TIME 100 Most Influential: Kanye West, Kim Kardashian, Taylor Swift makes the list

Time magazine released its 12th annual list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World on Thursday, an expansive round-up that includes Kanye West, Emma Watson, Taylor Swift.  West is also featured on one of the five "Time 100 covers" and in a video where he talks about breaking the Internet.

In Nigeria here, President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, BBOG activist Oby Ezekwesili, Novelist Chimamanda Adichie made the list.

And oh, leader of Boko Haram, Shekau was also recognized. Funny right?
Read my previous post on it.

According to TIME....

• Kanye West
  
  Kevin Mazur via Getty Images
"Kanye West would be the first person to tell you he belongs on this list. The dude doesn’t believe in false modesty, and he shouldn’t." 

• Kim Kardashian
  LOIC VENANCE via Getty Images
"Beautiful in an exotic, totally exaggerated way, Kim exudes energy, sexuality, drama, determination, impetuousness and happiness." --Martha Stewart

• Taylor Swift
  John Salangsang/Invision/AP
"Taylor Swift: megawatt talent, an extraordinary spirit, an impossibly charming blend of impishness, poise and radiance to spare. All of it combines to rock me back on my heels every time I see her." -- Mariska Hargitay

Xenophobic Attack: Nigerians in S’Africa asked to remain indoors

Nigerians resident in South Africa have been directed to remain indoors up until the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country is put under control.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali, disclosed this to State House correspondents at the end of a meeting he attended at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He said, “With the discussions I have been having with Nigeria’s Head of Mission in Pretoria, no Nigeria has so far been affected. ‎

“They informed me that they have called members of the Nigerian community and addressed them and told them to close their shops, stay home and keep out of trouble and obey the laws of South Africa.

“They have also confirmed that the South African authority have moved in to take actions that would forestall any further disturbance in South Africa.”

Wali however said the Federal Government would not hesitate to evacuate Nigerians from the country if the situation worsens.

“If it (the situation) gets worse, it is the duty of our country to make sure our people are brought back, and we are taking that duty serious. We are not prepared to allow any of our nationals to be subjected to such inhuman treatment.

“We are not being reactionary because this is happening to all foreigners, not Nigerians alone. We are monitoring the situation and will now take action according to the situation that develops,” he said. 

Photos: President-elect Muhammadu Buhari Reunites With Pastor Tunde Bakare In Kaduna

President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, earlier today, hosted the founder of Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare, at his residence in Kaduna.

Bakare, who was the Vice Presidential candidate of Buhari in 2011, paid the President-elect a congratulatory visit for the first time since his election victory.

Dencia slams fan who kicked against her xenophobic message on Instagram

Angered by the ongoing Xenophobic massacre in South Africa, Cameroonian born- Nigerian singer, Reprudencia N. Sonkey well known as Dencia, recently took to her instagram to express her disdain on the issue. In her reaction , she also posted a picture concerning the situation and wrote this below it;

“Late #NelsonMandela is somewhere weeping for our people, I can’t believe my eyes,how do you fight against apartheid and end up with this years later?if it’s not boko haram in Nigeria,it’s Al-Shabaab somewhere in Kenya or Somalia and I can go on ãήϑ on.What happened to just loving one another?what is my beloved continent,mother Africa turning into? Where did parents go wrong with their kids?

Last week I told Nick cooper who told me his friends where trying to move to S.A that he might not believe it but America as bad as it is might be safer for a black man than S.A then this happens smh.Who starts this nonsense?why oh why,lord Jesus where thou art?please heal our land,hear our cry,lord we need your mercy & we need your grace today,hear us as we pray,we pray for world peace,we pray for love,we pray for our brothers and sisters,we pray for unity #Xenophobia #SouthAfrica #love ,” she wrote.

However,the model’s message wasn’t taken likely by one of her fans who told her to face her cream business and leave South Africa to solve the current situation on ground.

