Funke Akindele, Desmond Elliot, others shine as nominees of 2014 AMVCA

Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award (AMVCA) is less than a month away and Nigeria's favourite malt drink, Amstel Malta, will once again sponsor this event.

Nominees of the prestigious and well-celebrated awards have since been announced to the delight of fans, who still have the opportunity to vote for their favourites.

The first edition, held last year, had the likes of O.C Ukeje, Mercy Johnson, Tunde Kelani and other notable movie stars as winners of different award categories. 

 

This year promises to be even more exciting with Amstel Malta’s relentless commitment to bringing out the Best in everyone.
Fans have become elated about the AMVCA as its conversation spreads like wildfire with many eagerly casting their votes for their favourite acts.

Below are some of the voting categories and everyone is encouraged to follow the trend #AmstelMaltaAMVCA2014 on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

 

BEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA
Stephanie Wilson – Living Funeral (3A)
Veronica Waceke – Higher Learning (3B)
Nse Ikpe-Etim – Journey To Self (3C)
Nkiru Sylvanus – Kiss And The Brides (3D)
Ivie Okujaye – The Volunteers (3E)

BEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA
Juma Rajab Rashid - Siri Ya Mtungi (2A)
Majid Michel - Somewhere in Africa (2B)
Hlomla Dandala – Contract (2C)
Majid Michel – House of Gold (2D)
Tope Tedela – A Mile from Home (2E)

BEST MOVIE (DRAMA)
Obi Emelonye – Last Flight to Abuja (6A)
Edwin Maina Kariuki – Nairobi Half Life (6B)
Udoka Oyeka & Orode Ryan – Living Funeral (6C)
Frank Rajah Arase – The Price (6D)
Frank Rajah Arase – Groom's Bride (6E)
Chris Eneaji &  Jumafor Ajogwu – Murder at Prime Suites (6F)

BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY
Hlomla Dandala – Contract (7A)
John Okafor – Return of Sheri Koko (7B)
Osita Iheme – The Hero (7C)
Osita Iheme – The Fighter (7D)
Chinedu Ikedieze – The Hero (7E)

BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Funke Akindele – The Fighter (8A)
Funke Akindele – The Hero (8B)
Funke Akindele – The Return Of Sheri Koko (8C)
Mary Ogbonna – Clinic Matters (8D)
Jackie Appiah – Cheaters (8E)
Yvonne Okoro – Contract (8F)

BEST MOVIE (COMEDY)
Uche Jumbo – Lies Men Tell (9A)
Shirley Frimpong-Manso, Yvonne Okoro & Ken Attoh – Contract (9B)
Elvis Chucks – A Wish (9C)
Martins Onyebuchi Onyemaobi – The Fighter (9D)
Martins Onyebuchi Onyemaobi – The Hero (9E)

For more information on voting categories and how to vote, kindly follow the link: http://amvcaawards.dstv.com/. Also visit www.amstel-nigeria.com for more information on Amstel Malta and its involvement in the entertainment industry.

Ugandan president succumbs to pressure, signs anti-gay bill into law

After months of refusing to sign the anti-gay bill which Uganda's lawmakers passed in December 2013, President Yoweri Museveni, today succumbed to pressure from within his country and signed the anti-gay bill into law.

He signed the bill at his official residence at Entebbe, near the capital Kampala, in front of govt officials, journalists and a team of Ugandan scientists who found no genetic basis for homosexuality, one of the reasons why he finally consented to signing the bill.

The anti-gay law criminalizes all acts of homosexually in Uganda and calls for first-time homosexual offenders to face a 14 years jail penalty. Continuous Sexual engagement by two homosexuals which involves a minor, disabled person or anyone with HIV AIDS attracts a life sentence.

Gunmen kidnap President Jonathan's cousin in Bayelsa

According to a report by Punch, President Jonathan's cousin, Chief Inengite Nitabai was abducted yesterday Sunday February 23rd in the Otuoke community in Bayelsa State by unknown gunmen.

Nitabai, who is said to be the compound chief of Jonathan’s family, was abducted by 10 suspected kidnappers about 9pm yesterday. Six of the assailants reportedly forced their way into the house, while the remaining four stayed outside, monitoring activities. They robbed the home and left with chief Nitabia in his Sports Utility Vehicle. Continue...

