Uyo Renaissance Collection to show at Uyo Model Search

Ubong Ekanem, CEO of Kardynal Kommunikationz

This year marks the 25^th anniversary of Akwa Ibom State creation and to glam a quarter century of coming into being, Kardynal Kommunikationz producers of Uyo Model Search; a Fashion Advocacy to Stop Rape and Violence Against Women, have commissioned 15 high end fashion designers with roots in Uyo, the capital city of the state to create one look each for the model talent search event slated for July 22, 2012.

Before the special celebration erupts in September, the Uyo Renaissance Collection shall set the pace by expressing, the elegance, glamour and breathtaking style that the city of Uyo now embodies. This collection shall symbolize,  a Fashion Journey into the Land of Promise, and shall be showcased on the catwalk by the gorgeous finalist of Uyo Model Search.

Photo: Style Blitz Publisher, Iniobong Monday spotted chilling at the beach

The photo above shows Iniobong Monday, the Publisher of Style Blitz magazine enjoying himself at a beach. Ladies do you like what you see? Mind you, he is still single and possibly searching…huhuhuhu!

Meet an 84-year old who is the world’s oldest primary school student

Kimani Ng'ang'a Maruge (1920 - August 14, 2009), a Kenyan, holds the Guinness World Record for being the oldest person to start primary school—he enrolled in the first grade on January 12th 2004, aged 84.

Hmmm….Mkpo aba o !

Chris Brown wounded in fight with Drake over Rihanna

L-R: Chris Brown, Drake

Here is what The Sun of UK is reporting:

Chris Brown has been left with a bloody gash on his chin after a reported fight with rapper Drake.

The pair are said to have clashed in a New York nightclub and the R&B star was treated in hospital after he was allegedly bottled by one of the rival hitmaker’s entourage.

The singer posted a gruesome snap of his injury on his Twitter page, but later removed it.

The two musicians have had a long-running feud over Drake’s dalliance with Chris’s ex Rihanna.

Celebrity birthday: Channel O presenter Denrele Edun

Today, 13 June is the birthday of Channel O presenter, Denrele Edun. Connoisseur.com wishes the weird looking VJ a happy birthday.

Ini Edo’s ‘I’ll Take My Chances’ to screen in USA + Trailer

                         

The narrative feature of the much talked about movie, I’ll Take My Chances will screen at Northeastern University – Egan Centre, 120 Forsythe Steeet, Boston, MA, United States on Saturday, June 16^th, 2012.

The movie co-produced by Ini Edo and Emem Isong has already been premiered in Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Italy and now selected for screening at the Roxsbury International Film Festival, (RIFF) Boston, USA!

Above is the trailer of the movie.

Breaking News: Chelsea appoint Di Matteo as permanent manager for 2 years

The Blues have announced that the Champions League winning gaffer has been appointed to oversee the club’s first team for the next two years. Though I feel the owner was a bit reluctant in giving the Italian the job, it’s a reward for the success he has brought to the club in his short stint. Congrats to him.

Find after the cut the report from the club’s official website:

P-Square - Beautiful Onyinye ft. Rick Ross [Official Video]

                    

Here is the official video of Beautiful Onyinye by Psquare featuring American rap idol, Rick Ross. Enjoy!

Kanye West tweets nude picture of Kim Kardashian?

It’s just been months since Kanye West hooked up with TV star Kim Kardashian and they already have their first controversial scenario to share with us…

Late last night, June 12, 2012, Kanye West brewed up storm as he reportedly tweeted a naked picture of his girlfriend Kim.

Bianca Ojukwu make appointed Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain + List Of 93 New Ambassadors Appointed By Goodluck Jonathan

Bianca Ojukwu, former beauty queen and wife of late Dim Odumegwu-Ojukwu has been appointed Nigeria’s ambassador to Spain. Below are other ambassadorial appointees:

June 12: 19 years after M.K.O Abiola won the freest and fairest election in Nigeria !

On June 12, 1993, the Late M.K.O Abiola won the freest and fairest election in the history of Nigeria but it was annulled by the ‘Maradona’ himself, IBB. 19 years later, the Nigerian political system and government seems to be heading to the abyss.  Recently, President GEJ renamed the University of Lagos (UNILAG) to Moshood Abiola University (MAU) in honour of the late Abiola. Hmmm…maybe I should rename Connoisseur.com to The Moshood Abiola blog or www.mkoabiola.com to honour him too (or how una see am?).

Happy birthday to Nollywood actress Halima Abubakar

Nollywood actress, Halima Abubakar is adding another year to her age to Today (June 12). She entered Nollywood in 2001 and has starred in 71 movies so far.

