‘Twilight’ Actor Arrested For Drunken Peeing At Airport

When you gotta go, you gotta go? Actor Bronson Pelletier was reportedly arrested at LAX Airport on Monday for public intoxication after allegedly urinating in public after being removed from a plane, reports TMZ.

The website reports that airport police responded to a call about an unruly passenger on an airplane, and when they arrived on the plane, they were told the 25-year-old actor had been creating a disturbance. According to law enforcement officials, the actor, who appeared in four of the “Twilight” movies, was removed from the plane and deemed too intoxicated to fly.

The actor was reportedly allowed to sober up and take another flight, but not before police were called again when Pelletier allegedly peed by his new gate. The actor was then arrested for public intoxication, taken to jail and released shortly after.

Pelletier joins fellow “Twilight” cast member, Kiowa Gordon, who was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol in 2011.

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REVIEW: Far Cry 3

It has been an incredible year for gaming and Far Cry 3 has ensured 2012 ends with loads of explosions and bullets whizzing through the air. After the mixed response of Far Cry 2, I am happy to say that Far Cry 3 has returned to its island roots and has overcome the hiccups experienced by its predecessor. An amalgamation of FPS, Sandbox and RPG, this descent into madness will offer you longevity and a desire to never leave this deadly paradise.

You’re introduced to Rook Island, the setting where the game takes place, through a montage of adventure and youthful exuberance. This home movie features you, Jason Brody, as well as your brothers, girlfriend and friends. The good mood is soon shattered, however, when your character is shown watching the video from behind bars, being taunted by a truly fantastic villain known as Vaas. Vaas is a pirate leader and he has taken you and your companions hostage in order to ransom you back to your families. Being the dirty, vile pirate that he is, he intends to sell you into slavery anyway. You escape but sadly your brother is killed by Vaas, which is incredibly powerful as you literally feel him dying. Subsequently you begin a personal journey to find the strength to save your friends and loved ones.

You join forces with the local tribe known as the Rakyak, who subsequently initiate you into the tribe. Their teachings and guidance help you to find the mental and emotional fortitude to accomplish your goals and more. Jason starts off as a frightened boy but the farther he falls down the rabbit hole, the more he embraces the madness that is Rook Island. You can expect a number of hallucinogenic sequences, particularly when you fight bosses. Far Cry 3 is an engaging tale about an ordinary man who will go to great lengths and sacrifice much to save those he cares about. Wonderfully interesting characters are scattered throughout your journey and each help to shape you in their own interesting and insane way. It seems sanity has abandoned Rook Island and before long you realise it has left Jason too.

From the outset you are introduced to the basic mechanics and let loose on the island. Teeming with plant and animal life (both on land and in water), the island feels alive and treacherous. Some animals are incredibly dangerous and unless you have a powerful weapon, it is better to avoid them than try and take them on. The RPG inspired crafting uses various plants and animal skins. It is very rewarding and will keep you busy as you hunt various animals for their skins. You can create things like bags, wallets and ammunition pouches. Using the various plants on the island you can make a number of injections to help you with combat, exploration or hunting. One of my favourite aspects of the game has to be swimming. The water is murky and feels completely authentic and I would have spent most of my time in the ocean if it wasn’t for the sharks.

The island is populated with radio towers and outposts. You are required to climb the radio towers and activate them in order for the stores to get more stock and reveal a section of the map. Outposts are essentially bases controlled by the enemy and in order to gain control you need to murder all of the inhabitants to take over. A large amount of time is spent doing these two activities and thankfully it only gets stale towards the end of the game. You’ll be happy to know that unlike Far Cry 2, outposts remain captured. There are also scores of side quests available, each one offering something different, which is a welcome change of pace.

The visuals and audio both work hard to draw you in. Rook Island feels natural and (madness aside) looks like you could enjoy a wonderful tropical holiday there. Bright blue water and gorgeous greenery, with frequent explosions thrown into the mix, epitomises your visual experience. The epic vistas you see from the top of radio towers educate you on how big the island truly is. Fire makes a return and is completely dynamic, taking on a life of its own. A well placed Molotov can create havoc for your enemy and for you if you don’t pay attention. The sound was truly phenomenal and the game's voice acting is of the highest quality. My favourite feature, however, was the music, which was unique to each mission and mirrored your actions. For example: burning marijuana fields while awesome Reggae beats grace your ears, which seemed appropriate. When the music picks up you feel empowered and it gives you the 'oomph' you need to conquer any obstacle.

The single player alone clocks in at around 15-30 hours depending on how much of a completionist you are. Far Cry 3 also offers a large range of multiplayer modes to add value and extend your game time. This includes a wonderful four player co-operative mode. It has its own unique story and characters but being swarmed by pirates and completing objectives reminded me of Left 4 Dead. It felt very familiar which to be honest, is not necessarily a bad thing. There are a staggering amount of unlocks available through an experience system. The unlocks include weapons, support weapons, perks, accessories and even battle cries to help change the tide of battle. At the end of each map the best player on the winning team has the option to punish or show mercy to the top losing player, a nice touch and an interesting ego boost...or humbling experience.

Many gamers are still trying to catch up with all the incredible releases this year and Far Cry 3 certainly doesn’t make our lives any easier. Its compelling story, gorgeous visuals, powerful soundtrack and rewarding game play make this one of the best FPS games of the year. Far Cry 3 is more than likely an indication of what is to come within the genre, going beyond simple point and shoot to create an engaging rich experience with loads to offer. I for one am happy about this. Far Cry 3 is one of those games you cannot afford to miss.



source:howzit

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Nollywood Heartthrob Ramsey Nouah

The film industry in Africa is blessed with an abundance of talent. From Nigeria through to Kenya, South Africa and Ghana, the continent continues to produce quality actors and actresses. Year in year out, Africa’s impressive database of screen lords and goddesses increases with an appreciable level of quality, style and presentation.

So it is no wonder that Nollywood, Africa’s most successful movie industry (at least for now), is getting all the applause from across the divide of the filmmaking world. From very humble beginnings to its present state, Nollywood has stated its case as a global force to reckon with. In an impressive string of good results posted over the decade, the Nigerian film industry, despite its problems, is still leading the rest of the pack, in a clear unassailable manner that would take the rest of the continent to catch up.

Countries like Ghana, South Africa and Kenya are giving Nollywood a hot chase but given the fact that numerical advantage would always favour the Nigerian film industry, it makes it hard to even suggest or try to explain that, all others can or may catch up in terms of revenue flow. Nollywood will be around for a long time to come, and its key payers including the actors and actresses will ensure that.

Ramsey Adetokunbo Nouah is undoubtedly one of Nigeria’s most successful actors. To say that Nouah is a cult figure in Nigeria, would be stating the obvious, and to imply that he is one of Africa’s finest actors of all time, would echo the thoughts of many movie lovers across the continent. In the early 2000s when the Nigerian movie industry began making strategic inroads into other African countries, it was the likes of Nouah, Genevieve Nnaji, Liz Bension and Pete Edoche among others, who graced the screens.

Those days, it was pretty hard to come across a Nigerian movie without a certain Nouah. He constantly featured in almost all of the titles that were produced at the time, becoming a figure most young people would look up to. The respect and quantum of appreciation he earned from fans and industry players alike, aided his gradual growth to the top of what can be said to be, in all fairness, a career well lived.

And even though the film industry in Nigeria has gone through phases, accommodating other young hopeful, and carefully placing the likes of Ramsey in the backroom, he’s managed to go through all that unscathed, holding on to what he’s been known for over the years – quality. A career full of awards and accolades, the 39 year-old actor debuted on the local scene, with his appearance in the soap opera Fortunes.

