The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Double celebration

  • Double celebration for Obi Emelonye

    Filmmaker Obi Emelonye will be honoured in Kenya by the Voice of Achievers Awards 2019. Emelonye is not new to winning awards. Weeks ago, he received Chinua Achebe African Award for his efforts in filmmaking. The award was collected on his behalf by the head of department of Theatre and Film Studies, Prof. Uche Nwozuzu, from the Institute of African Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, last month. Emelonye who said he is “humbled and energised” considers the Chinua Achebe African Award as “one of the highest honours with which I have been bestowed.” Now he has raised the bar with his latest Heart and Soul TV series which premiered on Africa Magic Showcase on June 5, 2019

    Emelonye has directorial credits that include “Echoes of War” (2004), “The London Successor” (2006), “Lucky Joe” (2006), “The Asylum” (2008), “Quiet Storm “(2009) and “Mirror Boy” (2010).  (Mirror Boy is said to represent a new-found confidence in African cinema) “Thy Will Be Done” (2015).

  • Double celebration as EbonyLife TV clocks four

    Double celebration as EbonyLife TV clocks four

    As black entertainment network, EbonyLife TV turned four, it was a time to celebrate and for its CEO, Mo Abudu, there was no better way than with a film festival.

    It was also an opportunity for the management to premiere the new season of its productions like On The Real, Sons of the Caliphate, The Governor, Life 101 and Fifty – the series.

    Among guests who graced the event were Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Sola Sobowale, Ireti Doyle, Don Jazzy, Tiwa Savage, O.C Ukeje, Innocent and Annie Idibia, Toke Makinwa, Ayo Makun and a host of other A-list celebrities.

    Since its inception in 2013, over 4000 hours of original Pan African content has been created and produced by Ebonylife TV.

    Within this timeframe, TV series have been dished out to much critical acclaim. The first seasons of On the Real, Sons of the Caliphate, Dere and The Governor have been widely successful leading to an order of second seasons for the aforementioned.

    In 2015, Ebonylife TV joined the movie scene with its first offering titled, Fifty. The movie went on to generate ¦ 400million return on investment shattering records in the process.

    Another movie, The Wedding Party was released in 2016. It went on to break even more records. It grossed a whopping ¦ 450million from the box office alone earning it the number one spot on the highest grossing Nigerian movies of all time.

    Both movies have led to much anticipated spinoffs. Fifty has been adapted for TV while a sequel to The Wedding Partyis billed to be released in December.

    Ebonylife Films is the brainchild of media entrepreneur, Mo Abudu.

  • Double celebration as Shina Peters clocks 58

    Double celebration as Shina Peters clocks 58

    Legendary Afro-juju musician OluwashinaAkanbi Peters, popularly known as Sir Shina Peters clocked 58 on May 30.The prolific musician was born on May 30, 1958 in Ogun State. He also married his wife, Sammie, on the same day in 1995.

    To celebrate the day, his wife took to Facebook to serenade her husband, and posted pictures of their wedding day on her Facebook wall. The elated wife declared her affection for the legendary musician, even as she wished them a happy wedding anniversary. She posted, “Happy Birthday Olu-mi! And Happy Wedding Anniversary to us! You are my heartbeat! My light! My world! May u live long! A marriage ordained in heaven!”

    SSP as he is fondly called has come a long way from his humble beginning as a guitarist with General Prince Adekunle’s band, before moving on to form a band with Juju Maestro SegunAdewale in the 1980s before finally forming his own band named Sir Shina Peters and His International Stars.

    His first single, Ace, went double platinum when it was released in 1989 making him a household name in the process, and the rest they say is history.

    Shina and Sammie’s marriage was solemnized at Shina Peters’ Iju home in a private ceremony that had in attendance socialites like Goddy Anabor, Tunde Adaba, gospel musician TimiOshikoya aka Telemi, PR consultant Gboyega Okegbenro and romance writer Kayode Ajala,  amongst others.

    Their marriage, which spans over two decades, is one of the longest in the Nigerian entertainment industry and is a testimony to the fact that entertainers can sustain a marriage.

  • Double celebration for Gbemi Saraki

    Double celebration for Gbemi Saraki

    Senator Gbemi Saraki will continually be thankful to her maker and her elder brother, Senator Bukola Saraki, for providing the guides that resulted in her smart move from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) a few days to the governorship election in Kwara State, which the latter won by a landslide.

    The amazon of the Saraki family has since been in a joyous mood. The joy occasioned by her triumph in politics will be accentuated when she turns 50 on May 3. We gathered that a special birthday party is in the offing for Gbemi, a product of the famous University of Sussex, United Kingdom, where she obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Economics.

    Her close friends are already warming up for the birthday ceremony.

  • Double celebration

    Members of the Ebenezer African Church, Lagos Mainland Diocese in Opebi, Ikeja, Lagos, last Saturday dedicated their church auditorium. Some people got awards for their support for the church. KRISTY EJIKEME reports.

    It was a double celebration. The dedication of the church auditorium and conferment of awards on some members of the Ebenezer African Church, Lagos Mainland Diocese, Opebi, Ikeja, Lagos.

    It was a gathering of the soldiers of God whose ministering have, over the years, won souls for the Lord.

    The 500-capacity auditorium was painted in white, cream and brown. It was decorated with white and wine fabrics with beautiful lightings. It also had cream floor tiles.

    While the priests took to the stage, the choir in their purple robes were at alert on the left side of the auditorium.

    Guests exchanged pleasantries and shook hands; they could not hide their happiness.

    The 11-year old project, which foundation was laid on November 30, 2002, has become a toast of the community.

    The dedication was performed by the Primate of The African Church, Most Revd. Emmanuel Udofia and The Hon. Lay President, Chief Ebenezer Okunowo.

    The plaque was unveiled by Most Revd Udofia, who dedicated it to the glory of God. Hymns, a procession and prayers followed.

    The Minister-in-charge, Revd Michael Olatoye was in a joyous mood. He was given a merit award for the achievement.

    An elated Revd Olatoye urged clerics to be devoted and dedicated to God.

    In his sermon, Diocesan Bishop, Lagos Mainland Diocese, Rt. Revd. Ola Ade Ajayi, praised the church members for the stride.

    The project, he said, was worth thanking God for.

    Chief Okunowo also congratulated the church.

    The award/donation session followed.

    Chief Charles Koku anchored it. He said God has been good to the church, adding that there was nothing he cannot do.

    There were awards for Grand Patrons, Grand Matrons, Patrons and Matrons.

    Other awards of merit were given to 29 persons. There were 18 post humous awards.

    Responding to the awards, a trustee of the church, Elder Fola Odedina, who got a Patron’s award, said he was delighted.

    Cathedral Warden, The African Church, Bunmi Osunrinade, was also decorated with a merit award. He thanked God and the church for the recognition.