Being the subject of gossip can be a frustrating and upsetting position. Whether created by real actions or malicious rumors, gossip can do serious damage to relationships, reputations, and group dynamics. Though nothing can fully prevent a person from becoming the subject of gossip, following a few basic precautions can help reduce the likelihood that the situation will occur. Don’t share too much information with people you don’t know you can trust, avoid engaging in gossip yourself, and think about how your behavior might appear to others.

One of the most important ways to stop or prevent gossip is to be circumspect with private information. Sharing problems or worries with friends and families is healthy and understandable, but it is important to tell private information only to those that can be trusted to keep it quiet. If a relative or friend is known to have a tattling tongue, it may be best to keep conversations with him or her to polite, public-appropriate subjects. It may also help to conduct private business only in appropriate forums; having a screaming argument with a spouse over the phone at work is certain to inspire talk among colleagues.

Many etiquette experts cite the old maxim of “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” when discussing the problem of gossip. Developing a reputation as a gossiper is likely to leave a person open to the same treatment; others may feel less inclined to be protective of the private information of a person known to spread rumors and tales. By declining to engage in gossiping at work or in social circles, a person can help develop an atmosphere in which that type of talk is unwelcome. Gaining a reputation as a circumspect and respectful person may engender the same behavior in others.

Though this may not always be possible or advisable, one of the best ways to avoid becoming the subject of gossip is by adhering to the rules of society. Most gossiping involves actions that are considered scandalous, immoral, or inappropriate in some way. Choosing to fly in the face of social tradition may be necessary in many situations, but it will tend to cause talk. While most etiquette experts stress that it is important to stick to personal principles regardless of societal rules, a general attempt to follow customs and standards can help reduce the chance of becoming the subject of gossip.

Unfortunately, some victims of gossipers are innocent or maligned bystanders, caught in the trap of other people’s scandalous behavior or false rumors. In this case, the only options may be to confront the shameless chatterers in an attempt to shame them away from their behavior, or to simply ignore the situation. The outcome of either of these tactics may depend on the situation; confronting gossipers may simply throw fuel on the fire in some cases, while in others it may make the tattlers feel sufficiently apologetic to cease their behavior.

Rapper illBliss celebrates his birthday today, December 30th.

i.LLY.MINATE is another joint off the OGA BOSS Album, scheduled to drop first quarter of 2012.

The track was produced By illbliss’s long time sonic collaborator,Tha Suspect and also features him on the hook.

The OGA BOSS LP is 90% done and illBliss has been touring many Nigerian States promoting his recently released singles ANAMACHI KWANU!,and My Heart Beats.

illBliss is managed By the Goretti Company,and currently in a joint venture deal with Capital Hill Music for the release of his sophomore album. Other artists under the same umbrella include Chidinma (MTN Project Fame Season 3 winner) and Tha Suspect.

iLLbliss – Illyminate:

Rap artiste Naetochukwu Chikwe popularly known as Naeto C got married to his model fiancee Nicole Chukwueke yesterday. The secret traditional wedding took place at Nicole’s place. The white wedding would follow soon.

Just when we thought the ‘Fimile’ star was done with tricks up his sleeves, he is about to deliver a collaboration with Cabo SNoop.
Producer Kas has just finished a remix for his Wine for me track featuring Angolean star Cabo Snoop. Following the footsteps of J Martins but now, Kas has delivered other high profile collaborations including ‘Fimile’ remix featuring 2face and D’banj.

Below is a picture of Kas and Tonto Dikeh performing a collaborative track – Iyawo wind.

Hit music producer and singer, Samklef is now a married man. Samklef got married to his lover Yvonne at a traditional wedding that took place on 28th December 2011 in Imo state .

ALso, The hit producer is already expecting his first baby with Yvonne .

C.E.O of Imagneto Dance company and Guiness record holder, Kaffy Shafau has given birth to a baby boy. Joseph ‘Papi’ Ameh – who is P Square’s chief guitarist and Kaffy – The dancer who rocked her pregnancy to most events is full of praises, got engaged a few months after she got pregnant. She gave birth to the bouncing baby boy yesterday afternoon at a Lagos hospital. The couple got engaged earlier in the year, they are said to have been an item since 2010.

