Mercy Johnson gets married in Lagos

After the shocking revelations, the passionate exchanges between the brides parents and the estranged daughter-in-law Lovely, Mercy Johnson wedding went ahead as planned over the weekend without a hitch. Thanks to the tight security as over 50 policemen guarded the gates of Christ Embassy in Oregun and later secured the 10 degree reception venue. 

Pictures from Notting Hill Carnival 2011

London celebrates a successful Notting Hill Carnival

As usual I woke up feeling excited about the day's events: Concert at Kensington Temple, Notting Hill Carnival and of course the Afrobeat Concert with D'Banj, Tiwa Savage and many other Nigerian musicians. After the fantastic morning worship, me and my little group of like minded carnival supporters headed towards Portabello Road. After a little waiting time we decided to head towards Ladbroke where we took a spot.  

Beyonce's sister Solange in Police Tangle

Beyonce's sister, Solange is in the news again and not because of Beyonce's baby news! According to E! News Solanage had a run in with Miami Police. It was supposed to be a happy weekend with big sis Beyoncé breaking the news at last night's MTV Video Music Awards that she and hubby Jay-Z are expecting.
But instead of focusing exclusively on the celebration, Solange Knowles ended up having a run-in with Miami police that left her tweeting mad over some alleged "discrimination."
So what happened exactly? 

Celebrating Love: Beyonce and Jay-Z

Beyonce met Jay-Z when she was 20 and they dated for seven years before deciding to tie the knot. Watch these lovey-dovey pictures and interviews with the world most famous celebrity couple.

Beyonce 2011 VMA performance

Despite the baby bump - Beyonce was still strutting her stuff at the VMA with the proud daddy J-Z beaming in the audience. Within an hour this video had received over a million views. Watch Jay-Z and Kanye's reactions. 

Beyonce is pregnant!

Beyoncé  stole the show on the MTV Music Awards when she announced that she is expecting a baby!
But Beyoncé did not have to say much. All eyes were on the singer on the MTV VM Awards red carpet on Sunday night as she showed off her baby bump! Beyoncé and hubby Jay-Z are expecting their first child!

Mercy Johnson goes ahead with her controversial wedding

In less than twenty-four hours from now,  star actress, Mercy Johnson, Nollywood’s acclaimed actress will be getting married to her Prince Charming, Odiase Okojie in Lagos, Nigeria. The wedding plans have been met with so much upheaval that the wedding was almost called off. When Mercy first announced that she was getting married the whole nation was excited and happy for her but now the mood has changed and there have been thousands of negative comments about the impending marriage throughout the country.

The War on Libya : An Imperialist Project to Create Three Libyas

Mahdi Darius Nazemroaya is a Canadian Libyan who passionately believes in a unified Libyan ruled by the Libyan people without external  interference. Here is his view on the true reason for the war, Quaddaffi role and he explains the western world's keenl interest in Libya. 
He has been covering the Libyan war, delivering an unbiased view of the events and until recently he was one of the journalists trapped for several days at the Rixos Hotel in Tripoli. 

“The Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said that he was told that the war would end when the population of Tripoli revolted against Colonel Qaddafi. This is a significant statement by the Italian Prime Minister. An analysis of cause and effect is very important here. It means that the war did not start as a result of any revolts, but was intended to instigate revolts against the Libyan government. This would explain why NATO has deliberately been targeting the civilian population. The aim has been to instigate them against Colonel Qaddafi.” True or

What are the celebrities up to: Pamela Anderson

Pamela Anderson in Big Brother UK

The 14 Big Brother housemates can look forward to the "ride of their lives" when they join the camera-lined house tonight.


That’s the view of former Playboy model, Pamela Anderson, who has already made herself comfortable in the house.

Purring in a silver mini-dress the former Baywatchstar sat in the diary room chair and promised to give the housemates a unique experience, before charmingly adding: "I'm going to leave a skid mark on every one of them."

We're not sure how much they are going to appreciate her 'kind' offer though, as it's rumoured Pammy's views could decide who remains in the house.

Big Brother host Brian Dowling announced her arrival on last night's Celebrity Big Brother live final, as viewers watched her enter the diary room in typically over-sexualised Pammy style, flicking her hair and pouting her best 'look I'm still sexy' lookPamela Anderson has reportedly agreed to appear in the normal series of Big Brother later this year.
The former Baywatch actress had previously been tipped to enter the celebrity version of the reality TV show, when it launched earlier this month. It was claimed that she would be joining Amy Childs, Jedward and Paddy Doherty in the famous house.
However, insiders now claim that the 44 year old will be Elstree bound for the regular show, which kicks off when Celebrity Big Brother finishes next week.

