Lightup Concepts

On a back lot of Universal Studios in California, Reese Witherspoon is laughing with extras and dancing to Beyoncé’s “Love on Top,” and—not surprisingly—charming everyone along the way. But this is no act: as the cover star of InStyle’s May issue, available on newsstands and for digital download April 17, Witherspoon is just being herself. The issue, in which she wears a dress and belt by Fendi and a ring by Stephanie Kantis, marks the 39-year-old’s fourth appearance on our cover. A lot has changed since she first graced our pages in October 2002: she’s gotten remarried; now has three beautiful children; and—oh, yeah—won an Oscar (for 2005’s Walk the Line). So has success changed the star? Not at all, says longtime makeup artist Molly R. Stern, who was at our shoot. “Reese truly enjoys what she does,” Stern tells us. “It’s always fun to be around her.” And who wouldn’t love to be around a self-professed spitfire with a love of high fashion? Witherspoon brought some covetable acce...

Congratulations to rapper Nicki Minaj. The “Superbass” chart topper is engaged to rapper Meek Mill. The couple have been dating for a few months. Earlier in the day, there were several reports that Meek popped the question, but there was no word from Nicki. She confirmed the news by sharing a photo her stunning heart-shaped ring.

Founder of Latter Rain Assembly and former Vice Presidential candidate of General Buhari in 2011, Pastor Tunder Bakare paid the President-elect a congratulatory visit in Kaduna today April 16th. More photos below....

Minister of Information, Patricia Akwashiki says President Jonathan will be officially handing over to Gen Buhari on May 28th and not the accustomed May 29th date. Speaking with newsmen after the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja today April 15th, the minister said May 29th will be for the inauguration of a new government but that the formal handover will be done at a dinner for Buhari which will be hosted by President Jonathan "By May 28, the president intends to have the formal handover done at a dinner. You know May 29 is our Democracy Day, we have activities lined up all through that week, showcasing all what we have achieved and all other things we do normally on our Democracy Day except that this year is special with the inauguration of our new president.” she said

                                A Federal High Court in Abuja has vacated the order restraining ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo from publishing, printing or offering for sale, his controversial autobiography titled “My Watch.” which had been in the custody of the Nigerian Customs Service since 2014 following a N20billion libel lawsuit by PDP chieftain, Buruji Kashamu, asking the court to stop the distribution of the book because of some things Obasanjo wrote about him in the book. In the book, Obasanjo described Buruji as a fugitive wanted in the US. A court, last year, ordered security and law enforcement agencies including ‎customs to confiscate the book anywhere they saw the book. But on Monday, Justice Valentine Ashi who in December 2014 placed a ban on the book, vacated his earlier order on the ground that the plaintiff and a PDP chieftain, Buruji Kashamu, suppressed fact from the court to obtain the...

Aaron Hernandez has just been found guilty of 1st degree murder in the killing of semi-pro football player Odin Lloyd ... and has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Several people inside the courtroom began crying as the verdict was read ... including Aaron's fiancee and mother. As the verdict was read, Hernandez was shaking his head in disbelief.  At one point, Hernandez turned to his fiancee and mouthed the words, "Be strong." 25-year-old Hernandez -- a former superstar tight end for the New England Patriots -- killed Lloyd on June 17th, 2013.  Lloyd was shot 6 times. Aaron was also found guilty of illegal gun possession and illegal ammunition possession. After sentencing in the Lloyd case, Hernandez will still stand trial in the shooting deaths of two people in Boston in 2012.  That trial is scheduled to begin in May.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has cut the annual overseas spending by Nigerians using any Nigerian banks debit card from $150,000 to $50,000. It has also brought down the daily usage card limit to $300. According to the CBN, the move is being taken to reduce the pressure on the Naira. In a circular signed and issued yesterday April 14th by the director, Trade and Exchange Department, Olakanmi Gbadamosi, the CBN said the new limit takes effect from Monday, April 13, 2015. "All authorized dealers and the general public are hereby informed that with effect from the date of this circular (13th April, 2015) the existing limit on the usage of naira denominated cards for transactions overseas has been reviewed downward. Accordingly, the limit has been reduced $150,000 to $50,000 per person per annum. In addition, all authorized dealers are to ensure that the daily cash withdrawal limit embedded in the card per person per day is pegged at $300. Authorised dealers are to ensure ...

 Kim Kardashian was cropped out by an ultra-Orthodox Israeli newspaper. Kim and Kanye met with the mayor of Jerusalem on their recent visit to Israel a few days ago to baptize North West, but when an Israeli newspaper wrote about the power couple's visit to the mayor, they made sure not to include her image in the photo. Left is the original pic and right is the photo the newspaper used. 

                           Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has denied reports that she is seeking asylum in foreign countries because she fears that president-elect, Muhammadu Buhari will send her to prison once he assumes office. Here’s the background of the story: Yesterday, Sahara Reporters alleged that six countries refused to grant an asylum request made by Alison-Madueke. They reportedly got their information from the Business Council for Africa’s (BCA) monthly report. Read excerpts from the report by SR: BCA noted that that US $ 1 trillion is the latest estimated figure of the looting of the Nigerian treasury between 1960 and 2005 alone… The report, dated March 2015, focused extensively on Nigeria’s general elections.  It said the notorious Minister, whose impunity is known to have been closely-protected by President Goodluck Jonathan, will be coming under the microscope for the first tim...

African immigrants and their children pictured in a South African police station today where they are taking refuge following a string of Xenophobic attacks in the country.  More pics below... Photo credit: Robert Alai

The 2nd edition of Most Beautiful Face in Nigeria 2015 is billed for  June 6th  in Akwa Ibom State. See the 51 beautiful women vying for the crown. Only 35 of these lucky ladies will make it to the MBFN 2015 camp.  See their photos below...