Lupita Nyong’o believes Hollywood has a ‘gaping hole of representation’

The day-long event convened panels of Hollywood actors and prominent #MeToo activists, such as Amber Tamblyn, Mira Sorvino and Cynthia Erivo, who joined Nyong’o and talked about gender inequality and the importance of diversity.

The Oscar-winning actress took part in a panel called Reclaiming the Narrative and spoke of the industry’s ‘gaping hole of representation’.

Growing up in Kenya, she said that she hadn’t seen any darker-skinned actors on television, and the lack of representation had a detrimental effect on her self-worth.

According to Moneyish she said: ‘I switched on my television when I was younger living in Kenya, [and] there was never anybody that looked like me on there, so seldom. Even when they were black, they were never [that] dark.

‘At the time, I didn’t recognise the deficit because I was able to relate to the Step By Step kids; I had siblings that fought. I was able to relate to the people that I saw, but it wasn’t until I was much older that I started to realise what was missing on that screen.’

She added: ‘Not seeing myself was causing a self-conscious self-hate that I only grew aware of when I was a teenager and started to recognise my insecurities.’


This isn’t the first time Nyong’o has spoken candidly about her experiences with colourism – prejudice or discrimination against those of a darker skin.

During an acceptance speech for Essence Magazine’s Best Breakthrough Performance Award, she dredged up memories of being ‘teased and taunted about my night-shaded skin’.

The Academy Award-winning actress is making her mark on Hollywood and continues to take on a variety of roles, including the new Star Wars sequels and a television adaptation of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Americanah.

Nyong’o is determined to destroy Hollywood’s beauty standards, and earlier this year, revealed that she penned a children’s book about a ‘dark-skinned girl called Sulwe who goes on a starry-eyed adventure, and awakens with a re-imaged sense of beauty’.

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Miracle Igbokwe has gotten his Car & 25Million Naira Cheque

A press conference was held today for the housemates of the Big Brother Naija “Double Wahala” season.

At the press conference, hosted by DStv, the winner of the reality TV show, Miracle Igbokwe was presented with his brand new SUV and his cheque for 25million Naira.

Other former housemates like Khloe, Vandora, Princess, Nina, CeeC, Tobi, Alex and Leo were also at the press conference.

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Dino’s recall: INEC must prosecute those who forged signatures recall-inec-must-prosecute-forged-signatures group

Nigerians, has called on the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu to prosecute those who allegedly forged signatures of dead persons in the recall list of Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District,  Dino Melaye.

The group, in a statement signed by its Convener, Deji Adeyanju and issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Theophilus Abu Agada, it said INEC and its officials must investigate and prosecute those who smuggled the forged names in the list of a now failed attempt to recall the senator.

Statement reads: 

“We observed yesterday with dismay the charade called the recall of senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District,  Dino Melaye. The recall according to our team of observers who were on ground to witness the process was fraught with irregularities, manipulations and forgery.

 

We are calling on INEC chairman, Professor  Mahmood Yakubu  to prosecute all those who played a role in perpetrating forgery and also conniving with the initiators of Senator Melaye’s recall to smuggle in names of dead persons and those who never appended their signatures to the purported list asking for the recall of Senator Dino Melaye as this portends serious dangers for the 2019 elections. 

If Professor  Mahmood Yakubu  fails to do this, it will therefore mean he lacks the moral value to continue as INEC chairman since all these things happened under his watch. We equally enjoin the electorates whose  names were fraudulently included in the recall list to approach the  Court for redress as our organisation, Concerned Nigerians is willing to provide legal services and other supports for the affected persons to get justice.

Most of the electorates we spoke with told us in confidence that they neither wrote nor signed  the purported list calling for the recall of Senator Dino Melaye. We are calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission to as a matter of urgency investigate and prosecute those responsible for the names that were smuggled into the list. INEC and it’s officials must ensure such people stop making mockery of our democratic system and allow the people to freely make their democratic choice as regards who govern or represent them at all times.”  

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Reason Prince William and Kate Middleton Chose Louis for the Royal Baby's Name

After four days, the little prince’s name has finally been revealed: Louis Arthur Charles.

