The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Mama

  • WIZKID SLUGS IT OUT WITH LINDA IKEJI FOR MAMA ‘PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR’

    WIZKID SLUGS IT OUT WITH LINDA IKEJI FOR MAMA ‘PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR’

    NIGERIAN superstar, Ayo Balogun, aka Wizkid, will be going against sensational blogger, Linda Ikeji in the lifestyle category, Personality of the Year, at the forthcoming MTV Africa Music Awards. Other contenders in the category are Pearl Thusi, Pierre Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon), and middle distance runner and Olympic gold medalist Caster Semenya.

    Wizkid, Cassper Nyovest, AKA and Sauti Sol lead the pack in the first round of nominations with an impressive nine nominations between them.

    Fifty MAMA nominees including artists and achievers from 18 countries were revealed in nine key music and lifestyle award categories by Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa and MTV Base (DStv channel 322) at a star-studded reception at Constitution Hill, Johannesburg, South Africa.

    At the front of the field is Nigerian star Wizkid with three nominations including nods in Best Male, Best Collaboration and Personality of the Year. Next in line with two nominations each are AKA (South Africa),Cassper Nyovest (South Africa) and Sauti Sol (Kenya).

    The keenly contested Best Hip Hop category sees MAMA nominations for Emtee and Riky Rick of South Africa, who’ll be going head to head against Nigeria’s Olamide and Ycee, and Kiff No Beat (Ivory Coast).

    An epic battle of the bands is in store in the Best Group category where Ghana’s R2bees face off against Kenya’sSauti Sol, South Africa’s Mi Casa, Navy Kenzo from Tanzania and Togolese duo, Toofan.

    Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa stated; “MAMA celebrates Africa’s incredible young musicians and trailblazers by breaking down barriers, driving engagement, and highlighting the continent’s rich and abundant talent.”

    The MTV Africa Music Awards Johannesburg 2016 is sponsored to by Joburg Tourism in partnership with Absolut Vodka and Google and in association with MTN and DStv.

  • Give Mama her dollars

    Give Mama her dollars

    I have a problem with this country. It is a nation where we lack respect for heroes and heroines. Or how do we explain the kind of treatment being meted out to Mama Peace, the one and only Dame Patience Jonathan? For a woman who has contributed so much to this country— especially during her reign as the First Lady— she deserves our respect. Her contributions to Bayelsa State, both as wife of the governor and as Permanent Secretary, also dictate that we should respect her.

    This country’s political lexicons grew while the Dame was around. A sampler from a campaign rally in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, will convince you of her genius.

    She said:  “A bird at hand is worth a million in the bush. Nigerian women, let us shine our eyes. Women of Nigeria, are you ready to go to prison? Are you ready to go and give your father food in the prison? It is not our portion. We reject it.

    “Akwa Ibom State is a PDP state. It’s not for expired drugs, because APC cannot heal you, outdated drugs cannot heal you. Let them call it any name. Just like as my husband younger brother (Governor Akpabio) have (sic) said, they will continue changing name until they will reach Ebola. And they will call it Ebola.

    “You know what Ebola normally do (sic)? Although Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has said Nigeria is not Ebola country, so, they cannot bring Ebola to Nigeria because Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and PDP government will wipe it off. And they will bury it, because it cannot stay here at all.

    “A good man borns (sic) a good son. You cannot deliver what you don’t have, and that’s why he has brought somebody that can also deliver you from the APC. The one that will heal you .

    “We are not propagandaly (sic). We are not here to deceive you. We are not here to lie for (sic) you. Because whatever we say go and search because you will see it.”

    There are other popular coinages from Mama, such as: “My husband and Sambo is a good people”; “The President was once a child and the Senators were once a children”; “My fellow widows”; and “We should have love for our fellow Nigerians irrespective of their nationality”. And how on earth can we forget this poetic ingenuity: “ Daris God o. All this blood we are sharing in Borno”. And the clincher: “Na only you waka come”.

    Great stuffs from a great woman whose adversaries said never took instructions from her husband Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. Some even said she ran a government within government.

    Really, for a woman who contributed this much to our political lexicons, we should roll out the red carpet any day, any time for her. Not vilify her. The other day she was trying to use the VIP gate at the Port Harcourt International Airport and she was prevented, just because she is no longer First Lady. What insolence! People like her should be First Lady forever.

    Now, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has gone overboard by seizing her $15m which a former Special Adviser on Domestic Affairs, Waripamowei Dudafa, helped her warehouse in four companies’ accounts. A report in The Punch said the accounts were opened using the names of Dudafa’s driver and houseboy.

