Iyanya, Belinda Effah, Ime Bishop Umoh, Emem Isong win at Ntanta Awards 2013 + full list of winners

The premiering edition of Ntanta Awards was held over the weekend with big and established names carting home awards. While Iyanya won artiste of the year, Belinda Effah won Best New Actor in her role in Udeme Mmi while comic act, Ime Bishop Umoh a.k.a was voted Actor of the Year Year (Male). Highly respected Nollywood producer, Emem Isong of Royal Arts got the Industry Merit Award alongside Kate Henshaw. And of course, this blog you are reading won in the Blog/Website of the Year Category. Below is the full list of winners at the awards…

Red carpet outfits at Ntanta Awards 2013

The maiden edition of Ntanta Awards took place in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital on Friday 26^th April, 2013. The award which is instituted to celebrate and reward excellence, hardwork and creativity in the fashion, entertainment (music, movie, and comedy) and media industries was held at the Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio Unity Hall, Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo. The event attracted big-wigs in the aforementioned industries. I bring you some red carpet photographs of the event. Check out and tell me which outfit you love most. I will bring you the list of the winners in soonest…

Psquare featured in today’s edition of London’s Metro newspaper

Pop twin Psquare got their song ‘Alingo’ featured in the Ents&Tech Music page of popular London newspaper Metro. The page is edited by Arwa Haider. Above is the snipped online version of the paper. Take a look at the hard copy of the paper after the cut. Congrats Psquare. 

Actor Ime Bishop Umoh’s (Okon Lagos) fiancée celebrates birthday

Idara Saviour, the delectable fiancée of popular movie star, Ime ‘Bishop’ Umoh a.k.a Okon Lagos celebrated her birthday yesterday. The party was attended friends of the chick and of course her celebrity fiancé. Photos after the cut…

Mya K to perform new single "My DJ" in South Africa May 4th

UK based Kid star Mya K has got a new hit single titled 'MY DJ'. The song is so hot that just few days after release, Mya K has been invited to perform at the African Global DJ Awards holding in Santon Convention Center, Johanesburg, South Africa on May 4th. Since dropping here first single 'I'll survive' in 2011(which was nominated for the NMVA), Mya K has been a recurring decimal in d world music scene. Amazingly talented, Mya has won several awards both in Africa and the United Kingdom. A sneak peak into her profile shows that Mya was born May 5, 2001 in the United Kingdom.

Behind Scenes of Yoro / Idiok Aboy video by Illest

The "Suppose to know" crooner ILLEST is fully ready to thrill fans as he shoots an eccentric video for one of his contemporary bangers called "YORO". This video was directed by Image Faculty, a professional cinematographer that studied cinematography in the Mumbai. The video will be premiered officially June 4th,2013. Fillow Illest on twitter @illrhymes01. More photos after the cut...

Ntanta Awards holds today; Zillions, Belinda Effah, Ime Bishop Umoh touted as possible winners

Talented and budding music star, Abasiakan Hanson who made it to the top five at the recently concluded Reality TV Show, Nigerian Idol will be performing at the maiden edition of Ntanta Awards which will hold on Friday, 26^th April, 2013. The fair skinned dude whose eviction from the show caused uproar and raised eyebrows from followers of the reality show will be performing alongside Ibibio rap music rave of the moment, Indigenous MaliQ a.k.a Ikpa Udo, the legendary Ete Ntia, Sir Wilker Jackson and Mista Xto.

Happy birthday to Mikel Obi and David Luiz

Today, 22^nd April is the birthday of Chelsea Football Club players, Mikel Obi and David Luiz. Wish them a happy birthday. They are both 26 today.

Bitters!!! Mike Tyson follows Suarez on Twitter

Famous boxer, Mike Tyson who bite Evander Hollyfield during a bout in 1997 has followed football enfant terrible, Luiz Suarez on twitter. This is coming hours after the Liverpool star appeared to have bit Chelsea defender, Branislav Ivanovic in an English Premiership game on Sunday.  According to Tyson's profile page on Twitter, he made Uruguayan Suarez his 432nd and most recent follow.

Seun Kuti mocks Gov. Akpabio over N80b loan

Seun Kuti, the last son of late music legend, Fela has mocked the governor of Akwa Ibom, Chief Godswill Akpabio over his request for N80b loan. The Afrobeat star who recently criticized the governor for what many call ‘reckless spending’ took to twitter again to make his view known. Below is his tweet. 

Abasiakan was my toughest competitor – Moses, winner of Nigerian Idol season 3

“I think Abasiakan was my toughest opponent; I was expecting we could both get to the top 2. Even though I felt he was my toughest competitor, I was hurt when he was evicted. I believe he didn’t deserve to be evicted and I hoped he would be standing here with me today.”

