Ode to a Legend: 21 Inspiring Facts about Maya Angelou

The world is saddened today to learn that African American renowned poet, civil rights activist and author passed away this morning at age 86. Even though she is no longer with us physically, she left with us the blessing that is her work and its impact. In celebration of the life of this Phenomenal Woman, here are 21 inspiring facts you may not know about Angelou.
1. Angelou was born Marguerite Ann Johnson in St. Louis, Mo on April 4, 1928.
 2. Angelou descended from the Mende people of West Africa. maya4
 3. In high school, Angelou studied dance and drama.
4. At the age of 14, she dropped out of school.
5. Angelou was San Francisco’s first African-American, female street car conductor. Maya Angelou
 6. Angelou once lived and worked in Cairo as an editor of an English-language weekly newspaper.
 7. Angelou once lived in Ghana and taught at the University of Ghana’s School of Music and Drama. maya1 8. Angelou spoke several languages, including French, Spanish, Italian, Arabic and the West African language Fanti.
9. Angelou met Malcolm X in Ghana.
10. Angelou returned to America in 1964 to help Malcolm X form his Organization of African American Unity.
11. Angelou served as northern coordinator for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference on the request of Martin Luther King Jr. maya8
12. She met Nelson Mandela in Cairo in 1962 and remained good friends with him till his death in 2013.
13. At age 7, she was raped by her mother’s boyfriend. (As described in her most popular book “I know why the caged bird sings). Her uncles killed her rapist.
14. Feeling responsible for the death of her rapist, Angelou was mute for five years.
15. In 2010, President Obama awarded Angelou with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. maya7
16. Angelou won three Grammy Awards for her spoken-word albums.
 17. Although Angelou never went back to school, she received over thirty honorary doctoral degrees.
18. At the time of her death, Angelou had published seven autobiographies, three essay books, and several books of poetry.
19. Angelou was married at least twice (no confirmed number): to Tosh Angelos in 1951 and Paul du Feu in 1973, and in 1961 had a relationship with Vusumzi Make.
 20. Angelou has one son Guy, one grandson, and two great-grandchildren.
21. Angelou loved to watch Law & Order and was an avid country music lover. maya3 RIP Maya…..

 Stay Inspired,

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Are some people wired to have more sex than others?

Unable to figure out why you can’t get to bed with her after several attempts while your closest friend is never short of offers? Your brain is simply not wired for sex.

According to a fascinating research, some people are actually wired to have more sex – or at least be really, really motivated to hook up.

“Some people’s brains are simply more sensitive to sexual cues than others – which means it takes less to get them aroused and ultimately leads them to find sexual partners,” explained Nicole Prause, an assistant research scientist in psychiatry at University of California Los Angeles.

To prove their point, Prause and her team recruited psychology students to get an electroencephalogram (EEG) of their brains and to view 225 standardised pictures of pleasant, neutral or unpleasant things.

The pleasant images included sexually stimulating ones like explicit pictures of people having sex.

The students were also asked about their number of sexual partners in the past year.

Some of the participants showed strong reactions on the EEG to nearly all of the intimacy-themed images, regardless of whether they were explicit.

These were the same people who reported having more partners.

For these people, said Prause, it’s not a chasing of a “high” or a reward but a biological sensitivity to sexual cues that sets their arousal threshold at a much lower level.

We may be wired to want sex, but that does not mean the wiring can’t be re-routed, she said in the study published in the journal Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience.

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Jim Iyke dropped from lead role in Kenyan movie

Nigerian movie bad boy, Jim Iyke won’t get the chance to play the lead role in a Kenyan movie due to budget cuts by the production team. This was revealed at the on-going Broadcasting, Film and Music Africa conference where Serah Mwhihaki, a panellist, was responding to questions fielded by delegates. Mwihaki is the screen writer for ‘My Life in Crime‘, a movie adapted from a book of the same title. She let slip that Iyke may have been dropped from the production due to ‘budget slashes.’ Iyke was cast as John Kiriamiti, a hard core criminal who is now reformed. The movie was set to begin shooting later this year....

