You decide! National Reality TV Award nominations announced

OBSESSED with TOWIE, want to be the next Leah Totton, or can't get enough of the delicious Masterchef recipes?

The Apprentice has been nominated for Best Business and Best Reality Show (Pic: WENN)

Whatever floats your boat in the hilarious, debauched, and unpredictable world of reality TV could soon be crowned champion of the addictive genre.

The third annual National Reality Television Awards sees The Apprentice, Undercover Boss, Dragon’s Den, Britain’s Got Talent, Come Dine With me, The Only Way Is Essex, and Made in Chelsea all battle it out at this year's event.

Bagging a record seven nominations, Big Reunion is the the frontrunner to take home the prizes, with the ITV2 show looking to scoop Best Entertainment, Most Inspiring and Best Reality Non-Competition Show.

Meanwhile, the Best Reality TV Judge nominations will see the claws come out from BGT's David Walliams, Alesha Dixon and Simon Cowell, The Voice's Will.i.am, Strictly's Bruno Tonioli and Len Goodman, Kimberley Wyatt of Got To Dance, Dannii Minogue for her efforts on Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model, Dragon's Peter Jones and Deborah Meaden, and finally Paul Hollywood of The Great British Bake Off fame.

Dragon Jones - winner of 2012's Reality TV Personality of the Year - said: "The National Reality TV Awards are authentic and just what the industry needs.

"It is the first awards ceremony of its kind to finally re-define the whole reality TV industry into genres and the fact that millions of TV viewers are in charge of determining the outcome only adds to its credibility."

The National Reality TV Awards takes place on September 16.

All nominations are submitted by the public, whom also decide winners of each category by voting on the official NRTA website.

Gemma Collins with Billie and Sam Faiers on TOWIE (Pic: ITV2)

See below for full nominations:

Uruguay on a real high as it is prepares to legalise weed

URUGUAY is set to become first country in the world to legalise the use of cannabis.

Uruguay is close to becoming the first country to legalise marijuana

The bill was approved through the country's lower senate last night and is on the verge of being passed as early as the end of this month.

If the bill is passed, Uruguayans will be allowed to grow marijuana in their own homes with limits on a maximum of six plants per house.

President Mr. Mujica is leading the movement, arguing it will allow police to concentrate more on fighting street crime and other forms of drug smuggling.

The bill will now go to the Senate to become law, where officials have told President José Mujica that they have a comfortable majority to approve it.

Uruguayan legislators vote on the bill

He argues that the legalisation of the drug will help combat street crime and drug smugglers as well as help fight other forms of drugs trafficking.

The marijuana bill has been in talks for more than a year with the 78-year old former guerilla leader Mujica winning over a large proportion of the people.

Laura Blanco, president of Uruguay’s Cannabis Studies Association, said this sent an "encouraging" sign to other latin countries: "This is a very innovative bill, with the state deciding to regulate the entire chain of production, distribution and access to the substance.”

Throughout the past year, groups have successfully turned the heads of many opposition by explaining the effective medical and economic importance of the drug.

Burglar caught red-handed doing a runner with a bag of swag!

IF ever there was a classic burglar pose, then this would surely be it.

Rodney Geisha was spotted making off with his swag

All Rodney Geisha needs is a buglar mask round his eyes and he would fit the whole look of to a tee!

The cheeky thief was caught bang to rights fleeing the scene of the burglary, carrying his loot - which included a laptop, XBox games, electric items, cash and two bottles of Jack Daniels, valued at a total of £1,500 - in a bag over his shoulder.

But, sadly for him, an eagle-eyed onlooker caught him as he jumped over a fence of a house in Clacton, Essex.

And an oblivious Geisha, 41, went about his business while another witness followed him, giving a full running commentary of his movements to Essex Police.

Det Con Claire March of Clacton CID, said: "The two witnesses were brilliant and their quick-thinking has meant another burglar is behind bars.

Geisha was sentenced to four years in jail

“The two witnesses were brilliant and their quick-thinking has meant another burglar is behind bars”

Det Con Claire March

"The photograph and the running commentary describing Geisha’s movements was absolutely compelling evidence and he had no option but to plead guilty.

"The victim of the burglary is delighted too because all his stolen property was recovered although he was left with a huge repair bill for all the damage that Geisha caused."

Praising the work of the public in catching the thief, she added: "I hope that this superb example of the public helping police to catch criminals will be an inspiration to everyone in the county.

"The two witnesses did a superb job and we, and the victim of the burglary, are very grateful to them."

Geisha, who has previous convictions for burglary, was jailed for four years.

WORLD PICTURE EXCLUSIVE: EastEnders' Kat and Alfie back together!

IT'S the moment all EastEnders fans have been waiting for - Kat and Alfie Moon are back together!

