Folasayo Dele-Ogunrinde, Nigerian Artist, Dies of Stomach Cancer at 45

Folasayo Dele-Ogunrinde, award-winning Nigerian writer, visual artist, performance poet, public speaker, filmmaker and actor is dead. She passed away in her home in Houston, Texas on Saturday, May 18 around 1:30 a.m. after a courageous and protracted battle with stomach cancer. She was 45 years old.

She received treatment for stomach cancer from oncologists who are affiliated with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Her brother Mr. Ayodele Ogunrinde confirmed her death saying she was surrounded by her 74-year-old father who flew in from Nigeria and other relatives when she died.

Delta State Uncovers 600 Illegal Schools

Delta State government at the weekend uncovered 600 illegal private schools across the state, even as it sacked eight secondary school teachers for alleged extortion and other related acts of misdemeanour.

The state commissioner for Basic and secondary school education, Professor Patrick Muoboghare, who confirmed this to journalists in Asaba, disclosed that the illegal schools were uncovered by the education ministry in the course of its x-ray of existing schools in the state.He added that the x-ray of existing schools was carried out under the first phase of the ministry’s surveillance which aimed at establishing the exact operational and official status of the institutions.

He said that following the shocking revelation, the ministry  decided to take effective measures to notify the public of the schools, and stressed that on further findings, it was observed that the illegal schools were not registered by the ministry as stipulated by law and have been operating all forms of illegalities, especially during NECO/WAEC Examinations.

According to him, the ministry would soon mount its campaigns on the issue in the mass media, as part of its efforts to enlighten the public on the dangers inherent in dealing with such illegal schools, many of which he added, had become ransacked.

PHOTOS: Celebrities at the Billboard Music Awards 2013 Red Carpet

Filo: It was a night full of the top acts in music at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Sunday (May 19) in Las Vegas.

The big winner of the evening was Taylor Swift, who was awarded the Billboard Artist of the Year award, along with the Billboard 200 Album of the Year award, Female Artist of the Year, Top Digital Artist, and Top Billboard 200 Artist, as well as all the country awards!

Kiyo: Less talk, let’s see the red carpet photos

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20% of Handbags Carry More Bacteria Than A Toilet

Filo: We stumbled upon this article and we thought our readers, especially ladies might find it interesting. Here it is.

Astonishingly, a high percentage of women's handbags carry more bacteria than the average toilet, says British company Initial Washroom Hygiene.

The company reported that, on average, one in five handbags contains a significant amount of harmful bacteria that can pose a threat to human health.

Technical Manager at Initial Hygiene, Peter Barratt, said:

"Handbags come into regular contact with our hands and a variety of surfaces, so the risk of transferring different germs onto them is very high, especially as bags are rarely cleaned.

Once these germs get on the bags, they can easily be transferred via hands onto other surfaces. Regular hand sanitization is essential to prevent the presence of bacteria in the first place and thorough cleaning of bags is recommended to prevent the build-up of contamination."

Pastor Chris and T.B Joshua are leaders of occults - Bishop Isaac Owusu Bempah

Bishop Isaac Owusu Bempah, Founder and Leader of the Glorious Word Power Ministries International, has labeled two of Nigeria’s celebrated pastors as partners in winning souls for the devil.

In the godly words of the controversial Owusu Bempah, the founding President of Believers' LoveWorld Incorporated also known as "Christ Embassy", Dr Christian Oyakhilome (popularly known as "Pastor Chris") and General Overseer of The Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), Prophet Temitope Balogun (aka TB) Joshua, are not “true men of God” but leaders of occults, winning souls for the devil.

And this claim, according to Owusu-Bempah, is based on God’s revelation to him in a vision as well as his own analysis of the scripture, works and conduct of the two popular heads of two religious organisations in Africa.

Owusu-Bempah said he once heard Pastor Chris saying he saw nothing wrong with homosexuality and lesbianism and wondered which true man of God would lead his flock with such beliefs.

“No doubt he [Pastor Chris] is a friend and partner of TB Joshua”, Owusu-Bempa noted, claiming both men are dubious men of God who have a pact with the devil.

He was speaking with Okay FM’s Kwame Nkrumah Tikese last week.

For Owusu Bempah, Nigerians have allegedly realized the dubious character of the Nigerian 

Law to punish violence against women coming soon – Mark

Senate President David Mark has assured of a speedy passage of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Bill into law as part of measures to stop domestic violence or harmful practices against women in Nigeria.

The Bill sought to eliminate violence in private and public life, prohibit all forms of violence, discrimination and provide maximum protection and remedies for victims, as well as punishment for offenders.

Senator Mark said this while responding to a request from the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Zainab Maina, at weekend in Abuja.

Big fear as Jonathan plans to drop Labaran Makun, Stella Oduah, others from cabinet

Shocking revelation emerged during the weekend that President Goodluck Jonathan has resolved to lay off four Ministers from his cabinet in a move to reshuffle his cabinet.

