PHOTOS FROM UBA AMAA 2008 ON SATURDAY 26 APRIL 2008 IN ABUJA

Story&Photos by Niyi Tabiti
Chief Reporter

Photo 1-Timaya performing on the stage.He gave agood account of himself.

2) Guests and one of the Ayim-Osigwes rocking the dance floor

3) Uche Iwuji posing for photographs

4) Stephanie Okereke, one of the best dressed of the night striking a pose for www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com
5)Beautiful chics at the ceremony

6) Bob-Manuel Udokwu, a friend and Zach Orji
7) Basorge Tariah reeling out what i call 'good' jokes to the audiance.We all had a good time listening to the Niger Delta born comedian.
8) Hmmm...this fan made things really uncomfortable for star actress from Ghana,Jackie Apea,here.All in the name of posing with his favourite star, the guy was almost kissing her.The babe kept on bending her head to avoid the guy until I took the picture.www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com could have waited longer before taking the shot.Some fans are extremists or what do you think!

MORE PHOTOS FROM UBA AMAA 2008

Story & photos by Niyi Tabiti
Chief Reporter

Ohhh!I promised to upload more photos from the 2008 UBA AMAA 2008 edition in Abuja,Nigeria.Sorry guys, I have been sleeping all day.Believe me, I have been over working in the last two weeks.

Here are some of the photos.

Photo 1 and 2-Front and back of popular Nollywood actress, Ngozi Nwosu.
Photo 3-Kate Henshaw,winner of the UBA AMAA 2008 Best Actress (Lead Role) and star actress,Rita Dominic.Seeeee their teeth!
Photo 4-Nollywood 'bad guy'Kanayo O.Kanayo in traditional ragalia with Ejike Asiegbu,President of Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) and wife.

KATE HENSHAW'S MOMENT OF GLORY...WINS AMAA BEST ACTRESS AWARD!

Story & photos by Niyi Tabiti
Chief Reporter

Kate Henshaw-Nuttal couldnt have been more excited at the turn of event in the early hours of today.The Cross River state born actress won the prestigious Actress of the Year title at 2008 edition of African Movie Academy Awards in Abuja, Nigeria.She was presented the award few minutes past midnight today 27 April 2008.
Kate was moved to tears when she came on stage to receive the award.She told the everyone that the award has been long coming,now that it is here glory be to GOD.
Kate was nominated alongside Jackie Apea,Genevie Nnaji,Stella Damasus- Aboderin and Rakiya Attah.
in an exclusive chat,she told www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com that she was indeed grateful to those that have been supporting her acting career. Kate hinted that the award would make her do more for the industry because of the high expectations attached to award. The jubilation inside the hall after Kate was declared winner showed that she was indeed the popular choice.
Nkem Owoh a.k.a Osofia won Best Actor of the Year.He was ahead of St.Obi,Kofi Bucknor and others in his category.
Just like every other award that is not perfect, AMAA 2008 has its flaws here and there, still it was an enjoyable experience. The award was initially slated for Yenogoa, the capital of Bayelsa State until it was moved to Abuja few days to event.

Entertainers such as Basorge Tariah, Klint Da Drunk, Aki and Paw Paw, Timaya and P-Square made our day with their beautiful performances. Angela Basset, African American born star actress also came and was looking great in her stunning outfit. (Soon, I will give you details of the chat we had with her at Eko Hotel on Friday in Lagos)

Trust me, I have loads and loads of gist and photos. Who came? Who did what? List of award winners? Best Dressed?Worst Dressed?

Let me take a quick nap!

Photo 1-Kate Henshaw and Nkem Owoh celebrating their feats.

photo 2-Angela Bassett, the top American actress on stage at AMAA 2008.

Photo 3-Kate Henshaw in warm embrace with Ngozi Nwosu

4) Steph Nora-Okere and Uche Jombo could not resist the tunes from Psquare's ''É get as e dey do me..

5) Timi, winner of the West African Idol

6) Aki and Paw Paw, the first set of anchors for the night.Ramsey Noah and Stephanine Okereke later took over from them.

AMAA 2008

Right now, the biggest event in town is the African Movie Academy Award (AMAA) 2008 edition.It is takin place at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.Alot of stars are already in town.Trust, you will be the first to know.At the time of posting, this story, the event is yet to start but the red carpet has been fully laid.
Stay tunned!
Abuja is beautiful!

HOW BASKET MOUTH,I GO DIE DISAPPOINTED FANS IN USA...BASKET MOUTH AIDE DENIES ALLEGATION!

Story & photo by Niyi Tabiti

Chief Reporter

The latest news reaching http://www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com/ is how top Nigerian comedians,Bright Ikpocha popularly known as Basket Mouth and 'I go die' allegedly disappointed their fans in the United States of America this week.However, a very close aide of Basket Mouth have debunked the allegations.Instead, he told www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com that it was the organisers that didn't fufil their own part of the bargain.

According to details wired to me,Basket Mouth and 'I go die' were invited to the US by Naijaconnect,a group in Dallas Texas.They were billed for a four city tour,starting from 18 April 2008.We gathered that they did the Dallas and Houston shows.However, the story changed as the two comedians felt they did not make enough money from the two shows.In turn, they decided that they were no more interested.According to what we gathered,they told the organisers they were heading back to Nigeria.

