Naijahood!

Interview with IM Bunmi Olape Nigeria’s Top Chess player

2011-12-09T01:50:00.001-08:00

Interview with IM Bunmi Olape Nigeria’s Top Chess player

By Akinleye Akinseye (Akinov)

He is currently the Highest rated Chess Player in Nigeria, incidentally the Current National chess Champion …….Bunmi Olape got his International Master Title this year , (2011) won an individual Gold medal @ The All African Games (2011) at Maputo and was the only player to defeat The Egyptian Grand master GM Ahmed Adly… at the Blitz event

Hello Bunmi Thank you for accepting the interview, after your brilliant win at the Nigeria National chess championship (sponsored by Nigerian Breweries PLC)

AKINSEYE- Can you tell us a bit more about yourself?

BUNMI - I am Olape Olubunmi, popularly known in the chess circle as 'undertaker', I am the current Chess National Champion of Nigeria, started playing chess in 1991 while i was in secondary school.

AKINSEYE - What got you attracted to chess, how did you start playing chess?

BUNMI - I was attracted by the shape of the chess pieces and fascinated by the peculiar movement of each piece on the chess board. My elder brother brought chess to the family but did not teach me how to play the game, i learnt by watching because am a very inquisitive person and will go to any length to seek for knowledge for something I am passionate about.

AkISEYE -Please tell us a bit more about your “chess history” ?

BUNMI - The secondary school games in 1991 was d event that actually spurred me on to get myself involved in chess, i was able to win Gold at the event for Lagos state, it was unique to me because it was the year i learnt the game of chess, after the event i participated in some nationally rated chess tournaments between 1991-1992 at the under-age group section, in 1993 I moved to d Opens section and won most tournaments i participated in across the country from 1993-1995, then we had several tournaments to attend, which i must confess helped my growth in chess. I moved to the Masters section in 1995 and almost became the national champion on my first appearance at the masters’ section !! but eventually came joint 2nd position., Same year, i won the Mobil chess tournament in Eket and indeed won several laurels btw 1995-1998 ! In 1998 i played my 1st FIDE rated event at d then NEPA international opens tournament, came joint 2nd and got my debut FIDE-ELO from the tournament. 1998 is also d year i represented Nigeria outside the shores of my country at d chess olympiad in Elista, Kalymykia republic of Russia.

AKINSEYE- How did you get to the top in Nigerian Chess, did you play in the
lower categories?

BUNMI - I went thru the due process to get to the top !! From the under-age to the opens and from opens to masters.

AKINSEYE- You recently got the revered International Master Title, can you please
tell us about your entire quest to get the title, the challenges you
faced and how you overcame them?

BUNMI -The major challenge i faced was getting sponsorship, i had to combine sourcing for sponsorship with my training schedule, i had to multi-task myself to get a shot at my goal of getting d enviable IM title at d zone 4.2. Chess championship in Khartourm, Sudan.

AKINSEYE- Which countries did you visit?

BUNMI- I have visited the following countries, Russia, Belgium,Switzerland,Slovenia,Spain,Italy,Germany,Hungary,Togo,Ghana,Cote'Ivoire,Sudan,Mozambique.

AKINSEYE-Getting your last International Master Norm was surely a major chess
breakthrough for you, would you like to tell us about the tournaments,
and how you got each Norm?

BUNMI- For Zonal Chess championship, i did not have to go thru d process of getting 3 norms to get IM title, u're only required to score a certain number of points/percentage to get d title.

AKINSEYE - What is your current FIDE rating and going by your present form and
status , one would have expected that you will get sponsorship fund
for international FIDE sanctioned tournaments (EG London chess
classics December 2011) now that you are hot and can take a shot at
the Chess Grand Master Norm.?

BUNMI- My current FIDE ELO is 2290.I have been faced with this sponsorship drive question on several occasion even b4 i attained my present status, i won't say is difficult n won't say is not difficult in getting sponsorship in this part of d world cos i feel is an aspect that i have not quite exploited, nevertheless i did made some few attempt on my own but is either am faced with no response or slow response n this can be really frustrating if u know what i mean coupled with d fact dt u have to combine this with my training schedule, anyway am not given up on sponsorship, most especially in my quest for d enviable Grandmaster title !!

AKINSEYE- you will agree with me that a very talented player like you sure
needs endorsement and sponsorship from companies and Corporate bodies
to speed up the possibility of getting the first Nigerian GM , there
is need for sponsorship of Talented players like you to International
Chess tournaments.

BUNMI - You are very correct, doing it on my own is very difficult, on few occasions dt i had to sponsor myself to tournaments in Europe, i always lack some basic necessity required of a professional chess player, which affects my concentration at such events, d simple basic needs that most participant had. Endorsement and sponsorship from companies and corporate bodies will definitely speed up d process for me in getting the enviable Grandmaster title.

AKINSEYE- What makes you stand out from other Nigerian chess players? BUNMI-My style n personality!!

AKINSEYE How do you prepare for chess tournaments (Choice of opening/
training)? Someone once told me that “Bunmi Olape does not read chess
books or rely on conventional chess theory” how true is that?

BUNMI-I have some opening repertoire which have been quite reliable over d years. I go thru games a lot n try my best to fault some moves being played by GM's n i test- runs some lines on some players that i do play with most at home n occasionally try it also with d computers ! I have never in totality relied on theoretical books, i try to visualize d position on board ala undertaker style! But now, am beginning to see d need for theoretical books to enhance my strength if i have to make a go at GM title.

AKINSEYE- Do you read chess books? If you do, which chess book have you learnt the most?

BUNMI -I do but try to avoid d theoretical ones because of its complexity by some authors. I have read Chess University and also a book of life and games of Tal, can't remember d author of those books, i have also glanced at several books and read a lot of chess magazines.

AKINSEYE- How often do you practice chess/train?

BUNMI- Now i really don't have a program schedule but i play a lot.

AKINSEYE- How often do you analyze your own games?

BUNMI- I do after and in d course every chess tournament i attend, win or lose !

AKINSEYE-How many moves can you calculate ahead?

BUNMI- Depends on d position

AKINSEYE-What kind of Music do you listen to?

BUNMI- I listen to all genre of music, if it sounds good to my ear but i can be particular about instrumentals.

AKINSEYE -What is your favourite leisure activities, aside chess?-

BUNMI Watching football and traveling

AKINSEYE- In Which tournaments have you represented Nigeria?

BUNMI- NEPA international( FIDE section),Lagos Nigeria, 1998, Chess Olympiads in Russia, 1998, Slovenia, 2002,Spain, 2004, Italy, 2006,Russia 2010, African games Nigeria, 2003, Algeria 2007,Mozambique 2011 etc.

AKINSEYE- What can you say about chess in Nigeria; then, when you started, and now?

BUNMI-In d early 90's and even towards d ending of d 90's chess in Nigeria had several tournaments but went totally on d decline afterwards, this year is experiencing an upsurge considering d number of tournaments we have had this year with a renewed interest from sponsors. I feel with this new found revolutionary trend in Chess in Nigeria, d sky will be the limit!!

AKINSEYE- What about your most memorable chess moments?

BUNMI- I have had several memorable moments in Chess but my achievement this year as been most memorable of all the years, So far this year, I got an international master title, won Gold medal at d African games, Won d National Championship, Am d current highest rated Nigeria on d World chess federation rating list n still counting........

AKINSEYE- How does it feel like becoming the National chess champion finally?

BUNMI- -Is been a great year for me in Chess, becoming d National Champion is great after several attempts at d title, am happy have finally achieved it.

AKINSEYE- Are you now thinking of becoming a Grand Master (GM) of chess that is
getting the GM title?

BUNMI- Getting d GM title is definitely d next step of any aspiring international Master, I have plans, am hoping i get d right sponsorship to actualize my dream of getting d enviable title.

AKINSEYE- What advice do you have for upcoming Nigerian chess players?

BUNMI-They should be steadfast, be patient and don't get discouraged.
Whom do you regard as being the best five active chess players in Nigeria today? R- Bunmi Olape(Myself), Bayo Adegboyega, Adu Dapo,Aikhoje Odion,Bomo Kigigha

AKINSEYE- What do you have to say about your match with International master
Dapo Adu and the need for frequent chess matches between our top
players?

