Category Archives: ENTERTAINMENT

ENTERTAINMENT

Film adaptation of ‘Imagine This’ by Nigerian-British novelist underway

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                                                       Sade Adeniran

`Imagine This’, award winning book by Nigerian-British writer Sade Adeniran is currently being developed into a feature film. Adeniran, who is scripting and producing the film, revealed this at an interview with a UK based media – Shadow and Act which she shared on her Twitter page @Imagine_This on Tuesday.
The novel won the 2008 Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for Best First Book (African region), and was shortlisted for the World Book Day “Books to Talk About” award.
The script has reached the second round of the Sundance Screenwriters Lab and won the British Urban Film Festival Award for Best Script Talent.
Adeniran said, “Imagine This is a 90-minute animated feature adapted from my award-winning book of the same name. “It’s a coming-of-age drama which follows the story of Lola Ogunwole, who, along with her brother, is taken back home to Nigeria after growing up in London.
“The overarching themes are displacement, loss of identity and otherness. This project was recently selected for the 2018 Durban Talents Lab,” she said.
Speaking on the influence of filmmakers in pop culture, Adeniran said that she has the responsibility to tell her truth as a British Nigerian. She said, “I always wanted to be a filmmaker but didn’t dare to follow my dreams, so, instead, I got myself a corporate job as a consultant and worked on my creative projects as a hobby.
“After I published my debut novel to critical success, I decided to pursue filmmaking as a career. It’s been a slow process, but as they say, Rome wasn’t built in a day,” Adeniran said. She was born in London to Nigerian parents, and at the age of eight was taken back to her father’s village in Nigeria, living with her grandmother in Idogun, Ondo State, before returning to the UK.
When she could not find a publisher in 2008, she decided to self-publish and in order to sell the 1100 copies she had printed, created a marketing campaign that led the book to critical acclaim.
Adeniran, who is also a producer and director and is also working on another film ‘Two Weddings’’, has five short films to her credit including two live action: More Cake (2013) and A Mother’s Journey (2016).
The other three are what she calls ‘experimental animation’ and they are Mrs. Bolanle Benson (2015), My Mother’s Stew (2017) and E Go Betta Oh (2018).

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/07/film-adaptation-of-imagine-this-by-nigerian-british-novelist-underway/

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/07/film-adaptation-of-imagine-this-by-nigerian-british-novelist-underway/

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/07/film-adaptation-of-imagine-this-by-nigerian-british-novelist-underway/

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/07/film-adaptation-of-imagine-this-by-nigerian-british-novelist-underway/

ENTERTAINMENT

Nigerian fashion brand to release collection inspired by Fela, Mandela

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                                 The Prodigy Brand

A budding Nigerian fashion label The Prodigy Brand is set to release a new collection in September. Inspired by African Legends, the new collection called ‘Mizizi: The Second Coming’ is a sequel to Mizizi.
It mixes African cultural materials and casual urban designs in ways never seen before with each design telling a story of selected heroes that have impacted Africa one way or another,” says Titilola Olayinka, a managing partner and the creative director of the brand.
Olayinka said the fashion label, which debuted in 2015, brings together intelligent and creative youths who can create simple but amazing urban designs people want and can afford.
                                       The Prodigy Brand
“That is the philosophy that started, nurtured and is sustaining the brand,” he said. Speaking on the new collection, Ojo Abdul-Hakeem who is the Chief fashion analyst and a managing partner said “The second coming is more passionate with a little bit of storytelling in it as it celebrates and further idolizes ancient African heroes.
“The designs pick the unique styles of certain African heroes during their lifetime and blend them into modern fashion and produce distinguished wears.”
The African heroes being celebrated through this collection include Fela Anikulapo Kuti of Nigeria, Nelson Mandela of South Africa, Mansa Musa of Mali, Muammar Gaddafi of Libya and Ramesses II of Egypt The collection will be available from September 2018.

