AMAA CONTRACT FALL OUT: CHARLES O’TUDOR CLEARS THE AIR

Story & Pix by Niyi Tabiti
Chief Reporter

Mr. Charles O’tudor, the Managing Director of Adstrat Communications, the Public Relation outfit that handled the 2007 edition of African Movie Academy Award (AMAA) has accused the organizers of not fulfilling the contractual obligations they both signed.
He told http://www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com/ this afternoon (30 January 2008) at his Ikeja (GRA), Lagos office. He alleged that till now, the Peace Fiberesima Anyiam-Osigwe led AMAA still owes his company to the tune of about N2.6 million naira ( About $22,000).At the start of the chat,O’tudor said “I hate to do this but I just have to put records straight”
O’tudor disclosed that he was shocked to see the 2008 AMAA promo in key media inspite of the fact that they have not formally terminated the contractual agreement, neither have they paid or met with terms of payment with Adstrat.
O’tudor disclosed that inspite of discussions held between the two parties at the law chambers of radical Lagos lawyer, Mr.Festus Keyamo, AMAA still failed to pay the money.
He further told us that he is not in contention with Mr.Yemi Odusote of Soulcomms, the new PR engaged by the award organizers. In his words “Mr.Odusote is my brother. I have nothing against him"

He told us that he deserves to be respected for the high level creativity and passion that his company committed into AMAA last year.O'tudor further stated that Adstrat handles accounts for about 7 banks and also state governments such as Cross River and has never failed on contractual terms.
“Our understanding of client and consultant relationship draws from the global best practice where the client and consultants are partners in progress and so keep in touch through every means possible to move the brief forward. This was definitely not so with the AMAA brief”
“It will be recalled that in spite of several concerted effort by consultant to manage client and make her see reasons why issues must be addressed from a professional perspective, client has always run off the track and engaged in activities not recommended in the strategy documents” He said
Efforts to get the President of AMAA to talk about the issue proved abortive. When http://www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com/ met her recently, she smiled and said she didn’t want to say anything.

PEACE FIBERESIMA ANYIAM–OSIGWE ASSURES ON AMAA 2008

Story & pix by Niyi Tabiti
Chief Reporter

Preparations for the annual African Movie Academy Award (AMAA) are in top gear. The AMAA is unarguably the biggest movie award ceremony taking place in Nigeria. Just like the two previous editions, this year’s own will also take place in oil rich Bayelsa State.
Mrs. Peace Fiberesima-Osigwe, the President of AMAA told http://www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com/ that all everything is being put in place so that this year’s own will even be bigger and far better from the previous ones. Unlike last year’s own, which took place in February, the 2008 edition will be in April. “The 2007 edition was in February because of the elections that was due to take place in April. The 2008 edition comes up in April as usual”
Apart from attracting visitors from within and outside the continent of Africa, it promotes goodwill and friendship amongst practitioners and friends of the movie industry through a week long activities. Several persons also get short term employment opportunities. Journalists from different parts of the world also converge to take pictures of stars in their irresistible outfits. Last year, winners included Chief Olu Jacobs, Chioma Chukwuka (Best Actress) and Sitanda, a film sponsored by Nigerian Breweries Plc.

American star actress,Monique of Phat Girls fame was one of the star attractions at last year's edition

These pictures are from the 2007 edition

Pix 1-Peace Fiberesima Anyiam-Osigwe-President of AMAA

pix 2-actors-Aki and Paw paw with Olu Jacobs

pix 3-Ebube Nwangbo and Friends

pix 4-Star actress, Stella Damasus-Aboderin

Pix 5-Olu Jacob,Monique and others

NIGERIAN ENGAGES IN MOCK WEDDING FOR CHARITY

Recently, a group of Nigerians in their place of work organized a mock wedding that attracted several people in Europe. The fun filled event was a charity event and the gate fee was 10 Euro. At the end of the event, they successfully raised 4,000 Euro. They promoted the 'proudly African theme' with their traditional wears.

Feyisara Ogunfowokan, a former worker with African Independent Television (AIT) in Nigeria was the beautiful bride at the mock wedding.Elvy is Feyisara’s English name and she got married in the real sense of it to Yomi,the love of her life in 2005.

