NIGERIA:WHY GOVERNOR OKOROCHA APPOINTED ME CHIEF COMEDIAN OF IMOSTATE-UCHE OGBUAGU

The governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha was heavily criticized for appointing too many political aides.One such was the appointment of Uche Ogbuagu as Chief Comedian of Imo state. This is an unprecedented position in the history of politics all over the world.

Here,Uche Ogbuagu the chief comedian answered questions posed to him by Joi John of Imo State political blog.

Q: Your appointment as Special Assistant in the State came under scruitiny

with the Portfolio as Chief Comedian in the State. Could you enlighten us on

your Office as Chief Comedian of the State?

A:As you know, the Entertainment

industry cannot do without Comedy so, I see myself as the only

representative of the Entertainers in the State Executive council.

The office of the Chief Comedian is a representation of the Entertainment

industry in the State Executive Council.In this position, I am saddled with

the responsibility of ensuring that the Entertainment Industry in Imo state

is revived. That particular area has been dead for quite a long time. We are

doing our best to to bring in Private investors from within and outside the

Country to see ways we could take Entertainment in the State to the next

level.

Q:What are some of the notable highlights of your First week in office?

A:I started off with a tour of the State Capital to ascertain the true situation

of things. I visited a number of Entertainment places owned by the State

Government. Recently, I inspected the AMA J . K recreation Park and was

saddened by the condition of the place. It is almost in shambles.

I started out with AMA J K recreation Park because it is at the center of the State Capital and has potentials to generate income for the State.

Q: Could you give an insight to some of the Projects you envision to achieve

in reviving the Entertainment Sector?

A:To start, we are going to build Comedy Corners around the State capital. I have also had talks with some Private investors towards the  project for an Amusement park.I am also

proposing a name Change. This is a Rescue Mission and when you want to be

rescued, you must be ready to be renamed. In fulfilling the plans I have for

the Entertainment sector, I wouldnt want to depend on funds from the State

Government. That has been my promise from day one.

Apart from AMA J.K recreation park , I observed that there was also another piece of land that the former Government intended to build a Park on . We will take over from

where they left off and build a  Park specifically for the Kids because that

has been a gap in the Entertainment industry in the State.  The kids do not

have a play spot. You find that on Weekends, parents would take their

Children to neighbouring States when we can create the same structures here.

It is time for us to give the Children a sense of belonging. I want to go on

record to state that the IMO AMUSEMENT PARK is going to be the center of

attraction for all  Children in the State and beyond and,  that would be one

of the legacies I would be remembered for.His Excellency has asked for me to

draft a proposal and submit to him for his Perusal. That, I will do in less

than 48 hours from now.

Q:What do you make of this opportunity to serve the State?

A:I am seeing this particular portfolio as the only opportunity I have in

life to prove myself. Should there be any other opportunity, I wouldnt mind.

I am not looking for anything higher than this but if it comes my way, Glory

be to God.With the confidence and trust reposed in me by the State

Government, I dont have any reason to fail.

I want to assure all the

citizens home and abroad that , the Lost Glory of Imo State is about to be

retrieved.I can confidently state that the office of the Chief Comedian of

the State and Special Assistant to the Governor is one that will be most

successful. At the breifing we had on Sunday with the Chief of Staff, I

reassured His Excellency who was also present that, in 90 days he will be

marvelled at the progress in the State as far as Entertainment is concerned.

Q: On a personal note, I read you were born a Stammerer but it is almost

impossible to believe that. Our interview has gone so smoothly and I havent

heard you stammer through any question. How were you able to overcome that?

A: (Laughter) Well, I stammer only when I am tensed up and under pressure.

Mostly when I am broke. When I no get money. That is where nature surprises

me a whole lot. I stammer ordinarily but once I am on air . . . on the

Microphone or I am performing, everything dies off so I believe I am a

Microphone person and that is the reason why my stammering will always

respect my business and my calling.

Q: What are your final words to the Critics?

