AMAA NOMINATION NIGHT TO HOLD IN KENYA

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By Niyi Tabiti

The colourful nomination night of Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) would take place in Nairobi Kenya on February 25. According to a statement by the director of administration, Tony Anih, the event is scheduled to hold at the Laico Regency Hotel, Kenya.

Gistmaster.com gathered that the organizers of AMAA 2011 decided to take nomination night to Kenya as a way of appreciating the interest the great interest that East African countries such as Uganda, Kenya, Tanzanian and others have shown in AMAA

Top nollywood stars  such as Rita Dominic, Kate Henshaw, Jim Iyke, Omotola Jolade-Ekehinde, Mike Ezeronye and others have already confirmed their interest in attending AMAA event in Kenya.

CARRIBEAN MODEL ARNA WALTS ON ZEN MAGAZINE COVER

Love this cover package so much that we could not resist it! The producers of the magazine wrote:

"People have always asked whether Jamaicans or Caribbean’s can be called Africans, well one fact is been African isn't just by the color of your skin but also by the virtues in your heart. Arna Walts is a sensational black Caribbean model inspired by African Super model Alek Wek, with a strong spirit and a unique sense ...of humor, she graces our February 2011 Valentine "Lovers Edition" Cover. Arna becomes the first Caribbean model on our cover which is truly a great experience. We have so many interesting stories in this online issue, from top tips from PR Guru Egor Efiok on how to become a movie star, to a one on one with CEO of WanguJeans Jens Christian as he opens up on his brand WanguJeans. We also have host of other brilliant stories and photos from the concert Fela live at the Shrine this month. Watch out for Arna's interview in few weeks as she shares her life & plans for the year and to think she just turned 19 recently.

Photography by: Palle Hansen
Make Up Artist: Anika Chauhan

CELEBS TO GATHER FOR CHAMPAGNE COVERSATIONS

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Starting from this February, young people across the country have been advised to watch out for a one-of-its-kind event called ‘Champagne Conversations’.

Billed to be an evening of classy champagne cocktails, beautiful ballads and banters, interspersed with wild and wicked works from some of the best contemporary Nigerian music makers, the networking event aims to bring together the bright, the bold and the brave in an atmosphere fit for no-holds-barred conversations.

According to Abisoye Fagade, Principal Consultant of Sodium Brand Solutions, organisers of the event, guests will include musicians, actors, young graduates, entrepreneurs, undergraduates, models, young media players, and other key individuals within the youth segment.

‘We’re throwing an avant garde party, for the young and young at heart’, Fagade says. ‘As usual, there’ll be all the regulars: wild music, lavish drinks, and beautiful people. But there’ll also be a lot of substance:  opportunity to meet and mingle; to make new contacts for business and pleasure and a rare platform for everyday people to close-up with some of Nigeria’s biggest celebs’

Darey Art Alade, Banky W, DJ Jimmy JATT, MI, Weird MC, Emem Ema, Kunle Afolayan, WizKid, Iyanya, Tonto Dikeh, BasketMouth, and many others have already been confirmed for the annual event.

Where’s all these happening? The pool side of the prestigious Eko Hotel in Lagos, on Sunday February 27, 2011.

Champagne Conversations is proudly supported by BellaNaija, Encomium Weekly, Ovation International, Nigerian Entertainment Today (NET), BlackHouse Media, DigiPrints, Hip TV, Primetime Entertainment, Soul Muzik, No Surprises Events, KISS Group and Soundcity.

CITY PEOPLE HOSTS FASHION AND PARTY MAKERS FAIR; DETAILS OF WHAT TO EXPECT @ THE VALENTINE EVENT

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All roads will lead to the National Museum, Onikan, Lagos from Friday  11 February to Sunday 13 February 2011  when City People presents its FASHION & PARTY MAKERS FAIR.It’s going to be a gathering of Event Planners, Caters, Photographers, Bridal Houses, Make-up artists, Fashion Accessories, Food Sellers, Boutiques, Florists, Cake Designers, Book Sellers and other kinds of business under one roof. The aim of the exhibition is to allow people to come shop for their valentine gifts at rock bottom prices. In this report, City People Fashion Editor, BOLA AKINBOADE brings to you some of the things to expect at this 3- day fair.

