I did not slap my deputy, says Aregbesola

Governor Rauf Aregbesola has debunked rumour that he slapped his deputy, Mrs. Grace Tomori, and said it was aimed at causing disaffection capable of destabilising Osun State.

Aregbesola, who noted that cordial relationship exists between him and Tomori, said: “I have never beaten anybody in my life. In fact, I don’t beat my children, let alone beating any other person. More so, the deputy governor is older than me, so how do I beat an elderly person.”

The governor, who spoke during a seven-hour live television programme tagged “Ogbeni till day break” maintained that “I don’t have any quarrel with my deputy, and I can’t have any with her because I intentionally chose her and no one choose her for me. I think I can work with her and that is why I chose her. So, no differences exist between us.”

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PHOTOS: BANKY W spotted again with Chris Attoh's ex-girlfriend, Andrea Manuela

Few weeks ago, the internet was inundated with news that Yes/No Singer, Banky W might be in hot romance with Chris Attoh's ex-girlfriend, Andrea Manuela Giaccaglia.

Then the singer kept mum about it – this time the EME Records sensation was spotted again at Manuela's birthday party, apparently enjoying himself.

And if you think that was all, check out Banky’s birthday message to Manuela and her response.

“Yall please help me retweet this very big happy birthday shoutout to andreamg_01... an amazing person... someone I'm priviledged to know”

And Manuela responded

“Thank u luv💋“@BankyW

it's a privilege as well... U equally amazing!! *cough* 😁😝... Lol... Just kidding u kno u are!! 😳”

Hmm! there is nothing hidden under the sun and in Banky’s words - at the end of the day, it can only be a ‘YES or NO’

Yvonne Nelson speaks at last on her relationship with Iyanya

Ghanaian actress, Yvonne Nelson recently had a lengthy but exciting interview with Bella Naija where she opened up about her relationship with Iyanya and how much he hurt her.

Excerpts:

BN: How long did the two of you date and how would you describe the relationship?

YN: We dated for 7 to 8 months. We had something and I thought it was special, like he was a wonderful guy but it was all lies. He had other girls and other things he was doing. Aside the actress that was in the picture, there were a lot more. That is how bad it is. We were in a relationship and he lied throughout and he was able to do all those things because I wasn’t living in Nigeria. But aside from the distance, I feel if you’re a genuine person and you’re loyal, you would still not do that.

BN: Is this actress you’re talking about actually Tonto Dikeh?

YN: I feel it’s disrespectful to start mentioning other people’s names. I am talking about Iyanya because we had a thing, I don’t want to bring in a third person. There were a lot of names that

Africa's Youngest Billionaire to Invest in Cross River

Given the conducive business environment put in place by the Cross River State Government, Africa's youngest billionaire, Ashish J. Thakkar has made known his intention to invest in Calabar.

Thakkar, who is president, Mara Group stated this while delivering a key note address at the 2013 edition of the Africa CEO Roundtable and Conference on Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility (AR-CSR) at Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort, Calabar.

According to the Ugandan, the decision to establish his presence in Calabar was based on what he has seen and heard of Cross River, which remains a veritable place to invest.

He explained that his investment in the state will be part of his effort to encourage young entrepreneurs to improve their capacity.

UNIBEN sacks two Professors, Bursar

The Governing Council of University of Benin (UNIBEN) has terminated the appointment of 18 senior staff of the university.The former bursar of the institution, Mrs May Nwoye, was also asked to proceed on compulsory retirement by the Council. Nwoye was said to haveabandoned his duty post after she left the office of bursar.

Meanwhile, the university has been ranked as the most sought after institution in the country with a total number of 102,900 applicants in 2013, while universities of Ilorin, Lagos, Nnamdi Azikiwe and University of Nigeria Nsukka came second, third, fourth and fifth respectively.

Those were contained in a statement by the UNIBEN Registrar, Mrs G.O.Ogboghodo.

Amanda Bynes removes breast implants, says they were uncomfortable

Less than two months that the controversial star revealed her breast implants via pictures on Twitter, reports are that she has removed the fake boobs.

RadarOnline recently reported that Bynes sent them an email stating that she had them removed. ”I got my breast implants removed,” Bynes told RadarOnline in an e-mail. “They were uncomfortable… I prefer them out.”

Don’t start if you know you can’t finish – waiting for her latest photos.

