ANNIE MACAULAY ‘FLAUNTS’ 2FACE IDIBIA’S PREGNANCY

Story & photo by Niyi Tabiti
Chief Reporter

Annie Macaulay decided to shut up rumour mills and prove to the world that she is indeed pregnant for award winning musician,2face Idibia.She was one of those that graced the Yello’ carpet of the Hip Hop World Awards 2008 in Lagos. She was accompanied to the event by her friend, Debola.A single mother of one, Debola is said to be staff of Glo, a telecommunication company in Nigeria.
She walked stylishly smiling as paparazzi surrounded her for a photo session at the Yello’ carpet.2face himself was absent but ‘2face Idibia in the womb’ jubilated when his father to be was announced as one of the award winners. Please don’t ask me how?
2face awards was received on his behalf by Sound Sultan an h told everyone that the guy couldn’t make it because he was ill.However,a lot of people wondered how come Kenny Ogungbe and Dayo Adeneye (D-one) did not receive the award since they were present and it was on Kennis Music the album was released.

ASA, 9ICE OTHERS SHINE AT HIP HOP AWARDS 2008

Story and photo by Niyi Tabiti
Chief Reporter

The much anticipated Hip Hop World Award took place in Lagos, Nigeria,yesterday and did not end until the early hours of today (16 March 2008)

Shortly after the ceremony there was an after party at Planet One Club located right inside the same compound where the award took place.
Asa’s album carted home awards in three different categories, thereby making it the highest at this year’s edition.9ice, Nigerian’s newest sensation did not disappoint as he won two awards. Unlike Asa who was absent at the awards due to other engagements,9ice was at the ceremony to pick up the awards.Expectedly,he was accompanied to the ceremony by Toni Payne, the queen of his heart.
9ice performance at the award ceremony was also voted as the best at the award ceremony.

HERE IS A LIST OF THE AWARD WINNERS

ALBUM OF THE YEAR-ASA
ARTISTE OF THE YEAR-D’BANJ
SONG OF THE YEAR-YAHOOZEE BY OLU MAINTAIN
RECORDING OF THE YEAR-‘BIBANKE’BY ASA
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR-COBHAMS ASUQUO FOR ‘BIBANKE’ BY ASA
BEST MUSIC VIDEO-‘STYLEE’ VIDEO DONE BY DJ TEE
BEST RAGGAE DANCE HALL-TRUE STORY BY TIMAYA
BEST RN B POP ALBUM-GRACE 2 GRACE BY 2FACE IDIBIA
BEST RAP ALBUM-RUGGEDY BABA BY RUGGED MAN
BEST COLLABO-‘STYLEE’ FEATURING JIMMY JATT, 2FACE, MODE 9 AND ELA JOE.
BEST VOCAL PERFORMANCE (MALE)-9ICE FOR HIS PART IN RUGGEDY BABA
BEST VOCAL PERFORMANCE (FEMALE)-ASA ‘BIBANKE’
NEXT RATED WAS WON BY WANDE COAL (HE GOT A PRIZE OF A BRAND NEW CAR FOR HIS SONG ‘OLOLUFE’
LYRICIST ON THE ROLL-MODE 9

REVELATION OF THE YEAR- 9ICE

PREGNANCY OF THE GODS TAKES CENTRESTAGE AT A BOOK READING IN LAGOS

Story & Photo by Niyi Tabiti
Chief Reporter



Olaide Awobajo-Soetan, a Nigerian based pharmacist and owner of Reader's Haven, a book store in Lagos pulled men and women of the literary community to Ogba in Lagos for the reading of 'Pregnancy of the gods' by Odili Ujubuonu.
The book won the 2006 Association of Nigeria Authors (ANA) award 2006. Ujubonu,a graduate of University of Nigeria took us back to the pre-colonial legal system in Eastern part of Nigeria.
Abomination! Ekemma, a widow is pregnant while still in her mourning cloth. To further humiliate her late husband, she chose to commit the atrocity with his rival in the wrestling game. When confronted, she claims the pregnancy belongs to her late husband, Udo. Alot of people found the claim hard to believe because after 10 years of marriage without any issue, she chose to honour him posthumously with a child.
Ekemma’s issue is further complicated when 10 months after Udo’s demise, she had not put to bed. The Ezeani council must meet to decide her fate for daring to desecrate the land with her action. The Isi-Ani seems to be taking a special interest in the case. Does he have something at stake and why is he plagued by a series of misfortunes?
Deserted by family and friends, Ekemma has only the gods as her witness. Are the gods going to remain silent or will they appoint someone to unearth the hidden truth?
It is a book rich in idioms and the cultural heritage of the Igbo people were well highlighted. The author who also attended Christ the King College,Onitsha, is one of Nigeria's most promising novelists. Ujubuonu is in charge of the commitee organizing a befitting progamme to celebrate the golden jubilee of Chinua Achebe's THINGS FALL APART. The event starts on 12 April 2008.

