Nigeria spends N365bn yearly on rice importation —FG

Nigeria is spending about N365bn annually on the importation of 2.1 million metric tonnes of milled rice, the Federal Government has said.

According to the government, the country is currently the largest importer of rice in the world, a development it notes as adversely affecting its agricultural sector.

A document obtained by our correspondent from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture on Friday stated, “Nigeria is the largest importer of rice in the world, spending N365bn per year importing 2.1 million MT of milled rice.”

Abuja airport to begin digital tolling

Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja

As a means of addressing security threats to air travellers, the Federal Government has concluded plans to use digital toll gates at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

Our  correspondent gathered on Sunday that the digital toll gate service would come on stream by the end of May.

Djokovic ends Nadal’s Monte Carlo reign

Djokovic

Novak Djokovic ended Rafael Nadal’s eight-year reign at the Monte Carlo Masters with a clinical 6-2 7-6 victory in the final on Sunday.

Nadal, the only player to win a tournament eight times in a row, had enjoyed a 46-match winning streak at the claycourt Masters event before world number one Djokovic prevailed to claim his first title in the principality.

Babcock University releases school fees for next session. Students protest

Well, they are not protesting in school or complaining to their school administration...they are protesting via the media. A few students from the school have sent me mails complaining about the exorbitant fees they are being made to pay to get an education. The university just released the school fees for the next session and some of the students feel its outrageous. See it below...

1) Accounting- N1.5million
2) Nursing- N1million
3) Law- N2million
4) Medicine- N3million
5) Others- N860,000

The students are scared to protest in their school because they could get suspended. Babcock is a Christian University and claims to be a non-profit organization, so students don't understand why they have to pay such huge amounts to school there. But here's my thing; complaining about the school fees of a private university is like complaining about the cost of a first class plane ticket. You have other options; business class, premium economy class, economy class. If this is too much for you, move to a federal school, state school or less expensive private schools. Not that I support these fees, I think it's ridiculous. You pay N3million a session to become a doctor and when you eventually get a job, you make less than N200 thousand a month...doesn't make much sense to me...but that's the way the school wants to operate. You either take it or leave it! What do you guys think?

But meanwhile, is there anything the federal government can do for these students? Like, make their University bring down the fees?

Liverpool striker, Luis Suarez bites Chelsea defender during match

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez on Sunday April 21st bit the arm of Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic during their Premier League match. The Uruguayan striker sank his teeth into the Serbian defender's arm after a tussle during the second half of the match. Suarez didn't get penalised for the bite because the referee didn't see it. He went on score the equalizing goal for Liverpool. He has since apologized for his actions, but I'm sure the English FA will still penalize him.

2face donates traditional wedding cap and shoes to charity

2face has donated the cap and shoes he wore for his traditional wedding to Charity. This unprecedented and unexpected act was done to help raise money for the Lagos State Motherless Babies Home through the Kaymu Celebrity Charity Auctions.

Controversial Actress, Tonto Dikeh Joins Illuminati? (PHOTOS) 18 April, 2013

 

Highly controversial Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh recently displayed some hot and stunning pictures with her fans on social media and captioned one of them as ‘Feeling Flirty’.

What surprised all and many is that, she did a sign of illuminati and her fans are asking, 'has she joined the global money club led by Lucifer?' Let’s wait and see!

SEE MORE PHOTOS:

Female Singer Allows Fans To Touch Her Prívates On Stage [Pics]

This is a picture of a Kenyan Singer performing on stage, and later at a point in time, she bent down close to the fans and hurriedly the fans started deeping their hands into her sewer, and to my greatest shock she didn’t even bother to escape and later said she had a fun performance, can you imagine?

This One dey take the Music Industry for Kenya pass Boundary OOooo!!!!

Which of our Naija Female Artistes do you think can go this far?

Maltina stages biggest ever flash mob in Nigeria, thrills consumers at Lagos Carnival

In line with its resolve and determination to consistently engage its consumers, leading Malt brand, Maltina, from the stables of Nigeria Breweries Plc, thrilled consumers and Nigerians that turned up for the annual Lagos Carnival which took place at the Tafawa Balewa Square on Easter Monday. The Carnival is the high point of the week long activities of the Lagos Heritage Week. 