    At times, the EFCC chairman, Ibrahim Magu, baffles me. What gave him the audacity and the temerity to seize Mama Peace’s money? Does he think because his name shares some semblance with Magun—that feared Yoruba anti-adultery charm— every knee must bow before him?

    The travail of Mama all started when the EFCC began probing Dudafa now standing trial for money laundering alongside four companies. The four companies are Pluto Property and Investment Company Limited, Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Limited, Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Limited and Globus Integrated Service Limited.

    In the process of investigating Dudafa, the EFCC traced the four companies to him. The companies have domiciliary accounts at Skye Bank with a balance of $15m. The EFCC obtained a court order and froze the accounts.

    It traced the directors of the companies who denied ownership of the accounts. Along the line, the commission stumbled on the vital information that the accounts belonged to Dame Jonathan and that she is the sole signatory to the accounts.

    With this discovery, the EFCC should have applied the brakes on account of the contributions of the Dame to the growth and development of this great nation called Nigeria. But trust Magu, he started singing we no go gree o. His grouse was that if the Dame had nothing to hide, she should have opened the accounts in her name, just like her personal account, which bears her name, with a balance of $5m. The commission started wondering where she got the money from.

    What an insult? How much is $15m that Mama Peace cannot have? In Nigeria, it is news that senior civil servants have hundreds of millions of dollars. How then can it be worthy of any attention for EFCC that a woman whose husband was President of a country that was the largest economy in Africa owns only $15m?

    Trust Mama, she has sued Skye Bank for freezing her bank accounts and giving the EFCC information about her finances. Mama also filed a N200m fundamental rights enforcement suit against Skye Bank Plc.

    In an affidavit deposed to on her behalf by Sammie Somiari, Mama Peace faulted the No Debit Order placed on the four accounts in July. Mama, who could not depose to the affidavit personally because she is abroad on health ground, said Dudafa helped her open the four bank accounts which the EFCC froze.

    Dudafa, according to the affidavit, had on March 22, 2010 brought two Skye Bank officers, Demola Bolodeoku and Dipo Oshodi, to meet Mama at home to open five accounts. After the five accounts were opened, according to the tale by Somiari, Mama later discovered that Dudafa opened only one of the accounts in her name and the other four in the names of companies belonging to him.

    The affidavit reads: “The applicant (Dame Jonathan) complained about this to Dudafa, who at his prompting and instance promised to effect the change of the said accounts to the applicant’s name; and to effect this change, Dudafa brought the said bank manager, Mr. Dipo Oshodi, who was purported to have effected the changes. This was about April 2014.

    “The applicant is not a director, shareholder or participant in the companies named in the aforementioned four accounts.

    “The bank official, Mr. Dipo Oshodi, as it would appear, did not effect or reflect the instruction of the applicant to change the said accounts to her name(s) despite repeated requests of the applicant.

    “Besides, the ATM credit cards bearing the said companies’ names were brought to the applicant by Mr. Dipo Oshodi of the second respondent bank, who promised to replace them once the cards bearing the changed names were available, but he never did.

    “However, since 2010 up until 2014 and thereafter, the applicant had been using the cards on the said accounts and operating the said accounts without let or hindrance.

    “Even in May, June and July 2016, the applicant travelled overseas for medical treatment and was using the said credit cards abroad up until July 7, 2016 or thereabout when the cards stopped functioning.”

    Now, Mama does not just want the accounts defrozen, she also wants the court to order Skye Bank to pay her damages of N200m for a violation of her right to own personal property under Section 44 of the Constitution.

    The matter, which came up for further proceedings yesterday, has got many Nigerians asking questions.

    For instance, the Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), believes with the admission by Mama Peace that she owns the accounts, the EFCC has the right to probe her.

    His basis: The Act establishing the EFCC gives it the power to investigate anybody who is seen to have more wealth than he or she ought to have.

    He wonders how Mama Peace, who was a civil servant, could have billions in bank accounts. So, he believes she must explain how she earned it.

    My final take: Nothing gets to Mama Peace easily. I believe she will explain how she earned every dollar of the $15m in the four accounts and when she is done, Magu will apologise and grant her perpetual immunity from any form of financial and economic crime probe.

  • Where is Mama Peace?

    Where is Mama Peace?

    The people of Bayelsa State will tomorrow choose the man who will lead them for the next four years. It is a crucial decision.  It is a contest that has seen the two main contenders throwing serious jibes at each other. One called the other a ‘guy man governor’. The other described his rival as a ‘bush man’.

