REMI SURUTU CELEBRATES AFRO HOLLYWOOD AWARD AS 'ACTRESS OF THE YEAR'

By Niyi Tabiti
Chief Reporter
Photos by Tokunbo Ibikunle
Photo Journalist


Top Yoruba actress,Remi Surutu was on top of the world yesterday as friends, relatives and collegues came to celebrate her recent award as Actress of the Year by Afro Hollywood award in Ireland.
Yesterday's event, which also marked the launching of her latest movie took place at White House, Ikeja,Lagos.The event was put together by City People magazine and Bayowa Records and Films Limited.
Those that graced the event included Gbenga Adewusi, the CEO of Bayowa Records and Films Limited,Ronke Oshodi Oke,Bisi Ibidapo-Obe,She Baby,Foluke Daramola, Yinka Best and others.

Photo 1-Remi Surutu
Photo 2-She Baby and Gbenga Adewusi
Photo 3- A dancer showing doing a 'stunt' with what she is got!

Photo 4- Actress,Foluke Daramola and friend
Photo 5- Remi Surutu, Bisi Ibidapo-Obe and others
Photo 6- Ronke Oshodi Oke
Photo 7-Dancers on the dance floor.

PRESS RELEASE:OH,ITS A SUPRISE PARTY.

Dear readers, I have to remove a news item that was earlier posted here about a party being planned for an important personality in United Kingdom.A member of the planning commitee pleaded that they don't want people to draw the person's attention to the news so that the purpose won't be defeated.The manner of approach was right and we decided that we would help them keep it a suprise!

ASHIONYE IS DRIVING HOME A POINT!

Story & photos by Niyi Tabiti
Chief Reporter

I had a great time at Bacchus on Awolowo road,Ikoyi, venue of Rubbin' Minds Democracy day get together on Thursday. Most of the speakers spoke my mind.Nigeria needs total re-engineering and spiritual cleansing as one of the speakers pointed out.
I also believe that it is not good to be an arm chair critic, rather,we should also try our best to contribute our quota to the development of the nation.Well, our creator knows best.
I left the event with Delta state born entertainer,Mitchel Ugbo popularly known as Ashionye.We chatted about the White Gig, which took place the previous weekend. As we approached the Third Mainland Bridge,we deviated to the latest news about her relationship.She denied the recent report she is no more dating Carl Raccah of Orangotan.According to her, it is a figment of the writer's imagination. She pointed out that there are more important issues about her life than relationship break up.

The 'Girl Power' event she superheaded sometime ago donated some items to some charity homes.She told me that she is very much ready to support the needy if she has means to do so.That morning (Thursday), she facilitated two cartons of perfume boxes (She has perfume line) that was auctioned at an event put together by a young Nigerian designer.Proceeds from the event would go to charity
She also told www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com that would soon be coming up with a clothing line simply known as 'Miss Ash'
This chic is driving home a point...that people should feel the pulse of the less priviledged in society and give a helping hand!

Photo 1-I took it on Third Mainland Bridge
Photo 2 has Amina and Ashionye at the White Gig party put together by Encomium Magazine

FOLORUNSHO ALAJIKA AND OTHERS AT ENCOMIUM WHITE GIG

Story & photos by Niyi Tabiti
Chief Reporter

Mrs.Folorunsho Alakija, the former president of Fashion Designer Association of Nigeria (FADAN) is a trendsetter any time, anyday.The Ikorodu born socialite who had her 50th birthday sometime ago is married to Modupe Alakija (from the popular Alakija family of Lagos)

Photo 2- Actress Rukkie Sanda
photo 3-Ofuneka Molokwu of Big Brother Africa fame rocking' at Encomium White Gig party in Lagos on Sunday 25 May 2008.

RUBBIN’ MINDS ON DEMOCRACY DAY AND MAXIMUM ENJOYMENT

By Niyi Tabiti
Chief Reporter

Yesterday (29 May 2008) is known as ‘Democracy day’ and it was declared a public holiday. http://www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com/ joined other youth at the special Rubbin’ Mind event organized by Redstrat.It took place at Bacchus, a top rate hangout on Awolowo road, Ikeja-Lagos.

A lot of speakers noted there is nothing to cheer about the present administration of President Umaru Musa Yar’dua.They asked Mr. President to wake up from slumber so that the youth can feel his impact.

