Full List Of Winners At BET Awards 2015

The much talked about BET Awards grand finale was held at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles, USA, on Sunday, June 28.
The 15th edition of the awards ceremony was hosted by ABC Comedy Blackish stars, Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross.
The big stars in American music and film came out for yet another year of entertainment at the awards with the hip-hop act Kendrick Lamar opening the awards with an enthusiastic performance.

The Nigerian nominees in the Best International Act Africa category, Wizkid and Yemi Alade, were not lucky as Ghana’s Stonebwoy went home with the coveted prize. Nicki Minaj and Beyonce were the winners at this year’s BET Awards.
Here is the complete list of winners.
 

Best International Act: Africa Stonebwoy (Ghana) (Winner)
AKA (South Africa)
Fally Ipupa (DR Congo)
Sarkodie (Ghana)
Sauti Sol (Kenya)
The Soil (South Africa)
Wizkid (Nigeria)
Yemi Alade (Nigeria)
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
Chris Brown (Winner)
August Alsina
John Legend
The Weeknd
Trey Songz
Usher
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Beyoncé (Winner)
Ciara
Janelle Monáe
Jhene Aiko
Michelle
Rihanna
Centric Award
The Weeknd — ‘Earned It’ (From the Fifty Shades of Grey soundtrack) (Winner)
Avery Sunshine — ‘Call My Name’
Jazmine Sullivan feat. Meek Mill — ‘Dumb’
Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars — ‘Uptown Funk’
Sam Smith feat. Mary J. Blige — ‘Stay With Me’
Best New Artist
Sam Smith (Winner)
Bobby Shmurda
DeJ Loaf
Fetty Wap
Rae Sremmurd
Tinashe
Best Female Hip-Hop Artist
Nicki Minaj (Winner)
Azealia Banks
DeJ Loaf
Iggy Azalea
Tink
Trina
Best Male Hip-Hop Artist
Kendrick Lamar (Winner)
Big Sean
Common
Drake
Cole
Wale
Best Group
Rae Sremmurd (Winner)
A$AP Mob
Jodeci
Migos
Rich Gang
Young Money
Best Collaboration
Common & John Legend – “Glory” (From the motion picture Selma) (Winner)
August Alsina feat. Nicki Minaj – ‘No Love (Remix)’
Big Sean Feat. E-40 – “’DFWU’
Chris Brown Feat. Lil Wayne and Tyga – ‘Loyal’
Chris Brown Feat. Usher and Rick Ross – ‘New Flame’
Mark Ronson Feat. Bruno Maros – ‘Uptown Funk’
Video of the Year
Beyoncé – ‘7/11′ (Winner)
Big Sean feat. E-40 – ‘IDFWU’
Chris Brown feat. Lil Wayne and Tyga – ‘Loyal’
Chris Brown feat. Usher and Rick Ross – ‘New Flame’
Common & John Legend – ‘Glory’ (From the motion picture Selma)
Nicki Minaj – ‘Anaconda’
Video Director of the Year
Beyoncé, Ed Burke, & Todd Tourso (Winner)
Chris Robinson
Fatima Robinson
Hype Williams
Benny Boom
Best Gospel Artist
Lecrae (Winner)
Deitrick Haddon
Erica Campbell
Fred Hammond
Mali Music
Michelle Williams
Best Actress
Taraji P. Henson (Winner)
Gabrielle Union
Kerry Washington
Tracee Ellis Ross
Viola Davis
Best International Act: U.K.
Stormzy (Winner)
FKA Twigs
Fuse ODG
Lethal Bizzle
Little Simz
Mnek

Best Actor
Terrence Howard (Winner)
Anthony Anderson
Idris Elba
Jussie Smollett
Kevin Hart
Best Movie
Selma (Winner)
Annie
Beyond the Lights
Think Like a Man Too
Top Five
Youngstars Award
Mo’ne Davis (Winner)
Jacob Latimore
Jaden Smith
Quevenzhané Wallis
Zendaya

Sportswoman of the Year
Serena Williams (Winner)
Brittney Griner
Candace Parker
Skylar Diggins
Venus Williams
Sportsman of the Year
Stephen Curry (Winner)
Chris Paul
Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
Lebron James
Marshawn Lynch
Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice Award
Nicki Minaj – ‘Only feat. Drake, Lil Wayne & Chris Brown’(Winner)Beyoncé – ‘7/11′
Dej Loaf – ‘Try Me’
Kendrick Lamar – ‘i’
Rae Sremmurd – ‘Throw Sum Mo’ feat. Nicki Minaj & Young Thug
The Weeknd – ‘Earned It’
Nigerian acts also received many nominations at the recently released MTV MAMA awards 2015. 