Bomb blast in Abuja, Nigeria killing 10

There has been another bomb blast in the central of Abuja, Nigeria. The UN headquarters was hit by a bomb blast this morning  killing 10 people according to local reports. Witnesses reported that a car drove towards the four storey building at about 10.00 this morning rammed into the front of the building after crashing through two security barriers. There was a loud explosion and smoke billowed from the building following today's powerful blast, which shattered all the glass in the building.

Our correspondent said there were bodies everywhere and hundreds were trapped, injured and bleeding.

10 Shocking Things You Never Knew About Steve Jobs.

Many of us have heard of Steve Jobs - the rich guy who owns Apple but not many of us know about the struggles he has been through in his life away from the spotlight. Let me introduce to you Mr Jobs as written by James Altucer, HP:

1) Nature versus Nurture. His sister is Mona Simpson but he didn't know it until he was an adult. Mona Simpson was one of my favorite novelists from the late 80s. Her first novel, Anywhere but Here, was about her relationship with her parents. Which, ironically, were Steve Jobs parents. But since Steve Jobs was adopted (see below) they didn't know they were

Gaddaffi's Compound is fully in hands of Rebels

Libyan rebels have entered Muammar Gaddafi's compound in Tripoli, according to a rebel spokesperson. Al-Jazeera and Reuters correspondents both witnessed the rebels breaking into the compound. Foreign secretary William Hague said breaking into the six kilometre wide compound was an "historic achievement" for the rebels and we were seeing the "death throes" of the regime. Speaking on Sky News, he cautioned that there still "may be some formidable problems ahead". 

Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith 'separate after 13 years of marriage

A few weeks ago they opened the doors of their luxury Malibu home and happily posed for an intimate family photo shoot...looking blissfully happy.

But Hollywood power couple Will Smith, 42, and wife Jade Pinkett-Smith's seemingly picture perfect marriage has now come to a shock end, according to a new report. The pair, who have been married for 13 years, are said to have decided to call it quits, according to America's In Touch Weekly magazine.

Famous family: Will and Jada have two children together Jaden, 13 and Willow, ten 

They certainly gave no hint of trouble during their interview with Architectural Digest

Gaddaffi: Down Memory Lane in Pictures

Scenes from Libya - a few hours ago

A young Gaddaffi

In stylish robes at a World conference

Where is Gaddafi?

Libyan rebels have taken over control of most of the capital city of Tripoli but a fierce battle is still raging on around Col Gaddafi's compound between soldiers loyal to Gaddafi and the rebels. Three of Gaddafi’s sons are in custody as rebels say they hold 95 per cent of Libya’s capital. President Obama says it is clear that Gaddafi’s rule is over, but the fight for Libya is not. No one knows the whereabouts of longtime Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi's, but many Libyans believe he is still in the country.

Burning images of Gaddafi

Out Now! The Brand New Edition of iShine Magazine for UK Nigerians in diaspora Online for FREE -

 

A brand new edition of iShine Magazine is out. Download and flip through our new bright and interesting pages. Something for people who are going somewhere. For all the best exciting stories, features, news, interviews and pictures of people and events around the globe CLICK HERE!!!

iShine Magazine is published by Morin Okenla, writer, designer and coach. iShine Magazine is published by Bridgewood House. 

Follow Morin Okenla on Twitter #morinokenla

Read IShine Magazine for all the best story articles, photos and events in London.

Read Our Brand New Edition of iShine Magazine Online for FREE

For all the best exciting stories, features, news, interviews and pictures and events from around the globe CLICK HERE!!!

Out Now! The latest edition of iShine Magazine for UK Nigerians in Diaspora

 

Doing Your Best Today by Morin Okenla

Being the best you can ever be is a matter of choice. You have to make a decision to do your best every day. If you wish to be the best you can be, it is possible for you to change and begin your journey of transformation. It can be a tough journey but you will get there if you really want to.
Where does your journey start? It starts in your mind. Think about it, write down what you want to achieve and how you think you can achieve your best. Being in the right frame of mind helps. Motivational quotes like these can change your perspective.  


"Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going." Jim Ryun
Resolve that whatever you do, you will bring the whole man to it; that you will fling the whole weight of your being into it." Orison Swett Marden


When I was growing up and I carried out tasks in a careless manner, my mother used to say,

Meet the Adebanjos - the Brand New TV Hit

Most production companies who want to get a sitcom onto television follow a set path. Have an idea. Make a pilot. Pitch it. And keep on pitching it. Hopefully it will get picked up. But what happens if, like TV Producer Debra Odutuyo, it doesn’t get picked up even though you know you have a hit show on your hands and you have a hungry and waiting audience?

Well, you create your own production company, raise money yourself, leave the mainstream commissioners behind and hit the world of social media to engage directly with your audience.

This is what South London-based MTA Productions – the dynamic production team created by two enterprising 26 year old Britons: Andrew Osayemi, a former trader, and Debra Odutuyo, a TV producer – has done.

On Sunday 26th June, at least 100,000 British viewers are expected to head to

The Producers of 'Meet the Adebanjos' talk about how it all began

Many people have heard of the new sitcom 'Meet the Adebanjos' but not many know the guys behind this successful TV drama. The questions linger...Who is MTV Productions Ltd? How did the production start, whose idea was it? Please read on...

Well, Andrew  Osayemi runs MTA Productions along side Debra Odutuyo. Debra has a background of being an accomplished TV Producer who for years was trying to get to convince the mainstream TV networks that a sitcom about a Black British family was needed. She created Meet the Adebanjos from scratch and is one of the most inspirational people around. Her work ethic is second to none and she is all about not letting obstacles and set backs get in her way to achieve her dream.

Creator and Producer of Meet the Adebanjos - Debra Odutuyo

Andrew Osayemi  - Co- Producer

Andrew also handles the business side of things. Together they raised over 150K to make this dream a reality. Andrew has confirmed that

Meet DJ Abrantree of Choice FM - Afrobeat 2011 Organizer

Here is the man who has created an Afrobeat buzz in the UK ~ DJ Abrantee. On Sundays at 12:00am viewers can enjoy songs from the motherland. The hype has been high showing that it has been well received. It was even trending on twitter. And inevitably, here, Juliana Lucas speaks to DJ Abrantee about this proud achievement.

Your Afrobeat programme on Choice FM has been very popular. How did you come about with the idea?

It’s an idea that was born a few years back. As you may or may not know I have been championing African music, artists and through my events such as Ghana Independence Day and Hiplife festival for a number of years. One of my main ambitions has not only been to introduce the music to the UK mainstream using the mediums of radio or television but to make Afrobeats a permanent recognisable genre throughout the world. I approached choice with the concept, they asked me to submit a demo just like any other DJ looking for a radio

P-Square, Wizkid, Iceprince and Basketmouth in London @ AfroBeats Festival, 28th August 2011

Abrantee is bringing London to a standstill with the AfroBeats Festival! If you haven’t heard his AfroBeats show on Choice, hit “Listen Live”  at Choice FM and give it a spin.
The AfroBeats Festival is on Sunday 28th August 2011 at HMV Hammersmith Apollo, bringing some of the best of Africa’s talent to the UK.
Award winning Afro Pop sensations P Square, Whiz Kid, Ice Prince and Tiwa Savage of Nigeria  X Factor fame will take to the stage to bring an electrifying event never before seen in the UK. A fusion of Music and comedy, the show will be hosted by Choice’s DJ Abrantee and also feature the best of UK and African comedians

The Afrobeats Festival featuring Africa’s biggest Pop Stars P Square bring their enigmatic energy to perform classic hits such as ‘Do Me’ and new songs ‘Bunie ya Enu’ and ‘Forever’ from their forthcoming album. In his first UK concert, Whiz Kid (The Artist of the summer

Unemployed Get Help Starting Up in Business

Small Business News

An enterprise scheme to help the long-term unemployed start up in business has been launched by the Government.

The New Enterprise Allowance (NEA) initiative is open to anyone who has claimed jobseekers allowance for 26 continuous weeks or more.

Under the NEA, participants will get access to a business mentor and, once they develop a viable business plan, financial support. A weekly allowance of £65 for the first 13 weeks is available, followed by £33 for a further 13 weeks. Those taking part will also be able to apply for a loan of up to £1,000 to help with start-up costs.

