Anti-Corruption Network set to protest against Corruption and Insecurity

Kiyo: Hon Dino Melaye, the Executive Secretary of the Anti-Corruption Network has announced the organisation’s readiness to organise a peaceful protest to the American embassy in Abuja tomorrow.

The former member of the House of Representatives of Nigeria, in his twitter message said, the purpose of the protest is to “internationalize the fight against corruption and insecurity in Nigeria”.

Anti-corruption Network is a registered non-Governmental Organization founded by Hon. Dino Melaye to fight corruption in Nigeria.

Filo: It seems Nigerian politicians see clearer when they’ve left the corridors of power

2face and Iceprince nominated for BET Awards 2013 Best International Act: Africa

Filo: The nominees for the 2013 BET Awards were announced last night in Downtown Los Angeles. Nigerian superstars, 2face Idibia and Iceprince would be contending with other African music giants for this year’s Best International Act: Africa.

Other nominees for Best International Act: Africa are Radio and Weasel (Uganda), R2Bees (Ghana), Donald (South Africa), and Toya Delazy (South Africa).

Meanwhile, Drake garnered the most nominations this year, with an impressive 12 nominations, including Best Male Hip Hop Artist and Video of the Year, while Kendrick Lamar and 2 Chainz tied with 8 nominations.

Here’s the full list of nominees for the BET Awards ’13

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist

Beyoncé

Tamar Braxton

Alicia Keys

Rihanna

Elle Varner

Asa Survives a Car Accident in Nashville, Tennessee USA

Filo: Jailer crooner, Asa was involved in a car accident yesterday; a car ran into her when she was about to cross an intersection in Nashville, USA.

The good news is – she wasn’t hurt. “Thank God I landed on my padded butt. The only thing that got crushed was my water bottle,” she said.

See Asha’s narration.

Police uncover another Baby Factory in Enugu

Kiyo: Six expectant teenage girls kept in a guardian’s home in Enugu were rescued after a raid on the private residence by security operatives.

Enugu police spokesman Ebere Amaraizu said yesterday that the anti-kidnap unit of the police, acting on a tip-off raided No 7, Anyansi Lane, Ogui Enugu, where they rescued the teenagers.

The girls, who are said to be 17 years old, gave their names as Chioma Eze, Amarachi Okoro, Gloria Okoye, Uzoamaka Lawrence, Nneji Faith and Akpan Juliana.

Amaraizu told reporters that the teenagers were smuggled out of their guardians’ home and kept in a hideout where they were expected to give birth before the babies sold to bidders.

Three persons are said to be behind the business.

Those in custody are Lami Lasu, Isha Musa and Anthony Chigbo, an indigene of Enugu State.

Amaraizu said investigations into the incident were going.

Filo: Kidnapping has given birth to another child, ‘baby factory’; and who are the ‘baby buyers’?

"I ain't signed to DB Records" - Olamide

Kiyo: Olamide has denied being signed to Dbanj’s DB Records, he tweeted;

Filo: When a fan reminded him of Kay-Switch’s tweet welcoming him (Olamide) into the DB Records family, he replied;

Jay-Z NOT performing in Lagos on Oct 9

Jay-Z

Kiyo: Come Sept 9, American Rapper, Jay-Z would begin a seven weeks world tour to spread awareness of the world's water crisis. The trek will begin in Krakow, Poland, and run through Oct. 28 in Melbourne.

Interestingly, Jay-Z would be performing in seven different cities in Africa, Lagos inclusive. His Lagos show would hold on October 9 at the Ocean view Restaurant.

Jay-Z's World Tour Itinerary:

Oct. 4: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (Diamond Jubilee)

Oct. 6: Accra, Ghana (Accra Conference Center)

Oct. 7: Lagos, Nigeria (Ocean View)

Oct. 9: Luanda, Angola (Cine Karl Max)

Oct. 11: Cape Town, South Africa (Belleville Velodrome)

Oct. 13: Durban, South Africa (ABSA Stadium Outer Fields)

Oct. 14: Johannesburg (Coca Cola Dome)

UPDATE: The information from the BillBoard website is old information. JayZ’s water crisis tour NOT happening again, mixup due to unclear/mixed up date on Billboard’s site. This is indeed old info and no new dates on the continent have been set for 2013. Apologies.

Gov. Uduaghan swears in Delta State Independent Electoral Commission Members

Kiyo: In April, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State described the process of establishing the State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) as “very challenging,” attributing it to the delay in conducting the much-awaited local government elections in the state. That is in the past now, as Governor Uduaghan swears in the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) Board members yesterday.

The Governor in his brief speech charged the commission to conduct credible polls that will be acceptable to all stakeholders.

