Nollywood Sexiest: Gbenro Ajibade, Tope Osoba go out

The picture for the next phase of the Sexiest in Nollywood has taken shape as twenty women and men of the original 25 who began the quest have emerged as Gbenro Ajibade and Tope Osoba failed to make the bill after poor outing in the week's voting.

Tope Osoba has been particularly weak for sometime now, failing to boost her weekly voting and ultimately her cumulative votes which have kept her going for weeks now could not hold out any longer. For Gbenro, it was a gallant fight, that pitch the battle between him, Kalu Ikeagwu, O.C. Ukeje and Emeka Enyiocha but trio somehow triumph over the model/actor. It was a close call but a call that saw the trio surviving yet again.



Gbenro has now joined Kenneth Okolie,Michael Okon, Gideon Okeke, and Bobby Obodo on the sideline, in the men's category of the quest while Tope joins Uche Iwuji, Ejiro Okurame, Nuella Njubigbo and Damilola Adegbite, at the exit in the women's category.

Now, the battle continues with 20 men and 20 women with 5 men and 5 women still sitting precariously in the 'drop zone'. With the ouster of Tope Osoba and Gbenro Ajibade, Anita Joseph and Pat Attah move up into the 'Drop Zone', being the two contestants with the weakest cumulative votes among those in the 'Safe Zone'.



For weeks now, Anita seems to have gone to sleep, depending only on her cumulative votes to keep afloat. She had a strong beginning but later pelted out in substance. Same goes for Pat Attah who started like a good runner only to fade away as the quest progresses.

One person that had a fabulous week is Chigozie Atuanya. Another week like the previous one for the actor and he may see himself into the 'Safe Zone'. Angela Okorie too, is worthy of mention as she put up a good fight last week to boost her run.

However, it is important to note that whether you are on the 'Drop Zone' or on the 'Safe Zone', the eviction hammer could go any way depending on the outcome of the week's voting and previous accumulation of votes. Keep voting.

How to vote
Simply text the name of your choice:
Sexiest Man and Woman to 08052201215
You may vote as many times as you want.
Voting shall be published every Saturday in Saturday Vanguard

 

Royal baby named George Alexander Louis

LONDON, July 24, 2013 (AFP) - Britain's Prince William and his wife Kate on Wednesday named their baby boy George Alexander Louis, sticking firmly to royal tradition with a first name used by six previous monarchs.

George was the bookmakers' clear favourite for the third-in-line to the throne as it pays apparent tribute to Queen Elizabeth II's father King George VI, the infant's great-great-grandfather, who died in 1952.

"The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted to announce that they have named their son George Alexander Louis. The baby will be known as His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge," Kensington Palace said in a statement.

[caption id="attachment_405675" align="alignnone" width="412"] George Alexander Louis and his parents[/caption]

The baby will not automatically be King George VII whenever he comes to the throne, however, as there have been reports that William's father Prince Charles may take that title when he becomes king.

The announcement came just hours after the queen visited William and Kate at Kensington Palace, their London residence, and met her newborn great-grandson for the first time.

The 87-year-old monarch would have given final clearance for the name to ensure that it was in keeping with the traditions of the House of Windsor and a monarchy that has lasted more than 1,000 years.

Louis is one of William's middle names and was also the first name of Lord Louis Mountbatten, the Viceroy of India and a mentor to Prince Charles. Mountbatten was killed in an IRA bombing in the 1970s.

Bookmakers had George and James as the favourites.

The naming was relatively quick by royal standards. Charles and his first wife Diana took a week to announce William's name in 1982, while the world had to wait a month after Charles was born in 1948.

Under British law, parents have 42 days to register the birth -- and the name -- of their child. It is not clear whether William and Kate have officially done so yet.

The queen earlier spent just over half an hour at the palace, where the young couple spent the first night after leaving hospital with the baby, before she was driven away in a green Bentley limousine.

