QUEEN OF GLAMOUR BAGS

Reported by Niyi Tabiti

She is simple yet quintessential in the craft of making some of the most fabulous bags one can get anywhere in the world. Welcome to the world of UK based Sade Popoola of Quute Illumina . Call her the Queen of glamour bags and would be right!
The intimidating profile of her works has endeared her to high profile ladies who desire to complement their dressing with the outlandishly stylish unique hand bags. According to the Ekiti State born lady, the bags are made in the United Kingdom with a special fabric known as Damask. gistmaster gathered that classy bags are hand made and so specially made.One unique selling point of the bag, according to Sade, is the fact that the bags are made with Damask a special fabric that gives it every bit of ‘africanness’ and originality. "Its a class thing and we make sure that no two people have the same design" she said. "The damask and every other thing we do is another way of showcasing our roots into producing exotic bags with vibrant designs" she added.

She revealed that her bags are not just another fashion accessory. Thanks to the innovative addition of integrated light in it. How do you feel,opening that bag at night in a party and the inner lights of the bag, keep flashing? Quute Illumina, sure have an answer.

A former televison presenter, Sade is a proud mother of three (The first is already in a US university).She told gistmaster that she loves dancing but her favourite artistes are true gospellers such as Cece Winas.Remarkably, the proudly Nigerian has been nominated for the coveted British Female Inventor and Innovator Awards.

You can visit her website: http://www.quuteillumina.co.uk/

SUBOMI BALOGUN LAUDS FCMB MD IN LAGOS

Reported by Niyi Tabiti

Otunba Subomi Balogun the group chairman of one Nigerian’s leading bank, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has once again described his son, Ladi as a man after his heart.
The septuagenarian made this known at the 9th sharing experience series of the Harvard Business School Association of Nigeria, which took place on Wednesday 26 November 2008 in Lagos, Nigeria. As a recap, Subomi has never hidden his likeness for Ladi whom he described as a perfect for his shoes when he retired from active service in the bank.
At the event, Balogun disclosed that Ladi did not climb to the top in one day because the bank was founded by his father; rather he was a man who learnt the rope and made a name for himself in the financial sector. Balogun said, Ladi schooled and worked in financial institutions abroad yet he was prepared to learn when he started work in FCMB.
http://www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com/ watched as guests at the event applauded Ladi who was also present. It goes a long way to show that Ladi is indeed a chip of the old bloc.Ladi is an alumnus of Harvard Business School. The Alumni association in Nigeria is led by Professor Herbert Onye Orji.
According to one of the guests, one of the biggest problems faced by most rich families in Nigeria is continuity.“Most billionaires just bring their children to become head of their businesses in one day without putting them through the various stages. At the end, the business collapses. Examples abound in different sectors of the Nigerian economy”
“How many children of Nigerian billionaires could sustain their father’s businesses when they are alive not to talk of when the founder passes over and he left it in the hand of prodigal family members?” the guest asked rhetorically.
Citi Express Bank, Metropolitan Bank and Societe Generale Bank (SGMB) are three examples of family banks in Nigeria that are no more in existence due to what regulators tagged unhealthy financial state.
Apart from Ladi who is happily married to Banke (Iya Ibeji),Subomi other sons are Bolaji, one of the directors at West African Portland Cement Plc, and Babajide. Subomi is sits atop a financial conglomerate. The list include First City Monument bank, Primrose Investments Limited, City Securities (Registers) Limited,CSL Stockbrokers, First City Assets Management Limited and FCMB Capital Markets Limited.

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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!"

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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.
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-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.