NIGERIAN MODELS, HOUSE OF JOLA POMP COLOURS AT COUTURE FASHION WEEK 2011

[caption id="attachment_3893" align="alignleft" width="332" caption="Tope"][/caption]



By Niyi Tabiti

For Joan Okorodudu, the founder of House of Jola designs in Nigeria, the 2011  Couture Fashion Week in New York  is yet another wondrous outing as she stormed the runway with a bevy

[caption id="attachment_3888" align="alignleft" width="332" caption="Model, Aisha Olu opening the show at DC Fashion Week"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3889" align="alignleft" width="337" caption="Aisha Bello"][/caption]

of astonishing models and designs with the proudly African

[caption id="attachment_3887" align="alignleft" width="337" caption="Sandra Iwu Moussa"][/caption]

ankara attitude. That is not all. Gistmaster.com gathered that DC Fashion Week and BET rip the runway show in US also had a taste of House of Jola and the models who went, saw and conquered the runway with their talent. Aside Bunmi Ademokoya, Aisha Olu, Tope, Aishatu Bello,Sandra Iwu Moussa and other African models also did well.

[caption id="attachment_3903" align="alignleft" width="237" caption="Bunmi Ademokoya"][/caption]

NIGERIA LADIES SHOWING OFF IN ANKARA DESIGNS AT DR. SIKIRU AYINDE BARRISTER 'GOOD BYE' PARTY

[caption id="attachment_3881" align="alignleft" width="250" caption="Cynthia"][/caption]



[caption id="attachment_3876" align="alignleft" width="265" caption="Dammy Balogun"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3877" align="alignleft" width="224" caption="folashade ogunmuyiwa"][/caption]

By Niyi Tabiti

Nigerians love to enjoy themselves. They also love fashion. Here gistmaster.com present you photos of wondrous ankara designs from owambe parties in Nigeria. If you want to appreciate the creative designs of ankara, check out Nigerian women at Owambe parties.

MOVIE PRODUCER DRAGS THISDAY NEWSPAPERS TO COURT. "IT IS A FACE SAVING PLOY" SOURCES INSIST

[caption id="attachment_3361" align="alignleft" width="327" caption="Daniel Ademilokan"][/caption]

By Niyi TabitiMovie Producer , Daniel Ademilokan has dragged  This Day Newspapers to court over a story he considered injurious to his personality and career. Ademilokan who is married to popular actress and model, Doris Simeon his asking for a retraction and ten million Naira as compesation for the damages the said report allegedly did to his 'reputation'

Inside sources however told gistmaster.com that Ademilokan's threat to sue was all a face saving ploy. According to what gistmaster.com gathered, This Day said that he had problems with some people over the production of the work. He was said to have collected money but did not fufil part of his own bargain. According to a media executive that spoke with Gistmaster.com, the only mistake ws that the reporter did npt quote the right production name but the issue is that Ademilokan has issues with Shola Fajobi, the executive producer of Super Mom, Next Movie Star. He also said to have some unfinished business with Tajuddeen Adepetu, the managing Director of Soundcity.

As part of part of our tradition to cross check, gistmaster.com contacted Ademilokan. He disclosed that his lawyers are already handling the matter.

FELA! MAKES HISTORIC ARRIVAL IN LAGOS, NIGERIA APRIL 20-25, 2011

 The hit Broadway musical about the life and music of Nigerian
performer and political activist Fela Anikulapo-Kuti is scheduled to
be performed in his home town of Lagos, Nigeria making it the first
Broadway show to be performed in Sub-Saharan Africa.

FELA!, the landmark Broadway musical, which won three Tony Awards
(Broadway’s highest honor) including Best Choreography (Bill T.
Jones), is coming to Lagos from April 20th to 25th. It will be
performed at the prestigious Eko Hotel’s New Expo Centre, Victoria
Island, Lagos, Nigeria. This critically lauded musical will star its
original Broadway cast with Sahr Ngaujah reprising his Tony-nominated
role of Fela Kuti with music provided by the internationally renowned
Antibalas as well as other members of the New York City Afro-beat
community.Concurrently with the Broadway production, FELA! opened and triumphed
at London’s Royal National Theater for a three-month sold-out run.
That production was nominated for three Olivier Awards, London
theatre’s highest honor, including Best Musical, Best Actor (Sahr
Ngaujah) and Best Choreography (Bill T. Jones). This Nigerian
engagement will be the first since the closing of the Broadway and
London productions and the NTLive performance which was broadcast to
in 370 cinemas worldwide.