She has said she is "thrilled" about the latest addition to the family, who will one day succeed her as head of state of Britain and monarch of 15 Commonwealth realms around the globe.

A few hours later, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge took the little prince to stay with his maternal grandparents in the village of Bucklebury west of London, arriving in a convoy of four-by-four vehicles with police outriders.

Carole and Michael Middleton, self-made millionaires from a party goods business, visited the baby in hospital on Tuesday, where Kate's mother pronounced her first grandson "absolutely beautiful".

Prince George's uncle Prince Harry -- William's younger brother, who has been knocked down to fourth in line to the throne -- and Kate's sister Pippa Middleton made separate visits to the couple at the palace.

William is taking two weeks of paternity leave from his job as a Royal Air Force search-and-rescue pilot, and the couple, both 31, are expected to take some time away from the cameras.

"This is now private and quiet time for them to get to know their son," a palace spokesman said.

Royal aides said the couple had no immediate plans to hire a nanny, and Kate is expected to rely on her mother for support in the early weeks.

-- Echoes of William's own birth --

The new baby was revealed to the world when the royal couple left St Mary's Hospital in London on Tuesday evening to huge cheers from the international media massed outside.

When the queen met her new heir on Wednesday, she became the first British monarch to meet a third-generation direct heir since Queen Victoria a century ago.

The monarch, wearing a turquoise floral outfit, made the visit without her husband Prince Philip, 92, who is convalescing after exploratory surgery on his abdomen last month.

The queen's private visit -- she was quickly whisked in and out of the palace -- contrasted with William and Kate's highly public outing on Tuesday.

Wearing a cornflower-blue polka-dot dress as she emerged from the private Lindo wing of the hospital, a beaming Kate said the couple were feeling "very emotional" and that it was a "special time".

The baby behaved impeccably, raising a tiny hand above his white blankets -- his first royal wave of a lifetime that will be spent in the public eye.

"He's got a good pair of lungs on him, that's for sure," William joked, adding: "We are still working on a name so we will have that as soon as we can."

British newspapers noted the similarities between William and Kate's appearance and that of Charles and Diana following William's birth at the same hospital.

Kate was wearing the sapphire engagement ring that belonged to Diana, while her empire-line dress, a bespoke design by Jenny Packham, also drew strong comparisons with that worn three decades ago by the late princess, which also had a polka-dot pattern.

Congratulations have poured in from around the world, while Chinese fortune tellers predicted the baby will grow up to be determined but introverted -- and a big hit with the ladies.

Queen meets Britain's royal baby for first time

LONDON (AFP) - Britain's Queen Elizabeth II paid a visit Wednesday to Prince William and his wife Kate's newborn son, her great-grandson who is third in line to her throne.

William and Kate were spending their first day at home at Kensington Palace with the unnamed baby boy, after showing him off to the world's media outside their London hospital on Tuesday.

The 87-year-old monarch was seen arriving in a green Bentley after making the short trip from Buckingham Palace.

She had not visited the family in hospital and Wednesday's visit to Kensington Palace marked her first meeting with her new heir, who is her third great-grandchild.

[caption id="attachment_405576" align="alignleft" width="250"] Kate, William and their baby[/caption]

The queen had told a guest at a Buckingham Palace reception on Tuesday that she was "thrilled" about the latest addition to the royal family.

She had joked last week that she was impatient for Kate to give birth because she was due to head off on holiday.

"I would very much like it to arrive. I'm going on holiday soon," she said.

The queen traditionally spends her summer holidays on her private Balmoral estate in Scotland.

The baby is third in line to inherit her throne, after her son Prince Charles and his son William.

There have not been three direct living heirs to the British throne since 1894

Britain's William and Kate emerge from hospital with baby

LONDON (AFP) - Prince William and his wife Kate emerged from her London hospital on Tuesday and presented their newborn son, a future British king, to the world's media.

