Nigerian militants kill 19 motorists

Militants wearing army uniforms have killed 19 people at checkpoints on a road in Nigeria's Borno state. The armed men reportedly stopped motorists on the road and ordered them out of their cars before shooting them or hacking them to death. Witnesses told the BBC the men were from Boko Haram, though the Islamist militant group has not yet commented. North-eastern Nigeria is under a state of emergency as Boko Haram attempts to create an Islamist state there. The group targets both the military and civilians, including in schools, and frequently clashes with the Nigerian armed forces. The latest attack happened early on Sunday morning near the town of Logumani, not far from the Cameroon border. 'On the prowl' Survivors said the gunmen were dressed as soldiers and were riding motorcycles before they ambushed their victims. "We were asked to get out of our vehicles and lie face down by nine men dressed as soldiers who blocked the road," one man, who gave his name as Buba, told the AFP news agency. "They shot dead five people and went about slaughtering 14 others before someone called them on the phone that soldiers were heading their way," he said. He said the attackers then fled into the bush on their motorcycles. Another survivor, Adamu Mallam, said he had heard the man next to him being killed with a knife. Buba said he knew the attackers were from Boko Haram because they had beards, which soldiers do not. "Everyone in this area knows Boko Haram is on the prowl, raiding villages and attacking vehicles. It has become a common occurrence," he said. The BBC's Nigeria correspondent, Tomi Oladipo, says the army often sets up checkpoints on roads in the troubled region to stop the militants, and it could be that the gunmen copied the tactic to catch their victims unawares. Boko Haram has waged a deadly insurgency since 2009 in its bid to create an Islamic state in the mainly Muslim north of religiously mixed Nigeria. It has been blamed for many violent attacks which have claimed the lives of nearly 2,000 people since 2011. The group's name translates as "Western education is forbidden", and it has carried out several attacks on schools and colleges, seeing them as a symbol of Western culture. Last month, up to 50 students died when suspected Boko Haram militants attacked an agricultural college in the north-east. The Nigerian military said in August that it might have killed the group's leader, Abubakar Shekau, in a shoot-out. However, a video released last week purportedly showed him alive. Other previous reports of his death later proved to be unfounded.

Actress Kate Henshaw Receives Bouquet of Flowers And Fruits From An Admirer

Hmmmm……Unknown admirer keh? Ok ooooh. Nollywood actress, Kate Henshaw received a package from an unknown admirer. The dark-skinned actress received a bouquet of flowers and fruits! The Samsung ambassador was cool with the gift that she posted the entire package sent by the admirer, who was simply identified as K.K, on her Instagram page. In her words,“From an admirer…thanks K.K #fruitsandflowers #nice #healthy..”

Egypt gunmen open fire on Coptic Christian wedding in Cairo

Three people, including a girl aged eight, died when gunmen on motorcycles opened fire on a wedding party outside a Coptic Christian church in Cairo. At least nine others were wounded in the attack in Giza, officials said. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Egypt's Coptic Christian community has been targeted by some Islamists who accuse the Church of backing the army's overthrow of President Mohammed Morsi in July. The unidentified attackers fired indiscriminately as people left the church. A man and a girl were killed outside the church and a woman died on her way to hospital. "We heard a very loud sound as if something was collapsing," one eyewitness said. "I found a woman seated in a chair with lots of bullet wounds, covered in blood. Many other people had fallen around her, including a child," he added. Coptic priest Thomas Daoud Ibrahim said he was inside the church when the gunfire erupted. "What happened is an insult to Egypt, and it's not only directed against Coptic Christians. We are destroying our own country," he said. Another priest, Beshay Lotfi, told Egyptian media that the church had been left without a police guard since the end of June. The Coptic Orthodox Church is one of Christianity's oldest, founded in Alexandria around 50 AD. Christians make up at least 10% of the population in Egypt, or well over eight million people. When the chief of the army, General Abdul Fattah al-Sisi went on television to announce that President Morsi had been removed from power, Pope Tawadros II appeared alongside him. Pope Tawadros said that the "roadmap" mentioned by the general had been devised by honourable people, who had Egypt's best interests at heart. Some Islamists took this as a sign that the Church had conspired in their leader's overthrow. Pope Tawadros has received death threats, while several Christians have been killed. Christian shops, homes and businesses have also been targeted

