BET’s Black Girls Rock airs on DStv, November 10

On November 10th on DStv’s channel 135, your screens will be taken over by black girls who rock featuring in the annually broadcast BET event, Black Girls Rock!. The event is hosted by Diana Ross’s daughter Tracee Ellis Ross and actress Regina King. Performers at the event will include Alicia Keys, Brandy, Keisha Cole, Ciara, SWV, India Arie, Missy Elliot and the men of Black Girls Rock (Luke James, Anthony Hamilton and Eric Bennet).

It promises to be a start studded event full of entertainment whilst several “black women” are honored with awards. The Star Power Award will be presented to Kerry Washington , Lifetime Legend Award to Dionne Warwick, the Inspiration Award to Susan Taylor, Rock Star Award to Alicia Keys, Social Humanitarian Award to Dr Hawa Abdi and her daughters, Young Gifted Black Award to Janelle Monae and the Making a Difference Awards to Yasmine Arrington, tiffany Bender and Alize Beal for making a difference in their communities.

BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Inc. is a non-profit youth empowerment and mentoring organization established to promote the arts for young women of color, as well as to encourage dialogue and analysis of the ways women of color are portrayed in the media.

Since 2006, BLACK GIRLS ROCK! has been dedicated to the healthy development of young women and girls and seeks to build the self-esteem and self-worth of young women of color by changing their outlook on life, broadening their horizons, and helping them to empower themselves. For the past five years, they have enriched the lives of girls aged 12 to 17 years old through mentorship, arts education, cultural exploration and public service.

BLACK GIRLS ROCK! also partners with BET Networks in the worldwide broadcast of the BLACK GIRLS ROCK! event The event continues to be a historic and monumental show highlighting the accomplishments of exceptional women of color who have made outstanding contributions in their careers, and who stand as inspirational and positive role models in their communities.

Don’t miss this year’s BLACK GIRLS ROCK! on Saturday, November 10, 2012 on BET channel 135 on DStv.

In the UK to support girlfriend Kim K, Kanye West hit London’s Hakkasan Restaurant last night with the E! reality star,

In the UK to support girlfriend Kim K, Kanye West hit London’s Hakkasan Restaurant last night with the E! reality star, along with sister Kourtney for the launch of their Kardashian line for UK retailer Dorothy Perkins.looks like kim has added some weight...hummmmmmmmmmmmm

“We want our female children to use hijab in their schools” – Muslim cleric

President of Osun Muslim Community, Mr. Sheik Salaudeen Olayiwola has called on the Osun State Government under the leadership of Ogbeni Rauf Aregebsola to approve the use of hijab (veil) for female Muslim students in secondary schools.

The Muslim cleric who made this call at a news conference on the Hijrah celebration, which will be holding on November 15 noted that nothing is attached to the use of veil in Islamic religion.

According to Olayiwola, the period commemorates a turning point in the process of Islamic movement when Muhammad preached against idolatry and corruption.

He said: “We want our female children to use hijab in their schools. In Mecca, every woman uses it and the governor should allow female Muslim students to wear it as well.

“We appreciate the efforts of the governor in providing school uniforms for the students but he should include hijab in the dress code for female Muslim students,” Olayiwola added.

Speaking on the social significance of hijrah, the respected cleric explained that the celebration will symbolise the decision to depart from what has been considered bad to a better and a more appealing way of life.

Hijrah is the migration of the Holy Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina when his life was threatened by idol worshippers.

“We want our female children to use hijab in their schools” – Muslim cleric

President of Osun Muslim Community, Mr. Sheik Salaudeen Olayiwola has called on the Osun State Government under the leadership of Ogbeni Rauf Aregebsola to approve the use of hijab (veil) for female Muslim students in secondary schools.

The Muslim cleric who made this call at a news conference on the Hijrah celebration, which will be holding on November 15 noted that nothing is attached to the use of veil in Islamic religion.

According to Olayiwola, the period commemorates a turning point in the process of Islamic movement when Muhammad preached against idolatry and corruption.

