MTN Project Fame audition excites Benin youths

It was an atmosphere of excitement and fun-fare at the audition venue for the sixth season of the MTN Project Fame West Africa, in Benin, last weekend, as over 20,000 youths converged at Constantial Hotel, Benin City, in quest of fame and fortune.

In the first audition to be held in Nigeria for this year’s edition of the popular sub-regional musical reality TV show, the youths commented that they had turned out that much because of the proven record of MTN Project Fame for producing music super stars.

Sex scandal of the year: CBN Gov., Sanusi Lamido accused of hiring, dating married mother of two

He could be the future emir of Kano, being a grandson of a past emir and a chieftaincy title holder. He is also an excellent banker, with his career crowned with the position as the Central Bank Governor. Once upon a time, there was a rumour of his presidential ambition. But today, Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi is the subject of a whirlwind of a moral bankruptcy, faced with grave allegation that if eventually proven beyond reasonable doubts, especially with emergence of other collateral facts, could tarnish his image beyond repair.

In the unfolding “Sanusigate” the Central Bank Governor has been alleged to be involved in an illicit extra-marital affair with a certain Dr. Maryam Waisu Yaro, a married mother of two, who also works at the apex bank. The boss and his subordinate are alleged to be involved in a romantic relationship according to a Premium Times exclusive story entitled Sanusi Lamido, his CBN Mistress and their Sweetheart Escapades. 

Nollywood Patriots to celebrate Ifeanyi Dike on June 13

A set of progressive filmmakers under the aegis of Nollywood Patriots will be hosting and honouring Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) first interim president and chairman Board of Trustees, Mr. Ifeanyi Dike.

The anticipated celebration already dubbed: Nollywood Special Evening (NSE) in honour of Mr. Ifeanyi Dike, holds on Thursday, June 13, inside the arena of Macnuel Productions on 17 Modupe Johnson Street, Surulere, Lagos.

How my dad died…To be buried June 22-Chinedu Ikedieze (Aki)

It is usually devastating losing loved ones, especially those you have shared strong intimacy and affinity with over the years.

In fact, watching such persons die could be very heart breaking and demoralizing.

Such was the fate of Nollywood star Chinedu Ikedieze, famously known as Aki, who cried, cursed and wailed endlessly upon hearing the sad news of his father’s exit, a couple of days ago.

BREAKING NEWS! Victor Osuagwu set to lead Lagos Actors

Ahead of its June 15 election, leading actor and comic star, Victor Osuagwu is poised to revamp and reposition the Lagos State chapter of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), if voted into office as its next chairman.

Already, the amiable thespian and his crew have set up the now famous Victor Osuagwu Campaign Team (VOCT), for the purpose of leading Lagos AGN, fondly called the mother guild, beginning from June 15.

BREAKING NEWS! OJB Jezreel down with kidney failure

This is definitely a very sad news for the Nigerian thriving music industry.

Unpalatable piece of information reaching us has it that revered music producer and musician, OJB Jezreel is currently ill and seriously battling a kidney failure that has kept him in and out of hospitals.

AB Cowboy wows Gov. Okorocha

It was a beautiful sight to behold recently in Owerri, when gyration exponent AB Cowboy thrilled Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State and other dignitaries present.

The event, which held at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, was part of the activities marking the Democracy Day celebrations.

An insider who witnessed the well attended gathering disclosed that Okorocha, who was singing along while AB Cowboy was performing, had to eventually stand up to dance, when he could no longer resist the urge.

36 beauties jostle for Miss Nigeria 2013 crown

After over six months of rigorous, nail-biting and exciting auditions and elimination processes, 36 beautiful contestants have finally emerged in the semi finals of the prestigious Miss Nigeria crown.

The lucky 36 will now feature in a two-week reality TV show entitled “The Making Of A Queen”.

The reality show in the words of the organizers, will see the 36 contestants enter into the special Miss Nigeria House, where they will undergo grooming and preparation for the role of Miss Nigeria. Eliminations will take place during this period as they whittle down to the “21 most suitable ladies”. The 21 ladies will then go on to compete for the Miss Nigeria crown at the Grand finale, where a winner will be chosen based on elegance, poise, talent, intelligence and beauty.

BREAKING NEWS! President Jonathan Proscribes Boko Haram, others

President Goodluck Jonathan has formally approved the proscription of Boko Haram and authorized the gazetting of an order declaring the group’s activities illegal and acts of terrorism.

The order which has been gazetted as the Terrorism (Prevention) (Proscription Order) Notice 2013 affects both Boko Haram (Jamaatu Ahlis-Sunna Liddaawati Wal Jihad) and another group – Jama’atu Ansarul  Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan, was approved by President Jonathan pursuant  to section 2 0f the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2011 (As Amended).

It officially brings the activities of both groups within the purview of the Terrorism Prevention Act and any persons associated with the two groups can now be legally prosecuted and sentenced to penalties specified in the Act.

RESIDENT JONATHAN APPROVES ORDER PROSCRIBING BOKO HARAM AND ANSARU, MEMBERS,SUPPORTERS, COLLABORATORS NOW FACE PROSECUTION UNDER TERRORISM PREVENTION ACT

President Goodluck Jonathan has formally approved the proscription of Boko Haram and authorized the gazetting of an order declaring the group’s activities illegal and acts of terrorism.

