MI's Africa Travels + Pat Utomi's Vivante Magazine + Other news...

I got an email yesterday from the lady who wrote about having a deformed baby (we discussed here). She said the baby boy died. She didn't say if he died naturally or...you know...
Anyway, may his soul rest in peace.

To today's post, I wanted to bring you entertainment news, bought our soft sell mags but found nothing to report...maybe they'll have more juicy stories this week.

For now enjoy rapper MI's travel pictures. He's been touring some African countries...check it out!

Pix thanks to MI

Totally love this dude...

If you want to share your pix with the rest of us, pls send me an email...

Pat Utomi's Vivante Magazine Launch
For those who don't know, former presidential aspirant Pat Utomi now has his own magazine called Vivante. I haven't seen it, so can't tell what it's really about...but check out pix from the launch...

Pix thanks to purefoto.com

AY (top comedian) and Mabel become ONE

AY and his love of many years Mabel tied the knot yesterday Nov 29th 2008.

Wishing the couple everything beautiful.

Zizi Cardow's Fashion Show

Date: Sat. 13th Dec '08

Venue: 21, Kingsway Rd, Ikoyi

Time: 6pm-7:30pm (Red carpet)
8-9pm (Main show)

West African Fashion Week - Be the 1st face

Are you a professional model or aspiring to be one? Then this is opportunity to be the 1st West African Fashion Week Model and win a N1million contract to feature in all the West Africa Fashion Week advert material.

How to enter...

Simply take 2 studio fotos of you striking your best pose. A full length and a portrait photograph then call Tony on 08034560895 or Maxwell 08060265714

FaceTALK
Bridal/Beauty Makeover/Headgear/pgotography
3, Allen Avenue Ikeja, Lagos
Email:ololade@facetalkbeauty.com
Tel: 08023465653

Photos of the day
US President-elect, Barrack Obama and family feeding the needy on Thanksgiving

Isn't he teaching us all something?

Bey and her husband Jay Z at a B-ball game...Jay kinda looks different with the hair and all...U like?

Beyonce at the “Cadillac Records” press conference rockin’ a fly business suit.

Pix thanks to bossip.com

Thought of the day

Don't walk in front of me, I might not follow

Don't walk behind me, I might not lead

Just walk beside me and be my friend

Have a beautiful week ahead

L

Segun Aranmolate's Words + Future Awards unveils date

Segun Aranmolate

The young man woke up in the morning with his ideas lurking in his head. Cuddled up in his bed, he thought about his family and all the great plans he wanted to execute. As he was reflecting in his dark, inhospitable cell room, one of his masked captors walked into the room with a pencil and blank piece of paper in his hand. He handed the writing utensils to the young man and told him to write his last rites, as it was time for him to meet his creator. As soon as the young man heard those words, his mouth became dry and there was a burning sensation in the back of his throat. His hands trembled as he held the crumpled paper in his left and the crooked pencil in his right. Sweat trickling down his forehead; he began to write his final legacy – five things I will do differently.

Wake: I will wake up every morning and smile at the world. I will be glad for the chance to see yet another day, and most especially I will be grateful for the “gift of life.”

Eat: I will cherish every meal I receive. I will eat healthy delicious meals and I will take my time to savor the complex flavors of each meal. My body is divine and it surely deserves the finest of foods.

Love: I will develop my innate ability to Love myself and to Love others selflessly, as Love is the universal language that all humans understand.

Work: I will establish my identity at work and I will let my purpose of “positively improving humanity,” fuel my creativity and talents. I will view success not through the eyes of an epicure, but through the eyes of a famished individual who has been fed and empowered with the wisdom of life.

Sleep: At the end of each day, I will lie in my bed and I will sleep like a baby because if life is worth living then it must be worth dreaming as well. Furthermore, I cannot dream without sleep!

Upon writing these words, the young man carefully folded the piece of paper and handed it to his captor. He smiled and felt calm. He was at peace with himself because he realized that he had lived a great life and completed his legacy. It was now time to celebrate his life.
-SHEG ARANMOLATE . -Author, iACTUATE: 100 days of Inspiration

25 year old Segun is a model, author and motivational speaker.

