BIGGER, BETTER, BRIGHTER! AKPOS OKUDU LAUNCHES SPRING/ SUMMER 2011 COLLECTION

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INTRO
Feminine, wearable and playfully sophisticated are words that best
describe Akpos Okudu pieces. Every Akpos Okudu piece shows a love for lush
fabric, intricate details and colour. With this collection, the designer
is clearer about her clients’ needs and what they are about and has made
clothes that women love to wear, want to wear & CAN afford to wear.

BODY
Remember the picture of the ladies in pink having a tea party on the lawn?
Designer Akpos Okudu is back injecting a little bit of sunshine in the
world one pretty little thing at a time! It’s been a whirlwind year;
numerous exhibitions, editorials in ThisDay Style, FAB and Complete
Fashion magazines, dressing celebrities including Joke Silva, Stephanie
Okereke and Omowunmi Akinnifesi and a nomination at The Future Awards for
“Designer of the Year”!

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With the release of the long awaited lookbook for this collection, Akpos
Okudu has grown as a designer and confidently creates the type of clothes
she passionate about; pieces that women LOVE to wear, WANT to wear and CAN
afford to wear. For the first time, she also delves into the world of
accessories with a unique range due to be launched shortly.
Shot on location at the gorgeous Bishop’s Cottage, Lagos, the pieces
explode with colour, zest and joie de vivre. Working with signature
fabrics like brocade, silk and satin, the designer plays with colour
blocking (with the jewel tone Eki dress and Eniye tanks), structure (with
the Oroma jacket and shorts) and draping (with the April dress).

The results are fun, easy pieces that flatter and translate easily from day to
evening. And at affordable prices, yanga doesn’t have to pain J
Visit http://akposokudu.com/ for an extensive gallery and exclusive
pictures from the “Cocktail Hour” themed photoshoot at the impressive
Novotel Hotel, Port Harcourt and the designer’s blog
www.ijawgirl.blogspot.com. Also on facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Akpos-Okudu/177137548964698?ref=ts

For orders and enquiries, please call 08076256599 or email
info@akposokudu.com. Also check out Akpos Okudu stalls at the monthly Le
Petit Marche, Lagos

Photo Credits
Photography: Victor Udoh
Art Direction and Styling: Saze Osayande
Location: Bishop’s Cottage- Bishop Oluwole Street, VI, Lagos; Novotel
Hotel- 3 Stadium Road Rumuomasi, PH, Rivers

TWO NIGERIANS ARRESTED WITH MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN DRC.ONE FRENCH AND AMERICAN TOO

By Gistmaster.com

Two Nigerian businessmen, one french national and another US citizen have been arrested in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) based on accusations that they are involved in smuggling of Gold.
According to information, at the time of their arrest, they were in possession of millions of dollars and gold weighing close to 450 Kg. gistmaster.com gathered they were arrested based on information that people who come to buy gold from armed gangs help fuel rebel wars in Eastern DRC. The natural resources are mostly controlled by armed gangs, who run a vast black market business under the guise of fighting for liberation from bad government.

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is highly resourceful in natural minerals such as gold and coltan used in making phones. A highly placed political figure in DRC disclosed that those arrested came aboard an American registered aircraft from Abuja. The crew members consisting of three Americans and a Nigerian were also taken into custody.Gistmaster.com gathered that the same aircraft was also there two weeks earlier.

The Nigerian, French American government are yet to make a statement regarding the alleged involvement of their citizens in gold smuggling and arrest in DRC.

DUCHESS VALENTINE SEASON SALE!!!

Valentine season is a time to show a little extra LOVE. We love chocolate, we love flowers, we love nice dinners, but you know what else we LOVE, Clothes, Shoes, Bags and other lovely fashion accessories!!!

Duchess, Nigerian’s premier luxury fashion retailer offers the style-savvy customer the hottest looks of the season from various designer labels at affordable prices. We give you affordable luxury all in one.
This Valentine we are offering a 20% discount on all items in store for one week from the 7th to 15th of February 2011. Treat yourself, buy something special for your loved ones, whatever you do, don't miss out on this opportunity.
Visit any of our stores today at:
32D Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.
284B Ajose Adeogun Street, Victoria Island, Lagos
93A Opebi Road, Ikeja, Lagos.
7 Onne Road, GRA, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Email: info@duchessnigeria.com
Tel: +234 (0) 12715147, +234 (0) 7025619804

VALENTINE IN THE AIR!TWO TAKES CUPID's BALL TO PORT HARCOURT

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If you want to see Tunde and Wunmi Obe this valentine, or enjoy again, the lavish opportunity for fun and romance that their annual valentine gig ‘Cupid’s Ball’ provides, then you may need to take a trip to the Garden City.

 Although the couple is yet to confirm this, Sources are saying that for the first time in five years, they will be leaving Lagos to wine and dine with couples who are based in PH or who happen to be visiting.

 An insider tells us: ‘I believe they’ve decided to start taking the show to different cities. In fact, they were initially considering taking it to the UK before the Port Harcourt offer came’.