See The Full List of Brilliant Young Leaders Speaking at The Future Awards Symposium for Young & Emerging Leaders! …Registration ends this Friday

The Central Working Committee (CWC) for The Nigeria Symposium for Young & Emerging Leaders has unveiled the full list of Keynote Speakers, Lead-ins, and Discussants at the historic event, which will gather young Nigerian leaders from across the country to discuss governance and leadership.
The Symposium holds on 11 & 12 January 2012 at the Muson Centre in Lagos Nigeria and is presented by The Future Project, in association with EiE Nigeria and the International Republican Institute. 50 percent of the seats for participants have been reserved for open nomination. You can nominate yourself or someone else on www.thefuturenigeria.com/category/symposium.

“We are incredibly excited about all the young people we have managed to bring together,” says Adebola Williams, a Director of The Future Project. “We are gathering some of the brightest and best of young Nigerian leaders from all the six geo-political zones to talk about how the next generation will choose to lead. This generation wants to be different from the last – but how can it do that practically? The target is for a truly transformed and functioning Nigeria – but unless we actually and define that leadership ideal, we will be unable to achieve it. This symposium takes the first giant step.”

The Headline Speaker is Obiageli Ezekwesili, World Bank VP for Africa; she is supported by Bishop Matthew Kukah, Bishop of the Sokoto Diocese of the Catholic Church. The Opening Address will be given by the Minister for Youth Development, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi.
The hosts are Tolu Ogunlesi, winner for CNN African Journalist of the Year 2009; and Adaure Achumba, a correspondent for Reuters.
See the full list below:
The Perspective from Government
A) Emerging Leaders: Public Officers/Civil Servants – Is it Possible to Stand Out in Government? (Lead-in – Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Executive Governor of Ekiti State)
The Challenge of Governance in Nigeria is the continuing perception that when “good people” enter government; they become unrecognisable, lost in a web of waste, corruption and deceit. With examples, models and prescriptions, this panel will assess the viability of standing up for positivity in government.
Discussants – Hauwa Abdullahi-Booth (Senior State Counsel, Federal Capital Territory Administration), Babasola Alokolaro (General Counsel to the Governor of Lagos State), Dolapo Badru (Special Assistant on Youth, Lagos State Governor), Emmanuel Etim (Programme Manager, AUYVC-PMU/Partnerships & Ext. Relations Adviser, African Union Commission), Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin (Special Assistant to Oyo Gov Special Projects), Emmanuel Okocha (Special Assistant, Federal Minister of Youth Development/Former Special Assistant, Kwara State Commissioner for Education), Umaru Tanko-Yakassai (Chief Personal Physician, Executive Governor of Kano State).
Moderator: Mfon Ekpo (Maritime Lawyer/Negotiator)