A:  Most people in different

quarters look for ways to pull me down. They say Uche Ogbuagu is not

learned; he cannot speak good English and so forth. . . but, that it is

typical. Normally, nothing good comes easy. One cannot know the strength of

the other unless he has been put to Test. As a result oriented person, the

important thing for me is results and I believe confidently that I am going

to succeed. I will prove every naysayer that has been against my

appointment, wrong and whosoever has spoken bad about me will turn around to

speak good of me.

SOURCE:  IMO STATE BLOG.com

SULTAN OF SOKOTO CONDEMNS MILITARY SHOWDOWN WITH BOKO HARAM

The Sultan of Sokoto, Mohamed Sa'ad Abubakar has openly condemned the violent crackdown on the Boko Haram sect by the military. The sultan  told some religious leaders that violence can not solve violence.He insisted that government shouild employ other means to put the situation under control.

Before his ascension to the throne, the Sultan was also a military officer.

Boko Haram, an islamist group based in Maiduguri, Borno State (Northern part of Nigeria) has claimed responsibilities for several high profile assassinations  and bombings in the northern part of Nigeria and Abuja the Federal capital territory, including the one involving a suicide bomber at the Loius Edet House Police Headquarters.

The group, whose original name is Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati wal-Jihad (meaning-People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet's Teachings and Jihad) has been championing the cause of Islamic rule in northern Nigeria). Boko Haram, the unofficial name of the group in Hausa language means "Education of prohibited"

The group amongst other things condemn western education.

As part of measures to put Boko Haram under control, the Federal Government of Nigeria drafted soldiers to key places in Borno State and other northern states.

- Niyi Tabiti/gistmaster.com

niyi@gistmaster.com

news@gistmaster.com

SA FASHION WEEK WINTER AND SUMMER COLLECTIONS-SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER 2011

The South Africa Fashion Week winter and summer collections is set to take place between October 2011. According to information sent to gistmaster.com today,the winter collections would be showcased at Crowne Plaza, Rosebank between September 22 and 25.

The SA Fashion Week Summer pop up shop 201 collections would hold at Sandton City Fountain Court between October 30 and 2 October.



SNEAK PEAK-GUGULUM

South African designer, Gugulum dream is to create timeless designs. She was a stylist for Soul magazine before setting up her label in 2008.

Where did you study?
I studied at the Wits Technikon.

How long have you been designing.
I have been a designer for many years but my label has been operation for three years now.

When you start with a collection do you start from scratch or build on an existing collections?
I start my collection from scratch and then pull in some ideas from my other collections if necessary.

Does your culture have an influence in your design aesthetic?
The world cultures are my culture, so yes it does.

Do you think a designer can stay completely true to themselves in the South African Fashion Industry and if so how difficult is it for you to do that?
I do try to stay true as much as I can, but what the buyers expect does affect what you put out to the public.

In your opinion is design a talent or do you think someone can learn to design?
For me personally I believe it is a talent, but I have seen people learn design tricks and survive.

-Gistmaster.com

Newsroom: news@gistmaster.com

Related links

Arise Africa Fashion Week -Sandton, South Africa 2009

 

LE PETIT MARCHE : Presents L’Espace- A NEW CHAPTER IN NIGERIAN FASHION RETAIL

Unbelievable but true . Finally a proper fashion hot spot will be unveiled in the city of a Lagos . This new hub will be centered around the monthly shopping event that takes place at Le Petit Marche . The new shoppers haven which will be known as L'Espace is still very much in the pipeline but it will soon be brought to the fore. Below are some of the breathtaking images of what is to come .

About L’Espace
In the storied tradition of international fashion and lifestyle retail, LPM is curating a permanent multi-brand concept store tailored to the needs of the Nigerian public – filling a yawning chasm in the retail value chain for both the fashion entrepreneur and the buying public.

The co-branded store will be an addition to the monthly market in Lagos, and the LPM team plans to roll out the existing monthly market as well as concept stores in Abuja and Port Harcourt mid 2012.

