Entertainment

Entertainment

Actress Uche Ogbodo welcomes baby girl

Fair-skinned actress, Uche Ogbodo on August 2, 2014 welcomed her first child; a baby girl in the United States.
“Thanks Everyone for your prayers and love on the birth of my baby.. God bless…” She wrote on her twitter page.
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Entertainment

Opinion: Fashola Is Wrong | By: Etcetera

Governor Fashola is one of the most outstanding Governors in Nigeria. Unlike some State Governors, he should be duly commended for his style of governance, his vision for Lagos State, and achievements. But the recent approval of 10 days paternity leave and six months maternity leave for civil servants of the state has been greeted with mixed sentiments within and outside the state. The paternity leave for instance sounds ridiculous to me each time I think about it.
What sounds even more laughable is the state Head of Service telling us that the new leave regime is meant to reduce the stress of the extensive work life of civil servants in the state. Please, since when did we start attributing words like “extensive work” to civil servants in Nigeria? My father was a civil servant, I visited his workplace most times and can categorically say that most Nigerian civil servants don’t do any extensive work.
I was actually smiling thinking I had stumbled on a comedy show on TV, hearing her branding civil servants as workaholics and how the newly approved 10 days paternity leave is needed to boost productivity. Has moving from one restaurant to another leaving empty plates of iyan and efo riro in their wake become stressful all of a sudden? I see these guys almost everyday in their different ministries in Alausa but what I haven’t seen is the same picture of the hardworking soldier ants the government is trying to paint to us. It will be more believable if the state comes clean with us that the paternity leave is basically for faaji. Even a newborn baby would giggle at the thought of a father demanding 10 days of paternity leave to bond with him/her.
Seriously, how do you bond with a baby that hasn’t even opened his or her eyes? This is a child that can’t even find the mother’s nipples. What does a man need 10 days paternity leave for? Did he have his placenta or umbilical cord removed? Did they perform caesarean on his pot belly? Did he share in the task of carrying the baby in the womb for nine months? Most male civil servants in the country have grown too fat developing breast as a result of idleness at work. Is this new paternity leave regime meant for them to stay at home and share in the responsibility of breastfeeding their newborn babies with their wives? Or are we granting them the additional 10 days paternity leave to also develop hips and complete the full circle of womanhood? This may sound funny but won’t this paternity law increase the rate of childbirth in the state, especially in a rainy season?
Our civil servants are not given to doing much work in the first place. Most times they are never even at work. I went to one of the ministries to see the permanent secretary about a project I was working on that needed state’s approval, and on entering his office, I was stunned by the sight of 15 large booli (roasted plantains) and two full bottles of peanuts on his table. He almost threw me out of his office when I jokingly asked if I could join in his lunch. In Nigeria, we already have so many public holidays, pilgrimages and the three weeks compulsory leave for workers, and weekends. Is that how we are going to build Lagos into a mega city? I don’t see the rationale in this new maternity and paternity policy.
Some say it is a policy that is already being implemented in more advanced societies and we should follow suit without taking into consideration the peculiarity of this terrain. Yes in more advanced countries, extended maternity leaves and paternity leaves are no big deal. The UK for instance grants as much as one year to a woman, to raise her child, with full salary, if she thinks it is necessary. And a man can take either 10 days or up to six months to stay with his wife and child. But we also know why this is very necessary for them. Unlike Nigeria, no UK grandparent will come to do omugwo or stay with a couple and help them take care of their children like a slave for anything more than a week or two.
Because most of these parents and grandparents are still busy chasing blind dates or searching for love on various online dating sites. Unlike Nigeria, in the UK there are no house-girls or house-boys who could be used like workhorses around the house for next to nothing. Also unlike Nigeria, UK men don’t take it as a duty to act on God’s commandment on procreation with every giving opportunity like some naija men.
Those applauding the six months maternity leave for women as a well thought out decision, should also consider that it may not be in the interest of everyone. Workers of private institutions may demand implementation of the same policy across board. And most private institutions can’t afford such luxury. Some civil servants may even see it as a threat to their livelihood and survival. The girls with the Lagos State Inland Revenue (LIRS) for instance won’t fancy sitting back at home for six months knowing how much of egunje (kickbacks) they will be missing.
The female LASTMA officials will be wondering how they will survive for that long on their meagre salaries. Another question is, what happens to those ministries with fewer members of staff? What if a couple of them got pregnant at the same time? Will they be granted six months maternity leave all at once? What about their skills when they return from such a long leave? Won’t it affect their ability to carry on and adapt to new policies? Will they be provided with extra courses to catch up with their colleagues? I think three months is okay for a nursing mother.
We also have to consider that salaries will be paid. Is the government going to slash salaries to cover up the inadequacies? Are we also bearing in mind that this policy may affect the already plunging productivity level of workers? Are we not creating more room for laxity? It is only in Naija that a female civil servant goes to work wearing a wig and returns home with braids. Isn’t that African magic? Please never walk into a female civil servant’s office unannounced, because you will surely bump into her trying on a new attire sold to her by a colleague in the office.
When you walk into some ministries, you will be left confused thinking you have mistakenly walked into Aswani market, seeing people loitering about selling all sorts of products. There are always ready buyers at the ministries. I guess the Lagos State government must have had a big laugh thinking it has found a solution to this embarrassment by locating the Ikeja City Mall next door, but did it work?
We always hear of ministries and other government structures getting burnt in Nigeria and Mickey Mouse always getting the blames when it is no secret that some of these female civil servants have makeshift kitchens in their offices. You always see them at their desks drawing up lists of food ingredients for the interns to buy.
As I end this article, I want you all to join me in prayers that nobody recommends this paternity and maternity policy to my state government. Because as it stands right now, I can’t tell which is more confused between my state government and today’s weather.
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Entertainment

