Charles Kay invades Dubai with AfroLux Collection

 Creative filmmaker and luxury fashion designer, Charles Anyabuike famously known as Charles Kay, will be storming Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), this Valentine season, to further promote his recently launched AfroLux Collection.

He is coming on the invitation of Ralph Louis, an Igbo fashion entrepreneur based in Dubai and does business with the best fashion brands in the world.

Nollywood still in tears over Charles Waran's death

Late Waram

The Nigerian movie industry is still in tears and mourning the recent and sudden death of one of its pioneer actors.

 Charles Waran SHOWBIZPLUS was reliably informed breathed his last on Thursday night in a Lagos hospital, after a brief illness.

An insider disclosed that the actor was said to have complained of severe chest pains and was immediately rushed to a hospital, where he later died.

 Waran, one of the first set of actors in Nollywood featured in movies such as: State of Emergency, Law 58 and others.

Imagia Light World unveils new package

African China teams up with Lagos NIPR for musical concert

Dancehall star, African China has entered into a partnership with the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Lagos State Chapter, for a musical concert that will span the three senatorial zones of Lagos State.

The new relationship will also feature seminars and public lectures among other things. A statement made available and duly signed by the artiste and Marce Anyanwu, representing NIPR, noted that the outreach is a social responsibility initiative aimed at sensitizing Nigerian youths.

GOtv woos football lovers, unveils schedule for live matches

Even though, the African Nations Championship (CHAN) is ending this February, GOtv has promised to continue the sporting action with more excitement and incisive live coverages.

In fact, GOtv Nigeria, has released it sporting highlights for the month of February promising its subscribers broadcast of some live matches in the Barclays Premier League, Spanish La Liga, and Bundesliga with highlights of all the major matches.

Telemundo returns with brand new series for lovers on GOtv

Wow! This is definitely a cheering news for lovers of quality love/romance programmes on GOtv.

This February, which is the month of love, Telemundo, the telenovela channel that has taken us through a roller coaster ride with love, romance and betrayal stories will sensationally debut with three new series. The heart-thumping love dramas are: Cruel Love, Forbidden Passion and Confessions of Stars.

Guinness, Arik drum support for Glo Evergreen Series with KSA

KSA

Nigeria’s national telecoms operator, Globacom, will in association with reputable brewers, Guinness Plc and Nigeria's leading airline, Arik Air stage the King Sunny Ade edition of Glo Evergreen Series. It is a special music concert dedicated to honour Nigerian Music Legends who have contributed immensely to the growth and development of the nation’s music industry for decades.

The King Sunny Ade edition of the Glo Evergreen Series is expected to consolidate on the gains of the Ebenezer Obey edition. The Glo Evergreen project has been described as the greatest concert in honour of Nigeria’s music legends.

Globacom throws weight behind 2014 Lisabi Festival

Glo boss, Adenuga

The Otunba Mike Adenuga-led national carrier, Globacom, has pledged to collaborate with the organisers of the annual Lisabi Festival and make it bigger and better than the previous editions.   The week-long festival kicks off on Monday, February 24, 2014 at Abeokuta.

In a statement released by Globacom, the company said: “We have commenced pre-festival roadshows and town-storms to sensitize people to attend the Lisabi Festival in consonance with our tradition of ensuring successful organization of the festival. Part of our preparations for the festival includes enhancing the aesthetics of the city of Abeokuta and environs and supporting the round robin stages of the Lisabi football competition.”

Elated Wande Coal says: 'It’s a dream come true to be a Glo Ambassador"

Wande at the unveiling

National Carrier, Globacom has added the “Bumper-to-bumper” crooner, Wande Coal to its rich repertoire of brand ambassadors, thereby enriching its  link with youths.

Wande Coal whose full name is Oluwatobi Wande Ojosipe was officially presented to the public at the Mike Adenuga Towers, Headquarters of Globacom in Lagos on Tuesday

.

The hip-hop artiste expressed happiness for being signed on as a Glo Ambassador and promised to further add value to the brand.

“A big thank you to God. My heartfelt gratitude to Glo. It is a dream come true for me to be signed on as a Glo Ambassador. Coming from Mushin and being so recognized by an international brand, I promise to work hard to justify my appointment. I will portray Glo in everything I do from now. Everything is now green,” Wande Coal enthused.

2014 Illegal Budget Passage: Banks, Agencies, Others warned against dealing with Amaechi

Amaechi

Governor Rotimi Amaechi's woes seems not to be over as the embattled governor keeps sinking deeper in crises. The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in an official statement sent to SHOWBIZPLUS, says it still maintains its earlier position that the purported passage of the State 2014 budget outside the legislative chambers of the State House of Assembly by a few lawmakers loyal to Amaechi remains illegal, null and void, with no effect.