The 10-member DSIEC has Mr. Moses Ogbe as Chairman while Mr. David Johnson, Mr. Ewere Eluebo, Chief John Ulebe, Dr. Emibra Agbeotu, Mr. Bright Igbako, Mr. Anthony Obi, Mr. Fredrick Ulakpa, Mr. Jude Emurotu and Mr. Gregory Edeme are members. With the swearing in concluded, the date for the Local Government Elections would soon be announced by the Commission.

Filo: Let’s hope it would be organised this year

MORE PICS ON THE FLIP

Jonathan declares state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno, Yobe

Kiyo: President Goodluck Jonathan has declared state of emergency in three states in the Northern part of the country. They are Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.

He made the declaration this evening in an address to the nation. The President said the governors of those states should cooperate with government in ensuring peace in the affected states.

He warned that the Federal Government would no longer tolerate any act against the security of the nation in the states.

Patience Ozokwor Finally Picks Her Plaque for winning Best Actress at the 2012 GMA

Filo: Nollywood actress Patience Ozokwor, also known as Mama G was in Accra over the weekend to pick her plaque for winning Best Actress in an African Collaboration at the 2012 Ghana Movie Awards.

The Plaque was presented to her at the rLG office at Osu, Accra where the Ghana Movie Awards trophies were unveiled.

Although the award ceremony held on Dec 25, 2012, the trophies were not ready at that time.

Organizers explained that the trophies were impounded in Dubai by immigration officials. But they finally arrived weeks ago; hence the unveiling ceremony which attracted some winners who came for their trophies.

Kiyo: Congrats once again.

Katy Perry: My mother thanks God for my divorce from Brand

Kiyo: The 'Firework' singer - who split from the British comic in December 2011, 14 months after they tied the knot - insists her Christian pastor parents Keith and Mary Hudson brought her up to have liberal views on relationships and they weren't upset by the breakdown of her marriage.

She is quoted by The Sun newspaper as saying: "I thank God every day for having made us all the same way and I pray for anyone who fights for freedom of speech.

"I'm pro-gay marriage and want equality between genders. My mom thanks God every day for my divorce."

However, though she was raised with liberal views on relationships, Katy's parents were strict about the cultural influences she was exposed to.

She added: "Growing up, I wasn't allowed to listen to non-religious music. Madonna, my idol, was considered worse than the devil."

While Mary may be glad Katy and Russell are no longer together, the 'Part of Me' singer's father has previously admitted to still being in touch with the 'Arthur' actor.

Keith has said: "There are no hard feelings towards Russell - I just received a text from him the other day in fact.

"He is a wonderful and smart guy."

Katy and Russell's divorce was finalised in July 2012.

PHOTO: Karen Igho at the Passport Office

Filo: And she said ‘they don't wanna let me go’; if so, we think Karen should join the Immigration team.

Dr. Sule E. Egya (Nigerian) has emerged Commonwealth Book Prize Regional Winner (Africa)

Kiyo: Commonwealth foundation has announced the 2013 Commonwealth Book Prize regional winners for Africa, Asia, Canada and Europe, Caribbean and the Pacific.

Dr. Sule E. Egya, who is an associate professor in Department of English, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, has emerged as the Commonwealth Book Prize Regional winner (Africa) for his novel ‘Sterile Sky.’

KiyoandFilo Blog gathered that Dr.Egya, whose pen-name is E. E. SULE is the author of the short story collections ‘Impotent Heavens’ and ‘Dream and Shame’, and the poetry volumes Naked Sun, Knifing Tongues and What the Sea Told Me.

His poems, short stories, and critical work have appeared in numerous journals, anthologies and literary magazines. Sterile Sky is his first novel.

Dr. Sule, who was full of excitement said; 

“This is great news for me! I’m bursting with excitement! I consider it a milestone in my career as a writer – that moment you think you have got a needed impetus, in fact a revelation, to perform better, to aim higher. I also feel confident that Sterile Sky is a worthy work; it has begun its own journey in life. I sincerely thank everyone involved in making it what it is.”

Filo: Other regional winners are;

Nayomi Munaweera for ‘Island of a Thousand Mirrors’ (Sri Lanka) - ASIA

Lisa O’Donnell for ‘The Death of Bees’ (United Kingdom) - CANADA and EUROPE

Ezekel Alan for ‘Disposable People’ (Jamaica) - CARIBBEAN

Michael Sala for ‘The Last Thread’ (Australia) – PACIFIC

KiyoandFilo Blog also learnt that this year’s Commonwealth Book Prize was awarded for best first book and it was open to writers who have had their first novel (full length work of fiction) published between 1 January and 31 December 2012. 

