Maria Nepembe Also Loves Núdity In BBA

While some section of the African media criticizes Big Brother Africa for the reason that it does not preserve the Africa culture though it promotes unity among Africa nations, others also feel that the indecent or immoral exposure of women (especially) in the house is something that does not speak well of Africans.

In a chat with Maria Nepembe, Namibia rep of Big Brother Africa 2013 (The Chase) who spent 35days in the house out of the supposed 91 days. She revealed to our Correspondent In Ghana  that she sees nothing wrong with people going náked in the Big Brother house.

She explained that Big Brother house is like a home where one bath náked, so if the housemates go núde or náked whenever they are bathing and the pictures are circulated in the media, why should they – the BBA contestants be blamed of debauchery lifestyle.

‘The fact that Big Brother unifies Africa is a big achievement. Africa has to be proud of BBA. You know in Africa, whatever you do, people will criticize you. The perception some people have about Big Brother is wrong. The reality show has been rated 18 years plus so anyone who doesn’t like it and doesn’t want to watch it because of the so called indecent exposure should not watch it,” Maria said.

Maria who claimed she has found a second home which is Ghana and now living in Ghana, added that she hasn’t regretted being part of Big Brother Africa in anyway and will encourage anyone who wants to be part of it since its benefits are huge.

As a professional model and radio presenter, she revealed that she will soon be hosting a TV show on one of the popular TV stations in Accra – Ghana so fans should watch out for her.

Big Brother Africa Season 8 FAQs

 

 Here are all the answers to the questions you may have to the new season of Big Brother Africa.

1. Why is AfricaMagic screening BIG BROTHER AFRICA 8?

Due to the demand for another BIG BROTHER AFRICA series, AfricaMagic has decided to screen the eighth season of the show.

2. How will BIG BROTHER AFRICA 8 be different from previous seasons of Big Brother Africa?

As with all Big Brother series, the new season of Big Brother Africa will include surprises and unexpected innovations.

3. Which are the participating countries in BIG BROTHER AFRICA 8?

Angola, Botswana, Ghana, Ethiopia, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Kenya, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

4. Why isn’t my country included in BIG BROTHER AFRICA 8? Why is the show only limited to 14 countries? What are the qualifications to make a country part of the show?

BIG BROTHER AFRICA 8 will include 14 countries this year (Angola, Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe).

The countries are selected to participate in the series based on the popularity of the series format in those markets, as well as the large DStv subscriber bases established in these markets.

AfricaMagic greatly appreciates the support that the series receives in other markets and so will work to include those markets into the show in other ways, outside of having a Housemate in the house. This means that audiences from across the continent can vote on the series, and that performers and special guests from their countries may be included in the series.

Further AfricaMagic extends its thanks to all viewers of the series across the continent for their loyalty. Big Brother has enjoyed a wide popularity across the continent and AfricaMagic is pleased that it draws support from Africans across borders and outside of the nationalities represented. This serves to highlight that Africans support other Africans regardless of where they live or what their nationality is. Finally, please do make sure that you tune to AfricaMagic Entertainment and DStv channels 197&198 on Sunday May 26 when BIG BROTHER AFRICA 8 kicks off!

5. How long will BIG BROTHER AFRICA 8 last?

BIG BROTHER AFRICA 8 is scheduled to begin on Sunday May 26, 2013 and will run for 91 days. The BIG BROTHER AFRICA 8 Final is scheduled for Sunday August 25, 2013.

6. What is the prize for the winner of BIG BROTHER AFRICA 8?

The prize for the winner of the series is USD 300 000.

7. Where is BIG BROTHER AFRICA 8 being filmed?

BIG BROTHER AFRICA 8 will be filmed on location in South Africa.

8. Why is BIG BROTHER AFRICA 8 being filmed in South Africa?

To ensure that a wide variety of countries can participate in BIG BROTHER AFRICA, AfricaMagic made the decision to base the BIG BROTHER AFRICA house in South Africa. This ensures that AfricaMagic can invest more in the show’s production without having to contend with the higher logistics costs that arise when the show equipment moves location. However, the show will feature content from all of the participating countries.

9. Why did AfricaMagic ask people from my country to enter and to watch this show that I regard as immoral?

Research has shown that previous seasons of Big Brother Africa were widely watched throughout the continent. Further the choice to enter the show and the choice to view the show is an individual one.

