Surprise birthday bash for Tricia

Pic-Tricia Esiegbe by Niyi Tabiti

A surprise and well attended birthday soiree was recently organized for hard working actress and presenter of Boldfaces on TV, Tricia Eseigbe.

The event, which was graced by several Nollywood stars and well wishers took place in Eseigbe’s Surulere, Lagos abode, without her knowledge, until guests started trooping in, to her consternation.

Fast rising actress, Mercy Johnson, a very good pal of the celebrant, together with Eseigbe’s workers plotted the groove.

Star actress, Uche Jombo, another good pal of the birthday babe, was fully in charge of victuals at the event. In fact, she over fed guests, especially the gluttons in the house.

The party, which was originally meant to be an evening affair, eventually dragged into the night with more guests trooping in.

Almost a week after the bash, happily single Eseigbe, who just bought herself a glittering Infinity SUV, as a special gift, has blatantly refused to tell us her age.

MTN Project Fame excites Naija youths

Pix-Dare Art-Alade

Few weeks after its grand unveiling at the Event Place, Planet One Entertainment, Maryland, Lagos, more and more music conscious Nigerian youths are thrilled and looking forward to making it to the finals of this year’s edition of the MTN sponsored music TV reality show tagged: Project Fame West Africa.

The youth friendly talents hunt show, which is currently running in over 15 countries globally, according to the Chief Marketing and Customer Relations Officer, Bola Akingbade, the telecom company, through its youth brand, the MTN Xtra Cool, is bringing the show to the doorsteps of teeming Nigerian youth population and TV viewers nationwide to meet their passion area. In his words, music correctly taps into their passion point, “hence the need to provide them with world class cutting edge music property that meets the needs and aspirations of this dynamic segment”, he explained.

Moreover, unlike others, the forthcoming, show has a transformative impact on the selected youths. It also boasts of world-class standards and with the support of MTN, Endemol and Ultima, would definitely provide an opportunity for total entertainment and an opportunity to discover and nurture youthful talents.

Basically, the show provides a platform where 16 young people are selected from a pool of others and trained and groomed in the act of music performance. They are also housed in an academy for a period of three months and trained by leading music experts on what it takes to become a top rated music icon. Six days a week, a 24-minute episode is aired showing the highlights of the day at the academy. A winner alongside two runners up would emerge at the end of the day. Dare Art Alade represented Nigeria at the last edition of the show, where he emerged the third best.

Ekwe Stereo man drops second album

Pix-Stereoman and MD of Sechi Records

Following the huge success recorded with “Sample Ekwe,” his debut effort a couple of years ago, Ekwe, the newly signed Globacom ambassador, is out with another bang. Ekwe (born Osakuni Stereo Sunday), said his second outing, is a 14 tracker entitled “Come Back Again.” And as usual, the fast selling work is a combination of trado-contemporary songs rendered in his usual style and rhythm. “My new work is loaded with meanings, its also a food for thought for my teeming fans”, he pointed out.

The Delta State born crooner, who is still waxing stronger on Ambrose Ndukwu’s led Sechi Records, said he would forever remain grateful to the outfit for discovering and nurturing his career to an enviable height. Ekwe, also thanked God Almighty, his fans and Globacom for making him one of their worthy ambassadors, adding that he is already on locations lensing the videos of the work.

D’Banj leads the game with The Entertainer

Pix-D'Banj

To further prove to music buffs and critics alike that he is still ahead of the game, Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo, famously known as D’ Banj, is poised to launch his third solo album sensationally entitled The Entertainer, this weekend. The elaborate event, which is already serenading the entertainment circuit, holds tomorrow, July 26, 2008 at the upscale Expo Centre of the Oceanview restaurant, Victoria Island, Lagos. According to the Kokolet crooner, who is also the first Nigerian youth ambassador for peace, the ten-tracker effort, was mixed, mastered and produced in the UK by Don Jazzy. It also boasts of several hit tracks rendered in both Pidgin English and the core Nigerian languages. “This album is vintage me and also a potential mega hit with universal flavours like, Afrobeat, highlife, reggae, funk, dancehall, R n B, hip hop, techno, jazz and of course, the Koko styling,” hinted the No long thing crooner.

