THIS IS AMANDA-ERA: January 2014

Friday 31 January 2014

Damilola Adegbite, OC Ukeje, Alex Ekubo Nominated For Screen Nations Awards

Organisers of the Screen Nation Film and Television Awards have nominated some Nigerian movie stars for the awards.

Damilola Adegbite, Linda Ejiofor and Adepero Oduye were selected for the Favorite Female African International Rising Talent category of the awards, while the likes of O C Ukeje, Alex Ekubo, Anthony Monjaro and Femi Jacobs made the Favorite Male African International Rising Screen Talent category.

Legendary Actor Jide Kosoko celebrated his birthday yesterday and the best of Nollywood, family and friends where there to celebrate with him.
The birthday party held last night at Troy Lounge in Ogba.
see photos after cut...

Pope Francis is definitely one of the most outstanding Popes ever, he keeps surprising the world over with his unusual acts of kindness and modesty, but who knew the pope could be this cool?

Pope Francis, who many have described as the Best Pope in recent times, is on the cover of the February 2014 issue of Rolling Stone Magazine.

This comes a few weeks after he was on the cover of TIME Magazine‘s December 2013 issue for being the Person of the Year.

As most of us know, Rolling Stone cover stars are mostly rock superstars and actors, so it is somewhat a great fete for the Pope.

The police in Lagos State, southwest Nigeria, have arrested and charged a dog with biting a bank worker’s penis at Idowu Anisere Street, off Governor’s Road in Ikotun, Lagos.

The police also charged the owner of the dog, Adebowale Gabriel, 31, before Mrs M.B. Folami at Ejigbo Magistrate’s Court Lagos.

The dog was specifically charged with assault, while Gabriel was charged with negligence under the Criminal Code.

You can now have a 'diploma in Beyonce'

Students with an avid interest in Beyonce will soon be able to study for a diploma on the star now Rutgers University has added her to the curriculum.

Her husband, rapper Jay-Z, has already been honoured with a Georgetown University sociology course named after him, but now it’s Beyonce’s turn to be dissected in a classroom.

Yea.. It's been two weeks since they got married, Toke still can't get over gushing about her new husband, On Air Personality, Toke Makinwa who secretly got married this month to her husband, Maje Ayida.

It seems a lot of people think that she is always in the news rather than spending time and focusing on her new marriage. Toke is obviously moved by that as she shared a lovely message she wrote to her husband as a way of celebrating their two weeks wedding anniversary.
See message after cut...

TV personality Oprah Winfrey turned 60 this week, and to celebrate, she poured her emotions and thoughts into a very heartfelt open letter.
Read letter below and See birthday photos after cut..

The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have written to the presidents of Nigeria and Uganda, after being asked about laws there penalizing gay people.

The letter said homosexual people were loved and valued by God and should not be victimised or diminished.

Nigeria and Uganda have both passed legislation targeting people with same-sex attraction.

The letter is also addressed to all primates (heads of national Churches) in the worldwide Anglican Communion.

President Goodluck Jonathan said that the Federal Government would spend N1.5 trillion in the next five years to reform the Nigeria Police Force.

Jonathan made this known at a two-day retreat on “Sustaining Nigeria Police Reforms’’, in Makurdi on Thursday.

The event was organized by the Police Service Commission (PSC) in conjunction with the Benue Government.

Joseph Yobo Joins Norwich On-Loan.

Norwich have sealed a deal with Turkish side, Fenerbahce, over the loan transfer of defender Joseph Yobo.

NEW VIDEO: "Na So E Suppose Be" By Burna Boy

Burna Boy has added to the list of music to dance to by releasing another hot new video.
The hit song, 'Na So E Suppose Be', released under 'Aristokrat Records', is one of the best party tracks on the singer's latest album 'L.I.F.E' (Leaving An Impact For Eternity).
Watch video below;

Kanye West has settled with the 18 year old kid who allegedly racially insulted him and Kim a couple of days ago for 250 thousand dollars.
TMZ reports that the young man who hurled racial epithets at Kim Kardashian has agreed to the civil settlement and won’t go forward with criminal prosecution.