- Moses Obi-Adigwe a.k.a Teddybear after winning the Nigerian Idol season 3

Rita Dominic, Yvonne Okoro lose out at AMAA, Belinda Effah wins

The 9th Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) took place in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital on Saturday with top actors who were earlier tipped to grab gongs on the night going home empty handed. Rita Dominic and Yvonne Okoro who were front runners to win in the Best Actress in a leading role lost to Florence. Cross River born actress, Belinda Effah however won in the Best Promising Actor category. Below are full list of the winners. Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Pete Edochie, Tunde Kelani, etc.

Check out the full list of winners after the cut…

Emceeing 2face Idibia’s Traditional Marriage brought me extra fame – Utang Akwa Ibom

This is an interview I conducted with popular balladeer and comedy star, Utang Akwa Ibom which was published on Community Pulse newspaper. I’ve never took part in an interview that is as humorous as this. See the excerpts after the cut…

FBI intercepts poisonous letter sent to Obama

A letter addressed to US President Barack Obama apparently containing ricin has been intercepted. Initial tests on the letter, identified at a remote facility, showed the presence of the lethal toxin. The letter, which arrived at the facility on 16 April, is related to another laced with ricin intended for a US senator, the FBI said.

The FBI said there was "no indication of a connection" between the letters and Monday's deadly attack on Boston. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said the letters addressed to the president and Republican Senator Roger Wicker were both postmarked Memphis, Tennessee, and dated 8 April.

Ooopss! Popular hangout 2nd Baze relocates from Maitama!!!

Popular celebrity hangout in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State, 2^nd Baze has relocated from the ever bubbling Ewet Housing zone, Maitama. A recent visit to the hangout shows that the management is slowly packing out from the area they have spent 8 years. About 3 weeks ago, the, convenience (toilet) at the hangout was dismantled with observers thinking it was for renovation.

Tyrant student leader, CYX assaults journalist

Tyrant student leader and struggling musician, Cyril Umoren better known as CYX (he is the one on the right in the pix above) assaulted a journalist, Nelson Nseabasi (left) last week Thursday. CYX who is currently a political appointee serving in Mkpat Enin Local Government Council slapped Mr. Nseabasi for purportedly failing to attend the inauguration of the University of Uyo chapter of National Association of Akwa Ibom State Students (NAAKISS) held in the town campus of the university.

Ime Bishop Umoh, Ethel Odungide, other celebs to thrill at Sounds of Easter today

The much anticipated gospel event tagged ‘Sounds of Easter’ will place today Sunday, 31^st March, 2013. The event which is expected to parade the very best of gospel music artistes and entertainers from this side of the divide will feature music, comedy, theatre performance and an exclusive fashion parade by the very best designers in the South-South. Some of the artistes billed include Ethel Odungide, LyN, Ab Isong, Mbomboyo, Pastor Lanre Adeboye, Maggi Bam, Godfada, Dani Andi, Boffinik, P.Harmony, Gyration Praise, Victory, I-Ma, and lots more. There will be a special DJ Splash by Africa's No 1; DJ Kocy while the very talented movie/comic star, Ime Bishop Umoh will lead General Odey, Fada Itosky and Undisputed Mc Godson to crack the ribs of attendees.

I’ve never met second girl that took pix of me in bed – Davido

In December last year, Dami duro crooner Davido was enveloped in a second lady-in-bed photo scandal with an unnamed girl after the first one involving girl friend Sonia went viral in March while holidaying in  Ghana.

Davido has kept mum on the matter until now when he tells former Big Brother Africa house mate Ebuka Obi Uchendu hosts of TV programme Rubbing Minds that he never knew this girl.

“I was asleep in bed. The girl just snuck in and (makes gesture of taking photograph) I don’t know her. I used to stay in an apartment back then and movement was kind of free. Maybe I didn’t lock the door and she just snuck in and took the pix. I have however moved to my new home where there is much tighter security.

I’m justified to break ladies’ hearts – Iyanya

Below is what the ‘Kukere’ crooner told Complete Fashion:

“I was going out with a girl for so many years and one day I went to see her with a friend of mine. A couple of days later, I went over to her place and my friend was there. I asked him what he was doing there and he said he came to look for me.