The party in the statement signed by its Special Adviser, Media to the State Chairman, Jerry Needam has therefore warned that any dealings with Gov Amaechi by any agencies, persons or groups including banks and financial institutions in respect of the illegal 2014 budget are also illegal and are doing so at their own risks.

Exposed! How politicians hide fortunes in real estate, hospitality sectors

EFCC Boss, Lamorde

The fight against corruption at all levels of government may not be yielding positive results as politicians are increasingly using property acquisition and investment in the hospitality business to launder the money they are stealing from the treasury.

Investigations by our correspondent revealed that the politicians, who hitherto preferred to put their money in the capital market and foreign bank accounts, have now opened their eyes to property acquisition in choice areas in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano, among others.

Although it was gathered that a number of politicians still keep their money abroad, a large percentage of them now prefer to invest in property because of its easy conversion to liquid cash and also because it serves as a hedge against inflation.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission said during the week that it had uncovered money laundering schemes in the Federal Capital Territory in which the perpetrators disguised the proceeds of crime by investing in properties.

The Chairman, EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, said over 270 cases of land scams were reported to the commission in the last three years.

Finally! National Dialogue to begin in February

Okuronmu

At last, the national conference being planned by the Federal Government will commence from the third or last week of February, SHOWBIZPLUS gathered through a report in The Punch.

A competent Presidency source told our correspondent on the condition of anonymity on Wednesday that the government had concluded work on the framework for the conference.

He said the framework was arrived at after marathon meetings between the government team, personally led by President Goodluck Jonathan, and members of the Senator Femi Okurounmu-led National Advisory Committee on National Dialogue.

In December, Jonathan, while receiving the report of the committee, had given an indication that the conference would hold early this year.

Omotola Jalade finally reveals how her mum nearly killed her acting career

Omosexy

Nollywood star actress and mother of four, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde  recently sat down to share the story of her life with CNN African Voices. Below are some high points of the chat exclusively monitored by us  for your reading delight.

Photo of the day: Uche Iwuji again!

Chinese boss brutalises Nigerian worker, smashes bottle on his head

A newly hired employee of a Chinese firm based in the Sagamu area of Ogun State has accused his Chinese boss, Mike Jackson, of brutality. 

The victim, Adeleke Owolabi, told Punch Metro that Mike and his cousin, Tony Jackson, brutalised him during an argument in Mike’s office. 

“He said I was not handling the PVC properly and they could break. He then slapped me, so I held his shirt in order to stop him, but his cousin, Tony, smashed a bottle on my head and beat me up until I fainted.”

Owolabi said he had just been hired by Mike to be a marketer in the northern part of the country.

Shock as FG budgets N14 billion for computers, stationery

Nigerians are still reeling in shock as Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government will spend a whopping N14.07bn on the acquisition and maintenance of Information Technology equipment like computers as well as stationery this year.

This is N1.69bn or 13.65 per cent higher than the N12.38bn, which the MDAs earmarked to spend on the same items in 2013.

Prominent among the MDAs is the Ministry of Transport, which earmarked N1.55bn for the purchase of computers in 2013 and N2.1bn for the same purpose this year. This means that in the two-year period, the ministry set aside N3.65bn for the acquisition of computers alone.

Breaking News! Disappointment, heartbreak as fumbling Eagles loses to Ghana via penalty shoot-out

Eagles

More troubles for Justin Bieber as Americans want him deported to Canada

bieber 

A petition to deport the Canadian singer has collected over 100,000 signatures in under a week's time.

Less than a week after Justin Bieber was arrested in Miami Beach, more than 100,000 people have signed a White House petition to have the Canadian singer deported.

The pop star -- who was charged with DUI, resisting arrest and having an expired driver's license after he was observed drag racing with fellow musician Khalil Sharieff at 4:13 a.m. on Thursday -- is living in the U.S. thanks to an O-1 visa, issued to anyone with "extraordinary ability or achievement" in their field, including the arts. Any conviction for an aggravated offense could see Bieber's work visa revoked, prompting immigration officials to toss him out of the country.

Igbo Excellence Awards to get a new date

The organizers of the maiden edition of the Igbo Excellence Awards (IEA) scheduled to hold on February 1, 2014, have postponed the event to a new and yet-to-be announced date.

The decision to move the date was reached in December on the recommendation of the IEA creative team and the newly constituted board of trustees, according to the organizers of the event, Tobems Media Limited.

