Nigerian wins Muslim beauty pageant rival to Miss World

AFP - A Nigerian woman tearfully prayed and recited Koranic verses as she won a beauty pageant exclusively for Muslim women in the Indonesian capital Wednesday, a riposte to the Miss World contest that has sparked hardline anger.
The 20 finalists, who were all required to wear headscarves, put on a glittering show for the final of Muslimah World, strolling up and down a catwalk in elaborately embroidered dresses and stilettos.
But the contestants from six countries were covered from head to foot, and as well as beauty they were judged on how well they recited Koranic verses and their views on Islam in the modern world.
After a show in front of an audience of mainly religious scholars and devout Muslims, a panel of judges picked Obabiyi Aishah Ajibola from Nigeria as the winner.

I don't wear a dress twice,I dash it out or auction it - Yvonne Vixen

The TV presenter Yvonne Vixen Ekwere opened up on why celebrities like herself don't repeat clothes.She told Punch

Whenever I am on the Red Carpet and paparazzi take my pictures, I always say ‘chei! So I will not wear this dress again?’ The pictures will be plastered everywhere including the Internet and magazines. It spoils show for me. It is not that we don’t like wearing a particular dress for more than one event, but we’ll rather not do it.But you will abuse me if I repeat a dress. People would write that we repeated a dress. Because of that, I wear a dress and since I know I will not wear it again, I dash it out. I give my assistant my clothes. I give to family members and friends as well. But then, I auction my clothes to my friends on twitter

On what she'll never be caught dead in

I can never wear a lace wig. I don’t like it. In fact, I hate it. It makes you look old. I know some people are not blessed with a full hair line. But some people with full hair line go out of their way to shave their hair line so that they can wear lace wig. It doesn’t make sense. I can never be caught dead or alive wearing a lace wig.

Non-muslims should not be in Boko haram committee – Prof Oloyede

Professor Ishaq Oloyede, former vice-chancellor of the University of Ilorin and currently the Secretary-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, talks about his life experiences in this interview with ADEOLA BALOGUN

You said you were very busy despite the fact that you have left office as the vice chancellor of the University of Ilorin; is it as a result of your new office as the scribe of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs?

It is because I am doing so many things concurrently, so I think that accounts for it. I have commitments both within and outside the country; some academic, some professional, some religious. So, having so many things to do, I have to make sure I allot my time in such a way that none of those who have confidence in me is betrayed.

What is the challenge in your new office?

Every office has its own challenge and prospects. I don’t think there is any challenge that is insurmountable. What we need to do is to position the council in such a way that every Muslim in the country will know that it represents their interests and we should also be able to adequately interact with people of other faiths, government and other similar bodies outside Nigeria with a view to being an active member of the global Ummah. That is what I believe is a task which we are committed to do.

I was extremely angry when that pastor said I should go and sin no more – Bode George

Chief Bode George, former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party  – South and convicted chairman of Nigeria Port Authority, tells GBENRO ADEOYE why he will keep on fighting until he shakes off the ex-convict tag

Are you a thief?

 I can refer you to the judgment because it’s already in the public view. At least, the judge was honest enough to say ‘no kobo was missing’. It was the greatest convoluted conspiracy that I have ever seen in my life. But you know, as a Christian, if you have belief in God and your faith is very strong, you don’t get shaken.

First of all, if we split contract, it would be for whose benefit? I’m not a contractor; the company did not belong to anybody on the board, so in whose interest? Two, nobody brought a contractor, whether they executed the job, whether they were paid the money, we just finished and the rest was left to the management. Whether they even awarded the contract, I didn’t know. I’ve been keeping quiet but the public must know this and those that have been writing ex-convict think they are abusing me, but they are raining curses on themselves and their families and it will happen. In the name Jesus, all who are convolutedly involved, it will happen to them.

PDP faction warns Jonathan against impeachment plot

The Abubakar Baraje faction of the Peoples Democratic Party has advised President Goodluck Jonathan to rein back his men to avoid plunging the country into avoidable chaos.

The faction  stated this in a statement in Abuja on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Chukwuemeka Eze.

The group said that advice became necessary following the uncovering of a plot to bribe each member of the House of Representatives with N2.5m.

It said that the plot was to make the House pass a vote of confidence on the President and impeachment of Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, and some other principal officers for their alleged sympathy for the Baraje-led PDP.

Kate Henshaw gets more to make her smile

Recently, popular Nollywood actress, Kate Henshaw, got a customised whiskey from Johnie Walker. She put the picture up on her instagram page, saying, ‘ama keep walking…’ The star actress has every reason to raise her glass for a toast.

Since her marriage, which got her a child, Ella, ended with Roderick Nuttall, she has been in the news for good reasons.

Although in May, the Internet went abuzz with news of her being spotted with a man, he turned out to be a family friend.

Earlier in the week, she launched a book, The Life of an actress; My Story. Some of her colleagues were at the event.  Saturday Beats gathered that she got N5m from the Rivers State government.

Prior to that, the young lady who celebrated her birthday recently, had every reason to smile to the bank courtesy of Samsung.

She got endorsed by the brand shortly after the rap diva, Sasha was dropped. Known to love wearing bowler hats, the screen diva proved that with the right workout, one can have the body of your dream.

So far, this year has been a good one for the Calabar,  Cross River State – born actress who keeps moving on wearing a smile which she is known for.

PUNCH

My Dad complains about my movies– Mercy Aigbe-Gentry

Where would you say you got your looks from?

I would say I got my looks from my mother. If you see my mother’s picture, I am sure you will know the answer to the question.
How would you describe your taste?
When it comes to my taste, I try to be very simple and not overdo it. I can say I am in between. I am not a very simple person and at the same time, I try not to go overboard. I don’t wear things that don’t suit me; I wear thing that I am comfortable in.
How long does it take you to dress?
It depends on where I am going. If I am going to a party, it will take me longer. Basically, I’ll say it takes me about an hour to get dressed. The funny part of it is that if I have somewhere to go, the night before, I’ll bring out like three clothes and some shoes to choose from. So, it makes it easier for me the next morning.