TODAY IN NIGERIA:CELTEL, TINAPA REVEALS STAKE IN THE INTERN BUSINESS REALITY SHOW

Story and Photo by Niyi Tabiti
Chief Reporter

Few hours ago in Lagos, Nigeria, the sponsors of this year’s edition of The Intern Business reality show affirm their commitment and resolve to promote a new crop of entrepreneurs with rare talents.They intend making the participants employers rather than making them employees
Last Year, the reality show was sponsored by Bank PHB.All the 10 finalists were offered employment opportunities. Two of them, however, declined to work with the bank. They prefer to do their own private businesses.
The press conference took place at Vault opposite Mega Plaza, Victoria Island. According to Ofem E.Ofem, the purpose of the second edition is to reach for greater heights. When asked why the event was not sponsored this year by Bank PHB,the previous headline sponsors,Ofem said We don’t want to create more employees. We want to create small scale businesses through the finalists, instead of having people who work for sponsors. We want a situation where the finalists can be set with some money, lets say N2 Million Naira. If 9 people get that amount, multiply the effect on the economy...”
Chris Adetayo,the sponsorship manager of Celtel disclosed that Celtel would continue to be partner in progress to fantastic ideas aim at promoting Nigerian youth. He disclosed that the commitment of Celtel to the last West African Idol is still a talk of the town to date.
Daniel Ologunleko, the representative of Tinapa Business Resort at the press conference said people should rest assure of a wonderful show .He said TINAPA business resort is ready to host the housemates in Cross River State.
The reality show would be shown on AIT International, across Europe and some parts of USA.It would also be on local TV stations across the country. Billed to start in March,it would be for 13 weeks.

Pix show-Chris Oyetayo,Ofem,Hamilton and Ologunleko at the press briefing this afternoon (6 February 2008)

NIGERIA'S MOST CONTROVERSIAL HIP HOP COUPLE SAYS "STARTING A CHURCH IS A CALLING"

Story & Photo by Niyi Tabiti
Chief Reporter

This afternoon, I had a phone conversation with a friend who works in one of Nigeria’s leading radio stations. She gave me a lead into a story on hip hop singer, Soul E
She hinted that Nigeria’s most controversial hip hop couple, Emmanuel Okose, popularly known as Soul E and his better half, Queen Ure Okezie seems to be taking their church project seriously. I couldn’t argue with her because I have come to realize that ‘anything can happen’ especially in showbiz.
“Soul E turns church owner or pastor?” I asked myself. I learnt they are using their residence on Adeyemo Akapo Street, Omole Estate Phase 1, right now. I could not reach Soul E on the phone but he told my friend that the Church thing with Ure is a calling from God. He also disclosed that they already have about 50 committed members .

It should be recalled that the couple were sent away by their pastor,Rev.Chris Okotie of Household of God.Okotie disapproved their liaison, insisting that it was ungodly.
Soul E and Ure became the most talked about couple in town last year due to the age difference between them. While Soul E is said to be 24, Ure his beautiful wife is about 35 years. Lot of people was against it because such thing is rather strange in Africa. Some people even think it is part of showbiz gimmick until Soul E followed Ure to her hometown for the normal traditional do.Today,they live together.
Ure, daughter of a former minister in Nigeria, use to work with First Inland Bank. The well connected Ure also drives choice cars, a more reason people think Soul E was only out for ‘gold digging’.Gold digging or not,Ure has re packaged Soul E.He looks chubby and now dresses like a true showbiz personality.

The first time I saw Ure and Soul E together was at the residence of RMD.Iretiola Doyle had her 40th birthday there.RMD was not at home but Jumobi, his wife hosted everyone right.Patrick Doyle,the husband of the celebrant was also a perfect host.

Soul E and Ure came in the midnight and enjoyed themselves thoroughly.The party was shortly before their romance went public.To say the truth, I never knew they were dating.I knew Ure was a banker, I thought,she was only being 'friendly' with a bank customer.You know the 'marketing, marketing' stuff.At the party, I only tried to get the picture of Funlola Aofiyebi's boyfriend.She had been hiding the fellow from journalists.She realised what i was trying to do and said "I know what you are trying to do.When she was leaving around 3 a.m in a jetta car with the guy I said "goodbye" and she answered with emphasis "You toooooooo, goooood night!"

