US places $23m reward for Boko Haram leader, Shekau, 4 others

The US today Monday June 3rd posted up to $23 million in rewards to help track down five leaders of militant groups accused of spreading terror in west Africa.

The highest reward of $7 million is offered for the Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau, who last week called on Islamists in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq to join the bloody fight to create an Islamic state in Nigeria.

The US State Department’s Rewards for Justice program also targeted Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), offering its first ever bounties for wanted militants in west Africa.


Up to $5 million was posted for Al-Qaeda veteran Mokhtar Belmokhtar, the one-eyed Islamist behind the devastating attack on an Algerian gas plant in January in which 37 foreigners, including three Americans, were killed.

A further $5 million was offered for top AQIM leader Yahya Abou Al-Hammam, reportedly involved in the 2010 murder of an elderly French hostage in Niger.

 Malik Abou Abdelkarim, a senior fighter with AQIM, and Oumar Ould Hamaha, the spokesman for Mali’s Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO), were also targeted by the rewards program, which will give up to $3 million each for information leading to their arrests.

Source: AFP

Michael Adebolajo appears in court; wants to be called Mujaheed Abu Hamza

Dressed in all white with his left arm bandaged, the 28 year old, who is accused of murdering Lee Rigby, 25, a fortnight ago, stood in the dock flanked by two police officers and a prison guard. As he arrived in the courtroom he appeared to blow a kiss to a friend in the public gallery, gripped a copy of the Koran throughout and refused to stand in the dock.

He was remanded in custody and will appear at the Old Bailey within 48 hours. Earlier he was swept into Westminster Magistrates Court in an armoured vehicle led by a police convoy. A number of armed officers formed a ring of steel and shut off roads around the court in central London.

Meanwhile the other key suspect in the Drummer Rigby case refused to appear at the Old Bailey today. Michael Adebowale, 22, told prison staff he did not want to go on video link to the court for a statutory bail hearing. (Daily Mail UK)

Kim K reveals she's having a girl

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are having a girl. The gender of the unborn baby was revealed on the season premiere of Keeping Up With The Kardashians yesterday night. 

Celebs With and Without Make-Up! Who is the Fairest of them All?

Our favourite celebrities and starlets are known for their picture perfect personas on the red carpet and at social gatherings. These female celebs influence style with their Avant-garde dresses, luxe accessories, gorgeous hair and fierce make-up.

Check it out!

I Have A Very Loving And Caring Husband —Caroline Danjuma

Caroline Ekanem-Danjuma is one Nollywood actress who always pulls the crowd. Quite stylish, she bares her mind on fashion

Widows Will No Longer Drink Bath-Water Of Their Dead Husbands In A/Ibom

The custom allowing the seizure of deceased husbands properties and subjecting their widows to inhuman practices such as shaving of the head and making them drink the water used to bath their husbands, among others, have now become illegal in Akwa Ibom State.

The state government, in a bill passed by the House of Assembly and signed by the governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, outlawed the custom which maltreat widows after the deaths of their husbands, declaring it as unlawful and inhuman.

In his Democracy Day speech, the governor declared that it had become unlawful for widows to be maltreated in Akwa Ibom, saying defaulters of the law risk fines and three years imprisonment.

While reacting on the new law, the First Lady of the state, Chief (Mrs) Unoma Ekaette Akpabio, commended the House of Assembly and the governor for the pro-women law, describing the passage of the law as a breakthrough for the womenfolk in the state.

According to her, “I appreciate the state House of Assembly and the state governor for standing with the womenfolk through this law. Akwa Ibom State has, in the last five years, shown itself as pro-masses and pro-women.”

My Drug Story–Taiwo Akinwande (Wunmi)

In the ears of many a movie fan, the name, Taiwo Akinwande would hardly ring an immediate bell. But mention her stage name, Yetunde Wunmi, and a lot of faces would light-up instantly. In the Yoruba film industry, Yetunde Wunmi has earned a name for herself. For over three decades, the pretty actress enjoyed tremendous popularity.

That was until about six years ago when she was nabbed with hard drugs at the airport on her way to Europe. She was convicted and sentenced to a two-year jail term which she has served.

Getting her side of the sad experience was very difficult. It was like engaging a two-year-old kindergarten pupil in a difficult mathematical question. In this interview, Wunmi confessed that the drug incident is her only regret in life.

“That was the bitter pill that would remain in my system for the rest of my life, and it’s my only regret in life,”

Glitz & Glam At Susan Peters Star Studded Birthday Party

It was tagged a Champagne Soiree. And because of that friends, colleagues and admirers of Susan Peters came out in large numbers. The venue like we already told you before was The Place, on Admiralty way, Lekki-Phase 1.

Before the star-studded party on the evening of the d-day. The thespian/entrepreneur had gone on her annual social responsibility round, vie her foundation, Benue Pikin Foundation. She had gone to the motherless babies home with hands laden with gifts of all kinds, her own way of showing gratitude to God and extending God's goodwill to her to the others.