He said: “We want our female children to use hijab in their schools. In Mecca, every woman uses it and the governor should allow female Muslim students to wear it as well.

“We appreciate the efforts of the governor in providing school uniforms for the students but he should include hijab in the dress code for female Muslim students,” Olayiwola added.

Speaking on the social significance of hijrah, the respected cleric explained that the celebration will symbolise the decision to depart from what has been considered bad to a better and a more appealing way of life.

Hijrah is the migration of the Holy Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina when his life was threatened by idol worshippers.

Billionaire offers Floyd Mayweather and 50 Cent $5 Million to fight in the ring

While it still remains to be seen if rapper 50 Cent and Floyd Mayweather Jr. are friends or not, a group of investors that includes a billionaire, are offering the pair $5 million to settle their differences. Billionaire Alki David and partner Damon Feldman of Celebrity Boxing offerings the pair $5 million for a three-round celebrity boxing match.

50 Cent and Floyd Mayweather Jr. have been embroiled in a war of words and tweets over the past month, after a falling out, apparently over business. The issue appears to be over a proposed boxing venture the pair were supposed to do together called The Money Team Promotions.

But shortly after Floyd Mayweather Jr. was released from prison in August, 50 claimed prison had “changed” Mayweather. He then announced he was creating a new promotion company with Floyd’s rival, Manny Pacquaio, which was confirmed by Pacquaio’s business manager Michael Koncz. More recently, on November 1, 50 Cent announced he was done with The Money Team Promotions.

Their war of words escalated over the weekend, when the pair traded shots via Twitter.

According to David, the show would air on FilmOn.com and BattleCam.com, two ventures that David owns or is an investor in. To make things safe, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and 50 Cent would fight three 2-minute rounds in head-gear, along with big celebrity boxing gloves.

The proposed fight will happen in Las Vegas, Nevada on December 14, if either of the two men accept the offer. Both 50 Cent in Floyd Mayweather Jr. have been silent on their Twitter accounts over the past several days...

Rihanna, Kate Moss topless V magazine photo shoot

 Rihanna posted several  photos of herself and British super model Kate Moss in various states of undress on her Twitter page. The sexy singer teamed up with the model for a "V" magazine photo shoot which is yet to be officially released. 

Pope Benedict to Get Personal Twitter Account

Pope Benedict XVI may have sent his first tweet last year from a Vatican Twitter account, but the pontiff is now gearing up to get his own personal handle. According to a Newsmax report, the Pope will start tweeting from a personal Twitter account by the end of the year. A Vatican official said he will be sharing opinions and Church news via the social networking platform.

“It will be proper language, for example pointing to his weekly catechesis [teaching] or whatever he is doing on that day,” the source told Newsmax. “You’re probably not going to get any tweets saying ‘a great new pizzeria has just opened in my neighborhood.’”

The Pope will most likely not write the tweets himself, but will have to sign off on them. The official said his tweets will be “fairly infrequent” and likely “not veer too far from his texts.”

Last year, the Pope sent a tweet from the Vatican’s official account to coincide with a new Vatican information site, news.va. He wrote via an iPad: “Praised be our Lord Jesus Christ! With my prayers and blessings, Benedictus XVI.” The Vatican official said Pope Benedict was so intrigued by the concept, it’s been in the works for him to get his own Twitter account ever since.

Pope Benedict also embraced a Sony tablet to light up the world’s tallest Christmas tree in 2011 with the touch of a button. This isn’t the first time a Pope has embraced a new medium to reach out to the masses. In 1931, Pope Pius XI worked with the Italian inventor of the radio, Guglielmo Marconi, to set up the Vatican’s first radio broadcasting...

Oil barons ‘threaten Okonjo-Iweala’s life’

She used to be as free as the bird of the air. Not for her a well dressed policewoman with a pistol strapped onto her waist and madam’s handbag in her hand.


Times have changed for the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala – no thanks to alleged threats from indicted oil barons.

