ICT AND THE ADVANCEMENT OF LEGAL STUDIES AND PRACTICE IN NIGERIA

In recent years, increased computing power, improved wireless and user-friendly technology and reduced telecommunication costs have contributed to lowering barriers to information access and exchange. The potential for using more innovative, cost-efficient and user-friendly ICT solutions in education and for reaching all groups of society – including the poor, those in remote areas and other disadvantaged groups has become increasingly feasible in less advanced countries and in more advanced ones. The opportunities for education arising from developments in information communication technologies are very promising.

In the past few decades, information and communication technologies have provided societies with a vast array of new communication capabilities. For example, people can communicate in real-time with others in different countries using technologies such as instant messaging and video-conferencing. Social networking websites like Facebook and Twitter allow users from all over the world to remain in contact and communicate on a regular basis. These technologies and platforms have created a “global village” in which people can communicate with others across the world as if they were living next door. For this reason, ICT could also be seen and analysed in the context of how modern communication technologies affect society.

What is ICT?

At this point, it is crucial to define ICT. ICT is an acronym that stands for Information Communication Technology – or Technologies. A good way to think about ICT is to consider all the uses of digital technology that already exist to help individuals, businesses and organisations use information.

ICT refers to technologies that provide access to information through telecommunications. ICT covers any product that will store, retrieve, manipulate, transmit or receive information electronically in a digital form. For example, this includes personal computers, digital television and robots. On a broader level, this also includes the internet, intranet, email, wireless networks, cell phones, and other communication mediums.

Essentially ICT is concerned with the storage, retrieval, manipulation, transmission or receipt of digital data. Importantly, it is also concerned with the way these different uses can work with each other.

What is Legal Studies?

Legal studies refer to an academic endeavour focused on learning laws, learning how to apply those laws and learning how to process transactions and legal claims on behalf of clients.

It is important to add here that it is my firm belief that legal studies should be interdisciplinary, multidimensional and liberal in its approach. Beyond engaging in the the meanings, values, practices and institutions of law and legality, the legal studies curriculum should as a matter of contemporary necessity cover and examine how the law shapes and is shaped by political, economic and cultural forces. The curriculum should be designed to stimulate critical understanding of and inquiry of the theoretical frameworks, historical dynamics and cultural involvement and integration in law.

What is Legal Practice?

Essentially legal practice is the application of the law and all its attendant dimensions and ramifications. In this context, the essence and relevance of studying law is to eventually practice it. It is also important to state here that legal practice should not be understood and explained from the very narrow prism of litigation alone, but we must view and explain legal practice as a multidimensional and sometimes multidisciplinary vocation that has the law as its hub.

Legal practice is sometimes used to distinguish the body of judicial or administrative precedents, rules, policies, customs and doctrines from legislative enactments such as statutes and constitutions which might be called “laws” in the strict sense of being commands to the general public, rather than only to a specific set of parties.

Objectives of ICT

Another question that readily comes to mind is; what are the main objectives of ICT within the context of legal studies and practice? It is considered that ICT should among other objectives:

1. Facilitate the storage, retrieval and dissemination of vital legal information for the successful pursuit of legal research and study.
2. Facilitate the performance of routine processes like the amendment of law, indexing and abstracting services.
3. Serve as a link among the various legal education institutions; as well as foster necessary cooperation and working relationship among them. This would also facilitate intellectual resource garnering and sharing.
4. Assist in the formulation of legal studies syllabus that would have universal acceptability and applicability.
5. Support learning and teaching in specialized areas of video conferencing, teleconferencing, group discussions, question and answer sessions and moot court trials.
6. Assist in the publication of research findings, law books, law reports, law journals and other valuable technical reports.
7. Generally allow or permit instant access to current information on an extensive scale.
8. Stimulate effective networking of various legal training institutions for the purpose of cross-fertilizing knowledge in various legal disciplines.
9. Enable large number of students and researchers to have ready access “to case law and other legal materials more efficiently than having them queue up for access to a limited number of books in the library.
10. Facilitate effective communication between teachers and students particularly in distance learning and continuing education programmes.

ICT in Legal Education

Speaking on the role of ICT in legal education, Dr. Tahir Mamman, Director General, Nigerian Law School stated in a paper titled “The Globalisation of Legal Practice: The Challenges For Legal Education in Nigeria” that developments and advances in ICT have had important impact on education and teaching and how it may be harnessed by law teachers. He further stated that the development and deployment of advanced computer assisted learning systems such as Law Courseware and IOLIS have changed dramatically the way students learn, created vast opportunities and ease in information, storage, retrieval and dissemination and facilitated collaborative activities. Dr. Mamman further briefly outlined some of the ICT platforms and their possible uses. These include:

E-mail communication - Through it, resources and questions may be posted to students and obviate the necessity for them to physically go for such resources and their responses returned in like manner. The criticism is however made that, it removes the values derived from social contact among students and staff, as well as the absence of face-to-face discussions, etc.

Diverse Electronic Discussion Forums - Forums such as Facebook, Twitter and various chat rooms enables participants pose questions and articulate views on diverse academic issues. This is invariably very suitable for large class academic activities and has the potential to go beyond teachers and students.

Legal Data Bases -This is in use in many law schools across the world to access legal resources, most common of which are LEXISNEXIS and WESTLAW. Data bases house a huge amount of data and knowledge which are available for research, teaching and practice after qualification as a lawyer. Since in large measure, legal research will be conducted by lawyers in practice, it is only appropriate that students gain the requisite experience and skills during their education and training in the university and vocational law school. Moreover, cybercrimes can better be understood and learnt through understanding ICT, being the mechanism through which it is committed, as well as electronically generated evidence.

Video Conferencing - This medium holds a lot of promise in teaching and research, especially for the injection of international and comparative flavor in the curricula as it will enable guest speakers from long distances share resources. It could create a global classroom for students from several institutions to participate in the same course, through bilateral and multilateral arrangements. This meduim holds even more promise for students and academics in developing countries to share resources with their colleagues in better endowed regions without having to travel and facilitate better understanding of the various legal models and standards which exist elsewhere.