No one would ever think a child would be able to give advice on relationships until you see they see this video.

Singer and reality star K. Michelle got the best relationship advice ever given by a kid when she visited 6-year-old preacher, Mir Mir. Speaking with his southern preacher's accent, he left the singer open mouthed with his cute revelation on what her wedding day is going to be like after she finds the right man.
See video below;

The runner-up of the Africa's Next Top Model, Opeyemi Awoyemi may not have won the competition, but she is surely taking away many positives from the contest. She is beautify and has the aura of a good and quality model, which she makes use of.

Opeyemi, having auditioned for Africa's Next Top Model Cycle 1, was chosen alongside 11 other girls from all over Africa to compete for the grand prize.

Prolific US singer/songwriter, Prince has instituted a lawsuit against 22 Facebook fans for posting links of his live concerts on their Facebook page and blogs without express authorization from him or his label.

If found guilty in court, the fans would face a damage claim of $22million. He filed the law suit at the Northern District of Carolina, USA.
Although the actual names of most of the defendants in the lawsuit haven’t been revealed and the websites named in the suit can no longer be accessed, the usernames identified in the lawsuit (like “PurpleKissTwo”) indicate that at least some of the targets are Prince die hard fans.

Online retailers Konga and Jumia are at war! The fight is so serious that Konga is considering taking legal action against the owners of Jumia. Konga is alleging that Rocket Internet, parent company of Jumia has hijacked all look alike name to Konga.com and registered it to divert traffic to their own site, Jumia.com.

Rocket Internet registered Konga.cd for Cote D’Ivoire, Konga.cm for Cameroun, Konga.ly for Libya, Konga.mu for Mauritius and Konga.ma for Morocco. Others include: Konga.mw for Malawi, Konga.sc for Seychelles, Konga.sh for Saint Helena, Konga.co.ke for Kenya and Konga.co.za for SA.

What this means is that if Konga decides to set up shop in any of these countries, Rocket Internet has effectively deprived them of the benefit of domain localization.

The look alike sites were reportedly registered in June 2012 by Arnt Jeschke on behalf of Rocket Internet GmbH in Dublin.

Konga is now claiming that this development is affecting its effectiveness in over eleven countries including Nigeria, where it's major customers are.

The only option that they may have left would be to buy the domain names from Rocket Internet, for which, should Rocket Internet decide to sell at an exorbitant price, Konga may not be able to operate in that country as Konga.

Meanwhile sources close to Jumia.com claim Konga also registered a look alike name Jumai.com.ng which redirects to Konga. Konga claims they have since dropped the name.

In internet business, this practice is called cyber squatting and many countries haves enacted a law against it.

Konga founder, Shagaya, is said to be exploring means to seek legal redress against Jumia.com.

Konga.com and Jumia.com are presently the biggest e-commerce platform in this part of the world

Obama vows to close Guantanamo in State of the Union For the first time in years

<b>For first time in five years, Obama vows to close Guantanamo in State of the Union</b>

President Barack Obama mentioned closing the military prison at Guantanamo Bay for the first time in a State of the Union speech since he took office.

“With the Afghan war ending, this needs to be the year Congress lifts the remaining restrictions on detainee transfers and we close the prison at Guantanamo Bay,' Obama said in his speech Tuesday, which largely focused on economic inequality. 'We counter terrorism not just through intelligence and military action, but by remaining true to our Constitutional ideals, and setting an example for the rest of the world.”

CHAN SEMI-FINAL: Ghana 4 - Nigeria 1

Joshua Tijani of Ghana battles with Christantus Ejike of Nigeria during the 2014 CAF African Nations Championships football match between Ghana and Nigeria at Free State Stadium in Free State, January 29, 2014
Ghana beat Nigeria 4-1 on penalties. The sides ended goalless after extra-time in the African Nations Championship semi-final at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Wednesday night.