Fatai Rolling Dollar wanted to make a confession before he died – Widow

Zainab Olagunju, one of the wives of late highlife musician, Fatai Rolling Dollars, says the veteran musician asked for her forgiveness moments before he took his last breath. She told Punch that the music legend did so because he knew he had offended her.

The widow bore two children for him – Jamiu and Mojeed – before his death. They got married in 1999 and lived together in Mushin before they eventually moved to Agege, both in Lagos State.

“On the day that he died, June 12, I got to the hospital and saw them passing a drip into his body. The last thing he told me was that he had offended me and my conscience. When I asked what he meant by that, his voice faded out completely,” she said.

The widow stated that she was sure he wanted to ask her to forgive him for marrying another wife after her. She said that although she had suspected he was unfaithful, he denied it anytime she confronted him.

Zainab said, “I feel he wanted to confess to me that he had married another wife because he never told me about it before his death. I used to ask him about it, but he always denied it. I feel he wanted to tell me about Sherifatu Olagunju, his last wife.

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Why I hate Nollywood – Tayo Elesin, British-Nigerian actress

Tayo Elesin is a British-Nigerian actress. She also prefers to be referred to as a “storyteller.” Famous for her roles in some BBC TV productions including Casualty, Law and Order, Doctor, among others, Tayo has also acted in the critically acclaimed play by late Ola Rotimi ‘Our Husband Has Gone Mad Again’ produced last year by Lookman Sanusi. While in the country recently, she paid a courtesy visit to the Vanguard corporate office, where she spoke passionately about playing the role of younger Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala whenever a biographical film is done about her. She also disclosed why she hates the name ‘Nollywood’; and how to reposition the Nigerian film industry, among other issues. Enjoy!

Tell us how you came about the coinage, Brigerian?

It’s simple, I’m British and I’m Nigerian. I merged the two words and came up with “Brigerian.” I identify with the two countries.

Do you have any intention to work with Nollywood stars?

I don’t like the word, Nollywood. I really don’t like it.

DO YOU KNOW? Today's Feature is OMONI OBOLI

1. Omoni Sophie Oboli, the second of two girls was born on the 22nd of April 1978 in Benin City, the then Capital of Bendel State, Nigeria; though she hails from Mosogar, a town in Delta State.

2. Her primary education was at the Delta Steel Company Primary School 3, Ovwian-Aladja. Then she moved on to attend the Delta Steel Company Technical High School (DSC THS) between 1989 and 1994 for her secondary education. Interestingly, she held the positions of Head Girl (’94 set DSC THS), President Literary & Debating Society, Editor, Press Club & President, French Club all in her secondary school.

3. Between 1995 and 1999, Omoni studied Foreign Languages (majoring in French) at the University of Benin, Nigeria.

4. Omoni, who started acting at a very tender age, got her first professional movie role in 1996 in a movie titled ‘Bitter Encounter’, where she played the role of a secretary. After that she featured in Shame, before finally playing the lead role in ‘Not my will’.

5. On October 28, 2000, Omoni got married to Nnamdi Oboli whom she actually met on a movie set some years back; this was immediately after graduating from University of Benin (UNIBEN). Their union is blessed with three lovely boys – Tobe, Gozi and Chizi

WONDER TWINS: Nigerian Family Considered Best, Brightest in Britain

To say the least, the Imafidon family has been blessed with some very smart genes.

The latest bit of evidence came earlier this month when twins Paula and Peter Imafidon aced rigorous exams of the highly competitive British school system and were admitted to high school. Both are only 9 and the youngest ever admitted to high school in Great Britain.

Dubbed the “Wonder Twins,” they broke records when they passed advanced-level mathematics papers at the age of 7. A year later they took and passed the University of Cambridge’s Advanced Mathematics (FAM) paper, becoming the youngest students ever to pass the examinations.

Peter has ambitions to one day become prime minister, while his sister wants to be a math teacher.

The Imafidon twins are only a part of the highest-achieving family in the history of Great Britain. To Peter and Paula’s parents, who immigrated to London from Nigeria 30 years ago, this is nothing new.

PHOTOS: Singer/Actress Jennifer Lopez gets Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Hollywood actress and singer Jennifer Lopez holds back tears and thanks her friends, family and fans as she receives the 2,500th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

"A star on Hollywood boulevard, I said I wasn't going to cry," said the singer and actress. "I really am overwhelmed – it all feels kind of, I don't know, surreal."