Prince William and Kate Middleton had several treasured royal family names to choose from when it came to selecting a name for their new son. But Louis — although a traditional name — wasn’t the obvious choice, as it’s big brother Prince George’s middle name.

Joe Little, managing editor of Majesty magazine, says using the same name across the immediate family isn’t unusual. In fact, Queen Victoria incorporated the name Albert (the name of her beloved husband, Prince Albert) in all of her sons’ names. Victoria’s grandson, George V, even incorporated it into his three sons’ names.

“While she was alive, Queen Victoria wanted all her male descendants to have Albert included in their boys’ names,” Little tells PEOPLE. “Using Louis twice would have been the couple’s choice — they clearly regard it as a nice name.”

Louis is likely a tribute to Prince Philip, whose grandfather was Prince Louis Alexander of Battenberg. The name holds great meaning to William’s own father, Prince Charles, whose beloved great-uncle and mentor, Earl Louis Mountbatten, was assassinated by the IRA in 1979.

Little adds, “Louis is obviously a favorite name and an indirect nod to the Duke of Edinburgh and his side of the family. I did think that Philip might have appeared in there somewhere.”

The names Michael and James (for Kate’s father and brother, respectively) were also highly speculated, but in the end, Will and Kate didn’t choose a name from the Middleton family.

“It is intriguing that there isn’t a Middleton name. You can understand a ‘royal’ name being used for the first son, but there was no pressure for the second son to have a purely royal name,” Little says. “If Kate had felt it was what she wanted she would have gotten it, but clearly she didn’t think Michael or James worked.”

Will and Kate also resisted leading with the trendy name of Arthur, which has been a popular name in Chelsea and neighboring areas of London recently. But they did include it as a middle name.

In addition to its recent popularity, Arthur is also a royal family tradition. Both dad William and grandfather Charles have it as a middle name. Arthur was also the name of Queen Victoria’s third son (and seventh child) and was said to be her favorite child.

Now that they are back home in Kensington Palace with their new baby boy, Prince William and Kate Middleton have begun life as a family of five.

“It completes them,” royal biographer Ingrid Seward tells PEOPLE in this week’s cover story. A friend of the couple notes that Kate, 36, “is one of three siblings, and it’s a good family size. Boy-girl-boy is pretty cool as well.”

Parenthood, the friend adds, “suits them really well. They are enjoying it and are very happy.”

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Prince William, Kate name baby son Louis Arthur Charles

Britain’s Prince William and his wife Kate have named their baby son Louis Arthur Charles, Kensington Palace announced on Friday.


(FILES) In this file photo taken on April 23, 2018 Britain’s Prince William, Duke of Cambridge carries his newly-born son from the Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital in central London. Prince William and Kate named their baby son Louis Arthur Charles, Kensington Palace announced on April 27, 2018. 

“The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted to announce that they have named their son Louis Arthur Charles,” said a palace statement.

“The baby will be known as His Royal Highness Prince Louis of Cambridge.”

The name pays tribute to William’s great-great uncle Louis Mountbatten, who was killed by the IRA in 1979, while Charles is the name of William’s father.

Arthur had been the bookmakers’ favourite for the couple’s third child.

Louis is currently the 71st most popular name for a baby boy in England and Wales.

Louis weighed eight pounds and seven ounces (3.8 kilogrammes) when he was born at 11:01 am (1001 GMT) on Monday with William, the Duke of Cambridge, present for the birth.

The couple stepped out of St. Mary’s Hospital in central London to cheers from a crowd of supporters and global media outlets gathered outside.

Their two other children — Prince George, aged four, and two-year-old Princess Charlotte — had met the latest addition to the family earlier in the afternoon, before returning home to Kensington Palace.

Louis is a sixth great-grandchild for Queen Elizabeth, who turned 92 on Saturday, and her husband Prince Philip.

He will hold the title of prince after the Queen changed the rules in 2012 to ensure that all of William’s children would be entitled to the style, not just his eldest son.

Prince Louis is also the first male royal who will not overtake his sister in the line of succession after a reform that ends male primogeniture.