    The contenders are Governor Seriake Dickson and ex-Governor Timpre Sylva. Dickson is of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Sylva is of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    As the people prepare to make this important decision, one question that comes to my mind is: Where is Mama Peace? If you do not know who Mama Peace is, she is ex-First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan. I am concerned about her whereabouts because of her deep involvement in the politics of her husband’s state of origin.

    The two top contenders are no strangers to Mama Peace. She knows them well. Sylva will never forget Mama Peace who recruited her husband into the Operation-Sylva-must-not- have-second term-in-office project. Dickson, the incumbent, made Mama Peace a Permanent Secretary, when she was First Lady. Every attempt to make him rescind the decision was resisted. With glee, Mama Peace went to Yenagoa and was sworn-in as a Permanent Secretary. Months later, she resigned as Permanent Secretary. We do not know if she had been paid her retirement benefits for doing simply nothing. I hear she resigned because things fell apart between her and the governor.

    Since the campaigns started, Mama Peace, to the best of knowledge, has not truly identified with Dickson. I caught a glimpse of her on the day Dickson launched his campaign. After that she has not been seen campaigning for the man who did her the unjustifiable honour of making her a Permanent Secretary  — to the consternation of many.

    Some days back, the PDP held a rally it tagged mega. Ex-President Jonathan was. Usually, Mama Peace would be beside him. She would have taken the microphone and throw punches at Sylva, the man she and her husband claimed failed Bayelsa people and as such was not qualified to lead the state for a second term. But she was nowhere near the rally ground, not to talk of drumming support for Dickson. Is she truly angry with Dickson and cares not whether or not he gets re-elected?

    The rally has also become a subject of a big row between the two major parties. The APC described as poor the turnout of supporters and members of the PDP for the grand finale of its rally in Yenagoa last weekend. A statement by the Sylva/Igiri Campaign Organisation (SICO) said the poor turnout was an indication that the PDP had lost the goodwill and support of the people.

    SICO’s Director, Media and Publicity, Chief Nathan Egba, said the rally, tagged: “Mother of All Rallies”, recorded poor attendance, as the main bowl of the Samson Siasia Sports Complex was empty, with only a handful of party faithful and supporters.

    Egba said Jonathan’s presence could not even attract supporters to the event. He said the defection of thousands of PDP members to the APC in the last few months was one of the factors responsible for the empty stadium.

    The statement reads: “This is a ranting by a drowning party. It is the trademark of the PDP to use federal might to win elections as recorded in the past when the party was at the centre.

    “For us in the APC, we will rely on the electorate to do the needful by voting our candidates on merit. The people have promised to savour the great momentum the APC is bringing into this election to change the retrogressive government of the PDP to a government of prosperity.

    “We will like to place on record that no member of the APC defected to the PDP during the rally. The almost 50 little children and boys brought into the arena brandishing brooms were impostors.

    “It was the governor and his lieutenants who stage-managed the show of shame. We are happy that the television camera captured the faces of the underage, who posed as APC members with more than 70 per cent of them less than 18 years.

    “The display was just to score point and deceive the national leadership of their party into believing that they are on ground when in fact, PDP is already dead and buried, while we await the burial on Saturday.”

    As expected, the PDP took exceptions to APC’s position. Dickson’s Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said the rally was successful.

    Iworiso-Markson said: “The crowd, who political watchers described as unprecedented in the political annals of the state, confirmed the supremacy of the PDP and its candidate, Governor Dickson, over others.

    “With songs and dances, the party faithful left no one in doubt of their preparedness to vote for the PDP governorship candidate, who according to them, has rewritten the political history of the state in the last four years.

    “The security operatives had a hectic time controlling the crowd, as thousands of PDP supporters across the creeks of Bayelsa defied the scorching sun to witness what is being described as the mother of all rallies.”

    To support his position, he listed the dignitaries who attended the event as the Acting Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Haliru Bello, Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Vice-Chairman, PDP, Southsouth, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, Chief Olisah Metuh, serving and former National Assembly members, including, Senators Adolphus Wabara, Ibrahim Mantu, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, Leo Ogor, Nollywood stars and a host of others.

    What I am sure of is the fact that none of these men will vote tomorrow. It is about the people of Bayelsa. My final take is: The people of Bayelsa deserve the right to choose their leader. They should be allowed to do this in an atmosphere devoid of rancor, violence and intimidation. The stakes are high. And from what I can see now, it is too close to call. It can go either way.

