NIGERIAN IDOL: TEN FRESH CONTESTANTS SLUG IT OUT ….As Glory and BB make it to top 10 phase

[caption id="attachment_2966" align="alignleft" width="480" caption="Nigerian Idol 10"][/caption]

Abuja based Glory Oriakhi and viewer’s favorite Biodun Bello (BB) have joined Naomi and Ola at the top ten phase, each returning home with smiles on Thursday December 30, 2010.

Based in different locations of Nigeria, the young hopefuls are not only childhood friends but are also final year Law students in different Universities in Nigeria.

Glory, the first contestant to get a golden ticket at the Abuja auditions has lived in the Federal Capital all her life and has been involved in music right from her early years in the children choir. She is a final year Law student at the University of Abuja

BB, a 400 level law student at Igbinedion University is based in Kano. Also a dancer and a Choreographer, Miss Bello started singing in church at the age of seven. “I’m so excited I made it to the top 10. I missed classes for Nigerian Idol. And I am glad it’s not in vain” she says

Meanwhile, as Glory and BB return to their various destinations in preparation for the big stage on January 23, 2010, the producers continue on the journey of sourcing for two of the viewer’s choice weekly till they get the final 10 contestants who will slug it out for the grand prize of 7.5 million Naira and a record deal with Sony BMG.

Last Sunday, January 2, 2011 Jessica, Godson, Graycee, Faith, Toyosi, Zoe, Chuxy, Jumoke, George and AJ performed in front of the judges and viewers. Two notable contestants who the judges couldn’t hide their excitement about are Zoe and AJ. Infact Yinka Davies was short of words after Zoe’s performance- she just kept on screaming!

AJ on the other hand has dedicated two of her renditions to Jeffery Daniel. During her audition in Calabar, she sang with a guitar and devoted the song to Jeffery. “He will be my sweet love today” she said to Misi back stage minutes before performing on Sunday.

“Cool little AJ, from the day you sang to me with a guitar in Calabar, you have grown. It’s really good to see a lot come out from that cute little body of yours” Jeffery Daniel said amidst cheering from the crowd.

It doesn’t stop there, the online world is booming with comments; “I want AJ to win Nigerian Idol” an observer puts up on micro-blogging site Twitter. “Zoe just stole my heart with the performance of Celine Dion’s River Deep” another viewer posts on twitter

“Just watched Nigerian Idol, well done AJ” another says “Zoe left an impression; I even know her voting line off hand.”

Interestingly fellow contestant Glory Oriakhi endorses both contestants “AJ and Zoe all the way, 10 votes for each of them from me” She puts on Nigerian Idol’s official facebook page on Monday January 3, 2010.

Nigerian Idol, the producers say, will produce the biggest Nigerian music star this year. The man or woman who’ll sing Nigerians to sleep and wake them up the next morning. The one singer that’ll in a matter of months, move from obscurity to celebrity; the one singer who’ll move from the back seat to the A-league

“They are all talented, and we know that they are going places, but the truth is that there is only room for one Nigerian Idol, and every week, we will keep evicting till we get the viewer’s choice” Lillias Bode Producer of Nigerian Idol said last week.

There’s a lot of surprises; we are going to infuse a lot of excitement into the show and make sure viewers enjoy and look forward to watching the show while not compromising on the show’s original format. Our dream is to give Nigerians the best home entertainment possible, while using the platform to empower talented music stars who will go on to do Nigeria proud all over the world. Rotimi Pedro MD of Optima Media Group adds

The fourth group of ten have arrived the Dream Studio gearing up to perform on Sunday January 9, 2011.

Sponsored by Etisalat in association with Royal Exchange and Pepsi, Nigerian Idol airs on 20 broadcast stations in Nigeria, UK and USA. Transmission details are available on www.nigerianidol.com

REPORTER's DIARY:STYLE PEOPLE...LETS DO IT AGAIN IN 2011

By Niyi Tabiti

In 2010 the African style industry moved up another level. Our designers and stylists just like the entertainers are gaining weights amongst their own people.Their brands are getting applauded with patronage here and there.

