It was on the 8
0'Clock news on AIT
Thursday, 1 November 2012
Isabela Ayuk shuns MGBN controversy, says ‘I will win Miss Universe’
Isabella Ayuk
As a young girl growing up in Ikom, Cross-River State, Isabella Ayuk dreamt of becoming a beauty queen someday. While she finally got a chance to be the Beauty Queen of South-South Nigeria (2007), Miss Global Nigeria (2009) and a delegate to the Miss Global International (World) in Jamaica (2010), Ayuk still had her eyes set on what she regards as the ultimate crown — Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria.
Mother luck finally shone on her when she was crowned the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria earlier in the year and the Silver Jubilee Queen in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the pageant.
However, as the Business Administration graduate of the University of Calabar, was settling down to assume responsibilities, a series of scandals came forth. The most notable being the fact that she was practically prematurely dethroned as the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria because she was far older than the 18-25 age limit, suggesting she had falsified her age.
Ayuk came under attack in the media and social media networks. Although the dust has since settled, the beauty queen, who describes herself as a small town girl with big dreams, says she considers those trying moment as part of life lessons.
“Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown and it comes with the office. Being MBGN is big. Envious people are everywhere, especially when they are afraid of your rising. It is not new to me. I love every moment as MBGN, though. Dealing with envious people is like dealing with the devil. I simply ask God to deal with them while I focus on my projects. God who gave me this crown will make it memorable. I can’t move faster than God. Just watch and see what God will do for I am the Bible’s Queen Esther of our time.”
Trying to get Ayuk to comment on issues that greeted her win is akin to trying to extract water from a stone, as she would rather dwell on her Pet Projects and the demands of her office. She, for instance, declines to speak pointedly on her age and whether or not she lied to the MBGN organisers.
With the Miss Universe Competition just around the corner, the soft-spoken beauty queen, who is the 20th child in a family of 25 children, is optimistic about winning the converted crown.
“I’m looking forward to the Miss Universe competition in December. My plan is to go there as a determined Nigerian lady who believes you can do, be whoever you want to be in life and make Nigeria proud by bringing the crown to Nigeria and becoming the first Nigerian to be Miss Universe and the fifth African to win it since 1952. ’’ She boasts.
So, just how much effort has is she putting into the preparations? To this she says, “I am losing more weight, taking good care of my skin, reading and learning more, knowledge is never enough, and staying positive. Moreover, to be MBGN you have to be intelligent, so I am intelligent, even if I say so myself.”
In between the chat Ayuk reveals the emotional side there is to her, as she speaks about her late sister. Amidst tears she says, “My sister died of Typhoid fever and I am yet to get over her death.
That is the idea behind the official launching of the Vannessa Manyor Memorial Foundation is Abuja on Saturday. Besides campaigning against Typhoid, my foundation will empower widows as my mother is a widow and widows are always in need of widow’s mite. Our target is rural community dwellers by teaching them ways to prevent the spread of typhoid fever, malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, opportunistic infections.
Looking forward, she goes philosophical saying, “God designed the year, 2012, as a year he kept aside to fulfil His promises. And to get to the peak whereby I can say I am fulfilled in pageantry, then, it has to be MBGN. It takes a determined soul to stay on track, so all thanks to God.”
Ex-councillor stabs teenager for refusing advances
A former councillor of Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State, Onimole Babatunde, is currently being detained at the Area E Police Command, Festac, Lagos for allegedly stabbing an 18-year-old girl in the neck after she refused his advances at a night club.
PUNCH Metro learnt that on October 26, Mariam Abubakar went to Pearl Habour Night Club in Rochester Garden Hotel, Festac to “catch weekend fun.”
Her friend, who pleaded anonymity, said they only went there “to hang out” when Babatunde, who was obviously drunk, started to make advances to Abubakar.
She said, “She was not interested in him so she did not answer when he called her. He was dancing and Mariam (Abubakar) was sitting at a table. He was obviously drunk and he came to pull her.
“He was manhandling her and she insisted he should leave her alone. This did not go down well with Babatunde and he was really angry. He went to a corner, took a bottle, broke it and stabbed Mariam in the neck.”
According to the source, Babatunde fled the scene immediately.
A police source at Area E told our correspondent that the preliminary report obtained indicated that the incident occurred at about 1:30am.
He said Abubakar bled profusely at the scene before she was taken to Naval Hospital, Ojo by sympathisers at the night club.
The source said she was not admitted because those who took her there could not produce a police report.
“That was when someone notified our station (Area E Command) and we went to take her to Ajeromi General Hospital,” he said.
It was learnt that as Abubakar was being taken to the general hospital, she went into a coma.
She was said to have been revived at the general hospital. A nurse at the hospital, who craved anonymity, told our correspondent that she had lost about 20 per cent of her blood.
