LAST NIGHT IN LAGOS, NIGERIA:D'BANJ DAZZLES ALL AT ALBUM AND FOUNDATION LAUNCH

By Niyi Tabiti
Chief Reporter



Last night (Friday 25 July 2008) , Nigeria’s international music act, Dapo Oyebanjo popularly known as D’Banj proved that he is still the master when it comes to stage performance in the country( His moves on stage remind you of the late Afro beat musician, The late Fela Anikulapo Kuti). Top Nigerian politicians, youth leaders, showbiz personalities and lovers of good music thoroughly enjoyed themselves at the album launch of his latest album entitled “The Entertainer”
The event was also used as an avenue to promote the values of his charitable organization known as Koko Foundation. The list of celebrities is endless. Everyone who came was a celebrity, including you that you are reading the story and viewing the photos on www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com
Yesterday’s event was for VIP. The show continues today at the same venue. You can touch the event if you can afford the ticket.

Photo-D'banj
Photo 2-Rukki Sanda
Photo 3-Titi Adelagun a.k.a Titi Fanta of Soundcity
Photo 4-Popular Fuji Musician, Alhaji Abass Akande Obeseere (Call him Assido or Baba tosibe)
Photo5- Rivers State born musician, Muma Gee
Photo6- Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Former governor of Lagos State with D'banj on stage
Photo 7- Ben Bruce and wife (Do you notice that they even lookialike? Yeah, I learnt when married people stay together for long they will begin to lookalike.Well, that is the theory of our forefathers...it could be true...!)

Photo 8-Publisher of Ovation magazine,Chief Dele Ojutelegan Momodu and fast rising musician, Banky W)
Photo 9- D'banj senior...!Yes, thats Colonel Oyebanjo, father of D'banj and the mother of the musician.They came all the way to give their son the support
Photo 10- Dbanj in Fela Anikulapo Kuti style!Those who had the opportunity of watching 'Abami Eda' as Fela was fondly called would tell you this guy is indeed the future!
Photo 11- Most Beautiful Girl In Nigeria 2008- Miss Adaeze Igwe looking...huh! on the red carpet.
Photo 12-Star actress and 'jollification' expert,Stella Damasus at the event
Photo 13- Maryann was also there!
Photo 14-

NIGERIA POST MASTER GENERAL LEADS POSTAL STAFF TO POLICE MARATHON NEXT SATURDAY

The Post Master General of the Federation Mr Ibrahim Muri Baba will on the 26th of July lead a formidable team of strong men and women in the VIP category of the MTN sponsored Race Against Crime. This he said is his contribution to ensuring a crime free Nigeria for the safety of all.
The MTN people police Marathon which takes place in Abuja on Saturday the 26th of July 2006 is an Inspector General of police initiated effort to solicit goodwill for the Nigerian Police and create a sense of harmony between the force and the Nigerian people. Mr Ibrahim Muri Baba, who was speaking through the president of NIPOST SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUB Mr. Joseph Ojo, opined that the charity offer by the winner of the VIP race Is a good initiative and that this would further sensitise the people to the needs in the society at large.
The Marathon race tagged “The Race Against Crime” which involves the Nigerian police and Civilians alike is aimed at changing the perception and attitude of the Nigerian people towards the police and encouraging a friendliness and a bonding between both groups.
NIPOST, the official courier for this event has contributed immensely to the smooth running of the marathon by partnering to ensure an even distribution of the forms throughout the federation making them available to the participants of the varied categories.
The MTN People Police Marathon, organisers say, is going to be an annual event and is aimed at creating a continued friendliness and harmonious bonding between the Nigerian police and the Nigerian Populace, so that crime can be reduced.

Photo: Inspector General of Police In Nigeria, Sir Mike Okiro unveiling the star prize of Kia Rio in Abuja on Tuesday.

JOURNALISTS WIN SINGING COMPETITION

Members of the fourth estate of the realm were pleasantly surprised last week as they were called upon to engage in a “sing and win” competition during the official unveiling of MTN Project Fame West Africa in Lagos.
Compere at the event and hip hop singer, Michael Ugochukwu a.k.a Ruggedman, suddenly called for five ‘bold’ journalists to come to the stage. Initially about 20 journalists headed for the stage, but when he added that he wanted five journalists who can sing on the stage, most of them went back to their seats.

