Illusions!

I don't know whether this things are amazing, freaky or scary. Take a look at this pictures, follow their instructions and reach your own conclusions.



Is this possible?




Focus on the dot in the centre and move your head backwards and forwards...freaky?



Are the purple lines straight or bent?



Do you see gray areas in between the squares?



You should see a man's face and also a word...
Hint: Try tilting your head to the right. Do you see a word? It begins with 'L'




Does it look like the picture above is moving? Look closely, the picture is not animated...your eyes are making it move. To test this, stare at one spot for a couple seconds and everything will stop moving. Or look at the black center of each circle and it will stop moving. But move your eyes to the next black center and the previous will move after you take your eyes away from it. Weird ?



This particular illusion is the freakest and most amazing. Try it!
1. Relax and concentrate on the four dot in the middle of the picture for about 30 secs.
2. Then take a look at a wall near you (Any smooth single coloured surface)
3. You will see a circle of light developing
4. Start blinking your eyes a couple of times and you will see a figure emerging
5. What do you see? Better yet, who do you see?
If you doubt what you see...ask someone else to try. Pretty amazing huh?



So what do you think?

Naija Entertainment Gossip + Flamboyant lifestyles of Nollywood actresses

Hey Everyone, it's been crazy busy at work, but I just got to do this, my favourite past time...gossip I mean lol! Thanks for all your words of encouragement.

Let me start today's gossip with something one of our Naija gossip mag's wrote about me and my bestest friend, Denrele Edun. Hilarious!

Secret Denrele Edun and Linda Ikeji are keeping to themselves.
For reasons best known to them, none has bothered to utter a word on it. And that's talking about the whirlwind romance once savoured by the duo of eccentric Sound City presenter, Denrele Edun and model Linda Ikeji. A course mate of theirs at Unilag then said they were so inseparable and hardly left each other's sight. The course mate, however, wouldn't know why they drifted apart as well as the reason none of them bothered to say anything about that secret liaison.

When I read this, I just laughed. Whirlwind romance...seriously? These people and their stories sha lol! Denrele and I were best friends in school, mostly because I was a little cocky back then and didn't bother making friends with other classmates, until maybe in my final year. He was trying to get into the modeling industry then so we used to hang out a lot. He was also very helpful to me in school...you know with assignments..tests...when I had modeling assignments (shhhh...don't tell my lecturers o lol!).

We were so close back then. We are still best friends, just that we don't hang out like we used to. He's too busy traveling around Naija.

I want to official say that even though Denrele looks...he has a beautiful soul . One of the best human beings you'll ever meet.

Secret liaison? Lots of laughter.




Here's another gossip about me...even more hilarious!!!

About Linda Ikeji and MTN big boy's closeness.
Those who find it a habit to spread tales are at it again. Because top model, Linda and MTN's big dude, John, have been attending events together of late, they are spreading the rumour that the twosome's closeness goes beyond casual friendship. I don't know what to make of the rumour, but I will find out if their closeness goes beyond what I'm being told anyway. The birds even swore that Linda is so much in love with the chap...

I don die o lol! Are these guys kidding me? Seriously? I'm typing and laughing...where do these people get these stories from. When I was reading this, I was seriously wondering if there was another model called Linda in Naija...cos this is not my life story. I'm in love with an MTN big boy called John? We've been attending events together? Haaaah! Seriously, these gossip people are crazy sha. I haven't been to an event in ages...is there any big boy called John who works at MTN? If you exist...get in touch. Since they've paired us...let's hook up. lol!

Seriously, I'm still very much single. Hopefully not for long...when I fall in love again...and start something new...something tells me y'all will either hear about it or guess it. God knows I want to get it right this time...so I'm in no hurry.

I gossip about other people, guess it's karma working huh? lol!

Just for the record, I ain't dating any John, don't know any MTN big boy...except for Tayoodukoya.com...lol! Hope I find a John soon. Wink!

Moving on...

Julius Agwu storms Abuja.
Abundantly gifted comedian, Julius Agwu, will be in Abuja again on Sunday, November 4, 2007 to do what he knows best. Billed for the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton Hotel in the show tagged 'Crack Ya Ribs'.

Ex-Miss Nigeria, Nwando Okwuosa joins British army
Y'all know I contested for Miss Nigeria in 2003? (Should have stuck to modeling...I wasn't even in the top 10...imagine lol!). The winner of that year's pageant, Nwando Okwuosa has joined the British army. She joined a few weeks back and is presently a cadet. She's juggling being a cadet with her master's degree programme at Sheffield University. She is already a Law graduate from the same university.