In South Africa, major cities such as Johannesburg (particularly Sandton), Durban and Capetown continue to play host to the world as top designers from converge at their various fashion weeks. This no doubt have enhanced the tourism potential of South Africa. I strongly believe that the structure of that country has helped a lot.

In East Africa, it was all about the Swaili Fashion week in Tanzania. It was a beautiful outing for the organizers. The event took place in November 2010. The event paraded designers of East Africa origin. The event was sponsored by Southern Sun, Origin Africa, East Africa Radio, USAID Compete and so on.

[caption id="attachment_2953" align="alignleft" width="184" caption="Ify"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2954" align="alignleft" width="142" caption="Eku Eduwor"][/caption]

In West Africa, Lagos the style capital continue to bubble with the right connection. To me its the year of the fashion and style. There seems to be a wake up call amongst Nigerians to patronize their own thing. Before now, most people and event organisers would not think of engaging the services of a stylist but all that seems to have changed. celebrities need 'em more. Small shopping carnivals are also making progress in  the country.

Everywhere you turn in Lagos, you see everyone trying trying to prove the 'I am stylish' point. It is good for the country, good for style workers and good for the economy.

As for me, I believe the style industry need designers of sellers of good clothes without you robbing the bank. That is the vision of Leila Fowler and we love her for that.   The fashion designers should be more united. Instead of staging some kind of 'mushroom' fashion shows, they can come together and give us a worthwhile event. When you go to some fashion shows, you will me very disappointed that you left your home in the first place. Make up artist and magazine publishers need to brace up for the challenges of  2011.

What i hate most about the year? It was the quarrel between a female journalist and the  organizer of an annual modelling event. The tension was unwarranted. I pray that it would be settled but the whole thing escalated when people started dabbling into it.

FINALLY NOLLYWOOD ACTRESS DAKORE AND SON OF AFRICA BILLIONAIRE,OLUMIDE AKANDE PICK WEDDING DATE

[caption id="attachment_2945" align="alignleft" width="400" caption="actress Dakore Egbuson and her man, Olumide Akande"][/caption]

By Niyi Tabiti

The much awaited celebrity wedding is about to happen. Popular actress and presenter, Dakore Egbuson and her boyfriend, Olumide Harry Akande have finally picked a date for their wedding. Maestromedia hinted us that the date of the wedding have been set for January 16 2011.

Though the star actress granted an interview in a recent edition of Genevieve Magazine, where she revealed her love story and plans for marriage with Olumide son of African billionaire, Chief Harry Akande but she was not explicit enough.She also talked about how Olumide formally proposed to her.

Gistmaster.com believe gathered that apart from the romance of Genevieve Nnaji and Preddy Wyse (some years ago), Dakore Egbuson and Olumide Akande's romance would go down memory lane as one of the most talked about in Nollywood.

So far, details of venue venues and who will do what and how have not been revealed but trust us to crack it out soonest!

BEYOND FACES: THE MAKE UP ARTIST WITH A DIFFERENCE!

[caption id="attachment_2938" align="alignleft" width="400" caption="BEYOND FACES- Yewande Perigrino at work"][/caption]

By Niyi Tabiti

Yewande Perigrino is capturing hearts of Nigeria's high society personalities,  especially brides who want their make up done with high sense of professionalism.

In Lagos and beyond, Yewande the make up artist behind Beyond Faces need little or no introduction. This is

[caption id="attachment_2940" align="alignleft" width="400" caption="Nigeria make up artist, Yewande Perigrino at work"][/caption]

on account of the brilliant jobs she has done for many brides. Aside make up, other services rendered by the Beyond Faces include tying of Gele, bridal hair do, sales and consultancy of beauty products and cosmetics.

Get Yewande @ 32 Randle Avenue, Surulere, Lagos

email: perigrinoyewande@yahoo.com

or call:08023174200,07025521111,01-8514848.

CELEBRITY WEDDINGS OF THE YEAR

By Niyi Tabiti

We love to rock well in every sense of it. 2010 witnessed some classy celebrity weddings that would continue to be talk of the town for years to come.



