AFRICAN UNION ADOPT FUTURE AWARD MODEL

In recognition of the success of Nigeria’s most respected youth event: The Future Nigeria Awards; the Africa Union (AU), “in considering a best practice necessary for adaptation during the review of its ongoing Youth Innovative and Creative Awards”, last month moved to adopt strategy from The Future Awards to implement one of its key youth development strategies continent-wide.

Through its Department of Youth, Human Resources and Science and Technology, the AU organized a strategy review workshop on its proposed Africa Union Youth Volunteer Corp in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and the over 35 participants representing leaders of youth networks across Africa unanimously proposed to work with RedSTRAT (organizers of the Awards) to integrate the communication strategies that have had unprecedented success in capturing and sustaining the attention and buy-in of young people and the media in Nigeria.

RedSTRAT’s PR Director, Emilia Asim-Ita, was one of the three Nigerian representatives at the summit which was also facilitated by Emmanuel Etim, Winner in the Best Use of Advocacy category of the 2009 Awards. She was appointed to head the media committee for the entire project.

“We were very excited to receive this news!” Asim-Ita remarked. “It holds a special significance to us, because The Future Awards is a proudly original Nigerian idea and model that has become a success over just four years. When we call Nigeria the ‘Giant of Africa’ it shouldn’t just be an empty phrase; this is the kind of leadership we should be showing the region. More importantly, this news goes to prove what we have always said – that our generation is able and ready to re-direct Nigeria positively.”

In a related development, another member of the RedSTRAT team, Chude Jideonwo, was selected by the United States government to represent Nigeria at the recently-concluded International Visitors Leadership Programme in March/April. Jideonwo, selected based on work with The Future Nigeria Awards, was one of 25 youth leaders chosen from every continent of the world to meet with US political, government, social, academic and youth leaders across more than five states.

Created and managed by three young Nigerians under the ages of 25, The Future Nigeria Awards is the most popular arm under The Future Nigeria Project (www.thefuturenigeria.com), which seeks to develop young Nigerians and empower them in terms of skills, inspiration and positive change. Over the years, it has proven to be one of Nigeria ’s most popular and effective youth platforms, working with a Board of Trustees including Prof. Pat Utomi, Mrs. Obiageli Ezekwesili, Dr. Rasheed Gbadamosi, Mr. Bayo Ligali, amongst others. The 2009 edition had as keynote speaker the Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

AIT PRESENTER,JUMOKE-ALAO MARRIES SHUMBERGER's OLADAPO OGUNSHOLA

By Niyi Tabiti

Last weekend would forever remain remarkable in the lives of the Alaos and the Ogunshola as their daughter and son exchanged marital vows in Lagos.

Jumoke Alao,a presenter on African Independent Television (AIT) and Oludapo Ogunshola,a successful petroleum economist,who works with Shumberger,got married at an elaborate wedding on Saturday 18 April 2009.

The long and short of their love story is that they both met at the airport.Jumoke was on her way to the US while Dapo was on his way to Canada.Funke Awobokun of Cocktail in and Out took charge of their cocktail and need we say more?She's fabulous!!!

Remember, Jumoke who used to do this and that at EKO FM, came at a time the station was looking for a replacement for Jumobi Adegbesan,who got married to RMD.Hmmm...RMD,wise guy!He knew too many admirers would be feasting their eyes on his wife.

Pictures later!

NEPA + Petrol tankers strike is equal to no light.lol

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LOVE STRUCK NIGERIAN MUSICIAN,H-MAN DEDICATES SONG TO GIRLFRIEND,UCHE ODOH (AMBO 3 CONTESTANT)

"LOVE CONQUERETH ALL THINGS"...Yes, H-Man is in love and he is ready to scream it on CNN.Now, the Nigerian musician has released his first album and one of the hit songs is dedicated to the Uche Odoh, the lady who make him feel as important as Nelson Mandela.Uche was one of the contestants durning the third edition of Amstel Malta Box Office (AMBO) reality show sponsored by Nigerian Breweries Plc.

At a press conference in Lagos on Tuesday,H-Man was full of praises to everyone who assisted him to get to this point in his career.

He is no longer the naïve kid he was when he hit our screens with Ndoli Ndoli- the hit song that earned him an access key into the Nigerian music scene, and many factors point towards that.