Meanwhile, as a musician with a very large heart, Dbanj is using the occasion of the launch to flag off his non-governmental organization, christened the Koko Foundation for Youth and Peace Development- KOFYPED. Its primarily designed to cater for the less privileged in the society, and has already employed 50 ICT youths.

Rev. Okotie adopts AY, the comedian

Pix-Rev. Chris Okotie and AY

Dandy man of God and the head pastor of the Household of God Church, Rev. Kris Okotie did two unique things on the occasion of his recently held 50th birthday celebrations. First, was the ‘unveiling’ and introduction of his would be pretty wife, Stephanie, a divorcee mother of three to church members and invited quests. As if that was not enough, the preacher turned politician went ahead to declare on the pulpit that he had adopted fast rising comedian Ayo Makun, famously known as AY, as his first son. The public announcement further elicited huge applause from those present at the occasion. However, our concern is that more than a month after the declaration, the cerebral comedian and compere, whose AY show, has been rated one of the best watched on TV, is yet to change his surname to reflect his new status. Meanwhile, some hoodlums recently burgled his wife’s car and left it thoroughly vandalized.

Nollywood bubbles at two-in-one premiere

Pix-Omotola Jolade-Ekehinde and Ramsey Noah

Another milestone achievement was recorded in the Nigerian motion picture industry globally referred to as Nollywood penultimate Sunday evening, when two blockbuster movies premiered elaborately in one big event.
The world premiere, which was attended by several leading names in Nollywood alongside celebrities and dignitaries from all walks of life, held with so much glamour and glitz at the upscale Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Both movies, When The Heart Lies, produced by Vivian Ejike, and Reloaded, packaged by Emem Isong and Desmond Elliot, collectively starred a total of 16 A- List stars.
First to premiere was the former, which had sexy actress Omotola Jalade, as the lead actress, and the latter starring handsome actor, Ramsey Noah as the lead.
Aside music, which was supplied by Hip hop star Paul Play and other performing acts in the house, Basorge Tariah, the Grand master of comedy, as the compere, further enlivened the house with good jokes and jibes. Radio presenter, Freeze, supported the River State born entertainer.
In their addresses, Ejike and Emem, who were looking angelic in their black and fushia pink free flowing gowns, thanked all for coming and promised to do more great things for Nollywood. They also thanked their sponsors for believing in them.
Also in attendance, was Chief Lucky Imasuen, the deputy governor of Edo State, a proud Nollywood enthusiast.

Davina launches the freedom album

Fast emerging contemporary musician Patience Achema, better known as Davina happily launched her debut album over the weekend at the Nu Metro Cinema hall, Lekki, Lagos.

Entitled the Freedom Album, friends and colleagues of the Kogi State born singer also graced the event.

The ten-tracker, which is already on the shelves nationwide according to the blonde, was hugely inspired by the society and events happening around her.
Powered by Rajcom and proudly supported by Longhorn energy drink, the gathering was beautifully anchored by wave making comedian D’Lectura.

Davina, also plans to embark on a nationwide tour in the next couple weeks, to further promote the album and her budding career.

O’Jez repositions for better deals

Pix-Joseph Odobeatu

Leading music label and celebrity hang out joint O’Jez, tucked inside the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos is gradually taking entertainment and hospitality businesses to the next level. Information at our disposal has it that in the next couple of weeks, all the new artistes on the label would be unveiled at a colourful ceremony holding at its Chinese restaurant section.
Another insider, further hinted that Joseph Odobeatu, the amiable boss of the high profile hang-out, has also up-graded the facilities on ground with more special orders coming in from the UK, in a fortnight. “In fact, Odobeatu has resumed fully at O’Jez, unlike before that he used to breeze in once in a while, he now has a corporate office and has completely turned around the running of the place”, hinted the source.

