YESTERDAY: GAMUGAZA LITS UP IKORODU AS HE TOOK ZAINAB AS HIS BELOVED WIFE

Ibrahim and Zainab Gamugaza had their traditional wedding in Ikorodu, Lagos State on Thursday 22 January 2008.Their wedding proper has been fixed for 1 February 2008. Please click on gistmaster.com
to view more photos from the event.

Kelly Handsome celebrates birthday. Nollywood dinner.Afolabi Oyekoya's party....please click on gistmaster.com

COUPLES ON FUTURE AWARD 2009 RED CARPET IN LAGOS

By Niyi Tabiti
Chief Reporter
The frills and thrills of the 2009 edition started on the red carpet as scores of Nigerian young celebs step on the red carpet with the partners. Obviously, it was love in the air and we also mistook the red carpet for a couples night event. You can check out photos of some of them by clicking on gistmaster.com
Thanks!

NEWS/PHOTOS FROM FUTURE AWARD 2009

By Niyi Tabiti
Chief Reporter

The much talked about 2009 edition of the Future Awards finally took place yesterday (Sunday 18 January 2008) at the Shell Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, with many of the guests either dressed to kill or thrill.
The line up of the celebrities at the event included Nollywood star actress,Omotola Jolade-Ekehinde, top television presenter,MS.Bennie Uche,top model,Linda Ikeji, Susan Peters and Stephanie Okereke. Others included Cynthia Okpala, Shade Ladipo, Toyosi Akerele,Folake Akindele popularly known as Jennifer and several others.
Winners include Emmanuel Etim, won the best use of advocacy. (He was absent because according to his representative, he was far away in Ethiopa). Omobaba won the best comedian while Funke Akindele of popular movie,Jennifa won the best actress( That same night, her film jennifa also won best film at the Nollywood night organized by Seun Oloketuyi at White House, Ikeja),
Other winners of the 2009 future award included 9ice (Musician of the Year), D’Banj (Young Person of the Year). Uche Nnaji (Style Entrepreneur of the Year).Lamide Akintobi won the best On-Air Personality in the Television category.
More photos/news would be available on gistmaster.com very soon.

Photos here shows OC Ukeje and top model, Linda Ikeji at the event yesterday. Linda's short gown was courtesy Ronke Ademiluyi popularly known as Rukkies.

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