Benefits of ICT

1. Development of a Skilled ICT Labour Force: Investments in ICT for legal education and practicing lawyers would certainly enhance the development of a skilled, “ICT-capable” labour force that could attract direct foreign investment, as well as research and development activities. This would also engender university – private sector links that are important drivers of innovation and growth in advanced economies.
2. Encourage Open Communication: Along with having the potential to enhance teaching and learning in the classroom, ICT in legal education has the potential to encourage open communication between and among students, faculty, and others that support active learning and knowledge construction.
3. Supports Academic Research: ICT makes available information and resources supporting academic research that would not otherwise be accessible.
4. Fosters Development of Academic Materials: ICT fosters development of learning materials, presentations and lectures in an interactive manner that allows faculty to deliver them to and share them with students directly.
5. Fosters Open Distance Learning (ODL): The flexibility and accessibility enabled by ICT has fostered and encouraged Open Distance Learning (ODL), wherein the teacher is removed in space and/or time from the student and most communication is through an electronic medium (e.g. internet, radio, television or computer).

Constraints to the Optimisation of ICT

A lot of obstacles face the attainment of the maximum goal of Information Communication Technology in developing countries like Nigeria. Some of the problems or constraints with the optimisation of ICT include among others:

1. Lack of Infrastructure: There are the universally acknowledged problems of infrastructures like electricity and telephone facilities.
2. Lack of Interest and Awareness: There is generally a lack of interest in ICT, coupled with the low level of awareness and education ICT.
3. Computer Literacy: Computer literacy is still essentially at its rudimentary stage. It is also urban-oriented, very elitist and highly restricted in scope.
4. Lack of Priority: Priority is given to commercial and profit-yielding ventures over educational and other public-oriented social programmes.
5. Lack of Funding: Funding is the crux of the matter. The bulk of resources available to legal education and the judicial institutions are from the various tiers of government. The effect is that legal training institutions and the entire spectrum of the judiciary have to scramble for available meagre resources with other departments of the government. The legal education institutions and the judiciary are the worst for it since they are not designed as revenue-generating units. There have been spirited clamour for improved funding for legal education and training institutions and this would foster a sustainable ICT environment for better performance. In this regard, it is important to note that alternative sources of funding to complement subvention from governments is advocated to solve this problem.

The Law Vis-a-Vis ICT

The world has seen an unprecedented wind of change with the emergence of ICT and its constant innovations and improvements. ICT seems to have pervaded and permeated every facet and layer of life in today’s world. These days, there is hardly any layer of human interaction, relationship or endeavour that ICT is not in one way or the other involved. In commercial transactions, banking, health, transport and education, ICT now plays an integral and important role in these sectors. Given this assertion above, it then follows that the law and the development of every nation’s legal system must as a matter of urgency and necessity adapt to these realities brought to the fore by the ICT revolution. The law needs to respond and adapt to the ICT revolution. It is with this background that we commend the recent passage of Nigeria’s new Evidence Act in 2011.

The inestimable benefits of the various advancements in ICT have until the enactment of the new Evidence Act in 2011 remained a matter of much debate and judicial uncertainty. Tendering of electronic mails (“emails”) for example are usually as contentious and acrimonious as the litigation itself, with the opposite party usually relying on the hearsay rule, among other forms of objections under the old Evidence Act 1945, to prevent the admission of such electronically generated evidence. The enactment of the Evidence Act, 2011 has attempted to correct some of the difficulties that the admissibility of electronically generated evidence do encounter in Nigerian Courts.

It is important to point out here that the law must adapt itself to contemporary realities in any society. It then means that nations, legislatures and legal practitioners that ignore the realities of the ICT revolution would be doing this at the expense and peril of their nations or societies. The laws of any nation must respond to the realities of the ICT revolution if the nation and its structures can be relevant in today’s world; this is particularly true with the proliferation of cyber crimes and legally binding online commercial transactions going on in today’s world.

In conclusion, it is important to add that the government, non-governmental organisations, universities and well meaning individuals have a very crucial role to play in funding the use and development of ICT in legal studies and education generally. The government and NGO’s also have a very important role to play in mobilising and consientising the populace (especially in rural areas) on the use of ICT.

Globalization driven by ICT is having a phenomenal impact on the acquisition of legal and other relevant learning, teaching and research materials in law libraries across the country. Through ICT, lawyers and students can have access to current court proceedings/cases and law reports anywhere, any time and in any form in the country. There is no doubt that the integration of ICT into the practice of law is of much benefit to the profession in Nigeria in the 21st century. ICT is a remarkable tool for providing comprehensive, current and timely legal services to the citizenry. The relevance of ICT adoption and utilization in the Nigerian legal system for effective and efficient legal service delivery is a contributory factor to sustainable development and the delivery of justice in Nigeria.

Cristiano Ronaldo wins Fifa Ballon d'Or after stellar year at Real Madrid (world best player)

Real Madrid's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo wins the 2013 Ballon d'Or. Photograph: Steffen Schmidt/EPA

Cristiano Ronaldo has won the Fifa Ballon d'Or for the second time after a stellar year. The Real Madrid forward was emotional as he collected his award and thanked his team-mates for their support.
"First of all I have to say a great thanks to all of my team-mates with the club and the national team," he said. "Without all of their efforts this would not have been possible. I am very happy, it is very difficult to win this award.
"Everybody that has been involved with me on a personal level I have to thank. My wife, my friends, my son. It is a tremendously emotional moment. All I can say is thank you to everybody that has been involved."
Scoring at a ratio of over a goal a game, he became the quickest Real Madrid player to reach 200 goals for the club and signed a new deal at the Bernabéu in what was a sensational 2013 for the 28-year-old. He also scored in both legs of Madrid's Champions League tie against his former side Manchester United but could not help his compatriot José Mourinho capture any silverware in his final year at the club.
Ronaldo won the 2008 Ballon d'Or for his performances as a Manchester United player but since then has seen his great rival Lionel Messi walk off with the prize four years in a row while he has finished as a runner-up three times.
Messi may have dropped below his own high standards in the last year – averaging a meagre goal a game and winning only his sixth Primera Division crown with Barcelona – but he was hoping to collect his fifth straight Ballon d'Or.
Messi's importance to Barcelona was highlighted during an infamous Champions League mauling at the hands of Franck Ribéry's Bayern Munich in April when the 26-year-old was an unused substitute in the second leg as he struggled to overcome a hamstring issue.
Ribéry enjoyed being part of an all-conquering Bayern side who swept everyone away domestically and on the European stage, hammering Messi's Barcelona 7-0 on aggregate in their Champions League semi-final before going on to beat their German rivals Borussia Dortmund in the Wembley final.
While Ribéry collected winners' medals for the Bundesliga, the German Cup, Champions League, Super Cup and Fifa Club World Cup competitions, Ronaldo did not win a single team accolade with his Real Madrid side in 2013. But the Ballon d'Or is awarded for individual prestige and the Portugal captain once again shone brightly for much of the year.
The first ever Ballon d'Or prix d'honneur was awarded to Pelé. "In the great sweep of history, there are few names that stand out. But when we think of football, there is one name that leaps out above all others," said the Fifa president Sepp Blatter. "No player has had such an influence on the game. No one has inspired so many to play. His legacy speak to us all. His verve and skill were timeless. His creativity limitless, his good nature boundless."
"I got so many trophies and prizes but I was jealous because all of those guys who got the Ballon d'Or, which I couldn't get because I didn't play in Europe," Pelé said. "Now I thank God that I can complete my trophies at home."
The Fifa/Fifpro World XI 2013 was also named and featured the Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, the defenders Philipp Lahm, Sergio Ramos, Thiago Silva and Dani Alves, the midfielders Iniesta, Xavi and Ribéry and the forwards Messi, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ronaldo.
Jupp Heynckes, who won the Champions League and the German league and cup with Bayern Munich last season, was named as the coach of the year over his fellow Champions League final coach, Dortmund's Jürgen Klopp. The retired former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was the third nominee for the coach of the year but he did not attend the ceremony as he is on a family holiday in Barbados.
The German goalkeeper Nadine Angerer, who plays in Australia for the Brisbane Roar, was named as the women's world player of the year ahead of the Brazilian Marta and the American Abby Wambach. The women's coach award went to Silvia Neid, who is in charge of the Germany team.
"I have to say that I'm a little surprised, but very thankful. First of all I have to thank everybody that voted for me. I just want to pay my respects to Marta and Abby who have had an incredible year too," Angerer said.
Ibrahimovic won the Puskas award for the most beautiful goal of the season for his long-distance bicycle kick while playing for Sweden against England. The former head of the International Olympic Committee Jacques Rogges won the presidential award while the Afghanistan football federation were awarded the fair play award.