Around 1990, a friend who had always dreamt of seeing Ramsey act, urged him on to try auditioning for a role in Fortunes. A year later, he found himself as one of key actors in the series. Fortunes, which later became Mega Fortunes, aired in 1993 on the Nigerian Television Authority, and to a larger extent, gave birth to what is currently referred to as Nigerian Home Videos.

Nouah would later go on to achieve nationwide fame, as one script after the another from major film production houses poured in. As many as they came, Nouah made good use of them, proving the fine actor he is. Born in Edo, Nigeria to an Iranian/Israeli father and a Yoruba mother, Nouah has featured in over hundred Nigerian movies notable among them being Dangerous Twins, and The Figurine, which won him a, 2010, Best Actor in a Leading Role recognition at the African Movie Academy Awards.



source:msnafrican

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Gunmen Abduct Nkiru Sylvanus, Demand N100m Ransom

A Cry For Help’ actress, Nkiru Sylvanus, who is also the Senior Special Adviser to the Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha on Public Affairs, was on Saturday night abducted by gunmen.

The Nollywood actress was kidnapped by armed men numbering about eight at a location in Owerri, Imo State capital.

It was gathered that the kidnappers were already asking for N100 million as ransom for the actress to regain her freedom.

According to a source, Nkiru has been in Owerri for the past five weeks where she was working on two projects – a documentary on Okorocha, to highlight his achievements in the last one year and a movie on reincarnation being shot by actor cum producer, Obi Okoli.

This incident took place in Owerri on Saturday. In the past couple of weeks, Nkiru has been a regular face on the streets of the state capital which may have prompted the plot to abduct her. She is in fact working on two projects at the moment. One is a documentary while the other is a movie she is playing a sub-lead role in.

Because of these jobs, she has been around, working. Of course, she is a popular person, which is why her presence on these locations would not go unnoticed,” a source told our correspondent.

The story of the kidnap of the actress, which jolted Owerri residents, is also making the government of Imo State restless, considering the efforts the governor has made in the recent past to stem cases of kidnapping in his domain.


source:mirror

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Revealed: I’m not competing with Davido –Wizkid

About my career

Although I am hardworking, I would not be where I am today if God had not made it possible. It has been hard work all the way. I am just thankful to God. Initially, I prayed to God to bless my work. I have always believed in hard work. If you work hard, you will be rewarded. I just kept working hard and staying on my lane and doing my thing. I wouldn’t say I saw this success coming. But I kept praying to God to make it happen for me and He did. I don’t intend to stop now, just because I have achieved this ‘little’ success. I am just on my first album.  I am not fulfilled yet. I am not even close to getting fulfilled. I have not started anything. I feel that God has a big plan for me. I have to live up to expectation. That is why I am always working. My album is ready. I dropped my album last year. It is going to be another two years before I release another one. The new album reflects a more mature Wizkid at work. I will be involved in a number of collaborations.

About Empire Mate Entertainment

I am not a greedy person. I am very open with the people I work with. All the people on the EME label act like members of one family. What we have is not just a working relationship. I am not scared or worried about the other artistes signed on to EME. When Banky W and I started the records label, our dream was to make EME an empire. It was after my album became successful that we started having new artistes. If Banky W didn’t pull me up, I wouldn’t be where I am today. It is all about talent at EME. There is no rivalry here. That is not how we work. Before I release any song, I let my label mates listen to it. Even if there is a beat I have, I let them listen to it. This is a family thing. We work together. There is no rivalry among us. If we had any competition, it would not augur well for the growth of the label. All we have is love. I am grateful to God for taking us this far. We are not competing with anybody, even outside EME. We are doing our thing and getting our money.

Davido and I

There is certainly no friction between Davido and I. We are friends, just as I am friendly with other Nigerian artistes. I think some people are just saying what comes to their minds. When I emerged as a singer, people were comparing me with Wande Coal. The sky is big enough for every bird to fly.  He (Davido) has not stolen my fans. Nobody has said that he has lured my fans away. I am still performing at shows and getting well paid for it. I am not competing with him either. My fans still show me love. But then, in Nigeria, all of us actually have the same fans. If I mount the stage, people will scream. They will do the same thing if Tuface appears on stage, too. This shows that the sky is big enough for all of us. You cannot be alone in the music industry. We need more people. This is not a one-man show.

My kind of music

When I go into the studio, I try to record a song that would sound different when you play it in a nightclub or on the radio station. I had to create my own type of music. I had expected people to think of my music as different from what they are used to.

Occasional regrets

It is not often that I wish I wasn’t involved in entertainment. But when I think of not doing what I used to do anymore, I feel bad. I cannot walk freely on the streets again. But then, the other rewards I get from being an artiste make up for such moments. You cannot have everything at once.

Back to school

I have planned my career. If I have to go back to school, it means I have to study music business. I want to learn more about my business. Although I have my lawyers handling stuff for me now, I really want to know more about music. If I have to have my own company in future, I will be able to handle it. Definitely, I will go back to school one day. Right now, everything is fine. If I have to go back to school, it has to be on a part time basis. I have concerts to attend and I am always going on tour. It will be difficult for me to go back to school and study full time.

Music fans

I feel blessed when people cluster around me. Although it can get crazy sometimes, it is still a blessing. I used to walk freely on the streets before and nobody gave me attention. But the story has changed now and I think it is a good thing. I don’t have to feel bad about it.

No love child

It was rumoured that I had a love child. Even if I had a child, I don’t think it is something I should be ashamed of. Instead, I would come out plainly and declare that I am a father. Everybody makes mistakes. But it was just a false rumour. I don’t have a child anywhere. Besides, women hang around every male artiste. It comes with the job. Girls will definitely fall in love with any successful musician. They may find you attractive just because you are talented. I handle women my own way.

Aspiration

I want to be a good father to my children when the time comes. I intend to have a great family. Right now, I am working to have a better life. I always try to plan ahead. It is too early to ask me if I have seen the woman I would spend the rest of my life with. I am not even involved in any relationship.

My family

My family gives me plenty of support and love. They are always with me. When problems come, they are the ones I run to.

Managing fame

I know that many people have not been able to manage fame. So they get hooked on hard drugs and other vices. People don’t know that I am under pressure most of the time. In spite of this, I have managed to go this far.

Music business in Nigeria

Music business should be for those who have the talent. Many people think music is just a very easy way of getting out of the streets and making money. Some think it is a short cut to popularity. But there is more to it. You can be great in whatever you set out to do as long as you are talented. You can make shoes and you can become an international shoemaker. You can be an international caterer. You must not follow the bandwagon. People are just biased. They feel they can sing in the studio. If it is not God’s plan for them, it won’t work. Some of my colleagues are in the wrong business. But the presence of such people will always make you look good in the industry. We need such people around so that people will see the better ones and know that they are really good.

EME Concert

This is different from the concerts we are used to having in the country. The concert is coming up very soon in Lagos. We are bringing in a lot of things on the stage. We want to make sure that we have a great show. Other guest artistes will also perform at the concert. Definitely, the whole EME stars will be on the stage. The idea to have this show was a collective thing. Expect lots of fun at the show.

source:punch

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Rita Dominic Clinches Actress Of The Year Award In Kenya

The awards just keep pouring in for sultry nollywood diva, Rita Dominic as she added another award to her trophies cabinet yesterday in far away Kenya. Miss Dominic was announced the winner of the best actress of the year category at the Kalasha Film and Television Awards held in Nairobi, Kenya.

The gap-toothed talented thespian won the award which is organized by the Kenyan Film Commission, at the expense of two Kenyans; Patricia Kihoro and Joan Amara. Again, her role in the Kenyan movie, ‘Shattered’ earned her the highly coveted award. Other actresses nominated in the same award category were Patricia Kihoro for her role in the film ‘Miss Nobody’ and Joan Amara for her role in the movie ‘Miss Pathetic’.

