You need to be bold enough as a guy to pull off a colored suit. Tania Omotayo's boo "Wizkid" wore this red suit to Elite Model Look Nigeria Finale in Lagos. Looking handsome as always....
For thirteen years, Cocacola was the world's number one most valuable brand...but not anymore. In 2013, two brands took over - Apple and Google, leaving Cocacola at number three.
From New York Times
Apple is the new most valuable brand in the world, according to a closely followed annual report. The report, to be released next Monday, is from Interbrand, a corporate identity and brand consulting company owned by the Omnicom Group that has been compiling what it calls the Best Global Brands report since 2000. The previous No. 1 brand, Coca-Cola, fell to No. 3.
Not only has Apple replaced Coca-Cola as first among the 100 most valuable brands based on criteria that include financial performance, this is the first time that the soft drink known for slogans like “It’s the real thing” has not been No. 1.
Apple’s arrival in the top spot was perhaps “a matter of time,” Jez Frampton, global chief executive at Interbrand, said in a recent interview. Apple was No. 2 last year, climbing from No. 8 in the 2011 report.
“What is it they say, ‘Long live the king’?” Mr. Frampton asked. “This year, the king is Apple.”
The 2013 report begins: “Every so often, a company changes our lives, not just with its products, but with its ethos. This is why, following Coca-Cola’s 13-year run at the top of Best Global Brands, Interbrand has a new No. 1 — Apple.”
The report estimates the value of the Apple brand at $98.3 billion, up 28 percent from the 2012 report. The value of the Coca-Cola brand also rose, by 2 percent to $79.2 billion, but that was not sufficient to give Coca-Cola a 14th year as Interbrand’s most valuable brand.
Although “Coca-Cola is an efficient, outstanding brand marketer, no doubt about it,” Mr. Frampton said, Apple and other leading technology brands have become “very much the poster child of the marketing community.”
That is underscored by the brand in second place in the new report: Google, which rose from fourth place last year. In fact, of the top 10 Best Global Brands for 2013, five are in technology: Apple; Google; Microsoft, No. 5, unchanged from last year; Samsung, 8, compared with 9 last year; and Intel, 9, compared with 8 last year.
Samsung’s ascent followed the company’s adoption of a new brand strategy called the Brand Ideal, which includes “a greater focus on social purpose,” Sue Shim, executive vice president and chief marketing officer at Samsung, said by e-mail. That reflected research indicating American consumers would switch brands to “one that was associated with improving people’s lives,” she added.
I.B.M. — No. 4 in 2013, down a notch from 2012 — is ranked as a business services brand. Otherwise, technology would account for six of the top 10.
“Brands like Apple and Google and Samsung are changing our behavior: how we buy, how we communicate with each other, even whether we speak with each other,” Mr. Frampton said. “They have literally changed the way we live our lives.”
Among other transformative technology brands that performed well in the new report was Facebook, which climbed to 52 from 69 last year, its first year on the list.
However, not all technology brands fared well. BlackBerry, which tumbled last year to 93 from 56 in 2011, has disappeared from the list. And Nokia, which dropped to 19 from 14 in 2011, finished this year in 57th place — “the biggest faller” among the 100, Mr. Frampton said.
Among nontechnology brands, a notable addition to the list was Chevrolet, at 89, the first General Motors brand to rank among the Best Global Brands.
“It feels good to hit the list for the first time,” Alan Batey, global head of Chevrolet at G.M., said in a telephone interview. “It’s a great first step, but we’ve got a long way to go. There are a lot of big brands in front of us.”
The milestone reflects how General Motors has been “making a conscious effort to globalize Chevrolet,” Mr. Batey said, selling the brand in 140 countries in ads that play up attributes like “value for money and designs that move hearts and minds.”
Commonwealth, the creative agency for Chevrolet, “played a key role” in helping the brand make the list, he added. Commonwealth is part of the McCann Worldgroup division of the Interpublic Group of Companies.
Last year, when Coca-Cola finished atop the Best Global Brands list for the 13th consecutive time, an executive at the Coca-Cola Company acknowledged the streak but noted that “nothing lasts forever.”
A year later, the executive, Joseph V. Tripodi, executive vice president and chief marketing and commercial leadership officer, had this reaction: “Of course, we would like to remain on top of the list forever. That said, we are honored to continue to be included among such an esteemed group of global brands, and we congratulate Apple and Google, both valued partners of ours.”
“We’ve seen the value of technology brands rise as they create new ways for people to stay connected virtually,” Mr. Tripodi said by e-mail. “We understand this, as the lasting power of our brand is built on the social moment of sharing a Coca-Cola with friends and family.”
“Creating these simple moments and delivering on our brand promise each and every day remains our focus,” he added, “as we continue to grow the value of brand Coca-Cola for decades to come.”
If it is consolation, Coca-Cola remains far ahead of Apple and Google in likes on Facebook fan pages. Coca-Cola has 73.2 million, compared with 9.8 million for Apple and 15.1 million for Google.
MASSIVE Collaboration Alert! Listen to Wizkid Feat. Wale – Drop
The collaboration we’ve all been waiting for – Wizkid featuring Wale on this brand new smash “Drop”produced by Legendury Beatz
Enjoy!
DOWNLOAD HERE
Iyanya is sitting pretty at the top of the MTV Base Official Naija Top 10 powered by Star Music. The “Sexy Mama” singer and Project Fame winner displaces Wande Coal who drops one place to number 2 after two weeks atop the chart with “The Kick”, featuring Don Jazzy.
There are two new entries on the Official Naija Top 10 this week: Burna Boy’s “Run My Race” (number 9) and 2Face’s “Rainbow”, which enters the chart at number 10 in the same week that “Dance Floor” makes its exit. Also dropping out of the chart this week is WizKid’s “Azonto” after an impressive 9 weeks in the chart.
Special guest Iyanya is on the Official Naija Top 10 sofa this week to discuss with Ehiz (@SpecialSlim) on the hottest music videos and songs making a strong impact on the Nigerian music scene.
This week’s Official Naija Top 10 premiered on MTV Base on NTA on Friday 26 July, and can be seen on MTV Base (DStv Channel 322) on Tuesday 30 July @22.00 WAT, on AIT on Tuesday 30 July @ 21.30 WAT, and on STV on Thursday 1 August @ 18.00 WAT. Next week’s chart will be revealed on Friday 2 August on NTA @ 23.30 WAT.
