Category: Entertainment

IN the coming Season of the internationally acclaimed TV talk show, Moments with Mo now airs daily on the new and upcoming EbonyLife TV Channel on the DStv platform, and globally on Sky TV in the UK, DISH in the United States, with roll out plans also including Brazil, Canada and other parts of Europe.

According to its producers, Moments with Mo is currently being packed with loads of fresh and exciting features. The new Season of the Talk Show will empower Nigerians, Africans and just about anyone in any corner of the world to tell their stories to a global audience on the EbonyLife TV Channel via the DStv and other international platforms, producers say.

According to Sandra Amadio, Associate Director Programmes, Magazine & Talk, EbonyLife TV, the programme serves as an opportunity for celebrities, VIPS and ordinary people doing extraordinary things to take advantage of the opportunity to be featured on the programme.

CEO of EbonyLife TV, Mo Abudu says that it is the Seventh year of Moments with Mo. “In those Seven years we have interviewed all kinds of interesting guests from Presidents to Governors and Celebrities to a wide array of unsung everyday people who are doing extraordinary things. We are excited to say now that with Moments With Mo becoming a Daily Show, we can now feature as many stories as possible from everyone across the world. So whoever you are, whatever your moments, happy, reflective, political or inspirational, the Show now offers anyone the platform to tell their story and be heard nationally and globally.”

SINCE it began on the 27th of February 2013, the Lagos Polo tournament has attracted an unequal quorum of socialites. Besides the glitz that goes with the sport, the tournament has been a hub for socializing and cementing business affinity among who-is-who in the Nigerian business circles.

The tournament started on a high note, combining perfectly with the social events. One of the curtain raisers was DJ Toye who got the guests bumping and grinding to his sensual beats and great hip-hop mixes that kept streaming endlessly from the speakers. For the players, the 28th of February was another awesome experience, members of the Lagos Polo Club and invitees for ‘Happy Hour with Diwari’, one of the social events, were thrilled by DJ Reeds and Olamide who sang his popular hit, ‘First of all?’, to wide admiration.

LKT, a popular Lagos artiste, also joined DJ Reeds and Olamide, a night after, at the ‘President’s Cocktail’, another social highlight of the tournament. This raised the bar for guests and served as another welcoming soiree for the polo players.

Saturday, the 2nd of March, was most thrilling as the duo of Yemi Sax and Wizkid enlivened the atmosphere with unique sounds and songs. Both left the guests nodding their heads or tapping their feet in ecstasy. For the black tie event, held later, the guys looked dapper while the ladies got all snazzy for the classy event which started with saxophonic renditions and ended with intense excitement.

Yemi Sax, Brymo, Zizi and Shola on the evening of Sunday the 3rd of February, performed at the Afro Nite. An exceedingly big one was the appearance of King Sunny Ade. To the excitement of guests, he rendered his well known tunes and steps. The night was indeed filled with Afro-centric music which showed how exotic, rich and truly enjoyable African could be.

The tournament, with the sponsorship of MTN, has over the years, grown in leaps and bounds. MTN Lagos Polo Tournament has attracted a host of elite followers and polo aficionados and continues to be a melting pot for the Crème-de-la-crème of the Nigerian society.

FORMER model, and weight watchers spokeswoman, Jessica Simpson stopped by the “Ellen” Show in an episode set to air on Wednesday where she talked about her surprise second pregnancy and a few details on her private life. “I think originally I had wanted three kids and now that I have one and another one on the way I feel like I could stop here.” She explained.

32-year-old Simpson gave birth to her daughter, Maxwell Drew Johnson, in May 2011 and went on to became a Weight Watchers spokeswoman where she learned a lot about healthy living. Comparing her first pregnancy to the present, the fashion mogul joked that she can “gain as much weight” as she wants because she has a husband that loves her.

AMERICAN star, Chris Brown, while performing on Tuesday night at Ohene Djan Sports stadium in Accra, Ghana, for an rLG sponsored concert violated the country’s laws when he openly endorsed the smoking of the banned substance ‘Marijuana’ to the surprise of his audience. Smoking or possession of marijuana in Ghana is a crime and is punishable by law, with culprits spending at least ten years in prison.

But show organisers say it was a ‘slim cigar’ and not marijuana which still does not justify his being allowed to smoke openly. Chris who was reportedly paid $1million left the country without any charges being pressed.

Ghana News Agency on 26 March, 2009 reported: “Farmer jailed 15 years for possessing marijuana. The Juaso Circuit Court presided over by Mr. S. K. Sarpong Appiah, sentenced a 28-year-old farmer to 15 years’ imprisonment in hard labor for possessing narcotic drugs. Kwame Sasu Hayford pleaded guilty to the charge of possession without charge.”

THE ongoing Nigerian Idol reality TV show is gradually getting hotter. The show sheds two contestants every week, and last week saw Joe Emmal and Amara join Vicci and Immaculate Victoria as this season’s former contestants. On this show, the contestants took on golden oldies and modern classics from the greatest groups of all time, and it looks like it was a two-horse race, with Moses and Abasiakan (strangely enough, the two guys with the most feminine vocal ranges) leaving the other contestants eating the dust.