Pix shows-Chuks Ohai of National Mirror Newspapers,Ujubonu and Mrs.Olaide Soetan shortly after the reading this evening.

DAKORE SET TO ANCHOR HIP- HOP WORLD AWARD TOMMORRROW

Story by Niyi Tabiti
Chief Reporter
Photo courtesy-starsontherunway.com

The much anticipated hip hop world award is finally here.The ceremony, which promises to be the best of its kind in the country, would take place in Lagos on Saturday 15 March 2008.The venue is Planet One,Maryland,Lagos.
Yesterday,the organisers of the award led by Ayo Animashaun, put together an exclusive award nominee party at a private beach known as Babylon. Celebrities were ‘ferried’ from Walter Carrington jetty, Victoria Island.
Perhaps, you have read so much about the forthcoming event but no one has told you the anchors for day. A reliable source told http://www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com/ that all eyes would be on Dakore Egbuson tomorrow as she anchors the music award. We gathered that the actress cum model would be supported by a wonderful guy. Soon, we will get the identity of Dakore’s co-anchor.
We gathered that the Ayo Animashaun’s led team have perfected ways of giving celebrities a befitting star treatment as they come into the award ceremony. According to what I gathered, state of the art cars would be stationed at Sky Power ground, GRA, Ikeja.After parking their cars, the stars would be moved to the venue in Limousines and other eye popping automobiles.
Don’t let me forget to hint you that Bat Man, a group from Ghana would be flying into the country today.The R70 crew from United Kingdom, comprising Ayo Shonaiya,Ronke Apampa,DJ Abass and others would also be at the ceremony.Whoelse?Of course...gistmaster!

GET SET FOR THE REVOLUTION!

Story & Photo by Niyi Tabiti

Chief Reporter

I remember when I took a decision to start Nigeria's first daily celebrity & photo news online.I have not gotten there yet but when i look back now, I am grateful to my creator that I followed my dream.Later in life, I wish to write a book 'How a workshop got me into trouble'.

Let me tell you a little from it.I had been nursing the ambition to resign my job and start off the online stuff.I was already addicted to reading stories of celebrities online.It was so regular that when you want to know the latest report on an American or British star you can click on the news button on google.It was so simple.I just told myself that someone has to do it in Nigeria.Sometimes,when I wanted to do research on Nigerian stars,what you get are old pictures and stories.I told myself that must change.Rarely do we get stories or details on hangouts in Nigeria.In fact,most of them don't even have a website.I told myself that must change.

So,when Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim,the Group Managing Director of Global Fleet Oil and Gas (Help me,I think the company is now called Energy or something) was having his 40th birthday,Olumide Iyanda, an entertainment journalist of repute who happens to be my boss in Daily Independent kept warning me of the consequence of missing any of the activities lined up for Jimoh's event.

There was a workshop organised by some corporate gurus in honour of Jimoh at Le Meridien Hotel,Victoria Garden City.I sat and listened with rapt attention as Madam Ceceilia Ibru,Managing Director of Oceanic Bank inspired everyone present on how people can realise their full potential. I have attended countless number of workshops and events where you have high profile personalities but everything that was said on that occasion touched me, deeply.

I know this write up would definately inspire one or two people.Alot of people have ideas but they are always afraid to start off.The excuse is finance.Shortly after I started the blog,a friend followed me to a cyber cafe where I used to make postings.Mosquitoes bite made life unbearable for him.Apart from overcrowding,my friend was shocked when he realised that most of them were into internet fraud.My friend later told me that no matter the situation,I must continue.He said reuters or BBC started in someone's head!

He also told me that when God told Abram to leave his father's house to a land he would show him,he did not ask baba GOD how much he would make.

