MTV Africa Music Awards....

MTV Africa Awards 2008
One of America’s finest rappers, Nasir Oludara Jones, popularly known as Nas, has confirmed full participation at the prestigious MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain (MAMAs).Nas, formerly Nasty Nas will be visiting Abuja for the first time and will have an amazing opportunity to thrill guests at the awards night, reeling out rap songs from his rich platinum collections.According to Zain’s Chief Marketing Officer, Norman Moyo, other artistes that have confirmed participation at the awards include Kelly Rowland, The Game, Florider, Cassete, HHP, Jozi, Samini, Juacali, Naeto C, Asa, 9ice, Ikechukwu, 2face, P-Square and D’banj.The Awards, which will hold at the Velodrome, Abuja, on Saturday, 22 November, 2008 will be broadcast on MTV base (DStv Channel 322, GTV Channel 40), partner networks and terrestrial television channels such as AIT (Nigeria), STV (Nigeria), RTGA (Democratic Republic of the Congo), TV3 (Ghana), NTV (Kenya), TBC (Tanzania) and WBS (Uganda), from 29 November 2008.


Michael Jackson Faces Court CaseMichael Jackson could be made to fly to the High Court in London to testify in a breach of contract case, despite his doctor saying he is unfit to travel. The court heard the singer was waiting on test results about an unspecified condition and that "even in a best-case scenario it would be unwise to travel". However, lawyers for Sheikh Abdulla Bin Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa said he could be "bandaged up" and appear in person. The King of Bahrain's second son claims Mr Jackson reneged on a music deal. He is suing the performer for £4.7 million, claiming that under the agreement, an album, stage play and candid autobiography were to be produced.

Jolie Weeps for Mother
Angelina Jolie has paid a tearful tribute to her late mother, Marcheline Bertrand, and dedicated her performance in new film Changeling to her. Bertrand, who died in 2007, was the "softest, most gentle woman in the world," she said at a press conference. Jolie added that her mother "was very much" like her Changeling character, Christine Collins. The film tells the true story of a woman in 1920s Los Angeles who fights for the truth after her son disappears. The movie, released in the UK on Wednesday, 26 November and directed by Clint Eastwood, details how the corrupt Los Angeles Police Department reunited Collins with a boy who was not her son.

News around.......

3,460 Students Grauate from Law SchoolCouncil of Legal Education on Tuesday charged Nigerian varsities to be involved in the ongoing law reforms embarked upon by the Federal Government to achieve the desired impact. Director General of the Nigerian Law School, Tahir Mamman, gave the charge at the call to bar ceremony organised by the school for the 3,460 law graduates who are being admitted to the Nigerian Bar. Mamman said the school has started taking steps in facilitating the extension of the reforms to law faculties in collaboration with the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the universities themselves. While noting that the Law School fine-tunes law graduates in the practice and procedures of the law profession, the DG said the school has taken a first step by establishing a platform called, "the Conference of Deans of Law of accredited universities."He said it was inaugurated last week by the Chief Justice Of Nigeria (CJN), Idris Legbo Kutigi, and supported by Justices of the Supreme Court, top hierarchy of the Bar as well as representative of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA).Mamman also disclosed that the Nigerian Law School has begun the implementation of the new curriculum, which has been in pipeline since the last two years.

Nigeria Moves to Curb Global Crisis
TO insulate the economy from the global economic meltdown, a meeting of National Economic Council (NEC), which met under the chairmanship of Vice President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday canvassed for closer co-operation between the federal and state governments. NEC is the umbrella body for the nation's Economic Management Team (EMT) and the governors of the 36 states. The meeting was held at the request of the governors, who were worried about the effects of the global economic crisis on the Nigerian economy. However, after the meeting, the Governor of Central Bank (CBN), Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, briefed journalists along with Governors Bukola Saraki (Kwara) and Peter Obi (Anambra). They explained that the forum reviewed the potential threats facing the nation over the global economic crisis, measures put in place to deal with the momentum and why Nigeria escaped the direct impact of the crisis. Saraki, who is also the chairman of the Governor's Forum, said that with the price of crude oil in the international market at its current rate, "there is need to tighten our belt for 2009." But he added that Nigeria is in a better position now than it was in 1982 when the fall in price of oil triggered a downturn in the economy.