The UniPort Theatre Arts graduate will look back on a successful year where she won the best actress in a leading role at the 2012 AMAA awards for her role in the movie ‘Shattered’ and FAB awards’ most stylish actress of the year – with smiles.

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Etisalat sponsored Nigerian Idol 3 Hits TV Screens December 16

Okay everyone, the search for Nigeria’s favourite singer has gone through Abuja, Port-Harcourt, Owerri, Benin, and Lagos. The contestants are ready, Etisalat is ready, we hope you’re ready because Nigerian Idol is hitting your TV screens as from the 16^th of December 2012, so get ready to see fresh new talent as well as some old faces who didn’t quite make it from last season. And let’s not forget the funnies. 

This season’s edition of the reality show will commence airing on local TV stations like STV, NTA Network and AIT Network, as well as on DSTV (Soundcity) and OnTV. Contestants who made it through the different audition stages in the country will each have the opportunity to compete on the Idol stage for a chance to be crowned the voice of tomorrow.

Head, Events and Sponsorships, Etisalat Nigeria, Ms. Modupe Thani said that the time of waiting had finally come to an end as Nigerians will get to see the high points of the all the auditions and witness an array of music talents throughout the duration of the show. 

“Nigerians should brace themselves for a music show like never before seen. The bar has been raised this year in all aspects of the show; from the stage, to the judges and of course the calibre of talents. We guarantee nothing but the best in entertainment,” Thani said. “Viewers can also participate in the show by logging on to Etisalat FaceBook and Twitter pages to find out how to win various competition prizes courtesy of Etisalat,” Thani added.

This year’s competition has on-board Afro-beat legend, Femi Kuti as part of the judges alongside Yinka Davies and Jeffery Daniels with Ill Rhymz as host. Total prize for season three winner is a whooping twenty million Naira which will be made up of 7.5 million Naira cash, 7.5 million naira record contract and brand new SUV. The first runner up will be presented with 1.5 million naira and a saloon car which will be presented by Etisalat.

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55th Annual Grammy Awards Nominations And Complete List With Jay Z and Kanye Toping the List

The Grammy Awards celebrated the diversity of music as six different artists tied for top nominee — Kanye West, Jay-Z, Frank Ocean, Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys, Mumford & Sons and fun.
Auerbach received five nominations as a member of the Keys and also is up for producer of the year, earning a spot with the others at the top of the list. The Black Keys, Miguel and legendary artist Chick Corea, landed five nominations, while Nas, producer Jeff Bhasker and engineer Bob Ludwig are up for four nominations.

The top nominations for Jay-Z and West, two of hip-hop’s most prominent figures, is a familiar refrain; each has routinely been at or near the top of the nominations list for the last several years.
The the 55th Annual Grammy Awards are slated to take place February 10th and will air live from the Staples Center on CBS, will see awards handed out in 81 categories.

Full nominees list below:

Album of the Year

• El Camino, The Black Keys
• Some Nights, fun.
• Babel, Mumford & Sons
• Channel Orange, Frank Ocean
• Blunderbuss, Jack White

Record of the Year

• “Lonely Boy,” The Black Keys
• “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You),” Kelly Clarkson
• “We Are Young,” fun. featuring Janelle Monáe
• “Somebody That I Used to Know,” Gotye featuring Kimbra
• “Thinkin’ Bout You,” Frank Ocean
• “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” Taylor Swift

Song of the Year

• “The A Team,” Ed Sheeran (Writer: Ed Sheeran)
• “Adorn,” Miguel (Writers: Miguel Pimentel)
• “Call Me Maybe,” Carly Rae Jepsen (Writers: Tavish Crowe, Carly Rae Jepsen and Josh Ramsay)
• “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You),” Kelly Clarkson (Writer: Jörgen Elofsson, David Gamson, Greg Kurstin and Ali Tamposi)
• “We Are Young,” fun. featuring Janelle Monáe (Writers: Jack Antonoff, Jeff Bhasker, Andrew Dost and Nate Ruess)

Best New Artist

• Alabama Shakes
• fun.
• Hunter Hayes
• The Lumineers
• Frank Ocean

Best Pop Solo Performance

• “Set Fire to the Rain (Live),” Adele
• “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You),” Kelly Clarkson
• “Call Me Maybe,” Carly Rae Jepsen
• “Wide Awake,” Katy Perry
• “Where Have You  Been,” Rihanna

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance

• “Shake It Out,” Florence + the Machine
• “We Are Young,” fun. featuring Janelle Monáe
• “Somebody That I Used to Know,” Gotye featuring Kimbra
• “Sexy and I Know It,” LMFAO
• “Payphone,” Maroon 5 and Wiz Khalifa

Best Pop Instrumental Album

• 24/7, Gerald Albright and Norman Brown
• Impressions, Chris Botti
• Four Hands and a Heart, Volume One, Larry Carlton
• Live at the Blue Note Tokyo, Dave Koz
• Rumbadoodle, Arun Shenoy

Best Pop Vocal Album

• Stronger, Kelly Clarkson
• Ceremonials, Florence + the Machine
• Some Nights, fun.
• Overexposed, Maroon 5
• The Truth About Love, Pink

Best Dance Recording

• “Levels,” Avicii
• “Let’s Go,” Calvin Harris featuring Ne-Yo
• “Bangarang,” Skrillex featuring Sirah
• “Don’t You Worry Child,” Swedish House Mafia featuring John Martin
• “I Can’t Live Without You,” Al Waiser

Best Dance/Electronica Album

• Wonderland, Steve Aoki
• Don’t Think, The Chemical Brothers
• >Album Title Goes Here<, Deadmau5
• Fire and Ice, Kaskade
• Bangarang, Skrillex

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album

• Christmas, Michael Bublé
• A Holiday Carole, Carole King
• Kisses on the Bottom, Paul McCartney

Best Rock Performance

• “Hold On,” Alabama Shakes
• “Lonely Boy,” The Black Keys
• “Charlie Brown,” Coldplay
• “I Will Wait,” Mumford & Sons
• “We Take Care of Our Own,” Bruce Springsteen

Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance

• “I’m Alive,” Anthrax
  
• “Love Bites (So Do I),” Halestorm
  
• “Blood Brothers,” Iron Maiden
  
• “Ghost Walking,” Lamb of God
  
• “No Reflection,” Marilyn Manson
• “Whose Life (Is It Anyways)?”, Megadeth

Best Rock Song

• “Freedom at 21,” Jack White (Writers: Jack White)
• “I Will Wait,” Mumford & Sons (Writer: Ted Dwane, Ben Lovett, Winston Marshall and Marcus Mumford)
• “Lonely Boy,” The Black Keys (Writers: Dan Auerbach, Brian Burton and Patrick Carney)
• “Madness,” Muse (Writers: Matthew Bellamy)
• “We Take Care of Our Own,” Bruce Springsteen (Writers: Bruce Springsteen)

Best Rock Album

• El Camino, The Black Keys
• Mylo Xyloto, Coldplay
• The Second Law, Muse
• Wrecking Ball, Bruce Springsteen
• Blunderbuss, Jack White

Best Alternative Music Album

• The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do, Fiona Apple
• Biofilia, Björk
• Making Mirrors, Gotye
• Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming, M83
• Bad As Me, Tom Waits

Best R&B Performance

• “Thank You,” Estelle
• “Gonna Be Alright (F.T.B),” Robert Glasper Experiment featuring Ledisi
• “I Want You,” Luke James
• “Adorn,” Miguel
• “Climax,” Usher