Let us thank God because the story of Gistmaster is gradually changing.If you notice, I have not been all out to get advert on the blog.Its good to get it right first. Whenever I get photo or publicity jobs, I invest most of what I gain into Gistmaster.You may not know but it is expensive getting materials and posting it.This is Nigeria...apart from what you pay to get connected,you need a generator if you are browsing from the comfort of your home or office.Talk about the expensive transport fare and all that.

Lets thank God because the story is changing.www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com is shaping up.The gistmaster got an office recently.Soon,we would be scouting for correspondents in all parts of the world.Nigerians reside everywhere.We are also making contacts for a 'tush' website designer for Gistmaster.com.Please, if you can help, I would be very glad.

Who told you that a world class celebrity agency can not spring up from Nigeria? however, we want to try as much as possible not to get 'dirty' materials on the blog.

I want to thank all that have calling and writing in private to me.I must thank my life coach in the United Kingdom.'Thinking B', you are wonderful and I love you soooooo much!

Omosewa,bellanaija,lindaikeji,Sholapacheco,Maria Shoyinka and Ghanaentertainment.com guys, iyaeto...please pardon me if I don't mention you here... I am running out of time.One day,we would be on the wall street stock exchange.People would buy shares to be part of us.Abeg,lets dream on.I love you all.

Hey!Don Moen would be at House on the Rock on Sunday 16 March 2008 at Muson Centre in Lagos.It would be a lovely time in the presence of the lord or what do you think?

SO,WHATS D'BANJ WEARING FOR HIP HOP WORLD AWARD?

Story & Photos by Niyi Tabiti

Chief Reporter

I got a call sometime ago from a Nigerian based in the United States.The person told me he loves the way we focus on celebrities.He also told me that every aspect of a celebrity lifestyle is a news.For over 2 hours I was being lectured on how the socks a Micheal Jackson is wearing or a puppy owned by a Beyonce would be accorded a star status just because of the owner.The person whom I wouldn't want to mention his name says it is rather unfortunate that some people only think that its only when a celebrity is engaged in a monumental sex scandal that it becomes news worthy.

Well,lets leave it at that.One of the hottest gist around town is the forthcoming hip hop world award on Saturday 15 March 2008 at Planet One,Ikeja-Lagos.Nigerian celebrities would try as much as possible to outshine one another on the 'yellow carpet' (Its Yello'because MTN is a major sponsor of the event).

I got accross to Dapo Oyebanjo popularly known as D'banj and he told me that he would be wearing a suit made by Nigerian based Okunoren Twins.Kehinde, one of the Okunoren twins told me that they are up to the task.He boasted that all the 'kokolets' would definately give D'banj a second look because of the designer suit.He also told http://www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com/ that the cost of the suit is about N150,000.

Pix 1-D'banj

Pix 2-One of D'banj cars

Pix 3-Kehinde Okunoren

TODAY IN NIGERIA: NIGERIAN ENTERTAINERS PROTEST INCESSANT ARMED ROBBERY ATTACKS

Story & photos by Niyi Tabiti
Chief Reporter

The Nigerian entertainment community registered its displeasure today over incessant armed robbery attacks on it members and other well meaning Nigerians. They carried out a peaceful protest to various electronic media houses and office of Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr.Haruna Abubakar.
Those who took part in the protest include D’banj,Wunmi Obe,Efe Omoregbe of Now Music,Bayo Odusami popularly known of Howie-T of KISS Event, TEE A,Teju Baby Face,Ego,Princess,Buga,Kunle Afolayan.
At the state police command, the protesters were received by the Police Public Relations officer,Mr.Frank Mba.The commissioner was later invited to the forum and he assure the entertainers that they are trying their best. He also promised that new measures would also be put in place to curb crime in the state.
It was a pathetic scenario as one of the protesters painted the pathetic story of Kingsley James, Chief Marketing officer of Digi Prints who lost his wife to such armed robbery attack last week.Kingsley’s 7 months old baby was also shot in the process.
The commissioner said there is an urgent need for collaboration between the entertainers and the police. He also told them to be more security conscious.

Pix 1-Kokomaster,D'banj

Pix 2-Ego,Princess,Yinka Oyedeji (Lagbaja's former manager)Ayeni Adekunle and others

Pix3-Wunmi Obe

Pix 4-A group photographs with Lagos State Commissioner of Police