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Dame Elizabeth Taylor was well known for her glamorous lifestyle Dame Elizabeth Taylor's collection of jewellery, art and designer clothing will be exhibited around the world, Christie's auction house has announced. The three-month tour will start in September and include stops in Moscow, London and Dubai before the items are sold at an auction in New York. Known for her love of diamonds, the actress owned some of the world's most expensive stones. The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation will receive proceeds from the exhibit. The actress, whose film credits included National Velvet, Cleopatra and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? died in Los Angeles earlier this year, aged 79. Some of her jewels were displayed after she wrote a book in 2003 entitled Elizabeth Taylor: My Love Affair with Jewellery. Christie's has pledged to devote its entire Rockefeller Center gallery space to the public exhibition and sales, which are expected to draw thousands of

By Linda Kelsey Miriam Gray endured 13 years of upheaval and heartache before concluding that it had all been worth it. During that time, she had moved 100 miles from the home she loved and spent a decade eschewing all men for fear of having her heart broken again. And yet, ask her today and she will insist that divorce was the best thing that’s ever happened to her. For she has since met Mark, who she describes as her one true soul-mate. ‘It’s hard to define why we clicked,’ says Miriam, 54, ‘but perhaps after one marriage and four years of dating, I was better equipped to judge a good man. Mark is kind, patient, loving and completely selfless. We share interests like going to the theatre, travelling and cooking. ‘But I had to go through the mill to find happiness. My husband and I divorced in 1996 after he left me for one of my work colleagues. I couldn’t bear to stay in Hertfordshire, where we lived, so I left my friends and family and moved to Hastings to start af

says, I feel so thankful Pop diva, Omawumi Megbele, has been delivered of a baby girl, Saturday, at the Rockdale Medical Cente , Atlanta in the United States. Her facebook status update, read : “A child is God’s reward – Psalm 127:3b. Welcome sweetie,” accompanied by an ‘It’s a girl’ display picture. However in a statement from her public relations representatives, the crooner said “I’m so excited I have delivered. Omawunmi “It’s always fulfilling for me when I achieve a milestone in my life.” “You know the whole story that once you deliver all the pain goes away,” she added in the statement, “That’s a lie! But when I heard her cry and held her in my arms, I felt so thankful and in awe of God’s awesomeness!” To her many fans Omawumi said that; “Baby and mama are fine, great actually. And we feel soo good!” Speculation about Ms. Megbele’s pregnancy had reached fever pitch from as early as January, as media and other observers pointed to a bulge in her smash hit video “I

Members of the Mo’hit crew Thursday in Lagos described the open contract it signed with the American super Kanye West’s record company Good News as the biggest thing to happen to the Nigeria’s entertainment industry. The contract sealed between Don Jazzy, President of Mo’hit records, D’Banj, Kanye West and management of Good records was witnessed by rap artiste Jay Z and other top rated American musicians. Narrating the genesis of the deal, D’Banj disclosed that “After our collaborations with Snoop Doggy Dogg, we traveled to Dubai on business and that’s where we ran into Kanye. We were quite surprised when he told us he was familiar with our music and was willing to work with us. We decided that since Snoop was only interested in collaborating with us, we should give Kanye a chance. And that’s how the whole process started”. Now that the deal is sealed, the D’Banj continued “we will be traveling to America to begin recording of our first album and that will take us away from th

By Peter Egwuatu & Michael Eboh Operators and other stakeholders in the Nigerian capital market have joined in eulogising the immediate past Group Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTbank), Mr. Tayo Aderinokun who passed on recently, saying his death will not negatively affect the performance of the bank. They stated that the founders of GTBank have built an institution that is run by team leaders, noting that the bank will continue to wax stronger. They admitted that his death is a huge loss not only to the banking industry, but also to the financial sector, and the country in general. This was even as investors continue to rally on the shares of the bank, Friday, staking N195.07 million on its shares, numbering 12.219 million in 528 transactions. This is in addition to the bank’s share traded, Thursday and Wednesday, immediately news of his death hit the market. On Thursday, investors exchanged 7.183 million shares valued at N114.74 million in 491 deals, while on

CHELSEA hitman Didier Drogba looks striking in colourful robes as he celebrates tying the knot. The Ivorian forward - nicknamed Didi - slipped into the traditional African garb to marry Lalla Diakite, the mother of his three kids. The couple, together for 12 years, also wore gold headgear and jewellery as they partied in Monaco. One onlooker said: "They both looked spectacular." Drogba, 33, later wore a grey suit and Lalla a white gown and veil for the town hall ceremony itself. The 500 guests included basketball stars and R&B singer Akon who flew over from the US. Team-mates Michael Essien, Salomon Kalou and Florent Malouda were there too. We're not sure she would have had something old or borrowed - but the bride certainly had plenty of Blues...

