiling the market”, I don’t know what he had in mind. In an online interview with OJB by the crew of Information Nigeria, he said Tonto Dikeh should learn to sing. Simple as ABC!

Foremost, I must say I admire Tonto Dikeh’s confidence and doggedness, but to what avail is it when used in a wrong way. A cutlass is a good tool in the hand of a farmer, without which we cannot get food to it, but that same cutlass can kill! Despite her confidence there should be substance. Is music so hard to learn that she cannot even get average in a year?

Tonto Dikeh has a well publicised relationship with one of Africa’s best music producers, DON JAZZY. She once took to twitter to say she was deflowered by DON JAZZY and he replied saying “Me wey I still be V”. I don’t care about what they had together, my point is this, she enjoys a very good relationship with Don Jazzy, making it easy for her to have approached DON Jazzy if she truly wanted to make some good music. My opinion is this, it is either Don Jazzy already told her she cannot sing or she personally knows she can’t and decides not to talk about it to Don Jazzy.

Many upcoming artistes out there have seen their career rescinded due to annoying words from, DJs, Media personnel and the likes and yet they make music that are 10 times better than that of Tonto Dikeh. The only difference is that she was a star before she started singing making it is obvious that all we worship in the entertainment industry is money and fame not True talent and ability.

If a lady with the world at her feet and the cream of the industry at her beck and call, comes up with a song as poor as “HI” (Auto tune on a false tone (falsetto), how woeful?) and we accepted it, While there are several up and coming acts out there that can make music has good as that of Wizkid (I have met a lot that are better) still roaming the streets. This makes me wonder if Nigerian music has a body in place to monitor the type of music produced and released to the market. I am not against Tonto Dikeh singing, I am against her singing NONSENSE! If she can learn to sing well I’d be the first to clap for her once it is good music.

Several individuals in several capacities have built Nigerian Entertainment Industry (especially the music sector) to this point of international recognition. Should we watch with folded arms as someone crumbles it recklessly? Is it true that we only work for money not passion in this industry? Will the labour of our heroes (and heroines) past go in vain. We have to stand up and support good music! True talent and a not just desire to be popular, a lust for fame! Let us remember that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere, Tonto Dikeh has to be stopped for the sake of the talented youths out there!

By African Man @africanman12

CBN cancels the N100 monthly ATM extra fee

The Central Bank of Nigeria on Thursday announced the cancellation of the N100 monthly Automatic Teller Machine card maintenance fee introduced by some banks recently

The CBN in a circular titled, ‘Revised guide to bank charges,’ posted on its website, however, pegged the maintenance fee at N100 annually.

It also pegged the mandatory cost of Short Message Service alert at N4 subject to the Nigerian Communication Commission directives.

The circular, which takes effect from April 1, read, “In order to reflect current developments in the market and provide clarity on banking terms, the CBN recently conducted a review of the guide in consultation with all the banks and discount houses, Bankers’ Committee, financial experts and also considered inputs received from other stakeholders to produce the revised guide to bank charges.”

On electronic transfer, the bank said N70 would be charged on transactions below N500,000, while N100 should be charged on transactions between N500,000 and N1m. Transactions above N1m will attract a charge of N500.

It said issuing fee of a debit card should not be more than N1,000, while international withdrawals per transaction on debit cards should be charged at N240 rather than N1,000 being currently charged by virtually all the banks.

The CBN pegged the interest on savings deposit accounts at a minimum of 30 per cent of the Monetary Policy Rate per annum.

The Bankers’ Committee, had during a meeting in November 2012, scrapped the N100 interbank charge on the use of ATM cards.

The Governor, CBN, Mr. Lamido Sanusi, had said customers would no longer pay N100 on ATM withdrawals whenever they use banks other than theirs from December 17, 2012.

Following the scrapping of the N100 withdrawal charges on ATM by the Bankers’ Committee, some banks had recently introduced the N100 monthly maintenance fee on ATM cards.

The development had drawn the ire of bank customers, who complained bitterly that the banks were exploiting them and indirectly taking back the suspended third-party ATM card withdrawal fee.