…

Reacting to the tweet , the drama queen did not let the opportunity slip away as she took her time to lecture her fans of the meaning of the word ‘Xenophobic 

“In my previous post,as an African and as a human being who feels the pain and suffering of others,I put up my previous post about what’s happening in S.A & the post �� is @sanzkiddiesparties (she changed from @zonacath to ��here’s the meaning of xen·o·pho·bi·a – intense or irrational dislike or fear of people from other countries. It’s funny how the same reason why people are getting killed is her excuse she used under my post.I had to put her on blast because she clearly has the mentality of the people who are killing others in S.A as I type.Incase u didn’t know miss thang let me school u,don’t let the glitz and glam fool u,I am very much an African who was raised in an African country not as developed as S.A,I moved to America in Dec 2006 for college and yes I do reside in America & I am a naturalized citizen of America from the day I came here but I am still an African Queen,I don’t have to be a South African citizen or live in South Africa to be worried about what’s happening there,My mom who is a UN worker works in that country every now and then,my brother lived there for years and guess what,these people losing their lives could have been my direct family members but because they aren’t doesn’t mean I can’t speak of the issues happening in my continent,don’t think because u live in Africa makes u more of an African than I am or will ever be.i studied enough about SA history when I took African history classes,I probably know more about sA than ur dumb ass. I travel to African countries for work and charity purposes (something u might not know about because u could never do it in other countries because it’s not SA) I hope u raise your kids to think better and be better individuals.Until then bitch have a seat on a volcano in Mandela square #YouJustGotServed P.S I am definitely facing my creams cuz chile they millions I get from it u might need to face ur wack life,we all know how hard it is out there 4 a bitch like u,” she said.

Shocker! P square’s Peter Okoye Goes Solo With Dance Nigeria

Barely two days after a new round of family squabbles between PSquare duo of Peter and Paul Okoye, one half of the P-Square music duo, has kicked-off with ‘Dance Nigeria with Peter,’ a TV reality show.

With an hip hop appeal, Dance Nigeria with Peter is touted by organizers as the first Dance Reality TV show that will bring about a whole new dimension to dancing in an exciting display of talents, all wrapped up with suspense and indecision of the judge/ mentors.

The jury comprises Peter Okoye alongside dance Queen Kaffy and Nigerian hip hop dance choreographer, Flex. Evidently, the other half of the twin brothers, Paul Okoye will have no role in the new project, said a source.

According to Peter Okoye, “This show is going to revolutionize the way Nigerians see dance. I am so happy to have on this project the best Nigeria has to offer when it comes to dance. We believe that dance has the power to put this nation on the map. Charity begins at home, so let’s dance Nigeria.”

The competition will be open to individuals from different dance backgrounds, be it solo, group or duet. Auditions will be held in June across four major cities in Nigeria (Jos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Lagos) and also include street battles to make up the final 30 that will move to the competition phase.

Buhari, Oby Ezekwesili, Boko Haram's Shekau makes Time Magazine "100 Most Influential"

Four Nigerians have been announced by @TIME as world’s 100 Most Influential People, they are;Obiageli K. Ezekwesili for her role in advocating the release of abducted Chibok School girls, Muhammadu Buhari for his attempts at Presiding over Nigeria and finally getting the votes in 2015 and to Ms Adiche, the award winning novelist. Finally the leader of the terrorists group Abubakar Shekau also made the list.

Here’s a summary what the magazine wrote about the powerful Nigerians…

Ezekwesili - It has been a year, and the girls haven’t been rescued, but she has made a difference by speaking about it. Not just speaking but shouting. I know some people will say she is too loudmouthed. The loud mouth is needed. People hear it.

Buhari- The spokesman for Buhari’s All Progressives Congress party, Lai Mohammad, says that the President-to-be is more than ready for the charge. Speaking by phone from the Nigerian capital, Abuja, as the final vote tallies rolled in, Mohammad could barely contain his joy. With precision he listed the next steps, from an acceptance speech to how Buhari would deal with ethnic and religious rifts brought on by the grueling campaign. “We are ready. We are going to take Nigeria in a new direction, and we are going to start by healing old wounds. This is no time for a honeymoon, this is a time for nation building.”