Davido Spotted With Togolese SoccerStar, Emmanuel Adebayor

It seems the Omo Baba Olowo 1 of Naija music has a thing for footballers. A couple of months ago, the video of him teaching Cameroonian footballer, Samuel Eto how to dance Skelewu surfaced on the internet; now, he is seen hanging out with Togolese star footballer Emmanuel Adebayor

Ice Prince: My Life Took A Dramatic Turn When Dad Died

From humble beginnings in Jos, Plateau State, Chocolate City’s wonder kid, Panshak Zamani popularly known as Ice Prince has grown to be one of the hottest and most respected rappers in the country. Thanks to his victory at the 2009 Hennessey Artistry where he came tops. And while it may all look rosy on the outside, Ice Prince has revealed that it’s not been easy after his dad passed away, adding that just like any street kid, he’s had his own fair share of ups and downs, and so fans should not be carried away by the glitz and glamour which has become his trade mark today. Though, born to upper middle class parents, the Oleku singer insists he was not born with a silver spoon, he and his siblings had all they desired until his dad died in 1999 and life took a dramatic turn! “I wasn’t born with a silver spoon,” Ice Prince told The Entertainer’s TONY OGAGA ERHARIEFE in an exclusive chat backstage during the 8th edition of Julius Agwu’s comedy show, Crack Ya Ribs held at Nicon Hilton, Abuja, recently. Dressed in all white designer T-shirt and pants with a muffler dangling around his neck, Ice Prince peered at you from behind designer glasses crested with a fez cap which gave him that clean cut look of an American marine but for his goatee. “My dad was not a billionaire, neither was he a pauper,” he said arching his bushy eyebrows to drive home his point, “he sent us to good schools and we had vacations outside the country; we were okay but in 1999 I lost him! “It was a big loss for me and my family. I was 13 and the eldest kid; I had a mum and two younger sisters to look out for and so I had to grow up overnight; thank God for family support.” Recounting the person of his late dad who was a soldier in the Nigerian Army, Ice Prince described him as a great source of inspiration and like every son would say, his father was a great dad. He said dad went the extra mile to make sure he and his siblings had all they wanted. “He was a soldier,” he states in his characteristic cool and calm voice, “he taught me everything I know today. My mum was very supportive but she died in 2011, so right now I am an orphan.” How does it feel losing both parents early in life? “It feels lonely! We were three kids; a boy and two girls and I am the eldest. I became the man of the house after my dad passed on and that has given me a sense of responsibility. It made me grow up overnight! “I am 27 but my responsibilities are more than that of a 27-year-old. I have to take care of my sisters. I thank God for elevating me. I guess I was called to do this (music).” According to Ice Prince, he would ever be grateful for the lessons he learnt from his parents, which have gone a long way in shaping him today. He says that while his dad taught him to be responsible right from an early age, his mum taught him to respect women.

D’Banj Tells Us Why He Wears Two Wrist Watches

The Kokomaster, D’banj has also been one to stand out from the rest and he explains another one of his unique qualities. The Big Fish of naija music made out time to meet with Hip on TV recently and was asked why he always wears 2 wrist watches at the same time. D’Banj’s answer, which doesn’t still make sense to me was that, his busy schedule is the reason he has to be on two different time zones at the same damn time. He also said he will be releasing his next UK single after the highly successful Oliver Twist in the first quarter of next year

