NOLLYWOOD ACTRESS,MONALISA CHINDA SUES HUSBAND FOR DIVORCE....STEPHANIE OKEREKE FLAG OFF NEW WEBSITE

LAGOS, NIGERIA — Award winning Nollywood Actress Stephanie Okereke is delighted to announce the launch of her brand new website www.stephanieokereke.NET to showcase her work, her brand and her new image.

The new website provides the media and Stephanie’s fans with a place to read, see and hear anything new about Stephanie, from Stephanie including videos; brand new editorial images; a blog; a press page; links to her favorite sites, wallpapers and buddy icons for downloads, a store to buy all things Stephanie and a fan of the month page. Fans can also connect to Stephanie on her Twitter and Facebook pages through the website.

 Visitors to stephanieokereke.NET will find the aesthetic a lot more colorful, contemporary and user friendly. The special feature on the site is the Fan of the Month Page. Stephanie’s goal is to inspire her fans to participate in her Change the World Campaign. To participate, fans must send their name, city, phone, e-mail address and a 500 words essay on how they are currently making a positive change to the world (supporting material should be attached). Each month, only lucky fan will win a fabulous price or possibly a chance to meet Stephanie in person anywhere she is in the world.

 Stephanie Okereke came into the Nollywood scene in 1997 as a student at the University of Calabar . After graduating, her thirst for an acting career propelled her into Nollywood fulltime. Stephanie made her mark with the movie Emotional Crack which premiered at the African Film festival in April 2004. With Over 90 films to her name, Stephanie Okereke is continually building her brand in the movie industry. A recent graduate of the New York Film Academy, Stephanie has expanded her title to include Director, producer and writer with the introduction of her latest movie: Through the Glass which premiered at the Silver Screen Theatre of the Pacific Design Centre on October 18th 2008 in Hollywood, California, and will premier across theatres in Nigeria on September 16th 2009

NOLLYWOOD STAR,MONALISA CHINDA SUES HUSBAND FOR DIVORCE!

Top Nollywood actress,Monalisa Chinda has finally confirmed months of speculations regarding crack in her marriage. She is married to a former boss of Questionmark Records, Mr.Dejo Richard. The fair skinned actress has also ordered her lawyer, Mr. Festus Keyamo to write her husband seeking for divorce.The statement of divorce became a public issue recently.

 Dejo also confirmed that Monalisa has given up on their marriage,even though they both have a baby last year.He told The Sunday Sun that he would do anything to get his wife back because he si so much in love with her.He ,however, blamed the crack in the marriage to bad advisers telling his wife to leave him.
 Monalisa has just netted money running into millions of Naira as a result of her endorsement as a Glo Ambassador (A telecom company in Nigeria).Some people believe that the money she just collected could have also been a motivating voice.A top Nollywood actress told http://www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com/ that the actress has endured the man for long so people should stop speculating rubbish.
 “Monalisa is a good woman, inside and outside or have you ever seen her drinking like fish in clubs just like the other actresses?” she asked

AGAIN, MUTIU LESHI AND FRIENDS DONATE MATERIALS TO LESS PRIVILEGED PUPILS

By Niyi Tabiti
News Editor

Last year, Mutiu Leshi a Nigerian based in the United States of America and friends round to get people to donate materials such as pencils,books, erasers etc.It was later forwarded to Gistmaster in Nigeria for onward donation to some schools in Lagos. We took it to public schools in Meiran area of Lagos State.
This year (2009), Mutiu personally came to town an we took what he brought this time to a school in Ojodu Abiodun area of Ogun State.

It was distributed to the kids and the teachers thanked him for his kind gesures,Afteral there are lots of people out there who have completely forgotten about home.We also have a many millionaires who the resources to donate classrooms and computers, yet they prefer to use their money to do parties.
You can view the website of www.africa-outreach.org to learn more

