INEC REGISTRATION

... every second that passes brings us closer to the 2011 Election.... In order to vote we must register, so I went to register yesterday... I got to the registration stand, close to my house and meet people waiting for their turn to register, so I joined the queue with all joy, only to notice a lady who came with her mother after me getting registered, I was pissed and spoke up, as there were mothers with infants waiting to be registered, this was highly unfair.... everyone joined me to call the registration officials to "their senses", I wondered when Nigerians will stop "jumping queues", thank God I finally registered, but the early incident left me depressed.... But i watched the 9.00pm network news on NTA, and saw that Nigerians left their homes as early as 3.00am to queue for registration, I was impressed that even though we have some bad apples, we can still boast of good ones.

Leaving ones house by 3.00am to ensure you get registered shows Nigerians are taking their future seriously.... Kudos to those who will register the right way, and Shame on those who are trying to cut corners.

MY CUTE BOYFRIEND............

Valentine is around the corner, boys and girls are saving up to get gifts for their Vals....

While those who are yet to get a 'Val' might get lucky before the D-day which is 14th February, or they will 'Roast' meaning be alone, with out gifts....

Make this Valentine a special day for someone, really...... it must not be just about your girlfriend/boyfriend... you can visit the orphanage....... Winks!!!

Happy Valentine in 'advance' to my Cute Boyfriend

PETER GENE HERNANDEZ..... Kisses.

PETER GENE HERNANDEZ.

PETER GENE HERNANDEZ.

PETER GENE HERNANDEZ.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

...Its 2011? Yes it is...

I just wrote 2010 in a form I filled, I guess am still shocked at how 2010 came and left so quickly, but the reality still remains, It is 2011...HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Before we start writing down our new year resolutions, let us recall what we did at the end of 2010...

I will start from October, October is a significant month as I have six special people born in October, yea I have to buy six birthday gifts, lol!!!. October is also the month of Akwaaba: African Travel Market (AFTM)... 2010 Akwaaba was mind blowing, giving everyone the opportunity to meet with twenty countries, my stay at the Bon Voyage hotel was icing on the cake considering the fact I attended the Akwaaba dinner which saw the presence of two ex-presidents, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo(ex-president of Nigeria) and Sir Dawda Jawara(ex-president of Gambia)...

...November was a month to rest from all the work in October and prepare for the most hectic month of the year, December... during the preparation I visited computer village in Lagos, after an hour of shopping I was hungry, so hungry that I could eat a “horse”… I told my colleague, who was also hungry… and we decided to look for a decent restaurant to eat before I faint, don’t be scared we found one.

Without any hesitation we ordered our food…I ate pounded yam and egusi soup, after eating I asked for sachet water to wash my hands, and the “Mama Put” lady said they only sell Eva bottle water, so I should use the one I bought to drink to wash my hand.

I thought that was the end of the case until my colleague asked for our bill and was presented with a 3,500 naira bill…My eyes popped out… 3,500 naira in a Buka at computer village… hmmm!

I looked around and noticed the Buka had only one customer including I and my colleague and guess what, the customer was carrying a cheque book, I don’t blame him oh!

Thank God we had money if not we might have being ordered to wash plates. I call them my “5 Star Buka”…

December ... Finally came, my best month in the year, don’t feel so bad if you are not a fan of December, I can’t help but love the month It’s my birth month...

December is always an exciting month for me looking forward to my birthday and Christmas... My 2010 Christmas was amazing, spent it with my family and decided to go for Calabar carnival, I guess I decide too late because getting flight tickets to Calabar on the 24^th for 26^th or 27^th, was unsuccessful......In the midst of my sadness due to the unavailability of flight tickets to Calabar, I realized everybody must have left for Calabar, considering the number of airlines and none had a free space, but thank God I smiled, as my dad was able to secure two tickets to Uyo for himself and I, it was my first time in Uyo state which is an hour drive to Calabar, I must say I was impressed by the clean roads in Uyo, I thought I had seen it all until I got to Calabar and saw the cutest state I have ever been to, all the roads I plied where perfectly tarred, Imagine a state without port holes... The climax of my stay was watching the carnival which took place on the 27^th, looking at beautiful girls and handsome guys parade in amazing costumes was satisfying, despite having had to stand for hours, It was worth the ache my legs went through, since the band I voted for (Passion 4) emerged winner amongst its other competitors (Seagull, Masta Blasta, Freedom and Bayside).

