PHOTOS: YVONNE NELSON'S GLAMOUR PHOTO SHOOT FOR OVATION MAGAZINE

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2FACE, ANNIE POSTPONES WEDDING

Hopeless romantics who are eagerly anticipating the grand 2face and Annie Idibia white wedding next month will have to wait a bit more.Contrary to what has been widely publicized, NET investigations have revealed that the celebrity couple aren’t walking down the aisle on February 14, 2013.Instead of the hugely expected February/Valentine wedding, multiple sources have told us Idibia is hoping to stage a lovers’ concert on February 14, in partnership with Now Muzik and Edi Lawani’s Showbiz Network Services. The pop icon will also honour other performance engagements in and around Lagos.

‘Forget all the noise about February 14, Innocent and his wife have other grand plans up their sleeves and are not ready to give up the details just yet’ one major insider told NET last week as Annie continued her luxury shopping from the US to Dubai.

‘Annie isn’t settling for a secret wedding, she’ll get her elegant white wedding like she’s always dreamt of’, a friend who’s familiar with preparation plans told us.

So where and when will the wedding be?

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PHOTOS FROM OBAMA'S SECOND TERM INAUGURATION CEREMONY

KELLY CLARKSON AND FIANCE



KATTIE PERRY AND JOHN MAYER






EVA LONGORIA

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ZAAKI AZZAYS HONOURED WITH A UN PEACE AMBASSADORIAL AWARD

Months after being accused by his estranged wife of battery, Zakky Azzay has been honored with a United Nations Peace Ambassadorial award. He was among the few Nigerian celebrities decorated as UN peace ambassadors in Lagos yesterday Sunday January 20th.

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VIDEO: LUPE FIASCO THROWN OFF STAGE FOR BASHING OBAMA AT INAUGURAL CONCERT

Lupe Fiasco was kicked off stage at an Obama Inauguration party in Washington D.C last night after launching into an anti-Obama rap during his set...

He was booked as the headliner for the StartUp RockOn concert in celebration of Obama's reelection, and during his performance of 'Words I Never Said' Lupe spit,

"Limbaugh is a racist / Glenn Beck is a racist / Gaza Strip was getting bombed/ Obama didn’t say s--- / That’s why I ain’t vote for him / next one, either / I’m part of the problem / my problem is I’m peaceful"

Next thing you know, Lupe's mic went silent and the lights on stage went out. Lol. He refused to leave the stage so a team of security guards came on stage and asked him to go.

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BEYONCE AND JAY Z OBAMA'S INAUGURATION (LIVE)

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PRINCE WILLIAMS AND KATE MIDDLETON VOTED WORLD'S MOST PERFECT COUPLE

Kate Middleton and Prince Williams pretty much have it all right now, what with appearing blissfully loved-up and with a baby on the way, so it makes perfect sense then that they’ve just been crowned the world’s most perfect couple.

The poll conducted by TV channel Watch found the four most perfect celebrity couples that we’d like to emulate in our own love lives.

While the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge may be sitting pretty in first place, David and Victoria Beckham followed close behind, leaving Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie trailing in the third spot.

Beyonce and Jay-Z may be one of showbiz’s wealthiest partnerships, but they only scored number four on the list, while Kim Kardashian and Kanye West failed to make the list at all. Oops! Instead, they were voted second in a survey of couple’s people thought would be the first to split this year. Ouch!

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PHOTO: LIVING THE LIFE; RUKKY SANDA SHARES HOLIDAY PHOTOS

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JULIUS 'DE GENIUS' AGWU' SOON TO RELEASE AUTO-BIOGRAPHY

The ace comedian, actor and musician is currently working on his auto-biography which will be unveiled on his 40th birthday on the 7th of April. The book which is yet to be titled, is being edited by award winning poet and writer, Toni Kan. Julius will also launch his TV show - Jokes Apart, which he has been working on for five years, on that day.

Meanwhile, he's staging a  Valentine' day event - Festival of Love with Julius Agwu at Hilton Abuja on February 16th, 2013. The classy evening of music and comedy will feature Wizkid, Burnaboy, Bovi, Daniel de Humourous and so many others. Keep a date!