Kat and Alfie film upcoming EastEnders scenes [ISOImages]

As these exclusive photos show, the telly golden couple are set for an emotional reunion on the BBC soap.

Last month, producers hinted Kat, played by Jessie Wallace, and Alfie - Shane Richie - could rekindle their romance before the end of the year.

But we can reveal fans won't have to wait that long to see the Walford lovers back in each others' arms.

[ISOImages]

[ISOImages]

The sensational storyline is set to pull EastEnders out of its current ratings crisis.

Earlier this week, under-fire boss Lorraine Newman quit the show amid a slump in viewing figures.

Eastenders was recently beaten by ITV rival Emmerdale, with fans blasting script-writers for dull plots.

The BBC has since sent out an SOS to returning executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins to once again take charge of the show. 

He previously oversaw one of the show's most successful spells three years ago.

[ISOImages]

[ISOImages]

And as our exclusive photos show, producers have already begun filming reconciliation scenes between Kat and Alfie on Albert Square - set to air in September.

The sneak-peak of Kat and Alfie back together will have viewers guessing over the fate of Roxy Mitchell and Michael Moon.

Following his sensational split from Kat last Christmas, Alfie has hooked up with long-term admirer Roxy - with the pair deciding to get hitched and try for a baby.

But he will finish with the Queen Vic landlady when her sister Ronnie returns to the Square.

The EastEnders golden couple have held fans' attention for years

Happier times - Alfie proposes to Kat in the street

Baby joy for the couple

Kat and Alfie were ripped apart by the death of their baby - but all was not as it seemed

“The sensational storyline is set to pull EastEnders out of its current ratings crisis”

Alfie won't be able to get over the fact that Roxy didn't tell him about Ronnie - who infamously snatched Kat and Alfie's baby Tommy from hospital.

Meanwhile, Kat returned to bed Alfie's cold-hearted cousin Michael - even though he has recently been distracted by ex Janine Butcher.

Last December, in one of EastEnders most dramatic plot-lines, Alfie finally ended things with Kat after finding out she'd been sleeping with Derek Branning.

But, despite going ahead with a divorce, soap fans have seen Alfie's attitude towards Kat soften as they began sharing custody of Tommy.

And it seems script-writers are preparing a new chapter in their turbulent history.

Ex Man United boss Sir Alex Ferguson snubs peerage to spend Fergie time with wife

Sir Alex Ferguson has been true to his word and put family first after rejecting the chance to become a lord.

Sir Alex Ferguson turned down possibility of becoming a lord

The recently retired Manchester United boss, 71, passed up the chance of a peerage and a seat in the House of Lords to spend more time with his wife Cathy.

Labour's new peers are due to be announced shortly, along with new Tory and Lib Dems lords.

And Ed Miliband is a big fan. The party leader described Fergie as “the most successful football manager the world has ever seen”.

Sir Alex is devoting more time to loyal wife Cathy

“For 47 years she’s been the leader of the family and sacrificed for me. She’s lost her best friend in Bridget, so I owe her time.”

Sir Alex Ferguson

Insiders told the Daily Mirror that when left-wing Sir Alex left Old Trafford there was a “distinct possibility” he would also be on their list for the honour.

One said: “He’s a Labour supporter and will always try to help the party. But he made it clear he’s not interested. It’s not for him.”

Sir Alex’s decision came to light when he announced he was leaving the dugout after 26 years at United to focus on his family following the death of his sister-in-law.

Labour leader Ed Miliband, right, is a big admirer of Fergie

He told fans at his final game: “Things changed when Cathy’s sister died. She’s isolated a lot now and I owe her a lot of my own time.

“For 47 years she’s been the leader of the family and sacrificed for me. She’s lost her best friend in Bridget, so I owe her time. It’s important.”

The former shipyard worker is not the first person to turn down an honour.

Writer JB Priestley snubbed a peerage, film director Alfred Hitchcock turned down a CBE in 1962, while Charlie and the Chocolate Factory author Roald Dahl said no to an OBE in 1986.

FIRST SIGHTING: Simon Cowell whistles to himself following baby shock

IT was business as usual today for Simon Cowell as he stepped out amidst news he is to become a father.

Simon Cowell makes first appearance since news he is to become a father (Pic: SPLASH)

Celebrities are notorious for hiding away from breaking reports of personal stories, but the music mogul went about his way as normal today.

In fact, the suave X Factor USA judge appeared to be whistling to himself as he left the studios in LA following filming for the new series.

Yesterday, it was reported by American magazine Us Weekly that the 53-year-old is to father a child with New York socialite Lauren Silverman, 36.

The publication has also stated that the mum-to-be is reportedly the wife of SiCo's pal, property mogul Andrew Silverman.

It is thought the couple are now seperated, with Mr Silverman filing for divorce.

Shocking revelation emerged on Wednesday why the board of the State Universal Basic Education Board was dissolved and former commissioner for Education, Ekpenisi Omorotiomwan sacked.