10. Who is the host of BIG BROTHER AFRICA 8?

The host of BIG BROTHER AFRICA 8 will be IK Osakioduwa (IK) who has previously been featured on Studio 53, Comedy Club and Temptation Nigeria. He has also hosted 4 previous seasons of Big Brother Africa – Big Brother Revolution, Big Brother All Stars, Big Brother Amplified and Big Brother StarGame. His experience with both live television and a variety of entertainment formats makes him a highly suitable candidate to host a series that is screened across the continent.

11. Where can I watch BIG BROTHER AFRICA 8?

BIG BROTHER AFRICA 8 will be screened live 24/7 for 91 days on DStv channels 197 and 198. GOtv audiences will also be able to watch highlights from the show. More info on screening times and channels will be announced closer to the show’s launch on Sunday May 26.

12. Will Nigerian audiences still have to ‘opt in’ to watch the 24/7 BIG BROTHER AFRICA 8 channels on DStv?

Yes. Information on how this will work will be made available shortly.

13. Who is producing BIG BROTHER AFRICA 8 for AFRICAMAGIC?

The show will be produced for AFRICAMAGIC by ENDEMOL SA.

14. What is MultiChoice Africa's role in BIG BROTHER AFRICA 8?

MultiChoice Africa is not producing BIG BROTHER AFRICA 8. MultiChoice Africa provides subscription services to the multi-channel, digital, pay-TV products DStv and GOtv on which BIG BROTHER AFRICA is shown.

15. What are the rules of BIG BROTHER AFRICA 8?

A rule-book is being finalised and will be distributed once completed. General rules will include - no contact with the world outside the Big Brother House, strictly no violence and an obligation to nominate fellow housemates for eviction.

16. Can DStv audiences restrict access to BIG BROTHER AFRICA 8 in their homes?

Programming for Big Brother including the 24 hour channel (channels 197 and 198) will have restricted access through the parental guide functionality on the DStv decoder – so parents will be able control viewing of Big Brother.

17. When do Housemates move into the House?

Housemates will start to enter the Big Brother house from Sunday, May 26, 2013.

18. Will I be contacted about my entry?

AfricaMagic would like to thank all those people who submit entry forms for consideration in this year’s BIG BROTHER AFRICA housemate search. Without your enthusiasm for the series, it would be impossible to create it so your participation is greatly appreciated. However AfricaMagic wishes to advise all entrants that given the sheer volume of entries the show receives, it is unfortunately not possible to respond to every entry individually. Only if your entry is shortlisted for the show will you be contacted by the show’s production team.

19. Other than the USD 300 000 won by the winner, do the runners up win anything?

Usually, only the last person in the house wins the prize money. However, in previous Big Brother series the runners up were also awarded prizes such as holidays but there are no guarantees.

20. Who is eligible to enter BIG BROTHER AFRICA 8?

Anyone 21 years of age and older, who is a citizen of one of the 14 participating countries and in possession of a valid passport (or will have one by March 2013), is able to enter. The show’s selection team was looking for Housemates who are vocal, fluent in English, fun-loving, creative, original and articulate. Housemates are also expected be tolerant of views and lifestyle choices other than their own and must have the social flexibility to live in close proximity with others.

21. What can Housemates bring into the House?

Housemates are given a rulebook stating exactly what kind of items they can bring into the house. However no electronic equipment can be taken into the house. Big Brother will go through what housemates are taking into the house with them and reserves the right to remove any item/s that has been excluded as per the rulebook.

22. How much stuff can a Housemate bring to the House?

Two suitcases. No clothing with prominent logos or labels will be allowed.

23. Are Housemates allowed any contact at all with their families’ e.g. written correspondence?

No verbal or written communication is allowed with anyone outside the House, unless a Housemate has an urgent family crisis and this is still subject to Big Brother’s discretion.

24. What happens if a Housemate falls ill while in the house?

In the event of a Housemate becoming ill, they will be given first aid or may have a nurse or doctor called in to attend to them. If their condition is serious, they will be admitted to a hospital accompanied by a member of the production staff and security personnel as it is strictly within the conditions of Big Brother to maintain minimal contact with the outside world. However should their illness mean that they have to be away from the house for a long period it is unlikely that Big Brother will allow them to return.

