FASHION RESPONSIBILITY:BEN BRUCE,TONYE COLE,EKU EDEWOR AT GREY GOOSE KINABUTI GARDEN PARTY

Caterina Bortolussi, Kinabuti founder

Fashion, entertainment, and business icons converged in Lagos on Saturday,
3rd December at the GREY GOOSE KINABUTI GARDEN PARTY, to mark the first
anniversary of KINABUTI - the ethical fashion label that has been
garnering frenzied media attention recently for its fashion social
responsibility efforts in the ghettoes of Nigeria – discovering talented
young models, designers, and tailors from the ghettoes of the Niger Delta,
and giving them the opportunity to live a better and glamorous life
through life-coaching, skills acquisition and development initiatives -
and afterwards, exposing their skills to an international audience with
the help of “Kinabuti’s Godfather”. 

Led by Caterina Bortolussi, an Italian
designer, Kinabuti collaborated with Grey Goose a year ago, to pioneer
this initiative which kicked off with the launch of KINABUTI’s first
collection. And since then, Kinabuti has discovered and trained many young
Nigerian girls, including four super models who now work with established
international designers.


Tonye Cole (co-founder, Sahara Group; brainchild of The Nehemiah Project)
who was one of the special guests at the party, praised Grey Goose for
supporting KINABUTI’s drive, saying “when you undertake a social project
like this, which is reaching out to touch lives – what you need is to be
supported by a global brand like Grey Goose – a brand that can take you
out there and show the world that they care, a brand that is not just
about making sales, but a brand that passionately cares about the kind of
social project that KINABUTI is doing – mixing high fashion with laudable
CSR”


Despite not being a charity organization, profit is not exactly what
drives KINABUTI, according to Francesca Rosset, Kinabuti’s Chief Operating
Officer, “We’re passionate about our CSR, because what we run is an
ethical business model, where we have to make money in order to continue
giving back – to continue discovering and coaching more girls from
impoverished backgrounds”. 

James Amuta

L-R, Nonso Orizu(Kinabuti Modeling Agency), Tonye Cole (Sahara Group)

Continuing excitedly, as she explained
Kinabuti’s relationship with Grey Goose Vodka, Francesca Rosset informs
us, “it’s our first anniversary today, we’re one year old in Nigeria…we
started this partnership with Grey Goose a year ago, and it’s been a
wonderful marriage – and that’s why we say to anyone who asks: ‘Grey Goose
is Kinabuti’s Godfather’ – because we make beautiful clothes and they make
the world’s best vodka – and we share the same passion for touching lives,
so it’s a perfect marriage”


“It’s a tough journey that Kinabuti has embarked upon” Tonye Cole said, “I
sometimes refer to Caterina as ‘my daughter’, because I can identify with
her kind spirit and resilience– she started this project from my home
state, Rivers State – for an Italian lady to be this emotional and
passionate about giving back to society, I’ve made it my job to encourage
Kinabuti when they feel overwhelmed by the enormity of the task ahead – I
remind them of their blessings – for instance, it’s a good thing they have
Grey Goose as sponsors, because for every talent Kinabuti picks out of
these ghettoes there’s a hundred more waiting…hoping”


The garden party also paraded personalities like Eku Edewor (model, and
presenter of MNET’s 53 Extra) Ego Boyo (iconic actress), Ben Bruce
(Founder, Silverbird Group), Alex Kothoor (MD of GDN Nigeria Ltd); General
Pype (reggae musician); James Amuta (author, Enigma: Beyond the Poet/
filmmaker) and many others who came out to felicitate with Kinabuti on its
graceful first anniversary.

LATEST NEWS:AKON IS NOT DEAD

The news being spread around that international music act, Akon is dead has been described as nothing but a false news.Those close to Akon has classified the information which has it origin on twitter as a figment of some peoples imagination.Akon, according to the news item allegedly died of AIDS related ailment.

Akon who was born in America to a senagalese father,he was taken back to Senegal where he spent his early childhood.The 38 year old Akon has made several million of dollars from album sales,concerts,royalities and endorsement deals.

   Akon shot into limelight in 2004 after he was released from prison. He released his debut single 'Locked Up' from his debut album 'Trouble'

He followed this up with another album known as 'Konvicted'

He has performed in different parts of the world.

www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com gathered from Forbes that Akon grossed $21 million in 2010 alone.

The twitter death rumour also affected Missy Elliot another award winning musician.But she was quick to deny the news via her twitter handle describing it as mere rumour because she is not just alive, she is hale and healthy.

-By Niyi Tabiti

 

IDRIS WADA WINS KOGI GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION

 

 

The result of the Kogi State governorship election shows that Captain Idris Wada is the winner. He scored 300,372 votes as against the 159,913 votes scored by his closest rival,Abubakar Audu of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).
However, www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com gathered that Audu a former governor of the state and his party, ACN are disatisfied with the conduct of the election, alleging rigging by the PDP.Plans is already in top gear to challenge the election result in court.
  The newly elected governor of Kogi State is a rich and famous pilot and businessman with about 30 years of career experience.
-By Niyi Tabiti

LATEST NEWS:NAIJA HOT AND SEXY ACTRESS SUSAN PETERS HIT ZEN MAGAZINE COVER

 This is certainly a great year for hot and sexy Nigerian actress,Susan Peters.Winning awards,making more money, upgrading her auto garage and other wonderful things came her way.This month,Susan is the cover face of the popular Zen magazine publsihed by Arinze Nwokolo
Anybody who has ever been in the entertainment spotlight before can confidently tell you that fame attracts both good & bad publicity. Sometimes, it seems impossible to escape such media frenzy when your head is on the chopping block but been able to be part of the industry in any way is a very fun experience. 