OOU Students Protest On Lagos-Ore Expressway

Thousands of protesting Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), students seized the Sagamu – Ilisan stretch of the Lagos – Ore expressway as they stormed the scene of a ghastly accident that claimed the lives of 12 students of the institution.
It would be recalled that about a dozen of OOU student Ago – Iwoye, were crushed to death and others severely injured on Friday when a container fell on a passenger bus taking the deceased students.
The truck was driving against the traffic and in a bid to avoid a barrier at the Sagamu stretch of the Lagos/Benin expressway, the container it carried  tipped  and dropped on top of the bus.
The weighty container pinned the bus to the ground, the terrible accident occurred few meters away from the gate of a plastic manufacturing company close to the Ilisha Remo junction.

The protesting halted the free flow of transit on both sides of the expressway leaving travellers to turn back and they threatened to stone any truck carrying container.
When the students got to the horrible scene in four long buses and about three cars to pray for their lost colleagues, they could not pray as emotions took a better part of them, they cried, screamed and rained curses on the driver that brought the untimely death on their dear colleagues.

Policemen, members of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and operatives of the Ogun state’s traffic agency, TRACE, made hysterical efforts to restrict them but they did not succeed.
They marched to the site of a factory beside the expressway few meters away from the where the accident occurred, which they suspected to own the killer container. The company had to shut down briefly in fear of the students who are ready to lunch attack but armed policemen assigned to its gate prevented them from advancing.
The OOU students were reportedly travelling to Lagos state for the weekend when they met their untimely horrible death.
The was a reported case of another taker crash that occurred in Kebbi state recently.

Dangers of Jealousy In A Relationship

Even the strongest relationship could suffer if it becomes a breeding ground for jealousy and insecurity. It is easy for doubts to creep in when one or both partners start to become unsure. When this happens, the couple need to take some time to analyze themselves, before they can truly move forward.

Unhappy black couple

Let us take a look at a few causes of jealousy in a relationship;
1. Low self-esteem: When one of the partners have low self esteem, they would begin to feel inferior in the relationship, because they start to believe they are not worth loving.
They believe their partner deserves better and they are patiently waiting for their partner to realize this and leave them. This would then result in them accusing their partners of being disloyal since they are obsessed with the thought that it would happen sooner or later.

2. Loss of Trust: A person who has been cheated on by his/her partner would automatically expect this to happen again.
This expectation would lead them to become very distrusting and they begin to question every little thing their partner does. They lose faith in the partnership and it becomes hard to regain the trust. 3. Past Experiences: Someone who has bitter experiences in the past would find it difficult to trust the person they are with, no matter how much or how often this person tries to prove he/she is loyal. They keep waiting for their current partner to err the same way their previous ones did.
The one thing we need to know is that jealousy is something that cannot simply be overlooked. It leads to pain, bitterness and heartbreak. It is not only the jealous partner who is being hurt, the one who is being accused would also feel his/her integrity and loyalty is being called into question.
They would slowly begin to get resentful and some might even go ahead and do what their partners are accusing them of. Since two wrongs do not make a right, we can see how something like this could cause an instant demise of the relationship.
Here are few ways a couple can handle the green-eyed monster when it crops up in their relationship.
1. Find The Root: Are you the one insecured in your relationship? Then it is time to find out the root cause of your feelings. Have you been hurt before? Are you afraid of being jilted? The point is, when you can pinpoint what the cause is, then that is one step towards solving your problem.
2. Communicate: After figuring out the cause of your jealousy, then it is time you communicate this to your partner. If you are being accused of being disloyal, then it is also important that you express how this makes you feel. Do not assume the issue would go away on its own. It needs to be addressed and sorted again and again until you are sure you both know where you stand.
3. Forgive: If you have been hurt by your partner and you choose to stay in that relationship regardless, then do take the necessary steps to truly make sure you forgive him/her for past transgressions. Let go of all resentment and make sure to work towards bringing the trust back to the relationship
4. Seek Help: If things are getting more difficult to sort out, then it is time to seek help from a trusted party. It could be a trusted relative, clergy or a couples’ counselor. The point is, you both talk to someone who can be objective in his/her views and help you resolve your problems.
What you should NEVER do if you are dealing with jealousy in your relationship.
1. Snooping: Do not resort to snooping through your partner’s phone, computer, or start tracking him/her just to alleviate your jealousy issues. This would only make things worse as you would start to misinterpret and misunderstand several scenarios. This would only make you more insecure. As they say; “you always find what you determinedly look for.”