To huge cheers and a frenzy of snapping from the hundreds of waiting photographers, Kate, smiling broadly and wearing a loose-fitting blue dress, walked down the steps holding the boy before passing him to her husband.

"He's got a good pair of lungs on him, that's for sure," William told journalists, while Kate said they were "very emotional" after welcoming their first child, who is third in line to the British throne.

"It's a special time," Kate said. "I think any new parent would know what this feeling feels like."

The unnamed baby raised a tiny hand above his white blankets.

William said the baby was "a big boy, he's quite heavy", and joked: "He's got her looks, thankfully."

The couple were "still working on a name", he added.

After speaking briefly to the press, William and Kate returned to the hospital before re-emerging minutes later with their son in a car seat.

William secured the seat in the back of a black Range Rover parked outside the hospital, before driving his family back to their home at Kensington Palace.

Britain's Kate gives birth to a baby boy

Prince William's wife Kate on Monday gave birth to a baby boy who will one day be heir to the British throne, Kensington Palace said in a statement.

[caption id="attachment_405278" align="alignright" width="300"] Kate William[/caption]

"Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a son at 4:24pm (1524GMT)," said the statement. "The baby weighs 8lbs 6oz. (3.8 kilos)."

The baby will be third in line to the throne and in the direct line of succession after head of state Queen Elizabeth II's eldest son and heir Prince Charles, and then his eldest son William.

"The baby weighs 8lbs 6oz. The Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth."

The boy's name was not revealed, but he will be known as Prince of Cambridge.

The former Kate Middleton was admitted to the private Lindo Wing of St. Mary's Hospital, Paddington, central London, at around 6:00 am in the midst of a summer thunderstorm.

The birth was later officially announced to great cheers on a golden easel placed in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace.

US President Barack Obama's spokesman had earlier said that he and the first family were "waiting with anticipation" for the birth and "wish the family and all of Great Britain well on this pending momentous occasion."

William, at his wife's bedside, has been on annual leave and will take two weeks' paternity leave from his military job as a Royal Air Force search and rescue pilot.

Both mother and son were "doing well" and will remain in hospital overnight while the queen was "delighted with the news", according to the palace.

The birth came later than widely expected, adding to the sense of anticipation that has built up ever since William, whose mother Diana died in a Paris car crash in 1997, and the former Kate Middleton married with huge fanfare in April 2011.

Bookmakers had largely backed a girl baby, after Kate had said they did not know its sex.

The fact that it is a boy relieves the need to rush through new succession laws across the 16 Commonwealth realms, which would mean that a girl could no longer be overtaken by any future younger brothers.

The royal couple used a back entrance to the hospital when they arrived at 6:00 am (0500 GMT), missing the ranks of international media who have camped outside the hospital for three weeks.

The prince was born in the same hospital wing and media from across the globe are hoping for a repeat of the scene in 1982 when Charles and his first wife Diana brought out the baby to show him off to the world.

Royal fanatics gathering outside the hospital also took their excitement to a new level.

"I'm so excited. Like in a washing machine. Never been so high!" said John Loughrey, who has slept outside the hospital for seven nights, wrapped in a British flag.

The new arrival is Queen Elizabeth's third great-grandchild, and a first grandchild for Charles.

It ensures that there are three generations of heirs to the crown of the United Kingdom of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland -- a nuclear-armed UN Security Council permanent member and the world's sixth biggest economy.

The queen was seen arriving back at Buckingham Palace from Windsor Castle, just outside the capital, in mid-afternoon but other royals went about their usual business.

Charles, the current heir, was visiting York in northern England, where members of the public shouted "Congratulations!".

Smiling, he replied: "Do you know something I don't?"

Charles, who turns 65 in November, joked: "I'm very grateful indeed for the kind wishes for my rather slowly-approaching grandfatherhood."

Prime Minister David Cameron sent his best wishes to the couple and the "whole country is excited."

The pregnancy was announced in December when Kate was admitted to hospital with severe morning sickness.