Here’s this week’s Official Naija Top 10 (26th July – 2nd August 2013) countdown:
1. Iyanya Feat. Wizkid – Sexy Mama
2. Wande Coal – The Kick
3. D’Prince – Goody Bag
4. P-Square – Personally
5. Ice Prince Zamani – VIP
6. Flavour – Chinny Baby
7. D’Banj – Don’t Tell Me Nonsense
8. Chidinma Feat. IllBliss & Tha Suspect – E Mi Ni Baller
9. Burna Boy – Run My Race
10. 2Face Idibia – Rainbow
The Official Naija Chart is decided by an elite judging panel of Nigerian broadcasters, music specialists and taste makers put together by MTV Base including DJ Jimmy Jatt, DJ Xclusive (Cool FM), DJ Humility (Cool FM), Big Time (Rhythm FM), DJ Caise (The Beat FM), Toolz (The Beat FM), Bella Naija entertainment editor Onos O, and Osagie Alonge (Nigerian Entertainment Today).
BMW has revealed its first all-electric car, saying it plans to clinch a significant share of a market still in its infancy.
Launching its BMW i3 model, the German group compared the prospects of the electric car market to the technical revolution of the mobile telephone, but declined to give any sales or production targets.
“What the mobile phone did for communication, electric mobility will do for individual mobility,” chief executive Norbert Reithofer said as the car debuted in London, Beijing and New York.
“The BMW i3 is more than an evolutionary step — it is a great leap forward.”
The series-produced model will go on sale in Europe in November to be followed in the United States, China, Japan and several other markets in the first half of 2014.
It will hit the German market at a price of 34,950 euros (N7.4m).
Commercial director Ian Robertson told reporters that the market for electric cars remained young but said BMW was not seeking to be a niche player.
“We’re entering the market to be a significant player,” he said.
The Munich-based company trumpeted technological features of the model, which can seat four, including a carbon fibre passenger cell to help offset the weight of the batteries and an aluminium chassis.
BMW said the global market for electric vehicles was showing “positive development”.
“After almost 93,000 electric vehicles were registered worldwide last year, a total of 150,000 units is already forecast for the current year,” a statement said.
Germany set a target in 2008 of having one million electric cars on its roads in 2020 and said it wanted to be a pilot market in the field
Tonto Charity Dikeh has become a force to reckon with in the Nigerian movie industry, Nollywood. The actress and singer from Rivers State is of the Ikwerre tribe. Born June 9, 1985, Dikeh competed against other contestants on a reality TV show called The Next Movie Star where she was the first runner-up.Hitz writes about the many controversies of the sultry actress and why she should take it easy for a blossomed career.
Nollywood, is second only to the Indian film industry in number of movies produced each year and it has produced world class stars like Omotola Jalade Ekehinde, Genevieve Nnaji, Olu Jacobs, Pete Edochie, the late Sam Loco Efe, Nkem Owoh and many others.
Dikeh says that after her second movie ‘Holy Cross’, more movie directors and producers were willing to cast her, and she has appeared in scores of movies ever since.
The actress has received criticism on many a movie she starred in making her a hot cake for producers who want her to be part of their movies due to her logic in script interpretation.
The enchanting young actress still have a lot in store for her and she could achieve whatever she want to achieve in the industry.
Nollywood is just a step in the right direction to become a world renowned. She has the charisma, physics, face and other attributes anyone could think of to become a star. But the crazy incidents of late is not telling good of her image. It could be a strategy to be hyped by the media, but controversies easily kills a celebrity image.
Hitz can exclusively report that there is a current gang up to frustrate the career of actress, Tonto Dikeh, who is also a darling to controversies.
Tonto who hugs, chews and pampers controversy in a very helplessly controversial manner is said to have bitten more than she can chew in recent times following her rude and troublesome behaviour while on set. A certain top movie Director who wouldn’t want his name mentioned, was directing a movie on a set at Asaba with Tonto Dikeh playing lead in the movie and ever since he came back to Lagos after the shoot, he has not stopped complaining about how rude and abusive Tonto played out herself all through at the location.
According to him, “Tonto Dikeh is such a rot and lacks every bit of home training, apologies to her parents. ‘I tried to control myself in order not to disrupt the set, but I got upset over the kind of insult Tonto, heaped on the makeup artiste on the set. A woman who is old enough to be her mother” ‘Are you stupid, don’t you know what you are supposed to do? Must I remind you before you’ll know you are supposed to make me up’? Those were said to be Tonto’s words to the already fuming makeover artiste who was at the verge of throwing back some punch lines at her.
At this point, the director was said to have lashed at Tonto seriously and washed her in, out, left, right and center until the situation was later calmed down by the producer of the movie. This was sequaled by a certain report made available to this medium that due to her controversial lifestyle and appetite for trouble, Tonto’s colleagues now isolate themselves from her, as well as some of her very close friends.
Meanwhile a check by this medium has revealed that top movie producers and directors have teamed up to frustrate Tonto Dikeh due to mannerless attitude while on set. According to them, “that little brat, apart from her addictions to marijuana and cigarette, doesn’t give a damn about whose ox is gored, she abuses, throw tantrums and fight on set at every slightest provocation and we must make sure she’s humiliated. She seem to have gathered to much weight and has hurriedly forgotten those days when she used to go on bended knees for a ‘waka pass’ role in movies. We’ll teach her a lesson’. They vowed.
On the other hand, records have it that the ‘Mother Controversy’ as Tonto is now widely addresses by colleagues doesn’t enjoy the best of relationship with most of her colleagues. Among whom are: Mercy Johnson, her arch rival, Mamma Gee, even though she was credited of introducing her to the industry big time, Genevieve, although the genesis of their disagreement was not stated, Nonso Diobi for rebuking her over abusive comments on Mercy Johnson. Other names given are, Nuella Njubigbo and Monalisa Chinda, all of whom are producers’ top demands in movies.
