MERCY JOHNSON'S EX MARRIES SECRETLY

MERCY JOHNSON'S EX MARRIES SECRETLY
Nollywood actor Benedict Johnson and one time Romeo of rising actress,Mercy Johnson has found love at last. Not only that, the guy who shares the same surname with Mercy has quietly settled down with his new love and already the union is blessed with a cute baby girl. METROGIST-NIGERIA scooped that, Benedict got married to his Edo-born lover in a rather discreet manner earlier in the year.It would be recalled that both Benedict and Mercy were involved in whirlwind romance few years back. So strong was the affair then almost everyone in Nollywood ( as the Nigerian movie industry is called) thought the two lovebirds were altar-bound. As at then, Mercy was still trying to find her feet in the industry but somehow the two parted ways along the line. After that, both moved on with their lives. While Benedict found love in a lady outside the industry, Mercy is yet to find her Mr Right, though she has been linked with this and that in recent times. Benedict has featured in so many flicks like ONE CHANCE, TWIST OF FATE, UNBREAKABLE AFFAIR and others. Mercy has equally featured in countless movies like CRISIS IN PARADISE, THE EMPRESS and others.
PIX-Benedict with his wife and baby(above left),Mercy Johnson(middle) & Benedict(right)


AKI 'N' PAW-PAW'S NARROW ESCAPE
Pint-size Nigerian actors, Chinedu Ikedieze and Osita Iheme of the AKI & PAW-PAW fame had a feel of their "street credibility" recently when they were nearly mobbed by a crowd of their fans in the premises of a pentecostal church in Ogba area of Lagos.
The two "vertically-challenged" comic actors had gone to church tom attend a thanksgiving service of one of their friends who happens to be a memeber of the church.Immediately they made their way into church's auditorium, they were usshered to sit in a seat reserved for them in the front. As if theyn were beings from another planet, their enterance into the church almost brought the service to a halt as almost all the members of the congregation scrambed to catch a glimpse of the august visitors.After the service, it took the combined effort of the police escorts who accompanied them to rescue Aki 'n' Paw-Paw from the mammoth crowd which had gathered outside thy church to see them live at a close range. As the crowd surged forward to touch the the two babyish-looking old men, their escorts quickly spirited them into their waiting Toyota Camry LE car.. It was a narrow escape..
Pix: Aki 'n' Paw-Paw being shephered into their car by the escorts

BACK ON THE BLOC

BACK ON THE BLOC

After several weeks of ‘hibernating’ as a result of what was initially a ‘minor’ injury on my right leg, I’m glad to be partially back to blogville. While I was away, I got more enlightened about the ‘real’ realities of life vis-à-vis all these our ‘gra-gra’, hustle and bustle, restlessness and all that... I also discovered the significance of having the whole component of your being, including your legs, intact. Above all, I rediscovered the awesome power in the Word of God in a fresher dimension. I really give all the Glory to BABA. And to you folks who cared to drop one or two words of support during that period, (Omosewa, standtall, princekay123, facetmagazine, Wienna and 9ice–infested Yewande Atanda, my main man Bolaji Olasunkanmi of Nigerian Compass, Taiwo Obatunsin of City People Mag, Seyi Akinbo, Tayo Mafe, Segun Banjo , my facebook group and a whole lot of others), you guys are greatly appreciated and I say, God bless you all!!!
Time is here to rev – up blogville and ultimately up the ante. And I am starting that with a recap of some of the upcoming events around the metropolis.


WHAT'Z UP IN TOWN

OCT 1ST: GREEN & WHITE GROOVE HOTS UP

Preparations are already at a fever-pitch for the GREEN & WHITE GROOVE. The gig, which promises to be explosive, is a brainchild of PRIME TIME AFRICA and ENCOMIUM MAGAZINE. it comes up on Wed. October 1st, 2008 at PLANET ONE, Maryland, Lagos and time is 4pm – 10pm. A-class artistes are billed to perform at the show and tickets are already selling fast. Pix:Kenny Ogungbe of Pimetime(left) & Kunle Bakare of Encominu Mag(right)




OCT 1ST: NIGHT OF A THOUSAND LAUGH TAKES CENTRE STAGE

Showbiz impresario Opa Williams hits town again with the 2008 edition of his “Night of A Thousand Laugh”. Just like the Green & White Groove, Opa Williams show takes place 1st October, only that the venue is Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos between 3pm and 9pm. Both established and upcoming comedians are expected to add pep to the event. Industry watchers are however waiting patiently to see which of the two will attract the most crowd.


