WEST AFRICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL WILL SCOUT FOR MODELS IN LONDON ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 17 2009 AND IN NEW YORK CITY ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 24 2009

NEW YORK, NY January 13, 2009 – The West Africa’s Next Top Model show scheduled to begin production in Africa in March 2009 is scouting for models in London and New York City. Scouting for London will be on Saturday, Jan 17, 2009 at The Amadeus, 50 Shirland Rd Little Venice London W9 2JA from 8am to3pm. Scouting for New York City will be on Jan 24, 2009 at the 28th Street Studio, 34 W. 28 Street NY, NY 10001- 5th Floor from 9a to 5p. Applicants must be of West African heritage to qualify.
This show will be produced by StatsMedia Group an international production company owned by Tope Esan and Martin Fayomi. StatsMedia is the only company granted the exclusive rights from CBS Paramount International Television to produce this reality show in Africa.
With the initial start up being in West Africa, the format will be produced every season by region on the African continent with. True Love West Africa is the media partner and official magazine for West African’s Next Top Model. The winner will receive a lucrative international modeling contract, a cover of True Love magazine and numerous endorsement deals from various companies in the fashion industry nationally and internationally.

WEST AFRICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL is a format of AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL®, which is produced by 10x10 Entertainment and Bankable Productions. Executive Producers are Tyra Banks, Ken Mok and Daniel Soiseth. The dramality series was created by Tyra Banks and developed by Mok and Kenya Barris. ANTM is licensed in over 100 countries. AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL and the AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL format are sold internationally by CBS Paramount International Television.

This version of Next Top Model will not only highlight the models of West African decent but the continent of Africa for its tourist attractions, cultures, values and its booming 21^st century economy.

Contact Details

For more information about Sponsorship & Advertising on West African’s Next Top Model, please contact Executive Producer Tope Esan e-mail tope@wafntm.com. For all other inquiries on the show please contact ICY Public Relations at 305.940.0067 and Bola Atta (Bolaatta@gmail.com)

TY BELLO,OMOTOLA OTHERS SET FOR PRE-FUTURE AWARD CONFERENCE IN LAGOS

So, everytime there is a conference - you hear the speakers teach, admonish, advise, inspire…
Every year there is the awards, you see the winners - they inspire, they motivate, they are role models…
But then how about YOU? You must wonder: isn’t it about time that you moved from watching and listening to being?!
How did these guys do it? What kind of support did they get? Is that support available in today’s Nigeria ? Is it as easy as it looks? All the advices they give - are they practical? How can one move from watching and listening to actually being like these role models?
At this conference, young people will finally have the opportunity to stop being lectured this time around, but to ask the hard questions from some of Nigeria ’s most successful, most respected, and most admired old and young achievers!
They will NOT be lecturing you. YOU will be asking them questions all the questions you’ve always wanted to ask.
You’ve never been at a conference this real, and this practical before.
It’s time to stop talking. Let’s start DOING!
Venue: Studio 868, by UBA Bank, Bishop Aboyade Cole,
Off Adetokunbo Ademola , Victoria Island, Lagos .

Date: Saturday, 17th January, 2009

Time: 11am

NOTE: If you had registered earlier, please do REGISTER AGAIN on the website www.thefuturenigeria.com, as there were problems with the site. Note that registration is IMPORTANT, because only registered participants will be allowed into the venue of the conference.
Once you register, your name will be put on the guest list; and it is the guest list that will admit you for entrance. There is no invitation card. Once you register, you are invited and can come straight to the event on Saturday.
All attendees will also be accredited as The Future Awards Ambassadors – details of this will be given at the venue.
Below is the complete list of speakers – with new names added. Please look at the list of speakers carefully and come along with your questions – because this conference is mostly interactive; YOU will be asking all the questions.

SESSION 1

Tara Fela Durotoye

CEO, House of Tara/2007 Young Person of the Year

Chika Nwobi

CEO, MTECH

Toyosi Akerele

Principal Consultant, Rise Networks

Kaine Agary,

Winner, NLNG Prize for Literature

Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde

Actress/Singer

IK Osakioduwa

Head of Presentation, Rhythm 93.7

Dayo Israel

Youth Coordinator, Nigerians in Diaspora

Modupe Adefeso

Member Planning Committee, Commonwealth Youth Council

TY Bello

Musician/Creative Director, TY Bello Photography

Sesan Awonoiki

CEO of Anchor International Consulting

Uzoma Okere

Human Rights Activist

Stella Damascus

Actress/Musician

SESSION 2

Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu

Managing Director, Shell Nigeria

Prof. Pat Utomi

Vice Chairman, Bank PHB

Ali Baba

Ace Comedian/CEO, XQZMOI

Fela Durotoye,

CEO, VIP Consulting

Osayi Oruene

Executive Director, Fate Foundation

Omobola Johnson

Country Managing Director, Accenture

Mrs. Bolanle Austen-Peters

CEO, Terra Kulture

Dr. Reuben Abati

Chairman, The Guardian Editorial Board

CONFERENCE PARTNERS: LEAP AFRICA. FATE FOUNDATION. RISE NETWORKS.

