FANFARE AS NIGERIAN IDOL UNVEILS 13 FINALISTS

It was all about fanfare, excitement and glamour as the first edition of Nigerian Idol entered the final stage last Saturday January 29, 2011.

Top celebs and media guests stormed the exclusive cocktail event to usher in the final 13. 

Of course the judges; Yinka Davies, Audu Maikori and  Jeffery Daniel were all there as well as Hosts Misi and Anis who both put up a spectacular performance on the night.

Before the main event started, guests were left to mingle with the contestants and the Idols crew as everyone sipped cocktails and exchanged banter. 

Tee A officially kicked off the main event. Thereafter, Project Manager Chichi Nwoko mounted the stage, and thanked everyone who helped in making the Idols project  a success; she is later joined by Producer Lillias Bode and Director Peter Bode who in turn took the audience through the journey so far. 

The sense of excitement that reigned in the air became further heightened when the 13 contestants came on stage to perform. Starting from the very first performer down to the last contestant, each performance moved the crowd, judges as well as members of the media. 

The performances were exciting and filled with so much potentials, and just when the crowd thought that was all the organizers had to offer, Tee A announced there was a surprise performance- Yinka Davies and Jeffery Daniel! 

To an astonished crowd, Yinka Davies and Jeffery Daniel performed Shalamar’s “Night to Remember” with Jeffery Daniel doing the moon walk at intervals. They are later joined by the contestants, hosts and Audu Maikori who playfully invite Kel and Steve Babaeko on stage to judge Yinka and Jeffery’s performances. 

For the contestants the holidays are over as they have to prove they have what it takes to be this year’s winner. Thursday February 4, 2011 will be the elimination show as 2 contestants with the lowest votes will be up for eviction. 

Sponsored by Etisalat in association with Royal Exchange and Pepsi, Nigerian Idol airs on 20 broadcast stations in Nigeria, UK and USA. 

DAKORE AND OLUMIDE FINALLY WEDS

The Couple: Dakore and Olumide

Finally, Nollywood actress Dakore Egbuson and son of ANPP presidential aspirant and billionaire, Harry Akande, Olumide have tied the knot.

The wedding ceremony between the duo seemed like what might never hold. With all the media attention, and the reported refusal of the groom’s parents to bless their union.

 And on Sunday January 16, 2011 they were more than happy to prove cynics wrong when they exchanged vows at the Guiding Light Assembly, Layi Ajayi-Bembe Road, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi.

Although the bride came in about two hours behind schedule – keeping guests at the church (including former Head of State,General Yakubu Gowon, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Professor Kasumu, the groom, the groom’s parents, representatives of the Oba of Lagos, officiating pastors amongst other dignitaries) in a long wait.

Mr &Mrs Dayo Adeneye, Stella Damasus, Monalisa Chinda

The groom, Olumide (fondly called Lou) in company of his best man, Biyi Ogunade and the lead officiating minister Pastor Wale Adefarasin waited tirelessly at the church entrance to receive the no-where-to-be-found bride.

No one needed to be told that Lou’s constant romance with his mobile phone was to hurry Dakore; as he talked on the phone at quick intervals while the pastor who had earlier apologized to the guests calmed him.

Nollywood actress, Rita Dominic

The solemnization ceremony, which was preceded by a traditional engagement ceremony held at the ‘Yetunde Apartment’ in Ikoyi earlier in the day kicked off at 4pm prompt upon Dakore’s eventual arrival. The bride arrived shortly before 4pm, looking all radiant and stunning in her elongated Crystal-filled white dress. After much said and done the couple sealed their lovey-dovey affair in public glare with a romantic kiss that sent the hall in frenzy.

However, the wedding which many termed “coded” lived up to it by the letter as no Nollywood actor was present at the ceremony.

PIERS MORGAN TAKES OVER LARRY KING'S SLOT ...OPRAH WINFREY IS FIRST GUEST

The Surrey-born former tabloid newspaper editor, Piers Morgan has finnaly taken the prestigious lead interview slot from the veteran broadcaster Larry King.

The likable journalist has since been receiving accolades from thousands of people within and outside the US.

Morgan first guest was Oprah Winfrey who opened up about her love and life.

Winfrey, who was pregnant at 14 and lost the baby, said she thought about killing herself and saw the loss of the child as a second chance.

In a wide-ranging interview that aired Monday during the premiere of CNN's "Piers Morgan Tonight," the talk show queen also spoke about love, her long-term partner, Stedman Graham, and what she plans to do with all her money once she's gone.

Winfrey, 56, said she was sent to live with her father in Nashville when she was a young teenager. He laid down the rules of his house early, and without knowing she was pregnant.