Meet the new Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba

Ag. IGP Suleiman Abba was on August 1, announced as the new Inspector General of Police. He formally took over from IGP MD Abubakar who assumed office on the 25th January, 2012. A native of Jigawa state, IGP Abba is a graduate of History and Law from the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos.
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Entertainment

Best Of Nollywood Awards 2014: See who and what made the nominees list

The 2014 Best of Nollywood Awards will be held on October 4th in Port Harcourt, Rivers State and the nominees have been revealed. Take a look and see if your favourite actors/actresses and your movies made the cut.

Nominees

(1.)  Best Actor in A Leading Role (English)
Kanayo O. Kanayo – Apaye
Joseph Benjamin- Don’t Cry for me
Gbenga Akinnade- Render to Ceaser
Tope Teleda- A Mile from Home
Femi Jacobs- The Meeting
Bob Manuel Udokwu- Dining with a Long Spoon

(2.) Best Actor in A Leading Role (Yoruba)
Odunade Adekola- Ina Loju Ekun
Niyi Johnson- Oritoke
Yinka Quadri- Aremo Ite
Muyiwa Ademola- Eja Nla
Femi Adebayo- Fifehanmi

(3) Best Actor in A Leading Role (Hausa)
Yakubu Mohammed- Duniya Han
Sani Danja- Byrin Zuciya
Ibrahim Maishunk- Aduniya
Adam A Zango- Ruwan Jakara
Sadik Sani- Hadarin Gabas

(4.) Best Actor in A Leading Role (Igbo)
Okey Bakasi- Onye Ozi

(5) Best Actress in A Leading Role(English)
Omoni Oboli- Being Mrs Elliot
Ivie Okubaye- Black Silhouette
Mary Lazarus- Don’t Cry for Me
Clarion Chukwura- Apaye
Chidi Mokeme’s girlfriend- Our Difference
Ijeoma Grace Agu- Misfit

(6) Best Actress in A Leading Role (Yoruba)
Bimbo Osin- Feresisemi
Yewande Adekoya- Kudi Klepto
Bidemi Kosoko- Kori Koto
Sheyi Asekun- Fifehanmi
Iyabo Ojo- Silence

