FC Barcelona Coach Tito Vilanova Resigns

Barcelona have confirmed that Tito Vilanova has stepped down as manager to undergo further treatment for cancer.

The Spaniard took over from Pep Guardiola last summer, but the club revealed in December that he was unwell with parotid gland cancer for a second time .

He returned to management in late March after Jordi Roura took control.

Barca president Sandro Rosell and director of the football Andoni Zubizarreta addressed the media and the playing squad on Friday evening to confirm the news.

"After evaluating routine tests on Tito Vilanova, he is to undergo a process of treatment incompatible with being Barca coach," Rosell said.

He added: "This is a big blow for Barcelona, but Barca have received many blows and have always overcome them."

Tired of Being A Maga : Janet Jackson To Stop Supporting Her Brothers Financially

According to a report on EURweb.com, Janet Jackson's husband has cut off her brothers financially. Janet has been known to bail her older brothers out of financial difficulties in the past.

"Janet had to change her phone number so that her mom, Katherine, was the only family member with direct access to her," a source told  The National Enquirer. "But now Janet's brothers try to get to her through their mom."

Janet married Middle Eastern multi-millionaire Wissam Al Mana in a secret ceremony in February. But now that she is entitled to his money he wants to keep his cash out of her brothers' hands.

"He wants Janet to cut off her family and he supports her decision one hundred percent," said the insider.
From  EURweb.com:

"They've asked Janet to help them with everything from late child-support payments to home foreclosures and tax liens," the source said. "But now she's drawn a line and let them know enough is enough."

On the other hand, Michael Jackson's mother, Katherine, could possibly win $40 billion in the wrongful death suit against concert promoter AEG Live. She accused the company of not properly investigating and supervising the physician hired to take care of Michael in conjunction with the singer's ill-fated "This Is It" comeback tour.

"If Katherine collects just a small portion of that claim against AEG, there's no doubt her sons will be lined up at her doorstep with their hands out," the source says. "But the good news is a windfall for Katherine will take some of the pressure off of Janet."

We Will Eradicate Boko Haram In The Next Three Months -President Goodluck Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan has said that in the next three months the problem of Boko Haram insurgency would have been significantly eradicated.

The President, a CNN interview monitored by our correspondent on Friday, said Nigeria's "security architecture" was not prepared for the problem of terrorism.

He also said the country was not negotiating with Boko Haram contrary to opinions, but simply making attempts to "change their orientation".

Jonathan said, "We are not negotiating with Boko Haram. It is done all over the world. It is not negotiation. We are not begging."Our security architecture was first designed to deal with ordinary criminals but since terror started, we have been building it. I believe if you are to interview me again in three months' time, you will praise me that this government has tried.

"We are tackling terror from various angles. We must first of all stop them through military intervention, which we have initiated by declaring a state of emergency in three states where these terror attacks are predominant."

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Nelson Mandela

Most of us know Nelson Mandela as the South African revolutionary and politician whose long imprisonment became a rallying cry for dismantling apartheid. We know that he went on to be elected the first black president of the Republic of South Africa in the first open election in the country's history and that he has remained one of the most inspiring and admired men in modern history.

But there's so much more to know. Consider the following:

 1. His parents didn't name him Nelson

Upon his birth on July 18, 1918, he was named Rolihlahla Dalibhunga Mandela. He attended primary school in Qunu where his teacher gave him the name Nelson, in accordance with the tradition of giving "Christian" names to students.

2. He was a poor student

Mandela was expelled from the University College of Fort Hare for his participation in a student protest. He completed his BA through the University of South Africa before attending the University of the Witwatersrand for his law degree. By his own admission, he was not a very good student and left in 1948 without graduating; he also was unable to complete a law degree that he started at the University of London . It wasn't until his last months in prison that he obtained his undergraduate law degree. He now has more than 50 honorary degrees from international universities.

3. He traveled under an alias

In 1962, he took on the alias David Motsamayi and secretly left South Africa for other parts of Africa and England to rally support for the liberation movement and the African National Congress (ANC); he received military training in Morocco and Ethiopia .

4. He was a master of disguise 

Forced to go underground to evade the police, Mandela disguised himself as a chauffeur, a chef and a garden boy. "I would wear the blue overalls of the fieldworker and often wore round, rimless glasses known as Mazzawati teaglasses. I had a car and I wore a chauffeur's cap with my overalls. The pose of chauffeur was convenient because I could travel under the pretext of driving my master's car," he wrote in his autobiography, "Long Walk to Freedom."

5. Some of his most famous words were spoken in court

In 1963, Mandela and nine others went on trial for sabotage in what became known as the Rivonia Trial, when he delivered his famous speech in which he concluded, "During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." Facing the death penalty, they were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment.