2. Throw Accusatory Words: It is not fair to accuse a partner of something when there is no proof. Do not let your emotional state get the best of you that you accuse your partner non-stop of being unfaithful or disloyal. The only thing this will cause is to leave you both unhappy and frustrated.
3. Holding Grudges: Silently holding a grudge against your partner would certainly not do anything for your relationship. If something is wrong, talk about it and make sure it is sorted. Your partner is no mind reader, but he/she would increasingly become unhappy if they start to notice the feelings of bitterness and hate that radiates from you.
Hopefully, with these little piece of advice, you can learn how to prevent jealousy from making its way into your relationship and work on getting rid of it if it does.

 Biggie's blog wishes you a happy and fruitful relationship.

10 Things To Learn From NASS Drama

There is an ancient Chinese curse that says ‘may you live in interesting times’. Nigeria epitomises this – never a dull moment. While we struggle with our individual dramas whether trying to rescue our pensions from the clutches of those who have better uses for it or navigating life without steady power supply (fridges turned cupboards and fried up electronics) the nation collectively moves from crisis to calm and pseudo-crisis all within a news cycle.
There is already a lot in the public space about the most recent political developments around the emergence of the leadership of the National Assembly. We have heard the back stories, watched the replay on television and read the arguments and counter arguments for why who emerged what is right, wrong or great for democracy.
While there are many unasked and unanswered questions there are structural and political lessons for those who wonder about the way things have turned out so far.

Lesson 1: all half-trained lawyers know: ambiguities will be taken advantage of

Order 2 of the Senate Rules provides that on the first sitting of a new Senate, senators-elect shall assemble. The NASS clerk will read the proclamation, call the Senate to order and proceed to roll call. Each senator-elect called shall present the writ of election and receipt for the declaration of assets and liabilities. Order 2(1)K then says ‘all senators-elect shall participate in the nomination and voting for the president and the deputy president of the Senate’. If the proclamation was read at 10am and 57 Senators were present, and the process above was followed, it is unlikely that by 10.34am a Senate president could have been sworn in even with an unopposed nomination. Is there a presumption that ‘all’ senators (except those incapacitated) would be at the chambers for the vote? Some think not and rely on Section 54 of the 1999 Constitution that says a third of the legislators form a quorum. If it ever comes up for judicial interpretation, the judges can tell us if the Rules and Constitution envisaged that something as momentous as electing the Senate President could be done with 38 senators.

Lesson 2: the enemy of my enemy is my friend but the enemy of my friend is not necessarily my enemy

This sums up the weeks of negotiations and alliance trading which ultimately led to the outcomes June 9 and the aftermath. It also explains the cross party coalition to thwart what had been successfully framed as the battle to contain one godfather. This lesson may be tagged “in politics there are no permanent friends or enemies; only permanent interests”.

Lesson 3: godfathers; politicians cannot live with them and cannot live without them.

Godfatherism in politics and governance is a hydra headed monster and for every attempt to cut down one, two or three more are empowered. However, none may succeed in politics without having one or more – at least until they become godfathers with no need for others and that is precisely when they are ripe for felling. Yet despite betrayals of the ‘fathered’ and betrayals of the godchildren, Lesson Two above prevails.

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Lesson 4: it is okay when your friend/party does it

It also must be okay when your enemy/another party does it (and maybe even expands on it) a.k.a. two wrongs make it alright.

Lesson 5: slight no one and overlook no one particularly those who feel they contributed to your success.

Humans crave recognition and appreciation and just like some animals are more equal than others, so also do some need more recognition than others; give it to them. Ignoring them might make them disciples of ‘lesson two’. Study this lesson with ‘revenge is a dish best served cold’.

Lesson 6: nature abhors a vacuum

Sadly not just air will rush in to fill the gaps, leading to ‘too many cooks’ and problems with the broth. There are benefits to sometimes letting things take their course; politics is not one of those things. No matter how well-meaning and above the fray one might want to be, a surprise you did not plan is the last thing you want. Unless. What you want is planned just so it appears as if that’s not what you want. In which case, this article is not for you. You are the ultimate strategist.

Lesson 7: politics is not for the squeamish

Nor for the honourable or for those who balk at winning at all cost or rolling in the mud a.k.a saints. It is all or nothing and this lesson is best applied with the proverb about success having many parents, preferably the types who ask no questions.

Lesson 8: there is only one applicable definition of politics in Nigeria

It is ‘politics is a game of numbers/addition’. Forget Laswell’s ‘politics is who gets what, when and how’ or Easton’s ‘politics is the authoritative allocation of value’ or anything else. Look at the faces and tactics of winners over the years (true disciples of ‘lesson seven’) and take your cue from them.

