GET SET FOR THE MEGA GISTMASTER!

We are still cooking it and soon it would be done for you to taste and savour with relish. Well,we are talking about no other thing than the re-branding of Nigeria's hottest gist website- http://www.gistmaster.com/
Remember, we told you sometime ago that it would return in a bigger and better form.This is due to popular demand from Nigerians and non Nigerians who come here everyday to see the latest gist in town.Our ultimate agenda is to use the platform as an effect tool towards drawing positive image to Nigeria. On behalf of Funmi Yusuf Odunaike and I, GISTMASTER assure you that we are ready to take you to the next level!

-Niyi Tabiti

TONI PAYNE DELIVERS BABY FOR 9ICE IN USA

Rave singer 9ice and his wife Toni have received their first baby!The baby, already named Zion, was delivered at 12:43am on Thursday December 4, at Presbytarian hospital, Southern California, United States of America', http://www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com/ learnt on friday 5 December 2008.

According to Ayeni Adekunle,the musician's publicist,9ice is currently away in Cyprus honouring a performance engagement, but he received the news of 'Alapomeji junior' with excitement and gratitude to God. ''I'm very happy. And we give God all the glory'' he said.

The singer only recently returned from the US after spending time with his pregnant wife and headlining scheduled gigs.9ice and Toni tied the knots at a private ceremony in Lagos on July 17, 2008.The baby-a boy- weighed 8.3 pounds at birth; and was delivered by Dr. Delshad George.

NOLLYWOOD STAR ACTRESS ,INI EDO MARRIES PHILLIP EHIGWINA IN EKET,AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

Reported by Niyi Tabiti

After severl postponements and speculations in the media, Nigeria born star actress, Iniobong Edo finally married her controversial lover, Phillip Ehigwina in oil rich town of Eket, Akwa Ibom State; Nigeria.The event took place yesterday 29 November 2008.
Accompanied by friends and relatives, Phillip stormed the home town of the actress in style and formally showed off that he is indeed man enough to take their daughter as his darling wife. On her path, Ini Edo was also extremely happy about her choice of man.She told friends that Phillip is her everything.
Expectedly, it was a roll call of her colleagues in Nollywood that graced the occasion. The list includes the Desmond Elliot, Oge Okoye, Rita Dominic, Mama Gee and the duo of Aki and Paw Paw. The event lasted till yesterday night. The traditional wedding was a knock out for critics of the star actress who thought that her relationship with Phillip, the United States based dude would not lead to wedding. Ini further fuelled this some months back when she denied any plan for marriage.

It should be recalled that Phillip and his ex-wife, Ruth went their seperate ways years back over allegation and counter allegations bothering on infidelity.

QUEEN OF GLAMOUR BAGS

Reported by Niyi Tabiti

She is simple yet quintessential in the craft of making some of the most fabulous bags one can get anywhere in the world. Welcome to the world of UK based Sade Popoola of Quute Illumina . Call her the Queen of glamour bags and would be right!
The intimidating profile of her works has endeared her to high profile ladies who desire to complement their dressing with the outlandishly stylish unique hand bags. According to the Ekiti State born lady, the bags are made in the United Kingdom with a special fabric known as Damask. gistmaster gathered that classy bags are hand made and so specially made.One unique selling point of the bag, according to Sade, is the fact that the bags are made with Damask a special fabric that gives it every bit of ‘africanness’ and originality. "Its a class thing and we make sure that no two people have the same design" she said. "The damask and every other thing we do is another way of showcasing our roots into producing exotic bags with vibrant designs" she added.

She revealed that her bags are not just another fashion accessory. Thanks to the innovative addition of integrated light in it. How do you feel,opening that bag at night in a party and the inner lights of the bag, keep flashing? Quute Illumina, sure have an answer.

A former televison presenter, Sade is a proud mother of three (The first is already in a US university).She told gistmaster that she loves dancing but her favourite artistes are true gospellers such as Cece Winas.Remarkably, the proudly Nigerian has been nominated for the coveted British Female Inventor and Innovator Awards.