She was joined on the podium by Jane Fonda, with whom she co-starred in the film "Monster-in-Law" in 2005.

"I am really grateful for her friendship and her generosity which is huge," said the actress and fitness guru. "For showing the world the beauty of booty and making it easier for a whole lot of girls to love theirs, including me!"

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Britain’s Got Talent star Alesha Dixon expecting her first child with Nigeran boyfriend Azuka Ononye

A statement from the pop star’s representative read: "Alesha Dixon and her partner Azuka Ononye are delighted to announce that they are expecting their first child later this year.

"Alesha and Azuka are looking forward to this happy chapter in their lives and would request privacy to enjoy this happy and most important event."

Alesha first met Azuka in 2006 when he was hired as a backing dancer following the split of her band Mis-Teeq.

After forming a friendship, they once again worked together when she was promoting her last album The Entertainer in 2010.

In September 2011, they enjoyed a getaway to five-star yoga retreat Shanti-Som on the Costa del Sol and began to spend more time together in early 2012.

NEW VIDEO: ICEPRINCE – VIP

Why I don’t wear my wedding ring— Desmond Elliot

Nollywood hunky actor, Desmond Elliot, has evolved in no small way in his 14-year-old career. From a ‘fine’, talented actor, Desmond went on to directing, which he reveals he finds fulfilling while acting is rewarding for him. One of the ambassadors of a leading telecommunication group, Globacom, the father of four has carved a niche for himself which makes him one of the most sought-after by movie producers. In this interview with MERCY MICHAEL, the actor speaks on his staying power, marriage and fatherhood.

In spite of your relevance and steady rise in the industry, you are among the few stars whose marriages are intact. What do you do differently?

If you love your home, that is where your heart will be. I’m yet to see anybody who really loves his home and will want it to break. Do we have difficulties? Of course! There is no home without its challenges, oh yes! There are times the woman is tired. There are times the man is tired too, but most importantly it’s understanding yourselves. One thing I have noticed in a marriage or home is you must understand that a man is totally different from a woman.

The way a man thinks is totally different from the way a woman thinks. What a man considers his priority is almost 80 percent different from what a woman sees as her priority. And the most difficult thing in this world is a man understanding a woman. But if you understand a woman, the

Traders ‘arrest’ 6 suspected Boko Haram members in Borno

Traders at Gamboru market in Maiduguri, Borno State, Wednesday, rounded up six suspected Boko Haram gunmen and handed them over to soldiers of the Joint Task Force, JTF, eyewitnesses said.

This is even as suspected sect members, yesterday evening, detonated an Improvised Explosive Devise, EID, in the metropolis, targeting the patrol vehicle of the JTF, in spite of the emergency rule imposed on Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, and the total ban on the use of GSM and Thuraya Satellite cell phones in the troubled states.

The gunmen, according to eyewitnesses, entered the market and were spotted by a trader that saw weapons hidden under their garments.

I am not corrupt, says Ezekwesili

Nigeria’s former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has dismissed insinuations that all Nigerians, especially those who have held or hold public offices, are corrupt. Using herself as an example, the former Vice President of World Bank’s Africa Division, who was a co-founder of the Berlin-based Transparency International, declared that she was not corrupt.

Ezekwesili said this Thursday in Abuja at the launch of Anti-Corruption Internet Database (ACID), a new initiative in the fight against corruption brought about by West Africa NGO Network (WANGONeT) and funded by Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA).

“I was in government. I was not corrupt. I can go anywhere with this statement”, she declared while also refuting that corruption was embedded in the African culture.

EFCC arrests 10 in Oyo N1.59b pension fraud

Officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arrested 10 persons accused of stealing N1.59 billion from the Oyo State Pensions Board.

The accused persons are Alhaji Hakeem Muili, Alhaja Iyabo Giwa, Adeduntan Johnson, Oguntayo Banji, Adesina Jimoh, Johnson Bosede, Adebiyi Olasumbo, Kareem Rasheed, Muili Adedamola and Salewa Adedeji.

They were arrested as they came out of the Magistrate’s Court, Iyaganku in Ibadan, the state capital and taken away in the commission’s bus to Lagos.

Alhaja Giwa, however, escaped arrest, even though she was on the court premises.