WHO

We are interested in hearing from vendors in the following categories:

- Fashion (Menswear, Womenswear and Children)

- Beauty

- Lifestyle

- Fashion and Lifestyle Services

WHAT

The first concept store will be situated in a 600 sqm retail space in a centrally located part of Victoria Island, Lagos. It will be home to a minimum of 35 brands spanning the fashion, beauty, fashion and beauty services and lifestyle industries.

We will also be introducing exciting LPM-centric products and services, such as ‘the Advisory’ (a private personal shopping experience) and limited edition collections exclusive to L’Espace!

WHY

In a bid to continue fulfilling our brand mission to be the premier fashion and lifestyle retail solution, we are creating a one-stop shop for fashion and lifestyle, expanding our existing model to better serve our vendors and the end consumer.

WHEN

The store is set to launch on the 1st of October 2011. The first 10 vendors get a third off! Please email INFO@LPMNIGERIA.COM OR LPMNIGERIA@GMAIL.COM for more info.

Note: The accompanying visuals are only indicative of the final look of the store. It is still in a work in progress!

JOIN THE REVOLUTION!!!

NEWS ; Watch Out for THE MAKING

On Saturday, 30^thof July 2011, Fashion Lovers will come to witness ‘The Making’ a scheme with anobjective of bringing to the limelight young budding designers to work withexperienced designers and stylists in a once in a lifetime opportunity tointeract with business development and entrepreneur managers in order tobroaden their skills on business management.

“The Making” which will comein form of a TV Show to air on Saturdays on "Urban Spice" on Spice TV and Page3 on STVSunday 2pm and Tuesday 9pm will show in depth – weekly, the chance and opportunity at what it takes to takefashion designing to the next level.

Fashion Lovers and audiencewill follow for 10weeks apanel of seasoned and experienced stylists and designers as they are given theopportunity to subject their designs to critical appraisals, evaluations andrecommendations, at the end of which a list of Ten designers will be selectedbased on the following key criteria. These are:

·       STYLE

·       CREATIVITY

·       TASTE

·       BUSINESS PLAN AND FOCUS

·       DEPTH OF INPUT

The designers who areadjudged most creative and have cutting edge and innovative designs will beaided to limelight by shooting their collections for free for a duration of tenweeks and as well as ensure full media support on at least ten media platformsfor a six week duration, after which the work and progress of such designersare to be evaluated to assess level of development that has attained bothbusiness wise and creativity wise.

The list of anticipated mediaplatforms, which include print, online and electronic media are:

ONLINE MEDIA

·       360nobs.com

·       BellaNaija.com

·       HauteFashionAfrica.com

·       Morsi blogspot

·       Neks2u

·       Stylehousefiles.com

·       YNaija.com

PRINT MEDIA

·       Durbar magazine

·       Genevieve magazine

·       WOW magazine

·       Y magazine

After the Shoot,the Mentoring Phase begins with Seasoned Fashion Professionals such as FashionPioneer; Omoyemi Akerele, Mania Magazine’s Dimeji Alara, Genevieve Magazine’sFashion Editor, Mai Atafo & Ezinne Chinkata of Wow! Magazine who will sharetheir wealth of knowledge with the young designers as they evaluate during theassessment period and give support in helping to get stockists for theircollections.

More information can beviewed on the project site at

 www.themaking.com.ng

twitter: @THEMAKING3

folow

Mercedes Benz Centre opens In Lekki

 Mercedes Benz Nigeria , has opened and ultra modern center in Lekki. Situated at Prince Samuel Adedoyin Street, Off Lekki-Epe Expressway, 3rd Roundabout .Ikate - Lekki, Lagos. The event witnessed top government dignitaries and notable personalities in attendance. The Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan announced its opening admist pomp and pageantry .

MERCEDES BENZ SUPPORTS ELITE MODEL LOOK IN NIGERIA FOR THE 4TH TIME

For 4 years now Mercedes Benz Nigeria has been the proud sponsor of the internationally recognized Elite Model Look which was created in 1983.
The Elite Model Look contest has become the largest glamorous, and prestigious model search in the world. Each year, and in over 50 countries, organisers strictly recruited by Elite,set up regional and national contests, in which 350,000 applicants take part. Mercedes Benz is once again part of this prestigious event and the Mercedes Benz Sprinter will be the official vehicle conveying the finalists this year.