25. Who is Big Brother?

Nobody knows, but he sets the rules for the house, and you want to be on his good side at all times whilst staying in the house.

26. What kind of tasks will be assigned to the Housemates?

All tasks are reasonable, and involve team play. They are for Big Brother to know, and for Housemates to find out, but Housemates will never be asked to perform anything outside acceptable ethical and moral standards.

27. How do the Housemates get food provisions in the house?

Housemates are given a healthy daily allowance of basic foods. This diet includes vegetables, carbohydrates such as rice and maize meal, meat, poultry and fruit. Anything outside these foods is regarded as a luxury item, and may be ordered from a special shopping list provided by Big Brother. All meals in the house will have to be negotiated and agreed with by the other housemates.

28. Are Housemates allowed to leave the Big Brother house if it gets too much?

Housemates are free to leave at any stage during the process, on the understanding that they cannot return and may be replaced by someone else. A minimum of 24 hours notice is normally requested by Big Brother to make departure arrangements. Housemates will be obliged to provide a reason for their exit to Big Brother in the diary room.

29. Are Housemates locked into the BIG BROTHER AFRICA House?

All doors to the outside are locked, yes, but Housemates are free to leave at any stage as long as they explain why and understand that once out of the House they cannot return. Big Brother can open the doors at a moment’s notice in the event of an emergency.

30. Will Big Brother keep Housemates’ families updated while they are in the house?

Big Brother will have contact with their family should it be necessary due to illness or other arrangements but Housemates may not request anything from their family nor request any messages to be passed on to their family.

31. How are Housemates expected to behave in the house?

The Big Brother House is their home for the duration of their stay. Therefore they are expected to behave as naturally as they would in their own environment.

32. Will the cameras expose Housemates when they are using the toilet facility?

Housemates will not be shown using the toilet facility. However, should this facility be used for any other purpose other than that what it is designed (e.g. conversations); it’s at Big Brothers discretion to use the footage.

33. Will Housemates be allowed to practice their religion?

It is one of the prerequisites of joining the house that all members are tolerant, and any practices housemates wish to follow will be tolerated.

34. Will Housemates see no one for three months except the housemates?

This is correct except for a psychologist, doctor or dentist should they request or require one. In certain instances, Housemates may be asked to entertain or host a special guest.

35. How big is the House?

The House has a large living space and two communal bedrooms and is attached to a spacious garden. It also has one large open plan living area, kitchen, bathroom, toilet, diary room and storeroom. There are only two communal bedrooms. Housemates will have to share. However the House may have sections incorporated into it that Big Brother may choose to reveal at his discretion.

36. Can Housemates buy stuff while in the house?

Housemates can only influence the group as to how they all should spend a communal budget. No individual purchases are allowed.

37. Do I have to enter with a partner for BIG BROTHER AFRICA 8?

No, the new season is only open to individual entries. You should not enter with a partner.

By AfricaMagic / DStv Online

Big Brother Africa Season 8 Audition Dates & Venues

 

In less than three months, new Housemates will be revealed in Season 8 of AfricaMagic's Big Brother Africa and one of them could be you. Following an overwhelming entry response from the 14 participating countries, AfricaMagic is happy to announce that the Audition phase has arrived and you stand a chance of being a Housemate on of the most successful television series on the continent.

Audition dates and venues:

Auditions for shortlisted candidates in;

Ethiopia will take place at Raddisson Blu Hotel in Addis Ababa on Monday 11 March to Wednesday 13 March from 09:00.

South Africa will take place at The Bassline in Johannesburg on Monday 11 March to Wednesday 13 March from 09:00.

Malawi will take place at Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe on Monday 11 March to Wednesday 13 March from 09:00.

Nigeria will take place at Protea Hotel Leadway in Lagos on Monday 11 March to Thursday 14 March from 09:00.

Botswana will take place at Cresta President Hotel in Gaborone on Friday 15 March to Saturday 16 March from 09:00.

Kenya will take place at The Kenyatta International Conference Centre K.I.C.C in Nairobi on Friday 15 March to Sunday 17 March from 09:00.

Zambia will take place at Intercontinental Lusaka in Lusaka on Friday 15 March to Sunday 17 March from 09:00.