Kim Kardashian & Kanye West’s Baby’s Name Revealed, North West

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West have named their baby daughter North West.

Sources close to the couple confirmed the decision, which comes five days after Kim welcomed her first child at a hospital in Los Angeles.

The revelation ends the intense speculation over the child's name, with other rumoured options said to include Kaidence Donda, in honour of Kanye's late mother.

And a source told UsWeekly that the couple have already given their daughter a nickname - she will be 'Nori for short'.

They added that the child has no middle name.

TMZ witnessed a signed birth certificate with the name North West signed by Kim, 32, and Kanye, 36, at Cedars-Sinai hospital.

The name North had previously been suggested as a possibility for the child, although many Kardashian fans had dismissed the idea as a joke.

OAU explains controversy over undergraduate’s baby

In the past week, the news of the lady who gave birth in the toilet at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife has been making waves. Authorities have now come out to explain the situation saying that the girl was not trying to flush her baby down the toilet. Rather, the girl did not know she was giving birth and accidentally had the baby while using the toilet.

She raised the alarm as soon as it happened and called out to her friend who in turn summoned the cleaner who helped them. Mother and child are doing well.

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NEW VIDEO: Psquare – Personally

If Michael Jackson was alive, am sure he would have been very proud of Africa’s biggest duo, P-Square.

Check out the video for Personally.

Terry G inspires my music – Samklef

Popular producer and singer, Samklef, went down memory lane recently as he recalled how he sang in the same church and produced with Terry G. Since then, he has been inspired mostly by the singer. It might interest you to know that  the showbiz boy, Samklef, who has churned out hits after hits with Terry G, would be doing his first  collaboration with Terry G in his video titled, “Display” which will soon hit the market.

The video which was shot by Samklef, brings out a side of him which fans are not used to as everyone in the video catch the ‘display’ frenzy and dance it all off. Meanwhile, the singer is also doing finishing touches on his single which will soon be out where he featured a female singer whom he would not want to say her name for the mean time.

PHOTOS: Pastor Kumuyi’s Son John Kumuyi Marries His Heartthrob

John Kumuyi, the second son of Pastor William Kumuyi, took his heartthrob to the altar. The joyful ceremony was held on Saturday, 15 June at the Deeper Life Bible Church, after the traditional wedding.

John Kumuyi married Miss Love Odih, who is said to be the daughter of the National Overseer of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry in Jamaica and former State Overseer of the church in Cross River State, Nigeria.

Pastor Kumuyi, who wore an ash suit, attended the engagement and church wedding with his wife Esther, who wore traditional attire. The bridegroom wore a grey suit, while the bride was decked in flowing white gown with a veil to match.

John sauntered out of the church with his now-wife after the cleric had taken them through marital vows. A huge cake was cut during the wedding by the new couple.

Earlier during the traditional wedding, the bride wore native while the groom was simply decked in English wear.

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PHOTOS: Stampede Over David Beckham Injures Seven in Shanghai

Fans eager to see soccer superstar David Beckham stormed a police post Thursday in a stampede at a Shanghai university that injured seven people including five security personnel.

Three police officers, two university security guards and two students — including a Japanese student — were injured, Shanghai police said on its official microblog.

Nearly 1,000 fans had gathered at a stadium in Shanghai Tongji University, where the retired star was to meet members of the university team, according to the state-run news site Xinmin Net.

Upon Beckham's arrival, fans stormed through a gate and broke through a line formed by police and guards, Xinmin said.

Beckham is in China this week on a seven-day promotional tour for the Chinese Super League, China's top league. He has been hired as an "image ambassador" to promote the sport.

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Ladies Protest Discrimination against Pregnant Employees

Young women wore fake pregnant belly prosthetics and staged a protest in front of the office of a well-known group purchasing website in Beijing on June 18, 2013, to support the rights of a pregnant employee who was recently fired by the company.

The women distributed letters in front of the offices of Meituan.com, appealing to pregnant employees to stand up for their own rights in response to the firing of Meituan employee Bao Yating.

Bao began working at Meituan.com in May 2011. In March this year, she became pregnant and informed her boss. When she was asked to work overtime, she applied to the company for permission not to work overtime in consideration of her pregnancy, but the company refused. She went to the media in the hopes of drawing the company’s attention to her problem. Instead, the company fired her without compensation.