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Why Tobi merited all Cee-c did to him – Dee-One

Housemate of the now-concluded Big Brother Naija 2018, Dee-One has slammed fellow housemate in the just concluded “Double Wahala” edition, Tobi, stating that Tobi deserved all the insults he got from Cee-c.

Cee-c and Tobi enjoyed some good times as strategic partners which later developed into romance.

The two however became estranged while in the show. Just few days to the end of the reality television, Cee-c insulted Tobi for over an hour.

Speaking on TVC yesterday, Dee-One, who was among the first set of housemates to be evicted from the show, said Tobi deserved what he got because he first tormented Cee-c.

He said Tobi “deserves it because he was even the one tormenting Cee-c. Yeah, he did. Tobi knew what he was doing. He started the whole story and the journey as if he was in love and needed something serious with her. He knew what he was doing.”

Dee-One added, “He [Tobi] was even the one that went to Big Brother and told him that my jokes are insensitive. But he’ll come out pretending as everything was normal.”

Dee-One entered the reality show as a comedian.

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Davido causes drama in Zimbabwe

After disappointing his fans on two separate occasions, Nigerian superstar Davido finally came for ‘a make-up show’, which also ended in controversy at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) last weekend.

The ‘If’ hitmaker put up a tremendous act during his show, which was organised by Zimbabwean flamboyant businessman, Genius “Ginimbi” Kadungure in partnership with Two Kings Entertainment.

Indeed, the show was something “to write home about”. It seems the fans had since forgotten about their disappointments as they gave Davido a warm welcome and carried him when he threw himself off the stage onto the audience. The venue was a full house.

The Nigerian star came with 10 of his band members, who sweetened his act with live instruments for close to two hours.

However, the glamorous show was characterised by drama, triggering mixed reactions regarding the Nigerian star’s personality and the whole show on social media.

There are videos circulating on social media of the Nigerian star forcefully grabbing his waist belt from the VVIP fans. On the video, some of his security men were helping him get the belt back while others were holding his trousers from dropping                      down.

Some people described the act as an embarrassing moment while others condemned him for taking back something that he had thrown into the crowd.

“He is never coming back to Zimbabwe, this is so embarrassing. What is so special about his belt anyway?” said Magadaline Hamukwani.

“The people who snatched Davido’s belt must have sneaked to the VVIP side from the ordinary side or the same VVIP audience which drank alcohol worth US$2,000. I feel sorry for those who wasted their money for VVIP tickets,” said Beatrice Brookes commenting on the viral post.

After the show, the Nigerian star had a nasty fight with South African presenter Boity in a Harare hotel where the two were booked for their stay in Zimbabwe.

H-Metro reported that the fight resulted in some of the hotel’s property damaged and the police had to restore calm.

“It is not really clear what started the fight, but a grapevine version says Davido had told Boity in an unconventional way that he wanted to get her in bed, something that did not go well with her,” says the H Metro report.

The report showed that Boity started throwing tantrums, shouting at Davido, and when Ginimbi tried to calm the situation, the South African presenter reportedly slapped him.

The report also went viral on social media together with the video of Davido forcefully grabbing his belt from the audience.

Comments on the posts insinuated that Davido was a womaniser and a spoilt brat, who thinks he has the right to sleep with any girl he wishes.

“Is it a surprise that he behaves like this and being a spoiled brat, talking about how his father is powerful. Nothing new under the sun – Ecclesiastes 1: 9,” said Chrissy Much.

“I’m not surprised at all. He is just one angry, arrogant little man. Witnessed it first-hand.  Three years ago, we saw him at Cuban and eight women entered in his car…” said Emmanuellie Nansai Zuze Rose.

However, a few justified Davido’s act, shifting the blame onto Boity, accusing her of getting violent because she wanted to get in bed with the Nigerian star.

“. . . I suspect Boity wanted to be the one, but perhaps Davido had groupies and she got angry because honestly, no woman gets violent like that if she doesn’t want a man,” said Rose Mudiwa.

There was also drama at the entrance, as bouncers were assaulted by six men who forcefully entered the show. Chaos erupted after the incident, leading to a mob entering without tickets. Police again had to restore order.