(7.) Best Actress in A Leading Role (Igbo)
· Ngozi Igwebike- Onye Ozi

(8) Best Actress in A Leading Role (Hausa)
Fati Washa- Bancik
Fati laden- Byrin Zuriya
Nafisat Abdullahi- Ruwan Jakara
Asmau Abubakar- Hadarin Gabas

(9.) Best supporting Actor (English)
Sidney Esiri- Last 3 Digits
Chidozie Nzeribe- A Mile From Home
Ayo Maku- Being Mrs Elliot
Kalu Ikeagwu- Blue Flames
Femi Jacobs- Dream Walker

(10.) Best Supporting Actress (English)
Mercy Johnson- Hustlers
Uru Eke- Dining with a Long Spoon
Evelyn Sin- Seven Rivers
Rita Dominic- The Meeting
Nse Ikpe Etim- Dream Walker

(11) Best Supporting Actor (Yoruba)

Razak Olayiwola- Sanbe
Dele Odule- Kori-koto
Muyiwa Ademola- Oritoke
Tamilore Martins- Kudi Klepto
Jamiu Azeez- Orofo

(12) Best Supporting Actress (Yoruba)
Biola Segun-Willams- Silence
Fathia Balogun- Ina Loju Ekun
Biodun Okeowo- Orofo
Ayo Adesaya- Sanbe
Odunayo Agoro– Osunfunke

(13) Most Promising Actor
Jamiu Azeez
Tamilore Martins
Temisan Etsede
Sidney Esiri

(14) Most Promising Actress
Ivie Okubaye
Ijeoma Agu
Jackie Idumogu
Oyinka Elebuibo

(15) Best Child Actor
Olamide Davids- Black Silhouette
Chisom Okusua- Mama Africa
Elitim Wari- Apaye
D’Kachy Emelonye- Onye Ozi

(16) Best Child Actress
Carol Micheal- Apaye
Toyin Eniola- Oritoke
Chinny Okemuo- Onye Ozi
Pricillia Ojo- Silence

(17) Movie of the Year
Apaye
A Mile from Home
The Meeting
First Cause
Silence

(18) Comedy of the Year
I come Lagos
Onye ozi
30 Days in Atlanta
Our lucky Day

(19) Movie with the best Social Message
Oritoke
Knocking on Heaven’s Door
Black Silhouette
Our Difference
Dream Walker
First Cause

(20.) Movie with the Best Special Effect
A Mile from Home
Aduniya
Seven Rivers
The Origin
Ina loju Ekun

(21) Best Kiss in a movie
Gabriel Afolayan and Jackie Idumogu-First Cause
Majid and Beverly Naya – Forgetting June
Joseph Benjamin and Ini Edo – Perfect Plan
Monalisa Chinda and Lugo Tourton– Lagos Cougar
Blossom Chukwujeku and Ini Edo-Knocking on Heaven’s Door

(22)  Best use of Make up in a movie
Seven Rivers
Kudi Klepto
Cobra
Mama Africa
Aremo Ife

(23) Best Cinematography
Osunfunke
Apaye
Being Mrs. Elliot
The Meeting
30 Days in Atlanta

(24.) Screenplay of the Year
A Mile from Home
The Meeting
Secret Room
Render to Ceaser
Silence

(25.) Best Short Film
Brave
Wages
Not Right
New Morning
Living Funeral
Alpha Mum

(26.) Best Documentary
Fatai Rolling Dollar
Bad Budgeting for Development
Seeds of Growth

(27) Best TV Series
Lekki Wives
The Johnsons
Dear Mother
New Horizon
Happy Family

(28.) Best Edited Movie
Apaye
A Mile from Home
Last 3 digits
Silence

(29.) Best Use of Food in a Movie
Being Mrs. Elliot
Apaye
Seven Rivers

(30.) Movie with the Best Sound
Osunfunke
Render to Ceaser
Apaye
Being Mrs. Elliot
The Meeting

