TOGETHER OR NOT TOGETHER:STELLA DAMASUS AND PAPARAZZI

Story & photos by Niyi Tabiti
Chief Reporter

Star singer and Nollywood wonder girl, Stella Damasus-Aboderin tried as much she could to evade taking photos with a ‘gentleman’ who came with her to a fun spot in Victoria-Island, Lagos.
Stella stepped into Club 868 with the young man and she felt so much uncomfortable as the paparazzi fired heavy shots from their cameras. She could not wait on the green carpet, as she barked at someone “Where is the entrance?” in an effort to evade her photographs being taken. The guy who accompanied her was wise enough to put his face off camera to prevent the insinuation in the press that she is new man in Stella’s life.
Immediately, they stepped out, there was even argument that Stella and the guy did not come to the place together. As a way of proving pundits wrong http://www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com/ managed to take their photo together shortly before they zoomed off in the Toyota Landcruiser that brought them.
No one could actually say whether they are busy partners,blood relations or dating, but almost everyone around could tell that the beautiful actress was only to trying to save her face from another imminent romance tale.
In the past, Stella Damasus had been romantically linked with several men such as Sammie Okposo, Lanre Nzeribe, Richard Mofe-Damijo and others-all of which she has repeatedly denied. She, however, granted an interview sometime ago that she was has a 'faithful friend' in a young man known as Lanre, the well youngman who took part in one of editions of Guilder Ultimate Search.

PROJECT FAME ACADEMY BUBBLES WITH SOUND AND ACTION GAME

It was not an all round rigor in the day one at the academy as the entrants were spirit lifted through an integrated gaming scheme by the house principal, Joke Silva. After giving them a dose of the morning instructions, rules and regulations that they have to comply and relate with, the multiple award winning Nollywood star, broods with the youths for proper integration. This was followed by an activity of sound and action which involves the entrants been partitioned into two groups.
Each group was required to make a complete sense with sound and action without having to say anything. The first team was tasked to create a sound and work out an action that fits that sound, while other team member will complement that sound and action with another suitable sound and action until the entire team members are involved and a complete story is told.
Praise led the first group which also had Bisola, Betty, Wilmort, Brenda, Joseph, and Benedicta. Together they made a perfect team and created sound and action that was interpreted as a complete music band.
The second group was led by Amechi. The group had Preye, Dorcas, Annette, Iyanya, Caroline, Ijeoma, and Joseph. Together they formed sound and action that was interpreted to tell the story of a lazy doctor who rebuffs a critical situation from his patients and flipping through the newspaper pages, while there was another urgent call from another patient. Then a contract doctor came to solve the whole situation. However, Bisola interpreted it to tell the story of a lazy man and his hungry family.
It was fun and excitement as the contestants had a swell time that helped them to relax and create friendly relationship with one another in the academy. They proceeded to the voice class where their voice trainer (Gogo-Margin) was waiting to take them on intensive voice training. They had a general routine training after which Caroline, Ijeoma, Praise and Iyanya took their turn to practice their song personally with the voice instructor. They were advised to practice their songs regularly and to ensure that they get the right key that is comfortable for them so that they don’t get stuck in the middle of a performance. She maintained that she wants to see the contestants improvising at certain point in their song so as to bring their personalities out in their performance.
Practicing various songs from Shania Twain to Michael Bolton, Shade Adu, TLC, and Mya, the contestants show commitment to their voice and songs as they put extra effort to outplace one another in their performances at the training session.
So much is in the line for the contestants as they are gradually gravitating towards the elimination stages. They are going to be judged for elimination every week by members of the public who monitors the academy activities on the daily broadcast on NTA Networks, 5pm, MBI and on Nigezie Channel on Hi Tv. Photos of some of the contestants.
Photo 1-Joseph Ankrah. Photo 2-Mbuk Iyanya.Photo above:Chukwuemeka Akpuru.Below-Mike AnyasodoPhoto above-Caroline Agbonalor.Below-Benedicta Ebute
Photo:Branda Johnson.Below-Abisola Grace Aiyeola
Photo:Annette Cookey