Also, some banks charge as high as N50 for SMS to alert their customers of transactions on their accounts, far above the N4 that all Global System of Mobile communication providers charge for each text message.

Other arbitrary charges include N500 monthly maintenance fee for every current account, depending on the bank; and N5 inter-state commission for every N1,000 transferred into or withdrawn from savings accounts in a state different from where the savings account is opened or domiciled.

Consequently, customers have cried out against the fresh charges introduced by the banks.

The customers, who had envisaged low cost of running accounts following the various cost-cutting measures carried out by the banks and reforms introduced by the CBN, complained about fresh and arbitrary charges they were being made to pay by their banks.

A customer, who simply identified himself as Tunde, had earlier this week complained to our correspondent that his bank was deducting all sorts of charges from his account without notice.

“Guaranty Trust Bank Plc deducted N1,000 from my account for ATM card renewal. I never had a card and they deducted money even without me applying for a card. Are they not supposed to provide an ATM card for me on request?” he queried.

A businessman, Mr. Chike Korie, also said, “The deductions I get on SMS alert in a month sometimes run into thousands of naira. I’m a businessman and I get alerts on my accounts on a daily basis. They charge me N50, which I consider too much because the banks use bulk SMS, which should be cheaper.”

A salary earner, who simply introduced himself as Oni, said some of the bank charges contradicted the cash-less policy of the CBN.

I've Never Been Turned Down By A Lady - Lynxx

'Fine Lady' crooner Lynxx, sure knows how to make the ladies trip for him. In a recent interview he reveals he has never been turned down by a lady.

Have you ever been turned down by a lady?
Lynxxx: No

Even in your Kings College days? 
I have never been turned down because I always make sure there is green light first. And my game was too much then. Now I don't even have time to be chasing women. I am just focused on my music.

On marriage
I am trying to settle down as I am getting older. It is only right you settle down because when you are exposed to this kind of attention, it's very easy to go off track. And you don't know if the women want you for who you are or for your money or for your fame or to destroy you.

You are a target once you are famous. So you have to be very smart and don't get exposed in a negative way.

''Nigeria On The Brink Of Another Civil War'' - Soyinka

Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, yesterday, warned that Nigeria was on the brink of another civil war and called for concerted actions to prevent the disaster.

Soyinka, who spoke at the 5th Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu Colloquium in Lagos, also chided President Goodluck Jonathan for failing to address the deteriorating level of insecurity in the country.

Themed: A national movement for change. A new generation speaks,” the colloquium was held at the MUSON Centre, Lagos.

He said: “Let us face it; this nation is on the brinks. Those who do understand it, I feel very sorry for them because they will one day wake up and find out that we have fallen as a nation. This is not what we envisaged when we struggled for independence. This is not what we envisaged when we struggled to overthrow military dictatorship and restore the rights and dignity of human beings. But whether we like it or not, it has come upon us.”

Chides Jonathan on insecurity

Berating President Jonathan for the worsening waves of insecurity, he said: “My problem with the government, especially the president of this nation is that he does not seem to realise, he has not taken into consideration, into cognizance that by now the president should be addressing the nation, giving details explaining why this nation is at war.”

To avert a second civil war, Soyinka said Nigerians should not see the Boko Haram insurgency as a regional problem, but as a national one.

He said: “Certain things have to be done to ensure that this nation is pulled back from the second round of what is leading towards a civil war. By now, we should be tightening our belt, we should not see what is happening in the North as being confined to the North; it is obvious all along that this is not a northern affair. No! We heard that recently that some cells have been found in Lagos, that is not new, it started years ago.

Boko Haram, a national problem

“Everyone should understand that the problem we are facing right now is not regional it is national and a human problem. It is called Boko Haram. That is the kind of language I believe the leadership of this nation should be imparting on Nigerian citizens.”

The Nobel Laureate, while commending the youths for utilizing the platform to make known their ideas said, “I was delighted when I learnt that the younger generation wanted to use this platform to voice their ideas. I want to thank the younger generations for utilizing whatever platform to reinstate our consciousness by speaking, I expect more, beyond politics, beyond mergers, beyond political parties, beyond partisanship, beyond regionalism and Roll call of personalities

Notable persons at the event included Governors Babatunde Fashola, SAN, Lagos; Ibikunle Amosun, Ogun; Rauf Aregbesola, Osun; Kayode Fayemi, Ekiti; and Adams Oshiomhole, Edo.