 

 

Renowned for “sharing happiness”, the brand made its presence felt during the carnival with an array of fascinating Maltina branded carnival costumes. The brand also had the “Maltina stand” which was stationed outside the venue. Consumers trooped en masse to the vivacious Maltina stand where they won different gift items by participating in various exciting competitions.

Glo dumps Naija Sings, as winners fade away

Winners of the GLO Naija Sings Season 1, 2, 3: Jon Ogah, Casey Edema, Christian Doherty

Globacom has ceased sponsorship of the television music reality show ‘Naija Sings’, putting its weight, instead, behind the debuting Nigerian version of the international music reality show, X-Factor.

The telecoms company was the title sponsor of all the three editions of Glo Naija Sings which saw winners emerge with mouth-watering prizes and enough money to launch a music career.

Globacom and the show’s broadcast company, M-NET headed by Biola Alabi signed a three-year sponsorship deal for Naija Sings with production handled by Nevermachine Entertainment.

According to information on Globacom’s website, the show was ‘aimed at discovering, developing and rewarding Nigeria’s brightest and boldest musical talents’, but it seems the objective has not been thoroughly been met.

PHOTOS: Foundation laying ceremony of Fupre's Engineering Workshop/Labs

Korean singer PSY gets 76 million youtube views in three days.

Psy’s video for ‘Gangnam style’ shattered Youtube records. Will ‘Gentleman’ do the same?

The Korean singer/dancer popularly known as PSY seems set to break his own record, with his new video hitting 76 million views in just three days
The new song ‘Gentleman’ dropped at midnight Thursday, April 11, 2013 and on Saturday night the video was posted on YouTube.

Beyonce's racy outfits at her Mrs Carter show in Belgrade, Serbia

On the opening night of her Mrs. Carter tour in Belgrade, Serbia, Beyonce wore her raciest outfit yet. She wore a gold sequin-encrusted bodysuit decorated with faux breasts, complete with protruding nipples. Some people think it's x-rated. Lol. See her other costumes at the show after the cut...

Photos: Julius Agwu's 40th birthday and book launch

The ace comedian's 40th birthday and book launch took place on Sunday April 7th at Harbour Point, Victoria Island. See more photos after the cut...

Mourinho equals Sir Alex Ferguson's record

The Portuguese coach had reached the last four on six previous occasions and has now drawn level with the Manchester United boss after Real Madrid got past Galatasaray on Tuesday

Jose Mourinho has drawn level with Sir Alex Ferguson on seven semi-final appearances in the Champions League after his Real Madrid side got past Galatasaray in the last eight on Tuesday.

Terry G set to drop fourth solo album [View tracklist here]

 

Multi-award winning artiste and producer, Terry G has concluded plans to release his fourth solo album.

The Akpako Master who has been churning out hits after hits since his very successful second album, ‘Ginjah Ur Swaggah’ which featured the lead single ‘Free madness’, says the album will be titled ‘Book of Ginjah’.

The singer told NET in a telephone conversation that his album will be one of the greatest albums of the year. ‘This will be one of my biggest albums. There’s a lot of ginjah in this album. I really took my time to be ready with this one and believe me the Akpako master is back with another monster hit for 2013.’

NET also gathered that the album will be launched in Lagos, Abuja, Terry G’s hometown Makurdi and other major cities in Nigeria in a tour-like train that will have the singer headline with the assistance of a few of his celebrity friends, either performing or making guest appearances.

See Tracklist after the cut...

Ray J denies talking about Kim Kardashian in new single

Ray J at 10th Annual BMI Urban Awards. Photo: Getty Images

Hours after releasing his new single ‘I hit it first’, an apparent jab at former girlfriend, Ray J is claiming he wasn’t referring to Kim K in the song.

During an interview with Hot 97 yesterday morning (April 8, 2013), the RnB bad boy insists the song is not about Kim, but just a concept and it’s only about a record with a catchy idea…

Dear Ray J, that’s hard to believe, especially when the song starts with a line like ‘I had her head going North and her ass going South, But now baby chose to go West‘.

Snoop Lion: Singers can be gay, not rappers

Snoop Lion. Photo: TMZ

The veteran rapper opened to TMZ about his feeling on the sexuality of entertainers…

While stating it is okay for singers to be homosexuals, Snoop says it wouldn’t be acceptable for rappers to be gay.

