Jonathan appoints Nollywood actor, Kanayo O Kanayo, Bongos Ikwue, and others as Chairmen of Govt Agencies

Amid calls for reduction of cost of governance, President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the appointments of chairmen and members of the governing boards of 42 federal government agencies and parastatals.

The appointments were announced in a statement signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim.

Anyim said the membership of each of the governing board would include all the statutory ex-officio members in accordance with the enabling laws of the parastatals and agencies.

“The dates for the formal inauguration of the governing boards will be announced in due course by the supervising authorities and ministers,” he added.

Nollywood actor, Kanayo O. Kanayo, and music legend, Chief Bongos Ikwue were among the appointees.

Meanwhile, The Nigerian Film Corporation, Jos, has Chief Bongos Ikwue as chairman, while The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Studies has Kanayo O. Kanayo as chairman.

UI, OAU to Award Degrees in Trado Medicine Practice

Pmnews: The Federal Government has certified some federal universities to award degree certificates in traditional medicine practice.

The National President, National Association of Nigerian Traditional Medicine Practitioners, NANTMP, His Royal Highness, Omon Oleabhiele, made this disclosure in Benin City, capital of Edo State, at a retreat organized by NANTMP, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, NAFDAC and other national and global health organizations.

According to him, the University of Ibadan, UI, and Obafemi Awolowo, OAU, Ile Ife, have already been approved by the Federal Government to award such degrees, adding that “the body that is to draw the curriculum for the syllabus has already been inaugurated in Abuja by the Federal Ministry of Health.”

8 Members of PDP Abia Chapter, Die In Auto Crash

Eight members of Peoples Democratic Party, Abia state chapter have been confirmed dead and six critically injured as a result of ghastly auto crash along Anambra-Enugu highway.

The men were returning from the Anambra state ward congress, where they worked as auxiliary staff in preparation for the governorship election holding on 18th November this year.

The surviving six members who were reported to be critically injured were rushed to the federal medical centre, Umuahia, thanks to the state government who sent in ambulances since the industrial action embarked upon by health workers affected the operations of UNTH Enugu.

On learning about the news the state secretariat of the party suddenly transformed, looking like a desert while the flags were lowered to fly at half-mast.

The state governor Theodore Orji has however paid the survivors a visit at the federal medical centre

Globacom Signs English Premier League Sponsorship Deal

Nigeria’s telecom giant, Globacom has made another milestone achievement by securing the sponsorship of the broadcast of 2013/2014 English Premier League live matches on frontline pay TV and DSTV.

The sponsorship, which started at the weekend, is for three football seasons, (2013-2016) and the package includes EPL live matches, EPL match reviews, EPL preview, Premier League World and studio branding. The matches will run from August to May every season.

Speaking on the new development, the GCOO of Globacom, Mohamed Jameel restated the company’s commitment towards the development of football, not only in Nigeria, but also across Africa. 

He reassured football lovers that “the sponsorship is designed to sustain the value the network gives to millions of its subscribers. We want football lovers to enjoy the best of English league as the premier league kicks-off formally this weekend.”

Don Jazzy and D'Prince Join Tiwa Savage as MTN Ambassadors

New Music Video: Sarkodie – Illuminati

The visuals for Ghanaian Rapper, Sarkodie’s controversial song, ‘Illuminati’ is out. The video was shot on location in Dubai by Phamous Philms and directed by Gyi Gyimah.

Wiz Khalifa & Amber Rose’s Wedding Photos Surfaced [PHOTOS]

Weeks after announcing they were married, photos from former video vixen Amber Rose and boyfriend Wiz Khalifa's official weekend wedding have sprouted online.

According to reports, the couple officially tied the knot in Khalifa’s Pittsburgh home town on Sunday, Aug 18^th.

The couple got wedded in front of family and friends that included Wiz's manager Will, Chevy Woods, Juicy J, recent Taylor Gang signee Ty Dollar $ign, producer Sledgren and others.

Check out the photos:

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You did not comfort me after Angelo was evicted” –– Beverly blast Elikem

The Big Brother African reality show is getting more interesting by the day – thanks to the ever controversial Beverly.

This time, she disses Ghana’s representative, Elikem for not comforting her after Angelo was evicted. “I really didn’t take kindly to the fact that you didn’t even have the decency to come to me to try and comfort me after Angelo was evicted,” she said.

Last week, Elikem was Head of House and saved himself from the eviction gallows and put Angelo up in his place instead. Could Beverly still be harbouring anger or resentment towards Elikem after the Swap? Beverly says no.

The Joint Task Force, Operation Restore Order, in Maiduguri, Borno State said intelligence report available to it “revealed that Abubakur Shekau, the most dreaded and wanted Boko Haram Terrorists leader may have died”.

The JTF in a statement by its spokesperson, Sagir Musa, on Monday said Mr. Shekau “died of gunshot wound received in an encounter with the JTF troops in one of their camps at Sambisa Forest on 30 June 2013.”