We have gathered that dead teachers including those that have retired, sacked or absconded from duty were still “collecting” salaries.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole, who made this disclosure at an education summit to find solution to the problem in primary education in the state, said he discovered that the wage bill for teachers in the state was static.

He said money for the salaries of retired teachers and those that died was not accounted for. The governor, who caused uproar in the hall when he announced that teachers were paid higher wages than their counterparts in the civil service threatened to publish the teachers’ salaries.

SHOCKING: Farmers Shun Fertilizers, Rely On Sacrifice For Land Fertility

Cultivating a fertile soil is certainly the secret to yielding a jumbo harvest by farmers. As such, fertilizer is overly used by all and sundry to enrich the soil for bumper harvest, but farmers in Kigbe, a community in Yebu ward of Kwali Area Council of the FCT make do with bumper harvest even without fertilizers.

The residents are among the few that cling to culture, which many communities have abandoned in the face of modernized farming.

While other farmers thronged for fertilizers to enhance their farm produce, all Kigbe farmers need do is to prepare a sacrifice of a duck fowl and pounded yam.

The traditional ruler of the community, Yusuf Adamu, who made this revelation to Aso Chronicle recently, said the cultural land fertility process was inherited from past generations. He stated further that the sacrifice is connected to a masquerade, ‘Gbunu’, noted for its power by the residents.

He said the sacrifice, usually carried out during rainy season, is done by a group of elders. According to him, the duck fowl will be slaughtered and the pounded yam prepared in a shrine. As part of rites, before the elders proceed to the shrine to slaughter the duck fowl, they appear half naked and trek to fetch a Fadama soil, which will be added to some concoction. Thereafter, they will proceed to the shrine to slaughter the duck fowl to appease the gods. The concoction is taken to a spot where two road paths meet.

The elders alongside the masquerade will now come back to the shrine and cook the duck fowl with a pounded yam at the shrine in which after some days, all the farm land in the community becomes fertile and suitable for farming.

“It is after the sacrifice you will see that all the farm land in this village becomes fertile as farmers will now go to cultivate their farms and at the end, we make a bumper harvest without bothering to go and look for fertilizer. Beside I can’t remember the year any farmer in this community set his eyes on fertilizer,” he said.

The traditional ruler, who also spoke on some of the challenges facing the people of the community, however identified lack of access to good road network as one of the major challenges especially on the abandoned Kwaita-Yebu road.

He said the Kwaita-Yebu road is one of the roads that link the community to many neighboring communities in both Kwali and Kuje area councils, but has been abandoned for years by the FCT administration under the satellite towns’ development department.

He called on the authorities of Kwali Area Council to come to the aid of the community.

Jonathan's Convoy In Nasarawa Auto Crash, 14 Injured

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Umar Shehu, has on Tuesday confirmed that the convoy of President Goodluck Jonathan was involved in an auto crash the day before, leaving 14 persons injured.

According to the eyewitnesses, three confessional policemen, three mobile policemen, one member of the civil defence corps, as well as one official of the state branch of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and six civilians were "seriously injured".

Mr Shehu claimed the state government had since released funds for the treatment of all the victims. He added that some of the victims have been discharged but those who have serious fracture were still at the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia.

According to him, the accident happened when the vehicle of a prison officer ran into the convoy of the president and collided with one of the riders, who somersaulted and thereafter ran into the crowd.

"They are all responding to treatment at the hospital. Some have fractures on their legs.

"The prison officer sustained minor injury. He is still in police custody while investigation is ongoing," he said.

It will be recalled that the president was in Lafia for the inauguration of the newly constructed Federal High Court and Ta'al Model School constructed by the present administration in the state.

He was represented by Vice-President Namadi Sambo.

Rihanna Wins Her £3MILLION Legal Battle

Rihanna has won her High Court legal battle against fashion chain Topshop over T-shirts bearing her image. The singer sued the high-street store’s parent company Arcadia for £3.3million over the T-shirts, which featured a photo taken of the star during a video shoot in Northern Ireland in 2011.

Topshop had disputed the claim, but Mr Justice Birss today ruled in favour of the singer in the High Court after a hearing in London.

He said Topshop's sale of a Rihanna T-shirt had been an act of "passing off", and that a "substantial number" of customers were likely to have bought the T-shirt of a "false belief" that it had been authorised by the singer.

The judge added that was damaging to her "goodwill" and represented a loss of control of her reputation in the fashion sphere.

He said it was for the singer not Topshop to choose what garments the public thought had her endorsement.

Rihanna Wins Her £3MILLION Legal Battle

Rihanna has won her High Court legal battle against fashion chain Topshop over T-shirts bearing her image. The singer sued the high-street store’s parent company Arcadia for £3.3million over the T-shirts, which featured a photo taken of the star during a video shoot in Northern Ireland in 2011.