Lesson 9: be extremely thorough (linked to ‘lesson one’)

Read the fine print and look for loopholes to exploit. As a politician be late for everything except the day of your expected coronation; then you get there the day before and hunker down. Don’t overlook anyone, especially not clerks (or people who technically don’t have votes but who have powers).

Lesson 10: every cloud has a silver lining

Therefore, turn every crisis into an opportunity and make sure you stock up on sugar, honey and water to turn your lemons into lemonade. Analyse: what are the lessons learnt from the events and the immediate fall out? What are the risks? What are the unexpected benefits and how can you ‘claim’ them? What are the necessary compromises to be made? Can everyone win and save face? How you deal with an issue can define outcomes for longer than you would like. Take it (whatever) on the chin, move on (and keep plotting).
Resume: For those on the side lines, try not to get blood on your shoes and stay away from those most likely to tread on strategically placed banana peels. 2019 is already in play and we can only hope that the spirit of change will ensure that politicians refocus and keep their attention on delivering good governance to citizens who are increasingly aware and demanding. The competition between the parties and politicians should be on pleasing Nigerians, not pleasing themselves. Otherwise, there is always the chance that the politicians will take each other out in no-one-left-standing gun duel. Alternatively, we’ll be waiting for them at the polling booths…

JUST IN! Buhari Appoints Chief Of Staff (UPDATE)

Nigeria’s president Muhammadu Buhari, has today, June 29, appointed Colonel Hamidu Ali, as his Chief of Staff, Omojuwa.com reports.

Col Hamidu Ali (rtd) sitting close to vice president Prof. Yemi Osibanjo recently in Aso Rock

The status of the former military administrator of Kaduna state was also immediately updated by Wikipedia, where it was stated that “he is currently the Chief of Staff to president Muhammadu Buhari” as there are limited sources to confirm the appointment.

Thus, reports linking immediate past governor of Lagos state, Babatunde Fashola, to the coveted post may have been laid to rest as Sahara Reporters, via its twitter handle, also confirmed the new appointment.
Contrary to the reports above, a BBC hausa reporter has alleged that presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu, has denied the appointment of Ali as the chief of staff to the president.
The presidency has now officially denied reports that the president Buhari has named his chief of staff, with Femi Adesina, another presidential spokesperson, revealing that no appointment had been made.
According to Premium Times, Femi Adesina said: “no appointment yet”, and refused to comment further.
Buhari is still under fire for the delay in announcing the members of his cabinet after about thirty days in office.

Don Jazzy announces first batch of winners (photos)

Win an all-expensesVIPpaid trip for two for a weekend away in Durban, South Africaand also to attend the MTV Base African Music Awards (MAMAs) with Don Jazzy. Also win exclusive weekly prizes. Virtual Cipher Limited (VCL), MTV Base, MTN Business and Mavin Records launched the “MTV Base Win a day with Don Jazzy” campaign on the 12th June, 2015.


By texting DJ to 5030 from your MTN number, subscribers can participate in a quiz about Don Jazzy that qualifies them for exclusive weekly prizes such as MTN recharge cards, goody bags from Mavin Records, SMD t-shirts, CDs, and N10,000 cash and also an opportunity to win a trip to Durban, South Africaand VIP tickets to the MTV Base African Music Awards (MAMAs) with Don Jazzy. VCL assures fans and subscribers of a fun and exciting experienceand guaranteestransparency. This Promo ends in 3 weeks on the 16th of July 2015.
Winners

Pictures from the campaign media launch held on 12^thJune 2015

 

Watch the advert

www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjzSoSDo-6M

For further Information

For more information go to www.mtvbase.com/competitions or visit mobile.virtualcipher.com.

Follow us on Twitter & Instagram @vclmobile. Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/vclmobile.