The Principal Consultant, Mr Obembe said “We have been in correspondence with a number of Igbo interest groups whose desires to be part of the event are being threatened by the closeness of the date.

Photo of the day: Saint Obi, you may kiss the bride!

GTBank shut down as workers picket branch for illegally withholding N706m salaries

GTB MD, Agbaje

It was an embarrassing scene of confusion and complete shut down in Ondo State by angry workers on Tuesday, who disrupted business activities at the Guarantee Trust Bank Plc branches in Akure, the state capital, for allegedly withholding the sum of N706m meant for their January salary and allowances.

Information pieced together by SHOWBIZPLUS from The Punch revealed that the workers, who invaded the premises of the bank in Alagbaka area of the town as early as 8 o’clock in the morning, barricaded the entrance and denied customers access into the bank.

In their hundreds, the workers  promised to report at the bank premises on a daily basis until the bank reversed its decision to withhold the money.

SHOWBIZPLUS QUIZ: Predict the exact score of tonight's match between Nigeria & Ghana and win N20,000 cash

Nigerian team                                                                                   Ghana team

Comedy has made me a multi-millionaire-Elenu

Elenu

Akinlami Babatunde Julius famously known as Elenu, has no doubt become a household name after winning the 2006 edition of the coveted AY Open Mic Challenge.
  In this encounter, the rib cracker spoke on a wide range of issues.

EFCC drags Cross Country boss, Bube Okorodudu to court, for stealing N82.85m

Some of the controversial buses

This is definitely not the best of time for the embattled boss of transport firm, Cross Country Limited and leading socialite, Mr. Bube Okorodudu, as a Lagos High Court in Ikeja has fixed February 6, for his arraignment, for allegedly stealing N82.85m.

SHOWBIZPLUS gathered from The Punch that they were charged along with Car Link Limited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission with nine counts of stealing, conspiracy to steal, forgery and uttering.

The EFCC alleged that the accused conspired among themselves and stole the money, being proceeds of alleged fraudulent sale of 17 units of Volkswagen transporter buses belonging to AG Moeller Limited.

First City Monument Bank customers in panic as two staff land in jail for stealing N13.5 million

FCMB MD, Ladi Balogun

It was a shameful sight to behold recently as two men working with the Otunba Subomi Balogun founded First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Plc,  Adeyemi Adebayo,  32, and Ogundare Julius, 46, were arraigned before an Ebute-Meta Magistrate’s court for allegedly stealing €50,000 belonging to the bank.

The men, according to additional information pieced by SHOWBIZPLUS, were asked to transport the money in a bullion van from the bank’s headquarters at Marina,  Lagos, to a branch of FCMB at Adetokunbo Ademola, Lagos Island.

Adebayo, the cash transit officer, allegedly connived with Julius,  the bullion driver, to divert the money to an agreed place. This ugly development, an insider recently told us is also causing panic and pandemonium among high end customers of the bank, who now feel their monies are no longer safe while being transported for them.

Breaking News! 11 Senators dump PDP for APC

Information reaching SHOWBIZPLUS has it that 11 Senators elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party this morning, defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
 According to a terse press statement signed by the Interim National Publicity Secretary of APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed:
 "A formal letter to this effect has been delivered to Senate President, David Mark and is expected to be read on the floor of the Senate this afternoon.
This is only the first installment of many other Senators of the Peoples Democratic Party expected to defect to the All Progressives Congress soon."

Naeto C drops first song of 2014, 'Limited Edition'

Ohaneze breaks Orji Kalu’s heart, tells him, “drop 2015 Presidential ambition”

Kalu

In what seems like a script plotted from the top, the President General of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo, Mr. Gary Nnachi Enwu-Igariwey, recently said the organisation had appealed to prominent Igbo politicians to shelve their ambitions to contest for president in 2015, by working with the body to articulate the way forward. SHOWBIZPLUS reliably gathered that the move was aimed at helping President Goodluck Jonathan to win the 2015 Presidential elections, when he finally declares.

Enwu-Igariwey, who spoke to journalists shortly after holding consultations with the former Governor of Abia State, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, at his residence in Abuja, said the body was consulting with prominent Igbo leaders and all the critical stakeholders in the Igbo nation in order to arrive at a unified approach for the 2015 elections.

Five million dollar baby - Kanye West promises Kim Kardashian cash to have another baby...Set to televise wedding on E!

kanye-kim-north  

The couple welcomed their first child, daughter North, last June and are engaged to be married.

In addition to planning the ceremony in France, both parties are said to currently be discussing the rules of their prenuptial agreement. This legal contract created by two people before they marry addresses issues such as property and how valuables would be shared if they were to divorce.

