Equatorial Guinea Teodorin's World By Ken Silverstein

Presidente Obiang Nguema
Criminal enterprise: Nguema Obiang-The father and the son, Teodorin Obiang

By Ken Silverstein

The owner of the estate at 3620 Sweetwater Mesa Road, which sits high above Malibu, California, calls himself a prince, and he certainly lives like one. A long, tree-lined driveway runs from the estate's main gate past a motor court with fountains and down to a 15,000-square-foot mansion with eight bathrooms and an equal number of fireplaces.

The grounds overlook the Pacific Ocean, complete with swimming pool, tennis court, four-hole golf course, and Hollywood stars Mel Gibson, Britney Spears, and Kelsey Grammer for neighbors.

With his short, stocky build, slicked-back hair, and Coke-bottle glasses, the prince hardly presents an image of royal elegance. But his wardrobe was picked from the racks of Versace, Gucci, and Dolce & Gabbana, and he spared no expense on himself, from the $30 million in cash he paid for the estate to what Senate investigators later reported were vast sums for household furnishings: $59,850 for rugs, $58,000 for a home theater, even $1,734.17 for a pair of wine glasses. When he arrived back home — usually in the back seat of a chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce or one of his other several dozen cars — his employees were instructed to stand in a receiving line to greet the prince. And then they lined up to do the same when he left.

Bigger and better! Nigerian Idol launches Season II... announces Charles Oputa as new judge and Tiwa Savage, Ill Rymz as new hosts

After an electrifying first season that saw the crowning of the first ever Nigerian Idol, Yeka Onka, the global music phenomenon returns to Nigeria for a second season.

Season II of Nigerian Idol is produced by the Optima Media Group (OMG) and Rapid Blue Format. It continues to enjoy the sponsorship of Etisalat, in association with Sony and Pepsi. This year, they have partnered with Beat FM and Air Nigeria which is the official airline of Nigerian Idol Season II.


This was revealed at a media & VIP launch on 28 September 2011 at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos.
The event also witnessed an electrifying performance of the hot new single ‘Follow U’ by Season 1 winner, Yeka Onka. The singer was produced by Chocolate City’s Jesse Jags.

"Nigerian Idol will be an even more exciting television experience this season," its executive producer, Rotimi Pedro, said. "The last three shows of NI garnered more viewership, especially with the youth demographic, than any other music reality show - proving the point of the power of the Idol brand across the globe. We are committed to ensuring that the standards from the past show - in terms of content, production and interactivity are surpassed this time around. This is Idol - it's the real deal."

The cycle of the show remains the same, spanning seven months, the producers have confirmed. The season kicks off on  October 7th with auditions in four Nigerian cities - Abuja, Port Hacourt, Enugu and Lagos, where auditions end in November. Nigerian Idol hopefuls simply have to go to Nigerianidol.com in order to register.

"Based on audience feedback and to enhance the unique Idol experience this season, we've made a few major changes," said Mr. Pedro. These exciting new changes include, a new judge; musician, former music association president and TV host, Charles Oputa, fondly known as Charly Boy.

The judges' line up however retains songstress Yinka Davies and international choreographer and musician, Jeffrey Daniels who has returned this season.

After hotly-contested auditions that featured the brightest across the media and entertainment sectors, new hosts have also been announced and they are rave-of-the-moment singer Tiwa Savage, and VeeJay Ill Rhymz.

"I am very excited to be a part of the successful Nigerian version of this global franchise," Savage said. "I am lucky to have worked in the music industry in America, writing for acts like Jennifer Hudson and to have seen close up what the flagship American Idol has done for amazing talents like her. I am incredibly thrilled to be part of that magical experience in Nigeria and to be a witness to the creating of a new Nigerian superstar."

There are only winners on Nigerian Idol this season as lead sponsor Etisalat will give premium prizers not just to the winner, but also to the runners-up and others from the Top Ten.

The winner of the show takes home whopping new prizes valued at $100, 000 which includes a management contract, the prize money and a recording contract. The first runner up gets N1.5 million, a Galaxy Tab, Blackberry and iPod; and the 2nd runner up will receive N1million, a Galaxy Tab, a
Blackberry and an iPod. Finalists from 4th to 10th place also receive each, N100, 000, a Galaxy Tab, a Blackberry and an iPod.