TINAPA,CELTEL READY FOR INTERN REALITY SHOW

Story by Niyi Tabiti

Chief Reporter

Photo-The Intern Library

Do you remember, the first business reality show in Nigeria, known as THE INTERN? The first edition took place last year and it was sponsored by Bank PHB.We gathered that the second edition would soon be on the air.This time around, it would be supported by Celtel,one of Nigeria's leading telecommunication company,Tinapa and other corporate organisations.

The details of the shape things would take is still sketchy at the time of going to press but we have been invited to a press conference where issues would be addressed by Mr.Ofem E. Ofem,President of the reality show.

Apart from winning prizes,all the participants at the the first edition were offered employment with Bank PHB.Some of them,however,declined due to personal reasons.Trust us to feed you back on the latest info. Who knows the winner of this year's own 'fit be u o!'

Pix Shows one of last year's housemates

BETWEEN MR.NIGERIA AND TITI FANTA

Story & Photo by Niyi Tabiti
Chief Reporter

The romance between the current Mr.Nigeria, Brian Okwara and Titi Adelagun may have hit the rocks. We gathered that it is now stale story in town to identify Mr.Nigeria with Titi.Sources disclosed that the title of ‘My Fiancee’ which Brian used in describing the model fondly call Titi Fanta has ceased to exist.
The funny part is that shortly after Brian became the winner of the Mr.Nigeria title last year at Silverbird Galleria, Titi also contested for the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria at Eko Hotel and Suites. The contest is also an annual peagent put together by Silverbird Productions.She represented Lagos.Unfortunately, she did not make the last 5 on the list.
If she had won, then, the lovers would have made history as ‘King and Queen’ (although unofficially).

In case you don’t know,Titi,who had done various modeling jobs, particulary for Fanta (A beverage drink on the stable of Nigerian Bottling Company Plc) ,use to date Derele Edun of Soundcity.The relationship later packed up. I saw her and Derele dancing recently. We don’t know whether Titi and Derele are back but sources insist, she is no more Brian's African queen.

Pix show Titi Fanta and other contestants last year.She is wearing the Miss Lagos logo.

MOYO AND BODE MAKANJUOLA IN MARITAL BLISS

Story & Photo by Niyi Tabiti
Chief Reporter

While Moji, one of the daughters of Otunba Alex Onabanjo is going through what many describe as the most trying period of her life because of her ‘ill-fated’ marriage to Gbenga Obasanjo, her sister, Moyo is enjoying marital bliss with her husband, Bode Makanjuola of Carverton Helicopters.
Moyo and Bode Makanjuola now rank among the hottest couples in town. We have seen them together at different events.Bode have been pampering his better half. We saw the two of them at the ongoing Lagos Polo tournament. A friend disclosed “it is shame to those who believe that Bode was a play boy, as such was not ready to settle down.They have been proved wrong because of the way the young man has been playing his role as a married man”
The two got married in a talk of the town ceremony sometime ago in Ago Iwoye,Ogun State.

IBINABO DELIVERS BABY GIRL FOR FRED AMATA

Story and photo by Niyi Tabiti

Chief Reporter

Former beauty queen,Ibinabo Fiberesima has finally delivered a baby girl for star actor,Fred Amata in London.According to a source in Britain,Ibinabo is overjoyed at the moment.

When yours truly broke the pregnacy story,she was very mad.She describe the story and reporter as being mischievious.Months later,the baby has landed and no more denial.Fred and his television host wife,Agata went their seperate ways sometime ago due to allegation and counter allegation of infidelity.Agata was accused of going out with producer of Osofia in London,Mr.Kingsley Ogoro.Their divorce suit is still pending in court.

Alot of people are, however, against ibinabo.They accused her of husband snatching.

