Idris Elba Admits He Struggled With Mandela's Accent in Long Walk To Freedom

Idris Elba may be winning acclaim for his performance as Nelson Mandela in Long Walk to Freedom but the British actor has admitted he struggled with perfecting the accent of the late South African president.

The Luther star plays Mandela in Justin Chadwick's biopic, based on the leader's own memoirs. The film has taken on more poignancy with Mandela's death at the age of 95 last week, with many raving about Elba's portrayal.

The Brit has admitted in a new interview though that one of the most challenging aspects of the role was perfecting Mandela's distinctive voice:

Catholic Priest Arrested for Illegal Possession of Firearms in Imo

A Roman Catholic priest (name withheld) is currently being interrogated by men of the Nigerian police over unlawful possession of firearms.

The Imo State-based priest, who oversees one of the prominent Parishes in Dikenafai, Ideato South Local Government area, Imo State, was arrested for possessing three unlicensed guns, with which he threatened the lives of his parishioners.

It was gathered that the guns including one pump action rifle, one double-barrelled gun and a locally-made pistol were recovered by the operatives of the Special Armed Robbery Squad (SARS), Imo State Police Command, from his official residence.

14 PDP Governors Ask Bamanga Tukur To Go

It has emerged that the embattled national chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, may be on his way out as governors elected on the party’s platform last night asked the north-east caucus of the party to shop for an immediate replacement.

This was part of the resolutions reached at the meeting of the governors at the Akwa Ibom Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro and the position was to be presented to President Goodluck Jonathan as the governors headed straight for the presidential villa for another round of meeting on how to resolve the lingering crisis in the party. The meeting between the PDP governors and the president would set in motion machinery to elect a new national chairman from the North-east geo- political zone.

Fashion Right: Joseph Yobo and wife Adaeze Show Their Fashion Sense [PHOTOS]

Nigerian football star Joseph Yobo and his wife Adaeze Yobo are always on point as far as their fashion combination is concerned.

See more photos of the couple on the flip and tell us what you think.

New Music Video: Jesse Jagz Ft. Wizkid –– Bad Girl

Check out Exclusive Photos From Ghanaian Actor Omar Sheriff’s Wedding

Former Tinsel star, Omar Sheriff Captan tied the knot yesterday December 7 – Van Vicker was his best man, while Yvonne Nelson was also there to support the actor.

See more photos on the flip

Internet Scam: How Nigerian-born couple Helped To Steal £19 million in UK [PHOTO]

A young British couple were part of a global internet banking scam which could have netted a phenomenal £19million after hacking the accounts of nearly 2,500 people.

Aderoju Bammeke, 22, and his girlfriend Jessica Ogunyemi, 20, both of Manchester, were the UK 'platform' for a Nigerian 'phishing' scam that made £41,000 in just two months.

The plot, masterminded by a gang in the West African country, involved sending fake emails to customers of banks including Barclays and Halifax.

The emails told recipients that their accounts had been hacked and asked them to complete a form with their log-in details.

But when victims obliged, Bammeke stepped in and helped the gang log in to steal money.

Fashion marketing student Ogunyemi, his girlfriend at the time, helped him launder the proceeds by putting funds in accounts, hiding cash and allowing him to buy her a £2,400 Vauxhall Corsa.

Video vixen with “Ass of Life” on set of Lynxxx’s “Ifeoma” Video Shoot in SA [PHOTOS]

The video is being shot at a location in Johannesburg, South Africa and it is directed by Clarence Peters.

Let’s hope NBC won’t release their hammer on this one.

One more photo on the flip. 

“I am not sure our group is easy” – Keshi + “We'll compete with Nigeria for second place” – Bosnian midfielder

Contrary to the views of many people that Nigeria have been drawn in an easy group at the 2014 World Cup, Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi thinks otherwise.

The Super Eagles are in group F where they would come up against Argentina, Bosnia Herzegovina and Iran.

Keshi speaking after the draws were made in Brazil, hinged on the importance to win their first game of the tournament against Iran.

"We have to prepare for the first game to make sure we win," Keshi said.

But the Super Eagles gaffer refuted suggestions that Nigeria have been drawn in an easy group.

"I'm not sure it's an easy group. It all depends on how well you prepare and plan for the games" he added.

2014 Grammy Awards Nominees: Femi Kuti Nominated for ‘Best World Music Album’

The nominations for the 2014 Grammy Awards is out and LL Cool J has been announced as the host of the concert.

Afro beat maestro, Femi Kuti’s “No Place For My Dream” was nominated for ‘Best World Music Album’ – he is nominated alongside Ravi Shankar, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and Gipsy Kings.