REDSTRAT UNVEIL NOMINATIONS, JUDGES FOR 2009 FUTURE AWARD NIGERIA

Story & photos by Niyi Tabiti
Chief Reporter

Redstrat, the organisers of the biggest and most colourful youth award ceremony in Nigeria-Future Awards-unveiled the take off of nominations for the fourth edition of the award, which comes up in January 2009 in Lagos, Nigeria.
The event took place last tuesday at Club 868, Victoria-Island,Lagos. Redstart also announced addition categories to the regular 15.Judges include Dr. Reuben Abati of Guardian Editorial Board,Mo Abudu (Moments with Mo), Bolanle Austen-Peters CEO of Terra Kulture and Siene Allwell-Brown, a former newscaster with Nigeria Television Authority (now with Nigeria LNG).The ceremony had in attendance Professor Pat Utomi,Ms.Bennie Uche a popular presenter/producer,Tara Fela Durotoye,Ohimai Atefo of Guinness Nigeria Plc,Funke Bucknor Obruthe and others as shown in these photos.
Future Awards is a mindblowing concept developed by three young Nigerians -Miss Emilia Asim-Ita, Adebola Williams and Chude Jideonwo. Apart from the pompt and ceremony, the last Future Awards had eminenet Nigerians such as Senator Floerence Ita-Giwa,Olisa Agbakoba, President of Nigerians Bar Association,Mrs. Oby Ezekwezili, a former minister and now top shot with an international financial institution, gracing the occasion. http://www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com/ learnt there be tours, which will take the Awards team to town hall meetings in Abuja, Kaduna, Enugu, Ibadan, Benin and Lagos to engage the youths at the grassroots.
You can get details about the award categories,judges and other valuable information through http://www.thefuturenigeria.com/ .The first picture here has Debo Akande receiving a post humous award on behalf of his mum Professor (Mrs) Jadesola Akande, Nigeria's first professor of Law and former Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University. The award was given to him by Ms. Bennie Uche on behalf of Redstrat.Adebola Williams (on mic) also extolled the virtures of the late professor.

Photo (above):Ebuka Brother Nigeria fame,a friend,Noble Igwe of Virgin Nigeria,Omawunmi,first runner up Idols West Africa sponsored by Celtel (now Zain) and Chris Ihindero, a media executive.
Photo (below) :Mrs.Joan Elumelu Okorodu of Nigeria next super model contest, Jerry Jideobi, a make-up artist (the only male in the pic) and models.

Ace TV producer/presenter,Ms.Bennie Uche and Chude Jideonwo, Creative Director Redstrat. Photo below: Omawunmi, First runner up Idol West Africa performing at the ceremony on Tuesday 30 September 2008.I need to see her perform again...the girl is...Comedian, Jedi and Cool FM on air personality,Gbemi Olateru Olagbegi anchored the event.Below their photo is MI, a star act who got everyone dancing at the Studio 868,Victoria-Island,venue of the ceremony.

GUEST WRITER, ABIMBOLA JUNAID SAYS "BEFORE YOU..."

Someone was hurt before you;wronged before you ;hungry before you;frightened before you;beaten before you;humiliated before you;raped before you;jilted before you;divorced before you;jobless before you;lost everything before you;orphaned before you;live in an economy crunch before you;disabled before you,yet someone survived.-Maya Angelou.

In other words, whatever has befallen you or yet to befall you is not new to man, the key thing is that you must not stay in your pain, as record shows someone did survive it somewhere.It can be your story too.Your life is in your hands,your destiny is in God's and he has done his, by creating you and having good thought towards you always.DO YOU HAVE A GOOD THOUGHT TOWARDS YOURSELF AT ALL TIMES? BECAUSE ONCE YOU DO,YOU WILL NOT BE DOWN FOR TOO LONG. PLEASE GET UP AGAIN,A SURVIVOR LIVES IN YOU.

Chief Reporter's note:Abimbola Junaid is human and business development coach based in the United Kingdom but available worldwide.She is one of our contributors.You can reach her via email:thingbee@gmail.com or her blog: http://www.thinkingb.blogspot.com/

PRESS RELEASE:CELEBRITIES ENDORSE NEW PEAK CHOCO

Photo 1: Kapil Garg, Managing Director, Friesland Foods WAMCO (middle) assisted by Isaac Agoye, Deputy Managing Director/CAD, and other senior managers of the company as well as hip-hop stars 9ice and Sound Sultan, in cutting the ‘birthday cake’ at the launch of the new Peak Choco in Lagos by Friesland Foods WAMCO, Friday September 26, 2008.

