STAR COMEDIAN, TEE A TOOK US BACK TO THE OLD SKOOL WITH SHOWTIME AFRICA'S CUSTUME PARTY IN IKOYI,LAGOS

Story & photos by Niyi Tabiti

Tunde Adewale, one of Nigeria top comedians and compere extraordinare was the chief host on Thursday 28 May as his company, Showtime Africa, puts together another blissful edition of the annual Old School party.The event took place at Fantasyland,Ikoyi,Lagos.

Entertainers,nollywod stars,brand and event managers were at the event.T

he list include Julius Agwu and wife,Bisoye Fagade of Soulcomms, Ayo Animashaun of Hip Hop World,Kingsley James, Ay the comedian,Jeddi,Tony Tetuila,Blakky,Seyi Otuyemi,Bunmi Oyesiku.Bright Ikpocha popularly known as Basket Mouth,Kenny St.Brown,Essence and others.More photos and gist comes your way soonest.

Photo 1:TEE A,wife and twin sister-Photo 2-TEE A's mother-in-law-Photo 3-Cossy Orjiakor-photo 4-A comedian,OMO JESU-Photo 5-Dayo of hip on tv,adebola williams,mary j and omawunmi-photo 6-bunmi oyesiku and Ronke-photo 7-S.Dot of Soundcity.

More photos and gist later!

WHO WINS GISTMASTER BEST DRESSED CELEBRITY IN 2009

By Niyi Tabiti

Thank you all to those who have been contacting us on the 2009 edition of our best dressed star. Loads and loads of suggestions have been coming our way and i must state that we on this side are more than happy that the world all over, our stars are appreciated. Last year's edition was fabulous.Omotola Jolade-Ekehinde, Rita Dominic,Genevieve Nnaji,Stephanie Okereke and Ini Edo were some of the names mentioned last year. People did not only vote, they also commented on why they would choose a particular star as the winner.
About 40 journalists, fashion designers and celebrities were also asked to go through a secret balot on their choice of best dressed actress.Rita Dominic emerged as the winner.GISTMASTER had a grand reception for her at Swe Bar!
Many thanks to our dear friend,Tosyn Bucknor-the small but mighty presenter,writer,singer,blogger etc...Tosyn,you are too much...oti po ju!Many thanks to Swe Bar.Ajibola Ayana Olubiyi,Otunba Olakunrin and others- you are wonderful,Tara Fela Durotoye,we love you...thanks for the support. I must never forget KU, a fan of this blog in America who sent some good stuff to be given to the winner. She brought the 'you can do spirit' into the Best dressed award by fufilling the promise she made to me via email. When I look back at the email, I just laugh.In her first email, she said "Niyi, i am going to send you some gifts for the winner. Send me your address.Don't think this is a kind of 419 or something..."
We sincerely thank the Nigerian press for their contributions. Encomium, Punch Newspapers, Champion, City People, First Weekly, News of the People, Global Excellence, The Sun Newspapers, The Nation, Vanguard Newspapers, Top Celebrities,Werunthings.com, Nicholas Anukanti of Style TV, Genevieve Magazine,Quest Television, Showtime Africa (Tee A baba, you are too much), Galaxy Television and others too numerous to mention.Ms. Kemi Otegbade of Heartlink,thanks for always being there. Mr.Kunle Bakare-publisher of Encomium-i call him the professor of celebrity journalism.Mr.KB!Thanks for all the workshops.We use to complain about those daily meetings but now it works,My oga, Mr.Azuh Arinze, editor of Encomium-I can't thank you enough.Tayo Odusanya, Ayeni Adekunle,Nonye Iwuagwu,Amadi Ogbonaya,Victor Akande, Godwin Onyemachi,Patience… and finally, I thank my wife,TEE for the support,Uzor Ngoladi, Seun Oloketuyi,Stella Dimoko Korkos, Bayo Adetu.I must not forget Gbenga Adeyinka, the comedian of the Federal Republic.And to all readers, I thank you all!
Bellanaija, Linda Ikeji,Boobsista, and all of you that supported us through your blogs and other means.
This year, we are also seeking your your love as partner in progress.WE are still on the drawing board and would soon be taking off. This year, we would be launching the best dressed campaign in other countries of the world and the winner would be hosted by fans in other parts of the world.Lets go, if you have any idea or support pls text, call , email...!
This year, the winner would not only face the largest convergence of celebritiy photographers, it would be one day of 'Hollywood' celebrity treat.
soon we would announce the sponsors of this year's edition.