Now, there is a tight security shield around her.

Also, there were indications yesterday that extra security might be provided for other members of the presidential task force on subsidy payments.

The Presidential Committee on Verification and Reconciliation of Fuel Subsidy Payments initially indicted 21 firms for fraudulent claims that cost the nation N382 billion but the list was later increased to 25 by the Federal Ministry of Finance, based on fresh evidence.

The Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, said of the N422 billion scrutinised, N18 billion was found to be duplication; N21 billion was cleared.

But following investigation of the indicted marketers by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Minister of Finance had been under threats.

No fewer than a dozen armed anti-terrorism squad agents, policemen and State Security Service (SSS) operatives have been deployed in the Federal Ministry of Finance to protect the Minister.
The Minister’s residence is also under 24-hour surveillance.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Some of the indicted oil marketers and barons have been threatening to deal with Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala for insisting that those behind the fuel subsidy scam must be punished.

“The reality is that the Coordinating Minister has stepped on toes by being adamant on allowing justice to run its full course on those who amassed ill-gotten wealth through the fuel subsidy scam.
“Her major sin was the publication of the list of the indicted firms by the Ministry of Finance instead of other relevant organisations.

“Besides elaborate character assassination, planting seed of discord within the cabinet, there are fears that these oil thieves might engage in ‘physical harms’, if all other options fail to get her out of the way.”

Responding to a question, the source added: “What we have done so far is to beef up security around her in the office and at home. Also, her itinerary is now a jealously guarded secret.”

Some of the indicted oil marketers are believed to be under watch by security agencies. One of them is said to have been isolated for championing anti-Okonjo-Iweala campaign and threats. Security agencies may prevail on the court to revoke his bail anytime from now, it was learnt.

(The Nation)

Kelly Hansome Defends Tonto Dikeh

Tonto Dikeh To Perform LIVE At The Best of Nollywood Awards 2012

After receiving so much criticism for her song and reaching more than 3million downloads for her single so far, Tonto Dikeh is set to perform at this year’s edition of Best of Nollywoods Awards 2012
.
It is confirmed that Nollywood actress singer  Tonto Dikeh will perform live on stage at Best of Nollywood 2012 Awards coming up on November 11th. The actress who was also nominated alongside Funke Akindele, Ini Edo, Nse Ikpe Etim for the best actress category would be performing her controversial hit singles ‘HI’ and ‘Itz Ova’ on Best of Nollywood stage.Executive producer of the awards, Mr Seun Oloketuyi, said the award will be the biggest gathering of Nollywood stars.....

MTV Base is searching for new VJ in Nigeria

Cynthia Okpala

MTV Base is on a nationwide search for a new Nigerian VJ to work on the entertainment channel to become one of the key faces of the music network, hosting programmes on MTV Base and on the MTV Base Block on STV.

Candidates interested are to send a brief video clip explaining why they should be the next MTV Base VJ to MTV Base or head down to the 2012 MTV Base VJ Search – Nigeria auditions at Fantasy Land, Lagos on December 1, for a chance to impress the judges.

In 2007, four finalists C-Von, Dizzy, Special Ed (former Mo’Hits hypeman) and Bimbo were selected from thousands of Nigerians around the country with C-Von emerging as winner.

C-Von (Cynthia Ozoemena) has hosted a number MTV Base programmes and showbiz events and also got a shot at acting when she acted as ‘Ify’ on MNet TV series ‘Tinsel’.

This year’s auditions will hold on December 1, 2012 at Fantasy Land, Lagos.

Source: The NET

Thugs chase Benue lawmakers from Assembly complex as Speaker resigns

Thugs stormed into the Benue State House of Assembly building on Thursday and chased out the lawmakers who were having a session. 


It is not clear who the sponsors of the thugs are or what their motive was. 


The House had convened on Thursday to discuss the resignation of its speaker, David Iorhemba, who tendered his resignation letter to the Clerk of the House, Torese Agena, on Thursday. 