     

    Black Day in Rivers

    On the run up to the general elections in Rivers State, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters and friends were attacked and killed in their homes in cold blood. Their offence was their political leaning. Some were attacked and killed on their way to attend campaign rallies. Explosive devices and gun attacks were not rare at campaigns rallies of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Some citizens who wanted to cast their votes were killed or maimed by political thugs and mercenaries. Not a few got their noses bloodied at polling units.

    At the last count, over 100 were believed to have been killed. Prominent among the victims were the Adube family. Nine of them, including father, children and an in-law, were killed in one day.

    They were remembered on Monday. At the ceremony, APC’s governorship candidate Dr Dakuku Peterside said: “Our brothers and sisters died because some politicians who were consumed with vaulting and inordinate ambition engaged in horse trading. More than 100 innocent persons were killed, victims of the evil acts of desperate politicians. You have heard chilling stories from their families, but for the sensitivity of our sensibilities, I wish not to recant that narratives here. Unfortunately, till date not a single person has been prosecuted for these crimes against humanity.”

    Peterside went on: “For us, they were not just victims but martyrs. They constitute the ‘strong breed’ who have taken our collective burden to ensure the survival of democracy particularly in Rivers State and Nigeria in general.”

    Like I have maintained on the Rivers killings, the evil doers will suffer. Those who had hands in the deaths will not end well.

  • Mama died praying for us while singing for her- daughter

    Mama died praying for us while singing for her- daughter

    The Ikenne home of the Awolowo dynasty surged with heavy traffic of Nigerians who called to sympathise with the family over the death the matriarch of the family, Chief Hannah Idowu Dideolu (HID) Awolowo on Saturday.
    Mama Awolowo, wife of the formost politician and first Premier of Old Western region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, died after a brief meeting with family members.
    The 99 years old Yeye Oodua of Yorubaland would have been 100 by November 25 this year as preparation had began as early as August with many prominent Nigerians, particularly in the Southwest, approached to send in their goodwill messages for collation ahead of the expected centenary celebration.
    Early callers at the Awolowo home included former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Acting Governor of Ogun state, Princess Yetunde Onanuga, Mrs Olufunso Amosun, ex – governor Gbenga Daniel and Secretary to the Ogun state government, Mr Taiwo Adeoluwa.
    The family said the matriarch died in the company of her children and also prayed for them as they planned for her centenary birthday.
    Her first daughter, Mrs Omotola Oyediran said HID Awolowo spent five minutes with her family, had her routine daily chores – meetings, prayers among others, before she breathed her last by 3:5pm
    “It is with gratitude to God for her remarkable and illustrious life, the entire Awolowo family announce the glorious home calling of our dear Matriach, Yeye Oodua, Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo on Saturday afternoon.
    “Mama died as gloriously as she lived. She spent the day in the company of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
    “She shared a precious five minutes with them when she went in to pray for them as they met to plan her centennary birthday.
    ” She died a couple of hours later as she had always wished, surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great grand children.”
    Obasanjo said HID’s death is the passing of an Icon, a mother and matriarch of the yorubas.
    Obasanjo said: “on occasion like this, for all of us in ogun and yorubaland nay Nigeria, it is passing of an icon. Normally for us it should be a mixed feelings, mixed feelings because Mama had lived a life most of us would envy.
    “However, it doesn’t matter how long our loved ones may stay we will love they stay with us. We must thank God because mama has experienced the vicsitude of life but she died in peace.
    “When I heard, I decided to come becuse I wanted to be sure. All Iwas thinking of was the centennary birthday. Mama has been a joy to many, she is the matriarch of the yorubaland, faithful and loyal to her husband, supporter and pillar of the family.
    “She was somebody people run to for advise and counsel and they get the best from her. I pray that God will give the family the courage and wherewithal to bear the challenges of Mama’s death. Each and every one of us must learn a lesson from the good life of Mama and may her soul rest in perfect peace.”

  • I was looking forward to mama Awolowo’s 100th birthday- Ambode

    I was looking forward to mama Awolowo’s 100th birthday- Ambode

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has expressed shock over the death of Chief Mrs Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, wife of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

    The Governor in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna said he was one of mama’s many followers looking forward to celebrating her 100th birthday, which is just few months away.

    “Mama would have clocked 100 on November 25 this year. It was going to be a milestone, not just for her, but for our great country. She was the matriarch of the Awolowo family, a well respected dynasty in the history of Nigeria.

