Category: Entertainment

To celebrate 10 years of impact in the fashion and entrepreneurship space, Princess Kelechi Oghene, CEO of GMYT Fashion and foundation recently honoured Nigerians who had supported the sector, and society and touched the lives of the less privileged ones in the society.

The recipients of the 2022 GAHAWARDS which is linked to 9 of the 17 SDGs included Toyin Kolade and Evelyn Oputu.

The two individuals were honoured in an event themed, “Promoting Sustainable Economic Growth through Skill Acquisition.”

According to Oghene: “ These are evident in the empowerment of over 5,000 women and youths through the GMY T S M E support scheme, empowerment of over 12,000 women and youths with free scholarships to study fashion design, and entrepreneurship development, and the provision of over 3,000 industrial/ domestic sewing machines through GMYT Foundation.”

Florence Okonkwo has added another award to her corner as her movie, ‘Shot In the Dark’ won Best Original Script at the British Film festival recently held in London.

The Queen of the Red Carpets, as Okonkwo is widely referred to, couldn’t hide her excitement as she expressed her emotions after nabbing the coveted award.

“I can’t keep calm. Congrats to all the cast and crews of Shot in the Dark. We will not relent but continue to produce quality movies. This is to show that hard work pays,” she said.

‘Shot in the Dark’ also won Best Film Producer at the BEFFTA awards.

Okonkwo, a publisher, and entrepreneur has made a mark in the movie and fashion industries, especially in Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

She began to explore the competitive and highly challenging movie industry where she played a leading role in classy movies including ‘Shameful Deceit,’ ‘The Soul,’ ‘18 Carat Mama,’ ‘Heartless Career,’ ‘Broken Cross,’ ‘Oga Detective,’ and ‘Return of the Don’ among others.

Talent manager, Raji Shehu has said more Nigerian artists will get nominated and win the Grammy awards come 2023.

Shehu, who is one of the talent managers of famous singing twin brothers P’square’ noted that with the growth of Afrobeats and how Nigerian artists are breaking boundaries globally, more Grammy awards would be coming home.

“Everyone knows that Afrobeats is the main thing right now. The whole world has accepted it even in countries you would never imagine,” said Shehu.

Continuing, he said, “I bet you that from next year, more Nigerian artists will get nominated for Grammy Awards. It’s very possible considering the rate at which our music has been accepted globally.”

Indigenous highlife duo, Umu Obiligbo have shared the reason they put out new music every December.

The brothers Obiligbo Ebuka and Obiligbo Ifeanyi made this known to The Nation in a recent chat while speaking on their new single ‘Anwuli.’

“It was created to wrap up the year. We like to give our fans music they can celebrate with at the end of the year,” they chorused.

Speaking about what inspired the new single, they said “The new single ‘Anwuli’ is a song of appreciation to God on how he has been keeping us safe in all our endeavours and journey despite the situation of the world right now and it’s also a joyful and thanksgiving song to wrap up the year”.

December 26 in Benin, Edo State will remain memorable for fans of Kizz Daniel and Pikolo, who thrilled them with a musical concert.

The headline act of the concert, Kizz Daniel left his fans shouting and singing along when he mounted the stage.

The show, which was held at the prestigious Da civic centre on Airport road Benin City, also had an attendance of people from neighbouring cities like Warri, Agbor, Ekpoma, Auchi, and more.

Top personalities like Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu, his wife Prof. Idia Osagie Ize Iyamu, Hon Matthew Iduoyekewen, Hon Valentine Asuen, and a host of others were spotted at the concert.

Kizz Daniel, who recently hit 500 million as the most streamed on Boomplay stormed Benin with a high-class, hot, and irresistible stagecraft display spiced by hilarious performances by award-winning compere, comic, and show host, Pikolo.

Big Brother Naija’s ex-housemate, Bam Bam has teamed up with VJ Adams as hosts for the second season of the Covers Africa music TV show.

 This is coming after Rising Star, organisers of the Covers Africa music TV show, announced the audition slated for January 14, 2023, in Lagos.

The producers also unveiled the judges for the second season and they include Ben Ogbeiwi aka Uncle Ben, Daniel Etim Effiong, Simi Drey, and Efe Macroc.

In a statement by the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Producer of the show, Daisy Okwa, the second edition will feature some of Africa’s biggest music stars drilling and grooming the contestants at various stages.

Okwa further said the show’s squad forms a quartet to spotlight the next big music talents from Africa, through a music TV show.

In season 1 of the show, John C emerged overall winner and carted home millions of Naira as well as a major boost to his musical career.