Meanwhile producers and directors, who have worked with her, have described Mercy Johnson as a down to earth person, cheerful and cool-headed to work with. Sources who spoke exclusively to www.myemag.net claim it’s the reason MJ as Mercy is famously addressed is of a very high demand in movies in the past few years, especially now that Nollywood is shifting base to Asaba in Delta State, Nigeria.
Mercy Johnson, married to Odianose Okojie, blessed with a beautiful baby, Purity has countless of movies to her credit and has won to herself, too numerous fans within a short period of time.
Her name is Jennifer Obayuwana, daughter of multi-millionaire Polo boss, John Obayuwana.
She is D'banj's longest babe ever and he says he's in love and faithful, D'banj made mention of this during an interview that she's been around for a long time, you guys just don't know her'..
The pretty belle is an Executive in her father's company and also a director at CAT construction Company...
Well D'banj, We don know her now oooooo...
It now makes sense, Who gives away a £1.2m bottle of champagne or anything for that matter, just like that? Luxury designer Alexander Amosu has cleared the confusion.
He took to his instagram page to explain that there's a Swarovski diamond edition of his Taste of Diamond champagne. The diamond encrusted bottle is worth £1.2m, while the Swarovski version is just £350
This is the version Don Jazzy and Peter Okoye got. He reacted to the Daily Mail article about the price of the champagne. See it Below:-
"Wow!!! Seems the media has taking my instagram & changed it to their own. Swarovski diamond edition as stated in my instagram is £350 not £1.2m" Amosu Speaks.
Nigeria has many uncountable problems and none of them is early marriage. As a matter of fact early marriage the solution to about half of our problems. For those who wonder if I can give my daughter(s) out in marriage at the age of 9 or 13, I tell you most honestly, I can give her out at the age of 6 if I want to and its not your business.
This is because I am a Muslim and I follow the example of the best of mankind, Muhammad ﺻَﻠَّﻰ ﺍﻟﻠَّﻪُ ﻋَﻠَﻴْﻪِ ﻭَﺳَﻠَّﻢَ .
In Islam, marriage is not only about sex, it is about family and helping one another in achieving their goals, which is the attainment of Paradise.
In Islam, a girl can be given out in marriage as early as 6 years old, but consummation of the marriage can only be done when the girl becomes physically mature and she gives her consent to it because unlike English law, it is not permissible for a man to rape his wife in Shari’ah Law.
So what can anybody tell me?
~ I live in a city where young girls at the age of 12 have already became serial fornicators and cannot count the number of man they’ve had sex with.
~ I live in a City where primary school children disvirgin themselves behind toilets on Valentine day.
~ I live in a city where young girls flood the street at night looking for men that would givethem N500 to have sex with them.
~ I live in a city where parents send their daughters out overseas to prostitute and send dollars down.
~ I live in a City where Government officials pick undergraduates from University car parks with Coastal Buses to wild sex parties.
~ I live in a city where abortion is so common that even a Chemist shore owner can perform abortion with just N2,500.
These are your daughters, and this should worry you and not Yerima’s private matters. Soask me again why I support early marriage and I will slap the Jinn out of your head”.
- Senator Ahmad Sani Yarima
SwaggcitySMG is about to start fashionista of the week contest, Interested contestants both in the male and female categories should send in their pictures to our email smscribng@gmail.com before 11:59pm, 16th June 2013 because voting starts !7th June 2013
Charley boy is set to debut his reality TV show and he has titled it ‘In Your Face’. The show lets his fans into his world- career and family, aside Charlyboy’s weird and eccentric lifestyle; what is the true picture of the other side of his life?
The show is targeted at audience of age 12 to 44 and Charley boy gave on insight on what his soon-to-be viewers need to know about it. He said;
In Your Face, is a TV reality show creatively put together to propagate the message of family values, using the microcosm of the Charlyboy brand to inculcate positive family ethics, morals and principles in our society. In this reality show, the family life of one of the most celebrated Nigerian entertainers, Charlyboy is creatively exposed through the lens of the camera. In the show, viewers are opportune to see beyond the artistic life of the Areafada. The story chronicles both the private and the public life of Charlyboy and his family. The emphasis is to strengthen family interpersonal relationship and to concretely emphasize on the significance of agreement and disagreement, as it is always the case in most families. The story emphasizes more on the significant roles of children in a family, using Charlyboy’s children, both in Nigeria and in the Diaspora as cynosure.
If you are curious about how Charley boy keeps up his act and how his family members feel about it, then this is a show you win’t want to miss.
The trio of Ebube Nwagbo, Angela Okorie and Chita Agwuhas a lot in common and the first of those qualities must be beauty, brawn and plenty of brain. But what on earth would make the three women go bald, looking like Hindus having a sort of religious reverie?
The answer isn’t to be a needle-in-a-haystack kind of thing as one of the damsels, Chita Agwu has revealed they are shooting a film in Owerri about widows who kill their husbands for money. The movie which is titled “Widows Cot” has 14 Nollywood beauties who shaved their hair to meet the requirements of the movie script.
The movie is still being shot and already the talking point has been about Ebube, Angela and Chita shaving their hair for money as Chika Ike was recently taunted for shaving her hair for cheap money even when some reports had it that she was paid N5 million for the effort.
But Chita on her part has said that shaving hair for movie roles is not a new thing in the movie industry, it is part of the trade that actors must go through image transformation just to fit in for a particular role. When asked how much they were paid, she simply said “They tried”.
Ebube, Chita, and Angela aren’t the only ones to shave their hair for movie roles there has been many others in the past. Mercy Johnson, Halima Abubakar, Nuella Njubigbo, Oge Okoye, Uche Jombo, Adaora Ukoh and a host of others have done so in the past.
Call it the hottest news of the year so far, and you just might not be wrong! A salacious report making the rounds fast right now has it that Paul Okoye, the more introverted of the sensational singing twins, P-Square, has a baby child that he’s keeping secret.
While it was made public that his girlfriend, Anita, delivered a baby boy for him recently in America, the salacious report has it that his secret girlfriend, Elshama Benson Igbanoi, delivered her own baby boy on April 7 in London four days before Anita’s.
As the story continues to spread fast, mum has been the word from the P-Square camp as is usual with them whenever a salacious story about them bursts out. And when Entervaganza called Jude Engees Okoye, the manager and elder brother of P-Square to speak on the issue, he cut the phone connection after this reporter introduced himself.