At the same show, there was a ‘girl fist fight’ at the VVIP section where the ‘classy’ were dressed up in white. The ladies, who seemed a bit tipsy, had a crazy fight pulling each other’s hair. The fight was also captured on videos that have gone viral on social media.

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NEC restrict movement of herdsmen in Benue, Taraba, others

ABUJA—THE National Economic Council, NEC, has agreed to stop the movement of herdsmen in the country, starting with Benue, Taraba, Adamawa, Kaduna and Plateau.

At a meeting presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday, the council approved the creation of ranches across the country.

Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State disclosed this to State House correspondents at the end of the NEC meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Umahi said the five mainly affected states which have witnessed killings from the herdsmen/farmers clashes were expected to make land available for ranches.

He said:  “Today we looked at three categories of herdsmen in Nigeria. We looked at the foreign herdsmen that come in due to the treaty and we continue to say that the treaty is not being properly implemented.

“For any herdsman to come into Nigeria from outside, there should be a kind of certification, there must be a letter, even though you are not coming in with a Visa, you have to travel with ECOWAS documentation.

“Animals that are coming into the country are required to be quarantined, but this is not being done.    This is one category.    Secondly, we have the nomadic herdsmen, who during the dry season, travel from up North to the Middle Belt down to the South. This creates conflicts . ‘’Also foreign herdsmen coming all through the way from neighboring countries and traveling through the farm lands also cause conflicts.

“Then of course, we have the migrant herdsmen who migrate for a very long time and settle with the villagers and even inter marry with them. These are the three categories we have in Nigeria.

“We agreed that movement is not profitable to the herdsmen because they value the milk from the cows even more than the cows themselves. So, the movement is not healthy for the cows as it dries up the meat and give less than two liters of milk per cow per day.

“We condemn the issues of foreign invasion by foreign herdsmen and l am happy that the Federal Government is doing something about it.

“Today, there was a meeting of ECOWAS countries on the subject and we also agreed that these movements have to stop and occasionally by those who have settled and integrated from other parts of the country like the middle belt, they sometimes go into conflicts with farmers.

“In all we agreed that there is a more profitable and modern way of raising these cows which is by ranching.

“We have agreed that the states involved are going to give lands. Niger and Kaduna have given lands and Plateau is also giving land. Ranching is being practiced in Mambila, Taraba States and they have success stories with regards to that.

“We also agreed that through the Agric Ministry, we need to introduce new species of cows. The Minister told us that there are new species that produce as much as 60 liters of milk per day.”

per cow, and that the cows weight as much as 900 Kgs but our own weight less than 200kgs.

“So, we have agreed that we are going to work on these new species, while also working with our ranching.”

We also agreed that livestock production in Nigeria has not been taken care of.

“As we are taking care of the farmers by way of the Anchor borrowers scheme, of course, the farmers cry of the high interest rate on the Anchor borrower scheme.

“The rate of interest should be between 2 and 5%, so, we should extend those gestures to the herdsmen. And it was discovered that most of these cows are not being herded by their owners.

“Big men buy these cattle and give them out to the herders. The children of the herders have nothing to inherit. They therefore, go into cattle rustling and other forms of criminality.

“Through this policy and intervention in the livestock production, it will be possible for the herdsmen to own their own livestock and have something for the future. We also agreed that there is need for good lives for the herdsmen. Through these policies their children will be able to go to school.’’

On his part, Audu Ogbeh, Minister of Agriculture, said the federal government would no longer allow the killings to continue. Ogbeh said Nigeria may no longer be able to keep to the ECOWAS protocol on free movement of persons.

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Nigerian singer Davido in a quarrel with SA actress Boity

Nigerian musician Davido and South African TV presenter cum actress Boity Thulo are reported to have had a physical confrontation at the All White 30 Billion concert held at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) on April 22.

Boity alleged that Davido wanted to go to her room, allegations that Davido denied.

It took the intervention of the organiser of the show, flamboyant businessman Genius “Ginimbi” Kadungure to calm her down.

The police were then called in to calm the situation.