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Nadia Buari Has reportedly Dumped Jim Iyke

Photo: Jim Iyke and Nadia Buari

Fresh reports indicate that Ghanaian actress Nadia Buari has ended her long-time relationship with famous Nigerian actor Jim Iyke.
According to YNaija, the angered Nollywood bad boy blamed US-based musician and publisher of Nigeria FM Emma Agu for being responsible for their break-up.
Story
Iyke told Buari that he was going to Miami on business, however he was spotted in New York with his ex Keturah Hamilton. NY resident and blogger Agu reportedly called Buari to ask her if they had split up.
Unaware of the fact that her alleged fiance is in New York, the Ghanaian beauty afterwards blasted Jim referring to facts sent to her by New York people and after having confirmed that Jim was there with his ex, she separated from him.
Emma Agu responds to Jim's attacks
Annoyed by the actor's accusations, Agu, who was allegedly called by Iyke, spoke harshly about the Nollywood star saying their break-up is his fault. See Agu's original message in part:
"This overrated son of a b***h with his amateurish acting skills thinks his name can bring any good to a writer or a blogger. The man with a tainted name, a rogue who has burnt every bridge he stepped on is trying to hold me responsible for what ever misfortune that has fallen him in the last 72 hours.
"So this montebank sneaked into New York around 5am 3 days ago and did everything to keep it a top secret until the bubble burst right in front of him. When I got the hint that James was in Keturah’s house, I thought Keturah was lying . The girl said James came claiming that his relationship with Nadia Buari was over. She also said James (Jim) came to pick her up from Nigeria. I told her this guy might be lying.
"When I got in touch with Nadia's manager, he maintained that Nadia was aware Jim went to Miami and insisted he (Jim) was no way near Keturah's house."
According to Agu, he had the insulting talk by Iyke recorded on tape and will "play it to my world audience by 8AM New York time, which should be 1PM Nigerian Time. I need everyone out there to listen and find out why Jim Iyke should be taken off the streets. The guy can never change. That deliverance by TB Joshua never worked. It was a fluke."
He also called Iyke a "psycho", "disappointment", "fraudster" and "cheat", saying he must be arrested over threatening Agu's life.
This story comes as a big disappointment after the recently publicized engagement of Jim and Nadya.

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Fred Amata Marks 51st Birthday With Arsenals FA Cup Victory

Nollywood actor Fred Amata is a year older on saturday.
The movie producer who turned 51 today has been celebrating his milestone with Football club, Arsenal’s victory
“Thanks Arsene. Thanks Gunners my best birthday gift in 9 years …. The FA CUP,” – The Nollywood actor gushed out
He also thanked God for adding another year to his successful years on earth.
Fred Amata said:
“Another year goes by. Glory Allelulya. Another reason to raise the roof with thanks giving and praise. A day to count my blessings even if I couldn’t name them one by one… A day in the season to say and accept wishes that simply say HAPPY BIRTHDAY.”

 Check out Fred Amata in his Arsenal Jersey below:


 

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Not Afraid By OJB Jezreel

OJB Jezreel is back in the music scene after his surgery with a new video “Not Afraid”. Track was produced by himself, directed by Yinkrid Films..
Enjoy

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MTN Project Fame season 7 kicks off in June

Project Fame Season 6 winner, Olawale. Photo: Project Fame MTN Project Fame West Africa has announced the audition dates for this year’s edition of the popular music talent show. According to the producers, auditions for the seventh edition of the MTN-sponsored talent show will begin in Benin and Owerri on Saturday, June 7, proceed to Ilorin and Abuja on Saturday, June 14, Port Harcourt and Ibadan on Saturday, June 16, and finally Lagos on Friday June 27 and Saturday June 28, 2014. Auditions will also be held in Liberia on Saturday, May, 24, 2014, at Bella Casa Hotel, Sinkor, Monrovia. The winner of last season’s MTN Project Fame, Olawale Ojo, was handed a cheque of N5m, a brand new car and a recording contract.
AUDITION VENUES
June 7: Benin Constantial hotel, 24/26 Airport road, GRA Benin.
June 7: Owerri Newton Hotel, Plot H2, Imo Specialist Hospital Road off PH Road,New Owerri.
June 14: Ilorin Kwara Hotel, 9A Ahmadu Bello Way, GRA, Ilorin‎.
June 14: Abuja National Centre for Women Development, Better Life Street, Central Area, Abuja.
June 21: PH Viontel Hotel Plot 96 Stadium Road, GRA 4 Port Harcourt.
June 21: Ibadan Tafo Arena, Poly Road WAEC Office Junction, Eleyele, Ibadan.
June 23, 28: Lagos Ultima Studio, Funke Zainab Usman Street (End of Admiralty Way Behind this present house) Lekki, Lagos. MTN Project Fame West Africa is a musical reality TV show that sees 15 contestants battle for the title of ‘best musical act in Africa’. © NET Newspapers 2014. All Rights Reserved. Please use sharing tools. Do not cut, copy or lift any content from this website without our consent....