[caption id="attachment_2922" align="alignleft" width="400" caption="Jameel Disu and Bella Adenuga Disu"][/caption]

Bella Adenuga and Jameel Disu- For obvious reasons the wedding of  Bella, daughter of Africa's billionaire Otunba Mike Adenuga's wedding to Jameel Disu in Lagos is regarded as the biggest wedding of the year. With all the trappings of royalty and splendour in Lagos, Africa's entertainment capital, Bella presented her man Jameel to the world. For a moment, Jameel's name became one of the most searched name on Nigeria network on the internet because people were inquisitive about the man who swept the stunning and intelligent executive director of Globacom off her feet.According to feelers gathered by gistmaster.com, Bella/Jameel wedding practically changed the spelling of ceremony to 'Cere-money'. The Event was managed by The Wedding Company owned by Funmi Okigbo.



[caption id="attachment_2927" align="alignleft" width="500" caption="Sheriff and Maryam Shagaya"][/caption]

Maryam Tukur and Sheriff Shagaya: Another talk of the town ceremony that shook Nigeria social establishment. Hajia Bola Shagaya the mother of the bride is a billionaire  and she has investment running into oil and Gas, property, photography materials, banking and other areas. Father of the bride, Alhaji Bamaga Tukur is also one of Nigeria's most connected businessmen. He is also a former minister.

Guests, including the wife of the nation's President, Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan graced the event, first ladies from different state, Hajia Abah Folawiyo and others graced the occasion.Gistmaster.com gathered that Hajia Shagaya did everything to spoil her guests. Trust, millions of Naira went into the planning and the execution of the wedding. The Eko Hotel new expo hall that was used for one of the ceremonies alone cost N8.5 Million (About $60,000 US Dollars)



[caption id="attachment_2920" align="alignleft" width="268" caption="Joseph Yobo and Adaeze Igwe"][/caption]

Joseph Yobo and Adaeze Igwe: For stupendously rich footballer, Joseph Yobo and ex- beauty queen, Adaeze Igwe, there is nothing more precious than all the gold in this world- it is the love they both share.Joseph and Adaeze Yobo's wedding happened in the early hours of 1st January  2010. Despite being a low profile arrangement (considering the social profile of the couple), it nevertheless became one of the most talked about celebrity weddings of 2010.

For the Yobos, they willingly showed us photos of their trip to luxury places around the world. Yobo proposed with an expensive diamond ring that made a lot of ladies want to be in Adaeze's shoes.

KC PRESH: Kingsley, one of the two guys that make up the popular singing group, KC Presh got married at an elaborate wedding that drew so much attention within and outside the entertainment industry. Till date, it is still one of the most talked about event of 2010.For the Yobos, they willingly showed us photos of their trip to luxury places around the world. The diamond ring



[caption id="attachment_2925" align="alignleft" width="333" caption="mike ezeronye and wife,Nkehi"][/caption]

MIKE EZERONYE: For top nollywood actor, Mike Ezeronye the 2010 is a year of reality...far away from the his acting roles where he had played lover boy and even got married. This time for real, he found a pretty lady, Nkechi Norom a medical Psychologist based in Canada, whom he considered the dream of his dreams at a movie location in Abuja. Their first meeting soon blossomed into friendship, romance and their eventual wedding in 2010. It was a loaded ceremony that saw many of his colleagues and fellow Glo Ambassadors playing active role.The reception was held at Landmark event centre.

The Mike and Nkechi Ezeronye traditional wedding was also a blast! It was held in Imo state earlier in the year with top Nollywood personalities in attendance. The list include Ini Edo, Nonso Diobi, Mercy Johnson, Uche Jombo, Tonto Dikeh, Rukky Sanda, Desmond Elliot,Patience Ozokwor, Jakie Appaiah, Chika Ike and others.



[caption id="attachment_2926" align="alignleft" width="500" caption="Basket Mouth wife, Elsie on their wedding day"][/caption]

BASKET MOUTH: Top comedian, Bright Ikpocha popularly known as Basket Mouth formalised his wedding with Elsie the mother of his son at a grand ceremony in Lagos Nigeria. It was well attended by the Lagos socialites.

CELEBRITY WEDDINGS OF THE YEAR

By Niyi Tabiti

We love to rock well in every sense of it. 2010 witnessed some classy celebrity weddings that would continue to be talk of the town for years to come.