Edinburgh Film Festival looks for 'reboot' Sex and the City actress Kim Cattrall stars in Meet Monica Velour The revamped Edinburgh International Film Festival is beginning its 11-day run in the Scottish capital. At 65, it is the oldest continually-running film festival in the world but it has had a difficult year. Since last June the festival has lost its artistic director and a large proportion of its funding. New director James Mullighan wants to rebrand the festival as "the brain" of the UK film industry, dispensing with red carpets, photocalls and awards. The film festival runs from 15 to 26 June. It will feature more than 60 international, European and UK premieres. Highlights include the European premiere of David Mackenzie's Glasgow-set sci-fi thriller Perfect Sense, starring Ewan McGregor and Eva Green. The film, to be shown on Saturday, has been moved from The Cameo to the 1,500-seater Edinburgh Festival Theatre venue due to a sell-out

Oscar bosses want 'surprise' best picture list Last month it was reported the Academy were planning on introducing online voting Next year's best picture category at the Academy Awards will involve a "new twist", organisers have announced. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have voted for a new system which will now produce anywhere between five and 10 nominees in the category. The number of films that will compete will not be revealed until full nominations are announced in January. In a statement, the Academy said the system would introduce a "new element of surprise" to the award show. Academy bosses said they studied the voting patterns from previous years. "What stood out was that Academy members had regularly shown a strong admiration for more than five movies," said executive director Bruce Davis. "A Best Picture nomination should be an indication of extraordinary merit. "If there are only eight pi

Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark musical finally opens Reeve Carney stars in the lead role in Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark Troubled Broadway musical Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark has officially opened to mostly harsh reviews. Although critics agreed the latest reworked version was clearer, most blasted the show. The Hollywood Reporter called the show a "bloated monster" while The New York Times branded it "a bore". The musical had been delayed six times after being plagued with technical hitches and injuries to the cast since it first began previewing in November. The Hollywood Reporter's David Rooney said mostly "cosmetic improvements" had been made to "this significantly overhauled but still terminally clunky reworking". "In terms of narrative clarity and character definition, the show is sharper. "But while the emergency surgical team has injected fanboy humor and self-conscious acknowledgements of the production

Stars set for A Thorn in the Flesh By Akeem Lasisi      Top stage and screen stars are set to thrill viewers in A Thorn in the Flesh, the season three of Family Ties. On the hit list are Kola Oyewo, Nobert Young, Adejumo Lewis, Steph-Nora Okere and Amaechi Muonagor. The serial, produced by AK MEDIA Concepts and directed by award-winning Niji Akanni, promises to be educative and entertaining. In A Thorn in the Flesh, James and Olayinka Adubi are brothers bound by blood, separated by status. Olayinka is a successful Architectural Engineer with clientele of high class. As a disciplined gentleman, Yinka lays emphasis on moral values and peaceful existence for all. Married to Yemisi, a retired health worker who works as a consultant to an NGO, they are blessed with two boys, Yomi and Sola. The older brother, James Adubi, is a Warrant Officer 2 retired soldier who brags around that he retired as a major to receive undue respect from people. James Adubi is greedy and desperate; h

The Managing Director of Equity Associates, Mr. Emeka Dike, has found his way into the club of creative writers, with the publication of his first novel, Inverted Pyramid. But those who know the parentage of the Harvard-trained economist will not be too surprised at his new found love for books. He is the first son of late Prof. Kenneth Dike, first African Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan. Speaking on the story of the work published by Lagos-based Hero Press and Trafford Publishing, London, the author describes it as a reality fiction. Dike says, “These vested interests, who are mostly found at the corridors of power, are the heavily corrupt few who consistently and constantly benefit from the status quo, at the expense of the majority that are daily suffering and dying in silence.” He adds that he uses his main character, Zuby, to peg the intrigues that characterise the Nigerian political and economic vagaries. He says, “Again, the book further gives a clear exp

A new novel written by Rachael Obodo, titled Victim, has hit the shelf. The story of a girl, Romoke, who was abused by her father and eventually has to go through abortion, portrays a series of inhumane abuse of young girls in the society.  The book also revisits the story of HIV/AIDS, invoking the need to give care and love to those living with the disease. “The novel is suspense filled, as it was later revealed that Romoke’s mother, who died earlier in the story, was infected by her husband. The tragedy comes in when he also infects his daughter with the same disease,” Obodo notes in a statement. He adds that it has been scheduled for launch in Lagos on Sunday (today), with the President of the Rotary Club of Lekki Phase 1, Mr. Emmanuel Ikoku, being a special guest; while a former Chairman of Association of Nigerian Authors, Lagos, is the reviewer.

