Random Showbiz

It's all about LV this year really. In case you haven't noticed, they've gone a bit haywire/OTT/Glam call it whatever but LV have now teamed up with Pharrell Williams for a new jewellery line - Blason. These items of fine jewellery are designed by Pharrell and Camille Miceli and the pieces range from $2,070 to a whopping $621,000 dollars.

"Good to see a rapper not spending money on jewellery but actually making money off of it. With music sales down, it is a good idea to diversify your hustle" - RealTalkNY.

Valentines:

As Valentines Day is fast approaching. What are your plans? Some people do not pay any attention to such occasions and do not celebrate while others go all out. Which type of valentines day victim are you?

Nollywood on TV:

Another thing going Haywire is on-Demand Nollywood TV. After the introduction of Africa Magic on DSTV (Nigeria & Other African Countries) a few years ago, came Nollywood TV (Channel 331 on Sky [UK&Europe], currently free but will soon be on-demand for subscribers). Similar channels have evolved even on the internet. Check out WoffaTV - just like any channel on TV but this one is online! You can also bookmark it.

If you are looking for a recent article on Nollywood, check out Chakams' Corner.

Deola Sagoe Launch

Video of Deola Sagoe here

The opening of Deola Sagoe's Flagship Store & Lifestyle Boutique was held on Wednesday the 30th of January, 2008 at 292 Ajose Adeogun, Victoria Island. Lagos. The two floor Flagship Store will host a: Pret A Porter, Haute Couture & Made to Order Vip Department aswell as a Cafe & Restaurant, giving Lagosians the ultimate Fashion shopping experince.

Visit www.deolasagoedesign.com

Remembering Heath Ledger - R.I.P

More showbiz stuff on Saturday. xxx

Friday's Videobytes and a Freebie

It's Friday (yippee) and I have a couple of videos.

The first is Donell Jones's This Luv (one of my fav's). Enjoy:

Second video is a Naija group - Fullhouse Crew. Song sounds nice anyway and speaking of Naija groups, here is your free download. It's a surprise. Enjoy:

Third vid is quite an interesting one. It's from "The Beyonce Experience" live show. Check out the link here if you don't know about the dvd. Anyway this is a Jailhouse Skit with some ladies dancing (kinda raunchy), I don't think Beyonce was in the vid though but it's an interesting skit. Watch here:

The last video is a lil' youngin, Bentley Green on the Ellen DeGeneres show. I blogged about him before - or well I put a video up here. Check him out on the show and watch till the end for the surprise lol. Enjoy..

Have a good weekend and enjoy the free song!

Nigerian Women! :o)

The Top 40

The list of the finalists is out! Remember my previous post on nominations?

January 22nd, 2008 -- Lagos, Nigeria -- NiPRO announced the names of 40 finalists to be recognized as 'The Global Top 40 Under 40 Nigerian Female Professionals' at their upcoming 2nd Top 40 Under 40 Summit and Dinner Reception on Saturday, February 2nd, 2008 at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.

At the press conference with over 10 major media houses in attendance, when asked, "Who are the 40 finalist?" Victor Gotevbe, General Manager, NiPRO Nigeria, responded jovially, "Ladies and not so gentle men, once there is peace and tranquility I will read you the names!" The following women are the 40 finalists in alphabetical order:

1. Ada Osakwe, Investment Officer, African Development Bank, TUNISIA

2. Adefunke Adeyemi, Head, Legal & Company Secretary, Virgin Nigeria Airways

3. Amina Mohammed-Baloni, Project Officer, UNICEF Nigeria

4. Ayodele Adenuga, CFO, Primrose Development Company

5. Azuka Ogujiuba, Senior Correspondent, This Day

6. Bola Atta, Editor, True Love Magazine West Africa

7. Bolanle Austen-Peters, Managing Director, Terra Kulture

8. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Author, Purple Hibiscus & Half of a Yellow Sun

9. Chioma Sideso, Managing Directoryt, ADIC Insurance

10. Chrystabel Davis, CEO/ Founder, Sierra Visions

11. Dr. Akudo Anyanwu-Ikemba, CEO, Friends of the Global Fund Africa

12. Emilia Asim-Ita, PR/Marketing, Director, RedSTRAT (Organizers of Future Awards)

13. Eunice Omole, Managing Partner, New Frontiers Investment Management, CHINA

14. Fadekemi Akinfaderin, Executive Director, Education as a Vaccine against AIDS (EVA)

15. Fola Laoye, CEO, Hygeia Nigeria Limited

16. Folake Ayoola, Corporate Attorney, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, USA

17. Folake Folarin Coker, Fashion Designer, Tiffany Amber

18. Funmi Ogbue, HR Director, British American Tobacco Nigeria

19. Funmi Iyanda, CEO, New Dawn/Queen Producton

20. Hafsat Abiola Costello, Human Rights & Activist, Founder, Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND)

21. Joke Giwa, Africa Regional Head, MoneyGram

22. Kemi DaSilva-Ibru, Medical Doctor, Lagos State Teaching Hospital

23. Kudi Igbene, Marketing Director, Virgin Atlantic

24. Lebari Ukpong, Director, Nigeria Office, London Metropolitan University, UK

25. Lola Akinleye, Head Corporate Finance, Zenith Capital

26. Lola Ogunnaike, Entertainment Reporter, CNN, USA

27. Mary Akpobome, SVP, Bank PHB

28. Mina Ogbanga, Country Director, Center for Development Support Initiatives (CEDSI Nigeria)

29. Ndidi Nweneli, Founder/C.E.O, L.E.A.P. Africa

30. Nkiru Olumide-Ojo, Head, Corporate Affairs, Virgin Nigeria Airways

31. Omokehinde Ojomuyide, Manager E-Business, GTBank Plc

32. Omolara Thomas, MD, Pediatric AIDS Corps Physician - Malawi, Baylor College of Medicine

33. Osayi Alile-Oruene, Executive Director, FATE Foundation

34. Oyiza Adaba, Journalist, AIT, USA

35. Ronke Onadeko Osayande, Consultant, drnl consult limited / BNP Paribas

36. Stella Damasus, Actress, Nollywood

37. Tara Fela-Durotoye, CEO, House of TaRa

38. Titilayo Akinsanmi, Program Manager, Mindset - The Global Teenagers Project, SOUTH AFRICA

39. TY Bello, Recording Artist, Greenland

40. Yewande Sadiku, Head of Investment Banking, IBTC

See invite below and RSVP here

Celebrating Nigerian Women

Remember the book I mentioned - "Celebrated: Nigerian Women in Development" by Ayona Aguele-Trimnell? Well I didn't mention it in much detail, I just spoke about the book reading at Terra Kulture in November. Well, there is a website for the book.

Check it out - http://www.celebratingnigerianwomen.com/

Don't you just love Nigerian women? No hating oh! xxx

First Fridays

For the career-minded ladies (and gents), this is a brilliant networking event/mixer (ignore dates on flyer) where you can meet people who have experience in the field, prospective employers and mentors, held every first Friday of the month at La Casa in Lagos. What would you rather spend your time doing during happy hour than networking (wink wink)? www.firstfridayslagos.com

See pics below from the last mixer, more pics available at purefoto

R.I.P: Heath Ledger (April 4, 1979 - Jan 22, 2008)

Read story here. I quite liked him in 10 Things I Hate About You. Didn't watch Brokeback Mountain though as it's not my type of movie but may his soul rest in peace, Amen.

Wikipedia: Heath Ledger

Also, R.I.P : Sir Edmund Hillary (July 20, 1919 - January 11, 2008)

He and Tenzing Norgay became the first climbers to have reached the top of Mount Everest.

Wikipedia: Edmund Hillary

Accessing All Areas

You know me now!


Nigeria at the MTN 26th Africa Nations Cup

It is being held in Ghana (as most of you know) and we lost today's match to Cote d'Ivoire. But we are playing against Mali on Friday this week and against Benin Republic next Tuesday so all hope is not lost. The official website is http://www.ghanacan2008.com/



You can also watch matches and highlights at http://www.ghana2008.tv/. Also check out All Soccer Africa for African soccer lovers, fixtures, team analysis and fantasy soccer.


The Niger Delta

Everybody has heard or read about the conflicts and issues in the Niger Delta region including militants, gunmen and kidnappings. It is so bad that now Nigerians even joke about how much the ransom could be for their Non-Nigerian friends if they were kidnapped! Of course this is meant to be light hearted humour but from a serious point of view, we have never been a terrorist country per se and that is what Nigeria is becoming. Such stories put expats off Nigeria.

Recent News includes:

Attack mars oil talks in Nigeria - BBC
Nightfall in Port Harcourt, Nigeria - Interesting article



For those who love reading, I found the most detailed and articulate article on the Niger Delta titled - Curse of The Black Gold Hope and Betrayal in The Niger Delta


The following video (watch here) shows residents of Port Harcourt walking on the streets with their arms raised as ordered by the Security Forces - this was back in August.

Let me know your thoughts and opinions on this. For anyone who lives in PH or is aware of the situation, what is the update there these days?

Anyway, I really wanted to focus on George Clooney in The Niger Delta. Read story here

Videobytes

i) Aries Spears - Very talented. If you ain't heard of him, you are a slacker! See video below. Also visit his website and myspace.

ii) Enough with the African/Naija Remixes Already! African Rendition of Kiss Kiss - see below

(NEW!) Self Help Section - Getting over jealousy

I'm sure everyone has had the feeling of jealousy at some point or the other, some more than others, some very frequently. I don't think anyone is immune to jealousy i.e. not able to get jealous but there are people who choose not to be. I think any emotion we feel is a choice we make in our minds and psyche and as it is a new year, I urge you to read the following article on getting over jealousy.

Bride To Be?

I always like my blog to have something for everyone. The Brides Noir magazine is quite nice and I thought I'd better feature it. Brides Noir (meaning Black Brides) features useful websites, pictures, ideas, information and advice for prospective brides hehe :o) You can also flick through the e-magazine - http://www.bridesnoir.com/

WHO GO BUY?

Check out www.whogobuy.com - an online marketplace.

Enjoy xx

EFCC Season

A lot of you have heard about the goings on at EFCC i.e. Ribadu being sent on "study-leave"....in other words, ejected.

I have a diary/account of the happenings from before his ejection to date in the form of stories from different newspapers (see below). What are your thoughts of Ribadu's "study-leave" and what does the future hold for corruption in Nigeria?

14th Dec, 2007 - Ibori offered us N1.8bn bribe - EFCC (link)

28th Dec, 2007 - Nigeria Corruption tsar sidelined (link) - BBC

30th Dec, 2007 - After Nuhu Ribadu EFCC tightens noose on OBJ (link)

31st Dec, 2007 - Abubakar Umar approached to take over EFCC (link)

2nd Jan, 2008 - Ribadu: Presidency Weighs Legal Options (link)

4th Jan, 2008 - Ribadu accepts study leave (link)

9th Jan, 2008- EFCC declares Igbinedion wanted (link)

12th Jan, 2008 - EFCC: Ribadu out, Lamorde in (link)

17th Jan, 2008 - London police raid Igbinedion's house (link)

17th Jan, 2008 - Ibori, wife convicted of theft 18 years ago - UK Police (link)

21st Jan, 2008 - Igbinedion returns - We'll arrest him - EFCC (link)

Nigeria - May God help us, amen.

Song for the weekend, link expires in 7 days:

Brick&Lace - Love is wicked (dl)

Videobytes (In 3's)

A friend's cousin in an MTN commercial - loving this!

Interesting Commercial - Apple: Crazy Ones

LOL! Daddy, I want to drink small stout!

Tis The Season To Be Sorry!

I started writing this on the 1st of January but could not complete it that day couldn't find the time to sit for an hour to blog so saved it. Bloggers and their excuses - anyway I'm back! I'm sure you all agree I deserved that holiday. Exactly a month - wow!

Happy New Year to all - may this be your year of good things/your calling and purposefulness and unmerited favour. May you all find what you are looking for as long as it in line with God's will - AMEN.

As usual, the festive season is always packed with loads of events in Naija. I mentioned a few before I went on my blogger sabbatical. Nigeria saw the likes of Lil Kim, Kanye, Akon (for the millionth time) and many more. There were several other events I did not have time to mention and I will talk about them briefly - as per usual. Once again - a happy new year to all and hope you enjoyed your holidays.

Round-up of Events:

i) Starville concert (15th Dec)

The Starville concert @ the ThisDay Center rocked! It featured Lil Kim, Amerie, D'Banj, Naeto C, Weird MC, Banky Wellington, Brick and Lace (with their single "Love is Wicked" - Naija hit) and a few others. Some pics below (click to enlarge):

LIL' WAYNE UNFORTUNATELY COULDN'T MAKE IT :(

ii) Star Mega Jam (14th Dec)



The star mega jam apparently went down well on the 14th of December. Didn't hear much about that other than that they made T-Pain and Kanye say Shine Shine Bobo! That would have been a laugh and a half.

iii) Rhythm Unplugged (21st Dec)

This was held at Federal Palace and apparently did not start early - So, What's New?

Apparently Basketmouth's jokes were so dry and out-dated that he got Boo'd. OUCH! A Champ is humbled. More info about this at Chakam's Corner



I hope his event at Fantasyland (The Good, The Bad, The Ugly) on Christmas day turned out to be a lot better than what he went through at Rhythm Unplugged. Generally, I think the show turned out okay - from what I heard.

iv) Akon in Lagos

Akon returned to Naija (for the millionth time) for yet another concert performing alongside the likes of Tuface, Olu Maintain and D'banj. That guy needs to go and perform in Senegal jare - we've had too much of him here (hehe). No review on that but if anyone went for it, give us a shout.


v) Sasha - Album Release



The first lady has finally released her album and even had an album release party on Thursday the 20th of December at Bacchus (which I heard was packed). She has a hit single on the album "Adara"

If you are nice and leave a comment, I will feature two singles for grabs in my next post - (Love is wicked and Adara). So I want to see how many comments I will get on this post (hehehe)

I'll update you more later. For now, those in Lagos can now enjoy live stage drama every Sunday at Terra Kulture (see Laspapi's blog). I think that is fantastic! See below:

Have a good week! xxx