[caption id="attachment_2922" align="alignleft" width="400" caption="Jameel Disu and Bella Adenuga Disu"][/caption]

Bella Adenuga and Jameel Disu- For obvious reasons the wedding of  Bella, daughter of Africa's billionaire Otunba Mike Adenuga's wedding to Jameel Disu in Lagos is regarded as the biggest wedding of the year. With all the trappings of royalty and splendour in Lagos, Africa's entertainment capital, Bella presented her man Jameel to the world. For a moment, Jameel's name became one of the most searched name on Nigeria network on the internet because people were inquisitive about the man who swept the stunning and intelligent executive director of Globacom off her feet.According to feelers gathered by gistmaster.com, Bella/Jameel wedding practically changed the spelling of ceremony to 'Cere-money'. The Event was managed by The Wedding Company owned by Funmi Okigbo.



[caption id="attachment_2927" align="alignleft" width="500" caption="Sheriff and Maryam Shagaya"][/caption]

Maryam Tukur and Sheriff Shagaya: Another talk of the town ceremony that shook Nigeria social establishment. Hajia Bola Shagaya the mother of the bride is a billionaire  and she has investment running into oil and Gas, property, photography materials, banking and other areas. Father of the bride, Alhaji Bamaga Tukur is also one of Nigeria's most connected businessmen. He is also a former minister.

Guests, including the wife of the nation's President, Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan graced the event, first ladies from different state, Hajia Abah Folawiyo and others graced the occasion.Gistmaster.com gathered that Hajia Shagaya did everything to spoil her guests. Trust, millions of Naira went into the planning and the execution of the wedding. The Eko Hotel new expo hall that was used for one of the ceremonies alone cost N8.5 Million (About $60,000 US Dollars)



[caption id="attachment_2920" align="alignleft" width="268" caption="Joseph Yobo and Adaeze Igwe"][/caption]

Joseph Yobo and Adaeze Igwe: For stupendously rich footballer, Joseph Yobo and ex- beauty queen, Adaeze Igwe, there is nothing more precious than all the gold in this world- it is the love they both share.Joseph and Adaeze Yobo's wedding happened in the early hours of 1st January  2010. Despite being a low profile arrangement (considering the social profile of the couple), it nevertheless became one of the most talked about celebrity weddings of 2010.

For the Yobos, they willingly showed us photos of their trip to luxury places around the world. Yobo proposed with an expensive diamond ring that made a lot of ladies want to be in Adaeze's shoes.

KC PRESH: Kingsley, one of the two guys that make up the popular singing group, KC Presh got married at an elaborate wedding that drew so much attention within and outside the entertainment industry. Till date, it is still one of the most talked about event of 2010.For the Yobos, they willingly showed us photos of their trip to luxury places around the world. The diamond ring



[caption id="attachment_2925" align="alignleft" width="333" caption="mike ezeronye and wife,Nkehi"][/caption]

MIKE EZERONYE: For top nollywood actor, Mike Ezeronye the 2010 is a year of reality...far away from the his acting roles where he had played lover boy and even got married. This time for real, he found a pretty lady, Nkechi Norom a medical Psychologist based in Canada, whom he considered the dream of his dreams at a movie location in Abuja. Their first meeting soon blossomed into friendship, romance and their eventual wedding in 2010. It was a loaded ceremony that saw many of his colleagues and fellow Glo Ambassadors playing active role.The reception was held at Landmark event centre.

The Mike and Nkechi Ezeronye traditional wedding was also a blast! It was held in Imo state earlier in the year with top Nollywood personalities in attendance. The list include Ini Edo, Nonso Diobi, Mercy Johnson, Uche Jombo, Tonto Dikeh, Rukky Sanda, Desmond Elliot,Patience Ozokwor, Jakie Appaiah, Chika Ike and others.



[caption id="attachment_2926" align="alignleft" width="500" caption="Basket Mouth wife, Elsie on their wedding day"][/caption]

BASKET MOUTH: Top comedian, Bright Ikpocha popularly known as Basket Mouth formalised his wedding with Elsie the mother of his son at a grand ceremony in Lagos Nigeria. It was well attended by the Lagos socialites.