MTN Supports The Economy With First Of Its Kind Business Grant

In its continued commitment to facilitating the richer life in all its
ramifications, MTN unarguably the nation's widest telecommunications
network is offering a first of its kind in terms of aid and assistance
to start-ups and small businesses. Tagged the MTN Budding Entrepreneur
Business Grant, its aim is to see the dreams of still budding
businesses come to full bloom and fruition. The grant sum which comes
to the tune of 30 million naira will be given to the 3 best ideas at
the MTN Leadership seminar which is to take place from the 24th -27th
April 2012 in Lagos and Port-Harcourt with the brightest idea of them
all also getting a 6 month mentorship program with Dr Farrah Gray -
world renowned businessman, investor, philanthropist, author,
syndicated columnist, and motivational speaker.

MECHANICS

· Participation is open to all Registered MTN customers under
the age of 40 as at 30/04/12.

· To register, participants are required to fill in the
application form and send their business ideas via the
www.mtnonline.com/leadership.

· The business ideas will be screened and shortlisted
participants will be invited for presentation before a panel which
will sit at Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt. Shortlisted participants
will be contacted for the live presentations.

· The best 12 ideas will be shortlisted.

· The 12 finalists will be assisted to package their business
plan in partnership with credible associations.

· Dr. Farrah Gray will then review the 12 business ideas and
pick the winning ideas

· The winner of the best idea will receive N20m and 6 Months
mentoring from Dr. Farrah Gray.

· The next 2 best ideas will receive N5m each to start up and
or enhance their business

Ghanaian’s finest Ama K. Abebrese eyes AMAA Best Actress Award,Storms Nigeria in Style

One of Ghana's best hands as it concerns movies, Ama K. Abebrese is set to
storm Nigeria for the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) 2012 in style.
The award which aims to recognize and honor African movie practitioners who
have distinguished themselves in their respective movie industries will
hold in Nigeria.

The actress has been nominated for the Best Actress in a leading role
alongside movie heavyweights like Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Uche Jombo,
Yvonne Okoro, Rita Dominic, Millicent Makheido and Kudzai Sevenzo-Nyarai.
Ama has been widely tipped to land this category as her recent works
vividly speak for her perhaps, one of the reasons why she features only in
high budget movies.

Ama K. was in Nigeria last year among the Ghanaian contingent that went
for AMAA; she won the award for the best actress in a leading role. Will
she win it again this year? Time will tell.

She began her career at YCTV (Youth Culture Television) a charity training
facility in West London as a youth where the highlights of her time there
was when she interviewed Hollywood veteran, Harrison Ford and 'Star
Wars' director George Lucas. As if that was not enough, the alumnus of St.
Mary's University College, Surrey moved on to co-host the youth
entertainment programme 'Pass da Mic', a show in collaboration with BBC2,
where guests interviewed included the former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair,
rocker Mick Jagger, and football legend Kevin Keegan, whom she interviewed.

The screen idol according to her management team will be very active and
more visible in Nollywood as she has seen the industry as a very viable and
big platform for professionals to hit it big, an ambition the darling of
Ghollywood is not taking with a pinch of salt.

This year's AMAA is been powered by telecoms giant, Airtel and will feature
musical performances from Tuface Idibia, Asa and Senegalese singer, Vivian
with one of Hollywood's finest actors, Jimmy Jean-Louis as the event's host
on the night. Morris Chestnut of The Brothers fame will lead other
Hollywood acts to the event.

Speaking on this year's AMAA, Ama K. Abebrese speaks of her expectations at
the awards ''I expect it to be a very classy event with a lot of style and
finesse, coming to Nigeria for awards like this is always special and I
really look forward to enjoying myself, I hope to take the award home''.

Another Hot From Nadia Buari!

One of the finest faces ever to have made it out of the Gold Coast, Nadia
Buari has added another feather to her cap as she gave a good account of
herself beyond many people's expectation in a new movie, Heroes and Zeros.

Directed by award-winning filmmaker, Niji Akanji, Heroes and Zeros have
been described as one of the best works to come out of this part of the
world in recent times.

According to Niji, Nadia was very professional on set and remains the best
of her contemporary that he has ever worked with. ''Nadia was very
professional, I was impressed. She delivered on her character like never
before. If you ask her, she would tell you that she was challenged beyond
limit on the job''.

The Takoradie born mulatto screen goddess who is presently in United States
was in Lagos months back for 28 days shooting the movie.

Heroes and Zeros is the story of the destructive pursuance of Tonia (Nadia
Bhuari) by Amos Fele (Bimbo Manuel). Ten years ago, AMOS FELE was a wealthy
celebrity director in the Nigerian film industry. Now he lives in a
ramshackle flat, doing occasional low-paying TV Commercials for nameless
products. He's a daily comic relief on the local soccer practice pitch:
because though he's already 45 years old, he nurses a new, insane dream of
making it into the dollar-soaked world of international soccer! His joyless
marriage to TINUKE, a junior bank worker, is crumbling fast, especially
after the death of their only child. A boost to his sagging spirit comes
when a big-budget French-Nigerian film project appoints him as director.
Suddenly, the Press begins to (re)celebrate him. Top actors and producers
begin to call him up. To his wife's distress, Fele also quickly
re-establishes his wane reputation as a first-class womanizer.

Fele's new rise coincides with that of DIBU IJELE as Yellow Journalism's
new enfant terrible. Dibu is a Reporter with Naija Scene, a weekly tabloid.
The paper's new Board of Directors, with its eyes on profit, supports
Dibu's theory that the only way to beat the competition is to scoop and
sell dirt about anyone with a famous face or name. Dibu's editor, Mr.
AYOADE ALISA, an urbane fellow, tries to fight him and the Board.

Fele becomes obsessed with TONIA, a ravishing beauty and lead actress of
the Nigerian-French film project. Ignoring the warnings of his best friend,
NNAMDI, a psychology professor, Fele pursues his obsession with Tonia to
its tragic conclusion: losing his new job, ending his marriage and ending
up in a mental hospital. Unknown to him, Tonia and her sister, BISOLA have
something up their sleeves.

Other members of cast are: Olu Jacobs, Tina Mba, Akin Lewis, Funsho Adeolu,
Norbert Young, Linda Ejiofor, Gabriel Afolayan, Jude Urhorra, Brigette
Cherile and others.

IBORI JAILED 13 YEARS

Chief James Ibori former governor of Delta State was jailed this afternoon in London.In a judgement that many considered as victory to anti-corruption war, Ibori was sentenced to 13 years in prison. Nigeria's ex- international soccer star, John Fashanu proved to be a friend indeed to Ibori as he used the court proceeding to highlight what he considered his good deeds while in government. Ibori was a very influential politician and billionaire before the Economic and Financial Crime Commission accused him of mismanaging the funds of his state.

STEPHANIE OKEREKE'S WEDDING LATEST:ARIK AIR TO FLY GUESTS

 The sunny-faced multiple award winning actress, Stephanie Okereke, will be getting married to her heartthrob, PR genius, Linus Idahosa in far-away France, sharing vows in front of family, friends and colleagues. The ceremony which undoubtedly is the most anticipated wedding in the country will hold in a 17th century Parisian Castle reserved for royalties this Saturday, April 21. It is rumoured that the new couple wish for guests to receive a unique kind of ‘touch’ from the experience.

The wedding will be a very private affair, celebrating the couple’s love, respect, admiration and appreciation for each other.

Arik Air, the official airline for the wedding, is playing a major role. With a chartered flight for select guests from Nigeria to France, Arik has proven to be a true Nigerian brand supporting one of its bests on their special day!

Air France, we also hear is throwing its weight behind the couple; providing highly discounted tickets to guests from all over the world and sponsoring the couples honey moon trip to any destination of their choice abroad.

Everyone is curious to know what Stephanie would be wearing and all the fun and breath-taking details of the event. Magazines are already clamouring to cover exclusive details of the wedding but we are yet to get the gist on the magazine of choice for the couple.

PHOTOS:AY COMEDY SHOW IN LAGOS

By Niyi Tabiti
AY comedy show retained its reputation as one of the biggest shows in town.It was a sold out event recently as top celebrities and entertainment lovers stormed Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, venue of this year's edition of the AY Live! Here Gistmaster brings you some of the faces at the event.Ini Edo, Monalisa Chinda, Funke Akindele, Ali Baba, Emem Isong,Helen Paul, E-Money,Opa Williams and several top shots in today's entertainment

ASK NIYI:WHO OWNS DBANJ,DON JAZZY LEKKI HOME?

Someone  asked me questions some days back regarding the rift between Don Jazzy and Dbanj. He said the Nigerian media have helped the Mo Hits crew in making millions of dollars. I agree that the media have been active partners in the hype of the two UK returnees who later became the favourite of music fans within and outside the country.Gistmaster broke the story of their rift when the two decided to go their seperate ways.

"Niyi, if i want to believe the latest news in town, Don Jazzy and Dbanj lived in a rented apartment, despite all the millions they have been making from endorsements, performance and albums?"

 "They have both moved their things out of the apartment! If the house belonged to the two of them or to one, both would have not moved out. Buying cars and living the life of a superman is good but these guys should check out their American Idols, they buy good houses in the property market.That is even going too far,Don Jazzy and Dbanj should emulate Psquare who are now living in their own multi-million Naira house in Omole Estate.Now Dbanj is floating with Wande Coal and others in 1004 apartment.What happens to all their money?"

 I have heard stories of top musicians like Faze, Tuface and others who lived in hotels. Yes, it is good for the purpose of effect, but they need good managers to help them put their money into proper use."

-Ola Favour

 Atlanta (email withheld)

Response: There was a time people said they actually owned the house but just like you, many of their fans stillo don't know whats going on. Promise to update you soon.

-Niyi