The order which has been gazetted as the Terrorism (Prevention) (Proscription Order) Notice 2013 affects both Boko Haram (Jamaatu Ahlis-Sunna Liddaawati Wal Jihad) and another group – Jama’atu Ansarul  Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan, was approved by President Jonathan pursuant  to section 2 0f the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2011 (As Amended).

It officially brings the activities of both groups within the purview of the Terrorism Prevention Act and any persons associated with the two groups can now be legally prosecuted and sentenced to penalties specified in the Act.

The proscription order warns the general public that any person “participating in any form of activities involving or concerning the collective intentions of the said groups will be violating the provisions of the Terrorism Prevention Act”.

Section 5 (1) of the act prescribes a term of imprisonment of not less than 20 years for any person who knowingly, in any manner, directly  or indirectly, solicits or renders support for the commission of an act of terrorism or to a terrorist group.

For the purposes of subsection (1) of section, "support" includes -

(a) incitement to commit a terrorist act through the internet, or any electronic means or through the use of printed materials or through the

dissemination of terrorist information;

(b) receipt or provision of material assistance, weapons including biological, chemical or nuclear weapons, explosives, training, transportation, false documentation or identification to terrorists or terrorist groups;

(c) receipt or provision of information or moral assistance, including invitation to adhere to a terrorist or terrorist group;

(d) entering or remaining in a country for the benefit of, or at the direction of or in association with a terrorist group; or

(e) the provision of, or making available, such financial or other related services prohibited under this Act or as may be prescribed by regulations made pursuant to this Act.

Angel Ufuoma storms US again for movie deal

  Few weeks after visiting for an international movie project, pretty and sexy starlet from Delta State, Angel Ufuoma is in New York, United States of America again, for another huge collaborative effort.

The hugely talented thespian, we reliably gathered jetted out few days after she finished lensing a couple of movies in Asaba and some eastern states.

An insider who squealed to us disclosed that Ufuoma has settled down and is already preparing for the shoot of another big budget movie alongside some Hollywood stars.

Ekwe Award gets senatorial boost

A big boost recently came the way of the organizers of the long awaited All Igbo Music Awards, otherwise known as Ekwe Awards courtesy of Senator Igwe Nwagu (Ebonyi Central).

The senior lawmaker, the organizers revealed has agreed to endow and underwrite the costs of two plaques. They include, Egwu Ekpili and Nkwanwite, categories, respectively.

With this development, the name of Senator Nwagu will be engraved on the awards insignia of the two genres of Igbo music.

GOtv breezes into Aba with goodies

 
Towards ensuring high quality digital television services for Nigerians, MultiChoice recently launched GOtv in Aba, Abia State amid fun fare.

The well applauded Digital Terrestrial Television service launch held at the Hotel Terminus Complex.
To launch the service, GOtv deployed the latest DVB-T2 standard technology which leapfrogs the outmoded T1 system that is currently used by some pay television services in the digital migration process in Africa.

Ekwe Award gets senatorial boost

A big boost recently came the way of the organizers of the long awaited All Igbo Music Awards, otherwise known as Ekwe Awards courtesy of Senator Igwe Nwagu (Ebonyi Central).

The senior lawmaker, the organizers revealed has agreed to endow and underwrite the costs of two plaques. They include, Egwu Ekpili and Nkwanwite, categories, respectively.

With this development, the name of Senator Nwagu will be engraved on the awards insignia of the two genres of Igbo music.

 Speaking at the occasion, which took place in his country home in Abakiliki, Ebonyi State, Senator Nwagu commended the organisers for their “visionary efforts to salvage the fast deteriorating state of Igbo music culture and language.”

While describing musicians as ‘special creatures”, he promised to give every necessary support to the Ugo Stevenson-led Ekwe Awards Organising Committee for the success of the event.    

Ekwe Awards according to Mr. Stevenson, derives its name from the wooden percussive instrument used in all Igbo music styles. “The honours ceremony is intended to celebrate those who have preserved Igbo language and culture through music.”

 Stevenson, a noted highlife musician, is the 2007 AMEN best highlife artiste and 2008 NMA best highlife artiste. The Ekwe Awards is unique also in capturing for recognition and encouragement, the brand of music that is peculiar to each Igbo speaking state.

“Anambra State is home of Ekpili music, while Enugu boasts of the Ogene sound. Bongo and Abigbo are peculiar to Imo, Odumodu is of Abia. Ebonyi has Nkwawite. Our Ikwerre brothers in Rivers State have Uri Obo and the Igbos of Delta are masters of Oyorima.” These unique music styles, hinted Stevenson, find strong expression in Highlife, which he describes as “Igbo contemporary music.”

  Stevenson called on other well-meaning Ndigbo to rally to the cause as demonstrated by Senator Nwagu. 

MTN Project Fame Season 6 storm Abuja, Benin with auditions

Excitement is already brewing in Nigeria’s capital city of Abuja and one of the nation’s historical and cultural kingdoms, Benin, as the MTN Project Fame West Africa season six holds its auditions in the two cities on June 8, 2013.

The auditions which will take place simultaneously at the National Centre for Women Development, Abuja, and Constantial Hotel in Benin, have been scheduled to discover the next set of  musical talents in Nigeria which the MTN Project Fame West Africa is known for.