THE FUTURE AWARDS WRAPS UP TOUR… UNVEILS DATE!
- The Awards holds on the 17th and 18th of January
- “Their work is more than impressive… it is inspiring,” – Reuben Abati

Wrapping up a whirlwind and eagerly followed tour around the country, the organizers of The Future Awards headed to the UK in a series of presentations to spread the word about Nigeria’s biggest youth event.

“We are extremely proud of ourselves. We never tire of stating that we are making history, doing something pacesetting in the history of any awards process in Nigeria.” said Emilia Asim-Ita, the Award’s PR Director, “The ultimate plan for the town, and the basic idea, is to go to all 36 states in the country, and engage as many Nigerian youth as possible, generate conversation about Nigeria taking this message of hope and change and inspiration and making sure that youth from every part are inter-connected with the idea that youths can change Nigeria in spite of the difficult environment. We, after all, are a testimony to that: if we could do these town halls as planned without one kobo of sponsorship, then you know, you just have to believe"...

Next Naija Entertainment News...

Keep a date...wink!

Introducing:MoDyves Jewelry + Don't Foget the lyrics audition + AMAS + CNN 2008 Heroes

British African designer Esther Agbarha has travelled extensively around the world to places such as London, New York, Paris, Thailand, Singapore, Germany, Hong Kong, China, and Dubai just to name a few. This has strongly influenced her creativity and inspired her choices. She currently resides in Europe with her two children.
Esther has a Bachelor of Science from London Guildhall University and a Masters degree from Pennsylvania State university.

She worked in the corporate sector for financial institutions in both London and United States of America.
In 2006, MoDyves was established from Esther’s passion for the finer things in life. She designs jewelry that merges ancient wisdom with today’s needs. The focus of the designs are based on the “gift of nature” and the euphoria for wellness.

MoDyves jewelry creation is composed of two-faced gemstone pendants and necklaces with healing properties lavished in white, yellow, and pink 18K gold . These are one-of-a-kind piece that can be worn as two different styles due to the unique setting of the two-faced stones that touch the skin. A portion of the proceeds from MoDyves Collection will go to Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Currently the only place its being sold is on-line at http://www.modyves.com/
Such beautiful jewelries...check her out!

Don't Forget The Lyrics Auditions

The auditions for contestants will soon commence, the emerging winners will then be used for recording the 1st 4 to 5 episodes.

The schedule is seen below:

Location Date Venue

Ibadan Fri. 28th Nov, 08 Marble Suites, Bodija

Jos Sun. 30th Nov, 08 Crest Hotel, Jos

Owerri Tues. 2nd Dec, 08 Imo State Council for Arts & Culture

Lagos Thurs and Fri. 4th & 5th Dec, 08 Protea Hotel; Leadway, Maryland

So to anyone who knows the lyrics of a thousand and one songs through time and wishes to be on a fun TV game show and even win big money while having fun, this is the time to jump on the train because by the 5th episode, contestant recruitment will be by SMS which is harder.

2008 AMERICAN MUSIC AWARD WINNERS

The Winners

Favorite Male Artist: Chris Brown

Favorite Female Artist: Rihanna

Favorite Band, Duo, or Group: Daughtry

Favorite Album: Alicia Keys, As I Am

Country Music

Favorite Male Artist: Brad Paisley

Favorite Female Artist: Taylor Swift

Favorite Band, Duo, or Group: Rascal Flatts

Favorite Album: Carrie Underwood, Carnival Ride

RAP/HIP-HOP MUSIC

Favorite Male Artist: Kanye West

Favorite Band, Duo, or Group: Three 6 Mafia

Favorite Album: Kanye West, Graduation

SOUL/RHYTHM & BLUES

Favorite Male Artist: Chris Brown

Favorite Female Artist: Rihanna

Favorite Album: Alicia Keys, As I Am

T-MOBILE BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST

Jonas Brothers

INSPIRATIONAL

Favorite Artist: Third Day

ALTERNATIVE ROCK MUSIC

Favorite Artist: Linkin Park

ADULT CONTEMPORARY MUSIC

Favorite Artist: Jordin Sparks

LATIN MUSIC

Favorite Artist: Enrique Iglesias

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Artist of the Year: Chris Brown

CNN 2008 Heroes

1. Tad Agoglia, Houston, Texas: Agoglia's First Response Team provides immediate help to areas hit by natural disasters. In a little over a year, he and his crew have helped thousands of victims at more than 15 sites across the United States, free of charge.