At the Lindo Wing, a standard room and normal delivery -- which Kate is hoping for -- costs £4,965 ($7,600, 5,800 euros) for the first 24 hours, plus consultants' fees which can reach around £6,000.

The duchess is being tended by a top medical team led by the queen's gynaecologist Alan Farthing and his predecessor Marcus Setchell.

On the pavement opposite the hospital entrance, around 30 presenters lined up in a row delivering live broadcasts and clips, with photographers and journalists filling out the scene.

There has been a betting frenzy on the name of the royal newborn with bookmakers favouring a George and James for the top boys' names.

Prince William's wife, Kate, in hospital in labour

London - Prince William's wife, Kate, has gone into labour and been admitted in hospital for the birth of the couple's first child, who will be third in line to the British throne, the prince’s office said on Monday.

After weeks of feverish media speculation over the arrival of the royal baby, Kate, 31, was taken early on Monday to the private wing of St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, West London, where William was born in 1982.

``The duchess travelled by car from Kensington Palace to the Lindo Wing at St. Mary's Hospital with the Duke of Cambridge,’’ Kensington Palace said in a statement.

``Things are progressing as normal. It wasn't an emergency,’’ the statement said.

Royal sources said Kate had planned a natural birth with William, a Royal Air Force search and rescue helicopter pilot, to be at her side.

The sex of the baby, who will be third in line to the throne behind Grandfather, Prince Charles, and father, William, is unknown as the royal couple wants it to be a surprise.

Bookmakers have a girl as the firm favourite.

Newspapers have speculated that Kate's sister, Pippa, and mother, Carole Middleton, might be present for the birth, while Queen Elizabeth will be among the first to be informed of the arrival.

The baby will be delivered by Marcus Setchell, the queen's former gynaecologist.

Kate, who needed hospital treatment after suffering acute morning sickness in the early part of the pregnancy, made her last public appearance on June 15 at the ``Trooping the Colour’’, a military ceremony to mark Queen Elizabeth's official birthday.

The BBC reported she entered the hospital though a back door and avoided the crowd of media from around the world who have camped outside the hospital since July 1.

The Lindo Wing, where maternity rooms cost from 7,800 dollars for a one-night stay, is where the late Princess Diana gave birth to William, 31, and his younger brother, Harry, who will drop a place in the line of succession after the arrival.

The birth will be announced in the traditional way, with an envelope containing notice of the baby's details taken from the hospital to the queen's London residence, Buckingham Palace, where the news will be posted on a board outside the main gates.

``It's a lovely idea they are going to have an envelope rushed over to Buckingham Palace and the figure crossing the forecourt with the easel and putting up the announcement,’’ royal historian Hugo Vickers told Reuters.

``I think that's absolutely great, it's rather theatrical. I think we'll all enjoy that hugely.’’

While the baby's sex is not known, there has been much conjecture that the child will be a girl after the duchess accepted a teddy from a well-wisher in March saying: "Thank you, I'll take this for my d.’’

Whether a boy or a girl, the baby is destined to one day by monarch after Britain and other Commonwealth countries that have the queen as their monarch agreed to change the rules of royal succession so males no longer have precedence as heir.

Royal officials have confirmed the baby will be known as His or Her Highness Prince or Princess (name) of Cambridge.

Since William and Kate's wedding, the April 2011 the couple has officially been known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Bookmakers have Alexandra as the clear favourite for the baby's name, followed by Charlotte and Diana, in honour of William's mother who died in a Paris car crash in 1997.

George is the favourite boy's name followed by James.

However, it might take some time for the name to emerge. The announcement of William's name took more than a week.

After the birth, commentators said Kate was expected to spend sometime at her parents' house in the village of Bucklebury, about 80km west of London.

The couple, who have been living in a cottage in north Wales where William is based, will eventually take up residence with their baby at Apartment 1A at London's Kensington Palace after a one million pound refurbishment is completed later in the year.

The palace was also William's childhood home.