The clerk, in turn, handed the letter to the Deputy Speaker, Stephen Onmeje, who the read the letter to the members. 


In the letter, Mr. Iorhemba said that he took the decision to protect the interest of his family and for other personal reasons, adding that his resignation takes effect from Wednesday. 


After reading the letter, the deputy speaker invited members for comments. 


A legislator, Baba Odeh, said he understood the wordings of the letter "well", stressing that members did not have any other option than to accept the letter. 


Mr. Odeh then moved a motion that the seat of the Speaker be declared vacant and be filled without delay. 


Another legislator, Benjamin Adanyi, seconded the motion, saying that the former speaker did an honourable thing and ought to be commended. 


Ruling on the matter, Mr. Onmeje said members had no objection to the resignation and declared the post of the speaker vacant. 

(Premium Times)

Thiago Messi made Newell's Old Boys member

Lionel Messi's newly-born son Thiago Messi has been made a member of Newell's Old Boys after an agreement was reached between the club and Messi's father Jorge. The baby, who was born on November 2, has been issued with an official membership card by the club where the Barcelona star played as a youngster before moving to Spain.

Club officials will travel to Europe with the official documentation for their newest member, whilst a replica kit will also be delivered, which is adorned with the child's name and the N.o. 10. which has been made famous by the Argentina captain....

Photo: Was Ice Prince smoking on the plane?

Or is M.I behind this?#hehehehehehehe

South African Actress Gail Nkoane Diva Inc Magazine Shoot

Gail Nkoane, First introduced to us as one of the Top 10 Finalists on Season 6 of Idols SA, this stunning young woman from Kimberly has become one of the most recognizable faces in SA television screens today. Gail Nkoane  is the lead actress “The Wild“. The actress plays “Lelo”, one of the major characters on the M-Net series..

Obama’s uncle feared deportation if Romney won

Standing behind the liquor store counter the man quietly and anonymously goes about his job serving customers.

 

He had arrived for his shift promptly at 3pm after filling up his gleaming silver Toyota Rav 4 with gas and taking out the trash at his modest two-storey yellow clapboard house in a downtrodden Massachusetts neighbourhood.

 

This a fascinating glimpse into the life of Onyango ‘Omar’ Obama, 68, the half-uncle of President Barack Obama — and an illegal immigrant who Mitt Romney had already signalled should be deported if he won his bid for the Presidency.

 

A regular customer of the shop where he works in Framingham, said, “Onyango Obama certainly lives a life that is a world away from President Barack Obama. The house he lives in, with its tatty curtains, could do with some sprucing up, it’s clear he doesn’t have a lot of cash.”

 

Onyango, referred to in President Obama’s 1995 book Dreams From My Father as ‘Uncle Omar’ is the younger half brother of the President’s late father, Barack Obama Sr., a scholar from Kenya who was rarely in his son’s life.

 

In the autobiography, President Obama said, “He was the uncle who left for America 25 years ago and had never come back.”

 

Born in Nyang’oma Kogelo, Kenya, his father, Onyango, is President Obama’s paternal grandfather, while his mother Sarah is Onyango Sr’s third wife, who although she is not a blood relative, is referred to by the US President as “Granny Sarah.”

 

Onyango Jr moved to America in 1963 as part of Tom Mboya’s Airlift Africa project, where Kenyan students were flown to the US to study at American universities.

 

His life is detailed in The Other Barack: The Bold and Reckless Life of President Obama’s Father by reporter Sally H. Jacobs.

 

Onyango Obama was accepted at a boys’ school then known as Browne & Nichols, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, according to Jacobs’s book.

 

Back then, the younger Obama was known as Omar Okech Obama, and he was described in the book as tall and good-natured.

 

According to the book, he stood out as apparently the only African student at the preparatory school, where boys wore blazers to class.

 

For reasons that are unclear, Obama left the school after two years and enrolled in the Newton public schools in the fall of 1965.