You can visit her website: http://www.quuteillumina.co.uk/

SUBOMI BALOGUN LAUDS FCMB MD IN LAGOS

Reported by Niyi Tabiti

Otunba Subomi Balogun the group chairman of one Nigerian’s leading bank, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has once again described his son, Ladi as a man after his heart.
The septuagenarian made this known at the 9th sharing experience series of the Harvard Business School Association of Nigeria, which took place on Wednesday 26 November 2008 in Lagos, Nigeria. As a recap, Subomi has never hidden his likeness for Ladi whom he described as a perfect for his shoes when he retired from active service in the bank.
At the event, Balogun disclosed that Ladi did not climb to the top in one day because the bank was founded by his father; rather he was a man who learnt the rope and made a name for himself in the financial sector. Balogun said, Ladi schooled and worked in financial institutions abroad yet he was prepared to learn when he started work in FCMB.
http://www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com/ watched as guests at the event applauded Ladi who was also present. It goes a long way to show that Ladi is indeed a chip of the old bloc.Ladi is an alumnus of Harvard Business School. The Alumni association in Nigeria is led by Professor Herbert Onye Orji.
According to one of the guests, one of the biggest problems faced by most rich families in Nigeria is continuity.“Most billionaires just bring their children to become head of their businesses in one day without putting them through the various stages. At the end, the business collapses. Examples abound in different sectors of the Nigerian economy”
“How many children of Nigerian billionaires could sustain their father’s businesses when they are alive not to talk of when the founder passes over and he left it in the hand of prodigal family members?” the guest asked rhetorically.
Citi Express Bank, Metropolitan Bank and Societe Generale Bank (SGMB) are three examples of family banks in Nigeria that are no more in existence due to what regulators tagged unhealthy financial state.
Apart from Ladi who is happily married to Banke (Iya Ibeji),Subomi other sons are Bolaji, one of the directors at West African Portland Cement Plc, and Babajide. Subomi is sits atop a financial conglomerate. The list include First City Monument bank, Primrose Investments Limited, City Securities (Registers) Limited,CSL Stockbrokers, First City Assets Management Limited and FCMB Capital Markets Limited.

NEXT LEVEL WITH GISTMASTER.COM

Some ago, we told you about the re-branding process of gistmaster.com
Yes, we are on the path to be Africa's number one celebrity, event and photos/news website. Apart from buisness storiesm which would keep you abreast of your financial interest,we shall continue to showcase the best of Nollywood glamour just as they do with Hollywood stars all over the world.We have to be proud of what we have got.The best of us is yet to come. You can help us realise this by supporting us through the promotion of your goods and services on the website. So small, you will think we are doing charity.Trust, we have loads of materials.
Contact us today!

NIGERIAN TELEVISION ROLE MODEL CELEBRITIES AND POLITICS

Reported by Niyi Tabiti

Wherever and whenever the success of the most remarkable electoral victory in the world (Barak Obama’s American presidential bid) surfaced in political history, the name-Oprah Winfrey would come up as one of the greatest influences of the period. Millions of people around the world hold Oprah in great awe because of the positive impacts she has been making through her lively and thought provoking television show.
In a place like Nigeria, someone like Oprah would ordinarily be classified as a mere TV presenter or better still an entertainer but in reality she is a role model celebrity. How far can our celebrities go to be genuine inspirations for positive socio-economy and political change in our nation? When it comes to political issue, do people take television personalities with so much seriousness?
Today in Nigeria, there are women who have indeed carved a niche for themselves with their commendable talk shows. Funmi Iyanda, Mosunmola (Mo) Abudu, Lola Oduba, Agatha Amata and a few others have indeed carved a niche for themselves here. Fine face, good smile and creative balance but the one billion naira question is- can it sow a seed of making you change your vote for the price of nothing?
Bimpe Fatokun a university undergraduate in Nigeria told http://www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com/ that television personalities like Mo Abudu and Funmi Iyanda are good brands for political influence but they have been limiting themselves.
“Look at it this way; they are popular and adored because of the issues they have been highlighting on their shows. For someone like me who has little or no interest in politics, I can easily be convinced to line up behind any candidate by these people because I admire them but I have not seen them coming out campaigning for any one”
On his part, Fola, a senior executive with a courier company in USA disagreed that some of the television personalities have not been doing much in the area of politics. Fola who was in Lagos recently for a seminar told http://www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com/ that most Nigerian television presenters don’t pretend about their political affinity. Citing the case of Funmi Iyanda, Fola disclosed that she has been known to be an all rounder, particularly in the media. In her newspaper columns and TV shows, she is known to have used it as a pedestal to talk about human rights abuses and short fall in the living standard of the people.
A popular actor told us there would have been more involvement of presenters in politics but they can’t openly campaign for someone they are not even sure would do their own will. Adding a humorous dimension to it, the actor said unlike America where it is a case of principle, in Nigeria politics is a case of figures. The electorates and godfathers think more about how much money they would share. So, if you like- put all the entertainers in Nigerian together for one man, they can only add colour but not change anything because the election results would have been written before the day.
“Does it mean actors and musicians have greater influences here?” gistmaster asked.
“Capital no!” he replied. “I told you earlier that what we have here is still politics of influence. Most of the musicians dancing behind politicians durning electoral period are only out for their daily bread. In America, most of them offered to be volunteers because they believe it is a moment for change. Niyi, do you know how much a Fuji musician pocked for doing an album for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as governor of Lagos State?”
“All the Yoruba artistes who were also calling Tinubu’s name in their movies also benefited from the huge purse of his political machinery. We can only have someone influence our elections like Oprah did if election is actually based on principle not money. It is a sacrifice that starts as far as the entertainer refusing to collect money for such ‘services’. I know that one day; one of these women would achieve that feat”