REPORTER's DIARY: HERE COMES YOUR SHOW HOST,SEUN MADUKA

Story and photo by Niyi Tabiti

Smartly built, eloquent and beautiful are some of the qualities that defines Seun Maduka.Based in the United States, Seun is the presenter of United States of Nigeria, an exciting programme that showcase what Nigerians are doing in the United States.The programme is produced by Ayo Shonaiya.

She is in Nigeria to do some work for her management company, R70. My camera was very excited because every pose from Seun turned out well.She also took part in a Video shoot today.Seun, who has taken part in two movies (one a nollywood movie shot on locations in Washington DC and another one a Hollywood movie shot in Los Angeles,Califonia) is looking foward to a wonderful career in acting and presentation.

Look forward to her interview soon on gistmaster.com

THE ALL GIRLS NITE OUT IS BACK!

Smooth Promotions, the brains behind Hiphopworld Magazine, Hiphopworld Awards and Hip on TV is at it again.
At a time when everyone thought the organizers will be resting on their Oars after the completion of yet another successful edition of their annual “Hiphopworld Awards”, the Organizers last week made it public that an all girl show “Girl’s Nite out” is the next project on their calender.
Already an all female team has been put in place. “Every single thing will be done by Girls including designing the stage, video and sound production, producing and directing of the show, security, just name anything” A member of the team who pleaded anonymity disclosed last week
Girls Nite out, a forum for discovering female talents as well as celebrating womanhood is targeted at making a statement that “what a man can do, a woman can do better”
“All we are planning to do is to showcase the professional capability of women in fields that have overtime been male dominated. We are out to give female up and coming talents the chance to be discovered as well as treat the brothers to a night of Fun” Joke Jaiyesimi Head honcho of the project says
Girls Nite out made its first appearance ten years ago and two female artistes “Sasha” and “Azeezat” were discovered at the event, before it was suspended in 2002. Through the March 1999- Dec 2002, Girl’s Nite was hosted by Dianne Oputa, Celebrated actress and OAP Funlola Aofiyebi and Broadcaster Tosin Ajayi.
Late DJ loc shy who passed away in January 2008
Other grounded people that were involved in the event include Yeni Kuti, Stella Damasus, Wunmi Obe, Tosin Ajayi, Onyeka Onwenu, Bouqui, Latoya Aduke, Ara and Bimbo Oloyede
And now ten years after, with a new team in place, it looks like the show is ready to take a new shape. “Expect the usual stuffs that used to be there way back, but in a refined way” Jaiyesimi says.
A date and Venue is yet to be announced, but “It will hold very soon, my team and I are putting things in place already” Joke Jaiyesimi said on a final note.

REPORTER'S DIARY:ONE MAN,ONE ROOM,TWO WIVES AND FOUR CHILDREN

By Niyi Tabiti

First, let us congratulate Hajia Bola Shagaya and ex-beauty queen,Helen Prest-Ajayi on their 50^th birthday anniversaries. Bola Shagaya is regarded as one of the richest women in Nigeria and she has business interests in oil, photography, banking and other areas. She is also one of the directors of Unity Bank Plc. Helen Ajayi on the other hand, won the Miss Nigeria beauty contest about thirty years ago and she still has the figure of someone who can still go on the runway and win the crown again and again.

Now, back to my diary. Well, I discovered that most of the things we call comedy in Nigeria movies are serious issues that must be tackled. They are real!

Iya Funke, my friend lives opposite the house of a man who has a room, two wives and fours children. I didn’t believe her until one evening when the two wives started fighting over who ate the bread on the table. People tried to settle the misunderstanding. I was shocked when the first wife started abusing her husband and the second wife, saying that she has been the one feeding the family for sometime.

The man is a commercial motorcyclist by profession (Okada rider) while the first wife is a petty trader, the second wife is a full time house wife. I was shocked to the marrows of my body when I learnt that the guy actually has two wives in one room. I even thought he had three children until I discovered that they are four children.I only see things like these in Nollywood movies until I saw it live!!!