Ghana will take place at Holiday Inn Accra Airport in Accra on Saturday 16 March to Monday 18 March from 09:00.

Namibia will take place at the Hilton Windhoek Hotel in Windhoek on Monday 18 March to Wednesday 20 March from 09:00 am.

Zimbabwe will take place at the Rainbow Towers in Harare on Tuesday 19 March to Thursday 21 March from 09:00 am.

Tanzania will take place at the Atlantis Hotel in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday 19 March to Thursday 21 March from 09:00 am.

Sierra Leone will take place at the Country Lodge Hotel in Freetown on Wednesday 20 March to Friday 22 March from 09:00 am.

Angola will take place at the Skyna Hotel in Luanda on Friday 22 March to Saturday 23 March from 09:00 am.

Uganda will take place at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel in Kampala on Saturday 23 March to Monday 25 March from 09:00 am.

However, if you were unable to enter online or submit the entry at your nearest MultiChoice office, the good news is that there is still an opportunity to enter through the Open Auditions on the same dates, venue and time.

The Open Auditions allow individuals that were unable to enter before entries closed one last chance to impress the selection team. All you are required to do is fill in the entry form which is currently available at your nearest MultiChoice office, then make your way to the audition venue where a production team member will assist you.

Remember, entries are only open to persons over the age of 21, who are citizens of one of the participating countries and who either have a valid passport or will be able to obtain one by the end of March.

The 14 participating countries this year are; Angola, Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Producers are looking for persons who are fluent in English, entertaining, open-minded, adventurous, bold and passionate about the Big Brother experience. Importantly the selection team is looking for qualities of tolerance, determination and enthusiasm.

Having recently reached 1 million likes on Facebook and currently sitting with over 285 000 Twitter followers, these interactive platforms are amongst the many ways that audiences will be kept updated on all the latest news on the eighth season of Big Brother Africa, leading up to the 26th of May when new Housemates will be revealed to audiences in 47 countries across Africa.

The prize money of USD 300 000 is up for grabs to the last Housemate standing, will it be you?

By AfricaMagic

Karen Igho Talks About Her First Love

I am the kind of girl that when I am with a guy, I am with a guy. I do not cheat or double date. I stick to one man. I am a faithful, loyal, honest and God-fearing kind of person. When I do anything, I put myself in the person’s shoes. 

I was about 22 years old when I had my first heartbreak. The guy travelled to America, so we had to call it quits. He was a nice person but I had to move on. A lot of things happened. I am from a strict Christian home, so I did not start dating till I was about 19 years old. He was the first person I had sex with. I did not lose my virginity till I was quite old. Because I have a petite figure, people don’t know how old I am. I was 20 years old when I lost my virginity.

I Refused To Have S3x, Bath Unclad In The Big Brother House - Karen Igho

Karen Igho, co-winner of Big Brother Amplified in 2011, tells Ademola Olonilua about her life.

How I feel about a new season of Big Brother Africa starting soon

To be honest, the spotlight cannot be shifted from me because it is God that put me there. I know where I am coming from. Do not forget there is a BBA winner from South Africa already and I am still where I am. The thing is, if people like you, they like you. If they want your star to stop shining, it will. If you are humble, grateful and real with people, you would still on top. If you are bitchy, you will not last long. I am taking corrections from people who have been there like Derenle and Uti. I am trying to learn from them. Whoever emerges as winner, I wish them the best.

Rumours about my friends -Denrele and Uti

This interview is not about them. It is about me, Karen Igho. I am not here to discuss people’s sexuality. It does not concern me.

About my boob job

People need to understand that I did not do it to impress anybody. I did it for me. When I did it, I was young and the reason I did it was because I had lumps; they took out some tissues and in the process, my breasts reduced. At that time and age, I was insecure that I had lumps that could develop into cancer and my boobs were small, so I went to get implants. They are not even that big; sometimes it is my bra that makes them big and people would be talking about my breasts like they have never seen breasts before. I did not do it for anybody. It was for me and because of the way I felt. I really thank God because a lot of women have cancer but mine did not get to that stage. Two of my sisters also had lumps, it is hereditary. My aunt died because of blood cancer, my granddad died because of brain cancer and my uncle died because of eye cancer.