Cynthia Okpala emerges MTN/MTV VJ winner.
On Friday Oct 19th 2007, Cynthia Okpala beat the trio of Edward Chukwuma Jiah, Adewale Akinjogbin, and Abimbola Ademujimi to clinch the coveted trophy. The winner was chosen by the panel of judges and a voting exercise. Cynthia smiled home with N1m, a Honda City car, one year supply of recharge card and a presenter on MTV Base. Saw her on TV, Very spontaneous. She deserved to win. Good luck to her!

TARA WINS THE AFRICA SMME AWARDS
Barely days after House of Tara celebrated 10 years of visionary entrepreneurship at an ‘event to end all events’ in Lagos, she has received an international stamp of approval as the Board of the Africa SMME Award has named her 2007 winner from a shortlist of some of the brightest medium-scale entrepreneurs across the African continent.

The Africa SMME Awards are presented to the best small medium and micro enterprises in Africa, measured against specific criteria. The Awards are presented to businesses that strive for excellence in order to be competitive in regional, national and international markets. These businesses are well established, in good financial shape and enjoy a reputation for quality, integrity and service. Furthermore, they act in a socially responsible manner and create a work environment in which their employees can learn and grow.

The Award helds on the 25th of October 2007 Africa SMME Annual Conference and Awards Ceremony Johannesburg, South Africa.

Oyakhilome sets up airline company.
Seriously I don't know how true this story is, but our Naija gossip mags are speculating that preacher, Chris Oyakhilome has pumped a huge amount of money running into billions of naira into his new commercial airline, Skybird Airlines. They said he has already ordered TEN cargo cargo airplanes, to add to the TWO airplanes Skybird already has. Don't say you read this here o...I don't know if it's true...lol!

Saga VIII sold
THEY said Grace Egbagbe and her partner, Lanre Nzeribe, have sold the popular hang out Saga VIII, they jointly owned. The new owner of the place, a Lebanese, has renamed the hang out. It is now called Chill Out! I know Chill Out exits and I know it is owned by a Lebanese...I was there today. I'm looking around for a place to host a small gathering. Will tell you all about it later.


According to a local softsell Mag, here's the flamboyant Lifestyles of Nollywood Actresses.

Omotola Jalade Ekeinde
She cruises around town in a red Lincoln Navigator jeep among other automobiles. Also a businesswoman, she lives with her family in their own house in Iba, Lagos. To get Omotola to take a script, producers and directors need to cough out from N500, 000 and above.


Bukky Wright
Apart from being an actress, Bukky is also a producer and marketer. She owns a studio, Wright Productions, located at Ketu. She drives a jeep, a Honda car and a Volkswagen Bug in her fleet. She collects between N200, 000 to N300, 000.

Ini Edo
Ini stays in Lekki and drives a jeep. She grabs between N250, 000 and N400, 000 to take part in a movie


Rita Dominic
She resides in highbrow VGC, and cruises around town in a Honda CRV Jeep. She collects from N300, 000 and above.

Genevieve Nnaji
She lives in Ikoyi, drives a RAV 4 Jeep and collects about half a million and above to shoot a movie.

Stella Damasus
She lives in Lekki and drives a Toyota car and a Jeep and earns between N300, 000 and N500, 000.

Joke Silva
Ageless actress and one of the pioneers of Nigeria's movie industry, Joke, runs a production company, Lufodo, with her husband Olu Jacobs. She lives in her own house, constructed solely with red bricks. She drives an Opel car and her pay is said to be N250, 000 and above.

Shan George
She lives in Opebi, drives an Infinity jeep and charges between N250, 000 and above per script.


Eucharia Anunobi
She lives in Ikeja and drives a white Quest Caravan car and charges between N400, 000 and N500, 000 to take part in a movie.


And here...is...a very early gay sign

Who doesn't like breastises? If your pikin no like breast...hmmmm...lol!

Hope everyone is doing aight?

Goodnight and take care of you and yours.

My Magazine Is Out....At Last!!!

My Magazine is out....Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! That's me screaming! I'm so happy and so excited and so happy and so excited, so proud, so happy, so excited, so happy! lol!

Seriously, I've been on this magazine for over a year and it feels so great to have it out at last. Of all the projects I've been working on, this is one I know I've gotten 100% right.

This magazine is the same quality with Genevieve, True Love Mags...(Direct Image). It cost me 830 grand to print just a thousand copies.

I'm penniless...but I'm so happy! Whenever I look at the mag...I don't care I have no money to buy recharge card! It's worth it!

This second edition is quite rich and an improvement from the first edition...I try sha!