Chimamanda Adichie - It’s the rare novelist who in the space of a year finds her words sampled by Beyoncé, optioned by Lupita Nyong’o and honored with the National Book Critics Circle Award for fiction. But the Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is just that sort of novelist. But her greatest power is as a creator of characters who struggle profoundly to understand their place in the world.

Boko Haram's Shekau - Most Americans do not yet recognize his name, but the citizens of Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, know Abubakar Shekau all too well: he is the most violent killer their country has ever seen. Shekau took over the terrorist organization Boko Haram in 2009 after the group had been weakened by Nigerian government forces.

Buhari Promises Change, But Not Immediately

President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari has restated his commitment in ensuring positive change in the country. However, he urged Nigerians not to expect immediate result from his administration after he assume office on May 29th, The Nation reports. 

Buhari made the claim on April 15, Wednesday, in his hometown Daura, Katsina state, when visited by some senators and representatives.

“People should not expect change immediately because of accumulation of problems in the country. There is need for more time and prayer from the public for the incoming administration to handle matters and bring change.

“I am affirming my commitment to fighting economic sabotage, insecurity, bribery and corruption.” 

Woman gives birth inside BRT bus

A Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, on its way to CMS area of Lagos on Wednesday was turned into a delivery room as a pregnant passenger delivered a bouncing baby boy inside the bus, Punch reports.

The pregnant woman identified as Afolaranmi, went into labour while on her way to a private hospital in CMS for a medical check-up.
Some of the medical workers in the bus were said to have mobilized other passengers to help out in the delivery process.

Afolaranmi, a trader and resident of Mowe was said to have boarded the BRT bus at the Ketu Bus stop.

It was gathered that both mother and baby were taken to a private hospital after she was delivered of the baby.

An eyewitness said both mother and the baby seem to be in a good condition.

Wendy Williams drops bombshell, reveal ladies should concentrate on their career at 20's and only get married at 30's

Outspoken talk show host Wendy Williams is of the opinion that women in their 20's should focus on building their career and  not get married till they are in their 30's.

She said to Forbes,

“My suggestion to women is always…use your entire 20s to work your behind off in your career… And then think about meeting that guy,Cause we’re the ones that lose in marriage. Not men.”It is difficult for men to accept really successful career women. Whether it be that we out-earn them or that our name is brighter than theirs. I also feel like marriage and babies stunt a woman’s growth career-wise…Once you get married and have kids, you can’t do all the things that you used to do and maintain this important precious thing that you built as a family.”

Do you agree with her?

BUSTED: Man arrested for kidnapping 4 girls in Ogun (PICTURED)

A 47-year-old suspected kidnapper was seriously beaten at Abudu community, Iyana Ilogbo, Ado-Odo Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State, when he was caught with four girls he was taking out of the community to Ajah in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State.

PM News reports that, the suspect, Nurudeen Badmus, was caught by an acquaintance of one of the girls who demanded to know where the suspect was taking the children to early in the morning. When he couldn’t offer a satisfactoryexplanation, the acquaintance raised an alarm which attracted other members of the community.

Badmus was beaten seriously by the residents and was later taken to the local chief’s (Baale) house where he was interrogated.

The suspect told the Baale that he was taking the children to Ajah in Lagos State where he claimed they came from.

“They came to me for financial assistance to enable them go to Ajah in Lagos State. I was taking them to Ajah when somebody identified one of them. I am only assisting them,” the suspect told the large crowd at the Baale’s house.

The kidnapped girls, however, denied that they sought financial assitance from the suspect. They claimed that he picked them from the community and told them that their parents were witches and were planning to kill them.

One of the girls who identified herself as Jumoke confirmed that the suspect was taking them out of the community, adding that they didn’t know where he was taking them to.