LATEST NEWS:INI EDO MOVIE PREMIERES IN LAGOS

A- List Nollywood star, Ini Edo who recently ventured into movie production with I’ll Take My Chances which she jointly produced, is set to premiere her latest work in Lagos. The actress who recently got her appointment with the United Nations renewed as the United Nations youth envoy on environment for another year is putting finishing touch to her preparation.

Anticipation is high and fingers are crossed in the entertainment and fashion capital of Nigeria, Lagos as the movie, I’ll Take My Chances comes to town.

Having enjoyed a very successful premiere in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, the banquet hall of the Meridien Hotel on the 24^th September to be precise, the movie is now set to be premiered in Lagos and many celebrities, industry pundits, associates and well wishers are all expected to throng the venue of the premiere in grand style. Following the resounding success and acceptance it enjoyed in Uyo, more is expected when the premiere comes alive in Lagos.

The Lagos premiere of the movie which was jointly produced by the duo of Ini Edo and Emem Isong will take place sometimes in December this year.

I’ll Take My Chances centers on a medley of drama, dance, love and suspense, which is intended for people who are very passionate about dance and movies but not like the type often portrayed in most Bollywood films, but this time, it’s more Nigerian in perspective and philosophy.

The dance-themed movie boasts of an impressive cast that include the ever radiant Ini Edo, one-time Mr. Nigeria, Bryan Okwara, the president of ANTP, Jide Kosoko, Sam Loco Efe of blessed memory, Biola Williams, Lilian Ikpe, the dance sensation, Ashleigh Clark among others.

Directed by Desmond Elliot, a prolific actor, I’ll Take My Chances is a real departure from the frequently seen story lines in the movie industry as the content, style and philosophy behind it distinguishes it from most of the scripts daily churned out by directors and producers alike.

The movie tells the story of I.K, a young theatre arts graduate who majored in dance in the U.S., he hopes to stage a drama but lacks the funds to get through with it, and he also sought the help of his girlfriend, Giselle. However, I.K has to go for his youth service in a village in cross river and there he meets the beautiful Idara( Ini Edo). Despite their obvious differences, the two are drawn together but Idara harbours a secret. She has been selected to be the next High Priestess of Unek, a diety that is worshipped by her people through dance. Something will have to give as she is torn between her love for I.K and the path of destiny chosen by the deity.

The movie is set to be at the cinemas from next year in all the cinemas nationwide.
-www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com

IMADE OGBEWI WINS NIGERIA NEXT SUPERMODEL+WHAT OTHERS WONT TELL YOU ABOUT THE CONTEST

Imade Ogbewi made her way into Nigeria celebrity league recently as she was declared the winner of Nigeria Next Suoermodel competition organized by Mrs. Joan Okorodudu.
 Imade, who was shedding tears of joy shortly after she was declared the winner, was full of praises for the organizers of NNSM for the positive impact in her life within a short time starting from when she was shortlisted at the screening. 
 She was presented with a brand new car with lot of other juicy prizes courtesy Virgin Atlantic, First Group Dubai, Swarovski, Loreal Paris and several other corporate sponsors of the event.

Guest at the event-Linda Ikeji

MERCY JOHNSON FIGHTS PRODUCER OVER BLINDNESS RUMOUR

Star actress Mercy Johnson is not happy with a  producer who in the cause of promoting his movies went to town with the rumour that Mercy is blind. In the last few days the latest news about Mercy Johnson indicated that she was blind.
 Mercy is pissed by what she described as baseless information being circulated by a producer who in a bid to sell his movie dabbled into irresponsible publicity stunts. Mercy was blind in the movie not in real life.
 www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com  also gathered that Mercy also fingered one of her detractors as the person behind her death rumour.
  A statement by the publicist for Mercy Johnson Okojie reads 
"As at the time of writing this, blogspheres and entertainment industry is awashed with rumour that star actress, Mercy Johnson suffered blindness and experienced a terrible accident that led to her death.
This rumor has no resemblance or iota of truth. Mercy is on a movie location in Lagos and getting set for her trip to Australia in a matter of days.
After diligent investigation, we discovered the rumour started as a result of a publicity stunt initiated by producer of a movie where Mercy’s character lost an eye. Another part of the rumor was started by detractor whose only goal is pull MJ down by all means.
It is despicable to note that these rumors were strengthened by writers who did not crosscheck before posting on their blogs, platforms or newspapers. We decry this act of insensitivity and irresponsibility especially as it affects family, friends and fans.
We appreciate family, friends and fans that have taken time to call out of concern and love and we wish to let them know that mercy is hale and hearty.
We implore bloggers and writers to kindly cross check reports on mercy with us to avoid using their platforms to promote falsehood and abate inappropriate ‘’PR stunts’’ by those who want to sell their movies or those whose goal is to pull others down at all costs"
 Mercy is alive not dead! 
- www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com