Banky W set to deliver speech at Intel Campus Forum in UNILAG

Filo: Yes or No singer, Banky W is the guest speaker at the Intel "Create Your Tomorrow" Campus Forum. The event, which starts by 12pm, would hold today at the Unilag Main Auditorium, and students stand a chance of winning free laptops.

40 mentally-ill patients escape Kenya hospital

Kiyo: Ten of 40 mentally ill patients who escaped from a psychiatric hospital in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, have been found, officials said.

Kenyan police have launched a search for 40 mentally ill patients who escaped from a psychiatric hospital in the capital Nairobi, officials say.

"We are now talking of 30 mental patients who are not back. Some have come back on their own volition while some were captured and brought back by their relatives," police Chief Samuel Anampiu said.

About 70 patients’ overpowered guards and forced open the door of their ward in the Mathari Mental Hospital on Sunday morning, Samuel Anampiu, the local police chief, said on Monday.

Anampiu said two of the patients went back to the hospital voluntarily while eight others were taken back by their families.

Kevin Kemboi, a patient who was returned to the facility by family members, said he escaped after another patient told him that the hospital nurses were on strike.

Filo: Fire on the mountain!!!

Jonathan should learn governance from Obasanjo – Ex-Oyo SSG

Kiyo: Former Secretary to Oyo State Government, Dr. Dejo Raimi, has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to learn the art of governance from former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

He also said Governor Abiola Ajumobi would not be re-elected in 2015.

Raimi, who is a People’s Democratic Party chief, spoke on Monday in Ibadan in a radio programme, Bull’s Eye.

Recalling how the former president suppressed the Odi crisis with the use of force, he urged the Jonathan administration to be more assertive.

The prevailing insecurity in parts of the country, he said, was because of Federal Government’s inability to assert itself.

He said, “There was Niger-Delta crisis during Obasanjo. There was Odi. But Odi is no more.

“Let Jonathan go and learn how to do Odi experience for the Boko Haram. Obasanjo removed all the militants in the Niger-Delta. Where are they now?

Filo: The former SSG should explain what he meant by ‘being more assertive,’ taking into account the fact that we are yet to recover from the Baga Massacre.

Angelina Jolie undergoes Double Mastectomy

Actress Angelina Jolie announced in a New York Times op-ed article on Tuesday that she underwent a preventive double mastectomy after learning she carries a mutation of the BRCA1 gene, which sharply increases her risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer.

"My doctors estimated that I had an 87 percent risk of breast cancer and a 50 percent risk of ovarian cancer, although the risk is different in the case of each woman," Jolie wrote. "Once I knew that this was my reality, I decided to be proactive and to minimize the risk as much I could. I made a decision to have a preventive double mastectomy."

Jolie's mother, actress and producer Marcheline Bertrand, died of ovarian cancer in 2007 at the age of 56.

Mastectomy is the surgical removal of a breast to remove a malignant tumour.

In the Times op-ed, titled "My Medical Choice," Jolie said she finished three months of medical procedures at the Pink Lotus Breast Center in California on April 27 that included the mastectomies and reconstruction.

Nollywood Actress Moyo Lawal Loses Mother

Filo: The mother of Nollywood actress, Moyo Lawal passed on yesterday May 12, 2013 – she was 62.

She will be buried at 2pm tomorrow, at a private ceremony, at Vaults and Gardens Cemetery, Ikoyi

May her soul rest in peace

NEW VIDEO: MI - Chairman

Iranian Azim Aghajani convicted over Nigeria arms

A Nigerian federal judge has found an Iranian and a Nigerian guilty of attempting to smuggle a shipment of military-grade weapons seized at the country's main port.

Justice Okechukwu J. Okeke ruled Monday that Azim Aghajani and his Nigerian accomplice,  Usman Abbas Jega, must serve a five-year prison sentence.

The two men were arrested after authorities in Lagos' Apapa Port found a container full of 107 mm mortars, rifle rounds and other weapons in 2010. Authorities initially speculated the weapons might have been bound for Nigeria, before officials said they were being sent illegally through the country to Gambia.

BBC

Selena Gomez Announces Mom's Pregnancy on Mother's Day

 Filo: Selena Gomez has confirmed her mother’s pregnancy by sharing a photo of her pregnant mom on Mother’s Day

“Hope all the amazing moms had a great day! I have the best momma in the world :)) I love you so much!” the 20-year-old tweeted that day, along with a picture of her holding her mom’s baby bump.

Selena’s mom, Mandy and her husband Brian Teefey married in 2006, although, Selena’s birth parents divorced when she was five years old.