Music stars led by 9ice, Q-Dot, and Small Doctor took turns in honouring fuji music star, Sulaimon Alao Adekunle aka Ks1-Malaika at the party for the release of his new album, Password.

The music stars gathered for the veteran fuji musician after the release of his new musical project on Monday, December 12, 2022, with a party that was held in Lekki.

9ice was the cynosure of all eyes at the event as he praised Malaika’s dexterity and prowess while granting interviews. Joining 9ice, Small Doctor sneaked into the building with his crew along with DJ Diamond. Q-Dot also joined his colleagues while they all saluted Ks1- Malaika who had started performing on stage. Other music acts that rocked the event were Sabaika, Double 6, Shanko Rasheed, and Western G.

The ‘Ose Olorun’ hitmaker revealed that he has been working on the Password album for the past twelve months before it finally hit the streets and digital platforms.

“Password is another LP my fans will enjoy a lot. I have been on the project for a year. I worked assiduously to come out graciously so that my fans will enjoy the album home and out of the shores. It takes lots of sacrifices to get here. Password will shake the music industry”, Malaika said.

‘Ose Olorun (Igbakan)’ leads the tracks on the album. Produced by T Reign, other tracks on the Password album include Mashe Gbagbe, Iriarigun, Chicago Connect, Okonlomo, Orin Sulemono, and Igbakan.

Nettflix has announced that RMD, Sola Sobowale, and Chidi Mokeme would feature in its six-part series entitled ‘Shanty Town.’

The streaming platform also announced January 20, 2023 as the date of the release of the Nigerian crime thriller.

The star-studded Shanty Town, which was created by the duo of Xavier Ighorodje and Chichi Nworah,  follows the story of three Lagos State hustlers who unite to wage war against the biggest and most ruthless crime ring in the state.

Other stars featured on the show includes Ini Edo, Nse ikpe-Etim, Shaffy Bello, Ali Nuhu, Uche Jombo, Zubby Michael, Nancy Isime, Yaw Naija, Omowunmi Dada, Mercy Eke, Shola Sobowale, Regina Daniels, Judith Audu and Peter Okoye of P-Square fame.

Speaking on the upcoming release, producer of Shanty Town Chichi Nworah says: “’Shanty Town is a unique show in that it is at once different as it is familiar. The tale of redemption will especially resonate with audiences familiar with the grit and hustle mentality of Lagos, and indeed other fast-paced and vibrant cities around the world. We are spotlighting the underbelly of the city, and bringing to life the various character dynamics that exist beneath the cover of everyday “normal life,” thus telling a truly fresh and compelling story. I cannot wait for the entire world to see Shanty Town!”

Afrobeat singer and activist, Seun Kuti has said that Africans are only respected for their love of buying expensive things.

 Kuti explained that while other continents inspire their citizens to produce what they need and export, Africans prefer to buy from them and flaunt their wealth.

 He discouraged the act of buying expensive designers produced overseas while urging Nigerians to start producing their products to boost the country’s economy.

 Going further, Seun cited convicted internet fraudster, Hushpuppi as a case study saying he stole a lot of money just to buy expensive things made abroad instead of rocking Nigerian-made designers.

“The only thing successful African men can do is to buy things. You are only seen as successful because you can buy anything you want, not because you can make anything you want. African success is only because they can brag about whatever they like, African young people must never be inspired to believe that they can produce whatever they want. This is why they are going to jail for twenty-five years because they want to buy Richard Mille instead of us live in a country where we are buying Ramoni Abass, we want to wear Gucci on our bodies because of things white people are making. Why can’t Africans make those things? No, they must inspire us to dream to buy but you cannot be if you do not make and that is what people don’t understand.

 “You sit down here and think you can never be slaves again, if the Europeans come and ask you to sit down there, what will you do about it? You think they cannot do it and that is the same mistake your ancestors made.”

Veteran entertainer, Charles Chukwuemeka Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy has posed a crucial question on his Twitter page.

The maverick show businessman shared a video clip that captured a wedding ceremony and some lavish displays.

A couple dancing on an elevated platform was being sprayed with naira notes of varying denominations by guests.

Beyond the platform where they danced, the surrounding areas too were fully covered with mints.

Dazed at such a display which he tagged ‘nonsense show-off’; Area Fada questioned his fans and followers if they would ban that singular behaviour if they became president.

He captioned the clip: “In a country where people are starving, no money no food. What does dis nonsense prove? Just to show off?

“If U happen to be the President, would you Ban dis kinda behaviour?”