"Our President has been sleeping" was the general chorus
Kudos was given to Mr.Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) the governor of Lagos State for what he has done so far in Lagos.However, some of them complained that Fashola is rehabilitating many roads at the same time.This explains why traffic problems in Lago has worsen(Well, lets endure or what do you think?) .

Apart from the discussion, it was a complete evening of enjoyment.There

was 'small chops',dance galore,comedy and trust...networking!

Photo 1-Debola Williams and friends

Photo 2-Chude Jideonwo of Redstrat and friend.

Photo 3- Emilia Asim Ita,Gbemi Olateru Olagbegi and her freind Muyiwa Oshindero of Clothsence (Perhaps Muyiwa's old school 'endorsed' the rumour that he is the apple or is it the orange (?) of Gbemi's eye.They bonded like teenagers who has just found love)

Photo 4-Tosyn Bucknor and others on the dance floor.

I met three of my facebook friends (Tosin Ogunlesi,Sade Ladipo and Tosyn Bucknor)

Aside from producing Rubbin' Mind, a youth talk show on television,Restrat is also the organiser of The Future Award, which is unarguably the most colourful and respected youth award in Nigeria.

BREAKING NEWS:ELDER STEVE RHODES AND SAMMY NEEDLE RUMOURED DEAD...PLUS SONNY OKOSUNS' BURIAL ARRANGEMENT

While the nation is still mourning the death of popular singer,Envagelist Sonny Okosuns, the news broke out that Sammy Needle, another vibrant musician may have lost his life to typhoid fever.A source told http://www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com/ that the musician who got married few years back in Lagos, died this morning. Other details is still sketchy at the time of going to press.We are still working on our phones to find out the true state of things.
As we were working on the Sammy Needle's story, news filtered to my ears from those who should know that Elder Steve Rhodes also died today around 3 P.M in a London hospital.I have called a number of people on the phone and they confirmed the gist.A senior journalist lamented "Why is all these happening at this time?"
Meanwhile the burial committee of Africa's foremost music revotionaire, Sonny Okosuns has unanimously agreed and ratified the underlisted progammes to honour Ozzidi King, the late social critic, music maker and philosopher, Francis Sonny Okosuns in appreciation of his immense contribution to peace and unity in Africa.
Babafemi Oshodi, Chairman of the Sonny Okosuns Burial Committee reeled out the following programmes: July 18,2008( official burial date), First Bank Nigeria Plc(official banker), a carnival-like motorcade which culminates in Sonny Okosuns' Memorial Concert in cities like Lagos state(his place of residence), Enugu state (his place of birth), Abuja( Nigeria's capital) and Edo state( his home state).
Okosuns' Burial Committee members are- Engineer George Dureke, Ist Vice President of the Performing Musicians Employers' Association of Nigeria,PMAN
( Director, Programmes), Ladi Ayodeji, President\ Minister-in- charge( Director, Programmes),Peter Aburimeh(Director, South- South); Charles Okosuns, brother to the music maker(Chief Host), Henry Asin(Director, Protocol), George Elijah-Otumu,Editor, Arts& Tourism, Africa Today Magazine,UK(Director,Media& Publicity).
The Sub- Committee Media Members include- Ogbonnaya Amadi, Editor, Entertainment, Vanguard Newspapers, Funso Arogundade, INSIDER WEEKLY Magazine, Leke Adeneye, Encomium Magazine, Segun Ajayi, Sun Newspapers and Richard Ayeni, Africa Independent Television,AIT. Other Foreign Sub- Committee Media Members include Niyi Babade, Cable News Network,CNN, 'Tunde Agoe, AFP, George Esiri,Reuters and Patrick Okolo, Voice of America,VOA.

AT ENCOMIUM'S WHITE GIG IN LAGOS

Story & photos by Niyi Tabiti
Chief Reporter

Encomium White gig would be the talk of town for a long to come.It was simply explosive!Everyone was on the dance floor...
Photo 1-Prisca Ndu of UBA plc stepping into the venue
Photo 2-Actress Iyabo Ojo and friends on the red carpet
Photo 3-Ace broadcaster,Soni Irabor and wife,Betty (publisher of Genevieve Magazine)
Photo 4- Uju Murphy-Uzohue and friend Norah Penawou