Halima Abubakar an Igbera, Kogi State born actress is from a family of six and the third of the family. She grew up in Kano State and attended Army Day Bukabu Secondary Education Bubabu barracks, Kano. She is a graduate of Sociology from Bayero University Kano. Halima Abubakar started acting at the age of 14 and was introduced into the industry in 1999, she finally got a role in 2001 featuring in a first movie titled “Rejected”. She was brought to limelight in the movie “Gangster Paradise” produced in 2001 and “Area Mama” in 2002.

A very happy birthday to her from Connoisseur.com

Mikel to be honoured by National Assembly over Champions League win

I personally don’t think this is fair on Kanu Nwankwo and Finidi George who were the first Nigerians to win this trophy. They haven’t been honoured, so should Mikel be? The House of Assembly should be pre-occupied with better things, like clearing the mess of fraud involving its key members. I’m a big Chelsea fan, so no be bad belle ooo.
Read the story after the cut:

New Video: P Square feat. RickRoss - Beautiful Onyinye

                        

Good things are happening to the Nigerian music scene, From D’banj’s G.O.O.D Music Deal to Psquare Konvict Muzik/Universal Distribution blablabla. Africa’s biggest music duo Psquare has featured rap idol, Rick Ross in the video of Beautiful Onyinye (Remix). Though Peter of Psquare has tweeted that this one is a wrong version and should be disregarded and that the official video will be out tomorrow, I believe there’ll be no much difference from this one. “We fell in love on the first day…we talking money here you’re talking nonsense”. These are some of the lines I could get from Rick. Just watch it. Big boy na big boy, he killed it for Psquare. Not too many locations but nice video. I love it.

Another church bombed in Jos

Information at the disposal of Connoisseur.com has it that a bomb explosion rocked Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA) in Rukuba, Jos.

At least four people are reported dead from the attack which took place at about 11am. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack but it believed that Islamic Terrorist sect Boko Haram are the brains behind it.

Samuel Peter returns to the ring on June 23

Nigerian Nightmare and former WBC Heavyweight World Champion, Samuel Peter will return to the boxing ring on the 23^rd of June, 2012 to face a yet-to-be-named opponent. Peter’s opponent will be determined at the Seminole Hard Roch Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

Peter, still only 32-years-old, hasn’t fought since being stopped in the 9th round by heavyweight contender Robert Helenius last year in April and he is keen on returning to reckoning.

Connoisseur.com wishes him all the best and hopes he is better prepared this time.

Happy birthday to the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State – Ekaette Unoma Akpabio

I’m confused on the exact date of her birth because on her profile and CV June 9 is written while June 10 appears on her Facebook page. But be it 9^th or 10^th June, Connoisseur.com wishes Her Excellency, Mrs. Ekaette-Unoma Godswill Akpabio, the wife of the executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State a very happy birthday.

Below is a brief look at her profile courtesy godswillakpabio.com (abridged by Connoisseur.com):

Celebrity Birthday: Obiora Obiwon and Basorge Tariah Jnr

L-R: Obiwon, Basorge

My mind kept telling me that there were some top celebrities whose birthday is today in which I forgot. My guy Obiora Obiwon (I love his song ‘Obi Mu O’. It used to be my number one in those days when I was in love….lol), and Nollywood actor, Barsorge Tariah Jnr. share the same birthday with D’banj and Tonto Dikeh.

Obiora Obiwon first gained critical acclaim as the r’n’b artiste “Obiwon” in 2006 with his debut album Overture, featuring hits such as the emotive ballad Onyinye, Get 'Em Off Me and Joli. The music industry awards followed in 2007 at both the prestigious HipHop World Awards and the Nigerian Music Awards for vocal performance, amidst other nominations for songwriting, vocals and choreography. He released The Rebirth Sophomore album which had Obi Mu O as the hit track. In 2011, Obiora married Nkechi.

KC of former KC Presh music group gets new hair-cut

He recently visited the barber and I think this haircut make sense and will make him more cute than before! Or how una see am?

Mista Xto plays for Super Eagles at Calabar Stadium

Music star act, Christopher Stephen a.k.a Mista Xto performed at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar as the Super Eagles of Nigeria took on Namibia in a Brazil 2014 World Cup qualification match last Sunday. Xto who played by 2pm before the two sides took to the field wowed thousands of fans at the stadium as he performed his hits and the fans went gaga when he sang ‘Na U Dem Send’.

Ex-Super Eagles midfielder, Christian Obodo kidnapped

Former Super Eagles midfielder, Christian Obodo, was kidnapped on Saturday morning by gun-wielding men in Efunrun, Delta State.
Obodo, who plays for Italian clubside Udinese arrived the country few weeks ago after the conclusion of the Seria A season.

