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Some ago, we told you about the re-branding process of gistmaster.com
Yes, we are on the path to be Africa's number one celebrity, event and photos/news website. Apart from buisness storiesm which would keep you abreast of your financial interest,we shall continue to showcase the best of Nollywood glamour just as they do with Hollywood stars all over the world.We have to be proud of what we have got.The best of us is yet to come. You can help us realise this by supporting us through the promotion of your goods and services on the website. So small, you will think we are doing charity.Trust, we have loads of materials.
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NIGERIAN TELEVISION ROLE MODEL CELEBRITIES AND POLITICS

Reported by Niyi Tabiti

Wherever and whenever the success of the most remarkable electoral victory in the world (Barak Obama’s American presidential bid) surfaced in political history, the name-Oprah Winfrey would come up as one of the greatest influences of the period. Millions of people around the world hold Oprah in great awe because of the positive impacts she has been making through her lively and thought provoking television show.
In a place like Nigeria, someone like Oprah would ordinarily be classified as a mere TV presenter or better still an entertainer but in reality she is a role model celebrity. How far can our celebrities go to be genuine inspirations for positive socio-economy and political change in our nation? When it comes to political issue, do people take television personalities with so much seriousness?
Today in Nigeria, there are women who have indeed carved a niche for themselves with their commendable talk shows. Funmi Iyanda, Mosunmola (Mo) Abudu, Lola Oduba, Agatha Amata and a few others have indeed carved a niche for themselves here. Fine face, good smile and creative balance but the one billion naira question is- can it sow a seed of making you change your vote for the price of nothing?
Bimpe Fatokun a university undergraduate in Nigeria told http://www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com/ that television personalities like Mo Abudu and Funmi Iyanda are good brands for political influence but they have been limiting themselves.
“Look at it this way; they are popular and adored because of the issues they have been highlighting on their shows. For someone like me who has little or no interest in politics, I can easily be convinced to line up behind any candidate by these people because I admire them but I have not seen them coming out campaigning for any one”
On his part, Fola, a senior executive with a courier company in USA disagreed that some of the television personalities have not been doing much in the area of politics. Fola who was in Lagos recently for a seminar told http://www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com/ that most Nigerian television presenters don’t pretend about their political affinity. Citing the case of Funmi Iyanda, Fola disclosed that she has been known to be an all rounder, particularly in the media. In her newspaper columns and TV shows, she is known to have used it as a pedestal to talk about human rights abuses and short fall in the living standard of the people.
A popular actor told us there would have been more involvement of presenters in politics but they can’t openly campaign for someone they are not even sure would do their own will. Adding a humorous dimension to it, the actor said unlike America where it is a case of principle, in Nigeria politics is a case of figures. The electorates and godfathers think more about how much money they would share. So, if you like- put all the entertainers in Nigerian together for one man, they can only add colour but not change anything because the election results would have been written before the day.
“Does it mean actors and musicians have greater influences here?” gistmaster asked.
“Capital no!” he replied. “I told you earlier that what we have here is still politics of influence. Most of the musicians dancing behind politicians durning electoral period are only out for their daily bread. In America, most of them offered to be volunteers because they believe it is a moment for change. Niyi, do you know how much a Fuji musician pocked for doing an album for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as governor of Lagos State?”
“All the Yoruba artistes who were also calling Tinubu’s name in their movies also benefited from the huge purse of his political machinery. We can only have someone influence our elections like Oprah did if election is actually based on principle not money. It is a sacrifice that starts as far as the entertainer refusing to collect money for such ‘services’. I know that one day; one of these women would achieve that feat”

ITS MY PARTY!

Naturally, 27 November of every year is always my happiest day on earth. Reason? Its my birthday and i get really,really excited...somehow it has become a mystery i can't explain. Ordinarily,I am a happy person but 27 November comes with exceptional river joy flowing through me.Ohhhh...unlike last year when someone blew me a kiss via mobile phone around midnight, this year, i got it livvvvvvveeeee! I am particularly excited about the roll call of visitors already on my facebook waiting to be served african delicacies ranging from Amala to eforiro, to Iyan and egusi...and they would watch it down with moet chandon,malta guiness,Coca cola and every other drink is in abundance.

Really, 27 November is like my own New Year.I hope to do more in the area of assisting less priviledged children. There are countless numbers of child labourers in Nigeria today and we need to assist them. To me, that would be one of the ways to discover a lot of obamas in our society. Trust, i have loads of gist for you. Some politicians are not so lucky to have the kind of fantastic comments i have so far on facebook. I thank God.I would formally thank those that have so far made my day.I will also gist you about the actress who woke me up with "yeye boy,happy birthday...but we are still fighting o.Just warn those who are writing bad comment about me on your blog!"

MASTER PACKAGE FROM GISTMASTER

Watch out for our regular entertainment e-magazine. Trust us to give you first hand information about how and where the real gigs are taking place, interviews and authentic gist.