INCREDIBLE: HACKERS STEALS ENCRYPTED BANK PINS

The hackers who attacked Target Corp and compromised up to 40 million credit cards and debit cards also managed to steal encrypted personal identification numbers (PINs), according to a senior payments executive familiar with the situation.

One major U.S. bank fears that the thieves would be able to crack the encryption code and make fraudulent withdrawals from consumer bank accounts, said the executive, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the data breach is still under investigation.

Target spokeswoman Molly Snyder said "no unencrypted PIN data was accessed" and there was no evidence that PIN data has been "compromised." She confirmed that some "encrypted data" was stolen, but declined to say if that included encrypted PINs.

"We continue to have no reason to believe that PIN data, whether encrypted or unencrypted, was compromised. And we have not been made aware of any such issue in communications with financial institutions to date," Snyder said by email. "We are very early in an ongoing forensic and criminal investigation."

The No. 3 U.S. retailer said last week that hackers stole data from as many as 40 million cards used at Target stores during the first three weeks of the holiday shopping season, making it the second-largest data breach in U.S. retail history.

Target has not said how its systems were compromised, though it described the operation as "sophisticated." The U.S. Secret Service and the Justice Department are investigating. Officials with both agencies have declined comment on the investigations.

The attack could end up costing hundreds of millions of dollars, but it is unclear so far who will bear the expense.

While bank customers are typically not liable for losses because of fraudulent activity on their credit and debit cards, JPMorgan Chase & Co and Santander Bank said they have lowered limits on how much cash customers can take out of teller machines and spend at stores.

The unprecedented move has led to complaints from consumer advocates about the inconvenience it caused from the late November Thanksgiving holiday into the run-up to Christmas. But sorting out account activity after a fraudulent withdrawal could take a lot more time and be worse for customers.

JPMorgan has said it was able to reduce inconvenience by giving customers new debit cards printed quickly at many of its branches, and by keeping branches open for extended hours. A Santander spokeswoman was not available for comment on Tuesday.

Security experts said it is highly unusual for banks to reduce caps on withdrawals, and the move likely reflects worries that PINs have fallen into criminal hands, even if they are encrypted.

"That's a really extreme measure to take," said Avivah Litan, a Gartner analyst who specializes in cyber security and fraud detection. "They definitely found something in the data that showed there was something happening with cash withdrawals."

BREAKING THE CODE

While the use of encryption codes may prevent amateur hackers from obtaining the digital keys to customer bank deposits, the concern is the coding cannot stop the kind of sophisticated cyber criminal who was able to infiltrate Target for three weeks.

Daniel Clemens, CEO of Packet Ninjas, a cyber security consulting firm, said banks were prudent to lower debit card limits because they will not know for sure if Target's PIN encryption was infallible until the investigation is completed.

As an example of potential vulnerabilities in PIN encryption, Clemens said he once worked for a retailer who hired his firm to hack into its network to find security vulnerabilities. He was able to access the closely guarded digital "key" used to unscramble encrypted PINs, which he said surprised his client, who thought the data was secure.

In other cases, hackers can get PINs by using a tool known as a "RAM scraper," which captures the PINs while they are temporarily stored in memory, Clemens said.

The attack on Target began on Nov. 27, the day before the Thanksgiving holiday and continued until Dec. 15. Banks that issue debit and credit cards learned about the breach on Dec. 18, and Target publicly disclosed the loss of personal account data on Dec. 19.

On Dec. 21, JPMorgan, the largest U.S. bank, alerted 2 million of its debit cardholders that it was lowering the daily limits on ATM withdrawals to $100 and capping store purchases with their cards at $500.

On Monday, the bank partly eased the limits it had imposed on Saturday, setting them at $250 a day for ATM withdrawals and $1,000 a day for purchases. (The usual debit card daily limits are $200 to $500 for cash withdrawals and $500 for purchases, a bank spokeswoman said last week.)

On Monday, Santander - a unit of Spain's Banco Santander - followed suit, lowering the daily limits on cash withdrawals and purchases on Santander and Sovereign branded debit and credit cards of customers who used them at Target when the breach occurred. Santander did not disclose the new limits, but said it was monitoring the accounts and issuing new cards to customers who were affected.

The largest breach against a U.S. retailer, uncovered in 2007 at TJX Cos Inc, led to the theft of data from more than 90 million credit cards over about 18 months.
SOURCE: routers...

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY MOMENTS OF 2013 IN NIGERIAN ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY

 It was a big and fulfilling year for many Nigerian entertainers and some of their counterparts abroad. Some counted their blessings and are still counting even in the last hours of the year, while it brought tears of some other people’s eyes – uncontrollable sob.

We also saw others, who would stop at nothing to make us notice them, even if it took them to go naked, release unforgivable songs or make careless statements.

HipHopWorld magazine brings the memories of everything good, bad and ugly that happened during the year 2013 – from births, engagements, weddings,  divorces, controversies to deaths; as well as major events that rocked the year.