KUNLE AFOLAYAN UNVEILS FUGURINE TO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AT THE PALMS

By Niyi Tabiti/gistmaster.com
News Editor

When it comes to the business of movie, international film maker, actor and producer, Kunle Afolayan knows it like the back of his palms. It is no surprise, having worked with a bank and known to be creative, Afolayan would not have been anything less.
Recently, Kunle invited the Nigerian business community to the preview of his latest movie ‘Fingurine’ at Genesis Cinema located at The Palms, Lekki. Stars in the movie includes Ramsey Nouah,Funlola Aofiyebi-Raimi,Tosin Sido,Omoni Oboli and Muraina Oyelami.
The event had representatives from various PR companies; advertising companies and conglomerates.Afolayan disclosed that the purpose of the premiere for business executives is to show them practical opportunities of showcasing their products through ‘subtle’ advertising and other means in movies.
There are various scenes in the movie; brands can be used to depict certain places. He thanked GSK makers of Lucozade Boost, MicCom Golf Hotels and Resorts, for using the movie as a platform to showcase their product and services.
We gathered that this sis the beginning of a series of premieres that would take place in Nigeria and various parts of the world.
Ramsey Nouah,Funlola Aofiyebi-Raimi,Tosin Sido,Omoni Oboli are some of the lead actors in the movie.
The synopsis of Figurine (Araromire) shows that it is a story of two buddies and a girl…all down on their luck have their lives changed when one of them discovers ‘Araromire’ a mysterious fingurine in a n abandoned shrine which, according to legend bestows seven years of good luck. But no one told them about the next seven years…
A statement obtained by http://www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com/ from Golden Effect, the production owned by Kunle Afolayan described Figurine as a multi-cultural and contemporary feature highlighting the essence and efficacy of tradition, friendship, betrayal and love. It transcends both the ancient and modern day.

ABOUT KUNLE AFOLAYAN
Born into the family of legendary film maker, Late Adeyemi Afolayan (Ade Love), Kunle started his acting career from childhood and also helping is father in his film productions. A graduate of Business Administration, he later studied Digital Film Making at the New York Film Institute,USA.He produced the award winning movie,Irapada and also co-directed a short film titled Triangle of Needs with Catherine Sullivan, a notable American film maker.
Aside winning several awards, Kunle Afolayan has showcased his work at notable international film festivals such as London Film Festival, screening at Pan African Movie festival,Los Angeles,USA,Nollywood International Road Show,Iyalode Film Festival in Atlanta,Georgia,USA etc.

WORLD BANK VP MEETS 2009 FUTURE AWARD WINNERS IN LAGOS

Story and photos by Niyi Tabiti
News Editor

The Vice President of World Bank,Mrs.Oby Ezekwezili, last weekend, met with winners of this year's Future Award at Civic Centre in Lagos.
Most of the winners were present and the former minister of Education popularly known as 'Madam Due Process' durning the Olusegun Obasanjo Administration took time to mentor the winners on how to be the true drivers of their generation. Everyone felt at home with Mrs.Ezekwezili because of her great sense of humour. Hey! forget it if you think that Madam Due Process knows nothing about designers,Television...she seems to be vast in what is going on in the country, even on the social scene.She tells Cobhams Asuquo "My husband like your music.His name is Pastor..." To another person,she said "My Son loves to dance.If you have a website then let me know"......
Madam is funnier than most of our comedians!

Future Award is an annual youth award ceremony organised by Redstrat,owned and managed by three people-Emilia Asim-Nta,Adebola Willaima and Chude Jideonwo

FOLUKE DARAMOLA PREMIERES LATEST MOVIE ‘WAKATI EDA’…DONATES WHEEL CHAIR TO “ABACHA”

By Niyi Tabiti
News Editor/gistmaster.com

The first lady of Ondo State, Mrs.Mimiko and other important personalities graced the occasion of ‘Wakati Eda’, a Yoruba movie produced by cross over actress and producer, Foluke Daramola-Sobowale in Lagos. The banquet hall of Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Ikeja, was packed full of movie enthusiasts, producers, movie practitioners and well wishers. Bonsue fuji creator, Adewale Ayuba a.k.a Mr.Johnson also thrilled the guests.
The special guest of Honour, Mrs. Mimiko was full of praises for the talented actress. She disclosed that when the actress came calling on Governor Olusegun Mimiko (her husband) and herself, they were moved by the story line and what they considered positive changes the movie would make in the lives of the people when finally released.
It was excitement all the way as the trio of the Femi Branch, Saheed Balogun and Stella Damasus- Nzeribe anchored the event. The short preview of the movie as the title implies, emphasize the rule of perseverance because one day there would be breakthrough.
When it was donation time, Mrs.Mimiko (who came to the event alongside her daughter and few aides) said that they would make donation of an undisclosed amount. The same term applies to the representative of Mrs.Toyin Saraki, First Lady of Kwara State.
The high point of the ceremony, however, was when Foluke donated a wheel chair to a physically challenged man popularly known as Abacha. http://www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com/ learnt, Foluke was motivated to make that token donation because the young man controls help solve traffic logjams despite his disabilities. “He ensures a free flow of traffic despite physical challenge. I have been seeing Abacha for sometime and I decided to donate the wheel chair in my own little way and to encourage others to o same” she said in an emotion laden voice.
Don’t let us forget to tell you that the red carpet was dotted with ‘G’ class Mercedes Benz cars (From Tayo Ayeni’s Skymit Motors) dropping people at the entrance into the hall. After parking their cars, the guests were then chauffer driven (by a driver already waiting by the side) to the entrance.

