The Search for Africa’s Next Hollywood Star Begins

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The Spirit Actor -“The Search for Africa’s Next Hollywood Star”

Your chance to be flown to New York, USA - where the boot camp will be and will be working with real life Acting Coaches, Hollywood Agents, Directors, Producers, and Casting Directors playing alongside huge Hollywood names. The ultimate winner will be awarded with One year contract with a personal Hollywood agent and flown to L.A, California to Star in a block-buster American movie – titled Asylum Down, alongside Morris Chestnut and other academy award “A” list actors. REGISTRATION Download and send your entry forms from Register now (download forms) Complete Registration and submit form online by adding Unique Teller Number Obtain Personal Teller number: pay N4,000 to any GTBank bank Account Details Acount name: TLDC/Africa’s next Hollywood star Account Number. 250226737110 AUDITION: Lagos: From July 29th @Planet One in Maryland, Lagos. Abuja: From Aug 4th @ Nicon Luxury in Garki, Area 11 Abuja. Port-Harcourt: From Aug 8th @ Hotel Presidential; Aba road. CONTACT THE SPIRITED ACTOR Phone: 08134866305

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Al-Qaeda determined to make Nigeria its next HQ

Spy chiefs have warned David Cameron that al-Qaeda is determined to make Nigeria a base for plotting terror attacks on the West.

Radical Islamic groups in the West African nation are dramatically stepping up their campaign, security sources said.

Boko Haram – whose name means “Western education is sinful” – wants Sharia law in the mostly Muslim, oil-rich country, where half of people live in poverty. The group boasts its jihadists are ready to make the country ungovernable and bombings by “the Nigerian Taliban” have already killed hundreds. One British official said: “There are dozens of flights every day from Lagos to London. We either help stop the terrorists here, or we will be dealing with them on the streets of Britain.” The UK has said it will increase aid but Catholic agency CAFOD said: “What they need is sustained commitment to peace, democracy and good government. They need foreign companies to create jobs, not take resources.”

The organisers of Music Meets Runway responds to Amber Rose's claim

Statement from the organisers of Music Meets Runway.

Early this morning, one of the major headliners of the highly anticipated show, Music Meets Runway, Amber Rose tweeted that she will not be coming to Nigeria to host Music Meets Runway 2011.

Due to recent developments of Amber Roses nude photos that surfaced on the internet last week, we were in discussion as to what to do about the situation with some of our sponsors who had understandably shown some concern. We were still in discussions with our sponsors to accommodate Amber when we read Amber Roses tweet about her not being booked to host Music Meets Runway.

Amber has indeed been booked and paid for through a reputable international booking agent and we were as surprised as anyone to see the tweet.

This situation is under investigation and details will be passed as more information comes.

The show, Music Meets Runway will still hold come Saturday, July 9 at Expo Center, Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos.

Music Meets Runway is an event poised & designed to create awareness for the laudable and fledging growth the Nigerian fashion industry has recorded in recent times. The event won’t be all about fashion as 10 musical artistes will also grace the occasion dishing out hits after hits. It will be a great networking opportunity for fashion industry, professionals including educators, retail buyers, fashion journalists, trendsetters and consumers.

We want to assure the public that we are bringing you a great show with some of the most amazing Nigerian Artists and Designers and that this event will be nothing short of a phenomenal experience.

A press conference will be scheduled shortly and information will be sent to all media houses.