Abasiakan got one of the strongest reviews of the night when he tried on Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes’ classic, ‘If You Don’t Know Me by Now’. Sasha told him, “You seemed to enjoy your performance and I connected with it.” Femi Kuti was equally effusive, telling him, “You have a range and your tuning is perfect.”

Moses sang ‘She Will be Loved’ by Maroon 5 and had the crowd roaring with approval. After a rough night the week before, he staged a comeback and the crowd and judges were duly impressed. Sasha P told him, “For the first time this evening, I have no ‘but’.” And Jeffrey Daniel was also full of praise, saying, “You take us on a journey every time you sing!”

The other contestants got mostly the equivalent of “maybe” from the judges, so it is hard to see who can break out and join these two leading men in the finale. But, we have until April to see who can make itit still could be anybody’s race.

AFTER the release of MTV’s list of Hottest MCs in the game, Kanye West who was No.7 on that list was asked who he felt was the best rapper alive. Kanye explains, “Yeah, being No.7 bothers me but I think that Lil Wayne is the number one rapper in the world”.

Whether this is an honest confession or just a comment spurred by his apparently severed relationship with JayZ is not yet known.

THE kick-off of the preliminary rounds of one of the seven key events of the much talked about COSON Week, the COSON All Stars Table Tennis Blow Out is now set. Though the COSON Week proper will not begin for another two and half months, specifically on May 19, all roads will lead to the Multi Purpose Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium; Surulere on Sunday; March 10 at 2.00 pm as the preliminary rounds of the COSON All Stars Table Tennis Blow Out is flagged off.

It will be an event to remember as the top stars of Nigerian music, Nollywood, comedy and the Media, serve, smash, spin, loop and slam as the two and half months contest for the magnificent COSON trophy and the millions in cash begins. Full technical and organizational support for the COSON All Stars Table Tennis Blow Out is being provided by the Lagos State Table Tennis Association.

The COSON All Stars Table Tennis Blow Out has become the talk of the town as artistes brag and taunt others over who will eventually vault the glittering trophy and the million naira cash prize home. Secret practice sessions are now the order of the day as no one wants to be disgraced.

Among those who will toss the ball for the contest at the Teslim Balogun Stadium on Sunday, March 10 are COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji; COSON General Manager, Mr. Chinedu Chukwuji; top music stars, Rugged Man, Olamide, Sammie Okposo, Olu Maintain, Adewale Ayuba, Aje Butter 22, Banky W, Konga, Dr Stretch, etc; Also gearing for the fight to finish are Nolywood Stars, Kalu Ikeagwu, Femi Brainard, Basorge Tariah Jr, etc and top comedians, AY, Bovi, and Kofi.

WITH the arrival of Eno Michael who prefers to be known by the moniker Fedi on the music scene, it seems the era of young boys doing big things is here to stay.

The Akwa Ibom state young star who is an under graduate at the Delta State University Abraka is signed unto BSE entertainment, the label he believes will take him to the heights he wants to attain in the music industry. To prove that he has got what it takes to rule the music industry, Fedi has recorded and released a new single titled “party system” with a sharp and cutting edge video from the magical hands of Clarence Peters.

Though he might be young, Fadi has been in the industry for eight solid years and believes his experience, the backing of his label and the inspiration gathered from Young talents like WizKid and the blessings of God his time is surely now. “Like I said; I have been in this game for eight years and sincerely believe; I can do it because my talent is God given and with the success of young dudes like Wizy I believe I can do it”.

For his mentor, he did not take it any were father than the door step of Africa’s number one act and king of inspiration to the new generation – 2face Idibia.

IN its drive towards cutting alcohol misuse and making responsible drinking a valued and enjoyable part of life, Guinness Nigeria Plc, a Diageo company, recently organised a DrinkiQ workshop to equip health editors, NollyWood actors and scriptwriters with adequate information on responsible choices about drinking, or not drinking.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Sesan Sobowale, Director Corporate Relations, Guinness Nigeria said that the Company is committed to promoting responsible drinking and combating alcohol misuse. “We make an effort to promote responsible drinking and works with other stakeholders to combat alcohol misuse. There are three principles to our approach: combating alcohol misuse, setting standards for responsible marketing and innovation; and promoting a shared understanding of what responsible drinking means in order to reduce alcohol-related harm,” he said.

Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Femi Olugbile said that the Lagos State Government acknowledges support of Guinness Nigeria Plc in its efforts at sensitising the public on the harmful effects of overindulgence in alcohol consumption especially when driving.

Present at the workshop, ace NollyWood actor, Jide Kosoko said acknowledged that the subject matter of the capacity building programme, which is responsible drinking, is very crucial to the wellbeing of our nation. “Unfortunately, a lot of our people do not have knowledge of the harm inherent in irresponsible and excessive alcohol consumption as highlighted by facilitators from the Lagos State Ministry of Health, LASUTH and Guinness Nigeria in the course of this DrinkiQ programme. We’ve got to know that today. For us as actors, producers and scriptwriters, the major take way from this programme is the need to heed the call of Guinness Nigeria to do more to sensitize the public through our work.”