The show begins airing 4th December, until the winner is announced at a grand gala on April 1st 2012.
Nigerian Idol is brought to you by Etisalat, in association with Pepsi and Sony.  It is also supported by partners, Air Nigeria and Beat FM.

 

Couple agog as UK Govt thretens to deport Nigerian family without their six children

Six children, including an infant of a Nigerian couple are in the custody of British authorities, because the British Police insist the children are not biological children of the couple. The five minors were said to have been whisked away by the men of the Haringey Police to the Sharon Fair Haringey Social Service  on June 12, 2010, after they had stormed the Norwich Park Hospital, where the woman claimed she had given birth to the last child, who is also in custody of the police.

What do you think about this....?

Hurray as BBA 4 Housemates, Quinn and Jennifer, expects first child

Quinn and Jennifer

It is so amazing how two people from different geopolitical zone can get hooked. It really tells, because you never can tell where life can actually throw you to in term of marriage.
For some time I was actually bent on knowing what the real lesson of the reality show was but could not find one but now i think the whole essence for the show is now springing its head forth.
Though, Kevin and Liz are not the only Big Brother Africa housemates that are officially a couple. 2009 housemates, Quinn Sieber, 23, from South Africa and Jennifer Mussanhaneare 24, from Mozambique are not only dating, they are expecting their first child.
The two started dating last year after leaving the Big Brother House in '09. Jen moved to Pretoria a few months ago to live with her man. Jen, as you can see, is heavily pregnant. Congrats to them. 
Wow that's a good one. I am hoping to also see a Nigeria do same too...Lol

Equatorial Guinea: 11 Cars Worth $10 Million Seized From The Home Of Playboy Son Of Obiang By French Police

Some 11 cars worth $10 million belonging to the son of African dictator, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, president of Equatorial Guinea, have been seized at the Paris home of Teodorin Obiang by the French National Police.
Among the cars seized by the French police were two Bugatti Veyrons, a Maserati MC12, a Porsche Carrera GT, a Ferrari Enzo and a Ferrari 599 GTO. The supercars were seized at Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo’s Parisian residence at 42 Avenue Foch in Paris, the Equatorial Guinea's African dictator’s mansion as part of a foreign aid money-laundering investigation.
Mr. Obiang is set to have a UNESCO-Obiang Nguema Mbasogo International Prize for Research in the Life Sciences, which was established in 2008 when the Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Oganization (UNESCO) reinstated in a few days. UNESCO accepted $3 million from President Teodoro Obiang to endow an award in his name, but following international outcry, UNESCO suspended the prize. However, mr. Obiang has re-assembled African leaders to put pressure on UNESCO to reinstate the prize.

Date and Relationship; What's the appropriate age difference?

So many factors has always been a case study when it comes to dating and relationships and among this is AGE difference. In the western world, i read of a story of a man who is 60years older than his wife and some other 2-5 years difference and they still have a good life going for them. With my close interactions with close friends, some tell you they would like 5years difference, some will say 10 while some don't even care about it at all. So what do you think and what is the best age range for a perfect relationship, Courtship or  Marriage?

Your comments is required you might make the best comment that will change the life of another...So lets embark on this journey. Mind you all you have to say is most meaningful..

Nothing To Celebrate At 51? I disagree, says Shagari

NOTWITHSTANDING the socio-economic and political challenges confronting Nigeria, former President Shehu Shagari says the mere fact that she overcomes crises and has thus far survived as an entity was enough reason to celebrate her 51st  independence anniversary.
Shagari was full of  hope that Nigeria will emerge stronger from her challenges.
According to him, having overcome several challenges in the past, Nigeria has the capacity to tackle current and future challenges.
“I disagree with those who say we have nothing to celebrate. It is not easy to attain 51 years of age. Mr. President has now garnered a lot of experience.

From right; First Lady,Dame Patience Jonathan;Vice President Namadi Sambo and wife;House Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihediora; Chief Justice Dahiru Musdapher and former Head of State,General Yakubu Gowon, cutting Nigeria's 51st Independence anniversar cake, yesterday.