There were also Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi; National Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Chief Bisi Akande; Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope Adefulire, Senators Remi Tinubu, Chris Ngige, Annie Okonkwo and Buka Abba Ibrahim.

Others are Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, Chief Tom Ikimi, General Alani Akinrinade (rtd), Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Eruwa, Wale Edun, Dele Alake, Femi Falana, and Professor Yemi Osibajo among others.

Grant Boko Haram amnesty—Tinubu

Speaking at the event, Tinubu renewed calls for the president to grant amnesty to the Islamic sect, Boko Haram.

He said the leader required by the country is someone who has the desire to bring change to the nation.

“I haven’t seen any educational certificate higher than Ph.D. But despite having someone with such education status, the situation is yet to change.

“The present president of the country is very young but he has been appointing 73 year-old man to manage the country’s port.”

He noted that the developments experienced in all ACN states was not based on age but rather on the desire by those who were elected by the citizens to rule the states.

Tinubu said: “We must do it with justice, those with human blood on their hands, must be brought to justice, but we cannot throw away the question of amnesty. It is a carrot and stick approach. We have done it before. Why can’t we do it again?. Surrender your gun and we give you money for it. Why can’t we do it?”

Britain Writes FG, Requests Ex-Convict Alamieyeseigha’s Extradition To London

The United Kingdom has said that it has not given up on its efforts to extradite former Bayelsa State governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, back to Britain to face trial.

The UK said it had already contacted the Federal Government requesting Mr. Alamieyeseigha’s extradition, and was awaiting a response to the request. The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Andrew Pocock, told the paper in an exclusive interview that the former governor, who recently got state pardon from his criminal conviction in Nigeria, still has an outstanding case of money laundering to answer to in the UK and that the UK government will not give up until Mr. Alamieyeseigha is brought to justice.

Mr. Alamieyeseigha, then a serving governor, made a dramatic escape from the custody of the British authorities when he fled back to Nigeria from detention in September 2005. He would later be convicted on similar money laundering charges on July 26, 2007 in Nigeria after he was impeached as governor.The UK said it had already contacted the Federal Government requesting Mr. Alamieyeseigha’s extradition, and was awaiting a response to the request. The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Andrew Pocock, told the paper in an exclusive interview that the former governor, who recently got state pardon from his criminal conviction in Nigeria, still has an outstanding case of money laundering to answer to in the UK and that the UK government will not give up until Mr. Alamieyeseigha is brought to justice.

Although his recent state pardon by President Goodluck Jonathan hit the UK authorities as a rude shock, Mr. Pocock dismissed insinuations that London was planning to sanction Nigeria over the matter. According to him, “that is not the way we do things”. The High Commissioner also revealed that UK had earlier requested for Alamieyeseigha’s extradition, but did not get any response.

Mr. Pocock said the UK had asked the Attorney General and Minister for Justice for Alamieyeseigha’s extradition and was still awaiting his position on the issue when President Goodluck Jonathan all of a sudden announced he has been extricated of all wrong doing via the state clemency. The move to pardon him even when the application for his extradition to Britain was still pending was like daring the applying nation that feels strongly that Alamieyeseigha has a case to answer in their country.

According to Mr. Pocock, “The former governor skipped bail in the UK on a charge of money laundering and returned to Nigeria. So, he has an outstanding charge in the UK, which is there for him to answer. “We have already discussed it and the Nigerian government knows our views. But we would like to see him return and answer charge in the UK.” On UK’s past and present efforts to see that Alamieyeseigha is extradited to the UK, Mr. Pocock said: “Yes. I think we asked in the past. I am very sure we asked in the past. But I am not sure we got a formal response. So, we are still waiting for a formal response from the Nigerian government.

“We have asked the Attorney General. He will have to tell us what his position is on extradition. I haven’t had a reply yet, but we still wait for it,” the British envoy added.

