BIMPE ELITE MAKEUP PRESENTS BE EMPOWERED

This is a MUST attend !!!!!!

AFRICA FASHION WEEK DEBUTS IN LONDON

OVER 60 DESIGNERS FROM ALL OVER THE CONTINENT OF AFRICA, TO DISPLAY THEIR ORIGINAL AFRICAN FABRICS AND DESIGNS IN LONDON IN AUGUST 2011

For the first time in history, the city of London will be hit by a two-day Tsunami of an event that will showcase everything that defines fashion from an African point of view. The event is known as Africa Fashion Week London. It will be held between 5th and 6th August 2011 at the Gibson Hall, 13 Bishopsgate London EC2N and will make history as the biggest platform ever dedicated to African inspired fashion in Europe.

Africa Fashion Week London will give equal opportunity and priority to top international fashion designers alongside new and emerging designers who use African fabrics in their designs, are inspired by African culture and art, sell to the African market or have ties to Africa. The new and emerging designers will be showcased in an event known as Revelation Show within the AFWL. Africa fashion week London is a project designed to create a loud and wide exposure and propagation of style, beauty and fashion from an African perspective, in European environment, thereby creating an atmosphere for cultural exchange; a fusion of western and African cultures, through fashion. The event will:

Feature designers from the whole of Africa;

Offer those in the fashion industry a free platform on which to showcase their brands;

Act as an opportunity for fashion designers to network among each other;

Create a portal for new designers to enter into the market and integrate into the international fashion system;

Highlight the African Textile Industry to a global audience thereby enhancing development;

Enable African countries to showcase their national fabrics through their designers, thereby enabling them to carve a niche in the global market;

Make African textiles visible to the rest of the world by creating an interactive platform that will involve the Media, Manufacturers, Designers, Retailers and Consumers.

The city of London, having the highest number of Africans in Diaspora of any European country, is the obvious choice for this event. Africa fashion Week London will also provide a platform for selected charity organizations and NGOs to propagate their missions and raise funds for their projects.

Africa Fashion Week London will be attended by fashion designers, milliners, fabric manufacturers and printers, jewelers, beauty range manufacturers, leather goods designers and manufacturers, perfumers, photographers, make-up artists, models, media houses, buyers, local and international press and indeed anyone that has any link with fashion, especially with an African interest. AFWL is open to members of the public who can come see the latest collections and buy from the numerous exhibitors from within the fashion industry who will be parading their wares for sale.

Participants include new/emerging designers under the Revelation label and renowned fashion designers. Categories accepted include fashion design, textile prints, accessories, bridals, jewelers, foot wears, milliners, lingerie and swimwear.

The event will host over 2000 members of the public.

Africa Fashion Week London is organized by Ronke Ademiluyi of Rukkies Concept and produced by Mahogany Productions.

For General Enquiries please contact:ronke@africafashionweeklondon.com.

For Media Enquiries please contact: kamari@africafashionweeklondon.com.

www.africafashionweeklondon.com.



FOR LOCAL ENQUIRIES PLEASE CALL

0805 700 1282

GBEMI SARAKI ALLEGES PLAN BY HER BROTHER's PARTY TO CIRCULATE HER NUDE PHOTOS

 Pretty Senator and daughter of second republic senate president, Gbemi Saraki have raised alarm through her party ACPN in Kwara State that the Peoples Democratic party being led by her brother, Governor Bukola Saraki in the state is planning a massive distribution of fake nude photographs of her by all means. Gbemi Saraki, it would be recalled that Gbemi left the PDP in Kwara State with her father and their supporters when her brother (who is the incumbent governor of the state) attacked her dream of becoming the next governor of the state.
 Gbemi also claimed that some people are being mobilized to protest over a woman's ambition of becoming the governor of a religious state like Kwara.Can a brother circulate his own sister's nude photos just to truncate her political ambition?

NLI’S STANDUPNAIJA ADVOCATES FOR THE NEEDS OF AVERAGE NIGERIANS

The Nigeria Leadership Initiative (NLI) has formally launched its StandUPNaija Project – an electorate awareness platform aimed at enhancing citizen participation during and after the 2011 general elections.