2. Yohannes Gebregeorgis, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Moved by the lack of children's books and literacy in his native Ethiopia, Gebregeorgis established Ethiopia Reads, bringing free public libraries and literacy programs to thousands of Ethiopian children.

3. Carolyn LeCroy, Norfolk, Virginia: After serving time in prison, LeCroy started the Messages Project to help children stay connected with their incarcerated parents. She and volunteer camera crews have taped roughly 3,000 messages from inmates to their children.

4. Anne Mahlum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: On her daily morning jogs, Mahlum used to run past homeless men. Today, she's helping to transform lives by running with them, and others as part of her Back On My Feet program.

5. Liz McCartney, St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana: McCartney moved to New Orleans to dedicate herself to helping Hurricane Katrina survivors move back into their homes. Her nonprofit, St. Bernard Project, has rebuilt the homes of more than 120 families for free.

6. Phymean Noun, Toronto, Ontario: Growing up in Cambodia, Noun struggled to complete high school. Today, she offers hundreds of Cambodian children who work in Phnom Penh's trash dump a way out through free schooling and job training.

7. David Puckett, Savannah, Georgia: Puckett started PIPO Missions to bring ongoing prosthetic and orthotic care to those in need. Since November 2000, he has helped more than 420 people in southeastern Mexico, free of charge.

8. Maria Ruiz, El Paso, Texas: Several times a week, Ruiz crosses the border into Juarez, Mexico, bringing food, clothing and toys to hundreds of impoverished children and their families.

9. Marie Da Silva, Los Angeles, California: Having lost 14 family members to AIDS, the nanny funds a school in her native Malawi, where half a million children have been orphaned by the disease.

10. Viola Vaughn, Kaolack, Senegal: The Detroit, Michigan, native moved to Senegal to retire. Instead, a group of failing schoolchildren asked her to help them pass their classes. Today, her 10,000 Girls program is helping hundreds of girls succeed in school and run their own businesses.

God bless all those making a difference in our world...

God bless everyone

Unveiled....Bella Naija

Y'all will never guess who this beautiful lady is.
Finally we have a face to the phenomenon...



She's on the cover of the December issue of True Love Magazine

Guess Who? Guess? Guess?

The lady is 24 year old Uche Eze, popularly known as BELLA NAIJA

Ain't she something?

Also a huge congrats to the winners of the 2008 MTV Africa Music Awards

Artist of the Year - Dbanj (Nigeria)
Best Male - Dbanj (Nigeria)
Best Female - Wahu (Kenya)
Best New Act - Naeto (Nigeria)

Best R&B - Alicia Keys (USA)
Video of the year - Wind am well - Ikechukwu (Nigeria)

Best Group - P-Square (Nigeria)

Best Hip Hop - 9ice (Nigeria)

Best Live Performance - Jozi (South Africa)

Legend Award - Fela Anikulapo-Kuti (Nigeria)

And a big congrats to the winner of Big Brother Africa3...RICCO from Angola. He really deserved to win. He was fun, entertaining, fresh, mature, very friendly...and now very rich. Wishing him the very best...

Naija Entertainment News + Richest Hollywood couples

RIP to Chief Orlando Owoh

Child witchcraft in Nigeria

Sometimes I'm lost for words. Please read the article here

http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/dispatches/saving+africas+witch+children/2780062

There is a charity in Nigeria 'Stepping Stone Nigeria', where donations and information could be obtained from. They have a group on facebook you can join, as well as forward to friends. Link to charity website: www.steppingstonesnigeria.