Abubakar is currently under intensive care at the hospital.
However, the police said the night club workers destroyed evidence at the scene of the alleged crime by cleaning up Abubakar’s blood on the floor.
The hotel has currently been sealed off by the police because the management did not report the incident.
It was learnt that the police got wind of Babatunde’s whereabouts, said to be holing up somewhere in Ikoyi and called him to simply come and write a statement. But he was detained immediately he got to the station.
The police spokesperson, Ngozi Braide, said she had not been briefed on the case.
VIDEO: Man Sneezes So Hard, His Head Falls Off
One minute you’re walking down an alleyway minding your own business, and then you bump into a man who sneezes and his head falls off, and then he tries to re-attach it to his body.
What would you do? Scream? Run away? Bring out your camera phone and make a video/photo upload online?
That is exactly what happened on Halloween when magician Rich Ferguson performed his ‘head drop’ trick on the streets of his hometown.
Now, his illusion, and the hilarious reactions of unsuspecting strangers, has become a YouTube monster smash, with almost 4million hits, see the video here:
What would you do? Scream? Run away? Bring out your camera phone and make a video/photo upload online?
That is exactly what happened on Halloween when magician Rich Ferguson performed his ‘head drop’ trick on the streets of his hometown.
Now, his illusion, and the hilarious reactions of unsuspecting strangers, has become a YouTube monster smash, with almost 4million hits, see the video here:
Photos: Music Star, Lami Phillips Speaks On Her New Single & Life As An Artiste, Sneak Peek Of Recent Photo Shoot
Known for her electrifying stage presence and strong live performances, Lami Phillips is a neo-soul, afro-pop singer and songwriter. She captured the heart of her fans with her hit singles including Ori Mi Wu, Nuttin and Know and made an impressive debut with her album Intuition.
After what seemed like a long break, she released a new single Titi LaiLai off her sophomore album effort, “Pieces Of Love”.
Prior to the release of Titi LaiLai, we were starting to wonder where you’d been? Why the hiatus?
It’s no secret that I’m not a fan of the processes and lack of structure in the Nigerian music industry. I started to feel like I had to compromise to be accepted. I dealt with a lot of unprofessional professionals who exploited the “Intuition” album and the brand. Being a woman, putting out clean afrosoul music and making it mainstream in Nigeria is a paradox on many levels.
You seem to love to love! Your last official single was “Ori Mi Wu” and your new single, “Titi LaiLai”. We’re they inspired by anyone?
Yessss!
How long did it take for you to make “Titi LaiLai”?
I wrote Titi LaiLai on the train in London. It took 8mins or less. Writing comes easily to me, thank God. Deciding on the vibe, chords, backing vocals, instruments and such in terms of composition and production is what takes time. The process is delicate and with live recordings you have just one take – no copy and paste auto-tune stuff.
Wow! An Amy Whinehouse guitarist and producer, Femi Tone produced “Titi LaiLai”. How did this happen?
Femi and I worked together when I was in the UK and we got reconnected last year. I love working with him because I find I don’t have to say too much when translating the details of the songs production. He’s an awesome guitarist and he keeps me in check in terms of my standards. We both can’t stand mediocrity so we work well together.
Who are your top three Nigerian artists at the moment?
Asa, Asa and Asa!
What are your top three Nigerian songs at the moment?
Hmm, that’s a tough one. I love “Stupid Song” by Bez, every song on Asa’s album, and eLDee’s “Na Wash” and “Transformer In Your Neighbourhood”.
What’s the best thing about being an artist?
Being able to express yourself articulately through music.
What’s the worst thing about being an artist?
Dealing with public scrutiny and bias.
How do you feel when people interpret your work differently?
It’s a free world. Art is art. We all can’t have the same opinion.
What challenges do you face as an artist?
Balance. Knowing how much is enough and making the rest of your life work without compromise. That’s why I can’t comprehend those who do it without God!
What embarrassing songs might I find on your MP3 player?
I’m not sure I’d think it was embarrassing but I’m judged when people find ABBA on my playlist.
Where do you dream of performing?
At the White House.
What hidden talents do you have?
I think I’m a good cook. Plus I do a mean running-man!
What are you trying to communicate with your music?
This album is aptly titled “Pieces Of Love” so here I’m communicating the different facets of love – the exciting, fun, romantic parts; the painful, heartbreaking, confusing parts and most of all, the resolve in finding the one you want to spend the rest of your life with.
Check out some of her recent photos
Listen to Lami's Ori Mi Wu ft Ice-Prince below
Listen to Lami's Titi LaiLai
After what seemed like a long break, she released a new single Titi LaiLai off her sophomore album effort, “Pieces Of Love”.
Prior to the release of Titi LaiLai, we were starting to wonder where you’d been? Why the hiatus?