Topshop had disputed the claim, but Mr Justice Birss today ruled in favour of the singer in the High Court after a hearing in London.

He said Topshop's sale of a Rihanna T-shirt had been an act of "passing off", and that a "substantial number" of customers were likely to have bought the T-shirt of a "false belief" that it had been authorised by the singer.

The judge added that was damaging to her "goodwill" and represented a loss of control of her reputation in the fashion sphere.

He said it was for the singer not Topshop to choose what garments the public thought had her endorsement.

JayZ & Beyonce Visit KimK & North West, While Kanye Is Out to Milan

Power couple, JayZ and Beyonce, visited Kanye West’s daughter North West while daddy is in Milan.

Never too busy for friends! Beyonce and Jay Z took time out of their busy touring schedules to make a very important stop at Kris Jenner’s home in Calabasas, Calif. on Sunday, July 28, to pay a visit to Kim Kardashian and baby North West, a source confirms to Us Magazine.

Though best bud Kanye West wasn’t home at the time (the rapper is currently in Milan, Italy), both Jay and Bey spent the morning with Kardashian, 32, who has not been seen out in public since giving birth to her tiny bundle of joy on June 15.

That’s a very nice of them, and we are sure Kanye will really appreciate their visit

My Ex-Hubby Was Not Building Me Any House - Funke Akindele

And it gets messier as Funke Akindele and Ex Husband soil each other’s image in public. In a recent interview with Encomium magazine, Funke Akindele's ex husband, Keyinde Oloyede Almaroof, said that he was building a house for his wife before she ended the marriage.

Well Funke Akindele has sort of replied her husband's interview. Here is what she said...

In a recent interview with Encomium magazine, Funke Akindele's ex husband, Keyinde Oloyede Almaroof, said that he was building a house for his wife before she ended the marriage. He revealed that it's a one-storey building (uncompleted) located off Adeniji Jones in Ikeja, adding that the rejection of the building was one of he reasons for their split. READ IT HERE

 

in a revealing chat with E-247 magazine, Funke Akindele sort of replied her husband's interview...

Read what Funke told E24-7MAGAZINE after the cut:

 

- See more at: http://topeorekoya.blogspot.com/2013/07/funke-akindele-my-ex-hubby-was-not.html?showComment=1375257017398#sthash.aEqmBpFC.dpuf

In a recent interview with Encomium magazine, Funke Akindele's ex husband, Keyinde Oloyede Almaroof, said that he was building a house for his wife before she ended the marriage. He revealed that it's a one-storey building (uncompleted) located off Adeniji Jones in Ikeja, adding that the rejection of the building was one of he reasons for their split. READ IT HERE

 

in a revealing chat with E-247 magazine, Funke Akindele sort of replied her husband's interview...

Read what Funke told E24-7MAGAZINE after the cut:

 

- See more at: http://topeorekoya.blogspot.com/2013/07/funke-akindele-my-ex-hubby-was-not.html?showComment=1375257017398#sthash.aEqmBpFC.dpuf

That place is not for me, I have been through hell and back.

I was abused emotionally and verbally. Really, I felt we could work things out when the trouble started two months after the marriage.

But I made up my mind and shut the door of the marriage at him when the trouble was coming to me too much.

I stooped to conquer him; buried my fame and name to make him my husband, but it did not work. At a point in time, I asked if it’s not the same man that was all over me before we married.

He nearly got me off my career. He called me severally; I did not pick his calls but when he realized my silence was tormenting him, he took to Facebook.

It’s alright.

Ask him when did he come to my house last? He left me here in my rented apartment with nothing and he will just dash in and dash out. He gets abusive, caustic anytime we have a misunderstanding and often told me to my face, he’s going to his wife in Oshodi.

He sent me SMS that he has seen a buyer for his house at Adeniyi Jones for N40million. He asked me if he should sell it and that if he does, he will buy me a new car and a rent me a new apartment.

Why now? I don’t need all that, I want my sanity. I respect him to the end but he chose to treat me that way. He said he wanted to clip my wings.

After Funke ignored him, he sent her another text abusing her and calling her names.

ASUU Strike: Bear with Us, FG Urges Students, Parents

The Federal Government is anxious about the distortion in school calendar as a result of the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities saying that it is committed to the speedy resolution of the crisis for the sake of Nigerian students.

Minister of Information, Labaran Maku told state House correspondents at the end of Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council meeting that government was committed to “serious negotiations” with the university lecturers.

The Minister appealed to the students and parents to bear with government and show more understanding as efforts are being made to resolve the contending issues very soon.

 “The Federal Government has been far more worried than you think concerning the strike in tertiary institutions, because of the disruption of the school calendar and so government is concerned and very worried and since the onset of the strike government has been negotiating with ASUU through the Ministry of Labour and Productivity and the Ministry of Education.