Njideka to honour late Oliver De Coque

Pix-Oliver De Coque

Even in death, more honour and recognition are still pouring in for Oliver De Coque, the highlife maestro and exponent of Ogene music globally.
All the way from London, princess Njideka Ndiwe, a great fan and admirer of the late bearded singer recently breezed in to honour and pay tribute to De Coque, in a very special way.
We reliably gathered that the international businesswoman, whom the late musician had sang her praises in some of his hit albums, has concluded plans to organize a night of tributes for De Coque in collaboration with some music and movie stars very soon.

Already, she is currently fine-tuning arrangements with most of the acts billed to perform at the show holding in Lagos, Anambra and Abuja respectively. An insider further squealed that Ndiwe, is doing this based on the cordial relationship she had with the late crooner, while he was alive. “Oliver was and still remains her best musician when it comes to highlife music, hence her reason for wanting to remember and honour him in a very unique way,” added the insider.

Econmium, Prest Lunch and Dinner Cruise groove stars and celebrities on the high seas+Photos

Photos-(1)Photo-Tony Prest, CEO, Prest Lunch and Dinner Cruise
(2)some celebrities embarking via speed boat

Gbenga Adeyinka opened the show
The fun-filled and memorable boat cruise was declared opened by the most visible Comedian of the Federal Republic (CFR), Gbenga Adeyinka the first. Adeyinka thoroughly thrilled guests with exhilarating jokes and jibes, while the luxury boat was getting set to sail. And to the consternation of many, he quietly disembarked before the boat was let off the anchorage.

Fast rising comedians, Seyi law and Emeka Smith later filled the vacuum created by Adeyinka, who was obviously rushing to another high profile event.

Seyi and Smith really dazzled the high net worth gathering at intervals and they kept asking for more.


Photos-(1)Gbenga Adeyinka (2)R-L, Yours sincerely, Essence, rocking with other celebs

Nollywood Stars and celebrities everywhere
The historic boat groove jointly organized by Encomium magazines and Prest Lunch and Dinner Cruises, aimed at exploring the Lagos waterways was well attended by top entertainers, celebrities and the glitterati. In fact, Several Nollywood stars, top musicians and comedians that attended had unlimited fun and mixed freely with other dignitaries from all walks of life.


Actresses, Uche Jumbo and Rukky Sandra doing their thing

Leading the pack of Nollywood stars were the trio of Omotola Jalade – Ekeinde, Saint Obi and Uche Jombo. However, Saint Obi later disappeared into thin air, before the well-secured boat could set sail. A bird later squealed that the action hero star was probably scared of grooving on the high seas. Other Nollywood stars in the house were: Chico Ejiro and wife, Joy, Uche Iwuji, Kunle Afolayan, Ruky Sanda, Nike Peller and others.



Photo-Weird MC, Muma Gee thrilling the audience

Musicians light up the cruise
The still talk of the town boat cruise reached a crescendo when some leading musicians on board teamed up with the in house Prest Live Band and thrilled guests to no end with good music. Among those that performed were: Tunde and Wunmi Obe (TWO), Weird Mc, Sasha, Mumagee, Kenny Saint Brown, Essence and Zaaky Adzee.


Photo-T.W.O performing

The joint session was so sweet and tempting that most guests on board the luxury cruise had to abandon the comfort of their seats for the jam-packed dance floor to wriggle their waists. Virtually all the invited guests were on their feet throughout the over three hours that the razzmatazz filled outing lasted.


Sasha, Solomom Kolade Olotun Wunmi Obe

Kunle Bakare, Tony Prest, the good hosts
The organizers of the glamorous cruise Mr. Kunle Bakare, the dandy publisher of Encomium Magazines and Awards Company and unassuming Tony Prest, the honcho of Prest Lunch and Dinner Daily Cruises did wonderfully well as the chief hosts of the high octane gathering.