WESTSTAR SHOWCASES 18 MILLION NAIRA BENZ JEEP

Story and Photo by Niyi Tabiti
Chief Reporter

Yesterday, I told you that Mohammed Babangida and members of his El Amin polo team defeated Kaduna Xenon, a team sponsord by Alhaji Ahmed Dasuki.There was also a command performance for Mercedes Benz G Class jeep by the two teams and Captain of the Lagos Polo Club,Mr.Francis Ogboro.Weststar,the major distributor of Benz in Nigeria is one of the sponsors of the tournament.
Those who work with the company told me that the asking price of the jeep is 18 million Naira.Trust, some of the billonaires have started eyeing the it.

TODAY IN NIGERIA: MOHAMMED BABANGIDA DAZZLES AT LAGOS POLO

Story & Photo by Niyi Tabiti
Chief Reporter

Mohammed, the first son of ex-military President of Nigeria, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (rtd), dazzle a lot of his admirers, as he led his team to victory at the Lagos Polo Tournament this evening (3 February 2008)
El-Amin 1, the polo team owned by Mohammed beat Kaduna Xenon team by 16-6 points. Other members of Mohammed’s team are Hamisu Buba, Bello Buba and IbrahimMohammed.Members of Kaduna Xenon are Ibrahim Abba, Suleman Abubakar,Richard Eric Pohl and Baba Kyari
The son of Nigeria’s ex-president did his best in defending most of the hits that would have turned into goals for Kaduna Xenon. He also scored some goals but the man who deerves 'Man of the match' title is Hamisu Buba.He was the 'hit man' for the Babangida team.
Mohammed spends a fortune taking care of the ponies. Most of them are imported from countries such as Argentina,Senegal and Brazil. This year, Mohammed storms the Polo tournament with three teams. The teams are El-Amin 1, El-Amin 2 and El-Amin 3.
The well connected millionaire is always one of the star attractions at every polo tournament. Unlike many silverspoons, the young Babangida is full of humility.
He told http://www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com/ that his teams are very prepared to win cups in the various categories they are competing.

Expectedly,there were so many young millionaires and other important dignitaries in attendance.The list includes Speaker of Nigeria's House of Representative,Mr.Dimeji Bankole,Lagos State Commissioner of Police,Mr.Haruna Abubakar,A former Presidential aspirant and a prominent member of Nigeria Polo Association,Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi,Managing Director of Polo Nigeria Limited(retailers of world expensive wrist watches)Mr.John Obayuwana,Bode Makanjuola of Caverton Helicopters,Ismaila Yar'dua and several others.

Need I tell you that there were several beautiful ladies also in attendance?

Picture shows Mohammed while getting set for the game around 5 P.M today (3 February 2008)

DONALD DUKE'S LOVE FOR DRIVING

Story by Niyi Tabiti

Photo-Elendureports.com

Donald Duke, the ex-governor of Cross River State is really enjoying himself. While most of his mates durning the regime of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, are facing problems of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Donald loves to drive around town. Unlike others in his class who would not go out without a large retinue of security personnel, Duke was alone.
He is very discreet about it. I saw him driving himself the other day. He came to Silverbird Galleria around 9 P.M.As he was trying to enter through the back gate, the security men tried to stop him but immediately one of them recognized him,they almost fall over themselves as they allowed him. He did not spend up to ten minutes before he left the place.
Duke who was adjudged the most handsome state governor durning the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo brought a lot of developmental projects to his state. In particular, Cross River became a tourist haven.

Duke was heavily supported by his Onari,his beautiful wife

OGUNLEWE IS NOW 'MINISTER OF ENJOYMENT'

Story-Niyi Tabiti

Moyo Ogunlewe's photo-Niyi Tabiti

Adeseye Ogunlewe's photo-nairaland.com

Chief Adeseye Ogunlewe, Nigeria’s former Minister of Works may no longer be in government but he remains the minister of ‘enjoyment’ in town. We saw the ex-minister the other day at one of the A-list clubs in Victoria Island. He came alone in his jeep but left with ‘something’ special.
One of those who had encountered him on one or two occasions told gistmaster that Ogunlewe likes enjoying himself no doubt but he is full of humility. "Whenever he comes around,you don't to see him showing everybody that he was once a high ranking minister in this country.It seems the man is trying to fade away all the political hassles he had gone through in the past from his mind"