According to the Department for Work and Pensions, the scheme aims to stimulate enterprise and aims to create up to 40,000 new businesses by 2013. Funding will be delivered by local enterprise agencies and chambers of commerce.

“By expanding the NEW we can ensure that those who find themselves out of work, but with a good idea, get the right advice to turn that idea into a successful business venture.”

said employment minister Chris Grayling.

National Enterprise Network chief executive Dawn Whiteley said she welcomed the scheme “in principle”, but voiced concerns that support was only available to those out of work for six months or longer.

“Our view would be that it would beneficial to capture clients sooner, when levels of motivation are still high and before people have eaten into any savings which might assist start-up costs.”

Dr Stephen Bence, founder of Businessfunding.co.uk, said that adequate support needed to be given to those who were “really serious” about business.

“For some fledgling entrepreneurs the scheme will make all the difference, but for others more substantial funding will be required. The current reticence in bank lending will remain a major obstacle to their growth and people may need to look elsewhere for funds.”

Nigerian Woman Gives Birth to a Frog

A woman believed to be in her 30s in Iyin Ekiti, Irepodun/Ifelogun Local Government Area of Ekiti State, has given birth to a strange looking baby.

The woman, (name withheld) and a mother of two, was pregnant for 13 months and was said to have undergone several tests at various private hospitals in the state where she was assured of a set of twins.

She was said to have delivered the strange creature at the General Hospital in the town through a Cesarean Section in the hospital at about 2.15 pm last Thursday.

The birth of the fearful baby caused a stir in the hospital as medical officials were seen discussing the strange birth , while others trooped to the hospital from the town and neighbouring communities to see the “strange baby’’

Commissioner for Health in the state, Dr. Wole Olugboji, confirmed the delivery.

His words; “There was a woman who gave birth to a strange baby at General Hospital Iyin. The baby is dead but the mother is okay.”

He said the mother of the baby was still unconscious due to the sedation administered to her before the CS to ensure she did not see the creature.

The commissioner noted that the strange birth was quickly disposed off to save the parents from embarrassment.

Vanguard gathered that the woman’s husband was present in the delivery room and approved of the quick burial of the strange creature.

A source at the hospital told Vanguard that the strange ‘baby’ has two bulging eyes and few strand of hair on the forehead. The creature had no brain. Its head was open at the back and you can see mucus inside the head instead of brain. It was a strange creature that nobody seems to have seen before.”

Another source said that the creature was very tiny at birth. The delivery was abnormal as the fluid which was drained from the mother’s body was in excess. The baby must have been deformed due to the effects of some drugs or herbs. That is why we always ask pregnant women not to take any drug unless prescribed by a qualified doctor. We cannot rule it out that the deformity might have been caused by concoction. It is possible.”

Source: Vanguard Newspaper (Pictures have been omitted)

London Riots by Morin Okenla

I had not paid attention to the protests which started in London last Sunday. All I gathered was that there was a huge number of people demonstrating in the city because a man had been shot dead by the police. The police were in the process of arresting Duggan when he was shot dead. The man was named as Mark Duggan, a local man from London's Tottenham neighbourhood. The police insisted that Mark Duggan had a gun and shot at a police officer first. But yesterday, the IPCC confirmed that Mark Duggan, a 26 year old father of four had not fired a shot at the police but the police had found a gun at the scene of the incident. The IPCC also said that the bullet which had lodged into a police officer's radio had come from another police gun and the bullet had not come from Mark Duggan. The police had fired all the shots on the afternoon of Duggan's death. 

According to an eye witness statement, “Mark Duggan was shot dead, an 'alleged' gangster, the police said he had a gun which was in a sock. He was in the back seat of a minicab. 200 protesters visited the local police office, the police refused to talk to them. Eventually, a junior police officer decided to speak to them. The protesters took offense as they had been kept waiting for almost three hours. Some elements in the protest decided it was unacceptable, burnt two police cars. Riot police were called. The protesters kept on, the trigger was when fifteen riot police officers 'rushed' a young girl of 16. After that everything went up in flames, including restraint.

People say a single human life is invaluable, spare a thought for the deceased man. The real issue, if you live in London, is the unjust treatment of the man who died and of the protesters. The media issue is that this is stealing and looting. They say this is about black people. But you should know that black people in London are in the minority. The riots took place all over England, and all over London.”