"'I would rather see a daughter of mine floating down the Cumberland River,' he said, 'than to bring shame on this family and the indecency of an illegitimate child,'" Winfrey said, quoting her father.

"He's saying that to me, and I know that I am pregnant. So I'm thinking, well, I'm just going to have to kill myself," she said.

Winfrey did not attempt suicide, though she said she tried things that were cries for help -- like drinking detergent.

"When the baby died, I knew that it was my second chance," she said.

On her love life, Winfrey describes her longtime partner, Stedman Graham, as someone who is "willing to stand in and stand up" for her.

"The reason this relationship has worked as well as it has is because we each got to define ourselves in it and not in a traditional form. There's nothing about it that's traditional," Winfrey said. "I am a different kind of woman in that I am pretty assured that had I married I wouldn't have remained married."

"I'm just not the marrying kind," she said.

The talk show queen also revealed she's had her heart broken twice.

Winfrey, best known for the "The Oprah Winfrey Show," now runs her own channel, appropriately titled OWN.

MUNA IS A "KILLER QUEEN!"

Contrary to what is making rounds in the entertainment scene and perhaps your mind now, she is not a murderer. Former beauty queen, Munachi Abi is now a killer queen. Killer Queen is the title of the new single of the former beauty-turned- rapper.

Earlier this week, Munachi, who now prefers to be called Muna, released the second single from her on-coming album titled ‘The Goddess, The Hustler.’ The first single from the album which marks her official entry into the industry is titled ‘I Feel Real.’

Muna, who currently has a management contract with Ayo Shonaiya’s RMG Company, is working hard towards the release of her debut album this year. She exchanged microphone in the vocal booth with different acts like Jesse Jagz, Waje and Buckwylla in the album.

We learnt her first music video for the song, ‘Pop Sugar’ featuring label mate, Michael Word will soon hit the screens.

There were reports that the beauty queen will be making in road into the music scene last year and even featuring in P-square’s video -Ifunnaya. I hope she makes the required impact in her new found love.

D'BANJ AND SNOOP PARTNER FOR "MR ENDOWED" REMIX

L-R: D'banj, Snoop Dog and Don Jazzy

I can authoritatively confirm story of the collaboration between Nigerian superstar, D’Banj and American popular rap artiste, Snoop Dogg, and tell you that the duo are currently on set in America shooting the ‘Mr. Endowed Remix’ video.

D’Banj left the shores of Nigeria on Friday January 7, 2010 for America alongside members of his technical crew to shoot the video for the remix of ‘Mr Endowed’ featuring Snoop Dogg.

Before his arrival, Sesan Ogunro, a video director famous for directing Mo’Hits Records artistes’ videos had arrived in America to sort out the locations for the video.

The news of the single unsettled so many people in the industry especially those who are keen on listening to the song in which Snoop Dogg referred to D’Banj as his cousin from Africa . It’s the first time any Nigerian artiste will feature the popular American rapper; something many agents agree is not easy to achieve.

Having postponed the release of his fourth album from 2010 to 2011, the video is likely to usher in the release of the album which will be marketed by Soforte , Nigeria ’s first automated music distribution company.

DAREY SCORES ANOTHER FIRST

Africa's King of Soul/R&B Darey has further established his
pre-eminence and standing as a true leader of the new school of
African entertainers. He will be launching this week a set of bespoke social media
accounts.

Ahead of plans to release his third solo album, and his first
international CD, Darey has embarked on a redefinition exercise;
unveiling a brand new logo, bespoke Youtube page
( www.youtube.com/Dareyonline), Facebook page (www.facebook.com/Darey)
and Twitter page ( www.twitter.com/Darey).

The idea, Darey says, is to establish a global brand that resonates
with fans across the world; while making sure that everyone that
matters identifies and understands the core elements of the brand.

And it's freebies galore for fans and followers who have logged in to
see the new pages.

"The idea is to engage my friends across all networks and bring
everyone closer than ever before. Already, fans can peep exclusive
stuff on Youtube and Facebook, download wallpapers and singles, while
on Twitter, we're dishing out gifts to our fans and followers. It's
just a way of staying in touch and saying thank you..." Says Darey.

The singer's Twin album "Double Dare" will be released nationwide next
month; while his first UK album, fast nearing completion, will be
released later on.

Only few weeks back, Darey was appointed honorary Ambassador by the
Cross River State Government, after his performance at the annual
Calabar festival. Himself and Asa were the sole 'inductees' during a
breakfast meeting at the Government house...

ANOTHER TRAGEDY HITS K.O.K.