Moyo, the ex-minister’s son is also a chip of the old bloc. The University of Lagos student, club very well and all the big names in school respect him. He won the most 'Influential Student Award' at the UNILAG/Questionmark award. Moyo also has a younger brother who is also abig boy in town.
On the other hand, Chief Ogunlewe remains a member of the leading Peoples Democratic Party. He saw the bitter side of politics when he was sacked from the cabinet of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.He was also arrested and interrogated when his political rival, Chief Funsho Williams was assassinated in Lagos. At that time, he dropped the idea of contesting as Governor of the state. It automatically paved the away for Musiliu Obanikoro’s nomination at the last election.

Pix 1-Moyo Ogunlewe

pix 2-Chief Adeseye Ogunlewe

UBA PARTNER MTN TO BRING DRAGONS DEN, WORLD’S HOTTEST BUSINESS REALITY SHOW TO NIGERIA.

Entrepreneurs in Nigeria with great ideas will soon be provided a platform to give it expression as the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc in association with MTN Nigeria brings the widely successful business television show, Dragons Den to Nigerian television viewers.
Dragons Den is one of the hottest television reality formats in the global television market. Developed by Sony Pictures, the show has been a hit around the world, including UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Thanks to UBA and MTN, Dragons Den Nigeria will be produced in Africa for the first time in the history of show.
The idea behind the show is to give aspiring entrepreneurs, known as “Pitchers” the opportunity to present their business ideas to a panel of five “Dragons”, i.e. successful entrepreneurs and investors. The Pitchers must make their pitch to the Dragons and tell them how much money they need to meet their goals and how much equity (ownership) they are willing to give up in return. Each Dragon brings N10 million of his own money to the table, thus putting a princely sum of N50 million of potential investment up for grabs, the biggest amount in the history of African reality television.
Giving more insight on the show,which will debut in February 2007 with call for entries, Mrs. Celine Loader, Divisional Head, Corporate Communications, UBA Plc, said the show would provide Pitchers with every opportunity the to part the Dragons from their money. Moreover, she also expressed UBA’s commitment to the socio-economic uplift of the regions within which the group operates saying, “Dragons Den is unlike any other reality show currently on television. Apart from its signature ‘nail-biting’ tension scenes, it also has a lot of educational value. Nigeria is a nation of highly enterprising and hard working people, many of whom just need the guidance of a seasoned mind and adequate funding to get their dreams off the ground. Dragons Den aims to entertain and educate viewers on how best to go about selling that great business idea.”
UBA, she said, is Headline Sponsor of the Dragons Den Nigeria because of its belief in the importance of Small and Medium Enterprises as the engine of every economy. “Dragons Den represents an extension of UBA’s commitment to the development of the SME sector, through funding, advisory services and other areas of support.
On its part, MTN Nigeria has described its association with Dragons Den as a continued demonstration of its “Can Do” value and GO philosophy. According to its Senior Manager, Consumer Brands, Mr. Biodun Odejayi, “MTN believes in connecting to people’s passions in life so that they can go and achieve their dreams. Dragons Den will certainly empower a lot of young Nigerians to go forth and bring their dream projects to life.”
Dragons Den Nigeria is produced by Storm Vision, one of Nigeria's leading television production companies whose mission is to set the standard for dynamic and innovative content, programming and production services and facilities for TV, film and interactive platforms. Past Storm Vision productions include Brother Nigeria, Doctors' Quarters and Amstel Box Office (AMBO).
On how he feels the show would impact on Nigerians, Remi Ogunpitan, Managing Director of Storm Vision, said, "This will be another top class Storm production. There will be no other show like it. Although it would appear like a TV game-show, it is not a game. The Dragons are putting up their own money and the Pitchers are presenting real business opportunities. In addition to being great entertainment, Dragons Den Nigeria gives viewers an inside look into how to present and how not to present a business idea. It also shows how potential investors make decisions about where to put their money."

Pix (From Right) Mr.Ogunpitan,Mrs.Loader of UBA and Mr.Biodun Odejayi of MTN