Oluremi Obasanjo's Book

Oluremi Obasanjo, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo's first wife, last week launched her biography titled 'Bitter-Sweet: My life with Obasanjo. The 141 page book is the engaging story of her life as Obasanjo's wife and mother of six of his chilcren. Amongst other intimate details, Oluremi reveals Obasanjo's love for women, those he dated and how he used to beat her during each of their matrimonial squabbles...

The book is in stores now...if you're interested...

Nkem Owoh speaks at last- Taiwo Obatuson

Nollywood star actor, Nkem Owoh, popularly known as osuofia has been in the news for the past weeks for alleged drug trafficking. He was also rumoured to have lost his life in Saudi. The news right now is that Nkem himself spoke to City People last week through the phone concerning the issue. Hear him "Don't mind the romour mongers, may be they could be talking about paracetamol because that is the only kind of drugs I know. I have not travelled out of Nigeria in the past six months. I have not gone to the international airport, so I wonder what they are saying and where the rumours are coming from. As I am speaking to you now, I am in Port Harcourt working. Nothing happened to me"

Silverbird Galleria Opens new branch

The first modernised Galleria in Nigeria, the Silverbird Galleria which is run by the Bruce Family, has extended it's capacity to the mainland. The new Galleria is located at Sabo, Yaba.

World Music Awards in Monaco

Tuafce Idibia wins Best Nigerian Artist

Tuface and Estelle on stage
Congrats to 2baba

City People is West Africa's soft sell of the year. It's publisher is W/A's Media Man of the year.

Seye Kehinde, the publisher of City People has won the prestigious West Africa International Award of Merit 2008. According to a two page letter written by Dr. Kwame Otibu-Asare, Editor in Chief/CEO of West Africa International Magazine, "The award is presented to a few West Africans or companies in West Africa that have made the various sectors/fields they operate in proud, by their extraordinary, distinctive achievements in that sector.

Congrats to the man and the organisation.

City People Brands Award

Here are some categories...

Soft Drink of the year

Coca cola

Fanta

Pepsi

Mirinda

Fayrouz

Energy drink

Redbull

Power horse

Burn

Beverage

Milo

Bournvita

Ovaltine

Prefered domestic airline

Aero contractors

Arik Airline

Virgin Nigeria

GSM company

GLO

MTN

Zain

Sanitary Towel

Always

Everyday

Cable TV

DStv

HiTv

My TV

Internet package

Starcomms internet services

MTN 3G

GLO 3G Plus

ETC. There are about 50 categories. It is slated to hold on Thursday, November 27th at the Shell Hall of the Muson Center, Onikan Lagos.

I'd like to say a big congrats and happy married life to all the newly wedded couples...

Anita Uwagbale and Tom Iseghohi

Chinenye Ochuba and Kunle Akinlade

Doyin Haastrup and Ayodeji Olatokunbo

Cecil Hammond and Keke Adenuga aka Isis

May God bless their unions with love, laugher, children and a lot of blessings...

Pics thanks to bellanaija, Naijagal and Niyi tabiti

Now to the foreign scene...

The top 10 of Hollywood's Top Earning Couples (Forbes magazine poll) is as follows:
1. Jay-Z and Beyonce Knowles - $162 million

Jayz $82mill, Beyonce $80mill

2. Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith - $85 million

Will $80mill, Jada $5mill

3. David Beckham and Victoria Beckham - $58 million

David $50mill, Victoria $8mill

4. Tim McGraw and Faith Hill - $35 million

5. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie - $34 million

6. Judd Apatow and Leslie Mann - $30 million

7. Gavin Rossdale and Gwen Stefani - $28 million

8. Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman - $25 million

9. Tony Parker and Eva Longoria Parker - $22.5 million

10 Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart - $22 million

I'm out, see y'all later...

It's a crazy circle + Your priorities

Sigmund Freud's Priorities
The fun is when you do it first time honestly without looking at the answer.
Try it...