First edition

The magazine will be in most leading stores in Naija from this weekend.
You can get it @
Collectibles Boutique, Surulere
Talk to me Boutique, Surelere
Bobby's Hair Salon, Surulere
Nu' Metro, Silverbird Galleria, V/Island
Nu' Metro, @ The Psalms
Lafayette Shopping Mall, V/Island
Airport Hotel, Ikeja
The Book/Magazine shop @ Eko Hotel, V/Island
International and local airport Magazine stands
Wrangler Boutiques, Surulere and V/Island

Second edition

I'll let you know some more places where you can find a copy to buy. I'll also see if I can upload some pages of the magazine for y'all to see...you will be so proud of me, like I am proud of myself.

Oh, by the way, did I mention that Virgin Nigeria want the magazines on their planes? Soon you'll find the mags on VN international flights to UK, SA and Dubai! We will also have our magazines in some local flights.

Anyway, here's what I wrote on the publishers' page...thought to share it with y'all!

Dreams do come true
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams"

This Magazine came to me as an idea in June 2005. Exactly one year later, the first edition was published. How I managed to do it puzzled a lot of people, even myself, considering the outstanding quality of the magazine and the enormous amount of efforts and resources it took to put it together and get it out.

Before the first edition came out, I went to a few financial institutions to see if I could raise money needed to print the magazine. Nothing came out of it! So I put in my life savings, and got some credit facility to produce the first edition, hoping that when I do the launching I'll be able to raise enough money to pay back my debts and print the next edition.

For some reason, it didn't work out that way. I wasn't able to raise enough money, not even close. It was as if I'd failed, because before venturing into this, a lot of people had tried to discourage me from doing it. I remember a friend telling me that what I was about to embark on was bigger than me. A few others said I should leave the country and get a better life abroad. Some said I should stick to modeling and leave publishing to older and richer people. Did I listen?

The weeks following the formal launching of the maiden edition of my magazine were some of the worst moments in my entire life. I was more broke than I'd ever been. I was in debt. I was loosing money because I was selling the magazine for less than I printed it. I couldn't get the money from sales immediately and the magazine wasn't selling as fast as I'd hoped. Worse still, I couldn't raise money for the next edition. I remember feeling very gloomy and depressed, especially when I heard 'I told you so' from friends. It was disheartening.

Inspite of all this, I started work on my next edition. And for the next one year I went around Lagos to see if I could raise the money needed to print. I didn't get much help. But did I give up? Did I let my dream die? Instead I went down on my knees and prayed to my God, and every day I went to look for help with renewed hope, not only because I believed in the magazine and in myself but also because I believed in God and I knew one day a door will open...and it did!

The easiest thing we humans know how to do is give up, especially when we think we've tried our best and our best does not seem like it's enough.

Dreams do come true. The bottom line is to believe in yourself and in your dream. People will try to discourage you; most times they mean well. But understand one thing: Only you see your dream, only you know where you want to go and only you can make your dreams come true.

To make your dreams come true you need to have faith, be determined, work extraordinarily hard, don't be too proud to beg, take risks, pay attention and don't get easily discouraged. Remember, the road to success is rough. Winners never quit and quitters never win.

Most importantly, don't ever forget to get down on your knees. It works!

Because I didn't give up, I present to you another edition of FM&B Magazine...
Enjoy!

Linda Ikeji
Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

Ok, that was what I wrote on my publishers' corner...I always write the way I feel, see and know it.

Anyway, I'm looking at bringing out the 3rd edition in January. So please help me get my next edition ready by sending in articles and pictures that relates to Fashion, Modeling and Beauty. (I'll credit the write-up to you if that's what you want), anyone who can handle a column, please let me know. It's 108 pages...let's fill it up. Also, if you want to be featured or want to advertise in it...do get in touch with me.

Ok, let me go attend to some business...despite my busy schedule, I'll still find time to blog...because I love you guys and writing is my biggest passion...next to modelling.

Take care and always remember "Where you are going should look nothing like where you have been"

Don't let anyone tell you you can't do it...YOU CAN!

Love and plenty kisses! Linda

Customs and Traditions of Nigeria + Nigerian Traditions That Need To Be Stopped!

I think it's very important for all of us to know the history, customs and traditions of our beloved country. For those of you who didn't read history in Secondary or University, here's History 101 on the traditions and culture of Nigeria. Enjoy!


Nigeria is often described as a country of unity in diversity. This description probably stems from ttie fact that the country is made up of over 400 linguistic groups, three principal religions, a multiple of socio-political opinions and organisations and varying weaiher and climatic conditions between the North and the South.

