Monday 9 December 2013

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!

Friday 6 December 2013

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.


Wednesday 4 December 2013

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.