TAOFICK OKOYA PLANS BIG WITH CHILDREN's DAY FIESTA

The ‘Children’s Fiesta’ is a child empowerment program designed to celebrate the African child’s positive attributes through fun filled and enlightening activities.

This year’s edition will be held in a prestigious venue in Victoria Island. The inaugural event is themed ‘’Taking Tomorrow Today’’ and is specifically designed to inspire kids as well as enhance their career development skills for future.

To the vast majority of people, toys are mere play item or pacifier for children a lot of thought does not really go into which toys best serve the purpose as a great tool towards a child's development. A lot of is dumped in the mind of children subliminally both positive and negative which can be later detected in their character at a much later stage (especially in their teenage years). We need to see toys for what they really are…..A fun developmental tool.

Generations over the years having been passing on to kids toys in different shapes and sizes not fully realizing the psychological impact it has on them. In this age and time our thoughts, decisions and actions are influenced externally especially in young children.

There is a need for role models they can easily identify with in their likeness that can sharpen their moral values and bring them closer to their culture. Hence, Queens of Africa project; a social-cultural and educative innovation, with positive life changing initiative, set up to empower, promote and support Nigerian/African girl child.

The main aim of Queens Of Africa is present to the African/Nigerian girl child household dolls with African concept and origin with the view to position it as the world’s number one symbol of pride and entertainment. In addition, empower by adding value to the African/Nigeria child especially the girl child to be confident and ethically matured to become the ideal and perfect role model.

And what better way do we have than to usher in this project with the forthcoming children’s day! A day where we take time off our busy schedules to have fun with our kids and pay them the true attention they need. So ‘Children’s Day Fiesta 2011’ has been put together with a double goal of creating a platform for introducing ‘Queens of Africa’ as well as mark an event in grand style.

The event will see parents and their children participate in fun-filled activities and win ‘Queens of Africa ‘dolls. A onetime event, this will inspire and more so set the ball rolling for a clearer perception of African Dolls and similar art.

Developed by entrepreneur and philanthropist Toafick Okoya, the program has reached tens of thousands of children across Africa contributing significantly to education programs, particularly in Nigeria. The website www.queensofafrica.com has lots of information about the Queens and the wider work the program is involved in.

TEBAZILE + ACNE

Acne's Fall 2011 RTW Collection was true to it's androgynous approach with chunky, yet functional shapes. Every year there is something new and different in the approach to fashion. Do I mix this red purse with those red heels to finish this look? Or, would it be better if I wore this striped skirt with that floral top? We have gone from matchy matchy to mix and match, to don't even match, just mix, then all the way back around, and tweaked somewhere in the middle. Confusing? I suppose that is the beauty of fashion. It's not meant to be taken so seriously. It's a grand way to express ourselves and should always be fun!

Monochromatic looks have taken to the runway, and Acne did a fantastic job in creating such looks that are still wearable by switching up textures and throwing on non-matchy shoes. What really striked my fancy is, although Acne's color palette this season was so different from other colors I have seen on other runways, full of dusty pinks, mustards, burgundies and lime olives, there are Tebazile Pieces in very similar, if not the same color as nearly all the pieces in his collection!

Here, Tebazile paired Acne's looks with the Tebazile Pieces that mirror in hue.

Colors are such a definite way to express feeling and when textures and silhouettes are included... well, I'll leave that part for you to answer.

This COBALT BLUE is electrifying. Acne did wonders by topping this entire ensemble off with silver strappy shoes with a wooden platform.  Tebazile's Teardrop Cobalt Blue Stitch Earrings are an unbelievable mate to this look.   They definitely add even more funk to this fun look!

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  It's such a BEAUTIFUL hue.  The two different shades of dusty pink in this ensemble is so girly even in androgynous silhouettes.  The PERFECT ring that blends in, but stands out is this Tebazile Dusty Pink Stone ring.  This ring is GORGEOUS, and immediately when I saw this ensemble, this ring came to mind.  LOVE!

 The loose black sweater is a PERFECT match for Tebazile's Sanddollar Bib Necklace.  It's simple silhouette and color is a perfect canvas for the intricacy of the necklace.  The gold, copper, silver and oxidized metal is a mirror of the color block pants -- the contrast of the circles and squares magnifies the difference in textures and patterns.

