Naija Talk Show & Gossip, Nigeria Nollywood

 By RACHAEL AGUNTA Indigenes of Imo State in Lagos State recently celebrated the Imo Day and Cultural Carnival, an event that brought together all sons and daughters of the state living in Lagos.  This year’s event had several dignitaries in attendance, including the Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha. It was double celebration for the indigenes as they also marked the silver jubilee of the carnival. The event took place at the training pitch of the National Stadium, Surulere.  President of Imo State Towns Development Association (ISTDAL), Mazi Tony Ohakwe, said the theme for this year, Onye Aghala Nwanne Ya (Be your brother’s keeper) is a word of advice to all sons and daughters of Imo not to neglect their brothers, to imbibe the cultures and traditions of the state and to boost the tourism aspect of the state.  He also informed the governor of the needs of Imo people in Lagos. “Your Excellency, we your people in Lagos are having some challenges, which we wo...

From MUTIU GANIYU, Osogbo Pop star, Michael Jackson’s personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, yesterday was sentenced to four years in jail and denied probation for his conviction on a charge of involuntary manslaughter in the pop star’s death.  “Thriller” singer Jackson died of a drug overdose in June 2009, principally from the use of the surgical anesthetic propofol as a sleep aid. That drug had been obtained and administered to Jackson by Murray at the singer’s rented home.  Earlier this month, a jury convicted Murray of involuntary manslaughter, or gross negligence, in his treatment of Jackson after witnesses testified propofol should not be administered at home and, even if it is, it must be given only with the proper life-monitoring equipment on hand. It was not.  Dr. Murray had agreed to care for Jackson ahead of the singer’s planned comeback concerts in London, and had negotiated a salary of $150,000 per month to care for the singer.  In sentencing Mur...

Madam Josephine Mgbocha Okonkwo-Edokwe, the 80-year old woman that has seen many moons in her lifetime, but the passage of so many years will never wipe away the love shared between her brother, Dim Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu and herself. “One thing you must know about my brother is that he is an organizer of persons, and activities. He can plan far before his peers even know what is going to happen next. Ikemba was also a warrior and a brother that loves his kin. This is why he never counts out the money he gives me, saying that I am special to him. Even when his guards will say he is busy, he will tell them to allow me entry once he hears my voice”.  “A great Iroko has fallen not just in Nnewi, but in Nigeria. Unfortunately, he won’t call me ‘Ekudeluomenu’ again. I pray that his soul rests in peace, so that we will all meet up again someday”.

• Some of the dead victims Horror in Bauchi 3 houses razed, several injured in night attack on villagers From PAUL ORUDE, Bauchi It was a night of horror. Fear and anxiety filled the air. Confusion and pain was the order of the day recently at Gargare, a village in Bogoro Local Government Area of Bauchi State. Four persons, including a mother and her eight-year-old daughter, as well as two other children, were killed while several others received varying degrees of machete cuts.  Three houses in the community were also set ablaze when suspected Hausa-Fulani men attacked the village.  Similar attacks had also occurred in Bar Arewa, Kuru Dodo and Kutaru Sayawa villages earlier in the year which claimed several lives and property.  The attacks on Sayawa villages became pronounced after a crisis erupted in Tafawa Balewa, a troubled town in the state in January between Hausa-Fulani Muslims and Sayawa Christians.  There is no love lost between the two ethnic g...

ABOUT THE ORGANIZERS OF THE PAGEANT Our mission is to organize a world class pageant, for a world class brand, with world class sponsors for the good and wonderful people of Rivers State M.R.S. Ventures is an entertainment organization, involved in post production, photography, events/artistes' management, tourism and producers of the new TV program 'Naija @ Night'. Our mission is to organize a world class pageant, for a world class brand, with world class sponsors for the good and wonderful people of Rivers State, with the aim of preserving our cultural heritage and projecting true River beauties and cultural Ambassadors. The Miss Rivers State is no doubt going to be Rivers State number 2 event brand icon, that will make the world, take Rivers state serious as regards to Tourism. By this pageant the required attention of tourist' will be stired up; a platform for our hospitality, culture and tourism to be elevated upon. Miss Rivers State Beauty...

A newly wedded same-sex couples. An hairstylist Michael K. Cole and his husband Jamil Smith Cole. What is this world becoming? When you hear about two men getting married, you will think is just a rumour but seeing the pictures...what say you?

 • Senate rebuffs UK, bans same sex marriage From ADETUTU FOLASADE-KOYI, Abuja Senate yesterday brushed aside threats from Britain to cut aids to African countries that violate the rights of gays and lesbians by passing a bill which criminalises same sex marriage. The lawmakers unanimously approved a 14-year jail term for perpetrators, four years more than the recommended punishment from the Senator Umaru Dahiru-led Committee on Judiciary and Human Rights.  Senate considered the Bill for an Act to prohibit marriage or civil union entered into between persons of same sex, solemnization of same and for other matters related therewith on Tuesday.  The bill seeks to prohibit marriage or civil union entered into between persons of same sex and to provide penalties for the solemnization and witnessing of same thereof.  Section 5 of the same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Bill states that “persons who entered into a same sex marriage contract, or civil union commit an ...