Policeman brutalises eight-year-olddaughter over witchcraft

A police sergeant from Ibiaku community, Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Ita Ayamba, has allegedly brutalised and abandoned his eight-year-old daughter, Goodness Ayamba over her refusal to confess to witchcraft. Ita was said to have paraded the little girl along the village streets naked, declaring that Goodness was responsible for his retrogression in the Police Force. A source and relative of Ita, told our correspondent in Eket on Saturday, on the condition of anonymity, that the police sergeant tortured his daughter for several hours in an attempt to extract a confession of being a witch from her. He said, “When he discovered that Goodness had passed out, Ita abandoned her, having hit her chest with the butt of his AK 47 Rifle. “None of us could go close to Ita to rescue Goodness as he had threatened to shoot anyone that dared. “I don’t see how a child of that age could become a clog in the wheel of her father’s progress in the Police Force. We need to tell each other the truth. Progress in one’s career depends on the efforts one has made academically.” PUNCH Metro gathered that Ita had divorced Goodness’ mother some years back. He was said to have remarried almost immediately, leaving three children including Goodness with their grandmother. A resident of the area, Okon Ekong, said that on July 28, 2013 when the children were on holiday, Ita had requested custody of them. He was said to be at his new station in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, at the time. Ita’s former wife, Mrs. Anietie Ayamba, allegedly heeded his request and took the children to him. Ekong said that the children’s stepmother made life miserable for them. He said, “It was during their stay in Port Hracourt, that their stepmother took the children to a Pentecostal church. Goodness was accused of witchcraft at the church. Her stepmother was told that Goodness was the person responsible for their father’s non-rising profile in the force. “The father who was also in the church began to beat and kick Goodness in a bid to extract a confession about her witchcraft.” When PUNCH Metro visited Immanuel Hospital, Eket, Eket LGA, on Saturday, where Goodness was taken to for medical attention, it was gathered that she had been admitted at the intensive care unit of the children’s ward. Nurses at the hospital said Goodness’ condition was stable but that her bones and chest cavity had been badly damaged. A group of women lawyers under the aegis of Federation of International Women Lawyers have said that they would do everything within their power to ensure that Ita was brought to justice. The state director of the organisation, Mrs. Mary Udonsek, stated that the women would not continue to sit back and allow men maltreat their children on the guise of labelling them witches. Ita, said to be working at Trans Amadi Police Station, Port Harcourt, Rivers State had allegedly not been to Ibiaku, Mkpat Enin LGA since the incident. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Etim Dickson, said the Rivers State Police Command would be contacted about the matter. He said, “Messages have been sent across to police area commands in Oron and Ikot Ekpene so that Ita will not have any place to hide once he is in the state.”

Wwe Wrestler daniel bryan inspired my goal dance –Iheanacho

Golden Eaglets striker Kelechi Iheanacho has revealed that his goal celebration was inspired by his favourite wrestler Daniel Bryan. Iheanacho scored four goals in Nigeria’s 6-1 defeat of Mexico in the UAE 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Al Ain City on Saturday. Iheanacho raced to corner flag whenever he scored, raised and pumped his arms, extending his fingers to the heavens. His knees followed along in rhythm to celebrate his goals. “This is the celebration move of my favourite professional wrestler,” Iheanacho told FIFA.com. Bryan is this Nigerian boy’s favourite wrestler, a bearded American from the outskirts of Seattle who occasionally goes by the moniker, the American Dragon. “I watch him on TV and I love the way he whips up the crowd this way, so I decided to copy it. The fans seemed to like it, too,” he added. “I was totally over the top with joy when that first goal went in.” He said his goals against defending champions Mexico on Saturday marked the first time he would score that number of goals in an international match. “I’ve scored four goals in a game many times, but only in the streets with my friends,” the striker said. “But (it has) never (been) in an international match, never for my country. The feeling is amazing. “Sure, it’s a big win in our first game. We have to have courage now and determination to keep going, to go all the way.” Nigeria’s next group game will be against Sweden on Tuesday, while their last group tie will be against Iraq three days later. Nigeria currently top their group with three points from one match, with Sweden who were 4-1 winners over Iraq on Saturday behind them in second place.