Five journalists comprising two ladies and three men, however, made it to the stage and were asked to sing any song of their choice and win fantastic prizes.
According to the compere, entertainment journalists always criticize the performance of musicians in their media and that Tuesday night was an opportunity to give them a dose of their own medicine.
So the microphone was handed over to them, each was given three minutes to sing, and one by one they sang, from contemporary to old school to gospel, some croaking it up, some going off key and some going it just flat. The MC jokingly called it the “worst voice” singing competition.
They were judged by a participatory audience that scored them through voice votes. At the end of the exercise, Mr. Gbenga Adegunle from The Nation Newspapers was adjudged the best singer; Mr. Seun Awosika of Star FM came second, while a lady from Nigezie TV came third.
For their efforts, the first prize winner went home with a 32inch flat screen TV, second prize winner smiled home with a home theatre sound system, while the third place winner went away with a Blackberry phone from MTN. The fourth place winner also got a Blackberry phone from MTN, while the fifth person was given a midget tape recorder.
Speaking at the end of the event, most of the journalists in attendance expressed surprise at the gesture from MTN. According to them, it was unprecedented as no organisation in the country had ever invited them to such impromptu contest and to win such magnitude of prizes.
First prize winner, Gbenga Adegunle, who expressed gratitude to MTN for the gesture said he was completely surprised that a prize of that worth could be given out for just trying to sing.
“When the MC announced the prizes, I thought he was just pulling our legs. I just decided to have fun singing. But when I was pronounced the winner and the prize handed to me, my joy knew no bounds,” he said.
Adegunle disclosed that while coming for the event, he was slightly late because of the heavy traffic jam and had to alight from the commercial bus he was traveling in and board a commercial motor bike (Okada) to take him to Planet One, Maryland, venue of the event.
MTN Project Fame West Africa is a reality music TV show where 16 young people are selected from a pool of others to be trained and groomed in the act of music performance.
The show has been successfully staged in over 15 countries of the world. The last edition that was held in South Africa had a Nigerian, Dare Art Alade as one of the three winners.
Dare Art Alade is billed is to anchor this year's Project Fame being hosted this time in Nigeria.

MTN PEOPLE POLICE MARATHON :OKIRO UNVEILS CO-SPONSORS IN ABUJA YESTERDAY IN ABUJA.

The Inspector General of Police Sir Mike Okiro Tuesday (yesterday) July 22, 2008 in Abuja officially unveiled co-sponsors of his pet project, the MTN People Police Marathon.
The co-sponsors, according to http://www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com/ – Dana Motors, IGI Insurance, Oceanic Bank Plc, Nigerian Postal Services (NIPOST), Grace Point Hotel, Silverbird Television, Rhythm FM, Aso FM, and Hot FM Abuja were unveiled to a large number of audience that include senior police chiefs, journalists and a host of other stakeholders on the project. This list of sponsors would be joining the title sponsor, MTN Nigeria as partners on the project.
At the unveiling ceremony at Louis Edet House, the sponsors explained why their organisations are committed to the social course project.
IGI Insurance Plc pledged to insure the entire over 20,000 professional and non-professional runners participating in the Marathon , which is in its maiden edition. “We are insuring all participants. This is just to assure them that IGI is insuring them against any kind of unforeseen bodily injury during the race,” says the company’s deputy managing director, Mr Rotimi Fashola who was represented by Mrs. Zainab S. Abdullashe, branch manager IGi head office annex in Abuja.
There was the special unveiling of the star prize, a brand new Kia Rio car donated by Dana Motors. The vehicle, branded in the colours of MTN People Police Marathon, was ceremoniously unveiled to guests and the media by the Inspector General. This was after the key to the car was publicly presented by the General Manager of Dana Motors Mr. Lachman B. Relwani.
Explaining the participation of Dana Motors in the project, the Marketing Manager Dana Motors Limited, Mr Chetan Mehan, said that his organisation cannot stand aside when it comes to sponsorship of such a good course. In his words: “We have an outstanding good relationship with the Nigeria Police. This relationship has been on ever since we started business in Nigeria . More so, the initiative is great. I believe it is a good idea because it allows the Police to find a more civil way to bond with the people.
This kind of harmonious relationship between the Police and the citizens will ultimately result in good partnership to jointly fight crime, and for us at Dana, it is a laudable initiative that we have to support.”
Silverbird TV, Rhythm FM, Aso FM Abuja and Hot FM Abuja also partnered on the project to give maximum media coverage and mileage on the project, while the official hotel for the project is Grace Point Hotel, Abuja.
On its part, NIPOST disclosed that it has always supported any kind of activity from the Police that can make the organisation function maximally especially as it relates to crime reduction. NIPOST, which was represented at the ceremony by Mr. Joseph Ojo, the president of NIPOST Sports and Social Club, is the official courier for the project.
Thanking the sponsors, Sir. Okiro thanked all those that have supported the initiative in kind and cash. He described the MTN People Police Marathon as “a baby close to my heart.” He enjoined all Nigerians and foreign residents in the country to come out enmass and run in any of the categories.
The marathon, which starts at different points by 7 am on Saturday, July 26, will end at the Eagle Square . The VIP race starts at the Federal Secretariat entrance by Ahmadu Bello Way , while the mass race start up point is the Civil Defence Car Park on Michael Okpara Street , Wuze Zone 5. The Elite race will start at the Old Parade Ground.