6. His principles were more important than freedom

He spent 27 years in prison until his release in 1990, nine days after the unbanning of the ANC. Throughout his imprisonment he had rejected at least three conditional offers of release.

 7. He was deluged with ticker tape 

In 1990, he embarked on a world tour, visiting British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, the U.S. Congress, and U.S. President George H.W. Bush. An estimated 400,000 attended a ticker tape parade through the canyons of Wall Street in his honor.

8. He loves tripe

Umleqwa (farm chicken), ulusu (tripe), and amasi (sour milk) are among his favorite foods. His chef since 1992, Xoliswa Ndoyiya, published a cookbook with his favorite recipes.

9. He was a concert promoter

Mandela was the driving force behind the 2003 AIDS awareness event in Cape Town called the 46664 Concert. The huge event included performances by Beyonce, Peter Gabriel, Bono, Bob Geldof and many more. The name of the concert references Mandela's prison number.

10. His honors have no limits

Mandela has received more than 695 awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize and the U.S. Congressional Medal. In addition to his honorary degrees, he has also been bestowed with honorary citizenships, organization memberships, and a large number of streets, buildings, schools and other various things have been named for him — and his influence can even be seen in Hollywood. In "The Cosby Show," the grandchildren of Cliff and Clair Huxtable, Winnie and Nelson Tibideau, were named after Mandela and his former wife.

Culled from http://www.mnn.com

Osas is different from Jenifa - Mercy Aigbe

Mercy Aigbe is a household name in Nollywood, especially in the Yoruba sector of the film industry. The Benin, Edo State-born actress has one of the sexiest shapes in the industry, despite having had two children. She has also managed to steer clear of scandals.
A Source met the University of Lagos graduate who won the Best Actress in Yoruba award at the City People Awards held last week in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, where she spoke extensively on many issues, including her acting career, love life and  family background, among others.

How did it all begin, the acting?

I actually had my background in theatre, because I studied Theater Arts at the University of Lagos; I graduated in 2003, and I worked a while before I joined the industry. But the film that brought me to limelight was Ara, produced by Wemimo Paul in Ibadan.
It was something I really wanted to do; it was something I really have passion for. I just wanted to do it.

As an actress, what do you look at before you accept a role?

Before I work for anybody, first of all I demand for the script. And the reason I always do that is to go through the story. I love a story that I have a passion for; that people can easily watch and gain something from. Then, after demanding for my script and going through it and I have made sure it's a good one, I also want to know the people I am going to work with, because most of the time, if you have a good script and you don't have good people you are working with, it kills the story, and it kills the script, especially the director. It's not as if I don't work with people without experience, but the person has to know what he or she is doing, I just don't want to work with just anybody.

You are not from a Yoruba-speaking state, but you found yourself in Yoruba film industry. How did this happen?

A lot of people have asked me this particular question, and I keep telling them that maybe it's fate, because I never planned to be a Yoruba actress, or to be known in Yoruba sector (of Nollywood). I actually started with the English sector. When I joined the industry, I started with a couple of soaps. I did one or two movies in English, because I did that film I told you about (Ara). I did Eldorado and Images (by Fidelis Duker) and did one with Chico Ejiro (I've forgotten the title but I think it's still airing. It's an old film), then I did a movie with Charles Novia. I did a lot of movies in English. It was after my appearance in Ara that a lot of people started taking note of me that 'who is that girl? She acts very well'. That was how I fully joined the Yoruba industry. I think Ara made me popular.

Was Ara the first Yoruba film you featured in?

Ara was not my first Yoruba film; it was actually the second. But it was Ara that shot me into limelight. I'm happy now in the Yoruba sector.

As a producer, how many films have you produced now?

I think I've produced about four films. The first one was Abimbola. After that I did Afe Aye, then Hajia Jemila. Then I did Osas Omoge Benin, and now I'm working on Loose Girls. This is about four streets girls, outgoing girls; it's is going to be a nice film when it is released. It teaches morals.

Talking about your third film (Osas Omoge Benin), people are saying you copied the storyline of Funke Akindele's Jenifa. Do you have anything to say to that?

People were actually saying that before they watched it; just like when Jenifa came out, a lot of people were saying it was a copy of what Ronke Oshodi Oke did in Gbajumo. Osas is very different from Jenifa; there is no similarity at all. When you see Osas you will see that it is completely different from Jenifa. I don t know where that rumour started from. A lot of people have watched it at the cinema and they now agree that it is completely different from Jenifa.

Can you say Osas Omoge Benin is your best performance so far?

I can't say it's my best, because I don't think I have done my best. The only reason I love Osas is that the character allows me to speak Benin pidgin, which is synonymous with the people from my place. It also allows me to be funny, and that actually is my first comedy movie.

What do you think makes you unique from your other professional colleagues?