Photos of Rita Dominic, Kate Henshaw, and other top celebrities on the dance floor at 2face’s wedding after-party in Dubai

It was real fun at 2face/Annie Idibia wedding after-party in Dubai. Rita Dominic, Kate Henshaw, Florence Ita-Giwa, Gentle Jack, Timaya and a host of other top celebrities were at Kiza Lounge in Dubai for the party. Rita is really showing she is a good dancer. More photos after the cut… 

Commissioner Aniekan Umanah fumbles on Channels Television

BY IFREKE NSEOWO

The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Aniekan Umanah on Saturday, 23^rd March, 2013 goofed on the official population of the state. This was during a breakfast TV show ‘Sunrise’ on Channels Television where the focus was on Akwa Ibom State. Speaking against Governor Godswill Akpabio’s prolificacy, Jalingo Agba, a journalist who was one of the analysts on the show tried to compare Lagos State to Akwa ibom State in terms of population and allocation where Lagos State officially has 15 million people while Akwa Ibom 3.9 million but with a budget almost at par with Lagos State, the state’s information boss interjected the Cross River born journalist and said Akwa Ibom has 4.5 million people. Click HERE to watch the video.

Henry Okah jailed for 24 Years

Nigerian Henry Okah was jailed for 24 years by the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg on Tuesday.

The charges related to two car bombs in Abuja, Nigeria, in which 12 people were killed and 36 injured on 1 October 2010, the anniversary of the country's independence.

The second bombing took place in Warri on 15 March 2010 at a post amnesty dialogue meeting. One person was killed and 11 seriously injured.

Traditional marriage of Nollywood actress, Nse Ikpe-Etim to hold in Akwa Ibom on April 4

 Actress Nse Ikpe Etim's traditional and white wedding will hold this April. Her traditional wedding will hold at St. Stephen’s Primary School, Ikot Etobo, Nsit-Ubium LGA, Akwa Ibom (her hometown)  on Thursday April 4th. The white wedding will hold in Lagos a few days later but details of it are sketchy for now.
Nse married her childhood sweetheart Clifford Sule at a registry wedding which held on Thursday February 14th.

Governor Akpabio donates 37 million to Super Eagles, gives Enyeama house

The governor of Akwa Ibom State on Sunday, 24^th March, 2013 donated the sum of 37million naira to the AFCON 2013 victorious Super Eagles team. A break down of the amount shows that each of the 23 players will take N1 million each, the 17 technical assistants will pocket N500,000 each, Coach Stephen Keshi was given N2million while his assistants pocket N1million each.

Fresh Photos: Celebrity faces at 2face’s Dubai wedding

Here are some fresh and good quality pictures from the celebrity wedding involving actress Annie Macaulay and songster 2face Idibia in Dubai. More photos after the cut. 

Look at the car Senator David Mark’s bought for 2face as wedding gift

Omo, this ride no be beans. A Corvette sports car. This costs megabucks but I promise to bring you the exact figure of how much the car costs. 2face and Mark are from the same state, so I’m not surprised the Senate President bought him that. Now, if this car is a wedding gift from Mark, do you think Gov. Akpabio should be criticized for buying an SUV for Annie Macaulay (a daughter of the state)? More photo after the cut...

It’s official! Chelsea is the best football club in the world according to IFFHS rankings

Chelsea are the best team in the world, while Real Madrid are the seventh best and Manchester United are 19th.

This is according to the International Federation of Football History and Statistics, an organisation recognised and supported by, although not affiliated with, FIFA.

Their latest Club World Rankings, accounting for results between March 1 2012 and February 28 2013, have produced some results that seem bizarre. Check the list of the 20 top clubs in the world after the cut…

Engr. Michael Enyong’s wife is dead

The Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Tourism Board, Engr (Dr) Michael Enyong a.k.a Baba Ntan has lost his wife.  She died last Sunday. www.CONNOISSEURng.com learnt on good authority that she died of food poisoning. An inside source told me in confidence that she might have been poisoned when she visited Nigeria for the burial of his husband’s dad earlier in the year. The source said since after his marriage, Michael Enyong’s family had stayed abroad and that was their first time of visit after a long while. She has been under medical treatment for food poisoning for about a month, but finally gave up the ghost last Sunday in a foreign hospital.

Ini Edo, Emem Isong, Onofiok Luke top list of nominees for Ibom Youth Hall of Fame + Full list of nominees

The organizers of the Ibom Youth Hall of Fame has released full list of nominees to be inducted into the hall of fame. Nollywood stars Emem Isong, Ini Edo, and Moses Armstrong, are those topping the list. The event will hold on 15^th March, 2013 at Civil Service Auditorium, Idongesit Nkanga Secretariat, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Below is the nominees list:

Jonathan, Akpabio donate N3.50billion to Nollywood

President Goodluck Jonathan last Saturday at a presidential dinner to celebrate Nollywood at 20 donated N3billion in order to empower the industry.  Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom also promised to finance a N50million 'Goodluck Jonathan Prize Award' which will be shared by the best Nollywood actor, actress, film maker and other award categories. The event was attended by who-is-who in Nollywood.