Photo-Niyi Tabiti,Ajibola of SWE,Rita Dominic,Kate Henshaw and Anita Joseph at the reception for Rita as BEST DRESSED ACTRESS last year organised by Gistmaster

...EVER 'BUBBLING'MUNACHI AND ADAEZE IGWE ON THE YELLO' CARPET

By Niyi Tabiti

The HIP HOP Award 2009 just like the previous editions turned out to be a parade of stars,many of whom came to show off their latest designer outfits.
Munachi Abii,a former Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria was in company of Adaeze Igwe,the beauty queen who took over from her.Munachi showed up in a short gown while Adaeze got her swagger in a long black gown.Hmm..what more,Munachi apparently grabbed some attention by showing more flesh on the front side.Munachi is ever 'bubbling' or what do you think?Well,Cossy was not there to challenge her!lol

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GIST FROM HIP HOP WORLD AWARD 2009

By Niyi Tabiti
This year's Hip HOP World is a follow up to the organizer's tradition of excellence.No doubt,everyone cannot be satisfied but anyone who belong to the class of top event and brand managers would thumbs up for Ayo Animashaun and crew for putting together such a wondrous show.
www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com was there live and I promise you that we are going to be giving you the news behind the news from now on.
The ceremony took place on 16 May 2006 but prior to that date,a lot of people have arrived Abuja from within and outside the country.Dana Air conveyed most of the guests and journalists on Saturday.
The International Conference Centre was 'breathing' with glamour from start to finish...stars step on the y'ello carpet,dazzling like a million dollar diamond.

M-e-n! It was a nice award as 9ice's Gongo Aso album carted home four awards।By the way,the fast rising musician impressed many people with his appearance on the y'ello carpet unlike previous events.9ice came to the event with his wife,Toni Payne but not with their baby,Zion.One day,maybe,a leading tabloid would be willing to pay some mega bucks to publish the exclusive photos!
Gist,gist soon to come your way.



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DAY FIRS SHUT DOWN CONOIL HEADQUARTERS IN LAGOS FOR ALLEGELY NOT FUFILLING IT TAX OBLIGATIONS TO THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT

By Niyi Tabiti

Bella's Place,the magnificient edifice built by billionaire businessman,Otunba Mike Adenuga and named after Bella,one of his beautiful daughters,came under lock and key recently as officials of the Federal Inland Revenue Service accused the management of Conoil of lackadaiscal attitude towards the payment of taxes.The company is said to be owing several millions of Naira to the government.The company was also alleged to have been defaulting for years now.
www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com observed that many of the staff were visibly embarrased as cars and other property owned by Conoil were confiscated by men of the FIRS.
A drama played itself out when the Managing Director of Conoil,Mr.Tycus Shina initially denies that he is one of the directors.He said,he was 'just' a staff.However,he was embarrased as one of the people who came with men of the revenue service said "Why are you denying yourself,you are the MD.He was shocked and he had no choice than to admit.At that point,he made frantic efforts to contact Adenuga,the Chairman of the company on phone,to ensure that FIRS did not go away with their things.It didn't work as the Chairman was said to be away.
FIRS officials disclosed that they have given Conoil enough time and they have been pushed to the wall.No company or individual is bigger than payment of taxes.This is what the government use in putting social amenities in place for the Nigerians.
www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com overheard some of the staff who were already gathered outside of the building,saying the company and people behind it has contributed so much to the development of the company and they shouldn't have been treated like that.Whatever had been the case,they should tackled it through other means and not by embarrassing the company like that.
Meanwhile,www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com promises to bring you more photos and gist from the FIRS/Conoil saga later!


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REPORTER'S DIARY:GOING 60 YEARS BACKWARD...THANKS TO DONOUR AGENCIES ON POVERTY ALLEVIATION, WOMEN EMPOWERNMENT AND SMALL SCALE BUSINESSES IN NIGERIA