The Mercedes Benz Minibus Sprinter.

BOLA AKINBOADE, CITY PEOPLE MAGAZINE EX-FASHION EDITOR TALKS ABOUT THENEXT LEVEL

By Niyi Tabiti

I spent sometime asking questions about whats next for ex- Fashion Editor of City People magazine, Miss Bola Akinboade recently.

Here is the interview

Gistmaster: What are the things you intend doing now after resigning from your position as city people magazine's fashion editor?

Right now my dream is to have my event outfit and also have a fashion label. I have always loved fashion designing; I have attended a fashion school couple of years back, I am just waiting for the right timing. I didn’t just want to start and end up being like just another designer coming up so for now, I am starting with my event/PR outfit, reason because that is much easier for me to start with and with my years with City People, i have been exposed.

I have handled couple of event and it has given me confidence that I can also do that and for the fashion label that is CHANTALLE, I am still hoping to do an advanced training before I start officially. Hopefully, towards the end of the year, I will be launching my clothing line by the special grace of God.

What are those things that you have in line at the moment that you want to start with? Like sometimes ago, people were speculating that you already have a shop somewhere.

Shop ke? I don’t have a shop yet. Like I just said now, my life is going to between events, PR, fashion and maybe blog. I also enjoy blogging so definitely I will do more. I know I can a lot of things maybe that’s why people think Bola will soon open a make-up shop or start selling hair products and all that but really, that’s not what I’m passionate about.

I am passionate about event and fashion; these are the two things I really want to do. I can do other things because you will always want other streams of income but fashion and event is going to be my core basic business line. You have to be a specialist in whatever you are doing. I just don’t want to do everything, Jack of all trade and not good at anything. So, that is why I am streamlining into those two.

Gistmaster.com: How do you like to dress and what do you like to wear?

BA: I just wear things that enhance me. You know I am slim, have always been a slim person and I have never added, I tried adding weight but I think my dream for now is being slim and I think I’m very lucky because a lot of people actually dream of having a slim figure. I try not to wear anything too big because I don’t have the body to carry it but I feel like anytime I put on anything, if it is a dress, let it be fitted, if it is a top, let it be fitted. I don’t do too much of boubous except it is a flowing dress and even when it is a flowing dress, it must have fit in it.

Gistmaster: There’s this speculation that female journalist are generally wayward. What is your view?

It depends on your background. I think most of the story people carry about us is just mere speculation. A lot of those stories are not true because if you get to hear some nasty things people say behind you and you are wondering, blood of Jesus! I don’t even have a clue of where this person’s office is and you know people will just try to link A and B together because they feel maybe she’s this or that.

To me I don’t think all those stories are actually true because if you have a purpose of coming into journalism; that is to grow and develop yourself, you will not even think of being wayward. Journalism helps you to be independent, it nurtures and improves you. Is not even about what those men are giving you, it is the grace of God that helps and sustains. Well, I think I can only speak for myself.

Gistmaster:How is it now because you have been doing journalism for many years and now you are going off?

I am not going off. I still hope to be a contributor in a national paper. I like writing that is why I said that I am also going to be blogging because I am passionate about writing, I can never stop writing, it gives me joy. It is a way of expressing myself. So I am not going off journalism, Oh! I am not going off media. Let me put it that way. Of course I can’t be a full time journalist again.

Gistmaster: From experience, most fashion editors leave their profession to become a fashion designer. What is the reason for this?

Bola Akinboade: Is like most of the time before you can ever say “Oh! I want to become a fashion editor. So there’s always this thing at the back of your mind that maybe along the line, I am going to do this thing. As for me for instance, I have been making clothes ever before I even dreamt of working with City People.