Let’s begin on a good note.

 1. ENGAGEMENTS AND WEDDINGS

2face Idibia and Annie nearly packed the entire Nigerian entertainers and socialites to Dubai for their wedding.

 2FACE AND ANNIE

African export, Innocent ‘2face’ Idibia, proposed to his long time girlfriend and childhood sweetheart Annie Macaulay on the 14th of February, 2012. And on the 8th of March 2013, in what was one of the most elegant celebrity weddings, the couple made their union official in a white wedding that nearly packed the entire Nigerian entertainment industry and countless socialites to Dubai, the venue of the ceremony.

Just before the year wound up, Idibia, who is the owner of Rumors Night Club located at G.R.A Ikeja also opened another branch of the business in Festac – the place he started his music career.

Peter Okoye and Lola Omotayo on their wedding day

 

 

 

 

NSE IKPE ETIM AND CLIFFORD SULE

On Thursday 4th April 2013, Nollywod actress Nse Ikpe-Etim said the “I dos” to her childhood sweetheart, Clifford Sule.

The actress celebrated her traditional wedding in an event rich in culture, as the couple completed the Ibibio marriage rites in Nse’s home state.

BEZ AND BOLATITO LADOJA’S DAUGHTER

On the 1st of May, 2013, Award winning alternative soul singer, Bez Idakula proposed to his long-time love, Bolatito Ladoja, who also happens to be the daughter of the Ex-governor of Oyo state, Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja.

JMARTINS AND NNEZI MBILA

Not many fans of popular artiste, J-Martins knew he would be getting married when he did. But on the 30th of May, 2013, the couple who had their traditional wedding in January 2012 in Abia State, played a fast one on the press when they pulled a secret wedding in Lagos.

The contemporary high-life singer walked down the aisle with his heartthrob, Nnezi Mbila, who is an Abuja-based banker.

The wedding was attended by close friends and family members of the couple.

YEMI SAX AND SHOLA TAYO DUROJAIYE

Back in April 2013, Nigerian saxophonist extraordinaire, Yemi Sax proposed to his long-time girlfriend Shola Tayo Durojaiye with a beautiful love letter.

Fast forward to 12th July 2013 in Lagos, the two love birds said their vows and began a new life as one.

MATSE UWATSE AND EKEMELU BERTRAM NNOLI

Former Nigeria Info OAP Matse Uwatse got married to her long-time fiancée Ekemelu Bertram Nnoli on the 13th of   July, 2013. The wedding ceremony was hosted by popular OAPs Freeze and Kaylah…and saw a lot of celebrity guests in attendance.

KATUNG AND RAVEN TAYLOR

Big Brother Nigeria winner and music video director Katung Aduwak proposed to his African-American girlfriend Raven Venice Taylor via Skype on Valentine’s Day in 2012 and made the union formal on the 25th of August 2013 in Chicago where Raven’s family is from.

PETER OKOYE AND LOLA OMOTAYO

On the 6th of August 2013, one of the P-square duo Peter Okoye proposed to the mother of his two children and long-time girlfriend and Baby mama Lola Omotayo.

As a music superstar, Peter did not opt for a regular proposal; he did it in a superstar grand style – a brand new Range Rover Evoque, bouquet of flowers, a hand written sign and an absolutely stunning diamond ring. On the 17th of November 2013, they got married in a beautiful star studded traditional wedding.

Tiwa Savage and Tunji Balogun’s wedding day will keep 2013 in our memories.

PAUL OKOYE AND ANITA ATOKWU

A few months after Peter Okoye Proposed to Lola Omotayo, everyone wondered when his twin brother Paul Okoye would do the same, and on the 18th of September, 2013,   he shocked everyone, especially his girlfriend and baby-mama Anita Atokwu- Isama with a proposal. Hopefully their wedding would hold in the early months of 2014.

 ANNE NJEMANZE AND SILVER OJIESON

Nollywood actress and ex-wife to Nollywood actor Segun Arinze re-married on the 9th of September, 2013. Three years after her divorce, the Owerri, Imo state-born and her new man exchanged marital vows at her family compound located in Bucknor Estate, Isolo, Lagos.

MATILDA OBASEKI AND ARNOLD MOZIA

Tinsel star actress Matilda Obaseki married her man Arnold Mozia on the 21st of September, 2013 in Benin City in an event that had in attendance a handful of Nollywood stars and Tinsel co-casts.

TIWA SAVAGE AND TEE-BILLZ

Singer Tiwa Savage’s wedding to her manager and best friend Tunji ‘Teebillz’ Balogun, has come and gone, but the memory still lingers.

Those who attended the much talked about wedding haven’t stopped telling the story of the class and caliber of people the couple pulled in and how the venue became a pilgrimage ground of sort. This has left many, both celebrities and fans, who couldn’t attend the wedding at the mercy of their imaginations.

The traditional engagement and reception held in Lekki on Saturday 23rd November 2013.

The White Wedding has been slated for the Maldives Island in February 2014.

DR SID AND SIMI OSOMO

Following Dr Sid’s romantic proposal to his girlfriend Simi Osomo on Wednesday, August 7, 2013 in Venice, Italy, the couple followed up with a beautiful introduction ceremony filled with A- list celebrities on the 8th of December, 2013.

It is believed that their white wedding will hold sometime in 2014.

DOTUN AND TAIWO OYEBANJO

Few months after Cool FM OAP Dotun Ojuolape proposed to his girlfriend, Taiwo Oyebanjo, (who is Dbanj’s younger sister) in South Africa, the pair solemnized the union on Saturday, 3rd of August, 2013. The traditional wedding took place on July 27, 2013 in Shagamu, Ogun State, Taiwo’s hometown while the white wedding held at Winners Chapel Ogba, Lagos State.

KIM KARDASHIAN AND KANYE WEST

Just when one probably thought this would be another failed relationship, on October 21, 2013, 36-year-old rapper Kanye West popped the question to his girlfriend and baby mama Kim Kardashian, 33, with a 15 Carat Diamond ring worth more than $1.6 million. The controversial rapper rented the whole AT and T baseball court in San Francisco to keep prying eyes from looking in on the special moment. The date to the wedding is yet to be revealed. The couple welcomed their beautiful baby girl North West on June 15, 2013.

KERRY WASHINGTON AND NNAMDI ASOMUGHA

Scandal star Actress Kerry Washington secretly got married to San Francisco 49ers cornerback, Nnamdi Asomugha on June 24, 2013 in Blaine County, Idaho, United States. The 32-year-old football player is of Nigeria Descent and recently retired from the NFL. Kerry Washington and Nnamdi Asomugha are expecting their 1st child together.