Enjoy more pictures from calabar carnival.........Happy New year once again.

Diane Wilcox

My friends camera went to work, lol!!! carnival calabar rocks...

Calabar Carnival boss Elenda Dokubo and Diane Wilcox

Diane Wilcox and Journalist's at the opening of the carnival.

Pictures of top 25 Nominees for Naija 7 Wonders!!!

Abuja Mosque, FCT:

To vote, sms Naija7*12 to 33120

The Monoliths (Alok & Ikom), Cross River State

To vote; sms Naija7*6 to 33120

Benin Heritage Sites (Moat & Palace), Edo State

To vote; sms Naija7*10 to 33120

National Museum, Cross River State

To vote, sms Naija7*8 to 33120

Carnival Calabar, Cross River State

To vote, sms Naija7*5 to 33120

Confluence/ Mount Patti, Kogi State

To vote, sms Naija7*14 to 33120

Kano Heritage Sites (Walls &Palace) & Durbar Festival,
Kano state

To vote, sms Naija7*13 to 33120

Farin Ruwa- Nassarawa State:

To vote; sms Naija7*18 to 33120

Badagry Colonial Sites (Slave Relics & First Storey Building),

Lagos State:

To vote, sms Naija7*16 to 33120

Idanre, Ondo State

To vote, sms Naija7*22 to 33120

Ikogosi Spring, Ekiti State

To vote; sms Naija7*11 to 33120

IITA, Oyo

To vote; sms Naija7*24 to 33120

Kainji Dam, Niger State:

To vote, sms Naija7*20 to 33120

Kano Heritage Sites (Walls &Palace) & Durbar Festival,
Kano state

To vote, sms Naija7*13 to 33120

Gashaka Gumti/ Mambilla Plateau, Taraba State:

To vote, sms Naija7*25 to 33120

Nana of Koko, Museum, Delta State

To vote; sms Naija7*9 to 33120

National War Museum, Abia State

To vote, SMS Naija7*1 to 33120

Obudu Mountain Resorts, Cross River State

To vote, sms Naija7*7 to 33120

Ogbunike Cave, Anambra State

To vote; sms Naija7*3 to 33120

Osun Grove, Osun State:

To vote; sms Naija7*23 to 33120

Owu falls, Kwara State

To vote; sms Naija7*15 to 33120

Sukur Kingdom, Adamawa State:

To vote, sms Naija7*2 to 33120

Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos.

To vote; sms Naija7*17 to 33120

Winners Chapel, Ogun State

To vote; sms Naija7*21 to 33120

Yankari Reserve , Bauchi State

To vote, sms Naija7*4 to 33120

NAIJA 7 WONDERS SHORTLIST

NAIJA 7 WONDERS SHORTLIST

(25 THINGS TO SEE IN NIGERIA)

After nine gruelling months of top level research by the expert group of the Seven Wonders project team, a shortlist of Top 25 sites and events have been unveiled. After the committee of 50 wise men were inaugurated in March, they released an initial shortlist of 55 in June and visits were made to some of the sites.

The top 25 sites will be presented with metal plaques for their nomination and announced to the Nigerian public who will be expected to prune the numbers down to 15 by March 2011. The voting will be by SMS on all Nigerian networks to 33120, preceding the votes with “Naija 7 * 1-25’. Voting can only be done for one site at a time.