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SOMEONE IS BUGGING WAJE, SEE HER TWITTER UPDATES

The life of a celebrity...hmmmmm

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PHOTO: OBAMA GETS SWORN IN FOR SECOND TERM

President Barack Obama, surrounded by family, took the oath of office today Sunday January 20th in an intimate swearing-in ceremony at the White House. He was officially sworn-in by Chief Justice John Roberts in the Blue Room of the White House.

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PHOTO: WIZKID AND KENDRICK LAMAR AT HMV APOLLO CONCERT LAST NIGHT

 thi

Is this dude bleaching or am I just seeing double...

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NIGERIAN IDOL'S TOP 30 ROUND II: MEET YOUR CONTESTANTS AND VOTE

The hard-won battle to make it to the top thirty for the Nigerian Idol contestants continued over the weekend. They have struggled with exhaustion, nerves and against thousands of other hopefuls also looking for their ticket to fame, stardom and $100,000 grand prize up for grabs.

The audience and viewers at home have another opportunity to pick three more contestants to join the first three already in the Top 12. The second 10 performers have had their chance to catch your attention. Who will you choose?



Angus Okafor (Dani Angus)
He looks like an accountant but sings like a dream. This musically
fierce Lagos resident is out to walk away the Idol trophy firmly in his
grasp. To see Angus Okafor in the Top 12, send his number 512 to 33680
from any network.
Style: Nerdy charisma



Gabriel-ba Gabriel (Tadi)
Gabriel, loves Mary J Blige, and loves to belt out tunes with the best
of them. Confident and talented, it will take your votes to see what
else he has up his sleeve. To see Gabriel in the Top 12, send her number
516 to 33680 from any network.
Style: Old school classy




Amagode Kome (Kome)
This Port Harcourt daughter with the quiet voice is planning to do big
things this year. This is her second try at success on the show. Will
this season favour her? To see Kome in the Top 12, send her number 514
to 33680 from any network.
Style: Delicate and fierce



Emmauel Egbo ( Emmanuel)
A student from the city of Benin, who loves to swim and work out sees
Nigerian Idol as a dream come through and a chance to affect the world
through his voice and his love for writing. To see Emmanuel in the Top
12, send his number 520 to 33680 from any network.
Style: Slow and seductive



Job Emmanuel Idoko (Joe Emmal)
This Abuja native has got confidence, and the soulful vocals to back it
up. The Idol platform will set a stage for him to reach the world with
good and inspirational music. To see Emmal in the Top 12, send his
number 517 to 33680 from any network.
Style: Punchy vocals


OreoluwaLiyeli (Immaculate Victoria)
She came back from the US for her shot at fame and stardom. Can this
Jersey girl take her talent to the next level on Idol? To see Immaculate
Victoria in the Top 12, send her number 511 to 33680 from any network.
Style: Shimmer diva




Moses Obi- Adigwe (Moses)The teddy bear with the powerhouse voice, Moses is full of surprises.
He cooks, cleans and loves to swim—but will his vocal talent make you
pick up the phone? To see Moses in the Top 12, send his number 518 to
33680 from any network.
Style: Pitch perfect


Kemi Ajayi Mary (Kemi)
Kemi doesn’t just have Idol glory in her sights; she plans a career of
movie dominance too. She has got the dance moves to see her through to
the next round—but only if you vote her in. To see Kemi in the Top 12,
send her number 515 to 33680 from any network.
Style: Flirty and fun



Oweck Oguche (Oweck)
A die-hard fan of Timi Dakolo, Oweck sees Nigerian Idol as a platform
for liberation for his generation and plans to put a smile on the
audiences face. To see Oweck Oguchein the Top 12, send his number 513 to
33680 from any network.
Style: Soothing soul



Richard Tasie (Mr Richie)
A jovial and fun loving student representing Owerri, Tasie mixes it up
with both Asa and Adele as his favourites. Is he yours? To see Taise in
the Top 12, send his number 519 to 33680 from any network.
Style: Laid back and relaxed

It was a tough night for the contestants and they need your votes to make it to the next round. Who will join Safeeyat, Debbie Rise and Vicci?