StandUPNaija gives a voice to the issues faced by average Nigerians, and their expectations from elected leaders. Across the country, the Nigeria Leadership Initiative (NLI) is helping Nigerians speak up about the policy issues that matter to them such as Electricity, Health, Security, Education, Transportation and Employment.

“Through a series of impactful videos shot across Nigeria’s 6 geo-political zones, we have highlighted the issues that affect average Nigerians and hope to put pressure on elected officials to address them during and after the 2011 elections,” said Simi Idowu, the organisation’s Operations Director.  “The overall goal is to frame the policy issues for the 2011 elections (from the viewpoint of average Nigerians) and the expected actions of government officials in the next administration. During the next administration, these issues will be tracked”.

The videos have thus far been shown on national networks including the Africa Independent Television (AIT) and Channels Television – and have been broadcast in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt. The videos are also available for viewing and download at www.nli-global.org or www.standupnaija.org.  At launch, over 10,000 people viewed the videos online.

StandUPNaija, working with a coalition of election-focused organizations, named What About Us recentlyco-produced Nigeria’s first youth-centred presidential debate, hosted by international award-winning writer Chimamanda Adichie.  The coalition included EnoughisEnough Nigeria, Vote or Quench and Sleeves Up.

[caption id="attachment_4322" align="alignleft" width="480" caption="Chief Dele Momodu a presendential aspirant under the National Conscience Party receiving a document from Adebola Williams on behalf of NLI"][/caption]

StandUPNaija’s parent organisation, Nigeria Leadership Initiative, is an international non-profit, non-partisan organisation that mobilises the energy, talent and resources of credible and accomplished Nigerians in-country and the diaspora to tackle the challenges that confront the nation.Established in 2006, NLI has activated several projects including a free comprehensive civics curriculum called CLEVER and an animated video on the values of Nigeria’s founding fathers on the Naira notes called Notes2Note.

NLI is a registered Charity in Nigeria and the United Kingdom and its fellows are members of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.

STYLE UPDATES :URBAN KNIT TRIBAL HINTS

BACKGROUND
Urbanknit is a small independent label started by Dolapo James in 2003 to create one-of-a-kind handmade fashion accessories in the broad categories of bags and scarves for those with a taste for something a little different.

They love the idea of accessories that are a bit quirky and unique which will give that great outfit just the right amount of drama. With pieces which are wearable and fun at the same time.The challenge of putting a modern twist on what is considered to be traditional, be it wool or batik! is ver much welcome as they also hope this makes the pieces fun and more accessible to all and believe that beautiful and unusual things come out of Africa and this should be celebrated where possible.


PRODUCTS
Bags and Scarves:
Urbanknit provides a mix of accessories. Knitted and crocheted accessories such as
scarves, scarflettes, and cowls have a loyal fan base in the US, the UK, Canada, Denmark and Germany during the cold winter months. The chunky wool XL cowl, available in various colours is an Urbanknit bestseller.

The bags in theform of clutches, totes and pouches, also have a very varied demographic of buyers as far as Singapore and Hawaii with the Snap clutches fast becoming another popular buy.

The Materials
Prints (Ankara), batiks (Adire) and hand-woven fabrics (such as Aso-oke) are sourced from local African markets and are combined with modern materials like leather, satin, silks and velvets to produce handbags and purses that are fun, funky and wearable. The fabrics are mainly from Nigeria and Ghana with plans of experimentation with fabrics from other African countries in the near future. The idea is focused on using traditional and locally produced material so as to support indigenous production and African creativity. Luxurious and textured yarns are sourced directly from manufactures or small independent producers.


Handmade:
Each and every Urbanknit piece is handmade; carefully and lovingly put together. The bags are produced in limited runs so that no two people have identical pieces. As well as the design, close attention is paid to the production and finishing of each item to ensure their durability and overall quality

ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Dolapo is a qualified architect and started Urbanknit as a hobby which became a part-time business and eventually a full time endeavour. Urbanknit is available online and in select boutiques.

