PHOTOS: Nelson Mandela Statue Unveiled In Pretoria By President Zuma

A statue of Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s first black president, has been unveiled in the capital, Pretoria, a day after he was buried. The nine-metre bronze statue has been erected at the Union Buildings, the government headquarters.

This followed a 10-day period of mourning and celebrating Mr Mandela’s life after his death at the age of 95.
Mr. Mandela was given a state funeral at his ancestral home in Qunu in the Eastern Cape on Sunday.
African National Congress members, veterans of the fight against apartheid and foreign dignitaries – including several African presidents and the Prince of Wales – were among the guests.
The statue was unveiled by President Jacob Zuma on South Africa’s Day of Reconciliation, a public holiday which marks the end of racial conflict in South Africa. Continue...

PHOTOS: Check Out Mariah Carey's Stunning Outfit During Her Performance In Lagos

Mariah Carey dazzled last night as she performed at an Evening with Access Bank retired MD Aigboje Aig-Imoukhede.
The 43-year-old gave a very amazing performance and she showed off her awesome curves in a midriff-baring lemon-colored outfit.
She superstar vocalist posted a shot on Instagram of herself wearing a belly-baring bright canary gown with a long, hip-hugging bottom and bandeau top connected with a sheer, sparkly swath of fabric.
The caption read 'Backstage in Nigeria.' Carey was in Lagos, the largest city in the African country to  perform at Access Bank’s Christmas Party and Send-off ceremony for the bank’s Managing Director Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede.

Checkout Actress Stephanie Okereke's Outfit To The Future Awards

Simplicity is elegant charming and classy...she looks cool to me

Snowfall In Cairo, Egypt For The First Time In Over 100 Years

For the first time in over 100 years, a winter storm has brought snow to a city known for its heat and sand, Cairo in Egypt.
According to local reports, it happened over night and unexpectedly on Wednesday Dec. 11th. An official of Egypt's Meteorological centre said it was first time in decades since the last snowfalls and it took residents of Cairo suburbs by surprise. But most are delighted because they have never seen snow before. They took to Twitter to post their amazement in words and shared pictures 
Meanwhile, the snowfall has forced the closure of the country's ports and several other businesses for a day now.

PHOTOS: Nelson Mandela Laid to Eternal Rest

South Africa buried Nelson Mandela on Sunday December 15, closing one chapter in its tortured history and opening another in which the multi-racial democracy he founded will have to discover if it can thrive without its central pillar.

The Nobel peace laureate, who was held in apartheid prisons for 27 years before emerging to preach forgiveness and reconciliation, was laid to rest at his ancestral home in Qunu.

At the graveside were 450 relatives, political leaders and foreign guests including Britain's Prince Charles, American civil rights activist Reverend Jesse Jackson and talk show host Oprah Winfrey.

More photos after the cut...

MY STORY: How My Twin Sister Stole My Fiance And Now She Is Getting Married To Him

Maryjane and Annette are twins. Annette’s love relationship blossomed and George, her fiancé, decided introducing her to his parents. Maryjane also joined them on the visit….
The twins’ stay with George’s people was short-lived.  Annette was surprised when George announced that they had to leave on the morning of the fourth day. When pressed by Annette, he told her that he had some urgent errands to run for one of his lecturers in Lagos.
Maryjane on the other hand, said nothing when Annette complained of the sudden decision to cut short their stay. “I have never known him to be an impulsive person,” she told Maryjane. But her sister kept quiet.
“What is the problem with you Maryjane? You have been quiet since morning. Are you the one who suggested to George that we should leave?’’
“No, I could not have suggested that to him. I am not his beloved girlfriend,” she replied.
The three took the flight by noon to Port Harcourt. The twins went to their mother, who was very pleased to see them. “You are welcome George. Finally, we meet and you are much more handsome than my daughter described you,” their mother said.

Wizkid Breaks Up With Girlfriend Tania?

Wizkid has got his fans wondering his relationship with Tania Omotayo has hit the rock. The superstar posted the following on his Twitter page couple of hours ago. Check it out;

Beyonce Features Nigerian Author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie In New Album

Queen Beyonce shocked the world when she just dropped a 32 track album exclusively on itunes.While many stars go through the rigors of promotion and printing albums,she just dropped it all online last night for download .

While her fans are clamoring for that, Nigeria is on the map as she featured  Nigerian author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie on her track Flawless. The author who wrote the hugely successful Half of a Yellow sun novel,now a motion picture has her speech  about feminism and the roles women play in the society in the track. Great work Bey!

"Your Letter To Jonathan Is Attack On My Credibility!" - PDP Chairman Tukur's Response To Obasanjo

Bamanga Tukur, the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, has reacted to the former President Olusegun Obasanjo's letter to the incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan.

In the statement issued by Mr. Tukur's Special Assistant on Media, Oliver Okpala, Tukur says attacking fellow elder statesmen does not portray Mr. Obasanjo as a true democrat.

"Dr. Tukur as the national chairman and one of the founding fathers of the party can never allow his opinion or decisions to be teleguided by an external force as a principled administrator and seasoned politician," the statement read.

Mr. Tukur described Obasanjo's letter as an "attack on the personal integrity and credibility of Dr. Tukur as an outstanding statesman of international repute.”
Continue...

6 Cultists Gang Rápe Teenage Girl, Record On Mobile Phone

6 suspected members of the Blue Angel cult have allegedly gang ráped a 16-year-old secondary school student in Akure, Ondo State capital.
As 24-year-old school dropout, Yusuf Lawal, was yesterday remanded in Kirikiri Prison custody by a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja, for allegedly being in possession of a gun, which was later discovered to be a toy gun.
It was discovered that the suspects had recorded the evil act on a mobile phone, while taking their turns on the girl. Furthermore, they threatened to upload it on the Internet if she dares to report them to her parents or the Police.
However, two of the alleged rapists have been arrested by officials of the state command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC. Four other suspects are on the run.
According to the victim, the 6 boys blindfolded her and threatened to rip her open with knife if she failed to cooperate.

SHOCKING: A Lawyer And Another Man Found Dead In A Car In Delta State

In a report by Eagle Online, a lawyer and a man were found dead in a Toyota Camry car with registration number FGG 931 AE, at Inter-Bau round-about in Asaba Delta State yesterday Thursday December 12th.
The lawyer and the passenger were said to be returning from a court session when they suddenly started foaming in the mouth and nose in the air-conditioned car. They were dead within minutes according to eye witnesses.

Explaining the mystery behind the deaths, a source said he believes the men were poisoned.

Male Nurse Rápes Patient Five Times In One Night

A Utah nurse has been accused of molésting and threatening to kill a female surgery patient.
The Salt Lake Tribune reports that Joshua Platte Shumway, 26, was arrested Monday after an unidentified woman came to police and told them of her alleged ordeal that happened in April.
The details are disturbing.
The 37-year-old woman was staying the night at Uintah Basin Medical Center in Roosevelt, where Shumway worked, to recover after a surgery.

Shumway entered her room during the night and allegedly séxually assaultéd the woman five times in the course of the evening. He was not her assigned nurse.
According to a probable cause statement, the nurse first gave her medication before placing her hand on an automatic morphine injector to activate it. The woman told investigators she had stopped using the injector because it was making her nauseous.

Checkout Youtube's List Of Most-watched Videos In Nigeria This Year 2013

The World's no. 1 Video streaming platform, Youtube has compiled a list of videos and channels that made the year an interesting and remarkable one in Nigeria.

Top 10 Videos watched in Nigeria in 2013 excluding Music 

(1) Last Flight To Abuja The full movie (Nollywood Movies 2013)
(2) Oga at the top (Civil Defence Commandant's interview on Channels TV)
(3) EDIDI-(The Bond) Latest Yoruba Movie 2013 Starring Iyabo Ojo
(4) Stella Damasus and Senator Yerima on Al-Jazeera Network THE STREAM
(5) The Leaked Video Of Gen. Diya Oladipo Pleading With Gen. Sanni Abacha Oputa Panel
(6) The Lagos Big Girls Game ( Reanne Opia)
(7) Bling!
(8) How to get married; Naija style by Toke Makinwa
(9) The Interview : A tale of Frank Donga
(10) Nigeria Burkina Faso | CAN Orange 2013 | 21.01.2013

Top 10 Music Videos watched by Nigerians 

Mandela Memorial Sign Language Translator Defends Himself For Wrong Signs

The sign language translator at Nelson Mandela memorial service, who was accused by the SA Deaf Federation of making up his own signs during the ceremony, has responded to the accusation.

34 year old Thamsanqa Jantjie told Johannesburg Star newspaper that he had a schizophrenic attack during the ceremony hence his senseless signs. He said he started hearing voices & was hallucinating while on stage with world leaders.
"There was nothing I could do. I was alone in a very dangerous situation. I tried to control myself and not show the world what was going on. I am very sorry. It's the situation I found myself in," He told the paper. He said he was on medication for Schizophrenia and wondered why he still had the attack
He also spoke with a SA based radio station, where he was asked if he was satisfied with his performance, he replied "Absolutely, absolutely. I think that I've been a champion of sign language".

#MTNSongstar: Password Bags Don Jazzy's Record Deal+N10m Porsche Cayman Car[PHOTOS]

The upcoming songwriter and producer, Patrick Mathias aka Password, has been announced as winner of  the MTN Songstar competition, walking away with a brand new Porshce and recording deal. The online-based competition which was announced over two months ago saw thousands of Nigerians send in their entries via an interactive app. But Password on Thursday, December 5, 2013 was unveiled as the winner of the competition.
As promised, the singer was awarded with a Porsche Cayman worth N10m and bagged a recording deal with Don Jazzy‘s Mavin Records.

"How do I begin to say thank u to @DONJAZZY and MTN for being a huge part of my dream…U guyz r a blessing n God bless u guyz‘, Password wrote on his Twitter."

President Jonathan Responds To Obasanjo's Letter, Calls It 'Provocative' And 'Self-Serving'

Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Goodluck Jonathan, Reuben Abati has released a statement concerning the 18-page letter former president Olusegun Obasanjo wrote to the current President.
The presidency described the letter as reckless, baseless, unjustifiable and of containing “indecorous charges levied against him and his administration by the former Head of State.”

See statement by Reuben Abati below;

Julius Berger Fined $32m For Bribing Nigerian Gov. Officials

The United States Justice Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation said on Tuesday the German-based international engineering company, Bilfinger SE, had agreed to pay a $32m penalty for charges relating to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violation.
Bilfinger’s Nigerian construction subsidiary, Julius `Berger Plc, was charged with bribing government officials to obtain and retain contracts related to work for the Eastern Gas Gathering System, a project valued at $387m.
The agreement follows a three-count criminal charge filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of Texas, according to a report by SaharaReporters.
According to the complaint, from late 2003 through 2005, Julius Berger had conspired with Willbros Group Inc., and others to make payments totalling $6m to unnamed Nigerian government officials to obtain EGGS contracts. Continue...

MUST READ: On The Purported Slight Of Nigeria At Mandela’s Funeral

Fellow Liberians: As I speak to you today, I am most gratified by the calibre of the delegations of our own African Governments, Foreign Governments, partners and local partners as well, who have come to join us to celebrate this triumph of democracy in our country.
I am particularly touched by those you see – our dear brothers, the delegation from the United States, headed by the wife of President George Bush and my friend, our mediator, who has been with us so long and brought us to this day. We pay homage to all of you. We respect you.
We welcome you. Bien vene a tous. My dear Brothers and Sisters of West Africa: You have died for us; you have given refuge to thousands of our citizens; you have denied yourselves by utilising your scarce resources to assist us; you have agonised for us, and you have prayed for us. We thank you, and may God bless you for your support to Liberia as well as for your continuing commitment to promote peace, security, stability, and bilateral cooperation within our sub-region – and beyond.”
-President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (excerpts from her inauguration speech)
Shortly after inauguration, Sirleaf was on a Thank you visit to the United States and addressed a joint session of Congress thus: Continue...