I have been making clothes for 15 years now and one of the reasons that made me to become a fashion reporter is because of the idea I have in my mind that in the next couple of years I am going to have my clothing line, so I just saw it as an opportunity to mix with people and share their views about fashion.

Initially when I was younger, I used to think that having a fashion label is going to be very difficult but in the course of working, I noticed that talking with a big designer that started small like Frank Oshodi helped to change my orientation that I don’t need a lot of money to start and that if this person can do it then I can do it better.

So it’s not because I am a fashion reporter, then that means I can be a fashion designer. All the things I did along the line was just preparing me for the next level of my life.

So when is Bola getting married?

BA: Very soon

GM: How soon?

BA: For me, I have discovered that marriage has been misconceived, the idea most people have about marriage is wrong and bad. One of the things a lot of people believe is that marriages are no longer working and these days, men don’t want to commit themselves. So, marriage and relationship is not something I can just say I’m getting married tomorrow or next year. When it is God’s time you will know about it.

GM: Aside journalism and what you do, you also have passion to assist young people. Can you tell us a little about this?

BA: I am also hoping that very soon, before the end of the year, I will start a ministry. I have a name already but I haven’t registered it. I don’t want to mention the name because I don’t know if the name is accessible or not.

I just want to do something for the teenage girls. I notice that a lot of things are wrong morally. If you notice these days, most men go for these teenage girls and maybe because every woman is a working mother, we are not spending time with our teenagers. These girls sleep around for ridiculous amount-#200.

I am looking at a coming generation of where you would see a sixteen year old girl achieving great things that are amazing. I am trying to do something interesting, interactive, something to empower and change the lives of people and make a better tomorrow.

Somebody invested in me years back and that is why I am who I am today. I started making clothes as a teenager because I was focused. These girls need to be focused. You can imagine a young girl making beads; you train her on how to make it better. She doesn’t have to sleep around; she can start making money at a young age. I am thinking of getting organizations involved to see how we can change the lives of these young girls for good. It is going to be like a club, so I am hoping of going to schools to get girls registered and during vacation; we will have different interactive activities just to make these girls better and the society better in the long run.

GM: For the commencement, you will spending money but is this not also an avenue to make more money for yourself?

BA: I don’t even mind spending my money because it is something I’m passionate about. I know that I am gifted with relating with children, it is my calling. The society is getting somehow with our children especially with our girls keeping men. Girls don’t have to sleep around, they can close up.

At times when girls come to me and say they are pregnant for a guy, I tell them you should have said no and you won’t find yourself in this situation. The worst that can happen is that the guy sees her the next morning and doesn’t say ‘hello’ but at least she has protected her future.

I am passionate about changing the future positively and not making money from it. I see a lot of things because I interact with these girls. For example, there’s this 16 years old girl who had done 6 abortions and how much do you think they give her, #200! When you see things like this you will want to cry, I am trying to help the girl now but she’s so addicted to it and she doesn’t even want my help. She still want the #200, her mind is into it.

I know this change in some girls might not be easy; I will also include prayers because for some people it might be ancestral curse or different factors. I will have to do a lot of motivational talking and I believe that God who gave me the call is also going to show me ways to go about it and also send people to help me actualize the dream.

gistmaster.com

AMERICAN ENTERTAINER LUDACRIS RETURNS TO NIGERIA FOR A MEGA PROJECT WITH KONNECT AFRIKA

Immediately after his concert tour in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, the multi-talented, and multiple award-winning American entertainer Ludacris will be accompanied by his renowned manager, and co-founder of Disturbing Tha Peace Records- Chaka Zulu Obafemi, to Lagos Nigeria to kick-off an Africa-wide project in partnership with Konnect Afrika.
Details of this ?landmark project? will be made public at the Volar Nite club (Jade Palace), in Victoria Island on Sunday, the 31st of July, 2011 at an exclusive V.I.P party with the top brass of Nigerian entertainment, and media personalities.
This project is powered by Konnect Afrika, an entertainment company based in Atlanta, United States and Lagos, Nigeria, in collaboration with Disturbing Tha Peace Records, a subsidiary of the Universal Music Group is a United States based record label founded by Chaka Zulu Obafemi , Ludacris, and Jeff Dixon.
According to Solomon Sonaiya, the spokesperson for this project, when we refer to this event as the advent of landmark opportunities for African entertainment, we?re not exaggerating ? on Sunday, Nigerians would be proud that such a project was launched from Lagos?. He further intimated that all the details of the project will be made public at the event, whilst a press conference has been scheduled for Tuesday, the 2nd of August to address questions from the media.