 We could not immediately reach the couple for comments, but enquiries to their publicists revealed they’re engaged to be in Port Harcourt on Saturday February 12. ‘I cant confirm right now if it’s Cupid’s Ball or not, but I’m aware they’re in Port Harcourt for Valentine’s day this year’. The event is a dance and dinner gig for lovers and it’s holding at Hotel Presidential.

NINA,OLA EVICTED FROM NIGERIAN IDOL

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...As Audu goes missing in action

Two contestants with the lowest votes were evicted at last Thursday’s result show on Nigerian Idol. The two contestants Nina and Ola were part of the contestants the audience voted in during the top 50 phase. While Ola made it to the final stage during the first group, Nina was the contestant with the highest votes in the fourth group.

 But the Idol journey came to an end for both last Thursday as they recorded the lowest fan votes.

After their eviction was announced, the audience was treated to a recap of their journey so far, and it was an emotional experience for the judges and the contestants. Infact Bibi and George couldn’t hold the tears.

“It’s a tough decision to make, but if I had my way, I’d send Yeka Onka parking without looking back”. Yinka Davies said right before Anis announced Nina and Ola as the contestants with the lowest votes. “I think I’d go with Yinka, I totally agree with her on Yeka” Jeffery adds

 But then, the format had to be followed. The judges no longer have a say, but the audience does, and so Ola and Nina had to leave.

 Nina is a lawyer, but unlike most of the other contestants, she has a background in dance and not music. She has been a dancer since childhood and was a member of a dance group in university. The group also incorporated singing in their performances. The graduate of University of Nigeria Nsukka also manages a spa in Abuja.

 Ola (Olamide in full) is the most laid back among all the Nigerian Idol contestants. The 22 year old undergraduate of Babcock University claims that even though he is the first to sing professionally in his family, his family members are involved in music, whether singing on an amateur level or just appreciating good music.

 Before they left the competition, they performed for one last time.

 Now with two people out of the competition, there are now 11 contestants remaining in the house. Expect things to get tougher and more exciting as these contestants slug it out for the final prize of 7.5 Million Naira and a record deal with Sony BMG.

 Meanwhile, onlookers and ardent followers of Nigerian Idol were perplexed that judge Audu was not at the result show. And even though Anis announced that he missed his flight to Lagos, the questions won’t stop coming in“Did he know that a lawyer would leave?”, “Where is Audu”, “Whatever happened to Audu?” “Has Nigerian Idol sacked Audu”, “why do we just have two judges on the show today” were comments on twitter and facebook last Thursday.

 Nigerian Idol is sponsored by Etisalat in association with Pepsi and Royal Exchange.

news : niyi@gistmaster.com

FATHIA BALOGUN SET TO WED LOVER ON MAY 21

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By Gistmaster.com

Top Yoruba actress, Fathia Balogun is set to wed her lover in May 21. Sources disclosed to the media that Fathia, who has been separated from her actor husband, Saheed Balogun has made up her mind to try marital life again.

The new man in Fathia's life is said to be a prominent member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW). They have been keeping the relationship on a low profile especially because of the media.

Though most members of the NURTW are seen as illiterates but they operate with touts in getting money from commercial vehicle operators on daily basis thus making them rich.

Gistmaster.com gathered that the new man in Fathia's life  is  a prominent member of the Isolo Branch of the NURTW. He is a well known associate of MC Musiliu and Akanni Olorunwa,the Treasurer and Chairman of Lagos State branch of NURTW respectively.

Those who thought Fathia would stick to her man friend, Razak Abdullahi of Corporate Pictures were shocked. They believe so much that he contributed so much to her career and was even the prominent reasons why Fathia and Saheed Balogun marriage crashed.

Saheed her former husband has also moved on with his love life, showing off at every opportunity with Funke Adeshiyan, the up and coming actress he wants to marry.

CELEBS GATHER FOR DAREY ART ALADE-+ PICTURES

 It was fun, excitement, banters and all at the star studded reception for Darey last Sunday.

On Sunday, February 6, 2011 not only did R&B King Darey Art Alade spend his evening hobnobbing with colleagues, Journalists, Radio DJs and industry top shots, he was also the centre of attraction as City people hosted him to a grand reception in honour of his outstanding achievements in the Nigerian music industry. “He was decorated with an award as “The King of R&B” in Nigeria.
The event was hosted by a team of comperes, including Tosyn Bucknor, Tee A, Ali Baba and Gbenga Adeyinka, who drilled and thrilled guests; taking them through series of jokes and comic sketches. Waje was the only artiste that performed at the event!
The Publisher of City People Seye Kehinde says “the essence of the event is encourage and appreciate the king of R&B for making Nigeria proud and for being a good ambassador of the country”
In view of this Bisi Olatilo presented a glass crystal plague to honor Darey on behalf of City people Darey in turn thanked everybody for honouring him.
  Guests at the event include Bisi Olatilo,Ayo Animashaun, Moyeen, Audu Makori Djinee, Emeka Ike, TY Mix, Femi Adeyinka, Ayeni Adekunle Waje, Jedi, Ali Baba and Julius Agwu. Others include, Lamide Akintobi, Tee A, Kingsley James, Kelvin Orifa, Abisoye Fagade, Kunle Afolayan, Banky W and Gbemi Olateru Olagbegi .