The Ministers penned down are Elders Godsday Orubebe, Mr. Bala Muhammad, Stella Odua and Labaran Maku.

Reasons behind Jonathan’s decision might not be unconnected to his indicated interest in the 2015 election who had obtained the tacit approval of other governors that will be contesting the gubernatorial elections in their respective states.

A reliable insider squealed that the cabinet reshuffle, the first major one to be undertaken by President Jonathan since his inception of office after the 2011 election, is planned to mark the second anniversary of his administration and to as well allow those with higher political ambition to actualize their plans

Source: DailyPost

PHOTOS: Peter Okoye and Cameron; who got more swag?

Hmmm, this little guy is not just cute, he is ‘beautiful’; and dad is truly proud to be chilling with his boy.

I think Cameron got more swag, what do you think?

ONE MORE PIC

Photos from The Ghana Music Awards 2013 and full list of winners

Filo: For your weekend’s delight, we bring you some photos from the GMA 2013 and the full list of winners

Enjoy!!!

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Beyoncé ‘Reacts’ to Pregnancy Rumours on Instagram

Filo: According to reports, Beyoncé might have just shot the pregnancy rumour down with a bashing at the media for reporting the news. Reports claim Beyoncé posted the following note on her Instagram page and deleted it soon after.

Kiyo: Something about this choice of words seems to be a little out of Beyoncé character so we're not sure how accurate this is.

The note reads:

Wizkid Wins African Artist of The Year Award at Ghana Music Awards

Wizkid was adjudged the Best African Artiste at Ghana Music Awards 2013, beating D’banj, Psquare, Flavour, Davido and Iyanya .

Meanwhile, Ghana’s rap sensation, R2Bees lived up to expectation as they went home with a total of 6 awards on the night.

Congrats to all winners.

Customs Seize 35,194 Bags of Rice

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has vowed to use all resources within its disposal to check the increasing rate of rice smuggling into the country.

It disclosed that a total of 35,194 bags of rice had been seized by the customs in the last two months.

Customs spokesman, Wale Adeniyi told THISDAY in an interview that the issue of rice had become critical in analysing food security in the country and warned that the service could not afford to ignore the menace of illegal importation of rice.

He said though it acknowledged that “we have a big problem but we are confronting it and we are getting results and we will continue to fine-tune our strategies as the situation demands.”

He said part of its long-term strategies in combating smuggling, particularly rice, is to acquire patrol boats to ensure that its operations are not restricted to the creeks but also take the fight to smugglers right in the sea.

Achebe’s body arrives today

The remains of celebrated writer, Chinua Achebe is expected to be flown into the country, today to kick-start a week-long burial rites. Achebe died on March 21, 2013 at 82.

Achebe’s body is expected to arrive the Ecumenical Christian Centre in Abuja today where prayers would be held for the repose of his soul.

Thereafter, the Association of Nigeria Authors (ANA) would at the same venue tomorrow appreciate Achebe’s life and times in a special session.

A reception will be held in his honour, though without the presence of his physical body, at the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN). On Wednesday, May 22, the body will arrive Awka and will lie-in-state at the Ekwueme Park in the Anambra State capital.

Meanwhile, the people of Ogidi, hometown of the literary icon, weekend said they were prepared to work with other committees set up for a befiting buril of their illustrous son. Achebe, a former president general of Ogido Town Union, belonged to the highest titled group in Ogidi known as Ndichie Une.

NEW VIDEO: Jennifer Lopez ft. Pitbull - Live It Up

Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull return with the video for their bottle-popping track "Live It Up." The duo performed the club banger earlier in the week on the American Idol season finale.

The video is directed by Jessy Terrero.

PHOTOS: MTV Base Africa All Stars Concert in Durban, South Africa

Filo: Earlier today, we promised to serve you photos from the MTV Base Africa All Stars Concert holding at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, in Durban, South Africa.

Here you go; see performances by 2face, Big Nuz, Snoop Lion, Professor Kalawa, Zahara, Camp Mulla, Fally Ipupa , and Flavour.

Enjoy!!!

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PHOTOS: Fashion Galore at the Cannes Film Festival 2013

Filo: The Cannes Film Festival 2013 kicked off on Wednesday with an exhilarating opening ceremony, which was followed by the premiere of The Great Gatsby, with stars such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan and Nicole Kidman hitting the red carpet.

The festival runs until May 26, 2013

We bring you some exclusive red carpet photos.

Enjoy!

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Thieves steal $1million worth of jewellery at Cannes Film Festival

More than $1m (£650,000; 777,000 euros) worth of jewels have been stolen from a hotel in Cannes, French police say.

The jewels were initially thought to have been loaned to stars at the annual film festival on the French Riviera.

They were taken from the hotel room of an employee of exclusive Swiss jewellers Chopard in the early hours of Friday morning.

Police say the thieves ripped the safe containing the jewels from a wall of the room at the Novotel hotel.