Nollywood actor Kanayo .O. Kanayo is  really not a happy  man at the moment.

After he lost the ticket to represent Ahiazu/Ezinihitte Mbaise Federal Constituency in Imo State, in the National Assembly, under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) during the party’s recently primaries in the state, the actor-turned politician is yet visited with another tragedy as he has lost his beloved mother, Ezinne Isabella Onyekwere to the cold hands of death.

KOK confirmed this sad development in a text message, made available to us via a colleague.

The text message reads thus: “this is to notify you in respect of the passing on to glory of my beloved  mother, Mrs. Ezinne Isabella Onyekwere. Her burial arrangements will be communicated to you  as soon as possible.”

On his scuttled political ambition, the actor cried  foul, blaming his defeat on lack of financial means as well irregularities that trailed the accreditation of delegates that cast their votes during the primaries.

KOK a.k.a  (real names Onyekwere Modestus Anayo)  said, while the accreditation exercise could not commence until 10 pm on that fateful day, voting properly was delayed till 12 mid-night, as  most of his supporters who could not stand the coldness of the night left the venue disappointedly, adding that “I think, my election to politics.” The amiable actor once said he decided to seek elective post because of the need for a change in his area.

According to him,  “Ahiazu/Ezinihitte Federal Constituency has suffered from the scourge of under  representation and misrepresentation for some years now.

KOK had promised to create jobs for youths, empower the artisans, women and the elderly  in his  constituency and also attract Federal Government projects that will benefit  the people if elected.  But with his recent defeat at the primaries,  all those promises had gone with the wind.

“All over Ahiazu/Ezinihitte Mbaise Federal Constituency, infrastructure is either  non-existent or dilapidated.  Schools, roads are all in terrible state.” he said during his electioneering.

JETA AMATA OUT WITH "BLACK GOLD"

After the huge success recorded by celebrated film maker, Jeta Amata in the movie “Amazing Grace”, which enjoyed global recognition for several years after it was released into the market the dread-locked producer is out with something new and fresh.

The young producer is out again with his latest film shortly after “Inale” hit the cinemas and its called “Black Gold”

“Black Gold” starring three Hollywood A-list stars like Billy Zane, Sarah Wayne Callies and “William George,  is a powerful story of greed, murder and corruption in the murky waters of the volatile oil rich Niger Delta region.

Other cast include, Nigerian born Hakeem Kae-Kazim based in Los Angeles. He portrayed Jocard, in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, and Georges Rutaganda in Hotel Rwanda.” Mbong Amata and Dede Mabiaku amongst others

The film, produced in conjunction with Wilson Ebiye, Dede Mabiaku and Hakeem Kae Kazim is an epic film about environmental justice and the fight over the control of the scarce oil resources the world runs on. Jeta desires commendation in respect of his resolve to continue to produce  movies that  has global appealing.

Jeta is from the popular Amata family notable and known for producing top rated movies in Nigeria film industry. In fact, the elder Amata was tone of those who used a celluloid to produce film back in the 70's.

OMAWUMI OUT WITH SOPHOMORE

After the runaway success recorded in her first album, Wonder Woman, the multi award winning Omawumi is on the road to her new album.

And to begin the new year, she has released a hot new single called If You Ask Me – a deep, touching song telling the story of an abused child.

This song, which deals with child sexual abuse and takes a musical journey through that painful experience, also complements Omawumi’s work as an Ambassador for Project Alert, which advocates on issues of sexual abuse and reproductive health.

The track is produced by Cobhams Asuquo. Omawunmi who was the runner-up in the first West Africa Idol that produced Timi Dakolo as winner, has been a success throughout the greater part of 2010.   

EKO FILM FESTIVAL GETS DATE

THE Eko International Film Festival will open the floodgate of events for this new season, is coming up between July between 9th and 14th of July, 2011, in Lagos.

President of the festival Hope Opara announced a new date for the hosting of this year’s edition of the epoch-making  festival.

He says this year's festival will witness a huge participation from film makers from across the world, including

Albania , France ,Spain ,Canada ,Algeria ,Germany ,U.K.,Kenya and Nigeria.

He also noted that unlike other film festivals organised in the country, the Eko Film festival promises to be different in terms of organisation, participation and content.

According to him, Eko filmfest. is yearly organised to appreciate as well promote the nation’s  motion picture industry and also the tourism in Lagos State.

As the President of the film festival, Mr. Opara reiterated his commitment towards promoting the sustainable development and advancement of the motion picture industry in Nigeria and the rest of the world.

“I want Nigerian film makers to improve the quality of their movies to world class standards.