Photo 2: Mr. Kapil Garg, MD, Friesland Foods WAMCO (middle) with hip-hop stars 9ice and Sound Sultan at the launch of the new Peak Choco in Lagos by Friesland Foods WAMCO, Friday September 26, 2008.
Nollywood and rave of the moment hip-hop stars thronged the factory site of Friesland Foods WAMCO Nigeria PLC at a special Thank God Its Friday, TGIF, party and product launch in a novel celebrity endorsement move by the company.
Sola Fosudo, Emeka Ossai, Foluke Daramola and Norbert Young joined 9ice, Sound Sultan, Fatai Rolling Dollars, De Bling, and others who came to rock the house, have their first taste of Peak Choco and tell the world it is good for their body.
Welcoming them all and thanking his staff and management for keeping faith and working round the clock to deliver the newest product brand in the company’s stable, Mr. Kapil Garg, Managing Director, said: “We are happy to have all these celebrities join us today September 26, 2008 to celebrate the birth of the new Peak Choco.
“Peak Choco has all the rich 28 vitamins Nigerians already enjoy in Peak milk and we are positive that everyone is going to love the rich creamy taste of the instant Peak Choco presented and marketed in ready-to-drink, very affordable sachet. Be my guests and do enjoy the evening...”
Sound Sultan, 9ice really brought the crowd alive to their feet, dancing, shouting and singing their hit tracks along with them as they performed. Comedians, Omo Jesu and Seyi Law cracked a few ribs with laughter while radio presenter/producer Ambrose Shomide anchored the party. - www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com

PRESS RELEASE:VIRGIN NIGERIA LAUNCHES NEW UNIFORMS IN STYLE

On Wednesday, 24th of September 2008, Virgin Nigeria unveiled new corporate uniforms with a distinctive Nigerian flavour for all corporate-facing staff and crew on all its flights.
The Jade Palace events venue was transformed into a hub of highflying fashion and style when Virgin Nigeria touched down with a high-profile style event to unveil a uniform refresh.
The strictly-by-invitation event saw an elite gathering of some of Nigeria’s most stylish celebrities and key stakeholders of Virgin Nigeria.
Speaking at the occasion, Virgin Nigeria’s CEO, Conrad Clifford: “At Virgin Nigeria, we are in an ongoing process of re-iterating our unique position as Nigeria’s private sector flag carrier, and so this uniform has the perfect blend of Virgin’s corporate colours and Nigeria’s green and white. The colours speak to the rich agriculture of Nigeria, the peace that can be found here, and the vibrancy that the Virgin brand brings. Captured in batik and adire print designs, the exclusive pattern was created specifically for Virgin Nigeria and reflects the rich cultural heritage of Nigerians.”
The collection, designed by internationally renowned Nigerian designer Ade Bakare, was inspired by a theme he calls ‘African Ease’. Larry Agose, Virgin Nigeria’s Director of Corporate Communications explains: “One of the major differences between the African sense of dress and the western is the non-usage of fasteners. In Africa, especially Nigeria, there is a tendency to tie, wrap or pull over the head garments. We replicated this detail with an edge-to-edge jacket that has eyelets through which a scarf can be slotted to tie the jacket front together. The eyelets also take on a jewel-like adornment, which is very Nigerian. Other details like the side necktie blouse, jacket with red velvet stripes, and the fez-like hat which compliments the suit with a suit add that designer appeal.”
Designs unveiled during the catwalk segments included the new uniforms for the lounge, the hajj wear, which are Sharia-compliant; chic yet demure and modest in look, the inverted pleat of the maternity dress and the blouse and long skirt of the casual staff uniforms, with the exquisite front bow which are functional with a touch of glamour.
There was also a spectacular performance by Idols West Africa stars, Omawumi and Eric; the event climaxing with the 2008 Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (Tourism) hitting the runway in Virgin Nigeria crew uniform, accompanied by Ade Bakare.
The event ended with a vote of thanks from Nkiru Olumide-Ojo , the Head of Corporate Communications who announced even more exciting news from Virgin Nigeria, which is expanding its routes to include Enugu and Monrovia , introducing to domestic routes an international flying experience with the Embracer fleet, and will soon unveil plans to increase Nigerian ownership of the company.

Photo:Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group.

HAPPY WEEKEND...!

"Eyin te mi ni America, ni London, ni gbogbo Europe,Naija,Australia ati everywhere,e se ti ebawa ra filmu o.Mo wish yin ni Happy weekend",Yoruba actress,Iyabo Ojo seems to be saying.