Nigeria boasts of a plethora of customs and traditions, cultures and festivals, that would appeal to the tastes of the average tourist. (In the Northern States of the country, the customs, cultures and traditions of the people who are mainly Hausa/Fulani, Nupe, Kanuri, Igalaand Tiv are governed by the Musfim religious traditions).


Most of the festivals held in these areas, such as the Durbar in Katsina and Kaduna States, are associated with religious celebra- tions. The Argungu Fishing Festival in Kebbi State which has over the years acquired international recognition, is however removed from traditional religious celebrations.

The Northern States of Nigeria, especially Sokoto, Kebbi, Jigawa, Kano, Yobe, Borno, Katsina and Kaduna are semi-desert and so experience little rain within the year. The weather is generally hot during the day and cold during the night through most of the year. The common dress in these States is the Babanriga, a large, flowing top over large trousers. The dominant dress colour is white.

The major means of transport, from time, and as in case in other semi desert and desert areas are the camel, the donkey and the horse. The horse, most of the times, is bred for the purpose of traditional and religious festivals such as the Durbar when they are dressed in very flamboyant colours and attires as active participants. In these Northern States, education, the judicial system and other institutions are influenced by the muslim religion. They practice the sharia (taken from the Koran) system of justice, education begins with learning Arabic and reading the Quoran.


Western education has however gained much ground here with the establishment of the Ahmadu Bello university, Zaria, Kaduna State in 1962.



It is arguably the largest university in Africa. Other universities in the North include University of Maiduguri (Bomo), Uthman Dan Fodiyo University (Sokoto), Bayero University of Science and
Technology, Bauchi. In what is described as the Middle Belt in Nigeria are the States of Niger, Kogi, Benue, Adamawa, Taraba and Plateau.

Plateau State and its capital of Jos remain the tourist capital of the whole of Northern Nigeria. The State boasts of a temperate weather, a number of rising, picturesque Plateau and a near-rural population that boasts of the largest concentration of foreigners among the States of the North. Add to this list the quiet environment of the University of Jos, the Highbrow National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, Kuru and the National Museum that depicts the cultures and traditions of several Nigerian nationalities.

The commonest language in use in the Northern States is Hausa. The Western States of Lagos, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Edo constitute the most developed axis in the country The people, who are united almost by a single language, Yoruba, also constitute the most articulate of the Nigerian populace.

In the area of religion, the West is divided. Less than 20 per cent are moslems. About 60 per cent are Christians while the other 20 per cent are traditional worshippers of other gods such as Osun and Ogun. Traditional worship is very popular in the Western States so that some have been turned into festivals in Osogbo, Osun State.

The West is equally highly educated and industrialised. Nigeria's Premier University, the University of lbadan, Oyo State was established in 1948. There are also the Universities of Lagos and Benin (Edo State), the Obafemi Awolowo University (Ile-ife, Osun Sate) the Lagos State University and the Edo State University in Ekpoma. The area also boasts of the highest number of other educational institutions.

Their traditional institutions are highly reverred with all traditional activities revolving around the Obas of lfe, Benin and Lagos, the Alafin of Oyo, the Olubadan of lbadan, the Ataoja of Osogbo among others. Being highly educated, most of the citizens are paid civil servants or are involved in private business. There is not much of rural life as in parts of the North but the people still sustain and guard their traditional institutions, exploring their commercial potentials on the international scene.

The Yorubas, who are very colourful and extravagant in their dressing, are symbolised by the buba and sokoto that closely resemble the Northern Babanriga. Notable festivals include chieftaincy installations, the Osun festival (Osogbo, Osun State) the Eyo masquerade (Lagos State) beside others.

In the East and South Eastern States of Nigeria, Christians make up over 96 per cent of the entire popula- tions. These states, together, have the largest concentration of churches, which range from the orthodox to the pentecostal, in the country.

The States located in this region are Abia, Anambra, Akwa lbom. Cross River, Delta, Enugu, Imo and Rivers. In the four states of Abia, Anambra, Enugu and Imo, the primary language of communication is lgbo. In Akwa- lbom State, the major languages are Ibibio and Anang. In Rivers State the major languages are ljaw, Kalabari, lkwerre, lgbani, Kirike and Ogoni. In Cross River State the main language is Efik while in Delta State the main languages include lgbo, Itsekiri, Urhobo and Kwale.


In as much as languages vary in this area, cultural and traditional norms and dress modes arc very similar. Traditionally, the eastern and south-eastern women dress in simple, double wrappers, a blouse and a head tie to match. The men traditionally dress in flowing wrappers or trousers under a flowing, large shirt with cap to match.