USH BEBE AND AMETE AGBOTAEN

Being closely knitted to your soul mate is always best described as a union decided in heaven and actualized here on earth. On 23rd November 2013, comedian and AY’s crib actor, Ushbebe took his heartthrob Amete Agbotaen to the altar amidst pomp and pageantry. The traditional wedding was held in Benin City, on October 18 2013.

EBEN AND JADHIEL NOVEMBER

When two gospel singers come together, one can only imagine high praise renting the air. This was aptly exuded when two gospel singers Emmanuel ‘’Eben’’ Benjamin and Jahdiel Peter walked down the aisle on the 30th of November 2013. Eben is known for his hit song ‘’Imaranma’’ and Jahdiel is popular for the hit ‘’Heritage’’.

OAP Dotun and D’banj’s younger sister Taiwo are flanked by the Koko master and K Switch on their wedding day.

KELLY ROWLAND AND TIM WITHERSPOON

After trying unstintingly hard to keep their relationship on a hush level, manager Tim Witherspoon and former Destiny Child member Kelly Rowland revealed with elation what has been kept from the world for years. Tim proposed, what was so romantic about it was him popping the question via Skype after staring lovingly into her eyes for a few minutes. On the 19th of December 2013, the pop singer revealed to Queen Latifah on her TV show (The Queen Latifah Show), that he proposed to her while in Bulgaria.

2. BIRTHS

Paul Okoye beholds his first child who has already been named Andre

PETER OKOYE AND LOLA OMOTAYO

It seemed that the Okoye twins were closely following each other’s footsteps.

On the 23rd of January, 2013, Lola Omotayo, then fiancée to Peter Okoye of music duo P-Square gave birth to a bouncing baby girl in a San Francisco hospital in the United States of America.

The couple, who already have a son, Cameron, named their newborn baby, Aliona.

PAUL OKOYE AND ANITA ISAMA

As he delicately cradles his new born son, one can’t help but notice the glow and excitement in Paul Okoye’s face as he became a father for the first time.

On the 11th of April, 2013, he welcomed a bouncing baby boy with his girlfriend Anita Isama. The boy who has been named Andre was born in Atlanta, United States.

SEUN KUTI AND GIRLFRIEND YETUNDE

Seun Kuti, youngest son of late Afrobeat maestro Fela Kuti, recently joined in the joy of being called a father, when he and dancer girlfriend Yetunde Ademuluyi welcomed a baby girl in a UK hospital on the 14th of December, 2013. It is still uncertain if the afro beat musician will take his girlfriend to the altar, as he doesn’t believe in marriage.

JULIUS AGWU AND WIFE IBIERE

One of Nigeria‘s respected comedians Julius Agwu  who got married to his heartthrob Ibiere Belema Mayclayton few years ago, is a strong force to be reckoned with in the Nigerian entertainment industry. The seasoned comedian and wife gave their little girl a brother on the 27th of October 2013. They had their first child Zahra in 2009.

NAETO C

Rapper Naetochukwu ‘Naeto C’ Chikwe and heartthrob Nicole got married in July 2012 and on the 25th of March 2013; joy pervaded the atmosphere in the Chikwe household as a Naeto C’s first child arrived. The baby was born in Washington DC hospital.

 BOVI AND CHRISTABEL

Known to host some of the biggest shows in Nigeria, considering his impeccable delivery at showcasing the art, Bovi Ugboma won’t be left out of those who had a fair share of babies this year. Bovi and Christabel’s second child was delivered on the 25th of September, 2013 in the United States.

OBY EDOZIEN AND ALEX O

Even after it was revealed to the world that these two were dating and heading to the altar, a lot of people found it hard to put together what the connection was. Thus it came as a shock to many when they got married in 2011. Nollywood actress Oby Edozien and renowned musician Alex Okirigwe popularly known as Alex O welcomed a baby boy on September 22, 2013. He looks so much like his father.

Seun Kuti and girlfriend Yetunde welcome baby girl in 2013

GLORIA CHUKWU AND UCHECHI UMUNNA

Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria 2009, Gloria Chukwu married her beau Uchechi Umunna in 2011. The ex -beauty queen welcomed a beautiful baby girl on May 22, 2013 in the US where she resides with her husband.
3. ENDORSEMENT DEALS 

2013 is a big year for Iyanya. He got three huge endorsement deals.

In May 2013, telecoms giant Globacom added more prominent musicians Omawunmi, Waje, MI, Bez, Burna boy, Naeto C, Lynxx, and Ghanaian artiste Efya to its list of ambassadors. Their deals varied but reportedly scored an average of 20 million naira each.

Online companies weren’t left out, as Jobberman signed Nollywood actress Funke Akindele while koga followed suit by signing Singer Omawunmi. Funke Akindele also got another deal with Mouka foam.

In July 2013, indigenous rapper, Olamide also reportedly signed a multimillion naira endorsement deal with Alcoholic drink Ciroc Ultra Premium Vodka, making him the first Nigerian ambassador for the alcoholic beverage.

Globacom packed them in bulk as usual.

 Interestingly, MTN also rolled in some millions into the account of some pop stars, most who were past winners of the brand’s sponsored music talent hunt show Project Fame – the list included Iyanya, who signed a deal worth N40million, Praize, N20million, and Chidinma about N20 million. The company also made a huge signing with Wizkid, a deal worth about N45million.

‘Limpopo’ star KCEE was also a beneficiary of MTN’s endorsement jamboree, while Hafeez Oyetoro  popularly known as Saka made a dramatic move from Etisalat, where he was an ambassador, to the to the MTN brand – the veteran actor apparently couldn’t resist the N25 million cheque MTN offered him.

Olamide, Ice Prince and Seyi Shay however were consolations to the Etisalat brand, after Saka’s gallantry exit. The three of them were signed as the company’s ambassadors in 2013.

Made Men Music Group’s recording artiste Iyanya has a lot of be thankful for in 2013. He landed three huge endorsement deals in the year – with Zinox Technologies Limited for N56million and Solo Mobile for N35million. Phyno wasn’t the ‘man of the year’ 2013, Iyanya was.

CONTROVERSIES

Jim Iyke’s controversial deliverance at TB Joshua’s Synagogue of All Nations

JIM IYKE

When videos and pictures showing talented actor, Jim Iyke undergoing deliverance at Synagogue Church of All Nations surfaced online, a viral reaction followed immediately, with many berating the actor and calling him demeaning names on social media. In response to the negative reactions from fans and other celebrities that condemned his move, Jim Iyke tweeted “Celebs wake on wet pillows with fat accounts, behind Versace shades. It’s beautiful, that’s the least I can say. Nothing else truly matters [to me now]. Absolutely nothing! God liveth whether you’re a believer or not.’’ The controversial deliverance is still a subject that drives conversations till date.