Contact
Website: www.urbanknit.com
Email: contact@urbanknit.com
Tel: Lagos- 08035252360
Tel: London- 07909968054

PHOTOS FROM ENCOMIUM BLACK AND WHITE BALL 2011 IN LAGOS

Encomium Black and White ball that took place this month of March 2011 in Lekki would remain a talk of the town for sometime to come. Trust, Mr. Kunle Bakare the ebullient publisher of Encomium magazine and members of his team to always do a good show.It is always 'more party, less talk' at their functions with a full menu of choice food and drinks. Click here to see photos from the event

LIFESTYLE NEWS :- BAKER'S RACK OPENS SHOP

Baker's Rack your one stop sweet treat to scrumptious cakes and mouth watering confectionery is open.Specially made for those of extreme appreciative palates and deserving people who wouldn't compromise taste for pleasure. Our bakery specializes in traditional cakes, wedding cakes, yummy cupcakes and all other celebration cakes. From decadent chocolate cakes to comfort banana, carrot and red velvet cakes our cakes come in different flavours and lots more.

Address-10/12 Cow-Lane street Lagos island- Lagos

Contact nos.-018933438, 08039456987 or 08033304409.

TOP CELEBRITIES ROCK ENCOMIUM BLACK AND WHITE BALL IN LAGOS.

[caption id="attachment_4314" align="alignleft" width="320" caption="Cally Ikpe and wife"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4315" align="alignleft" width="480" caption="Genevieve Nnaji"][/caption]



[caption id="attachment_4317" align="alignleft" width="320" caption="Pastor Ighodalo and his wife Ibidun Ajayi Ighodalo"][/caption]

By Niyi Tabiti

Encomium Black and white ball that took place recently was a beehive of activities as socialites, business tycoons, home video and music stars storm the Lekki, Lagos venue of the event. Black and white ball is an annual social event put together by Encomium Ventures, the publishers of encomium magazine.

Kunle Bakare, the publisher of encomium is known to some of the best parties in town. There was also a fashion show, which involved a number of top designers. gistmaster.com hope to bring you more photos and gist from the event.

[caption id="attachment_4304" align="alignleft" width="247" caption="Femi Segun"][/caption]



[caption id="attachment_4306" align="alignleft" width="320" caption="Tunde Braimah and wife"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4307" align="alignleft" width="320" caption="Prince Aseperi"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4308" align="alignleft" width="291" caption="Kenny Ogungbe"][/caption]



[caption id="attachment_4310" align="alignleft" width="320" caption="Cally Ikpe and wife"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4311" align="alignleft" width="277" caption="Ali Baba taking a majestic walk into the venue"][/caption]

 

LADI BALOGUN AN ACHIEVER-LADI BALOGUN FCMB GMD RECEIVES YOUNG GLOBAL CHAMPIONS AWARD

[caption id="attachment_4282" align="alignleft" width="500" caption="Ladi Balogun, MD FCMB"][/caption]

By gistmaster.com

Ladi Balogun, the Group Managing Director of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Plc has been honoured with the award of This Day’s Young Global Champions in honour of young and daring Nigerians who are 50 and below  and have taken Nigeria into global competition.

Ladi Balogun received this honour at the 16^th Annual This Day Awards for Excellence and Good Governance which took place in Lagos, recently. Ladi Balogun was honoured for transforming a family owned bank in the face of the demise of other family owned banks.

According to the organizers of the yearly awards, leaders of 14 corporate organizations in the country who have built new companies from scratch and made them world class received this year’s awards in this category.

Ladi Balogun, son of Otunba Subomi Balogun, remains one young man who has done tremendously well for himself. Ladi Balogun's impressive story could not have been otherwise, seeing that ladi balogun attended some of the best educational institutions in the world, which ladi Balogun complements with his prestigious and enviable subomi Balogun background. Ladi’s   wealthy father appears to have conquered all challenges of life with his wealth, Ladi remains undaunted in his desire to further solidify and sustain the financial base of the balogun's mega-business, especially, the First City Monument Bank (FCMB), where Ladi  Balogun sits as managing director and chief executive officer.