‘Frank Ocean ain’t no rapper. He’s a singer. It’s acceptable in the singing world, but in the rap world I don’t know if it will ever be acceptable because rap is so masculine’, he reportedly said.

‘It’s like a football team. You can’t be in a locker room full of motherf—-g tough-ass dudes, then all of a sudden say, ‘Hey, man, I like you.’ You know, that’s going to be tough‘, he added.

Pastor arrested over robbery attack at MMIA

 

On Tuesday, Lagos State Police Command, paraded seven suspects of a robbery gang that attacked the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos, last month, killed two policemen and injured several others.

Among the suspects, was the General Overseer of The way of Joy church located in Egbe, a Lagos suburb. The clerg , identified as  Pastor Ibikunle Olarewaju John (pictured top left), confessed to Crime Guard during the parade, that he administered  an oath of secrecy on the gang members, on the day they attacked the Muritala Mohammed Airport. There's more...

Designer Marc Jacobs vacations with porn star boyfriend in Brazil

 

The famous multimillionaire designer was seen today Sunday April 7th kissing, holding hands and having a good time with his porn star boyfriend, Harry Louis, on Ipanema Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. All I will say is this; y'all better never go to Gambia...:-)

Jay Z Launches Sports Management Company - Roc Nation Sports

Jay Z has launched Roc Nation Sports, a full-service sports management company and has signed Yankees star Robinson Cano as its first client. Roc Nation Sports will be led by Jay Z with Juan Perez serving as president. They have partnered with CAA Sports, a division of Creative Artists Agency to co-represent the All-Star second baseman.

“Because of my love of sports, it was a natural progression to form a company where we can help top athletes in various sports the same way we have been helping artists in the music industry for years,” Jay-Z said.

Star Boy Fever! Chris Brown Shouts Out Wizkid on BET’s “106 & Park” | Will he feature on American Rap Star Wale’s Next Album?

Chris Brown and Wizkid seem to be good friends with their media appearances over the past few months – with Chris pulling him out as a surprise guest at his concert in Nigeria as well as the one in Ghana. We can also take Wizkid‘s word for it in his interview with Toolz on Ndani TV’s “The Juice”.

While Chris Brown was a guest on BET’s 106 & Park Talk show promoting his new single and album, shouted out Wizkid and the Azonto dance in general.Is that how much love Chris has got for Naija and Wizkid?  Is there a collaboration coming soon? We really hope so. CB makes the shout out around the 4:30 mark.

Foreign airlines may stop flights into Nigeria

The 24 foreign airlines flying into Nigeria are in dilemma on whether to stop or continue flights into the country as the Federal Government has yet to approve their summer schedule, five days after the commencement of the summer season on March 28, 2013.

It is illegal for any airline to fly into another country without getting approval for its winter and summer seasonal schedules from the host countries, aviation experts familiar with the situation have said.

The approval is usually given days ahead of the expiration of the current season’s schedule in order to avoid a situation where an airline has to ground its flight operations while waiting for approval.

Although most of the foreign airlines have begun implementing their winter schedule, which has yet to be approved by the Ministry of Aviation, a number of them are, however, worried that the delay in the approval process may put them in an unpleasant situation.

Drogba eager to face mentor, Mourinho

Didier Drogba

Ivoirian striker Didier Drogba will meet his former mentor again on Wednesday, for Galatasaray’s away game in Madrid in their Champions League quarter final clash.

Real Madrid coach José Mourinho coached the captain of the Elephants between 2004 and 2007 during his tenure on the Chelsea bench, and a very special relationship was created between the two men.

“I am going to play against my father, Mourinho.  He has a special place in my heart, he changed my life,” admitted Drogba, who never misses an opportunity to sing the praises of the Portuguese technician.

I won’t beg Keshi to play for Eagles –Yobo

Joseph Yobo

Super Eagles captain Joseph Yobo has lamented being cast out by the team coach Stephen Keshi soon after leading the team to the Africa Cup of Nations triumph in South Africa, saying he won’t beg to play for the national team.

Yobo, who spoke to Sports Radio 88.9 Brila FM on Tuesday, lamented the way he was shut out despite being the captain of the team, saying it was disrespectful. He also alleged that one of the assistant coaches to Keshi has made the national team quite uncomfortable for him.

Yobo was not called up for the game against Kenya in Calabar a fortnight ago and said he was not informed as he had expected.