The top 7 will be presented on 11/7/11 by 7pm at a national ceremony.

List in Alphabetical Order SMS CODE (to 33120)

1) National War Museum, Abia State Naija7*1

2) Sukur Kingdom, Adamawa State Naija7*2

3) Ogbunike Cave, Anambra State Naija7*3

4) Yankari Reserve , Bauchi State Naija7*4

5) Carnival Calabar, Cross River State Naija7*5

6) The Monoliths (Alok & Ikom), Cross River State Naija7*6

7) Obudu Mountain Resorts, Cross River State Naija7*7

8) National Museum, Cross River State Naija7*8

9) Nana of Koko, Museum, Delta State Naija7*9

10) Benin Heritage Sites (Moat & Palace), Edo State Naija7*10

11) Ikogosi Spring, Ekiti State Naija7*11

12) Abuja Mosque, FCT Naija7*12

13) Kano Heritage Sites (Walls &Palace) & Durbar Festival, Naija7*13

Kano state

14) Confluence/ Mount Patti, Kogi State Naija7*14

15) Owu falls, Kwara State Naija7*15

16) Badagry Colonial Sites (Slave Relics & First Story Building), Naija7*16

Lagos State

17) Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos State Naija7*17

18) Farin Ruwa- Nassarawa State Naija7*18

19) Gurara Falls, Niger State Naija7*19

20) Kainji Dam, Niger State Naija7*20

21) Winners Chapel, Ogun State Naija7*21

22) Idanre, Ondo State Naija7*22

23) Osun Grove, Osun State Naija7*23

24) IITA, Oyo State Naija7*24

25) Gashaka Gumti/ Mambilla Plateau, Taraba State Naija7*25

Start Voting....

NOLLYWOOD REVIEW: IJE(The Journey)

There is a saying, don’t narrate the movie so I can enjoy it.

That saying was irrelevant when I visited the Cinema, to see the Wave making film, IJE(The Journey)…

I was at the edge of my sit from the beginning of the movie to the end even though my friend who saw the movie before, had already told me the story.

IJE which showcases the enormous talent of Geneive Nnaji and Omotola Jalade Ekehiende is a story about Chioma, a child growing up in the Nigerian countryside, who warned her restless sister, Anya, about the challenges of an American Dream, since Anya only talked about going to America, as she called it her gateway to heaven.

Anya who had made up her mind that America was her only key to success, defiled and ignored the warnings of her sister Chioma and Father, and travelled as an immigrant.

Ten years later, Anya is accused of killing three men in a Hollywood Hills mansion—one of them her record producer-husband.

Chioma travels from Nigeria to Los Angeles, and with the help of a young, unproven attorney, discover that her sister was not completely honest during her confession.

Unknown to Anya the truth will set her free.

Watch IJE (The Journey) and find out if Anya was found guilty or not.

N/B: Asides Genevieve and Omotola outstanding performance, “Ulrich Que” who played the young, suave attorney of Chioma was fantastic. The movie was able to use moving images to tell stories and that got me smiling.

IJE directed by Chineze Anyaene is a most watch.

Rating: Good.

“Don Jazzy …Nigeria’s Puff Daddy”

I and my friend were stuck in traffic and needed to listen to something, while surfing the radio stations I saw a CD at the corner of the car… with smiles on my face I picked it up… it was an album by Nigerian born rapper ‘Sauce Kid’, I looked at my friend for approval and we decided to listen to it, it was my first time listening to his complete album which is titled “African American”,

I listened to it with all concentration, as rap is not really my kind of music…

I and my friend settled for track 5 as our favourite, curious me… I wanted to know who produced that track, since it sounded like a project by the ‘MOHITS Crew’, lo and behold my favourite track “Under G” from the 20 track album (including skits) was produced by Don Jazzy, reality hit me, Don Jazzy has at least one hit song from each of his artiste… “Don Jazzy’s game is the KOKO”

Winks!