Who doesn't love a good deep tan mustard?  Even describing the color is complex! This look all together is very very lovely.  The billowy turtleneck, paired with the leather jacket inspired skirt, and brown oxfords, Uh-Mazing!  Now let's add some funk by adding Tebazile's Swirl Circle Earrings with pearls that match up PERFECTLY.  These really throw in the swirl to the look.

With the vibrant olive hue Acne's dare to be different, here approach is very similar to Tebazile's arrangment of colors in the Chunky Necklace below.  The colors on the necklace and the hue of the jacket is a great way to achieve BOLD and DIFFERENT.

Turn up your approach with any of these Tebazile pieces by visiting our website at www.tebazile.com or our store in Accra, Ghana. For any other inquiries, please feel free to email us at info@tebazile.com

Tebazile Showroom
Aly's Place
Blohum Street (across Medifem Hospital)
Dzorwulu, Accra - Ghana

Culled from Tebazile Jewelry

MAGAZINE RACK - FUNKE AKINDELE , RHIAN BENSON & OMOTOLA

Check out our cover girls for the week all dotting a spot of red - from their lips to their nails , beautiful hair and most of all glam and disarming smiles . Lets see where these ladies AT.

Funke Akindele flaunts her Laviva wind blown curly weave on the cover of TW magazine - Chic

Rhian Benson cracks a hearty smile for Fab magazine readers - GET ONE FREE COPY DURING OUR GIVEAWAY BONANZA .

Omotola Ekeinde tells it like it is in Genevieve Magazine ........Hmmmm Dashing

PASTOR ITUAH IGHODALO TALKS ABOUT HIS LOVE LIFE TO EX-BEAUTY QUEEN AND OTHER LATEST NEWS

Last week , gistmaster.com told you about the huge plan by some people to celebrate Pastor Ituah Ighodalo who clocked 50 on Wednesday April 6. Yes,Landmark the place of Trinity House worship was agog with accolades for the minister. We promise to bring you photos soon! Click here to read Pastor Ighodalo's love story with ex- beauty queen (she is still a beauty queen), Ibidun Ajayi

Uju Murphy has finally denied the recent accusations by her husband that she was having an affair with Ladi Balogun, the MD of FCMB. click here to read the story
  Fatimah Wali the upscale society woman from the northern part of Nigeria has recently remarried. Yes, she got married to a man she first met in 1976. Read her romantic words as she celebrates the marrige. Fatimah used to be one of the wives of Chied Yomi Edu, a former minister for special duties under president Olusegun Obasanjo's administration. Click her to read the full story

Somachi one of the sisters of award winning music star, Naeto C has reportedly been 'punched' out of her matrimonial home by her husband. Report has it that her husband allegedly turned her into punching bag shortly after their high profile wedding in Abuja. Click here to read more

Azuka Ogujuiba of Thisday mark 40 years.link up here

official website:www.gistmaster.com

IGHODALO TALKS TO THISDAY STYLE ABOUT HIS LOVE STORY WITH IBIDUN

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By Niyi Tabiti

Last week, gistmaster.com was the firs to report about the 50th birthday of Nigeria's famous pastors.Articulate and charming, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo has made his mark in terms of fellowship and follower ship. He is an inspiration to many right from his days as a pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of GOD. Gistmaster captured the moment of the Ighodalo's golden jubilee at Landmark Centre.

However, he resigned under controversial circumstances when the Church thought it was bad for him to remarry after he parted ways with his former wife. Perhaps, he had an option either to leave Ibidun or resign but he chose to leave. Today, the Chartered account is the pastor of Trinity House in Victoria Island. His wife is, Ibidun is a former miss Lux and she is sweet just as her name connotes if translated into her native Yoruba language.

[caption id="attachment_4457" align="alignleft" width="495" caption="Pastor Ighodalo"][/caption]

Last week, Ighodalo who made it to the cover of Thisday Style publication, said once he became a christian, "I became very passionate about GOD,and i followed him aggressively,I droped virtually all my youth vices especially parting and relationships with the opposite gender. I still made a few business compromises but i learnt quickly through the hardships I suffered that if you are going to serve GOD,it is good to properly and absolutely do so.

On his marriage to Ibidun-

Pator Ighodalo said Ibidun is a lovely woman with a beautiful heart. She is beautiful inside and outside, self-motivated, industrious,creative,considerate,practical,teachable,down to earth and realistic. she is also very respectful and carries herself with well. She can be troublesome a times and a bit stubborn but that is part of her person and her strength of character. She is a great partner, who is very loving. My heart just leapt out to her and I wanted to be with her.