 

By then, his older brother had returned to Kenya, and without him, Obama appeared to falter.

He dropped out of school and changed his name to O. Onyango Obama, according to the book.

 

For a while, he lived in an apartment on Perry Street in Cambridge that became a well known meeting place for Kenyan students.

 

It is unclear what happened to him next – a relative described him to the future US president during his trip to Kenya as being “lost” according to the president’s memoir.

 

But Obama resurfaced in 1994, when he was apparently the clerk on duty at a Dorchester convenience store as two masked men burst in, beat him with a sawed off shotgun, and robbed him, according to Jacobs’s book.

 

He managed to keep a low profile for almost 20 years, until he steered his white Mitsubishi SUV outside the Chicken Bone Saloon last August.

 

Police said he had a blood alcohol level of 0.14 per cent, which is above the legal limit of 0.08 in Massachusetts.

 

Parimal Patel, his boss at Conti Liquors, said Obama earned about $1,300 a month and was never any trouble.

 

Patel said Obama presented a valid Social Security number when he applied for the job and told the Boston News last year, “He never talked about his immigration status. It never crossed our minds, he had a W-2 and everything.”

 

–Culled from: Daily Mail

Civil war memoirs: Achebe may not make money from his book – Gowon

As controversy continues to trail the yet-to-be released book, There was a Nigeria, a civil war memoirs authored by Chinua Achebe, former Head of States, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, has said that he doubt if the writer would make money from the book.

The literary doyen in the book accused the Federal Government under Gowon and the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the then Minister of Finance, of starving Igbos to death during the civil war.

Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, Gowon wondered if the author of the Things Fall Apart would make money from his intellectual property, saying it had been pirated.

The former warlord said this in Abuja at the presentation of the Reform of the Copyright System in Nigeria organised by the Nigerian Copyright Commission.

Gowon claimed that he saw hawkers selling copies of the book in Abuja recently.

Gowon said, “When I was coming to the hotel yesterday (Wednesday) I saw people selling copies of Achebe’s book, you know the one I am talking about.

“I don’t know if the chap knew I was the one inside the car – he wanted to get my attention.

“I said to myself, ‘so this book has already been pirated and is being sold in the streets?’

“I don’t know if Achebe will be getting any penny from that book.”

It would be recalled that Gowon earlier described Achebe’s civil war memoir as the most controversial publication on the war.

Gowon, who was the chairman of the event, lamented that it is unfair to steal another man’s intellectual property

He said, “The underlying philosophy of copyright protection, as I have come to understand, is the need to adhere to the fundamental rule of natural justice that every person be guaranteed the fruit of his or her labours. The corollary to this axiom is that no one should be allowed to steal another’s work or unduly exploit the sweat of another’s hard labour.”

Gowon recounted how his administration masterminded a review of the old copyright law the country inherited from the British colonial masters after independence.

Nigeria making progress on security challenges – Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan has said that Nigeria has made significant progress in meeting the country’s security challenges.

President Jonathan was speaking to the new Ambassador of Switzerland to Nigeria, Mr. Hans-Rudolf Hodel, after he presented his letters of credence at State House, Thursday.

He said: “We are making significant progress in meeting our recent security challenges and we shall continue to improve, so investors have nothing to fear.”

The President, who received three other ambassadors at different ceremonies, urged the new ambassadors to encourage more business delegations from their countries to visit the country.

He said: “Nigeria is a huge market, with many green areas waiting for investors. I urge you to prepare the ground for more robust economic relations between our two countries.”

Jonathan told the new Egyptian Ambassador, Mr. Ashraf Abdelkader Elmorsi Salama that the two countries had a crucial role to play in the African Union, especially because of their strategic locations and population.

The new Ambassadors told the President that they were impressed by the vast opportunities in Nigeria, and expressed their determination and commitment to improving trade and other mutually beneficial relations with Nigeria.

The other new Ambassadors are Mr. Svante Kilander of Sweden and Dr. Joachim Oppinger of Austria.