Sugar Ray Leonard’s depiction of himself in his upcoming autobiography is hardly flattering. He describes himself as a philandering husband, an absentee father and a substance abuser. Perhaps most shockingly, he revealed he was sexually abused by a prominent, but unnamed, boxing coach while preparing for the 1976 Olympics in Montreal. He was hardly the All-American boy that his carefully crafted image portrayed him to be. “I’ve done a lot of things in my life that I’m not proud of,” Leonard said soberly during a telephone interview. He goes into great detail about them in his new book, “The Big Fight: My Life In and Out of the Ring,” co-written with Yahoo! Sports writer and editor Michael Arkush, not out of any sense of duty, but out of a desire to lift a burden from his own back. Clearly, though, this is no self-help tome. Leonard, 55, didn’t write to help lift the spirits of the downtrodden who are battling the demons he once did. If it is a self-help book, it was written to

The first two chapters of Adams Apples, a 10-chapter movie series set in the city of Accra, Ghana and its suburbs, are now showing in cinemas in Lagos. The movie, premiered in Accra in April, was first seen in Lagos on Wednesday at the Ozone, Yaba. It was created and directed by Shirley Frimpong-Manso, who won the ‘Best Director’ during the African Movie Academy Awards 2010, with her movie The Perfect Picture, and was produced by Ken Attoh. The story, filled with intrigues, follows the lives of four ‘Adams’ women: the widow of ‘David Adams’, an ex-diplomat and her three daughters who are in their 30s - “Adam’s four apples,” according to Frimpong-Manso. It highlights these women’s struggles to be successful and happy in a fast-paced 21st Century Ghana. They keep striving to bury their individual pasts, which constantly threaten to destroy their present career and romance. As the story goes on, it becomes more complicated and unpredictable, with one character linking to another, so

L-R: Dean, Linda Love gone sour  By Kemi Lawal       When these marriages or relationships were contracted, they seemed like a match made in heaven, especially as some of the ceremonies were characterised by glamour and had in attendance the elite in the society. No one envisaged that the couples involved would dare look each other in the eye or hum discordant tunes. Some barely lasted a few years, while others lasted upwards of a decade. A number of of the most celebrated union gone sour are examined: Dean Priddy and Linda Edozien Both light skinned, Dean Priddy and Linda Edozien can easily be labelled silver spoon kids owing to their affluent background. While the former’s father is Olu Priddy who is a big name in real estate as well as the social circuit, the former’s father is Prof. John Edozien. The duo got married at a fairytale wedding that attracted the presence of many celebrities from all walks of life. The union, which produced a child, began to exhibit some notic

Victor Adelakun notches high  By Kemi Lawal      Adelakun Not many people know and address this perceptive business man and veteran socialite, Victor Adelakun, by his real name. Most people love to call him Ade Lexus, an alias that has remained his trademark over the years. He had strengthened his financial success — a peculiarity that has earned him a stay on the bubbly social scene. Of a reputable standing, Ade Lexus is an auto merchant who enjoys a good run. Already, the Ondo State born well-heeled businessman is set to replicate glamour in Ikeja, Lagos State, where he has his business premises. High Society gathered that construction work at his new multi-million naira auto mart is nearing an end. The high-budget building project that has gulped several millions of naira, according to Ade Lexus himself, will be inaugurated soon at a ceremony that will be characterised by splendour and graced by the crème de la crème of the society.