 

 

NOLLYWOOD STARS TO GRACE ‘BENT ARROWS’ PREMIERE

The premiere of star studded movie 'Bent Arrows' produced by Isang Ubong-Awah and taking place on April 14th at the Silverbird Galleria in Lagos is set to be another constellation of stars as its guest list has grown to include Stella Damasus, Omoni Oboli, Desmond Elliot, Olu Jacobs, Joke Silva, Enebeli Elebuwa, Ngozi Ezeonu, Sylvia Oluchi and others. The movie premiere, which is sponsored by UACN Plc, Rainbow Workstation Services and other notable brands will feature live performances by the renowned music producer Cobhams Asuquo, Screen diva and musician Stella Damasus and other leading acts in the music industry.  The storylines of Bent Arrows weave together to explore many themes such as sexual abuse, undue parental control, betrayal, revenge etc. The movie tells the story of three innocent young girls and how their innocence became battered in the hands of men, turning them into broken-hearted and emotionally shattered girls looking for revenge. Idara (Sylvia Oluchy), a young girl sent to live with her maternal uncle in Abuja, is brutally raped. When she gets pregnant, she is forced to sleep with a doctor as payment for an abortion. Repeatedly abused by men, she becomes hardened and proceeds to use her sexuality to get the finer things of life. Lola (Omoni Oboli) after almost being smothered by her parents (Olu Jacobs and Joke Silva) and being cheated on by her fiancée, Seyi (David Nnaji) decides to become a bad girl. A teenage Ngozi (Stella Damasus) goes into prostitution as a means of fending for her sick mother and younger sisters. Bitter and vengeful, Ngozi is on a mission to revenge the wrong done to her mother several years earlier. Speaking on the movie premiere, Isang Ubong-Awah said 'when we had the premiere of 'Bent Arrows' in Abuja we were awed at the rate of the success and the amount of accolades people showered on the movie. This was what gave us the confidence to once again premiere the movie in Lagos before its arrival at the cinema. I am confident that the movie will be celebrated at the premiere and will do well in the cinema. Directed by Lancelot Imaseun, 'Bent Arrows' has its own independent sound track produced by Cobhams Asuquo and features notable names like Styl Plus of Olufunmi fame, the Rooftop MC's(Lagimo), Nikki Laoye and Stella Damasus.  Bent Arrows will be in cinemas across the federation form April 15th, 2011.

YOMI EDU's FORMER WIFE, FATIMAH WALI MARRIES CHILDHOOD LOVE

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By Gistmaster.com

For Fatimah Wali one of the northern Nigeria upscale and sophisticated women, this past weeks has been one of the sweetest. The latest talk of the town, which she also confrmed is about her recent wedding to Suraj Abdulrahman.

Fatimah who used to be married to the Minister of Special Duties, Mr. Yomi Edu was so elated that she made a public pronouncement sometime ago that she has indeed found the man who actually love her.

In her words "Yesterday, Suraj Abdulrahman and I got married in Kano. It was a fulfillment of of Allah's destiny from 1976 when i first met this military officer in the architecture class at the Ahmadu Bello University (Zaria) and he told me he wanted me to be his wife. I ran away but Allah's time is the best.Subhanallah!Please pray  for us as we start the rest of our lives, insha Allah  together.

REPORT SAYS FORMER MINISTER, KEMA CHIKWE DAUGHTER MOVED OUT OF HUSBAND HOME

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Gistmaster.com

Recent media report has it that Somachi, the daughter of one time minister of Avaiation, Chief Mrs. Kema Chikwe  is already on the verge of collapse as she and her husband has gone their seperate ways.

According to the report, Somachi could no longer endure the way her husband turned her into a 'punching bag' after every little provocation. While some are saying Somachi her self was a spoilt child who did not take her domestic commitment seriously, others are of the view that the man was not patient enough with woman he professed to love with his whole life.

Gistmaster.com gathered that Somachi has already packed out of the house to ease tension around her. Pray they get back.

By the way, Somachi is a sister to award winning musician, Naeto C. kini big deal abeg!

 

AZUKA OGUJUIBA MARKS 40

[caption id="attachment_4437" align="alignleft" width="480" caption="Azuka of Thisday Newspapers and Bill Clinton at Thisday Awards 2011"][/caption]

By Niyi Tabiti

Friends of Azuka Ogujuiba, a senior lifestyle writer with Thisday Newspaper are planning a big bash for her. Azuka, who was known for her high profile interviews with top Nigerians recently clocked 40 years and those ho are close to Zukky as she is fondly called  says the day must not go uncelebrated.Trust gistmaster.com to keep you informed about the birthday bash.