SUENU HALL:THE RIGHT HALL FOR YOUR EVENTS RIGHT IN THE HEART OF VICTORIA ISLAND, LAGOS

Suenu Hall, located right inside ADRAO International School on Ahmadu Bello way,Victoria Island, Lagos is totally repackaged. A visit by www.niyitabiti.bloggspot.com confirms it.Apart from paintings of the and fittings of industrial cooling facilities, the place has become the toast of event managers who want to give satisfaction to their clients.
Suenu Hall (Adrao International School) is very close to Silverbird Galleria and Nigeria Television Authority premises in Victoria Island. You need to be there. More details later. Feel free to check www.adraointernationalschools.com/suenuhall

STAR FOCUS:NITA P SETS TO SHOOT VIDEO...COLLABO WITH NIGER DELTA MUSIC SENSATION,TIMAYA IN LATEST WORK

By Niyi Tabiti

Ogochukwu Anita Okuno is a 5’7' inch light skinned beauty. She coined her stage name nita p from her name Anita and the p from Patrick her father’s name.She is the 4th child from a family of nine. Anita was born about 25 years ago and she studied Business Administration at the Lagos state university, aside running her own fashion boutique Xynosure. The up and coming music star is from is from ikwale ikuami local government in Delta State.

Her new single ‘chewing love’ feature Timaya was produced by Jiggy Jek and mixed and mastered by foster zeeno of zane pro studio.She is in Dubai, shopping for the upcoming video in Nigeria.The cinematography would be handled by by Wudi Awa and makeup by Lolar Shon .
She gets her inspiration from the cool breeze at the beach, where she loves to write. ‘Chewing Love’ is a dance hall song and promises to be a street and club banger. According to her, the chorus is so simple and the beats so danceable. She aspire to be the greatest female artiste in Africa.
Anita, who is still very much single tells us her favourite food is the south west Nigeria delicacy-Amala.

THANK YOU READERS!

Dear readers,

We want to thank you all for being there for us since we started this celebrity media brand.We know there are thousands of those who started with us .Today,they can confidently say they are part of the revolution of the new media that is sweeping across Africa and indeed Nigeria through our regular reports and photos. A lot of companies have also identified with us through adverts and placing of special reports.

We have our own style and we injected it into the online celebrity news in Nigeria.

We also conducted a poll through readers, journalists and entertainment observers last year, eventually,Rita Dominic emerged first and there was a party for her at SWE Bar...thanks to those that made that a reality.Congratulations to Rita, she is now one of the Glo Ambassadors.

In many ways, we have changed the perspective that online media has no place in Nigeria.Today, many people have seen what we have done and they are encourage to start something too.

We want to do more for our readers.

Together, we would get there.Now ,we are building a new order, changing rules and ready to give gistmaster.com our best. Don't forget to advertise with us.

-Niyi Tabiti

The TENANT™: International Award winning Movie by Nigerians set to premiere in Lagos.

Today, Broken Manacles Entertainment, announced the forthcoming premiere of their multiple award winning movie called: The TENANT™. The movie which was also written, produced, and directed by Jude Idada and Lucky Ejim, two Nigerian emigrants in Canada was shot at various locations in Canada and Nigeria with Dare ‘BabaDee’ Fasasi as co-director.
Faced with the onerous challenge of breaking into Hollywood, the duo of Lucky Ejim, and Jude Idada founded the film production company called Broken Manacles Entertainment Inc.
The movie has already won international accolades that include:
Audience Choice Award, Best Feature Film–(Hollywood Black Film Festival2009), Beverly Hills, California;
Best Feature Film – (Moving Image Film festival2008), Toronto Canada.
The movie billed to premiere in Lagos sometime in October, 2009 at the cinemas tells the tale of the average African emigrant in search of a better future for himself and his family: Obinna, a Nigerian refugee in Canada, faces deportation in 30 days. When all hope seems lost, a chance confrontation with Timothy, his terminally ill landlord, provides him an opportunity to remain in the country. Timothy who is a former immigration officer makes him a deal; he will intervene in his pending deportation if Obinna finds his estranged daughter Nicole and convinces her to see him one last time before he dies. With the clock ticking, Obinna fights to save his dreams, in the course of which he stumbles on a discovery that will shake the very foundations of his beliefs.
So far the movie has been screened at various film festivals in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. In the words of the movie director Lucky Ejim: "…Some of the ideas that emanated from our research was the pain associated with the need to survive, to love and to forgive, but these words alone wasn’t enough to make an interesting film so we decided to quantify pain…" Following the screening in Canada, some of the guests had this to say:
".... This film makes Nigeria proud. Great storytelling, Great acting, Great Directing, There should be a part two" - His Excellency, Professor Iyorwuese Hager (High Commissioner of Nigeria to Canada);
".... I loved this film. As a successful writer, I couldn’t even fathom the plot line, twists, reversals etc. The language was marvelous. The directing is superb. I am in awe." - Robert Eisele Writer (The Great Debaters)
The official premiere of The TENANT™ would be preceded by a screening of the movie to the media and the online blogging community on the 16th of October, 2009. The movie trailer and additional information about the TENANT™ movie are available at: www.thetenantmovie.com.