By Niyi Tabiti


Sorry guys for not updating for about a week now. I have been working with a client on a project that has to do with community development,women empowernment and fight against poverty.We have been travelling here and there to see the impact of the what the financial assistance that donor agencies abroad has done in their lives.The trip was sponsored by one of the agencies.
We have been able to cover Osogbo (Osun State),Isemile,Iseyin and other places in Oyo State, Ilaro,Ayetoro and other places in Ogun State.It has been fun being travelling through many places.The journey continues to other part of the country but I am able to skip it a bit because of the Hip Hop World Award holding at the International Conference Centre, Abuja on Saturday 16 May 2009.
My experience on the journey shows that poverty is indeed a disaease. The government has not done enough to alleviate the lives of the people.I mean, entering some towns and villages that we went,it would look as if you went 60 years backward.You will see the reality of those pictures we see in history books on ground,indicating that these people have not seen development in the last 50 or so years.
We met serious minded individuals mostly women who have been beneficiaries of small financial assistance.Some of them are into soap making,cream,garri processing etc.One remarkable thing about them is that they all have testimonies to share. One woman who lost her husband some years back said she is now like a man because she has been able to use the money to support her family since her husband died.Another said that she lost her self esteem when her family couldn't feed. Today, she can raise her head up high,send her kids to school and even buy clothes.A shoe maker told us how he was able to send two of his children through higher institutions of learning. This is a man who could not even speak one word in English.
The amount that of them received are not more than what it cost some of us to buy a designer bag or shoe in the city, but it has done a lot in improving their lives...taking them away from the wretched lifestyle.You will moved to tears by their stories.
I conclude that Nigerians need to help Nigerians.Do you know that almost all the grants, financial assistance,trainings etc are courtesy from foreign Non- Governmental Organisation, religious groups,Community Development Groups etc. These are people that have no family or anything to do with Nigeria.
One woman lamented that even when they agricultural loan or whatever from the government, the staff in charge usually request for grantification or else they would frustrate the whole process.May God save us!
Its time to think about the level of poverty ravaging our villages and towns alone.Lagos is like Hollywood to millions of Nigerians who live in these villages. I was playing with a seve year old girl in Oyo State and i was shocked that she has not even heard of D'banj or 2face.Strange!
Most influencial Nigerians today are those who started from the village.Most of them were not even born in Lagos or other cities.
How are you preparing for the Hip Hop World Award.Can't wait for the Lagosification of Abuja on Saturday!!!! who wins what and all the photos coming up on Gistmaster.

WANT TO BE PART OF THE KOKOMASION WITH D'BANJ?THE FORM IS OUT

At last, young Nigerian girls that have been enthusiastic about getting into the famous Koko Mansion, now have the opportunity to do so. A statement signed by HiTV’s Public Relations Manager, Justin Akpovi-Esade, revealed that the road leading to Koko Mansion, a reality show, is now a click away as revealed by Morayo Aka-Bashorun, HiTV’s Business Development and Sales Manager. All, the potential Kokolette needs to do, Aka-Bashorun said, is to “walk into any GTBank branch nationwide and pay the sum of N5, 000 (five thousand naira only) into the Koko Mansion Account. The Kokolette is advised to keep her teller number for registration. She should thereafter key in the teller number and GTBank branch number on the kokomansion.tv website which will make her have access to the application forms.” She continued: “In case she is without her portrait, she has an option to either save her data or cancel the application until she's back with her portrait, which she downloads on her form. After application, she clicks on Submit and it is sent to the IBST officer. GTBank sends us a daily list of confirmed payment, which we forward to IBST. Only applicants whose payment have been verified are contacted via email and advised to look out in the newspapers to know when we'll be coming to their neighbourhood for screening. There will however be auditions in three zones, Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt cities,” Aka-Bashorun said. Meanwhile, barely a day after the release of the application procedures, hundreds of applications have been received. Aka-Bashorun reacts: “I am not surprised, when an idea is a brilliant one that will eventually impact positively on the society, people do not have a choice than to embrace it, that is Koko Mansion.” She cleared the air on some perceived notions about the show billed to start very soon. “I want to state that this show is not about looking for a wife for D’banj, no, it is about the search for an ideal African woman with the right qualities that a man is looking for.” Koko Mansionrevolves around the quest of 12 beautiful, talented girls that will live in a mansion for eight weeks, to become the ideal Kokolette (wife). The Mansion is situated in an undisclosed area in Lagos. Hip hop superstar D’banj will play a vital role in the oncoming show. In these weeks, the young women will be groomed and tested in various activities in order to determine the one with the greatest Koko Virtues, worthy of being a wife –a Kokolette. Also, the Actors Guild of Nigeria is the first body to endorse the show being packaged by HiTV, Nigeria and Africa’s fastest growing satellite company. The Guild through its president, popular actor Ejike Asiegbu, has described Koko Mansion as the biggest thing that will happen in the entertainment horizon this year. The show is expected to begin in June.

-www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com