Benue Workers To Get 2 Months Salaries – Ortom

Governor Ortom has disclosed that his government would use the loan it was about to obtain from the bank to pay two months salaries in the first instance beginning with May after which that of June would be preceded by the staff audit which he said had become necessary to flush out ghost workers and block financial leakages.
Governor Samuel Ortom announced this today when the forum of former Local Government Chairmen in the state visited him at the Benue Peoples House.
He said the administration would also use the loan to tackle other challenges such as accreditation of programmes at the College of Health Sciences of the Benue State University, BSU, Makurdi and take off of the State House of Assembly as well as other pressing government business.
The Governor also informed members of the Forum that his administration would follow due process in all its dealings while stressing the need for them to cooperate with it to succeed. According to him his success would encourage the people of the state to entrust more leadership positions on former chairmen of councils.
In a remark,Chairman of the Forum, Chief Mrs Keziah Agundu urged the Governor to be prudent, accountable, tolerant and put the welfare of staff and pensioners topmost in his government.
She urged him to forgive all his opponents saying if he was able to pay salaries alone his one hundred days in office would be meaningful.
In separate comments, Mr. Nathaniel Ikem who spoke on behalf of Benue North East Senatorial zone, John Uan for Benue North West and Moses Enenche for Benue South all pledged to rally round the Governor to ensure that he succeeded.

Audition Entry - MTN PROJECT FAME

#MTNProjectFame8 audio audition gives you the opportunity to record any song of your choice and tryout other songs because you can listen to yourself and decide which one you think is the best before submitting.

You can even get your friends to listen while you are recording and tell you which one is better.

Ever since pop star Michael Jackson passed away, a fortune has reportedly been made from his name.
According to TMZ, the estate has grossed nearly $2 billion since Jackson’s death. The money comes from the movies “This is It,” the Cirque show “Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour,” 50 million albums sold and various other ventures.
After expenses, that $2 billion gets cut down to around $800m, which is a very good return. But the $800 mil gets significantly cut by taxes – we’re told to around $450 million.
MJ’s debts at the time of his death were around $500 million, so just on those two numbers the estate approaches being in the black.
But there are other ventures, like Sony, where the estate generates a lot of cash.
As for Michael’s kids, there’s a trust where millions gets distributed as they get older.
Sources told TMZ that ‘if the estate were completely liquidated today, each kid would get around $100 million’.
Michael Jackson died June 25th, 2009 at the age of 50.
- See more at: http://www.naijaloaded.com.ng/2015/06/26/unbelievable-see-how-much-michael-jackson-has-made-since-his-death/#sthash.ijxZBiCH.dpuf

Ever since pop star Michael Jackson passed away, a fortune has reportedly been made from his name.
According to TMZ, the estate has grossed nearly $2 billion since Jackson’s death. The money comes from the movies “This is It,” the Cirque show “Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour,” 50 million albums sold and various other ventures.
After expenses, that $2 billion gets cut down to around $800m, which is a very good return. But the $800 mil gets significantly cut by taxes – we’re told to around $450 million.
MJ’s debts at the time of his death were around $500 million, so just on those two numbers the estate approaches being in the black.
But there are other ventures, like Sony, where the estate generates a lot of cash.
As for Michael’s kids, there’s a trust where millions gets distributed as they get older.
Sources told TMZ that ‘if the estate were completely liquidated today, each kid would get around $100 million’.
Michael Jackson died June 25th, 2009 at the age of 50.
- See more at: http://www.naijaloaded.com.ng/2015/06/26/unbelievable-see-how-much-michael-jackson-has-made-since-his-death/#sthash.ijxZBiCH.dpuf

What is the Most Effective Way to Preserve Marriage When Society Falls Apart?

Louis and Zélie Martin

While the recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to legalize same-sex marriage is not surprising, it does reveal how far our society has gone and how much work needs to be done. It shows that our society does not know the purpose of marriage and confuses it with companionship and pleasure instead of a love that reflects the mystery of God.
Then again, it shouldn’t be surprising with the rise of divorce over the past 50 years. The institution of marriage has been crumbling before our eyes for decades and so this decision by the U.S. Supreme Court only confirms this truth.
So what can we do? How can we turn the tide and bring marriage up from the ashes?
It is very simple: we need more married saints!
If our children do not grow up in an environment where they see a shining example of marital love, they will buy into the lies of the world. Marriage is the bedrock of the family and if husband and wife do not lead lives of holiness, love and respect, the entire family will collapse.
We need to dig deep and heal the wounds that are in our marriages before we can heal the wounds in society.
Enter: (Saints) Louis and Zélie Martin
It is no coincidence that Blessed Louis and Zélie Martin will be the first married couple to be canonized in October, overlapping with the Synod on the Family. Louis and Zélie Martin were the parents of nine children, five of whom were called to the religious life, including the beloved Saint Thérèse of Lisieux and four were called home to God in their first years of life. Their example of holiness was so strong that it is very likely many of their children will be raised to the altars for public veneration (for example, Léonie’s cause for canonization is in its initial stages).
Their example of sanctity could not have come at a better time.
The best part of their example of marital love is that it they were human like us and had many struggles to endure to become saints. It was not easy for them.
Not only did they have to witness child after child die in their arms, Zélie in particular experienced much stress in trying to raise Leonie, the “problem child.” The situation proved to be such a great cross that Zélie would write, “Well, I have no longer any hope of changing her nature save by a miracle.” The fact that Leonie’s cause for canonization has begun shows that even amidst the trials of disciplining an obstinate child, Louis and Zélie succeeded in training a household of saints.
As a result, Louis and Zélie Martin are great intercessors and examples for all families. We need them in our fallen world to be beacons of light, showing us what true marriage is all about. We need their example to give us hope that we can save marriage from the ash heap and teach our children, however obstinate they may be, the truth about marriage.
We need married saints. That is the most effective way to preserve the sanctity of marriage when society falls apart.