Nigerian Idol airs weekends on: NTA Network at 4.00pm on Sunday and 3:30pm on Saturday; Sound City and ONTV at 7.00pm on Saturdays and Sundays; Silverbird at 8:00pm on Sundays and 7:30pm on Saturdays and on TVC at 9:30pm on Saturdays and 8:30pm on Sundays.

Afrobeat Legend and new judge Femi Kuti, international performing artist Jeffery Daniel from 80’s disco/dance group Shalamar, and Nigeria’s soul diva Yinka Davies are the judges this season, with suave host Ill Rymz bringing us the highs and the lows throughout the competition. Guest judge Naeto C will be on the show while Kuti completes his US tour throughout the month of January.

The Idol grand prize is worth $100,000, and the lucky winner will get: 7.5 million naira in cash, a recording contract also worth 7.5 million naira, and a brand new SUV. Runner-ups will receive prizes worth a combined total of 10 million naira.

Visit http://www.Nigerianidol.com for compelling back story videos, juicy behind the scene news, and get a taste of what is coming. For the latest information, Like the Nigerian Idol Facebook page
(www.facebook.com/NigIdol), and follow Nigeria Idol on Twitter at www.twitter.com/NigerianIdol—and you could be eligible to win some fantastic prizes, including the opportunity to be live in the studio for a recording.

Nigerian Idol is brought to you by Etisalat, in association with Pepsi and supported by Beat FM.

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GRACE AMAH - "MY PARENTS NEVER BELIEVED I COULD HAVE A CHILD OUT OF WEDLOCK" (INTERVIEW)

Grace Amah recently staged a comeback to Nollywood after a long break in order to deliver her baby boy abroad. In this engaging interview, the delectable actress shares the ‘joy and pain’ of having a child out of wedlock, the challenges of motherhood and why she opted to maintain a low profile.
She also refutes the rumour that she is regretting her status as a single mother. ‘I can never regret the birth of my child, he is a bundle of joy to me and it remains so,’ she declares with a tone of finality.

How would you describe your second coming to Nollywood?   
It’s been fine, but just like someone who takes a leave from work schedules, when you return,you will still need sometime to get acquainted with new developments that happened while you were away. Nollywood as you know has moved from just normal routine of acting to a new level where actors and actresses are now engaged in different  products and in different sectors of the economy such as the telecommunication industry, cosmetics and even music. With such evolution, one will of course need to get into the foray and move on with others.

Did you miss  anything on screen?
Life is not all about screen. Even the Holy Bible recognizes that there is time for everything. While I was away, I concentrated on what took  me out and I didn’t need to divide my attention. Of course, my fans may have missed me  but I’m sure they will be happy to hear that one has made new progress in life. There may not have been too much of a nostalgia. But occasionally, I  remembered my fans and wished I return soon. So, here I am now.

Some people find it difficult to stage a comeback  and still get back their groove. How have been able to do it?
It depends on what took such people out. There is nothing in life like peace of mind which comes through the grace of God. The moment you are at peace with yourself and you know what you are doing, there will be no basis to come back disoriented. I have tried to maintain my peace and refused to see myself as someone missing something thereby giving myself unnecessary anxiety. Besides, acting  is an innate talent. I did not go to school to acquire formal training in it. Because it is in-born, even if I leave the stage for 10 years, anytime I return back, I  will still have the same groove. Its God’s grace and I am happy for it.

Your long  absence from the screen was to enable you take care of your baby. What was the  experience like?
Motherhood is the best experience any woman would aspire to. It is not  surprising that  many people who are yet to have the fruit of the womb do anything within their power to have one. It was an awesome experience. Suddenly, you do not take things for granted any longer, you keep awake all  nights to ensure you feed your  baby,  change pampers and breastfeed, bath the child and a whole lot of that. Wonderful experience and it’s worth the long absence. As many times as God gives me the opportunity, I will do it again.

Why did you decide to have your baby abroad?
Why do our  leaders go abroad for medical treatment? May be, they are setting the pace and others are following. When the leaders are able to provide the necessary facilities to take care of medical cases in Nigeria especially  complicated matters like childbirths, I am sure Nigerians including the leaders themselves will begin to show good example. Governor Wada of Kogi State has just shown such example by refusing to be treated abroad following his involvement in a ghastly motor accident recently. Let the hospitals be in good state and let there be manpower with the right attitude in the professionals, Nigerians will be home at all times.