ENTERTAINMENT

Peter Obi : A Lesson in Perseverance

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Image result wey dey for PICTURES OF PETER OBI

By Valentine Obienyem Today, the 19th of July, 2018, Mr. Peter Obi, the former Governor of Anambra State turns fifty-seven. Besides Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, whom I did serials on his birthdays, he is the only other person I have rashly laid upon myself the task of writing on in commemoration of his birthdays. He is one of the few in Nigeria whose lives a keen observer can look at and proclaim how good they are.
From Ojukwu to Obi is justified because the two great Igbo sons are coins of the same mould and mint, however different in dates. This is especially evident in their understanding of service to the people as revolving around two foci: selflessness and integrity. Both are geniuses in their own rights and by Nigerian standards. It is notorious that geniuses accord with one another as harmoniously as dynamite with fire, even when some little tigers being fed with milk tried to put a wedge between them. Ojukwu in his wisdom recognized those little tigers and often advised Obi to watch them to know when they grow teeth.
If people like Obi are subpoenaed before the judgement-seat of reason for follies of life we shall sue for the return of our money. If, on the contrary, we consult them for the lessons of life, they shall offer us more than we shall bargain for. In the past, I tried to look at Obi from the prisms of hard work, governance, integrity, astuteness, single-mindedness and stubborn adherence to principles. Today, I include his odd quirks. We shall see some of those things he did while growing up. O yes, we can say of him having in mind the famous Terence paragraph in Self Tormentor: “Homo Sum, humani nihil a me aliennumputo” (I am human, and nothing human is alien to me). Obi is human and nothing human is alien to him.
He was born in the commercial city of Onitsha, where he obtained his primary and secondary education; except for an interlude at Father Joseph Secondary School, Aguleri, where his uncle served as Principal. His precocity manifested in the area of business. Looking at the trajectory of his life, one can submit that he was born naturally with the business vigour of the Obis running in his veins. He was first and foremost a businessman, before other features –diplomacy, parsimony, conciliation and governance – took turns dominating his busy life.