Source: Premium Times

Studies have shown that an average Banknote Contains 26,000 Bacteria

If you thought dirty money was only found in offshore bank accounts, check your wallet instead. But you may want to wash your hands afterward.

Almost 60% of Europeans believe cash is the dirtiest item they come into contact with, ahead of escalator handrails, b*ttons on payment terminals and library books, according to a survey of 1,000 people released on March 25 by Mastercard.

A further 83% of the respondents, taken from 15 countries across Europe, believe cash carries a lot of bacteria. And they are right.

Independent tests on European money conducted by a team of scientists at Oxford University in December 2012, revealed that the average banknote contains 26,000 bacteria, enough germs to make you feel nauseous, and possibly even spread disease.

“Europeans’ perceptions of dirty cash are not without reason,” Ian Thompson, the professor from Oxford University who tested the cash, said in a news release. “The bank notes we tested harboured an average of 26,000 bacteria, which, for a number of pathogenic organisms, is sufficient for passing on infection.”

Even the newest, and therefore cleanest, notes tested contained 2,400 bacteria, with Swiss Francs and Danish Krone the dirtiest money of all.

“(The bacteria) comes from multiple hands,” Hany Fam from Mastercard told CNN’s Richard Quest. “These notes have a long time in circulation, they’re handed, hand to hand, from different individuals and it’s inevitable that germs accumulate on them.”

Clearly, a credit card company like MasterCard has its own economic interests in pushing people away from cash.

“No, I’m not just advocating credit cards: I’m just saying that consumers are increasingly flocking to other forms of payment — not only for cleanliness, obviously, but for ease, for convenience, for lots of reasons,” Mastercard’s Fam said.

Still, cash is dirty. A 2002 study published in the Southern Medical Journal also found bacteria-laden banknotes. Over 80% of cash tested carried germs that could be harmful to people with lowered immunity. Seven percent of bills showed traces of bacteria that can cause serious illness, including Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumonia, according to the study. Only 7% of the bills were germ-free.

Another study conducted in 2008 at Switzerland’s University Hospitals of Geneva found that some flu virus cells could last for up to 17 days on Swiss banknotes, according to SmartMoney.com

So what to do? To prevent infection, scientists suggest basic hygiene: Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth, and wash your hands often.

But that won’t necessarily prevent illicit banknote contamination.

Last year three employees at a Michigan Circle K store became ill after handling money that had been contaminated with methamphetamine residue, according to a local news website, Ann Arbor.com.

Cocaine is also a common contaminate in the U.S. A 2009 study conducted by the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth found up to 90% of paper money circulating in America contained traces of cocaine. [CNN]

Clash: Police, NSCDC trade blame

The Lagos State commands of the Nigerian Police and The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps on Thursday continued to accuse each other of causing the incident that led to the killing of two NSCDC men on Wednesday.

While the police said the corps started the problem after its men disarmed and handcuffed a police inspector, the NSCDC said the inspector attacked its senior official.

A recording of an interrogation of an official of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps was shown to PUNCH Metroby a police source.

The unnamed official said the police did not ambush the corps officials who were on anti-pipeline duty in the Ikorodu.

The NSCDC authorities had told PUNCH Metro on Wednesday that 14 of its men were on anti-pipeline vandalism operation and had arrested some suspects and were heading for their Lagos headquarters when a team of policemen opened fire on them and aided the vandals in escaping.

However, the NSCDC official, who said he was part of the team in the recording, said the incident was not an ambush but a show of force between the two agencies which degenerated into a gun duel, which led to the death of the two NSCDC men, Gabriel Adaji and Innocent Akegbe

He said, “Around midnight, we had just finished operations and we were getting the suspects into our vans when a Toyota Camry pulled over. Two men alighted from the car. One of the men was in mufti and he was wielding a pistol while the other man was a police sergeant in uniform, wielding an AK47 rifle.

“We were in uniform so my boss, DSC, Olufemi asked the man in mufti to identify himself and he said he was an inspector. The man started arguing with us, saying we had no right to be there since we did not inform the police before coming for operation. An argument ensued and my boss ordered us to disarm and handcuff only the inspector.