“Information available to me is that a certain Chief Inengite Nitabai was abducted by about 10 unknown gunmen about 9pm at Otuoke community in Ogbia Local Government  Area by using his private vehicle. The vehicle was later recovered at Onuebum community waterfront. The Deputy Commander, JTF, Commodore Ime Ekpa and a team of security agents have visited the location to assess the crime scene.”

He said investigation was in progress to unmask the kidnappers and rescue the victim.

Robin Thicke and Paula Patton separate after 20 years

I'm truly surprised by this. I mean, there have been reports and photos of the singer messing around with other women but I thought Paula was cool with it. The couple, who have been together for over 20 years and married for nine, announced their separation today to People magazine

'We will always love each other and be best friends, however, we have mutually decided to separate at this time,' they told People in a joint statement.

The 38 year old actress and Robin, 36, began dating when she was 18 and he was 16. They have a 3 year old son, Julian. Just recently Robin said of their relationship, "We're pretty sure we've loved each other for a few lives.".

Nicki Minaj sued for $30m over wigs

A former hair stylist for Nicki Minaj is suing the star for $30 million (£18m), accusing her of selling wigs based on his designs without permission.
Terrence Davidson began working for the rapper in 2010, creating multiple wigs for high-profile events and her Super Bass music video.
Davidson claims he had previously discussed a joint business venture with Minaj to launch a line of wigs.
Representatives for Minaj have yet to comment on the legal action.
 
Davidson says the star is now copying his wig designs and selling them online.
According to legal papers filed in Atlanta, the hair stylist says he also turned down a contract for a reality TV show on the advice of one of Minaj’s representatives, with the promise of creating his own reality show with the star about being a celebrity wig stylist.
But after months passed in 2012, he claims the rapper and her team “took active steps to isolate [him] and preclude him from the notoriety he deserved for his wig designs”.
Davidson – whose celebrity clients also include singers Patti LaBelle and Jennifer Hudson – stopped working as Minaj’s stylist in early 2013, citing creative differences.
Christopher Chestnut, a lawyer for the hair stylist, said his client’s wigs “significantly contributed” to Minaj’s notoriety and helped her rise to fame.
 
He said the star “took a number of his popular wig designs, without his consent, and used them to start her own wig line”, resulting in at least $30m in losses.
“Her lawyers may complicate it, but we don’t need to get into intellectual-property law. “This is basic American morality. Nicki Minaj lied to this man and cheated him,” he said.

Kano Emirate’s family celebrate CBN governor Sanusi’s suspension

ChannelsTV reports that members of the Kano emirate called Dabo Family Women Association gathered today to celebrate the suspension of the CBN governor, Sanusi Lamido.

Addressing a news conference at the Emir’s palace on Saturday, a family member, Hajia Binta Sanusi, said that the suspension was “an honour done to their son who served his country truthfully and was later rewarded with mischievous allegations”.The women, comprising mothers, sisters and in-laws of the suspended apex bank governor, seemed happy even when some Nigerians have condemned the suspension.They said there was no cause for alarm, as Sanusi had proved to be trust worthy, having transformed the Nigerian economy in five years.

Heidi Klum And Seal Are Not Getting Back Together

                                                           We hate to break your hearts again, but Seal and Heidi Klum are not getting back together, despite any recent reconciliation rumors you may have heard.Seal's rep put the reports of a reunion to rest this week, telling E! News that the singer and the supermodel have not rekindled their romance in the wake of Klum's recent breakup with bodyguard boyfriend, Martin Kristen.
"Seal and Heidi have not reunited as a couple," Seal's rep told the site. "Their children will always be their priority, and their focus remains on co-parenting."
We can't say we're not disappointed. Considering how awesome their annual vowel renewal ceremonies were (their white trash wedding in 2009 is our personal favorite), that remarriage ceremony would have been a sight to behold.
The German supermodel, 40, and the 51-year-old singer were married for seven years before announcing their separation in January 2012. During the course of their marriage, Seal adopted Klum's daughter Leni, and together they had three more children: sons Henry and Johan and daughter Lou.
"While we have enjoyed seven very loving, loyal and happy years of marriage, after much soul-searching we have decided to separate," the estranged couple said in a joint statement at the time of the split.