He often tells us how his teacher at Kellogg influenced his entry into politics. Anyone who has not heard the tale will most probably think that from his Uncle, Hon. Nwabo-Alor, he derived by a kind of avuncular heredity an inclination towards radical politics. Radical not in terms of hot volcano erupting now and then, but in being driven by an independent spirit that has seen him in trouble a lot of times by insisting that the right thing must be done in spite all odds.
Obi is a thoroughbred Igbo son. Early in his life, he showed signs of what the future has in stock for his life. Barely out of diapers as a pupil of Santa Maria Primary School, Onitsha, he engaged in varied trading. First, was wholesale purchase of kerosene and retailing same in bottles. His loving mother saw the unusual business inclination and early experience with money as likely to have undue negative influence on his growth and development. Like all fond parents, his mother – known during her time as a matron of dignity and wisdom who sedulously trained her children after the husband bowed early to the supreme arbitrament of death – was not comfortable with his early exposure to the science of making money. She tried to stop him, but gifted in native intelligence and all known principles of persuasion, Peter Obi convinced his mother to allow him. But one of the ironies of his life is that despite early exposure, money does not have any charm for him.
From marketing of kerosene in primary school, Peter Obi moved on to the sale of eggs from Olikeze and Onwuka Farms in Agbor and Awka respectively, while he was a student of Christ the King College (CKC), Onitsha. Thenceforth he ventured into fashion. Apart from academics, his past-time, as with successful entrepreneurs, was watching and gauging people’s reactions to trending fashion as copied from the attires of famous singers and sportsmen. This was how as a secondary school boy, he designed foreign shoes like the one his excitable friend, Mr. Benji Uba called “three layers”, and “flanner” and went to Enugu for the mass production. Students and young traders fell over one another buying the products. He did the same for “bongo” trousers that was in vague at that time. When you hear that he had taxis running for him as a secondary school boy, do not be surprised. His is a living story as opposed to fairy tales of those who claimed they started making money from their mothers’ wombs. As a student in CKC, he was already travelling to London with older friends and importing goods in containers.
As an undergraduate at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Peter Obi was a big-time importer of five and more containers of various wares in one order. Among his several customers, the well-known Awusaku of Onitsha at the time marketed tiles from him. He also ventured into property. It was during that period that he built the houses rented by the then Savannah Bank in Omor and Nsukka. Indeed, the present Sultan of Sokoto was his tenant as a young military officer serving in Nsukka area.
Best club and party dancer As a young man
Peter Obi was fully human and enjoyed his life to the fullest. Seeing him today, you would not even know that he was the best club and party dancer among his many friends and contemporaries. He also indulged in tangents to the curve of love. From what we hear from those close to him, we may presume that where there is still so much smoke there was once a flame. Take a sampler: Once he was driving his friends, including a girlfriend, in his newly-acquired Peugeot 505 car. They got to a place and met some people who passed from admiring the vehicle to pricing it. Because Peter Obi had a business he wanted to explore, but did not have enough money to do so, he offered to sell the vehicle to the people and there and then. His scandalized friends, including the young lady, had to continue their trip in public transport. Two days later, Peter Obi was off to London and as soon as he concluded the new venture, he bought a brand new BMW!
There are many interesting stories about him and each is parked with lessons of life. At the wedding of one of his cousins in Enugu, many people saw him waiting for public transport to the reception. Most of them stopped to give him a lift, which he declined. In fact, a girlfriend to one of his friends remarked that they should leave the man (Obi) who appeared to be enjoying his poverty. When they later talked about the event and it was revealed that the three most-graded vehicles used for the wedding were owned by Peter Obi, the young woman sought Obi’s hotel room ostensibly to apologize to him but actually to woo his friendship.
Peter Obi lived a normal life that characterizes all stages of human development. One of the interesting things about him is that he did not remain becalmed in any of the stages. That is not say his life is devoid of follies; after all, as Cicero said: “There is nothing so absurd, but that it may be found in the book of philosophies”. He once angrily retrieved what he bought for his girlfriend on discovering her liaisons with other men.
Obi’s transition to one of Nigeria’s most successful politicians in terms of performance was not by accident. He is a perfectionist who puts in 100% efforts in whatever he chooses to do, even if it does not yield the maximum result. His friend, Benji Uba tells a story of sometime in the 1980s, when he and Obi stayed in the house of Ike Nwabunike: “Each time we travelled to London, Ike would always give us money to run errands for him and ask us to keep the change. In 1987, Peter bought his own house. When Ike heard it, he was so amazed that he dropped the plate of food from his hands. Ike was rightly perplexed that the young man he accommodated was able to buy a house in London without a mortgage! Ike was very happy and thereafter used Peter as an example for others. In the same year, Peter started investing in London and Nigerian stock markets unaffected by the bedlam of politics”.
Obi’s venture into politics was with the same spirit of perseverance. How many Nigerians would undergo what he experienced in politics and remain visible with his work largely speaking for him? He has stayed tranquil, friendly, sociable, self-critical and occasionally favouring his “enemies”. He is a man of his words and never offends a rival, never disappoints a patron, except those that are inordinate in their expectations.
As the Governor he found Anambra State buffeted by forces of under-development and self-inflicted curse. The State’s finances were in chaos; most of its revenue was lost in transit; and lawlessness was the order of the day. Rape and rapine of public and private assets reigned. Obi fought the battle of his life and eventually became the Governor of the State in 2006. His every act and every word were designed to carry out his single-minded purpose – to restore Anambra to greatness. He, therefore, started auspiciously by making himself a terror to all incompetence and malfeasance and guarded the treasury ferociously from all political raids. He reduced his own staff strength, lowered taxes, introduced agricultural reforms, and encouraged industrial enterprise. Soon his probity, economics, and efficiency brought a surplus to the treasury to the tune of over N75 billion – which he handed over to his successor in office – the first of its kind in the history of Nigeria. What was most perplexing is that he achieved this after being acclaimed the Best Governor in terms of infrastructural development and no indebtedness to workers, pensioners, contractors or creditors. Well-meaning Nigerians love him today for so bold a violation of precedence – bequests of debt.
Basic principles in life Obi’s basic principles in life have not changed
The other day, 6th of July, 2018, he requested that I buy some bananas for him in Awka. I called to inform him that I did not see good bananas in Awka and could not go to Agulu because of time constraint. He spent the next 30 minutes lecturing me on why I should not have thought about going to Agulu because of bananas: “What is the cost implication? How can somebody think of going to Agulu to buy bananas for somebody in Awka? That’s sheer wastefulness. Was the banana recommended by a doctor, for it is only on medical condition should such course be approved, otherwise it would be sheer madness”, Obi argued.
Today, after many years of leaving public office, sedulous researchers have continued to rate him high as a careful administrator and a far-sighted diplomat. Under him, Anambra politics leaped to heights, but suddenly resumed limping after he left office, characterized by generous delusion and a brand of propaganda falling over us like the lava of Vesuvius. In the midst of increasing taxes, their pockets are bulging with riches from the poor. Rather than the aides helping him out, they continue showering the leadership with the flattery they know he loves to sip, some say gulp.
As for mistakes in office, Obi made ample varieties of them in underestimating the wicked capacity of men. Because he meant well for the State, he spent a lot of time working on a transition that would be of benefit to the people. Only God knows why he ended up supporting the one that is painfully antipodal to him in temper and ideas. Rather than look up to his ideas and build on them, his and his successor and his group are serenading him in mockery. He was accused of demanding money which he never did. They denied the money he saved and paid all manner of characters to pour obloquy on him. Those he raised from dust to become something in life now talk and act to him disrespectfully. All this has compelled him to turn around and examine himself and have a better understanding of man by understanding himself first and foremost. “Gnothiseauton” (Know thyself), said Socrates. It is one of the wonders in the political history of Nigeria that Obi did not become morose by the intensity of indignities he has suffered, but has boldly moved on; only considering the betrayals of friends and those he has helped as little wavelet in a ceaseless surf.
Obi’s pre-occupation is support for schools Today, Obi’s pre-occupation is support for schools. He has turned himself into a wandering sophist giving lectures here and there to queasy audiences. During his lectures, he reduces to common understanding terms like Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Per Capita, among others, such that his speeches now serve as the very sauce and flavour by which heavy dishes of economic terms are made digestible for even the unlettered. But, the irony of it is that those simple, analytic speeches he always delivers have contributed much to the intellectual stimulation of the times.
Today, as he turns 58, we look at his life comprehensively and dare to say that in its systolic and diastolic movements over time, history will be kind to him. His politics reminds us that to get the best from governance, Nigeria must devise a method of barring incompetence and knavery from public office – this is the key-stone of the arch of Obi’s political thoughts. He also believes in some aspect of Chinese politics, of not allowing people to hold high offices till they have filled lower offices well.
He shall remain a lesson in perseverance. Many, including the little tiger and his patron may derive joy in castigating him, but time shall come when history would probably retort as in what, in the fables of Antisthenes, the lions said to the hares when, in the council of beasts, the latter began haranguing and claiming equality for all: “Where are your claws?”
History shall one day judge Nigerian politicians according to their deeds and people like Obi will occupy the temple of honour for persevering in doing good in spite all odds.
*Obienyem wrote from Lagos

ENTERTAINMENT

VP Osinbajo tasks monarchs on conflict resolution

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Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has challenged traditional rulers in Nigeria to take greater responsibility in resolving conflicts in the country, saying dialogue and engagements are as just as important as law enforcement in tackling disputes.

Professor Osinbajo stated this on Wednesday at the opening of the 10th National Development Summit of Nigerian Traditional Rulers held at the Merit House, Abuja.

He said that traditional rulers were better placed “to champion this vision of continuing dialogue and engagement because of the respect you command from the widest possible range of stakeholders and parties.

“Dialogue and engagement are just as important as law enforcement, especially in situations triggered by misunderstandings and disagreements between people and communities who have existed peacefully side-by-side for centuries.”

The vice president said even though the law enforcement agencies are critical elements in deterring criminality and ensuring that perpetrators are brought to justice, overlooking the place of non-coercive conflict prevention and resolution mechanisms would do a great disservice to the people of Nigeria.

“You are also repositories of important intelligence that can be useful in detecting suspicious or criminal activity,” the vice president told the traditional rulers, adding that “the partnership between traditional authority and government is therefore crucial.”

According to him, it was in recognition of this critical role of traditional rulers that informed government’s approach to dealing with Nigeria’s most pressing security issues in the Niger Delta and in the Middle Belt.

“I can say without fear of contradiction that the New Vision for the Niger Delta would not have happened without the support of traditional rulers and leaders in the region. We have made it a priority to meet with them and carry them along, and ask for their wisdom and their support in resolving issues with stakeholders and communities. This was also our approach in the wake of secessionist agitation by IPOB in the South East.”

Collective Course
He said government has been engaging traditional rulers in the flashpoint regions, counting on the influence they wield to chart a new and collective course of understanding, instead of the default approach of resorting to violence as a way of dealing with grievances.

“As custodians of our rich history, we also believe that you have a duty to remind us of the things we have got right in the past, but from which, for some reason or another, we have departed from, to our detriment,” he stated.

The vice president said Nigeria’s traditional cultures had long ago perfected timeless dispute-resolution and community-engagement mechanisms that are now under threat of being lost forever.

“As traditional rulers, your forebears and ancestors were the initiators and implementers of many of these mechanisms, and our cultural institutions have evolved ways of passing this knowledge down the generations – even if we have not been paying attention as we should.

“May I therefore most respectfully ask that you take this as a call to you, as royal fathers, as traditional rulers, as elder statesmen, to commit yourselves to deepening your partnership with government, to achieve our shared goal of laying the foundation of peace and security that will guarantee true greatness for Nigeria,” he added.

He said government would continue to seek their wisdom, and listen to them, and explore ways and means of strengthening their place in Nigeria’s governance structures.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Summit Governing Council, His Royal Majesty, Dr. Emmanuel Sideso, said traditional rulers in Nigeria have continued to build bridges across the country’s ethnic nationalities and have supported government in its campaigns against poverty, terrorism and crime.

“We may not have the executive powers to implement all the laudable resolutions of the summits, but we are satisfied that our opinions and wise counsels on national issues have always been made public and forwarded to government at all times,” Sideso, who is also the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom said.

Traditional rulers from different parts of Nigeria attended the summit.

ENTERTAINMENT

2018 Hajj: NAHCON advance team leaves for Saudi Arabia

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The Advance Team of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, to this year’s Hajj, departed Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport Abuja to the Holy land in Saudi Arabia.

The early departure is to prepare and put things in place to receive Nigerian pilgrims that are expected to start arriving in Saudi Arabia from Saturday 21st July.

The Advance Team comprised of the National Medical Team, that is expected to set up Clinics in Madinah and Makkah, the Accommodation Team to set up and ensure proper handling of accommodation issues for ease of access to the arriving pilgrims and the National Reception Team, which has members at the two entry points of Jeddah and Madinah and another set of members at Makkah.

Speaking to the Advance Team, before their departure at about one o’clock, this afternoon, the Chairman of the Commission Barrister Abdullah Mukhtar Muhammad advised members to diligently execute their assigned roles for the comfort of the Nigerian pilgrims.

He said their main responsibility is service to the pilgrims, first, before any other Hajj rites.

Barrister Abdullah, therefore urged them to fear Allah as they will account for all their action or inaction before Allah, on their handling of His guests in the Holy land.

The members of the advance team of the NAHCON National Media Team are expected to depart with the first batch of Nigerian pilgrims from Kogi State on Saturday, aboard the inaugural flight.

ENTERTAINMENT

Nigeria’s creative industry is top-class on global stage- Minister

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Nigerian Government has showered accolades on some of the country’s creative industry players.

Minister of Information and culture, Mr. Lai Mohammed has said that the country’s creative and entertainment industry is ruling the continent and also the creatives have been recognized as top class on the global stage.

The Minister said this on Monday at the Creative Nigeria Summit in Lagos, South West Nigeria. He reeled out many names of Nigerians doing great exploits in their chosen genres in the creative industry.

“We have seen a harvest of global recognitions for our Creative Industry players. Mo Abudu and Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde were named among the top 50 women doing extraordinary things on the worldwide stage by the Variety Magazine; and prolific author Chimamanda Adichie’s novel, Americanah, was listed in the New York Times’ list of 15 remarkable books by women that are ”shaping the way we read and write fiction in the 21st century.”

”Also, Wizkid has made history by becoming the first African artiste to sell out the Royal Albert Hall in London, while Davido emerged winner of the 2018 BET Award International Act.”

The 2018 Creative Industry Summit, with the theme: ”Content – The Future of Nigerian Film and Television in a Digital Era.” The summit brought together stakeholders in the industry from both home and abroad to examine and exchange ideas and innovations, to create sustainable solutions to challenges and harness the full potential of the Nigerian film and television industry.

Speaking on the future of Television and content, Mr. Mohammed said that the Digitisation of Television required a much deeper understanding of Customers, Content and the quality of delivery of Video.

“The landscape has changed. The accelerating shift towards mobile delivery continues unabated and a content rekindling has left consumers feeling lost in a sea of available programming.”

Media and entertainment companies that want to stay in the game may need to embark upon a holistic, coordinated and integrated programme of digital innovation to focus their resources, investments and capabilities on the things that truly matter.

On the issue of content, the Minister said Nigeria is the clear leader in raw content in Africa.

“Nollywood, Hip Hop, Afrobeat and our Comedians testify to this. But we are hardly monetizing them either through production, distribution or royalty collection. In fact, with about 20 billion Naira currently expended on the DSO, less than 500 Million Naira has gone into content! It is apparent Nigeria has forgotten that Video, not Television, is about content.”

”And everywhere in the world, Video has exploded via on Demand and Live streaming. Online TV or subscription services are now the norm – YouTube, Netflix, Iroko etc.”

”Video is now delivered via social feeds like Facebook, Wechat, LINE etc. Indeed, Video is the future of media on the web and is competing with scheduled linear TV content for consumer attention. I implore the key players in the DSO project to focus on any of the above.”

Making reference to a recent survey done in over 42 countries, Mr. Mohammed said the research findings revealed that expected video consumption on devices over the next 3 years will grow 45% on Mobile, 45% on Internet-enabled TV, 40% on Tablet and 36% on Laptop computers.

“Traditional TV grew by 0%! This led the researchers to come to the conclusion that Video is not only increasingly consumed from the internet, it is clearly going mobile.”

TV companies have used their advantage of being first in the homes to introduce data to the homes, thereby not only improving their revenues significantly but securing their roles in the future of Video watching.

Some 70% of homes in the U.K get their data from Sky, Virgin or You View. In fact BT, the main telecom operator, rushed to set up their own TV entity acquiring Champions League rights and offering it for free, if you buy data from them.

Very soon the race for content will begin. With a significant increase in the number of distribution channels and a variety of content to choose from, the clear winner will be the media company that invests in high quality original content that has taken into consideration the preferences of the customer. Ultimately, the goal will be to match content with audience expectation and enjoy maximum compensation.”

The Minister said that the Buhari led Administration remains dogged in its determination to grow the Creative Industry and turn it into a Creative Economy.

Reeling out the fruits produced by the summit last year, he said following the summit last year, there was a piracy stakeholders’ meeting with the Inspector-General of Police, resulting in the establishment of police anti-piracy units in all the 36 states. The subsequent extensive piracy raids have led to the confiscation of pirated products worth hundreds of millions of Naira.

Also last year’s summit brought about the Granting of Pioneer Status for the Creative industry by the Federal Government to reduce financial burdens on new investments and encourage both foreign and local investments within the industry.

Meanwhile the Governor of Lagos state Mr Akinwunmi Ambode who was represented by the Permanent Secretary Lagos state Ministry of  Tourism and Culture Mr Fola Adeyemi said the state is investing huge resources in the sector because the government believes that is the future.

Mr Ambode said Lagos sees tourism as the new and best way to  develop the state’s economy and create jobs for the teeming youths.
This is the second edition of the summit that started last year. The two-day summit, put together by Think Tank Media and Advertising Limited, in conjunction with The Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, was borne and executed out of a desire to urgently transform the Film, Television and Music sectors into a well-structured industry.
ENTERTAINMENT

South Africans, Obama mark Mandela’s centenary birthday

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South Africa on Wednesday marked 100 years since Nelson Mandela’s birth with a “town hall” forum hosted by Barack Obama and a walk led by the anti-apartheid leader’s widow among a series of tributes.

His birthday on July 18 is marked annually around the world as “Mandela Day”, and the Nelson Mandela Foundation called for people to “take action and inspire change” in his name on the centenary year.

Mr Obama, speaking to 15,000 people at a stadium in Johannesburg on Tuesday, gave an emotional address recalling the “wave of hope that washed through hearts all around the world” when Mandela was released from jail in 1990.

“Through his sacrifice and unwavering leadership and, perhaps most of all, through his moral example, Mandela… came to embody the universal aspirations of dispossessed people,” Mr Obama said.

“(He) shows those of us who believe in freedom and democracy we are going to have to fight harder.”

Mr Mandela, who died in 2013, remains a global icon for his long fight against white-minority rule and for his message of peace and reconciliation when he was released after 27 years in prison.

The former US president met Mr Mandela only briefly in 2005 but gave a eulogy at his funeral, hailing him as “the last great liberator of the 20th century”.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, a protege of Mr Mandela who came to power this year, said he would mark “Mandela 100” by donating half his salary to charity and called for others to do the same.

“He led us from the wilderness of conflict and oppression into the land of promise, of freedom, democracy and equality,” Ramaphosa said.

Young people

President Ramaphosa will spend Mandela Day in Mvezo in Eastern Cape province, Mandela’s birthplace, at celebrations including the opening of a clinic, a tree planting ceremony and distributions of blankets to elderly citizens.

Ms Machel Graca, Mandela’s widow, will lead a short walk to promote Mandela’s legacy, while the centenary has also been marked with the release of a new book of his prison letters and a commemorative bank note.

Mr Obama will speak to 200 young people selected from across Africa to attend a five-day leadership course in Johannesburg.

Mr Mandela was imprisoned under apartheid rule in 1962 and only freed in 1990, when he went on to lead the African National Congress party to victory in the first multi-race elections in 1994.

He served one term as president before stepping down in 1999.

ENTERTAINMENT

Why I drive a 2008 model vehicle — Banky W

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Pop singer , Olubankole Wellington , popularly known as Banky W , has hit back at some women who insulted him for allegedly owning a 1999 sports utility vehicle .
The incident , which happened three days ago, showed the musician being filmed by two women at a grocery store who apparently felt the vehicle he was driving was not suitable for someone in his class, whereas raining insults at him as he was offloading goods into his vehicle .
READ ALSO : How to hide Whatsapp video, photos from gallery
In response to the “ cringe worthy , creepy video” as described by the artiste , he revealed that the vehicle was in fact not a 1999 model but a 2008 own and it was currently on sale to the highest bidder.
“ The 2008 Range is up for auction. We ’ re using the car sale to raise money for a worthy cause , so we ’ ll start the bidding at one million naira only , ” Banky said .
He noted that he still drove a 2008 model SUV due to the need to own a nice home before a newer car.
“ You see, I’ ve never found it necessary to own more than one car. Mostly because I can only ever drive one car at a time ; and when I bought the car in 2011 , I promised myself that I would never buy another car until I owned the home I live in .
“ To me, owning a nice car might help me look like I was doing okay , but owning a nice home would help me know , ” he added .
Banky said as the car went from being “ kind – of – trendy ” to being just old , he decided to get a smaller vehicle and remained adamant at getting a nicer model until he got a house of his own .

ENTERTAINMENT

Adorable photo of davido’s daughter Imade Adeleke,rocking a gucci shirt

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Davido’s first daughter, Imade Adeleke was photoed wearing a bright smile while she rocked a black Gucci shirt and Balenciaga kids speed sock sneakers which she paired with a black skirt.

The three year old looks all shades of adorable in the photo which was shared on her official Instagram page, realimadeadeleke where she has over a hundred thousand followers.

The lovely photo which was shared hours ago, has garnered thousands of like with many admirers gushing over the cuteness of her lovely photo.

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Reasons why Tiwa Savage snubbed Wizkid’s birthday

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Whether for fear or she was just being careful, African number one bad girl Tiwa Savage completely ignored her bestie’s birthday yesterday and ended the day without a single greeting to the father of three.
Despite anticipation from fans of the two best friends, Tiwa Savage failed to oblige Nigerians as she decided to make no public post for Wizkid who turned 28 yesterday.

It could be recalled that when Tiwa Savage had her birthday earlier in the year, Wizkid did not make just one post, he did not make two but went ahead to drop five posts for his friend and ‘Queen’!

Although this was the post which started the rumours of an affair, it was also a move that hinted at great friendship between the two.

For Tiwa not to return the favour could either mean she is scared of Nigerians: also scared of doing below expectations since wizkid already went overboard for her.

Another consideration is that her estranged hubby Teebillz is back online and Tiwa could just be playing safe at the same time.

Whatever the case may be, we know all is well between the two and Wizkid has probably received a big hug and kiss from Tiwa all the time we waited for a birthday post.

ENTERTAINMENT

Davido celebrates Wizkid

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Nigerian musician David Adeleke aka Davido posted a heartfelt message to celebrate the birthday of Afropop star Ayodeji Balogun aka Wizkid.
Davido, who is currently in Paris ahead of the Afro Punk concert, shared the message on his Twitter handle @iam_davido, as Wizkid turned 28, on Monday,.
He wrote, “Happy birthday brother!! @wizkidayo keep soaring! God keep you safe! Your children go see you live long. Amen Gbefun!”

The ‘Assurance’ crooner also took to his Instagram page @davidooficial to share a video of himself dancing to Wizkid’s hit song ‘Soco’.
He captioned it, “Happy birthday @wizkidayo!!! Keep soaring my G.”
Davido’s celebration of Wizkid birthday is an indication that they have buried the hatchet.
This is the first birthday celebration that one or both of them have sent open messages to each other as they had a long standing rift which ended in December 2017.
The supremacy war ended when Davido and Wizkid appeared and performed in each other’s shows to showcase their reconciliation.
Meanwhile, fans of the two star artists have expressed their gratitude over the open love shown in the message, with some fans pleading for a collaboration.

ENTERTAINMENT

Chika Ike Reveals What She Does Before Logging Onto Instagram

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Nollywood actress and author Chika Ike has revealed that she normally says her prayers before visiting popular social media platform, Instagram.
Ike made this known in a chat with Sunday Scoop saying that with the negativity spreading all over the Internet, especially on Instagram,she has to guard herself with prayers.
“Instagram can spoil your day if you are not careful or strong. There is so much negativity in the world right now; so, you have to guard yourself with prayers. There is a need to start your day in a positive light and when you pray, your day has started positively,” she added.

ENTERTAINMENT

BB Naija’s Alex Reacts To Leo And Cee-C’s Relationship

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Former Big Brother Naija 2018 housemate, Alex has reacted to Leo’s relationship with Cee-C.
Leo who was her former love interest in the big brother house is now in a romantic relationship with Cee-C, who was also a star of the show.
Alex made her reaction known about the relationship during a live Instagram video where she was answering questions asked by her fans.
Asked about Leo and Cee-C, she said;
“I feel nothing, they are cool, I am happy for them”
She answered questions about her relationship status, what she feels about Leo and Cee-C’s relationship, future trips/travel plans, school, Teddy Bear names and lots more during the session.