B) Emerging Leaders: Technocrats – Understanding the Problem: Politics or Competence? (Lead-in – Mr. Oronto Douglas, Senior Special Adviser to the President on Strategy, Research, and Documentation & Prof. Pat Utomi, Director of the Centre for Applied Economics, Pan-African University)
From the return of democracy in 1999, there has been a clamour for “technocracts” in government – people who are uniquely qualified in their area of appointment. More than a decade after, has this led to any transformative change? Or are we doing it all wrong? We assess the impact and relevance of this set of public officials.
Discussants – Tope Akande (Head of Corporate Affairs, Lagos State Signage & Advertising Agency), Ohimai Amaize (Special Assistant on Advocacy, Minister of Youth Development), Chime Asonye (Associate, Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria on Millennium Development Goals), Asawo Ibifuro (Managing Director, Cinfores), Amara Nwakpa (IT Consultant), Olasupo Olusi (Technical Assistant, Coordinating Minister of the Economy), Hakeem Shagaya (Director, Unity Bank/Former Technical Adviser, Ministry of Finance).
Moderator: Aziza Uko (Editor-at-Large, Y! Magazine)
C) Emerging Leaders: Politicians – The Matter of Mud (Lead-in –Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, Executive Governor of Rivers State & Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, Former Minister of the FCT)
One of Nigeria’s more popular borrowed clichés is “Politics is a dirty game”. But with many politicians managing to be in or leave government with either reputations intact and/or praise for their achievements, how can a new generation of leaders achieve this feat – and make politics more palatable for greater involvement?
Discussants – Jibrin Abdulmumuni (Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Finance), Olaide Agboola (House of Representatives Candidate, Ijesa South Federal Constituency, Ogun State), Uche Chuta (Board Member, Engage Nigeria Forum), John Lebo (Member of the House of Assembly, Abi Constituency, Cross River State), Egghead Odewale (Personal Assistant to the Governor of Ekiti State), Babatunde Sarumi (2011 PDP House of Representatives Candidate), Bilyaminu Shinkafi (Member of the House of Representatives, Shinkafi/Zurmi Federal Constituency, Zamfara State).
Moderator: Deji Badmus (Head, Reportorial Desk, Channels Television)
The Private Sector Alternative
A) Emerging Leaders: Professionals – The Degrees of Separation (Lead-in – Austin Edoja-Peters, Head of Corporate Communications, Access Bank & Folake Ani-Mumunney, Chief Marketing Officer, First Bank)
Is there a need for a greater interest in government by professionals – or is it enough to sit behind desks and do our jobs well? The historic EnoughisEnough rallies last year and the #ABSURape saga this year signpost a new era of professional involvement which is effective because of its independence from government and politics. This panel will assess impact and the future.
Discussants – Jumoke Adekunle (Communications Manager Nigeria, Girl Hub), Idiare Atimomo (Manager, Youth Segment, Etisalat), Kunle Durojaiye (Cranfield MBA Grad), Austine Imoukhuede (New Business Development Manager, Nutricima Ltd), Mariah Mogoli, (Petroleum Economist, Sahara Energy Field Limited), Jennifer Obayuwana (Executive Director, Polo), Femi Odusote (Reservoir Engineer, Chevron), Akintunde Oyebode (Head SME Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC), Nana Shehu (Senior Analyst – Lotus Capital Limited Kano), Kehinde Shote (Consultant, Shell Petroleum).
Moderator: Ferdinand Adimefe (Research & Development Executive, Century Energy Services Ltd)
B) Emerging Leaders: Artistes – When is it More than a Job? (Lead-in – Biola Alabi, Managing Director, Mnet Africa & Obi Asika, CEO, Storm 360)
The last presidential elections threw up a new and dominant scenario where several high profile entertainers endorsed candidates for office. While this is proper practice in many developed democracies, the transactional nature of our politics led to criticism as to motivation and reward. We seek to explore the burden on entertainers; the criticism over discharge of professional duties and the correct context within which to situate such engagement.
Discussants – Funke Akindele (Actor/Producer), Ikhane Akhighe, (CEO, AbOriginal Productions), Lanre Dabiri – Eldee (Rapper/Producer), Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde (Actress/Producer), Audu Maikori (CEO, Chocolate City Group), Ebuka Obi-Uchendu (TV/Event Host), Stephanie Okereke (Director, Del-York International), Nkiru Sylvanus (Special Assistant to the Governor of Imo State) Bankole Wellington – Banky W (Director, EME).
Moderator: Matse Uwatse (Presenter, Nigeria Info FM)
C) Emerging Leaders: Entrepreneurs – Building an Alternative Resource-Base to Affect Governance (Lead-in – Tonye Cole, CEO, Sahara Group & Dumo Lulu-Briggs, CEO, DLB Marine Ltd)
Is it time for young people with thriving businesses to put their monies where their mouths are? Is it possible to be a force for good from the outside, financing candidates, and marshalling resources to support positive change in the Nigerian society? This session will stimulate thought and action – as well as effective strategy for engagement.