Best Urban Contemporary Album

• Fortune, Chris Brown
• Kaleidoscope Dream, Miguel
• Channel Orange, Frank Ocean

Best Traditional R&B Performance

• “Lately,” Anita Baker
• “Love on Top,” Beyoncé
• “Wrong Side of a Love Song,” Melanie Fiona
• “Real Good Hands,” Gregory Porter
• “If Only You Knew,” SWV

Best R&B Song

• “Adorn,” Miguel (Writers: Miguel)
• “Beautiful Surprise,” Tamia (Writers: Tamia Hill, Claude Kelly and Salaam Remi)
• “Heart Attack,” Trey Songz (Writer: Benjamin Levin, Rico Love and Tremaine Neverson)
• “Pray for Me,” Anthony Hamilton (Writers: Antonio Dixon, Kenny Edmonds, Anthony Hamilton and Patrick “jQue” Smith)
• “Refill,” Elle Varner (Writers: Darhyl “DJ” Camper, Elle Varner and Andrew “Pop” Wansel)

Best R&B Album

• Black Radio, Robert Glasper Experiment
• Back to Love, Anthony Hamilton
• Write Me Back, R. Kelly
• Beautiful Surprise, Tamia
• Open Invitation, Tyrese

Best Rap Performance

• “HYFR (Hell Yeah F–king Right),” Drake featuring Lil Wayne
  
• “N—-s in Paris,” Kanye West and Jay-Z
• “Daughters,” Nas
• “Mercy,” Kanye West featuring Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz
• “I Do,” Young Jeezy featuring Jay-Z and André 3000

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration

• “Wild Ones,” Flo Rida featuring Sia
• “No Church in the Wild,” Kanye West and Jay-Z featuring Frank Ocean and The-Dream
• “Tonight (Best You Ever Had),” John Legend featuring Ludacris
• “Cherry Wine,” Nas featuring Amy Winehouse
• “Talk That Talk,” Rihanna featuring Jay-Z

Best Rap Song

• “Daughters,” Nas (Writers: Nasir Jones and Ernest Wilson)
• “Lotus Flower Bomb,” Wale featuring Miguel (Writers:Olubowale Akintimehin, S. Joseph Dew, Jerrin Howard, Walker Johnson and Miguel
  Jontel Pimentel)
• “Mercy,” Kanye West featuring Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz (Writers: Sean Anderson, Tauheed Epps, Stephan Taft, James Thomas, Terrence Thornton and Kanye West)
• “The Motto,” Drake featuring Lil Wayne (Writers: Dwayne Carter, Aubrey Graham and Tyler Williams)
• “N—-s in Paris,” Kanye West and Jay-Z (Writers: Shawn Carter, Mike Dean, Chauncey Hollis and Kanye West)
• “Young, Wild and Free,” Wiz Khalifa and Snoop Dogg featuring Bruno Mars (Writers: Calvin Broadus, Chris Brody Brown, Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, Peter Hernandez and Cameron Thomaz)

Best Rap Album

• Take Care, Drake
• Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album, Pt. 1, Lupe Fiasco
• Life Is Good, Nas
• Undone, The Roots
• God Forgives, I Don’t, Rick Ross
• Based on a T.R.U. Story, 2 Chainz

Bset Country Solo Performance

• “Home,” Dierks Bentley
• “Springsteen,” Eric Church
• “Cost of Livin’,” Ronnie Dunn
• “Wanted,” Hunter Hayes
• “Over,” Blake Shelton
• “Blown Away,” Carrie Underwood

Best Country Duo/Group Performance

• “Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” Eli Young Band
• “Pontoon,” Little Big Town
• “Safe and Sound,” Taylor Swift and The Civil Wars
• “On the Outskirts of Town,” The Time Jumpers
• “I Just Come Here for the Music,” Don Williams featuring Alison Krauss

Best Country Song

• “Blown Away,” Carrie Underwood (Writers: Josh Kear and Chris Tompkins)
• “Cost of Livin’,” Ronnie Dunn (Writers: Phillip Coleman and Ronnie Dunn)
• “Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” Eli Young Band (Writers: Will Hoge and Eric Paslay)
• “So You Don’t Have to Love Me Anymore,” Alan Jackson (Writers: Jay Knowles and Adam Wright)
• “Springsteen,” Eric Church (Writers: Eric Church, Jeff Hyde and Ryan Tyndell)

Best Country Album

• Uncaged, Zac Brown Band
• Hunter Hayes, Hunter Hayes
• Living For a Song: A Tribute to Hank Cochran, Jamey Johnson
• Four the Record, Miranda Lambert
• The Time Jumpers, The Time Jumpers

Best New Age Album

• Echoes of Love, Omar Akram
  
• Live Ananda, Krishna Das
  
• Bindu, Michael Brant DeMaria
  
• Deep Alpha, Steven Halpern
  
• Light Body, Peter Kater
  
• Troubadours On the Rhine, Loreena McKennitt

Best Improvised Jazz Solo

• “Cross Roads,” Ravi Coltrane
  
• “Hot House,” Gary Burton and Chick Corea
• “Alice in Wonderland,” Chick Corea
• “J. Mac,” Kenny Garrett
• “Ode,” Brad Mehldau

Best Jazz Vocal Album

• Soul Shadows, Denise Donatelli
• 1619 Broadway: The Brill Building Project, Kurt Elling
• Live, Al Jarreau (And The Metropole Orkest)
• The Book of Chet, Luciana Souza
• Radio Music Society, Esperanza Spalding

Best Jazz Instrumental Album

• Further Explorations, Chick Corea, Eddie Gomez and Paul Motian
• Hot House, Chick Corea and Gary Burton
• Seeds From the Underground, Kenny Garrett
• Blue Moon, Ahmad Jamal
• Unity Band, Pat Metheny Unity Band

Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album

• Centennial: Newly Discovered Works of Gil Evans, Gil Evans Project
• For the Moment, Bob Mintzer Big Band
• Dear Diz (Everyday I Think of You), Arturo Sandoval

Best Latin Jazz Album

• Flamenco Sketches, Chano Domínguez
• ¡Ritmo!, The Clare Fischer Latin Jazz Big Band
• Multiverse, Bobby Sanabria Big Band
• Duos III, Luciana Souza
• New Cuban Express, Manuel Valera New Cuban Express

Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance

• “Jesus, Friend of Sinners,” Casting Crowns
• “Take Me to the King,” Tamela Mann
• “Go Get It,” Mary Mary
• “10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord),” Matt Redman
• “My Testimony,” Marvin Sapp

Best Gospel Song

• “Go Get It,” Mary Mary (Writer: Erica Campbell, Tina Campbell and Warryn Campbell)
  
• “Hold On,”James Fortune and FIYA, Monica and Fred Hammond (Writers: Cheryl Fortune, James Fortune and Terence Vaughn)
• “I Feel Good,” Fred Hammond (Writer: Phillip Feaster, Fred Hammond, Jonathan Miller and Calvin Rodgers)
• “My Testimony,” Marvin Sapp (Writer: Aaron Lindsey and Marvin Sapp)
• “Released,” Bill Winston and Living Word Featuring Donald Lawrence (Writer: Donald Lawrence)

Best Contemporary Christian Music Song

• “Jesus, Friend of Sinners,” Casting Crowns (Writer: Mark Hall and Matthew West)
• “10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord),” Matt Redman (Writers: Jonas Myrin and Matt Redman)
• “When Mercy Found Me,” Rhett Walker Band (Writers: Jeff Pardo and Rhett Walker)
• “White Flag,” Passion and Chris Tomlin (Writer: Jason Ingram, Matt Maher, Matt Redman and Chris Tomlin)
• “Your Presence is Heaven,” Israel and New Breed (Writers: Israel Houghton and Micah Massey)