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru  Calabar—A medical doctor with the Federal Psychiatric Hospital, Calabar, Cross River State, Dr. Chibueze Onunkwo, has been allegedly killed by his landlady’s daughter-in-law (names withheld) following a disagreement between his wife and the suspected assailant over a pledge made by his wife. However, the suspect has denied committing the crime, claiming that the late doctor and his wife were the ones that attacked her for allegedly assisting the wife to protect her marriage at their 2, Oyo Efan Street, off Palm Street, Calabar residence. The doctor’s wife reportedly pledged N5,000 to the church where the suspected assailant worshipped and later redeemed the pledge. But the suspect was said to have continued to demand that she redeem the N25,000 pledge. Sources said the cause of the quarrel between the two women was over the reported balance of N20,000. The doctor’s wife had insisted that she pledged N5,000. The suspect was said to have attacked her. ...

• Agents keep victim’s pubic hair, finger nails as collateral  By SAM OTTI It is disheartening that Nigeria is enlisted among African countries with the highest number of women trafficked to Europe for commercial sex business. Reports indicate that 50,000 Nigerian women are trafficked to Europe every year for prostitution.  Trafficking of women and children across local borders in Africa has been on the increase, despite counter measures by government agencies and anti-trafficking organisations.  Recently, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and other related matters (NAPTIP) recorded an outstanding feat when it rescued and evacuated 104 victims of human trafficking, mostly young ladies, from Mali. On the global scene, more shocking reports indicate that more than 20 million women have been trafficked into the global sex market to feed the insatiate lust of men.  Trafficking became a global discourse in 2000, when the United Nations ...

 From CHUKS ONUOHA, Umuahia •Mrs Obioma It sure sounds incredible, but it is real. A 36-year-old woman has resurrected in Uzuakoli, on the outskirts of Umuahia, the capital of Abia State, after spending 11 days in a Lagos mortuary.  The woman, Mrs. Charity Chigoziri Ikechukwu Obioma, a member of Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Uzuakoli, reportedly died in Lagos after undergoing a heart operation. She came back to life few kilometres to Uzuakoli, her hometown, while she was being conveyed home for burial.  The reporter learnt that she spent ten days inside the morgue, after which her husband and his friends decided to take her home for burial. But a few kilometres to her home she was said to have sneezed seven times and sat up inside the stretcher. Expectedly, the driver, her husband and the friend who were with her in the Toyota Siena van that was bringing her back home were gripped by fear.  Mrs. Obioma who spoke to newsmen at the branch of the c...

In keeping up with the tradition of making the famous Calabar Festival more exciting, foremost American musicians, Sean Kingston and Rick Ross, are among the dignitaries lined up to perform in this year's edition of the festival. Chubby Jamaican-American singer, Kingston popularly known for tracks such as “Beautiful Girls” would perform at a Reggae Night scheduled to hold on the 16th of December , at the U. J. Esuene Sports Stadium. Also to perform on that night would be King Wadada, Nyore, General Brown Bread, Kandy Sea, Chantaman, Prince and Princess, Betsy Akan and Chris X. American rapper William Leonard Roberts II, better known by his stage name Rick Ross, would rock the city on Calabar Rocks Night on December 28, alongside the likes of P-Square, Banky W, Wizkid, Ojb Jezreel, Stunt and Julius Agwu at the U. J. Esuene Sports Stadium. Also to perform in this year’s Calabar Festival is Kool and the Gang, an American jazz, R&B, soul, and funk group. The soul and funk group w...

Dare Art Alade, King of RnB and winner of the 2011 channel O Music Video Awards, has again lived up to the hype.While recently in the UK, he gave audience to Factory 78’s Adesope Olajide where plans of going international for his "DoubleDare" album were revealed . The Album features the likes of 9ice, Jesse Jagz, Timaya, Mo’Cheddah and Chamillionaire. Darey, pointed out through action the need to penetrate the international market. He participated in a week-long campaign attending charity events, doing press interviews and putting up appearances. don't let me run you all through the exciting details, read the full interview below: How are you doing sir? I’m good. We’re very happy to see you at events. You just went to Charity Bowl Bar, Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys. How was that event? Ah, it was great. Just hanging around, supporting the charity which is really important. You know the charity is all about immunizing children in Africa and in India. And as a Nigeria...