The protests spread and escalated. By 4pm on Monday most shops in London had closed and streets were empty. By 5pm children as young as twelve and youths of all races, both male and female had gathered in various parts of the city and ask dusk fell they began to break into shops breaking glass windows with metal poles. The rioters set fire to buildings, cars and rubbish bins using diesel and petrol.

The police were clearly outnumbered and even in their riot gear they could not contain the looters. Even the fire brigade crew were attacked and prevented from putting out the flames. Scores of listed buildings and businesses have been destroyed by looters and by fire across England. 

Since Sunday, four nights of rioting have raged throughout England spreading through towns such as Liverpool, Manchester, Bristol and Birmingham, West Bromwich, Wolverhampton. Over 170 people have been arrested so far. The police are using CCTV images, forensic material –DNA and finger prints which are being used to catch the culprits.

Overnight, vigilantes took to the streets to protect their properties and in Birmingham as a group of Asian men stayed up all night to protect their community a car drove off the road and onto the kerb and killed three young Asian men.

Most of the people interviewed are of the opinion that the Mark Duggan's death was merely a catalyst for dissatisfaction which had been building up in England over cuts especially in children and youth services, unemployment, university fees, dis-jointed communities and inflation. 

The common view on social network threads is that neighbourhoods and communities like Tottenham aren't burned because one, single incident disturbed their tranquility. This was the straw that broke the camels back. These revolts are a result of litanies of injustices perpetrated by systems that either target a specific demographic because they are "not as pretty" or write them off as expendable for whatever reason they wish. 

And I end with this quote by Confucius

Sony distribution centre in Enfield London engulfed by flames

"To put the world in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must cultivate our personal life; and to cultivate our personal life, we must first set our hearts right." – Confucius

Here are pictures of the aftermath culled from sky.com and boston.com

Residents watch as a building burns after riots on Tottenham High Road on August 7, 2011. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) 

Fire rages through a building in Tottenham on Aug. 7, 2011. (Lewis Whyld/PA/AP) 

A masked protester hurls an object toward riot police officers in Tottenham Aug. 7, 2011. (Lewis Whyld/PA/AP) 

Mounted police officers chase rioters on the streets in Tottenham Aug. 7, 2011. (Lewis Whyld/PA/AP) 

A rioter throws a burning wooden plank at police in Tottenham Aug. 7, 2011. (Lewis Whyld/PA/AP) 

Riot police officers face off with protesters in Tottenham Aug. 7, 2011. (Lewis Whyld/PA/AP) 

A policeman in riot gear stands guard in Tottenham Aug. 7, 2011. (Lewis Whyld/PA/AP) 

A double decker bus burns as riot police try to contain a large group of people on a main road in Tottenham on August 6, 2011. (Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images) 

 Police officers detain a man in Enfield, north London August 7, 2011. Police said they were called to Enfield, a few miles north of Tottenham, where youths had smashed two shop windows and damaged a police car. (Stefan Wermuth/Reuters) 

Buildings burn in Crydon during protests on August 7, 2011. (Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images) 

Riot police officers escort an injured man after arresting him London on  Aug. 7, 2011. (Lewis Whyld/PA/AP) 

A protester faces off with riot police officers on the streets in London on Aug. 7, 2011. (Lewis Whyld/PA/AP) 

Police officers in riot gear walk past a burning building . (Stefan Wermuth/Reuters) 

Buildings engulfed by fire in London

Police officers arrest a man in London (Stefan Wermuth/Reuters) 

Police officers make their way on the streets in Croydon on Aug. 7, 2011. (Lewis Whyld/PA/AP) 

A police officer patrols as firemen continue to dowse buildings set alight during riots in Enfield on August 7, 2011. (Luke MacGregor/Reuters) 

 A nwoman walks through the debris with two children as riot police try to contain a large group of people on a main road in Tottenham on August 6 2011. (Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images) 

 Poloice officers look on as many parts of London go up in flames (Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images) 

Police cordon off an area on August 7, 2011 during unrest in Enfield. (Karel Prinsloo/AP) 

Animals are taken from a pet store after riots on Tottenham High Road on August 7, 2011. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) 

Aaron Biber, 89, assesses the damage to his hairdressing salon after riots on Tottenham High Road on August 7, 2011. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) 

Burnt out cars lie in the road after riots on Tottenham High Road on August 7, 2011. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

A man stands next to a burnt out van after riots on Tottenham High Road on August 7, 2011 . (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)