Legend of the hunchback  By Segun Durowaiye Ajewole Onileola was a man with limitations because he was a very ugly hunchback. Human beings are not made perfect by the Creator. And sincerely, no one is perfect. But Ajewole was really ugly in the truest sense of the word. If there is a competition to choose the ugliest man in the world, it’s quite certain that Ajewole would win the award and claim the trophy. He had a scary feature that could make one squirm with disgust. He was the quintessence Mr. Ugly in modern day pageant. It became increasingly difficult for him to woo a woman because of his ugliness, worsened by abject poverty. Which woman would marry a man who was an eyesore and without enough money in his pocket? That was the problem and travails of Ajewole. He bore it with hope and endurance. He reasoned that tough times don’t last but tough people do. He cried unto God one day for a wife because age was no longer on his side and God answered his prayers. He gave him a w

Model queen to relinquish crown  By Anna Okon - Sixteen-year-old college student, Emmanuella Chika, who shot to limelight last year after emerging winner of the third edition of Elite model look Nigeria is to hand over to a new model and the winner of the Elite model look 2011 in the international modelling exhibition billed to hold sometime in September this year at the Civic Centre, Lagos. The annual model search organised by Beth modelling agency in Nigeria on behalf of Elite model International aims to scout models of Nigerian origin for Elite’s 37 agencies worldwide. After emerging winner nationally, a model would go on to compete at the finals in Asia, if she is lucky to become one of the top 15, she automatically gets a modelling contract with Elite model Management. For years, models from all over the world have vied for a chance to work with the agency that discovered and manages super models like Naomi Campbell, Oluchi, Gisele Bundchen, Tyra Banks, Cindy Crawford, Cameron

Venart Omigie bounces back  By Kemi Lawal      Suave Venart Omigie made an inroad into the celebrity circle many years ago. His interest in pageantry further buoyed his fame and when he introduced the Miss Commonwealth beauty pageant, his fame soared. The highly celebrated pageant got off to a good start until it ran into troubled waters after a few editions. That perhaps translated into the low profile life Omigie has now adopted. His absence from the social scene led to insinuations that he had fallen on bad times. Even his feeble attempt at running a fun spot on the Island did not yield much, as that also soon became history. Long after the insinuations were laid to rest unresolved, Omigie has got new springs in his steps. Trendy in all ramifications, he seems to have gotten a new lease of life, judging by his visibility at functions in recent times.

Which way, Famuyibo?  By Kemi Lawal      One time governorship hopeful and later senatorial aspirant in Ekiti State, Otunba Reuben Famuyibo, may not have come to terms with his poor showing in politics. It is no secret that the business man who pioneered the now defunct cable television, FSTV, has made little or no impact since he ventured into the murky waters of politics. Not one to take his unsuccessful runs with a pinch of salt, he has been seen fraternising with some of those who made remarkable success at the last polls. One of these is the newly sworn-in governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi. Famuyibo was one of those who co-ordinated a grand reception in honour of the governor. This is in spite of the fact that they belong to different parties.

Arinze Azuh says Yes  By Kemi Lawal Months after the former editor of Encomium magazine, Arinze Azuh, hosted a high-profile book launch at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs located on the Victoria Island, he is set to hit another milestone. The discerning writer, who rose through the ranks and by dint of hard work became the editor of Encomium magazine at the age of 26, is set to swell the number of soft sell journals by one. Already, Arinze has concluded plans to introduce, YES! The new magazine which will hit the newsstands on June 22, will be presented to the public at the rave-of-the moment hangout, Coliseum next week. The magazine, a 32-page affair, according to Arinze, will feature several columnists including Apostle Anselm Madubuko, Onyeka Onwenu, Saint Obi, Femi Sowoolu, Teco Benson, Julius Agwu and Basorge Tariah Jr. Others are Chidi Mokeme, Stephanie Okereke, Shan George, Debbin Udeme, Frank Edoho, Praise Fowowe and Rev. Fr. Chijioke Azuawusiefe.

Bettina Ifudu expectant  By Kemi Lawal At 47, Bettina Ifudu would easily pass for a lady in her 30s because of her svelte figure. Nothing in her demeanour suggests that she is three years shy of clocking 50. The stylish businesswoman who is the face behind Hollywood Hair Centre, with outlets in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, is overjoyed at the moment. It is no secret that she got married not too long ago after a long wait for Mr. Right, who eventually came in the form of Sibo Briggs. Their wedding, which took many by surprise, saw her go low profile perhaps to savour her new found status. The good news emanating from her end is that she has embarked on a nine-month course. Those who have sighted the heavily pregnant Ifudu insist that she is glowing with pride at the prospect of becoming a first time mum a few years to her golden jubilee

Girls Aloud are set to return to the studio in January 2012.The ‘Call the Shots’ group are “itching” to end the hiatus they started in 2009 - which has seen all five members pursue different careers, including releasing solo records, acting, TV presenting and launching a make-up line - after members Cheryl Cole and Nadine Coyle bonded over the phone. Both Nadine and Cheryl have had to deal with turmoil in their personal lives over the last month, with the former ending her engagement to NFL player Jason Bell and the latter being dropped from TV Show ‘The X Factor’. A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: “They’re excited they’re going to be making a fresh start together on this next adventure of their lives. “In six months time it’ll be back to work as normal - they are itching to get back in the studio.” The girl band - who also include Sarah Harding, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh - are now searching for new producers to make hits for them on their next album, after the

