Chinua Achebe Is The Most Powerful Celebrity In Africa

American publishing and media company Forbes has named Nigerian novelist, poet, professor, and critic, Albert Chinụalụmọgụ Achebe better known as Chinua Achebe as the most influential celebrity in Africa.
Achebe ranks number one out of a list of 40 most influential celebrities which also includes actors, cerebral authors, musicians, movie producers, supermodels, TV personalities and athletes selected from all across the continent of Africa. The second position is occupied by Senegalese singer Youssou N’Dour, while the third position by Ivorian footballer and Chelsea FC centre forward Didier Drogba.

The 40-man list selection involved picking out individuals with the highest number of votes from a vast nominations entry of 7,500 people. And then their media visibility (which includes exposure in print, television, radio and online), references on Google, TV/radio mentions and other mentions across continent.

A total of 11 Nigerians including Achebe are featured on the list. They include Noble laureate Wole Soyinka (6), Afrobeat maestro Femi Kuti (10), Nollywood star actress Genevieve Nnaji (19), Nigerian writer Chimamanda Adichie (32), hit producer Don Jazzy (36) and musicians 2face Idibia (34), Psquare (35), D’banj (37), Nneka (38) and Asa (39).

Check out the full list below…

1. Chinua Achebe, 80, Novelist (Nigeria)
2. Youssou N’dour, 51, Musician (Senegal)
3. Didier Drogba, 33, Footballer (Cote D’Voire)
4. Angelique Kidjoe, 51, Musician (Benin Republic)
5. Akon, 38, Musician (Senegal)
6. Wole Soyinka, 77, Playwright (Nigeria)
7. Salif Keita, 62, Musician (Mali)
8. Yvonne Chaka Chaka, 46, (South African)
9. Oumou Sang, 43, Musician (Mali)
10. Femi Kuti, 49, Musician (Nigerian)
11. Toumani Diabaté, Musician (Mali)
12. Oliver Mtukudzi, 59, Musician (Zimbabwe)
13. Haile Gebrselassie, 38, Athlete (Ethiopia)
14. Khaled Hadj Ibrahim, 51, Musician (Algeria)
15. Samuel Eto’o, 30, Soccer Player (Cameroun)
16. Alek Wek, 34, Supermodel (Sudan)
17. Liya Kebede, 33, Supermodel (Ethopia)
18. Dobet Gnahoré, 29, Musician (Ivory Coast)
19. Genevieve Nnaji, 32, Actress (Nigeria)
20. Koffi Olomidé, 55, Musician (Congo)
21. Neill Blomkamp, 32, Movie Director (South Africa)
22. Souad Massi, 39, Musician (Algeria)
23. Baaba Maal, 58, Musician (Senegalese)
24. Hugh Masekela, 72, Musician (South Africa)
25. K’Naan, 33, Rapper (Somalia)
26. Amadou and Mariam, Musicians (Mali)
27. Awilo Longomba, Musician (Congo)
28. Eric Wainaina, 38, Musician (Kenya)
29. Binyavanga Wainaina, 40, Author (Kenya)
30. Ngugi Wa Thiongo, 73, Author (Kenya)
31. Freshlyground, Musicians (South Africa)
32. Chimamanda Adichie, 34, Writer (Nigeria)
33. Rokia Traoré, 37, Musician (Mali)
34. Tuface Idibia, 36, Musician (Nigeria)
35. P-Square, 29, Musicians (Nigeria)
36. Don Jazzy, 30, Music Producer (Nigeria)
37. D’Banj, 31, Musician (Nigeria)
38. Nneka, 31, Musician (Nigeria)
39. Asa, 29, Musician (Nigeria)
40. Patricia Amira, 33, TV Personality (Kenya)

Cost of Living in Dubai

Cost of living is one of the most important pieces of information that anyone moving to Dubai, or anywhere for that matter needs to be aware of. As there is no standard minimum wage in Dubai, you will probably have to negotiate your salary and compensation. Therefore, the best way to prepare for your move is to know what expenses you may expect once you are there.

There are three major expenses influencing the overall cost of living. Those are: accommodation, transportation and food costs.
Accommodation is probably the largest expense. While the Dubai real estate market was booming and the skyline constantly changing, so were the rental prices. The large number of foreign workers coming to Dubai and the increased demand for suitable housing allowed rental fees to skyrocket. However we are all aware of the real estate crisis that rocked the globe, including Dubai’s landlords. Prices are still high, though asking prices have been lowered and landlords are also much more willing to negotiate. A rental-sharing may be an option, but only for singles. Though, expatriates with families, and singles who likes their privacy may consider renting a villa or an apartment. There are number of expatriates entitled to housing allowance. Depending on the budget, they will be able to choose their accommodation from the range of options: villas, apartments or studios. Rent price will, of course, depend on the chosen location. If you choose a studio in Deira or at Bur Dubai, it may cost you less than AED 3.500 (approximately $953) a month. On the other hand, if you decide to rent accommodation at Dubai Marina or Jumeirah, the minimum monthly rent could be as high as AED 8.000 (approximately $2.178).