BUNMI

- We had a nice time even though we did not get d sponsorship we required to make it a big event and a media captivating one.

Ok, enough questions for now and on the behalf of the Akinov
chess/Naijahood.com I would like to thank you for answering all these
questions!

Thank you!.

Joke of The day

2011-11-06T03:40:00.000-08:00

A man dials his home and a strange
woman answers.
The man says, "Who is this?"
"This is the maid," answers the
woman. "We don't have a maid," says
the man.
The woman says, "I was hired this
morning by the lady of the house."
The man says, "Well, this is her
husband. Is she there?"
The woman replies, "She is upstairs in
the bedroom with someone who I
figured was her husband."
The man is fuming and says to the
maid, "Listen, would you like to make
$50,000?"
The maid says, "What will I have to
do?" The man tells her, "I want you to
get my gun from the desk, and shoot
the witch and the jerk she's with."
The maid puts the phone down; the
man hears footsteps and then two
gun shots. The maid comes back to
the phone "What do I do with the
bodies?"
The man says, "Throw them in the
swimming pool."
Puzzled, the maid answers, "But you
don't have a pool."
A long pause and the man says, "Is
this
08067546854??

Siasia Must Go - Yakubu Aiyegbeni

2011-10-15T06:26:00.000-07:00

Look who is talking LOL !

Blackburn Rovers striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni has asked that Samson Siasia be fired as Nigeria coach after he failed to qualify the country to the Nations Cup.

“When you don’t get the result, the coach has to go. That’s football. Siasia didn’t get the country to the Nations Cup, while (Shuaibu) Amodu and Christian Chukwu did and they still got fired,” said Yakubu in an interview. “The manager did not do well even after all the power and support he received. He did not help the team.

“We should therefore look for some else to try his luck. (Stephen) Keshi can do the job.” Yakubu dismissed insinuations that the players may have ganged up to sabotage the coach, saying no player would not want to feature at a big event like the Nations Cup despite the fact some of the big-name stars were at loggerheads with Siasia.

“It’s a disaster, a big shame that we will not be at the Nations Cup. The players will feel it come January when they will have to watch the tournament on television. They wanted to be there and so could not have played not to be there,” he said. ‘The Yak’ has not featured for Nigeria since his unpardonable miss in last year’s World Cup match against South Korea.

He has reportedly cut off contact with Siasia even when the coach tried to reach him when he took over the national team in November.
However, he insisted he has not quit international football. “I have not retired from the national team and I will be available if I’m picked,” he said.

The technical committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will meet later Thursday in Abuja to decide the fate of Siasia. Sports minister Yusuf Sulaiman’s pronouncement that a decision on Siasia’s future is beyond the NFF is believed to have angered the country’s football officialdom just as opinions are divided over the fate of the coach.

Siasia has received support from his peers and younger colleagues, but older coaches have asked for his head, saying he is not matured enough for the country’s top coaching post.

Siasia rode on an overwhelming public support to be named Eagles coach in November, but after the failure at the weekend, such backing has dwindled.

The coach himself has worsened his case by saying on a radio interview that he will not work under any coach.

“I don’t want to work under anybody. If the person doesn’t understand me and I don’t understand him, that becomes another problem,” he insisted.

Uche Jombo denies dating African China, Aniyocha

2011-10-15T05:33:00.000-07:00

Uche Jombo

Uche Jombo nollywood actress and producer of wave making movie "Damage" has reacted to rumours flying around that she is in a romantic relationship with reggae star, African China A.K.A Chinagorom Onuoha and Nollywood actor, Emeka Aniyocha respectively.

Reacting to the rumour, while speaking on Celebrity Eye, a gist programme on AfricaMagic and anchored by Mercy Johnson-Okojie, Uche claimed that the two entertainers are her friends.

“African China is a very good friend of mine and so also is Emeka Aniyocha. In our industry, when you hangout or dance with someone, you are automatically linked romantically to the person. I have learnt not to allow these things to bother me. They guys are my friends, true. I’m more comfortable in the company my male friends than the ladies and that’s me.”she said.

Uche is one of the busiest Nollywood actresses. She is currently promoting her movie “Damage” with premieres held around major cities in the world.

Baba Suwe excretes, no drug found.

2011-10-15T01:52:00.000-07:00

Ace Actor and comedian, Omidina Babatunde a.k.a Baba Suwe now in the custody of the National Drug Law and Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, over alleged possession of cocaine was said to have made his first self excretion but no drug was found in it.

Disclosing this development to Saturday Vanguard, the Head of Public Affairs, NDLEA, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju however said Suwe was still under close observation by the agency to know what actually went wrong.

Baba Suwe was nabbed aboard an Air France aircraft to Paris at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos at about 10pm on Wednesday when he allegedly tested positive to drug ingestion and had been placed under observation since then.

Earlier yesterday, the NDLEA had expressed concern that Suwe who was on his way to attend the naming ceremony of his close friend in Paris had not been able to excrete despite the fact that he was ‘’eating very well and co-operating with narcotic investigators.’’ ‘

’There is reasonable ground for suspicion and the actor is currently under observation. He is fine and had been eating but has not excreted.

‘’We have invited our doctor to examine him. This is crucial to ascertain the true position.

Further up-date on the matter shall be made known to the general public. “.the Agency told Saturday Vanguard, shortly before he ecreted.

NDLEA’s Airport Commander, Alhaji Hamza Umar also confirmed that Suwe was in safe custody even as it was learnt that he was to the act as a compere during the naming ceremony which he missed as a result of his arrest.

Vanguard

Ace actor, Baba Suwe, arrested with cocaine

2011-10-13T23:21:00.000-07:00

LAGOS — Nollywood actor and veteran comedian, Alhaji King Babatunde Ayinla Nurudeen Olasunkanmi Omidina, a.k.a. Baba Suwe was arrested Wednesday night, for possession of substances suspected to be cocaine by the officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Baba Suwe was picked up at the International wing of the Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos, by the NDLEA officials, while boarding an Air France flight to Paris, France.

NDLEA sources revealed that Baba Suwe was on his way to Paris to act as a master of ceremony in a naming ceremony of an Air France staff scheduled for tomorrow.

Immediately he was arrested, NDLEA source disclosed that the Air France staff was also picked up.

Alhaji King Babatunde Ayinla Nurudeen Olasunkanmi Omidina, a.k.a. Baba Suwe

The scanning machine at the airport detected suspected substance hidden in Baba Suwe’s stomach, but the suspect was alleged to have denied that such drug was on his person.

A second scanning proved that he was carrying the said suspected substance and this led to his immediate arrest. He would remain at the NDLEA office at the airport until he starts excreting the drugs.

A source in the anti-drug agency said the suspect has already excreted some of the drugs he ingested but a large quantity was still lodged in his system as at yesterday. The source said the suspect was therefore given some tea to drink which would enable him excrete the remaining drugs while he has been placed on what he described as observation.

Reacting to the sad news, the National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria(AGN), Mr Segun Arinze described the act as “an embarrassment to the Nigerian motion picture industry.”

“It is a sad development I must tell. If truly he is arrested in connection with drug, he has come to the end of his career. I feel highly disappointed in him”.

“We cannot destroy the image we have built over the years because of the material things of life. We will meet with the executives of the Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners(ANTP) and decide on what to do with him,”Arinze reacted from America.

Also, notable film director and producer, Lancelot Imasuen and president, Association of Movie Producers (AMP) Paul Obazele respectively condemned the act, describing it as “tarnishing and one that will not do the image of the industry any good.”

“We are disappointed, it’s annoying. I’m short of words, Baba Suwe is an icon and everybody looks up to him in the industry’, Paul Obazele said, while adding that “it is not good news at all.”

For Lancelot, “I’m not particularly happy because it will affect all of us who usually travel out of the country on regular basis.”

Popular director of the epic Yoruba film “Aramotu”, Niji Akanni, expressed shock saying; ‘It’s abominable.’ But Yoruba actress Foluke Daramola simply screamed, as she declined to comment on the matter.