The most nominations went to Jay Z with nine spot, followed by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Pharrell Williams, Kendrick Lamar, and Justin Timberlake with seven each. Drake picked up five.

The 2014 Grammy Awards will be held on Sunday, January 26 and will be aired live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

See the full list here

FIFA 2014 W/C Draw: Nigeria in Group F with Argentina, Bosnia and Iran

Check out the draw in full;

Group A: Brazil, Croatia, Mexico, Cameroon

Group B: Spain, Netherlands, Chile, Australia

Group C: Colombia, Greece, Cote d'Ivoire, Japan

Group D: Uruguay, Costa Rica, England, Italy

Group E: Switzerland, Ecuador, France, Honduras

Group F: Argentina, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iran, Nigeria

Group G: Germany, Portugal, Ghana, USA

Group H: Belgium, Algeria, Russia, Korea Republic

To all the Single Ladies: John Dumelo Says He’s Lonely & Looking for a “Mrs”

See what he wrote on his twitter page;

It gets lonely sometimes....
— john dumelo (@Johndumelo1) December 5, 2013

It gets lonely sometimes....the only thing missing is a mrs
— john dumelo (@Johndumelo1) December 5, 2013

Sometimes I go away turn of all phones and spend quality time with someone....someone special. But u don't know who's real and who's fake.
— john dumelo (@Johndumelo1) December 5, 2013

A Defining Moment: Lupita Nyong’o Graces the Cover of DuJour Magazine [PHOTOS]

Things are definitely kicking up for “12 Years a Slave” actress, Lupita Nyong’o – the Kenyan born star who recently featured on the cover of 'Rolling Out' Magazine and ‘Hollywood Reporter’ is now on the covers of Dujour Winter 2013 Issue.

In this edition of Dujour, Lupita talks about her dreams for the future and more; “I would love to have a career that’s governed by the material; I always want to be part of stories that I feel are worthwhile,” she said. “And they don’t all have to be as heavy as 12 Years a Slave. I do my best work when I feel conviction to say something through the character I play. Always I want to have integrity and not compromise that,” she added.

See more photos of the modest star.

Farmer Kills HUGE 15-foot snake in Ekiti (PHOTO)

A cattle farmer in Ekiti has killed a massive 15-foot snake that had been terrorizing residents in the area.

Bayo Ibrahim, 23, killed the big snake around the Ado-Afao-Ekiti environs of the state.

The snake was said to have been notorious for killing domestic animals in the area.

The Nation reports:

The size of the snake attracted spectators from as far as Odo-Ado, Oke-Ila, Basiri, Nova Road and GRA in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, to the sparsely-populated Afao road, turning it into a Mecca of sorts.

The spectators said: “We have never seen anything like this”; “Is this what we have been living with?” and “This is the wonder of the year in Ekiti”.

They pushed one another to catch a view of the snake, which some said was big enough to feed, at least 40 sturdy men.

“I am not a thief, I only take people’s rams” –– 27-year-old Apprentice

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 27-year-old man, Nuru Owosere, for allegedly stealing a ram in Mile 12 area of the state.

According to residents, the suspect was of the habit of stealing livestock at midnight only to sell them at ridiculous prices.

Punch Metro learnt that the suspect was arrested in the early hours of Thursday after stealing a ram belonging to a bricklayer at the Church Avenue area.

It was learnt that as the suspect was attempting to escape, residents saw him and chased him.

Owosere was said to have been rounded up by the mob and beaten up.

The suspect however said he was not a thief, adding that he only stole livestock.

He said he never saw anything wrong in what he did because he had stolen his own father’s livestock many times without being reprimanded.

See Boxing Legend Muhammad Ali’s Tribute to Nelson Mandela

Muhammad Ali paid tribute to Nelson Mandela as a symbol of forgiveness who inspired others to "reach for what appeared to be impossible," as the boxing great joined in mourning the death of the South African anti-apartheid leader Thursday.

The icons who shared a boxing background met twice — once in South Africa and once in North America, said a spokeswoman for the Ali Center in Louisville, Ali's hometown.

"What I will remember most about Mr. Mandela is that he was a man whose heart, soul and spirit could not be contained or restrained by racial and economic injustices, metal bars or the burden of hate and revenge," Ali said in his statement released by the Ali Center. "He taught us forgiveness on a grand scale."

#Throw Back Thursday: Check out Dr Sid with Chaka Demus and Pliers

Dr Sid shared the above pics among others on his Instagram page as his TBT. The ‘surulere’ singer was pictured with DJ Abass and Jamaican reggae duo, Chaka Demus and Pliers at Ben TV studios in 2003.