-Press Release/gistmaster.com

TRIBUTE TO NAOMI RUTH SIMS- FIRST BLACK SUPERMODEL

The modelling industry is in mourning over the passing of the first Black Model ever -Naomi Sims who passed away on the 1st of August 2009 after losing the battle against Breast Cancer. Born on March 30, 1948, in Oxford, Mississippi, Naomi paved way for many black models today in the fashion industry.

Sims was considered the "first black supermodel" for appearing on the cover of Ladies Home Journal in November 1968, a time when African-American models were few and far between. She subsequently modeled for designers like Halston, Fernando Sánchez, Teal Traina, and Giorgio di Sant'Angelo. She also appeared on many other magazine covers, and two images-- a 1969 cover of LIFE and a 1967 New York Times fashion magazine over--are on display in the Metropolitan Museum's "The Model As Muse" exhibit.

After five years, Sims retired from modeling and started a multimillion-dollar wig-making business that specialized in designs for black women. Sims also penned at least five books on beauty and modeling.

At 5'10", with dark skin, Sims had not been considered particularly attractive as a teenager. "Black wasn't beautiful then," according to the Black Enterprise. "The darker your skin, the less good-looking you were considered; and she was too tall, and too skinny." In the wake of the civil rights movement and the Black Power movement, however, the idea that only light-skinned women were attractive was being called into question.Still, when Sims approached modeling agencies in New York, she was told outright that there was no work for African-American models. Alternatively, Sims told Mademoiselle that the agencies made "very insipid excuses--'too many of my type'--and there were no other black women and certainly not anybody of my type!"

Undeterred, Sims tried a different approach. She contacted a well-known fashion photographer, persuading him to meet with her; to her surprise, he agreed. Immediately spotting Sims's potential, the photographer sent her to meet his wife, a fashion editor at the New York Times. In 1967, after her very first modeling session, Sims fo"Naomi was the first… She was the great ambassador for all black people. She broke down all the social barriers."

After five years, Sims retired from modeling and started a multimillion-dollar wig-making business that specialized in designs for black women. Sims also penned at least five books on beauty and modeling. In the mid- 1970s, Sims slowed down on modeling and started her own business. She developed wigs, fragrances and cosmetics targeted at African-American women. She wrote several books about modeling , health and beauty. But Naomi sims will be remembered as a gorgeous and stylish woman who made a big difference in the world of modeling.

While Sims's skin color was newsworthy, her walk received just as much attention. According to the Kansas City Star, "Her walk became her hallmark. It wasn't like the glide or bounce of many models. Her serpentine movements of the arms, torso, and legs were beautiful to watch and as subtly controlled as a dancer's." According to fashion designer Halston, one of the first to hire Sims, was quoted as saying in Black Enterprise, "When she put on a garment, something just m-a-arvelous happened."Eventualy,Halston, one of the first to hire Sims. Even Cooper, who had been slow to see Sims's potential, was quoted in Black Enterprise: "She could make any garment--even a sackcloth--look like sensational haute couture."

For Naomi, modeling was never her ultimate goal, as she started to model to supplement her income to go to college....But the idea of starting her own business had always appealed to her, and she was fortunate that her first career led to the second.
Sims's second career was a business selling wigs specifically designed for black women. The idea came directly out of Sims's struggle with her own hair while she was modeling, when she was under pressure to look different in every picture. She  was sort of driven to distraction in terms of how to vary her hairstyle.

One easy solution would be to wear a wig, but Sims was dissatisfied with the wigs available at the time, which had smooth, straight fibers that looked nothing like African American hair. So she decided to start experimenting in her kitchen. She got hold of a current best-selling fiber for white women, wet the fiber down, put it in her oven at a very low temperature, and baked it for maybe five or ten minutes," she explained in Black Enterprise. The result was a curlier, coarser fiber--and a new business idea. "I thought it might be possible to market this type of product."
The fiber was patented and trademarked under the name Presselle, and the first line of the Naomi Sims Collection went into production.