ABOUT THE FAIR

The City People Fashion and Party Makers Fair is going to be a major exhibition which will display trends in the Fashion, Beauty and Event Industry. A unique event organized by the City People Media Group will hold at the National Museum, Lagos from Friday 11 to Sunday 13 February, 2011. The exhibition brings together Event Planners, Caters, Photographers, Bridal Houses, Make-up artists, Fashion Accessories, Food Sellers, Boutiques, Florists, Cake Designers, Book Sellers and other kinds of business under one roof. The exhibition provide the opportunity to the participants to present their services and products in one place to their future customers, and generally to create useful business contacts. And it also allow the general public to get the special valentine gifts and offers at the lowest rates.

CHOICE OF VENUE

The 3 days exhibition will be taking place at the premises of the National Museum , Onikan, Lagos . This event promises to big in all ramifications; that is why the organizers had to look for a venue that will be suitable for the plans and arrangement made towards the success of this event. The National Museum occupies a prime position on Lagos Island in the centre of the city. It one venue that has hosted many major exhibition and events in recent time. It has an exciting and unprecedented platform for exhibitions. It is   well equipped with facilities that will make any event comfortable and convenient, some of which include good parking space, spacious premises and a host of others. It is also easily accessible irrespective of where you are coming from.



WHAT THE EXHIBITORS STAND TO GAIN

The City People Fashion and Party Makers Fair is the perfect place to showcase your products and services to a wide range of people. The exhibitors stands to get a lot of benefits by been part of this event, some of this include increase in the company profile and customer base, generating leads, meeting with prospective customers, building new and existing relationships with customers, high profile exposure, free write-up of company profile in the City People Weekly, opportunity to showcase their latest collection to any array of guests amongst other things.

A GRAND OPENING CEREMONY

The fair which will be kicking off on Friday February 11, 2011 will be declared opened by a special guest of honor. It will also attracts a lot of celebrities from all walks of life from captain of industry, models, beauty queens, top society women who will also be playing  major roles at the event.

MINI SHOWS PER DAY

At every evening during the exhibition, there is going to be a mini show where the exhibitors will showcased the new look of their collection to a vast array of guests. Some of the latest trend in the fashion, beauty and industry will be paraded on the runway.    The show segment is designed to be fun and inspiring with a touch of glamour.  So, a visit to the City People Fashion and Party Makers fair is an absolute must for anybody planning to have a special treats during this valentine season.

LOADS OF ENTERTAINMENT

Apart from the mini shows, there will be also be loads of other side attractions to keep the atmosphere interesting and bubbling all through the 3 days.  Some of these include free tasters, trials, live performances, bubbly, give-away amongst other things.

LIMITED STANDS AVAILABLE

Since the organizers made their intention known to host this event, there has been different calls rolling in as interested exhibitors have started showing their interest to be part of this occasion. The organizers are giving the stand out at a lower rate of N20,000, to give room for more exhibitors to be part of this. This is because City People Media group is one organization that is know for supporting a lot of business organizations and has played a major role in supporting the fashion and beauty industry. Interested participants should call Bola on 08056505285 or Tayo on 08033866181

STARCOMMS ‘THE LISTENING NETWORK’ ENDORSES NNEKA FOR THEIR “HEAR FOR YOU” CAMPAIGN

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Nigerian born artist NNEKA is now the new face and brand ambassador of
Nigeria’s 4th largest telecommunications operator and leading
“triple-play” (mobile, fixed wireless voice, wireless broadband)
Starcomms.

In a press conference on the 31st of January, 2011, Starcomms revealed
the soulful singer as its first ever brand ambassador.

Starcomms has stated that the brand endorsement is not a re-branding
of Starcomms but an affirmation of what Starcomms is really all about.

Starcomms fresh new campaign comes with a new payoff line “Hear for
you” emphasizing that Starcomms is truly a listener of its users and
clients.

Starcomms described NNEKA as one of the most talented Nigerian singers
and also described her as an artist that aptly represents a listening
ear which is true to the new Starcomms tag line.

Artist NNEKA who recently won “Young Person of the Year” at this
year’s Future Awards is truly an artist on the rise and is the first
woman to be chosen solely as an ambassador for a telecoms company in
Nigeria.

NNEKA’s music range from deep soulful ballads like her “Confession”
tune to modern reinventions of the UK sound to funk-driven Hip Hop.

Even though she sings more than she raps, she claims Hip Hop as her
primary musical roots and an important source of her inspiration.

NNEKA’s accomplishments in 2010 ranged from television performances on
the David Letterman Show, to Performances at the Lilith Tour, to
touring with Nas and Damian Marley to performing all over Europe and
Africa. She was also nominated Best Female at the MAMA Awards 2010.

NNEKA and her music have been featured in high profile publications
both locally and internationally.

