Farafina Trust Creative Writing Workshop Sponsored by Nigerian Breweries

Farafina Trust will be holding a creative writing workshop in Lagos, organized by award-winning writer and creative director of Farafina Trust, Chimamanda Adichie, from May 20 to May 29 2010. The workshop is sponsored by Nigerian Breweries Plc. Guest writers who will co-teach the workshop alongside Adichie are the Caine Prize Winning Kenyan writer Binyavanga Wainaina, Chika Unigwe winner of a Rockefeller Foundation fellowship for creative writing, South African writer Niq Mhlongo and celebrated Ghanaian writer Ama Ata Aidoo.

The workshop will take the form of a class. Participants will be assigned a wide range of reading exercises, as well as daily writing exercises. The aim of the workshop is to improve the craft of Nigerian writers and to encourage published and unpublished writers by bringing different perspectives to the art of storytelling. Participation is limited only to those who apply and are accepted.

To apply, send an e-mail to Udonandu2010@gmail.com
Your e-mail subject should read ‘Workshop Application.’
The body of the e-mail should contain the following:

1. Your Name
2. Your address
3. A few sentences about yourself
4. A writing sample of between 200 and 800 words. The sample must be either fiction or non-fiction.

All material must be pasted or written in the body of the e-mail. Please Do NOT include any attachments in your e-mail. Applications with attachments will be automatically disqualified. Deadline for submissions is April 22 2010. Only those accepted to the workshop will be notified by May 6 2010. Accommodation in Lagos will be provided for all accepted applicants who are able to attend for the ten-day duration of the workshop. A literary evening of readings, open to the public, will be held at the end of the workshop.

Hakeem Kae-Kazim filming in home country of Nigeria

Nigerian-born, United Kingdom-trained actor Hakeem Kae-Kazim who is known for Hollywood blockbusters like 'X Men Origins: Wolverine', The Fourth Kind and Hotel Rwanda, is back in his home country of Nigeria filming his latest flick ‘Inale’.

Hakeem stars in the Nigerian film ‘Inale’, with Jeta Amata (Amazing Grace, Alexa Affair, Queen) directing this wonderful story. The film is set to the music of the RENOWNED Bongos Ikwue and features songs from his past present and future. The story features an Idoma princess called Inale, who is said to have married the prize winner of a wrestling match and is played by Hollywood actress Caroline Chikezie (Eon Fluxe).
Hakeem Kae-Kazim will be back in Nigeria very soon to film another story with the same director and production team. With his aim of raising the bar of Nigerian movies and to make its presence really felt on the world stage, his face will stay familiar both on a local and international level.

Jesse Jags 'Jag of all Trades' album is out!

Jesse Jags 'Jag of all Trade' debut album was officially launched last Sat. March 13th at Tribeca. It's a must have album. Go get yours!

ABBA will never re-unite

Former ABBA member Anni-Frid Reuss has revealed that ABBA will never re-unite.

While being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame yesterday, with former husband and bandmate Benny Andersson, Reuss said: "We haven't performed or sang together for 28 years; we broke up in '82. And I never think we will reunite again - it's a bit too late for that."

 

Sad!

Bongos Ikwue is back

Benue born, talented 70's/80's singer and the creator of the famous song, Cock Crow At Dawn, Bongos Ikwue is back to music.

He's currently working on a 28 track album which will feature two of his daughters, Omei (27) and Jessica (26).

Most of the songs were written and produced by the veteran himself, and will be managed by his record label, BIK Records, based in Otukpo, Benue State.

Watch out for that.

Heidi Klum in Allure

Pictures from Enough is Enough Youth Rally in Abuja

Youths on the street of Abuja today...Enough is really Enough!

For the first time in the history of this country, a peaceful crowd of protesters disarmed Mobile Policemen.
Great stuff!

Pics thanks to Gbenga Esan

"My romance with Dbanj is a private affair" Genevieve Nnaji

Genevieve Nnaji "I can only say that I would like to keep my private life private and I really don't have anything to say"

But if one part of a couple reveals that he is going out with someone as high profile as yourself, it makes the story credible if you can actually confirm this...
Genevieve "Dbanj is an adult and he has said something. Let's just leave it at that..."

But can you clarify the whole thing by simply conforming or denying it?

Genevieve "I don't want to talk about my private life. I don't do it. I am well aware that people will say things. People have been calling me to find things out, but I am not going to say anything. I have learnt over the years that no matter what I say, people will say and believe what they like...you can not please everybody. This is my own way of handling things. I just don't talk about my private life. It's the one thing I can control"

But is it real or a publicity stunt? Is Dbanj lying?

Genevieve "Does he lie?"

By that are you inferring that he wasn't telling a lie and what he said is true.

Genevieve "I am not inferring or insinuating anything. One person has said something and that really is enough. I am not saying I will never talk about it, but for now I do not wish to say anything about the matter."
***
Source: Desola Bakare - Encomium magazine

Well, I guess that's a wrap.We are all free to think what we like :-)

Warri bombed...

Acting President Goodluck Jonathan had a baptism of fire yesterday as the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) detonated two bombs at the post amnesty dialogue organised by Vanguard Media Limited, the publishers of Vanguard newspapers in Warri, Delta State, that left one person dead.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted Charles Muka, the Delta State Police Command spokesperson, that one person died in the explosion. Mr. Muka said that the police headquarters in Asaba, the state capital, had received the report of the death of a woman in the explosion, which also injured a number of other persons. He could not ascertain the number of those who were injured in the blast, which twice rocked the venue of the meeting.

The explosions caused the postponement of the meeting hosted by the Delta State government.

It was gathered that the first bomb exploded at 11 a.m. as governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta was walking into the hall with his colleagues from Imo and Edo states, Ikedi Ohakim and Adams Oshiomhole.

The Niger Delta Minister, Ufot Ekaette, who represented Mr. Jonathan, was also behind the governors, witnesses said.
***
Source: 234next.

Kingsley of KC Presh weds fiance, Ijeoma Oduah

Last week friday, March 12th, Kingsley Okonkwo legally got married to his heartthrob Ijeoma Cynthia Oduah in a recent ceremony at Apapa Registry, Lagos, with not more than 20 people in attendance. The traditional and white wedding is scheduled for next month.

How a couple had a wedding for under $50

Unbelievable...

Loves it!

2010 Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid

Nigerian Youths say Enough is Enough

Today, young professionals, celebrities, media, students and activists are marching to the National Assembly as part of a peaceful protest - saying ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

OUR DEMANDS:

1) End the fuel scarcity now!
2) Solve the electricity problem!
3) We want to see our president and we want all those who have been involved in the grand cover up around him to be investigated, arrested and brought to book!

They are already at the Eagle's Square. Great stuff guys.

Charly Boy set to re-marry his wife of 32 years, Lady D

"The rumour that I am marrying a second wife started when an announcement was made in a church somewhere in Abuja that I was getting married. They announced that if anybody has anything against this marriage they should come forth now, and people didn't hear them mention Diana. What they mentioned was her native name, so they thought it was another woman. So of course when people asked me, my answer was neither yes or no, and then they went to town with the believe that it was somebody else that I was going to marry" Charly Boy tells City People Magazine in a recent interview.

The two will be getting married at the Holy Cross Catholic Church Gwarimpa Abuja in May 2010.

No World Cup for David Beckham

David Beckham's ruptured Achilles tendon has been repaired - but the footballer will not recover in time for the World Cup, his surgeon says.

The ex-Manchester United player's foot will be in a cast for around six to eight weeks, after which he can start "more vigorous" physiotherapy.

"I am upset but want to thank everyone for their messages of support," he wrote. "I hope to make a swift and full recovery. Thanks, David."

David Beckham arriving for surgery in Finland...




















































His dreams of taking part in a fourth World Cup were left in tatters after he was hurt in AC Milan's win over Chievo at the San Siro on Sunday night.
***
Source: Sky news

Poor guy. He must be devastated.

Akon's Konvict Fragrance...

Akon can add fragrance designer to his long list of accomplishments. The “Konvict” for men and women fragrance line launched in partnership with his newly formed Konvict Cosmetics International LLC.

With every purchase, Akon has the ability to reach out to more children in Africa – since 10% of every purchase will go towards the Konfidence Foundation which is dedicated to increasing public awareness of the conditions in Africa.

Great stuff, but what's with the handcuff design?

Stephanie Okereke on stage with Meryl Streep

Stephanie Okereke and Meryl Streep at an exclusive reading of SEVEN.

SEVEN is a documentary play that tells the courageous stories of women from seven countries: Afghanistan, Cambodia, Guatemala, Nigeria, Northern Ireland, Pakistan, and Russia.


Photo source: Stella Dimoko Korkus

Mode Men Magazine Black Night 4

Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks at the White House

President Barack Obama delivers remarks before a screening of the HBO ten-part World War II miniseries "The Pacific" in the Family Theater of the White House, March 11, 2010. Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg, the two executive producers of "The Pacific", sit in the front row. March 11, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Linda the MC

I did my first MC gig yesterday. Can you guys believe it??? I swear I can’t! Lol.

A few people have asked me to MC their event in the past but I always say no no no! The thing is I feel like I don’t speak very well, so I try as much as possible to avoid any situation where I could embarrass myself. That’s why I am a blogger and not a TV presenter :-).

But then I agreed to do the show yesterday...because someone mentioned cute guys. I’m shameless I swear. lol

The MTN Lagos Polo Tournament 2010 has been going on for about two weeks now at the Lagos Polo club... (The tournament ended today). They had a fashion and music event there yesterday.

The designers contacted me to provide models for the show, which I did. Then a day before the show, one of them contacted me again and asked if I could MC for them. I said - I don’t think I can, I’ve never done that before. She said - there’s always a first time, besides there are a lot of cute, single guys at the event. I said – what time do you want me there? lol

So I went and I did my thing. Didn’t know I could pull it off but I did.

And no, there weren’t that many cute guys there. I was deceived...lol

But I had fun. We went to Auto Lounge for the after party, and then proceeded to Lolu Sodeinde’s Rehab on Ajose Adeogun, V/I, where we partied till 5 in the morning. I need to party more often - I had a blast!

My very good friend, Andy, was there to help cordinate the show.

My dress is by one of the designers at the show yesterday - TYL Couture.

Will see if I can get you pictures from the event later.

Have a fantastic week ahead everyone.

Quote of the day

"I love sex. Love it, love it, love it… Can't live without it. I love skin. I don't believe the body is something to hide."


- Avatar and Star Trek actress Zoe Saldana tells Essence magazine

Lady Gaga and Beyonce's Telephone Video

Gaga tweeted this photo along with the message “I think the Pop Universe just imploded.Completely brilliant. Whoever made this: BRAVO.”

The illustration was done by one of Lady Gaga's fans; a woman in Belgium.

If you have seen Lady Gaga and Beyonce's Telephone video, what do you think of it? I think it's creepy.

Chris Brown's plea to fans

"Some radio stations aren't playing my records. They're not being that supportive and I wouldn't expect them to. But it's on the fans...It's in your power to bring me back. It won't be possible for me to be an artist if I don't have support from people who give me an artist outlet. I can't be an underground mixtape artist."

Chris Brown recorded an audio message on Say Now asking his fans to bring him back.

Poor guy. Please bring him back. Everyone deserves a second chance...