“What manner of man is this”, I asked myself rhetorically. On my way home, I kept asking myself different questions, most of which I have not found an answer till date. Does this kind of thing still happen in this age and time? How do they have sex when the children are also there in the room? When he is having sex with the first wife under the watchful eyes of the second wife, what is her reaction?(At least,there would be no way they would be having sex that the other person won't know)

How will the man meet up with his responsibilities of taking care of the children with the meager sum he makes from his commercial motorcycle? What kind of children would come out of that kind of marriage? Is the man not ashamed at all? (I even saw him recently)…why are the two women so blind in love (or lust) that made the two women agree to stay in the one room with him?i mean..what manner of a man is this!

NOLLYWOOD FASHION ICON,RITA DOMINIC SHINES AT NOKIA N97 MEET AND GREET IN LAGOS

Words:Niyi Tabiti
Photos:Ritas'

Nollywood star actress and one of Nigeria's fast rising style icons,Miss Rita Dominic ,recently had a meet and greet session at Nokia office in Ikeja,Lagos.It was a touch of style an elegance.Here are some of the photos and that of the team behind the session.

EMMY COLLINS NEW ACE

Witty and ever stylish fashion Uk based fashion designer - Emmy Collins , is certainly not resting on his oars , as he would be opening his new flagship store very soon on shoreditch high street, London.

Ever since his depature from the buzzing fashion district in Lagos - Nigeria , on Awolowo road in Ikoyi, this anti-trend,original,bold,out of d box thinker,Sexy ,rebellious, ,Funky but desirable designer , has taken his avant-garde,not 4 d faint hearted,Elegant  wears to another level.

One thing is for such though,you will be spot on in one of his pieces.

BEAUTY AND THE FEAST FASHION FIESTA ROCKS LAGOS

Hi people, the Beauty and the Feast fasahion and beauty exhibition, which took place in Ikoyi on the 11th of october , was one event that would not be forgotten in a hurry, as the event was wrapped in a unique glamour capsule that wowed all the happy shoppers. 

It was the perfect platform for networking , as well as awareness and increase in mileage. The atmosphere was charged and the Glamour spread was enough to satisfy the crowd.

The pictures tell it all.

L-R; Eunice Efole, Rukkies and Joan Okorodudu, CEO of ISIS MODELS and Creative director of the HOUSE OF J'OLA trying to make a choice from the Glamour spread @ the D Lune stand .

Highly artistic and creative LUCY of D LUNE strikes an elegant pose. D LUNE was one of the exhibitors showcasing her fantastic locally made bags and shoes with 100% international standard in quality.

Gracious ladies from LISE make up range. LISE make-up range is one of Nigeria's indigenous make-up Brands and it is owned by one of Nigeria's finest make up artist - Eni Balogun.

An ambience of glamour coutured by MORSI PR. It indeed was a feast of beauty as everyone available had more than enough of the summer spoils to last for a life time. No, to last until the Christmas edition.

One of the pretty damsels at the event spotting a remarkable trademark attire by Fashion ForLife's Lola Adewole.

NICHOLAS...FAREWELL!WE SHALL ALL MISS YOU

I was shocked to the marrow when I heard that the Nigerian style industry has lost the indefatigable Nicholas Anukanti. He was very popular in his days at Galaxy Television in Lagos. He co-hosted the first Nigerian Television Fashion Show at Airport Hotel, Ikeja.I remember Nicholas passion for the fashion industry. I remember when he started the Style.com television show. We shared ideas on the industry and the vast opportunities. The last time we saw was at Adewale Ademokoya’s event. He was looking robust and lively as usual. Now Nicholas his gone!Rest in peace
I could not believe that we have lost Nicholas...even when i wrote it some days back on my Facebook status.I remember 2003 when we narrowly excaped death in the hands of some cultists at the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta. We had gone there to cover their jambite night.Shortly after the Pageant that also too place that day at Kuto Cultural Centre, there was stampede. Cultists invaded the place. Most of them weilded dangerous weapon. Nicholas, Jimmy (The man handling his camera) and I, managed to hide behind the heavy speakers of the DJ.We watched as the cultists dealt with themselves and later managed to escape.................................................Nicholas sun re o!