Was it the decision of the father or yours?
It has nothing to do with decision of anybody. It has to do with what we have. We have enough resources in this country to take care of our hospitals and save the life of our citizens which are lost in avoidable circumstances. In many cases, despite a few good ones which are obviously very few and unaffordable to many, many of our hospitals have been described  by our political leaders as slaughter houses. Why would  anybody see a slaughter center and go there to be slaughtered when you still enjoy the breeze that God freely provided for everybody? It was my decision to have my baby in a place. I would have the best of attention.

Recently, there  was this rumour that you were regretting being a “single mother”. How true is this rumour?
It was the worst curse any woman or human being will bring upon him/herself to regret  having a baby. As I said earlier, many people burn midnight candles in prayer to have a child and you see someone regretting having a child. What kind of talk is that? When I saw the publication I felt like taking a legal action against the publishers of the newspapers and websites  but I had to get in touch with them to retract the story. I never granted such interview and I can never regret the birth of my child.
My son is a bundle of joy to me and it remains so.

Are you really a single mother?
What is wrong with being a single mother. In marital law, we have separation, living apart and divorce. Couple could for any reason decide to live  separately for a certain time and after that, they reunite. It could be due to work schedules, some challenges  they needed to overcome,  Two friends about to marry could still have the same challenge and it happens that way. If the relationship produces a child and the woman is living with the child, it does not suggest that the woman is a single mother. In any case, if I am a single mother, I have not breached any law. For now, I am happy with my son and comfortable.

Did you originally plan to have a baby outside wedlock?
I am not sure if people plan to have babies out of  wedlock. A woman does not make herself pregnant. It takes the agreement of two people in harmony and relationship to have a child especially when such situations do not come by way of “accident” or ignorance. It means before such agreement, such persons would have been together as either married couple or dating friends with a plan to marry. The moment you are relating without protection, it means there is intention on both sides whether disclosed or not, that if anything happens, they will be able to cope with it.
It could equally be that the two friends may not have the where-withal to stage a marriage ceremony and decide  whether rightly or  wrongly to put it on hold until time and resources permit them . What I’m saying is that if people plan on their own to have a child out of wedlock, I never had such a plan. But I could not have aborted my child simply because the person responsible for the pregnancy was not ready for societal announcement. Everything will work out at God’s time.

What stopped the father of your child from proposing to you first  before putting you in a family way?
I think that pages of newspapers are not where marriage proposals are made at least in Africa and Nigeria in particular.
Notwithstanding, what happens among celebrities in some developed world, we still have a culture here. Even if  our people are beginning to imitate what happens elsewhere, marriage proposals used to be an affair between man and woman alone before it is made public. That we did not announce it to the world then does not justify any conclusion that there was no marriage proposal. But the issue now is not marriage proposal, it is living my life and satisfying my fans.

Would you say, your pregnancy was a mistake?
If children are given by God, then whoever has a child cannot call it a mistake because so many desire to make the mistake and they could not. So my child cannot be a mistake.

How were you able to overcome all the controversies that your pregnancy generated few years ago?
If I were one village girl married at  my local community Ebunwana Edda in Afikpo local government area of Ebonyi state, do you think anybody would have worried him/herself about me getting pregnant or having a baby. But because I am in the entertainment industry and my name has become a household one , then when something happens, people want to either share your joy, or grief.
So, I wouldn’t blame anybody for the tongue wagging at  that time. Knowing that people were only interested in my affairs for good at least majority of  them, I did not need to worry so much except to let them know, when  I had a baby boy and I am happy. Posterity will take care of the rest. I cannot engage  myself  in the issue of paternity or the rest  of that.

Your fans were not expecting you to have a child before your wedding. Would you say you disappointed them?
To the extent that many of them who had anticipated attending my wedding and they suddenly saw me maximizing what should be described as fruit of marriage without their knowledge, I would say, I took them by surprise, but there is nothing to regret about having  a child.