The subsequent effort to get him on the phone again failed as he cut the connection again when it rang. Meanwhile, several reactions have trailed the disclosure of Paul’s alleged secret baby.
The most popular of the reaction says Paul is following in 2face’s footsteps and he’ll be worse than 2face while another says he is setting a bad example for the millions of youths who are their fans all over Africa.
A reaction that is also receiving attention is one which says that it’s shocking that Paul can be involved in a paternity mess because he’s the more gentle of the duo and was the one who insisted that he and his twin, Peter, should start looking different as Peter was prone to trouble and he Paul always got mistaken for Peter.
And that is why they are easily recognizable nowadays as Paul has dreadlocks that Peter doesn’t and Peter keeps building his muscles which Paul doesn’t.
Popular Nollywood actress, Omoni Oboli, turns heads whenever she steps out on the red carpet. The pretty actress told Saturday Beats that she believes her husband feels proud when she steps out and people admire her.
She said, “My husband feels good when I step out for a red carpet event and other men admire me. Everyone likes to show off something that they like and something they think is beautiful. I think it is a good feeling for him.”
Having been a chorister in the past, music is a familiar terrain for her.
“I’m not saying I will go into singing, but never say never; I was in the choir when I was growing up,” she said.
She told Saturday Beats that although she maintains a tight schedule, she cooks for her husband as often as she can but not every night.
The actress said, “My husband is very supportive so it makes life a lot easier for me. I try to give my family quality time when I have time. I cook for my husband often; of course not every night. I do so most times when I’m around and he wants something special. We have somebody who cooks for us. I wouldn’t deny that. If he wants something special, then I’ll prepare it. If I feel I need to do something special for them. I like to bake for them a lot. So I do that often.”
A representative of Enough is Enough Nigeria, an NGO aimed at getting a positive change in the country, Oboli decalred that she would use her status to sensitise people to the power of their vote.
“I think Nigeria is a great country with a lot of potential, I represent Nigeria. My role in representing Enough is Enough is to use the goodwill that I have gathered from people who believe in me to make sure that when the time comes to get together and vote for a leader, we will actually go out to vote. Last year, what we did was to have a massive campaign to tell people to vote.
“You want a better leader and you are not doing anything about it. You have to come out, make sure you vote and when you do, you have to protect you vote, stay and wait for it to be counted so that you will know that your vote counts. That is my role in this,” she said.
Going down memory lane, she told Saturday Beats that her first kiss scene in a movie was with dark-skinned actor, Desmond Elliot. She stated that she did not feel uneasy doing so as they were both professionals.
The delectable actress also described Figurine as one movie she would not forget acting in a hurry. It remains the most stressful movie she has done so far, according to Omoni.
“My first kiss movie was in Unfinished Business and that was in 2007 or 2008, I am not sure. It was okay. It was with Desmond Elliot. It was make-believe so there was nothing to feel uneasy about. We are both actors, so we both know what we are doing. The viewers saw it and thought it was amazing and that is the most important thing.
“Figurine got me dirty; I was dragged down the stairs. It wasn’t easy. The Figurine shoot is one of the most tedious I have ever had. It was the most stressful shoot I have ever had. The high budget was mostly the technical part of it, but the shoot itself was so stressful, it was unbelievable,” she said.
In the run-up to the release of his come-back hit, ‘Chairman’, M.I Abaga will be giving away over millions naira worth of gifts to his loyal fans via social media. This is to appreciate the love and loyalty from his fans across Twitter, Facebook and Google+. The #chairmangiveaway hits off on the 6th of May and will end on the 14th of May.
In total over 5 million naira worth of gifts would be given away by the #Chairman including smartphones, airtime, luxury smartphones and some of MI’s luxe memorabilia.
The #ChairmanGiveaway is proudly supported by NOKIA, Jumia.com, and 360Nobs.
Fans can access the giveaways by following @Mi_Abaga on Twitter, Facebook.com/MiAbaga001 and GPlusid.com/MI, the hashtag #ChairmanGiveaway applies.
Its nothing short of a miracle as Uche Obodo's hair suddenly transformed from the usual black color to a red lace wig, I hate to spoil her fun but Uche deariee the new hair looks great and you are surely looking gorgeous, but what have you been eating, we really need to work on the tummy, what you say sweetheart?
When grassroots-to-limelight Yoruba rapper, Dagrin, died in a road crash in 2010, the lamentation that greeted his passage had hardly died down when some other up-and-coming singers started scheming to fill the vacuum created.
As is done when star artistes pass on, they wanted to take advantage of the gap, with some of them not minding becoming new Dagrin…But as it normally happens in such a circumstance. All of them failed to realise their dreams.
The lesson they failed to learn is that, no artiste can really replace another one. That is why no one has been able to replace a Fela, Tupac or Sikiru Ayinde Barrister in the real sense of it. People may try to be opportunistic but it will be extremely difficult to convince listeners or the audience that the dead man has resurrected.
Instead of aping the fallen hero, perhaps the best thing to do is to hone one’s talent and work hard at one’s style, especially if it is close to that of the deceased.If it is done well, the market will have no other option than to look in one’s direction. This seems to be how rave-of-the-moment and weird Yoruba rapper, Olamide has proved wiser than his peers who were trying to ape Dagrin.
Also called Young Erikina, the artiste has demonstrated much versatility in his songs, Eni Duro and Bend down Low, to the extent that he has broken into the league of the big players.While it has been rumoured that a major telecoms player has struck a N25m deal with him, D’Banj’s new strategic romance with Olamide made him (Olamide) the subject on the lips of many followers of the sector.
Apart from featuring him in a song, there are reports that the younger act has been signed onto D’Banj’s label, a move that, many believe, is going to be mutually rewarding.Such a move would naturally make some guys remember D’Banj’s epic divorce with Don Jazzy, and either sees the romance with the younger act either as a survivalist ploy or a strategic one.
But the fact is it is a good story for Olamide and a sign that he is doing well and may just be one of the artistes to dictate the space in the next few years.Although there has not been any official confirmation, D’banj’s younger brother, Kay Switch, welcomed Olamide to the family on Twitter on Wednesday. Tweeting via his handle, @kayswitch, Kay Switch stated, “Welcome to the family, Baddo.” Baddo is Olamide’s nick name. The music star is currently in Atlanta with D’banj for a music performance.
