The Nation Newspaper

Tag: sensation

  • Music sensation, Anu reps Nigeria in Turkey

    Music sensation, Anu reps Nigeria in Turkey

    The new year looks promising for Nigerian female percussionist, Anu, who has been invited by the Turkey government as the only Nigerian to participate at the first ever Africa – Turkey Economic and Cultural Amalgamation show.

    The event which begins this Friday, January 13 in Konya, is an activation of Motherland Beckons, headed by Otunba Wanle Akinboboye in partnership with MUSAID.

    The event is expected to be attended by top African diplomats in Turkey, African Heads of State and Prime Ministers as well as governors and mayors of major cities and states in the continent.

    Anu, otherwise called Lady Ekwe, is known for her velvety voice and sonorous renditions as well as an energetic percussionist deft on Ekwe, a male dominated African musical instrument from the Eastern extraction of Nigeria but which she has made her musical signature.

    The entertainer will showcase her talent in the global event which is focusing on exploring the business aspects of tourism, culture and entertainment between African countries and Turkey.

    Motherland Beckons comprises 11, 000 members and 50, 000 companies, spread across 175 countries and is one of the biggest business umbrella body in the world.

    It is against this setting that Anu is to entertain guests with her scintillating performances alongside a mix of artistes from other African countries and Turkey. This is just the beginning for the Atunda Entertainment groomed musical exponent who, in the last four years has honed her skill under the tutelage of the founder of Atunda Entertainment, Akinboboye, and had been taught to  showcase the best of African music in a highly cosmopolitan manner.

  • CAF YOUTH PLAYER 2015: Will Mali U20 sensation deny Osimhen?

    CAF YOUTH PLAYER 2015: Will Mali U20 sensation deny Osimhen?

    The dream of Nigeria wonder kids Victor Osimhen and Kelechi Nwakali emerging as African Youth Player of the Year 2015 could well be dashed by Mali U20 star Adama Traore.

    Traore shone like a million stars for the Mali at the FIFA U20 World Cup in New Zealand.

    The attacking midfielder emerged as the Most Valuable Player at the World Cup, where he scored four goals with three assists to help Mali finish third.

    AS Monaco subsequently splashed 19 million Euros to sign him from fellow French Ligue 1 side Lille.

    Golden Eaglets captain Kelechi Nwakali emerged as Most Valuable Player at the FIFA U17 World Cup and the trophy as champion and looks set to head to the English Premier League soon just as older brother Chidiebere did after the 2013 FIFA U17 World Cup triumph.

    He is a top quality midfielder with great composure who deserved his nomination.

    Victor Osimhen was the star of the FIFA U17 World Cup in November in Chile, where he set a new goals scoring record at the competition by becoming the first player to score 10 goals.

    Apart from being a champion, he was the second best player at the competition.

    He also won CAF U23 championship for Nigeria.

    Little wonder, the Ultimate Strikers Academy of Lagos hitman is wanted by German Bundesliga side Wolfsburg among several other top European clubs.

  • How teenage sensation, Hassan ignited Lagos ITTF World Tour

    Nurudeen Hassan might not be a regular member of the Nigerian junior team but the 17-year-old has wormed his way into the hearts of Nigerian coaches with his exceptional performance at the 2015 International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Tour, Lagos Open.

    From the start of the tournament on Tuesday, March 10, it was 12-year-old Abayomi Animashaun that dazzled the fans with his superb style of play. But what Hassan did in the third and fourth day of the competition has endeared him to the fans as well as Nigeria’s technical crew.

    Against some of the competition’s top players, Hassan played like a fighter and his imposing figure on table most times intimidated some of his opponents.

    His excellent displays came to fore in the men’s U-21 singles when he nearly bundled out number two seed, Egypt’s Magdy Shady,  but his inexperience may have contributed to him surrendering to the Egyptian, who also won the U-21 title.

    As if that was a tip of the iceberg, beyond all expectations, Hassan defeated one of Nigeria’s local players, David Fayele in the first round of the men’s singles. To play in the main draw, Hassan had finished the second best in his group and the win over Fayele indeed boosted the confidence of the teenager when he battled Egypt’s Mohammed El-Bieali in the round of 16.

    As a junior player, who never had the experience of playing at top level, he gave a good account of himself against El-Bieali. Despite falling to the North African, the fans at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium gave the young lad a standing ovation for his extra-ordinary performance in the tournament.

    “I never expected that I could performance like this but I know that my performance was due to the training I had before the competition. I have been training for the past three months. I knew that for me to do well I must work hard in the closet and this really manifested in my game. I am indeed satisfied with my performance and I will continue to work hard to become like my hero, Aruna Quadri,” he said.

    “I want to emulate Aruna because he is very good player respected all over the world while his conduct outside the table is indeed a good example for all us in Nigeria. He works hard and he is a very humble player, who never looks down on others. For me, this is a virtue I want to copy and also improve my game. I had represented Nigeria at a regional tournament but I am yet to play an international competition for my country. I hope one day I will make it and my dream will come true. I remain grateful for this opportunity given to me to showcase my talent and I will continue to train in order to become a better player,” Hassan said.

  • Gospel sensation Mae Wo drops You’re Worthy

    HOUSTON, United State-based Nigerian gospel singer, Ademewo Agbebiyi-Nwachukwu, aka Mae-Wo, has released her first single, titled You’re Worthy.

    After months of hard work, Mae Wo said her fans and lovers of good music should watch out for her. “I have just recorded my first single, You’re Worthy, produced by Sean Keyz for Sept’18 Records. The album is set to be released by summer of 2015 by God’s grace,” she told The Nation.

    Despite being armed with two degrees in Health Administration and Nursing, Mae Wo said she decided to do what she has always had a passion for, which is music. According to the singer, she started singing as a little girl age in her local church choir, where she discovered her passion for singing and consequently received the support of her family.

    On how she combines family responsibility with music, she said, “Although it has not been easy going for rehearsals, studio and ministrations and having to play mummy and wife, the Bible says in 2 Chronicles 15:7: ‘But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.’ I hold unto that every day and I know it is all going to be worth it at the end.”