    “Mama’s demise at this time is painful, especially coming at a period when Nigeria is gradually enjoying democratic bliss, which her late husband, Chief Obafemi Awolowo fought for till his death.

    “We however take solace in the fact that she lived a fulfilled life. We celebrate her for what she stood for, uniting the Yoruba race for a common course and keeping her family together since the demise of her husband.

    “She was the pillar behind Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s legacies. She was the backbone of the brand of progressive ideas that defined the politics of the South West in the First Republic and in subsequent Republics,” Ambode stated.

    The Governor prayed for the peaceful repose of her soul and urged her family to draw strength from the legacies she stood for while she was alive.

  • Hollywood actor Anthony Anderson to emcee MAMA

    Hollywood actor Anthony Anderson to emcee MAMA

    American comic actors continue to helm the annual MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA), with the unveiling of Anthony Anderson as host of this year’s show.

    Anderson takes over from Marlon Wayans, the popular American showman who was criticised in some quarters for dry and ‘unAfrican’ jokes during last year’s event.

    Anderson, an actor, producer, comedic genius and all-round funny man, said he is looking forward to the show, holding in Durban, South Africa, on July 18.

    ‘I look forward to my first trip to Durban and KwaZulu-Natal and  feel honoured to be hosting MAMA 2015 on Nelson Mandela’s birthday – it’s going to be awesome,” he said.

    Fresh from his recent stint as co-host of the BET Awards 2015 in LA, Anthony Anderson is star and Executive Producer of ABC’s new comedy Black-ish alongside actress Tracee Ellis Ross, while also hosting Food Network’s Carnival Cravings with Anthony Anderson. He is known for leading roles on NBC’s Emmy Award-winning drama Law and Order where he played Detective Kevin Bernard, as well as the shows K-Ville and The Shield. Anderson also brought his talent and humour to the small screen in his semi-biographical sitcom All About the Andersons.

    Other previous hosts of MAMA are Eve (2010), Wyclef Jean (2009) and Trevor Nelson (2008).

    The show is expected to feature artistes such as 2Face, AKA, Big Nuz, Black Motion, Bucie, Cassper Nyovest, Da LES, Davido, Diamond Platnumz, DJ Fisherman, DJ Tira, Jhené Aiko, NaakMusiQ, NE-YO, Toofan, Wizkid, Yemi Alade and Young Thug.

    Organisers say the MTV Africa Music Awards KwaZulu-Natal 2015 will broadcast live across Africa on MTV Base (DStv channel 322), MTV (DStv channel 130) and BET (DStv channel 129) on Saturday 18 July at 8PM.

  • Road to MAMA: Nominees rock tonight

    Road to MAMA: Nominees rock tonight

    •As 2Face, Asa, P-Square, D’banj, others are nominated in special category

    As the July 18 date for the much publicised MTV Africa Music Award (MAMA) draws close, a special pre-event gig called Road To Mama, will tonight, provide a taste of what tyo expect at the award ceremony in Durban, South Africa.

    The show, which takes place at The Marquee, Federal Palace Hotel, 6-8 Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos, will feature performances from an all-star line-up of MAMA nominated artistes.

    The annual party is one of the biggest pan-African party tours, in which nominees criss-cross the continent in the build-up to the MAMA awards in July. The show, an off-the-hook club night and celebration of Africa’s musical evolution, kicked off in Durban before heading to Lagos.

    Headlining the gig are Song of the Year and Best Hip Hop nominee Olamide, Yemi Alade (nominated for Best Female and Song of the Year), Phyno (Best Hip Hop), Lil Kesh (Song of the Year), and Iyanya (Best Collaboration). As an added treat, Tanzanian artist Diamond Platnuzm will be showing off the moves that earned him three nominations (Best Male, Best Live & Best Collaboration).

    Rounding out the evening with some hot deck action will be DJ Jimmy Jatt, DJ Neptune, DJ Xclusive & DJ Caise.

    Meanwhile, for the award ceremony in Durban, 10 of Africa’s most influential and iconic contemporary musicians have been nominated for the ”Evolution” award, to be presented at the MAMAs.

    Nominated in the category are Nigeria’s 2Face Idibia, Asa, D’Banj and P-Square.

    Others are Anselmo Ralph from Angola; Black Coffee from South Africa; Chameleone from Uganda; Fally Ipupa from DRC; HHP from South Africa and Samini from Ghana.

    According to Tim Horwood, Channel Director, MTV Base, “The MAMA ”Evolution” award honours established artistes who have made an indelible mark on African and global music culture, taken African music to new territories around the world, pushed the boundaries of creativity, and shaped the soundscape of contemporary Africa.”