In a related development, American singer, Monica Brown had earlier shared photos of her five months pregnancy on Twitter.

Kiyo: Is Mother’s Day a day to reveal baby bump? Anyway, Congratulations to the happy family!

Kate Upton Covers US Vogue June 2013 Issue

Filo: Kate Upton has gone from a Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue cover model to the front page of Vogue.

Upton tells Vogue that runway modelling is “not what I set out to do” and that she desires to front a major fashion campaign and maybe even launch her own lingerie line.

She also says she would like to continue acting. Upton has appeared in “The Three Stooges” and “Tower Heist.” She’s also got a part in an upcoming film called “The Other Woman” starring Cameron Diaz and Leslie Mann.

Kiyo: The June 2013 issue of US Vogue would be out on 21 May. Is she HOT or NOT?

ANOTHER PIC ON THE FLIP

JIM IYKE and EBBE BASSEY to Star in New Hollywood Movie, ‘And Then There Was You’

Jim Iyke

 Filo: Award winning US-based Ghanaian filmmaker Leila Djansi is directing a new Indie drama titled ‘And Then There was You.’ The movie is about a woman named Natalie (played by Garcelle Beauvais) who resorts to picking up the pieces of her life after her husband left her for the family he has outside. She later fell in love with Darrell (Brian White), but he has secrets of his own.

Kiyo and Filo Blog has gathered that Nollywood actor, Jim Iyke, will be playing the role of the Shey bar runner called Zuma while Ebbe Bassey who also starred in Leila's previous movie, "Ties That Bind" will be playing the role of Mrs. Timmens.

Ebbe Bassey is an actress, writer, and producer - she was born in the Bronx, New York but raised in Calabar, Nigeria.

Other casts include Kate Nauta, Garcelle Beauvais, Greg Vaughan, Brian White, Trilby Glover and Lainey Lipson - the executive producer is Matthew Blakely. Kiyo and Filo Blog also learnt that production of the movie started last week, and the possible release date is Sept 19, 2013.

Kiyo: Congrats to them

Ebbe Bassey

Justin Bieber serenades mom in Johannesburg

Justin and Mom, Patricia

Filo: Justin Bieber had a special Mother's Day surprise planned for his mom in Johannesburg when he brought her onstage to be his "One Less Lonely Girl".

The show was an unforgettable one for thousands of Beliebers at FNB Stadium, but the highlight of the show was when his mum Patricia aka Pattie was brought onto the stage and Bieber sang One Less Lonely Girl to her in celebration of Mother’s Day.

An estimated 95 000 fans – and their parents – descended on the FNB Stadium to see Bieber live in concert on his Believe world tour on Sunday.

Later the singer exchanged tweet with his mom

Kiyo: The singer is sure rising above controversies – it seems Selena and Pastor Judah Smith’s effort is paying off.

Tinubu’s youngest daughter graduates from Berklee College of Music in USA

The Tinubu's at the graduation ceremony

Filo: The youngest daughter of the National leader of Action Congress of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, achieved a feat on Saturday as she officially graduated from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, United States.

Abibat Tinubu’s graduation was marked with a great ceremony. The ceremony was attended by her parents, and her elder sister, Zainab.

Berklee College of Music was founded in 1945 by pianist composer and arranger Lawrence Berk, then, it was known as Schillinger House - the first U.S. school to teach the popular music of the time, jazz. The School graduated its first fully accredited baccalaureate degree class in 1966 and changed her name to Berklee College of Music in 1970.

Kiyo: Congrats to Abibat

17 injured in shooting at New Orleans Mother's Day Parade

New Orleans police are searching for three suspects Sunday after at least 17 people were shot during a Mother’s Day parade.

Police spokeswoman Remi Braden said in an email that many of the 17 victims were grazed and most of the wounds weren't life-threatening. No deaths were reported.

Chief Serpas announced in a press conference that the youngest victim is believed to be a 10-year-old girl.  Police say she suffered a graze wound, WVUE Fox 8 reported.

Officers were interspersed with the marchers, which is routine for such events. As many as 400 people joined in the procession that stretched for about 3 blocks, though only half that many were in the immediate vicinity of the shooting, Serpas said.

Serpas said that the procession had been accompanied by officers, who saw two or three suspects run from the scene in the city's 7th Ward.

Nobody has been arrested. It's unclear what sparked the gunfire.

A social club called The Original Big 7 organized Sunday's event. The group was founded in 1996 at the Saint Bernard housing projects, according to its MySpace page.

The neighborhood where the shooting happened was a mix of low-income and middle-class row houses, some boarded up. As of last year, the neighborhood's population was about 60 percent of its pre-Hurricane Katrina level.