Jada Pinkett says nothing would ever make her leave Will Smith

Next time you hear divorce rumors about Will and Jada Pinkett-Smith, don't believe it. Jada says  there is nothing Will can do that would ever make her leave him...

Jada tells Redbook Magazine;

''What is the thing that Will could do that would make me not love him? That would make me leave him? I can't think of one. I'm sorry. Except if he did something bad to the kids - now we've got a problem. But that's it. We've had such an extraordinary life together.

They've been together since 1995. 18 years and counting...Good for them!

Oge Okoye's publicist talks about how online comments are affecting her

If you're a celebrity, the best thing would be to develop a thick skin...and not let comments get to you to because whether you like it or not, want it or not, people will always have an opinion about you. And whether you want to hear it or not, they will say it, in this case, write it - on blogs, Twitter, FB, Instagram. I'm sure you celebrities have 99 problems, don't make comments one of it.

Here's something Oge Okoye's PR people released a few days ago...

D'banj's most expensive fashion item

When asked to mention the most expensive fashion item he has in a recent Punch interview, D'banj said he has a $50, 000 (N7.9m) FM wrist watch and has another watch that Jay Z also owns.

"I’m always wearing expensive things; like now, I have two watches on my wrist. I’m putting on a Franck Muller, master of complication. It goes for at least $50,000. The other is a big face, the same one Jay-Z is rocking."

Asked to describe his fashion style, D'banj said:

Photos: Footballer John Utaka weds in France

The Super Eagles striker got married this weekend in France. Kanu Nwankwo and his wife pictured with the newly married couple in the right photo.

Sanusi Lamido, his CBN mistress and their sweetheart escapades - PT

Culled  from Premium Times.

Twenty minutes to midnight on February 25, 2013, and a day before the board of the Central Bank of Nigeria was due to meet, Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi developed a craving for romance - he badly needed a kiss.

The governor, married with children, grabbed his mobile phone and typed out a message.  “Maybe you should come kiss me before board meeting tomorrow,” Mr Sanusi wrote and then squeezed the send button.

At about 9 a.m. the next day, Mrs. Maryam Yaro, a married mother of two, an assistant director and subordinate to the governor at the CBN, arrived at Sanusi’s unnamed Abuja hotel, seeking to keep the date and help address his boss’ craving for a kiss. (Insiders say board members, including those who live in Abuja, are usually lodged in hotels ahead of board meetings).

.Continue, it gets more interesting...

Photos: Jay Z and Beyonce perform together on stage

Meet 3 year old Nigerian photographer - Fuji Remet

 3 year old  already have a career. He has an exhibition coming up so yes, he has a career! CNN profiled the young budding photographer on Inside Africa yesterday and below is what they wrote about Lil Fuji... 

While most children his age in Nigeria - and the rest of the world - are more concerned with their toys than a career, Onafujiri "Fuji" Remet has already embarked on his mission to become a professional photographer.

Proud dad Pius Kugbere Remet sent in these images of his talented young son posing with family and at work in Lagos.

Himself an artist and graphic designer, he says Fuji's inspiration came from the work of his creative family.

Little Fuji even has an exhibition coming up in Lagos on June 8. Not bad for a three-year-old.

See more photos of Fuji at work after the cut...

We're not involved in Hezbollah armoury saga - Lebanese community

The Lebanese community in Kano has exonerated itself from the large consignment of arms  uncovered by the Nigerian security agents in the troubled northern Nigerian commercial city that was linked to international terrorist organization, Hezbollah.

Addressing newsmen in Kano in its first official reaction since the Hezbollah cell in the city was busted by the security agents, Chairman of the community, Tahir Fadlallah said that the Lebanese Community ‘’unequivocally condemns crime in whatever form”.

Photos from Julius Agwu's book signing in Port Harcourt

The book signing took place on Wednesday May 29th in Port Harcourt. More photos after the cut...

 

16yr old Nigerian Lovelyn Ebenechi wins Germany's Next Top Model

She is obviously mixed race and probably never been to Nigeria...but we are definitely claiming her! Hehe! Lovelyn beat 19 other contestants to win the 2013 Germany's Next Top Model contest. The Cycle 8 finale took place on Thursday May 30th in Germany, hosted by Heidi Klum. Congrats to her. See more photos of Lovelyn after the cut...

List of all the known men Kim K has been with

Someone has compiled a list of all the celebrity men Kim has either dated or had a fling with, and the years she was with them, starting from 1994. She did confess on Keeping up with the Kardashians that she lost her virginity at 14. Well, someone started counting from then. See the list below...