Baba Suwe is a very successful and popular Yoruba actor, famous for his comedy roles in Yoruba movies. He is one of the icons in the film industry, having worked with virtually everybody in the industry. He is a recipient of the African Artists and Entertainers Afro-Hollywood award in New York. culled from the Vanguard

Full Transcript Of Prophet T B Joshua Prediction Of Nigeria - Guinea Match

2011-10-12T08:14:00.000-07:00

I was just sitting down; God was showing me the game between Nigeria and Guinea next week. How they started it, and how they ended it. But what I saw was not favourable. I said (it) was not favourable. If at this time (stage), we are stopped, it would be very bad. So it was not favourable at all.

Anyone who scores first takes the day. But the game was not favourable. I saw it yesterday. Is it Africa Cup of Nations? Is it next Saturday? I saw it yesterday; I watched it.

The situation, the world, not only Nigeria, the whole world is facing is, ‘Where there is no vision,’ there is no direction. Even when the vision is given, nobody is ready to follow it. Why should all these things happen to us? For many years now, Nigeria normally goes for a game, not to stop at the beginning. Africa , for that matter. Africa Cup of Nations is a small thing. We should be the one to champion them. Why should we be stopped at this (stage)?

But with God, all things are possible. But it is not something I can do alone. That is the problem I have. I cannot do it alone. If I could do it alone, I am lover of football, I would pray and fast to ask God, but it is not possible for me to do it. W must agree and instructions will be given and you follow the instruction.
If you follow the instruction, you will carry the day.

(Congregation clap)

Why are you clapping? Are you the Instructor (that should come for instruction)? I love football so much. That is why, when it is time to play football, I want to know what is happening. I will pray; I want to know…. Where people respect and honour God, ‘What can we do?’ ‘How do we go about it?’ The instruction would be given, ‘Do this, this, this’. You’d get it right.

Rise up (addressing the congregation).

You know your position in Africa. You’re a giant of this Africa. This is Africa Cup. We cannot just enter, we are not even starting the whole thing and we stop at the beginning, it would look very shameful. Come out as a giant. Let’s honour God. Let’s carry God along. Let us play football as if all depends on us and pray as if all depends on God.

Tell you neighbor: Pray, as if all depends on God. Play, as if all depends on you. (demonstrates praying, then playing)

(Congregation laugh)

You people are laughing, so that you will laugh that day. Because I’m seeing, it will be very shameful. But I’m seeing the other side shouting. So, you’re a giant. What is the meaning of giant? What I am saying now is what I’ve seen.

As a man of God, I saw it in a vision. I can not do anything but what can we do? That is it? It is God that showed me; it’s a vision. So don’t think, ‘This man saw it, why can’t he do it?’ No. The thing is not like the way you think it is. That, ‘Didn’t he see it? Why can’t he pray and change it? It is not possible like that. Two of us, must believe to make things happen.

The two of us must what? Believe (congregation respond). To make things what? Happen (congregation respond). To make things happen. We will not be able to do anything on our own without corresponding action.

(when I say) in the name of Jesus, you say what? (congregation reply) Amen That is all!. That is corresponding action.

My , ‘In the name of Jesus’ must come from my heart. Your, ‘Amen’ must also come from your heart.

In the name of Jesus! (Congregation respond) Amen.

That is corresponding action. If yours comes from the heart, so we need to say, ‘Amen’

What is your take on this? opinions please

"I will never get married" says TUface Idibia

2011-10-11T17:29:00.000-07:00

Tuface revealed recently in an interview his "Marital" plans for the future, he says..............

As we go through life,we all suffer betrayals.Even Jesus was betrayed by one of his disciples Judas Iscariot.I have been betrayed but I won’t want to comment about it.
It’s a path so painful that I don’t even want to go there.Just like betrayals,I have also suffered heartbreak on account of a woman.
Again,it’s better to let sleeping dogs lie.Let me just say that love is a strong force which can conquer anybody, even if you are Tuface. It happened to me long ago.
I have loved and have been loved.When it comes to love,I am as Innocent as my name Innocent Idibia.I have never come across a virgin all my life.The only person I have disvirgined is me.Myself.The fact that I have not come across a virgin does not mean there are no virgins.What I am saying is that I have never jammed a virgin. I don’t know what I will do the day I come across a virgin. Will I marry her?
The truth is marriage is not in my plans.I will never marry.Let me put it that bluntly. I don’t want to marry. I am angry.”

Opinion

Angry !? At what exactly is Tuface angry at? betrayal, heartbreak from the past , is that where the anger comes from or the guy is not just ready to ' settle down ' or really getting hooked in the real sense of the word . hmmm

(ABSU Gang rape)police says girl consented to be raped?

2011-10-10T02:43:00.000-07:00

"The Abia State Police command has explained why it suspended investigations into the gang rape that happened in its Abia State University. The state police command said the girl-victim consented to the rape. An online website monitoring the case yesterday reported that commenting on a DVD tape sent to his CP to expedite investigations into the activities of the criminal gang, J.G. Micloth, the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Abia State Police command Criminal Investigation Department said the lady had consented to the gang crime.
He was quoted as saying that after watching the DVD, he said he did not see the young lady resist the rape."

I got the above disturbing gist concerning progress of investigation and “prosecution” of the ABSU rape case. it is a shame if a high rank police officer can make that unfortunate statement. Like a friend of mine "Ena Ofugara" said on facebook “ I understand the negative connotation of “rat race” but I hope those on the queue are trying to rescue their comrade? I hope it is not what it looks like !!!

Is our mentality any different from that of those rats ? No compassion from the typical Nigerian guy, I was on an online public forum and was also surprised at the comments made by some “rape” apologists who believes ladies has got no right to say no to sexual advances by a male, they believe as long as the female does not shout at the top of her voice scratching and yelling for help , she must have consented to intercourse or as the ignorant ,ill directed and inefficient police officer puts it “consented to rape” the law is simple on this matter

The Offence is defined in section 357 of the Criminal Code of Nigeria as follows

" Any person who has unlawful carnal knowledge of a woman or girl ,without her consent,or with her consent,if the consent is obtained by force or by means of threat or intimidation of any kind,or fear of harm,or by means of false and fraudulent representation as to the nature of the act,or, in the case of a married woman,by personating her husband,is guilty of an offence which is called rape.

"in other words if consent was obtained by intimidation of any kind, or fear of harm it is a punishable offence ! i make bold to question the competence of the Assistant commissioner of police J.G. Micloth of Abia state police command A constable (police officer) in the United Kingdom will make a more intelligent statement.

Rape is rampant in Nigeria and the mentality of those guys is not different from that of those rats in the picture above , some are just waiting for their own turn to hammer their next victim. They believe if the girl is a girlfriend to any of the guys its a licence to rape , if she offends them in any way then they can rape as a punitive measure . what nonsense ! Back to my "rat illustration jare ,Do you notice the guy/rat reading the news paper? That represent the very patient pathetic seemingly innocent potential rapist among us , ladies beware many lowlife guys are waiting to rape somebody believing they will do it and go Scot free .

The best way to fight it is to speak out, if you know a victim encourage them to report any incidence to the police, and other agencies like Civil defence and other security agencies (since the police are not reliable), speak out!! condemn the action of the rapists and the disposition of the authorities . what do you 'guys' think , comments please what are your views on this one now that the inefficient Nigerian police has suspended investigation ?

Is Gospel Singer Kefee pregnant out of wedlock??

2011-10-10T02:39:00.000-07:00

While surfing the web earlier today , i saw a topic on naijapals , with conclusions drawn from a pictures of Kefeee the gospel singer claiming that she is currently pregnant outside wedlock .

Busybodies , aproko tafia , amebo people were busy jumping into conclusion on that website castigating the singer like the picture is a conclusive proof of evidence of pregnancy or is it??

Has she been showing signs of pregnancy in public , or do we have result of her pregnancy test as the picture above shows that the tummy is not that big,Gossip or fact finding, what do you guys think? LOL

Nigerian Beauty Queens still rocking

2011-10-08T06:55:00.000-07:00

By Mmachi Ilechukwu
Beauty queens reign for some time and then, they disappear into the thin air. But some daring ones hardly leave the scene as they enlarge their territories, break records and make something fantastic out of themselves. These queens are not just winners of beauty pageants, they are equally legends of our time, and they are currently rocking their worlds.

