Photos: Angry Arik Air passengers block Abuja airport runway

Angry passengers yesterday evening Thursday September 26th blocked the runway of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, preventing planes from taking-off or landing. The passengers, who disembarked from an Arik Air flight, blocked the Abuja runway because the flight they took from Abuja to Calabar was not allowed to land in Calabar around 5.30pm for safety reasons - the runway lightening was poor, forcing the pilot to return the passengers to Abuja. The passengers now felt the best way to express their anger was to prevent other planes from taking off or landing at the Abuja airport. Continue... Arik Air spokesperson, Mr. Adebanji Ola, said that it was not the airline's fault that the Calabar airport was closed by the time the flight from Abuja got there.He said, “The flight was delayed because there was Very Important Personality movement and there was also some weather issues, it is not the fault of the airline that the plane could not land there. We are amazed that despite the security at the Abuja airport, passengers were still able to hijack the aircraft and hold other planes to ransom, that should not be the case.”

PHOTO: See P-Square And Their Brothers Back In The Day

From sold out shows all over Africa and beyond, the brothers are the definition of success. Their music video ‘Personally’ even received international recognition from Jermaine Jackson, brother of late Michael Jackson. Paul posted this picture of him and his brothers back in the day. Ifeanyi, Tony, Henry, Jude, Peter and Paul. What a transformation!!! They have grown to useful adults when it comes to their careers. One can hardly recognize them because of their new looks. Can you recognize them?

PHOTOS: Mercy Johnson Takes Care Of ‘Blind’ Veteran Actress, Patience Ozokwor

The two actresses no doubt are one of Nollywood’s best and they don’t fail to deliver, thus their large fan base. Patience Ozokwor played the role of a blind mother of Mercy Johnson and the pair have to overcome life’s challenges and look on the brighter side in the movie. Mercy was got so emotional after shooting some of the movie scenes posted the below message online. “Just shot the most emotional scene ever with Mama G. So cool. Mama G for life. I have nothing but just respect for her.” Mercy also seem to be working on her weight as she said “I seem to like this pix more, notice my weight oo,am loosing na lol”.

Spot the celebrity

Awwww she was such a cutie...you see her?

Genevieve Nnaji attends Vanessa Amadi's bachelorette party

Genny attended the bachelorette party of top UK based PR consultant Vanessa Amadi, who I hear is getting married this weekend in London. Congrats...

Full List Of Nominess For ‘The Future Awards Africa’