But a company spokeswoman, Raffaella Rossiello, insisted the value of the pieces had been exaggerated and "the jewellery stolen is not part of the collection... worn by actresses during the Cannes Film Festival".

And festival officials said the event's top award, the Palme d'Or, was not among the stolen items.

The trophy is also made by Chopard, an official sponsor of the festival.

Celebrities choosing the Swiss firm's gems for their red carpet appearances at this year's festival include Julianne Moore, Lana Del Rey and Cindy Crawford.

The theft happened a few hours after the festival was shown The Bling Ring, a new film by director Sofia Coppola.

The film is about teenagers who find out when celebrities are attending red carpet events in order to break into their homes and steal their designer clothes, bags and shoes.

Source: bbc

NEW VIDEO: Kanye West Projects "New Slaves" on Buildings around the World

Filo: Kanye West brings creativity to music by premiering his new video in a special way - he unveiled a new song, “New slaves” and video via projections on buildings across the world.

Instead of opting for YouTube or other channel for his big reveal, the enigmatic rapper/producer projected the visuals for his latest track on the sides of buildings in 66 locations around the globe.

The track will be on the follow-up to 2010's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.

Kiyo: That was innovative. 

Mario Balotelli finally joins Twitter, gets about 400,000 followers in 2 days

Filo: AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli has decided to join Twitter at last - gathering close to 400,000 followers in less than 72 hours.

After years of "parody" accounts mocking the former Manchester City star's eccentric lifestyle and personality, the Italy international has officially created an account on the social networking site under the username '@finallymario'.

"How do I use this?" the striker asked, before tweeting: "don't belive [sic] anything u read unless is coming from me guys ok?"

D'Banj in Durban for MTV Africa All Stars Concert

Filo: Few hours from now, the Koko master, Dbanj would be on stage at the MTV Africa All Stars Concert in Durban, South Africa. Other artists slated for tonight’s show are Snoop Lion, Fally Ipupa & Flavour.

Watch out for photos!

VIDEO: Waje on Ndani TV’s The Juice

Filo: Watch Waje as she speaks to Toolz on her deals, music career, relationship, friends and future plans.

Enjoy!

Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez are back together

Filo: Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez are officially a pair once again - at least in their seats at the Billboard Music Awards this weekend.

Photos of the seating arrangements have surfaced on the Internet -- and you can plainly see, Justin and Selena will be seated next to each other at the award show on Sunday.

And for anyone thinking it's an accident -- celebs can easily request to sit apart from people if they really want to ... so it's obvious, neither Justin nor Selena had a problem being so close to one another.

Kiyo: They make a good pair; what do you think?

Beyoncé is pregnant with her second child

Filo: Last week, Beyoncé  revealed her desire to have more kids with husband Jay-Z and earlier this week the singer took a "sick day" from The Mrs Carter Show World Tour – these events fuelled speculations that she and Jay-Z are expecting a second child.

Well, it seems the rumours were all true; today, multiple sources have confirmed to E! News the singer is having her second child.

Goodluck to her

I Collected N4.2million from Two Women for ‘Miracle Babies’ – Midwife

The search for the fruit of the womb has driven many women to take extreme steps.

When women are unable to conceive and bear children, the huge psychological toll makes them fall prey to fraudulent people and patrons of ‘baby factories’.

Desope Cecilia, 61, and Joy Ibe, 43, were among victims of a midwife, Oby George, who promised them ‘miracle’ twins and triplets respectively.

While the midwife was being paraded before journalists at the Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja, on Friday, the victims told their stories, with faces covered for security reasons.

Cecilia said she had not been able to give her 78-year-old husband a child since they got married.

She stated, “A lady who knew I had tried to conceive without success for a long time, told me about the midwife (George). The lady gave me the phone number of the woman and I learnt her clinic is in Port Harcourt.

“When I got there in March 2012, she explained to me that she would be able to treat me with herbs and I would get pregnant. I was told to pay N1.5m, which I paid to her.

Principal impregnates student in Kogi

The Principal of Baptist High School, Ekinrin/Adde, in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State Mr. Ajayi Ajibulu has been accused of impregnating one of his students and trying to abort the pregnancy.

Sources from the town revealed that the girl (name withheld) was a regular caller at the Principal’s house who was a friend to her father, a retired Army officer and usually helps to deliver message from their sister who lived in Lokoja.

Saturday Vanguard gathered that the secret was exposed when a friend of the girl saw a letter written by the principal given to the girl to deliver to a doctor who will help them to abort the pregnancy.

The girl was said to have been scared of undergoing the abortion which was the third time, and therefore, refused to deliver the letter to the doctor on time before the friend saw the letter.

The friend was said to have quickly hinted the girl’s father who raised alarm that caught the attention of the town. Irate youths of the town later ambushed the principal and led him to the palace of the king.

The King, Oba Solomon Hambolu was said to have persuaded the community not to take law into their hands but allow the palace to take action on him.