They were both on their feet exchanging pleasantries and banters with guests and at the same time attending to their needs, while the cruise lasted. They also ensured that choice foods from local to continental and assorted drinks and wines flowed endlessly at the cool and breezy evening of enjoyment.


Photo-Cutting of cake

The high point of the event was when they gathered stars and celebrities to cut the beautiful cake. This segment was coordinator by ace broadcaster Soni Irabor. In fact, to show that he is a professional, in the marine business, Mr. Prest, lowered a special security speedboat with siren, to protect and guard the cruising boat, while it was getting dark. For your information, heavily armed security personnel were also on board, in case of any “invasion”.

Both hosts, who were obviously overwhelmed with the large turn out of A- list guests, later went round the double - decker boat, thanking guests for coming.

Omotola JOlade with Tony prest and Julian Bassey & Ijeoma Ir.

Omotola Jalade, the latecomer
Sincerely, a special award should be given to delectable star actress Omotola Jalade – Ekeinde for coming very, very late to the event.

The mother of four, who was looking ravishingly beautiful in her knee length gown, breezed into the venue, when the boat had already left and waited patiently for it to return. She was immediately ushered on board, the moment the boat anchored, to the consternation of many. Though, she came late, but thoroughly enjoyed herself before leaving.

Another late cover was actor, comedian and singer Sheddi Baba. The Igala, Kogi State born entertainer who sauntered in with his latest “handbag” also missed every bit of the high seas groove. He was however, smuggled in when the luxury boat berthed.

kunle afolayan, tony prest, weird mc & solomon kolade olotu

The Prests and The Irabors

One boat, three venues
Being a double decker luxury boat, invited guests sat comfortably in three different venues. While most of the entertainers and dignitaries sat on the ground floor, the upwardly mobile and urbane guests sat very relaxed on the first floor, while most of the entertainment journalists on board settled for the windy balcony, from where they thoroughly enjoyed the cool evening breeze and captured the cruise vividly.

The well-organized sitting arrangement made it possible for the boat not to witness any form of human traffic that could easily lead to a stampede on board the memorable cruise.

The red carpet groove and celebrities
Prior to the main groove, which took place on the high seas, several stars and celebrities spent time posing on the red carpet with paparazzi clicking away.

Leading the pack of dignitaries that posed and got interviewed on the red carpet is Dr. Doyin Abiola, who looked chic and very casual in her alluring eveningwear. She had a good companion in the person of princess Teni Aofiyebi.

Dr. Doyin Abiola, Tony Prest, Teni Afeyeni

Elkanah Mowarin, the honcho of E.O.M Business Network and Nonye Osi of MITV thoroughly enjoyed themselves separately on the red carpet before taking it to the next level on the cruising boat.

Lest we forget, ‘Admiral’ Tony Prest was on board the Nire Prest Cruise with his amiable wife and adventurous son.


Azubuike Oshimili and Tunde Braimih

Segun Arinze back to the altar again

Photo-Top Actor, Segun Arinze

Bad boy actor and one of the most creative and versatile entertainers in Nigeria today, Segun Aina Padanou Arinze, as you are reading this is already a happily married man. Whao! Arinze, quietly decided to say “I do” again, to another Igbo lady Julie Nsofor, from Oguta, Imo State, more than a decade after his first and whirlwind marriage to co movie star Ann Njemanze collapsed amid accusations and counter accusations of infidelity from both parties. The traditional wedding took place over the weekend at the bride’s village with some of Arinze’s pals and colleagues in the industry attending. We would definitely keep you darling readers posted on their forthcoming white wedding, holding in Lagos very soon. Meanwhile, Arinze’s new wife is a lawyer working with oil giant, Schlumberger, and closely related to the weird one, Charly Boy, thus making Arinze the latter’s in law. Congrats pal.