Helen Prest Ajayi

Helen Prest Ajayi is one queen that is deeply loved by many Nigerians. She reigned as Miss Nigeria in 1979 with grace and composure. She represented Nigeria in various beauty pageants including the Miss World pageant. Helen is a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University and also holds an LLB and LLM from the prestigious Kings College London.

She is also a columnist in ThisDay style magazine, where she writes a popular life style column. She is the creative director of media business company and my life time solutions.com. She is happily married to Tosin Ajayi and they both have three children. Helen never goes wrong with her fashion style and she still looks incredibly beautiful for a woman who recently clocked 51.

Bianca Onoh Ojukwu

Bianca the daughter of former Anambra State Governor, Christian Onoh.She was the Most Beautiful Girl, Nigeria in 1989. She represented Nigeria in the Miss Universe beauty pageant and went on to win the Miss Intercontinental in 1989, making her the first Nigerian girl to win an international beauty pageant.

However, in the 90’s, scandals trailed Bianca because of her marriage to the Biafran warlord , Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu who happened to be her father’s childhood friend and thirty years her senior. The scandals led her to resign.

Bianca is a successful business woman who owns a skin and beauty clinic in Enugu.She is also a former lawyer and was recently appointed by President Goodluck Jonathan as special assistant on Diaspora affairs. Bianca Onoh Ojukwu is one queen that is forever in the minds of Nigerians not only because of her marriage to Ojukwu but because she is a queen that achieved more than what society expected of her.

Regina Askia Williams

Regina Askia took over from Bianca Onoh Ojukwu when she resigned halfway through her reign. She wore the crown of the Most Beautiful Girl, Nigeria in 1989. She proved herself a worthy beauty queen . Regina went on to become one of the pioneering actors in Nollywood.

She featured in many Nollywood movies, most times taking the lead roles. She has won several awards including the Best Actress,Nigeria in the year 2000 by Afro Hollywood London. She also has her own fashion label Regine Fashions.

Even though Regina is no longer in Nigeria, she can never be forgotten. She now resides in New York where she is a registered nurse and also married to Rudy Williams with children.

Sabina Umeh

Sabina was Crowned the Most Beautiful Girl Nigeria in 1990. She participated in Miss Universe, Miss Intercontinental and Miss World where she won the Miss Personality award. She is a specialist in dance choreography and acting and also has a career in singing and modeling. She is happily married to Kessi Jabri and they both have children. Her album is set to release this 2011.

Nike Osinowo Soleye

Nike Osinowo Soleye was crowned the Most Beautiful Girl Nigeria in 1991. She represented Nigeria in the Miss World beauty pageant that same year. Nike is an entrepreneur. She owned one of Nigeria’s first spa and has also created her own range of beauty products for the Nigerian market.

She went on to release her own work out video Nike Osinowo, fit, forty and fabulous. In 2010, after a six year attempt, Nike finally bought the Miss Nigeria franchise from former organizers Daily times, and is now chief executive and creative director of the pageant.

Nike fashion style is perfect and one can never go wrong by imitating her. Although Nike is in her forties, one cannot help but agree that age is only a number. She is happily married to her husband Tunde Soleye.

Angela Ukpoma

Angela Ukpoma was crowned the Most Beautiful Girl Nigeria in 1999. She represented Nigeria in the Miss World Pageant. She has now changed her name to Angel Baldwin and currently resides in Washington United States of America. She is presently a model and a voice over artiste. Angel Baldwin is still looking as dashing as ever.

Matilda Kerry

Kerry was crowned the Most Beautiful Girl Nigeria in 2000 after which she represented Nigeria in in the Miss World 2000. Kerry made leprosy her project as a beauty queen and she promoted awareness of the disease. Since the end of her reign, Dr Kerry has continued to use her public persona to promote healthy living and disease prevention in Nigeria.

Kerry is presently a medical doctor and the president of the George Kerry Life Foundation, a non governmental organization that promotes cervical health Campaign. Queens like Kerry only proves that Nigerian beauty queens are not just dumb beauties, they are also loaded with brains which makes them complete.

Agbani Darego

Agbani Darego is a shinning star that needs no introduction. She won the Most Beautiful Girl Nigeria in 2001. She later broke records for winning the Miss World 2001 crown. She was the first black African to win the Miss World title.

This made her a star both home and abroad. She was given a Nigerian honour by former president Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. Agbani is a former L’Oreal international model and is currently signed to Next models New York. Agbani has a successful modelling career and is a role model to numerous Nigerians

Omowunmi Akinnifesi

Beauty, Poise and brains won Omowunmi Akinnifesi the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria crown. She represented Nigeria in the Miss World beauty pageant in China that same year. She did’nt stop there, she went on to win the Miss Tourism international in Ukraine. Omowunmi just keeps getting it right.

This queen is a graduate of Geography and regional planning from the university of Lagos. In 2009, she was appointed environmental ambassador by Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola. When it comes to style, Omowunmi never fails to dazzle.

She is simply classy and fabulous. She runs her own public relations and ushering outfit “Elle Poise” and she was recently chosen as the Allure style icon 2011.

Culled from the Vanguard

Mo’Chedda in nude photo mess with Eldee? Reactions

2011-10-08T04:39:00.000-07:00

early on Monday 3rd of September , Nude Pictures supposed to be that of Mo'Cheddahh was all over twitter the micro blogging platform, the pictures were alleged to have been mistakenly posted by Mo'Cheddah herself, at least it was posted from her twitter account. The picture was apparently intended for another user as a direct message (DM) but as it happened , her DM somehow become public tweet, shared and accessible to many on the social networking site.

The live naked picture was allegedly sent by a Direct message (DM) to Eldee ,and in a bid to try and come to the rescue, Eldee made the whole thing messier when his own tweet was blown open to the public, getting him involved.

Eldee, producer and henchman of the then Trybsmen rap group has reacted to the mounting scandal over an alleged nude photograph of Mo’cheddah (Female rap artist) on his twitter .
In a telephone interview , Eldee said

“ I do not want to talk about it because the more I talk ,the more controversy it creates. I think somebody is trying to set me up here and I do not know who the person is.my friends who truly know me will tell you that I would not do such a thing, Everything I said about it on twitter is the truth and I do not want to say anything more on that, like I said, Mo’cheda did not tell me anything about what the story was all about, I logged onto my account to find the tweets there, someone must have got my password and tweeted those things .Right now I am beginning to suspect those I work with but I can not say who these people are,”

Although the picture did not show the face of the person, it however showed the naked upper region and nude back, with hands covering the private part.
As soon as it was revealed that something had gone wrong in the uploading process and the picture shared on her follower’s list , the rap artist attempted to cover up by saying that her account has been hacked.
Please Never believe what you see , someone just sent that picture, please tweeps my account has been hacked. Disregard my tweets. I am working on securing my account and of course that is not me” she hastily twitted.
Eldee then sent Mo’Cheddah another Direct Message. Which read : “ @Mo ‘Cheddah, if people here can see it (the nude pictures)just say someone posted it to you in the hotel , i did not post that tweet, someone is playing games around tonight."

Both Artists are blaming the incident on compromised twitter account, both accounts hacked at same time is an interesting coincidence "sha" while removing all links to the controversial picture, unfortunately "busybodies followers " had already copied and shared the pictures all over the world wide web like their lives depends on it. Naija celebrities and controversies ,"Shior" .

Eldee, Banky W, in Abuja for Hennessy

2011-10-07T06:05:00.000-07:00

Not too long ago, Hennessy Artistry gave their audience a chance to come up with a name for their track which was done by Eldee, Banky W and Tiwa Savage. The buzz has been allover the country, facebook , twitter and blog sites. The lunch party took place on the 26th of August, 2011.

Tiwa Savage, Banky W and Eldee are leading a powerful team of artists to Abuja for a VIP night- Hennessy’s new awesome music night out.
After an excellent outing at Octopus Lounge in Lagos on Friday, September 30, 2011, the 2011 Hennessy Artistry headliners head to Abuja this weekend.

Nigerian breweries PLC (NBL) Chess tournament 2011, what is the way forward for Nigerian chess?!

2011-10-07T06:03:00.000-07:00

The date for the 34th Nigerian breweries PLC international chess open has been announced for the year 2011, the annual chess tournament is slated for the 6 th of November - 13th November 2011, however there is indication that chess players are not satisfied with certain conditions surrounding the conduct of the event . The prize money for the tournament has been left undisclosed by the organizers , the rules especially those affecting tie break is not stated and the players believe they deserve better from the organizers some are even contemplating a boycott of the chess event,because what was agreed on by the players and organizers in the last edition has not seen the light of the day and it seems its same old Beer palour arrangement.

I believe it has not really come to the extent calling for a boycott of the tournament, NBL chess open has been around for many years as the most consistent and surviving chess tournament, the yard stick for determining the Nigerian Chess champion, the tournament is being organized by Nigerian chess Federation and they should bear the responsibility for the proper organization or otherwise of the tournament, Nigerian breweries is just a sponsors and in my humble opinion, they have tried their best and contributed a lot to chess over the years when other sponsors could not continue, Nigerian breweries must be commended For their effort so far.

I believe chess players in Nigeria being intellectuals of the highest caliber and lovers of the brain game (Chess) should be more organized , The Chess players Association of Nigeria CPAN should be registered as a body , with its own constitution and power to liaise with corporate bodies/ would be sponsors directly with the aim and mandate of getting sponsors for at least Four major "Big Money " tournament per year (one in Every quarter )

What do Corporate bodies/ would be sponsors want? take football for example , they look at the followership, in Golf they look at the prestige and the brand. how then can we get sponsors for chess and stop being at the mercy of Nigerian Chess Federation?

1.convene a meeting involving as many chess players as possible as we need to put our "house" in order first, Register CPAN as a juristic and Legal body with the corporate Affairs commission (Sponsors loves to relate with registered and well constituted bodies ) , have a constitution and well outlined set of objectives, goals and targets.
2 create awareness among chess players about the "new chess order " in Nigeria, create a chess brand with class , one with prestige that a sponsor would like to identify with, the impression that chess is a gentleman's game only for the intelligent mind !give chess the publicity it deserves on websites, Newspapers, Television/Radio and in Schools, the type that can ensure larger followership !! mystify chess , let the board seem like some kind of voodoo set understandable only to the intelligent mind. let chess players/know about the existence of CPAN
3 write to sponsors as a registered and well constituted body , (of course you can perform all the functions of a Non-Government chess organization ) MTN, Etisalat, Oil companies to mention a few aim at having at least four major tournaments yearly and possibly a chess league.

Once we can get sponsors for chess events in Nigeria with better playing conditions and respect for the players/participants , i think we need not worry about NCF , they will probably sit up or pack up. i think with concrete action like getting our acts together as chess players , re branding and packaging ourselves into a marketable force with a high taste everybody will take us serious Tthis is better than any form of revolution and boycott of the NBL, of course we can make moves to negotiate with the organizers but i believe we must act on the points listed above in order to move chess forward in Nigeria, enough of the Beer palour arrangement! The option of a possible boycott will not stop the tournament from holding , it will hold and produce opportunistic Champions and i am not sure if that will solve the problem in the long run, Further comments and suggestions are welcomed. what do you think???

- GM Akinov

Vickiola voted out of Glo Naija Sings. who are you voting for this week?

2011-10-07T01:35:00.000-07:00

As we watch the 2011 edition of “ Glo Naija sings”, the popular TV reality show sponsored by the telecommunication giant Globacom and produced by leading pay TV content provider , M-Net Africa enters the elimination stage, Last weekend The top 10 made their official debut on the big stage dazzling the audience with " Disney classics" including songs from the Lion King and Mulan soundtracks , As the Episode kicked off last weekend Darey announced that the Lagos state representative-Vickola who performed Christiana Aguilera's "Reflections" the previous weekend, became the first contestant to be eliminated. She was voted out.

She was evicted from the show because she got the lowest number of votes among the contestants.though she seemed shock at her eviction she said

“ I am thankfull for the opportunity to be part of the show and happy to have made new friends, it has been a wonderful experience”

The remaining nine contestants dressed in African outfit as the theme for the sunday nights's show was "Contemporary Nigerian" showcased their talents and skills for the week with two of them performing songs from Glo Naija Sings presenter, Darey Art-Alade. contestant number 10, Tee Songz performed the tune, “No Stars” ,while Contestant number 7, Precious, performed Darey’s “Not the Girl” to the pleasure of the audience.

Others are Am Ok who performed Lagbaja’s “Never Far Away”, Christian who peformed Sunny Neji’s “Abosede”, Lynn who performed Jodine’s “Koochie Koochie”, Mattade who performed “Be There” by Tuface Idibia; Vicky who performed Asa’s “360 degrees”, Oluwakemi who performed Lara George’s “Ijoba Orun” and Oni who performed “If You Ask Me” by Omawunmi.

Commenting on the performances, Guest Judge, Sammie Okposo said his lowlight was Oluwakemi while his highlight was Vicky. Onyeka Onwenu said that Vicky and Tee Songz were the most impressive, but she agreed with Sammie about Oluwakemi not making the grade.Olisa Odibua was least impressed with Mattade and Christian, while his best were Vicky and Tee Songz.

Voting!
Here are the details you need to know to ensure your fave stays in the Glo Naija Sings game!
You can vote online here; the page also includes all the numbers for the SMS lines and details on how you can vote on MXiT.

Don’t let these aspiring superstars down! Here are the Top 9′s details, unique numbers and the songs they performed (interestingly, two performed tunes from our presenter, Darey!) :

Precious
Vote number = 7
Darey – ‘Not The Girl’

AM OK
Vote number = 1
Lagbaja – ‘Never Far Away’

Christian
Vote number = 2
Sunny Neji – ‘Abosede’

Lynn
Vote number = 5
Jodene – ‘Coochie Coochie’

Tee Songz
Vote number = 10
Darey – ‘No Stars’

Mattade
Vote number = 6
2Face – ‘Be There’

Vicky
Vote number = 9
Asa – ’360-Degrees’

Oluwakemi
Vote number = 3
Lara George – Ijoba Orun’

Oni
Vote number = 4
Omawumi – If You Ask Me

Vote Via the website
You can vote once per hour per registered email address on www.mnetafrica.com/naijasings . Voting on the website is free.

Vote via sms
In Nigeria: Text just THE NUMBER that corresponds to your favourite contestant to 33360.
NB: Mobile voting is exclusive to Glo subscribers and SMSes cost N50.

In the Benin Republic: Text just THE NUMBER that corresponds to your favourite contestant to 7099.
NB: Mobile voting is exclusive to Glo subscribers and SMSes cost 150 CFA.

Outside Nigeria and Benin: Text just THE NUMBER that corresponds to your favourite contestant to +234 815 555 0000. This is open to all networks – international SMS rates apply.

You can vote up to 100 times per mobile number during each voting period.

Vote via wap
Type www.mnetafrica.com/naijasings/wap into your mobile browser and start voting. You can vote once per hour and voting via Wap is free.

Vote via mxit
Open your mobile phone’s browser and type in m.mxit.com to download MXit for free. Then locate MXit on your phone under the applications or games section and register. Once in MXit, go to Tradepost>Entertainment>MNET and then add the Naija Sings Voting contact.

Voting on MXit is free and you can vote up to 10 times per voting period.

However, it’s you who ultimately decide – voting lines are open until midnight on Thursday so make sure you make your mark! Details are here!

Stay updated with all the Glo Naija Sings gossip wherever you are by following @GloNaijaSings on Twitter and ‘Like’ Glo Naija Sings on Facebook!

Controversial shoe design : Ruggedman tells critics to go to hell !!

2011-10-07T00:29:00.000-07:00

The Originality of the designer shoes released by Ruggedman’s clothing line , September line has recently been questioned and Ruggedman AKA Michael Ugochukwu Stephen has reacted by reportedly telling his critics to go to hell !!

A Website has recently reported that Ruggedman has repackaged and relaunched his clothing line September wear (T S W) with an array of shoes and accessories but accusssed Ruggedman of stealing the design.

A new York based Nigerian Lady using the Twitter handle @KingAqua05 has accused Ruggedman on Twitter social network on Friday September 21 , 2011 tweeting that Ruggedman had stolen the design of his newest collection from that of an upcoming designer, Natischa Harvey ‘s 2010 collection called “Fever shoe” .

@KingAqua05’s tweet read “I know Fever shoes are not super popular, but still come on !anh anh.He was not even subtle about it” He did not even change the colour and tweak the design a little”.

In a swift reaction in a phone conversation, Ruggedman maintains that the his designs are original and perfectly his own creation.

“Shoes may look alike, but may not be the same design. A creative mind has the tendency to create and design things that may look like what another creative mind may have created. A button may make the difference in the design of a shirt” he said

“The problem we face in the industry today is that, some people have made ‘pull him down’ a profession, never seeing anything good in what another man does. They never see anything constructive in what the next man does. All they want to do is to tear down the person”, Ruggeman said.

He insisted that his designs are not stolen saying “they were customized for me; I’ve been working with someone outside Nigeria and I’m allowed to customize with my name , i work hard at what I’m doing and I have no regrets venturing into this business. And if anyone doesn’t like , the fellow can go to hell because I don’t care what he or she feels about my business. In the next couple of months, I’m releasing my custom made wrist watches and may be, these busybodies will complain that the leather straps are copied”.

EFCC Arrests Former Governors, Gbenga Daniel, Akala And Doma

2011-10-06T09:28:00.000-07:00

The Economic And Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested former governors of Ogun, Oyo and Nasarawa states Gbenga Daniel, Adebayo Alao-Akala and Akwe Doma. the governors were picked up their respective homes in Lagos, Ibadan and Lafia, Thursday morning. Femi Babafemi ,EFCC spokes person said this morning that the former Governors are presently being interrogated on corruption allegations in Abuja FCT.

EFCC is said to be aiming at investigating about nine corrupt ex- Governors said to have embezzled billions of Naira withing their respective states.

Opinion

Nigeria has been turned to a place where thieves are chiefs and corruption which is the order of the day is still thriving in all tiers of Government ,and the average Nigerian is even mentally corrupt already. many just waiting for their own turn to loot the treasury and have a bite of the national cake. The news of EFCC making arrest should not really be a cause for celebration, the most important thing is JUSTICE must be seen to have been done at the end of the day by the common man, the ordinary man on the street should know that the law is not only against the poor but can deal effectively with the "Criminal rich" i know some will still start to rant about how others who are yet to be arrested stole too. we are going to hear things like " This is political , are they the only ones that stole"? Leave them alone !!

I sympathize with Nigeria, Does anybody know how the case against Dimeji Bankole went "down" with the EFCC ? from the picture above the well fed man had fun while it lasted , these three ex- Governors will soon line up heavily paid Senior Advocates of Nigeria to defend them if Charged to court eventually, of course they can afford the very expensive fees. lets wait and see the outcome of this too. SAME OLD STORY ??

Quote of the day .

2011-10-06T07:11:00.000-07:00

“We need to regulate prostitution in the country so that if anyone wants to indulge in the trade, the person can be registered and issued with a licence. If we say we want to stop it, this will be difficult. It is done in other countries; Let us regulate it by issuing licences”

-Deputy Senate president Ike Ekweremadu calling for the legalization of Prostitution in the country while speaking during a debate on a motion on Human trafficking in Nigeria on Tuesday

"Yahoo Answers" Joke of the day ( Hilarious) !!

2011-10-05T04:39:00.000-07:00

YAHOO! Answers

Question -

Can your Baby get pregnant if you have sex while pregnant?

Like if you are pregnant with a baby girl and you have sex while you are pregnant, can the sperm go up in there and impregnate the baby?

Best Answer – The baby can get pregnant only if it is a female, if you suspect that your baby is pregnant though, try not to have sex again , because you run the risk of getting your baby’s baby pregnant and this can lead to complications like an infinite loop !!

Did Airtel sack 3000 customer care staff as reported??

2011-10-04T18:01:00.000-07:00

According to what is widely reported Telecommunications company Airtel now run by Indians because the company has allegedly sacked over 3000 of their customer care staff for refusing to accept a massive reduction in their salaries.

The Airtel customer care staff were previously being paid 80,000 Naira a month and objected to the reduction of their salaries to 65,000 Naira a month (with no additional incentives).
According to sources Airtel outsourced their customer service to an Indian company which is not willing to compromise on the salary being offered to staff.
Airtel has previously been accused of subjecting staff to difficult working conditions especially since all the top executives were replaced with Indians.

however i saw a comment which i have decided to put forward here perhaps someone will clarify the true position. the last i heard was that NLC Nigeria Labour congress is planning to shut the company down over the allegation, i hope they carry out their findings properly.

"This story is totally incorrect, factually and otherwise.
Airtel, in the first place, doesn’t have as many staff in Nigeria. Secondly, Airtel did not sack a single member of staff. The purported staff, who are claiming that they were sacked, are Call Centre Agents, who are employees of two Agencies, who provide Agents for two partners, Tech Mahindra and Spanco-who provide Airtel Call Centre Services.
Contrary to the report here, which sadly was unchecked/unverified was that the Agents, about 1545 of them were out of contract by Friday, September 30 2011. Tech Mahindra and Spanco have indicated in a joint statement that they would like to hire agents directly on their roll, which will include new Agents and some of the old Agents, who meet their specifications.
So, Airtel did not sack any Agents as they were not Airtel’s employees and Airtel does NOT run Call Centres.
I have also attached the joint statement by Tech Mahindra and Spanco here:
JOINT MEDIA STATEMENT BY TECH MAHINDRA AND SPANCO ON SUSPENSION OF CALL CENTRES

Lagos, Nigeria; Monday, October 03, 2011: We, Tech Mahindra and Spanco, are global Business Process Outsourcing (BPOs) companies and providers of Call Centre services to Airtel Nigeria, operating out of two call centres in Lagos and Abuja, respectively.

Our attention has been drawn to several messages circulating in cyberspace alleging that our client, Airtel had fired 3,000 Call Centre agents due to a disagreement over a purported plan to reduce salaries. This is untrue and we want to use this medium to put the facts right.

Last year, following the signing of a landmark BPO Agreement with the Airtel Group, we jointly inherited over 1,600 Call Centre agents from Bezaleel, HR Indexx and CCSNL who hitherto provided agents for the company known then as Zain. The contract existing between us and two of the agencies namely CCSNL and HR Index expired effective Friday September 30, 2011. The third agency, Bezaleel’s, contract will expire in January 2012. So, there is no issue of mass sack but expiration of existing contracts.

Prior to the expiration of the contracts, we had engaged representatives of the Agents and that of the organized Labour on how to manage their transition to our roll. Due to a lack of consensus on the way forward and an apparent threat to our facilities by some of the agents, we were compelled to suspend operations at the call centres last Friday, September 30, 2011.

Going forward, our plan is to recruit new agents and also offer some of the affected agents a new contract with attendant salaries and benefits based on their qualifications and experience. Our vision is to expand the Call Centre business in Nigeria to 5000 capacity, ultimately.

On the issue of salaries, we state categorically that as world class organizations, we offer our employees remuneration and benefits comparable to standards across the world and in compliance with the working and labour laws of Nigeria.

We, therefore, appeal to all Nigerians, especially Airtel customers, to bear with us as we seek to expeditiously resolve the issues and re-open the call centres in the coming days. Indeed, we have also taken appropriate measures to ensure that our client’s customers experience minimal inconvenience during this brief period.

It is important to note that the activities of these disgruntled Agents are capable of frustrating investors with good intentions and make nonsense of the Federal Government’s drive for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

We are committed to growing the BPO industry in Nigeria and by so doing we will give meaning to the quest by the Federal Government of Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to create jobs as part of his master plan to re-engineer the Nigerian economy.

Signed:

K SANKARALINGAM
CEO – SPANCO, AFRICA
SPANCO CHANNEL BPO LIMITED
SUJIT BAKSI

could this be the true position, Who is to blame ?