1.You’ve Dated Around
We’re not saying you have to pull a Jen Aniston and go through tons of dudes before you find The One. But having a few solid LTRs under your belt does help you figure out what qualities are important to you and what makes a relationship work—so you truly appreciate your future hubs when you find him.
2.You Share Similar Goals
Let’s say he wants to do the suburbia thing stat, while you’d love to travel the globe for a few years. If you get hitched, one of you will end up disappointed… . Settle down with a man you’re more or less on the same page with: you both want to live in the city, you both want (or don’t want) kids, etc.
3.You Don’t Want to Change Him
Look, you don’t have to adore everything about your guy. But you do have to make peace with the fact that he’s always going to sack out on the couch and be glued to ESPN on Sunday afternoons, and he’ll never stop slurping the milk in his cereal no matter how many times you say it annoys you. You can’t change a man (but you can tweak him), and trying to will make you frustrated…not to mention bitchier.
4.Your Connection Is Tight Out of Bed, Too
When you first started seeing each other, staying between the sheets all weekend was pretty legit. But for your bond to be strong enough for the long haul, you need more than a physical connection—meaning you need to know that you can have just as much fun together with your clothes on as you do when they’re off.
5.You’re Not Living Out a Bridal Fantasy
Sure, it seems like every time you sign onto Facebook, another pal has posted pics of herself in a stunning white gown. Sigh. But remember: Getting hitched isn’t about the ceremony—it’s about what happens afteryour big day. You’d better be thinking about your future life with him, not just your future bridal party photos (and how pretty they’ll look in that fab silver frame).
6.You Both Try to Resolve Fights
After you have a disagreement, it may seem easiest to apologize and move on—you know, do the whole “pretend it never happened” thing and go forward. But sweeping conflicts under the rug only sets you up for a bigger blow-outs down the road, because the issues will likely resurface if left unresolved. If you can’t talk things out rationally, you’re not ready.
7.Your Friends and Family Dig Him
Of course, it’s your life, so you have the final say. Thing is, choosing a partner is a big deal, and your inner circle’s input does mean something. It’s fine if a few family members or friends aren’t huge fans of you two as a couple; you can’t please ‘em all. But if everyone seems to think you’re a poor match, ask them why. They might be onto something.Source:Cosmopolitan
Love is perhaps our most powerful emotion, and the need to be in a loving relationship may be one of the strongest needs we have. Being in an intimate relationship makes us feel connected, not only to our partner, but also to the world at large. When our hearts are filled with love, we feel profoundly content and satisfied. We become more patient, more empathetic, kinder, gentler.
But personal intimacy doesn’t merely affect our emotional well-being. According to numerous scientific studies, the power of love directly affects our physical health, too, by boosting our immune system, improving our cardiovascular functioning, and increasing our life expectancy. “Love and intimacy are at the root of what makes us sick and what makes us well,” says Dean Ornish, M.D., who explores the connections between love and health in his book Love & Survival (HarperCollins). “When you look at the scientific data, the need for love and intimacy is as important and basic as eating, breathing, and sleeping.”
On Valentine’s Day, we celebrate our love for each other over candlelit dinners or through exchanges of chocolates, flowers, and slinky lingerie. But a box of bon-bons only lasts so long. Experts agree that the key to a vitalized, long-lasting relationship is what you and your partner do the other 364 days of the year. Indeed, keeping your love alive requires continual time and effort. Following are eight steps you can take to keep the flame burning.
1. Be Friends
Any healthy relationship must be based on a solid underlying friendship. Remember to treat your partner with the same kindness, respect, and appreciation as you would a close friend. Support, listen to, and laugh with each other. Don’t allow yourselves to be rude or disrespectful.
2. Stay Connected
“Couples need to spend a lot of time with each other,” advises David Kaplan, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Counselor Education and Rehabilitation programs at Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas. “There is no substitute for quantity of time.” Kaplan encourages couples to take a half-day a week to go out on a date. In addition, devote at least 15 minutes of your day to meaningful, one-on-one conversation — no television or kids allowed.
3. Get Physical
Physical intimacy is a natural, and healthy, extension of a relationship. Our best s*xual intentions are often put to rest, however, as we collapse into an exhausted heap at the end of the day. Instead, you and your partner need to consciously commit to turning up the heat. Leave the dishes in the sink, turn the laptop off, and just do it! Set the mood with the sensual music, and light some calming aromatherapy candles or incense. Learn to communicate your loving energy through touch.
4. Celebrate Each Other
Saying something kind and affectionate to your partner should be a daily habit. The expression of loving thoughts nourishes your relationship by helping you both remember what it is you treasure about each other. Let your partner know how much you appreciate him or her, and be generous with compliments and expressions of affection.
5. Fight Well
Since disagreements and arguments are inevitable, what’s important is not whether you fight but how you fight. When disagreements surface, keep them short. “No more than 10 minutes,” says Kaplan. “After 10 minutes, it gets nasty and repetitive.” Also, keep boundaries on the subject matter. Don’t dredge up issues from last week or last month-keep your dispute focused on the matter at hand.
6. Take a Class
Feeling like your relationship could benefit from professional advice? Why not take a class on communications skills, attend a seminar on loving kindness, or read a book on relationship-building together? Your efforts will likely spark important discussions about your relationship and, ultimately, enhance it. A good starting point is Phillip McGraw, Ph.D.’s straight-talking tome Relationship Rescue (Hyperion, 2000).
7. Listen Carefully
Being an attentive listener lets your partner know that his or her thoughts and feelings are important to you. Moreover, good listening encourages partners “to open up and be willing to share,” say Richard and Kristine Carlson, authors of Don’t Sweat the Small Things in Love (Hyperion, 1999). The secret, say the Carlsons, is not just to “hear” what your partner is saying, but to be truly “present,” having a heartfelt desire to understand what is being said and listening without being judgmental.
