MICHELLE OBAMA’S METAMORPHOSIS

 "Barack didn't pledge riches, only a life that would be interesting. On that promise he delivered."- MICHELLE OBAMA

Michelle Obama was born Michelle LaVaughn into a humble background in 1964 (17^th January).Her father Fraser, a pump operator, died of complications from multiple sclerosis in 1990. Her mother, Marian, a stay at home mother, raised her together with her brother Craig in their South Side Chicago home. According to Michelle in her interview with Vogue magazine in 2007, "There's nothing magical about my background,".

Michelle joined Craig, a star basketball player, at Princeton University, before graduating from Harvard Law School in 1988. Working as a lawyer at a Chicago firm in 1989, she met Barack Obama, a summer associate and was mentoring him. She eventually fell for the Hawaii-bred community organizer turned lawyer, with whom she attended meetings in church basement. In her words, "He connected with me and everyone in that church basement ...The authenticity you see is real, and that's why I fell in love with him," she told Essence magazine. After dating for three years, Michelle and Barack tied the knot giving birth to their two daughters(Malia on April 7^th,1998 and Natasha “Sasha” on 6^th October,2001). Michelle once said "Barack didn't pledge riches, only a life that would be interesting. On that promise he delivered."

Today she is indeed enjoying the interesting life with the world’s most powerful person, Barracks Obama, as the first lady of the United States of America (USA). 

See more of her pictures:

         NNEKA EGBUNA- A ‘WARRI GIRL’ ON GLOBAL STAGE

Multiple award winning artiste and songwriter, Nneka Egbunna, will be performing live at Alliance Francais at Herbert Macaulay Road, Yaba in Lagos, on the 8^th of February, 2013. The co-founder of Rope Foundation, posted this information on her Facebook page saying the event will start by 4pm prompt. Come meet this “Warri” girl turned global star and experience an acoustic set live.
Read more of Nneka Egbuna after this cut:

(VIDEO)OBAMA PRAISES CLINTON IN FIRST EVER JOINT INTERVIEW

US President Barack Obama has paid tribute to what he called the "extraordinary role" Hillary Clinton played as Secretary of State.

In a first ever joint interview on CBS, Mr Obama praised Mrs Clinton's "discipline, her stamina, her thoughtfulness, her ability to project".

Both Mr Obama and Mrs Clinton however avoided questions about whether she might run for the presidency in 2016.

Watch video below:

       "YOU ARE A POLITICAL LEPER"-Gov.Orji tells Kalu

Gov.T.A.Orji

Orji Uzor Kalu

Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State described his predecessor and his former boss, Orji Uzor Kalu, as a “political leper” who will do anything to seek relevance and sympathy.

                 ‘Why I Raped, Beheaded 20-Year-Old’

Picture of beheaded Christian Indonesian girl by Muslim militants

 An expelled 500 level student of Federal University of Technology (FUT) Minna, Godwin Idoko who beheaded a 20 year old girl, Ramat Isah on New Year Day in Rafin Yashin, Bosso Niger State has told Minna Magistrate court that he beheaded the lady for refusing his request for sex after collecting his N2,500 as earlier bargained.

                 Man shatters mother’s skull in Kwara

Tragedy occurred on Friday in Isanlu-Isin in Kwara, when a middle-aged man, Taye Ibiwoye, allegedly clubbed his mother to death with an axe.

The deceased identified as Sarah Ibiwoye, who was said to be in her late sixties, died instantly from the attack which shattered her skull.

The community was further thrown into mourning when another elderly woman, simply identified as `Iya Eleja’ slumped and died when the news of Sarah’s death was broken to her.

(Video) COMEDIAN BASKETMOUTH’S JOKE ON PRESIDENT JONATHAN

OBY EZEKWESILI VS LABARAN MAKU: WHO SHOULD NIGERIANS BELIEVE?

Oby Ezekwesili

Laraban Maku

On the 24^th of January,2013, at the convocation ceremony of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), a former Vice President for Africa in the World Bank and two time minister in the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, delivered a keynote address saying that the administrations of late President Umaru Yar’Adua and President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan frittered $67 billion in five years. The media was agog with the revelation.