Discussants – Toyosi Akerele (CEO, Rise Group), Segun Demuren (Managing Director, Evergreen Apple Nigeria – EAN Hangar Jet Center), Bisola Edun (Managing Director, Tae), Gbolahan Fagbure (Managing Director, Road Repair Company), Kingsley James (Deputy Managing Director, DigiPrints), Chioma Nwagboso (Private Sector Specialist, World Bank), Tayo Oviosu (CEO, Pagatech), Hassan Rilwan (CEO, Focal Point Group), Perez Tigidam (Creative Director, Arden & Newton), Mosunmola Umoru (CEO, Honeysuckles PTL Ventures).
Moderator: Ohimai Atafo (Creative Director, MAI)
Driving Change from Outside
A) Emerging Leaders: New Media Commentators – Questioning The Effectiveness of Arm-Chairs (Lead-in – Dele Momodu, Publisher, Ovation)
The evolving phenomenon of the online commenter and thought leader is extensively explored, perhaps for the first time in our nation’s history. It is important to identify the dichotomy between the arm chair critic and the force for change. The accessibility and egalitarianism of the online space – blogosphere and social networks – can be a veritable tool for development – but how? And what are the rules of effective engagement?
Discussants – Nmachi Jidenma (Programme Coordinator, Sub-Saharan Africa, Google), Daibat Garuba ( Lawyer), OO Nwoye (CEO, SOLUTION Y/Founder, TechCircle Nigeria), Henry Okelue (Presales Consultant, Galaxy Backbone Plc), Japheth Omojuwa (Editor, AfricaLiberty.Org), Babatunde Rosanwo (Economy and Society Research Student, Graduate School for Social Research, Polish Academy of Science, Warsaw, Poland), Seyi Taylor (CEO, Blouuve).
Moderator: Kola Oyeneyin (CEO, Venia Business Hub)
B) Emerging Leaders: Traditional Media – The Challenge of Responsible Influence (Lead-in – Ibim Semenitari, Former Editor, Tell Magazine/Commissioner for Information, Rivers State)
The Nigerian media has consistently been accused of duplicity and corruption, severely weakening its moral authority to drive the conversation. It is important to explore how much of this is exaggerated and how much is reality with a view to establishing a new credibility and moral order for the media in an information age where the consumer drives the news via a 24-hour media cycle. This panel will look at that future critically.
Discussants – Al-Kassim Abdulkadir (Contributor, CNN), Abdulkarim Baba-Aminu (Saturday Editor, Daily Trust), Tosyn Bucknor (On-Air Personality, Top Radio/Columnist, The Guardian), Biola Kazeem (Head of Strategy, Elev8), Cheta Nwanze (Chief Information Officer, Daily Times), Ahmed Shekarau (Editor, People’s Daily), Funke Treasure (Controller of Presentation, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria).
Moderator: Dr. Peju Adeniran (Editor, DocSays)
C) Emerging Leaders: Issue Advocates/Activists – How Far Away should We Stay from Government: Driving a Credible Agenda (Lead-in – Ndidi Nwuneli, Founder, LEAP Africa & Osayi Oruene, Executive Director, FATE Foundation)
Nigeria’s vibrant activism culture has seen many erstwhile activists make a quick cross over to government – leading to cynicism within the populace, convinced that activism is often an open invitation to patronage. This session will ruthlessly assess youth-led civil society organisations and how they can succeed with regard to motivation, intent and, sustainability.
Discussants – Yemi Adamolekun (Executive Director, EnoughisEnough Nigeria), Esther Agbarakwe (International Advocacy fellow, Population Action International, Washington DC, USA), Kingsley Bangwell (Team Leader, Youngstars Foundation), Mosun Layode (Executive Director, LEAP Africa), Zaynab Lukat (State Representative, Department for International Development, DFID Nigeria), Linus Okorie (President, GOTNI International), Gbenga Sesan (Executive Director, Paradigm Initiative Nigeria).
Moderator: Rebecca Enobong Roberts (Executive/Operations Officer, Youth Empowerment & ICT Foundation)
Special Africa Session – Identifying a Continental Leadership Context
We often speak of leadership incidents that happen “only in Nigeria” – but the continent is replete with governance that is seen as corrupt, inefficient and pre-modern. The possibility of a continental push for good governance or creating a ripple effect through a network of countries working together is explored at this special session, alongside alternatives for development and growth.
Discussants – Hon. Evelyn Anite (Youth Representative, Parliament of Uganda – Uganda), Ewajesu Asala (Commonwealth Youth Representative for Nigeria/Deputy Chair, Commonwealth Youth Panel for Africa – Nigeria), Uzodinma Iweala (Author/Medical Doctor – Nigeria), Roselyn Kangara (Agribusiness Consultant – Kenya), Acha Leke (Partner, McKinsey & Company/Founder, African Leadership Academy – Cameroon), Kathleen Ndongomo (Ideation Consultant – Cameroon).
Moderator: Emmanuel Etim (Programme Manager, AUYVC-PMU/Partnerships & Ext. Relations Adviser, African Union Commission)
The event is held in partnership with and support from the World Bank, Federal Ministry of Youth, Ekiti State Government, Paradigm Initiative Nigeria, and the Nigeria Leadership Initiative. Media partners are Channels Television, Africa Magic, FAB, Beat FM, Business Eye, LASAA, BellaNaija.com and CP-Africa.com; and the Official Media Partner is Y! (www.ynaija.com)
The application form and more information about the symposium and The Future Project are available on www.thefuturenigeria.com. Follow @TFProject on Twitter or The Future Project, Nigeria on Facebook.

