EntertainmentWeekly!

Happy new week y’all! It’s by His grace we still exist, and by His grace we’d continue to exist and witness the wedding of one of our many celebrities, Dr Sid and fiancée Simi Osomo who kicked off their journey into
marriage on Sunday December 8, 2013.
The couple held their family introduction in Lagos, to officially begin plans for their wedding next year.
The small official introductory event was attended by family, close friends and (of course) a few celebrities including Don Jazzy, Iyanya, Tunde Ednut, DJ Caise and Tiwa Savage and husband Tunji ‘Tee-Billz’ Balogun.

It would be recalled that Dr. Sid had popped
the question to his fiancée in Venice sometime in August this year.

***
In other wedding news, actor Aremu Afolayan‘s traditional marriage took place on Saturday December 7th 2013. The marriage rites, was said to have been
held in Abuja where Aremu resides and was attended by a few friends. However, most of his colleagues and even family members were said to be missing from the ceremony including fellow actors and brothers Kunle
and Gabriel Afolayan.

***
Now, from the producers of the drama that persisted between Don Jazzy and Wande Coal, and just recently Tonto Dikeh and Linda Ikeji, we bring you the latest
blockbuster, ‘the recent spat between Charles Novia and Rita Dominic ‘.
Following a recent release by
Producer, Charles Novia on Nollwood’s five best actresses with Rita Dominic taking the least position, the two celebrities have engaged in a twitter battle.
Charles had stated that Rita’s role in the movie 'Finding Mercy‘ was not impressive. He wrote “I also watched her in another recently released movie, ‘Finding Mercy’ but felt that she gave a listless and
lukewarm performance in that flick “. He also wrote (on his website) to the effect that the actress has more to prove and should thus be selective of her roles from thereon out.
This seems to have pissed off the actress as she replied him on twitter as soon as her role in the same movie was appreciated by the Best of Nollywood (BON) awards. ‘Check that Charles has not drowned himself.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS ENGLISH (BONAwards): Rita Dominic for ‘Finding Mercy’. She tweeted on Friday, December 6.
The producer did not however relent in his earlier view as he replied, ‘Dear Rita Dominic: I am still alive and won’t die for a looong time. My opinion of your role in Finding Mercy still persists. Congrats.’
Charles Novia released his controversial list on Thursday, December 5 with Mercy Johnson at the top of the chart and Tamara Eteimo coming second. Damilola Adegbite and Yvonne Okoro were placed third and fourth respectively.

***
Actors O.C Ukeje and Omoni Oboli were the biggest winners at the Best of Nollywood (BON) awards held on Thursday, December 5, 2013 in Asaba, Delta State.
Ukeje got the award for ‘Best Actor in a Lead Role’ for his performance in the movie ‘ Alan Poza’, while Oboli was awarded the ‘Best Actress in a Lead Role’ for her outstanding role in the flick, ‘ Brother’s Keeper ’. Producer Kenneth Gyang’s ‘ Confusion Na Wa ’received five awards, the most by a single movie at the event.

***
In other news, the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has reportedly placed a ban on 25 of our favourite songs including hits from D’banj (Tony Montana), Wizkid (The Matter), Davido (Gobe), Olamide (Stupid Love) and Timaya (Ukwu). The ban also extends to a number of foreign songs including Rihanna‘s ‘Pour it up’, Kelly Rowland‘s ‘Ice’, Miley Cyrus‘ ‘Wrecking ball’, 2chainz‘s ‘Birthday’ and Ash Hamman‘s ‘Thirsty for you’.

***
Ending these updates on a wonderful note however, our very own Femi Kuti has once again been nominated for a Grammy Award! This would make his 4th nomination in 10years. The Nigerian Afrobeat singer and saxophonist has been nominated in the ‘World Music’ category for his 2013 ‘No Place For My Dream’ album released under Knitting Factory Records.
The Kuti brother has been swarmed with congratulatory messages on Twitter where he presumably received the news following his tweet ” Really haven’t heard.Thanks “, while replying a congratulatory tweet.

Although Femi Kuti has not walked away with any of the awards following his previous nominations, I say it is an honour just to be recognised for doing what you love when you do it so well. Africa is proud of you, Nigeria is proud of you, and we are definitely rootingfor your win.

So, while ya’ll have a great week ahead, don’t forget to go online and vote for our own. Ciao!

PAUL WALKER: A Life In Pictures

Paul Walker, with his brother Cody Walker

The star greets fans at the Taipei premiere of Fast & Furious 4.

The actor's 1985 appearance on Highway to Heaven was posted to his Facebook page in September 2013.