The GOOD NEWS: This conference is absolutely FREE! However, all participants must first register to have their names on the guest list. Without registration, you will not be allowed into the venue. Registration is on the website www.thefuturenigeria.com.

EKO DIALOGUE IS THE BOOK IN VOGUE!!! HAVE YOU READ IT?

The hustle and bustle of life in Lagos and the attendant drama, grit and fervour that characterize the people and different scenes in the city often leaves a newcomer and even some conservative long-timers breathless with wonderment. The irony of Lagos life is such that imprints on the mind of a keen observer the impressions of a city reeling with laughter and deep reflections.
Eko Dialogue captures this unique soul of life in the city in different episodic scenes that are aptly fast-paced that you almost feel the blares, toots and cynicism of Eko (Lagos) life literarily come alive and jump straight at you. Authored by Joy Isi Bewaji, Eko Dialogue is a satire of the modern realities in Eko and is written in a style that is at once fluid and compelling.
For example, in one of the episodes in the book, The Sower and the Ravenous Wolf, Joy succeeds in poking clean fun at the deceit and hypocrisy of some avaricious Lagos clergymen and the unquestioning loyalty and simplicity of the congregation while leaving the reader with some reflections to chew on. This element of parody unmistakably runs through the entire book.

EKO DIALOGUE is a wonderful package put together by Joy Isi-Bewaji, an Assistant editor with Genevieve Magazine,55 Raymond Njoku Street,Ikoyi,Lagos,Nigeria. For enquiries you can reach her on her Mobile: 234(0)8052100548 or email:joybewaji@yahoo.com

G-XPLOITS,STEEL, SHOOT MULTI MILLION NAIRA VIDEO IN SOUTH AFRICA

If you think that 2008 witnessed a massive change in Nigeria entertainment industry, then get set for a new army of upwardly mobile hip hop faithful that are screaming to the roof tops that Nigerian music industry would see the challenge moving at the speed of a jet in 2009.
G-xploits, a group consisting of three young men (Olufemi Amusan, a.k.a phemmy, Okey Uzoeshi, a.k.a okey and Seun Oyedokun a.k.a shay) appears to be ‘armed’ to the teeth with good looks, the talent and the passion to launch them to the international scene.
Recent information emanating from Yes Media, their record label showed that they just arrived from their trip in South Africa where they went to shoot their multi-million Naira video. In a statement, Yes Media disclosed that nothing is too much as far as quality is concerned. Emphasising that the four videos where shot in some of the most exotic locations in SA.At the moment, Channel O and MTV BASE are rollicking the airwaves with their video entitled ‘Bolu Molu Merente and Tear Rubber’.Right now, they are keeping sealed lips over their contract with YES MEDIA but remarked that its a worthwhile package.
Meanhwile, STEEL another fast rising artiste has also been signed on YES RECORD. STEEL has done stuffs with 2face,9ice and others in the past.He told us that he was shocked
with the kind of responses that he has been getting since one of his videos, 'Omoge'started playing on TV stations across Africa. He said, he would return to SouthAfrica soon to d more video shoot. At the moment, STEEL is more than convinced that he would live up to the
expectations of his fans.

FROM NIGERIAN RED CARPETS

By Niyi Tabiti

This is just of our promises we have for our readers. Henceforth, we promise to bring you loads of appearances from Nigerian red carpets and 'owambe' parties.Then, you can see the latest fashion and styles from Nigeria.
All the who wears what and where would be brought to you live!!!

ADVERT

Maureen Layokun is the publisher of Charming Magazine and she is based in the Republic of Ireland. The magazine is now on sale in the U.K.and major African stores in Ireland.It was officially launched at The Marriot Hotel, The Rath, Ashbourne, Co. Dublin on Saturday 22nd of November 2008. It was a very solid and corporate event attended by Irish and African men and women of substance in Ireland.
At the moment, the Maureen and her team are planning the formal presentation in Nigeria in February 2009.

NIGERIAN MUSICIANS, DANFO DRIVER INSISTS THEY HAVE NOT EARNED A DIME FROM PRODUCERS OF AMERICAN MOVIE 'PHAT GIRLZ' WHO USED THEIR SONG

...Been home since yesterday because of a small accident I had on my way to the house from work.
A reckless driver knocked me into the gutter yesterday afternoon.So, let’s do this from my bed. At home, I am now a baby!!!
I cried so much yesterday as Toks, my brother came to help me massage the leg.
Nevertheless, this blog would be one year old in three days time (9 January 2009 to be precise). So, we should celebrate!
Secondly, there is a gist I just flagged off via gistmaster.com.Its no more news that Tuface Idibia and Danfo Drivers were lucky to have their songs used in the high selling American comedy movie, PHAT GIRLZ.While, Tuface went on to achieve more fame and fortune and trust all the hype through his Keke Ogungbe, the Danfo Drivers are lamenting that they have not received a dime from the producers. Please click on gistmaster.com to read the story.


-----Niyi Tabiti