Lovebirds Bhoke and Ernest, fondly called Ebhoke by viewers, were both evicted from M-Net’s Big Brother Amplified at the last eviction show. Tanzania’s Bhoke was evicted first; and just when the Tails Housemates thought it was all over, Uganda’s Ernest was evicted minutes later. Ernest had received six nominations from his Housemates, while Bhoke picked up three. Head of House Danny had saved Luclay, who had received five nominations, and put Miss P up for eviction in his place. When he was called on by IK to reveal his decision, Danny stood and told his Housemates: “It’s that time again; you know how tough it is, but this is a job I have to do,” he said. “I saved my boy Luclay and I replaced him with Miss P. You all know what I did, now it’s up to you.” After Uganda’s Radio & Weasel had performed Everything I Do and Heart Attack, IK took viewers back into the House. After teasing the Housemates, he got down to business. “Bhoke, please leave the House now,” he said, after a l

Britain’s Got Talent’ winner Jai McDowall has still not signed a record deal. The 24-year-old singer triumphed in the ITV1 talent show last Saturday (04.06.11) after impressing viewers with his version of Josh Groban’s ‘To Where You Are’ and even though he won £100,000 and a slot at this year’s Royal Variety Show, he is yet to sign anything with the show’s boss Simon Cowell. He told BBC Breakfast: “Simon spoke to me after the final but said he is very busy with American ‘X Factor’ at the moment. After the ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ tour I will hopefully sit down and discuss what is going to happen.” While Jai is yet to sign a deal, it has been claimed the show’s runner-up Ronan Parke is set to recieve a £1 million recording contract. The 12-year-old singing sensation — who was the bookies’ favourite to win the ITV1 show — will reportedly be offered a lucrative contract by Sony Music in the hope he will become Britain’s answer to Justin Bieber. However, the label is keen to keep n

Adele would rather her voice sounded “s**t” than give up smoking. The 23-year-old singer quit the addictive habit for two months and adopted a healthier lifestyle, but found her new routine “boring”, even though she could hear a difference in her music. She said, “I gave up smoking for two months. It was grim. I had laryngitis about a week before the album came out and it was so frightening. “I stopped smoking, drinking, eating or drinking citrus, spicy foods and caffeine. It was boring. “When my album went to number one here and in America, I just sat in my room and watched TV because I couldn’t go out and talk to anyone. “My voice was better when I wasn’t smoking. Within a week I noticed it had changed, but I’d rather my voice be a bit s**t so I can have a f***ing laugh.” Smoking is not Adele’s only bad habit as she admits she can’t help but be messy in the bedroom of her London home, which she shares with her mother. She added: “My mum lives with me. I’m 23 and at the

Ferguson The Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson says it’s doubtful her new television series “Finding Sarah” could ever air in Britain. “I think that Fergie baiting sells a lot of papers in Britain, and Fergie does tend to fall into the traps so could it air on Britain? Probably not without dramatic ramifications and negativity,” Ferguson says. “Finding Sarah” is a six-part series airing on Oprah Winfrey’s Network, OWN, where Ferguson goes on a soulful journey to rebuild her self-esteem. Along the way, she is helped by experts (and friends of Winfrey) including Dr. Phil McGraw and financial adviser Suze Orman. Ferguson says the most difficult lesson she had to learn was about regret and to accept that she can’t change the past. One regret she is likely referring to is the scandal from May of last year where she was filmed by an undercover journalist, posing as an Indian businessman negotiating a payment to the duchess for access to Prince Andrew. Ferguson maintains that she neve

Britney Spears is to marry for a third time.The 29-year-old singer — who has two sons, Sean Preston, five, and Jayden James, four, with second husband Kevin Federline — got secretly engaged to long-term boyfriend Jason Trawick when the 39-year-old talent manager popped the question by writing the pop star a romantic poem. After filling the ground floor of the couple’s Los Angeles mansion with roses and candles, Jason reportedly presented Britney with a flower-shaped diamond ring, according to The Sun newspaper. An insider said, “She’s on cloud nine.” The ‘Toxic’ hitmaker is also said to be keen to have another child, her first with Jason, but only wanted to do it once she had tied the knot again. The source added: “Britney is desperate to settle down again and have more children. But she is very traditional and didn’t want to start a family with Jason until they’d tie the knot.” Britney — whose first marriage to childhood friend Jason Alexander was annulled just 55 hours afte

