AKA IKENGA CELEBRATES IN LAGOS NIGERIA

Story & photos by Niyi Tabiti
Chief Reporter


AKA IKENGA, a popular group in Igboland is having a great time in Lagos, Nigeria at the moment.
This morning, they had Chief Ikedia Ohakim, the Governor of Imo State as the guest lecturer of their first annual Lecture series tagged "Leadership and Good Governance-Any stake for the Nd'igbo in Nigeria.The event took place at the Nigerian Institute of Internal Affairs,Victoria Island.
There were so many heavy weights in Nigeria's political, social and economic sectors at the event.The movers nd shakers of the Nigerian music and movie industry were also at the event.There will also be a strictly by invitation award night/dinner at the elitist Lagoon Restaurant in Lagos, this evening.I promise to give you full report and more photos, especially on the celebrities at the event.

photo 1-LT.Gen Ike Nwachukwu (rtd),Governor Ikedia Ohakim of Imo and Chief Chris Asoloka,President of Aka Ikeaga.

Photo 2-Honorable Kuforiji,Speaker of Lagos House of Assembly and President of Aka Ikenga

Photo 3-Charly Boy and Professor Pat Utomi

Photo 4-Onyeka Nwenu.

K1THE ULTIMATE, PASUMA, OTHERS SET FOR LOYE HAMZAT'S GIG

Loye Hamzat, the publisher of News of the People hinted this afternoon that all his now set for the first year anniversary of his weekly magazine-News of the People.The event has been fixed for 15 June 2008.

He told http://www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com/ in his office that in an unprecedented show of solidarity,Wasiu Ayinde Anifowoshe the fuji musician who goes by the stage name,K-1 the Ultimate, will fly in from his tour of the United States to perform at the concert.

Hamzat also disclosed to www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com that Alhaji Wasiu Alabi Pasuma another fuji musician has also promised to break off from his tour of United States to be part of the celebration.Wale Thompson, the La la le Friday crooner will also be part of the event.Hip hop artistes have also been pensciled down to be part of what he called a grand celebration.Before the concert, there would be a business dinner for corporate players in the country.

Hamzat disclosed said this is neccessary because of the achievement of his magazine within the last one year.

TALKING AMAA AND NOLLYWOOD ON RUBBIN' MINDS LIVE TALK SHOW

By Niyi Tabiti

Chief Reporter





Redstrat, the producers of Rubbin' Minds, one of the hottest youth talk shows in Nigeria made me a ‘celebrity’ on Sunday 11 May 2008.I was invited to be part of their live programme on Channels Television in Lagos, Nigeria. They also invited Nollywood star actress Stephanie Okereke, Actor/film maker, Kunle Afolayan and Chika Chukwu of Fuji House of commotion fame.
Chude Jideonwo and Emilia Asim-Ita hosted the show, while the third director of Redstrat Adebola Williams was behind camera. We were asked to talk about what we thing generally of the last Africa Movie Academy Award (AMAA).We also talked about challenges of Nollywood and what has improved to date.
Most of the speakers agreed that the AMAA got into hitches because of the last minute changes. People should not just see the bad side; there is also a good side to the change in venue. Speakers and most people that phoned in also agreed that Nigerian movie makers should do more research and training.Kunle said movie makers should tap into the corporate world for support.He said people can give some minutes of endorsement in their movies or seek sponsorship for the screening of their films. He did same for his yet to be released movie, IRAPADA and it worked.Kunle is one of the sons of late actor and film maker,Adeyemi Afolayan oterwise known as Ade Love.Kunle's film is one of Nigeria's finest so far.Already, he has been winning awards with it.He also had a screening in UK and Silverbird Galleria sometime back.He told me after the show that it would be released soon.

Stephanie and Chika shared Kunle's opinion.They also said training and re-training is the key.Stephanie Oscars or Hollywood did not get there in a day but if we must achieve greatness in what we do all hands must be on deck.

I supported what they all said and added that most Nigerian movie makers are not bold enough to do a media preview of their work before release because they are not confident of it. I also said that from the little I know about Nollywood, they should stop acting a whole movie in two or three days. It creates rooms for mistakes. I am tired of hearing that Nigeria is the third largest movie producng Nation in the world.Lets talk quality and not quantity

For instance, you see someone doing a flash back of 1928 and also wearing the same cloth he wore at that time in 2008.We all laughed over it but the message was passed.anyways, it was nice rubbin' minds with all of them.Another one was when an actor was shown to have died in a movie after falling off a three storey building without bruises.Is that possible?

