Facebook buys WhatsApp for $16 Billion

Social network giant Facebook has bought instant messaging service WhatsApp for a wallet-busting $16 billion (£9.6bn). The hugely popular phone app allows users to send messages using internet connections, avoiding SMS charges. WhatsApp has 450m monthly users - 70 per cent who use the app daily - and claims to register 1m new users every day.

“The only joke that people like that I’ve cracked right now is about me dying”, Basketmouth

Nigeria popular comedian, Basketmouth recently granted an interview in London, where he opened up on his opinion towards his rape joke. He revealed that he did not leave Nigeria because of the missiles of words coming from all angles, but he had already booked h is flight to travel to London before the incident occurred. Basketmouth equally disclosed that people becoming offended over the rape joke, will definitely limit the kind of jokes he will cracking. See his comments below:

NBC orders radio stations to lift ban on Nigerian artistes

NBC just ordered radio stations to suspend the ban on Nigerian artistes. They made some pronouncements on the COSON Vs BON/IBAN Controversy on Page 55 of The Guardian Newspaper for Thursday, January 9, 2013.

According to the pronouncements: BON & IBAN recognize that they are to pay artistes royalties,
so they are obliged to keep adequate logs of all musical works broadcast by them and make sure they are made available upon request by relevant authorities. All payments of musical copyright royalties shall be made to COSON.

Photos: Identity of Rapahel Edem’s wife-to-be

By now I guess I won’t be news any longer that well-known MC and erstwhile presenter of Sports Arena, Raphael Edem will be getting married on 6^th and 8^th of February, 2014. Before now the identity of his bride-to-be was not known to many and I promised to find that out and feed you with it. Above are her photos. Her name is Andifon Akpan a graduate of Chemistry, University of Uyo. She is cool, calm and collected. Both have been dating for some time now. #NoMoreDetails. Congrats to them.

Mikel loses African Footballer of the Year Award to Yaya Toure

Chelsea’s midfielder and Nigeria’s only representative in the Glo/CAF African Footballer of the Year Award top 3 lost the highly coveted prize to Ivory Coast’s player. The 31-year-old Ivorian powerhouse won his third straight award on Thursday after he polled a total of 373 points. Mikel Obi was second on 265 points with Drogba third with 236 points. Below is the complete list of winners...

Planet FM owner, Tony Afia yanks Sen. Aloysius Etok off air

The owner of Planet 101.1FM, Uyo, Mr. Tony Afia (a.k.a TAF) last week yanked Sen. Aloysius Etok off air on the station. Aloysius Etok was set to be interviewed on a live program on the station and the OAP announced that the senator was live in the studio was set to go on air when they return from a commercial. While the commercial was on, the Uruan born owner of the broadcast station, Afia called the Head of Programs, Cleo not to allow Etok go on air, even with his money. Ultimately, Etok didn’t go on air and left the station’s premises embarrassed.

Finally, popular MC, Raph Edem set to marry

Erstwhile TV/Radio host and renowned Master of Ceremonies, Mr. Raphael Edem (better known as Raph) has finally fixed dates for his marriage. The Itu born FUTO graduate who is in his 30s has picked February 6 and 8 as dates for his traditional marriage and church wedding respectively. It could be recalled that Raph who works in the Protocol Department of the state government was listed among the top 10 bachelors in Akwa Ibom State by E-101Magazine back in 2012. Some others who were listed alongside Raph such as Ime Bishop Umoh, Don ShadeCover, Essien Ndueso had since left the singles club. I will bring you the identity of the lucky girl in subsequent posts but meanwhile, BIG CONGRATS to Raph.

“The amalgamation of 1914 was certainly not a mistake but a blessing”, read President Goodluck Jonathan’s New Year message to Nigerians

New Year Speech By His Excellency, Commander in Chief of the Arm Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Goodluck  Jonathan GCFR. Dated December 31, 2013

Dear Compatriots,
I greet and felicitate with you all as we enter the year 2014 which promises to be a momentous one for our country for several reasons, including the fact that it is also the year of our great nation’s centenary celebrations. I join you all in giving thanks to God Almighty for guiding us and our beloved nation safely through all the challenges of the outgoing year to the beginning of 2014.

Young entrepreneur, Uwem 'KEU' Udoka picks wedding dates

Meet Uwem & Eduek ! They are the cutest love birds in Uyo! Engr. Uwem Udoka – CEO of KEU Engineering Ltd recently bagged the Wetinhappen.com.ng Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2013 for excellence in creating business opportunities, leadership, creative achievements and contribution to nation building.