It was an unusual blend of fantastic music and nail biting suspense as Nigerian idol aired its group stages in the fabulous Christmas edition that aired last weekend. Now in its 6 th and 7 th episodes, the popular show presented to viewers the elimination of the top 100 contestants as they were pruned to 30 in a keenly contested series of performances.

“The group stages are always a mixture of emotions,” explained director Peter Bode. “It is sad to see a lot of these talents go because they represent the best 100 from around the country, it is however rewarding to see the joy on the faces of those who have made it. In the end, the toughest and the most talented make the top 30 in the competition.”

The competition started with group performances from the top 100 contestants who split up into groups of three and four. After the group performances, the judges had the unenviable task of breaking the bad news to the contestants who had to go home. Judge Yinka Davies was almost in tears as she announced some of the groups that made it into the top 40. But the competition was not over yet; this time, the top 40 had to perform duets in groups of 20. Finally, the judges selected their top 30 while the 10 who did not scale through had to leave. It was a very excited 30 contestants who sang, danced, prayed and shed tears of joy at their achievement.
The 7th episode fell on Christmas day and the talented contestants treated viewers to a very soulful and powerful rendition of popular Christmas carol ‘Jingle Bells’ at the grand Nigerian Idol stage.

This Friday, the battle is on in Nigerian Idol as 30 of Nigeria’s most talented young musicians slug it out in front of a live studio audience. The Nigerian Idol top 30 will take the competition to the next level as they fight for the chance to make it to the next stage as top 10 finalists. The show will end in April 2012 when a new Nigerian Idol is crowned at a glamorous closing gala. Yeka Onka is the season one winner and she joins a bevy of other Idol greats worldwide including Timi Dakolo, Jordin Sparks and Ruben Stoddard.

Fans of the hit show can win tickets to the live studio show as well as other give-aways from this season by visiting the website www.nigerianidol.com and other popular blog sites.

Nigerian Idol is proudly brought to you by Etisalat in association with Pepsi and Sony. It is also supported by Air Nigeria, Kentucky Fried Chicken and Megalectrics [owners of the Beat 99.9 FM, Classic FM, and Naija FM]

Asa, Retta and Tiwa Savage made records in the year that were amazing baby making music – music that could serve as soundtrack to the best romance movies.

Retta – Kolo (Crazy)
Retta is a newbie that caught us with a voice that seems as though she was making love in the booth while she was recording. The looker speaks and sings with a note that would excite any man or woman if she swings both ways.

Tiwa Savage – Love me X3
Tiwa might be the only female singer that pulled out sexy well this year. If not, she’s tongue wagging with her outfits on the red carpet then there’s her performance with the extra energetic big dancer and interestingly having Flavour’s Ashewo as a favourite song of hers [the freaky bell rings?] which have somehow all rubbed off on her music. Babies could be made with her music.

Asa – Be My Man
The new Asa was alot sexier which explains why on her official Youtube channel got over a million hits with this video for her uplifting rock-tinged single with hints of 1960s soul . The record is rocky and is bound to keep replaying in your head after a steamy intimate session with it playing in the background.

CodRead returns with a new video for the Suspect produced track – Pon Roborobo. The South African based model cum Singer, Pius ‘CodRead’ Okaba is an indigene of Obudu, Cross Rivers who left Nigeria for South Africa in 2005 after his decision to strut the runways in other countries where he made his mark.

CodRead started making music in 1999 under the pseudonym, Boldman and in 2000 formed a group “Beat Block Boys” with his brother. His kind of music cuts across various genres such as; Jamaican reggae/dance-hall with fusion of afro-pop blend.

He was nominated at the last edition of the Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA) for the video of his song Patricia Feat. Buffalo Souljah and he is set to make an impact on the Nigerian Music scene.

Check on the colourful video below: