The Nation Newspaper

Tag: shows

  • The Longest Running Reality TV Shows

    The Longest Running Reality TV Shows

    What is it about watching other people live their lives that fascinates us? It is only sometimes real, as we know. That could be what keeps us hooked. We keep trying to determine what is real and what isn’t. Many reality shows have staged situations to increase ratings, but we still can’t help being astonished. Generation Alpha (kids born after 2010) has no TV viewing without reality TV. For the rest of us, it still takes some getting used to.

    Survivor

    For many of us, the Survivor franchise was our first taste of reality. Sixteen castaways on a remote island scheming and backbiting to win $1 million. The show debuted in 2000 on the American network CBS and has been adapted and produced in more than 25 countries globally. South Africa has had three successful seasons and is currently shooting a fourth one.

    The survival element of the competition is what makes this show compelling. As a viewer, you constantly compare yourself to the stowaways. It is also fun to judge their actions as we sit in the comfort of our lounges, playing online slots and pretending we would be better contestants given a chance. Several element-conquering shows like “Running Wild with Bear Grylls” have been produced with much success.

    Big Brother

    The Big Brother franchise was first aired in America in the year 2000, based on the Dutch series created by producer John de Mol Jr. Since then the show exploded in popularity with syndicate shows in over 20 countries, each country having its own spin-off of the show. The concept was groundbreaking in its time. Thirteen strangers are stuck in one house and the viewers ‘spying’ on their every move.

    The first season had everyone talking about shower hour, it was fascinating to watch the exploits of the contestants when they knew they were being watched. Big Brother is still being produced in various countries around the world, we are currently watching the drama unfold in the BBNaija All Stars show.

    The Bachelor

    Who doesn’t love love? What’s better than watching people search for and find their true love? That is the premise of The Bachelor, except that in this reality show Prince Charming has his pick of 30 beautiful women from all around the country. As successful as the show is, it has been met with strong criticism from feminist groups and individuals who have called the show sexist and racist amongst many things. As a result, it has seen a drop in ratings over the past couple of years.

    Despite the bad publicity a new season is underway with 24 women vying for the heart of Joey Graziadei who ironically was the runner-up on The Bachelorette season 20.

    In Closing

    We can’t seem to get enough of other people’s lives and then share our opinions of their lives on social media. And the media houses are churning out these shows almost on a daily basis. The concepts range from romantic to the strangely bizarre, from marrying a stranger to having complicated medical surgeries. We continue to lap it up, but psychologists warn us against going down the rabbit hole of reality TV and its impact on our identity.

  • FEAAN holds shows in Nigeria, South Africa

    The Female Artists Association of Nigeria (FEAAN) is  to hold twin epoch-making exhibitions of diverse media in South Africa and Lagos, Nigeria to commemorate the 58th Independence anniversary.

    Both exhibitions will be opening on the same day in South Africa and Nigeria. With “Nigeria @58: The journey so far”, the South African-leg is held in Partnership with the Consul-General of South Africa, Godwin A. Adama, and the Consulate- General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It will open on Saturday, September 29 and run till Monday, October 1 at 16 Rivonia Road, Ilovo, Johannesburg. It will feature artworks of diverse media 16 women artists from across the country.

    Similarly, with the theme: “Art-mosphere: Celebrating Nigerian Cultural Heritage”, the Lagos-leg featuring 15 artists in FEAAN Southwest Zone, in collaboration with The Roots, will open on Saturday, September 29 and run till Friday, October 5 in Ikoyi. It will feature 45 works of diverse media, including painting, sculpting, textile, photography, and installation.

    At a press conference at the weekend in Abuja, FEAAN National President, Chinze Ojobo, said the exhibitions were meant to showcase rich cultural heritage of the country to the world while projecting the talents of women artists.

    She said: “At this time, our country needs a binder and a healer for the wounds which have for so long, threatened our stability. Undoubtedly, Art is that healer.  Art in Nigeria dates back to at least 500 BC, continuing in this rich tradition, “Nigeria @ 58: The Journey So Far”, FEAAN’s first outing to South Africa, and “Art-mosphere: Celebrating Nigerian Cultural Heritage” by FEAAN Southwest Zone, boast an impressive array of Nigeria’s contemporary art.

    She praised two consulate for their support, saying: “We greatly appreciate the Consul-General and the Nigerian Consulate in South Africa for giving us this platform as part of the celebration of Nigeria’s 58th independence Anniversary.”

    The participating artists in South African exhibition  include FEAAN founding National President, Prof Rita Doris Edumchieke Ubah; Addis Okoli; former FEAAN National President, Akande Ngozi Rosemary; Amarachi Kelechi Odimba; former FEAAN National President, Dr Awoh Stella Mofunanya; Millicent Nkiru  Okocha; and Mayen Madeleine Owodiong.

    Others are Chinyere Ibenye; Igbinovia Omon Sophia; FEAAN P.R.O., Chinyere Odinukwe; Lara Catherine Boglo; Chinze Ojobo; Doofan Kwaghhool; Ella Onyebe; Olumorin Catherine Oluwayemisi and Stanley Chinonso Ezeh (a guest artist)

    The Lagos-leg will feature Nwadejaa Chinma Ngozi; Dr Rita Doris Ubah; Dr Stella Awoh; Hasfat Kabir-Zayyanu; Clara Aden; Omovo Ayoola Oluwaseun; Ejiofor Ogochukwu; Aishati Dirisu; Evelyn Osagie of The Nation; Onyinyen Afam (Zennia); Mrs Patience Anthony Euba; Esther Omowunmi Adebayo; EsuruBelemaIchoku and Funmi Akindejoye.

  • COPA Lagos thrills with potpourri of shows

    COPA Lagos thrills with potpourri of shows

    This year’s edition of the annual COPA Lagos show which took place at the Eko Atlantic City has taken art and entertainment a notch higher in Nigeria, having treated revelers to a variety of high profile shows.

    It was the best of time for fun seekers who were treated to an international football match, a runway show of local designers with Nigerian Beachwear 2017 collection and a series of musical performances featuring some of the best of Nigerian artistes.

    At the event which had in attendance notable dignitaries including the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, the crowd was full of merry and cheers for the performers.

    The day had begun with a thrilling beach soccer match between Enyimba FC beach soccer team and the Pepsi Football Academy. Next was a celebrity match between Team Dbanj and Team Victor Ikpeba. Team Dbanj included Peter Okoye of P-Square, Samson Adamu, CEO of Kinetic Sports, organisers of the event, and popular Beat FM OAP, Jimi. Ikpeba’s team had other ex-Nigerian internationals like like Aloy Agu in goal, Waidi Akanni, Victor Agali, Mutiu Adepoju, Ifeanyi Udeze and popular celebrity, Frank Edoho of the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire fame. The Ex-Internationals won the match 2-1.

    The main competition on the day was a game between Nigeria’s Super Sand Eagles and the Switzerland national beach soccer team. The Swiss lived up to their pre-tournament billing, beating Nigeria 8-3 in an electrifying encounter, which also saw the emergence of its star player, Noel Ott emerging as the Man of the Match.

    The fashion show featured top Nigerian designers and upcoming talents who thrilled the audience with beach-friendly designs with a COPA lifestyle theme, personified by carefully curated pieces from clothing to accessories. The designers included Raya, Kinabuti, Krushil, Assian, Dap Mod and The Weave Hat Company.

    Other highlights of the event included a food fair and a dedicated fan zones where sponsors like FCMB, Pepsi, Wakanow and Hero Lager treated fans to different games and contests, with some of the guests taking home a variety of exciting gifts and prizes. The event was rounded off with an all-night open air music concert anchored by Nigeria’s international award winner, DJ Obi.

    The feat attained by this year’s COPA Lagos is a confirmation of the words of Samson Adamu, CEO of Kinetic Sports, organisers of the event, who said that COPA Lagos was much more than a football tournament, as it has grown over the years to become a major show capable of putting Nigeria on the global tourism map. He noted that while the football matches served as a fitting forerunner to the CAF Beach Soccer Cup of Nations which comes up two days after at the same venue, the other activities were meant to celebrate other aspects of the passions of Nigerians.

    “Despite this being a one day event, this year, we had a huge turnout and the experience this year not only focused on football, but on the different things our people are really very passionate about. We have since moved from being the first ever international beach soccer event in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa to being one of the most attended entertainment events in the region, as can be seen from the crowd here today,” Adamu said.

  • ‘Nigeria needs more Saturday Boxing shows’

    ‘Nigeria needs more Saturday Boxing shows’

    The Chairman, Lagos State Amatuer Boxing Association, Monsuru Liasu , has said that the “Saturday Boxing Show” has helped amateur boxers in the state  develop their skills and hopes it can be replicated in other states.

    Liasu told SportingLife recently in Lagos that the competition was good for developing boxing at the grass roots and for the boxers to show their talent.

    “We are always happy with the show because it gives our boxers the opportunity to showcase their skills.”

    “If programmes like this can be replicated by other states’ boxing associations, Nigeria would be the frontrunner when it comes to boxing in Africa.” Liasu said.

    “If you check the profiles of boxers that have been representing the country in international events you will find out that most of them are products of the monthly boxing show.”

    A representatiove form Ikoyi LDCA, Julius Solomon lauded the Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame (LBHF) investment in amateur boxing is beginning to stamp its footprints on the Nigerian boxing scene While thanking the former Commissioner for Finance and current Chairman LBHF, Mr Wale Edun for leading the initiative.

    Meanwhile, in the competition, Lion Boxing Club’s Dare Ogunyanju defeated Adeniyi Adewale of Ola Akins Boxing Club in the 49kg weight class by a 3-0 unanimous decision while the 56kg contest between Salua Nurudeen of Lagelu Boxing Club and Michael Adegboyega of Ikorodu Pioneer Boxing Club ended with the same score line in Nurudeen’s favour.

    The only female contest of the day was a one sided affair as Awise Zainab of No Shaking Boxing Club knocked out her challenger, Yemisi Akintayo of Kamlat Boxing Club in the third round to win the 51kg weight category fight and take home the Best Boxer of the Day award.

  • Ghana shows the way

    Ghana shows the way

    •Nigeria should follow; and do whatever it takes to rid the judiciary of
    corrupt judges and other elements

    Ghana, that relatively smaller neighbour, appears to have a better handle on the fight against corruption than Nigeria. The most recent example, is the suspension of seven, out of 12 High Court Judges, following a documentary by a journalist, showing intermediaries, accepting bribes on behalf of the judges.

    Said the Ghana Judicial Council, according to news reports: “The Judges’ suspension follow the establishment of a prima facie case of stated misbehaviour against them by Honourable Lady Chief Justice (Wood)”. Not long ago, a minister was sacked by the Ghanaian President, when she was caught on tape boasting of her intention to corruptly enrich herself.

    In Nigeria, many glaring cases of stupendous corrupt enrichment, by public officials, have been languishing in the courts. Specifically, some judges who were indicted, over allegations of corruption, got mere slaps on their wrist. Not long ago, a judge who was indicted for corrupt practices, ran home, to become a top traditional ruler.  Another, who gave a well-heeled defendant a ridiculous sentence for grievous financial crimes, got a mild indictment. In some cases, allegations of corruption against judges in Nigeria end up in a haze of litigations, despite the enormous powers of the National Judicial Council (NJC)

    So, the suspension of the seven judges in Ghana have been particularly interesting, and is worthy of emulation by Nigeria, perennially plagued by corruption in high places. There, the investigative journalist who covertly filmed the alleged agents, accepting bribe on behalf of the seven judges, released the video to the world. Following a public outcry, after the three-hour video was aired on television, the judicial council first suspended the 22 junior judges, who appeared in the video, before proceeding to investigate the seven senior judges, who have now been suspended.

    Depressingly enough, Nigeria’s National Judicial Council (NJC) appears to have made whistle-blowing against corrupt judges even more strenuous. While we do not advocate unfair and unfounded allegations against judges, or any form of victimisation, we think that NJC should encourage any person, who has any serious allegation, to forward same, without undergoing any rigorous procedure. The rigour should apply to the investigation of the allegation.  For that, the council could train a crop of investigators from security agencies, to always expeditiously conduct the investigations, without tainting the officials, unless a prima facie case is established.

    Luckily, the fight against corruption is a major agenda of the Muhamadu Buhari administration. So, if NJC decides to imitate its neighbour in Ghana, it should have an ally in the executive branch. We believe the council should have no hesitation to rein in corruption in the judiciary. As we have argued severally on this page, corruption is at the root of nearly all the major national challenges. These include the challenges of infrastructure, arising substantially from misappropriation of budgetary allocations over the years. The same cause is applicable to challenges of insecurity, unemployment, high illiteracy and many others.

    Even the war against corruption by the present administration would be dead, before long, if corruption remains endemic in the judiciary. Because over the years, politically exposed persons have abused the judicial process to their own gain, the judiciary labours under some integrity crisis.  This is not good at all. So, a radical approach is required.

    We commend the Ghana press for its robust reportage that helped to blow the judges’ cover.  But we call on the Nigerian media to do its own bit too, to expose corrupt judges here.  So should the Nigerian civil society.