I am partnering NGOs

I am involved with Non Governmental Organisations that are into any type of cancer awareness programme. On my birthday, I went to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital to see kids with cancer. I asked them what they needed and some of them needed a transplant, some needed blood, and I helped the little way I could. I do not limit it to cancer alone. The campaign for HIV and AIDS is also something I am passionate about. There is also the youth empowerment programme too. I see myself as a stepping stone for other youths who are out there struggling; youths who are asking themselves if they can make it because Nigeria is a tough country to live in. Yes, you can make it if you put your mind to it and work hard. Look at me, from nothing to something. I want people to learn from me.

My early days

I grew up in the village. I stayed with my grandmother and we lived in a mud house. Whenever it rained, we would be soaked inside the house. The food we ate then was straight from the bush. I had a lot of bush meat, that is why I love Nigerian food. I call them vintage food. Although I eat international dishes, I prefer Nigerian food. I also like to cook because I learnt it from my mother and my grandmother. My father died when I was 12 years old. Growing up for me was not easy. My dad is from a wealthy family, he is Peter Igho’s brother. It was the situation and circumstance at that point in time. I bet if he was alive he would have seen things in a different way. I was abused as a child, not sexually. I was maltreated because I had to live with relatives. Nobody would treat you like their own. My parents had me when they were young and they had various things they wanted to do. I had to stay with different relatives. I was beaten well.

The Big Brother House experience

I won Big Brother and I am grateful to the people that voted for me. The one I picked on the most was how easily people can be lied to. It is not good. How tabloids fabricated lies and gave them to the public to read and they bought them, without knowing how true those stories were. What I have learnt from life is that it is not good to judge. It is not every girl you see that is a bad girl; because these days, the good girls are now the bad girls and the bad girls are now the good girls. I know that God would always be with me. I could not defend myself but God defended me because if I had got out of the Big Brother House and did not win, I would have been the most hated housemate in Big Brother history. I thank God for making me win and making people see me for who I am. The people saw that there is more to me than meets the eye, I thank God for that. They gave me 91 days to showcase the kind of person that I am and I did and that was what Africa fell in love with.

Being an ex-stripper

Where did you get your source from? Can you please give me evidence and proof? Even the pictures are all ‘photoshop’. It is not fair because at the end of the day, I will want to get married and do some other things. I know when I was in the house, people were expecting me to be the one to have sex, they were expecting me to be the one to shower naked first. With the way I behaved in the house, people could have figured out that I am different from what they have read about me. The only thing I have is my pride and dignity. My privacy and my body are reserved for my future husband. For 91 days, I refused to bath naked, I was using a bikini and lingerie to have my bath. I took about 20 bikinis into the house to have shower with and to protect my pride. Coming out and seeing my own people trying to bring me down made me feel bad. Other African countries were not laughing at me but the writers of the negative stories because they watched me and analysed me based on the way I acted in the house. They concluded that I could not have been the same girl. My fans, the real Karenfied, were really supportive and I am very grateful.

How I was assaulted last year by a policeman

That particular day, it was my friend, Denrele, that invited me to an event and I had to honour his invitation. I had my tag and my invite. I even took a friend, to tell you how many invites I had. I even took my own bouncer. Before the incident happened, my bouncer had been discharged to go home. If he was there, it would not have happened. People always quote what happened that day wrongly. It was a MOPOL officer, not a bouncer that hit me. A policeman in uniform did it to a citizen. The reason I want to talk about it is because no man is allowed to hit a woman just like that. I got to the event and parked, but the guy said he was saving the space for someone and that if I was not going to give him money, I should park somewhere else. I asked if he was for the party and he said ‘yes’.I told him that I was also for the party, but he insisted that I give him money. I told him to let me go to the event and return. When I got back, I saw that my car had been blocked in such a way that I could not move out. He allowed someone else park behind me on purpose because I did not give him money. I told him that I wanted to leave and he should help me look for the owner of the car. He told me he wasn’t working for me. I told him that the event was organised by Smirnoff Ice and they were the ones that hired him; he said ‘yes’. Then I asked why he was angry. He said he would not do anything till I give him money. I told him not to worry that if it was how he wanted it to be done, I would need his name. I think the man did not really know who I was. My friend was even with me, she just got back from the UK. She too was shocked. I asked for his name but he said he would not give me and if I talk anyhow, he would slap me. I asked him if it was because he was holding a gun and putting on a uniform. Before I knew it, the guy gave me a heavy slap. The slap sent me to the floor. My jaw shifted and my face was swollen for a week. I had a concussion on my head. There were witnesses. He threatened he was going to shoot if anyone helped me. When he realised what he had done, and seeing that people were moving towards the scene, he fled. I got his name and told the organisers what happened and they sprang into action. I was traumatised and shocked, I got scared. I told them I was going to sue for what they caused me, but we later settled out of court.