Decay of Health Systemin Zimbabwe
TRUCKLOADS of riot police were yesterday deployed outside Harare's main hospital to prevent scores of doctors and nurses from marching in protest at the state of Zimbabwe's collapsing health system. Many of the group of around 100 health professionals took off their shoes to dance and sing in the parking lot of Parirenyatwa Hospital, vowing to stay away from work until a recent outbreak of cholera is brought under control. About 50 people, according to reports, are believed to have died of cholera this month, according to health officials, due to the rapid break down in sanitation in many parts of the capital. The protesters were also demanding that the government review their salaries which have failed to keep pace with sky-rocketing inflation. Some of the protesters held posters reading: "Enough is enough" and "Pay health workers properly." Zimbabwe's health system, once among the best in Africa, has collapsed under the weight of the world's highest inflation rate, last estimated in July at 231 million percent, with many hospitals unable to provide even basic medicines.

Obama , America's First Black President...

Democratic Senator Barack Obama has been elected the first black president of the United States, prompting celebrations across the country. "It's been a long time coming, but tonight... change has come to America," the president-elect told a jubilant crowd at a victory rally in Chicago. His rival John McCain accepted defeat, and called on his supporters to lend the next president their goodwill.
According to reports, the result will have a profound impact on the US. The American people have made two fundamental statements about themselves: that they are profoundly unhappy with the status quo, and that they are slamming the door on the country's racial past. Mr Obama appeared with his family, and his running mate Joe Biden, before a crowd of tens of thousands in Grant Park, Chicago. Many people in the vast crowd, which stretched back far into the Chicago night, wept as Mr Obama spoke. "If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer," he said.
In a tensed election battle especially in the home states of the Republicans, Democrats ensured stiff challenge and outright wins in some of the key states. This will definitely go down in history as the greatest election of all times.

Breakdown of the Full results shown below:

PRESIDENT 270 electoral votes needed to win | 96% of precincts reporting
Candidate Popular vote % of votes Electoral votes

Barack Obama (Dem) 62,532,271 52% 349
John McCain (Rep) 55,454,540 46% 173

SENATE•
Party Current Holdover Seats won New

Democrat 49 37 17 54
Republican 49 26 14 40
Independent 2 2 0 2
TBD -- -- 4 4

HOUSE• Full Results Margin of error +/- 3 seats
Party Current New

Democrat 236 258
Republican 199 177
Independent 0 0

GOVERNOR•
Party Current Holdover States won New

Democrat 28 22 7 29
Republican 22 17 4 21
Independent 0 0 0 0
TBD -- -- 0 0

Overcoming Being a Coward

This Week on What’s Ur View?!, we would be taking a look at the
topic - OVERCOMING BEING A COWARD.

This is an issue which greatly affects virtually all levels of human growth. A coward is like a person who, out of his own fear, feels certain things cannot be achieved ordinarily. Even when the situation is conducive to pursue such, the person might still be a little uneasy trailing that goal.

From the lame man understanding, being a coward reflects one’s reaction to bully either in school, at home or even in the office. Interestingly, it goes beyond these which also cuts across the various sectors in the society. For instance in the nation’s education sector, certain things are obviously not the way they should be with students facing the major brunt. The authorities sometimes careless about students’ plights on Campus but the students themselves still wear the “suffering & smiling” costume with the notion that all is well. Questions should be asked and appropriate answers ought to be given in return. It’s not a matter of violence or rowdiness, but a peaceful demonstration and well coordinated dialogue would surely solve the problem.