Best Gospel Album

• Identity, James Fortune and FIYA
• Jesus at the Center Live, Israel and New Breed
• Gravity, Lecrae
• I Win, Marvin Sapp
• Worship Soul, Anita Wilson

Best Contemporary Christian Music Album

• Come to the Well, Casting Crowns
• Where I Find You, Kari Jobe
• Gold, Britt Nicole
• Eye on It, TobyMac
• Into the Light, Matthew West

Best Latin Pop, Rock or Urban Album

• Independiente, Ricardo Arjona
• Ilusión, Fonseca
• Kany Garcia, Kany Garcia
• ¿Con Quién Se Queda El Perro?, Jesse Y Joy
• MTV Unplugged Deluxe Edition, Juanes

Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album

• Campo, Campo
• Déjenme Llorar, Carla Morrison
• Imaginaries, Quetzal
• Electro-Jarocho, Sistema Bomb
• La Bala, Ana Tijoux

Best Regional Mexican or Tejano Album

• Pecados Y Milagros, Lila Downs
• Sembrando Flores, Los Cojolites
• 365 Días, Los Tucanes De Tijuana
• Oye, Mariachi Divas De Cindy Shea
• El Primer Ministro, Gerardo Ortiz

Best Tropical Latin Album

• Cubano Soy, Raúl Lara Y Sus Soneros
• Desde Nueva York Y Puerto Rico, Eddie Montalvo
• Retro, Marlow Rosado Y La Riqueña
• Formula Vol. 1, Romeo Santos

Best Americana Album

• The Carpenter, The Avett Brothers
  
• From the Ground Up, John Fullbright
  
• The Lumineers, The Lumineers
  
• Babel, Mumford & Sons
  
• Slipstream, Bonnie Raitt
  

Best Bluegrass Album

• The Gospel Side Of, Dailey and Vincent
  
• Life Finds a Way, The Grascals
  
• Beat the Devil and Carry a Rail, Noam Pikelny
  
• Scratch Gravel Road, Special Consensus
• Nobody Knows You, Steep Canyon Rangers

Best Blues Album

• 33 1/3, Shemekia Copeland
  
• Locked Down, Dr. John
• Let It Burn, Ruthie Foster
  
• And Still I Rise, Heritage Blues Orchestra
  
• Bring It On Home, Joan Osborne
  

Best Folk Album

• Leaving Eden, Carolina Chocolate Drops
• Election Special, Ry Cooder
• Hambone’s Meditations, Luther Dickinson
• The Great Rodeo Sessions, Yo-Yo Ma, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer and Chris Thile
• This One’s For Him: A Tribute to Guy Clark, Various Artists

Best Regional Roots Music Album

• Malama Ko Aloha, Keola Beamer
  
• She Kéyah, Radmilla Cody
  
• Pilialoha, Weldon Kekauoha
  
• Nothin’ But the Best, Corey Ledet With Anthony Dopsie, Dwayne Dopsie And André Thierry
  
• The Band Courtbouillon, Wayne Toups, Steve Riley and Wilson Savoy

Best Reggae Album

• Rebirth, Jimmy Cliff
  
• Miracle, The Original Wailers
  
• Tomahawk Technique, Sean Paul
  
• New Legend-Jamaica 50th Edition, Sly and Robbie and The Jam Masters
  
• Reggae Got Soul: Unplugged on Strawberry Hill, Toots And The Maytals
  

Best World Music Album

• Folila, Amadou and Mariam
  
• On a Gentle Island Breeze, Daniel Ho
  
• Jabulani, Hugh Masekela
  
• Traveller, Anoushka Shankar
  
• The Living Room Sessions Part 1, Ravi Shankar

Best Children’s Album

• Can You Canoe?, The Okee Dokee Brothers
• High Dive and Other Things That Could Have Happened, Bill Harley
• Jumpin’ Jazz Kids: A Swinging Jungle Tale, James Murray and Various Artists
• Little Seed: Songs for Children, Elizabeth Mitchell
• Radio Jungle, The Pop Ups

Best Spoken Word Album (Includes Poetry, Audio Books and Story Telling)

• American Grown (Michelle Obama), Various Artists
• Back to Work: Why We Need a Smart Government for a Strong Economy, Bill Clinton
• Drift: The Unmooring of American Military Power, Rachel Maddow
• Seriously…I’m Kidding, Ellen DeGeneres
• Society’s Child: My Autobiography, Janis Ian

Best Comedy Album

• Blow Your Pants Off, Jimmy Fallon
  
• Cho Dependent (Live in Concert), Margaret Cho
  
• In God We Rust, Lewis Black.
  
• Kathy Griffin: Seaman 1st Class, Kathy Griffin
  
• Mr. Universe, Jim Gaffigan
  
• Rize of the Fenix, Tenacious D

Best Musical Theater Album

• Follies, Danny Burstein, Jan Maxwell, Elaine Paige, Bernadette Peters and Ron Raines
  
• The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess, David Alan Grier, Norm Lewis and Audra McDonald
  
• Newsies, Jeremy Jordan and Kara Lindsay
  
• Nice Work If You Can Get It, Matthew Broderick and Kelli O’Hara
• Once: A New Musical, Steve Kazee and Cristin Milioti

Best Compilation Sountrack for Visual Media

• The Descendents, Varous Artists
  
• Marley, Bob Marley and the Wailers
  
• Midnight in Paris, Various Artists
  
• The Muppets, Various Artists
  
• Rock of Ages, Various Artists
  

Best Score Sountrack for Visual Media

• The Adventures of Tin Tin: The Secret of the Unicorn, Josh Williams
  
• The Artist, Ludovic Bource
  
• The Dark Knight Rises, Hans Zimmer
  
• The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
  
• Hugo, Howard Shore
  
• Journey, Austin Wintory

Best Song Written for Visual Media

• “Abraham’s Daughter,” from The Hunger Games, Arcade Fire (Writer: T Bone Burnett, Win Butler and Régine Chassagne)
• “Learn Me Right,” from Brave, Mumford & Sons (Writers: Birdy and Mumford & Sons)
• “Let Me Be Your Star,” from Smash, Katharine McPhee and Megan Hilty (Writers: Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman)
• “Man or Muppet,” from The Muppets, Jason Segel and Walter (Writer: Bret McKenzie)
• “Where the River Goes,” from Footloose, Zac Brown (Writers: Zac Brown, Wyatt Durrette, Drew Pearson and Anne Preven)
• “Safe and Sound,” from The Hunger Games, Taylor Swift and The Civil Wars (Writer: T Bone Burnett, Taylor Swift, John Paul White and Joy Williams)

Best Instrumental Composition

• “December Dream,” Chuck Loeb
• “Mozart Goes Dancing,” Chick Corea
• “Music of Ansel Adams: America,” Chris Brubeck and Dave Brubeck
• “Overture, Waltz and Rondo,” Bill Cunliffe
• “Without a Paddle,” Bill Holman

Best Instrumental Arrangement

• “Afro-Cuban Jazz Beat for Ellington,” Michael Philip Mossman
• “How About You,” Gil Evans
• “Irrequietor,” Bob Mintzer
• “A Night in Tunisia,” Wally Minko
• “Salt Peanuts,” Gordon Goodwin

Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s)

• “City of Roses,” Thara Memory and Esperanza Spalding
• “Look to the Rainbow,” Gil Evans
• “Out There,” Shelly Berg
• “Spain (I Can Recall),” Vince Mendoza
• “Wild Is the Wind,” Nan Schwartz

Best Recording Package

• “Biophilia,” Bjork
• “Boys and Girls,” Alabama Shakes
• “Charmer,” Aimee Mann
• “Love This Giant,” David Byrne and St. Vincent
• “Swing Lo Magellan,” Dirty Projectors

Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package

• The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Rob Sheridan
  
• Go Fly a Kite, Liz Kweller
  
• Ram: Paul McCartney Archive Collection, Simon Earith and James Musgrave
  
• Some Girls: Super Deluxe Edition, Stephen Kennedy
  
• Woody at 100, Fritz Klaetke
  

Best Album Notes

• Banjo Diary: Lessons From Tradition, Stephen Wade
  
• First Recordings: 50th Anniversary Edition, Hans Olof Gottfridsson
  
• The Pearl Sessions, Holly George-Warren
  
• Piazzolla in Brooklyn, Fernando Gonzalez
  
• Singular Genius: Complete ABC Singles, Billy Vera
  

Best Historical Album

• He Is My Story: The Sanctified Soul of Arizona Dranes, Josh Rosenthal
  
• Old-Time Smoky Mountain Music, Kent Cave, Michael Montgomery and Ted Olson
  
• Opika Pende: Africa at 78 RPM, Steven Lance Ledbetter and Jonathan Ward
• Ram: The Paul McCartney Archive Collection, Paul McCartney
• The Smile Sessions, Alan Boyd, Mark Linett, Brian Wilson and Dennis Wolfe
  

Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical

• The Absence, Moogie Canazio and Al Schmitt
  
• Ashes and Fire, Glyn Johns
  
• The Goat Rodeo Sessions, Richard King
  
• Love Is a Four Lettered Word, Joe Chiccarelli, Steve Churchyard, Lars Fox, Graham Hope, Tony Maserati and Morgan Stratton
• Slingshot, Helik Hadar
  

Producer of the Year, Non-Classical

• Dan Auerbach
• Jeff Bhasker
• Diplo
• Markus Dravs
• Salaam Remi

Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical

• “In My Mind (Axwell Remix),” Axel Hedfors
• “Lie Down in Darkness (Photek Remix),” Photek
• “Midnight City (Eric Prydz Private Remix),” Eric Prydz
• “Promises (Skrillex and Nero Mix),” Skrillex
• “The Veldt (Tommy Trash remix),” Thomas Olsen

Best Surround Sound Album

• Chamberland, David Miles Huber
  
• Modern Cool, Jim Anderson
  
• Quiet Winter Night, Morten Lindberg
  
• Rupa-Khandha, Daniel Shores
  
• Storm Corrosion, Steven Wilson
  

Best Engineered Album, Classical

• Americana, Daniel Shores
  
• Beethoven: The Late String Quartets, Op. 127 and 131, Bruce Egre
  
• Life and Breath, Tom Caulfield and John Newton
  
• Music For a Time of War, Jesse Lewis and John Newton
  
• Souvenir, Morten Lindberg
  

Best Producer of the Year, Classical

• Blanton Alspaugh
  
• Tim Handley
• Marina Ledin, Victor Ledin
• James Mallinson
• Dan Merceruio

Best Orchestral Performance

• “Adams: Harmonielehre and Short Ride In A Fast Machine,” Michael Tilson Thomas
• “Mahler: Symphony No. 1,” Iván Fischer
• “Music For a Time of War,” Carlos Kalmar
• “Rachmaninov: Symphonic Dances,” Valery Gergiev
• “Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 2 and 5,” Osmo Vänskä

Best Opera Recording

• “Berg: Lulu,” Michael Boder
  
• “Handel: Agrippina,” René Jacobs
• “Stravinsky: The Rake’s Progress,” Vladimir Jurowski
• “Vivaldi: Teuzzone,” Jordi Savall
• “Wagner: Der Ring Des Nibelungen,” James Levine and Fabio Luisi

Best Choral Performance

• “Handel: Israel In Egypt,” Julian Wachner
• “Life and Breath-Choral Works By René Clausen,” Charles Bruffy
• “Ligeti: Requiem; Apparitions; San Francisco Polyphony,” Peter Eötvös
• “The Nightingale,” Stephen Layton
• “Striggio: Mass For 40 and 60 Voices,” Hervé Niquet

Best Small Ensemble Performance

• “Americana,” Modern Mandolin Quartet
• “Meanwhile,” Eighth Blackbird
• “Mind Meld,” ZOFO Duet
• “Profanes Et Sacrées,” Boston Symphony Chamber Players
• “Rupa-Khandha,” Los Angeles Percussion Quartet

Best Classical Instrumental Solo

• “Bach: Das Wohltemperierte Clavier,” András Schiff
• “The Complete Harpsichord Works Of Rameau,” Jory Vinikour
• “Gál & Elgar: Cello Concertos,” Claudio Cruz
• “Holst: The Planets,” Hansjörg Albrecht
• “Kurtág and Ligeti: Music For Viola,” Kim Kashkashian

Best Classical Vocal Solo

• “Debussy: Clair De Lune,” Natalie Dessay
• “Homecoming-Kansas City Symphony Presents Joyce DiDonato,” Joyce DiDonato
• “Paris Days, Berlin Nights,” Ute Lemper
• “Poèmes,” Renée Fleming
• “Sogno Barocco,” Anne Sofie Von Otter

Best Classical Compendium

• “Partch: Bitter Music,” Partch
• “Penderecki: Fonogrammi; Horn Concerto; Partita; The Awakening Of Jacob; Anaklasis,” Antoni Wit
• “Une Fête Baroque,” Emmanuelle Haïm

Best Contemporary Classical Composition

• “Hartke, Stephen: Meanwhile – Incidental Music To Imaginary Puppet Plays,” Stephen Hartke
• “León, Tania: Inura For Voices, Strings and Percussion,” Tania León
• “Praulins, Ugis: The Nightingale,” Ugis Praulins
• “Rautavaara, Einojuhani: Cello Concerto No. 2 ‘Towards The Horizon’,” Einojuhani Rautavaara
• “Stucky, Steven: August 4, 1964,” Steven Stucky

Best Short Form Music Vido

• “Houdini,” Foster the People
• “No Church In the Wild,” Kanye West and Jay-Z featuring Frank Ocean and The-Dream
• “Bad Girls,” M.I.A
• “We Found Love,” Rihanna featuring Calvin Harris
• “Run Boy Run,” Woodkid

Best Long Form Music Video

• “Big Easy Express,” Mumford & Sons
• “Bring Me Home-Live,” Sade
• “Radio Music Society,” Esperanza Spalding
• “Get Along,” Tegan and Sara
• “From the Sky Down,” U2

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Iyanya Breaks Yvonne Nelson Heart For Tonto Dikeh

Iyanya’s four months relationship with Ghanaian actress Yvonne Nelson has ended. The two went their separate ways after Yvonne found out Iyanya was also involved with another actress, Tonto Dikeh.

The relationship between Iyanya and Yvonne started in July this year and ended about a week ago. The one with Tonto well, Iyanya and Tonto have been friends for a while, but they started getting real close in the last couple of weeks

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Another Nigerian to Win Prestigious Prince Mahidol Award

Nigeria’s Amazigo to Win Prestigious Prince Mahidol Award

The popular saying that goldfish have no hiding place aptly summaries the story of Dr. Uche Amazigo, Nigeria’s renowned scientist, former senior lecturer and public health specialist who has continued to win laurels for her outstanding contribution to finding solutions for numerous global public health problems.

The latest feather to Dr. Amazigo’s rich hat is the prestigious Prince Mahidol Award 2012, for playing a crucial role behind the successful Community-Directed Treatment with Ivermectin (CDTI) strategy used by the World Health Organization (WHO) for the control of Onchocerciasis.
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Onchocerciasis or River blindness is a major cause of blindness and skin disease with unrelenting itching, in many African countries. The success of the CDTI approach, results from linking research and management strategies and empowering communities to fully participate and assume ownership of their health care delivery system.