Haba!Let me borrow the words of Ayo Animashaun, "change must change!"
If you have ideas and ready to bring change to Nollywood, don't fold your arms...just do it!



Photo (from left)-Stephanie Okereke,Niyi Tabiti,Emilia Asim-Ita,Chika Ike,Kunle Afolayan and Chude Jideonwo after the live television show on Sunday.

VIOLET YOUGH CELEBRATES 70 IN GREAT STYLE

By Niyi Tabiti
Chief Reporter



Madam Violet Yough (MFR) celebrated her 70th birthday at the Civic Centre,Victoria Island,Lagos,last weekend.Pamela (in the second photo) was all over the place to ensure that guests have a lovely day at the ceremony.
Several important dignitaries were at the ceremony.Its a long list that has the likes of Pastor Paul Adefarasin of Hose on the Rock church and his wife,Pastor Ifeayin,Chief Gamaliel Onasode, former chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Lara George,Rita Amene,Jim Ovia, the man who runs Zenith Bank (He is also the woner of Civic Centre),Sally Mbanefo,Willy Anumudu and his wife,Nkiru,Ambassador Olufemi Oni,Flora Nwazojie,Austin and Nkiru Obigwe,Briget Uwaka and several others.
Great gig.
The Birthday 'girl' is on the board of several blue chip companies.She is a big player in Nigeria's business world.She also has a street named after her off Adetokubo Ademola Street, Victoria Island.

REDSTRAT DIRECTOR,CHUDE JIDEONWO LOSES DAD

Chude Jideonwo,one of the hardworking directors at Redstrat, the organisers of Future Award in Nigeria, has lost his father.www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com gathered that the dad died on Thursday 8 May 2008.Once we get more details on the death and burial arrangement of Chude's dad,you will be the first to know.

Right now, Chude who is doing his NYSC at NLNG in Lagos has lost a priceless gem.Friends have been calling and senting messages to show their heartfelt sympathy.

Chude baba! www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com condole with you.

Photo shows Chude Jideonwo

EX-AIT PRESENTER,YEMI ADENUGA CELEBRATES IN IRELAND

Story by Niyi Tabiti
photo:Sunday Tribune,Ireland.



Ex-African Independent Television (AIT) presenter, Yemi Adenuga would be having a swell party for her new born baby in Ireland on Saturday 10 May 2008. An impeccable source based in Ireland told http://www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com/ yesterday that friends and relatives from far and near would be in town to celebrate with Yemi and Deji, her famous actor husband.W gathered that the born few weeks ago.

NOLLYWOOD STAR ACTRESS,GENEVIEVE NNAJI LAUNCHES FASHION LABEL ..ST.GENEVIEVE AMIDST FANFARE IN LAGOS,NIGERIA

By Niyi Tabiti
Chief Reporter

Ever stylish and confident Nollywood Star actress,Genevieve Nnaji has finally unveiled her much talked about clothing line known as St.Genevieve.
The event took place on Sunday 4 May 2008 at Coral Hall,opposite Mega Plaza,Victoria Island,Lagos.
Genevieve is not alone in the business, she has got what many believe is a strong partnership in Lamide Ajayi of Iconola.www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com gathered that Genevieve takes credit for designing while Lamide takes the credit for sewing.
Ofcourse, there was Red carpet and fashion show.The models did their part of the show wonderfully well.There were so many Lagos chics here and there and they enjoyed themselves.
However, if you are thinking that the event would parade all 'heavy weights ' from Nollywood because of Genevieve you are far from the point.There absentism has been tagged a signal that Genevieve may want to concentrate more on the thriving fashion business in Nigeria than appearing in movies (?) . Any ways,those who came made her day.
A single mother of one, Gennny as she is popularly called, hails from Mbaise,Imo State.She is rated as one of the most flamboyant,finest,sexist and controversial to date.She has acted in several movies.
Few years back, she won the mouth watering endorsement deal as Face of Lux with Unilever Plc in Nigeria.At that time, she had a Limousine at her beck and she also called millions of Naira.Genevieve is darling of paparazzi because of her alluring look.From movie,to music and now fashion,Genevieve has indeed shown that her name is indeed a brand.