MUSIC IS MY LIFE!!!! ....waje

Singer Waje gave an interview recently and talked about he life, her love for God and family as well as her work with charity.

How would you describe your journey in the Nigerian Music Industry and what are some of the challenges you’ve faced along the way?

The journey has been rough, I must say, though it has been one of those experiences that certify that God is with you and carrying you through the tough times. Along the way challenges can be found in every corner (being a woman in the industry was always a big one) and having to fight for the opportunity to be seen or heard so that you can prove your worth… and not always getting that chance in the end, are just some of the issues.

At what point in your life did you decide that you wanted a career in the arts?

I started singing from childhood you know and, gradually, music started becoming more than just something I did in the shower. It started to seem more like something that would define me eventually. When I became a teenager, I started to embrace the drive for a career in the arts. By the time I was 18, I was certain I was going to keep singing on and on.

What are your thoughts on the Rn’B/Afro-soul genre in Nigeria?

Afro-soul, for one, is a genre that now has its own fan base. Obviously, it has come a long way, especially in these parts where we like groovy jams and beats to shake to and all that. The present rating of the RnB genre in Nigeria deserves a thumb-up. If you tune into a radio station, sometimes, you get to listen to songs which make you proud to be Nigerian.

You are known for your ‘electrifying’ performances on stage. Do you have any special routine you go through before you get on stage?

I’ll say my prayers first, then just get into the moment. I suck in all my stage chakra, hold in all the energy and just let it all out when I get on stage [hearty laughter].

How did you feel when your album Words Aren’t Just Enough was nominated for the World Best Music (in Africa) Album of the Year category?

Oh, I felt much appreciated. I swear, it was cool. It was like being told; ‘we see you, we hear you’, and you present some real good stuff. That’s what the nomination feels like. I was thrilled naturally, but then it gave me this drive to up my game and put in 150 per cent in forthcoming projects.

Your song Omini Knowest remains a personal favourite of many music lovers. Tell me, what were the thoughts going through your head when you wrote the song?

[Laughs]It is all these I-too-know-people and haters, the amebo society people. I just felt like addressing the issue of non-stop chatter by people who are judgemental and far too opinionated when they should be focusing on their own lives and achieving their goals. But again part of it na just normal yarns.

What are your thoughts on the state of the Nigerian music industry and what do you think should be done to better improve the industry?

The industry, as you call it, is presently in a progressive state. If you had looked at it five years back and compare it to the present, you’ll see some undeniable improvement. Also, as far as what should be done to improve it beyond its present state, I think the industry as a whole needs to broaden its horizons. It should tap into more concepts, methods and ideas of doing everything music-related, whether its production, performing, recording, organising concerts, writing lyrics sef…everything in fact.

You describe your NGO Waje Safe House as a safe place for those rejected by society. What led to your establishment of the NGO?

You’ve just said part of it; it is about those who have been rejected by society. I started coming face-to-face with too many cases of rejection of kids, widows, nursing mothers and many others and, so, I felt the need to make my own contribution to giving them a better deal. We can all bring about some positive change in the world by doing even the least notable things. God has blessed me and I feel that I must pass on my blessings.

How do you spend your free time and what are those simple pleasures you enjoy?

I like to chill out oh. I consider some ‘home time’ very precious. This is a time I sit at home and just watch movies. I love to read too, just kick-back and flip through pages. Sometimes, too, I like to relax and listen to instrumentals; it puts me in a zone, a very relaxing zone.

What is your ultimate goal as an artiste?

Besides being the Number1? Well, there’s also the goal to remain original forever and ever.

Who is that person you’ll do almost anything for?

My daughter.

WELCOME TO A PROMISING NEW MONTH

Sometimes you wake up. Sometimes you wonder what for. Sometimes when you try to get up, you fall. Sometimes the fall kills you. Sometimes you don't want to try to get up anymore. But remember, when you're down, the only way left to go is UP! Get Up. Keep believing! Fly!

STmiami wish you all a Happy new month.

JANE LYNCH CONFIRMS GUEST STAR ROLE ON "GIRL MEETS WORLD"

Jane Lynch hits the red carpet while attending the 2014 Santa Barbara Wine Auction: A Benefit for Direct Relief on Saturday (February 22) at the Bacara Resort & Spa in Santa Barbara, Calif.
Also in attendance were Shiri Applebyand her chef hubby Jon Shook.
It was just confirmed that Jane has taped a guest starring role on the highly anticipated Disney Channel series Girl Meets World!
"Is there any truth to the rumors that you have a guest role on Girl Meets World?" a fan asked Jane, who responded by saying, "Yes there is truth . . . ."
10+ pictures inside of Jane Lynch andShiri Appleby at the event . . .

BIG BOY!!! Davido's 24ct Gold-Plated iPhone

Davido shared his new gold iPhone on his instagram page this morning, exclusively made for him by Tonto Dikeh’s man, Malivelihood CEO.

CANNIBALS IN NIGERIA!!!!!!!! YOBE MASSACRE: Death Toll Now 59

The death toll in the latest Boko Haram attack against sleeping secondary school students of Federal Government College, Buni Yadi in Yobe state, has increased to 59, from the 43 earlier given by officials.
The revised toll even came with the chilling story that the students were burnt to death.
“Some of the students’ bodies were burned to ashes,” Police Commissioner Sanusi Rufai said of the attack.
Bala Ajiya, an official at the Specialist Hospital Damaturu, told Reuters by phone the death toll had risen to 59.
“Fresh bodies have been brought in. More bodies were discovered in the bush after the students who had escaped with bullet wounds died from their injuries,” he said.
Rufai said all those killed were boys. He said the school’s 24 buildings, including staff quarters, were completely burned to the ground.
President Goodluck Jonathan called the attack “callous and senseless murder … by deranged terrorists and fanatics who have clearly lost all human morality and descended to bestiality”.

