REMAINS OF LATE EVAGELIST SONNY OKOSUNS' ARRIVES NIGERIA ON 4 JULY 2008...PLUS BURIAL ARRANGEMENT

The burial arrangement for the late music legend, Evangelist Sonny Okosun OON is finally out. GISTMASTER gathered that the remains of the late musician is set to arrive Nigeria on 4 July 2008 from the United States of America. Sonny Okosun died in May 2008 at Howard University Hospital, Washington District of Columbia.
In a press statement signed by members of the Burial committee and sent to GISTMASTER , various activities have been lined up to give Okosun a befitting burial in Nigeria.The statement reads in part: “The Okosuns' Royal family of Esan central area of Edo state wishes to officially announce the demise of Frances Sonny Okosuns, OON, a father, brother, uncle and grand father, who was an African music icon that employed music to fight apartheid, oppression and repression in the African continent"
OFFICIAL PROGRAMME OF THE NATIONAL BURIAL COMMITTEE OFEVANG. DR. SONNY OKOSUNS,OON.
1) Corpse of Late Evang. Sonny Okosuns, OON, arrives Nigeria from the United States of America on July 4 (This Friday). Condolence/ Candlelight Vigil organized by South- South Peoples Assembly-SSPA on 4th July at House of Prayer Ministry 10 Yaya Abatan Street,Ogba, Ikeja- Lagos
2) July 12th, 2008 at 2pm: Open Air Sonny Okosuns Memorial Concert featuring top Nigerian musicians; from the old to the very young ones as well as international musicians in Lagos state in honour of late Evang. Sonny Okosuns, OON.

3) July 13- Nigerian Youths(Eagles) an amalgam of top Nigerian comedians and musicians converge at the Excellence Hotel- Ogba-Ikeja for a Tribute Concert for Sonny Okosuns by 4pm-8pm; Same day(13th-July-2008)- New African Christian Breed- a Christian association founded by Sonny will be staging a Tribute Seminar titled: Leadership Role for Nigerian Youths by 3pm at House of Prayer Church- Ogba- Ikeja.
4). Elaborate Service of Songs on July 17,2008( Thursday) at 5pm at The House of Prayer Ministry on 10 Yaya Abatan Street, Ogba, Lagos featuring prominent Ministers of God and Church choirs from different denominations.5). July 18, 2008( Friday): Lying in state at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos from 9am to 3pm with numerous performances by top Nigerian and international musicians, notable ministers of God and speeches from Nigerians from all walks of life.
5. Carnival like procession from National Stadium to Interment at Late Evang. Sonny Okosuns' residence at 10 Yaya Abatan Street, Ogba, Lagos state.
6. Outing service on 20th July, 2008( Sunday) at Sonny Okosuns' church- House of Prayer Ministry, located on 10 Yaya Abatan Street, Ogba, Lagos state.
7. Open Air SONNY OKOSUNS Memorial Concerts featuring top Nigerian musicians; the old and the young ones like Tu- Face, D' Banj, P- Square, Faze, 9ice in the following states of the federation namely:i. Edo State: 20th July, 2008ii. Abuja(FCT): 3rd August, 2008
The Sonny Okosuns' National Burial Committee unanimously agreed and ratified Inter Continental Bank PLC, as the official banker of the burial event. The Edo State Government, under the leadership of His Excellency, Prof. Osarehmen Osunbor, has set up a committee to immediately liaise with the Sonny Okosuns' National Burial Committee to ensure that Sonny Okosuns, OON, is accorded a heroic burial. At the moment, discussions are on- going with Envoys of South Africa Embassy, Namibia Embassy, Zimbabwe Embassy; Angola Embassy, Kenya Embassy on a classy burial programme worthy of an African icon for Sonny Okosuns, OON.

NIGERIAN CELEBRITIES ROCK FOR OBAMA

By Niyi Tabiti
Chief Reporter



If Barak Obama, the American presidential hopeful made up his mind to be in Nigeria on Friday 4 July 2008 (America's Independence Day) , we bet he would not have missed the 'trips' that would happen that night at Club Papas in Victoria Island.


Information reaching http://www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com/ from Frank Okamigbo, the man about town behind Club Papas is that they are staging a one in town party to celebtrate Obama's achievement so far in the process of making it to the White House.Frank said, Obama's fever has taken over Lagos and now is the time to stage what he calls a 'revolutionary party' in honour of a fellow black man.The party, which is expected to have so many celebrities in attendance is tagged "Naija for Obama Night"

REPORT SAYS NOLLYWOOD ACTRESS, INI EDO AND LOVER,PHILLIP SETTLES FOR SEPTEMBER WEDDING DATE

Nollywood actress,Ini Edo may have lost in her bid for the crown as Nollywood best dressed actress (according to most voters on http://www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com/) but she seems to have won completely, the heart of Phillip, her United States of America based lover boy. Reports monitored in this week's edition of Encomium magazine stated that Ini and Phillip have concluded arrangements to say 'I do' at a talk of the town wedding slated for September 2008.According to the story written by Stella Dimoko Korkus,the traditional wedding engagement would hold on 30 August 2008.

www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com also gathered that water tight security arrangement would be put in place to forestall any act of break down of law and order by those who believe they have been unfairly treated by the two lovers.