That Ladi Balogun   rose to the leadership position in the thriving bank could be attributed to ladi's passion for hard work and resilience.  Ladi Balogun joined the bank (now FCMB Capital Markets Ltd) as a senior manager/team leader in 1995 and rose to become executive director, investment banking division. Ladi Balogun   has been a team leader on capital raising, mergers and acquisition, as well as privatisation assignments

Ladi Balogun has over 18 years experience in commercial and investment banking abroad. In 1996 Ladi Balogun joined FCMB as Executive Assistant to the Chairman/CEO. In 2000, he was made Executive Director in charge of Strategy and Business Development and in 2001 Deputy Managing Director. Ladi Balogun  was appointed the Managing Director in 2005.

BIODUN SHOBANJO, ALEX OKOSI,BEN BRUCE,LEKE ALDER AND MO ABUDU FOR MTV 'REAL TALK' SEMINAR

Advertising, marketing and management guru Biodun Shobanjo has joined the panel for ‘Real Talk’, MTV’s upcoming seminar and executive discussion on Youth Marketing.

Biodun Shobanjo joins Alex Okosi (MTV Networks Africa), Ben Murray-Bruce (Silverbird Group), Leke Alder (Alder Consulting) and Mo Abudu (Inspire Africa) at the MTV sponsored event, to be held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos at 15:00 on Wednesday 30 March 2011.

Commented Alex Okosi, ‘Mr Shobanjo’s in-depth understanding of every facet of broadcasting, advertising and public relations as well as the challenges faced by marketers and brands, will significantly elevate the level of Real Talk and we are excited that Mr Shobanjo has confirmed his commitment to the event.’

After 38 distinguished years in the advertising business, Mr Shobanjo is widely acknowledged as one of the individuals who revolutionized the face of modern advertising in Nigeria.  The founder of Insight Communications, Nigeria's foremost advertising agency, Mr Shobanjo was the Chief Executive Officer of the company for 25 years, a position from which he stood down at the end of December 2004.  He remains the Vice Chairman of the company, offering senior guidance and advice to Insight’s management and clients.

Biodun Shobanjo is also the Chairman of Troyka, an investment holding company comprising the following businesses - The Quadrant Company (Public Relations consultancy), Optimum Exposures (Nigeria’s leading out-of-home advertising company), All Seasons Mediacom and Media Perspectives (media independents), Azzagai (a through-the-line agency) and Halogen Security (asset protection and resource management).

Among the many awards and accolades received by Mr Shobanjo during his stellar career were the announcement, in May 2009, that Newswatch nominated him as one of the 50 Notable Leaders in Corporate Nigeria in 2008 and the first quarter of 2009. In Sept 2009, TheNEWS selected him as one of 30 Nigeria world-class Entrepreneurs. In Feb 2010, he was inaugurated as the First Ambassador-General of mass medical mission (mmm) of National Cancer Prevention Programme (NCPP), while in March 2010, City People Media Group honoured him with the award of CEO of the Year. Recently in October 2010, The Guardian selected him amongst Nigeria’s 20 Outstanding Entrepreneurs of the Decade (2000-2010), and in December 2010, the NIMN awarded him the Most Valuable Personality (Titan Class) for Life Achievement in Advertising Development. In February, 2011, MarketingEdge Magazine honoured him as its Brand Personality of Year 2010. In 2009, Mr Shobanjo became the host and CEO of the first and only season of the TV reality programme 'The Apprentice Africa', which aired in 6 African countries.

COCA COLA MARKETING DIRECTOR AUSTIN UFOMBA CHALLENGE SENIOR MARKETERS

[caption id="attachment_4261" align="alignleft" width="500" caption="From left, Baba Awopetu, European Director of Marketing, Frank Mckee, Fellow and Senior Examiner, Chartered Institute of Marketing (UK), Austin Ufomba, Marketing Director, Coca Cola Nigeria, Quentin Crowe, Group Managing Director, The Marketers' Forum and Foluke Sawyerr, Chief Operating Officer, TMF Nigeria during a master class taught by Ufomba and hosted in Lagos by TMF Nigeria, recently "][/caption]