TJ Jackson (1994-1998)
Damon Thomas (m. 2000–2004)
Julian St. Jox (2001) (during her marriage to Damon)
Ray J (2002-sex tape made 2003(during her marriage to Damon)-2007)
Nick Lachey 2006
Nick Cannon (Sept 2006-Jan 2007)(during her relationship w/Ray J)
Fonsworth Bentley (2006-Feb 2007)
Marquis Houston (March 2007)
Evan Ross (May 2007)
Reggie Bush (2006 (during her relationship w Ray J)-2009/2010)
Christiano Ronaldo (April 2010)

Yvonne Nelson's sexy bikini body covers Wow magazine June issue

Photos: J Martins quietly weds

Some like it elaborate, while some like it low key. Super producer and singer J Martins and his bride Nnezi Mbila went for a super low key wedding. The longtime lovers held their white wedding and wedding reception yesterday Thursday May 30th at Protea Hotel Oakwood in Lekki, Lagos.

P-Square, Uti Nwachukwu, AY, Jude Okoye, footballer Ikechukwu Uche, Senator Ayim Pius Ayim, the governor of Abia State, Theodore Orji and many others were there to celebrate with the couple!

J. Martins and Nnezi had their traditional wedding in January 2012. Happy married life to them!

Video vixen Honey Willis welcomes daughter

Popular video vixen, Honey J Willis, also known as Naija's Amber Rose, welcomed a daughter two days ago in Lagos. The lil cutie has been named Ashlyn. Congrats to her!

celebs without make-up

Smooth FM OAP and programmes director, Kirk Anthony, dies at 53

Jamaican born Smooth 98.1FM On-Air-Personality and Director of Programmes, Kirk Anthony Derrick has passed on. According to sources, Kirk collapsed a few hours after his show, The Kazbah, yesterday evening May 31 and was rushed to Reddington hospital in Victoria Island where he was pronounced dead. Cause of death will be known next week when the autopsy result comes out.

“For him being part of the Smooth 98.1FM family was the next chapter in his life and sadly, it was his last,” Smooth FM said in a press release.

Kirk relocated to Nigeria in 2009 to work at Smooth FM. He was 53 years old. He is survived by his wife and children. May his soul rest in peace, amen.

Jim Iyke with Hollywood stars, Garcelle Beauvais and Brian White

Jim Iyke on set of a movie in Santa Monica, California with Hollywood actors Garcelle Beauvais and Brian White. See another pic after the cut...

Dbanj's Oliver Twist surpasses 20 million youtube viewship

Within a year , Dbanj's iconic song , Oliver Twist has gathered over 20 million views on Youtube and still counting! No other Nigerian locally originated song has attracted such huge viewship across the world as this song. This is a special moment in the career of a Nigerian song. According to Wikipedia and youtube sources , the song was No 1 in most African countries, No 2 in the U.K. R & B chart , No 9 in U.K. national chart, No 1 in Romania, No 10 in Belgium, No 12 in Scotland, No 24 in Slovakia and No 19 in Armenian music chart.

Recent U.S. survey also listed the song in Top 5 workout songs in U.S.A. , according to U.S. morning show, Live With Kelly and Michael. Dbanj's Oliver Twist has confirmed itself as a classic.

Child star, Benita Okojie, now a Big GAL!!!!!!!!!!!

The Osamudiame crooner is no longer a little girl. She is 25 years old now!  Benita is a graduate of Redeemers University.

Mary Mary's Tina Campbell opens up about her husband's infidelity

If you've ever been cheated on by your spouse, then maybe you should read this. Tina Campbell, the other half of gospel group Mary Mary opened up to Ebony magazine June issue about infidelity in her marriage; how her husband of 13 years had an affair for two years; how she first wanted to harm him and divorce him, then learning to forgive and working things out.

Tina on discovering her husband was having an affair:

“Once I became aware [of the affair], I initially wanted to kill my husband…I was considering adjusting the will, the living trust and all that kind of stuff. I did physically try to stab him. Several times…I never got to the point of physical harm, not really, but my words…My words hurt. ” 

A few days after the online publication, Tina posted a message to her fans on her website asking for prayers. See it after the cut...

Nedu of Wazobia FM weds

Ace Wazobia FM OAP, Ani Chinedu Emmanuel, popular known as Nedu, and his wife, Uzoamaka Ohiri had their white wedding today Friday May 31 at Church of Resurrection in 1004Victoria Island. Wedding reception followed immediately at Terra Kulture in VI.

Their court wedding held in April. Congrats to them.

Omawumi covers Motherhood In-Style magazine

Lovely! Continue to see more photos...

JTF uncovers Lebanese terror cell in Kano

Culled from Punch

The Joint Task Force on Thursday said it had uncovered a Lebanon-based Hezbollah armoury and terror cell in Bompai, Kano State.

The force, which said it found large cache of arms and ammunition, also confirmed the arrest of three persons in connection with the armoury and the cell.

A Lebanese national currently out of the country reportedly owns the premises where the armoury and the cell were found at No 3, Gaya Road, Off Bompai Road in the ancient city.

More photos from J Martins and Nnezi's white wedding

 The couple had their white wedding in Lagos. More photos when you continue...

Actress Laide Bakare welcomes baby boy

The actress welcomed a baby boy around 7:45 yesterday morning Friday May 31 in New York. Congrats to her!