9ICE PERFORMS FOR MANDELA ON 90TH BIRTHDAY

Nigerian singer Abolore Akande a.k.a. 9ice performed at London Hyde Park last friday alongside Will Smith, Amy Winehouse, U2 and many others; in honour of South African leader Nelson Mandela who clocked 90 recently.
It is 9ice's first international exposure, being his first performance abroad ever, and he is starting on a very good note.According to info gathered by www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com, 9ice's performance was backed by the Soweto Gospel choir.The concert which was primarily designed for an audience of about 40000, was transmitted live to millions across the world through different cable networks.It was shown live on Nigeria's AIT.He was the only artiste taken from Nigeria. 9ice was accompanied by his manager Ola Dehinde.He is expected back to Nigeria eon Monday June 30.

At 90, Mandela is the real 'gongo aso' world leader. Here is a salute to the mandiba.
www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com would have brought you loads and loads of photos of what London big boys and girls wore to the party but...Lets just pray that soon and very soon,I would have the opportunity to cover events like this...still working concerning the Nottinghill Carnival, which I gathered would hold in August.

Photos-9ice,Mandela,Will Smith and others

LOOK AT THE PHOTO CLOSELY AND SEE IF YOU CAN ALSO MAKE A CHANGE JUST LIKE MUTIU LESHI AND FRIENDS IN USA!

By Niyi Tabiti

Chief Reporter

You see the glamour pictures of celebrities here everyday but that is not all that is happening in the Nigeria.There are millions of people who can not feed themselves let alone send their children to school.Their life savings can not even buy an 'original' Versace shirt.

I took the photo on this post sometime ago at Victoria Island,Lagos.It shows a group of area boys desperately begging a former aide of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo,Dr.Doyin Okupe for money to feed themselves. More children are going out of school to turn to child labourers, area boys and evetually criminals.

Mutiu Leshi, a pal who lives in the United States of America is one of those who believe that lives of millions of Nigerian children who are out of school would change if we all contribute our quota.Recently, Mutiu and friends sent thousands of books, pencils and erasers for less privildeged school children.The distribution would be facilitated next week by www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com and friends.

According to Mutiu "My friends and I recently started a books and stationeries drive to schools in Africa called Africa Outreach Program. We were able to collect donations of books, pencils, erasers and other stationeries that we recently shipped to Lagos Nigeria for low income schools. We are still fairly new but we hope to continue and expand on our outreach to poor families that can not afford good education"

You too can make someone happy today.Someone you have never seen but could feel his or her problems far away.It could be clothes or just anything worth at all for less priviledged people in Nigeria.Soon, i will bring some photos related to the topic.

Founding members-

Mutiu Leshi ---- Founder and co-ordinator of the program. I presently work for BearStearns now part of JPMorgan Chase.

Ese Aigbegun---- she is very resourceful, and she has acted as the organization publicity manager. She presently work for MorganStanley

Jong Lee--- He is my best friend and very concern about any issues affecting motherland. I will call him Asian African. he is been very supportive both physically and financially. He presently work for Decorum

Dimeji Ayanwale-- He works for Citibank

Tunde Tella --- He is a former employee of Oceanic bank Lagos, and presently an MBA student at University of Connecticut ( UCONN). He is one of our volunteers. He is very emotional about the issues affecting Africa educational system

Bidemi Babajide--- He is a former IT student at Intercontinental Bank, and presently a Freshman at Baruch College. One of our dedicated Volunteer.

Fatima Olude--- She is very supportive and committed to the organization. She is one of the Nigeria in diasporas that as never been to Nigeria before, but the she committed to the growth of the continent. She graduated from University of Illinois in Chicago,

RE: SO, WHO IS THE HOTTEST IN NIGERIA?

Everyday we continue to receive text messages , e-mails and calls concerning the hottest actress story we posted on the blog.People have also left comment on the blog.We are particularly excited becaus a lot of people who should know better are interested in voting for the actress who turned out the best in terms of looks and dressing.

Someone is sending us goodies for the Best actress and some voters from the United States of America.I don't want to let the whole gist out now.Details of the sponsor would be made available later.

We are also thinking of adding more adding more names.From what I gathered so far,Genevieve Nnaji, Rita Dominic and Omotola Jolade-Ekehinde appear to be leading (Though not in that particulat order) . Here is the link-http://niyitabiti.blogspot.com/2008/06/so-who-is-hottest-in-nollywood.html

MORE PHOTOS FROM AUSTIN 'JAY JAY' OKOCHA'S RECEPTION ON TUESDAY

Photos by Niyi Tabiti
Nigerian celebrities came to register their presence at the Grand reception for Austin 'Jay Jay' Okocha on Tuesday 24 June 2008 in Lagos,Nigeria. Here are some of the photos in addition to the ones earlier been posted.
Photo 1-Austin 'Jay Jay' and Nkechi Okocha.
Photo 2- Nollwood actress, Jennifer Eliogu
Photo 3- Ace presenter,Michelle Dede and another person.
Photo 4-Nollywood actress,Ebube Nwangbo
Photo 5- Omotola Jolade-Ekehinde (Omo sexy) and friend
Photo 6-Monalisa Chinda and husband,Dejo Richard (They shamed critics who said they are no longer married)
Photo 7-Ever 'bubbling' Cossy Orjiakor at the event.