Transportation is another considerable cost for expatriates in Dubai . There is no doubt expats will need transportation, as business centers in Dubai are located far away from residential areas and walking is not usually an option nor a desirable means to get around in the heat! Personal vehicles are one of the best and most used options, as fuel is quite cheap. It is the fastest mode of transportation, and the cheapest one as well. If you don’t own a car, you may consider renting one at the average monthly price of AED 1.500 to AED 3.000 (Approximately $408 to $816). Also, expats hoping to drive locally need to obtain UAE driving license. Another option is public transportation, bus or metro, and costs AED 1 to AED 6 (approximately $0, 27 to $1, 63), or a taxi costing AED 10 to AED 100 (approximately $2, 70 to $27) depending on the distance. It is pretty common that people who own cars transport their friends and colleagues to and from work.

The third element of overall cost of life in Dubai is food . If you already feel comfortable with the cost of accommodation and transportation, then this is not an expense that you will need to give too much consideration. Food in Dubai is affordable to almost anyone. Almost every type of food is represented in this multicultural city. Regardless of whether your preference is a good ol’ American BBQ, Asian noodles, or even Italian food, Dubai will have it, and in more than one location. Of course, restaurant prices vary depending on style, class or even location. Still, you will definitely be able to find a place that suits both, your taste and budget.

Armed Robbers Attack Terry G In Calabar; Break Bottle On His Head

Singer Gabriel Amayi better known as Terry G was attacked on Sunday, October 9, 2011 in Calabar, we reliably gathered.

Terry had just finished performing at a show in the capital City of Cross River state and was heading out of the event when he was cornered by the armed men. They ripped him off his phone (Blackberry), Jewelry and money, our source informed.

The singer’s manager named Ozone confirmed the incident to us and revealed the Akpako master sustained a minor injury after the robbers broke a bottle on his head. "He was attacked on his way from an event in Calabar on Sunday night. He sustained just a minor injury on his head ‘cos they broke a bottle on his head,” Ozone tells us.

Amayi is been taken care of at an undisclosed hospital in Calabar and due back in Lagos tomorrow Wednesday Oct. 12 2011

STAR ACTRESS Bisi Ibidapo Obe denies being dumped by Hubby

Contrary to the tale hovering around, ravishingly pretty actress, Bisi Ibidapo-Obe popularly called Omo Logbalogba, has refuted being dumped by her UK based hubby, simply addressed as Lekan Lopez, adding that it only revolves around the ambience of rumour.

The versatile role interpreter expressed dismay on the tale, labelling those behind it as blatant liars. She further described the tale as unthinkable and senseless.

I can’t imagine that kind of a thing being said about me. It’s unthinkable. I don’t even need to comment on it because it is senseless and those telling you that are liars, they are insane. Don’t mind all those mad and irresponsible idiots spreading false rumour, my relationship is intact she fumed.

Bisi’s response notwithstanding, tale abound that the wedding she contracted secretly with Lopez a couple of years back started developing hiccups months back on account of the fact that the star actress is yet to be pregnant.

The situation, tale bearers disclosed to us, didn’t go down well with the family of Lopez who allegedly insisted that their son should call it quits with the Ilesa, Osun State born actress. And when there was too much pressure on him, he heeded their advice.

But when Bisi was contacted about it, she denied it all.

Nollywood Actress Uche Ogbodo On The Run Over N300k Debt

It is sometimes appalling the way most Nigerian artistes, especially the ladies among them, in their desperation to acquire more things than their married friends or colleagues, are sometimes led into greater mess. Some of them go as low as sleeping around for money while some go into borrowing. Recently some of them have been accused of defrauding people in the name of making money to really feel among. But the case of Uche Ogbodo, the fair-skinned actress who became popular for nearly revealing her breasts in one of the pictures she took sometime ago in the name of attracting attention, is different from the popular ones as it’s been revealed she is now in the habit of buying things on credit.

Uche, we learnt, has been doing that for sometime now, but it did not go down well with the owner of My Wardrobe and Accessories, a boutique located somewhere on Toyin Street, Ikeja, where the actress went to book for some Italian and American bags to the tune of more than N300,000, only for her to ask for the home address of the owner of the boutique, one Jennifer, with a promise to come and pick the wares at her home somewhere in Ajah area of Lagos later. She also promised she’d be coming with the money for the bags then.

The story however changed when Uche got to Jennifer’s house to pick the wares. Uche was said to have come up with a story that she was returning from somewhere which made it impossible for her to get money to pay for the goods. She again promised she would pay the money the next working day and Jennifer accepted the promise based on Uche’s status. But since then, which is some months ago, she’s been trying to reach the actress to no avail. It was also reliably gathered that she has promised to disgrace the actress whenever or wherever she sees her.