Read more: http://www.ncregister.com/blog/philip-kosloski/what-is-the-most-effective-way-to-preserve-marriage-when-society-falls-apar/#ixzz3eHWfIYPu

READ Fans Reactions To Davido’s New Clothing Line (See Comments)

Nigerian superstar, Davido officially launched his clothing line ‘OBO’. Some of his fans reacted positively to the new idea of launching his clothing line while some criticized it.
Grab a bottle of drink with pop corn bowl beside you as you read through these comments…
- See more at: http://www.naijaloaded.com.ng/2015/06/25/read-fans-reactions-to-davidos-new-clothing-line-see-comments/#sthash.yWM9jaEF.dpuf

I Am Not Sure Of My Age – Charly Boy

Nigerian musician and entertainer Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, has told reporters that he himself is not quite sure of his age.
The maverick musician who recently celebrated his 64th year old birthday claimed: “I don’t really know my age. How people came about 64 is still a surprise to me. I am not particular about how old or young the number is, what I’m concerned about is the age of my mind and the age of my body.

Charly Boy

From my physique and my energy, I feel like I am 35 years younger. However, going by the age of my mind, experiences, my responsibilities and wisdom I should be about 87 years of age,” Charly said.

The controversial entertainer whose dad is the late famous and iconic Nigerian legal luminary, Justice Chukwudiofu Oputa said that life has taught him how to be open minded and to stay true to himself.
Charly Boy thanked his family and said that they are his rock and pride. He said: Family is what I have known all my life. I love all my children in different ways and I see a bit of me in all of them. And my strongest principle in life is ‘live and let live’, because you can’t live your life judging or labelling others when you don’t know the stuff they are made of.” He then talked about his fashion style and said that his style“depends on my mood.”

SHOCKING RULING: Supreme court legalises gay marriages nationwide

 In a landmark opinion, the Supreme Court ruled Friday that states cannot ban same-sex marriage, establishing a new civil right and handing gay rights advocates a victory that until very recently would have seemed unthinkable.

The 5-4 ruling had Justice Anthony Kennedy writing for the majority with the four liberal justices. Each of the four conservative justices wrote their own dissent.

The far-reaching decision settles one of the major civil rights fights of this era — one that has rapidly evolved in the minds of the American pubic and its leaders, including President Barack Obama. He struggled publicly with the issue and ultimately embraced same-sex marriage in the months before his 2012 re-election.

"No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice and family," Kennedy wrote.

"In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than they once were."

In a dissent, Justice Antonin Scalia blasted the Court's "threat to American democracy."

"The substance of today's decree is not of immense personal importance to me," he wrote. "But what really astounds is the hubris reflected in today's judicial Putsch."

Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that the decision had "nothing to do with the Constitution.

"If you are among the many Americans—of whatever sexual orientation—who favor expanding same-sex marriage, by all means celebrate today's decision. Celebrate the achievement of a desired goal," he wrote. "Celebrate the opportunity for a new expression of commitment to a partner. Celebrate the availability of new benefits. But do not celebrate the Constitution. It had nothing to do with it."

The U.S. is now the 21st country to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide. Married same-sex couples will now enjoy the same legal rights and benefits as married heterosexual couples nationwide and will be recognized on official documents such as birth and death certificates.

The decision affirmed growing public support in the U.S. for gay marriage, with about two-thirds of Americans now in favor. And it comes as gay rights groups have seen gay marriage bans fall rapidly in recent years, with the number of states allowing gay marriage swelling most recently to 37 — that is, until this ruling.

There were two questions before the Court, the first asked whether states could ban same sex marriage, the second asked whether states had to recognize lawful marriages performed out of state.

The relevant cases were argued earlier this year. Attorney John Bursch, serving as Michigan's Special Assistant Attorney General, defended four states' bans on gay marriage before the Court, arguing that the case was not about how to define marriage, but rather about who gets to decide the question.