Austin Ufomba, Marketing Director of Coca Cola Nigeria, has challenged over  100 senior marketers  to reassess their understanding of marketing.
Speaking at the inaugural master class of The Marketers’ Forum  in Lagos recently, Ufomba argued that whilst sales is part of marketing, marketing is not sales.
Later in his two-hour address, Ufomba introduced the concept of ‘Brand Love’ and gave tips and insights into how to achieve marketing excellence.
The Marketers’ Forum audience consisted of specially selected senior marketing executives from telecoms, banking, pharmaceutical, FMCG, oil and gas sectors, most of whom are studying towards professional marketing qualifications with The Marketers’ Forum.
Among the case studies and examples of Nigerian marketing excellence presented by Ufomba was Notore, and sitting in the audience was Caroline Okafor, Notore’s Director of Corporate Communications who provided further insight into Notore's pioneering advertisement campaign.
Okafor remarked: "I was delighted and extremely proud to see our work recognised by such an influential marketer as Mr Ufomba. To be in a position to compliment Mr Ufomba’s thoughts in front of such an influential audience is a testament to TMF’s promise to provide a genuine forum for marketing excellence in Nigeria.
"Sharing best practices and meeting with fellow marketers from so many leading organisations is the ideal complement to my marketing studies.  I look forward future events organised by The Marketers’ Forum” she said.
Commenting on the evening, Quentin Crowe, Group Managing Director of The Marketers’ Forum said: ‘Marketing master classes enable delegates studying towards their professional qualifications such as the CIM (UK), to glean unique insights from elite marketers.  Where better to start than Coca Cola, which is perhaps the world’s most iconic brand. Our exciting master class line-up for the rest of the year will be announced soon."
The Marketers’ Forum (TMF) Nigeria is part of The Marketers’ Forum Group Worldwide.  Founded in 2004 by Quentin Crowe, The Marketers’ Forum provides ambitious marketers physical as well as online support to learn, meet and excel.
TMF has centres across the United Kingdom and launched in Nigeria in January 2011.  Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), the Communications, Advertising and Marketing Foundation (CAM) and the Market Research Society (MRS), TMF provides professional marketing training and development for ambitious marketers.
TMF compliments traditional classroom-based training with seminars, masterclasses, webinars and individual support.

WEDDING PHOTOS:DOYIN ABIOLA AND ABASS PHOTOS + PHOTOS FROM NIGERIA IDOL RED CARPET

See photos of those who graced the traditional wedding of Doyin Abiola and Oluwabamishe's wedding in Lagos. click here to read more and see photos
You can also see the photos of Nigerian Idol grand finale that took place in Lagos last weekend. Yeka Onka won the first ever Niger Idol music reality show. Read more and also pictures of those that graced the recording at the dream studio. click here to see more and see photos

Our official website
www.gistmaster.com
email:news@gistmaster.com
niyi@gistmaster.com

PHOTO FROM DOYIN ABIOLA AND OLUWABAMISE ABASS ENGAGEMENT IN LAGOS

By Niyi Tabiti

When Doyin, the daughter of Dr (Mrs.) Doyin Abiola and her late husband, Bashorun MKO Abiola had her traditional wedding in Lagos we were the first to inform you on gistmaster. Doyin got married to Oluwabamise Abass at a high profile traditional wedding in Lagos. We gathered that 'grand finale' will take place in Dubai in the United Arab Emirate. That country seems to be the destination point of top shots who want their children to get married with only selected

[caption id="attachment_4255" align="alignleft" width="480" caption="The couple Doyin Abiola and her husband, Oluwabamise Abass"][/caption]

people in attendance. Here we bring you photos of some of the people that attended the Lagos event in style.

[caption id="attachment_4240" align="alignleft" width="229" caption="Helen Prest Ajayi a former Miss Nigeria"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4241" align="alignleft" width="214" caption="Brent"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4238" align="alignleft" width="216" caption="Shade Okoya"][/caption]



[caption id="attachment_4248" align="alignleft" width="248" caption="Nike Oshinowo Soleye and her husband Dr. Tunde Soleye at the wedding"][/caption]



[caption id="attachment_4250" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Otunba Subomi Balogun and wife Olori Adetutu"][/caption]