The exclusive party taking place this Sunday will be hosted by Ludacris. The party will also parade the crème de la crème of the Lagos society. Broadcast support for this event is provided by Trace Urban.

SAMSUNG CHAT 222 PHONE-WHY NAIJA GUYS AND BABES GO FOR IT!

Chat 222 helps you stay in touch with friends, families and many acquaintances. With its dual SIM capability, you can access your two SIMS anytime which makes you save money and other resources. Undeniably entertaining are its pre installed social tools such as facebook, twitter, and some instant messaging sites such as yahoo messenger and MSN. Chatting with your friends has never been so smooth with its QWERTY keypad.
It enables you to stay on top of your game as you can access your email with its push email capability. With the Samsung chat 222, email accounts can be set up easily so you can check for urgent email without needing a PC. And last but not the least, it also comes with a 3.5mm ear jack for you to listen to your favourite songs and spend all your free time entertaining yourself with all fun games on Samsung apps.
Its battery life is 550hr on standby and 710 min for talk time.
Common guys, what are you waiting for? Get on the CHAT 222 tribe as Connecting, Socializing and Entertaining has never been so interesting. It’s all about Me & My Samsung.
EDITOR's Note- Gistmaster.com got the Samsung Chat 222 phone recently, thanks to Samsung!Its flexible, easy to carry and access with social networking facilities.

HOUSE OF VERSATILE STYLES REVEALS “HVD De Luxe” AD CAMPAIGNS 2011

Designer &; Stylist Bukola Are Reveals HVS De Luxe Ad Campaigns

After a successful presentation of the new HVS De Luxe Collection during New York Fashion Week, Fashion Designer, Stylist Bukola Are reveals new Ad Campaigns to promote her new collection.

The HVS Fall 2011 collection entitled De Luxe features a mixture of effortless, versatile, modern couture pieces, with the finest workmanship and handcrafted detailing. This season’s collection features flirty, elegant and classic daytime-to-evening pieces. Inspired by her travels, Are has selected fabrics ranging from Satin Lame, Swiss Lace, Sequence and Prints from West Africa.

"I always look forward to the branding part of the collection, it’s my favorite part. I enjoy the creative process of coming up with ideas of how to promote HVS and maintain story telling by presenting the HVS Lifestyle.”- Bukola Are

The Ad Campaigns were shot on location in the UK with Fashion Photographers David Otokpa &  Timothy Paule in the U.S.

 

About HVS:

HVS is inspired by various cities and the travels of Bukola Are. The HVS Collection includes the finest fabrics from around the globe influenced by American, African and European culture.  The HVS collection is for the modern day fashionista. It is chic yet classic with the use of fabrics ranging from Satin Lame, Ankara, Sequence and Silk. No detail is overlooked in Bukola's designs and you are styled in top quality and there is exceptional hand tailoring in each of her pieces. Daring hemlines, plunging necklines, and the use of sequences characterize her women's wear. Please visit HVS online atwww.houseofversatilestyles.com

Credits

Art Direction & Styling: Bukola Are , Contributing Stylist: Crystal Deroche (UK), Henry Uchay (UK), Models: Jordan Lillian (U.S) & Olivia Jani (UK)   , Make Up: Samantha Peters (UK), Monica Mao (UK)& Tina Janel (U.S) Hair: Samantha Peters (UK), Mo Ross (U.S) Art Work : Olugbenga Jimoh (Nigeria)

W: www.houseofversatilestyles.com

B: www.hvsblog.com

T: http://twitter.com/VersatileStyle