The Final will be between Ghana and Libya, while Nigeria will face Zimbabwe for the bronze medal on Saturday.

The Black Stars played with 10-men after they had Kwabina Adusei sent off in the 64th minute for a second bookable offence.

United States folk singer and activist Pete Seeger, whose songs included Turn! Turn! Turn! and If I Had A Hammer, has died at the age of 94.

He died at a New York hospital after a short illness, his grandson said.

The BBC reports that Seeger gained fame in The Weavers, formed in 1948, and continued to perform in his own right in a career spanning six decades.

If you have been familiar with the Nigerian Movie Industry for quite a while like myself, then you would understand my shock and utter dismay at this latest development.
A hitherto beautiful Nubian princess in all standing- Ms Thelma O'khaz over night transforms herself into this shameful picture?

No thanks to the bizarre trend of skin bleaching in Nigerian celebrity circles. No one seems to be content with their true self. What are they looking for? Why the falsehood?
Why mess up you skin this way? i just can't seem to understand it.

Well, guess its true what they say. 'different strokes for different folks'. what ever makes them sleep better, cause at the end of the day - it ain't any of our business.
see what she looked like before the transform.
photos below...

A cute pic of Peter Okoye looking after his daughter while mum shops. See another photo of Aliona with both her parents after the cut...

A secondary school student, Kolawole Abiodun, 20, on Tuesday admitted before an Omu-Aran Upper Area Court in Kwara that he stole kola nuts worth N500.

Abiodun, who lives at Isanlu area of Ilofa, headquarters of Oke-Ero Local Government Area, was arraigned on a two-count charge of trespassing and theft.

The Prosecutor, Insp Abibat Ogbaru, told the court that the accused committed the offense on Sunday at a kola nut farm in Igbo-Ijemo, Ilofa.

The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, on Tuesday pledged his support for President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2015 re-election bid and called on the President to declare his intention to run without further delay.

With the call, Akpabio, regarded in party circles as one of the President’s die hard supporters, appeared to have belled the cat on Jonathan’s re-election bid.
Akpabio’s call is coming on the heels of a resolve by the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, to poach prominent members of the All Progressive Congress (APC) to counter the gale of defections from the ruling party to the opposition.

The Akwa Ibom governor promised to deliver to the President all the delegate votes from his state, just like he did during the party’s 2011 presidential nominations. “We did it in 2011 and I assure Mr. President that Akwa Ibom will do it again.

African Union has declared 2014 the year of Agriculture and D'banj & music producer Cobhams Asuquo have been picked as ambassadors by ONE organization to champion the movement in Africa. Congrats to them.

We Will Conquer Boko Haram - Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday assured that the tempo against the Boki Haram sect will change with the appointment of new service chiefs.

He gave the assurance while paying homage to the Lamido Adamawa, Alhaji Barkindo Mustapha, at the palace in Adamawa.
Stressing that the excesses of the violent group will be curtailed, The President expressed condolence to the people of Adamawa State over those who recently lost their lives due to the insurgency. About 72 persons were reportedly killed in two attacks in Adamawa and Borno on Monday.

NEW VIDEO: D’Prince – Gentleman Ft Davido & Don Jazzy

Mavin Record’s Superstar Artiste, D’prince is bringing his exceptional brand of smooth, catchy and introspective music to the Nigerian music factory. He is gearing up to celebrate a rewarding new year by dropping a classy video titled “Gentleman” featuring Davido and Mavin boss ,Don Jazzy.

The track which was produced by Nigeria’s super producer Don Jazzy, and video directed by prolific cinematographer/ video Director Clarence Peters with costumes styled by Okunoren Twins, has generated much anticipation on the social media.