(31.)  Movie with the Best production design
Being Mrs. Elliot
Apaye
Seven Rivers
Iyawo Osun
Osunfunke

(32.)  Director of the Year
Eric Aghimien- A Mile for Home
Desmond Eliiot- Apaye
Mildred Okwo- The Meeting
Dj tee- Osunfunke
Alex Mouth- Silence

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Entertainment

Ebola Virus: "Jim Iyke must be quarantined before returning to Nigeria"- Beat FM OAP

And that’s just the basic truth. No chances. That Ebola virus of a thing is so scary. OAP, Dami of the ‘DamiBants’ programme on Beat FM has joined thousands of people calling for actor, Jim Iyke who was in Liberia few days backk to be quarantined before he comes back to Nigeria.

‘Jim Iyke or not, he gotta be screened’, she wrote on her twitter page.

Credit: NET

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Entertainment

Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde's son becomes the youngest music producer in Africa+ records over 60 beats

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. At age 15, renowned actress, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde’s son, MJ Ekeinde has emerged the youngest music producer in Africa. He’s ready to take the music industry by storm.
He has over 60 beats to his credit and has recorded about 8 artistes. MJ, whose moniker is Captain E aspires to be a pilot like his father. And he plans to go to aviation school at age 18.
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Entertainment

Suspended Nigerian weightlifter, Chika Amalaha to face hearing after failing second test.

Nigerian teenage weightlifter Chika Amalaha who won gold in the women’s 53kg category of the Commonwealth Games and was suspended after failing doping test (her ‘A’ sample which she provided on July 25 revealed traces of diuretics and masking agents) is set to face hearing.
Her ‘B’ sample tested at a laboratory in London on July 30 also revealed traces of diuretics and masking agents, backing up the initial finding of the doping control.
Mike Hooper, Commonwealth Games Federation Chief Executive said, “I can report that the analysis on the Nigerian weightlifting Chika Amalaha’s B sample has been completed, and this has confirmed the analysis and finding of the A result.”
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Entertainment

Rapper, Vector writes open letter to former record label, YSG Entertainment.

Rapper, Vector Tha Viper and his record label, YSG Entertainment have put their turbulent relationship behind them. Recall that last year february, the label got a court injunction against him for breach of contract. The ‘Angeli ton pinre’ crooner and the label have however entered into a settlement to have the injunction lifted. Below is an open letter of apology to them.
Dear Fans and Media Reps:
Apology Letter to YSG Entertainment Limited.
I hope this meets you well. It is no secret that the last 12 months have been the most turbulent of my music career. With regards to the lingering issues about which I have been mute, I, Olanrewaju Ogunmefun popularly known to you as Vector Tha Viper, wish to state the following;
      YSG Entertainment Ltd without any doubt, gave me the platform to show case my talent to the world. It is true we had misunderstandings on issues concerning my engagement with them.
    There’s an existing Federal High Court injunction preventing me from doing what I love to do and this serves me and my fans no good. However, we have entered into a settlement to have the injunction lifted.
     That by reason of irreconcilable differences, my Record Contract Agreement with YSG Entertainment Ltd has been aborted.
That being said, in the spirit of good faith and a show of unreserved commitment to settle these issues amicably out of court, I have sought and obtained permission from the label to pay off the discounted recoupable expenses as contained in the Terms of Settlement in this regards.
I would also like to apologize to the management of YSG Entertainment Ltd for any embarrassment occasioned by my conduct and whatever damage it may have suffered as a result of the slander and libel as portrayed by the media in this regard. These issues were exaggerated by the media as I hold YSG Entertainment Ltd in high esteem. I also appreciate the leniency afforded me by discounting the recoupable expenses for me.
I wish the company well in all their endeavors.
Thank you.
Signed:  
Olanrewaju David Ogunmefun.
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