5 Biggest Stories of the Week: Kim Kardashian Flaunts Her Post-Baby Body in White Swimsuit, Lara Flynn Boyle Looks Unrecognizable

Kim Kardashian snapped her sexiest selfie yet: wearing a revealing and tight white swimsuit that accentuated her famous derriere, while flashing plenty of sideboob. But, that wasn't the only story that had people talking. Take a look at our five biggest stories of the week! Kim Kardashian Shows Off Her Body in White Bathing Suit: The sultry new mama showed off her first post-baby bathing suit body in an Instagram pic on Thursday, Oct. 17. #NoFilter," the 32-year-old wrote as the caption . Kardashian's boyfriend, Kanye West, really took notice of her perfect posterior retweeting a link to the image, and writing, "HEADING HOME NOW." Lara Flynn Boyle Looks Puffy and Nearly Unrecognizable: Lara Flynn Boyle looks nearly unrecognizable from her former self. The 43-year-old brunette, best known for her starring roles in Twin Peaks and The Practice, made a rare public appearance and was spotted shopping with her mother and smoking a cigarette in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Oct. 16. Her dramatically altered appearance, most noticeably her extremely puffy cheeks and lips, may be due to going overboard with cosmetic procedures. Charlie Hunnam Dropping Out of Fifty Shades of Grey "No Surprise": Charlie Hunnam shocked, well, the world, when it was announced that he would not be portraying the coveted role of S&M fetishist Christian Grey in the film adaptation of E.L. James' erotica novel trilogy Fifty Shades Of Grey. However, shortly after the news broke, a source told E! News exclusively that this casting development isn't "a surprise because what he was taking on with this role was not what Charlie wants in his future career." So now that Charlie is out, who is in?! Matt Bomer and Ian Somerhalder have both been fan favorites to play the man in those jeans. Most recently, Once Upon a Time's Jamie Dornan is the name being uttered as a potential Christian Grey, and the rumor mill has been pumping up the possibility of Boardwalk Empire's François Arnaud for the role, as well. Katy Perry Dresses As Naughty Schoolgirl: Katy Perry made a memorable appearance on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon on Thursday, Oct. 10, mainly because of her outfit choice. The 28-year-old "Roar" singer dressed like a naughty Catholic school girl in a House of Holland top featuring the image of the Virgin Mary. Perry--whose parents are evangelical Christian pastors--completed her look with a leather Belstaff skirt and Wolford stockings. Nicki Minaj Wears Pasties and Gold Chains: Nicki Minaj posted some very revealing photos on Thursday, Oct. 17 to her Instagram account, wearing leopard star-shaped pasties, some gold chains and well, nothing else. And while the sexy rapper is known to flaunt her cleavage (and suffer a nip slip every now and then), this might be her sexiest look yet. The first photo shows the platinum 30-year-old flaunting her pasties (and, yes, boobs) while making a slight fish face. The second pic, which she posted along with the message "putting this one on a T-Shirt," shows Minaj gritting her teeth and wearing those pasties

I was called a rejected artiste – KCee

Artiste, Kingsly Okonkwo, better known as KCee, is making waves at the moment but the young man will not forget how he was seen and in fact, labelled a ‘rejected and dejected’ artiste. No wonder he is still amazed at the height he has achieved since he went solo a couple of years ago. “God, the industry, and my fans suddenly made me a super attraction of the industry. Every single I drop got me more fans, made me more loved, and ranked me a level higher than where the last track stopped. It’s simply amazing.” KCee said. Having released some hit singles that have received massive airplay, Kcee said he is all set to launch his debut album. “It’s amazing how things have turned out so sweetly and successfully for me, my brand, and my budding record label. Releasing a debut album is definitely a major career milestone.”