NEW VIDEO: Praiz Feat Awilo Logomba - 'Oshe'

Multi-talented singer Praiz has released his fourth music video.
The video has a makossa inspired theme and features the legendary Awilo Logomba.
Check out 'Praiz feat Awilo Logomba' - Oshe'

Funmi Iyanda Drunk On Music At Afropolitan Vibes [PHOTOS]

Photo: Funmi Iyanda at Afropolitan Vibes

Prolific broadcaster and journalist Funmi Iyanda was spotted at the Afropolitan Vibes, a monthly live music concert held in Lagos and organized by Nigerian-German artist Ade Bantu.
Funmi seemed to be having a great time at the event, which took place on Friday January 24th.

Afropolitan Vibes is an African inspired music live show where music lovers converge to watch contemporary musicians perform mostly original works that are firmly rooted in African musical origin.
See more photos from the occasion:

Thieves broke into a small church in the mountains, east of Rome over the weekend and stole a reliquary with the blood of late Pope John Paul II.

Some of John Paul’s blood was saved after an assassination attempt that nearly killed him in St. Peter’s Square on May 13, 1981.

Franca Corrieri, custodian of the reliquary, said she had discovered a broken window early on Sunday morning and called the police.

Brain damaged governor of Taraba state, Danbaba Suntai was brought before some reporters to speak about his mental and physical health status, the cabal using the governor to cause political crisis in the state had consistently prepped Mr. Suntai for the media appearance , but they did not bargain for what he said to reporters.

Suntai confirmed to reporters that although he needs support to return to office he was not fit to return to work as governor, a position that Sahara reporters had consistently maintained in several reports through this platform. Mr. Suntai was terribly injured in a plane crash near Yola airport in Adamawa state when a small Cessna plane he was piloting crashed as he approached landing.

In the wake of Nigeria’s anti-gay bill signed into law by President Goodluck Jonathan, the nation’s popular televangelist, T.B. Joshua addressed the issue of homosexuality during a live broadcast of his Sunday Service on his own television network, Emmanuel TV. A young man by the name of Tedus visited T.B. Joshua’s church and was apparently delivered from a ‘demon’ which he claimed was the cause of his homosexual lifestyle.

T.B. Joshua addressed the issue saying:

“God loves sinners but hates sin. We should hate the act but not the people – because sinners can be delivered and changed. Sinners can be reformed since our battle is not against the flesh and blood but against the spirit beings that cause these acts”.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday filed an amended money laundering charge against a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, at a Federal High Court in Lagos.

At the resumed hearing of the case, the Prosecutor, Mr Festus Keyamo informed the court of the amended charge containing 40 counts and applied that the plea of the accused be taken.

After first count was read to the accused, his Counsel, Mr Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), raised an objection that the charge was invalid and his client could not plead to it.

CHAN: Eagles N16m Offer To Win Ghana

The Minister of Sports and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi has made the CHAN Eagles another offer of $100,000 (about N16m) to beat Ghana on Wednesday in the second semi-final of the on-going 3rd African Nations Championship in South Africa.

The NSC had earlier offered the team an incentive of 100,000USD if they beat Morocco and qualify for the semi final, which they did in a dramatic manner yesterday. The minister said the team would get the money before their next match on Wednesday.

Inside sources have confirmed to them that there is no intimate relationship between Nigeria's top entertainer D'Banj and A-list Nollywood actress, Genevieve Nnaji.

And even though they keep hinting at having a relationship in public events like the Nigerian Breweries Plc’s sponsored event tagged, Club Ultimate, these shouldn’t be used as evidence that the celebrities have rekindled their love because it’s all publicity stunt.

Tonto and AY are good friends. She's even done a few skits for AY comedy shows but last night the two friends went for each other, well more like Tonto went for AY.
Trouble started after the comedian re-posted a link to a story on his blog which was an earlier post about Tonto's look at the Calabar Carnival in December 2013. Tonto felt he was making fun of her
and went for the jugular.
see tweets below:

Now when we see people in the entertainment world blast others, then it gets more interesting to us, lol. Here is what Freeze said, when he was asked how many wristwatches he owns by a reporter. He also spoke about how Nigerian celebrities wear fakes.