The case came before the Supreme Court after several lower courts overturned state bans on gay marriage. A federal appeals court had previously ruled in favor of the state bans, with Judge Jeffrey Sutton of the Sixth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals writing a majority opinion in line with the rationale that the issue should be decided through the political process, not the courts.

Fourteen couples and two widowers challenged the bans. Attorneys Mary Bonauto and Doug Hallward-Driemeier presented their case before the Court, arguing that the freedom to marry is a fundamental right for all people and should not be left to popular vote.

Three years after Obama first voiced his support for gay couples' right to marry, his administration supported the same sex couples at the Supreme Court.

"Gay and lesbian people are equal," Solicitor General Donald B. Verrilli Jr. told the justices at the oral arguments earlier this year. "It is simply untenable — untenable — to suggest that they can be denied the right of equal participation in an institution of marriage, or that they can be required to wait until the majority decides that it is ready to treat gay and lesbian people as equals.

The same-sex couples who challenged gay marriage bans in Michigan, Tennessee, Kentucky and Ohio were just a few of the estimated 650,000 same-sex couples in the United States, 125,000 of whom are raising children.

The challenges included same-sex couples who wanted to marry, those who sought to have their lawful out-of-state marriage recognized, as well as those who wanted to amend a birth or death certificate with their marriage status.

The lead plaintiff in the case is Jim Obergefell who married his spouse John Arthur in 2013 months before Arthur died.

The couple, who lived in Ohio, had to travel to Maryland aboard a medical jet to get married when Arthur became gravely ill. And when Arthur died, Obergefell began to fight to be recognized as Arthur's spouse on his death certificate.

The plaintiffs from Michigan are April DeBoer and Jayne Rowse, two Detroit-area nurses who are also foster parents. They took to the courts after they took in four special-needs newborns who were either abandoned or surrendered at birth, but could not jointly adopt the children because Michigan's adoption code requires that couples be married to adopt.

Sgt. Ijpe Dekoe and Thomas Kostura became plaintiffs in the gay marriage case after they moved to Tennessee from New York.

The pair had married in New York in 2011, but Dekoe's position in the Army took the couple to Tennessee, which banned gay marriage and refused to recognize gay marriages performed in other states.-CNN

Nigerian Transgender, Ms Sahhara Releases New Photos

Nigerian transgender, Miss Sahhara, is a beauty to behold in new photos!
She shared the photos to support the “I am valid” campaign which is a campaign for the recognition of transgenders worldwide.

See the photos below:
   
It would be recalled that just recently, the first transgender officer in the whole world shows off.

6 Celebrities With Trademark Hairstyles

Trademark hairstyles is fast becoming a blooming trend in the Nigerian entertainment industry, especially the music industry.

Here are 5 trademark hairstyles of Nigerian celebs.
1. Yemi Alade
Yemi Eberechi Alade simply known as Yemi Alade, is a Nigerian Afro pop singer. She came into the limelight after winning the Peak Talent Show in 2009. She is best known for her hit single “Johnny”.



2. Chidinma
Chidinma Ekile  popularly known by her stage name Chidinma, is a Nigerian singer-songwriter, recording artist and stage performer. In 2010, she rose to stardom after winning the third season of MTN Project Fame West Africa. Following the release of the music video for her “Emi Ni Baller” single, she became the first female musician to peak at number 1 on the MTV BaseOfficial Naija Top 10 chart.

3. Asa
Asa pronounced “Asha” is a Nigerian French singer, songwriter, and recording artist. Her stage name “Aṣa” means “Hawk” in Yoruba.

4. Phyno
Azubuike Chibuzo Nelson better known by his stage name Phyno, is a Nigerian rapper and record producer. He started his musical career as a producer in 2003. He is renowned for rapping in the Igbo language.


5. Tuface Idibia
Innocent Ujah Idibia better known by his stage name 2face Idibia, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer. He officially discontinued the use of the name Tuface and selected Tu-baba as his stage name. He is one of the most decorated and successful Afro pop artists in Africa. He is also one of the most bankable artists in Africa.

6. Banky W
Olubankole Wellington known under the stage name Banky W, is a Nigerian R&B artist.

4 Reasons You Should Marry An Igbo Lady

In Nigeria, there are different views about women from various tribes.

While women from some tribes are believed to have certain skill sets, some are generally believed not to measure up to the standards of others because of a perceived trend. Many people analyse these behaviours based on their experiences with one or two women from the same tribe they have come across in their lifetime.