8. Maintain Your Sense of Self
Partners must learn to balance their needs as individuals with their needs as a couple. “On one hand, you don’t want people to be too far apart emotionally. If you don’t spend time together, you become disengaged emotionally,” says Kaplan. “The other end of the spectrum is couples that become too dependent on each other and their individual identity gets lost.” Ideally, the two of you should be close enough to have intimacy, yet “far enough away to have individual identity,” says Kaplan. Don’t be afraid to develop some friendships and interests separate from your partner.
Hip hop star, Kingsley Okonkwo popularly known as K-Cee keeps pulling strong, ever since the split of KC Presh; he has surpassed every expectations and risen into such a huge star on his own, hit after hit. In this interview, Kcee talks about his new album, his split with Presh and what transpired between him and actress Ebube Nwagbo. Excerpt:
Who inspired you into music ?
Basically, I will say music is something I have passion for. I started singing from the church choir until I won the talent hunt show. Since then, I have been doing my thing and making my own impact on the nation’s music scene. Music is my life , it’s my profession and that’s what I do for a living.
What brought about the split between you and Presh?
I don’t know what people really want to know about my break up with Presh. But what I know is that we are no more doing business together and we collectively decided to pursue solo careers after 12 years of performing as a group. That’s what we are doing now. We didn’t quarrel or beef each other. It was a joint agreement that we should pursue solo careers. It wasn’t because of money or anything. I think it just happened that way, we never saw the break-up coming. We just had an idea to do separate albums and that’s what is happening right now.
So how did you meet Presh ?
I met him in a church choir and we were running the choir together after which we entered for the Star Quest TV reality show together and won the show.
Now that you are no longer together , is there anything you did then that you find difficult to do now ?
Of course yes , because formally I used to record together with my partner and then, it’s either am doing the verse or he’s doing the chorus. But right now, I’m doing everything alone which is a plus and more so, I have a kind of music that people can identify with my voice as K-Cee. So, when they hear my music, they will know its me . I think its an achievement for me to let people know my real person.
Are you trying to say that you’ve not been faced with challenges after the split ?
The truth is that there has been one or two challenges but by the grace of God, they are not too difficult to overcome because breaking up with your partner was not easy thing. I am trying to make people to believe in me and in my talent. Two years down the drain, I already have a couple of songs which my fans have come to love so much. I don’t know if I should say am missing something. But all the same, am fine.
How many songs have you done after the split ?
Generally, I have done eight songs after the split. I have ‘such songs as ’Now I Know’ ,Okpekete ,Okpekete remix,Tor tori.
Are you missing Presh ?
I think I’m getting more attention now than before. The attention I’m getting now is bigger than what I was getting when we were together.
…Meaning that you did not regret splitting with Presh ?
For me, I have no regret because it was a mutual decision taken by the group to show their fans their individual genre of music. I have been working to stay on top of my game. I’m not sleeping, This is a time for salvation because I have been working towards this achievement. So, no regret at all .
So, how did you start working together ?
I started it. I met him at the church and I approached him. We used to be four in the group then;myself, Presh , Domino and Emmy .Later, the other two left to pursue their dreams. At a point, Presh was no longer interested but later he came back to join forces with me.
How was life like before you got to this level ?
Of course, it has not been easy trying to do good music, and making people happy each time they hear your muisc. You have to work and work until you get the right sound, and also, you need the energy to push and promote your song. It is really not easy. It could be stressful and fun sometimes. But the thing is that you don’t need to give up, you need to keep pushing it that’s why we are alive. For me, things have not been rosy
What really happened between you and Ebube Nwagbo ?
What happened between us was nothing more than having fun. That’s what my new song titled ‘’Limpopo ‘ is all about. It mean let’s have fun.
Any memorable experience so far ?
I always remember the day I won Star Quest TV reality show competition. It was memorable for me because it actually gave me the opportunity to express myself. Anytime, I remember that day, I always feel happy. I never believed KC Presh could win Star Quest. When we entered for the competition in 2002, after Eedris Abdul Kareem advised us to do so.
That day, I cried and people did not know why I was crying. I reminisced, recounting the experience that transformed my life forever. The reason was that God had broken the chains of poverty in my life and taken me to a greater height. I knew I was going to make use of that opportunity because of the hunger I had exhibited while winning the competition. I couldn’t help but to shed tears of joy. After we got their first N1million cheque, courtesy of Star Quest reality TV show,I bought a Mercedez Benz 190. And I was cruising around town then with the new car.
How do you treat your female fans ?
Some of my colleagues get carried away when it comes to women. But interestingly, women are part of the entertainment business. Now, what matters is your ability to control them. It’s very important to you as an entertainer if you want to succeed. When you pay some artistes for a show, they move into a hotel for the next one month blowing the money, hanging out with girls and just having fun without remembering to invest.
Like I said, my father was a DJ, so, I heard the story of other musicians first hand who made it big and then crashed later. When we started making money, we remembered to invest. We toured all the 36 states of the federation with so many brands, including Nestle, and we made so much money and the women were coming.
But we made sure we invested. Though they love me so much and I love them too. I handle them the way they want me to handle them . That’s why I said, in my song that I want to be your maga so they should use me as they want .
Are you still single because we heard you were once married ?
I have never married before, the person that got married was my brother but people thought I was the one. There was nothing like me having extra-marital affair or a love kid. They are all lies.
Tell us more about your Limpopo song?
Limpopo is my latest song which I did with Harry song and I did it the way I’ve been doing other songs. It is like a month old now. The song is already everywhere so I think its God that made it to be so and am happy about it. Also the song means lets have fun its just about me and a lady that’s all
What is the secret of your success?
Consistency is the key. You have to be consistent, know the business and follow it up. I know people love good music all I need to do is to give them good music. Aside this, you have to always keep renewing your face in the business and be trendy and avoid scandals that can destroy your career.
We heard you have a record label , can you tell us about it ?
Right now, am under Five Star music and its owned by E-money who is the president while I am the vice-president .
What made you and Presh think of doing collaboration with 50 Cent?
Yea , that was before I and Presh split but we didn’t do it again because the plan was between the two of us. So, when we broke up the project could not be executed.
Tell us about your childhood ?
My growing up was not too rough. I grew up in Lagos where I had my early education. I hail from an average family.
Did your parents disagree with you over your choice of career?
Yea , my mum then supported me while my dad was indifference. But along the line, he started supporting me when I proved to him that music is what I want to do for a living. He had no choice than to support me.