He said, “I don’t know what happened. I felt we were celebrating the African cup together and working together. But since winning the cup, nobody has spoken to me. Keshi has never called me, so I just focused on my club career.

FG set to scrap NECO, cancels UTME

Federal Government has concluded arrangements to scrap the National Examination Council.

Plans have also been concluded to cancel the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination being conducted by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board for applicants into the nation’s tertiary institutions.

JAMB will however not be scrapped.

Lady Gaga reportedly turned down $1 million to perform at Republican Party event

The Washington Examiner reports that the GOP, a party whose stance towards gays has been nothing if not fraught, approached LGBTQ icon Lady Gaga to perform at the Republican National Convention’s Hispanic Leadership Network last August. Sourcing a lawsuit filed by GOP fundraiser American Action Network against production company Cater America LLC, the Examinar claims that Gaga was offered $1 million to perform. Dolly Parton and Pitbull were approached as well.

Win N100, 000 In The “SingForDealDey” Contest

 

DealDey.com, Nigeria’s premier group-buying site is TWO, and to celebrate their anniversary, they are rewarding current and prospective customers with a chance to win  over N100,000 and other cash prizes.

In the #Sing4DealDey competition, YOU can be the star of DealDey and also be one of the three lucky winners;

·         Ist Prize: N100,000

·         2^nd Prize: N75,000

·         3^rd Prize: N50,000

The winner will be selected by our brand ambassador, MoCheddah. Continue to see how you can win...

 

To win;

·  Write a special song for DealDey, and make a video of yourself alone or with friends singing the song

·  Upload your  video on YouTube and title it as #Sing4DealDey (space) your name/group name

·  Log on to DealDey’s Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/DealDey

·  Click on the #Sing4DealDey tab just under the cover photo

·  Fill out the information there and paste your video Url from Youtube

·  Submit Entry

It’s really that simple and you could be the proud winner of N100,000. Imagine what you could achieve with N100,000, all the cool things you could buy… don’t you delay another second. Grab your video phone or any recording device and get recording. Ask a fried to help record while you do your thing or simply do your thing your way.

Disclaimer: Dealdey is not on a hunt for pitch perfect voices and is in no  way affiliated to any running competition which scouts for specific talents. Dealdey is simply on the hunt for creativity and expression and in celebration of our 2^nd Anniversary.

In other words, you don’t have to be a SUPER SINGER to enter this contest. Creativity and expression are the key factors. Whether you’re singing for Dealdey in a commuter bus or you’re doing it P Square’s style on a speed boat cruise in the Atlantic, do your thing and you could be the winner!  Second and Third places also get N75,000 and N50,000 respectively.

It’s on then… Let the singing begin!

*Terms and Conditions Apply

The transfer that changed football - how Ronaldinho's switch from PSG to Barcelona sparked a revolution

Ronaldinho

The brilliant Brazilian became the Catalan club's flagship signing in 2003 and the cornerstone of an exciting new project which may never have got going without his special skills

It can be all too easy to forget Ronaldinho's role in the creation of today's Barcelona. Shepherded swiftly towards the exit door by incoming coach Pep Guardiola in the summer of 2008, the brilliant Brazilian would play no part in a team which would go on to become the world's finest footballing side and be hailed by many as the best ever. Yet in the previous project, he had been the star, the man to make Barcelona believe again following a long period in the wilderness. His transfer from Paris Saint-Germain not only changed the history of the Catalan club, but also transformed the modern game. This was some story.

Zach Orji’s son Leo’nel launches music career

Zach Orji and Son

Like father like son: Veteran Nigerian actor Zach Orji‘s son Leo’nel Orji has launched a singing career and is ready to storm the music industry.

One can compare Zach and Leo’nel Orji’s ‘special’ relationship to that of the late veteran actor Justus Esiri and Pop singer Sidney ‘Dr SID‘ Esiri.

Click on the link below to Listen to Leo’Nel’s new single title ‘Dancia‘…

http://www.hulkshare.com/up4209mrtvy8

Angelina Jolie has opened a school in Afghanistan

Angelina  Jolie has opened a school in Afghanistan.

The 37-year-old actress has funded the girls only educational establishment – which caters to between 200 and 300 students – just outside of Kabul and hopes it will be the first of many schools she sets up.