    Beyond all that, however, Nigerians must rally in support of the war against corruption; and shun the current plague of ethnicizing cases of sleaze and graft.

    A corrupt judiciary is the worst plague that can befall any nation.  It should be weeded out, with the support of all.

     

  • Greg Mbadiwe still steals shows

    Greg Mbadiwe still steals shows

    GREG Mbadiwe, one of the ‘legends’ of Lagos night life and ex Nigeria’s ambassador to Congo, still rocks and steals shows.

    The apostle of botched six-year tenure during the regime of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo is a not-to-be-missed player in the night game of leisure.

    Mbadiwe, who is the son of late politican, Dr. Ozumba Mbadiwe, usually announces his arrival in his antique automobiles.

    Stylish in all ramifications, he was spotted recently at the grand opening of the latest Bazaar restaurant.

  • Entertainers to create shows for 100 years of Nigeria

    Entertainers to create shows for 100 years of Nigeria

    CONSIDERED as a uniting force outside of football, the entertainment industry has been co-opted into plans by the federal government for the centenary celebrations of the existence of the Nigerian nation

    At a forum with stakeholders in the music and movie sector in Lagos on Wednesday, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, intimated the entertainers on the proposed activities and the need for them to be a part of the project.

    The event, which held at the Yellow Chili Restaurant, Joel Ogunnaike, GRA, Lagos had the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke in attendance.

    Anchored by veteran actor, Kanayo O Kanayo, the meeting witnessed a flurry of stars from the Yoruba, Hausa and the English language film production wings of the industry.

    Duke, in his opening remark, said the federal government deemed it necessary to involve the entertainment industry because the entertainers are the bedrock of the Nigerian brand and the creative power house of African continent.

    He described Nollywood as a great contributor to the culture and tourism status of Nigeria as well as a huge foreign exchange earner outside of oil. Duke, urged the filmmakers not to falter due to the challenges being faced by their members, but take a frontal seat in the centenary project as creative people.

    “I enjoin you to seize this opportunity as a sacred duty to contribute in several ways and strengthen the Nigerian brand,” he said.

    Senator Anyim, who presented a 24-page paper titled “The Centenary Project: Concept Document”, asked the entertainers to develop a position programme that will be fuse into the larger centenary celebrations calendar.

    He noted there had been unfavourable reactions regarding why the celebration is not necessary-one of which is the criticism that the Nigerian nation was forced by the colonial masters through the amalgamation, but that it is important to leverage on the strength of oneness and celebrate the country’s achievements together.

    The SGF who noted that: never in history had justice been totally achieved, by a people, said there is the need to develop certain legacy projects, including a city that will serve as a hallmark of the centenary celebrations.

    “The essence of the project is to strengthen the unity of Nigeria. Let us emphasise the need for us to remain as a country and to become what the world wants us to become,” he said.

    He said as a way of involving the private sector on patriotic projects, the federal government has said it will not put its money into the project.

    “It is important to note that government has decided not to put money into the project. It is going to be funded by the organized private sector. This is what we must continue to do to ensure that private expenditure in issues of national importance is a culture that we all should start getting familiar with,” he stressed, adding that whatever programmes the filmmakers will be doing, they should understand that government will only come in by canvassing for private sector support for the project.

    Anyim who disclosed that a theme song has already been recorded by music icon, Onyeka Onwenu, said President Goodluck Jonathan will flag off activities leading to the celebrations on February 4, 2013 in Abuja.

    He noted that the programme is not to promote anybody or any administration, saying that It is only by coincidence that it is during the tenure of president Jonathan that the country clocked 100 years.

    Kanayo, who spoke on behalf of the entertainers, assured that the industry will evolve with a position paper as soon as possible. He said the letterhead to be used will not carry any particular guild but that it will come as a project of the entire Nollywood industry. He noted that this will be to forestall any form of controversy among the various guilds and associations.

    Among the celebrities at the forum were: Mahmood, Ali-Balogun, Zeb Ejiro, Chico Ejiro, Bukky Wright, Stephanie Okereke, Alex Lopez, Fidelis Duker, Francis Onwoche, Joke Silva and husband, Olu Jacobs, Segun Arinze, Charles Novia, Greg Odutayo, Jide Kosovo, Sanni Danga, Sani Muazu, Sunny MacDon, Lillian Amah and Chinedu Ikedieze, of the ‘Aki