“We handcuffed him, collected his service pistol, walkie-talkie, and Police Identity card. As we were about dragging him into one of our standby Hilux vehicles, some policemen came from nowhere and started shooting at us.”

The NSCDC official said his colleagues also retaliated and the gun duel lasted for a long period leading to the deaths of Adaji and Akegbe.

It was learnt that one of the NSCDC men was arrested by the police and was currently at the state command headquarters.

But another source at the NSCDC said the recording was propaganda by the police.

He said, “The fact is that they ambushed us and until something is done by our employer, the Federal Government, we will continue to have problems like this.”

The source said the case was being handled at the national level, adding that the Commandant-General would soon be making a case against the police before the Federal Government.

The spokesperson for the state police command, Ngozi Braide, said investigations were ongoing but said the NSCDC erred by saying police ambushed its officers.

Braide said the NSCDC breached protocol by not informing the police in the area about their presence prior to the operations.

She said, “It is standard protocol that when you are going on operation, you must alert the police in the area so that they would be aware. The civil defence people went there and were firing shots causing confusion in the area.

“They were even accused of killing someone in Majidun area during one of their raids in January, but because the police were not aware of their operation, it hindered investigations. This is the kind of thing we are trying to prevent. Police did not ambush them and set vandals free. It is not possible.”

The Deputy Public Relations Officer for the corps, Sola Odumosu, however said investigations would continue but said there was no need to correct the police’s claim as it was medicine after death.

“The incident is a national one and investigations are ongoing. The deed has been done, our men have been killed and if the position of the police is that they did not ambush our men, then they are free to say whatever they want.”

Punch Nigeria

Photo: Girl raped & tortured to Death With A Huge Wood In Private Part [VIEWER DISCRETION]

I found this heart breaking picture of this young girl murdered like she was nothing on net this morning.Seriously,i’ve not been myself since then.The details of where or how the victim was murdered havn’t been made known yet but I’ll try get every detailed information about the murder.

With the mind of a psychologist,I would say she was kidnapped,raped and intentionally tortured to death by maybe an enemy.It pains me most to know that the wicked barbarians who did this to are out there walking the streets freely.

May God have mercy!

Lagos Remains A No Go Area For Boko Haram – ACN

Following the recent discovery of a hideout used by suspected terrorists to stockpile arms, ammunition and a bomb in Ijora area of Lagos State by security agents, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Lagos chapter, has warned Boko Haram and other purveyors of violence to steer clear of the state or get crushed by the will of the peace loving people of Lagos.

In a release in Lagos signed by the Lagos State Publicity Secretary of the ACN, Joe Igbokwe, the party said Lagos as Nigeria’s last refuge from the security crisis ravaging the nation, had the full capacity to defend itself from unprovoked attack from any criminal group.

“We were rudely awakened by the recent discovery of a hideout in Ijora, being used by terrorists and criminal elements as a pad for a possible assault on Lagos” the statement started.

“We believe this is an affront to Lagos and would be met with the necessary force it deserves. We want to serve notice to Boko Haram or any other insurgent group that Lagos is fully prepared security wise to deal with any assault and that we will not refrain from enforcing the peace and tranquility that reigns in Lagos at present, as other parts of the country grapple with worsening security challenges.

“Lagos ACN recognizes the fact that Lagos has become a haven for all Nigerians fleeing all manners of security problems in their respective states and that this is a result of careful planning and deliberate investment in security.

“We recognise that as Boko Haram chase people out of the North, Lagos State has risen to the challenge of providing impregnable security to the many Nigerians under its tent and we will not tolerate any deliberate attempt to challenge that status. Lagos remains a no go area for Boko Haram, armed robbers, kidnappers and all other forms of criminals, who are bent on denting the sparkling security credential the Lagos State Government has painstakingly earned in recent times.”

Corruption Is Hindering Nigeria’s Growth – British High Commissioner To Nigeria

Britain’s special interest in Nigeria, according to the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Andrew Pocock, is simply because the country sees a future in Nigeria.

Pocock said this when he paid a visit to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Abuja.

“This interest in Nigeria is not only because we are friends of Nigeria, partners of Nigeria but we see a future in this country that is extra ordinary; Nigeria is one of those countries with great potentials,” Pocock said.