I have been to international film festivals such the Festival of three continents, the Cannes Film Festival and already invited and accredited by the International Film Festival Rotterdam and I want us to have a similar world class film festival in Nigeria.”he said.

Meanwhile Opara has revisited the trademark theft of the brand Eko International Film Festival (EKOIFF), vowing to stop at nothing in ensuring that he gets justice at the end of it all. The matter, according to him, is being addressed by the Federal Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

It would be recalled, that Eko International Film Festival and the duplication “Amp_Eko International Film Festival” has been in the news for over one year now.

Opara had sent a petition to Ministry of Commerce and Industry over the infringement of the trade mark by actor Paul Obazele’s Royal Pictures registering a trade mark that is of close resemblance; “Amp_Eko International Film Festival.”

The ministry reportedly summoned the two parties on the 15th of November, 2010, for a presentation and hearing and 21st  of November was set for a ruling to strike out “Amp-Eko International Film Festival” or allow it to run in line with Eko International Film Festival.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Hi,
A new year brings new hope, new beginning and new phase to many. And down here we hope to bring some fresh ideas into our product. In Nigeria, this year will be a decider as we forge ahead politically, to get a new leader. The North and South are locked zoning brouhaha in the ruling political party; People's Democratic Party, PDP. The opposition political parties are not leaving the stone unturned as they are poised to remove the PDP.
Well, all eyes will be on Nigeria from now till April; the world is watching. 
The nation was been ravaged in fear, late last December with bomb explosions around the country. So many innocent souls have been killed and even the Jos crisis is still on and a solution is still far from the government. 
However, the entertainment industry is still buzzing with the Nigerian Idol. The producers have vowed to produced the best star Nigerian has never had. Well, let's wait to see.
However this year, I promise you it will be an admixture of entertainment, politics and social issues. I will update you on stories and events. Most times, I will give you pictures that tell these stories. 
Let's Keep keeping the scene buzzing!

NIGERIAN IDOL: TEN FRESH CONTESTANTS SLUG IT OUT

Abuja based Glory Oriakhi and viewer’s favorite Biodun Bello (BB) have joined Naomi and Ola at the top ten phase, each returning home with smiles on Thursday December 30, 2010.

Based in different locations of Nigeria, the young hopefuls are not only childhood friends but are also final year Law students in different Universities in Nigeria.

Glory, the first contestant to get a golden ticket at the Abuja auditions has lived in the Federal Capital all her life and has been involved in music right from her early years in the children choir. She is a final year Law student at the University of Abuja

BB, a 400 level law student at Igbinedion University is based in Kano. Also a dancer and a Choreographer, Miss Bello started singing in church at the age of seven. “I’m so excited I made it to the top 10. I missed classes for Nigerian Idol. And I am glad it’s not in vain” she says

Meanwhile, as Glory and BB return to their various destinations in preparation for the big stage on January 23, 2010, the producers continue on the journey of sourcing for two of the viewer’s choice weekly till they get the final 10 contestants who will slug it out for the grand prize of 7.5 millionNaira and a record deal with Sony BMG.  

Last Sunday, January 2, 2011 Jessica, Godson, Graycee, Faith, Toyosi, Zoe, Chuxy, Jumoke, George and AJ performed in front of the judges and viewers. Two notable contestants who the judges couldn’t hide their excitement about are Zoe and AJ. Infact Yinka Davies was short of words after Zoe’s performance- she just kept on screaming!

AJ on the other hand has dedicated two of her renditions to Jeffery Daniel. During her audition in Calabar, she sang with a guitar and devoted the song to Jeffery. “He will be my sweet love today” she said to Misi back stage minutes before performing on Sunday.

“Cool little AJ, from the day you sang to me with a guitar in Calabar, you have grown. It’s really good to see a lot come out from that cute little body of yours” Jeffery Daniel said amidst cheering from the crowd.

It doesn’t stop there, the online world is booming with comments; “I want AJ to win Nigerian Idol” an observer puts up on micro-blogging site Twitter. “Zoe just stole my heart with the performance of Celine Dion’s River Deep” another viewer posts on twitter

“Just watched Nigerian Idol, well done AJ” another says “Zoe left an impression; I even know her voting line off hand.”

Interestingly fellow contestant Glory Oriakhi endorses both contestants “AJ and Zoe all the way, 10 votes for each of them from me” She puts on Nigerian Idol’s official facebook page on Monday January 3, 2010.

Nigerian Idol, the producers say, will produce the biggest Nigerian music star this year. The man or woman who’ll sing Nigerians to sleep and wake them up the next morning. The one singer that’ll in a matter of months, move from obscurity to celebrity; the one singer who’ll move from the back seat to the A-league