The royal baby has already generated huge excitement globally as the couple has become global stars after some two billion people tuned in to watch their sumptuous marriage.

The duchess, the first ``commoner’’ to marry a prince in close proximity to the throne in more than 350 years, is now a fashion icon, with her attire scrutinised and copied every time she steps out in public.

Analysts estimate baby fever could boost the ailing British economy by 240 million pounds.  (Reuters/NAN)

Nollywood actress kicks against Senate's approval of child marriage

Yenagoa - A notable Nollywood actress, Mrs Omotola Jelaide-Ekeinde,  has criticised the recent Senate approval of early child marriage.

Jelaide-Ekeinde expressed her feeling on the issue while speaking as a Special Guest at the MBGN beauty pageant on Saturday night in Yenagoa.

According to her, approving early marriage of the girl-child will expose her to various abuses and exploitation.

[caption id="attachment_240097" align="alignright" width="300"] Omotola[/caption]

"The number of the Nigerian children on our streets today is alarming and this is due to the abuses and exploitation they suffer in their homes.

“Many of the girls out of school today have been abused, raped and neglected.

"Who cares about the helpless and neglected girl children that are being raped on daily basis?

“Must we have to wait for another Malala Yousafzai before we do what is right for the future of our children?” Jelaide-Ekeinde asked.

The actress, who was honoured with 'SilverBird Unique Personality of the year' award, called on the government to rather empower the girl-child through sound and compulsory education programmes.

She enjoined Nigerians to rise and say 'no' to the enslavement of the girl-child through early marriages, noting that the time had come for Nigerian girls to be free from all forms of bondage and deprivation.

“That I am the most influential actress in Africa today is because my parents never gave me out to early marriage. I stand up to say 'no' to the National Assembly's endorsement of child-marriage." (NAN)

Botswana’s A.T.I brings beat to BBA

Lagos - One of Botswana’s musical rising stars, A.T.I, takes to the stage at this Sunday’s live   at the Airtel's Big Brother: The Chase eviction show. The dynamic young rapper burst onto the scene in 2010 – and he’s been taking massive strides ever since!

Inspired by seeing rappers like Vee and Excutedge performing on local television in Botswana, A.T.I started knocking on doors in an attempt to secure a recording deal.  A driven and determined  A.T.I managed fund his first mixtape himself – fame and fans followed, and he hasn’t looked back since, having shared stages with Eve, JR, DJ Cleo, Scar, AKA and other continental industry heavyweights.

[caption id="attachment_404601" align="alignright" width="250"] A.I.T[/caption]

He characterizes his genre of music as a fusion of a host of musical styles including Motswako, Hip Hop and R ‘n B. He listens to the likes of Aretha Franklin and Dolly Parton when he’s relaxing at home, and is inspired by the work of Prince, Odirile 'Vee' Sento,     Thato 'Scar' Matlhabaphiri and Kgotla 'Juju Boy' Ntsima.

Renowned for his dynamic stage performances, A.T.I is as captivating a visual performer as he is a singer. “Not everyone understands the bits where I use my mother tongue,” he says, “so my performance is basically listened to with the eyes”.

In addition to the sensational stars that have performed at the live eviction shows,  Big Brother: The Chase has certainly delivered its share of smoking beats this season. So far, DJ’s who have hit the decks at the Saturday night Channel O parties include Kiss FM’s DJ Hipnotic (Kenya); Energy FM’s Jossy Joss (Namibia); South Africa’s DJ VanD from Kaya FM; Power FM’s DJ Creejay (Zambia); DJ Cutrite from Botswana’s Gabz FM; Cool FM’s DJ Xclusive from Nigeria and DJ Klips from Power 101 FM in Malawi. This week, DJ PQ from Tanzania’s Clouds FM will get the housemates rocking long into the night.