"Not like how many, like how much.I have maybe $200,000 in wristwatches. What I am wearing now is a Rolex Daytona, I got it from Polo for Christmas. It cost about $30,000. Polo is Nigeria’s only authorized dealer, so I bought it from the company and I love it.
First thing first, for all the entertainers putting up pictures of their accessories on Instagram, can they please tweet the receipt from an authorized dealer. Trust me, I have seen too many celebs wear fake stuffs.

photo - IBADAN MIRACLE: Mysterious Islamic Writing Appears On A Tree

On Saturday, many residents of Ona Ara Local Government area of Ibadan, Oyo State, gathered at the Community Grammar School, Amuloko, to see a mysterious phenomenon.

Apparently, at about 1 p.m on Friday, a JS 1 student, Abdulsalam Selimot noticed a pattern on a tree in the premises of the school that resembled the name of Allah in Arabic lettering.
Speaking with the press, the girl narrated:

"My Dad said he was coming to see me, so I stood under the tree in front of our school. Suddenly, a leaf fell on my head and when I picked it, I saw a certain writing on it. I looked up to see where it came from and discovered it fell from the tree. There and then I saw an Arabic lettering appearing, being written on the tree.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced February 14 2015 as the date for Nigeria's presidential election as well as those for the members of the National Assembly.

Governorship and State House of Assembly elections are scheduled for February 28, 2015.

This was contained in statement released last night & signed by the Commission's secretary, Augusta Ogakwu. The commission also announced that the Ekiti State governorship election will hold on June 21, 2014 while that of Osun State will hold on August 9, 2014.

Some religious leaders in Omu-Aran, Kwara, have commended President Goodluck Jonathan, for signing into law the same-sex marriage prohibition bill recently passed by the National Assembly.

The religious leaders, who gave the commendation in Omu-Aran, Kwara, on Sunday in separate interviews, said the move was a step in the right direction.
The Bishop of The Cathedral Church of St. Paul’s, Omu-Aran, Rt. Rev. Phillip Adeyemo, said the president had the right to protect the sovereignty of the country and also sustain the values of its cultural heritage and practices.

What Happened Between Prophet Ajanaku & I –Tope Alabi Finally Speaks Out

Gospel Singer, Tope Alabi in an interview with Punch talks about her husband and her alleged affair with the late Prophet Ajanaku.

The name Tope Alabi has been so synonymous with gospel music even when some of your contemporaries have veered off to another genre or even stopped music entirely, what has been the staying power all this while?

I see God in whatever I do. Even if God doesn’t answer you now, it doesn’t mean you should stop working for Him. If He has called you, that means you are so important to Him. I am working for Him and I am just privileged to work for Him. I don’t want anything to distract me from working for Him. It is not as if I am doing gospel for the money, I sing because I want people to hear the good news.

Does the face look familiar? Georgina Onuoha Igwegbe was a prominent face in the Nigerian movie industry many years back but disappeared from our screens after got married and relocated to the US. The mother of three has returned to the set of a movie ten years after making her last movie.

"I Don't Hate Men, I Just Hate Being Treated Like An Animal"- Journalist Speaks Out On Sexual Harrassment

Former MBGN contestant turned journalist shared her bitter experience in the hands of a house owner in Lagos and how she hates being treated like an animal.

Karen took to her twitter page to talk about her sexual harassment.
See her tweets below

They are young, pretty, beautiful, determined and driven by their dreams. In 2013, they made inroads into Nollywood and as 2014 berthed, they are poised to take Nollywood by storm! Today, The Entertainer brings you the hottest fast rising actresses that will define the New Year.

Ijeoma Grace Agu
Though, she’s been in Nollywood since 2007, the actress known as Ijeoma Grace Agu finally got her breakthrough after she played the role of Kelechi in a musical entitled, Hoodrush, alongside Gabriel Afolayan winning rave reviews in the process.
Ijeoma, an award recipient from the Theatre Royal Stratford East in the UK has successfully staged her own one-woman show entitled, A Chronicle of Heroines funded by the Bank of Industry, where she plays eight different female characters. Her career started in 2007 when she featured in Fidelis Duker’s soap, Eldorado. Her film credits also include The Choice of Aina, Finding Diamond Jo, and Flower Girl.