Eight-month-old Baby Sold Three Times Before Plateau Police Interrupted

Plateau State Command of the Nigeria Police on Wednesday paraded four women suspected to have passed an eight-month-old baby among themselves in a serial sale starting with the baby's grandmother, who sold the baby to the first buyer.

While the baby's grandmother, Mrs. Kate Anwacha sold the baby for N200,000 to the first buyer named Eucharia Anyeagbu, she in turn sold the baby for N330,000 to a second buyer, Rita Madubuko, who also sold the baby at N500,000 to one Grace Nnadozie.

The State Commissioner of Police, Chris Olakpe, while parading the suspects before newsmen in Jos Wednesday, said "the trafficked baby girl, Chiamaka Obinna was recovered a week ago, July 24, at Awka, Anambra State, through intelligence efforts of detectives from the 'A' Division of the Nigeria Police, Jos."

Olakpe explained further that the baby's grandmother, who had custody of her, sold her to the first buyer five days earlier, July 19, after sending the people around her on errands. 

FAAN Apologises To Oshiomhole Over Closure Of Benin Airport

Authorities of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has apologized to the Edo State Government and air travelers over the incident which led to the closure of the Benin Airport on Tuesday.

The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria Managing Director, Mr. George Uriesi who led other management staff which included Mr. Yakubu Dati, General Manager, Mr. Kolawole Adefomiwa, Deputy General Manager, Mr. Adeboye Festus, the Chief Security Officer and Mr. Ayodele Sunday, Airport Manager, Benin City said “we deeply regret the events of yesterday and we will like to find out how we can avoid a situation like this arising in the future, because it is neither in the interest of FAAN nor in the interest of Edo State Government for the Airport to be closed down, because there was a lot of hardship and serious economic consequences as a result of the shutdown and there is need to settle this matter.

“I want to assure Your Excellency that FAAN is a good corporate citizen, I am convinced that there was a misunderstanding and I want to get to the bottom of this misunderstanding so that it does not happen again.

“If we have any obligations, we will meet them, and I hope that in the future if there are issues of misunderstanding, we will be able to talk about them quickly without them leading to delays and inconveniences to the public.  So, sir we are here to reassure you of our respects and desire to be good corporate citizens and partner with the State Government to deliver services to the people of Edo State”.

In his response, Governor Oshiomhole noted that tax law was a federal law which the state Government is only trying to implement. He noted that the tax which FAAN defaulted on was the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) which even the President and Governors pay.

Oshiomhole said the State Board of Internal Revenue got a proper Court Order to seal the FAAN Manager’s Office, noting that the FAAN Manager on his own decided to seal up the Airport to gain public sympathy.

The Governor said the problem with Nigeria is not immunity, but impunity as people often violate the law and get away with it.

He insisted that anybody who works and lives in Edo State must pay tax in contribution to the development of the State.

The Governor said a way to avoid a re-occurrence of the ugly incident was for FAAN to comply with the law.

He however, expressed his displeasure with the FAAN Manager Benin Airport, Mr. Ayodele Sunday for dramatizing the issue, saying “I hope in future, this sort of thing does not happen”.

Fashola Picks Gbeleyi As New Finance Commissioner

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), has nominated the Director-General of the State’s Office of Public – Private Partnerships (PPP), Mr. Ayodeji Gbeleyi as the new commissioner for finance.

If the nomination is approved by the House of Assembly, Gbeleyi will succeed Mr. Tokunbo Abiru who recently resigned from the State’s Cabinet.

Mr. Gbeleyi at the moment is Fashola’s Special Adviser on PPP, the agency driving the government collaboration with the private sector to tackle the state’s infrastructure challenge.

Gbeleyi is a Fellow of the Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA).

He is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), an alumnus of the Harvard Kennedy School, the London Business School, Lagos Business School and an MBA holder from the International Graduate School of Management, University of Navarra, Barcelona, Spain.

Fabricated or Not? Magazine Publishes the Photo that May Threaten Lionel Messi’s Marriage

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Lionel Messi, arguably the world’s best soccer player, may have to work on his off-the-field defense – at home – after two Argentine publications published photos showing the married soccer superstar gallivanting with an alleged stripper.

The Barcelona striker was allegedly pictured on the cover of Argentina’s Pronto magazine with a blonde dancer in a Las Vegas nightclub. In the photo, his hands were wrapped around her waist and his face was pressed against her chest.

The headline on Pronto read: “The Photo That Puts Lionel Messi’s Marriage At Risk.”

The magazine says the photos were taken during Messi’s visit to Sin City in early July as a guest at a party hosted by Brazilian legend Ronaldo at the Wynn Las Vegas & Encore Resort.

Pronto says the photos are not doctored, and were taken off a cell-phone.