My first heartbreak

I am the kind of girl that when I am with a guy, I am with a guy. I do not cheat or double date. I stick to one man. I am a faithful, loyal, honest and God-fearing kind of person. When I do anything, I put myself in the person’s shoes. I was about 22 years old when I had my first heartbreak. The guy travelled to America, so we had to call it quits. He was a nice person but I had to move on. A lot of things happened. I am from a strict Christian home, so I did not start dating till I was about 19 years old. He was the first person I had sex with. I did not lose my virginity till I was quite old. Because I have a petite figure, people don’t know how old I am. I was 20 years old when I lost my virginity.

A fan that proposed to me

I went for a show in Warri, Facebook Unplugged. I turned him down because then, I just won Big Brother. I did not know him and he just gave me a ring. I said ‘no’ because I did not know him. He could be psychotic, who knows? I think he was playing, though. It was nice of him. At that time, I did not know if he loved me or my money. If he comes now, I will probably consider him because it is about a year and a half now. I have invested the money.

My current relationship

You never know when it comes to relationships. I say so because you can be seeing someone for about a year and it does not work out because it was not meant to be. Maybe because of my busy schedule or my career. I might be seeing someone now, but it does not mean that few months later, I will not be single. At the moment, I am seeing somebody but I want to see how it goes.

By Ademola Olonilua / The Punch

Goldie Stole My Husband - Ifeoma Harvey

Just when you thought the drama is over, more negative stories continue to trail late Goldie Harvey:

"She never knew that one day death would come calling. She rendered that man useless, took all his money and right now Andrew Harvey is lying in the hospital in Malaysia," said Ifeoma.

Few days after an Igbo lady, Miss Nkem said she was happy that Goldie was dead, another woman named Ifeoma Harvey, has come out to say that Goldie stole her husband (Andrew Harvey) from her!

Ifeoma shared her part of the story, claiming that she and Goldie were best friends a while back. According to Ifeoma, Goldie waited for the opportune moment to elope with Andrew Harvey in Nigeria, while he was still married to her (Ifeoma).

Below is what she wrote about Goldie:

"Goldie went to Malaysia to visit the sick man before going to USA (for the Grammys) and came back to meet her mysterious death. Goldie is a liar, pretender and desperado. She wants to get money and fame at all cost...forced her trashy music down our throat, went to BBA and messed up with Prezzo... married woman indeed!

"Why is Andrew posting their so-called marriage pics now? Maybe the charm she used has cleared from his eyes! He should shut the hell up and pray for quick recovery from his sick bed in Malaysia. After that he can go back to London and beg his wife and two kids for forgiveness!"

Why Goldie And I Kept Our Marriage Secret - Andrew Harvey

 

Barely 48 hours after pop singer, Oluwabimpe Susan Harvey, fondly known as Goldie Harvey died, controversy over her marital status continues.

Perhaps because of her music career, the late singer decided to play down her marital affairs, and the desire to participate in the Big Brother StarGame House, without her colleagues treating her as a married woman.

Andrew Leonard Harvey, a senior contract engineer based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and husband of the deceased said everything that happened in the Big Brother House was a game that was long over, after the late singer was evicted.

However, the controversy over the singer’s status has gone viral ever since these fresh facts emerged, including the marriage pictures released on Goldie’s Facebook page by her husband.

Fans of the late singer have been reacting to the ensuing controversy, one of which centres on her alleged romance with Prezzo, a Kenyan rapper and one of the contenders in the BBA StarGame House. He was reported to be in Nigeria on St Valentine’s Day with an engagement ring for the late songstress.

As if that was not enough, another woman, who identified herself as Ifeoma Harvey, is claiming the late singer ‘stole’ her husband. The anonymous lady, who claimed to have two kids for Harvey, said that she was Goldie’s best friend until the deceased seduced the man into a secret wedding in Nigeria.