Expectedly, the federal government has reacted through the Information Minister, Labaran Maku, expressing surprise about the position of Madam Ezekwesili. Maku said this on Sunday in his rejoinder published by Premium Times that Ezekwesili in her account showed limited understanding of government finances. He said “Nigeria did not have up to $67 billion in its accounts, based on the records of the Central Bank of Nigeria.” He added that what was available in all the accounts Ezekwesili referred to was “$43.13 billion.”

With this from the Information Minister, another round of argument will sure ensue in the coming weeks and Nigerians will watch “helplessly” as the “drama” unfolds.

But come to think of it, could Oby Ezekwesili, a former Vice President of Africa in the World Bank and two time minister be wrong or is a current minister, Labaran Maku, trying to do his work?

While Nigerians await the expected debate, who really should they believe concerning their collective “patrimony”?

Read Laraban Maku’s article below:

JULIUS AGWU PLANS GRAND 40^TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

Ace comedian, Julius Agwu, will be exactly 40 years old on the 7^th of April,2013, and he is planning to celebrate it big! The comedy “genius” recently got himself a new Mercedes Benz GL550 Jeep in preparation for his grand birthday celebration.

“I WAS A CAPONE OF THE SECRET CULT”-Apostle Anslem Madubuko

Apostle Anslem Madubuko is the General Overseer of the Revival Assembly, a church based in Ikeja area of Lagos State,Nigeria. He recently revealed in an interview, his past dealings with the secret cult and also his life as a widower. The 54-year-old preacher who lost his dear wife, Connie, last year said he will definitely remarry “I can’t tell but of course, one of these days.”

Read interview excerpt:

“When I was to go to the university, my parents advised against joining any cult. But I did. At the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu campus, I went in search of the pirates’ confraternity. I went through the grueling interviews and eventually became a member. In my last year in school, I became the capone of the secret cult.”

Read full interview below:

(WATCH VIDEO) 15,000 crocodiles escapes from a crocodile farm

Around 15,000 crocodiles escaped from the Rakwena Crocodile Farm into the Limpopo River during flooding in the past week.
A few thousand crocodiles had been recaptured in the dense bush next to the river and in the adjacent orange groves Zane Langman, the son-in-law of Johan Boshoff, who owns Rakwena said.
Read more and watch video after cut:

ASSAULT OF TIWA BANKS, COURT ADJOURNS HEARING

A Magistrate court sitting in Ojookoro, has adjourned the case of Nigerian singer and model, Tiwa Banks, who was allegedly assaulted by her landlord’s son, Tobi Obadina, in Lagos. The matter which was slated for hearing earlier in the week could not hold as only the prosecutor, Clara Olagbayi, and the defense counsel announced their appearance. It was however gathered that there are underground moves by Tobi Obadina’s family to meet with Tiwa Bank for the case to be settled out of court.

The media was sometimes in December last year agog with the sad news of the stabbing of Tiwa Banks, an upcoming artiste who sang ‘Olenle’, by her landlord’s son in her apartment.

KATE HENSHAW REPLACES SASHA P AS SAMSUNG BRAND AMBASSADOR

Following the end of Sasha P’s one year contract with telecom company, Samsung Mobile, Kate Henshaw, an A-list Nollywood actress has been endorsed to replace her.

Balogun,21-year-old Nigerian hangs self in UK over fear of deportation

 The 21 year old Nigerian, Riliwanu Balogun, who was found hanged at Glen Parva Young Offender’s Institute in Leicester in 2011, a day after his 21st birthday, has been revealed to have died as a result of fear of deportation. An inquest into the death of the young Nigerian revealed that Balogun who moved to the UK when he was seven years of age, had told a senior prison staff that he had nothing to live for.

Share Your Thoughts This Weekend:

WOULD YOU ALLOW your 28years old son marry a 42years old lady?

 Your cherished 28years old son comes home one day with a lady of about 42 to 45 years of age telling you that “this is my wife to be. It is either her or nothing.” Would you approve of that?

Drop your Comments here:

KIM KARDASHIAN AND KRIS HUMPHRIES' DIVORCE DRAMA CONTINUES

It doesn't look like Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries' divorce saga will be coming to a close any time soon. The controversies still rage. Kim has been more willing to get rid of Kris Humphries from her life… but according to reports, she’s not willing to pay any cash. Instead Kim is now insisting Kris covers her attorney fees.