Delving into the political terrain, some vital issues are still left “in the cold” particularly ones that involves finances. Often times the supposed leaders use ridiculously tax payers’ money to serve their own personal agenda. This could equally be termed as corruption which of-course is rampant not only in our nation but the world over. Corrupt leaders should be accountable for their deeds and we should be their “eye-watch” in the area of putting things right.
This is a major challenge for youths to be the vanguards of justice and equity in the society; let’s brace up and unlock the shackles of Cowardness to make the world a suitable habitat the way we desire.

Remember the best two (2) responses attract gift items and publication on the Press Board next week.......so start sending!
(Deadline for submission: Friday Nov. 7, 2008 by 12:00am)

In the building.....

Great to be in da Building,
it's another time-out for us to catch some fun and same time intimate ourselves on the latest juicy stories from around the world.....yeah that's right! This week is loaded some sort cos there's is the biggest most talked-about elections - U.S. elections around the corner (less than 48 hours), the newly created segment, What's Ur View?! is debuting this week, and a whole lots of stuffs still coming your way.... Of-course the 3ple 'B' column should also be making its stand anytime this month, so y'll must watch out for this too.
Anyways, let's crack the files and see what we've got.

50Cents Tops Richest Mogul's List.....

Def Jam's VP Commits Suicide

Def Jam Record’s Vice-President, Shakir Stewart, died today from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. According to Def Jam, Stewart's body was found in Atlanta. Some sources say Stewart shot himself in his home. No further details of the suicide, have emerged. “LA Reid and all of us at Island Def Jam Music Group are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend and colleague Shakir Stewart,” Def Jam said in a statement released to VIBE today. “Shakir was an amazing man, in every sense of the word. A truly incredible friend and father who was an inspiration to not only our artists and employees, but to his family and the many people who had the privilege of counting him as a friend. Our hearts and prayers go out to his family at this very difficult time.”

50 Cents is Richest HipHop Mogul


50 Cent has recently been crowned as Forbes’ Hip Hop Cash King, dethroning Jay-Z by raking in $150 million over the past year. The business publication estimated that Jay-Z, who placed in second, raked in $82 million, falling behind 50 by $18 million. Forbes also said that 50 banked $100 million after taxes on one deal alone when his stake in VitaminWater’s parent, Glaceau, was bought by Coca-Cola as part of a $4.1 billion deal. Diddy came in third for the second year in a row, earning $35 million from his revenue streams, including his clothing line Sean John, his record label, premium vodka Ciroc, and two reality-TV shows. Meanwhile, Common, Lil Wayne and Akon made first time showings on the list.

The list of Forbes' Hip Hop Cash Kings
1. 50 Cent
2. Jay-Z
3. Diddy
4. Kanye West
5. Timbaland
6. Pharrell
7. Swizz Beats
8. Snoop Dogg
9. Dr. Dre
10. Ludacris
11. T.I.
12. Lil Wayne
13. Eminem
14. Common
15. Akon
16. Jermaine Dupri
17. Lil Jon
18. OutKast
19. Chamillionaire
20. The Game

Obama Denies Illegal Aunt.. plus more

Etisalat Begins Operations...
Following the roll-out of full commercial services as announced by Etisalat Nigeria , the fastest growing telecommunications outfit in the world, in Lagos last Thursday, eager subscribers have continued to throng the company’s designated centers to redeem their reserved numbers and take advantage of its unique service offerings. Redemption centers, which include Etisalat shops around Nigeria and selected branches of Oceanic Bank, Sweet Sensation and Big Treat Supermarket, have since witnessed a large turn out of subscribers in a bid to redeem their Easy Starter prepaid packs. The Easy Starter package is the innovative prepaid product of Etisalat Nigeria designed to give subscribers the power to enhance as well as maximize both air and talk time. The innovative package comes with unique features that easily distinguish it as the brand of choice; they are the homezone tariff plan, Receiver Pays (or Call Collect) and Recharge Others. It is important to note that subscribers can enjoy all these services by default as they are automatically activated as soon as the subscriber joins the network.”

Obama Denies Illegal Aunt
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has said he was not aware that he had a Kenyan aunt living illegally in the United States. The Associated Press news agency says Zeituni Onyango lost a bid for asylum four years ago. The Obama campaign issued a statement: "Senator Obama has no knowledge of her status but obviously believes that any and all appropriate laws be followed." According to AP, Ms Onyango is the half-sister of Mr Obama's late father. She has been living in public housing in Boston, it adds. AP says its information about Ms Onyango, 56, is based on two separate sources, one of them a federal law enforcement official. Ms Onyango, referred to as "Auntie Zeituni" in Mr Obama's memoir, was instructed to leave America by a US immigration judge who had denied her asylum request, a "person familiar with the matter" told AP late on Friday. The source spoke on condition of anonymity because "no-one was authorised to discuss Onyango's case". According to reports, Ms Onyango has not been mentioned in the presidential candidate's speeches and "is not someone who has been part of the public discussion about his personal life".

Gaddafi Meets With Putin
Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi has arrived in Russia for three days of talks expected to concentrate on boosting energy ties and arms trade. It is Col Gaddafi's first visit since Soviet times, and follows Vladimir Putin's trip to Libya in April. The two countries signed several big contracts at the time. A Russian newspaper quoted a source saying Col Gaddafi would offer Russia a naval base in Libya, though neither country has confirmed the report. "During these talks the colonel intends to raise the issue of opening a base for Russia's navy in the Libyan port of Benghazi," wrote the business daily Kommersant, quoting a source involved in preparing the visit. Russia has only one naval base operating in a foreign country - in Sevastopol in Ukraine. But Ukraine's president has made clear he would like that closed when Russia's lease is up in 2017. Russia has increasingly been looking for military partners abroad. Russian warships docked in Libya this month before taking part in joint naval exercises with the Venezuelan navy.

Jacksons 5 ReUnion.....

Jacksons 5 ReUnite
Jermaine Jackson has confirmed that the Jackson 5 will reunite for a tour and to release new material in 2009. Jackson told the Press that all the original band members--including Michael Jackson--have agreed to the reunion and have been working on new material. He added that sister Janet Jackson would open their tour dates with a solo set. "This has been a long time coming for the Jackson family to get back together," he said. He added, "What we've been doing is working on the music and all the logistics. It is going to be more like a family affair, Janet's going to open and, of course, the original Jackson 5: Michael, Randy, and the whole family. We're in the studio, we're planning on being out there next year."

Lil Wayne Has Another Baby Boy
Lil Wyane said on Saturday that he'd be the father of a baby boy any day now, and he wasn't kidding. Wayne's son, Dwayne Carter III, was born Wednesday afternoon (October 22), at Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, a rep for the rapper told MTV News. It's Carter's second child. He has a daughter, Reginae Carter, with Antonia "Toya" Johnson, his high school sweetheart, whom he married in 2004 and divorced two years later. The identity of the boy's mother had not been announced at press time. Wayne revealed during the BET Hip-Hop Awards that the birth of his son was imminent. He made the announcement during his acceptance speech, after being named Lyricist of the Year.

Bond's New Film Breaks Record
The new Bond film has broken box office records on its opening day in the UK taking £4.9m, says studio Sony. Quantum of Solace, starring Daniel Craig, smashed the previous record for a Friday opening of £4.025m, held by Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Princes William and Harry attended the film's world premiere in London on Wednesday ahead of its general release. Opening day numbers also surpassed the 2006 Bond film, Casino Royale, which took £2.9m on its first day of release. However, Casino Royale, which marked Craig's debut in the Bond role, won almost unanimous acclaim among critics and fans alike. It went on to becomes the most popular film overall in the UK in 2006, taking more than £50m at the British box office.