Ibori sacks Akpandem James, others from Daily Independent

The Managing Editor of Daily Independent Newspapers, Mr. Akpandem James and other top management staff has been ordered to proceed on a compulsory leave by jailed owner of the newspaper, ex-governor James Ibori…Below is the report by PREMIUM TIMES…

Jailed former Delta State governor, James Ibori, has ordered the management of his newspaper, Independent Newspapers Limited, INL, to proceed on compulsory leave with immediate effect. The order from Mr. Ibori, who is currently serving his jail term in a London prison, was handed top editorial and senior management and operations staff of the embattled newspaper by the Chairman of its Board of Directors, Lawan Gambo, during an emergency management meeting on Saturday, December 18.

Mr. Gambo, who presided over the brief meeting, held at the Corporate headquarters of the newspaper in the Ogba area of Lagos reportedly told some top editors and management to go home till January 31, PREMIUM TIMES learnt.

Gov. Akpabio gives Mista Xto Toyota Corolla as birthday present

Governor Godswill Akpabio has given music star, Mista  Xto a Toyota Corolla 2013 as birthday present. Mista Xto who as at yesterday was yet to register the tear rubber ride was seen driving round the car. Born Christopher Stephens, the Calabar-based musician celebrated his birthday on 31^st December, 2013.

Vital information about Mya K album release concert

Event: Mya K’s album (Blooming Petal) release concert

Date: 30^th December, 2013

Venue: Sheer Grace Arena, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State

Artistes performing: Vector da Viper, Reminisce, Jaywon, Ikpa Udo, Sir James, Sagas, Otyno

Red carpet: Su du Sniper (AIT/Raypower, Port Harcourt)

Comperes: Asteroid of Muzik Alive, Tuebi of Wazobia, Keela of AIT Abuja and Duke Emmanuels of CRBC.

Album Review: Mannie of Cool FM Lagos

Int’l coverage: Hip TV, 2479ja TV

After party: Google Lounge

CONNOISSEUR Exclusive: The Big Stories that shaped 2013

2013 has been a fantastic year for newshunters and media people (especially those in the editorial department) as they have had amazingly big stories. Some of these stories shook the state and shaped the year under consideration. www.connoisseurNG.compresents you the biggest stories of the year. These stories were picked based on how far they travelled, how long it was talked about by people, how long they dominated newspaper headlines and they extent they went viral on social media.

Gov. Oshiomhole survives death in auto crash

Gov. Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State on Saturday morning survived a motor accident on his way to Benin City. Below is a press release from the Edo State Government…

Governor Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole survived a motor accident at Ewu Village along the ever-busy Benin-Auchi road in Edo State at about 9.45am Saturday, 28th December 2013 on his way back to Benin City from his Iyamho Village. The incident occurred at about 9.45am at Ewu, in Edo Central Senatorial District, when a Peugeot J5 Bus filled with tomatoes and plantains apparently lost control and rammed into the Governor’s Flag Car from the opposite direction before swerving into a roadside ditch.

Miss Akwa Ibom, Andino Attah reveals why her car was seized + Why she was almost dethroned…“They wanted me to sleep with men for fast money”

After keeping mute for so long a time, Miss Akwa Ibom, Andino Attah has revealed why she was on the verge of being disgraced out of her throne, divulging further the reason her official car was seized from her.  While putting up an attacking comment on a Facebook post by Daddy-cool Morgan that the court case between Nigeria’s Youngest Editor, Ifreke Nseowo and Captain Iniobong Ekong has been adjourned to January, 2014, the Ibesikpo born beauty queen who was enthroned on September 2012 ended up giving an expose on why she is embattled.  Responding to comments from Promise Etim on why she is attacking Ifreke Nseowo who helped project her career through the media, Miss Attah said she refused to ‘party’ with some old rich men for money as requested by the management. Below are her comments…

The Headies 2013: Olamide emerges biggest winner, Sean Tizzle carts away Next Rated

The much publicized Nigeria’s prestigious music awards, The Headies took place on Boxing Day, December 26, 2013 at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos. In an award event which was hosted by Dr. Sid and Tiwa Savage, ‘Durosoke’ singer Olamide was the night’s biggest winner with 3 awards while Sean Tizzle won the Next Rated award and went home with a Hyundai Tucson SUV. Below is the complete list of winners...

Breaking: Former South African President, Nelson Mandela is dead

I have not blogged for about a month now because this blog is undergoing maintenance and redesigning. But I would definitely not have any genuine reason for not reporting a big news such as the death of Nelson Mandela. There is no way I could have honoured this man other than pausing on everything and blogging his departure. Yes, Nelson Mandela a.k.a Madiba is dead. South Africa’s president, Jacob Zuma announced Mandela’s death at the age of 95.