As a leading figure in the introduction and application of CDTI, which is also known as the Community-Directed Intervention (CDI) Strategy in the treatment and control of diseases, Dr. Amazigo’s research in 1990 provided the scientific basis for the establishment of the WHO’s African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control (WHO/APOC), with headquarters in Burkina Faso. This unique programme has always been run by Africans for Africans, the disease having plagued the continent for centuries.
Dr. Amazigo, described as a scientist with a large heart for the poor, is instrumental in the success in bringing the disease under control and in strengthening community health systems in 140,000 communities in 16 of the 19 countries covered by WHO/APOC.

Although community-directed treatment was introduced as a strategy to increase coverage and access to a drug for river blindness control, the strategy has had tremendous impacts on the control of other diseases and essential healthcare services in Africa. It is estimated that this strategy, which she defended and devoted almost two decades working with the rural poor to scale up, has also benefited over 11 million people in Africa in malaria control and another 37 million people from other types of diseases.

Having worked within WHO/APOC management since its inception in 1996, Dr. Amazigo became the programme’s first female director in 2005 and steered it successfully for almost six years. She retired in April 2011, capping a long and distinguished career of service to poor hard-to-reach African communities. During her leadership, the successes of APOC’s operations saw the focus on the fight against Onchocerciasis move from control to actual elimination of the disease with the Onchocerciasis control programme widely recognized as being the most successful and innovative public health campaign in the world.
 
A total of 75 medical personnel and scientists from 34 countries across the world, were nominated this year for the Prince Mahidol Awards. Dr. Amazigo, a recipient of the distinguished Medal of “Knight of the National Order of Burkina Faso” in 2011, clinched the coveted prize in the public health category, while Britain’s Sir Michael David Rawlins, chairman of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), is the winner in the field of medicine.

The Awards are given by the Thai Royal Family annually for outstanding achievements in medicine and public health worldwide and each awardee, receives a US$100,000 cash prize.

Typical of her modesty and unassuming character, Dr. Amazigo, says she is humbled by the award, which she is receiving on behalf of African communities, Merck & Co. Inc., for donating Ivermectin for the treatment of River Blindness control for as long as needed, Governments, APOC Management, WHO, World Bank, APOC donors, NGDOs, Research Institutions, and her family.

“The money from the Award will be used to expand the philosophy of CDI - community-directed school health and feeding programme in resource-poor settings in Nigeria,” she affirmed.

Dr. Amazigo and Sir Michael will receive their awards at a ceremony in Thailand in January 2013.
Meanwhile, accolades have been pouring in congratulating and celebrating Dr. Amazigo for her latest laurel, including from Nigeria’s Health Minister, Prof. C.O. Onyebuchi Chukwu.

In its own reaction, the Washington D.C.-based Sabin Vaccine Institute, a non-profit organization made up of scientists, researchers, and advocates dedicated to reducing needless human suffering from vaccine preventable and neglected tropical diseases, described Dr. Amazigo as “a champion for NTD (Neglected Tropical Diseases) control and elimination in Africa.”

Renowned Nigerian musician, Onyeka Onwenu, popularly called the “Elegant Stallion,” a great admirer of Dr. Amazigo’s described the awardee as “a magnificent human being; a humble innovator with a strong passion and commitment to good causes.”

“I have travelled and worked with her on the field,” Onyeka said, adding that the award was overdue for Dr. Amazigo’s exceptional dedication to duty and service to humanity.

Only recently, Dr. Amazigo was honoured by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the National Medical Research Institute of Tanzania for her immense contributions to public health management, while WHO/APOC received the One-million-Euro António Champalimaud Vision Award 2011, the biggest global award for outstanding contributions to the prevention of visual impairment and blindness.

The Nigerian scientist is also presently lending her CDI expertise to the Campaign by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to eliminate Malaria in the region by 2015 through an integrated vector control strategy as happened with the successful River Blindness control programme.

Dr. Amazigo received a Ph.D. in Biology and Medical Parasitology from the University of Vienna in Austria. She also trained in Tropical Medicine and Parasitology at the Bernhard-Nocht Institute of Tropical Medicine in Hamburg, Germany, and got a Fellowship in International Health from Harvard School of Public Health, U.S.A.

A member of the Consultative Group on Women's Health for the 1993 World Development Report, one eloquent testimony to Amazigo's well-documented work in communication, advocacy, community mobilisation and partnership is the UNFPA-UNIFEM-sponsored film "Broken Wings," which she produced for the World Conference on Women in Beijing 1995. The 2005 nominee for the Global Champion of Health award by the US WGGH/NOVA Science has also produced and edited several training modules on engaging communities in healthcare delivery, with her works appearing in international publications, including the medical health journal Lancet and the Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology.

Previous laureates of the Prince Mahidol Award include Professor Frederick Sai of Ghana (1995), Alfred Sommer, a prominent American ophthalmologist and professor of epidemiology recognized for his pioneering work in vitamin A deficiency and pediatric mortality (1997), Professor Satoshi Omura, Japan’s world leader in bio-organic chemistry (1997), current WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan of Hong Kong (1998), as well as Nigeria’s internationally renowned public health expert Professor Adetokunbo Lucas (1999).

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Revealed: How Omotola And Genevieve appeared in the same movie

Arguably Africa’s most famous actresses with a fan base wide enough to win an election, not many were unsurprised to see Omotola Jalade Ekeinde and Genevieve Nnaji feature together once again in a movie.

This is more so following their purported rivalry and envy of each other. Although they’ve never confirmed or deny their rivalry, industry watchers insist there exists an unwritten rival code between the two divas.

Interestingly, both actresses have acted as sisters in more movies than any other rivals in Nollywood.

Therefore, it was a sort of coup when Chineze Anyaeze got both rivals to act again as sisters in Ije, a movie which was her project work at the film school.

Revealing how she achieved the feat of convincing Omotola and Genevieve to take part in her project, Anyaeze said, “When I was even thinking of approaching them, a lot of people discouraged me saying the pair don’t talk but I went ahead to ‘chase’ them for months.

“When I called Omotola, she asked who the other actress was, I said Genevieve and when I called Genevieve she asked who the other actress was, I said Omotola (laughs).

“And she was like, ‘has she agreed?’ I said yes and Omotola asked me too if Genevieve had agreed, I said yes meanwhile they hadn’t even agreed (laughs) but I had to use that trick to be able to get them together in the film,” the Masters degree holder in Filmmaking from the New York Film Academy (NYFA) disclosed.”

Speaking further on her experience with them and how both got together on set, Anyaeze revealed, “It was a wonderful experience working with these two stars, they knew I was a student at the New York Film Academy at that time.

“So, when the production started on the first day, they didn’t take part but they observed the session. When their turn came, they were very professional all the way, it was pleasant scenery all through.”

Ije which grossed over N60 million at the cinemas, a feat that makes it the highest grossing Nigerian movie in the cinemas, was finally released on DVD on Monday, December 3, 2012.

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Rita Dominic,D’banj, Mo’cheddah, others snatch FAB style awards

The 2012 edition of the annual Fashion, Lifestyle, Business and Entertainment Awards, popularly called “FAB Awards” churned up stars in a breath taking event Sunday night with hot celebrities D’banj and Mo’cheddah picking up awards for Most Stylish male and female artistes respectively.
The awards was hosted by comedian, Basketmouth and OAP, Toolz.