“My name is Jumoke. I am 16 years old. Badmus lives near my house. He told me my mother was a witch and that she was planning to kill me. He said I should follow him to a town to escape being killed. He warned me not to tell my mother. I didn’t know the place he was taking me to. He also tried to rape me but I resisted him,’’ she narrated.

The youngest of the girls who gave her name as Nimota, 9 years old, said the suspect picked her on the road.

“He picked me on the road and told me that my mother was a witch and was planning to kill me. He said I should run away with him. I don’t know where he was taking me,” she said.

When the parents of the children arrived the Baale’s house, they were full of praises for the community. They identified the suspect as a neighbour, stressing that they didn’t know he was a kidnapper. The Baale of the community later invited the police at Sango Police Station where the suspect was taken and interrogated.

Flights suspended till 12noon nationwide, as National Air traffic control embarks on strike

According to viral reports, all planes are currently grounded following strike action at the Lagos, Abuja and other airports in Nigeria.  Passengers on board have been made to disembark  flights. 

Lebanese woman, son of a millionaire transporter, others arrested for robbery

THE police in Lagos State have smashed a syndicate of robbers, which specializes in robbing bureau de change operators in many parts of the country.

According to Tribune, The gang was led by a son of an Enugu multimillionaire transporter, while a Lebanese woman was said to be the bait the gang used to rob their victims.

Seven members of the gang had been arrested by the police, while efforts were ongoing to arrest other members and their collaborators.

The suspects were, on Wednesday, paraded before newsmen by the state police boss, Kayode Aderanti, who described the arrest as “the biggest catch of the year.”

Aderanti told newsmen that the suspects were arrested by operatives of the state police command Special Anti Robbery Squad, in an operation led by the officer in charge, Abba Kyari.

He added that members of the gang had been arrested on many occasions in the past and had always found their way out.

Aderanti, however, promised to do all within his power to ensure that the suspects were made to face the full wrath of the law.

Leader of the gang, Kingswill Eze, who had been operating under the name “Senator Nwobodo,” claimed that he just wanted to break away from the shadow of his father’s wealth.

“I have been charged to court many times, but my men and I have a way of escaping justice. We are a well organised cartel,” he said.

The suspect, while speaking on the modus operandi of the group, narrated that “we take advantage of the bureau de change operators because some of them who don't have licence like to bring the money directly to us when we call them.”

The Lebanese woman, Almira Abdallahi, also confessed to be a member of the gang and blamed her involvement on her desire to take care of her five children.

Thirty-two-year-old Amira told journalists that she was formally into a thriving interior decoration business before she joined the gang.

Beyonce Shows Off Insanely Hot Bod in Crochet Swimsuit

Queen B's showing off her assets! 

Beyonce took to her website on Wednesday to post a series of snaps from her recent vacation in Hawaii with hubby Jay Z. 

In the sexy pics, the mother-of-one shows off her hot bod and a ton of cleavage while posing by a swimming pool in crochet bikini and a giant straw hat. 

The couple just wrapped up a stay at the Four Seasons Hualalai in Hawaii to celebrate their seventh wedding anniversary.

Nicki Minaj and Meek Mill Are Engaged; Checkout Her MASSIVE Ring

Are Nicki Minaj and Meek Mill making it official? It appears that hip-hop’s superstar couple is engaged.

Nicki took to Instagram on Wednesday to post a photo of her hand with a massive heart-shaped ring on it. She captioned it with a series of heart, ring, and diamond emojis.

According to E! News, the ring is a 15-carat yellow heart diamond mounted in platinum with a double halo of white pavé diamonds, which retails for a whopping $500,000.

Meek also added fuel to the engagement rumors by posting a yellow heart emoji. A fan told him, “You so fucking lucky ni**a,” to which he responded, “I am!”

A source confirms to E! that the couple is indeed engaged. “Both Meek and Nicki have been spending amazing quality time together lately and have gotten extremely close these past few months,” said the insider. “It may seem like it all is happening very quickly but Nicki and Meek are in this 100. They truly love each other.”