34th Nigerian breweries PLC International chess open Championship 6th – 13th November 2011.

2011-10-04T16:05:00.000-07:00

34^th Nigerian breweries PLC International chess open Championship 6^th – 13^th November 2011.

Do you play chess? the complete intelligent gentleman's game, do you wish to test your skills in a chess competition?perhaps you are the best in your home, class,school or estate, here is a big opportunity to show how good you are at this "brain game" and win big money while doing that !!

This is to Invite you to the 34^th Nigerian breweries PLC International chess open Championship schedule to hold on 6^th – 13^th November 2011 at the sport hall National stadium complex, Lagos.

The play categories and entry fees of players are stated below

CATEGORIES ENTRY FEES

FIDE/Master section =N= 1500:00

Category I =N=1,050:00

Category II =N=850:00

Ladies Category =N= 950:00

Under 14 Boys =N= 350:00

Under 14 girls =N= 350:00

Veterans =N=1,050:00

SWAN =N= 350

NOTICE

Registration for all categories will close on Friday 4^th November 2011 at 4 PM This is to enable the Technical officers enough time to prepare the entries and start the competition as scheduled .

Late entries will strictly attract a fine of =N= 500:00 (extra fees) per player for all categories. No entries will be allowed after the first round, Every Participants are also expected to obtain the Nigerian chess federation player’s Identity card the cost is =N=250:00 per player.

Competition Venue

Sports hall ,National stadium complex Surulere , Lagos Nigeria

Date

Arrival Sunday 6^th November 2011

Competition Monday 7^th – Saturday 12thNovember 2011

Time 9 am daily

Closing ceremony Saturday 12^th November 2011

Departure Sunday 13^th November 2011

All participants are responsible for their transportation, accommodation , feeding and other welfare during the championship. Participants are expected to come to the tournament with their chess set and chess clocks. State chess associations, chess clubs and educational institutions are free to enter any number of players.

Dressing code

All players and guests are expected to dress decently and smartly to the tournament venue , sleeveless wears will not be allowed.

NO HIGH HEELS/ STEEL HEEL SHOES please.

Only flat sandals/ shoes, sneakers would be allowed into the hall. This is to avoid causing damage to the newly renovated sports hall.

Your usual co operation is highly solicited to avoid any embarrassment on entry into the tournament hall. - Edited by GM Akinov

34th NBL chess competition/opens/tournament 2011

THE COMEDY FACTORY PRESENTS AFRICA VS THE WEST INDIES.

2011-10-04T12:22:00.000-07:00

Biglive and flavour magazine presents- THE COMEDY FACTORY PRESENTS AFRICA VS THE WEST INDIES. WHO WILL COME OUT ON TOP , WHO ARE YOU SUPPORTING??Featuring Obonjo Comedian ,Peter Francis ,Nico Yearwood, Kane Brown,Victor comedian Daniels,Dane J,Baptiste and MCee Comedian

The Comedy Factory October 9th at DDen - Legacy 135 Finchley Road London NW3 6 JH Doors open at 7:00 P.M , Show starts 8:00 P.M sharp.

FREE Canapes on the night. ENTRY- just £5 on the G-list £10 OTD

Simply text or E-mail your full Name(s) comedyfactory@bigliveevents.com

For BDAY bookings call 07701090781

For Naija folks in United Kingdom and those that will be visiting about that time. this show promises to be the bomb - no be like Boko Haram own ooo, i no fit shout !!

USA Visa Lottery 2011 DV-2013 visa program

2011-10-02T13:05:00.000-07:00

The Diversity Visa(DV) program registration fore this year is here again. for those who may wish to apply , you may register for the DV program through http://www.dvlottery.state.gov/ from noon Eastern daylight time (EDT) (GMT -4) Tuesday , October 4, 2011 until noon Eastern daylight time (EDT) (GMT-4) Saturday November 5, 2011 Click here for instructions- Diversity visa 2013 instructions

Green card 2012. American Visa lottery.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE 2013 DIVERSITY IMMIGRANT VISA PROGRAM (DV-2013)

The congressionally mandated Diversity Immigrant Visa Program is administered on an annual basis by the Department

of State and conducted based on United States law, specifically Section 203(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act

(INA). This law provides for a class of immigrants known as ―diversity immigrants,‖ with visas made available to persons

from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States. For fiscal year 2013, 50,000 diversity visas

will be available.

The annual DV program makes visas available to persons meeting simple, but strict, eligibility requirements. A computergenerated, random drawing chooses selectees for DVs. The visas are distributed among six geographic regions, and

within each region, no single country may receive more than seven percent of the available DVs in any one year. Visas

are allocated to nationals of countries with historically lower rates of U.S. immigration. Nationals of countries who have

sent more than 50,000 immigrants to the United States over the past five years are not eligible to apply for the Diversity

Visa program.

For DV-2013, natives of the following countries

are not eligible to apply because the countries sent a total of more than

50,000 immigrants to the United States in the previous five years:

BANGLADESH, BRAZIL, CANADA, CHINA (mainland-born), COLOMBIA, DOMINICAN

REPUBLIC, ECUADOR, EL SALVADOR, GUATEMALA, HAITI, INDIA, JAMAICA, MEXICO,

PAKISTAN, PERU, PHILIPPINES, SOUTH KOREA, UNITED KINGDOM (except Northern

Ireland) and its dependent territories, and VIETNAM.

Persons born in Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, and Taiwan are eligible.

Changes in eligibility this year:

For DV-2013, natives of South Sudan and Poland are now eligible for selection, while Bangladesh natives are now

ineligible.

The Department of State implemented the electronic registration system beginning with DV-2005 in order to make the DV

process more efficient and secure. The Department utilizes special technology and other means to identify those who

commit fraud for the purposes of illegal immigration or those who submit multiple entries.

DV REGISTRATION PERIOD

Entries for the DV-2013 DV program must be submitted electronically between noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)

(GMT-4), Tuesday, October 4, 2011, and noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (GMT-4), Saturday, November 5, 2011.

Applicants may access the electronic DV Entry Form (E-DV) at www.dvlottery.state.gov during the registration

period. Paper entries will not be accepted. We strongly encourage applicants not to wait until the last week of the

registration period to enter. Heavy demand may result in website delays. No entries will be accepted after noon,

EDT, on November 5, 2011. Beware of spammers , Registration is FREE Good luck!!

My Heart has no place for a man without courage – Ebube Nwagbo

2011-10-02T13:03:00.000-07:00

Oluebube Nwagbo strikes you as the girl next door. She’s one of the most successful and hottest actresses in Nollywood at the moment. Ebube as she’s popularly called by fans has not only paid her dues in the acting profession, she has equally proved her mettle in the world of business.

Ebube Nwagbo

Last year, she launched her own line of hair extensions called, “Posh hair” which is currently doing well in the local market. From Enugu, where she is presently on location, this Anambra State born actress explains why she delved into business. She also speaks about her dreams, aspirations, accomplishments and love life.

You said your were on location when I called your line last Sunday?

Yes, I’m on location in Enugu. We are shooting a new film produced by Get Rich Productions.

The movie is yet to be titled and I’m playing the role of a young girl who has to go into prostitution to save her mother’s life only for her to realise the woman in question is not her mum.

We started shooting the film which is featuring the likes of Sam Dede, Atus from Ghana, Ngozi Ezeonu and many other Nollywood stars three days ago.

Is it your first movie after the long break you took from from acting?

I have done a couple of movies lately. But it’s just that some of them are yet to be released. I have about ten movies in the pipeline. It’s not as if I took a break from acting officially, but somehow, I had to find time to do other things. Perhaps to re-establish myself in the industry.

I know that I’m not going to be an actress forever. That’s why I decided to establish something I could fall back on in future because you never can predict tomorrow.

Could that be the reason for the setting up of your own line of hair extensions?

Yes, of course. My own line of hair extensions is called ‘Posh Hair.’ I also established a company which I run with my friend. We are into contract business. My hair product is doing very well in the market.

In fact, I’m surprised at the way people accepted the product. It’s quite encouraging and I’m happy it is making waves in the market.

How did you get into the business?