TONTO DIKEH

Actress Tonto Dikeh is one of Nollywood’s queens of controversies and she knows. Dikeh, whose foray into music has been under attack, as many believe it’s a joke and laughable. One of her notable flops in 2013 was when she attempted to perform at Iyanya’s London Concert on the 9^th of June, and fell, with her boobs popping out of her Tube dress. Miss Dikeh was obviously drunk or high on some strong substances, as she stagger-walked and talked apologetically when she was called on stage.

Tonto Dikeh’s epic fall on stage at Iyanya’s concert in London

DORIS SIMEON

It has been one controversy or the other since actress Doris Simeon and her estranged husband Daniel Ademinokan’s failed marriage in 2011. From the speculations that Stella Damasus has been warming Daniel’s bed regularly to the fight over the custody of Doris and Daniel’s child.

As Daniel and Damasus have been reported to be living together in the United States, Doris Simeon and Daniel have been trading hot words in the media in the past months. The actress is claiming he’s denying her of seeing her son while Daniel claims he has volunteered to be sponsoring Doris’ trip to the US to visit her son periodically. It’s the end of 2013, and the drama hasn’t stopped.

BEVERLY OSU

BBA The Chase housemate and Video vixen Beverly Osu, who recently clinched an endorsement deal with prestige cosmetics, generated major controversy when video footage of her and South African housemate Angelo making out during the show hit the internet. Although, both parties have denied having sex, the public however didn’t have any of that.

MAHEEDA

The name Maheeda still start ringing a bell in the Nigerian entertainment circle until she started posting her bare-body pictures on the internet. The supposed gospel singer didn’t deny that she wanted attention. She is an attention seeker, she knows it and she got a lot of that 2013. When it became apparent that Maheeda, who’s married with a child, was unrepentant, film producer Charles Novia described her on social media as someone suffering from bio-polarism.

Wande Coal and Don Jazzy were not best of friends in the outgoing year.

PAUL OKOYE

One of the P-square duo, Paul Okoye was not left out of scandals this year. A 19-year-old woman Elshama Benson Igbanoi had claimed that the pop star was the father of her baby boy who was delivered in a London Hospital (Queens Charlotte and Chelsea Hospital in London) four days before Paul’s girlfriend Anita gave birth to another baby boy in the US. Okoye denied the paternity of the boy, claiming his legitimate child is the one Anita had. The controversial baby has since been named Michelle Paul Okoye by Elshama’s family.

BRYMO AND CHOCOLATE CITY

Former Chocolate city signee Ashimi Olawale known as Brymo controversially ended his relationship Chocolate City Group, the label under which he became famous, alleging that Chocolate City failed to fulfil its obligations. The label disagreed with Brymo’s stance, which necessitated the company to institute a lawsuit against the singer, claiming he still has a valid contract with the Audu Maikori-led label. The still court is far from over as the case is still ongoing.

WANDE COAL AND DON JAZZY

It all began when former Mavin records artiste and singer Wande Coal released a song titled ‘Baby face’ under his Black Diamond label. He was slammed on Twitter by  former label boss Don Jazzy who claimed that he’s the originator of the song ‘Babyface’ and accused Wande of stealing the song. “How long will I continue to sweat and some people will choose to steal from me? That I am nice and easy going doesn’t mean you should disrespect me,” Don Jazzy tweeted – to which the ‘Rotate’ star responded, telling him to have at least called or sent an email rather than a public Tweet.

Before parting ways, Wande Coal had formed a strong bond with producer Don Jazzy shortly after label Mo’ Hits Records closed shop. The singer in an interview explained that all is well between him and Don Jazzy. He stated; ‘Hopefully, if I see Don Jazzy, I’ll go and hug him. We’re still going to work together’. We hope 2014 will quench all bitterness in their circle.

Burna Boy performing on stage in underwear at the 2013 Felaberation.

BURNA BOY AND THE UK BAN

Former Aristokrat recording act Burna Boy, who is fast gaining grounds in the Nigerian Music industry, was reported to have been arrested and jailed by the London police in 2010, for being part of a gang that stabbed someone to death. He was said to have been released after 11 months and given two months of parole and community service on the grounds of being of ‘good behaviour’ but the singer returned to Nigeria. And in an attempt to return to the UK, he was arrested and deported to Nigeria.

The singer’s past which was revealed early December, 2013 got him upset as he denied it. He noted that Globacom, who he’s their ambassador, called him for questioning over the report. In a matter of minutes the report went viral on the internet, but Burna boy insisted that he wasn’t part of any killer gang and wasn’t deported from the UK. Burna also received backlash from Seun Kuti for performing on stage with just his underpants at the 2013 Felaberation. Seun claimed Fela never performed on stage in underwear.

NEW CARS

Wizkid buys another Porshe automobile two weeks after the first one crashed. ‘Star boy tins’

WIZKID

The early part of the year brought smiles to the face of ‘Jaiye Jaiye’ singer Wizkid as he replaced his damaged 2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid, following an accident, with a brand new one two weeks after the first one crashed. The automobile is worth about N15 million.

IYANYA

Earlier this year, Iyanya, who has been smiling to the bank since his ‘Kukere’ single became a monster hit, acquired a 2012 N32.8 million Aston Martin DB9 automobile. Few months later, Iyanya and his manager Ubi Franklin purchased a 2012 E350 Mercedez Benz and an Infinity SUV respectively. That wasn’t all, Iyanya crowned it with a brand new 2013  Range Rover Sports near tye end of the year.

KCEE

Limpopo singer KCEE who has airwaves buzzing and fans dancing to his latest hit  song ‘Pullover’ flaunted his newly acquired luxurious automobiles on social media on different occasions in 2013. It was first a Range Rover Sport and BMW X6 (both 2013 models) in July 2013, and three months later added a 2013 Bentley to his garage. Although reports in some quarters say the machines may belong to his Oil-mogul brother E Money, it’s all hearsay after all. KCEE lived a roller-coasting life in 2013. He lived up to his celebrity status and doesn’t look like that would change in 2014 – money speaking and good times rolling.

D’PRINCE

He is one of Mavin records artiste and younger brother to the label owner Don Jazzy. D’Prince had an early Christmas as he bought a brand new Silver Metallic Colour Mercedes Benz CLS class this month.