Starcomms chose NNEKA because she represents a new & progressive
Nigeria that needs to be heard; a Creative, Innovative and progressive
new youthful generation who are the future.

NNEKAs year has kicked off fairly well with her new endorsement and
has a lot more down the pipelines for her listeners and fans.

NNEKA wishes to use the Starcomms platform as a vehicle for the better
good of Nigeria including her foundation (ROPE) which seeks to tap
into creative qualities of disadvantaged children in Nigeria/Niger
Delta Region and Starcomms will be supporting NNEKA in this endeavor.

RONKE OSHODI OKE's PA DOWN WITH CANCER

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Yoruba actress Ronke Ojo who is popularly known as “Oshodi Oke” is not
smiling at the moment. Her adopted sister who has been with her for
over six years is down with cancer of the bone. Oluwabunmi Esther
Akinleye, who came into the actress’ life as her personal assistant is
a shadow of herself.

Her ordeal began three years ago when she complained of a sharp pain
in her shoulder joint. She underwent surgery at the Orthopedic
Hospital , Igbobi and was discharged, but after close examination at
the hospital , she was referred to the Lagos University Teaching
Hospital where she was told she had bone cancer. She visited several
hospitals subsequently and after spending over N2 million she was
momentarily relived. Her life became normal.

Unfortunately, her condition became worse .Now she needs N7 million
for a surgery in India. The money will cover her plane ticket,
treatment and the needs of a relation that will accompany her. Ronke’s
predicament is that she lacks enough money to treat her. “She is my
sister and I will do almost anything for her but the truth is I don’t
have the N7 million she requires. We need help from all well meaning
Nigerians. She is young and promising. At 29 ,we don’t want her to
die” , she in tears at her Ijaye, Lagos residence.

If you’re blessed to help, please contact Ronke on 08023023338 or
donate into her account. Account name: Akinleye Oluwabunmi Esther
Bank: FCMB. Account number: 0301010319178001.

D'BANJ LEADS REGISTER AND VOTE ENTERTAINMENT GROUP

D’banj has formally announced in a press conference on the 2nd of
February, that he will be leading a group of artists in Nigeria, with
the support of icons and professionals to engage Nigerian Youths in
the ongoing voters registration.

While various organizations have been formed to support this cause,
this is the first time in Nigerian Entertainment History, that artists
have formed a coalition, to encourage the Youth of Nigeria to register
to vote, vote, and have a voice in the future of Nigeria.

At a time of political unrest in the African body polity, Nigerian
youths demonstrate true democracy.

OUR TIME ensures the participation of the youths in the ongoing
Democratic transformation of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

It is the findings of OUR TIME that only 8% of eligible youths are
registered to vote and it will do the ongoing democratic
transformation harm if there is a low turnout of the youths in the
forthcoming elections.

It is the belief of OUR TIME that a strategy is devised to ensure
youth participation in the ongoing voters registration and in the
forthcoming elections.

OUR TIME demonstrates the vision of progress and change in the
Nigerian body polity and positions the leadership as a beacon of hope
and a shining light at a time when parts of Africa are in turmoil.

The Intentions of OUR TIME is to utilize a unique platform to create a
campaign that will mobilize the youths to participate in the ongoing
voters registration exercise via radio jingles, television ads, print
media, online marketing and concerts in six geographical regions in
the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Led by D’banj and Mo Hits Records, a 6 state concert is being planned
which will feature top international African and Nigerian artists.
Entry to the concert will be strictly by showing your voters
registration card.

The advantages include positioning Nigeria under the present
leadership as a true democratic country, ensuring the massive
participation of youths in the democratic process, initiating change
through positive social interaction, worldwide media coverage of the
positive changes thereby showcasing a new Nigeria and the power of the
youths to decide their leadership.

D’banj, Musical Artist and UN Ambassador for the youths and foremost
voice of the youths in the federal republic of Nigeria alongside
leading artists (MOHITS CREW, P SQUARE, NAETO C, SASHA P, M.I., DUNCAN
MIGHTY, TERRY G, TIMAYA, TIMI DAKOLO etc) embark on a series of free
concerts in Six geographical regions of Nigeria in a bid to ensure
youth participation in the ongoing voters registration.
Entry into these concerts will require no gate fee, only your VOTERS
REGISTERATION CARDS.

It has been proven that the entertainment industry is the fastest
growing and most vibrant industry in Nigeria and entertainers have the
ability to motivate the youths to perform their civic
responsibilities.

D’banj and all supporting artists, hereby formally announce that it is
OUR TIME; we must register, participate and vote.