NEW GISTMASTER

Please take a look at our site.We tagged it 'project next' because it is revolutionary.click on www.gistmaster.com we appreciate all our advertisers!

DOTUN TAILOR TAKES EGBERUN MAILI TO UK IN NOVEMBER!

A new Yoruba movie 'Egberun maili' is set to showcase in UK in November 2009.Directed by Dotun Taylor,One thousand Miles tells a story of young Omolola Adebayo, an intelligent Chartered Accountant Spinster, who mistakenly sends a text message meant for her Fiancée to a stranger’s phone. This stranger turns out to be a conservative artist who is a Farmer in Osogbo; Iwintunde Kupoluyi. Iwintunde responds to this text, writing one of the best love poems Omolola has ever read. Omolola on the other end gets really curious and begins to speak with this stranger on the phone. She notices that her already existing relationship may be threatened, so she tries stopping her friendship with this stranger but could not. One day she gets too curious and wants to add a face to the voice of this stranger, who is a sworn enemy with the Lagos ’ ‘fast lane’ life style. She made the journey all the way to Oshogbo...click on afrikkacreations to read more

D'BANJ,MI OTHERS WIN MAMA 2009 AWARD IN KENYA

Dapo Oyebanjo, the popular musician known as D'banj, Mr.Innocent Idibia popularly known as Tuface belong to the class of stars at the Mtv Africa Music Award (MAMA 2009) in Kenya, who went home with awards. Others include MI and Psquare from Nigeria.D'banj went home with the Artist of the year award,Tuface lead others in his category to win the best Rand B category.Psquare score the edge as the Best Hip Hop group in Africa.MI got the MTV Africa Music Award of Best new act.
Best Video went to Wahu of Kenya,Best Male artist also went to nameless of Kenya.Others who got award include Samini of Ghana for best performer.World class acts such as Wyclef and Akon added sparks to the glamourous event.
photos:

Photographs: WireImage/G. Cattermole

supermodel, Ajunwa and Wyclef

PHOTOS FROM BEAUTY AND FEAST EXHIBITION IN LAGOS

By Niyi Tabiti
Today (11 October 2009), Moriam Musa and members of the Morsi team put together a wondrous fashion exhibition at CORAL HALL,Ikoya Avenue in Ikoyi,Lagos.The ehibition had several people showcasing their creative worth. The list includes MY Q , XCLAMATION, DAVIDA, RENEEQ(GHANA), ADU, AMEDE, D LUNE, AJIRI, OUCH, FASHION FOR LIFE , RUKKIES, ACCURATE TIME,MIX AND MATCH, GAZELLE IMAGE CONSULTANTS , ETC LINGERIE, DAGASSHI HAIR , ACC 2 DIE 4 , LAVIVA HAIR ,HAIR SOLUTIONS, COUVREZ, KANELIA ,DEHADZZA, BLINGSPIRATION, LISE, COCKTAILS IN AND OUT.
It was indeed a good outing for the organisers. Encomium, Gistmaster.com,Bellanaija.com,Quest Tv and others were part of the sponsors.
The above photo has prolific designer Lanre Da-Silva Ajayi.
Ifeoma William and a guest at the exhibition this afternoon.
Moriamo Musa and one of the exhibitors,Renee Q (she came all the way from Ghana)
Moriam Musa and another exhibitor this afternoon.

Mrs. Joan Elumelu-Okorodudu (right) chatting with another person at the event.
A beautiful dress made by Xclamations on display at the Beauty and Beast exhibitions today
This is Oouch corner at the Beauty and Beast exhibition. Biola Afolabi of Styleborn with the marketers at Oouch corner.
Banke Meshida, a popular make-up artist at a friend's stand at the exhibition ground this afternoon.