The Argentine gossip publication said Messi’s relationship with his wife, Antonella Roccuzzo, 22, is now in ‘crisis,’ according to Pronto sources.

“There is nothing to suggest anything more happened (between Messi and the dancer) but still Antonella is furious,” the source tells Pronto. “She can’t believe he has been so stupid and feels very let down by Leo. Whether she’ll give him the red card or not remains to be seen but it’s fair to say the sofa at their home may be getting a lot of use at the moment.”

The photo is the latest scandal for Messi, one of the best soccer players of his generation.

Messi paid $13 million in back taxes to the Spanish government last month and is looking to settle an alleged $5 million debt that led to tax fraud accusations. The payments covered his image rights for 2010 and 2011, Catalan newspaper La Vanguardia reported. The Spanish paper suggested the player is looking to reach an agreement on millions more he allegedly owes the government.

The payment could help Messi and his father, Jorge, avoid a court appearance Sept. 17 in Gava. Father and son, along with their financial advisers, have denied accusations that they illegally funnelled money to offshore accounts to avert paying taxes. 

Online Commentator Arrested by Nigeria Police, on Behalf of Billionaire Emeka Offor, Released on Bail

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Boniface Okonkwo, a South Africa-based businessman who was seized and detained by the Nigeria Police for more than a week over an online comment he made regarding fraudulent Nigerian businessman and People's Democratic Party (PDP) big shot, Emeka Offor, has finally made bail.

Lawyers from Femi Falana chambers, who served as the defendant's attorney at a Magistrate court in Abuja, told the newsmen that Mr. Okonkwo was let out of police detention after they made a spirited defence of his liberty.

The Magistrate judge, Lamido Kabir, had initially played hide and seek in the case, letting the police detain Mr. Okonkwo over the weekend claiming he was unavailable to hear the case after the suspect was brought to court last Friday.

However, on Monday, the Magistrate gave stiff bail conditions requiring Mr. Okonkwo to provide two sureties, including a traditional ruler and a person with landed property in Abuja.

Yesterday, he was let go after meeting the bail conditions.

Mr. Okonkwo was arrested on July 13 by a dozen well-armed Special Anti-Robbery Squad operatives in Lagos, just four days after arriving from South Africa.  Mr. Okonkwo's arrest reportedly emanated from the office of the Inspector General of Police office, who gave the order because of a petition penned by Offor who claimed that Okonkwo "criminally defamed" him in an online commentary in a community listserv of the Orafite community.

Okonkwo, who also hails from Oraifite community, criticized the billionaire for reportedly donating $1.3 million to Rotary International for polio eradication while Oraifite lacks basic amenities and the people suffer abject poverty.

Okonkwo was seized in Lagos but was later moved to a police cell on the outskirts of Abuja, Nigeria's federal capital. He was denied access to lawyers and relatives, and spent more than two weeks in detention.

Observers say the case demonstrates how Nigeria’s public institutions are often and routinely deployed by the rich by the rich and well-connected against the truth. 

ICT Savvy Youths, A Good Step In Addressing Unemployment - Experts

With the rising levels of unemployment and under-capacity utilisation in the country, one model that has been identified as critical in addressing the challenges is the application of Information and Communication Technology to the day-to-day life processes.

These applications cut across direct use of ICTs by the citizenry and the opportunities and benefits ICTs provide to empower people.

In as much as the current government is making efforts to build structures that will drive this motive, players in the private sector also have key roles to play to make this dream realisable.

One segment that had enjoyed good attention in this light, is the Small and Medium Enterprise of business establishments.

Speaking at the first Annual Electronic Commerce Conference hosted in Lagos recently, the Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, said ICT was a catalyst for economic growth in Nigeria, and one area that had proven its worth is the e-Commerce ecosystem.

The sector, she argued, had the capacity to significantly extend the reach of wholesale and retail trade in the country, leading to accelerated economic growth and job creation.

According to her, using ICTs to build capacities in business is very unique and key as it can bring together many sectors and players, all working for economic gains. Citing the e-Commerce model, she said one transaction had the potential of adding value to participating entities in the wholesale and retail trade sector, financial services sector, transport sector, postal sector and telecoms sector.

These, however, according to the Minister, were some of the areas businesses and people could be directly impacted courtesy ICTs. Players in the ICT sector, sometimes, leverage on their Corporate Social Responsibility programme to indirectly impact lives of the citizenry as well as businesses.

A recent development in this regard is the Business Next Titan Reality TV Show put together by telecoms operator, MTN Nigeria.

The show is seen by many as an attempt to encourage entrepreneurship among Nigerian youths with the goal of reducing unemployment in the country.

The event attracted the best minds in Nigeria, including professionals, entrepreneurs and trailblazers in commerce and other sectors.

Commenting on the initiative, the Chief Enterprise Solution Officer, MTN, Mr. Babatunde Osho, said belief in the entrepreneurial spirit of Nigerians informed the creation of the idea.