See full list of winners below

DESIGNER OF THE YEAR (WEST AFRICA)
1. Jewel By Lisa- Winner
2. Tiffany Amber
3. Christie Brown
4. Buki Akib
5. House of Nwocha
DESIGNER OF THE YEAR (SOUTH AFRICA)
1. David Tlale- Winner
2. Thula Sindi
3. Clinton Lotter
4. Gavin Rajah
5. Abigail Betz
MODEL OF THE YEAR (FEMALE)
1. Ojy Okpe
2. Emmanuella Chika
3. Imade Ogbewi
4. Bunmi Ademokoya- Winner
MODEL OF THE YEAR (MALE)
1. Francis Nwodu (Chinko)- Winner
2. Bryan Okwara
3. Kingsley Ushie
4. Victor Kwen
FASHION BRAND OF THE YEAR
1. L’Espace
2. Mai Atafo- Winner
3. Kinabuti
4. David Wej
5. Jewel By Lisa
ONLINE PUBLICATION OF THE YEAR
1. Bella Naija- Winner
2. Passionistahub
3. Onobello
4. that1960chick
5. LindaIkeji
MOST STYLISH ARTIST (MALE)
1. Darey
2. D’Banj- Winner
3. Naeto C
4. WizKid
5. Ice Prince
MOST STYLISH ARTIST (FEMALE)
1. Asa
2. Mo’cheddah- Winner
3. Eva
4. Tiwa Savage
5. Sasha P
MOST STYLISH ACTOR (MALE)
1. Gideon Okeke
2. Ramsey Noah
3. Mike Ezeronye
4. Joseph Benjamin- Winner
5. Chris Attoh
MOST STYLISH ACTOR (FEMALE)
1. Genevieve Nnaji
2. Omotola Jalade
3. Rita Dominic- Winner
4. Beverley Naya
5. Nse Ikpe Etim
TV SHOW OF THE YEAR
1. Tinsel
2. Project Fame
3. Big Friday Show- Winner
4. Nigerian Idol
5. Ultimate Search
TV PRESENTER OF THE YEAR
1. Yvonne ‘Vixen’ Ekwere
2. Eku Edewor/Dolapo Oni- Winner
3. Adams Ibrahim
4. Frank Edoho
5. Joseph Benjamin/Adaora Oleh
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR
1. Beat 99.9FM- Winner
2. Inspiration 92.3FM
3. Wazobia 95.1FM
4. Traffic Radio 96.1FM
5. Top Radio 90.9FM
ON AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
1. Tolu ‘Toolz’ Oniru
2. Wana Udobang
3. Steve ‘Yaw’ Onu- Winner
4. Tosyn Bucknor
5. Olisa Adibua
DJ OF THE YEAR
1. DJ Caise
2. DJ Humility- Winner
3. DJ Neptune
4. DJ Jimmy Jatt
5. Dj Exclusive
FASHION WRITER OF THE YEAR
1. Ono Bello
2. Fatima Garba- Winner
3. Ijeoma Ndekwu
4. Ezinne Chinkata
5. Funmi Ibiyode
FASHION STYLIST OF THE YEAR
1. Crystal Deroche
2. Ebun Aboderin
3. Dimeji Alara- Winner
4. Bolaji Animashuan
5. Veronica Ebie
MAKE-UP ARTIST OF THE YEAR
1. Lola Maja- Winner
2. Seun Omisesa
3. David Onyedike
4. Banke Meshida
5. Jide Adedeji
FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
1. Reze Bonna- Winner
2. Hakeem Salaam
3. Kelechi Amadi Obi
4. Yetunde Babaeko
5. Obi Somto
HAIR STYLIST OF THE YEAR
1. Ugo Igbokwe
2. Rita Idehen
3. Debola Falana- Winner
4. Shola Laditi
5. Banke Meshida-Lawal
SPECIAL AWARDS
Life time achievement awards
Akin Bello-Osagie
Ozwald Boateng
Business award of the Year
Courtville business solutions

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‘Twilight’ Leads Box Office for 3rd Weekend

“The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2”, the finale of the teen vampire movies led U.S and Canadian ticket sales for a third weekend, outselling holdovers “Skyfall” and “Lincoln”.

The movie, which is the last in the series from Lions Gate Entertainment (LGF) collected $17.4million, said Hollywood.com Box-Office in an email. All in all, “Twilight” has taken in $254.6 million in domestic sales.

“Twilight” and other returning films exploited a post-Thanksgiving lull in big releases to remain atop the box-office standings. “Skyfall”, the latest Bond film from Sony Corp and Metro-Goldwyn Mayer Inc. followed in second place with $17million while “Lincoln”, Steven Spielberg’s Oscar contender, earned $13.51million. Their sales were buoyed by the fact that each reached a distinct audience niche.

“There will be no major releases this week or next, so we shall continue to see some of the top films we are seeing in the marketplace continue to play well until we get some new product”, said an industry analyst in a telephone interview. “The next most anticipated film is ‘The Hobbit’. Given how well the other films in that series have performed globally, the next instalment is heavily anticipated.”

The holiday release schedule picks up with “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” from Time Warner and MGM on Dec 14, Sony’s “Zero Dark Thirty” on Dec 19 and “Les Miserables” from Universal Pictures, a Comcast Company on Christmas Day.

Predictions by Paul Dergarebadian, the president of Hollywood.com’s box office unit put the U.S. box office at possibly surpassing $10.8 billion this year, which shall be a new record. Last year’s sales totalled $10.2 billion. So far, revenue this year has risen by 6 per cent to $9.90 billion.

“More than ever, we are going to see revenue in the theatrical window that is bigger than it ever was,” Rob Friedman, co-chairman of Lions Gate’s motion picture group, said on Nov 28 while speaking at a panel at the University of South California’s film school in Los Angeles.

The “Twilight” film series have raked in $1.3 billion to date in domestic theatres, ranking it in eight place all time among film franchises, according to Box Office Mojo.

Among other returning titles, second place’s “Skyfall” has grossed $850million to date in worldwide takes, making it the best-performing film in the long-running secret agent series, according to Box Office Mojo.

“Lincoln”, Spielberg’s examination of the 16^th U.S President’s political campaign to end slavery, was produced by Dreamworks Studios, owned by Spielberg himself and distributed by Walt Disney Co.

“It is unlikely that ‘Lincoln’ will go to No 1,” says an analyst. “It lacks the mass appeal that some other films do, but it is really well reviewed and benefiting from word of mouth”.

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Dr. Dre is 2012′s Richest Living Musician

Dr. Dre is 2012′s Richest Living Musician, Michael Jackson made $35 Million More – Forbes

 

Usually hip-hop artists have their own genre of ranking on the Forbes list. Don’t tell that to Dr. Dre. This year the Compton-bred beatmaker and occasional rapper earned a total of US$110 million. His earnings were largely due to his Beats headphone line, which he owns in partnership with Korean phonemaker HTC. HTC paid $300 million for a 51% stake in the headphones company. The deal saw the Chronic executive producer earn $100 million.
According to Forbes, “Dr. Dre leads a slew of pop stars, rock icons, rap moguls and country crooners, many of whom bank the bulk of their bucks outside the recording studio. Though some artists—Jay-Z and Diddy, for example—owe their success partly to business ventures like Dre’s, most of this year’s top 25 are on the list because of touring.”
Other notable mentions on the list are Justin Bieber, ranking at no. 10. He earned $55 million. Justin Bieber is a savvy investor, who apart from his earnings in music, also earns money from venture capital deals he has concluded, which include stakes in Spotify, Tinychat and others.
Pink Floyd rocker Roger Waters ranks second with $88 million, nearly all of it coming from his The Wall Live tour.
Fellow Brit Elton John claims the third spot with $80 million.
Michael Jackson made $35 million more than Dr. Dre. The late pop megastar earned $145 million, in a telling testament to his legacy.

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