The actress has featured in TV soaps like David’s Fall, Catwalk and About to Wed and also in numerous stage productions by Wole Soyinka. She was recently nominated in the Best Rising Star Category at the Nollywood Movies Award 2013 and made her directorial debut in the short film, Bi-Umbilical. Her newest works include Misfit and Kpians.

Human rights campaigners are calling for the immediate release of a British man sentenced to death under Pakistan's blasphemy laws.

Mr Mohammad Asghar was arrested in 2010 after he claimed to be Prophet Mohammed in letters sent to various officials. A judge convicted and sentenced him last Thursday following a trial.

But a lawyer who defended Mr Asghar said he suffers from mental illness and the case was really a property dispute.
Amnesty International's deputy Asia Pacific director Polly Truscott said:

'Mohammad Asghar is now facing the gallows simply for writing a series of letters. He does not deserve punishment. No one should be charged on the basis of this sort of conduct. The blasphemy laws undermine the rule of law, and people facing charges risk death and other harm in detention.

photo - SUPER EAGLES' Thrilling Win Against Morocco

Nigeria came back from three goals down to defeat Morocco 4-3 after extra time in a thrilling CAF African Nations Championship quarterfinal at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday evening.

Trailing 3-0 at halftime after suffering at the hands of the Atlas Lions' rapier-like attacks, the Super Eagles looked to be dead and buried. However, they produced a spirited fightback to take the game to extra time at 3-3 before substitute Aliyu Ibrahim took advantage of a goalkeeping error to score the winner on 111 minutes.

Highlights
Morocco very nearly claimed the lead in just the first minute of the match, with Mouhssine Iajour presented with a shooting chance on the right of the penalty area, but his low effort was well saved by goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim.

How Old Is Mercy Johnson?

There's a controversy surrounding Nollywood actress, Mercy Johnson's real age.

READ MORE: http://news.naij.com/57604.htmlThis seem to be another age scandal. Someone close to the Nollywood curvy actress, Mercy J claims the actress is just 26 years old- yeah right!

Meanwhile the mother of one, Mercy Johnson said that she was born 1984 in her biography which obviously does not correspond with 26.
Now the question is what is her exact age? Is she truly 26 or?
Let's give it a shot. Guess her age.

Live Electricity Wire Mutilates Two Friends, New PHCN Management "Cannot Be Held Accountable"

Lagos State - Two mechanics were severely injured in a live electricity wire incident that occured along Igando/Ikotun road in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State recently.

A live electricity wire fell on the vehicle with Afeez Kareem and friend Prince Onyekachi, 34, both mechanics, inside. While trying to escape, they stepped on the wire and sustained severe burns. Mr. Kareem was burnt from the navel down, while Mr. Onyekachi's right leg and genitalia were affected.
After being rushed to Igando General Hospital, the two were referred to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), but the doctors there suggested to move them to Gbagada General Hospital for intensive care.

Mr. Kareem has had two legs amputated in the course of two successive operations; however, he is to undergo more operations. Mr. Onyekachi had his affected limbs wrapped in bandage and plasters by doctors and is waiting for final decisions.

How the accident happened
Lying on his hospital bed, Mr. Kareem narrated how the incident occurred.

"I was driving out with my friend who came to visit me when the incident happened. It occurred in the afternoon along Church bus stop on Igando/Ikotun road, not far from our workshop.

"Rain was falling seriously that day. As we were going, I wanted to make a U-turn when the live wire fell and dropped on our vehicle. We quickly tried to escape from the car, but unfortunately, I stepped on the live wire and it began to burn my body from the leg up to my navel.

Friday 31 January 2014

Thursday 30 January 2014

Wednesday 29 January 2014

Tuesday 28 January 2014

Monday 27 January 2014

Sunday 26 January 2014

Saturday 25 January 2014

GFH Directions

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