Naija Entertainment News + Richest Hollywood couples

RIP to Chief Orlando Owoh

Child witchcraft in Nigeria

Sometimes I'm lost for words. Please read the article here

http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/dispatches/saving+africas+witch+children/2780062

There is a charity in Nigeria 'Stepping Stone Nigeria', where donations and information could be obtained from. They have a group on facebook you can join, as well as forward to friends. Link to charity website: www.steppingstonesnigeria.

Oluremi Obasanjo's Book

Oluremi Obasanjo, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo's first wife, last week launched her biography titled 'Bitter-Sweet: My life with Obasanjo. The 141 page book is the engaging story of her life as Obasanjo's wife and mother of six of his chilcren. Amongst other intimate details, Oluremi reveals Obasanjo's love for women, those he dated and how he used to beat her during each of their matrimonial squabbles...

The book is in stores now...if you're interested...

Nkem Owoh speaks at last- Taiwo Obatuson

Nollywood star actor, Nkem Owoh, popularly known as osuofia has been in the news for the past weeks for alleged drug trafficking. He was also rumoured to have lost his life in Saudi. The news right now is that Nkem himself spoke to City People last week through the phone concerning the issue. Hear him "Don't mind the romour mongers, may be they could be talking about paracetamol because that is the only kind of drugs I know. I have not travelled out of Nigeria in the past six months. I have not gone to the international airport, so I wonder what they are saying and where the rumours are coming from. As I am speaking to you now, I am in Port Harcourt working. Nothing happened to me"

Silverbird Galleria Opens new branch

The first modernised Galleria in Nigeria, the Silverbird Galleria which is run by the Bruce Family, has extended it's capacity to the mainland. The new Galleria is located at Sabo, Yaba.

World Music Awards in Monaco

Tuafce Idibia wins Best Nigerian Artist

Tuface and Estelle on stage
Congrats to 2baba

City People is West Africa's soft sell of the year. It's publisher is W/A's Media Man of the year.

Seye Kehinde, the publisher of City People has won the prestigious West Africa International Award of Merit 2008. According to a two page letter written by Dr. Kwame Otibu-Asare, Editor in Chief/CEO of West Africa International Magazine, "The award is presented to a few West Africans or companies in West Africa that have made the various sectors/fields they operate in proud, by their extraordinary, distinctive achievements in that sector.

Congrats to the man and the organisation.

City People Brands Award

Here are some categories...

Soft Drink of the year

Coca cola

Fanta

Pepsi

Mirinda

Fayrouz

Energy drink

Redbull

Power horse

Burn

Beverage

Milo

Bournvita

Ovaltine

Prefered domestic airline

Aero contractors

Arik Airline

Virgin Nigeria

GSM company

GLO

MTN

Zain

Sanitary Towel

Always

Everyday

Cable TV

DStv

HiTv

My TV

Internet package

Starcomms internet services

MTN 3G

GLO 3G Plus

ETC. There are about 50 categories. It is slated to hold on Thursday, November 27th at the Shell Hall of the Muson Center, Onikan Lagos.

I'd like to say a big congrats and happy married life to all the newly wedded couples...

Anita Uwagbale and Tom Iseghohi

Chinenye Ochuba and Kunle Akinlade

Doyin Haastrup and Ayodeji Olatokunbo

Cecil Hammond and Keke Adenuga aka Isis

May God bless their unions with love, laugher, children and a lot of blessings...

Pics thanks to bellanaija, Naijagal and Niyi tabiti

Now to the foreign scene...

The top 10 of Hollywood's Top Earning Couples (Forbes magazine poll) is as follows:
1. Jay-Z and Beyonce Knowles - $162 million

Jayz $82mill, Beyonce $80mill

2. Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith - $85 million

Will $80mill, Jada $5mill

3. David Beckham and Victoria Beckham - $58 million

David $50mill, Victoria $8mill

4. Tim McGraw and Faith Hill - $35 million

5. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie - $34 million

6. Judd Apatow and Leslie Mann - $30 million

7. Gavin Rossdale and Gwen Stefani - $28 million

8. Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman - $25 million

9. Tony Parker and Eva Longoria Parker - $22.5 million

10 Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart - $22 million

I'm out, see y'all later...

It's a crazy circle + Your priorities

Sigmund Freud's Priorities
The fun is when you do it first time honestly without looking at the answer.
Try it...

Five things are happening in your house at the same time. In which sequence would you solve them?
1. The telephone is ringing!
2. The baby is crying!
3. Some one's knocking or calling you from the front door!
4. You hung the clothes out to dry and it is beginning to rain!
5. You left the tap on in the kitchen and the water is already overflowing!

In which sequence would you solve these problems? Write your sequence from 1 to 5, then scroll below and check how your decisions were made. BE HONEST to yourself!

It's a Crazy Circle

There are a few of us who don't particularly hold ourselves in high regard...mostly because people have told us too many negative things about ourselves...to our faces and behind our backs. When a lot of people tell you you're worthless, you start to believe it, and somewhere along the way you start having doubts about the beautiful person you really are.

Can I console you?

Someone came to see me at the office yesterday, while talking business a name came up, and for at least 30 minutes all he did was a count down of the top 20 reasons why this person was an ASS. He said things about this other person that I can't repeat anywhere else. It was dirty and uncalled for. I just sat there and listened wondering how many times someone somewhere has counted twenty things they didn't like about me.

Interestingly, immediately he left, another guy came into my office and didn't understand why I would grant audience to the guy who just left. "He's a failure" this new guy started, and for at least 10 minutes he mentioned so many reasons why he's not a person to be associated with. And like before I just sat there and listened.

But you know the funny thing? This new guy sitting in front is one of the few people I just tolerate. Every time I see him, I almost ask him to go see a psychiatrist..., he's always acting like there's something wrong with him upstairs...lol.

Then this morning, three models came to the office to pick up their cheques and while waiting at the reception, I heard them talking negatively about another model who they felt sold out. When my sister eventually came to the office, I asked her about the situation with the model they were talking about, and she told me not to pay any attention to the three models, and she said something about one of them in particular that left me stunned.

A few hours later, someone called me to report my sister to me...

I dropped the phone and called my publicist, Niyi Tabiti, and he told me some things that I do that he doesn't like...

That was when I realised what a crazy circle it really is...everytime you talk about someone, someone else talks about you.

For everyone who thinks you're stupid, there are ten people who think they're foolish. For everyone who tells you you're uncultured, be rest assured that there's someone somewhere who thinks they are crude. Every time people gather around and talk about you, best believe there are people gathered somewhere talking about everyone one of them. I guess this means no one is perfect.

So every time someone says nonsense about you, don't let it phase you, instead imagine the 10's of people saying something negative about them at that moment. That's the circle!

And there are no exceptions. No matter how good you are, there's someone who doesn't like you. Sometimes they don't have a reason, they don't need one, they just love to HATE!

So don't let what people say to your face or behind your back make a difference to you. She thinks you're crazy? It's OK, someone else thinks she's an idiot...lol

Photo of the day...

Hollywood actor/model...Oris Erhuero

And yes, what you see is what I saw...

If only we can LOOK.....AND TOUCH! lol

Anyway, here's the answer to Freud's Priorities:

Every individual point represents something in your life. On the list you can see which meaning every point has:
1. Telephone represents Work
2. Baby represents Family
3. Door represents Friends
4. Clothes represent Money
5. Tap represents Sex

Your chosen sequence determines the priorities in your life. Now....did you turn off the tap first ?

Naija Entertainment news next. This time you'll get it...I promise!

Kisses everyone!

Don't Forget the Lyrics + Future Awards move to the UK

Well, the popular TV show has come to Nigeria and is being sponsored by ZAIN

Here's the press release

DON'T FORGET THE LYRICS debuts in Nigeria
DON'T FORGET THE LYRICS A leading music game show which debuted in America just over a year ago and has produced, various version currently running in 31 countries across four continents is set to come to Africa with its launch in Nigeria.

DON’T FORGET THE LYRICS Is open to all residents of Nigeria ages 16 and above who have great passion for music of any genre (local/international) and who crave for that moment to become an instant millionaire through their ability to remember lyrics correctly. On Don’t Forget the Lyrics, you don’t have to sing great, just get the lyrics right.
The search is now on for the Show’s Host and Contestants as a massive audition Road Show hits Ibadan, Jos, Enugu and Lagos. The lucky contestants will be invited for the recording of the show before a live audience in Lagos.

DON’T FORGET THE LYRICS Is proudly sponsored in Nigeria by ZAIN. It is being produced under a pan African License secured by Rapid Blue Format, a leading global audiovisual content provider with offices in Lagos, Johannesburg, London, New York and Hong Kong.

HOSTING THE SHOW
Have you got the stuff to host DON"T FORGET THE LYRICS?

Fill in your details at http://www.zainlyrics.com/

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for auditions

TFA TOUR HEADS TO LONDON!

Fresh off massively successful tours of Benin, Abuja, and Enugu, The Future Awards 2009 hit in quick succession the cities of Kaduna and Calabar with its ground-breaking idea of town hall meetings.

The Kaduna town hall meeting held in the final week of October at the NAF Club, Kaduna, with more than a hundred young people from the state of Kaduna as well as neighboring northern states in attendance, including Jos, Zamfara, Abuja and Kogi.

As has been the experience since the town hall meetings began, examples were given of role models for talent, hard work, persistence and achievement that these young people could relate to: specifically, names like Tara Fela-Durotoye (Young Person of the Year 2007), Ali Nuhu (Actor of the Year 2008), Jeremiah Gyang and Psquare, came up.

The Calabar Town Hall meeting was at the beautiful Seafood Hall of the Marina Resort; overlooking a breath-taking view of the sea - held in conjunction with Adstrat Communications, which just opened its Tornado’s Place II Calabar office. The event held on Saturday, the 1st of November.

The massively successful nation tour that began after the launch event on the 30th of September now has just one final stop - in the south-west zone of the country. But just before that, it will be all about The Future Awards this weekend in the UK, as the organizers undergo a blitz of small events for different targets in different locations, especially in London.

Have a great week ahead.

Tithe Offering...

Hi my peeps, hope everyone is doing great. I know I promised you guys Naija entertainment news, but I really haven't had the time to buy the papers and the 2/3 hours it takes to upload pictures and write the amebo...lol. I'm having such a time right now.

But I found a place where u can get all the Naija entertainment news you need and more. The FAB Bella's website http://www.bellanaija.com/

For now I want to talk about something a little delicate. I try as much as possible to stay away from religious matters but I have to bring this up for discussion, 'cos it's been bugging me for a bit now. It's Tithe Offering.

Tithe Offerings involves giving a Tenth of all our produce, harvest, Earnings or income each month or year to our Almighty God as a humble gesture of honor, loyalty, faithfulness, reverence and respect to God

But the thing is; I've never done it because I don't believe in it.
Does that make me a bad person? Am I wrong not to believe in this?

What do you guys think about Tithe offering?

Thought of the day
Prayer is an open line to Heaven. No cards to use, no low bat problem, no error, no charging, always good signal, and all messages sent. Make prayer a habit.

Photo of the day
A little girl with cancer
Warning: It's not a good sight.



10 year old Rachel with brain cancer in her little body

And please don't ask to take it down. Every time you want to complain that your life is too hard, look at her and be grateful for what you have.
But beyond that, please pray for her.
See y'all later
Kisses

Miriam Makeba: RIP + African Leadership Award

March 4, 1932 - November 10, 2008

What a woman

What a loss

May her soul rest in perfect peace

Ken Giami - Editor African Leadership Awards

AFRICAN LEADERS STORM GHANA FOR AFRICAN LEADERSHIP AWARDS
GHANA GOES AGOG FOR AFRICA LEADERSHIP AWARDS
All is now set for the African Leadership Awards.
African Leadership is an international Magazine published by a UK based firm and well known for dedicating its pages to Africa’s finest leaders who are making huge impacts outside the country. The international publication is putting together an international summit on African Leadership which shall be rounded up with African Leadership Awards dinner on Sun. 30th November, 2008.

Read more here http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=1&view=att&th=11d85fb7b705c97d&attid=0.2&disp=vah&zw

Thought of the day...

Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

Naija Entertainment News next

Obama's Victory + Kouture Afrika + Duke of Eastern Nigeria

This is just for fun. Please no one should take this serious and no insult meant at all. Just for laughs.

Someone sent this to my email, I found it hilarious and thought to share...

Obama's Victory

If USA was Nigeria, today's papers Headlines would read something’s like:·

Don't celebrate yet, McCain tells Obama (TELL magazine)

Concede defeat, Obama urges McCain (Punch newspaper)

20 opposition cadres riot (The Sun newspaper)

McCain Demands Vote Recount (Vanguard newspaper)

Elections rigged (Guardian newspaper)·

No evidence of manipulation (NTA news)

The Church declares elections free and fair (News Line)

There will be violence if we lose; McCain declares (LTV 8 news)

Election results for Arizona awaited (Channels news)

Trucks with suspected ballot papers crosses into USA from Mexico (Tribune newspaper)

McCain is an opportunist - Go back to your farm (AIT news)

I will not accept results, McCain tells Obama (STV news)

LOL

Let's laugh about this...but you and I know it's true

Duke of Eastern Nigeria

Edgar Chima. C. Ononuju, an undergraduate of Imo State University is the winner of Duke of Eastern Nigeria 2008 and he is representing Nigeria in Mister International World contest in Taipei Taiwan on Nov 23 2008. Please to vote for him, http://www.mistersingapore.org/. Click on international and vote on the contestants.

Kouture Afrika

Celebrating style from the beautiful continent.

Kouture Afrika is an exciting extravaganza that celebrates African culture through fashion and provides a well-deserved platform for African inspired designs.

The event takes place on the 29th of November 2008 at The Barbican in London and we are expecting a capacity of 1,000 people. There will be a spectacular fashion show with music, comedy and live performances as well as an exhibition with a market place and the audience will have a chance to enter a prestigious raffle prize.

The theme for this year is 'Transitions' which looks at African design from its traditional beginnings to the more contemporary times. We take you through the transformation through the times, changes, staples, and adaptations. We also celebrate the beauty from the continent as seen through the eyes of her fashion designers.

Kouture Afrika is produced by Ra! Productions in association with Afrikan Image Ltd and one of their aims is to improve Africa 's image by tackling the constant negative media attention and showcasing the beauty, style and talent inspired from the beautiful continent.Lekia Lee, director of Kouture Afrika says, "Kouture Afrika was formed to bring together African designers in the UK and Africa, in recognition of their creative genius and to give Africans, (people of African descent) and all lovers of African culture, a place to absorb and celebrate African style.

The event is also about introducing a fresh twist to fashion in the capital which will add a new, exciting, unique and different dimension to the London fashion scene."Sponsors for this year's show include Pride magazine, BEN TV, Nollywood Movie Channel and Eclipse restaurant and bar. Kouture Afrika takes place on Saturday 29th November between 1pm and 6pm at The Barbican, Exhibition Hall 2, Golden Lane, London EC2.

Tickets can be booked online at http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/

For images or more information please contact Ronke Adeyemi on 07957 696664 or marketing@kouture-afrika.com.http://www.kouture-afrika.com/
www.myspace.com/koutureafrica

Photo of the day

THE HIGHEST POSITION IN THE WORLD

Do you know who is sitting in the Highest Position in the World?

U.S President, George Bush? NO

Osama Bin Laden? NO

UN General Secretary? NO

That is Babu from India.

The crane operator of the top most floor of Burj Dubai, the tallest building in the world

(Pls click to enlarge picture)

See y'all later.

Muah

13 year old girl stoned to death + Other news

How many of you have read or heard this story?

13 year old Somali girl stoned to death after being raped by three men

A 13-year-old girl who said she had been raped was stoned to death in Somalia after being accused of adultery by Islamic militants, a human rights group said. Dozens of men stoned Aisha Ibrahim Duhulow to death Oct. 27 in a stadium packed with 1,000 spectators in the southern port city of Kismayo, Amnesty International and Somali media reported, citing witnesses. The Islamic militia in charge of Kismayo had accused her of adultery after she reported that three men had raped her, the rights group said. Initial local media reports said Duhulow was 23, but her father told Amnesty International she was 13. Some of the Somali journalists who first reported the killing later told Amnesty International that they had reported she was 23 based upon her physical appearance.

Read the full story here...http://www.javno.com/en/world/clanak.php?id=199949

How the hell can we stone a 13 year old girl to death...while 1,000 people watch? My God, why are we like this?

Here's another one that happened in Lagos on Monday

Female motorist beaten by armed navy men in Lagos

On the third of november 2008 on Muhri Okunola Street, victoria Island Lagos, the traffic was chaotic. A young lady (Uzoma Okere) driving home from work didn't move her vehicle out of the way of a millitary convoy on time, resulting to severe beatings by armed Nigerian Navy men. The convoy consisted of a Rear Admiral's personal Navy saloon car and his pilot truck, consisting of 6 armed bodyguards. The body guards in the process physically beat up several Price WaterHouse Coopers staff and destroyed cameras that were filming the event as it unfolded. The video clip was recorded from the PricewaterHouseCoopers office on a personal camera.

Check out the video here http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-134234

What is wrong with us people???

While you're thinking about that, here's another story. I don't know if this is insane or funny...

Police break up wedding of 4-year-old girl and 7-year-old boy in Karachi, Pakistan

Read the full story here http://www.nydailynews.com/news/us_world/2008/10/31/2008-10-31_police_break_up_wedding_of_4yearold_girl.html

World's Tallest man has a son

Read it here http://www.neatorama.com/2008/10/05/worlds-tallest-man-has-a-son/

Manuel Uribe, once heaviest man in the world, gets married

Read it here http://www.nydailynews.com/news/us_world/2008/10/27/2008-10-27_manuel_uribe_once_heaviest_man_in_the_wo.html

So I ask again...what is wrong with Africa?

Barrack Obama...what his win means to me..

Woke up around 3am this morning to watch the US election. And I can't begin to express how I felt when Obama was announced the winner.

I know in the days, months and even years to come, articles will be written, opinions will be voiced, views will be aired about such an extraordinary and defining moment in the history of America and indeed the world. I'm looking forward to reading and hearing all these.

But for now I will tell you guys what an Obama win means to me...What it tells me...

An Obama win tells me that 'anything is possible'
It tells me that if we work hard enough, believe well enough, we can achieve anything.
It tells me that if Obama can beat 'race', a phenomenon that has held us back as a people for many years, then you and I can beat anything.
If Obama can do the 'impossible', you and I can do same.
We can effect change
We can begin a revolution
We can take a place in history
We can inspire

An obama win tells me that we can be as great as we want to be
We can reach as far as we want to reach
We can go anywhere we want to go
BUT above all, an Obama win tells me
...that MIRACLES do happen.
God bless America, Nigeria and everywhere else.

FM&B 4 Out + Choose Cover 5

Let me start by saying happy new month to everyone. And I'm so so sorry for being a little absent here. Had to travel out of Lagos for a couple of days to choreograph a show. There are lots of shows going on in Naija right now and a few of them I have to co-ordinate.
I love my job! lol
Hope everyone's doing so well.



Our Mag's fourth edition is finally out...it took forever didn't it? lol. Well, we encountered a few problems along the way. The advertisers weren't ready at the time we were ready to go for printing...so we had to chill. We also increased the number of copies, and the cost ran into well over a million and you know how long it takes to raise a million plus. And the printers here don't release magazines until you've finished payment. (Thank God I do other things, otherwise this magazine will wreck me...lol)

Anyway, we finally did it! And it only gets easier from now on
From next year, it will be a bi-monthly magazine...one day it will be monthly...God help us!

The fourth edition will be hitting the stores in a couple of days. As soon as our marketers and distributors spread it around, I'll let y'all know where you can get them. Please support your girl by buying a copy for yourself and a friend. You'll love this edition I promise.

One of the hardest things in publishing a magazine is getting adverts, especially if the mag is relatively new... but we managed to get a few. I'd like to say a big thank you to all the companies that believed in us enough to give us adverts.


Amigos Hair


Gentle Touch


Adandiigbo


MARS Cosmetics


Lacasera Drink


Silverbird (These guys are doing so much for us it's stupid...gracias!)


Prestige Cosmetics
BTW, I shot this job for the cosmetics company. I came up with the concept, provided the model, the costume, did the make-up, took her to the studio, directed the shoot and produced this. I try abi? lol

We've already started working on our fifth edition which we hope will be out in December/January, so please if there's anyone out there who will like to write for us on any topic whatsoever, reach me at lindaikeji@gmail.com. We really need help. Many thanks.

Choose a cover
So here are the two options we have for the cover for the next issue
Which cover should we go for?
Pls say cover 1, pls pls pls. You know I go with your opinions so don't break my heart.


Cover 1


Cover 2

The girl on the cover is Oby Ezenduka, one of the top models in Nigeria currently.

Note: This is not the final thing...we might be changing background, colours and stuff, if you have any suggestions pls feel free to pass it on and if there's anything on the cover you think needs to be improved on...please let us know.

So what do you say? Cover 1, or 2 and why?
Waiting...

Are the children justified?

I have a friend who's dad has 6 children from 5 different women. He had two in his 20's, later got married, had two with his wife, while married, had another kid outside his marriage. Wife found out and left him. He had another one in his 50's with a fifth baby mama.

Now he's in his 60's, very sick, needs serious medical attention and only two of his six children give a shit.

His first born child says he's seen his dad only three times in his entire life. He hardly visited while he was growing up...in fact he denied the child as his initially. The second has never seen him 'cos her mum took her abroad when she was a toddler. Th 3rd and 4th are the ones who give a shit...he married their mum and they grew up with him.

The 5th (my friend) is married to a rich dude, but doesn't acknowledge the man as her father. He had her while still married so he kinda never really acknowledged her as his daughter. The last is just a teenager. He too doesn't give a shit. He, like his half brothers and sisters say he never played any role in their lives. They all grew up with different fathers. Now he needs them to take care of his health and put food on his table.

The only two who care don't have that much money so they went to all their half brothers and sisters and every single one of them turned their back on their father...

Are the children justified?

Photo of the day

P Diddy and his twin girls. Is this right or wrong?

Source: bossip.com

I ask again, are the children justified?

Naija Entertainment News

Jennifer hudson and her late mum

Let me start this with the sad news of the death of Jennifer Hudson's mother and and brother. They were shot dead in their home by a family member yesterday. So sad...read the very sad story herehttp://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081025/ap_on_en_mu/chicago_bodies_hudson

Modupe Ozolua organises beauty pageant - City People Magazine

Body enhancement boss is planning a beauty pageant next year. The pageant takes off January in Port Harcourt with the screening of the prospective contestants and continues in Abuja two days later, ending in Lagos in btw 16th and 17th while the grand finale is billed for Feb 13th. The winner of the pageant is expected to take home a brand new car and $15, 000 cash as well as an all expense aid trip to the US and a modeling contract.

Sean Kingston Beautiful World Concert - City People Magazine

All is now set to host the Jamaican Reggae sensation, Sean Kingston, in a world class concert tagged 'Beautiful World with Sean Kingston'. The concert is billed to hold in Abuja and Lagos on the 24th and 26th of Oct at the Eagle Square and Exp Centre respectively. The show will feature Sean Kingston live alongside Gotti, from the R-Kelly stable plus Ikechukwu, Naeto C, Durella and others. Be there!

Selara Sisters Expands Make-up range - Bola Akinboade (City People)

The Selara sisters, the duo of Arafat and Moma are Abuja's top make-up artistes and they have been able to set a pace for others to follow in that city. Their make-up line, which ranges from eye-shadow mascara, lipstick, foundation and others, has a new addition, Selara Velvet Veil, a multi-purpose veil which can be used as a foundation primer, lubricant and more and also Body Butter, for well desired silky, supple and even tone skin.

Be sure to check out their products.

Emeka Enyiocha set to wed - Taiwo Obatusin

Star actor, Emeka Enyiocha is set to walk down. He's wedding date is November 1st.

Congrats man.

Nadia Buari and Michael Essien set to wed in Dec - Juliana Orji

According to reliable sources, Ghanaian actress, Nadia and her long time beau, Chelsea striker, Micahel Essien are scheduled to be married this Dec in Accra. The most famous couple have decided to tie the knot after their much publicised engagement.

Congrats again...

Everyone's getting married...na me e remain...lol

The Future Awards National Tour Hits Benin!

Fresh off a highly successful Town Hall meeting in the city of Abuja, The Future.. Awards continues its much-anticipated national tour of the nation’s six geo-political zones, to take the message of the Awards to youths at the grassroots and to ensure that nominations and participation in the process comes from all over the country. The next stop is the Benin Town Hall Meeting, which holds on Wednesday the 22nd of October at the Sports Complex of the University of Benin. It holds at 6pm.

The innovative idea of a Town Hall meeting is a rare opportunity for youths across the country to interrogate the award process, connect deeper with it, and get information on how to nominate, amongst others. Nominations for the Awards opened on the 1st of October 2008, and are ongoing now until the 31st of October 2008 on the site http://www.thefuturenigeria.com/.

“It is important to note that this is the only national award that has done a thing like this,” says Emilia Asim-Ita, the PR Director, “Nigerians are used to TV shows and concerts doing roadshows across the country but not awards. It is unfortunate that we do not yet have sponsorship for these road shows and the costs are huge, but The Future Awards is more than just another award, this is about the future of our country, and so it is important to display the commitment necessary. And we are proud of the work that we have managed to do with some of our partners around the country. The question is: Is Nigeria ready for what its youth are capable of?” The Benin Town Hall Meeting holds in conjunction with Music Mix TV show, CFI Benin City, and Nigeria International. With this national tour, The Future Awards dispels any remaining doubts about its truly national character and, as usual, sets another high standard for Awards organization and credibility.

It will be recalled that this trend started last year when three of its major winners were young people from Northern Nigeria, who were not based in Lagos. Still ahead for the tour are Calabar, Enugu, Kaduna, and Ibadan. Now in its 4th year, The Future Awards has proven itself as the nation’s most powerful vehicle for youth culture and youth empowerment. It celebrates young Nigerian achievers by the yearly awards, which rewards the brightest and best youths between the ages of 18 and 31.

The 2008 edition had in attendance Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili, World Bank Vice President, and a representative of the Nigerian Vice President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. Media partners for the event include Africa Magic, Channels TV, Silverbird, Soundcity, Nigezie, TV Continental, The Guardian, Genevieve, The Sun, Rhythm 93.7, and Zuma FM.

Introducing: Dapo Torimiro

Dapo is a super-talented musician who has come a long way with his career in the States. For those very familiar with the Nigerian-based music group KUSH; that group was his debut in the U.S. music market years ago. The group was very well-received both in Nigeria and amongst Nigerians in the States, and they created a lot of buzz with their single and video for their song "Let's Live Together." When the group disbanded, each of the members went their separate ways, and the girls in the group made a name for themselves in Nigeria. A lot of people have been wondering what happened to Dapo--the only guy in the group.

Well, here's his press release.

Nigerian Songwriter/Producer Dapo Torimiro ''Quickly'' Breaks Onto the R&B/Pop Music Scene With Hot New Songs for John Legend, Brandy and David Archuleta LOS ANGELES, CA -- October 22, 2008 -- You probably haven't heard of Nigerian-born songwriter/producer Dapo Torimiro (http://www.dapomiroworks.com/), but that is about to change with the recent placement of high-profile singles on various top R&B/pop artists' albums. The album release dates fall within weeks of each other, but Torimiro's first break is placing the song ''Quickly'' on five-time Grammy winner John Legend's third studio album, EVOLVER, which will hit the streets on October 28. Featuring multi-platinum-selling artist Brandy, ''Quickly'' has received early industry buzz as not only an inspired, sleek duet featuring R&B/pop music's leading artists, but also as one of the album's stand-out gems. Later this Fall 2008, Torimiro will also enjoy credit for other upcoming tracks, including ''Running'' on David Archuleta's self-titled debut album (11/11/08) -- his first since becoming runner-up on American Idol in June 2008 -- and ''Torn Down'' from Brandy's highly-anticipated album, HUMAN (12/9/08), which she describes as her most personal album to date. A Yamaha-endorsed artist, Torimiro has been recognized by many as a talented multi-instrumentalist and musical catalyst, and he was previously sought after by the industry's top-notch artists to exhibit his skills as a touring and studio musician as well as to score various television and film projects. In 2006, Lauryn Hill selected him to tour with her as her keyboardist for several months, and he also had the opportunity to tour with Lalah Hathaway and perform with the legendary Stevie Wonder. Leaving his role as a touring musician behind him, Torimiro enthusiastically embraces the realization of his ultimate goal: songwriting and producing for major artists. "It's a great opportunity and a dream come true to be able to make the transition from being a touring and studio musician to songwriting and producing for artists that I've always been a fan of. It's great to go from being a fan to a collaborator," he expresses. Torimiro's musical and production abilities are so diverse that no two songs sound alike. Whether he's writing and producing a jazz song or a rock song, an R&B song, or a gospel song, one thing remains constant--the end product will be both absolutely unique and yet authentic to its genre. In the midst of being pursued by various respected artists with whom he has cultivated relationships, Torimiro also recognizes the value of collaborating with other talented producers. The gifted musician has recently teamed up with the award-winning production duo Midi Mafia (50 Cent, Fantasia) in Los Angeles to collaborate on various projects. Of the super-producers' recent collaboration with Torimiro, Bruce Waynne of Midi Mafia says, "He brings something different to the table. You have to do something very special and unique for us to decide to work with you." Elaborating further, he explains, "He plays multiple instruments, and he's not just a beat guy. He's someone who can also start from scratch, but he does it his own way, from his own perspective. He brings a lot of musicality and a lot of theory to the mix. You're going to be seeing a lot more of us working with him." Most recently, Torimiro worked with two-time Grammy-winning producer Jeffrey Weber to record a song for the Obama campaign called "Change." For more recent news on Dapo Torimiro, including ''in the studio'' blog posts (recent post: ''Joss Stone in the studio''), or videos of his amazing instrumentation at impromptu mini-performances, visit http://www.dapomiroworks.com/. Media Contact:

Ngozi Mba

MINC Media323.544.1450

info @ mincmedia.com

Joke of the day

Farmer and the Cow
A farmer was in a bar drinking and looking all depressed. His friend asked him why he was looking depressed and he replied, "Some things you just can't explain. This morning I was outside milking. As soon as the bucket was filled, the cow kicked it down with his left foot so I tied his left foot to a pole. I began to fill up the bucket again and he kicked it down with his right foot, so I tied his right foot to a pole too. As soon as I finished milkin'' him again he knocked down the bucket with his tail and I took off my belt and tied up his tail with my belt. As I was tying up his tail, my pants dropped down, then my wife came out and well, trust me, some things you just can't explain!

See y'all later.