I don't know o (general laughter), but I think it's my stature, because a lot of people do tell me I don't look my age; that even after giving birth to two kids, I look younger than my age. You know I'm blessed with a face that looks younger than my age, I mean a baby face. At times when I tell people my age, they will say 'Wow! You don't look it'.

(Cuts in) And how old is Mercy?

I'm in my late 30s actually. I have a lot of upcoming actresses that always come to me to tell me that, and I always get to play their friends in a film without even looking older than they. I think as an actress, I'm blessed with that shape and good look.

What's the secret?
It's God.

Any regrets being an actress?

No, I don't have any regrets.

How does your husband feel whenever he sees you in movies being kissed or fondled?
 
I don't think he cares, because he knows it's a make-believe sort of thing. There was even a film that I'm supposed to kiss somebody, and when he watched the film he told me that I did not do it well. He said it was not done professionally. The only thing I cannot do is to act nude. I can't act nude.

… Even with a million dollars?

No. I can't do that; our society does not allow that.

Before you got married to your husband, did you have a child?

Yes, I had a kid before I got married to my husband. I had her before I got married.

What do we not know about Mercy Aigbe?

Mercy Aigbe is from Edo State, but I was born in Lagos State. I'm the second among five children (of my parents). I'm Christian from a Christian background, married to a Yoruba man, an hotelier. I have two kids. After my post-primary education, I went to The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Oyo State, for my National Diploma before I proceeded to the University of Lagos, where I got a Bachelor's degree in Theatre Arts.

Minor Could Be a Bride Stop The Fuse And Get Educated-Muslim's View on Underage Marriage

Naija Info-Man Alternate Views wrote:

On Yerima: Nigeria has many uncountable problems and none of them is early marriage. As a matter of fact early marriage the solution to about half of our problems.

For those who wonder if I can give my daughter(s) out in marriage at the age of 9 or 13, I tell you most honestly, I can give her out at the age of 6 if I want to and its not your business. This is because I am a Muslim and I follow the example of the best of mankind, Muhammad صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ.

In Islam, marriage is not only about sex, it is about family and helping one another in achieving their goals, which is the attainment of Paradise.

In Islam, a girl can be given out in marriage as early as 6 years old, but consummation of the marriage can only be done when the girl becomes physically mature and she gives her consent to it because unlike English law, it is not permissible for a man to rape his wife in Shari'ah Law.

So what can anybody tell me? I live in a city where young girls at the age of 12 have already became serial fornicators and cannot count the number of man they've had sex with. I live in a City where primary school children disvirgin themselves behind toilets on Valentine day. I live in a city where young girls flood the street at night looking for men that would give them N500 to have sex with them. I live in a city where parents send their daughters out overseas to prostitute and send dollars down. I live in a City where Government officials pick undergraduates from University car parks with Coastal Buses to wild sex parties. I live in a city where abortion is so common that even a Chemist shore owner can perform abortion with just N2,500.

These are your daughters, and this should worry you and not Yerima's private matters.

So ask me again why I support early marriage and I will slap the Jinn out of your head. (these are not my words but pretty much spoke my mind)

Hadiths That Back This  Up

Marrying a young girl before she reaches the age of adolescence is permitted in sharee'ah; indeed it was narrated that there was scholarly consensus on this point.... It was narrated from 'Aa'ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) married her when she was six years old, he consummated the marriage with her when she was nine and she stayed with him for nine years.

(Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 4840; Muslim, 1422) 

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) married 'Aa'ishah when she was six years old and consummated the marriage when she was nine."

(Narrated by al-Bukhaari and Muslim; Muslim says 'seven years') 

The fact that it is permissible to marry a young girl does not mean that it is permissible to have intercourse with her; rather that should not be done until she is able for it. For that reason the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) delayed the consummation of his marriage to 'Aa'ishah. Al-Nawawi said: With regard to the wedding-party of a young married girl at the time of consummating the marriage, if the husband and the guardian of the girl agree upon something that will not cause harm to the young girl, then that may be done....Maalik, al-Shaafa'i and Abu Haneefah said: the marriage may be consummated when the girl is able for intercourse, which varies from one girl to another, so no age limit can be set. This is the correct view. There is nothing in the hadeeth of 'Aa'ishah to set an age limit, or to forbid that in the case of a girl who is able for it before the age of nine, or to allow it in the case of a girl who is not able for it and has reached the age of nine...." Sharhu Muslim 9/206

Did Rapper Olamide Acquire A New 2013 Range Rover?!?

Before I Proceed Why is Olamide looking so Serious with His phone *winks*

From experience, we have learned that simply because an entertainer is holding a set of car keys or sitting on the hood of a car doesn't make it his or hers.

Sources claim that the Yoruba rapper who just signed a deal with Ciroc Vodka has acquired the new 2013 Range Rover pictured above but yet to be confirmed so lets not over-hype it!!