Category: Entertainment

The Latin Foundation set up by star actor, Otunba Bolaji Amusan, to cater for the needs of the less-privileged, has begun work on the first phase of the programme with foundation-laying of an acquisition and rehabilitation centre.

The foundation-laying of the two plots of land located at the Federal Housing Estate, Elega, Abeokuta, Ogun State was performed by the Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Taiwo Adeoluwa.

The gigantic project when completed will comprise administrative office, vocational learning centres, car park, hall, library and garden, among others.

The Executive Director of the Foundation, Otunba Bolaji Amusan, said he had been nursing the ambition for over 15 years because of the hardship he passed through before coming to limelight through the theatre profession.

Amusan, who disclosed that he tasted poverty that could have turned him into a vagabond, stressed that “It’s a clear fact that empty hand is the devil’s workshop. So, I resolved to set up the foundation to take youths away from the streets and provide a skill acquisition and rehabilitation centre for them.

“The foundation is not for personal enrichment as bastardized by some people, but it is to help people. I drew my inspiration from Bill Gate,” he said.

While calling for support from corporate bodies and individuals, he expressed optimism that the first phase of the project would be completed in the next four months.

Amusan, whose foundation recently empowered 25 widows with working tools, assured that on completion of the project, all necessary facilities would be provided for use by all inmates.

However, the Governor, in his speech, assured his administration’s support for the project, which he described as viable and laudable.

According to him, “Government will make significant inputs in the lives of people of the state.”

The Governor further noted that the project is in line with the vision of the state government, stressing that his government would give 100 percent backing for the foundation.

‘This is a viable and laudable project. Government will make significant inputs in the lives of the people of the state. The project is in line with the vision of the state government and we, as a government, will support the foundation,” he said.

Knowing that music was one of the efforts that kept the struggle by former South African leader, Nelson Mandela on, plans for tributary music concerts are ongoing all over the world. Nigeria is not left behind in this gesture that has seen some pre-panned concerts, adding slots to honour the memory of the late freedom fighter who passed on last Thursday.

Notable American rapper, Jay Z, who is currently in the midst of his Magna Carta World Tour, closed off his show last Monday at the Los Angeles’ Staples Centre by dedicating a song to the memory of Mandela.

Last Sunday, the crowd at the Bayelsa International Jazz Festival went into a frenzy, when visiting South African Jazz artiste, Hugh Masekela, wrapped up his segment of the show, singing his ‘Bring Back Nelson Mandela’s hit.

One of the solely dedicated concerts for the late African political icon, which is coming from Nigeria, will be convened by Mo Abudu‘s Ebony Life TV, in collaboration with some top Nigerian stars.

Tagged “The Legacy Lives: A Tribute Concert”, the event, which is being planned by Funmi Victor-Okigbo of No Surprises Events, has been scheduled to take place on Wednesday, December 18, at the Ocean view Restaurant, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Organisers say the show is being put together to “celebrate the extraordinary life and times of the legendary freedom fighter, nation builder, liberator, humanitarian, democrat, and philanthropist and Nobel Prize winner for Peace.”

Expected to perform at the show are music and comic acts, including D’banj, 2Face Idibia, Darey Art-Alade, Burna Boy, Ikechukwu “Killz”, eLDee, Tiwa Savage, J Martins, Timi Dakolo, Niyola, Zaina, Mo Eazy, Waje, Omawumi, Mike Aremu, Engager, Chioma, DJ Babus, Julius Agwu and Rocksteady.

In the words of Abudu, the concert “is one of the least of things we can do as Nigerians, Africans and global black citizens of the world to honour a unique, caring and very humble global character.”

The Ebony Live TV boss, who noted that the concert would not attract gate-takings, also said, “It is a free concert for the expensive price of liberty paid for by the selfless Madiba. We made a call to the industry and we got really tremendous responses. For all our music stars and partners, we cannot thank you all enough for your sacrifice, kindness and generosity, which themselves typify the spirit of ‘Ubuntu’, which is South African word for humanity.”

AS if hit by fans’ criticisms for choosing Ghana for his cocoa business, Dapo Oyebanjo, a.k.a. D’banj, has declared his intention to set up a fish business in Nigeria.

The Kokomaster, as he is fondly called, said the proposed fish business would be called Eja Nla Fisheries Nig. Ltd( ‘Eja Nla’ is the Yoruba phrase for Big Fish).

The business is expected to deal in catching, processing and wholesale/retail of all kinds of fish.

The Afro-pop star was said to have boasted that he had been contacted to be the official fish supplier at Aso Rock.

Reports say the artiste has purchased three fish trawlers and named them K-Switch, Kokoboat and Jazzy.

News of D’banj’s visit to Ghana, a few months ago where he was spotted in a cocoa farm, went viral on the social media, with fans decrying his choice location for investment.

“When will Nigerian politicians, businessmen and celebrities ever learn their lessons? How can Skibanj or Dbanj be taking a cocoa farm up in Ghana when we have a cocoa industry suffering in Idanre, Ondo state?” a fan said on Facebook.

“Is he saying he does not know the cocoa industries in Yoruba land have all been taken over by middlemen? Or he is not aware of the economic importance of setting up a lucrative cocoa industry in his country? God help us in this country,” lamented another music buff.

D’banj is known for putting his hands into several pies, but not many thought the showman could think of agriculture for a business.

Apart from his Night Club, Koko Lounge, which appears not to be trending any more, D’banj had also owned a mobile phone, Kokomobile, which did not fly either.

Industry watchers feel that the reason the artiste his delving into agriculture, apart from the viability of the occupation, is to rival his former label mate, Michael Collins, a.k.a Don Jazzy, who was said to have floated Marvin Energy, an Oil and Gas business with his brother months ago.

Like Don Jazzy, Top of FormBottom of FormP-Square, the popular Nigerian twin singers, have also gone into oil business, complementing their earlier investment in Real Estate.

Known for their spendthrift nature, this business sense exhibited by these artistes has been praised by fans who took the debate to various social network platforms.

While many ascribed the business plight of these music stars to undue rivalry among themselves, others believe that the trend by this new crop of singers is a backup to their singing careers, as some artistes who are known to have trended in the past are finding it difficult to live up to their usual glamorous lifestyles.