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Actor Bob-Manuel Udokwu joins Gov Obiano’s cabinet

Nollywood actor, Bob-Manuel Udokwu has been appointed Senior Special Adviser on Entertainment by Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano. He made the announcement via a BB message yesterday.

The message read:

    “The governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano has appointed me Bob-Manuel Udokwu (FCAI) his Senior Special Assistant(SSA) on the Movie/Entertainment Industry with immediate effect”

Bob-Manuel was also the former Special Adviser on Entertainment to the immediate past Governor of Anambra state, Peter Obi. This new governor retained him. Congrats to him.

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Do You Really Think The #Bringbackourgirls Tag Can do The Magic?

Looking at this from another angle, one can be forced to say that using the hashtag #bringbackourgirls is a waste of time.

The “Bring back our girls” campaign on social media reeks of stupidity and insensitivity on our side.

Like fashion, Our Celebrities and their worshippers(you) have taken to the#bring back our girls rave.

They have condemned Boko Haram in the corner of their houses, shot videos and taking pictures, in the process and winning public approval(gaining popularity). Our naive social media community have followed suit.

Let us take time to answer these questions.

How many of this twitter activists have visited the parents of the girls and offered their so called love?

How many of this futile campaigns can change Boko Haram?

But we are fast to selfishly say ‘Bring back our girls’. Why don’t you go and bring them? Be the change you preach, grab a gun and head to Sambisa

If you can’t pray , stop giving Boko Haram the needed publicity…

What can you say about this, will it work?#Bringbackourgirls

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KCEE, May D, Bovi for Closeup Naija Herbal launch.

Nigerian Pop singers KCEE and May D are set to perform at the Closeup Naija Herbal launch this weekend, May 10, 2014. Holding at Jasmine Hall, Eko Hotel and Suites, the invite-only event will be hosted by stand-up comic Bovi. Meanwhile, we’re still asking questions for fans to win something big! Here’s today’s question: Your friend just informed you he/she won a lottery of N20m, how would you congratulate him/ her in the Naija way? Show your skills here and get an invite to the Closeup Naija Herbal launch or get featured on live radio! #getclosenaija...

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Jay Jay Okocha turns ambassador for energy drink.

Ex-Super Eagles star Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha has signed a deal to represent beverage, Bullet Energy Drink as its ambassador. The former Bolton Wanderers FC star now joins actress Chika Ike, who was also unveiled as one of the faces for the beverage brand, a few weeks ago. Reps for the beverage company have told us the deal is worth N15m and will last for two years. Okocha has already kicked off his new deal with a ‘Bullet Juggle with JayJay’ online competition which encourages fans to record and send in videos of themselves juggling a football. In the past the Okocha has worked as an ambassador for beverage company Pepsi and athletic shoes and clothing company Reebok.

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Nigerian Artistes Prefer Buying Songs--Upcoming Artiste Sossi

Fast rising Nigerian hip-hop sensation, Agboluaje Babatunde a.k.a.Sossi, has pointed that one of the ways to survive in the music industry is to be a good song writer whose content can be appreciated.

According to Sossi, the purchase of songs has become a part of the Nigerian culture which is now rampant.

“Buying of songs has been part of our culture in this part of the world. But writing songs, is like a job you have to do if you want to be a musician,” the singer observed.

The artiste, who is currently signed under Buggatti Record label, attributed this trend to the fact that the industry was still growing.

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kate-henshaw-discusses-her-daughter-and-dating-flavour

Kate Henshaw rarely talks about her 13-year-old daughter Ella and isn’t about to break that code anytime soon. A guest on ‘The Juice‘ with Toolz, the actress described Ella as ‘the most gorgeous daughter’. And on why she hasn’t brought Ella into the limelight yet, Kate says that life is not for her daughter. ‘She didn’t ask for this life. It’s mine and mine alone. If you see her with me, you won’t even think she’s the one. Which is good‘, the Nollywood actress revealed. Kate Henshaw separated from her Brit husband, Roderick James Nuttal in 2011 after being married for 12 years. The 42-year-old hottie also talked about her recent working relationship with musician Flavour. Kate described him as ‘quiet and soft spoken’. ‘I thought he would have a chip on his shoulder but he was fine‘. When Toolz asked if she would go on a dinner date with the Pop/highlife singer, she replied ‘Yes!‘....