Being a professional actress, a mother, a wife, a beautiful breath-taking goddess and an entrepreneur sounds a lot like a daunting task. Yet, the young and beautiful Juliet Ibrahim , a top Ghollywood and Nollywood actress is able to carry on  without much sweat. In this interview with Florence Amagiya, this diva reveals how she is able to cope with it all. Excerpts: What was your childhood like? Did you plan to become an actress? Juliet Ibrahim...I will not act nude for anything in the world I grew up doing stage plays and performing at talent shows .I had always wanted to be on the big screen and in the spotlight. I started off as a model at the age of twelve; I was a runway and editorial/print model till 2005 when I did my first major film audition and got the lead role to star alongside Majid Michel in “Crime to Christ “. How many movies do you have to your credit? I have 50 movies and I’m still counting. I’ve done both Nigerian and Ghanaian movies. Do you choose yo...

Sean Kingston In keeping up with the tradition of making the famous Calabar Festival more exciting, foremost American musicians, Sean Kingston and Rick Ross, are among the dignitaries lined up to perform in this year’s edition of the festival. Chubby Jamaican-American singer, Kingston popularly known for tracks such as “Beautiful Girls” would perform at a Reggae Night scheduled to hold on the 16th of December , at the U. J. Esuene Sports Stadium. Also to perform on that night would be King Wadada, Nyore, General Brown Bread, Kandy Sea, Chantaman, Prince and Princess, Betsy Akan and Chris X. American rapper William Leonard Roberts II, better known by his stage name Rick Ross, would rock the city on Calabar Rocks Night on December 28, alongside the likes of P-Square, Banky W, Wizkid, Ojb Jezreel, Stunt and Julius Agwu at the U. J. Esuene Sports Stadium. Also to perform in this year’s Calabar Festival is Kool and the Gang, an American jazz, R&B, soul, and funk group. The ...

BY BENJAMIN NJOKU There seems to be no end to the crisis rocking the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) as one of its factional leaders and notable actor, Emeka Ike has dared anyone to conduct the guild’s general election and face the consequences of a jail term. He also declared as illegal, all the activities of the Segun Arinze-led faction of the guild saying “ it’s not representative of the entire interests of the members of the guild.” Addressing movie journalists on Monday, in Gbagada area of Lagos, Emeka said “it’s important to note that any signature Segun Arinze ever appended on behalf of the guild (AGN) is a illegal and does not represent the didactic opinion of the real and constitutional executives of the guild. The actor also warned against the activities of those who parade themselves as “middlemen” and claim to represent the collective interests of film makers across the country before the powers-that-be, describing their activities as not only illegal but with the ten...

For the first time in the history of the popular reality television show, Next Movie Star, eight of the contestants have made it into the final. The lucky eight are Tamar Cassandra, Yinka Salau, Tomiwa Kukoyi, Aisha Alli_Balogun, Vivian Egbon, Wisdom Macaulay, Priscilla Orafu and Tamara Eteimo. Though a winner would eventually emerge among this lot and cart home the ultimate prize of a SUV, cash prize and movie roles, the executive producer of the show, Sola Fajobi, said evicting any of the contestants at this juncture had become a hard nut to crack because they have all been very outstanding and are equally popular among viewers and followers of the show.  Fajobi says, “This has been the most difficult Next Movie Star edition ever. Competition in the house is so stiff that there are always ties during tasks. What we plan to do with the finalists is a holistic grooming which would put them in great stead for dominance in any field they want to play in the entertainment sector ...

*Midnightcr BY OPEOLUWANI AKINTAYO  Just like it’s maiden edition took that took place last year, Lagos is about to witness another explosion of jazz at the Lagos Jazz concert. However, this year’s series will feature African and Nigeria artistes like Tiwa Savage, Cohbam’s Asuquo, Afya from Ghana, Rwanda’s Somi, Bez, Keziah Jones, Sesu, Diana Bada and others. Speaking at the press conference organized at The Moorhouse, Ikoyi, Mr. Oti Bazunu spokes person for the organiser, “the reason behind the yearly event is to redefine entertainment”. He said contrary to the Nigerian youth’s view that jazz is for the old folks, jazz is a free-by-nature music open friendly and welcomes everyone. The show kicked off yesterday November 24th at the Four Points Sheraton Terrace. It will  moves on to The Moorhouse on November 25th  and the  26th.  It will round up at the on November 27 at the  prestigious Muri Okunola Park, Lagos.  It would be recalled tha...

By Nwa kanma Chukwuma  After much effort to break into the entertainment world, Sunday Akor popularly known as Supa Sunny is set to launch his first album titled ‘I be Naija Police’ Supa Sunny, a police officer serving with the Shogunle police command has featured as back up and cola Bo for many other artists like Zulezoo, Supa Blac, and Slim Joe before he decided to come up with his own single album debut. Apart from the back up for other artist he has been performing in most police entertainment activities and for Chelsea Fans shows events across the nation.  According to Supa Sunny the album “I be naija police” is set to correct the negative impressions Nigerians have over the Police. The lyrics of the music which indicates that the Police are friend of Nigerians will promote Police Public relations which have been battered by some unfriendly events across the nation. The people he said from the lyrics of the music “should come together to help the police to make c...