HOURS TO NIGERIA ELECTION, BOMB BLAST HIT INEC OFFICE

    Just a day to the national election in Nigeria,a terrific bomb exploded at the Independent electoral commission office in Suleja in Niger State(very close to Abuja the Federal Capital Territory), killing eight persons while about thirty persons sustained various degrees of injury in the process. While confirming the horrific news, the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega said it happened while inec officials were making plans ahead of  tomorrow's election.
   Mr. President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has since condemned the act,describing it as an act of sabotage.

MISTAKES CELEBRITIES MAKE WITH THE MEDIA

 By Gistmaster

THE MOUTHPIECE

One of the top mistakes most celebrities make is not having a clear definition of the importance of having a spokesperson. Some celebs think its okay being their PR person by themselves wrong! How many times do you want to speak to journalist defending yourself or writing a statement all by yourself while at the same time performing your professional role?

   One thing gistmaster noticed is that most people who tend to say that they spokespersons of a particular star don’t usually have a contract with them. I know about 4 or five persons who says they are the PR person of a particular star and I believe that if that star is paying them, he can’t engage all of them. It is confusing. I know a few who has their own properly mapped out. The likes of Darey, Tuface Idibia and a few others have just one person as their spokesperson.

ACCESSIBILITY- Most media practitioners pointed accessibility as one of the major problems between the media and celebrities.

  Many celebs who think they have arrived form the ‘I am big’ attitude forgetting that these same reporters helped them with achieve that popularity.

   One our resource persons for this research, Mr. Amadi Ogbonaya, the entertainment editor of Vanguard Newspapers said  “before becoming super stars, the media was there, they have known the stars before they became big. After becoming popular, some of them create a wall so that they can’t be reached by media guys who happened to be their friends on their way up”

 You have to ensure that the media can reach you so that if they want to clarify information, they can easily do that. Otherwise, unverified stories will continue to thrive on the person.

THINKING BAD PUBLICITY IS GOOD PUBLICITY: Thinking bad publicity is good publicity is a wrong notion. Thinking that way is like comparing a bathroom to the atlantic ocean. Ask Tuface Idibia, Shina Peters and others. A lot of artiste think they are sex symbols. It is good for people to assume but not to see you do it. A lot of women hated the fact that Tuface or Sir Shina Peters have several children and women all over the place. They believe that it is lack of respect for women. Tuface a condom advert job!

  Corporate organizations use media reports in their job offers for entertainers.

  MISLEADING THE MEDIA- The entertainment industry has a lot to do with hype but what most people don’t know is that there is something special about whatever they do. If for instance, a star like Genevieve is staying in Ajegunle, there is an angle to the hype that can come from that.

  Gistmaster noticed that most celebs tend to mislead their client in a bid to outshine their contemporaries. Someone almost stained the relationship I have built for many years with a fellow blogger when he lied that he was about getting married to an ex-beauty queen.

 Nadia Buhari got sacked by her PR company recently when she misled the company into believing that she was wearing Oscar De La Renta dress at the Pan African Film Festival in the US. Gistmaster.com Oscar De La Renta almost threatened to sue the PR company and the Ghanian actress. Mercy Johnson also got heaving bashing from bloggers when she said she had two of the same dress worth about $10,000 (USD)

   Relationship: Nothing like it! No matter the situation, you have to create a relationship with writers. It doesn’t have to be too close but it must exist. They call and ask questions even defend you.

    Don’t blow Mr. Hot or Miss superstar, remember most of this   reporters knew you when you were coming up.  Don’t wait till a negative story about you is published.And don't look down on anyone. Perhaps this is one of the reasons , Mercy Johnson lost a multi million Naira deal with a telecom company. If the relationship had been there, the news publication that caused her misfortune on the glo deal would not have been in circulation. After all most people knew that it was a malicious story by a fellow actress who accused the actress.

 

 THANK YOU: Learn to say thank you: it matters even if you don’t know the writer, when good things are being said about you, take time to say “Thank you’ it matters.I have seen celebrites cry after one or two things, have been written about them, losing deals worth millions of in the process.

You can sue! Yes you can, but remember the irreversible damage that would have been too. 

-More coming up!