Davido took to Snapchat to bash Boity.

“No more horny, hungry hoes around me. Rubbish. Wants to be back on TV so bad.”

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BBNAIJA: CEE-C 2018 FIRST RUNNER-UP REVEALS WHY SHE ALWAYS FOUGHT TOBI

Big Brother Naija 2018 first runner-up, Cee-C, has revealed why she fought with Tobi while in the reality show.

Cee-c, who was at loggerheads with most housemates while the show lasted, said her last fight with Tobi was becasue she was tired of the house and had a lot on her head.

She said ”My fight that day was not all about Tobi, it was about the house, being there for 85 days I was tired.

”It was more about the house, my head was really full, I just wanted to clear my head.”

On why she said other housemates were not on her level, Cee-c said she never meant she was better than anyone.

She, however, claimed some things she said was out of anger.

”I think people say things when they are angry, they might not mean it.

”The fact that I said that ‘level thing’ does not not mean I am better than anyone. For me it was just anger.”

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Korede Bello-I paid for my Diploma with hard work

Nigerian singer and songwriter, Korede Bello, who graduated from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism with a distinction in Mass Communication on Friday, has denied allegations that he bought his certificate.

He took to his Instagram page @koredebello to debunk claims that he bought his HND result from the institute.

He said, “I initially didn’t want to post this for many reasons but i was wrong on all counts. I would be doing millions of young people and my peers a disservice by not boldly putting it out there that impossibility is a myth”.

According to him, you can be talented and distinguished, famous and dignified, celebrated and educated.

There were allegations on social media suggesting that the Mavin Record star must have paid heavily to get his result.

Bello, in an Instagram post, narrated why he refused to allow stardom to stop him from finishing school and how he got his results through hard work.
See the IG post:

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Cee-C 1st runner-up of the #BBNaija says she will go for counselling after media tour

Cee-C, who emerged the 1st runner-up of the third season of the Big Brother Naija show, says she would be going for counselling after her media tour.
The former housemate revealed this during a question and answer session with her fans on the payporte official Instagram page.

When she was asked if she would be going for counselling, she said: "sure ma'am, it's been arranged after the media tour."

She was also asked what she's currently doing to make herself better. "Listen more, be more open to making friends, control my emotions," she said.

For 85 days, Cee-C participated as a contestant on the show, battling for the 45 million naira grand prize alongside 19 other housemates.

The final battle was between her and four other finalists (Alex, Miracle, Tobi and Nina).

However, she lost the prize to Miracle, who was announced as the winner by Ebuka Obi-Uchendu during the Live Finale show, which held on Sunday, April 22, 2018.

One of the most controversial housemates of the season, Cee-C was romantically involved with Tobi, who was also her first strategic partner on the show.

She was eventually paired with Lolu, and after a clash, the pair earned two strikes each. The strikes were cancelled after Biggie reset the game, following Anto and Khloe's return to the house.

Few days to the end of the game, Cee-C earned another strike for provoking Tobi.

Following her exit from the house, Cee-C received a cheque of two million naira from her fans.

The cheque was presented to the former housemate on Monday, April 23, 2018, when she returned to Nigeria from South Africa.

Recently, KBK foundation offered the housemate a cash prize of 250 thousand naira on the condition that she goes for counselling.

Considered one of the strongest contenders of the season, Cee-C was up for possible eviction every week, and survived all weeks.

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Wenger said ''It Wasn’t My Decision To Quit Arsenal'' I Want Europa Trophy

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted that his impending exit as Arsenal manager at the end of the season was not his decision.

Wenger will step down after 22 years in charge of the Gunners at the end of the current campaign and is aiming to guide his team to the Europa League final with victory over Atletico Madrid.

The Frenchman insists the timing of his shock announcement was not his call, but refused to go into any further details.

“The timing wasn’t really my decision,” Wenger stated during his pre-match conference on Wednesday ahead of Thursday’s Europa League semi-final first leg clash against Atletico Madrid.

“For the rest, I have spoken about it already.”

Wenger has survived intense pressure in recent years with disgruntled Gunners fans demanding a change, but the Frenchman claims that is just part of the emotional society of today.

“When people are unhappy, it isn’t always a majority,” Wenger added.

“We live in an emotional society where people can express how they feel.”

The former Monaco coach is determined to leave the club on a high by winning the Europa League.

“I want to win and continue to do what I have done my whole life,” he stated.

“The next game is in Europe and then we face United. I want to win those games. Is there a perfect goodbye? I don’t know.

” I want to do as well as I can. We have been challenged mentally and I have seen my players respond.

“This group of players deserve something special and I want to do it for them and achieve it with them.

“My biggest satisfaction would be to be successful with the players I have.”

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Wenger was sacked by Arsenal, speaks on Luis Enrique replacing him

Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, has given the biggest hint so far on his exit from the club.

Wenger released a statement last Friday, announcing he was stepping down after this season.

But during his press conference today ahead of Thursday’s Europa League clash against Atletico Madrid, the Frenchman said the decision was not his.

“The timing was not really my decision and for the res,t I’ve spoken about it already,” he said.

Wenger was also asked about former Barcelona manager, Luis Enrique, who has been tipped to replace him at the Emirates.

“I have a high opinion of him but I do not want to influence the job for the next manager. Of course I have a high opinion of Luis Enrique,” he added.

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BigBrother Naija sponsors ask court to dismiss winding up suit

SPONSORS of the 2018 Big Brother Naija Show, Payporte Global System Ltd., has asked a Federal High Court in Lagos to dismiss a suit seeking it’s winding up.

The suit was filed by Vacant Boards Ltd.

In a notice of preliminary objection, Payporte contended that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit.

It described the suit as defective, null, void and an abuse of court process.

Payporte prayed the court to dismiss the winding up suit with a substantial cost against the petitioner.

In a judgment delivered on May 27, 2016, the court awarded the sum of N23.1 million against Payporte in favour of Vacant Boards.

The petitioner, however, submitted that on Feb. 27, 2017, Payporte made a part payment of N5 million, leaving a balance of N17.1 million which it had yet to liquidate in spite of demand letters.

It consequently filed a suit on Dec. 29, 2017, asking the court to order winding up of Payporte.

However, in the notice of preliminary objection on Wednesday, Payporte argued that the petition for winding up did not comply with the provisions of Sections 5 and 6 of the Companies Winding-Up Rules, 2001.

Payporte’s lead counsel, Mr Ogedi Ogu, informed the court of the notice of preliminary objection.

He also said that he had been served with a counter-affidavit by the petitioner, and would need time to respond to it.

Justice Ayokunle Faji adjourned the case until June 12 for hearing.

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Ex-BBNaija Housemate, BamBam, Grossed N25m From ‘Bam Beauty Oil’launch

Ex-BBNaija housemate, Bamike Olawunmi, popularly called BamBam late on Monday launched a skin care product, “Bam beauty oil” to celebrate her 29th birthday and made N25 million.

BamBam said that she sold the first 5,000 pieces of the product at N5,000 each and grossed home N25 million.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports this happened about 24 hours after the end of the third edition of the 2018 BBNaija TV reality show titled “Double Wahala’’.

She unveiled the product at a party bash hosted for her by Famouspotatoesng in Abuja late on Monday.
Also the family members of Teddy, another housemate in the BBNaija reality show as well as BamBam’s other fans graced the party.

BamBAm was one of the housemates in the just concluded TV reality show in the BBNaija before her eviction from the house.NAN also reports that while Bambam was in the house, she was romantically involved with Teddy A who was her strategic partner.

The pair appeared to have taken their love to another level, as Teddy A, organised a surprise birthday party for her.

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#BBNAIJA: CEE-C SEEN WITH HER DAD AT THE AIRPORT; RECEIVES N2MILLION FROM FANS

Team Cee-C are certainly the best team of any housemate though – this recent action of theirs proves that they’re indeed lovers of the drama queen and they remain loyal no matter the odds.

The lovely, among other finalists earlier tonight, arrived the country and though it was reported earlier that she was supposedly attacked by a mob, Cee-C made her way through.