I won’t let my children go into boxing – Boxing judge, Jacob

Veteran boxing judge and board member of the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control, Folorunsho Jacob, tells KAZEEM BUSARI why Nigerians have not been world champions Howlong have you been in boxing? I’ve been in boxing right from my youth days but I did not turn pro. I was the captain of my school amateur boxing team when I was at Sapele Technical College. I was fond of collecting newspaper cuttings of boxers advertised in the 1960s to the early 70s. We were coached by our bricklaying instructor in school; he was an Irish boxing fan. I was doing a bit of boxing when I was at Ibadan Commercial Academy before going to Sapele. By then, boxing was very popular and everyone wanted to be a boxer. I used to train at Longsi Moon boxing gym in Ibadan, it was owned by a Togolese. Boxers in my category were only featured as undercards at major events back then because I was just 14 years old. I always wore a disguise whenever I went to training or for a competition because my mother must never know I was into the sport. Each time I came back with swollen face, she would fret but I lied every time that I had minor accidents at school. What attracted you to boxing at that young age? Nothing more than to see two able-bodied men fighting for supremacy. Of course, there was the angle of making some money, but that played little role in my love for the sport. Why didn’t you go pro? I was about the best boxer during my days at Government Technical College in Sapele; I represented the school on several occasions. But during my school days, I had this freak accident that resulted in the loss of my right thumb. We had just six months to pass out of school in 1962 but the accident landed me at the orthopaedic hospital, where I spent 11 months. After that, I was in rehab where I learnt how to use my left hand. I went back to school and later got a scholarship to study in Germany. If it wasn’t for the accident, would you have settled for boxing? I was a prospect in boxing in my school days. My opponents were wary of my powerful right punch, and with orthodox stance, I scared many of my peers. I would have considered a career in boxing. But before the accident we heard of a boxer that died in the ring during a fight; that put fear into many of us in the school. I think it was at that point I was not sure if I would go far in the sport. I was worried a boxing career could break my mother’s heart. There were great boxers in your time unlike what we have now We had many of them. We had boxers like Bola Lawal, Teddy Odu, Ghana’s Roy Ankrah, who was the British featherweight champion, and Idowu Lanford. All these men did well in Africa and Europe between 1965 and the early 70s. There was also Hogan Bassey, a Commonwealth and world champion. Do you think Nigeria is getting it right with amateur boxing? Amateur boxers should be discovered from their early teenage years, not when they are over 20. As far as I’m concerned, most of the amateur boxers practising now have no business staying at that level. Boxers like Obisia Nwankpa, Eddie Ndukwu and Tony Andeh all entered professional boxing early in life. Nigeria currently does not have any boxer as a world champion, and only very few are rated as title contenders. The implication of turning professional late in your career is that you don’t get to master the tough side of the sport early enough. At the end of the day, you’ll have a 20-year-old professional boxer knocking out a 30-year-old who turned pro very late. This has negatively affected Nigeria a great deal. In Europe, after major amateur competitions like the Commonwealth Games or the Olympics, boxers quickly turn pro. The problem with Nigerian boxing is poor planning; we don’t plan to have the youths dominate the sport. I was a judge at an African title contest in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso recently and I was asked several times by African boxing executives why Nigerians are no longer title contenders as it was in the past, but I could not give a cogent answer. It’s painful going to the international convention every year and there’s no Nigerian boxer to push forward to get a title shot. You cannot play the politics very well if you don’t have any boxer at the top level to push forward. It was the politics that delayed Olusegun Ajose from getting a title shot early. When he eventually got it, he was not at his best. Which is your biggest fight that you ever officiated? I officiated a world title bout as a judge in Paris in 1993, but the most memorable of my judging days was during Nigeria’s Hunter Clay’s fight against Kofi Quaye of Ghana at the National Stadium in 1992. It was a WBC International super middleweight title contest and late M.K.O Abiola was there to watch the fight. When it appeared Clay was losing the fight in the seventh and eighth rounds, Abiola whispered to the officials around to tell him that there was a N50,000 cash reward if he won the fight. That inspired Clay and he dominated the rest of the fight that night. How have you kept yourself abreast of boxing since retiring as judge? I still attend world boxing conventions organised by the WBC and other international boxing bodies. As a board member of the NBB of C, I’m still involved in the organisation of the sport in Nigeria. Would you let your children go into boxing? I was officiating a bout some years back at the National Stadium when suddenly an uppercut from one of them got a tooth flying from his opponent. The tooth landed on my white shirt, staining it with blood. A journalist asked me after the fight if I would allow my children go into boxing knowing that they could also lose their teeth that way. I told him clearly I would never allow it. I have great respect for boxers because of their courage and determination, but I can’t stand it seeing my children pummelled in the ring. It’s a merciless game. I respect the likes of the Mayweathers and Mohammed Ali who had no problem seeing their children fight in the ring.