Don’t miss the sensationally talented A.T.I on stage this Sunday on Big Brother: The Chase - and don’t forget to vote to keep your favourite housemate in the game! The housemates in danger of eviction are Angelo, Annabel, Bassey, Dillish and Pokello. Voting is open right now and closes at 06:00 CAT on Sunday morning

Seyi Shay to grace Big Brother eviction

Lagos - She’s toured with P.Diddy and Beyonce, collaborated with Justin Timberlake and 2Face Idibia – and now Seyi Shay will work her magic on the Big Brother stage during Sunday night’s live eviction

Born in London to Nigerian parents, Deborah Oluwa-Seyi Joshua - better known as Seyi Shay – has been performing since she was 6 years old. She got her break with the London Community Choir and hasn’t looked back, performing around the world and collaborating with some of the hottest artists in the world.

She signed her first record deal in 2005, wrote and produced three songs for the Konami Game soundtrack, “Crime Life” and wrote You Will See for Mel C – all this, aged just 18.

Shortly afterwards, she auditioned for British Pop/R&B group From Above, winning the role of lead singer.

Their debut album ‘Breaking From Above’ lent its name to their MTV reality show, which was broadcast in more than 166 countries around the world. The band supported Beyonce on her “I Am” UK tour in 2009/10 and 2011 and presented an MTV EMA Music Award to Bruno

In the same year, Seyi wrote ‘White Lies’ for international selling rapper, Chipmunk and has since toured with the likes of P. Diddy and Beyoncé in the UK and written for and worked with a number of industry heavy weights like Justin Timberlake, Brian Michael Cox,2Face Idibia, Bilal, Chipmunk, Rob Knoxx, Rob A, Harmony and Cameron Wallace.

Don’t miss Seyi Shay working her musical magic on stage this Sunday on Big Brother: The Chase - and don’t forget to vote to keep your favourite housemate in the game!                  

The housemates in danger of eviction are Selly, Melvin, Annabel, Cleo, Natasha and Pokello. Voting is open right now and closes at 06:00 CAT on Sunday morning.

Big Brother: Seven housemates in eviction battle

Lagos - Seven housemates find themselves in the eviction firing line this week after Monday night’s Big Brother: The Chase nomination show.

For some, it’s a new experience, while for others, some things never seem to change! Angelo , Fatima, Bimp & Cleo all make their first appearance on the chopping block this week, while serial nominee Pokello follows her countryman Hakeem and Nando onto the list yet again.

In the Ruby house, Fatima picked up 5 nominations – from Sulu, Feza, Oneal, Angelo and Annabel, who all just can’t seem to figure her out. Sulu said she had been giving the majority of housemates “the cold shoulder” while Feza  told Big Brother that the Malawian was “too tense” and “negative”. Head of House Elikem picked up 3 nominations, from Annabel, Oneal and Feza.

[caption id="attachment_401880" align="alignright" width="412"] On Sunday 30 June, Maria from Namibia and Bolt from Sierra Leone were evicted from the Big Brother house. Big Brother The Chase[/caption]

Natasha gets a welcome respite from the chopping block this week, having only picked up two nominations, the same number as Annabel, Feza and Oneal

Things are heating up for Pokello in the Diamond house, as she received 4 nominations from her housemates. Bimp, Beverly, Cleo and Nando all nominated her, with the undercurrent seemingly that she’s a strong contender.
Bimp and Cleo are first-timers on the nomination list, with three nods apiece.
Nando, who picked up 3 nominations himself, helped Selly find her way onto the nomination list – despite their close relationship.

With the nominations announced, it was time for the respective Heads of  House to make their ‘save & replace’ decisions. Ruby HoH Elikem had a fairly straightforward decision, in that he had to remove himself from danger. His replacement choice proved a bit trickier though, as the Ghanaian first named Oneal, before changing his mind and settling on Angelo as his replacement.

Diamond Head of House Melvin had a tough time in the Diary Room. The Nigerian chose to save Selly and replace her with Hakeem during an emotional session with Big Brother.

Now it’s the viewers’ chance to vote, vote, vote!