The Future Awards Africa is finally around the corner and the official list of finalists, has been unveiled “It has been an intense period of judging and review,” says Chude Jideonwo, Executive Director of The Future Project. “After the nominations, there was a period of intense research and verification of nominees before the final selection process, thanks to the Independent Audit Committee and the Board of Judges. They worked tirelessly over two months and are thoroughly proud of the resulting final nominees.” Members of the Independent Audit Committee include the chief executive of EbonyLife TV, Mo Abudu; politician Jimi Agbaje; Stanbic IBTC director Yemi Osindero; and LEAP Africa founder Ndidi Nwuneli amongst others. “All the nominees deserve to win and we are immensely inspired by them,” Jideonwo noted. “However, the vetting process has been daunting, and the intense scrutiny that successful nominees have gone through has been illuminating for them as well. We stressed the importance of a combination of structure, quantifiable measures of success and impact, to get the most inspiring and worthy to rise to the top.” The Awards, presented in partnership with the African Union Commission, the Tony Elumelu Foundation and Microsoft, will mark the end of a three-city, week-long celebration of the Africa Union at 50 and Nigeria at 100 starting with the induction of 100 ‘Guardians of the Future’ by President Goodluck Jonathan. The Awards will be televised exclusively for Africa Magic. Media Partners include Channels TV, Silverbird TV, Nigeria Info, TW, Ventures Africa, and Guardian Life. Online Partners are BellaNaija, LindaIkejiBlog, INFORMATION NIGERIA, Premium Times, 360Nobs, NigeriaNewsDesk, LadunLiadiBlog, and Jobberman. Official Media Partners are Cool FM, Wazobia FM and Y!/YNaija.com, and the official television partner is Africa Magic. For more information, visit @TFAAfrica on Twitter or the website www.thefutureafrica.com/awards. The official hashtag for the event is #TFAA2013 THE LIST THE FUTURE AWARDS AFRICA PRIZE IN ADVOCACY & ACTIVISM Orode Uduaghan-Okpu (24) Tobore Oro Edema (24) Maryam Augie (28) THE FUTURE AWARDS AFRICA PRIZE IN SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY Chikezie Nwaoha (29) Yewande Akinola (28) Hugo Obi (32) THE FUTURE AWARDS AFRICA PRIZE IN COMMUNITY ACTION Dr. Okeke Kanayo (30) Monica Onuoha (30) Ife Adebayo (30) THE FUTURE AWARDS AFRICA PRIZE IN NEW MEDIA Kingsley Ezeani (23) Ediong Umoh (26) John Obidi (27) THE FUTURE AWARDS AFRICA PRIZE IN ENTERTAINMENT TALENT Ice Prince (28) OC Ukeje (32) Omawumi (31) YOUNG MEDIA ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR AWARD (IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE BRITISH COUNCIL) Uche Pedro Lydia Sobogun Kenneth Gyang Olawale Adetula Kemi Adetiba THE FUTURE AWARDS AFRICA PRIZE IN JOURNALISM Monica Mark (29) Toyosi Ogunseye (29) Ben Ezeamalu (30) THE TONY O. ELUMELU PRIZE IN BUSINESS Saheed Jumar (28) Melody Okwuazu (22) Nonyelum Ibeh (27) THE FUTURE AWARDS AFRICA PRIZE IN PUBLIC SERVICE Dr. Adanna Chukwuma (31) Joycee Awojoodu (27) Ekong Ekong Imona (32) THE FUTURE AWARDS AFRICA PRIZE IN PROFESSIONAL SERVICE Osita Abana (28) Adim Isiakpona (28) Kayode Temenu (29) THE FUTURE AWARDS AFRICA PRIZE IN AGRICULTURE Olawale Isaiah Ojo (24) Precious Peter Nweke (31) Abraham Ojoh (22) THE FUTURE AWARDS AFRICA PRIZE IN FASHION & STYLE Vera Akporeha (23) Yomi Makun (27) Aisha Bello (24) THE FUTURE AWARDS AFRICA PRIZE IN ARTS & CULTURE Njideka Akunyili (30) Anthony Anth Ezeokoye (30) Kenneth Gyang (27) THE FUTURE AWARDS AFRICA PRIZE IN ENTERPRISE SUPPORT Isoken Ogiewonyi (26) and Wonuola Odunsi (29) Chibuike Aguene (30) Ayodeji Adewunmi (29), Opeyemi Awoyemi (25), and Olalekan Olude (29) THE FUTURE AWARDS AFRICA PRIZE IN EDUCATION Gossy Ukanwoke (25) Olufunbi Falayi (27) Otto Orondaam (26) YOUNG PERSON OF THE YEAR – THE AFRICA PRIZE Kariuki Gathitu – Kenya (27) Foglabenchi Lily Haritu – Cameroon (27) Peter and Paul Okoye – Nigeria (31) Ludwick Marishane – South Africa (22) William Kamkwamba – Malawi (25) Ashish J. Thakkar – Uganda (32) Saran Kaba Jones – Liberia (31) Moctar Dembélé – Burkina Faso (22) Grace Ihejiamaizu – Nigeria (22) Patrick Ngowi – Tanzania (28)

Last But Not The Least: Banky W Reacts To Forbes 10 Richest Artistes List

Honestly, this has to be the most mature and sense making reaction I have seen all month to the Forbes richest artistes list. Singer, Chairman and Creative Director of EME Banky W spoke in a recent interview with the Nigerian Tribune on several issues from his career to personal life. Most notably, he spoke about the recently released 10 richest artistes by Forbes Read what he said: - “I don’t believe very much in such things. Let’s be honest, the real wealthy people are the businessmen like Dangote and the politicians (some of whomgot there by looting Nigeria). They’re the ones with real money. This entertainment business is too much hype. It is more fame than fortune. So I’m not thrilled to it and I don’t think any of us should buy into it too much. I’d rather be wealthy and quiet than famous and broke”. WORD!!!!!

MI, Burna Boy, others, celebrate Nigeria with Close Up Loves Naija Concerts

You remember the Close Up Loves Naija concert last year which featured musical acts as TuFace Idibia, Naeto C, Omawunmi, Ice Prince and DJ Jimmy Jatt, and the popular theme song produced by Cobhams Asuquo? Well, preparations for this year’s concert are in full gear. With Nigeria’s 53rd Independence anniversary just a few days away, Nigeria’s top music artistes have gathered to celebrate with concerts in different locations across the country. The concerts will feature MI, Olamide, Burna Boy, Chidinma, Phyno and DJ Jimmy Jatt at Silverbird Galleria in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja on the 1st of October, 2013. The events will comprise full games and activities from 10am and free for all to attend, so mark it down in your calendar. For more information log on to www.facebook.com/closeupng. The Countdown begins! Naija get ready!!! See more photos from last year’s concert after the cut..

Miss Philippines crowned Miss World 2013, Miss Ghana came 3rd

The 2013 Miss World pageant held today Saturday September 28th at Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center in Bali, Indonesia. Miss Philippines Megan Young (pictured left) beat 126 other contestants to win Miss World 2013. Miss France Marine Lorphelin was named runner-up, while Miss Ghana Carranzar Naa Okailey Shooter (pictured right) came third.