Bale, Messi return for crucial week

Barcelona and Real Madrid will be boosted by the return of Lionel Messi and Gareth Bale this weekend as both sides prepare for a vital week in their season. The two will clash in the first El Clasico of the season at the Camp Nou next weekend and must also negotiate huge Champions League ties in midweek as Real host Juventus and Barca travel to face AC Milan. A return to league action comes first though, with Madrid welcoming Malaga to the Santiago Bernabeu, while Barcelona are away to Osasuna. The Catalans are sitting pretty atop La Liga, alongside Atletico Madrid, five points clear of Real having won all eight of their league games so far. Indeed both Barca and Atletico have the chance to match Real's league record nine wins to start the campaign from the 1968/69 season on Saturday. And midfielder Sergio Busquets doesn't want his teammates to lose concentration against a struggling Osasuna side with big games just around the corner. "It won't be an easy game for us in Pamplona, and we can't be thinking about Real Madrid yet. One lapse in concentration could allow them to gain ground on us in the table. We cannot afford to get distracted," he said. "To break the league record we have to win in Pamplona and beat Real Madrid. If we can do it, we will open up a decent gap in the standings. "Records are fine but they don't guarantee that you'll end the season with a trophy. We have a few points advantage over Madrid but we have to keep an eye on Atletico." Messi's return after missing the victories over Celtic and Valladolid is not the only good news on the injury front for Gerardo Martino's men as centre-backs Javier Mascherano and Carles Puyol could both feature on Saturday. Puyol hasn't played since undergoing knee surgery in March and Busquets underlined his importance as a leader both on and off the field. "He's an important figure in the dressing room. "We're all very happy for him. It's clear to see that he is close to being back to full fitness and he'll soon be fully integrated back into the team." Real have the chance to temporarily cut the gap at the top to two points as they play first on Saturday afternoon against an improving Malaga side. Carlo Ancelotti's men have been far from impressive despite winning six of their eight league games to date, thanks in large part to last minute winners away to Elche and Levante. "Up to now we've had some poor games and our problems have been made worse by the fact that Barcelona and Atletico keep winning," Ancelotti told Italian newspaper Corriere Della Sera. "We need to play better, the criticisms are fair. The fans are demanding and they are right to be. "As a coach I can say that in the games coming up, Malaga and Juventus at home and Barcelona in the Camp Nou, we'll do better. At the same time we couldn't play worse than we did against Levante and Elche." Although not expected to start, Bale should feature at some stage as he continues to recover from a thigh injury which kept him out of the games against FC Copenhagen and Levante. And in an action packed Saturday, Atletico also have the chance to extend their 100 percent start to the campaign when they travel to Espanyol. David Villa is available despite missing Spain's recent World Cup qualifiers due to an arthritic ankle problem and he will be partnered by the prolific Diego Costa who will be looking to maintain his lead over Messi as La Liga's top goalscorer. Saturday Real Madrid v Malaga Valencia v Real Sociedad Osasuna v Barcelona Espanyol v Atletico Madrid Sunday Granada v Getafe Almeria v Rayo Vallecano Real Betis v Elche Valladolid v Sevilla Monday Celta Vigo v Levante Athletic Bilbao v Villarreal