Pix 1-Elvy and Paddy,her mock husband

pix 2-Stanley,Elvy,Paddy and Titi

Pix 3-Patrick and Yomi (Elvy's real husband)

STEPHANIE EGBE SETS FOR STARDOM

By Niyi Tabiti
Chief Reporter

Stephanie Egbe, a Nigerian born teenager based in United States of America is working her way to stardom. Don’t be too surprised if she turned out to be another Agbani Darego,Oluchi Onweagba and possibly, dare the likes of British born Naomi Campbell on the runway very soon.She commended http://www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com/ on the phone,saying that we should continue reporting the best of entertainment and fashion.
Stephanie, who is also a student in Los Angeles, Califonia, sent me this picture. Isn’t she lovely? Let us be proud of our own thing or what do you think?

YESTERDAY IN LAGOS...SUPER ACTRESS,GENEVIEVE STEPS OUT IN STYLE

Niyi Tabiti
Chief Reporter

Genevieve Nnaji, one of Nigeria’s most adored actresses, was the cynosure of all eyes yesterday at the maiden award night put together by Wedding Planner magazine in Lagos. The event took place at Expo Centre, Oceanview in Victoria Island.
Genevieve who looked every inch like a supermodel, sat down with her collegue, Kate Henshaw-Nuttal.They both enjoyed themselves, as they shared memories of past episodes together.
It would be recalled that shortly after her one year endorsement deal with Lux beauty soap, Genevieve became less visible on the social scene. Genevieve’s appearance in movies also depreciated. While speaking with www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com yesterday, the Imo State born award winning actress declared that her non appearance in most productions is a matter of choice. She has to be comfortable with terms before can accept scripts.It is not as if she has dumped acting for something else
Award winners at the occasion include Banke Meshida and Tara Fela-Durotoye.The likes of Arinola Adeniyi of Venivici Spa and Chief Dele Momodu, publisher of Ovation International magazine were in attendance.

KC PRESH HIT MEGA BUCKS

Story & pix by Niyi Tabiti

Chief Reporter

Popular musical group, KC PRESH is living up to its superstar status and this is authoritative. Everything around them is a sign that the Nigerian entertainment industry is paying off.
Recently, the duo of Kingsley and Precious that made up KC PRESH bought a glittering Toyota Camry 2008 model. Sources close to them revealed that the wonder on wheels set their account back by N12 Million (About $100,000).The vehicle is roomy, it has a refrigerator, spinal wheels amongst other wonderful accessories.
When http://www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com/ met them today (28 January 2008) they confessed that they are unrepentant auto freaks. The new car is the 7th ride they have in their garage. Other cars in their garage are Lincoln Navigator, Mercedes Benz ML jeep, a Toyota Forerunner, a Nissan Quest bus, Honda Legend and a Mercedes Benz 190, which they recently gave out. They also moved into a new house which they bought inside the elitist Omole Estate in Ikeja.
The group came into limelight about six years ago, when they won the first ever Star Quest competition sponsored by Nigerian Breweries. At that time they were given a million Naira cash and two million Naira worth of recording contract.
In an earlier interview, the two members of KC PRESH musical group indicated the desire to own all the cars and houses together. They also promised to continue living together in the same house, even after they must have been married.
Music lovers will not forget their hit album segemenge in a hurry

KATE HENSHAW’S LARGE HEART

Story & pix by Niyi Tabiti

Chief Reporter

Kate Henshaw-Nuttal,generously doled out some cool cash to gatemen at MUSON Centre, Onikan,recently. She appreciated the gate keepers for allowing her park her glittering Toyota Camry 2.4 car inside the premises. Parking outside the place could pose a great risk as miscreants could remove car accessories such as side mirrors.
The Cross River State born actress was at the MUSON to attend the business anniversary of one of her friends.Immediately, the gate into the premise was opened, gate keepers also followed her to the parking lot, hailing her in the process as a diva.
In turn she took her bag and gave them money. It was in N200 denomination but http://www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com/ could not ascertain the total amount.In Nigeria there is a saying that 'nothing go for nothing'.In some venues,gate keepers will never open gate on the excuse that the parking lot have been reserved for some people.This is common when they know the person is stingy.
Kate is not just another face on television or home video. She is one of the heavy weights in Nigeria’s fast growing movie industry. She has acted in several home videos, done stage plays and soap opera.She was once an item with gospel musician,Sammy Okposo.Shortly after the relationship crashed she dated and married a Briton.
For more on the actress you can check her website-www.katehenshawnuttal.com