According to the statement, “Shekau was mortally wounded in the encounter and was sneaked into Amitchide – a border community in Cameroun for treatment which he never recovered.”

“It is greatly believed that Shekau might have died between 25 July to 3 August, 2013. He was reported to have masterminded the kidnap of the seven French citizens and that of the elder statesman Alhaji (Dr) Shettima Ali Monguno in addition to many murders of Islamic clerics in Northern Nigeria.

Gov Suntai May Return To Nigeria This Week

Barring any last minute change, Taraba state governor Danbaba Fulani Paraba, who was involved in an air crash in October, would be returning to Nigeria.

Suntai, who had already spent almost 10 months both in Germany and the United States for medical attentions, was last week certified fit by his medical team in New York to undergo a long flight back to Nigeria this week.

The governor reportedly told the doctors two weeks ago when he went for one of his compulsory therapies that he was fit to return to Nigeria immediately but he was told by the health officials assigned to him to wait till the end of last week for further monitoring after which a final report on his capability to undergo a long flight would be provided.

New Music Video: Chris Brown Feat. Nicki Minaj –– Love More

Hours after getting slapped with 1,000 more hours of community labor, embattled pop star Chris Brown has leaked his new video for "Love More," featuring a rap sensation, Nicki Minaj and a cameo via "Reno 911" comedian Nick Swardsen.

Check the video out:

PHOTO: Angry Fans Cover Mario Balotelli’s Ferrari with toilet paper

The AC Milan striker is thought to have been out for dinner in Lugano – a small city on the Italian-Swiss border on Thursday night when the vandals struck.

Reports claimed fans wrapped up Balotelli’s car in toilet paper after the Italian international rejected their approaches for an autograph.

Balotelli, who was angered to have seen his Ferrari defaced, was helpless because the guilty parties were already long gone before he came out of the restaurant.

Lesson learnt – next time don’t snub your fans, else...

Nollywood actress, Ini Edo Picked as Judge for Miss Black Africa UK

Nollywood top actress, Ini Edo–Ehiagwina, has been picked as a judge of this year’s Miss Black Africa UK - UK’s largest ethnic pageant. The prestigious pageant which is owned and organised by Mr Dele Onabowu, is also the current holder of the Best Beauty Pageant in the UK Award received at the BEFFTA Awards. Other judges are designer Adebayo Jones, Charles Ven , Sporah Njau (Tanzania) Jenni Steele (Jamailca) and Justina Mutale (Zambia) The event is slated for October, this year will see 30 girls from different African countries vie for the 2013 crown. The Grand Finale takes place on the 5th of October 2013 at the Royal Regency Hall, London. 

PHOTOS: Yvonne Nelson on set with Akon, Djimon Hounsou and Viva Bianca for new film “Road to Redemption”

Yvonne Nelson is pictured with Senegalese singer, Akon on the set of a new Jeta Amata movie, titled Road to Redemption (aka The Curse). The upcoming movie also stared Djimon Hounsou of Gladiator and Viva Bianca of Spartacus.

The film is currently being shot on the Rene Veluzat Motion Picture Ranch in California.

Check out some photos:

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BBA Update: Angelo and Bimp Evicted; Melvin and Beverly Make the Top Five

After yesterday’s double eviction of South African rep, Angelo and Ethiopia’s Bimp, the Chasemates has been cut down to five.

The top five finalists in this year’s Big Brother Africa reality show are Beverly, Melvin, Cleo, Dillish and Elikem.

Meanwhile, it was a sad evening for Nigeria’s rep, Beverly since the men that she was closest to in the House, Angelo and Bimp, were snatched away from her in the blink of an eye. As soon as the Live Eviction show wrapped up last night Beverly headed up stairs into the bedroom and cried under the covers.

Come Sunday Aug 25^th, one of the top five would walk away with USD 300.000. Also, there won’t be any nominations this week, no Wagering with Biggie, no Power of No and HOH Tasks, however, Housemates will be given a few tasks to keep the boredom at bay. 

I don’t want to discuss my nude picture – Mocheddah

In a recent interview with Punch, Rapper, Mocheddah spoke about her life, career and relationship.

You have been off the scene for a while…

Yes. It is true. But I went back into the studios some months ago and I started recording. I have shot a couple of videos and I am still shooting. Very soon, everything will be unveiled.

You went back to school when your career was blooming. Why?

I was already in school. I started music when I was in my JSS 2. I have been doing music for a long time. My mum was scared. She wanted me to go to school. She told me that if I must do music, I must go to school. So I couldn’t just compromise that request. I was in my first year when I did my hit track. But it never crossed my mind not to go to school. It wasn’t an option.

40 Pythons found in Canadian Hotel

Little more than a week after a giant python crushed two young Canadian boys to death, police have recovered 40 of the snakes from a hotel room.

The reptiles were found in several plastic storage bins on Thursday night in a room in Brantford, Ontario, where a couple who had been evicted from their home were staying, police said in a statement.

Officers have opened a probe into the incident but they did not say where the couple were at the time or whether the pair would be charged with breaking local laws that prohibit owning pythons.