Paul, Vin and Tyrese flash their bright smiles at the Fast Five premiere in Rio.

The actor is all smiles at a Fast & Furious 4 premiere in Bochum, Germany.

Paul Walker chats with Jimmy Fallon in May 2013.

Paul Walker and Jessica Alba attend the Into the Blue premiere in Westwood.

Brian O'Connor shows off his hot wheels.(on the set of FF)

The FF5 star meets fans at the Rome premiere.

The FF6 stars show off their finest threads at the London premiere of their film.

Walker keeps it casual for a FF5 photocall in Rome

The Fast & Furious 4 star attends the film's U.K. premiere.

Walker roots for the home team at Dodger Stadium.

The star flaunts his abs for a campaign with Cool Water.

The blond actor enjoys some R&R in Hawaii.

Walker is spotted filming Black Mansions in Montreal.

Paul Walker tragically died Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013, in a car accident in Santa Clarita, Calif. The actor was 40.

FG EXTENDS RESUMPTION ULTIMATUM DATE!

Previously the government, through the acting Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike, had ordered the striking members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to resume work on December 4.
However, on Tuesday the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Julius Okojie,
announced the new date while addressing journalists in Abuja.
He said the Government had shifted the deadline after it received notification of Prof.Festus Iyayi's funeral rites slated for between December 5 and 7. Former ASUU President Mr. Iyayi tragically died on
November 12, 2013 in auto crash in Lokoja on his way to attend the association's meeting in Kano.
"We just received information that the burial rites of Festus Iyayi begins on the December 5 and would last till December 7.Based on this information, government decided to shift the resumption deadline to December 9, to enable lecturers to participate in the burial," Okojie explained.
The executive secretary said the directive had been communicated to the various university Governing Councils and Vice Chancellors for onward transmission to the
academic staff. He also added that there was no intention to victimise any lecturer for participating in the strike. He said
the victimisation clause which members of ASUU were using to discredit the government never came up when the unionists met with President Goodluck Jonathan on November 4.
It was also mentioned that the order does not require students to commence lectures immediately.
"The school environment had to be made habitable for both
students and the entire staff of the universities.''
He said any lecturer who resumed work after the expiration of the new deadline would not have his or her salary arrears
paid.
"You cannot pay someone who has failed to resume work. You are on strike and you want to be paid?"
The ASUU President, Nasir Fagge, had earlier explained that the union did not add any new demands in its letter to the
president. ASUU President Nasir Fagge condemned government's ultimatum, noting that the government's letter after the
meeting with President Jonathan (aimed and problem resolution) was not a total reflection of what transpired
during the meeting.
"The document was a report of Government's understanding of the decisions or agreement reached on the matters discussed with ASUU," he said.

FG CLAIMS TO HAVE SETTLED WHAT NEEDS SETTLING WITH ASUU

THE presidency on Tuesday said that the Federal Government has met with demands of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU and there was no need to maintain the strike action, just as it stressed that the
agreement was reached sequel to the last meeting held between Federal Government  and ASUU.
According to the Presidency, the administration believes that with the agreement and the result of the
votes across the campuses, ASUU has no reason for further sustenance of the strike. Even as it called on the Union to comply with the call on them to resume work without further delay.
This is coming as the ultimatum issued to ASUU lapses today.
Speaking in Abuja during an interactive session with leaders of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Youth and Students’ Matters, Comrade
Jude Imagwe who noted that a larger membership of ASUU campus chapters had voted for the immediate call-off of the strike, stressed that the directive given by the government was not targeted to threaten the ASUU leadership, but designed to show government’s commitment towards ensuring that all university students return to school.
According to him, ASUU leaders must work in line with the directives by ensuring that all students get back to their respective  campuses as the government would ensure a water-tight security on the campuses, adding, “The Nigerian public should be informed that the government has met all the promises they made on this ASUU issue. If they have not agreed, there was no reason for them to have said they would meet their members and get back to the government. It means there was an agreement that was reached.
“The Minister of Education announced that lecturers should resume, it was not in anyway targeted at threatening or compelling the leadership of ASUU to go
back to school.”
In his remarks, NANS president, Comrade Yinka who maintained that its association was neutral, said that it supports a just cause, adding that the association was
standing by the government because it was working in line with its desire which was for all schools to reopen.

THIS ASUU/FG SAGA THO.... SEE WHAT'S GOING ON NOW

So, for about four months now, we've sat on our asses and watched ourselves just get fatter by the day. Its a sad situation, but more than that, its just plain annoying, and even if at some point I applauded ASUU's courage in demanding what they think is their right.
Recently however, I'm not very big fans of them. Take a look at what The Nation has to say... be sure to drop your own opinions on the recent back and forth between these two bodies.