SEAN TIZZLE

In February 2013, he invaded the music scene with a hit single ‘Sho Lee’ produced by D’tunes. Singer Sean Tizzle has gained acceptance by music lovers and after eight months on Difference Entertainmentimprint, he acquired a monochrome 2014 Chevrolet RS Camaro V8 (with bold stripes through the middle). It didn’t end there as he also won the Next Rated award at The Headies 2013 which came with a brand new Hyundai ix 35 SUV jeep.

D’TUNES

Top music producer D’tunes known for dishing out hit songs such as Iyanya’s ‘Kukere’, ‘Your waist’, ‘Flavour’ and Sean Tizzle’s ‘Sho lee’ also got himself an attractive car this year, a Porsche Plantinum Panamera worth N22million.

Money speaking, KCEE is a baller!

OJB JEZREEL

Ace music producer OJB Jezreel who suffered a failed kidney that necessitated him to travel to India for a kidney transplant, is not left out of new car owners in 2013. Upon his return to the country after a successful transplant, a Good Samaritan added to his joy by first paying N6million into his account for a reconstruction of his Surulere duplex and then a gift of a White Land Rover Jeep.

DIVORCE/SEPARATION

Comedienne Princess’ marriage unfortunately crashed in 2013, less than one year after her wedding.

COMEDIENNE PRINCESS AND HUBBY

On the 8^th of May 2013, Popular comedienne Princess Oluwadamilola Adekoya tied the knots with  her lover Adeshola Jeremaiah in a ceremony that had the first lady of Lagos state Dame Abimbola Fashola and other celebrities in attendance. Seven months down the line, the comedienne Princess confirmed that her marriage was over after much struggle to keep it.

FUNKE AKINDELE

Nollywood actress Funke Akindele didn’t get it so good with marriage in 2013 as her less-than-one-year-old marriage to her estranged husband Kehinde ‘Almaroof’ Oloyede crashed.

According to a statement released by Funke’s management on the 19^th of July, 2013, she confirmed her separation from Kehinde Oloyede.

Meanwhile, on 15^th of July, 2013, Akindele’s former husband had announced that the marriage was over, claiming Funke was the greatest mistake he ever made.

CHIKA IKE

Unlike others, actress Chika Ike was happy to announce that her divorce was finalised in 2013. There had been speculations that her marriage crashed because ‘she was not a loyal wife’ and that ‘she married for money,’ but she denied it and cited domestic violence as the major reason for her marriage crash.

EVENTS

Olamide led the pack of winners at The Headies 2013

THE HEADIES 2013

The 8th edition of The Headies Awards, tagged ‘Save the Best for Last’ closed this year’s activities with the best awards show in 2013.

The annual event, which celebrates urbane music and hip-hop culture in Africa, held on Thursday, December 26, 2013 at the Oriental Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos. It was hosted by sensational singer, Tiwa Savage and afro-pop artiste, Dr SID. This year’s nominations proved to have the tightest competition so far with a selection of the hottest artistes in the Nigerian music scene battling for “The Headies”.

GLO SLIDE AND BOUNCE

As a strategic plan to attract more youths across the country, Glo held its ‘glo slide and bounce’ tour which took place in 8 major cities in Nigeria. The tour set off at This Day Dome, Abuja, on the 22nd of June and moved to Benin on the 29th of June before heading down to Ibadan on the 6th of July, Enugu on the 13^th, Port Harcourt and Calabar on the 20th  and 27th of July respectively. Glo Ambassadors M.I, Flavour, Waje, Omawunmi, Burna Boy, Lynxx, Bez, Chee and Naeto C were all in attendance. The concert was hosted by popular comedians Basket Mouth, Gbenga Adeyinka the 1st and Okey Bakassi.

JOHNNIE WALKER STEP TO VIP

The Johnnie Walker event which held on Saturday 30th November 2013 was packed with music and racing, Johnnie Walker brought top Racer, Mika Hakkinen for a ride alongside Nigerian-US Rapper Wale who gave an amazing performance with Seyi Shay at the after party event.

FELABERATION

Felaberation is an annual festival of music and arts commemorating the life and times of the late Afrobeat Fela Anikulapo Kuti. For 2013, it was a six-day event which had international personalities in attendance one of which was Ky-mani Marley, son of late reggae legend Bob Marley.

COLOURFUL WORLD OF MORE

One of the highly hyped events of 2013, Guinness Colorful world of more held on the 3rd of November 2013 at Eko hotel and suites Victoria Island, Lagos. Virtually all the big names in the music industry graced the event from Wizkid, Psquare, Dbanj, Chidinma, Tiwa Savage,Olamide, Phyno to mention but a few…

CORPORATE ELITE

On Sunday Dec 1st 2013, the 7th edition of the Corporate Elite was also held at the convention Centre Victoria Island, Lagos in all its glitz and glamour. MTN has been sponsoring the show since its inception about seven years ago. It had in attendance international acts such as Awilo Logomba, Billy Ocean, Maxxi Priest and others.

BUTTER SCOTCH

On the 9th of November 2013, the convention centre Eko Hotel and suites played host to an alluring array of award-winning local and international performers as well as distinguished personalities from all walks of life for an evening with Butter Scotch. Butterscotch Evenings are a series of carefully choreographed exquisite world class entertainment. They are specially designed with the top echelons of the Nigerian business, corporate and political worlds in mind. The ultimate aim of these evenings is to create for the guest, a shining memory reinforcing the fact that he is deserving of an aspirational lifestyle.

HENESSY ARTISTRY

The Hennessy Artistry finale took place on Saturday the 19^th of October 2013 at the Federal Palace Hotel Victoria island. The event which was headlined by Dbanj witnessed performers like 2face, Burna boy, Seyi Shay, Chidinma, Phyno, Wande Coal, May D, Naeto C and Kay Switch.

Guiness Colourful World of More concert was one of the biggest events that held in 2013

 FIRE OF ZAMANI CONCERT (FOZ)

Nigerian Hip hop artiste and Chocolate City signee Ice prince held his much anticipated album concert on June 23, 2013 which recorded a huge success despite a few impediments. There were performances from UK rapper Chip, Olamide, Sunny Neji, Young L, Ruby and a few others. US rapper Wale was billed to perform at the show but was absent owing to the fact that the event promoters failed to pay for his tickets on time – an announcement the Rapper made on his twitter handle.

Others absent were Burna Boy who was in South Africa and also Dj Edu. Guests included a host of celebrities from Dele Momodu, Don Jazzy, D’banj, Ikechukwu, Dr.SID, Waje, Dammy Krane, Tunde Ednut, Rita Dominic and many more.