What do you have for your fans out there ?
Nothing less than good music. Because for me, and my record label, we are trying to ensure that we do good music. I am sure that the industry will experience good music. We have a couple of artistes that will be coming out soon under our label with lots of good music. So, that’s what we are working on at the moment. They should expect good music .
Where should we expect Kcee in the next five years ?
I think from now till the end of this year, I will be more busy than ever. As far as I am concerned, I have a lot in stock. I just don’t want to let the cat out of the bag, my fans should just keep their fingers crossed . I am just starting and I have not gotten to anywhere yet .
The rapper-turned-reggae singer gathered a group of 10 willing women, housing them in a bus that followed his own coach throughout his Playboy Tour in 2003.
The chart star – best known by his former name Snoop Dogg – admits he put his marriage to school sweetheart Shante Taylor at risk by pimping out his female entourage.
He told Rolling Stone magazine: “I put an organisation together. I had a bus follow me with 10 bítches on it.
“I could fire a bítch, f*** a bítch, get a new ho. It was my programme. City to city, titty to titty, hotel room to hotel room, athlete to athlete, entertainer to entertainer.
“If I'm in a city where the Denver Broncos or the (Denver) Nuggets play, I get a couple of their players to come hang out, pick and choose, and whichever one you like comes with a number.
“A lot of athletes bought p**** from me.”
Rather than keep the money earned for himself, he gave every cent to his clothes-shedding employees. He said: “I'd act like I'd take the money from the bítch, but I'd let her have it.
“It was never about the money; it was about the fascination of being a pimp. As a kid, I dreamed of being a pimp; I dreamed of having cars and clothes and bítches to match.” Snoop heaped praise on his wife Shante, who “had to take a backseat” during his wild days of pimping.
He admits: “I love her to this day because she could shóok out on a n****, but she stayed in my corner.
“So when I decided to let it go, she was still there.”
A Lagos based Legal Practitioner; James Ode Abah has filed N25 million suits against Mtn Nigeria Communications Limited before the Federal High Court Ikoyi, Lagos over poor service delivery.
The plaintiff in suit No: /FHC/ CS/593/2013 is praying for a court order directing the defendant to compute and restore to his super saver account all the airtime unlawfully deducted from Mach 10, 2013 up to the date of Judgement.
He is also asking for a perpetual injunction restraining the defendant whether by itself, agents, servants, officers and or privies from continuing with the suspension of his subscription of the Blackberry monthly plan and the continuous deductions of airtime except in a manner recognised and permitted by law.
Besides, the plaintiff is demanding for N20 million as exemplary and aggravated general damages for the alleged injury he suffered as a result of the suspension of subscription on the Blackberry complete plan.
In addition, the plaintiff is asking that court award N5 million in his favour being cost of instituting this suit and that the alleged deductions were unlawful, illegal null and void and a gross violation of section 104 the Nigerian Communications Act Cap N97 LFN 2004 and Section and 44 of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
The plaintiff is also asking for the following; a declaration that the failure, neglect , omission and refusal of the defendant to adequately address the several complaints of plaintiff specifically on the 10th of March 2013, 15th of March 2013 , 18th of March 2013 and 19th of March 2013 addressed to it and the continuous suspension of the plaintiff’s subscription of the Blackberry complete plan in March 2013 by defendant after payment of same by the plaintiff and the continuous deductions of airtime and the debit of the “supasaver” account of the plaintiff by the Defendant is unlawful, illegal null and void and a gross violation of section 104 the Nigerian Communications Act Cap N97 LFN 2004 and 44 of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999(as amended).
A declaration that the suspension of the plaintiff’s subscription of the Blackberry complete plan on March 10, 2013 by defendant and the continuous deductions of airtime and the debit of the “supasaver” account of the plaintiff by the defendant and the refusal of the defendant to adequately address the several complaints of plaintiff has the effect of making the provisions of Section 104 of the Nigerian Communications Act Cap N97 LFN 2004 null and void and no effect whatsoever. The matter is yet to be assigned to a Judge.
When grassroots-to-limelight Yoruba rapper, Dagrin, died in a road crash in 2010, the lamentation that greeted his passage had hardly died down when some other up-and-coming singers started scheming to fill the vacuum created. As is done when star artistes pass on, they wanted to take advantage of the gap, with some of them not minding becoming new Dagrin.
But as it normally happens in such a circumstance, all of them failed to realise their dreams. The lesson they failed to learn is that, no artiste can really replace another one. That is why no one has been able to replace a Fela, Tupac or Sikiru Ayinde Barrister in the real sense of it. People may try to be opportunistic but it will be extremely difficult to convince listeners or the audience that the dead man has resurrected.
Instead of aping the fallen hero, perhaps the best thing to do is to hone one’s talent and work hard at one’s style, especially if it is close to that of the deceased. If it is done well, the market will have no other option than to look in one’s direction. This seems to be how rave-of-the-moment and weird Yoruba rapper, Olamide has proved wiser than his peers who were trying to ape Dagrin.
Also called Young Erikina, the artiste has demonstrated much versatility in his songs, Eni Duro and Bend down Low, to the extent that he has broken into the league of the big players. While it has been rumoured that a major telecoms player has struck a N25m deal with him, D’Banj’s new strategic romance with Olamide made him (Olamide) the subject on the lips of many followers of the sector. Apart from featuring him in a song, there are reports that the younger act has been signed onto D’Banj’s label, a move that, many believe, is going to be mutually rewarding.
Such a move would naturally make some guys remember D’Banj’s epic divorce with Don Jazzy, and either sees the romance with the younger act either as a survivalist ploy or a strategic one. But the fact is it is a good story for Olamide and a sign that he is doing well and may just be one of the artistes to dictate the space in the next few years.
Although there has not been any official confirmation, D’banj’s younger brother, Kay Switch, welcomed Olamide to the family on Twitter on Wednesday. Tweeting via his handle, @kayswitch, Kay Switch stated, “Welcome to the family, Baddo.” Baddo is Olamide’s nick name. The music star is currently in Atlanta with D’banj for a music performance.
At age six, Isabella Barrett has launched a $1 million children's makeup and jewelry line, appeared on countless talk shows, and holds an impressive beauty pageant record.