Five things are happening in your house at the same time. In which sequence would you solve them?
1. The telephone is ringing!
2. The baby is crying!
3. Some one's knocking or calling you from the front door!
4. You hung the clothes out to dry and it is beginning to rain!
5. You left the tap on in the kitchen and the water is already overflowing!

In which sequence would you solve these problems? Write your sequence from 1 to 5, then scroll below and check how your decisions were made. BE HONEST to yourself!

It's a Crazy Circle

There are a few of us who don't particularly hold ourselves in high regard...mostly because people have told us too many negative things about ourselves...to our faces and behind our backs. When a lot of people tell you you're worthless, you start to believe it, and somewhere along the way you start having doubts about the beautiful person you really are.

Can I console you?

Someone came to see me at the office yesterday, while talking business a name came up, and for at least 30 minutes all he did was a count down of the top 20 reasons why this person was an ASS. He said things about this other person that I can't repeat anywhere else. It was dirty and uncalled for. I just sat there and listened wondering how many times someone somewhere has counted twenty things they didn't like about me.

Interestingly, immediately he left, another guy came into my office and didn't understand why I would grant audience to the guy who just left. "He's a failure" this new guy started, and for at least 10 minutes he mentioned so many reasons why he's not a person to be associated with. And like before I just sat there and listened.

But you know the funny thing? This new guy sitting in front is one of the few people I just tolerate. Every time I see him, I almost ask him to go see a psychiatrist..., he's always acting like there's something wrong with him upstairs...lol.

Then this morning, three models came to the office to pick up their cheques and while waiting at the reception, I heard them talking negatively about another model who they felt sold out. When my sister eventually came to the office, I asked her about the situation with the model they were talking about, and she told me not to pay any attention to the three models, and she said something about one of them in particular that left me stunned.

A few hours later, someone called me to report my sister to me...

I dropped the phone and called my publicist, Niyi Tabiti, and he told me some things that I do that he doesn't like...

That was when I realised what a crazy circle it really is...everytime you talk about someone, someone else talks about you.

For everyone who thinks you're stupid, there are ten people who think they're foolish. For everyone who tells you you're uncultured, be rest assured that there's someone somewhere who thinks they are crude. Every time people gather around and talk about you, best believe there are people gathered somewhere talking about everyone one of them. I guess this means no one is perfect.

So every time someone says nonsense about you, don't let it phase you, instead imagine the 10's of people saying something negative about them at that moment. That's the circle!

And there are no exceptions. No matter how good you are, there's someone who doesn't like you. Sometimes they don't have a reason, they don't need one, they just love to HATE!

So don't let what people say to your face or behind your back make a difference to you. She thinks you're crazy? It's OK, someone else thinks she's an idiot...lol

Photo of the day...

Hollywood actor/model...Oris Erhuero

And yes, what you see is what I saw...

If only we can LOOK.....AND TOUCH! lol

Anyway, here's the answer to Freud's Priorities:

Every individual point represents something in your life. On the list you can see which meaning every point has:
1. Telephone represents Work
2. Baby represents Family
3. Door represents Friends
4. Clothes represent Money
5. Tap represents Sex

Your chosen sequence determines the priorities in your life. Now....did you turn off the tap first ?

Naija Entertainment news next. This time you'll get it...I promise!

Kisses everyone!

Don't Forget the Lyrics + Future Awards move to the UK

Well, the popular TV show has come to Nigeria and is being sponsored by ZAIN

Here's the press release

DON'T FORGET THE LYRICS debuts in Nigeria
DON'T FORGET THE LYRICS A leading music game show which debuted in America just over a year ago and has produced, various version currently running in 31 countries across four continents is set to come to Africa with its launch in Nigeria.

DON’T FORGET THE LYRICS Is open to all residents of Nigeria ages 16 and above who have great passion for music of any genre (local/international) and who crave for that moment to become an instant millionaire through their ability to remember lyrics correctly. On Don’t Forget the Lyrics, you don’t have to sing great, just get the lyrics right.
The search is now on for the Show’s Host and Contestants as a massive audition Road Show hits Ibadan, Jos, Enugu and Lagos. The lucky contestants will be invited for the recording of the show before a live audience in Lagos.