"Following threats from the Federal Government, leaders of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) yesterday relocated from Abuja to their various campuses in readiness for expected crackdown.

It was gathered that President Goodluck Jonathan might no longer be directly involved in negotiation with the lecturers because he is angry with ASUU leaders for three reasons, namely their contempt for the office of the President, their decision to issue new conditions and their alleged backing by some external forces.

Investigation revealed that after spending almost a week in Abuja for the resumption of talks, the ASUU leaders were left with no option but to go back to their various campuses.

It was learnt that the leaders felt disappointed that in spite of the fact that they had avoided making the negotiation talks a media affair, the Federal Government bungled the opportunity to wrap it up.

A top leader of ASUU, who spoke in confidence, said: “Our leaders have returned to their campuses. They were disappointed with the Area Boy or Agbero method adopted by the Minister.

“The military style of the Minister of State for Education will only compound the situation.

“So, we are back to our trenches as it was the situation during the military era. We are ready for the worst now.

“If the situation becomes uncontrollable, we will also go underground and resort to guerilla tactics.”

There were indications yesterday that the Federal Government might level sabotage allegation against the lecturers if they remain unyielding and the strike paralyses universities.

A senior government official, who confided in THE NATION, said: “We hope that they will not overreach their bounds, because what they have done in the last four months amounted to economic sabotage.

“If they continue to take the law into their hands by paralysing activities in the universities, we may try them for economic sabotage. This is also the extreme end the government may go too.

“Let them study the enabling laws to see what they have been violating. We are not yet disposed to wielding the big stick, but if the government is pushed to the wall, it will invoke relevant laws to manage the situation. We are waiting for what they will do.”

Top ASUU leaders were said to have been placed under security watch at the time of filing this report.

A different source said: “All the security agencies have been directed to protect lives and property on all the campuses nationwide, especially in the universities that have reopened.

“Union leaders are also under watch to prevent recourse to self-help, which may lead to wanton destruction of property.

“The government will not tolerate any intimidation or harassment, and any violent union leader risks being arrested. But those who restrict themselves to the confines of the law have nothing to fear.”

A government source yesterday said that President Goodluck Jonathan might no longer be directly involved in negotiation with ASUU to preserve the Office of the President.

A government source said: “We are trying to insulate the Office of the President from further negotiation with ASUU if at all the union will allow such or there will be room for such.

“We think relevant ministers and the Committee of Pro-Chancellors/Vice-Chancellors should be able to handle the rest of the talks/negotiation.”

According to investigation, the December 4, 2013 ultimatum given by the Minister of State for Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike, followed the directive of the Presidency.

The government source added: “The President is angry because he over-indulged ASUU leaders. It is only in Nigeria you see the President sitting for 13 hours with union leaders on any issue and at the end of the day, there will be no courtesy from the union.

“While the President was expecting feedback from ASUU leaders within 72 hours, they kept him in suspense for two weeks or more.

“And instead of feedback on where the talks stopped, ASUU leaders came up with fresh conditions when even during the negotiation, they admitted that some of the clauses in 2009 agreement cannot be implemented.

“The President is human. He now has every cause to believe that the strike action seems to have the backing of external forces seeking to bring his administration down. That was why he decided to come down hard on ASUU too.”

Now that the federal government has deployed police officers to all federal campuses (according to punch) what's the next step please?

Olamide's #GunManPose gone VIRAL!!... CATCH THE CRAZE! (Crazy pics!!)

Unless you live way under a rock that probably has a whole country sitting on it, you’ve come across #thegunmanpose in some way or the other. Its the new craze taking over our pictures. It started with Olamide and his #baddestguyeverliveth album’s artwork, now its a movement people!

Everyone is getting involved in this somehow... kids, grown men, grown women, young lads, even outside the shores of our arguably clean Naija waters!!! Its a pretty easy pose to make. Take a look at the photos, and if you haven’t gotten involved, well... GET TO WORK!

 And if you have, (you no dey carry last), please copy the link and share with your friends!!

you can rock ds pose in ur undies!

d kids r doing it!

so many different styles!

oga police follow rock am!

you can do ds at the office... tell ur boss to join u

its even a family affair

our fav cartoon xters hv caught the virus

even in London, #gunmanpose tohh badtt!!

hmmmn

 

do ds before you go in to operate!! (keeps u in d spirit!)

on the assembly ground sef...

try it wif ur illuminati powers!

go crazy in your father's parlor!

even the stars hv got this virus

hmmmn!

 

my fav photo tho...

ur mom can rock ds pose!

perfect for a halloween party too