It’s no secret that I’m not a fan of the processes and lack of structure in the Nigerian music industry. I started to feel like I had to compromise to be accepted. I dealt with a lot of unprofessional professionals who exploited the “Intuition” album and the brand. Being a woman, putting out clean afrosoul music and making it mainstream in Nigeria is a paradox on many levels.
You seem to love to love! Your last official single was “Ori Mi Wu” and your new single, “Titi LaiLai”. We’re they inspired by anyone?
Yessss!
How long did it take for you to make “Titi LaiLai”?
I wrote Titi LaiLai on the train in London. It took 8mins or less. Writing comes easily to me, thank God. Deciding on the vibe, chords, backing vocals, instruments and such in terms of composition and production is what takes time. The process is delicate and with live recordings you have just one take – no copy and paste auto-tune stuff.
Wow! An Amy Whinehouse guitarist and producer, Femi Tone produced “Titi LaiLai”. How did this happen?
Femi and I worked together when I was in the UK and we got reconnected last year. I love working with him because I find I don’t have to say too much when translating the details of the songs production. He’s an awesome guitarist and he keeps me in check in terms of my standards. We both can’t stand mediocrity so we work well together.
Who are your top three Nigerian artists at the moment?
Asa, Asa and Asa!
What are your top three Nigerian songs at the moment?
Hmm, that’s a tough one. I love “Stupid Song” by Bez, every song on Asa’s album, and eLDee’s “Na Wash” and “Transformer In Your Neighbourhood”.
What’s the best thing about being an artist?
Being able to express yourself articulately through music.
What’s the worst thing about being an artist?
Dealing with public scrutiny and bias.
How do you feel when people interpret your work differently?
It’s a free world. Art is art. We all can’t have the same opinion.
What challenges do you face as an artist?
Balance. Knowing how much is enough and making the rest of your life work without compromise. That’s why I can’t comprehend those who do it without God!
What embarrassing songs might I find on your MP3 player?
I’m not sure I’d think it was embarrassing but I’m judged when people find ABBA on my playlist.
Where do you dream of performing?
At the White House.
What hidden talents do you have?
I think I’m a good cook. Plus I do a mean running-man!
What are you trying to communicate with your music?
This album is aptly titled “Pieces Of Love” so here I’m communicating the different facets of love – the exciting, fun, romantic parts; the painful, heartbreaking, confusing parts and most of all, the resolve in finding the one you want to spend the rest of your life with.
Check out some of her recent photos
Listen to Lami's Ori Mi Wu ft Ice-Prince below
Listen to Lami's Titi LaiLai
Nigeria's Got Talent: The Stiff Competition Begins (PHOTOS)
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| Adult babies |
“The semi final stage will see contestants perform to the judges and the audience on a big stage. This phase will start with the 50 contestants the judges’ selected last week and end with 10 contestants.” Adaora Mbelu Project Manager at Rapid Blue Format disclosed.
This Sunday, the show finally entered the semi final stage as ten contestants from all age groups performed in front of the judges for the second time.
“Nigeria is a unique country, and we have a whole lot of talent, what we saw in the previous episode is something that is going to get bigger” Yibo Koko, one of the judges said.
The first group includes Impulse (Singing group), Clymaxx (Dance group), John Uket (Singer), Udezeagwua Ezedi (Musician), Vicky Mark (Singer) and Adult Babies (Variety Acts) Others are Olayemi John- Lil P (Singer), DNA Crew (Dance group) and Bariyu (Variety Act).
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| impulse |
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| Udezeagwua Ezedi |
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| DNA |
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| Vicky Mark |
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| Lil P |
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| John Uket |
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| Bariyu |
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| The contestants |
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| Andre Blaze |
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| Clymaxx |
Viewers have the power to vote their favorite talents by texting their unique numbers to 33685. Auditions for the first Nigeria’s Got Talent held in Enugu, Abuja, Calabar, Benin, Ibadan and Lagos, with judges Kate Henshaw, Yibo Koko and Dan Foster sourcing for fifty brilliant talents Sponsored by Airtel. Nigeria’s Got Talent airs on AIT by 10.30pm, STV by 8pm , TVC by 9pm, HITV UK by 9pm, NTA Network by 4pm and SoundCity by 6.30pm.
New Single: Davido Ft Akon- Damiduro Remix
After series of rumors and hearsay about Davido‘s international collaboration, the proof is finally in the pudding.
While the HKN gang were out in the states, shooting their videos for “Ekuro” and “Overseas”, they hooked up this fresh remix of Davido‘s smash hit, “Dami Duro”.
Listen to it below.
While the HKN gang were out in the states, shooting their videos for “Ekuro” and “Overseas”, they hooked up this fresh remix of Davido‘s smash hit, “Dami Duro”.
Listen to it below.
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