    He noted that the winner of the Evolution award will be decided jointly by MTV Base and music fans voting online, and via Twitter and Instagram.

    Fans are expected to vote their favourite artiste at http://mama.mtv.com or use the hashtag #Evolution on Twitter or Instagram, followed by the artiste’s name.

  • NE-YO to perform at MAMA

    NE-YO to perform at MAMA

    Organisers of the MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA) have announced Grammy Award-winning R&B singer, NE-YO, as one of the performers at the show, taking place at the Durban International Convention Centre on Saturday, July 18.

    It would be Ne-Yo’s first time to perform in the South African city, and he is obviously excited.

    “I can’t wait for you to see what I have in store Durban! I hope you’re ready, because I am!” he said.

    Since smashing onto the top spot of the Billboard Hot 200 Chart back in 2006 with his sophomore single “So Sick”, NE-YO has spent the last nine years churning out hit after hit, not only as a performer, but as a songwriter for his megastar peers Beyoncé, Rihannaand the late Michael Jackson to name but a few.

    Multiple platinum singles, four hit albums and three Grammy Awards later, the hit-maker is ready to share his latest work, and songs from his sixth studio album ‘Non Fiction’ with the world.

    ”We are thrilled to have NE-YO join us in Durban.  He’s an incredible artist who will elevate the MAMA to new highs,”says Bruce Gillmer, EVP, Music, Talent Programming and Events, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN).

    According to Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa, “We are very excited to welcome NE-YO to MAMA 2015 for his first ever appearance in Durban.  As a sensational live performer and truly accomplished R&B star, NE-YO’s an all-round class act who will greatly complement the African performers on the show.”

    MAMA celebrates the evolution of African musicians by recognising contemporary artists and trailblazers across a range of music and lifestyle categories.

    Organisers say the MTV Africa Music Awards KwaZulu-Natal 2015 will broadcast live across Africa on MTV Base (DStv channel 322), MTV (DStv channel 130) and BET (DStv channel 129) on Saturday 18 July at 21:00 CAT. The show will also be transmitted worldwide on partner stations and content platforms including BET International from 18 July. In addition, a special MAMA-themed edition of MTV’s acclaimed World Stage franchise will air globally on MTV channels around the world on 27 August 2015.

  • Road to MAMA Club Tour hits Lagos

    Road to MAMA Club Tour hits Lagos

    With less than a month to the 2015 MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA), an all-star line-up of MAMA nominated artistes will headline MTV Base’s latest Road to MAMA party, in Lagos.

    The off-the-hook club night and celebration of Africa’s musical finest, will take place on Friday 3 July at The Marquee, Federal Palace Hotel, 6-8 Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island.

    The pan-African party tour across the continent in the build-up to the MAMA awards in July, kicked off in Durban before heading onto Lagos.

    MAMA Nominees on the line-up include Olamide (Song of the Year and Best Hip Hop), YemiAlade (Best Female and Song of the Year), Phyno (Best Hip Hop), Lil Kesh (Song of the Year), and Iyanya (Best Collaboration). Also, Tanzanian artiste Diamond Platnuzm will be showing off the moves that earned him three nominations (Best Male, Best Live and Best Collaboration).

    DJ Neptune, DJ Xclusive and DJ Caise are scheduled to hold down the wheels of steel

  • Haba, Mama Peace!

    Haba, Mama Peace!

    Thisreport about our own ‘Mama Peace,’ First Lady Patience Jonathan better turn out not to be true. Even as the presidency or the office of the First Lady is yet to come out and refute the allegations against her, many Nigerians are wishing she didn’t say those things.

    It was widely reported that while speaking on Tuesday during the PDP women presidential campaign rally, held in Kogi State, the First Lady not only declared that General Muhammadu Buhari is unfit and too old to be the Nigeria’s president, but also described the man who is old enough to be her father as “Old man wey no get brain, him brain don die pata pata.” (A brain dead old man!)

    She made the statement, according to reports, after she had in her usual manner, entertained the women gathered to listen to her with laughable statements like “Wetin him dey find again? Him dey drag with him pikin mate,” in Pidgin English.

    But should this turn out to be true, Ripples overheard people saying somebody not only needs to call on Mr. President to reign-in Madam, but also that Mama Peace herself would have to be reminded that she is supposed to be a role model to millions of women. Definitely, abusing the elderly is not part of our virtues as Africans.