The aim of FELA! in Lagos is to unite and connect Africans in spirit
and unity, to serve as a catalyst for cultural revival in Nigeria, and
to celebrate Fela Kuti, for the contribution he has made to Nigeria
and the world. FELA! depicts the true story of the legendary Nigerian
musician Fela Kuti, whose soulful Afro beat rhythms ignited the spirit
of empowerment and cultural awareness in a generation. It is a tale
of courage, passion and love featuring Kuti’s captivating music and
the visionary direction and choreography of Tony Award winner, Bill T.
Jones. FELA! in Lagos is being produced by a Nigerian production
company, Broken Shackles in conjunction with Lagos State Government.

Upon its Broadway opening Ben Brantley of The New York Times wrote,
"There should be dancing in the streets. The hot (and seriously cool)
energy that comes from the musical gospel preached by the title
character of Fela! feels as if it could stretch easily to the borders
of Manhattan and then across a river or two. There has never been
anything on Broadway like this production." The New York Post’s
Elisabeth Vincentelli cheered, "There’s enough energy to short circuit
Con Ed." David Cote of Time Out New York, in giving it 5 stars (out
of 5) raved, "Fela! is more than a musical; it’s an ecstatic
phenomenon." And Jennifer Farrar from the Associated Press exclaimed,
"An exuberant celebration!"

The English critics were equally effusive after the London premiere of
FELA! One critic, Baz Bamigboye of The Daily Mail, summed up the
critical sentiment with his review saying FELA! is a "groundbreaking
show that shook Broadway and London’s Royal National Theatre to the
rafters. Getting Brits to get on their feet and ‘get loose’ as Bill T.
Jones puts it, was a rare feat. FELA! pulled it off by sheer
exuberance and theatrical showmanship. At the same time, FELA!
explored the soul of an artist and the darkness of a government that
tried to block what Fela’s beam exposed."

In addition to rave reviews from critics, FELA! has also won numerous
awards and received standing ovations from such personalities as Mick
Jagger, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, Spike Lee, Ben Okri, Janet
Jackson, Denzel Washington, Professor Wole Soyinka, Robert De Niro,
and Hugh Jackman. First lady Michelle Obama, former UN Secretary
General Kofi Annan and President Obama’s Head of Homeland Security
Janet Napolitano are but three of the dignitaries who have embraced
this show.

Bill T. Jones, director and choreographer of FELA!, was recently
honored with the prestigious Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
award along with Sir Paul McCartney and Oprah Winfrey. The Kennedy
Center Honors are awarded annually for exemplary lifetime achievement
in the performing arts. FELA! also won two Astaire Awards for its cast
and choreography.

FELA! on Broadway was conceived by Bill T. Jones, Jim Lewis and
Stephen Hendel. Its producers include the entertainment legends Shawn
"Jay-Z" Carter and Will & Jada Pinkett Smith.

A spokeswoman for Broken Shackles suggests that "with a series of
media partners and sponsorships, FELA! in Lagos will be the most
talked about show in Nigeria for years to come. We have created
sponsorship, branding and advertising opportunities for those who wish
to be a part of this historic theatrical event."

PHOTOS FROM CHAMPAGNE CONVERSATIONS PARTY IN LAGOS

[caption id="attachment_3829" align="alignleft" width="319" caption="Linda Ikeji"][/caption]

By Niyi Tabiti

Today in Lagos Nigeria, the pool side of the Eko Hotel and Suites was n festive mood as celebrities, young professionals and those who obviously know the value of networking gracing the Champagne Coversations, an intiative of Sodium Brand Solutions company led by Bisoye Fagade.