In the early 1980s, Sims gradually expanded her business interests to include perfume, skin care products, and cosmetics for black women. Her signature fragrance, Naomi, was launched in 1981. Four years later, she founded her own company, Naomi Sims Beauty Products Ltd.
Her obituaries reveal a classic American rags-to-riches tale.

Here is to a true fighter in the Fashion and Beauty industry, who blazed the trail for many of us to follow .

Naomi Ruth Sims: 1948-2009

MTN SPONSORS NIGERIA MUSIC FESTIVAL

In its unique and characteristic way, MTN Nigeria is introducing innovative features into Nigerian music as it takes up the sponsorship of the inaugural edition of the Nigerian Music Festival (NMF), a show organized by Ruyi Communications Ltd.
The MTN Nigerian Music Festival will feature performances from both old and contemporary stars across diverse genres - R & B, Hip Hop, Rap, Fuji, Juju, Afro beat, High life, Ikwokirikwo and Reggae. Premised on a unique content and concept, featuring hit tunes from 1960 to date, the festival promises to be very exciting and entertaining as it seeks to celebrate musical excellence of the past decades in Nigeria in a refreshingly distinct way.
Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria, Mr Bola Akingbade said "MTN strongly believes in enriching the lives of its subscribers by living their passion and bringing them activities that will continually put smiles on their faces. We desire that our subscribers be proud to be part of the MTN family that is known for its innovation in its products and services and always taking the lead ahead of others."
The Chief Executive Officer of Ruyi Communications Ltd, Mr Soni Irabor, who is the brain behind the festival, maintained that music is "a language spoken by a talented few, but understood and enjoyed by all." Commenting on the rich quality of Nigerian music, he said, "It is against this backdrop that we seek to celebrate this aspect of the country’s heritage for the enjoyment of the young and old."
This is the first time the Nigerian music scene will be witnessing a blend of over 25 contemporary Nigerian artistes including old school acts. All of these combined promises to liven up the musical festival scheduled for October 2009.
Great music legends like Sir Victor Uwaifo, Christy Essien-Igbokwe, Victor Olaiya, Shina Peters, K1, as well as Wande Coal, DJ Zeez, Tuface, Bracket, Faze, Nigga Raw, Muma Gee, Ara ,Felix Udo, Mariyam, Duncan Mighty, Weird MC, Yemi Sax, Sound Sultan, Timaya, among others will add fun and glamour to the music festival.
"The show is expected to be a massive, open air concert-like event. There is no doubt that MTN Nigeria, in its traditional way of promoting such initiatives, will leave no stone unturned in giving the audience a massive, glitzy and memorable musical festival," Irabor said.

ARTHURS GUINNESS DAY:WHERE WILL YOU BE ON SEPTEMBER 24?

You wouldn't want to miss this date for something else.Keep the date...it is Arthurs Guinness day! Details soon.

SEX SCANDAL ROCKS TELECOM COMPANY,ZAIN IN NIGERIA

Sex is so sweet but dangerous when it is done with the wrong person.That was excatly the case as two staffers of a major telecom company in Nigeria were caught in the web of sex controversy recently.The people involved are alledgely married to different partners but alledge yet having sexual relationships for time now.Recently, news peddlers told http://www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com/ that they both decided to take their love nest to a foreign country. Just like the case of Anita Hogan, the Nollywood actress, they both decided to take pictures naked.Some of the photos were e-mailed to us but we decided to post just two so that we won't 'corrupt'your eyes. We further gathered that they later misplaced the memory card and it got into the wrong hands. Someone whispered that it got into the hands of a family member who immediately wired it to some press people. At the moment, we gathered that the two people have allegedly been sacked.

Efforts to get the head of corporate affairs of the telecom company to comment proved abortive.

CITY PEOPLE FASHION WRITER,BOLA AKINBOADE CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY AT PAPAS

By Niyi Tabiti

Bola Akinboade, a senior fashion writer with City People magazine group was hosted to a lavish birthday ceremony at Club Papas on Friday 7 August 2009.The man behind club papas at K's Place,Victoria-Island,Lagos,Mr.Frank Okamigbo informs www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com that the birthday in honour of Bola is part of ways of saying thank you to the writer who has contributed her own meaningful bit to style reporting in Nigeria.As expected, the party was well attended and the dance floor was not empty till 5:30 this morning (Saturday 8 August 2009)