Nicki, 32, and Meek, 27, went public with their relationship in February following Nicki’s breakup with longtime boyfriend Safaree Samuels.

Court lifts ban on Obasanjo’s autobiography, ‘My Watch’

A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo, Abuja, has lifted an injunction barring former President Olusegun Obasanjo from publishing his autobiography, ‘My Watch’.

Justice Valentine Ashi ordered  ‎on the release of the books which had been  in the custody of the Nigerian Customs Service.

On December 8, 2014, Justice Ashi granted an ex parte application restraining Obasanjo from publishing the book pending the determination of the libel suit.

But Obasanjo went ahead to present the book to the public in Lagos, an act which the court held on December 10, 2014, as contemptuous.

Following the development the court ordered security and law enforcement agencies including ‎customs to confiscate the book anywhere it was found.

New Date For Jonathan's Handover To Buhari Announced

The federal government has disclosed that President Goodluck Jonathan will formally handover to the President-Elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari at a dinner on May 28th, 2015.

Minister of Information, Patricia Akwashiki said this on Wednesday at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Jonathan.

She said, May 29 has been reserved for the incoming government while many activities have been lined up all through that week to showcase what Jonathan’s administration has achieved.

“By May 28, the President intends to have the formal handing over done at a dinner so that we can reserve May 29 for the incoming government.

“By May 28, we are expected to have concluded our own government and we are welcoming the incoming government.

“Also you know May 29 is our Democracy Day. So, we have activities lined up all through that week, showcasing all what we have achieved and all other things we do normally on our Democracy Day except that this year is special with the inauguration of our new President that is coming up on May 29.”

Photos: Omotola and her children stun in new issue of Hello! Magazine

Nollywood screen diva, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde covers the latest issue of Hello! Nigeria alongside two of her four children, Princess and Captain E.

Actress Halima Abubakar Speaks On Killing Of Nigerians In South Africa

Just as some Nigerians are pained over the xenophobic treated being meted out on Nigerians living in South Africa by the country’s citizens, Nollywood actress-cum-producer, Halima Abubakar, is also hurt by the development.

The dark-skinned complexioned and hour-glass shaped actress expressed disgust over the incident, which is not happening the first time to Nigerians living in South Africa.

“I feel so sorry for the officers behind smiling at their fellow Africans on fire. Our values have depreciated. Where did our parents go wrong? Where is our heart? Seeing another suffering seem to make a lot of people happy; too many dining with the devils and thinking they about that life.

“This inhumane treatment must be stopped. We are Africans, and South Africans should know that first hand. I am very disappointed and saddened,” she said on Wednesday.

Photo: Media Personality, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu Proposes to Millionaire Girlfriend

Media personality Ebuka Obi-Uchenduhas gotten engaged to his girlfriendCynthia Obianodo.

Ebuka popped the big question yesterday, April 14, 2015 at Sakura, a Japanese restaurant in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Cynthia is the daughter of "The Young Shall Grow Motors" boss, Vincent Obianodo.

Big congrats to them!

Kendall Jenner Poses Topless, Flashes Nipple For GQ Magazine

Kendall Jenner just took sexy to a whole new level.

The "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" star is gracing the cover of GQ's "Love, Sex & Madness" issue, where she's stripping down in one of her most revealing photo shoot yet!

For the cover, the 19-year-old beauty is sporting a tiny white Adriana Degreas bikini and a Calvin Klein denim jacket. But, it's the other steamy snapshots that caught our eye.

The other photos show a topless Kendall playfully covering her breasts as she poses in nothing but a tank top and loose-fitting shorts. 

Cyrus' Latest Raunchy Instagram Pic Shows Her Licking a Girl's Crotch

The 22-year-old singer shared a rather racy Instagram pic earlier today. The sexy shot shows a painting of her sticking her tongue out behind a girl spreading her legs wide open in the air. The girls' crotch perfectly aligns with Miley's tongue, giving viewers the optical illusion that the pop star is licking the person's, well, crotch.

This girl is weird sha!