Check out the Full List of Nominees for 2013 Headies Awards

The list of nominees for the 8th annual Headies Awards was unveiled today – the theme for this year’s event is “It’s About To Begin” – and it will be holding on Boxing Day, December 26th, 2013.

See the lists below;

1. BEST RECORDING OF THE YEAR
1. I WISH – WAJE
2. GOOD MORNING – BRYMO
3. NATURAL SOMETHING – SOUND SULTAN
4. THIS YEAR – JAYWON

NYSC member kidnapped in Lagos, ₦10 million ransom demanded [PICS]

The Lagos State Police Command has commenced investigation into the kidnap of a 29-year-old National Youth Service Corps member, Ayobami Jaiyeola.

Relatives of the victim told newsmen that she was last seen while leaving her elder sister’s house at Dideolu Estate in the Oniru area of the state in the evening of Friday last week.

When our correspondent visited the victim’s home on Wednesday, family and friends thronged the place to commiserate with her mother.

A relative of the victim, who craved anonymity, said Ayobami left her two phones and handbag behind in the house at the time of her kidnap.

He said the matter was initially reported as a case of missing person.

Ice Prince Hosts ‘Fire Of Zamani’ Listening Session in Johannesburg [PHOTOS]

Recently, Nigerian rapper Ice Prince hosted a listening session for his sophomore album, Fire Of Zamani at the Hilton Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Ice Prince gave a detailed and personal experience of each track on the album while guests were treated to some great food and cocktails. The rapper personally autographed copies of the FOZ album for each guest that attended the event.

South African Rapper, Da Les was the host of the day.

See more photos on the flip.

Rukky Sanda Releases Trailer For Her Film “More Than Friends” [VIDEO]

Nollywood actress Rukky Sanda has released the first trailer for her new movie, “More Than Friends” starring John Dumelo, Rukky Sanda, Venita Akpofure and Daniel Lloyd.

Synopsis

More Than Friends is the story of Tyroon (John Dumelo), a handsome young man who solely believes that a man cannot be just friends with a woman he finds sexually attractive. Sharon (Rukky Sanda) is an intelligent working class woman who sees herself as a human affront to all women, totally disagrees and believes not all men are the same.

The film is billed for early January 2014 release.

See video below,

EU gives UNILAG, others 2.2m euros research grant

The University of Lagos will benefit from the European Union five-year funded research grant to the tune of 2.2 million euro.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Deputy Registrar Information, University of Lagos, Toyin Adebule, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Lagos.

The grant, which is for a tripartite joint research project among the Universities of Lagos, Sussex in the UK and the Kenyatta University in Nairobi, is being funded by the European Research Council of the EU.

The project, known as The Cultural Politics of Dirt in Africa, 1880-Present, will span five years.

The statement said: “It has received funding from the European Research Council, an arm of the EU.

Kola Boof Names 20 Hollywood Celebrities with the Biggest Manhood [VIDEO]

In this comical episode, bestselling novelist-poet, Kola Boof gets controversial as usual and reveals the Top 20 Celebs with the biggest manhood.

According to the novelist, the list was compiled by her and a group of 90s black women socialites called the Alpharetta Secret Sister Society – these socialites slept their way through Hollywood's elite.

Jim Iyke was mobbed by a Massive Crowd in Sierra Leone [PHOTOS]

If you think Jim Iyke’s popularity is limited to Nigeria and Ghana, then you are on a long thing!

The Nollywood actor and his reality show ‘Jim Iyke Unscripted’ crew were in Sierra Leone some days ago for recording. Guess what? As Jim Iyke showed up, fans came in their hundreds just to have a look at their favourite star.

See more photos on the flip.

Another Baby Factory Uncovered in Imo State: Police Rescues 16 Pregnant Teenage Girls [PHOTOS]

The Imo State police command said on Wednesday that it has uncovered another illegal orphanage popularly referred to as ‘baby factory’.

The home which is registered as a non-governmental organization known as Ezuma Women and Children’s Rights Protection Initiative was used by one Dr. James Ezuma as a cover for his heinous activities of encouraging teenage girls to get pregnant and after giving birth, paid ₦100,000 on the condition that they would abandon their babies.

Ezuma, a native of Ndiokeke Ndiakunwanta in Arondizogu in Ideato Local Government Area of Imo State, was arrested in his residence at Egbu Road, Owerri which also doubles as the address for his NGO and paraded alongside 16 pregnant teenage girls.