How did you break the shocking news of your pregnancy to your parents and what was their reaction?
My parents are very religious people and are also elders in the church. Nothing in this life would have given them a glimpse of such a surprise of their first daughter coming home with a pregnancy without formalizing marriage rites. No, to them, it was like it would never be true. But then, someone posed a question to them when the issue was raging: which would you have preferred, to receive a phone call to come to the airport and receive the corpse of your daughter who died in abortion attempt, or to receive your daughter with a pregnancy out of wedlock? There are many things we cannot question God as to why it happened especially if we have allowed it to happen. It happened and so be it. Every thing that happens is a lesson for another day.

Did having a child out of wedlock  affect your social life in  anyway?
As a human being, ab initio, you may have certain feelings as to how to relate with people especially those who have had very serious respect for you which you appear to have betrayed, but after a while, considering that you are not the first or the last, you begin to cope. It has not significantly affected my social life, that is why I still cope with re-enacting my acts in the  movie  industry.

Before you went on sabbatical, you were not regular  in movies, what was the reason behind that?
I was actually setting the stage to break into a new area in the industry;  the area of Community services which  I have set out to accomplish this year. It was in the course of that my baby came and the rest had to wait.

What’s  the bond between you and the father of your  child?
We can’ t over flog this issue.

Are you planning to walk down the aisle soon?
When the time comes, everyone who is interested will be  invited.

You are always known to maintain a low profile. Is it because  of your background or your nature?
There’s nothing in this world that people will be killing themselves for. Imagine the kind of noise people make and the amount of money we hear on television that people steal from public coffers or that people even make genuinely, yet after a while ,the person will die and all this noise will end.
I think its better for one to live his/her life quietly and talk to God who is the author and finisher of all things. Whatever is your own will surely come to you when you work for it.
My background may have contributed a lot, but I have learnt that in this world vanity upon vanity is noting but vanity. Serve God through your fellow human beings and you will have peace.

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PHOTOS: 12 NIGERIAN CELEBRITIES WHO ARE SINGLE MOTHERS

Faithia Balogun:
This beautiful script interpreter is without doubt a delight to watch anytime; the news of her separation from her movie actor c*m producer husband raised some dust which is gradually subsiding, and it is a common knowledge that she has had a baby with another man before she decided to settle down with Saheed whom she adopted his name. Sources claimed her union with Saheed was an after-thought as she had initially declined the actor’s advances, preferring a London-based lover who she had a child for before coming back for Saheed. It was even alleged that they were not officially married but that she decided to adopt his name so as to cover the mistake of not having proper wedding before making babies together. The union which has since broken down completely over issues relating to infidelity has returned her to the status of single parent Nigerian celebrity.

Iyabo Ojo
It is no secret that Iyabo has been a single mother for many years, story has it that she lived with a guy years back who fathered her children, a boy and a girl. Though many believe the children are the result of a marriage she entered into while she was still very young, others argue it is a result of a fling she decided to have to have children before going after her career in the movie industry. She has over the years been linked with many men both within and outside the movie industry, but Iyabo has always been evasive when the issue of marriage is pushed to her and she has always been frank about the fact that she has children she cares so much about.

Tayo Odueke (Sikiratu Sindodo)
She’s one of the Nigerian celebrities who has been very cautious about mentioning the child they had out of wedlock, hardly has she ever given a mention to the fact that she has a daughter or that she’s a single parent, rather Tayo is seen by her fans as a young lady that has never experienced the joy of motherhood before. When she was the apple of the eyes of one time leader of Oshodi branch of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), the child’s name was kept out of everything the chubby Yoruba actress did since she came to limelight and it is the belief of her many fans that she’s still without any kid. Sikiratu Sindodo as Tayo is called is another of the numerous Nigerian celebrities that are single parents.

Gloria Doyle
Madam controversy could be the right word to qualify b**bs flaunting Gloria, she declared not too long ago that she’s still not interested in settling down. The busty woman who claims to be a gospel musician and later a pastor of a church in Ogba axis of Lagos is the mother of a grown-up girl who she had while she was still very young and she has since then been living as a single mother, even when she has suitors that are ready to walk her down the aisle, she stuck to her single status which gives her freedom to take any man she so desires at any time.