The British envoy however described corruption in Nigeria as ‘something that has impacted negatively on the lives of Nigerians, the government and economy of the country on a daily basis.

According to him, with over 30 years of military rule in Nigeria, public infrastructure, tendering, allocation and delivery system have been at its lowest ebb.

Pollock noted that because of corruption in allocation and delivery process, cost of infrastructure in Nigeria has been three times higher than it ought to be. This he said was responsible for the poor service delivery to the Nigeria people.

“After 30 years, Nigeria has not been able to improve on the 5,000 megawatts generation of electricity supply. You can see the direct consequences of the impact of corruption in the Nigeria economy and the Nigeria state,” Pollock said.

Mr Pocock, however, said that if Nigeria got it right in the power sector privatization programme, “the country is going to be on the verge of an industrial revolution because it is going to boost its productivity and GDP to at least 40 percent”.

Mancini Gives Up On Title Race, Says “It’s Over”

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has given up on his club’s Premier League title challenge on Thursday, saying his focus for the rest of the season was to keep the teams below them at a safe distance.

Defeat to Everton in their last Premier League game left City trailing leaders Manchester United by 15 points with nine games left.

United have shown no signs of relenting under the pressure of wresting the English title back from their near neighbours and have won their last six league matches.

“It’s over but this doesn’t change anything because we should do our best from now to the end,” Mancini told reporters.

“Every top team, when they can’t win a title, should still try to play well and win all their games.”

Mancini made the same assessment last season when City trailed United by eight points with six games to go before they rallied to snatch the title on the final day on goal difference.

“This is different (to last season),” Mancini added. “I don’t know how we will finish this season, because we have Chelsea four points behind us and Tottenham five points behind.

“We have nine games left and for this reason it’s important we keep working hard and well.”

AMVCA: Why Genevieve lost to Jackie Appiah

Result of the recently decided AfricanMagic Viewers’ Choice Awards unsettles a tradition, ANN OKON  reports

 Genevieve Nnaji is, no doubt, the darling of many movie fans in Nigeria and other parts of the world. The multiple award-winning actress, model and brand ambassador has managed to attract the admiration and following of millions people globally.

That is why it came as a shock to many of Nnaji’s fans when, Ghanaian actress, Jackie Appiah, emerged winner of the 2013 African Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards for Best Actress in a Drama Category, beating Nnaji and others.   This is despite the fact that Nnaji’s red carpet look took centre stage at the event, where she wore a white buttoned down dress with a deep plunging neckline that afforded a generous view of her breasts.  Indicating the good and the bad, several media outfits could not resist flaunting her on their cover pages many days after.

As to why Genevieve did not win the awards, she, like some of her contemporaries that lost the game, seem to have failed to mobilise voters while the competition lasted.  MNET Managing Director, Mrs. Abiola Alabi, explained that the voting system decided the fate of the nominees at the awards, adding that in addition to being great actors with huge fan base, it was important for the nominees to reach out to their fans and make sure they voted for them.

Speaking during a party organised by MNET to celebrate the  winners, Alabi said, “We have received many calls from people asking why the nominees they expected to win the awards lost out. The awards event is a viewers’ choice oriented and winners are not chosen by the judges. They are voted for by the viewers. It is the trend in such programmes and I think this is a lesson for all our performers that they should always remind their fans to go out and vote for them at such occasions.”

The winner of the best actor in a drama series, O.C Ukeje,  who won the awards for his role in the movie, Two Brides and a Baby,  said he sent out some BlackBerry messages to his fans, reminding them of the awards and asking them to vote for him.

“Apart from that, I also have plenty of friends who are constantly on Facebook, Twitter and BlackBerry, sending messages on my behalf,” He recalled.

Speaking on the phone from her base in Ghana to our correspondent, Appiah said her fans from all over the world contributed to her victory by voting tirelessly for her.

When our correspondent contacted Genevieve’s friend and representative, Cosmetic company owner,  Chinny Onwugbenu, for comment, she declined to speak , saying she was mourning someone and that she is out of the country.