After four videos from a yet -to-be-released album, an award and general acceptance from the industry, it is certain that the 24 year old graduate of Igbinedion University is ready to debut. ‘I am ready to hit the Nigerian music scene with my album Ndoli Ndoli which means struggle, but the message I was trying to pass is that this world is not perfect, just enjoy the little you have’ he says

Born Humphrey Okeke into a Catholic family of eight children, H man started on the journey into being a singer as a member of the school choir while in St. Bridget College and from then the passion has been a part of him even till now. ‘ I love music, music is my passion, and that is why I am not in it to make money, if you have a passion for some thing, you do it, not caring if it would bring in money or not’ he says.

The debut 12 tracker - Ndoli Ndoli is due for release on the 15^th of April 2009. Expected to be distributed by UBA pacific music and Obaino music, the album will feature songs like Ndoli, Ndoli, Scared of Love, H man Party and Thank you feat MI- A song he dedicated to his girlfriend - Ambo 3 contestant- Uche Odoh.

Others include Uwadiwe- a song where he expresses his discontent about what is happening in the country, Mmemme, Money and Mama Africa feat 9ice.

‘Aside music, Uche is the best thing that has happened to me in recent times, and all these I am doing is very little compared to the value she has added to me as a person, I even feel I have not done enough for her’ he says.

The last in the chains of videos to be dropped before the release of his album, ‘Thank you’ was directed by DJ Tee in Abuja, Nigeria while ‘Uwadiwe’ was shot by Clarence Peter.

9ICE OPENS NEW HOUSE

By Niyi Tabiti

9ice is doing nice things to himself and he is got a Toni Payne that is not a pain by his side.The latest gist about Abolore Akande,the popular Nigerian musician known as 9ice is that he has moved into his new house in Abule-Egba area of Lagos State.The house warming ceremony,which took place on Sunday 12 April 2009 saw a lot of people coming to felicitate with the couple.
9ice deserve all the accolades as there are many artistes who has made more money but has no thought of doing something like this.
The cream-coloured duplex, already named Alapomeji Villa, was erected over a period of six months, and the singer personally supervised the project.

Interestingly, the house also has a full audio studio where 9ice is expected to finish work on his third album. The fully-equipped studio is already ready-to-use, with a 32 Channel console, Adam speakers, Newman anniversary edition microphones, Roland Fantom keyboard and a full option Mac PC. ‘‘It has been my dream to have my own studio in the comfort of my house. And now, I’m happy that God has made it possible. I can wake up in the middle of the night and come down here to voice any idea that comes to my head. The studio means a lot to me, that’s why I’ve stopped at nothing to make sure it’s the best’’, 9ice says.

Surrounded by lush green grass, and tucked behind thick walls, 9ice’s property is situated in a private estate around Lagos Abeokuta Expressway, in Lagos.

‘‘I like this area because it is very quiet and peaceful, and I have some of my family living around here. There’s nothing more beautiful than being surrounded by those you love. This is my home for now, and I thank God for making this dream come true’’

Apart from the duplex, he also recently acquired several plots of land within the same area, where he plans to set up the Alapomeji records offices and an audio visual studio.

After the prayer session to dedicate the house on Easter Sunday, 9ice presented his father with a surprise gift: gold-coloured Honda Accord iVTec.

NIGERIAN IMMIGRATION SERVICE DEPORTS TOP RADIO PRESENTER,DAN FOSTER

Dan Foster, a popular Radio presenter and one of the top guys behind Inspiration FM,has been deported from Nigeria. The news broke last weekend and it was confirmed on Monday and it was also reported in today's edition of Encomium magazine.
www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com gathered that the American who was recruited from the United States of America by the management of Cool FM got more than he bargained in the hands of the men of the immigration who refused all to allow him stay a day further in Nigeria last Friday. The deportation of Dan Foster was allegedly facilitated by his Cool FM, his former employer.Cool Fm did not find the way Dan left the company to join Inspiration Fm owned by Erastus Akingbola the Vice Chairman of Intercontinental Bank Plc.The company vowed that they would have him deported from Nigeria because in the first place he got his work permit through them and his stay permit has expired.
Dan's excuse that he is got married to a Nigeria and that they even have an issue together did not hold water as Immigration officials insist that he should go back to America and them re-apply to come back to Nigeria in the proper way.

GISTMASTER CLICK AND READ COMES WITH A PLAZA.RENT YOUR ONLINE SHOP OR OFFICE NOW

Happy Easter everyone.We pray that God will continue to promote and protect you all.Our Click and read is almost ready and it would contain more photos, news and names and websites that are useful to your business.We are starting off the digital plaza where you can rent an onlineshop or office by advertising with us.The amount is so small you would think we are doing charity.
It is pertinent to note here that we would also be making a print edition of this soonest that would be distributed in Nigeria and magazines will also use it as insertion.Advertise with us now!

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