He stressed the need for Nigerian youths to continue to push forward in pursuit of worthy goals in spite of challenges, saying the benefits accruable from the show cut across participants as well as wider spectrum of Nigerians who are viewers, owing to the fact that it exposed business ideas and ideal managerial skills. The initiative had successfully empowered some young entrepreneurs with mental and financial wherewithal to take calculated business risks.

With the global economy shrinking, with business people finding it increasingly difficult to get funding for their businesses, especially small business owners, empowering SMEs had become very critical. The situation is even alarming in Africa, where such businesses are just gaining scant attention.

In the face of an overwhelming youth unemployment population standing at a staggering 60 per cent level, with the youth accounting for 70 per cent of Nigeria’s 150 million population, ICTs, either directly or indirectly, remain a reliable tool of respite.

Curbing Excessive Spending Habit

Obsessive spending can result in serious debt problems and a sense of mixed up budgeting priorities, such as taking care of wants before needs rather than tending to needs and savings first and budgeting appropriately for wants. These difficulties can result in bigger long-term problems such as relationship issues or the inability to pay back debts that are owed.

People, who have an uncontrollable spending problem, always have a feeling to spend excessive amounts of money on items and services that are unnecessary in their lives in an attempt to accomplish an inner emotional desire.

The money spending problem may be as obvious as spending large amounts through mesmerising shopping for unnecessary items in hopes that they can find their happiness or sense of self worth through that purchase.

If you recognise this problem within yourself or within someone you know, here are some ideas for the compulsive spender to use for recognising where the problem stemmed from and how to overcome their addiction to compulsive spending, according to experts.

Track your spending and emotions

Keep track of your purchases or transactions and how much you spend. Realise how you feel before you decide to make a purchase or go gambling, how it feels when you’re thinking about making the transaction, how you feel immediately after the transaction, and how you feel about the transaction later in that day, the day after, or a week after. At the end of each week, add up your total transaction amounts and consider how much of your emotional needs were actually fulfilled.

Understand the cycle of spending addiction

The reason why compulsive spending is considered an addiction is due to the cycle that all addictions form. The cycle tends to start with a situation that leads to a feeling of emptiness, incompleteness, or negative self worth. This feeling, which stems from prior and unresolved issues, leads the compulsive spender to believe that if they had something, it would fulfill them in some way and make them feel more complete and worthy. Upon the time of the transaction, the compulsive spender will feel elated, powerful and fulfilled. But then the financial issues arise and the item no longer leaves them feeling sated, thus the negative feelings begin to rise again, putting them back at the beginning of the cycle. The cycle repeats itself over and over with a life of its own. The cycle can only be stopped when the compulsive spender does something to redirect the patterns and throw the cycle off of the addiction track.

Ombatse Cult Massacre: Parents Stage Protest, Demand Justice

Tuesday, July 30, 2013 -- Yesterday, the parents of the ten State Security Service (SSS) operatives killed May 7, 2013 by the Ombatse cult in Alakyo, Nasarawa State, staged a protest up in front of the Federal High Court building in Lafia where Vice President Namadi Sambo was due to commission. The protesters demanded justice and claimed they would never forgive the 'killer-cult'.

It would be recalled that two months after the security service operatives were killed, the director general of the State Security Service (SSS) Ita Ekpenyong declared the SSS had 'forgiven' the culprits.

Yesterday, the parents of the slain men were seen crowding as early as 9am, carrying placards and chanting slogans, claiming there would be 'no forgiveness for the Ombatse cult.' They lined up along the road where Vice President Sambo's convoy would pass on its way to the court premises.

Sambo, who was accompanied by Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura and Information Minister Labaran Maku, an indigene of the state, was greeted by the protesters' shouts: "We want justice, we want justice for our children!"

However, security agents prevented the protesters from coming anywhere near the complex during the event.

Angelina Jolie is Hollywood's Highest Paid Actress (See Forbes Top Ten List)

Angelina Jolie is Hollywood's highest paid actress according the Forbes.com, and she pocketed an incredibly robust $33 million between June 2012 and June 2013.

The 38-year-old star has topped Forbes Hollywood's Highest Paid Actresses list after pocketing $33 million between June 2012 and June 2013, which is $13 million more than she earned last year.

According to Forbes.com, the screen beauty - who hasn't been seen on the big screen for three years since 2010's thriller 'The Tourist' - will make her comeback next summer in Disney's 'Maleficent' for which she will make $15 million.

Angelina, who in the interim directed and wrote Bosnian War movie 'In The Land of Blood and Honey', earned $9 million more than the second-ranked actress on the list, Jennifer Lawrence.

The 22-year-old actress helped the first movie in 'The Hunger Games' franchise bank $690 million at the box office and while she was paid under $1 million for the first film, production company Lionsgate will be paying her substantially more for the sequel 'Catching Fire'.