Punch Nigeria

VIDEO: BrymO – Omoge Campus

“After a successful year in 2012, Brymo is back with a pace-setting, documentary style video for OMOGE CAMPUS- the second single since the release of the highly acclaimed #TheSonOfaKapenta release. Now this is a new twist to our everyday music videos.”

Directed by AJE Filmworks.

VIDEO: Davido Addresses Controversial Issues on Channels TV

Davido recently sat down with Ebuka for an interview on the Channels TV show “Rubbin’ Minds”. Everything – well almost everything – you need to know about controversies surrounding Davido was discussed.

Competition with Wizkid, parting ways with former manager Asa Asika, leaked conversation with Dr SID, signing with D’Banj… his tattoos… and more recently, the “Gobe/Password” issue… you name it. Here’s how it went down.

VIDEO: Sheyman – Paper

This officially confirms rumours of Sheyman leaving eLDee’s Trybe Records family. Sheyman’s new video for the previously posted single “Paper” is brought to you by Phatbase Entertainment under the management of Klick Promotions. Watch below.

“Popular Nigerian artiste cum producer, Ademoye Oluseyi popularly known as Sheyman recently shot the video for his latest hit single, Paper. Directed by popular cinematographer, Patrick Elis, the video is a clean-cut visual with purposeful directing depicting the theme of the song.
The single which is part of his next album project has enjoyed massive airplay on different radio stations across the country and massive downloads. This has however led to fans clamouring for the release of the video.
Presented by Phatbase Entertainment, “Paper” is a song Sheyman sings playfully about the lavish life and the non­­­-stop splurging lifestyle of an entertainer.
Sheyman is currently under the management of Klick Promotions, a principal talents development company.
Follow Sheyman on twitter @sheymanmusic and Klick Promotions @klickpromotions.”

Directed by Patrick Elis.

Shooting suspect James Holmes offers to plead guilty

The man jailed in the Aurora, Colo., movie theater massacre is willing to plead guilty to avoid being executed, according to a court motion filed on Wednesday.

The offer from James Holmes, who is charged with shooting 70 moviegoers last July, killing 12, means he would spend life in prison without parole.

News of the offer comes five days before prosecutors were scheduled to announce whether they will seek the death penalty in the case.

"The prosecution at this time has not accepted that offer because it may choose to pursue the death penalty. Consequently, it appears the only impediment to a resolution of this case would be if the prosecution chooses to seek the death penalty," defense attorneys wrote in the motion, which was published online by the Denver Post. "If the prosecution elects not to pursue the death penalty, it is Mr. Holmes' position that this case could be resolved April 1."

“Yes!” shooting victim Marcus Weaver shouted when Yahoo News told him of Holmes' offer.

Weaver's right shoulder was peppered with gunshot pellets when the heavily armed assailant burst in and opened fire during a midnight showing of the Batman movie, "The Dark Knight Rises." Rebecca Wingo, one of his best friends, died in the attack.

"Admitting to what he did is doing us all a favor," Weaver said on Wednesday. "Without a long, drawn-out trial, then we can move forward. As a community, it would bring about more healing."

According to the motion, defense attorneys made the plea offer prior to the suspect's arraignment earlier this month. If prosecutors reject the offer, "counsel will vigorously present and argue any and all appropriate defenses at a trial or sentencing proceeding, as necessary," Holmes' lawyers wrote.

During Holmes' arraignment on March 12, his lead attorney, Daniel King, told Judge William Sylvester that the suspect wasn't prepared to enter a plea because the defense wasn't sure if the prosecution planned to seek the death penalty. Knowing that could alter Holmes' plea and significantly alter how the defense moves forward, King explained.

The judge then entered a plea of not guilty on Holmes' behalf and noted that the defense would have the opportunity to change its plea at a later date.

The prosecution has repeatedly sought input from victims and victims' families on major decisions. Weaver said late on Wednesday that he had not yet heard from the district attorney's office, but he predicted they would be calling soon.