Meet The world's 'poorest' president, Jose Mujica of Uruguay

"I'm called 'the poorest president', but I don't feel poor. Poor people are those who only work to try to keep an expensive lifestyle, and always want more and more."-President Jose Mujica

All the president's wealth - a 1987 VW Beetle

It's common to see politicians' lifestyles far removed from those of their electorate. Not so with the President of Uruguay. Meet the Jose Mujica, the president - who lives on a ramshackle farm on the outskirts of Montevideo with his wife and three-legged dog and gives away 90 per cent of his monthly salary, the equivalent of £7,500, away to charity leaving him with just £485 a month to live off.

The part-time farmer's proudest and most valuable possessions are his tired-looking Volkswagen Beetle and his three-legged dog Manuela. Only two police officers and Manuela, a three-legged dog, keep watch outside his ramshackle home which is a far cry from the country’s grand presidential palace in the capital city of Montevideo.

The president's austere lifestyle is a world away from that of many politicians in the world who have been caught out trying to manipulate the government’s treasury to boost their income. Do you think African politicians will envy this man? Drop your comment.

Read more of this man below:

LAFF IT OFF: (Video) Prank on girls in the zoo,and the   missing snake

WE HAVE NOT PULLED OUT OF CAN-CATHOLIC CHURCH

The Catholic Church through its secretariat, The Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) has refuted reports that it has pulled out of the Christian Association of Nigeria. According to the CSN, the source of the alleged “pull out must have spoken of his opinion.” According to the Communications Director of CSN, Rev. Fr. Ralph Madu, in an interview with The PUNCH on Thursday, said the alleged pull out was false.

Terrible: Man burns pregnant sister-in-law to death for pouring water on his dog

A pregnant woman was set ablaze recently in Imo State after a brief argument with her brother-in-law, a report claims. The suspect, Chibueze Njoku of Umuekwunne community in Imo State was arrested for murdering Uloma Njoku because she apparently maltreated his dog when she poured a cup of water on it.

                   Why Is Jamie Foxx Avoiding His Dying Father?

Jamie Foxx is allegedly snubbing his biological father who is dying. The “Django Unchained” star biological father would like to reconnect, but apparently Jamie isn’t interested in meeting with the man who abandoned him when he was growing up. If you believe the National Enquirer, Jamie’s 74-year-old father is said to be devastated because the Oscar-winning actor has repeatedly rebuffed efforts to patch up the feud.:

(WATCH) How Chelsea star Eden Hazard kicked a ball boy

A 17-year-old ball boy, named Chalie Morgan, was kicked in the ribs by Chelsea striker Eden Hazard during a football match between Chelsea and Swansea on Wednesday. The £170,000-a-week Chelsea star went to regain the ball that went out of play when the incident happened.

 The 22-year-old Belgian footballer, who joined the club for £32million last summer from French side Lille, was sent off after the incident at Swansea City’s Liberty Stadium. South Wales. The Police are said to be investigating the incident – a matter they are treating ‘very seriously’. The ballboy is reported to be the son of  Swansea director Martin Morgan.

You are fake-accented elephants” – Charles Novia blasts Nigerian Radio and TV Presenters

Charles Novia is a trained Dramatist, Actor, Director and Film Producer. He recently took a  swipe,(only God knows why) at Nigerian radio and TV On-air-personalities describing them as “fake-accented elephants”. He however reserved praises for few. Read excerpts:

                                   TIWA SAVAGE GROOVING IN DUBAI

Nigerian singer and song writer, Tiwa Savage, is obviously having a good time in Dubai. The 1^st  African female Pepsi brand ambassador and a member of Mavin Records, expressed her happy mood through her tweet saying she has checked into ,The Burj Al Arab in Dubai, one of the most luxurious hotels in the world. Read her tweet and check our her room. But wait a minute, who is the 'we' in the 'our'?

             Stay Single, Die Younger, Say Scientists

Men and women who are married or in long-term relationships are more likely to survive to old age than singletons according to research. Scientists have found that being married, or being in a permanent stable relationship, could lead to a longer life. Middle-aged people without a spouse or long-term partner were discovered to be at greater risk of premature death than those who were settled down with their other half, they said.So stark was the difference in outcomes that those who never married or settled down with a long-term companion were more than twice more likely to die in middle age than those who had been in a stable relationship throughout their adult life. Even when personality and risky behaviours were taken into account, marital status continued to have a major impact on survival into old age, researchers from Duke University Medical Center in the US said.

BASKETMOUTH TAKES AFRICAN KINGS OF COMEDY TO LONDON

BasketMouth

One of Nigeria’s top comedians, Bright Okpocha popularly known as Basketmouth, is taking African Kings of Comedy show to London this February. The unique comedy and music show which debuted last year was held at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. It featured Basketmouth himself, IGoDie, and Bovi, amongst other top comedians from within and out Nigeria. Music was also provided by some of the biggest names in the Nigerian music industry. Basketmouth tweeted via his twitter handle that the London event will be taking place on the 1oth of February at Indig O2  and on the 14^th February at Manchester, 

Read him: 

HILARY CLINTON ON A "HOT SEAT" FOR OVER 5 HOURS, LOST HER COOL

Hillary Rodham Clinton

US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton was on a “hot seat” Wednesday in the Capitol Hill before US lawmakers as she delivered fiery rejoinders to Republican critics of the Obama administration's handling of the deadly attack on a U.S. mission in Benghazi, on September 11, 2012, which led to the death of Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans. She was at times emotional, defiant, complimentary and willing to chastise lawmakers during the more than 5 hours of testimony before two separate committees.

Read on and watch video below:

AREPO FIRE AGAIN!

One of the Arepo fire victims

Arepo, ordinarily sleepy community in Ogun State, Southwest Nigeria, is in the news again. The community is fast becoming synonymous to oil pipeline vandalism. Less than   two weeks after vandals burst the petroleum pipelines of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in the community which led to the death of 30 suspected vandals, another fire incident occurred in the early hours of yesterday following the activities of the vandals. It was gathered that fire started as a result of exchange of gunshots between officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), who have been stationed to monitor the acts of the vandals since the last incident. The Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC, Ogun State command, Kareem Olanrewaju, confirmed the incident but did not state the extent of damage or any loss of life.

Video: Serena Williams destroys racket in loss

31 years old tennis player, Serena Williams, lost her cool on Wednesday when she was knocked out of the Australian Open by U.S. teen Sloane Stephens, 19, causing her to vehemently destroy her racket on the tennis court. Serena was reportedly fined $1,500 for the racket-abuse code violation, the largest sum charged to any female player at this Australian Open event. Serena went down 2-1 in the quarter final deciding match. Stephens outplayed Williams, whose movement and serves had been slowed by a back injury, and beat the 15-time Grand Slam champion 3-6, 7-5, 6-4.In her career the tennis star has won five Australian Open titles, won five Wimbledon’s, a U.S. Opens triumph along with one French Open win.  Serena is currently trying to establish herself as the greatest female tennis player ever by chasing down Margaret Court's all-time record of 24 titles. Yesterday's loss ends a run of 20 consecutive wins since her loss at the French Open Grand Slam tournament. Williams was hoping to win the Australian Open for a sixth time and land a 16th grand slam title. But Stephens stopped her. One can understand her frustration.

Watch video below:

WATCH PRESIDENT JONATHAN’S FULL INTERVIEW WITH CNN’S CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR

Share your thought on this interview below:

            FILM OF THE WEEK: “TWO BRIDES AND A BABY”

A CONTEMPORARY STORY ABOUT LOVE, BETRAYAL, REVENGE, PAIN & COMMON RELATIONSHIP ISSUES, starring STELLA DAMASUS, KALU IKEAGWU, KEIRA HEWATCH, OC UKEJE, BLESSING EFFIOM, CHELSEA EZE,KEHINDE BANKOLE and OKEY UZOESHI. Written and produced by Blessing Effiom, and directed by Teco Benson.

                                 It all began on the day before the wedding, during the wedding rehearsal, surrounded by friends and family when the groom’s ex girlfriend (Stella Damasus) suddenly showed up, ringing along a basket full of drama.Cupboard full of secrets were soon opened, exposing the concealed reactions of everyone directly involved, including a challenged married couple (Deji and Ene) and a troubled engaged couple (Ugo and Maye).

Watch Clip Below:

Shocker! How reality TV show winner, met his father 

on stage after 30yrs of separation

ISRAEL

His story runs like a novel; shocking and unbelievable. But it is real and never imagined. Winner of the maiden edition of Destiny Child Gospel reality TV show, Israel Osunsanmi recently came to term with the saying that blood is thicker than water.This is so, because on a day the world gathered to celebrate him as the star winner of the gospel reality show, the unexpected happened. Young Israel had a cause to meet his biological father for the first time in his lifetime while on stage.Read more here:

  Psquare’s “Alingo” and Wande Coal’s new videos banned!

While Peter Okoye of Psquare is still celebrating the arrival of his new baby princess,Aliona, outstide the country, back home in Nigeria, the Nigeria  Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has banned one of his music videos “Alingo”. Also banned is Wande Coal’s latest music video, “Go Low”, which was premiered some two weeks back. “Go Low” is a video from the stable of MAVIN Records which was directed and Mr. Moe Musa in the UK. Other banned music videos include: Timaya’s  “Shake your Bum”, Goldie’s “Skibobo”, Tillaman ‘s “Ko ma roll”, Flavour’s “Shake”, Chuddy K’s “chop my dollar”, and D’prince’s “ Take Banana”. According to sources,the reason for the ban range from “vulgar and suggestive dance steps” to scenes of nudity” which the NBC considers offensive to public viewing. The NTBB  (Not To Be Broadcast) ban however only restricts the video from being played on ‘Free-to-air’ TV stations. It does not affect it being played to viewers of cable TV stations.

Watch videos below:

See the New P-Square Baby Girl

Yesterday 22nd of January 2012, Arizona Naija brought you the happy news that Peter Okoye of P-Square and Lola Omotayo had welcomed their 2nd child.The child has been named “Aliona”.

See the cute baby’s photo below:

Little Aliona and mother,Lola

SURPRISE: Chukuku Village–Where it is taboo to fry ‘Akara’

Communities are known for particular things, some for agriculture, some for artworks, some for eating a particular food and some for a peculiar dance. But when things go from the normal to the absurd, like a community where it is a taboo to fry bean cakes (akara), it calls for surprise. No one could give the reason for this law or maybe they know but chose to be mum. Chukuku community in Kuje Area Council has been in existence for many years but in all these years, it is against traditional laws to engage in frying bean cakes called akara in local parlance in the community. Akara is a local delicacy made from grounded beans which is seasoned, spiced and deep fried in oil. It is enjoyed with pap, tea or used as a filling for bread. Chukuku village, a traditional Gbagyi settlement with all semblance of a traditional community, predominantly inhabited by indigenous people is located between Gwagwalada and Kiyi village (ABUJA,NIGERIA).
Read more after here:

EX PRESIDENT SARCOZY PLANS TO EXCAPE FRENCH LAW

Nicolas Sarkozy and Carla Bruni-Sarkozy

Former president Nicolas Sarkozy could become the next wealthy Frenchman to flee to Britain over his country’s looming tax hikes on the rich. He is reportedly planning to move to London to set up a £800million investment fund. The 57-year-old, who was voted out of office last June, is said to have amassed a fortune from £150,000-an-hour public speaking engagements and is now said to be trying to raise capital from investors. If the move goes ahead, the embattled Frenchman will become the latest to escape a potential top tax rate of 75 per cent in his home country. 

He and his former supermodel third wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy would be likely to settle in an affluent district like South Kensington – so becoming the most high profile Gallic celebrity couple in the city.

                          KANO BANS “OKADA”

Kano State has joined the league of states that have restricted the use of motorcycles popularly called “Okada” in the Southern Nigeria and “Achaba” in most northern states in Nigeria, within their metropolis. Lagos recently banned them from the major roads, while in Akwa Ibom and Rivers, it is a total ban.

 The Kano State acting governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, in a state broadcast made in Hausa said the decision to ban motorcycles was  inevitable following series of attacks by gunmen on motorbikes, the latest being the one made on the lives of Emir of Kano and his two sons.