They were supposed to be doing a show in Atlanta yesterday (25 April 2008) but they reportedly told Naijaconnect that they are no more interested as they have booked their tickets back to Nigeria.The comedians also gave naijaconnect excuse that they are already booked for two shows where they would be paid 1.5 million Naira each in Nigeria. Basket Mouth is back in Nigeria at the time of filing this report

You can check the link below as sent to me to see the Basket Mouth's promo on the USA tour.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0Y6Eau6KSI

I got accross to Basket Mouth and I succeeded in talking with one of his close aides.The aide who called me after receiving my text message disclosed that it is most unfair for De Javu or Naijaconncet to be spreading false stories.He told www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com that Basket Mouth bought his return ticket to the US from his won personal money and also bought another one for 'I Go Die'.He also paid for his hotel accomodation in Houston.

"Basket Mouth did all he did for the sake of encouraging fellow Nigerians outside the country.The guys promised that they were going to make refund and but on entering the USA nothing was forthcoming.He did the first show and the second one yet they could not fufill their promises.So, he decided to stop appearing at the remaining ones.I know Basket Mouth have no deal with De Javu that was packaging the show.He does not even know any of them,except the Naijaconnect guy.How come they didn't fufill their own part of the bargain in the first place?" Basket Mouth's aide queried.

TONYA MERRITT IS PLANNING BIG FOR NIGERIAN ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY

Story & photos by Niyi Tabiti

Chief Reporter

On Thursday 24 April 2008, I met Dr. Tonya Merritt, the American born booking agent for music mega stars such as Missy Elliot, 50 Cent, Snoop Doggy Dog, Beyonce and others. She is also a reputable event planner.
Thursday was not our first meeting. I actually met her the second time she visited Nigeria in2006.Tonya’s first time in Nigeria was when she came alongside International stars for the first This Day Music Festival in Nigeria. The American lady found the people hospitable and ever since, she bumps in and out.
We came in close contact the second time she was in the country. One actress who happens to be a friend gave me the link and I followed it up. We met at her Hotel in Ikoyi and I hadher first ever interviewin Nigeria. It was a wonderful experience as Tonya also introduced me to her business partner (at that time), Mr. Jimmy Ogunniyi (Ogunniyi is a Nigerian based in the US).Tonya, a doctorate degree holder in Business Administration with concentration in Marketing, told me she has a great passion for the Nigerian entertainment industry. She also said she would be very glad to make her contributions by setting up a company that would give hidden talents in the country international exposure.
Tonya and Ogunniyi hinted that they were planning to hold the Black Sexy Party at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island. I wasat the event and it wasa blast!
The interview was published on 1 January 2007 in Daily Independent Newspapers. By then, Dr.Tonya had left for the United States but she saw it on the internet. Tonya called and we chatted on the phone. She told me she loved the publication.
Jimmy Ogunniyi was also very happy and he called me to meet him at his Eko Hotel and Suites. He told me that he loved the ‘language’ I used. Then, he informed that they would be glad if I can work as their media consultant. Jimmy happens to be a thorough fellow. So, I had to work all through the night. Sometimes, he would tell me that I had to stay at the hotel and I had no choice so that work can move very fast. We had mention in all the media.
One night, we went to a club at Ikoyi and he told me “Niyi, do you know that you can report clubs, red carpets or even Tea alone and you can be a millionaire?” He stressed that in the US there are journalists who reports just one area and they are being paid well for what they do unlike Nigeria where journalists report so many areas without becoming an authority in one. It was a great discussion until I lost contact with Dr.Tonya Merritt and Jimmy Ogunniyi.
On Thursday when I went for the UBA/AMAA Nominee party for sickle cell foundation, the last person I was expecting to see was Tonya. I was there doing my work as usual when someone pointed at me with a smile ‘dancing’ on her lips “Do you still remember me?” I look up and screamed “Hey, Dr.Tonya!”
She gave a hug and believe me I will cherish that.

She was looking like a true celeb in that mind blowing outfit.Trust, she is planning something big soonest. Don't let www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com let the cat out of the bag yet.

I promise you will be the first to know.

UBA,AMAA RED CARPET CEREMONY FOR SICKLE CELL FOUNDATION

Story & Photos by Niyi Tabiti

Chief Reporter

On Thursday 24 April 2008, UBA Plc led by suave and articulate banker,Mr.Tony Elumelu, the title sponsor of this year's African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), put together a colourful ceremony to support the Sicle Cell Foundation.The red carpet ceremony tagged 'AMAA nominees party for sickle cell Foundation' is part of efforts aimed at raising funds for research and people suffering from the ailment.It is also an awareness campaign so that people can stop stigmatising people with SS.

The Sickle Cell Foundation is led by Professor Olu Akinyanju.A man known for commitment and integrity since he has been championing the campaign.They used the opportunity to raise money from invited guests at the ceremony.

Celine E. Loader, the Divisional Head,Brand and Corporate Communication,UBA plc conveyed the message of her Group Managing Director, who was unavoidable absent at the ceremony.She assured that her company would continue to be committed to meaniful humanitarian causes. Peace Ayiam-Osigwe,the President of AMAA was also excited at the turn out and she promises that her organisation will not relent in making sure that more awareness is achieved in the area of Sicke Cell.

Expectedly,the Lagoon Restaurant,Victorioa Island, venue of the event was packed full of 'fine faces'.www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com captured some of it here!

The event kicked off around 7 p.m and those that thrilled us with their peformances on stage included Gbenga Adeyinka The first,Koffi and music star, faze.