Producers battle over award-winning movie, Irapada

Photo-Poster of the movie, Irapada

The lingering and messy battle between actor Kunle Afolayan and John Izuchukwu over the real owner of the now controversial but very successful movie Irapada, has taken a new dimension. Aside the legal judgment, obtained at a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, in favour of the later, his outfit, Jonakchuks Productions Company limited, has also dragged Afolayan and his Golden Effects Services limited outfit, to the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB). As if that was not enough blow already, Izuchukwu, through his lawyers, Eagle Chambers, also wrote a petition to the management of Unilever Nigeria Plc, to desist from sponsoring or endorsing the movie, based on a fresh court injunction filed. In the documents made available to us, Izuchukwu’s anger stems from the fact that as the real owner of the story and co producer of Irapada, Afolayan, whom he contracted to originally star in the movie as his lead act, failed to carry him along in the
scheme of things, especially now that the flick is making waves nationally and globally. While, Afolayan on his own part, is accusing Izuchukwu, of destabilizing all his concerted efforts at getting corporate sponsors to buy into the project. Dear readers, we would definitely keep you informed, as more facts and figures emerge in this dirty and real life drama unfolding in Nollywood. Just be rest assured that our radar is everywhere and recording.

James Louis floats multi media studios

Photo-Actor, James Louis

London based Nigerian born moviemaker and singer James Louis has finally floated his long awaited multi media studios. The multi million Naira investment, which recently opened for business, is located adjacent to the newly commissioned national secretariat of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, in the heart of Surulere, Lagos. The outfit, known as Jalou Media Limited, boasts of both movie and music studios, and has also been upgraded to meet the demands of international standard works. In a chat with us at the formal opening, Louis, who just breezed in from the UK, disclosed that the desire to help develop the blossoming entertainment sector in Nigeria, necessitated the bold step. “We are into general entertainment and hope to discover new talents in both the music and movie sectors. “Already, we have signed two acts, Adaeze and Lamborghini, who we are releasing on our label, James Louis Records soon”. He further added that they would soon storm
locations for a big budget movie entitled Anaedo, to be directed by Izu Ojukwu.

Ugwunze celebrates Chime’s victory

Photo-Sillivan Chime, Enugu State Governor

Pioneer actor turned businessman Olisaemeka Ugwunze did not only fly down to Enugu to witness last Friday’s Appeal Court ruling, but has also not stopped celebrating since the election of his State’s governor, Sullivan Chime was upheld. Gathered that immediately the judge pronounced Chime winner, Ugwunze, who stormed the court’s premises with his pals, mostly from Lagos, started partying and celebrating the victory round the major cities of Enugu State. Our source further hinted that the groove lasted till the wee hours of the following morning and even continued in Lagos the day after. Confirming the story, Ugwunze, the honcho of Mescana Nigreria Limited said Chime’s victory was well deserved and that they looked forward to hosting him soon in Lagos. We just hope that the tested thespian is not thinking of abandoning business for politics, just like he did with Nollywood.

Vivian Ejike, Emem Isong set for historic premiere

Nollywood will be agog on Sunday, July 20, 2008 for the back-to-back premieres of two blockbuster movies courtesy of Vivian Ejike and Emem Isong, two leading female filmmakers in the industry.

Both big budget movies, When the heart lies and Games Men Play Reloaded would be premiered and presented to the world at the upscale Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, after, which they would be screened in other major cities of the federation before being released on VCD and DVD nationally and globally.

The high profile event, which is expected to attract dignitaries from all walks of life, is currently the talk of the town within and outside Nollywood.

Meanwhile, aside the cool evening double premiere, some top musicians and comedians have been billed to light up the anticipated night of fun with their scintillating performances.

On why they chose to organize a two-in-one premiere, Ejike, an ex senior banker, hinted that they decided to attempt a unique initiative, which has never happened in Nollywood and thus setting a standard. In her own words, Isong, who is also a seasoned scriptwriter, said the idea became necessary because of the quality of the films and the array of stars they both paraded. Tickets for the grand premieres are
currently on sales nationwide.