Thank you...

For some reason I feel a need to say Thank You to every reader of this blog.

I’ve had a pretty difficult year. This blog has helped me stay sane. You guys have helped me stay sane.

I appreciate you all more than I can ever express. I appreciate your kindness towards me. I appreciate your support. I more than appreciate it when some of you come to my defense when some people attack me on this blog :-). It makes me feel really loved. And appreciated.

You banters make me laugh. Your insults at each other entertain me...lol. Your light hearted and sometimes serious arguements teach me a lot. The effort you make to drop comments make it all worth it. I read some comments and I find that I can't stop laughing all day long.

Most times I can't wait to log on and be lost in all the fun and madness. I'm having a ball being a blogger...'cos of you guys, so thank you! Thank you so much!!!

I have a show today..wish me luck.
Catch you all later!
Plenty kisses!
L

Style Night 5

Style Night 5 - Featuring:
*Designers - Clothesense, House of Moufa, Modela, Adu by KFA, Kholyns, Beampeh and Chineseh fashions.
*Models - 30 of Naija's top models
*Music by - Weird MC, DJ Zeez, Diamond, Nnenna
*Dance - Naija Dance Academy and Nero Sexy
*MC - Ejike, on-air personality, Coolfm

*Date - Saturday October 24th 2009
*Venue - Jade Palace, Adeola Odeku Str., Victoria Island, Lagos
*Time - 5pm
*After Party - Volar Bar - Adeola Odeku Str., VI
* Dress code : Elegant
*Gate Fee - N3, 000 only.

+ Cocktail, drinks and lots of take home packs

See you guys there!

Nike Oshinowo's Interview

This is Nike’s first interview in years. Encomium Weekly cornered her on Saturday, October 17th, 2009, during Helen Ajayi’s 50th birthday party and spoke with her on her sojourn outside Nigeria, the secret of her ageless look and more
Enjoy...

What were the things that kept you busy while you were away?

Nike “Oh my goodness I wasn’t working, I was a housewife. I was just doing things that English housewives do I guess (Smiles). Having lunch, shopping, hanging out, looking out for my husband, having a tea with neighbours, making sure the house is okay and basically supporting my husband.”

What is the secret behind your ageless look?

“It’s very simple. Sleep, drink enough water and take a healthy organic balanced diet. Three things: Sleep; most people just don’t sleep. They go on all day and sleep for two hours. I sleep. By 10pm, I’m fast asleep in bed and will not open my eyes until maybe 7 or 7:30 am. From the moment I wake up, I drink water. I would not put anything in my body that is not good for me. In fact there are some things that I eat just because they are good for me. I eat for my hair, I eat for my skin.”

We read in a magazine interview that your health-related issues scare you away from having children.

“I never said that”

What did you say?

“I’ve always suffered endometriosis. It’s no secret. When I turned 40, I talked about this issue because a lot of women out there suffer it and don’t know what they can do about it. I talked about my problem so that young women can know they are not alone and they should not be embarrassed. A lot of women with endometriosis have children. I didn’t want to put my body through all that. I wasn’t married. Now I’m married, maybe I might decide to have one. I’m lucky I’m married to a man who doesn’t put pressure on me. He married me, not a baby machine. If I have children, he loves me. If I don’t, he loves me. I’m lucky.”

You are one of the most celebrated beauty queens in Nigeria, what has kept you this good?

“I think that air of mystery. I don’t know where you are from, but I’m Yoruba and they say ‘nkan ta be gbe pa mo lo niyi’ (Whatever you conceal is prestigious). Maybe it’s because I’m not all over the place. If I’m invited to ten parties, I go to one. People still want to see more of me. They ask what is she doing? What is she up to?. In my years of being in the limelight, people didn’t quite understand. They always guessed the essence of Nike Oshinowo. I think that’s a good thing. You don’t have to be everywhere."

Interview by Shade Wesley of Encomium magazine.

Behind the scene pics of 'Talk With Funmi'

Talk With Funmi is a multi-segment variety show set in multiple locations across Nigeria. It brings truly inspiring real life stories, fresh perspectives of our diverse cultures, tangible information and inspirational experiences of real people from various parts of the country into the homes of Nigerians in a fun filled engaging and entertaining manner.

Check out behind the scene pictures of  Talk with Funmi...

Mallam Danlami, Gov Fashola, Funmi Iyanda & Dr. Yomi Mcgregor


Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State with Funmi Iyanda


Gov Mimiko and his wife, Kemi with Funmi Iyanda


Funmi Iyanda with Charlie Boy at Bar beach Lagos


Funmi with Okada riders in Lagos


Funmi & 9ice

Dancers with Funmi in Ajegunle


Funmi with Marvelous Benji in ajegunle


At Takwa Bay Beach

Funmi with Azeezat At Takwa Bay Beach



Funmi Iyanda with Ogunjimi, hunter at Ita Olorun Village Ondo State


Funmi at Oba of Benin Palace, Edo State

 
 Funmi with Dr. Victor Uwaifo

Desmond Elliot, Funmi , Kate Henshaw , Bimbo Akintola

Kate Henshaw , Funmi and Desmond Elliot

***

The show will be premiered on DSTV’s Africa Magic & Magic World (Primetime), NTA/AIT and other selected stations around Nigeria, with an international cut scheduled for a major UK network.*

You gotta love this woman. I'm trully inspired!

Over Forty and Fabulous

Cindy Crawford (43) and Halle Berry (43)

How can some women be over forty and still look like this? Seriously what's the secret???

Please translate...

You have to be Yoruba or understand the language to be able to translate our 'Funny' quote to English.
Here it is ...

"ni gbati ojo ba ro ni olokada ma mo wi pe oun ko si ni egbe olowo"

Heard it today and loved it...lol

Please translate...if you can...

Comedian Baba Suwe In Ghastly Crash

Barely seven weeks after the death of his wife, popular comedian, Babatunde Omidina also known as Baba Suwe, narrowly escaped death yesterday when he was involved in a serious auto crash.


P.M.News learnt that Baba Suwe was on his way to a film location in Idiroko in the company of his younger brother when his car skidded off the road and somersaulted.

He was immediately rushed to Idiroko General Hospital where it was discovered that he sustained chest injury while his brother had a fractured leg.

They were later referred to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) where they are said to be responding to treatment.*

Source: P.M. News

Introducing T-Kross

They say he's the most-promising R&B act to come out of Abuja since Styl Plus. His name is T-Kross. T. Kross is a young graduate of Civil Engineering from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka but has made the Capital city his home over the past few months.

During his time here, T-Kross has experienced phenomenal success on Abuja radio with his breakout single ‘Follow Follow’ which features MTN Project Fame winner Iyanya and was produced by talented newcomer Gospel (of ET Quake Studios) and the legendary TY Mix.

T-Kross’ self-titled debut is due to hit shelves in early 2010 and the album will feature guest appearances from Jesse Jagz, 6 Foot Plus and most impressive of all, 2 Face Idibia.

Watch out for this dude people...

Girls Nite Out is back!!!

Smooth Promotions, the brains behind Hiphopworld Magazine, Hiphopworld Awards and Hip on TV is at it again. The Organizers last week made it public that an all girl show “Girl’s Nite out” is the next project on their calender.

Already an all female team has been put in place. “Every single thing will be done by Girls including designing the stage, video and sound production, producing and directing of the show, security, just name anything”.

Girls Nite out, a forum for discovering female talents as well as celebrating womanhood is targeted at making a statement that “what a man can do, a woman can do better”

“All we are planning to do is to showcase the professional capability of women in fields that have overtime been male dominated. We are out to give female up and coming talents the chance to be discovered as well as treat the brothers to a night of Fun” Joke Jaiyesimi Head honcho of the project says

Girls Nite out made its first appearance ten years ago and two female artistes “Sasha” and “Azeezat” were discovered at the event, before it was suspended in 2002. Through the March 1999- Dec 2002, Girl’s Nite was hosted by Dianne Oputa, Celebrated actress and OAP Funlola Aofiyebi and Broadcaster Tosin Ajayi.

Other grounded people that were involved in the event include Yeni Kuti, Stella Damasus, Wunmi Obe, Tosin Ajayi, Onyeka Onwenu, Bouqui, Latoya Aduke, Ara and Bimbo Oloyede

And now ten years after, with a new team in place, it looks like the show is ready to take a new shape. “Expect the usual stuffs that used to be there way back, but in a refined way” Jaiyesimi says.

A date and Venue is yet to be announced, but “It will hold very soon, my team and I are putting things in place already” Joke Jaiyesimi said on a final note.

Who would you hit?

Ok ladies, check out our handsome dudes. From left, Naeto C, Matthew Mensah, Tuface Idibia, Tola Odunsi and Ikechukwu. If you were asked to pick, who would you hit?

My marriage is solid - Ini Edo

What is your marriage status? It is rumored that your marriage is hopping on one leg and that is why you are not living in houston with your husband.
Ini "My husband appreciates the fact that I have a career. I won't say he's particularly excited when I am not around, he simply understands what I do. I don't know who's wishing me a bad marriage but I am sorry to disappoint that person. My marriage is not hopping on one leg. I have a very good marriage. Right now I'm in Houston with my husband and I haven't decided yet when I will return to Nigeria."

As an actress in public eye, you have been labelled with a lot of tags, would you want to clear the air?
"I have realised that you can't be in this kind of job without having these tags. Most people cannot differentiate between the actress and the real person. I play diverse roles in the movies, so I guess that has also affected how people see me. As for tags, I have long accepted that."

You have been figured as a bi-sexual. Is this true?
"That's absolutely ridiculous. I am not a lesbian.

Did you ever get pregnant and loose the baby?
"Very funny. I was never pregnant and I never lost a baby. I just don't know where these stories spring from. Sometimes I am even shocked at the things I read about myself."

What do you want to say to people out there that you have never gotten a chance to say?
"Hold onto your faith. Be good to others, even when all they plan against you is evil. Make sure your heart is clean and good. You will walk through every stumbling block of the devil and stand up tall in the end. I am a living testimony"

Interview in Encomium by Stella Dimoko-Korkus

Olumide and I are getting married next year - Dakore Egbuson

If there's any actress I'm totally in love with, it's this lady. There's something about her that just gladdens my heart.

Anyway, the gorgeous actress was spotted with her beau, Olu Akande, at Ego Iheanacho's wedding sometime last week and when asked when she would be tying the knot with Olu, Dakore simply answered "Hopefully, sometime next year".

When asked what the attraction was between them, Dakore replied "I don't know, but I think it was divinely arranged".

On her relationship with Olu's family "My relationship with Olu's family is fantastic and that is the truth. Our ethnic groups irrespective, people just blow things out of proportion. You see something from the outside and you start looking at what could go wrong, why not look at what could go right?" *

They look like a dream together. I don't particularly like going to weddings, but this is one wedding I'm definitely gate crashing...if not invited. lol

The Future Awards Meets the Vice President, Jonathan Goodluck

The organisers and selected winners of The Future Awards recently met with all the key government officials in charge of youth matters in the country when they paid a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Vice President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. Also present at the meeting were the Minister for Youth Development, Senator Akinlabi Olasunkanmi and the Senior Special Adviser to the Vice President on Youth, Mrs. Morenike Soyinka-Onijala.

The delegation was led by Dr. Reuben Abati, chairman of The Guardian Editorial Board as well as chairman of The Future Awards Independent Audit Committee. Dr. Abati, after expressing the regrets of the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Prof. Pat Utomi, who was initially billed to be at the meeting, introduced the project and its organisers. He mentioned that the organisers started this project when they were all under the age of 20 – the youngest of them was even 17 – and they have grown from strength to strength. You would be proud of them.”

The 5th edition of The Future Awards is presented by HiTV and RedSTRAT, with support from the Federal Ministry of Youth and the International Finance Corporation. It is the flagship platform under The Future Project, Nigeria, which is an umbrella of projects and programmes that seeks to inspire hope in young Nigerians, direct them to work for change and to add practical value to society.*

Okey Bakassi turns 40

Ace comedian, actor, producer, director and Special Adviser on Entertainment to Governor Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State, Okey MacAnthony Onyegbule popularly known as Okey Bakassi will be 40 years old on Thursday 23rd 2009.
Happy birthday in advance.

Helen Prest Ajayi @ 50

The stunning ex-beauty queen, who emerged Miss Nigeria 30 years ago, turned 50 years old some weeks back. A classy and unforgetable birthday bash was held for her by family members at the Oriental Hall on Sat. 17th Oct '09.

On turning 50, Helen said

"I still feel the same. One with a vibrant personality stays youthful forever. I have lived a very fulfilling life so far and I look forward to what's coming next. I try to have a cheerful heart and eat in moderation all things that please me."

No prize for African leadership this year

Sudanese magnate Mo Ibrahim will not be awarding any African ex-leader his $5m (£3m) annual prize for good governance.

Mr Ibrahim gave no reason for the decision, saying he had always intended for there to be years when no prize would be awarded. South Africa's Thabo Mbeki and Ghana's John Kufuor had been the favourites.

The winners receive $5m over 10 years, and then $200,000 a year for life after that - the most valuable individual annual award in the world.

Continue here...http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8313929.stm

13 students perish in crash

Twelve young men, mostly family members, died in a ghastly motor accident that occurred in Gyadi-Gyadi quarters, along Zaria road, in Kano metropolis on Saturday night. At least nine of them were the sons of a former Kano State Commissioner of Rural and Community Development, Alhaji Mahmud Baffa Yola.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the deceased met their death while returning home from a wedding party of their relation, Abdullahi Yahuza, which took place at Ni'ima Guest Palace in the city. The two cars in which they were travelling collided with a pedestrian bridge in an attempt to avoid hitting a trailer, a few metres to their residence.

Two members of the bereaved family, Abdurra'uf Mahmud, a son of the former commissioner, and Yahuza, the bridegroom from whose party the young men were returning, told our correspondent that the deceased were between the ages of 15 to 20 years; they were driving in two cars while returning home from the party around 11 pm.

The first car hit the side of the overhead bridge in an attempt to avoid running into the trailer ahead, while the second car rammed into the first on top speed.

"All seven people who were in the car in the front died instantly due to the serious burns they sustained," Yahuza said.

Five of the occupants of the car behind died while three others sustained various burns and were rushed to the Malam Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital nearby.

The deceased were buried at the Tarauni cemetery yesterday (pictured above) after prayers at the Zubair Bin Auwam Mosque.

May their souls rest in peace...amen.

Source: Leadership Newspaper

Photo of the day

My last post got some of you agitated.

Not a good way to start the week.

I think this is...

Oga traffic warden and Motorist that took one way...

"If you face me, I face you"

"Hold me, I hold you"

"Rock me, I rock you"

"Do me, I do you..."

Lol...sheckirout...

LOL, Oh my...

Only in Naija sha...

Have a blessed week ahead people.

Mwah!!!

TIME Magazine's depiction of Nollywood

This is no Sunday Fun post...but it's a post that will make you laugh hard... or make you very angry; depending on how you see it.

A friend of mine drew my attention to it and I went to TIME Magazine's website to see and read for myself. I found it hilarious, maybe because I don't like to take things too seriously but some of you might view it differently.It's kind of sad that this is the way the outside world view our movie industry.

The article is titled:
Nollywood: The stars of Nigeria's movie biz
Photographer Pieter Hugo captures actors from Nigeria's film industry.
From the book Nollywood, published by Prestel Publishing.

To create these images, photographer Hugo asked teams of actors and assistants to re-create Nollywood myths and symbols as if they were on movie sets.

And please read the captions from the website under each photograph.

Nigeria's film business, a.k.a. Nollywood, is the third largest in the world. Its filmmakers produce as many as 1,000 movies each year for the home-video market

"Many of the movies are produced and marketed within the space of a week."

"The narratives are almost always overdramatic, with no happy endings."

"The production companies have extremely limited budgets and only the most basic scripts."

"Plots revolve around situations familiar to the audience and include witchcraft, bribery and prostitution, in addition to romance and comedy. "

"Most of the films are shot not in studios but on location in ordinary homes, hotels and offices."

"The preferred aesthetic is loud, violent and excessive."

"Nollywood represents the first time that Africa's rich oral and written storytelling has found a voice in mass media."

"Both the photographs and movie scenes they draw from are deeply rooted in the local collective imagination."

"It is estimated that Nollywood generates from $250 million to $500 million annually."

Nollywood: The Stars of Nigeria's Movie Biz.
***

As a Nigerian, are you offended by this depiction? Or do you find it funny? But most importantly; Is this an accurate depiction of our movie industry?
Let's know what you think.

Meanwhile this is the link...http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1926470,00.html