However, it should be noted that although some special behaviours have been attached to women from various tribes, it DOES NOT WORK TOTALLY FOR all the women in the tribe. The assumptions are just based on the common thing you will see most women from the area do. Naij.com has however put together 4 reasons why you should consider marrying an Igbo lady.
1. Igbo Ladies Are Very Industrious
It is generally believed that Nigerians who are Igbos (both male and female), tend to do business more, compared to other tribes. Igbo ladies are not left out in this trend. When an Igbo lady fails in the first business venture, she does not relent, instead she tries other ways, just to bring money into the house. Amazingly, lots of these women do not like sitting down without supporting their husbands. For a true Igbo lady, consistency is key and being financially dependent is out of the picture!
2. Igbo Ladies Love Unconditionally
When a true Igbo lady is in love, she loves not minding the odds involved (that’s if there are any). Igbo ladies take their time to do things in order to make their man not fall out of love with them. They take care of the home front including the children and are always ready to give good sex any time of the day just to show how committed they are to their men.
3. Igbo Ladies Stay True To Their Men
Yes, there are lots of wayward ladies in the country but Igbo ladies seldom cheat on their men. Igbo girls are faithful to the core.
4. Igbo Ladies are Extra Smart, Intelligent and Beautiful
Looking around, most of the popular ladies leading the pack both in and outside the country are Igbos. They are not just beautiful and brilliant, they are extra smart. They know their onions, they do not try to outshine themselves and they make the art of being a woman so beautiful!
READ MORE: http://www.naij.com/458463-4-reasons-you-should-marry-an-igbo-lady.html

10 Places In Lagos To Take Your Lady To This Weekend

Editor’s note: It’s the last weekend of the month and no doubt, it has been a stressful month. You probably haven’t had the time to take your lady out and spend a wonderful time together. That’s understandable but you can make up for it. Depending on your taste and what your lady wants, we have come up with ten wonderful places in Lagos where you can have a memorable time together
Rhapsody’s
Located at Ikeja city mall, Rhapsody’s is a fine place to spend the evening with your special lady. The setting is perfectly themed to make you feel euphoric. The food is also wonderful and your date is sure to be waohed by the perfect service delivery.

 
Sounds like Beer? Perhaps it sounds more like Bear. That’s perfects because you’re sure to get a bear hug treatment in this cool spot. It’s a perfect place to make your date feel special. The light is romantically dim and the food is tasty. Located at Ikeja city mall, Bheerhugz will give you a wonderful experience.

The Place
True to its name, The Place is really the place and with your lady by your side, you’ve signed up for maximum enjoyment. You have the opportunity to try there tasty asun which is a popular favorite. Youll find the Place at Odeola Odeku. Enjoy yourself and the company of your date to the fullest.

Domino’s Pizza
So you know they have great tasty pizzas. What you might not know is that they have different types and the place is cozy and wonderful. It offers a great opportunity to have a long romantic chat with your lady in between bites of pizza. There are scattered all over Lagos so it won’t be hard to find one.

The Wheatbaker
Welcome to paradise. The Wheatbaker hotel will give you and your date a memorable outing. You’ll be treated like a royal in this breath taking place. The meal there is a delight. Wheatbaker has a cool ambiaece with different things to delight you and your partner. Located in Ikoyi, it is one place that would bring out the romance in your relationship

Coldstone Creamery
Yummy! Coldstone Creamery is a place to have cakes and ice cream with your darling. The sensation from the cold ice cream might have a magical effect on your emotions. You have nothing to fear though as it’s a good one. They also have varieties of drinks too. You’re sure to have a wonderful time.


Alalo
So you and your lady love local dishes. You’ve found the right place to enjoy that together. Located in Ikeja, the ambience will fuel your romantic outing. The interior design is very great too. After meal, you and your darling can enjoy a long talk together.

Terrakulture
Located on the Island, Terrakulture is a perfect place to enjoy a wonderful time with your lady. It also allows you to know what she likes too. The library, the food lounge, the art gallery… you’re in for a a fun filled experience. The decor and ambience is one admirable thing about Terrakulture. Enjoy yourselves.

Metisse Lounge And Restaurant
Located at Victoria Island, this place will give you value for money. The service is great and professional. You love sea food or you and your lady want to give a try for the first time? It’s the place to be. You get this feeling that you’re getting an exclusive treatment. They also have a moderate selection of cocktails too.

Home
Perfect. Home is the place to take your lady too. It offers that great sentimental environment to chat at ease and laugh. You can do the cooking together and forget all the table manners when eating. You can be in each other;s arm and talk into the night. Enjoy the natural sensation of your home with your lady.