MONALISA CHINDA THREW CAUTION TO THE WIND AT MOVIE PREMIERE LAST WEEKEND IN LAGOS

Nollywood star actress, Monalisa Chinda threw caution to the wind last weekend in Lagos as she openly embarrassed a journalist with a romance magazine. The incident took place Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos-Nigeria, venue of the movie premiere of Eme Isong latest film “When the heart lies”
The fair skinned and robust journalist had exchanged pleasantries with Dejo Richards, the young and handsome husband of actress who was carrying their baby. They got on well until Monalisa noticed the fellow around her husband. Monalisa refused to pose for a snapshot with her husband as requested by the guy. www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com gathered that she almost caused a scene when her husband pleaded that they should obliged the journalist his request.Monalisa’s husband later begged the journalist should be a man and forget the whole episode. I am still trying to get across to Monalisa for her own side of the story but her phone has not been helping matters.
The journalist later lamented to www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com that Monalisa is probably taking her own pound of flash following what she must have termed a negative story in his magazine. “I am shocked that she went about it that way. When we write positive story about them they would never call you for a minute that they appreciate it but when its what they call bad press, they would insult the living day out of you”
Meanwhile, elegant and glomourous celebrities stormed Civic centre last Sunday as Emem Isong had the premiere of her movie “When The Heart Lies”. Co-produced by Desmond Elliot, the movie paraded Omotola Jolade-Ekehinde, Paul IK Dairo, Uche Jombo, Enebeli Elebuwa and others. It was a double because “Reloaded” another movie by Vivian Ejike was also premiered that night.
OH! I missed the event otherwise I would have brought you the photos of our superstars. I had to take my marriage counselling session seriously on that day.GISTMASTER is about to leave bachelorhood next month!
I will gist you guys what I learnt from the session later.

HANNAH EHIAGWINA TELLS GISTMASTER "NOLLYWOOD SHOULD GET SET TO EXPERIENCE ME"

Hannah Ehiagwina is young and talented.She told http://www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com/ that she is ready to take the Nigerian movie industry by storm. A native of Uromi, Edo State in Nigeria, Hannah believe that if she is given the opportunity she can prove as self. "I am up to the challenge.Nollywood should get set to experience me because I am the bomb!"

Hannah told http://www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com/ in a chat that Nollywood star actress, Omotola Jolade-Ekehinde is her idol. "I love her to a fault. Everytime, I imagine when I will come in contact with her. I also love her figure after four kids" she said.

Beautiful Hannah said she is not desperate to the point of posing nude in movies. The farthest she can go is to wear skimpy clothes. "I can act any role.I also believe I am sexy but i can't pull off my clothes completely in movies.Let the man go crazy after seeing a bit of your stuff.When they see everything, then there would be nothing left to the imagination"

On the issue of sex, she said it is wonderful but people should think of the consequences before doing it. People who can't hold their body when its on fire should use condom or else, they would keep on aborting or giving birth to children who will turn out to be menace to society.
Hannah who is looking up to producers to test her acting prowess said she can fit into English or movies perfectly.

Got a job for her? call 234 (0) 8077477484 or email: ehighannah@yahoo.com

OLORI MUYIBAT, WIFE OF OBA SAA OYEFUSI THE AYANGBUREN OF IKORODULAND CELEBRATES 70TH BIRTHDAY IN LAGOS,NIGERIA.

By Niyi Tabiti
Chief Reporter



It was a show of elegance and glamour as The Ayangburen of Ikoroduland in Lagos, Oba S.A.A Oyefusi gathered the who is who in Nigeria to the 70th birthday of his beloved wife, Olori Muyibat last weekend.

Fondly called the 'The most glamourous woman of our time', the celebrant showed everyone present that when it comes to maximum enjoyment, Ikorodu people are not backward no matter their age.

The event was graced by the Likes of Former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Aremu Olusegun Obasanjo a.k.a Baba Iyabo, Alayeluwa Oba Sikiru Adetona of Ijebuland,Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola,. Honourable Abike Dabiri-Erewa,The Olori Omooba of Ijebuland,Otunba Subomi Balogun and his beautiful wife, Adetutu.Other important dignitaries were also present.
The security situation at the party was so tight but trust us to give you photos from the event.
One thing that you can't take away from the Ikorodu people is their love for achievement, clothes and enjoyment.
You need to see the interior and exterior of the Oba's palace, then you will proud that life has really changed.Its an edifice that anybody that comes from that part of Nigeria would be proud of.

Photo 1-The celebrant and her husband
Photo 2-The celebrant and Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos State.
Photo 3-The celebrant and Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo
Photo 4- Otunba Subomi Balogun and his wife, Adetutu
Photo 5-The edifice where the event took place at the palace of Oba Oyefusi, the Ayangburen of Ikoroduland.