DON’T FORGET THE LYRICS Is proudly sponsored in Nigeria by ZAIN. It is being produced under a pan African License secured by Rapid Blue Format, a leading global audiovisual content provider with offices in Lagos, Johannesburg, London, New York and Hong Kong.

HOSTING THE SHOW
Have you got the stuff to host DON"T FORGET THE LYRICS?

Fill in your details at http://www.zainlyrics.com/

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for auditions

TFA TOUR HEADS TO LONDON!

Fresh off massively successful tours of Benin, Abuja, and Enugu, The Future Awards 2009 hit in quick succession the cities of Kaduna and Calabar with its ground-breaking idea of town hall meetings.

The Kaduna town hall meeting held in the final week of October at the NAF Club, Kaduna, with more than a hundred young people from the state of Kaduna as well as neighboring northern states in attendance, including Jos, Zamfara, Abuja and Kogi.

As has been the experience since the town hall meetings began, examples were given of role models for talent, hard work, persistence and achievement that these young people could relate to: specifically, names like Tara Fela-Durotoye (Young Person of the Year 2007), Ali Nuhu (Actor of the Year 2008), Jeremiah Gyang and Psquare, came up.

The Calabar Town Hall meeting was at the beautiful Seafood Hall of the Marina Resort; overlooking a breath-taking view of the sea - held in conjunction with Adstrat Communications, which just opened its Tornado’s Place II Calabar office. The event held on Saturday, the 1st of November.

The massively successful nation tour that began after the launch event on the 30th of September now has just one final stop - in the south-west zone of the country. But just before that, it will be all about The Future Awards this weekend in the UK, as the organizers undergo a blitz of small events for different targets in different locations, especially in London.

Have a great week ahead.

Tithe Offering...

Hi my peeps, hope everyone is doing great. I know I promised you guys Naija entertainment news, but I really haven't had the time to buy the papers and the 2/3 hours it takes to upload pictures and write the amebo...lol. I'm having such a time right now.

But I found a place where u can get all the Naija entertainment news you need and more. The FAB Bella's website http://www.bellanaija.com/

For now I want to talk about something a little delicate. I try as much as possible to stay away from religious matters but I have to bring this up for discussion, 'cos it's been bugging me for a bit now. It's Tithe Offering.

Tithe Offerings involves giving a Tenth of all our produce, harvest, Earnings or income each month or year to our Almighty God as a humble gesture of honor, loyalty, faithfulness, reverence and respect to God

But the thing is; I've never done it because I don't believe in it.
Does that make me a bad person? Am I wrong not to believe in this?

What do you guys think about Tithe offering?

Thought of the day
Prayer is an open line to Heaven. No cards to use, no low bat problem, no error, no charging, always good signal, and all messages sent. Make prayer a habit.

Photo of the day
A little girl with cancer
Warning: It's not a good sight.



10 year old Rachel with brain cancer in her little body

And please don't ask to take it down. Every time you want to complain that your life is too hard, look at her and be grateful for what you have.
But beyond that, please pray for her.
See y'all later
Kisses

Miriam Makeba: RIP + African Leadership Award

March 4, 1932 - November 10, 2008

What a woman

What a loss

May her soul rest in perfect peace

Ken Giami - Editor African Leadership Awards

AFRICAN LEADERS STORM GHANA FOR AFRICAN LEADERSHIP AWARDS
GHANA GOES AGOG FOR AFRICA LEADERSHIP AWARDS
All is now set for the African Leadership Awards.
African Leadership is an international Magazine published by a UK based firm and well known for dedicating its pages to Africa’s finest leaders who are making huge impacts outside the country. The international publication is putting together an international summit on African Leadership which shall be rounded up with African Leadership Awards dinner on Sun. 30th November, 2008.

Read more here http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=1&view=att&th=11d85fb7b705c97d&attid=0.2&disp=vah&zw

Thought of the day...

Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

Naija Entertainment News next