Pictures : Jaywon, Olu Maintain and more at the COURIER movie premiere

Nollywood actors, Saidi Balogun, Joseph Benjamin, Ayo Mogaji were among the headliners at the recent premiere of Moradeke Awe ‘s new movie for Dengit House productions, The Courier.
The premiere which took place at the Silverbird Cinema in the Ikeja Mall, also had the trappings of movie and music stars like Olu Maintain, Lineo Elepepe, Jaywon, Presh,Elajoe, Ada Ameh, Joeseph Benjamin, Ayo Moagji, Saidi Balogun, Femi Ogedengbe, Comedian Jedi, Aremu Afolayan, Toyin Sido and Akin Olaiya.
The Courier is now shoing in all cinemas across Nigeria. A great way to get away this Easter weekend with The Courier Movie. Written and produced by Moradeke Awe, Directed by Saidi Balogun, A Dengit House Productions Film. Executive producer Lineo. A Adekoya.

pictures below

B’Haram: Senate, service chiefs discuss threat to Lagos

SENATORS and service chiefs held a six-hour meeting in Abuja on Wednesday to review threat to Lagos by the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram.

Present at the meeting, which held behind closed doors at the Senate chamber between 10.56 am and 5.00pm, were the Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Sa’id Ola Ibrahim; Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Azubuike Ihejirika; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Dele Ezeoba; andChief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh.

Also in attendance were the Director General of the Directorate of State Services, Ita Ekpeyong; the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, represented by Deputy Inspector General (Administration), Suleiman Fakai.

While the security chiefs were billed to brief the senators on their operations concerning curtailing the Boko Hara menace and insecurity generally in the country, our correspondents learnt that the security chiefs were reluctant to give details of their operations.

At a point during the meeting, the Senators were said to have queried the representation sent by the IG, wondering while Fakai who is in charge of administration should represent the police chief at a meeting to discuss operational strategies.

Senators were quoted to have said the DIG in charge of operations could have made better input to the discussions since the IG was said to be on another official assignment .

Fakai reportedly explained to the Senate that he had to stand in for his boss because the DIG in charge of operations was briefing the President on the same issue being discussed at the senate at about the same time.

A Senator at the meeting who pleaded for anonymity confided in one of our correspondents, “You know these are security men and they are fully aware that they are speaking to politicians. They chose their words carefully so that they will not play into the hands of people they are dealing with.

“You are aware that one or two of our colleagues in the Senate are facing investigation or trial for links with the Boko Haram group.

“After their briefing, we asked general questions about the seriousness of the threat we are facing and whether their strategy would get the job done.

“One of us asked what their position was on calls for dialogue with the sect and the unanimous answer they gave was that they were in support of whatever decision the President takes.”

Asked what specifically was discussed about Lagos, the source said, “You know I can’t give you details. Everyone was concerned because attacking our commercial capital will have dire consequences. We all agreed that we must do everything to nip it in the bud. On the whole, all options are open. That is all I can tell you.”

Another source said, “At some point it appeared as if there was a sense of helplessness over the issue.”

 He however said that, unlike before, they noticed a sense of inter-agency collaboration “at least in the area of what to divulge.”

A defence source said that the service chiefs were summoned by the Senate to brief the senators on the state of security in the country.

The senators were said to have demanded explanations from the Chief of Defence Staff and the chiefs of the three services of the nation’s Armed Forces on the escalating cases of murder and kidnapping in the country.

They were said to have observed that stories of killings have become a daily occurrence in the society and this should be stopped.

At the end of the meeting, the President of the Senate said, “At plenary, the Senate was briefed by the Service Chiefs and afterwards they took questions on the same subject matter.”

At a press briefing shortly afterwards, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Information and Media, Eyinnnaya Abaribe, told reporters that the Senate was satisfied with the briefing it received.

He said, “The Senate devoted the entire plenary to an interaction with the service chiefs and heads of security agencies in Nigeria with a view to finding out problems and work with the different security agencies in Nigeria.

“We are satisfied with the level of interaction and the efforts aimed at making Nigeria a safe place, we are calling on Nigerians to cooperate with our security agencies to resolve these issues. “

Abaribe added, “All options on how to operate and fight terrorism for which we also signed several protocols I ‘m sure that all these kind of interaction that our security agencies are having with their counterparts in terms of security means that the fight against global terrorism is a collective one.”