HIT SONGS

Hardly would anybody rate Banky W’s songs below average….

YES/NO – BANKY W

Not only did the Cobhams-produced song ‘Yes/No’ performed by Banky W turn out to be his biggest hit tune from his R&B W album, the mid-tempo R n B tune got him millions of wedding performances around the country. This was a big song for lovers in 2013.

WIZKID – CARO

Wizkid is one artiste who has conquered Nigeria’s music industry since his emergence in the music scene as he is known to churn out hit after hit. In 2013, the EME signee and CEO of Star boy entertainment released hits like “Caro” and “Jaiye Jaiye” off his sophomore album. “Jaiye Jaiye” was produced by the incomparable Sarz and graced with a feature by the legendary Femi Kuti.

SHO LEE – SEAN TIZZLE

Sean Tizzle’s ‘Sholee’ is one of the songs that blessed the music scene in 2013. In less than 7 months, Sean Tizzle has carved a niche for himself and is enjoying the goodies that comes with it. He is signed to Difference entertainment owned by D’Tunes, the producer and creative mind behind Iyanya’s “Kukere”, “your waist”, “Flavour”.

LIMPOPO – KCEE

After the split from his boy band mate Presh, KCEE has since released some singles but with Limpopo he scored a big hit. Limpopo was a song that resonated quite like a national anthem in 2013. So we’re hoping this is only the beginning for this five star Music artiste. Limpopo was produced by Del B.

DUROSOKE – OLAMIDE

In an industry dominated by pop music, it’s quite rare to see a rapper deliver the biggest club songs especially an indigenous one. So it’s safe to say that Olamide is a compelling force to be reckoned with in the Rap scene. He released hits like “Durosoke”, “Yemi my lover” with the ingenious producer Pheelz behind the drums.

IYANYA FEAT WIZKID – SEXY MAMA

This is what you get from two Pop giants who decided to talk about African women on a D’Tunes produced track. The great thing about the song is the way Iyanya and Wizkid’s verses were weaved into each other. The song is so pacy, you’d have to hit the repeat button at least twice to have a full dose.

EMINADO – TIWA SAVAGE

Tiwa Savage is multi talented as a singer, actress, performer and an MC. 2013 would undoubtedly be described as a busy and rewarding year for this sultry singer. Off her debut album “Once upon a time” Mavin’s 1st lady released the smashing hit, “Eminado”. The song was produced by the Mavin records CEO, Don jazzy.

ADA ADA – FLAVOUR

We won’t deny, we all had the fantasy of getting married when we heard this song. Definitely hyped by the wedding themed video, Flavour’s ‘Ada Ada’ at a point became the number one song in the east and at almost every wedding in the country.

PERSONALLY – PSQUARE

Pop duo Peter and Paul Okoye had a brilliant year – without the release of an album, they maintained their high rank with the aid of the pop tune Pidgin English song titled ‘Personally’. Whether we will ever get to know the meaning of ‘Habatically’ is a topic for another day…

RUN MY RACE – BURNA BOY

Burna boy is always known to burn in a positive way anything he touches literally, as he never fails when it comes to delivery and catering for his audience. Aristocrat front runner Burna boy, got everyone loving and dancing to this catchy tune ‘’Run my race’’ in 2013.

ROTATE – WANDE COAL

Wande Coal’s “The Kick” and “Rotate,” both produced by Don jazzy rocked the year, and with videos that accompanied them, no gig was complete without them.

GOBE, SKELEWU – DAVIDO

Year in year out, David Adedeji Adeleke popularly called Davido has never stopped dishing out sizzling tunes. He came into limelight with his popular tune “Back when” that featured Nigerian rapper, Naeto C. This year songs like “Gobe” and “Skelewu” gathered momentum and was rated high by music lovers.

EMI NI BALLER – CHIDINMA

Chidinma Ekile, project fame Season 3 winner, made quite a statement this year with “Emi Ni baller” featuring the famous Wizkid. In this song, the Kora award winner totally revealed a new side to her, veering completely off from the very quiet and calm delivery we have gotten used to. ‘’Emi Ni baller’’ was produced by legendary beats.

YOUR WAIST – IYANYA

MTN 2008 Project fame winner, Iyanya gained prominence in the Nigerian Music scene with his hit single “kukere” produced by D’tunes, and since then it has been no going back for the Cross River-state born singer. In 2013, his song “Your waist” topped the chart and was rocked on major radio stations.

While we advice that you exercise caution and safety this season, we at Hip Hop World magazine wish you a prosperous 2014 as we countdown to the New Year.

DEATHS

The entertainment industry was thrown into mourning when Goldie died early this year.

BISI KOMOLAFE

The year was only about to begin when we lost popular Nigerian actress Bisi Komolafe who died on the 31st of December 2012, just a day before the new year. She was not privileged to see 2013.

GOLDIE

On a day that everyone was planning how to celebrate with their loved ones, in what was the most shocking and unexpected loss of the year, Singer Susan Oluwabimpe Filani Harvey known as “Goldie” was snatched away by the cruel hands of death on the 14th of Feburary, 2013.

JUSTUS ESIRI

Before anyone could recover from the shock of losing Singer Goldie to the cold hands of death, Father of Mavin records signee Dr.SID and Veteran Nollywood actor Chief Justus Esiri was also taken away barely five days later. Precisely, on the 19th of February, 2013.

DAMOCHE

Randy singer Olaniyan Ibrahim Damilola a.k.a Damino Damoche was reportedly shot dead in front of his school by cultist on the 28^th of February 2013. He was a final year student of the Lagos State University.

FATAI ROLLING DOLLAR

The music industry lost another veteran in the person of Highlife veteran and octogenarian Fatai Rolling Dollar who died at the age of at 85 on the 12th of June 2013.

FATHER U TURN

The entertainment industry witnessed another shock on the 17th of November 2013 when at the age of 36, one of the pioneers of Nigerian hip hop music, Father U Turn also lost his life.

PAUL WALKER

Popular American actor Paul Walker, famous for his role as Brian O’ Conner in the movie franchise ‘Fast and Furious’ also died on the 30th of November in a fatal car accident when he went for a ride with friend and financial manager Roger Rodas.

Nelson Mandela’s death on December 5, 2013 was no doubt the death of the year.

NELSON MANDELA

The world experienced a massive blow, when anti-apartheid, revolutionary, politician, who served as South African President from 1994-1999, passed on. Nelson Mandela was South Africa’s first elected Black President who stood for peace, freedom and justice. He died at the age of 95 on December 5, 2013.

We  wish you a prosperous 2014.