Waje

She shot to prominence when she was featured by the singing duo of P Square in their 2005 hit Do Me; the performance then encouraged the twins to allow her do a lady version of their Omoge Mi song; she has also been featured by Banky W and M.I. at different occasions. Born Aituaje Aina Vivian Ebele Iruobe, commonly known as WAJE which is the acronym for “Words aren’t just enough”, Waje has a love child she which she’s not hiding but not also really exposing to the press. The secret of the 10-year-old daughter became public knowledge in 2011 and the talented songstress has never denied the existence of the child which is the result of an affair the pretty lady had many years back, though she’s still very single and not really into any form of relationship, but she is of the belief she will settle down as time goes on.

Genevieve
Her case is the most talked about of the Nigerian celebrities that have children, and it is attributed to the fact that she was at a time the most sought after Nigerian actress, Genevieve Nnaji’s love child story is one that arouse heated arguments anytime it is mentioned, some are of the opinion that the father took advantage of her while she was still too young to make proper decision, others are of the opinion that she knows what she’s doing. The daughter who the actress will want to protect at all cost from public glare was conceived when she was still in secondary school and she has since been taking care of the child who close pals described as her life even when she will not have anything to do with the father ever again.

Alex Lopez
She is probably one of the very few celebrities that will talk about the children they have out of wedlock openly with no sign of regret, Alex Lopez is always happy to talk about her son Joshua, whom she had for her lover years back. Although, the relationship did not last, she is ever grateful for the joy of motherhood that the relationship afforded her and she’s not ashamed to talk about the product of the botched relationship, even when she’s still in the market shopping for prospective husband.

Funke Etti
She was one of the regular faces in the Yoruba click of the Nigerian movie industry some time ago, Funke Etti was at a time thought to be having an affair with Itele, another actor in the Yoruba movie industry, but she denied anything of such stating that they only had a working relationship. Recently she joined the league of Nigerian celebrities who have children out of wedlock when she delivered a bouncing baby boy, the naming which the father was conspicuously missing. Sources even claimed she’s still single as the person responsible for the pregnancy has not performed any marriage rite on her, which admits her into the league of Nigeria single parent celebrities.

Grace Amah
This petite light-skinned actress who acts in both Yoruba and English speaking movies had a child last year for someone people say is happily married though she came out to debunk that stating that she would soon be getting married to the father of her baby boy. Marriage apart she has successfully earned herself a place in the group of celebrities with children out of wedlock and some pessimists are still of the opinion that the marriage may not be a thing that will be happening this year.

Bisola Badmus
She disappeared from the screen sometime back only for her arrival to be announced with a bouncing baby boy. Bisola Badmus who has acted in many Yoruba films had her naming ceremony recently and like Funke Etti, the father of her child was absent. Sources however have it that the father is a popular fuji musician and that the musician did not want his name to be mentioned in the whole scenario as he had informed the actress of his desire for her not to have the baby, while the actress insisted she would be having it. Though the christening was done with funfair, all efforts to get the identity of the father from the actress proved futile as the actress has joined the league of Nigerian celebrities that are single parents.

Omawunmi Megbele
Her story was like a comedy, Omawunmi Megbele was at a time dating her producer Dokta Frabz and before one can say hello, she had entered into another relationship with a man who was said to be having a steady relationship with another woman, it was along the line she took in and news of her pregnancy started like rumour. When it became obvious, questions started arising as to the father of her child and it was at that period she released the song “If You Ask Me”; the people who have been asking the paternity question about her baby girl then assumed she released the song to answer the question of the child’s paternity. Her fling that turned into pregnancy made Omawunmi one of the numerous Nigerian celebrities who are single parents.

Ibinabo Fiberisima
Sultry actress Ibinabo Fiberisima, has enjoyed lots of controversies and the former beauty queen turned actress can be said to be one actress who can’t have enough of the wrong men. She was at a time dating tall actor and ex-husband of television talk show gal Fred Amata, a relationship many of Ibinabo’s friends thought would lead to the altar, but just as it started it was brought to an abrupt end with no cogent reason, but not without the actress having a child for the actor which brings to three the number of children she has had out of wedlock. She had had two children before that of Fred for men nobody can really say the way they look. The actress who contested to be the president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria in the botched election is said to have a flair for having children for different men, which is evident with the number of men she has had children for in a short while.

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