BET Hip Hop Award winners revealed

Well done if you managed to avoid all online reports on this year's winners of the BET Hip Hop Awards, which is screening on the channel on Friday 18 October at 12:00, as this is a major spoiler alert. Any doubts that the BET Hip Hop Awards would deliver an incredible show were quickly put to rest as hip hop’s elite celebrated another incredible year at the Boisfeuillet Jones Civic Center in Atlanta, Georgia. With host Uncle Snoop cruising on the stage, viewers were treated to a show like no other. Kendrick Lamar was the big winner of the night and won five BET Hip Hop Awards, while Drake took home four awards. Rapper Eve honoured hip hop pioneer MC Lyte with the I Am Hip Hop Award. The highly anticipated "ciphers" exceeded expectations, and were only matched by the stellar performances from some of hip hop’s top artists including Rick Ross, Kendrick Lamar, Diddy, Meek Mill, DJ Khaled, 2 Chainz, French Montana and many more. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony reunited on the BET Hip Hop Awards stage to perform a medley of their biggest hits, including Thuggish Ruggish Bone, First of the Month and Crossroads. The 2013 BET Hip Hop Awards will air on Friday 18 October at 21:00 CAT on BET in sub-Saharan Africa. Here are the winners of the 2013 BET Hip Hop Awards: Best Hip Hop Video Drake – Started From the Bottom Reese’s Perfect Combo Award (Best Collabo, Duo or Group) A$AP Rocky featuring Drake, 2 Chainz & Kendrick Lamar – Problems Best Live Performer Jay Z Lyricist of the Year Kendrick Lamar Video Director of the Year Benny Boom DJ of the Year DJ Drama Producer of the Year Mike WiLL Made It MVP of the Year Kendrick Lamar Track of the Year Started From The Bottom – Produced by Mike Zombie & Noah “40” Shebib (Drake) Album of the Year Kendrick Lamar – good kid, m.A.A.d city Who New?: Rookie of the Year Award Powered by Monster DNA A$AP Ferg Hustler of the Year Jay Z Made-You-Look Award (Best Hip Hop Style) A$AP Rocky and Nicki Minaj Best Hip Hop Online Site WorldStarHipHop.com Best Club Banger French Montana f/ Rick Ross, Drake & Lil Wayne – Pop That (Produced by Lee on the Beats) Best Mixtape Big Sean – Detroit Sweet 16: Best Featured Verse Kendrick Lamar – Problems (A$AP Rocky f/ Drake, 2 Chainz & Kendrick Lamar) Impact Track J. Cole featuring TLC – Crooked Smile People’s Champ Award Drake – Started From The Bottom Remember to tune into BET on Friday 18 October at 21:00 for the 2013 BET Hip Hop Awards.

BBA’s Melvin wins with ONE campaign video

During The Chase’s Charity Week, Big Brother joined forces with the ONE campaign to highlight issues affecting millions of Africans. The housemates were asked to record a public service announcement, addressing an issue, and Big Brother viewers were asked to vote for their favourite video. On Thursday 17 October, which is also International Day for the Eradication of Poverty , the ONE campaign announced that Nigeria’s Melvin Oduah created the winning video taking 51% of the vote. At the announcement, Melvin was joined by some of his The Chase housemates, including South Africa’s Angelo and Koketso and Uganda’s LK4. Melvin reiterated his initial message, calling for the eradication of energy poverty and saying if more resources are implemented, the goal of eradication of poverty can be achieved by 2030. Dr Sipho Moyo, the Africa Director of the ONE campaign said the collaboration between ONE and Big Brother is an amazing platform to highlight and build awareness on poverty issues. Of Melvin’s winning video, Moyo said energy poverty affects 70% of African citizens and she’s glad Melvin decided to focus on this issue as it is not addressed enough. Melvin said that he continues to share the vision of the ONE campaign and energy poverty is something he is familiar with. "I have experienced energy poverty almost every day of my life," he said. As part of the ONE campaign, Melvin will continue to spread the message of eradicating poverty and his winning video will now be presented to the African Union, with the hope that they will not only respond in word, but also action.

Police officers, men threaten strike

Some officers and men of the Nigeria Police are threatening to embark on strike next month if their grievances are not addressed, Peoples Daily reliably learnt. The aggrieved persons, mostly Inspectors and others in the rank and file cadre in the Imo state command of the Force, had even met secretly in Benin City, the Edo state capital, where they perfected their plans to embark on strike by November, once their complains are not swiftly addressed. Our correspondent learnt that the grouses of the police officers and men include urgent reversal of the recent mass transfer of at least 100 of them to crises-ridden parts of northern Nigeria on what they called “Political reasons”, allegedly masterminded by the Imo state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Muhammad Musa Katsina, whom they said compiled a list and sent to the Force headquarters in Abuja. Another complain of the aggrieved persons is that some of them had spent between eight and 30 years without promotion. “Since the Presidency, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Mr. Mike Okiro, the Minister of Police Affairs, Caleb Olubolade and Inspector General of Police, Abubakar Mohammed, refused to listen to us we are going to fight for ourselves by resolving to embark on strike in November”, one of the aggrieved persons said. Efforts to get reaction of the Police Forces headquarters on the planned action failed yesterday as the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba neither answered our reporter’s call to his cell phone nor replied an sms sent to it inquiring about the proposed strike.