"Kim and Kanye have ferocious lawyers and are both insisting on all kinds of clauses before they tie the knot. They're expected to keep their respective fortunes but share equally what they'll earn during their married life together. However; it's the other details that are causing issues," a source told British magazine Now.

"Kanye's insisting there's a provision in the prenup that Kim must try and get pregnant with at least one more child. As an incentive, he'll give her $5 million for one more child and $10 million for two."

2015: Oshiomhole set to battle Jonathan for Presidency...As Edo parties endorse him

Oshiomhole

Several political parties in Edo State, on Tuesday, endorsed Governor Adams Oshiomhole for the 2015 presidential election, thus daring President Goodluck Jonathan, ahead of the race.
Operating under the aegis of Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP), the chairman, Dr. Samson Isibor, said Oshiomhole was endorsed because of his landmark achievements since he assumed office in 2008.
They urged him to contest the 2015 presidential election in the interest of Nigerians “and also because he is eminently qualified for the top elective post”.
 “Governor Oshiomhole’s track record in bringing  the dividends of democracy to Edo State cannot be quantified.

Photo of the day: Clarion Chukwurah goes for a kill!

Clarion Chukwurah

BREAKING NEWS: Moky Makura quits Tony Elumelu’s Heirs Holdings

Elumelu

Moky Makura, the Director, Marketing and Corporate Communications at Tony Elumelu’s Heirs Holdings, has finally left the Group after months of speculations,

 to pursue other interests, with effect from 27 January, 2014.

According to statement signed by Owen Omogiafo, Director, Resources and made available to SHOWBIZPLUS, on behalf of Heirs Holdings, Patricia Aderibigbe, Director for Group Integration & Shared Services, will now be responsible for their strategic Marketing and Corporate Communications implementation. 

“While day to day contacts remain with the relevant Brand and Communication team members.”

North Korean’s leader executes his late uncle's entire family to prevent 'mutiny' - including women, children

North Korean leader, Jong Un

The direct relatives of the executed uncle of Kim Jong-Un have been put to death upon the orders of the North Korean leader, it has been reported.
Jang Song-Thaek's children, brothers and grandchildren have been condemned to death, according to media reports in South Korea.
Jang, 67, was executed last month, after being accused of plotting to overthrow the communist regime.

Sacrilege: Blood of Pope stolen from church

Pope John Paul 11

A religious reliquary containing blood from the late Pope John Paul II has been stolen from a remote mountain church in Italy, with speculation that a Satanic group could be behind the theft.

A team of around 50 Carabinieri police officers with sniffer dogs were on Monday searching for any trace of the reliquary, which was stolen from the Church of St Peter of Ienca in the Abruzzo mountains at the weekend.

Breaking News: Amaechi's Rivers State Is Broke...Can't pay teachers, other workers

The Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) Rivers State Chapter says available evidence shows the embattled state's government can no longer meet its responsibilities because it is broke despite the contrary view of Gov. Amaechi’s Information and Communications Commissioner, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari.

The Party, in a signed statement sent to SHOWBIZPLUS wonders how the Commissioner would deny this glaring fact in the face of the failure and collapse of almost all the social and public agencies in the state.

Describing the Commissioner’s brazen denial as laughable, the PDP among others, wants Mrs. Semenitari to explain why the state government still owes officers and men of the State Transport Management Agency (TIMARIV) for about six months, the newly recruited 13 thousand teachers are also owed six months’ salary, roads and other infrastructural projects abandoned, and the delay in the release of the N300m Christmas bonus meant for the civil servants in the state.

Why Heirs Holdings is investing in Planet Labs satellite technology -Tony Elumelu

Elumelu

  Heirs Holdings, the pan-African proprietary investment company founded by Tony O. Elumelu, CON, has announced its investment in US start-up Planet Labs’ innovative satellite manufacturing technology. Heirs Holdings is the only African investor in the project, which is based in San Francisco.

Planet Labs aims to transform the way imaging of the Earth is carried out, through the introduction of ultra-small satellites called “doves.” These “doves” circle the planet in low orbit and are significantly cheaper to produce and deploy than existing technology. Moreover, as they orbit closer to the Earth, they are able to take higher-resolution images than traditional satellites.

Elumelu, who is Chairman of Heirs Holdings, commented, “As the only African investor in Planet Labs’ project, we are incredibly proud to have supported such an innovative and dynamic company, which has already achieved significant success. As part of our business philosophy of Africapitalism, we are committed to supporting entrepreneurs and start-ups to enable them to bring scale to their projects and we look forward to following Planet Labs’ achievements over the coming years.”