But the wedding pictures which Harvey posted online do not suggest any thing secret about the union. Both parents and family members were at the wedding which looked elaborate. Harvey’s dad and mum, who flew in from the United Kingdom, were attired in traditional wears during the engagement. There were also evidences of an elaborate church wedding.

Harvey almost dismissed as untrue insinuations that his late wife may have died of drug related ailment. According to him, Goldie never used drugs in the last 10 years that he knew her. They were married in 2005.

Perhaps, apart from the fact that the late singer never wore a wedding band, was part of the reasons people never took her seriously each time she mentioned casually that she was married. Harvey said, even he had not been wearing their wedding ring; adding that it was a matter of choice. “We had wedding bands and swapped them at the church wedding, they were oversize. After the wedding I was on assignment in Houston and took them for resizing. The day of leaving, all my things were stolen from my hired car and I had to delay my journey to get new passport and visa. We both agreed that as the blessed rings had been stolen, we did not want to wear unblessed rings. From there, we decided that neither of us would wear ring again.”

He said, the reason she wasn’t flaunting her marital status was their preference as husband and wife. This, they believed, would keep their private life out of public view. He noted that pictures of their wedding were not displayed in their Ikoyi home, as all the pictures and reference have been kept in the UK.

On the purported engagement ring that Prezzo was meant to give to Goldie on Valentine’s day, Harvey admitted spotting it on the internet, but said, since the Kenyan never knew about him and his marriage to Goldie, it would be difficult to accuse him of poaching: “But now he knows, the family and I would prefer he maintains a low profile and allow us to grieve our loss. The BBA game is over now,” he said curtly, adding that they had asked the ‘lover boy’ not to attend the burial. He said the family is not happy with the development, and that he thought that Prezzo should respect the wishes of her parents.

On why he is just publishing the photographs of their wedding, Harvey said it was the decision taken by him and Goldie’s family and that it was necessary for the world to know everything before the pop singer is buried.

By Akande and Adetutu Audu / The Nation NG

I Asked Goldie To Be Controversial - Husband

Andrew Harvey, the British husband of the late singer and ex-Big Brother Africa housemate, Goldie, has said he had no problems with his late wife’s lifestyle, adding that he even encouraged her to be controversial because it is “marketable.”

In an online interview with SUNDAY PUNCH, Andrew said that his marriage to the singer was a happy one and they had only recently decided to have children together.

Asked if he agreed with Goldie’s controversial behaviour at the BBA house, he  said, “We (Goldie and I) knew the pitfalls of the show and understood the game strategy. I think she did very well, I said ‘make controversy because people love it.’”

Andrew, who is an engineer and has been married to the deceased since 2005, said he decided to stay in the shadows because of the nature of his job.

He said he encouraged Goldie’s lifestyle and wanted her to be happy at all times, adding that he didn’t want to stop her from fulfilling her dreams.

Andrew said he and Goldie had dreams of growing old together and was sad that this was no longer possible.

“Goldie and I preferred this way (secrecy) because I did not want media attention because of my work.  I had no disagreement with her lifestyle and I encouraged her to follow her dreams. We often joked about being together like a pair of old slippers.

“I did not want her to say ‘if only’ when we were wearing those slippers. That was why I encouraged her to live her dreams,” he said.

Andrew, who is an expatriate in Nigeria, denied reports in some quarters that his wife died as a result of substance abuse. He said Goldie had never been involved in hard drug.

Asked about their long-term goals  together, Andrew said Goldie’s demise was very painful because they had agreed last Christmas to have children together.

He said apart from their personal goals, they had planned to set up a charity organisation which would cater for the less privileged.

“We planned to set up a Non-governmental Organisation to help the less fortunate achieve their potential,” he said.

By Eniola Akinkuotu / The Punch

Goldie's Husband Andrew Harvey Shares Their Wedding Photos In Her Memory

Goldie's husband, Andrew Harvey has shared photographs of the couple together. From their wedding photographs to more recent photographs of them together in a Facebook album tagged "Memories of my Darling wife."

According to him, the date was December 8, 2005 for their traditional wedding and December 10, 2005 for their church wedding.

Mr. Harvey also appealed to Prezzo to “Leave our family to grieve in peace. You have caused enough hurt and pain” via his Facebook page. See the pictures below..