NIIT Nigeria Scholarship 2011: How to register

If you are dreaming of a global I.T career, try and take the NIIT Nigeria Scholarship Test 2011. NIIT is one of the best Information Technology training Institutes in the world with branches all over the world. NIIT is a global leader in Information Technology training and education with over 4,000 centres in 40 countries and an experience of over 26 years in IT training, boasting of over 5 million students worldwide. NIIT is Africa's largest IT education provider. * Last date of application : 15th JULY,2011 * Exam date : 16th JULY,2011 * For more details, VISIT YOUR NEAREST NIIT CENTER The 12th NIIT Nigeria Scholarship test 2011 will take place on Saturday July 16, 2011, at all NIIT centres nationwide. Interviews for qualified candidates will commence thereafter. The NIIT IT Empowerment scholarship is open to all students, employees, undergraduates, and anyone who desires to become a certified professional in Information Technology. To apply, try and visit the nearest NIIT centre close to you to fill the FREE application form. NIIT Nigeria IT Scholarship offers deserving students up to 100% waiver on IT training programs of their choice. Application ends July 15, 2011. So, visit an NIIT centre today and obtain and fill in your free application form. IS IT REALLY A FULL SCHOLARSHIP? Well, as a matter of fact, IT IS NOT A FULL SCHOLARSHIP but you will get good discount on your course of choice depending on how you perform in the scholarship qualifying test. When I took the test in 2009, I performed excellently and because of that, I was able to study Java Programming basics at a much more reduced fee, compared to what my mates paid. You will agree with me that getting a world class IT education is expensive with cost for professional IT education ranging between 50,000 to up to 500,000 Naira or even more. By taking part in the NIIT scholarship program you stand a chance getting waiver on your IT training fees. Depending on your performance in the NIIT scholarship qualifying test, you may get up to 50% fee waiver on your IT training at NIIT Nigeria.

I hope this helps.

Ruggedman, 9ice Fight Again

The acrimony between two leading musicians, Michael Ugochukwu, a.k.a Ruggedman and Akande Abolore also known as 9ice, has taken a turn for the worse, with Ruggedman boasting that “9ice is my boy. He met his wife through me.”

9ice’s estranged wife, Toni Payne, is at the centre of the strained relationship between the erstwhile best friends.

Just as the acrimony between Ruggedman and 9ice was ebbing, the former again stirred the hornet’s nest in a new Yomba TV programme called Gbamu Gbanu.

Speaking in Yoruba language on a television programme Gbamu Gbamu, which will hit the screens on African Magic Yoruba on DSTV by 1 July 2011, Ruggedman said that 9ice had his first major break when he brought him on stage at a Nigerian Breweries show held at Mothelan’, Opebi, Ikeja. about six years ago.

He said that at the show, he introduced Toni Pyne to him and that was how they started, adding, “I don’t know that it is a crime to introduce someone to a woman. I wouldn’t have done that.”

Ruggedy Baba, as Ruggedman is also called by friends and fans, said when the story was making the rounds, he was waiting for 9ice to debunk it and since he failed to do so, he decided to state his own side, declaring, “he is a boy I trained by taking him to shows and that was what gave birth to the song, Opomulero.”

Gbenga Adeyinka, the brain behind the television programme, a top comedian and master of ceremonies, said Gbamu Gbamu, which has different segments like jokes, mock news and interviews, among others, is a way of bringing out his talent to show that he can also present a Yoruba programme.He added that top comedians like Ali Baba, Omo Baba, Tee A and others will feature in the weekly programme.

Mohammed Manga, Nigeria's first suicide bomber

The man who bombed the Nigeria Police Force headquarters in Abuja on June 16 was a fairly well-to-do businessman who was actually on a suicide mission on behalf of the Islamic sect the Boko Haram. Mohammed Manga was a 35-year-old married man with five children who drove overnight from Maiduguri to Abuja in order to carry out the morning attack which left about five people dead and many cars incinerated in the blast. He had left N4 million in his will for his five children – two girls and three boys – before embarking on the fateful journey to the nation’s capital. There was proof also that Manga was accompanied on the deadly mission by at least a collaborator in the plot, who took his last photograph alive as he drove through the streets of Abuja. The collaborator(s) might have disembarked from the car before Manga reached the Louis Edet House headquarters of the Nigerian Police. Source: BluePrint Magazine

Okonjo-Iweala , Alison-Madueke, 38 Others Make Ministerial List

Okonjo-Iweala , Alison-Madueke, 38 Others Make Ministerial List Former Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, is the South-east zonal nominee in the new cabinet to be constituted by President Goodluck Jonathan. In what can be described as a “semi-final” list awaiting final journey to the Senate on Monday, the final list drafted by the president’s selection committee contains 40 names. The list the president will forward to the senate for screening when you continue... North-west:Ambassador Bashir Yuguda (Zamfara),Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman (Sokoto),Prof. Ruqqayatu Rufa’i (Jigawa),Alhaji Yusuf Abubakar (Kaduna),Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman (Kano),Alhaji Mohammed Musa Sa’ada (Katsina),Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed (Kebbi),Hajia Abiba Isah Dutse (North-west) South-south:Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke (Bayelsa),Mr. Tonye Cole (Rivers),Mrs. Martina Odom (Cross River),Elder Godsday Orubebe (Delta),Mr. Mike Onolememen (Edo),Prof. Ita Okon Bassey-Ewa (Akwa Ibom) South-east:Mrs Biola Viola Onwuliri (Imo),Prof. Barth Nnaji (Enugu),Mrs. Stella Odua-Ogiemwonyi (Anambra),Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu (Ebonyi),Mr. Emeka Wogu (Abia),Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (South-east) North-central:Mr. Mohammed Adoke (Kogi),Malam Bolaji Abdullahi (Kwara),Mr. Labaran Maku (Nasarawa),Hajia Zainab Ibrahim Kuchi (Niger),Dr. Samuel Loraer Ortom (Benue),Dr. Jonah Madugu (Plateau),Comrade Abba Moro (North-central) South-west:Dr. Olusegun Aganga (Lagos),Ms. Olajumoke Akinjide (Oyo),Mr. Akinwunmi Ayo Adesina (Ogun),Erelu Olusola Obada (Osun),Mrs. Omobola Johnson Olubusola (Ondo),Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade (Ekiti),Amb. Olugbenga Ashiru (South-west) North-east: Alhaji Bukar Tijjani (Borno),Mr. Obadiah Ando (Taraba),Senator Idris Umar (Gombe),Dr. Yerima Lawan Ngama (Yobe),Hajia Zainab Maina (Adamawa),Senator Bala Mohammed (Bauchi),Dr. Mohammed Pateh (North-east) Source: Thisday

ANDRE VILLAS BOAS: The Special One Mark II

Through the Portugese Securities Market Commision Porto FC announced that Andre Villas-Boas has tendered his resignation as Porto coach and his contract will be terminated when the release clause is paid.

With this development pleasing quite alot of Chelsea lovers, i want to tell you how this 33 year old man kept coming to my attention and so i thought to do a bit of reading up on this young Portuguese manager and was suitably impressed and intrigued by the similarities in Boas's path into football was to the 'Special One'.

Luís André de Pina Cabral e Villas-Boas was born on the 17th October 1977. Andre Villa-Boas's childhood was just like any other Portuguese child. He played sports but did not excel certainly not at Football anyway, and anybody predicting that this young Portuguese boy would make a ('Potentially' anyway) Top Manager would have been questioned by even the most imaginative person. In fact, Andre's path into Football was as complicated if not more so than Jose Mourinho's path ! It all started when Sir Bobby Robson, who was Manager of Porto, moved into the same Apartment block that Andre and his family lived. Andre Villa-Boas was a 16 year old Porto fan, so for the Manager of his team to be living in the same Apartment block was a big deal to him. Robson, was just beginning his career at Porto but had achieved success at Ipswich, England and PSV Eindhoven and had even had a short stay at Sporting Lisbon where he had surprisingly been sacked despite having Sporting at the top of the league. Andre despite having admiration for Sir Bobby, questioned his decision to leave striker Domingos Paciencia on the bench too often for Andre's liking. Andre, had even asked Sir Bobby for a position at Porto, which Bobby had kindly declined, but young Villas-Boas was persistent. When he sent Sir Bobby a letter again questioning his wisdom in only using Paciencia as a substitute, Sir Bobby asked him to back up his argument with facts which Villas-Boas did in emphatic fashion ! Robson, was so impressed with the quality of Villa-Boas's data and in depth analysis to back up his argument that he gave him the role of trainee youth team coach. Villas-Boas's love of the game was evident to Robson who ensured that he nutured the youngster in order to help him flourish. Robson sent Andre Villas-Boas to Lilleshall in England to undertake his coaching badges. Being only 17 years old, Andre was the youngest student, by some margin, undertaking his Coaching Badges. Andre Villas-Boas gained his UEFA C license agaed just 17. Sir Bobby then used his contacts in the game to give Boas some experience and arranged for him to spend some time at Robson's former club Ipswich Town working with George Burley. Andre's grandmother who was English also aided Andre by teaching him the English Language which ensured he became fluent in English, which also aided his progression as he was able to communicate on a wider level. When Andre returned back to Porto after his 'Work Experience' he was offered a job in the British Virgin Islands working for their Football Association. This step was made easier as a direct result of his excellent communication skills and his command of the English Language. Once settled into his new surroundings Andre undertook a coaching position with the British Virgin Islands Football Association. Andre spent 18-months over there before he returned to FC Porto, where he was offered a coaching role with Porto's under-19 side. The job offer incidentally was made by the new man in charge, his name ; Jose Mourinho ! Not long into Villas-Boas's new employment, Jose identified a different role for him and remembered Villas-Boas's attention to detail that had impressed Sir Bobby Robson so much. Jose promoted Andre to the role of opposition scout. Andre thrived in the role of 'Opposition Scout' or the more creatively entitled 'director of opposition intelligence'. His attention to detail meant he left no stone unturned and allowed Mourinho to tailor his plans for the opposition perfectly as a result of the data that Andre provided. Part of Villas-Boas's role would be to scout Porto’s upcoming opponents and provide dossiers for Jose and his players. Jose Mourinho and Andre Villas-Boas enjoyed a successful partnership at Porto, the highlight of which was winning the UEFA Champions League in 2002. When Jose left Porto for Chelsea he took Andre Villas-Boas with him. He has performed the same role at Chelsea and Inter. Like Jose though, Andre Villas-Boas was supremely ambitious and wanted more than just to be a scout. In October 2009, Andre left Inter Milan to become manager of Academica in Portugal’s top flight. His only season at Academica saw them finish in 11th place in the division. To the surprise of a number of people, Porto’s president Jorge Pinto da Costa made an approach for Villas-Boas as he wanted Andre to become Porto’s latest manager. Villas-Boas agreed to join Porto and left his role as Academica boss and replaced Jesualdo Ferreira as Manager of Porto. As I did mention earlier, Andre like Jose Mourinho has become a manager without any playing career of his own. This fact is almost unheard of in the World of Football. Both pay great attention to detail and their analysis of upcoming opponents probably sets them apart from a lot of managers around the World.

Andre really has walked a similar path to Jose that path has led him into Football Management. Both have been assistant managers at top clubs and both managed to secure managerial jobs in the Portugese Top Division with little previous experience which in itself is no mean feat ! Mourinho managed Lieira and done well securing their highest ever league finish, whilst Villas-Boas's first attempt saw him avoid Relegation with Academia. Which was certainly one of the reasons why people raised eyebrows when Porto came calling. The similarities between Villas-Boas and Mourinho are almost uncanny. Whilst Jose is a master of psychology and playing mind-games, possibly his greatest strength comes in motivating his teams. Jose always seems to be loved by his players who carry out his gameplan to a tee. Jose has also shown demonstrated that he is a great tactician and this is evidenced in the organisation of his teams. Villas-Boas has certainly displayed some of the above qualities that Mourinho possesses but he states very clearly that he is his own person. Certainly Andre demonstrated his own tactical ability last season as Porto swept all the teams aside. Whether or not Andre possesses the same charisma and whether he manipulates the media in the same way Mourinho does remains to be seen. However, he does possess the same supreme confidence in his own ability as well as the same will to win that Jose has in abundance. Andre required those attributes when he took over at Porto from Jesualdo Ferreira. Ferreira's record at Porto had been excellent and this only increased the pressure on Villas-Boas. Ferreira after all had won 3 successive titles in his 4 year stint at Porto. Despite that tremendous record, Ferreira paid for his job when his Porto side could only manage a 3rd Place finish. That supreme confidence was required and was demonstrated in abundance by Villas-Boas when he was with Porto. Last season saw guide Porto to a title treble, winning both the league and league cup as well as the Europa League. Porto ended last season unbeaten with 27 wins in 30matches, becoming only the second Portugese club to finish a league season unbeaten, after Benfica 1972/73. A quirky fact from the Europa League Final was that Braga where managed by Domingos Paciencia, the former Porto Striker who Villas-Boas had written to Sir Bobby Robson about all those years previous ! At the end of the match Villas-Boas displayed the classy side of his nature by thanking both Jose Mourinho and in particular Sir Bobby Robson for guiding him in his career. That for me was a really nice touch and demonstrated some humility that is sometimes found wanting in the Professional Game nowadays. People are making noises that Andre will become the new Jose Mourinho and the similarities are there for all to see. I think that Villas-Boas will want to be judged in his own right and as a mini Mourinho! He has certainly made a very good start to his Managerial career and I am sure there are worse managers to be compared to these days. I wait to see him do more exploits in Chelsea though i can only hope the fans would be patient with Villa-Boas.

Bank Staff Steals N25m From ATM

A bank staff, Adesanya Stephen Adeyemi, shocked the management of a new generation bank, after he manipulated the bank’s Automated Teller Machine, ATM, and allegedly carted away N25 million without officials detecting it.

He has been charged to Lagos magistrate’s court at Igbosere for stealing.

The 34-year old Adeyemi, who is a staff of the bank, was alleged to have manipulated the system and withdrawn the money.

While the alleged fraud lasted, the ATM was working normally for several months without any indication that such money was missing.

P.M.NEWS gathered that the theft continued for several months until he was sacked before the bank’s management knew what he had done.

P.M.NEWS also gathered that the bank engaged the services of Adeyemi in the engineering department where he was in charge of loading money into the bank’s ATMs.

But what surprised the management was how he was able to manipulate the machine without anybody knowing that such a huge amount of money was being stolen,P.M.NEWS gathered.

When the bank later discovered the alleged theft, Adeyemi was arrested at his house at 15, Megba Japhet Crescent, Owode, Ikorodu, Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria.

He was charged to Igbosere Magistrate’s Court for stealing, a crime that is contrary to Section 390 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.

When the charge was read to him, he pleaded not guilty.

The presiding Magistrate, Mrs. F. O. Aigbokhaevbo granted him bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum. The court also ordered that sureties must have land property in Lagos state.