Perhaps, the reason we have remain the first port of call for those who desire up to date information about the Nigerian social and business sectors.

Important people, like you take us serious and we are pleased to inform you that thousands of Nigerians all over the world want us to do more.

Gistmaster is set to pull unprecedented number of important personalities to the site because of our new package.We want as many people as possible to come so that advertisers would continue to benefit from the platform. Remember, the blog and the website are free but not cheap! Together we can sustain the tempo by advertising here. Those who have tried us in the past have great testimonies.The prices are so small, you would think we are doing charity.

Thank you for taking your time. Join us as we re-brand the gistmaster brand.Don't forget, the top brands in the Nigerian Telecom, airline, fashion, movie,personalities,government,finacial sector, media and others would be featured here regularly.
Once again,thank you

-Niyi Tabiti

VIRGIN NIGERIA PARTNERS HOPE WORLDWIDE ON LAGOS CHARITY WALK FOR HIV/AIDS ORPHAN

Story & photos by Niyi Tabiti

As part of her leading role in corporate social responsibility in Nigeria, Virgin Nigeria Airline, last saturday (22 November 2008) partner Hope Worldwide in its 10 charity walk for HIV/AIDS orphan in Lagos, Nigeria. Led by Dapo Olumide, the Chief Commercial Officer of the national carrier, several staff of the company embarked on the walk from Maryland to National Stadium, Surulere.Some of the staff also rode on bicycles, piloting the way for those that walked.
The airline and its staff, which included Mrs.Nkiru Olumide-Ojo, where commended by the wife of Lagos State governor, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola.While speaking with journalist, Olumide disclosed that the company has been playing its pivotal role in social responsibilty since the commencement of her operations on 25 June 2005. www.gistmaster.com gathered that the comapny has been involved in series of corporate activities that has direct impact on the lives of the people.Notably, the United Nations World Food Programme in 2006, where Virgin Nigeria provided the medium to raise funds towards eradicatinghunger nd malnutritionamong children,and the Sunny Kuku Foundation for sickle Cell.The comapny has also been involved in several other meaniful programmes.
gistmaster.com gathered that Virgin Nigeria got involved in the walk as a result of Hope Worldwide high reputation as a serious organisation truly committed to charity.

Uche Jombo Dedicates Afro-Hollywood Award to Fans

By Niyi Tabiti
Chief Reporter
Fast rising Nigerian actress, Uche Jombo has returned to the shores of the country after winning herself a laurel as the best actress (English) at this year's edition of the Afro Hollywood award in United Kingdom. The ever bubbling Uche arrived last Sunday morning and when www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com spoke with her on Sunday afternoon at the venue of Fantasy magazine launch at SAIPAN Restaurant, Victoria Island, she disclosed that she was very excited with the outcome of the award.
"Ofcourse, there is nobody who would not be excited whenever they are appreciated.Personally, I think its time to do more for the Nigerian movie industry" She said.
Uche also told GISTMASTER she dedicated the award to her fans everywhere in the world because they make her what she is today. We also saw her swinging her waist yesterday at the birthday of Psquare!
Uche Jombo's foray into professional acting started in 1998 when she took part in Visa To Hell by Fidelis Duker.Right now, she is one of best hands in Nollywood. She hails from Abiriba in Abia State, Nigeria.

CLUB PAPAS ROCK AS PSQUARE CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY IN LAGOS, NIGERIA

By

Niyi Tabiti

Chief Reporter

Last night (18 November 2008) in Lagos, Nigeria, the duo of Peter and Paul Okoye popularly known as Psquare treated friends and colleagues in the Nigerian entertainment industry to a lavish birthday celebration. The event, which was hosted by Frank Okamigbo led Club Papas in Victoria Island,was well attended by most of the notable entertainers particularly in the hip hop sector of the music industry. The list includes D’banj, Keke Ogungbe and D-One of Primetime Entertainment, Kaffy, Ruggedman,Sound Sultan, Banky W, MI and a host of others.Uche Jombo, Rukky Sanda, Adaora Okoh and Anita Joseph also showed up at the event. Obaro Ibru, once described as the most fashionable big boy in Nigeria, also came into the rollicking affair enjoying himself so much before he left.It was either babes are too much into Obaro or vice versa...!
Meanwhile, there were so many ‘take aways’ at the event and some of the entertainers did justice to the girls most of whom appeared as if dressing up nowadays is now out of fashion.A slim built entertainer left with two heavily 'loaded' chics and we wonder if he would have the strength to come out at all( See why some musicians are having dull performance on stage!). www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com watched most of the artistes rejoiced with the twins.Their elder brother, Jude was (obviously) very happy because of the fame and fortune in the lives of his brothers.

We are very sure some big boys from the corporate world who attended the event would be sleeping on their desk now.The party is a typical rock yourself and lets dance...!