Uche Uwaezeapu finds Horn of Valour; wins Gulder’s Ultimate search VI!

After 21 days of rigorous tasks and adventure, Uche Uwaezeapu grabbed the ‘Horn of Valour’ as he claimed the title of Gulder Ultimate Man VI. Given what he has been through in the last few weeks, he is bound to be sore and exhausted but what better way to revitalize him than to receive his bumper winner’s prize package – N7 million cash, an SUV worth about N10 million, N500,000 wardrobe allowance and other benefits. Uche will now follow in the footsteps of his predecessors and represent the brand as the face of Gulder Lager for the next 12 months.

Over 15, 000 people registered to audition for GUS VI across the country. 8, 304 qualified for the regional selection, however, only 108 were successful. After the regional auditions, 36 contestants were qualified for the screening at the Sea School in Lagos. After that stage, 10 young men and women were chosen to embark on the Gulder Ultimate Search VI adventure.

Melvin Oduah, Adaeze Nwogu, Chisom Egemasi, Debra Omekhigien, Vivian Okafor, Elvis Abogu, Olawale Akanbi, Uche Nwaezeakpu, Chuks Okorji and Oseyiomon Okoh emerged as the final 10 – they then proceeded to the fabled Omodo Forest in search of The Horn of Valour.

They were eliminuated one by one and finally only 3 remained in contention – Chisom Eluma, Melvin Oduah and Uche Uwaezeapu. It was a tough battle but Uche won! Congrats. Looking forward to the future, we hope that a women finally clinched the horn in season VII.

Source: bellanaija.com

How Omotola, Genevieve, Emeka Ike, Stella Damasus missed Glo Ambassadors’ list

The unveiling of Glo Ambassadors last week has brought to fore the questions on reasons some big stars were not included in the list. It was a surprise to many when the list was released and big stars like Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Genevieve Nnaji, Emeka Ike and Stella Damasus were missing.

We first sought explanation from a Glo source who diplomatically told us that the Glo brand is a youthful brand. Therefore, some old hands in the industry would pass a contradictory brand message if selected. but while digging further, we got to know that the stars were contacted but personal differences and demands on both parties prevented the discussion from scaling through.

Genevieve was actually the first person in Nollywood contacted to be the Glo ambassador and she directed the caller from Glo to her manager, after the negotiation broke down, the caller had to call Genny back and reminded Genny that they know each other and would like to talk to her directly.

Genny realizing she actually knows the person proceeded with the negotiation. Genny was offered N30 million to be Glo Ambassador but she demanded for N50 million because she had the impression she was going to be the only person to be appointed. “she was given impression she was going to be the only person to be appointed, she was not told there was a plan to contact others. So she negotiated based on the information she had” a source close to her told us.

•Omotola

For Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, she never even got around to negotiate with the company because, when she was called, her office told Glo they had to send an official letter to her and state what they want and the office would also reply them officially because that is the way her office operate. Glo felt the protocol was unnecessary and moved on.

Star actor, Emeka Ike was actually called for an interview session at Mike Adenuga Tower and he had discussions with a panel of about five members. He was offered about N20 million for a year but he turned it down and demanded for a figure around N40 million.

•Emeka Ike

After much back and forth, it was concluded that the two parties could not do business together. They all shook hands and left. When contacted Emeka confirmed the story and said “yes, I had discussion with Glo, I wonder how you got the news anyway. We could not agree on price so they moved on to people they could afford “. When pressed further to give more details, he refused saying, “what we had was business discussion, it would be unprofessional of me to give full details in public”.

•Stella Damasus

Stella Damasus’ non inclusion has nothing to do with money but disagreement on contract. After a brief telephone discussion with her she was called one day to come and sign the contract, but she asked for time to go through the contract with her lawyer. Glo told her it has no such time. She was told the contract had to be signed that day. She told the company there was no way she would sign without her lawyer going through it and that ended the discussion.” So, now that you know the reason the big stars were not included don’t ask further question.

Source: Nigeriafilms.com

R Kelly denies duet with Tuface Idibia

Since he released his latest album, UNSTOPPABLE, popular singer, 2face idibia has found himself faced with one controversy or the other. The latest centers around the duet he claimed to have done with American RnB star, R. Kelly. The song in question is titled ‘FLEX’. According to him, in a recent interview, the deal was brokered by Toyin Subair, boss of HiTV cable network and he (2face), actually met R. Kelly in the US before recording the song. One of the reasons people seemed to be debating the authenticity of his claim of a collabo with R.Kelly is because the beat of the said song has been used by R.Kelly before in one of his songs.

While the entire nation seemed to have forgotten the issue, the whole collabo brouhaha came up again when R.Kelly visited Nigeria a few weeks ago. Expectedly, many people were expecting to see Tuface perform with R. Kelly but that didn’t happen. Rumours started flying that Tuface may have lied to Nigerians about having done a duet with R.Kelly.

Surprisingly, 2face, who’d featured in past music festival organized by ThisDay didn’t make the list of the performing artists billed for R.Kelly’s show. An insider disclosed that when R.Kelly was asked if he knows Tuface, he denied him, saying he had never heard the name before. He was said to have listened to the song they were meant to have done together and he laughed over it, insisting that he made the beat a long time ago, and that it must have been tapped on the internet.