The former Toddlers and Tiaras star has been making a name for herself in the media as a mini-mogul and drama queen in the running.
"What's not to like about being a millionaire?" Isabella told the UK's Daily Mirror. "I'm a superstar, I have my own jewelry line and I just love being the boss. I never lose at anything and almost every pageant I enter, I win. But what I love more than anything is shoes. I have over 60 pairs."
Beautiful singer and Mavin’s first lady, Tiwa Savge was scheduled to perform during half-time of a football match in Warri; however the weather seem to have other plans. Rain began to pour but that didn’t stop the gifted vocalist Tiwa from performing. She got in the rain, and sang as beautiful as ever……….and yes she was bare footed.
Such commitment, i like!!!
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has arrested a trader, Olisaemeka Osefoh, for importation of counterfeit medicines into Nigeria.
The suspect was also arrested with fake Rough Rider còndòms. PUNCH Metro learnt that the estimated street value of the goods was N106, 210, 000.
Some of the drugs seized include, Mycoten cream, Neurogesic ointment and Skineal cream.
In his statement, the suspect said he was in partnership with a cartel based in China, where the products were sourced, before being shipped to Nigeria.
The Director General of the agency, Dr. Paul Orhii, while parading the suspect, said Osefoh was arrested after a tip off.
He said the suspect had also given investigators information on how the goods were illegally cleared through Tincan Island Port, Lagos.
He said, “Operatives of NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate raided a warehouse located at Progressive Traders Market known for the sales of jewellery and cosmetic products.
“During the raid at Trade Fair Complex, Badagry Expressway, Lagos, 158 cartons of Skineal cream, 43 cartons of Funbact- A Cream, 719 cartons of Mycoten Cream, 131 cartons of Neurogesic ointment, 56 cartons of Rough Rider còndòms, 20 cartons of Iman Luxury Powder and 205 cartons of Heal Balm were impounded.”
Orhii said investigations revealed that drug counterfeiters no longer specialised only in foreign products but also in Nigerian-made drugs.
He said most of the fake drugs being imported were from China while India was second. He however said the agency was having talks with the Chinese Embassy on the issue.
He said, “I can say for sure that most of the fake drugs we have in the country now are from China while India comes second. The Indian government is giving us full cooperation but we are still having talks with China.
“NAFDAC is working with the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria to track down the criminal company in China that connived with the suspect to ship the fake medicine into the country.”
The NAFDAC boss seized the opportunity to warn landlords who rent out their warehouses to dealers in fake drugs.
He said henceforth, landlords would be arrested and charged to court if their properties were used for such illegal acts.
He advised consumers not to patronise traders who sold drugs secretly in their shops but should use proper pharmacies instead.
“Recent discovery has revealed that drug counterfeiters now operate from markets that deal in other commodities so as not to draw the attention of law enforcement agencies to their nefarious activities,” he said.
The Presidential campaign posters of Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State and Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State as presidential and vice presidential aspirants for the 2015 election surfaced in Abuja on Wednesday.
The colourful posters, which were seen at some strategic places in Wuse and Maitama, adorned walls and electricity poles.
The governors are members of the Peoples Democratic, which has asked its members to concentrate on governance instead of politicking.
President Goodluck Jonathan, who is believed to be interested in a second term, had also asked members of the party not to campaign for 2015.
He had specifically asked his aides not to drag him into the 2015 race, saying he would speak on whether he had interest in the race or not in 2014.
Akpabio has, however, distanced himself from the posters, denying having presidential ambition in 2015.
The governor said this in a statement by his Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr. Aniekan Umanah.
Akpabio, who is the chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, said he did not mandate anyone to print posters for him.
The statement read, “The attention of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State and the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum, Chief Godswill Akpabio has been drawn to sudden emergence of posters in some parts of Abuja, bearing his image and that of the Governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu Shema for Presidency 2015.
“For the avoidance of doubt, His Excellency, Chief Akpabio clearly dissociates himself from the printing and circulation of these poster, which is clearly the handiwork of mischief makers, who are bent on heating up the polity for no reason whatsoever.
“We state emphatically that Governor Akpabio is not interested in the Presidency in 2015 and has not mandated anybody to campaign for him.
“In fact, he has made it very clear that based on the pressure by the good people of Akwa Ibom North West (Ikot Ekpene) Senatorial District, he wishes to represent them at the Senate in 2015.
Culled from Vanguard
Imo State Police Command recorded another success in its renewed fight against crime and criminals, following the bursting of child trafficking and baby factory syndicate in the state.
Disclosing this to newsmen Thursday evening, at the State Police Headquarters, Owerri, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mohammed Katsina, said the Command has clamped down on illegal motherless babies homes, as well as rescued 17 pregnant teenagers. (Some of the pregnant teens pictured above)
According to the Imo police boss, one of the illegal homes, Ahamefula Motherless Babies Home, located in Umuaka, Njaba local council area, is allegedly owned by a middle aged woman simply identified as “Madam One Thousand”.
Mr. Katsina equally disclosed that during the police raid, no fewer than 11 minors, who were possibly waiting to be sold to prospective buyers, were rescued by the Command.
The bizarre aspect of the police finding was that a 23-year old boy, simply identified as Oyibo, was fingered as being responsible for impregnating the expectant girls, whose ages ranged between 14 and 17.
Apart from being in varying stages of pregnancy, the girls who equally looked malnourished and not properly catered for wept uncontrollably as they were paraded by the police in Owerri.
On how the Command burst the syndicate, the Commissioner explained that the illegal babies home was successfully raided by the “Ambush Squad” after a credible tip-off.
“The prime suspect is now at large. She was was producing pure water sachets as a decoy to deceive unsuspecting members of the public about what was really going on in the premises”, the Commissioner of Police recounted.
Continuing, Mr. Katsina said: “When the police invaded the tightly secured compound, 17 minors were seen holed up in different rooms in the large compound with some of their children playing around”.
The Imo police boss equally paraded the 55-year old security man, Mr. Uzoamaka Okoli, from Nempi, Oru West local government area of the state, employed by the fleeing owner of the babies home.
The 23-year old Oyibo, who was equally paraded by the Commissioner, has allegedly confessed to being responsible for all the pregnancies.