WHY LIMIT YOURSELF WITH YOUR OPINION ABOUT YOURSELF

A few weeks ago I found myself watching the Tyra Banks Show and for once I found the topic of discussion quite interesting. In part, it went a little something like this: some women who had issues with certain aspects of their physical features and bodies were concealed behind a screen and only those worrisome parts were displayed to the studio audience. Members of the audience were then asked to rate these parts on a scale of one to ten, with one being the highest. The women on display were also asked to rate their parts as well. The women who were on display invariably gave a poor rating to those parts while members of the audience invariably gave a high rating to those parts! Well the whole thing was hilarious but more importantly I came away with a confirmation of the feeling that most women have issues with certain aspects of their bodies and looks. More specifically, there was this very beautiful woman of African American heritage who said that she had issues with her breasts because she felt they were too big (from an African man’s point of view they were just right!) and as a result she felt that men were attracted to her only because of her boobs! While she rated them poorly, the audience made up of both men and women loved them! Of course men are going to be attracted to her physical endowments! What are they? Blind? Well, Tyra tried to give her the whole “wrapping and content” lecture which I hope she took to heart. Another woman had issues with her ears and was going to have corrective surgery…well, they did stick out a lot but…come on Will Smith’s got huge stick out ears and that hasn’t stopped him from becoming one of the most sought after actors in the world! OK maybe I should have used a female example but you get my point.

It’s not the fact that you have got pimples, or are too lepa or too orobo, or you have a bad leg or tiny ankles or your hairline is making a hasty retreat that matters. What matters is how well you carry it! In relation to size, I know orobo babes that have a lot more confidence and pizzazz than their lepa counterparts! Likewise I have seen lepa babes that would give Agbani a run for her money with their swagger! I have a male friend who is rather short but forget, the guy was friends with more women than I could count. He carried his height (or the lack of it) rather well and had a great personality which attracted women. Dude is even married to a woman who is taller than he is.

It really breaks my heart to see perfectly beautiful women limit themselves because of the way they think they look. I had a friend tell me once that she didn’t think she was very pretty. I was like, “Are you joking?” because this girl is quite pretty and she’s doing great at the same time. She said that she didn’t think she was attractive enough. I told her that she was wrong and that all she needed to do was to change her perception about herself because really our self perception always shows in our carriage and reflects upon everything else that we do. Thankfully she took my advice and now has a series of toasters and boyfriends. And sometimes it could be all sorts of things hindering them: their hands, weight, lips, noses, teeth, arms, bow legs, k-legs etc. I just laugh because the truth is the guy that is going to fall for you isn’t going to fall for you based on your looks alone but on the total package i.e. the content as well as the wrapping.

Now I don’t mean to brush aside the feelings of “insecurity” that some of us have with respect to our looks and issues. It must be harder for some people but I implore them to carry it and carry it well! If your issue is a medical condition, you should take the pains to minimise the effects. Truth is sometimes it is in our power to control those things that bother us; and other times it is not in our power. If it is the former, don’t be lazy, if you have bad acne, try and find out what causes it – an oily face, certain hormones, certain foods etc; if you are really bothered about your weight, hit the gym and watch what you eat. In school there was a girl who was an albino but I can say without hesitating that she was definitely one of the hottest girls on campus, she had a lovely figure and her skin was always glowingly beautiful. She obviously took care of herself, by understanding her condition and took the pains to do the right things, like avoid unnecessary exposure to the sun e.t.c.

If the condition is not in our power to control, I say again carry it well! A friend who has a bad leg as a result of childhood polio has such a bubbly and effervescent personality that even those that would normally stare are forced to see her for who she is, a fun, witty, beautiful and loving person. She’s happily married today and is bringing joy to her husband’s life. She carries it well. I’m a guy so take it from me that if you carry it well, there will be guys who would be seriously interested in you. We had a saying in school that even if a girl had one eye, there would still be one or two guys who would be tripping for her. Don’t let your issues prevent you from enjoying what could be a great relationship. Believe me, showing a lack of confidence is highly unattractive; it’s not your skin condition but your refusal to carry it well and lack of confidence that puts people off. We don’t want to go on dates with you because you refuse to enjoy yourself.

So at the risk of sounding insensitive, whether it’s big tummies, big booties, skinny legs, a funny nose, a stammer, a lisp, baldness, cross eyes, funny teeth, acne, stretch marks, a bum leg, vitiligo, albinism, tiny ankles, big boobs, or small boobies, or if you are a man or woman just remember that you are beautiful! Don’t limit yourself, just carry it well!