Angelina Jolie plans to fund more schools by selling her own self-designed accessories collection, the Style of Jolie, to retail stores for the first time with 100 per cent of the profits going to her new foundation, The Education Partnership for Children of Conflict.

Tonto Dikeh’s performance at AY Live [Review]

Tonto performs on Easter Sunday, at the sold-out AY Live concert. Photo: Trendz

It’s no longer a hidden fact that the line between the Nigerian movie and music industry is gradually becoming blurred if it hasn’t downright disappeared, with actors and actresses trying out the music scene and musicians trying out their acting skills.

 Not altogether a bad idea, but considering the haphazard way the industry is run, and the special way we hype and celebrate random mediocrity, the result of this merger hasn’t been an all-round success.

 In October 2012, one of Nigeria’s screen goddesses (I loosely use that term) Miss Tonto Dike, decided it was time to follow the footsteps of her elder sisters by jumping on the music bandwagon.

Patrick Obahiagbon's Easter Message To Nigerians

Linda Ikeji: Tyler Perry is my Dream man

Linda Ikeji and her dream man Tyler Perry.

Linda Ikeji was punked by her friend, Ciana (an OAP with Hot 98.3FM Abuja). Ciana called her on phone on Friday morning and they chatted for about 18 minutes...after which she told her that the whole conversation was recorded. The conversation was played on air in Abuja yesterday.

Brilliant Demba Ba books another Wembley date for Blues

Demba Ba celebrating his goal against Manchester United

Rafael Benitez's team booked a semi-final clash against Manchester City at Wembley after overcoming the runaway league leaders in the quarter-final replay

Chelsea dumped Manchester United out of the FA Cup to set up a mouthwatering semi-final clash against Manchester City. A brilliantly constructed and executed Demba Ba volley was the difference between the two heavyweights as Rafael Benitez’s team triumphed 1-0 in the quarter-final replay.

Wizkid on shopping spree

Wizkid stormed an SA mall and went on a heavy shopping spree. Photo: Instagram

Pop sensation, Wizkid is definitely a baller, but if you doubt that, here’s a little proof; he shops out of boredom!

The Nigerian popstar, though always in the news in recent times, especially since his exit from the Empire Mates Entertainment (EME) camp, got tongues wagging again when he posted a photo on his instagram page with the caption, ‘Boring afternoon! So I went to the mall…#SouthAfrica!’

The photo shows a hotel room full of packs, cartons and bags of items which the youngster got for himself (and his girlfriend – but son’t say we told you) just because he was feeling bored in South Africa.

Newlyweds 2face and Annie Honeymoon in Dubai

After staging what could be described as the most glamorous wedding of the year, superstar 2face Idibia and his sweet heart, Annie have settled to a honeymoon in Dubai.

The newlyweds, reportedly checked into the world’s tallest hotel, JW Mariott Marquis Dubai for their honeymoon right after the star-studded wedding reception held in the exotic Royal Island Beach on Saturday March 23, 2013

The couple who had initially lodged in the Burj Al Arab Hotel had to move to the more luxurious hotel, situated in the Business Bay area of Dubai, which is also home to the Dubai Mall, fittingly, the world’s largest shopping center.

Nigerian Banks to spend billions on entertainment

Zaina, Tolu, Ice Prince, Timi Dakolo, 2Face, Waje, Banky W and Praiz at LLAM concert , February 2013.

For many years, it was the abandoned child. But now, Nigeria’s entertainment sector is getting more than enough attention from left, right and centre.

Still without the necessary stuctures, and a system that can help it exploit opening opportunities, the entertainment scene is grabbing a huge share in marketing budgets, as many big spenders continue to realise the importance of using fashion, music, movies and the power of celebrity, to reach customers in different segments, especially the youth demography.

M.I's comments on Jesse Jagz exit

Jesse Jagz and M.I at Loopy Music launch, Oriental Hotel, 2012

‘There’s no beef in Chocolate City, it’s all growth’

Chocolate City Vice President Jude ‘M.I’ Abaga has also added his two cents to the on-going situation between Jesse Jagz and Chocolate City.

Di Canio appointed Sunderland manager

The 44-year-old former Swindon Town boss succeeds Martin O'Neill, who was sacked on Saturday following the club's loss to Manchester United, signing a two-and-a-half-year deal

Sunderland have appointed Paolo Di Canio as their new head coach.