The beauty got to meet with her father and while they took a photo together, we see the lovely holding a dummy cheque of N2million which was rallied for her by her fans.

Cee-C had the second highest votes in the Big Brother Naija games but unfortunately for her, she didn’t go home with anything – she didn’t win sponsored tasks that could’ve earned her money gifts while she was in the house.

To make sure that their favourite housemate didn’t go home empty handed, they raised the sum of N2million and presented her with it upon her arrival at the Lagos airport.

This proves obviously that team Cee-C are indeed a special team… Kudos to them!

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It's a BOY! Kate Middleton gives birth to a baby boy weighing 8lbs 7oz on St George's Day

Duchess of Cambridge has given birth to her third child at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, London
Kate, 36, gave birth after being taken by car before 6am this morning to hospital's private Lindo Wing
Fans have decked out their tents in Union Jacks and put up flags and posters around the site
Kate gave birth to George in 10-and-a-half hours after admission, and Charlotte in two-and-a-half

The Duchess of Cambridge has today given birth to her third child - a boy weighing 8lbs 7oz - on St George's Day.

Kensington Palace announced that the baby was born at about 11am, after Kate was taken by car before 6am to the private Lindo wing of St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, London.

The birth appears to have taken place without complications. The baby is fifth in line to the throne, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh's sixth great-grandchild and a younger brother for Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

Prince William was present for the birth, and both Kate and the child were 'doing well', according to a palace spokesman. Senior members of the royal family were said to be 'delighted with the news'.

Royal watchers had been expecting a swift delivery at the Lindo Wing, with the child sharing a birthday with William Shakespeare and Lady Gabriella Windsor, the daughter of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent.

                 The Duchess of Cambridge has given birth to a baby boy. The couple are pictured on March 22 in Stratford, East London

      Royal fans celebrate this afternoon outside the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, London

      Royal fans toast the news that the Duchess of Cambridge has given birth to a baby boy, weighing 8lbs 7oz

      Supporters of the royal family celebrate outside the Lindo Wing following the news of the royal birth

     One man drinks from a bottle as royal fans celebrate outside the Lindo Wing after the news from Kensington Palace

      A town crier stands outside the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in Paddington after the birth was announced today

The self-proclaimed Royalist Town Crier announced the birth on the steps of the Lindo Wing, marking the moment by saying 'God save the Queen'. He drew cheers from the crowd of royal watchers outside the hospital.

A palace spokesman said: 'Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a son at 11.01am. The baby weighs 8lbs 7oz. The Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth.



'Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well. The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Harry and members of both families have been informed and are delighted with the news.'

The baby’s sex was a surprise to William and Kate, who chose not to find out what they were having. The baby’s title is His Royal Highness and he is a Prince of Cambridge.

Kensington Palace said the name of the baby would be announced in due course, and a formal notice of the birth would be posted on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace.

     Royal fans John Loughrey (right) and Terry Hutt (left) pose for a photo opposite the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital today

     Royal fan Sharon McEwan is camped today outside the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, London

     Royal fans John Loughrey (left) and Terry Hutt (right) hold dolls outside the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital this morning

      Supporters of the royal family stand outside the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, London this morning

     An unsuspecting couple emerged from the Lindo Wing with their newborn baby to be greeted by the world's media. They posed for photographs        outside the famous door in front of dozens of journalists and photographers before leaving in a taxi

Celebrities and politicians have been sending their best wishes to The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on social media.

Prime Minister Theresa May sent her 'warmest congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the birth of their baby boy.' 'I wish them great happiness for the future,' she added.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan tweeted: 'On behalf of Londoners, I want to send our warmest congratulations to the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge on the birth of their baby boy.'

Former world heavyweight champion boxer, Frank Bruno MBE, and actress Mia Farrow were among the celebrity well wishers on social media, while comedian David Walliams quipped: 'Prince Harry just got demoted again.'

Earlier, excitement was building outside St Mary's Hospital, where some fans had been camped out for 15 days hoping for a glimpse of the royal baby.



The timing of today's announcement that Kate had gone into labour, falling on St George's Day, added to the occasion for waiting royalists outside.