Kristen Stewart, who topped the list last year with $34.5 million, has dropped to third place with $22 million.

The 23-year-old made her main fortune playing female lead Bella Swan in the 'Twilight Saga' series and has been doing smaller productions since the vampire saga finished.

Jennifer Aniston takes the fourth spot with $20 million and Emma Stone makes the top five with an estimated $16 million.

Hollywood's Highest Paid Actresses according to Forbes top 10:

1) Angelina Jolie - $33 million

2) Jennifer Lawrence - $26 million

3) Kristen Stewart $22 - million

4) Jennifer Aniston - $20 million

5) Emma Stone - $16 million

6) Charlize Theron - $15 million

7) Sandra Bullock - $14 million

8) Natalie Portman - $14 million

9) Mila Kunis - $11 million

10) Julia Roberts - $11 million

SPOTTED: Oprah Winfrey Having Dinner With Tina Turner And New Husband (PHOTO)

Recently, a picture of Oprah Winfrey having dinner with Tina Turner and her new husband, Erwin Bach surfaced online.

See photo below..

How I Predicted The Death Of The Mother Of The First Lady! Tinubu Be Careful - Pastor Chris Warns

The General Overseer of Mountain of Liberation And Miracle Ministry, Pastor Chris Okafor has said he predicted the death of the mother of the first lady which recently happened.

It was said that the man of God predicted that, there will be death in the President's household, and it was meant to take away someone close to them mysteriously but could be averted if they showed interest.

He has also advised Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to beware because some of his strong opponent have vowed to ensure that he will not see May 29, 2015.

Lastly, this one is for the people of Anambra State. Senator Chris Ngige is going to rule you again, the Pastor said.

Exodus: Sen Ohiare, 1000 Others Dump PDP For APC

Over one thousand (1,000) ruling Peoples' Democratic Party's (PDP) devotees of central senatorial district of Kogi State, with Senator Muhammed Salami Ohiare in the forefront, have over the weekend defected to the yet-to-be-registered All Progressives Congress (APC). 

Ohiare had, at a press conference, explained their decision to seek alternative platform: "We have waited too long for better life to be ushered into this country in general and Kogi State in particular, but like an 'abracadabra', the more we expect it, the further it is made to elude us."

Stressing the fact that Kogi State situation is 'most pathetic' in terms of putting concrete infrastructures on ground, he further said, "It is most disheartening that a party, All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), that ruled this state for four years can still point to greater achievements than the one that has been in power for almost triple same period."

Ohiare, a former governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in 2007, expressed his regret that other states created in the same period as Kogi are enjoying 'better infrastructural provisions'. He added that the lives of the Kogi people have been 'wasted in endless expectations'.

Speaking on the reasons to leave the PDP and call on his comrades to do the same, he described the situation metaphorically: "If you are travelling in a vehicle that either breaks down often or too slow to take you to your destination for an important and urgent purpose, the wise thing to do is to disembark from it and take a healthier and faster vehicle."

According to Ohiare, the expected accelerated development can only be attained when good governance evolves from the actions of politicians who have the conscience of bringing the greatest happiness to greater number of the electorate.

Want To Be Better At Blogging? Try These

There is no doubt that we are in the information age, an age where everything is influenced by the correct use of appropriate information.  It is no surprise that the currency of this age is information. As expected, the individual that has the correct quantity of information at the right time has the potential to increase popularity and create wealth.

Blogging has taken centrestage with more and more individuals making an effort to drift a blog as one of the ways to establish a digital presence. Most blogs on the Internet are not optimally utilised. However, the few that have been able to stand out have become a resource centre and an avenue for wealth for their respective owners.

Here are a few of the recommendations on becoming a successful blogger -

Find your niche: It is important that you find a niche and be known for it. You could decide to blog about vehicle, health, current happenings etc. It is important to keep your information fresh and relevant.

Keep it short:  In my opinion, you should endeavour to keep each post less than 600 words.  Most readers would prefer a brief post to a lengthy one.

Define your ideal readers: Once you’ve found your niche, you need to know who your readers are. For example, if you write about child care; the ideal readers are child care givers. Tailor your writing to your readers and it would be more meaningful.

Be original: The amount of originality you put into your blog would help establish your blog and make it standout from the numerous others on the Internet.

Be interesting: Find a place for humour on your blog; make your blog interesting enough; give your readers something to look forward to on every paragraph.

Feedback: Create a system that allows you to receive comments and feedbacks from readers on your blog. It is important that you provide your audience with an opportunity to participate. Their input would also inspire the kind of content you provide.

Negative criticism:  It is important that you prepare your mind because it is very certain that you would receive some negative criticism. Some individuals will question your motive, your source etc. Learn what you can from them and move on.