Exclusive! Phyno's alleged lover, Rita Edmond finally opens up on her rumoured pregnancy

 

Rita Edmond & Phyno

Recently, the print, electronic and social media have been agog with stories on fast rising pop singer, Rita Edmond’s alleged pregnancy for rapper, Phyno. Like a whirlwind, the pregnancy tale has continued to go viral, making many Nigerians wonder if the two singers have joined the league of entertainers whose flings lead to unplanned bundles of joy. However, we finally caught up with the lady at the centre of the raging storm and engaged her in a no-holds-barred chat. Enjoy miss Edmond as she tells SHOWBIZPLUS the whole truth about her romance with Phyno, how the controversial pregnancy came about and many more.

Tears, anger as Boko Haram Kills 74 In church, village

Boko Haram insurgents

It was another scene of sorrow, tears and blood as 74 innocent people were mercilessly killed in separate attacks by suspected Boko Haram members in Adamawa and Borno states, northeast Nigeria, on Sunday.

SHOWBIZPLUS gathered that the attackers armed with guns and explosives reportedly killed 22 people at a busy church service in Waga Chakawa village in Adamawa State on Sunday morning, before proceeding to burn houses and taking residents hostage during a four-hour siege, witnesses said.
The spokesman for the Catholic Diocese of Yola, Reverend Father Raymond Danbouye, confirmed to Reuters news agency that 22 people were killed in the attack and had been buried on Monday.
In the other attack in neighboring Kawuri Village in Borno state, Security officials told Associated Press that suspected Islamic extremists used explosives to attack the village killing 52 people and razing more than 300 homes.

Beat Ghana, get $100,000, Sports Minister tells Eagles ahead of Semi Final on Wednesday

Eagles coach, Keshi

Super Eagles have been told to beat Ghana in their semi-final clash on Wednesday and receive $100,000. The players got a similar offer before their pulsating quarter-final clash against the Atlas Lions of Morocco on Saturday. Eagles came from behind to win the match 4-3.

The Minister of Sports Bolaji Abdullahi, who applauded the fighting spirit of the Nigerian players. announced the fresh offer on Sunday. The offer is independent of their match-win bonuses from the Nigeria Football Federation.

How Wawrinka floored fumbling Nadal at Aussie Open

Wawrinka

 Stanislas Wawrinka staged the biggest upset in a grand slam final for nearly half a decade when he put down a wounded Rafa Nadal 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-3 in a surreal Australian Open final to win his maiden major title on Sunday.

The record books will record a shock on a par with Juan Martin del Potro's victory over five-times defending champion Roger Federer at the 2009 U.S. Open but it was a far more complex evening than that.

The Swiss had started brilliantly to take the opening set of a match few had given him a chance of winning but the contest changed irrevocably when world number one Nadal pulled up with a back injury at the beginning of the second stanza.

Actress lover finally breaks France President, Hollande's home...As he confirms split with partner

Hollande with mistresses

French President, Francois Hollande has confirmed his separation from Valerie Trierweiler.

The announcement was made via a press release and comes two weeks after the French magazine Closer published allegations that he was having an affair with actress, Julie Gayet.

His relationship with Trierweiler became public in 2007, just six months after Hollande split with the mother of his four children, Segolene Royal.

He had promised to clarify the position of France’s First Lady before an official visit to the US on February 11.

Gayet has launched legal proceedings against Closer for breach of privacy although rumours of the relationship were circulating on the internet for most of last year.

Breaking News: Needam bombs Amaechi again, says Ogonis following him are hungry beggars

Amaechi

 The Special Adviser on Media to the Chairman, Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Jerry Needam says a tiny number of Ogoni people pretending to be Gov Amaechi’s supporters are hunger stricken beggars, contract seekers and visionless few who do not have the interest of the Ogoni people at heart.

Speaking to journalists in Port Harcourt today, Jerry Needam, an illustrious son of Ogoni, told SHOWBIZPLUS there could not have been any other reason for what he called unholy alliance with Amaechi than gluttony and hunger, stressing that it’s better to be honourable in poverty than going back to one’s vomit to satisfy one’s hunger.

Money Laundering: Femi Fani-Kayode re-arraigned again

Fani-Kayode

Former Minister of Aviation, Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode, was on Monday re-arraigned for money laundering charges which were first instituted against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in 2008.

Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia is the third judge of the Federal High Court in Lagos, hearing the matter. The matter had always started afresh each time it was transferred to a new judge.

The fresh re-arraignment move followed the first appearance of the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Festus Keyamo, in the case after the court ruled that no one else except him was competent to prosecute the case.