Before now, I was looking for something else to do apart from acting. I tried my hands on so many things before a friend of mine finally sold the idea of setting up a hair product to me.

After giving it a thought, I decided to embrace the idea. Fortunately, my friend has all the contacts I needed to make the dream a reality.

I travelled abroad with her to make all the necessary contacts before jumpstarting the business. On returning to the country, I did my own home work, meet with the people, I needed to meet with, and thereafter start off the business.

It must have cost you quite a fortune to set up the business?

Yes, and I’m thankful to God today who made it possible for me to actualise this vision.

Do you see your achievement as a big challenge to some of your colleagues who are not thinking of having second profession?

ebube

Nothing lasts forever. While we are in this business of acting, there is need for us to work hard and find something to compliment our career in acting. I have worked so hard to become what I am today.

Most of my colleagues I think are not sleeping either. They are also thinking in that direction of what they will be doing after they are through with acting. It’s important we begin to prepare for our retirement.

You also delved into gospel music. Was it another part of you that has not been explored properly?

The music aspect of me is inside the cooler for now. I might go back to it in future. I tried my hands on music and to my surprise, it worked out . Somebody wrote the songs for me and I was surprised that the music did so well in the market.

A lot of people were equally surprised that the music was a hit. I never imagined that it would be successful in the market. So yes, when I’m done with acting, I may decide to go back to music.

Some of your colleagues have described their involvement in the acting profession as accidental. Would you say you got into acting by accident?

I wouldn’t say I have always wanted to act or that I started acting from childhood. No, I have never had a passion for acting. While in school, I was a shy person.

It never beat my imagination that I could make a career in acting. It all started while I was undergoing my compulsory one year industrial training after the completion of my Ordinary National Diploma programme. I was looking for something to engage myself in as a pastime. This is because I needed money to go back to school after my industrial training.

Then, I didn’t want to work in a company. I had a friend I used to know way back in school, who was in the industry. I quickly contacted him and before I knew it, I was already in the industry.

My first movie is titled “Arrested By Love” where I acted alongside Jim Iyke, Pete Edochie and others . Acting came as an opportunity for me to get what I wanted and at the same time , achieve my dream. And in the process, I got stock.

What has been the reaction of some of your course mates who never believed you could make it in acting?

Well, some of my course mates expected to see the same old Ebube they used to know way back in school. But others are surprised that I’m doing what I’m doing today.

While I was in school, I wasn’t the bad girl type, given the strict background that I hail from. They never believed I was going to end up as an actress.

You shuttled between Lagos and Enugu. Where exactly are you based?

I’m based in Lagos, but most times when I have a job to do in the East, I travel to the place.

Being a shy person, would you say Nollywood unveiled you?

Given what I’m doing today, I’m no longer that shy girl I used to be in the past. I now see myself as an instrument to better my country and humanity. Yes, delving into acting has really changed me and I’m happy doing what I am doing today. The industry has exposed me and I have really overcome my shyness.

Also, while sojourning in the industry, I have learned a lot and I’m proud to be part of this new trend. I didn’t start acting from childhood rather, I grew to find myself in the acting profession.

Could there be anything that will make you to feel sober each time you reflect on it?

I’m an emotional person. I don’t like to be hurt or be taken for granted by people. I hate being ridiculed. I also like to earn my respect from people. I have learnt to see things the way they are.

I have also learnt to speak up my mind and stand for my right . I hate people cheating on me. Moreover, I like to respect people and I also like people to respect me. That’s me.

After your alleged affair with K.C Fresh and your purported fight with Anita Joseph over the musician, nothing much has been heard about your relationship with the opposite sex?

I have chosen not to speak about that. I don’t dwell on my past. Anything that happened in the past remains in the past. It’s my private life and I don’t like to talk about it with anybody. I never had a fight with anybody over a man and I will never do such a thing. I’m too big for that.

When are we expecting the bell to ring for you?

At the right time, I will let you know. I’m too busy making money at the moment.

Don’t you think a time will come when men will be scared of you ?

Any man who do not have the courage to come for me because of who I am, is not worthy to become my man. There is no amount of wealth a woman will acquire that will make her not to be submissive to her husband. The Lord has said it that a woman should be submissive to her husband no matter the height she attains in the society.

I am who I am, I’m no other person than the same Ebube. Like I said earlier, a man that cannot walk up to me and express his love to me, is not worthy enough to be my man. I’m old enough to know when a man takes the first step.

I don’t allow whatever I have achieved over the years to get into my head. It doesn’t change who I am. People who know me very well can testify to my simple nature.

And this is not even when you are painting the town red with a hummer jeep?

I’m not the only actress who is driving a jeep. There are so many of us out there who are painting the town red with their expensive cars. Yes, sometimes people do wonder why a young lady like myself should be driving a hummer jeep.

Others still acknowledge the fact that I have a taste for quality things. But for me, I know what I wanted out of life, and also what I think will make me feel happy. If driving a hummer will make me a happy person, I’d be ready to drive it over and over again.

Looking back, do you have any cause to regret the steps you have taken in life?

I have no regrets whatsoever . I will forever be thankful to God who made it possible for me to become what I am today. Like I said earlier, nothing lasts forever. While we are still sojourning in the industry, there is need for us to make use of every opportunity that comes our way.

Are you looking forward to becoming one of the Glo Ambassadors?

I’m hopeful, but I’m not dwelling on it. If it comes, all well and good. And if it doesn’t , other things will come my way.

Nigeria is 51 years today, what’s your message to the nation?

First and foremost, I’m proud to be a Nigerian. In as much as we have our challenges, the good, the bad and the ugly, I don’t have any regret being a Nigerian. My prayer is that our leaders should strive to give the people a purposeful leadership . It is also my prayer that my industry, Nollywood overcomes the economic challenges that has undermined its growth in recent times.

SOURCE Vanguard entertainment

Independence Nigeria !! Evolution or Revolution ?

2011-09-30T17:27:00.000-07:00

According to Robert MC Namara, a former United States Secretary of Defence " Any Society that seek to achieve adequate military security against the backdrop of acute food shortages, population explosion ,low level of productivity and per capital income,low technological development,inadequate and insufficient public utilities and chronic problem of unemployment has a false sense of security"

Nigeria has not been able to surmount any of these challenges , there are too many "little" things wrong with Nigeria cumulating and snowballing into a very big problem. Nigerians are already used to most of the so called smaller problems , it is now taken as normal not to always expect constant electricity supply, it is now seen as normal for the police to extort money from motorists at gun point , brutalize and kill citizens extra judicially , corruption is seen as a norm and most people are only waiting for their turn to get there and loot the national treasure , are we all mentally corrupt? we are satisfied with mediocrity , we have simply lost it !!

Does it ever occur to anyone that every act of corruption has a far reaching negative effect on the entire Nigerian system, would it not be desirable for us to have constant electricity supply, very good roads and network, and attain a high level of infrastructural development that can compete with that of any country in the world?

“ let me restate this even more directly; no truly perceptive mind will deny that the very sight of ostentatious consumption in the midst of societay even in society that enjoys reasonable accessibility to resources is an invitation to civic unrest and even possibly- revolution

Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka at a public lecture to mark the 50^th anniversary of the Nigerian institute of Management (chartered) in Abuja recently

All we want is a pro active move to reverse the decay in infrastructure , most especially good roads, and ensuring the existence everything necessary to increase the living standards of the people. The Politicians are taking Nigerians for granted, milking tax payers money dry and we lack the courage to say no. why? true independence will only come when the populace gathers the courage to say "enough is enough" . if ethnic or religious differences will not allow a nationalist motivated revolution to take place then every citizens can as well take their destinies into their hands and start a regional revolution to take what we deserve.

True independence can only come with the courage to say no to the present situation !!

Happy Independence!!

Source http://www.hypernigeria.net/2011/09/independence-nigeria-lets-iron-things.html

Opinion

Yes Nigerians can be said to be mentally corrupt at the moment, For example Governor Fashola is only a good governor by Nigerian standard but most Nigerians will never see beyond their nose in that perspective, not in a country where we praise (NEPA) PHCN when they give us "uninterrupted" power supply for 6 hours you here words like " oh!! at least they have tried today o "!! Perspective