OCT 3RD: NATIONAL YOUTH SUMMIT 2008 GETS DATE

All is set for the NATIONAL YOUTH SUMMIT 2008 (NYS ’08). Like the 2007 version, NYS ’08 holds at the National Theartre, Iganmu, Lagos between 9am – 2pm. Over 2000 youth from across Naija are expected to participate in the carnival–like event. Workshops, motivational talks, career counselling and of course, thrilling entertainment by notable artistes top the programme of the day. NYS is a pet project of Rev. (Mrs) Anuli Agagu, a preacher, columnist, motivational speaker, youth and gender activist. She is happily married to Dr. Ausbeth Ajagu, the president of Betcy Group of companies. PIX: DR.& REV(MRS) AJAGU


OCT 4TH: HEART-OF-GOLD HOSPICE BOSS REMEMBERS LATE MUM


The place to be on Saturday 4th October, 2008 is the venue of the 40th remembrance thanksgiving service and reception of the late Mrs Cecilia Ajibola Binuyo, mother of Mrs Laja Adedoyin, the proprietor of HEART-OF-GOLD Hospice Lagos. Church service comes up by 10am at Eagles Height Church, Surulere, Lagos while the reception holds at the Sickle cell centre, Idi-Araba Mushin, Lagos. Heart-of-Gold Hospice is a leading orphanage in Lagos. It caters for abandoned children, especially those with physical and mental disability from birth.PIX: MRS LAJA ADEDOYIN with one of the abandoned kids at the orphanage.

OCT 5TH: REMEMBRANCE PARTY FOR LATE SOLOMON AYOKU

Barring any last-minute changes, an elaborate remembrance party put together by the children and family of the late Chief Solomon Ayoku, is scheduled to take place on Sunday 5th October. The late Ayoku, who died last year at 69, was the owner of Golden Gate Restaurant, Ikoyi. He also had a chain of other businesses like the popular Eko Casino at Eko Hotel and Suites. The party coincides with his 70th birthday and a lot of front-row socialites are expected to grace the occasion. Venue and entertainer are yet to be confirmed.
PIX: Two of the Ayoku siblings: Mrs Idowu Ayoku-Mohammed & Miss Alaba Ayoku



TINU CHUKWURAH BECOMES A MOTHER AFTER 11 YEARS

It was celebration galore in the household of Tayo and Tinu Chukwurah on Monday 8th September, 2008 when friends, family and well-wishers gathered for the christening of their new baby girl.

The baby, their first, came after 11 good years of waiting; she was named Naomi Ifeoluwa Chukwurah. Tayo is the younger brother of veteran Nigerian actress, Clarion Chukwurah. Expectedly, Clarion and other Nollywood stars were present at the ceremony which was kept low because of the loud dedication ceremony which comes up later. The new mother Tinu (aka T.K) is also an actress and she has featured in a number of Yoruba flicks. Pix: TINU CHUKWURAH

RENOWNED BROADCASTER, YINKA CRAIG PASSES ON

Veteran sports journalist and ace broadcaster, Olayinka Babasanya Craig, has passed on in a United States of America hospital. Craig died this morning, at Mayo Clinic, in Minnesota, USA, after a protracted battle with cancer. His lymphatic system was particularly implicated in the complication that eventually killed the very jovial broadcaster. The late Craig is survived by a wife and three children. The news of his death was announced by his son, Dr. David Olamide Craig, who said his father passed on early today in the United States of America after he succumbed to cancer. “It is with a heavy heart, and joy at God’s perfect will that I announce the passing on to Glory of my father, teacher, mentor and friend, Mr. Olayinka Babasanya Craig, who went to be with the Lord at 6.00am this morning at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota,” David said in a statement posted on the family’s website. A pioneer radio and television broadcaster, sports journalist extraordinaire and a national icon, Yinka Craig, according to his son was his usual jovial self until his death. “My dad, Yinka Craig, though gave up the battle against cancer, he was still his jovial and lively self but he had to give up the fight at the end.” May his soul rest in peace.. visit http://yinkacraig.org/blog/

QUOTE ME

"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, 'I will try again tomorrow."

SEE U SOON!

LAGOS SPEAKER ,HON IKUFORIJI CLOCKS 50

Penultimate Sunday, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon..Adeyemi Ikuforiji clocked 50..The Chuch service took place at The Chapel of Christ The Light, Alausa..while the reception took place at the LTV grounds, Ikeja.
(above): Senator Mamora,Sen .Muse and Mr Dele Alake

(above): The celebrant and his wife, during the church service
(above)L-R--Speaker, Oyo State House of Ass, Hon Olawale Atilola, his Osun counterpart, Hon. Adejare Bello, The celebrant, an Osun state official & Mrs Ikuforiji at the reception

HON LOLA ABIOLA-EDEWOR BURIES MUM

Daughter of late MKO ABIOLA, Hon Lola Abiola-Edewor, recently gave her late mum a befitting burial in Lagos..below are some the faces at the event.
(above):(l-r)Mrs Nike Oshinowo-Soleye, Chief(Mrs) Teni Aofiyebi, and Dr(Mrs) Doyin Abiola(Above)..Miss..............em..eem...em..