The snakes, which ranged in length from 30 centimeters to 1.4 meters, were in poor health and have been taken in by the Canadian Society for the Protection of Animals, where a veterinarian is monitoring them.

The find comes 11 days after Connor and Noah Barthe, aged six and four respectively, died in the eastern town of Campbellton, New Brunswick when an African python escaped from its terrarium and killed them

Femi Fani Kayode Regrets Revealing His Relationship with Bianca

Former Aviation minister Femi Fani Kayode has apologised for mentioning the names of three Igbo girlfriends he has had inmate relationship with in the past. The former minister, trying to prove he is not tribalistic, earlier in the week, mentioned the name of Bianca Ojukwu, the beautiful widow of Chief Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, alongside two other Igbo ladies women whom he claims has had long-standing intimate relationship with.

Former Aviation minister, Femi Fani Kayode, has apologised for mentioning the names of three Igbo girlfriends he has had intimate relationship with in the past. The former minister, earlier in the week, mentioned the names of three Igbo ladies he has had intimate relationship with to prove he wasn't tribalistic.

Young inventor dazzles Pres Jonathan with power-generating football

President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday expressed delight over the creativity of a 25-year-old Nigerian, Jessica Matthews, who invented a power-generating football called SOCCKET ball.

Matthews, who is a co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Unchartedplay, was at the Presidential Villa, Abuja to present the ball, which can generate three hours of light from 30 minutes of play to Jonathan.

She also presented an energy-generating skipping rope to the President.

While congratulating her on her creativity and innovativeness, Jonathan said he was impressed that Matthews, who trained as a psychologist and economist, developed herself in the field of science.

He described her feat as a proof of the quality of human resource present in Nigeria.

The President said the invention was useful as a major tool that could be used to mobilise young Nigerians and encourage them to think more deeply.

Fake doctor takes delivery of over 90 babies

A man who holds a secondary school certificate, Stephen Nwankwo, but worked as a doctor in a fake hospital has been arrested alongside the owner of the hospital.

Nwankwo said they took delivery of over 90 babies within the two years he worked in the hospital established by 39-year-old Gabriel Onyema, another secondary school leaver, who lives in Ghana and sells paper.

The suspects spoke with journalists while being paraded on Friday at the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters, Ikeja.

Spokesperson for the police command, Ngozi Braide, said Nwankwo and Onyema were arrested by officers of Area ‘E’ Police Command, FESTAC Town, after a pregnant woman, who had gone to the hospital, died during labour.

Nigeria is not cursed – CAN replies Obasanjo

The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has faulted a recent statement attributed to former president, Olusegun Obasanjo who said that Nigeria is jinxed and cursed.

General Secretary of the association, Rev. Musa Asake, while reacting to Obasanjo’s statement noted that despite the fact that Nigeria is going through some challenges, it does not mean that the country is cursed or jinxed.

He maintained that the current state of things would soon be over “as there is always a trying time for every nation”.

“We have not been privileged to get the full information on the statement credited to the former president, but whatever he said may be the way he was seeing things; CAN would not want to speak more about the statement, because we do not know why he made such a statement,” he said.

Oba Abiodun Oniru’s Son, Mustapha Weds His Hearththrob Kirsty Crooks [PHOTOS]

 

Yesterday (Thursday) was a special day for Prince Mustapha Oniru of Lagos and his bride, Kirsty Crooks from Northern Ireland.

The couple tied the knot at a royal wedding in Loughgall Presbyterian Church, Northern Ireland – the Prince’s father HRM Oba Idowu Abiodun Oniru and Queen Olori Arike Oniru attended the service which was conducted by Rev Philip McKelvey.

The royal couple are due to travel to Monaco and then St Tropez for their honeymoon, but plan to set up a base in Northern Ireland.

Kirsty met Mustapha while teaching at the British International School, which is owned by Oba Oniru. Meanwhile, her husband, who just finished a Masters Degree in Marketing, is the school administrator.

Congrats to them!

Bride paralysed in car accident wedded in a Grand Style [VIDEO]

A bride who has been paralyzed from the waist down since the age of 17 has kept the vow she made when she first learned she was disabled, and walked down the aisle at her wedding at the weekend.

While most brides would be fussing about the last minute details in the days before their wedding, for Stevie Beale, from Toledo, Ohio, her focus was solely on whether she would be able to make it down the aisle.

Waiting for her at the other end was 32-year-old Jared VanAusdale, who she credits with bringing her 'back to life'.

Peter Okoye rides with kids before heading out for US/Canada tour [PHOTOS]

Peter Okoye is not taking his fatherly role for granted – see him play with his kids before embarking on their US/Canada tour.

‘Family is everything...... Trust me,’ he posted.

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Singer Praize Bought a Brand New Car for his Mom [PHOTO]

Praiz Adejo recently fulfilled what could be described as every mothers’dream.

The R&B singer, after putting pen to his endorsement deal with MTN, delivered a surprise gift – a brand new Toyota sedan to his mum in Kaduna.

Check out mamas’ smile!