This City People learnt got the organizers upset and it is for this reason, sources revealed that 2face may have been dropped from the show.

Last week Thursday, City People put a call across to 2face to comment on the allegation but his line was not available, so they called up his manager, Efe Omoreige who spoke exclusively on the issue “Well, I have not heard anything from the organizers of the show that R.Kelly disclaimed Tuface, so I might not be able to respond to it. About the allegations that Tuface didn’t record with R.Kelly, I will explain to you. Yes the duet was real. Tuface recorded with R.Kelly but not in the same studio. The met but couldn’t achieve being in the studio at the same time because of their tight schedule. R.Kelly did his own part and sent it to Tuface and that is all about it. Tuface didn’t perform at the show because he was already engaged elsewhere. We were contacted for the show, but we were already booked to be in Benin. You don’t expect Tuface to neglect a show he has been paid for to convince people that he knows R.Kelly”

Hmmmm, interesting!

Let me tell you what I think. If these guys actually spoke with R. Kelly and he said the things they claim he said, then I don't think R Kelly would lie about not knowing Tuface. He has no reason to. But I also do not think that Tuface Idibia would stoop so low to do what he's being accused of. He's far bigger than that. So there must be something else going on here that we don't know about. There's definitely another hook to this story.

What do you guys think?

By Afolabi Adekoya (City People)

2009 Soundcity Nigerian Music Video Awards winners

It was a very fascinaing to see Wande Coal, Dbanj, M.I, Eldee, Banky W, Dipp, Weird MC, Jozi (South Africa), Ware (Kenya), Seun Kuti, Tuface Idibia and American rapper Mims all performed Live.

The Winners are;

Best Male Video
• Naeto C – Kini Big Deal

Best Female Video
• TY Bello – Ekundayo

Best Choreography
• P-Square – Roll It

Best Special Effect Editing
• Dipp – Dangerous

Best Cinematography
• Bigiano – Shayo

Best Hip Hop
• Str8buttah – Last Standing

Best R&B or Pop Video
• Darey - Not the girl

Best Duo/Group Video
• P-Square – Roll It

Best Collaboration in a Music Video
• Tuface Idibia ft. Sound Sultan – Enter The Place

Soundcity Viewers Choice
• Bigiano – Shayo

Soundcity Fresh Video
• Steel – South African Girl

Discovery of the year
• Kel - Waa Wa Alright

Hit Producer of the Year
• “Suddenly” by D’banj (Don Jazzy)

African Video of the Year
• 340ML (Mozambique)

Best Video
• Tuface - Enter The Place

Best Live perfromance Western Africa (Honors)
* Seun Kuti

Best Live performance Southern African (Honors)
* Jozi

Congratulations to the winners

Naija Music: 2009 Soundcity Music Video Awards Nominees

For those who never saw the Nominee List for the 2009 Soundcity Music Video Award, here it is. The second edition was held on the 1st of August, 2009 at The Soundcity Music Centre, Oceanview V/I.
Best Male Video
Gino - Farabale
Naeto C - Kini Big Deal
Igho - Naija Boy
Shank - Too Late
Banky W - Capable Remix
9ice - Party Rider

Best Female Video
Sasha - Only One
Goldie - Shift
Wierd Mc - Riranwo
Ty Bello - Ekundayo
Kel - Waa Wa Alright
Nikki Laoye - Never Felt This Way

Best Choreography
Freewindz - Like That
P-Square - Roll It
Dipp - Dangerous
Goldie - Shift

Best Special Effect Editing
Mo Hits All Stars - Ten Ten
Dipp - Dangerous
P-Square - Roll it
Omawunmi - In The Music
Sorty - Brymo
H-Man - Ndoli Ndoli

Best Duo/Group Video
Mohits All Stars - Pere
P-Square - Roll It
Kentro World - Kama Kazee
KC Presh - Shokori Bobo
GXploits - Bolu Moru

Best Cinematography
Bigiano - Shayo
Eldee - Bosi Gbangba
Sasha - Only One
Tuface Idibia - Enter The Place
Darey Art Alade - Not The Girl

Best Hip Hop Video
Str8butah - Last Standing
Mode9ine - Hip Hop
OD ft. Sound Sultan - No Be Today
Gino - Farabale
DJ Jimmy Jatt ft. Sasha, Blaise, Kemistry, Bouqui - Too Much

Sound City Fresh Video
Bouqui - Morile
Ikechukwu - She Makes Me Go (Shoobeedoo)
GXploits - Tear Rubber
Morachi - Boomskolo
Steel - South African Girl

Sound City Viewers Choice
9ice - Street Credibility
Wierd Mc - Riranwo
Tuface Idibia - Enter The Place
Bigiano - Shayo
Ikechukwu - Wind Am Well
D'Banj - Suddenly