The indegenes of these states, like their western counterparts, are equally highly educated and are mainly employed in paid employment, trade and commerce. The area boasts of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (Enugu State) Nigeria's first indigenous university, the University of Port Harcourt and the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (Port Harcourt, Rivers State); the Federal University of Agriculture, Urnudike; Abia State University (Uturu, Abia State); Imo State University (Owerri); University of Calabar (Cross River State); University of Uyo (Akwa lbom State); Nnamdi Azikiwe University (Anambra State); Enugu State University of Science and Technology and a host of others. Cultures, traditions and festivals in these States come as much as the languages.

In Anambra and Enugu States, there are the Manwu festival; in Abia State there are the Ekpe festival, the Ekpe masquerade and the In ji (New yam) festival. In Akwa lbom and Cross River States, there are the Ekpo, the Kpe masquerades and cults. In Rivers State, there are the Nwaotam and Ekine masquerades and cults. The traditional institution of the Eastern and South Eastern States suffered a great deal as a result of the European intervention. Today, however, the traditional institution is re-emerging from colonial mentality. Eze have re-emerged in lgboland with pomp and pageantry, giving room for new yearly traditional celebrations of Ezeship (Kingship), Amanynabos today still rule Kalahari, ljaw, Okrika and Opobo kingdoms of Rivers State providing avenues for cultural activities all year round.

In Cross River and Akwa lbom States, the Obongs still evoke the cultural richness of the indigenous people. Most importantly, the Eastern and South Eastern States especially Rivers, Delta and Abia States, provide the entire nation with over 90 per cent of national revenue. This is because the area is rich in oil which has attracted a lot of investment from within and outside the country.

This article is courtesy...onlinenigeria.com


Traditions that need to be stopped
There are so many traditions that are common to Africans...like circumcision, early marriages of young girls, polygamy etc...

Now, let's focus on Nigeria and it's many traditons...traditions that make us unique...

Of all our traditions, which would you like to see...stopped?

Top Event Managers in Nigeria + Lagos in 2020?

Let me start by sending my condolence to the family of Yemi Tella, Nigeria's Under 17 World Cup winning coach , who died on Saturday morning Oct 20th 2007, after losing his long-running battle against lung cancer. He died at the Lagos State Teaching Hospital (LUTH). He was aged 56. May his soul rest in peace...Amen.


So...here are names of some event planners making things happen in Naija...enjoy!

Funke Bucknor-Obruthe
Her events management company, Zapphire, ranks among the very top when it comes to managing A-list events. She is a product of University of Lagos, where she read law. She handled Florence Ita-Giwa, Titi Atiku and Solomon Ayoku's among others.

Uche Uwandison
Her events management company, Frannicoles, is a force to be reckoned with. Some of the top events she's packaged include the MTN and This Day Awards.

Funmi Victor Okigbo
Her events management company, No Surprises, handles events from the very beginning to the end without a hitch. She managed Betty Irabor's 50th b/day and so many other high profile events.

Oluwakemi Adekambi
She is the woman behind Kiket Cocktails and drinks, which is all about cocktail, drinks and event management. Her clients cut across, from corporate, socialites to even churches.

Ibidun Ajayi-Ighodalo
Former Miss Lux, Ibidun, is the brain behind, Elizabeth R. Her event company has catered to several high society events. The University of Lagos graduate is married to pastor Ituah Ighodalo.

Kafilat Osobemekun
Kafilat is the brain behind Osho's Celebration. She was a chartered marketer before leaving that for events planning and marketing. She came into the social scene five years ago and her specialty includes weddings, birthdays, funerals and corporate events.

Yetunde Odupitan
She is the young lady behind fast rising events management company, Gray Belle. A graduate of Mass Communication, University of Ado Ekiti, her company has catered for a lot of corporate organisations.

Kike Akinsola
She is the CEO of Bloom Designs Limited, which specialises in weddings, corporate events, b/days etc.

Rosemary Udoh
Rosemary is the lovely woman behind Angels Events Company. She managed Iyabo Obasanjo's 4oth b/day among other classy events her company has handled.

I'll bring you more names later. And those who want their contacts...I'll see what I can do.

Meanwhile, some optimists think this is what Lagos State will look like in 2020!

The Lagos of our dreams...

Check it out...

4th Mainland Bridge to Alapere in 2020



Mile 12 in 2020 (Metro Rail)


5th Mainland Bridge to Ikorodu in 2020


Oshodi Oke in 2020


Mowe in 2020


Adeniji Adele in 2020


Oshodi in 2020


Ikorodu in 2020


Ebute in 2020


Ajegunle in 2020


Stop dreaming....Get back to work...lol!

Have a fruitful week!