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BBA Winner Dillish Wants To Have Family Soon

Big Brother Africa (BBA) winner Dillish Matthews has confessed that she really wants to get married soon and start having babies.
The celebrity, who was rumoured to have relationships with famous singer, songwriter and dancer Flavour, publicly lamented that she was running out of time and needed to find a man, Nigeriafilms reports.
Dillish revealed in a recent interview:
"As soon as I find myself a hunk, I will start (having babies). I have always wanted to have kids before I clock 25 and I will be 25 years old next year, so I’m running out of time."
When asked to comment on her breakup with her ex-boyfriend Stephen, she said:
"All I have to say is that not everything reported are true, so, don’t believe everything you read. Sometimes people make stories up so that the media can leave them alone."

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Charly Boy Confirms Death Of His Father, Justice Oputa

Nigerian entertainer Charly Boy has confirmed that his father, Justice Chukwudifu Akunne Oputa, passed away Sunday afternoon, May 4, 2014.
Charly Boy, who is the second son of late Justice Oputa, released a statement about his father's death saying:
"The Family of Justice Chukwudifu Oputa wishes to announce the passing to glory of the eminent jurist and a retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria at the age of 96 years. He passed on peacefully on Sunday afternoon, May 4, 2014, after recovering from a brief illness. Funeral announcements will soon be released by the family."

It was gathered that the body of Justice Oputa had been deposited at the morgue of the National Hospital in Abuja.
Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Olisa Agbakoba, sent her condolences to her friend Charly Boy and his family.
He said: "It’s very sad that the great jurist has passed on. Having actively appeared before him, I can confirm that he was one of our finest legal minds. My prayers are with my friend Charly Boy (the deceased’s son) and his family."
In February, the former judge of the Supreme Court had suffered a stroke and was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre in Owerri.
It was gathered that he passed away at about 3.30pm at his Abuja house shortly after he was discharged from hospital.
Oputa was appointed to head a panel constituted to investigate rights abuses during 15 years of military rule between 1976 and 1999 when President Olusegun Obasanjo took office as elected president on 29 May, 1999, making him the Chairman of the Oputa Panel.

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Maheeda Compares Haters With Boko Haram (PHOTOS, 18+ ONLY)

Controversial singer Maheeda compares her Instagram haters with Boko Haram sect as they don't tolerate people with different beliefs or lifestyle.
Naija Battest Girl shared explicit semi-nude photos again and one of the photos contains her passionate message to all her haters.
Apparently, Maheeda is tired of negative comments under her pictures. She wants people to understand and accept her lifestyle.
"Removing politics ....... Some group of people called boko, think killing people or bombing them is good because this people are not believing what they believe, so this people deserve to die, well, you all said, no way ! boko is wrong, but most of u r doing the same thing, when you see some one like me doing what u think is wrong you say we deserve hell we deserve to perish! We deserve to die, You are all the same you are all bokos !" Maheeda's message said.

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Singer Tiwa Savage To Release Her Most Sexually Suggestive Video

Newly wed Tiwa Savage is reportedly going to release her latest video 'Wanted' on the internet and TV this week.
According to latest reports, the video is expected to be Tiwa's most sexually suggestive music video so far.
The video was exclusively premiered at an MTN gig on Wednesday, April 30, 2014 in Lagos, only a few people have watched it. But, it has already caused controversy as Tiwa's fans have practically attacked her saying that she went too far trying to be like Beyoncé or Rihanna in their recent music videos.
However, Tiwa Savage has reportedly replied the fans saying she has every right to show off her skin.
On her Instagram page Tiwa wrote: "And before all you i-too-sabi come on here saying I am a celebrity and I should expect public scrutiny, that’s all well and good if the public have the right information but they don’t most of the time.
"I’m off to the beach to show more of my bikini body, because I’m married I should turn into a nun abi? Maybe if you worked on your body your husband will not be drooling over me."
Do you agree with married Tiwa Savage for her to show her skin in her music videos?

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Nigerian Artist 2G Lands Louis Vuitton Deal

Nigerian Artiste, 2G also known as Mr Booski  Lover has landed his first major fashion campaign for fashion giant, Louis Vuitton! The artist who is also a model is set to appear in the latest Louis Vuitton Campaign

The artiste/model who signed the deal last Monday is still in New York wrapping up shoots for the fashion giant. This would be 2G's first major fashion endorsement and he is excited about it, he says, "its a far cry from the music making process, but fashion is another form of expression and i love it" he also hinted he has a lot of forth coming projects including music videos, songs and more pictures to release for his teaming fans.

A call from Pulse.ng through to his manager, Femi confirmed the news and says the artiste is expected back from New York in a few days.

In the released unofficial pictures he is styled in his signature LV scarf and carved beard, while he is styled in pieces from Louis Vuitton's most recent spring collection. The Campaign was shot Pete Lindbergh.

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