$20 BILLION SCAM: I Want The Truth - Okonjo Iweala

A KPMG report describes the NNPC as a cesspool of monumental corruption
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has demanded to know the whole truth about the alleged missing $20b which the suspended Central Bank Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi said is missing from the federation account.
A statement Tuesday from the finance ministry to the BBC, said the minister, “ asked for urgent action with regard to an independent forensic audit of conflicting claims of unaccounted funds made by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mallam Sanusi Lamdio Sanusi.”
According to the BBC, the direct statement from Dr Okonjo Iweala, said, “My position on this has been clear from the start. The Ministry of Finance’s reconciliation showed a shortfall of $10.8bn in NNPC remittances to the Federation account. After this, the conflicting claims continued with new figures such as $20bn being mentioned. So since 13th February I have called for an independent forensic audit. President Goodluck Jonathan indeed announced last night that there will be an investigation into whether there are any funds missing from NNPC. He also indicated that the correct process needs to be followed in this investigation and I understand that the entity that has the proper authority to initiate such an investigation is the Auditor General of the federation.

Nigeria: Mother Burns 11-Yr-Old Daughter's Buttocks With Hot Knife!

A middle aged woman, Ene Edem Okon, has been arrested by the police for allegedly inflicting bodily harm and tying her 11-year-old daughter, Queeneth Ene Edem, hands and legs for being wayward. She was arrested when Queeneth appeared in her school, Government Primary School, Akim, with multiple wounds on her chest, stomach and buttocks prompting the school authorities to report the matter to the police at the Akim Police Station.
The girl narrated to Sunday Vanguard that, on February 17, she left home at Eneyo village in Akpabuyo Local Government Area for the Maternity Junction Settlement, some four kilometers away from home, to meet her cousin, one Blessing, but did not return home. "We were waiting for Blessing's friend from whom she wanted to collect something but she delayed in coming and we waited till night and, because we were afraid of going back home, we slept in an uncompleted building at the Maternity Junction", she said.
The 11-year-old said the next day, one of her friends saw her at the Maternity Junction and told her that her mother was looking for her with a machete after which she became afraid to go back home. "We stayed on the road near our house and were breaking kernel to eat when my mother sent somebody to come and catch us. That person came pretending to play with us but suddenly grabbed me and dragged me to my mother".
The mother, angry, allegedly got hold of her and used a rod to hit her all over her body, thus leaving her with severe wounds. "She also put the kitchen knife in the fire she was cooking and when it was hot, she placed it on my buttocks", the girl stated.
When Sunday Vanguard met Mrs Ene Okon at the Akim Police Station, she appeared remorseful, stating that she was driven by anger because Queeneth was stubborn and had formed the habit of spending the night outside at such a tender age. "I sent her to school in far away Calabar because I don't trust the school here in Akpabuyo but she is just too stubborn, so I had to teach her a lesson."
Mr Hogan Bassey, the police spokesman for Cross River Police Command, said the woman would appear in court after investigations are concluded.
Mr Bassey Ibor, a child rights activist, said children's courts in the state are not functioning and called on the state government to fund the courts. "The cases we have taken to the children's courts have suffered long adjournments because the judges are not sitting. Government should, as a matter of urgency, ensure that the courts are funded so that these children would not continue to be denied of justice."

Harold Ramis Dead: Comedy Legend Dies At 69

Comedy legend Harold Ramis died early Monday (Feb. 24), the Chicago Tribune reported. He was 69.
The Chicago Sun-Times confirmed the news.
Ramis was surrounded by family when he died at 12:53 a.m. from complications of autoimmune inflammatory vasculitis, a rare disease that involves swelling of the blood vessels, his wife Erica Mann Ramis told the Chicago Tribune. Mann Ramis added that his health struggles began in May 2010, with an infection that led to complications related to the autoimmune disease. According to Laurel Ward, Vice President of Development at Ramis’ Ocean Pictures production company, Ramis suffered a relapse of the vasculitis in late 2011.
Ramis was best known for directing and writing "Caddyshack," "Groundhog Day" and "Analyze That." He also played the role of Egon Spengler in "Ghostbusters," which he co-wrote with Dan Aykroyd.
He was born and raised in Chicago, but moved to Los Angeles once his career took off.

PHOTOS: Ali Baba, Alex Ekubo, Others Dazzle At Screen Nation Awards In London

Several Nigerian stars stormed London today for the Screen Nation Film and Television Awards, also known as the black BAFTAS.
The event was held at the Park Plaza, Riverbank London.

Ali Baba anchored the show alongside Los Angeles-based British Nigerian actress, Caroline Chikezie.

Stars on ground at the awards were Jimmy Akingbola (ex Holby City), Chucky Venn (Eastenders), Alex Ekubo, Anthony Manjaro, Ashley Walters (Actor and Rapper), Pauline Long (founder BEFFTA Awards), Ken Smart (Meet the McKenzies), T-Boy (Comedian - Don’t Jealous me), Beauty Queen Alexalyn Owuadey (1st Princess Miss Black Africa), Choice FM’s DJ Abrantee and a host of others.