Happy birthday to Tonto Dikeh, D’banj and Cameron Okoye

L-R: Tonto Dikeh, D'banj, Cameron Okoye

Today (9^th June), is the birthday of top Nigerian entertainment stars. Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh, Nigerian international music star, D’banj and Cameron Okoye, the son of Peter Okoye of Psquare are some of the names I can recall.

Tonto Dikeh was born on June 9, 1985. She was born into a family of seven in Ikewerre, Rivers State. She emerged first runner up in The Next Movie Star reality TV show and since then she has gone on to become a regular face in Nollywood movies, raising her profile under controversial circumstances.

SUG executive shot dead by cultists in CRUTECH

Cross River University of Technology Calabar (CRUTECH) yesterday was thrown into extreme commotion after one of the representatives of the students’ union was shot in the head.His assailants stormed the restaurant where the slained Students Unionist was having launch rode on a motorcycle and upon alighting, went straight into the building pumping several shots of bullets in the chest and face of their victim, killing him on the spot.

Photos: Comedian Sir James celebrates birthday at Sidoni Club

 

Popular comedian, Sir James last Saturday added another year to his age and he hosted friends to a gig at Sidoni Lounge, Eket, Akwa Ibom State. At the event were political heavyweight, entertainment stars and friends. In the list of those who attended the event are Hon. Skippo, Hon. Seleipre, Hon. Jerry, Ice Kid Banton, MC Spinosky, Mayola, Maxi and the E-101magazine crew. Below are some of the shots…..

Photo: Victor Eshiet of The Mandators spotted with actor Jeffrey Anderson at the Premiere of “The Bob Marley”

Nigerian legendary reggae star, Victor Eshiet of The Mandators was recently spotted at the premiere of the movie The Bob Marley. The US based star was spotted at the premiere of the film on 17^th April, 2012 in Hollywood, Los Angeles alongside other celebrities including  Ziggy Marley, Rohan & Robbie Marley,  Snoop Dogg, Rocky Duwani, Ras Michael, Lee Jaffe, Jane Fonda. 

The picture above shows him with actor/Director Jeffrey Anderson-Gunter. Do you remember him? He has starred in many movies including "Naked Gun," "Babylon 5," "Only the Strong," "Hudson Street," "Marked for Death" with Steven Seagal, Michael Jackson's "Black and White" music video, and many more.

Big ups from Connoisseur.com to The Mandators. Feels good to know he is still relevant and holding it down there in the States.

Big Brother StarGame: Nigeria’s Goldie nominated for eviction

Nigerian music star, Goldie is one of the Upville housemates nominated for possible eviction at the on-going Big Brother Africa StarGame. DKB got 5 nominations, Zainab three while Goldie and Roki have two nods each.

This is coming on the heels of her getting over her strange behaviour after being told by her BBA ex-boyfriend Prezzo that they are “just friends”.

“Either she woke up on the right side of the bed this morning or she has finally come back down to earth‘, Prezzo told fellow housemate Roki.

Official statement from President Jonathan on Dana Airline crash

Below is a statement issued by President Goodluck Jonathan after yesterday’s DANAAir plane crash in Lagos where 153 people are reported dead......

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has declared a three-day period of national mourning for all those who lost their lives in the Dana plane crash in Lagos today. President Jonathan, who has cancelled all his public engagements scheduled for tomorrow, has also directed that the Nigerian flag be flown at half-mast for the three days of national mourning.

Meanwhile, the President has ordered the fullest possible investigation into the crash. In compliance with the President’s directive, the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah has already left Abuja for Lagos to oversee the crash investigations and present an interim report to the Federal Government as quickly as possible.

RE: D’banj shot dead in US; Don Jazzy fingered

The attention of Connoisseur.com has been drawn to a story making the rounds that popular Nigerian music act, D’banj has been shot dead in the US by 3 unknown gunmen.

We want to state categorically that this story published by an acclaimed social networking site, Naijapals.com yesterday was first published as an AprilFool prank on the 1^st of April, 2012 by www.connoisseurng.blogspot.com. You can READ it here if you didn’t.

As it is the custom with some top websites across the world, ranging from goal.com to notjustok.com, we decided to “cook” an April Fool story for our teeming readers.

How Kukere singer, Iyanya escaped DanaAir plane crash

Singer and first Project Fame West Africa winner, Iyanya Mbuk has every reason to give thanks to God for sparing his life till now.

This is because the Calabar-born artiste would have been dead by now. On Sunday, June 3, the nation was thrown into the dark when a 153 passenger plane crashed in Lagos. The air crash caused some houses to be burnt as a result of the air disaster.