[caption id="attachment_3830" align="alignleft" width="247" caption="Tosyn Bucknor"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3831" align="alignleft" width="237" caption="Annie Macaulay"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3832" align="alignleft" width="265" caption="Bisoye Fagade, principal partner Sodiu brand solutions organsers of the event"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3833" align="alignleft" width="245" caption="Actress, Rukky Sanda"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3834" align="alignleft" width="253" caption="Chichi Nwoko of Nigerian Idol"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3835" align="alignleft" width="259" caption="Ebuka"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3836" align="alignleft" width="319" caption="Bella Benson"][/caption]



[caption id="attachment_3839" align="alignleft" width="281" caption="Tamilore Kuboye"][/caption]

Gistmaster.com sighted the likes of Chichi Nwoko, the project director of Nigerian Idol, Tosyn Bucknor, Gbemi Olateru- Olagbegi, Tessy Oliseh, Ebuka,Tobi Banjoko, Shalom Obi, Goldie, Rukky Sanda, Kate Henshaw- NuttalAjibola Ogunjobi, Darey Art Alade, Linda Ikeji, Olumide Iyanda, Annie Macaulay,Yinka Ajose, Tunde and Wunmi Obe,Weird MC,Oke Oris,Fola Annie, Bella Benson, AY the comedian and his wife Mabel. Gistmaster.com also saw popular comedian, Gbenga Adeyinka the first, Tee A and others.

More photos and gist update later!

BODE GEORGE RELEASED:STEPS OUT OF PRISON IN CELEBRATION

[caption id="attachment_3820" align="alignleft" width="400" caption="bode george released"][/caption]

By Gistmaster.com

Chief Bode George a chieftain of Nigeria’s ruling Political party, the Peoples Democratic Party, who was sentenced to two years in jail for corrupt charges, had been released amidst fanfare. George, a former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP was released today 26 February 2011 from the Kirikiri maximum prison where he had served his jail term.

A mammoth crowd made up of supporters, family members and well wishers came to welcome him from the prison in celebration. The crowd who sang praises of the politician said, they knew all along that the jail term handed over to Bode George was highly political, pointing fingers at a major opposition party.

Bode George was driven straight to the Church of Christ Cathedral in a convoy of cars amidst praises that he is indeed a great leader who has contributed so much to the lives of many people.

There was a short service at the cathedral located in Marina on Lagos, Island. Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was there to receive his friend and also share in the joy of his release. Others in include Ogun state governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Ayo Fayose, a senatorial aspirant and former governor of Ekiti State, Mrs. Modinot Adedibu was also there among others.

Photo credit: Kehinde Gbadamosi/Vanguard Newspaper

LIVE REPORT!- PSQUARE,KATE HENSHAW,EMEM EMA OTHERS DEPART LAGOS TONIGHT FOR AMAA NOMINATIONS PARTY IN KENYA

[caption id="attachment_3814" align="alignleft" width="319" caption="Kate Henshaw"][/caption]

By Niyi Tabiti

A host of Nigerian stars are headed for Nairobi, Kenya tonight ahead of tomorrow’s nomination party of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) scheduled to hold in Nairobi the capital of the east African country.

Gistmaster.com gathered that most of the stars who will be to Kenya will depart via  the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos. At the time of filing this report, gistmaster.com gathered the likes of Kate Henshaw,the duo of Peter and Paul Okoye of Psquare,Emem Ema of the Kush fame and now of One management are ready to board Kenya Airways. The journey will take about four hours on air. Gistmaster learn that other stars have already departed yesterday and the day before.

Peace Anyiam Osigwe the founder of AMAA announced some weeks back through a press statement signed by a member of her team, that the nomination's party for AMAA 2011, would hold in Kenya based on the overwhelming interest people from East African nations have shown in the AMAA so far.

The Africa movie academy awards team says it has received voluminous entries from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and other places in Africa, so it would nice to have the nominations party done there.

AMAA is an annual award event. The grand finale since inception takes place in the oil rich state of Bayelsa in Nigeria.Through AMAA several movie in Africa have been honored with awards.

news@gistmaster.com