Best Collaboratian in a Music Video
Jmartins ft. Timaya and P-Square - Good or Bad
Tuface Idibia ft. Sound Sultan - Enter The Place
2shotz ft. Timaya - In Case You Never Know
Klever Jay ft. Danny Young - Koni Koni Love
Ayzee Yo ft. Tuface Idibia - No Be Small Thing
DJ Jimmy Jatt ft. Sasha, Blaise, Kemistry, Bouqui - Too Much
Ikechukwu ft. D'Banj and Don Jazzy - Wind Am Well

Discovery of the Year

YQ ft. Dagrin - Efimile

DeeBee - Collabo

Bracket - Yori Yori

Kel - Waa Wa Alright

Bigiano - Shayo

Tustep ft. Dagrin - Call the Police

Jmartins ft. Timaya and P-Square - Good or Bad

Hit Producer Of The Year (As used in a music)

"Efimile" by YQ ft. Dagrin - Dr Frabbs

"Le fenuso" by Lord of Ajasa - ID Cabasa

"Suddenly" by D'Banj - Don Jazzy

"Kama Kazee" by Kentro World - JJC Skills

"Pasa Pasa" by M.P - Dapsee

"Enter The Place" by Tuface Idibia - JSleek

Best R&B pop Video

Omawunmi - In The Music

Banky W - Don't Break My Heart

Dipp - Dangerous

Tony Tetuila - Do Re Mi

KC Presh - Shokori Bobo

Ay.Com - Pass Me Your Love

African Video Of The Year

Nneka - Heart Beat (Nigeria)

ML - 340 (Mozambique)

Hip Hop Pantsula (South Africa)

Asem - Pigaro (Ghana)

Okyeama kwame - Woso (Ghana)

Best Video

Wierd MC - Riranwo

Eldee - Bosi Gbangba

Naeto C - Kini Big Deal

Mo Hits All Stars - Pere

Bigiano - Shayo

Kentro World - Kama Kazee

P-Square - Roll It

Tuface Idibia - Enter The Place

visit their official website here...http://soundcity.tv/smva/

Money Talks: Top Ten Richest women in the world

World's Richest women

It looks like billionaire Abigail Johnson is moving closer to the Fidelity throne.

This month the daughter of Edward "Ned" Johnson III, lord of the world's largest mutual fund company, took charge of the board governing the company's fixed-income and asset-allocation funds. She now oversees 161 funds with more than $650 billion in assets.

Many Fidelity watchers believed "Abby" fell out of contention for the top spot at the company after her father moved her from the venerable mutual fund division to the more mundane retirement and retail group in 2005. (Others saw that move as an opportunity for her to understand another part of the family business.) Johnson will continue to run the retail group--the firm's largest division with $1.3 trillion in customer assets--as she takes on her new responsibilities.

World's Richest Women A spokesman for Fidelity would not comment on the company's succession plans. He said the move was the logical next step in its strategy to split its board of trustees in half, and Ned Johnson has no plans of retiring.Like the majority of the female billionaires in the world, Johnson inherited her fortune--yet still holds tremendous sway over her company. Today she's worth an estimated $8.5 billion, ranking her eighth on the new Forbes list of the world's richest women.

Topping the list is Christy Walton, who is worth $20 billion. Walton is the widow of Wal-Mart ( WMT - news - people ) scion John Walton, who died in a plane crash in 2005. Right behind her is Alice Walton, worth $19.5 billion.

Alice is the daughter of Sam Walton, who with his brother James, started a general store chain in Bentonville, Ark., in 1962. Today Wal-Mart is the world's largest retailer, controlling more than 7,900 stores, 2 million employees and $400 billion in annual sales.This year the 20 richest women on the planet have a combined net worth of $160 billion derived from a diverse string of industries including manufacturing, finance, real estate and commodities.

While nearly all of their personal balance sheets took a hit in the past 12 months, most of the world's richest women have rehabbed their riches since the global equity markets bottomed out. Since we published our list of the World's Billionaires in March, this elite group has added $20 billion in cumulative wealth. Behind the Waltons is L'Oreal heiress Liliane Bettencourt, who is worth $15 billion and has endured a scandalous year. Her daughter, Francoise Bettencourt-Meyers, filed a criminal complaint after the make-up matriarch reportedly gave $1.3 billion in assets and life insurance benefits to photographer Francoise-Marie Banier (See "Une Affaire de Famille"). Bernard Madoff's investment fraud also reportedly devoured some of her family's funds (See "L'Oreal Family Mixed In With Madoff").

The world's fourth richest woman, Susanne Klatten (worth $12 billion), has also been mired in scandal recently. Last January she was forced to go to the police after a former lover, Helg Sgarbi, allegedly threatened to post videos of the two having sex on the Internet (See "Billionaire Sex Scandals").

Sgarbi had secretly videotaped the two in hotel rooms on several occasions and demanded millions of Euros in hush money. In March Sgarbi was sentenced to serve six years in prison for the attempted blackmail.Female billionaires who didn't make the top 20 include Harry Potter author J.K.

Rowling, former eBay ( EBAY - news - people ) chief Margaret Whitman and media maven Oprah Winfrey. Oprah, worth $2.7 billion, recently slipped to No. 2 on the most recent Forbes Celebrity 100 ranking of the world's ultra famous.

Source: Forbes