John Loughrey, 63, who is part of a group who have been camped outside the hospital, said: 'We are so pleased. We have been here for 15 days.

'I'm so pleased it's St George's Day. St George himself would be very pleased if the baby's born today.'

Mr Loughrey, from Streatham, South London, said he plans to celebrate the birth with English flags and a portion of fish and chips.

'It doesn't matter if it's a boy or a girl as long as it's a healthy baby and a healthy mother,' he said. 'It's very good for our country and of course Her Majesty the Queen.'



Another member of his group, 82-year-old Terry Hutt, also welcomed the news.

'It's fantastic to have another newborn baby,' said Mr Hutt, who turns 83 at the end of the month and was hoping to share his birthday with the new royal.

'If they were born on my birthday, I would have got a birthday cake.'

     Members of the media gather outside the Lindo Wing today after Kensington Palace announced Kate had gone into labour

    Royal fans are interviewed by journalists outside the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington this morning

     Royal fans stand this morning outside the Lindo Wing, where the Duchess of Cambridge was admitted after going into labour

     Well wishes hold flags outside the Lindo Wing this morning as they await news of the new royal baby

    The official announcements that Kate had gone into labour - and given birth - were released by Kensington Palace today

    The Duke of Duchess of Cambridge pose with Princess Charlotte outside the Lindo Wing following her birth in May 2015

Maria Scott, 46, from Newcastle, added: 'I think it's going to be a boy and I think it's going to be quick.'

The group were talking in front of their make-shift camp, including royal memorabilia and a Union Flag tent.

The Duchess is being cared for by consultant obstetrician Guy Thorpe-Beeston, who is the surgeon-gynaecologist to the household, and consultant gynaecologist Alan Farthing, the Queen's surgeon-gynaecologist - part of the trusted team who delivered George and Charlotte.

Highly-trained midwives were also on hand, while experts were waiting in the wings in case of an emergency.



For her previous births, Kate had a 23-strong team of top medics working or on stand-by from Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust - which runs St Mary's Hospital.

Theatre staff were ready, along with a lab technician, replacement anaesthetists and paediatricians, a back-up for the consultant, and workers from a special baby care unit.

Today, press pens opened outside the hospital as journalists, photographers and camera crews waited for confirmation of the baby's arrival. Royal watchers were expecting a swift delivery.

With George, the duchess gave birth 10-and-a-half hours after being admitted to hospital, but Charlotte was born just two hours and 34 minutes after Kate arrived at the Lindo Wing.

The birth was declared in both conventional and contemporary ways.

An announcement was emailed to the press and a celebratory tweet posted on the Kensington Palace Twitter feed - @KensingtonRoyal.



There is also the traditional custom of placing a framed paper proclamation on an ornate gold stand behind the iron railings of Buckingham Palace.

Just like with her first and second children, Kate had been hoping for a natural birth and did not know whether she was having a boy or a girl.

Bookmakers were also waiting to see whether they have to pay out on the name, delivery date, hair colour and weight of the baby.

Predicted names include Alice, Alexandra, Elizabeth, Mary and Victoria for a girl and Arthur, Albert, Frederick, James and Philip for a boy.

George and Charlotte may visit the hospital to see their mother and baby sibling, just as George did when his younger sister was born three years ago.



But it depends how quickly Kate wants to head home.

While Kate was in labour, George and Charlotte were likely to be cared for by their full-time, live-in nanny, Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo.

The duchess's pregnancy was announced by Kensington Palace on September 4 last year.

Kate again suffered from extreme pregnancy sickness hyperemesis gravidarum.

She went on maternity leave on March 22, but the duchess - and her large bump - attended an Easter Sunday church service in Windsor with the royals on April 1.

She has joked that William is 'in denial' about having a third child.

Although the Queen has four children, the duke is the first future king to have a third for more than 120 years.



In 1897, George V, then the Duke of York, welcomed a daughter - Princess Mary - the younger sister of Edward VIII and George VI.

Unlike William, George V never expected to be king and only became heir to throne when his older brother, the Duke of Clarence and Avondale, died from flu in 1892.

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