In a late-night confession session, Vimbai was not shy to admit her feelings for countryman, Wendall. After Hanni, Vina and Vimbai cornered Lomwe and asked him how he would tell a girl he is interested in, Vimbai could not help but reveal how she is unable to look at Wendall as a brother anymore. The two, who are from Zimbabwe, have been close since the early stages of the game. When Vina asked whether he knows how much she is feeling him, Vimbai told her Wendall has noticed how strange she acts when she’s around him. “I’m going to have a nervous breakdown if he is evicted. I don’t know what I’d do,” she confessed. Earlier on in the game, Vimbai had a huge crush on Alex, until he was bundled off to the Tails House. Again, Millicent, Felicia and Sharon told Lomwe how crazy Vina is about him. The gang sat outside with the Malawian hottie and observed Vina, who was trying to play one-legged soccer with Zeus on the lawn. Millicent was the first to spill the beans and revealed how m

After arguing with Luclay earlier on Wednesday, Nigerian Housemate Karen went on the rampage, dissing everyone she felt was not in her clique. Miss P and Kim were at the receiving end of her bullish mannerisms. She jumped in on Bernadina and Kim’s confrontation, where Bernadina asked if Kim felt intimidated by her being around Nic. Even before Kim responded, Karen said, “Of course, she is!” Karen went on to follow Miss P to the shower and pestered her to say what she thinks of her in her face. Miss P had earlier mumbled something about Karen, but neither did we nor Karen hear exactly what it was she said. Kim and Miss P were very offended by Karen’s charges that they even went to bed early. This was after Kim had told Miss P that Karen offended her by calling her “a big fore-headed sl*t” who is forcing herself on Nic. Kim felt it was a low blow, since it was Karen that asked them not to make mention of her fake breasts, but turns around and disses her about her forehead. Abou

The Heads Housemates had a field day with their nominations on Monday, June 6 on M-Net’s Big Brother Amplified, putting no fewer than seven of their number up for eviction this week! Confidence, Vimbai, Hanni, Millicent, Vina, Weza and Zeus all stand a chance of leaving the House after Head of House Lomwe had saved Felicia and put up Vimbai in her place. Lomwe’s decision will no doubt surprise a few of the Housemates when he reveals it on Sunday, as many would have suspected that he would save Hanni, Vina or Zeus, particularly in the light of his previous romance with Hanni. -Zeus was a common denominator in the nominations on Monday, picking up six nods from his Housemates. His attitude seemed to be the general reasons; while others felt that he was stiff competition. - Hanni had three nominations (from Millicent, Felicia and Sharon O), while Vina, Weza, Millicent, Felicia and Confidence all had two nominations each. -Vimbai, Lomwe and Wendall had one nomination each, while Sh

Retro red carpet: Colourful ethnic styles  By Anna Okon According to the CEO, Etisalat Nigeria, Steven Evans, the heroes awards night was memorable in so many ways. First it was a celebration of the fulfillment of Etisalat’s promise to deliver a high quality network to consumers. The night was also employed by the network to celebrate its distribution partners and the contribution to the fulfillment of the quality delivery promise. Heroes awards night served as a platform for promoting traditional Nigerian fashion by guests and staff of the network. Evans spotted a white lace, designed in traditional kaftan style. Nigerian idols top three, Naomi, Emmanuel and Yeka as well as flavour, Dr. Sid and the entire Mo’hits crew performed for the guests decked in colourful ethnic styles.

The premiere of Tunde Kelani’s film, Maami, reveals intrigues that characterise encounters between soccer, patriotism and personal challenges, writes AKEEM LASISI One day, someone took Femi Osofisan’s book titled Cordelia to Tunde Kelani. Unknown to the fellow, what he had done was like taking a rat to a cat. After reading it, the seasoned film maker immediately fell in love with it and decided he must turn it into a film. So, he headed for the home of the celebrated playwright only to discover that there were other beautiful scripts eagerly waiting for a screen freak. “If you like Cordelia, what will you say of Maami?” the Theatre professor asked Kelani, in his usually witty voice. He then produced the novel, the story of which also invoked in Kelani nothing less than love at first sight. “But if you like Cordelia and Maami, what about ...” again, noted Osofisan, who was ready to complicate his visitor’s joy as he (the host) made to move for his shelf again. But, no. Kelani w