Mamman Kontagora building in Marina, Lagos on fire(Photos)

The Mamman Kontagora building in the Marina area of Lagos Island is currently on fire.
Details to come....

New York's Empire State Building lit in red & Purple in honour of Chibok Girls(Photo)

Tuesday marked the one year anniversary of the missing Chibok school girls who were abducted by the Boko Haram insurgents on April 14, 2014 from their dorm rooms in Chibok.

The whole world marked the day with Nigeria  and yesterday, the New York Empire State Building lit up in red and purple for the girls.

BUSTED: 4 smugglers excrete 171 wraps of cocaine in Lagos(Photos)

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency apprehended four suspected drug traffickers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos for attempting to smuggle cocaine to Brazil.

According to reports by Punch, the suspects ─ Ejiofor Eliezer (46), Obah Francis (30), Akpa Sobuzochukwu (27) and 36-year-old Ike Okechukwu ─ excreted 171 wraps of drug that tested positive for cocaine.

Apparently, the discovery was made during the screening of passengers on board Qatar and Emirates airlines. Eliezer, who excreted 100 wraps of the drug, told investigators that poverty pushed him to commit the crime, adding that he had intended to use the expected proceed to fend for his family of four, “I live in Brazil, where I work in a supermarket and lived with my wife and four children. Life in Brazil is tough because I live from hand to mouth. It was poverty that made me to smuggle drugs. I took risk by swallowing 100 wraps of cocaine for N200,000 because of poverty.”

Francis said he took to drug trafficking to augment the meager salary he earned at a bakery in Brazil, “I am single and have been working in Brazil for two years. At present, I work in a bakery and my salary is meager. My plan was to give the drug to a friend in Dubai, but he did not come to collect the drug as planned. This was how I had to come to Nigeria with the drug. I blame my friend for my arrest because I would have made S15,000 (about N2.8m) from the deal.”
Sobuzochukwu, who holds a diploma in accounting, also said his poor salary as a cleaner forced him to ingest 26 wraps of cocaine for a fee of S1,500 (about N285,000).

Okechukwu said he did not think that he would be arrested. He said he had thought that the five wraps of cocaine he ingested would not be detected, “I regret my involvement in drug trafficking. I dropped out of school in Junior Secondary School class two and I work in a toy company in Brazil,” he added.

The NDLEA Chairman, Ahmadu Giade, said Brazil-Nigeria route was a high risk path to drug trafficking and urged officers to be vigilant, “The suspects will soon be charged to court,” Giade added.

Pastor arrested in Lagos over N390,000 anointing oil for private parts

A self-acclaimed pastor, John Ojebe, 50, has been charged before an Oshodi Magistrate’s Court in Lagos for allegedly obtaining N390,000 from a lady called Hawo Umoru under the pretense of selling her Adonai oil to wash her private parts with.

According to reports by Vanguard, Ojebe was also said to have conspired with two others, now at large, to commit felony by obtaining money via false pretence and stealing N390,000 belonging to the victim.

The accused was arraigned by the police on a three-count charge of obtaining money by false pretence and stealing.

Singer Percy Sledge famous for "When A Man Loves A Woman" dies at 73

Legendary R&B singer Percy Sledge, best known for singing the classic song "When a Man Loves a Woman," has died at the age of 73. 
According to the Associated Press, the crooner passed away on Tuesday morning (April 14), about an hour after midnight, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, of natural causes. He was in hospice care during his final days. The news was confirmed by Sledge's management agency. 

When A Man Loves A Woman reached number one in the US when it was released in 1966.

It went on to become an international hit, reaching number four in the UK that same year.

In 1987 it was used in a Levi's advert and again hit the charts, rising to number two.

The song found new life once more in 1991 when Michael Bolton covered it.

Before he found fame, Sledge was a hospital orderly in Sheffield, Alabama, in the 1960s and would sing in southern US states at weekends.

He failed to match the success of his first song but his concerts became popular all over the world.

He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005.

He's survived by a wife and 12 children. 

May his soul RIP!